Movieline has already given Hollywood a list of directors who might find themselves at home behind the camera of the WikiLeaks movie -- fingers crossed for Roman Polanski, obvs -- and now it appears the project is one step closer to having a script. Julian Assange has scored himself a book deal! "I don't want to write this book, but I have to," Assange told Britain's Sunday Times, presumably after cashing his $1.5 million advance check. Bill Hader, get your headshot ready. Muwhahahaha. [THR via The Wrap]
I was hesitant to make a top 10 movie list this year because, really, who cares what I have to say? But then I started thinking, Yeah... who cares what I have to say? Without the title of "movie critic," I can just choose whatever movies I want -- the ones that I truly enjoyed the most -- as opposed to movies that I know are technically great or that any film fan should definitely see, but may not be as emotionally pleasing to my Big 12-school-educated mind. I know that a "favorite movie list" from an Internet writer my age is supposed to include Inception and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, it's almost blasphemy for it not to, but mine doesn't.
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Forget No Strings Attached. How will this announcement affect Natalie Portman's Academy Award campaign? The Black Swan star's representatives have confirmed that the Best Actress frontrunner is engaged to, and expecting a child with, Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied. The couple met during production on the Darren Aronofsky film -- where Millepied also co-starred as Portman's on-screen dance partner -- and are expecting their child sometime in 2011. Congratulations! [People]
Optimism for 2011's film culture will only get you so far. That's the enduring lesson of IMDB's perennial spirit bludgeon also known as 50 Most Popular Feature Films, which, in the last week of any given year, provides as explicit a reminder as any of what Hollywood will soon shovel into multiplexes. Here's your top 10 at the moment: Pirates of the Caribbean 4; Fast Five; Transformers 3; Thor; The Green Hornet; Twilight Part 4, Part 1; Harry Potter Part 7, Part 2; Captain America; Hanna; and The Hangover 2. Get me rewrite, Brooks Barnes. [IMDB via @ebertchicago]
Much was made in recent weeks about the sexuality of John Travolta and Kevin Spacey, but whatever their preference, one actor thinks they should continue to keep that bit of personal information personal. "For an actor to be working is a kind of miracle, because most actors aren't, so it's just silly for a working actor to say, 'Oh, I don't care if anybody knows I'm gay' -- especially if you're a leading man," Richard Chamberlain told The Advocate. "Personally, I wouldn't advise a gay leading man-type actor to come out."
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Consider this whatever the opposite of a "holiday miracle" is. Modern Family star Rico Rodriguez has taken advantage of his newfound fame by launching a clothing line with his sister Raini called RAR It Fitz Fashions. Products range from ugly $12 Beanie caps to even uglier $18 graffiti-inspired t-shirts. Rodriguez made the announcement via Twitter several days before Christmas: "This is something new to us and we have been learning everyday. We hope y'all enjoy the clothes and wear them loud and proud! :)" [JustJared]
Not even being a cinematic lump of coal could stop Little Fockers from topping the tepid Christmas weekend box office; the threequel was the film of choice for people trying to get away from their families. Meanwhile, Jeff Bridges owned the second and third slots on the charts, proving that he's the new Johnny Depp. (If only!) Pour yourself that final glass of eggnog and click ahead for some weekend receipts.
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Also in today's edition of The Broadsheet: Why that "unauthorized" Oprah Winfrey biography was important... Making Hollywood cataclysm fun again... Tall tales and True Grit... A death in the documentary family... Contemplating the most overrated movie of 2010... And more...
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A short week at Movieline HQ calls for a short Week in Review, so let's hop right to it and get on with the holidays. We can make it through this together, folks. The office will be shuttered this weekend, but we'll return bright and early Monday to hear all your fun stories of family, travel, gift-giving, gift-receiving, raising bail money and/or any combination thereof. Have a fantastic weekend!
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· They've worked fast before, but the masterminds behind those Taiwanese CGI animations have struck again (in record time) with a tribute to Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark's insane snafus. [YouTube]
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Just how far will Little Fockers co-star Dustin Hoffman go to not talk about his critically detested new project during the New York junket for said film? The Oscar-winner found himself discussing everything from arranged marriages to how he slept with his present wife on their first date. "This was going to be her first movie star, her first older man, her first ex -- someone who had broken up with their wife -- and the first date, and she did all four. And then she said I ruined it by calling the next day." When the conversation devolved into a debate about whether you should "give away the milk" before "buying the cow," Owen Wilson deduced that "it's more likely if you love the milk, you're going to buy the cow." So there you have it: Don't go see Little Fockers. [HuffPo]
Who's excited for 2011? I said, who's excited for 2011?? Oh. Well, maybe this list of dates, designations, and not just few fearless predictions for the next year in culture might help stimulate your interest. Failing that, there's always the rest of Movieline's future-positive anticipations to get you through. Onward!
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"Today's story regarding Nancy Pelosi made a reference to Steven Spielberg that requires a response," said Hollywood mega-flack Marvin Levy in a statement. "I can say as a long-time spokesman for Steven that he has made it his career to direct actors, not political figures." Probably a wise move -- the guy lost his touch with alien life forms years ago. [THR]
Assuming that Santa Claus really is always watching, there are quite a few television characters whose behavior this year would certainly qualify them for the naughty list. Herewith, the TV personalities who would get coal in their stocking on Christmas morning if their religion permitted and Santa really did exist.
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Also in today's edition of The Broadsheet: Your daily Spider-man: Turn Out the Dark update...Harrison Ford does not want Indiana Jones dead...Merry Christmas from the Human Centipede director...and more...
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