As has been well-documented here, Robert Downey Jr. stars in this weekend's new A-list comedy release, Due Date. But I was wondering: How did Downey get to this point from his big screen debut at the age of 5? You can always trace a direct line through a handful of roles to illustrate what led to an actor's current success, but with Downey, that line has more ups and downs than most elevators in Hollywood. So let's look at seven performances -- including his very first -- that trace the evolution of one Robert John Downey Jr.
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· He brought it from home. In the grand tradition of "Free Love on the Freelove Freeway," Ricky Gervais got his guitar out and sang a lullaby to Elmo on Sesame Street. Watch Gervais sing "The Letter N" after the jump and stick around for more Buzz Break.
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In case you thought Antichrist director Lars von Trier was lacking for audacity, he's decided to pose for a number of hilarious and yes, extremely pretentious photos in conjunction with the Criterion release of his critic-defying art-house exploitation flick. Click ahead to see von Trier sporting a leather jacket, lounging poolside and rocking and a penetrating gaze that just screams "best film director in the world."
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For a movie that is going to make about $50 dollars at the box office, there is certainly plenty of interest in The Beaver. Mel Gibson's "comeback" film -- where he plays an insane person who communicates via hand puppet -- has yet to get a release date here in the states, but it will see the light of movie screens in the United Kingdom. According to Film Distributors' Association it will arrive overseas on Feb. 11, 2011. Hey, nothing says Valentine's Day weekend like Mel Gibson! [Digital Spy via Vulture]
Also in today's edition of The Broadsheet: James Bond will return... Spider-Man close to finding its Aunt May and Uncle Ben... David O. Russell continues to make weird career choices... and more ahead.
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I know, I know: "Started drinking early again, eh, STV? Lionsgate's check cleared?" Well, yes to the drinking, but still: If you're a box-office watcher of any regularity, you'll know a Tyler Perry opening is cause for wild speculation -- and his new one may prompt some of the wildest yet before it's all said and done. But it's got a lot of competition to cut through this weekend; let's check it all out.
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A 1935 letter from Walt Disney himself to respected art teacher Don Graham has made its way to the Internet, and it is a fascinating read. Here, Disney suggests a systematic, almost scientific approach to training animators, which probably played no small role in the studio's ability to crank out animated films during their golden age. The part where Disney gets the most emphatic? The the portion about animating a fat person's walk.
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· In the grand tradition of his "Mr. Tambourine Man" and other spoken-word renditions of pop hits, William Shatner "sang" a version of Cee-Lo's viral hit "F*ck You" during yesterday's Lopez Tonight. As expected, it's funny, atmospheric, haunting, and a little grim. Gwyneth Paltrow will cover the same song on Glee, but it's safe to declare Shatner the champion in the battle I just decided they're having. [PopEater]
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Move over Buddy Ebsen, there's a new Barnaby Jones in town and his name is Johnny Depp! Wait, sorry, I misread that. Depp will actually be playing professional vampire Barnabas Collins in Dark Shadows, and not one-half of a "father-daughter detective team." The box office titan will re-team with frequent collaborator Tim Burton for a film adaptation of Dark Shadows, which is based on the ABC television show of the same name that aired from 1966-1971. Hopefully, someday, Depp and Burton will finally realize their destiny and they actually will bring Barnaby Jones to the big screen. Until then, vampires. [Deadline]
I admit I got a little carried away last week with the 25th anniversary of Back to the Future. And, also, back in May, I got way too excited about the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back. Meanwhile, many more movies have celebrated meaningful anniversaries with nary a word, let alone a big press conference and/or book/Blu-ray release.
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Remember that Don Roos film Love and Other Impossible Pursuits that premiered at 2009's Toronto International Film Festival? The one starring Natalie Portman as a woman who hijacks another woman's husband and then must bond with her newly acquired stepson? OK, you probably don't because the film -- also starring Lisa Kudrow and Lauren Ambrose -- never found a U.S. distributor. But now you don't have to wait for a bootleg copy with Russian subtitles to surface mysteriously on a blanket inside your nearest subway station...
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Honestly there are no words -- except maybe the set up from MSNBC reporter Mujeeb Ahmad, whose new interview with high-ranking Taliban member Mullah Aminullah discredits any and all news of peace talks. Still: Holy crap, Joaquin Phoenix's evil twin quit hip-hop and went into Islamic extremism.
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The official word from Fox Searchlight is "No" -- the epidemic of fainting, seizures and other visceral physical reactions to the amputation scene in 127 Hours is not a studio-engineered publicity stunt. Nor does the studio intend to capitalize on it, according to co-president Stephen Gilula: "I would prefer that people not pass out; it's not a plus. [...] We don't see a particular publicity value in it." Noble? Sure. Tasteful? Always. Honest? Let's check the medical history.
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· Get it out of your system now, wannabe Jules Winnfield: "What ain't no country I ever heard of!" Maybe so, but that doesn't mean this compilation of Don Draper saying "what" two-dozen times on Mad Men isn't worth your time and chuckles. Click ahead to watch the what and stick around for more Buzz Break.
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Is there anything better than when one celebrity comes out against another celebrity on the public stage? Let me answer that for you: Hell to the no! It's why everyone got excited when Shia LaBeouf and Frankie Muniz started slinging mud via Twitter, and it's why the halls of Movieline HQ are buzzing with excitement over the fact that Meghan McCain basically called Bristol Palin "ridiculous."
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