· Theater critics all over this great nation want you to know that Scarlett Johansson is better than Katie Holmes when it comes to honoring Arthur Miller's work. Don't be discouraged, Holmes fanatics! I sense Tom Cruise's vindicating, all-too-believable performance as Willy Loman in our near future.
· Your Independent Spirit Awards host is the decadent Eddie Izzard. He captures the essence of this year's award season, as he features the dry delivery of A Single Man's Colin Firth and the slight mustache of Precious's Mariah Carey.
· Speaking of facial hair, did you know that Sundance is your one-stop shop for slovenly beards?
· Alexander Skarsgard isn't shy about intensifying the artistic integrity of True Blood -- with lots of nudity.
· Somehow, Andy Dick's latest crime is more embarrassing than his fight with Jon Lovitz.
People reports that American Idol golden-ticket winner Michael "Big Mike" Lynche has been cut from the competition after his father told The St. Petersburg Times that he'd advanced to the Top 24. Ouch. Last season a similar cut occurred (for less evident reasons) with contestant Joanna Pacitti. God, I just wish Lynche had a different, but very similar talent competition where he could redeem himself. Come on, Simon, hook this gentleman up with a Robert Pattinson duet -- for real. [People]
Diddy became the latest celebrity to flaunt his wealth for MTV's Super Sweet Sixteen cameras on Saturday, when the entrepreneur threw his son Justin Dior a birthday bash featuring performances by Fabolous, Lil' Kim and Jim Jones, appearances by the Jersey Shore cast, one gold throne, one red ribbon-adorned Maybach, and John Candy's mortal remains (we think?). [NY Daily News]
Just because Conan O'Brien retired gracefully from the Tonight Show on Friday does not mean that the war on Jay Leno is over. The Wall Street Journal published the proof yesterday in former Movieline contributor Joe Queenan's damning editorial, which alleged that Leno's reign of terror at NBC is eerily similar to Adolf Hitler's annexation of Central Europe in the 1930s. And if history has taught us anything, Queenan predicts that Leno will not stop at reclaiming the Tonight Show -- the host will try to get his grease-stained hands on NBC's entire late night line-up. All in all, an interesting essay comparing NBC's failure to one of the greatest misfortunes in world history -- even more interesting knowing that the Wall Street Journal is owned by News Corp., which also happens to own the network currently trying to woo O'Brien.
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· Naomi Watts has joined the cast of Dream House, in which Daniel Craig also will star as a man whose family moves into a home where the previous residents were slaughtered. Watts is set to play Craig's neighbor, who'll no doubt supply the film's crucial disclosure about the late family, probably while nervously shouting her explanation for leaving a salutory welcome casserole on the sidewalk in front of the house instead of bringing it to the door. [THR]
James Marsden hops back to work, sorting out the biggest flops of the last five years, and more Hollywood Ink after the jump.
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Join us now from Sundance as we offer a glance at the weekend's box office numbers, albeit through the fuzzy haze of enough complimentary Patron cocktails to kill an average sperm whale. Patron: Helping socially awkward, aspirant filmmakers get laid at heavily corporatized independent film festival parties since 2009™.
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It's easy to get wrapped up in Sundance and wonder if you're missing some crucial film news elsewhere, but there was little of interest at yesterday's box office besides the continued domination of Avatar. The only debut with any pop was the "look at my face transform!" horror pic Legion, while The Tooth Fairy and Extraordinary Measures both underperformed.
The full Friday figures:
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Happy Friday to Movieline Nation, where another week flew by with aplomb -- and not just a little turbulence. And seeing as a people can't move forward without knowing where they've been (at least for a little while), please take a moment to reminisce with us after the jump. Don't forget to check in with us when you can for lots more Sundance coverage, and have a great weekend!
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Just hours before Mark Lisanti's East Coast livetweeting of Conan O'Brien's final Tonight Show, we at Movieline honor our own jokesmiths by presenting them with the loneliest orphan in Zuckerland, Andy Richter. He's a tame little prince, with couch-sitting ability and simple demands like starring in his own series for one season every few years. He only pipes up if your joke kind of sucked. And he knows Tina Fey! Feed him whatever you like. Now, who are his glowing new parents?
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Bad news for Roman Polanski, who's currently cooling his heels in a Swiss chalet while waiting to hear if he can be sentenced for his 1977 sexual assault charge in absentia. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza said today, "I choose to insist on the integrity of the judicial system that he appear. The motion is denied...I have made it clear he needs to surrender." [The Wrap]
It certainly puts Conan's $32 million payout into perspective, knowing that 165 television writers over the age of 40 will share a $70 million settlement after alleging that major networks, studios, and talent agencies did not hire or represent them due to an overt age bias. And they won't even receive shares -- they'll have to apply to a fund named the Fund for the Future in order to receive grants and loans for approved projects. Among the companies involved in the nearly decade-long lawsuit were ABC, CBS, NBC, Endeavor Agency, Gersh Agency and Spelling Television. Two-thirds of the $70 million will be covered by insurance carriers, if approved by the California State Court. [THR]
· Hey, the poster for the second season of Nurse Jackie! They sure do love their naughty puns over there at Showtime marketing.
· Musician Julian Shah-Taylor told E! that he collaborated on an unreleased album with notable wackadoo Joaquin Phoenix, who's "a Beatles, Oasis, Bowie-style songwriter. I hold it in that high esteem."
· Michael Douglas is really living up to his status as a sexagenerian, telling AARP magazine, "God bless her that [Catherine Zeta-Jones] likes older guys. And some wonderful enhancements have happened in the last few years -- Viagra, Cialis -- that can make us all feel younger."
· What Not to Wear host Clinton Kelly has been tapped to host the Miss America pre-show.
· Nikki Finke's heard that the Oscars may add a third host to this year's proceedings. Why stop there? Make every presenter a host! Forty hosts! Taylor Lautner's hosting the Oscars, y'all!
Another week in Movieline's cultural observatory has yielded yet another batch of bafflements, confusions and absurdities to get our heads around heading into the weekend. With some it'll be easier than others, but with those below, there may never be hope for you or us. This calls for a new round of Say Whaaaa?, featuring some of your favorite stars, phenomena and, as always, the soulful accompaniment of the Say Whaaaa? Singers. Let's sort through it all after the jump.
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Welcome back to Movieline Attractions, your regular guide to everything new, noteworthy and/or bringing up the rear at the movies. This week, a trio of new wide releases attempt to siphon some of Avatar's record-brushing haul, while a double dose of Paul Bettany isn't everything it's cracked up to be. Sift through the hard choices after the jump.
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· As Robert Pattinson begins to spread his non-Summit wings, he's lined up quite the project: Water for Elephants, which Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) is directing, based on the popular Sara Gruen novel. Pattinson will play a circus newbie who promptly finds himself in a love triangle with characters who are being circled by Reese Witherspoon and Sean Penn. Pattinson? Love triangle? You don't say! [Deadline]
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