Kristen Stewart Says BAFTA Nomination, Win Was Crazy

Before she graced the stage to accept the Orange Rising Star award at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards on Sunday (February 21) in London, "Twilight" superstar Kristen Stewart chatted about the overwhelming fan support she had been receiving while in the U.K. It is the same fan support that garnered her an award on Sunday.

"I mean we've been here a couple of times for the 'Twilight' press and they’ve always been pretty cool," Kristen said about the British fans who voted her the winner of the Orange Rising Star award at the BAFTAs over the weekend. "It feels really good. I've never been to an award shows, especially of this caliber and especially considering that I'm actually up for something is crazy."


While Kristen had no problem making her speech once she got up to the stage to accept her award, as it turns out as she was walking the carpet earlier that night she seemed to have a little stage fright about her chances of remembering what she'd want to say once she got up there. "I have like three sentences that I really hope to God [I remember]," she shared. "Anyone of the other nominees could win and I would be [fine]. I don’t know if you’ve seen 'Prophet' or 'An Education'. I'm so proud of everyone."

Kristen hasn't been shy about her gratitude for her fans. Recently she sat down with MTV News at the junket for her latest flick, "The Yellow Handkerchief" she had only kind words for the fan support that may have had something to do with the release of the small indie flick. "I mean, that's amazing," she explained. "I like them, and why [wouldn't they get a release]? People should see them."


SOURCE

Kevin James to Host Kids' Choice Awards

Kevin James, get ready to be slimed.

The star of Paul Blart: Mall Cop has signed on to host Nickelodeon's 23rd Annual Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on March 27, and he can barely contain his, uh, excitement at the prospect of feeling the green goo.

"In short, I guess you could say hosting the Kids' Choice Awards completes me," James jokes.

There may be a little more pressure than usual as this year's show comes with presidential aspirations. Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have been nominated for their first Kids' Choice Award in a newly formed category Cutest Couple. They're up against Edward & Bella and Jacob & Bella from The Twilight Saga: New Moon and Neytiri and Jake from Avatar.

The Twilight gang dominated the nominations with five nods. Three-time Kids' Choice Winner Miley Cyrus scored four nominations, while the Jonas Brothers and the brothers Sprouse (Dylan and Cole) scored three nominations each.

Also up for awards are: Nickelodeon star Miranda Cosgrove and her show iCarly; Selena Gomez and Wizards of Waverly Place and Demi Lovato's Sonny With a Chance.

Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Zac Efron, Ray Romano, Sandra Bullock and The Black Eyed Peas are just some of the many artists vying for the coveted orange blimp.

Beginning Feb. 25, kids will be able to cast their votes here in 19 categories on Nickelodeon's Web site. Surprise awards will also be announced during the live telecast.

SOURCE 

67th Annual Golden Globe Awards predictions

Yep, it's that time of year again: time to see who'll snub Seacrest on the red carpet, which celebs will be in the bathroom when their names are called, who'll deliver the drunkest acceptance speech, and just how many trophies Up in the Air will take home. But, there's a big difference between who'll win and who should.

Here are my best bets. Check 'em out and let me know your thoughts, but don't blame me if you don't sweep the office pool. And don't forget to tune into the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live on Sunday, January 17, 2010 on NBC.



Best Motion Picture - Drama

Nominees: Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious, Up in the Air

Who Will Win: Up in the Air

Who Should Win: Inglourious Basterds

Why: Avatar and Precious don't have legit shots at winning. And with Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) members splitting their votes between The Hurt Locker and Inglourious Basterds, Up in the Air will take flight ... and the trophy.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

Nominees: Emily Blunt (The Young Victoria), Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side), Helen Mirren (The Last Station), Carey Mulligan (An Education), Gabourey Sidibe (Precious)

Who Will Win: Carey Mulligan (An Education)

Who Should Win: Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)

Why: The HFPA has a reputation for awarding ingénues. As a result, Ms. Mulligan will emerge victorious, unless of course Gabby Sidibe sneaks out the win. But Sandra's fans shouldn't fret; she has a real shot at winning an Academy Award come March.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Nominees: Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), George Clooney (Up in the Air), Colin Firth (A Single Man), Morgan Freeman (Invictus), Tobey Maguire (Brothers)

Who Will Win: George Clooney (Up in the Air)

Who Should Win: Colin Firth (A Single Man)

Why: Despite Firth's heartbreaking performance and Bridges' award-worthy work, Clooney will have to make room on his mantle for a third Globe simply because voters adore him.

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Nominees: 500 Days of Summer, The Hangover, It's Complicated, Julie & Julia, Nine

Who Will Win: Nine

Who Should Win: 500 Days of Summer

Why: The HFPA will deem 500 Days too edgy, The Hangover too raunchy, and Meryl's two films unworthy compared to Rob Marshall's glitzy, glamorous, star-studded spectacular.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Nominees: Sandra Bullock (The Proposal), Marion Cotillard (Nine), Julia Roberts (Duplicity), Meryl Streep (It's Complicated), Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

Who Will Win: Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

Who Should Win: Meryl Streep (It's Complicated)

Why: Sandra deserves her nom but doesn't have a shot. Marion deserves her nom but doesn't have a shot. Julia doesn't deserve her nom and doesn't have a shot. So, it's Meryl vs. Meryl. Despite the fact that I found Meryl way more appealing in Complicated, a performance in a biopic will always prevail.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Nominees: Matt Damon (The Informant!), Daniel Day-Lewis (Nine), Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer), Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man)

Who Will Win: Daniel Day-Lewis (Nine)

Who Should Win: Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man)

Why: Damon, Downey Jr., and Gordon-Levitt aren't strong contenders in the race, and unfortunately, Stuhlbarg will be snubbed. As a result, DDL -- who, like Clooney is revered by HFPA voters -- will triumph.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Nominees: Penelope Cruz (Nine), Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air), Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air), Mo'Nique (Precious), Julianne Moore (A Single Man)

Who Will Win: Mo'Nique (Precious)

Who Should Win: Julianne Moore (A Single Man)

Why: With Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick splitting the vote and Penelope Cruz out of contention, it comes down to five-time nominee Julianne Moore and newcomer Mo'Nique. Personally, I think Julianne deserves the win thanks to a painfully underrated performance, but there's no doubt in my mind that Mo'Nique will win and deliver a mag'nifique acceptance speech.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Nominees: Matt Damon (Invictus), Woody Harrelson (The Messenger), Christopher Plummer (The Last Station), Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones), Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

Who Will Win: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

Who Should Win: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

Why: Let's be honest: Christoph Waltz gave one of the best supporting performances in recent memory. And with minimal pressure from his fellow nominees, he'll be waltzing away with his first, much-deserved Globe.

Best Animated Feature Film

Nominees: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Coraline, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Princess and the Frog, Up

Who Will Win: Up

Who Should Win: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Why: Up is a fan favorite and a critical darling. This is a no-brainer ... although I must say I feel Fantastic Mr. Fox is being robbed!

Best Director - Motion Picture

Nominees: Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker), James Cameron (Avatar), Clint Eastwood (Invictus), Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds)

Who Will Win: James Cameron (Avatar)

Who Should Win: Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)

Why: Bigelow deserves it more than any of the other nominees. And how awesome would it be to see a woman win, especially a woman who also happens to be one of James Cameron's many ex-wives? The drama surrounding this race is delicious, but the winner will be unappetizing.

Best Television Series - Drama

Nominees: Big Love, Dexter, House, Mad Men, True Blood

Who Will Win: Mad Men

Who Should Win: Big Love

Why: After delivering its best season and best performances to date, HBO's polygamist party more than deserves to be recognized by the HFPA. Unfortunately, voters are more concerned with supporting the buzziest show on the small screen. As a result, Mad Men will emerge victorious ... again. Boring!



FULL LIST

Gay Asians criticize Oscar speech's TV censorship

Gay Asians voiced indignation Wednesday after television broadcasts of the Academy Awards in their region censored the words "gay" and "lesbian" in speeches that called for equal rights for homosexuals.

The speeches by actor Sean Penn and writer Dustin Lance Black - who won Oscars for their work in "Milk" - were shown in full during live broadcasts of the Oscars that were screened across Asia on Monday morning.

But viewers who caught recorded telecasts in the evening on STAR, an Asian satellite TV service that says it reaches more than 300 million viewers in 53 countries, noticed that the sound was removed whenever both men mentioned "gay" or "lesbian."

"As a gay man, I am truly offended," Pang Khee Teik, a prominent Malaysian arts commentator, wrote in a letter sent out to several media organizations. "Stop censoring the words that describe who I am."

Pang said the move "sent a message ... that gays and lesbians are still shameful things to be censored from the public's ears."

Users of Internet forums in Singapore and India also complained about the censored speeches.

Jannie Poon, STAR's Hong Kong-based spokeswoman, stressed that the company had no intention of upsetting any viewers, but said it has "a responsibility to take the sensitivities and guidelines of all our markets into consideration."

Poon said she was not immediately aware that the speeches had been censored, but noted that STAR's preliminary ratings for the Oscar broadcasts indicated "record-breaking" audiences, especially in India and Taiwan.

Viewers first noticed that the words were silenced when Black offered a tribute to slain American gay-rights pioneer Harvey Milk while accepting the Oscar for best original screenplay for "Milk."

"If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he would want me to say to all the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight ... that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value, and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you," Black said.

Penn, who was named best actor for playing Milk, commented in his speech on California's recent vote to ban gay marriage.

"For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think it's a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect on their great shame and their shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that support," Penn said.

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"Slumdog" child actors to get new homes in India

The two main child actors from "Slumdog Millionaire" are to receive new homes from the Indian authorities after the small-budget movie swept the Oscars, winning eight Academy Awards.

The Mumbai homes will go to Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, who played the younger versions of the movie's central characters, Latika and Salim, in the rags-to-riches romance about a poor Indian boy competing for love and money on a TV game show.

"These two children have brought laurels to the country, and we have been told that they live in slums, which cannot even be classified as housing," said Gautam Chatterjee, head of the state-run Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority.

The movie, set in Mumbai, which is part of Maharashtra state, took home eight awards from the Oscars including best picture and best director for Britain's Danny Boyle.

But in the lead-up to Sunday's Oscars, the movie's success around the globe was overshadowed by objections in India to its name, which some Indians find offensive; its depiction of the lives of impoverished Indians; and the treatment of the cast.

There was an outcry after pictures emerged of the child stars living in squalor despite the $15 million movie earning about $100 million since its North American release in November.

But Boyle and producer Christian Colson have flatly rejected claims of exploiting children for the movie.

They said the children were paid above local Indian wages and enrolled in school for the first time with a fund set up to pay for their education, medical emergencies and "basic living costs."

Fox Searchlight Pictures, the specialty division of 20th Century Fox studios that is behind the film, paid for visas, travel and accommodations for nine children who were in the movie to fly to Los Angeles for the Oscars.

http://www.reuters.com/news/entertainment

More than 36 million viewers watch Oscars

More than 36 million U.S. viewers watched Sunday's song-and-dance Oscars on television, lifting the glitzy film awards show from record low ratings in 2008, according to national ratings figures on Monday.

The three and one-half hour broadcast on ABC saw "Slumdog Millionaire" triumph with eight Oscars in a show given a new twist by Australian host Hugh Jackman.

The telecast drew 36.3 million U.S. viewers, up about 13 percent from the record low audience of 32 million in 2008, according to audience tracker Nielsen Media Research.

But while the Academy Awards show still ranks as the year's highest-rated entertainment spectacle on TV, and a cash cow for Walt Disney Co.'s ABC, Sunday's figures reflected the gradual drop-off in American TV audiences in general, as well as Oscar watchers, over the past 10 years.

The 2006 Oscars were watched by 39 million Americans. A record 55 million tuned in in 1998 when "Titanic" sailed off with 11 Academy Awards.

The annual show also attracts millions of viewers around the world.

Jackman, who plays Wolverine in the X-Men movies, starred in the 2008 film "Australia" and is an award winning musical theater performer, was brought in to give the 81st Oscar show a new look.

The traditional, joke-filled opening monologue was cut, and Jackman performed two song-and-dance routines -- one with actress Anne Hathaway and a second alongside singer Beyonce and popular young stars Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens.

TV critics, however, were lukewarm about the Oscar show. Tom Shales in The Washington Post said Jackman was a "versatile and energetic talent" but called his opening medley of songs on the best picture nominees "pointless and flat."

Alessandra Stanley in The New York Times said Jackman was a "shrewd, even thrifty choice for a recession-era Oscar night -- the hosting equivalent of a value meal."

Vibrant Bollywood-style performances of Oscar-nominated songs from "Slumdog Millionaire" put a lively spin on the evening, which saw the main acting awards go to British actress Kate Winslet for "The Reader" and American Sean Penn for "Milk."

Heath Ledger, a star of 2008's No. 1 box office hit "The Dark Knight" was awarded a rare posthumous Oscar as best supporting actor and his family from Australia gave emotional acceptance speeches from the Kodak Theater podium.

Spain's Penelope Cruz took the best supporting actress award for her part in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

Los Angeles Times columnist Patrick Goldstein savaged the telecast. "I'm beginning to believe that saving the Oscars is a job for Iron Man or Hancock, a kick-ass superhero with the kind of unassailable powers that would allow them to radically overhaul what has become the year's stodgiest awards fest."

Oscar after-parties flash global glitter

The glitzy, global spirit of Hollywood raged into the wee hours after the Oscars, with parties around town feting everyone from British best actress winner Kate Winslet down to the youngest "Slumdog Millionaire" star, drinking caffeine to keep up his strength.

Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, only 8, slurped on a can of Coca-Cola at Fox Searchlight's packed after-party Sunday night at ONE Sunset in West Hollywood honoring "The Wrestler" and "Slumdog Millionaire." Filmed in the slums of Mumbai, "Slumdog" snagged eight Oscars, including best picture and director.

Ayush, who lives in India and plays the youngest version of the movie's protagonist Jamal, sat on a sofa at the club, nursing his soda after midnight.

"Very excited," said Ayush, when asked about the wins. "It's unbelievable. I never thought I would get an Oscar. Daniel (director Danny Boyle) told us, 'If you work hard, the Oscar will come to you.' And it came."

As for being tired?

"No, that's why I'm drinking this," he added.

Madhur Mittal, who plays the character Salim in the film, held a drink as throngs of women passed by offering their congratulations. Guests, including Serena Williams, nibbled on red velvet cupcakes and sipped on cocktails including "The Slumdog," a mix of vodka, raspberries and lime garnished with a lollipop - far from the modest fare depicted in the film.

"It feels unreal. This is the best day of my life, man," said Mittal. "I come from India and I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be at the Oscars, much less be part of the movie that sweeps the Oscars."

Despite economic woes, myriad parties had all the glam and celebrity fraternizing of past soirees, though guest lists were substantially slashed and simple comfort food reigned.

Jennifer Love Hewitt hosted AIDS Project Los Angeles' annual bash at The Abbey, and Chevy Chase, Laura Dern and other famous faces flocked to the Night of 100 Stars gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Lindsay Lohan joined her DJ girlfriend Samantha Ronson, who spun at the Mercedes-Benz after-party at the Montage Beverly Hills.

Best actor winner Sean Penn and nominees Taraji P. Henson, Marisa Tomei, Amy Adams and Anne Hathaway were just a few of the stars who made the Governors Ball at the Kodak Theatre their first post-Oscars stop.

Guests nibbled on lobster and shrimp and three-level dessert boxes topped with chocolate Oscars. Penn, his co-star Emile Hirsch and "Twilight" hottie Robert Pattinson were among those who enjoyed the outdoor smoking lounge, a recessed area topped with a dozen overturned parasols.

The Asian-themed affair featured bonsai trees inlaid in the tables and images of bamboo leaves projected on the walls. There was also a chocolate-and-champagne fountain to entertain guests on the back patio.

Blocks away from Fox Searchlight, Vanity Fair's revived Oscar party was all about A-list camaraderie.

The annual celebrity-stuffed bash, canceled last year before the end of the Hollywood writers' strike, roared back into style, with Oscar winners literally rubbing shoulders at the hilltop Sunset Tower Hotel, a new venue for the party after years at the restaurant Morton's. A tented area outside had a stunning view of Los Angeles.

At 11:30 p.m., Winslet swept in. Clutching her Oscar trophy for "The Reader" in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other, she grinned and hugged admirers left and right.

"Great Britannia," said Anthony Hopkins, bearhugging the actress.

"Oh my God!" yelled Winslet back to the Oscar-winning actor, later adding, "I was actually very calm ... I got so many text messages."

The party's exclusive, pared down guest list meant that only the cream of Hollywood showed up, from Jennifer Aniston snuggling next to her boyfriend John Mayer, to Halle Berry drinking champagne on a couch and shaking hands with Russell Simmons.

Best supporting actress winner Penelope Cruz happily munched on a brownie, later hugging Tilda Swinton. Amy Adams laughed in a tight cluster with Uma Thurman, Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon.

Other guests included Robert De Niro, Tina Fey and Josh Brolin. Attendees feasted on more working-class offerings like bagel, egg and bacon sandwiches and In-N-Out burgers.

Nearby, Elton John's annual viewing dinner and after-party at the Pacific Design Center's tented courtyard was another glamorous affair, complete with a five-course menu, including risotto, black sea bass, pear compote and puffed chocolate tartlet.

Dressed in black, wearing strands of Chopard diamonds, John greeted tables of guests, including Simon Cowell and Sharon Stone. Chace Crawford was seated across the room from his amiable ex, Carrie Underwood, who glittered in a silvery dress.

"People are going through tremendous hardship," John told his guests before the night's big auction for his Elton John AIDS Foundation. "In this time of hardship, we are going to raise as much money as we possibly can."

That he did, with $4 million, according to the party's publicist. A stay in Normandy, France, was auctioned off for $80,000.

John later joined musical guest Raphael Saadiq onstage, garnering cheers for a version of John's "Benny and the Jets."

Across town, in Hollywood, Prince ended the night on his own rock 'n' roll musical note, taking the stage at his last-minute Oscar after-party at the Avalon club at 1:45 a.m.

Wearing black sunglasses, and waltzing onto the stage twirling a gleaming silver cane, Prince noodled on his guitar to whoops and hollers from the audience, which included nominee Henson.

"This is what we do at house parties. I'm the DJ tonight," he said.

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Oscars U.S. TV audience up six percent on 2008

The U.S. television audience for Sunday's song-and-dance Oscars rose by about six percent, lifting the glitzy film awards show from record low ratings in 2008, according to early ratings figures on Monday.

The three and one-half hour broadcast on ABC saw "Slumdog Millionaire" triumph with eight Oscars in a show given a new twist by Australian host Hugh Jackman. It posted an average household rating of 23.3 in the largest U.S. TV markets, according to audience tracker Nielsen Media Research.

When national figures are released later on Monday, that is likely to translate into a healthy increase from the 32 million U.S. viewers who tuned in in record low numbers in 2008.

The show also attracts millions of viewers around the world.

Jackman, who plays Wolverine in the X-Men movies, starred in the 2008 film "Australia" and is an award winning musical theater performer, was brought in to give the 81st Oscar show a new look after years of declining TV audiences.

The traditional, joke-filled opening monologue was cut, and Jackman performed two song-and-dance routines -- one with actress Anne Hathaway and a second alongside singer Beyonce and popular young stars Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens.

TV critics, however, were lukewarm about the Oscar show. Tom Shales in The Washington Post said Jackman was a "versatile and energetic talent" but called his opening medley of songs on the best picture nominees "pointless and flat."

Alessandra Stanley in The New York Times said Jackman was a "shrewd, even thrifty choice for a recession-era Oscar night -- the hosting equivalent of a value meal."

Vibrant Bollywood-style performances of Oscar-nominated songs from "Slumdog Millionaire" put a lively spin on the evening, which saw the main acting awards go to British actress Kate Winslet for "The Reader" and American Sean Penn for "Milk."

Heath Ledger, a star of 2008's No. 1 box office hit "The Dark Knight" was awarded a rare posthumous Oscar as best supporting actor and his family from Australia gave emotional acceptance speeches from the Kodak Theater podium.

Spain's Penelope Cruz took the best supporting actress award for her part in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

Los Angeles Times columnist Patrick Goldstein savaged the telecast. "I'm beginning to believe that saving the Oscars is a job for Iron Man or Hancock, a kick-ass superhero with the kind of unassailable powers that would allow them to radically overhaul what has become the year's stodgiest awards fest."

The Academy Awards show still ranks as the year's highest-rated entertainment spectacle on TV, and a cash cow for Walt Disney Co.'s ABC.

http://www.reuters.com/news/entertainment

Oscar night: Slumdog Millionaire wins big

Rags-to-riches romance "Slumdog Millionaire" swept the Oscars on Sunday, winning eight awards including the prize for best picture in a climactic triumph for a movie that almost failed to get released.

Among the "Slumdog" honors, Briton Danny Boyle was named best director for the often dark but ultimately hopeful tale about a poor Indian boy who competes for love and money on a TV game show, and writer Simon Beaufoy won adapted screenplay.

"Slumdog" also earned Oscars for best cinematography, sound mixing, film editing, original score for composer A.R. Rahman and best song, "Jai Ho" for Rahman and lyricist Gulzar. Only seven other films in the 81-year-history of the Oscars have won eight or more awards.

Filmed in the teeming slums of Mumbai, the movie was orphaned at one point when it was dropped by financier Warner Independent Pictures, a division of giant Warner Bros. Fox Searchlight Pictures ultimately rescued the project and released the movie to critical acclaim in November.

"You've been so generous to us this evening, and I want to thank you for that," Boyle said to the Academy Award audience when accepting his trophy.

http://www.reuters.com/news/entertainment

Kate Winslet wins best actress Oscar for "The Reader"

Kate Winslet won her first Oscar on Sunday for her portrayal of a German woman with a secret Nazi past in the romantic drama "The Reader."

"Titanic" star Winslet, 33, was Oscar-nominated five times in the past 13 years but had always returned home empty-handed.

Her best actress Oscar joins two Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild award, a British BAFTA and a handful of U.S. critics awards that Winslet has won this season.

"To the academy, thank you so much," she said. Winslet gave credit to her fellow best actress nominees -- Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie and Melissa Leo -- calling them "goddesses."

"I think we all can't believe we are in the category with Meryl Streep at all," Winslet said.

In addition to Winslet's acclaimed turn in "The Reader," she won plaudits this awards season for her performance as a disillusioned housewife in "Revolutionary Road." The two films were released only weeks apart.

Winslet told the Academy Award audience she would be lying if she said she hadn't practiced an Oscar acceptance speech before.

"I think I was probably 8 years old and staring into the bathroom mirror, and this would have been a shampoo bottle," she said gesturing to her golden statuette. "Well, it's not a shampoo bottle now!"

'HARD, LONELY'

Winslet has said that portraying Hanna Schmitz, a former Nazi prison guard who embarks on an affair with a teen-age boy more than a decade later, was the most challenging role she had ever played because she had little in her own life to draw on.

"Just getting underneath the skin of such a complex person who had lived such an isolated life for so many different reasons, it was hard and quite lonely at times," she told Reuters in a recent interview.

Winslet found international fame as the co-star of the 1997 blockbuster "Titanic" but rather than embracing Hollywood's big time, she opted for smaller, art house movies often made in her native Britain.

In parts ranging from the quirky girlfriend in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" to the laundress in an 18th century insane asylum in "Quills," Winslet made a point of avoiding the cute blonde actress career trap.

She is a close friend of her "Titanic" co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, but it took the pair more than ten years to team up again, this time in the anti-romance "Revolutionary Road."

Winslet is married to Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes and has two young children. On Sunday she thanked all three for "letting me do what I love and who love me just the way that I am."

http://www.reuters.com/news/entertainment

Sean Penn wins best actor Oscar for "Milk"

Sean Penn took home the Oscar for best actor on Sunday for his portrayal of slain San Francisco gay rights activist Harvey Milk in the movie "Milk" and used his win to defend the right of same-sex couples to wed.

Penn, 48, picked up the second Oscar of his career, the first being his 2004 win for his lead role as a grieving father in "Mystic River."

"You commie, homo-loving, sons of guns," the sharp-tongued Penn told the audience as he collected his award. "I did not expect this and...I know how hard I make it to appreciate me."

The straight actor's portrayal of an openly gay politician was a timely one -- with "Milk" coming out shortly after California's same-sex couples lost their right to marry in a voter referendum.

"I think it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way," Penn said.

"We've got to have equal rights for everyone."

Penn, who has a tough guy image dating back to his early career scrapes with the paparazzi, convincingly evoked the legendary charm of Milk, who was shot to death in 1978 at San Francisco City Hall.

"He came in kind of ready made" for the role, openly gay "Milk" director Gus Van Sant said.

In presenting Penn as a nominee, storied actor Robert de Niro joked: "How, for so many years, did Sean Penn get all those straight roles?"

Several critics called the performance the best of Penn's already storied and versatile career, which took off after his breakthrough surfer-stoner role as Spicoli in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."

This year's best actor race was thought to be a battle between Penn and Mickey Rourke, an actor who scored a remarkable career comeback as an aging athlete trying to remain in the ring in "The Wrestler."

"Mickey Rourke rises again," Penn said. "And he is my brother."

Penn won the Screen Actors Guild award for best actor earlier this year and a slew of critics' prizes. The Oscar nomination for "Milk" was his fifth in the best actor category.

http://www.reuters.com/news/entertainment

Best & Worst of the Oscars: Hugh Jackmania!

Oh, man, did you see that moment when that guy did that thing? Don't worry, we did. Read on and get the full story of Oscar's best, worst and otherest.

Best Performance: Even with the slightly forced "recession Oscars" conceit, host Hugh Jackman delivered a completely winning song and dance to open the show that totally made us forget they didn't hire a comedian. Showing off both talent and a sly sense of humor, Jackman nailed it.

Best Lyric From the Opening Song: "I would swim a sea of human excrement."—Jackman crooning sweet(?)ly to Kate Winslet

Worst Transition: From the goofily good opener—the techno Reader representation was more entertaining than the movie—the show bogged down with that somber bunch of Best Supporting Actresses intoning like they were going to banish the winner to the Forbidden Zone with General Zod.

Best Brangelina Quip: Jackman drew our attention to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie before saying, "I don't actually have a joke for them, I'm just contractually required to mention them five times during the show." (Not bad; it's 25 times for us.)

Best Present: Copresenters Steve Martin and Tina Fey, who've been funny together on TV and film, delivered a hilarious tribute to writers that made us want to see them make another movie together. Or, you know, read something.

Best Reaction: Jolie looking totally charmed by her Kung Fu Panda costar Jack Black, who was onstage presenting with that actress from Friends.

Best Twilight Crossover: Rob Pattinson brought that undead charm of his to the Oscars, where it was familiar to Twihards and everyone who's ever had lunch with a Hollywood agent.

Best On-Air Design: Whoever thought to put Daniel Craig and Sarah Jessica Parker on stage together.

Best Reaction: Seth Rogen and James Franco's half-baked response to the comedies of 2008. Dude, cinematographer Janusz Kaminski was so high!

Joke Least Likely to Reach the Billion People Around the World: Ben Stiller's crazy, bearded Joaquin Phoenix impersonation was funny, but a little inside considering how few people recognize Stiller anyway.

Assault With a Medley Weapon: The top-hat-and-tails number with Beyoncé, Zac Efron and the rest totally summed up the year in movies. And that year was 1936.

Most Likely to Spawn a "Who's in Your Five?" Commercial: The Best Supporting actor nomination five-way was like a presidential debate without all the humor.

Most Heartbreaking: Heath Ledger's family accepting his award.

Biggest Showstopper: Wirewalker Philippe Petit, the absolutely entertaining subject of documentary Man on Wire, balancing an Oscar on his chin while a billion people watched and wondered if it would fall. But for a man who once spent 45 minutes walking between the Twin Towers, well, that's probably no big deal.

Best Commercial: Coming in just ahead of the one for the website that helps you earn $5K a month working at home, the Tom Cruise-Jimmy Kimmel bit was funny like a house on fire.

Best Make-Good Decision: The loud and fast medley crammed full of action and comic book movies, because let's be honest: These were the best things that Hollywood had to offer last year, and The Dark Knight (not to mention Iron Man) got robbed. Take that, Reader.

Worst Make-Good Decision: After that whole medley thing, the movie about the wrinkly old baby beat Dark Knight and Iron Man. Obviously, there is no justice…except that meted out by costumed heroes.

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Winners! A Complete List From the 2009 Oscars

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Actor in a Leading Role: Sean Penn, Milk

Actress in a Leading Role: Kate Winslet, The Reader

Actor in a Supporting Role: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Actress in a Supporting Role: Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, Milk

Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire

Animated Feature Film: WALL-E

Foreign Language Film: Departures (Japan)

Original Score: A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire

Original Song: "Jai Ho," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar; Slumdog Millionaire

Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire

Costume Design: The Duchess

Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Film Editing: Slumdog Millionaire

Documentary Feature: Man on Wire

Documentary Short Subject: Smile Pinki

Animated Short Film: La Maison en Petits Cubes

Live Action Short Film: Spielzeugland (Toyland)

Sound Editing: The Dark Knight

Sound Mixing: Slumdog Millionaire

Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Jerry Lewis

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Oscar is in the house: Trophies come to the Kodak

A group of security workers stand at attention as two black SUVs, each driven by armed guards, pull up to the artists' entrance to the Kodak Theatre. Inside are the Academy Awards' most famous guests.

Men in black suits open the car doors. There sit 10 cardboard boxes carrying the show's critical stars: Oscar No. 3453 and 51 of his fellow Oscar statuettes. Steve Miessner, the Keeper of the Oscars, rides along with them.

He and the security guards load the boxes onto two dollies, and each is sent up a backstage freight elevator accompanied by an armed guard.

Miessner leads them down a winding hallway and into an office in the bowels of the Kodak. Two guards stand at the door as he dons his trademark white gloves and begins unpacking the precious cargo: 50 foam containers, each with one Oscar inside.

No. 3453 is among the first he unpacks. Miessner examines it and notices a bit of packaging glue stuck to the statue. He pulls a blue velvet cloth from his toolbox, which also includes tiny wrenches and a pen light, and gently polishes.

One by one, Miessner opens the foam containers and places the golden men on a desk.

"I usually set them all out and put little medallions on them, because backstage you can't see the serial numbers," he says.

Miessner, 47, officially works as an assistant to the film academy president and executive director. But he's also the only academy person who handles the Oscar trophies.

He's responsible for tracking all 52 statuettes reserved for Sunday's ceremony. He'll stand backstage as the awards are presented, noting the serial number of each Oscar and its recipient. After the show, he'll log the information into the academy's Statuettes Database.

But today he's making sure each trophy is accounted for and camera ready. He writes "3453" on a white paper tag and ties it with string around the Oscar's neck, like a little pendant. Miessner, who has served as Keeper of the Oscars for five years, says some nights he wakes in a panic, dreaming that an Oscar sent onstage during the show was still wearing it's numbered necklace.

"In the back of my mind I start to have all these fantasies about what could be going wrong," he says, noting that an entire shipment of Oscars was stolen - and eventually recovered - in 2002. (Hence all the armed guards.)

Just knowing the Oscars are safely at the Kodak brings Miessner some relief.

"They're here. I know they're protected," he says. "They're stationary. They're not going anywhere."

Until Sunday, when No. 3453 and his brothers will be sent off to their new homes.

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Hugh Jackman promises a naked Oscars

Oscar host Hugh Jackman plans to reveal more than most at Sunday's awards ceremony.

"I haven't told anyone this, but we are going to do most of it naked and we're going to sing through the whole show," the affable actor joked during an interview backstage at the Kodak Theatre. "In fact, all the acceptance speeches are going to be sung. There will be some interpretive dance behind them, and I really think it will be beautiful and touching."

But don't expect People magazine's "sexiest man alive" to show everything.

"There will be a strategic leaf placed here or there," he said. "We don't want to be distasteful or anything. This is a raw night. This is the Oscars. Raw emotion, that's the quality we're going for."

The 40-year-old entertainer has hosted the Tony Awards three times, but this is his first time in the Oscar spotlight.

"If I hadn't done the Tonys, I think I'd be a lot more nervous than I am," he said.-AP

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Slumdog child actors will attend Oscars in LA

Fox Pictures executives say the child actors from "Slumdog Millionaire" will attend the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

The rags-to-riches story set in the slums of Mumbai has been nominated for 10 Oscar awards, including best picture and best director.

James Finn of Fox Searchlight Pictures said Friday that nine child actors will be flown to Los Angeles and put up in a five-star hotel.

Director Danny Boyle and his team plucked the child actors from one of Mumbai's teeming slums, where the gritty film was shot.

Finn says the company was making visa and travel arrangements for the children and their relatives until the last minute. - AP

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Writer: Some Oscar presenters have backed out

Anonymity has its perks — especially for celebrity Oscar presenters who might need to wriggle out of the gig.

At least some of the presenters who'd been in line for Sunday's Academy Awards show have backed out, said Bruce Vilanch, who is at work writing the revamped telecast.

"This year, since no one's names have been announced, they're all free to back out and nobody will know. And some of them have taken that option," he said Thursday. He didn't name names.

Laurence Mark and Bill Condon, who are producing the show for the first time, have promised sweeping changes but have been careful to keep many details under wraps — in particular the identity of presenters, many of whom won't be seen on the red carpet.

Joan Rivers, veteran host of pre-show arrivals telecasts of yore, said that's a wise idea.

"You want to see who are they wearing and what are they wearing," Rivers said. "And, if you're doing that on the red carpet, you don't necessarily have to tune into the show."

Rivers believes the red-carpet coverage has helped erode ratings for the Academy Awards.

"Of course, we took away," she said. "There's no question that these took away. I'm just surprised it took them that long to figure it out."

In past years, celebrity presenters have been a large part of the awards show's pre-publicity campaign — and that gives them incentive to stick to the job no matter what.

"Because when it's announced to the world that they're going to be there, they're not going to back out," Vilanch said.

"But now that nobody knows I'm doing it, and I already got the dress, I'll back out," he joked. "I'll back out, keep the dress and wear it someplace else." - AP

Entertainment Home > Entertainment > Top Stories Academy has custody of some 100 orphaned Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences requires all Oscar nominees to sign a contract specifying that they will not sell their statuette without first offering it back to the academy for $1.

The so-called winner's agreement dates back to 1951, at a time when the organization began to worry about orphaned Oscars winding up in the hands of the highest bidder.

So, how many Oscar winners have sold their statuettes to the academy for a buck?

None, says AMPAS Executive Director Bruce Davis, although Oscars still make their way back to the academy's custody.

"We have statuettes willed back to us fairly regularly — maybe two per year — from recipients who don't have appropriate heirs, or who just want to be sure that nothing undignified ever befalls their Oscar," Davis says.

The academy says it owns almost 100 statuettes that have been returned by winners, heirs, or buyers like Steven Spielberg, who purchased pre-agreement Oscars won by Clark Gable and Bette Davis in order to return them to AMPAS.

Statuettes from the collection occasionally go on display at academy headquarters in Beverly Hills, Calif., and eventually, the organization's long-planned Oscar museum in Hollywood will include space for more of the collection. - AP

Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, will.i.am do Image Awards

Fox TV says Beyonce, Stevie Wonder and will.i.am are among the performers set for Thursday's NAACP Image Awards.

They join previously announced singers Jennifer Hudson and Seal, Fox said Wednesday. Other celebrities scheduled to take part include Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Halle Berry and screenwriter-actor Tyler Perry are hosts of the 40th annual Image Awards, airing Thursday from 8-10 p.m. EST on Fox.

The awards coincide with the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and will kick off a yearlong centennial celebration. - AP

Jessica Biel hosts Sci-Tech Oscars

Host Jessica Biel wore Oscar de la Renta, but it was bearded, buttoned-down Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull who got whoops and whistles at the first Academy Awards presentation of the year.

Attendees yelled for Catmull, president of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, as he accepted an Oscar statuette Saturday night for a lifetime of work in computer animation.

Catmull says he was inspired by early Disney films like "Peter Pan" and "Pinnochio" and mentioned collaborators George Lucas, Steve Jobs and Pixar chief creative officer John Lasseter.

Nine other men were honored at the annual scientific and technical awards ceremony, which put a spotlight on the geekier side of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. - AP