January 29, 2007

The Screen Actors Guild Awards was almost a repeat of the Golden Globes, at least in the major acting categories. Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson were winners the supporting categories for their roles in Dreamgirls. Best Actor went to Forest Whitaker for his performance in the Last King of Scotland. And once again, royalty ruled for Best Actress with Helen Mirren winning for her performance in The Queen. Little Miss Sunshine won for Best Ensemble Cast in a Film. On the television side, Grey's Anatomy won for Best Ensemble Cast in a Drama Series. Chandra Wilson won Best Actress in a Drama Series. Hugh Laurie (House) was the Best Actor (Drama). On the comedy side, The Office won for Best Ensemble. Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) was the Best Actor and Best Actress in a Comedy Series went to America Ferrera in Ugly Betty.

Andre Benjamin is joining Will Ferrell, Will Arnett (Arrested Development's Gob) and Woody Harrelson in the football comedy Semi-Pro.

Batman Begins fans will probably be glad to hear that Katie Holmes will not be returning in the sequel, Dark Knight. According to Variety, she's dropped out of the highly-anticipated sequel to join Queen Latifah and Diane Keaton in Mad Money (for details on that project, scroll down to the Buzz from January 25).

January 25, 2007

Teaching is an often thankless job. So, in appreciation for the hard work that teachers do, AMC Theaters is giving teachers the opportunity to see Freedom Writers for free. The inspirational drama, starring Hilary Swank, tells the true story of high school teacher Erin Gruwell, who changed the lives of her Long Beach students, many of whom were involved in gangs and who lived lives often devoid of hope. Teachers can see the film for free from this Friday, January 26 through Thursday, February 1. Teachers from kindergarten through 12 grades are eligible. Teachers should present a school-issued ID or a pay stub and photo-ID to get the free admission.

Isaiah Washington is making amends. The Grey's Anatomy actor has issued a statement today that he is undergoing counseling in a residential facility (in other words, he's 'going into 'rebab'). His publicist released a statement where Washington atoned again for his repeated use of an anti-gay term. He said, “"With the support of my family and friends, I have begun counseling. I regard this as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again. I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity and I remain committed to transforming my negative actions into positive results, personally and professionally.” On Monday, in a meeting arranged by ABC, the actor met with members of GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network). GLAAD president Neil Giuliano said this in a statement, “Isaiah understands that he is going to be judged by more than just his apology. He knows that his future actions - including the genuine first step that today's meeting represents - will demonstrate his sincerity in becoming part of the solution to anti-gay bigotry.” However, Washington isn’t out of the woods quite yet; there is still the very real possibility that he could be fired.

Production Weekly is reporting that Queen Latifah is in talks to star in the movie Mad Money. The movie, a remake of a British film called Hot Money, is the true story of several women who worked nights as part of the cleaning crew at the British Treasury. Together the women plot to rob the organization. It’s being described as a ‘low-tech Ocean’s 11.’ It also stars Diane Keaton. Shooting begins in Louisiana in March.

Eddie Murphy isn’t giving up on the family films just because he’s got an Oscar nomination for a serious film. The actor will be starring in Nowhereland about a man who gets a new perspective on life after getting a glimpse into his daughter’s imaginary world.

Forest Whitaker, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actor earlier this week, regrets not being better prepared for his win. The actor who portrayed Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland said, "I lived in the moment. Until I heard my name, I didn't know if it was going to be true. When I heard it I was overwhelmed, really. I started stuttering around and stuff. I wish I was more coherent." He’s been nominated for an Academy Award for the same performance.

While everyone loves the Oscars, I love the Razzies, which rewards the worst films of the past year. I agree with most of their nominations. Worst Picture of the Year nominees are: Basic Instinct 2, Wicker Man, Little Man, Lady in the Water and BloodRayne. The Razzie winners are announced the day before the Oscars.

January 23, 2007

The Academy Award nominations have been announced. For a complete list of nominees, click here.

Best Picture:
Babel, The Departed, Letters From Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, The Queen.

Best Actor:
Leonardo DiCaprio, Blood Diamond; Ryan Gosling, Half Nelson; Peter O'Toole, Venus; Will Smith, The Pursuit of Happyness; Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland.

Best Actress:
Penelope Cruz, Volver; Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal; Helen Mirren, The Queen; Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada; Kate Winslet, Little Children.

Supporting Actor:
Alan Arkin, Little Miss Sunshine; Jackie Earle Haley, Little Children; Djimon Hounsou, Blood Diamond; Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls; Mark Wahlberg, The Departed.

Supporting Actress:
Adriana Barraza, Babel; Cate Blanchett, Notes on a Scandal; Abigail Breslin, Little Miss Sunshine; Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls; Rinko Kikuchi, Babel.

Best Director:
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Babel; Martin Scorsese, The Departed; Clint Eastwood, Letters From Iwo Jima; Stephen Frears, The Queen; Paul Greengrass, United 93.

Original Song:
I Need to Wake Up from An Inconvenient Truth, Melissa Etheridge; Listen from Dreamgirls, Henry Krieger, Scott Cutler and Anne Preven; Love You I Do from Dreamgirls, Henry Krieger and Siedah Garrett; Our Town from Cars, Randy Newman; Patience from Dreamgirls, Henry Krieger and Willie Reale.

January 22, 2007

Little Miss Sunshine walked away with the top film award from the Producers Guild of America. It beat out Dreamgirls, The Queen, Babel, and The Departed. On the television front Shonda Rimes and Grey's Anatomy won for Best Episodic Television Drama. The Office won for Best Episodic Television Comedy.

In the midst of controversy, sometimes you need a specialist. Isaiah Washington has fired his long-time publicist and hired several crisis management experts. TV Guide say Washington has hired Allen Mayer and Kelly Mullens. The PR team has navigated stars like R. Kelly, Paula Poundstone and Tommy Lee through their own firestorms of controversy.

Alicia Keys, who make her acting debut this Friday in Smokin' Aces, is giving four $5,000 scholarships to college-bound teens. The scholarships are part of the Open Door Scholarship Program, a non-profit organization founded by her road manager. One winner will be selected from Jacksonville, New Orleans, Atlanta and Harlem. In return for the funds, the students will have to participate in various public service activities as well as in public appearances on behalf of the scholarship program. Keys had this to say, "We're just looking for standout students who are definitely college-bound and need a little bit of help financially to really achieve their dreams."

Super model Naomi Campbell is making an appearance on the hit show, Ugly Betty. According to Campbell, "I'll play a loony who loves to shop and can't find a man. I like that sort of role."

Not Everybody Hates Chris. The show has been renewed for a third season. Dawn Ostroff, president of the CW said, "Under the creative guidance of Chris Rock and Ali LeRoi and performances from an incredibly talented cast, 'Everybody Hates Chris' has consistently proven itself to be one of the best comedies on television."

According to a Harris Poll, Denzel Washington is America's Favorite Movie Star. Tom Hanks, who has held that title for three of the past five years, was bumped down to number two. I guess a pulse isn't a requirement for this poll as John Wayne maintained third place. Clint Eastwood came in fourth, and fifth place was a tie between Will Smith and Julia Roberts. Johnny Depp and Mel Gibson tied for seventh place, George Clooney came in ninth and Harrison Ford tenth.

January 20, 2007

The Grey's Anatomy Brouhaha:
Just to give you the backstory. Back in October, it was widely pubilcized that a fight had broken out on the set of Grey's Anatomy. The fight was between Patrick Dempsey (McDreamy) and Isiaiah Washington (Dr. Burke). Apparently, Washington was upset about T.R. Knight (George) arriving late to shoot their scenes. Apparently, Washington dropped the f-bomb (not 'f' as in 'rhymes with puck', but 'f' as in 'rhymes with maggot'). Dempsey didn't appreciate the comment and that's how he got involved. As a result of the argument and the press attention, Knight came out of the closet in an interview with People Magazine.

It seemed that the controversy had died down ... that is until Monday at the Golden Globes. While in the press room, Washington addressed the earlier comment and controversy by saying, “No, I did not call T.R. (Knight) a f****t. It never happened ... There is no way I could do anything so vile, and so horrible, not only to a castmate, but to a fellow human being." The fact that 1) He denied making the first comment and, 2) He used the offensive word in denying the comment, incited the controversy all over again. Knight appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday, where he said, "He referred to me as a f****t... Everyone heard it... I've never been called that to my face. I think, when that happened, something shifted and it became bigger... than myself... I could've just let it slide and not said anything but it became important.." Co-stars Sandra Oh and Katherine Heigel have come to T.R.’s defense. Heigl said, “T.R.'s my best friend. So I will throw down for that kid. I will beat you up ... I will use every ounce of energy I have to take you down if you hurt his feelings."

GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) demanded an apology (which they got). Thursday, executives at ABC called Washington's comments "unacceptable." In a released statement, they said, "We have a long-standing policy to create and maintain respectful workplaces for all our employees. We dealt with the original situation in October, and thought the issue resolved. Therefore, we are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, that he himself deemed 'unfortunate' in his previous public apology. We take this situation very seriously, and his actions are unacceptable and are being addressed." Meanwhile, angry fans have submitted an Internet petition to ABC with over 8,000 names demanding that Washington be fired.

For his part, Washington has issued another apology. He said, "I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance. I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on `Grey's Anatomy.' I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help.

"I know the power of words, especially those that demean. I realize that by using one filled with disrespect I have hurt more than T.R. and my colleagues. With one word, I've hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted. I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I've opened. T.R.'s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity."

Now onto the rest of the Bizz Buzz...
For you straight to video fans, Moviehole.net is reporting that a sequel to New Jack City is in the works. No word on whether any of the cast members will reprise their roles (I guess it’s safe to say that Chris Rock and Wesley Snipes won’t)

Regina King of Ray and the current season of 24 is divorcing her husband of almost 10 years, Ian Alexander. The couple have one son, Ian Jr.

Speaking of 24, the new season kicked off this week. So of course, there is a new season of outrage against the way the show portrays Islamic terrorists. The Council on American-Islamic Relations approached the show two season's agp when Muslim extremist plays a critical role in the show's intricate plot. Now they are upset because so far this season, Muslims seem to be portrayed in the same negative manner. The Council's spokesman said, "The overwhelming impression you get is fear and hatred for Muslims. After watching the premiere, I was afraid to go to the grocery store because I wasn't sure the person next to me would be able to differentiate between fiction and reality."

According to Cinematical Samuel L. Jackson will join Kerry Washington in the thriller Lakeview Terrace. He'll playa cop who is upset when an interracial couple move into the neighborhood. Jackson becomes determined to get the couple out of his neighborhood.

Laurence Fishburne has signed on to play a security chief in 21. The film tells the real-life story of six M.I.T. grads who break the card counting system and end up winning millions from Las Vegas casinos.

January 15, 2007

Stomp the Yard stomped the competition over the weekend, stepping its way into first place at the box office. The film which follows a fraternity stepping competition at a black university earned an impressive $22 million. After spending three weeks at the number one spot Night at the Museum, fell to second place. The film has earned a total of $186 million since its release five weeks ago. Rounding out the top five were The Pursuit of Happyness (earning $136 million overall), Dreamgirls, and Freedom Writers. Alpha Dog, which opened this weekend, barely managed to bark, coming in seventh place with $6.1 million. Primeval, a film about a reptilian ‘serial killer’ opened in eighth place with $6 million.

While the world has watched the sordid downfall of Whitney Houston with shock and awe, one star rooting for her comeback is Beyonce Knowles. The singer grew up admiring Houston and knows how demanding celebrity can be. She told Contact Music, “I think it's very easy to get yourself into trouble. We live an unrealistic life in a crazy world. The demands are huge and the fallout can be equally big. You can get swept along by events. It is very hard for a woman in the music business to maintain a long-term career. There are demands you cannot even begin to imagine.”

Jennifer Lopez is headed to court. She’s trying to stop first husband Ojani Noa from publishing his tell-all book, the salaciously titled, The Unknown Truth: A Passionate Portrait of a Serial Thriller. Lopez had hired her ex- to manager her restaurant, Madre’s, in Pasadena. After she fired him in 2004, he wrote the book. Noa claims that during their 11-month marriage, she cheated with one of her Anaconda co-stars (could it be Ice Cube, Eric Stolz or maybe Angelina Jolie’s daddy, Jon Voight?). He also claims she had an affair with the then-married Marc Anthony (her current husband). Lopez and her people claim that a settlement between Lopez and Noa in 2005 (for $125,000) prohibited him from talking about their relationship in a negative light.

Will Smith and his company, Overbrook Entertainment;, have purchased the script for a drama called Sisters of Mercy. According to Variety, it tells the story of a widower who is helped through the grieving process by the members of his late wife’s book club.

Both Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson were winners in the Critics Choice Awards. They picked up Best Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress awards for their roles in Dreamgirls. I have a feeling that Hudson and possibly Murphy will be walking a way with armfuls of statuettes by the time this award season is over. While Beyonce didn’t win for her acting, she did win for her song, Listen. Best Actor went to Forest Whitaker for his performance in the Last King of Scotland. And once again, royalty ruled for Best Actress with Helen Mirren winning for her performance in The Queen. Martin Scorsese picked up the Best Director nod for The Departed which also won for Best Picture.

January 12, 2007

It’s no surprise that Dreamgirls is the leader of the pack when it comes to NAACP Image Award nominations. The star-studded musical has racked up eight nominations. Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose have all scored nominations in the acting categories. Dreamgirls was nominated for best picture along with: Akeelah and the Bee (all three stars Laurence Fisburne, Angela Bassett and Keke Palmer received acting nominations), Blood Diamond (Djimon Hounsou also received a best actor nod), Catch a Fire and The Pursuit of Happyness (Will Smith, his son Jaden and Thandie Newton all received nominations). Between Dreamgirls and her album B’Day, Beyonce scored five individual nominations. On the TV side, Everybody Hates Chris also garnered eight nominations on its own.

Lock-outs, DNA test, tearful TV interviews and a dead body that still hasn’t been interred after two weeks, the James Brown saga is already messy enough but it’s about to get messier. According to a will read yesterday, Brown’s five-year-old son, James Jr. was left out of the will. His six other children were provided for. Little James’s mother, Tommie Rae Hynie, James’s wife, knew nothing of the will. Her attorney, Thornton Morris says, “She was locked out of the house so she doesn't know where the will that's being probated was found. She has no knowledge to when this particular will was executed.”

Speed of Sound, the company that auctioned off some of Whitney Houston’s belongings, didn’t even break even with the sale. The company got permission to auction the items stored from her 1999 world tour because they claimed they had not been paid in a year and that the singer owed them between $175,000 and $200,000. The auction only made $150,000. Of the items auctioned, the ‘big ticket’ item, a clear Schimmel grand piano, worth almost $300,000 went for a mere $20,000. All 16 of Bobby Brown’s music awards went for a paltry $400 (that’s just $25 a piece).

American Idol is gearing up for season six, starting on Tuesday and there are lining up some big names as guest judges. Last year, they scored a coup when music legend Prince appeared in the finale. This year the big names they are rumored to be courting are Sir Paul McCartney and Mariah Carey. The show which brings in $500 million in advertising revenues, isn’t confirming that either star is a lock but they confirm that they are trying to work things out with both stars.

HBO is working on a reality show about Grammy award-winning rapper Kanye West. The will be “based in a day in the life” of the rapper. Larry Charles, who has produced both Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage, is involved in the show. Charles is also one of the producers of the controversial mockumentary, Borat. West is also working on a feature film inspired by his music. No word on how that is progressing.

January 8, 2007

Laurence Fishburne and his wife Gina Torres are expecting their first child. The pair have been married since 1992. Fishburne, 45, was seen most recently in the critically-acclaimed Bobby. Torres, 38, can be seen every week on Fox’s show Standoff. She also co-stars with Chris Rock in I Think I Love My Wife. This is Torres’s first child and Fishburne’s third. He has two children from a previous marriage.

Eddie Murphy’s new film, Norbit, has been slammed with an R-rating. Murphy and DreamWorks were shooting for a more family-friendly PG-13. However the MPAA claimed the movie contained too much ‘sex-related humor’ and deemed it an R. In the film, Murphy plays a number of characters. He stars as Norbit, a skinny wimpy man engaged to a humongous, over-bearing mountain of a woman (also Murphy), when he meets the perfect woman (Thandie Newton).

Royalty ruled at the National Society of Film Critics Awards. Forrest Whitaker took home the Best Actor award for his role as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland, while Dame Helen Mirren won the Best Actress honor for her role as Queen Elizabeth in The Queen. Meryl Streep won the Best Supporting Actress award for her roles in two films The Devil Wears Prada and A Prairie Home Companion. Mark Wahlberg won Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Departed.

Prison Break star Wentworth Miller is slamming reports that he is gay. Apparently, certain media outlets have begun to question the Fox stars popularity but he wanted to put the rumors to rest. He said, "No, I'm not gay. I know these rumors are out there...I'm cool with the fact that they exist; I mean this is about fantasy. Certain people are going to have certain fantasies. If someone wants to imagine me with a woman, or a man or one of each, that's cool with me as long as you keep watching the show."

January 4, 2007

Whitney Houston once sang, “I’ve got the stuff that you want. I’ve got the thing that you need.” Who knew she was talking about selling her stuff at an auction! Turns out The-Soon-To-Be-Former-Mrs.-Bobby-Brown neglected to pay her storage fees with a company called Speed of Sound. The company was storing items from her 1999 tour. Lawyers from Speed say they haven’t received payment from the diva in over a year and the auction is a way of recouping their losses (which they estimate to be between $175,000 and $200,000). Items on the auction block include: sound equipment, gowns and musical instruments. Houston’s camp says the auction is a way of getting rid of outdated equipment and items that are no longer needed.

Beyonce might still get an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Deena Jones in Dreamgirls, but what she won’t be getting is an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Beyonce has won rave reviews for her performance of the song, Listen, which was added to the original Broadway score and serves as Deena’s big number in the film. Even though she is credited as one of the song’s writers, the Academy normally gives Oscars to just two co-writers, occasionally a third if their contribution is deemed large enough. Well, the Academy has spoken and decided that three of the writers (Henry Krieger, Anne Preven and Scott Cutler) are eligible for the award.

The Screen Actors Guild announced nominations today. Babel, Dreamgirls, The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine led the pack. Those four films are in the running for Best Ensemble Cast (along with Bobby). Dreamgirls also scored with nominations for Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Hudson) and Best Supporting Actor (Eddie Murphy). Leonardo DiCaprio was nominated for both Best Actor (Blood Diamond) and Best Supporting Actor (The Departed). One of the most interesting categories at the SAG Awards this year is for Best Actor. Joining Dicaprio are: Will Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness), Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland), Peter O’Toole (Venus) and Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson). Djimon Hounsou is also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Blood Diamond.

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards have been announced as well. Dreamgirls, Babel, The Departed, Little Miss Sunshine and The Queen are all vying for the group’s highest honor (I’m beginning to see a pattern here). The PGA and the SAG Awards are considered precursors to the Oscars; and we could be getting a glimpse of what the Oscar’s Best Picture category could look like. Winners of the PGAswill be announced Saturday, January 20, at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.

Oprah who recently opened a school for disadvantaged South African girls has come out in defense of Madonna and her decision to adopt a Malawian boy. She says, "I applaud Madonna. I think it's an amazing thing that she did, and it makes me sick that people criticize her, because there are millions of children in this world who will die because no one came to save them. I think she deserves praise and applause and not to be criticized."

January 2, 2007

Congratulations to Will Smith. The Pursuit of Happyness surpassed the $100 million mark ($103.7)–making this the 10th Smith film to hit that milestone!

After eight days in wide release Dreamgirls has already raked in 41.6 million. I’m sure this is one dream Paramount Pictures doesn’t want to end!

Indiana Jones fans have May 2008 to look forward to. That’s when the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones saga w ill continue. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have finalized the script. And of course, Harrison Ford is back on board to play everyone’s favorite adventure-loving archeologist. At 64, Ford says he’s confident that he’s fit enough for the role.

Following in the footsteps of the football drama Friday Night Lights (an excellent show with poor ratings), the movie that brought Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie together is making the transition to the small screen. ABC has greelit a pilot for Mr. & Mrs. Smith which will begin shooting in March. Doug Liman who directed the movie and Simon Kinberg will be directing and writing the pilot. Kinberg told Variety, "It's essentially Married ... With Children with guns. The show takes all the marital issues a couple has and blows them up to action-genre size … So rather than fight about who forgot to pack the toothpaste, they'll bicker over someone forgetting to pack the detonator."