Why Armie Hammer Almost Turned Clint Eastwood Down

Why Armie Hammer Almost Turned Clint Eastwood Down By Jessica Gardner December 13, 2011 Fresh off playing the Winklevoss twins in "The Social Network," Armie Hammer gives an outstanding supporting performance in Clint Eastwood's "J. Edgar." It's a performance that almost didn't happen, because Hammer initially turned down the audition. His agent called and told him "J. Edgar" casting director Fiona Weir wanted him to audition for the part of Clyde Tolson, J. Edgar Hoover's trusted adviser and lifelong companion. Hammer read the script and thought it was great but didn't understand the character. "He didn't make sense to me," says Hammer. "I didn't get why Clyde stuck around and took Edgar's hot-and-cold abuse. I didn't understand the depth of their love and the complications of their relationship."Hammer passed, telling his agent that if he couldn't understand it, he wouldn't do well in an audition. Weir persisted, telling him "Clint" really wanted him to audition. "I was like, 'Okay, well, now that you use his name like that, I guess I have to come in,' " jokes Hammer. He turned to some of his older, gay friends to help him understand Tolson and Hoover's complex relationshipwhat it was like to be a man in love with a man in a time when such a relationship was completely taboo. Then, he went into Weir's office and asked questions for an hour and a half until he felt comfortable enough to have her put him on tape. A week later, he got a call that Eastwood wanted him for the film. Hammer hired a researcher to help him dig up as much information as he could on Tolson and Hoover. Hammerwho has studied with such teachers as Lesly Kahn, Brian Reise, and currently Deborah Aquilasays he is big on studying and preparation. He approaches acting as intellectually as possible. "I know it's an art of emotion," he says. "But if you're just doing it for emotion every time, it can be wild, cumbersome, and unwieldy, or it might not work. If you truly understand intellectually who these people are or what their deal isnot what they did but why they did it, their headspaceI find it's easy to occupy them." Meeting His Match Although his onscreen relationship with Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays Hoover, was filled with subtext and connection, the two only had one rehearsal before shooting, when DiCaprio invited screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and Hammer over to his house. "We didn't even put things up on their feet," recalls Hammer. "We just read through the script and discussed some scenes. Basically, we both came up with our characters and showed up to set. We didn't even have a discussion about how in love should these guys be or is there any connection. We didn't address it, which I thought was appropriate because they didn't address it. The characters would have never addressed it. It was always like, the elephant in the room. I think that worked out well. But also working with Leo made it so easy. It's like, if you're playing tennis with someone that's better than you, it elevates your game, you know?"For the emotional fight scene, Hammer says he and DiCaprio approached it with as much seriousness and effort as they could bring. "There's so much that I got to do in that scene, which was great," he says. "It's so rare that you get a scene that well-written, where it's like you start at one place and end in a place totally different while taking a huge detour. It was amazing getting to smash glass against the wall and scream and fight and just the fake blood and everything. It was a really intense day."Eastwood Style After working with director David Fincher, known for doing take after take and leaving his actors exhausted by the end of the day, being directed by Eastwood was a change of pace. "They couldn't be more polar opposite," says Hammer. He compares watching Eastwood direct to watching a master glass blower make a vase: "They don't look like they're trying hard. They're just chill. They'll talk to you while they're doing it. Then all of a sudden they're done, and you have a perfect vase. That's what it's like with Clint. It's like it doesn't require effort for him to do what he does. You think that you're not working hard enough, but in reality you just have to learn how to trust him."Eastwood decided that when it was time for the actors' faces to age, they wouldn't use CGI but instead would act through latex masks. On the first day of wearing the mask and makeup (which took eight hours to apply), Hammer discovered the challenges. He spent time looking in a mirror, figuring out how to make himself look like he was naturally smiling, squinting, and grimacing. "I had to learn how my face worked," he says. "You have to emote much more to get what you're trying to get across to come through a quarter inch of latex that's superglued to your face." In true Eastwood style, no coaches were hired to help the actors with mask acting. "Figure it out on your own. Figure it out as you go. But you better figure it out quick," Hammer says. Even though it was challenging, Hammer was thrilled with the decision. "It felt really nostalgic," he says. "We got to make a movie the old-fashioned way, without computers and all the nonsense that goes into it. The movie looked exactly the same as if they shot it in 1950. It was an old-school, nostalgic movie that an old-school, nostalgic director made."Outtakes Had a dentist inject his whole mouth with Novocain to simulate what it would be like to try to talk after having a stroke. Didn't meet Eastwood until two days before filming: At the DGA Awards, Kevin Spacey, executive producer of "The Social Network," introduced them after finding out they hadn't met. Says his first day on set was terrifying: "I was sitting in between Leonardo DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, Dustin Lance Black, and Dame Judi Dench. I was like, 'What the hell am I doing here?' But you can't make a diamond without pressure, you know? Knowing I was up against these legends, it put the fear of failure into me, so I had to overcome it."Upcoming roles include Prince Andrew Alcott in "Mirror Mirror" and John Reid/The Lone Ranger in "The Lone Ranger" opposite Johnny Depp. Why Armie Hammer Almost Turned Clint Eastwood Down By Jessica Gardner December 13, 2011 Fresh off playing the Winklevoss twins in "The Social Network," Armie Hammer gives an outstanding supporting performance in Clint Eastwood's "J. Edgar." It's a performance that almost didn't happen, because Hammer initially turned down the audition. His agent called and told him "J. Edgar" casting director Fiona Weir wanted him to audition for the part of Clyde Tolson, J. Edgar Hoover's trusted adviser and lifelong companion. Hammer read the script and thought it was great but didn't understand the character. "He didn't make sense to me," says Hammer. "I didn't get why Clyde stuck around and took Edgar's hot-and-cold abuse. I didn't understand the depth of their love and the complications of their relationship."Hammer passed, telling his agent that if he couldn't understand it, he wouldn't do well in an audition. Weir persisted, telling him "Clint" really wanted him to audition. "I was like, 'Okay, well, now that you use his name like that, I guess I have to come in,' " jokes Hammer. He turned to some of his older, gay friends to help him understand Tolson and Hoover's complex relationshipwhat it was like to be a man in love with a man in a time when such a relationship was completely taboo. Then, he went into Weir's office and asked questions for an hour and a half until he felt comfortable enough to have her put him on tape. A week later, he got a call that Eastwood wanted him for the film. Hammer hired a researcher to help him dig up as much information as he could on Tolson and Hoover. Hammerwho has studied with such teachers as Lesly Kahn, Brian Reise, and currently Deborah Aquilasays he is big on studying and preparation. He approaches acting as intellectually as possible. "I know it's an art of emotion," he says. "But if you're just doing it for emotion every time, it can be wild, cumbersome, and unwieldy, or it might not work. If you truly understand intellectually who these people are or what their deal isnot what they did but why they did it, their headspaceI find it's easy to occupy them." Meeting His Match Although his onscreen relationship with Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays Hoover, was filled with subtext and connection, the two only had one rehearsal before shooting, when DiCaprio invited screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and Hammer over to his house. "We didn't even put things up on their feet," recalls Hammer. "We just read through the script and discussed some scenes. Basically, we both came up with our characters and showed up to set. We didn't even have a discussion about how in love should these guys be or is there any connection. We didn't address it, which I thought was appropriate because they didn't address it. The characters would have never addressed it. It was always like, the elephant in the room. I think that worked out well. But also working with Leo made it so easy. It's like, if you're playing tennis with someone that's better than you, it elevates your game, you know?"For the emotional fight scene, Hammer says he and DiCaprio approached it with as much seriousness and effort as they could bring. "There's so much that I got to do in that scene, which was great," he says. "It's so rare that you get a scene that well-written, where it's like you start at one place and end in a place totally different while taking a huge detour. It was amazing getting to smash glass against the wall and scream and fight and just the fake blood and everything. It was a really intense day."Eastwood Style After working with director David Fincher, known for doing take after take and leaving his actors exhausted by the end of the day, being directed by Eastwood was a change of pace. "They couldn't be more polar opposite," says Hammer. He compares watching Eastwood direct to watching a master glass blower make a vase: "They don't look like they're trying hard. They're just chill. They'll talk to you while they're doing it. Then all of a sudden they're done, and you have a perfect vase. That's what it's like with Clint. It's like it doesn't require effort for him to do what he does. You think that you're not working hard enough, but in reality you just have to learn how to trust him."Eastwood decided that when it was time for the actors' faces to age, they wouldn't use CGI but instead would act through latex masks. On the first day of wearing the mask and makeup (which took eight hours to apply), Hammer discovered the challenges. He spent time looking in a mirror, figuring out how to make himself look like he was naturally smiling, squinting, and grimacing. "I had to learn how my face worked," he says. "You have to emote much more to get what you're trying to get across to come through a quarter inch of latex that's superglued to your face." In true Eastwood style, no coaches were hired to help the actors with mask acting. "Figure it out on your own. Figure it out as you go. But you better figure it out quick," Hammer says. Even though it was challenging, Hammer was thrilled with the decision. "It felt really nostalgic," he says. "We got to make a movie the old-fashioned way, without computers and all the nonsense that goes into it. The movie looked exactly the same as if they shot it in 1950. It was an old-school, nostalgic movie that an old-school, nostalgic director made."Outtakes Had a dentist inject his whole mouth with Novocain to simulate what it would be like to try to talk after having a stroke. Didn't meet Eastwood until two days before filming: At the DGA Awards, Kevin Spacey, executive producer of "The Social Network," introduced them after finding out they hadn't met. Says his first day on set was terrifying: "I was sitting in between Leonardo DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, Dustin Lance Black, and Dame Judi Dench. I was like, 'What the hell am I doing here?' But you can't make a diamond without pressure, you know? Knowing I was up against these legends, it put the fear of failure into me, so I had to overcome it."Upcoming roles include Prince Andrew Alcott in "Mirror Mirror" and John Reid/The Lone Ranger in "The Lone Ranger" opposite Johnny Depp.

'Flowers of War' Director Zhang Yimou Reveals Steven Spielberg's Role in Casting Christian Bale

Directorial novice Angelina Jolie(In the Land of Blood and Honey) and her Kung Fu Panda 2 director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, the highest-grossing female director of all time, were shot by Peggy Sirota for the cover of the currentHollywood Reporter. Recently, they sat down with THRsenior film writer Pamela McClintock for a frank discussion on the lack of female directors in Hollywood, their own directorial mentors, feelings on awards nominations (Panda 2 leads the Annie noms with 12 and Blood and Honey could get a Golden Globe nomination for best foreign language film) and the status of a Kung Fu Panda 3. Jolie also opens up about being a first-time director, explaining how she got a "famously unsuccessful" topic (war) funded, when she found the time to write and what really happened to shut down the Bosnia set ofBlood and Honey, which opens in limited release Dec. 23.our editor recommendsAngelina Jolie's 'In the Land of Blood and Honey': 4 New Clips Depict the Bosnian War (Video)Angelina Jolie Explains Choosing 'Blood and Honey' for Directorial Debut (Video)'Kung Fu Panda 2' Leads Annie Award Nominations'Kung Fu Panda 2' Crosses $300 Million OffshoreFEINBERG FORECAST: 'War Horse,' 'Extremely Loud,' 'Dragon Tattoo,' 'Iron Lady' and 'Blood and Honey' Remain Question Marks Their interview ran as a part of THR's larger female directors package, highlighting Vera Farmiga (Higher Ground), Dee Rees (Pariah), Phyllida Lloyd (The Iron Lady), Lorene Scafaria (Seeking a Friend for the End of the World) and Patty Jenkins (Monster). PHOTOS: 5 of Hollywood's Female Directors To Know WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT HOLLYWOOD'S DEARTH OF FEMALE DIRECTORS Although neither would label herself an activist for female causes per se, the duo are mystified as to why there aren't more women directors -- only 13.4 percent of the DGA's director members are female. To boot,Kung Fu Panda 2is only the second animated studio pic solely directed by a woman, afterThe Tigger Movie. Angelina Jolie:"Isn't that crazy? Animated films are so family-oriented, you'd think that there would be women." Jennifer Yuh Nelson:I don't think about the gender thing very much. But when I speak at schools, I've had female students say to me afterwards, "I never envisioned myself being a director, since I've never seen women do it." But after seeing me, they can picture themselves directing, so maybe we'll see more female directors. And half of these kids in art and animation schools are girls. PHOTOS: The Kung Fu Panda 2 Premiere ON MAKING THE SECONDKUNG FU PANDA AND WHY IT TOOK THREE YEARS Nelson:It's a long process, and you have to know exactly what's going to happen next. You can't do coverage. Everything has to be planned ahead of time. And you have to make sure that people are still motivated and happy and creatively challenged so that it can all be stitched together. The voice acting starts after a lot of the storyboards are done. With Angie, things would change when we got into the booth and played with her lines. We would discover things in the moment and rewrite the script on the spot. She really knows the character, so when she would say, "A tiger wouldn't say that," she was absolutely right. She gives Tigress that extra level, and that's why people like the character so much. Sometimes, Angie's kids would be in the booth with me. [Jolie's son] Maddox would say, "That take was good," and I'd think, OK, he likes it, let's take that one. Jolie:On the firstKung Fu Panda, I would fight a line. With Jen, she would politely say, "Can we just try it?" And you kind of melt and say, "OK." She is a genuine artist who can see the bigger picture. And, fortunately, I've scored some points at home because of Kung Fu Panda. They love Tigress, who is my alternate personality. Otherwise, they think Brad [Pitt] and I are just so not cool. PHOTOS: Angelina Jolie's Top 10 Red Carpet Looks THEIR DIRECTORIAL ROLE MODELS Jolie:I've had the fortunate experience of working with so many interesting directors, from Michael Winterbottom to Clint Eastwood. I tried to remember the experiences that were my best as an actor, and what a director did to give me comfort and confidence. And I tried to keep a happy crew, which I learned a lot about from Clint and Jen. Nelson:I remember being in the middle ofKung Fu Panda, which took three years, and everyone was upset and tired and wondering if we were ever going to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and Guillermo del Toro stopped by and gave me the "man" speech. He said, "You've gotta man up and take this, and don't be scared of making bold choices." He was such a great supporter. PHOTOS: 'The Tourist's' Style JOLIE PERSONALLY FUNDED LARGE CHUNK OF IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY'S $15 MILLION BUDGET;GRAHAM KING PUT UP THE REST Jolie:I worked with him onThe Tourist, and one day I asked him if he'd read my script. I didn't know how he'd react, since on many levels, this was a big risk. I wasn't going to star in it, and I wanted to cast all local actors. It wasn't a pile of good news for him. But he was great, and he took the chance. PHOTOS: Hollywood's 10 Highest-Paid Actresses WHEN SHE FOUND THE TIME TO WRITE THE SCRIPT Jolie:I wrote whenever I could, when the kids were asleep or in their classes. Halfway through some of the most horrific scenes, I'd hear, "Mommy, I need another story, I can't go to sleep," and so I'd pause what I was doing and go tell happy stories about bunny villages. I studied a lot about the war, and watched a lot of documentaries.They won't see this movie. They know that mommy, on occasion, goes off to Libya or other places. I make them very conscious of the fact that there are a lot of people struggling through different things, and I don't protect them from the fact that war isn't a video game, it's a very, very horrible thing. THE REAL STORY BEHIND THE BOSNIAN WOMAN WHO PROTESTED HER MOVIE Before reading her script, the Bosnian government temporarily suspended Jolie's filming permit when the Association of Women Victims of War in Bosnia objected to a Muslim woman falling in love with her Serb captor. But, that wasn't the case -- the two fall in love before the war starts -- so the film's permit was reissued. Jolie:There was one woman who hadn't read the script, and who didn't want to meet with me. This is a very sensitive subject for someone who lived through these things. It's only been 15 years since the war and it's a painful memory. In my heart, the film was done on behalf of all people who suffered through this. A lot of women's groups have seen it, and the NY premiere of the movie was co-sponsored by Women for Women International, another group founded after the war in Bosnia. They felt it was the right thing to support it. Nelson:It's definitely not a passive movie and it makes you think. VIDEOS: 4 Clips From 'In the Land of Blood and Honey' THE STATUS OF KUNG FU PANDA 3 Nelson:There's plenty left to tell. Jolie:We can say we are in discussions. Tigress is my alternate personality, especially with children. I love animation because you get to do things you don't normally get to. For one, I could bring my kids and wear my pajamas, and hang out with Jen. And my character is just so badass. Nelson:And the stunts are safe. Jolie:Yes, eating pizza is the hardest stunt we did. To read THR's full cover story, click here>> FEMALE DIRECTORS AT THE WORLD BOX OFFICE 1.Kung Fu Panda 2: $663 million DAW/Paramount (2011) Jennifer Yuh Nelson's sequel narrowly bested the $631.7 million earned by the originalKung Fu Panda. 2.Mamma Mia!:$609.8 million Universal (2008) Phyllida Lloyd's film adaptation grossed an astounding $465.7 million overseas. 3.Alvin and the Chipmunks: The SqueakQuel: $443.1 million Fox (2009) Director Betty Thomas' other credits includeDoctor Dolittleand28 Days. 4.Twilight: $392.6 million Summit (2008) Catherine Hardwicke's pic proved that women and girls are as fervent as fanboys. 4.What Women Want: $374.1 million Paramount (2000) Like Nora Ephron and Penny Marshall, director Nancy Meyers has cracked the studio system, primarily with romantic comedies. Anne Fletcher is another to watch, withThe Proposalearning $443.1 million. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 'Hangover II' & 'Kung Fu Panda 2' Premieres Related Topics Annie Awards Golden Globes Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt Clint Eastwood Kung Fu Panda 2 Kung Fu Panda In the Land of Blood and Honey Awards Season Preview

'Valley,' 'Benghazi' win at Latin Side in the Doc

BUENOS AIRES -- Carlos Caridad Montero's "Beyond the Silicone Valley" and Nathalia Orozco's "Benghazi, Beyond the Front Line" needed top honors Thursday within the 3rd Doc Buenos Aires/Latin Side in the Doc, Latin America's top doc co-production forum. Nabbing the Arte France Prize together with a Sunny Side in the Doc Prix Coup p Coeur, "Valley" can be a "funny, ironic but furthermore deep analysis of Venezuela's beauty industry," mentioned Roberto Blatt, director of content and development at Spain's Chello Multicanal. Pitched with passion by Orozco, "Benghazi" captures the anticipation of Libya's middle classes through the Arab Spring. Orozco closed a co-production pact in Buenos Aires with Colombia's E-nnovva so when TV Mexico, she mentioned. Straddling Chile and Italia, Constanza Fernandez's mouth-watering food doc "Levaggi" needed the Cono Sur Award. Professionals from Arte France, France Televisions, Al-Jazeera Network, ARD, Sundance Institute and Link Media figured among 68 customers at LSD/BDA. In 2012, LSD will move from Argentina to mid-November's Mexico City DocsDF Festival. "Mexico is a perfect platform to mix documentaries within the Americas," mentioned LSD mind Yves Jeanneau. Pubcaster Once TV Mexico will sponsor DocsDF and LSD, added Once TV gm Rafael Lugo Sanchez. "DocsDF grows. We are growing. Documentaries have a very extended history in Mexico," he mentioned. This August, Once TV launched Documents 360, per week day primetime docu slot. DBA will overlap a couple of days with 2012's Ventana Sur and morph in the meet with a four-day sister docu mart, hosting a difficult-cut docu showcase and completed docu feature tests, mentioned DBA director Marcelo Cespedes. DBS/LSD went 12 ,. 6-8. As well as the individuals who win are: ARTE PRIZE "Beyond the Silicone Valley," (Carlos Caridad Montero, Venezuela) SUNNY SIDE In The DOC PRIX COUP P COEUR "Benghazi, Beyond the Front Line" (Nathalia Orozco, France, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico) "Beyond the Silicone Valley," (Carlos Caridad Montero, Venezuela) CONO SUR PRIZE "Levaggi," (Constanza Fernandez, Chile) STAGNARO LABORATORY PRIZE "Jorge Sanjines, The Courage from the Cinema Alongside the folksInch (Alejandro Zarate Rotor rotor blades, Bolivia) Appear Publish-PRODUCTION PRIZE "Where Had You Been? (Through the U.S. Invasion of Panama)" (Abner Benaim, Panama) ARGENTINA HIGH-DEFINITION PRIZE "Puerto Alvira," (Hector Ulloque Franco, Manuel Ruiz Montealegre, Colombia) Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

'The Lucky One' Trailer Starring Zac Efron Hits the Web (Video)

Chris Helcermanas-Benge/Summit Entertainment What follows is my latest assessment of the two Oscar categories devoted to screenplays -- best adapted screenplay and best original screenplay -- along with commentary about which contenders in each have positive and negative momentum at the moment. I welcome your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of the post.our editor recommendsFEINBERG FORECAST: 'Dragon Tattoo' and 'Extremely Loud' Last Contenders to ScreenYear of the Hunk: How George Clooney, Brad Pitt Could Save the Oscars 'Glee' Cast Raises Money for Budding Screenwriters at Young Storytellers Annual Benefit PHOTOS: Oscar Show Moments Best Adapted Screenplay 1. Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash (The Descendants) Payne, who won this category seven years ago, appears to be the frontrunner again. Last week, he and his co-adapters of Kaui Hart Hemmings' novel won the NBR's best adapted screenplay prize and were nominated for best screenplay by the Indie Spirits. 2. Stan Chervin, Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian (Moneyball) This moving adaptation of Michael Lewis' best-seller was released way back in September and had begun to fade from the discussion, but then last week the NY Film Critics chose its star Brad Pitt as its best actor and the film as its best screenplay, and seem to have revived interest in it. 3. John Logan (Hugo) The charming film version of the popular kids book The Invention of Hugo Cabret is red-hot at the moment, making Logan -- who was previously nominated for best original screenplay Gladiator (2000) and The Aviator (2004) and might also earn a nod in that category this year for Rango -- an increasingly good bet. 4. Richard Curtis, Lee Hall (War Horse) This take on the hit Broadway play of the same title was penned by two previous nominees for best original screenplay -- for Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and Billy Elliot (2000), respectively -- but it's only just beginning to screen, so the jury is still out on its prospects. 5. Tate Taylor (The Help) The the strongest element of the film is its performances, not its script (which has yet to be recognized by any awards-dispensing group), but I expect that enough voters will want to champion its message to propel it into the field. 6. Eric Roth (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close) Roth, who won this category's Oscar 17 years ago for Forrest Gump (1994) and has been nominated for it three other times since then, is back with another deeply moving film set against a historical backdrop. 7. Steven Zaillian (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) The NY Film Critics Circle delayed their vote in order to screen this second adaptation of Stieg Larsson's hit book -- the first in English -- and then elected not to recognize it in any category. The NBR, on the other hand, named star Rooney Mara as its best breakthrough actor and the film as one of the year's 10 best. 8. Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) This thickly-layered adaptation of John le Carre's novel, which many have struggled to follow, is in a rut: it was completely shut out by the Gothams, Indie Spirits, National Board of Review, and NY Film Critics Circle, and not even the British Independent Film Awards could find room for it in their screenplay category. 9. Hossein Amini (Drive) It turns out this neo-noir actioner has more than just a cult following -- last week, the NY Film Critics Circle awarded it best supporting actor (Albert Brooks); the Indie Spirits nominated it for best feature, best director, best actor (Ryan Gosling), and best supporting actor (Brooks); and the NBR named it one of the year's top 10 films. 10. George Clooney, Grant Heslov (The Ides of March) The buzz for this political-thriller has come to a virtual standstill, with awards-dispensing groups passing on it even though embracing it might result in having Clooney -- who, along with Heslov, scored a best original screenplay Oscar nod six years ago for Good Night and Good Luck (2005) -- show up at their events. Best Original Screenplay 1. Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist) Just because it's silent doesn't mean it didn't have a great script laying out its various scenarios, as Indie Spirits voters acknowledged by nominating it for best screenplay last week, capping off a stretch in which it also was named the year's best film by the NY Film Critics Circle and one of the top 10 films of the year by the NBR. 2. Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris) Though there are passionate supporters of this May release, they haven't been able to propel it to any awards attention, thus far, which is a bit troublesome: it was denied nods for pic, director, or screenplay by the Indie Spirits, and was completely shut out by the Gotham Awards and NBR. (The fact that Allen never puts his name on screeners of his films can't help matters.) 3. Mike Mills (Beginners) Somewhat unexpectedly, this little indie has come surging back to life, winning best feature (in a tie with The Tree of Life) and best ensemble at the Gothams; earning best supporting actor honors (Christopher Plummer) and a spot on the list of the year's top 10 indie films by the NBR; and garnering feature, director, supporting actor, and, yes, screenplay nods from the Indie Spirits. 4. J.C. Chandor (Margin Call) Chandor's first script was strong enough and timely enough to attract a horde of A-list actors, and the resulting film is now a runaway hit on VOD. Last week, he received Indie Spirit nods for best first film and best first screenplay; was named best debut director by the NBR (which also listed the film as one of the year's top 10 indies); and won best first feature from the NY Film Critics Circle. 5. Tom McCarthy (Win Win) McCarthy, a giant on the indie scene, was nominated in this category two years ago for Up (2009), and should have been on at least two other occasions, as well. This film came out way back in March, but seems to have stuck in people's minds: it just scored a best screenplay Indie Spirit nod and was chosen as one of the year's top 10 indies by the NBR. 6. Will Reiser (50/50) Reiser's semi-autobiographical script about cancer has provoked laughter and tears from audiences since its release in September, and now it's getting rewarded for it: last week, he won the NBR's award for best original screenplay and was nominated for the Indie Spirit Award for best first screenplay. 7. James Ward Byrkit, John Logan, Gore Verbinski (Rango) An animated film has scored a best original screenplay nod in five out of the last eight years -- Finding Nemo (2003), The Incredibles (2004), Ratatouille (2007), WALL-E (2008), and Up (2009) -- but every one of those came from Pixar, whereas this one does not. Still, with industry stalwarts like Logan and Verbinski involved, maybe that trend can be broken. 8. Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life) Malick's latest film is, like The Artist, largely silent, but the strange and moving scenarios of which it is comprised are unmistakably his own. People remain deeply divided over the film itself, but it had enough supporters to win best feature at the Gothams and best actor and best cinematography at the NYFCC. 9. Dustin Lance Black (J. Edgar) The film just hasn't clicked critically (it has a dismal 41% rating on Rotten Tomatoes) or commercially (after over four weeks in release it still hasn't recouped its $35 million budget), and the basis of several of its central claims have been called into serious question, which may explain why it has been a virtual non-factor on the awards circuit, thus far. 10. Diablo Cody (Young Adult) Though many find the script's central character to be utterly repugnant, it never hurts to have high-profile champions like Quentin Tarantino, who said at the Hollywood Awards, where Cody was honored for her script, that she is "in the class of a Paddy Chayefsky [and] William Goldman." PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Oscar Shockers

Rod Blagojevich Sentenced to 14 years In Prison

After a long hiatus, Jerry Seinfeld is returning to the L.A. stage.our editor recommendsJerry Seinfeld Joins Kelly Ripa on First 'Live' Broadcast Sans Regis PhilbinJerry Seinfeld Performs His First Show in Paris ClubJerry Seinfeld Responds to Donald Trump: He's 'God's Gift to Comedy' (Video) The comedian, who recently returned to his stand-up roots, announced he will be performing a two-show engagement at L.A.'s Pantages Theatre March 17, 2012. VIDEO: Jerry Seinfeld Talks About Taking Over for Regis Philbin on 'Live!' It will mark the first time the Seinfeld and The Marriage Ref star will have appeared solo onstage in the city in over 10 years. Tickets for the performances (both at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. March 17) will go on sale Dec. 17 at 9 a.m. Prices range from $59-$89. Seinfeld's U.S. tour begins Dec. 9 in Marshantucket, CT. and will continue through Spring 2012. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Emmy Roundtable: Comedy Actors Related Topics Jerry Seinfeld Seinfeld

Singer Dobie Gray dies at 69

Dobie Gray, a level balladeer who hit the very best music charts in 1973 with "Drift Away" and written tunes for a variety of country and pop artists, died within the sleep in Nashville early Tuesday, 12 ,. 6. He was 69 carrying out a extended fight with cancer. Gray's smooth tenor also was heard on other hits including "The In Crowd" in 1965 and "Loving Arms" in 1973. His tunes received radio airplay on several formats including top 40, country, AOR and adult contemporary. He written tunes recorded by Ray Charles, Johnny Mathis, Etta James, Three Dog Evening, Julio Iglesias, John Colorado, George Manley and Tammy Wynette. Gray along with extensively in Europe, Australia and Africa and was adament on undertaking for integrated audiences in Nigeria. Next declaration, he increased being especially popular in Nigeria. More youthful crowd sang round the soundtracks of films including "Uptown Saturday Evening," "From Sight" and "Casey's Shadow." "Drift Away" also was recorded by artist Uncle Kracker in 2003 and increased being popular again. "I guess what happens you call my 'signature songs' will not ever die, fortunately," he told the Tennessean newspaper in 1988. In those days, he was really the only major black singer to call Nashville home. Gray was produced in to a number of sharecroppers in Simonton, Texas. He moved from Texas to California at the begining of sixties where he met Sonny Bono, a professional with Niche Records. This introduced to his first record, "Have a look at Me," in 1963. Throughout La, Gray came out in the output of "Hair." He wasn't married combined without any children. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Covert Matters Bosses round the "Bittersweet" Finale and What's Next for Annie and Auggie

Piper Perabo, Christopher Gorham [WARNING: The following story includes major spoilers within the Season 2 finale of Covert Matters. Read in the own risk.]It finally happened. Annie (Piper Perabo) developed a move for Auggie (Christopher Gorham) round the Season 2 Covert Matters finale - only to get her heart broken. Much less Auggie was alert to it, clearly, after giving Annie his Corvettes because they jetted away and off to Eritrea to pursue his relationship with Parker (Devin Kelley). But that wasn't really the only large development: Auggie got unhealthy news he is not a appropriate candidate for eye surgery to revive his sight, and Jai (Sendhil Ramamurthy) outed his father Henry (Gregory Itzin) since the CIA leak and also the large, bad plan to seize Joan's job.What's readily available for Annie and Auggie? You'll be able to love triangular inside the works? And the way will Jai start dethroning Joan (Kari Matchett)? Co-designers/co-executive producers Chris Ord and Matt Corman answer our burning queries about the finale and reveal what expect in Season 3.VIDEO: Covert Affairs' Sendhil Ramamurthy: What Jai does is "pretty severe"How did you decide to start the Annie-Auggie narrative now?Matt: I believe that it is the correct time to make a complication on the account. Fans are actually wanting this for a while plus it was too early then, however was the optimum time for with the idea to kind of be described as a little brave and express their truer feelings, which is exactly what Annie did. Part of falling for one another and in love takes chances and making yourself vulnerable. It's very human and extremely admirable. In my opinion the ending's sad, but it's satisfying on some levels. I had been wanting for bittersweet.Parker remains inside the picture. Are she and Auggie still apt to be together?Chris: He's seriously interested in Parker. We never mislead, so he will go [to Eritrea], but he can't stay there, clearly, to ensure that is a challenge. The right path he'll continue is great next season with Parker and basically with themselves. He gained plenty of large options inside the finale which continues.Could he realize his feelings for Annie or will Annie make hers known?Matt: He's pursuing this relationship with Parker at this time around and Annie respects that. She's not just a willful home wrecker so there won't be considered a torrid affair or anything. ... Inside our mind,Annie and Auggie arestar-joined inside the strict sense because either might connect using their feelings at anybody point, but up to now they haven't synced up. In my opinion what people do sometimes is they visit town to determine which it feels as if because moment. She just mentioned, "You're the individual If only to talk with,In . however he help remind her where his mind was at.Chris: Their relationship will most likely be examined. Annie shot somebody inside the finale that will impact her psyche, and Auggie's dealing with their very own issues. She's a mental person, but she's calculating. I don't think she'll break lower, but that's always your dream along with her. What's great about her is always that she doesn't necessarily desire to hide her feelings. ... Also while she knows there's a girl available, she doesn't define much about his relationship with Parker as it is not just a subject they enter greatly. As evidenced when Auggie discovered about Dr. Scott through Danielle (Anne Dudek), they don't discuss their associations with each other. Which is telling. For those who have a friendship where you stand holding that element back, In my opinion the two of you are clearly feeling something for one another, while not performing on it.Auggie's usually very intuitive about Annie, but he was completely off here. Is definitely an indication more obstacles inside their way?Chris: It had been intended as the initial moment where he isn't really being intuitive. We wanted their relationship to change. ... He's within the own headspace - he's one ft on their way to Africa - and he'll remain in Season 3. Matt: I'd say it's just from what he's experienced inside the episode. Because they feels safe along with his blindness, he'd still need to see. By doing the MRI, you can't help but obtain a hopes up. To own people hopes dashed is painful. He's been taken up because. He is not dense, but she's their very own issues which is fair for him to own their very own issues.Covert Affairs' Kari Matchett: Joan won't make an effort to eliminate Jai againYou males and Chris have always mentioned you wouldn't like Auggie to revive his sight. Is always that still this program?Gleaming: Yes. He's wrestling using these issues, but also for us, it's more interesting to find out someone be ready for a disability or possibly a existence-changing accident. In my opinion you can question it. In my opinion to blithely accept something such as that is disingenuous. Individuals who're in this case make an effort to appreciate it and luxuriate in their lives, but a lot of it is railing against it once in awhile. But to actually reinvent the level of smoothness might be distasteful. For people, it's the journey he's coping with is a lot more magical than any surgery that could cause him to sighted.Chris: You need to explore the medial side of Auggie when they can see, he'd need to see. In my opinion why he [visited the doctor] was part Parker and part Annie. He's multiple top reasons to see. He's never really seen Annie, in the event you realize. Because they has a sense of who she's, In my opinion there's a part of Annie that brought compared to that.What about Annie's sex existence? Will she have love interests? We have not seen Ben shortly.Bob: Maybe Ben (Eion Bailey) will probably be back! We could say she'll have love interests - old and new. Let everyone speculate!Let's achieve Jai. Has his plan gone perfectly up to now? Is Joan's job his actual goal?Chris: It's virtually gone according to plan, nevertheless the further along you utilize an idea similar to this, the higher complicated it will get. We now have only began to start to see the true Jai story. In Season 3, it will evolve with techniques individuals will not expect. ... Joan's job is what he thinks he wants. In my opinion ultimately if you think you need something large, it's a cautionary tale. In the event you come down the street of searching to have it, it will not be whatsoever what you consider it's and you will Not up with this. How could he pursue Joan? Auggie even told him he's alienated everyone there.Matt: It's also your pet-eat-dog world inside the CIA. If he gains enough momentum, he causes it to be happen. He's become themselves here but he's a concept methods for getting further. He'll undergo everything to access Joan - missions, inquests. He's handled to obtain apparent he's carrying it out. He's told Arthur (Peter Gallagher). It's just like basketball if you tell someone what you'll probably do and also you take action. This can be a mind game.Are we able to see Henry again - in or from jail?Chris: Henry will probably be back. I am unable to say how, but he's definitely not gone. And Jai thinks the "stink of nepotism" is completed, but it's not. His legacy won't disappear which may well be more apparent while he goes forward [along with his plan]. It comes down lower to controlling and dealing with that.Covert Affairs' Chris Gorham on Auggie's new girlfriend: It's a very complicated relationshipArthur's in the precarious position. Could he tell Joan what's happening?Frank: You will notice him weighing these options. His relationship with Joan is sufficiently strong enough where he could remind her, but Arthur is actually more concerned about Jai. There's a side of Arthur this is a parent figure to Jai. I'm speaking about, he's worried about Jai taking Joan's job certainly, but he's worried about Jai just like a person and what they can triggered by help him.What's readily available for Joan besides Jai going after her job?Matt: We will probably explore numerous Joan's backstory. We have not set up it together yet ... but she'll be in the region again. We're wanting it'll be on location. We now have loved the area shooting. Whether it appears sensible for tales, we'll continue disappear.Possibly you've considered obtaining a extended-term villain instead of standalone villains?Matt: Yes. That's really what we should are identifying now. We could be dovetailing into more extended-arc storytelling in Season 3. I believe that it is something our audience committed to. We're within the point now where we could start to do more in-depth weaving of narrative. Sendhil's about getting an ab-offered by Chris and Peter. Will you write that in?Chris: [Laughs] That may be a unique spin-off. Where would they be shirtless? Throughout a good work out session?Shiny: Yeah, that's really a spin-off aerobic fitness exercise show. Which means you realize, Chris which i've our t t shirts off at this time around.Bob: I'd temper your enthusiasm for the though!

Taylor Quick Debuts New 'Do

Taylor Quick Taylor Quick is rocking newer and more effective bangs."Got a haircut," the nation singer tweeted, revealing her lengthy blonde locks and wispy bangs. The nation crooner's new 'do replaces her usual curls and side-taken bangs.See photos of Taylor Quick with the yearsSwift was most lately a large champion in the American Music Honours, where she required home the trophy for Artist of the season.Would you like T-Swift's change?

New Movie Reviews: 'Shame,' 'Sleeping Beauty,' 'Coriolanus' Hitting Theaters

Some awards hopefuls hit theaters this weekend.our editor recommendsWhy 'Shame' Could 'Legitimize' the NC-17 RatingFEINBERG FORECAST: Can 'Shame' Crack the Major Categories Despite NC-17 Rating?New 'Shame' Trailer Features Carey Mulligan Singing (Video)Ralph Fiennes 'Coriolanus' Among Movies Receiving Ad Money From the British Film InstituteSundance Selects Acquires U.S. Rights to 'Sleeping Beauty' (Cannes) FEINBERG FORECAST: 'Coriolanus,' 'J. Edgar,' 'Hugo,' 'Into the Abyss,' 'Lady' Move Post-AFI'Kinyarwanda' Takes Top Prize at Skip City Festival Shame reteamsactor Michael Fassbenderwith Hunger director Steve McQueen in astory about a 30ish sex-obsessed NYer (Fassbender). Carey Mulligan co-stars as his sister. The movie, which premiered at the Venice, Telluride, Toronto and NY Film Festivals earlier this year, was slapped with a NC-17 rating by the MPAA's Classification and Rating Administration for "some explicit sexual content." PHOTOS: THR's Awards Season Roundtable Series 2011: The Actresses Novelist Julia Leigh makes her way big-screen debut withSleeping Beauty, which she wrote and directed. The film,which starsEmily Browning (Sucker Punch) and Rachel Blake,is about a young woman who goes into high-end prostitution without involving actual sex. The movie was shown at Cannes his year. Coriolanus premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February, then debuted at the Toronto Film Festival in September. Director-producer Ralph Fiennes also stars in the movie -- along with Gerard Butler and Vanessa Redgrave --playingWilliam Shakespeare's Rambo, a Roman soldier who survives odds at his city while seeking the title of consul. Outrage marks director-screenwrite'sr Takeshi Kitano first flick since Brother. The violent-genre movie, which premiered at Cannes, starsBeat Takeshi, Kippei Shina and Ryo Kase. Read what The Hollywood Reporter's film critics have to say about all the films opening this weekend, and find out how they are expected to perform at the box office. Shame Director Steve McQueen's second feature film will stir audiences and critics with Michael Fassbender's scorching portrayal of a sex addict. Click here to read Todd McCarthy's review. VIDEO: 'Shame' Red Band Trailer: Michael Fassbender Brings Sex to the Subway Sleeping Beauty Emily Browning stars in director-screenwriter Julia Leigh's debut feature about a young woman who goes into high-end prostitution. Click here to read David Rooney's review. Coriolanus Ralph Fiennes directs and stars in "Coriolanus" as William Shakespeare's Rambo in a production that delivers heavyweight screen acting at its best. Click here to read Ray Bennett's review. Outrage As violent, amoral and misanthropic as a Jacobean play, "Outrage" is Takeshi Kitano's first yakuza flick since "Brother," and arguably his best film in a decade. Click here to read Maggie Lee's review. VIDEO: Ralph Fiennes Reveals Backstory on His Name, Finest Performances and Directorial Debut, 'Coriolanus' Khodorkovsky The life and times and current plight of incarcerated Russian oil-billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky are given a thorough examination in this documentary. Click here to read Neil Young's review. Kinyarwanda The movie, competing in the world cinema dramatic section, Is the first feature to be produced by Rwandans. Click here to read Duane Bygre's review. Also opening this weekend are Watching TV With the Red Chinese, Pastorela, Answers to Nothing and I Am Singh. Related Topics Coriolanus Sleeping Beauty Shame Kinyarwanda Outrage Khodorkovsky Pastorela Carey Mulligan Gerard Butler Michael Fassbender Takeshi Kitano Vanessa Redgrave Ralph Fiennes Brian Cox Emily Browning Steve McQueen

Fox slots 'Finder' behind 'Idol'

Fox is giving its "Bones" spinoff "The Finder" and reality skein "Mobbed" the plum publish- "The American Idol ShowInch berths in the midseason sked update. The internet has additionally set The month of january preem dates because of its midseason dramas "Alcatraz" and "Touch" and animated comedy "Napoleon Dynamite." Coming back comedies "Bob's Hamburgers" and "Breaking In" are positioned for March bows. Within the midseason sked revealed Thursday, Fox set Jan. 18-19 for "American Idol's" two-evening premiere of their eleventh season. It will likewise possess a special Sunday telecast on Jan. 22 following Fox's coverage from the NFL's NFC championship game. As "Bones" requires a break with new episodes until spring, "Finder" bows on Jan. 12 at 9 p.m. behind a repeat of "Bones." The next week it'll have the advantage of a lead-in in the second a part of "Idol's" season preem. "Alcatraz" opens having a two-hour seg on Monday Jan. 16 before establishing to the regular 9 p.m. berth behind "House" the next week. "Alcatraz" will wrap its run having a two-hour finale on March 12. "Touch" moves in to the Monday 9 p.m. slot by March 19. However the Kiefer Sutherland starrer may have a unique preview airing Jan. 25 at 9 p.m. behind "Idol." "Napoleon Dynamite" joins Fox's Sunday toon block on Jan. 15, airing in multiple slots that evening before setting into its regular publish-"Simpsons" 8:30 p.m. slot on Jan. 29. "Dynamite" will vacate that place by March 11 once the sophomore season of "Bob's Hamburgers" moves in. "Breaking In," the comedy that scammed dying captured by generating another-season pickup several weeks after it had been canceled, is going to be combined with a repeat of "New Girl" from 8-9 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning March 6, when "Glee" requires a relaxation before the spring. Fresh segs of "New Girl" stay in the show's regular Tuesday 9 p.m. slot, combined with "Raising Hope." "Mobbed" returns to Fox's sked within the Wednesday 9 p.m. berth by Jan. 4. It'll reap the rewards of the "Idol" lead-in beginning February. 1. Fox also stated it'll bring its new comedy "I Dispise My Teenage Daughter," that has been much-maligned by crix, in the spring having a slot following "Idol." The show bowed Wednesday following "The X Factor" to so-so amounts and can finish its initial operate on 12 ,. 21. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com