'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