Here’s a novel way to keep from getting worked up about your main Oscar rival: forget his name entirely. For Time magazine’s Great Performances video feature on this year’s Oscar nominees, Les Miserables co-stars and Oscar nominees Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman spend some time lauding their competition. Hathaway even praises the computer-generated tiger in Life of Pi . But watch what happens around the 2:09 when Jackman slyly raises the topic of Lincoln . If you need any further proof that Wolverine a) can act and b) possesses a wit that’s as well-developed as his pecs, keep a close eye on his poker face as he claims not to remember the name of Daniel Day-Lewis , who, according to conventional wisdom, will emerge the victor when the Best Actor Oscar is handed out on Feb. 24. ” Lincoln is the movie, but the lead guy who I always forget…,” Jackman says to Hathaway without any hint that he’s having a bit of fun. In fact, it’s Hathaway who can’t keep a straight face as she jogs Jackman’s memory and he refers to Day-Lewis as simply “Lewis” — in case, I guess, any Academy voters will be deciding how to cast their Best Actor vote after watching this video. Jackman does admit that the actor whose name he can’t seem to remember is “awesome” in Lincoln though, and he also waxes enthusiastic about Joaquin Phoenix’s performance in The Master. You can also access video interviews with Amy Adams, Jessica Chastain, Sally Field, John Goodman, John Hawkes, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Quvenzhané Wallis, Christoph Waltz and Naomi Watts at the Great Performances link above. In the meantime, here’s a compilation clip. Oh yeah, and take a close look at the photo of Hathaway resting on Jackman’s buff torso with her thumb in her mouth. Saucy. Featured Photo Photo by Paola Kudacki for Time [ Time] Follow Frank DiGiacomo on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.
Even if you didn’t watch the big game last night, you know that a) Beyonce brought the house — or was it the lights? — down, and b) six big movie trailers aired during the game: Star Trek Into Darkness , Iron Man 3 , The Lone Ranger , Oz The Great and Powerful , World War Z and Fast & Furious 6 . All were designed to whet the record-setting viewing audience’s appetite for these films. Not all of them were successful. Below, I rank the trailers from worst to best in terms of how effective they were at making me want to see the movies they were promoting. 6. World War Z I’m no demographics expert, but I’ve got to imagine that there’s a fair amount of overlap between guys who like brutal football games and guys who like violent zombie stories. So, Paramount seems to have squandered a big marketing opportunity by running a commercial that was essentially a distillation of the trailer the studio released in November . The mayhem-on-a-plane scene doesn’t add much, although, taking into account similar scenes from the Iron Man 3 and Fast & Furious 6 ads, all the hot trailers have them these days. What this spot needed was at least one memorable close-up of the zombie terror that Brad Pitt & Co. face. Instead, I’m left with the impression that the notoriously troubled World War Z production may be seriously lacking in chills and thrills when it’s released in June. 5. The Lone Ranger Johnny Depp trumps Brad Pitt in my book, so this trailer has a slight edge over World War Z , but in 2013 it’s hard to get worked up over horses and railroads and a hero ( Armie Hammer ) whose costume consists of a party mask. And despite the powerful distraction that is the dead bird on Depp’s head , I can’t help but think of Wild Wild West when I see this movie advertised. 4. Oz The Great And Powerful Although there’s not a lot of new stuff to see in this trailer, the clip does a good job of selling this Wizard of Oz prequel as an action-packed and visually trippy story. (The bubble travel scene should appeal to Flaming Lips fans.) With Sam Raimi orchestrating all those A-list witches and special effects, this movie has potential and the Super Bowl clip got that across. 3. Fast & Furious 6 I came very close to putting this trailer higher up in the ranking because it’s so much damn fun to watch. But then I thought about the Fast & Furious movies that have come before this latest installment. The scenes of a tank crushing cars on a freeway and the F&F crew bringing down a jet plane with a grappling gun and a sports car are riveting, but this has never been a weighty franchise. So, I worry this is one of those trailers that gives away all the movie’s best bits — like Michelle Rodriguez’s unlikely return, for instance. 2. Star Trek Into Darkness J.J. Abrams had a little fun at our expense with this pulse-quickening spot. He has none other than James T. Kirk ask the question Star Trek fans are dying to have answered about the character Benedict Cumberbatch plays : “Who the hell are you?” The answer, as presented in the trailer, is pretty cheeky, too. “I am better…at everything!” really does make me want to see this guy get a one-way proton torpedo ride to Mustafar. Oh wait! That’s a Star Wars planet. Then again, that scene of Spock looking like he’s about to be engulfed my molten lava sure does look like the place where Obi-wan and Anakin Skywalker had their fateful Episode III duel. But I digress. If the Benedict Cumberbatch tomfoolery makes you groan, the scenes of a seriously malfunctioning U.S.S. Enterprise crash-landing on Earth will rock you. 1. Iron Man 3 (Extended Version) Even more proof that Robert Downey Jr. is the heart and soul of the Marvel movie universe right now. Having the actor break the fourth wall with an “extensive,” as he puts it, melodramatic look was a beautiful thing, and then the trailer just got better from there. We got to see a little more of Ben Kingsley’s Mandarin character — his mouth moved! Words came out of it! — Don Cheadle in the War Machine suit, and Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan looking anything but gleeful. In fact, he’s on the floor and looking kind of wet, which is often PG-13-speak for bloody. That’s not a good sign. But what I’m really obsessing over is the trailer’s thrilling climax cliffhanger in which Iron Man has to figure out how to rescue 13 people who’ve been sucked out of a sabotaged Air Force One. As Jarvis, the Marvel equivalent of Siri, explains, Tony Stark’s superhero suit can only carry four. Do the math. That is effective marketing. Follow Frank DiGiacomo on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.
New Yorker writer, Lawrence Wright appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe talk show to discuss his new book, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief , and Tom Cruise quickly became the focus of the conversation. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author — who did some 200 interviews with current and former Scientologists, as well as other sources for his book — was in the process of discussing reports of “abuse and involuntary confinement” within its Sea Org unit — the equivalent of Scientology clergy, according to Wright — when host Joe Scarborough brought up the Top Gun star (around the 6:20 mark of this clip). “Do you think Tom Cruise knows of these alleged problems with Scientology . And secondly, what’s in it for a guy like Tom Cruise, who has the freedom to do whatever he wants and chooses to stay in the church”. Wright’s response: “I’m glad you’ve put your finger on Tom Cruise, because I think he has a moral responsibility — he’s been the front pitchman for this organization for years. More people have heard about Scientology through him than any other person. There may be some willful blindness on his part, but if so, it’s time for him to open his eyes because he’s been selling this.” In the video, Wright points out that Cruise is “being treated very well” by church members. He even says they “hand-crafted a limousine for him.” I’ve asked Cruise’s spokeswoman if the actor would like to respond to Wright’s comments and will post them if they are forthcoming. As you might guess, the Church of Scientology doesn’t have good things to say about Going Clear, and has called it an “Error-filled unsubstantiated bigoted anti-Scientology book.” Follow Frank DiGiacomo on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.
It must be something in the water! Actor/comedian Tracy Morgan just announced that he and his bangin’ fiancée have a little one on the way too. Via People reports : His hit show 30 Rock may be saying its final goodbye Thursday night, but for Tracy Morgan, today is also about new beginnings. The actor and comedian and his model fiancée Megan Wollover are expecting their first child together early this summer, Morgan, 44, confirms to PEOPLE exclusively. “I am over the moon excited and just want a happy and healthy baby and a safe delivery for Megan,” he tells PEOPLE. Morgan, who has three grown sons, recently told Rolling Stone he hoped to have a baby daughter one day. “You know what happiness is? Happiness is a simple thing, man,” he told the magazine. “It’s having something to look forward to.” The funny man announced his engagement on the Emmy red carpet in September, and told Ryan Seacrest the two got engaged six months prior in San Francisco. Said Wollover, 26, of the traditional proposal, “It wasn’t anything crazy. He was on bended knee and everything.” Morgan, who is currently in New Orleans for the Superbowl, kicks off his “Excuse My French” tour in March. This is great news! We’re excited about the little one on the way and hope these two get hitched soon too. WENN
We have some exciting Miley Cyrus music news to share with fans: The singer has signed a new record deal with RCA and Billboard has confirmed that Miley will release a new album in late 2013. Dr. Luke, who produced “Party in the U.S.A.” and who has worked with such stars as Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj, will collaborate on the CD; while Cyrus told Billboard at the iHeartRadio Musi Festival: “I’ve been in so many sessions and just kind of bunkering down and working really hard and perfecting everything. I’ve never really had time to do that, to kind of have my record kind of ‘done’ and then sit there and make it until it’s perfect. “So, it’s been really, really fun. This whole year that’s all I’ve really dedicated life to.” Miley’s last album, “Can’t Be Tamed,” sold an underwhelming 343,000 copies in the U.S. Are you excited for her next one?
Despite eyewitness accounts and the police report filed after authorities arrested Jason London , the actor says he was the real victim the other night. At least when it came to the fight at the Martini Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona. London’s rep says he doesn’t exactly remember how the violence began, but says a guy approached him and accused him of “looking at his friend’s girl.” Jason says the man then got physical with him. Apparently VERY physical. London says the next thing he remembers is getting arrested but before he wound up in cuffs, he claims he was brutally assaulted by the bar’s security staff. The 40-year-old says he doesn’t know why. His rep adds: “Jason’s injuries are consistent with deliberately aimed landed shots to the head which, according to eyewitnesses, continued even after he was unconscious.” TMZ reports that Jason suffered a right orbital fracture in the brawl, as well as a sinus fracture, multiple contusions, hematomas, abrasions and a concussion. Jason claims he didn’t throw one punch in the bar fight, and his fists back up that claim, as there are no bumps, bruises or cuts on either of his hands. He did, however, curse out the cops and defecate in his pants in the back of the police cruiser, along with some other choice moments (see above link).
Twenty years after John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson , as Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, became arguably the most iconic hitman duo in contemporary cinema, it’s hard to imagine any other actors tackling those roles — especially the Royale with Cheese conversation. But the new issue of Vanity Fair serves as a reminder that their Pulp Fiction parts almost went to other actors. The magazine’s annual Hollywood issue includes an oral history on the making of Quentin Tarantino’s violent 1994 masterpiece that recalls Miramax chief Harvey Weinstein was seriously opposed to Travolta being cast as the marvelously mooky Vega. “John Travolta was at that time as cold as they get,” Tarantino’s William Morris Endeavor agent Mike Simpson tells the magazine. “He was less than zero.” When Tarantino, who was dead-set on Travolta playing the role, submitted a term sheet that included his final choice of actors for the movie, Weinstein approved all of his choices except for the onetime Saturday Night Fever star. Two much more bankable actors, Daniel Day-Lewis and Bruce Willis , had read the script and expressed interest in playing Vega, and Sean Penn and William Hurt were also on Weinstein’s short list. But Tarantino and his agent proved to be even more stubborn. When negotiations over Travolta came down to the wire, and Weinstein attempted to put off casting the actor, Simpson told the movie mogul: “You’re going to agree to it right now, or there’s no deal.” Weinstein blinked, and former Miramax production head Richard Gladstein says that 20 minutes into a screening of the finished film, Harvey cracked, “I’m so glad I had the idea to cast John Travolta.” Jackson, on the other hand, almost lost the role to Paul Calderon ( Out of Sight , 21 Grams ) and had to fly in for an eleventh-hour audition. He wasn’t happy about it, especially after one of the producers confused him with actor Laurence Fishburne ( The Matrix ). That actually turned out to be a good thing based on this distillation of the audition: “I sort of was angry, pissed, tired,” Jackson recalls. He was also hungry, so he bought a takeout burger on his way to the studio, only to find nobody there to greet him. “When they came back, a line producer or somebody who was with them said, ‘I love your work, Mr. Fishburne,’” says Jackson. “It was like a slow burn. He doesn’t know who I am? I was kind of like, Fuck it. At that point I really didn’t care.” Gladstein remembers Jackson’s audition: “In comes Sam with a burger in his hand and a drink in the other hand and stinking like fast food. Me and Quentin and Lawrence were sitting on the couch, and he walked in and just started sipping that shake and biting that burger and looking at all of us. I was scared shitless. I thought that this guy was going to shoot a gun right through my head. His eyes were popping out of his head. And he just stole the part.” Lawrence Bender adds, “He was the guy you see in the movie. He said, ‘Do you think you’re going to give this part to somebody else? I’m going to blow you motherfuckers away.’” Follow Frank DiGiacomo on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.
The woman who called 911 to report that Rick Ross was being shot at was apparently pretty scared, which is understandable, given the stray bullets and all. In fact, the Rick Ross 911 call is decidedly shorter than most because she hung up in mid-call, fearing the gunmen were turning around to fire again. Rick Ross 911 Call The call (and Rick Ross shooting ) took place early Monday morning from a restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The rapper tried to flee in his Rolls-Royce. A woman inside of a nearby restaurant called 911 in a panic and reported amid the gunfire, “I just heard a bunch of gunshots go off … and a car sped by.” The caller then interrupted the inquisitive operator and said, “Oh my god, they’re turning around and coming back … I’m hanging up.” And she did. “They’re coming back … I’m hiding,” she said. Click . Ross eventually crashed his car into a nearby apartment building as he attempted to escape the drive-by . Police have not made any arrests in the case. Ross hasn’t commented on what happened, except in a new remix about the incident, while rival 50 Cent suggested it was staged to boost his street cred. What do you think? Was the drive-by a hoax? Maybe. No holes in the car. Or Rick. No! How can you even suggest that. View Poll »
Ron Jeremy, best known around the world for his nine-inch penis, has been hospitalized for a major problem near another body part. Mike Esterman, the porn star’s manager, confirms to TMZ that Jeremy drove himself to Cedars-Sinai yesterday after suffering chest pains. Physicians then examined him and discovered an aneurysm close to his heart. The condition has since grown more dire and the 59-year old will undergo surgery today. The star of thousands of adult films, Jeremy is a Queens native who is capable of autofellatio. We wish him a full recovery.
