If you need an idea of how intensely competitive Oscar campaigning has become, look no further than Jennifer Lawrence’s opening monologue for Saturday Night Live . Given the ridiculous media tempest that arose from Lawrence’s First Wives Club “I beat Meryl Streep ” reference at the Golden Globe Awards , I figured that the show’s writers were going to address the issue in Lawrence’s opening segment. And they did — in such a half-hearted way that it sounds like some negotiating went on to make sure that the Silver Linings Playbook star and Best Actress nominee didn’t say anything that would hurt her chances to bring home a statuette. The monologue started out in promising fashion. The Tommy Lee Jones stuff was genuinely funny and Bill Hader’s Tommy Shuffle deserves to become a genuine dance move. And then, when Lawrence told her fellow nominees, “Ladies, I love you all, but you’re about to get served,” I thought, for a few seconds at least, that the Silver Linings Playbook actress was going to earn her comedy warrior stripes by playfully dissing her competition and sending up the whole Golden Globes controversy. It started out that way, at least. Here’s how Lawrence began: “Well, well, well, look who it is. Jessica Chastain . More like Jessica Chas-ain’t winnin’ no Oscar on my watch! In Zero Dark Thirty , you caught bin Laden. So what? In Winter’s Bone , I caught a squirrel — and then I ate it. Boom! Deal with that.” And then — boom! — Lawrence pulled her punchline, so to speak. This is how she ended: “Also every time I see you act, I learn something new.” She did the same thing with each of the nominees, needling them gently in a way that only an idiot could misinterpret, and ending on a cringe-worthy note of praise. That’s not comedy. That’s Oscar campaign politics making sure that any witless television viewers and bloggers tuning in won’t mistake Lawrence’s monologue for genuine trash-talking and start up a whole new controversy that could hurt her chances with Academy voters. Here’s the thing. After watching the clip below several times, I’m left with the impression that Lawrence, who has proven herself to be quite candid in interviews , wasn’t exactly committed to the flip-floppy nature of the monologue script. The stilted and hurried way she delivers that that line of praise for Chastain off her cue card suggests she is deli something unfamiliar, or, perhaps even unsavory to her. Is that the subtle protest of an actress who doesn’t like the material she’s been given to read, but is too much of a pro to go rogue on an Oscar campaign on which many man hours and dollars have been spent? Judging from the comedic instincts Lawrence showed during the rest of her SNL performance, I say yes. What do you think? Follow Frank DiGiacomo on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.
You can tell that MGM is super happy about its recent surprise resurrection (thanks in no small part to the global success of Skyfall and The Hobbit ), because they’re planning to celebrate by remaking one of the most successful biblical epics ever produced, the swords and sandals epic Ben-Hur . The symbolism could not be more perfect. Not only does Ben-Hur heavily feature noted coming-back-from-the-dead practitioner Jesus Christ as a supporting character, but the last theatrical adaptation, the lavish 1959 version starring Charleton Heston as Ben-Hur, netted MGM a record 11 Academy Awards in 1960 (the studio also produced a silent version in 1925 that is also awesome). MGM clearly hopes that magic will strike twice, as they well should because a story of this scope and scale won’t come cheaply. Originally an 1880 novel by former Civil War Union general Lew Wallace, Ben-Hur (originally titled: Ben-Hur: A tale of The Christ ) follows the life of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who grows up in the shadow of Roman domination of Judea. After being betrayed by his childhood best friend, the Roman patrician Messala, Ben-Hur is sold into slavery. From here, he manages to be freed after he saves the life of a Roman consul during a battle with pirates, and is adopted into the consul’s family, and distinguishes himself as an expert chariot racer, until he leaves Rome and returns to Judea to track down Messala and exact revenge for his betrayal. Throughout the novel, Jesus makes several appearances until, at the end, Ben-Hur witnesses the crucifixion and becomes an early Christian convert. So yeah, a lot happens, and it happens amid some of the most spectacular excesses in ancient Rome. To get it right, MGM has turned to a script by Keith Clarke, noted for scripting the 2010 Colin Farrell film The Way Back , as well as several documentaries. His take apparently places greater emphasis on the childhood of Ben-Hur and Messala, but it also preserves the books religious themes. And believe me, if you haven’t read the book or seen any of the filmic adaptations, it HEAVILY evangelizes for Christianity on a level that many will feel is aggressive and discomforting by today’s standards. Incidentally, I am an atheist, and thus I’m immune to all the stuff at the end in which miracles start happening. So I’m happy to report that the 1959 version of Ben-Hur is one of my favorite films of all time, a truly staggering epic featuring some of the greatest scenes ever filmed (watch the famous chariot racing scene and marvel at the fact that they couldn’t do that using special effects during the 1950s.) Best of all, Charlton Heston is the Aristotelean perfection of movie hamminess. I’d love to see a new version of Ben-Hur , and as far as I’m concerned, if they’re going to do it, they need to do it right and leave all the Jesus stuff in. Removing the religion would be like taking the Force out of Star Wars . Of course, it’s going to require a deft touch not to end up freaking a big section of the potential audience out. Here’s hoping Clarke has what it takes. [Source: Deadline .] Ross Lincoln is a LA-based freelance writer from Oklahoma with an unhealthy obsession with comics, movies, video games, ancient history, Gore Vidal, and wine. Follow Ross Lincoln on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter .
The Berlin International Film Festival continues to roll-out its program for its February event, adding new titles to its Panorama and other sections. Many of the titles will debut as world and international premieres, with some titles headed to the festival post-Sundance. New work from the U.S. include Travis Mathews and James Franco ‘s Interior. Leather Bar , Stacie Passon’s Concussion , Shane Carruth’s Upstream Color as well as new work from Ken Loach and Jane Campion. Michael Winterbottom’s The Look of Love and Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables are among the Galas added in addition to titles in the festival’s Panorama and Berlinale Special screenings. The Berlin International Film Festival’s added titles: Panorama fictional films: Boven is het stil ( It’s All So Quiet ) – Netherlands/Germany, By Nanouk Leopold with Jeroen Willems, Henri Garcin, Wim Opbrouck, Martijn Lakemeier World Premiere Concussion – USA By Stacie Passon with Robin Weigert, Maggie Siff, Emily Kinney, Daniel London, Ben Shenkman, International Premiere Flores Raras ( Reaching for the Moon AKA: The Art of Loosing ) – Brazil By Bruno Barreto, with Miranda Otto, Gloria Pires, Tracy Middendorf, World Premiere Hayatboyu ( Lifelong ) – Germany By Asli Ozge with Defne Halman, Hakan Çimenser World Premiere Interior. Leather Bar. – USA By Travis Mathews, James Franco with Val Lauren, Christian Patrick, James Franco, International Premiere Kai PO Che – India By Abhishek Kapoor with Sushant Singh Rajput, Raj Kumar, Amit Sadh, Amrita Puri, World Premiere Burn it up Djassa – Ivory Coast/France By Lonesome Solo with Abdoul Karim Konaté, Adelaïde Ouattara, Mamadou Diomandé, Souleymane Bamba, European Premiere Lose Your Head – Germany By Stefan Westerwelle, Patrick Schuckmann with Fernando Tielve, Marko Mandić, Sesede Terziyan, Stavros Yagulis, Samia Chancrin, World Premiere Maladies – USA By Carter with James Franco, Catherine Keener, David Strathairn, Fallon Goodson, Vince Jolivette, World Premiere Mes séances de lutte – France By Jacques Doillon with Sara Forestier, James Thiérrée World Premiere Soğuk ( Cold ) – Turkey By Uğur Yücel with Cenk Alibeyoğlu, A. Rıfat Şungar, Valeria Skorohodova, Yulia Vaniukova, Yulia Erenler, Şebnem Bozoklu, Ezgi Mola, World Premiere Something in the Way – Indonesia By Teddy Soeriaatmadja with Reza Rahadian, Ratu Felisha, Verdi Solaiman, World Premiere Upstream Color – USA By Shane Carruth with Amy Seimetz, Shane Carruth, Andrew Sensenig, Thiago Martins, Kathy Carruth International Premiere Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? – Taiwan By Arvin Chen with Richie Jen, Mavis Fan, Stone, Kimi Hsia, Lawrence Ko, World Premiere Workers – Mexico/Germany By José Luis Valle González with Susana Salazar, Jesús Padilla, World Premiere Youth – Israel/Germany By Tom Shoval with Eitan Cunio, David Cunio, Moshe Ivgy, Gita Amely, Shirili Deshe, World Premiere Berlinale Special Galas at the Friedrichstadt-Palast The Best Offer Italy By Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso, Malèna, Baarìa) With Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Sylvia Hoeks, Donald Sutherland International Premiere The Look of Love , Great Britain By Michael Winterbottom (In This World, The Road to Guantanamo, 24 Hour Party People) With Steve Coogan, Anna Friel, Imogen Poots, Tamsin Egerton European Premiere Les Misérables Great Britain By Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) With Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen German Premiere Tokyo Kazoku ( Tokyo Family ) Japan By Yoji Yamada (About Her Brother, KABEI – Our Mother, The Twilight Samurai) With Isao Hashizume, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Yu Aoi, Yui Natsukawa, Masahiko Nishimura, Tomoko Nakajima, Shozo Hayashiya International Premiere Panorama special screening – Heiner Carow Prize Die Legende von Paul und Paula ( The Legend of Paul and Paula ) – Germany, By Heiner Carow Panorama short supporting films: After Hours – Germany, By Steffen Köhn, World Premiere Jury – Republic of Korea, By Kim Dongho with Ahn Sung-ki, Kang Soo-yeon, Jung In-ki, Tony Rayns, International Premiere Two Girls Against the Rain – Cambodia, By Sao Sopheak, European Premiere Fictional films previously announced: Baek Ya ( White Night ) by Hee-il LeeSong, Republic of Korea – European Premiere Behind the Camera by E J-Yong, Republic of Korea – International Premiere Chemi sabnis naketsi ( A Fold in my Blanket ) by Zaza Rusadze, Georgia – World Premiere Deshora ( Belated ) by Barbara Sarasola-Day, Argentina/Columbia/Norway -World Premiere Don Jon’s Addiction by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, USA -International Premiere Frances Ha by Noah Baumbach, USA – European Premiere Habi, la extranjera ( Habi, the Foreigner ) by María Florencia Alvarez, Argentina/Brazil – World Premiere Inch’Allah by Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, Canada – International Premiere Kashi-ggot ( Fatal ) by Don-ku Lee, Republic of Korea – European Premiere La Piscina ( The Swimming Pool ) by Carlos Machado Quintela, Cuba/Venezuela – International Premiere Lovelace by Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, USA – International Premiere Meine Schwestern ( My Sisters ) by Lars Kraume, Germany – World Premiere Rock the Casbah by Yariv Horowitz, Israel – International Premiere Tanta Agua ( So Much Water ) by Ana Guevara Pose, Leticia Jorge Romero, Uruguay/Mexico/Netherlands/Germany – World Premiere The Broken Circle Breakdown by Felix van Groeningen, Belgium – International Premiere Berlinale Special at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele Assistance Mortelle ( Fatal Assistance ) – documentary France/Haiti/USA/Belgium By Raoul Peck (Moloch Tropical), World Premiere Gold – Du kannst mehr als Du denkst ( Gold – You Can Do More Than You Think ) – documentary Germany, by Michael Hammon, World Premiere Mein Weg nach Olympia ( My Way to Olympia ) – documentary , Germany, by Niko von Glasow, World Premiere Top of the Lake Australia/New Zealand By Jane Campion (An Angel at My Table, The Piano, Bright Star), Garth Davis (Alice) TV series with Elisabeth Moss, David Wenham, Peter Mullan, Holly Hunter, European Premiere The Spirit of ’45 – documentary, Great Britain, by Ken Loach (The Wind that Shakes the Barley, Looking for Eric, The Angels’ Share) World Premiere Unter Menschen ( Redemption Impossible ) – documentary Germany, by Christian Rost, Claus Strigel, World Premiere Berlinale Special at the Bundesplatz-Kino: Berlin Ecke Bundesplatz – Bäckerei im Kiez Germany , by Hans-Georg Ullrich, Detlef Gumm, World Premiere Berlin Ecke Bundesplatz – Feine Leute Germany , by Hans-Georg Ullrich, Detlef Gumm, World Premiere Berlin Ecke Bundesplatz – Schornsteinfegerglück Germany , by Hans-Georg Ullrich, Detlef Gumm, World Premiere Berlin Ecke Bundesplatz – Vater Mutter Kind Germany , by Hans-Georg Ullrich, Detlef Gumm, World Premiere
Twenty years after its production abruptly halted, the North American premiere of director George Sluizer’s Dark Blood starring River Phoenix, Jonathan Pryce and Judy Davis will screen at the 30th edition of the Miami International Film Festival. Dark Blood was 80% finished when Phoenix died of an overdose in Hollywood in 1993. Footage from the film sat in a vault for years until 1999 when Sluizer learned that the uncompleted film was going to be burned. With less than 48 hours notice, he obtained the footage, according to festival organizers, and had it moved to The Netherlands where it remained for over ten years. Sluizer then set out to complete the film last year and had its world premiere at the 2012 Dutch Film Festival ” Dark Blood is a film of legend, one of Hollywood’s great mysteries,” said MIFF Executive Director Jaie Laplante in a statement. “The tragic loss of River Phoenix’s outstanding talent is still profoundly felt 20 years later. We are proud that George Sluizer has honored Miami as the place to finally share his remarkable collaboration with Phoenix and the other great artists involved with Dark Blood .” The complete lineup of the 30th Miami International Film Festival will be unveiled later this month. The description of Dark Blood provided by the Miami International Film Festival: Jet-set Hollywood couple Harry (Jonathan Pryce) and Buffy (Judy Davis) travel through the desert on a second honeymoon, trying to save their marriage. Their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere leaving them to find shelter in Boy’s (River Phoenix) beaten down shack, unaware they will become his prisoners. Boy’s wife died of leukemia after nuclear tests occurred in the desert leaving him alone and far away from society. Buffy is seduced by Boy’s honesty and vulnerabilities, while Harry represents everything Boy hates about the civilized world and its culture. Buffy decides to sleep with Boy to buy the couple’s freedom, but these circumstances will push Harry to the edge, leading to a terrible tragedy. Follow Movieline on Twitter .
Mark Wahlberg jumps back into action as an ex-cop out for justice in this week’s Broken City , which sees him face off against none other than Russell Crowe as a crooked politician Crowe describes as “part Queens, and part Wall Street.” After the jump, watch as Wahlberg talks up the Allen Hughes-helmed potboiler, what brings him back to the gritty action well time and time again, and the big-screen face-off with Crowe that was 15 years in the making. Synopsis: In a broken city rife with injustice, ex-cop Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) seeks redemption – and revenge – after being double-crossed and then framed by its most powerful figure, the mayor (Russell Crowe). Billy’s relentless pursuit of justice, matched only by his streetwise toughness, makes him an unstoppable force – and the mayor’s worst nightmare . Follow Jen Yamato on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
The world premiere of comedy The Incredible Burt Wonderstone will open the 2013 South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival . The festival, which launches its 20th anniversary event March 8th, also unveiled a number of other films and highlights Tuesday. Starring Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi , The Incredible Burt Wonderstone follows superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Buscemi) who have raked in millions of dollars and reign over the Las Vegas strip. Illusion is their mainstay, but the biggest thing they’re hiding is their growing dislike for each other. Complicating matters, they face increasing competition from a street magician ( Jim Carrey ) whose gaining fame as their show begins to appear tired. But things could get back on track if Burt can get a check on his out-sized ego and remember what made him fall in love with magic in the beginning. In addition to The Incredible Burt Wonderstone , SXSW unveiled a handful of titles that will debut at the festival, which takes place March 8 – 16 in Austin, TX. SXSW veteran Joe Swanberg returns with his comedy that blurs the line between “friends” and “more than friends,” Drinking Buddies . Also on tap are Alex Winter’s documentary on the rise of Napster, Downloaded as well as Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers . Good Ol’ Freda chronicles the never-before-told story of The Beatles’ secretary, Freda Kelly and the re-make of the 1981 cult hit Evil Dead by Fede Alvarez are also among the titles revealed Tuesday. SXSW will also host conversations with Matthew McConaughey and Jeffrey Tambor as part of its conference. Other guests include The Black List founder Franklin Leonard and AMC News host and Huff Post Live producer, Jacob Soboroff. “Everyone knows that we like have a good time at SXSW, and our 20th year is already well on track with smart, stylish and highly entertaining work,” said SXSW Film Conference and Festival Producer Janet Pierson in a statement. “Though this is just a taste of what SXSW 2013 will have to offer, what better way to get the party started than with The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, which had us laughing our heads off, despite an 8am Monday viewing.” SXSW will unveil the bulk of its lineup January 31st. SXSW’s announced titles and highlights: Downloaded (World Premiere) Director: Alex Winter Downloaded is a documentary that explores the rise and fall of Napster and the birth of the digital revolution. It’s about the teens that helped start this revolution, and the artists and industries who continue to be impacted by it. Drinking Buddies (World Premiere) Director/Screenwriter: Joe Swanberg Weekend trips, office parties, late night conversations, drinking on the job, marriage pressure, biological clocks, holding eye contact a second too long… you know what makes the line between “friends” and “more than friends” really blurry? Beer. Cast: Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston Everyone’s Going to Die (World Premiere) Director/Screenwriter: Jones A modern British story about coming home, getting by and the redemptive power of feeling you’re not alone. A story where porn hotlines rub shoulders with sexy beavers on rollerskates; where the past is laid to rest, two lives are changed and nobody, finally, is going to die. Cast: Nora Tschirner, Rob Knighton, Kellie Shirley, Madeline Duggan (United Kingdom) Evil Dead (World Premiere) Director: Fede Alvarez, Screenwriter: Fede Alvarez & Rodo Sayagues Five friends, holed up in a remote cabin, discover a Book of the Dead that unwittingly summons up dormant demons, which possess the youngsters in succession until only one is left to fight for survival. Cast: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, Elizabeth Blackmore Good Ol’ Freda (World Premiere) Director: Ryan White Good Ol’ Freda tells the story of Freda Kelly, a shy Liverpudlian teenager asked to work for a young local band hoping to make it big: The Beatles. Their loyal secretary from beginning to end, Freda tells her tales for the first time in 50 years. The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (World Premiere) Director: Don Scardino, Story by Chad Kultgen & Tyler Mitchell and Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley. Screenplay by Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley As superstar Vegas magicians and former best friends Burt and Anton grow to secretly loathe each other, their long-time act implodes, allowing an ambitious rival street performer the big break he’s been waiting for. Cast: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, with Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini and Jim Carrey Spring Breakers (U.S. Premiere) Director/Screenwriter: Harmony Korine Four college girls who land in jail after robbing a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation find themselves bailed out by a drug and arms dealer who wants them to do some dirty work. Cast: James Franco, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine Announced Highlights from the 2013 Conference: A Conversation with Matthew McConaughey – An in-depth discussion with the incredibly fascinating actor, whose career continues to evolve in exciting and unexpected ways, including his bold choices with recent projects like Magic Mike, Killer Joe, Bernie and Mud. Humanizing Heroes: Storytelling Beyond Sports – The leading authorities behind some of today’s most notable sports films, Connor Schell (ESPN Films), Ken Rodgers (NFL Films) and Ross Greenburg (Ross Greenburg Productions), discuss the evolution of storytelling in sports filmmaking, its influence on pop culture and its continued resonance across all cultures and backgrounds. Bates Motel: Story to Screen with Carlton Cuse – In a Special Event combining the SXSW Film Festival and Conference in one, attendees will get an exclusive first look at the pilot of Bates Motel, the thrilling new series from A&E. Following the screening, Executive Producer Carlton Cuse (Lost) will sit down with A&E Marketing EVP Guy Slattery for an inside look and Q&A on the process for bringing this contemporary prequel to life. Jeffrey Tambor’s Acting Workshop – Jeffrey Tambor continues the tradition of his much loved acting and life workshop by returning to SXSW Film 2013. Part one-man show, part seminar, part question and answer and endlessly entertaining, Jeffrey’s hilarious and empowering presentation inspires the viewer to discover the artist within.
I can’t say I loved last night’s Golden Globe Awards in their entirety. There was something unfocused and rather boilerplate about the telecast as a whole, but it did have its memorable moments. Here are my Top Five. Memo to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association: Pay special attention to Number 2 if you want next year’s awards to be an improvement. 1. Jodie Foster’s speech: Whether you liked the I’m-coming-out-by-telling-you-that-I’ve-been-out aspect of her speech, or thought that she should have been one of those brave souls — like Ellen DeGeneres — who battled Hollywood homophobia by taking a stand when there was real career risk involved, Foster gave us a refreshing blast of emotional honesty, as well as and opinions about privacy and career, that we’ll be dissecting for a long time. Her words were a welcome departure from all of the on-message speeches, like Jessica Chastain’s comparison of Kathryn Bigelow to her character Maya, and Hugh Jackman’s homage to his wife Deborra-Lee Furness — versions of which they’ve given at other awards ceremonies — that make statuette season unnecessarily repetitive and dull. 2. Amy Poehler and Tina Fey : If you were keeping tabs on the Twitter-verse during the awards, one of the recurring cries out there was more Amy and Tina. Whoever hosts the Globes tends to disappear toward the middle of the show, and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association should fix that when they beg Poehler and Fey to come back 2014, which they should be doing right this very minute. I was a fan of Ricky Gervais ‘ poke-in-the-eye style, but the ladies got the tone just right. With the exception of their opening James Cameron joke, they were sharp without being lacerating, and frickin’ funny. (That said, I thought the Cameron joke was the best line of the night.) Their audience cameos were most welcome, too. Bring them back and make them a bigger part of the show. Despite a number of memorable moments, last night’s awards suffered from a lack of cohesiveness that Fey and Poehler could have brought to the telecast if they’d just been on camera more. 3. Tommy Lee Jones’ Scowl: A number of websites credit Jones with the quote, “I do not have a sense of humor of any recognizable sort,” and though his work in Men in Black and other movies suggests otherwise, the actor sure seemed to be in a foul mood at the Globes. The first time I recognized Jones’ award-winning scowl was when Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig were doing their clueless Garth and Kat-style take on the Best Supporting Actress Nominees for the Musical or Comedy category. (That funny but rather lengthy performance would have clocked in at Number 6 here if this list extended beyond 5.) If you missed it, Jones’ can be seen in the clip below while the comedy duo is discussing his co-star Meryl Streep’s performance in Hope Springs , and he looks like he smells a really bad fart. But there could have been other factors at play, too. By that point, Jones had already lost out to Christoph Waltz in the Best Supporting Actor category, and I couldn’t help but notice that he was not at the same table as director Steven Spielberg and his fellow Lincoln co-star Daniel Day-Lewis . Jones was also wearing the same dyspeptic look much later when the camera returned to him later in the telecast. Whatever the reason for Jones’ malaise, I applaud him for it. His scowl was as honest as his acting and almost as refreshing as Foster’s speech. 4. Ben Affleck’s Argo Wins: For two reasons: There’s a lot of good will for Affleck out there and though the Golden Globe win doesn’t make up for him being snubbed by the Academy in the Best Director category, it does ease the pain somewhat for everyone who was rooting for him. More significantly, Argo’s Best Picture (Drama) win is yet another sign that Spielberg and Lincoln no longer have a lock on Best Director and Picture Oscars. 5. Bill Clinton’s Appearance on Behalf of Lincoln : I can’t say I was surprised when Clinton showed up. He and a pre- Sugarland Express (but post- Duel ) Spielberg worked together on George McGovern’s campaign and the director, who orchestrated the deal, according to Deadline , has been a longtime supporter of Clinton. What I loved most about the appearance is the mutual admiration society that exists between William Jefferson and Hollywood. He got a standing ovation from the crowd and one of the night’s big laughs. After noting that the passage of the 13th Amendment required Lincoln to “make a lot of unsavory deals that had nothing to do with the big issue,” the former president added: “I wouldn’t know anything about that.” They used to say Bill Clinton was a political rock star. Turns out he’s been a movie star all along. [ Deadline ] Follow Frank DiGiacomo on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.
Kim Kardashian Demands Kris Humphries Pay Her Legal Fees For Dragging Out Divorce The divorce drama between Kimmy Cakes and her future ex-bitter baller boo Kris Humphries seems to be getting messier by the minute. Even thought both parties have moved on to other relationships and even though the marriage only lasted a mere 72 days, the Dumped Hump insists on being the wet blanket that won’t go away. via Huffington Post In conjunction with legal handlings that have been drawn out since their October 2011 separation, Kim Kardashian is now saying she wants ex-husband Kris Humphries to pay for her hefty attorney fees. Because Humphries refuses to officially divorce Kardashian unless she acknowledges his claims that their marriage was a fraud, there’s a chance the couple technically will still be married at the time the reality star gives birth to her and boyfriend Kanye West’s baby in June — and Kardashian is none too pleased about that. But while people close to Humphries reportedly are urging him to settle the case and walk away, Kardashian is demanding that the Nets player take care of her lawyer’s bill after putting her through this ordeal for a year and a half. TMZ reports that no evidence has been presented that legitimizes Humphries’ claims. Kardashian feels her 72-day former flame is being “spiteful and vindictive.” Are we the only ones who think this is all getting a little ridiculous on the Hump’s part? While he’s definitely entitled to make sure he doesn’t get screwed over with the divorce settlement, is he not just as ready for this all to be over as Kim is?
This Katherine Webb is ready to straight “Roll Tide” right over Kimmy Cakes! Known as Miss Alabama and University of Alabama QB A.J. McCarron’s girlfriend, Webb was recently asked to pose for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, out next month. Check out her interview with SI below: SI.com: How surprised were you to get the call from Sports Illustrated? Webb: I was completely dumbfounded. It was so shocking to me because literally overnight I go from being AJ’s girlfriend and going to support him in the championship game to being on every major media news outlet. It’s just so surprising to me. I don’t know what God has planned, but obviously he’s working on something. When Sports Illustrated called it just became even more real that this is happening. Every single model wants to be in Sports Illustrated, and I feel extremely blessed to have that opportunity. SI.com: So it’s safe to assume you said yes right away when you got the call? Webb: Oh, my gosh. Absolutely. I’ve been approached by different publications, but I think a lot of America appreciated how classy I was, and I got a lot of responses saying I was America’s sweetheart and all that kind of stuff. I’m from Alabama and I have morals and I have class. That’s my personality. A lot of people have said I’m the anti-Kim Kardashian and I’m all right with that. SI.com: Well, Kim Kardashian has done all right for herself. Webb: She made herself into who she is and that’s fine and all that. But I guess the way I want to go about all this is, I just want to have a positive image for myself. I want girls to be able to look up to me and to say, “I want to be just like her one day.” That’s what I did as Miss Alabama and I loved that. SI.com: How long have you done modeling? Webb: I’ve done modeling since I was 18, but it didn’t take off until I moved to Los Angeles. Modeling has always been something I’ve been really good at, and has been something that’s helped pay bills. And it’s something I enjoy doing, as well. Every model wants to be successful in her career, so for Sports Illustrated to reach out to me is just amazing. I couldn’t be anymore blessed. SI.com: Take me through Monday night. You’re at the game, it got boring quickly, although maybe not for you, but for most people, and then a wave of buzz happens from Brent Musburger’s comments to your Twitter blowing up. What was that night like? Webb: I don’t think it became real to me until after I left the stadium and a reporter walked up to me and asked if I realized what was happening, because my phone was dead, so I had no idea what was going on. He was like, “Do you realize you are the star of the game?” I was like, “No, what are you talking about?” So he told me the cameras focused on me and AJ’s mom and I had over 100,000 Twitter followers, and I was like “Wait a minute, are you serious?” SI.com: Did you get a chance to at least celebrate Alabama’s win? Webb: Yeah. Afterward, all the football players went back to the hotel where they were staying. I left immediately and went straight to the hotel. By then, I had charged my phone, so I kinda knew what was happening. Immediately after I stepped out of the car and walked into the hotel, I had people come up to me asking me for autographs and asking me to sign memorabilia, and that stuff is now being sold on eBay. But we did end up celebrating all night. I didn’t get any sleep. I didn’t close my eyes for 24 hours. SI.com: With newfound fame comes a downside. What’s been the best and worst part of this week? Webb: I’ve realized you’re not going to please everyone and you’re not going to appeal to everyone and show who you are to everyone. That’s one of the downsides. But the upside is that one thing I want to do is be a good role model. Hollywood has such few good role models and I partially feel like this is why this has happened for me, and I really want to promote that and do good for others. SI.com: What has it been like to be an Auburn grad dating an Alabama student? Can you even walk around the Auburn campus anymore? Webb: Luckily, I graduated in May 2011, so I haven’t had a reason to go back on campus unless it’s been for a football game. I’ve had a little bit of backlash from Auburn, and I understand. Auburn and Alabama have one of the biggest rivalries in all of college football. But I lived in Los Angeles and there aren’t a lot of great guys in L.A., so for me to find someone who has a good, humble heart and who is amazing and treats me so well, that’s a really special find for me. At the end of the day, football is just a game. I don’t care if he’s from Alabama or wherever, I don’t pay attention to the rivalry when it comes to my personal relationship. SI.com: So what else is next for you? Webb: I’ve had opportunities to do hosting and some television shows. But right now I’m just going along for the ride and seeing what happens. But at the end of the day, my relationship with AJ is what’s important and if this stuff is going to hinder the relationship, then I don’t have a problem saying no to certain things, especially if they’d embarrass me or his family. Are you happy for Katherine Webb’s newfound success? Does it seem like she’s hating on Kimmy Cakes and Hollyweird to you? What do you think of her interview with SI — Pure Comedy or Ho Sit Down?
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