George Clooney, 'The Artist' Are Odds-On Oscar Faves
We leave the Oscar odds up to the professionals, in Bigger Than the Sound.
By James Montgomery
George Clooney in "The Descendants"
Photo: 20th Century Fox
My buddy Corey (snubs and surprises to the folks that know these things best, I found it rather interesting that, after talking to a bunch of my movie-loving co-workers, I quickly discovered that, among cineastes, the Oscars are sort of regarded much the same way die-hard music fans view the Grammys: They are, to say the very least, a slightly silly, thoroughly incomprehensible thing. And given this year's list of nominees, I'm inclined to agree with that assessment.
So given all that — not to mention the fact that my two favorite films of 2011, "Drive" and, uh, "Warrior" racked up a grand total of two nominations — you can understand why, when my editors told me they were looking for an Oscars odds column, I sort of panicked. Needless to say, I was not the expert they were looking for — thankfully, given my insatiable wagering addiction (DON'T CALL IT A "PROBLEM"), I know some folks who were.
So I reached out to the brain trust at Paige Butcher
Ke$ha - Take It Off
- Artist: Ke$ha
- Label: RCA
- Director: Paul Hunter, Dori Oskowitz
- Album: King of the Blues Guitar
Aubrey ODay Rachel Perry Ana Beatriz Barros Rachael Leigh Cook
Brad Pitt On Oscar Nods: 'Pancakes For Everyone'
Actor tells Today Show he's 'ecstatic' about 'Moneyball' and 'Tree of Life' nominations.
By Jocelyn Vena
Brad Pitt in "Moneyball"
Photo: Sony Pictures
On Tuesday morning (January 24), "Moneyball" star Brad Pitt heard his name called several times when the Oscar nominations were announced. Shortly after, the actor called in to "The Today Show" to open up about being recognized not only for his acting skills, but also his work getting the baseball film off the ground as a producer.
"We're ecstatic over here. It means so much considering this film was just dead on the rocks two years ago," he said from L.A. "It took a lot of people to get it to the screen. It's a great honor. I'm really happy."
Pitt got a couple nods thanks to his producer credit on the best picture nominee and his work in the leading role. His co-star Jonah Hill also got some love with a supporting actor nomination. "I'm so happy for Jonah Hill," he gushed. "I can't tell you." Another film he recently starred in, "Tree of Life," also got some Academy love, making Pitt's morning an especially good one. "I'm doubly happy that 'Tree of Life' made it in there," he said. "We thought we were all but forgotten; just excited for [director and nominee] Terry Malick."
Pitt will once again face off against his pal and Golden Globe winner George Clooney for Actor in a Leading Role for his work in "The Descendants," but he's not too worried about it. "I'm sure we'll be exchanging many good words later," he said. "It's more fun to have a friend there and no one does it better than George. I say give him all the trophies, and when you run out of trophies, make some new ones and give him those too. " When asked what prize he wants to win most come Oscars night, he played it cool saying, "I could not pick. I'm just so happy that both these films have been recognized. 'Tree of Life' was just as difficult to get made and it's gonna be pancakes for everyone this morning."
Did "Moneyball" deserve all the Academy love? Let us know what you think in the comments.
See the complete list of Academy Awards Nominations.
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'Party Down' Movie Script Is 'Almost Done,' Lizzy Caplan Says
Like the cast members of "Arrested Development," anyone and everyone that's ever been associated with the short-lived cult comedy series "Party Down" inevitably find themselves fielding the same question: when's the movie coming out? Of course, a "Party Down" movie isn't guaranteed, but cast members Lizzy Caplan and Megan Mullally both told MTV News at the [...]Michael Jackson's Family Not Out For 'Revenge'
'There is nothing you can do here today that will bring Michael back,' Joe and Katherine Jackson say in a statement read at Conrad Murray hearing.
By Andrea Duncan-Mao, with reporting by Gil Kaufman
Katherine Jackson arrives for the sentencing of Dr. Conrad Murray at the Los Angeles Superior Court on November 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Murray was convicted on November 7 for the 2009 death of Jackson from an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol and faces up to four years in state prison. (Photo by )
Photo: Toby Canham/ Getty Images
<P>At Tuesday's (November 29) sentencing hearing for Dr. Conrad Murray — where Michael Jackson's former personal physician received four years in jail for involuntary manslaughter — a statement from Jackson's parents was read in court. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:708788.id:1673923" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "We still look at each other in disbelief: Is it really possible he is gone? It is simply against the natural order of things," Joe and Katherine Jackson said in the statement, read by Jackson family attorney Brian Panish. "We are not here to seek revenge. There is nothing you can do here today that will bring Michael back." Do you think Conrad Murray deserved the maximum sentence? Let us know on Facebook. Along with Katherine, Michael's siblings LaToya, Jermaine, Randy and Rebbie were also reportedly in attendance at the hearing. In regards to the sentence, the family said in the statement: "We respectfully request you impose a sentence that reminds physicians they cannot sell their services to the highest bidder." The judge agreed, lamenting that due to a new California law to address overcrowding in prisons, he was unable to sentence Murray to state prison. Stating that Murray practiced "horrible medicine" and had "absolutely no remorse," Judge Michael Pastor declined the defense's motion for probation and handed down the stiffest sentence possible — four years — which Murray will most likely serve in a Los Angeles county jail or on home confinement. Upon leaving the courthouse, Michael's brother Jermaine, when asked if the four-year sentence was enough, shook his head and said, "No." Katherine told local TV station KTLA, "Four years is not enough for someone's life. It won't bring him back. But at least he got the maximum, and I thought the judge was very, very fair."</p>
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Beyonce, Chris Brown, Emma Stone Nab NAACP Nods
NAACP Image Awards nominations also recognize 'Modern Family' and Bruno Mars.
By Jocelyn Vena
Beyonce
Photo: Getty
<P>Beyoncé, Chris Brown and "The Help" star Emma Stone are among the A-listers who have nabbed NAACP Image Awards nods this year. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="id:1676907" width="240" height="211"></div><p> New mama Beyoncé — nominated for Best Music Video ("I Was Here"), Outstanding Song ("Best Thing I Never Had") and Outstanding Album (<i>4</i>) — is also up for Outstanding Female Artist with her "Dreamgirls" co-star Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott, Ledisi and Mary J. Blige. Chris Brown, Common, Cee Lo Green, Bruno Mars and Anthony Hamilton will compete for Outstanding Male Artist. Diggy Simmons and Mindless Behavior are two of the newcomers in the Outstanding New Artist category, alongside Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., Wynter Gordon and Committed. "The Help" is up for Outstanding Motion Picture against "Tower Heist," "Jumping the Broom," "Pariah" and "The First Grader." Eddie Murphy ("Tower Heist"), Laurence Fishburne ("Contagion"), Laz Alonso ("Jumping the Broom"), Oliver Litondo ("The First Grader") and Vin Diesel ("Fast Five") will face off for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture. Meanwhile, in the Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture category, Emma Stone ("The Help") is alongside her co-star and Critics' Choice Movie Awards winner Viola Davis as well as Adepero Oduye ("Pariah"), Paula Patton ("Jumping the Broom") and Zoe Saldana ("Colombiana"). Golden Globe winner and GLAAD Awards nominee "Modern Family" will compete for Outstanding Comedy Series with "Reed Between the Lines," "The Game," "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," and "Love That Girl!" On the other end of the spectrum, Outstanding Drama Series, nominees include "Boardwalk Empire," "Grey's Anatomy," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "The Good Wife" and "Treme." The show aims to "celebrate the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film, and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors." A full list of nominees can be found on the NAACP Image Awards website. The winners will be announced live February 17 on NBC. <i>Who will you be rooting for? Share your picks below!</i></p>
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Tracy Morgan Hospitalized After Collapsing at Sundance
Tracy Morgan was hospitalized Sunday night after collapsing at a Sundance Film Festival event in Park City, Utah.
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Reese Witherspoon To Premiere 'This Means War' Clip On MTV
Actress will join MTV News for a sit-down airing January 31 at 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV and MTV.com.
By Gil Kaufman
Reese Witherspoon and Tom Hardy in "This Means War"
Photo: 20th Century Fox
Reese Witherspoon will sit down with MTV News for an exclusive interview and premiere of a previously unseen clip from her upcoming film "This Means War." The special, "MTV First: Reese Witherspoon," will air on January 31 at 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV.
Following the on-air segment, Academy Award winner Witherspoon will stay for an additional 30-minute interview on MTV.com with MTV News' Josh Horowitz. Fans can be a part of the action right away by submitting video or text questions starting Monday (January 23) on MTV.com or via Twitter by using the @MTVNews hashtag #MTVFirst.
Witherspoon stars in the McG-directed comedy-action film as a seductive female dating two of the world's deadliest CIA operatives (played by Chris Pine and Tom Hardy) whose partnership and friendship is put in jeopardy when they begin to battle for her affections. Instead of 'fessing up to her about the love triangle, they try to settle the matter using all the weapons at their disposal.
The film also stars one of Witherspoon's real-life pals, comedian and "Chelsea Lately" host Chelsea Handler, who gives Reese's character the terrible advice that she should continue dating both men.
After positive word-of-mouth during test screenings, Twentieth Century Fox pushed the movie's release date up by three days to Valentine's Day (February 14). "After all," said director McG, "everyone needs a little action on Valentine's Day."
Check out everything we've got on "This Means War."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
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