Oscar Honchos Promise Little Politics (AP)
March 3, 2006
AP - In the last official briefing before the big show, Oscar producer Gil Cates, director Lou Horvitz and Academy president Sid Ganis promised no political uproar — and no rain — at the Academy Awards on Sunday.
Petition Seeks to Revoke Film's Nomination (AP)
March 3, 2006AP - A petition claiming that the movie "Paradise Now" glorifies Palestinian suicide bombers and asking for its removal from Oscar consideration was delivered Friday to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences — two days before the Academy Awards.
Stars to Arrive at Oscars in Green Cars (AP)
March 3, 2006
AP - Oscar nominees Joaquin Phoenix, Jake Gyllenhaal and Frances McDormand are among those expected to step out of green vehicles and onto the red carpet at the Academy Awards ceremony Sunday.
Will Small Films Draw Big Oscars Audience? (AP)
March 3, 2006
AP - Teresa Lady, a secretary in Indianapolis, has seen only one of this year's five best-picture Academy Award nominees — "Brokeback Mountain." Luckily, she has other reasons for tuning in to Sunday night's Oscarcast.
Bollywood AIDS Story Gets Help From Church (AP)
March 3, 2006AP - At first glance, the movie seems like just another Bollywood film: It has the disco-beat songs, the hip-swiveling dance number and the hero and heroine cavorting in the rain in drenched revealing clothes.
Madonna, Bowie Get in 'Toon (E! Online)
March 3, 2006
E! Online - Madonna
and David Bowie are morphing themselves once more, this time into French
cartoons.
'Brokeback' Director Bridges East, West (AP)
March 3, 2006AP - His compatriots call Ang Lee "the treasure of Taiwan" for his success in bridging cultural barriers and becoming one of the few Asian film directors to make it big in Hollywood.
Review: 'Ultraviolet' (AP)
March 3, 2006AP - Another Friday, another abominable movie that wasn't screened for critics before it opens.
Blog: A Look Back at 2005 Predictions (AP)
March 3, 2006
AP - AP writers are covering the scene as Hollywood gets ready for its big night on March 5. They'll be filing periodic reports on the goings-on as the perfect outfits are selected, the red carpet is readied and the gold statuettes are polished for the annual awards show.
Johansson Not Holding Grudge Over Groping (AP)
March 3, 2006
AP - Scarlett Johansson wasn't amused when fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi groped her on the red carpet at January's Golden Globe Awards, but she's willing to forgive him.
Capote's red-carpet role celebrated in new book (Reuters)
March 3, 2006
Reuters - Two decades after he died broken and
friendless, Truman Capote has been uncannily resurrected
through an Oscar-nominated movie and the publication of his
long-lost first book.
Jet Li, Jason Statham Team Up for 'Rogue' (AP)
March 3, 2006AP - Jet Li's new action movie revolves around an FBI agent who tries to avenge the death of his partner by an assassin, and co-stars Jason Statham from "The Transporter" and "The Italian Job," the Chinese star's official Web site announced.
Indian Movie Star Enjoying U.S. Anonymity (AP)
March 3, 2006
AP - Only a really great role would tempt Bollywood superstar Madhuri Dixit away from motherhood and back to acting, the actress said in an interview published Friday.
Bloody S.African Oscar contender proves hit at home (Reuters)
March 3, 2006
Reuters - A tale of blood, bullets and
poverty, Oscar contender "Tsotsi" rings true in its home market
of South Africa -- which is why it has proved such a hit.
German court bans cannibal film (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - A court ruled on Friday that a film that closely mirrors the true story of a German man who killed and ate a willing victim cannot be shown in Germany because it violates the rights of the real-life cannibal.
"Aquamarine" is "Splash" for the 'tween scene (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - Alice Hoffman and Hollywood haven't traditionally made a great fit if the screen adaptations of her novels "The River King" (which went directly to video) and "Practical Magic" are of any indication.
Palestinian filmmaker fears for Oscar after outcry (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - The director of an Oscar-nominated film exploring motivations of Palestinian suicide bombers said in an interview published on Friday that he thought pro-Israel lobbying would prevent him winning a prize.
"Noel" wins appeal, gets PG-13 rating (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - France's foreign-language Oscar nominee "Joyeux Noel" (Merry Christmas) will be released with a PG-13 rating Friday, a day after Sony Pictures Classics successfully appealed the original R rating for "some war violence and brief nudity."
"Confederate States" can't sustain moments of wit (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - Kevin Willmott's mock documentary "CSA: The Confederate States of America" depicts what life would have been like if the South had won the Civil War.
Gooding savors role as bad cop in "Dirty" (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - Not exactly the least explored of movie concepts, the rogue cop flick gets a shot of vitality in "Dirty," an engaging bit of L.A. grit from genre filmmaker Chris Fisher.
South Africa's biz tells own story with "Tsotsi" (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - Gavin Hood, the writer-director of foreign-language Oscar nominee "Tsotsi," will never forget a movie he first saw when he was 9 years old.
Oscar shorts getting screen, Net exposure (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - "Cashback," a short film directed by Sean Ellis, is turning into something of a mini-blockbuster as the animated shorts and live-action shorts nominated for Sunday's 78th Annual Academy Awards are moving out from under the shadows cast by their feature-length brethren.
Palestinian filmmaker fears for Oscar after outcry (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - The director of an Oscar-nominated film exploring motivations of Palestinian suicide bombers said in an interview published on Friday that he thought pro-Israel lobbying would prevent him winning a prize.
Latest Hollywood script deals (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - Collin Friesen is suiting up for writing duties on "Man in Uniform," a New Line Cinema comedy that has Kevin James attached to star.
Iranian filmmaker shoots straight with "Offsides" (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - Women's roles and the eternal fight to expand their rights in Iranian society get a light, hugely entertaining treatment in Jafar Panahi's "Offsides," a story about girls caught dressing as boys to sneak into a World Cup-qualifying soccer match in Tehran.
Madonna, Bowie starring in French cartoon (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - Madonna, Snoop Dogg and David Bowie are among the voices featured in "Arthur and the Minimoys," a live-action/computer-animated fantasy feature based on a popular French children's book by filmmaker Luc Besson, who is directing the project.
Third "Saw" picture coming in October (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - More blood will be shed.
Box office set to be overshadowed by Oscar (Reuters)
March 3, 2006Reuters - Although several films are vying for the top spots at the box office this Academy Awards weekend, there is no absolute front-runner, and none looks likely to crack the $20 million mark.