Obama welcomes 'little up-and-coming team': Champion Heat visit White House

The First Fan is accustomed to taking heat, but when President Barack Obama welcomed the NBA champion Miami Heat to the White House on Monday, it was, well, pretty cool.
“I’d like to welcome a little up-and-coming basketball team to the White House,” Obama said, with the team behind him and coach Erik Spoelstra standing alongside him.

The Miami Heat visited President Barack Obama at the White House to commemorate their 2012 NBA Championships. (AP Photo)

Mixing jokes and good-natured ribbing with messages about teamwork and commitment to fatherhood, Obama talked with and about the 2012 NBA champions, even at one point jokingly taking some credit for the team’s NBA Finals victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Some of you recall a little pickup game we had here a few years ago,” Obama said, turning toward Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, “and it’s clear that going up against me prepared them for going up against Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.”
The president, a longtime Chicago Bulls fan, admitted that he was disappointed that his favorite team hadn’t won the title but acknowledged the Heat’s standout individual efforts in a larger team context.
The Heat came to the White House after a visit to Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, an experience that Spoelstra described as “truly, truly humbling.”
Before giving way to Heat players, Obama added that he appreciated that Miami’s “Big Three” of Wade, James and Chris Bosh “take the role of being fathers very seriously.” Heat family members were among those assembled in the White House.
James presented Obama with a basketball autographed by the team, but seemed in awe despite his long career in the limelight: “Thank you for letting us be in the White House,” James said. “Man, we’re in the White House! … It’s like, ‘Mom, I made it!’”
Wade then gave the nation’s 44th president a Heat jersey with the No. 44.
“We’ve got a 10-day contract left,” Wade said, turning to members of the Heat front office behind him. “Why don’t we hook my man up?”

Andrew Bogut injury update: Warriors big man aims to return from ankle injury Monday at Toronto

Golden State Warriors 7-footer Andrew Bogut, limited to only four games this season because of a nagging left ankle, is aiming to be in the lineup Monday (7 p.m. ET) against the Toronto Raptors, barring any pregame setbacks, the San Jose Mercury News reported.
The newspaper reported that Bogut was wearing his reversible practice jersey with the blue side out—reserved for the team’s starters—during the morning’s shootaround at Air Canada Centre.

Andrew Bogut, sidelined by a nagging left ankle injury, has played in only four games for the Golden State Warriors this season. (AP Photo)

Multiple unidentified sources cited by the Mercury News said Bogut is planning to give it ago.
However, Warriors coach Mark Jackson maintained his stance that Bogut would come back when he is ready.
Bogut and the team haven’t discussed his recovery since the news in late November that April surgery on his left ankle included a microfracture procedure.
Acquired in March in the blockbuster trade that sent Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks, Bogut has played only 73 minutes this season, totaling 24 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks.
He hasn’t played since Nov. 8, missing 38 games in the process.
According to the Mercury News, the 7-1 Bogut's return would be timely. Golden State has given up 57 second-chance points in its past two games as teams with big frontcourts have exploited the Warriors' smallish lineup.
Jackson is expected to be conservative with Bogut’s minutes when he returns.

SAG Awards 2013 Red Carpet Photos: See The Fashion & Glittering Gowns!

The Golden Globes are over and the Oscars are still a few weeks away, which can mean just one thing...
SAG Awards!
OK, fine. Maybe the Screen Actors Guild Awards aren't the sexiest, most exciting of the awards shows. But the A-list actors still dutifully don their designer gowns, spikey heels and million-dollar jewels and walk the red carpet, providing us all with a pre-Oscars fashion parade. And for that we are eternally grateful.
Below, check out our continuously-updated slideshow of all the best red carpet looks from the 2013 SAG Awards! Who had your favorite dress?

Kristen Bell Sues Hollywood Restaurant For Alleged Breach Of Contract

Kristen Bell is suing Hollywood restaurant and bar L'Scorpion for breach of contract.
The 32-year-old mom-to-be and a few others are reportedly taking legal action amid claims that the owners failed to pay them their portion of its profits. According to court documents obtained by E! News, Bell and the four other plaintiffs in the case filed the lawsuit against Meridian Restaurant group on Jan. 25.
They each invested $20,000 in the tequila bar in July 2005 and were supposed to receive five percent of its profits in return. But according to the lawsuit, the bar generated monthly earnings up to $30,000 since its opening in 2006 and the "House of Lies" star and the other investors didn't receive their fair share of those profits.
Bell is allegedly claiming breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty.
She is currently expecting her first child --rumored to be a baby boy -- with fiance Dax Shepard this spring.

Katie Holmes, Suri Cruise Brave The Cold In New York

Oh, it's just Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise, braving the bitter cold Sunday in New York as they stepped out for a walk and a cool refreshment. While 34-year-old mom Katie kept warm in a leather jacket and scarf, Suri opted for something more incognito (and adorable): a giant black-and-white fur hat in the form of a panda.
The pair have become regular New York fixtures since moving to the city last year, whether attending gymnastics classes, picking up cupcakes or walking to Suri's new school, Avenues.

Kristen Stewart Cheating Scandal Update: Liberty Ross and Rupert Sanders to Divorce - REPORT

Model/actress Liberty Ross has filed for divorce from her director husband Rupert Sanders, TMZ reports.

Hollywood.com had not heard back from the couple's reps at press time.

The pair's marital issues came to light after Sanders was photographed having an affair with his Snow White and the Hunstman star Kristen Stewart, so it was only a matter of time until Ross officially severed ties with her husband. Though Ross and Sanders stated they were trying to work through the scandal, it clearly didn't take.

Ross filed her paperwork in L.A. County Superior Court, TMZ reports. She asked for joint custody of the couple's two kids, spousal support, and attorney’s fees. Sanders reportedly filed his response to the divorce petition, also requesting joint custody.

Stewart and her boyfriend Robert Pattinson seem to have gotten past her indiscretion, however, and are still together.

Whitney Houston's Mother, Cissy Houston, On Singer's Drug Use, Lesbian Rumors

Whitney Houston died nearly one year ago and her mother, Cissy, continues to ask herself: "Could I have saved her somehow?"
In a her new tell-all memoir, "Remembering Whitney," Cissy reveals intimate details about her daughter's highs and lows.
"I'm angry she died alone, in those conditions," writes Cissy, according to an excerpt obtained by People magazine. Whitney drowned in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Feb. 11, 2011, at 48 years old. Drugs were found in her system, a habit Cissy knew about. "She started partying and she didn't really know how to stop. I used to wonder what she was doing at night, where she was."
Cissy also delves into Whitney's relationships and rumors that she had a lesbian romance with her former assistant and creative director, Robyn Crawford.
Rumors had circulated since the 1980s that the two, who met when they were teenagers in New Jersey, were more than just friends. When Whitney died, Crawford penned a touching tribute to the "I Will Always Love You" singer for Esquire.
Cissy's feelings on Crawford, however, seem strained. She writes: "I just didn’t want her with my daughter. I know nothing about a romantic relationship. That's what everybody said but they didn't know either."
Since her daughter's death, the 79-year-old, whose book hits shelves on Jan. 29, has had to deal with keeping her granddaughter, Bobbi Kristina, grounded.
Some thought Bobbi could be headed down the same path as Whitney after dealing with the death. Cissy attempted to keep a $20 million inheritance from the teenager, because she thought it was "too much, too soon," according to TMZ. The two reportedly settled and are ready to move forward.
Cissy will sit down with Oprah Winfrey on Jan. 28 for her first in-depth interview since Whitney's death for "Oprah's Next Chapter."

'Inherent Vice': Joaquin Phoenix To Replace Robert Downey Jr. In Paul Thomas Anderson's Next Film

"Inherent Vice": Joaquin Phoenix may replace Robert Downey in lead role.

"Inherent Vice," Paul Thomas Anderson's adaptation of the Thomas Pynchon novel of the same name, was set to give Robert Downey Jr. his first non-franchise role since "Due Date" in 2010. Now, however, it appears Downey has dropped out of the project; Joaquin Phoenix, who starred in "The Master" for Anderson and earned an Oscar nomination for his troubles, is reportedly in talks for the leading role.
Downey has been attached to "Inherent Vice" for some time, though not in any official capacity. In a 2011 interview with MTV, the "Iron Man" star sounded excited about working with Anderson.
"Anything that has to do with Paul Thomas Anderson and I doing a movie is probably true," Downey said. "We tend to talk about a variety of potential projects, and Thomas Pynchon's 'Inherent Vice' could be great. We'll see."
As recently as Jan. 8, Downey was reportedly still attached to the film. No word yet on why he dropped out, but it could be because of scheduling.
"I feel like I'm booked, but I'm not," Downey told MTV in 2011. "I make space for what I want to do. I just think he's one of our great American directors. I just like hanging out with the guy."
Marvel has kept Downey busy in recent years. He'll reprise the role of Tony Stark in "Iron Man 3" and "Marvel's The Avengers 2."
As for Phoenix, playing the lead in "Inherent Vice" would reunite him with Anderson. The actor received some of the best reviews of his career for "The Master," and was nominated for Best Actor despite speaking out against the Academy Awards.
"Inherent Vice" is a noir comedy-thriller set in Los Angeles during 1969 and 1970. The lead role, Doc Sportello, is a detective embroiled in the middle of a kidnapping case.

Jeremy Renner's Baby: Actor Expecting First Child With Ex-Girlfriend

There's a baby on the way for Jeremy Renner!
The actor, 42, reportedly shared his big news with Eva Longoria while taking a cigarette break during the Golden Globes on Jan. 13, sources tell Us Weekly. Witnesses told the magazine that the "Bourne Legacy" star was overheard saying, "I'm going to fly in when her water breaks." They added, "Then Eva said, 'I'm so blown away.'"
Although it's surprising, multiple sources confirmed the pregnancy, revealing that an ex-girlfriend of the actor is due to give birth next month. "They used to date but it wasn't serious," one insider said, explaining that the mom-to-be is currently living in Renner's home in Los Angeles, Calif.
Sources tell Us that Renner is "being ultra-secretive about it, but [his baby mama] has been going on about her life and not hiding it." Still, the actor has always said he likes to keep his personal life private.
Last April, Renner shot down longstanding false rumors that he was gay, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "I want my personal life to be personal, and it's not f**king true." He added, "And I don't care if you're talking about things that are true, you're still talking about my personal life."

Nigella Lawson: No Photoshop On My Tummy For 'The Taste' Ads

While many female celebrities get the Photoshop treatment, only some protest. Nigella Lawson recently took a stand when she insisted on not being airbrushed in new campaign images for "The Taste," a competitive cooking show coming to ABC January 22 on which Lawson serves as a judge and mentor.
In a blogpost on Friday, the British chef/TV personality dished (ha!) about making "The Taste," including what it was like to see her own body up on billboards:

Although it was very thrilling to think of being up on a billboard in LA and around the States, I was very strict and English and told them they weren't allowed to airbrush my tummy out. Wise? Hmmm. But that tum is the truth and is come by honestly, as my granny would have said.

When you put it like that, it really does sound so simple: "that tum is the truth." Wouldn't it be nice if every fashion magazine, cosmetics ad and lingerie catalog applied such straightforward logic?
Alas. Check out a few promo images from Nigella's "Taste" campaign. How gorgeous is that red dress?!

Vogue's Hurricane Sandy Spread: Crossing The Line?

In one corner of the striking image, ConEd employees who worked feverishly in the wake of Hurricane Sandy to restore power to a disaster-slammed New York. In the other: leggy supermodel Karlie Kloss posing in a glamorous Oscar de la Renta couture gown.
Wait, what? It's a real photo spread called "Storm Troupers" gracing the posh pages of February's Vogue and lensed by none other than Annie Leibovitz.
The shoot, of course, was intended as tribute to Sandy's first responders -- as Vogue's website explains: "When Hurricane Sandy hit, the city’s bravest and brightest punched back. With the area now on the mend, we paid these stalwart souls a visit, dressed up in the best of the New York collections. Call them New York’s other finest." That's surely a noble effort.
But that hasn't quelled outrage from commenters saying that Vogue's spread crosses the line in nestling $3,000 gowns amidst some of Sandy's most hard-hit neighborhoods, giving them the effect of bizarre ornaments.
In one image, Joan Smalls, Arizona Muse and Liu Wen do their best Blue Steel amidst members of the National Guard’s 69th Infantry, who are seen in fatigues delivering food to the Lexington Armory. (Clothing by Rag & Bone and Alexander Wang.) In another, Kloss and Chanel Iman strut through the Rockaways with some of the FDNY's finest. (Dresses by Narciso Rodriguez and Diane von Furstenberg.)
Backlash has already arrived: Slate ponders wryly, "Is this what happens when Anna Wintour feels emotion?" Kottke.org levels,"I guess they were going for inappropriate & provocative but hit inappropriate & idiotic instead?"
The spread surely feels incongruous. If a fashion magazine wanted to honor Sandy's heroes in an editorial, then we'd prefer to see, say, Smalls and Muse wearing military fatigues and pitching in with food delivery. Or, what if Vogue had given some of the first responders -- like the nurses who transported babies from a powerless NYU hospital -- the glam treatment and let THEM wear the Rodarte? Instead, a photo shoot intended to celebrate Sandy's heroes ends up paying tribute to the same pouty models -- and high-fashion ideals -- that does every other issue of Vogue.

Kim Kardashian And Nicki Minaj Top Our Worst-Dressed List In Bright Colors And Distracting Patterns

Kim Kardashian is at the helm of our worst-dressed list ... again. Pregnant or not, her distracting shoes merit a spot here. Elsewhere in the world of material better-suited for a bedspread or tablecloth, we saw Kirsten Dunst and Jennifer Lawrence in questionable red-carpet choices.
Then there were stars who could have used a consultation with a tailor. Celebrities like Elle Fanning and Christina Hendricks experimented with tea-length hemlines (hems that hit mid-shin), and the results were less-than-flattering. Check out those over-the-top looks, as well as more celebrities who made our week's worst-dressed list. Let us know if you agree or disagree with us, then head over to our best-dressed gallery to rest your eyes on this week's style winners.

Jennifer Lawrence Responds To 'I Beat Meryl' Golden Globes Criticism On 'Late Show'

'Late Show With David Letterman': Jennifer Lawrence Responds To 'I Beat Meryl' Golden Globes Backlash

Jennifer Lawrence got some grief for her Golden Globes speech, but she had no idea about it at first. Nor was any of it deserved. All it proved was that Lawrence knew more pop culture and film trivia than Lindsay Lohan, and all the other people who came out against her. She spoke about the response on "Late Show."
When she accepted her Golden Globe, Lawrence said, "What does it say? 'I beat Meryl!'" It was a reference to Meryl Streep, but Lohan and many others took it as a dig at Streep, who technically did lose to Lawrence in that moment as she was also nominated. Certainly, Streep has won plenty of awards, but Lawrence wasn't digging on her at all. She was quoting "First Wives Club."
Nevertheless, Lohan went to Twitter and wrote that no one should ever mess with a legend like Meryl Streep, but that was just Lohan not getting the reference in Lawrence's speech.
When Lawrence found out what was happening online, she was stunned. "I was like, is that what this turned into? I don’t like Meryl Streep?" she said. "As if I’ve had my eyes on getting that girl forever and I was like, 'Finally! I knew it would happen one day!'" Lawrence added that Streep is her favorite actress.
Lawrence just apparently enjoys making movie references in her acceptance speeches. She even threw a reference to Lindsay Lohan's "Mean Girls" when accepting an award at the People's Choice Awards earlier this month.

'Hot Tub Time Machine' Sequel Could Happen Because Life Is Sometimes The Best

"Hot Tub Time Machine" sequel in the works.

"Hot Tub Time Machine," the cult 2010 comedy that starred John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Clark Duke, Craig Robinson, Chevy Chase, Lizzy Caplan and a very topless Jessica Pare (a.k.a. Megan Draper), might be getting a sequel.
According to THR, MGM is in "exploratory talks" with Corddry, Duke and Robinson to reprise their roles for a sequel. Cusack, Chase, Caplan and Pare are not presently involved. Still! This is great news. Here's why:
1. The only movie title better than "Hot Tub Time Machine" is "Hot Tub Time Machine 2."
2. The first "Hot Tub Time Machine" had some surprisingly poignant things to say about what happens when a group of friends grows up and grows apart.
3. It also included a runner about Crispin Glover almost losing his arm. "If that guy doesn't lose his arm soon, I'm gonna f--king take it from him myself," noted Corddry's character, Lou.
4. "We said we weren't gonna talk about Cincinnatti ever, okay?"

Jennifer Lawrence 'SNL' Promos: Award Winner Flirts With Jason Sudeikis

Things couldn't get much better for Jennifer Lawrence right now: She was in two of the most successful and acclaimed movies of the year, just won a Golden Globe and is about to host "Saturday Night Live."
Her new promos alongside Jason Sudeikis certainly give us reason to believe that she has the comedy chops to pull off "SNL." Even if she cracked a joke that flew over the heads of most of America at the Golden Globes last weekend, we'd rather her take a risk than play it safe.
And Olivia Wilde, don't worry: She's only "Opposite Day" flirting with your fiance.

Anne Hathaway, Best Supporting Actress Winner At Golden Globes 2013

Anne Hathaway took home the Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actress.

The 70th annual Golden Globe Awards have taken place Anne Hathaway won the award for Best Supporting Actress.
The nominees for the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress were Anne Hathaway for "Les Miserables," Helen Hunt for "The Sessions," Sally Field for "Lincoln," Amy Adams for "The Master," and Nicole Kidman for "The Paperboy."
In the decade since her breakout performance in "The Princess Diaries," Hathaway has nabbed roles in films such as "The Devil Wears Prada," "The Dark Knight Rises," and "Love and Other Drugs." She has been nominated for two Golden Globe awards in the past -- Best Actress - Drama for her role in 2008's "Rachel Getting Married," and Best Actress - Musical or Comedy for 2010's "Love and Other Drugs."
The film adaptation of "Les Miserables," which stars Hathaway, was nominated for a total of four Golden Globes this year -- Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Song, Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical, and Best Actor - Comedy or Musical.
The 70th annual Golden Globes Awards took place on Jan. 13, 2013. "SNL" alums Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted the ceremony at Beverly Hills' Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Lena Dunham Wins At The Golden Globes For Best Actress In A Comedy Series

Lena Dunham has won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Comedy.
The actress/writer/director beat out Tina Fey ("30 Rock"), Amy Poehler ("Parks and Recreation"), Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Veep") and Zooey Deschanel ("New Girl") for the coveted gong. Fey and Poehler were also pulling double-duty by hosting the awards. Last year's winner was "Enlightened" star Laura Dern, who wasn't nominated this time around.
"This award is for every woman who felt like there wasn't a space for her," Dunham said, visibly shaking as she accepted the award. "This show has made a space for me." Dunham later won Best TV Comedy or Musical for "Girls."
NBC broadcast the 2013 Golden Globes live from the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Golden Globes Monologue: Tina Fey And Amy Poehler Talk Ricky Gervais, Lena Dunham And More

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler stole the show at the 2013 Golden Globes with their opening monologue.
After noting that last year's host Ricky Gervais "could not be here tonight because he's no longer in show business," Fey double checked with "Girls" actress Lena Dunham to make sure she was willingly appearing nude on TV.
Fey also joked about "Zero Dark Thirty" director Katheryn Bigelow. "When it comes to torture, I trust the lady who spent three years married to James Cameron," she said. Meanwhile, Poehler joked, "Meryl Streep is not here tonight. She has the flu, I hear she's amazing in it."
Poehler attempted a "Les Miserables" tune and she asked "Homeland" star -- and infamous on-set singer -- Mandy Patinkin if he liked it and then, Fey turned her attention to "Les Miserables" actress Anne Hathaway.
"I have not seen someone so totally alone and abandoned like that since you were alone with James Franco at the Oscars," she said of Hathaway's performance. Cue Hathaway face palm.
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are hosting the 2013 Golden Globes held in Beverly Hills.

Golden Globes 2013: Amy Poehler And Tina Fey's Best Zingers From Their Monologue

Take that, Ricky Gervais! This year's Golden Globes were a bit more anticipated than usual, mainly due to hosting duties by none other than present-day comedy titans Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. Thankfully, the two nailed the opening monologue.
No surprise that the duo ended up skewering those in attendance -- and the entire room of celebrities at the Beverly Hilton ate it up. This opposed to the last two year's of Gervais' cruel jabbing at Hollywood's finest. However, that's not to say they held back. As Moviefone editor Chris Jancelewicz admitted, the jokes were tasteful yet biting.
Below, check out all the wit and wisdom of the ex-SNL'ers, with the best jokes from Poehler and Fey's monologue. And head here to follow along with all the live updates and winners from tonight's ceremony.
RELATED: Stars Dazzle on the Golden Globes Red Carpet
"You can smell the pills from here" - Amy on the atmosphere of the room
"Only at the Golden Globes do the beautiful people of film rub shoulders with the rat-faced people in television" -- Amy
"Ricky Gervais is not here tonight, because he is no longer in show business" -- Tina
"When it comes to torture, I trust the woman who spent three years married to James Cameron" -- Tina
“As we learned from Ricky Gervais, when you run afoul with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, they ask you to host the Golden Globes two more times” -- Amy
"I used to win prizes for that too" -- Tina on Julianne Moore's Globe-nominated performance as Sarah Palin for "Game Change"
"You're not better than me" -- Amy to Ben Affleck
"I have not seen someone so alone and abandoned like that since you were on stage with James Franco at the Oscars" -- Tina to Anne Hathaway
"Quentin Tarantino is here, the star of all my sexual nightmares" -- Tina
"Meryl Streep is not here tonight. She has the flu, and I hear she's AMAZING in it." -- Amy

Golden Globes 2013: List Of Winners From This Year's Ceremony

It's award season again and Moviefone is here to provide you with live updates from the 2013 Golden Globes!
The show, recognizing the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's picks for the best in film and television, aired live on Sunday, January 13 across the country on NBC. Taking a break from Ricky Gervais' biting commentary as host, this year's telecast will be MC'ed by the very funny Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
Follow along with our exclusive Moviefone blog below to find out who won, what people were wearing... and who gave the drunkest acceptance speech!
WINNERS:
Best Motion Picture, Drama: "Argo"
Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: "Les Miserables"
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: Daniel Day-Lewis for "Lincoln"
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: Jessica Chastain for "Zero Dark Thirty"
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: Hugh Jackman for "Les Miserables"
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: Jennifer Lawrence for "Silver Linings Playbook"
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Anne Hathaway for "Les Miserables"
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Christoph Waltz for "Django Unchained"
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: Quentin Tarantino for "Django Unchained"
Best Director - Motion Picture: Ben Affleck for "Argo"
Best Animated Feature Film: "Brave"
Best Foreign Language Film: "Amour"
Best Original Score - Motion Picture:Mychael Danna for "Life of Pi"
Best Original Song - Motion Picture: Adele for "Skyfall"
Best Television Series, Drama: "Homeland"
Best Actor in a Television Series, Drama:Damien Lewis for "Homeland"
Best Actress in a Television Series, Drama: Claire Danes for "Homeland"
Best Actor in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical: Don Cheadle for "House of Lies"
Best Actress in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical: Lena Dunham for "Girls"
Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical: "Girls"
Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: "Game Change"
Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: Kevin Costner for "Hatfields and McCoys"
Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: Maggie Smith for "Downton Abby"
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: Julianne Moore for "Game Change"
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: Ed Harris for "Game Change"

'ParaNorman' Oscar Nomination: Chris Butler, Co-Director, Was 'Crapping' Himself

"ParaNorman's" Oscar nomination was great news for co-director Chris Butler

"ParaNorman" began its production in 2009 -- which should give you a rough idea of just how long it takes to produce a stop-motion animation film. Three years later, the film -- a mild box-office success about a young boy who can communicate with the dead, a trait that helps him save his hometown -- was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards alongside blockbusters like "Brave" and "Wreck-It Ralph." So, yes, when we spoke to "ParaNorman" co-director and screenwriter Chris Butler on Thursday, the change in his voice was audible when he stated that, today, he felt "vindication" with the film's nomination.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Personally, I felt pretty sure "ParaNorman" would get a nomination. But were you nervous?
Yes. I was. I was crapping myself. You just never know. We know that, critically, we got some really good buzz. But, in a year that 21, I think, were put up for nomination ... I don't know, you just can never tell. So, I was definitely nervous.
And it did fine at the box office, but it wasn't a huge domestic blockbuster. People who saw it, liked it -- but not everyone saw it. Was that a concern?
When it comes to the Oscars, that's less of a concern. And, actually, I think that's born out with the nominations today. "Frakenweenie, "ParaNorman," "Pirates! Band of Misfits" -- none of them did big bucks at the box office. But, they were all critically regarded. And today is all about critical recognition, I think. It never really nods to the finance stuff.
Did you always feel that "ParaNorman" would have longer legs than its initial box office release?
I hope so. I just think that when we were making it, we knew we were making something special. And by that I mean I knew we weren't just making some kind of gimmicky, flash-in-the-pan kind of thing. We weren't making a movie that was about bright colors -- we were making something that had something to say. And I think it was a brave movie. And we made exactly the movie we wanted to make, and we were encouraged to do so. So, that's what makes it really special today: to have that acknowledged.
"Rango," a similar movie in tone, won Best Animated Feature last year. Does a movie like that give you hope that the Pixar machine isn't unbeatable? Does that give you hope for "ParaNorman"?
You know, fingers crossed. It would be great if we did. "Rango" is a really good example, I think, of proving that animation in itself is not a genre, it's a medium. More and more, recently, I think animated movies are being acknowledged for being movies -- not for being animated. "Rango" is one of them. "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is another. And if you look at the five nominations today, in tone and aesthetic, they are all very, very different. So that is definitely encouraging to me. We went into this wanting to make a movie. We didn't go into into this wanting to make a cartoon.
To that point: Maybe "polarizing" is the wrong word, but people had a lot of different reactions to the third act. It was very dark.
Yes. And the third act was always integral to it. In fact, the whole story ... it's often the case in animation that it's written as it goes along and you are constantly reworking. Often I've worked on movies where I don't know what the third act is until we started shooting. I didn't want to do it that way -- the big revelation stuff in our third act was the first thing I started writing. It was always the heart of the movie. There isn't another "ParaNorman." I think a lot of people, when they saw the trailers, or when they first heard about it, thought it would be a spoofy, zombie thing ...
I think they definitely did.
Yeah. So, we actually set out to surprise people. We wanted people to sit up and take notice. And I think that worked. I hope it worked.
"ParaNorman" was such a long process. Then it comes out and it does OK at the box office. But does today feel like it achieved what it was supposed to achieve?
Yes ... there is definitely an element of vindication for your efforts. I think that maybe part of the reason that three stop-motion movies are nominated is that people understand and love the process. [Ed. note: "Frankenweenie" and "Pirates! Band of Misfits" were both stop-motion movies as well.] I think people realize how much effort goes into making one of these things. How much practical effort. Scores and scores of people and artists and technicians working on this. I think people actually acknowledge that and I think that's part of the reason that it's been afforded such love today. Equally for me, it's having people acknowledge the story. Like we were just talking about: having people see something that is slightly out of the ordinary that takes some chances and applaud it for that? That's what today is for me. The applause for telling the story that we did.

John Gatins, Oscar Nominated 'Flight' Screenwriter, Can't Believe Emma Stone Pronounced His Name Correctly

John Gatins was nominated for Best Original Screenplay for writing "Flight."

John Gatins spent 12 years working on "Flight." Today, finally, he is an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, but getting the news wasn't the best thing that happened to him today. No, that came when presenter Emma Stone actually pronounced his name correctly. This is such a rare phenomenon -- the name is pronounced GATE-ins -- that he assumed he was dreaming.
It's fun to talk to nominees like Gatins -- people who have been struggling for so many years, doing everything from parking cars to watering Brad Pitt's plants (seriously), and now get to spend the rest of their lives being introduced as "Oscar nominee" so-and-so. Gatins, the son of a New York City police officer, is not going through the motions when he says how honored he is that the Academy acknowledged him -- "Flight" is literally his life work. Ahead, our chat with ... Oscar nominee John GATE-ins.
I can only assume that you're having a good day.
Yeah, man. It's surreal. It's actually a little surreal.
I know this wasn't a shoo-in, but were you feeling good about this last night?
I mean, look, I thought we had a chance. So my wife and I got up and stared at the TV -- it was one of those things where we were just talking about how beautiful Emma Stone looked ... and then she said my name. And she pronounced it correctly, which on one ever does. Which made me think it might actually be a dream. And my wife was freaking out, and I was like, "Oh my God, she said my name right!" it was just really weird. And I was the first one they said. So, dude, it was surreal.
That's an interesting point. It's nice that she took the time to learn the pronunciations correctly.
That's the thing. There were other names on there that I didn't know how to pronounce, and it seemed like she had them all correct. So, obviously they were smart to do their homework. But, no, that's why I was so pleasantly surprised.
I appreciate the fact that you were watching, as opposed to, "I received a phone call and learned about it."
No, listen man ... I mean, look, I've been in this business for 20 years. I'm a kid from the Bronx. My father was a New York City cop. I came out here to become an actor: I was a bartender, I watered Brad Pitt's plants, I parked cars at Barney's. You know, I've just been around it kind of my whole life. And I've watched the Oscars my whole life. I'm a movie fan, first and foremost. I would be so full of shit if I didn't say that I'm still totally starstruck. Do you know what I mean? The people I've gotten to meet along the way on this journey have been so cool. I have this really cool picture of me and Eric Roberts from this event that Paramount had a few nights ago. Because I went up to him and I just said, "You're my hero, man." Like, we had this whole conversation about movies and acting. If there ever comes a day that I'm not kind of starstruck and feels like there's still magic, I'm in the wrong biz. I can't lie ... I cried. It was cool. I was emotional ... it was big.
You worked on this screenplay for quite some time ...
Twelve years.
Is there a sense of vindication that comes with this nomination?
Well, yeah, look ... I lived a whole life between starting to write this thing and this moment. We didn't have any kids -- we now have three kids. And they're big. I drove my oldest son to school today and he was like, "So, do I get to go to the Oscars?" And I was like, "No ... are you crazy? This isn't the Lakers game. I'm not going to buy tickets on StubHub. I'm still hoping my ticket is in the mail!" We were laughing, you know what I mean? It's just, this movie, because it's personal and it's my thing that I wrote on my own -- nobody knew I was doing it -- and it died and kept coming back to life and crawling out of the grave and knocking on my door saying, "Come on, remember me?"
When you're writing "Flight," do you know you're writing something special? As opposed to something like "Summer Catch"?
Yeah, because all of the other movies I've worked on, except for "Dreamer," were movies that were assignments or stuff that people wanted to do, or had material to it, or it was a true story, or they were genre movies, they were sports movies -- this was not that. It was personal and it was a story I just wanted to figure out how to tell. The process was different, mostly, because I didn't have a boss. So nobody was saying, "Where's the script?" When you write a movie like "Coach Carter," there are moments the studio expects to see in the script. Yeah, I honestly never thought the movie would get made. Writing it, for me, was my own kind of creative Rubik's Cube that I picked up and put down many times through the years.
So speaking of never thinking the movie would get made, once Robert Zemeckis and Denzel Washington became attached, did you, then, think that this day with this Oscar nomination was at least possible?
You know, I tried to direct the movie for a long time. And I had moments where it almost came together. It came together and fell apart many times. The thing that really became clear to me on this movie was that great movies aren't born, they fight their way to life. This movie was no different. This movie was going to happen the way it happened at some point. And it took the passion of Denzel, who found the script and said, "I want to make this movie." I had dinner with him, then I got a phone call from Zemeckis and I handed it to him and he said, "I want to meet with you." I had lunch with him -- six hours of he and I in a room together -- and he said to me in hour three, "Are you cool with me doing this? I know you've been trying to direct this movie for a long time." I said, "I can't get it done without you." He said, "Great, then come with me." He invited me to come make the movie with him. So it was the best possible thing. Looking back on it, I can't see this movie getting made any other way with any other director or any other actors. Like, I just can't see it.

Why Does Laura Linney Introduce 'Downton Abbey'?

Every episode Laura Linney introduces "Downton Abbey" ... but why? The Huffington Post took that question to Masterpiece, "Downton Abbey's" producers.
"Alistair Cooke, the longtime host of Masterpiece Theatre, used to describe himself as the headwaiter, leading guests to a fabulous meal," Rebecca Eaton, Masterpiece executive producer, said in a statement. "We feel that hosts create an atmosphere and provide context for the programs that follow. When Masterpiece did its rebranding in 2008, the series was divided into three seasons. We decided that having a different host for each season would help to differentiate the programming for the audience. Laura Linney is an elegant and classic as the dramas she introduces."
Watch Laura Linney introduce the "Downton Abbey" Season 3 premiere below.

"Downton Abbey" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. EST on PBS.

Lindsay Lohan Parties Until 5 A.M., Shows Off Bruised Arm In London

Looks like Lindsay Lohan isn't giving up her partying ways in 2013.
The troubled star, 26, was reportedly out until dawn on Jan. 5 in London, wearing a long-sleeved velvet coat to cover up a huge bruise on her right arm, which extends from her wrist to above her elbow. Ouch.
No word as to how Lohan got the injury, although by the coloration, it's assumed to be a few days old.
But despite the painful-looking mark, Lohan headed out for a late dinner at China Tang, before going to the bar at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hotel, where she stayed until 2 a.m. Then, according to the Daily Mail, she finished off her evening at night club Base, partying up a storm with pals until 5 a.m.
As she was leaving, LiLo hid her head under her jacket, but gave paparazzi a peek at her bruised arm as she entered her car, RadarOnline.com reports.
Lohan has been in London since before the New Year and was spotted out partying with her mom Dina on several occasions over the past week.
See Lindsay leaving China Tang in London below:

Azealia Banks & Perez Hilton: Twitter Feud With Angel Haze Goes Too Far

The ongoing feud between Azealia Banks and Angel Haze just went even further.
Banks caused major controversy Friday night when she called blogger Perez Hilton "a messy f----t" after he commented on the fight.

@AZEALIABANKS
YUNG RAPUNXEL

@perezhilton lol what a messy faggot you are.

January 5, 2013 4:06 am via Echofon Reply Retweet Favorite

Rappers Haze and Banks have been engaged in a Twitter battle this week, with each artist posting diss tracks targeting the other. While the feud has taken a turn for the dramatic, it originally began when Banks tweeted "Seriously, if you were not born and raised in NY.... DON'T CLAIM NY. YOU ARE NOT A NEW YORKER." The Michigan-born Haze, who released her music video "New York" this summer, took offense and fired back at Banks.
Once the feud heated up, Hilton sided with Haze and started tweeting at Banks, calling her "thirsty," "pathetic," and "hurtful."
UPDATE:
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has weighed in on Banks' use of the slur. "Banks’ claim that the word "fa**ot" doesn’t mean a gay male is not true," the organization posted on its website. "Regardless of her intent or her personal definition, what matters is the meaning given to that word by those who hear it, and the damage it causes when they do. Undoubtedly there are gay kids who follow her on Twitter who hear this word in an entirely different context. This word is used almost universally by bullies, often as part of a larger verbal or physical assault. This word hurts those kids, no matter what Banks meant by it."
Take a look at some of Banks' tweets regarding Hilton and her use of the slur below and scroll down for earlier coverage of the feud.

@AZEALIABANKS
YUNG RAPUNXEL

My most sincere apologies to anyone who was indirectly offended by my foul language. Not sorry for Perez tho. Lol

January 5, 2013 5:26 am via Echofon Reply Retweet Favorite

@AZEALIABANKS
YUNG RAPUNXEL

Unpleasant meddling woman = bitch, unpleasant meddling man = Perez Hilton

January 5, 2013 5:15 am via Echofon Reply Retweet Favorite

@AZEALIABANKS
YUNG RAPUNXEL

When I said acts like I female I should've said acts like a cunt.

January 5, 2013 5:13 am via Echofon Reply Retweet Favorite

@AZEALIABANKS
YUNG RAPUNXEL

If u listen to my music and are not offended by the word nigga.... We're not gonna go here with this faggot shit... We're just not. Lol

January 5, 2013 4:20 am via Echofon Reply Retweet Favorite

@AZEALIABANKS
YUNG RAPUNXEL

A faggot is not a homosexual male. A faggot is any male who acts like a female. There's a BIG difference.

January 5, 2013 4:15 am via Echofon Reply Retweet Favorite

More from our earlier coverage on the Haze/Banks dispute:
Angel Haze and Azealia Banks are both trendy, blog-y rappers known for speaking their minds. On Thursday, "speaking their minds" meant hurling insult after insult at each other on Twitter and, in Haze's case, in a song.
The blow-by-blow on Haze and Banks' Twitter feeds is worth a read, but essentially, Banks starting things off by saying she's tired of non-New York artists trying to represent or claim the city as their own:

@AZEALIABANKS
YUNG RAPUNXEL

Seriously, if you were not born and raised in NY.... DON'T CLAIM NY. YOU ARE NOT A NEW YORKER.

January 3, 2013 4:44 pm via Echofon Reply Retweet Favorite

Though there was no mention of Haze, the excitable rapper clearly took offense, firing off a string of now-deleted tweets attacking Banks -- who responded by accusing Haze of jealousy and being sexually attracted to her. Things got progressively worse, with Haze commenting on Banks' skin color (and apologizing) and calling the "212" rapper "azebra":

@AngelHaze
Young Gypsy

okay, im seriously done with azebra's madagascar 4 looking ass. say it in a song. or tell the people why you're really salty. #notjusttweets

January 3, 2013 11:24 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

Haze then released "On the Edge," a Diplo-produced diss track that rips into Banks (listen above). She claimed she wrote it in "20 minutes," though a Banks fan produced evidence to the contrary. According to Banks, Diplo called and distanced himself from the song:

@AZEALIABANKS
YUNG RAPUNXEL

So diplo just calls me and tells me she wrote that track months ago and he had nothing to do with it.

January 4, 2013 7:53 am via Echofon Reply Retweet Favorite

In the end, Banks said it's all for the better, and that she has a song coming out at noon. We'll update once the track is available: Here's the track:

@AZEALIABANKS
YUNG RAPUNXEL

Lol I def used that energy to write a fly new jam tho. It's not even really a diss anymore! Haha !!!

January 4, 2013 8:01 am via Echofon Reply Retweet Favorite

@AZEALIABANKS
YUNG RAPUNXEL

Just straight fly uptown NYC shit!!! "NO PROBLEMS" - 12pm !!!!!!

January 4, 2013 8:04 am via Echofon Reply Retweet Favorite

Haze takes this round, at least when it comes to the songs. She also vowed to record another track "in 30 minutes" and suggested their feud extends beyond Twitter:

@AngelHaze
Young Gypsy

Lol, so fraudulent. You know what happened between us months ago and if you want to pretend its all just twitter beef, fine.

January 4, 2013 8:15 am via Tweetbot for iOS Reply Retweet Favorite

@AngelHaze
Young Gypsy

At the end of the day, I was the only bitch who bothered to be nice to and speak well of you. On the inside, we all know what’s real, b.

January 4, 2013 8:17 am via Tweetbot for iOS Reply Retweet Favorite

@AngelHaze
Young Gypsy

And the only thing I can do as a person is applaud you for your success and ignore you when you’re ignorant. It’s all a game to you. Night.

January 4, 2013 8:18 am via Tweetbot for iOS Reply Retweet Favorite

Though celebrity feuds that play out on Twitter are often entertaining, it's disheartening to see two talented young performers tear each other down like this. Haze and Banks represent a new generation of fresh-faced and lucid female MC's who have taken hip-hop places it hasn't been before. Banks performs at fashion events around the world and Haze's recent work is so searingly honest that it makes listeners catch their breath. Both rappers have also worked with electronic dance music producers to release tracks that blend rap and dance.
As Haze herself pointed out, they used to be buddies. Hopefully one day they can drop their smartphones and get in the studio together.