Sunset Boulevard

Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. - Gone With The Wind

This week was relatively slow for me, although I can't speak for everyone across the board.

 The ICG Publicists awards were held at the Beverly Hilton, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Bob Barker (host of Price is Right) was honored with the President's Award - although it's a bit of a mystery to me why this award was given at a Publicists Award Ceremony and he is talent. Anyway, Sid Ganis was also honored, who after years and years of being one of the best publicists in town is now the president of the MPAA and so I suppose that made any doubts I had about the ceremonies vanish.

The London Film Critics Circle Awards were also this week and The Queen cleaned up with four awards - shocker!! It took Best British Film, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Screenplay...okay, England loves Princess Diana! However, Best Film of the year (nationality aside) went to Paul Greengrass's United 93. I have to admit I haven't yet seen that; I just can't bring myself to.  Best Foreign Film went to Volver.

Martin Scorsese was recognized for The Departed in the Directors Guild Awards. Might this signal a win for him at the Academy Awards? Not too much longer until we know the answer...

In other awards news, there's been a lot of talk about Eddie Murphy -- not necessarily good talk. People are questioning whether the release of his upcoming comedy Norbit (yes, the one with the big fat Eddie Murphy woman) will jeopardize his chances at winning an Oscar. I mean, I don't know - would he have won anyway?

Meanwhile, the biggest news of the week is by and far Anna Nicole Smith's sudden death on Thursday afternoon. I mean, I can't say I didn't see it coming, but it was still shocking and so sad! Despite the fact that I've never bee her biggest fan...her poor daughter, already caught unbeknownst to her in a vicious paternity struggle is now left all alone. It's quite heartbreaking, really. On a side note - is anyone else a little upset that her face is all over every news station? I mean, I guess I understand because there really isn't anything else important going on in the world...

In the TV world I am happy, happy, happy to say that Lost is back in the game - and then some. I don't know which of you are lost fans but oh my was this week a thriller! It's a good thing too, because I think even us die-hards were ready to abandon ship after the snoozefest that was this fall's episode lineup. Finally, the writers seem to be listening to us - even if this episode didn't give so many answers, it certainly clarified a lot. I think Juliette's backstory is the best yet. Okay, I promise I won't talk about Lost every week, but if you are a fan and have some great Lost theories - you'll find an eager audience in me.

In film news, here are a few of the movies announced this week:
The Wolfman - Benicio Del Toro will star in this remake of a 1941 movie to be directed by Mark Romanek.
Whiteout - Kate Beckinsale will star in this action thriller being directed by Dominic Sena.
Kids in America - Topher Grace, Anna Faris, and Dan Fogler will star in this movie to be directed by Michael Dowse.
Mon Meilleur Ami - English title: My Best Friend. Universal and Imagine are remaking this 2006 French comedy.
The Flash - Shawn Levy signed on to direct this adaptation of the comic book hero.
Brothers Bloom - writer/director Rian Johnson, who made Brick, can now count Adrian Brody and Rinko Kikuchi in his cast, as well as Rachel Weisz who has been attached for some time now.
Dirty Step Stomp - Weinstein Co. bought this script by Steve Basilone and Annie Mebane which is a spoof of all the dance movies from Dirty Dancing to the recent Stomp the Yard. Hopes to mirror the success of movies like Scary Movie  and Epic Movie.
You Don't Mess With Zohan - Adam Sandler will star in this movie he co-wrote with Judd Apatow and Robert Smigel.
Walk Hard - Kristin Wiig from Saturday Night Live will join John C. O'Reilly and Jenna Fischer of The Office in this comedy with Judd Apatow producing.
Borat 2 - Yes, Rupurt Murdoch (conservative mogul that he is) has announced there will be a sequel....right after Sasha Baron Cohen finishes Bruno, also based on a sketch from Da Ali G Show. update: Front page of the trades today said this was a mistake on Murdoch's part and in fact, Sasha Baron Cohen has not yet signed a deal for a sequel....

Finally....

Rumor has it...
...Britney and her Kevin-Federline-look-alike have broken up. Really?! Really. Oh, and she's a TRAINWRECK.
...Drew Barrymore is dating Zach Braff. Except that she didn't bring him to the premiere of Music & Lyrics on Wednesday night. Hm.
...Diana Ross might sing at the Oscars. Sounds like wishful thinking to me, but why not?
...Daniel Craig is a bad driver - er, he can't park his 3 million ton, brand spaking new Escalade. Maybe he should cave and buy a Prius, hmm?
...Mischa Barton dumped longtime beau Cisco Adler because a picture of his 'boys' turned up in Paris Hilton's hidden posessions...wow, it took her this long?


That's it for this week, check in next Friday for another installment of Sunset Boulevard.

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Alex M., Movie Correspondent

Alex's column, Sunset Boulevard, published every Friday to Gather Essentials: Movies, is a weekly summary of the movie industry's biggest stories.

Alex is a film school grad working at a production company in Hollywood. She's been passionate about movies since she knew what they were and always has an opinion (for better or worse).

You can find all of Alex's Sunset Boulevard columns at gather.com/SunsetBoulevard

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