'Thor' director Kenneth Branagh in talks to direct 'Cinderella' Mark Romanek recently exited the fairy tale film starring Cate Blanchett BY HITFIX STAFF THURSDAY, JAN 31, 2013 4:18 PM (HIT FIX)

"Thor" director Kenneth Branagh may help "Cinderella" live happily ever after at Disney.

Just three weeks after original director Mark Romanek ("Never Let Me Go") exited the project, Disney is reportedly in talks with Branagh to come aboard the fairy tale film.

It's scheduled to begin production this fall in London, and the studio is understandably in a hurry to ink a deal with Branagh, according to Vulture.

Cate Blanchett is still attached to play the wicked stepmother, although the search for Cinderella herself is still on. The film has been in the works since 2011, following the massive success of Tim Burton’s "Alice in Wonderland."  The initial script was by Aline Brosh McKenna ("Devil Wears Prada"), but Vulute reports that "Twilight: New Moon" director Chris Weitz has since re-written it.


Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/news/thor-director-kenneth-branagh-in-talks-to-direct-cinderella#RQEBWFKUOacKAuJZ.99 

Force of Firth: Nicole Kidman sends for Britain's heart-throb He's the ideal husband for the millions of women who go to see his films, and to many of his leading ladies PAUL GALLAGHER (INDEPENDENT)

He is arguably Britain's greatest living heart-throb. Millions consider him their dream husband, and Nicole Kidman is no different. Unlike anyone else, the Oscar-winning actress is in a position to live her Colin Firth fantasy not just once, but twice.

No sooner had filming ended on the upcoming Second World War drama The Railway Man, in which they play a married couple, than cameras begin rolling in London this week on the pair's next project.

Kidman was the first to sign up to play the lead in Before I Go to Sleep, based on the S J Watson novel about a woman who wakes up every morning with no memory. She was followed by the Zero Dark Thirty star Mark Strong. But the Australian wanted only one man to play her on-screen husband, again.

Strong told The Independent on Sunday that he was looking forward to working with Firth and Kidman: "They're teaming up again. Colin plays Nicole's husband and I play her doctor. It's all being filmed in London."

Rowan Joffe, who wrote The American and 28 Weeks Later, has written the screenplay and is directing. Strong added: "It's a very, good script, a really good thriller. It's a nice one to do."

Before I Go to Sleep would have been the third Firth/Kidman movie if Firth hadn't dropped out of Chan-wook Park's English-language debut film Stoker, which previewed at last month's Sundance Film Festival. But Kidman was not to be denied a second time.

Since his breakthrough performance as Mr Darcy in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice almost 20 years ago, Firth has gone on to melt the hearts of a slew Hollywood's leading ladies. His eco-activism has earned him another set of swooning admirers.

Though he may be no George Clooney or Brad Pitt, Firth has utilized his old-school charm to turn himself into an unlikely sex symbol. Initially bemused at the "mass hysteria" that followed his emergence from that lake in clinging breeches, he has spoken of the difficulties in filming love scenes with some of the world's most beautiful women.

As charming off-screen as on, he famously got down on one knee for Meryl Streep at last year's Baftas, to pick up her Jimmy Choo stiletto after it fell off when The Iron Lady star climbed the stairs to collect her award for best actress. Streep gave her Mamma Mia! co-star a kiss on the lips for his act of chivalry, which enabled her to put the shoe back on before delivering her acceptance speech.

"That couldn't have gone worse," Streep joked. Millions of women begged to differ.

Cameron Diaz gushed about playing opposite Firth in last year's Coen brothers' comedy Gambit, while Renée Zellweger, Julianne Moore and Scarlett Johansson have all been equally besotted.

Helen Mirren even joked last month when receiving a star along the Hollywood Walk of Fame next to her fellow Brit: "I couldn't be prouder and more happy that I'm actually going to finally lie next to Colin Firth, something I've been wanting to do for a very long time."

Firth has laughed off claims in the past that he keeps falling for his leading ladies. The 52-year-old has a 22-year-old son, William, from his relationship with the Canadian actress Meg Tilly, whom he met on the set of Valmont. He briefly dated his Pride and Prejudice co-star Jennifer Ehle, before starting a relationship with Livia Giuggioli, an Italian documentary maker whom he met in Colombia in 1996 while filming the TV series Nostromo. They have two sons, Luca and Matteo.

READ WHAT OTHER LEADING LADIES HAVE TO SAY ABOUT COLIN:http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/force-of-firth-nicole-kidman-sends-for-britains-heartthrob-8478491.html

Fuck Yeah Colin Firth Tumblr

Henry Cavill - Halo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK17ik9mBK4

007 The Last Lover

Martin Clunes adjusts to new pace (BELFAST TELEGRAPH)

"If anyone had told me 10 years ago that I would have my own farm, and be driving a cart pulled by two Clydesdales, I would have laughed in their face.

"I just didn't see it coming," the actor said of life on the farm.

He added: "I found this new speed quite shocking to begin with, very slow. But I've turned 51 recently and I have a six-month ban on my driving licence, and this speed could be my future, staring at my horses' bums as they plod me around the countryside."

Martin, who has been filming a two-part documentary about working horses for ITV, added: "It's quite a nice way to go."

:: Martin Clunes: Heavy Horse Power is on ITV on Thursday, February 7.



Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/martin-clunes-adjusts-to-new-pace-16269244.html#ixzz2JmUW6aC9

Kate Middleton’s Artist Defends Criticized Portrait By Glen LevyFeb. 01, 2013 (TIME)

He’s back. Kate Middleton’s official portrait artist, Paul Emsley, has spoken up for his panned painting — and he has no regrets.

“I wanted to do something that would convey her true self, her natural self as she, herself, wanted,” the 65-year-old Emsley told the Washington Post. ”Something that conveys something of her sense of warmth.”

As for the negative feedback he’s received over the past few weeks, Emsley conceded that “critics have a job to do”

“I understand that. It’s not just to criticize. They’re trying to interpret art for the public. That’s fine. I understand why they do it, but I’m not particularly interested. I honestly wouldn’t really take their opinions too seriously.”

Emsley explained to the Post that he has sought solace in the experiences of another artist, Pietro Annigoni, whose portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in 1969 was widely slammed upon its unveiling. But Annigoni’s work has since been reappraised by critics and even won a spot in a recent National Portrait Gallery retrospective.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/02/01/kate-middletons-artist-defends-criticized-portrait/#ixzz2JmSowIXX

Michael Fassbender, Bradley Cooper up for Lance Armstrong role

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOTL7Ef0M_I

 StarXtreme Youtube

Mel Gilbson And Gerard Butler: Hell Raiser Alert! Posted by Jose Lambiet , February 1, 2013 (GOSSIP EXTRA)

Lock the doors, pull down the blinds: Two of Hollywood’s classic hell-raisers are in South Florida!

Hard-partying Lethal Weapon star Mel Gibson and 300 leading man Gerard Butler suddenly materialized in Miami yesterday, and were caught by paparazzi walking into the downtown sushi emporium Zuma.

READ MORE: http://gossipextra.com/2013/02/01/mel-gilbson-gerad-butler-party-miami-2245/

Christian Bale: Post-Birthday Family Flight! (JUST JARED)

Christian Bale leads the way through LAX Airport with his wife Sibi Blazic and their daughter on Thursday (January 31) in Los Angeles.

The 39-year-old actor and his family landed on an inbound flight.

Christian just celebrated his 39th birthday the day before – happy belated birthday, Christian!


READ MORE: http://www.justjared.com/2013/02/01/christian-bale-post-birthday-family-flight/

Benedict Cumberbatch In Talks for Role That Screams ‘Oscar’ By Kevin Wicks | Posted on Friday, February 1st, 2013 (BBC AMERICA)

Benedict Cumberbatch at the 2013 Golden Globes. (Photo: John Shearer/Invision/AP)

Benedict Cumberbatch may not be done Hoovering up all of the choice roles in Hollywood just yet. According to Deadline, Sherlock star is reportedly eyeing a real-life part that has Oscar written all over it, English mathematician Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. Leonardo DiCaprio once voiced interest in playing the genius who was tormented by the British government over his homosexuality, but the project has been in limbo since 2011. Now, Mortem Tyldum is attached to direct.


READ MORE: http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2013/02/benedict-cumberbatch-in-talks-for-oscar-bait-role/

Benedict Cumberbatch 'in talks to play Alan Turing' the Enigma codebreaker MATILDA BATTERSBY FRIDAY 01 FEBRUARY 2013 (INDEPENDENT)

Benedict Cumberbatch who is currently playing Julian Assange in Wikileaks film The Fifth Estate looks set to bag another high profile real-life character.

The Sherlock actor is in talks to play Bletchley Park codebreaker and mathematician Alan Turing according to a report in Deadline.

Graham Moore's screenplay The Imitation Game has been commissioned by Black Bear Pictures with Headhunters' Morten Tyldum signed up to direct.

Turing is widely hailed as responsible for cracking the Enigma Code which greatly helped British naval efforts during the Second World War. Also known for what is regarded as the first blue print for modern computing, Turing's heroic wartime activities were not revealed to his family or the world until after his death.

READ MORE: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/benedict-cumberbatch-in-talks-to-play-alan-turing-the-enigma-codebreaker-8477798.html

National Theatre To Invite Biggest Stars Back For 50th Anniversary PA | Posted: 31/01/2013 09:24 GMT | Updated: 31/01/2013 09:32 GMT (HUFF POST)

Some of the biggest stars to ever tread the boards at the National Theatre will be invited back for a special 50th anniversary show.

The theatre's director Nicholas Hytner said the "one-off performance", which he will direct, is to be broadcast on BBC2.

He said: "That will be a celebration of 50 years of the National Theatre.

"It will tell the story of those 50 years through a montage of highlights from those 50 years.

"It will be largely live but there will be a small amount of filmed or archived material in it and I hope it would involve as many as possible of the great performers of the last 50 years who are still with us."

Among the stars that have performed at the theatre on London's Southbank are Benedict Cumberbatch, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith and James Corden but Hytner refused to confirm any names, telling reporters: "We've started the asking but I can't tell you yet because it's nine months in the future and inevitably people are saying, 'Yes of course, if we're available'."

READ MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/01/31/national-theatre-50th-anniversary_n_2588279.html

'Downton Abbey' Season 3 Spoilers: Moving Forward After Lady Sybil's Death By Bobby Pollier, EnStarz | Jan 31, 2013 10:53 AM EST

"Downton Abbey" continues to flourish in the U.S., but although many fans remain loyal to the British-American drama, there are several who aren't too thrilled with the recent death of Lady Sybil.

While losing characters in a show will always be a mixed bag in terms of fan response, executive producer Gareth Neame told People that he sees the situation of Sybil's death when giving birth to her child as an opportunity for the series to go in a new and exciting direction.


"These exits can be good opportunities for the drama because they allow you to take the story in a different direction and change things in a way you hadn't quite thought of," he said. "It can be seen as a blow to lose characters, it can very often be as much an opportunity as it is a loss."

"Downton" creator Julian Fellowes said the public is smart enough to realize "that when Sybil dies or when [another character, whose identity is being concealed] dies, it is because the actor wanted to leave" the series - rather than a character dying just for the sake of the plot.

Read more at http://www.enstarz.com/articles/12485/20130131/downton-abbey-season-3-spoilers-moving-forward-after-lady-sybils-death.htm#DlcV61xRw0FSb4xX.99 

5 New Photos From 'Welcome To The Punch' Starring James McAvoy, Mark Strong & Andrea Riseborough NEWS BY OLIVER LYTTELTON (THE PLAYLIST)

"Hot Fuzz" aside, the history of the British cop/action film is not a glorious one. Indeed, it's hard to think of a truly successful picture that plays it straight, especially with recent disappointments like "Blitz" and "The Sweeney" fresh in the memory. But there's one sneaking up that we've had high hopes for for some time.

"Welcome To The Punch" marks the sophomore feature from director Eran Creevy, whose 2008 flick "Shifty" marked one of the more impressive British debuts of the last few years. And it won him a much bigger canvas to play with the second time around, with Ridley Scott producing his action-thriller, inspired by films like "Heat" and "The Last Boy Scout." And he's assembled an impressive cast, many of whom are featured in five new images from the film recently released, including James McAvoy, Mark Strong, Andrea Riseborough, Peter Mullan, Johnny Harris and Ruth Sheen, with David Morrissey, Daniel Mays, Elyes Gabrel and Daniel Kaluuya also among those who'll crop up in the film.

READ MORE; http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/5-new-welcome-to-punch-photos-starring-james-mcavoy-mark-strong-andrea-riseborough-20130201

Nicholas Hoult & Hugh Grant became car hunting buddies on About a Boy set

Former child star NICHOLAS HOULT became good friends with HUGH GRANT on the set of ABOUT A BOY - the actor taught his young pal how to play golf and the 11 year old helped the bachelor find his dream car.

Now grown up, Hoult admits he has many fond memories of working with Grant, who bought him a golf club set as a wrap present.

He says, "He was great... He was trying to find a new car at the time so I would go in with car magazines and be like, 'Wow, this guy's got money to buy cars, I'm gonna find him a cool car.'"

Hoult admits he did help Grant pick out the perfect motor, adding, "It was an Aston Martin."

READ MORE: http://www.theindychannel.com/entertainment/nicholas-hoult-hugh-grant-became-car-hunting-buddies-on-about-a-boy-set_25754199

'Downton Abbey' actor reveals passion for writing Dan Stevens, otherwise known as Matthew Crawley, is a literary star off-screen (TODAY BOOKS)

By Rachel Elbaum
TODAY contributor
updated 2/24/2012 1:59:52 PM ET

Millions of women have fallen in love with “Downton Abbey’s” Matthew Crawley, known in real life as Dan Stevens. But Stevens, 28, is more than a gifted actor with piercing blue eyes and a disarming smile. He is also an accomplished writer, the editor-at-large of the new literary magazine “The Junket,” and regular contributor to the Telegraph newspaper’s "My Week" feature.

Stevens, who studied English Literature at Cambridge, is currently in the midst of filming the love story, “Summer in February,” on location in Cornwall, as well as the third season of "Downton Abbey."

“The dawn eventually thaws us to reveal a serene and clear blue day, while the rest of the country is dusted with snow, slush and chaos,” he wrote in this month's My Week piece, published on Tuesday. “There is always a risk in making a film called ‘Summer in February’ in a Cornish winter, but the gods are with us this particular day and beneath the weatherproofed hoods and wind-chapped faces of the crew you can detect a few glowing smiles through the frosted beards.”

Stevens' love for literature began at Cambridge University, where he studied English just around the time that his acting career started to blossom. He started a writing blog several years ago with four friends from his college days.

But while the blog was meant to encourage the group to write more often, procrastination got the better of them. Instead of putting their ambitions by the wayside, the men decided to start a quarterly literary magazine, figuring that it would require a commitment they couldn’t so easily shirk.


READ MORE: http://www.today.com/id/46501762/site/todayshow/ns/today-books/t/downton-abbey-actor-reveals-passion-writing/#.UQw7loc1k8d

Brendan Coyle reveals his mother scolded him following his foul-mouthed Twitter spat (MAIL ON LINE)

 By EMILY SHERIDAN and FAY STRANG

He shocked his fans when he became embroiled in a Twitter row about politics, using very colourful language.

And it seems Brendan Coyle also managed to upset his mother with his swearing, showing you’re never too old to be told off.

The Downton Abbey star took to Twitter to share his dressing down, writing: ‘Just rang my mum from the @NOBLEmovie set...she told me off for swearing... #yourenevertooold’

READ MORE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2271871/Brendan-Coyle-reveals-mother-scolded-following-foul-mouthed-Twitter-spat.html

Sherlock stars - exclusive picture gallery Martin Freeman and Louise Brealey, and the show's co-creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, got together at this year's Radio Times covers party (RADIO TIMES)

Radio Times staff
1:37 PM, 01 February 2013

It's not often you get a Hollywood actor like Martin Freeman, his Sherlock co-star Louise Brealey and Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat – the showrunners of two of the biggest properties in British TV – in the same room together at the same time. But Radio Times managed it, at our annual covers party earlier this week.

It provided a great photo opportunity, as you can see in the exclusive gallery below, and also a chance to chat to some of the stars.

SEE MORE PICTURES: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-02-01/sherlock-stars---exclusive-picture-gallery

Thor: The Dark World Unveils First Official Look Behind the Scenes Thursday, January 31st, 2013 at 11:45am by Kevin Melrose (SPIN OFF)

Marvel has released the first official photo from Thor: The Dark World, featuring star Chris Hemsworth and director Alan Taylor on the set of the upcoming sequel. Behind the two, you’ll notice extras decked out in shiny Asgardian armor.

Opening Nov. 8, the film finds the God of Thunder fighting to save the Nine Realms from the vengeful Malekith, who seeks to plunge the universe back into darkness. Thor: The Dark World also stars Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano and Jaimie Alexander with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins.

READ MORE: http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/01/31/thor-the-dark-world-unveils-first-official-look-behind-the-scenes/

Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton are vampire rock gods in Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive Meredith Woerner

Only Lovers Left Alive centers around the relationship between Hiddleston, the melancholy vampire/musician Adam, and his centuries old lover Eve (Swinton). At some point their vampire love fest is interrupted by Eve's wild little sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska), who is in town to stir up trouble for the couple. John Hurt and Anton Yelchin are also attached to the picture, our only question is what is Hurt wearing?

We're excited to see if vampires can become "cool" again. And if anyone can revive a flogged-to-death Hollywood idea it's Jarmusch. Only Lovers Left Alive doesn't have a release date yet, but critics are speculating it will debut at Cannes Film Festival.

READ MORE: http://io9.com/5980585/tom-hiddleston-and-tilda-swinton-are-vampire-rock-gods-in-jim-jarmuschs-only-lovers-left-alive

The Rise and Rise and Rise of Benedict Cumberbatch 31 JANUARY 2013 Not to be confused with Hubert Cumberdale. by Charlotte Meredith (PALATINATE)

As 2013 opens, Benedict Cumberbatch must be reminiscing about the last three years with a considerable amount of personal satisfaction. From 2010 onwards, his career has seen a meteoric rise from his small-time television drama roles to the plum offerings as the villain in the newest movie franchises: Smaug (and the Necromancer) in The Hobbit and Khan in Star Trek. Yet both his fans (including myself) and his detractors must be pondering on the same question: how did he come so far so quickly?

I believe the answer lies in one word: Sherlock. Benedict had had leading parts in television miniseries before 2010; he was the dramatic lead in both ‘To the Ends of the Earth’ (2005) and ‘The Last Enemy’ (2008). But, in spite of the critical acclaim he received for such roles his career might well have drifted into television obscurity and occasional theatrical success if it were not for his hugely popular depiction of the eponymous hero of Sherlock.

READ MORE: http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=34600

Brendan Coyle on This Morning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S43FVe8Rvd0


US Daily Mail

'50 Shades of Grey' Front-Runners Emerge to Play Christian & We Can’t Stop Drooling Posted by Mary Fischer on January 31, 2013 at 11:27 AM (THE STIR)

OMG. How much longer are we going to have to wait before a casting announcement is made for the Fifty Shades of Grey movie? Speculation about who will land the roles of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey have been going on, well -- pretty much since the news broke that the book was going to be made into a film.

And enough is enough already. We're sick and tired of the name dropping. We're over the "will he or won't he" stuff. We want names, damnit. And we want 'em soon.

Fortunately, we may be one step closer to hearing some news, because two front-runners for Christian's role seem to have emerged.

Drum roll, please.

As of now, reports indicate that it's highly likely that either Ian Somerhalder or Henry Cavill will wind up playing Christian Grey.

Yeah, yeah, I know that neither one of them really comes as a huge surprise, because they've both been mentioned as possible Christians quite a few times in the past. But still -- it's kind of exciting to think that the field is narrowing a bit, right?

READ MORE: http://thestir.cafemom.com/entertainment/150451/50_shades_of_grey_frontrunners

In Honor of Jane Austen's big anniversary - we present her rarely read PHILIPPA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKIiIzCaeXY

Angela Smith Videos

Steven Moffat hopes he "can hang on to" Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman News Den Of Geek Jan 30, 2013

Has Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman's new-found stardom put Sherlock's future on shaky ground?

Not six weeks ago did Benedict Cumberbatch drop many a Sherlock fan's anxiety levels by declaring that availability aside, there was no reason that his and Martin Freeman's roles in Sherlock "can't continue until we get too old". Asked if the pair could become too well-known to return to the BBC detective series, Cumberbatch replied that he didn't think it was a possibility due to his love for the show.

Never one to relieve his people of anxiety though, co-creator Steven Moffat has introduced an element of doubt into proceedings with his latest words on the future of Sherlock. Speaking to the Radio Times, Moffat said of his leads' new stardom, “It’s a problem by accident and design. We do have two of the biggest film stars in the world playing the leads in our show. But they seem to like doing it and we hope we can hang on to them for a bit.”


READ MORE: http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/sherlock/24297/steven-moffat-hopes-he-can-hang-on-to-benedict-cumberbatch-and-martin-freeman

Tom Hardy in talks to star in 'Child 44' 'Safe House' director Daniel Espinosa helming for Scott Free Productions By JUSTIN KROLL (VARIETY)

Tom Hardy continues to add to his already-busy schedule as the "Dark Knight Rises" thesp is in talks to star in the Scott Free production "Child 44."

Daniel Espinosa is helming the pic, with Ridley Scott producing for Scott Free.

Richard Price is penning the script based on the Tom Rob Smith novel. Story is set in the Stalin-era Soviet Union and follows a disgraced lawyer who is dispatched to investigate a series of child murders.

Hardy is first expected to shoot the Fox Searchlight pic "Animal Rescue" with Noomi Rapace in March, followed by "Child 44."

READ MORE: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118065412/

Keira Knightley - Keira Knightley wants love song 31 January 2013 (CONTACT MUSIC)

Keira Knightley is going to make her fiancé James Righton write a love song for her because the Klaxons singer is yet to pen a track which declares his love for the actress

(I love the look on the face of the girl behind them - she's like "Jeez get a room, I'm late for work."

The couple have been together for two years but the Klaxons singer is yet to pen a track in which he proclaims his love for the actress, and Keira insists that will soon change.

She said: ''I don't know if James ever wrote a song for me, but now that I think about it, I'll have to force him to do so! He should.''

The 27-year-old screen beauty got engaged to James, 29, in May 2012 and although she is excited about tying the knot and has been busy planning their big day, Keira admits she never thought she would ever walk down the aisle.

READ MORE: http://www.contactmusic.com/news/keira-knightley-wants-love-song_3475964

Fifty Shades of Grey Casting: Are Ian Somerhalder and Henry Cavill in the Lead to Play Christian? 1 about 19 hours ago by Ryan Gajewski

(Not even close - if you ask me!)

There are reportedly two lead candidates for the part of Christian Grey, and their names will make fans of The Vampire Diaries and Superman very happy.

Ian Somerhalder and Henry Cavill are currently being cited as the two most popular choices to play the male lead in the film version of Fifty Shades of Grey, according to IB Times.

Likewise, Celebrity Dirty Laundry refers to them as the "top contenders for the role." However, it is uncertain if this is indeed how producers are leaning.

READ MORE: http://www.wetpaint.com/network/articles/fifty-shades-of-grey-casting-are-ian-somerhalder-and-henry-cavill-in-the-lead-to-play-christian

Simon Baker scores star on Hollywood Walk BY: PETER MITCHELL From: AAP February 01, 2013 7:05AM (AUSTRALIAN NEWS)

SIMON Baker is about to pick up a valuable piece of Hollywood real estate.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced on Friday the Australian star of the hit TV series, The Mentalist, will receive a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

The ceremony will take place on February 14, making it a special Valentine's Day.

"Hearts will be pounding for Simon Baker as he unveils his star on this very special day," Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies, said.

"His star will be located next to the very romantic Beso Restaurant."

It will be the 2490th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of television.

His good friend Naomi Watts and Bruno Heller, executive producer of The Mentalist, will present the star to Baker.

READ MORE:

Detailed Drafts Of Laurence Olivier's Unmade 'Macbeth' Movie Script Found NEWS BY INDIA ROSS

Remember that time when Indiana Jones found the Ark of the Covenant? This is a bit like that.

In the rural university town of Exeter, England, an academic has uncovered thirteen versions of a lost screenplay for Laurence Olivier’s "Macbeth." Exploring the library’s Laurence Olivier Archive (probably a good bet when hoping to come across such documents), the lecturer discovered a final shooting script adorned with intricate set designs and technical instructions, despite the theatrical icon’s life-long protestations that a mere “sketch” was all that remained.

While eighteen screen versions of Macbeth have been produced to date, Olivier’s was never made. Financially beleaguered, the project, which was to star Olivier and his then-wife Vivien Leigh, and would have seen them reprise what were widely believed to be their finest roles of the English stage, was derailed and abandoned. Things get a bit Da Vinci Code when one looks into the history of the Scottish Play. Shrouded in theatrical lore – a mystique which Olivier wielded with particularly public vigor after the ignominious loss of his own adaptation – "Macbeth" has haunted its prospective re-tellers with the kind of morbid revenge last seen from Banquo’s ghost. Its run on stage and screen has been beset with cast fatalities, financial ruin, and a notable severing of Macduff’s thumbs in a production of 1794. Abraham Lincoln himself purportedly read passages from Duncan’s assassination in the week prior to his death.

READ MORE: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/detailed-drafts-of-laurence-oliviers-unmade-macbeth-movie-script-found-20130131

Masterpiece: Remembering Sybil and Branson

Watch Downton Abbey: Sybil and Tom on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch-online/shorts/downton-abbey-sybil-and-tom/?elq=dd9d3ddf3fa14635b541ef2098f15449&elqCampaignId=521

THINGS WE SAW TODAY: TOM HIDDLESTON AND TILDA SWINTON AS VAMPIRE LOVERS by Rebecca Pahle | 5:00 pm, January 30th, 2013 (THE MARY SUE)

Here’s the first pic from Jim Jarmusch‘s Only Lovers Left Alive, starring Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton as, you guessed it, vampire lovers. Named Adam and Eve, incidentally. No release date for this one yet, sorry folks. (/Film)

READ MORE: http://www.themarysue.com/things-we-saw-today-tom-hiddleston-and-tilda-swinton-as-vampire-lovers/

Pride and Prejudice’ at 200: Perfect Time to Ogle Colin Firth in a Wet Shirt By Leah Rozen | Posted on Wednesday, January 30th, 2013 (ANGLOPHENIA)

Colin Firth as a damp Darcy in the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ (BBC)

Before the month is over, we’d be remiss if we failed to note that January marks the 200th anniversary – we’re talking bicentennial – of the publication of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

The beloved novel, in which both Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy overcome first impressions to realize they were meant for each other, originally appeared in three volumes on January 27, 1813. It has subsequently sold more than 20 million copies.

While we could go on and on about the novel’s long term popularity, wit, meaning and adaptability (movie versions, zombie novels!), let’s use the anniversary to look at Colin Firth in a wet shirt and to muse on stamps.

READ MORE: http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2013/01/pride-and-prejudice-anniversary-a-perfect-time-to-ogle-colin-firth-in-a-wet-clingy-shirt/

Watch: New 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Featurette, Has The Villain Been Deciphered? NEWS BY KEVIN JAGERNAUTH (THE PLAYLIST)

With all the noise surrounding the selection of J.J. Abrams to direct "Star Wars: Episode 7," you might have forgotten that the helmer actually has a sci-fi movie coming out this year. "Star Trek Into Darkness" is on the way, and despite some trailers and a even a big IMAX preview that played in select cinemas, as per usual, the secrets are being played close to the chest. But some savvy nerds may have cracked who the villain, John Harrison, actually is.  READ HERE

Read More: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-new-star-trek-into-darkness-featurette-has-the-villain-been-deciphered-20130130

Sherlock's Martin Freeman: I'll punch Benedict Cumberbatch again if I have to! (RADIO TIMES)

The star says he hopes John Watson's reaction to his friend's return from the dead is "something very violent"

Paul Jones

9:23 AM, 31 January 2013

Martin Freeman has already told us he's still pretty much in the dark when it comes to Sherlock series three, but he knows as well as anyone that the detective's return from the dead is unlikely to provoke quite the same reaction from his character John as it did from the literary Dr Watson in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original story.

"I think [Sherlock co-creator] Mark [Gatiss] felt probably that fainting is not very 2013," said Freeman, speaking to Radio Times at our annual covers party. "I don't know what [John's reaction] is gonna be, but hopefully something very violent."

READ MORE: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-01-31/sherlocks-martin-freeman-ill-punch-benedict-cumberbatch-again-if-i-have-to

Maggie Smith's Finest moments - Series 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lbpbpvMEe4w

Tom Hiddleston's Guinea field diary: Day 4 (UNICEF)

Tom Hiddleston, Tue, Jan 29 2013 3:31 PM

Tom with Alima and her one-year-old son, who's receiving treatment at a UNICEF-supported hospital for malaria and malnutrition. © UNICEF/Harry Borden/2013

It's day four for actor Tom Hiddleston on his first trip with UNICEF UK, visiting Guinea in West Africa. Tom will be meeting with Guinean children, families and communities. He'll also be seeing several UNICEF projects, and finding out about our work in child protection, education, and water and sanitation. Read his first, second and third posts, or follow Tom's trip on Twitter at #tom_UNICEFUK and @twhiddleston.


My fourth day begins with a run. We are in Kankan. Julien knocks on my door at 6:45am. I haven't slept much, because it's only at night that I have time to write. But I'm only here for a short while. It's important to make the most of it. Julien and I run along the river. At this hour, the streets are already bustling with activity, but the riverbank is deserted. In a few hours' time it will be almost as busy as Oxford Street. People will come from all over town to wash their clothes, their cars, and their bodies. Perhaps it's because it's very early in the morning, when the mind is clear, when our thoughts are unfettered by politeness and self-censorship, but Julien and I end up discussing our passions.

I share my admiration for Shakespeare, while Julien speaks with erudition about philosophy. He's a big fan of Michel Foucault, the French philosopher who said (among many other things): "I don't feel that it is necessary to know exactly what I am. The main interest in life and work is to become someone else that you were not in the beginning." Every day is a creative act: a step closer to becoming who you want to be. I admire Julien enormously. He believes unwaveringly in the nature of public service. He believes in the power of legacy. He believes in leaving behind a better world than the one he found. He believes, quietly but fervently, in that attempt.


As the resident representative for UNICEF in Guinea, one of Julien's greatest achievements is a project for the reintegration of children who used to be in the army, supported by the Peace Building Fund. It was our first visit of the day. In early 2011, working closely with the Minister of Youth, Julien personally persuaded the Prime Minister to approve a project to support 2000 young people who had been irregularly recruited by the armed forces. These children are essentially former child soldiers, although they have not seen actual conflict. They are young people in local communities in remote, rural areas who at the age of 15 to 17 who were recruited, some forcibly, and transported to military camps for training. They were not allowed to leave the camps and those who attempted to do so were beaten, physically punished, humiliated and deprived of food. In 2010, with the transition from military to civilian rule, these young men and women were released without any means of subsistence or transportation. In fear of stigmatisation, many of these children – frightened, scarred, adolescents – some of whom fell into crimes and banditry. Other vulnerable youths who had been affected by the conflicts in the region were recruited into the programme.

The Peace Building Fund paid for their reintegration through the government's Professional Training Centres which although reasonably equipped did not have the money to run training programmes. The project aims to facilitate the reintegration of what are now young men and women through vocational training services. The centre is a hive of activity. As I get out of the car I am directed to a quadrangle of workshop buildings, specialising in different and specific skills: woodwork; welding; plumbing, carpentry; training for electricians; brick-laying and masonry. These young adults are consumed with purpose. I've never seen craftsmen and women so proud and passionate about their work.

READ MORE: http://blogs.unicef.org.uk/authentic_voices/archive/2013/01/29/tom-hiddleston-guinea-field-diary-day-four.aspx



 MORE PICTURES...

http://www.whosay.com/twhiddleston/photos

Brendan Coyle: Downton’s Bates tells fan to ‘go **** yourself’ on Twitter (THE SUN)

By ALEX WEST
Published: 3 hrs ago

The actor — famed for his Bafta-nominated portrayal of the respectful flunky in ITV1’s period drama — hit the roof in a spat over his hatred of Lady Thatcher.

NHS consultant Roberta Knighton told him Twitter comments he posted about the ex-Tory PM were “beneath” him.

Fuming Coyle, 49, hit back: “Hard to know how to respond to that... but go f*** yourself feels about right.”

He then said: “You have no idea what is beneath me... p.s. go f*** yourself x”. Then he blocked her from viewing his account.


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4771020/Downton-Abbeys-Brendan-Coyle-blasts-fan-on-Twitter.html#ixzz2JWKEFxz0

(keep in mind, peoples, this is from THE SUN)

‘Pride and Prejudice’ bicentenary: Who’s your favorite Darcy? (poll) By Marama Whyte at 1:00 pm, January 29, 2013 - @maramawhyte (HYPABLE)

VOTE (CLICK HERE) FOR YOU FAVORITE DARCY !!!

It’s the role of a lifetime – the chance to steam up the screen as Regency heart-throb Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. We’ve seen many Darcys over the years, but who was the best? Now you get to decide.

Yesterday was the bicentenary of the publication of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. There’s no need to be scandalised by our blatant objectification of these leading men, we did the literary appreciation and analysis part yesterday, so now we can get to the really important matter – who was the hottest Mr. Darcy? Ladies and gentlemen, get your votes ready.

First, straight to the source. What did Austen have to say about Darcy in Pride and Prejudice?

“…Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien; and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year.

The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend.”

X-Men star James McAvoy and Ridley Scott team up for Welcome to the Punch By David Bentley on January 30, 2013 5:23 PM (COVENTRY TELEGRAPH)

The story sees ex-criminal Jacob Sternwood (Mark Strong) forced to return to London when his son is involved in a heist gone wrong. This gives his nemesis, detective Max Lewinsky (James McAvoy), one last chance to catch the man he's always been after.

Welcome to the Punch is released on March 15, 2013. A trailer is included below.

READ MORE: http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2013/01/x-men-star-james-mcavoy-and-ridley-scott-team-up-for-welcome-to-the-punch.html

Alan Rickman - Die Hard Anniversary - Bad to the Bone

BY: FRANK DIGIACOMO

You really don't need to watch the clip to understand this about the franchise: Alan Rickman, who played  deliciously contemptuous Hans Gruber n the first film, remains, far and away, the best Die Hard baddie of the franchise. His simpering imitation of an American hostage when McClane first encounters him is a thing of enduring beauty.

Why Rickman hasn't been made a Bond villain by now is beyond me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wV_d4GSarl8

Alan Rickman Is Still The Best 'Die Hard' Villain

READ MORE: http://movieline.com/2013/01/30/die-hard-movie-25th-anniversary-video-top-villains-alan-rickman/

Jude Law - Jude Law drops hints about The Grand Budapest Hotel (CONTACT MUSIC)

Jude Law has confessed he plays an author in Wes Anderson's new comedy drama and says the plot is based on layers of ''storytelling'' in different time frames.

Jude Law has revealed he will play an author in 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'.

The 'Anna Karenina' actor dropped hints about his new role in Wes Anderson's comedy drama - which has thus far simply been billed as a ''European story'' - and admitted the film will be constructed around several layers of ''storytelling'' involving his character.

He told Collider: ''I play an author. And there are sort of several sections. It's about storytelling. There's someone who plays me at an older age, and they're recounting how they were first told a certain story, and then you cut to me being told that story, and then you cut to the story. It's sort of layers of storytelling.''

Ralph Fiennes has already been confirmed to play M. Gustave, the hotel's ''perfectly composed'' concierge, while Bill Murray is thought to be attached.


READ MORE: http://www.contactmusic.com/news/jude-law-drops-hints-about-the-grand-budapest-hotel_3473950