Gerard Butler: 'Argo' will take the Oscar Andrea Mandell, USA TODAY

HOLLYWOOD -- Gerard Butler's officially in Argo's corner.

"Ben Affleck is turning out to really be one of the forefront directors of our time," said a tux-clad Butler at the Sunset Tower Hotel Thursday night before he picked up hosting duties at the Hollywood Domino & Bovet 1822 Pre-Oscar Gala & Tournament. "His movies are so watchable and so sophisticated and classy. I loved Argo. I also really enjoyed Silver Linings Playbook." But, "I think Argo will take the Oscar," he predicted.

Butler joined Paul Haggis, Donna Karan and Madeleine Stowe in hosting the pre-Oscars charity event, which featured a live auction and Hollywood-infused dominos tournament. The evening raised over a half million dollars for Artists for Peace and Justice, a non-profit organization that addresses issues of poverty around the world, particularly in Haiti.

Butler's personal favorite film this season? The low-budget wonder Beasts of the Southern Wild. "The movie that I found the most charming and original was Beasts of the Southern Wild," said the upcoming Olympus Has Fallen star. "It's hard to say what movie deserves an Oscar. You watch a movie like that and you look at the imagination and the artistry that went into it, and the performances by people who had never acted before that wipe the floor with myself and many other actors in this town. How can you have a winner in those circumstances?"

READ MORE: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/02/22/gerard-butler-bets-on-argo-at-hollywood-domino-party/1938125/

An intimate Rome restaurant got the star treatment after welcoming Liam Neeson, Adrien Brody and Olivia Wilde By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Starstudded dinner: Liam Neeson, Adrien Brody and Olivia Wilde tucked into a hearty meal at Rome's Percento restaurant after finishing a day's filming on The Third Person

Hollywood came to a small Italian restaurant after the cast and crew of new movie The Third Person enjoyed a relaxing meal after filming.

Liam Neeson, Adrien Brody, Olivia Wilde and director Paul Haggis were among those that packed the large table at Rome's Percento restaurant.

The cast and crew tucked into a hearty meal, and were seen toasting a day's hard work with lots of wine.

Neeson, 60, wore a blue shirt with leather jacket and jeans, and seemed to hold court over the table.


He was spotted having an intense discussion with his 28-year-old co-star Olivia Wilde, as Brody looked on interestingly.

Hugs for the chef: Neeson shows his appreciation for the night's meal

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2220666/An-intimate-Rome-restaurant-got-star-treatment-welcoming-Liam-Neeson-Adrien-Brody-Olivia-Wilde.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Gerard Butler: Cannes charity auction reject By Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY (LIVE FROM CANNES)

Sometimes even Hollywood stars get a little rejection.

Scottish stud Gerard Butler got some after he was reluctantly brought onstage at the star-studded "Carnival in Cannes Gala for Haitian Relief" on Friday night.

Director Paul Haggis thought his presence would help sweeten the pot for the big prize -- a Golden Globe weekend pass.

Haggis figured that offering tea with Butler to a potential bidder would help push the package -- which offered tickets to the best parties during Golden Globes weekend -- into a much higher range.

But the final bidder ended up buying the package and insisting, very loudly, that he didn't want Butler as part of it.

Final purchase price was more than $125,000. Total Butler added value: $0. Ouch!

Butler told USA TODAY on Saturday that it was all in good fun.

"I know the guy that bought it, he didn't need to buy tea with me," he laughed.

But he admitted that Haggis has made a fool of him before by dragging him onstage for auctions.

"No one has the ability to make a fool of me like Paul Haggis. He makes me come up and stand on stage. He makes me feel like an idiot," said Butler. "I think most of my most humiliating experiences in my whole career have been caused by Paul Haggis. He pimps me out."

READ MORE:  http://content.usatoday.com/communities/livefrom/post/2012/05/gerard-butler-cannes-charity-auction-reject/1#.T7g7i0VSTiY

Liam Neeson And Olivia Wilde To Play Lovers In Third Person published: 2012-04-04 15:29:56 Author: Kristy Puchko (CINEMA BLEND)

Just last week when reporting on Rob Marshall's casting considerations for who should play Johnny Depp's onscreen paramour in his Thin Man remake, I wondered how far Hollywood would push their love of pairing older men with much younger women. And now Oscar-winning writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash) has revealed to Vulture his striking choice of casting 28-year-old Olivia Wilde to play the love interest of 59-year-old Liam Neeson.

 Don't get me wrong, I--like many younger ladies--harbor a serious crush on the Taken star who can go from tough as nails to utterly adorable (I'm thinking Love, Actually) with an endearing believability. Nonetheless, that's pure fantasy and this 31-year gap is sure to be a jarring disparity on screen. Regardless, this May-December pairing will be among the stars fronting Haggis' latest ensemble piece, Third Person.


READ MORE:  http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Liam-Neeson-Olivia-Wilde-Play-Lovers-Third-Person-30278.html