With the Olympics soon approaching, the world’s eyes will soon be on Canada. Therefore, it is unfortunate that the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Nova Scotia Government are allowing a commercial seal slaughter of baby seals on Hay Island, which is a part of the protected Scaterie Island wilderness area. Starting today, 2,200 baby seals will be killed as allowed by these governing bodies. This number might not seem significant, but when you take into account how these defenseless infant seals are slaughtered (beaten over the head and/or shot, and while many are still breathing, skinned alive) even 1 is too many. In fact, the Humane Society will be on hand to document the brutality. Says Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of Humane Society International/Canada, “With the Winter Olympics opening on February 12, the eyes of the world are on Canada. If the seal slaughter goes ahead on Hay Island, Humane Society International will be there to document it. The world community will be horrified to see baby seals beaten to death with wooden bats in a nature reserve; this is not the image Canada should be projecting to the world.”
Click here to read more about the barbaric seal slaughter and how you can help to try to put an end to this brutality.
FASHION FOR RELIEF (TM) RETURNING TO THE TENTS FOR HAITI
By · CommentsWho said catwalkers don’t have a heart? And so supermodel Naomi Campbell is bringing back Fashion for Relief (TM) a celebrity fashion show on Friday, February 12th at 7PM in the Bryant Park Tents for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to benefit CARE-assisting the mothers and children of the Haitian earthquake disaster. The event will be hosted by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and will include VIP’s, celebrities, and internationally recognized fashion designers in support of the cause. And starting today, American Express card members can have exclusive access to purchase tickets ($100 and $150) before they are released to the general public on Ticketmaster.com. What is also great is that the donated clothing items will be auctioned for the charity on Net-A-Porter staring February 15th.
Said Naomi Campbell,”I am deeply saddened by the recent tragedy in Haiti. So many have been killed and severely affected by the earthquake — women and children in particular are most vulnerable in disasters. Fashion is universal, personal and touches everyone. Our aim is to use this season’s catwalk shows in New York to reach people and help raise crucial funds to help save the lives of women and children.” And echoing AMEX’s support, Jessica Igoe, the Director of Global Sponsorship Marketing, American Express, “American Express is proud to join Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief to help bring together some of the boldest names in the industry for a wonderful cause. We are continually looking to connect our Cardmembers with the passions and experiences that they love and we are honored to connect them with an amazing fashion experience under the Tents that will ultimately provide great assistance to the people of Haiti.”
Past supporters and participants in the event include: Beyonce, Boy George, Cheryl Cole, Cilla Black, Christian Slater, Claudia Schiffer, Erin O’Connor, Faye Dunaway, Iman, Jamelia, Jessica Stam, Kate Moss, Yasmin Le Bon, Ronan Keating, Kelly Osbourne, Lily Cole, P. Diddy, Princess Beatrice, Rio Ferdinand, The Duchess of York, Joaquin Cortes, Tyson Beckford, as well as many others. No doubt this will be another evening for Fashion to truly shine and show the world and Haiti it cares.
Click here to go to the Ticketmaster website and purchase tickets for Fashion for Relief (TM).
Follow @AmericanExpress on Twitter, become a fan of American Express on Facebook and visit www.americanexpress.com/entertainment.
RED CARPET ROXY’S “LOOK OF THE WEEK”-HOT COUTURE
By · CommentsSo we are smack dab in the middle of awards season in Hollywood, so I thought only appropriate to choose a look befitting an awards show nominee, and it just so happens that Haute Couture blew through Paris last week as well. And so here it is-a comely, canary creation by couturier to the stars, Elie Saab, that made its debut on the Paris Spring 2010 Couture runway. Love the color; the wrapped, textured, corseted bodice; and of course the delicate lace slip that peeps out at each stride. Serious hot couture!
RED CARPET ROXY CHATS WITH MALIN AKERMAN
By · Comments
"Happythankyoumoreplease" actress Malin Akerman attends the A-List Art & Soul Center at the Sundance Film Festival 2010 at the Sky Lounge Penthouse in Park City, Utah on January 23, 2010 photo: celebrity resource
Many of you know bubbly, blond actress Malin Akerman as the star of many successful comedies like “Couples Retreat” and “27 Dresses.” But get ready to see an all new and different side of Malin in “Happythankyoumoreplease” as she takes on the role of Annie, a lady living in NYC, stricken with alopecia, but also looking for love. Just last week, I got the chance to sit down with Malin and discuss what is was like for her to transform into this complicated character (including shaving off her eyebrows), why she wants to tackle the role of Smurfette, and who is on her wish list to work with next.
RCR: What was it like coming on board with “Happythankyoumoreplesase” and what was your creative process like?
MA: I read the script and Josh (Radnor-the director) had offered me a different role in the film. And I loved the script, but the role he had offered me I felt like it was something I had done before, and so I said no, thank you. And then a couple weeks later, I hear that the woman who was supposed to play my role, had to drop out for specific reasons, and I just said to my agent, please let me meet Josh and let me try to convince him to hire me for this role. So I flew to NYC to meet him for a day, we sat for about 4 hours and read through the scenes. He asked a few questions and he asked me honestly if I could pull it off. And I answered him and said yes I think I can absolutely! And inside I was dying because I had no idea if I could do it or not. But I wanted the challenge. And then the journey began. He offered me the role and we started working together. He really helped me out through a lot of rehearsals and just finding the spirit of the woman who he based this character upon. He loosed based it on a friend of his who has alopecia areata. So we went through the whole process of shaving the eyebrows off and really becoming the character.
RCR: Was shaving your eyebrows off hard for you?
MA: No, it was actually the opposite-it was really liberating. It was really amazing-I loved it. I think that is the fun part about my job. We get to be chameleons and our bodies are our tools and we use them however we need to and this kind of stuff is what I live for. I love just transforming and this was really amazing and I just fell in love with Annie my character. I kind of miss her. I see it on screen now and say Aw! That such a great time! She was such a beautiful person and such a complex woman. You know living in the world as a bald woman has its complexities, has its obstacles. And also when you are looking for love, you don’t want to settle for something that you think is less that you deserve just because you are a bald woman. So it was interesting and amazing and beautiful and she is such a free spirit and such a ray of sunshine, so it was really an amazing character, an amazing journey, and a great cast. And we all just loved each other and it was a big love fest, so it was really amazing.
RCR: What was the biggest challenge for you in taking on this role?
MA: Everything. It really was a challenging role because she is so well written and she is such a big part of the film. I did not want to let Josh down because this is his baby and it deserved all of the passion. There was a lot of pressure in bringing her to life and I know that this character was very dear to him as well. And I haven’t done a lot of complex roles-I have done a lot of comedy. This was my chance to prove to myself and to the world that I can do something a little bit deeper and a little bit more exciting as an actor. Cate Blanchett once said, “If you are afraid of a role, that’s the role you should do.” And that was this for me.
RCR: You had to face your fear.
MA: It was my fear, yeah. You have just got to face it and challenge yourself. And then see what happens!
RCR: At Sundance, are you going to be able to see any other films?
MA: Yes! I absolutely want to! I am trying to get tickets, so if you have any…..”Jack Goes Boating.” And I want to see “Hesher.” I have some time off tomorrow, so I will go around and see if I can get tickets from scalpers!
RCR: It is awards season right now, so what is your favorite part of awards seasons and what is your least favorite part of awards season?
MA: My favorite part is watching the awards. It’s always great shows and performances and just celebrating people who have done really great films. My least favorite part is that it gets a bit hectic on the streets of LA. The traffic gets stopped even more so that it usually does.
RCR: You have fantastic Red Carpet style. Is there anybody else who you think has great Red Carpet style?
MA: Thank you! I am a fan of people who are a little bit risky. I love Tilda Swinton. She rocks it and it is really different. Her and Cate Blanchett are my favorites. And Cate has an edge to her-she has her own style, it is very unique, but she always looks so classy. Those women inspire me to find something that has a bit of an edge. Whether it is shoes, or some sort of detail, or a really cool piece of jewelry that is just edgy.
RCR: If you could see any classic TV show or movie remade, what would that be?
MA: “The Smurfs.” And I would be Smurfette. That woman gets some action! Did you see how many Smurfs there are?
RCR: You are hilarious! Where are we going to see you next?
MA: I am going to start shooting this project with a great group of people like Ed Helms and Rob Corddry and Rob Heubel. We are doing this thing called “Children’s Hospital.” It is a spoof on all the hospital shows and they are webisodes that Adult Swim picked up. So we are going to do 13 episodes for them. So we start with them in February.
RCR: So back to comedy?
MA: Yes, back to comedy for a minute. And then we will see. I would love to work with John Ortiz! I am a big fan of his. And maybe even doing a play? I would love to venture into that world.
RCR: So you would think about doing live theater?
MA: Yes. That is another big fear of mine. And it is one of my biggest. So I am getting ready to face that one.
RCR: Best of luck with that, Malin. Thank you so much!
MA: Your are welcome. Take care!
RCR SUNDANCE CHIT CHAT ON PREMIERE.COM
By · CommentsCheck out my Sundance wrap up on Premiere.com, with soundbites from some of your favorite actors, including Malin Akerman who told me that she would love to take on the role of Smurfette in a remake of The Smurfs and Samm Levine from Inglourious Basterds who let me know of his “intense” scene with James Franco, and why Private Practice star Tim Daly just couldn’t hold a straight face while acting opposite Alec Baldwin.
Click here to read the Sundance wrap up on Premiere.com.
JOHNNY DEPP TO DIRECT KEITH RICHARDS DOCUMENTARY
By · CommentsThe love fest continues as reportedly, Johnny Depp will move his hot %&* from in front of the camera to behind it as he is directing the new Keith Richards documentary. As you may recall, Depp’s inspiration for his highly lauded role of Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was none other than the rock god himself. And it shows! Depp explained to the European press, “Now that I’m wiser, and that enough time has passed, I can experience directing again. Already next week I’ll start working on a Keith Richards documentary. While I’m in Drvengrad, my editor is already working on kilometers of archive footage and footage of his concerts. I’m very touched that Keith agreed to show up in front of my cameras.” Oh, and I bet it will be good as both of these fellas have had their fair share of tea parties in the past. Can you say sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll?
KATIE COURIC INTERVIEWS ELLEN DEGENERES
By · CommentsRecently, Katie Couric sat down with Ellen DeGeneres on Ellen’s set for a one on one Glamour Magazine interview. Ellen opens up about her life, her love Portia Di Rossi, and being the new judge on American Idol. It is a really well done interview conducted by one of the best interviewers in the biz. Enjoy!
THE 2010 ACADEMY AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED TODAY
By · CommentsThe nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards were announced this morning in Beverly Hills by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak and 2008 Oscar® nominee Anne Hathaway. The awards will be handed out on Sunday, March 7th at Kodak Theater in Hollywood and will be televised on ABC starting at 5PM PST/8PM EST, airing in over 200 countries. Here are the nominations for the 2010 Academy Awards:
Performance by an actor in a leading role
- Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight)
- George Clooney in “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
- Colin Firth in “A Single Man” (The Weinstein Company)
- Morgan Freeman in “Invictus” (Warner Bros.)
- Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment)
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
- Matt Damon in “Invictus” (Warner Bros.)
- Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger” (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
- Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station” (Sony Pictures Classics)
- Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones” (DreamWorks in association with Film4, Distributed by Paramount)
- Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company)
Performance by an actress in a leading role
- Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side” (Warner Bros.)
- Helen Mirren in “The Last Station” (Sony Pictures Classics)
- Carey Mulligan in “An Education” (Sony Pictures Classics)
- Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate)
- Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
- Penélope Cruz in “Nine” (The Weinstein Company)
- Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
- Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight)
- Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
- Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate)
Best animated feature film of the year
- “Coraline” (Focus Features), Henry Selick
- “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (20th Century Fox), Wes Anderson
- “The Princess and the Frog” (Walt Disney), John Musker and Ron Clements
- “The Secret of Kells” (GKIDS), Tomm Moore
- “Up” (Walt Disney), Pete Docter
Achievement in art direction
- “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg, Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
- “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” (Sony Pictures Classics), Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro, Set Decoration: Caroline Smith
- “Nine” (The Weinstein Company), Art Direction: John Myhre, Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
- “Sherlock Holmes” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood, Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
- “The Young Victoria” (Apparition), Art Direction: Patrice Vermette, Set Decoration: Maggie Gray
Achievement in cinematography
- “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), Mauro Fiore
- “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (Warner Bros.), Bruno Delbonnel
- “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Barry Ackroyd
- “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), Robert Richardson
- “The White Ribbon” (Sony Pictures Classics), Christian Berger
Achievement in costume design
- “Bright Star” (Apparition), Janet Patterson
- “Coco before Chanel” (Sony Pictures Classics), Catherine Leterrier
- “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” (Sony Pictures Classics), Monique Prudhomme
- “Nine” (The Weinstein Company), Colleen Atwood
- “The Young Victoria” (Apparition), Sandy Powell
Achievement in directing
- “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), James Cameron
- “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Kathryn Bigelow
- “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), Quentin Tarantino
- “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate), Lee Daniels
- “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios), Jason Reitman
Best documentary feature
- “Burma VJ” (Oscilloscope Laboratories), A Magic Hour Films Production, Anders østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
- “The Cove” (Roadside Attractions), An Oceanic Preservation Society Production, Nominees to be determined
- “Food, Inc.” (Magnolia Pictures), A Robert Kenner Films Production, Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
- “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers”, A Kovno Communications Production, Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
- “Which Way Home”, A Mr. Mudd Production, Rebecca Cammisa
Best documentary short subject
- “China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan, Province”, A Downtown Community Television Center Production, Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill
- “The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner”, A Just Media Production, Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
- “The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant”, A Community Media Production, Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
- “Music by Prudence”, An iThemba Production, Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
- “Rabbit à la Berlin” (Deckert Distribution), An MS Films Production, Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra
Achievement in film editing
- “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
- “District 9” (Sony Pictures Releasing), Julian Clarke
- “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
- “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), Sally Menke
- “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate), Joe Klotz
Best foreign language film of the year
- “Ajami” (Kino International), An Inosan Production, Israel
- “El Secreto de Sus Ojos” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Haddock Films Production, Argentina
- “The Milk of Sorrow”, A Wanda Visión/Oberon Cinematogrà/Vela Production, Peru
- “Un Prophète” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Why Not/Page 114/Chic Films Production, France
- “The White Ribbon” (Sony Pictures Classics), An X Filme Creative Pool/Wega Film/Les Films du Losange/Lucky Red Production, Germany
Achievement in makeup
- “Il Divo” (MPI Media Group through Music Box), Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
- “Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment), Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
- “The Young Victoria” (Apparition), Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
- “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), James Horner
- “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (20th Century Fox), Alexandre Desplat
- “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
- “Sherlock Holmes” (Warner Bros.), Hans Zimmer
- “Up” (Walt Disney), Michael Giacchino
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
- “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” (Walt Disney), Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
- “Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” (Walt Disney), Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
- “Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36” (Sony Pictures Classics), Music by Reinhardt Wagner, Lyric by Frank Thomas
- “Take It All” from “Nine” (The Weinstein Company), Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
- “The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
Best motion picture of the year
- “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), A Lightstorm Entertainment Production, James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
- “The Blind Side” (Warner Bros.), An Alcon Entertainment Production, Nominees to be determined
- “District 9” (Sony Pictures Releasing), A Block/Hanson Production, Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
- “An Education” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Finola Dwyer/Wildgaze Films Production, Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
- “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), A Voltage Pictures Production, Nominees to be determined
- “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), A Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures/A Band Apart/Zehnte Babelsberg Production, Lawrence Bender, Producer
- “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate), A Lee Daniels Entertainment/Smokewood Entertainment Production, Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers
- “A Serious Man” (Focus Features), A Working Title Films Production, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers
- “Up” (Walt Disney), A Pixar Production, Jonas Rivera, Producer
- “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios), A Montecito Picture Company Production, Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers
Best animated short film
- “French Roast” , A Pumpkin Factory/Bibo Films Production, Fabrice O. Joubert
- “Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty” (Brown Bag Films), A Brown Bag Films Production, Nicky Phelan and Darragh O’Connell
- “The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)”, A Kandor Graphics and Green Moon Production, Javier Recio Gracia
- “Logorama” (Autour de Minuit), An Autour de Minuit Production, Nicolas Schmerkin
- “A Matter of Loaf and Death” (Aardman Animations), An Aardman Animations Production, Nick Park
Best live action short film
- “The Door” (Network Ireland Television), An Octagon Films Production, Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
- “Instead of Abracadabra”, (The Swedish Film Institute), A Directörn & Fabrikörn Production, Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellström
- “Kavi”, A Gregg Helvey Production, Gregg Helvey
- “Miracle Fish”, (Premium Films), A Druid Films Production, Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
- “The New Tenants”, A Park Pictures and M & M Production, Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson
Achievement in sound editing
- “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
- “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Paul N.J. Ottosson
- “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), Wylie Stateman
- “Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment), Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
- “Up” (Walt Disney), Michael Silvers and Tom Myers
Achievement in sound mixing
- “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
- “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
- “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano
- “Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment), Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin
- “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (DreamWorks and Paramount in association with Hasbro, Distributed by Paramount), Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson
Achievement in visual effects
- “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
- “District 9” (Sony Pictures Releasing) , Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
- “Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment), Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton
Adapted screenplay
- “District 9” (Sony Pictures Releasing), Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
- “An Education” (Sony Pictures Classics), Screenplay by Nick Hornby
- “In the Loop” (IFC Films), Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
- “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate), Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
- “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios) , Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner
Original screenplay
- “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Written by Mark Boal
- “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), Written by Quentin Tarantino
- “The Messenger” (Oscilloscope Laboratories), Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
- “A Serious Man” (Focus Features), Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
- “Up” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy



















