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Director TODD HAYNES’ quirky, all-star BOB DYLAN-inspired movie I’M NOT THERE is set to be the toast of the IFC Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Los Angeles in February (08), after landing the event’s first Robert Altman Award.
Announced at the Spirit Awards last year (06), the honour is given to the director, casting agent and cast of an outstanding indie movie.
In I’m Not There, Heath Ledger, Richard Gere and Cate Blanchett are among the actors who conjure up the spirit of Dylan at different stages of his life for the offbeat ‘biopic’.
The movie was also nominated for the Spirits’ Best Film prize, where it will compete with Julian Schnabel’s The Diving Bell & The Butterfly, Juno, A Mighty Heart and Paranoid Park.
Blanchett and Marcus Carl Franklin earned Best Supporting Actress and Actor nods respectively for their portrayals of Dylan, and Todd Haynes is a Best Director nominee.
Other four-film nominees are acclaimed coming-of-age film Juno, The Diving Bell & The Butterfly and The Savages.
Meanwhile, Ang Lee’s controversial Lust, Caution is also a multi-nominee; the film’s stars Tony Leung and Tang Wei are up for Best Actor and Actress honours, while Rodrigo Prieto’s cinematography is also under consideration.
French actress Julie Delpy’s 2 Days In Paris earned her a First Feature nomination; she’ll be up against Jeffrey Blitz’s Rocket Science, which garnered three nominations.
In the lead acting categories, Angelina Jolie is an immediate favourite for her role as grieving Marianne Pearl in A Mighty Heart. Jolie will compete against Sienna Miller (Interview), Parker Posey (Broken English), Ellen Page (Juno) and Tang Wei.
Leung will be up against Pedro Castaneda (August Evening), Don Cheadle (Talk To Me), Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Savages) and Frank Langella (Starting Out In The Evening) in the Best Actor category.
The nominations were announced on Tuesday morning (27Nov07) by Lisa Kudrow and Zach Braff.

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JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE has handed a Maori music group free tickets to watch him perform in New Zealand, after they welcomed him to the country.
Timberlake and his girlfriend Jessica Biel watched a performance by the Tira Hoe Waka group in Auckland - and was "blown away" by the Powhiri (traditional Maori welcome) they extended to him.
Following Maori tradition, Timberlake then sang a song of his choice - You Are My Sunshine - before thanking the group and offering them 50 free tickets to his show in Auckland on Saturday (24Nov07).
Kylie Poihipi, part of the welcoming party, says, "Justin wanted to see the ‘Ka Mate Ka Mate’ haka, so we incorporated that into the welcome.
"He was scared as I ushered him towards the kapa haka group. After we made our traditional speech of welcome Justin responded. He said ‘kia ora’ a couple of times, and said he was really amazed by the performance, and humbled by the experience.
"We insisted he sing a song - as tradition expects us to do - and he started singing, You Are My Sunshine. He sang it alone for three lines before his crew joined in.
"Jessica was awesome and we loved showing them how us Maori roll in Aotearoa."

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THE YARDS director JAMES GRAY is "devastated" by the critical maulings he attracts from the U.S. press.
His latest movie We Own The Night, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Eva Mendes, famously roused boos at a press screening in Cannes. And a recent review in Variety deemed the film "exceptionally conventional" and likened it to "an OK television movie".
Now the maverick filmmaker has hit out at not being embraced by his own country.
He says, "It’s devastating to me. The response from Europe has been great but it’s unfortunate because you like to be embraced by your own country. I mean, The Yards was savaged. They said it was boring! "I hope this doesn’t sound bitter but it just breaks your heart. And it’s all so weird. you know, in particular there’s one person who hates my guts and I don’t understand why. It’s like I f**ked his wife or something. I’ve never even met the guy."

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MADONNA is bidding to turn her husband GUY RITCHIE’s latest movie from a flop into a hit, by hosting a star-studded U.S. launch party.
Despite an all-star cast, Revolver failed to cause a stir in the U.K. when it was released in movie theatres there in 2005.
After criticism it was too difficult to follow, Ritchie has made changes to the film, and is ready to unleash Revolver in America.
The director and his pop superstar spouse will compere a VIP preview in New York on Sunday (02Dec07) for guests including Howard Stern, Lauren Bacall, Helena Christensen, Patricia Clarkson and Ivanka Trump, reports the New York Daily News.

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ERIK ESTRADA is refusing to give up his job as a reserve police officer, even after his TV show ARMED & FAMOUS was cancelled.
The former C.H.I.P.S star, 58, began training for the role in Muncie, Indiana, before network bosses pulled the plug on the U.S. reality programme in January (07).
But Estrada has vowed to carry on his commitment, even without cameras fixed on his every move.
The actor says, "When I make a commitment to be somewhere, it’s done, like gold. And I’ll be here next year too, and the year after that.
"And I hope, 30 or 40 years from now, God willing, that when it’s time to put me in my grave, I’ll go in my Muncie uniform and badge."

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FARRAH FAWCETT is calling on a New York judge to show leniency to a billionaire friend accused of doing illegal business with Iraq.
The Charlie’s Angels star has written a letter to Manhattan Federal Judge Denny Chin ahead of 82-year-old Oscar Wyatt’s sentencing on Tuesday (27Nov07).
She wrote, "My father was an oil field contractor who called upon Mr Wyatt for an opportunity to bid on a job. It was his kindness and generosity of spirit that allowed my father to continue his years in the oil fields and provide our family with the comfort and security of a humble yet rich life.
"Mr. Wyatt was rich in the important things in life: compassion, a serious work ethic, kindness, honesty and an appreciation of good health."

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The son of late New York socialite and philanthropist Brooke Astor is to face criminal charges over claims he mishandled her $198 million estate.
Anthony Marshall, 83, has been indicted along with attorney Francis X.
Morrissey Jr.
The charges are sealed and details have not been disclosed.
They are thought to stem from complaints filed by Marshall’s son Philip before Astor died in August (07) at the age of 105.
Philip accused his father of making himself rich from Astor’s estate at the expense of her grandchildren. He also claimed Marshall was forcing Astor to live in squalor.
Marshall has denied all the claims.

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Socialite KIM KARDASHIAN has become the victim of a robbery, after thieves took items including $50,000 (£25,000)-worth of diamond jewellery from her luggage after she arrived at a New York airport.
The Keeping Up With The Kardashians reality TV star arrived at JFK Airport with her sister Kourtney recently after flying in from Las Vegas.
As she emerged from the arrivals area of the airport, she was surrounded by fans, paparazzi, and several Delta airline employees who requested to have their pictures taken with the raven-haired beauty.
But while she was busy posing for photographs and signing autographs for the Delta employees, thieves stole jewellery, a Cartier watch, a laptop and a digital camera from Kardashian’s bags.
And now Kardashian’s representatives are looking into the possibility she had been set up by the airline employees, according to TMZ.com.
A spokesperson for the airline has yet to comment on the allegations.

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A U.S. radio DJ fired for threatening a rival’s wife and four-year-old daughter has landed a new job.
DJ Star - real name Troi Torain - provoked outrage and lost his job on Power 105.1 FM 18 months ago (May06) after he made racial slurs about DJ Raashaun Casey’s wife and said he wanted to sexually abuse his daughter.
He was charged with child endangerment, but prosecutors later backed down to spare Casey’s daughter more attention.
After more than a year off the air, Star will host a morning show on New York’s City FM, alongside his half brother Timothy ‘Buc Wild’ Joseph.

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Country singer TROY GENTRY is mourning the death of his mother.
Patricia Ann Gentry lost a battle with cancer in Little Rock, Arkansas, last week (20Nov07) at the age of 65.
She is survived by her husband Lloyd, and her children including the Montgomery Gentry vocalist; his brother and stepsister - as well as two grand-daughters.

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MANFRED MANN frontman MIKE D’ABO has become a dad to twins, at the age of 63.
The Sixties rocker’s wife Lisa gave birth to son Louis and daughter Ella at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in England.
They are D’Abo’s first children with Lisa, and come 23 years after he underwent a vasectomy that was later reversed.
The Mighty Quinn hitmaker says, "We got the shock of our lives when we were told it was twins. It’s like a miracle.
"We’d been trying to start a family for 15 years and we wouldn’t have had many more chances." D’Abo has three grown up children from previous relationships, but plans to be more involved in the lives of the new additions to his family.
He adds, "I appreciate being more hands-on with these two. I know more about what to do and can understand their psychology better.
"I hope to be very much around for them into adulthood. We’re fit and active and healthy, and in those circumstances your age is just a number."

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Rapper FABOLOUS was at the New York nightclub where his friend was fatally stabbed last week (23Nov07) - according to the venue’s promoter.
The star’s lawyer has claimed Fabolous was not at Duvet when Shamel McKinney was attacked.
But club promoter Andre Faria tells the New York Daily News, "Fabolous was there. He came in with about a dozen people between midnight and 12.30am. He brought the guy who was murdered with him, as part of his crew." Police are investigating and have yet to make an arrest.
Fabolous - real name John Jackson - has a history of run-ins with the police himself. Last year (06) he was shot in the leg after a fight outside a New York restaurant.

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Motorcycle daredevil EVEL KNIEVEL has dropped a lawsuit against KANYE WEST regarding a trademark dispute over the rapper’s TOUCH THE SKY music video.
Knievel, 68, filed suit for trademark infringement last December (06), after West donned the stuntman’s famous biker outfit for his 2006 promo and called his character Evel Kanyevel.
Knievel - real name Robert Craig Knievel - claimed the "vulgar and offensive" images depicted in the video was damaging to his reputation and sued for compensation for the use of his likeness and trademark.
But in July (07), the couple agreed to call in a mediator to help them settle the battle out of court, agreeing to share mediation expenses as they worked on a solution.
And after a meeting at Knievel’s Tampa, Florida home recently to discuss the matter further, they resolved the issue amicably and decided to dismiss the legal action altogether, according to MTV.com.

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LATEST: Producer BUTCH WALKER "lost everything" in the recent Los Angeles wildfires after it was revealed he had been renting the home of RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS bassist, FLEA.
Flea - real name Michael Balzary - confirmed on Monday (26Nov07) that his $5 million (£2.5 million) French-style mansion had been burned down in the Malibu wildfires which began on Saturday (24Nov07), the second series of blazes to hit the region in less than a month.
And Walker - who has worked with Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne and Pink admitted he had been the real victim of the California flames after moving all of his belongings from his Atlanta, Georgia home into the rented property, according to MTV.com.
He says, "(I) had just consolidated my entire recording studio and house from Atlanta into the one house in Malibu.
"I lost everything I’ve ever owned. Every master of every song I’ve ever recorded, every piece of recording equipment, guitars, drums and things I’ve collected over the years, cars, motorcycles, every family memorial, heirloom, picture, and document we ever had. …Gone. I feel like I finally know the difference between ‘going back’ and ‘going home.’"

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AMY WINEHOUSE has been forced to cancel the remainder of her troubled U.K. tour by doctors - because the strain of her husband BLAKE FIELDER-CIVIL’s incarceration has rendered the volatile singer unable to perform.
The Back To Black star - whose performances have been plagued by reports of fans storming out over her incoherent singing and delayed start times abandoned her tour crew on Monday night (26Nov07) after her gig in Brighton, England, and headed back to London in a taxi. She was due to play a concert in Bournemouth on the south coast of Britain on Tuesday night (27Nov07).
But the tour date was pulled after Winehouse was spotted walking into the London Clinic on Tuesday afternoon. The clinic is home to doctors specialising in such fields as breast enlargements, cancer screening, liver problems, pregnancy and gynaecological matters, among others - in the capital’s famed medical centre, Harley Street.
In a statement from her record company Universal, the star - who has been battling a drug problem - blamed her recent erratic behaviour on the stress she has been put under following her husband’s incarceration at London’s Pentonville Prison. He was arrested earlier this month (Nov07) on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in relation to a charge of grievous bodily harm.
The statement reads, "Amy Winehouse has cancelled all remaining live and promotional appearances for the remainder of the year on the instruction of her doctor. The rigours involved in touring and the intense emotional strain that Amy has been under in recent weeks have taken their toll. In the interests of her health and well-being, Amy has been ordered to take complete rest and deal with her health issues." The singer herself adds, "I can’t give it my all onstage without my Blake.
I’m so sorry but I don’t want to do the shows half-heartedly; I love singing.
My husband is everything to me and without him it’s just not the same." (TN/WN/MT) WENN - BREAKING NEWS - 27 NOVEMBER 2007 ————————————————————————–

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Amy Winehouse sparked panic last night (26Nov07) when she abandoned her tour crew in Brighton, England to catch a taxi back to London in the early hours.
The troubled singer - who had just finished a concert at the Brighton Centre - walked out of the Hilton Hotel before meeting up with a pal and catching a homeward-bound ride, even though her tour bus and crew remained behind in preparation for her gig in Bournemouth tonight (27Nov07).
Winehouse - whose husband Blake Fielder-Civil is currently incarcerated at London’s Pentonville Prison - has endured a troubled tour so far, with reports of disgruntled fans storming out over her lacklustre performances, late arrivals and short sets.
The Back To Black star is due to perform on the south coast again tonight, adding to the mystery of what caused her to make the long journey back to the capital.
One onlooker said, "It was really strange. She appeared to be taking a gentle stroll along the sea front with a friend. Then a cabbie pulled up and they both got in."

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Singer PHIL COLLINS forgot about his rock star status and became an ordinary ‘proud dad’ when he accompanied his daughter to the star-studded Paris debutantes ball last Friday (23Nov07).
The former Genesis drummer took his daughter Lily Collins, 17, to the glamorous bash and admitted he was overcome with emotion.
He says, "Tonight I’m no-one, not a singer, just an emotional dad. This great ball is a wonderful tradition." The high society ball at the Crillon Hotel marks the ‘coming out’ of the teenage daughters of the world’s rich and famous, with proceeds donated to charity.
Also in attendance were Kathleen Kennedy, grand-daughter of slain U.S.
senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Brazilian soccer legend Pele’s 16-year-old goddaughter Gemima MacMahon.

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SIR ELTON JOHN’s partner DAVID FURNISH has pledged his support to a new bill aiming to make homophobic jokes illegal in the U.K.
The Canadian film producer agrees with the new legislation, which will potentially result in seven-year prison sentences for those found guilty of promoting hatred against homosexuals. He says, "I think any sort of hatred is unacceptable so yes, I support it.
That said, I think this country is unbelievably tolerant and I feel privileged to live here and to be married to a Brit - as well as thankful that I can be married to a Brit." The 45-year-old formalised his 12-year relationship with the singer on 21 December 2005, the first day civil partnerships were legally recognised in the U.K.

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