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GUS VAN SANT’s SEAN PENN-starring movie MILK and BRAD PITT’s new film THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON will lead the way at the 14th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards - after landing eight nominations each.
The two movies will go head-to-head in The Best Picture category; their stars will fight for the Best Actor awards; and directors Van Sant and David Fincher will battle over the Best Director prize when the awards are handed out by the Broadcast Film Critics Association on 8 January (09).
Christopher Nolan’s 2008 blockbuster The Dark Knight had to settle for six nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director; as did Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire and new release, Doubt.
The main nominees - announced in New York on Tuesday (9Dec08) by actress Rosie Perez - are as follows: Best Picture: Changeling Milk The Curious Case of Benjamin Button The Dark Knight Doubt Slumdog Millionaire Frost/Nixon The Reader Wall-E The Wrestler Best Actor: Sean Penn Brad Pitt Clint Eastwood Richard Jenkins Frank Langella Mickey Rourke Best Actress: Kate Beckinsale Cate Blanchett Angelina Jolie Meryl Streep Anne Hathaway Melissa Leo Best Supporting Actor: James Franco Josh Brolin Heath Ledger Philip Seymour Hoffman Robert Downey Jr.
Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz Vera Farmiga Taraji P
. Henson Marisa Tomei Kate Winslet Best Director: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight Ron Howard for Frost Nixon Gus Van Sant for Milk Best Acting Ensemble: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button The Dark Knight Doubt Milk Rachel Getting Married Best Animated Feature: Bolt Wall-E Kung Fu Panda Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Waltz With Bashir Best Young Actor and Actress: Dakota Fanning for The Secret Life of Bees David Kross for The Reader Dev Petal for Slumdog Millionaire Brandon Walters for Australia
.

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MARIAH CAREY is delighted American voters chose BARACK OBAMA as the next U.S.
President - because she’s convinced his victory will change the world.
The Hero hitmaker admits she was shocked at Obama’s landslide win, and insists it shows how far race relations in the U.S. have come in the last 50 years.
She tells Hello! magazine, "I’m still so stunned by it. Obama becoming President is just the most incredible achievement. My mom is Irish and my dad was African-American/Venezuelan, and when my parents got married they weren’t allowed to be together in a lot of American states. It was illegal because they were an inter-racial couple.
"When I look at this, and I think about my grandmother, my great-grandmother and my mom, who was heavily involved in civil rights, it makes me tear up. It makes me so emotional as for once we did the right thing and everyone got involved. People saw past the race thing and the world seems better already.
There’s a real feeling of hope."

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PAULA ABDUL has accused her AMERICAN IDOL bosses of exposing her to the crazed fan who committed suicide outside her California home.
Abdul claims producers on the show allowed Paula Goodspeed to audition on three separate occasions, knowing she had stalked the star for 17 years.
And she accuses broadcaster Fox of shooting footage at her home, which effectively showed fans how to get access to the Sherman Oaks estate.
Speaking on talk show host Barbara Walters’ Sirius Satellite radio show on Monday night (08Dec08), Abdul said, "She came to the audition. I said, ‘This girl is a stalker of mine. Please do not let her in.’ I was shaking.
"The producers thought, for entertainment value, it would be funny. Fun for them to cause me stress. It would make good television.
"If you look at the audition on YouTube, you’ll see I couldn’t even look up.
"But it wasn’t just once. She showed up again in Las Vegas and she showed up the following year." Abdul adds, "(Then) Fox broadcasting literally went to my house and gave my address away and showed how easy it is to break in." The 45-year-old also reveals Goodspeed wrote her disturbing letters threatening her life.
Abdul told Walters, "The letters that were written were about bodily harm.
She said that the only way I will serve my purpose is when I am up in heaven being her guardian angel." When Walters asked why Abdul was still working on the show she replied, "Well, I’m still under contract."

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MICKEY ROURKE packed on the pounds to play a battered fighter in acclaimed new movie THE WRESTLER - and brought in an Israeli cage fighter to beat him up.
The actor spent six months weight training and guzzling protein drinks to gain more than 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) for his new role, but it was his trainer who really kicked him into shape.
He tells WENN, "I went in at 192 pounds and I had to get up to 235. I never had to gain weight before; I always had to lose weight for different sports.
"After putting 20 pounds of muscle on, it got really hard. I hired this Israeli cage fighter who was from the army and he was real strict with me. He wouldn’t take any bulls**t and that’s what I needed. I didn’t want a trainer who I was gonna tell when I was gonna work out.
"Coming from the army, he could kick my ass and he was all about focus and discipline, mixing cardio with weightlifting. There were days where I wanted to do either cardio or weights because I was sore all the time, all day and all night.
"I never lifted big heavy iron to put on size, so I had a lot of protein, six to seven small meals throughout the day." Rourke’s regime was so tough, he longed for Saturdays - as that was the only day he had off.
He adds, "I had one night a week because my trainer was a Jewish dude, and he wasn’t allowed to work on Saturdays because of Sabbath and I couldn’t wait for that day to come along.
"He was very religious and I respected him a lot. I didn’t want to disappoint him because he took it hard and I think I was very lucky to have this guy in my life."

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Actress REESE WITHERSPOON would support her children if they ever wanted to pursue an acting career - because she found her parents’ own blessing invaluable.
The blonde beauty always dreamed of becoming a star - and although her parents were baffled by her career choice, they offered their wholehearted support.
In an interview with Britain’s Hello! magazine, Witherspoon admits if her two children with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe wanted to go into acting she’d embrace the idea, insisting, "I’d be supportive." She adds, "I wanted to be an actor when I was seven years old. And my parents were both physicians, so they thought it was a very strange choice for a little girl in Tennessee, but they were always really cool about it.
"I always appreciated that because you don’t want to feel restricted or like your dreams are stupid." Witherspoon and Phillippe share daughter Ava, eight, and son Deacon, four.

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Oscar winner ADRIEN BRODY is sick of only landing quirky parts - and wishes movie bosses would consider him for more "mainstream" roles.
The star picked up a Best Actor Academy Award for his performance in Roman Polanski’s 2002 drama The Pianist and has since starred in a variety of offbeat films including The Village and Hollywoodland.
But Brody wants to expand his movie career with more high profile parts such as his turn in 2005’s King Kong.
He tells Parade.com, "What I still crave more of is great roles. I wish the studios would see me in more mainstream movies but there are a handful of actors that routinely get that chance because they are supposedly safe bets. In that sense, Hollywood is a business. It’s not really about the work."

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WILLIAM BALDWIN is begging fans to save his struggling U.S. TV show DIRTY SEXY MONEY - amid fears the show faces cancellation.
The actor appealed to American TV audiences on Tuesday (09Dec08), appearing on morning chat show Today and admitting the series is in turmoil after network bosses announced other ABC shows would soon be pulled from the air.
He said, "I think between the writers strike, (which) definitely hurt television, the economy going south, and then Wall Street collapsing, the networks are in full retreat mode." Urging fans to take action, he added, "ABC has, I believe, cancelled Eli Stone and Pushing Daisies. And Pushing Daisies has 12 Emmy nominations. Our show is in trouble and if you’re a fan of the show I really encourage you to watch the next couple of weeks and I would say go to ABC.com and click on Dirty Sexy Money.
"There’s a place where you can send an email to the executives at ABC if you want - not boycott and protest, but if you want to support the show and demonstrate your love, I encourage people to do that."

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Hip-hop star PHARRELL WILLIAMS is to become the face of a New York textile firm - after he was inspired to invest in the environment-friendly fabric company.
The N.E.R.D singer/rapper has poured money into Bionic Yarn, a company that only uses environmentally sustainable fabrics.
And Williams is now set to become an ambassador and spokesperson for the brand, which makes clothing from recyclable bottles.
The star will also use the material in his own clothing lines, Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream.
Williams says, "I’m so interested with the technology behind this. I am also very concerned with the environment and want to make a conscious effort to make it better.
"Our goal is to be the go-to fabric supplier. We want to provide quality fabrics that also happen to be sustainable. We want to do everything from high-end luggage, to high-end denim, to university caps and gowns, to Parks Department uniforms. It’s a plus that the fabric brings environmentalism to a whole new level."

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ANNIE HARDY, the lead singer of American rock band GIANT DRAG, has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a chronic muscle disorder.
The rocker first discovered symptoms while on tour with the band, and the condition means Hardy, 27, is in constant pain and fatigue.
She says, "Basically, I’m in dull to gnarly pain all the time, and I’m supposed to be doing physical therapy three times a week but can’t afford it.
But it’s not terminal cancer, so I try not to bitch about it too much".
Hardy is refusing to lie down and give up, and is continuing her bid to raise money for a new EP, a campaign she launched when the band were dropped by their record label earlier in 2008.
She adds, "People get to actually be a part of the making of this album, which wouldn’t happen without them". (IG/WNWC/JMA) WENN - SIXTH - HOLLYWOOD, SHOWBIZ & PEOPLE NEWS - 09 DECEMBER 2008

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Rocker TRAVIS McCOY is furious Grammy bosses overlooked his girlfriend KATY PERRY in the Best New Artist category, in favour of the JONAS BROTHERS.
Perry has been one of the chart sensations of the year thanks to her hit single I Kissed A Girl, which landed her a nod in the Best Female Pop Vocal category.
But Gym Class Heroes star McCoy can’t understand how the Jonas Brothers were considered for the newcomer category, when Perry was overlooked.
He tells PopEater.com, "I think the Best New Artist thing was definitely a fluke and a f**k-up on the Grammy’s behalf.
"We’ve got the Jonas Brothers being nominated for Best New Artist and they’re on their third record. So I’m like, ‘How the f**k does that even make sense?’"

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British rockers COLDPLAY have hit back at claims their single VIVA LA VIDA ripped-off a track by guitarist JOE SATRIANI - insisting any similarity is a coincidence.
Satriani filed a lawsuit at Los Angeles federal court last week (4Dec08), claiming the Yellow hitmakers copied segments from his 2004 instrumental If I Could Fly to use in their 2008 hit track.
He is seeking damages and profits from Viva La Vida, claiming he was devastated when he first heard the song, saying, "I felt like a dagger went right through my heart. It hurt so much. The second I heard it, I knew it was If I Could Fly." But the band has responded dismissing the allegations in a statement issued to TMZ.com.
It reads, "With the greatest possible respect to Joe Satriani, we have now unfortunately found it necessary to respond publicly to his allegations. If there are any similarities between our two pieces of music, they are entirely coincidental, and just as surprising to us as to him. Joe Satriani is a great musician, but he did not write the song Viva La Vida. We respectfully ask him to accept our assurances of this, and wish him well with all future endeavours.
Coldplay."

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Fugitive rapper DMX is back behind bars after U.S. federal officers tracked him down to an island off the coast of Florida.
A bench warrant was issued for the star’s arrest after he missed a court appearance in Arizona on Friday (5Dec08), where he was due to face charges of drug possession, identity theft and animal cruelty.
A $5,000 (£3,425) was offered for his capture, and FBI agents tracked him down to a residence on Palm Island, off Miami Beach, on Tuesday (9Dec08), reports TMZ.com.
DMX - real name Earl Simmons - is currently being held in Miami-Dade County jail.
A bench warrant was also issued on the rapper - who has been arrested numerous times over the past year - in September (08) when he missed a previous appearance at an Arizona court after being hospitalised for symptoms reportedly associated with a stroke. He later appeared for a short hearing.

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KEVIN FEDERLINE feared for his sons’ safety when his ex-wife BRITNEY SPEARS went into meltdown earlier this year (08).
The Toxic hitmaker was hospitalised for psychiatric assessment in January after she reportedly refused to hand over Sean Preston, three, and Jayden James, two, following a supervised visit.
Spears was in the middle of a bitter custody battle with Federline at the time of the incident - and he confesses he was worried about his children when she hit her "lowest points".
He tells Hello! magazine, "Yes, I was a bit concerned. In my heart, I never felt she’d ever do anything wrong to the children. But some of her lowest points were my lowest points too. It has been tough for me to go through all this at the same time." Describing the moment he saw Spears being carried away on a stretcher, Federline adds: "That’s one of my lowest points right there. It was stressful.
But we’re all through it now." And Federline is convinced his and Britney’s problems were made even worse because their marriage was in the public eye.
He says, "It’s tough. It definitely doesn’t make it any easier. But when we were together, we had each other to rely on. And we had lots of moments together that… well, people don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. We had a bit of private life."

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Actress JESSICA BIEL is glad Hollywood film bosses are obsessed with appearances - because she can use her looks to get her "foot in the door" for movie roles.
The former model, who is dating pop star Justin Timberlake, was ranked second in FHM magazine’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World of 2008 poll.
She tells Britain’s GQ magazine, "Your face and your body can get your foot in the door, obviously. And I’m thankful for that." But the actress is sad that looks can only get you so far - and that men are dominating the film industry.
She adds, "But I think it’s almost historical in Hollywood that there just aren’t so many good parts for women as there are for men.
"I think as long as you’re playing the wife or the girlfriend to the lead then you’re always playing second fiddle to the guys."

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TAKE THAT singer MARK OWEN believes ROBBIE WILLIAMS will surprise everyone by turning up unannounced and rejoining the band at one of their gigs.
The five singers have not performed together since Angels hitmaker Williams quit to pursue a solo career in 1995, but rumours have been rife that he is considering rejoining the British boyband.
And Owen hopes his old friend does return - but admits it will happen unexpectedly and on Williams’ terms.
He tells Heat magazine, "With Rob, it would be an unannounced thing. I’ve a feeling that halfway through the show we’d get a message to say that he wanted to come up and sing a song. I doubt it’d ever be a prepared, organised thing.
If he does turn up it’ll be a nice surprise."

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New York City officials have ordered the owners of BOB DYLAN’s former home at the famed Chelsea Hotel to stop their renovations following a flurry of complaints by fans insisting they were destroying the property.
The legend’s devotees bombarded the city’s Buildings Department with complaints last week (beg01Dec08), claiming the hotel’s new owners were ripping apart room 211 - where Dylan once resided - despite only having official permission to renovate its kitchen and bathroom.
The hotel was recently sold by its longterm owners, and critics claim the new proprietors are destroying its history so they can increase rents.
The New York Post reported as fans reacted with fury when one blog showed a picture of the room stripped down and filled with trash.
The Buildings Department investigated the renovation at the time and found no cause for complaint, but has now issued a stop-work order on renovations.
According to the new order, hotel owners were doing work beyond its permit’s scope.
The building has long been a mecca for artists, writers, actors and musicians - housing some of the most important cultural figures of the 20th century, including Dylan Thomas, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Jack Kerouac, and Dennis Hopper.

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KATE HUDSON doesn’t regret getting married young - but is unsure whether she could go through with another union after her first marriage ended in divorce.
Hudson married Black Crows frontman Chris Robinson when she was aged 20 but the couple, who have a son, Ryder, separated in 2007.
The Almost Famous star tells Extra, "I don’t know if I’ll ever get married again. I don’t know… It depends on who you end up with." But despite the split, she has nothing but love for her ex husband: "I don’t regret a second of my marriage… Thank God for Chris. He made me partly who I am… We had a great time. We love each other deeply. We have an amazing son." However, if Hudson did decided to marry again, she knows exactly how to make it work.
She adds, "I’d probably go on a honeymoon because we didn’t get to go on a honeymoon… It was Christmas time and I had to go right to work. That’d be the number one thing."

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Animator OLIVER POSTGATE, the creator of British children’s TV show BAGPUSS, has died at the age of 83.
Postgate was responsible for a string of iconic kids shows from the 1950s to the 1980s; including Ivor the Engine and Noggin the Nog, but he was most famous for The Clangers, a family of pink knitted aliens who spoke in whistles, and Bagpuss, a saggy pink cloth cat.
Postgate, a cousin of actress Angela Lansbury, died at a nursing home in Broadstairs, England on Monday (08Dec08), according to his partner Naomi Linnell.
He is survived by several children from his marriage to ex-wife Prudence Myers.

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