Monday, January 31, 2011

No Team? No Stadium? No Plans? No Problem For Farmers Insurance

Los Angeles-based company AEG, which already owns shares of the Lakers, Kings, and Galaxy, remains undaunted in his quest to bring NFL football back to LA. They're moving forward in their plans to build a stadium in Downtown Los Angeles and they've convinced Farmers Insurance to purchase naming rights for the 68,000 capacity stadium that has yet to be built.

The proposed billion-dollar stadium will be called Farmers Field. Some of the parties involved in the deal were touting it as the largest naming-rights contract ever. Farmers CMO Kevin Kelso called it an exceptional branding play, especially crucial now, with the always-competitive insurance market spending more than ever on media and sports marketing assets.

The announcement in the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center, the site of the proposed stadium. It's not unprecedented for naming rights to be sold before a stadium was completed, though it is unprecedented given that there are assurances there will be a tenant for the stadium once it's ready. The most lucrative naming-rights purchase in history might be a little lackluster if there's no team to play there.

Farmers CEO Kevin Kelso doesn't seem concerned about such trifles.

"The contract addresses a number of contingencies,’’ Kelso said. "The reality is there’s very little likelihood that an NFL team is not going to come into this stadium when it’s built. I am not worried about that."

So if that's the case, now it becomes a question of whether or not the NFL will expand or move another team (Hi Vikings!).

Crazy Wins: Oscar Loves an Insane Character

Why does it take a nervous breakdown to get a girl noticed in Hollywood?

If you want to know why Natalie Portman is a shoo-in for the Oscar, here's one answer. It's not just that she lost 20 pounds for the role, spent nearly a year practicing ballet, and delivered a performance that made us forget she was once the annoying Queen Amidala.

It's because she played a crazy chick. Nina, Portman's overachieving ballerina, reads like a chapter from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

There's the obsessive-compulsive. There's the paranoid. There's the borderline personality and schizophrenia, says Mark Heyman, one of the film's writers. Heyman didn't consult a doctor for any help with the character. He asked his mother. She's a therapist.

"Mad Men" might rule TV, but crazy chicks have conquered the big screen. Not only do actresses win Academy Awards by playing insane -- just ask Kathy Bates ("Misery"), Nicole Kidman ("The Hours"), Angelina Jolie ("Girl, Interrupted"), or Jessica Lange ("Blue Sky") -- but movies featuring women beyond the verge play equally well with female and male audiences.

Women, we're told, like crazy-chick flicks because "they can console themselves, thinking, 'That woman is really attractive, but she's crazy, so I'm better than she is,'" explains Sharon Packer, a New York psychiatrist who is writing about "Black Swan" for a medical journal.

More: 'Like Crazy' takes Sundance grand jury prize

As for male audiences, Packer says, "I think it has to do with the Sir Lancelot feeling. Men might be more attracted to someone who has a degree of helplessness: Being crazy is being helpless."

Or maybe it's just that, as "Black Swan" fan Sean Kearney told us, "I can't think of a crazy girl who isn't hot." Kearney, 26, a videogame designer from Los Angeles, plans to be first in line when "The Roommate" opens Feb. 4. That film features "Gossip Girl" Leighton Meester playing an undergrad who is so delusional, she dyes her hair the same color as her roommate, Sara (Minka Kelly), slips into bed with Sara's boyfriend, and then chases everyone around with a gun.

Actresses say they enjoy playing characters who've gone around the bend because it allows them a chance to stretch.

"It's a lot of fun to act, I've got to say," says Barbara Hershey, who as the "Black Swan" matriarch plays "a mentally ill person taking care of a mentally ill person. It's a family of crazies!"

Erika Christensen, who portrayed a crazy chick in 2002's "Swimfan," says, "What appealed to me about the role was the fact that she was so different from me. She wasn't just someone where I could be playing myself."

For "The Roommate," Meester met with doctors who treated delusion. "It was really challenging," she says. "I tried to remain in the mood as much as possible."

Halle Berry, who has been missing from the screen for a while, recently received a Golden Globe nomination for her stripper with multiple personalities in "Frankie and Alice."

It goes without saying that, in real life, mental illness is a significant medical problem. Almost one in five Americans suffered some form of it in 2009, according to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and 11 million had a serious mental illness.

Nonetheless, very few people seem to get offended when Hollywood uses mental illness as a plot point.

While other Oscar contenders like "The Social Network" and "The King's Speech" have come under fire for questions about historical accuracy, the mental-health community hasn't voiced any qualms about "Black Swan" yet.

"Does it do damage?" asks Packer, the New York psychiatrist. "I think it brings attention to how prevalent eating disorders are or how perfection can drive someone to the brink. The psychiatric disorders do the damage."

The crazy chick has been a theatrical staple since the days of classic Greek drama, when vengeful women like Medea tromped around the stage, murdering their children.

Shakespeare's Ophelia went mad after her boyfriend killed her dad, and then handed out flowers like some proto-hippie before committing suicide. (Kate Winslet reprised the role in Kenneth Branagh's "Hamlet," and Kidman pays homage in "The Hours" when her Virginia Woolf drowns, Ophelia-like.)

The 1940s and '50s gave us the femmes fatales of film noir, with murderous women like Barbara Stanwyck in "Double Indemnity. "

And who could ever forget Faye Dunaway in "Mommie Dearest," her face smothered with cold cream, beating her daughter with a wire hanger?

But the actress who created the modern-day template is Glenn Close. "I'm not going to be ignored, Dan," Close warned Michael Douglas in "Fatal Attraction," before cooking him dinner (rabbit, anyone?). Ever since then, actresses have been going nuts to play women who are off their rocker.

For many actresses, playing crazy is good way to get noticed.

Audiences didn't know who Sissy Spacek was until she was crowned at the prom with pig's blood in "Carrie." Would Sharon Stone be a star if she hadn't wielded an ice pick and forgotten to wear her underwear in "Basic Instinct"? And before playing Winona Ryder's partner in crime in the loony bin in "Girl, Interrupted," Jolie was just Jon Voight's daughter.

Not only do crazy chicks light up the silver screen, they invade our homes. (And, really, how can you describe Snooki without using the words "crazy chick"?)

When Donald Trump invited Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth as a contestant on "The Apprentice" in 2004, she didn't just scheme, she came across as completely bonkers. The performance made her an overnight celebrity: Talk-show appearances and other TV gigs followed.


So did the imitators. There was Heidi Montag from "The Hills," who is so out there, she reconstructed most of her face; Paula Abdul, who slurred her way through eight seasons of "American Idol," and most of the cast of "The Bachelor" and "The Real Housewives" (we're talking about you, Danielle, from New Jersey). For these women, "crazy" is a backhanded compliment, a path on the road to fame.

Two of the most famous examples, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan, wear the label "crazy chick" like a badge of honor, with the paparazzi trailing behind them to chronicle their every meltdown.

But for men, crazy doesn't carry the same cachet. We think of real-life terrors like Jared Lee Loughner or Jeffrey Dahmer.

"Men go crazy all the time in the real world," says Heyman, the "Black Swan" screenwriter.

The majority of insane male characters onscreen are violent sociopaths, explains Dr. Frederick Miller, founder of the Academy for Film and Psychiatry in Chicago, an organization of psychiatrists with an interest in film.

"The most classic character is probably the Joker," he says.

By contrast, mentally ill female characters tend to suffer from other personality disorders, he says, and are "women who desperately need the affection of a mate" (that is, until they stab their mate with a butcher knife).

These females aren't only more sympathetic than their male counterparts; they're a lot steamier. "The aggressive sexuality is part of the draw," says Erika Christensen. In most crazy-chick flicks, the female protagonist doesn't just lose her mind; she loses her clothes.

And sometimes she loses her sexual orientation as well. In "Chloe," Amanda Seyfried stalks Julianne Moore and winds up in her bed. And most of the Internet buzz around "Black Swan" centers on the fantasy scene where Nina and her frenemy, Lily, stage a bedroom ballet.

That's a major reason why 45 percent of "Black Swan"'s audience is male, a fact that surprised even Nancy Utley, president of Fox Searchlight, which released the Darren Aronofsky film.

When asked why men are so attracted to crazy chicks, Mila Kunis, who plays Lily, lets out a laugh.

"I can give you a [B.S.] answer," she says during the phone call. "I actually don't know. I think girls want stability and understanding, but I think..."

She's interrupted by a noise in the background.

"My father is changing a lightbulb. All my lights in my house went off at the same time. Dad, why are men attracted to crazy women?"

She pauses.

"He's thinking." She pauses again. "He won't say it. He censors himself around me. Dad, is it dirty?!"

Martha Stewart in the Kitchen with New Baking Show

The oven is on, Martha Stewart is in the kitchen, and class is in session.

Stewart is adding a new show, one dedicated to teaching the basics of baking, to the growing list of programs her company produces for the Hallmark Channel, the cable network to which she moved her daily show, "The Martha Stewart Show," in the fall.

Stewart's initial ratings after the move were disappointing, but she says they have improved and that she believes viewers looking to learn — rather than simply be entertained — will appreciate the 13-episode "Martha Bakes" series.

The format of the series — Stewart in the kitchen, walking viewers step-by-step through recipes — is at odds with much of the most popular food television today, which favors competitions and other reality-based programs.

"I don't think that I was put here on Earth to sing and dance while I'm cooking," she says. "I'm a good teacher, and I think that this show shows that and really accentuates how important a good recipe is and how exacting a science baking is."

The series will cover 13 basic recipes, such as puffy pastry, cheesecake and yellow cake, as well as ways to transform them into other recipes.

Other Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia series on the channel include "Mad Hungry With Lucinda Scala Quinn" and "Whatever With Alexis & Jennifer." Stewart also will produce a new series for the channel starring Emeril Lagasse.

‘The Game’s’ Tia Mowry Gears Up For First Child

Tia Mowry, star of the successfully revived sitcom “The Game” on BET, is pregnant with her first child, and she says that she’ll be starting a new tradition when she names her baby with husband Cory Hardrict.

Instead of opting for a name that starts with “T,” a tradition used by the Mowry parents who named all their children, including Tia’s twin sister Tamera, with a “T” name, Tia is going for a different letter.

“Actually, we’re looking at ‘C’ [names] – for Cory. That’s my husband,” the former “Sister Sister” star told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Access Hollywood Live on Monday.

Tia doesn’t yet know the sex yet of her unborn child, but she’s had plenty of people offering their opinions.

“Everyone has been saying, ‘Boy! Boy! Boy!’ just by the way I’ve been carrying,” she said. “No one has said a girl. So, I can’t wait to find out who’s inside!”

While motherhood is coming up, right now, Tia is busy filming “The Game,” which premiered to 7.7 million viewers in its recent Season 4 premiere, becoming BET’s biggest debut ever for a scripted series.

The ratings are a real thrill for the star. The CW originally axed the show after three seasons, and Tia credits the fans, who hit the Internet to bring the show back.

“The reason why we are back is because of our fans,” Tia said. “It’s all because of the fans.”

The show, which follows Tia’s character Melanie, who is thrust into a new life as her husband becomes a professional football star, also has help from its executive producer, Kelsey Grammer.

“Kelsey’s been great,” Tia said of their big boss’ support. “He’s showed up on set several times. He’s been a part of the casting process and all that stuff and he’s such a great, cool, laid back guy.”

“The Game” airs on BET on Tuesdays at 10 PM.

ROLL CALL: Prince William & Kate Middleton Heading To Canada?

William & Kate Heading North?: Where will Prince William and Kate Middleton go once they have wed? According to Britain’s The Sun, the royal couple is heading to Canada! The Sun reported that the couple is planning on enjoying a two-week official tour of Canada in July. They will reportedly start on the east coast and end their trip in British Columbia. We can only hope that Prince William and Kate make time to swing by the Access Hollywood offices in Los Angeles too!

Runaway “Real Housewife” Bride?: Speaking of nuptials, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” almost had a bride on the run last night during the season finale. Series star Cynthia Bailey endured a wedding day full of nightmares – including sister Malorie momentarily hiding her marriage certificate – but the supermodel did finally end up getting hitched to restaurateur Peter Thomas. See the drama – including Cynthia’s silver wedding dress – HERE!

Tracy Morgan’s Love For Sarah Palin Continues!: After last week’s TMI comments about former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, “30 Rock’s” Tracy Morgan continued with his proclamations for Miss Mama Grizzly at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday. “Sarah Palin, you’re the hottest MILF in the world! She’s a MILF!” he told E!‘s Giuliana Rancic. OK, Tracy we get it… we hope you’re done with this now, let’s leave the Palin barbs to Tina Fey!

Gov’t Recommends Jail For ‘Survivor’ Champ Hatch

Reality TV star Richard Hatch, who spent more than three years behind bars for tax evasion, should go to jail for violating the conditions of his supervised release, federal prosecutors recommended Monday.

Hatch was convicted in 2006 of failing to pay taxes on the $1 million prize he won on the debut season of “Survivor,” the CBS reality TV show. He was released from prison in 2009 and began serving a three-year term of supervised release.

He was ordered to file amended tax returns for 2000 and 2001 as a condition of his release, which Hatch has failed to do. A judge this month found Hatch in violation of his supervised release but postponed a punishment until he could hear more arguments from both sides.

Hatch, who owes about $1.7 million in back taxes, has said he didn’t refile his taxes because he has an appeal pending with the U.S. Tax Court. His lawyer also is scheduled to submit her sentencing recommendation sometime Monday, and U.S. District Judge William Smith has said he’ll schedule a sentencing after he receives the arguments.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Reich recommended in a sentencing memorandum on Monday that Hatch go to jail and be required to refile his amended returns. He said Hatch has a pattern of lying and defying court orders.

Reich did not recommend the length of a jail sentence, though Hatch has about two years left of supervised release.

“The defendant’s punishment for violating the terms of his supervised release should take into account the fact that the defendant has failed to accept responsibility for his conduct, that he has disregarded the order of the court, and that he has continued to make false representations to the court just as he did during his trial,” Reich wrote.

Hatch became reality TV’s first villain when he bested the “Survivor” competition with a beguiling mix of intelligence and ruthlessness. He was charged in 2005 in Rhode Island, where he lives, with failing to pay taxes on his “Survivor” prize and other income. He was sentenced to 51 months in prison, with a judge giving him extra time for lying on the stand.

Hatch, who is openly gay, has since complained that he was unfairly prosecuted in part because of his sexuality — a charge prosecutors say is absurd.

Hatch is currently a participant on-air in this season of NBC and Donald Trump’s reality show, “The Celebrity Apprentice,” which has completed filming.

Justin Timberlake Turns 30, Talks Mark Zuckerberg’s ‘SNL’ Cameo

Justin Timberlake turns 30 on Monday, but don’t expect a blow out bash from the singing and acting superstar.

“I’ll keep it mellow,” “The Social Network” star told Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson on the red carpet at The 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday.

Justin will indeed have to take it easy, as a new film he’s been working recently took a real toll on his physique.

“I have a pinched nerve in my neck and I just tore my calf recently doing this movie,” Justin said. “I feel like I’m getting all these signs from the [cosmos], like, ‘Hey, man. You’re getting old!’

“But I’m excited about my 30’s,” he continued. “I’m very excited about them.”

While Justin won’t be partying, he will be having some kind of adventure on Monday.

“I’ll be working,” he laughed.

Justin also plans to fit in some time to catch up on some TV – in particular, “Saturday Night Live,” which was hosted over the weekend by his “Social Network” co-star Jesse Eisenberg.

Justin said that so far, he has only seen Jesse’s monologue, which featured a cameo from “The Social Network’s” real-life icon – Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The “SNL”-hosting vet told Shaun he liked what he’s seen thus far.

“I was in Tennessee [Saturday] night. I literally got off the plane just a couple hours ago from Tennessee. I saw the monologue and I’m going to go back and watch the rest of it online, but the monologue is real funny,” Justin said. “I can’t believe that Mark Zuckerberg came to the show. That was really cool of him.”

Matthew Morrison Talks Elton John & Gwyneth Paltrow

Matthew Morrison performed his very first solo concert at The Grove in Los Angeles over the weekend and Access Hollywood caught up with the “Glee” star after he thrilled the crowd.

“It was awesome!” the actor told Access about taking the stage for the first time. “I love performing in front a live audience and getting them hyped… it’s something I’ll never forget!”

The 32-year-old’s as-yet-untitled debut solo album, which drops in May, will feature a duet with Elton John, who the actor previously knew through his involvement in the singer’s AIDS charity.

“I just asked him,” Matthew said about landing the music legend on his album. “I asked him, ‘Do you want to do a duet with me?’ He was like, ‘I would love to!’ We went into the studio one day and knocked it out.”

The curly haired cutie also dished on Gwyneth Paltrow’s upcoming return to “Glee” as substitute teacher Holly Holiday.

“She’s playing a sex ed teacher,” the actor said with a grin. “We’re looking forward to it.”

As for any possible romance between Holly and Will’s Mr. Schuester, the actor said fans will have to tune in to find out.

“Maybe, possibly,” he coyly added.

For more on Matthew’s new album and to see his live performance.

Justin Bieber On How He Stays A Kid & His New ‘Do

Justin Bieber will make his big screen debut in “Never Say Never” on February 11, a documentary charting his rise to superstardom, but sometimes he misses just being a kid.

“I miss being able to just like, go home and just relax and be with my family, and not do anything for a while, but I love what I do,” Justin told a fan who was selected to ask a question during an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show on Monday. “I love putting smiles on people’s faces.”

In order to keep his feet on the ground, Justin told “Today’s” Matt Lauer, who interviewed the teen sensation, that he schedules his breaks.

“I make sure I have at least one day off a week. I tell them like I need at least one day of downtime to just either rest or hang out with my friends or do something for me because the rest of the week is all jam packed,” he said. “I have to have at least one day.”

While he loves touring, The Biebs said he wishes he could spend more time with his siblings.

“I have a 2-year-old sister and a 1-year old-brother. It’s hard being away from them as well,” he said.

The “Baby” singer said he’s excited about his movie coming out, as it will give people a chance to see what life has been like for the Canadian singer.

”[It shows] what I’ve been going through the past two years and how much it really takes out of you. And it’s just… been so much fun being able to live my dreams. It’s just been amazing,” he said.

Promoting his movie took him back to the “Today” show, but Matt noticed that since he last saw the teen sensation, his voice has changed.

“I mean, my voice is definitely changing gradually,” Justin told Matt. “It’s definitely lower than it was last time I was with you, right?”

In order to keep his pipes golden, Justin said he has a great team around him to help protect his instrument.

“I think that everybody’s voice changes and it’s just how you go through it,” he said. “I have a great vocal coach that’s helping me.”

Not only has Justin’s voice changed in recent months, but so has his hairstyle.

“I’m just messing it up a lot,” Justin said of his new look. “Before, usually I had it like flat… I’m just messing it up now.”

“Messing it up” though won’t mean a close crop.

“No, I’m not shaving it,” Biebs replied when Matt asked if he’d try an even shorter ‘do.

Casting Call: Bardem Joins Bond To Join Bond?

Has Bond found its new baddie in Javier Bardem? With the end of “Entourage” near, Mark Wahlberg finds a new “Game” to play. Plus, who is the first star moving to the “Dallas” TNT reboot?

It’s all in the latest edition of the AccessHollywood.com Casting Call…

Javier Bardem is on a roll.

Earlier this month, the actor received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his role in the Spanish film, “Biutiful.” Then, he and Penelope Cruz welcomed their first child together. Now, the actor has reportedly been offered a major part in the upcoming 23rd James Bond movie!

According to Deadline, while details of the role haven’t been revealed, it’s assumed the part would likely be the villain opposite Daniel Craig, who will return to reprise his role as super smooth super spy 007.

As previously reported earlier this month on AccessHollywood.com, the 23rd installment in the iconic film franchise was finally green lit after much speculation if it would ever see the light of day.

The as-of-yet untitled film, directed by Sam Mendes, is due to hit theaters on November 9, 2012.

*****

Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand’s family road trip is finally ready to roll.

The duo’s long-talked about comedy, “My Mother’s Curse,” has finally been given the green light by Paramount, per The Hollywood Reporter.

The film, which has been in the works for several years, focuses on an inventor (Rogen) who invites his mom (Streisand) on a cross-country road trip to hawk his newest gadget, all the while searching for his mom’s long lost love.

The project keeps Streisand’s comic turn going, following her work in back-to-back Focker films – 2004’s “Meet the Fockers” and 2010’s “Little Fockers,” respectively.

Funnyman Rogen currently stars as crime fighter Britt Reid in “The Green Hornet.”

*****

With “Entourage” nearing the end of its run on HBO, Mark Wahlberg has come up with a new TV “Game” plan.

Wahlberg, who executive produces the long-running HBO series, has developed a new sitcom pilot called “Home Game,” based on the story of real-life former NFL star Mark Schlereth.

Schlereth won three Super Bowls during his time with the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos during the 1990s, before retiring from the game to be home with his wife and daughters. Schlereth currently works as an NFL analyst for ESPN.

CBS has picked up the pilot, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, the upcoming eighth season of “Entourage” will be the show’s last. However, there has been discussion of bringing Vince (Adrien Grenier) and the boys to the big screen for an “Entourage” movie.

Wahlberg is also an executive producer of HBO’s recent Golden Globe and SAG Award Best Drama winning series “Boardwalk Empire.”

*****

Jordana Brewster better dust off her 10-gallon hat and her cowboy boots – she’s moving to “Dallas.”

The brunette bombshell has been tapped as the first new cast member for the upcoming TNT reboot for the popular ‘80s soap series, according to Deadline.

The reboot will focus on the kids of feuding brothers J.R. and Bobby Ewing, who constantly clash over the Ewing family fortune.

Brewster will play Elena, the daughter of the Ewing family ranch’s cook, who finds herself in love triangle with J.R. and Bobby’s sons.

Original series stars Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray will reprise their roles as Bobby and Sue Ellen Ewing, while Larry Hagman has been in talks to come back as J.R., although no deal is yet in place for his return.

No airdate has been announced yet for the pilot’s premiere.

Kings Of Leon Postpone Dates

Rock band Kings of Leon has been forced to postpone several international tour dates because their drummer is injured

A news release from the band says Nathan Followill’s surgery for a torn right bicep and labrum will force postponements of tours in South Africa and Australia until October and November.

The band will still play a few scheduled dates, including an appearance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 15.

Spokesman Ken Weinstein says Followill hurt himself while working out. The surgery will require several months of rehabilitation, but Followill is expected to play all shows with the band this spring, starting with Coachella and including European dates in May, June and July.

Kings of Leon, made up of Followill, his brothers Caleb and Jared, and cousin Matthew, is up for two Grammy Awards on Feb. 13.

Gwyneth Paltrow On GOOP Criticisms: ‘People Are So Mean To Me!’

Gwyneth Paltrow is known for her acting, and her advice-offering website GOOP, but criticism over the Internet hotspot, nearly caused her to erase it from cyberspace.

“Any time you do anything with any degree of sincerity, people make fun of you. That’s totally fine. I don’t care. I don’t read any of it. My thing with GOOP has always been, if you don’t like it, then don’t log onto it,” Gwyneth told the March issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK, according to excerpts obtained by the Huffington Post. “There were a couple of times when I thought, ‘I’m just gonna stop doing it. People are so mean to me. I don’t want to do it.’ But then I was like, ‘Who cares what some lame person out there says?’ I was in Italy once, and this old man came up to me and said, ‘I had the best time in Nashville because of GOOP.’ And that is so worth it to me.”

While the web can be full of mean-spirited chatter, Gwyneth said she feels at home in jolly old England, where she lives with husband Chris Martin of Coldplay, and their two children, Apple and Moses.

“In England, people are cool. They’re really laid back and calm,” the actress said. “Beyonce did the school run with me once, and everyone was fine. They also have really good anti-paparazzi rules. If you’re driving in a car and they make you feel freaked out, that’s against the law. They can’t put you in a magazine unless they pixelate the kids’ faces. I miss America, but I love living in the UK.”

While Gwyneth recently proved she’s more than an acting titan, testing her singing pipes in her movie “Country Strong” and on “Glee,” she has big praise for the triple threat that is Beyonce.

“Beyonce is the most talented human being on the planet,” Gwyneth said. “She has so much mastery over what she does. It’s not even confidence — it’s on a whole other level. It’s mind-blowing. I watched her [perform] a lot to see how she did it, and I was like ‘Sh**! I can’t do that!’”

Incendies (2011) New Movie Trailer: Latest & Upcoming Movies

Plot:

When notary Lebel (Remy Girard) sits down with Jeanne and Simon Marwan (Melissa Desormeaux Poulin, Maxim Gaudette) to read them their mother Nawal's will (Lubna Azabal), the twins are stunned to receive a pair of envelopes - one for the father they thought was dead and another for a brother they didn't know existed. In this enigmatic inheritance, Jeanne sees the key to Nawal's retreat into unexplained silence during the final weeks of her life. She immediately decides to go to the Middle East to dig into a family history of which she knows next to nothing. Simon is unmoved by their mother's posthumous mind games. However, the love he has for his sister is strong, and he soon joins her in combing their ancestral homeland in search of a Nawal who is very different from the mother they knew. With Lebel's help, the twins piece together the story of the woman who brought them into the world, discovering a tragic fate as well as the courage of an exceptional woman. An adaptation of Wajdi Mouawad's hit play, "Incendies" is a deeply moving story that brings the extremism and violence of today's world to a starkly personal level, delivering a powerful and poetic testament to the uncanny power of the will to survive.


Movie Name Incendies (2011)
Director Denis Villeneuve
Writer Denis Villeneuve

Valerie Beaugrand-Champagne
Producer
Release Date April 22, 2011
Starring Lubna Azabal

Melissa Desormeaux-Poulin

Maxim Gaudetted

Genre Drama
Studio Sony Pictures Classics
Distributedby
MPAA Rating
Trailer:




Elektra Luxx (2011) New Movie Trailer: Latest & Upcoming Movies

Plot:

Pregnant porn star Elektra Luxx is trying to make a living teaching sex classes to housewives. But her life is thrown into disarray when a flight attendant with ties to Elektra’s past approaches her for a favor. Chaos ensues as fiancees, private investigators, a twin sister and even the Virgin Mary force her to face up to an unexpected series of decisions and revelations.

Elektra Luxx (2011) New Movie Trailer: Latest & Upcoming Movies
Movie Name Elektra Luxx (2011)
Director Sebastian Gutierrez
Writer Sebastian Gutierrez
Producer Sebastian Gutierrez
Release Date March 11, 2011
Starring Carla Gugino

Tim Olyphant

Alicia Silverstone

Justin Kirk

Genre Drama
Studio Gato Negro Films
Distributedby Myriad Pictures
MPAA Rating
Trailer:





Even the Rain (2011) New Movie Trailer: Latest & Upcoming Movies

Plot:

The film "Tambien la Lluvia (Even the Rain)," directed by Iciar Bollain and written by Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty, is about, in the director's words, [resistance and friendship. It's a personal journey -- an adventure undertaken by characters which brings the past into the present.] The story intertwines Columbus' arrival in the Americas with the making of a film; it mixes the Spanish crown's exploitation of gold in the 16th century with the fight for water in Cochabamba in the year 2000. The film takes us from the fiction of a period film to the reality of a film set in a small Bolivian city. And from that reality to another which is deeper and more dramatic, that faced by people with practically no rights, prohibited by law from collecting even the rain. But "Tambien la Lluvia (Even the Rain)" does much more than compare historic events. It transcends the detail and delves into something much deeper and more universal. Deep down it's a story about loyalty, camaraderie, and empathy.

Elektra Luxx (2011) New Movie Trailer: Latest & Upcoming Movies

Movie Name Even the Rain (2011)
Director Iciar Bollain
Writer Paul Laverty
Producer
Release Date February 18, 2011
Starring Luis Tosar

Gael Garcia Bernal

Juan Carlos Aduviri
Genre Drama
Studio
Distributedby
MPAA Rating
Trailer:





Peep World (2011) New Movie Trailer: Latest & Upcoming Movies

Plot:

On the day of their father's 70th birthday party, four siblings (Michael C. Hall, Sarah Silverman, Rainn Wilson, and Ben Schwartz) come to terms with the publication of a novel written by the youngest sibling that exposes the family's most intimate secrets.

Soul Surfer (2011) New Movie Trailer 2: Latest & Upcoming Movies

Movie Name Peep World (2011)
Director Barry Blaustein
Writer Peter Himmelstein
Producer Keith Calder

Paul O. Davis

Paul O. Davis

Joe Neurauter
Release Date March 25, 2011
Starring Michael C. Hall

Sarah Silverman

Rainn Wilson

Ben Schwartz

Judy Greer

Kate Mara

Taraji Henson

Lesley Ann Warren

Ron Rifkin
Genre Comedy
Studio Occupant Films
Distributedby IFC Films

Madman Entertainment
MPAA Rating
Trailer:




Soul Surfer (2011) New Movie Trailer 2: Latest & Upcoming Movies

Plot:

"Soul Surfer" is the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again, through her sheer determination and unwavering faith.

In the wake of this life-changing event that took her arm and nearly her life, Bethany's feisty determination and steadfast beliefs spur her toward an adventurous comeback that gives her the grit to turn her loss into a gift for others.

Soul Surfer (2011) New Movie Trailer 2: Latest & Upcoming Movies


Movie Name Soul Surfer (2011)
Director Sean McNamara
Writer Sean McNamara

Michael Berk

Douglas Schwartz

Deborah Bonann Schwartz
Producer
Release Date April 8, 2011
Starring Dennis Quaid

Helen Hunt

AnnaSophia Robb

Carrie Underwood

Lorraine Nicholson

Kevin Sorbo

Jeremy Sumpter
Genre Biography, Drama
Studio TriStar Pictures (Sony)
Distributedby
MPAA Rating
Trailer:




I Am Number Four (2011) New Movie Trailer 3: Latest & Upcoming Movies

Plot:

Nine infant aliens, who closely resemble humans, flee their home planet, Lorien, to hide on Earth. An invading species, the Mogadorians, have destroyed their planet, and follow them to Earth to hunt them down. Each of the nine aliens is given a guardian and will develop superhuman powers as they become adults. They are each assigned a number. These last children of Lorien can only be killed in the sequence of their numbers. In the trailer, it is revealed that Numbers One, Two, and Three have been killed so far.

Number Four (Alex Pettyfer), also named John Smith, moves to Paradise, Ohio, disguised as an American high school student. He makes a friend, Sarah Harte (Dianna Agron), a sweet Midwestern girl who is a photographer. After being on the run his whole life, Number Four falls in love and now has something to stand up and fight for.

I Am Number Four (2011) New Movie Trailer 3: Latest & Upcoming Movies
Movie Name I Am Number Four (2011)
Director D. J. Caruso
Writer Alfred Gough

Miles Millar
Producer Michael Bay

Steven Spielberg

Chris Bender

J.C. Spink

David Valdes
Release Date February 18, 2011
Starring Alex Pettyfer

Timothy Olyphant

Dianna Agron

Kevin Durand

Teresa Palmer

Callan McAuliffe
Genre Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Studio
Distributedby DreamWorks Pictures(through Touchstone Pictures)
MPAA Rating
Trailer:


The Eagle (2011) New Movie Trailer 2: Latest & Upcoming Movies

The Eagle is an upcoming film adaptation of the 1954 historical adventure The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. Directed by Kevin Macdonald from a script by Jeremy Brock, the film is set in the second century AD and tells of a young Roman officer's search to discover the truth about the disappearance of his father's legion in the north of Britain. The story is based on the legend of the Ninth Legion.

The Eagle (2011) New Movie Trailer 2: Latest & Upcoming Movies


Movie Name The Eagle (2011)
Director Kevin Macdonald
Writer Jeremy Brock
Producer Duncan Kenworthy
Release Date February 11, 2011
Starring Channing Tatum

Jamie Bell

Donald Sutherland

Mark Strong
Genre Adventure
Studio Toledo Productions
Distributedby Focus Features
MPAA Rating PG-13 (for battle sequences and some disturbing images)
Trailer:





Rio (2011) New Movie Trailer 3: Latest & Upcoming Movies

Plot:

Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) is a rare species of macaw resident at a bookstore in Minnesota, who believes he is the last of his kind. When he learns that another macaw was spotted in South America, and that the macaw, Jewel (Anne Hathaway), is female, he leaves Minnesota and travels to Rio de Janeiro to meet her. While there, he learns to confront his fear of flying in order to win her heart.

Rio (2011) New Movie Trailer 3: Latest & Upcoming Movies


Movie Name Rio (2011)
Director Carlos Saldanha
Writer Don Rhymer
Producer Chris Jenkins

Bruce Anderson
Release Date April 8, 2011
Starring Jesse Eisenberg

Anne Hathaway

George Lopez

Jake T. Austin

Jamie Foxx

Rodrigo Santoro

Tracy Morgan

Will.i.am

Jane Lynch

Leslie Mann

Neil Patrick Harris

Robin Thicke
Genre Animation, Comedy
Studio Blue Sky Studios
Distributedby 20th Century Fox
MPAA Rating
Trailer:




Cold Weather (2011) New Movie Trailer: Latest & Upcoming Movies

Plot:

After abandoning a promising academic career in forensic science, a self-styled Sherlock Holmes, Doug (Cris Lankenau), returns to Portland to live with his more responsible big sister Gail (Trieste Kelly Dunn). He lands a dead-end job working in an ice factory, but soon finds an opportunity to use his passion and skill in detective work when his ex-girlfriend, Rachel (Robyn Rikoon) goes missing. Enlisting a team of ramshackle slacker-sleuths, Doug leads his team down a complex trail of clues and increasingly close to the discovering the mysterious truth about Rachel.

"Cold Weather" is a charming mystery -- simultaneously a rich detective story and an affecting tale of siblings uniting after years apart. With it's own idiosyncratic spin on familiar genre conventions, the film features the lyrical style, lush camera work and naturalistic performances that have established director Aaron Katz ("Dance Party USA," "Quiet City") as a major talent to watch.

Cold Weather (2011) New Movie Trailer: Latest & Upcoming Movies


Movie Name Cold Weather (2011)
Director Aaron Katz
Writer Aaron Katz
Producer Brendan McFadden

Ben Stambler

Jay Van Hoy

Lars Knudsen
Release Date February 4, 2011
Starring Chris Lankenau

Raúl Castillo

Trieste Kelly Dunn

Barry Seltzer
Genre Comedy, Mystery
Studio
Distributedby IFC Films
MPAA Rating
Trailer:




Hall Pass (2011) New Movie Trailer 2: Latest & Upcoming Movies

Plot:

A married man is granted the opportunity to have an affair by his wife. Joined in the fun by his best pal, things get a little out of control when both wives start engaging in extramarital activities as well.

Hall Pass (2011)




Movie Name Hall Pass (2011)
Director Bobby & Peter Farrelly
Writer Bobby & Peter Farrelly

Kevin Barnett
Producer Charles B. Wessler

Bradley Thomas

Benjamin Waisbren
Release Date February 25, 2011
Starring Alexandra Daddario

Owen Wilson

Alyssa Milano

Jason Sudeikis

Jenna Fischer

Joy Behar
Genre Comedy
Studio Virtual Studios
Distributedby New Line Cinema
Warner Bros.
MPAA Rating
Trailer:




The Palace Guards (2011): Album by David Lowery – Track List (MP3 Songs)

David Lowery's album "The Palace Guards" is released on February 1, 2011 via 429 Records.

Track List of "The Palace Guards" - Album by David Lowery :

1. Raise 'Em Up On Honey
2. The Palace Guards
3. Deep Oblivion
4. Ah You Left Me
5. Baby, All Those Girls Meant Nothing To Me
6. I Sold The Arabs The Moon
7. Marigold
8. Big Life 9. Submarine

Also a Digital Booklet for the album "The Palace Guards".

Subvert the Dominant Paradigm (2009): Album by Noisear– Track List (MP3 Songs)

Noisear's album "Subvert the Dominant Paradigm" was released on November 17, 2009 via Relapse Records.

Track List of "Subvert the Dominant Paradigm" - Album by Noisear:

1. Breaking Bad at the Mulberry
2. Waiting to Be Born
3. Gestapolis
4. Inevitable Extinction
5. Global Warning
6. Fraudulent
7. Information Highway to Hell
8. Stress Pandemic
9. Inoperative
10. Deformed By Society
11. The Rail 1:18
12. The Alternative Is...
13. Blackout
14. Slave 0:40
15. Ace Is the King
16. The Last Spark of Resistance
17. Life Consumed You
18. Ignorance is Bliss
19. Minefield
20. Fighting Addiction
21. Borealis Storm
22. Poisonous Cure
23. Four Walls
24. The Perpetual Downfall of Man
25. Translucent
26. Almas Por El Infierno
27. Silent Guilt of The Reaper
28. Contaminant of the Earth
29. The Blackened Sea
30. Noisearuption

Also a Digital Booklet for the album "Subvert the Dominant Paradigm".

Dear Puppeteer (2011): Album by Nathan Moore– Track List (MP3 Songs)

Nathan Moore's album "Dear Puppeteer" is released on February 1, 2011 via The Royal Potato Family Records.

Track List of "Dear Puppeteer" - Album by Nathan Moore:

1. Like a Cartoon
2. Safe to Say
3. Dear Puppeteer
4. In the Basement
5. A Little Crazy
6. I'm the Same
7. The Garden
8. Hollow
9. Can't Fly to Heaven
10. When My Time Comes
11. Train of Thoughts
12. Choose Thy Love
13. I'm Good Company

Also a Digital Booklet for the album "Dear Puppeteer".

A Night in Monte Carlo (2010): Album by Marcus Miller– Track List (MP3 Songs)

Marcus Miller's album "A Night in Monte Carlo" was released on September 21, 2010 via Concord Jazz Records.

Track List of "A Night in Monte Carlo" - Album by Marcus Miller:

1. Blast!
2. So What
3. State Of Mind
4. I Loves You Porgy
5. Amandla
6. I'm Glad There Is You
7. Medley: O Mio Babbino Caro / Mas Que Nada
8. Your Amazing Grace
9. Strange Fruit

Also a Digital Booklet for the album "A Night in Monte Carlo".

Bodiless (2011): Album by Twitch The Ripper– Track List (MP3 Songs)

Twitch The Ripper's album "Bodiless" is released on February 1, 2011 via Twitch The Ripper Records.

Track List of "Bodiless" - Album by Twitch The Ripper:

1. Disconnected
2. Bodiless
3. Bright Is Impossible
4. Never Got You Anywhere
5. Keep Me Cold
6. Body Blue
7. Eternity
8. Nurse Price
9. A Place For Polaris

Also a Digital Booklet for the album "Bodiless".

Talk About Body (2011): Album by Men– Track List (MP3 Songs)

Men's album "Talk About Body" is released on February 1, 2011 via IAmSound Records.

Track List of "Talk About Body" - Album by Men:

1. Life's Half Price
2. Off Our Backs
3. Credit Card Babie$
4. Boom Boom Boom
5. Take Your Shirt Off
6. Who Am I to Feel So Free
7. Make It Reverse
8. Simultaneously
9. If You Want Something
10. Rip Off
11. My Family
12. Be Like This

Also a Digital Booklet for the album "Talk About Body".

Charlie Sheen -- Rehab for Three Months

Charlie Sheen will be in rehab for the next three months, derailing the next eight episodes of "Two and a Half Men" ... and possibly leaving the show's crew SOL.

Sources connected with the show tell TMZ the crew is grumbling ... worried they will be the financial casualties of Charlie's problem. There are 300 people associated with the show, many of whom are nervous about not getting a paycheck.

Sources say when production was halted last February while Charlie was in rehab, the crew was "partially compensated."

We're told the studio hasn't decided what to do this time around -- whether the staff will be fully or partially compensated. A decision is expected soon.

Eva Longoria, Tony Parker Divorced in TX

Tony Parker's lawyer slipped into a Texas courthouse Friday with legal papers that officially ended Tony's marriage to Eva Longoria ... TMZ has learned.

And we've learned ... Eva's lawyer quietly filed papers Friday to dismiss the divorce petition she filed in L.A. County Superior Court.

Sources familiar with the case tell TMZ both sides agreed that Texas was the proper place for the divorce because that's where the prenup was signed.

TMZ broke the story about the dueling divorce petitions, but ultimately there was no conflict.

We're told all issues connected with the divorce have been resolved and it was done in a very amicable way.

Piven -- No One Wants 'Rapist-Berger' in Super Bowl

Jeremy Piven thinks this year's Super Bowl is gonna suck -- because no one wants to see a game between Ben "Rapist-berger and the Cheese Heads."

Piven was hanging out at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah last week when he started talking sports ... voicing his distaste for a "cheesy rape-berger" match up between Ben Roethlisberger's Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers.

For the record, Big Ben's been accused of rape twice -- but charges were never brought against him in either case.

Thanks to dylan.tv for the heads up.

'Sister Wives' New Home -- A Neighborhood Divided

Kody Brown and his "Sister Wives" might need to invest in some good fences -- because a few of their new neighbors aren't happy the polygamist reality show stars have moved into their hood.

As TMZ first reported, Brown and his fam recently relocated to Las Vegas so they could explore new job opportunities. TMZ spoke with several of the new neighbors and while some sound tolerant of the Brown clan ("It's a quiet neighborhood, and as long as it stays drama free, then we're fine") others want nothing to do with them.

One neighbor told us, "I don't want my family surrounded by polygamists."

Another was upset because now her young children are asking her about polygamy -- and now she plans on moving. She told us, "I am not tolerating the polygamists or their TV show in my neighborhood."

Natalie Portman and Jane Krakowski Proudly Show Baby Bumps at SAG Red Carpet

Natalie Portman and '30 Rock's Jane Krakowski proudly showed off their growing baby bumps on the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards last night in Los Angeles.

According to PEOPLE, Portman, 29, wore a form-fitting white Azzaro gown with sequined detail and Roger Vivier black satin clutch. She also had on $2 million worth of Jewellery from Tiffany & Co. and giggled while she said, "I don't want to advertise that!"

Harpers Bazaar reports that Krakowski ,42, wore a one-shoulder Badgley Mischka dress with floral sequin appliqués and showed off her lovely legs in the short dress.

Krakowski was on the red carpet with her fiancé Robert Godley, and according to UsMagazine.com she told that her pregnancy cravings were pretty tame, "I haven't really had bizerko ones. I like to drink a lot of juice. Only good things for the baby."

Portman was one of the night's big winners as she won the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role award for her performance in 'Black Swan'.

While co-star Alec Baldwin picked up the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Award, Krakowski and the rest of the '30 Rock' cast lost the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series award to the cast of 'Modern Family'.

The Daily Mail reports that Portman is due to give birth to her baby in the summer and Krakowski is set to give birth at the end of April.

Parker's `The Border Lords' both violent, bleak

"The Border Lords" (Dutton, $26.95), by T. Jefferson Parker: T. Jefferson Parker is justly renowned for creating some of crime fiction's most unconventional characters, but in "The Border Lords," he may have taken things a bit too far.

In the past, he has given us characters like Allison Murrieta, an outrageous lady outlaw descended from a famous early California bandito, and Robbie Brownlaw, a homicide detective suffering from a rare neurological disorder that makes him "see" voices as colors.

But in "The Border Lords," Parker introduces Joe Leftwich, a Roman Catholic priest who exposes two characters to a deadly disease for reasons that are never made clear.

Parker also brings back Mike Finnegan, who first made his appearance in "Iron River" (2010), and who once again seems to know things he could not possibly know. But this time, Finnegan flatly claims that he is a vampire who's been undead for thousands of years.

Whether Finnegan is merely meant to symbolize evil or if his claim is supposed to be taken seriously remains unclear. Parker offers the reader no guidance on the matter. Meanwhile, the otherwise intelligent characters sickened by Leftwich inexplicably fail to recognize their raging symptoms as an illness. And both Finnegan and Leftwich figure in a plot twist that the reader will see coming from 200 pages.

"The Border Lords" is Parker's fourth novel in what until now has been a brilliant series featuring Charlie Hood, a Los Angeles lawman assigned to help the AFT stem the flow of illegal American firearms to Mexican drug cartels. Two more books are planned for the series.

The book, as with most of the others in the series, is both violent and bleak. And as always with a Parker novel, the landscape is evocatively portrayed, and the exceptional prose swings from hard-boiled to lyrical.

Bruce DeSilva, an Edgar Award nominee for best first mystery novel, is the author of "Rogue Island."

Ernest Borgnine Accepts SAG Lifetime Achievement

What do you wanna do tonight, Ernie?

To accept the Screen Actors Guild award for lifetime achievement was perhaps far more glamorous than Ernest Borgnine's most famous character — the humble butcher Marty Piletti — could have possibly dreamed.

And for the 94-year-old Borgnine, it was a moving moment when he took the stage to a standing ovation at Sunday night's SAG Awards.

In a still-continuing career that included such movies as "From Here to Eternity," "The Wild Bunch," "McHale's Navy" and so many more, Borgnine rarely failed to put a charge of humility into his work.

How fitting it was that the actor who personified humility in his Oscar-winning performance in 1955's "Marty" would take the opportunity of the lifetime achievement award to remind his colleagues of that quality.

"There are millions of those in the world who would love to be in our shoes," said Borgnine. "We are a privileged few who have been chosen to work in this field of entertainment."

He added: "I hope we will never let our dedication to our craft fail."

His words washed touchily over the crowd.

Borgnine, a World War II veteran, is still acting. He provides the voice of Mermaid Man in the Nickelodeon cartoon "SpongeBob SquarePants" and he made a cameo in last year's action film "Red."

"Comedy is just part of this man's wonderful career," said his "McHale's Navy" co-star, Tim Conway, who introduced him Sunday.

Morgan Freeman, who appeared with him in "Red," presented a misty-eyed Borgnine the award, pronouncing the old adage: "Life is what you make of it."

Alec Baldwin Planning to Run for 'Big Office'

Alec Baldwin revealed to ET's Nancy O'Dell at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards that he plans to go from playing a TV network executive on "30 Rock" to being a real-life politician.

When asked if he'd be running for office, the SAG award winner disclosed, "I would like to but that's in the distant future because I have to finish what I'm doing now. ... This is what I'm doing for the next couple years and that's something that requires your undivided attention."

As for what office he'd run for, the New York resident joked, saying he would be running for a "big office" with "a lot of people working for me." He also joked that none of the women working for him would be wearing wedding rings.

"We'll see what things are like in a couple years from now when I'm ready to do that," Alec told Nancy, adding that he's pleased with the current New York governor Andrew Cuomo.

Heat at Full Throttle to End Thunder Home Streak

Miami finally had its Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh reunited, and Oklahoma City's top trio was at its best, too.

Yet none of those stars came away with the biggest shot of the game.

Eddie House hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 22.2 seconds left, then added two free throws to seal the Miami Heat's 108-103 victory in a Sunday showcase in which their All-Star triumvirate played together for the first time in nearly three weeks.

"Any time Eddie raises and shoots, you think it's going in," Wade said. "He's one of those guys that look for the moment."

Wade scored 32 points, James added 23 points and 13 rebounds and Bosh had 20 points -- and coach Erik Spoelstra pulled the right string by putting House into the lineup during a timeout after Kevin Durant's jumper had put the Thunder up 103-102 with 34.3 seconds left.

Wade missed a jumper from the left wing, Mike Miller snagged the rebound and kicked it out to James, who passed it over to House for a 3 on the right sideline that made it 105-103.



"He's a unique player because he's ready and ignitable without rhythm minutes. Not many players in this league, you can do that," Spoelstra said. "You throw him in, he hasn't played, if he's been sitting for a while, he feels like he's hot."

Durant scored 33 points but missed a contested jumper along the left baseline with 15 seconds left that would've put the Thunder back on top. Jeff Green had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Russell Westbrook added 21 points and 10 assists as Oklahoma City's top three scorers all reached 20 points for just the third time this season.

It still wasn't enough to match a similar performance from Miami's Big 3, who all eclipsed 20 points in the same game for the 11th time. The Heat are 9-2 when that happens.

"I don't look at it as the 'big three.' They may look at it like that over there, but over here we're a whole group," Durant said.

After House's go-ahead 3, James contested Durant's attempt to tie it at the other end and Nick Collison swatted the rebound toward midcourt. Wade tracked it down and got fouled, hit his first free throw before missing the second, and that rebound was initially awarded to the Thunder after it went out of bounds under the basket with 6.9 seconds left.

James walked back to the huddle saying confidently, "It's our ball" -- and a replay proved him right. The ball deflected off Collison, and House hit two free throws to close it out.

"We don't take moral victories here. We wanted to win that game," Durant said. "We had the game won and we just didn't. Moral victories have been out the door for two years now."

Bosh had been sidelined four games with a sprained left ankle and Wade had missed two of those game due to migraine headaches and a wrist injury. Before that, James missed two games, also with a sprained left ankle. It had been since Jan. 12 since all three played together.

"It felt good to have guys back. It threw us off a little bit early. We hadn't played with each other for a while. But with Chris coming back early, to try to gut it out and go tonight, we needed just to get wins," Wade said. "Hopefully, we can build on it."

The Heat had been scuffling, losing five of six before beating Detroit by a point Friday night on James Jones' disputed block of Austin Daye's dunk at the buzzer. Oklahoma City, meeanwhile, had lost three of four and then needed overtime to beat Minnesota and Washington -- both in last place -- in their last two games.

Wade staked the Heat to their largest lead by spinning away from Westbrook for a jumper along the left baseline that made it 98-90 with 5:51 to play and finished a 13-2 run.

But Wade was still upset after Serge Ibaka blocked his layup attempt on Miami's next possession and drew a technical foul after Green got a fast-break layup at the other end that would start a 13-4 comeback for Oklahoma City.

Westbrook and Durant each hit a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to one, and the Thunder got a chance to go ahead after Bosh's missed jumper on a failed attempt to draw a foul against Durant -- with the same rip move Durant uses frequently to catch opponents reaching in against him.

Durant came around a screen and connected on a jumper from the top of the key with 34.3 seconds left to put Oklahoma City up 103-102. It was one of only two shots Durant made in 10 second-half attempts, with most of his damage coming from foul line. He was 11 for 13 in the second half and finished 16 for 19.

"We had the game won," Durant said. "We played good defense on Wade, he missed the shot and we just couldn't rebound. Eddie House is a big-time, big-game player. He hit a big shot, and that's the game."

Notes
  • Bosh and Durant received a double technical foul in the first quarter after Bosh hacked Harden to prevent a fast-break basket. Westbrook got one for swinging his fist in the air after being whistled for a personal foul in the final minute of the first half.
  • James' eight first-quarter assists were the most in period by a Heat player this season.
  • The Thunder were seeking their longest home winning streak since leaving Seattle.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

NFC Takes Down AFC in Turnover-Filled Pro Bowl

A tropical rainstorm moved in from the Pacific and cleared just before the Pro Bowl began on Sunday. What followed was a sloppy show that was not exactly riveting entertainment a week in advance of the Super Bowl.

The NFC's 55-41 victory, a game not nearly as interesting as that score would indicate, did nothing to repair the tattered image of the NFL's all-star contest.

New England's Bill Belichick, the AFC coach and a man of even fewer words than usual, might have come closest to summing up the game with his mumbled cliche, "It is what it is."

MVP DeAngelo Hall had one of his team's five interceptions and returned a fumble 34 yards for a touchdown to help the NFC match a Pro Bowl scoring record in a 55-41 victory over turnover-prone AFC. He gets a new Cadillac for his efforts.

"I was just about to buy another SUV," the Washington Redskins cornerback said, "so to come out here and grab one for free, I like that."

AFC quarterbacks Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Matt Cassel each threw first-half interceptions to help the NFC blow open a 42-0 lead in a performance ugly even by the historically low standards of this game.

Fittingly for this strange contest, center Alex Mack of Cleveland scored the final touchdown on a 67-yard pass play that featured two laterals with 16 seconds left.

Carolina's Jon Beason returned the fifth interception thrown by the AFC, and second by Matt Cassel, 59 yards for the NFC's final touchdown to match the single-team scoring record set in the NFC's 55-52 victory in 2004.

"It feels amazing. It was a lot of fun," Minnesota's Adrian Peterson said. "We came out and put up a bunch of points and had some fun doing it, so it was a good day."

Belichick, after his Super Bowl favorite Patriots lost to the New York Jets in the divisional playoffs, had to watch his AFC squad muddle through a first half that ended 42-7.

Pro Bowls are, by their nature, laid-back affairs, seemingly played at half speed by players whose biggest concern is to get on the plane home without injury.

The AFC, though, took that attitude to an uncomfortable extreme early on before coming back to outscore the NFC 41-13.

The NFC led 42-0 after Steven Jackson waltzed through the AFC defense for a 21-yard touchdown -- and there still was 4½ minutes left in the second quarter.

Rivers, starting in place of injured Tom Brady, was picked off twice in the first quarter, the second by Hall.

"You underthrow one just a hair and they intercept it," Rivers said. "You get a deflection for an interception. ... They had all the breaks early."

Manning, in his 11th Pro Bowl, came on briefly in relief and his second pass was picked off. Then Cassel got his chance and quickly joined in the spirit of things, throwing his second pass of the game directly into the hands of Minnesota cornerback Antoine Winfield.

But just when it appeared it would be the most one-sided game in Pro Bowl history, eclipsing the Joe Theismann-led 45-3 NFC rout of the AFC in 1984, the AFC scored three touchdowns in a row. The last came on the game's seventh turnover, when Devin Hester tried to hand the kickoff return to Hall, but the ball fell to the turf. Montell Owens of Jacksonville scooped it up and ran it in 10 yards for the score to make it 42-21 with 10 minutes left in the third quarter.

With his seven extra points, tying a Pro Bowl record, along with two field goals, David Akers moved ahead of Morten Andersen (45) for most career Pro Bowl points with 52. The Philadelphia kicker would have had more but his 36-yard field goal try in the fourth quarter bounced off the right upright.

"Morten Andersen was a mentor of mine and I competed with Morten for a job in Atlanta and he taught me a lot," Akers said, "so it means a lot to be able to pass a legend like that."

The game returned to its traditional home in Hawaii after a one-year detour to Miami, much to the approval of the players involved.

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick started but played only the first quarter, completing 5 of 10 passes for 59 yards.

Peterson rushed for 80 yards in 14 carries for the NFC, including a 14-yarder to set a Pro Bowl record with four career rushing touchdowns. Atlanta got good performances from Matt Ryan (9 of 13 for 118 yards and two touchdowns with an interception), Michael Turner (eight carries for 53 yards) and Roddy White (five catches for 69 yards).

Notes
  • A 70-yard punt by Mat McBriar of Dallas in the first quarter tied for second-longest in Pro Bowl history.
  • The state of Hawaii is paying the NFL about $4 million this season and next to keep the Pro Bowl team in Honolulu. Location for the contest is up in the air after 2012.
  • Peterson had been tied with three career rushing TDs with Earl Campbell, Chuck Muncie and Mike Alstott.
  • Tony Gonzalez added to his Pro Bowl record for career receptions (42) and moved into first in TD catches with his sixth.
  • The attendance of 49,338 was just shy of a sellout.

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Inc Season 1 Episode 14 Mystery Solvers Club State Finals

Airing Details: 7:00 PM on January 31st, 2011 - Monday

Channel: CARTOON Channel

Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 14

Episode Name: Mystery Solvers Club State Finals

RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked Season 2 Episode 2

Preview of 'RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked':

The drag queens argue over whose futuristic runway outfit looked sloppy. Things escalate out of control when two queens get into a screaming row.

Airing Details: 11:00 PM on January 31st, 2011 - Monday

Channel: LOGO Channel

Episode Details: Season 2 Episode 2

Episode Name: EPISODE: 2

Beyond the Headlines Lifetime Special The Tiffany Rubin Story

Preview of 'Beyond the Headlines':

In “Beyond the Headlines: The Tiffany Rubin Story,” Tiffany Rubin recounts the story of her daring mission in March 2008 to take back her seven-year-old son, Kobe, who had been kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend Jeffrey Lee. She discusses her relationship with Lee, as well as their court battles over Kobe’s custody and abduction, and describes what it was like to have Kobe missing for seven long months.

In addition to Tiffany, the documentary also includes interviews with Kobe Lee, Belzora Cason (Tiffany’s mother), Mark Miller, Bazzel Baz (a former CIA agent who helped orchestrate the rescue), Joseph Fredericks (Kobe’s former court-appointed law guardian), and the FBI special agent in charge of the case. Additionally, “Beyond the Headlines: The Tiffany Rubin Story” features Tiffany’s personal photos, Mark Miller’s photos taken immediately after the rescue, documents in the case against Jeffrey Lee, and a visit to the locations involved, including Seoul, South Korea.

Airing Details: 11:00 PM on January 30th, 2011 - Monday

Channel: LIFETIME Channel

Episode Details: Lifetime Special

Episode Name: The Tiffany Rubin Story

Stalked: Someone's Watching Season 1 Episode 2 Neighborhood Watch

Preview of 'Stalked: Someone's Watching':

When "Mary" moves to a quiet DC suburb she finds a new best friend in her next-door neighbor Jane. But before long it's clear that there's something strange about Jane. Uncomfortable, Mary tries to distance herself but Jane won't be stopped.

Airing Details: 10:30 PM on January 31st, 2011 - Monday

Channel: ID Channel

Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 2

Episode Name: Neighborhood Watch

Shatner’s Raw Nerve Season 3 Episode 1 Marilu Henner

Preview of 'Shatner’s Raw Nerve ':

Host William Shatner has a personal conversation with actress, Marilu Henner. Shatner and Henner discuss the death of her parent, motherhood and healthy lifestyles. Henner talks about an interesting condition she has called hyperthymesia, which gives her a superior autobiographical memory.

Airing Details: 10:30 PM on January 31st, 2011 - Monday

Channel: BIO Channel

Episode Details: Season 3 Episode 1

Episode Name: Marilu Henner

Pawn Star$ Season 3 Episode 34 Put Up Your Dukes

Preview of 'Pawn Star$':

The Pawn Stars have a chance to buy a 450 year-old book once owned by Sir Isaac Newton, but when hand-written notes and formulas are discovered in the margins the gravity of the situation becomes clear. Can they postulate a proper price or will this deal require an equal and opposite reaction? Then, a man walks in with his grandfather's Army jacket from the Spanish American War. Will Rick and Corey offer up the shirts off their backs or will one loose thread cause the whole deal to unravel? And later, Rick and Chumlee check out a collection of John Wayne memorabilia. Will they sound a charge to secure pieces of the western legend or will Rick be forced to retreat?

Airing Details: 10:30 PM on January 31st, 2011 - Monday

Channel: HISTORY Channel

Episode Details: Season 3 Episode 34

Episode Name: Put Up Your Dukes

The X Life Season 1 Episode 5 The Dishes and the Dogs

TV Show: The X Life

Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 31st, 2011 - Monday

Channel: VH1 Channel

Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 5

Episode Name: The Dishes and the Dogs

19 Kids and Counting Season 5 Episode 3 Donating Duggars

Preview of '19 Kids and Counting ':

The Duggars help the community when they donate their time and a building to the volunteer fire department. Later, they are off to Oklahoma to make supply parachutes for persecuted Columbians.

Airing Details: 10:30 PM on January 31st, 2011 - Monday

Channel: TLC Channel

Episode Details: Season 5 Episode 3

Episode Name: Donating Duggars

Tabatha’s Salon Takeover Season 3 Episode 73 Bqute: Palmdale, CA

Preview of 'Tabatha’s Salon Takeover':

Newlywed salon owners struggle with their business and their marriage.

Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 31st, 2011 - Monday

Channel: BRAVO Channel

Episode Details: Season 3 Episode 7

Episode Name: Bqute: Palmdale, CA

Stolen Voices, Buried Secrets Season 1 Episode 6 A Mother's Love

Preview of 'Stolen Voices, Buried Secrets':

Debi Whitlock had it all - a career and family. But the night a killer invaded her Modesto, CA home, all of Debi's dreams died with her. It took years to find the killer - and her mother, Jacque, led the way in uncovering the truth.

Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 31st, 2011 - Monday

Channel: ID Channel

Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 6

Episode Name: A Mother's Love

Watson Rallies to Edge Lefty at Torrey Pines

Bubba Watson tempered his celebration when he rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole Sunday at Torrey Pines, knowing Phil Mickelson could still make eagle on the par-5 closing hole to catch him.

It played out just as Watson imagined, right down to Mickelson's caddie tending the pin on the eagle attempt.

There was just one twist -- Mickelson wasn't anywhere near the green.

In a surprising decision that gave way to brief drama, Mickelson laid up on the 18th hole and had to settle for a birdie when his lob wedge from 72 yards away stopped 4 feet short of the hole.

The winner of the Farmers Insurance Open turned out to be Watson, who made clutch putts on the final two holes for a 5-under 67 and was sitting in the scoring trailer at the end, oblivious to how the final hole played out.

"I don't know how close he hit it. I don't know what he made on the hole," Watson said. "I just know that I won, because that's all I was worried about. If he makes it, I'm getting ready for a playoff. So I'm trying not to get too emotional. I realize it's Phil Mickelson. He can make any shot he wants to."

Just not this one.

So ended a bizarre week along the Pacific bluffs. A lefty won at Torrey Pines, just not the one Mickelson's hometown gallery wanted to see. Mickelson, the ultimate risk-taker of his era, opened himself up to criticism on the final hole because -- get this -- he played it safe.

As for Tiger Woods?

His five-tournament winning streak at Torrey Pines ended without hardly anyone noticing. Woods was done some two hours before the finish, and his 75 put him in a tie for 44th. He had never finished outside the top 10 at Torrey Pines, and it was his worst start to his golf season since he turned pro.

His lie in the left rough looked to be OK, although the grain of the grass was into his ball and he had 228 yards to the flag. A hybrid would have come out heavy and gone into the water. He said his 3-wood would have come out hot and got well over the green, leaving a difficult chip. Mickelson figured his best chance at eagle was a 64-degree wedge from the fairway, using the bank behind the hole to help feed the ball to the cup.

As for his caddie, Jim Mackay, tending the pin on such a long shot?

"Obviously, you need to hit a great shot and you need to get some luck to hole one from the fairway," Mickelson said. "I'm not naive on that. I get it. But I also didn't want to have something in the way. It's not like I do it every week. But the last hole of the tournament, I've got to make it."

He didn't, although it was pure entertainment.

Mickelson tapped in for birdie and a 69, a score he thought would be enough to win at Torrey Pines for the first time in 10 years. Instead, he found himself chasing Watson and Jhonattan Vegas, the Venezuela rookie who won the Bob Hope Classic last week and had another chance to win until his 5-iron on the final hole found the water.

"Bubba played some terrific golf," Mickelson said. "I did what I thought would be enough, and it just wasn't. Bubba played too good. He made great shot after great shot, and made putt after putt. It was a wonderful round for him."

Watson hit such a monstrous drive on the par-5 13th that he had wedge left to the green on the 525-yard hole. But he won the tournament with his putter, especially on the last two holes.

With a one-shot lead over Vegas, and Mickelson lurking, Watson hit out of a fairway bunker and over the green on the 17th, and his chip raced 10 feet past the hole. After badly missing two birdies putts inside 10 feet, this one was pure.

Then came the 18th, where Watson blasted another tee shot and had a 7-iron into the green. He pushed that long and left, into a bunker and leaving himself another downhill shot. This came out ideally, leaving himself a 12-foot birdie putt that was true.

Then it was Mickelson's turn -- except that he already had taken it.

"I thought he was going for it," Watson said. "When I looked back down the fairway and I made the putt, I didn't want to get too excited because I thought it was him going for it. I didn't know he had already laid up."

It was a tough loss for Mickelson, especially with his wife, Amy, in the gallery for all four rounds for the first time since she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2009. Her prospects are looking up, and so are Mickelson's - with his arthritis issues, and his game.

"I'm disappointed," Mickelson said. "I wanted to start the year off with a win. On the other hand, I played really good golf."

His runner-up finish will be enough to move to No. 4 in the world.

Watson finished at 16-under 272 for his second victory, although this one came against a much stronger field than his playoff win at the Travelers Championship last summer.

"It showed I can do it," he said. "I've done it twice now. I'm only 50 behind Phil and about 80 behind Tiger. So they better watch out."

Vegas made bogey for a 68 and tied for third with Dustin Johnson, who shot 66. Bill Haas, who shared the lead with Mickelson going into the final round, bogeyed the first hole and never caught up. He birdied the last hole for a 75 and tied for ninth.

Woods began the weekend only five shots out of the lead and never got closer. His final round began with him missing two birdie putts inside 10 feet, and it only got worse from there. He had never finished more than four shots out of the lead, and wound up 15 behind.

"I have some work to do," Woods said. "There's no doubt about that."

Skins Season 1 Episode 3 Chris

Preview of 'Skins':

Chris needs to make some decisions when his mother leaves him a thousand dollars.

Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 31st, 2011 - Monday

Channel: MTV Channel

Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 3

Episode Name: Chris

St. John's takes over early, blasts No. 3 Duke

Teams that beat Duke have reason to celebrate. Teams that blow Duke out of the building should be able to party all night.

So, how long will the St. John's players be allowed to celebrate Sunday's 93-78 victory over No. 3 Duke - a game that wasn't as close as the final score indicated?

"Coach Lav said we had two hours to celebrate and then we have to get ready for Rutgers," senior forward Justin Burrell said, referring to first-year coach Steve Lavin and the Red Storm's next opponent on Wednesday.

Two hours? It will take longer than that just to go over the highlight plays of a game that St. John's had won by halftime. Those last 20 minutes were just a formality.

"I felt like we were ready. The guys wanted to play this game," Duke guard Nolan Smith said. "We wanted to be here but they came out from the jump ball and kicked our butts."

It wasn't that St. John's (12-8) beat the Blue Devils (19-2), it was the way it happened.

St. John's was finishing a stretch of eight straight games against ranked teams. This win gave them three wins in that span. It was enough to have Lavin waving his arms to the crowd at a media timeout in the second half.

"You're caught up in the moment of the game and I wanted St. John's fans to come to the party in terms of supporting the players on the court," Lavin said. "We had this arduous stretch of games and having lost five of six, at that moment it was just wanting to jumper cable the crowd and bring energy for our players because they deserved a pat on the back and some appreciation for the yeoman's effort and the cohesive brand of basketball they had been playing against the defending national champion."

The Red Storm, who had lost three straight and five of six, took control early and had a 46-25 lead at halftime. Duke, which came into the game shooting 40 percent from 3-point range, missed its first 10 shots from behind the arc and made one of 13 in the half.

The Blue Devils' overall shooting wasn't a whole lot better as they shot 29.6 percent (8 of 27) in the half - they entered the game shooting 48.1 percent from the field - and they were careless with the ball as well, committing 11 turnovers, one off their season average for a game.

St. John's had a lot to do with how poorly Duke played, using a three-quarter court trap to force the Blue Devils into low percentage passes that almost all seemed to either be stolen by St. John's or just thrown away.

"It's not an Xs and Os thing today," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "I felt we were not ready to compete, we had blank expressions on our faces and guys weren't talking and that's my responsibility. Our program didn't do well today and that is all our responsibilities."

There was plenty of praise to go around for the Red Storm, who gave the Big East a 6-1 record against teams ranked in the top 10 this season. They were 16 of 28 from the field (57.1 percent) in the first half, well above the 45.2 percent the Red Storm were shooting coming into the game.

Dwight Hardy had 26 points for St. John's, while Justin Brownlee had 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists and Paris Horne added 15 points and six assists. St. John's shot 58.2 percent for the game (32 of 55) and was 26 of 33 from the free throw line.

"I thought our team from the outset executed with precision on offense and brought great intensity to the defensive end of the floor," Lavin said, "and we were able to maintain a high level of basketball for 40 minutes and that was the difference."

Duke's loss continued the weekend of misery for members of the Top 25. On Saturday, four teams in the top 10 and 11 ranked teams overall lost.

Smith led Duke with 32 points and Kyle Singler added 20. Duke finished 5 of 26 from 3-point range -- they missed 21 of the first 22 attempts -- and had 17 turnovers.

"To sum it up they got whatever they wanted and we just weren't able to bounce back and match them," Singler said.

The sellout crowd of 19,353 at Madison Square Garden -- about 60 percent of whom were cheering for St. John's -- seemed to be waiting for a run by the Blue Devils, who had won four straight since its loss at Florida State, that would make their nightmare half go away.

St. John's came out and scored the first two baskets of the second half -- one on a dunk by D.J. Kennedy 10 seconds in, the other on a layup by Hardy off a nice pass from Dwayne Polee II -- to take its biggest lead of the game, 50-25 1:04 into the second half.

St. John's had doubled Duke and the Red Storm managed to score enough the rest of the way to keep the Blue Devils at bay. The closest Duke would get would be 11 points after they hit four straights 3-pointers to pull to 87-76.

"I was really excited," said Burrell who had eight points and five rebounds. "I'm one of those guys who really enjoys college basketball and I was excited to be a part of this."

The Red Storm started their run against ranked teams with a 61-58 victory over then-No. 13 Georgetown. After losses to Notre Dame and Syracuse, they beat then-No. 9 Notre Dame 72-54 in a rematch. Losses to Louisville, Cincinnati and Georgetown preceded the win over Duke. All three wins were at Madison Square Garden.

"This was an interesting stretch as a coach," Lavin said. "I don't think it had ever happened. The mathematical probabilities have got to be one in a zillion. "We've had to temper things with them and be mindful of that frustration. The concern was that our players realize this conference is really tough and you can lose five of six and not be playing bad basketball."

Duke had been as comfortable at the Garden as St. John's. The Blue Devils had won their last five and 12 of 13 there and were 25-14 all-time.

The game got chippy for a while in the second half and double technicals were called twice before things settled down.