Look Closer: There Are Some Oscar Surprises

Is the biggest surprise of the Oscar nominations the fact that there weren’t any surprises?

Even before the Granddaddy of All Hollywood Trophies announced its list, we’d already had most of the biggest names trotted before us at various other fawn-fest announcements.

But giving things a closer look, the academy did toss a few unexpected selections in the mix and reveal some notable snubs:

“The King’s Speech”: The film and its principals have had clear voices in the awards din since day one, but after gathering 12 nominations from Oscar (and its Golden Globe victory) it’s clearly been crowned as the frontrunner come February 27. A pretty regal accomplishment, given that three months ago everyone was already handing the golden guy to “The Social Network.”

“True Grit”: Just like Marshal Rooster Cogburn, the Coen brothers’ seemingly shopworn effort may have some unexpected glory ahead on the trail. Critics lavished the love on the film, but it was largely ignored by some of the major brand-name awards. It’s got one eye on some ten Oscars now, and let’s not forget, little sister: the Academy adores both underdogs and its own legacy (John Wayne took a Best Actor trophy for the 1969 version).

Mark Ruffalo: Annette Bening and Julianne Moore have shared most of the awards attention for “The Kids Are All Right,” but Ruffalo, an actor Hollywood and the public seem to regard with both great affection and great admiration, finally scores his first-ever Oscar nom – both overdue and, for this film, richly deserved.

Mark Wahlberg: Even mostly unheralded (but perennial Oscar darling) Amy Adams managed to grab a nom out of the frenzy over the seven-times-nominated “The Fighter,” but the leading man who tirelessly kept himself in fighting shape in the long slugfest to get the film made is overlooked. Wahlberg does have a nomination as a producer of the film, however, in his corner.

Christopher Nolan: No nomination for directing Best Pic contender “Inception?” We must be dreaming.

Mila Kunis: Was a supporting actress nomination for “Black Swan” expected? Sorta. Would it have been deserved? Umm…We’ll finally get around to seeing Jacki Weaver’s turn in “Animal Kingdom” and let you know.

Ryan Gosling: The Academy turned its collective back on his performance as sharply as he was rejected in “Blue Valentine.” With a nearly symbiotic performance alongside Michelle Williams, only honoring hers seems like nominating one half of a broken heart.

Javier Bardem: He’s coming to awards attention late in the game, but again, the Academy loves them a legacy nominee – and he has a better haircut in “Biutiful."

Movies that should seemingly have no business being mentioned in the same breath as Oscar: That twangy disaster “Country Strong” (Best Song nominee) and “Hereafter” aka “Clint Eastwood’s Worst Film Ever” (Best Visual Effects nominee) can now use the phrase “Academy Awards nominee” in their home video marketing. But, mercifully, “Burlesque” can’t. So there’s at least some justice among Academy voters.

Joan Rivers on Tommy Lee Jones: 'He Makes Hitler Look Warm and Fuzzy'

Joan Rivers is just a friend-making machine this week, right? She got herself dumped from FOX News after saying critics were right to blame Sarah Palin for the Tucson tragedy, and then she announced to me that she regretted ever voting for Sarah's "terrible daughter" Bristol on 'Dancing With the Stars.' "I should've voted for David Hasselhoff. They both sucked as dancers."

The comedy icon didn't stop there on my HDNet show, 'Naughty But Nice With Rob,' and she entertained us with her thoughts on the nicest and nastiest celebs out there. Nice? Tom Hanks and Nicole Kidman, surprisingly. Meanest? Without hesitation, Tommy Lee Jones, whom Joan and Melissa had nothing but H-bomb-throwing scorn for.

"He makes Hitler look warm and fuzzy," Joan said. "The man is a nightmare," Melissa agreed.

Joan and Melissa sat down with me to promote their brilliant new show, 'Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?' which premieres Jan. 25 at 9PM on WE TV. On the show, cameras follow the ultimate New Yorker when she decides to move to California to be with Melissa and grandson Cooper. She has no idea that Melissa has a live-in boyfriend, Jason, and that's not even the biggest surprise when this mother and daughter move in together!

For more dish with Joan and Melissa, tune into 'Naughty But Nice With Rob' on Saturday at 1PM and again at 7PM only on HDNet.

'Company Men' Takes Haunting Look at Layoffs

Hollywood is a fantasyland, and the films it produces reflect that. "The Company Men" is that rare modern movie that actually takes a look at some of the hard realities of today's economy. Ben Affleck plays a Porsche-driving businessman who's suddenly laid off and must turn to his blue-collar brother (Kevin Costner) for work. Well yeah, so most of the people we know who were laid off didn't have a Porsche in the first place, but the film is earning raves. Rolling Stone's Peter Travers says "this haunting movie hits you hard and right where you live." (Opens Jan. 21.)

"The Way Back" sounds like one of those old-time war films you find on late-night cable and can't stop watching. Colin Farrell, Ed Harris and Jim Sturgess star as members of a group of prisoners who break out of a Siberian gulag in 1941 and must struggle through a blizzard, over mountains, and across the Gobi Desert to make their way to freedom. ViewLondon calls it "impressively directed, sharply written and beautifully shot." Puts our little daily worries in perspective. (Opens Jan. 21.)

TV
Science fiction, crime dramas, local kids' TV and westerns are the focus in PBS' new "Pioneers of Television" episodes. Sci-fi is first up, and that episode will take a look at three beloved shows — the original "Star Trek," "The Twilight Zone" and kitschy "Lost in Space." (Jan. 18, 8 p.m., PBS.)

Although Andy Whitfield had to step out of Starz's Spartacus series while he fights non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the show lives on through a new miniseries, a prequel to "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." The new show, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," stars Aussie actor Dustin Clare as a champion gladiator. Whitfield is expected to make a brief cameo as Spartacus. (Jan. 21, 10 p.m., Starz.)

"Heavy" sounds a little like "The Biggest Loser" meets "Intervention." Each week, the new A&E series looks at two people who are dangerously obese. The show is an hour long, but the episodes cover six months in each person's life. If "Intervention" is any guide, not all will reach their goals. (Jan. 17, 10 p.m., A&E.)

In "An Idiot Abroad," Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant force their friend Karl Pilkington (a personality in his own right) to visit the Seven Wonders of the World. A dream for many, but sheer torture for Pilkington, who stumbles across nude beaches, crucifixion and possible cannibals. (Premieres Jan. 22, 10 p.m., Science Channel.)

DVD

"Das Boot" took place inside a submarine, Hitchcock's "Lifeboat" in a small raft after a shipwreck. The critically acclaimed "Lebanon" has its own confined setting: It takes place inside a tank during Israel's 1982 war with Lebanon. Four young soldiers in the tank must confront the realities of war and their own fears. Roger Ebert compares its immersive experience to that of Oscar-winner "The Hurt Locker," writing, "This is what it means to be in the belly of the beast." (Out on DVD Jan. 18.)

"Animal Kingdom" is a highly praised Australian film about a teenage boy caught up in that country's criminal underworld. Guy Pearce plays the detective who tries to save him, and Jacki Weaver earned raves for her role as the boy's creepy criminal grandma. Andrew O'Hehir raved in Salon, "Brilliantly acted and intensely crafted, this movie will alienate some viewers and enthrall others, but it won't soon be forgotten." (Out on DVD Jan. 18.)

Relax, Sandra Bullock's Bang'n Look Is Temporary

There were literally gasps when Sandra Bullock stepped out of her limo and onto the red carpet at last night's Golden Globes. If you were like me you thought, "What has she done to her hair?!?"

Sandra's new bangs and darker color didn't go over much better with folks watching at home, who flooded Twitter and Facebook with WTF's and OMG's galore. So-called fashion experts the world over placed her in their various "fashion disasters" columns.

Relax, America. Sources tell me Bullock's new look is only temporary while she films 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' with Tom Hanks. The Eric Roth-scripted adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's best-selling 9/11-related novel.

"It's not Sandra's favorite red carpet look ever but she thought she looked cute," a friend of the fun-loving actress tells me. "As soon as she finishes filming she will go back to her normal color and cut for sure. Although at the moment she is more interested in making a great film and looking after her son than what people have to say about her hair."

Meanwhile, Sandra's choice in dresses has also raised a few eyebrows, seeing as it was noticeably similar to the one being worn by Scarlett Johansson, the ex of her good friend Ryan Reynolds. After the show she shot down widespread rumors of a romance with Ryan, but her choice in dresses has only fueled more speculation of a rivalry.

"Something is very odd about this," a top stylist tells me of the pair's similar dresses. "These dresses were close in color and style. This doesn't happen to stars as big as Scarlett and Sandra. Both of their stylists would have been aware that the other dress existed and who was looking at it. One of them at least was trying to make a statement."

One person who always gets her look right is 'The Insider' host Lara Spencer. Wearing an Angel Sanchez gown (who incidentially also designed Sandra's and Eva Longoria's wedding gowns) with Jimmy Choo shoes and a black diamond ring, Lara wins my best dressed of the night.

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ script, Tom Hardy’s new look?

Late last week a 165 page script titled The Dark Knight Rises appeared online. I didn’t report on it because the script was clearly written by a dedicated fan. Poor grammar, a cluttered plot, and inclusion of The Riddler all pointed to this being fake. Recently, the script has made headlines on several large websites — just know anything you’ve read about script details is fan fiction. The only official script news is that Christopher Nolan handed in a draft last month and the cast should be getting it sometime this month.

Another story that’s been making the rounds today relate to the photos above of Tom Hardy. Hardy was photographed Sunday with what appears to be a beard and shaved head. This has lead to speculation that Hardy is already preparing for his role in The Dark Knight Rises, Hugo Strange perhaps? While it’s certainly possible, I wouldn’t jump to conclusions just yet. Tom Hardy is scheduled to film The Wettest County in the World before he shows up in Gotham City. I did a bit of digging and I’m not entirely sure if Hardy is completely bald under that hat. Photos of Hardy at a Lakers game last Friday are after the break. Does his hair look shorter in the photos above? Take a look and judge for yourself.