SS501 ‘Hallyu Fan Card’ First Concert in Japan

Popular group SS501 will hold their solo ‘SS501 Concert’ in Saitama Super Arena on 25-April and meet with their Japanese fans.

Korea’s Annex Telecom cooperate with Japan’s largest portal site Yahoo Japan on this new service and this concert is the first ‘Hallyu Fan Card’ event which invites 10,000 of the card purchasers.

‘Hallyu Fan Card’ offers free admission tickets to Hallyu Entertainers’ concerts and parties, as well as free access to various Hallyu contents through Yahoo! Japan’s ‘Hallyu Fan Card’ website, members will be able to attend to free monthly concerts in Japan from April onwards for 1 year with a total of 12 concerts, they will also have opportunities to attend to concerts held in Korea.

Credits : gounworld@yna.co.kr + SS601.com + (English Translation) xiaochu @ Quainte501.com

ABS-CBN soap operas now captivating non-Filipinos worldwide

In a recent interview with Ms.Reena de Guzman Garingan, head of International Sales and Distribution (ISD) of ABS-CBN Global, we found out that there are also non-Filipinos worldwide who have been captivated by the Kapamilya network’s teleseryes. These are not necessarily subscribers of The Filipino Channel (TFC).

Formerly head of the sales department of The Manila Hotel for many years, Ms. Garingan said they decided to hold a press conference for the first time to share with the entertainment press the success that ABS-CBN Global ISD has achieved in 15 years. Also in the luncheon meeting with the press were Jeff Domingo who was one of the pioneers in putting up ABS-CBN Global 15 years ago and who now runs its, and Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications who said “we are here to celebrate the success of ABS-CBN shows here and abroad…and to let you know that aside from catering to the Filipinos worldwide, ABS-CBN has also penetrated non-Filipino audiences all over the world…”

When they put up TFC, their purpose was to target the Filipino overseas workers. They did not expect that they would also be catering to non-Filipino audiences, Jeff said.

“It’s about time we have to tell you what we have done in the last 15 years in selling our shows abroad,” Reena said. She just came from a speaking engagement in Africa (she discussed the social and ethical responsibilities of media professionals in the forum attended by leading journalists and broadcasters in that country), where ABS-CBN teleseryes will be shown, not only once a day, but “on a multiple timeslot, not only in Africa but also in other countries,” she proudly shared.

“Hindi lang pala mga Filipino ang kinikilig sa love story nila Jericho Rosales at Kristine Hermosa in ‘Pangako Sa ‘Yo,’ at naiiyak sa paghihiwalay nila Piolo Pascual at Angel Locsin sa teleserye nila, but also non-Filipinos. Nakakatuwa lang,” Reena added.

Before she can offer their shows to any country, Reena said she had to read about that country’s culture, tradition and customs. “This helps a lot for me to understand if they decline my offer. You have to know why they can’t take your product.” But so far they’re not finding it hard to sell their products. In fact, sometimes the teleserye hasn’t even end here but already some countries are offering to buy it, Reena said. Most of the time it’s the story they are interested in and not so much with the stars. “With non-Filipino audiences, hindi nila kilala ang mga artista by their real names, but by their characters in the teleserye,” she said.

Although “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” is known to be the most successful ABS-CBN telerserye abroad, it was actually “Mula sa Puso” which set the trend, but too bad the male star, Rico Yan, met an untimely demise “at wala na kaming maibigay na follow-up shows niya,” Reena lamented.

Just recently, “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” (known abroad as “The Promise”) aired on China’s national television and rated second over all local and foreign programs airing in that country. Ten years after Filipinos fell in love with the Kristine Hermosa-Jericho Rosales tandem, the now classic teleserye still has appealed to the Chinese audience and even hit the Top 30 list in the national weekly ranking, covering over 2,000 channels and capturing 1.3 billion viewers.

But before China, the love story of Angelo Buenavista and Yna Macaspac have appealed and mesmerized audiences in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and Africa. As Cambodian Nai Hiu Mei recounts “the teleserye, broadcasted here with Khmer dubbing, was so popular that many Cambodian babies were named Angelo. On the other hand, Times of Zambia writer Meluse Kapatamoyo wrote “the series has become a topic of discussion among families, friends and even neighbors who daily ponder on how the show would end.”

Rene Lotter of One Africa Television has even said “when is ‘Pangako Sa ‘Yo’ coming back? I wish I could get a dollar each time I get that question. From teenager to grandma, from household organizers to tax consultants – it’s gripped people across all genders.”

Another ABS-CBN teleserye, “Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin” (a.k.a. “Only You”) was aired on primetime alongside “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” in mainland China, carried by the biggest state television broadcaster. Meanwhile, “Sana Maulit Muli” (a.k.a. “Chances”), “Maging Sino Ka Man” (a.k.a. “More Than Love”) and “Gulong ng Palad” (a.k.a. “Stand for Love”) are expected to be aired in the Republic soon.

Also earning recognition internationally is the Angel Locsin-Piolo Pascual starrer “Lobo” (a.k.a. “She-Wolf: The Last Sentinel”). In the recently concluded 2009 International Emmy Awards, “She-Wolf” was recognized for the stellar performance of Angel Locsin who received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actress. This recognition is the second for the show which won the Best Telenovela Award at the 30th BANFF World Television Festival in Toronto, Canada last year. Currently, the show is enjoying wide viewership in Brunei and is expected to be released to other countries in Indo-China, Asia, Europe and Africa this year.

By the way, Reena said ABS-CBN shows are subtitled and dubbed in several languages including English, Turkish, Khmer, Mandarin and French. One of the programs dubbed in French is “Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay” (a.k.a. “La Longue Attente” in French and “The Long Wait” in English) which will cater to French-speaking viewers in Africa and Europe.

Reena stressed that “ABS-CBN programs sell well because they resonate to the African audience. “Our writers, directors and actors are able to capture real-life experiences on screen. Our stories show pain and suffering but in the end, give viewers a glimpse of hope. As we demonstrate that obstacles and fear may be overcome, we help mend the broken African spirit.”

ISD which she heads, has been the premier source of top quality programs from the Philippines, making ABS-CBN the first and biggest Philippine content distributor in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia-Pacific and the leading Asian distributor in Africa. Through ISD, Kapamilya shows have become so popular among non-Filipinos that ABS-CBN is now regarded as a market mover and thought leader in the field of broadcasting in Africa.

Indeed, ABS-CBN has made its mark in the global market. Through the efforts of the ISD group, homegrown Pinoy entertainment has been given a chance to shine on the global stage.

Manila Bulletin

New fund aims to boost 3D films in China

New fund aims to boost 3D films in China
Triumphant looking to raise $17 million to back three-pic slate

By Jonathan Landreth

March 21, 2010, 07:46 PM ET
HONG KONG -- Hoping to offer investors a chance to help slake China's thirst for 3D in the wake of "Avatar," an investment banker-turned-producer has joined two Hong Kong movie veterans to open a pair of film funds at Filmart 2010.

Triumphant Film Funds will attempt to raise $17 million before the Cannes Film Festival in May to back a three-picture slate of martial arts action films and 3D sci-fi films aimed at investors interested in China's film market -- where boxoffice jumped 43% last year.


"Hollywood-quality 3D at Asian prices is our goal," said ex-Lehman Brothers trader Guy Orlebar, who will try to tap his investment industry contacts to raise the funds while his film veteran partners ensure they are spent wisely.

Orlebar, whose real name is Andy Garrett, founded Triumphant with veteran Hong Kong low-budget line-producer Ricky K.K. Wong of Cine-Century Entertainment, and veteran casting director and Screen Ops producer "Big" Mike Leeder ("Australia"). Wong and Leeder bring more than 40 years of filmmaking experience to the partnership, Orlebar said.

Triumphant's planned first films are the $10 million sci-fi epic "Future Fighters"; a live-action adaptation of Ray Bradbury's seminal novel "Frost and Fire" -- made with the Alexander Entertainment Group in Los Angeles; and the police vs. triad action film tentatively-titled "AVP" -- taken from the first initials of its confirmed cast: Hong Konger action star Andy On ("True Legend"), Taiwanese boy-band heartthrob Vanness Wu ("Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon"), and Philip Ng ("Bodyguards and Assassins"), who also will action direct, Orlebar said.

Triumphant hopes to start shooting "Future Fighters" early next year with action direction by Dee Dee Ku of Master Yuen Wo Ping's renowned stunt team.

The cast will include "Avatar" stunt performer Reuben Langdon, who also is an actor and the president of a Japan-based motion-capture company Just Cause. Also starring is Japanese actor Kazuya Shimizu ("Big Man Japan") and a host of human-piloted mechanized walking warriors.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/asia/news/e3i6e499b206b4e48ab58b5a25da4eab1c3

Brillante Mendoza’s ‘Lola’ Wins Grand Jury Prize in Miami Film Festival

Another Brillante Mendoza film brought honor to the country.

“Lola,” the latest film by Cannes-winning director Brillante “Dante” Mendoza, won the Grand Knight Award, equivalent to the Grand Jury Prize in the world competition category of the 27th Miami International Film Festival in the US.

The international film festival also commended the star of Lola, Anita Linda, as a cinema icon and its story for offering “an earnest, compassionate study of forgiveness and redemption.”

The pinoy indie film bested 13 other entries from Russia, Brazil, China, Bolivia and The Netherlands in the category that celebrates the works of up-and-coming filmmakers from around the world.

Brillante Mendoza took home a cash prize of $25,000 cash from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Written by Lynda Casimiro, Lola is about two elderly women [who] bear the consequences of a crime involving their respective grandsons–one is the victim, the other is the suspect.

Starring Anita Linda and Rustica Carpio, Lola also won Second Best Picture at the Venice Filmfest last year and Best Film (with a cash prize of $50,000) in Dubai.


Starmometer

Fahrenheit launches Canon’s new range of digital cameras




KUALA LUMPUR: Smile please, members of the Taiwanese boyband Fahrenheit is clicking away.

The four Wu Chun, Jiro Wang, Calvin Chen and Aaron Yan, who are used to being photographed, showed how much they enjoyed taking pictures of others at a press conference yesterday to launch Canon’s new range of Digital Ixus cameras.

There are three new models – IXUS 130, IXUS 105 and IXUS 210.

Signed on as brand ambassadors for Canon’s Digital Ixus range for yet another term, the boys raved about the stylish models and new enhanced features.


The group has already released three studio albums and are working on their fourth, expected to hit the stores in the third quarter of the year.

Fahrenheit will be making an appearance to promote their DVD at Tropicana City Mall at 11am tomorrow.

They will also attend a soft launch ceremony for the Canon concept store @ Soho KL, Mont Kiara at 6pm the same evening.

http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2010/3/19/music/5894690&sec=music

Taiwanese idol group Fahrenheit to visit Korea next week

Taiwanese idol group Fahrenheit will be visiting Korea to promote their country's tourism and hold a fan meeting next week, according to the event's organizer Mays Entertainment on Tuesday.

The boy band -- dubbed the TVXQ of Taiwan -- will be meeting with local fans at their first official fan meeting in Seoul, to be held at Melon Ax Hall on March 26, Mays announced in a press release.

"Tickets for the event sold out in a few hours of going on sale," an official at Mays was quoted as saying.

The official explained that the fan meeting will feature a guest appearance by Korean actress Ku Hye-sun, who starred in hit KBS TV series "Boys Over Flowers" last year and shot a promotional music video with the boy band last January.

The quartet, who are publicity ambassadors for the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan, will also be attending a press conference regarding promoting tourism in their country.

Farenheit -- composed of Aaron Yan, Wu Chun, Calvin Chen, and Jiro Wang -- made their debut in September 2006 with a self-titled album released in Taiwan and mainland China.

They gained popularity throughout Asia with the success of the debut record and subsequent albums, "Two-Sided Fahrenheit" (2008) and "Love You More and More" (2009).

The four members, who have also branched out to acting in dramas and films, received the Asia Star award at the 2010 Asia Model Awards in January in Seoul alongside top Korean actor Lee Byung-hun. They were also named Best Asian Artist at the 2008 Asia Song Festival.

Tickets for their upcoming fan meeting are available on online reservation site Auction (http://ticket.auction.co.kr).

http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?sec=ent10&idxno=2010031612554333420

Arnel Pineda to Sing ‘Lupang Hinirang’ in Pacquiao-Clottey Bout

Contrary to previous reports that Charice will sing the Philippine National Anthem in the Pacquiao-Clottey bout, Arnel Pineda, the Filipino front man of Journey, confirms that he was personally invited by Pacquiao to sing “Lupang Hinirang” in his upcoming fight.

“I'll be going to Dallas to sing in Manny's fight. I’m really happy because it'll finally push through. ” the Filipino frontman of popular American rock band “Journey” said.

Arnel said he was not able to sing in Pacquiao’s previous fights because of his hectic schedule as Journey’s vocalist.

The much-awaited fight of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao against Ghanaian Joshua “The Grand Master” Clottey will be held on March 13 (March 14 in Manila) at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

http://www.starmometer.com/2010/03/09/arnel-pineda-to-sing-lupang-hinirang-in-pacquiao-clottey-bout/

The Complete List Of 82nd Academy Awards Winners (Oscars 2010)

LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Oscar Academy Awards Official Website) - The Academy Awards winners for 2010 is The Hurt Locker upset Avatar! Katheryn Bigelow on becoming the first female director to win an Oscar for Best Director for The Hurt Locker, which then went on to win Best Picture. "There's no other way to describe it, it's the moment of a lifetime." Kathryn Bigelow, winning Best Director for The Hurt Locker.
Jeff Bridges won best actor for his portrayal of a boozy country singer in "Crazy Heart." Sandra Bullock took the best-actress prize as a brassy Southern mother in "The Blind Side."

Sandra Bullock took the best-actress prize as a brassy Southern mother in "The Blind Side."

Here is the full list of the 2010 winners:

- Motion Picture: "The Hurt Locker."
- Actor: Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart."
- Actress: Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side."
- Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds."
- Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."
- Director: Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker."
- Foreign Film: "El Secreto de Sus Ojos," Argentina.

- Adapted Screenplay: Geoffrey Fletcher, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."
- Original Screenplay: Mark Boal, "The Hurt Locker."
- Animated Feature Film: "Up."
- Art Direction: "Avatar."
- Cinematography: "Avatar."
- Sound Mixing: "The Hurt Locker."
- Sound Editing: "The Hurt Locker."
- Original Score: "Up," Michael Giacchino.
- Original Song: "The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)" from "Crazy Heart," Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett.
- Costume: "The Young Victoria."
- Documentary Feature: "The Cove."
- Documentary (short subject): "Music by Prudence."
- Film Editing: "The Hurt Locker."
- Makeup: "Star Trek."
- Animated Short Film: "Logorama."
- Live Action Short Film: "The New Tenants."
- Visual Effects: "Avatar."

http://top40-charts.com/news/Charts-Awards/The-Complete-List-Of-82nd-Academy-Awards-Winners-(Oscars-2010)/54865.html

U-Kiss,"Our increase of popularity? Thanks to Dongho!"


Entering the 'Idol Craze' last year, U-Kiss comes back with their first full length album and their new title song 'Bingeul Bingeul'. Alexander (22), Kevin (19), Eli (19), Kibum (20), Soohyun (21), Dongho (16), and Kiseop (19) come back, but this time with a stronger and deeper image. Even with their packed schedule, U-Kiss came with a smile on their faces and anxiously waiting for the interview to begin.

▶ Maknae Dongho Changed?
Dongho of U-Kiss is the first member to get noticed by many fans. With 'Invincible Baseball' and 'Quiz to Change the World', Dongho has received many interest and love towards netizens and fans. This couldn't hide the members' jealousy.

"Our song is known by many people now. From then, our popularity also began to rise. But no matter what, I think Dongho was a big help to this. Dongho began to change though after this..." (laughs) (Kevin).

As the members began to complain about this, Dongho responded, "Ah, what's wrong!"

"Dongho gained a lot of confidence and freedom. I found out Dongho's hobby was knitting after watching a TV show!" (laughs) (Soohyun).

Dongho responded, "Because I thought the hyungs would tease me, I secretly knitted without telling them. I don't think they know how relaxing this is!"

Dongho's face was brought up with a smile after talking about his singing parts. "For our last song I only had 12 words but for 'Bingeul Bingeul' I got more parts. I think this is the best thing ever!" (Dongho)

▶ Weird Sleeping Habits
The dorky 7 members are known to have unique habits. Because the members do not have a dorm, this can be seen as they sleep in the car.

"One of Eli's habit is that he goes to the restroom right after he eats! Also because we have so many members, there were a lot of times when we forgot about Eli when he was in the bathroom. This happened at least 3 times so everytime we get in the car, our manager would ask if Eli is in the car." (Kibum)

Baseball lover Dongho, also plays baseball in his dream. Kiseop revealed, "While he's sleeping in the car, there are times when Dongho will just suddenly move his hands as if he's throwing a ball."

Dongho responded to this, "It's frustrating because I can't throw right in my dream!"

▶ Soohyun's Rumor With 2AM's Jokwon
Recently, a picture of Soohyun and Jokwon that was released online stirred netizens. There were many talks about if these two idols were gay.

"I was a JYP trainee before. As everyone knows, Jokwon was a trainee for 8 years. We would talk about hard times and help each other out; that's how we became good friends. Kwonnie seems to be nicer now" (laughs) (Soohyun).

7 members also talked about what they wanted to do in the future.

"I want to get a CF love call!" (Kibum)
"I want to be featured in a girl group's song." (Soohyun)
"I want to be in a drama of a sitcom." (Eli)
"I want to gain some weight." (Alexander)

But what about Dongho? Dongho's older brother is 10 years older. "Because it's almost my dad's 60th birthday, I would like to make more money and buy him a house in the country side."

Source: 7kisses.ipbfree.com/index.php
Credits: IS Plus
Translations: masterpiece @ 7kisses

Alice in Wonderland Scores Record Opening for Burton

Yesterday, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (Walt Disney Pictures) set a new benchmark for the director by grossing an estimated $41 million in a single day (including Thursday night midnights) in conventional, Digital 3D and IMAX 3D theaters.

It might just miss the Top 10 for opening days, but it's setting itself up to have the biggest March opening with roughly $110 to 115 million, leaving Zack Snyder's 300 in the dust. That would also make it the second biggest non-summer opening weekend record after The Twilight Saga: New Moon, as well as giving Burton his biggest opening of all time, which was previously held by the $68 million opening of his Planet of the Apes remake in 2001.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=63979

Nominees for the 82nd Academy Awards

Actor in a Leading Role

* Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”
* George Clooney in “Up in the Air”
* Colin Firth in “A Single Man”
* Morgan Freeman in “Invictus”
* Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker”

Actor in a Supporting Role

* Matt Damon in “Invictus”
* Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger”
* Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station”
* Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones”
* Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”

Actress in a Leading Role

* Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”
* Helen Mirren in “The Last Station”
* Carey Mulligan in “An Education”
* Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
* Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia”

Actress in a Supporting Role

* Penélope Cruz in “Nine”
* Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air”
* Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart”
* Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air”
* Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Animated Feature Film

* “Coraline” Henry Selick
* “Fantastic Mr. Fox” Wes Anderson
* “The Princess and the Frog” John Musker and Ron Clements
* “The Secret of Kells” Tomm Moore
* “Up” Pete Docter

Art Direction

* “Avatar” Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
* “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro; Set Decoration: Caroline Smith
* “Nine” Art Direction: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
* “Sherlock Holmes” Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
* “The Young Victoria” Art Direction: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Maggie Gray

Cinematography

* “Avatar” Mauro Fiore
* “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Bruno Delbonnel
* “The Hurt Locker” Barry Ackroyd
* “Inglourious Basterds” Robert Richardson
* “The White Ribbon” Christian Berger

Costume Design

* “Bright Star” Janet Patterson
* “Coco before Chanel” Catherine Leterrier
* “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Monique Prudhomme
* “Nine” Colleen Atwood
* “The Young Victoria” Sandy Powell

Directing

* “Avatar” James Cameron
* “The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow
* “Inglourious Basterds” Quentin Tarantino
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels
* “Up in the Air” Jason Reitman

Documentary (Feature)

* “Burma VJ” Anders Østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
* “The Cove” Louie Psihoyos and Fisher Stevens
* “Food, Inc.” Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
* “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
* “Which Way Home” Rebecca Cammisa

Documentary (Short Subject)

* “China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province” Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill
* “The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner” Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
* “The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant” Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
* “Music by Prudence” Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
* “Rabbit à la Berlin” Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra

Film Editing

* “Avatar” Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
* “District 9” Julian Clarke
* “The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
* “Inglourious Basterds” Sally Menke
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Joe Klotz

Foreign Language Film

* “Ajami” Israel
* “The Milk of Sorrow (La Teta Asustada)” Peru
* “A Prophet (Un Prophète)” France
* “The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)” Argentina
* “The White Ribbon (Das Weisse Band)” Germany

Makeup

* “Il Divo” Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
* “Star Trek” Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
* “The Young Victoria” Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore

Music (Original Score)

* “Avatar” James Horner
* “Fantastic Mr. Fox” Alexandre Desplat
* “The Hurt Locker” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
* “Sherlock Holmes” Hans Zimmer
* “Up” Michael Giacchino

Music (Original Song)

* “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
* “Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
* “Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36” Music by Reinhardt Wagner Lyric by Frank Thomas
* “Take It All” from “Nine” Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
* “The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Best Picture

* “Avatar” James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
* “The Blind Side” Gil Netter, Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson, Producers
* “District 9” Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
* “An Education” Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
* “The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro, Producers
* “Inglourious Basterds” Lawrence Bender, Producer
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers
* “A Serious Man” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers
* “Up” Jonas Rivera, Producer
* “Up in the Air” Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers

Short Film (Animated)

* “French Roast” Fabrice O. Joubert
* “Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty” Nicky Phelan and Darragh O’Connell
* “The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)” Javier Recio Gracia
* “Logorama” Nicolas Schmerkin
* “A Matter of Loaf and Death” Nick Park

Short Film (Live Action)

* “The Door” Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
* “Instead of Abracadabra” Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellström
* “Kavi” Gregg Helvey
* “Miracle Fish” Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
* “The New Tenants” Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Sound Editing

* “Avatar” Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
* “The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson
* “Inglourious Basterds” Wylie Stateman
* “Star Trek” Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
* “Up” Michael Silvers and Tom Myers

Sound Mixing

* “Avatar” Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
* “The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
* “Inglourious Basterds” Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano
* “Star Trek” Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin
* “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson

Visual Effects

* “Avatar” Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
* “District 9” Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
* “Star Trek” Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

* “District 9” Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
* “An Education” Screenplay by Nick Hornby
* “In the Loop” Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
* “Up in the Air” Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Writing (Original Screenplay)

* “The Hurt Locker” Written by Mark Boal
* “Inglourious Basterds” Written by Quentin Tarantino
* “The Messenger” Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
* “A Serious Man” Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
* “Up” Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy

http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/82/nominees.html

Johnny Depp: 'Burton My Favourite Mad Person'

Johnny Depp has described filmmaker and faired Tim Burton as his 'favourite mad person.'

The actor was in London to promote the pair's new movie Alice In Wonderland, their seventh collaboration together.

At the press conference for the movie the actor said: "My favourite mad person in the world? Tim. He is a mad person on some level but it's a madness that works for him obviously.

"At the risk of embarrassing him, I've always admired him for his commitment to his vision and the impossibility of compromise.
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"He does exactly what he wants in his own very unique way. As far as I'm concerned he's one of the only true artists working in cinema, a real auteur. They're non-existent at this point. Tim is my favourite mad person."

Their partnership kicked off in the early nineties when Burton cast Depp in Edward Scissorhands. Since then they have worked on Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sweeney Todd.

And the pair are all se to reunite on an eighth project Dark Shadows, remake of the 1966-71 soap opera.

Alice In Wonderland is out now.

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/movies/movie-news/Johnny+Depp-77324.html

Taylor Swift: 'I'm good to avoid press'

Taylor Swift has claimed that she likes being thought of as a good girl.

The popstar told Elle that she makes a conscious effort to behave well because it means the press leave her alone.

"I've had countless opportunities to do some really bad things," Swift said, adding that if she misbehaved once people would pay more attention to her.

"Then people start combing through everything that I do trying to find the next mistake and misperception," she explained. "[That] leads to more scrutiny. Like, if I go to a bar, even if I'm not drinking, who's to say that a source isn't going to say that I was doing something that I shouldn't have been doing?

"So it's not only about your own moral compass, but the moral compasses of other people that you don't know."

However, Swift admitted that she does think too much, explaining: "You're thinking, 'This is a giant boatload of fear'. But as you can see, I over-think everything. I over-analyse everything."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a207032/taylor-swift-im-good-to-avoid-press.html

Johnny Depp's girlfriend: No love scenes with Angelina

Vanessa Paradis isn't going to lose her man to Angelina Jolie.

The New York Post reports that the longtime girlfriend of Johnny Depp has asked that he get out of his role in The Tourist, in which he plays a tourist seduced by Jolie's Interpol agent. In the movie, the two are said to share a ``passionate'' love scene.

You can't blame Paradis, who has two children with Depp, for worrying. Even though she's been coupled with Brad Pitt for five years now, Jolie famously took up with him on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith while he was married to Jennifer Aniston. She also reportedly began dating ex-husband No. 2 Billy Bob Thornton while he was engaged to actress Laura Dern.

Reps for Depp, Jolie and Sony Pictures haven't commented on the report.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/05/1513649/johnny-depps-girlfriend-no-love.html

Daniel Radcliffe: "I'm not gay"

Daniel Radcliffe has denied rumours that he is gay.

The 20-year-old Harry Potter star told MTV that while he doesn't mind fans suggesting he is, he wants to set the record straight.

"I'm not gay. If people want to say that, they can. I'm not. I'm straight," he said.

"My favourite thing I saw was a guy on the internet who said, 'Of course he's gay - he's got a gay face', which I thought was kind of an odd thing to say anyway.

"A gay face? That's a very worrying thing, like they have sat at home with pictures of me next to other famous gay folks."

Redcliffe has previously laughed off gay rumours and recently backed a suicide helpline which supports gay, bisexual and transgender youths.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a206340/daniel-radcliffe-im-not-gay.html