Russell Crowe Page 7

Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe has hit back at radio presenter Howard Stern after the latter gentleman reportedly criticised the Gladiator actor over his weight. It seems Crowe was alerted to comments made over his physique by a fan and decided he wanted to respond.

Russell Crowe hit back at body shaming comments

Presenter Stern, who hosts his own radio talk show in the US, spoke about the lead of A Beautiful Mind on a recent episode of his programme.

Continue reading: Russell Crowe Hits Back At Radio Shock Jock Over Comments About His Weight

Azealia Banks has filed a police report against Russell Crowe after their spat in Los Angeles over the weekend, which saw the 'Noah' star throw the 'Big Big Beat' singer out of his hotel room in Beverly Hills as tempers flared. She was the plus one of RZA, who was invited to Russell's party after he cast the latter in 'The Man with the Iron Fists' 4 years ago. 

Azealia Banks files report against Russell Crowe

The discord between Azealia and Russell has extended beyond social media, because now the rapper has gone to the Beverly Hills Police Department with her allegations when she didn't receive an apology from the actor. While her behaviour at Russell's hotel suite party on Sunday (October 16th 2016) was described as 'erratic' by a great many of the guests, in Azealia's version of events her ejection was rather more unceremonious.

Continue reading: Azealia Banks Goes To Police After Russell Crowe Hotel Spat

A dispute has flared up between Azealia Banks and Russell Crowe, with an incident occurring at the weekend in which Banks was physically ejected from the actor’s hotel suite in Beverly Hills on Saturday night (October 15th).

The oft-controversial 25 year old rapper took to Facebook on Sunday evening, in a post she’s subsequently deleted, to accuse the New Zealand-born actor of assaulting her at a low-key dinner party he was hosting.

Azealia Banks performing in 2015

Continue reading: Azealia Banks Accuses Russell Crowe Of Assault After Reported Hotel Altercation

Australian actor Russell Crowe has lashed out on social media at airline Virgin Australia after his children were told that they could not bring their hoverboards on a flight, as they have been deemed to be a fire risk.

The self-balancing motorised hoverboards have been the most in-demand toy this Christmas, despite a mass of safety warnings that many on the market were defective and could cause fires through overheating of the lithium ion batteries while charging. Warnings that appear to have passed the 51 year old by.

Russell Crowe with his youngest son Tennyson in 2015

Continue reading: Russell Crowe Hits Out In Twitter Rant Against Virgin Australia Over Kids' Hoverboard Ban

A-list celebrities turned out in Hollywood for the starry Critics' Choice Movie Awards last weekend, including Julianne Moore, Angelina Jolie, Jessica Chastain, Eddie Redmayne, Keira Knightley, Ethan Hawke, Rosamund Pike, Michael Keaton, Reese Witherspoon, Marion Cotillard, David Oyelowo, Felicity Jones, Jennifer Aniston, Amy Adams and Chris Hemsworth. Jared Leto even matched his outfit to the blue carpet.

Photos - 20th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards held at the Hollywood Palladium - Part 1

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Celebrities Turn Out To Collect Awards In Los Angeles And London, Mortdecai Has Three Premieres And New Trailers For Hopkins And Hawke

Nice Work, 'Noah': Darren Aronofsky's latest epic, Noah, was released last weekend and managed to triumph at its debut box office with $44 million, despite all the negative publicity regarding religious condemnation and middling reviews. Starring Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson, Noah is based on the well-known Genesis tale but is given a pump of testosterone with the Black Swan director's dramatic CGI marvel. Check out the trailer.

Empire Film Awards: Emma Thompson and James McAvoy were the big winners at this year's Empire Film Awards, taking home trophies in their respective acting categories for Saving Mr. Banks and Filth. Space thriller Gravity and the fantasy sequel The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug were the evening's most-awarded movies with Simon Pegg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sally Hawkins, Tom Cruise, Hugh Jackman, Steve Coogan and Margot Robbie also honoured for a smashing year in film. Find the full list of winners here.

Continue reading: A Week In News: 'Noah' Conjures A Box Office Miracle, Glastonbury Line-Up Revealed, And 'How I Met Your Mother' Bids Farewell

Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson were all on hand for Sunday night's Empire Awards in London, a lively and colourful event with most winners chosen by the magazine's readers. Cruise was named The Legend of Our Lifetime, while Schwarzenegger was crowned The Action Hero of Our Lifetime and Jackman picked up the Empire Icon Award.

There was also a flurry of high-profile premieres in London this past week. Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson and Ray Winstone walked a watery-style carpet for Noah; Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton were on hand for The Other Woman; and Shailene Woodley, Kate Winslet and Theo James dazzled the fans for Divergent.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Hollywood Legends Hit London, As Do A Trio Of Big Premieres, While New Trailers Promise Tears, Laughs, Thrills And Chills

It was another glitzy night in London’s Leicester Square last night as the area, so accustomed to Hollywood A-listers, hosted another U.K premiere. It was the stars of 'Noah' waltzing down the red carpet and talking to the press this time ahead of this Friday’s release of Darren Aronofsky’s biblical epic.

Russell Crowe stars in 'Noah'

The film stars Russell Crowe as the titular Noah, with Emma Watson playing his adopted daughter Elah. Despite staunch opposition from many religious groups and numerous re-edits from the film’s studio, Aronofsky managed to put out the film he intended, and the critics have been kind, filing reviews to the tune of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Continue reading: 'Noah' Set To Storm The UK Box Office As Emma Watson And Co Attend London Premiere

With all the hype surrounding Darren Aronofsky’s biblical epic Noah – religious groups denouncing it; widespread bans in the Middle East; numerous re-cuts and studio interference – just getting it into cinemas sounded like a big enough challenge. But the Black Swan director, who put his foot down and released the film he intended, is reaping the rewards with some glowing report cards. 

Russell Crowe as the titular Noah

The film sees Russell Crowe play Noah, who sets about building a huge arc to survive the biblical flood coming to offer up punishment to a disobedient and spiteful Man. But the film doesn’t restrict itself to the text; delving into spirituality and action film tropes in equal measure – something the critics have picked up on and praised Aronofsky for. 

Continue reading: Darren Aronofsky Gets It Right: The Critics Don't Sink 'Noah's' Arc

Darren Aronofsky's retelling of the story of Noah was never going to be a straight biblical tale. We knew that after Lionsgate executives began sweating, pushing for a more religious slant and suggesting a Christian rock song for the final moments. Aronofsky - the man behind Black Swan, Pi and The Fountain - has described Noah as the least biblical, biblical story, ever and he's probably right.

Russell Crowe Stars As 'Noah'

The film fails to mention God once and paints Noah - played here by Russell Crowe - as more of an environmentalist. Critics aren't completely blown away, but there's no doubt that Noah is one of the more ambitious and visually spectacular movies in recent years.

Continue reading: Aronofsky's 'Noah' Is One Of The Most Ridiculous, Magnificent Movies, Ever

Just to annoy the religious critics of his movie some more, filmmaker and self-professed Darren Aronofsky has called his retelling of the story of Noah, "the least biblical biblical film ever made."

Russell Crowe Plays 'Noah'

Somehow, Aronofksy has made a secular movie about the Biblical figure, painting Noah - played here by Russell Crowe - as an environmentalist in a movie that doesn't mention God once. Not once.  

Continue reading: Darren Aronofsky Wants You To Know That 'Noah' Isn't Religious, At All

Pope Francis’ near-spotless public image lives on, as it has now come out that the Catholic leader did not cancel a planned meeting with Hollywood actor Russell Crowe. Paramount Pictures, the company behind Crowe’s Bible-inspired epic Noah, denied claims that the studio had scheduled a meeting behind him and the Pope.

Crowe was never going to have a private meeting with the Pope, because it would "cause a disruption."

“A meeting was never scheduled,” said a Paramount spokesperson, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This was in response to a Variety story on Monday, which ran the headline "Pope Cancels Tentative 'Noah' Meeting With Russell Crowe." The word “tentative” was not in the original headline and was only featured after the studio made the clarification.

Continue reading: Meeting Between Russell Crowe And Pope Francis Was Never On The Agenda

Russell Crowe’s upcoming flick Noah has been banned in the UAE because of “scenes that contradict Islam and the Bible”, according to Juma Al-Leem, the director of media content at the National Media Center in the United Arab Emirates. Al-Leem added, “It is important to respect these religions and not show the film.”

Noah has been banned in the United Arab Emirates

Noah isn’t the first movie to be banned on religious grounds, but is it as subversive as some of these other movies that didn’t make the religious cut?

Continue reading: 'Offensive' 'Noah' Banned - Other Movies Banned By Religious Groups

Darren Aronofsky’s Noah was never going to fly under the radar. The film, based on the intrepid Noah from Genesis, essentially flies in the face of religion, which was a sticky issue for Paramount, who cut the film up into so many iterations it’s doubtful anyone knows which version made it to cinemas.

Noah has garnered a mixed response in Mexico

But, whichever version made it to Mexican cinemas, it wasn’t exactly perfect. Before the film, Aronoksky told the audience: "It's a very, very different movie," he said. "Anything you're expecting, you're f---ing wrong." Well, perhaps swearing didn’t set the right tone as some critics felt it dragged on, while others just simply didn’t like it. Others planned on positive reviews. Like we said, mixed signals.

Continue reading: 'Noah': Mixed Signals In Mexico, Strong Start Predicted, Christian Rock Cut Revealed

Noah has received its world premiere in Mexico City where director Darren Aronofsky presented his biblical retelling at the Pepsi Centre with several members of the epic's cast. Official first reviews have been embargoed until the film's late March release date but early viewers took to Twitter to express their 140 character verdicts on the eagerly-anticipated movie.

The Epic, Russell Crowe-Starring 'Noah' Has Premiered In Mexico City.

The Black Swan director appeared at the premiere alongside Logan Lerman, Douglas Booth and Jennifer Connelly and, in a speech before the screening, warned the audience to expect the unexpected. "It's a very, very different movie," he said. "Anything you're expecting, you're f***ing wrong." Lead cast members Russell Crowe and Emma Watson were notable in their absence from the event.

Continue reading: 'Noah' Movie Makes First Waves In Mexico Despite Religious Controversy [Trailer]

Now that the Academy Awards are over and done with for another year we can look forward to the new movies that are coming out in 2014! There’s a bunch of great films on the horizon, but here’s our top five that are coming out over the next couple of months.

Noah

Russell Crowe stars as Noah in a biblical epic about the building of the Ark and the flood. Noah looks like it will be packed full of some serious special effects, and Russell’s definitely got his serious acting hat on for the role. The star-studded cast includes Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson, Ray Winstone and Jennifer Connelly and is set to be released on March 28th.

Continue reading: Forget The Oscars: Here's Our Top Five Movies For 2014

If having to shoot her scenes between 4am and 7am in the morning wasn't bad enough, Emma Watson has revealed how she fell ill on the set of Noah after director Darren Aronofsky banned bottled water.

Russell Crowe Stars in Darren Aronofsky's 'Noah'

Watson, who plays Noah's adopted daughter Ila in the big-budget movie, told Wonderland magazine that the movie's pro-environmental message meant the crew were not allowed to bring bottled water on set.

Continue reading: Emma Watson Drank Stagnant Water After Aronofsky's 'Noah' Bottle Ban

Darren Aronofksy’s Noah is a film of epic proportions, telling the long tale of Noah’s fight against an almighty flood that threatens to end all of humanity and life on earth. But there was an almighty battle to be fought off screen, too. Paramount were keen to appease religious audiences on which the film was tested, attempting to gain control of the final cut.

We'll be seeing Noah as its director intended

All in all, repots suggest the film was actually cut a dozen times before Aronofsky finally got his way. "They tried what they wanted to try, and eventually they came back," he said. "My version of the film hasn't been tested ... It's what we wrote and what was greenlighted." He admitted "there was a rough patch" with the studio.

Continue reading: How Darren Aronofsky Won The Biblical Battle For Control With Noah

Winter’s Tale (not to be confused with the Shakespeare play) starring Colin Farrell, premieres today to high expectations. For writer/director Akiva Goldsman, it’s been a labor of love, but a long and complicated one. Goldsman spoke to The Hollywood Reporter earlier this week, explaining some of the trouble he ran into with Winter’s Tale, as well as his personal life during pre-production.

Colin Farrell, horse - what more could you want in a romance flick, really?

"This movie is kind of an exercise in faith," he told THR. "I was trying to write it, and my wife passed away while I was writing the screenplay, and I didn't think I'd do much of anything after that. This became kind of a Hail Mary to the idea that there's a peacefulness behind random acts of love."

Continue reading: For All Its Candor, "Winter's Tale" Falls Flat With Critics

Darren Aronofsky came to loggerheads with Paramount over his biblical epic, Noah, starring Russell Crowe. The problem lay with the final cut, and the perennial battle between auteur and Hollywood studio reared its ugly head once more. But in an unlikely tale, akin to the subject matter in the film - in semblance rather than historical accuracy, at least – the director won.

The final cut is the director's, but will it be any good?

Paramount execs had previously demanded a re-cut, and made their own versions of the film due to an unsavoury reaction from U.S screeners. The religious content in the film led to unrest amongst Christian communities. Paramount wanted to please everybody. But Aronofsky, who wowed audiences with his efforts in The Wrestler and Black Swan, asserts that the cut we’ll see in cinemas is the one he intended; it’s not become anodyne or inhibited.

Continue reading: Darren Aronofsky, One, Paramount, Nil, - Director Gets The 'Noah' Cut He Wanted

If you’ve got a film out after the Superbowl, then you generally try and get a trailer out for a match day broadcast. Not independent, black & white films made on a small budget, but high profile blockbusters, like Noah starring Russell Crowe.

Noah (Crowe) looks out upon doom and dispair, but he's got a stick.

It’s only 30-seconds long, but the spot features Russell Crowe as Noah, boarding his biblical vessel and facing the almighty wrath of God in flood-form. We should all be thankful he did that, because if he didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to look at cat gifs while we’re supposed to be writing stories and answering emails.

Continue reading: 'Noah' Gets New Trail, But Is The Boat The Wrong Shape!?

The 2014 biblical epic 'Noah', starring Russell Crowe as the title character, along with Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins and Emma Watson, to name a few, will air a new trailer at the Super Bowl.

The Darren-Aronofsky-directed upcoming movie is alost as highly anticipated as the game, along with the ensemble cast, it has a budget of $130 million to spend on visual spectacles and monumental cinematic moments.

This film's trailer fits the bill for the huge sporting event, watched by millions of people around the world, and as there are predictions of blizzards and flooding at the MetLife Stadium, it really is a perfect fit.

Continue reading: Russell Crowe's 'Noah' To Release New Trailer During 2014 Super Bowl

Everyone knows the story of Noah, whether religious or not, virtually everyone is familiar with the man who received a warning from God that a flood was coming and built a giant ark to save two of every species and his family. Director Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic has been rumoured for some time but now we have visual proof that Noah will be released next year.

Russell Crowe Gets A (Bigger) Beard For His New Role.

The trailer gives a flavour of the digital artistry and astounding visual effects we should prepare ourselves for ahead of the movie's March 2014 release.

Continue reading: Darren Aronofsky's 'Noah' Brings The Bible Tale To Epic Life With Russell Crowe [Trailer]

George Clooney, Russell Crowe and Leonardo Dicaprio are not best mates. They’re just not. But Clooney and Brad Pitt are solid bros. They’re solid bros. The Monuments Men actor/director/writer/producer was talking in an atypically candid interview with Esquire magazine.

George Clooney has been rather outspoken in his latest interview

Proving irrevocably that he’s a weird man, Crowe sent Clooney a book of his own poetry with a view to "apologise for insulting the shit out of me, which he did". According to Clooney, Crowe "picked a fight with me. He started it for no reason at all. He put out this thing saying, 'George Clooney, Harrison Ford, and Robert De Niro are sellouts.'"

Continue reading: George Clooney: "Crowe Tried To Fight Me, DiCaprio Needs Guidance, But Pitt's Alright"

We’ve all been waiting for Despicable Me 2 for a while now, especially considering just how good the first one was. So when these excellent clips arrived, the excitement was palpable. Those lucky critics have seen the whole thing and they’ve fallen in love with it too.

Click for this Despicable Me 2 Clip

Grossing more than $540 million and becoming the 10th-biggest animated motion picture in U.S. history, the first Despicable Me movie – starring Steve Carell as the hilarious Gru – was a hit with the critics, garnering an overall review score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes. This picture isn’t fairing too badly either, even if the current 100% rating is sure to drop to something we used to; a solid 80% perhaps?

Continue reading: Watch Extended Clips Of Despicable Me 2 – Critics Fall In Love With Animation Sequel

The Man of Steel is quite possibly one of the most eagerly anticipated summer blockbusters to be released in 2013, with critics and audiences alike readying themselves for the long-awaited return of Superman on the cinema screen. With an all-star cast and some of Hollywood's best comic book adaptors working behind the scenes, the film should be one of the hits of the year, but incase you don't feel as though the film will live up to expectations here's a quick list of why you shoudl give it a try.

Watch the trailer for Man of Steel

Continue reading: Superman Is Back! - 5 Reasons To Go See Man Of Steel This Summer

This week's big world premiere was in London for the zombie apocalypse thriller where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie made their first public appearance since news of Jolie's pre-cancer surgery. They were joined on the red carpet by director Marc Forster and other cast members. The film opens in two weeks.

This weekend British moviegoers get a chance to see Michael Douglas and Matt Damon on the big screen in the Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra. The film was broadcast last week on HBO in America, which means it isn't eligible for Oscars, but look for it to mop up Emmys and Golden Globes. And with glowing reviews from UK critics, Bafta nominations are also expected.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: World War Z Arrives, Britain Braces For Liberace, Superman Speaks

Russell Crowe stars as Jor-El, Superman's Kryptonian father in the new comic book adaptation Man of Steel. With only a few days until the movie comes out, Contact managed to get a sit down with the acting great from Down Under to discuss his role in the film, in which he discussed how being a father affected his acting method in the movie as well as discuss a chance meeting he had with the film's titular star, Henry Cavill, more than a decade ago.

Watch the interview with Russell Crowe

Continue reading: Russell Crowe Links Real-Life Fatherhood With Man Of Steel Role And Recalls Chance Henry Cavill Meeting In New Interview [Video Interview]

Chrissy Amphlett – best known for her time in the Australian band, The Divinyls, has died. Her husband, Charley Drayton, who played alongside his wife in the band, confirmed the news. She died after battling breast cancer and multiple sclerosis.

"Chrissy's light burns so very brightly," said Drayton. "Hers was a life of passion and creativity; she always lived it to the fullest". The statement on the Australian Recording Industry Association's (ARIA) website added: "With her force of character and vocal strength she paved the way for strong, sexy, outspoken women." Russell Crowe starred alongside Amphlett in a 1988 production of Blood Brothers in which she played his mother. “Dear Chrissie, The last time I saw you was in the Botanic Gardens, loving life and reciting verse. That's how I'll remember you, your boy, R,” Crowe tweeted. The Divinyls were founded in 1980 in Sydney. They went on to record five studio albums between 1982 and 1996. "Unfortunately the last 18 months have been a real challenge for me, having breast cancer and MS and all the new places that will take you,” wrote Amphlett in a Facebook post back in March. “My illnesses have really exhausted this little body of mine that I have thrown from one end of a stage to another and performed thousands of shows."

The Divinyls had a number one hit with I Touch Myself, which featured in the 1997 Austin Powers movie International Man of Mystery. "Chrissy expressed hope that her worldwide hit I Touch Myself would be utilized to remind all women to perform annual breast examinations," said Drayton.

Continue reading: Australian Singer Chrissy Amphlett Dies Aged 53

Look! In the sky! It's a plane; it's a blur, no wait! It's actually a picture of a 'UFO' taken by Russell Crowe himself! The Oscar winner has posted a movie on YouTube filmed near his home in Sydney that he claims shows an unidentified flying object, with the actor posting the footage on his Twitter soon after.

Crowe and a friend of his had apparently set up a stop motion camera in the Sydney Royal Botanical Gardens to capture images of fruit bats, but when they checked the reel they got a little more than was expected. "UFO? Time Lapse Photos Outside RC's Woolloomooloo Office (THESE ARE REAL!)" Crowe posted to his Twitter account with the YouTube clip, with the actor adding in a later post, "Canon 5D, No Flash, can't be a lense flare because it moves, camera is fixed."

Unfortunately for Hollywood's latest UFO enthusiast, three grainy shots of a red blur does not constitute as proof of intelligent life making a pit stop on Earth, as many of the Twitter comments agree. Still, Crowe seems pretty sure and was so far posted five Tweets in the space of eight hours about the alleged UFO incident, and yes, for those of you still wondering, there is a place called Woolloomooloo.

Continue reading: Close Encounters Of The Blurred Kind: Russell Crowe Films 'UFO' Footage (Video)

Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe are all well-respected actors, who’ve carved out hugely successful careers. But that didn’t mean they got a free pass into Les Miserables – no – they had to audition, and by that we mean sing, like everybody else.

Hugh Jackman & Russell Crowe (left) and Les Mis Director, Tom Hooper

Continue reading: Oscars 2013 – Les Miserables Cast Sang For Their Roles In The Film

We could hardly bring ourselves to visit Russell Crowe's Twitter page when first hearing that he'd responded to Adam Lambert's criticism of Les Miserables. We assumed the boisterous Australian would take apart the former American Idol star inch-by-inch, so imagine our surprise when the actor appeared to agree with Lambert.

The singer had initially taken to Twitter after seeing the film, telling his two million followers, "Les Mis: Visually impressive w great Emotional performances. But the score suffered massively with great actors PRETENDING to be singers." In fact, his thoughts on the movie mirrored those of the critics, who gave the film generally positive reviews, though nothing out of the ordinary. Lambert added, "I do think it was cool they were singing live - but with that cast, they should have studio recorded and sweetened the vocals.The industry will say 'these actors were so brave to attempt singing this score live' but why not cast actors who could actually sound good?" Hugh Jackman and Amanda Seyfried have singing experience, though the likes of Crowe and Anne Hathaway were effectively debuting their singing voices for the first time. Crowe, who plays Javert in the epic based on Victor Hugo's novel, tweeted in response, "I don't disagree with Adam. Sure it could have been sweetened, Tom Hooper wanted it raw and real, that's how it is." MASSIVE anti-climax.

Les Miserables - described by Rolling Stones' Peter Travers as "perfectly marvellous" - is likely to score numerous Oscar nominations in the January 10 announcement. 

There is always some enormous risk in remaking well loved stories, be they originally films, plays, television series or literature. There will always be hype and there will always be people who prefer the original, think the film ruined the book, consider the remake redundant or those who simply don't like it. Along with all of these risks, movie makers also come across the problem of how to remake something while at once being true to the original and yet also being able to make their own mark on it. Tom Hooper has managed to tread these very lines well with his latest movie, Victor Hugo's Les Miserables.

Les Mis was loved even before it was published. Hugo was already a much adored poet and when the first of the five volumes were published in 1862 it had sold out in Paris within two days. With it's award winning and long running musical that has delighted theatre audiences for decades, the popularity Les Miserables has managed not to fade. Speaking to Time, Hooper explained his decision to include the brand new song, 'Suddenly', for Jean Valjean and performed by Hugh Jackman. "There's an inspiring line in the book" he says, "that goes something like... 'The bishop had taught him virtue. Cosette taught him the meaning of love'... these two epiphanies [are] the central transformative moments. The musical nails the first one but the second one is kind of underwritten." Adding, "So I took this wonderful paragraph and asked Claude Michel and Alain Boublil [the writer and lyricist], 'Can you write me a song about what it is like to fall in love with a child, to experience parental love out of nowhere?'" And they did.

So far responses to the song have been fairly positive, despite the mixed reviews it's been receiving, with Time's own review naming Hooper's direction 'bad', while Variety has said it would "have made Victor Hugo proud". Starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfriend, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baren Cohen and introducing the adorable and talented Isabelle Allen as the young Cosette, Les Miserables will be in cinemas nationwide on January 11th.

Continue reading: Tom Hooper's Les Miserables: Making Something New Out Of The Old

Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe entertained the crowds at the Les Miserables premiere in Sydney, Australia, on Thursday (December 20, 2012), laughing and joking while also pretending to race each other down the red-carpet! Tom Hooper's big screen adaptation of the musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel has received cautious praise from critics, though Jackman's performance in particular came in for specific fanfare.

Brothers in Arms: Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe Light Up The Red Carpet In Sydney, Australia

Speaking to The Australian, Jackman admitted that musicals aren't for everyone, "When it doesn't work, it stinks to high heaven, musical theatre. It can be very phoney. If it's not done well, it doesn't affect you in any way. I think musicals are the Mount Everest of moviemaking - I don't think there's anything more difficult to pull off."

Continue reading: Jokers! Hugh Jackman And Russell Crowe Fool Around At Les Miserables Premiere Down Under

Les Miserables may well score a plethora of Oscars at the Academy Awards in February, though it won't be on the back of critical acclaim. Sure, the movie has received its fair share of strong reviews, though a fairly average 71% on Rotten Tomatoes is enough to suggest that not everyone thinks the big budget project starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe has worked.

Richard Corliss of TIME Magazine was the most biting in his criticism, though directed most of his venom towards director Tom Hooper, who scooped the Oscar of Best Director for The King's Speech a couple of years ago. "Tom Hooper's problem is soiling good projects with bad direction. Even if his Les Misérables wins as many Oscars as The King's Speech did, it's a habit he really needs to correct," he wrote. Ouch. Catherine Shoard of The Guardian seemingly had a terrible experience sitting through the musical-drama, "By the end, you feel like a piñata on the dancefloor: empty, in bits, the victim of prolonged assault by killer pipes," she said. The Village Voice's Scott Foundas had sympathy with the British director, suggesting, "The moist-eyed storybook romanticism of the source material proves resilient to [Hooper's] efforts."

Despite the mixed reviews, Les Miserables has emerged as the second favorite to win the Oscar for Best Picture, though Steven Spielberg's Lincoln is expected to take that honor come 2013.

Continue reading: Has Tom Hooper Soiled 'Les Miserables' With Bad Direction?

After a more conservative look at the London premiere last week, Anne Hathaway set tongues wagging with this racey number

Props to the main stars of Les Miserables, they're putting in the effort on the film's run of premieres. Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and the rest of the cast were all out in force again at the New York City premiere of the novel adaptation less than a week after they'd ran the red carpet gamut in London. What a difference a continent makes, though; whilst across in the UK Hathaway and the rest of the female cast dressed prettily but conservatively, at the Ziegfield Theatre they held nothing back, both Hathaway and Seyfried causing jaws to drop with their outfits. 

Continue reading: Pictures: Anne Hathaway And Amanda Seyfried's Outfits The Talking Point Of The New York Les Miserables Premiere

Anne Hathaway is back on the town and back to her stylish self after undergoing a massive transformation for her latest role as Fantine in Les Miserables, having been spotted around the nightspots of London shortly after arriving in the city.

Hathaway has made a series of appearances in the English capital since she flew in to promote the new film earlier this week, and it looks as though the actress was more than happy to finally be back on the town following her rigorous weigh-loss campaign for her role in Les Miserables. The actress dropped a further 25lbs from her already slim figure to get ready for her dramatic role as the Fantine, which involves her having to sell her hair and body in order to survive during the French revolution.

Anne and her fellow co-stars, including Amanda Seyfried, Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman, were in the capital for the world premiere on Wednesday (Dec 5) night, with Anne out for a meal with a male friend the following night looking seriously glamourous once again. Despite having to go down to her super-slim size, the dedication may pay off come February, with bookies making her one of the favourites to take home the Best Actress Oscar next year. That said, she still has stiff competition from the likes of Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) and Sally Field (Lincoln).

Awards season kicked off in earnest this week with two major critical bodies - New York Critics and the National Board of Review - both naming the Osama bin Laden raid thriller Zero Dark Thirty as their film of the year. Jessica Chastain stars in the movie, which reunites director Kathryn Bigelow with The Hurt Locker writer Mark Boal. The new trailer promises another exciting, intense military action drama.

Another major awards contender is Tom Hooper's film of the epic musical Les Miserables, with a high-powered cast including Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne and Amanda Seyfried. All of them attended the glitzy red carpet world premiere in London this week. The film opens in America on Christmas Day, and in Britain in early January.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies Feat: Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty, Tom Hooper, Les Miserables, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Martin Freeman And More!

To undertake a cinematic reimagining of Les Miserables is to approach the proverbial poisoned chalice with gusto, with added virulent infections and - yes the cliched metaphors are done now - a rounded panning from the public and press, who have enjoyed the stage show and don't look upon change kindly. 

But that hasn't been the case for Tom Hooper, who bravely took the helm to take this iconic stage show onto the big screen. Featuring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway, and not to mention the brilliance of violinist Henry Salmon, 2012's Les Mis has enjoyed a positive reaction from a difficult circle of critics to please.

"Not only is Les Miserables a great film," write popular film website, HeyuGuys, "but it is now the textbook example of how to adapt a musical for the screen, all the while maintaining an utterly straight face. Glorious," they add, giving the film an impressive 5/5.

Continue reading: At The Movies: Les Miserables Review Roundup

Anne Hathaway and her fellow cast members in Les Miserables were forced to sing live, MTV News have reported. They spoke to the movie’s director, Tom Hooper, who explained that it was of the utmost importance to have the actors singing live, to make the performances believable. The cast agreed, so Hathaway, Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman all had to put their vocal talents on display if they wanted to be part of the film.

“The whole sense that the character is producing the song, rather than the character is following a song, completely changes the medium of the music,” Hooper told MTV. “It's amazing how much more visceral and how much more real it is. I, for one, find lip-syncing; it's always made me find it fake. Even the great musicals, I have to kind of forgive them for miming. It's a real step forward in the form, which we are all really excited to be involved in.” Hathaway reportedly spent four months with a vocal coach before joining the rest of the coach for the nine-week filming schedule and it looks as though her hard work paid off.

The movie version of Les Miserables premiered at New York’s Lincoln Center. The Hollywood Reporter say that although Anne Hathaway’s performance as Fantine is a brief one, she makes an “indelible impression” and already, mutterings of potential Oscar nominations have begun to surface. 

Continue reading: No Lip-Syncing Here: Anne Hathaway Forced To Sing Live For Les Miserables

Russell Crowe turned down Hugh Jackman's Wolverine part in the X-Men movies, though recommended the Australian star for the role. Crowe had just finished Gladiator and opted to work with Ron Howard on A Beautiful Mind - a film that scooped multiple Oscars including an acting nomination for Crowe.

In an interview with Australian radio station Triple M 104.9FM (via Yahoo), Jackman explained, "Bryan Singer asked Rusty to do Wolverine, and he said, 'Nah mate I've just done 'Gladiator', it's not for me but you should look at this guy..." Luckily, Crowe appeared to be right on the money with his endorsement, as Jackman's portrayal was a huge hit with movie fans. He's since appeared as the clawed mutant three times, with a second X-Men spin-off 'The Wolverine' due out in July 2012. Crowe and Jackman have been good friends for many years, and the X-Men star said, "He's a great guy in every way, I have so much time for him and to watch him work, everyone says he is a great actor, when you actually get to work with someone like that... He's that good when it matters, in that moment, in that close up tough moment, you just sit back and watch you know someone's got that confidence and is going to deliver. I learnt a lot from him."

2013 is likely to be a big year for both stars, with Jackman appearing in the forthcoming musical-drama Les Miserables (as is Crowe) as well as The Wolverine and thriller The Prisoner with Jake Gyllenhaal. Crowe is shooting the fantasy Winter's Tale, Superman flick Man of Steel and his Oscar tipped blockbuster Noah. 

Continue reading: Russell Crowe Turned Down Wolverine Role (But Recommended Hugh Jackman)

It’s been a long time since a movie musical challenged for an Oscar, yet with the predictions and rumors starting to fly round there are suggestions that one could be in the reckoning to take the main Academy Award for the first time since Chicago triumphed way back in 2002.

In fairness, if Les Miserables was decent it was always going to have a chance; the book was considered one of the finest novels of the 19^th century, whilst the musical was one of the most high profile of the last century. Switching it to film though obviously had a huge pressure, and people finally got a chance to see how British filmmaker Tom Hooper had handled that as his film of Les Miserables screened for the first time last Friday (November 23), according to The Hollywood Reporter.

No one at the screening, which took place at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, was allowed to give their review of the film. What can be revealed is that Hooper himself was there and addressed the crowd. "I'm grateful that I finished it [the film]... “ he said in a speech, adding “I'm grateful to the thousands of people who have been on this journey, particularly the wonderful cast... and I'm grateful to Victor Hugo (who wrote the novel upon which the Broadway play upon which the film is derived), who unfortunately can't be with us." Starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Helena Bonham Carter among others, the cast certainly has the chops for the Awards season, only time will tell whether the film matches up to the profile.

David O'Russell's new movie Silver Linings Playbook, starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, appears to have a one-way ticket to the Oscars ceremony in February. Strong reviews for the movie with an all-star cast means it's likely to be competing for the major prizes in 2013. Lawrence is the massive favorite to win best actress, Cooper will battle Daniel Day-Lewis and Joaquin Phoenix for best actor, though could Robert De Niro win his first Academy Award since 1981? (Raging Bull)

De Niro plays the father of Pat Solitano, a former school teacher who loses everything - his house, his job and his wife. Living back home with his parents, (mother played by Jacki Weaver), Pat attempts to rebuild his life and meets the mysterious Tiffany, played by Lawrence. De Niro is superb throughout, and is likely to be nominated for best supporting Actor, though can he go all the way? There's an interesting group of contenders this year, with Philip Seymour Hoffman a shoo-in for a nomination. His L. Ron Hubbard style character in The Master won fierce praise from critics, and the 45-year-old is a favorite of the Academy for sure. Ben Affleck could win best director for Argo, while the movie is the frontrunner for best picture, though it also has a couple of supporting performances worth a shout. Bryan Cranston plays a CIA officer in the political drama and has made a huge name for himself in Hollywood for his performances as Walter White in Breaking Bad - easily one of the finest characters in television drama for years. In the same movie, Alan Arkin also turns in a fine comedic performance with Jon Goodman and, of course, the Little Miss Sunshine actor has had his hands on the supporting actor gong before. Tommy Lee Jones is likely to get a nomination for Lincoln, while Leonardo DiCaprio will be disappointed to not make the shortlist for his turn as the evil Calvin Candie in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. 

Outsiders for a shot at the statuette include Javier Bardem for Skyfall, Russell Crowe for Les Miserables and William H Macy for The Sessions. Let's be clear, Philip Seymour Hoffman will take all the beating here, though De Niro's performance will not be ignored by the Academy. His co-star Bradley Cooper said it would be "insane" should he win Best Actor for Silver Linings Playbook and it certainly would be unthinkable for Daniel Day-Lewis not to walk away with that award come February, but best supporting actor? That's not so clear cut.

Continue reading: Has Silver Linings Playbook Got Robert De Niro Back Into Oscars Contention?

All eyes are on Flight and Wreck It Ralph this weekend as the main contenders for box office glory. Denzel Washington’s performance in Flight has already sparked whispers of an Oscar nomination from insiders, something that’s always guaranteed to get people fleeing to the movie theaters. However, with much of the East coast of the USA blighted by Hurricane Sandy earlier in the week, the attentions of much of the US public will be elsewhere as people try to recover from the devastation caused there.

Denzel Washington last won an Oscar in 2002, for the crime thriller Training Day. Flight is Washington’s latest stab at the prize. Described on Rotten Tomatoes as an “action packed mystery thriller,” Denzel plays the lead role of the pilot Whip Whitaker, who manages to land a passenger plane after a mid-air catastrophe and saves everyone on board. After being hailed as a hero, it soon becomes clear that something may be amiss with Whitaker and all is not as it seems.

 The critical response to Flight has been largely positive, with Roger Ebert hinting at the power of Denzel’s performance by saying “Not often does a movie character make such a harrowing personal journey that keeps us in deep sympathy all of the way.” High praise indeed from Ebert. In fact, the bulk of the praise for Flight is centered on Washington; Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers surmises “Flight reminds us of what Washington can do when a role hits him with a challenge that would floor a lesser actor. He's a ball of fire, and his detailed, depth-charged, bruisingly true performance will be talked about for years.” Sounds like one not to be missed! Wreck It Ralph might not have ‘Oscar Winner’ stamped all over it but it’s still shaping up to be a strong contender in the popularity stakes this weekend, with only one dissenter failing to give it the thumbs up on Rotten Tomatoes’ round-up of the top critics’ remarks.

Continue reading: Hot Tickets! This Weekend's US Cinema Releases: Flight, Wreck It Ralph, The Man With The Iron Fists, Vamps

The mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg has been making sure that the city's residents were fully prepared for Hurricane Sandy, which hit New York last night. And whilst the majority of New York citizens paid heed, TV presenter David Letterman decided to pay heed instead to that age-old motto from the world of entertainment. "the show must go on!"

According to MTV, Letterman wasn't going to let a minor detail like the biggest storms to ever hit the USA stop him from filming one of his late night chat shows. He did, however, film the episode of The Late Show With David Letterman without the presence of his usual live audience. He may have been prepared to brave the elements to get the show filmed but he wasn't about to let the general public endanger themselves in the process. The same applied to Jimmy Fallon's show, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. 

Other shows weren't so lucky. Jimmy Kimmel was forced to cancel one of his tapings in Brooklyn, announcing on Twitter "Though it pains us to do it, JKL from Brooklyn tonight is cancelled. I'm disappointed too, but we want you to be safe." Over at Comedy Central, however, the laughter stopped for the night. Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart both cancelled the filming for their shows. 

Continue reading: The Show Must Go On? David Letterman Props Up Entertainment Industry During Hurricane Sandy

Yes, photos prove that Russell Crowe has got old and fat since the break down of his marriage. However, his altered appearance isn't due to the emotional strife he has been enduring over the past few months, and instead is in aid of his new movie Noah, in which he plays mankind's saviour amid the Biblical flood. 

The Gladiator has been snapped with a long grey beared and a spare wheel or two around his waist, on set of Dan Aronofsky's upcoming ambitious movie based on Noah, as he builds the ark, and attempts to save two of every species on Earth. Ray Winston, Emma Watson and Jennifer Connelly will be starring alongside Crowe, as part of the $78m budgeted epic. This update of one of the best loved stories of the Bible is to be set in a more contemporary era, and will be released in 2014, reports the Daily Mail. 

Acknowledging the alteration in appearance, Crowe made light of it in a tweet 'The beard will be gone mid November so, no, I'm not booking Christmas shows #missedopportunity.' Although the star has gained a few pounds he has nevertheless kept up an intense work-out regime, and is generally keeping himself very, very busy since he filed for divorce. The pair's 9 year marriage simply couldn't handle the Hollywood pressure, as once source told the Daily Mail "a showbusiness marriage should still be a two-way street and he has been less behind her career than she has been behind his."

Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer have separated, Reuters reports today (October 15, 2012).

Although the news has not been officially confirmed by Russell or Danielle, her father, Don Spencer has told the Australian TV station Ten Network that the couple have officially split and that their main priority was their children.

Academy Award-winning actor Crowe and his musician wife Spencer started dating back in 1989, when they co-starred in the film The Crossing. They married in 2003, at Russell’s cattle ranch in New South Wales. They have two sons together, Charles Spencer Crow (b. 2003) and Tennyson Spencer Crowe (b. 2006). The cause of the couple’s split is currently unclear and Danielle’s father didn't give any hints as to what may have prompted the separation. Russell Crowe’s Twitter currently gives no hints as to the situation. Crowe is currently in the United States, filming the biblical epic Noah. Spencer has remained in Sydney with their sons. Though it has widely been acknowledged that Spencer has been responsible for calming Crowe’s notorious temper since they have been together, when she was asked about it, she told the Sydney Morning Herald “All that stuff has nothing to do with me as a person,” when asked about her husband’s fame and reputation.

Continue reading: Divorce On The Cards? Russell Crowe And Danielle Spencer Separate

Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe was so committed to the authenticity of his latest film, that he hired a top violin player to teach him the basics for a scene where he plays the instrument. Crowe portrays Captain Jack Aubrey in 'Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World', based on a series of novels by Patrick O'Brian. Captain Aubrey is characterised as a proficient violin player throughout the Napoleonic adventure series, and Crowe decided that he didn't want to have the scene unless he could successfully play the instrument. In order to keep the scene in the film, Crowe enlisted the help of Richard Tognetti - one of the highest regarded Australian violinists. 

Related: 'Noah' And Five Other Movies That Sparked Religious Controversy

Crowe explained the thought process behind his decision, saying: "I said to myself, 'You're not allowed to pretend that you're a violinist. Richard is the director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and we've become friends, so I asked him to be my violin teacher. It was a very long process and very strange things happened. I used to put my violin down after 45 minutes of rehearsing and I'd feel very lightheaded and euphoric and I thought that's amazing that it makes you feel like this."

Continue reading: Russell Crowe Masters Command Of The Violin