Borat, Apatow Make Benefit Glorious Academy
They’d like to thank the Academy for letting them in. We’d like to thank the Academy for making Oscar voting a little more interesting.
The decreasingly staid Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has extended invitations to 105 stars, among them Sacha Baron Cohen, Judd Apatow, Marion Cotillard, Jet Li and Diablo Cody, to join the gilded class of 2008 as full-fledged voting members.
The invitees were selected for their “distinguished contributions to theatrical motion pictures,” and while most have either won or been nominated for Oscars, possession of a little golden man is not a prerequisite for an invite.
Being able to craft a timeless getting-laid joke, however, seems to be.
“These individuals are all incredibly talented and a credit to the world of filmmaking,” quotable AMPAS prez Sid Ganis said. “They exemplify the high standards of the Academy, and I welcome each and every one of them to our ranks.”
In addition to Borat & Co., second-generation thesp Josh Brolin, industry vet Ruby Dee, Allison Janney and Ray Winstone were among the actors passing Academy muster.
Directors Doug Liman, Kimberly Peirce, Walter Salles and Gore Verbinski rounded out the helming heavyweights, while screenwriters David Benioff, responsible for such disparate films as The Kite Runner and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Lars and the Real Girl’s Nancy Oliver and The Savages’ Tamara Jenkins joined the big-name pen-wielders on the list.
All who accept the honor and choose to become new Academy members will be welcomed at a reception in Beverly Hills come September.
Rachel Bilson Gets Her Shopping Fix
Rachel Bilson Gets Her Shopping Fix
Getting a much-needed shopping fix, Rachel Bilson was spotted in the Meatpacking district of New York City on Tuesday morning (June 17).
Accompanied by a guy pal, the former OC babe combed the racks at shops including Alexander McQueen, Butik and Jeffery before taking a break for a bite to eat.
In related news, Rachel’s box office hit “Jumper” just came out on DVD a week ago - and she’s been busily interviewing as part of her press duties.
Recently chatting with the AP, Rachel revealed that she felt a little uncomfortable filming love scenes with co-star-turned-boyfriend Hayden Christensen in the sci-fi thriller.
“It’s always awkward and hard to film love scenes, it’s so unnatural, and it’s mechanical,” she said. “Actually Doug [Liman, director] made it very free and we went with it - and a shot of alcohol always helps ease the nerves.”
Despite the uneasiness, Rachel added that she had a wonderful time making the film with Hayden, Jamie Bell and Samuel L Jackson.
“It was so fantastic, the whole experience,” she said. “We all became close friends, but I also respect all of them as actors so I got to learn things from them. I was very fortunate.”
Rachel Bilson’s A First Class Girl
Rachel Bilson’s A First Class Girl
Standing in line with her fellow travelers, Rachel Bilson tried her best to ignore the photographers snapping up pictures as she made her way through LAX airport on Saturday (December 30).
Wearing a dark green coat and a snazzy pair of leather boots, the former star of ‘The OC’ finally boarded her flight and took her place in the luxury of first class seat 2B.
Since her run as network darling Summer Roberts, the 26-year-old hasn’t been all that active on the acting front - but continues to be a fan (and paparazzi) favorite.
Fortunately for her followers, Bilson does have a role in a new movie called “Jumper”. The Doug Liman directed film, which is slated for a Valentine’s Day 2008 release, co-stars Star Wars actor Hayden Christensen, as well as Pulp Fiction actor Samuel L Jackson.
Knight Rider series officially a go
Well, here’s hoping that the powers that be were reading TV after the two-hour Knight Rider movie premiered last February. Then, at least they’ll know how to fix the show, because NBC has picked up Knight Rider as a series for the 2008-2009 schedule, and it’s going to need some re-tooling.
That’s the phrase they love to use in the business to describe all the work that’s needed to turn a turkey — albeit one with great ratings — into a successful series. And Knight Rider, as conceived in that TV movie/back door pilot, needs some major work.
Justin Bruening, who was perfectly fine as Jamie Martin on All My Children, has to do more than just look good behind the wheel. This isn’t Hamlet, granted, but he has to make the character intrinsically more appealing that just another pretty face.
According to Variety, NBC has decided to stock pile the new lineup — which they’re announcing on Wednesday before any other broadcast network — with action and fantasy. They’ve been greenlighting pilots about Robinson Crusoe and Kings, and now the news that Doug Liman’s Knight Rider is a definite and may be filling a Friday night timeslot. Well, since Las Vegas is gone, that’s an opening although if KR remains as shallow as the TV movie, it may be deemed an eight o’clock show. Time — and timeslots — will tell.