The planned "Liberace" movie was an on-again, off-again love affair, but now, we're hearing that director Steven Soderbergh is moving forward to making the film with star Michael Douglas.
Last year, we told you about this story (See Get Ready for "Liberace" the Movie! Matt Damon and Michael Douglas to Kiss?), and I'm glad that the biopic of Wladziu Valentino Liberace is getting made. He was an interesting pop culture icon, a flamboyant, closeted, but fiercely entertaining performer who tickled everyone's hearts by his great piano playing.
Soderbergh will start shooting the movie next summer and Douglas will have to act behind prosthetics and take music lessons.
What's unclear right now is whether Matt Damon will still join the project as Liberace's partner/companion, Scott Thorson. But Damon has worked with Soderbergh five times before, so chances are, the actor will join the cast. Plus it's a meaty role where the narrative of the film is told from Thorson's point-of-view. Damon can't say no to that! Last year, he told MTV that he was ready for some kissing scenes with Douglas, "I saw Michael last night...he looks at me and goes, 'Get your Chapstick ready!' "
A great director with a great cast? This is a movie to look forward to!
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Want more "Jackass?" You have to wait until March 2011. The recent "Jackass 3D" made gazillions of dollars, $155 million and counting, so Paramount has announced that it will release "Jackass 3.5" like the world's biggest tease! ("Jackass 3D" review)
Paramount will release new clips weekly eventually culminating as a feature length film. It's unclear whether the studio will release the film in theaters or straight to video like "Jackass 2.5." ("Jackass 3D" interviews with entire cast and director Jeff Tremaine)
"Jackass" frontman, Johnny Knoxville, was quoted as saying, "For JACKASS 3D we shot enough footage for two movies so a lot of great stuff didn't make it in the film. Luckily you will get to see those bits in 3.5. We also shot some additional footage in Europe specifically for 3.5. I have staples in my head right now to prove it. Woo hoo."
"Jackass" fans will be stapled online in March to see all the fun shenanigans.
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Peter Billingsley aka Ralphie Parker of 1983's "A Christmas Story" has signed on as executive producer of the musical adaptation of the film according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Billingsley won our hearts as the 9-year-old Ralphie and most recently, the actor made his first feature directorial debut with last year's "Couples Retreat."
Previews for the stage musical version of "A Christmas Story" begins today at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre and will run from Dec. 9-30 just in time for the Holidays!
Apparently, "A Christmas Story: The Musical!" will remain loyal to the film's adaptation of Jean Shepherd's short stories. Original score is from Broadway composers Benj Paske and Justin Paul.
Billingsley told THR, “I’m excited to bring this film to the stage because the story and the characters lend themselves so well to the world of musicals.”
I can't wait to see the "Red Ryder BB Gun" song-and-dance routine!
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Cool! "Winter's Bone" Dominates Independent Spirit Awards Nominations! See Complete List of Nominees 
I'm so glad that "Winter's Bone" has been receiving all the accolades. I love this film when it was shown in limited release last summer. The backwoods drama won big at the Gothams Awards winning Best Feature and Best Ensemble, and now, it dominated the Independent Spirit Awards with seven nominations including Best Feature, Director for Debra Granik, Screenplay for Granik and Anne Rosellini, Female Lead for Jennifer Lawrence, Supporting Female for Dale Dickey, Supporting Male for John Hawkes, and Cinematography for Michael McDonough. ("Winter's Bone" Movie Review)
"Winter's Bone" will compete against "127 Hours," "Black Swan," "Greenberg" and "The Kids Are All Right" for best picture.
RELATED LINKS:
"127 Hours" interviews with James Franco, Danny Boyle, and Simon Beaufoy
"Greenberg" Movie Review and Interviews with Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, and Rhys Ifans
"The Kids Are All Right" Movie Review and Interviews with Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson, and director Lisa Cholodenko
The awards will be given on Feb. 26 in Santa Monica, CA and will be hosted by Joel McHale and broadcast on IFC.
BEST FEATURE (Award given to the Producer, Executive Producers are not listed)
127 Hours -- Producers: Danny Boyle, Christian Colson, John Smithson
Black Swan -- Producers: Scott Franklin, Mike Medavoy, Arnold W. Messer, Brian Oliver
Greenberg -- Producers: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Scott Rudin
The Kids Are All Right -- Producers: Gary Gilbert, Philippe Hellmann, Jordan Horowitz, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Celine Rattray, Daniela Taplin Lundberg
Winter’s Bone -- Producers: Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Anne Rosellini
BEST DIRECTOR
Darren Aronofsky
Black Swan
Danny Boyle
127 Hours
Lisa Cholodenko
The Kids Are All Right
Debra Granik
Winter’s Bone
John Cameron Mitchell
Rabbit Hole
BEST SCREENPLAY
Stuart Blumberg, Lisa Cholodenko
The Kids Are All Right
Debra Granik, Anne Rosellini
Winter’s Bone
Nicole Holofcener
Please Give
David Lindsay-Abaire
Rabbit Hole
Todd Solondz
Life During Wartime
BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
Everything Strange and New
Director: Frazer Bradshaw
Producers: A.D. Liano, Laura Techera Francia
Get Low
Director: Aaron Schneider
Producers: David Gundlach, Dean Zanuck
Night Catches Us
Director: Tanya Hamilton
Producers: Sean Costello, Jason Orans, Ronald Simons
The Last Exorcism
Director: Daniel Stamm
Producers: Marc Abraham, Tom Bliss, Eric Newman, Eli Roth
Tiny Furniture
Director: Lena Dunham
Producers: Kyle Martin, Alicia Van Couvering
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Diane Bell
Obselidia
Lena Dunham
Tiny Furniture
Nik Fackler
Lovely, Still
Bob Glaudini
Jack Goes Boating
Dana Adam Shapiro, Evan M. Wiener
Monogamy
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD - Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director, and producer. Executive Producers are not listed
Daddy Longlegs -- Writer/Directors: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
Producers: Casey Neistat, Tom Scott
Lbs. -- Director: Matthew Bonifacio
Writer/Producers: Matthew Bonifacio, Carmine Famiglietti
Lovers of Hate -- Writer/Director: Bryan Poyser
Producer: Megan Gilbride
Obselidia -- Writer/Director: Diane Bell
Producers: Chris Byrne, Mathew Medlin
The Exploding Girl -- Writer/Director: Bradley Rust Gray
Producers: Karin Chien, Ben Howe, So Yong Kim
BEST FEMALE LEAD
Annette Bening
The Kids Are All Right
Greta Gerwig
Greenberg
Nicole Kidman
Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence
Winter’s Bone
Natalie Portman
Black Swan
Michelle Williams
Blue Valentine
BEST MALE LEAD
Ronald Bronstein
Daddy Longlegs
Aaron Eckhart
Rabbit Hole
James Franco
127 Hours
John C. Reilly
Cyrus
Ben Stiller
Greenberg
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Ashley Bell
The Last Exorcism
Dale Dickey
Winter’s Bone
Allison Janney
Life During Wartime
Daphne Rubin-Vega
Jack Goes Boating
Naomi Watts
Mother and Child
BEST SUPPORTING MALE
John Hawkes
Winter’s Bone
Samuel L. Jackson
Mother and Child
Bill Murray
Get Low
John Ortiz
Jack Goes Boating
Mark Ruffalo
The Kids Are All Right
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Adam Kimmel
Never Let Me Go
Matthew Libatique
Black Swan
Jody Lee Lipes
Tiny Furniture
Michael McDonough
Winter’s Bone
Harris Savides
Greenberg
BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director)
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Director: Banksy
Marwencol
Director: Jeff Malmberg
Restrepo
Directors: Tim Hetherington, Sebastian Junger
Sweetgrass
Directors: Ilisa Barbash, Lucien Castaing-Taylor
Thunder Soul
Director: Mark Landsman
BEST FOREIGN FILM (Award given to the director)
Kisses
(Ireland)
Director: Lance Daly
Mademoiselle Chambon
(France)
Director: Stéphane Brizé
Of Gods and Men
(Morocco)
Director: Xavier Beauvois
The King’s Speech
(United Kingdom)
Director: Tom Hooper
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
(Thailand)
Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul
ACURA SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The 17th annual Acura Someone to Watch Award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Acura.
Hossein Keshavarz
Dog Sweat
Laurel Nakadate
The Wolf Knife
Mike Ott
Littlerock
PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – The 14th annual Piaget Producers Award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.
In-Ah Lee
Au Revoir Taipei
Adele Romanski
The Myth of the American Sleepover
Anish Savjani
Meek’s Cutoff
AVEENO® TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 16th annual AVEENO® Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by AVEENO®.
Ilisa Barbash, Lucien Castaing-Taylor
Sweetgrass
Jeff Malmberg
Marwencol
Lynn True, Nelson Walker
Summer Pasture
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD - (Given to one film’s director, casting director, and its ensemble cast)
Please Give
Director: Nicole Holofcener
Casting Director: Jeanne McCarthy
Ensemble Cast: Ann Guilbert, Rebecca Hall, Catherine Keener, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Lois Smith, Sarah Steele
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What was once a Sundance darling is now a Gothams Award winner! Debra Granik's "Winter's Bone" won big at the 20th Gotham Independent Film Awards taking home the Best Feature and the Best Ensemble Performance awards.
It's safe to say that "Winter's Bone," which earned two Sundance prizes last January including Best Drama Film and Screenwriting, is on its way to the Academy Awards. ("Winter's Bone" Movie Review)
"The Hurt Locker" started its ascend to Oscar victory last year with its two-punch Best Feature and Best Ensemble Gotham Awards.
Here's the complete list of winners and nominees of the 20th Gotham Independent Film Awards: (Winners are highlighted)
Best Feature
Black Swan -- Darren Aronofsky, director; Mike Medavoy, Arnold W. Messer, Brian Oliver, Scott Franklin, producers (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Blue Valentine -- Derek Cianfrance, director; Jamie Patricof, Lynette Howell, Alex Orlovsky, producers (The Weinstein Company)
The Kids Are All Right -- Lisa Cholodenko, director; Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Celine Rattray, Jordan Horowitz, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Philippe Hellmann, producers (Focus Features)
Let Me In -- Matt Reeves, director; Simon Oakes, Alex Brunner, Guy East, Tobin Armbrust, Donna Gigliotti, John Nording, Carl Molinder, producers (Overture Films)
*Winter's Bone -- Debra Granik, director; Anne Rosellini, Alix Madigan-Yorkin, producers (Roadside Attractions)
Best Documentary
12th & Delaware -- Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, directors/producers (HBO Documentary Films)
Inside Job -- Charles Ferguson, director; Charles Ferguson, Audrey Marrs, producers (Sony Pictures Classics)
*The Oath -- Laura Poitras, director/producer (Zeitgeist Films and American Documentary/POV)
Public Speaking -- Martin Scorsese, director; Martin Scorsese, Graydon Carter, Margaret Bodde, Fran Lebowitz, producers (HBO Documentary Films)
Sweetgrass -- Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Ilisa Barbash, directors; Ilisa Barbash, producer (Cinema Guild)
Best Ensemble Performance
The Kids Are All Right -- Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson (Focus Features)
Life During Wartime -- Shirley Henderson, Ciarán Hinds, Allison Janney, Michael Lerner, Chris Marquette, Rich Pecci, Charlotte Rampling, Paul Reubens, Ally Sheedy, Dylan Riley Snyder, Renée Taylor, Michael Kenneth Williams (IFC Films)
Please Give -- Catherine Keener, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Rebecca Hall, Ann Guilbert, Lois Smith, Sarah Steele, Thomas Ian Nicholas (Sony Pictures Classics)
Tiny Furniture -- Lena Dunham, Laurie Simmons, Grace Dunham, Rachel Howe, Merritt Wever, Amy Seimetz, Alex Karpovsky, David Call, Jemima Kirke, Sarah Sophie Flicker, Garland Hunter, Isen Hunter (IFC Films)
*Winter's Bone -- Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Dale Dickey, Lauren Sweetser, Garret Dillahunt, Kevin Breznahan (Roadside Attractions)
Breakthrough Director
John Wells for The Company Men (The Weinstein Company)
*Kevin Asch for Holy Rollers (First Independent Pictures)
Glenn Ficarra and John Requa for I Love You Phillip Morris (Roadside Attractions)
Tanya Hamilton for Night Catches Us (Magnolia Pictures)
Lena Dunham for Tiny Furniture (IFC Films)
Breakthrough Actor
Prince Adu in Prince of Broadway (Elephant Eye Films)
*Ronald Bronstein in Daddy Longlegs (IFC Films)
Greta Gerwig in Greenberg (Focus Features)
Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone (Roadside Attractions)
John Ortiz in Jack Goes Boating (Overture Films)
Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You
Kati with an i -- Robert Greene, director; Douglas Tirola, Susan Bedusa, producers
*Littlerock -- Mike Ott, director; Frederick Thornton, Laura Ragsdale, Sierra Leoni, producers
On Coal River -- Francine Cavanaugh and Adams Wood, directors; Jillian Elizabeth, Adams Wood, Francine Cavanaugh, producers
Summer Pasture -- Lynn True and Nelson Walker, directors/producers; Tsering Perlo, co-director/co-producer
The Wolf Knife -- Laurel Nakadate, director/producer
The Festival Genius Audience Award
9,000 Needles
Brotherhood
*Waiting for 'Superman'
White Irish Drinkers
Winter's Bone
Career Tributes
Hilary Swank, Darren Aronofsky, Robert Duvall, James Schamus
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