February 2008 News

February 29 (leap year)

Thanks to all who replied re Network 54. I can get into it, but I lost all my information about owning and managing the Crowe forum. I have written to Network 54’s support group.

MSNBC: Best Director-Actor combination Poll (Scroll to "Live Vote") - Thanks, Allison

From Cindy: Shot in Washington: [AFTRA-SAG/DC-Baltimore] - Additional Open Casting Call Dates For SAG ACTORS - STATE OF PLAY

The Daily Mail - Baz Bamigboye: Regal Helen Mirren puts the accent on adaptability -- Helen Mirren was in the middle of switching accents. -- "I've just played the English editor-in-chief in State Of Play and I'm heading to Albuquerque to play a brothel owner who is very American in Taylor's film," the Oscar-winner told me, referring to the movie Love Ranch, which is being directed by her husband, Taylor Hackford. ...In the film version, being directed by Kevin Macdonald (who made The Last King Of Scotland), Helen, as editor of a Washington daily paper, has to tough it out with secretive politicians when her dogged investigative reporter, played by Russell Crowe, uncovers a story involving murder and corruption. Bill Nighy played Helen's part in the TV series. "She's the one in control," Andrew Hauptman, the producer who secured the film rights from Abbott, told me. "She is the person in charge of this newspaper and she makes it known that she's strong, old school - a real Fleet Street type," Hauptman added. Eric Fellner of Working Title (the London studio behind Atonement - which won an Oscar, by the way, for best score) is overseeing the production and he and his associates commissioned the building of a massive newsroom in a Los Angeles studio. The film also stars Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Jason Bateman. - Thanks, Maria

February 28

The Washingtonian: A Night Out - The Cherry Blossom Party - Scene: “Fashionably late” was not the mantra of the evening; the party was packed with pink-dressed Washingtonians by 6:30—and for good reason. The preparty reception, which ran until 7:30, boasted two well-stocked bars, a sake bar with more than 20 kinds of the Japanese drink, hors d’oeuvres of fresh sushi and iced wasabi oysters, and a robust silent auction with 130 items. The best deals were the four Southwest Airlines tickets up for grabs, good for travel wherever the carrier flies, and the dozen luxury hotel accommodations that were going for far less than their value. The most interesting auction items: a white Japanese wedding kimono (valued at $1,000) and a role as an extra in a Russell Crowe/Ben Affleck/Helen Mirren/Rachel McAdams flick (valued as “priceless,” but bidding started at $300). - Thanks, Allison

icWales: We need Wales’ own Braveheart, and we need him now...(Humorous) -- So why no star-studded movie about our own fighter for freedom, the man who buckled a swash as heroically as Wallace or Rob Roy? Russell Crowe as Owen Glendower (Whoops! Owain Glyndwr in Pontcanna)? That story’s got everything, magnificent mountain scenery, an enchanting coastline, old castles – all here on tap. Catherine Zeta as Boudicca – big screen, not like the small screen version we’ve seen. - Thanks, Steph

From Allison: Russell's recent appearance on Leno will repeat on 3/5.

[ed note: This may be an "I wish" too] -- The Atlasphere: Re Atlas Shrugged (The Ayn Rand novel to screen) -- SP: What other actors, if any, have committed to the project? -- Aglialoro: We have had discussions with Russell Crowe to play the part of Hank Rearden. He has read the script. He’s very much in demand so we’ll have to see if he likes the script enough to fit this project in. - Thanks, Maria

Variety: TNT, TBS nab pack of WB films -- Cable's voracious appetite for fresh theatrical titles has spurred a mega-sale of high-profile titles, most of which haven't been released yet, by Warner Bros. Domestic Cable TV to Turner Broadcasting's TNT and TBS. Pics in the package include "10,000 B.C.," the Batman entry "The Dark Knight," "Speed Racer," "Get Smart," the Jim Carrey starrer "Yes Man" and the Leonardo DiCaprio-Russell Crowe vehicle "Body of Lies." - Thanks, Bea

That bit of news yesterday about the animated Harland Williams film is pure "I wish." Russell has never heard of it.

The Hollywood Reporter via Yahoo News: "Gangster" rides to top of DVD charts - Thanks, Kris C

February 27

EW.com: Ben Foster - 30 Under 30: The Actors - Thanks, Allison

Thanks to crowehoe on the Perch - Route 66 (New animated movie 2010) -- Year of U.S. Release: 2010 - Harland Williams -- "The story follows a group of eccentric roadside statues that mysteriously come to life and take a fun filled road trip along historic Route 66. It’s a fun-filled adventure with a bit of a love story thrown in as well. I’ll keep you posted!!"

Production Status: Announced
Starring: Christian Slater, Kim Basinger, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jessica Biel, John Malkovich, Thora Birch, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Matthew McConaughey.
Director: Harland Williams
Screenwriter(s): Harland Williams, Conrad Vernon
Distributor: DreamWorks Pictures
Prod. Company: DreamWorks Animation
Genre(s): Animation, Comedy, Kids, Family
U.S. Release Date: TBA, 2010

Hi-Def Digest: 'Master & Commander' Blu-ray Back on Course for May - Thanks, Madchen

The NY Times Carpetbagger - Great taste, less coffer-filling -- "... Part of the disconnect seems to derive from the fact that marketing to the Academy and marketing to actual moviegoers are not only be two different things, but may actually work against each other. “Call ‘Gangster’ a Focus movie and even spend a little less money making and releasing it, and I have a funny feeling it would be up for best picture,’ one industry guy told the Hollywood Reporter. (Universal Pictures released “American Gangster” here; Focus Features is its speciality division.)"

From Carol: The world-wide box office for American Gangster has now exceed the U.S. box office -- and the total is now edging toward $262 Million dollars.

Conde Nast Traveller: Stuck in Tibooburra with the Birdsville Blues Again (Story on Australia with a mention of Russell) - Thanks, LindaK

Related from Darrin at the Mostly Russ board: Sydney Morning Herald's (Sydney) Magazine - The Player (profile of Peter Holms a Court

From Mariola: "John Nash was here in Madrid last Monday, invited by a prestigious Spanish medical foundation to form part of the jury of an international prize that this institution gives to those personalities and entities which work for people with mental illnesses or problems. I put the link to one of the most important newspapers, EL MUNDO. JOHN NASH. There is also a video with ABM images and the article basically is on John Nash's work (game theory and career in general) and his words and confidence in endind some day with the stigma of being mentally ill. He also talked about politics and the posible application of his theories in the American presidencial campaing. And at the end he said that ABM was not a biopic because it had some mistakes but it didn't really matter because it meant a call of attention on schizophrenia all over the world."

I am having some internet/computer access problems, so the updates will be slow for a while.

February 26

Northstarwriters.com: Even Russell Crowe, who is one of my favorite actors, and always seems to act like he is above it all, became very emotional when he won the Oscar for Gladiator. (Can someone please explain to me how he lost to Denzel Washington’s performance in “Training Day” despite his amazing, compelling and clearly superior performance in A Beautiful Mind? Oh yeah, I remember. Let’s just not get into it.) The point is that if someone like Russell Crowe, who is repeatedly tagged by directors as a prima donna, gets choked up with a victory at the Oscars, it’s obviously quite rare to see someone maintain their composure the way DDL did. - Thanks, Allison

The Star: SOP - Right now, Russell Crowe and Helen Mirren and a gaggle of other big names are at work on the movie State of Play, which deals with a journalist unravelling a murder case involving an elected official who also happens to be a good friend. Russell Crowe, who plays the reporter, replaced Brad Pitt, who reportedly didn't like the script. Odd, as that very script is based on one of the best ever BBC miniseries, now out on DVD. - Thanks, Madchen

The NY Post: ODDS-ON FAVES FOR NEXT YEAR - * Russell Crowe and director Ridley Scott, who struck Oscar gold with "Gladiator," go back to the well with "Body of Lies," also starring DiCaprio as a former journalist who teams up with Crowe's CIA official to find an al Qaeda leader in Jordan - Thanks, Tamara

The Hollywood Reporter: Related -- Scott Free shines light on Reykjavik - BRUSSELS -- Ridley Scott says his planned film about the 1986 Reykjavik summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev could be wrapped by the end of the year and released in early 2009. - Thanks, Steph

February 25

A Photoshop rendering of smiling RC on the main page

Constant Crowe Updates:  I've rendered the four Russell sightings from the Oscars last night, as well as Marion's win and Denzel's presentation because they played him on with AG's music!  -Cheers, Darrin

From Ellen in Seattle: "I thought you would be pleased to see that the State of Play DVD is Entertainment Weekly's Pick for the DVD of the week.  This is from the Feb. 29, 2008 issue on newsstands now."

Related: Kevin Durand is in this week's episode of "Lost" on ABC. - Thanks, Allison

From Daryl "Spinner" Howland: "So today I found out the City of Jacksonville is giving me a proclamation tomorrow night at 5pm. It is for my efforts on putting together the Australia Day Rugby League Challenge. It is going to be at city hall which is on the corner of Duval and Laura street (4 blocks directly north of the Landing) I am flattered and honored at this gesture. I want to take this moment to thank everyone that supported me, the Axemen, Rugby League and/or just showed up at one of our events over the past 2 years. This has all been like a huge jigsaw puzzle and so many people bought a piece to the table. All I did was put them together." So to the City, JEDC, CVB, UNF, AMNRL, sponsors, media, fans, friends, Souths Sydney, Leeds Rhinos and those that just came and watch a game, thank you.

Stuff NZ: Old Rocker Rolls on -- Tom regularly travels overseas to perform and heads to Australia in May where he plans to catch up with former west Aucklander and longtime friend, screen star Russell Crowe. He first met Crowe while he was playing at the Potter’s Wheel Tavern in New Lynn, which was owned by Crowe’s parents Alex and Jocelyn. "Russell used to peek in through the back of the room," he says. "He always had that X-factor." The pair even performed together in a production of Grease during the early 1980s and Tom proudly displays a portait of the actor in his lounge. "He was a little brat and grew up to be an even bigger one," he jokes. - Thanks, Steph, Anne S, Stacey

We had "glimpses" of Russell 4 times last night at the Oscars - in the past winners collage (2 - Maximus and Nash), in original score (1 - Ben Wade) and in 80 years acceptance speeches (1 - Himself)

February 24

Russell's acceptance speech for Gladiator was one of the highlights of 80 years of Oscar this evening

You Tube Video: SOUTHS SMASH SHARKS - Thanks, Penny

February 23

Boston.com - DVD Report: Twisted politics, a dogged press: thrilling premise -- "The timing of putting the BBC political thriller "State of Play" (2003) on disc apparently has to do with drawing early attention to next year's Americanized feature version with Russell Crowe and Helen Mirren, and maybe also capitalizing on co-star James McAvoy's recent career ascent...." [ed note: Also the wonderful Bill Nighy -- If you can buy or rent, do it. It is a great mini-series.]

Related - The Australian: Old Nick's still raising hell (Nick Cave) - Thanks, LindaK

Related: sixthandi.org: Washington DC - The Sixth and I Synagogue -- American Gangster Inspiration - Monday, February 25: Richie Roberts - The 2007 hit film American Gangster, starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, tells the story of detective Richie Roberts' pursuit of Frank Lucas, the most notorious drug dealer in 1970s New York. Lucas smuggled some of the most potent heroin ever seen in America from Southeast Asia, utilizing caskets and body bags of deceased American soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. Tough, determined and fearless, Roberts worked at grave personal risk to bring Lucas to justice. Lucas returned the favor by putting out a $100,000 contract on Roberts' life. The contract was never carried out and Lucas became a government informant, earning him release after serving seven years. The information obtained from Lucas lead to scores of convictions, including cases against corrupt police officers, and forged an unlikely friendship between the two former enemies. Roberts will tell the spellbinding story of his pursuit and capture of Lucas, the American gangster. Take advantage of our 2-for-1 special offer: pay just $18 and get 2 tickets! Buy tickets at 202/408-3100 or via e-mail. - Thanks, Penny

Fox Sports au: Rabbitohs thump toothless Sharks - Thanks, CGee

February 22

The Baltimore Sun: Fine films but off Oscar's radar (Yuma)

The NY Times: Joe Louis and Harlem, Connecting Again in a Police Athletic League Gym -- "...Louis lost his first fight against Schmeling, who was from Germany, at Yankee Stadium in 1936. A year later, he won the heavyweight title for the first time, by knocking out Jim Braddock in Chicago, and returned to New York to defend his title. In 1938 came a highly anticipated rematch against Schmeling."

Related: HBO official site for John Adams - Paul Giamatti page

MovieMaker.com: Arthur Max Sets the Scene in American Gangster (He is nominated for set design) - Thanks, Cindy

Cute pics of Russell and family shopping (WENN (ugh) photos - Kind of pap, but so sweet) - Thanks, Steph

The National Post: 'I'd like to thank the Academy': Take our Oscars acceptance speech quiz (Nicole mentions Russell) - Thanks, Allison

Film Stew: Overriding the Original Gangster -- What happens to Josh Brolin’s character in American Gangster is very different from what was initially in the script. (Spoilers if you haven't seen the film)

February 21

Rachel McAdams and Russell on set of SOP - JFX online - Thanks, Maria

Film Related: The UK Times -- Ten steps to Oscar glory, by a Hollywood insider -- Yes it's that easy, says the anonymous Hollywood producer Mr X. All you need is your own crack team of PR assassins. Plus James Christopher makes his Oscar picks

I have added Sharp Blu-Ray disc player to my Amazon A Store -plus a new mystery by Jim Kelly in "favorite mysteries". He is a new favorite of mine

Tamara and Marcy attended a screening of AG. Ridley Scott answered questions

Movieman's guide to the movies: Elyusha's review of the 2 disc AG DVD

IMDb Daily Poll: "Professor_Marvel" kicked off a message-board discussion of frequent director-star pairings; from the list below, which set would you pick as your favorite duo? - Thanks, Kris C

Constant Crowe Updates:  I've rendered two adverts, one for the Leno show from 02/14/2008 and one for the AG DVD release!  Also, with the Rabbitohs' 2008 Season being launched, I've posted a bunch of information including a report of the Launch Party, a video featuring Craig Wing and the game schedules through to Round Six along with the Team list which can all be found in The Bunnies Forum on the Constant Crowe Message Board!  -Cheers, Darrin 

February 20

No Russell this year, alas, but you can vote for the picture you think will win HERE at our Film Blog

Yeas and Nays Blog: Ben Affleck, Russell Crowe want you! --"If you’ve always dreamed of being immortalized in a movie shot with Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams or Jason Bateman, now’s your chance.A casting call was announced Tuesday for extras in the film “State of Play,” which begins filming in D.C. during the first week of March.The two calls will occur this weekend at the Marriott on 22nd Street, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.Don’t expect to see Russell there"

The LA Times Calendar Watch: The Crowe & Scott Trust Co. - Thanks, Penny, Avril

Pop Watch: Demanding a recount of the 1998 Oscar race -- "...Now, Time magazine movie critic Richard Corliss has revisited the 1998 ceremony and redistributed the awards in a way that should please posterity. Sure, James Cameron's box office savvy made him King of the World, but was Titanic really a better picture than L.A. Confidential (starring Russell Crowe, pictured)? He says no, and he's right; by every measure except ticket sales and special effects, L.A. Confidential is the superior movie." - Thanks, Allison

February 19

EW.com: Flashback - Entertainers of the year since 1990 -RUSSELL CROWE -- WHAT WE SAID THEN ''Gladiator was only one vehicle in the star's multi-chariot pop-culture ride during year 2000: Whether he was waddling his way to an Oscar nomination as a pudgy, morally conflicted whistle-blower in The Insider, barking out rock lyrics in Austin as the swaggering frontman for 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, or turning in a skillfully controlled performance as a gruff kidnapping expert in Proof of Life (not to mention dodging pararazzi around the globe once l'affaire Ryan broke), the strapping, gravel-voiced actor thrilled a Colosseum full of onlookers.'' —Clarissa Cruz

EV Living.com: Want to be Successful? Then You Need 8 To Be Great -- St. John spent 10 years researching and dissecting success.  He conducted 500 personal interviews of successful people, including major celebrities such as Martha Stewart, Richard Branson, Russell Crowe, Quincy Jones and the Google founders, as well as people whose names you may not recognize but who’ve achieved great things in their respective fields. - Thanks, Linda K

February 18

League HQ: Crowe takes Souths from Leno to Perth

EW.com: AG DVD Review -- American Gangster has been compared to Heat, another cat-and-mouse crime film that barely let its twin-titan leads even meet up. This crackling entertainment might be even more structurally daring: Not only do Denzel Washington's dapper Harlem drug lord and Russell Crowe's shlubby Jersey cop not come face-to-face until the final reel, but neither is aware of the other's existence until the movie's halfway done. In a commentary on the new three-disc Gangster set, writer Steven Zaillian says he solved some script problems by writing two screenplays — one following Washington, one tracking Crowe — and then combining them. Surely this canny twofer approach will be taught in many a future screenwriting seminar. - Thanks, Allison

USA - Warning: By the end of the year, Netflix will no longer stock HD DVD discs. They are moving over to Blu-Ray. Among the studios, Universal and Paramount will still support HD DVD

From Ray: "Russell Crowe & 30 Odd Foot of Grunts "The Photograph Kills" Now Available at iTunes. -- Originally released in 1995, we are happy to tell you that the Russell Crowe & 30 Odd Foot of Grunts "The Photograph Kills" 3 song EP is now available for sale at all iTunes stores. When you go to iTunes just put in the cd title or Russell Crowe in the search at the upper right hand side to find the EP as well as all of the other cds in the TOFOG catalog to purchase." - (This is also posted at the Music of Russell Crowe Blog in case you want to comment)

Moviefone: The Ultimate Oscars Trivia Quiz - Thanks, Marie

Thanks to TSN Oz World: Russell and Charlie in the 2/25/08 Womans Day Magazine

Sky News: Crowe wows Leno - Thanks, Allison

Blu-ray.com: Fox Announces Date and Specs for Master and Commander -- Fox Home Entertainment has announced a release date and specs for their upcoming Blu-ray release of 'Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World', as well as 'Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid' and 'Mrs. Doubtfire'. All three titles will be released on May 13th, and come on BD-50s with AVC video and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks. - Thanks, Cindy

February 17

From Avril: "I have ended up with a duplicate copy of the 3:10 to Yuma DVD (one given to me as a gift - as if I wouldn't have already bought a copy as soon as it came out! LOL!!) It's UK PAL version so it won't be suitable for viewing in the US. Can you post a note on your site asking if anyone with PAL would like to have it, no cost except postage. They can e-mail me at avril_mills@yahoo.co.uk "

February 16

The Official AG site has a DVD extra. Click on "Takedown - DVD bonus clip - Thanks, Tamara

DVDTalk: BBC Worldwide is offering the original State of Play in NTSC format. Out on February 26 Thanks, Allison - (ed note: I highly recommend it. I have the PAL version) - You can pre-order from Amazon. (For some reason they list the wrong actors under the name)

If anyone wants the Sprinkle cupcakes Dani got for Valentine's Day from Russell as mentioned on Leno (“The cup cakes - the dark chocolate ones. Just as powerful as oysters they say.”), you can order them HERE -Thanks, Ivani

Russell's Oscar bit on Leno last night was #2 on People's Top 5 - "They said what?" videos - Thanks, Allison

February 15

Genetics and Literature: Not Just a 2 hour Movie About Russell Crowe and a Boat - Thanks, Madchen

Philly.com: AG DVD -This gangster bigger, badder -- "There's a two-disc release for $29.98 and a three-disc set for $34.98. Both sets feature an extended version of the film (with 18 minutes of new footage and an alternative ending), a director's commentary, deleted scenes - including an alternative opening - and segments on how the filmmakers re-created the looks and sounds of the funk and Superfly era of the late '60s and '70s. The three-disc set offers all the extras on the two-disk set, plus specials that first aired on NBC's Dateline and on BET, music videos by several rap artists who sang and acted in the film, a 32-page booklet on the making of the movie and a digital copy of the extended version for a PC. (If you can buy it for $34.98, I recommend it; you get more than $5 worth of entertaining extras.)"

UPI: 'American Gangster' case dismissed in N.Y - Thanks, Maria

The SMH: King of the shorts is still on a roll -- "Tenderness started as an indie film until Russell Crowe joined the cast, followed by Laura Dern. With big stars attached, Lionsgate Films, bought the movie and Polson expects it to open in the US later this year. - Thanks, Steph

Constant Crowe Updates:  The Tonight Show is up!  Cheers, -Darrin

IGN DVD: To mark American Gangster's video release on Feb. 19, we link Denzel and Russell's career moves in exactly six steps. - Thanks, Allison

Longflyball.com via PRWeb: The Official Website of Sports Movies, lists the Top 5 Sports Movie Romances for Valentine's Day -- "Our fifth most romantic sports movie goes to Cinderella Man, an incredible movie with Russell Crowe starring in the true story of boxer James Braddock and his up and down career during the Great Depression. This movie's romance comes in a different dose than our top four, with the romance coming in a more classic, "stand by your man" way, from Braddock's wife, played by Renee Zellweger. Nonetheless, Braddock's love of his wife and family and his wife's unwaving support and love for him, are central to the plot." - Thanks, Allison

Our fifth most romantic sports movie goes to Cinderella Man, an incredible movie with Russell Crowe starring in the true story of boxer James Braddock and his up and down career during the Great Depression. This movie's romance comes in a different dose than our top four, with the romance coming in a more classic, "stand by your man" way, from Braddock's wife, played by Renee Zellweger. Nonetheless, Braddock's love of his wife and family and his wife's unwaving support and love for him, are central to the plot.

February 14 - Happy Valentine's Day

In honor of the AG DVD coming out February 19, a link to the Amazon three disc edition - and my set report from 2007 (in the deleted scenes section, the scene I describe is included. It was cut for the theater release)

The Age au: (Scroll) Oscar! Oscar! -- WITH Russell "Rusty" Crowe in the clan you would think the penny would have dropped earlier. But no. When Kiwi cricketer Jeff Crowe was in town last week, proudly boasting of his new offspring named Oscar, the cinematic significance of the name did not seem to occur to him. Not even when he told his Melbourne mates at Waterfront diner in South Melbourne that younger brother Martin Crowe had a daughter named Emmy. Oscar and Emmy? Roll out the red carpet. - Thanks, Cindy

ALERT! Russell will be on a new Leno tonight. Leno confirmed it on last night's show. Called Russell "a real star." - Thanks to all

Screencap Heaven: Gladiator with oodles of caps

Show Biz Spy: More on renting Cruise's house - Russell Crowe renting Tom Cruise’s old house - Thanks, Cindy

Related: Cinema Blend: Paul Bettany is the saviour of mankind - Thanks, Allison

M&C is now available at i Tunes to rent, as is Yuma. You can buy Mystery Alaska and The Insider

February 13

Page Six: Celebrity House Swap: TomKat Edition -- "While Oscar winner Russell Crowe films his new thriller, State of Mind, in L.A., obviously a plain old hotel wouldn’t do for the actor, his wife, Danielle Spencer, and their children, Charlie, 4, and Tennyson, 1. The only residence fit for the Crowe family is the old stomping grounds of Scientology’s royal family: Tom, Katie and Suri Cruise. Russell and his family have been paying a cool $25,000 per week to rent the Beverly Hills mansion."

Variety: A Banner Year for Cinematographers - "Nowhere is the embarrassment of riches more evident in the 2007 Oscar race than in the cinematography category. Roger Deakins alone established such a career high-water mark that he was nominated for two films ("The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," "No Country for Old Men"), preventing topnotch lensers like Harris Savides ("American Gangster," "Zodiac") Rodrigo Prieto ("Lust, Caution") and Ed Lachman ("I'm Not There") from claiming a fifth slot."

Rabbitohs.com: Widders and Peachey Attend Apology to Stolen Generation -- South Sydney Rabbitohs representatives Dean Widders and David Peachey were joined by North Queensland’s Matt Bowen and Melbourne’s Greg Inglis in Canberra today, and have spoken of their pride at being Rugby League’s representatives at the Federal Parliament’s national apology to the Stolen Generation. - Thanks, Penny

Hello Magazine: Russell and Charlie take a walk in LA - Thanks, Allison

Movies on line ca: Win Huge American Gangster Prizes - Also at the Detroit Free Press -- Thanks, Allison

enews: The Young Doctors on DVD [This article wants to see it become available] - "...The series also featured a very young Russell Crowe in his television acting debut and Joseph Furst who played the evil Dr Metz in the James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever." - Thanks, Allison

February 12

Simpatico MSN.ca: Sexiest Oscar Winners - Thanks, Gilda

Some great older shots of Russell by Lance Staedler - See # 53 and 54 - Thanks, Steph

Re the Ridley comments on Nottingham -- "the lead role in Nottingham, is Nottingham"

Star Pulse: Best Of The Little Guy' Sports Movies - Scroll for Mystery Alaska -- Thanks, Allison

Variety: Best score Oscar nominees - Thanks, Marilyn

February 11

Related: Video of Marion Cotillard receiving the best actress award at the Baftas ceremony last sunday evening. On the same page, on the right hand side, you can find Marion's interview about her Bafta win. - Thanks, Rose

Cinematical on Ridley's comments in Empire about Nottingham - Thanks, Steph

The Daily Telegraph: Crowe's latest cult convert -- " HER dad apparently prides himself on this tiny tot's baseball skills, but the Boston Red Sox may have a game on its hands to win back the affections of star supporter Ben Affleck - and his daughter - after the actor was snapped wearing South Sydney Rabbitohs supporter gear yesterday" - Thanks, Steph

Empire UK: Exclusive: Scott On His Upcoming Slate - Ridley talks Monopoly... and Robin Hood - “I finished filming in December with Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe for (Al Qaeda/CIA thriller) Body Of Lies and I start Robin Hood here as soon as the writers and actors strikes get settled,” says Scott. “I’ve already taken a walk in the woods and scouted out some locations. We’ve got Russell Crowe lined up to play the lead - he can do a really good English accent.” - Thanks, Penny

The Globe and Mail: Russell's Canadian connections - Thanks to Renata

The New Criminologist: Special to The New Criminologist - Gangsters, Cadavers and Misinformation: One Journalist's Experience With the "Media Elite" - Thanks, Penny

Constant Crowe Updates:  Under the category of, "I did this for me and hope you like it too!" I've added an Illustrated Song vid to my page of a Russell-featured pic & video fest, set to "Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams" from Tears For Fears' Saturnine, Martial and Lunatic album.  Cheers! -Darrin  

February 10

The Daily Telegraph: Russell Crowe looks for new house in Darling Point, Sydney -

Egypt Today: (BOL related) An Offer Refused - Money and fame, it turns out, aren’t everything - By Mohamed Khan - Thanks, Penny

February 9

The Merredin Wheatbelt Mercury - Royal coup for Kiwis on bro'Town -- Boasting guest appearances by Russell Crowe, Prince Charles and Kiwi Prime Minister Helen Clark, bro'Town is definitely a cartoon for grown-ups.

Celebrity Babies: Russell has a visit on set from Charlie - Thanks, Steph

Spinner Howard has sent along a post game report. A big thanks to him for all his work in making the Jacksonville game a big success!

The Telegraph UK: 100 best movie soundtracks -- Gladiator - Hans Zimmer and Lisa Bourke, 2000 -- "A bit Spanish, a bit North African, a bit weirdo, a bit Holst, this is unlike the music you'd expect in a film set in Imperial Rome." - Thanks, Allison

The LA Times Envelope: BAFTA vs. Oscar: What will win best pic on Sunday? -- "2001 was the year that Russell Crowe won the BAFTA for "A Beautiful Mind" but lost the Oscar because of his antics. His co-star Jennifer Connelly won both prizes while supporting Oscar winner Jim Broadbent ("Iris") was nommed for lead at BAFTA and won supporting for "Moulin Rouge." Neither Denzel Washington ("Training Day") nor Halle Berry ("Monster's Ball") was in the running." - Thanks, Allison

The UK Herald: The Sum of its parts - scientists unravel the origin of Kiwi accent -- "Experts in Scotland have begun to unravel the mysteries of the unique Kiwi accent, according to a new study. Academics have discovered that New Zealand English is one quarter Scottish, one quarter Irish and 50% cockney/northern/west country English." - Thanks, Allison

February 8

3:10 to Yuma is available to rent from i tunes (no option to buy)

FirstShowing.net: Vanity Fair's Hitchcock Classics Photo Spreads (Great updates -- Many related stars) - Thanks, Doreen

Variety: Speculation on next year's contenders - Past Oscar power players dominate in 2008 - "These are tough times for topical dramas, but two CIA-themed thrillers come with impressive pedigrees. Helmer Ridley Scott reteams with "American Gangster" thesp Russell Crowe for an untitled Oct. 10 release, which also stars DiCaprio and is scripted by William Monahan, Oscar-winning screenwriter of "The Departed." - Thanks, Stpeh

IGN Movies: Angels, JLA Back On? Pics may gain new life if the strike ends soon.-- "Another project that could start up in time for release next year is Nottingham, the Ridley Scott-directed re-imagining of the Robin Hood legend with Russell Crowe attached to star. Likewise, Warners could put their planned tentpole Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins into production in time for a 2009 release." - Thanks, Steph (Variety on this story - Studios rush to fill '09 schedule -- Possible SAG strike hurries high-profile pics - Thanks, Cindy)

February 7

From The Souths Site and RLeague.com: RABBITOHS MAKE ANZ STADIUM HOME FOR NEXT 10 YEARS - "... Peter Holmes a Court and Ken Edwards will field questions from Rabbitohs Members via a live webcast interview this Monday 11 February at 11am. Follow the links on www.rabbitohs.com.au and www.anzstadium.com.au to watch and participate in the webcast." - Thanks, MadChen

JFX on line: More pics of Bateman and Russell on set - Thanks, MadTex

The IMDb Daily Poll: From Entertainment Weekly's list of 12 awesome action hero one-liners, which is your favorite? - Thanks, Kris C

The Sun Times - Richard Roeper - Celebs' crush on Obama may not help him -- Star-filled 'Yes We Can' video could trigger voter backlash - Scroll down for a whole section on "man crushes." Russell mentioned - humorous - "...Before the Patriots were upset by the Giants in the most-watched Super Bowl ever (broadcast TV lives!), I saw a number of articles about men that have a so-called "man crush" on Tom Brady. "It's a phenomenon called the Tom Brady Man Crush, and it has taken hold of straight male football fans . . . all over New York City," reported the New York Daily News." - Thanks, Ellen in Seattle

The Daily.com.au: (Blog) The Spray - Big Dell: Show me the Bunny! (Scroll for some humor about Russell)

Digital Spy UK; Aussie BO for Yuma - Thanks, all

February 6

From Russell: "Setanta, the US league provider are trying to overstate their exposure for League in the press in Australia, are there any US setanta subscribers that read your page who would give first hand testimonials as to what they got to see of Souths games? - RC" [ed note: please e-mail me if you get the Setanta network and let us know how much and how many of the Souths games you got to see. Put "Setanta" in the subject line. Thanks]

Russell's page at Wikipedia - Thanks, Kris C [ed note: Nice to see mention of his appearance in the ESPN booth at the Colts/Jaguars game]

Pittsburgh Live: Stars snubbed but still beloved - (Scroll) - • A best actor winner for 2000's "Gladiator," Russell Crowe was never better than as maverick cop Bud White three years earlier in the noirish "L.A. Confidential." - Thanks, Allison

Monsters and Critics: Win a copy of American Gangster (Two-Disc Collector’s Edition)! - Thanks, Allison

MIT Tech: AG - On the Silver Screen: Major Movies of 2007 - A controversial subject for a biopic (with the lawsuits to prove it), “American Gangster” follows the climb, peak, fall, and (cinematic) redemption of notorious, Vietnam-era heroin kingpin Frank Lucas. Denzel Washington’s portrayal of Lucas is largely fictionalized but still brilliantly depicts a man who was violent, glamorous, and utterly in control. His performance is contrasted expertly by Russell Crowe, whose squeaky-clean cop character compensates for his unsound personal life by aggressively and brilliantly fighting for a solution to drug crimes. — Dupuis - Thanks, Allison

Another IMDb Daily Poll: Your favorite biopic to win Best Picture Oscar? (Suggested by "robmeister") - Thanks, Kris C

February 5 (OT: If you live in one of the primary states in the USA, don't forget to vote today)

JustJared has large pics of Russell as Cal - Russell Crowe films his new movie State of Play on Monday in downtown Los Angeles, Calif.

Moviesonline.ca: Alexis Dziena Interview, Fools Gold -- "Q: Who do you play in Tenderness with Russell Crowe? -- Alexis: The movie's about a young kid who is a serial killer basically and Russell plays a detective who is trying to entrap him so he uses me as bait. I meet the young kid in a juvenile detention center, leave him a note and he drives across country to meet me and, on the way, he meets another young girl who is kind of like a fan and obsessive. It's pretty dark. Then, when he gets to meet me, there's Russell and we've entrapped him. But I haven't seen it yet. I don?t know when it's coming out. I think it's sometime soon, hopefully." - Thanks, Steph

Thanks to Cindy - Pics of Russell as Cal McCaffrey and Jason Batemen as Dominic Foy on the set of State of Play (From JFX on line) - The bandaged hand and the bruise on his face? All part of the role.

The Times UK: And the winner from writers’ strike is not the Bafta awards -- Hollywood stars have snubbed next weekend’s Bafta film awards despite hopes that the event would benefit from the writers’ strike that threatens to curtail the Oscars, the industry’s biggest night.

IMDb Daily Poll: Who is your favorite movie mathematician? - Thanks, Kris C

Constant Crowe Updates:  With MASSIVE thanks to Anne at Mostly Russ, I have the full video of the "Perfection" piece from the Super Bowl pregame show!  I was able to mess around with it and get it to a much larger screen size and two different formats than the DHADM blog's file, but I DO have that file as well.  Also, lots more game day vids from CGee and MadTex who sent me their original files for better quality!  Thank you, ladies!  Cheers, -Darri

February 4

Thanks to Martha and Steph, Russell's The Quest for Perfection video that aired before the Super Bowl (According to a blogger, the music is My Name Is Lincoln from "The Island" soundtrack)

The Baltimore Sun: "This was a pretty big game, just in case you didn't realize. The last hour of the pre-game was introduced by a piece on perfection, narrated by Russell Crowe, featuring images of the Mona Lisa, the Sistine Chapel, Martin Luther King, Louis Armstrong and Jimi Hendrix, among others. Then pre-game host Curt Menefee reminded us we were about to watch "the biggest championship in all of sports." [ed note: And I missed it! Let's hope it appears on You Tube. Anyone else record it?]

If you live near Washington DC and want to see Alan Doyle and the GBS on March 15, here is the schedule and a link to buy tickets.

Constant Crowe Update:  Thanks to Cassy who found a second vid at the ITV local site, Ihave another vid with highlights of Game Day and lots of Russell footage!

You can pre-order the American Gangster DVD through Murphsplace - Two Disk -- Three Disk -- HD TV Disk - The soundtrack is also available

TH on line: Sports' greatest Hits (CM) - Thanks, Allison

February 3 - YEA! What a night -- My Giant team won the Super Bowl!

Related: The NY Times: For Ruby Dee at 83, Acclaim and Performances

The Telegraph UK: Souths related -- Leeds 20 Hull KR 12 -- After hob-nobbing in Florida with Russell Crowe and his South Sydney club last week, Leeds returned to the harsh realities of life as defending champions on a torrid first night of the season. A fiercely determined last 15 minutes got them off to a winning start in a high-quality opening encounter, thanks to a brace of second-half tries by wing Lee Smith.

Jo A has some Gladiator image creations to share

Constant Crowe Updates:  Thanks to Ivani, UOL Cinema has a new interview with Russell and Denzel from AG press junket day! Sarah from Russell Crowe Dream has capped the ITV Local video from Friday!  Some lovely shots!  Click here to see!

February 2

Constant Crowe Updates from Darrin:  I have two videos taken on Game Day by Estella and Tina as well as the Press Conference vid from JacksonvilleDotCom in which our very own Sweptaway grabs her 15 minutes of fame (or infamy)

February 1

From MadTex: Here are 3 clips from Jacksonville I am hosting on my Myspace page - One - Two - Three

From Darrin: Constant Crowe Updates:  I have videos from ITV Local, Coastal Companion, NineMSN and JacksonvilleDotCom with Game Day coverage!  Thanks to my contributors, Sarah, Ivani and vsecin!

TCM (Turner Classic Movies) is highlighting the Oscars this month (Schedule in pdf) . On February 17 they will show LAC (Click on the 17th date)

Related: From Lynda: Alan Doyle has been nominated for a Genie Award (Academy Of Canadian Film & Television awards) in the category of Achievement In Music - Original Song for his title song in "Young Triffie's Been Made Away With," a film for which he (along with Keith Power) also composed the score. There's a video and an audio file of Alan's nominated song on my blog

From Ro: Could you mention  my new countdown widget for the DVD release of American Gangster? It is only compatible with Mac OS 10.3 or higher and is available for free download HERE. -- Screenshot

Related - The Star: Dundee still out there jabbing -- Muhammad Ali's legendary trainer pens book detailing his 60 years in the fight game - Thanks, Allison

EW.com: 12 Awesome Action Hero One-Liners - Thanks, Allison