March 31 - Yankee Opening Day!

Washington Post 3/31/08 "The Reliable Source" -- Sorely Tested Crowe Keeps His Cool - Thanks, Alison from Virginia

The Australian - Opinion: Kevin scores Maximus celebrity points - Thanks, Steph

IMPA Poster Awards - The Bra Boys Poster - Thanks, Steph

From Rhoda: BIO will be featuring Russell April 2nd at 9:00 A.M  then 3:00 PM and April 3rd at 4:00 AM

The Examiner: Russell Crowe satisfies his sweet tooth - Thanks, Ivani (Here is the Georgetown Cupcake web site)

Related: News.com.au: Aussie DJs say G'day North America - Thanks, Oz Fan

March 30

raging_apathy blog: My Car Will Be More Famous Than Me (An extra on SOP) - Thanks, Maria

Stuff NZ: Rocker who rolls with the punches -- "...He ran theatres in Manners Mall and Lower Hutt, during which time his first wife departed, then moved to Auckland with the woman who would become his second wife. He rose to general manager of the Kerridge Odean empire's entertainment and leisure divisions. He was Russell Crowe's boss when "Russell the Rock" worked as an MC at Pakatoa Island resort in the Hauraki Gulf." - Thanks, Steph

The IMDb SOP Message Board: Josta, an assistant director on SOP says: "We will finish filming one week from today, April 5th." - Thanks, Ivani

Rabbitohs.com.au: Panthers defeat Rabbitohs in Round Three -- The Penrith Panthers have defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 26 points to 22 in front of 10,839 fans at CUA Stadium today (Sunday). - Thanks, CGee

From Kris C: Russell news in US Magazine -- "His birthday issue.  Us Magazine 4-7-08 issue 686 page 40."

March 29

The Age au - Opinion: G'day Kev, it's Russ (Prime Minister Rudd and Russell) - Thanks, Maria

At MilkandCookies, a video of Russell in the 60 Minutes interview, talking about the South Park parody of him - Thanks, Maria

From Ivani: Thanks to VSecin: 1) Some high definitions photos of Yuma at French site Dvdrama -- 2) Videos about the movies at France 2 -- and CommeAucinema one and two

March 28

Diversity Inc: A Muslim in Hollywood: My 15 Seconds as a Film Extra (BOL) - Thanks, Allison

News.com.au: Bra Boys Riding a Wave --"THE Bra Boys' dramatic transformation from Maroubra gangstas to international stars is set to peak in LA next month when the Abberton brothers ride the red carpet for the premiere of their hyped documentary. With the likes of Paris Hilton and the film's narrator Russell Crowe heading up the guest list for the April 7 event, the Bra Boys' documentary will take on Tinsletown with the flashy fashion that has become second nature for the Sydney surf lads." _ Thanks, Steph [ed note: If this is accurate, we know where he will be on his birthday!]

From Rose: This is the link to the official French site for Yuma . The film opened on wednesday 26th in France. The critics I've read so far are mostly favorable and the film had the second best opening of the week in Paris, despite not being released on  many screens.

At Libris Crowe, Jo has made a picture collection called Aubrey's Ships

From CGee: Souths have reached and exceeded their targeted ticketed membership goal for the year – 6500! I’m impressed.

The Herald Sun: Related: Djimon Hounsou talks about making tough movie choices

March 27

GreatBigSea.com: Russell in Alan Doyle's Journal: "Grand Paddy’s weekend a little while ago.  Great fun to have Russell join us in DC for a song or two.  Hard to beat his performances.  I’ve learned a lot from his presence on stage and his conviction to the moment.  I can think of few so eager to give themselves so completely to a performance when the curtain rises, the lights go down, or someone yells, “Action”. Like many in the GBS camp, he also prides himself on hosting the best parties.  The after show sing-along at the Hotel was one for the ages, with The Shantyman shining at his best, and Rachel M leading a lovely version of “Time After Time”.  Grand, Grand Night." - Thanks, Lynda

The Examiner.com (NJ): Russell Crowe likes bikes - Thanks, BarbieCat

Film at HBPL Blog: Go West, Young Man - Thanks, Madchen

From Ivani: Thanks to VSecin, an interview with Ian Smith. -- Neighbours' Ian Smith On His Co-stars' Global Fame -- The actor, who plays Harold Bishop in Neighbours, recalls co-stars Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, Kylie, Holly Valance and Alan Dale

March 26

"Gridskipper" has put together a DC Movie Map for SOP - Thanks, BarbieCat

Den of Geek: Master and Commander Blu-ray review -- "Peter Weir's take on Master & Commander: The Far Side Of The World is the best swashbuckling film of the last half decade. Despite what Jack Sparrow might have to say..." - Thanks, Allison

ET online: Russell Crowe Narrates Edgy Surfing Documentary - A new documentary from the land of bloomin' onions is primed to make big waves when it's released stateside on April 11. 'Bra Boys,' a surfing doc narrated by RUSSELL CROWE -- who'll make his directorial debut and star in the feature-length adaptation this Fall -- follows three surfer brothers from Down Under as they ride the riptide to fame. (It premieres in LA on Russell's birthday, April 7) - Thanks, Kris C

March 25

The News Observer: Journalist breaks code to let spy novelist out (SOP-Ignatius) - Thank, Allison

The Washington Post: State of Play's' Paper Tiger -- All you D.C. journalists can just stop worrying about layoffs now. The local newspaper industry is booming! Why, look, a brand new one just opened downtown over the weekend! . . . Oh, wait. The signs for the offices of "The Washington Globe" that went up were, as it turns out, just another piece of Hollywood artifice decorating our city for the filming of "State of Play," the political thriller starring Ben Affleck as a congressman with a dead-mistress problem and Russell Crowe as a scruffy reporter at a newsroom lorded over by Helen Mirren. We're told the daily Washington Globe is in no way meant to represent The Washington Post, which was obviously the case by the look of the fake front pages in the fake newspaper boxes on L Street NW. Their Gothic-style typeface is way more florid than our Gothic-style typeface, and it only costs 35 cents. - Thanks, Steph

From Ivani in Brazil forBrazilian fans: 3 weeks ago there was an interview with Russell and Denzel in a tv show called "Domingo Espetacular" - Link HERE

March 24

CGee was an extra on SOP for a night (Saturday). Here is her report

Re the SilverChips report on Rachel talking about how long it takes Russell to get ready to be Cal - she was kidding. He takes about a half hour - she takes two hours. [Well, we women have to look our best!]

March 23

SilverChips - Montgomery Blair HS (Their school band was in the scene with the two stars): Interview with Rachel and Russell - Lots of good stuff - "Crowe was wearing a shabby coat and carrying a worn briefcase and McAdams was made-up more subtly than even some of the extras. "I'm very low maintenance in this film," McAdams said, as she teased Crowe about the routine three hours he spends in hair and make-up. Crowe hastily pointed out that the bulk of that time is spent hiding his extremely long hair, which he is growing out for his next movie, "Nottingham." " - Thanks, All

From LindaK: "I went to the local video rental store to pick out some movies for the weekend.  The store puts everything in alpha-numeric sequence, numbers first, then the alphabet.  First on the shelf was "3:10 to Yuma", at least a dozen copies all checked out.  In the next cabinet over, down a few shelves was "American Gangster", with 20 copies all checked out.  The interest in Russell Crowe seemed to spill over to his earlier film "A Good Year" because all 4 of the copies on the New Releases shelf were also out."

A Joyous Easter to those who celebrate it....

March 22

NOTE - New Guestbook! - For April 7: Send birthday and anniversary greetings to Russell and to Russell and Dani. Link HERE (Resign if you have already made your entry. The old book has been deleted. Thanks)

One of Russell's favorite Songwriters/singers is Billy Bragg. Bragg has an opinion piece in the NY Times Today - The Royalty Scam

NineMSN: John Polson (Tenderness) Related: Tropfest 2008 -" Award winning director and actor, John Polson, is the founder and Creative Director of Sony Tropfest (www.tropfest.com). From its inauguration at Sydney's Tropicana Caffe in 1993, John has nurtured Sony Tropfest into a national event, now considered to be the world's largest short film festival attracting a national audience of over 150,000 people in a single night." - Thanks, Oz Fan

FirstShowing.net: First Look at Russell Crowe in State of Play! -- Crowe is certainly looking like a scruffy journo, though I wonder if the apparent weight gain is part of the role. It's rather funny that Crowe was filming at the iconic Ben's Chili Bowl. Perhaps his character packs on the pounds with too many cheese fries and smoked dogs? Affleck is in town as well, obviously, though no photos have surfaced of him as of yet. I'm finding it hard to picture him as a politician. He's clean-cut, sure, but certainly not leader-like. The rest of the cast actually looks promising, though. Helen Mirren plays Crowe's boss and managing editor; Robin Wright Penn, the congressman's estranged wife; and Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, other reporter-types. Other shots for Play took place at the Library of Congress and the Maine Avenue Fish Market. The film is based on the popular 2003 BBC mini-series and is directed by Kevin McDonald, due out sometime in 2009. Stay tuned for more updates on the film as we receive them. - Thanks, Steph

Tampa Bay on line: The Magic of Cinderella - CM -- "...The next day, New York newspaperman Damon Runyon wrote, "The fistic fairy tale comes true. James J. Braddock of New Jersey, 'The Cinderella Man' of pugilism, is the new heavyweight champion of the world." Braddock's tale was the inspiration for the 2005 film "Cinderella Man" starring Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger." - Thanks, Allison

WSJ.com: Baseball's record hit turns 100 -- "Perhaps the most intriguing performance was by actor Russell Crowe and his rock band in 2003 at Wrigley Field during a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mr. Crowe gave special emphasis to the words "Root, root, root for the home team," as "rooting" is Australian slang for an activity generally done somewhere other than a baseball field. Mr. Crowe's rendition did not make it onto Mr. Wiles's CD." - Thanks, Steph

The Courier Mail: Jodie's Easter Rabbitohs -- "WHAT will Jodie Foster be doing on her free night on the Gold Coast? The Hollywood actor says her plans are simple. Curl up in front of the TV and watch South Sydney take on Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. Foster, who's staying on the Gold Coast for the premiere of her latest film Nim's Island, has been a close friend of Russell Crowe for many years, and has been caught up in his passion for his team and the sport of rugby league. ``The Rabbitohs,'' Foster cheered enthusiastically when the sport of rugby league was mentioned. Foster said she would be one of the many who turned in to Channel 9 to cheer on her team. ``Definitely,'' she said, ``definitely, definitely...." - Thanks, Steph

Constant Crowe Updates:  Jean has added another vid to her Illustrated Songs page!  It's a beaut, featuring Ben Wade and Russell and a number of "The Boys" set to Duffy's "Mercy"!  Click here to go directly to her page!  -Cheers, Darrin

March 21

NBC Sports: NCAA Tournament tonight: Most likely Russell Crowe spotting (after all, he did show up at a Michigan football game last September): No. 10 St. Mary's vs No. 7 Miami -- The Gaels are Down Underdogs, as four players on their roster hail from Australia, including leading scorer Patrick Mills. The six-foot frosh is of Aboriginal descent.

Yahoo Movies: 10 most historically inaccurate movies - (Gladiator among them) - Thanks, Kris C, Mary

Filming today in front of The Watergate - Thanks, Rima

The Washington Post: One Fan's Very Happy Accident (Affleck) - Thanks, Cindy

The Daily Telegraph: Rabbitohs look like finals pretenders - Thanks, Steph

E! Online News: Scott and Leo a Couple of Low Dwellers (Russell mentions) - Thanks, Kris C

FoxNews.com: PopTarts (Scroll) - "...According to insiders, the Academy Award-winner not only is making his debut as a director when the documentary is turned into a feature film later this year, he also is set to star in a supporting role as the film’s villain. "Russell is looking forward to having Koby teach him to surf," an insider said. "Another challenge." Crowe and powerhouse producer Brian Grazer are prepping to turn the film into a feature (we're even hearing whispers that Mark Wahlberg is in talks to take the lead and play Abberton)." - Thanks, Avril

Thompson on Hollywood: Russell Crowe narrates the tantalizingly-titled Bra Boys, a hit surfing doc Down Under set on the big wave beaches of Australia. Imagine producer Brian Grazer is planning a feature version starring Crowe, who would make his directorial debut. - Thanks, Cindy

Some pictures from CGee to go with reports from CGee and Teresa on the shoot yesterday at the Scottish Rite Temple.

The Rabbitohs lost again, 25-12 to the Bulldogs.

Washington City Paper: My Boyfriend Was In State of Play!–Update - Thanks, Allison

Multi-Channel News: NBC Universal Wednesday announced it will make an unrated version of the Academy Award-nominated film “American Gangster” and a new “Gangster Movies” category available to on-demand and pay-per-view customers April 3. - Thanks, Allison

March 20

From CGee and CathiF: "CathiF and I managed to catch a bit of SOP filming this afternoon down at the Scottish Rite Temple in DC. It was chilly but the wind made it fell much colder so everyone on the set was bundled up as best they could to try to keep warm. We stood across the street and just observed one scene being filmed multiple times  - Russell (Cal) and Rachel McAdams (Della) walking down the street in front of the Temple, as  a marching band and color guard perform on the Temple steps. When they reach the corner of the street, Cal hails a cab and Della get in.   It’s fascinating how everything looks a bit chaotic, with wires and equipment seemingly everywhere but it’s all an intricate coordinated effort. The traffic was stopped only the brief times they were filming with both cars and surprised pedestrians stopping to rubberneck as they try to catch a brief glimpse of what was going on. I felt sorry for the extras as well as the band because I doubt their costumes provided much warmth against the relentless gusts of wind!"

From Teresa: "Today, March 20, they were filming in front of the Scottish Rite Temple on 16th street in Northwest DC.  In the scene I saw, Russell and Rachel walk the length of the sidewalk in front of the temple to the corne, while chatting with each other.  They stop on the corner and Russell hails a cab for her. She gets in and it drives away.  I was able to walk right down the sidewalk next to the temple and was actually waiting on the corner as they walked up to hail the cab!  It was purely by chance that I was there as they were filming the scene.  Russell was only about 5 feet away from me.  He was hardly recognizable in his costume - a heavy winter coat, jeans, and a wool hat pulled down low on his head.  It is quite windy and chilly today in DC, though there is brilliant sunshine and a blue sky, so I guess he was dressed appropriately. The Montgomery Blair HS marching band was in the scene too, standing on the steps leading up to the temple. The temple is a beautiful building, another DC landmark, and could easily pass for a courthouse.  Maybe that's why they chose this site."

The Daily Telegraph: Russ still a bunny love in the US - Thanks, Steph

Related (CM): Variety: Giamatti joins 'Duplicity' cast -- "Giamatti, who is toplining the seven-part HBO miniseries based on the David McCullough book, has been set by director Tony Gilroy to join Julia Roberts, Clive Owen and Tom Wilkinson in the Gilroy-scripted film for Universal. Giamatti will play an industrialist engaged in a fierce game of corporate one-upmanship against a rival titan, played by Wilkinson (who plays Benjamin Franklin in "John Adams"). Roberts and Owen play two spies-turned-corporate operatives who work on opposite sides but are having a clandestine love affair. Billy Bob Thornton had been in talks for the businessman role." - Thanks, Steph

The Washington Post: Ben's Chili Bowl Is Hot Hot Hot! - For two weeks, "State of Play" -- the political thriller starring Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck-- has shot at the usual Official Washington backdrops: Library of Congress, Commerce, Interior and HUD (the latter site sprinkled with fake Hollywood rain for the scene). Yesterday it moved into Unofficial Washington, with a daylong shoot at Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street. (In coming days, director Kevin Macdonald will take his crew to Dupont, Mount Pleasant and other nabes less frequently captured on the big screen.) At the iconic 50-year-old diner, eight staffers got hired as extras; counterman Maurice Harcum even got a line of dialogue, serving a half-smoke and chili cheese fries to Crowe. Ben's also played movie set for 1993's "The Pelican Brief," though edits left it barely recognizable, said manager Nizam Ali, who praised Macdonald's eye for detail. "They wanted to make this authentic, and make it visible. They really cared about it being a real place," he said. "You can't have a character that's a Washingtonian that doesn't go to true Washington places." - Thanks, CGee

Defamer Australia: DiCaprio/Crowe/Scott Thriller Promises Hours of Shouty Man-on-Man Action

From Ivani: Thanks to Vsecin, at Examiner.com, 3 pics of Russell on March 19 filming near Chili Ben's.

Related: Variety -- More Monahan (BOL) news: Monahan to write Paramount thriller

March 19

Jezebel: Filming outside Ben's in DC (Snarky comments) - Thanks, Steph

Boston.com: Oscar winner William Monahan's script for "Body of Lies" has made its way onto the Internet, and it sounds as though the Boston native (above) has written another action-filled, expletive-laden drama that could get Leonardo DiCaprio's and Russell Crowe some Oscar buzz. Not that Ridley Scott's big-screen adaptation of David Ignatius's book wasn't already causing a stir. The pic isn't expected to open until October, but several websites have posted some of DiCaprio and Crowe's gritty dialogue. Writing on Cincity2000.com, Lance Carmichael says the scribe's hand is evident from the first page. "Monahan knows what he does well - ruthless, career-minded men shouting at each other - and he looks for every dramatic excuse he can to show off this talent," Carmichael writes. "There's more testosterone dripping off the pages of a Bill Monahan script than in the collected works of David Mamet and [Neil LaBute] combined." - Thanks, Allison

VideoETA.com: This message is a reminder that the Widescreen DVD of 3:10 TO YUMA (2007) was released on Tuesday, January 8.

From Teresa: "Saw Russell on set today filming State of Play. They were filming a scene where Russell comes out of Ben's Chili Bowl on U St. and crosses the street to talk to someone on the other side.  When I first arrived, I think he was actually eating at Ben's.  Ben's is a famous DC landmark - lots of celebrities stop there because it's the best chili in the city.  They usually take photos of each celebrity who visits and put them on the wall, so maybe Russell's photo will soon be hung there too. Best news of all - I was standing across the street from Ben's and, in between shots, Russell was out on the street, standing directly across from me about 30 feet away.  He looked over and I started waving at him like crazy.  He smiled and waved back!  Made my day! He looks great - was wearing a long coat, a blue shirt, hair very long as everyone already knows."

Related - and neat! The New Yorker: Bored at work? Victim of a hiring freeze? In the past few weeks, word has been circulating, among the post-collegiate cubicle crowd, about an exciting new job opportunity. The rumor, according to one (unofficial) e-mail: “Oscar-winning producer Brian Grazer (Da Vinci Code, A Beautiful Mind, American Gangster) is looking for a new cultural attaché.” The e-mail explained:

This person would be responsible for keeping Brian abreast of everything that’s going on in the world; politically, culturally, musically. . . . They’re also responsible for finding an interesting person for Brian to meet with every week . . . an astronaut, a journalist, a philosopher, a buddhist monk. . . . There is LOTS of reading for this position! Grazer may ask you to read any book he’s interested in. You’ll probably get to read about 4 or 5 books a week and you may be required to travel with him on his private plane to Hawaii, New York, Europe—teaching him anything he asks you about along the way. . . . You will also be provided with an assistant. . . . Salary is around $150,000 a year. . . . You will be to Grazer what Karl Rove was to Bush.

Just a heads up for people in the UK who might not have ever seen the original 3:10 To Yuma. BBC2 are showing it on Easter Monday (March 24) at 12:45. It's well worth a watch, and it will be fun for first time viewers to see how they managed to keep close to the original script in the remake. - Thanks, Bejay

Constant Crowe Updates:  Sarah has added another vid to her Illustrated Song!  This one features Mr Ben Wade hisself (!!) and is set to Nils Lofgren's "Tried and True"!  Click here to go directly to her page!

March 18

CC2K.com: Script review for Body of Lies -- "...If you saw the preview for The Insider, you pretty much know what most of Body of Lies will be like. It’s men under intense pressure shouting at each other over cell phones, usually beginning their speeches with some variant on “Don’t fuck with me!” Russell Crowe smugly lectures Leo for most of the movie in speeches like this: “This is the New Model Al Quaeda. These are the new evolved analog cockroaches. They got in place and waited. This is war. This is not Osama got Lucky on his flying fucking carpet.” - Thanks, Maria

Washington City Paper: My Boyfriend’s In State of Play! - Thanks, Steph

Variety -- Film Related - Sad News: Anthony Minghella dies, 54 -- Agent confirms director's death

I have added a few images to our set visit page

March 17 - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I was fortunate enough, thanks to Russell, to visit the SOP set on Saturday. The link to the report is HERE (More pictures will be added later.)

UK Times: Modern film scores are terrible, say composers -- "Hans Zimmer, who wrote the music for the Hollywood box-office hits Gladiator and The Lion King, dismissed the majority of contemporary screen compositions as unmemorable. “They drift around like cows grazing. So many scores sound like nobody really thought about them.”"

At Shamrock Fest, Crowe Plays 'Blues' for a Green Crowd -- New picture from Saturday night at the Shamrock festival from the Washington Post

Surfline.com: Bra Boys Wins Best Documentary at Movie Extras Filmink Awards -- "Bra Boys has beaten an international field of acclaimed documentaries to win Best Documentary at the 2008 Movie EXTRA Filmink Awards. Bra Boys was nominated alongside Academy Award winner, Michael Moore's Sicko, Sundance-nominated Crazy Love, Forbidden Lies and the multi-award winning Shut Up & Sing. The gritty story about the cultural evolution of the inner Sydney beach suburb of Maroubra and the social struggle of its youth - the tattooed and much maligned surf tribe know as the Bra Boys - keeps winning awards and hearts worldwide. Bra Boys will be released in the United States on April 11th this year." - Thanks, Steph

A Live Journal report on the Shamrock Concert, Russell and GBS - with a picture.

The Washington Post: At Shamrock Fest, Crowe Plays 'Blues' for a Green Crowd -- Now and again, one of those unlikely-sounding celebrity rumors actually does pan out. Buzz started building a week ago that Russell Crowe might -- just might-- make a surprise cameo at Saturday's Shamrock Fest concert at RFK. The speculation was stoked by Celt-rock cognoscenti hip to the actor/bar-band singer's friendship with Canadian folkies Great Big Sea and aware that Crowe is hunkered down in D.C. for a month filming the political thriller "State of Play." But not even the music festival organizers had a clue if it would actually happen -- until the star's entourage showed up several minutes into GBS's 9 p.m. set. And then at the encore, Crowe walked onstage. With the band he performed Johnny Cash's"Folsom Prison Blues" and an Irish ballad. And everyone pretty much went nuts. Fans said Crowe was looking kind of hirsute, with longish hair. How'd he sound? Forgot to ask! - Thanks, Penny

Montgomery Blair High Scoll site: Marching band to have role in upcoming thriller "State of Play" -- Universal/Andell Entertainment movie enlists efforts of Blair's musicians and color - Thanks, Cindy

St Pat's Day related: The Worcester Telegram: "Irish characters add color to the silver screen’s luster -- " Boxers? There have been a few. “Gentleman Jim” with Errol Flynn as famed bare-knuckle boxer Jim Corbett, “The Quiet Man” in which John Wayne slugs it out across the Irish countryside, and the criminally underrated “Cinderella Man,” with Russell Crowe playing Jim Braddock, the last of the great Irish-born heavyweights who used his fists to stave off starvation during the Depression. In “Million Dollar Baby,” Clint Eastwood’s grizzled trainer, Frankie Dunn, reads the Irish poets and studies Gaelic when Maggie Fitzgerald (Hillary Swank) walks into his gym looking to lace up the gloves." - Thanks, Allison

Constant Crowe Updates:  Thanks to Cindy and Mirella, I have the two vids Lynda linked to off her blog.  Thanks, Lynda!!!  -Cheers, Darrin (Russell singing at the Shamrock fest in DC)

March 15-16

From Carol: "Russell (in jeans and his Black Rabbitohs jacket) joined Alan Doyle & Great Big Sea for the last GBS encore on stage at Saturday's Shamrock Festival held in Washington D.C. Russell and GBS did a wonderful version of  "Folsom Prison" and then Russell and GBS were joined on stage with the guys from Carbon Leaf in a very long version of "Molly Malone". You should have seen the press swarm when Alan announced that his good friend Russell Crowe was going to join him on stage.  Even the EMT / Fire Rescue guys guarding the front of the stage were taking pictures with their cell phones." 

Constant Crowe Update:  I've edited a YouTube vid from 2006, which contains an interview Russell did from Oz to promote the New York concert with Q1043's Jonathan Clarke!  Thanks to Ivani and Vsecin for the link!  -Cheers, Darrin  

March 14

IMDb SOP Board: From Nora The Extra -- "Today, they filmed at the Mellon auditorium building on Constitution Avenue. I was one of the many many extras. They did an interior scene at the mellon auditorium building. It was a stand-in for a congressional hearing type room. Ben Affleck goes at it with some blackwater/halliburton type figure. He delivered every take differently. Sort of strange... He's very handsome. Rachel Mcadams was cute as pixie. Those were the only two actors in the scene today." - Thanks, Maria

More Related: Yahoo News -- Paul Bettany OK about being villain -- He played the ruthless albino monk Silas in "The Da Vinci Code." Now he's Dakota Fanning's abusive father in "The Secret Life of Bees." - Thanks, Kris C

Related: The NY Times reviews John Adams on HBO - Not too good for Paul - very good for Linney, Dillane and Wilkinson -- "...but Mr. Dillane is a slyly intelligent, brooding Jefferson and steals every scene he is in, even when he has no dialogue. Some of the more delicious scenes are set in France, at the court of Louis XVI, where Franklin, deliciously played by Tom Wilkinson, wallows impishly in the hedonism — and flattery — of the French nobility, and Adams, summoned there to help pressure France for assistance against Britain, fumes in frustration and Yankee puritanism."

LeagueHQ: Rabbitohs vs Roosters - Souths lose - Rabbitohs 20 Roosters 34

Frozen Tips Blog DC: They are filming SOP at night this weekend in DC . - Thanks, Maria

Time: The Simple Life -- "Think of the most thankless jobs out there. Slaughterhouse cleaner. Involuntary drug tester. Russell Crowe's assistant. Here's one that's worse: curator of the Whitney Biennial." [Keith, take note. Not true, though]

Boston Fashion: The Summer of Shoes -- "...We’re not promoting this one trend, to be quite honest, we hoped it went to Hades last summer, but gladiator sandals are back. Again. *sigh* Joy. Now unless you’re Kate Moss, this isn’t a trend for someone who has some meat on their bones, like the majority of us out there and to be honest, they just don’t look flattering. Granted, Russell Crowe rocked them and looked damn good in them fighting tigers, but between the bulging pods of skin that pop out in-between the designs and the fact they just making your calves and ankles look bigger than they normally are, these sandals should have been left at the Acropolis."

March 13

The Australian: Top shelf hacks only -- THE DIARY: Amanda Meade, March 13, 2008 -- "RUSSELL Crowe's latest movie State of Play has attempted to make a press conference more authentic by inviting real journalists to attend and ask questions. But don't get too excited, only the best were asked to come along. Legendary journalists Bob Woodward, Margaret Carlson, Bob Schieffer, John Palmer, E.J. Dionne, and Katty Kay became Hollywood stars when actor Robin Wright Penn made a statement to the press. Her character's husband (played by Ben Affleck) may have been having an affair with a now deceased personal assistant. The story is a remake of the brilliant British TV series of the same name." - Thanks, Crowe fan

The Message Boards and other Crowe sites are linked HERE (Bookmark the page)

From Teresa: "My friend and co-worker saw Russell filming on Capitol Hill last Saturday.  She was driving down a street where they were filming a scene with Russell driving a Saab.  His car was on a platform that moved the vehicle, so he wasn't actually driving it. She was so excited, she circled around 4 times.  The director was right next to her and must have recognized her car after the 3rd or 4th pass, because he smiled at her and waved. Weather in DC has been great all week, so I'm sure they're getting lots of outside scenes done.  I understand there are quite a few night scenes scheduled too, near the Watergate and other famous landmarks. Lots of sightings of Russ, Ben Afflect and Rachael McAdams."

ShotinWashington.com: State of Play Swims With the Fishes -- On Wednesday, March 12th, State Of Play shot a long crowd scene at the Maine Avenue Fish Market in South West Washington, D.C. Russell Crowe was on set with hundreds of extras and crew, not to mention a few gawking locals and lunch patrons. After staring at tons of fresh seafood all morning, the background actors were treated to a steam table lunch of chicken, beef, boiled potatoes, and sheet cake for dessert. No word on what the principal cast and crew ate for lunch, but suspicions are running high since a number of lobsters have reportedly gone missing. - Thanks, Cindy

The Washington Post: HEY, ISN'T THAT . . . ? Ben Affleck leaving the Dupont Circle office of the Council on Foreign Relations yesterday afternoon after a meeting with senior fellow/former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson. The politically-minded actor (dark blazer, no tie) is in town to film "State of Play," as is . . . Rachel McAdams, catching a "restorative yoga" class at Georgetown Yoga yesterday. Came in alone; headband, gray yoga pants, white long-sleeved thermal tee. - Thanks, CGee

Hulu.com: Watch Master and Commander online free - Thanks, Mike

March 12

Den of Geeks.com: South Park season 6 DVD review -- South Park's sixth season hits DVD - and Ryan says it's probably the best season to date. Yay! - Thanks, Allison

Rabbitohs Club News: Rabbitohs hit 6,000 Season Ticketed Members -- The South Sydney Football Club’s 6,000th Season Ticketed Member was signed up last night as part of our Phone Membership Drive. - Thanks, CGee

Fox Sports: Crowe nabs million dollar deal -- ACTOR Russell Crowe has again come to the rescue of South Sydney after personally telephoning some of the country's leading financial institutions to help secure a major sponsorship with National Australia Bank. - Thanks, Steph

LanguageMonitor.com - Hollywords: Top HollyWORDIEs of 2007 (AG and Yuma among them) - Thanks, Ivani

CinemaBlend: Martha Hits A Milestone - Thanks, Cindy, Anne S

Cinematical - Related: Paddy Considine Will Helm 'Tyrannosaur'

March 11

Ben Affleck Bio at People.com - [ed note: How come they don't have one of Russell?]

Rabbitohs Club News: Rabbitohs Announce Round One Team - Thanks, CGee

Variety: The Olivier Awards - Related (AG) - "...Chiwetel Ejiofor wins for his powerhouse performance in the title role in "Othello". - Thanks, Barbara

Constant Crowe Updates:  I have a new Illustrated Song artist joining the crew here at Constant Crowe!  Sarah joins us with a beautiful vid set to Dinosaur Jr's "Back To Your Heart"!  Click here to go directly to her page! -Cheers, Darrin -- Also - I put some music to the vid they showed in Jax to help understand how Rugby League works. Hope everyone likes it! 

IMDb Daily Poll - Related -   Your favorite Paul Giamatti performance (live-action roles only) from this decade? - Thanks, Kris C

March 9-10

League HQ: Wing men queue up to protect star recruit -- "SOUTH SYDNEY have warned the Sydney Roosters that if they want to get tough with Craig Wing in the season opener at Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night, the rest of the Rabbitohs will accommodate them." - Thanks, bejay

The Examiner: Ben Affleck on the set of SOP - [Does he look like a young congressman!] - Thanks, BarbieCat

Steve Clemons at the Huffington Post: He visited the SOP set. [ed note: A Pittsburgh accent! I was born in Pittsburgh, maybe I could help] - Thanks, Maria

AG won best thriller at the UK Empire Awards - (Hot Fuzz, which won best comedy, is available on USA TV on Cinemax) - Thanks, Ivani - The Empire Web Site

GWHatchet.com: Oscar winners film on campus -- "Early Saturday morning, the area outside the World Bank was home to production for the film "State of Play," a political thriller being filmed in the District, with Academy Award winners Russell Crowe and Helen Mirren. More than 30 extras and a large crew flooded Pennsylvania Avenue between 18th and 19th streets for the shoot. "It's really exciting to be here. Just to be 500 feet away from Russell Crowe is an experience," said Jamie Cheng, an actor from Alexandria,Va., who was working as an extra on the film." - Thanks, Penny

The Guardian/Observer: (Review of AG DVD) - How to go in mob-handed

March 8

Russell's translation of his words on Cotillard (French video at the Constant Crowe site): "what I'm saying about marion is 'one of the ways i like to describe it, is she likes the wind in her face.'"

The League HQ: The rivalry that will never die -- "The "Book of Feuds", commissioned by Souths co-owner Russell Crowe, will raise more than a few eyebrows among supporter groups. I love rivalry. Good stuff! However, many will see this book as yet another attempt by the South Sydney club to rewrite history in its own words. I played one season for Souths and loved my time there. Along with many others, I fought hard for the club when it was threatened with removal from the NRL during the Super League war and, when wrongly removed, we again fought hard to have the Bunnies rightly reinstated. Not that we received any thanks for it."

From Rose: Good and nearly unexpected news as no date had been announced until recently: Yuma will open on French screens on March 26th!

The Rabbitohs site: Pre-order "The Book of Feuds." Thanks, Penny

Constant Crowe Updates:  Thanks to Kipkoul, Croweaddict and Irina for the translation, I have a little vid of Russell speaking about Marion Cotillard!  Also, I have a vid from WUSA9 (thanks for the link, Cindy!) showing some filming of SOP in DC yesterday!

The Daily Telegraph: Adriana Lima hot for Russell Crowe (With a poll "is he hot or not?" in middle column - Scroll) - Thanks, Ivani, LindaK

March 7

Premiere Magazine - the 100 sexiest actors of all time - gallery - See #33 - Thanks, Allison

The Washington Post - Gossip -- " Russell Crowe showing up to meet a party of eight at fancy downtown Teatro Goldoni Wednesday night in sweat pants, T-shirt, blue-and-red jacket (though he did remove his ball cap before dining, thank you, and left his bodyguard outside). But the once-blustery Aussie star (here for a month to film "State of Play") charmed the heck out of everyone. When he asked the restaurant to play Dolly Parton's "Jolene" -- in honor of a Jolene at his table -- the maitre d' ran upstairs to download the tune from the Internet and played it for him three or four times. Earlier, Crowe chatted up some young lawyers at Nick's Riverside Grille in Georgetown. Can he possibly stay this nice through a full month in D.C.?" - Thanks, Penny, Steph

DVD Talk: BBC SOP - "Final Thoughts: State of Play is a finely-crafted, if idealized, story of investigative journalism that is intelligently written, well-directed, and brilliantly acted. It's no wonder that this series has won numerous awards in Britain and abroad, and that a big-budget American theatrical remake staring Russell Crowe and Ben Afflack is currently in production. Though this release, like most every BBC Warner DVD, suffers from a poor PAL to NTSC port, State of Play is highly recommended."

March 6

Cardozo Shaw Neighborhood Association: Universal Studios will be filming on location Wednesday, March 19, 2008, for the movie "State of Play" on the east side of the 2000 block of 13th, and including Ben Ali Way and part of the north side of the 1200 block of U Street. Specific times and locations will be posted when finalized by the DC Office of Motion Picture and Television Development, but this is currently scheduled for an all day shoot. - Thanks, Cindy

The Washington Post: Although Pitt-less, 'State of Play' Brings a Plum Cast to Town (Scroll a bit) - Thanks, CGee

Gossip -- E! on line - Ted Casablanca: Russell Crowe, dining with wife Danielle Spencer and a few other friends at Blowfish Sushi in Bev Hills. Seems like every other week Russ & fam are flying back and forth from Sydney to the States, no? That’s a whole lotta frequent-flier miles over the Pacific, trust. Crowe kept it low-key in a black jacket and jeans, hiding his unruly heap of hair in a ponytail. R.C. stepped away from the table to smoke, prolly trying to keep his indulgent urges at bay so he could soon slide back into his long-ago Gladiator size. The Blowfish servers say Crowe-babe’s a regular at the joint, not to mention a great tipper. Wow, finally some good gab for this often terribly behaved Kiwi. Thanks, Steph, Deborah

Rabbitohs.com: 'Camp Rabbitoh' Established in Coffs Harbour - Thanks, CGee

Ivani found a few things at Amazon -- A Russell Crowe T Shirt - another Crowe T Shirt

March 5

The Orion.com: Real life 'American Gangster' detective talks tough issues - The Orion (Cal State Chico) 3/5/08 -- Richie Roberts, played by Russell Crowe in the hit film "American Gangster" comes to Bell Memorial Union on Sunday to answer questions about the film. - Thanks, Marilyn, Allison

Electronic House: HD DVD Tops High-Def Sales Chart -- The release of "American Gangster" pumps a little life back into the dead high-def format.

Jim Graham Ward One Councilman: Movie Coming to Mt. Pleasant (Scroll to February 20) -- A major motion picture will be filming in Mount Pleasant in March. The film is entitled "State of Play" and is a political thriller set in the nation's capital. It stars Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck. At the moment, the producers plan to film on Mt. Pleasant St. between Lamont St. and Park Rd and Lamont Street NW between Mt. Pleasant and 16th Sts. The filming will start on Friday, March 28th and end on Sunday, March 30th, 2008. - Thanks, Penny

Tulsa World.com: Cowboy museum gives out Western Heritage Awards -- Yuma Receives Western Heritage Award - Thanks, Ivani

About.com Hollywood Movies: Rachel McAdams Returns After a Year Off with 'Married Life' -- "...McAdams will also be seen later this year in State of Play, a film which went through a few major changes in cast right before production began. Brad Pitt dropped out just before filming started and was replaced by Russell Crowe. “It was a good scenario either way for me, anyway,” offered McAdams. “It’s been great. I was sad that I don’t get to work with Brad Pitt, but I’m having a hell of a time working with Russell Crowe. He’s great. He’s awesome.” Commenting on her character, McAdams said, “I play a political reporter of the younger generation. She’s a star blogger and then Russell plays the more old-school, get out on the street and find the story yourself and make sure it’s the truth, and he’s kind of mentoring me. But, that’s sort of the peripheral story around a murder. More murder involved in that one.” - Thanks, Allison

March 4

Salon.com: (in an enthusiastic review of SOP, the BBC mini series - spoilers) Stop the presses! - "State of Play" ran on BBC America in 2004, but has only just become widely available to American audiences on disc. In the interim, the series became something of an object of fascination among American television creators for its expert blending of complex story with headlong velocity. (The first shot is of a pair of running feet, and things don't slow down much from there.) A movie adaptation, with Russell Crowe and Helen Mirren in the Simm and Nighy roles, respectively, is currently in the works, but "State of Play" can only be diminished in the process. This is television at its best, taking full advantage of its length without introducing a speck of fat, unostentatiously blending traditional camera setups with jittery hand-held sequences to orchestrate the emotions of the viewer, and offering a vision of the truth as an endless unfolding of character and power, pursued by people who are no less precious for being deeply flawed. - Thanks, Penny

Constant Crowe Updates:  I've rendered an old interview from the Austin 2001 concerts/BLOC recording event.  Thanks to Carol/GoldenAger for the original videotape! -Cheers, Darrin

March 3

The Dewsbury Reporter: Russell Crowe signs up for Celtic clubhouse appeal

Canadian Film Awards (the Genies) -- ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC - ORIGINAL SONG - ALAN DOYLE - Young Triffie's Been Made Away With - "Young Triffie's Been Made Away With" VALANGA KHOZA, DAVID HIRSCHFELDER - Shake Hands With the Devil - "Kaya" BYRON WONG, LUKE NICHOLSON - Poor Boy's Game -"Breathe"

No updates yet this morning, and none later today as I will be away for the afternoon.

March 2

Predatorsinaction.com: Clip from the lions and tigers arena scene in Gladiator. (Randy Miller (see yesterday's news) trained the animals. The clip is on his web site. - Also - The first video on this page is Russell's taped introduction of Miller at the stunt awards the year Gladiator won -- Thanks, Tamara

Leaguehq.com: Fenech and Garlick hell-bent on bringing George home -- RUSSELL CROWE tried and failed. Peter Holmes a Court had no luck. But now former South Sydney captains Mario Fenech and Sean Garlick believe they are on the verge of doing the impossible - getting George Piggins to a Rabbitohs game - Thanks, Darrin

From Pamela: Time Warner Cable "Channel Guide":  In a sidebar to the article about Paul Giamatti’s star turn in the upcoming HBO mini-series “John Adams”, is a text box about Cinderella Man.  Paul was asked what he and Crowe bonded over. His reply: “Oh, gosh, tons of things. He’s a great guy. We probably bonded over food. He likes to eat and so do I. We were chowing down all the time."

Two related bits of TV news from Cindy: Mary McCormack (Mystery, Alaska) has a new show on USA. I think the first episode is in April. -- -- And Craig Bierko (Cinderella Man) has a sitcom on Fox called "Unhitched".  It starts tonight.

iomtdoday: On the set of A Bunch of Amateurs -- IN the bitterly cold February of 1999, I spent three days running through a Surrey forest dressed as a Roman centurion. - Thanks, Penny

March 1

ed note: Just watched Death At A Funeral - Who knew how hilarious Alan Tudyk (Doc Potter in Yuma) could be!

Bigpicturebigsound.com: Yuma review for Blu-Ray - Thanks, Allison

"The Yuma" now available at Baron hats - Thanks, Rene

Cinemax Poll: Which movie has the best death blow? - Thanks, Kris C

Stuff NZ: Players' rep suggests selling Super 14 franchises -- Rob Nichol represents the game's most glamorous players, but the union rep for the likes of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter wants men such as Russell Crowe and Eric Watson to own a slice of our national game. - Thanks, Tamara

PE Entertainment: Inland bear featured in 'Semi-Pro' is a real pro -- "...Miller usually doubles for the actors in scenes in which there is physical contact with an animal. In "Gladiator," he doubled for Russell Crowe; in "To Walk With Lions," he was Richard Harris; he doubled for Peyton Manning and other Indianapolis Colts in an ad in which the Colts play against a team of lions."

Variety: Majors vow to reclaim Oscar spotlight - "...Warner Bros. has an untitled pic from Ridley Scott, written by William Monahan (“The Departed”) and starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio; and Universal has two biggies from Imagine: Clint Eastwood’s “The Changeling” starring Angelina Jolie, and “Frost/Nixon” from Ron Howard.

Encore TV: LAC coming April 9 - Thanks, Kris C

The Daily Telegraph: Wing scores the matchwinner -- CRAIG Wing delivered the perfect homecoming present for South Sydney, scoring the match-winning try in the Rabbitohs 24-20 Charity Shield win over St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium tonight. - Thanks, CGee

The SMH: Getting a rush (Joaquin Phoenix) - " Even the Gladiator behemoth was essentially a personal story, he says, while admitting that he found the experience so intimidating he was almost unable to perform. "Russell [Crowe] and Richard Harris sat me down early on, because I was so nervous," Phoenix recalls. "I was so nervous in fact on the first night of filming that we shot for two hours without running any film through the camera. Literally my entire body was shaking. So they just said to me, 'Calm the f--- down! It's just a f---ing movie. Relax!"' - Thanks, Allison, Steph