November 30
The NY Press: BOL - Heartless Darkness -- DiCaprio and Crowe challenge movie-star ethics in Hollywood’s latest war-weary action flickPaul Newman’s passing casts a shadow over Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe’s performances in Body of Lies. This spy/mercenary flick feels like a eulogy—a slick, cynical death knell—for Newman’s ideal: the morally charismatic movie star. As CIA field agent Roger Ferris and his Langley, Va., boss Ed Hoffman, DiCaprio and Crowe shed the recognizable moral unease that made Newman a universally beloved film actor. Body of Lies forces us to watch DiCaprio and Crowe portray intensely unlikable professionals—a hands-on killer and a white-collar killer. It’s unsubtly implied that they’re doing our government’s shameful bidding; America’s dirty work exposes their tainted souls. Besides DiCaprio’s brief flush of guilt, nothing else is revealed....
New time wasting poll in right column
Two related: Is It a Talk Show if the Host Sings? (Elvis Costello has a new show coming on Sundance Channel. Could Russell be a future guest?) and Jason Bateman (Dominic Foy in SOP) is on a full page Gap ad with his daughter in today's Times.
SMH: CD: Excerpts of Jack Thompson reading the Bush poems of Banjo Patterson - Thanks, Oz Fan, CGee - You can buy the CD HERE (Australian site)
November 29
Quiet news day
November 28
Newsday: G'day for Hollywood -- Awesome Aussies are all-American stars - Thanks, Allison
The New Yorker Cartoon Section: Silliness involving Russell as a character - The Sandwich Duel (Scroll to bottom of page for first entry) - "Gentle readers, you may remember there was some talk of sandwich shops and bloggin’ all about ’em in this interview with “Achewood” cartoonist Chris Onstad. And now, for better or worse, that thing actually happened. 8:00 A.M. It’s an e-mail. Zach from The New Yorker is opening a sandwich restaurant in his fifth-floor Manhattan walk-up. This is nothing to me. My sandwich company, based out of my house in San Carlos, California, will drive his into the ground. Code name of my sandwich enterprise: Up Zach’s, Sandwiches And More, By Appointment Only." - Russell appears in The Duel Part 12 - Thanks, Linda K
November 27
FX Online: Russell Crowe Takes Family To The Park - Dani has joined them - Thanks, Maria
The NY Times has the best Holiday gifts in DVDs. In the TV section they list State Of Play, the BBC Miniseries: STATE OF PLAY -- This political thriller, produced as a mini-series for British television a few years ago, won multiple awards in its homeland, including a Bafta prize for the incomparably sardonic Bill Nighy. Here he sheds his patrician inflections for the near-Cockney pronunciations of a newspaper editor overseeing the investigation of two seemingly unrelated murders — the death of a black teenager at gunpoint and the mysterious fall of a research assistant on the tracks of the London Underground — that ultimately hint at significant connection. The assistant belongs to an ambitious member of Parliament in both the professional and biblical senses. Anonymous faxes are sent, lives are endangered and marriages crumble in what amounts to six sublime hours of diversion from holiday whining and madness. (BBC Video, $34.98.)
November 26 - USA - Give Thanks Today
Naples News: From A to Z, a bevy of reasons to be thankful -- For “CSI” on TV. For classic convertibles and Coca Cola, and Clydesdales, and candlelight dining in a cozy cafe. For Russell Crowe and Sheryl Crow and Counting Crows. For champagne celebrations; and, of course, for chocolate. For “Desperate Housewives” and “The Daily Show.” For Edgar Degas and Salvador Dali. For Bob Dylan and for Dylan Thomas. For doves of peace, and the peace of a down-filled comforter. For dragonflies and dragon slayers. For dreams that somehow come true. Thanks, Allison
USAToday Sports: Out of retirement: Angelo Dundee returns to boxing - Thanks, Steph
November 25
Empire Magazine: The Greatest 100 Movie Characters - #35
Celebrity Baby Hair Styles: Charlie and Tenny have "shaggy chic" haircuts - Thanks, Allison
The Coffs Coast Advocate: You better believe it, Christmas is coming - IF you need any indication that Christmas is well and truly on its way, look no further than Coffs Harbour's city centre. Coffs Harbour City Council's own 'elves' were out in force on Sunday to install the centrepiece of this year's CBD decorations - a nine-metre-tall Christmas tree.... The tree lights will be officially lit by Santa and members of the South Sydney Rabbitohs on December 4 at 6pm. - Thanks, Oz Fan
Fused Focus: 2009 Universal Pictures Preview Line-up! (SOP) - Oscar® winner Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast in a blistering thriller about a rising congressman and an investigative journalist embroiled in an case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders. Crowe plays D.C. reporter Cal McCaffrey, whose street smarts lead him to untangle a mystery of murder and collusion among some of the nation’s most promising political and corporate figures in State of Play,from acclaimed director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland). - Thanks, Steph
The Yorkshire Post: Russell Crowe co-star died after inhaling asbestos -- "Mr Nicholls, who lived in Armley, played roles in films such as Gladiator, with Hollywood star Russell Crowe and Gangs of New York and also had parts in TV soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street. His stage presence was all the more distinctive due to his 6ft 5in height. The inquest heard that it is believed that Mr Nicholls was exposed to asbestos in his teens whilst working at a factory in Tipton, West Midlands." - Thanks, Steph
Reuters London: Bond makes it a month at top of box office -- The 22nd official Bond film, with Daniel Craig in his second outing as 007, earned another 2.8 million pounds for a total of 45.1 million pounds so far. Its nearest rival, director Ridley Scott's espionage drama "Body of Lies" which came in at No. 2, could only manage 991,979 pounds, despite boasting stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe.
A German newspaper reports that Body of Lies started second behind Solace in Germany this weekend. - Thanks, Mila
November 24
Related: London Theatre Guide: Donmar scoops four Evening Standard Awards -- The Donmar Warehouse has scooped four awards out of six nominations in the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, announced today at a ceremony at the Royal Opera House. Chiwetel Ejiofor, (AG) who played Othello in the Donmar production at the end of last year, won the Best Actor award over David Calder for King Lear at Shakespeare's Globe and Kenneth Branagh for Ivanov in the Donmar West End season at the Wyndham’s. - Thanks, Sue
ChartAttack.com: A bicoastal meeting of Celtic-influenced bands will take place when St. John's, Nfld.'s Great Big Sea and Vancouver's Spirit Of The West play eight shows together in March. Spirit Of The West finished a tour at the end of October, while Great Big Sea are still on the road in support of the gold-certified Fortune's Favour. GBS will also be part of the Barenaked Ladies' Ships & Dip V Caribbean cruise that embarks from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico on Feb. 1. That cruise will feature lots of celebrities, but it would even be more impressive if actor Russell Crowe set sail with his pals in Great Big Sea, since he appeared with them at Los Angeles' House Of Blues on Oct. 3 to cover Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues." Great Big Sea's video for "Love Me Tonight" just came out. Here it is - Thanks, Steph
Fox Sports au: Gordan Tallis set to join South Sydney as forwards coach -- THE Raging Bull is set to become a Bunny, with former Test and Origin skipper Gorden Tallis on the verge of signing a two-year deal as forwards coach of South Sydney. - Thanks, Steph
Tallis, who was approached directly for the role by South Sydney owner Russell Crowe, will be forced to relinquish his board position at the North Queensland Cowboys to pursue his first formal coaching post.
The Independent UK - Related: Paul Bettany interview - Thanks, JJ
The Daily Telegraph au: Aussie blokes are Hollywood's new leading men -- "Crowe and co simply bring a commanding gravitas to their roles, says Variety's leading columnist Anne Thompson. "America seems to have boy-men movie stars that don't have the danger and sheer masculinity that Australian tough guys have,'' she says. "The hottest, most in-demand actors right now are Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman. They have what everyone is chasing.''
The Denton Record: Tribute to Opie, all grown up -- Ron Howard film collection shows director at his best - Thanks, Oz Fan - Buy it at Amazon
November 23
Time Out London: Sir Ridley Scott on 'Body of Lies' -- He turns 71 this month, but, as his new spy thriller ‘Body of Lies’ opens in cinemas, Sir Ridley Scott tells Trevor Johnston why he’s got no intention of slowing down
Let's Have Some Fun - The Crowe Yuku Forum
X17 Galleries: Russell bonds with his boys - Thanks, Allison
Film Related: The New York Times Magazine -- The Screening of America by A. O. Scott
November 22
BoxWish.com: Get the gear from Body of Lies - page 3 --(also see page 4) "...However, it’s not all drab and dismal on the big screen as BoL forsakes fashion to deliver a glut of gadgets that will have folks muttering “I want that” under their breath. And we’ve cast our beady eyes on the action drama and rounded up our favourites. From designer brand sunglasses to cool phones, we show you how to get the gear from BoL. - Thanks, Allison
November 22
BoxWish.com: Get the gear from Body of Lies - page 3 --(also see page 4) "...However, it’s not all drab and dismal on the big screen as BoL forsakes fashion to deliver a glut of gadgets that will have folks muttering “I want that” under their breath. And we’ve cast our beady eyes on the action drama and rounded up our favourites. From designer brand sunglasses to cool phones, we show you how to get the gear from BoL. - Thanks, Allison
Variety: Solace to continue movie rule in Europe - Besides Bond, the major move comes from Warner Brothers, which expands Ridley Scott’s CIA thriller “Body of Lies” into Germany, Italy and the U.K., hoping the cast’s star wattage will sell lots of ducats. - Thanks, Allison, Cindy, Mike
November 21
The Guardian Lost in Showbiz Blog: (A bit snarky) Monopoly: the movie? Do not pass go, Ridley Scott -- " But the Hollywood Reporter expands to say that Ridley "will shape a narrative out of the iconic real estate game", conjuring the possibility that Russell will find himself in a gripping race against time to procure all the green and navy blue properties in a futuristic London, a strategy that falters in the second act when one of his competitors boasts a full complement of stations and utilities before he has even purchased Regent Street, but which is ultimately vindicated with his fortuitous acquisition of Park Lane - the final piece in the jigsaw - and the construction of a hotel thereon, within whose confines Russell can throw telephones at receptionists to his heart's content."
An Extra's Report on shooting a SOP scene yesterday - Thanks, Susi at MR
The Daily Mail UK: Body Of Lies: It's an enormously competent spy action thriller with big stars - Thanks, Oz Fan
Double related - The Hollywood Reporter: Howard and Bateman - Arrested Development' film gets closer -- Mitch Hurwitz, Ron Howard ink deals for feature treatment
Movies ie: Video interview with Russell for BOL and one for Ridley - Thanks, Allison
November 20
Indie London: Body of Lies - Sir Ridley Scott interview - Lots of Russell and Nottingham. Thanks, Maria
Yahoo has a new service called Yahoo Glue. Here is the page I get when I put in Russell's name. Seems to have some up to date news.
Extra TV has a cute picture of Russell, Tenny and Keith
The UK Sun: SIR RIDLEY SCOTT won’t be putting RUSSELL CROWE in a felt hat or tights for his new Robin Hood movie. But the director has had the Aussie actor brushing up on his bow and arrow skills for Nottingham. “There will be no tights or felt hat, trust me!” laughed Sir Ridley. “But his archery is going well. He can hit a pumpkin at about fifty yards, which is a good shot.” - Thanks, Maria
UGO: Older Interview with Chriatian Bale Yuma Related -- "When I first arrived in Santa Fe, I could not get the song from Newsies out of my head. Every time somebody said "Santa Fe" - if you're familiar with Newsies there's a song - it would just go off in my head. And it hadn't gone off in my head in sixteen years or something. Dammit if every time I saw a sign or a road sign or somebody mentioned it... And it took a good month or so for that to quit, but I definitely kept that inside. I wasn't going to let anyone know about it. - Thanks, Steph
November 19
Celebrity Babies: Charlie Crowe has a kiss for dad - Thanks, Steph
November 18
Related: Mark Strong interview in The Scotsman -- So the day after the birth of my boy, I was sitting around a table in Rabat, Morocco with Ridley, Leo and Russell, my bags next to me having just got off the plane, thinking, 'Life is strange.' Literally 18 hours before that my wife had been giving birth." Did he even get a chance to celebrate? "Oh, the minute they found out I'd just had a baby boy we went out for a drink and that was that, Russell was mixing cocktails behind the bar. I was filming the next day. It was the only scene I did with Russell in the film. I turned up bleary eyed, he was fine." Strong will be joining Scott and Crowe once again on Nottingham, Scott's much-touted re-imagining of the Robin Hood story (it's being told from the Sheriff of Nottingham's point of view). "I'm essentially playing the Guy of Gisbourne character," reveals Strong. "The script is still really fluid, so I don't know much more about it – but I do know he's the bad guy." (My Strong Blog)
FemaleFirst UK : Leonardo DiCaprio vs Russell Crowe - Thanks, Penny
November 17
The UK Times: John Simm on The Devil's Whore -- "...Simm, 38, has a strange relationship with America: it keeps remaking programmes that he's starred in, from Life on Mars to the forthcoming feature film of State of Play. He's a bit grumpy about this and won't be watching Russell Crowe as the hard-nosed reporter Cal McCaffrey. “It's my role. I read all six episodes without taking my coat off. It took Paul Abbott six hours to tell that story; I don't want to see the Hollywood blockbuster version.” - Thanks, Steph
The Northern Echo UK: Body of Work (Ridley interview) - Thanks, Allison
movies.ie: We'll have Q+A style video interviews later this week with Russell Crowe and director Ridley Scott. Stay Tuned. - Thanks, Allison
CTV.ca: Great Big Sea still hasn't given up on dreams - Still, the band has acquired at least one high-profile non-Canadian fan. Movie star Russell Crowe has been known to join Great Big Sea onstage whenever he's in the same town the band is touring in, and has co-writing credits on their latest album, "Fortune's Favour." "He's a great guy to be around, very entertaining and he's a great songwriter and lyricist," McCann said. "It's usually a great surprise when he shows up at shows and the fans love it, he doesn't come in making small noises, he comes big, he's awesome." -- Thanks, Gilda
PR Newswire: Jacob Creek salutes Australia's best -- A New Study By Australia's #1 Selling Wine Reveals America's Favorite Australian Exports -- A recent study of U.S. adults revealed that when it comes to their favorite Australian exports, award-winning actress Nicole Kidman ranks as the top choice, while Russell Crowe is the recipient of the same honor as top Australian actor with 21% of the vote. - Thanks, Allison
Channel 10 News au - Video: (Paraphrased) - Ben Stiller & Chris Rock are in Sydney for the Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa premiere tonight. Angela Bishop was interviewing Chris Rock on the red carpet and mentioned all the celebs in town at the moment, Daniel Craig, Roger Moore, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman etc. Chris Rock said "Where's Russell?" "Russell, you changed your number".
November 16
Ridley interview with David Frost (Video) - Thanks, Cindy
The South African Times: Win a trip to Morocco - Thanks, Allison
November 15
BBC News Magazine: Clive James on Scott's Nottingham -- The Thinking Man's Action Hero -- "Britain's most successful director of Hollywood films, Ridley Scott, has plans to give us a new version of Robin Hood...." - Thanks, Christine
Aced Magazine: DVD - The Ron Howard Spotlight Collection - Thanks, Steph
IWATCHSTUFF.com: A bit on Nottingham
"Your badge and gun" montage at YouTube (LAC included)
Variety: World directors take dark view of U.S. -- European-helmed films focus on a bleak America --- "As usual, overseas talent stands poised to take many of Hollywood's top prizes this awards season. But some among this group -- especially the directors -- could be seen as biting the hand that feeds them. Take Ridley Scott. One can argue that his "Body of Lies" deserved a better box office fate, considering the talent attached. Yet the film's scalding look at America's global fight against terror proved a turn-off to auds. "Body of Lies" is part of a trend of pics from European filmmakers who are taking a grim look at how America has slipped off its moral perch domestically and abroad." - Thanks, Allison
PE.com: Palm Springs Film Festival to honor Ron Howard with lifetime achievement award - Thanks, Allison
The BBC on BOL - A panel discussion to come - Thanks, Allison
November 14
The Coffs Coast Advocate: Dive into pool's first birthday celebrations -- YOU are invited to be part of the Orara Valley Community Pool's first birthday party at Nana Glen tomorrow from 3pm to 6pm. The pool was opened last November by actor and Nana Glen local Russell Crowe, Olympic medallist Geoff Huegill and Rabbitohs stars Nathan Merritt and Dean Widders. - Thanks, Steph
BOL (Nessuna Verita) Poster - The Odeon in Milan - Thanks, Paola
The Age au: Keep the home films rolling - "...Underlying all the talk is the question everyone ponders but few can answer: Which films are likely to succeed? John Collee, an in-demand script doctor and writer whose credits include Happy Feet and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, which was directed by Australian Peter Weir, told a packed room "there is no film that should not be attempted — one of the things we should be doing is offering viewers things they have not seen before". For Collee, a philosophical message is the key to making a film that audiences can latch onto. In Master and Commander, for example, it's the question of what it takes to be a man in the 20th century. In Pixar's famously popular films, it's all about adults explaining the complexities of the world to children." - Thanks, Anne from CA
The Irish Independent: Perfect Match
Tenderness Official poster from The American Film Market -- The film was shown on November the 5th (an article on the Market at the NY Times) - Thanks, Ivani -- Also in Variety: Attendance drops at AFM -- Market buyers down 6% for L.A. film event
November 13
UK Times: 50 Best movies for 2009 - 21: Nottingham (November) -- Russell Crowe plays dual roles in this revision of the Robin Hood legend. If you can trust anyone, it’s a bone fide cinema genius like director Ridley Scott but Hood and Nottingham with the same face sounds like a recipe for chuckles rather than thrills. News item
November 12
Rusty rejects Dirt Music rumours - Daily Telegraph 13 November, 2008 -- "Rumours that Russell Crowe is set to star in Australian director Phillip Noyce's upcoming thriller Dirt Music have already hit the dust. An Australian-based representative for the acclaimed actor has denied reports circulating on the internet that claim the favourite leading man has signed on to star in the movie adaptation of author Tim Winton's best-selling novel." - Thanks Oz Fan
Related: I have started up a blog for Mark Strong
Times UK: The Biggest Movies of 2009 -21: Nottingham (November) -- Russell Crowe plays dual roles in this revision of the Robin Hood legend. If you can trust anyone, it’s a bone fide cinema genius like director Ridley Scott but Hood and Nottingham with the same face sounds like a recipe for chuckles rather than thrills. - Thanks, Allison
The Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros.' "Body of Lies," the Ridley Scott thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, picked up some steam after a slow start, grabbing fourth place with $5.3 million from 1,220 screens in 13 markets, lifting its cume to $16.5 million. In France, "Lies" found truth with a No. 2 bow behind "Solace" ($2.4 million from 428 screens). - Thanks, Allison
November 11 - Armistice/Veterans Day - We remember
Let's wish Keith a Happy Birthday - November 11
Digital Spy: Scott explains Crowe's 'Nottingham' role -- "...Crowe's casting in both the lead roles had led to misinterpretation, with suggestions that the arrow-wielding outlaw and his nemesis were the same person caught in a split personality battle. Speaking to DS, Scott clarified that Crowe's Sheriff character assumes the identity of Robin Hood over the course of the movie. "In the context of the story he starts off as one thing, becomes the guise of another and then has to retire to the forest to resume his name Robin," he explained. "So he was momentarily the Sheriff of Nottingham." - Thanks, Steph
Mark Strong in the UK Sun on BOL: The British actor was thrilled to be working with the two leads, who are both multiple Oscar nominees, and described them as "sweet". “It wasn’t daunting, it was amazing,” he said. “They’re very talented and they have an enormous amount of experience. You learn on the job, you can’t be a film actor in your own living room, you need to get out there and do it. “Russell was phenomenal. I remember doing one scene with him and thinking “You really know what you’re doing.” - Thanks, Cindy
Jo A made Russell-themed backgrounds to use
November 10
Article in ScreenGrab: Russell Crowe Will Not Wear Tights - Thanks, Julia
FirstShowing.net: Mark Strong interview (BOL mentions) - Thanks Allison
Digital Spy UK: Great news - Strong joins Ridley Scott's Nottingham -- "Mark Strong will portray Guy of Gisborne in Ridley Scott's Robin Hood reinvention Nottingham. The British actor, who plays the head of the Jordanian secret service in Scott's upcoming Body Of Lies, revealed that the production is shrouded in such secrecy that his character goes under a different name in the screenplay. He said: "The script is still fluid, but it's essentially the Guy of Gisborne character. In the synopsis I got, he's called Conrad, I don't know why! "Then I got lots of missives sent through saying things like I've got to be blond. I thought, 'How do we do that?' I haven't got any hair, do I dye my stubble?" - Thanks, Steph
Related: Jennifer Connelly at Marie Claire Magazine - Thanks, madchen
At Hulu, lots of Crowe Videos - This one on preparation in the Actors Studio interview was very good and informative
Movie Hole: Russell in Dirt Music??? - Thanks, Ivani
November 9
Zimbio.com: Russell Crowe out at LAX - Thanks, Cassy
Times On Line UK: Russell Crowe to toughen up Robin Hood -- Scott will not be using Sherwood Forest itself for filming – it was reported earlier this year he was simply waiting for green leaves before filming there. Instead, he has opted for woodland in the south of England. “I have found all my forests around London,” said Scott. “Whoever says there are no forests around London did not look. I have found trees which have not been pollarded for 250 years.” He describes his Robin Hood as a social democrat rebelling once King John introduces taxation after his brother, Richard the Lionheart, has bankrupted England to fund the Crusades. Scott said Crowe had to lose weight to get fit for the swashbuckling role. “I saw him in State of Play. He plays a chunky journalist, out of condition, the way journalists are, and that’s the way he plays it. So it is now clean-up time.” - Thanks, Allison, Francisca, Steph
More on Nottingham and Russell in the Sunday Mail - Thanks, Allison
November 8
Monsters and Critics, quoting the Independent article: Russell Crowe will never move to America.
The Hollywood Reporter: There was a screening for Tenderness on 11/5 -- Synopsis: Lori, a sixteen-year old runaway, becomes obsessed with recently paroled Eric, a young man with a disturbingly violent past. As they embark on a mysterious journey, a hardened local cop, who is intent on exposing Eric as a serial killer, follows close behind. -- Screening - Wednesday, Nov. 5th - 1:00 PM - AMC Santa Monica #7 - Thanks, Oz Fan
November 7
Related - Variety: PGA Milestone for Grazer, Howard - Filmmaking duo honored with producer's prize. - Thanks, Cindy
Flashback! EW's Entertainers of the Year since 1990 - 2000 Russell Crowe - Thanks, Allison
BOL in Europe re Variety (Scroll) - "Leonardo DiCaprio/Russell Crowe starrer "Body of Lies" goes out on 302 screens via Warner to mostly supportive reviews: "'Body' doesn't give you time to catch your breath, it’s pure entertainment with no other pretension," rejoices popular website cineyteatro.com. "Its big gun cast is powerful weaponry," said El Pais. “'Body' apparently hasn't lived up to expectations Stateside, but the numbers don’t always translate," said one optimistic booker." - Thanks, Allison
YouTube - Video of the BOL UK Premiere - Lots of Leo and screaming women - Mark Strong comes in about the 4 minute mark and then Ridley - Thanks, Sue
In these articles, Russell mentioned learning the Long Bow - Here is a bit on it at the History Learning Site -- How powerful was a long bow? -- One story told in medieval times was that an arrow fired from a long bow could penetrate four inches into oak. Recent tests have shown that this anecdote is true when the arrow is fired close up. From 200 metres, a longbow arrow penetrated over one inch of solid oak – more than sufficient power to penetrate the armour worn by soldiers. Plate armour gave more protection but could still be penetrated from 100 metres. The maximum range of a long bow was 400 metres but at this distance, it was far less effective. There is a picture of the English long bow at Wikipedia
The Telegraph UK: Russell Crowe: Why I had to fatten up - and calm down -- Russell Crowe tells Martyn Palmer about putting on 50lb for Ridley Scott's new film and the benefits of family life - Thanks Jo Yo, Pat
The Independent UK: Russell Crowe: "Angry? Me? Never" -- It's family bliss for Russell Crowe now, but he'll raise hell in roles as a CIA agent and Robin Hood. He talks to Gill Pringle - Thanks, Jan C
The Guardian: First they ruined James Bond, now Hollywood is coming for Robin Hood
WENN and Yahoo News: Crowe has high hopes for Nottingham - Thanks, Meli
IMDB Daily Poll: Your favorite Joaquin Phoenix movie? - Thanks, Kris C
November 6
From Rose: On this French site about movies, a slideshow comparing Russell's and Leonardo's careers throughout the years, since The Quick and the Dead. You click on 'suivantes' to see the next pics.
The UK Times: How Leonardo DiCaprio survived the Titanic -- "...Russell Crowe, his co-star in Body of Lies, first worked with him on The Quick and the Dead (1995), and says that he wondered if all the Titanic madness would change him. “Two major things have changed with Leo,” Crowe jokes. “Now he can drink legally and he’s not a virgin.” DiCaprio laughs when I mention this. “He’s come up with that line a couple of times. He actually doesn’t know what he’s talking about, though for professional reasons I’m going to let him have his shtick. That’s all I’m going to say.” Crowe did go on to point out that his co-star had remained essentially the same “likeable guy, just older and wiser”.
November 5
BOL ad in the Paris Underground - Thanks, Rose
Jeffrey Wells in Hollywood Elsewhere: I can't say this with any more urgency. Somehow, some way, Peter and Bobby Farrelly have to get Russell Crowe to play Moe Howard in their Three Stooges movie, now that it's finally been greenlit by MGM. Crowe is one of the funniest big-name guys out there. He knows what insanity is. He embraces it. I mean that as a compliment. The Farrellys "will polish the script they wrote with Michael Cerrone and will direct the picture," Variety's Michael Fleming wrote earlier today. The un-shot pic will open on 11.20.09. - Thanks, Cindy
November 4 - Vote Today, USA
Video of Alan Doyle singing Testify, with explanation before of how it came to be written - Thanks, Lynda
Orato.com: The Lighter Side Of Russell Crowe (fun read) - Thanks, Oz Fan
AICN on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir [ed note: Just rewatched it with tears in my eyes] - "...I know they did a TV series of this in the ‘60s, but I’m shocked that this hasn’t been remade. The original is a period movie, too, set in the 1900s, not the ‘40s, which gives it a kind of timeless quality to it and Harrison and Tierney are very natural in their roles, not theatrical like some of the actors of their time period. The whole thing is easily watchable even under contemporary expectations. I’m greatly surprised no one has approached Russell Crowe about being the ghostly seaman and someone like Jolie or maybe even as young as Natalie Portman to be the young widow. It’s such a sweet love story, innocent through and through, but almost tragic because their love is impossible. She’s living and her desires have to stay in that world." - Thanks, Ro
Movie Web: Peter and Bobby Farrelly have finally found a home for their long-proposed remake of a comedy classic. According to Variety, MGM has given the Farrelly Brothers the green light for their long-proposed remake of The Three Stooges. The brothers had tried to set up the remake at Warner Brothers for the last five years with little progress made. It seems the film will be fast-tracked as well, with MGM setting a November 20, 2009 release date for the film. The Farrelly's will direct the film and, while no casting has been announced, Bobby Farrelly had previously stated they were "thinking of someone like a Benecio del Toro, or a Russell Crowe" for the role of Moe.
Hi - heads up [for UK fans] that both Russell and Leo will be on GMTV breakfast show on Friday 7 Nov. No details yet on their website for exact time (www.gm.tv), but they are advertising for Friday. Cheers, WendyFP
November 3
Blog Critics: DVD Review: L.A. Confidential (Two-Disc Special Edition) -- So is it worth buying if you already have L.A. Confidential? Yes if you're big on special features and better looking packaging, or if your original copy is worn down. But if you generally skip special features, or are ambivalent toward them, then there's no significant upgrade here other than a bonus disc of six songs or the curiosity factor for the terrible TV adaptation. - Thanks, Allison
Leo in the Guardian - Interview: So was the dynamic between you and Crowe the same, I ask. Did he still seem like a mentor? Could he be supportive in the same way? In the film, Crowe and DiCaprio are on the same side but at loggerheads with each other, and the tension is fascinating. 'It was strange that it hadn't changed. It was just like walking into a room 15 years later, even though a lot of things have happened to both of us, and a lot of changes have gone on in the world. But we have both developed as actors, we both have more experience under our belts, and there was a different way in which we conversed in that period and now - in terms of arguing our characters' points back and forth. I don't think we did that back then,' he says. 'Not that we didn't take it seriously, but we never had the responsibility we do now. So yes, I noticed the difference in that regard, for sure. I knew he was going to be like that because you can see it up there in the screen in all the work he does. He is very committed.' - Thanks, Cindy
Just Jared Buzznet: Leonardo DiCaprio promotes his new action drama, Body of Lies, during a Paris photocall on Monday in France. (It was released wide last month.) - Thanks, Steph
Hello Magazine: Vote for Russell as Most Attractive Man of the Month - Thanks, Ivani
From Darrin: I've got a quick vid from Bio Channel's "Hollywood's 10 Best" featuring ABM in the #5 slot for "10 Best Films based on real people"! (Thanks to Ivani for the head's up!) And Danyell has made us a LOVELY Illustrated Song using Patsy Cline's "Walking Dream"!
November 2
Related: The NY Times: Frost/Nixon -- "...That was then. Now, for all of Mr. Morgan’s determination to make it impossible, “Frost/Nixon” the movie is scheduled to open on Dec. 5, right in time for the Hollywood awards season. Directed by Ron Howard, whose previous forays into 20th-century history include the Oscar-winning “Beautiful Mind” and the Oscar-nominated “Apollo 13,” the film retains the stage production’s acclaimed star performances, its often verbatim re-creations of interviews that ranged from droning wonkishness to high-stakes drama and its eerily familiar litany of military disasters abroad and assertions of presidential power at home."
The SMH: Crowe goes bust -- One man who was missing from the marquee action on Derby Day was South Sydney owner and actor Russell Crowe. We do have some news though. Crowe has bought a bronze Bradman bust for his Museum of Interesting Things in Nymboida. It also houses Crowe's admiral's uniform from Master and Commander and his boxing gloves from Cinderella Man. - Thanks, Cindy
November 1
Halloween in Sydney.... Thanks, Anne S
From Babzee: I found this today at a GBS blog. Sounds like Alan did Testify at their concert in Vermont.
I... don't even know what to say other than: TWO *full* sets with a 20 minute intermission (to "refresh ourselves whatever way we'd like", according to Alan).... and THEN TWO amazing encores. Very Awesome.
Show ends with a no-mics, acapella version of Old Brown's Daughter. ... I had convinced a few other not-yet-GBS fans to go the show and apparently, the artistry and talent that that acapella version showed of pretty much sealed the deal. They're in love. More have come to the fandom-cult. haha
All things considered - One of the BEST shows I've seen by GBS. (and cooler even, still to say hello as we caught them walking around our town afterwards. ;-) )
Oh, and to anyone who's interested... tonight's Solo was Alan doing a song that he and Russell Crowe wrote together (name is....? [ed note: Testify]) something very rock 'n roll, about going to the river, convincing the priest to baptise him and then stealing away down river when he went under water.... haha... Very fun.American Gangster on HBO - Thanks, Kris C
October 31 
AltSounds: Mike Patton & Serj Tankian contribute song for Bodies Of Lies - Thanks, Steph, Allison
Perth Now: Lleyton Hewitt promotes charity auction in Perth -- AUSTRALIAN tennis hero Lleyton Hewitt was in Perth today promoting a charity auction of items donated by celebrities, sport stars and political figures from around the world. -- The auction is raising funds for cancer charity Cure Our Kids, and includes a signed tennis racquet Rafael Nadal used when he won Wimbledon this year, a bomber jacket from Russell Crowe and a photo signed by Hugh Jackman.