The Jane Report 1-23-09
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” snagged a leading 13 Oscar nominations yesterday, including best picture. Other nominees in that category are the Richard Nixon tale “Frost/Nixon,” the chronicle of gay-rights leader Harvey Milk in “Milk,” the Holocaust-themed drama “The Reader” and the rags-to-riches flick “Slumdog Millionaire.” Five acting nominees in this year’s competition are previous winners: Sean Penn, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep and Marisa Tomei. …
Here are the other Oscar nominations in major categories:
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:
* Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
* Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
* Sean Penn, Milk
* Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
* Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:
* Josh Brolin, Milk
* Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
* Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
* Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
* Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:
* Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
* Angelina Jolie, Changeling
* Melissa Leo, Frozen River
* Kate Winslet. The Reader
* Meryl Streep, Doubt
Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:
* Amy Adams, Doubt
* Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
* Viola Davis, Doubt
* Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
* Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Angelina Jolie’s lawyers are moving to block a tell-all book from her former bodyguard. Mickey Brett’s expose reportedly reveals Jolie moved in on Brad Pitt when he was still married to Jennifer Aniston and will also expose intimate details of her courtship and sex life with Pitt. A publishing insider tells In Touch Weekly magazine, “He (Brett) knows everything about Angelina. It’s going to be one of the most explosive books ever written”.
Robert Downey Jr. was nominated yesterday for his role in the Ben Stiller comedy, “Tropic Thunder.” If you haven’t seen the movie, he plays a method actor that has an operation to change his skin color so he can play the part of an African-American.
Miley Cyrus has posted a video on her Web site stating she has no ill feelings toward her ex-boyfriend Nick Jonas. “I love Nicky,” she reveals. “I do love him. I love Kevin. I love Joe. I love Frankie. I love all the boys and I love their family. So everyone should back off the feud ’cause we’re over it.”
Beanie Babies maker Ty has launched two new dolls for their TyGirlz Collection,”Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia.” “They’re such adorable girls. How can we resist?” Ty spokeswoman Tania Lundeen told the Chicago Sun-Times. But Lundeen also insists the $10 dolls are not replicas of the Obama girls. No word on how President Barack Obama or first lady Michelle Obama feel about their girls getting all dolled-up. “We certainly hope they like them,” Lundeen says. The TyGirlz Collection also includes Bubbly Britney, Lucky Lindsay and Precious Paris.
CBS and Mattel have teamed up to introduce three new “Star Trek Barbies,” in honor of the “Star Trek” film opening in May. The dolls are modeled after Captain Kirk, Spock and Lieutenant Uhura. Unlike most Barbie dolls, the crew from the Enterprise has a grown-up fan’s price tag: $43.19 a pop. Mattel released a Star Trek-themed Barbie and Ken in 1996 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the TV show. The latest round of Star Trek Barbies will be available at Wal-Mart stores starting April 20th.
Making it through on the way to Hollywood on “American Idol” is Dane Cook’s ex girlfriend, Raquel Houghton. The two were an item when they walked the red carpet together at the premiere of Cook’s movie, “Employee Of The Month” in 2006. Houghton was a singer with a a group called The Valli Girls at the time.
The rumors are starting to take shape in reality. Bahamian police are investigating an alleged extortion plot against John Travolta, but it does not involve pictures of his dying son. According to TMZ, several people allegedly have demanded $20 million from John regarding the circumstances surrounding Jett’s death. At this point all that is public is that Travolta’s reps contacted the police and lodged the complaint.
Steve Martin will be back to host “Saturday Night Live” for the 15th time on January 31st. The musical guest, Jason Mraz, will be making his “SNL” debut.
Halle Berry had a scare as she made her way to one of the inauguration balls in D.C. this week. A witness reveals: “Halle was on her way to the ball, but she was looking lost and confused in the crowd of people. She stepped onto the escalator and the long train of her dress got caught, causing a scene of panic. She began frantically screaming and security had to hit the emergency brake.”
Hilary Duff will return to TV when she guest stars on an upcoming episode of Jennifer Love Hewitt’s show, “Ghost Whisperer”.
BIRTHDAYS
Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters: 61
Actress Mariska Hargitay: 45
Actor Richard Dean Anderson: 59
Singer Anita Baker: 51
Actress Tiffani Amber Thiessen: 35
Actress Gail O’Grady: 46
Bruce Springsteen tells Billboard the world he envisioned for years in his songs was realized when Barack Obama was elected. “It’s not just something I dreamed up. It can exist,” he says. His latest CD, “Working on a Dream,” will be released Tuesday.