Hollywood
Gah. The Golden Globes. If you don’t like frocks, and can’t bear self-indulgent speeches thanking God, long-dead parents, a dog etc, you’d be forgiven for not giving the telly even the slightest glance this lunchtime. Except that is, for Ricky Gervais.
Yep, the Brit funny man who made working in a drab back office in a west-London suburb hilarious, could save the Golden Globes. And all earnest, glamour-loving Americans. From themselves.
Tonight will be Ricky’s third time hosting the champagne and taffeta-fuelled, red-carpet fiesta. But after managing to offend nearly everyone in Hollywood last year, this year’s invitation surprised many.
Continue reading "Can Gervais save Hollywood from itself?" »
Dear big Hollywood cigar-smoking guys: If you make a cake and everyone likes it, you can make it again. Nobody minds if you use exactly the same ingredients, the same oven, and the same hilarious apron with ‘Kiss The Cook’ printed on it. You could even say that it’s a cake ‘remake’.
Now, this is the important part, so I want you to put down your cigar and read this very carefully:
MOVIES ARE NOT CAKE.
Continue reading "These movie producers are getting a bit too Footloose" »
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RyaN says:
@Steve Putnam: wow Steve what a well thought out and clever retort. Read more »
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Steve Putnam says:
@RyaN We could call this film “RyaN’s wank fantasy”. Read more »
Here’s the thing about having the time of your life. You only have it once. You can’t go back there.
That’s why it’s stupid for Hollywood to say they want to remake the 1987 classic Dirty Dancing.
Now, in purely business terms you can see why. There have been lots of remakes lately. But this one should be off limits.
Continue reading "Hollywood, get your dirty hands off my movie" »
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Ellie says:
I agree, it’s too early to do remakes of cult 80’s movies. It’s too early to make TopGun, Pretty Woman, Coctail, Weekend At Burnie’s, Doc Hollywood and many, many more. It’s just too early. Even the new Karate Kid was wrong in my opinion. I’m not against the idea of… Read more »
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Cate says:
I really love the concept, special effects and acting in Twilight. It it is a breath of fresh air. I personally never watch remakes of great movies. Where has the creativity of writers gone. Have they run out of ideas. The whole world is a writers paradise. So many themes,… Read more »
Every now and again, I like to watch men and women in technicoloured fetish suits pummel each other for a good 90 to 120 minutes.
Earlier this week, I did just that and took the time to catch Marvel’s latest technogasm, Thor. It was awesome.
Stuff blew up, there were heaps of bright colours and Anthony Hopkins proved that elastic-less eye patches are indeed the way of the future.
Continue reading "Of Gods, men and jerks: We can be (super) heroes" »
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JulesG says:
I hate the popularist mantra - AWESOME. The Universe is awesome; everything else, whilst attracting a plethora of adjectives is less than awesome. Read more »
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michael j says:
Mac Davis,,Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way certainly sounded like Slim,30 yrs ago Still with the Werewolf,,,,,, Read more »
Many of us wouldn’t recognise old Hollywood anymore but when Elizabeth Taylor made her acting debut in the early 1940s, the glamour and glitz was going full pelt.
Impossibly beautiful women and ridiculously handsome men were gadding about, making movies in exotic locations and being chauffeured to cocktail parties.
Smoking long cigarettes and wearing elbow-length gloves, they’d swan around swimming pools in Christian Dior evening dress; the kind of life any ordinary person could only ever dream about.
Continue reading "Farewell to Elizabeth Taylor and old Hollywood glamour" »
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Henrietta says:
That’s really thinking out of the box. Tahkns! Read more »
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Dark Horse says:
She was indeed a beautiful women, but why would anyone get married, not once, not twice or thrice, but eight times? She obviously had a serial marriage issue. Read more »
Sometimes, when I’m particularly sleepy, I drink coffee. It’s my little way of pistol-whipping my brain in the face and letting it know I’m in charge. There are times when I simply can’t afford to let old Grey Matter drift off and have to resort to sweatshop tactics circa 1982.
Often, however, this just doesn’t cut it. Scientists tell us that at any given time, we are using but a small fraction of the squishy stuff inside our domes. The rest, apparently, is busy playing solitaire, visiting AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com or sharing a spliff.
This, simply put, is not good enough. And so, in a desperate search for scientifically-sound solutions, I have once again turned to Hollywood.
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Peter Townson says:
God damn clever article i must say Read more »
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50ISL says:
Monopoly and traditional values. acotrel would you like to join in on a wholesome game of monopoly me and my mates are playing. All the properties are currently owned, but we are looking for new blood, so to speak, and would love for a champ like yourself to join in… Read more »
American celebrity culture and Australian politics don’t often make for useful comparisons - but then, it’s not every day that Charlie Sheen comes along.
Sheen is a highly amusing egomaniac but - unlike most Australian politicians - he also tells the truth. “I believe in the truth and that’s what rules me”, Sheen said in an interview with Andrea Canning for the ABC network in America. He certainly does.
When asked to describe the last time he used drugs, Sheen said, “I probably took more than anyone could survive… I was banging seven gram rocks… that’s how I roll. I have one gear—go.” It’s the answer no one else would’ve given even if they had’ve banged seven gram rocks (which I assume means consuming a lot of cocaine).
Continue reading "Cory Bernardi is our very own Charlie Sheen" »
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Dan says:
Matt says- “Dan, you’re ignorant and you’re arrogant.” Ignorant? God no, that would be you, who seems to think Australia is a Christian country! Arrogant? If arrogance is knowing I am more intelligent than you, then guilty as charged. BTW, considering that you think you have the right to judge… Read more »
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Dan says:
“Dan, you’re ignorant and you’re arrogant.” Ignorant? I’m not the one who thinks that Australia is a Christian country!!! As for arrogance, I’m not the one who think that I’m the arbitor of who contributes positively or not. I will say this; if being more intelligent than you, and knowing… Read more »
Like every other family values-oriented Australian I have been deeply impressed this week by Charlie Sheen’s commitment to his children and his efforts to avenge their removal from his custody by removing their mother’s teeth.
You rarely get that sort of passionate parenting these days.
As many people will know, Sheen’s two-year-old twins were placed in the care of his ex-wife Brooke Mueller and taken away from the house he shares with two porn stars.
Continue reading "Anyone ever seen Gaddafi and Sheen in the same room?" »
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In 2002, a triumphant Nicole Kidman swooped gawkily onto stage to collect her Best Actress statue for The Hours.
With war raging in Afghanistan and memories of the 9/11 attacks still fresh, many had wondered whether the ceremony should even go ahead .
“Why do we come to the Academy Awards when the world is in such turmoil?” Kidman’s awkward question rang out over the auditorium. “Because Art is Important.”
Continue reading "It feels wrong to care about the Oscars" »
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MarK says:
Hi GYoung “smile and go outside for a while, or….....watch a movie and forget about the bad shit for a while.” ” for a while, or….....forget about the bad shit for a while.” “for a while” See? Read more »
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LauraBoBaura says:
GYoung - MarK’s point is completely valid. I don’t think he ever suggested that we should ignore all the bad things that happen in the world, just that it is possible to care about what goes on in the world, and at the same time enjoy what is good in… Read more »
Follow The Punch’s updates of triumphs and faux pas from the Oscars red carpet with our stellar fashion correspondent Nedahl Stelio throughout the afternoon.
MOST UN-BLACK SWAN LIKE: MILA KUNIS
It’s more than that, it’s positively pretty. All lacey and lilac-y and girly and flowy, Mila, who not only managed to hold her own with Natalie Portman in the film, proves that she ain’t bad in the style stakes either.
For her very first Oscars, this is stellar choice. It says, “I’ve made it, kind of, but I’m not going to be flashy about it. I’m keepin’ it real.”
Continue reading "Oscars 2011: The good, bad and extremely good looking" »
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Toby says:
Matching her lipstick with her shoes? Sh..t, what decade are you in luv? Read more »
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Botox bandit says:
me thinks miss bullock has been dipping into Nicole’s drawer of Botox Sandra’s top lip is far to riggid and stiff and alike the whole face of Nicole…looks like concrete is that hard Read more »
The first ever Emmy awards were presented at the Hollywood Athletic Club today in 1949.
It’s Tuesday at The Punch. What’s on your mind? Share it here.
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stephen says:
Yer know if I’m gonna get pissed, eat pies and swear at the coppers, i think I’d like to do it tomorrow cause then on Thursday I can say that yesterday was like new Years Day, only 10 times better, and I’d have ter make a New Aussie Resolution not… Read more »
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Reg says:
Lucy I’m sorry I’m not into Movie awards but here are a few motivational posters you may like to hang off the wall. http://www.sloshspot.com/blog/01-24-2009/Kurt-Vonnegut-Motivational-Posters-107 Read more »
There are a lot of therapists in Beverly Hills rolling their eyes right now.
Through a performance at the Golden Globes that has outraged the HFPA and other acronyms, British comedian Ricky Gervais may have crushed his Hollywood dreams (he gave it a fair whack in Ghost Town, but this may really sink him).
While awards show hosts traditionally prey upon the beautiful people before them, Ricky appears to have taken things a little too far and upset some of the industry’s biggest names.
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mike j says:
In defence of the actors… they’re Americans. How could they possibly know Ricky was joking when there was no canned laughter track? Read more »
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mahtay says:
No, Mel flung the 10th letter about, not the 14th. Read more »
So Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal have stripped off for the cover of Entertainment Weekly. Surprised?
It’s becoming a trend in Hollywood to gain attention through everything but their actual profession -acting.
It doesn’t shock me though that these two got partially naked to promote their new film, Love & Other Drugs. Hathaway, 27, plays liberal artist Maggie Murdock in the movie, opposite Gyllenhaal’s commitment-phobic Viagra salesman Jamie Randall.
Continue reading "Lacking a bit of attention? Get your gear off" »
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Marissa says:
i think there might be a bit missing from this article. love and other drugs is a sexually charged film with copious amounts of nudity so, therefore even if a don’t really see the NEED for nude advertisements for it i CAN see the point. Why was Miranda Kerr naked?… Read more »
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acotrel says:
There is a power thing involved with nudity, when the dominant partner has clothes on and the submissive is nude! When nudity appears in the media, it is simply playing with your subconscious! I’d never oppose it on that basis, but I won’t be manipulated by stupid journos! I pity… Read more »
I have not read the book Eat Pray Love, nor have I seen the movie Eat Pray Love.
In fact I rarely eat, rarely love and haven’t prayed since the third quarter of the AFL Grand Final.
I am therefore in a uniquely untainted and unbiased position to be able to say that this deformed abomination of fertiliser-grade horsesh-t should be blasted back into the hellish furnace of retardation from whence it came.
Continue reading "Pray for salvation from this banquet of self-love" »
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isotonic says:
It’s also worth mentioning that the author had the book deal and $200K advance in place before setting off on her spiritual journey of recovery and self-discovery. Read more »
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Brendy says:
As Charlie Sheen says, this artclie is ?WINNING!? Read more »
Hollywood actor James Dean died in a car crash today in 1955.
Welcome to Wednesday at The Punch. What’s on your mind? Share it here.
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Another day, another tape exposing Mel Gibson as a wretch. In the latest recording his ex-girlfriend asks him what kind of man hits a woman with a child in her hands, “breaking her teeth twice in the face”. Gibson shouts back: “Oh, you’re all angry now? You know what, you f—king deserved it.”
Troubled artists are hardly a modern phenomenon but the ways in which their darker sides get exposed certainly are. Their worst character traits are amplified by “Hollywood enablement”, the destructive modern culture of the Thirty Mile Zone that allows stars to believe they can behave as they wish, supported as they are by coteries of flunkies and yea-sayers instead of actual friends. By the time this behaviour takes hold - as in the case of Gibson but also arguably in that of the much younger Lindsay Lohan - they have no fear of failure any more because their success is already secure.
In the best piece I’ve read on the affair since the first tape emerged, Tina Brown at The Daily Beast outlines how it makes a devastatingly strong case for celebrity leaks. She calls it a “high watermark in celebrity outing”, arguing the most unsettling aspect is not his racism - of which much has been made over his use of a particular word - but his vile misogyny. Amen to that.
Continue reading "Mad Mel Gibson and the stars we have to hate" »
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Marcus says:
I think the distinction that needs to be made here is “artist” and “celebrity”. Great artworks stand alone. Celebrities fall down every day. Read more »
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Jay says:
I refuse to watch any movie which features Scientologists or at eat at restaurants which are owned by the Scientologists as it simply promotes their cult. Pity I love my pancakes.Mel Gibson lost the plot long ago and now he is finished.He should join the Scientologists as he would be… Read more »
It’s Tuesday at The Punch
The Hollywood sign was constructed on this day in 1923 in the hills above Hollywood in Los Angeles. It originally read “Hollywoodland” and cost US $21, 000 to build.
What’s on your mind? Share it here
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Talon says:
The banks are at their spin again today. Rising Sales lift Business conditions. (from the NAB) “Conditions in the retail sector rose in June, but the sector remained the weakest of the industries.” Despite heavy discounting, sales only marginally improved. The low interest of the consumer led to further discounting… Read more »
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Nigel Catchlove says:
According to the Centrelink website: ‘Family Tax Benefit Part A helps you with the cost of raising children.’ You are right in purists terms but the tax system has been used and abused by both sides of parliament to the point where it no longer reflects income or costs associated… Read more »
Hollywood divorce stories usually fall into three categories. The good-for-a-laugh-because-they-have-more-money-than-sense kind of story, the too-painful-to-read-story-of-betrayal (most recently, Sandra Bullock) and the unbelievable-jaw-dropping-can-they-really-do-that, kind. The subjects of today’s Lightweight are an example of the third kind.
Cue Diandra Douglas, the 52 year old ex-wife of actor Michael Douglas, who is claming half of the profits from his latest movie, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.
The Herald Sun reports that the ex-Mrs Douglas is, “citing a provision in the couple’s 2000 divorce that promises half the profits of any movies done by her famous husband during their two decades as man and wife -including residuals, merchandising and ancillary rights.”
But Mr Douglas, 65 years of age and currently married to Catherine Zeta Jones, is not having any of it. He’s arguing that his latest flick is a “sequel” and not a “spin-off” of the 1987 original and therefore, doesn’t count. And it’s a fair retaliation, when you consider that he’s reported to have already paid his ex-wife approximately $US45 million in their original divorce settlement.
But what do you think? Does she have a right to the money or not?
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igorgt says:
I want to quote your post in my blog. It can? And you et an account on Twitter? Read more »
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Dan says:
Peter, funnilly enough, journalists have asked Douglas whether he still believed that greed was good! It seems that there are people who don’t understand what playing a character is. Read more »
The Government of Iceland last night announced Bruce Willis and a team of strapping young oil rig workers would be helicoptered into the heart of Eyjafjallajokull to place a cooling device it is hoped will “switch off” the volcano and prevent further travel disruptions.
The extraordinary measures were inspired by the US Environment Protection Agency, which has enlisted the help of Hollywood director James Cameron to deal with the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Which half of this story isn’t true? Ok, it’s the first bit, but the second half sounds delightfully out there.
Continue reading "Thinking outside the box on the big challenges" »
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Google Jobs take says:
Tour Modern,present dead channel arise recognize familiar communication household commitment surface answer same student slip examination apply independent domestic indeed heavy partner train yesterday high exactly tax production price earth true housing sex direct improvement flower speak move seek ask reduce injury reflect currently plan surface appoint mental care technique… Read more »
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OldGirl says:
Tory I saw you on Foxtel the other day on the your far more beautiful that your picture shows, I felt privileged since I come to the punch regularly and I knew exactly what you were talking about, well done!! Hope to see more of you Read more »
Gosh, I wish Lady GaGa had gone to the Golden Globes, then at least there would have been something to look at.
The red-carpet at this year’s ceremony was beige, botoxed and booooring. Now, I love a fabulous couture frock more than most. Tulle, corsets and vintage diamonds are enough to make me swoon but after a decade of vanilla, almost earnest choices in award-show dressing, I’m nostalgic for some of the fashion mavericks of old.
Who can forget Bjork wearing a taxidermied swan as a dress? Or Celine Dion in a white tuxedo worn backwards. With a hat. Demi Moore in a bedspread complete with built-in bike shorts.
Continue reading "Golden Globes glamour, glitz, but no guts" »
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Julie says:
In light of recent world events, perhaps it would be somewhat disrespectful to draw attention to one’s self this year. I think it was all very tasteful and respectful. Read more »
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Mary says:
Ummm I guess you missed Amanda Palmer? Read more »
It’s the weekend @ The Punch
Today in 2004 Christopher Reeve aka ‘Superman’ died of heart failure, aged 52.
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Ornaccage says:
The response to local and national disasters is noble but it’s a real shame that so many people take advantage of the negative situations. I mean everytime there is an earthquake, a flood, an oil spill - there’s always a group of heartless people who rip off tax payers. This… Read more »
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James says:
The Nobel Peace Prize is now an insignificant joke. The 2008 winner had worked for 30 years to help resolve international conflicts, yet Barack Obama gets the prize for less than one years work to make promises, say “Yes we can”, and not achieve anything substantial or deliver on his… Read more »
Here we go again, another sob story for the saddest, loneliest woman who ever lived. Ugh. I’m sick of Jennifer Aniston being crucified by every glossip mag on the planet for her “not-good-enough” love life. Not good enough for who?
Just imagine that every time a story appeared about you or your work, your ex and his new wife were also mentioned, as though you’re inextricably attached and can never hope to move on with the amount of horrendous diatribe spouting about him, and her, and you.
You’re not involved anymore – doesn’t anyone get it?
Continue reading "If Jennifer Aniston is sad and lonely then I want in" »
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reta says:
i think she look great and she the must beautifull women from the stars any men would have her she cant find love beacuse she still in love with brad (her ex) nobady can replace him in her heart, i wish her luck Read more »
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Gillian says:
Great article! I’m Team Aniston all the way and if she’s the poster child for loneliness, then count me in. I’d much rather be Jennifer Aniston than Angelina Jolie who lures men purely through her sex appeal (which she is losing very quickly) and saddled with all those children. Jennifer… Read more »
This is Vanessa Hudgens, one of the teen stars to come out of Disney’s insanely successful High School Musical trilogy.
She’s also the girlfriend of the most lusted after young male star in the world, Zac Efron (he even eclipses Twilight’s Robert Pattinson as the love object du jour), is currently starring in a successful new movie, Bandslam, has a coveted cosmetics contract with Neutrogena and … she has just come through another nude photo scandal.
Yes, another nude photo scandal. Great achievement, non? All by the ripe old age of 20.
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Kris says:
The premise of the article is a good one, namely that people - especially young girls - should learn from the mistakes made by these celebrities. However, one cannot help but feel a little sympathy for said celebrities when every indiscretion is reported with ever-increasing hysteria. Not only that, but… Read more »
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Tim says:
Thanks for a great piece. This is really important message and you put it across really well. I certainly don’t envy young girls growing up today. With role models like these… Read more »
Earlier this week I was banging on about what a shame it is that nobody much cared about the space program anymore.
So this morning, at the risk of sounding like some kind of space obsessed nut, I was thrilled to see NASA release this new footage of the moon landing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.
What is even better about this story is that NASA had to borrow four video tapes of the landing from around the world after taping over their original footage.
Continue reading "Did you need that moment in history? I taped the cricket" »
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David says:
My only problem with the moon landing is that all the blueprints of the Apollo rockets (whatever they were called) have apparently gone missing.. Oh - and the Van Allen belts. never mind… I’d like it to have happened so I prefer to choose that. it did. Read more »
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Julie Coker-Godson says:
My late father used to work for NASA through Tidbinbilla in the A.C.T. although he was not there at the time of the Moon landings. I was privileged to see a lot of beautiful photos that were taken of that time and some that I don’t ever recall having been… Read more »
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@GreenJ how dare you even suggest such a thing. I'd love to blog from their traning session though about what a pack of toffs they are
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Feisty piece by @antsharwood leading http://t.co/5WsLF5Pf on how ch 9 can punt spiteri connolly rowe but not the delightful grant hackett
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