‘For Coloured Girls’, Perry win big at Image Awards

Director and writer Tyler Perry was the big winner at the NAACP’s Image Awards yesterday, winning top awards for his movie “For Coloured Girls” and best TV comedy series trophy for “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.”

The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) is the oldest US civil rights organisation and has given out Image awards for 42 years to honour people of colour in film, television, music and literature.




Perry, 41, one of the most prolific African-Americans in the US entertainment industry, was the man behind wins for comedy actor David Mann in the TV show “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns,” and Kimberly Elise for her supporting role in “For Coloured Girls.”

“For Coloured Girls” brought a best movie and best director statue for Perry, who is also a producer, actor and playwright. The movie, based on the play by Ntozake Shange “For Coloured Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf” is based on poems about the lives of women.

“I wanted to take this iconic work and introduce it to people who had never heard of it. ... There is nothing like having nine strong black women holding you up,” Perry said, referring to a cast that included Whoopi Goldberg and Janet Jackson.

Oscar-winner Halle Berry added another trophy to her collection, this time for her best actress performance as a woman with a multiple personalities in “Frankie & Alice.”

“If it were not for the NAACP, a little girl like me would not have had wind beneath her wings in a small town in Ohio,” she said. “I have never been more proud to be a black woman.”

Denzel Washington won the best actor Image Award for the action movie “The Book of Eli.”

Willow Smith, the 10 year-old daughter of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, won the best new music artist award, beating out popular rivals Bruno Mars and rapper Nicki Minaj.

Smith’s first single, “Whip My Hair,” reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in late 2010.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell received the NAACP President’s Award for special achievement in public service, earning a standing ovation.

Powell, the first African-American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, paid tribute to the work of the NAACP in advancing civil rights since its foundation in 1909, but said there was more to be done.

“We still have youngsters who are in desperate straits, who need education, who need health care. ... (They) have to be given a sense of expectation,” he said.

“Even though we have come so far, we will need the NAACP for another 100 years, or until the work is done.”

The TV category saw honours for medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” while Vanessa Williams won the best actress Image Award for “Desperate Housewives” and “Modern Family” star Sofia Vergara took home the best supporting comedy actress award.

‘Sucker Punch’ soundtrack features actresses Gugino and Browning

For the upcoming film Sucker Punch, written/directed by Zack Snyder (Watchman, Legend of the Guardians), the star Emily Browning (Ned Kelly) will be a featured singer on the accompanying soundtrack album along with co-star Carla Gugino (Night at the Museum).

The soundtrack includes versions of classics such as Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” with Browning and Roxy Music’s “Love Is the Drug” with Gugino and fellow cast member Oscar Isaac (Che, Robin Hood).

The track listing of nine songs, from the Beatles to the Smiths, also includes “Army of Me” by Björk featuring Skunk Anansie and Emiliana Torinni on Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.”



Music director Marius de Vries (Moulin Rouge) and composer Tyler Bates (Watchmen, 300) selected the collection of songs, which play an integral role in the film.

With Sucker Punch working on multiple levels of reality, Snyder states in the press release, the music creates “an intricate musical landscape that accompany the surreal imagery of the film,” which he has described as “Alice In Wonderland with machine guns.”

The epic action fantasy film follows the imagination of a young girl locked away by her stepfather. Her dream world allows her to escape from the dark reality of her captors including High Roller, played by Jon Hamm (The Town).

The soundtrack on WaterTower Music will be released March 22 and the film releases March 25.

‘Sucker Punch’ soundtrack features actresses Gugino and Browning

For the upcoming film Sucker Punch, written/directed by Zack Snyder (Watchman, Legend of the Guardians), the star Emily Browning (Ned Kelly) will be a featured singer on the accompanying soundtrack album along with co-star Carla Gugino (Night at the Museum).

The soundtrack includes versions of classics such as Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” with Browning and Roxy Music’s “Love Is the Drug” with Gugino and fellow cast member Oscar Isaac (Che, Robin Hood).

The track listing of nine songs, from the Beatles to the Smiths, also includes “Army of Me” by Björk featuring Skunk Anansie and Emiliana Torinni on Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.”



Music director Marius de Vries (Moulin Rouge) and composer Tyler Bates (Watchmen, 300) selected the collection of songs, which play an integral role in the film.

With Sucker Punch working on multiple levels of reality, Snyder states in the press release, the music creates “an intricate musical landscape that accompany the surreal imagery of the film,” which he has described as “Alice In Wonderland with machine guns.”

The epic action fantasy film follows the imagination of a young girl locked away by her stepfather. Her dream world allows her to escape from the dark reality of her captors including High Roller, played by Jon Hamm (The Town).

The soundtrack on WaterTower Music will be released March 22 and the film releases March 25.

Ashton Kutcher maybe in GhostBuster 3

Presumably to scare the shit out of Bill Murray for going on Stern yesterday and saying the Ghostbusters 3 script collecting dust on his desk is “not the foremost thing” on his mind, there’s now talk of casting Ashton Kutcher. Nice work. Via Popeater:

While the world awaits Murray’s answer (knowing him, he’s probably reading a page every other day just because he can), Reitman and Kutcher talked up the possibility that Kutcher could be one of those rumored “new recruits.” Answering questions about the sequel during a junket, Reitman said it’s “absolutely possible” that Kutcher could join the cast, Digital Spy reports.






The story goes on to say Murray’s involvement is crucial or else Sony will “absolutely not” make the film, so I don’t get how threatening to cast Ashton Kutcher is gonna help. He can barely bring himself to read the script as is and now he has to picture it with The Bride of Demi in it? Jesus. At this point, everyone might as well be honest and say they don’t want to make this thing. Just come come clean with it. “Alright, everybody, you got us. We’re not even close to being serious. I mean, did you see that part where we said we were going to cast Ashton Kutcher? Fucking hilarious, right? Who even does that?”

Ashton Kutcher maybe in GhostBuster 3

Presumably to scare the shit out of Bill Murray for going on Stern yesterday and saying the Ghostbusters 3 script collecting dust on his desk is “not the foremost thing” on his mind, there’s now talk of casting Ashton Kutcher. Nice work. Via Popeater:

While the world awaits Murray’s answer (knowing him, he’s probably reading a page every other day just because he can), Reitman and Kutcher talked up the possibility that Kutcher could be one of those rumored “new recruits.” Answering questions about the sequel during a junket, Reitman said it’s “absolutely possible” that Kutcher could join the cast, Digital Spy reports.






The story goes on to say Murray’s involvement is crucial or else Sony will “absolutely not” make the film, so I don’t get how threatening to cast Ashton Kutcher is gonna help. He can barely bring himself to read the script as is and now he has to picture it with The Bride of Demi in it? Jesus. At this point, everyone might as well be honest and say they don’t want to make this thing. Just come come clean with it. “Alright, everybody, you got us. We’re not even close to being serious. I mean, did you see that part where we said we were going to cast Ashton Kutcher? Fucking hilarious, right? Who even does that?”

Bad Teacher - Cameron Diaz new movie Trailer

Bad Teacher - Cameron Diaz new movie Trailer

Cameron Diaz gives a VERY raunchy lesson in how to wash a car in Bad Teacher trailer

Cameron Diaz proves she is schooled in the art of seduction in her upcoming film, Bad Teacher.

In a new trailer for the upcoming comedy, the actress is seen flashing her incredible figure in tight Daisy Duke denim shorts as she gets lathered up in soap suds at a car wash.

The 38-year-old is also pictured smoking marijuana in a scene from the film in which she plays a raunchy educator looking for a man to take care of her.

Diaz also pairs up with her with her former boyfriend Justin Timberlake who plays another member of staff in the film due to be released in June this year.

The actress described the flick as 'filthy' but 'fun' and said she had given her seal of approval to Timberlake's role.

'We wanted Justin because he's such a brilliant comedian. He's so funny. He's very, very talented,' she said.

'And Jason Segel is the heart of the film, which is weird. It's sort of a love triangle between the three of us.'

Wet and wild: Cameron Diaz shows her raunchy side in upcoming movie Bad Teacher where she hoses herself down with a water pipe at a car wash

In a lather: The 38-year-old actress plays a teacher who spends most of her time trying to find a man to look after her

Bad habits: Cameron's character also smokes marijuana in the film, which is filled with bad language

Appearing on the Jimmy Kimmel show last night, Diaz chose to answer some unusual questions rather than the standard chat show Q&A.

So when asked if she like watching adult films, she boldly said: 'I love porn!'

'You know what I love about hotels? How discreet they are. They always give you that little thing at the bottom - "Your room will be charged the same as any other room. Titles will be used"'.

Diaz was dressed like she was going to be a part of a circus.

Her black trousers, braces and white vest top - which showed her black bra underneath - looked more suited to an acrobat than a movie star.

The Charlie's Angel's star also showed off her very toned arm muscles, which have drawn comparisons with Madonna's sculpted physique in recent weeks.

But despite Diaz's muscular appearance, the actress revealed she was mocked for being skinny in school.

'I've had a lot of nicknames,' she said. 'When I was a kid it was "Skeletor", which really did a lot for my confidence.

'And "skinny bone Jones" - that was most of my childhood. And there was a time when I was just "dirtbag nosebag". Then there was a time when I was "C-Diesel" and then "Diesel".'

Diaz also made reference to the moment TV camera caught her feeding popcorn to beau Alex Rodriguez during the Super Bowl.

'You should see what I normally feed people when I'm not on television,' she joked.

 Special guest: The star, who is dating baseball player Alex Rodriguez, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel's chat show last night

Cameron Diaz gives a VERY raunchy lesson in how to wash a car in Bad Teacher trailer

Cameron Diaz proves she is schooled in the art of seduction in her upcoming film, Bad Teacher.

In a new trailer for the upcoming comedy, the actress is seen flashing her incredible figure in tight Daisy Duke denim shorts as she gets lathered up in soap suds at a car wash.

The 38-year-old is also pictured smoking marijuana in a scene from the film in which she plays a raunchy educator looking for a man to take care of her.

Diaz also pairs up with her with her former boyfriend Justin Timberlake who plays another member of staff in the film due to be released in June this year.

The actress described the flick as 'filthy' but 'fun' and said she had given her seal of approval to Timberlake's role.

'We wanted Justin because he's such a brilliant comedian. He's so funny. He's very, very talented,' she said.

'And Jason Segel is the heart of the film, which is weird. It's sort of a love triangle between the three of us.'

Wet and wild: Cameron Diaz shows her raunchy side in upcoming movie Bad Teacher where she hoses herself down with a water pipe at a car wash

In a lather: The 38-year-old actress plays a teacher who spends most of her time trying to find a man to look after her

Bad habits: Cameron's character also smokes marijuana in the film, which is filled with bad language

Appearing on the Jimmy Kimmel show last night, Diaz chose to answer some unusual questions rather than the standard chat show Q&A.

So when asked if she like watching adult films, she boldly said: 'I love porn!'

'You know what I love about hotels? How discreet they are. They always give you that little thing at the bottom - "Your room will be charged the same as any other room. Titles will be used"'.

Diaz was dressed like she was going to be a part of a circus.

Her black trousers, braces and white vest top - which showed her black bra underneath - looked more suited to an acrobat than a movie star.

The Charlie's Angel's star also showed off her very toned arm muscles, which have drawn comparisons with Madonna's sculpted physique in recent weeks.

But despite Diaz's muscular appearance, the actress revealed she was mocked for being skinny in school.

'I've had a lot of nicknames,' she said. 'When I was a kid it was "Skeletor", which really did a lot for my confidence.

'And "skinny bone Jones" - that was most of my childhood. And there was a time when I was just "dirtbag nosebag". Then there was a time when I was "C-Diesel" and then "Diesel".'

Diaz also made reference to the moment TV camera caught her feeding popcorn to beau Alex Rodriguez during the Super Bowl.

'You should see what I normally feed people when I'm not on television,' she joked.

 Special guest: The star, who is dating baseball player Alex Rodriguez, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel's chat show last night

Palaces, posh accents boost ‘King’s Speech’ shot at Oscars

Actors Helena Bonham Carter (left) and Colin Firth arrive at the red carpet for the screening of the movie ‘The King’s Speech’ at the 61st Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin February 16, 2011.


Oscar looks set to bow before “The King’s Speech” this coming Sunday, proving there’s nothing quite like a British accent, some historic buildings, and, best of all, a few royals to get Hollywood all a twitter.

Few Americans had ever heard of King George VI — the royal who led Britain into World War II and the father of current monarch Queen Elizabeth — before Colin Firth brought him to life in “King’s Speech” as a shy man with a crippling stutter.

Now, many Americans know his story, and if “King’s Speech” wins Oscars on February 27, many more will want to learn about him. And it’s very likely the movie will take home at least a few Academy Awards because it has a leading 12 nominations for the honours given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In fact, it is the front-runner for best film.



Throughout US history, Americans have been fascinated by royal pomp — even on a movie screen. In 1860, a New York ballroom floor collapsed under the weight of thousands gathered to see a teenage Prince Albert Edward. Currently, Americans have royal wedding fever over the April marriage of Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton.

“Even though we won the American Revolution, we still bow to British royalty. We are suckers for a British accent — it sounds so much smarter — and there is a clear bias throughout Oscar history for British films,” said Tom O’Neil of awards websites goldderby.com and theenvelope.com.

US critics, moviegoers and Hollywood’s professional guilds have responded warmly to the movie’s human story of friendship, courage and triumph over adversity, performed by a strong ensemble cast that includes Oscar nominees Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush, alongside Firth.

A “recommendation” for the movie by Queen Elizabeth, whose aides let it be known that she found the film “moving and enjoyable” after a private screening in January, proved the ultimate endorsement.

“HER MAJESTY’S APPRECIATION”

Her comments were seized upon by veteran Oscar campaigner and “King’s Speech” distributor Harvey Weinstein, who said those associated with the film were “deeply honoured and humbled by Her Majesty’s appreciation.”

British period movies have often done well at the Academy Awards. Helen Mirren won her Oscar for portraying Queen Elizabeth in “The Queen” in 2006; the 2001 upstairs-downstairs film “Gosford Park” won a screenwriting Oscar for Julian Fellowes; and 1998 movie “Shakespeare in Love” won seven Oscars, including a trophy for Judi Dench’s brief turn as 16th century monarch Queen Elizabeth I.

British stage actors are held in high esteem by their US peers, especially when it comes to Shakespeare.

“Hundreds of years after the American Revolution, there is still the sense that the stuff we see that is British, tends to be smarter,” said Robert Thompson, professor of popular culture at Syracuse University.

Indeed, one of the more astounding series of events to watch this awards season in Hollywood has been the manner in which “The King’s Speech” quashed early Oscar front-runner, Facebook movie “The Social Network”.

“Social Network” swept through early awards from American critics’ groups, but “The King’s Speech” turned the race on its ear when it began claiming top honours from film and TV professional guilds such as the Producers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild.

“‘The Social Network’ is the quintessential American movie. It is the ultimate tale of America today, (but) it faced off against a classic British historical drama about royals,” said O’Neil. “If a British commoner had this stammer, we would cruelly not care, royal worshipers that we are.”

Palaces, posh accents boost ‘King’s Speech’ shot at Oscars

Actors Helena Bonham Carter (left) and Colin Firth arrive at the red carpet for the screening of the movie ‘The King’s Speech’ at the 61st Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin February 16, 2011.


Oscar looks set to bow before “The King’s Speech” this coming Sunday, proving there’s nothing quite like a British accent, some historic buildings, and, best of all, a few royals to get Hollywood all a twitter.

Few Americans had ever heard of King George VI — the royal who led Britain into World War II and the father of current monarch Queen Elizabeth — before Colin Firth brought him to life in “King’s Speech” as a shy man with a crippling stutter.

Now, many Americans know his story, and if “King’s Speech” wins Oscars on February 27, many more will want to learn about him. And it’s very likely the movie will take home at least a few Academy Awards because it has a leading 12 nominations for the honours given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In fact, it is the front-runner for best film.



Throughout US history, Americans have been fascinated by royal pomp — even on a movie screen. In 1860, a New York ballroom floor collapsed under the weight of thousands gathered to see a teenage Prince Albert Edward. Currently, Americans have royal wedding fever over the April marriage of Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton.

“Even though we won the American Revolution, we still bow to British royalty. We are suckers for a British accent — it sounds so much smarter — and there is a clear bias throughout Oscar history for British films,” said Tom O’Neil of awards websites goldderby.com and theenvelope.com.

US critics, moviegoers and Hollywood’s professional guilds have responded warmly to the movie’s human story of friendship, courage and triumph over adversity, performed by a strong ensemble cast that includes Oscar nominees Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush, alongside Firth.

A “recommendation” for the movie by Queen Elizabeth, whose aides let it be known that she found the film “moving and enjoyable” after a private screening in January, proved the ultimate endorsement.

“HER MAJESTY’S APPRECIATION”

Her comments were seized upon by veteran Oscar campaigner and “King’s Speech” distributor Harvey Weinstein, who said those associated with the film were “deeply honoured and humbled by Her Majesty’s appreciation.”

British period movies have often done well at the Academy Awards. Helen Mirren won her Oscar for portraying Queen Elizabeth in “The Queen” in 2006; the 2001 upstairs-downstairs film “Gosford Park” won a screenwriting Oscar for Julian Fellowes; and 1998 movie “Shakespeare in Love” won seven Oscars, including a trophy for Judi Dench’s brief turn as 16th century monarch Queen Elizabeth I.

British stage actors are held in high esteem by their US peers, especially when it comes to Shakespeare.

“Hundreds of years after the American Revolution, there is still the sense that the stuff we see that is British, tends to be smarter,” said Robert Thompson, professor of popular culture at Syracuse University.

Indeed, one of the more astounding series of events to watch this awards season in Hollywood has been the manner in which “The King’s Speech” quashed early Oscar front-runner, Facebook movie “The Social Network”.

“Social Network” swept through early awards from American critics’ groups, but “The King’s Speech” turned the race on its ear when it began claiming top honours from film and TV professional guilds such as the Producers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild.

“‘The Social Network’ is the quintessential American movie. It is the ultimate tale of America today, (but) it faced off against a classic British historical drama about royals,” said O’Neil. “If a British commoner had this stammer, we would cruelly not care, royal worshipers that we are.”