February 2010 News

February 28

Cinemax will have a bunch of A Beautiful Mind showings (Oscar Time related) - Thanks, Kris C

The NY Daily News: 'Green Zone' star Matt Damon is disappointed in President Barack Obama; Passes on 'Bourne' torch --- And will there be another "Bourne"? "I think the way is to extend the franchise is to create a 'Bourne identity' that different actors can take on," said Damon."I could pass the identity to Russell Crowe or Denzel Washington or Ryan Gosling." - Thanks, Kris C

February 27

The LA Times: Smoke, but not a lot of fire to Canadian women's hockey celebration -- ... Even lead singer Alan Doyle of the band Great Big Sea, scheduled to perform in Vancouver on Friday night, got pulled into the controversy. Doyle, who appeared with VANOC officials to promote the band's appearance, had the best take on the controversy. (Maybe this should all be called Great Big Party.) "I was right there with them. It was great," Doyle said. "If you play in a band -- this might sound like a desperate comparison, and forgive me if is -- I've always noted the similarity of playing in a band for a living and playing team sports for a living. You're going to have 10 bad days for one good day and you've got to love that one good day and that celebration so much it makes everything else worth it. "I saw the gals celebrating yesterday and that's a real good example of it. That's one of those days where you get a pat on the back." - Thanks, Lynda

The SMH: Crowe's walls of fame tap a rich history to help players revive glory years - Thanks, Steph

Rabbitohs.com: Rabbitohs and Dragons Share Win in Race to 10,000 - Thanks, CGee

Zimbio: Russell Crowe waves to the crowd during the Rabbitohs warm-up before the NRL Charity Shield match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium on February 27, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. - Thanks, Steph

Charity Shield Game

Account of The Charity Shield Game at Twitter (a fan site) - Thanks, Schmiddy

February 26

Green Cine: Return to Oz: A History of Australian Cinema I (1896-1968) - Part One -- Part Two

thisisgrimbsy.co.uk: Brad Pitt and Russell Crowe help Louth charity night - Thanks, sec, Kris C

February 25 (more snow!)

The Guardian: How Danny Huston accidentally became a star -- Part of a film dynasty, he's unforgettable on screen, but has never had an acting lesson. Is it all in the genes for John's late-flowering son, asks John Patterson - Thanks, Steph

Huffington Post: Mental illness at the movies -- Of course, there are exceptions. We all remember Russell Crowe's excellent performance as a schizophrenic mathematician in A Beautiful Mind. Like DiCaprio, Crowe showed a range of emotion in that role, which pleased me since the mentally ill are as likely to have depth to their personalities as the non-mentally ill. - Thanks, Allison

Beyond Unveils New Series Centered on Movie Stars - SYDNEY: At MIPTV, Beyond Distribution is to launch the new series MovieStar, which is a collection of 104 half-hour episodes that spotlight Hollywood's A-listers. MovieStar explores the careers of worldwide superstars and their rise to stardom. Stars include Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, John Travolta, Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Nicolas Cage, Hugh Grant, Robin Williams and more. The series marks the first working collaboration between Beyond and Entertainment News Service. - Thanks, Allison, Steph

Video thanks to Simone - A tribute to Russell, the hero

Thanks to Maryam, a new Robin picture on the Robin Hood pages

The SMH: Universal Language -- This year's French Film Festival is brimming with drama. By Garry Maddox. -- As a former photographer, Fred Cavaye could not have expected too much for his first film. But the pulsating French thriller Anything for Her had barely left cinemas when it was remade by some of the biggest names in Hollywood...The original has Vincent Lindon, a hangdog everyman actor, playing a schoolteacher so desperate after seeing his wife wrongly convicted of murder that he schemes to break her out of jail. The Oscar-winning director of Crash, Paul Haggis, has re-shot it as The Next Three Days, starring Russell Crowe. - Thanks, Steph

star news online: Ben on Film - The many merry men of Robin Hood - Thanks, Allison

From Allison: Per www.imdb.com, Robin Hood has been in post-production since Feb. 7

SSFC Rabbitohs at Twitter will have live Charity Shield score updates Saturday night.

February 24

ABC News: Kornheiser suspended for Hannah Storm comments (Picture of Russell on page) - Thanks, Kris C

February 23

YouTube: Russell on Conan from 1997 - Thanks, Sec -- And on Conan again after "the incident," and promoting Cinderella Man (and singing too)

The Daily Campus: Dynamic duos: Directors and their on-screen muses - Thanks, Kris C

February 22

The Dallas Cowboy site: Irvin Goes Down Under, Motivates Bunnies

From Darrin: "Thanks to a query from Essie, I've rendered the Soundstage program from August 2004 with TOFOG & Kris Kristofferson!  In five parts, plus an additional small file of the promo for Soundstage's Season One" - Please also visit the Constant Crowe blog and share your Chicago 2003 HOB memories!

February 21

Coffs Coast Advocate: HOLLYWOOD superstar Russell Crowe took a mate to the NRL footy clash in Coffs on Saturday night and he went home talking about what a great night he had. Family patriarch Alex Crowe revealed to The Coffs Coast Advocate yesterday that three-time Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl hero Michael Irvin attended the Souths v Titans game as Russell's personal guest. - Thanks, Steph

Danielle Spencer performs live - (Video) - Weekend Sunrise 7am – 10am Seven Sunday 21 February 2010 -- Wake up to a better breakfast with Andrew O'Keefe and Samantha Armytage for all the latest news, sport and weather.

The SMH: New album something to crow about (Related - Dani)

news.com.au: (Related - John Polson) Elijah Wood, Toni Collette attend Tropfest

February 20

Super Footy: THE finesse of Scott Prince guided the Gold Coast to a 28-22 victory over the new-look South Sydney in Coffs Harbour. - Thanks, Maria

February 19

The NY Times - Review of Robert Harris's new book -- “Conspirata” is less pointed than that, the political stratagems it recounts so rococo and dastardly they would make Karl Rove quiver and James Carville blush. It’s precisely that outlandishness that makes ancient Rome so attractive to Harris and legions of others, who keep traveling back to the gilt and the gladiators, to Spartacus and Claudius and Maximus, courtesy of too many books, movies and cable television shows to count. Rome’s unruliness and ostentation provide a flattering, reassuring point of reference, and there’s nary a handsome actor who doesn’t look even better in sandals and a vintage tunic."

The Mail UK: How twentysomething Russell Crowe was fired from bingo job before fame came calling - Thanks, Steph, Cindy

The Boston Herald: Crime fans need to stop for ‘Red’ -- ...The films are fascinating and disturbing and being remade by Ridley Scott. Holy Russell Crowe, before that happens, see “Red Riding” in its original form and how deep the rot goes. - Thanks, Avril - [ed note: A great series. You can save it for rental at Netflix, or buy at Amazon UK (PAL version)]

YouTube: Coffs Harbour Photo Pictorial And Song

Chad.co.uk: £5m plans to ensure Robin Hood legend lives on - Thanks, Lynda

February 18

The NY Times: Australia-related (Olympics) - Australians at Home in ‘Whistralia’

From Allison: They aired the Robin Hood Trailer last night during the Olympics around 9:00 p.m. PST.

Dani has a new post at her blog on MySpace- February 17 Weekend Sunrise Performance - Australia -- "Hey Everyone, You can catch Danielle in her first Australian TV performance this weekend. Tune into Weekend Sunrise this Sunday 21st February on Channel 7 - Danielle and full band will be playing a track off the upcoming new album 'Calling All Magicians'... Till then... x"

February 17

GBS -- Alan's From The Road Tour Diary - February 16, 2010 - Home -- "Do you realize that if you leave Sydney Australia early in the morning of February 14th, and fly all day, you arrive in Vancouver earlier on the very same February 14th?  That’s like getting two Valentine’s Day’s in one year.  I had that very experience only a couple of days ago.  Double the Love." - Thanks, Lynda

Talked about in Alan Doyle's Diary entry above -- John Williamson --Australia's Songwriter --Career Overview 2010 -- 40th Year In Australian Country Music

The Guardian: Matthew Macfadyen: 'I do have a good eye' - "... Light years away from Private Lives is the Russell Crowe vehicle Robin Hood, due this summer, in which Macfadyen plays the Sheriff of Nottingham. "I didn't have much to do with Russell Crowe," he says. "He has a terrible reputation, but I thought he was rather sweet." The usual rules simply didn't apply to this behemoth, it seems. "People, trucks, equipment, 60 horses, they built a village – it was like an army going­ to war." - Thanks, Allison

The Daily Telegraph today reveals the 10 most powerful figures in rugby league (Russell at #8) - Thanks, Maria

February 16

Contact Music.com: RUSSELL CROWE - CROWE'S WIFE: 'RUSSELL IS SUPERDAD' [ed note: Usually I don't link to this site, but this story has some cute quotes about the Crowe family.] - Thanks, Layne

Two places to order Dani's new album - Play.com and Amazon UK - Thanks, Avril - Also available for download at iTunes

The Courier Mail: Russell Crowe springs some Coffs surprises for Rabbitohs

IMDb Daily Poll: Looking back at the last 10 Best Picture Oscar winners, which one most makes you say: "I can't believe that one won!" - Thanks, Allison, Kris C

DVD Times UK: Here is a look at what Lionsgate Home Entertainment have coming to US DVD and Blu-ray in April 2010…13th April 2010 -- Tenderness ($28.98 SRP) - Based on the Robert Cormier novel of the same name, Russell Crowe and Laura Dern star in this story about a strong but quiet detective determined to uncover the truth about a young man’s past. The only extra is a behind-the-scenes featurette. The film is presented in anamorphic widescreen with DD5.1 and DD2.0 audio and English and Spanish subtitles. - Thanks, Allison

February 15

New videos at Thoroughly Russell Crowe - Thanks, Mary Anne

February 14 - Happy Valentine's Day hearts

The NY Post: 'The good wife's pet snake --- "...Kalinda could have been dragged into the world of cliché very easily, but Archie makes it pop.” They’d first seen Panjabi play a small role as Russell Crowe’s assistant in the forgettable film “A Good Year” King says, “She was so extraordinary. Tough, confrontational but not rancid.” - Thanks, Cindy

capecodonline.com: New Mailer memoir is 'a recollection of friendship' -- "...When I met with Mailer, summer or winter, I always noticed the fleece vest he wore. From the book, I found out it was a gift Russell Crowe gave him when Mailer consulted on Ron Howard's 2005 film "Cinderella Man," about the boxer James J. Braddock, who was portrayed by Crowe. Mailer, of course, was a great boxing enthusiast and had written often about the sport." - Thanks, Kris C, Allison

The Daily Mail: The story of my dissolute, lonely, useless young life (and why it was the making of me), by Sir Anthony Hopkin -- 'Over the years I worked with a couple of younger actors who reminded me of myself. I like bad boys. I worked with Russell Crowe in Australia before he became a star. Russell is a bad boy. I think he is terrific. Richard Burton was a bad boy, but he shook the rafters of the world. I think it is good to be bad - I was bad all my life. I still am." - Thanks, Allison, Kris C

February 13

Telegraph UK: Robin Hood filmed on National Trust land - The new Hollywood version of Robin Hood may take liberties with historical accuracy, but the film is sticking truthfully to the landscape of medieval England. - Thanks, Christine

Jo at Libris Crowe has some lovely new creations

Click to play this Smilebox recipe: Happy Valentine's
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The Daily Telegraph au: David Peachey comeback miffs Russell Crowe (in a joking way)

February 12

The Herald Sun: Injured Essendon Bombers in TV show - The Bombers are the first AFL club to agree to take part in Damage Control, a sports version of real-life hospital drama RPA. To be screened in prime time on Channel Seven late in the season, the program will cover every Bomber injury as it happens on gameday and track each victim's rehabilitation.... Hollywood star Crowe will also be the narrator. - Thanks, Kris C

February 11

Note: It's Aussie night on The Mentalist. Simon Baker is directed by John Polson (Tenderness ) in this episode.

Looktothestars.org: Stars Make Long-Term Charity Donations To Help Haiti --- The following donors will each contribute $50,000 annually for the next five years ($250,000 total). Each donation will fully sustain a street school in Port-au-Prince including providing clean water, meals, medical supplies and educational material to the children: Jackson Browne, Gerard Butler, Daniel Craig, Russell Crowe with wife and musician Danielle Spencer, Penelope Cruz, Clint Eastwood with wife Dina, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Sean Penn and more. - Thanks, Allison -- Also at USA Today - Thanks, Judy

Stand by - the Romans are set to invade Ryedale again - "Some restaurants will offer a Roman theme and there will also be a Miss Derventio competition where the winner will be made up in a Roman-style costume and be carried around in a Roman taxi known as a palanquin. Also planned are a Russell Crowe lookalike competition, a hog roast, a beer tent, a wine festival and a Toga party." - Thanks, Allison

Monsters and Critics: Depp, Crowe movies to rake it in for sceptred isle - Thanks, Kris C

Box Office Prophets: Trailer Hitch - Thanks, Allison

The MovieBox.net: Robin Hood trailer page - Thanks, Allison

February 10

From Newstext thanks to Maria: Crowe's star role -- A FILM starring Russell Crowe and Beyonce Knowles in lead roles seems fanciful but it's definitely on the cards -- the actor was yesterday confirmed to be in talks. The internet has been jammed with speculation about the pairing for the fourth remake of the movie A Star Is Born which starred James Mason and Judy Garland in the best known 1954 version, and Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in a 1976 remake. While Crowe will launch his new Ridley Scott-directed action blockbuster Robin Hood in May, his spokesman yesterday said the South Sydney Rabbitohs owner had been approached for A Star Is Born. "His biggest priority will be a publicity tour to launch Robin Hood which is going to be one of the biggest movies of the year,'' the spokesman said." The [A Star Is Born] opportunity has come up. It is a great opportunity but there needs to be a lot more time, thought and discussion before anything is confirmed.'' Beyonce has reportedly long wanted to star in a new version of the film in which she would play the musical muse of Crowe's character. Various reports say the new version would see Crowe's character as an older alcoholic musician who discovers and mentors Beyonce's character, eventually falling in love with her.

February 9

Box Office Prophets: 2010 Calvin Awards Best Cast: We close out the top ten with State of Play, In the Loop and Zombieland. For State of Play, Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck play the key characters, but the support they receive from Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman (again!) and Jeff Daniels brings the movie to something several notches above standard thriller fare... - Thanks, Allison

This Is Nottingham: Movie costumes and props coming to Notts -- COSTUMES and sets from the new Hollywood film Robin Hood can be seen at Nottingham Castle next month. Nottingham City Council will host the official exhibition after holding talks with Universal Pictures. - Thanks, Allison

Vanity Fair: Hollywood's top 40 (Russell at #18) - "Estimated 2009 earnings: $28 million *** $20 million: Robin Hood (fee for starring in umpteenth Sherwood Forest romp, this time from Ridley Scott) - $7.5 million: The Next Three Days (fee for producing and starring in upcoming thriller) - $500,000: Royalties from older films, other revenue" - Thanks, Allison

Articlescollections.com: Movie Review - Tenderness

Access Hollywood Polls (Scroll) - Thanks, Kris C

Celebuzz.com: Russell Crowe Uses Those Hands For Good [great pictures, nasty text] - Thanks, Tamara

February 8

Film.com: The Best of the 2010 Super Bowl Commercials -- Robin Hood Teaser Trailer - Gladiator in tights? I'll take it. Heck, I'll take anything Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe want to give me. Robin Hood looks like big fun. - Thanks, Kris C

Off Topic, but nice for Valentine's Day -- The Writer's Almanac - "...Valentine's Day is coming up on Sunday, and we're celebrating all week with love letters from the literary world." (Scroll)

Here's the trailer - at YouTube - that was actually shown on the Super Bowl broadcast - Thanks, Lynda. Darrin at Constant Crowe has it at her site as well

PopSugar au has a poll about Beyonce and Russell - Thanks, Allison

February 7

The SMH: The touching gesture he'll always remember -- IT WAS the moment a cinematic gladiator reduced a footballing warrior to tears. Before his first match for the Rabbitohs - a trial game against Manly before a few hundred diehard fans - Russell Crowe escorted Sam Burgess to the southern end of Redfern Oval. It was there, on sacred South Sydney soil, that Crowe handed Burgess a club membership card in the name of his father, who had died in 2007 of motor neurone disease. It gave Mark Burgess, a former rugby league player and coach in the north of England, a posthumous honour at the club where his son will do exactly what he told his father he would before his death: play in the NRL. - Thanks, Mary, Kris C

BBC News: Authors vie for 'lost' 1970 Booker Prize --- Second chance at the Booker prize (major UK literary prize)  for Master and Commander. - Thanks, Christine

NRL.com. au: Rabbitohs defeat Manly Sea Eagles 42-12 -- Burgess solid in Souths' debut - Thanks, Simone - and from Meli: Here are some pictures of Russell at the Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles game, which the Bunnies won convincingly

From Wendy: In the UK Sunday Times today, a couple of references to Robin Hood location -- and Activist takes aim at Pinewood Shepperton bosses

February 6

The Envelope Poll: POLL: Should Russell Crowe and Beyonce make beautiful 'Star Is Born' music? - Thanks, Ivani

3:10 to Yuma related: Save the Yuma Territorial Prison -- "...The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area is announcing a campaign to save the Yuma Territorial Prison. The prison is on the list of 13 state parks Arizona officials are closing in response to budget cuts enacted late last year. Charles Flynn, Executive Director of the Heritage Area, announced last week that the agency would step forward to operate the prison with the hope that the Yuma community would step forward in the next 60 days to match the $50,000 his agency has pledged." - Thanks, Jessica

Related -- SoHood: RZA’s Upcoming Film Projects -- Recently, RZA wrote a book titled Tao of WU, which is available in book stores now. Its an interesting read, I recommend you guys to pick it up. But lately, RZA has been busy filming some upcoming films with mega actors/actresses. Last December 2009, shooting wrapped for the film titled The Next Three Days. RZA was cast for the film along with Russell Crowe who he has worked with previously in the film American Gangster. The Next Three Days is directed by Oscar and Emmy winner Paul Haggis. No release date has been scheduled yet." - Thanks, Kris C

UK Times: Sam Burgess set for hot reception Down Under --- Burgess, the England forward, has joined South Sydney Rabbitohs — who are co-owned by Russell Crowe, the actor — from Bradford Bulls and will make his first appearance tomorrow in a pre-season match, for which all the hype centres on the impact of the young heavyweight from Leeds. - Thanks, Kris C

Coming Soon Net also has the video of the Robin Hood Super Bowl ad

cbc.ca re Vanity Fair: Transformers director tops magazine's list of film earners - Thanks, Allison

Just Jared: Father and Son bonding - Thanks, Alliosn

February 5

From Darrin: I have an early set of files for the Robin Hood trailer that will air during the Super Bowl on Sunday ready for download at Constant Crowe!

Benzinga.com: Related: Stephen Nakamura Colors Powerful Documentary Waiting for Superman -- "...When Oscar-winning documentarian Davis Guggenheim sought out a post production company for the DI (digital intermediate) work on his powerful documentary, Waiting for Superman, he took his project to Company 3 and Colorist Stephen Nakamura. Nakamura, who has brought his sensitivity and technical savvy to blockbuster features including James Bond action thriller Quantum of Solace and upcoming Russell Crowe adventure Robin Hood, was thrilled with the opportunity to apply his talents to this decidedly smaller, independent film, made up primarily of video-shot interviews and a very diverse array of archival material." - Thanks, Kris C

The LA Times: Patrick Goldstein: A new 'Star Is Born' with Russell Crowe? Is this a bad, really bad idea? - (one man's opinion) - Thanks, Maria

News au: Down Under tough blokes in demand (Scroll a bit for the video) - Thanks, Kris C

Movie Web: The Robin Hood Super Bowl XLIV TV Spot Is Here! - Thanks, Kris C, Allison, Cindy - all

February 4

Related: The Holywood Reporter: Ridley and Tony Scott hire two execs

***** The LA Times: A Crowe is born? Gladiatorial one likely candidate for 'Star' remake - - "...Russell Crowe has emerged as the front-runner to take the lead male role of an aging, alcoholic musician who mentors/is schooled by -- and then finds romance with -- a younger female star. While it's not believed there is a formal offer yet, the studio is very high on the 45-year-old actor, who in turn is said to be keen to take the role." - Thanks, Allison

This is Nottingham UK: Crowe's Hood could be £46m blockbuster for Notts -- NOTTS could get a £46m boost from new Hollywood blockbuster Robin Hood Tourism bosses believe an extra five million people could visit the county when the film, starring Russell Crowe, hits screens worldwide in May. - Thanks, Allison

The Daily Citizen: Tim Rogers: A movie with a message - Thanks, Kris C

The Winnipeg Free Press: Turnovers won't work for Saints on Sunday -- "...Brees will be close to par with Manning when it comes to prep, but they're in different leagues when it comes to football intellect. Manning is the football equivalent of Russell Crowe's mathematical genius in A Beautiful Mind, minus the schizophrenia. He sees things on the football field few others can detect, and he does it all in seconds." - Thanks, Kris C

February 3

Show Biz 411.com: Russell Crowe in Robin Hood: Dark, Violent and Very Gladiator - Thanks, Kris C

February 2

Russell on USA TV this month

From Cindy: Here's an interesting article in The New Yorker with more background information on Emergency Sex (Russell producing on HBO). It's interesting that the piece is dated Dec 2004, and Randall Wallace is listed as working on a script. It's a reminder to us that these projects many times take years and years to get off the ground.

hangout.allsounds.com: Danielle Spencer @ Madame Jojo's [Live] --- "...For now, I suggest you all keep an eye on Danielle Spencer. Forget Mrs.Crowe and if you’re looking for an atmospheric, high class album for champagne fueled swish date, get “Calling All Magicians”, it will be available from all usual retailers from February 15th." - Thanks, madchen

Sundance Channel: Five frames of film fashion - Gladiator - Thanks, Layne

From Tamara: The February calendar is up at Thoroughly Russell Crowe and Mary Anne has the A Beautiful Mind video page up as well

Reuters: Related (TN3D) - Olivia Wilde lassos role in "Cowboys and Aliens - "...Wilde appears weekly on Fox's hit series "House." Her next big-screen appearance will be in Disney's "Tron Legacy," hitting theaters in December. She also will be seen in the Lionsgate thriller "The Next Three Days."

February 1

This is Nottingham UK: Ey up mi duck – Russell Crowe's talking Notts in new film - Thanks, Cindy

New Gallery at The Illuminated Crowe - Thanks, Jessie

The Express UK: Rugby League -- Former Bradford forward Sam Burgess will make his debut for Russell Crowe’s South Sydney in a pre-season trial against Manly next weekend. - Thanks, Kris C

Time Magazine: Avatar Pushes Mel Gibson Off the Edge -- "...Instead, Edge looks to approximate the mediocre grosses of last year's State of Play, also based on a six-part BBC political thriller, and also starring an Oscar winner (Russell Crowe) in need of a hit. Tip to Hollywood remakers who try synopsizing the madly complex plot of an acclaimed British mini: at least change the title so it doesn't contain two bland nouns separated by an of; titles like Edge of Darkness and State of Play are foggy and instantly forgettable. Second tip: Don't bother." - Thanks , Kris C

Big Pond News: Will Australia's river of Oscars dry up -- "...The last barren ceremony for Australian actors was 1998 when Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce were snubbed for nominations for LA Confidential, and Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt claimed the top acting statuettes for their roles in As Good as It Gets. But patriots, don't despair." - Thanks. Kris C

January 31

Related (Scott and Considine): The NY Times: Giving Serial Killings Serial Treatment -- The “Red Riding” trilogy, which opens Friday at the IFC Center but had its premiere last March on British television, conjures life in a benighted world of corrupt police and missing children, of weird secrets and guilt-ridden romance. --- "...The trilogy has already found interest from the director Ridley Scott for an American remake, which sounds like an unusual bit of cultural transposition until you learn that Mr. Peace himself wrote the source novels while abroad. From 1994 until recently he lived in Japan and taught English while writing." [ed note: I have the three Red Ridings thanks to a UK friend. When it comes to TV at video on demand at IFC, I recommend it highly - dark, disturbing and unforgettable]

The Daily Telegraph au: Danielle Spencer on life with a Hollywood hero -- The parents are committed to keeping their sons’ feet planted on the ground. “We want to raise decent, accountable people. But I’m definitely the bad cop,” she laughs. “The kids adore Russell, but they know he can be a bit of softie.” As evidence, she recounts a recent attempt by Crowe to lay down the law to Charlie, who replied: “Daddy, you’re not the boss; Mummy’s the boss. You’re just her assistant.” - Thanks, Maria

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Film Office's Oscar gala moves Downtown to Wilson Center -- "A long, hooded red robe worn during scenes shot in Italy and a poster autographed by the Volturi vampires are among roughly 175 items that will be auctioned during the Pittsburgh Film Office's Oscar gala. Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway and Liam Neeson have signed DVDs of their famous films, including "Gladiator," "Brokeback Mountain," "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Schindler's List." Alex O'Loughlin, who starred in the cult vampire series "Moonlight," has donated an autographed photo while his castmates signed a "Three Rivers" script." - Thanks, Kris C