News October 2007

From Lynda's Blog: a response from David Luckin, who did the radio interview with Russell in Jacksonville: "What a pleasure it was to talk with Mr Crowe for the better part of an hour... I selected the songs to play after listening to them on his Myspace page... assuming these were his picks. I was asked to play GBS and chose Consequence Free. Russell was such a down to earth honest gentleman he managed to put me at ease in just the first few minutes. I hope he'll come back to play more music on the Electro Lounge in Jan."

Film.com: The Russell Crowe Royal Rumble -- "Here’s one thing I know for sure: If I ever found myself around Russell Crowe, who stars in this week’s American Gangster, the last thing I’d want to do is piss the guy off. He’s kind of a bad ass, but, then again, so are most of the characters he plays. However, as quick as I might run like a girl from these on-screen personas, I can pretty much bet most of them wouldn’t run from each other. This makes me wonder what a royal rumble between all of these characters would be like…" - Thanks, Allison (A fun read)

The Daily Telegraph: Richardson quits as Souths Chief -- SHANE Richardson declared last night that the days of "footy head" CEOs were numbered after stepping down as South Sydney boss and walking away from running rugby league clubs forever. - Thanks, Steph

NY Post AG Review - ORIGINAL 'GANGSTER' - SMACK DADDY DENZEL FIERCE AS FLY '70S PUSHERMAN - Thanks, Chats

Variety: Studios prep back-up plan - While Universal was still firming up start dates, the studio has locked enough scripts to put as many as nine films into production by next March.... Studio was less certain about several other films that included "Nottingham," the revisionist adventure that has Russell Crowe poised to play the Sheriff of Nottingham for director Ridley Scott. Both of them [?] are in Morocco shooting the WB film "Body of Lies" with DiCaprio. - Thanks, Allison

From Russell re The Avondale College link mentioned yesterday: "The video I did for Avondale college was not advertising. It was a corporate video for final year high school students considering the ministry. Just another acting job at the time, 1987 or '88."

Russell was featured on Access Hollywood yesterday. At first with Denzel at the LA premiere of American Gangster, then highlights (Russ Le Roq) from his Leno appearance. He talks on the red carpet about his Leno appearance and how that was the least embarassing thing Jay could have shown. :) - Thanks, Penny

MSNBC: It’s a great time for movie tough guys -- What makes Russell and Denzel interesting and Arnold not? --- At the moment, thankfully, there’s a host of dramatic actors who can do it better than anyone, and they’re in the midst of a kind of elaborate square dance, changing partners round and round. So Clive Owen faces down Denzel Washington in “Inside Man” and Denzel goes mano a mano with Russell Crowe in “American Gangster,” just after Russell takes the measure of Christian Bale in “3:10 to Yuma.” Off in the corner, there’s Tommy Lee Jones tracking down Javier Bardem in “No Country for Old Men,” while Daniel Craig, recalling a better Steve McQueen, is the evening’s wallflower: unpartnered for the moment. Great actors can portray anything, of course, but these guys seem to have their own inner toughness. One of the better lines in a recent Academy Awards speech belonged to producer Douglas Wick, who, upon accepting the best picture Oscar for “Gladiator,” thanked Russell Crowe, adding, “You filled a whole arena with the force of your face.” - Thanks, Allison, Cindy

There is a small photo of Russell and Dani at the AG premiere in US Magazine Issue 664 11-507 page 20 - Thanks, Kris C

The Leader-Post in Canada: Interview for AG - Thriller balances good and evil - Some good quotes from both stars -- "The two actors, both dressed in funereal black, are sitting together fielding questions from reporters. Washington, dapper and well-groomed, is showing his usual penchant for jaunty one-liners. Crowe, who has just taken affectionate leave of his young son at the door, is unkempt, rumpled and earnest as he faces a press pack he's been known to disdain." - Thanks, Anne S

The Scotsman: Places at the Table - Interview with Russell on AG and other things - "In many ways, I wished I was playing Frank Lucas," says Crowe. "When they sent me the script, what was great on the page was the character of Lucas. But we worked through it and found a real heart to the character of Richie Roberts. He had many faults, but being dishonest was not one of them." The film is Crowe's third collaboration with Ridley Scott, after Gladiator and A Good Year, and they have two more projects in the pipeline, for now titled Body of Lies and Nottingham, a Robin Hood flick." - Thanks, Steph

Per Regis & Kelly's website, Russell is no longer listed as a guest for next Friday, 11/2. - Thanks, Allison (Addition from Susan: "That listing at Regis is last week's schedule. I watched it yesterday. The schedule for 11/2 is TBA"

WJCT Radio in Jacksonville - Russell did an interview there - about his music and his life - some of his songs are played - Podcast HERE for listening. - Thanks, Lynda (Lynda has saved it in case it does not remain on the radio site) - Here is Lynda's blog where she talks about the interview

Fort Worth Business Press: American Gangster a vigorous study in moral ambiguity --- "American Gangster, with its combination of Scott’s customary dynamism with the grittier influence of Martin Scorsese, also recalls a much earlier period of crime-buster moviemaking — 1935, to be precise, when Sam Wood’s Let ’Em Have It and William Keighley’s “G” Men arrived as trailblazing heroic procedural pieces. These pioneering films took almost a documentary approach, with Let ’Em Have It tracing a mad-dog gangster’s rise to Public Enemy No. 1 along parallel lines with an FBI campaign to put the hoodlum out of everybody else’s misery. And as with Let ’Em Have It, Scott’s American Gangster reserves the right to deal in thrilling violence without allowing the sensational element to become the greater point. Scott holds long in suspense the face-to-face between Crowe and Washington — the film clocks in at 157 minutes — but finds a rich payoff in that brief climactic encounter, in dramatic ballast as well as in tension. (R)" - Thanks, Cindy

The Daily News - Rush and Molloy: Scroll to "Plenty to Crowe about" - "Meanwhile, in next week's New York magazine, the real-life model for Denzel's "Gangster" character, former heroin dealer Frank Lucas, has a historic sitdown with former rival Leroy "Nicky" Barnes. Interviewer Mark Jacobson, whose terrific 2000 New York magazine story was the basis for the film, asks the retired drug kingpins what they think of Rudy Giuliani, who chased both of them as a district attorney. - Thanks, barbiecat

New York Magazine: Lords of Dope Town -- Frank Lucas and Nicky Barnes once ruled the drug trade in Harlem. They came out of retirement to talk business. - Interviewer - Mark Jacobson

From Judy: Today on the cover of the Cleveland Plain Dealer "Weekly Entertainment " mag was the heading "Movie and a Dinner Redefined" - For Saturday night (I nearly fell over) a big pic from "A Good Year", a menu, and the "Objective: Sex.

SlashFilm: AG leaked on line (What a disgrace!) - “For Your Consideration” season has begun. I Lucas and Roberts

know this because the first Oscar screener of the season has been leaked online. A week and a half before the official release date, Ridley Scott’s new film American Gangster has been uploaded to the bit torrent networks and has already been illegally downloaded by tens of thousands of people. And that’s just in the first 20 hours online. As I write this, over 10,000 users are currently downloading the video off a popular bit torrent website. - Thanks, Steph

EW: Clash of the Titans -- In this extended version of EW's exclusive Q&A, Hollywood heavyweights Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe talk about the perils of swapping spit, wearing tights, and working on their gritty new crime drama, ''American Gangster'' (See cover from yesterday below) - Thanks, Steph (Picture of Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts as they are today)

Page Six - The NY Post - (Gossip) - (Scroll) Late Bloomer - LEONARDO DiCaprio wasn't always so smooth with the ladies. He was still a virgin at 17, says Russell Crowe in the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, on stands today. "You know, I worked with Leonardo when he was 17 on 'The Quick and the Dead [1995],' " says Crowe. "He was a virgin, and he'd talk about that constantly. So I'm hoping we have some time so he can fill in what's happened in between, maybe show some photos, because I'm sure life's different now." - Thanks, Kris C

Constant Crowe Updates: I have the Talking Movies (BBC World) segment about American Gangster, thanks to Ivani!! And thanks to Cindy, Penny and Paola, I have a VERY funny interview from Jeff Howard at Vegas Film Critic with Russell and Denzel!

E! on line: "Angie and Jen aren't the only Hollywood bigwigs to be having a magazine cover EW Cover

showdown. Now, American Gangster costars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe are getting in on the act with dueling Entertainment Weekly editions."

Coming Soon: Interview with Ridley Scott: CS: Can you talk about that movie, "Body of Lies"?
Scott: David Ignatius, "Washington Post". Anyone know him? Foreign correspondent. So he wrote a book called… it's actually coming out or it's just been out called… the best title was "Penetration." His expertise and knowledge is thirty years in the Arab states and therefore that's really his thing, that's really his world. It's about what we haven't done, how we've f*cked up, how we've misunderstood everything and not they us, us them. It's a very good script. Bill Monahan wrote the script with Steve King coming in and doing some corrective stuff. So it's with Leo and Russell Crowe. Russell Crowe is done. I've shot with Russell for the last five weeks. That's why he's so sturdy looking at the moment. He's losing his weight. He was thirty pounds overweight to do the part. - Thanks, Cindy

FantasyMoguls.com: Film tracking --- "American Gangster has a dramatically better tracking performance, 10 days away from release, than last year's Best Picture Oscar winner, The Departed (Warner Bros.), had at the same point of its advance campaign. I'm told that the gritty, R-rated Oscar contender has 8 percent Un-Aided Awareness compared to the 3 percent mark posted by the Scorsese crime drama. Un-Aided Awareness is the best tracking measure for audience buzz. It means that moviegoers surveyed are talking about Gangster with no prompting.... More HERE - Thanks, barbiecat

From Ellen in Seattle: "For other readers from the Seattle Area (and possibly West Coast) - for us - for whatever reasons the South Syndey Story episodes were shown last night at 8 & 8:30PM. This was really a disappointment as our papers and TV Guide had it listed at 10 & 10:30 and it wasn't until I was checking something else out on TV Guide online that I noticed the change. So I wanted to let people know as the same thing may happen next week."

AnneCB says re the Yuma DVD: "According to my supplier for the library the release date is Jan. 8th."

Constant Crowe Updates: With HUGE thanks to Chattles for going well above and beyond for me, I have the Access Hollywood and Entertainment Tonight segments from Monday night! I also have a Spain telly vid promoting American Gangster from Mariola and more Italian telly coverage from the Rome press conference, thanks to Mirella! I also have the Today show vid from the online site, thanks to everyone who sent emails!!

Lionsgate has sent an early alert to retailers that '3:10 to Yuma' will be saddling up for a day-and-date release on both Blu-ray and standard DVD this January. - Thanks, Steph

Correction: The October 29 viewing of AG in LA (linked yesterday) is not a premiere, but an industry screening with limited red carpet

NBC News: NBC News' Matt Lauer sits down with the people behind the new politically and emotionally explosive movie "American Gangster" – actors Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, director Ridley Scott, producer Brian Grazer, the real-life American Gangster, Frank Lucas and prosecutor, Richie Roberts, in a special airing of "Dateline NBC" Sunday, October 28 at 10:30 PM ET. - Thanks, Steph

The Chicago Sun Times: A LITTLE LEVITY TO BREAK THE TENSION: Crowe zinger spices up MNF -- Actor Russell Crowe added a touch of humor to the ''Monday Night Football'' broadcast booth during the game between Indianapolis and Jacksonville. Crowe, who owns the Australian rugby team South Sydney Rabbitohs, said the woman who runs a Web site for him is a ''really big fan'' of Tony Kornheiser, but ''she's only got the one eye and I think she just had her 73rd birthday.'' To which Kornheiser responded: ''That's in my wheelhouse.'' - Thanks, Chats

The Orlando Sentinel: The Jags vs the Colts - "...Indy turned that into a touchdown. The Jags were on the 3:10 to Yuma. In case you missed it, that was Crowe's last movie. He doesn't want you to miss the next one. Crowe sat in the MNF booth during the third quarter plugging the release of American Gangster and chatting about the rugby team he owns. ESPN has been criticized for having too much celebrity nonsense. But Crowe talking about his mate Denzel Washington was far less painful for Jags fans than watching Gray run the offense." - Thanks, barbiecat

BBC: The 2008 Academy Awards are four months away, but Hollywood insiders are already tipping which films and stars will be in the running. - Thanks, WendyFP

Stax at IGN on Nottingham - "Nottingham is the Gladiator version of Robin Hood," Grazer told Moviesblog.MTV.com. "I think it will have the same propulsion that Gladiator had - the same adrenaline hits." - Thanks, Rita

NPR on AG - "Denzel gets to Denzel it... the crooked smile, the finesse, the brooding. Russell gets to do his broke-down/stand-up working class hero thing. Neither star crosses the line to cartoonish. Both shine.Thanks, Kris C

Constant Crowe Updates: I have AG vids from AH Online, AP and E! News thanks to Penny, vsecin and Ivani! I also fetched the latest trailer that aired during Chuck last night on NBC! Finally, I have the NPR radio interview with HUGE thanks to AnneCB from the MR Board!!

The DVD Lounge: Inside The Actor's Studio: Leading Men - DVD Review -- " Crowe's interview follows his gem Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World on January 4, 2004. Crowe lets his guard down for a really interesting interview, detailing some of his earlier career as well as some of the early moments of his career. Releasing several albums as "Russell Rock," a DJ, he talks about his early days in a traveling "Rocky Horror Picture Show" troop. He speaks in depth about his breakthrough role in Romper Stomper as a skinhead and Lipton guides Crowe through his career. Covering his big roles, such as L.A Confidential and Gladiator, it's a fascinating look at Crowe right in the early part of his ascension as a leading man. Crowe talks a lot about getting into character, and how everything he does is about the character and not about him." - Thank, Allison

EW.com: Poll - If Hollywood were to adapt next month's ''Gone With the Wind'' spin-off novel, who would you cast as Rhett? - Thanks, Allison

Sydney Confidential: Crowe's gang hits Harlem (Nasty reference to "the Apollo Theatre in Manhattan's real-life gangster suburb of Harlem.")

Wow! I got some words from Russell last night during his appearance on Monday Night Football. Russell told Tony Kornheiser how much I liked him and his show "Pardon The Interruption." They had some gentle fun about my age - and the one eye. I'm almost speechless, but not quite.

Access Hollywood AG Review: "...Russell Crowe – who re-teams with Washington after 1995’s “Virtuosity” – fares better at infusing more depth into Roberts, whose sincere dedication to his career is offset by his inability to be a good father. And special mention must be made to Josh Brolin, who gives a standout performance in his supporting role as the corrupt cop who gives both of them trouble." - Thanks, Allison

UPI: Australian actor Russell Crowe says film acting is a "great privilege" and a career that makes good use of his "strange personality." -- "I've always seen it to be a privilege to make movies," Crowe told reporters Saturday while promoting his new movie "American Gangster" in New York. "It's a really expansive creative medium and people allow me to do it. There's things I can do as an actor that I couldn't do in any other form of life. And I've got a strange personality but film acquires some strange people, so I've got a nice comfy home. That's what I do and I'm really happy with that," he explained. "To me, it's just a great privilege and every day I kind of look around and thank the Lord that it's still going on." - Thanks, Steph

From Penny: Access Hollywood heads up: About 5 minutes in on Access Hollywood, American Gangster footage with Russell and Dani at the end with Dani talking about the story of Charlie and his suitcase.

MV Movies Blog: Grazer Calls Scott's 'Nottingham' The 'Gladiator' of Robin Hood Movies - "By putting it in the hands of Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe. “‘Nottingham’ is the ‘Gladiator’ version of Robin Hood,” super-producer Brian Grazer told MTV News about the upcoming twisted tale from the “American Gangster” tag team. “I think it will have the same propulsion that ‘Gladiator’ had - the same adrenaline hits.” Told from the Sheriff’s point of view, the new movie centers around a familiar - yet very different - set of characters, director Ridley Scott said, revealing that his story begins when a legend first walks into history. “Richard the Lionheart is on his return from the Crusades [when] he took an arrow in his neck and died,” Scott said of the flick’s set-up. “His brother, John, [becomes king.]” John, known in his own life as John Lackland (because as the youngest son he didn’t get any inheritance) “was actually pretty smart,” Scott insisted. “[But] he got a bad rap because he introduced taxation. So he’s the bad guy in this.” Meanwhile, “You’ve got the returning Nottingham who is the right hand man of Richard and witnesses Richard taking the arrow,” Scott revealed. “And so he comes back to England to carry forward Richard’s dream about England.” The Sheriff, then, strives to do right while caught in the middle of two wrongs – on one side a corrupt and unpopular King who orders him to arrest outlaws, on the other the outlaw himself who threatens to rouse the public in popular anarchy. “[Caught between] the minority of haves and the majority of have nots,” Scott said....." - Thanks, Steph

Earth Times: "Russell Crowe's youngest [??] son Charles stole the limelight at a press junket when he regaled the gathered journalists with jokes.Charles was sitting on Crowe's lap as the actor and his co-star Denzel Washington spoke on the radio about their new movie 'American Gangster'. Contactmusic.com reports that Charles soon became restless and reporter Amanda Lornie said: 'Russell was answering a question when his son interrupted him and commandeered the audience of radio journalists, saying, 'I'm gonna do some jokes. How do you stop a baby from walking? Pull off his arms and legs! Why did the orange stop in the middle of the road? Because he ran out of juice.'" - Thanks, Steph

Constant Crowe Updates: Thanks to vsecin, Kaspi and Ivani, 3 minutes with Rusty & Denzel from AP's Alicia Quarles! Thanks to vsecin, ET Online and NY1's vids from the AG premiere! Very funny bit with Russell in the NY1 vid! Also, t hanks to vsecin, tons of vids over at MovieWeb's site, I've brought a few over to the site. Thanks to a head's-up from Ivani, I have the Extra AG segment from the Premiere night aired on tonight's show! I also have the footage from the ESPN Monday Night Football game of Rusty in the booth with Mike Tirico, Tony Kornheiser and Ron Jaworski for the 3rd quarter of the Colts v Jaguars game! HUGE thanks to CroweCrazed, Chattles, Isis and Glendagiggles for standing by as backups in case my cable did not come up in time! Finally, from the "...and now for something completely different!" category... The Seventh Day Adventists' news vid from 09/07/2007! Thanks, vsecin!

From Cindy: "I'm checked my TiVo and I see Russell is due to be on the Today show on Thurs. 11/1. So far I have Leno on 10/29 and Regis and Kathie Lee on 11/2. Now the Today show on 11/1. Some of the other shows haven't updated yet, like Letterman. If Russell will be back in NYC on the 1st and 2nd for Regis and the Today show, it's possible he'll do Letterman again."

This is North Scotland UK: Gangster film is great, says real Roberts - Former detective Richie Roberts has said he's thrilled his real life story has hit the big screen in new film American Gangster. - Thanks to all

From Deborah: I'm writing to inform you that the current issue of Parade Magazine (Oct.22, 2007) has a bit on Russell and Charlie in its Q&A section

From Ellen in Seattle: "Wanted to let you know I was watching Ebert & Roeper last night (10/21) and they advertised that they will be reviewing American Gangster next week. It was fun as they also advertise their reviews on line so they reshowed a clip of Roeper praising Russell in A Good Year - Harold Ramis was the the guest reviewer on the particular show/clip."

EW.com: From the cast of ''Lost'' to Nicole Kidman to Bart Simpson, look back at the stars who have topped our annual list — then tell us who you think deserves the title in 2007 - Thanks, Allison

Page Six DVDs - The NY Post: "...And don't be surprised if September's other oater, the surprisingly popular "3:10 to Yuma'' also rides into the DVD corral by Christmas, basking in the afterglow of Best Actor hopeful Russell Crowe's second fall release, "American Gangster,'' which is said to be tracking quite strongly prior to its Nov. 2 bow."

THR Vote (Scroll down to poll on right of page): With some Oscar hopefuls still to debut, which films in release have an early leg up for best picture buzz? (Yuma is a choice) - Thanks, BarbieCat

Screen Daily on AG - "A classy gangster epic which echoes the best crime sagas of the last 35 years from The Godfather saga to New Jack City, American Gangster marks a welcome return to form for hard-working director Ridley Scott after three disappointing films. Long but never boring, it's an expertly crafted slice of mainstream entertainment telling two concurrent stories, one about the rise of drug kingpin played by Denzel Washington, one about the police investigation to bring him down led by a grizzled cop played by Russell Crowe...."

Film Review Magazine for November: " Russell Crowe • Hollywood’s number one bad boy is reuniting once again with director Ridley Scott for crime epic American Gangster. The actor tells us why he and Scott work so well together" - Thanks, Ivani

From Pat in the UK: "I saw that the Jags are playing tonight , Well I live in the UK and it is on Sky Sports 1 and for those who dont have sky or cable tv it is on channel 5, the time is 1 am and kick off at 1:30 am, UK time. So I thought i would let you know in case fans from the UK dont know."

From ESPN re tomorrow night on ESPN: "Saw your site today. In case you are unaware, wanted to let you know that Russell Crowe is expected to make 3rd quarter appearance in the TV booth during ESPN's Monday Night Football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars tomorrow night (10/22). Game kicks off at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN HD. I hope you and other Crowe fans will tune in and watch. He will be interviewed by Mike Tirico, Tony Kornheiser and Ron Jaworski. Keep up the great work with the site."

From Judy: There is a show on the "American Gangster" premiere scheduled on the TV Guide Channel. There are 6 listings for the show (these are the Eastern times)

Variety's review of AG (Todd McCarthy) - "American Gangster" wants to be a great epic crime saga so badly you can feel it. The true story at its core -- of the rise, fall and redemption of a '70s-era Harlem drug lord -- is so terrific, it's amazing it wasn't put onscreen long ago, and it would be difficult today to find two better actors to pit against one another, as hoodlum and cop, respectively, than Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. With so many elements going for it, this big, fat Universal release is absorbing, exciting at times and undeniably entertaining, and is poised to be a major commercial hit. But great it's not. - Thanks, Penny

The Daily Telegraph: " Crowe sing-along -- IT sounds like there's a regular singing fest at the Spencer/Crowe household. "We jam together,'' says Don Spencer, grandfather to Russell Crowe's sons, Charles and Tennyson. "It's all on for family parties and Christmas and stuff.'' Spencer, father of Crowe's wife, Danielle, was a presenter on Play School for 26 years. This month, he releases his greatest-hits album of kids' songs such as Bob the Kelpie." - Thanks, Penny

Gossip: Jezebel.com --- Russell Crowe: Jet-Lagged Or Ready To Rumble? (Some of the comments are funny, some nasty - I liked this one --- BY PAISLEYPAJAMAS - Forget Russell! Whose the hottie with the invisible cell phone behind him?)

The Herald Sun: Vince's chance on big stage - VINCE Colosimo is going from hood to hero. Colosimo, who recently finished filming the role of standover man Alphonse Gangitano in Channel 9 drama series Underbelly, has landed what may be his big international break. He has a key role alongside Hollywood heavy hitters Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe in acclaimed director Ridley Scott's latest film, Body of Lies. - Thanks, Cindy, Allison

The Daily Orange: Born and Bred -- "...Washington's "Gangster" character appeals to us because we as Americans are fascinated by the underworld. Gangsters fascinate us because we love their work ethic and dedication to succeeding at all costs. We love them as long as they don't affect us." - Thanks, Allison

6point7 at the CC Board: The amazing Mark Strong [ed note: A fav of mine. I am watching Our Friends in the North at present- the advantages of an all region DVD player] was just on the Jonathan Ross radio show and JR asked him who had influenced him etc. blah, blah. Mark remarked that he loved Johnny Depp for his choices and the variety but he then went on to say that although he'd only done two days on BOL (Hani) so far he was very impressed by Russell....'he was fantastic' & 'I was really impressed with the way he dealt with the scene and what he did' Jonathan's retort was along the lines of .....he always looks forward to something featuring Russell because even within the part he's playing he makes unusual choices - he sees a line and he doesn't always go for the obvious interpretation.

From Sabry: Here you are a small home video made by Silviarella and Max of Russell in Rome, in front of Hotel Excelsior, Via Veneto, to promote 3:10 to Yuma, on Silviarella's page hosted by my site.

The SMH: Australia Revealed - "...Why are we being shown this? It's pleasantly narrated by Russell Crowe and is full of gorgeous landscape and underwater photography, Aboriginal dreaming and personal stories - the iron woman, the struggling cattleman, the submariner and the bloke who helps maintain thousands of kilometres of dingo fence." - Thanks, Allison

EW.com: Book Review - American Gangster (2007) Mark Jacobson -- "The highlight of magazine journalist Mark Jacobson's collection is the title piece, a profile of '70s Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas that inspired the Denzel Washington/Russell Crowe film. That riveting account of Lucas' rise and fall is reason enough to pick up American Gangster, but Jacobson's other stories, spanning 30 years of NYC history, offer gripping reading as well. Whether covering the high life or lowlifes, Jacobson boasts a novelistic eye and muscular prose in the tradition of urban chroniclers like Joseph Mitchell, A.J. Liebling, and Pete Hamill."

Birch Cinemas: American Gangster opens up in Australia on the 10th of January, 08. 3:10 to Yuma opens up a couple of weeks later on the 31st of January, 08 - Thanks, aussiegirl

Extra TV: Britney Spears has an unlikely ally in her public custody battle – Russell Crowe.
The Oscar winner told “Extra” that the paparazzi are at least partly responsible for Britney’s downfall. “I don’t know her music, but we’re all sitting back and watching this group of people. Insane," he insisted. "And I think we should be taking a little more responsibility for it." He added, “I know this is going to be like, ‘The gladiator protects the Mouseketeer!’” - Thanks, Allison

The Hollywood Reporter: American Gangster -- Bottom Line: "Superfly" meets "Serpico" -- but without the flash. By Kirk Honeycutt -- Denzel Washington is the criminal and Russell Crowe the cop. The title is catchy but misleading. Frank Lucas was less an "American Gangster" than an original Old Gangster in sable, a caricature in the tradition of '70s blaxploitation flicks.... The film concocts a final sequence in which the two finally meet and do a deal, the deal that apparently sprung Frank from prison to enjoy his old age: Frank rats out the SIU cops who shook him down, resulting in most of the unit going to prison. Richie ends up leaving the force to become a lawyer and eventually represents Frank. So "American Gangster" finally shows its true colors: It's really a buddy movie.- Thanks, Allison, Steph

Constant Crowe Updates: I managed to record all of the live arrivals vid from the American Gangster website and have edited it all down to a file of just the Russell appearances! Also, thanks to links from Barbiecat and Cindy, I have the online vids from AH, ET, Extra and Today!

Constant Crowe Updates: Thanks to BarbieCat & Laurie, I have the Extra "First Look" at American Gangster! Also, I have the American Gangster promo that was shown at the end of Gladiator on TNT!

Covering Florida Blog: Russell Crowe booked for third-quarter cameo on Monday Night Football Jags-Colts game; January rugby event dubbed “Australia Day Challenge” - Thanks, Cindy

From Ivani: Everybody knows Russell did a tv show in Rome, Domenica In, last wednesday.
This show will be aired in Italy next Sunday on RAI TV

From Cindy and Maria: Russell will be on Leno on 10/29 and on Regis and Kathie Lee on 11/2. Conan and Letterman don't have schedules up past 11/1 so it's possible he'll be on one or both of those as well. http://www.interbridge.com/lineups.html

Peter Travers at Rolling Stone: Peter Travers gives American Gangster 3-1/2 stars. "There's more good news: A combustible Russell Crowe channels Serpico as Richie Roberts, the honest Jersey cop who aches to take Frank down. " - Thanks, Laurie, Steph, Kris C

Thanks to Cindy, it looks like everyone can watch the arrivals at the AG benefit premiere tomorrow night in Harlem at the Apollo - From the latest press release:

From Laurie: "I caught a promo on yesterday's Extra that they'll be doing something on Amer. Gangster on today's (18th) show."

Peter Hammond at the Envelope on Lionsgate, Yuma and the Oscars - 3:10 To Yuma takes aim at Oscar --- "...To that end, even though the official screening of "3:10 to Yuma" was reportedly enthusiastically applauded last month, its distributor is making sure Academy members don't forget it. They are four-walling the film at theaters in Pasadena, the Valley and the Beverly Hills Music Hall from November through February, as well as taking many trade ads and, during the heat of the season, full-page advertisements on most Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays in the Los Angeles Times. Additionally, they are buying the prime marquee space during the entire season at the Music Hall, which just happens to be almost directly across the street from -- you guessed it -- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. File it under "movies just trying to get noticed" as the Season gallops along." - Thanks, barbiecat

Detroit Free Press: Can I give a shout-out to my good mate Lloyd, then? - How does Russell Crowe keep finding his way into the sports section? This time, it's because he's been booked for next week's third-quarter cameo on "MNF." Hopefully, somebody will tell him to lay off the Theismann jokes. Michigan's favorite Aussie actor will be on during Monday's Colts-Jaguars game in Jacksonville (that's where the rugby team he co-owns, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, plays a exhibition in January). Also, Steve Carell -- playing off his movie role as an advice columnist in "Dan in Real Life" -- will counsel Peyton Manning in a humorous pregame skit. - Thanks, Avril

TV Alert -- Russell is scheduled to be on Regis & Kelly on 11/2 - Thanks, Allison

411Mania.com: Deleted Scenes 10.18.07 - So Now Then... 3. 3:10 to Yuma. Having viewed the original just after seeing this year's film, I have to state the unpopular and say that the remake eclipses it. A wonderfully moving Western about the lengths a man will go to be a hero in the eyes of his son, 3:10 to Yuma will be completely ignored by Academy voters come the end of the year as "just another bang-bang shoot ‘em up," and that's tragic. Christian Bale and Russell Crowe give brilliant shadows and angles to a very well-examined story arc, and turn it into something truly remarkable.

Film Stew: Most Genre-Friendly Double-Doubles: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale and Casey Affleck. A western and a 1970’s style police drama; a western and a 1980’s style POW drama; a western and a 1940’s style noir. This is how Mssr. Crowe, Bale and Affleck have respectively moseyed onto the screens this season. The biggest footnote is that, as opposed to Jesse James, Yuma is technically anything but a traditional western thanks to its pacing, camera angles and discrete use of CGI. But it’s still one heck of an entertaining ride.

News from the real Sheriff of Nottingham and Sherwood Forest (Which is in real ecological trouble) -- "I work for Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, UK and for the real Sheriff of Nottingham - Jeannie Packer. As you have reported on your site, Sherwood Forest is under threat - the ancient oaks are dying and the forest has become fragmented and diminished.
A whole host of ecologists, foresters, rangers, heritage experts and tourism officials are trying to win £50 million from the UK BIG Lottery to restore the forest to its former glory. For the first time ever the british public are going to decide who wins this huge sum of lottery money- following a series on ITV. There are 5 other competitors in the running. Historically speaking - Sheriffs were employed by Royalty to look after the forests and safeguard them from illegal poachers etc. so Russell's Nottingham film really hits the spot! Here's the latest article on the Forest from The Guardian on 15 Oct. Wish us luck. If the Russell fans want to know more they should visit www.robinhood.co.uk " - Thanks, Jane Wallace - National PR team for Sherwood: The Living Legend

Michael Musto at the Village Voice: Apocalypse Musto - This "Best of New York" includes the best place at which to get both sciatica and a nervous breakdown. -- "The most reliably fucked up doorman is the one at the Mercer Hotel (147 Mercer Street; 212-966-6060) whom I recently asked where the Mercer Kitchen is. "Down the block," he replied, sounding more knowledgeable than he looked. I putzed around in the chilly rain—in tight shoes—but came crawling back after a stranger told me the Kitchen is in the freaking Mercer Hotel! In fact, it was about two feet away from said doorman! "Don't blame me," he whinnied, as I became far more sympathetic to Russell Crowe's career-cramping rage at the very same place." - Thanks, Allison

CNN.com: TV Alert -- Frank Lucas, the Real Life 'American Gangster,' Shares His Story for the First Time Ever on This Season of BET's Critically Acclaimed Series 'American Gangster' Premiering Wednesday, October 31 at 10pm ... Thanks, Allison

NPR News and Views on AG and Hip Hop artists: "We're scheduled to talk soon with Common and the Rza (who are both hip-hop artists and play a member of a gangster crime family and a drug task force cop, respectively). I say "scheduled" because you never know what will happen with movie junket/celeb interviews.... Anyhow: the movie is luscious. It gets the greasy gleam of New York streets after the rain right, and the grumpy clackity clack of the bridges. Drug use is widespread in the movie, and horrible. The way heroin use plays out in the film leaves no doubt as to the destruction of addiction, from the hoarse cries of babies in junk-users' arms to the scabs and sores and blood of shooting up. Denzel gets to Denzel it... the crooked smile, the finesse, the brooding. Russell gets to do his broke-down/stand-up working class hero thing. Neither star crosses the line to cartoonish. Both shine." - Thanks, barbiecat

Constant Crowe Updates: Thanks to vsecin, I have four vids from the Rome press conference and interviews! Even if you don't speak Italian, these vids are wonderful, especially the one where he gets all flirty with the interviewer! I also have Richard Wilkins' first look at AG and a blast from the past vid from the Axemen game Russell attended and participated in!

Constant Crowe Updates: Thanks to BarbieCat, I have a short promo bit E! News did for South Sydney Story!

USA Today: Hollywood dances to a hip hop beat - The film industry has been enamored with singers since talkies began, but this season marks an avalanche of rappers and R&B artists populating the big screen. Nearly two dozen performers, from Ja Rule to Ne-Yo, are dabbling in films, often with significant roles. - Thanks, Allison

Semi-related --- The Herald Sun: Candice seeks change of image - "Falzon is back on the ironwoman circuit. She is also starring in Australia Revealed, a Channel 7 documentary about different sides of Australian life, narrated by Russell Crowe. It was filmed in 2005, long before the toilet episode and she hopes it will help people see the real her. ?People will learn a lot more about Australia by watching it.'' - Thanks, Steph

Fox47News.com: 'American Gangster' World Premiere To Benefit Boys & Girls Clubs - Drama Starring Oscar Winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe - NEW YORK CITY -- The world premiere of "American Gangster," the cinematic event that pairs Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon, NY. ... The premiere, sponsored in part by Volkswagen, will be held on Friday, October 19, 2007, at the historic Apollo Theater in Manhattan, followed by a VIP reception. - More information on the premiere and the film in this article

Hollywood Elsewhere: "I'm still refining and cross-checking the numbers, but late last week American Gangster, which was three weeks away from its 11.2 release date, was tracking better than The Departed did two weeks from release. Thursday's numbers (i.e., two days from now) will probably show a bump, but the huge numbers aren't just from the male sector. Women, a bit surprisingly, are showing higher-than-normal awareness and interest levels. The definite interest is roughly 50% across the board, and in the vicinity of 60% for over-25 males. Translated, this means the opening weekend should be in excess of $30 million. No scientific readings required -- it's merely the combination of eyeball-to-eyeball Denzel, bull-in-the-china-shop Crowe and the title. A portion of critics are respectful of Gangster but unsure of its Oscar prospects because it didn't make them cry; presumably there are Academy and guild people who feel the same way. But reservations of this sort tend to melt away when big money is being made. Gangster's tracking, of course, doesn't indicate "big money" -- it promises a big opening weekend. Manhattan hot-shot entertainment journo Lewis Beale says "it's a terrific film, it has the best title ever, and if the crowd I saw it with at 84th and Broadway was any indication (very urban, very mixed demographically), it's gonna get great word-of-mouth. If this isn't a $100 million film, I don't know what is." - Thanks, Maria

EurWeb: THE MO'KELLY REPORT: American Gangster - Murder Victim of Misdirected Movie Marketing - "Despite what the movie trailer suggests, American Gangster is NOT a violent, “action” movie. It has some flurries of violent hyperactivity, but the OTHER 2 hours of non-action make a stronger argument for characterization as anything BUT an “action” movie. In fact, the movie has less violence overall than any movie with “Gangster” in its title should be allowed to have.....As for Russell Crowe, copy and paste the previous paragraph and substitute Crowe’s information accordingly. After seeing Crowe at his best in The Insider and A Beautiful Mind, it’s a bit disingenuous to argue that his portrayal of Detective Richie Roberts is worthy of comparison or similar acclaim. Again, it’s not dismissing Crowe’s contribution, but this role simply did not require any heavy lifting…heavy lifting we know Crowe’s capable of handling." - Thanks, Steph

Constant Crowe Updates: This Thursday TNT will be airing Gladiator brought to us by... AMERICAN GANGSTER! There will be a sneak peak of AG during the program! I have the commercial fetched off TNT today!

IGN: The game is simple enough: Attempt to connect two actors who've yet to appear in a film together through their co-stars in as few steps as possible. Originally known as Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon (where Kevin was always the end point), the game has noticeably evolved to include the gamut of actors in the filmverse and adopted other variations, one of which we're going to try with American Gangster co-stars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. - Thanks, Steph

The UK Sun: [To the Sun - Get it right] - Russell Crowe spits it out - "... "And when I'd said my last line and the cameras stopped, he turned to me and growled, 'There's nothing I like better on a Monday morning than to get a face-full of saliva.'"

Fron Lynda: I thought those planning to catch the Rabbitohs/Rhinos rugby game in Jacksonville on January 26th might be interested to know that Alan Doyle & GBS have just announced that they'll be performing on a 5-day Rock Boat cruise heading out of Miami on January 27th. It's a cruise run by the Barenaked Ladies - a great Canadian band - and features a slew of other excellent performers. It's not far from selling out, so those feeling so inclined might want to leap before they look. I'm looking forward to both footy and a boat ride. Still hoping they manage to work in a TOFOG show or two or three too.

Related - MSNBC: 3 Americans to share Nobel prize in economics -- Work of recipients ‘laid the foundations of mechanism design theory’ - Much like game theory, mechanism design is applied to situations where perfect markets cannot be found, such as a political give-and-take between different interest groups or even within companies themselves. The trio's work showed how to reach a desired outcome, such as improvements in social welfare or fatter profits, and what sort of government regulation should be put into place. Game theory was advanced by John Nash, the subject of the film "A Beautiful Mind" and who received the prize in 1994. The topic has drawn interest from the academy before, most recently in 2005 when Thomas Schelling and Robert Aumann won the economics prize for putting game theory to the test in politics. - Thanks, Pam

Twice related: Variety -- Taylor Hackford will direct Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci in "Love Ranch," a drama about a couple who opened the first legal brothel in Nevada and the violence that resulted when their relationship was tested by infidelity. Capitol Films will fully finance. Filming begins in late January in Albuquerque, N.M., and Hackford will look for a domestic distributor after the movie is complete. He hopes to have it ready in time to be submitted for the Toronto Film Festival. Hackford last directed "Ray." Mark Jacobson, whose New York magazine article formed the basis for "American Gangster," wrote the "Love Ranch" screenplay. Hackford, Lou DiBella, Capitol's David Bergstein and Marty Katz will produce.

The LA Times: 'Gangster' gets a shot - The film is full of twists and turns -- and so is the saga of getting it to the screen. By Claudia Eller, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer --- The upcoming movie, "American Gangster," is a gripping real-lifestory about a Harlem drug kingpin who in the '70s smuggled heroin out of Southeast Asia in the caskets of U.S. soldiers killed in Vietnam. The plot is dense, with lots of twists and turns.So is the saga of the movie's three lives. Fraught with emotional trauma, crushed egos, humiliation and passion, the movie's tortured journey to the big screen was unusual even by Hollywood standards. - ".... On May 12, the film was approved for production with the provision that if it cost more than $100 million, Grazer and Scott would pay the overage. They each forked over about $1.5 million after the film wrapped. Now all Grazer and Universal need is for moviegoers everywhere to open their pocketbooks." Thanks, barbiecat, Steph

An Italian web site reports that tomorrow Russell will be in Rome for a press conference at the Excelsior Hotel for Yuma - Thanks, Sophie

From Stacey: Just noticed on my cable guide that both Russell and Denzel are scheduled to be on Entertainment Tonight this coming Friday to talk about American Gangster. Thought you all might want to know so you can set your dvr's/vcr's to record.

KansasCity.com Sports: View from the Crowe’s nest -- Academy-Award winner Russell Crowe’s reality show “South Sidney Story” debuted on Versus this week. You know Versus — it’s that network you’re not watching hockey on. The show is about Crowe’s life as the owner of a rugby team in Australia. I’m an American, so I don’t know what rugby is. But I do know that if I make a joke about it that’s too funny, then some dude who NFL linebackers wouldn’t tangle with will be sending me angry e-mails. Oh, who cares? Rugby is like NASCAR without the cars — a bunch of crashes and strategy details that are hard to understand. OK, maybe I’ll watch it. The next episode is scheduled for Wednesday.- Thanks, Pamela

Kiplinger Business: Good Cheer in Hollywood - "The big draw of the season for crime drama buffs will be American Gangster, featuring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe." Thanks, Allison

The Sun-Herald: Christine Sams - Rumours fly of star visit --- In regards to Crowe's cowboy flick, there seems to be a hold-up (excuse the pun) on a screening date for the film in Australia, but the Oscar-winner hopes to be back home for a red carpet premiere later this year. - Thanks, Penny

There is a story from Melbourne re Alan Tudyk where he states: "...He also shared some stories about working with Russell Crowe on "3.10 to Yuma", including Crowe's regular hosting of sports night featuring his favourite Rugby League team. However, it turns out that he would record them and then only screen them if his team won. Something which the cast and crew found amusing, to the point where they were checking the scores online to see if they'd be having a sports night or not!" If people would care to think about those words for more than a second they would recall that the season was well and truly over before they started shooting 3:10, remember the old "your winter is our summer" north/south hemisphere relationship? It seems Tudyk lives up to his reputation as a prankster, and this bit has no basis in reality.

Rugby League: Crowe backs Rhinos Gladiators -- Academy Award winner Russell Crowe is backing Leeds Rhinos to win the engage Super League Grand Final on Saturday night at Old Trafford. Crowe, who is the co-owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, has given his support to the Rhinos following a ground breaking partnership between his club and Leeds announced earlier this summer. - a follow up from bejay -- Souths sister club, Leeds Rhinos, have just won the Super League final, beating St. Helens 33-6. I'm sure Russell enjoyed watching the game from London.

From Germany - Speigel on line: Russell Crowe will sich taufen lassen -- Der frühere Atheist Russell Crowe hat zum Glauben gefunden. Der Schauspieler will nicht nur sich, sondern auch seinen Sohn Tennyson taufen lassen. (It looks like an article about Tenny's christening. Can anyone translate?) - Thanks to cabes

Rope of Silicon - The Story behind American Gangster: "Last night I had the chance to catch the upcoming release American Gangster starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe and hitting theaters on November 2nd. Of course embargoes don't allow me to review the film in an official capacity, but I will tell you I loved the film I saw last night and after reading the fantastic August 2000 interview with the real Frank Lucas from "New York Magazine" on which the film is based I just had to pass it on, because after reading this there is no way you are going to skip this flick." - Thanks, Allison

The News Observer: Below the beltway -- "WASHINGTON - I once sold a movie script to Hollywood for what I thought was a great deal of money; insiders, however, assured me that to Hollywood, it was chicken feed. The movie never was made, which seemed to me to be an enormous financial tragedy for the studio that had bought the script; insiders, however, assured me that my fee had probably been budgeted in the same category as lobby fish-tank maintenance. Hollywood operates on an entirely different monetary system. I remembered all this the other day when I walked out my front door to discover that my neighborhood had been transformed, overnight, into Amsterdam. A big-budget movie was being made" - Thanks, Steph

From Anne S: I was listening to the ABC Australian radio on the net. They were talking about Ridley and Richie

soccer fans. The anchor mentioned that the queen of UK was a fan of Arsenal. The other man then told him that during one of the visit of the queen to Australia (forgot if it was in the 70s or 80s) the queen went to a rugby league match and that she supported the Souths. I wonder if she would watch Souths story if it ever ends up on UK television.

CanMag: Universal Pictures has released a huge new batch of stills for their upcoming crime drama American Gangster starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. - Thanks, Allison

Constant Crowe Updates: Thanks to a head's-up from Cindy, I have the ET segment about American Gangster from tonight's show! New footage we haven't seen yet! I've also got the first two episodes of SSS up in four parts each, two diff sizes in consideration of our dial-up peeps.

UGO: Interview with Tony Gilroy re Michael Clayton -- "...When we did Proof of Life that was the real proving ground for me. That final sequence in Proof of Life is something I'm really proud of. It's a really great action sequence and something that I've heard is used by the military in training. And that taught me that if you really care about what's going on and you really know where you are geographically, you can do a whole movie that way." - Thanks, Steph

The Hollywood Reporter: AG (Scroll to Great Gangster) - Great "Gangster": An early look Wednesday night at Universal and Imagine Entertainment's drama "American Gangster" leaves no doubt that the Ridley Scott film will be a major contender in prime categories for Oscars, Golden Globes and other awards. Directed by Scott, produced by Brian Grazer and Scott and written by Steven Zaillian, "Gangster" stars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Opening wide Nov. 2, it's a must-see film, especially if you're an awards voter. - Thanks, Allison

The Envelope: Peter Hammond -- Categorical Denial -- "...Universal, meanwhile, is strategically placing Russell Crowe in supporting actor for "American Gangster." Studio insiders say the movie's "weight" is really tipped toward co-star Denzel Washington. This despite the fact that "Gangster" billboards promote the two stars equally." - Thanks, Allison

3:10 to Yuma continues to amaze me -- it was 5th in the box office last Wednesday and Thursday -- dropped to 8th on Friday, moved up to 7th on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and up to 6th on Tuesday of this week. Which means that at least two of the "big" films which hit the theatres on Friday have already dropped below 3:10! That's staying power! - Carol

Related: The Daily Telegraph -- Alan Tudyk on Death at a Funeral -- "When a woman is naked on set it’s almost always a closed set, there is the utmost respect for the artist and their nudity and if you look that second longer it’s like ‘Shame, shame on you’, but when it’s a guy everyone shows up to have a good old look,” the 36-year-old said from his home in California. “It’s like ‘You’re from accounting, what the hell are you doing here? … all to just watch the crack of my arse come out the window!” - Thanks, Allison

Related: The Hollywood Reporter: "James Mangold has signed with CAA. Mangold, who co-wrote and directed the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line," most recently directed "3:10 to Yuma," the Western drama starring Russell Crowe now in theaters. His writing-directing credits include the films "Kate & Leopold," "Girl, Interrupted" and "Cop Land." On the TV side, his credits include executive producing and directing ABC series "Men in Trees." Mangold had been repped by WMA."

Stuff.co.nz: The walkway of fame includes the handprints of famous people with links to west Auckland. ... Others nominated for inclusion in the walkway include actor Russell Crowe and V8 racing driver Paul Radisich. Crowe once lived in Blockhouse Bay and his parents managed the Potters Wheel tavern in New Lynn, Mr Harvey says. - Thanks, Allison

AMC: Climb to the top of the charts! Play Star Shuffle: the word scramble challenge with star power - Thanks, Allison

News.com.au: Bana beams up to sci-fi role -- ERIC Bana is to go where no (Australian) man has gone before, with the word that he has beaten Russell Crowe to a starring role in the upcoming Star Trek film. - Thanks, all

From UK film critic/blogger Michael Morgan, who will interview Russell this week: "Hiya, Can you put a link on your site today asking people to get their questions in for Russell by Thursday am GMT...cheers! Michael"

The Wrexham Evening Leader: Return of the gladiator --When Gladiator star Russell Crowe arrives in Wrexham to take part in a 'family tree' TV programme he's sure of a huge Welsh welcome, not just from his family but from his fans too. The date of his arrival has yet to be confirmed and details may well be kept secret so that he can visit local sites in peace, The Evening Leader reported the connection between the town and the star back in 2001 when a Wrexham woman researching her family tree uncovered the link.... - Thanks, Steph

The Daily Post: Russell Crowe to revisit his roots in North Wales -- Last night a BBC spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that we have commissioned a special Coming Home documentary about Russell Crowe retracing his family roots to Wales. “Plans for filming are already under way, and everyone involved is very excited about working with yet another international superstar for Coming Home. “The programme will be broadcast on BBC Wales television next year.” - Thanks, Ivani

Constant Crowe Updates: I have the Green Eyes clip from Yuma thanks to Film Spot's web site! (Thanks to Flakeroo for the link!) Also, thanks to Irina, I have a clip from the Parenting DVD, Raising Children, available to purchase for Australian delivery addresses only at the Raising Children website. And finally, thanks to Jean (CroweCrazed) I have a WONDERFUL find!! A behind-the-scenes vid from UK telly's E! channel for 3:10 to Yuma!!

The Ampersand Blog - The National Post: Early Oscar frontrunners lead with a push -- "...All this and another two for the price of one. Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington in American Gangster. It's got the mob. It's got heroin. It's got Crowe as a cop and Washington as a dope dealer. And it's got 1970s hair and music. Although I'm not saying GoodFellas. But against type I am saying. Denzel's bad guy versus Russell's good guy. Stretching those acting instruments." - Thanks, Allison

Wisconsin fans: Don’t miss the chance to see a sneak preview of Ridley Scott's American Gangster starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe on Tuesday, October 30. at the Marcus Point Ultrascreen Cinema. Win tickets here! - Thanks, Allison

PR Newswire: MovieTicket.com poll reveals -- MovieTickets.com, the world's most powerful Internet movie ticketing service, has revealed the results of a poll conducted among 2000 active moviegoers to determine which films scheduled for release over the next 12 months are generating the most interest. According to the highly-qualified pool of moviegoers, films based on existing properties such as the Indiana Jones, Batman and Chronicles of Narnia installments and Iron Man are of greatest interest, with only American Gangster and I Am Legend as the only original films breaking into the top 10. The MovieTickets.com poll results reveal early, valuable insight into which movies scheduled for release over the next year are generating the most interest among active moviegoers. - Thanks, Maria

Hollywood Movie Awards: "Now YOU, the movie fan, have a chance to vote for your favorite movie of the past year. The nominees below have been selected by the Hollywood Film Festival Award Committee and the final awards will be presented at the Hollywood Movie Awards Gala Ceremony on October 22. Be sure to cast your vote in all three categories: Hollywood Movie of the Year Award, Hollywood Female Star of the Year Award, Hollywood Male Star of the Year Award."(Everyone vote!) - Thanks, Sue M

Constant Crowe Updates: Thanks to a head's-up from Ree, I have an AG trailer from today's Law & Order on TNT! Also, thanks to Chattles, same trailer appeared on NBC's Heroes tonight! From ESPN-Espanol, more from the Michigan game! The voiceover is in Spanish, but there's a lot of an interview with Russell we haven't seen! (Thanks, vsecin!) From a post from AnneCB on MR, I found a video from E! Online of an extended version of the Maximus vs Batman interview with Jason Kennedy! Finally: c alling all MAC users!! Ro has made the American Gangster Countdown Widget! You can download the zip file off the main page!

Missininfotv.com: Rza talks about the upcoming Wu song “My Heart Gently Weeps” -- Check out this video of him discussing how the fates came together to make the song happen. I love how he says Russell Crowe gave him a vintage guitar after shooting “American Gangster” and that he made Dhani Harrison (son of George Harrison) use the guitar for the song. And his comparision between music and heroin is dope. Lol. - Thanks, Maria

news.com.au: CANDICE Falzon may have found a lifesaver in the Seven Network, which will feature the notorious ironwoman in a documentary and audition her for singing series It Takes Two. More famed for her recent social escapades than her athletic career, Seven will help to get Falzon's career back on track when it premieres new documentary series Australia Revealed on October 21. Narrated by Russell Crowe, the series will tell the stories of prominent Australians and their connections to the land... - Thanks, Allison

NOTE: The Premiere of SSS on Versus is at 10:00 PM on Wednesday the 10th. After that it will be scheduled at 10:30 PM. Here again is the schedule for you to copy for recording. (The first episode is entitled "The Pride of the League.") - My page for the series is HERE

Michael Morgan will have an interview with Russell after Michael attends the screening of AG in London. It should be available tomorrow.

Save the date! What: 80th annual Academy Awards -- When: Sunday, February 24, 2008 -- Where: Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles, CA -- Channel: ABC

Related - The Edmunton Sun: Interview with Joaquin Phoenix -- Although all such predictions are purely speculative this early on, Phoenix's performance is the kind of high-wire act the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences tends to notice. Phoenix has already been to the awards twice -- with a best supporting actor nom for Gladiator and best actor for Walk the Line. In both cases, he says, "it was like, go around, do a lot of things, wearing the suit, hey hey. The first one, I didn't have to do as much, Russell (Crowe) did everything and I was working out of the country when Gladiator came out right up to the Oscars. For Walk the Line, I was here, so they had me." - Thanks, Allison

From barbiecat: "On page 69 of the new EW in the "What to Watch" section, there's a picture of Russell and piece on the South Sydney Show! They recommend watching on this 10/10 and give the series a B+. There's no snark either, which is refreshing."

from Anon: "I've been seeing a commerical for the new Ben Stiller film, "Heartbreak Kid" in it, Ben is sitting at a table at a wedding with 2 other men, and they say to him "hey mister, are you gay?" and he looks annoyed and replies NO! and they go, "Quick, who's hotter? Brad Pitt or Russell Crowe?" and he replies "Brad Pitt" and they point to him and go "a-ha!", and he replies "wait, I thought you meant whose career is hotter." Well, we all know whos hotter on both counts." :)

The possibility of a concert in Florida is still open. No more info than that at present.

Variety: Booking talkshows spawns rigid rules - Actors crowd couches to tout work -- One must abide by the whims of stars. Julia Roberts prefers "Letterman," while Russell Crowe is more comfortable chatting with Jay Leno. Sean Penn is a Charlie Rose kind of guy. - Thanks, Allison

Variety: Kudo season kicking and screening -- Major critics resent 'Blood's' Fantastic debut -- Similarly, parent company Universal began screening Ridley Scott's Denzel Washington-Russell Crowe starrer "American Gangster" for "opinion-makers" in Hollywood in mid-September. The pic doesn't bow until Nov. 2. - Thanks, Allison

Constant Crowe Update: Thanks to Versus, I've got the new promo ad for the South Sydney Story premiering on October 10th!

The IMDb says this about Nottingham: Status: Pre-production -- Comments: Shooting set to begin January 2008. - Status Updated: 2 October 2007 - Thanks, Ivani

The MacCool's after-event is just that - A place for fans to gather after the January 26 game. No band appearance is planned.

If you want to share information on the game in January, the best place to do so is the Crowe News Back-Up blog. I will have a post there that invites comments about rooms, roommates wanted etc.

News about the Florida Game/post game event -- The Jacksonville Axemen site has details of the official post game event venue up on their home page www.jaxaxe.com (see right column notice) it looks like it's going to be held at Fionn MacCool's Irish pub at Jacksonville Beach - Thanks, bejay

jaxaxe.com: "As of Monday afternoon the Axemen had reported that tickets had been sold to people in 36 different states and from 6 other countries. Although they had expected some from Canada, Australia and the UK, they have been surprised at ticket orders from Germany, Sweden and Portugal. The Australia Day game between the South Sydney Rabbitohs from Australia (that is co owned by actor Russell Crowe and successful business man Peter Holmes a Court) and their UK equivalent, The Leeds Rhinos (who have been one of Rugby Leagues world powerhouse clubs for many years) will be an historic event in the sport."

PopMatters: A documentary on Nicky Barnes and the connections to American Gangster. -- Mr Untouchable - "Potentially undermined by the Ridley Scott/ Denzel Washington/ Russell Crowe drama that’s arriving in theaters this November (American Gangster), Mr. Untouchable is still a compelling, if confused, expose." - Thanks, barbiecat

BBC News (Nottingham related): Sherwood Forest 'is under threat' -- The home of legendary outlaw Robin Hood in Nottinghamshire is under threat, according to forestry officials. Sherwood Forest used to cover more than 100,000 acres in the middle of England, but now covers only 450 acres. Nottinghamshire County Council hopes to be given a £50m lottery grant to protect what it describes as "an incredibly important wildlife reserve". - Thanks, Amelie

Hollywood Wire Tap: OSCAR HOPEFULS LOOK TO AVOID THE HEX OF THE HYPE (ENV) -- Universal's powerful "American Gangster," on the other hand, is opening Nov. 2 and seems to have a different tact by screening every single week, putting it out there for all to see whenever they want.

Variety: Prestige pictures get super-sized Studios, filmmakers clash over running times -- "Also jumping into the awards race is Imagine-Universal and Ridley Scott's Nov. 7 release a period gangster epic pitting kingpin Denzel Washington against honest cop Russell Crowe. Its running time: almost 2½ hours. In this case, Oscar-worthy predecessors include Scorsese's and "The Departed" and Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" trilogy. Back in 1972, in fact, when Paramount told Coppola to add 20 minutes to his cut of "The Godfather," the director couldn't believe his ears." - Thanks, Allison

Incontention.com: Ridley Scott’s “American Gangster” is the most “New York” film the cinema has seen since Martin Scorsese’s “Mean Streets.” Every frame of the effort oozes the grime and grit of 1970s Manhattan, that sort of thorough representation that leaves you almost catching a whiff of sewer exhaust or feeling the bite of a northeasterly rain. And yet, as AMERICAN as the film and its subject matter are, there is the strange awareness that a Brit is at the helm, a sense of European observation to it all. Though Scott was a New Yorker in the 70s and knows the territory through which he navigates, it is that curious disconnect which makes “American Gangster” somewhat unique in this generally agreed upon sub-genre of hard-boiled cinema. - Thanks, Kris C

Constant Crowe Updates: For anyone who's sworn off "drilling" thanks to "Texas" you can email me for an easy step by step way to see all the vids on the Official American Gangster website. Also, Jean has done it again! From "CroweCrazed Productions" a VERY fun Illustrated Song using Elvis' "Way Down" and featuring... Well, you'll see! Click here to go directly to Jean's Illustrated Song page!

The OC Register: This is an update from the writer on last week's column on stars and their screen time where Russell was in the 90 minute category: "I got a lot of flak from Russell Crowe's fans, who felt that I had slighted their celluloid hero by putting him in the 90-minute category. They have a point. I may have let my personal feelings about the surly star get in the way of my good judgment. I happen to think he is an excellent actor with a pretty good face. I loved his 2000 film "Gladiator," and checked on its running time. When it opened in theaters, it was a 155-minute movie. Later, an extended version ran for 171 minutes. That's almost three hours, and I certainly had no problem looking at his face for that length of time. So, I am offering a qualified correction on Russell Crowe. If he plays a Roman general, I'll put him in the three-hour group. Otherwise, I'll elevate him to two hours. That's the best I can do." - Thanks, Allison

From Allison: Denzel is scheduled for Regis & Kelly on Friday, 10/19. - Thanks, Allison, Ivani

Dave Poland at The Hot Button on AG: "There are two fronts in my mind regarding Ridley Scott’s new film, American Gangster. On one side, there is the side that is blown away by the work of a truly skilled filmmaker, some excellent actors – many of whom are wasted in tiny roles - a great story, and a 70s spirit of filmmaking that is a pleasure to see on the big screen in 2007. On the other side, there is this movie about the Scarface/Godfather of Harlem in the 70s drug trade who kept a remarkable emotional distance from the dark side of his actions that would end up making him dangerous in ways that no one could imagine. And then there is this white guy who ended up catching him, kind of...." - And Jeffrey Wells response to Poland - Thanks, Cindy

The Star Tribune: Movies: An enlightened look at the Middle Ages with Terry Jones (Monty Python - Nottingham related?) - "When Terry Jones, who studied history at Oxford University, co-directed, co-wrote and co-starred in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," he was lampooning an epoch he understood very well. Post-Python, Jones has created a new career as a medieval scholar with a lighthearted approach to serious academic topics." -- Thanks, barbiecat

The Daily Telegraph: Hoping for Cate '08 Oscar glory --- "Portraying substantially well-known characters is Blanchett's specialty. She's done it with ease in Aviator, Elizabeth and in the forthcoming Bob Dylan epic I'm Not There. It's this quality that puts Blanchett among only a handful of actors in the world, including fellow countryman Russell Crowe. Cleverly, their celebrity never overshadows their performance... Other Australians in good contention are Crowe for American Gangster..." - Thanks, Allison

Russell is done filming in Morocco - Now to morph into The Sheriff of Nottingham!

From Russell for Oz fans: "in limited amount, restaurant cuts from JOCELYND FARM nana glen, black standard beef, is available at d'arcy's in paddington ,sydney.
rc"

MovingPictureBlog: (The man who wrote the Cowboys and indians cover story): "... Meanwhile, back at the ranch... Received a very gracious letter the other day from Russell Crowe, thanking me for the 3:10 to Yuma piece I wrote for Cowboys & Indians magazine. In the same note, however, he politely pointed out that… that… well, that I had screwed up. Or, as he diplomatically

phrased it, that I had included stuff in the article “that was a little askew.” Specifically: Based on outdated and/or incorrect information I had obtained elsewhere, I made passing reference “the 100-acre spread [Crowe] maintains five hours from Sydney, along the coastal flats of New South Wales, where he raises Brangus cattle.” - Thanks, Cindy (Here is Russell's post on this)

Left: Hofffman, Ferris - Thanks to Aunty Mi (They are shooting in Rabat, Morocco)

Stock Photo Industry Press Releases: Archival material from Vietnam War-era 1970s provides historical context for Universal Pictures drama from director Ridley Scott and Oscar®-winning producer Brian Grazer New York, NY, Oct. 02, 2007. BBC Motion Gallery, the stock footage arm of BBC Worldwide, announced today that it has licensed 10 minutes of material for use in the forthcoming Universal Pictures’ drama American Gangster. - Thanks, barbiecat

New York Magazine: Is ‘American Gangster’ the Black ‘Godfather’? -- "Jay-Z’s “Heart of the City” is a safe but solid, throwback-sounding soundtrack for a film about seventies New York’s drug kingpin Frank Lucas. (It's based on a New York article by Mark Jacobson.) The trailer is a relentless Coppola-cribbing sell, old-fashioned and dripping in so many Americana gang clichés you imagine you know exactly what's going to happen. They show too much. Still, Denzel looks sharp, Common's barely in the trailer (smart!) and Russell Crowe, as the cop, looks appropriately gruff and Insider-husky. But Crowe's accent? Australian? New Yawk? It's the trailer's lone mystery." - Thanks, Kris C

Daily Poll - IMDb: I think Russell Crowe's best higher-profile role to date is in the movie ... (Suggested by "tygurec") - Thanks, Ivani, Kris C

Metro Co UK: 60 Second interview -- Debbie Harry is the legendary singer with Blondie, who achieved global stardom in the late 1970s thanks to Harry's good looks and their catchy choruses. Now over 60, Harry has just released Necessary Evil, her first solo album for 14 years, and has allowed the Blondie songs to be used in the new musical version of Desperately Seeking Susan....It must be nice to have so many people say such nice things about you. -- "Yeah, sure, it doesn’t hurt. A lot of musicians have said they’re fans. I’ve been more surprised by some actors who have said they were fans. Who’s that nutty Australian actor guy who’s really great? Russell Crowe! Him. He’s a wonderful actor and said he was a fan and David Caruso said he was a big fan too, which threw me." - Thanks, Allison

Popcornjunkies.com: Yuma (Scroll) -- "...These guys especially belonged in Westerns, bringing the wilderness to its knees while showing outlaws and brigands a thing or two about justice, all the while usually playing an outlaw themselves. I was thinking about that discussion after I watched Russell Crowe in 3:10 to Yuma, and the realization came to me that my argument was suddenly moot. As if he were starring in his 30th Western instead of his second, Russell Crowe makes the genre his own and gives my favorite performance of the year so far." - Thanks, Avril

DefJam: American Gangster Soundtrack to be released November 6 on by Island/ Def Jam! -- AMERICAN GANGSTER SOUNDTRACK ALBUM TO BE RELEASED NOVEMBER 6 BY ISLAND DEF JAM MUSIC GROUP DRAMA STARRING OSCAR® WINNERS DENZEL WASHINGTON AND RUSSELL CROWE ARRIVES IN THEATERS ON NOVEMBER 2 New single, “Do You Feel Me” by Anthony Hamilton, composed by Diane Warren, impacts at Urban AC radio on October 1st Album also features classic blues, R&B, soul and hip-hop from Lowell Fulson, John Lee Hooker, Bobby Womack, Sam & Dave, the Staple Singers, and Public Enemy; plus new tracks by Hank Shocklee and Marc Streitenfeld - Thanks, Cindy

Turner Classic Movies: Guest Programmer: James Mangold - 10/3 -- The producer, screenwriter and director (3:10 to Yuma) co-hosts a night of favorite movies with Robert Osborne including Woody Allen's Manhattan (1979) and Meet John Doe (1941) starring Gary Cooper.

The Hollywood Reporter: "Hitching onto the fifth spot was Lionsgate's R-rated Western drama "3:10 to Yuma," which gleaned an estimated $4.2 million in its fourth weekend. "Yuma" is the first R-rated drama of the year to place in the top five for four consecutive weekends. The well-received remake, starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, has generated $43.9 million so far." - Thanks, Ivani

AG related TV alert: Ruby Dee is scheduled to be on Tavis Smiley this Friday. - Thanks, Allison

Screen Daily: Black Book star Carice van Houten has signed up for two new projects: Ridley Scott's Body of Lies and Repossession Mambo. In the Ridley Scott directed Body of Lies, the Dutch actress co-stars next to Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. Her production days are scheduled this week in Morocco. Right after finishing that project, she flies to Toronto to join the set of sci-fi Repossession Mambo. Van Houten is cast in the project as Jude Law's wife.

October 2007 News