January 31

E! on line: Insurer Wants Account of Renée's Cinderella Days -- An insurance agency wants to make sure Renée Zellweger wasn't living it up while playing a Depression-era wife. The Oscar-winning actress apparently received $3 million from the insurer when Russell Crowe dislocated his shoulder and filming on 2005's Cinderella Man was delayed for seven days. - Thanks, Allison

January 30

Scans of Empire Magazine March 2009 - SOP - Thanks, Sarah

US Weekly: Renee Zellweger Rates Kissing Her Costars - On Friday's Rachel Ray Show, the celeb chef asks Renee Zellweger what it's like smooching some of Hollywood's hottest A-listers. See what a body language expert had to say about these famous A-list smooches Here's what the New In Town actress, 39, had to say: Russell Crowe (Cinderella Man): "He's intense. He takes his work really seriously. And that's really interesting, it's interesting." ...

Golden Ager's calendars are now on line to print out

The Insider: Charlie Crowe’s First Day Of School - Thanks, Allison

From "Schmiddy in the UK:" March's Empire magazine dropped on my mat this morning, Nice piece in it on State of Play ~ mentions RC eating chocolate covered strawberries!

January 29

A friend gave me a copy of a Brit TV show on ITV, Above Suspicion. In the episode I'm watching, one of the detectives said a limo driver, who was driving a celebrity suspect, couldn't have been near a murder because "he was in Madagascar driving Russell Crowe."

Video of Russell at an Italian press conference around the time of Yuma - He was having fun --- Thanks, Anna

The Courier Mail au: Russell Crowe gets back in shape

The Herald Sun: Russell Crowe takes son to school for first day - Thanks, Pat

Related: Carla Gugino, Mrs Richie Roberts in AG, just opened in Chicago's Goodman Theater's "Desire Under the Elms" to excellent reviews. "a careermaking performance...arresting and courageous." The Chicago Tribune was not as kind to her costar, Brian Dennehy. - "...As in Martin Sherman’s play “Bent,” the farm men cart these stones from one arid place to a pointless other, lending the play a Beckettian quality and contrasting utterly with the lithesome sexuality of Carla Gugino, who, in what could be a career-making performance, plays the woman desired and possessed by two generations of inadequate Cabot men." Thanks, Jeannine

Empire on line: Exclusive: State of Play Poster - Crowe and Affleck get serious - Thanks, rizeandshine (Click on the thumbnail for a larger size.)

Mashable: YouTube’s New Users: Denzel, Crowe, and Bay? -- The world’s #1 video site is “close to signing a deal” with the famous William Morris Agency, home to Hollywood stars like Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, and Michael Bay. According to The New York Times, the concept is to give top talent ownership in the videos they produce, using YouTube’s massive distribution to spread them virally.

Related: Variety International: William Nicholson to write '1066' - Shine Pictures fast tracks pic -- "Gladiator" scribe William Nicholson is dusting off his sword and sandals to write "1066," about the epochal confrontation between King Harold and William the Conqueror for control of England's throne that culminated in the Battle of Hastings."

TV Squad: This Friday on Letterman: Bill Hicks?! -- ...Hicks wasn't for everyone, but you have to admire how much he threw himself into his role as a stand-up comic. A lot of people say that Denis Leary borrowed a lot of his act from Hicks, and I don't know if that's true or fair, but I think it is fair to say that a lot of comics were heavily influenced by him. Russell Crowe might play Hicks in a movie. - Thanks, Oz Fan

Videos of Russell and Alan D at the Shamrock fest last year in DC - Thanks, Lynda

The Daily Mail (pap pics): Russell and family at Bondi Beach - Thanks, Maria

January 28

For Valentine's Day, tell us your favorite romantic scene in a Crowe film

January 27

Rotten Tomatoes: Best Reviewed Pictures of all time - #71 - Also # 72 - Thanks, Mike (Main page here)

The Australian: We're checking out of doing research -- "...If that means we have to write that Russell Crowe won a Nobel Prize for Economics using his mathematical prowess, so be it.'

January 26

The Telegraph au: Redfern return a sell-out - Thanks, CGee

Business Week: What's Wrong with the Populist Stimulus Plan -- It may sound good at first, but $10,000 in every pot wouldn't solve the nation's economic woes - In September, actor Russell Crowe got into the act, proposing to Jay Leno on The Tonight Show a plan that would toss $1 million to all 300 million Americans. The math for such a scheme is faulty—that plan would cost $300 trillion, not the $300 million Crowe envisioned—a sum far beyond the ability of even the most spendthrifty politicians. Such a large personal stimulus check from Washington has zero grounding in reality.

This is Nottingham: Cate Blanchett a target for Nottingham movie?

January 25

The image from that German article posted yesterday

The SMH: Long wait for Weir's way -- IT HAS taken six years but one of Australia's leading filmmakers, Peter Weir, is about to start shooting a new movie. The director, whose many hits have included Picnic At Hanging Rock, Gallipoli, Witness and The Truman Show, has not made a film since teaming with Russell Crowe for Master And Commander. - Thanks, Steph

January 24

Russell quotes at quotelucy.com

For the charactor page, I need a quote from Russell about - Cal McCaffery, Ed Hoffman, Detective Cristofouro and Richie Roberts - E-mail me with your find

The Irish Times: Finding the story within history -- "I wonder if Howard had also resented the way he was often typecast. Red-haired with prominent ears, he was constantly asked to play the well-meaning, unthreatening kid from the bland suburb with the sunlit beech trees. Now somewhat bald with mild facial crevices, he looks very much like that youngster’s kindly grandfather. “Yeah, I also didn’t like my acting all that much,” he agrees. “I felt that I had much more to offer. Maybe I was appropriately typecast. Who can say? One of the reasons I would like to act now is that I have been directing actors like Cate Blanchett and Russell Crowe and, now, Michael Sheen and Frank Langella. They are actors who really dig down deep. I would like to see if any of that has rubbed off on me.” - Thanks, Cindy

From Darrin: I have scans and a translation of an interview that Russell did for Body Of Lies with OK Magazine in Germany, thanks to MIMO!

January 23

Anybody have a quote from Russell on the character he played in the last six films he has made - will make? - See this page - and then e mail me with a quote - Thanks,

Land of the Second Chance Video - Thanks, Oz Fan

iReport Blog: My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius - (Fav movie lines) - Thanks, Ro

The Daily Telegraph au: What Australia means to Russell Crowe - "I was working on a new record at the time. A morning or two previously I had sent to my songwriting partner, Alan Doyle, a photograph of a Charles Blackman painting that depicted a cane cutter, head bowed in the fields, a Florentine dome beyond the sugar cane and three women floating in the air. It was called The Dream Of The Cane Cutter: Passing Angels. For some reason, I thought there was a song in that painting."- Thanks, Steph

The Daily Princetonian: Nash Up -- "...So why all the fuss? Today, sitting in the gallery at Frist, was John Nash. The John Nash played by Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind. (Which strangely comes to mind more quickly than his Nobel Prize or invention of Game Theory)."

tsnOzWorld is offering the Crowe stamps and booklet. They accept Pay Pal (The Daily Telegraph has a gallery of the stamps)

The AAP: RC and Dani at the Australian Day Luncheon - Thanks, ivani

The Australian: Stars kick off Aussie long weekend -- The Australia Day Luncheon - AUSSIE A-listers Cate Blanchett, Russell Crowe and Geoffrey Rush added a touch of glitz to Australia Day celebrations as they kicked off today. The Oscar-winning trio fronted for the 25th Australia Day Lunch at Sydney's Darling Harbour, where fireworks will close Australia Day celebrations on Monday after a long weekend packed with events. The actors posed alongside Australia Post 2009 Legends Stamps bearing their images before being presented with gold replicas. A playful Crowe, dressed in a black suit and open-neck white shirt, asked the crowd: "Do you think Cate and I should do a film together?'' After a rousing "yes'', Blanchett asked if Crowe should join her at the Sydney Theatre Company. "I'm free,'' Rush interjected, drawing laughter." - Thanks, Ivani

Fox News: Kate: Oscar But No Maid Marian -- "...Producers are mulling a back up plan, I’m told, waiting to make an offer to Rachel Weisz. This seems almost perfect, as Weisz may be the right price and just at the right point in her career to have "Nottingham" make a difference in upping her profile. And if she doesn’t take it, my suggestion to the producers is Jennifer Ehle. But no one asked me!" - Thanks, Ivani

The Mail UK: Baz Bamigboye -- Sienna Miller to make her Broadway debut as 'sexually provocative' landowner's daughter (More on Nottingham) - Thanks, Cindy

Access Hollywood: Pics of Russell over the years - Thanks, Pat

January 22

From Oz Fan: Tomorrow in The Daily Telegraph (Saturday 24th January, 2009) -- "Why I love Oz" - Russell Crowe writes exclusively about Australia [Nothing on site as yet]

Film Related: The Oscar Nominations are in - If we can't have Russell this year, we have Robert Downey Jr's imitation of him in Tropic Thunder as a best supporting nominee

Variety: Milestone Award: Brian Grazer and Ron Howard -- PGA honors 'Angels and Demons' producers - Thanks, Allison

ABC News: Kiwis cranky over 'Australian' Russell Crowe stamp

January 21

A Video for Australia Day (January 26) - Thanks, Oz Fan

Looks like you can buy the Russell stamps HERE - Thanks, Steph

eonline: Rate A Trailer - (SOP) - Thanks, Allison (There is a place to comment)

Related: Easy Living Magazine: Paul Bettany: My Life In Books - Thanks, Renee

The Daily Telegraph: Aussie stars get licked - FOUR of Australia's top actors will soon be appearing in a letter box near you. Academy Award winners Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush have appeared on many stages in their time, but none so small as the humble household letter box.

Aceshowbiz.com: A Glimpse of 'Tenderness' Through U.K. Trailer - "Directed by "Hide and Seek" helmer John Polson, the psychological thriller is penned by Emil Stern from Robert Cormier' novel. The movie sees Russell Crowe stars as Cristofuoro, Jon Foster as Eric Poole and Sophie Traub as Lori. It is yet to have its U.S. release date." - Thanks, Liu --- Also at Trailer Addict - Thanks, Cindy

eadtco.uk: Gladiator - Hall of fame for ace cameraman - Thanks, Allison

Variety: U.K. film production drops 23% - 2008 spend was $806 million for 111 films -- A clutch of big-budget pics are skedded to lense this year in the U.K. including Jack Black starrer “Gulliver’s Travels” for Fox, Warner Bros.’ “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and helmer Ridley Scott’s “Nottingham,” starring Russell Crowe.

Body Of Lies get 5 stars from Netflix - Thanks, Mike

January 20 - Inauguration Day

CBC.ca Radio: The top 49 (one of the choices is Ordinary Day by GBS) -- From January 5th-16th, 2009, CBC Radio 2 invited Canadians to help select the top “49 songs from north of the 49th parallel” that would best define our country to the incoming U.S. President Barack Obama. You submitted your nominations. You came back and voted for the top 49 songs that help define Canada. This is your top 49 Songs (all songs are listed by song title, then artist) - Thanks, Lynda

The SMH news: NICOLE KIDMAN has been given a good licking by the media in recent months. Now it's the Australian public's turn, with the actor joining her fellow Australian Academy Award winners Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush to adorn a series of stamps celebrating actors. The stamps will be unveiled by Australia Post at a gala luncheon in Darling Harbour on Friday. Australia Day is marked each year with stamps celebrating the achievements of prominent citizens. Rush is the only one who won an Oscar for playing an Australian character - the pianist David Helfgott in the film Shine.... Blanchett, who is performing in the Sydney Theatre Company's The War Of The Roses, Rush and Crowe, who has been at his property at Nana Glen near Coffs Harbour, preparing for his role as Robin Hood in Nottingham, are all expected to attend on Friday. - Thanks, Pat

Alternet.org: In his first major campaign speech on March 18, 1968, Robert Kennedy warned against measuring ourselves by wealth alone: "Yet the Gross National Product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile. And it can tell us everything about America except why we are proud that we are Americans." [Today we are all proud to be Americans]

Golden Ager has done some lovely monthly calendars for 2009

If you are having trouble viewing this page, a reminder that the back up blog is HERE

IMDbDaily Poll: From this list of memorable character exits, which would you pick as the greatest? - Thanks, Kris C

January 19

Fox411: Paging Maid Marian - Robin Hood’s Maid Marian is about to get a little more mature. I’m told that since Sienna Miller has left “Nottingham,” the latest big screen retelling of the Robin Hood saga, director Ridley Scott is now looking for an actress more in the range of “35 to 40” to play opposite Russell Crowe ... Scott and Crowe, meanwhile, are said to be at peace after a period of fighting. Their disagreements are said to be legendary after making so many films together. Last fall at the premiere of “Body of Lies,” a failed Crowe-Scott collaboration, one actor told me, “They fight like father and son all the time.” And who wins? “The one with the money, of course. Russell.”. - Thanks, Steph

From CGee: Here’s just a blurb from the Souths website about Memberships exceeding the 2008 level and reaching 6660. It’s quite an achievement considering that it’s not even the beginning of the preseason games.

Google News: Quotes by Russell - Thanks, Vera

January 18

The West.com.au:Travelling museum a tribute to father of country music -- Long before Australians claimed New Zealand stars Russell Crowe, the Finn brothers and Sam Neil as their own, there was country singer Tex Morton. Morton, who was born in Nelson, New Zealand, in 1916, spent his life performing in Australia and around the world.

U Magazine scan - the quote by Josh Brolin - Thanks, Kris C

Faceinthehole.com: Want to put a favorite face on Ben Wade? (3:10 To Yuma) - Click HERE - Thanks, Steph

The Uk Guardian: Russell Crowe and his larger-than-life new role - Thanks, Sue

Related - From Lynda: Alan Doyle has composed the music for a brand new Nintendo DS game, as reported on the CNN Money website -- Majesco Entertainment Announces Puffins: Island Adventure for Nintendo DS(TM) --- "...Music composition features the talent of one of Canada’s most popular artists, Alan Doyle, frontman for the world renowned band Great Big Sea. In addition, Puffins: Island Adventure also features 4 player local and 2 player Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection multiplayer modes."

January 16

Scroll at this Flicker site for pictures of Russell's Museum of Interesting Things - Thanks, Maria

Related: Moviesonline: Paul Bettany Interview, InkHeart (He is his usual witty self) - Thanks, Maria

Russell and Barak Obama have something in common - Ben's Chili Bowl - (Russell filmed a scene there for SOP - Barak ate there the other day)

Related: The Hollywood Reporter - Casey Affleck helming Joaquin Phoenix docu - Film to track actor-turned-rapper's musical career

Vancouver Sun: State of Play (April 17): Starring Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels and Helen Mirren. Director Kevin Macdonald made a big impression with The Last King of Scotland, and with the help of this all-star cast, he's destined to score another sanguine bull's-eye with State of Play. Not only is Tony Gilroy (see Duplicity) on the writing credits, but this movie featuring Crowe as a DC reporter who stumbles into a sticky web of political payola gets even more interesting when you factor in rising political careers and corporate scandal. The only alarm bell is Michael Matthew Carnahan (Lions for Lambs, The Kingdom) - a man who's been able to destroy several good ideas already with high-minded, but hackneyed, screenwriting. The upside is Crowe, who can take even the limpest lines and give them muscle. - Thanks, Ro

Off Topic: For these slow Crowe times and cold winter days -- What are you reading? Tell us in the comments section of this post at my books blog

January 15

From Bejay: "Not sure if this has been sent to you yet, but Body of Lies is available for pre-order now on Amazon.co.uk for region 2 (UK and Europe). The release date is March 23 and it is available on DVD for 11.98 and BluRay for 17.98."

Here is the Wordle you helped create (Click for large size) - and Thanks!

.

You may print it out for framing

Variety: AG Related -(So happy about this. Idris is one of my favs from The Wire [Stringer Bell]) - Idris Elba gets 'Office' space -- NBC to sign deal with Cheadle's Creshendo

January 14

The Observer: Related -- Move Over Angelina! -- Lastly, we gotta say that while we know he’s already pretty famous, we truly expect Jason Bateman to be at the tippy-top of the A-list, even beyond Mr. Reynolds, this year. Mr. Bateman, we’ve loved you since Little House! And, with State of Play, co-starring Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck, plus the Mike Judge movie and the who-knows status of the Arrested Development movie this year, we really think this could be it for you. One things for sure: It’s Teen Wolf Too no more!

Beliefnet.com: The free music download from iTickets this week is from Ayiesha Woods. The song is "The Remedy," from her 2006 debut album, Introducing Ayiesha Woods. The album garnered Woods a Grammy nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, as well as nabbing an additional nod in the Dove Awards New Artist Of The Year category. Her hit single "Happy" was also used an ad campaign for the DVD release of the Russell Crowe film, "A Good Year."

January 13

San Jose Mercury News: Sydney's best at bargain prices - Woolloomooloo mentioned

The AP: Sequels, prequels, remakes lead 2009 pack

Send in one word that describes your hopes for Russell in 2009. Please post HERE in the Yuku Crowe Forum. I will gather the top 10 and make a Wordle from them for all of us to print out and save.

January 12

The LA Times: Movie Sneaks 2009 (#13) - Thanks, Steph

Off Topic (This year) I've added a topic in my forum on last night's Golden Globes. Tell us what you think.

Fox News Entertainment - Pre Globes column - "We also ran into Josh Brolin, who got a kick out of the press resulting from this column’s first report about his Russell Crowe speech on Monday in New York. “I got an email from Russell,” Josh told me. “He thought it was hilarious.” - Thanks, Oz Fan

January 11

January 10

Get the bigpicture.net: Rumor Patrol: Crowe Not Ruining 'Nottingham' - Thanks, Maria

Parade: Vote for your favorite Oscar Winner -- With Oscar season heating up, PARADE and Entertainment Tonight want to know your picks for the top Oscar winners of all time! Cast your votes below. - Thanks, Allison

The Guardian: (Snarky) - A peek at the diary of ... Russell Crowe

This is Nottingham (Not sure how reliable) : Sienna Miller 'quits Nottingham movie -- 'Actress Sienna Miller is reported to have pulled out of the movie Nottingham because of the behaviour of co-star Russell Crowe. Internet reports [who? No source given] say the British star - who was supposed to play Maid Marian - left during pre-production yesterday. Filming on The Ridley Scott movie begins in spring but it will not be released by Universal Studios until 2010.

From Darrin: I have scans and a translation from German to English of an interview with Russell, Ridley & Leo to promote the German opening of "Body of Lies" from Germany's TV Talk magazine, HUGE thanks to Mimo for doing the translation and sending the scans!

January 9

I did a Wordle of Russell's Upcoming Films

 

LindaK made a "Wordle" for Russell. Click for larger size and source

Related: Ron Howard - Variety: DGA unveils film nominees

Related - Just Jared: The People's Choice Awards (Bale) - Christian Bale poses backstage during the 2009 People’s Choice Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on Wednesday (January 7) in Los Angeles. The Dark Knight won every category it was nominated in at last night’s People’s Choice Awards. The film took home five categories, including Favorite Superhero, Favorite Movie, Favorite Action Movie, Favorite Cast, and Favorite Onscreen Match-Up (Christian Bale and Heath Ledger). “On behalf of all of the cast from the movie, thank you very much to the fans,” said Bale. “Here’s to Heath.” - Thanks, Steph

Monsters and Critics: Universal Pictures and Rogue Pictures have announced their 2009 theatrical slate - (SOP)

Related -- From Ellen in Seattle: "Didn't know if you ever watched that show called The Mentalist with Simon Baker or not.  Wanted to let you know that I noticed on last night's episode (aired Jan. 6th) that John Polson directed it.  Thought that was cool since both he & Simon Baker have connections to Russell through their work. It's the old 6 degrees of Separation.  I have also noticed that John Polson has directed and/or produced several episodes of Without a Trace."

January 7

MovieCrazed has a list of all the critics' roundups of the best of 2008 (Unfortunately, no BOL anywhere)

FlickFilosopher: Trailer Break: State Of Play -- "This is gonna be an interesting test for me. The American remake and truncation of the British miniseries of the same name looks rather intriguing from the trailer. Certainly, I’m a big fan of Russell Crowe, always love the intensity he brings to a role. I’m learning to love Ben Affleck when he sticks to character roles -- he’s a dreadful “movie star” but a good actor. I love Helen Mirren, and I really love that the role she’s playing here was played by a man -- Bill Nighy -- in the miniseries...." - Thanks, Steph

At the Russell Crowe Community Constant Crowe on Yuku, snaps of Russell at the opening of Redfern. Love the hair!! - Thanks, Darrin, via Maria

The release date for Nottingham is 2010, according to the IMDb - Thanks, Allison

The Hollywood Reporter: UK scribe Peter Morgan joins Hollywood royalty - "...Morgan also has plenty brewing on the fictional front with the forthcoming "State of Play," "The Jury" and "Hereafter," an original thriller that Clint Eastwood will direct."

The Irish Independent: Harris statue vandalised a second time

From Darrin: I have the Access Hollywood SOP First Look segment from last night's AH.

I'mnotobsessed: First off, Christian Bale was spotted strolling in Santa Monica. (In a Bunnies Hoodie) - Thanks, Deborah

Page Six on Josh Brolin (This will be the last link for this story, which is getting old) - Thanks, Kris C - - Though at Popeater, he has kinder things to say about Russell - Thanks, Laurie

January 6

Hollywood Reporter: Risky Business Blog (Gossipy) - At New York Film Critics Circle, Brolin being Brolin - "Quite an actor Sean Penn, quite an actor. [Pause] Amazing. [Pause] And now I'm an asshole. Like Russell Crowe.  Because I'm not as smart as Sean. [Pause] Quite an actor. [Pause] Amazing actor. I've loved you in Milk, I thought what you did with that role was incredible. We've known you as an actor who doesn't smile very much. And the fact that you smiled as much as you did in this film is amazing. Truly incredible. You are an amazing actor. You are going to get the Oscar. Because you smiled so much." -- Another version of the evening in The Carpetbagger - the NY Times. - It’s Up to You New York, New York - Thanks, Cindy (congrats!) and Maria

Variety: (Good read -- Acting & awards related, no Russell mentioned) - Many iconic actors never earned an Oscar

The National: Who will emulate the Cinderella Man? (Opinion) - Thanks, Allison

January 5

Breaking News from CNN: (Video) - Battlefield Germania - Thanks, Kris C

Hello Magazine: Vote for Russell as Most Attractive Man of the Year - Thanks, Ivani, Petra

1989 picture of Russell at this blog (on left) Caption reads -- - "Russell Crowe, Amanda Dole/Perkins and myself outside Radio Redfern, May Day 1989. Russell had just performed a few songs on my show, Radio Solidarity. He didn't come to the May Day march with us. Amanda is now an organiser for the National Union of Workers." - Thanks, Judy

Related (The Quick and The Dead) The NY Times: - Pat Hingle, Versatile Actor With Recurring Role in Batman Movies, Dies at 84 - Thanks, Steph

Rabbitohs.com: Rabbitohs Enter Redfern Oval -- The Bunnies had their first training day back at Redfern Oval. It was reported on a message board that Russell was there and he even gave a few fans a tour of the facilities. - Thanks, CGee

The NY Times: LOS ANGELES — Hollywood Super Stars save the day -- As companies big and small — if they still exist at all — trudge into January after a dismal 2008, the movie business is quietly celebrating solid if not spectacular results at the multiplex.... The ability of stars to open a movie may be fading in North America, but it remains powerful overseas. “Body of Lies,” a Warner release starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, did not do well in the United States, selling just $39 million in tickets. But it went on to do respectable business overseas, with its global total now over $100 million.

BBC News: Hollywood banks on lucrative 2009 - "...Elsewhere Martin Scorsese teams up with Leonardo DiCaprio for the fourth time in crime thriller Shutter Island, while Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck join forces for the film version of acclaimed BBC series State of Play."

January 4

Related: Stale Popcorn -- The Australian Films of 2009

Fan video - YouTube: Movies of 2008 (No Russell this time) - It's amazing to see how violent many of the films are)

Crowe Calender 09 (in progress)

The SF Gate: Best DVDs of 2008 - (#6) American Gangster -- Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe share the screen for what was one of the better dramas of 2007. As much as I enjoyed the DVD extras, I’m including American Gangster mainly because I think it’s a film that is well worth seeing for the sheer weight of the story. It’s gripping stuff, and with some of the historical fact and context, it makes for an interesting lesson from the streets of Harlem. ---- Honorable Mentions: While these films failed to offer great DVD features, here are a few of my favorite releases from the year that still deserve some attention. Since most of us don’t watch the features on DVDs more than once, these are just a few of the great movies worth a look if you missed them this year (in alphabetical order). ·  3:10 to Yuma - Thanks, Allison

The LA Times: Jewish guys get an image makeover -- In "American Gangster," for instance, Russell Crowe plays a Jewish detective who wears a Star of David but is also one of the guys..."But there is still a limiting way in which Jews are presented and seen and digested. There is more out there." True enough, but there are some who feel that characters like "American Gangster's" Richie Roberts are particularly empowering because their religion is essentially irrelevant. "Is it better that becoming a Jew becomes completely unexceptional? Yeah," (writer, Rich) Cohen says. "He's Jewish, but he also wears torn jeans and a leather coat. Others think, 'If you're Jewish, you're Jewish.' Is it better to be completely assimilated and disappear into American culture? Then that might mean [Jewishness] is something about you that might not be worth commenting on. It doesn't define that character." - Thanks, Allison

January 3

The SF Gate: The SF Gate - Forecast: Movies in 2009: State of Play (April 17) A political thriller set in Washington, D.C., starring Russell Crowe, Helen Mirren and Rachel McAdams, and directed by "The Last King of Scotland's" Kevin Macdonald - hey, we're there. Crowe stars as a reporter investigating a series of brutal murders that lead him to top politicians. Mirren is his tough editor and McAdams plays Woodward to his Bernstein. - Thanks, Steph

The LA Times Envelope: Untangling the SAG Awards-Oscars connection - A long analysis of SAG and Oscar awards over the past ten years - Russell is included.

January 2

High-Def Digest: Warner Exposes 'Body of Lies' Blu-ray Details -- As previously announced, Warner will debut the Leonardo DiCaprio-Russell Crowe box office disappointment on Blu-ray February 17, day-and-date with the standard DVD. ADVERTISEMENT Click here to find out more! Newly-confirmed extras include audio commentary with director Ridley Scott, screenwriter William Monahan, and original novel author David Ignatius, the "Interactive Debriefing" featurette and deleted scenes (both in HD). Exclusive to the Blu-ray is "Actionable Intelligence: Deconstructing Body of Lies," where key sequences are explored in depth via on-set footage and cast/crew interviews and exclusive features via BD-Live. - Thanks, Steph

From Layne: People.com: They Said What? - Cute video from the Regis & Kelly Show appearance with Russell explaining the meaning of Tenny's name.  Russell's is the third segment of the video.

This is Nottingham UK: Film: Looking forward to 2009 -- "HOLLYWOOD brings it gloss to STATE OF PLAY, based on Paul Abbott's BBC mini-series about a team of reporters work investigating the murder of a politician's mistress. Ben Affleck takes the David Morrissey role and Russell Crowe is his journalist mate (played in the original by John Simm). Bill Nighy's avuncular editor is replaced by Helen Mirren. Abbott hasn't written the script and the trailer seems OTT. But as the director is Brit Kevin Macdonald – the man behind Touching The Void and The Last King Of Scotland, this will still be well worth a look."

The Independent UK: Screen Talk: Brit TV classics to hit big screen -- Hollywood never rests. Although the talk this month is all about the forthcoming Oscars, many are already looking ahead to the 2010 Academy Awards. And two heavyweight adaptations of hit UK television series are the films on everyone's lips. First up is the Oscar-winning Brit director Kevin Macdonald's adaptation of the BBC thriller State of Play. The original, about a team of newspaper reporters investigating a political conspiracy, starred Bill Nighy, John Simm, Kelly Macdonald and a young James McAvoy. Universal and Working Title's new screen version, set to be released around the world in April, sees Russell Crowe, Jason Bateman, Robin Wright Penn, Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams take centre stage. - Thanks, Allison

Total Film (SOP): The 49 Films That Will Define 2009 - Thanks, Sue Mc, Allison

January 1, 2009

T.S. Eliot: "For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning."

YouTube - A young Russell advertises Avondale College - Thanks, Steph

From Mike: Here is Hollywood's "Best bang for the buck" list from Forbes. Russell Crowe is #18.