February 29
Empire On Line: Crowe Officially In Talks For Noah -- Darren Aronofsky almost has him hooked - Thanks, BarbieCat
The Hollywood Reporter: 'A Winter's Tale': Warner Bros. Starting Screen Tests With Lily Collins, Tom Hiddleston -- Goldsman, who wrote the script and will be making his directorial debut, came close last year when he got to the casting stage but that was derailed by budgetary issues. Goldsman was able to bring the budget down by at least $20 million and has recruited some A-list friends with whom he previously worked - Russell Crowe and Will Smith - to bring some wattage to a project that focuses on young leads. Warners liked the new presentation and has given Goldsman the go-ahead to begin casting. - Thanks, Steph, Eileen
February 28
Variety: Russell Crowe in talks to board 'Noah' -- Thesp negotiating to set sail with Aronofsky epic - Thanks, Steph
Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him,
"Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."
NY Times: Related - Michael Mann Brings ‘Witness,’ Documentary Series About War Journalists, to HBO
E!online: Lincoln? Gatsby? Hobbit? Dark Knight? Which Films Are Oscar Locks for Next Year? - Les Miserables
In which Amanda Seyfried's Cosette falls for Eddie Redmayne's Marius, and the all-singing all-dancing Hugh Jackman plays Jean Valjean. -- Why it's a contender: Because Oscar loves a musical. Well, it loves to nominate a musical, even if it doesn't reward the musical with Best Picture. Because if nothing else, it will mean plenty of nominations for the actors.
From Eileen: I've added a Man Of Steel page over at Leaves Of Russell Crowe. Growing slowly but surely. Thanks to everyone who's visited and especially to Mary for posting links!
The Yorkshire Post (M&C related): Former actor tells pupils of new chapter in his life - Thanks, Allison
February 27
Reminder - Ask Russell a Question
Man Of Steel at the IMDb [Forgot that Costner is in it. Am watching again - and enjoying - Dances With Wolves]
Billboard.com: 25 Awesome Movie Stars Turned Musicians - Thanks, Eileen
Daily Top Ten: Top 10 Best Oscar Speeches of Men (RC #5) - Thanks, sec7
The Sun UK: Sacha Baron Cohen causes a stink on set -- Bruno star to wear same outfit for three months in his Les Miserables role - Thanks, Avril [ed note: ugh!! Poor Russell]
Tribute to TOFOG at You Tube - Always How It Starts - Thanks, Sec7
Sports Yahoo.com: CM & MA - Top Ten Greatest Sports Movies of All-Time - Thanks, Allison
Rugby League: Rabbitohs aiming for biggest NRL MNF crowd - Thanks, Caliope
TRC has a new page for Virtuosity promotional videos hereThanks very much -- Mary Anne
DailyTop10: Best Oscar Speeches by Men - Thanks, Sec7
February 26 - Oscars
From Eileen: Milton Keynes Citizen - No horses were harmed in the making of this film – Meet Mursley’s War Horse -- "...The Devil’s Horsemen have just finished filming Shakespeare’s Henry V for the BBC, starring Tom Hiddleston who played Captain Nicholls in War Horse. They are now busy filming Henry IV, starring Jeremy Irons, at Ashridge, while their next project is the filming of Les Miserables in London, with Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman."
February 27
Man Of Steel at the IMDb [Forgot that Costner is in it. Am watching again - and enjoying - Dances With Wolves]
Billboard.com: 25 Awesome Movie Stars Turned Musicians - Thanks, Eileen
Daily Top Ten: Top 10 Best Oscar Speeches of Men (RC #5) - Thanks, sec7
The Sun UK: Sacha Baron Cohen causes a stink on set -- Bruno star to wear same outfit for three months in his Les Miserables role - Thanks, Avril [ed note: ugh!! Poor Russell]
Tribute to TOFOG at You Tube - Always How It Starts - Thanks, Sec7
Sports Yahoo.com: CM & MA - Top Ten Greatest Sports Movies of All-Time - Thanks, Allison
Rugby League: Rabbitohs aiming for biggest NRL MNF crowd - Thanks, Caliope
TRC has a new page for Virtuosity promotional videos hereThanks very much -- Mary Anne
DailyTop10: Best Oscar Speeches by Men - Thanks, Sec7
February 26 - Oscars
From Eileen: Milton Keynes Citizen - No horses were harmed in the making of this film – Meet Mursley’s War Horse -- "...The Devil’s Horsemen have just finished filming Shakespeare’s Henry V for the BBC, starring Tom Hiddleston who played Captain Nicholls in War Horse. They are now busy filming Henry IV, starring Jeremy Irons, at Ashridge, while their next project is the filming of Les Miserables in London, with Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman."
February 25
Awards Related: Don't forget to watch The Independent Spirit Awards tonight on IFC - Always casual and fun
I've added a poll to the Gladiator Blog - The Most Stirring moments in Gladiator - choose the choices I've given, or Add yours
Empire online: The Oscar Best Picture Winners (Check out 73 and 74) - An in-depth look at every Oscar Best Picture winner, why it won and did it deserve to win: Number 73 -- Did It Deserve To Win? Hey, we're not going to argue with Crowe's Maximus - have you seen that guy? Dude be angry! The fact is that this is as Oscar-y as it gets - epic, vaguely historical, glorious looking, huge in both scale and emotion - and to say that there were better films that year is more or less moot. Also, Gladiator is a big film with a smart script and a great cast, so it's hard to dislike. Worth A Look? Hell yes. Marvel as a star is born, and memorize Maximus' mannerisms to use in your next office meeting - Thanks, Gretchen
From Eileen: I've put up a video at the "Leaves Of Russell Crowe" main page with Russell greeting fans as he leaves NBC. It appears to have been shot prior to Robin Hood's release.
February 24
I have started a new blog site for Gladiator - It will be an extra to my web site for the film -- Time on my hands....
Training photos for Man Of Steel - Thanks, Cindy
February 23
clickorlando.com: 8 Decades of Oscars' best leading men (See #11)
Movie Maker: I Found It At the Movies: 1999—The Insider (Michael Mann) - "What moviemakers can learn: It is my opinion that Russell Crowe is one of the two or three greatest actors of his generation. Look at how he internalizes his performance and conveys so much through restraint. It’s an extraordinary performance by an excellent actor." - Thanks, Caliope
nme.com: Russell Crowe turns out for Alabama Shakes first NME Awards show - Thanks, Caliope
Leaves Of Russell Crowe is now a full-fledged website with it's own domain. In the beginning stages with lots more to come, but I've started things out with the music and Les Miserables. Please check it out and feel free to send me comments. - From Eileen
February 22
Vulture.com: Director-Related: Dennis Quaid, Michael Chiklis to Face Off in CBS Pilot - Pileggi is best known for writing Goodfellas and Casino, and Ralph Lamb is his look sixties Las Vegas from the eyes of its lawman, a real-life former rodeo cowboy who became the longest-serving sheriff of Clark County during most of the sixties and seventies. Quaid would play Lamb, while Chiklis is signing on as his mobster nemesis. James Mangold, who directed Cop Land and 3:10 to Yuma, is directing the Lamb pilot.
Repeating again this year - Giving Up Russell For Lent ---
I spend far too much time with this spellbinding gent --
I'm going to give up Russell for Lent. I'm counting in pixels, I've developed a squint --
I really must give up Russell for Lent.
Outside buds the trees, I breathe in the scent --
No time if I don't give up Russell for Lent.
If I want to make cookies -- chocolate or mint --
I'll have to give up my Russell for Lent.
I'm up after midnight reading messages sent --
(Big Yawn) I need to give up Russell for Lent.
I once had a life, I cry & lament --
No more, until I give up Russell for Lent.
I forget to pay bills, I'm behind in my rent --
I surely must give up Russell for Lent.
I'd miss all the news, which I'd really resent --
Still -- It's better to give up Russell for Lent.
I meant what I said, one hundred percent--
I'm definitely giving up Russell for Lent.
What's that you said? A new Twit I must print?
Well, next year I promise to give up Russell for Lent -- Murph
The Belfast Telegraph: Russell Crowe hopes musical will 'touch hearts' - Thanks, Steph, Eileen, Caliope
Do you have a question you want to put to Russell? You can do so in the comment section of this post at the News Blog. I will let him know of your questions in a few days. He may or may not respond, depending on the kind of time he has these days. Go to it!
February 21
The Chicago Post-Tribune: Look hard enough, and you’ll find signs of hope -- "...Artists for Peace and Justice recently built a new high school, the first such post-quake structure on the island. Celebrities including Russell Crowe, Jackson Browne and Paul Haggis joined forces to fund a multimillion-dollar two-story building that is now run by Haitians through the St. Luke’s Foundation. The classrooms inside have maps, chalkboards and French books supplied by donors in the Southland, Glen Ellyn and northern Indiana. - Thanks, Caliope
The Telegraph: Russell Crowe will direct short film about Sydney - Thanks, Caliope
February 20
The Hollywood Reporter: Anthony LaPaglia, Toni Colette, Russell Crowe, Liev Schreiber To Step Behind the Cameras for 'Sydney Unplugged' - "Directors Alex Proyas (Knowing), David Michôd (Animal Kingdom), Ivan Sen (Toomelah), John Curran (The Painted Veil), Kieran Darcy-Smith (Wish You Were Here), Liev Schreiber (Everything is Illuminated), Rachel Ward (Beautiful Kate), Ray Lawrence (Lantana) and Russell Crowe (Texas) will also helm one of each of the short films. Polson hatched the idea for the Sydney film, which will be part funded by Screen Australia, when he met Gary Hamilton at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Shooting is due to take place here in the second half of 2012 - Thanks, Caliope, Steph
Evening Telegraph: Hundreds queue for Les Mis parts - Thanks, Eileen, Caliope
February 19
From Mary Anne at TRC: We have added a mixed bag of videos to the site this weekend. The list is on our homepage.
ivillage.ca: The Coolest Celebrity Kid Hairstyles to Copy (See #8) Thanks, Eileen
mediaspy.org: More stars linked to Seven’s Dancing - A number of celebrities have joined a growing list of potential contestants for the upcoming twelfth season of Seven’s Dancing with the Stars. Miss Univserse Australia Erin McNaught, rocker Brian Mannix and Russel [sic] Crowe’s wife, Danielle Spencer, are believed to have committed to the show, the Herald Sun reports - Thanks, Caliope
pedestrian tv: Last year there were rumblings of this project's inception, and now Tropfest creator John Polson has confirmed his plans for a multi-million dollar cinematic ode to Sydney bolstered by an A-List cast allegedly including Oscar winning Australian actors Cate Blanchett, Russell Crowe and Australian Of The Year(s) Geoffrey Rush in the same vein as New York, I Love You and Paris, je t'aime. - Thanks, Caliope
February 18
The age.com.au: Polson casts his lot with a harboured ambition - "...JOHN POLSON will produce a film tribute to Sydney involving Australia's best known Oscar winners. Polson has confirmed several actors are on board for his ''ode to Sydney'' - with a list believed to include Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush." - Thanks, Steph
From CGee: Footy's back! It's the Charity Shield Rabbitohs/Dragons. Good game, still only a trial but in spite of some errors, it was a spirited effort, lots of positives, Sam Burgess scoring 2 trys but the Dragons got the better of them wining the game 18-12.
February 17
Video fromThe Guardian on various Brit TV shows. It ends at the BAFTAs with "Jacko and Rusty." - Thanks, Gill
I've put up a great fan created Les Miserable poster at Leaves of Russell Crowe. Thought she did a really good job with it! - Thanks, Eileen
February 16
news.com.au: Contraband: "...The other reason he's so punch happy? Broken City has Wahlberg facing off against, as he puts it, "the number one actor in the world, Russell Crowe! "He is the best actor alive; well, him and Mr Denzel Washington. Russell's fantastic. He's such a talented guy. We're getting to go head to head, so it's nice. We don't get to fight physically, but we get to fight verbally.''If they were to fight physically, who would win? "I dunno, we'd have to do it and find out. Cinderella Man versus The Fighter!'' That heavyweight bout won't enter the (cinematic) ring until 2013... - Thanks, Allison
Foxsports.com.au: St George-Illawarra and South Sydney go head-to-head with plenty to prove in Charity Shield - Thanks, Caliope
February 15
Access Hollywood: Amanda Seyfried Talks Playing Cosette In ‘Les Miserables’ - Thanks, Allison
Comic Book News" Superman: The Man of Steel (2013): Rumored First Trailer Description Hits The Net -- The folks over at ComicBookMovie state they have been e-mailed a description of the "rough cut" trailer. Bear in mind the information is unsubstantiated. -- "Opens with a shot of space. The camera is panning around the planets and zooming through space. There's a voiceover of Jor-El (Russell Crowe) saying, "My son, our world is no longer safe for you." Suddenly, one of the planets explodes and a small ship is seen zooming out of the flames, and the camera pans around it to face it flying away. Shot of Jor-El and Lara placing a young baby into a ship. "We have been hit by an unexpected force." Shot of General Zod leaping off of a low bridge with a sword, about to hit Jor-El who is holding a shield. The bridge has been sliced in half, as the front is smoking red. - Thanks, Eileen
February 14 - 
Photo of Hugh and Russell from Hugh's Facebook page - Thanks, Judy
The Seattle Times: Off Topic, but BAFTA high quality related video to watch again - Meryl and the Cinderella Slipper - Thanks, Ellen
MSN Movies: Five things the 2012 Bafta Awards taught us: 3. Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman are a great comic double act! -- “Extremely brave of them to give over the stage to a couple of Aussies,” commented ‘Jack-o’. Scripted? Yeah, sure. But they actually managed to grab one of the biggest laughs of the night just by saying each other’s names. We’re seeing buddy comedy, possibly involving cricket" - Thanks, Eileen
From Christine: "Hi there, just a piece of trivia! - Saturday afternoon, Stadio Olimpico, Rome. Six Nations Rugby Union match between Italy and England, teams preceded to stadium by snow ploughs. Just before the anthems, 'Now we are free' from Gladiator is sung. Italy loses"
February 13
ed note: Re the BAFTAs - Did I mention that Paul Bettany's voice gives me lovely shivers.
Video of Russell and Hugh last night at You Tube - few odd noises, but easy to hear and see. - Thanks, Cathleen
More pics of Russell last night at Zimbio - Search for Russell Crowe if this link does not take you there - Thanks, Ellen
Pics from last nights BAFTAs at Leaves of Russell Crowe and TRC - Thanks, Eileen and Tamara (and check out the February Calendar at TRC) - What did you think of the show and the awards? Liked that bit of Aussie humor the two guys brought, and the wry comparison of the Opera Houses -- Tell us at The Crowe News Blog (I also loved Gallant Colin Firth retrieving and then putting on Meryl's lost shoe. It was like Cinderella at the ball.)
Lovely large image of Russell thanks to Liu
February 12
From TRC: Russell and Hugh at the BAFTAs (They presented the best film to The Artist) - Also, at Hello! - Thanks, Nicole, Caliope
Playbill.com: Related - Tour of Les Miz, in Revised 25th Anniversary Version, Hits 500th Performance - STAGE TO SCREENS: Meet Samantha Barks, Eponine of the New Les Misérables Film
BAFTA 2012 Preview: Very British Affair Takes On International Hue - Russell will present with Hugh - Watch tonight on BBC America - BAFTAs vs. Oscars: Why the British Do It Better
Royal Opera House prepares for the BAFTAs - Miss Piggy hosts the Red Carpet
February 11
Don't forget the BAFTAs tomorrow on BBC America for USA folk. Russell is presenting, or introducing.
I Watch Stuff: Russell Crowe Might Hunt Dracula
NY Times Hero Complex: After ‘Dark Knight’: What if Tim Burton took back Gotham? (Scroll) - tongue in cheek - Thanks, Eileen
Superman Super Site: February 9, 2012: "Man of Steel" Stars Turn Out for Photo-Shoot (No RC) - Thanks, Eileen
February 10
NY Mag - Vulture: Russell Crowe in Talks to Join the Dracula Tale Harker - "...Our spies tell us that Warner Bros. is in talks with Russell Crowe about starring in Harker, a reimagining of Bram Stoker’s Dracula that's being produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. It tells the vampire story from the point of view of Jonathan Harker, who — instead of his traditional role as a lawyer — is now a Scotland Yard detective investigating the Count's string of grisly murders in England." - Thanks, Cindy
Adelaide Now: A Knight out for Russ, Hoff (more on that story, with a pic of RC) - Thanks, Caliope, Ellen
Huffington Post: Russell Crowe Saved My Life - Thanks, Steph, Cindy
February 9
Portsmouth.co.uk: Les Miserables film to be shot in Portsmouth - Thanks, Steph
I've started a new blog for Les Mis - Comment, or become a member
The Telegraph au: Wood v Soliman fight draws bookies, bikies and battlers -- The bout will draw people from the exact opposite spectrum of society, with the big end of town also expected to be represented very strongly.... Gai and Robbie Waterhouse. Russell Crowe and most of the South Sydney Rabbitohs have bought seats. - Thanks, Caliope
Playbill: Mistress of the House: Helena Bonham Carter Will Be Madame Thénardier in Les Miz Movie
From Mary at TRC: TRC is partially up and running - there are a couple of sections that are not open yet - but in between our other chores, we added a few new-to-us videos from the Robin Hood promotion. The list is here.
February 8
Playbill: One Song More! Les Miz Film Will Have New Song and Live Singing; Cameron Mackintosh Reveals All - ""One of the things that impressed me about [director] Tom [Hooper] when he first showed his interest in being the director of the movie is that he both embraced the score and also wanted to create live sound, and get the excitement of the performance and the depth that you only get…by recording it live. Over the last four or five years, technology has moved so far that it is now something that is possible to try. I'm sure we're going to learn a lot on the way, but we're all up for that adventure." (Above info also at the Crowe News Blog, if you want to comment)
Thanks to TRC and You Tube, a blast from the past - Russell and 30 Odd Foot of Grunts on Andrew Denton around SID time
The Herald Sun: The Hoff talks movies with Russell Crowe - Thanks, Eileen, Allison
February 7
Screen Daily: Starry Night: Don't forget to watch the BAFTAs on BBCAmerica on Sunday: "...There is also an impressive list of presenters and other guests, including Jon Hamm, Penelope Cruz, Daniel Radcliffe, Noomi Rapace and Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe who will be presenting an award together." - Thanks, Eileen
Film related: Hollywood Wiretap: OSCAR NOMINEES LUNCHEON: A ROUND-UP OF REPORTS FROM THE EVENT (NYT, DH, THR, TOH, TO, VUL)
February 6 - Congrats to the Giants....
Empire: The Sexiest Characters In Cinema - The Men -- You voted, and here are the results of our poll - Thanks, Allison
The Daily Mail: He can't help himself! Russell Crowe shows off newly-trim figure in workout gear... but treats himself to pizza for lunch - Thanks to Moonbeam Sun at the CC
zoecarter.com: Russell Crowe Praises Hasselhoff For Entertaining Ill Children - Thanks, Steph
Yahoo Sports: Top 5 Hockey Movies of All-Time: A Fan’s Take - Thanks, Eileen
hangout.altsounds.com: PAUL KELLY READIES EIGHT-CD BOX SET PAUL KELLY — THE A TO Z RECORDINGS IN TANDEM WITH AUTOBIOGRAPHY HOW TO MAKE GRAVY - How To Make Gravy. How To Make Gravy (Penguin Int’l) is also available by itself and as a nine-disc audio edition (the ninth disc features guest readers Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and Hugh Jackman). iPhone and iPad apps are available for the book. - Thanks, Caliope
February 4
Rochesterpeople.co.uk: Extra-Massive Turnout for Les Miserables: Hollywood via Medway! - Thanks, Allison
February 3
NY Times obit for Angelo D - Brief RC mention
/Film: Frank Grillo Says Joe Carnahan’s ‘Death Wish’ is About Two Brothers - Thanks, Eileen
From Eileen: At Leaves of Russell Crowe. Here's a great song by Size2shoes, Irish Hearts Are Hard To Break, cowritten by Alan Doyle. It's also executive-produced by Russell and produced by Alan.
STLToday: Related -- Sherpa's Top 10: Best Christopher Plummer movies - Thanks, Caliope
February 2
Russell at Twitter on Noah (Answering Movie Web) @MovieWeb And I'm eyeing him right back...Liam's eyeing both of us... and Paramount are eyeing us all, including you.Whole lot of eyeing
Jo A's newest artistic creations
Screen Rant: Russell Crowe Being Considered For ‘RoboCop’ Reboot
BBC News: (With Video) - Samantha Barks lands Eponine role in Les Miserables film - Thanks, Gill
AICN: UPDATED! Will There Be Any Room In Noah's Ark For A Couple Of Badasses?
RIP, dear Angelo - ESPN: Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee dies - He was so helpful to Russell during Cinderella Man
Deadline NY: Does Russell Crowe Float Your Boat As Noah In Darren Aronofsky’s Biblical Film? - Thanks, Steph - "It all starts with Noah, though and it’s nice to see Crowe, one of those larger than life actors, entertaining the prospect of taking on such an iconic role. From Gladiator, L.A. Confidential, The Insider and on down, few actors match his intensity and talent. Gladiator scribe John Logan rewrote the script by Aronofsky and Ari Handel and Aronofsky and Scott Franklin are producing with Mary Parent. Crowe is repped by WME." -- [Ed note: Added to news blog, so you can comment] - Thanks, CGee
February 1
Isleofman.com: "We're over the moon" say family of Sam Barks as she is cast in Les Mis movie - Thanks, Allison
NY Mag: Russell Crowe and Will Smith Save Akiva Goldsman’s Directing Debut, Winter’s Tale - Set in both nineteenth-century and present-day Manhattan, Winter's Tale is about a petty thief who falls in love with the dying girl who inhabits the house he’s just burgled and the gangster boss bent on killing him. (Oh, and did we mention there’s also a white, flying horse?) We hear Crowe is in negotiations to play Pearly Soames, the gangster boss, while Smith would appear in the film as a judge. The lead roles of the thief and the little girl still have not been cast. - Thanks, Cindy, Ellen
If you want to sample the music from Les Mis, A highlight album from the original production is available at i Tunes
Link at parkbeachmusic.com to the actual songbook album
Les Mis casting News - Variety: 'Les Miserables' plucks Eponine from stage - Samantha Barks, who played the role in London prods, joins Uni pic -- and more: Broadway.com: George Blagden Joins Les Miserables Film as Grantaire (Do You Hear The People Sing? - Thanks, Allison