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Tributes flow for Oscar-winning writer of Chinatown and Mission Impossible

Robert Towne has passed away aged 89. Towne was nominated for four Oscars during his career. He won an Oscar for writing the 1974 crime and corruption thriller Chinatown starring Jack Nicholson as a private detective. He has been remembered as one of Hollywood's greatest screenwriters, with people from the film industry paying tribute to him online. Lee Grant, who won best supporting actress for her role in Shampoo, which Towne co-wrote, paid tribute to him on X. "His life, like the characters he created, was incisive, iconoclastic & entirely originally [sic]," she wrote. "He gave me the gift of Shampoo. He gave all of us the gift of his words & his films. There isn’t another like him. There won’t be again." The American Film Institute also paid tribute to him on X: "From writing masterpieces like Chinatown, Shampoo & countless others, his influence is everlasting." Towne was also regarded for his role as a script doctor - fixing or adding to existing scripts like Bonnie and Clyde and The Godfather. While he didn't get an official credit, The Godfather's writer-director Francis Ford Coppola used his Oscars best adapted screenplay acceptance speech to thank him for writing a pivotal "very beautiful" scene between Al Pacino and Marlon Brando's characters. "That was Bob Towne's scene," he said during the 1973 ceremony. Towne is survived by his second wife Luisa, and daughters Chiara and Katharine. Image: David Bloomer/Paramount Classics/Kobal/ Shutterstock Editorial

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Beloved Oscar winner dies "exactly as he would have scripted it"

Award-winning Hollywood screenwriter David Seidler has died aged 86. The playwright, best known for 2010's The Kings Speech, passed away while on a fly-fishing expedition in New Zealand. "David was in the place he loved most in the world — New Zealand — doing what gave him the greatest peace which was fly-fishing," his manager said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "If given the chance, it is exactly as he would have scripted it." Seidler's cause of death has not been revealed. The British-American playwright, first moved to Hollywood - where he started his career - at the age of 40, with his first job writing Tucker: The Man and His Dreams for Francis Ford Coppola. He also worked on the King and I and Madeline: Lost in Paris. Seidler is best known for The King's Speech, starring Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter. The film won him an Oscar and BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay. He previously told The Los Angeles Times that his interest in the story of George VI came from growing up with a stutter, just like the one Colin Firth's character had in the film. "It began, obviously, by the fact that I was a stutterer as a kid — truly a profound stutterer," he told the publication. "I grew up always having a great soft spot in my heart [for him], because I knew he was a stutterer, who had, if not been totally cured, at least improved to the point where he could give these very eloquent, moving, stirring wartime speeches." Seidler is survived by his two adult children. Image: Getty

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The best of the 2024 Oscars

Hollywood’s night of nights is back in full force this year and it's more glamorous and chaotic than ever. Jimmy Kimmel, who returned as a host at the annual Academy Awards for the fourth time, kicked off the festivities by addressing the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/movies/margot-robbie-snubbed-as-oscar-nominations-announced" target="_blank" rel="noopener">controversial snubs </a>of Margot Robbie for best actress and Greta Gerwig for best director. “Barbie, what a film. What an achievement. To take a plastic doll nobody even liked any more, now Barbie is an icon thanks to Greta Gerwig, who many people believe should be nominated for Best Director,” he began. “I know you are clapping, but you’re the ones who didn’t vote for her, by the way. Don’t act like you had nothing to do with this," he added. While he did compliment Robbie “putting this giant hit together”, his joke about her and co-star Ryan Gosling's appearance fell flat. Despite the awkward joke, Gosling pulled off one of the most memorable moments in Oscars history, as he belted-out an energetic and fabulously pink performance of I’m Just Ken, a Barbie original song, with other Kens including co-star Simu Liu. Gosling began his dazzling performance by serenading co-star Margot Robbie in the audience, who could not hold in her laughter. British-American musician Slash also made a surprise cameo on the electric guitar and everyone in the room could feel the Kenergy. In another unforgettable moment, John Cena caused the audience to erupt with laughter when he slowly emerged from side stage without clothes on, as Kimmel referenced the 1974 Oscars moment when a streaker infamously ran across the stage. “I changed my mind, I don’t want to do the streaker bit anymore,” Cena told Kimmel. “I just don’t feel right about it. This is an elegant event.” Cena then presented the Best Costume Design award while concealing his private parts with a piece of paper. “Costumes... They are so important,” he said, as the audience exploded in laughter. Poor Things won the Best Costume Design award and snagged three other awards including Best Production Design, Best Hair and Makeup, and Emma Stone winning Best Actress. In a more wholesome moment, Messi, a seven-year-old border collie, who starred in Anatomy of A Fall was being a very good boy and could be seen sitting amongst A-list and "clapping" his paws for all the winners. Oppenheimer snagged seven awards, including the Best Picture award, the Best Director award and Cillian Murphy winning his first ever Oscar for Best Actor. “We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb. For better or worse we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world, so I would really like to dedicate this to the peace makers everywhere,” Murphy said when he accepted his award. The film landed its first ever honour of the night when Robert Downey Jr also won his first ever Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The full list of winners can be found <a href="https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Of course, the Oscars aren't just about who takes home what award, but who looked like tens during the red carpet. Check out some of our favourite looks and highlights below: Images: Getty/ news.com.au

Paul Hogan calls Margot Robbie's Oscars snub a "dull tradition"

Paul Hogan has called out The Academy for their "dull tradition” after Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig were snubbed for an Oscar nomination in February. Despite being the only film directed by a woman to earn more than $1 billion at the box office, Robbie and Gerwig were both <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/movies/margot-robbie-snubbed-as-oscar-nominations-announced" target="_blank" rel="noopener">snubbed </a>in their respective categories of leading actress and best director during the 96th Academy Awards, which sparked outrage online. Speaking to Sunrise on Friday, the Crocodile Dundee actor revealed his thoughts on why he thinks both the Aussie actor and Barbie director missed out on a nomination. “To see them not nominated, that’s a sort of like ... a dull tradition of ‘if it’s not about pain and suffering, it can’t be very good’. It’s not fair,” Hogan said. He then praised Robbie, saying: “She’s great — not only is she beautiful and smart, she’s a nice kid, too.” During the interview on Sunrise, Hogan also reflected on the time he hosted the Oscars in 1987, and said that it was good fun. “It was fabulous because I was probably the first person ever allowed on live television to do the Oscars without presenting a script or having anything written on the auto-cue,” he said. “They were very nervous but Samuel Goldwyn, who was the producer, said, ‘I’ve seen him on television. He’s Hoges … let’s just let him go and it’ll be fun for all of us’.” The actor added that while he rarely felt "intimidated", there were a few times in his career where he was starstruck — most notably when he met the Queen, Princess Diana, and Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor. Hogan's first public appearance was in 1971 at Nine's amateur talent programme New Faces. He rose to international fame after his role as Mick "Crocodile" Dundee in the 1986 film Crocodile Dundee, which won him the 1987 Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and a few other nominations at the BAFTAs. Images: Seven/ Getty

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Oscar-nominated actor shares his terrifying diagnosis

Mark Ruffalo has opened up about the moment he found out he had a brain tumour almost two decades ago, and how he broke the news to his then heavily pregnant wife, Sunrise. Speaking with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett on the Smartless podcast on Monday, the actor revealed that he got his diagnosis after a "crazy dream". “It’s the craziest thing. I was actually shooting The Last Castle with [James] Gandolfini and Robert Redford and I had about a week left on that," he said. The Oscar nominee said that just before he got the diagnosis, he was supposed to be on set at 4am. “I woke up probably around three and I just had this crazy dream, you know, it wasn’t like any other dream I ever had. It was just like, ‘You have a brain tumour.’ It wasn’t even a voice. It was just pure knowledge: ‘You have a brain tumour, and you have to deal with it immediately’,” he continued. Despite having no symptoms other than an ear infection, the actor trusted his gut and went to the doctors anyways. “Listen, this is going to sound crazy, but I had this dream last night that I have a brain tumour," he recalled telling the doctor. She said: "'That is crazy, but there’s no reason you should have to worry about it. I’ll order you a CAT scan, and we’ll go right after work today, and we’ll show how crazy you are.’” Ruffalo then went to the neurologist’s office to read the scan and was shocked to find that his dream was right. “The nurse calls the doctor out, and I could hear them talking in the other room, and she just comes in, and she’s a zombie, and she says, ‘You have a mass behind your left ear the size of a golf ball, and we don’t know what it is. We can’t tell until it’s biopsied,’” he recalled. The Marvel star added that he waited to tell his then nine-months pregnant wife the news simply because she was so excited to welcome their bub. “She had the birth plan, she did the yoga, she had the doula, we had a hot tub ordered. This is like her wedding, you know, man? This is like her christening, her quinceañera, and I was just like, ‘I can’t.’" And when finally did break the news, his wife initially thought he was joking, "and then she just burst into tears and said, ‘I always knew you were going to die young!’” Fortunately for Ruffalo, the brain tumour turned out to be benign, but the surgery did leave him “totally” deaf in one ear. Image: Getty

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Margot Robbie snubbed as Oscar nominations announced

The nominations for the 96th academy awards has been announced, and despite Barbie being nominated for eight awards, there were a few notable snubs that fans aren't happy about. The film’s star, Margot Robbie, was not nominated for best actress, despite co-star Ryan Gosling receiving a nomination for best supporting actor for his role as Ken. The film's director Greta Gerwig, was also snubbed as she was not nominated for best director. Fans took to social media to express their thoughts, with many of them unhappy with the academy's choice. "So Ryan Gosling’s nominated for playing ken but Margot Robbie isn’t nominated for playing barbie… in barbie," one person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> So Ryan Gosling’s nominated for playing ken but Margot Robbie isn’t nominated for playing barbie… in barbie <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oscars?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oscars</a> <a href="https://t.co/uceB20BB8H">pic.twitter.com/uceB20BB8H</a> — poppy ☾ (@scddevereaux) <a href="https://twitter.com/scddevereaux/status/1749792570840907879?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2024</a></blockquote> "No nomination for Margot Robbie or Greta Gerwig for the #Oscars but Ryan Gosling gets one. Literally the whole point of the Barbie film," another wrote. "Greta Gerwig made a film that was critically acclaimed, culturally impactful, hilarious, unique, visually exceptional, perfectly cast and acted, left people laughing, crying and thinking AND made a billion dollars at the box office. But no Best Director nom?!" another tweeted. One particular tweet went viral, with over 109 thousand likes. "Ken getting nominated and not Barbie is honestly so fitting for a film about a man discovering the power of patriarchy in the Real World," the tweet read. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Ken getting nominated and not Barbie is honestly so fitting for a film about a man discovering the power of patriarchy in the Real World. — Michael. (@yosoymichael) <a href="https://twitter.com/yosoymichael/status/1749794592076034203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2024</a></blockquote> In a more positive light, America Ferrara, who played Gloria in Barbie, was nominated for best supporting actress with many saying that her character's passionate speech on feminism had sealed the deal. The film was also nominated for Best Picture, and two nods for best song including Gosling's popular solo I'm Just Ken, and Billie Eilish's What Was I Made For. Image: Getty

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"His worst moment as a person": Sean Penn unleashes on Will Smith's Oscar's slap

Sean Penn has become visibly angry as he recalled the infamous moment at the 2022 Oscars ceremony when Will Smith stormed the stage to slap Chris Rock. Penn recalled the award ceremony moment as he reflected on the Academy's decision to not let Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speak at the ceremony. The actor has been a strong advocate for the people of Ukraine in their ongoing war against Russia, and even traveling to the war-torn region to help in their fight. Speaking to <a href="https://variety.com/2023/film/features/sean-penn-slams-will-smith-slap-ai-oscars-1235720417/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Variety</a>, Penn shared how frustrated he was that Zelenskyy was silenced, while Smith's actions were the real problem. “The Oscars producer thought, ‘Oh, he’s [Zelenskyy] not lighthearted enough.’ Well, guess what you got instead? Will Smith.” Variety noted that the actor was visibly infuriated speaking on the subject, even turning red during the interview. “I don’t know Will Smith. I met him once,” Penn said. “He seemed very nice when I met him. He was so f***ing good in King Richard.” “So why the f**k did you just spit on yourself and everybody else with this stupid f***ing thing? Why did I go to f***ing jail for what you just did? And you’re still sitting there? Why are you guys standing and applauding his worst moment as a person?” the 63-year-old said, referencing his 1987 arrest and jail stint for punching a film extra in the face. “This f***ing bulls**t wouldn’t have happened with Zelenskyy,” Penn added. “Will Smith would never have left that chair to be part of stupid violence. It never would have happened.” Penn was so shocked and infuriated by the moment that he chose to destroy his two Oscars. "I thought, ‘Well, f**k, you know? I’ll give them to Ukraine. They can be melted down to bullets they can shoot at the Russians,’” he said. When visiting Zelenskyy in Ukraine last fall, Penn showed his support by giving the leader one of his Oscars. At the 2022 Oscar's ceremony, Will Smith stormed the stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock after he made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith. After returning to his seat, Smith shouted out, “Keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth!” Image credits: Getty Images

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Are the Oscars going to take animated films more seriously?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/robert-boucaut-1215760">Robert Boucaut</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> “Animation is cinema. Animation is not a genre. And, animation is ready to be taken to the next step – we are all ready for it, please help us, keep animation in the conversation.” This was Guillermo del Toro’s testament accepting the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2023 for <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1488589/">Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio</a>, released by Netflix. As one of the most acclaimed modern auteurs – and one who has <a href="https://www.avclub.com/guillermo-del-toro-is-going-all-in-on-animation-1850539253">announced his intention to stick with animation</a> as his preferred medium – his acceptance speech reads like a plea directly to the academy. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/shW9i6k8cB0?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>Animated films at the Oscars</h2> The Oscars have had a storied history of engaging with animated cinema. Since 2002, they have awarded a Best Animated Feature award, first won by Shrek. This was a time of technological innovations for 3D animation (think Toy Story or A Bug’s Life), and of standout A-list voice performances (Robin Williams in Aladdin, or Shrek’s star-studded cast). By including animated films as a standalone category, the Oscars ended up segregating them: animation was treated as its own thing. Beauty and the Beast broke ground as the first-ever animated nominee for the Best Picture Oscar in 1992, but only two films have achieved such a feat since. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iurbZwxKFUE?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Up (2009) and Toy Story 3 (2010) were Best Picture Oscar nominees (and Best Animated Feature winners) of their respective years. However, such recognition only came after the academy expanded its Best Picture category from five nominees to up to 10. This was a concerted effort to include more popular films in the Oscars due to waning audience interest, after Best Picture snubs of The Dark Knight and WALL-E. If animated films have had difficulty breaking into the Oscars’ vision of a Best Picture, then voice talent has been outright bypassed for consideration in acting categories. Since Shrek, stars have increasingly taken on voice work for animated projects in ways that elevates them from a side-hustle to key parts of their CVs. For instance, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L1iX5JiuwI">Chris Pratt</a> and <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/anya-taylor-joy-princess-peach-super-mario-premiere">Anya Taylor-Joy</a>’s promotional duties for The Super Mario Bros. Movie represent significant time and stardom investments for the sake of animated intellectual property. Yet without the physical body to observe, the Oscars have ignored voice work in animated films. The most meaningful push to have a voice performance nominated was for Scarlett Johansson’s in Her where she played a computer operating system. Johansson’s performance was nuanced, played with chemistry against her co-stars, and, ironically, Her was not an animated film. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dJTU48_yghs?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>Are things changing?</h2> The <a href="https://theconversation.com/winning-everything-everywhere-all-at-once-5-experts-on-the-big-moments-at-the-oscars-2023-201661">Oscars this year</a> shifted their brand of “prestige” to value the “cinematic experience” (and box office money) in the age of streaming. The sweep of Everything Everywhere All at Once and Best Picture nominations for Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water in 2023 signal the academy conspicuously praising populist fare for bringing audiences into the physical cinema. This then hopefully attracts <a href="https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/2023-oscar-ratings-academy-awards-audience-1235550070/">more audience eyeballs to an Oscars telecast</a> where they are likely to have actually seen some of the nominees. Popular film’s infiltration of the Oscars even seeped into the acting categories. Everything Everywhere All At Once’s indie cred made nominations (and three eventual wins) for its stars logical and welcome, but even Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s Angela Bassett scored a Best Supporting Actress nomination, the first acting recognition for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Its online fandom was instrumental here, having opined the academy’s biases against their beloved franchise. Now, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has arrived ahead of the 2024 Oscars race. The animated film boasts a star-studded cast, including past Oscar nominees and winners like Daniel Kaluuya and Hailee Steinfeld in key supporting roles. Shameik Moore’s lead vocal performance as Miles Morales is also exceptional. Still figuring out what it means to balance being Spider-Man with a complicated home and social life, he sounds remarkably recognisable as a modern teenager. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cqGjhVJWtEg?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Credit for this extends to a snappy script and intricate editing that bounces through its complex multiverse setting and superhero super-stakes to focus on moving character development. Thematically, it reflects on the artistic value of the superhero genre, unpacking the Spider-Man lore across its many iterations. And, of course, the visual artistry on display is mind-blowing, truly pushing cinematic excess in ways that only animation (currently) can. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the kind of popular cinema that the academy is currently primed to take more seriously. It’s on track to become one of the year’s box office successes, serves a dedicated fandom, showcases a stacked cast and dynamically plays with genre and narrative conventions. As part two of a trilogy, it is unlikely to take out the Best Picture race altogether (Beyond the Spider-Verse, coming in 2024, is the more likely candidate if it sticks the landing). But it is still well-positioned to break through the confines of the Best Animated Feature category.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/207716/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/robert-boucaut-1215760">Robert Boucaut</a>, PhD Candidate & Tutor, Media Department, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-the-oscars-going-to-take-animated-films-more-seriously-207716">original article</a>. Images: Sony Pictures Animation

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Richard Wilkins' big night out with Russell Crowe after his Oscars win

While Richard Wilkins has been hosting Nine's coverage of the Oscars red carpet for two decades, one year sticks in his memory as being particularly unforgettable. In 2001, Wilkins' second year hosting, he rubbed shoulders with the Hollywood elite on the red carpet before they went inside for the all important ceremony. He spoke with actor Russell Crowe, who later won the Best Actor award for his performance in Gladiator. Following the win, Wilkins and Crowe joined forces for the celebrations. "I was fortunate enough to be hanging out with him and his posse that night, roaring around town," the journalist remembers with a cheeky grin on his face. "When you win an Oscar, on Oscar night, the city is yours," says Dickie, before revealing they were driven around Los Angeles in two huge black SUVs to endless parties. "Popping into Elton John's party and going here and there and everywhere." Despite the fun and chaos of the afterparty, Wilkins explained that a lot of work goes into the coveted hosting gig. "I would spend weeks beforehand ringing all the publicists and telling them where we were gonna be," he said. Wilkins also shared that there a lot of people working behind the scenes on the big night, with producers feeding him information in an ear-piece before he conducts his interviews. "Having producers in my ear and saying Nicole's just arrived, she's wearing a blue dress. She's coming down there and then doing radio interviews and things," he says. "For me and my producer... you know you've earned your pay at the end of Oscars Day that's for sure." Image credits: Nine

Oscar-winning politician Glenda Jackson passes away at 87

Two-time Academy Award-winning performer-turned-politician Glenda Jackson has passed away at 87 years old. The news was confirmed by Jackson’s agent, Lionel Larner, who announced that she had died at home in London after a short illness. Larner also noted that Jackson had “recently completed filming The Great Escaper in which she co-starred with Michael Caine.” And 90-year-old Caine had only kind words to say of his co-star, sharing that she was “one of our greatest movie actresses. I shall miss her.” Jackson was born into a working-class family in northwest England, and laid the groundwork for her career in the arts when she won a spot at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her work as an actress was successful, with Jackson taking home her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 1971 and her second in 1974 - for Women in Love and A Touch of Class respectively. Jackson also held two Emmy Award wins, both for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in the series Elizabeth R. She wasn’t to be stopped there, either, with the star also taking home a Tony Award in 2018 for her performance in Three Tall Women. But after more than three decades in the arts, Jackson chose a different path for herself, branching into the world of politics, fuelled by her frustration for the working classes at the hands of then-British Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher between 1979 and 1990. And at 55 years old, in 1992, Jackson secured a seat in parliament. As she said at the time, “we must work for the poor, the homeless, the unemployed, the frail, the sick.” Jackson spent 23 years with the Labour Party, and even served as a minister for transport in Tony Blair’s first government in 1997. However, the two seemed to find themselves on opposing sides when it came to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, with Jackson admitting that the decisions made left her feeling “deeply, deeply ashamed. "The victims will be as they always are, women, children, the elderly.” After leaving politics in 2015, Jackson chose to return to performing, where she went on to enjoy some of the most acclaimed roles of her entire career. And for all of her passion and success, Jackson is remembered fondly by her loved ones - those who knew her beyond her work, and those who supported her for it - who flocked to social media to pay tribute. “Glenda Jackson was both the best actress of our generation and an incredibly principled passionate and eloquent advocate of social justice as an MP and as a government minister. I will remember her as a friend whom I admired greatly and what she achieved will never be forgotten,” former-prime minister for the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown, wrote. “Very sad to hear of the passing of Glenda Jackson. An acclaimed actress, a formidable politician and an inspirational woman to so many of us in the Labour Party,” British politician Angela Rayner said. “My thoughts are with her family, friends and many others who loved her.” “Devastated to hear that my predecessor Glenda Jackson has died. A formidable politician, an amazing actress and a very supportive mentor to me. Hampstead and Kilburn will miss you Glenda,” friend and fellow politician Tulip Siddiq said. And, as her friends and fans the Muppets wrote, “here’s to Glenda Jackson, legendary actress and scourge of the Seven Seas! In her unforgettable episode of The Muppet Show, she and her merry band of plundering pirates turned our theatre into a ship and set out to sea. “We’ll always treasure the time we spent with you, Glenda.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Here’s to Glenda Jackson, legendary actress and scourge of the Seven Seas! In her unforgettable episode of The Muppet Show, she and her merry band of plundering pirates turned our theater into a ship and set out to sea. We’ll always treasure the time we spent with you, Glenda. <a href="https://t.co/zQ8cPVc8Jk">pic.twitter.com/zQ8cPVc8Jk</a> — The Muppets (@TheMuppets) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMuppets/status/1669398500243587092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2023</a></blockquote> Images: Getty

News

6 movie stars who turned down Oscar-winning roles

The Academy Awards is unarguably the most prestigious and sought after award in the movie industry. Actors must carefully select the scripts that will advance their careers and highlight their acting skills. Although the movie stars below have had successful careers in Hollywood, here are the times the roles they walked away from ended up receiving the prestigious golden statuette. 1. Julia Roberts Julia Roberts was offered the role of Viola de Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love which took Best Picture in the Academy Awards in 1998. People reported that Julia was one contract away from starring in the film when she found out that Daniel Day-Lewis turned down the role. Julia wanted Daniel to play the role of Bard of Avon so when he turned down the role, she decided to pull out. Gwyneth Paltrow was then given the role and ended up winning an Oscar for Best Actress for the film. 2. Harrison Ford Harrison Ford has made a great name for himself in Hollywood. He won an Oscar for his role in The Fugitive and has played two of the greatest action heroes of all time, Hans Solo and Indiana Jones. Harrison could have had one more Oscar on his shelf had he not turned down the offer to act in Syriana. Harrison was offered the role of CIA Agent Robert Barnes but declined the role as he “didn’t feel strongly enough about the truth of the material.” George Clooney ended up with the role and won Best Supporting Actor in 2006. After watching the film, Harrison changed his mind on the film as the issues he had with the material were rectified. 3. Gregory Peck Gregory Peck had been nominated for an Oscar four times before he took home Best Actor in 1963 for his portrayal of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. Gregory might have taken home an Oscar sooner had he not passed on the offer to star in High Noon. Gregory passed on the role as he had just starred in a western The Gunfighter and wanted to avoid typecasting. The role was then offered to Gary Cooper who won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance. Gregory later said, "I don't think I would have been as good as Gary Cooper but I still think it would have been a good film with me in it." 4. Gwyneth Paltrow In 2016, The Danish Girl received three nominations and one win at the Academy Awards. The film, however, had been stuck in the development stages for years as actors and directors continually abandoned the project. The role of Gerda Wegner, Lili’s wife, moved from Charlize Theron to Gwyneth Paltrow. Gwyneth was ready to star in the film when a last-minute shooting location changed the actress’ mind. As she didn’t want to spend too much time away from her kids, Gwyneth decided to walk away from the role. Tom Hooper, Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander came on board with the project years later. Alicia played Gerda and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. 5. Anne Hathaway In 2013, Jennifer Lawrence won her first Oscar for Best Actress for playing Tiffany Maxwell in Silver Linings Playbook. Even though Jennifer was outstanding in the film, she wasn’t the first pick for the role. Film executive Harvey Weinstein admitted that Anne Hathaway was slated for the lead female role and Bradley Cooper’s role was meant for Mark Wahlberg. Both actors were ready to star in the film until Anne had some “creative differences” with director David O. Russell. The differences couldn’t be resolved so Anne left the project and Mark Wahlberg followed her. Anne Hathaway did end up winning an Oscar that year for Best Supporting Actress in Les Miserables. 6. Paul Bettany The portrayal of George Vi in The King’s Speech was not originally intended for Colin Firth. Screenwriter David Seidler believed Paul Bettany was perfect for the role and Paul was offered the part but declined as he didn’t want to be separated from his family for a long period of time. Paul had been working for five months so decided to go home to his family instead of working on a new film in Buckingham Palace. Reflecting on his decision to walk away from the role Paul said, “I regret not working with such amazing, amazing actors and directors and writers. But no, I have to do the right by my family every time.” Colin Firth was chosen for the role and in 2011, he won Best Actor in this film. Images: Getty

Movies

Australians lost more than $3bn to scammers in 2022. Here are 5 emerging scams to look out for

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s latest <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Targeting%20scams%202022.pdf">Targeting Scams report</a> indicates Australians reported more than A$3 billion lost to fraud in 2022. This is about a $1 billion increase on <a href="https://theconversation.com/australians-lost-2b-to-fraud-in-2021-this-figure-should-sound-alarm-bells-for-the-future-186459">reported losses from 2021</a>. Year upon year, we’re witnessing a rise in monetary losses to fraud. Behind these figures sit millions of Australians who experience a range of financial and non-financial <a href="https://www.aic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/29-1314-FinalReport.pdf">harms</a>. Here’s what we’ve learned from the latest report – and some advice on what to look out for in the year ahead. <h2>2022 at a glance</h2> Of the reported $3 billion lost, about half was stolen as part of investment schemes – more than double the $701 million figure from 2021. A desire to invest in cryptocurrency has driven up these losses, with potential investors inadvertently transferring money to offenders advertising a range of falsehoods. Remote access schemes – in which a scammer convinces the victim to grant them access to their computer – jumped into second place, with $229 million in reported losses. This was followed by payment redirection scams (also known as business email compromise fraud). Those who reported directly to Scamwatch lost an average of $19,654 – an increase of 54% from the $12,742 reported in 2021. The report also shows not all victims are targeted equally; people aged 65 years and older reported the highest losses across all demographics. Indigenous Australians, people with a disability, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds were also overrepresented. For the first time in many years, text message was the most popular method for offenders to target victims. And while bank transfers were the most popular way to send funds to offenders, <a href="https://theconversation.com/crypto-theft-is-on-the-rise-heres-how-the-crimes-are-committed-and-how-you-can-protect-yourself-176027">cryptocurrency transfers</a> continue to increase in popularity – rising 162.4% in one year. There was, however, a reduction in fraudulent phone calls. This is likely attributable to the introduction of <a href="https://www.commsalliance.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/72150/C661_2022.pdf">regulatory action</a> to block known scam calls. It’s a bright spot in an otherwise dark report. <h2>Trends to look out for</h2> The Targeting Scams report demonstrates the many ways offenders seek to defraud victims. On one hand, people are becoming more aware of common scam tactics. On the other, criminals are adjusting their methods to gain the upper hand. Here are five types of relatively lesser-known frauds everyone should be aware of. 1. Romance baiting Also known as “<a href="https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2021/05/12/fake-android-and-ios-apps-disguise-as-trading-and-cryptocurrency-apps/">cryptorom</a>” or “<a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2022/07/massive-losses-define-epidemic-of-pig-butchering/">pig butchering</a>”, this scam is a convergence of investment fraud and traditional romance fraud approaches. The offender first initiates a relationship with the victim – through dating apps, websites or social media platforms. Once they’ve established trust, they encourage the victim to put their money into an “investment” opportunity, often cryptocurrency. The victim will then unknowingly transfer their money to the offender, who is under a different guise. This kind of romance baiting raises fewer red flags than directly asking for money, and is targeting a younger demographic compared to more traditional romance fraud. Such deceptions are coded under investment schemes. This is likely driving the surge in investment scheme losses reported in recent years, while also accounting for a lack of substantial increases in romance fraud. 2. Online shopping fraud Offenders are skilled at creating fake websites and product advertisements that look genuine. Often these fake sites will have only subtle differences from their real counterparts. Consumers may not be able to tell the difference. Criminals can directly access funds through victims’ credit card details obtained on these sites. Online shopping fraud targets a range of demographics. It’s happening on stand-alone websites, social media platforms and online marketplaces. 3. Jobs and employment fraud <a href="https://research.qut.edu.au/centre-for-justice/wp-content/uploads/sites/304/2022/02/Briefing-Paper-Series-Feb2022-Issue21-17022022.pdf">Research</a> has indicated that working from home and flexible working conditions are strong indicators of a fraudulent job listing. But in a post-COVID world, flexibility at work is often a key criterion for job seekers, if not a deal-breaker. Offenders have noticed this, and are responding by posting attractive job advertisements that offer flexibility and high incomes. Victims submit their CVs and personal credentials (setting themselves up for identity crime), or may be required to pay upfront for training or materials costs for a job that doesn’t exist. Employment scams are targeting younger people in particular, as they’re more likely to have <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/youth-unemployment-and-the-pandemic/">experienced job loss and insecurity</a> in the wake of the pandemic. 4. Recovery schemes Many fraud victims will want to take whatever action possible to recover lost funds. To exploit this, offenders will trade the details of victims with each other. They will then pose as authorities (often law enforcement, banks or private agencies) who are aware of the victim’s circumstances and promote their ability to regain the missing funds for a fee. In this way, victims who are desperate to recover losses are manipulated into paying even more money to offenders. 5. Remote access schemes Receiving a phone call from a computer technician advising of a problem with your computer and offering to fix it is a common experience for many. While this approach isn’t new, it made a strong resurgence in 2022 – particularly targeting older people. These scam calls often come through landlines and prey on people’s fear for the security of their bank details and other personal data. The fraudsters often invoke a sense of urgency about needing to rectify the “problem”, and victims are persuaded to give the offender remote access to their computer. The criminal can then access a wealth of personal information. They can gain direct entry to bank accounts to transfer funds, and can access identity credentials and other sensitive details to commit identity crime in the future. <h2>Change is needed to protect the public</h2> The threat of fraud will only increase alongside technological evolution. Experts are concerned about artificial intelligence tools such as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/mar/08/darktrace-warns-of-rise-in-ai-enhanced-scams-since-chatgpt-release">ChatGPT</a> and image and video generators giving cybercriminals yet another tool to add to their arsenal. The latest Scamwatch report is further evidence banks and financial institutions need to implement measures to help reduce fraud losses; among these, the checking of account names against BSB numbers for all transactions. The UK has a <a href="https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/policy-and-guidance/guidance/confirmation-payee">confirmation-of-payee</a> policy that does this. The government is attempting to address the continued surge in fraud losses through the revision of its <a href="https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/our-portfolios/cyber-security/strategy/2023-2030-australian-cyber-security-strategy">cybersecurity strategy</a> and the potential establishment of a <a href="https://consultation.accc.gov.au/accc/national-anti-scams-centre-survey/">National Anti-Scams Centre</a>. These are both positive steps but it’s clear there’s a need for more work to be done. Image: Getty This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/australians-lost-more-than-3bn-to-scammers-in-2022-here-are-5-emerging-scams-to-look-out-for-204018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Money & Banking

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ and other Oscars 2023 films show a trend towards linguistic realism in Hollywood

At the 95th Academy Awards, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/mar/13/daniel-kwan-and-daniel-scheinert-win-best-director-oscar-for-everything-everywhere-all-at-once">Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan’s</a> Everything Everywhere All at Once took home <a href="https://variety.com/2023/awards/awards/everything-everywhere-all-at-once-oscars-record-1235544633/">wins in acting, editing and directing categories, and also won the coveted best picture</a> award. The quirky and expansive sci-fi action film is famed for its absurdist take on the idea of a multiverse, yet it is still grounded in realness and humanity: In one masterfully choreographed scene in Everything Everywhere, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2wID9_FFD0">three languages are spoken by three generations of one chaotic immigrant family</a> over dinner. As a linguist, I am interested in how screenwriters and directors use language in film to <a href="https://books.google.ca/books/about/Multilingualism_in_the_Movies.html?id=hfhclpshb8UC&redir_esc=y">do much more than just convey dialogue</a>: Language and subtitles also provide characterization, establish the tone of a scene and ground fictional stories in reality. Increasing use of non-English languages and subtitles demonstrates both a trend toward linguistic realism in Hollywood and also broader acceptance of linguistic diversity in a globalized society. But filmmakers must negotiate the tension between narrative goals and audience engagement. By <a href="https://www.routledge.com/English-with-an-Accent-Language-Ideology-and-Discrimination-in-the-United/Lippi-Green/p/book/9780415559119">examining different ideologies held by filmmakers and audiences alike</a>, we can also still sometimes find long-standing associations between foreign language and villainy. <h2>Languages breaking through</h2> As South Korean filmmaker <a href="https://www.cjenm.com/en/news/director-bong-joonhos-parasite-wins-the-best-foreign-language-film-at-the-77th-golden-globe-awards/">Bong Joon-ho</a> described in his <a href="https://variety.com/2020/film/awards/south-koreas-parasite-crashes-the-subtitles-barrier-1203488979/">Golden Globes acceptance speech for 2019’s Parasite</a>, when audiences move past the “one-inch tall barrier of subtitles” a richer world of film awaits. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0963947013519551">Telling authentic stories</a> in a modern, globalized and multicultural world means fairly portraying the languages spoken and signed all throughout our society. Hence, at times, the need for subtitles. In another scene in Everything Everywhere, spoken language is eschewed altogether: Two rocks converse silently while gazing over a barren canyon, with black and white subtitles appearing on a bright blue sky. This simple yet <a href="https://twitter.com/Refinery29/status/1635118157206794243">emotionally resonant scene</a> was somehow enough to <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/everything-everywhere-all-at-once-review">move many viewers to tears</a>. Although <a href="https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/tar-cate-blanchett-todd-field-nina-hoss/">Todd Field’s Tár</a> did not clinch any Oscar wins this year, star Cate Blanchett notched multiple <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/full-winners-list-golden-globes-2023">other acting awards</a> <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/01/awards-insider-critics-choice-awards-2023-winners">for her role</a> as the titular orchestra conductor. In some of the film’s best scenes, the maestro uses only German during orchestra rehearsals and subtitles are dropped completely. Non-Germanophone audiences might not understand the words Blanchett says, but they are instead encouraged to focus on the visual aspects of the character’s communication: her facial expressions, physical tics and tremors and the building tension, both visible and audible, between her ego and everyone around her. The Oscar performance of “Naatu Naatu,” from the Indian <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-64935389">Telugu-language blockbuster</a> <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-64935389">RRR</a>, which received a standing ovation, was evidence that performances can cross language boundaries by leaning into creative elements far beyond words. <h2>Two sides of language representation</h2> The flip side of positive aspects of linguistic representation is that filmmakers, free to use the tool of multilingualism to provide characterization and establish tone, and even to showcase threatened languages, are also free to use it to entrench certain linguistic stereotypes, namely the association between foreignness and villainy. The <a href="https://screenrant.com/black-panther-wakanda-forever-talokan-lore-phase-5-complicated/">warriors of the underwater Talokan kingdom</a> in Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever never speak a word of English. In this Marvel Cinematic Universe story, the fictional kingdom of Atlantis was <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-mesoamerican-influences-behind-namor-from-black-panther-wakanda-forever-180981106">repositioned as a Mesoamerican-inspired society</a>. The <a href="https://globalvoices.org/2023/01/05/indigenous-and-proud-a-maya-speakers-reaction-to-black-panther-wakanda-forever/">language of Talokan is the real-world language of Yucatec Maya</a>, spoken by Indigenous people in present-day <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Yucatec-language">Guatemala, Belize and southern Mexico</a>. <h2>Sharing an Indigenous language</h2> Yucatec Maya is stigmatized and marginalized in the geographic areas where it is traditionally spoken, one of the <a href="https://theconversation.com/in-mexico-how-erasing-black-history-fuels-anti-black-racism-175315">long-lasting consequences of colonization</a>. But Coogler’s creative decision to use Yucatec Maya as the language of Talokan, as well as to borrow heavily from Mayan and Aztec cultures for <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/black-panther-wakanda-forever-ruth-e-carter-oscar-costume-design-1235349112/">visual inspiration</a>, has delighted some <a href="https://globalvoices.org/2023/01/05/indigenous-and-proud-a-maya-speakers-reaction-to-black-panther-wakanda-forever/">Maya-speaking Indigenous moviegoers</a> who say they saw their culture represented and are happy to see the language widely shared. Two strong minor characters, Namora and Attuma, speak only in Yucatec Maya throughout the entire movie, with English subtitles in an elegant blue script. <h2>Archetypes of antagonism?</h2> Yet, these characters are the primary villains of the story, portrayed as powerful and physically otherworldly. Thus, while the characters are not one-dimensional, their language seems to narratively underscore certain archetypes of antagonism, beyond simply showcasing a real Indigenous language of the world. This is especially noticeable when contrasted with the protagonists, the mostly-anglophone Wakandans. Although the <a href="https://screenrant.com/black-panther-movie-wakanda-language-xhosa-explained">language of Wakanda is the real-world language of Xhosa</a>, spoken in South Africa, in Wakanda Forever, it was mostly relegated to greetings and asides. Instead, the protagonists speak a kind of pan-African accented English. Unlike in James Cameron’s <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/avatar-the-way-of-water-vfx-oscar-2023-1235343383/">Avatar: The Way of Water</a>, viewers are never explicitly told that what the audience hears has been “translated” for us. <h2>Refreshing to see, hear more languages</h2> In Avatar, which took the <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/oscars-2023-all-the-kiwis-nominated-at-the-academy-awards-this-year/G7PU6REBKFDRVLTOTUZJ4TEM4A/">Oscar for best visual effects,</a> the protagonists all speak Na'vi, the language of <a href="https://gamerant.com/avatar-creation-human-navi-hybrids-explained/">the species living across</a> the fictional Pandora. Most of the language has been “translated” in the mind of the narrator, Jake Sully. In a neat expositional trick, the main character narrates the beginning of the film and explains that he learned the alien language well enough that it just sounds like English to him. This way, audiences won’t have to read for the entire film, and the heroes (and actors) can speak only English without sacrificing the “realism” of the science-fictional universe. It has been refreshing to see, <a href="https://mashable.com/article/minari-korean-language">in recent years</a>, many productions in film achieve critical and commercial success in the anglophone world despite being in non-English languages and <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-03-04/sound-of-metal-deaf-actors-chelsea-lee-jeremy-lee-stone">using subtitles</a>. There’s much more room for films to highlight both linguistic diversity as well as authentic characterization of characters who speak and sign without resorting to potentially harmful tropes. And I’m sure audiences wouldn’t mind hearing more Na'vi in Avatar 3. Image credit: Getty

Movies

The most cringe-worthy moments from the Oscars

On Hollywood’s night of nights, there were many <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/movies/dazzling-looks-memorable-moments-and-award-sweeps-the-best-of-the-2023-oscars" target="_blank" rel="noopener">standout moments</a> that had movie fans everywhere cheering on the deserving winners, and those that were rightly dubbed best dressed on the carpet. However, despite the record-breaking wins and wholesome on-stage moments, it seems not everyone was happy with how the night panned out. Media personality Piers Morgan had his own hot takes from the night, naming and shaming the most cringe-worthy moments and worst fashion fails. From awkward moments on the champagne carpet to an endless series of highly questionable outfits, the British broadcaster had some interesting thoughts on the night. He started his attack on acting legend Hugh Grant, who “humiliated” a reporter during an interview that was very hard to watch. Hugh Grant was chatting with Ashley Graham in what can only be described as a quintessentially British interview, as he gave short one-worded answers. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Hugh Grant with the greatest Red Carpet interview of all time <a href="https://t.co/cK0E8pBcWK">pic.twitter.com/cK0E8pBcWK</a> — Jared Christopher (@JaredLChris) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaredLChris/status/1635107391476989952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2023</a></blockquote> His reluctance to participate in the back and forth pleasantries infuriated Morgan, as he slammed the actor, saying, “If you don’t want to speak to the media, why the hell walk down the longest red carpet in show business?” While Piers seemed outraged by the exchange, others simply called it “the greatest interview of all time”, praising Grant for his nonchalance. Piers also took issue with any kind of light-heartedness on the stage, as he complained about the brief appearance of the “Cocaine Bear”, wishing for it to be “euthanized live on air”. He also took issue with the overwhelming applause given to Jenny the donkey, known for her role in The Banshees of Inisherin, wondering why the mute mule was given “more applause than most of the overly verbose winners”. Before the show began, all eyes were on the stars of Hollywood and their jaw-dropping fashion choices as they made their way down the gold carpet. But unfortunately for some A-listers, their outfits were just not right for the champagne carpet, or even their age. Rihanna chose to highlight her baby bump with a mixture of sheer tulle and black leather in a bondage-style gown, while Lady Gaga chose to take the drop-waist trend to a whole new level by showing off her ass-ets. Nicole Kidman left half her dress at home, while accessorising with enormous flowers in places no flowers should ever be. Eva Longoria left nothing to the imagination with her plunging gown, while Sofia Carson was channelling 2003 bridal couture with her white ball gown. Allison Williams draped herself in her grandmother’s curtains to pair with her pink lace dress, while singer Tems had no regard for those sitting behind her with her sculptural gown, and Janelle Monae channelled her inner teen with a crop top and clashing skirt. Despite all the drama on and off the stage, this year’s Oscars was full of deserving winners, heart-warming speeches and (some) stunning fashion moments, leaving us counting down to next year’s awards. Image credits: Getty Images

Movies

Oscars slammed for In Memoriam snubs

The Oscars have been slammed for leaving out several big names from the In Memoriam segment, which honours the lives and careers of those who have died in the past year. Among those left out of the annual industry tribute was Six Days, Seven Nights star Anne Heche, beloved comedy actor Leslie Jordan, and Sopranos star Tony Sirico. Notably missing from the list was South African actress Charlbi Dean, 32, who died just weeks before the release of her film Triangle Of Sadness – one of the 10 nominated in the Best Picture category this year. Also left off the list was Goodfellas star Paul Sorvino, as his Oscar-winning daughter, Mira Sorvino, was just one of many who were left baffled by the snub. “It is baffling beyond belief that my beloved father and many other amazing brilliant departed actors were left out. The Oscars forgot about Paul Sorvino, but the rest of us never will!” she wrote on Twitter, after the Oscars segment aired with no mention of her famous father. While Paul was left out of the tribute, his fellow Goodfellas actors James Caan and Ray Liotta, who also passed away in the last year, were mentioned in the segment. An emotional John Travolta introduced the tear-jerking tribute segment, and became choked-up as he <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/john-travolta-s-teary-tribute-to-olivia-newton-john">referenced </a>his late Grease co-star and friend, Olivia Newton-John, who died from cancer last August. “In this industry, we have the rare luxury of getting to do what we love for a living, and sometimes getting to do it with people that we come to love,” Travolta said Beginning with Newton-John, a montage of recently departed actors, directors, producers and other industry figures then played on the screen while singer Lenny Kravitz performed a stripped-down version of his song Calling All Angels. Image credits: Getty Images

Movies

Sonia Kruger gets “death stares” after “jumping the fence” at the Oscars

Sonia Kruger has shared her experience reporting at this year’s biggest showbiz event- the Academy Awards. In a cheeky video shared to the Sunrise Instagram account, the reporter revealed that she was getting dirty looks from other media outlets who were stuck in the “pig pen” and blocked off from the A-list celebrities. “You can see that everybody has now been corralled behind what we call in television, I think the technical term for this is pig pen,” the reporter said in her live coverage. “Now the weird thing is, we have exclusive access to be out here on the carpet so we are getting death stares from these people who are like, 'Why is Australian television allowed on the carpet like this?’” she added. The Sunrise team also shared their surprise at Kruger’s coup at the prestigious event. “Sonia Kruger has jumped the fence where the rest of the media is forced to stay,” they stated in the caption. The reporter landed interviews with various A-list stars including Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Baz Luhrmann and Miles Teller. The 57-year-old rocked the red carpet in a gorgeous sparkly lilac dress and looked half her age. Although she looked stunning, the TV star chose to report in comfort, rocking a pair of fluffy slippers. Images: Sunrise, Instagram

John Travolta’s teary tribute to Olivia Newton-John

John Travolta has been moved to tears while paying tribute to his late friend and co-star Olivia Newton-John. As he introduced the In Memoriam segment during the annual Academy Awards ceremony, Travolta gave an emotional speech for those in the entertainment industry we lost this year. As he battled his tears, he made a poignant reference to their 1978 film Grease as he remembered his friend, who died in August 2022. Taking to the stage, Travolta said, “Each of them left an individual and indelible mark that shared and informed us.” As he continued, his voice was breaking, “They’ve touched our hearts, they’ve made us smile, and became dear friends - who we will always remain hopelessly devoted to.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> John Travolta choked up when referencing his late 'Grease' co-star Olivia Newton-John while introducing the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oscars?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oscars</a> In Memoriam segment, featuring Lenny Kravitz <a href="https://t.co/R6cFFuIgGP">pic.twitter.com/R6cFFuIgGP</a> — NowThis (@nowthisnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/nowthisnews/status/1635180894943051776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2023</a></blockquote> That, of course, was a reference to the hit Newton-John song from Grease, Hopelessly Devoted To You, which she sings about Travolta’s character Danny Zuko. On several occasions, Travolta thumped his fist to his heart as he spoke, as he tried to contain his emotions. After Newton-John’s death last year, Travolta released an emotional statement on social media. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChAtHO1psCS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChAtHO1psCS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by John Travolta (@johntravolta)</a> </div> </blockquote> “My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better,” the actor wrote on Instagram. “Your impact was incredible. I love you so much.” In his tribute, Travolta added, “We will see you down the road and we will all be together again.” He signed it, “Yours from the moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John.” Image credits: Seven / Getty Images

Caring

Dazzling looks, memorable moments, and award sweeps: The best of the 2023 Oscars

Actors, producers, and creative souls from all over arrived at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre to strut their sparkle down the 2023 Oscars’ champagne carpet. The event, otherwise known as Hollywood’s night of nights, was always set to break records and draw attention from film fanatics across the globe - hopefully for all the right reasons - with the likes of Everything Everywhere All at Once, Elvis, The Banshees of Inisherin, and Top Gun: Maverick up for Best Picture. In fact, Everything Everywhere All at Once was nominated for 11 awards by itself, with All Quiet on the Western Front and The Banshees of Inisherin following right behind with an astounding nine nominations each. Everything Everywhere All at Once snagged a staggering seven awards in the end - most notably, the cast and crew secured the top honour of Best Picture for all of their hard work. In the Hollywood comeback of the decade, Best Actor went to Brendan Fraser for his part in The Whale, and Best Actress to the multi-talented Michelle Yeoh for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, who took the opportunity to remind women everywhere that “you are never past your prime”. Michelle also made history with her win as both the first Best Actress nominee and winner to openly identify as Asian. Meanwhile, their supporting award counterparts went to Everything Everywhere All at Once’s Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Ke Huy Quan accepted his award - and made history as the first Vietnam-born actor to ever do so. He began by thanking his 84-year-old mother, who was watching from the comfort of home, saying “my journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp, and somehow I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage. “They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I can’t believe it’s happening to me - this is the American dream.” Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert snagged Best Director for Everything Everywhere All at Once. And for those with a great appreciation for the songs that make moments come to life, MM Keeravaani and Chandrabose were awarded Best Song for the catchy hit ‘Naatu Naatu’ in RRR. The ceremony also saw special guest appearances from The Banshees of Inisherin’s Jenny the Donkey, a fuzzy bear presenter, and appearances from a whole host of stars - as well as an emotional tribute to those Hollywood had lost over the past year, with John Travolta’s emotional words for the late Olivia Newton-John, to whom he remains “hopelessly devoted”. But, of course, the Oscars aren’t only about who goes home with the coveted golden statues, and the stars paraded down the champagne carpet - formerly the red carpet - in typical fashion in a shower of shoulder pads, sparkle, and swagger. Check out 2023’s best dressed and top moments below, and the <a href="https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2023">full list of winners here</a>. Images: Getty

Movies

What's inside the $126k Oscars gift bags?

For many actors, being awarded an Oscar is the greatest gift of their career. However, if an actor misses out in their category, it doesn't mean they'll walk away with nothing. The Oscars' gift bags have long been jam-packed with a selection of luxury goods, bringing the total value of the goodies well into the six-figure mark. This year is no exception, with the Los Angeles-based marketing company Distinctive Assets once again sending out its infamous "Everybody Wins" swag bags to the top nominees. The bags are worth an impressive $126,000 this year, with 26 nominees in acting and directing categories going home with the goodies. The celebrities will be offered thousands of dollars worth of luxury goods, and even more in vouchers for things like vacations and cosmetic procedures. Among the contents is a luxury getaway to Canada, which is said to be valued at $40,000, vouchers for cosmetic procedures like liposuction and micro-needling, luxury skincare and gourmet foods, and and "the first-ever chocolate box with a personalised video embedded inside." Also in the goodie bag is one unusual gift that has caused outrage with Indigenous Australian communities: a plot of land in regional areas of Australia. Pieces of Australia is one of a number of brands to pay $4,000 to secure a spot in the Oscars gift bag, offering a small parcel of land in outback Australia as part of its “Conservation Gift Packs”. The land parcels all come with a “certificate of land licence”, but the terms and conditions go on to state that “you have purchased a symbolic souvenir … of the land” and people who own a “pack” may not “take possession of the parcel; use the parcel; enter upon the parcel and/or the land without the licensor’s express written consent”. The digital “member’s handbook” which comes with the pack referenced the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN) without the company's permission, causing outrage with the traditional owners of the land. In a statement, ICIN said it “has not granted permission for any of our information, publications or photos to be reproduced to support the Oscars ‘Goodie Bag’ or ‘Pieces of Australia’.” “The Indigenous Carbon Industry Network is a 100% Indigenous-owned charitable company owned by 23 Indigenous organisations across Australia,” it said. “ICIN is seeking legal advice regarding this matter and will be able to provide further statement once we have sought appropriate advice.” The Pieces of Australia founder, Niels Chaneliere, said the intention of his organisation was to provide “land licence agreements (where there is no land title transfer at any point) as novel/symbolic gifts for people around the world to engage and participate positively in conservation efforts”. Image credits: Getty Images

Movies

Major star forced to skip Oscars after health diagnosis

Glenn Close has been forced to bow out of her appearance at the 95th Academy Awards after testing positive for Covid. The 75-year-old acting legend was due to present an award at the show on Monday, but is remaining at home where she is "isolating and resting", according to reports by the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/oscars-2023-live-updates-df6b623d9990809be51884d49ee0db2f?utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Associated Press.</a> Close's publicist, Catherine Olim, confirmed that the actor contracted the virus and would no longer be able to attend the Oscars ceremony. "She was very much looking forward to taking part in the show," Olim said in a statement, while she did not share details about the extent of Close's symptoms. Producers are scrambling to find a replacement to present for actress, who has been nominated several times but never won, as she was reportedly meant to announce the winner of this year's Oscar for best picture award. Sadly, Close’s appearance at the Oscars in the Los Angeles Dolby Theatre was meant to be a fun reunion between her and Harrison Ford, co-stars of the 1997 action picture Air Force One. Glenn Close was among an impressive group of A-listers to present awards, including Riz Ahmed, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Troy Kotsur, Melissa McCarthy, Janelle Monáe and more. This is not the first year that Covid has forced stars to pull out, as Lin Manuel-Miranda had to skip last year's show after his wife tested positive for the virus just before the award ceremony. The virus has taken its toll on other awards shows, with Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jamie Lee Curtis having to bow out of the Critics Choice awards in January following their participation in the Golden Globes the week before. Image credits: Getty Images

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