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This Week...
It's awards-a-go-go at Empire this week. On one hand we have the Oscars on Sunday night, which we'll be live-blogging and tweeting about as usual. If you can't possibly wait that long, our Oscars microsite is crammed with predictions, analysis and Oscar history - why not zip on over and enter the Oscar sweepstake to see how you do, eh? But that's not all! The most exciting night on the film calendar is still to come: the Jameson Empire Awards are on March 27, and the list of nominees is now online awaiting your vote. Are you a fan of Inception or Scott Pilgrim? Is it all about The King's Speech or 127 Hours? Now is the time to make the hard choices, ladies and gentlemen. But to help you, enjoy this King's Speech rap first. Helen O'Hara
Deputy Online Editor, Empire | | |
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|  | | | Is that for Rabbit Hole?
Phil makes an inspired guess when a set of rabbit ears arrives in the office (For the record, they were for Hop) | | |  | | |
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10 Things You're Guaranteed To See At This Year's Oscars
Some things are eternal. Sunrise, birdsong, Moira Stuart, and the Oscars. This Sunday sees the 83rd Annual Academy Awards take place at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, and you can expect all the usual glitz and glamour. But while we don't expect the results to entirely follow predictions, we're putting our reputations on the line and guaranteeing you ten sights that are definitely, no question, going to happen this February 27. | | | |
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The Jameson Empire Awards Nominees Shortlist
The first round of voting for the 2011 Jameson Empire Awards is now complete. We've sifted through the virtual sacks of entries and assembled the shortlist of finalists who will be waiting with baited breath on the night itself. It's not over yet, though. With the gold in sight there's still time to cast your vote and see your pick of the year's films and filmmakers lauded on Awards night. Let the final round of voting commence! | | |
|  | | Oscars Hub 2011
If it's Oscars and it's worth knowing, it's here. We have all of this year's nominees, plus a complete form guide and advice on the chances of each contender in the big categories, as well as a guide to Academy Awards gone by. Want to know who should've won Best Picture in 1956? Well, the answer is right here in our comprehensive Oscar hub, which will guide you through the week and a bit until the big night itself... The Big Oscars Sweepstake Empire's Predictions Video: Oscar Interviews Awards Photo Galleries |
|  | | Now That's What I Call Cheesy Movie Rock Ballads: Vol. 3
Whether you're partial to karaoke or merely bopping around the kitchen while doing the washing up, it takes a lot to beat a cheese-tacular movie rock ballad. You can't admit to actually listening to or – god forbid – liking any of these songs in polite company, but we bet you still find yourself involuntarily singing along with lyrics that have inveigled their way into your subconscious. But here we thought we'd take a more forensic look at these tub-thumpers: were some really bigger than the movies that spawned them? And do the lyrics bear any relation to the film's plots? |
|  | | An Alien's Guide To Getting By On Earth
It's not easy, being green. Or grey. Or sort of reptilian-looking. Or slimy, or telepathic, or a giant robot. Or even Alex Pettyfer with lights coming out of his hands. So if you're an alien visitor to Earth, allow us to present you with a few handy hints on fitting in around here. After all, with Paul out just over a week ago and I Am Number Four out this week, it's clearly time to examine the difficult issue of alien integration. So whether your name is Klaatu, Barada or Nikto, read on for your guide to getting the most out of your Earth visit… |
|  | | Words Over Faces: The New Movie Poster Trend
With the arrival of these three new The Adjustment Bureau posters, featuring Matt Damon, John Slattery, and, um, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt together (why doesn't Emily get her own, huh?) we decided that enough was enough. What is it with movie poster designers just taking a picture of a character and slapping words over their faces? Is that all it takes now? Sure, sometimes it works (and works well), but really we see the potential for abuse -- we don't want another back-to-back-Romantic-Comedy-lean to happen, now do we? To prove our point, here are a just a few examples of a trend that doesn't seem to be going away -- as well as a few mock-ups of what other movie posters might have looked like with the Words Over Faces look... |
|  | | Ten Great Australian Movies You (Probably) Haven't Seen
This week sees the release of Animal Kingdom, a Melbourne-set family crime drama that stands equal to some of the greats of the genre (think White Heat transplanted 60 years and 10,000 miles, or Mystic Yarra River). It's proof that the Australian film industry has plenty more to offer than just a steady stream of Jackmans, Kidmans, Worthingtons and the odd rogue dingo. It's also a reminder of some of the true blue Aussie classics of recent years. We've all seen Shine, The Proposition, Chopper, Romper Stomper, Mad Max and other big-league exports, but what are the lesser-known greats from down under? Following on from our first instalment, here's another ten to hunt down. Get a dog up ya! (Sorry) |
|  | | Video: Anthony Hopkins On The Rite
Forget The Last Exorcism and Emily Rose, The Rite has a not-so-secret weapon in the growly gravitas of Anthony Hopkins, as well as a true-life origin story to make the hairs on your neck stand up. You know that if Sir Anthony is feeling edgy, something is up - this is Hannibal Lecter we're talking about. What is up is dark, possibly Satanic forces that at loose within the Church. We caught up with the man himself, as well as co-stars Alice Braga and Colin O'Donoghue, to find out more about the film. |
|  | | Video: David Michôd On Crime Drama Animal Kingdom
Think of Australia and you think of Neighbours, Home And Away and Crocodile Dundee. In our mind's eye it's a sunny, friendly, kangaroo-filled paradise, whereas David Michôd and his amazing film debut proves that it's a little more complex than that... A blistering crime drama, it tells the dark tale of a underworld family with more than a few problems to iron out. In fact, with it winning critical acclaim from every man and his dog (Sundance World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic, anyone?) and even given an Oscar nod for Jackie Weaver's turn as the masterful matriarch, Smurf, it's a must watch for any fan of crime drama. So when we heard that Michôd was in town, we jumped at the chance to ask him a few questions, the results of which you can see when you click... |
|  | | Video: Paul: The On-Set Videblogisode
Can it really be almost two years since Empire's Chris Hewitt flew to Las Vegas - not that one, the one in New Mexico - to see how Simon Pegg and Nick Frost were getting on with their sci-fi comedy, Paul? Well, yes, it can - and with the movie currently busting heads at the UK box office, we thought it'd be the perfect time to bring you this very special and very exclusive videblogisode, shot by the legendary Lance Bangs, featuring interviews with Pegg, Frost, director Greg Mottola and co-stars Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio. Featuring: a peek inside Lo Truglio's trailer! A reference to Willem Dafoe's willy! And Frost's bandaged arm! |
|  | | Video: I Am Number Four Interviews
Ask anyone involved in I Am Number Four about the (inevitable) Twilight comparisons to their new alien teen love story thriller, and you'll instead hear them referencing Rebel Without A Cause and Close Encounters - which is encouraging. But for the full story, watch on: we spoke to director DJ Caruso, star Alex Pettyfer, part-time Glee star and female lead Dianna Agron and the kick-ass Teresa Palmer, and here's what they had to say... |
|  | | Video: Amber Heard Talks Drive Angry
Thought Nicolas Cage films couldn't get any crazier? Think again! Drive Angry is a violent, blood-splattered road trip with killer cars, gigantic guns and gorgeous girls - and chief among the latter is Amber Heard's Piper. Escaped criminal Milton (Cage) only has three days to track down the satanic cult leader who brutally murdered his daughter and kidnapped his granddaughter. He enlists the help of gun-toting, foul-mouthed, cowboy boot-wearing waitress Piper (Heard) and together they leave a trail of carnage from Colorado to Louisiana. We caught up with the actress to talk about firing guns, shooting in 3D and to find out if she drives a mean car herself… |
|  | | Video: Om Puri And Aqib Khan on West Is West
It's been more than a decade since Salford's fiery Khan clan graced our screens with the hit comedy-drama East Is East. The sequel, though, has finally arrived and picks up five years on with the youngest member of the family, Sajid, a can-kicking, shoplifting tearaway whose rebelliousness terrifies George Khan, who's pretty terrifying in his own right. The pair - veteran Om Puri and newbie actor Aqib Khan - joined us to talk about the second visit to the '70s and explain what's happened to the Khan family in the intervening years. One is a legend of Bollywood, the other was plucked from the classroom to audition for the role. We had to be quick because A-levels called... |
|  | | Promotion
Blackberry Shorts
Empire and Blackberry, in partnership with London Film Academy, opened their doors to 100 lucky winners on Saturday the 19th February. The workshops started off with two informative and educational workshops; Cinematography with the very talented and inspirational John Ward, and Acting for Directors with the brilliant Simon McLidden. Fuelled by their love and passion for film, Empire winners braved the wet and cold weather, to attend what would be for some, a spark in their film career. With book and pen in hand, attendees furiously scribbled down valuable notes, aiming to be the next Stanley Kubrick or Marlon Brando. |
|  | | Promotion
The Disney 50 at BFI Southbank
Enjoy all 50 Disney animated features on the big screen across one year.
The release of Tangled in January marks the 50th animated feature release for Walt Disney Studios and, to celebrate this milestone, the BFI and Disney have entered into a unique partnership to present to our audience the complete works, chronologically, over an entire year. The 50 include all animation styles, and may occasionally even feature a little live action, but the majority of the film must be animated. They don't include films that have been released by Disney but produced by other studios and only include theatrical releases. This is an unprecedented opportunity to watch over 70 years' worth of classic filmmaking on the big screen, and we look forward to spending 2011 in your company as we tell the Disney story. We hope that some of our screenings will be complemented by events and special screenings of rarely seen Disney material. | | | |
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A cute baby basket! At least, it was cute until we realised that it contained exorcism materials, and was here to promote Paranormal Activity 2's DVD release. | | | |
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|  | | | |  | |  | |  | |  | | | Playable Angry Birds birthday cake. | | Beanie Babies. | | Dr Seuss meets Star Wars, and it is glorious. | | Predator: The Musical. |
If you have any timewasters to share, then e-mail them in to me. | | | |
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Animal Kingdom 
A dark rites-of-passage story meets lethal Shakespearean drama, with low-key performances that artfully get under the skin. | | | |
Also Out
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Watch Video
This Week's Video Trailers And Clips
Every week, our video player will update to show trailers and clips from the week's movie releases listed above. | | |
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Despicable Me 
It's no first-rank CGI cartoon, but shows how Pixar's quality over crass is inspiring the mid-list. Fun, with teary bits, for kids; fresh and smart for adults. | | | |
Also Out
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