Various celebs from the world of independent film made their way out to the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, CA yesterday to attend the annual Film Independent’s Spirit Awards which are traditionally handed out on the eve of the Academy Awards. Honoring independent film and independent filmmakers, the Indies are handed out in a casual and usually celebratory atmosphere … and last night’s awards show was no exception. The Wrestler and the film’s lead Mickey Rourke did very well at this year’s Indies, taking home the top film and male acting prize … setting the stage for a possible repeat at tonight’s Academy Awards. Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals and some info on last night’s awards show:

Mickey Rourke and “The Wrestler” have won top honors at the Spirit Awards, the annual eve-of-Oscars salute to the best of independent cinema. Rourke, a nominee at Sunday’s Academy Awards, won the best actor for his performance as a washed-up prizefighter in director Darren Aronofsky’s moving drama, which later scooped the ceremony’s best picture prize. Rourke’s award was the latest in a series of honors that have gone to the 56-year-old, who has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity after his career suffered a prolonged slump through the 1990s. In a typically profanity-laced acceptance speech, Rourke dedicated the win to “Wrestler” director Aronofsky — and his pet chihuahua, who died last week. “I’ve just gotten thousands of letters from strangers and people that know me about my dog that died six days ago, Loki. This is for you baby,” he said. “Thank you Darren Aronofsky for believing in me. Directors like Darren come around every 25 years,” added Rourke. Aronofksy said he had been drawn to the “The Wrestler” because of its subject matter. “Wrestling was a world no one had tackled in a serious way, and the more we looked into that world, the more complex it seemed,” he said. In other awards Saturday, Oscar nominee Melissa Leo won the best actress award for her performance in the human-trafficking drama “Frozen River.” Tom McCarthy meanwhile took best director honors for “The Visitor,” which is notable for helping journeyman Richard Jenkins earn a best actor nomination at Sunday’s Oscars. In the supporting actor and actress categories, Spanish siren Penelope Cruz won for her performance in Woody Allen’s steamy comedy “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” Cruz will be seeking to emulate the success at the Oscars, where she is nominated in the best supporting actress category. “I didn’t expect this,” Cruz said. “I go to all awards like this, not expecting anything, so it’s always a surprise when I win.” Meanwhile James Franco picked up the best supporting actor award for his portrayal of gay politician Harvey Milk’s long-time lover Scott Smith in the Gus Van Sant biopic “Milk,” which also earned best first screenplay for writer Dustin Lance Black. Black later paid tribute to Sean Penn’s portrayal of Milk, California’s first openly gay elected official. “Sean’s performance really captured Harvey,” Black said. “That’s why this film has such a connection beyond gay and lesbian audiences. We need to continue building the coalitions that Harvey was so good at.” In other notable awards Saturday, France’s “The Class (Entre Les Murs)” won the best foreign film, while the best documentary went to “Man on Wire,” director James Marsh’s exhilarating account of Frenchman Philippe Petit’s tight-rope walk between the two towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. “What Philippe did was to stop time, it was a little miracle,” Marsh told reporters.

Altho the Film Indepedent’s Spirit Awards are only 25 years old, I love that there is a place for Indie films to get their due when, overwhelmingly, the Motion Picture Academy tends to overlook many amazing performances due to, well, their indieness. True, some Independent Films and actors get honored at the Academy Awards but, for the most part, name recognition plays a huge part in the voting process. I’m sure many of you have never even heard of the film Frozen River and yet, it was one of the year’s strongest films. After the jump, check out a couple photos from the show itself and some pics of a few winners posing with their Indie trophies in the press room afterward …

READ THE REST OF THIS POST »

While People magazine is honoring its annual list of the Sexiest Men Alive today, GQ magazine has compiled its own list of men to honor as well. Both male and female celebs made their way out to the Chateau Marmont in LA, CA last night to enjoy GQ magazine’s 2008 Men Of The Year Party — bestowing top honors to Leonardo DiCaprio and John Malcovich. Here are a few pics from the red carpet arrivals last night:

Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and John Malkovich walked away with top awards at this year’s GQ Men of the Year ceremony. The Body Of Lies star picked up the Leading Man Trophy, while Malkovich was named Mad Genius of the Year at the men’s magazine awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Tuesday. President-elect Barack Obama was given the nod as Game Changer of the Year, actor Jon Hamm was handed the Breakout award and Olympic champion Michael Phelps took home the ultimate accolade for Golden Boy of the Year. The glittering party attracted some of Hollywood’s brightest male stars, including DiCaprio, Zac Efron, Adam Brody and Aaron Eckhart. And although the annual celebration recognizes leading men, the ladies were out in full force too, with Megan Fox, Rosario Dawson and Elisha Cuthbert turning out for the red carpet bash. The main list of winners is as follows:

Leading Man: Leonardo DiCaprio
Game Changer: Barack Obama
Breakout: Jon Hamm
Golden Boy: Michael Phelps
Mad Genius of the Year: John Malkovich
Obsession of the Year: Megan Fox
Drama Queen of the Year: Sean Penn
Screen Idol of the Year: James Franco
Tough Guys of the Year: The Wire Writers
Mogul of the Year: Seth MacFarlane
Prick of the Year: Gordon Ramsay

While I don’t necessarily agree with this list of honorees as I did with the People magazine list, there are a few winners that I am in complete agreement with — Barack Obama, Megan Fox, James Franco. After the jump, check out a few more photos from the red carpet arrivals last night — there is more hotness to be had …

READ THE REST OF THIS POST »

Christian Bale (with his beautiful wife Sibi by his side), Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart and director Christopher Nolan were all on hand at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo yesterday for the Japanese premiere of Batman: The Dark Knight. Here are a few pics from the red carpet arrivals at yesterday’s premiere:

First, I think it’s amazing seeing Christian Bale smiling again. He looks so happy … even tho I’m sure that the memory of his recent embarrassing incident with his estranged family members is still fresh in his mind, he looks great — as if he’s already moved well beyond that dark incident. I think it’s pretty safe to say that The Dark Knight is pretty much on track to fully conquer the world. It’s already well on it’s way to becoming the most successful film in US box office history (it looks like the Titanic is going to sink again) and is also proving to be a big hit all around the world. I’m anxious to get back to the States to see it again … next time, on IMAX. And the TDK juggernaut rolls on …

[Photo credit: Wireimage]

Batman: The Dark Knight had its UK premiere at Odeon Leicester Square in London, England last night where the principal stars (including Christian Bale, who has been since arrested for alleged assault against his mother and sister) came out for the event. Here are a few pics from the red carpet arrivals last night:

It’s hard to not think about the allegations against Christian Bale right now, especially when looking at photos of the man. In any event, everyone looked great on the red carpet … Maggie Gyllenhaal especially looked great in her sexy black dress. Here are a few pics of some of the other celebs who came out for the premiere:

As always, it’s nice to see the McFly boys out and about and how about that Kelly Osbourne. The girl see-saws between lookin’ really tragic to lookin’ really good — she looks pretty amazing these days, I think. I’m not sure what Ne-Yo was doing at the premiere (it’s a pretty random sighting) but I’m sure a good time was had by all. I am very much looking forward to hearing what folks in the UK and Europe think about The Dark Knight. After setting 8 box office records here in the US last weekend, I’m curious to see how the rest of the world will receive the film.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Batman: The Dark Knight held it’s first premiere, a black carpet event, at the AMC Loews Lincoln Center in NYC last night. All of the principal stars of the movie were in attendance (many of them matched up with their partners) including members of the late Heath Ledger’s family (who opted out of talking to any press as they walked the carpet). Here are a few pics from the black carpet arrivals at last night’s premiere:

There were lots of jubilant smiles and happy faces … it’s nice that the stars of The Dark Knight can celebrate their new movie (reportedly a tour de force for Heath Ledger) without having to cast any mournful sadness on the event over the loss of Heath Ledger. After the jump, check out more pics from the black carpet arrivals at the movie premiere and a few photos of some of the attendees at the movie’s afterparty at the Mandarin Oriental …

READ THE REST OF THIS POST »

Aaron Eckhart, who stars as Harvey Dent (who eventually becomes supervillain Two Face) in next month’s Batman sequel The Dark Knight, is featured on the cover and in the pages of the new August issue of Men’s Health magazine … take a look:

Now see, Aaron Eckhart is one of those hot men that is classically handsome in that “guy next door” sort of way. He’s got a great smile which makes him look approachable and Hollywood good looks that will take him far in the biz. I am very happy that he has been cast in the new Batman franchise. Like Christian Bale in the lead role, I am very much looking forward to many years ahead of seeing Eckhart on the big screen in future Batman movies.

[Source]