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 …

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that James Franco took home the award for Best Supporting Male. He turned in such an amazing performance in Milk, I’m thrilled for his win. I’m also happy that Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler took home the top prize. I have been a HUGE Aronofsky fan since his movies Pi and Requiem for a Dream changed the way I viewed movies (ie. as an art form and not merely as entertainment). If you have not seen either of those films GO SEE THEM NOW! They are amazing. While I don’t think that The Wrestler will win Best Picture at the Oscars tonight, my money is on Rourke to win the Best Actor trophy tonight. In any event, much congrats goes out to the winners at this year’s Film Indepedent’s Spirit Awards.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

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 …

GQ’s Obsession of the Year dished at last night’s event that she is planning a small wedding to fiancée Brian Austin Green:

Despite reports to the contrary, Transformers hottie Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green are “still engaged,” he tells PEOPLE – and they’re busy planning the wedding. “[The ceremony will be] small,” the former Beverly Hills, 90210 star added at Tuesday night’s GQ bash in L.A. “Originally we were talking elopement and now we might have a few people there.” Still, he said, don’t expect a lot of press hoopla surrounding their big day. “You might hear about it the week after.”

Man, how did Brian Austin Green get so lucky? Good for him. And how amazing does Kathy Griffin look? She tells US Weekly that a new season of My Life on the D-List is on the way:

“It’s season 5. We start shooting [Wednesday],” Griffin, 48, told Usmagazine.com at the GQ Men of the Year party in L.A. Tuesday night. “Literally, it’s our first day. I know, what am I doing here [at this party]?” What to expect this time around? “Season 5 is going to be a little bit of a transitional season because it’s going to be more celebrity oriented,” she said. “[It's] the way that American Idol sort of started as a singing contest and then every week you expect to see the mentors. I have some really good guest stars coming on the D-List this year.” But she’s keeping her lips zipped. “I can’t tell you, but please call Bravo!” she said. “I’m actually getting a lot of people that I want to, and it’s really, really exciting. “And the two Emmys didn’t help,” she added jokingly. “Suck that Efron! The more important thing is that I have more Emmys than Zac Efron! I just want to make sure we are good on that.”

Love it. Much congrats go out to all the pretty people who were honored by GQ this year … I’m sure all the accolades are much deserved cuz, you know, these celebs could really use a little more ego-stroking ;)

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

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]

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]

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 …

Here are a few more guests walking the black carpet at last night’s movie premiere:

It looks like any celeb who was in the NYC vicinity was able to make their way to the movie’s premiere … and who could blame them? The Dark Knight promises to be the summer’s biggest blockbuster and will, most likely generate massive buzz for the rest of the year. Considering there is Oscar talk already, well, there’s no telling how huge TDK may turn out to be. I, for one, am counting down the seconds until I am able to see the movie this Thursday night at midnight.

Here are a few pics of some of the guests who attended the premiere afterparty at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, including Kim and Kate Ledger (Heath’s father and sister respectively) and various hotties:

I understand that Heath’s mother, Sally Bell, was also at last night’s premiere and/or afterparty but no members of the Ledger family gave any interviews to the press. Heath’s father was asked what he thought about the movie and he reportedly gave a thumbs up. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for the family to watch this movie … but, again, I understand that Heath gave a phenomenal performance … one that will prolly live on as his legacy.

I believe there will be another premiere event for The Dark Knight here in LA this week … and then the movie will open for the rest of us to see. I am so excited!!!

[Photo credit: Splash News, Bauer-Griffin, Wireimage]

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.

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