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Movies We Want to See in 2010

Roger Friedman
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While Academy voters are studying their ballots and watching their videos, believe it or not there are a lot of new movies coming soon. Here’s a short list of what we’re looking forward to in 2010:

Howl – a docudrama about poet Allen Ginsberg’s obscenity trial following publication of his famous poem is one of the Sundance openers this year. James Franco is Ginsberg, and should be riveting. Great supporting cast, too: Mary-Louise Parker, Jon Hamm, David Straithairn, Treat Williams, etc.

Shutter Island – Martin Scorsese’s thriller with Leonardo DiCaprio was supposed to have been released a few weeks ago. But Paramount delayed it, saying Oscar campaigns for “Up in the Air” and “The Lovely Bones” had them overextended financially. A February release isn’t always bad — look at “The Silence of the Lambs.” And Scorsese is rarely off key.

The Ghost Writer – Roman Polanski’s new epic comes as he finishes it from lockdown home arrest in Switzerland. The film is supposed to open the Berlin International Film Festival on Feb. 8. Polanski won’t be there, but emotions and support will be high. He’s one of our greatest filmmakers, regardless of his past activities. An eclectic cast comprises Pierce Brosnan, Ewan MacGregor, Kim Cattral, Jim Belushi, Tim Hutton and beloved 93-year-old Eli Wallach. Get ready, this is going to be big news when it’s finally seen.

The Tempest — Julie Taymor’s take on Shakespeare, with Helen Mirren playing Prospera, the distaff version of the Bard’s conjurer.

The Tree of Life — Terrence Malick is never less than interesting. Now he’s got Brad Pitt and Sean Penn in a “Benjamin Button”-type ethereal epic that we probably won’t see until the fall. Will it be great? Weird? Self-referential? Or magnificent, like Malick’s “Days of Heaven”? We can only hope.

Hereafter – Clint Eastwood won’t stop making movies, which is just fine. Following “Invictus” he went straight ahead to make this thriller with Matt Damon and Bryce Dallas Howard. My money’s on Clint. And unlike “Invictus,” this may have a love story.

The King’s Speech — Colin Firth is so hot right now — and Oscar bound — in “A Single Man.” Add all that to Geoffrey Rush and very hot HBO director Tom Hooper (”John Adams”) and we may have a new “Shakespeare in Love” next fall. Woefully underused Jennifer Ehle, plus Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, and Michael Gambon round out this cast. If this isn’t an Oscar nominee, I don’t know what it is.

Robin Hood — Russell Crowe at least doesn’t have to fake an accent the way Kevin Costner did long ago. Saddled with many false starts and millions spent on scripts that didn’t work, Ridley Scott’s “Robin Hood” should nevertheless prove to be a success. Cate Blanchett is Marian, and there’s a strong supporting cast including breakout star Oscar Isaac (also in “Sucker Punch”) and stalwarts like William Hurt and Max von Sydow.

Sucker Punch — The first new film from Zack Snyder, whose “Watchmen” was a watershed fantasy film this year. Snyder puts together Jena Malone, Abbe Cornish, Scott Glenn and Jon Hamm. Could be a winner, and nothing less than interesting.

The Conspirator – Mary Surratt was the only woman charged with conspiracy in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Robin Wright (ex-Penn) gets to play her, directed by Robert Redford. If this is good, it’s also great, with awards awaiting. James McAvoy, on the edge of being huge, is featured along with Kevin Kline, Justin Long and Tom Wilkinson.

Broadway Shows on New Year’s Chopping Block

Roger Friedman
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Broadway is packed this week with tourists and the like. You can barely get a seat to any show, and the restaurants in the theater district are full.

But come January 4th, the Great White Way will be singing a different tune. Several shows are in trouble at the box office and may close quickly.

Among them: “Superior Donuts” closes January 3rd despite solid reviews and an initial rush for tickets. The dreadful “Bye Bye Birdie,” which was already a limited run. Ditto Carrie Fisher’s wonderful “Wishful Drinking” at the subscription Roundabout Theater.

But these are the shows people are gossiping about in the theatre biz: “Ragtime,” “Burn the Floor,” “Hair,” “Memphis,” “God of Carnage,” and, believe it or not, “Fela!”

The latter is a surprise since Jay Z and Will and Jada Smith were faux drafted to endorse and support it. But only Jay showed at the opening, the press office has done nothing but create enemies, and now I’m told this by an inside source: “They’re papering the house. The tickets are so discounted, it’s impossible to make money.”

According to playbill.com, “Fela!” is playing at 89.5% capacity. But the average sold ticket is $77, a far cry from the official top price of $125.

Having even more trouble is the revival of “Finian’s Rainbow” at the St. James. This very terrific production is filling just 59% of its seats, and the average is a paltry $68.

If only that show’s publicist–same as “Fela!”– had done something early on to encourage positive endorsements. I took my family to see “Finian’s” on Saturday, ages 9 to 77, and everyone had a grand time. Kate Baldwin and Jim Norton are not big names, but they’re dynamite. Christopher Fitzgerald continues his hot streak, going from Igor in “Young Frankenstein” to the winning leprechaun here. And the score–”How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”– by Yip Harburg and Burton Lane–is out of this world. The show is as timely as ever, and a definite must for families, especially teenagers. You’d think it would be a natural hit.

But there may be no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow.

Showbiz411 on Holiday

Roger Friedman
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This column is on a short hiatus–believe it or not–possibly not returning before January 4th. If something terrible, or great, happens, go straight to http://www.hollywoodreporter.com for more information. See you in the New Year!

Favorite Cinema 2000-2009

Roger Friedman
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Everyone loves/hates lists. Here are two for the decade of 00’s. Don’t like the choices? Make your own list! It’s fun! PS If I forgot something, it’s inadvertent. Most boring movie of all time: “Gerry,” by Gus van Sant. I can still remember counting the panels in the Eccles Auditorium while Matt Damon and Casey Affleck wandered around the desert. In case you need to know, there are seven acoustic panels on either side of the movie screen.

THE BIG GUNS

1.” ‘Memento/The Dark Knight – Director Christopher Nolan was the find of the decade. That he could swing from the best indie film to best action/adventure says a lot.
2.” Almost Famous – Cameron Crowe’s summation film and memoir. My sentimental favorite.
3.” ‘Lord of the Rings (series) — Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy will last forever.
4.” ‘The Departed/The Aviator/Gangs of New York – Martin Scorsese flourished in this decade. Leonardo DiCaprio owes him something BIG.
5.” Chicago/Dreamgirls/Nine/Sweeney Todd – Rob Marshall and Bill Condon brought back the movie musical.’ Tim Burton made a valiant effort as well.
6.” ‘Vicki Cristina Barcelona/Match Point — Annie Hall was released thirty two years ago. Woody’s still going strong. This pair proves it.
7.” ‘Volver/Bad Education — Pedro Almodovar really can do no wrong. These were the highlights of his decade. Penelope Cruz in Volver is like a beautiful dessert.
8.” ‘The Pianist – Why do people fight over and support Roman Polanski? Here’s the reason.
9.” ‘Million Dollar Baby/Mystic River/Letters from Iwo Jima/Gran Torino – Clint Eastwood’s remarkable renaissance
10.” ‘Inglourious Basterds/Kill Bill, Vols. 1 and 2 — Audacious and annoying, hyper and hilarious Quentin Tarantino
11.” ‘A Serious Man/No Country/O Brother Where Art Thou? – The Coen Brothers can be confounding, but when they hit the mark, watch out.
12.” ‘Gosford Park/Prairie Home Companion/Dr T and the Women –Robert Altman, the master: his last films are as good as his first.
13.” ‘Casanova/Chocolat/The Hoax – Underrated Lasse Hallstrom, whose “Cider House Rules” came just before this, always combines charming and sublime
14.” ‘Slumdog Millionaire/The Namesake – Indian culture brought to the West. Danny Boyle’s tour de force, and one of Mira Nair’s valentines
15.” ‘Juno/Up in the Air/Thank You for Smoking – Jason Reitman is three for three. And this may be his year in the awards circle.
16.” ‘Eastern Promises/A History of Violence – David Cronenberg drops the creepy, and hits two memorable homeruns.
17.” ‘Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead – Sidney Lumet is our living legend. If ThinkFilms had had money, this woulda been an Oscar film. Now it becomes a cult classic alongside Lumet’s standards like “Prince of the City” and “Serpico.”
18.” ‘Farenheit 911/Bowling for Columbine/Sicko/Capitalism — Michael Moore tells like it is. This makes people crazy. But it also changes the playing field.
19.” ‘Minority Report/Catch Me If You Can/The Terminal/AI: Artificial Intelligence/Munich– Steven Spielberg made these five films, as well as War of the Worlds. Hopefully he’s taking a nap right now. Great stuff in each one of them. Revisit Jude Law in “AI” or Chris Walken in “Catch Me.”
20.” ‘Hotel Rwanda/The Last Days – Genocide explained. The first is Terry George’s retelling of a holdout during a disaster. The second is James Moll’s still searing documentary of Holocaust survivors. One of them returns to her Hungarian home; another questions the doctor who killed her sister. Stunning.

BRAINSTORMS
1. Wall E – Andrew Stanton’s genius moment.
2. Me and You and Everyone We Know/Thumbsucker/The Tao of Steve-A charming Sundance trio, by Miranda July, Mike Mills, and Jenniphr Goodman.
3. In the Bedroom – the Sundance hit that went all the way to the Oscars, by Todd Field.
4. Sideways/About Schmidt – Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor’s signature pieces.
5. The Motorcycle Diaries – Walter Salles crystallizes Che Guevara and Castro in a road movie.
6. Vera Drake – Mike Leigh has so many amazing achievements. But Imelda Staunton and co. did something extra special here.
7. Goodnight and Good Luck- This was the decade of George Clooney, from his meticulous directing here and in “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” to his acting in Syriana, Michael Clayton, Up in the Air, even as Mr. Fox.
8.’ Diving Bell and the Butterfly/Before Night Falls – Famed artist Julian Schnabel cemented his place as a fine director
9. Rodger Dodger/Igby Goes Down/Thirteen– two coming of age films, maybe once in a lifetime offerings, pungent and sweet. The third, Catherine Hardwicke’s searing saga, is more relevant than ever today.
10. Precious/Talk to Me – 2009’s indie smash, by Lee Daniels. Deserving of all its praise. And Don Cheadle is so outstanding in Kasi Lemmons’ saga of music and politics. Dumped by its studio. Treasured by its fans.
11. Little Miss Sunshine – For a minute, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris ruled the world. Rightly so. Movie making is so much about the right chemistry without a formula.
12. Fantastic Mr. Fox/Hotel Chevalier – Wes Anderson’s whimsy doesn’t always work. But in these two instances, the whole thing came together.
13. A Mighty Wind/For Your Consideration – So funny, you’re laughing now just thinking about them. Catherina O’Hara’s “facelift.” OMG
14. Lost in Translation/Marie Antoinette – So Sofia Coppola was not the second coming of anything, but she has a lot of great ideas.
15. Capote/The Savages – Bennett Miller nailed it, with the help of Philip Seymour Hoffman (our finest actor of the decade) and Catherine Keener. In Tamara Jenkins’ ode to imperfection, Hoffman is just as good if not better, with Laura Linney in lockstep.
16.’ The Lives of Others– Florian von Dommersmarck would have won the general Best Picture award, but the film is in German. Absolutely brilliant in any language.
17. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon/House of Flying Daggers–Ang Lee got his warriors flying, Yimou Zhang made them beautiful.
18. City of God/The Constant Gardener – Fernando Merielles goes from doc-style alarming to spies in the house of love.
19. The Station Agent/The Visitor – Tom McCarthy acts, and he directs. He does them both well. I hate him. (Just kidding.)
20. Finding Neverland/Stranger than Fiction/Monster’s Ball – There’s no theme here yet except interesting directing: Marc Forster’s tale of J.M. Barrie almost got Johnny Depp his long awaited Oscar. Stranger made no sense, but I loved it. Monster’s was Halle Berry’s big moment, and it has nice work from Billy Bob, Heath Ledger, and P Diddy.
21. Special Mention: Borat. Bruno was so awful that it’s almost tainted Borat. But you have to remember the way you felt when you first saw it, before the lawsuits and the backstories. A phenom.

Daniel Day-Lewis Makes It Look Easy In Nine

Roger Friedman
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Daniel Day-Lewis has two Oscars, one for playing a paralyzed man with cerebral palsy whose left foot does the talking, and another for playing a megalomaniac empire builder who bludgeoned one enemy with a bowling pin.

Now, in the musical comedy, “Nine,” he follows the advice of the musical’s centerpiece number: “Be Italian.” DDL, famous for living his roles, seems Italian as crazed director Guido Contini in “Nine.” It’s funny to think since DDL comes from an upper crust Jewish family in England. His father was the UK’s poet laureate.

But Daniel lives his parts. It’s not like he went around butchering people while shooting “Gangs of New York.” But he stays in character while filming each role. He never lost his Italian accent during “Nine.”

He did have a lot of Italian experience. A decade ago, he dropped out of the acting biz for a while and worked in a shoemaker’s shop in Florence, Italy. No one believed this story when it was first told, but I can tell you first hand that it’s true. In 2003, I went to meet Stefano Bemer in Florence.

Bemer’s very small shop was not in a fashionable area of Florence, but hidden away and extremely discreet. It consisted of a tiny waiting area with a counter, adjoined by a similar workspace. There, a couple of workers banged on nails and tried not to inhale glue as they made one-of-a-kind pairs of men’s shoes.

The shoes then all carried the same price tag: $1,500 for the actual product, plus $250 for the three required fittings. I tried on a pair of suede desert boots which Bemer had in my size. The price tag for these was $730. They were lovely, but I declined in several languages. The word “no” always works.

Bemer had nothing but praise for Day-Lewis, whom he called a hard worker. “I used to say to him, ‘Daniel, no one is perfect,’” said Bemer, noting that Day-Lewis would often become disturbed when a stitch was not exactly right.

Day-Lewis worked for Bemer for an astounding 11 months in 1999. The shoe man would definitely take him back.’ Bemer, meanwhile, makes shoes for many of the well-heeled including Sting, who has a villa nearby in Tuscany.

A lot has changed in the time since DDL’s time as a cobbler. Just before that, in fact, he’d suffered something of a breakdown on stage in London playing “Hamlet.” Dame Judi Dench played his mother in that production. She was in a scene with him when Daniel, who was very intense about his identification with “Hamlet” and his father, snapped. Now, Dench tells me, “he’s a different man.” She’s in “Nine,” too, as Guido’s best friend and costume designer. “It’s having a family. He’s much lighter, and great fun.”

PS DDL’s Guido, of course, is based on the director Federico Fellini. He’s got it right, too. Here’s a clip of the original, from 1971: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4683240n

Jennifer Hudson Is NOT Pregnant, Thanks

Roger Friedman
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Maybe it’s because it’s a holiday weekend, but the crazy stories are starting up again.

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson tells me by email tonight that she is definitely not pregnant despite Star magazine and others insisting on it.

Hudson had a baby son, David, last August. She is planning a wedding to David’s dad, her fiancee, David Otunga. She is also prepping for a Winnie Mandela movie she’ll shoot this spring, and starting to map out a new CD.

So no new babies for J-Hud. She’s got her hands full, anyway! As Jennifer says, with a laugh: check it out in three or four years, but not before that!

A Year Before 2005 Trial FBI Found Nothing on Michael Jackson’s Computers

Roger Friedman
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The FBI files on Michael Jackson show a concerted effort by the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s office to convict the pop star for child molestationin 2003-2005.

The DA even brought in the FBI for assistance. But the Bureau’s examination of all the computers seized from Neverland found nothing in April 2004 ”ten months before Jackson’s trial. They’ went through a bunch of computers seized at the ranch, and ran “keyword searches” through them, looking for kiddie pornography. They came up with 18 pages of nothing.

Michael’s defense attorney Thomas Mesereau expressed surprise to me about the FBI files yesterday. “I never saw them,” he said. “Shouldn’t they have shared them with me?”

It didn’t matter. Mesereau’s masterful handling of the case got Michael acquitted of all charges in his 2005 child molestation/conspiracy case. But why did the DA go ahead with the case at all if the FBI turned up nothing?

Mesereau told me: “They heard all these stories, they read stories in the tabloids, there was the 1993 case. They had to proceed. Plus DA Tom Sneddon had gotten legislation passed since the first case making it impossible not to go ahead. And he did it because of Michael.”

Jackson was innocent of those charges. Whatever else happened to Michael Jackson in life, he was set up by Janet Arvizo to take a fall. Luckily, several people stepped in to save Michael.

Two of those people were Frank (Tyson) Cascio and his friend Vinnie Amen. They were working for Michael in the winter of 2003. Jackson put them in charge of catering to the Arvizo family right after Martin Bashir’s “Living with Michael Jackson” aired on ABC. All hell broke loose because Michael bragged about Gavin Arvizo “sharing” his bed. Gavin and his brother were featured on the program. Chaos ensued.

District Attorney Tom Sneddon, Michael’s nemesis from the 1993 case, determined to destroy Jackson at that point. He sought out Janet Arvizo, not realizing she was a welfare cheat, a pathological liar, and a big cup o’crazy. On the witness stand, Mrs, Arvizo told Jackson’s defense attorney, Tom Mesereau, she believed Michael was going to steal her children in a big hot air balloon, and fly away.

After that, no testimony mattered. We in the Santa Maria courtroom knew Michael would moonwalk home, free as a bird. And deservedly so.

Earlier that year, I wrote in my old column that when Frank and Vinnie brought Janet home to her L.A. apartment from Neverland, Sneddon’s card was under her door. She called the number. He invented her. Then he involved the FBI. The results are in the newly released files. Manpower was revved up, resources were used. And it was all for nothing. Regardless of Michael’s naive comments about children, or anything that might have happened years earlier, he was innocent. He was guilty, like Chris Tucker and a bunch of other people, of being conned by the Arvizos.

In truth, the Jackson-Sneddon feud had been fueled by Michael. After the 1993-94 Jordy Chandler case, Michael fanned the flames by tautning Sneddon in song. It was a mistake. Sneddon was a no-nonsense guy. He didn’t wear designer suits. He reminded those of us in the court room of an old gym teacher. He wasn’t “hip.” And you could tell, he didn’t like the hip crowd one bit.

In the FBI files, you can see how Sneddon, using Court TV’s willing Diane Dimond, ginned up the anti-Michael cause. He even sent ADA Ronald Zonen ‘‘listed in the FBI files incorrectly as Richard ‘ to New York to persuade Jordy Chandler to testify. Chandler declined, and threatened to fight a subpoena legally. The word was that he left the U.S. for the duration of the trial.

Sneddon et al had little luck getting anyone else from the so-called conspiracy to kidnap the Arvizos onto the stand. And Vinnie, I can tell you now, let me publish dozens and dozens of receipts he’d kept while babysitting the Arvizos. Eventually it all came out during the trial: rather than being kidnapped, the Arvizos were treated to movies, clothes, hotel stays, and spa treatments. Sneddon, of course, knew this. He just pretended that it never happened. Janet Arvizo received a full body waxing, courtesy of Michael Jackson. The FBI was taken to the cleaners.

Sarandon-Robbins Split Not a Total Surprise

Roger Friedman
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sarandonrobbins Sarandon Robbins Split Not a Total SurpriseI wouldn’t say everyone was surprised by the news that Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins have separated. They were never married, but for 23 years they reigned supreme as New York and Hollywood’s top liberal couple.

Three years ago, it was clear that Robbins was alone in Los Angeles doing a play. Sarandon was home in New York. It was unusual even then to see them separated by work.

More recently, Robbins came alone to the Gotham Awards. At the premiere of “The Lovely Bones,” Sarandon was surrounded by agents and pals in a banquet at the Oak Room at the Plaza. Robbins was nowhere to be seen.

Everyone sort of knew but didn’t want to say. This isn’t an US Weekly situation. These are nice people, with a family and a history.

Their last public appearances were in the summer, at Nelson Mandela Day, and at a Paul McCartney concert on July 18.

They have two sons together; they’re also the kind of couple who will remain friendly. There will be no fireworks.

Sarandon and Robbins each has an Oscar, by the way. Robbins has a best supporting actor for “Mystic River.” He directed her to a best actress Oscar for “Dead Man Walking.” It was Sarandon’s fifth nomination.

For Sarandon, the change in status means more and comes at a generational change for her. Her kids are grown. For years, Sarandon would only take movies shot in New York so she could be with her family. Now, single and less tied to hearth and home, she can presumably move around more. At 63, she looks more like 53. and not in the plastic way. She could easily start taking some of the roles Meryl Streep has had in the last few years. Sarandon is capable of excelling at drama and comedy. Directors should be anxious to work with her, and not just in “Mom” roles. She’s amazing in the Brian Koppelman movie “Solitary Man” as Michael Douglas’s ex wife.

Robbins never really capitalized on his Oscar. He’s made very pedestrian choices since 2003. But he’s also a youthful 51, and could start playing more leading-man roles if he wants to.

So, on to new adventures for Susan and Tim, and best of luck to them both. In Hollywood terms, 23 years is an eternity. They deserve a plaque.

Another thing about Sarandon: My favorite of her films is “Atlantic City,” written by John Guare, and directed by her then love, Louis Malle. It’s hard to imagine anyone making such a fine piece of cinema now.

FBI Releases 300 Pages on Michael Jackson

Roger Friedman
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michael jackson 234x300 FBI Releases 300 Pages on Michael JacksonThe FBI released today some 300 pages on Michael Jackson.

Much of it is a 200-page report from 1992 detailing a crazed stalker who threatened to kill President George H.W. Bush and commit mass murder. The stalker was obsessed with Jackson as well as John Gotti. He was eventually arrested.

The rest of it has to do with the attempt in 2003-06 by Santa Barbara District Attorney Tom Sneddon to try Jackson on child molestation and conspiracy. As everyone knows, Jackson was acquitted in June 2005 after 20 months of hell.

Interestingly, in this FBI file, the notes written indicate that nothing of note was found on Jackson’s computers to convict him.

There are also files from the 1993-94 investigation into child molestation. One interesting note from an FBI officer concerns a Toronto woman who worked in children’s services. She purported to have traveled on the same train as Jackson and his entourage to the Grand Canyon from Chicago. Jackson and his staff got in California and took four compartments. Accompanying Jackson was then-12-year-old Jordan Chandler. The witness said the two seemed extremely close, and that she was concerned about noises coming out of their compartment.

The report says that Jackson had with him a minor boy of 12 or 13 who was identified as Michael’s “cousin.” “Jackson was very possessive of boy at night,” wrote the officer. “(The witness) heard questionable noises through wall.”

But much of the FBI reports released today are adminstrative. Much of the material has been redacted so no names appear. Many of the pages are just copies of newspaper and British tabloid stories about Jackson, most of which weren’t true in the first place.

Insiders Claim ‘Precious’ Star Was Cheated Out of Award

Roger Friedman
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Was Gabourey Sidibe, the star of “Precious,” cheated out of a movie award?

That’s what insiders from the African-American Film Critics Association are telling me. They say Sidibe was intentionally cheated out of a Best Actress citation at the AAFCA’s annual event Dec. 14, the same night “Precious” took home a raft of other honors including Best Picture, Best Director, Supporting Actress and Screenplay.

Sidibe lost in the Best Actress category to Nicole Beharie, star of the little known and mostly unseen Samuel Goldwyn Company release,’ “American Violet.”

According to the final ballot, which I’ve seen, Sidibe received eight first-place votes from the 16 critics who participated. Beharie got four first-place finishes, and the rest went to Anika Noni Rose (two votes) and one each for Helen Mirren and Zooey Deschanel. Among second-place finishers, Sidibe got five votes; Beharie got one.

Critics of the AAFCA co-founder Gil Robertson IV claim that he manipulated the final tally to please the producers of “American Violet.” Since then, the awards group has succumbed to massive infighting.

Reached by phone Tuesday morning for comment, Robertson claimed that I was in possession of an incomplete ballot. ‘”There are 22 members of the AAFCA,” he said. “You obviously have an incomplete ballot.”

But internal AAFCA emails, which I’ve seen, allude to payments from studios and outside influence affecting the choices of winners. There’s a movement afoot to oust Robertson as well.’ AAFCA president’Wilson Morales wrote to him in an email obtained by this column:

“As you know your recent actions have been called into question because of a series of choices you made without the approval of the founding members of the group, including myself…Our collective view is that an organization that gives out awards should be ethical and not subjected to bias based on donations from outside sources, and if that at some point comes into conflict with some of our additional goals to curry favor with the studios and get major press coverage or a broadcast deal.”

Robertson also says he never received a letter from Morales, even though I read him the reply he sent. Says Robertson, “Wilson and I are having personal issues.”

The AAFCA’s other awards went to Morgan Freeman (”Invictus“), Anthony Mackie (”The Hurt Locker“) and, of course, Mo’Nique (”Precious”). Michael Jackson was given an honorary citation. The group also listed as its best movies “Up in the Air,” “Up,” “Good Hair,” “The Hurt Locker,” “American Violet,” and two indie films that are worth checking out: “Goodbye Solo,” and “Medicine for Melancholy.”

But the Sidibe issue is just the latest in a long line of strange things that have gone on with “Precious” since it advanced into awards season. First of all, ‘Mo’Nique caused a stir by demanding money for appearances. She did little publicity despite universal acclaim for her performance. The National Board of Review all but ignored the film. Oscar voters are just getting to see “Precious” now over the holidays. Luckily most of them will not have heard of these various contretemps.

As for Sidibe,’she’s guaranteed an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. That should take the sting out of all this pettiness.

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