Bradley Cooper: GQ UK International Man of the Year, October 2011

So, Bradley Cooper is International Man of The Year for 2011.

For all the lowdown, go here:
http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/men-of-the-year/home/winners-2011/gq-men-of-the-year-awards-complete-list

To watch the iPad trailer for this special issue, click below:



Pic credit (with Theron): Getty

Breaking news! Sarah Jessica Parker heading to Australia

In news just in, Sarah Jessica Parker will be heading to Australia for the first time in November to promote her upcoming film I Don't Know How She Does It.



The renowned star will be coming to Melbourne and her visit will include a press conference, a media junket and red carpet premiere event for the release of the film, as well as attendance at Crown Oaks Day.



Indeed, she confirmed on TV's Hamish and Andy's Gap Year that she will be in Australia (Sydney, you miss out... drats!) from October 29 to November 2.



National Publicity Manager Inge Burke said, “We are thrilled Sarah Jessica Parker can visit our country and we are excited to show off Melbourne during Spring, such a beautiful time of the year. Her new film I Don't Know How She Does It will resonate with so many women as more and more these days balance their family life with their working life”.



The film also stars Greg Kinnear (Little Miss Sunshine), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men) and Pierce Brosnan (Die Another Day).



The film revolves around Kate Reddy (Parker) who devotes her days to her job with a Boston-based financial management firm. In the evenings, she goes home to her loving architect husband Richard (Kinnear) and their two young children.



Juggling her two lives is of course exhausting, and it's the same story for Kate's best friend and fellow working mum Allison (Christina Hendricks), while the polar opposite is Kate's child-phobic, young junior associate Momo (Olivia Munn), who is intent on avoiding Kate's kind of life at all costs.



And then, Kate is given a big new account requiring trips to New York - and Richard wins a new job he's been hoping for.



As both spread themselves thin, to add further stress, Kate's spunky new business associate Jack Abelhammer (Brosnan) proves an unexpected source of temptation for her.



I Don't Know How She Does It releases in cinemas nationally on November 3, 2011. See www.howshedoesitmovie.com for more on the movie.



And watch the trailer here:

Angelina Jolie - Vanity Fair, September 2011

In stunning photography by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott (nobody does a close-up face shot like Angie), Angelina Jolie appears on the cover of the September Vanity Fair US issue.



The tabloids can all be quiet about marriage rumours (at least for this week!) - despite the constant 'insider' claims from magazines, Angelina Jolie assures Vanity Fair there is no wedding planned for her and partner Brad Pitt.



“I’m not pregnant. I’m not adopting at the moment,” she adds.



Which kinda leaves it open-ended, doesn't it... okay, weekly mags: feel free to carry on and speculate. As you were.



To read more, go here: http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2011/08/angelina-jolie-quashes-rumors-of-a-secret-wedding-and-admits-to-



The October issue of Vanity Fair will be on newsstands (in New York and LA) on September 1, and on the iPad on September 6.

Sponsored by Nuffnang: The Help - film review, plus ticket and book giveaway

Sponsored by Nuffnang

Sensational bestseller, 'The Help', has quite the following - thanks in part to one Ms Oprah Winfrey. Already a fave amongst avid readers, the Big O elevated the book to must-read status the moment she recommended it to her squillions of global viewers in her famed 'book club.'

While the film is not based on a true story, it is most certainly inspired by events of the time. Set in Mississippi during the 1960s, Skeeter (played by Emma Stone, with Oscar talk already buzzing) is a young woman who returns from college determined to be a "writer, or novelist, or both". She does get her wish, but turns her friends' lives upside down - and most of the community - in the process.

Skeeter makes a decision to interview the African American women whose job it is to look after the well-off Southern families - she herself grew up being cared for by 'the help'. Enter Aibileen (played by the sensational Viola Davis), who is Skeeter's friend's housekeeper. She is the first to open up about what happens behind the closed doors of well-to-do families, many of which treat their hired help like, well, crap. And 'crap' ends up becoming quite the motif in the movie... as does food for that matter.

Watching Southern fried chicken being cooked and chocolate pies being whipped up (with a secret ingredient or two) made me crave good-but-bad American food.

Risking her own friendships, Skeeter continues to meet with Aibileen and starts to keep a record of the incredible stories she tells, and soon more women come forward to tell their own stories.

Not surprisingly, unlikely friendships defying the classist and racial norms of the time are forged and new boundaries of what's acceptable behaviour towards hired help are established. The way the relationship between Skeeter and her mother (played by the inimitable Allison Janney) evolves is also heartwarming. Many poignant moments are played out, and for me, the ones that evoked tears were about pregnancy, babies, children, life, and loss.

And the line of the movie, uttered by Aibileen, to her young charge ("You is kind, you is smart, you is important") is one many will repeat to their own children.

Josie's Juice has three double passes to give away to see the movie, as well as three copies of the novel 'The Help'. All you need to do to be in the running to win a double pass and a copy of the book is tell us about a moment you stood up for something you believed in. Write your answer in the comments section just below.

Competition closes Friday September 9, 2011.

The Help is in cinemas now.

Watch the fabulous trailer here:



For Terms & Conditions, go here: http://www.nuffnang.com.au/terms-conditions-for-the-help-giveaway/

Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffiths: Vanity Fair, Spain - September 2011

Oh, there you are!



The celeb couple have been very much on the downlow for eons - though courted the press like mad when they first hooked up - feature on the cover of Spanish Vanity Fair, September 2011 issue.



For more, see: http://www.revistavanityfair.es/

Anne Hathaway: Interview magazine, September 2011

Anne Hathaway features in the September 2011 issue of ultra-cool mag Interview.

She is interviewed by the inimitable Chelsea Handler and they share some banter on being New Jersey girls...



HANDLER: ...let's talk about Jersey. I want to know your thoughts on being from New Jersey, and Jersey Shore, and how you think that show has helped our reputation as Jersey girls.



HATHAWAY: I think that Jersey Shore is awesome. I've gone to Cape May every summer of my life.



HANDLER: I'm talking about the show, Anne.



HATHAWAY: I know—I'm getting there. When I first saw the show, I thought, Wow, they are having a very different experience there than my experience in Cape May. I thought the first season of the show was awesome because it was authentic, but I don't watch it any more because now they know that there's a camera there. The Situation is totally self-aware. He's referring to himself as The Situation non-stop. In the episode I saw, his car got towed, and he was like, "We've got a situation here, and The Situation is the situation."



HANDLER: Did you honestly stop watching though, because you found there were too many similarities between you and Snooki?



HATHAWAY: Absolutely. I like to watch MTV for escapist pleasure, but when I saw Snooki, I saw my twin. I couldn't lose myself in the show anymore because there I was.



HANDLER: I had to actually stop watching the show because I was like, "This girl reminds me too much of Hathaway."



HATHAWAY: I've heard that from many people. That being said, I think JWoww is amazing. I love JWoww. She's intense. See, JWoww to me is proper Jersey because she will scrap for a friend.



For more, see: http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/anne-hathaway-1/

Sponsored Post: Make Dad's day with a Magshop subscription

Sponsored by Nuffnang



My dad taught me much during his lifetime: much of it centred on work. He taught me not to be afraid of hard work. He taught me that no type of work is beneath you. He taught me that sometimes, you really need to roll your sleeves up. And most of all, he taught me that you really need to work hard – and save harder – to get what you want in life. Not extravagant stuff – life’s necessities. And sometimes, those little sweeteners that make the hard slog seem worthwhile. Dad was as honest as the day is long and that too was a huge lesson in how to conduct myself. And last – but certainly not least – he taught me to always help your fellow man. These are all lessons I take with me throughout my daily life. Thanks, Dad.



Still need to get a Father's Day gift? Surprise Dad with an online magazine subscription from Magshop before October 4 and you could win a Volkswagen Golf! Then all you need to do is decide whether you’ll allow Dad to take it for a spin...

Kristen Stewart: W Magazine, September 2011

In magazine-saturation land, it takes a lot to be blown away by a magazine cover and pictorial - but this so did it for me.



Kristen Stewart - she of the Twilight phenom - is primped and prepped to such a degree she is almost unrecognisable.



Here is an excerpt from her interview with the always-ahead-of-the-game W magazine.



Enjoy these breathtaking pics from the magazine - photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott and styled by Edward Enninful. Just... beyond.



In 1999 David Fincher cast you as Jodie Foster’s daughter in Panic Room. He likes to do dozens of takes for each scene. Was that difficult, as a child?

I didn’t realize that 80 takes wasn’t normal. But it’s funny: Some of my proudest moments from film sets are in Panic Room. My character had seizures. Just being able to say, I was 10 years old and I broke all the blood vessels in my eye on that take, is cool. It was fun.



You had a tomboy quality, which was unusual.

I have brothers, and that so-called boyish quality was something that I was deathly self-conscious about when I was younger. I was, like, No, I’m a girl. Actually, I’m still embarrassed to say that.



But it sets you apart from other young actresses. And it made you more interesting.

I don’t really know what to say. I just knew I wanted to work. And I did. I was working when I read the script for Twilight. I read the script before I read the book. I actually did the audition before reading the book, which was kind of crazy. Obviously, I tore all four books apart over the course of three years, but initially I had no idea that Twilight was such a big deal.



Did you have a particular interest in vampires? All young girls like vampires.

I fucking love me a vampire [Laughs]. I was 17 when I read Twilight, and at the time it was so perfect for me. The script was about young kids who think they can handle stuff that they just can’t. And they’re going to do it anyway. Because, why not? Just torture yourself. I relate to that. Vampires are a little dangerous—and we girls like to test ourselves.



To read more, go here: http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/2011/09/kristen-stewart-twilight-breaking-dawn-cover-story#ixzz1Umibu8s3



And to watch Kristen talk about it all, go here:

Sponsored post: Gifting for dads made easy – Empire magazine subscription

Sponsored By Nuffnang



Dads are special. Very much so. Those who know me know I lost mine when I was just 13. I was very young, and so holding on to the wonderful memories I have of our time together is very important. Dad was certainly a hard worker, but when we took car trips out to visit family and friends, well these are the nicest memories of all. Just being in the presence of my very special dad made me very happy – and I understand that even more now when I watch my daughter interact with my husband. The bond between father and daughter is just something else. It can’t be replicated, and the memories – and special connection – last a lifetime.



And when it comes to gifting dad something special, most of us get a little stumped. How on earth can you possibly give something that says “thank you, dad” enough? For my own hubby, a bit of a movie freak, I am (shhh) giving him a year’s subscription to Empire magazine.



Back to my good ol’ days: going on day trips with my family was the highlight of my childhood. We’d often head to parklands for gatherings with friends and for me the journey was as exciting as the destination. I loved wondering where dad was driving us to. I wish I could say I was able to hang my head out of the car window and feel the wind in my hair, but my two older brothers got dibs on the window spot! Which may explain why I now very much enjoy being in the driver’s seat.



One thing I am sure of is that dads need to be rewarded. I am known to give magazine subscriptions as gifts, and it is a tradition I’d like to start with my kids’ dad.



The beaut thing is that Magshop are now giving you the chance to win a Volkswagen Golf Wagon 118TSI Comfortline - valued at over $40,000 – if you take out a subscription for dad for Father’s Day.



So, why don’t you check out an Empire magazine subscription.



Think about it: it’s the perfect, no-brainer gift for dad’s day – and it lasts all year ‘round.



If your dad is a film buff too, you just can’t go wrong with a subscription to Empire magazine. The ultimate mag for movie aficionados, giving you all the juice and goss before anyone else knows about it, then you can kick back and watch your dad appreciate his present from you all year.

Sarah Jessica Parker: Vogue, August 2011 + I Don't Know How She Does It trailer

Sarah Jessica Parker features in a gorgeous pictorial in US Vogue, August 2011 issue.

The 46 year old (I know!) - whose movie I Don’t Know How She Does It will hit Australian screens later this year on November 3 - is playing up to the film's alter ego Kate Reddy. She also does a fine job of showing off her cute-as-pie twin girls, and her son, with husband Matthew Broderick also starring in the Vogue spread, shot by Mario Testino.

In the magazine interview, she talks about identifying with her beloved Sex and the City character, Carrie Bradshaw: “Bradshaw’s life is nothing – nothing – like mine. I loved playing her, and it changed my life in lots of wonderful ways, but I’m not a crazy shoe lady, I don’t think about fashion all day long, although I have a great respect for the industry. Every choice we’ve made has been different, but with Kate I really understood the attempt at a life.”

To see more of the interview, go here: http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/sarah-jessica-parker-show-and-tell/

And watch the movie trailer here (excited? I am):

Everybody loves Joe Avati - including Phil Rosenthal

The faces are familiar, and if you're a true comedy fan, you'll already know who they are:

It's our Italo-Australian funny man Joe Avati and writer, creator and director of the long-running hit TV series, "Everybody Loves Raymond" Phil Rosenthal, the latter in Sydney as a special guest of the Sydney Film Festival, ahead of the screening of "Exporting Raymond".

Joe Avati is of course renowned as Aussie/Itie comedian and TV presenter, now a virtual household name after successfully touring his award-winning show Il Dago all around Australia since early 2007, as well as hosting SBS TV show “Food Investigators” (Joe is also a food scientist!) and building a very successful 20-year career based on his own over-bearing, very funny Italian relatives – just like Raymond's in his hit-show!

Phil is here for the Australian debut of his feature, “Exporting Raymond”, all about attempting to make a Russian version of "Everybody Loves Raymond", with hilarious results.

Phil asked Joe what would make a funny Australian version of the hit series. Joe says his own nonna would have to be a central character. She "can’t operate technology... dips a piece of bread into the oil after she uses the George Foreman Grill... and every day, she asks me when I’m getting married like a good Italian boy."

Joe has enjoyed huge success in North America, and one of his greatest fans happens to be Ray Romano’s wife - she even owns copies of Joe's DVDs and CDs.

Joe is currently touring Sydney with his Il Dago co-stars George Kapiniaris, Simon Palomares, and Jason Chong in their final season of the award-winning sell-out show Il Dago II: Now With Noodles.

For more info on Il Dago, go here: http://www.joeavati.com/ildago/

For more on Exporting Raymond, go here: http://sff.org.au/films-container/exporting-raymond/

(Photo credit, Phil and Joe: Andrew Siwak)

To see the trailer of this flick, go here:

The Sydney Film Festival - Wednesday June 8 - June 19, 2011

The Sydney Film Festival kicks off this Wednesday June 8 and runs until June 19, 2011.

The full 12 day film festival program includes 161 titles: 75 features, 39 documentaries, 34 short films, 13 retrospective titles, 10 world premieres, 86 Australian premieres, 42 countries, 47 languages and 29 Australian productions (1 retrospective, 6 features, 10 documentaries, 12 short films). Phew!

“Between our high-octane Opening Night premiere of Joe Wright’s Hanna starring Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana and our Closing Night premiere of Mike Mill’s delicious romantic comedy Beginners with Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer, you will find the very best cinema from around the world," said Festival Director Clare Stewart.

“From the daring stylistic approaches in our Official Competition selection through the inspirational subjects and investigations in the FOXTEL Australian Documentary Prize lineup, this year’s festival is a rousing chorus of unfettered vision, enquiry and creativity.”

The opening night gala will feature the Australian premiere of espionage thriller Hanna – directed by Joe Wright (Atonement) and stars Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana, kicking off the 2011 Sydney Film Festival at the State Theatre on Wednesday June 8 at 7.30pm, followed by an afterparty at The Establishment. Cate Blanchett will be opening night guest.

Other highlights include the 'family gala' event: director Jennifer Yuh Nelson and CEO of DreamWorks Animation Jeffrey Katzenberg will be at Sydney Film Festival to introduce the Australian premiere of Kung Fu Panda 2 in 3D on the public holiday Monday 13 June, 6.30pm, at Vmax 1 and 2, Event Cinemas George Street.

Now in its fourth year of FIAPF-accredited Official Competition features 12 international titles, in a program of cutting-edge filmmaking. Jury President Chen Kaige and four jurors will select one film to receive the $60,000 Sydney Film Prize.

There will also be industry talks and workshops - see the site www.sff.org.au to book tickets, to find out how to get there, movie times, movie venues, ticket prices, and more.

Tickets can also be booked by calling the SFF box office on 9690 5390.

Breaking Dawn - Part 1 trailer. Watch it here and on MTV Awards today

Are you ready?

Here is the official trailer for Breaking Dawn, Part 1.

You will see:

- Bella's wedding dress (and hint of a belly)

- Edward's hotness (especially in a wedding suit)

- Jacob's bare chest (again)



The trailer will have its official premiere at the MTV Movie Awards today, screened in Australia at 4pm today (channel 124, on the 'Entertainment' menu, not the 'Music' menu).

Are you excited?

While I am not one of those huge fans of the movies/books, I will allow myself to be swept up in the hype by seeing the highly anticipated flick with someone who is.

The movie open in Australia on November 17 - one day before the rest of the world!

The Hangover 2 - first look + (kinda) review

Here are some movie stills from one of the most highly anticipated movies - and sequels - of the year, The Hangover Part II.

Watching the preview on Tuesday at Sydney's George Street Event cinema there was certainly an air of expectation. The resounding question from jealous pals was: is it funnier than the first? Well, yes and no.

The first 20 minutes is like waiting for a mate to recount a joke you hope - for their sake - will have a killer punch line.

There are a few lines in the first frames which are so lame they are met with a smattering of laughs in the room. And some character traits in Alan (Zach Galifianakis) I didn't see coming... was he really that nasty to his folks in the first one?

The laughs only really come when they get themselves into mah-ja strife.

Best not to give away what will become the talking points of the movie (ladyboy alert! Oh, sorry...).

Suffice to say, here is what you need to know.

- Is Bradley Cooper beyond-words hot? YES.
- Will you see Mr Chow's small penis? YES.
- Will Stu be up shit creek? Um, YES.
- Will Alan ruin the night out, but end up being the saviour? YES.
- Is Bradley Cooper beyond-words hot? Hello?
- Does Mel Gibson make a cameo? NO.
- Does Bradley Cooper rock a pair of aviator sunnies like nobody's business? YES!

The Hangover Part II is now showing.

Kate Hudson & Ginnifer Goodwin: Marie Claire, June 2011

Ginnifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson are dual covergirls on Marie Claire's US June 2011 issue. The actresses star in new flick Something Borrowed, and in the issue they talk about weddings, babies and body bits.

Kate, who is six months pregnant with the child of Matthew Bellamy, frontman for the British band Muse, says she gained 70 pounds (about 35 kilos) during her first pregnancy, and losing the weight was a struggle.

"Let me tell you something. It's an emotional roller coaster, having to lose weight. I gained so much — I was 185 pounds at the end. You actually experience how much energy is stored in that and how much emotion you actually hold in that mass. It is emotional, no matter how determined you are. It takes work to bounce back so quickly."

This time, Kate has gained only 11 pounds so far. "I was so sick the first trimester that every time I tried to read, I couldn't concentrate. So I started brainlessly watching TV in the fetal position on my couch. It was brutal. I only just started getting a bigger appetite. I'm eating, but I like healthy foods in this one," she tells the magazine.

For more, see: http://www.marieclaire.com/