March 2, 2011

Table of Contents

March 2, 2011
Cover

The Oscar Issue
Masthead
Features
1. Oscar Icons: Celeste Holm
  
  THE LEGEND: Her screen test for “Gentleman’s Agreement” was so powerful that Elia Kazan used the footage in the film.
  - THR staff
2. Oscar Icons: Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Akiva Goldsman
  
  THE BRILLIANT MINDS: The trio behind 2002’s “A Beautiful Mind” say their Oscar triumph didn't change things professionally.
  - Alex Ben Block
3. Oscar Icons: Joel and Ethan Coen
  
  THE ORNERY INDEPENDENTS: The pair’s 1997 Oscar for writing “Fargo” catapulted them into the mainstream.
  - Tim Appelo
4. Oscar Icons: Jeff Bridges
  
  THE DUDE: Right after winning for “Crazy Heart,” Bridges didn’t focus on how the best actor statuette would impact his movies.
  - Stephen Galloway
5. Oscar Icons: Susan Sarandon
  
  THE STRAIGHT SHOOTER: Sarandon says the power of a gold statuette is undeniable.
  - Marisa Guthrie
6. Oscar Icons: Ben Kingsley & Kevin Spacey
  
  THE KNIGHTS: For this pair, being an “actor’s actor” means having an outsize charisma that spills over into the category “force of nature.”
  - Merle Ginsberg
7. Oscar Icons: Robin Williams
  
  THE CHAMELEON: Williams was nominated four times before taking home an Oscar for “Good Will Hunting.”
  - Marisa Guthrie
8. Oscar Icons: Robert Benton & Geoffrey Fletcher
  
  THE DOUBLE THREATS: The two screenwriters have been brave enough to also direct their own work.
  - Marisa Guthrie
9. The Big Changes for the 2011 Oscars
  
  Show producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer reveal their plan to mix reverence with radical.
  - Gregg Kilday
10. Q&A: James Franco and Anne Hathaway
  
  The two first-time emcees promise comic moments but no pointed barbs.
  - Matthew Belloni
11. The Confessions of Mike De Luca
  
  ‘A lot of therapy’ and self-examination. That’s how the brilliant “Social Network” producer describes his journey back from an infamous era of h...
  - Stephen Galloway
12. Oscar’s Social Network
  
  A look at the strange connections among this year’s Oscar clan via the 10 movies nominated for best picture.
  - THR staff
13. Once Played, Now a Player
  
  Just a few years ago, David Ellison looked like a prime candidate to be fleeced. But after helping to finance “True Grit,” the young son of Oracle’s...
  - Kim Masters
14. What It Was Like at Swifty’s
  
  Before all the others, the Oscar party thrown by legendary literary agent Irving “Swifty” Lazar was the ultimate A-list destination.
  - Jackie Collins
15. An Oscar Front-Runner’s Calendar
  
  Around the world in 80 days: Colin Firth turned in the performance of a lifetime in “The King's Speech” — then the real work began.
  - THR staff
Departments
1. Oscar Movies’ Huge Money
  
  THE REPORT: Big box-office receipts for adult dramas might mean more greenlights.
  - Pamela McClintock
2. THR Heat Index
  
  THE REPORT: The MPAA appears to have found its new leader in the former Democratic senator from Connecticut.
  - THR staff
3. Banky’s Stealth Oscar Campaign
  
  THE REPORT: Forgoing ads and parties, the graffiti artist generates his own buzz.
  - Tim Appelo
4. More People Watching Awards
  
  THE REPORT: Ratings for the Grammys and Tonys have been trending up in recent years.
  - Marisa Guthrie
5. Exec Explains His Shot at the Grammys
  
  THE REPORT: Why Steve Stoute put the show on blast with a NYT ad.
  - Shirley Halperin
6. Terence Malick’s Big Romance
  
  FIRST LOOK: The reclusive director’s “The Tree of Life” doesn’t unspool until May 27, but he’s already shot his next film. Here’s a first look.
  - THR staff
7. What James Franco’s Severed Arm Taught Me
  
  THE REPORT: Tony Gardner, special effects artist, on how his “127 Hours” handiwork is saving sick babies.
  - As told to Stacey Wilson
8. Timing the Supporting Nominees
  
  THE REPORT: The category has never been about who logs the most screen time.
  - Stacey Wilson
9. Next Year’s Best Picture Nominees
  
  It’s never too early: THR predicts the 84th Academy Awards front-runners.
  - Matthew Belloni
10. 7 Days of Deals
  
  THE REPORT: News Corp.’s $663 million buy of Elisabeth Murdoch’s TV production company Shine Group is significant beyond the $357 million she stands t...
  - Compiled by Daniel Miller
11. If Julie Taymor Directed the Oscars
  
  How the big show might be different if the film and stage director was at the helm.
  - THR staff
12. About Town
  
  RED CARPET: Highlights of the premieres of “Unknown,” “The Adjustment Bureau” and “Rango.”
  - Bill Higgins
  - Randee Dawn
13. Rambling Reporter
  
  ABOUT TOWN: Oscars’ “In Memoriam” montage has become one of the show’s most controversial and often head-scratching moments.
  - Merle Ginsberg
14. Hitched, Hatched, Hired
  
  ABOUT TOWN: Inside the industry’s celebrations and news.
  - THR staff
15. Yes, I Did Say That!
  
  THE REPORT: Sarah Jessica Parker reacts to rumors of a “Sex and the City” prequel starring Blake Lively.
  - THR staff
16. Free Preview
  
  MPAA Ratings Chief Defends Movie Ratings
  
  As "The King’s Speech" receives a new PG-13 rating, the head of the ratings board explains to THR their ratings rationale and the rules under which they...
  - Joan Graves
17. And the Winner Is...
  
  THE RACE: Based on best-of’s and behind-the-scenes info, THR predicts who’ll take home a statue Oscar night.
  - Stephen Galloway
18. Free Preview
  
  The Insider’s Guide to the Oscar Parties
  
  STYLE: A survey of the two dozen Oscar-related parties taking place between Thursday, Feb. 25 and the big night.
  - Bill Higgins
19. Outstanding Oscar Jewelry
  
  A look at the jaw-dropping jewels that have made the cut on Hollywood’s most glamorous night.
  - Carol McColgin
20. Natalie Portman’s Awards Wardrobe
  
  STYLE: Best actress front-runner Natalie Portman has already won the award for most-chic outfit changes (even with a bump).
  - Carol McColgin
21. L.A. Luxury Lethargy
  
  HOLLYWOOD HOMES: The newest high-end condos contend with a down market.
  - Daniel Miller
22. Free Preview
  
  The Oscars: Our Critics Picks
  
  REVIEWS: With an eye on quality, not Academy politics, THR’s reviewers cast their ballots
  - Kirk Honeycutt
  - Todd McCarthy
23. Free Preview
  
  “The Event”
  
  REVIEWS: In the return of NBC’s paranormal puzzler — the latest contender for the “Lost” throne — the scheduling is as confusing as its plot.
  - Tim Goodman
24. Good Spirits
  
  BACKLOT: This year’s Spirit Award nominees for best first feature are poised to take their place among the indie world’s leaders.
  - Stacey Wilson
25. Q&A: Dawn Hudson
  
  BACKLOT: The 20-year head of Film Independent answers 5 questions about this year’s Spirit Awards and being back at the beach.
  - Stacey Wilson
26. 80 Years of The Hollywood Reporter
  
  BACKLOT: Oscar nominee Christian Bale got his big break as a child star with 1987’s “Empire of the Sun.”
  - Bill Higgins

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