Thu, February 19, 2009
"Benjamin Button," "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Milk" will vie for best picture at the 81st annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, alongside "The Reader" and "Frost/Nixon." All five also had best director nominations. But the leader of the pack was "Button" with a total of 13 nominations including Brad Pitt for best actor. "Slumdog Millionaire" earned a total of 10 nominations including best picture and best director. Meryl Streep landed her 15th Oscar nomination for her lead role in "Doubt," in which she plays a vindictive nun. Kate Winslet got one nomination, taking her career total to six. Streep and Winslet's rivals for best actress are Anne Hathaway for "Rachel Getting Married," Angelina Jolie for "Changeling" and Melissa Leo for "Frozen River." Pitt will vie for best actor with Richard Jenkins for "The Visitor," Frank Langella for "Frost/Nixon," Sean Penn for "Milk" and Mickey Rourke for "The Wrestler."
A lot of repeat success on the Billboard album charts. Taylor Swift's "Fearless" has made it to a a seventh week at No. 1, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since 2004. Beyonce's "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" climbed up to the number 2 spot, replacing Nickelback's Roadrunner. Nickelback slid down to number 3. The newcomer of the week is the soundtrack for Notorious. The music from the biopic about the life of rapper Notorious B.I.G. debuted at number 4. And Kanye West's "808s and Heartbreak" rounded out the top 5.
No Doubt is back. Gwen Stefani will be hitting the road with the band that made her a star. The reunited group just announced a summer tour, kicking off in May, that will visit outdoor amphitheaters and arenas throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Long running medical drama ER is bringing back its biggest star. George Clooney will be shooting scenes this week for an upcoming episode of the hit series, which is in its 15th and final season on NBC. Clooney played Dr. Doug Ross on the show from 1994 to 1999. He returned for a cameo in an episode in 2000. The series finale will air in the US on April 2.
