LOS ANGELES: “The Hurt Locker,” a little-seen war film with big backing from the critics, pushed past “Avatar” and other crowd-pleasers to win the best picture Oscar at a Sunday night ceremony here, while its director, Kathryn Bigelow, became the first woman to win the directing award.

“Avatar” and “The Hurt Locker” had come into the night as favorites, but the smaller film took the prize from the bigger in the end.

“There’s no other way to describe it, it’s the moment of a lifetime,” said Ms. Bigelow in accepting her award. It was presented by Barbra Streisand, who announced it with the words, “Well, the time has come.”

Mark Boal, a producer of “The Hurt Locker,” said of his modest expectations when the movie was shot back in 2007, “Hopefully, we would find a distributor and somebody might even like the movie.”

There was no mention of a last-minute embarrassment in which a fellow producer of the film, Nicolas Chartier, had been banned from the show for violating Oscar rules by urging academy members by e-mail messages to vote against a film assumed to be “Avatar,” which had the advantage of a vast budget and enormous popularity.

In a sense, the awards season had shaped up into a showdown between James Cameron, who directed “Avatar,” and Ms. Bigelow, who was previously married to Mr. Cameron.

Among other winners, Christoph Waltz took best supporting actor at the start of a sluggishly paced ceremony for his bilingual performance as a Jew-hunting Nazi officer in “Inglourious Basterds.” And also, as expected, Mo’Nique won for best supporting actress for her portrait of a terrifying mother in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.”

With no excess of modesty, Mo’Nique thanked the academy’s members for showing that “it can be about the performance, not the politics.” The remark was a reference not just to her considerable talent, but to the fact that she had refused to spend time playing the usual Oscar campaign game. Backstage, she blamed the media for trying to stir up a controversy.

Jeff Bridges, a multiple nominee and now first-time winner, took best actor for his gritty portrayal of a broken-down country singer in “Crazy Heart.” A darling of the Hollywood crowd, Mr. Bridges had been seen as the designated winner almost from the moment Fox Searchlight made a last-minute decision to drop the low-budget movie into the Oscar race. “Thank you, Mom and Dad, for turning me on to such a groovy profession,” said the gray-bearded Mr. Bridges, who brought the crowd to its feet in a prolonged ovation as he whooped, hollered and showed obvious joy in the moment.

“Crazy Heart,” one of the evening’s smaller contenders, also took an Oscar for its theme song, “The Weary Kind,” by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett.

Sandra Bullock, who had been pointed toward an Oscar since winning a bellwether Screen Actors Guild award, won best actress for her performance as a tough and loving contemporary Southern mother in “The Blind Side.” Like Mr. Bridges, she was clearly a favorite of those in the auditorium, though she had never been nominated before and had been best known for romantic comedies like “The Proposal” and the occasional action film, like “Speed.”

“Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down?” Ms. Bullock asked her cheering peers.

“Up in the Air” was shut out, although the movie, about a corporate operative who specializes in firing people, had propped up the long awards season with appearances at various prize ceremonies on both coasts and in England by George Clooney, its star, and Jason Reitman, the writer-director.

The show clocked in at a relatively long three hours and 32 minutes, but at times it felt longer than it actually was. That was mostly because the first half was loaded with clip samples and retrospectives, while the latter part moved along with the speed that one of its producers, Bill Mechanic, had promised in advance.

Before the bigger awards were announced, there was a trip back to “The Dark Knight,” as Morgan Freeman explained how sound editors handled a movie from an earlier year, and a lengthy string of excerpts from horror movies, in an effort to reach fans who do not find movies like the “Twilight” series on the show.

The pace had already slowed with the screening of highlights — and the introduction of two recipients, Roger Corman and Lauren Bacall — from an honorary-awards ceremony that had been moved off-camera to a November date, precisely to keep the show from slowing.

This came only a few minutes after a narrator took time to read chunks of script over clips from the best adapted screenplay nominees. But Geoffrey Fletcher, a first-time nominee who won for “Precious,” put some heart in the proceedings as he gasped and seemed to weep in accepting. “I thank everyone,” Mr. Fletcher said simply.

Going into the evening, Mr. Cameron’s 3-D blockbuster, “Avatar,” was expected to dominate the evening along with the smaller, intense film “The Hurt Locker.

NEW YORK: After the success of ‘Training Day’ in 2001, director Antoine Fuqua didn’t think he’d ever do another movie about corrupt cops until he read the script for ‘Brooklyn’s Finest.’

“For me the movie is the story of Job, are there any good men left?” said Fuqua. “And the finest will be standing at the end of the movie, which you’ll find out which guy is actually standing. They’re all good guys in some way to do that job, but they make some bad choices sometimes, based on the pressure they’re under.”

Ethan Hawke, who earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role in ‘Training Day,’ plays a task force officer who doesn’t have enough money to care for his growing family. Richard Gere plays a senior cop on the verge of retirement who doesn’t want to offend anyone or take any risks. And Don Cheadle plays an undercover narcotics officer who’s too close to his drug world contact, played by Wesley Snipes.

“You can relate to where he’s at in his life right now,” Fuqua said he told Snipes about the role of Caz, Snipe’s first major feature film role since his tax troubles surfaced in 2006. “And he said, ‘Yeah, you’re right.’ I said, ‘I just want some truth. I want the truth for how you feel right now in your life. And this is that guy.’ And so I took a big chance because, you know, the bond companies and everyone was nervous about certain things, and I just said I can’t see anybody else. I don’t even know if I would do the movie if I can’t get the right guys in each role.”

It’s the performance of those guys that make the film, which weaves together their three stories throughout until they explode in a powerful climax. But is the title meant to be ironic?

“I found something fine in each one of them,” said Fuqua. “But I think the writer, Michael Martin, sort of ripped that right out of the headlines, you know. For me the movie is the story of Job, are there any good men left? And the finest will be standing at the end of the movie, which you’ll find out which guy is actually standing. They’re all good guys in some way to do that job, but they make some bad choices sometimes, based on the pressure they’re under.”

MUMBAI INDIA: It’s a departure in every which way for this Bollywood actress on the ascendant. She is playing a deglamorised politician and the Hindi has to be perfect too, but Britain born Katrina Kaif says her role in “Rajneeti” excites her more because she is now comfortable with the language.

Katrina, who has delivered a string of hits playing the urban hip young woman, gets a makeover in Prakash Jha’s “Rajneeti”. Dressed in cotton saris and speaking chaste Hindi, this is a challenging role that she’s looking forward to. But the Hindi is passe now for the actress, whose accented Hindi meant that her many early films had to be dubbed.

“I am excited about the part (in ‘Rajneeti’), but I am not very excited about speaking Hindi because I spoke Hindi in my last 10 films. It’s a great role and a great film and I certainly hope people enjoy it,” Katrina said.

“Rajneeti” is Katrina’s first political thriller and she says she wants to keep her options open by not restricting herself to any particular genre.

“If it’s a good film and I enjoy it and I think the audience will enjoy it then I will do it,” said the actress, who has given the most hits in last two years, including romantic comedies “Namastey London”, “Partner” and “Welcome”.

In “Rajneeti”, she will be seen rubbing shoulders with veterans like Nana Patekar and Naseeruddin Shah along with talented actors Ajay Devgn, Manoj Bajpai, Arjun Rampal and Bollywood’s new sensation Ranbir Kapoor. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala and directed by Prakash Jha, it is releasing June 4.

Katrina reportedly had a tough time dubbing for her last outing, “Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani”, because director Raj Kumar Santoshi was very particular about her Hindi.

The 25-year-old, who was initially dubbed by professional artists and still faces flak for her pronounced British accent despite a successful Bollywood career, isn’t worried about her Hindi accent. In fact, she is thrilled with the way her career has shaped up.

“It’s been a wonderful ride so far and I’ve had wonderful support from a lot of people. The audience has been very supportive and I hope that I keep getting the opportunity and the good work and as long as that’s there, I am happy,” she said.

Apart for her Hindi in “Rajneeti”, the actress has also been in the news for watching actress Madhuri Dixit’s videos to prepare for a dance number in Farah Khan’s directorial venture “Tees Maar Khan”.

“No, I haven’t gone through them (the videos) yet… We have a very high energy, fun Indian song which is kind of an item song and it has some kind of resemblance to the kind of songs that Madhuri was famous for but that’s kind of where it stops,” said Katrina who has once again teamed up with Akshay Kumar in the film.

“Farah is unique as a director and what she gives in her sense of glamour and presentation is something which I am very excited to be part of and I hope that we make a great film,” she added.

Expected to release Dec 24, “Tees Maar Khan” also stars Akshaye Khanna.

Asked about her reported projects like the Hindi version of “The Italian Job” and “Dostana 2″, she said: “At the moment, I am working on ‘Rajneeti’ and Farah Khan’s ‘Tees Maar Khan’… Anything else is yet to be announced.”

The actress has been recently roped in by Lux as the face of their new variant – Purple Lotus & Cream – a soap with claimed anti-ageing properties.

America has spoken once again via their voting for the musical talent on American Idol.  In tonight’s American Idol results 2010, several hopefuls had their dreams temporarily shattered when they were part of tonight’s eliminations.  So who got voted off American Idol this week?

So far this past week (February 21-24) has seen four of the talented singing sensations sent home.  First up, the announcement of Janell Wheeler being sent home may have shocked many fans.  Janell had offered up her rendition of “What About Love” by Heart.  Other female contestants Siobhan, Hayley, Michelle, Katelyn and Katie were all safe from this week’s elimination.  Paige, Lacey, Lilly, Crystal and Didi also made the cut, but unfortunately Ashley’s Idol appearances have come to an end.  Ashley chose the Leona Lewis song “Happy” for her performance on stage.

Meanwhile for the male side of Idol.  Michael, John, Aaron, Tim and Todrick survived to sing again, while Joe was eliminated after his performance of Jason Mraz’ tune “You and I Both”.  In the final group of results they let Casey, Jermaine, Lee and Alex know they’re safe.  Unfortunately for Tyler his 70’s impersonations won’t keep him around for the contest.  He had performed The Guess Who’s classic hit “American Woman”.

American Idol 2010 results (2/25): Tyler Grady, Joe Munoz, Ashley Rodriguez and Janell Wheeler are those who got voted off American Idol.  There will be more eliminations to come next week as the remaining contestants do their best to woo the judges and America.

Joannie Rochette Vancouver 2010, A gutsy heart felt performance by Joannie Rochette who held her nerve for three incredible minutes, brought a lump to the throat of everyone who watched her performance in the Olympic ice skating competition.

The Canadian star stole the show after dissolving into tears following a near faultless performance just two days after her mother’s sudden death. It leaves the skater in third place at the half way stage. The six time Canadian champion left all her troubles behind her for the three minute routine of her sultry performance to La Cumparsita.

After the performance the crowd went wild and the calm skater could then not hold back her tears. As she waited for the results she was in the arms of her coach Manon Perron as she received a total of 71.36 putting her just behind Yuna and Japan’s Mao Asada. Rochette said after that she will remember it “forever.” She added that she received a lovely welcome.

MUMBAI India: The 55th Idea Filmfare Awards 2009 is all set to happen at Yash Raj studios in Mumbai on 27th Feb 2010 and who better than the gorgeous Katrina Kaif to announce the grant event!

Looking supremely sexy in a body hugging knee length purple dress, Katrina Kaif proved to be rather witty in her replies to the press.

Unlike other Bollywood actresses who choose to be diplomatic, Katrina even openly confessed how Priyanka Chopra and Vidya Balan deserve the Filmfare Best Actress award for Kaminey and Pa respectively, inspite of them being Kats competitors in the same category. Katrina has won a Best Actress nomination for her performance in New York.

Katrina even light-heartedly apologized to a member of the press for not able to speak in fluent Hindi said, “Mujhe Maaf Kijiye, main koshish kar rahi hoon”. Speaking on awards, Katrina said, “I always get nominated but never win! Its great that the audience likes my work and that is my reward but I’d also like to win awards. They make you feel proud of your work, your film.”

In spite of being in the Hindi film industry for over 20 years, Salman too hasn’t won a Filmfare award. “Filmfare should start a special category for people who have not won a Filmfare like Salman and me” laughed Katrina.

The actress will also be performing at the 55th Idea Filmfare awards 2009, an act which will be choreographed by Ganesh Hegde.

The hosts of the show have been kept under wraps.

Speaking on the occasion, Tarun Rai, CEO, Worldwide Media Private Limited, said, “I am really amazed that we have been doing this for 55 long years. Earlier, we had three categories and handful of films. Today, we have 111 films vying for 37 categories.”

Kathryn Grayson, Star of Classic Musicals, Is Dead: Seems hard to believe now, but there was a time when they made movie musicals all the time, and even featured singers with true operatic voices. One of the finest, Kathryn Grayson, died Wednesday at 88, “of natural causes at her Los Angeles home,” according to her “longtime companion and secretary, Sally Sherman.

Miss Grayson had a good deal of what they used to call star quality, along with a pretty, flexible, well-focused soprano and abundant taste. Some of her film appearances in the 1940s and ’50s include “Show Boat,” “Kiss Me Kate,” and “Anchors Aweigh,” along with some movies with co-star Mario Lanza.

In memory of Miss Grayson, here are some clips that, I think, capture her musical personality beautifully:

Lahore, Pakistan News :- The Pakistan cricketers who have parted ways from the Indian Cricket League has served its management with legal notice over non-payment of their dues.

Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan, who has played a key role in recruiting Pakistan players in the ICL and also coached Hyderabad Heroes and Lahore Badshahs, informed that the players have issued the notice to the ICL management after they did not meet the promises of giving their dues.

“Today the Pakistani players who have participated in Indian Cricket League filed a legal notice to ICL management against the outstanding payments due since December 2008,” Moin said.

“In spite of all the efforts, there is still no response and the promises have not been fulfilled by ICL which caused the players to suffer considerable losses. To this effect, a legal notice has been dispatched to ICL by players to clear their dues,” he added.

Lahore, Pakistan :- Former Pakistan Test captain Ramiz Raja has asked for a complete overhaul of the team after the disastrous tour of Australia where the team was handed whitewash in both the Test and ODI series.

Ramiz said the team was lacking in discipline, self belief and technique to beat top sides at the moment.

“ I complete surgery is required after looking at the performance of the team in Australia,” he said.

“The board is doing nothing good in the present set of affairs. They at the moment should look at the future and make long term planning,” said Ramir, who served as CEO under two PCB chairmen – Lt Gen Tauqir Zia and Shaharyar Khan.

The board’s statement about captaincy and players has effected the team’s performance, he pointed out,

The PCB, he said should appoint a younger captain in place of Mohammad Yousuf keeping in view the forthcoming World Cups

Jennifer Kate Hudson (born September 12, 1981) is an American recording artist, actress and model. She came to prominence in 2004 as one of the finalists on the third season of the Fox reality television series American Idol. She made her film debut in the 2006 film Dreamgirls and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance, as well as a Golden Globe Award.

She won a Grammy Award for her eponymous debut album, Jennifer Hudson, which was released in 2008 on Arista Records and soon certified gold by the RIAA. The album has sold over 700,000 copies in the US and over 1 million worldwide. Additionally it spawned the hit single “Spotlight”.

In late 2008, Hudson’s mother, brother, and nephew were killed in a shooting. Her estranged brother-in-law has been charged with their murders. Soon after, Hudson stepped out of the limelight for three months. Hudson resumed her public appearances in 2009, and has since performed at the Super Bowl XLIII, the Grammy Awards, American Idol, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.[1] Hudson has been described as a friend of President Barack Obama, who invited her to appear with him at a fundraiser in Beverly Hills in May. 2009.