Jackman, Rogen, Hathaway among Oscar invitees

LOS ANGELES – Hugh Jackman, Seth Rogen, Oscar nominee Anne Hathaway and Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle have been invited into the exclusive Hollywood club that votes on the Academy Awards.

Others among the 134 people asked to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences include recent acting nominees Taraji P. Henson, Amy Ryan, Melissa Leo, Casey Affleck, Viola Davis and Michael Shannon. Jackman was host for the Oscars last February.

Michelle Williams, former girlfriend of 2008 posthumous supporting-actor winner Heath Ledger, also has been invited into the academy. Williams co-starred with Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain," earning a supporting-actress nomination for the film.

Other actors extended an academy invitation include James Franco, Paul Rudd, Emily Blunt, Emile Hirsch, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Cera, Jane Lynch and Brendan Gleeson.

Boyle won the directing Oscar last season for "Slumdog Millionaire," the best-picture champ that led with eight awards. His Oscar-winning "Slumdog" collaborators invited into the academy were producer Christian Colson, cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, composer A.R. Rahman and editor Chris Dickens.

Among other academy invitees: Paula Wagner, Tom Cruise's longtime producing partner; directors Tyler Perry, Rod Lurie and Thomas McCarthy; filmmaker James Marsh, whose "Man on Wire" won last season's documentary award; and writers Dustin Lance Black, who won a screenplay Oscar for "Milk," and Courtney Hunt, who earned a nomination for "Frozen River."

The academy has just under 6,000 voting members. The 82nd Oscars are scheduled for March 7.

(Source: Oscar.org) Read more

Fans gather for Apollo Theater's Jackson memorial

NEW YORK – Fans began gathering hours early for a public tribute to Michael Jackson on Tuesday at Harlem's Apollo Theater, the fabled venue that helped make a 9-year-old Jackson a star.

Thousands were expected to pay their respects at the theater, which planned to let them in 600 at a time to listen to his music, watch a video tribute and leave flowers and memorabilia.

The event was set to start at 2 p.m., but many people were already waiting Tuesday morning, dancing as they lined up with T-shirts, posters, album covers and other mementos.

Fans began converging on the Apollo as soon as Jackson died Thursday in Los Angeles, and it has continued to serve as an impromptu memorial site in the days since.

The pop icon's ties to the theater go back to 1967, when The Jackson 5 won the Apollo's Amateur Night contest. The appearance is credited with helping to launch the brother act's career, which later propelled Jackson to solo stardom.

He last appeared at the Apollo in 2002, invited by former President Bill Clinton for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser.

Tuesday's salute was to begin with a eulogy by the Rev. Al Sharpton. A moment of silence was planned for 5:26 p.m., the time East Coast fans learned that Jackson had died.

Outside the theater, fans could write messages on a wall outside on 125th Street in the center of Harlem.

The Apollo also played a role in remembrances for James Brown after his death in 2006, hosting a public viewing of the "Godfather of Soul" for thousands of fans.

(Source: Yahoo! News) Read more

Oscars toughen up best song rules

No Oscar will be awarded for best song at next year's ceremony if none of the tunes is deemed to be good enough, organisers have announced.

New rules mean that every song entered must get a minimum score of 8.25 on a scale of six to 10 when voted for by Academy music members.

"We're trying to improve the quality," said composer Bruce Broughton, head of the Academy's music branch.

He added the move would make entries "as good as possible".

Honorary Oscar

"There's been a lot of talk about the songs in films, the lack of memorability compared to songs in the past, the almost forgettability of some of them" said Mr Broughton.

The music branch of the Academy has about 230 members, who rate each song entry.

In another move, the Academy is moving its honorary Oscars out of the main ceremony and will instead present them at a separate event.

Academy president, Sid Ganis, said creating a separate ceremony will ensure "that each honouree will be given his or full due".

The first honorary Oscars event will take place in November.

The change will also mean the main awards ceremony next year will be shorter.

The show has often attracted criticism for its long running time.

(Source: BBC) Read more

Katherine Jackson Makes Legal Play for Michael's Kids, Estate

Los Angeles (E! Online) – UPDATE: E! News has exclusively learned that after taking the three children for a visit at Uncle Tito's SoCal home, Katherine Jackson has taken them to Uncle Jermaine's nearby estate, presumably to play with their cousins. Jermaine has six children, including two under 13.

A thriller of a court battle is shaping up over custody of Michael Jackson's three kids and control of his estate.

Jackson's mother, Katherine, today was granted temporary custody of his three children: 12-year-old Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. (aka Prince Michael), 11-year-old Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson and 7-year-old Prince Michael Jackson II (aka Blanket). The three children have been in Katherine's care since Michael's sudden death last Thursday.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff made the ruling shortly after the Jackson matriarch filed paperwork. Beckloff set a hearing for July 6 on whether to grant her permanent custody.

The judge did not rule on a separate filing seeking to grant Katherine and husband Joe Jackson control over Michael's estate amid confusion over whether the singer had a valid will. A hearing on that matter has been set for Aug. 3.

L. Londell McMillan, the attorney representing Katherine and Joe Jackson, appeared on NBC's Today this morning to state the Jackson family's case.

"[Katherine] presently has custody. I don't think there will be anybody who thinks that there would be someone better," said McMillan. "She is a very loving host of other grandchildren."

While Blanket was delivered by an unidentified surrogate, the two oldest children were born to Michael and former wife Debbie Rowe, who would be in a better position to assume guardianship under state law—if she decided to challenge the Jackson family.

Rowe, the mother of Prince Michael I and Paris, petitioned in 2001 to waive her parental rights after her divorce from the music legend, but then sought to get them back following his 2005 child-molestation trial. A judge reinstated her rights, though Jackson retained custody after giving her a fat paycheck for her troubles.

McMillan said that Rowe has not informed the family of her desires and that he has no idea whether she would "do anything to uproot the best interest of these children."

The former nurse, whom Michael Jackson met at his dermatologist's office, has not yet indicated whether she will seek guardianship. In her only public remarks, she asked for privacy as the family mourns.

"Ms. Rowe's only thoughts at this time have been regarding the devastating loss Michael's family has suffered," Rowe attorney Marta Almli said in the statement. "Ms. Rowe requests that Michael's family, and particularly the children, be spared such harmful, sensationalist speculation and that they be able to say goodbye to their loved one in peace."

Meanwhile, McMillan also dropped the bombshell that Michael apparently did not have a will.

Despite Joe's proclamation at last night's BET Awards that he and Katherine have "personal and legal authority" to act on behalf of their late son's estate, the legal implications are more complicated.

Per California state law, Michael's assets would be equally divided among his three children and likely overseen by a court-appointed conservator.

(Source: Yahoo! News) Read more

Bernard Madoff gets maximum 150 years in prison

NEW YORK – A federal judge rejected Bernard Madoff's plea for leniency Monday, sentencing the 71-year-old swindler to spend the rest of his life in prison for an "extraordinarily evil" fraud that took a staggering toll on thousands of victims.

U.S. District Judge Denny Chin cited the unprecedented nature of the multibillion-dollar fraud as he sentenced Madoff to the maximum of 150 years in prison, a term comparable only to those given in the past to terrorists, traitors and the most violent criminals. There is no parole in federal prison so Madoff will most likely die there.

"Here, the message must be sent that Mr. Madoff's crimes were extraordinarily evil and that this kind of irresponsible manipulation of the system is not merely a bloodless financial crime that takes place just on paper, but it is instead ... one that takes a staggering human toll," Chin said.

The massive Ponzi scheme run by Madoff since at least the early 1990s demolished the life savings of thousands of people, wrecked charities and shook confidence in the U.S. financial system.

Only Madoff and an accountant accused of failing to make basic auditing checks have faced criminal charges. But a person familiar with the investigation said Monday that at least 10 more people are likely to face federal charges by the time the probe is complete. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, wouldn't detail the likely charges against the others or say whether they would include Madoff's family or former employees.

Madoff's 150-year sentence reflected a growing tendency over the last decade to give white-collar criminals lengthy prison terms — although a handful of cases have received even longer terms. The outcome prompted scattered applause and whoops from a group of burned former clients in a packed Manhattan courtroom.

The judge noted that not one of the more than 100 letters he received supported Madoff or described any good deeds he had done.

"The absence of such support is telling," Chin said.

Chin announced the sentence with Madoff standing at the defense table, wearing a dark suit, a white shirt and a tie and looking thinner than he did at his last court appearance in March. He gave no noticeable reaction when the sentence was announced.

He also showed no emotion though he looked down earlier in the hearing as he listened to nine victims spend nearly an hour venting their despair and anger. Some openly wept or raised their voices, labeling Madoff a "monster," "a true beast" and an "evil low-life."

"Life has been a living hell. It feels like the nightmare we can't wake from," said Carla Hirshhorn.

"He stole from the rich. He stole from the poor. He stole from the in between. He had no values," said Tom Fitzmaurice. "He cheated his victims out of their money so he and his wife, Ruth, could live a life of luxury beyond belief."

Dominic Ambrosino called it an "indescribably heinous crime" and urged a long prison sentence so he "will know he is imprisoned in much the same way he imprisoned us and others."

He added: "In a sense, I would like somebody in the court today to tell me how long is my sentence."

Sheryl Weinstein, a certified accountant, said Madoff was effective because he seemed normal.

"But underneath the facade is a true beast," she said. "He should not be given the opportunity to blend so seamlessly into our society again."

When asked by the judge whether he had anything to say, Madoff slowly stood, leaned forward on the defense table and spoke in a monotone for about 10 minutes. At various times, he referred to his monumental fraud as a "problem," "an error of judgment" and "a tragic mistake."

He claimed he and his wife were tormented, saying she "cries herself to sleep every night, knowing all the pain and suffering I have caused," he said. "That's something I live with, as well."

He then finally looked at the victims lining the first row of the gallery.

"I will turn and face you," he said mechanically. "I'm sorry. I know that doesn't help you."

His immediately family did not attend the sentencing. But Ruth Madoff — often a target of victims' scorn since her husband's arrest — broke her silence afterward by issuing a statement through her lawyer. She said she, too, had been misled.

"I am embarrassed and ashamed," she said. "Like everyone else, I feel betrayed and confused. The man who committed this horrible fraud is not the man whom I have known for all these years."

Prosecutor Lisa Baroni said Madoff deserved a life sentence because he "stole ruthlessly and without remorse."

Outside court, some victims said it was time to move on.

"He stole my money. He didn't steal my life," said Ron Weinstein, whose wife spoke in court. "I'm not going to sit around and mope about it."

Madoff, who has been jailed since March, already has taken a severe financial hit: Last week, a judge issued a preliminary $171 billion forfeiture order stripping Madoff of all his personal property, including real estate, investments, and $80 million in assets his wife Ruth had claimed were hers. The order left her with $2.5 million that couldn't be tied to the fraud.

The terms require the Madoffs to sell a $7 million Manhattan apartment where Ruth Madoff still lives. An $11 million estate in Palm Beach, Fla., a $4 million home in Montauk and a $2.2 million boat will be put on the market as well.

Before Madoff became a symbol of Wall Street greed, he earned a reputation as a trusted money manager with a Midas touch. Even as the market fluctuated, clients of his secretive investment advisory business — from Florida retirees to celebrities such as Steven Spielberg, actor Kevin Bacon and Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax — for decades enjoyed steady double-digit returns.

But late last year, Madoff made a dramatic confession: Authorities say he pulled his sons aside and told them it was "all just one big lie."

Madoff pleaded guilty in March to securities fraud and other charges, saying he was "deeply sorry and ashamed." He insisted that he acted alone, describing a separate wholesale stock-trading firm run by his sons and brother as honest and legitimate.

But the family, including his wife, and brokerage firms who recruited investors have come under intense scrutiny by the FBI, regulators and a court-appointed trustee overseeing the liquidation of Madoff's assets.

The trustee and prosecutors have sought to go after assets to compensate thousands of victims who have filed claims against Madoff. How much is available to pay them remains unknown, though it's expected to be only a fraction of the astronomical losses associated with the fraud.

The $171 billion forfeiture figure used by prosecutors merely mirrors the amount they estimate that, over decades, flowed in and out of the principal account to perpetrate the Ponzi scheme. The statements sent to investors showing their accounts were worth as much as $65 billion were fiction.

The investigation has found that in reality Madoff never made any investments, instead using the money from new investors to pay returns to existing clients — and to finance a lavish lifestyle for his family.

Madoff's sentence was not the longest for a white-collar criminal. New York businessman Sholam Weiss, 55, was sentenced in February 2000 to 845 years in prison for his role in a plot that skimmed $400 million from an insurance company, costing many of its 25,000 customers their life savings. The government lists his release date as Nov. 23, 2754.

And Norman Schmidt, 73, was sentenced in Denver last year to 330 years in prison for his role in a multimillion-dollar investment scam. He's scheduled for release in September 2291.

(Source: Yahoo! News) Read more