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  • Our Tribute to Ricardo Montalban: A Life in YouTube

    Devin Gordon | Jan 14, 2009 06:30 PM

    Opposite William Shatner for the much-satirized "KAAAAHN!" moment of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn."

    Tuxedoed in the opening credits of the 1978 season of "Fantasy Island." 

    Montalban admiring the "rich, Corinthian leather" in a 1975 Chrysler Cordoba ad.

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  • Before Kara, There Was Angie: A Look Back at the Original Fourth Judge

    Sarah Ball | Jan 14, 2009 12:00 PM

    Coutesy of angiemartinez.com.

    Remember Angie Martinez, the Brooklynite radio host and aspiring hip-hop artist who became American Idol's original fourth judge back in 2002?

    Yeah, neither did we. Martinez departed after only five days on the job, issuing a statement claiming she "decided to leave the show because it became too uncomfortable for me to tell someone else to give up on their dream."

    Meanwhile, after watching Kara DioGuardi slam the girl in the bikini, we suspect she has no problem playing judge.

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  • Nicole Kidman's Flack Flap: She IS Proud of "Australia." Sort of.

    Sarah Ball | Jan 14, 2009 11:30 AM

    Last week in our Newsmakers section of the magazine, we ran an item about buzz surrounding Nicole Kidman's down-under press tour for "Australia" -- specifically, about quotes of hers from an Australian radio interview that subsequently ran in the Sydney Morning Herald, in which she claims she was "not proud" of her performance.

    But New York Times blogger Michael Cieply came to Nicole's defense with a post on Carpetbagger about how Kidman meant that she squirms while watching all her performances -- not just this performance. He posted a link to the original radio interview, in which Kidman simply says "No, no, no," in response to the question, "Are you proud of your performance?" -- as opposed to point-blank saying she wasn't proud of the film.  Kidman's publicists are asking for a slew of pubs, NEWSWEEK among them, to amend the "nasty and very erroneous item[s]" that addressed the hubbub.

    Perhaps the best way to assuage Kidman and her PR reps is to lead them back to David Ansen's very flattering review of the film, in which he cited Kidman's "warm, funny and charming" performance as a highlight.  What do you think?
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  • Morning Mix: Sundance Edition

    Sarah Ball | Jan 14, 2009 09:15 AM
    • Sundance to Be Sleepy This Year.  The first film festival to hit since the recession started will be low-key, with fewer splashy parties and a more subdued theme in its 25th anniversary year (it opens tomorrow).  The festival's famous "gifting suites," with the free, high-end swag that usually includes designer clothing, jewelry and electronics, will be filled with less expensive wares; as was the case with awards show swag, there will be an opportunity to re-gift the haul to charity. [Variety]

    • Robert Redford Remembers the Good Old Days.  A long Q&A with the actor-director about starting the festival, how there are too many gosh-darn film festivals these days, and what he'll do if there are Prop 8 protests. [Hollywood Reporter]

    • Most Anticipated Sundance Films: "Black Dynamite," in which Michael Jai White parodies the 1970s African American action hero; "It Might Get Loud," a guitar doc by David Guggeinheim featuring Jack White, Jimmy Page, the Edge and more; "I Love You Philip Morris," starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor as prison lovers; "Paper Heart," in which Michael Cera makes a movie with his real-life girlfriend Charlyne about... themselves; "Good Hair," an HBO doc in which Chris Rock unpacks the culture of African American hair; "Adventureland," from "Superbad" helmer Greg Motolla, about kids an at amusement park in the '80s; and more. [Variety slideshow]
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