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Quartet movie review: Don’t die until you die.

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This sage advice comes from one of the film’s stars, Billy Connolly, as he reflects on his own aging process. With septuagenarian director Dustin Hoffman at the helm, this delightful movie presents an uplifting portrait of a group of musicians as they face their own “third act”.

Quartet

4 Stars: Perfect for those who believe music = life.

Welcome to Beechum house, a retirement home for musicians. This place is the final home for many of Britain’s most beloved opera singers, pianists and composers. Cecily Robson Reginald Paget and Wilfred Bond live in relative comfort, all being old friends from their long careers in the musical arts.

Cecily however, is struggling with dementia and seems to go in and out of the present, taking mental trips to her celebrated past. She and the others are stunned, however, when a new arrival hobbles to Beechum house. Jean Horton was a first-class diva in her day.

The grandest opera singer in all of England, Jean is humiliated to come to the retirement home, but with no children and no savings, there’s no place else for her to go.

Quartet

Particularly distraught over Jean’s arrival is Wilfred, her ex-husband. Jean was the love of his life and their divorce was brought about when Jean cheated on him. Seeing her, knowing he has to live out the rest of his days with her, opens a deep wound for him.

Years ago, Wilfred, Cecily, Reginald and Jean were a dynamic quartet, exciting audiences around the globe. Reginald and Cecily team up to concoct a plan to reunite the once-famous quartet for a gala at Beechum house to raise money to keep the home operating. Their plan won’t be easy, considering Wilfred’s animosity toward Jean and her refusal to sing any longer.

Opera singers are like athletes. As their bodies age, their level of performance declines. Jean would rather cling to the glory of her past than sing imperfectly in front of any audience.

Quartet

Michael Gambon plays Cedric, an eccentric music conductor who cracks the whip on rehearsals, penalizing any tardy musicians. It's fun to see Gambon as someone other than Harry Potter's Professor Dumbledore.

Quartet is full of humor and wit, balancing the painful truths that come with an aging body and mind. Based on the play by writer Ronald Harwood that was inspired by the 1984 documentary Tosca’s Kiss, this movie encourages us to rethink the value of life in one’s '80s and '90s.

Using real, retired British musicians in the supporting roles, director Dustin Hoffman gives us a portrait of retirement that inspires hope and fulfillment.

Bottom line: This is a life-affirming film that shows aging in a tender, beautiful way. Even if you’re not fond of opera, you’ll still enjoy this sweet little film.

Quartet is 1 hour and 37 minutes. Stay through the credits to see beautiful vintage photos of the real-life musicians in the film.

Photo credit: The Weinstein Co.



Women's fiction for the new year

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Women's fiction can sometimes be considered a derogatory term , but it also can be useful at times. If you're looking for a great novel by women about women to curl up with, check out these books.

Lost Art of Mixing cover

The Lost Art of Mixing
Erica Bauermeister

Erica Bauermeister has won rave reviews from critics and readers alike for her ability to craft realistic, sympathetic characters in just a few sentences. Most authors have to spend an entire novel building one or two key characters, yet Bauermeister manages to do the same thing with just a paragraph or two. Her novels are populated with multiple interesting characters, and the reader comes to know and care about each of them. Her latest novel, The Lost Art of Mixing, takes the reader back to Lillian's restaurant from The School of Essential Ingredients. Once again, a disparate group of people are coming together at this restaurant, and by the end of this book, you can bet you'll be in love with each and every one of them.


The House on Willow Street cover

The House on Willow Street
Cathy Kelly

Cathy Kelly's latest novel The House on Willow Street is also set in a town called Avalon, but she takes us across the pond to Avalon, an Irish town by the sea. Tess has trouble making a living in her hometown of Avalon, but she loves it and wouldn't leave for the world. Her sister Suki has a different view of the tourist town; she left at the first opportunity and never looked back. But now, Suki is in a world of trouble, and she has no choice but to return home to the town she so gleefully abandoned. As always, Kelly provides a large, sympathetic cast of characters against a picture-perfect backdrop; this is a book that's sure to both satisfy and delight.


Avalon Ladies cover

The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society
Darien Gee

Darien Gee has an ability to take a seemingly sappy storyline — such as that of her previous novel, Friendship Bread — and transform it into something powerful and beautiful. You can bet she'll do it again in her latest, The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society. This time, ladies get together for scrapbooking time at the tea salon in tiny Avalon, Illinois. Through their camraderie, support and friendship with one another, each of these women will find a way to face their difficult pasts and move forward into a bright and beautiful future.


More reading

Read it first: January's book to movie picks
Fiction meets TV: A Rizzoli & Isles mashup
Books to cuddle up with

Shia LaBeouf on acid and Ashton gone Steve Jobs

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The Sundance Film Festival is upon us and with countless independent submissions and reviews, it's time we take a look at some of the premieres we're most looking forward to. From Shia LaBeouf drug trips to Ashton Kutcher gone Steve Jobs, 2013 is packed full of some highly anticipated flicks.

Don Jon's Addiction

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Don Jon's
Addiction

Topping off our list is Joseph- Gordon Levitt's directorial debut, Don Jon's Addiction. JGL stars as Jon Martello, a modern-day Don Juan-type who has a chronic habit of objectifying every aspect of his life. Despite his abilitiy to reel in dimes every weekend, his lust for more and addiction to pornography have left him feeling empty and alone. This time around, Martello's on a search for substance and sustenence in the form of lasting love. Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore also star. If the racy plot hasn't grabbed your attention yet, just consider this bulked-up version of Gordon-Levitt below.

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The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman

Shia LaBeouf has stated before that Sean Penn's dedication to character development has been one of the motivating factors in his acting career, so it's no surprise LaBeouf dove head-first into the Sundance premiere, The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman. Fans were concerned when LaBeouf freely admitted he did LSD on set for one of the film's more intense scenes, but it appears his attention to detail and methodical ways are only growing stronger. Audiences will have to wait until the release of Nymphomaniac to see just how far LaBeouf will go, as it's been reported he took it all the way home with actress Mia Goth and may now be dating her. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves here — The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman is an action film at heart with romantic comedy themes and a gangster element that tests the love of LaBeouf and co-star Evan Rachel Wood.

Two Mothers

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Two Mothers

Naomi Watts and Robin Wright command this passionate film that entails two lifelong friends who fall in love with the other's sons. Romance leads to remorse, relations to retributions, and the friendships they once had are put to the ultimate test as the two mothers struggle to confront one another with their secrets and innermost desires.

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jOBS

Ashton Kutcher is tackling the role of a lifetime in the form of tech mastermind Steve Jobs.The premiere is said to be a brilliant portrait of Jobs' life from 1977 to 2000 and is expected to be fueled with gritty dialogue to move the piece forward. The film will be a true test of Kutcher's abilities, straying far away from his funnyman roots.

Vergy Good Girls

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Very Good Girls

Dakota Fanning, Demi Moore and Richard Dreyfuss star in Very Good Girls, a gripping movie about two lifelong friends who make a pact to lose their virginity during their first summer out of high school. But when the two fall for the same street artist, their relationship is put to its first — and ultimate — test. Fanning rarely disappoints.

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Before Midnight

Jesse   and Celine are back. It's been nearly two decades since they met on that train headed for Vienna and it's safe to say they are strangers no more. That intimate night, so very long ago, has lived on throughout the years and the couple is now in their early forties strolling around the better part of Greece.

Prince Avalanche

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Prince Avalanche

From director David Gordon Green comes the quirky story of two unsuspecting coworkers and the friendship that is birthed along their less-than-stellar journey. Alvin and Lance begin to slowly understand one another throughout their summer stint, repainting highway lines down a county road that was destroyed by a sprawling wildfire. Together, they begin to discover a sense of meaning and understanding for the dreams they've kept within.

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Lovelace

Meet Amanda Seyfried as Linda Boreman — perhaps best known as Linda Lovelace — the infamous 1970s sex icon and pornstar who derailed her husband's abusive and exploitative schemes in a desperate attempt to save others from similar reigns. The film is a trial-by-fire perspective on rise, demise and redemption, and the fact that it also stars James Franco, Peter Saarsgaard and Adam Brody has us putting some serious faith in its success.

Photo credits: Scott Gardner,Sundance Institute. Jessica Miglio. , Thomas Kloss

Best dressed of Golden Globe Awards past

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Awards season is upon us! Up next: The 2013 Golden Globes. We're mostly pumped to see the stars on the red carpet in their best designer gear. Let's get ready for this year by remembering the best looks of years past.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron at the Golden Globes

We had a serious girl crush on Charlize Theron and the pale pink Dior gown she wore to the 2012 show. Seriously, how it is fair for one woman to look so gorgeous?

Sofia Vergara

Sofia Vergara at the Golden Globes

Modern Family star Sofia Vergara showed off every curve in her custom-fitted Vera Wang dress. The 41-year-old said she doesn't follow a strict diet and exercise routine when preparing for awards shows.

"I like dresses that zip and they close,"she told E! last year. "I don't have to have long fittings to transform them to my body."

But, sometimes things happen — like her unfortunate split zipper at the 2012 Primetime Emmys.

Jane Krakowski

Jane Krakowski at the Golden Globes

30 Rock star Jane Krakowski didn't let a her baby bump stop her from rocking a gorgeous dress at the 2011 Golden Globes. The slate blue Badgley Mischka Couture made her look like a Grecian goddess. Love!

Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde at the Golden Globes

Olivia Wilde's sparkles-and-chocolate Marchesa gown looked just heavenly. Why does she make everything look so amazing? It's not fair.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz at the Golden Globes

Cameron Diaz didn't let a little rain ruin her mood at the 2010 Golden Globes. She looks fab in her vintage-inspired satin gown by Alexander McQueen.

Anna Paquin

Anna Paquin at the Golden Globes

True Blood star Anna Paquin showed off some serious metalics in her Stella McCartney dress from the 2010 Golden Globes. Love.

Images courtesy WENN.com

Who will be best dressed at the 2013 Golden Globes?

Top resort spas for couples

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This Valentine's Day, spend a weekend with your sweetie at one of these top resort spas. These spas offer amazing treatments and a romantic, relaxing atmosphere that you'll both love.
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Photo credit: Omphoy Ocean Resort

No matter where you are in the country, you don't have to go far to find the perfect couple's getaway for Valentine's Day at a spectacular spa resort.

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Omphoy Ocean Resort

Considered one of the best resort spas in the country, Omphoy Ocean Resort is located in Palm Beach, Florida. With an 8,000-square-foot bi-level spa and stunning meditation garden, you can relax and get pampered in the most peaceful atmosphere you can imagine. Their team of therapists and healers is top-notch, and the treatments are outstanding. You and your sweetie will also love the in-room therapies for a personal touch. In addition to all the spa services, the resort features a private beach and health club, three restaurants, outdoor pool and a lot more.

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The Resort at Pelican Hill

You want to relax. He wants to golf. You can do both at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California. This spa at this resort was voted No. 1 spa in California by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine, so you know it's good. Their massages and body treatments are considered some of the best in the country. Put together a package of a couple's massage and other therapies to have together, then enjoy a little me-time with more pampering while he hits the links at their spectacular golf course.

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Mii amo Spa

Mii amo Spa at Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona, was rated No. 1 destination spa in the world by Travel + Leisure. Whether you are staying for just three nights or the whole week, they have some sensational spa packages that are catered toward your personal goals and needs. If you want to splurge a bit, book the Mii amo luxury suite. With more than 1,200 square feet of space, it features a large living room, dining room and bedroom, a deep bathtub built for two, an outer shower and even a private massage room. Find balance, harmony and rekindle your passion this Valentine's Day with a trip to Mii amo.

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The Grove Park Inn
Resort & Spa

If you are looking for romance, you can't beat the The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, North Carolina. Built in 1913 and considered one of the most beloved resorts in the South, this incredible resort spa offers majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and an unparalleled 40,000-square-foot spa. When choosing your spa treatments, consider the Couples Retreat, which features two 50-minute tandem massages followed by an aromatic hydrotherapy bath. The grounds, architecture and service at this resort are beyond comparison.

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Tulalip
Resort Casino

Want something a little different than a traditional hotel? How about a resort that has both a spa and a casino? You'll love the Tulalip Resort Casino near Seattle, Washington. In addition to luxurious suites and world-class dining, this resort offers the unforgettable T Spa. Ask for the T Spa VIP couple suite. This is an exclusive suite within the resort's spa that features a couple's shower, fireplace and more. You'll enjoy the "Renewal Journey" treatment package together and reconnect as a couple. When you are done relaxing and looking for some fun and games, head to the casino for some action.

More about romantic getaways

Checking in: Romantic spa experiences
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3 of New England's best B&Bs

A Haunted House's Marlon Wayans’ shows off butt; talks full-frontal sequel

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SheKnows sits down with the cast of A Haunted House, Marlon Wayans’ new “found footage” horror-comedy. Find out what the stars said they’re really scared of, and about Marlon’s plans to go buck naked in the sequel.

Marlon Wayans and Essence Atkins in A Haunted House

You know Marlon Wayans won’t pass up an opportunity to make fun of a film series that is past its prime. The latest target of his jokes: Paranormal Activity and other “found footage” films, with his romance-horror-comedy , A Haunted House.

The film follows Marlon’s character Malcolm and his lady, Kisha, played by Essence Atkins, as a couple who moves into a haunted house. When Malcolm realizes Kisha is possessed by a demon, he takes every measure to rid her of the spirit.

“It’s a found footage horror comedy,” Marlon told SheKnows. “I was watching Paranormal Activity and I was like, ‘Why the hell don’t these white people move?’ And I said, ‘What if Paranormal Activity happened to a black couple? And I can play with all the things that white people do in this movie that make black people crazy?’”

Amidst the satire, we also get a few sexy scenes, with up-close shots of Marlon’s famous butt.

“You see a lot of it,” Atkins laughed, as she told us that she would put up with a haunted house in order to have a man with a butt like Marlon’s.

Ever the outrageous comic, Wayans took the opportunity to one-up Atkins.

“Wait till you get the full frontal,” said Wayans. “It’s crazy. We’re going to have to do that in IMAX.”

WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH MARLON & ESSENCE

Marlon’s friend Affion Crockett, who plays his cousin in the film, added that Marlon also likes to brag about his strength. Between filming the guys had a push-up contest to prove their masculinity.

“Skinny guys kind of have that thing where one of us wants to be the strongest but at the end of the day we’re both skin and bones,” said Affion. Watch our interview with Affion and David Koechner to see who won!

WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH AFFION & DAVID KOECHNER

Catch Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Affion Crockett and David Koechner in A Haunted House, in theaters today!

Photo Credit: EPKTV

Gangster Squad movie review: The battle for Emma Stone

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It’s 1949 and a new gangster is in the City of Angeles. Mickey Cohen is a thug who has it all – drugs, power, a hot girl – until Sgt. John O’Mara decides he’ll stop at nothing to bring him down. This movie is action-packed and full of beautiful scenes of a noir-ish Los Angeles.

Gangster Squad

3 Stars:  Perfect for fans of film noir.

Back in the day when the sign on the hills read “Hollywoodland” and public transportation in the form of Red Cars zipped up and down Wilshire Boulevard, a mobster named Mickey Cohen decided to call sunny California home — or perhaps — his kingdom. An ex-boxer and Mafioso, Cohen is the king of drugs and dames in L.A.

The movie opens high up in the hills, behind the Hollywoodland sign. Cohen visciously chains an enemy mobster between two cars. Some nearby coyotes salivate with each rev of the cars’ engines. When the two cars take off in opposite directions, the man is torn in half and the coyotes enjoy their dinner. Cohen couldn't be more thrilled.

Gangster Squad

Gangster Squads’ intense violence continues throughout the story — gory, bloody and frightening. The movie was supposed to be released in the summer but was delayed after the movie theater shooting in Colorado.

The filmmakers replaced a scene where a gangster dispenses ammo in a movie theater with a scene where gangsters dispense ammo in Chinatown. Though I haven’t seen the original scene, I can bet the one in Chinatown is far more cinematic.

What the film does best is recreate a Raymond Chandler-esque Los Angeles with Hollywood Boulevard at its peak of luxury, entertainment and underground gambling halls.

Sgt. John O’Mara served his country in World War II and is now in service of Los Angeles. A man of honor, he and his wife, Connie , are expecting a baby shortly. Connie worries about her husband’s safety — and she should.

Gangster Squad

O’Mara organizes a squad to rid the city of the black-hearted Mickey Cohen, but runs into a snag when one of his cops, Sgt. Jerry Wooters happens to be having an affair with Cohen’s main squeeze, a hot tomato named Grace .

Sean Penn brings the rage big-time when he finally has to go mano y mano with Josh Brolin, who makes a perfect choice for the leader of the squad. Ryan Gossling and Emma Stone seem to have a real connection, though physically, I’m not sure Stone was the choice for the Hollywood vamp. Personally, I’d rather see Christina Hendricks as the temptress redhead because she fully captures the feminine mystique of years gone by.

My favorite scene in the movie takes place at classy nightclub called Slapsy Maxie’s. The entertainer is none other than Carmen Miranda with a banana-bonanza on top of her head. Actress Yvette Tucker brilliantly captures Miranda’s exotic flair.

Bottom line:  This movie is extremely violent, including a scene where a man gets a power drill through his skull. If you like film noir and love to see gorgeous 1940’s Los Angeles, then you’ll like the movie.

Gangster Squad is 1 hour, 50 minutes. During the credits, they show fun, vintage postcards from Southern California.

Photo credit: Warner Bros.

18th Annual Critics' Choice Awards winners

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We know it's hard to keep track of all the awards shows. Here's a list of the winners from last night's Critics' Choice Awards... just in case you forgot to tune in.

Critics' Choice Winner - Jennifer Lawrence

The Critics' Choice Awards are always interesting. Instead of being voted on by former nominees or winners or from some secret panel of rich people, the CCAs are voted on by more than 270 television, radio and online critics.

This tends to mean that the awards skew more toward what normal American moviegoers enjoyed instead of who has a BFF who made a movie this year that was "just OK."

This year definitely adequately summed up the feelings of movie fans — especially in the case of Jennifer Lawrence. If it wasn't obvious before, it is now: Lawrence has quickly rocketed to the top in Hollywood.

Does anyone even remember who used to be "America's Sweetheart?" We're pretty sure it's Jennifer Lawrence these days.

Check out all our awards show coverage>>

And the winners are...

Best Picture — Argo
Best Actor — Daniel Day-Lewis
Best Actress — Jessica Chastain
Best Supporting Actor — Philip Seymour Hoffman
Best Supporting Actress — Anne Hathaway
Best Young Actor/Actress — Quvenzhané Wallis
Best Acting Ensemble — Silver Linings Playbook
Best Director — Ben Affleck
Best Original Screenplay — Quentin Tarantino
Best Adapted Screenplay — Tony Kushner
Best Cinematography — Claudio Miranda
Best Art Direction — Sarah Greenwood/Katie Spencer
Best Editing — William Goldenberg/Dylan Tichenor
Best Costume Design — Jacqueline Durran
Best Makeup — Cloud Atlas
Best Visual Effects – Life of Pi
Best Animated Feature — Wreck-It Ralph
Best Action Movie — Skyfall
Best Actor in an Action Movie — Daniel Craig
Best Actress in an Action Movie — Jennifer Lawrence
Best Comedy — Silver Linings Playbook
Best Actor in a Comedy — Bradley Cooper
Best Actress in a Comedy — Jennifer Lawrence
Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie — Looper
Best Foreign Language Film — Amour
Best Documentary Feature — Searching for Sugar Man
Best Song — Skyfall
Best Score — John Williams

Photo credit: WENN.com

More awards show coverage

The Critics' Choice Awards: All the details!
Super sweet and funny Kaley Cuoco lights up People's Choice Awards
Taylor Swift: Miserable at the People's Choice Awards


Creamy avocado daiquiri recipe

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This unique drink may have you questioning its ingredients, but it will be sure to impress anyone who drinks it. Avocados are not commonly found in cocktails, but here we share one that will blow your mind. Trust us!

avocado daquiri

Smooth, creamy, refreshing and even a little weird, this drink is amazing. Most of us have probably never thought of adding avocado to anything other than a smoothie. In this recipe, avocado gives this drink a creamy texture while not overpowering the beverage at all. It tastes like something tropical and something you may have been offered while lying on a beach in Mexico. It's not heavy but it is delicious. Trust us and try this right away!

Creamy avocado daiquiri recipe

Yields 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces light rum
  • 2 ounces gold rum
  • 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 2 ounces simple syrup
  • 1/4 medium-ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1/2 ounce half-and-half
  • 1-1/2 cups ice
  • Pomegranate syrup or concentrate for garnish

Directions:

  1. Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until everything is smooth and creamy.
  2. Divide the drink between two glasses. Drizzle or create a fun design with pomegranate concentrate or syrup for garnish . Serve immediately.

More recipes using avocado

Mango chicken salad in avocado boats
Fresh corn cakes with avocado salsa
Avocado smoothies

Great moments from past Golden Globes presenters

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The Golden Globes didn't have a regular host until 2010 with Ricky Gervais, so we'll show you some great presenter moments of Golden Globes past instead.

Alec Baldwin makes a funny face.

Usually SheKnows would take you through all of our favorite hosts of the past Golden Globes Awards show history, but in an unusual fashion, the Golden Globes Awards ceremony did not have a regular host to deliver the show until Ricky Gervais was selected in 2010. .

Most shocking moments in Golden Globes history>> 

So we did a little digging and found some great moments from Golden Globes presenters, and we've showcased them for you below. Fair warning — some of these videos will make you feel old... very old.

John Travolta presents 1997 Best Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy award to Tom Cruise

Wow, watching this video makes us feel seriously old. John Travolta looks, well, normal — and how young do Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman look? Kidman rises to her feet to give then-husband Tom Cruise a standing ovation for his win for Best Actor.

Worst dressed of Golden Globes past>>

Colin Farrell presents 2010 Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy award to Meryl Streep

So, Colin Farrell has earrings in the video , and it's sad to see Sandra Bullock looking so happy on Jesse James' arm after he totally broke her heart a short while later. At any rate, this reminded us of just how great Meryl Streep was in Julia, Julia and It's Complicated. We love that she was nominated twice in the same category for Best Actress in the same year!Her acceptance speech is a bit odd and morbid, but a must-watch.

Also, don't the celebrities look a little crammed?

Can't deny: Alec Baldwin is a funny guy

We love Alec Baldwin's comedic delivery about Jennifer Lopez's dress, and Lopez did great with her one line, a reference to her American Idol judging role in 2011. Although we didn't take you too far back in history with this Golden Globe Awards presenter moment, we couldn't resist sharing this funny clip of Alec Baldwin. Alec and Jennifer went on to present Best Original Song — Motion Picture.

Photo courtesy of WENN.com

Jennifer Lawrence is single again

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It sounds like Jennifer Lawrence will be walking the red carpet solo for the upcoming awards shows.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence made her relationship with her X-Men: First Class co-star Nicholas Hoult sound so fun during an Elle interview last fall.

"[My boyfriend] is honestly my best friend, and hopefully I'm his best friend too," she told the magazine. "He's my favorite person to be around and he makes me laugh harder than anybody."

"We can eat Cheetos and watch beach volleyball and we turn into perverted Homer Simpsons, like, 'Oh, she's got a nice ass,'" the Silver Linings Playbook actress added. "I never thought we'd have such different opinions on asses."

Well, apparently those opinions — or something — drove them apart: They've reportedly broken off their two-year relationship, according to reports.

Reps for Lawrence and Hoult have not yet confirmed the breakup, but the low-key pair never really addressed their relationship in public — outside of her recent interview.

We doubt she'll be single for long, though. The actress is on the express train to superstardom, thanks to her second Oscar nomination and starring role in The Hunger Games trilogy.

Who will Lawrence date, though?

She seems to prefer the British guys — like Hoult — because of their accents.

"British men have these wonderful manners, and everything they say is funnier just because of the accent," she told U.K. Glamour last year. "There's this cute 'I'm trying to be adorable because I know you're mad at me' accent, and then the drunk accent where all the consonants have vanished."

So, which Brit actors are single? Start putting your calls in now, boys.

Image courtesy Brian To/WENN.com

More on celebrity relationships

Lauren Conrad's exes are engaged
What Hollywood's hottest men want in a woman
Miranda Lambert spills relationship tips

Oprah's interview with Lance Armstrong to broadcast globally

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Lance Armstrong went from the picture of heroic strength to the picture of a cheater. Now viewers from around the globe can watch as Oprah takes a prowl into the cyclist's life.

Oprah Winfrey

Discovery Networks, which partially owns Oprah's OWN channel, has made arrangements for a global simulcast of Oprah Winfrey's 90-minute exclusive interview with one-time cycling champ Lance Armstrong. The interview will be available to view both online and on various international Discovery channels.

In a statement from Discovery Networks, they said the interview, titled Oprah Winfrey and Lance Armstrong: A Worldwide Exclusive, will see Armstrong "address the alleged doping scandal, years of accusations of cheating, and the charges of lying about the use of performance-enhancing drugs throughout his storied cycling career."

The interview takes place in Lance Armstrong's home in Austin, Texas, and is the only interview since Armstrong was stripped of all seven of his Tour de France titles. Aside from being stripped of his wins, Armstrong suffered the loss of millions of dollars worth of endorsements, and last year was forced to resign from his LIVESTRONG foundation, which had raised hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research. All the bad luck spurred from a report by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which accused the cyclist of taking performance-enhancing drug for his entire career.

The simulcasting will be a major feat for Discovery and not something the network has tried before, indicating the importance of the interview. Oprah Winfrey and Lance Armstrong will originally air in the U.S. and Latin America on Jan.17 and be live-streamed on Oprah's website. The next day, just hours after its original airing, Discovery Channel and TLC will begin airing the special in international markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Discovery Networks will air the special on channels such as Discovery Channel, TLC, DMAX, Real Time and Home & Health.

Oprah Winfrey and Lance Armstrong will air on Thursday, Jan. 17, at 9/8c on OWN, as well as Oprah.com.

Image courtesy of OWN

More on Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong cuts all ties with LIVESTRONG
It's official: Lance Armstrong stripped and banned
Lance Armstrong dumped by Nike

Evan Rachel Wood is expecting

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Newlywed couple Evan Rachel Wood and her hubby, Jamie Bell, are expecting their first baby later this year.

EvanRachelWoodpregnant

Newlyweds Evan Rachel Wood and her husband, Jamie Bell, are going all out in their first year of marriage. US Weekly broke the story on Friday that the couple is expecting a baby.

Later in the day, the actress confirmed the news by tweeting, "Remember when i said, 'No baby on the way here. Well, I didn't know there actually was!"

Her tweet included a photo of the classic pregnancy book What to Expect When You are Expecting.

Her followers sent messages of congratulations throughout the day and it was clear that the True Blood actress was touched by the outpouring of love. She responded with, "Thanks for all your warm wishes. We are very happy. I'm gonna be a mama!"

Wood and Bell began dating in 2005 after meeting on the set of Green Day's music video for the song "Wake Me Up When September Ends." That first pairing lasted about a year before they broke up, but they couldn't stay away from each. They reunited in 2011, got engaged in the early part of 2012, and married on Oct. 30 in California.

The 25-year-old actress had been linked to some interesting celebrity men before she settled down and married 26-year-old Bell. In the past, she was engaged to shock rocker Marilyn Manson and she had a rumored affair with her Wrestler co-star Mickey Rourke. She has also openly identified herself as bisexual as late as November 2012.

Bell has definitely led a quieter life while pursuing his acting career. He is best remembered to movie-going audiences for the title role in Billy Elliot as well as parts in Flags of Our Fathers and Jane Eyre.

This will be the couple's first child.

Image courtesy of WENN.com

Ryan Gosling: Girl Scout cookie dealer

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Ryan Gosling is not exactly a natural-born salesman.

Ryan Gosling talks cookies

Ryan Gosling is a lot of things: Hot, a knife-seller… and a Girl Scout cookie dealer? Apparently so.

The Gangster Squad actor stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday to promote the new film — and Kimmel had to clear something up.

"My friend Daniel and his wife, Diane, said that they were about to get on the freeway in Santa Monica, and you pulled up next to them and handed them several boxes of Girl Scout cookies and then drove off,"Kimmel recalled to the actor. "And as you drove off, Daniel said, 'I think that was Ryan Gosling,' and his wife said, 'Yeah, I think that was Ryan Gosling.'"

"So was that Ryan Gosling?" Kimmel asked.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time," he admitted. "Yeah, look, I regret it."

Ryan Gosling and cookies? Sounds like a fantasy we had one time. But, going on…

"When I was a kid, my dad he had side businesses all the time, and somehow — I don't know how — he came upon a truck full of cellophane… and he wanted me to help him sell it," Gosling recalled.

He continued:

"I had a fantasy that one day someone would buy all of it. Like some guy would come along and be like, 'I'll take it all!' Which never happened. So I was walking out of Ralph's one day and these kids were trying to sell their cookies, and I was like, 'I'll take 'em all!' I bought hundreds and hundreds of boxes. I didn't realize how many boxes I was going to have. I had a car full of them and I didn't know what to do, so I started throwing them out the window to people on the street.

Don't celebrate that. At the time I thought, 'This must be what Santa Claus feels like!'... And then I looked at this one person who was looking at me and I realized, through their eyes I was not Santa Claus — I was just a creepy cookie guy. 'What happened to the Girl Scouts? What happened to their cookies?'"

Hey Ryan, we'll take your cookies any time.

Image courtesy WENN.com

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Quentin Tarantino is not your slave, reporters

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Quentin Tarantino has unleashed on reporter Krishnan Guru-Murthy. Watch below as the Django Unchained director blows up while refusing to discuss movie violence yet again. Temper tantrum or understandable frustration? You make the call.

Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino will not be discussing any possible link between movie violence and real-life violence, thank you very much. Krishnan Guru-Murthy unfortunately had to learn the hard way that this particular topic was off-limits with the Django Unchained director.

During a recent sit-down between Quentin Tarantino and the reporter for Britain's Channel 4, the mood went from just fine to very bad in a matter of moments.

"Don't ask me a question like that," Tarantino shot back at Guru-Murthy, after the reporter attempted to ask how the director feels so confident there is no link between enjoying movie violence and real violence. "I'm not biting. I refuse your question."

Read more about Quentin Tarantino's bad attitude>>

"Why?" the reporter responded, only to be told sharply, "I'm not your slave and you're not my master. You can't make me dance to your tune. I'm not a monkey."

After the reporter tried to re-route the question through comments actor Jamie Foxx had made previously, Quentin Tarantino sniped, "You should talk to Jamie Foxx about that. And I think he's actually here, so you can."

Refusing to explore his stance on violence, the 49-year-old, pictured above quite happy to see fans in London on Jan. 11, ranted:

"I don't want [to answer that]. I'm here to sell my movie. This is a commercial for the movie. Make no mistake. [...] I don't want to talk about what you want to talk about. I don't want to talk about the implications of violence. The reason I don't want to talk about it? Because I've said everything I have to say about it. If anyone cares what I have to say about it, they can Google me. They can look for 20 years what I have to say. I haven't changed my opinion one iota."

What is Quentin Tarantino's favorite show, hands down?>>

"It's not my job to flesh it out," Tarantino added to Guru-Murthy, who asserted it is simply his job to ask such questions. "I'm shutting your butt down. This is a commercial for my movie!"

Watch below as the bickering between Quentin Tarantino and the reporter carried on:

Do you think Quentin Tarantino's stance was understandable, or out of line?

Image via WENN

A look behind the Miss America crown

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The Live Well Network is offering an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the 2013 Miss America Pageant.

MissAmericaSecretsRevealed

If you are a fan of the history of the Miss America Pageant, then this is your lucky week. Not only will the pageant be televised live from Las Vegas on ABC this weekend, but the Live Well Network will air a five-part special titled Miss America: Secrets Revealed.

The show, hosted by Rebecca Spera, revolves around the 53 contestants as they vie for the crown. Spera will get insider tips from the title- holders about everything from fashion to fitness to their beauty regimens.

The network host said in a statement, "I am so excited to share these secrets with the Live Well Network audience. Insider tips and do-it-yourself tricks like these are what make the Live Well Network programs so strong and keeps the viewers coming back for more."

The episodes will be 30 minutes long and run in marathon succession beginning Saturday, Jan. 12 at 3:30 p.m. EST. It is the perfect lead-up to the ABC broadcast on Saturday night.

It is a unique opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the contestants as one woman tries to take the crown. This new television venture will definitely make an impact on younger viewers, as well.

Art McMaster, President and CEO of the Miss America Organization said, "Our Miss America contestants are intelligent and talented young women who will proudly represent their states through living well. They give back to their communities and are such positive role models for young girls."

Check out a preview of the show.

Image courtesy of Judy Eddy/WENN.com

Now you can email Mark Zuckerberg... for $100

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Would you spend $100 to send a Facebook message to Mark Zuckerberg? They're hoping you will.

Mark Zuckerberg will let you send him a message for $100

A couple of weeks ago, Facebook — in its infinite wisdom — deciding to give users the opportunity to message anyone on the site, even if the sender is not friends with the receiver.

The catch? The sender has to pay $1 per message.

A Facebook competitor acquires Mark Zuckerberg's sister >>

Naturally, crafty Facebook users wanted to know whether or not they could contact Facebook's hoodie-wearing creator, Mark Zuckerberg, for a buck. The answer: Nope, but you can for $100!

The tech blog Mashable first discovered this high-dollar price tag when testing out the service earlier this week.

"We are testing some extreme price points to see what works to filter spam," a Facebook rep told the website.

Don't presume Zuckerberg's bride is a billionaire too >>

Makes sense, actually.

We have to wonder how many people will actually pay the $100 to get a message to Zuckerberg. There's no guarantee that he'd actually read the message, either — that delete button comes in mighty handy.

The whole thing got us thinking: What would we ask Zuckerberg if we had the chance? Probably give him some fashion advice.

Then again, he's probably a lost cause. The 29-year-old recently told NBC's Today that he wears the same thing every day.

Mark Zuckerberg named Time's Person of the Year! >>

"I mean, it's literally, if you could see my closet at home..." Zuckerberg said of his boring wardrobe. "My wife has a bunch of stuff. Although she has her drawer — primarily scrubs for the hospital — I get one drawer. And my drawer is about 20 of these gray t-shirts."

And he only gets one dresser drawer, "like men everywhere."

Image courtesy WENN.com

Would you spend $100 to send a message to Mark Zuckerberg?

Have you heard about Top of the Lake?

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Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss went to some very dark places for her latest project. West Wing and Mad Men have nothing on Sundance's upcoming miniseries, Top of the Lake.

Elisabeth MossInstead of advertising or politics, Top of the Lake centers around a kidnapping. The missing person, a 12-year-old girl named Tui who is five months pregnant, is the daughter of a drug lord. Elisabeth Moss plays Robin Griffin, a detective sent to investigate the girl's disappearance. When she runs into the drug lord, things turn nasty.

"It was very hard technically," Moss recalled at the Television Critics Association's recent press tour. "I was bleeding, bruises the next day, my voice was gone."

Moss was describing the filming of one scene in particular: She's casing a guy at a bar and is soon dragged out kicking and screaming.

Top of the Lake, written and directed by Jane Campion, is so highly anticipated that it was screened at the Sundance Film Festival. It was the first time a longer, scripted series had ever screened at the festival.

There's more to the series than just the mystery and violence, though. Along the way, Detective Griffin will become irrevocably changed because of her encounters with Tui's father as well as a guru at a local women's camp. The series also offers a unique look at modern-day New Zealand. Americans especially are used to seeing only the vast, rural parts of New Zealand used for the filming of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Top of the Lake was, instead, filmed almost entirely in the city of Queenstown and a town about 40 minutes away.

"It's the most comprehensive documentation of modern New Zealand that's ever been done at such a large scale," Moss said. "We show a very different, much more modern, much grittier, much more raw side of it."

Are you interested yet? The thriller series premieres Monday, March 18, at 9 p.m. on the Sundance Channel. We'll show you a clip as soon as one is available.

Image courtesy of WENN

More on Elisabeth Moss

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Miss Montana's in good company: Celebs with autism

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When Miss Montana, Alexis Wineman, sashays onstage at Saturday's 2013 Miss America Competition, she will be making history as the pageant's first-ever autistic competitor. She isn't alone in bringing awareness to the disorder: She joins the ranks of Daryl Hannah and other celebrities putting a face on Autism.

2013 Miss America Pageant Contestants

Once taboo to talk about, autism has been thrust into the mainstream spotlight in recent years by celebrities affected in some way by the disorder. Many, like Jenny McCarthy, became advocates when their children received autism diagnoses. Others seek to raise awareness for the disorder due to their own individual struggles: Miss Montana, Alexis Wineman, developed her pageant platform based on her experience growing up with pervasive developmental disorder and borderline Asperger's syndrome. The growing presence of people willing to discuss the disorder has already had a ripple effect in Hollywood: Autism is now being brought to light by characters on television and in movies. The following famous faces are proof that an autism diagnosis does not mean one can't lead a full, happy and extremely successful life.

Daryl Hannah at the Environmental Media Awards

Daryl Hannah

At age 3, Hannah was diagnosed as borderline autistic — she reportedly believes she actually has Asperger's. She has since gone on to star in such well-known blockbusters as Splash and the Kill Bill films.
Dan Akroyd at the Alzheimer's Association Rita Hayworth Gala

Dan Aykroyd

After being expelled from school several times as a child, Aykroyd's parents sent him to a psychiatrist, who diagnosed him with mild Asperger's. Today, he is one of the most recognizable names in entertainment.
Courtney Love at the Beware of Mr. Baker Screening

Courtney Love

Although Love was diagnosed mildy autistic as a child, she went on to form and front the popular rock band Hole. She also received a Golden Globe nomination for her acting role in The People vs. Larry Flint.
James Durbin at the Fox Upfront Presentation

James Durbin

Durbin quickly became one to watch on the 10th season of American Idol, thanks to his killer voice. But it was also his plight of being a young father living with both Tourette's and Asperger's that won the hearts of fans.
Claire Danes and Temple Grandin at the Screening of HBO Films Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin

Grandin — diagnosed with autism at age 2 — counts inventor and best-selling author as accomplishments. In 2010, Claire Danes portrayed Grandin in the Emmy-winning HBO film Temple Grandin.
Tim Burton at the Frankenweenie Premiere

Tim Burton

Although Burton has not formally been diagnosed with autism, his long-time partner Helena Bonham Carter has gone on record claiming the award-winning director displays trademark Asperger's traits.

More on autism

Celebrities with autistic children
Autism: Breaking up is hard to do
Autism and television: The big turn on

Top image courtesy of Judy Eddy/WENN.com, Daryl Hannah image courtesy of FayesVision/WENN.com, Dan Aykroyd image courtesy of Flashpoint/WENN.com, Courtney Love image courtesy of Derrick Salters/WENN.com, James Durbin image courtesy of A. Miller/WENN.com, Temple Grandin image courtesy of WENN.com, Tim Burton image courtesy of WENN.com

Quick meals in a mug

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Don't go out and buy your meals. These two quick-and-easy meals are super simple to make in a mug! That's right. Single-serving macaroni and cheese and French toast... both in a mug!

Macaroni and Cheese in a Mug

Short on time? No gas for your stove? These are two very possible problems that occur in the kitchen. These two simple recipes will be sure to get you through your day.

First up we have a creamy macaroni and cheese recipe. It's simple, ready in about 5 minutes and cooked all together in one coffee mug! That's right. One mug.

Creamy macaroni and cheese in a mug recipe

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup elbow pasta  
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • 2-4 tablespoons whole milk

Directions:

  1. Add water and dried pasta to a large mug. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Give it a stir after the 2 minutes and cook it again for 2 minutes. Stir and test your macaroni at this point. It should be al dente. If not, cook for another minute.
  2. Once macaroni is cooked, add in butter and cheese. Stir together. If you had a lot of water leftover, you may only need a splash or two of milk. This will all depend on how creamy you like your macaroni and cheese.
  3. Cook for another minute on high, stir, season with salt and pepper and enjoy!

Next up we have a quick breakfast option. That's right. Breakfast in a mug. This sweet treat is easy to throw together and is a lot less messy than setting up a whole French toast station at home. Give this one a try for a lazy Sunday hot breakfast or even for a quick midweek breakfast.

French toast in a mug recipe

French Toast in a Mug

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 large slices bread  
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • Topping: maple syrup, whipped cream or powdered sugar

Directions:

  1. Add butter to the bottom of a large mug. Add cubed bread on top.
  2. In a small bowl whisk together egg, milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract and salt.
  3. Slowly pour over bread and let it sit for about 1 minute to soak into the bread.
  4. Microwave on high for about 4 minutes until the bread is no longer soggy. Top with maple syrup, whipped cream, powdered sugar or all three!

More quick dish recipes

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