The Hurt Locker, Up In The Air Win Big at WGA Awards

Avatar can't win 'em all.


The Hurt Locker and Up in the Air scored the top prizes Saturday night at the Writers Guild of America Awards, setting them up as favorites in the screenplay races going into the Oscars.

Up in the Air screenwriters Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner won for Best Adapted Screenplay, while The Hurt Locker's Mark Boal took home the award for Original Screenplay.

Both films are up in the same categories at the Oscars, which will be handed out March 7.

Avril Lavigne wanders in 'Wonderland'

Are you ready for a trip down the rabbit hole? Tim Burton, Johnny Depp and Disney are adding a strange new chapter to the Lewis Carroll classic with their "Alice in Wonderland," a film that presents a young woman who finds herself in the world of the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat and the Red Queen. She is welcomed as a returning visitor -- but is she, in fact, the same Alice who roamed the trippy realm as a child? Time will tell. Here at the Hero Complex, we're counting down to the film's March 5 release with daily coverage.



Today, Todd Martens from the Pop & Hiss blog visits with a review of that new "Wonderland" sound...

Overview: Straight down the rabbit hole to your local mall. Inspired, no doubt, by the success of the soundtracks to the two "Twilight" films, Disney has lined up an array of chart-topping artists for its upcoming "Alice in Wonderland" -- sort of. Two albums will be released on March 5, one featuring Danny Elfman's original score for the film, and one entitled "Almost Alice," which contains 16 songs inspired by the classic story. There's veteran, respected artists, such as the Cure's Robert Smith, and up-and-comer club kids, including 3OH!3 with Ke$ha's pal Neon Hitch. Only the leadoff cut, Avril Lavigne's directly titled "Alice," will be heard in the film, gracing the feature's end credits.

Apple iPad Pre-Orders to Begin February 25th? Speculation about Other Features?

AppAdvice claims that the iPad pre-orders could start as early as February 25th. The pre-orders are said to be for the U.S. Wi-Fi model initially. It's really not much to go on, but Apple hasn't given any indication about their launch plans for the iPad. During their press event, Jobs simply said that the Wi-Fi version would be shipping in 60 days, which places it into the last week of March.

While Apple did allow for pre-orders for the iPhone 3GS, the original iPhone launch was on a first-come first-serve basis at retail stores. The Wi-Fi iPad, however, does not require any long term contracts to be set up, making pre-orders more likely a possibility. Apple would have to get FCC approval for the device before being able to place it on sale. AppAdvice, however, isn't a particularly reliable source of rumors as they previously claimed the iPhone 3GS would have an OLED screen and FM transmitter (both of which were not true).

Apple Says No More Titillating Apps, Period

Recently, Apple removed Wobble—an app that adds real jiggle to photographic boobies—from the App Store. Other removals followed. Now, a developer who talked to Apple has the scoop on the future of iPhone titillation, and it is bleak.


Really bleak. Like no racy photos, no suggestive language, no bathing suits bleak.

This devastating news comes by way of TechCrunch, who has been following this story closely (but not in a weird way). Initially it seemed that Apple's new policy was to ban "overtly sexual content," which was disappointing, but, you know, understandable. Now TC has received word from a developer who has discussed the matter with "multiple App Store reviewers," and things aren't looking too hot. Not even close to hot, in fact.

[Down With Love] Meets with Piracy Issues, With Intentions to Re-film Ending

GTV and CTV’s latest idol drama – [Down With Love] met with severe piracy issues during the Chinese New Year (CNY). With only 2 episodes officially aired, the pirated version of the serial has been fully released. As a result, China’s website, Tudou web, which has earlier purchased the copyright to upload this serial, has to feature the full series for [DWL] from episode 1 to 28. Concerned on the impact of the viewership ratings due to the piracy issues, the top management of the TV stations held a meeting till midnight on the eve of CNY. They have sought legal advice and issued official letters to the Taiwanese parties. GTV even contemplated to overcome all odds by having Jerry and Ella to re-film the ending for the serial, to combat the rampage caused by the act of piracy.

The weekend idol dramas’ fight for viewership ratings appeared to be intense. Lego Lee and Baron Chen in CTS [Because of You] are gaining awareness amongst viewers. Although still in the top spot, SET [Autumn Concerto], starring Vanness Wu, is about to finish telecast soon, and [P.S Man] with Blue Lan, Sonia Sui and Bianca Bai will take over the time slot. Meanwhile currently in second top position, CTV and GTV [Down With Love], featuring attractions of Jerry Yan and Ella, has shown potential to take the top place in viewership ratings. However the widespread piracy problem that occurred just before CNY has resulted in anyone who visit Tudou web in being able to view the full serial of [DWL] and can even make online purchase for the serial’s DVD.

VanNess Wu and Jimmy Hung speak to the press about recent drug scandal

VanNess Wu talked to the press for the first time on the 21st alongside Jimmy Hung about the recent drug scandal. The two stars were accidentally dragged into the scandal for their staff member’s drug use. Their film company was searched by police several weeks ago, in which producer Chou Yi-Quan was arrested for possession of marijuana.

After his fan meeting, VanNess Wu and the son of Hong Kong action star Sammo Hung, Jimmy, held a press conference to clarify their involvement in the case. Jimmy explained in a serious tone that his dad was very angry after hearing about the drug scandal. He said he was sorry to have implicated his dad, but he added, “We really didn’t do anything wrong!” Jimmy Hung reiterated that he and Van Ness Wu have nothing whatsoever to do with drugs.

VanNess Wu sent a text message to Chou Yi-Quan before the press conference saying "Love you, only want you to be happy” as an encouragement. He said everyone has done something that they should not have done, and he prayed for Chou once he heard about what happened. VanNess also quoted a passage from the bible to reaffirm his innocence.

New Vid, Last Song: Miley Cyrus, "When I Look at You"


Playing around with a long delay on her vocals, Miley Cyrus duets with herself quite nicely in this cut promoting her forthcoming flick, The Last Song (in theaters, March 31). With movie footage to use, the production values are high, but also helping to keep things easy on the eyes is Miley's costar and real-life bf, Liam Hemsworth. We can't decide what's better, the sonics or the scenery, so let us know what you think in the comments section.

Adam Lambert on Ke$ha: She's a Great Kisser!

Adam Lambert is on record: he won't rule out sex with women.

Following a development this week, we now have an idea of what it would take to land Lambert if you're a member of the softer gender: don glitter and record a number-one single.


During a party on February 13 at a gay nightclub in New York City called Providence, the American Idol runner-up played a serious game of tonsil hockey with Ke$ha.

“She’s really pretty, we were laughing and we just started kissing. She’s a great [kisser]," Adam told the radio show BLI In The Morning yesterday.

'Shutter Island' tops Friday box office with $14 million


Shutter Island, the fourth collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, all but shut out the competition at the box office on Friday, taking in an estimated $14 million. That puts the psychological thriller on track to top The Departed — which had a $26.9 million opening weekend in 2006 — as the pair’s biggest hit. It also gives Paramount the last laugh after skeptics criticized the studio’s decision to push Shutter Island out of its original Oct. 2009 release date to save marketing coin.

In second place, Valentine’s Day still got some love from audiences in its second weekend, earning a $5.6 million Friday gross. The rest of the top five was rounded out by Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Avatar, and The Wolfman, which suffered a harsh 70 percent drop from last week as fright fans turned their attention to Shutter Island. Be sure to check back tomorrow for a full weekend recap.

Motorola Devours seven minutes of your life with a phone demo (video)


We're only a few breathless days away from the Devour hitting some retail locations ahead of nationwide US availability in March, so what better way to fill that gap than with an official teaser video? Moto's Rick Osterloh is our tour guide in a seven minute hands-on demo of the device, which takes us through the major attractions on offer. He firstly calls out the Qualcomm CPU inside and points to the phone's responsiveness, which is (quite naturally) followed by a couple of instances of perceptible lag between his input and the phone's reaction. All the same, it does look like a sprightly little machine, and the inclusion of Blur, Google Maps Navigation with turn-by-turn voice instructions, and Moto Phone Portal makes for a compelling software package. Head past the break to see them in action and to catch another eyeful of the hardware as well.

Nexus One gets HTC Sense and Flash 10 courtesy of a HTC Desire ROM


If you're a Nexus One owner and you have a sense of adventure—or are black-out drunk—you can now flash an alpha version of the leaked HTC Desire ROM on your phone. Speaking of Flash, this ROM has it.

Have you secretly harbored Desire-envy ever since its unveiling at MWC? This is your chance to close the gap; the Desire ROM will give you its Sense UI as well as support for Flash 10.1, apparently.

'Hot Summer Days' Stars Cover Milk X Magazine

'Hot Summer Days' co-stars Barbie Hsu, Nicholas Tse and Angelababy grace the latest issue of the MILK X magazine. The photoshoots were taken by the movie's director and photographer Wing Shya.


The romantic movie, opening in Chinese theatres last week, is composed of six stories set in an unusually sultry summer.

It features 12 popular stars, including Jacky Cheung, Rene Liu, Daniel Wu, Vivian Hsu, and Duan Yihong.

WonderGirls for comeback in Korea in April

Wonder Girls who have been away from the Kpop scene for some time to promote in the States will be back on the Korean performing stage this year.


Coming April, WonderGirls will be releasing their first full-length album in the States, and will be doing a ‘Korea-America-Asian’ promotions for it.

A representative revealed on the 19th, “Currently the girls are working on the new album, and it will include their hit songs like ‘Nobody’ as well as 4~5 new song. In addition, the girls will be recording a Korean version to the title song for fans in Korea.”

And about whether the girls will be promoting the Korean version of the title song, the rep said, “Korea is included in part of the promotions for their new album. And we are seeing that they will be promoting in Korea for a longer time than in other countries for the song.”

Is Kristen Stewart's New Movie Really That New?

In The Yellow Handkerchief, Kristen Stewart does what Kristen Stewart does best: She plays a "troubled and lonely teenager," as the plot synopsis describes it.

The flick was shot years ago (pre-Twilight), and K.Stew's fab acting ability remains intact. But this role seems to be one we've seen her do a few times before.

Hear what Kristen has to say about whether this is just another repetitive troubled-love story....

We're so looking forward to seeing this movie, but when first reading over what it's about, it's described as "a love story at its core." This is hardly the first movie about twisted love to come along, and definitely not the first time you've played the angsty teenager role...

"Yeah." [nodding in agreement]

So when you sign on to a movie like this, how do you bring your own originality to it?

"Well, I think it had originality to it. There were two love stories that were all about characters that would normally not be leading characters. I looked at every single one of them and sort of went like, they're weird.

007 The spy who wed me? Rings fuel speculation Bond star Daniel Craig and his girlfriend are secretly married

Bond star Daniel Craig is believed to have married in secret after he was spotted with a gold ring on his wedding finger.


His girlfriend of six years, Japanese-US film producer Satsuki Mitchell, 30, also had a ring on the third finger of her left hand.

A spokesman for Craig, 41, yesterday insisted that it was ‘a private matter’.

In the past, Craig has quashed rumours that he and Satsuki were engaged.

Google empowered to buy, sell energy (like your local utility)

If it seems that Google is trying to cover all the bases these days, this move definitely hits the mark. Fresh off from social-networking Buzz, it’s just been granted clearance by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to buy and sell electricity in bulk, say, like any other power utility out there.

The order specially grants Google Energy, a subsidiary of Google, the rights “for the sale of energy, capacity, and ancillary services at market-based rates”, so Google could have “more flexibility in procuring power for Google’s own operations, including our data centers.”

Ariel Lin survived operation which took her off-air for months

LOOKING at Ariel Lin, it's easy to dismiss her as just another sweet, petite, cookie-cutter cutie-pie actress in the Asian entertainment scene.

The 27-year-old Taiwanese - known for her leading roles in popular idol dramas It Started With A Kiss (2005) and Tokyo Juliet (2006) - has wowed television audiences with her cheery disposition and consistent performances as the adorable girl-next-door.

The real Ariel, however, is much tougher than most would expect her to be.

Just last February, she had an endoscopic surgery to have a tumour removed from the base of her skull.

Endoscopic surgeries are less invasive and risky than traditional operations.

Doctors gave her no alternative. She had to have the tumour removed, they told her, as it would start affecting her vision in the long run.

Lee Hyori for Guess Rose-G


Ahead of her comeback in March, diva Lee Hyori’s new Guess photoshoot has been revealed.

More of the sexy photoshoot under the cut.

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