THIRD HORSE DIES ON THE SET OF "LUCK"

Still from Luck

This saddens me deeply as a true Horse Lover. HBO has halted production on its Horse Racing Drama Series Luck, starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, after a Horse was injured and euthanized earlier today.  The Horse was being led onto Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia, California by a Groom when it reared and sustained a head injury, resulting in the decision to euthanize it.  Although this incident doesn't appear to be related in any way to mistreatment, the American Humane Association has ordered an investigation, according to the Associated Press.

During the filming of its first season, two Horses were euthanized also as a result of injuries sustained while filming intense racing scenes for Luck, which only recently was renewed for a second season beginning January 2013.  HBO continues to be firm in their stance that they are adhering to safety standards, working together with the American Humane Association and Industry Experts.

Luck, despite drawing modest ratings, has received favourable reviews garnering a score of 75 on Metacritic.

UPDATE (3/14/12): HBO announced that Luck has officially been cancelled. According to a Statement issued on their part today, they state: "While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won't in the future".

(Photo credit: HBO)

"BARNEY'S VERSION" RECEIVES 11 GENIE NOMINATIONS

Rosamund Pike at TIFF 2010

Congratulations to the Cast and Crew of Barney's Version, which received an astonishing eleven nominations at this year's Genie Awards.  The Comedy/Drama received nods in the categories of Best Lead Actor (Paul Giamatti), Best Lead Actress (Rosamund Pike), Best Supporting Actor (Dustin Hoffman) and Best Supporting Actress (Minnie Driver).  Director Richard J. Lewis is also up for Best Director.

Following closely behind Barney's Version is Denis Villeneuve's Incendies with a total ten nominations.  It is considered the closest threat to Barney's Version in the coveted Best Picture category. The Film is Canada's entry at the Oscars for Best Foreign Picture.

The Ceremony which will be held in Ottawa on March 10, 2011 at the National Arts Centre, honours the best in Canadian Film and will be broadcast on CBC. 

For more on The Genies, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BARNEY`S VERSION - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Barney`s Version

With tons of buzz surrounding Richard J. Lewis' Barney's Version, an adaptation of the Mordecai Richler Novel, I can say with certainty that it delivers big. Driven by a remarkable performance from the always-excellent Paul Giamatti as unlikely rule-breaking hero Barney Panofsky, much of the Film is set in Montreal where the Television Producer finds a deep and passionate love with Miriam (Rosamund Pike) after two failed marriages with Clara (Rachelle Lefevre) and Mrs. P (Minnie Driver).

Life according to Barney is all-or-nothing, resulting in many highs and lows. It is this philosophy which sees him getting his heart broken with two of his Best Friends (one whom he is accused of murdering - Boogie played by Scott Speedman) having affairs with both of his ex-Wives. It is also his impulsiveness which leads him to pursue the eventual love his life Miriam on the very night of his second wedding (to Driver`s character). And he does score big, finding many years of happiness with Miriam after finally winning her heart.  As he ages and his memory begins to fail him with the onset of Alzheimer`s Disease, will Barney`s impulsiveness get the best of him and lead to his demise?

JASON BATEMAN AND DUSTIN HOFFMAN KISS FOR THE CAMERAS

I admire a man who is comfortable with his own sexuality.  Dustin Hoffman and Jason Bateman share a hot kiss for the JumboTron cameras Thursday night at Staples Centre in Los Angeles....  and everyone around them are a bunch of perverts! Love it. The two actors apparently are huge fans of the L.A. Lakers who wound up clobbering the Boston Celtics that night.

Nobody told me Basketball was this exciting!

(Photo credit: Splash)