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Actress Anne Hathaway is engaged to long-time boyfriend Adam Shulman, her spokesman announced on Monday.

Reuters reports that the spokesman provided no further details beyond the confirmation.

Hathaway,29, has been dating Shulman since 2008.  She was linked with the actor and jewelry designer after her public break-up from Raffaello Follieri when he was arrested and pleaded guilty on fraud charges.

Anne Hathaway graces Harper’s Bazaar’s August cover, on newsstands July 12, and in the interview, the star opens up about love, career, fashion, her upcoming movie, One Day, and responds to James Franco’s comments about co-hosting the Oscars with her.

Hathaway talks about co-hosting the Oscars and responds to James Franco’s comments: “How did I take it?” she says mildly about Franco’s comments on Letterman. “I let James know that a whirling dervish is a more ?attering comparison than a Tasmanian devil. I called him, and we e-mailed a bit.” “In the grand scheme of things, I got to have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I met great people, wore beautiful clothes. And I got to put on a show. I don’t see a downside. Anyone who disliked my personality probably disliked my personality before the Oscars.”

Talking about fashion, Anne says she “feels like the luckiest girl in the world when I get to wear all these glamorous clothes,” but away from the red carpet, she is decidedly more moderate: “I’ve become a lot more specific about what I love and why I’m doing it,” she says.

On her boyfriend, Adam Shulman: “So far, it’s worked out great,” she says matter-of-factly, observing that she used to get caught up in the intensity of a romance. “Which has its wonderful side, of course,” she adds with a half shrug, “but also it was exhausting, and sometimes it would freak me out. Mellow doesn’t always make for a good story, but it makes for a good life.”

Photo credit: Alexi Lubomirski for Harper’s Bazaar.

Warner Brothers announced today that Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt have joined the cast for the upcoming third installment in the Christopher Nolan-led Batman franchise, “The Dark Knight Rises.”

Gordon-Levitt’s casting was leaked weaks ago, and entire stories have circulated as to what his character was.

Cotillard’s casting comes after months of speculation that the film was looking to add another female lead after the casting of Anne Hathaway, who will play Selina Kyle (and presumably Catwoman).

According to a press release, Cotillard will play Miranda Tate, described as “a Wayne Industries board member eager to help a still-grieving Bruce Wayne [played by Christian Bale] resume his father’s philanthropic endeavors for Gotham.” Gordon-Levitt will play John Blake, described as “a Gotham City beat cop assigned to special duty under the command of Commissioner Gordon [played by Gary Oldman].”

Most will notice, this now rounds out the cast of “Inception” appearing in the Nolan Batman franchise. Cotillard and Gordon-Levitt’s co-star Tom Hardy has also been cast in “The Dark Knight Rises” as Bane.

Fellow co-stars Ken Wantanab, Cillian Murphy, and Michael Caine have already appeared in the franchise.

While the casting notice describes Cotillard as playing Miranda Tate, speculation has run rampant that the second female lead will ultimately be Talia Al Ghul, daughter to Ra’s Al Ghul, the villain from “Batman Begins.”

Fans will have to wait until next summer to find out.

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Mila Kunis looked gorgeous in this Elie Saab gown (Media Credit/Mazur, WireImage)

As awards season comes to a close, I was prepared last night with popcorn in one hand and my picks for the office Oscar pool in the other. Next to winning the pool, the best part of the awards show is the red carpet fashion, for better or for worse.

Looks I love

Mila Kunis wore a beautiful light lavender dress with a plunging neckline and lace detailing by the Elie Saab Spring 2011 Collection. Jennifer Lawrence was the first on the red carpet and set everyone up for great fashion choices throughout the evening. Her red, fitted Calvin Klein dress showed off her amazing figure. I was impressed with and am obsessed with Giuliana Rancic’s bold print, dramatic gown that was designed by none other than “Project Runway” winner Christian Siriano. Wearing a maroon, backless, lace Dolce & Gabbana gown, Scarlett Johansson made quite the impression on the red carpet.

Notable looks

These fashion icons are getting mixed fashion reviews around the globe. All of the dresses are fabulous, but their stylists could have done a little more to make these looks really work. Gwyneth Paltrow wore a modern silver metallic Calvin Klein gown. The dress is gorgeous, but the shiny color would have been more age appropriate for a younger starlet. Halle Berry looked amazing, as usual, in a nude, jewel-encrusted Marchesa gown, but this dress would have popped more against her skin if it were a different color. Cate Blanchett wore a unique lilac and mustard colored piece by Givenchy. I appreciate Cate’s choice for something different, but the jury is still out as to whether the front of the dress was a bib made for my four-year-old cousin. Jennifer Hudson’s dress last night was the best PR move Weight Watchers could ever have. She looked absolutely breathtaking (and thinner than ever) in Versace, but she could have used a little more coverage in the cleavage area.

Marisa Tomei's gown was a prom nightmare (Media Credit/A. Rodriguez, WireImage)

They could’ve done better

Nicole Kidman’s Christian Dior gown from the Spring 2009 Collection was too structured, too white, too detailed, too much! Reese Witherspoon always looks beautiful, but her black and white Armani Prive gown and Barbie-inspired high ponytail may not have been her best choice; we all know she can do better. Marisa Tomei’s prom nightmare, a vintage gown by Charles James, should have stayed in the closet. Not only was the dress ill-fitting, but the color was far from flattering and the poofy taffeta bottom was, well, taffeta. After all of the build-up, I found the awards show less than exciting, and some of the fashion followed suit, including Amy Adams’ deep navy gown (again). Even with seven costume changes, Anne Hathaway’s surprise singing was more of a standout than her fashion picks.

Best accessories

I can’t possibly write about the Oscars without noting Natalie Portman. She looked amazing last night  in a Rodarte violet silk chiffon dress. She again chose to wear stunning accessories from Tiffany & Co., which turned out to be quite the good luck charm! Speaking of hot mamas, the hottest accessory for a man to have last night was undoubtedly his mother. Russell Brand opted for the non-traditional dark blue suit with his mother by his side (wife Katy Perry was on her world tour). Mama Timberlake by son Justin’s side has this girl dreaming that Justin’s relationship with Jessica Biel will soon be over. He looked amazing in his Tom Ford tailored tuxedo; so ladies, if you need a date to next year’s Oscars, maybe he’s your ticket — fingers crossed. Until next awards season!

The Oscars are not for kids.

Scratch that. As a child, the Oscars gave me immense joy and pleasure.

But I’m under age 30, and no one my age should be allowed to host the Academy Awards.

The obvious attempt to inject a hip sense of youthfulness into the very mature annual primary movie award gala was a failed experiment that does not need repetition.

Now, Anne Hathaway looked cute as a button, and she was good in “Alice in Wonderland.” And James Franco was utterly amazing in 127 hours, certainly deserving of his nomination. That’s not what this is about.

They both, together and individually, proved to be terrible Oscar hosts.

Franco gave no emotion. His crooked smiles and sleepy line deliveries took away from the show. Hathaway giggled like a schoolgirl every 15 seconds and w00ted every, single person she introduced like some obsessed Twilight fangirl.

Was there also no need for an opening monologue or some humor or banter to start us off? The pair had virtually no chemistry and did not play off each other at all. They looked more like uncomfortable high school students asking each other to dance at a mixer.

The problem is that they’re only a few years removed from that portion of their lives. The hosts need to transcend the show and the stars they are honoring, not get all starry-eyed every time someone like Sandra Bullock (who would be a great host) or Oprah come up on stage.

It was so bad, that Billy Crystal’s cameo was the best bit of dialogue of the night, showing that while age isn’t everything, experience and talent sure help when it comes to hosting a major event live.

Actress Anne Hathaway, 28, told People about Oscar producers’ choice of her and James Franco, 32, to be the hosts of the next year’s Academy Awards, “I could not even begin to fathom their thought process.”

Even though she told the magazine that she had no idea why she was chose, she is surely very excited to do that with Franco. She said, “I can’t go into anything about it … just that I’m doing it with him.”

The Los Angeles Times reports that actress Natalie Portman has recently been shopping a raunchy comedy, titled “BYO (Bring Your Own)”, to studios that she co-wrote with her college friend Laura Moses.

The project, which was reported as a female-themed “Superbad,” centers on two vastly different young women who throw a party where each of the female party-goers brings a bachelor along.

Portman would star in and produce the comedy. Also, the source reports that Anne Hathaway has been interested in the second lead role.

Taylor Swift, who recently released her album “Speak Now,” has been getting attention since those songs from the album manily focuse on her past love life, and there are romance rumors between Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal’s “Love and Other Drugs” co-star Anne Hathaway, however, brushed off the rumors.

During an interview on MTV’s “The Seven,” the actress said, “I need to say, I have been Jake’s onscreen lover for many, many years, and I find it incredibly disrespectful to the lack of reality between us that you’re asking about something real right now. Why would you do that?”

Does anyone have any comment?

In “Alice in Wonderland,” director Tim Burton takes Lewis Carroll’s time-honored tale and converts it into a fantastical, eye-popping 3-D joy ride for the attention-deficit “Avatar” loving generation.

The most notable thing about “Alice” is that visual stimulation never stops. First, we meet a wayward, unhappy Alice (Mia Wasikowska) mourning her father’s death on the day that she receives a very public proposal from a ginger lord with digestion problems. Burton doesn’t miss a detail of the prim English countryside or its snobby, corset-wearing inhabitants.

When Alice uncomfortably edges away from the waiting crowd, a rabbit leads her to a large hole, which, of course, she falls into. This scene is 3-D at its best, with Alice swishing past books and chandeliers and bouncing on top of beds.

Fans of the cartoon movie will be confused with what follows. There is an unexpected implementation of plot, and while favorite scenes such as Alice shrinking and growing are left in, the scene where she cries herself a river is left out. Instead of following Alice on a disjointed acid trip of a journey, we soon find out, through the vehicles of the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), Dormouse (Barbara Windsor), and Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum (Matt Lucas) that they are looking for an Alice who has visited before to come and release them from the dominion of the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). There is a bit of dissension about whether this Alice is the same Alice, and this is one of the plot points that gets tedious. Alice, of course, doesn’t remember being here before, and the only person who is convinced she was is the Mad Hatter.

Alice makes her way through Wonderland in an array of fabulous dresses (kudos to the costume designer), making friends with the Bandersnatch, fooling the Red Queen and eventually fulfilling her destiny by slaying the Jabberwocky.

Burton takes liberties with the original story and comes up with a plot that is painfully similar to The Chronicles of Narnia — a young girl stumbles into a world of kings, queens and talking animals. She then finds that she’s “chosen” and must rescue her little friends from a domineering queen and return the power to the benevolent ruler. The mystery of the story that is supposed to keep the audience guessing, whether or not this Alice is the one who will fulfill the prophecy, is at first, confusing (why wouldn‘t she be the right Alice?) and then annoying with repetition.

Wasikowska gives a seamless performance in this, her first major leading role. She is appropriately bold while conveying Alice’s youthful nature. She doesn’t lose herself in the potentially sappy storyline of “Am I just Alice or am I Alice?”

Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter is one of the more anticipated characters — right up there with Stephen Fry’s Cheshire Cat — and he doesn’t diappoint. His clownish clothes and spastic hair fit well with his fluorescent eyeliner and his overwhelming personality. Depp’s only misstep is his accent — is he British? Or Scottish? He had a lisp, but now he doesn’t. What could be attributed to his apparent “madness” just comes off as confusing and inconsistent.

Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter play arch enemies — and sisters. Carter provides a great deal of comedic relief as an evil, yet pitiable, Red Queen who plays crochet with a hedgehog (as the ball), uses pigs as footrests and is wildly jealous of her well-liked predecessor and younger sister, the White Queen. Hathaway brings a quirk to her perfect, gracious character, but overacts in some scenes. For instance, one wonders if she got tennis elbow from holding her arms up like she’s waltzing 24/7.

But the movie works as a whole. It’s visual (the motion capture technology is impeccable — from Stayne’s spindly daddy long legs to the queen’s bulbous head), it’s funny (Alice has a dry sense of humor that is funnier because it’s unexpected…well now I guess I’ve ruined it for you), and it’s heartwarming. Each character is relatable and sympathetic, from the ridiculously brave dormouse to the heart-melting loyalty of Bayard, the hound. And lastly, for those who aren’t fans of 3-D, worry not. This movie isn’t filled with action scenes where things are thrown at the audience ad-nauseum. The 3-D is mostly unnoticeable and only enhances the scenes when it does anything.

Don’t miss this movie — it’s a substantial upgrade from the cartoon, and it’ll leave you wanting more.

These days, with amazing websites like IMDB.com, consumers are permitted to know every detail about a film almost as soon as the producers decide them. ‚ Gone are the days when you had to wait to see a commercial teaser or, God-forbid, a theatrical trailer before you could even know for sure if a movie was coming out.

That’s why we’ve all known and are thrilled about the fact that Director Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, James and the Giant Peach) is throwing together what is sure to be a masterpiece recreating the well-loved children’s book, Alice In Wonderland. The star-studded cast includes actors Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Alan Rickman, Michael Sheen, Helena Bonham Carter and newcomer Mia Wasikowska, who is playing Alice herself.

We’ve known all this for some time, and it doesn’t even come out till March.

But thanks to the wonderfulness of the internets, we have something to keep us entertained until that day comes. ‚ New promotional images of the characters have been released, depicting Alice (Wasikowska), The Mad Hatter (Depp), The Red Queen (Carter) and The White Queen (Hathaway), reports Ryanseacrest.com.

The costumes look great, all the actors seem to fit their roles, but does anyone else feel like the photos were taken by someone who usually takes yearbook pictures? ‚ Could we not find something besides the granite blue backdrop? ‚ Perhaps a natural field setting or perhaps even black and white, but if this is the backdrop, it seems more fitting that the actors should be leaning forward on their elbows and perhaps be smiling awkwardly through braces. ‚ But that’s just me. ‚ Let’s hope Burton finds something different for the film itself.

You know his ass from the movies, but now you will know his face from television. Ken Davitian, recent star in “Get Smart” and “Borat,” will be featured on an episode of the NBC comedy “Chuck.”

Davitian will play the character “Uncle Bernie,” designed by creators Chris Fedak and Josh Schwartz to be a shout out to “Uncle Bernie’s Vacation.”

“They wrote the character with me in mind,” Davitian said.

The episode Davitian is in, set to air this Monday, follows the current “Chuck” plot line where title character Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi) is searching for his missing father.

Davitian is a member of Fulcrum, a rogue spy agency Chuck and his NSA and CIA handlers have been fighting against. Davitian’s Uncle Bernie goes to a “very close friend’s daughter’s wedding;” the daughter being someone he has previously recruited to Fulcrum.

“Unfortunately, due to my large derriere, I have a heart attack,” Davitian said about Uncle Bernie. “My character is dead to my knowledge, but who knows what they’ll do with it after.”

Though the characters did not find out anything from Bernie due to his untimely demise, Davitian said they did end up finding where to go next in the search for Mr. Bartowski.

Davitian also let it slip Chuck’s ex-girlfriend Jill will make an appearance in the episode. Chuck is also interested in his CIA handler, Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski).

“They never give me those sexual tension roles,” Davitian said. He also noted for all casting directors out there his top two picks are Anne Hathaway (his co-star from “Get Smart”) and Scarlett Johannsen.

“They keep saying that 50 is the new 40, and I believe if I wait long enough, 300 lbs will be the next 150,” Davitian joked.

Making a TV episode is much like making a mini-movie, Davitian said, citing the 18-hour-a-day, eight-day effort it takes to film just one episode. He said there wasn’t much nerdiness or joking around while on the set.

“[The "Chuck" set] was a well oiled machine,” Davitian said. “The writing makes you stay funny while you’re acting serious.”

He was especially impressed by Levi, who he met before, Davitian said. When asked if Levi was as big a nerd in real life as he is portrayed on the show, Davitian said, “When I was young, we called them nerds. Now they’re considered intellectual and intelligent because I’ve got to tell you, I don’t know how to work that box they call a computer.”

Davitian is starring in an upcoming romantic comedy called “You May Not Kiss The Bride” alongside Katherine McPhee, Mena Suvari, Vinnie Jones and Dave Annable. He plays McPhee’s father who is trying to get his daughter married so she can get her citizenship.

He had shot a sitcom with Bernie Mac previous to the late actor’s passing. He also is set to star in a film where he plays Luciano Pavarotti.

“I really like making movies, but I also like television,” Davitian said. “You just want to be somewhere in front of a camera.”

“Bride Wars” teaches every feminist’s worst nightmare: that a woman’s lifelong dream is to find a man to marry her, and have a ridiculously extravagant June wedding at the Plaza Hotel in NYC.

With on-again, off-again narration by Candice Bergen –‚  who plays elite and highly sought-after wedding planner Marion St. Claire — the movie lacks real direction and any measurable value. As for the laughs, they just keep on coming. Especially the cheap laughs at each of the main character’s expense. I could barely focus on the movie though with the audience members behind me debating such major topics as “I don’t need a ring pillow if I don’t have a ring bearer do I?” and other ponderings on what earrings she was thinking about wearing to match her wedding gown.

The movie revolves around best friends Emma, played by Anne Hathaway, and Liv, played by Kate Hudson, who have known each other for decades and grew up together through childhood tragedy, college, jobs and boyfriends. Liv is the type-a, aggressive and outspoken spunky friend who isn’t afraid to give her piece of mind. Emma is a hardcore lawyer who excels at the art of persuasion and jumps the gun for everything, including getting married when she finds a Tiffany box hidden in the closet she shares with live-in boyfriend Daniel, played by Steve Howey (Van Montgomery of “Reba”).

Meanwhile, Emma has her own sweeter-than-molasses proposal awaiting her on what she believes to be just another night with her roommate/boyfriend Fletcher (Chris Pratt). The girls both become engaged and both set out to meet with Marion to embark on the journey that is their life, or rather their respective wedding days. Marion’s most ridiculous mantra is that “Until your wedding day, you are dead. You are dead right now.” Yes, it can be said that a wedding is the first day of the rest of your life, but to practically give up a party based around the implementation of the institution of marriage the importance of a deity is just plain ridiculous.

Back to the “riveting” story by screenplay writers Greg DePaul and Casey Wilson, who managed to work in many, many laughs and some well placed physical comedy. The meek and quiet receptionist at Marion’s Upper East Side townhouse accidentally mixes up the dates of the Plaza dream weddings of Liv and Emma and while they both attempt to try to acquiesce, without ever actually doing so, things turn ugly. Of course, the logical answer to the dilemma is provided by the grooms-to-be who suggest a double wedding for the inseparable pals who are supposed to be each others’ maids of honors. Which is another slap in the face insinuating that women are irrational and only lead with their emotions.

Sabotage ensues when neither bride will give up her date at the plaza. Good-natured and down-to-earth Emma and wily Liv do everything from mess with the others’ hair, skin tone, weight, bachelorette parties and the actual weddings themselves. What really happens is that it just turns sad as two friends are torn apart by the petty, consumerist and shallow musings involved with a wedding.

Definite surprise is Kristen Johnston’s oblivious and perfect performance as Deb, another teacher at Emma’s school. As Emma’s maid of honor replacement, Deb continues to walk all over Emma’s backseat personality and verbally bully her into doing favors such as taking over her study halls and late bus duty.

With funny moments and montages and a few borderline disturbing dance numbers from Hathaway, the movie succeeds at what it aims to do — be a simple, funny and light movie aimed for the millions of girls who dream of not being a successful judge or to change foreign policy or to write the next great novel, but to have a wedding. And not to be married, but to just have the party portion of that.

The movie is a vivid and overdone comment on the demeaning reputation 21st century society has given to marriage by placing an incredible amount of emphasis on the perfection of the wedding, rather than building a life with a compatible partner. It’s no wonder something like 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. In the movie, the male counterparts of the brides play such an insignificant role it’s easy to see how the weddings can get bigger than the relationships they were based around.

Hopefully, audiences will look past the torture and humiliation turned into humor and realize that the movie is trying to say that the most important thing in life, before the Park Plaza Hotel and dance lessons and tanning and Vera Wang (although can she make a dress!) is to surround yourself with positive, loyal people. In the competitive and cutthroat environment of the world today, it is hard to find and maintain close friends and faithful lovers. But the true challenge is maintaining those relationships and keeping your eye on the prize, rather than on the altar.

Despite all of the disappointing anti-feminist ideals pushed in “Bride Wars,” it entertained the silly girl in me who loves shoes and the color purple and beautiful fresh flowers. But it also raised a lot of questions and concerns on how future generations are going to survive when they are being bombarded by frivolity from television, movies and books (do not get me started on the “Twilight” series).

So go out there and get your fill of the first 2009 wedding movie, to go down in history along with other wedding-centric films as “The Wedding Planner,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” and “27 Dresses.”

These are the movies Blast is excited about seeing in the month of October:

Rachel Getting Married

Who: Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Bill Irwin, Tunde Adebimpe, Debra Winger

What: Kym (Hathaway) returns home for her sister’s wedding and bring back years of family tension and personal problems with her. What should have been a happy weekend is sent towards disaster once Kym gets into the mix.

When: October 3

Why: Hathaway’s performance (a complete 180 from her typical girlish comedic fare) has been being talked about for an Oscar nod since talk first surfaced of her role.

How to Lose Friends & Alienate People

Who: Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst, Jeff Bridges, Danny Huston, Gillian Anderson, Megan Fox

What: Based on the novel based on the true story, the film follows the story of Sidney Young (Pegg) who is hired by a big time New York magazine. Young enters high society and makes a complete fool of himself, catches the attention of Sharp editor Clayton Harding (Bridges) and lands himself a job. Instead of schmoozing with everyone like he is told, Young makes a fool of himself and sets himself on the fast track to destruction.

When: October 3

Why: Pegg has a great sense of humor when it comes to making comedies. Also, the book, which is written by the real Sidney Young, is supposed to be hysterically funny. It’s been too long since our last great satire.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist

Who: Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Alexis Dziena, Ari Graynor, Aaron Yoo, Jay Baruchel

What: Nick (Cera) is a musician in a Queercore band struggling to get over his ex. Norah (Dennings) is trying to keep an eye on her drunk best friend. They meet up, make out, and then end up going on the wildest search of their life to try to find their mutually favorite band.

When: October 3

Why: We’ve already seen the movie, and it’s really cute. Not the greatest thing ever, but Michael Cera deserves your $10 for his performance.

Body of Lies

Who: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe

What: Based on the novel of the same name, the film is about CIA operative Roger Ferris (DiCaprio) who uncovers a lead on a terrorist leader suspected to be working out of Jordan, and has to enlist the help of CIA veteran Ed Hoffman (Crowe) and the head of Jordanian intelligence. Ferris has to figure out whether these men are truly his allies, or whether he has put his operation and safety on the line.

When: October 10

Why: It looks a bit over-the-top, but DiCaprio is having a serious comeback, and his chemistry with Crowe looks phenomenal. Also, Ridley Scott (who is directing) always brings the best out of Crowe.

Max Payne

Who: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Chris O’Donnell, Beau Bridges, Ludacris

What: After Max Payne (Wahlberg) finds his family killed and he himself is left for dead, he comes back to take his vengeance on those who have sought to destroy him: both natural and supernatural.

When: October 17

Why: We saw the presentation on it at Comic-con and, trust me, it looks AWESOME.

W.

Who: Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks, James Cromwell, Ellen Burstyn, Thandie Newton, Richard Dreyfuss

What: Oliver Stone directs an autobiographical film chronicling the life of President George W. Bush from his college days until his presidency.

When: October 17

Why: A seemingly-critical autobiographical flick about the life of George W. Bush directed by Oliver Stone starring Josh Brolin? Oh, I am so there.

Pride and Glory

Who: Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, Jon Voight, Noah Emmerich, Jennifer Ehle

What: Norton and Farrell are brothers in a multi-generational New York City police family, where one finds the other embroiled in a case that causes them to choose between their loyalties to each other and their loyalties to the department.

When: October 24

Why: This will be one of those underrated-but-awesome Colin Farrell flicks (“In Bruges”), accentuated by the fact that it co-stars Ed Norton.

Changeling

Who: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Michael Kelly, Colm Feore

What: Christine Collins (Jolie) comes home one day in 1928 Los Angeles to find her son, Walter, gone. Five months later, Walter is found and returned to her by the LAPD. However, the boy who is returned to her is not her son. Thus ensues a battle between her and the police department, who try to convince her that the boy is in fact her son.

When: ‚ October 24

Why: This newest Eastwood film stirred up a lot of interest at Sundance this year, and the trailer looks eerie. This looks to be one of Jolie’s best performances yet.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Who: Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Craig Robinson, Jason Mewes, Jeff Anderson

What: Lifelong platonic friends, Zack (Rogen) and Miri (Banks), decide to direct and star in their own homemade porno to solve their financial woes.

When: ‚ October 31

Why: 1. Kevin Smith creation. 2. Seth Rogen starring. 3. Elizabeth Banks, who two weeks previous stars as Laura Bush in “W.” Talk about diversity. 5. Star Wars spoof porno.

Continued coverage

8:28 p.m. Regis Philbin appears to be teetering on the edge of senility. He just said hello to “Xavier Bardem,” sitting in the front row of the Kodak. Let the show begin!

8:23 p.m. Recently-turned-21-year-old Ellen Page is adorable and gracious. She seems truly thrilled and honored to be at the ceremony. Or maybe she’s just happy the Barbara Walters interview is over.

8:20 p.m. Psycho alert! The AP has a story up with the headline “Gary Busey harasses stars on red carpet.” He is totally going to be the talk of tinseltown tomorrow. I’m surprised if they even let him into the ceremony.

8:15 p.m. Helen Mirren looks GREAT (another red dress). I’m always amazed at how softspoken and shy Daniel Day-Lewis is in real life. ABC just reminded Amy Adams that she’ll be singing in front of a billion people; she momentarily looked like she was about to vomit. And good God, Regis Philbin is now interviewing 84-year-old “bleacher fan”/starwatcher Sarah Golden. She and Gary Busey would make a good couple.

8:05 p.m. I’m not sure if it’s because English isn’t her first language, but Marion Cotillard seems to me to be sort of vapid in every interview she does. ABC is going through a revolving door of nominees (and Miley Cyrus, ugh) now in the final half hour before the show starts. Laura Linney looks great; Javier Bardem is there with his mother.

7:59 p.m.: Low point of the evening: Ryan Seacrest just gave Katherine Heigl a plate emblazoned with his mug as a housewarming gift.

7:55 p.m.: Aww! “Enchanted” co-stars Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams just had a brief reunion on the carpet. “How nervous are you?” Dempsey asked Adams, who will be singing one of the nominated songs from the film. Moments later, Dempsey’s wife strangely described their infant twins as “juicy and delicious.”

7:51 p.m.: Casey Affleck and his wife look duly unimpressed with Ryan Seacrest, who eventually shooed them away in favor of Hillary Swank. The former Oscar winner also looks like she wants to die talking to him. Katherine Heigl is the latest actress to be wearing red and looks stunning. She’s definitely destined to play Marilyn Monroe in a biopic one of these days.

7:49 p.m.: It seems like red is the “in” color this year. Anne Hathaway, Ruby Dee, Julie Christie and Miley Cyrus all match the carpet. Mmm, Johnny Depp just arrived with glasses and short hair. And Ellen Page, in a dress! She looks uncomfortable. Colin Farrell’s date is his mother.

7:39 p.m.: Ryan Seacrest continues to make an ass of himself, first making fun of Marion Cotillard’s French accent and then forcing her to do an American one. But compared to Joey Fatone, who inexplicably breaks into high-octave song every few minutes (example: “Here’s another one of the nomin-EEEESSS!”), he looks like Brian Williams. Tilda Swinton just admitted she’s never seen the ceremony, even on TV. Interesting.

7:36 p.m.: Breaking: Cameron Diaz did not get Drew Barrymore a birthday present. (Why is she here?)

7:30 p.m.: Barbara Walters is talking to Ellen Page like the actress is 5 years old. Page is giving a great, articulate interview and Walters looks confused (her comment on the Moldy Peaches’ performance on The View: “I don’t get it.”) Walters lobbed a softball sexuality question at Page, who managed to dodge the bullet. Now Walters is forcing Page to sing and play guitar while she looks on like a scary grandmother. And now she’s singing along. God help us all. Back to the carpet.

7:25 p.m.: EVERYONE is talking about Gary Busey. He’s like the drunk guy who does embarassing karaoke and hits on interns at your office party. Ryan Seacrest just admitted he had never met Busey before and commented on Jennifer Garner’s look of sheer terror.

7:17 p.m.: Ryan Seacrest literally just cornered Jennifer Garner and Laura Linney to awkwardly interrupt what looked like a very pleasant conversation. Now Gary Busey (?!?!) just barged in and mauled both of them. They both look horrified and are running away, much to the dismay of Seacrest, who’s still getting jostled by Busey. (“I have no idea how to explain what’s happening on the red carpet right now … Jennifer Garner’s never coming back to red carpet again.”)

7:10 p.m.: Amy Adams is the first celebrity who looks genuinely excited to see Ryan Seacrest. But not anymore … he just took her tiny, empty purse and began modeling it.

7:06 p.m.: There’s been a lot of commentary that tonight is the first public appearance George Clooney has made with girlfriend Sarah Larson. She looks bored, and slightly miffed at Lisa Rinna’s unabashed fawning over her man. Apparently it’s pouring in L.A., but of course the red carpet is under a tent. Jennifer Garner just ran in under an umbrella.

7:02 p.m.: Good lord, Patrick Dempsey is GORGEOUS. I’m glad Barbara is doing some sort of Hannah Montana nonsense so I can pay attention to McDreamy on E! Ryan Seacrest apparently agrees with me, by the way. (“Wow, your eyes are so blue. They’re magical.” Seriously.)

7 p.m.: Barbara Walters’ Oscar pre-show special is starting on ABC, competing with red carpet coverage on E! and TV Guide. Henceforth, witness channel flipping become an art.

6:56 p.m.: Teen nominee Saoirse Ronan (“Atonement”) is being escorted by her father, who incidentally is only about three inches taller than she is. She seems like an Irish Dakota Fanning.

6:53 p.m.: Presenter Anne Hathaway talking about trying not to fall down the stairs. She’s definnitely one of the fashion “hits” of the night so far, as is Patrick Dempsy – yowza. Ryan Seacrest unfortunately balked at Hathaway’s date’s foreign-sounding name. Ruby Dee looks classy as well.

6:50 p.m.: ABC just teased an interview with “Best Actress nominee Laura Linley.” Hmm, never heard of her.

6:47 p.m.: “Juno” star Jason Bateman on George Clooney’s hair: “It’s amazing how real it looks, isn’t it?” And now he’s talking about a possible “Arrested Development” movie!!!! That’s it. For me, the rest of the night is inconsequential.

6:30 p.m.: Thank God things are finally getting interesting. Amy Ryan and George Clooney just arrived and both look great. (Not together). Ryan appears genuinely excited and overwhelmed, but seems appalled that Ryan Seacrest just forced her to fake-punch him so E! could try out sound effects (sigh). Anybody else find it jarring to hear her speak without a Dawchestah accent after nailing it in “Gone Baby Gone”?

6:21 p.m.: “I drink your soy shake?” Lisa and Joey’s parodies of the Best Picture nominees are getting old FAST. E! is doing a Britney Spears update. Lisa Rinna is talking to two Italian men nominated for Best Live Action short and has about as much of an idea who they are as I do.

6:16 p.m.: I have to admit, one of my favorite parts of award show pre-shows is watching the cable anchors fumble their way through questions, especially when they’re talking to celebrities (or about movies) they clearly know nothing about. Like, for instance, Lisa Rinna blanking on “MPAA” when talking to President Dan Glickman just now. Whoops.

6:01 p.m.: Jon Stewart looks fairly relaxed and not at all nervous, talking to E! in a t-shirt during show rehearsals. Also, the “Most Unbearable” Award is a toss-up between Ryan Seacrest and TVGuide’s Joey Fatone and Lisa Rinna, trying to kill time while they wait for the A-, B- and C-listers to start showing up.

5:33 p.m.: E! = class. Quote of the night so far, during a discussion about knocked-up celebs: “Jessica Alba, of course, uh, pregnant and not married. But this is Hollywood, so it’s okay!”

5:15 p.m.: Okay, E!’s “True Hollywood Story” of Leah, the “Real Girl” (a.k.a. Blow-up doll) from “Lars and the Real Girl” is pretty amusing. Meanwhile, over at TVGuide, you can practically hear crickets chirping as the anchors try to fill airtime in between infomercials.

5:01 p.m.: Hello, Blast readers! Tonight I’ll be taking you through Hollywood’s annual love-fest to itself, the Academy Awards. The TV Guide channel has been doing coverage since 2:30 this afternoon and let me tell you, as I type this three-and-a-half hours before the show begins, the coverage of the empty tents and vacant red carpet is absolutely riveting.

I’ll be flitting between TVGuide, E! and ABC for pre-Oscar coverage, so stick around!