Sacha Baron Cohen: What he wears on the red carpet could hurt him

Has Sacha Baron Cohen been banned from the Oscars? No, he hasn't -- depending on which Sacha Baron Cohen decides to show up.

Cohen the actor is more than welcome, it seems, as long as he doesn't appear on the Academy Awards red carpet in character and costume as Gen. Aladeen, his alter-ego from "The Dictator," the upcoming comedy in which he plays a political strongman determined to keep democracy out of his oppressed nation.

Academy of Motion Pictures President Tom Sherak told The Times' 24 Frames on Wednesday that he called Paramount, the studio distributing "The Dictator," and told them "it's a bad thing to do" because it would make a mockery of the red carpet.

"He's still invited. We would love for him to come," an Academy Awards rep told the New York Post on Wednesday. "We have expressed that we don't feel it's appropriate to use our Oscar red carpet as a venue for a movie promotional stunt."

The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday cited sources alleging that the actor, known for his prankish comedy revolving around strong characters, intended to hit the Oscars red carpet in "Dictator" drag. If he shows up in costume or not, the threat alone seems to have generated publicity for "The Dictator," which has a May 11 release date.

It wouldn't be the first time Cohen appeared at an event in character -- witness his turn as flamboyant fashionista Bruno at the 2009 MTV Music Awards, where he was infamously lowered onto the face of one ostensibly disgusted Eminem.

Cohen plays the Station Inspector in "Hugo," which is nominated for 11 Oscars, including best picture. He was Oscar-nominated in 2007 for adapted screenplay for "Borat."

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Photo: Sacha Baron Cohen with the Year of Excellence Award for "Hugo" during the 12th Annual AFI Awards in  Beverly Hills on Jan. 13 in Beverly Hills. Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Oscars: Chaplin legacy toasted by granddaughters, nominees

Forty years after Charlie Chaplin received an honorary Oscar for his contributions to cinema, some modern-day luminaries and his glamorous granddaughters gathered to toast the silent film star.

Dolores and Carmen Chaplin jetted in from Paris to host an exclusive Chateau Marmont dinner party with Harvey Weinstein. Jessica Chastain, Kate Bosworth, Jared Leto, Busy Philipps, Chelsea Handler and Juliette Binoche were among invitees.

In the transformed library off the main lobby (the Chateau has been quite amendable to decor changes this awards season, by the by), heavy velvet drapes shielded the affair from passersby as Weinstein chatted up the likes of Rose McGowan, his "The Artist" actress Missi Pyle and "The Descendants" director Alexander Payne.

Harvey asked Payne to come and say a few words as a representative for all modern filmmakers. No pressure.

"The miracle of Charlie Chaplin is the miracle of cinema," Payne said, pointing out that when the world took notice of Chaplin's work it transcended nation, class and race.

Carmen shared an anecdote about Chaplin coming back to the States from exile in 1972, when he was given only a 10-day visa to come claim his statuette. His family was outraged, but Chaplin had his own interpretation.

" 'Good, they're still scared of me,' " Carmen said, recalling her grandfather's reaction.

After dinner, courtesy Jaeger-LeCoultre, funny lady Handler lingered with Chateau owner Andre Balazs (we think it's safe to say they're back on), and Bosworth caught up with a squeaky-clean Leto, who left behind his usual avant-garde duds for a black suit and slick ponytail.

Philipps wowed in black Dolce & Gabanna, but we were more interested in her dress for Sunday — as she'll be Michelle Williams' plus one. She tells us she's got her red-carpet look lined up.

And what about her unpredictable effect on Michelle's Oscar chances?

"I'm glad she won the Golden Globe," Busy said. "That took all the pressure off." 

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— Matt Donnelly
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Top photo: Carmen Chaplin, left, gets close with Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain, center, and Dolores Chaplin. Credit: Jeff Vespa / WireImage.

Left photo: Chelsea Handler cuddles up to Kate Bosworth. Credit: Jeff Vespa / WireImage.

Oscars 2012: Did Michael Fassbender's big part cost him a nom?

One Oscar snub that's snatching serious attention away from those actually up for gold? The omission of Michael Fassbender in the best actor category.

The Irish hunk's bold portrayal of a sex addict in the NC-17-rated "Shame" has had tongues wagging since last fall, but as awards campaigning chugged along, some of the wagging moved from what was in his performance to what was in his underwear.

His brave displays of nudity and desperate sexual encounters in Steve McQueen's film revealed that Fassbender was gifted in both acting and anatomy, earning him Critics' Choice and Golden Globe nominations, among many others. But the conversation on Michael moved further south, so to speak, since those accolades were handed out. 

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Cut to George Clooney, who helped Fassbender's member reach superstar status by suggesting during the Globes telecast that the actor could play golf with his hands behind his back -- complete with an acted-out illustration of what he was referring to.

Was this otherwise flattering endorsement indicative of a mindset that cost Fassbender an Oscar nomination?  

"He's a guy who's unfamiliar to a lot of people and did a movie that's really intimate," one high-ranking academy voter told the Ministry. "That was a super-brave performance but ... perhaps it inspired people to fantasize, and not actually vote." 

So, no shot at a statuette for Fassbender this year, but he has at least one trophy already. What do you think of his Oscar snub? Tell us in comments.   

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-- Matt Donnelly
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Photo: Michael Fassbender leaves a taping of "Late Night With David Letterman" in New York City on Jan. 18. Credit: Charles Sykes / Associated Press

Lady Gaga on her improved Oscar chances: 'I'm so happy'

Lady Gaga and Elton John could soon share more than the stage, given the performers are on a short list for the best original song Oscar -- and Gaga is thrilled about the recognition.

"Just heard my duet 'Hello, Hello' with Elton is up for nomination at the Oscars!" she tweeted from Japan on Tuesday.  

"Gnomeo & Juliet is such a beautiful film. I'm so happy!!"

Gaga and Elton are on a narrowed-down list released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on Monday, with nearly 40 other performers that will duke it out for the final nomination slots (announced Jan. 24).

They'll go up against original tracks from "The Muppets,' Mary J. Blige and her "The Living Proof" from "The Help," and folks like will.i.am and Zooey Deschanel (for a song she belts in the latest "Winnie the Pooh" adventure). 

Gaga isn't concerned exclusively with accolades at the moment, however, she's happy her new album "Born This Way" has been so well received by her fans.

"Sipping tea in Japan with Haus. Feeling so grateful. We sold about 1 million albums a month worldwide since the release of BORN THIS WAY," she tweeted. 

What do you think of the duo's Academy Awards chances? Tell us in comments.  

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-- Matt Donnelly

twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Lady Gaga and Elton John perform together May 13, 2010, in New York. Credit: Jason DeCrow / Associated Press

 

Busy Philipps: Michelle Williams' Oscar blessing or curse?

 

Michelle Williams' portrayal of Marilyn Monroe for "My Week With Marilyn" is bound for some awards attention — so in case the star winds up an Oscar nominee, who better to chat with than Busy Philipps, her traditional plus-one for the big show?

The Ministry caught up with Philipps at Monday's Elle Women in Hollywood celebration, where we noted that Williams' dear friend had been present both years Michelle was nominated: in 2005 for "Brokeback Mountain" and last year for "Blue Valentine."

Both times Michelle left empty-handed.

"What if I'm the hex?" Philipps wondered aloud. "I guess we'll know if I get to go again." Maybe the third time is the charm?

Philipps won't be ironing any evening wear until after announcements hit in January, but she has seen "Marilyn," which costars Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench.

"I was privileged enough to see an early cut of the film. I can't speak to the final product, but her performance is amazing," she said of Williams' work. "It's really crafted, you know? It's not like some caricature." 

Check out Williams' craft in the trailer below, and leave us your thoughts on her Oscar chances in comments. 

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— Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photos: Michelle Williams, left, at the "My Week With Marilyn" premiere; Busy Philipps at the Elle Women in Hollywood celebration in Beverly Hills. Credits: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images; Matt Sayles / Associated Press

Mario Testino talks photographing royal couple Kate and William

Famous fashion photographer Mario Testino is breaking his silence on a recent -- and extremely high-profile -- gig shooting royal couple Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the couple had their official engagement portraits taken by Testino at Buckingham Palace. 

The images published worldwide show a glowing Kate and Wills in an official portrait and a more intimate hug shot. Though the photos are serene, the shoot was quite hectic, Testino told People magazine.

"Everything is compacted into a very short time because we have to produce these pictures. It's more like me screaming and trying to get everything to go," Testino said in a recent interview.

"Well, not screaming, but getting in a fluster, I guess you say."

We can't imagine our Kate and Wills getting in a tizzy over a photo shoot, but it shouldn't suggest they're not excited about each other.

"They are a young couple in love," Testino surmised. 

He also indicated Kate helped doing her own makeup for the famous photos. Testino has a long-respected fashion and editorial portfolio; he was a favorite of William's late mother, Princess Diana. 

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-- Matt Donnelly
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Photo: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in their official engagement photos. Credit: Mario Testino 

Joe Jonas on Ashley Greene: 'She puts my feelings first'

While we'd wager that Ashley Greene is a busier bee than Joe Jonas, given her "Breaking Dawn" duties of late, it seems singer Jonas has a philosophy on what keeps them a happy couple: She understands how in-demand he is.

In a new interview, the middle Jonas brother talks about embarking on his first solo effort and how he makes it work with his "Twilight Saga" gal pal.

"I think what works about it is she really puts my feelings first. She understands my busy schedule," he says in the new issue of Details.

"She’ll fly out to my shows — she’s been to places in South America that I can’t even pronounce," Jonas said.

Sometimes sacrifices must be made to preserve young love, a struggle Jonas intends to sing about for the solo project — just don't expect any tracks aimed at Taylor Swift, whom he famously dumped  via text-message in 2008.

Songs will cover "scenarios that I've been through, breakups, hurts. Me hurting somebody and feeling bad about it. I think there's a lot of scenarios where people might wanna hear my side of the story," he said.

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Photo: Joe Jonas gives his best Blue Steel. Credit: Details.

Oscars 2011 style: Drag queen Raja rates Halle Berry, Michelle Williams and more

The Ministry has noted all kinds of high-brow critiques of Academy Awards fashion and felt the need to respond in kind — by asking one of our favorite drag queens, Raja, to help us size up the women of Oscars 2011.

As a contestant on the third season of the addictive "RuPaul's Drag Race," the West Hollywood-dwelling queen has an arty concept and professional execution to her look. 

Here's how she ranks the good, the bad and the "Gurl, you wore what?" from Hollywood's biggest night.

Thank you, James Franco: Like cohost Anne Hathaway, Franco came across "adorable and young," and Raja praised the actor's own drag moment when he appeared in a Marilyn Monroe-inspired dress and wig. "Normally I don't even care about men's fashion but ... that was so fun and perfect."

Michelle Williams, the quiet storm: "She's so magical, so feminine, so soft and beautiful. That dark brow against her [light] hair," Raja said. 

Where are the risk takers? "I miss the days of Celine Dion wearing the backwards suit [by] Galliano and Cher in the Bob Mackie crazy headpieces," she said. The blame can be pinned on excessive playing it safe, says Raja — like Halle Berry in a lovely but predictable nude frock. "A lot of the time it's the same thing," she says of Berry, "avant-garde it a little! She's beautiful, but it's a little stale."

Helena Bonham Carter: "What a kook," Raja said, lovingly.

Lumberjack realness: Praise to Christian Bale for going edgy "with a black-on-black suit" and an unshaven look. "I love his rants, by the way," she said.

And we love your red carpet evaluation, Raj.

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— Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Right photo: James Franco channels Marilyn Monroe on the Oscar telecast. Credit: Getty Images.

Left photo: Raja in her "RuPaul's Drag Race" glory. Credit: Mathu Andersen / Logo.

 

Oscar in hand, Colin Firth works on tracking down that pesky royal wedding invitation

Colin Firth earned an Oscar for playing a king, but nonetheless the hotshot actor doesn't have an invitation to the royal wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton. Not yet, at least.

"As I understand it the invitations have already gone out," Firth quipped to The Times' Jessica Gelt backstage at the Academy Awards on Sunday night. "Mine is definitely lost in the post somewhere. I'm working on tracing it."

And what about letting loose those dancing-feet impulses he'd talked about having to control onstage while he made his acceptance speech? Could they finally be freed, backstage?

"I don't think this is the right environment for that type of behavior," he said, "and anybody who has seen 'Mamma Mia' will know what I mean."

Aw, c'mon — now "feet" is an F-word too? That's no fun, Mr. Firth!

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Photo: Colin Firth and a little gold pal place a call during the Governors Ball immediately after the Oscars on Feb. 27 — perhaps calling to check where that royal wedding invite has gotten to? Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times.

2011 Vanity Fair Oscar party: Impossible glamour (and a taste of In-N-Out Burger)

With a giant photo of actor James Dean looming over the entrance to Los Angeles' Sunset Tower Hotel, Vanity Fair welcomed an army of stars to its 2011 Academy Awards post-party.

Notoriously exclusive and always glamorous, the annual event did not disappoint as big winners including Natalie Portman, Colin Firth, Melissa Leo and director Tom Hooper came with trophies in hand to greet Editor in Chief Graydon Carter.

Portman was naturally the belle of the ball, hand-in-hand with fiance Benjamin Millipied as countless people congratulated her on her awards-season sweep.

Jude Law palled around with Cameron Diaz and "Contagion" costar Gwyneth Paltrow while Gabrielle Union chatted with Jamie Foxx -- who then ran into his friend Jessica Biel. Biel and Foxx  went off together to circulate while Justin Timberlake stood with Andrew Garfield and his girlfriend.

Gorgeous women weren't in short supply, including newly single Scarlett Johansson, who was engaged in deep conversation with Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter. Though this was Portman's year, few could quite contain themselves when nominee Michelle Williams floated by.

In stunning Chanel haute couture, Williams had a soft glow that stopped conversations and, frankly, assured us she'll make a convincing Marilyn Monroe in the forthcoming "My Week With Marilyn."

Let us not forget Williams' humble roots, however: She looked right at home speaking with former "Dawson's Creek" costar Busy Phillips. 

Star couples -- including Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, designer Tom Ford and Richard Buckley, Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth, Jon Hamm and Jennifer Westfeldt, Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts, and Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann -- put up unified fronts.

But no couple was so convincing as Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, the picture of young Hollywood come to the grown-ups' table, running back and forth between the Tower bar and terrace holding hands (yes, they were). Taylor Swift made an appearance in a gold mini, snacking from a cone full of In-N-Out Burger fries that was getting passed around. Meanwhile, her former flames Jake Gyllenhaal and Joe Jonas worked the crowd. 

It's a good year to be a television star, being that many small-screen favorites were invited to film's big night: Sofia Vergara of "Modern Family" and "Glee" folks including Lea Michele, Chris Colfer and Matthew Morrison made the scene.

Fellow gleek Dianna Agron showed up, looking nowhere near as traumatized as some since-debunked reports would have her after her split with actor Alex Pettyfer.