Screening Room: Stars Hit Venice Film Festival, Scarlett Johansson Might Speak at DNC

From left: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Selena Gomez. (Photos by: Pacific Coast News | Bauer Griffin | Getty Images)
Trailer of the Week
The Iceman cometh

Based on the true story of a prolific mob hitman, The Iceman has emerged from production hell and debuted its first trailer this week. Originally slated to star Mickey Rourke as real life hitman Richard Kuklinski, the film eventually moved on to Michael Shannon who sports the killer's trademark handlebar mustache and goatee in glorious, scumbag fashion. This story is one of the most famous in recent mob history and hugely compelling since the dude got away with over 100 murders in 20 years. The film will play up the family aspect of Kuklinski's life, which he managed to keep going while moonlighting as a murderer. The trailer is pretty violent so be forewarned, but Shannon is simply too good to ignore.



Red Carpet Photo of the Week
The Spring Breakers cast in Venice

Selena Gomez posed for this romantic shot at the Venice Film Festival this week. She and the rest of her Spring Breakers castmates ruled the red carpet before the film's premiere.



ShowBiz Buzz
A trio of A-list actresses at the DNC? New Spike Jonze, PT Anderson projects?


From left: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Kerry Washington, Renee Zellweger. (Photos by: Fame Flynet | Getty Images | Pacific Coast News)

• The Democrats will look to counter Clint Eastwood's memorable speech at the Republican National Convention with a trio of lovely actresses. Rumor has it Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, and Kerry Washington could appear at the DNC tonight.

• Paul Thomas Anderson talked about his prospective next project at the Venice Film Festival. He's been attached to an adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice for a couple of years. Anderson typically works from original screenplays, but his love for Pynchon and the fun of the novel has fueled his desire to make the movie. "It's like a Cheech and Chong movie... they're his (Pynchon's) words, and... it's like taking your dad's car for a ride, ya know?"

• The Playlist has confirmed details on the plot of Spike Jonze and Joaquin Phoenix's new project and it certainly sounds like a Jonze movie. The film will be a romance... between a man and his new operating system. Intriguing for sure and the kind of material Jonze can run wild with. The untitled film will co-star Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Samantha Morton, and Olivia Wilde.

• Vulture reports Renee Zellweger will make her directorial debut soon with 4 1/2 Weeks. The accomplished actress will also co-star along with Johnny Knoxville.

On Set Photo of the Week
Ashley and her pup

Ashley Tisdale took a break from filming Scary Movie 5 to play with her galactically cute little pup, Maui, on set.

(Pacific Coast News)more pics »

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Oscar Watch 2013
Joaquin impresses in Venice


(Getty Images | Bauer Griffin)

• Word out of the Venice Film Festival is Joaquin Phoenix should be an easy Oscar contender for his reckless, primal performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master. The New York Times ran a very positive profile of the enigmatic actor this week. Having seen the film, I can say without reservation Phoenix is amazing in the film. His character is very hard to like, but his infantile, misogynistic, and drunken performance nevertheless is the highlight of the film. The Master opens nationwide next week.

• The long-awaited trailer for Lincoln will debut September 13th in epic fashion. It will be live-broadcast from Times Square at 7pm EST. Insanity.

2013 Best Picture Nominee Predictions

1. Lincoln
2. The Master
3. Anna Karenina
4. Amour
5. Beasts of the Southern Wild
6. Les Miserables
7. Moonrise Kingdom
8. Life of Pi
9. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 
10. Django Unchained

Best Actress Oscar Nominee Predictions

1. Quvenzhane Wallis - Beasts of the Southern Wild
2. Helen Hunt - The Sessions
3. Marion Cotillard - Rust & Bone
4. Keira Knightley - Anna Karenina
5. Laura Linney - Hyde Park on Hudson
6. Emmanuelle Riva - Amour
7. Michelle Williams - Take This Waltz
8. Viola Davis - Won't Back Down
9. Amy Adams - Trouble with the Curve
10. Halle Berry - Cloud Atlas

See more photos of Selena Gomez here:

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• The Internet Has A Lot To Say About Joaquin Phoenix's Joker
• 5 Movies Coming to Theaters This Month You Need to See
• Rudderless 'Inherent Vice' is Still Plenty Groovy
• The Top 5 Movie Trailers of the Week
• Joaquin Phoenix Goes Hippie Noir in First Trailer for 'Inherent Vice'
• Zimbio Review - 'The Master,' A Laborious, Ultimately Fulfilling Experience