Hollywood and Politics 2011: Matt Damon and Mark Ruffalo Lead annually of Duty-Minded Stars

2011 wasn't an election year, but that did not stop a number of Hollywood's greatest and cleverest from getting swept up within the political climate from the moment. From Occupy Wall Street to potential runs for office, celebs couldn't stop interacting using the Beltway. The end result? Probably the most interesting tales of the season. Was this moment where Matt Damon blasted Obama with Piers Morgan your preferred? Or maybe it was when Matt Damon blasted Obama, again, in Elle? Decide upon yourself by looking at the entire listing of Celebrities getting political at Huffington Publish. [via Huffington Publish] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Rating the film Santas, From Better to Worst

Sure, Father Christmas is super busy on Christmas Eve, but exactly what does he perform the relaxation of the season? Apparently, he makes movies. IMDb lists him like a character in additional than 800 movies and television shows. How, then, to rate all of the motion picture St. Nicks from better to worst? We simplified their email list lower to 21 Santas who were built with a prominent role in large-screen features. Some would be the real Santa Claus, some are retail center impostors. Some would be the stars of the movie, some are subordinate Clauses. Some are naughty, some are nice. Plus some are stellar in movies which are otherwise protuberances of motion picture coal, while some offer moments of tough sledding in otherwise fine films. Read onto find out if you accept our list. Check it two times. Best (and Worst) Movie Santas (The Very Best) 1. Edmund Gwenn in 'Miracle on 34th Street' (1947)2. Edward Asner in 'Elf' (2003)3. Billy Bob Thornton in 'Bad Santa' (2003)4. Paul Giamatti in 'Fred Claus' (2007)5. Jim Broadbent in 'Arthur Christmas' (2011)6. James Cosmo in 'The Stories of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and also the Wardrobe' (2005)7. Bill Raymond in 'The Ref' (1994)8. Al 'Red Dog' Weber in 'Scrooged' (1988)9. Jan Rubes in 'One Miracle Christmas' (1985)10. David Huddleston in 'Santa Claus: The Film' (1985)11. Richard Attenborough in 'Miracle on 34th Street' (1994)12. Edward Ivory in 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)13. Tom Hanks in 'The Polar Express' (2004)14. Richard Riehle in 'A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas' (2011)15. Tim Allen in 'The Santa Clause' trilogy (1994-2006)16. Jim Belushi in 'Jingle Completely' (1996)17. Shaun Gillen in 'A Christmas Story' (1983)18. Dean Cameron in 'Hi-Existence' (1998)19. Rickey Smiley in 'Friday After Next' (2002)20. John Get in touch with 'Santa Claus Conquers the Martians' (1964)(THE WORST) 21. 'Silent Evening, Deadly Evening' (1984) See All Moviefone Art galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Naomi Watts, Nicole Kidman Australia's Top-Earning Actors in 2011

SYDNEY -- The global financial crisis hit the earnings of Australia's top entertainers in the 2010-11 financial year, but leading ladies Naomi Watts andNicole Kidman proved they could still rake in the dollars in the tough times largely through endorsements, according to business magazine "BRW," which released its annual top entertainers rich list Thursday.But while Australians with careers based in Hollywood made up nearly 40% of the list, it was Melbourne-based animatronic design and live event producers Global Creatures which topped the list, as it did last year, with $62 million earned, as it wrapped the global tour of its "Walking With Dinosaurs" arena show.Next for Global Creatures is its joint venture show with DreamWorks, "How To Train Your Dragon: the Arena Spectacular," set to premiere early in 2012.Perennial kids entertainers The Wiggles, long a mainstay of the 15-year old list, came in second with $28.2 million in earnings from DVD and CD sales and their live shows while Naomi Watts was the highest-ranking actor, third on the list with $19.1 million in earnings.While Watts made several films including "Dream House" and"J. Edgar" in the 12-month period, it was coin from her deals with Pantene, fashion house Ann Taylor and Thierry Mugler's Angel perfume that pushed her into the top three, according to the magazine.Music promoter Michael Gudinski came in fourth overall with Australian tours of Justin Beiber, The Eagles, Leonard Cohen and Kylie Minogue during the year earning him and his Frontier Touring Co. $19 million, up from $7 million the previous year.Watts's cohort, Nicole Kidman rounded out the top five with $18.6 million, which included earnings from her roles in "Rabbit Hole" and "Just Go With It," boosted by endorsements such as Omega watches.Aussie male stars weren't far behind their female counterparts: Sam Worthington was sixthon the list with $18.1 million, Simon Baker earned $15 million from"The Mentalist" in tenthspot, Hugo Weaving returned to the list with $7.8 million (14th); Chris Hemsworth increased his earnings to $7.7 million (15th) and Geoffrey Rush made $6.6 million (19th)."The Kings Speech"producer Emile Sherman made his debut on the list with $5 million in earnings, Cate Blanchett had a quiet year bringing in $4 million (28th), Emmy winner Guy Pearce earned $3.7 million (31) and "HawaiiFive O's" Alex O'Loghlin (32) made $3.5 million.Screenwriter and director Stuart Beattie's earnings slipped to $3 million, while "Bridesmaids" co-star Rose Byrne, re-entered the list with $2.8 million, ahead of fellow A-listers, Toni Colette (43rd with $2.6 million), Hugh Jackman (44th with $2.5 million dropping 40 places after earning $20.5 million in 2010), Julian McMahon (46th also with $2.5 million) and Eric Bana (48th - $2.4 million)."Revelation 3D" star Adelaide Clemens and "Charlie's Angels" and"Red Dog" star Rachael Taylor both debuted on the list with $2.5 million and $2.4 million in earnings, respectively.Missing the cut or disappearing from the list this year were Russell Crowe, Jesse Spencer, Mia Wasikowska, Rachel Griffiths; Tammin Sursok, Ryan Kwanten, Poppy Montgomery, Melissa George, Abbie Cornish and James Wan and Leigh Whannell. Elsewhere, one of Victoria's Secret's favorites,Miranda Kerr, earned $3.1 million, singer Kylie Minogue grossed $15 million mostly from her Aphrodite tour, AC/DC dropped to 13th with $9 million andKeith Urban rounded out the list in 50th spot with $2.3 million.Overall the earnings of Australia's top 50 entertainers dropped by 29% to $409 million for the 2010-11 financial year, although the cut off increased from $1.9 million to $2.3 million to make the list. The Hollywood Reporter

'The Artist' Tops Golden Globe Nominations

Nominees within the television and film groups for that 69th annual Golden Globe Honours were introduced early Thursday morning in the Beverly Hilton Hotel by Sofia Vergara, Gerard Butler, Rashida Johnson and Woodsy Harrelson with Hollywood Foreign Press Association leader Aida Takla-O'Reilly, one next day of the SAG Honours nominations were revealed.The Globes required another turn from SAG, including beginners like Fox's newcomer series "New Girl" and Showtime's "Homeland" within the honours mix, the second which was shut by the Screen Stars Guild on Wednesday morning, whilst giving surprises noms to "Revenge" and USA Network's "Necessary Roughness."Around the film side, the HFPA preferred Oscar management like "The Artist," "The Descendants" and "The Assistance,Inch while giving due notice to George Clooney's political thriller "The Ides of March," largely overlooked around the experts and honours circuit up until now.InchThe Artist" brought film nominations with six, while "The Descendants" and "The AssistanceInch adopted with five. "The Ides of March," "Moneyball" and "Night time in Paris" each snagged four noms."Downton Abbey" and "Mildred Pierce" brought the tv side in nominations with four each, with "Boardwalk Empire," "Modern Family" and "Homeland" following close behind. Surprises incorporated recognition for Ryan Gosling for "Crazy Stupid Love" and "Ides of March," "Revenge" actress Madeleine Stowe and "Necessary Roughness" star Callie Thorne.The very first category introduced, best supporting actress inside a series, miniseries or TV movie, starts Jessica Lange ("American Horror Story") against Kelly Macdonald ("Boardwalk Empire"), Maggie Cruz ("Downton Abbey"), Sofia Vergara ("Modern Family") and Evan Rachel Wood ("Mildred Pierce")."The Great Wife's" Julianna Margulies, "Homeland's" Claire Danes, "The Killing's" Mireille Enos, Madeleine Stowe of "Revenge" and Callie Thorne from "Necessary Roughness" will compete for lead actress inside a TV drama series.Original song for film nominees include "Hello Hello" from Gnomeo and Juliet, "The Keeper" from Machine Gun Preacher, "Lay My Mind Lower" from Albert Nobbs, "The Living Proof" in the Help and "Masterpiece" from W.E.Original score for any film nominees include "The Artist's" Ludovic Bource, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for "The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo," "Hugo's" Howard Shoreline and John Williams for "War Equine."Laura Dern of "Enlightened," Zooey Deschanel of "New Girl," Tina Fey of "30 Rock," Laura Linney of "The Large C" and Amy Poehler of "Parks and Entertainment" snagged noms for the best comedy TV actress."The Flowers of War," "Within the Land of Bloodstream of Honey," "The Little One Having a Bike," "A Separation" and "Your Skin My Home IsInch will vie for the best foreign film."Night time in Paris'" Woodsy Allen, screenwriters (Clooney and Grant Heslov) from "The Ides of March," Michel Hazavanicius of "The Artist," "The Descendants" (Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash) and "Moneyball's" Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian will compete for the best script.Peter Dinklage of "Bet on Thrones," Paul Giamatti ("Too Large to Fail"), Guy Pearce ("Mildred Pierce"), Tim Robbins ("Cinema Verite") and Eric Stonestreet ("Modern Family") have obtained noms for supporting actor inside a series, miniseries or TV movie. "30 Rock's" Alec Baldwin, "Californication's" David Duchovny, "The Large Bang Theory's" Johnny Galecki, "Hung's" Thomas Jane and "Episodes'" Matt LeBlanc compete for the best comedy actor.Best comedy series nominees include "New Girl," "Modern Family," "Enlightened," "Glee" and "Episodes." Best TV movie or miniseries nominees include "The Hour," "Downton Abbey," "Cinema Verite," "Mildred Pierce" and "Too Large to Fail." Animated feature film nominees are "Arthur Christmas," "Cars 2," "Adventures of Tintin," "Puss in Boots" and "Rango."Nominees for top actor inside a miniseries or TV movie include Hugh Bonneville ("Downton Abbey"), Idris Elba ("Luther"), William Hurt ("Too Large to Fail"), Bill Nigh and Dominic West ("The Hour"). Best actor inside a drama nominees include Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad"), Kelsey Grammer of "Boss," Jeremy Irons of "The Borgias," Damian Lewis ("Homeland") and Steve Buscemi ("Boardwalk Empire"). "American Horror Story," "Boardwalk Empire," "Boss," "Bet on Thrones" and "Homeland" nominated for TV drama series.Jean Dujardin ("The Artist"), Brendan Gleeson ("The Guard"), Frederick Gordon-Levitt ("50/50"), Ryan Gosling ("Crazy Stupid Love") and Owen Wilson ("Night time in Paris") nominated for actor inside a film comedy or musical. Supporting actress inside a film include Jesse McTeer ("Albert Nobbs"), Jessica Chastain ("The AssistanceInch), Octavia Spencer ("The AssistanceInch), Shailene Woodley ("The Descendants") and Berenice Bejo ("The Artist").George Clooney ("The Descendants"), Leonardo DiCaprio ("J. Edgar"), Michael Fassbender ("Shame"), Ryan Gosling for "The Ides of March" and Kaira Pitt ("Moneyball") are nominated for the best actor inside a film drama.Comedy or musical film nominees include "The Artist," "Bridesmaids," "50/50," "My Week With Marilyn" and "Night time in Paris."Romola Garai, Emily Watson, Elizabeth McGovern ("Downton Abbey"), Kate Winslet ("Mildred Pierce") are some of the nominees for lead actress inside a miniseries or TV series. Kenneth Branagh ("My Week With Marilyn"), Albert Brooks ("Drive"), Jonah Hill ("Moneyball"), Viggo Mortensen ("A Harmful Method") and Christopher Plummer ("Beginners") nominated for supporting actor inside a film.Woodsy Allen ("Night time in Paris"), George Clooney ("The Ides of March"), Alexander Payne ("The Descendants"), Michel Hazanivicus ("The Artist") and Martin Scorsese ("Hugo") for the best director of the drama film.Glenn Close ("Albert Nobbs"), Rooney Mara ("The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo"), Viola Davis ("The AssistanceInch), Meryl Streep ("The Iron Lady") and Tilda Swinton ("We have to Discuss Kevin") nominated for lead actress inside a film drama. Jodie Promote ("Carnage"), Charlize Theron ("Youthful Adult"), Kristen Wiig ("Bridesmaids"), Michelle Williams ("My Week With Marilyn") and Kate Winslet ("Carnage") for film comedy or musical actress.Best film drama nominees include "The Descendants," "The Assistance,Inch "Hugo," "The Ides of March," "Moneyball" and "War Equine."The Golden Globes is going to be be broadcast survive NBC coast-to-coast Jan. 15, 2012 with coming back host Ough Gervais. Morgan Freeman will get the Cecille DeMille Award. The Hollywood Reporter

Her cat, his hippo

Jim Gianopulos and helmer Cameron Crowe"Zoo" novelist Benjamin Mee meets Matt Damon within the Royalton. Scarlett Johansson with Elle Fanning Richard Lovett, Julie Yorn and Tom Rothman celebrate in Gotham. Ben Seeder and Dustin Ybarra enter the "Zoo" spirit. Since the scene-stealing snakes, tigers, porcupines, apes and lions in 20th Century Fox's "We Bought a Zoo" weren't requested with the idea to the Ziegfeld preem or perhaps the Royalton Hotel after-party, it made an appearance only appropriate to request the pic's flock of human stars which animal most reflected their personality. "It's my job to thought that essentially seriously considered a dog, I'd wish to be a house cat," mentioned Scarlett Johansson, "there's however no house cats in this particular movie. Therefore I guess a sizable cat." As being a leopard? "Less regal just like a leopard," the actress qualified. "I don't see myself in succeeding as predatory because way, although I guess house cats are predatory if you're a mouse." Matt Damon deferred to his co-star's opinion. "Scarlett states I'm a hippo even though there's not one inch the film,Inch he mentioned. "In my opinion she's been saying I've been overeating.Inch Elle Fanning selected a co-star within the film. "I like Very, the capuchin monkey I like people and he or she loves people, too. Which I love being crazy and he or she was pretty funny too, and therefore cute," she added. "The lion, nevertheless the really kind of wise, curmudgeonly lion, not one which eats you," mentioned Thomas Haden Chapel. "One which sits around and appears a little smug that could be me." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Social Power Rankings: Should Lowe's Have Pulled Commercials From All-American Muslim?

Lowe's TLC's All-American Muslim may have premiered in October, but the show is buzzing with TVGuide.com readers now more than ever, after home-improvement chain Lowe's decided to pull their commercials from the series. After an outpouring of comments, tweets, and Facebook posts, the show is officially No. 1 in our Social Power Rankings, but not because you all agree on the subject."Lowe's, just like any other business, has the right to advertise where they see fit. It is still a FREE country!" tweeted @LizHeartsBama. TVGuide.com user NMurphy02 disagrees. "I'm so embarrassed that Lowe's would do something this stupid. What a bad move on their part. Geeze." Facebook user Michelle Knoetgen Taylor takes a more zen-like stance on the matter. "You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time."What do you think?Here's what else has you talking: our exclusive interview with Two and a Half Men's Chuck Lorre, in which he reveals, for the first time, that he offered to quit the show to resolve the Charlie Sheen drama.Check back anytime to see the latest Social Power Rankings, which are updated in real time throughout the week.

Fantasia Welcomes Selecting

First Launched: December 14, 2011 10:43 AM EST Credit: Getty Premium Caption Fantasia works within the 2011 Essence Music Festival within the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans about this summer time 1, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Fantasia Barrino features a new bundle of enjoyment! The The The American Idol Show Show Season 3 champion shipped her second child on Tuesday in New You are able to, her repetition told People. The singer welcomed selecting Dallas, who considered in at 7 pounds., 9 oz. and measured 21 inches extended. I'm so fortunate that my boy Dallas Xavier was produced healthy, and is a superb new accessory for all of us, the 27-year-old told the mag. Adding, I thank my fans for well wishes and continuing support. Baby Dallas joins large sister Zion, 10, who Fantasia has in the previous relationship. Within This summer time, the singer introduced she was expecting within a concert in within the town of the city of jacksonville, Fla. You are the very first persons that we share good news with, she told everybody else in those days. Which I share this together with you because I am in a position to interact with you. As well as for a while I walked around, identifying what is going to it is said and what is going to they consider me. However, I only say for you, I dont live my existence for folk And this child that we carry, God has given me this child which i don't have to pay for it from none of yall. Fantasia has ongoing to become mother on who the dad of Dallas is, but she has been romantically connected with Antwaun Prepare since summer season 2010. Antwaun looks like it's during the time of the divorce from his estranged wife, Paula. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Brad Garrett In Talks to Join Steve Carell in 'Burt Wonderstone' (Exclusive)

Getty ImagesMark Moses Mark Moses is going from Wisteria Lane to searching for who killed Rosie Larsen. The Desperate Housewives star has booked a major arc for Season 2 of AMC's The Killing, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. Moses will play Lt. Carlson, a new detective who joins the Seattle police department and the investigation into Rosie's death. He will appear in at least eight episodes of the nuanced drama. The drama's controversial first season ended with Linden (Mireille Enos) boarding a plane to California join her fiancé in California only to learn that her partner, Holder (Joel Kinnaman), fabricated evidence involving their prime suspect in the case. STORY: Season 2 of 'The Killing' Will Reveal Rosie Larsen's Killer, Says AMC Exec Moses is currently reprising his role as Paul Young on the final season of ABC's Desperate Housewives. The Killing role reunites Moses with AMC, where he played Herman "Duck" Phillips on the network's Mad Men from 2007-10. Repped by Innovative Artists and the Coronel Group, Moses' credits also include stints on Criminal Minds, Covert Affairs, Castle and Drop Dead Diva. The Killing returns in the spring. Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit Desperate Housewives The Killing

Exclusive: Dreams Of A Life Clip

Glimpse at Carol Morley's docudramaIt may not sound like the most Christmasy of tales, but there's something so profoundly moving about Dreams Of A Life that we had to share a clip from the docudrama/drama-documentary with you this frosty e'en.Carol Morley's film played to rapt audiences at the LondonFilm Festival earlier in the year and it's continuing to build buzz. It tells the story of Joyce Vincent, a vivacious wannabe singer who died in her bedsit in North London in 2003. Tragic but not unusual, you might think, except for the fact that no-one noticed. For three years.Morley's film seeks the get to the bottom of the story, mixing reconstructions of Vincent's life and talking-head interviews with her nearest and dearest. Well, relatively nearest and dearest.Popping up in this clip are her ex-boyfriend Martin Lister and Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, who also tried to get to the bottom of the story only to be rebuffed by everyone from the police to the utilities companies who continued to supply Joyce's flat during that time. {Dreams Of A Life Poster}Playing Vincent is Zawe Ashton, aka the awesomely foul-mouthed Vod in Fresh Meat. Catch her heralded performance when Dreams Of A Life comes out on December 16.

Tyldum Asks What Happened To Monday?

Hollywood debut for Headhunters directorThe first day of the working week looks set to take something of a kicking in the cinema of the near future. We learned not long ago that producer Daniel Grodnik was heading for a Bad Monday, and now here comes Whatever Happened To Monday?, the English-language debut of Norwegian director Morten Tyldum.Tyldum broke box office records in his homeland this year, with his adaptation of the Jo Nesbo crime thriller Headhunters. It's Norway's most successful film of all time - before it's even played internationally - so it's no surprise that Hollywood should have picked up the phone.Whatever Happened To Monday? is a high-concept dystopian yarn about septuplet brothers on the run and trying to stay below the radar, in an overpopulated society where having more than one child is illegal. You'd think there might be some sort of legal clause which would make exception for acts of nature like multiple conceptions in a single pregnancy, but we're guessing the government in question likes to rigidly enforce its draconian laws. Zero tolerance! No excuses!We're also going to infer that the brothers are named after the days of the week. Hence, something bad happens to Monday, starting the plot engine. According to the Mother Goose rhyme, it'll be Wednesday that's most upset about this.The screenplay, deemed hot enough to make the Black List, is by Max Botkin, who previously wrote the Pauly Shore vehicle Opposite Day, and the RoboSapien movie that's currently in post-production. Raffaella De Laurentiis is producing, through her Raffaella Productions.Headhunters gets a UK release next April.