Black Swan Drama: How Much Did Natalie Really Dance?

Grueling regimen just a taste of what real dancers go through

(NEWSER) - With her punishing schedule, 8-hour daily rehearsals, and 20-pound weight loss on an almonds-and-carrots diet, Natalie Portman feared her training for the critically acclaimed ballet film Black Swan might kill her, reports the Independent . "There were some nights that I thought I literally was going to die," says Portman, who recently announced that she was engaged to choreographer and co-star Benjamin Millepied—and pregnant . More»

He's just very happy about her pending nuptials

(NEWSER) - Mike Huckabee will have you know that he didn't diss Natalie Portman's out-of-wedlock pregnancy— contrary to what you might have read in the "Hollywood media" —nor, for that matter, "did I criticize the hardworking single mothers in our country," reports Politico. He is, however, really glad she's going to marry babydaddy Benjamin Millepied. The full context of his, er, clarification: More»

He slams 'glorifying' children out of wedlock

(NEWSER) - Possible presidential contender Mike Huckabee isn't taking on birthers, but he is grousing about a birth. He has slammed Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman for being pregnant out of wedlock. It's "troubling" to see people like "Natalie Portman or some other Hollywood starlet who boasts of, 'Hey look, we're having children, we're not married, but we're having these children, and they're doing just fine,'" Huck complained to radio host Michael Medved. "It's unfortunate that we glorify and glamorize the idea of out of children wedlock." More»

The heartwarming film wins the day at Academy Awards

(NEWSER) - And they're off! After an opening montage involving all of the best picture nominees—and, uh, Back to the Future—the Oscars are in full swing. The montage was "enjoyably silly," writes David Edelstein in New York , featuring a trip inside the mind of Alec Baldwin, Inception-style. As for the material for hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway? Lame—but at least, Edelstein notes, "Lame material is better done by people you want to sleep with." Next up: More»

Expect a lot of love for 'The King's Speech'

(NEWSER) - It's Academy Awards weekend, so in anticipation of Sunday's ceremony, Claudia Puig offers up her choices for who should win—and who actually will win—in USA Today :

• Best Picture: "Despite its superb performances, brilliant direction, sharp writing, and exquisitely complex, if not always likable, lead character," The Social Network will lose out to less-worthy contender The King's Speech—which brings audiences the "happy ending and clear-cut hero" they crave, writes Puig.
• Best Director: Once again, The Social Network deserves a win because its "brilliant direction" is at the heart of its success as a film—but The King's Speech will probably grab this one as well.