Hollywood's Forgotten How to Tell a Story

He gets the nod for telecast in February

(NEWSER) - The rumor mill proved true this time: Eddie Murphy will host the Oscars in February, reports the Huffington Post . One connection that likely helped, as noted by Deadline : This year's show is being produced by Brett Ratner, who directed the soon-to-open movie Tower Heist, starring Murphy and Ben Stiller. Murphy also reportedly is a huge fan of the Oscars and movies in general, and he's got plenty of experience handling a live audience from his stand-up and SNL days. Click to read one Salon blogger's take on why this is a great pick. (Last year's co-host, James Franco, didn't go over so well with critics .) More»

Roger Corman, Gordon Willis, John Calley share the spotlight

(NEWSER) - A mere 65 years after her unforgettable screen debut, Lauren Bacall has won an Academy Award. The honorary Oscar was a high point of a ceremony last night in Los Angeles that also celebrated the careers of filmmaker Roger Corman, cinematographer Gordon Willis, and producer John Calley. "I can't believe it, a man at last!" the 85-year-old Bacall joked as she hoisted her new hardware. More»

Indian government vows to upgrade housing for kids 'who have brought laurels' to nation

(NEWSER) - The two key child actors in Oscar-sweeping Slumdog Millionaire will receive new homes in Mumbai, compliments of the Indian government, Reuters reports. The children, who played the younger versions of the movie's main characters, "have brought laurels to the country, and we have been told that they live in slums which cannot even be classified as housing," said the head of the state-run housing authority. More»

Political thriller opens in first on slow Oscar weekend

(NEWSER) - Vantage Point took top spot at this weekend's box office by nearly doubling the yield of number-two pic Jumper, Variety reports. The Dennis Quaid political thriller banked $24 million to Jumper''s $12.7 million and number-three The Spiderwick Chronicles' $12.6 million, both in their second week. Disney’s Step Up 2 the Streets placed fourth with $9.8 million and Fool’s Gold made fifth with $6.3 million. More»

High prices and few choices don't help: Roger Ebert

(NEWSER) - News that movie theaters had lackluster revenue in 2011 didn’t surprise Roger Ebert. He ticks off a list of the reasons why at his blog , including the lack of an Avatar-like blockbuster and usual suspects like too-high prices for tickets and refreshments. But also:

• Distractions: Loud talkers and people using their cell phones (with their bright screens) to text are getting out of hand.