Juno up for... a spiritual award, apparently

Religious website Beliefnet apparently has film awards, and Juno is up for "Best Spiritual Film" and Ellen for "Best Spiritual Performance". Quite honestly, I'm not sure what either had to do with religion or spirituality.

(Thanks Michael)

Rise of the hamburger phones

Apparently, sales of hamburger phones (one memorable prop from Juno) have increased over 700% on eBay since the release of Juno. Then again, I doubt hamburger phones were exactly selling before the movie had come out.

Juno falls out of box office top 5

It ended up #6, the lowest it has been since wide release. It did however break into the $100 million mark.

It Wilby Wonderful this weekend

Get it? "Wilby", "Will be"? Nevermind.

Wilby Wonderful will be airing this Saturday night on PBS at 11:30PM, and will re-air shortly after at 3:45AM Sunday morning.

The Heath Ledger connection

Well, it looks like the media just cannot stop buzzing about the sudden death of Heath Ledger. After all, he is more important than the economy. I can't say much about him as an actor or person, but I've always respected his decision to do Brokeback Mountain, a role which could've easily destroyed a young career filled with potential, given the way people are.

With all this new information coming out, one little bit that relates to Ellen is that she was offered the lead role of what was to be Ledger's directorial debut - an adaptation of the novel "The Queen's Gambit", about an orphan who becomes a chess prodigy. Ledger himself is said to be a chess whiz close to "grandmaster level". I don't know chess lingo, but that's gotta be up there right?

By the way, if you ever find me unconscious, please call 911 and not Mary-Kate Olsen.

Oscar noms

Juno picks up four Oscar nominations:
Juno for Best Picture
Ellen Page for Best Actress
Diablo Cody for Best Screenplay (original)
Jason Reitman for Best Director

Ellen's biggest competition would be Marion Cotillard and Julie Christie, both of whom have already won Golden Globes for their performances. Working on Ellen's side is that people have actually seen Juno.

Diablo Cody has the best chance of walking away with an ugly tin statue spray-painted with gold. Juno will probably be beaten by either No Country (the popular vote) or There Will Be Blood (less popular, but perhaps more deserving than No Country?). As for Jason Reitman, I was surprised he was even nominated.

Winners will be announced on February 24th.

Thomas Haden Church predicts Oscar, Ellen not happy about it

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Thomas Haden Church ("Sideways") predicted "Juno" newcomer Ellen Page's current success.

And boy, is she POed!

"Last year while we were shooting, I told her that I predicted she'd win an Oscar by the time she's 25," he told reporters at last night's "Smart People" premiere. "And she got really mad at me."

The worst part? She's even better in "Smart People" than she is in "Juno," thanks in large part to the organic chemistry between her and Church.

So why isn't Ellen, who turns 21 next month, at Sundance? Is she still mad about that prediction?

"She's busy promoting "Juno" internationally and the Oscar nomination announcements are due out Wednesday morning," a film rep confided last night. "She's kinda busy."
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If you ever see Ellen on the street, don't like, compliment her.

Ellen gets Teen Vogue cover

Looks like Ellen will be the cover girl for the next issue of Teen Vogue.
[Insert rant about Ellen going mainstream here]
I love Ellen's look and style, but it's definitely different from the usual celebrities they put on covers of magazines like Teen Vogue, so it'd be interesting to see what happens.

Ellen confirmed for Whip It, and my eyes bleed

Looks like Ellen has indeed joined the cast of Whip It, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut.

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"I really admire how Drew constantly challenges herself as an artist," Page says. "She's proven herself as an actress and a producer, and I have no doubt she'll bring great vision and creativity to the director's chair. I can't wait to kick ass on wheels!"
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I love her sarcasm. It IS sarcasm, right?

Ellen also appeared on Oprah today. At least she isn't completely cancel-happy, right? Here's the complete transcript:

Oprah: Please welcome Ellen Page.
Oprah: Hello Ellen, tell me about the movie.
Ellen: Well, it's about...
Oprah: Please welcome JENNIFER GARNER!!
Jennifer: Omigod! Oprah!
Oprah: Omigod! Jennifer! How's Ben and Violet?
Jennifer: Omigod! They're great!

Okay, it didn't exactly go like that word-for-word, but it's pretty close. I also discovered I had developed bloodshot eyes after watching Oprah. Were my eyes trying to kill themselves, or was it just a coincidence?

Ellen cancels again, to appear on Oprah

Looks like Ellen, who was scheduled to appear on Live with Regis and Kelly again, canceled again and was replaced by a... chef? Just a week ago, she canceled an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres. One might accredit this to the WGA strike, I have my own theories.

If you must have your serving of Ellen Page on TV though, she'll be on Oprah tomorrow along with Jennifer Garner to discuss Juno. [Insert Oprah rant here]

Drew Barrymore movie: Ellen to Whip It?

Did you know I'm a huge fan of wording things as horribly as possible?

In an interview with Shauna Cross (author of Derby Girl, and screenwriter for the novel's Drew Barrymore-directed movie counterpart, Whip It), she mentioned it's rumored that the "lead (for Whip It) could be played by an actress whose name rhymes with Shmellen Shmage". Hey, Ellen Page rhymes with Shmellen Shmage! How valid is this rumor? We'll know soon enough, since production is set to begin in two months.

Ellen on Regis and Kelly this Tuesday

Ellen will be on Live with Regis and Kelly this Tuesday, January 15. Hank Azaria and KT Tunstall will also be guests. Sweet!

Juno goes 0-for-3 at Golden Globes

Juno was wiped out at the supershortened Golden Globes (30 minutes long!), losing in all three categories. The winners in the movie's nominated categories were Sweeney Todd (best musical/comedy), Marion Cotillard (best actress, musical/comedy) and No Country (best screenplay).

Ellen on Tavis Smiley tonight

Remember him? Mr. tolerable from BET? He's been running a respectable talk show on PBS for a couple of years now, and he has an interview with Ellen that will air tonight. What time it'll air will depend on your local station. Check your listings.

Ellen up for Orange Rising Star Award

I say this only because "Orange Rising Star Award" sounds fun to have. It is the only Baftas award that can be voted on by the general public.

Ellen's oppositions includes Sienna Miller, Sam Riley, Shia LaBeouf and Tang Wei. Whichever one is British will probably win. I kid.

Juno places third in box office

In wide release, Juno placed third in the box office weekend, taking in $16.2 million, just short of second-place I Am Legend's $16.4 mil and barely ahead of fourth-place Alvin's $16 mil.

Ellen on Letterman tonight

Thought I'd throw up a reminder, Ellen Page will be on the Late Show tonight, 11:30PM on CBS. Or check your local listings? Either way.