2012 Golden Globe Red Carpet photos

Nicole Kidman in Versace and Keith Urban

Natalie Portman

Katharine McPhee in Donna Karan

Jessica Biel

Claire Danes in J. Mendel

Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli

Mila Kunis in Dior

Julianne Moore in Chanel

Amanda Peet

Ariel Winter in Dolce&Gabbana

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2012 Golden Globe Red Carpet photos

Elle MacPherson

Salma Hayek in Gucci

Frieda Pinto in Prada

Charlize Theron in Dior

Nicole Richie in Julien Macdonald

Mary J. Blige

Sarah Hyland in Dolce&Gabbana

Paula Patton in Monique Lhuillier

Madonna in Reem Acra

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2012 Golden Globe Red Carpet photos

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace and Brad Pitt in Ferragamo

Amber Riley

Dianna Agron in Giles Deacon

Lea Michele in Marchesa

Naya Rivera

Sofia Vergera in Vera Wang

Zooey Deschanel in Prada

Emma Stone in Lanvin

Evan Rachel Wood

Rooney Mara in Nina Ricci 

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World's Top 10 Film Festivals

1. Sundance Film Festival - Park City, Utah, United States

Sundance Film Festival started out in 1978 as an event designed to attract more filmmakers to Utah while staying away from the overpowering Hollywood scene. Thirty-four years later, Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the United States, exhibiting feature-length films, documentaries, shorts, and animation while fostering dialogues among film enthusiasts. This year, the festival will run from Jan 19-29 in Park City, Utah, showcasing 200 films whittled down from nearly 9,000 submissions. Can't make it to the big event? On Jan 26, nine movie theaters across the United States will be hosting a filmmaker and his or her work as part of Sundance Film Festival USA, so you may be able to participate in the festivities wherever you are.

2. International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Though it receives less tourist traffic than its neighboring city, Amsterdam, Rotterdam is a modern representation of Dutch culture, and its annual film festival is constantly paving the way for all genres of innovative and thought-provoking cinema. This year's event will run from Jan 25 to Feb 5, and will encompass 19 screening venues - upwards of 350,000 viewers are expected to attend. Rotterdam attendees are passionate movie-goers, so program directors make a point of stripping down the superfluous aspects of film, like commercials and trailers, for an untarnished viewing experience.

3. Cannes International Film Festival - Cannes, France

The highly esteemed Cannes Film Festival sets the trend for up-and-coming cinema every year while boosting the film industry's caliber worldwide. As one of the most prominent film events recognized internationally, Cannes is the place for big names in cinema to show their latest work. Set along the pristine beaches of the French Riviera, warm temperatures and bright sunshine only add to the exciting atmosphere of the event. This year's star-studded festival will run from May 16-27. Attending the festival is by invitation only, but we suggest heading to the Tourist Office and getting passes to the Beach Cinema for free nightly screenings.

4. Guadalajara Film Festival - Guadalajara, Mexico

Considered the most significant film affair in Latin America, Guadalajara Film Festival is an important cultural event, showcasing Mexican and Latino talent alongside other international works of cinematic art. Thanks to Guadalajara Film Festival, Latin American film has become a competitor in the global film industry. From March 2-12, over 100,000 film lovers are expected to flood the streets and theaters of Guadalajara, viewing close to 200 films. While not as chaotic as Mexico City, Guadalajara is a destination perfect for exploring colonial history, enjoying the Mexican culture, shopping street markets and savoring traditional regional cuisine.

5. Rooftop Films - New York, New York, United States

New York City is known for filmmaking, and great festivals like The New York Film Festival and Tribeca are constantly at the forefront when it comes to showcasing the talent of filmmakers from around the world. But veer slightly off the beaten path to the skyline of the Big Apple, and check out our favorite New York festival known as Rooftop Films. What started out in 1997 as film screenings on the roof of a newly graduated film student's apartment has now expanded across Manhattan and Brooklyn. The festival runs on weekends from May to September.

6. Toronto International Film Festival - Toronto, Canada

The Toronto International Film Festival, which premiered in 1976 as an independent film festival, has grown to become one of the most important and influential festivals in North America, and is the leading public film festival in the world. Year after year, works from the Toronto festival have gone on to become Academy Award winners. This exciting and extensive festival takes place in the beginning of September (this year from Sept 6 to 16), and close to 350,000 attendees head to Canada's largest metropolis in the hopes of viewing what will be the next classic piece of cinematic art. Aside from putting Canada on the map as a competitor in the global film industry, Toronto's festival has become a launching pad for the success of new films released every fall.

7. Venice International Film Festival - Venice, Italy

The Venice Film Festival started in 1932, making it the oldest film festival in the world. Every year, this expansive event is held on the island of Lido in the fascinating city of Venice. Unlike similarly large film festivals such as Cannes, public attendees are able to purchase passes in advance to the screenings. This year's festival will run from Aug 29 until Sept 8 and screen more than 275 projects, 75 of which will be national and international premieres. And, if the film scene isn't enticing enough, Venice ranks high among travelers as a destination, encompassing history, culture and romantic charm.

8. Hong Kong International Film Festival - Hong Kong, China

The perfect blend of East Asian culture and a thriving global market, Hong Kong is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. It's no wonder that the Hong Kong International Film Festival has become one of the largest in the world, and has bridged the gap between Asian cinema and the global film industry. This year's event will take place from March 21 to April 5, showcasing more than 330 titles from 50 countries to an expected 600,000 viewers. Spread among more than 11 venues all around Hong Kong, including the Space Museum and City Hall, visitors get the chance to witness the latest works while exploring the vibrant city.

9. Berlin International Film Festival- Berlin, Germany

One of the most renowned film festivals in the world, the Berlin International Film Festival (also known as Berlinale) combines the glamour of filmmaking - parties, red carpet, high fashion - with the appreciation of cinematic art in a variety of genres. Divided into 10 separate sections, highlighting areas like experimental and avant-garde works, shorts geared towards younger generations, films focused around culinary themes and several others, there's a place for all film admirers at Berlinale. This year's festival will kick off on Feb 9 and last 10 days. It is expected that visitors from more than 115 countries will be in attendance to screen and discuss a variety of international films.

10. East End Film Festival - East London, United Kingdom

As one of the largest film festivals in London, East End continues to grow in the industry as a high-profile event for filmmakers. In 2011, more than 60 feature films were screened, along with hundreds of shorts, all from more than 30 different countries. Submissions are based around several themes, the most popular being British, European and World films, horror and music. This coming July 3-8, coinciding with the Olympics, dozens of venues will open in East London to screen the latest works - many free - from both seasoned and up-and-coming film professionals. Plus, there will be plenty of live music, master classes and other special events to participate in.

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Three die amid panic as cruise ship wrecked in Italy

(Reuters) - Passengers leapt into the sea and fought over lifejackets in panic when an Italian cruise ship ran aground and keeled over, killing at least three and leaving dozens missing.

In the chaotic aftermath of the Friday evening accident near the island of Giglio off the coast of Tuscany, Italian officials could still not say how many of the 4,229 passengers and crew on board the 114,500-tonne Costa Concordia were missing.

"I was sure I was going to die. We were in the lifeboats for two hours, crying and holding on to each other," said Antonietta Sintolli, 65, breaking down in tears as she recounted the event.

"People were trying to steal life jackets from each other. We could only gets ones for children."

An official involved in the rescue operation said two French tourists and a Peruvian crew member were dead. Around 70 people were injured, at least two seriously.

Authorities opened a criminal investigation for possible manslaughter and Italian news agencies reported that the ship's commander, Francesco Schettino had been detained by police.

The vessel's operator, Costa Crociere, a unit of Carnival Corp & Plc, the world's largest cruise operator, said it had been sailing on its regular course when it struck a submerged rock. In a television interview, the ship's commander said the rock was not marked on any maritime charts of the area.

However it remained unclear how the 290 metre-long ship had been able to run aground in calm waters so close to the shore.

"We'll be able to say at the end of the investigation. It would be premature to speculate on this," said coastguard spokesman Filippo Marini.

The vessel was left capsized on its side in water 15-20 meters deep, with decks partly submerged, not far from the shore. A large gash was visible on its side.

CONFUSION

Officials said the search would continue overnight although darkness and the cold seas would make the work difficult.

Different officials gave varying estimates of the number of missing, with some talking of as many as 70 but there remained considerable uncertainty over how many were really missing and how many had simply not been counted in the confusion.

"We are not sure of the numbers, we cannot exclude that some people are missing, in fact it is very probable," said Ennio Aquilini, head of the fire service rescue operation.

"It could be 10, 20 up to 40 but I cannot give anything more precise. There is a possibility that no one is missing."

Passengers had just sat down to dinner, a few hours after leaving the port of Civitavecchia near Rome on a week-long cruise to Barcelona and Majorca, when a loud bang interrupted the piano player and the ship began to list.

"We heard a loud rumble, the glasses and plates fell from the tables, the ship tilted and the light went off," said passenger Luciano Castro.

"What followed was scenes of panic; people screaming, running around the place, close to us a five-month pregnant young woman was crying and panicking."

The ship, a vast floating resort with spas, theatres, swimming pools, a casino and discotheque, was carrying mainly Italian passengers, but also many foreigners including British, Germans, French, Spanish and Americans. Many were elderly; some were in wheelchairs.

Passengers crowded into lifeboats, but the mainly Asian staff, few of them able to speak Italian, struggled to bring order to the evacuation.

"It was complete panic. People were behaving like animals. We had to wait too long in the lifeboats," said 47-year-old Patrizia Perilli.

"We thought we wouldn't make it. I saw the lighthouse but I knew I couldn't swim that far but lots of people threw themselves into the sea. I think they are some of the dead."

Angel Holgado, 50, a guitarist who had been performing when the ship foundered, said he got into a lifeboat but decided to abandon it after it became dangerously overcrowded.

"There was terrible panic and fear and I jumped into the water and swam to the shore," he said.

SUBMERGED ROCK

Officials said rescue efforts were continuing on Saturday after a night-time operation involving helicopters, ships and lifeboats. The picturesque harbour of Porto Santo Stefano was lined with ambulances and green tents for the victims.

"We have about 40 men at work and we're expecting specialist diving teams to arrive to check all the interior spaces of the ship," said fire services spokesman Luca Cari.

"We don't rule out the possibility that more people will be lost," he said.

Officials said however there was confusion over the numbers of missing and on identifying all the passengers transferred from Giglio to Porto Santo Stefano on the mainland.

"To have a more precise idea we are still waiting for a full list of the people identified in Porto Santo Stefano to make a comparison with the passenger list," said Giuseppe Linardi, police chief in the nearby town of Grosseto.

Passengers were heavily critical of the response by the crew and said they had been left with no information.

"After approximately 20 minutes a voice told us there was a problem with the electricity that they were trying to fix," said Luciano Castro.

"The ship continued to tilt further, after 15 minutes they said again it was a problem with the electricity, but no one believed it," he said adding that once the evacuation began, the increasing tilt of the ship made the operation more difficult.

"Of course panic makes things worse and the crew members struggled in calming down the most active and worried passengers," he said.

The ship was built in 2004-2005 at a cost of 450 million euros at the Fincantieri Sestri shipyard in Italy.

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Mavs' Nowitzki 23rd NBA player to 23,000 points

DALLAS (AP) -- Dirk Nowitzki became the 23rd NBA player to score 23,000 career points, reaching the milestone with a free throw with 7 minutes left in the second quarter in the Dallas Mavericks' game against Milwaukee on Friday night.

During a timeout less than 2 minutes later, fans stood and cheered when the milestone was announced. Nowitzki, who has spent all of his 14 NBA seasons in Dallas, acknowledged the crowd. 

 

"He's had a staggeringly awesome career," coach Rick Carlisle said before the game. "He's right up there (with the best ever)."

Nowitzki, playing his 1,005th game, recently made his 8,000th field goal.

Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett are the only active players with more points than Nowitzki. Elgin Baylor is next on the career list with 23,149 points.

Nowitzki, the 2007 NBA MVP, was the MVP of the NBA finals last season when the Mavericks won their first championship.

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Howard leads all players in first All-Star Ballot returns

NEW YORK -- Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and LeBron James of the Miami Heat top the Eastern Conference, while Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder lead the Western Conference after the first returns of 2012 NBA All-Star Balloting presented by Sprint. Howard, the Kia Defensive Player of the Year each of the past three seasons, is the overall leader with 754,737 votes. 

The 2012 NBA All-Star Game, which will air live at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio in the U.S., and reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages, will be played at Amway Center in Orlando -- on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012.

Howard paces centers in the East, followed by the Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah (75,038). James leads Eastern Conference forwards with 640,789 votes, followed by Carmelo Anthony (496,351) of the New York Knicks. Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls leads Eastern Conference guards with 640,476 votes, followed by Miami's Dwyane Wade (637,912).

Bryant's 690,613 votes leads Western Conference guards, with the Los Angeles Clippers' Chris Paul placing second (540,173). Durant's 633,538 votes lead forwards in the West, with Blake Griffin of the Clippers next in line with 394,264 votes. The Lakers' Andrew Bynum paces Western Conference centers with 496,597 votes, followed by the Clippers' DeAndre Jordan (134,961).

The leaders of both the Eastern and Western Conference players for the first returns of 2012 NBA All-Star Balloting presented by Sprint are below:

All-Star Balloting Presented By Sprint | Eastern Conference

Forwards: LeBron James (Mia) 640,789; Carmelo Anthony (NYK) 496,351; Amar'e Stoudemire (NYK) 178,797; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 173,161; Chris Bosh (Mia) 140,601; Paul Pierce (Bos) 94,071; Luol Deng (Chi) 85,086; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 54,739; Carlos Boozer (Chi) 53,477; Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 43,154.

Guards: Derrick Rose (Chi) 640,476; Dwyane Wade (Mia) 637,912; Rajon Rondo (Bos) 253,969; Ray Allen (Bos) 174,934; Deron Williams (NJN) 89,128; Jose Calderon (Tor) 42,929; John Wall (Was) 38,025; Richard Hamilton (Chi) 36,418; Kyrie Irving (Cle) 27,713; Joe Johnson (Atl) 23,384.

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 754,737; Joakim Noah (Chi) 75,038; Tyson Chandler (NYK) 61,774; Joel Anthony (Mia) 41,832; JaVale McGee (Was) 24,713; Al Horford (Atl) 23,546.

All-Star Balloting Presented By Sprint | Western Conference

Forwards: Kevin Durant (OKC) 633,538; Blake Griffin (LAC) 394,264; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 231,832; Pau Gasol (LAL) 185,428; Kevin Love (Min) 143,814; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 118,268; Tim Duncan (SA) 81,783; Lamar Odom (Dal) 59,686; Metta World Peace (LAL) 39,006; Danilo Gallinari (Den) 34,438.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 690,613; Chris Paul (LAC) 540,173; Ricky Rubio (Min) 133,520; Steve Nash (Pho) 118,922; Russell Westbrook (OKC) 107,197; Kyle Lowry (Hou) 90,725; Monta Ellis (GS) 63,696; Manu Ginobili (SA) 50,765; Jason Kidd (Dal) 49,596; Chauncey Billups (LAC) 42,657.

Centers: Andrew Bynum (LAL) 496,597; DeAndre Jordan (LAC) 134,961; Marc Gasol (Mem) 102,116; Nenê (Den) 94,167; Marcin Gortat (Pho) 62,631; Kendrick Perkins (OKC) 41,579.

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76ers' Hawes out with strained lower back

NEW YORK (AP) -- Starting center Spencer Hawes missed the Philadelphia 76ers' game in New York on Wednesday night because of a strained lower back.

Tony Battie started for Hawes, who was hurt Tuesday night in a victory over Sacramento. He played 11 scoreless minutes before sitting out the second half.

Hawes has been one of the keys to the 76ers' 7-2 start, averaging 11.1 points and a team-leading 9.1 rebounds.

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Horror of Haiti quake still on mind of Rockets' Dalembert

HOUSTON (AP) -- Samuel Dalembert stepped off the plane and barely recognized the land where he grew up.Two frantic days after a magnitude-7.0 earthquake rumbled across his native Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010, the veteran NBA center returned to the Caribbean nation and could hardly absorb the chaos and horror.

Victims missing limbs lying helplessly in the littered streets. Children covered in blood, screaming for their parents. Buildings pulverized and homes crushed into twisted piles of rubble.

"You felt like this was the end," Dalembert recalls. "It's like the end of Earth."

Dalembert lost a cousin and several close friends among the estimated 300,000 killed. Another 1.5 million residents were left homeless. Roads were impassable. Communication was impossible.

"You looked at the country," Dalembert remembers, "you felt like it was Armageddon. It was devastating."

Two years later, the NBA's only Haitian-born player prays for progress, while tempering his frustration that more hasn't been done to rebuild his crippled country.

Recently signed by the Houston Rockets, the 6-foot-11 Dalembert is on a mission to help, donating about $650,000 and establishing a foundation for relief efforts and putting down $1 million out of his own pocket to break ground on a sports academy for Haitian children.

"I know I'm not going to be able to save the whole place," he said. "But I know that I can make a difference in some young one's life, and give them hope."

The 30-year-old Dalembert made four trips back home this summer while the NBA's labor dispute lingered. He estimates that the country is "about 20 percent" back to the way it used to be.

President Michel Martelly acknowledged this week that the rebuilding process has been slow, and that he has made mistakes since he was elected last May.

Dalembert has become acquainted with Martelly, a pop star in Haiti when Dalembert was a boy, and he's optimistic that the new president has put the reconstruction on the right track.

"My buddy has become president of the country now, and he's tried to really make a change," Dalembert said with a proud grin. "He's really tried to make things move in. Sometimes, you've got parties that try to hold things down and try to get their own people in. It's politicking and I try to stay away from that."

Before the disaster, Dalembert took classes at Stanford on how to start a charitable foundation to aid his already impoverished country. It launched in 2007. But when he witnessed the scope of the catastrophe three years later, the foundation kicked into high gear, and he began mapping out plans for the first of several community centers that he wants to model after YMCAs in America.

A former first-round pick, Dalembert felt compelled once he reached the NBA to use his fame and wealth to give back to his fellow Haitians, a lesson his parents instilled in him.

He has been an active participant in the NBA's Basketball Without Borders Program, a campaign aimed at improving education, health and fitness for young people around the world, and has worked in the aftermath of the earthquake with Medishare, a Miami-based nonprofit agency trying to improve health care in Haiti.

"Looking back, and you say, 'Wow, God kind of gave you this opportunity, coming away from there and being in the league,"' he said. "I take pride in that. I feel like I'm very blessed, and I'll continue to do the best I can and help."

The country was hardly well off before the earthquake, and Dalembert has vivid memories of his own hard-scrabble upbringing.

Food was sparse and when someone cooked, the children shared their paltry portions without hesitation. Electricity was even scarcer, and controlled by the government, so when Dalembert cracked the books to study mathematics, history and Latin it was by candlelight most of the time.

"When they did give back electricity, one time a week, or maybe one time every two weeks," he said, "Mom's trying to iron as many clothes as she can for the days to come, because you don't know the next time they are going to give it back to you."

He moved to Canada with family members as a teenager, found his passion in basketball and earned a scholarship to play at Seton Hall. Dalembert became a shot-blocking specialist in college, and the Philadelphia 76ers took him in the first round of the 2001 draft.

He's in his 10th NBA season now, a respected presence in the Rockets locker room after less than a month with the team. His fierce national pride emerges when he talks about Haiti, even as he opens up about the most painful memories.

Dalembert smiles when he thinks about the country's future, the faith that he puts in Martelly and the resolve of Haiti's people.

"It's in our blood. It's in our blood to fight, and get things," he said. "We basically learn to operate under stressful situations, and we keep on moving, we keep walking on the same path and we're hoping for a better future. If it doesn't happen, hey, life continues."

But he also worries about the safety of family members who remain there, though much of his family has moved to Miami, and a younger brother is going to school in Philadelphia.

Dalembert tried to convince his father, a retired former government official, to leave. Emmanuel Dalembert refused.

"He said, 'Son, in all the life you're living, there's one time you can see your country can be rebuilt,"' Samuel Dalembert said. "Some people never live to see that. He said, 'I will never leave this country, and I will be there.' He's a patriotic guy."

Samuel understands.

"It's like when I go back home," he said. "You see your youth, you've got that sense of pride in you, and you be like, 'Wow, this is my country.'

"I always tell some of those kids, 'Listen, there are countries out there who were not independent until this day,"' he said, "and the only thing you can say is, 'This country is yours, and you've got to make the best of it."'

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"The Voice" amps up the star power for Season 2

(Reuters) - The stars of television singing contest "The Voice" on Friday promised more celebrity and top talent in their upcoming season as they compete fiercely with rival "American Idol," the most-viewed program on TV.

"It is a very tired format," Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, one of the program's star mentors, said about singing contests, "but in a way, this is a very fresh way of doing it."

The show grew into a surprise hit for television network NBC in 2011 with a format in which the panel of stars -- Levine, Christina Aguilera, country singer Blake Shelton and hip-hop star Cee Lo Green -- also take on contestants as their proteges and help them as the compete against others.

For season two, which premieres on February 5 and will compete for viewers with "American Idol," the show's producers added new celebrities who will work as advisors with the star mentors.

Levine will be joined by Alanis Morissette and Robin Thicke, Green will have Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Ne-Yo, Aguilera will get assists from Jewel and Lionel Richie while Shelton recruited wife Miranda Lambert and Kelly Clarkson for his team.

"I chose Miranda and Kelly because they both survived reality television shows," Shelton told reporters at an annual gathering of TV critics. "I just wanted somebody who could talk to them (the contestants) about what they were going through."

While "The Voice" became a surprise hit for NBC, executive producer Mark Burnett admitted it may not have lived up to some of its early forecasts.

Last year's winner Javier Colon released an album, "Come Through For You," which peaked at No. 134 on the Billboard 200 album chart, not reaching the success of early "Idol" winners such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

"We can't control the record industry, it's impossible," said Levine, "People are going to go through what they go through, some of it's going to be positive, some negative. You can't be there every single step of the way."

Despite Colon's inability to reach the top of pop music charts, the judges said they were confident they could find the next big talent on the new season of "The Voice."

"I trust the show more than I trust the record industry at this point," said Levine.

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Jail for boxer Mayweather delayed so he can fight

(Reuters) - A judge granted a request from boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr to postpone until June his three-month jail sentence for domestic battery so he can compete in an upcoming bout, prosecutors said.

The ruling by Las Vegas Judge Melissa Saragosa on Friday came on the same day Mayweather was originally scheduled to turn himself in and begin serving his term.

"We opposed the request and felt he should surrender as originally planned," said Tess Driver, a spokeswoman for the Clark County District Attorney's Office, which prosecuted the case.

Mayweather, 34, a flamboyant boxer regarded as the best defensive fighter of his generation, is scheduled to battle an undetermined opponent on May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

An attorney for World Boxing Council welterweight champion Mayweather asked the judge to postpone the sentence so he could train and compete for that May 5 fight, Driver said.

Some in the boxing world have speculated the bout could pit Mayweather against World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, which would be the most highly anticipated fight in years.

But the Filipino Pacquiao's promoter has made comments to the media casting doubt on whether that match-up will occur.

The jail sentence Mayweather faces stems from a case in which he pleaded guilty last month to one charge of felony battery and no contest to two counts of harassment stemming from a 2010 attack on his ex-girlfriend Josie Harris and verbal threats against two of his children with Harris.

Mayweather was sentenced to six months for that outburst, but the judge suspended half the jail term.

The judge's decision was also expected to benefit hotels and businesses that typically profit from a major prize fight, which can generate $10 million to $15 million in non-gambling revenue, said Jeremy Handel, spokesman for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

An attorney for Mayweather declined to comment on the postponement.

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