January 31

January 30

The AFP: The Sag Awards -- The best supporting actor statuettes went to Paul Giamatti for his role as a boxing trainer in "Cinderella Man," and to Britain's Rachel Weisz for playing a doomed activist in Fernando Meirelles' thriller "The Constant Gardener". (Philip Seymour Hoffman wins best actor) - Thanks, Kris C, Allison

January 29

From Darrin: "With massive thanks to Sabry (Shadows an' Dust), another bootleg from the Jan 18th and 19th concerts!  Located in the first pink square on the WAV page!"

The Advertiser au: Crowe chills out at game - (Fooling around with niece Chelsea's hat!) Thanks, Allison, Rita, Penny

News.com.au: Russ just wants a win for Souths - Thanks, Allison

Telegraph au: Russ wants a win - AFTER riding his pushbike to the footy Russell Crowe yesterday submitted his case for owning the working man's team. - Thanks, Anne S, Penny, Chats

Newswire: What better way to showcase the Australian way of living to the whole world? Simple and amazing videos from www.britsmovingtoaustralia.com are going a long way in providing relevant information to Brits wanting to move down under - Included -- “God bless America. God save the Queen. God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia.” – Russell Crowe. - Thanks, Allison

The Sunday Telegraph au: Aussie hopes in march to Oscars - The other big game - Nominations for some little award called the Oscar come out Tuesday. Who'll be on the list? - Thanks, Allison

ORC.com: Billy Boyd -- "During Master and Commander, there was a scene, we're on the top of the crow's nest. It was supposed to be on the deck, but we got there that morning, and they told us up there. Russell Crowe's got this big sword, and the space was very small [demonstrates on the stage] Every time Russell Crowe comes by he hits me on the leg with his sword. It was about five hundred feet down, I was holding on with one hand. [walks to the stage stairs, holds the bannister] I always hold on. [much laughter]" - Thanks, Allison

January 28

There will be no more updates until late tomorrow. I am off to visit kids and grandkids...

The Orara Valley Sevens Tournament - A helpful link on what rugby "sevens" is from BBC sports

More fan reviews of the album

Images of Russell at the Tamworth Country Awards from the AAP (If the link doesn't work, do a search for "Russell Crowe.") - Thanks, Ivani

January 27

Variety: (From an interesting article on acting today and the SAG awards) - To act perchance to dream -- "...Studios make a financial investment to bank on actors. Movies have become very expensive to make. You'll want a Russell Crowe or Meryl Streep then. People who look at a screen and say, 'I can do that' often don't realize that good acting only appears seamless and easy. But it isn't. Talent only takes you so far." - Thanks, Ivani

Northern Daily Leader: Flying visit for Crowe in awards' warm-up - "RUSSELL Crowe touched down at Tamworth Airport in a private plane late yesterday before being whisked away to join country music star Felicity on stage for a rehearsal ahead of tonight's CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia." Thanks, Anne B, barbiecat, chats

The AFP: Lovely! -- "Sydney kicked off worldwide celebrations of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 250th anniversary with a floating performance of the composer's music on the city's iconic harbour. From its "aquashell" barge, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra performed Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and his Divertimento No. 11 in D major against the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House."

January 26

Businesswire.com: Moviefone Moviegoer Awards: "...In addition to traditional categories such as Movie of the Year and Actor of the Year, the Moviefone Moviegoer Awards, sponsored by JC Penney, also offers more offbeat categories including Biggest Badass, Vilest Villain, and Most Hysterical Performance. Beginning today, moviegoers everywhere can visit the Moviefone.com(R) web site to cast their votes. Voting ends on February 24 and the winners will be announced on February 28." (CM has a nomination for "Best unsung gem" - Scroll)

Country News: "A tribute to Kris Kristofferson, "The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson" will be out in June, featuring the likes of Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash and Shooter Jennings. - The 18-song disc will be out June 27 on American Roots Publishing, the label of Tamara Saviano, a Grammy Aware-winning Nashville publicist. Harris will sing "The Pilgrim" with Jon Randall and Sam Bush. Actor Russell Crowe will sing "Darby's Castle." Nelson does "The Legend." Jennings will sing "The Silver Tongued Devil & I." Rodney Crowell performs "Come Sundown," while R&B singer Brian McKnight turns in a version of "Me & Bobby McGee." Jessi Colter sings "The Captive," and Cash sings "Loving Him Was Easier."

The Brandon Sun: Oscar-winning Canadian designer not predicting chances of another nomination - Thanks, Allison

joblo.com: Director Kevin Smith's top 10 films:"The One That Surprised Me: Cinderella Man - Alright, there were one too many instances of “People were so poor during the Depression…” (”How poor were they?”), but the second half of the flick more than made up for it. Great performances all around (especially Russell Crowe and Paul Giamatti), and a unusually good job by Ron Howard. And not being well-versed in sports lore, I was so glad to not know how it was gonna end." - Thanks, Allison

The SMH: Russell makes the tongue in cheek article Australia Day's Dishonours List (along with a lot of other folk) - Thanks, Miki

I have links to the concert reports from fans and a link to fan reviews for the album on this new page (Please add your own review of the album. Oz fans, Have you heard the new version with Testify and Breathless? Tell us what you think on the fan review page)

Related: Yahoo News: Meg Ryan adopts baby girl from China

Variety: SYDNEY -- "Australian Film Institute general manager Geoffrey Williams has ankled nine months into a three-year contract, citing differences with the new board. His resignation follows the exit of AFI Awards coordinator Robyn Young in mid-December and comes just days after the AFI appointed a new chairman, publisher and property developer, Morry Schwartz, and board members academic David Muir and distributor David Chambers. The AFI produces the 47-year-old AFI Awards, an event that was languishing before Williams' arrival last April. In six months, he secured funding from the Victorian government and the services of Paul Dainty, who produced the November event sponsored by L'Oreal and hosted by Russell Crowe." - Thanks, Bea

Nice story at Hello! Magazine (With pictures) of the Australian Day concert: "Russell rocks Australia Day celebrations - One of Oz's famous sons, he'd been called upon to headline with his new band, The Ordinary Fear Of God at the Australia Day gala celebrating the country's nationhood. As the brawny star let rip at the mike he got a warm reception from young fans on the lawn of Parliament House, where the event was being held." - Thanks, Steph, Cindy

The Daily Telegraph: "THE country's most celebrated Kiwi, Russell Crowe, left Canberra without his Australian citizenship yesterday after a day of speculation about when he'll officially become an Aussie." - Thanks, Steph

Dinkum's Byron Bay Report

APF - Related: Hollywood star Nicole Kidman is to be named goodwill ambassador of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the fund said.

January 25

Reuters: Actor Giamatti works hard but longs for lazy days - "...But then the actor, currently in Hollywood's Oscar race for his work as a boxing manager in "Cinderella Man," reflects on his more than 15 years in show business, mostly as a character actor in bit parts among large casts." - Thanks, Kris C

Lynda's report on the Canberra Australian Day Live concert

More pictures from Getty of Australian Day - Thanks, Cindy

A reminder that the Poster essay contest deadline is January 31. That thread is only for contest entries, not for comments. Thanks.

From Kells at the Murphsplace Forum: "I was fortunate enough to have a brief Chat with Danielle and her producer Vince Pizzinga last night. The (Her) New CD is almost finished but as of yet no release date. But I have a good feeling. As always Danielle looked gorgeous. glowing in fact."

The Daily Telegraph Confidential: Lovesick Nic pulls out -- (Second choice???) "...We almost had Keith Urban to come and perform - it was so close. And if we had Keith, we would've had Nicole too," an Australia Day organiser told Confidential. With Urban out of the picture, organisers approached Russell Crowe to perform." (Also has some bits about the Baz film) - Thanks, Chats

From TSN: "I thought that you may be interested in Russell and The Ordinary Fear of God's performance on the Australia Day concert in Canberra that was broadcast on Aussie TV tonight. Russell and the band performed "Land Of The Second Chance" & Testify". The DVD is US$16.00 plus shipping of US$8.00, there is no shipping charge if the DVD is shipped with a magazine or newspaper." Here is their e-mail address

AAP: David Lee Murphy on Russell and the Tamworth Music Festival - Thanks, Anne S - The article is now on line

Sabry's Vanguard 1/24 concert report is HERE - And Budsbabe's is HERE

Newspix pictures of Russell doing a sound check before the Canberra concert (Do a search for Russell Crowe) - Thanks, Ivani

From Darrin: "Big thanks to Crowecrazed, I've got a copy of the Tickle Me video on the MOV page, second yellow square"

January 24

You can vote for CM for best original screenplay at Movie City News

The SMH: There's one sure thing about the 2006 Australian of the Year - it's going to be a bloke. Prime Minister John Howard will announce this year's ambassador-at-large at a ceremony on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday night. Hot on the heels of the announcement, the football-loving, phone-throwing actor Russell Crowe will grunt onto stage and bellow out some tunes before thousands of flag-waving teens. -- Information on the time and channel in Australia

Tamara (marafromnowhere) has concert reports at Crowe's Crossing - (plus a recipe) Scroll a bit...

You can vote for Russell's Globe outfit at USA Today - Scroll about halfway down the page and look in the dark pink box on the left for Red Carpet Photos and select the Fashion Police link. Russell is the tenth of 35 listed, and one of only three men selected for the voting. - Thanks, rcfab, Ivani

January 23

A clarification on the photo-taking at gigs from Russell: "i really don't mind people having snap shots to take home.i mean,thank the lord somebody got a shot of elvis on stage.it's all about the flash." - Another shot HERE

The Daily Telegraph Murmurs: SPOTTED ... Russell Crowe in a white jacket in the third row at the Elvis Costello gig at the State Theatre ...Thanks, Anne S

Jan has an upcoming article in France Magazine about A Good Year. Here is a preview

From Russell on taking photos at the concerts:"re photographs: our request is no flash photography. it is a simple request based on respecting other people, audience and band alike. venues have their own policies and it is the venue that decides how they go about applying those policies. the reason it is different from venue to venue is because of that - the same with security measures, it is the decision of the venue. as some people have seen, if I feel flash photographers are impacting the enjoyment of others by ruining the intimacy of a show, I will  announce a photo opportunity. this is done in jest, and it usually satisfies most, but you'll always get the folk who just persist, luckily that doesn't happen often." [ed note: I will no longer post any performance pictures of Russell and the band - The gig reports, however, are still welcome]

The Herald Sun: "THEY'RE two of the elite of Australian acting, but until last week's Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles, they had never met. However, the long-delayed bonding of "Aussiewood" stars Eric Bana and Russell Crowe was nipped in the bud before it could even begin. "I met Russell for the first time, believe it or not. We've never even met," Bana, who was a presenter at the Globes, said yesterday. "But we got cut off. I said hello and literally as we were shaking hands someone grabbed me and said `Your turn, you gotta go'. "So we didn't even get a chance to talk. But I'm a big fan. Russell's done a bunch of really great work. He's been consistently great." - Thanks, Steph

The Australian on Aboriginal artist Richard Whalley: Man for all seasons -- "...So why the beef about lack of profile for Aboriginal artists? Says Walley, "You take a Russell Crowe or Geoffrey Rush or Johnny Farnham and they are accepted not just in the music or film world, but in the wider community." Yet even respected Aboriginal actors such as Deborah Mailman and David Gulpilil, or the late Bob Maza, do not have high profiles, he argues. "It's holding lots of people back and they are not being fully recognised for their contribution. I don't like saying we need our black Russell Crowes or our black Kylie Minogues or Nicole Kidmans. They are fantastic people but I'm saying we need the names of our people up there, like Denzel Washington and Oprah Winfrey in the US: rather than being marginalised [as black performers], they are accepted in the mainstream."

From Rita -- Australia Day (the 26th) in Malta: "Celebrating Australia Day -- When Captain Arthur Philip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales, becoming its first governor on January 26, 1788, little did he know that that date would become Australia Day, the most celebrated holiday for Australians worldwide. And as so many Maltese having Australian connections the day won't be ignored here (Malta) either. The Australian High Commission, the Malta - Australian Chamber of Commerce and St. James Cavalier www.sjcav.org in Valletta have joined forces for the fourth Maltese Australian Cultural week  One of the activities will be twice twice-daily screenings of Australian films. The films are:- Crackerjack, Lantana, Two Hands, Getting Square, Children of the Revolution and The Sum of Us...."

From Darrin: "Two more of Erica's songs (she uses Crowe film charactors) have been posted at the RCAV site!  JohnB featured in "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper and JohnN featured in "I Am A Rock" by Simon and Garfunkel!  Enjoy!"

TSN Safe Shopper has some new Oz press offerings

ninemsn: Tamworth concert story. Quote is from Felicity Urquhart. -- "She said Crowe was "really vibed" about his visit to Tamworth, and would "fit right in". "He's a top fella and I know he'll just love it out here ... you put him in his relaxed country gear and you won't even recognise him," she said. "He's just like one of us - he's one of the boys." - Thanks, Chats

January 22

On the same page with the "stay away from my wife" article in the Sun Herald, 1/22:

Book review - the NY Times via the Sun Sentinel: Gladiators, History's Most Dangerous Sport -- Last paragraph mentions Russell: "A few things we do know. Kirk Douglas should not have faced off against a gladiator with trident and net in Spartacus, since that form of combat would not appear for another 60 years. Russell Crowe, in Roman times, would not have fought a gladiator and a tiger simultaneously as he does in Gladiator. Even in Rome at its most barbaric, there was a right way and a wrong way to throw a man to the beasts." - Thanks, Ann from CA

The AAP: Aussie Oscar hopes rest with filmmakers - "Bookmakers had Ledger, for his performance in Brokeback Mountain, as the 3/1 second favourite before the Globes, but he has drifted to 6/1. Russell Crowe, for Cinderella Man, has plunged from 15/1 to 25/1."

The Northern Star au: (Byron Bay concert) As a pub rocker, Crowe makes a good actor (not too flattering)

di-ve.com: Malta's welcome return - "...the fledgling governing body for Maltese Rugby League will return to the Coramba Sportsground for the 2006 Orara Valley Sevens tournament with only one main concern.

More on the Baz film from The Sun-Herald - "Crowe said the film would be made in the second half of 2006, although Kidman may return to Australia earlier so the two Oscar winners can workshop their scenes." -- Information on the Kimberly region is linked in the article - ("In addition to Route 1 (a sealed road), which runs along the southern part of the area, the unsealed Gibb River Road runs through the heart of the region from Derby to the highway near Kununurra. Access to much of the region is by dirt road (often impassable in the wet season), air (a helicopter is necessary for many parts) or sea.) - Thanks Ivani and an Oz fan -- Here is the on line link for the article. (Thanks, Cindy) It looks like the band and Russell will tour the US this spring! - "In the meantime, Crowe will continue touring with his band - including planned performances in the US and New Zealand - and prepare for the arrival of his second child with his wife, Danielle Spencer."

From Darrin: "I've got all the vids done from the entertainment programs before and after the GG's up on the site!  They're all on the MOV page, first seven squares"

Sabry's images of the area - Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Bryon Bay and her Byron Bay report

From Nita: "I stumbled on this photo of Russell with Miss America Deidre Downs on this link (Scroll)"

From TSN Safe Shopper: "Aussie magazine "Inside Sport", February 2006: RUSSELL CROWE in 2 page "Heading South - if Peter Holmes A Court and Russell Crowe manage to turn around the Rabbitoh's fortunes they will surely become Cinderella Men" story with 5 photos, 3 of the photos feature Russell."

January 21

More on the paparazzi from the Sun-Herald via the SMH: Crowe warns snappers -- "...The actor said he was more than happy to do his job on red carpets and be photographed at official events with his wife. But he is becoming increasingly concerned about the intrusion by paparazzi in his everyday life and the lives of other celebrities. "I think it's time for the police to have a chat to these guys," he said. "Our privacy laws are non-existent. The one sentence that's in [the legislation] is 'what a reasonable society expects'. And a reasonable society could not possibly expect you to doorstop someone seven days a week, 24 hours a day, sit outside their house, follow them wherever they go . . . that's stalking." Thanks, Rita

There is a contest at MCN for best director. Nice prizes... Best actor will be coming on January 27.

The Age au: Keep away from my wife, warns Crowe - Russell Crowe has warned the paparazzi to stay away from his wife, who is three-and-a-half months pregnant with their second child. - Thanks, Chats

Chats tells us that the pictures of Charlie I posted from New Idea are - from an issue dated 12-25-04

January 20

The Canberra Times: Canberra, get ready to rock Some big names line up for a week of celebrations (January 25)- " For rising star Jade MacRae, sharing the bill with Russell Crowe and his band, The Ordinary Fear of God, will be a little bit of deja vu as the 25-year-old singer has met the Hollywood A-lister before. "I was lucky enough to meet Russell late last year," she said from Melbourne, where she was booked to perform at a club last night. "He's a great guy, quite funny."

EW online: Oscar long shots - Ron Howard - Thanks, Allison

ABC News: Odds-On Oscar Favorites Emerge as Noms Near -- "...Maher, on the other hand, is putting his money on dark horse Paul Giamatti, who was snubbed at last year's Oscars, despite his success in "Sideways." Giamatti didn't even earn a nomination, to the shock of many. This year he's back as Russell Crowe's fight trainer in "Cinderella Man." While the movie earned good reviews, it tanked at the box office. Still, Maher thinks Giamatti will earn "Cinderella Man's" only Oscar nod — and win." - Thanks, Allison

USA Today: Keep these fine performances in mind (Russell is on the list of likely honorees) - Thanks, Kris C

Several fans have reported that the pictures of Charlie in New Idea are old ones. I will check on the issue date.

Mirella has an article published in Milan Italy on the band (Translation) - Zona Nove

The Hollywood Reporter: First Look Studios at 25 -- "Theatrical distribution and home video arms followed, and during the early 1990s, the company began making such films as "(1994's) 'Blue Tiger,' with Virginia Madsen, and (1996's) 'No Way Back,' with Russell Crowe," says William Lischak, who joined Overseas as its chief financial officer and is now First Look's president. "Our strength was genre-oriented, video-friendly product." - Thanks, Allison

Related (Robert Pugh, Bryan Dick M&C, and perhaps more...): Recommended - Bleak House on PBS - The NY Times Review

Pictures from a January New Idea magazine of Charlie - Thanks, Liz W - (Looks like he has had a haircut, yet at the Cricket match later in the month his hair is still long. This is the mag that said the Crowe's own a yacht - totally untrue)

Active Gourmet Holidays: "Patrick graduated from the school of Roger Vergé, and has run his restaurant for over 20 years in the town of Goult, Provence. He has even had a cameo mention in Peter Mayle's famous book "A Year in Provence" as well as a small role in an upcoming Russell Crowe movie to be released the summer of 2006." - Thanks, Rita (ed note: The release date of AGY is still not definite)

Lynda on Russell and Alan at the Vanguard. - "After doing the first two songs of the encore - My Hand, My Heart and Breathless - at this most recent Vanguard show, Russell told the crowd, "And now we have a surprise for you." He looked excited himself about that upcoming surprise. When he said, "Paging Declan Patrick MacManus," I understood why he had that excited look. I now had the same look. For someone who has loved the songwriting and performances of Declan Patrick MacManus (also know here and there as Elvis Costello), seeing him walk out on that Vanguard stage, accept the offer of Alan' Fender and posiition himself between Russell and Alan has to be one of the single most delightful moments at any show I've ever been to. It would only get better: First, Elvis joined them on Folsom, and then on both Easy and Free and Molly Malone. And then it was time for Elvis to lead the rest of them in, of all songs, Wild Thing. It is going to be a very long time before any show gets better for me than it was tonight in the Vanguard."

The UK Daily Mail 1/20 06 - Baz Bamigboye - scan thanks to Toramaru - Here is the article on line

Favorite 90s Movie Quote - Thanks, Kris C

January 19

Sabry's report from the Claredon concert

Economist.com: ..."As advertising struggles, PR steps into the breach - Many of the big PR firms have been consolidated into the giant groups that now dominate the advertising industry. Two of these are American: Interpublic owns GolinHarris and Weber Shandwick, and Omnicom owns Fleishman-Hillard and Ketchum. Britain's WPP owns Hill & Knowlton and Burson-Marsteller. The groups also own a range of specialised agencies. For instance, WPP's Finsbury concentrates on corporate and financial PR—and has just gained publicity by announcing that it is taking on Tony Blair's son, Euan, as an intern. Omnicom's Clark & Weinstock does reputation and crisis management, and Interpublic's PMK/HBH looks after the entertainment business, with celebrity clients such as Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe and Jennifer Aniston." - Thanks, Allison

From Donna: "In honor of Australia Week, Tourism Australia and Qantas are sponsoring the Great Aussie Auction, featuring items including trip packages, winery tours, movie memorabilia, and meet-and-greets with celebrities. I just saw that two new items have been added today - a CINDERELLA MAN DVD and a CINDERELLA MAN poster, autographed by Russell!  The proceeds from the auction will go to Australians in Film, an organization promoting Australian film and a support system for ex-pat Australians working in the US."

Thanks to Zell - Interview in the Newcastle Herald with Russell

Thanks to lyden at The CC Board: Philly.com: Crowe's baby offered honorary citizenship-- "Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe and his wife are reportedly expecting their second child and the little one already has a standing offer to honorary citizenship in a small French town. The mayor of Bonnieux, a hilltop village in southern France where the actor shot parts of "A Good Year" this fall, was delighted to hear reports that the baby was conceived in France." (ed note: I knew Bonnieux was beautiful, and ever so charming. Now it is even more so!) - and thanks, Carolyn

The Ohio Beacon Journal: George Thomas Movie Spotlight blog (Paul Giamatti: The Campaign Begins Here) - Thanks, Rita

Northern Daily Leader: The Tamworth Country Music Festival - "THE 2006 Tamworth Telstra Country Music Festival kicks off today with perhaps its most diverse range of entertainers to date." Thanks, Rita

The Daily Telegraph 1/20/06: Rusty's on a long musical journey - Thanks, Chats

CM receives a BAFTA nomination for best original screenplay - Thanks, Anne S, Ivani

Sabry has a few pictures (Elvis C and Russell) and a link to her reports (The 18th and the 19th)

Yorkshire Today: It was almost 10 years ago that the HFPA and the Oscars, which round off the awards calendar, exposed their tendency for superficiality when they both named Titanic best film. - Thanks, Allison

Russell gets his space in another woman's blog - Thanks, MaggieMac

The NY Post - Liz Smith: "OTHER SIGHTS: Russell Crowe had an assistant provide him with a plastic container filled with french fries, which he barely had time to whiff before he had to straighten up as his category was called. The happily married Russell is all mellow now, smiling, waving, avoiding flirty ladies. He was introduced to one stunner, "Pride & Prejudice" beauty Keira Knightley. But this was through the auspices of producer Brian Grazer, who would like to put Russell and Knightly together on-screen . ." - Thanks, Kris C, Steph

Gossip -- E! on line - Ted at the Awful Truth - Scroll - Thanks, Kris C

Related: From Sue - The incredibly versatile David Threlfall (Killick in M&C) has a nomination in this year's Olivier Awards (Stage). The production, "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me," also has a Theatregoer's Choice nomination for the ensemble cast.

January 18

From Defamer (With grainy picture): "Tucked inside a bumper you probably fast-forwarded through between Walk the Line’s win for best musical or comedy picture and Lost’s dramatic TV series triumph was this blink-and-you-missed it shot of Russell Crowe chowing on a burger (shades of Hilary Swank’s iconic, celebratory post-Oscar Astroburger immediately came to mind—is there no “I’m just a regular person” awards show moment not tied to Ms. Swank?), a snack apparently delivered to Crowe’s table in a telltale, off-the-menu Styrofoam container. We’re relieved to see the legendarily roughneck actor enjoying a man-of-the-people nosh; after all—and we’re sure Crowe would be the first one to tell you this—the official Globes second course of Chilean sea bass is for the pussies sitting in the TV section." - Thanks, MaggieMac, Steph

From the "Brain Bubbles" blog: "I was just watching the 'live from the red carpet' segment on E! where all the stars are arriving at the Golden Globes. I gotta tell ya, I saw Russell Crowe arrive and there is just a leettle (HUGE) somethin' somethin' about that man that stops my heart in it's tracks and then makes it pound furiously.... Read more" - Thanks, MaggieMac

From Darrin: Thanks to my Good Mate, I have the NineMSN vids on the site on the WAV page, first three pink squares. I'll be working on footage from the Red Carpet and show during the week.

January 17

The Crowe/Clooney conversation is at USA Today on line. Scroll to bottom of page: "10:35. Overheard in the lobby: Russell Crowe congratulating Clooney. And apologizing to boot. “Listen, mate, I did not mean to offend you,” Crowe says about their tiff over product endorsements. “Don't worry about it, we're good,” replies Clooney, who had knocked Crowe's musical pursuits." - Thanks, Vicki From Pamela M: "In USA Today, there is a mention on page 5D that Russell was overheard congratulating and apologizing to George Clooney who said that “We’re good.” But I cannot find an online link."

Yahoo Movies - Pics of Russell at the GG gallery - Thanks, Kris C

The NY Times Carpetbagger blog: "The Academy has its work cut out for it. Russell Crowe, the one certified mega-star who seemed like he might be in play, made polite, respectful appearances and then was gone."

From Darrin: The red carpet interview is now on the MOV page at RCAV! (Video)

News.com au: New baby plus a bit of the Baz film news (See yesterday's links) - Thanks, Vanessa

The SMH: Crowe used his red carpet walk at the Golden Globe awards in Los Angeles to confirm what's been widely reported since December - that toddler son Charles will soon have a brother or sister. "Yes, Dani is pregnant again," a beaming Crowe said of his singer and actress wife Danielle Spencer as he walked the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. "She's due in July, so it's a French conception." - Thanks, Steph

Reuters: 'Brokeback' wins top Golden Globes Russell arriving at the Globes (Thanks to wireimage)

IndieWire: Interview at Sundance with Patricia Foulkrod ("The Ground Truth: After the Killing Ends,") - " I was born in New Jersey, grew up in Montclair, moved to NYC right after college, thought I would be in publishing or teaching James Joyce or William Butler Yeats at some nice beautiful campus with Russell Crowe as my genius husband, and a few smart kids taking care of us once the senility kicked in." - Thanks, LindaK

Variety on the GG night - And the NY Times on the event

January 16 - Golden Globes

Small Picture Isifa -- VANITY FAIR Pre Golden Globes Party. Naomi Watts, Russell Crowe. VANITY FAIR Pre Golden Globes Party at Sunset Tower Hotel, West Hollywood, CA, USA -15/01/2006 - Thanks, Laurie

Lynda's report on Yamba and Coffs Harbour 1 and 2

Fox News: Kidman, Crowe to do Aussie Gone With The Wind (Lots of Globe related news) Thanks, Vera

If anyone does screen caps from tonight's show, will you send some to me? Thanks.

Carpetbagger - The NY Times: "The Bagger would like to tell you all about the fascinating conversations he had, but he attended as a guest, or at least a simulacrum of one, and the evening’s rules of engagement prevented him from menacing people with his trusty notebook. So what you get instead is a series of cheesy, thinly reported sightings and anecdotes. Yes, Harvey Weinstein had a quiet chat with Russell Crowe in the lobby and no, the Bagger did not lean in to hear. (Okay, maybe he leaned in, but he couldn’t hear anything .)" - Thanks, Cindy

Lynda has transcribed that Clarence Valley Review article. It is now on the page with a couple of Avril's scans. Thanks to you both!

Entertainment News au: Cute pic of our boy when young - Thanks, Bonnie

ET: Inside the Golden Globes -- "..Perhaps more importantly (depending on whom you speak to), we have what's on this year's menu for the gala ceremony! The first course consists of crisp green papaya and Asian pear salad with Indochina-spiced jumbo shrimp and mild chili-lime-cilantro dressing. Chefs are busy preparing the main course of sautéed fillet of Chilean sea bass with shiitake mushroom à la creme and grilled Niçoise herb-crusted beef tenderloin with green asparagus, spinach and shallots in pastry and baby carrots and garlic croquette in a light cream of red wine tarragon sauce. Of course, last but not least, there's dessert: a unique Golden Chocolate Globe filled with white chocolate macadamia nut mousse and yellow sponge cake served on a raspberry red carpet!"- Thanks, Kris C

A most interesting article in The Clarence Valley Review - Thanks, Avril

You can vote for Russell for the GG at the IMDb - Thanks, Kris C

Check out Variety's Award Central today (No subscription required)

The UK Sun: Pure gossip! - HOLLYWOOD bruiser RUSSELL CROWE doesn’t take kindly to being upstaged – es"pecially by fluffy pop stars like the SUGABABES. The Gladiator star’s notorious temper was tested when he and his new band An Ordinary Fear Of God were performing at a hotel near his gaff in Australia. The venue’s poor sound-proofing meant that the cheesy disco pumping out the Sugas’ No1 hit Push The Button in the next room was drowning out his warbling. An agitated Crowe moaned: “My story-telling is being compromised by sh*tful music.” - Thanks, Steph

January 15

The Sacramento Bee: It's a Great Big World (The GGs) - Thanks, Kris C Charlie will have a brother or sister in July! - From Kells: "Russell confirmed on Saturday night's show in Coffs Harbour that Danielle is 3 and a half month's pregnant with their second child. A playmate for Charlie. All are thrilled."

Carol's report on the Saturday concert at the Perch

January 14

The Age au: Pistol-packing paparazzi shoot themselves in the foot (Heath, but brief mention of Russell) The Insider (TV) says that Russell will be seated up front at a table next to George Clooney's at the Globes.

Carol's Coffs Harbour concert report at the Perch Reuters:

Russell Crowe and band busy on home turf -- "...Crowe, who will next be seen onscreen in the Ridley Scott-directed drama "A Good Year," says international shows with the Ordinary Fear of God are a possibility this year." - Thanks Kris C, Anne S

The Sunday Telegraph - Gossip: Russ lucks out with his music - Sarah Blake - Thanks, Maria

Esquire Magazine: What I learned: Ron Howard and Brian Grazer - Thanks, Rita, MaggieMac

The NY Times - special section on the Oscars: Stranger Than Fiction; No Stranger to Awards (ABM mentioned) -- Cruising on the Road to the Oscars. Or Missing the Exit. (CM)

January 13

The Courier Mail: From an article on Heath Ledger in the Courier Mail: Earlier this month Crowe and Ledger were at the Sydney Cricket Ground together watching Australia play South Africa in the third Test, and Ledger says: "We intend to catch up with each other (at the Globes). We'll probably have a beer, I'd say. "There's no real competition between Russell (15 years and two days older than Ledger) and myself. I just want him to keep inviting me to the cricket." - Thanks, Laurie

EW Oscar nomination predictions: "Best Actor (...) So who will snag that elusive fifth slot? Give it to the most underestimated contender of all: Russell Crowe. With one toss of a telephone, he was in danger of erasing all the positive ink he'd earned for his physically and emotionally powerful performance as boxer James J. Braddock (yet another real-life character) in Cinderella Man. As a result, he's been a ''surprise'' nominee at the Golden Globes, SAG awards, and Broadcast Critics. At this point, the only surprise will be if he doesn't land his fourth Oscar nod." - Thanks, Poly

OT - Just because he has always been a favorite of mine, and this is a good actor's quote - The UK Telegraph in an article on Peter O'Toole: "It will take more than such a setback to convince him he was wrong initially to rebuff the Academy's offer of an honorary Oscar. "You simply have to believe you have a future," he insists. "The moment actors start thinking otherwise, they're dead. We have to be optimistic. We have to believe that whatever we're doing, that we're the best actor, that audiences will come pouring in."

The Daily Telegraph: Starry ascent: Russ and Heath are on a role - Thanks, Maria

A calendar of the remaining gigs to print out

Australia Day Live: Russell Crowe and the Ordinary Fear of God

The SMH: Crowe the groomer-crooner - Thanks, Chats

EW on the Globes: Best Supporting Actor The toughest race to call. Our guess is that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association will make up for past snubs and recognize Cinderella Man's Paul Giamatti. - Thanks, Rita

The AFP: Related - (Russell's next film in the area) - "...It's tipped for Oscar honours and stars one of the country's biggest screen hunks -- but gay western romance "Brokeback Mountain" is unlikely to be seen by those in Australia's own 'cowboy country'."

January 12

The Northern Star au: Foreign fans flock to Crowe’s show -- " FANS with no fear of spending thousands of dollars to see their God are grabbing phones across the globe and booking tickets to Byron Bay. Movie star Russell Crowe and his band, The Ordinary Fear of God, are set to play at The Great Northern Hotel next Saturday for a little more than the price of a cinema ticket." - Thanks, Allison, Melody

Two reports of the Yamba concert - Budsbabe and CGee

The Coffs Coast Advocate: Russell in Coffs Harbour - Thanks, Laurie

Yahoo News: The Golden Globes - "...The Globes are known as a loose, relaxed awards show compared to the staid Oscars, a place where stars can cut loose a bit, have fun and realize that win or lose, life goes on. "The truth is, I'm pretty levelheaded about stuff," Clooney said. "I won a Golden Globe once. It's an amazingly fun night, you get drunk, everybody calls you, you get flowers. A couple of days later, it sits on a shelf and you go back to work." - Thanks, Kris C

The Hollywood Reporter -- (One woman's view) - Ann Thompson's blog - Leaders of '05 marched through a tough year: "...Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe: In the summer, both talented stars got caught in the cross hairs of today's celebrity-obsessed media culture. It was sad to witness because each man's carefully constructed star persona was demolished by one reckless act. Cruise jumped on Oprah's sofa, to demonstrate to one and all that he was a heterosexual in love. And Crowe, bewitched by late-night demons in his New York hotel as his summer movie "Cinderella Man" failed to open, assaulted a hapless hotel employee with a telephone. Neither man will easily recover from the endless repetition of their misdeeds on television, in print and, most ceaselessly, on the Internet. Fortunately, Cruise and Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds" survived the onslaught ($234.3 million). "Cinderella Man" and its Oscar hopes did not ($61.6 million). With "Mission: Impossible 3" coming up this summer, Cruise wisely replaced his sister with PR veteran Paul Bloch. For his part, Crowe can look forward to his second Ridley Scott movie, "A Good Year," as well as some serious PR repair."

The Baltimore Sun, in an article on Josh Lucas (ABM) - Looking beyond X's, 0's: "...Over the course of his career, the actor said he has encountered three "difficult personalties" who challenged and pushed him as an actor: Sean Penn, Russell Crowe and the late George C. Scott. "All of them have been forces in my understanding of how to do this job," he says. "They commit so totally to the character and the process." - Thanks, Steph

The SMH - Souths related -- "Flying winger Luke MacDougall will skipper a South Sydney's squad at this month's Orara Valley Axemen Sevens Tournament, a two-day event near Coffs Harbour hosted by Hollywood star Russell Crowe." - Thanks, Steph

The Capital Times WI: LAC Related -- Book notes film noir quotes -- "Pappas notes that noir movies tend to come in waves, whether it was the classic noir of the 1940s and 1950s or the spate of popular noir films like "L.A. Confidential" and "The Usual Suspects" in the late 1990s. He thinks with "Sin City," "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" and some other films coming later this year that a new wave may be coming." - Thanks, Allison

Variety: The American Cinema Editors has selected Ron Howard as the recipient of its ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award. Kudo will be presented to Howard at the 56th annual ACE Eddie Awards ceremony Feb. 19 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

January 11

From Lynda: "One thing I forgot to mention, and since this is the first time I've heard Russell say this kind of thing during a show it seems something well worth repeating: Russell recommended a movie that he called "an excellent Neil Jordan film."  The movie's title is Breakfast on Pluto.  I haven't seen it, but with that kind of expert recommendation I'm planning to as soon as I can." [ed note: Cillian Murphy stars as a transvestite. Well reviewed]

Variety: Venues on the menu (You can read the article free if you watch a brief ad) -- "...As for "Cinderella Man," New York's Madison Square Garden looks nothing like it did in the 1930s, which forced the film's production team to search for a substitute location. Luckily, they found a near-perfect double at the boxing venue in Toronto's long-closed Maple Leaf Gardens. Of all the places Jim Braddock fights in the movie, "it had the largest ring, the cleanest floor cloth, and the rope was covered in velvet for a plush look," says set decorator Gordon Sim. "In other venues, we would wrap the ropes with cotton to give them a rougher, dirtier feel." Maple Leaf also doubled for the massive 72,000-seat outdoor venue of the Madison Square Garden Bowl. Once situated at 45th Street and Northern Boulevard in Queens, the Bowl closed in the late 1930s, served as an Army Postal Concentration Center until 1962 and now hosts a series of car lots. To suggest the open-air Bowl, the crew erected girders to hang lights that reached so high that they nearly touched the Maple Leaf's ceiling." Thanks, Bea

The Age: Setting the mood for scores of films - "...Back in his studio, he plays a DVD of his advertising work, which begins with Russell Crowe and a string of actors mispronouncing his name during award ceremonies until Crowe finally gets it right. It reflects both Skubiszewski's sense of humour and accomplishment. Yet he seems curiously wary that his daughter - a budding actress - is going to keep her surname. "It's very brave, don't you think?"" - Thanks, Steph

The Daily Telegraph: "AMONG actor Russell Crowe's artistic qualities, singing is just a support act for his stellar movie career. But Australia Day crowds will see that side first hand when the Academy Award winner takes to the stage on the lawns of Parliament House as part of festivities in Canberra. Organisers from the National Capital Authority are hoping to draw a crowd of 30,000 to see Crowe and his new band The Ordinary Fear of God. "We're very excited to have secured Russell for this event because of the international level of interest he will attract," a spokeswoman said. Supporting Crowe will be dance floor rockers Rogue Traders, and quirk-rock Sydney band Thirsty Merc." - Thanks, Steph -- Also in the Herald Sun (Thanks, Rita)

Budsbabe's report on the 1/10 Vanguard concert

The NY Observer: CM is one of Andrew Sarris's runner up films he liked. And Russell gets a mention in the other "noteworthy male performances"

CM is #8 at Rotten Tomatoes on the best reviewed films of 2005 list

Oscarbeat - the LA Times: "Another Oscar shortlist was announced this morning. This time it's the seven films competing for three nominations in the makeup category, where the strange creatures of Narnia and Naboo will be going up against the Native American face-painting of "The New World," Russell Crowe's bruises from "Cinderella Man" and Ed Harris' facial disfigurement in "A History of Violence." - Thanks, Allison, Laurie, Anne S, Kris C

TV Alert: Ron H. is on Conan tonight. - Thanks, Allison

January 10

Celebrity Cafe: Paramount says it is looking to unload a library, which includes Oscar wining films like American Beauty and the Russell Crowe epic, Gladiator.

Ronald Grover in Business Week: " Not that anyone is asking, but my favorite film from last year is Cinderella Man. It's a complete film: a beautifully made period piece about a depressed nation that rallies behind a hero who restores his own career and self-image. It has great performances from just about everyone -- Russell Crowe as boxer Jim Braddock, Renee Zellweger as his wife, Mae, and Paul Giamatti as his manager, Joe Gould. Alas, Ron Howard's masterpiece was done in by Universal's decision to release it in June, where it was lost amid summer blockbusters. Although it has been hustled back into some theaters, it's considered a loser in many voters' minds with a less-than-heroic $61.6 million box office...." - Thanks, Judy, Laurie

Cinema Confidential - The Best Performances of 2005 - Thanks, Judy

Lynda's Report on the 1/10 Vanguard Concert

The BFCA Awards: Paul Giamatti, whose "Sideways" co-star Thomas Haden Church was named best supporting actor last year, took the honor this year for his role as a fight promoter in "Cinderella Man." - thanks to all (Wireimage here)

The SMH: Looks can kill Oscars - Bookmakers in Britain and Australia, where it is legal to bet on awards shows, have Seymour Hoffman the short-priced favourite with odds of about 1/2 to win the Golden Globe and Academy Award best actor prizes. Ledger is the next favourite at about 2/1. Third is David Strathairn for Good Night, And Good Luck at about 8/1, then Hustle and Flow's Terence Howard at 10/1 while Russell Crowe is the outsider for Cinderella Man with odds of 14/1. - Thanks, Allison

January 9

Video - Channel 7 news.au: South takeover talks continue (Russell and Peter) - (Scroll to January 6 videos) Thanks, Anne S

Coming Soon.net - The Oscar Warrior: "Best actor -- ...No real surprises here, as the four actors everyone expected to get SAG nominations were the four that most expect to get into the Oscars. Apparently, all is forgiven for Russell Crowe when it comes to the Screen Actors Guild, because they've also nominated him for Leading Actor over both Terrence Howard and Ralph Fiennes. The other four actors are pretty much locked in there, but I still would expect that fifth slot to go to one of the other two actors." - Thanks, Rita

Arizona Daily Star on this year's upcoming films: A Good Year (June 16) — No, this movie isn't about tires. It's a Russell Crowe movie about Englishmen and a vineyard with disputed ownership. - Thanks, Poly

Northern Daily Leader: "TAMWORTH has pulled off a Country Music Festival coup – with top Aussie actor and part-time rock musician Russell Crowe to perform with homegrown favourite Felicity Urquhart at the prestigious Golden Guitar awards. And a fledgling TV deal with the Southern Cross Ten network will mean extended coverage of the 2006 Country Music Assoication of Australia's (CMAA) Country Music Awards, and the real possibility of Tamworth being marketed across Australia throughout the 10-day Festival...." Thanks, Steph, Anne S

January 8

Yahoo UK News: Soap veteran Robert Pugh (Allen in M&C) is set to star in a new drama about Elizabeth I.

Ivani has started a Crowe blog in Portuguese

Hollywood Gold Derby - The LA Times: Dubious opinion from USA Today's Scott Bowles -- "Munich" might make it in. "It has a small, but fierce following," notes USA Today Oscar reporter Scott Bowles. "The question is: is it big enough?"... Bowles also dismisses the chances of "Syriana" and "The New World." They'll get a lot of number two and number three votes, but not the number ones they need," he adds. "And forget 'Cinderella Man.' People are actually rooting against it because they're sick of Russell Crowe." - Thanks, Mike (ed note: I don't see an e-mail for Bowles, but there is a feedback page at USA Today)

Kris Tapley's blog: "...Hm. I'm putting together my look ahead at the Oscar season of 2006, and while at first I was a bit wary of another low-key year, I seem to continuously find more and more promising projects to look forward to. Maybe there IS light on the horizon. And how hilarious would it be to have Steven Soderbergh's The Good German, Robert De Niro's The Good Shepherd and Ridley Scott's A Good Year nominated for Best Picture (all high-key projects full of potential). Maybe it will be a "good" year after all." - Thanks, Ivani

CM is on Warner Cable in NY and also on Demand TV - Thanks, Gloria

January 7

NOTE: I am beginning a contest for all fans with one of the new posters as a prize. All the rules and information are posted at the Crowe Murphsplace Forum (You must be registered there to read it and to enter)

The Sunday Mail: Unleash the Titans -- "...Searle said the club may design a jersey especially for the tournament as the Titans were unlikely to wear the new strip they will don in next year's NRL debut. The jersey is yet to be revealed and is in the last stages of development by uniform suppliers Reebok. South Sydney will also be attending the tournament with the Rabbitohs to be guests of Crowe at his nearby Nana Glen property." Thanks, Chats

Thanks to Chats, some new newstext items today

From Poly: Bravo has the Museum of Moving Image tribute to Ron Howard tonight:

Related: Sharon Waxman Article on Joaquin in the NY Times - Thanks, Anne S

From Dave Kindred in The Sporting News 12/30/2005, “Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One…”: The Longest Yard, starring goofus Adam Sandler as a quarterback, earned more than $140 million while Cinderella Man, starring Oscar winner Russell Crowe as a heavyweight boxing champion, brought in $50 million. There's a message in those numbers. The message is, we're doomed. - Thanks, Pamela

From Allison: "For those with Time Warner Cable (at least in parts of S. CA.), CM is one of the films featured in their "Movies On Demand" for January."

January 6

budsbabe's clarification on the Raewyn story in the "Spaces" report linked below: "From my gig recollection of the audience reaction to Raewyn, I think the problem (to those audience members unfamiliar with the background to Russell's songs) was the irony of the fact that a man who loved and dedicated his life to trees, eventually died by crashing into one. I think that's what folks thought was the punchline of the "joke". That was my take on it anyway, not folks being deliberately obtuse. (Although granted these guys shouldn't have pinched Russell's set-list before the gig was over - not good form.)"

Thanks to the Crowe Staff - a larger size scanned of the TOFOG poster (Excuse the bit of unevenness. I had to piece together in Photoshop)

Thanks to Amy at the Perch - "Spaces msn.com" - another report on the concert. - from an "outsider"

The final list of gig dates for January - Thanks, Melody

"The South Sydney Football Club would like to ensure its members that no decision has been made by the Board of Directors to accept the proposal from Peter Holmes a Court and Russell Crowe, as is suggested by the headline appearing in today’s Daily Telegraph." - Thanks, Kells

Missed one! -- Paul Giamatti was on Conan O' Brian last night - Thanks, Poly

The IMDb best of year poll results. - Thanks, Kris C

MSNBC: "...Another 38-year-old, Paul Giamatti, who was overlooked for his essential contributions to “Sideways” and “American Splendor,” finally seems to have a lock on a supporting nomination for his work as Russell Crowe’s devoted fight manager in “Cinderella Man.” As with Witherspoon, it’s hard to believe that Giamatti and Hoffman (indispensable in “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and “Almost Famous”) have not been nominated before." - Thanks, Allison

E! on line poll on who will win a Golden Globe. Thanks, Allison

January 5 - SAG noms today

The Sunday Times au: "HEATH Ledger and Russell Crowe should order their tuxedos for the Academy Awards, while Naomi Watts and Eric Bana will likely be watching the Oscars at home on television." - Thanks, Penny

Comedy Central: Russell's interview with Jon Stewart ("kanga-bloody-roo")- Thanks, Steph

Russell will be attending the Golden Globes.

Variety: Jon Stewart Slated to Host Academy Awards - Thanks, Bea

Variety on the SAG Awards... The 12th Annual Screen Actor Guild Awards will be announced Jan. 29. Kudofest, held at the Shrine Auditorium, will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS.

Lynda's report on the 1/03 concert - Lots of info there....

SAG Noms out! - Joining Ledger among the nominees for best movie actor were Joaquin Phoenix, playing singer Johnny Cash in romance "Walk the Line," David Strathairn as newsman Edward R. Murrow in "Good Night, and Good Luck," Philip Seymour Hoffman in the title role in "Capote" and Russell Crowe playing a boxer in "Cinderella Man." - Giamatti for best supporting

TSN Safe Shopper has many new offerings

From Russell: "so we won't be having the tour footage on the soundstage dvd.they have a deadline this month and that edit will come from literally hundreds of hours and we want it to be special, I don't want scott to rush it.the three songs from chicago are painted veil,full length of the river and be my lover. these three songs will be the only extra on the dvd."

Rope of Silicon's Awards Central: "Russell Crowe's phone-throwing incident isn't nearly as fun because.. 1.) From day one, the guy owned up to it. 2.) His amusing antics at the recent Australian Film Industry Awards, where he threatened to hit with a phone anyone who's Thank You speech went on too long (and he had a dial-up in hand, thank you very much), make it very clear that he knows he's nuts, and 3.) anyone would be insane to make Crowe an enemy by mocking him. This reminds me, I love these anonymous Academy members I see getting quoted in the paper and online mags, complaining about what a prick he is and how much they dislike them and how they aren’t going to vote for him on principle. Call Robert Novak, we need these guys outed." - Thanks, Sandra

The Hollywood Reporter: Universal suffers setbacks in a mixed year - Thanks, Kris C

Brief Crowe mention from Ted C today - Scroll - Thanks, Kris C

January 4

The Courier Mail: Aussies look to clear major pre-Oscar hurdle - Thanks, Zell

WGA Awards announced: "Virgin" was nominated for best original screenplay alongside political drama "Good Night, and Good Luck," which was written by George Clooney and Grant Heslov, and the race and class drama "Crash," written by Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco. Joining them were "Cinderella Man," by Cliff Hollingsworth and Akiva Goldsman about a Depression-era boxer's comeback in the ring, and independent film "The Squid and the Whale," from newcomer Noah Baumbach, about two boys dealing with their parents' breakup."

Related: For those who enjoy putting down those over the top, inane quotes in movie ads - Movie Bitchslaps' list of "the whores of the year" (Note the "masterpiece" list. CM features in a few of the quotes)

Dubious gossip story with some incorrect facts at the Daily Telegraph confidential - Crowe takes it off the chin - Thanks, barbiecat, susie

Images of Russell and Charlie at a 1/04/06 cricket match (new ones added)- Thanks, Penny, Steph - Article on the match at cricinfo.com - Article at the Daily Telegraph with the new picture - Thanks, Steph, susie

A small Russell feature from the Aussie Rolling Stone Yearbook 2005/2006 - Thanks, Shirl

January 3

Budsbabe's report on the 1/03 concert

The Canberra Times: Drawcard Crowe to lead concert line-up -- " Hollywood film hero and part-time rocker Russell Crowe will make a rare appearance in Canberra as one of the headline acts at the national capital's Australia Day Live '06 Concert. Fans of the brooding actor will get a prized chance to see him when he takes to the stage with his new band, The Ordinary Fear Of God." - Thanks, Carolyn

Hollywood Reporter: CM is being screened in NYC today for academy members. - Thanks, Mike

January 2

On left -- Thanks to CGee, the new TOFOG poster as displayed at a concert

CNN lists CM among its year's best - Thanks, Anne S, Kris C

If anyone attended the 1/3 concert or will be going to upcoming ones, a reminder that we would love to get reports. Thanks.

A reminder that you can still get copies of Dani's album "White Monkey" from Amazon. Lovely songwriting, lovely arrangements... Thanks, Steph

ninemsn: (Australia related) - Group hopes to create a major studio - Thanks, Steph, Ivani

At the IMDb - Pick the year's best poll - Thanks, Kris C, Ivani

January 1, 2006 - Happy New Year!