AP - As the box-office bankroll climbed for "The Dark Knight" last summer, the Hollywood consensus was that a posthumous nomination for Heath Ledger was the Batman blockbuster's best Academy Awards hope.

Reuters - Actor Michael Sheen has played former British Prime Minister Tony Blair twice -- in "The Deal" and "The Queen" -- but he described his latest film role portraying television host Sir David Frost as liberating.

AP - Darnell Martin could have made an entire movie about Muddy Waters. Or Etta James. Or Chuck Berry.

AP - "No holds barred," Richard Nixon urges to David Frost as the two prepare to sit down for a series of interviews in 1977.

AP - A publicist for Mark Ruffalo says the actor's brother is fighting for his life after being shot in Beverly Hills.

Reuters - Russell Brand might soon be caught between the moon and New York City.

AP - "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" (Children's High Level Group, $12.99, 111 pages), by J.K. Rowling: Just in time for the holidays, J.K. Rowling has given Harry Potter fans a little gift.

AP - Chinese director Chen Kaige is seeking artistic redemption with a return to Peking Opera — the subject matter that has won him the greatest international acclaim — after a poor reception to his fantasy epic three years ago.

AP - Jurors deciding the fate of Oscars awarded to silent film star Mary Pickford were treated during the trial's opening Wednesday to a taste of Hollywood, complete with props, fancy visuals and a little intrigue.

Reuters - American film producer Joel Silver, whose screen projects have included the "Die Hard," "Lethal Weapon" and "Matrix" series of films, has signed a co-production deal with Germany's Studio Babelsberg.

Reuters - The pre-Christmas parade of the theatrical blockbusters continues with the Will Smith-starring superhero drama "Hancock," which storms to the top of the home video charts during its first week in stores.

Reuters - True to form and in keeping with past recessions, Americans are flocking to the movies, the chief executive of the largest U.S. theater chain said on Wednesday.

Reuters - Kevin Spacey will host the first annual MOFILM Mobile Short Film Festival at the Mobile World Congress event of GSMA, the global trade association representing mobile phone operators, manufacturers and suppliers.

E! Online - This week, Kanye West's got more than love on the lockdown.

AP - Films featuring Chris Rock, Pierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon, Paul Giamatti and Emily Watson are among those competing for top honors at January's Sundance Film Festival.

Reuters - The Sundance Film Festival, the premiere event for U.S. independent movies, on Wednesday unveiled a wide-ranging list of more than 60 movies that will compete for awards at its 25th anniversary event in January.