Cassandra's Dream to open the Glasgow film festival

Ewan McGregor's latest film, Cassandra's Dream will be the opening film at the fourth annual Glasgow Film Festival. The festival will be held from Feb. 14 and 24, and you can visit the festival's official site to find out how to purchase tickets.

Photo from www.ew.com

Lost is back!

And not a minute too soon - who's sick of reruns and reality shows? Lost fans won't be because thankfully the show returns to ABC on Thursday night. Scottish actor Henry Ian Cusick (Lost fans know him as Desmond) returns as a series regular and you can read a recent interview with the Emmy-nominated actor here. Here's an exclusive Lost clip that briefly features Ian for those of you who can't wait until Thursday night or Sunday night if you're in the UK.

James McAvoy proves he's one of Hollywood's most promising actors

Well at least someone from saltystix.com agrees, even if the Academy acts like it doesn't. Find out where James placed on their list of the ten most promising young actors working today. Think James deserved to be higher, or dare I say, lower? What do you think?

Photo from http://news.bbc.co.uk/

Here's an extract of John Barrowman's autobiography

If you're really excited about John's autobiography, Anything Goes, here is an extract posted by The Daily Record:

"FROM the day I was born on March 11, 1967, I cried constantly, screaming in a pitch my family claims permanently damaged their ability to hear certain sounds.

My dad claims if I'd been the first one born, I'd have been the last one born.

Barrowman family lore is that I was worse than bad, and so over the years I've become okay with blaming my brother and sister for my insufferable infancy.

My brother Andrew was five when I was born and Carole, the eldest, was eight."

You can read more in an article on the Daily Record website.

Photo from www.legends-online.com

Weekly schedule for Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Mo 1/28: Denis Leary, Bonnie Somerville, Deana Carter

Tu 1/29: Raquel Welch, San Diego Charger Antonio Gates

We 1/30: Jessica Alba, Adam Arkin

Th 1/31: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lindsay Sloane, Sebastian Maniscalco

Fr 2/1: Eva Longoria Parker, Al Madrigal

Happy Birthday Alan Cumming!

In honor of Alan's 43rd birthday, here's a little news, in case you missed it. Alan will star in the play, 'The Seagull' for the Classic Stage Company in New York City. Previews for the show start on Feb 20th, and opening night is March 13th. The play will end its limited run on March 30th.

Photo from: www.theatermania.com

Brand new Nim's Island pictures!

New photos of Gerard Butler in the upcoming Nim's Island are now online, and you can go here to view all of them. Nim's Island will be released on Apr. 4, 2008.

Photo from: www.gerard-butler.net

Been gone for a while

I haven't posted in a few days, but I'm starting to feel better, so there will definitely be new stuff on Sunday and Monday. Thanks to people who are leaving all the kind comments and be sure to check back from time to time. Just a little reminder to all American fans of Torchwood - it's finally back on tonight (Jan. 26) on BBC America! Yay!

Heath Ledger Forever

You have all heard the story by now. Seen the headlines. Read the crawls. But after my initial speechless shock, and devastated screaming, and almost non stop crying I must bring myself to write these words: Heath Ledger is dead.

He was one of his generation's most gifted actors; a man who defied hype, a man who defied expectations. His performances were often moving, mesmerizing, and in films like Brokeback Mountain utterly heart wrenching. There has never been a day that has gone by since the release of that film that I do not think about it, and Heath Ledger's brilliant creation of one of cinema's most beloved and unforgettable characters: Ennis Del Mar.

And so now, Ledger will go into the great depths of consciousness with names like Dean, Harlow, Monroe, and Phoenix. A star that burned so brilliantly and brightly you turned your eyes away because you couldn't take it all in at once. May he find peace out there on some far Australian shore. Here are two poems that say what I perhaps am not eloquent enough to say; one poem sad, the other triumphant.

Funeral Blues
W.H. Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

Do Not Weep
Mary E Frye, 1932

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight.
I am in the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in everything.
Do not stand at my grave & cry,
I am not there, I did not die

Atonement goes for Oscar gold!

Atonement scored seven Oscar nominations this morning, and though Scottish actor, James McAvoy didn't get a nomination, one of his co-stars did. The film's seven nominations are for best supporting actress (Saoirse Ronan), art direction (Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer), cinematography (Seamus McGarvey), costume design (Jacqueline Durran), music (Dario Marianelli), adapted screenplay (Christopher Hampton), and best picture of the year (Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, ad Paul Webster - Focus Features).

The Kite Runner which stars Scottish actor Khalid Abdalla also scored a nomination for best music (Alberto Iglesias).

There the entire list of nominees can be found on the official Oscar website.

Photo from www.collider.com

David Tennant is the third hottest guy of 2007

Well at least according to Hello! magazine. David was beaten by Sean Bean and Hugh Laurie, while fellow Scot Gerard Butler came in fifth.

In some mostly unrelated news, the Oscar nominations are in about seven hours, so let's keep our fingers crossed for James McAvoy and the rest of the Atonement crew getting some Oscar nominations, and maybe Gerard Butler's 300 getting some nominations in the technical categories.

This week's late night schedule for Craig Ferguson

Mo 1/21:Sylvester Stallone, Steve Wiebe, Ayo
Tu 1/22: Tony Shalhoub, Becki Newton
We 1/23: Carmen Electra
Th 1/24: Ringo Starr
Fr 1/25: Mo'Nique

Sean Connery's memoirs will soon be published

According to theBookseller.com legendary Scottish actor, Sean Connery will release his autobiography this September to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Union between England and Scotland. The 100,000-word book will include hundreds of photographs, many of them previously unseen. The book will combine his life experiences and some of the history of Scotland. You can read more about the book in this artice.

Photo from www.amazon.com

Why Kevin McKidd doesn't need NBC

Journeyman may be over, but Kevin McKidd still has work. His next film, Made of Honor alongside Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan will be released May 2, 2008. The romantic comedy is about a serial dater (Dempsey) who realizes that he's in love with his best friend, Hannah (Monaghan). Ready to tell Hannah about his feelings once she returns home from a business trip in Scotland, Tom find that Hannah is engaged to a Scottish fiance named Colin McMurray. Guess who plays her hot Scottish fiance? It's no stretch for Kevin, but finally, we'll get to hear his Scottish accent for an entire film! Here's the trailer:

James McAvoy talks Oscars

Awards Daily posted a link to Newsweek's Oscar round table with Oscar hopefuls including James McAvoy, Daniel Day-Lewis, and James' Wanted co-star Angelina Jolie. You can watch all of the the round table interview here. The Oscar nominations are this Tues. on Jan. 22 so keep your fingers crossed for James and the rest of the talented people involved with Atonement.

Cassandra's Dream opens today

Cassandra's Dream starring Ewan McGregor, finally opens today in US theatres. The official trailer is posted below so enjoy!

James McAvoy gives his first US interview right after his BAFTA nomination

What a week for James McAvoy and the makers of Atonement. The film may have been shut out of the major guild nominations (I'm looking at you SAG, WGA, DGA, and PGA), but after a Golden Globe win for best dramatic picture and a whopping 14 BAFTA nominations, the film is officially back in the Oscar race, where it belongs. James McAvoy is nominated in the best actor category for his role as Robbie Turner, and you can go here for a full list of all the nominees.

Will there be stars at the BAFTAS when the winners are announced Feb. 10? Probably, according to Hollywood Today, because there's no writer's strike to affect the British award show; but with the Oscars to follow two weeks later, many actors may not want to ignore the issues behind the writer's strike in the U.S. Nevertheless US viewers can catch the show on BBC America in February.

Here's an interview James McAvoy had today on Ryan Seacrest's radio show on 102.7 KIIS-FM. In it, James talks about his BAFTA nomination, Oscar buzz, and why he totally deserves even more love and adulation from his fans. Totally.

Photo from www.ew.com

Guess where John Barrowman will be this Valentine's Day?

According to Kent News, Torchwood star John Barrowman will be signing £18.99 hardback copies of his upcoming autobiography (which he wrote with his sister Carol) Anything Goes at Waterstone’s in Bluewater in Kent on Thurs., Feb. 14, from 5.30pm. I got the other book signing dates from Totally Torchwood:

Jan 24th – 11am signing at Waterstones, Birmingham High St
Feb 11th – 1pm signing at Waterstones, 421 Oxford St, London
Feb 11th – 6.45pm event at the National Theatre, London
Feb 12th – 1pm signing at Costco, Watford
Feb 13th – 1pm signing at British Bookshops, Brighton
Feb 13th - 5.30pm Borders Brighton
Feb 14th – 5.30pm signing at Waterstones, Bluewater Kent
Feb 16th – 1pm signing at Borders Cardiff

You can read an earlier post for more information on the book and how to pre-order it.

Atonement wins!

You probably know this already, but Atonement was announced as the Golden Globe winner for best picture (drama), and for best original score at a sadly, starless Golden Globe ceremony. James McAvoy didn't win, but I'm thrilled for the filmmakers and everyone involved with the film. Hopefully the rather dull show will force people to actually start negotiating again so that films can get made, TV can get less boring, and the Oscars can actually happen.

Ewan McGregor's upcoming film to be shown at Sundance

The Sundance Film Festival officially opens on Jan. 17 2008 in Park City, Utah and Ewan McGregor's film, Incendiary will have several screenings at the festival. The official festival site posted a schedule for screenings:

Sun. January 20, 9:30pm, Eccles Theatre, Park City

Mon. January 21, 8:30am, Prospector Square Theatre, Park City

Tue. January 22, 9:00pm, Screening Room, Sundance Resort

Sat. January 26, 12:30pm, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, SLC

You can go here for some Incendiary tickets that are being auctioned off on ebay. You can also go here for some great tips on surviving the craziness of the festival.

Photo from www.darkhorizons.com

The return of Captain Jack

Whether you've been waiting for John Barrowman and the return of the Torchwood team since 2006 (UK viewers) or since around the end of Nov. 2007 (US viewers), you can rest easy because January 2008 is finally here. James Marsters guest stars in season two's first episode as an ex-love of Captain Jack's and the two captains kiss in the first few minutes of the episode - and I thought the show couldn't get any sexier. You can also expect appearance from Dr. Who's Martha Jones mid-season. There's more Torchwood info in an article from the Telegraph. Torchwood returns Wed., 16 Jan. on BBC2 at 9.00pm in the UK and on Sat., 26 at 9.00pm in the US on BBC America. You can go here for an exclusive clip from season two's first episode.

Photo from www.telegraph.co.uk

Season two of Primeval airs today

Just a reminder that you can catch Professor Nick Cutter (played by Scottish actor, Douglas Henshall) and his team when season two of Primeval airs on Sat., Jan. 12 at 7pm on ITV 1 in the UK. I wish I knew when and where this will air in the US, but when I do, I'll be sure to post it.

James and Keira grace the Oscar cover of EW

I've probably gone a little crazy with all the James McAvoy news this week, but with the Golden Globes on Sunday, and the Oscar nomination announcements in less than two weeks, it's almost impossible not to. Awards Daily posted the cover of this week's Entertainment Weekly, with James McAvoy and Keira Knightley looking very sexy. There's also a great interview with the two Atonement stars.

People's Choice Award for James McAvoy

Here's a little something from Scottish Actors affiliate James McAvoy Source:

"James was on the People's Choice Awards (I know, what?) accepting for Best Independent Film for Becoming Jane. But no worries, if you missed it, you can watch it here."

Enjoy people!

James McAvoy goes for the gold

According to TV Week, Golden Globe nominee James McAvoy will be featured in a one-on-one interview on Dateline NBC's special "Going for Gold." Matt Lauer hosts the special, which will air on Sun. Jan. 13 (7:00-9:00 p.m) directly before the Golden Globes. The actual ceremony has been changed to a news conference due to the ongoing writer's strike - it will be televised on NBC starting 9 p.m. ET Sunday.

For those of you who have not yet seen James in his award worthy role as Robbie Turner in Atonement, I highly recommend that you do. It's a powerful and haunting film and it's my favorite movie of 2007.

Photo from www.aceshowbiz.com

Free California Screening of Nim's Island

Someone (very kind, and well informed) posted some news about Nim's Island on a Gerard Butler website. If you live in the U.S. and call 866-827-8280 a recording gives instructions for people who have received a flyer; the instructions are on how to obtain a registration number to watch the film, however no one I've encountered seems to know how to get a flyer. The free screening of the upcoming Gerard Butler film will take place in La Verne, California. on Sat. Jan. 12. In addition to the flyer, audience members must attend with a child in the following age range: boys - age 7-11, girls -age 7-15. If anyone can find one of these flyers they're a miracle worker.

Photo from www.iesb.net

John Barrowman could be a dad really soon

According to Digital Spy, Torchwood star John Barrowman is planning to have a child with his longtime love and partner Scott Gill. A celebrity friend has agreed to be a potential surrogate mother for the couple, and John swears to reveal who the famous person is in his upcoming autobiography, Anything Goes. For more on the release date of the book and how to order it, you can check out a previous post.

Photo from www.johnbarrowman.com

James McAvoy's Sunday Morning interview

I completely missed the fact that Atonement star James McAvoy would appear on Sunday Morning Shootout on AMC today; I've been missing the show for the past couple of months and I guess it serves me right. Luckily, there are two clips to watch below:

Sean Biggerstaff's upcoming projects in 2008

It's 2008, and luckily for us Sean Biggerstaff will appear on the big screen as a young lawyer in Hippie Hippie Shake alongside Sienna Miller and the gorgeous Cillian Murphy. According to imdb.com the film is "An account of counterculturalist Richard Neville's misadventures in London at the end of the 1960s." The most information on the web that I've been able to find on the movie is on wikipedia so you can read more here. No word from Universal Studios on exactly when Hippie Hippie Shake will be released in 2008, but shooting did begin in Sept. 2007, and is now in post-production. You can watch a video of Sienna Miller and Cillian Murphy shooting the film on youtube; I tried to find some footage with Sean, but there's nothing, hopefully that will change in the coming months.

Photos of Sean in the movie are hard to find, so thanks goodness for www.seanbifferstaff.co.uk

A little Star Trek update to coincide with Paul McGillion's birthday

Stargate Atlantis star Paul McGillion's 39th birthday is today!

Paul will be playing an unknown role in the upcoming Star Trek movie (it's the eleventh one), and he finished shooting all of this scenes in November. The trailer for the upcoming movie will debut before screenings of Cloverfield this month; Cloverfield opens on Jan. 18 in the US.

Photo from www.trekmovie.com

David Tennant spends time with a real doctor

According to Fife Today, David Tennant recently shot a promo for the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR) in Scotland. He also spent time with a doctor who's work is being funded by the organization. The AICR is an independent charity and is funded solely by donations. If you want to know more about the charity and how to donate, you can visit the website for more details.

Photo from www.dailymail.co.uk

John Barrowman's upcoming autobiography

In honor of the new year, all this month, I'll be posting lots of info on upcoming work in 2008 you can expect from Scottish actors, so you can check back from time to time. John Barrowman's latest project, an autobiography, is set to hit bookstores in the UK on Jan. 24. Entitled Anything Goes, the book will also have a companion audiobook (voice by John Barrowman himself!) which will be in stores on Feb. 4. You can pre-order both online at www.amazon.co.uk, which is offering both at reduced prices.

German audiences won't be seeing Ewan McGregor in Cassandra's Dream

According to Variety, the upcoming movie Cassandra's Dream, starring Ewan McGregor will go straight to DVD in Germany rather than opening in theatres. It was to open in theatres this Thursday, but instead will be released on DVD this summer. To read more of the article here.

James McAvoy's latest casting rumour

According to www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk Atonement star, James McAvoy is being considered to play the part of R. Stornoway, a depressed, 30 year old alcoholic, in The Stornoway Way, based on a 2005 novel by Kevin MacNeil. The director of the upcoming film Don Coutts desperately wants James to play the lead role. I'd be excited about this news if rumours about James starring in Star Trek and the Kurt Cobain movie hadn't already been shot down, but here's hoping. Go here for the full article. Happy New Year everyone!