Clint Eastwood

Leonardo DiCaprio is no stranger to onscreen transformation, and takes on the FBI's first director, J. Edgar Hoover, in Clint Eastwood's biopic J. Edgar. With the help of makeup, a Southern accent, and some idiosyncrasies, DiCaprio seamlessly shows us Hoover as both the hero that took criminal investigation to a new level, and the villain who resorted to questionable methods to get there. Though DiCaprio's performance is engaging, the film isn't on par with Eastwood's finest films.

The story is told in Hoover's words, as he relates his career to various young men who are helping him transcribe his life story. The juxtaposition of Hoover's life as a young man (beginning at the start of his career in 1920) and his final years echoes the film's theme of dichotomy. As the FBI's director and a public figure, Hoover is arrogant, stubborn, and adamant about what he wants. Behind closed doors, Hoover is still a scared young man who is paranoid about losing his power and struggling with his sexual identity.

To see why J. Edgar left me feeling underwhelmed, just keep reading.

Saturday night's LACMA Art + Film Gala, which was held to honour Clint Eastwood and artist John Baldessari, brought out many of Hollywood's most famous leading ladies and men. Gucci, who sponsored the bash, dressed Kate Hudson, Evan Rachel Wood, Zoe Saldana and Kate Becksinale. Reese Witherspoon did her own thing in a one-shouldered Cushnie + Ochs, and Kate Bosworth added some colour in yellow Erdem. Clint's J. Edgar stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer threw on suits to raise a toast to the legendary director. There were plenty of hot celebrity couples who stopped on the grey carpet before heading inside. Kate Hudson was on the arm of fiancé Matt Bellamy, and Kate Bosworth shared a look of love with her man Michael Polish. John Krasinski looked proud to show off his wife Emily Blunt, who nearly stole the show with her sleek hairstyle and sheer black gown.

Keep reading for more photos . . .

Leonardo DiCaprio joined forces with his J. Edgar director Clint Eastwood Friday night for the LA premiere of their movie. It was an extra-special evening, since J. Edgar opened the AFI Film Festival. Along with Leo on the red carpet were other stars of the film like Ed Westwick, Naomi Watts and Armie Hammer. Naomi wore Stella McCartney to pose for photos along with her partner Liev Scheriber, while Armie, who shares a kiss with Leo in the film, couldn't contain his real-life affection for wife Elizabeth Chambers.

Keep reading . . .

The road to the Oscars continued on Saturday night when Hollywood heavyweights came out to salute their directors at the Directors Guild of America Awards. The top prize of the night went to The King’s Speech director Tom Hooper, who said, “Thank you, DGA, this is really, truly the hugest honour of my life.” The win gives his film an even greater chance of taking home top honours at the Oscars and means Hooper will be the director to beat. Also at the event was awards season favourite Natalie Portman, who covered her bump in a long black dress and attended with her Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky. Darren gushed about his lead actress, saying, “She’ll be an amazing mum. Amazing. She’s very organised, she’s very considerate, she’ll be amazing.” Other Oscar nominees served as presenters on the night including the casts of The Social Network and The Fighter.

Keep reading . . .

Clint Eastwood is going to direct Beyoncé in A Star is Born — Deadline
So cute! Orlando Bloom takes baby Flynn for a walk — Just Jared
Did Prince William propose to Kate Middleton because of his thinning hair? — Celebitchy
Judd Apatow rips into Ricky Gervais’ Golden Globes hosting — Hollywood Reporter
While John Travolta describes the Globes as “more like a roast” — TMZ
Goldie Hawn opens up about Kate Hudson’s second pregnancy — Us Weekly
George Clooney says he won’t get married again — PopEater
Jessica Simpson seems to have a thing for her man’s backside — People

Matt Damon and Clint Eastwood teamed up for the current cover of Men's Journal. The actor and director opened up about their new film Hereafter, which they've promoted together at their NYC premiere. In addition to the movie's release, October was a major month for Matt personally—he just welcomed his baby girl Stella and turned 40 on Oct. 8. He and Clint, who is now exactly twice Matt's age, showed off their rapport in the interview as they discussed their friendship and filmmaking philosophies. They said:

• Matt on how he met Clint: “We met in a bar, a gay bar. I saw something in him through the eye slits of the Hannibal Lecter mask that he was wearing.”
• Matt on his character in The Departed: “I went up to Marty [Scorsese] and said, ‘I want to lose every fight I’m in and I don’t want my dick to work.’ Anybody I’ve met in my life who really is tough, there’s no swagger, there’s no raising your voice. You sit down and talk to a guy from the Delta Force, it’s very pleasant and calm.”
• Clint on Matt's talents: “You get a feeling about somebody that they’re the kind of person who just likes to stand and deliver. And he is. He knows—he instinctively knows [what it takes to be a good director]. When he directs he’s going to be great at it because he understands actors.”

Matt Damon was joined by his very pregnant wife, Luciana, at Hereafter's premiere at the New York Film Festival on Sunday. The actor turned 40 just a couple of days ago, and PopUS celebrated by taking a look back at pictures from his life in the public eye. Matt has played many well-loved characters over the years, but one role he won't be returning to is Jason Bourne, as he has reportedly turned down an offer to star in The Bourne Legacy. Bryce Dallas Howard and Clint Eastwood were also at Sunday's premiere, having taken their movie to the Toronto Film Festival a month ago. Check out the trailer after the jump!

Keep reading . . .