NFL Player Hines Ward Talks About His Scene in 'Dark Knight'

In one of the most memorable scenes for the recently released trailer for "The Dark Knight Rises," NFL player Hines Ward can be seen running for a touchdown as the football field collapses behind him.This is not the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver's first time in front of the cameras in a non-football game role - he is a former "Dancing with the Stars" champion.Ward spoke to the media after the trailer was release to talk a little about his role in the film. Although since he's been sworn to secrecy about most of the film, he was limited in what he could say. Ward was invited by the producers to be a part of the film, along with several other pro football players."It blew me away. I mean to be a part of something that will last forever was amazing. I was truly blessed to be a part of it all," Ward told the "Los Angeles Times" about his reaction to seeing himself in the trailer.Ward, who said he's always been a Batman fan, told "USA Today" that he doesn't usually take kickoff returns, which is what he's pictured doing in the trailer. The scene was filmed at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh."I hadn't run back a kickoff in forever," said Ward. "It was a little bizarre. But I scored on the return and any time I score it's a lot of fun.""The Dark Knight Rises," the upcoming final installment Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, stars Christian Bale and Tom Hardy and is set for a July 2012 release. The Hollywood Reporter

Pour a Proper Cup of Tea Today for Christopher Hitchens

He had divisive opinions and a rare mind, but the late, great Christopher Hitchens also, from time to time, deviated from politics, culture, and history to examine other important issues including film, filmmakers, and — importantly! — how to make tea. Pour one out for Hitch today — the proper way, no dunking — with his wise words from last year. “If you use a pot at all, make sure it is pre-warmed. (I would add that you should do the same thing even if you are only using a cup or a mug.) Stir the tea before letting it steep. But this above all: “[O]ne should take the teapot to the kettle, and not the other way about. The water should be actually boiling at the moment of impact, which means that one should keep it on the flame while one pours.” This isn’t hard to do, even if you are using electricity rather than gas, once you have brought all the makings to the same scene of operations right next to the kettle.It’s not quite over yet. If you use milk, use the least creamy type or the tea will acquire a sickly taste. And do not put the milk in the cup first—family feuds have lasted generations over this—because you will almost certainly put in too much. Add it later, and be very careful when you pour. Finally, a decent cylindrical mug will preserve the needful heat and flavor for longer than will a shallow and wide-mouthed—how often those attributes seem to go together—teacup. Orwell thought that sugar overwhelmed the taste, but brown sugar or honey are, I believe, permissible and sometimes necessary.Until relatively few years ago, practically anything hot and blackish or brackish could be sold in America under the name of coffee. It managed both to be extremely weak and extremely bitter, and it was frequently at boiling point, though it had no call to be. (I use the past tense, though there are many places where this is still true, and it explains why free refills can be offered without compunction.) At least in major cities, consumers now have a better idea how to stick up for themselves, often to an irksome degree, as we know from standing behind people who are too precise about their latte, or whatever it’s called.Next time you are in a Starbucks or its equivalent and want some tea, don’t be afraid to decline that hasty cup of hot water with added bag. It’s not what you asked for. Insist on seeing the tea put in first, and on making sure that the water is boiling. If there are murmurs or sighs from behind you, take the opportunity to spread the word. And try it at home, with loose tea and a strainer if you have the patience. Don’t trouble to thank me. Happy New Year.” - Excerpted from “How to Make a Decent Cup of Tea” R.I.P. Christopher Hitchens. Leave your thoughts on tea making and other Hitchens concerns below. How To Make a Decent Cup of Tea [Slate]

Nominations reaction: Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"

Jean Dujardin in 'The Artist'"I appear just like a spoiled child, however, if i had been shooting it never really joined our mind (about) the honours it might receive. We always wanted results but it is a very abstract artwork, so its a very nice surprise to find out it perfectly received."

'The Artist' Named Best Picture by Boston Film Experts

Director Steven Spielberg stood a submit Oscar champion Christian Bale's starring role in Zhang Yimou's The Flowers of War, which opened up Sunday mid-day in Beijing.our editor recommendsZhang Yimou Being Honored at Asia Off-shoreline Screen AwardsChina Chooses Zhang Yimou's Christian Bale starrer 'Flowers of War' for Oscar Language Submission TheHollywood Reporter formerly reported Spielberg's role in acover story with Bale and Zhang, However, Spielberg's director friend joined more detail the way the recommendations came to exist. "I asked for Steven Spielberg, who's a pal, to determine the British script and recommend stars," Zhang mentioned inside a press conference carrying out a premiere. Among people suggestions was Bale, who had starred becoming an adult actor in Spielberg's own turn pointing in China, 1987's Empire in the Sun,also with various novel set throughout Japan's World War Ii occupation of eastern China. STORY: The Flowers of War: Film Review Spielberg then advised Bale to make use of Zhang. "He passed [Zhang] Yimou instructions to provide in my experience, plus it mentioned, 'do it.'" Getting a financial budget of $100 million, the film is regarded as the pricey obtainable in China, around a year ago's top domestic box office artist, Feng Xiaogang's Aftershock, made. Even though, Zhang blown off any suggestion it put greater commercial pressure on him for your film to complete. "Company company directors shouldn't think about this stuff. It prevents you from developing a good movie," Zhang mentioned. STORY: An Auteur + This Actor = Game Changer The Two-time Oscar-nominated director similarly dodged an problem about whether Flowers was an attempt to finally win that trophy. "Winning an Oscar wasn't the goal. We just preferred to produce good art creating a good film," he mentioned. "I don't really know the Oscar process much, so that it's around luck." Zhang, who also directed the opening occasions in the 2008 Olympic games, is representing China again with Flowers since the country's official entry to find the best Language Film award. Bale plays John Burns, a u . s . states drifter who finds themselves inside the then-Chinese capital in 1937, similar to the Nanjing Massacre -- which saw entering Japanese troops rape and murder thousands of Chinese regular people -- will get on-going. Several youthful hookers take refuge in the chapel near to the brothel where they work, and Burns, wearing clerical robes, offers them defense from the burglars. Flowers' female lead, newcomer Ni Ni, put herself on the limb when asked for if she felt a steamy scene between her character and Bale's was necessary, just like Ang Lee's Lust, Caution -- that have its sex moments removed and acquired a couple-year industry stop for actress Tang Wei. "I love Tang Wei but she's a great actress, very beautiful, which i've many userful stuff here from her," Ni mentioned. The film is positioned to start wide in China on 12 ,. 16, a restricted U.S. release on 12 ,. 23. Related Subjects Worldwide Asia Christian Bale Zhang Yimou