Movies

Eddie Redmayne "learnt a lot" from watching the Australian soap opera 'Neighbours'.
The 33-year-old star - who won the Best Actor prize at last night's (22.02.15) Academy Awards in Los Angeles for his portrayal of Professor Stephen Hawking in 'The Theory of Everything' - has revealed 'Neighbours' stars Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne - who played Karl and Susan Kennedy on the popular show - were major influences on his acting career.
Speaking about the duo to News.com.au, Redmayne said: "I think they're amazing. I'm a huge fan of them from old. I've learnt a lot from them from watching them daily."
Redmayne has spoken of his admiration of the duo before, saying he'd be overcome with nerves if he ever had to talk to them face to face.
He told Elle magazine: "They are the greatest unsung acting duo in history. Watch, and you'll find that everything they do is on another level of genius. I really do think so.
"[If I met them] that would be complete stage fright. I've met quite a few extraordinary actors, but either Susan or Karl? Well, I don't think I'd be able to talk."

Dakota Johnson bickered with her mother over whether she should watch her in 'Fifty Shades of Grey'.
The 25-year-old actress, who appeared alongside Jamie Dornan in the erotic film based on the novel by author E.L. James, took her movie star mother Melanie Griffith to the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles last night (22.02.15), where they disagreed over whether the 57-year-old actress should see the much-discussed film.
Asked whether she will watch the raunchy movie, Melanie said: "I don't think so - I think it would be strange. She's a really good actress. I don't need to see that to know how good she is."
Dakota - who plays Anastasia Steele in the S&M-themed film - responded: "I think it's fine. I think you can see it one day."
During the exchange, which occurred on the red carpet and was broadcast around the world, Melanie then replied: "If she tells me to see it, I'll see it."
However, Dakota seemed unimpressed by her acceptance, saying: "Alright, you don't have to see it."
Dakota took her mother to the glitzy event after she was reported to have split from her boyfriend Matthew Hitt.
Speaking to E! host Ryan Seacrest before the ceremony, she explained: "My mom is here with me as my date."

Eddie Redmayne was gutted Stephen Hawking was not considered well enough to attend the Academy Awards.
The 33-year-old actor, who starred as the theoretical physicist in 'The Theory of Everything', collected the Best Actor gong at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles last night (22.02.15), but was disappointed he wasn't able to share his success with Hawking, who was banned from travelling to the event by medics.
Redmayne, who's developed a friendship with Hawking and his family, confessed: "He'll be missed."
Anthony McCarten - the film's scriptwriter - explained that Hawking, who suffers from motor neurone disease, was not considered fit to fly to the ceremony, saying: "Stephen has been told by doctors he is not well enough to fly here."
Earlier this month, Hawking attended the British Academy Film Awards in London, where he witnessed Redmayne collect the award for Best Actor.
After the event in the British capital, Redmayne, Hawking and other members of the Professor's family spent time together, enjoying the success of the James Marsh-directed film.
Meanwhile, speaking in Los Angeles, Redmayne said Hawking would be "honoured" by the film's Oscars success.
Redmayne overcame competition from Michael Keaton, Bradley Cooper, Steve Carell and Benedict Cumberbatch to win the prestigious Best Actor prize.

Julianne Moore's career feels out of her control.
The 54-year-old star - who won the Best Actress prize for her role in 'Still Alice' at this year's Academy Awards - has confessed she finds the movie industry completely unpredictable and insists the only power she holds over her career is whether to say "yes or no" to a role.
She told The Sunday Times newspaper's Culture magazine: "We have less control over our careers than people think. The only control any actor has is whether to say yes or no. There are times when lots of scripts might come your way, and times when not so many come your way."
However, the flame-haired beauty noted her fellow Best Actress nominee Reese Witherspoon as an exception to the rule, and admires the star - who is up for the prestigious accolade for her role in 'Wild' - for actively creating and producing films with strong female leads.
Julianne said of the actress, who set up her own production company, Pacific Standard, in 2012: "We don't have that control unless we do something extraordinary. Which is what Reese Witherspoon did this year. She produced two really great films [Gone Girl and Wild] with really great women's parts."

Julianne Moore is "so happy" she was crowned best actress at the Oscar Awards last night (22.02.15).
The 54-year-old star was over the moon when she picked up the big win of the night for her portrayal of Dr. Alice Howland, who suffers from the early-onset Alzheimer's Disease, in her movie 'Still Alice' at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Speaking to the audience, she said: "I'm so happy, I'm thrilled that we were able to shine a light on Alzheimer's disease. So many people who have this disease feel marginalized. People who have Alzheimer's disease deserve to be seen so we can find a cure."
The strawberry blonde beauty looked stunning in a white floor-length strapless grown, which was embellished in crystals and subtle black detailing around the bust, hips and ankles.
She teamed the dress with simple sparkly earrings and kept her make-up minimal, but added a pop of colour with a dark lip.
The stunning star pushed her luscious locks off her face with the use of a low side bun to expose her defined jawline.
Meanwhile, Julianne admitted she spent four months speaking to women and doctors to prepare her for the role of Howland.
She explained: "I like stories about real people and real relationships and real families.
"This movie had all of those things in it. It's about a real issue and relationships and who we love and what we value."

'Birdman' won Best Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards 2015.
The Michael Keaton-fronted drama beat off competition from Richard Linklater's acclaimed 'Boyhood' to win the top prize at the ceremony which was held in Santa Monica, California, yesterday (21.02.15).
Keaton, 63, also took home the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of washed-up actor, Riggan, in the film, while Emmanuel Lubezki was honoured for his cinematography on the Oscar-nominated picture.
However, Linklater wasn't left disappointed after beating 'Birdman' director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu in the Best Director category.
Oscar-nominated Julianne Moore took home Best Actress for her role as Alzheimer's sufferer Dr Alice Howland in 'Still Alice', while Best Supporting Female went to Patricia Arquette for 'Boyhood', who has already picked up the Best Actress Golden Globe, BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance.
Best Supporting Male went to J.K. Simmons for his role as music teacher, Fletcher, in the drama 'Whiplash'.

The Independent Spirit Awards 2015 winners list:

Best Feature:
Birdman

Best Director:
Richard Linklater - Boyhood

Best Female Lead:
Julianne Moore - Still Alice

Best Male Lead:
Michael Keaton - Birdman

Best Supporting Female:
Patricia Arquette - Boyhood

Best Supporting Male:
J.K. Simmons - Whiplash

Best Screenplay:
Dan Gilroy - Nightcrawler

Best First Feature:
Nightcrawler

Best First Screenplay:
Justin Simien - Dear White People

John Cassavetes Award:
Land Ho!

Best Cinematography:
Emmanuel Lubezki - Birdman

Best Editing:
Tom Cross - Whiplash

Best Documentary:
Citizenfour

Best International Film:
Ida (Poland)

Robert Altman Award:
Inherent Vice

Special Distinction Award:
Foxcatcher

Riley Keough had one of the "coolest experiences" on the film set where she met her future husband.
The 25-year-old actress recently married stuntman Ben Smith-Peterson after meeting him whilst they worked on 'Mad Max: Fury Road' and will always treasure her stint making the film.
She said: "It was truly one of the coolest experiences. It was a different experience to most films - we were all together day and night, we all lived next door to each other, we'd work together all day then come home and eat dinner and watch movies together.
"I made a lot of friends and it was really hard work, mentally and physically - there was a lot of alcohol and tears.
"We also had the best time with each other. You really get to know someone you're stuck with for six months.
"I think we all learned a lot and are very proud. It was extremely special."
However, Riley insists she and Ben didn't get together during the main shoot, but when they returned to re-record some scenes.
She told HELLO! magazine: "We didn't really know each other when we were shooting in Africa.
"We had spoken a few times but it wasn't until we did reshoots that we started becoming friends - and then the love part."

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson will play Black Adam opposite "Superman or Batman".
The 42-year-old actor recently announced he will play the anti-hero in 'Shazam' and has suggested there are more outings in the pipeline for the character, an archaeologist who is transformed into a powerful ancient Egyptian.
He said: "Black Adam was in the world of DC and it was agreed that all the worlds are interconnected.
"One day, you will see Black Adam go at it with Superman or Batman or any of the DC characters.
"But that said, there's a great independence to Black Adam from the DC world, allowing us to inject, not only viciousness but also winking humour.
"At the end of the day, Black Adam is still the guy who'll rip your throat out and do it with a little smile."
The character was created in 1945 and Dwayne promised the movie portrayal will give "respect" to the comic book tales.
He told Total Film magazine: "I think Black Adam is going to grow into becoming an anti-hero.
"It's all written within the spirit of respecting and paying homage to the comics.
"I have to tell you, the development of Black Adam has just been one of the best."

Anna Kendrick found it "terrifying" auditioning for 'The Last Five Years'.
The actress was required to audition twice for the film, once as an actress and once as a singer in a bid to secure the role of Cathy Hiatt - but was petrified for the latter as she had to perform in front of acclaimed Broadway songwriter, Jason Robert Brown, who penned the show .
She explained: "I figured at some point they would want to make sure that I could sing it, so I had to go to Jason's house and sing two songs for him from the show. That was a completely terrifying experience."
As well as finding the process nerve-racking due to Jason's songwriting prowess, the 29-year-old star said she was even more anxious about her audition for the film - which is a deconstruction of a relationship over five years - because she couldn't tell what he thought of her after she sang.
She added: "He is a difficult man to read. So the most enthusiastic response that I got was that 'we are in good shape.'"