Earlier: Oprah's Favorite Things 2007: The Audience Freaks Out!

But Quentin Tarntino's Inglorious Bastards, which as recently as two weeks ago was to receive the last blank check in Harvey's account, is apparently also in the market for a backer. And not just a co-producer — the Weinstein s and Lawrence Bender have that part under control — but an actual studio with actual money, writes Nikki Finke:

[O]ne of the ways that The Weinstein Co attracted investors was by hyping its creative connection to the Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill 1 & 2 writer/director who has long made a lot of money for a lot of people. But now only Harv, and not his investors, could potentially profit from the connection? Unreal. ... I hear it's gone out to Universal, Warner Bros., Paramount ... and Sony.

Right. Listen, guys — "Paramount Pictures Presents a film by Quentin Tarantino" is the worst-sounding eight-word phrase to hit Hollywood since "You like me! You really, really like me!" Even if trash day is currently the most newsworthy thing happening at TWC HQ, there must be a solution out there. Can't Harvey sell off a few of his Tonys or something? Or even his Oscar; as long as he sticks to co-producing, Scott Rudin can always buy him another one down the line. Hit Craigslist or something, seriously. Think outside the box!

• Weinstein Co. does double duty [Variety]

• Quentin Tarantino Unveils Inglorious Bastards [DHD]

· Jason Reitman's next movie will be an adaptation of Walter Kirn's Up in the Air, about a frequent-flyer-mile-accrual-addicted HR worker. [Variety]
· Michael Fassbender, whom you might recall as the guy with a bunch of arrows sticking out of his kickin' abs in 300, will play the role of Heathcliff in John Maybury's Wuthering Heights adaptation. Bet you're sorry for dropping out of the project now, Natalie Portman! What's that? You're perfectly happy with your penis-nosed musician boyfriend? OK, never mind. [THR]
· In an attempt at beefing up their interactive arm, CBS paid $1.8 billion in cash for CNET Networks. Explained Les Moonves, "As we've made the case so many times before, there's no profit to be made online, so we thought we'd dump two billion cash into this doomed, money-losing venture just for shits and giggles." [Variety]

We didn’t think it was possible, but the insanely dateable John Krasinski is not looking so hot these days. Due to an upcoming role in the Sam Mendes-directed Farlanders, John is sporting a nasty beard that resembles something one of the Geico cavemen would wear. And while we’d never judge an actor for tossing out their razors for months for the sake of their craft, this terrible beard inspired us to take a look back at the most cringeworthy facial hair in cinematic history. From one actor’s frizzy salt-and-pepper rat's nest to one mustache’s journey inside another man’s taint, our top five lie after the jump:

Though most Napoleon Dynamite obsessives instinctively recall that Napoleon envied Pedro's ability to quickly grow a mustache, we were far more grossed out by Kip Dynamite's stringy gelled strip. As for Daniel Day Lewis' portrayal of Bill the Butcher in Gangs Of New York, his Dali 'stache served to heighten the character's intimidation factor. And of course, there was poor Tom Hanks, whose Castaway role forced him to grow out a tangled mess of curls covering his entire mug. Though really, we feel sorrier for wife Rita Wilson. Shudder.

Insisting for months that he would only appear as Borat in public and during interviews, jet-black puffy 'stache and all, Sacha Baron Cohen claims he "woke up one morning and was quite hung over, and I accidentally shaved my mustache off.". But topping our list of the most horrendous facial hair grown for a movie role is the most tragic tale of all. After spending months growing out a woolly, scraggly beard for a role in Darren Aronofsky's sci-fi bomb The Fountain, Brad Pitt abruptly quit the picture and started work on another bomb, Troy. Rumors that Brad just couldn't jibe with Aronofsky's script abounded, but some suspected he just couldn't stand sporting that greasy uncomfortable mop on his face for so long.

• A FEW OF THE 'OFFICE' CAST AT THE NBC UPFRONTS [ONTD]

You know we love you. We've seen everything you've done multiple times, once even all in the same day. Our hearts soared when Daniel Day-Lewis credited your "mad, beautiful head" for his Oscar triumph this year; his appreciation spoke for us as well. Sure, we have issues with Magnolia (OK, we hate it), but at least when the DVD came around we were able to make a little more sense of your passion and indulgence. That behind-the-scenes doc by Mark Rance? Fantastic. We'd have preferred the commentaries like those in Boogie Nights and Sydney (a/k/a Hard Eight), but hey. If you're going to charge us for two discs, you'd better make the second one worth our dime.

Which gets us to this new two-disc "collector's edition" of There Will Be Blood, which Paramount Vantage released April 8. Pardon us, but what the fuck is this?

We're sitting here with our favorite film of 2007, looking for your commentary. Nothing. We bust out the second disc. Photo clippings from your research? Three deleted scenes — only one of which features, you know, editing? And, finally, an exhumed silent short about the history of oil drilling? Really? $30 for two discs and all we get is a public-domain two-reeler from 1923?

Look, PTA, we know it's probably not your fault. There's probably a commentary sitting on some hard drive in Vantage boss John Lesher's office waiting for the precise moment when "collectors" will be ready to part ways with another $30 to hear it. There's probably behind-the-scenes footage with Scott Rudin arriving on location in Marfa, Texas, overdressed and throwing a BlackBerry at the assistant whose weather forecast turned out 15 degrees cooler than the actual temperature. We know there are interviews with you, Day-Lewis, Paul Dano and Ciaran Hinds floating around. We know because it's you, and we expect great things. Not... this.

So get with the fucking program already, PTA, and stop jerking us around with the most stingy, shabby, half-assed miscarriage of DVD justice since Mulholland Drive. You're not that pirate George Lucas, and we're not "collectors"; we're fans — true believers and dedicated followers who deserve better. And you're a candid visionary, so tell Paramount to fuck off and send us the real DVD already, for Christ's sake.

— Love, Defamer

Johnny Depp: Putting aside the joy he takes in dressing like a homeless Keith Richards impersonator during Pirates press blitzes, Depp has gone through a few style revolutions since the early 90s. But our least favorite was his 50s mobster look, complete with greasy mustache and oversized pinstripe suits. Depp looks best when he puts his own bad boy spin on a standard black suit by, say, popping the collar or skipping the tie.

George Clooney: It's hard to imagine George looking anything but dapper (annoying!), but when he starts messing around with those lapel colors, that tan looks like it came from a spray machine, not the Italian sun we know he loves. If George needs a dose of deep color, he should keep it on his tie.

Daniel Day-Lewis: DDL, like Johnny, likes flair when it comes to dressing up. But that flair should never, ever come in the form of too-tight velvet suits again. Since the plain black tux would look boring on such an exciting actor, DDL looks properly moody in charcoal grey.

Viggo Mortensen: Oh dear. That red shiny suit he wore on Letterman last year nearly broke our TV sets. See how simple it is to keep the same cut on the suit, and just add a dose of color using the shirt and tie? C'mon Viggo!

Tommy Lee Jones: We wouldn't dare advise Mr. Jones how to dress, but instead we'll let this side-by-side do the talking for us.

• OSCARS 08 [Official Site]

The news gets worse. According to BAFTA's site, this year's ceremony was officially renamed the Orange British Academy Film Awards. So not only did the BAFTAs allow their integrity to be compromised by allowing a cellphone carrier to sponsor a single award, they caved and let the sponsor brand the entire ceremony! It's important to note that the academy let their evening be called the "Orange British Academy Film Awards," as opposed to going with something a smidge classier like "Orange presents the British Academy Film Awards." We wait for baited breath for next year's award season, where we just might get a chance to see The Old Navy Golden Globes present Shia LaBeouf with a special Old Navy Best-Fitting Jeans On Screen award!

• 'ATONEMENT' TOPS BAFTA AWARDS [Variety]
• BAFTAS LAND A STARRING ROLE AS SPONSORS JOSTLE FOR POSITION [Times Online]

The other faction didn't see the film's homoerotic undertones as quite so glaring, even after we patiently sat them down to inquire whether they found nothing the least bit fishy about an oil man who over a period of decades demonstrates virtually no interest in the opposite sex. Instead, the man chooses to spend his life surrounded by other men, with one in particular—the only thing really standing between him and a satisfying gusher—becoming the obsessive object of his domineering tendencies. Along the way, the young preacher is subjected to gleeful, orally fixated taunts about milkshake-slurping, among other verbal and physical humiliations, all of which he submits to with a surprising, almost capitulatory ease.

Then there's the matter of the photo above: Gotta keep things fresh!

We rest our case.

• paramountvantage.com/blood/

Though short on surprises—soon-to-be Oscar recipients Javier Bardem and Daniel Day-Lewis rightly had their brilliance recognized by their peers, as did anyone connected to The Sopranos—the telecast was not without highlights: a humbled Tina Fey recognized co-star and fellow SAGgie winner Alec Baldwin for elevating her "hat rack"-like presence to awards-worthy levels' No Country for Old Men's Josh Brolin hogged the spotlight by rambling for what seemed like a solid half-hour on behalf of the semi-amused castmates assembled behind him; Tom Cruise presented without a single, unnerving laugh; WGA president Patric Verrone's offered a subtle thank you to Cruise for the Guild's deal with United Artists by wearing the star's Valkyrie hairstyle. Of course, there can be no discussion of the show's most memorable moments without a nod to Day-Lewis's moving, extended tribute to recently deceased colleague Heath Ledger (video above), a stirring testimonial to the actor's talent that more than made up for the tacked-on-seeming Brokeback Mountain still at the end of the evening's In Memoriam montage.

• The 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards [TNT.tv]
• Stars Seize Their Chance to Shine at SAG Awards [NY Times]

In today's episode: Daniel Day-Lewis; Diane Keaton; Jake Gyllenhaal; Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Justin Long, Jonah Hill and Peter Billingsley; Doris Roberts; Joe Pesci; Rebecca Gayheart and Eric Dane; Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman; Adrian Grenier; Randy Jackson; Alexis Bledel; Bob Saget; Danny Masterson; James Roday; and Sean Gunn.

· At the Arclight Wednesday (01/09) - Daniel Day-Lewis at 5:35pm screening of "Sweeney Todd" checking out the competition. The concession guy was boasting about the photo that he got with him on his phone, and then my friend and I got seated next to him and his female companion who we think was Rebecca Miller's sister. Take that, concession guy! DDL seemed amused and even chuckled a few times at Helena Bonham Carter's bits. He sat forward in his seat a few times echoing his posture in "There Will Be Blood". He was dressed totally vintage in dark frayed slacks, workman boots, and a fedora-ish hat that he threw on after the lights went up. He went straight to the pisser afterwards. Just your average everyday Oscar winner.

· 1/5 - While on the ticket line at AMC Century City on Saturday afternoon, I turn to see a woman walk in wearing a hat, glasses and black coat wrapped chicly with a wide, brown leather belt. I'm thinking a) nice outfit and b) she's clearly inspired by Diane Keaton because there's no way this Diane Keaton fan is lucky enough to experience an actual Diane Keaton sighting. As she comes closer, I realize yes that's the unmistakable smile and swagger of Miss Annie Hall. Not only that, she's gracing the popcorn bags (to promote Mad Money) and I later learned that day was her birthday (she looks great for 62). Okay, I'm done obsessing now.

· Jan 4 - Last night, waiting to pick up my takeout order at the insanely crowded Gingergrass in Silver Lake, I could have sworn I saw a handomsely bearded (I mean that in the facial hair sense, not the Penelope Cruz sense, although...) Jake Gyllenhaal chowing down with a group of 3 other normal looking people. There was a girl to his left and her back was to me and I didn't have the time, the room, the lack of dignity, or the energy to do a walk-by, so I can't add a +Reese sighting.

· it's official: my former favorite vodka bar is a dingus-filled celeb hangout. saturday 1/5 at bar lubitsch: vince vaughn, jon favreau, justin long, and jonah hill all hanging out together. also with them was favreau's producer peter billingsley, better known to most of you as the "you'll shoot your eye out" kid from a christmas story. despite the justin "oh, the pastiness" long sighting, no drew barrymore to be found. ah well.

· My grandmother (sorry, Doris Roberts) enjoying a leisurely lunch with some daughter-types Wednesday (1/9) at Orso on 3rd. All done up, tasteful suit, matching purse, makeup, hair done. Adorable!

· Wednesday 1/9. After watching another Clippers loss, my new friend and I headed back to the Valley and stopped over to Jerry's in Studio City. Sitting diagonally across from us was Joe Pesci. Joe was sharing an ice cream sundae with a VERY young looking woman who I'm hoping was his daughter. Joe was naturally dressed in all black with a black leather jacket and VERY dyed black hair.

· I ran into Rebecca Gayheart and Eric Dane (again!) at the Arclight in Hollywood the day after Christmas. They were walking with a group of friends after seeing the new PT Anderson Flick "There Will Be Blood" which they were raving about. Eric's hair looked completely grey and was slicked back, and he was completely clean shaven. Rebecca looked cute and casual in jeans and a sweater with her hair up.

also saw Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman on a flight returning from Cabo San Lucas on 12/22. They were in Business class (no 1st class on those AA mexico flights) - it was a short flight with lots of delays. They kept us on the tarmac for like an hour before we left and after we landed due to busy airports. Jimmy kept busy reading the newspaper while Sarah was typing stuff on her iPhone. They had to go through customs at LAX and wait in the long annoying lines like everyone else. Sarah took funny pictures of Jimmy while they were standing in line at immigration.

· Jan 6 - Just saw Adrian Grenier braving the rains for some fine vegan cuisine at Real Food Daily on La Cienega. Very cute and friendly as he waited for his friends at the bar.

· Sheer bliss: Wednesday night on Hollywood Boulevard outside the IO West Theatre near Cahuenga, American Idol's Randy Jackson was riding around on a big matte black Segway (or whatever those standing motorized things are called) in best Gob Bluth style, with a woman hanging on behind him as his passenger. She was short enough that he loomed over her (but, no, it wasn't Paula). Everybody on the sidewalk was turning to one another and saying, "Wasn't that Randy Jackson? Damn, that WAS Randy Jackson!"

· Thursday, 1/10, 11.13 PM: Saw Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls) at the Airborne Toxic Event residency at Spaceland, bobbing to the music with her boyfriend and looking adorably clean-cut in a sea of hipsters. I didn't know celebs followed hot new indie rock bands, except for maybe Heath Ledger, who is obsessed with Alex Ebert from Ima Robot. I have a whole new appreciation for Alexis now. Lingering question: was that Scarlett Johansen I saw dancing along at ATE's show last Thursday at Spaceland, or just another really pretty blonde girl?

·Jan 11 - 12:57 p.m. Stalking Bob Saget at the Apple store in Century City bitching about his iPhone battery

· Saw Danny Masterson at Koji's Shabu Shabu in the Hollywood and Highland Complex on Sunday night 1/6/08. Sat at the bar waiting for a table with a male friend. Pretty non-descript except for the scariest moustache I have ever seen. I checked IMDB and didn't see any Sherlock Holmes or Inspector Clouseau roles for him anytime soon.

· The guy from "Psych" - James Roday, IMDb tells me - at the Arclight around 10pm on Tuesday Jan. 8, with a petite special lady friend. He was sporting a beard - strike beard or just plain old hiatus beard, I could not say.

· Tuesday (1/5) Los Feliz Gelson's. Sean Gunn (Kirk from "Gilmore Girls"), pushing a cart and looking positively terrifying with a black spikey mohawk. Not a fauxhawk — dude went all the way with it. Hopefully the cancellation of the show hasn't sent him into a Travis Bickle-esque state of mind —

Into the Wild led the pack with four nominations, but plenty of SAGgie was love was spread about, including George Clooney's cleaner-with-a-conscience Michael Clayton, and Daniel Day-Lewis's nose for There Will Be Blood. On the women's side, nods went out to Angelina Jolie for Best Accent in A Mighty Heart, and Ellen Page, for her breakout title role in zeitgeisty teen pregnancy comedy Juno. And while we have a ways to go until the 2008 World Stunt Awards (the Stunties?), at least we have the Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture category to tide us over until then, singling out the abs-ilicious Spartans of 300 for their fine spearchucking efforts. The TV side, meanwhile, had few surprises, save for a nomination for Mad Men's Jon Hamm (to add to his Golden Globe nomination), and another for the AMC drama's ensemble, for their outstanding work revisiting the politics of 1960s corporate America as they develop lung and liver cancer in real time.

A full list of nominees is here.

• 'Into the Wild' tops SAG nominations [Variety]

Meanwhile, our city's shadowy society of film-nerd freemasons, the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn., met at their pentagram-shaped conference room 12 stories beneath the Grove American Girl store, where a slaughtered goat's entrails revealed for them the following winners: Best picture, director, and lead actor honors went to Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood, Amy Ryan took supporting actress for her work in both Gone Baby Gone and Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, and best actress kudos went to Marion Cotillard for her Edith Piaftastic turn in La Vie en Rose.

UPDATE:

More returns: The New York Film Critics Online Awards 2007 has a tie for best picture: There Will Be Blood and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Day-Lewis and Bardem take top actor honors, and Julie Christie (Away From Her) and Cate Blanchett (I'm Not There) take actress honors. Boston Society of Film Critics give it to No Country, directing goes to Bell's Julian Schnabel, and in another sure sign that it is the year of the murderous psycho, Ben Foster wins best supporting actor for his roles from 3:10 To Yuma and Alpha Dog. The Washington, DC Area Film Critics Association, meanwhile, gives No Country best picture, the Coens best director, George Clooney best actor for Michael Clayton, and Julie Christie—clearly in the +60 hottie category previously occupied by Helen Mirren— best actress.

• 'No Country' tops with N.Y. critics [Variety]
• LAFCA 2007 winners list [LAT]