Critic's Notebook: Oscar Producers' Big Gambles Yield Wildly Mixed Results

Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa are ready to give you “the ride of your life.”

There has been some controversy surrounding the comments that Prince William made this week while visiting the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London.

Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most talented actors in Hollywood. The 73-year-old star has appeared in over 150 films, including the popular Star Wars franchise as Jedi Mace Windu and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nick Fury. Samuel’s fame also comes from movies like Goodfellas, The Red Violin, Jurassic Park, Django Unchained, and Pulp Fiction, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Samuel has also done voice acting in The Incredibles, Turbo, and more animated films. Talk about an impressive career!

Robin Thicke, 45, bonded with his son Julian, 11, at lunch! The father-son duo were spotted at the beachfront Nobu Malibu restaurant on Thursday, March 10 for lunch. Robin and Julian were seen heading back to the singer’s black Porsche car enjoying the ocean views (along with some delicious sushi and sashimi).

Diogo Dalot says interim manager Ralf Rangnick favours high-pressing players at Manchester United.

Barcelona rival Lionel Messi.The Croatia hero helped Real Madrid into the Champions League quarter-finals with a stunning comeback win over PSG on Wednesday - with Messi cutting a forlorn figure.Kylian Mbappe's opener on the night meant the home side would need to score twice to force extra-time - but Karim Benzema shouldered responsibility with a 17 minute hat-trick.Messi's night was summed up by the aforementioned clash with a man two years his senior in Modric, who yet again proved himself to be one of the best in Europe.Looking to break following Benzema's first goal, Messi was met side-by-side by Modric who looked to end the counter-attack before it posed real danger.Although many might've accepted a booking after seeing who it was bringing the ball upfield, the 36-year-old bided his time until there was an opportunity to pounce.The former Spurs man then expertly slid the ball into touch while sending Messi flying - with many viewers spotting the reaction of Messi.Having bounced back to his feet, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner made sure not to show any signs of stress, with commentator Glenn Hoddle branding it his best "poker face".

Hollywood couple Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson were among those to offer support for Jussie Smollett ahead of his sentencing on Thursday.  Letters from Jackson, his wife, an organizer with Black Lives Matter, and Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition were among those read Thursday in the Chicago courtroom, where Cook County Judge James Linn ultimately sentenced Smollett to 150 days in jail for lying to police in what authorities said was a staged hate crime. "It is with the respect of knowing this, that I humbly implore you to please find an alternative to incarceration for Jussie Smollett," Jackson and Richard wrote in the Feb.

Kaia Gerber put on a stylish display as she stepped out in West Hollywood with her boyfriend Austin Butler on Thursday afternoon.The model, 20, and the actor, 30, were captured strolling along the sidewalk with Gerber's darling rescue dog Milo.Gerber and Butler became romantically linked in December after her split from The Kissing Booth star Jacob Elordi. Out and about: Kaia Gerber put on a stylish display as she stepped out in West Hollywood with her boyfriend Austin Butler on Thursday afternoonFor this latest excursion with Butler's cute white pet pooch, Gerber took charge of the pack by holding on to the dog's leash for some of the stroll.The runway maven kept it casual in a pair of faded blue jeans and a blue button-down shirt, which she left untucked.

Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa took to Instagram on Thursday to tease the debut of their upcoming single Sweetest Pie with a sneak preview of the video, which is slated to premiere Friday.Megan Thee Stallion, 30, wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday, '#SWEETESTPIE OUT AT MIDNIGHT BE READY,' while Dua Lipa, 26, said Wednesday, 'So excited i’m crying sugary icing out of my tear ducts!!!!!!'In a clip of the video for the track, which was directed by Dave Meyers, the Houston native was seen in a black leather ensemble with a plunging top with a black hat with a large brim. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Megan Thee Stallion (@theestallion) The latest: Megan Thee Stallion, 30, and Dua Lipa, 26, took to Instagram on Thursday to tease the debut of their upcoming single Sweetest Pie with a sneak preview of the video, which is slated to premiere FridayIn one scene in the clip, the musical artist, whose full name is Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, donned a multi-level gold choker as she danced alongside the London native Lipa, who donned a black gown with gold embellishments and a large golden headpiece.In another sequence, Megan is seen lunging forward as hands flashing a middle finger are seen springing out of her eyes.

Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi did cartwheels and a reverse worm while partying on a 'mansion boat' on Wednesday's episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation on MTV.The 34-year-old reality star was the life of the party during the season five episode titled Best Party Planner Ever at a group excursion in Florida organized by Deena Cortese, 35.Vinny Guadagnino, 34, after a few drinks got the fun started with an impromptu 'tsunami' dance that everyone joined. Good times:Nicole 'Snooki' Polizziwas the life of the party on Wednesday's episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation on MTV'It's a tsunami! It's a tsunami! It's a tsunami!,' yelled Paul 'DJ Pauly D' DelVecchio, 41, as Vinny energetically danced.'Vinny doesn't want to drink a lot of times, but he's such a good time when he drinks,' Deena said in a confessional as Vinny was shown doing the worm dance.

Nine Perfect Strangers' Regina Halllooked sensational in a black leather jumpsuit,which was belted at the waist to highlight her trim figure, while attending thepremiere of herupcoming thriller Master in New York City.As she arrived to the star-studded screening with ablack crocodile embossed clutch in her hand, the51-year-old Scary Movie actress oozed confidence as she posed for pictures with a radiant smile across her face.For the event, she wore a pair of stylish black booties, a glossy nude lipstick, eyelash extensions and hershoulder-length brown tresses in a sleek, straight hairstyle. Working it! Regina Hall looked sensational in a black leather jumpsuit, which was belted at the waist to highlight her trim figure, while attending the premiere of her upcoming thriller film Master in New York CityThe Black Monday star was seen mingling with many of her costars, like Brooklyn based writer-director Mariama Diallo, who wore an off-the-shoulder black blouse and pair of cropped leather leggings, and actress Amber Gray.

Ashley Judd spoke about how she almost died after injuring herself during a hike through the forests of theDemocratic Republic of the Congo during an episode of the Sex, Body and Soulpodcast.The 53-year-old actress previously broke her right leg in four places while making her way through the country's heavily wooded area and had to be taken to South Africa for further medical treatment.The performer, who pointed out that she easily could have died from her injuries, told the podcast's host, Kate Roberts, that she did not understand how she was able to take the intense pain during her journey to a medical facility. Harrowing experience:Ashley Judd spoke about how she almost died after injuring herself during a hike through the forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo during an episode of the Sex, Body and Soul podcast'I don't know how the mind and the body and the soul come together to manage to endure the unendurable,' she said.Judd pointed out that she was unafraid of showing her emotions during the journey, although she noted that she would have liked to lose consciousness to circumvent the pain.

Sofia Richie unveiled her new hair transformation as she took to Instagram Stories on Thursday to reveal that she dyed her brunette tresses blonde.The 23-year-old influencer showed off her brand new golden locks - which were parted in the middle and curled into loose waves - in a mirror selfie snapped on her iPhone.'Brunette no more,' she wrote on the photo, which appeared to be taken in a bathroom. Blondie:Sofia Richie, 23, unveiled her new hair transformation as she took to Instagram Stories on Thursday to reveal that she dyed her brunette tresses blondeThe youngest daughter of singer Lionel Richie andDiane Alexander - and the sister of television personality Nicole Richie - sported a fresh face in the snap, showing off her flawless skin.

Caliwater co-founder Vanessa Hudgens unveiled another seductive, Joshua Tree-set commercial for the canned cactus water she launched last April.In it, the half-Filipina 33-year-old donned about 40 inches of hair extensions and flaunted her petite 5ft1in figure in a black sheer dress and an orange maxi-dress.The 25-calorie organic antioxidant rich water comes in two flavors - wild prickly pear and ginger & lime - and for each $2.99 can sold five cents are donated to the children's charity, No Kid Hungry. 'Serving goddess energy':Caliwater co-founder Vanessa Hudgens unveiled another seductive, Joshua Tree-set commercial for the canned cactus water she launched last April'Prickly Pear Cactus has shown to lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar levels, and provides natural anti-viral properties,' the Caliwater website claimed.'It contains five naturally occurring electrolytes to boost hydration and is packed with skin-fortifying antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and 200mg of Prickly Pear Extract which is a proven hangover relief.' On Thursday, Vanessa reunited with her co-founder and friend of 14 years, Oliver Trevena, at the Natural Products Expo West inside Anaheim Convention Center.'I'm talking to everybody about the thing that I love!' Hudgens exclaimed.

Kristen Stewart got bundled up as she headed out for a night on the town in New York City.The 31-year-old Oscar-nominated actress was spotted in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City on Thursday night.The actress was flanked by a private security guard at all times while she smiled to onlookers on the scene. All smiles:Kristen Stewart got bundled up as she headed out for a night on the town in New York CityThe Oscar-nominated actress stepped out wearing a white top under a navy blue pin-striped suit coat.She stayed warm with a grey wool trench coat that fell to her ankles with a pair of silver chains dangling from her neck.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts has announced it will not require Academy Award attendees who live outside of Los Angeles to quarantine before the big night.The Academy made the decision to drop the five-day quarantine on the advice of its medical advisors,according toDeadline, which reported the news on Thursday.Attendees will not need to quarantine, but everyone will still be required to take and pass PCR tests. More lax restrictions:The COVID-19 pandemic isn't over, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences isn't worried about the OscarsThe Academy will organize concierge services and labs around Hollywood to travelers though it will be their responsibility to go out and get the test.

Jenna Dewan spent quality time with her young son Callum at a park in Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon.The 41-year-old performer was seen flashing a wide smile as she pushed her child, aged two, on a swing set, before planting a kiss on his forehead.The actress shares Callum with her fiance, Steve Kazee. She also has an eight-year-old daughter named Everly with ex-husband Channing Tatum.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is facing more fallout amid claims it lacks diversity among its members.Sunshine Sachs, the public relations firm for the HFPA, which runs and organizes the Golden Globes, has dropped the organization as a client, according to The Hollywood Reporter.The bicoastal PR firm, headed byveteran publicists Ken Sunshine and Shawn Sachs, had represented the HFPA for about 11 years. Split! Sunshine Sachs, the public relations firm for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which runs and organizes the Golden Globes, has dropped the organization as a clientSunshine Sachs notified the HFPA that it was severing its working relationship in a written document earlier this week, and then the news of its decision was presented to the HFPA's board on Thursday.The splitcomes just over one year after a scathing report by the Los Angeles Times revealed the organization didn't have any Black members out of its 87 international journalists, and that it had engaged in questionable ethical and financial practices.

Andrew Rannells and Alfred Molina gave us a moment we surely did not expect at the 2022 Costume Designers Guild Awards.

The season finale of Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer just aired and we’ve already learned that one of the Joe’s has split from his winner.

Production designer Donald Graham Burt and set decorator Jan Pascale took home statuettes for their work on Mank, at the Academy Awards on Sunday.