Movies

There's no host at this year's Oscars ceremony, but everything looks to be going off without a hitch as the presenters gave hugs and kisses to the nominees behind the scenes.

Tons of A-listers were congratulating each other Sunday as nominees accepted their statuettes, including folks like Samuel L. Jackson, Glenn Close, Regina King, Angela Bassett, Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Rami Malek, Spike Lee, Ryan Coogler, Constance Wu, Awkwafina, Chadwick Boseman, Sam Elliott and many, many more.

We gotta say ... the no-host thing is really working out. The show is moving along at a brisk and efficient pace ... and a lot of the presenters have turned out to be pretty damn funny.

Spike Lee finally won an Oscar on Sunday, but the big takeaway from his acceptance speech was the renowned director telling voters to "do the right thing" in 2020.

Spike took home the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for his film "BlacKkKlansman," which won him a huge round of applause after many years of being snubbed by the Academy.

He came up and made an impassioned speech that touched on African-American history dating back to 1619, when Africans were first brought to Jamestown, VA as slaves. His thoughts were a bit all over the place as he thanked his family, but he came through very clear at the end when he said the 2020 presidential election was around the corner.

Spike said, "Let's all mobilize, let's all be on the right side of history." He continued, "Make the moral choice between love versus hate. LET'S DO THE RIGHT THING!!!"

BTW, Spike did not mention President Trump's name once, but his message resonated with the audience who gave him a standing O. That's one helluva way to ring in your first Oscar ever.

Congrats, Spike.

The Oscars are about to get underway, but heads are already turning for Billy Porter on the red carpet ... who's wearing a tuxedo-gown to this year's award show.

The Broadway performer and gender-fluid artist showed up Sunday wearing a velvet outfit designed by Christian Siriano ... which amounts to one-half tux (up top) and one-half dress (on the bottom). It's certainly a fashion statement, if there ever was one.

What's interesting is that a lot of women have shown up to award shows like this wearing tuxedos over the years, but men conversely doing the same thing hardly ever happens. In fact, actress Elsie Fisher -- who killed it in "Eighth Grade," -- is wearing a tux right now.

As for Billy ... he's known to for his extravagant style and always ends up as a red carpet show stopper at whatever award ceremony he attends. He was donning a pink-lined cape at this year's Golden Globes.

Alfonso Cuaron is keeping his cards close to the vest as to whether he thinks he's a lock to win big at this year's Academy Awards ... but he's (somewhat) prepared if he does.

We got the renowned filmmaker at the Independent Spirit Awards Saturday in Santa Monica and asked him if how much we should put down on odds that he cleans up during Sunday's award show. Alfonso is up for Best Director, and his film, "Roma," is expected to take home a lot of prizes -- including, potentially, Best Picture. Needless to say, he could easily sweep.

Alfonso won't tell us one way or another if $100 would be a good bet, but he does play the hypothetical game here. He also tells us how he'll celebrate if he does take home some statuettes this year ... even if he doesn't have an acceptance speech prepared quite yet.

BTW ... we also spoke with Rosanna Arquette -- and lots of other stars -- at the Spirit Awards Saturday, and she told us that award show was much more progressive than the Oscars, based on which directors were nominated for each respective ceremony.

This ain't a shot a shot at Cuaron by any stretch of the imagination -- he wasn't nominated for Best Director at the Spirit Awards, FWIW -- but it's an interesting commentary on gender parity in the biz.

Wade Eastwood -- one of Hollywood's unsung heroes in charge of stunts -- thinks it's time Oscar started acknowledging his field, 'cause there's no movie magic without the action.

Wade has been a stunt coordinator, as well as a stunt man, on a number of projects over the years -- including 'Mission Impossible' flicks and other blockbuster films -- so we asked him Saturday at LAX how he felt about the Academy snubbing stunt work ... again.

He says it's kinda nuts that Oscars are handed out for just about every other behind-the-scenes category contributing to a film -- makeup, costume design, etc. -- but stunts continue to go unacknowledged year after year ... even though they're arguably responsible for the biggest moments of any given movie, especially action ones.

That said, Wade tells us he's not "an awards crazy guy," so not being recognized by the Academy doesn't bother him all that much. He suggests it would be nice, though.

Millie Bobby Brown is spot on for the starring role in a movie adaption of the "Abducted in Plain Sight" documentary ... so says the woman who was kidnapped and repeatedly molested.

Jan Broberg Felt, the victim who spoke out in the insanely popular Netflix doc, tells TMZ she's fielding tons of calls from Hollywood producers interested in turning her story into a feature film ... and it sounds like just about every producer in Hollywood is pitching a flick.

You've heard the story ... a little of this movie meets a little of that movie. In her case, she sees her family in "This Is Us," and sees the f***** up part of her family as "Breaking Bad."

If you haven't seen the doc ... Jan shares her harrowing tale of being kidnapped TWICE and raped multiple times by her neighbor, Robert "B" Berchtold -- a scandal that rocked her Idaho community.

As for her movie offers ... Jan wants her story told in its entirety ... something she feels wasn't accomplished in the 90-minute doc.

3:45 PM PT -- Jerry Springer disagrees about R. Kelly having no shot at a fair trial, and for a case in point ... he says look no further than the O.J. Simpson trial.

Springer admits it might be difficult to find 12 impartial jurors -- and R. Kelly's lawyers will probably push for a change in venue -- but says the judicial system is set up the way it is for a reason.

R. Kelly's maintaining his innocence despite being charged with 10 counts of sexual abuse, but he thinks he's screwed anyway ... because he's already lost in the court of public opinion.

Sources close to the singer tell TMZ ... he believes it will be impossible for him to get a fair trial in the aftermath of Lifetime's docuseries, "Surviving R. Kelly," and nonstop media coverage -- especially in Chicago.

As one source put it ... "There isn't a person in Cook County who hasn't heard all the hateful things said about him."

We're told R. Kelly believes ... even if he presents evidence proving his innocence, the jury will still find him guilty. Our sources say he's moved on from panic attacks and has been in a depressed meltdown for days.

As we reported ... Cook County prosecutors hit R. Kelly with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse Friday morning. There are a total of 4 alleged victims, 3 of whom were between the ages of 13 to 16.

Attorney Michael Avenatti also released images from the video he submitted to the State's Attorney, showing what appears to be R. Kelly. He says the video shows the singer having sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Avenatti blasted R. Kelly's enablers as well -- lawyers, agents, managers and others whom he says stood idly by as the singer sexually abused girls -- and says he won't stop until they're all brought to justice.

Stand-up comedian Brody Stevens was found dead Friday after an apparent suicide at his home in Los Angeles.

Law enforcement sources confirm to TMZ ... Brody was found hanging in his home Friday afternoon, shortly after 1 PM.

Brody -- who co-created his own Comedy Central series, "Brody Stevens: Enjoy It!" with his friend Zach Galifianakis -- had struggled with mental health issues in the past. He was hospitalized in 2011 after suffering a bipolar episode.

He was a mainstay at huge comedy events like the Montreal and Vancouver Comedy Festivals -- and just 2 days ago he was at the Festival of Friendship in Burbank.

Later that night he did a set -- which appears to have been his last -- at the famed Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip.

Brody also had several roles in movies, such as "The Hangover" and "The Hangover II."

He was also an avid baseball fan. He pitched in college at Arizona State University until he suffered an elbow injury.

Reps for Brody tell us, "Brody was an inspiring voice who was a friend to many in the comedy community. He pushed creative boundaries and his passion for his work and his love of baseball were contagious. He was beloved by many and will be greatly missed."

We had a lot of fun run-ins with Brody over the years -- he always turned it on for our camera guys.

However, the last time we saw him, in 2018, we had a serious conversation with him about Kanye West and mental health.

Brody was 48.

Clark Gable's grandson -- Clark Gable III -- has died in Texas ... according to his family.

TMZ has learned the legendary actor's grandson -- an actor himself, as well as a TV host -- was found unresponsive in his bed by his fiance Friday morning. We're told he was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death is unclear.

A family member tells us Clark was in Dallas for filming. We're told he had no prior health conditions.

Gable was best known as the host of the reality show "Cheaters" from season 13 to 14.

The famous grandson made headlines in 2011 when he was arrested for shining a laser pointer at an LAPD helicopter. He pled guilty and was sentenced to 10 days in jail.

He also survived being stabbed in the ribs in 2009 by a fellow partygoer in L.A.

Gable III's survived by his parents, John Clark Gable and Tracy Yarro, his sister Kayley and his daugther, Shore.

He was 30.

RIP

Vinny Vella -- who starred in "Casino" and several other gangster movies -- has died after battling cancer.

His rep posted a message late Wednesday night, saying ... "We are saddened to report that Vinny Vella has passed and I'm sure that no one is more saddened than himself. Vinny loved life from his family to his friends and fans he was easily one of the funniest, endearing actors to have ever graced the screen."

Vinny's son, Vinny Vella Jr., tells us his father had liver cancer.

Vinny, who has 74 acting credits to his name, memorably played deli owner/mobster Artie Piscano alongside Robert De Niro in "Casino." He also acted with De Niro in "Analyze That."

He had smaller roles in other films like "Donnie Brasco," "Kissing Jessica Stein," "Kill the Irishman," "Mambo Cafe," "This Thing of Ours" and "Find Me Guilty."

Vinny's rep added, he was "Arguably the fastest on the draw, king of the comebacks. His verbal jousting was legendary but many know Vinny for his favorite saying - 'Who's better than you?' Well Vinny, I think we all can agree on the answer to that, it was you, it always was you! We miss you my boy!"

His son also commented, saying ... "RIP to my father. I love you so much and I’m so heart broken. You are no longer in pain- no more suffering pops. I love you."

He's survived by his son and his wife, Margaret.

Michael Jackson is a lot like the pedophile neighbor featured in "Abducted in Plain Sight" ... at least according to the victim who spoke out in the Netflix documentary.

If you haven't seen it ... Jan Broberg Felt tells the horrific tale of being kidnapped TWICE and raped multiple times by her neighbor, Robert 'B' Berchtold. She was a pre-teen and teenager during her ordeal, and she sees obvious similarities between how Berchtold got away with molesting her and what Jackson's alleged victims describe in "Leaving Neverland."

Jan says B and Jackson were both beloved -- MJ on a much larger scale, obviously.

She says no one in her Idaho community wanted to believe that someone so charismatic could commit such despicable crimes -- and admits she personally thought the exact same thing about Jackson.

Jan thinks all of these new documentaries shedding light on celebs and non-celebs accused of pedophilia are long overdue, adding that no one should be able to get away with harming kids.

The Jackson estate has repeatedly dismissed Wade Robson and James Safechuck -- the accusers in 'Neverland' -- as proven liars.

Today we salute Alex Rodriguez ... for having the presence of mind to pull out his phone and start recording when Jennifer Lopez decided to go pole dancing.

It's glorious.

49-year-old J Lo is training for her role in the upcoming flick, "Hustlers" -- where she plays a stripper -- and decided to hit the pole to put in some work.

Alex clearly liked what he was seeing and posted footage to social media. Excellent job, sir.

As for the movie, it was inspired by the famous New York Magazine article, "The Hustlers at Scores" -- which chronicles a crew of dancers and their Wall Street clients in the wake of the financial crisis.

The flick also stars Constance Wu from "Crazy Rich Asians."

Some hooligan had some fun at Arnold Schwarzenegger's expense ... taking a shot at the former Governator's indiscretion by defacing a decades-old sign.

It all went down at Idaho's Sun Valley Resort where the Terminator had "Arnold's Run" named after him back in 2001. It used to be the "Flying Maid." You can see where this is going. Some dope riding down the slope decided to change it to "Arnold's Maid" ... a clear shot at Arnold fathering a child outta wedlock with his maid.

A spokesperson at the resort tells TMZ ... they did notice the vandalism and have addressed it. We're told the sign's been fixed and it's now back to "Arnold's Run."

Looks like they got it changed just in time, because Arnold was up in Sun Valley on Monday and said he went skiing before a bike ride.

As for why the Idaho joint chose to honor the actor ... Arnold makes regular getaways up there. He's also previously led the Christmas Eve torchlight parade down the mountain. They love him.

Jussie Smollett is now the face of racist parody movie posters that have sprung up in Los Angeles in the wake of his alleged attack in Chicago and an unraveling narrative.

At least two posters popped up Monday at a bus station near Fox Studios in Century City, which feature Jussie's mug photoshopped onto the backdrop of posters for "BlacKkKlansman" and "Black Panther." Both mock claims Jussie made about the alleged attack.

The "Black Panther" poster shows Jussie as T'Challa in the 'BP' costume and the title has been changed to "Black Prankster."

The "BlacKkKlansman" poster depicts Jussie from his 'GMA' interview with a photoshopped MAGA hat and coat on, with the phrase "This is MAGA country!" superimposed in the background. Both posters are jokingly offering Jussie for consideration for "Best Fictional Story" and "Best Actor in a Drama.

The posters have been signed by conservative street artist Sabo ... the same guy that put up the Meryl Streep "She Knew" posters in 2017 after the Weinstein scandal broke.

Like any good secret agent, Henry Golding isn't spilling the beans on his next move ... which, one could speculate, makes him the perfect choice to replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond.

We got the "Crazy Rich Asians" star at LAX, where we asked him about his chances to play 007 in the 26th Bond film. As if his 'CRA' success wasn't enough, the buzz is Henry is on a short list of stars being considered to play the ultimate spy.

When we brought it up ... Henry flashed a huge grin, and then went into coy mode.

As you know ... Daniel is reporting for duty again in "Bond 25," but the race to find a new Bond is wide open -- with Idris Elba and Tom Hardy joining Henry as some of the best bets.

Read what you will from this, but Henry definitely puts the secret in secret agent.

4:02 PM PT -- A rep for Josie Harris tells us she's also not connected with the project.

10:31 AM PT -- Delicia Cordon also denies involvement with the show. Still, our production sources tell us producers still plan on moving forward with the project.

7:30 AM PT -- Evelyn Lozada's camp tells us she was contacted by producers and had discussions about joining the show, but ultimately turned down their offer to appear in the program.

The woman accusing LeSean McCoy of masterminding a violent robbery at her Georgia home is now trying to take her story to TV ... and she's not alone.

TMZ Sports has learned Delicia Cordon -- along with Evelyn Lozada, Josie Harris and Micaela Sanchez -- are all working on a TV project about surviving abuse.

Cordon is currently suing the NFL running back -- claiming he orchestrated the July 2018 incident when someone broke into her home and pistol-whipped her while stealing valuables. McCoy has denied all wrongdoing.

Evelyn Lozada married NFL star Chad Ochocinco in July 2012 -- but filed for divorce 6 weeks later when he headbutted her during an argument.

Josie Harris was attacked by her baby daddy Floyd Mayweather in 2010. Floyd was convicted and spent 2 months in jail for domestic violence.

Micaela Sanchez has a child with Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith. They're locked in a legal battle because she claims he's been violent towards her. He's adamantly denied her allegations.

We're told the series was partially inspired by "Surviving R. Kelly" -- and producers are still looking for other women to join the project. Sources tell us producers are currently speaking with TV networks and other digital media outlets in hopes of making a deal.