Anthony Mackie

Fate versus freewill. Religious theorists and philosophers have contemplated the idea for centuries, and this weekend The Adjustment Bureau tries to tackle the debate. What would you do if you found out your entire life were planned for you? And what if the plan wasn't what you wanted? The weighty subject matter should give you plenty to chew on, but The Adjustment Bureau isn't adept enough to handle the issue. Instead, we get a generic story.

Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick (the sci-fi writer also behind Blade Runner and Minority Report), The Adjustment Bureau stars Matt Damon as David Norris, a politician who crosses paths with a ballerina named Elise (Emily Blunt) in a men's bathroom. Instant sparks ignite, so when they bump into each other again on a bus, David is convinced that fate is intervening. But really, it's a mistake of chance — and it must be corrected. In come suited agents led by Richardson (John Slattery). They're men in charge of monitoring the world (the film suggests they're angels) to make sure everyone proceeds on the path predetermined for them. Since David has fallen off course, they must make sure he forgets about Elise for the sake of his political career. But unfortunately for them, David is quite the smitten schoolboy and isn't willing to let her go.

For my thoughts on the film's problems and Damon's performance, read more

Many of Hollywood's leading ladies stepped out in NYC last night for the annual Gotham Independent Film Awards. Anne Hathaway celebrated her appointment as cohost of next year's Oscars in her Dolce & Gabbana dress, and she spoke about her excitement over the honor. She said, "I found out that I'm one of three women to host since . . . I think it was 1987. Maybe I'm the fourth, I'm not sure. I'm still learning all the amazing statistics that I almost don't want to know because it gets a little bit too intimidating." Black Swan's Natalie Portman, in a piece from Lanvin for H&M, and an Oscar de la Renta-sporting Mila Kunis were there to watch as their director, Darren Aronofsky, took home a prize for his work — check out the evening's other winners. Leighton Meester was back in the US after a quick trip to Spain to make a daring appearance in a Thom Browne suit along with a maxidress-wearing Amanda Peet and a Lanvin-clad Julianne Moore.

To see more from the show, including Winona Ryder and Moore, just read more

Kathryn Bigelow made history tonight at the Oscars, where she was the first female ever to win best director! Her movie The Hurt Locker also took home the night's top prize, best picture. In the press room she politely fielded the inevitable questions about her ex James Cameron, but also what it means to be the inaugural woman with a little gold man for directing. Here's some press room highlights:

• On what it means to be the first female best director Oscar winner: "Well, first of all, I hope I'm the first of many. Of course, I'd love to just think of myself as a filmmaker, and I long for the day when a modifier can be a moot point. But I'm ever grateful if I can inspire some young, intrepid, tenacious male or female filmmaker and have them feel that the impossible is possible and never give up on your dream."
• On dreaming of The Hurt Locker's win: "Well, I don't think I ever dared to hope, but I will say that what was extraordinary was the love from the critical community, and that was like wind in the sails, and it just created a momentum that would not stop. And I hope somehow the critical community could know how much we appreciate it and I appreciate it. Thank you."
• On competing against ex James Cameron: "What it means. Well, first of all, I think he's an extraordinary filmmaker. I have to say, all the nominees are phenomenal, powerful, talented filmmakers, and what an honor. And for me, how humbling it was for me to be in that company, in that conversation. So I have to say, for me, it's a humbling experience . . . I think Jim is very inspiring, and I think he inspires filmmakers around the world, and for that I think I can speak for all of them. We're quite grateful."

To read her advice for aspiring filmmakers and this year's other nine nominees, just read more

Sandra Bullock gathered her on- and off-screen families together in NYC last night for a screening of The Blind Side. Her husband Jesse James was out showing his support for both Sandra's film and her return to dark hair. Tim McGraw plays Sandra's better half in the movie, and he posed for photos with his own wife Faith Hill. Many of you didn't seem too excited about seeing the screen adaptation of Michael Lewis's novel, but Buzz will be ready with tissues when it hits theaters on Friday.

Lots more from the premiere when you read more

Jennifer Aniston was in LA last week for a wedding with her stylist, but she popped up in NYC last night to take part in the annual 24 Hour Plays on Broadway. She joined a handful of actor couples for the evening, including Emily Blunt and John Krasinski as well as Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts. Demi Moore was a lot more covered up than her recent W cover, as she posed with husband Ashton Kutcher. Jennifer joined her fellow thespians onstage to sing "Yellow Submarine" and take part in the hastily-written theater exercise, which was held to benefit arts in education programs in public schools. She took her bow next to a similarly-dressed Brooke Shields before moving on for some after-hours fun with Ashton and Demi.

To see more from the event, just read more