Showbiz411

“Django Unchained” hit number 1 on Wednesday as adults took the box office back from kids, who went to school finally. “The Hobbit” was pushed to second place and was nearly defeated by “Les Miserables.” Ah, the middle of the week is for us. But not completely: even with the kiddies parked back behind desks and doing homework, “Jack Reacher” couldn’t shoot up “Parental Guidance.” Still Bette Midler and Billy Crystal took Tom Cruise. What gives? Adults sitting in “PG” by themselves? Come on, now. Tom Cruise needs your help!

Anyway, today-Friday–Oscar voting closes at 5pm Pacific Time. A major, major actress (not in competition this year) told me she hadn’t voted because she hadn’t seen all the movies. Whoa! That’s not necessary. Write in the names of the movies you saw and liked, and send in that ballot today. It doesn’t matter if it’s one, three, five, or ten. Same with all categories. I had a similar conversation with  director. These are sensible people. But they’re taking the coward’s way out. Cast a vote for a movie or performance or work you loved. The finish line is coming…

Roger Friedman

Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News. Friedman previously wrote the Intelligencer column at New York Magazine, He writes for Parade magazine and has written for Details, Vogue, the New York Times, Post, and Daily News and many other publications. He is the writer and co-producer of a film about R&B Music called “Only the Strong Survive,” which was released by Miramax in 2003 and was a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals.