James Cameron and Aamir Khan discussing “The Future of Cinema” in India

He will be discussing “The Future of Cinema” with Bollyood’s megastar Aamir Khan (Lagaan) in a conclave in a five star hotel in capital New Delhi, watched by few hundred over a dinner. Lasting about 90 minutes and ending around 09-30 pm, it will include questions from the attendees also. Aroon Purie, Editor-in-Chief of India’s leading newsmagazine “India Today”, will chair the session.

Describing Oscar winner Cameron’s movies, Conclave says: “...movies speak the language of immense courage and deep spirituality. His female heroes are fearless and all powerful, his men learn the power of conviction.” It talks about Cameron’s “dropping out of college to drive a truck for the local school district...selling the script of The Terminator to Hemdale Films for one dollar on the condition that he could direct it”.

“India Today Conclave 2010” whose theme is “New Decade: Great Expectations”, is being organized by “The India Today Group” at Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi on March 12 and 13.
“This decade holds great expectations for India and the world”, Aroon Purie, Group Chairman, says.

Speakers on other topics at the Conclave include ruler of Dubai, India’s key Government ministers, Cisco CEO, Google President of Global Sales, author Salman Rushdie, yoga expert Swami Ramdev, Harvard economics professor, Ford Motor CEO, Facebook co-founder, Godrej President, goal keeper of Indian hockey team, actors Ranbir Kapoor and Asin Thottumkal.

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'Avatar' wins top Golden Globe

"Avatar" was Cameron's first film since 1997's phenomenon "Titanic," which also won Globes in those same categories. "It's sure an exciting evening," Cameron said, looking at the crowd. "This is the best job in the world." He echoed the message of the film about a planet of nature-loving blue people and remarked that "everything is connected, all human beings to each other, and us to the Earth" and urged everyone to "appreciate this miracle of the world we have right here."

Avatar, not surprisingly, took home the prize for Best Motion Picture and the film's director James Cameron won for Best Director. The blockbuster is already one its way to beat Cameron's previous box office record with Titanic and is a favorite to win big at the Oscars.

The film with the $400 million budget, that took more than a decade in computer technology development and studio wrangling to make it to the big screen, is about a paraplegic marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission and who becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.

Other big prizes of the night went to Robert Downey, Jr. for the title role in Sherlock Holmes, directed by Guy Ritchie.

Up in the Air won Best Motion Picture Screenplay for Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner. The George Clooney-led film is a favorite Academy Award contender.

Best Comedy went to The Hangover and Best Comedy or Musical TV Series went to newcomer Glee.

Below, a complete list of winners:

Best Motion Picture, Drama - Avatar
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama - Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama - Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy - Meryl Streep, Julie and Julia
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy - Robert Downey, Jr., Sherlock Holmes
Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical - The Hangover
Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical - Glee
Best Director, Motion Picture - James Cameron, Avatar
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture - Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture - Mo'Nique, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Chloe Sevigny, Big Love
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - John Lithgow, Dexter
Best Television Series, Drama - Mad Men
Best Foreign Language Film - The White Ribbon
Best Actor in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical - Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Best Actress in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical - Toni Collette, United States of Tara
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture - Up in the Air, Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner
best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Drew Barrymore, Grey Gardens
Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Kevin Bacon, Taking Chance
Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Grey Gardens
Best Actress in a Television Series, Drama - Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Best Actor in a Television Series, Drama - Michael C. Hall, Dexter

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"Avatar" on track to surpass "Titanic"

'Avatar' hits $1.6 billion worldwide

"Book of Eli" opens at No. 2 in North America (Refiles to add dropped word "weekend" in lead paragraph. Updates with "Avatar" worldwide sales; other films in North America)

LOS ANGELES, Jan 17 (Reuters) - In an unprecedented display of strength, "Avatar" led the worldwide box office for a fifth consecutive weekend, fast catching up on all-time champ "Titanic," distributor 20th Century Fox said on Sunday.

James Cameron's sci-fi spectacular has now earned $1.6 billion, just $237 million short of the $1.8 billion record set by the filmmaker's "Titanic" in 1998.

"Titanic was a ship. Avatar's a rocket ship," said Chris Aronson, Fox's senior vice-president of domestic distribution.

The North American contribution stands at $491.8 million -- the third-highest tally of all time -- thanks to a $41.3 million weekend. Fox, a unit of News Corp (NWSA.O), expects it to hit $500 million on Monday, when business will get a boost from the U.S. Martin Luther King holiday.

That will mark the film's 32nd day of release. By contrast, "Titanic" took 98 days to reach that tally on its way to a record $601 million. On the other hand, "Avatar" sales are inflated by higher ticket prices in general and premium pricing for 3-D screenings.

Aronson said he expected "Avatar" to surpass the $533 million haul of 2008's "The Dark Knight" next weekend, leaving only "Titanic" ahead of it. The No. 3 slot was previously held by "Star Wars" with $461 million.

Aronson said the $600 million level is "within our sights," and he predicted the Feb. 2 announcement of the Academy Award nominations to pique interest.

"AVATAR" AT $1.1 BILLION OVERSEAS

"Avatar" is enjoying strong holds every weekend. In the current period, it was off just 18 percent. "Titanic" was the last movie to lead the box office for five consecutive weekends, although "Avatar" might struggle to reach its record of 15 unbroken weekends.

The foreign total stands at $1.1 billion after a $125 million weekend. "Avatar" trails the "Titanic" overseas haul of $1.2 billion by just $127 million.

"Avatar" is the tale of a disabled ex-Marine sent from Earth to infiltrate a race of 10-foot (3-metre) blue aliens and persuade them to let his employer mine their homeland for natural resources. It was reportedly the most expensive film ever made, with a budget of at least $300 million.

Elsewhere in North America, Denzel Washington's "The Book of Eli" opened at No. 2 with $31.6 million, the actor's second-best opening after the $43 million launch of 2007's "American Gangster." Young men accounted for about two-thirds of the audience for the Christian-themed apocalyptic thriller, said distributor Warner Bros. Pictures.

The $80 million film was produced by FedEx Corp (FDX.N) Chairman Fred Smith's Alcon Prods., and distributed for a fee by Warner's Time Warner Inc (TWX.N) parent. Alcon principal Andrew Kosove said he expected the film to reach the mid-$80 million range, surpassing the breakeven point of $67 million after DVD and TV sales are factored in.

Director Peter Jackson's adaptation of "The Lovely Bones" took the No. 3 spot with $17.1 million in its first weekend of national release, as the "Twilight" crowd flocked to the supernatural murder story.

Distributor Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc (VIAb.N). said women accounted for almost three-quarters of the audience, and 40 percent of moviegoers were aged under 20.

The big-screen version of the Alice Sebold novel about a murdered girl had played in a total of three theaters in New York and Los Angeles for the past five weeks. Its total now stands at $17.5 million.

The only other major new release was Hong Kong action hero Jackie Chan's family comedy "The Spy Next Door," which opened at No. 6 with a modest $9.7 million. It was released by Lionsgate, a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp (LGF.N). (Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by Mary Milliken)

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Yes, 'Avatar' Academy Screeners Going Out

There's widespread belief across Hollywood that 20th Century Fox will not send out DVDs of "Avatar" because the studio and director James Cameron insist upon Oscar voters seeing it in 3-D on a big screen so they can fully appreciate its truly special effects. But a rep tells Gold Derby that "Avatar" screeners will be sent soon to academy members and — contrary to another rumor — prior to Oscar nominations being announced on Feb. 2.

"We prefer that voters see it on a big screen, of course, but we want them to have the DVD so they can enjoy watching it at home too," he adds. Here are listings of official industry screenings.

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