Reel News

Avatar: $1 billion and countingThere is no difficulty identifying the big international movie story of the week. James Cameron's Avatarhas defied negative early buzz to chomp the world's box-offices into matchwood. In just three weeks the picture has done what only four films have managed before: it racked up a breathtaking $1 billion worldwide.

True, Avatar, which is rumoured to have run up $300 million in production cost alone, is almost certainly the most expensive ever made. And, with 3-D screenings costing that bit extra, the takings are artificially inflated. But there's no question that the flm has caught fire with audiences and that it is going to make 20th Century Fox a great deal of money.

Sales were boosted by extraordinarily good reviews in the US (they were more mixed here) and, energised by this rare combination of popular and critical support, Avatarhas now been installed as favourite to take the best picture gong at February's Oscars.

Mr Cameron, director of Titanic, must be feeling déjà vu all over again.

Kurosawa films for Ballina

Kudos to Sean Walsh at the Ballina Film Club in Co Mayo, who continues his good work with a programme of films by the imperishable Japanese director Akira Kurosawa. Taking in such classics as Stray Dogand The Hidden Fortress(the basis for Star Wars, don't you know), the event runs until the end of this month. See www.ballina artscentre.com.

Sam Mendes to direct Bond 23?

Mindless Bond speculation is back in fashion. No, don't worry. Daniel Craig's role in the franchise is secure. But it has been reported that Sam Mendes, best known for sombre dramas such as Revolutionary Roadand American Beauty, is "in talks" to direct the next film in the cycle.

If Mendes were to get the job, he would be the most prestigious director (and the only Academy Award winner) to helm an official Bond picture. Who else comes close? Well, Michael Apted, the man behind The World Is Not Enough, directed solid pictures such as Coal Miner's Daughterand Gorillas in the Mist. Marc Forster, director of the disappointing Quantum of Solace, helmed Monster's Balland Finding Neverland. What is Mendes up to?

Warren Beatty’s pulling power

According to the notoriously gossipy Peter Biskind, Warren Beatty somehow managed to sleep with 12,775 women in his famously lubricious career. This is certainly a great many couplings, but the real mystery here is how Biskind arrived at such a precise number. Not 12,774. Not 12,776. Annette Bening (No 12,775 in the list, one assumes) must be delighted by the revelations.

Beatty’s lawyers have huffily pointed out that Biskind’s upcoming biography of their client is “not authorized”.

Sarandon and Robbins in split

Let’s not make any smart-ass remarks about the surprise break-up of the 23-year relationship between Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon. Sure, they may have lectured us a little too much during Oscar season, but the couple have always seemed like good eggs. Let’s hope the dissolution was (as they say) amicable.

dclarke@irishtimes.com