The Oscars Parade In; Red Carpet is Rolled Out

With the writer's strike settled, Oscar organizers say that this year's show is going to be "amazing." As the stars get buffed, pouffed, glittered, and prepped for the walk of the year, workers are getting things ready for the star-spangled moments.

Here at the Peanut patch, we hope that the Academy redeems itself from its fevered embrace of Brokeback Mountain. Although hailed as ground-breaking, it really wasn't at all.

For a much better look at the barriers society builds between people based on sexual preference, race, and class, the must-see film is Far From Heaven. Truly artistic on many levels, Far From Heaven is more than a scenic postcard for gay "rights," as was BB Mountain.

The Academy, alas, often forgets that its role is to judge the art of film making. Using movies as propped-up placards in a parade for whatever liberal cause is fashionable means that some worthwhile movies get overlooked simply because they lack the "right" message.

Heath Ledger Death: Continuously Updated Free Videos

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Earlier coverage here.

Heath Ledger Found Dead, Possible Suicide; Batman Movie At Risk?

UPDATE: Heath Ledgers' family denies he was suicidal while friends note he was suffering from pneumonia and yet still working last weekend. Ironically, the paparazzi he had come to hate turned out in force as police removed his body from his apartment.

Heath Ledger, the charismatic young actor whose range went from the bawdy comedy of "A Knight's Tale" to the emotional and controversial "Brokeback Mountain" was found dead in his New York City apartment today.

According to an NYC police statement, Ledger was found in bed with sleeping pills around him. He recently had split with his long-time fiancee, Michelle Williams, with whom he had one child, Matilda. He and Williams had met on the set of "Brokeback Mountain."

Police are investigating the possibility that Ledger's death was either suicide or accidental overdose. Ironically, in unremittingly dark "The Monster's Ball," Ledger played the suicidal son of Billy Bob Thornton, whose character became Halle Berry's love interest.

The 28-year-old Ledger was working on the new, reportedly darker "Batman." Along with his breakup with Williams, Ledger also claimed intense harassment from paparazzi, so severe that he said he was forced to move from Sydney, Australia to New York. .