• Michael Cieply writes up “Crazy Heart” from the angle that Paramount has “embarrassed” itself for passing on the film once upon a time, but apparently that early cut was “unwatchable,” so, you know, cut some slack. [New York Times]

• Clint Eastwood — set to grace one of five GQ covers next month — says the country is in a morbid mood.  [CNN]

• The Gurus o’ Gold weigh in on the directors and animated features. [Movie City News]

• Glenn Whipp writes up the story of the lead actress season: vets versus fresh faces. [Variety]

• Condensing the “Star Trek” script for a stiff-upper-lip laugh. [The Guardian]

• Dave Karger wonders if “Avatar” will play on the small screen. [Oscar Watch]

• Steve Pond feels compelled to respond to the whimsical notion that “Inglourious Basterds.” [The Odds]

• “The Informant!” makes its way across the pond and John Hiscock spends a few with star Matt Damon. [Daily Telegraph]

• Michael Ordoña sits down with “The Blind Side” star Quinton Aaron. [Los Angeles Times]

• In honor of “The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans,” the 12 trippiest drug scenes. [Vulture]

• David Poland on “The Princess and the Frog” and race. [The Hot Blog]

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