Vietnam misses chance to play at Asian futsal champs

The Vietnamese futsal was narrowly defeated 3-4 by Australia in the Asian Futsal qualifiers for the Southeast Asian region on February 26.

Australia had a very good start scoring four goals in 35 minutes. Vietnam then counter-attacked and got three goals, with one penalty by Trong Thien and a double by Trong Toan.

The team had been full of hope for a third-position ticket after taking the lead in group B with a 4-0 win against Malaysia, 7-1 win against Cambodia and a 2-2 draw with Australia to avoid Thailand, the strongest opponent and winner of group A.

However, at the semi-final match it also lost 1-2 to Indonesia.

In the final match Thailand thrashed Indonesia 5-2 to top the qualifier.

The Vietnam team is scheduled to compete at the ASEAN Futsal Championship in Thailand from April 17-24.

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Crystal to the rescue for 84th Academy Awards show

An Oscar statue is pictured on the red carpet arrival area during preparations for the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California February 25, 2012. The Academy Awards will be given out in Hollywood on Sunday. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

The Oscar ceremony has much to prove Sunday, including whether a blockbuster-free field can draw a TV audience and if Billy Crystal's host routine remains a crowd-pleaser.

Brian Grazer and Don Mischer, the show's producers, are laughing off the challenges: "Comedy is the direction we're going in this year," said Mischer.

For Crystal, who returns to the ceremony (8:30 p.m. EST, ABC) after an absence of eight years, that means jokes and patter that were being rehearsed at the last minute to avoid punch line leaks.

The actor also is bringing back two of his trademark Oscar bits: A film sequence in which he appears via CGI in clips from the nine best-picture contenders, and a musical number that pays tribute to the ceremony and nominees.

"It's everything everybody is going to want to see from Billy Crystal," Grazer said. "Billy was born for this job. He loves being the host and he does it with complete zest and enthusiasm. He makes it fun for everybody."

Crystal has help. Presenting team Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis have a "great gag," Grazer promised, with more light moments planned courtesy of co-presenters Tina Fey and Bradley Cooper and, in a group effort, the cast of "Bridesmaids."

There's a chance for controversy in a presidential election year and, with Sacha Baron Cohen invited, for mock political friction. Rumor has it Cohen will come dressed as the character from "The Dictator," his upcoming movie about a faux country's despot.

Although there were hints of motion picture academy uneasiness about the possible stunt, "we're thrilled to have him," Grazer said.

Among the high-wattage presenters for the 84th Academy Awards at the Hollywood & Highland Center (formerly the Kodak Theatre) are Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman, Michael Douglas, Penelope Cruz and Angelina Jolie. They'll be framed by a stage set evoking a classic movie theater and the evening's theme: the enduring nature of the moviegoing experience.

Nominees in the lead acting categories include Viola Davis for "The Help," Meryl Streep for "The Iron Lady," George Clooney for "The Descendants" and Jean Dujardin for "The Artist."

But the night's starring role goes to Crystal, 63, who acknowledged in a Oscar.com video that "there's so much expected" of his return. He should have the audience's goodwill in his ninth Oscar gig since, in the best Hollywood tradition, he came to the rescue after Eddie Murphy dropped out as host.

Murphy's exit followed that of ceremony producer Brett Ratner, who had drawn fire for using a pejorative word for gay men at a screening of "Tower Heist," directed by Ratner and starring Murphy. Oscar-winning movie producer Grazer ("A Beautiful Mind") jumped in to work with awards veteran Mischer.

Last year's co-hosts aren't a hard act for Crystal to follow. Anne Hathaway and James Franco were picked to appeal to younger viewers but while Hathaway was game, an inert Franco proved ill-suited for the task.

The nominees represent a different challenge for the show. Favorites include "The Artist," a daring black-and-white silent film; "Hugo," an unusual Martin Scorsese work that trades grittiness for charm; and the family drama "The Descendants" with Clooney as a cuckold.

None has soared at the box office. Among the best-picture nominees, only "The Help," based on the best-selling book about 1960s race relations in the South, hit $100 million in ticket sales and counting (it's at more than $170 million.)

Blockbusters were left in the cold. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," couldn't overcome the academy's resistance to the franchise. Nor, more understandably, could "The Hangover Part II," another 2011 success.

Such snubs tend to produce the TV equivalent of a weak box office: low ratings. When a monster hit like "Titanic" ruled the Oscars in 1998, the ceremony drew an impressive 55.2 million viewers. "The King's Speech," last year's less-mainstream best-picture winner, was watched by 37.9 million people.

There is an effort to boost viewership through social networks. The academy is inviting fans to make awards predictions on its Facebook page and share them with friends, while ABC will use Twitter to reveal the scene backstage and on the red carpet.

At stake are advertising dollars as well as bragging rights in the award show competition. This month's Grammys — riding a wave of interest in Adele's post-surgery comeback and the death of Whitney Houston — drew nearly 40 million viewers to eclipse the Academy Awards for the first time since 1984.

Forget nominee nervousness: Those anxious giggles may just be from Oscar himself.

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Stars gather as 'Artist' eyes Oscar glory

Stars began descending on the red carpet Sunday for Hollywood's biggest night, as two odes to film-making -- silent movie "The Artist" and Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" -- vie for glory at the Oscars.

Actress Octavia Spencer arrives on the red carpet as actress Glenn Close poses with guests for the 84th Annual Academy Awards.

The French director of "The Artist," seen as favorite to win Best Picture at the 84th Academy Awards ceremony, admitted he was nervous on the eve of the show, the climax of Tinseltown's annual awards season.

"I'm a bit tense because the outside pressure is rising considerably," said Michel Hazanavicius, after "The Artist" won another pre-Oscars boost Saturday at the independent Spirit awards.

Following months of campaigning and a flurry of lesser prizes, Tinseltown's annual awards season reaches its high point with the most prestigious honors of them all, the coveted golden statuettes.

Hundreds of millions around the globe will tune in for the ceremony hosted once again by veteran Billy Crystal, after A-listers strut their stuff down the most-watched red carpet in the world.

Crystal was expected to start the night with his traditional Oscars song, said Academy President Tom Sherak.

"I went Saturday to watch him (rehearse) his song, that will open the show... He's unbelievable... he's going to make the show incredibly funny," he told ABC7 News hours before the event kicks off at 5:30 pm (0130 GMT Monday).

As usual, the annual march to Oscars coronation has not been without a few twists and surprises.

British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, a member of the cast of "Hugo," has ruffled feathers with his apparent plans to promote his upcoming film "The Dictator" in full faux strongman regalia on the red carpet.

The list of presenters is chock full of heavy-hitters -- last year's best actress and actor Natalie Portman and Colin Firth will join Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Tom Hanks and Angelina Jolie among others.

Scorsese's "Hugo," a visually rich 3D tribute to a French film pioneer, goes into the show with the most nominations, at 11, with black-and-white Hollywood love letter "The Artist" just behind on 10.

Scorsese is not the only legendary director in the mix -- Woody Allen is in the running for best picture honors for his comeback hit "Midnight in Paris," and Steven Spielberg will gun for the top prize with "War Horse."

Buddies George Clooney and Brad Pitt will duke it out for best actor, but "Artist" star Jean Dujardin, who has won a slew of awards for his portrayal of a struggling silent-era movie star, could best them both.

Pitt is up for his role as coach Billy Beane in baseball movie "Moneyball," while Clooney has been hailed for playing against type in "The Descendants," a family drama set in Hawaii that is also in the hunt for best picture glory.

Mexico's Demian Bichir is on the best actor shortlist for his poignant turn as an undocumented migrant in "A Better Life," as is British veteran Gary Oldman for Cold War spy thriller "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."

Meryl Streep could take home her first Oscar in three decades for a powerful turn as former British premier Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady," in a battle against cross-dressing Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs."

Rooney Mara, who plays damaged hacker Lisbeth Salander in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is also in the running for the best actress prize, as is Michelle Williams for her turn as Marilyn Monroe in "My Week with Marilyn."

But Oscar watchers say they could all be beaten by Viola Davis, whose role as a black maid in "The Help" -- set in Mississippi against the backdrop of the 1960s civil rights struggle -- has earned her an outpouring of praise.

Davis' co-star Octavia Spencer is seen as a top contender in the best supporting actress category. Castmate Jessica Chastain is also nominated along with Berenice Bejo from "The Artist" and Melissa McCarthy for "Bridesmaids."

Janet McTeer rounds out the category with her gender-bending turn opposite Close in "Albert Nobbs."

"The Help" is also among the nine movies nominated for best picture, along with "War Horse," "The Artist," "Moneyball," "The Descendants," "Midnight in Paris," "Hugo" and powerful 9/11 film "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close."

Also up for the top prize is Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life," which won the coveted Palme d'Or at last year's Cannes Film Festival.

Supporting actor top tips are Christopher Plummer in "Beginners" and Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud." Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn," Jonah Hill in "Moneyball" and Nick Nolte in "Warrior" are also in the race.

The easy foreign language film frontrunner is Iran's "A Separation," which has already won a series of awards season prizes including a Spirit Award on Saturday. It competes against films from Belgium, Canada, Israel and Poland.

Oscars kicks off with laughs as 'Artist' eyes gold

Veteran Oscars host Billy Crystal launched Hollywood's biggest night with a spoof video skit featuring the year's key nominees, as silent film "The Artist" eyed Academy Awards gold

Actor Billy Crystal hosts the ceremony of the 84th Annual Academy Awards.

Hosting the show for his ninth time, he appeared in a series of clips beginning with a black-and-white nod to the French-directed movie, featuring stars including Justin Bieber and George Clooney -- who kissed Crystal.

The "When Harry Met Sally" star then launched into a song and dance routine also including references to other movies including Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" and Clooney's Hawaiian-themed family drama "The Descendants."

Hollywood's biggest night was expected to be a battle between two odes to film-making -- French-directed black-and-white movie "The Artist" and Scorsese's 3D adventure "Hugo."

The first two awards of the night went to "Hugo" -- about the French grandfather of early cinema, Georges Melies -- for cinematography and art direction.

But the spectacle began even before the curtain went up, with the usual procession of glamour gowns on the red carpet leading into the Oscars, the climax of Hollywood's annual awards season.

British comic Sacha Baron Cohen also pulled a colorful stunt, defying a warning against coming dressed as the star of his latest movie -- and pouring the faux ashes of late North Korean leader Jim Kong-Il onto the red carpet.

The list of presenters is chock full of heavy-hitters -- last year's best actress and actor Natalie Portman and Colin Firth will join Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Tom Hanks and Angelina Jolie among others.

"Hugo" went into the show with the most nominations, at 11, with "The Artist" just behind on 10.

Scorsese is not the only legendary director in the mix -- Woody Allen is in the running for best picture honors for his comeback hit "Midnight in Paris," and Steven Spielberg will gun for the top prize with "War Horse."

Buddies Clooney and Brad Pitt will duke it out for best actor, but "Artist" star Jean Dujardin, who has won a slew of awards for his portrayal of a struggling silent-era movie star, could best them both.

Clooney downplayed his hopes of winning best actor before the show, saying: "I have a feeling in the best actor race you're going to hear someone speaking French."

Meryl Streep could take home her first Oscar in three decades for a powerful turn as former British premier Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady," in a battle against cross-dressing Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs."

Rooney Mara, who plays damaged hacker Lisbeth Salander in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is also in the running for the best actress prize, as is Michelle Williams for her turn as Marilyn Monroe in "My Week with Marilyn."

But Oscar watchers say they could all be beaten by Viola Davis, whose role as a black maid in "The Help" -- set in Mississippi against the backdrop of the 1960s civil rights struggle -- has earned her an outpouring of praise.

Davis' co-star Octavia Spencer is seen as a top contender in the best supporting actress category. Castmate Jessica Chastain is also nominated along with Berenice Bejo from "The Artist" and Melissa McCarthy for "Bridesmaids."

Janet McTeer rounds out the category with her gender-bending turn opposite Close in "Albert Nobbs."

"The Help" is also among the nine movies nominated for best picture, along with "War Horse," "The Artist," "Moneyball," "The Descendants," "Midnight in Paris," "Hugo" and powerful 9/11 film "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close."

Also up for the top prize is Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life," which won the coveted Palme d'Or at last year's Cannes Film Festival.

Supporting actor top tips are Christopher Plummer in "Beginners" and Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud." Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn," Jonah Hill in "Moneyball" and Nick Nolte in "Warrior" are also in the race.

The easy foreign language film frontrunner is Iran's "A Separation," which has already won a series of awards season prizes including a Spirit Award on Saturday. It competes against films from Belgium, Canada, Israel and Poland.

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'The Artist,' Jean Dujardin and Meryl Streep take top honors at Oscars

The film "The Artist" won top honors at the Academy Awards Sunday, taking the Best Picture prize and marking the first time in 83 years that a silent film has won the Oscar.

French Director Michel Hazanavicius kisses his wife Berenice Bejo after "The Artist" won for Best Picture at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 26, 2012 Photo: Reuters

The black-and-white comic melodrama took four prizes Sunday, including best picture, actor for Jean Dujardin and director for Michel Hazanavicius. Not since the World War I saga "Wings" was named outstanding picture at the first Oscars in 1929 had a silent film earned the top prize.

Meryl Streep won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady."

Streep played the British prime minister as a senile retiree, as well as a hectoring, dominant figure who instilled fear and respect in her own cabinet. At the film's pinnacle, Streep as Thatcher is the backbone of a nation that goes to war over the distant Falkland Islands after Argentina invades in 1982.

Streep, 62, won best actress for her 17th Oscar nomination, the most times any performer has been nominated by the Academy.

Her third win put her in a category with other three-time Oscar winners Jack Nicholson, Walter Brennan and Ingrid Bergman. Only Katharine Hepburn with four wins had more.

Christopher Plummer took home his first Oscar Sunday in a career that has spanned more than five decades for his role in the film "Beginners."

Plummer's victory in the Best Supporting Actor category made history, with the 82-year-old being the oldest person ever to win the award.

"You're only two years older than me, darling," Plummer said, addressing his Oscar statue in this 84th year of the awards. "Where have you been all my life? I have a confession to make. When I first emerged from my mother's womb, I was already rehearsing my Oscar speech."

The previous oldest winner was best-actress recipient Jessica Tandy for "Driving Miss Daisy," at age 80.

Octavia Spencer took home the first big acting honor of the night, winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in "The Help."

Spencer's Oscar triumph came for her role as a headstrong black maid whose willful ways continually land her in trouble with white employers in 1960s Mississippi.

"Thank you, academy, for putting me with the hottest guy in the room," Spencer said, referring to last year's supporting-actor winner Christian Bale, who presented her Oscar.

Her brash character holds a personal connection: "The Help" author Kathryn Stockett based some of the woman's traits on Spencer, whom she met through childhood pal Tate Taylor, the director of the film.

Before taking the stage, Spencer got kisses from "The Help" co-stars Viola Davis, a best-actress nominee, and Jessica Chastain, a fellow supporting nominee.

"I share this with everybody," Spencer said.

"The Artist's" director Michel Hazanavicius won the Best Director Award for the silent film.

Claiming Hollywood's top-filmmaking honor Sunday completes Hazanavicius' sudden rise from popular movie-maker back home in France to internationally celebrated director.

Host Billy Crystal kicked things off with a kiss from actor George Clooney in a parody of the film “The Descendants.” The scene was part of his opening montage, which also included his signature goofy song.

Crystal joked about his return to his gig as host, saying “this is my ninth time – just call me War Horse.”

Martin Scorsese's adventure "Hugo" won the first two prizes of the night, claiming the Oscars for cinematography and art direction.

"Marty, you're a genius as usual," said "Hugo" cinematographer Robert Richardson, who won his third Oscar after previous wins for "JFK" and Scorsese's "The Aviator."

The wins for "Hugo" were a blow to best-picture favorite "The Artist," which lost in both categories. "The Artist" ran second to "Hugo" with 10 nominations.

The red carpet had its highlights as well, with comedian Sacha Baron Cohen walking the carpet dressed as a Moammar Qaddafi-like dictator for his upcoming film, “The Dictator.” The actor then managed to spill what he claimed to be the ashes of the late North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il all over E! News host, Ryan Seacrest.

His stunt got him bum rushed by Oscar security.

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Finnish choir to perform in Hanoi

Dominante, one of the most famous Finnish choirs, will perform in Hanoi for the first time on March 6, according to the Embassy of Finland on February 27.

Dominante choir (Source: Finnish Embassy)

Founded in 1975 as a student choir at Helsinki University of Technology campus, it still consists mostly of students of Aalto University, University of Helsinki and the Sibelius Academy. During the past three decades, Dominante has become a desired choral performer in Finland thanks to its versatile repertoire, ranging from traditional to ultramodern choral music and from musicals to orchestral works.

Dominante has appeared on more than twenty recordings. For its latest a cappella recording entitled “Lempeä”, Dominante was given the “Record of the Year” award by the Finnish Choral Directors’ Association in 2009. In 2010, it participated in the recordings of the complete works of Jean Sibelius for the BIS record label.

Dominante's performances of these choral works for mixed choir have been critically acclaimed across Europe, with many quartets and quintets winning prizes in national contests. The choir has also toured the world on a yearly basis and visited countries on all continents.

“Visiting Vietnam for the first time, the choir is eager to bring Finnish music closer to local audiences. Consisting of youthful, dynamic and dedicated musicians, I believe that Dominante will consolidate the cultural bridge between Finland and Vietnam,” said Finnish Ambassador in Vietnam Kimmo Lähdevirta.

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Foreigners sing Trinh’s music to celebrate his birthday

A music show featuring 3 foreigners singing songs of the late legendary musician Trinh Cong Son to mark his 73th birthday will be held in Ho Chi Minh City in 3 nights from tonight.

British singer Lee Kirby Photo: Leekirby.com

They include Lee Kirby from the UK and Richard Fuller and Kyo York from America.

“I and people who love Trinh Cong Son’s music want to sing “Diem Xua,” ”Bien Nho,” and , “Uot Mi,” to know more about his love with this life,” said singer Anh Tuye, owner of ATB Music Lounge where the show will take place. , said.

Local singer The Vinh, pianist and musician Nguyen Anh 9, guitarist Hoang Minh and saxophonist Quang Khai will also share the stage.

Lee Kirby is not new too many young Internet users in Vietnam via due to his sweet covers of Trinh’s music. In 2010, he made embarked on a tour, titled “Tra Da Voi Lee” (Iced Tea With Lee), across Vietnam.

The 27-year-old man Kyo York first came to Vietnam to be an English teacher. But after he listened to some Vietnamese songs and got obsession became obsessed with Vietnamese music, he has kept continued learning and performing Vietnamese songs.

First came to arriving in Vietnam in the late 1960s, Richard Fuller is now lives living in HCMC and teaching teaches English. With a strong love to of Trinh’s music, he learned Vietnamese and hypnotized many lovers of Trinh’s music lovers with his emotional performances. Fuller also translated some songs of the late composer’s songs into English.

Trinh Cong Son has captured the hearts of many with large number of people’s heart by his melodious and philosophical songs. The musician’s drew works got inspiration from his love to the of life and to the people around him. Recently, a series of love letters expressing his overwhelming love for Ngo Vu Dao Anh, the love of his life, has have been published, giving chances for fans a chance to understand more about the life of the talented musician.

The show will take place at the music lounge at 197/4 Nguyen Van Troi Street in Phu Nhuan District.

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