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lifestyle THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014 Features Hobbit fans drop Tolkien evil eye plan for Moscow after Church protest group of Russian designers yesterday scrapped a planned light installation modeled on the all-seeing Aevil eye in JRR Tolkien’s fantasy novels after the Russian Orthodox Church protested. The group had planned to raise what resembles a giant glowing eye on the 21st floor of a sky- scraper to celebrate the local release of the final part of Peter Jackson’s movie adaptation of “The Hobbit” on Thursday. In Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and also in the subsequent “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the Eye of Sauron is a giant flaming eye controlled by the “dark lord” Sauron which allows him to watch anyone who puts on the fateful, power-giving ring. But the Russian Orthodox Church’s head of public affairs, Vsevolod Chaplin, objected to what he called a “demonic symbol” in an interview with Govorit Moskva radio station. “Such a symbol of the triumph of evil is rising up over the city, becoming practically the highest object in the city. Is that good or bad? I’m afraid it’s more likely bad. Just don’t be sur- prised later if something goes wrong with the city,” Chaplin warned. The city authorities then also reacted, saying that the Eye of Sauron could require planning permission. “Unfortunately we are forced to stop the ‘Eye of Sauron’ project,” the group of designers called Svecheniye, or Kirk Douglas poses for a portrait in Beverly Hills, Calif. Kirk Douglas, right, and wife Anne Douglas pose for a por- In this Dec 5, 1960 file photo, actor Kirk Douglas and his Radiance, wrote on Facebook, saying they did not expect —AP photos trait in Beverly Hills. wife Anne Douglas, formally Anne Buydens, arrive at “such a public reaction.” “The project doesn’t have a religious London Airport from Paris to attend the premiere of his or political subtext. And not wanting any kind of negativity, film, “Spartacus,” in London. we are stopping our preparations for the project,” it said, post- ing a picture of Ian McKellen playing wise wizard Gandalf in Jackson’s films. The installation was planned as a 10-metre (33 foot) sphere with a light show projecting from behind to create a 3-D effect Kirk and Anne Douglas reflect on 60-year romance on a 21-story tower in Moscow’s business district. The proper- irk Douglas is done with writing. The rakish screen leg- myself, I’m not going to do that. I will work and I will do my pledged $50 million to five charitable organizations. Giving ty company that owns the tower had backed the stunt, which end with the famously dimpled chin made that abun- work for the movie that I was hired for, but no intimate con- has been in Kirk Douglas’ bones since childhood. “I was a boy the designers said was a fans’ tribute to Jackson’s latest film, Kdantly clear on a recent afternoon at his Beverly Hills nection with the movie stars,” she said. who didn’t have enough to eat. I had six sisters, no brothers. not part of its promotional campaign. — AFP home, a few days before the release of his poetry collection Then she attended a charity event where actors played the We were living by the railroad tracks and every night, hobos “Life Could Be Verse: Reflections on Love, Loss, and What parts of circus performers. Kirk Douglas, sporting a tuxedo, would come and knock on the door. And even though we did- Really Matters.” “To me, this is my best book, and my last book,” decided his talent would be cleaning up after the elephants. “I n’t have enough, my mother always saved something so when said Douglas, seated next to Anne Douglas, his wife of over 60 held on until he picked up the elephant doo,” she said, laugh- they came to the door, she had something to give them. She years. It was a pronouncement that came up more than a few ing heartily. “That did it for me.” Douglas, not missing a beat, taught me at an early age to help other people.” times. The “Spartacus” star, who just turned 98, has 87 films to chimed in: “Obviously she was looking for a garbage collector.” His career is pointedly on the back burner as he reflects on his name, 11 books, and is one of the last living members of Still, a cute beginning is hardly noteworthy. Longevity is. his life. A rebel on the screen and off, he counts crediting old Hollywood. By now, the world probably thinks it knows “Romance begins at 80, and I ought to know,” he said, refer- blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo on “Spartacus” as his Kirk Douglas. encing one of his poems. most rebellious move. “I was much younger then, and I was But in some ways, “Life Could Be Verse” is his most personal “I’m a romantic guy. You think I’m always shooting guns much more stubborn,” he said. Now, Kirk and Anne Douglas work, featuring poems from throughout his life along with with John Wayne, but I can be romantic. And, listen, we’re sit- are focused on their home, family and reflecting on a life well- essays and private family photos that help paint a picture of ting here. We have been married for 60 years. A few poems lived. They recently hosted Thanksgiving at their home near Douglas as a man, a father and a husband. In an industry not help.” Romance is just one of their secrets. Over the years, they Santa Barbara. Among the 14 attendees were Michael known for domestic stability, Kirk and Anne Douglas may be have devoted themselves to philanthropy. The shared passion Douglas, his children and Michael Douglas’ mother, actress one of the great Hollywood romances. Seated closely on a has been important for the couple, who’ve endured tragedy Diana Dill, whom Anne Douglas refers to as “our ex-wife.” cozy couch in a home that is elegant, modest and lived-in, the and loss, including his stroke in 1996 and the death of their “We are living in a town of make-believe. I have done couple recalled their first meeting in Paris. He was working on youngest son, Eric Douglas, in 2004. “Our goal has been, since about 90 movies. That means that every time I was pretending the film “Act of Love.” She was the publicist. we’re able to do that, to help a little bit and to share what you to be someone else. There comes a time in your life when you have with those in need. That has been a very big bond say, well, ‘who am I?’” he said. “I have found writing books a Romance begins at 80 between us,” said Anne Douglas. good substitute to making pictures. When you write a book, “I thought she was so beautiful, and I lowered my voice you get to determine what part you are playing.” — AP and said, ‘Would you like to have dinner?’” he said. “I waited for More stubborn an answer and she said, ‘No, I think I will go home and make They’ve sold art from their personal collection to help fund This photo released by Paramount Pictures shows, David some eggs and go to bed.’” Anne Douglas (then Buydens) had various causes, including the restoration of over 400 play- Oyelowo, center, as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Carmen her own thoughts about transient movie stars. A lot of her grounds in the Los Angeles area and the development of a Ejogo, right, as Coretta Scott King in the film, “Selma,” friends were going out with actors at the time. “I said to shelter for homeless women downtown. In 2012, the couple from Paramount Pictures and Pathe. — AP ‘Birdman’ leads Screen Actors Guild nominations he dark show-business comedy “Birdman” soared with a story “The Theory of Everything.” All were recognized for their leading four Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, ensemble casts and individual performances. Patricia Tincluding best ensemble cast. Lead actor Michael Arquette and Ethan Hawke earned nods for playing divorced Keaton was recognized for his work as the washed-up parents across 12 years in “Boyhood”; Felicity Jones and Eddie Hollywood actor Riggan Thomson. Co-stars Emma Stone, who Redmayne for their portrayal of Jane and Stephen Hawking in played Thomson’s troubled daughter, and Edward Norton, as “The Theory of Everything”; and Benedict Cumberbatch and an arrogant theater star, also both picked up nods. Keira Knightley as World War II-era British logicians Alan Turing Following with three nominations each were the coming- and Joan Clarke in “The Imitation Game.”—AP of-age tale and critics award favorite “Boyhood,” the Alan Turing biopic “The Imitation Game,” and the Stephen Hawking These images released by Paramount Pictures show Chris Rock with Gabrielle Union, left, and Rosario Dawson in “Top List of SAG nominees Five.”—AP photos Outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture “Orange is the New Black” “Birdman” “Veep” “Boyhood” “The Grand Budapest Hotel” Outstanding performance by a male “The Imitation Game” actor in a drama series “The Theory of Everything” Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire” Chris Rock’s stand-up Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones” Outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role Woody Harrelson, “True Detective” Steve Carell, “Foxcatcher’” Matthew McConaughey, “True Detective” Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Imitation Game” Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards” comes to life in ‘Top Five’ Jake Gyllenhaal, “Nightcrawler” Michael Keaton, “Birdman” Outstanding performance by a female actor in riter-director Chris Rock is not Andre Allen, the up to the challenge.

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