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Johnny Hallyday's doctor assaulted

PARIS, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Police in Paris say they are looking for two men who assaulted French rocker Johnny Hallyday's surgeon during the weekend.

Hallyday, 66, has been placed in a medically induced coma at the Los Angeles hospital where he is being treated for complications stemming from surgery he underwent in Paris for a slipped disc.

Investigators told the BBC French surgeon Stephane Delajoux was punched and kicked by two men wearing hoods Friday night.

He reportedly was treated for his injuries and released from a hospital Saturday.

The BBC did not suggest a motive for the alleged assault.

NYFCO honors 'Avatar,' 'Inglourious'

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- New York Film Critics Online declared James Cameron's special effects-laden adventure "Avatar" the best picture of 2009.

Jeff Bridges was named best actor for his role in "Crazy Heart" and Meryl Streep earned the best actress title for her performance in "Julie & Julia."

Kathryn Bigelow picked up the prize for best director for "The Hurt Locker" and Mo'Nique was honored as best supporting actress for "Precious."

Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" won the awards for best screenplay and cinematography, while co-star Christoph Waltz was named best supporting actor and earned the gong for breakthrough performer.

"The White Ribbon" was NYFCO's choice for best foreign film, while the best documentary honor went to "The Cove" and "Up" was deemed the year's best animated film.

The cast of "In the Loop" was also recognized for giving the best ensemble performance of 2009.

NYFCO's list of the year's best films in alphabetical order are "Adventureland," "Avatar," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "The Hurt Locker," "Inglourious Basterds," "The Messenger," "Precious," "A Serious Man," "Two Lovers," "Up" and "Up in the Air."

Mel and Leo teaming up for Viking epic

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Hollywood filmmaker Mel Gibson is to begin directing a Viking picture starring Leonardo DiCaprio next fall, the project's producer told Variety.

William Monahan is penning the script for the film, which Graham King is producing with Gibson and Tim Headington in a co-production between King's GK Films and Gibson's Icon Productions, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said Monday.

Monahan, DiCaprio and King previously collaborated on "The Departed," while DiCaprio and King also worked together on "Blood Diamond."

King produced the upcoming Gibson movie "Edge of Darkness," which Monahan wrote, as well.

"This will be an awe-inspiring story, created with some of the industry's finest cinematic talent and I am just over the moon to be making this film with Mel, Leo and Bill," King said in a statement to Daily Variety.

Kourtney Kardashian gives birth to son

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Kourtney Kardashian's publicist says the U.S. reality television personality has given birth to a son she named Mason Dash Disick.

The child is the first for Kardashian and Scott Disick, her boyfriend of two years.

"Kourtney just delivered a healthy baby boy about an hour ago," her representative told E! News and Life & Style magazine Monday morning.

"A boy is definitely needed in this family!" Kardashian told E! News in October. "Scott and I are thrilled to add a little boy to the bunch."

"We're home every night looking at baby books and baby magazines," Disick told Usmagazine.com before the baby's birth. "I just want to stay home with (Kourtney,) enjoy her company, look at her stomach and be with her."

Kardashian is known for her TV programs "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami."