Tarantino irked by movie-violence queries
LONDON, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. director Quentin Tarantino says he still sees no connection between film and real-life violence, but heatedly refused to tell a British TV journalist why.
The filmmaker appeared on Britain's Channel Four News program to promote his latest blood-soaked saga, "Django Unchained," which opened in U.S. theaters shortly after Connecticut's Sandy Hook school massacre, in which a 20-year-old gunman killed 20 first-graders and six adults before fatally shooting himself.
The critically acclaimed film, which is up for Hollywood's Best Picture Oscar, has become part of a wider dialogue about the impact screen violence has on people and whether filmmakers have a responsibility to tone it down in light of numerous real-life mass shootings.
Channel Four presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy quietly asked Tarantino several times to clarify statements he has made in the past about his opinion there is no relationship between movie and real-life violence.
Growing visibly irritated by the journalist's line of questioning, Tarantino told him, "I'm shutting your butt down."
"This is a commercial for the movie -- make no mistake," Tarantino said, emphasizing he has no intention of explaining why he likes making violent movies and why he doesn't think they influence people to hurt others.
He also encouraged his interviewer -- and anyone else who is interested in what he has to say about the topics -- to search the Internet for his past statements because his opinions have not changed "one iota."
"It's none of your damn business what I think about that," Tarantino said.
"I've explained this many times in 20 years but I just refuse to repeat myself over and over again because you want me to -- for you and your show and your ratings," the filmmaker said. "I'm going to tell you why I'm so sure? Don't ask me a question like that. I'm not biting. I refuse your question. I refuse your question. I'm not your slave and you're not my master. You can't make me dance to your tune. I'm not a monkey. I don't want to talk about what you want to talk about. I don't want to talk about the implications of violence. I haven't wanted ... because ... The reason I don't want to talk about it -- because I've said everything I have to say about it."
Critics hail Affleck's 'Argo'
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 11 (UPI) -- "Argo" was named Best Picture and its star-director Ben Affleck crowned Best Director at the Critics' Choice Awards ceremony in Santa Monica, Calif.
The Broadcast Film Critics Association handed out its prizes at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica Thursday night.
Daniel Day-Lewis was declared Best Actor for his performance in "Lincoln" and Jessica Chastain earned the Best Actress honor for her role in "Zero Dark Thirty."
Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Best Supporting Actor accolade for "The Master" and the Best Supporting Actress title went to Anne Hathaway for "Les Miserables."
Quvenzhane Wallis, the child star of "Beasts of the Southern Wild," earned the Best Young Actor/Actress title and Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver shared the Best Acting Ensemble mention for "Silver Linings Playbook."
Quentin Tarantino picked up the prize for Best Original Screenplay for "Django Unchained" and Tony Kushner the Best Adapted Screenplay award for "Lincoln."
All of the winners in the major Critics' Choice Award categories were also nominated for Oscars Thursday, with the exception of Affleck. "Argo" is one of the nine nominees for the Best Picture Oscar, however.
Report: Actress Evan Rachel Wood pregnant
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Evan Rachel Wood's publicist has confirmed the U.S. actress is pregnant with her first child.
Wood, 25, wed British actor Jamie Bell, 26, last year. They met in 2005 on the set of Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September Ends" music video, in which they both appeared, and dated on and off before marrying.
"Evan Rachel Wood and husband Jamie Bell confirmed that they are expecting their first child later this year," Wood's representative told Us Weekly exclusively Friday. "The couple is thrilled."
The baby's gender and anticipated birth date were not reported.
Vieira leaving TV's 'Millionaire'
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Meredith Vieira is leaving the U.S. syndicated television game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" after 11 years as host, TVGuide.com reported.
New episodes featuring Vieira are to air until May, but she has opted not to renew her contract beyond that, the entertainment news website said.
An as-yet-to-be-announced host will take over in the fall.
Vieira previously served as co-anchor of the "Today" show and moderator of "The View."
