Haynes' Dylan pic gets big deal

How many A-list stars does it take to get a Todd Haynes movie released wide enough to reach my little corner of the world? With his upcoming Dylan flick, I think we might just find out.

The Weinstein Co. has scooped up North American and U.K. rights to "I'm Not There," and plan to release it later this year.

The music biopic genre has almost been done to death, but as is his way, Haynes will turn it on its head and start over. A number of actors will play the cranky crooner throughout his life, including Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett (now that should just be fun.)

Add to this mix supporting turns from Michelle Williams, Julianne Moore, Charlotte Gainsbourg (huzzah!) and David Cross, and you've got one fantastic ensemble cast.

The soundtrack will feature artists such as Willie Nelson and Yo La Tengo playing Dylan songs, as well as songs performed by Dylan himself.

In a way, of course, Haynes has already made one fantastic music biopic with "Velvet Goldmine," though that was more the story of the glam world rather than any particular artist. If you haven't seen that wild ride, rent it and then imagine what Haynes will do with the story of Mr. Dylan. Dream with me, people.

I always knew Dame Mirren had soul

Now that the African-American Film Critics have spoken, you can officially declare one Oscar race over: Helen Mirren will win the Best Actress Oscar running away.

While many of their picks were predictable - Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, Bill Condon, "Dreamgirls" and Forest Whitaker all received much love - Dame Mirren's pale complexion surely stood out as their pick for Best Actress. That should pretty much seal the deal.

A much-deserved Special Achievement Honor was given to Spike Lee, who directed HBO's "When the Levees Broke" and the bigscreen "Inside Man," which was his first film to reach $100 in domestic box office.

And in their Top 10, you'll find some, well, more colorul choices than you might elsewhere: The finalists were: "Dreamgirls," "The Last King of Scotland," "The Departed," "Akeelah and the Bee," "Catch a Fire," (huzzah!) "Idlewild," (boo!) "Bobby," "The Devil Wears Prada," "The Pursuit of Happyness" and "Inside Man."

Somehow I doubt you'll be seeing "Catch a Fire" and "Akeelah and the Bee" on many more lists, but I loved them both, so it's nice to see them get some respect. If I ever get around to making it, at least one of those will be on my list too.