Johnny Depp graced the cover of our Jan. 2 issue during the award push for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” a film for which he teamed up with frequent collaborator Tim Burton. “He’s blood,” Depp said of the director. “He’s family.” Indeed, Depp is godfather to Burton’s son Billy. Best of 2008 Photography >>>Best of 2008 Main >>>(Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
The stars shined bright this year in The Envelope with Johnny Depp, “Changeling” star Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, star of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Also see Mickey Rourke, who is quite the comeback story.
“Changeling” star Angelina Jolie discussed motherhood on and off the screen in our Nov. 12 edition. Her role as Christine Collins, a woman convinced that the boy presented to her by the LAPD is not her missing son, affected her: “I got pregnant right in the middle of it and I think partially because of it. I was so emotional about children that I think something in me kicked into gear.” She has received a 2008 Golden Globe nomination for the role. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Ron Howard’s award season is off to a promising start. The day after he appeared on our Dec. 10 cover he was nominated for a Golden Globe as best director for “Frost/Nixon.” Among the film’s other nominations are best drama and best actor in a drama (Frank Langella). (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Michael Emerson’s Ben character on “Lost” was initially supposed to appear in only three episodes. But Emerson was so creepily awesome that he became a regular. He was nominated for an Emmy this year, and he won the coveted spot on The Envelope’s cover (Sept. 17). (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Anne Hathaway played down award buzz surrounding her “Rachel Getting Married” performance in our Nov. 5 cover story: “Whenever Meryl Streep has a movie like ‘Doubt,’ she is the sole front-runner .... I know I’m just the first of about 15 women in great roles this year. It doesn’t diminish my work. I’m just the first one out here.” She’s right, but not all 15 can be nominated for Golden Globes. Hathaway joins Streep as one of five nominees for best actress in a drama. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
For “Australia” (and our Nov. 19 cover story), Nicole Kidman re-teamed with her “Moulin Rouge!” director and fellow countryman, Baz Luhrmann. Of her native land she says, “My relationship with Australia is one of enormous gratitude for molding me, and love.” (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
