Angelina Jolie, that sneaky mama, somehow managed to elude detection and clandestinely make her way here to LA to make a surprise appearance at the 12th Annual Hollywood Film Festival Awards Gala, which was held at the Beverly Hills Hilton hotel last night, especially to pay tribute and honor her Changeling director Clint Eastwood. There were a lot of other sexy beyotches at last night’s affair but Angelina deffo stole the show. Here are a few pics from the red carpet arrivals and gala itself:

She may be the most photographed woman in the world. But even Angelina Jolie can fly under the radar. The actress – who recently returned from a humanitarian mission in Afghanistan – made a surprise appearance at Monday night’s Hollywood Film Festival Awards Gala, where she payed tribute to director Clint Eastwood. In fact, Jolie’s appearance was so unexpected, the A-list crowd gasped audibly when she was introduced. The mother-of-six took time out of her busy schedule to present Eastwood – who helmed her most recent move, The Changeling – with the director of the year award. “There are some people in this business that are icons, and we often wonder if, when we meet them, they’ll live up to what we imagine them to be,” she told the audience. “And Clint Eastwood in person is even better. Clint is what every great director should be,” she continued. “He is a great leader. And I certainly would follow him anywhere.” … As he accepted the honor, Eastwood noted, “Working with someone like Angelina Jolie is a great privilege, because you get to look on that gorgeous beauty every day. And she’s a great talent.” The two walked arm-in-arm from the stage. Then Jolie, wearing a floor-sweeping black gown and minimal makeup, slipped out of the event as stealthily as she’d arrived.

It’s unclear if Angelina flew to the States unaccompanied by any of her family members (who were last seen in Germany where daddy Brad Pitt is bizzy working on a new Tarantino film) but my guess is that she’s prolly already back with her family by now. Clint Eastwood wasn’t the only actor who was honored at last night’s gala event … Dustin Hoffman was presented with the Hollywood Career Achievement Award, Josh Brolin was presented with the Hollywood Actor of the Year Award and Kristin Scott Thomas took home the Hollywood Actress of the Year Award. I believe that Ryan Gosling was on hand to present Hoffman with his trophy but I, personally, would be much more excited about having Mr. Gosling doing the presenting rather than the award itself. Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson … the Hollywood Film Festival Gala brought out all the hotties. Sounds like it was a fun event.

[Photo credit: Wireimage, Bauer-Griffin; Source]

In an update to an earlier post today, it is my extreme pleasure to report that prospectors have decided to drop all charges of assault against Christian Bale (stemming from an incident with estranged members of his family late last month) in full. It was earlier reported that Christian would be able to evade criminal charges and would only receive a “caution” IF he admitted guilt in open court next month, it now turns out that that won’t be necessary … he won’t be facing any charges at all:

Batman star Christian Bale will not face charges relating to an alleged assault last month on his mother and sister, prosecutors said Thursday, suggesting their decision was based in part on the family members’ wishes. Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence to afford a “realistic prospect of conviction,” and ordered police not to take any further action. The service said in a statement that while it “treats all incidents which take place in a domestic context seriously, it is important that the views of complainants are also taken into account when making decisions in such cases.” Bale, who denies the allegation, said through his spokeswoman, Jennifer Allen, that he was relieved the issue had been settled. The actor “hopes to put the matter firmly behind him” and will be providing no further comment, Allen said in a statement released by Bale’s lawyers.

Whew! This is great news for Christian Bale. I was wary of him admitting guilt in open court just to have the issue resolved without criminal prosecution but that is no longer an issue … the case has been dropped, there is nothing further to be said on his part. At least this ugly incident has been resolved and he can carry on. What do y’all think? Was this the right course of action?

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Is Christian about to be Baled out of trubs over the recent allegations of assault brought against him by his estranged mother and sister? As you may recall, Christian Bale was arrested late last month after an incident with his family members alleged that he assaulted them in a London hotel (on the eve of the London premiere of The Dark Knight), Bale immediately denied the allegations. Today comes word that the British Crown Prosecution Service lawyers are recommending that Bale evade prosecution for these charges and merely be “cautioned” … the only problem is that Bale will have to admit his guilt to the incident in open court next month:

Christian Bale won’t face charges over claims he assaulted his mother and sister, according to reports. The 34-year-old actor was arrested in London last month over accusations he attacked his mother Jenny, 61, and sister Sharon, 40, at the city’s Dorchester Hotel before the premiere of The Dark Knight. Bale was questioned by UK police over the incident and was subsequently released on bail. But British Crown Prosecution Service lawyers have advised police to caution the actor - meaning he will not face charges, according to The Sun newspaper. Bale will have to admit guilt to get a caution when he answers bail next month (Sep08). He currently denies the allegations.

Yeah, I guess this is good news and bad news for Christian. Good news that nothing of substance has to come from this nasty incident with his family, bad news that he has to admit guilt in order to make the matter go away with just a caution. It’s a tough call … does he take the easy way out and admit guilt for something he contends never happened or does he continue to deny the allegations and go to trial? I’m not sure what I’d do in the same sitch, but I’m sure he’ll do what’s best for him. What would you do if faced with the same dilemma?

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Christian Bale and co. (made up of his wife Sibi and his daughter Emmeline) have returned home to SoCal after enduring a bit of a whirlwind tour of the world to promote The Dark Knight … here are a few pics of the somewhat haggard lookin’ fam making their way thru LAX airport this week:

I’m not entirely sure that Christian will have to jet off to far off places around the world anytime soon to do more promo work … I suspect he has to get back to the set of Terminator: Salvation in New Mexico to get back to work. I dunno when or if the man sleeps but I am glad to know that he is tirelessly working towards bringing us great movies to watch. Welcome home, Bales.

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]

Christian Bale (with his beautiful wife Sibi by his side), Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart and director Christopher Nolan were all on hand at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo yesterday for the Japanese premiere of Batman: The Dark Knight. Here are a few pics from the red carpet arrivals at yesterday’s premiere:

First, I think it’s amazing seeing Christian Bale smiling again. He looks so happy … even tho I’m sure that the memory of his recent embarrassing incident with his estranged family members is still fresh in his mind, he looks great — as if he’s already moved well beyond that dark incident. I think it’s pretty safe to say that The Dark Knight is pretty much on track to fully conquer the world. It’s already well on it’s way to becoming the most successful film in US box office history (it looks like the Titanic is going to sink again) and is also proving to be a big hit all around the world. I’m anxious to get back to the States to see it again … next time, on IMAX. And the TDK juggernaut rolls on …

[Photo credit: Wireimage]

Ever the consummate professional, Christian Bale attended the Spanish premiere of Batman: The Dark Knight at the Coliseum Cinema in Barcelona, Spain last night in the wake of the troubling family issues that came to light earlier this week in London. Joined by his loving and supportive wife Sibi Balzac (along with his TDK co-stars Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart and his director Christopher Nolan) Christian took to the red carpet to pose for photos and also spent about 30 minutes signing autographs for the assembled fans … tho, he did opt out of giving any interviews. Here are a few pics of Christian with his wife Sibi at yesterday’s premiere:

A day after his arrest on assault allegations, Christian Bale turned out for the premiere of The Dark Knight in Spain on Wednesday, meeting fans but avoiding questions from reporters. Wearing a dark blue suit, Bale, 34, signed autographs and posed for photos with his wife Sibi and his Batman costars Maggie Gyllenhaal and Aaron Eckhart at the event in Madrid. Bale, released by police in London Tuesday afternoon, appeared calm and relaxed after arriving at the premiere in a 15-car motorcade, the Associated Press reports. He did not speak to reporters or say anything about his arrest, according to AP.

The Daily Mail has published more conjecture (by way of The Sun) concerning the alleged altercation that took place at the Dorchester Hotel this past Sunday night which resulted in Bale’s arrest Tuesday. In addition to pleas for money, the paper also reports that Bale’s estranged mother and/or sister said some insulting and disparaging things about his wife that added to the tense situation (which was later alleged to be assault):

Batman star Christian Bale argued with his sister after she asked him for £100,000 to help raise her children, it was alleged today. The 34-year-old Batman star is reported to have snubbed the plea and allegedly “pushed and shoved” Sharon and his mother Jenny, 61, during a row in his suite at the Dorchester Hotel on Monday. A source told The Sun: “Christian is a very wealthy man and was asked to help his sister out financially. He was asked to loan her £100,000 but he refused and it caused an almighty row.” Jenny Bale is also said to have made highly disparaging comments about the star’s glamorous wife of eight years, Sibi, 38, a former make-up artist and model.

Again, I totally believe that Christian Bale will be vindicated of these charges and I not only commend him for sticking to his commitments and attempting to carry on in a professional manner but I commend his loving wife for staying by his side thru all of this drama. I imagine it must be terribly painful to have to contend with family issues like this in the public eye but Christian seems to be soldiering on like a champ.

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