Stars gather as 'King's Speech' eyes Oscars crown

Hollywood: British royal drama "The matter of the King" received additional impetus in the run-up to the fact that supporters hope will be his coronation Oscars on Sunday, as the stars gather at the climax of the annual season of tinsel town award.
The film, nominated for 12 Academy Awards, including best picture and best actor for Colin Firth, won best foreign film at the Independent Spirit Awards the film, barely 24 hours before the main show in Hollywood.
Ballet thriller "Black Swan", was nominated for five Oscars, winning best film at the spirits, as well as best actress for Natalie Portman - who is the leader in this category on Sunday.
With less than 24 hours before the annual awards mega-bash, the stars have been tweaking their acceptance speeches - fingers crossed - and is preparing to put on dresses and tuxedos for the Oscar red carpet.
Although "This King is the leader, nobody takes anything for granted as rivals including Facebook, the movie" Social Networking ", a remake of the classic western" True Grit "and the boxing film" The Fighter "fighting for the glory of an Oscar.
Nevertheless, the Firth is considered all but certain to be named best actor for his role as King George VI of Great Britain, helped an Australian voice coach Lionel Logue - played by Geoffrey Rush - to overcome his stutter Crippling.
David Fincher may well be named best director for "Social Networking", which tells the story of how Mark Zuckerberg created the game changes the site of the controversial start as a student at Harvard, some critics say.
"Social network" began the season as the favorite awards, taking four Golden Globes in January. But the British royal film has since spread to a number of awards in the U.S., as well as the BAFTAs UK.
On Sunday the 10-strong list for best film and Hi-Tech thriller "Start", "127 hours" - the tourists are forced to amputate his arm - and the "Toy Story 3", widely tipped as the best animation.
Others hoped for a touch of Oscar gold include the elusive British graffiti artist Banksy, whose film "Out through the gift shop" was nominated for best documentary Oscar. The film won Spirit Awards on Saturday.
Best foreign film contest between "Biutiful" in Mexico - whose star, Javier Bardem as to the Best Actor - "Fang" from Greece, "in a better world", "Incendies" from Canada and Algeria "outlaws".
Actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway will be an Oscar show, and organizers of this week released details of who will present awards, including the recent Helen Mirren, Bardem, Mila Kunis and Amy Adams.
Oscar weekend also gives rise to endless holidays, ranging from traditional Elton John's bash in West Hollywood one reportedly jointly organized by Madonna and Demi Moore.
After the big show is over, the real fun begins: Oscar after parties - and after party - go for good on Monday as Hollywood recovered from their annual binge awards season.
Until then, though, some of Hollywood's best prepared to grovel on Saturday night, when the traditional Golden Raspberry Awards - or Razzies - were to be identified.
Stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Ashton Kutcher, Robert Pattinson, Miley Cyrus and Barbra Streisand are on the list at the Razzies, billed as "saluting the worst that Hollywood has to offer every year." (AFP)