Body blows, 'Body of Lies'

You had us at Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, (reunited for the first time since "The Quick and the Dead!") and maybe we'll still enjoy the "Body of Lies" ride despite the New York Times' description of it as a "busy, contrived and lifeless" action/espionage/stuff-blowing-up-constantly flick.

Can a pair of Oscar caliber actors go wrong? Oh sure. Two words -- "Righteous Kill."

Three-time Oscar nominee Ridley Scott's latest is still on the weekend to-see list, critics be damned. Even if it is "Syriana" for dummies, is that such a bad thing?

Warfare of a different sort -- slightly less bloodshed? -- going on between Oscar-winning producer Scott Rudin and Harvey Weinstein, aka the Human Tsunami, over "The Reader," a period drama kicking up more trophy buzz for Kate Winslet.

In shorthand, there's been much behind-the-camera hubbub over its December release, accusations of strong-arm tactics (guess who?), and Oscar potential hanging in the balance.

Today's news is that Rudin has walked away from the picture.

If you try to unravel this tangled web, which involves the late great filmmakers Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack, some smoking gun-style e-mails, and a cool million-dollar payoff, start here.