Academy-Award nominee Bridesmaids led the pack as the most popular movie of the week. Viewers couldn’t get enough of Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and the rest of the funny ladies in this Judd Apatow comedy. Notable moments include McCarthy, in the running for Best Supporting Actress, in the infamous dress-shopping scene . It’ll make you queasy with laughter. Order the Special Edition today to get extended footage and exclusive bonus scenes you didn’t see in theaters.

Next on the list is Breaking Dawn Part I, the latest installment of the Twilight Saga, starring Kristen Stewart. At 21, KStew is the youngest of our stars, and although she isn’t nominated for an Academy Award, she has already received a ton of recognition for her role as Bella Swan, including a BAFTA Award and People’s Choice Award. In the film, she pushes the boundaries of her character, who is being eaten alive by a vampire baby growing inside her.

Fast Five, the fifth installment of the Fast & the Furious series, follows as the third most popular movie of the week. Jordana Brewster returns as the heroine Mia Toretto to join “The Rock” and Vin Diesel in this adrenaline-packed automotive thriller involving gunfights, brawls, and a $100 million heist. The stunner from Panama got a kick out of doing a lot of her own stunts, which included an unforgettable roof-jumping sequence in the slums of Brazil.

Rose Byrne stars as Moira MacTaggert, an ambitious CIA agent who tries to protect the mutants’ powers in X-Men: First Class, the fifth installment of the franchise based on the Marvel comics.

The final movie on the week is The Rum Diary based on the novel by journalist Hunter S. Thompson, with Amber Heard playing Chenault, Johnny Depp’s love interest. Heard, known for her pin-up girl image, is especially memorable riding a red ’59 Corvette under the hot Puerto Rican sun.

Order these hits and other top picks on DIRECTV CINEMA and watch these leading ladies of Hollywood shine.

UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson | February 25 at 10 p.m. ET
The wait is over. UFC returns to Japan for first time since 2000 with one of the most anticipated title fight of the year. Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, arguably the greatest 155-pound fighter in the history of MMA, will take on top contender and former WEC titleholder Benson Henderson. Also returning to Japan is former PRIDE star Quinton “Rampage” Jackson who will face off against Ryan Bader. All in all, UFC 144 will feature an unprecedented seven bouts on the main card including hometown heroes Yoshihiro Akiyama and Yushin Okami. Tune in this Saturday starting at 10 p.m. ET on DIRECTV Pay Per View. More info.

NASCAR Sprint Cup: Daytona 500 | February 26 at 1:30 p.m. ET
It’s the Super Bowl of auto racing. Daytona 500, the Great American Race, will kick off the 2012 season this Sunday in historic fashion. Former IndyCar driver Danica Patrick will make her NASCAR debut in the season’s biggest race. Can she win it? Anything is possible. Just ask Trevor Bayne who shocked the racing world by winning last year’s race in just his second career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start.  That said, don’t count out the veteran drivers including last year’s Sprint Cup Series champ Tony Stewart, five-time series champ & 2006 Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson, four-time series champ and three-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon, and of course, the fan favorite and former 2004 Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. Tune in this Sunday starting at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX. More info.

NBA 2012 All-Star Weekend | February 24-26
If you love alley-oops and no-look passes, three-point contest and slam dunk challenge, then get ready for a weekend filled with non-stop hoops action featuring your favorite NBA stars. The festivities kick off this Friday with the NBA Rising Stars Challenge featuring none other than Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks. What’s an All-Star event without a little LINsanity? The action continues next day with NBA All-Star Saturday Night headlined by the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest and the Sprite Slam Dunk challenge. The weekend concludes with the 2012 All-Star Game featuring the league’s biggest stars such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and the high-flying Blake Griffin. Look for hometown star Dwight Howard of Orlando Magic to shine and walk away with the MVP trophy. Tune in all weekend on TNT:

• NBA Rising Stars Challenge – Friday at 9 p.m. ET
• NBA All-Star Saturday Night – Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET
• NBA All-Star Game – Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET

By now you’re probably familiar with Moneyball, The Help, The Artist, and The Descendants—but have you heard of Pentecost, Raju, The Shore, and Time Freak? Chances are, you haven’t, but these Oscar-nominated short films are well worth your attention.

With the full-length feature films grabbing all of the Oscar spotlight, short films— according to Academy rules, they can be no longer than 40 minutes—can be easily overlooked. But in their artistry and brilliance, this year’s nominees are as captivating as any Hollywood blockbuster. Their diverse storylines include an Irish altar boy whose faith is tested, a German couple who adopt an Indian orphan, and an inventor who creates a time machine to travel to yesterday. These innovative fillms represent movie-making in its purest form.

Last year the golden statue was awarded to God of Love, an endearing short about a love-struck, lounge-singing darts champion who uses darts to get the girl of his dreams. It was written by and stars Luke Matheny, a 34-year-old Delaware filmmaker. Here’s an interview of Matheny talking about the film and how it feels to win an Oscar.

Want to see this year’s Oscar nominees? You’re in luck. You can see all of them on Shorts HD (Channel 568), part of DIRECTV HD EXTRA PACK. From February 22 to 29, all DIRECTV customers who have HD service can get all of the channels in HD EXTRA PACK for FREE. Or you can add the package to your subscription at any time.

You can check out the trailers of some of this year’s nominated short films below.

Pentecost		The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Raju		La Luna

The Shore		A Morning Stroll

Glenn Close and Janet McTeer can’t get enough of each other these days. They worked together in Albert Nobbs and both veteran actresses received Oscar nominations for their performances. So they’ll be seeing each other on Oscar night. And the two are currently in the middle of filming the fifth and final season of the legal thriller Damages, set to air this summer exclusively on DIRECTV’s AUDIENCE Network™. Our friend, Damages writer Josh Payne, recently caught up with them to talk about working together, what they think is the best part of the Oscars, and much more. Yesterday, we gave you Josh’s interview with Janet McTeer, and today, we unveil his exclusive chat with Glenn Close below.

Janet McTeer, your co-star in Albert Nobbs, joined the cast of Damages for the show’s upcoming season. Did you play a part in Janet’s casting?

I did. I had so much fun with her in Albert Nobbs that I selfishly wanted to have her in this season. We were very guy-heavy last season [laughs].  And so I asked her and she said, “Yes.” She’s married to an American and ideally wanted to try to find work in New York. So it really was perfect for me and for her.

What would you like people to take away from Albert Nobbs?

A lot of things. I think Albert Nobbs is the kind of story that a lot of people will take away different things. I certainly think they should take away conversations about what’s fundamental for a successful life. I think connection is terrifically important, and a feeling of safety. I personally feel that it shouldn’t matter who is providing that profound connection or that sense of safety. I think gender is irrelevant in some ways. I also think it would be nice for them to take away the importance of looking at people differently, people who we might ignore in life. Realizing that behind their faces everybody has a story.

Did you and Janet bring anything from your personal relationship to enhance your onscreen relationship?

Well I really got to know Janet on Albert Nobbs. I think the fact that we became great friends was just easy. It was easy to work with Janet. She’s a brilliant actress, and fun. It’s a great combination.

You’ve worked a lot on stage. How does preparing for a stage role differ from preparing for a TV role or a film role?

The thought process in creating the character is no different. What might be different, I find, is that you have to be physically fit to pull off a lot of things that I’ve certainly been asked to do on stage because to project emotion comes down to bones and sinews and muscles. And it’s a pretty good workout. Every time I’ve done something significant on stage I’ve gone through a major physical training program for it. You can get away with a little bit more in TV and film without that kind of physical preparation.

You and Janet are both Oscar nominees this year for Albert Nobbs, and this is your sixth nomination. What’s the best part of Oscar night?

Watching it at home on TV with some popcorn [laughs]. The best part is seeing friends and knowing you’re in this amazing company. Over the years, sadly, sometimes the only time you bump into a lot of the people you are inspired by or respect is at events like this, so it makes it pretty special.

Janet McTeer and Glenn Close can’t get enough of each other these days. They worked together in Albert Nobbs and both veteran actresses received Oscar nominations for their performances. So they’ll be seeing each other on Oscar night. And the two are currently in the middle of filming the fifth and final season of the legal thriller Damages, set to air this summer exclusively on DIRECTV’s AUDIENCE Network™. Our friend, Damages writer Josh Payne, recently caught up with them to talk about working together, what they think is the best part of the Oscars, and much more. Read Josh’s exclusive interview with Janet McTeer below and check out his chat with Glenn Close here.

You and Glenn Close worked together for the first time on Albert Nobbs.  What would you like people to take away from that film?

I would like them to take away the idea that one should never judge a person, really.  It’s about being non-judgmental. It takes an ordinary person an extraordinary amount of courage to get through an ordinary day sometimes.  And certainly in the case of Albert [Close's character in Albert Nobbs]. And also it’s a film about poverty and the people who end up at the bottom of the food chain are usually the women. And there’s something wonderful about Hubert [McTeer's character in Albert Nobbs], who— before women could vote, before women had any power—Hubert takes on the role of a male figure and has power, and can end up rescuing Helen [played by Mia Wasikowska] and can end up doing things that we now slightly take for granted. If they’re financially independent then they can look out for each other. And I think also, just that thing of big dreams. Big dreams in little lives.

Has the friendship you formed with Glenn on Albert Nobbs had an impact on your Damages work?  Does it make it easier to do scenes with her?

Well, we haven’t done that many scenes because we’re in opposition [on opposing sides of a lawsuit].  But when we do have scenes it makes it easier, yes, because you’ve already got a relationship going.

You were nominated for an Oscar for your role in Tumbleweeds. What’s your favorite part of Oscar night?

Once the actual awards thing—your bit—is over, then you can just relax and have fun.  You don’t have to worry about the dress, or if you have to say anything, or anything like that.  It’s just fun.

You’ve seen the Critics’ Choice Awards, the SAG Awards, and the Golden Globes. Now the awards event you’ve really been waiting for is just days away. And what better way to enjoy it than with friends and hors d’oeuvre?

To get everything just right, here are some helpful hints to properly prepare for the big night.

Tuesday, Feb. 21
If you haven’t already done so, create your party invite. Facebook or Twitter is always a good way to get the word out.

Wednesday, Feb. 22
What will you serve or ask others to bring? How about dishes inspired by Oscar-nominated movies? Southern food in the service of The Help, French food à la Midnight in Paris, Hawaiian treats that get you closer to your dream of living on the islands with George Clooney in The Descendants, hot dogs reminiscent of the ball parks in Moneyball. You have a lot to choose from. And while you’re making this very important decision make sure you catch up on the films you’ve missed. They’re available on DIRECTV CINEMA.

Thursday, Feb. 23
So the week is pushing forward and you’re almost ready, but will you be able keep up with your guests when they start talking movies? Fortunately, DIRECTV’s entertainment search tool can help. Look up Jonah Hill, for example, and you’ll see the movies he appeared in (like Cyrus, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up) before joining the hallowed ranks of Oscar nominees for his role in Moneyball. Or why not try Brad Pitt while you’re at it? Moneyball isn’t his only nominated picture this year.

Friday, Feb. 24
It’s time to pick out that perfect Oscars outfit. Whether you decide to go red-carpet glamour or not, you want to be ready. And if you haven’t already done so, make sure your friends get the memo about the attire. We suggest a film-inspired dress code for top-quality fun. You know someone is just dying to mimic The Artist’s 1929 aesthetic (we’re thinking more Old Hollywood than Great Depression). Or how about 19th century English countryside à la Jane Eyre? The movie is up for best costume after all.

Saturday, Feb. 25
By now the RSVPs are in so it’s time to print up the Oscar ballots. No Oscar party is complete without them. Don’t forget to think of a clever prize for the person who gets the most right. Or maybe take up a pool, with awards going to the top three winners. Want to get a sense of where the winds are blowing this awards season? Check out our interviews with the winners of the Critic’s Choice Awards on the DIRECTV YouTube channel.

Sunday, Feb. 26
The day has arrived. Make sure you have enough food, enough comfortable seats, enough ballots. With that you have all you need to host a great Oscar party.

Happy Oscars!

If you haven’t seen The Amazing Race yet, here are some of the reasons to start:

• You can experience exotic destinations—this season includes stops in Paraguay and Azerbaijan—all from the comfort of your living room.

• You can feel the adrenaline rush of death-defying feats like jumping out of planes without ever leaving your couch.

• You might even get inspired to try to become a contestant for Season 21.

Don’t miss the season premiere of The Amazing Race on CBS Sunday, February 19, at 8 p.m. ET. Set your DVR!

Here’s how the app works. Once you’ve installed it on your phone or tablet, look for a film-clip icon on select photographs in the 2012 Swimsuit Issue. Just hold your phone or tablet over these photos and watch the models magically come to life in videos shot on location in Australia, Panama, the Gulf coast, Seychelles, and Zambia. Every year, the Swimsuit Issue is a huge event, but you’ve never seen anything like this before.

What are you waiting for?

Get the FREE App for your iPhone or iPad here.

Get the FREE App for your Android phone or tablet here.