we bring you up with our latest headlines. police in malaysia say a highly toxic nerve agent called vx has been found on the face of kim jong nam, the murdered half brother of north korea's leader kimjong un. the nerve agent, vx, is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the united nations. iraqi troops have entered western mosulfor the first time in their offensive to drive out so—called islamic state from the country's second city. west mosul is the last is stronghold in iraq. they're surrounded, along with an estimated three quarters of a million civilians. but government forces today met fierce resistance, as they fought their way into the city from the airport. now with a preview of this weekend's oscars, it is talking movies. hello from hollywood and welcome to

oui’ hello from hollywood and welcome to our special oscars preview edition of talking movies. i am tom brook. in today's programme, everything you need to know about the academy awards. the big—name stars in the running. it does not mean —— doesn't meana running. it does not mean —— doesn't mean a lot due to get this recognition? obviously. always. there are document is in foreign—language films vying for a prize. will protest over president donald trump's policies take centre stage? this could be the most politicised oscars we have had. plus

oui’ politicised oscars we have had. plus our predictions on who will win the top prizes. all of that and more in oui’ top prizes. all of that and more in our special oscars preview edition of talking movies. the 89th annual academy awards is about to get under way, and the big question, it seems, is how many trophies will la la land ta ke is how many trophies will la la land take time? this ode to a hollywood's golden age of musicals has many ardent supporters. it dominates the optus deal with its four denominations. this match is all about eve and titanic. —— dominates the oscars field. la la land has won the oscars field. la la land has won the hearts and minds of many in the lead into the options. its creator, damien chazelle, for six years to bring it on the screen. it stars, emma stone orions gosling.

bring it on the screen. it stars, emma stone orions goslingm bring it on the screen. it stars, emma stone orions gosling. it is a shot that with all was gone. —— emma stone and ryan gosling. it is very special that it happened. and i think that the audience is connecting. most of the other best pitches nominees are less dreamy than la la land, and several when they come to storytelling and casting display diversity. last year, the oscars was the siege by protest. this year, there are many feel is rooted in black expresses that largely black casts, like fences, moonlight, and hidden figures. i think it is great that we have had more nominees across all categories from acting nominations to cinematography and director and screenplay, but obviously, oscars

are white is about notjust the blacks, but people of all races who are not white. there were surprise nubs and inclusions within the nominations this year. one of the biggest exclusions was amy adams, the star of arrival, who was widely expected to read best actress on a seat. —— best actress nominee. but lives in movie got a nomination. a surprise inclusion was mel gibson for his work on hacksaw ridge as director. that was also nominated as best director. he expected nomination suggests a degree of rehabilitations hollywood. another possibility is people using the awards podium to express their frustration over president donald trump and his policies. this could potentially be the most politicised

oscars that we have ever had. because they think people are so scared and angry at what is happening in our country. and i think for the first time, a mass number of actors feel that perhaps their role as citizens in this is very important. and they will speak out. the protest extends beyond american shores. the iranian director of the salesman has decided not to come to the country based on donald trump's executive order and emigration. many are expressing their displeasure with the administration. we are living in a politicised moment. ithink administration. we are living in a politicised moment. i think people have things they want is a banega platform, they will say them. what you said the people that do not think that it is the appropriate arena for is pressing process?” think art is inherently political. i think art is inherently political. i think the oscars as a platform to the art. and i think politics goes

without art. so i think it is appropriate. here in la, the murdered trial of o.j. simpson more than 20 years ago mesmerised the local population and much of the world. those events have inspired a film that has been nominated as a strong contender in the best of major category. that is our focus now. you could i do everything you have done, man. if nothing else, this is a hugely ambitious work. it is the commendation of a 5—part tv series runs late hours. it covers the trial of more than 20 years ago, in which o.j. simpson was a man tried and then acquitted of murdering his ex—wife. the director sees his film to the story of america through the lens of o.j. simpson. he was a star athlete, a

plain earing commercial pitchman. he was a hollywood star. so before he became infamous, he was already someone became infamous, he was already someone who had broken barriers, especially for black athletes. —— plain —— pioneering. -- pioneering. another groundbreaking documentary is the 13th. it covers the 13th amendment to the us constitution. the documentary maker says that slavery still exists. the 13th amendment abolishing it, but not for those who committed crimes. it has been politically and deliberately exploited for profit. this has been used for everyone but black people for along time. how is —— household

goods, guidance systems for weapons are being put together by inmates and convicted people, who are not being paid for it. that is very labour, and is slavery. race is also as central theme in i am not your negro. the film is based on the work ofa negro. the film is based on the work of a northern who died 30 years ago. what your role is and what your future is in this country... his voice is quite important today. i think it is at a time where we have huge black clouds in front of us. his guidance and his wisdom is really important. fire at sea, and attained a matter, is also in the running. it is a cinematography profile of an island that becomes an

entry point for african refugees seeking a home in europe. if volkers is not just seeking a home in europe. if volkers is notjust on refugees, but also the islanders, some affected by the influx, and others not. —— it focuses not just on. influx, and others not. —— it focuses notjust on. and life, animated is the last document to nominated, about an autistic boy that was able to communicate with his parents by using the lines of the difficulty loves. the family realised they could draw when out of his autism, and he learned not only to talk, but to connect with the world through these classic disney animated cells. with a host of clinical awards already under its belt, 0.1. clinical awards already under its belt, o.j. simpson: made in america, appears to be at the front runner.

it still resonates with audience today. the academy awards are the most sought after it is in industry. not only for actors. it is a priser can enhance career prospects. so with that in mind, let's take a look at who is in the running the best actor and actress categories this year. the best actor prize is looking like it could go to denzel washington. he also directed the film. it is based on the prize—winning play at the same name. fences. it is an honour and a privilege to be part of it. first as

troy is an actor, and now to be given the responsibility if you will of interpreting it. i think the idea was that you would relocate. the best actor trophy can also go to 41 your old casey affleck, who is running neck and neck with denzel washington, for his betrayal of a handyman haunted by his past in manchester by the sea. a complete character. you was so difficult. i really felt like i learnt a lot. the next i might do a movie, i will take all that stuff that i learnt on to the next movie. ryan gosling is in the next movie. ryan gosling is in the running for playing a passionate jazz musician who dances and singsin la la land. britain's andrew garfield is also up for a best actor opera for his role in hacksaw ridge. —— oscar. and then there is viggo mortensen who wants his children to

grow up off the grid in captain fantastic. the best actor category is seen as almost a dead heat between casey affleck and descent washington. —— denzel washington. with best actress, emma stone seems to be the clear favourite for playing an aspiring actress in la la land. there is something special about this grand, larger—than—life musical also being something that is relatively small and heartbreaking about love and dreamers in a relationship. it kind of encapsulates both of those. in recent times, it has been uncommon for the best actress prize to go to someone for the best actress prize to go to someone who isn't a non—native english speaker, but it could go to isabelle huppert for a woman who behaves in an unusual manner after

being raped in the psychological thriller, elle. was attractive to me was that i did not have to choose one side of her persona rather than the other. she is so complete and thatis the other. she is so complete and that is what makes us so worthwhile, being an actor. natalie portman, who has won an actor at —— and oscar before has been nominated one more time for her role injackie. ruth negga has also been nominated for her role in the film loving. this covered the story that led to the ban of interracial marriage being lifted. and finally, there is meryl streep, for her record 20th nomination for playing tone deaf opera singerfor playing nomination for playing tone deaf opera singer for playing florence fosterjenkins in the film the same name. if she went, it will be her

fourth, matching the wings of audrey hepburn. the prize is widely expected, however, to go to emma stone. one often overlooked oscars category, at least by the inward looking american media, is that of best foreign—language film. all five this year as strong candidates. if cinema is, as the late critic roger ebert put it, energy generating machines, foreign films often do the most heavy lifting. of the five films up for a foreign language film oscar, the australian entry takes place in a monster location. it is a

romeo and juliet style story and the castis romeo and juliet style story and the cast is made up of locals. the dialogue is in a distinct native language. sweden is represented in the oscars sweepstakes, the story that blossoms as a result of the relationship he forms with his newly arrived persian neighbour. in this trump era it does have a certain appeal in that it's a —— about a conservative in and who initially presents and does not like his middle eastern neighbours, but then grows to find they are good people. this could be one that people choose for political reasons as well settled —— sentimental ones. for political reasons as well settled -- sentimental ones. one of the strongest oscar contention is in the strongest oscar contention is in the foreign film race may be the german picture macro —— toni

erdmann. it is a funny film that serves as a critique of modern corporatism. although when i make a film i don't say, yes, i want to be critical about this or that, i don't like tojudge people critical about this or that, i don't like to judge people or things. another contender is land of mine, which comes from denmark and is set in the aftermath of world war two. a key element is the relationship between a tough danish sergeant and german teens. the fifth foreign language entry is a film called the salesman, from iran, which observes the relationship between a couple after

the wife is attacked. the director sees the film as both drama and social criticism. translation: it's a realism drama, so the audience follows the story and tries to understand what will happen, but at the same time there is another angle because it's a family in society, set it can talk about society as well. he was planning to go to the oscars but criticised the trump's travel ban and has decided not to attend the ceremony. this could if humanitarian chief in eu when the left—leaning academy descender message to the president. as oscar nominees, all of these films will benefit from more public city and —— increased exposure. their message will be received by a larger audience than those that failed to make the cut. in this case it really is an honourjust to be nominated. the best picture award is the most

coveted trophy of all and this year there are nine films in the running. it seems that la la land is the favourite to win, but there are several other deserving candidates. i remember the last time i saw you. moonlight, seen as a low—budget wonder, one of the most praised films of recent times, has eight nominations. it was put together on a shoestring and shot in 25 days. it begins ina a shoestring and shot in 25 days. it begins in a neighbourhood in miami, the story of a young, gay, black man. it is the journey of a boy becoming a man, finding himself in the process. arrival, also with eight nominations, is an alien invasion movie with a twist. it chronicles what happens to a linguist who learns the aliens'

language. through this encounter, learning the language, this particular language will change her life and i should maybe not say that on camera, was it is one of the keys of the movie, but it is really a film about our relationship with nature also. i've dreamt about being a doctor... with six nominations, hacksaw ridge is also up for best picture. lyon also has six nominations. it is the feelgood tale ofa nominations. it is the feelgood tale of a young australian man of indian heritage who uses his google earth to find his birth mother in india. the boy gets very lost. this is a boy who was the boy gets very lost. this is a the by f first

half of the film is about him using his instincts to escape danger and predators in the city. manchester by the sea also has six nominations. the story is emotionally powerful and some would say brilliant cinema. other best picture include fences, an adaptation of a play. and hell or high water which could be described asa high water which could be described as a modern western, as two bank robbing brothers robert bank. one of the most liked best picture nominees, with three and nominations, is hidden figures, the story of three african american women who battled sexism at nasa in the 1960s. their mathematical tabulation is played a pivotal role ina manned tabulation is played a pivotal role in a manned space programme. and back to our best picture frontrunner, la la land, for each filmmaker who is very likely to win for best director. it is a personal

story. in a young artist trying to make it today and trying to deal with how do you balance streams with reality? that was the story i wanted to tell the story that i felt was rooted for a musical and ijust hope it will connect with other people. you've never seen it! i've never seen you've never seen it! i've never seen it. odd makers predict it will ta ke seen it. odd makers predict it will take the best picture trophy. if not, the prize will go to moonlight or manchester by the sea, but it seems it will be a big night for la la land. sings: here's to the fuss we made... now, let's look into the talking movies crystal ball and come up talking movies crystal ball and come up with the guesses for who will win the best prizes. it seems the prize for best supporting actor will go to

mahershala ali for playing a tenderhearted drug dealer in moonlight. he is kind, gentle, why is. loving. he is also someone who comes from really challenging circumstances and so in some anyway is he reflects a lot of people that i knew growing up and it's why i am attracted to it, why i was so attracted to it, why i was so attracted to it, why i was so attracted to playing the part. moving onto best supporting actress, nominees michelle williams, octavia spencer, nicole kidman and naomie harris or give excellent performances. but it is expected the sky will most definitely go to buy all davies, who portrays the matriarch in fences, opposite denzel washington in some powerful things. i think the script was perfect and i think he broke a role that is absolutely completely in her narrative. her journey absolutely completely in her narrative. herjourney is complete, her journey can't narrative. herjourney is complete, herjourney can't be any more specific, so all i did was i was courageous enough to just dive into her life. in a major best actor,

best actress prizes, expect both to go to denzel washington and emma stone. best director, that of la la land, will take that one. the best film could be a salesman or toni erdmann. best adapted screenplay will be awarded to moonlight and manchester by the sea will and up with best original screenplay. best documentary feature will go to oj simpson: made in america. and finally we think best picture will go to la la land, the film as a whole getting ten statuettes. that brings our special oscars preview edition of talking movies statu ettes. edition of talking movies statuettes. a edition of talking movies statu ettes. a close. edition of talking movies statuettes. a close. we hope you've enjoyed the show. remember you can a lwa ys enjoyed the show. remember you can always reach us online. and you can find us on facebook as well. from me

and the rest of the talking movies macro production crew, goodbye. but remember you can catch me reporting live from the red carpet on oscars night. well, friday was much quieter and calmer day than what thursday but as we head into the weekend things turn unsettled again. we have lots of weather systems, weather fronts, i should say, bringing rain, and you will notice isobars tighten as we head into saturday. during the night it will turn much more wet and windy across the uk. the rain eventually reaching the south—east at the end of the night. some of the rain across the western upslopes over higher ground will be heavy and persistent, and the wind is a feature. gale force in the north and west. it is bringing mild south—westerlies across the uk. it will be mild this weekend. unsettled, with rain at times. most of that in the north and west. it will continue to be blustery on saturday and sunday. there will be some

sunshine in the forecast. on saturday the rain will move south and eastwards. it is heavy across the western up slopes, the south—west of england, western wales and north—west england could see a lot of rain piling up in cumbria and lancashire. for central and eastern areas, rain will be light and patchy. a windy day for all, mild, double figures for all. and behind the rain band as it sinks south, things will brighten up for northern ireland and scotland, with blustery showers and the winds a feature, and it is cold behind the rain band, temperatures may be in single figures, with the sunshine to compensate. the weather front moves south and east on saturday night. heavy bursts across the high ground of the west before it clears away, then something dry to end saturday night. and it is cooler as well, certainly for northern areas, rural spots will be chilly, still mild in the south. here is saturday's wind pushing to the near continent. here is sunday's weather sweeping into the north and west through the day, and again

the isobars will be squeezed together, so another windy day with gales or severe gales in the far north. most of the rain on sunday will be across northern ireland, scotland, into north—west england and northern and western wales with much of the east and south—east holding onto some dry weather, and it will be mild through sunday. monday looks like it will be very blustery with heavy, scattered showers, turning cooler as well, temperatures pushing into single figures right across the board. and that is the theme for much of next week. it will be cooler, windy at times with the risk of gales or severe gales, but there will be some sunshine in between the showers.

hello and welcome to bbc news. the white house has barred several major media outlets including the bbc from attending an off—camera press briefing. president trump's spokesman said he was not going to sit back and allow inaccurate facts to get out. mr trump has called some us news media outlets enemies of the american people. tulip mazumdar spoke to us from washington. this is a briefing that happens several days of week. sean spicer speaks to people on the record or off the record about what has happened during the day.