When was the last time you saw a short film in the theater? I don't mean an 85-minute animated movie; I mean an actual short, like they give separate Oscars to. Otherwise known as a short subject, defined (by the Academy) as anything with a running time less than 40 minutes. Chances are, unless you attend film festivals, go to see the toured screenings of Oscar shorts, or bought a ticket to Paris, Je T'Aime, it's been awhile since you actually saw a short film on a big screen.

Or, maybe I should specify that it's likely been awhile since you purposefully went to see a specifically timed screening of a short film or compilation of shorts at the theater. Technically some ads for Coca-Cola and other companies, the ones made by novice filmmakers as part of a competition or something, count as shorts. And, I'm fully aware that some arthouse cinemas, such as NYC's IFC Center, run a short film in place of pre-show commercials. But as far as I can tell, such shorts are not specifically advertised as screening at a designated time. Sure, you can go on the IFC Center's website and find out that Erik Rosenlund's Looking Glass is the short currently being shown (as it was this past week when I saw Trouble the Water there), but for most people (myself included), it's a surprise. And I doubt anyone has trekked to IFC just to see that particular film, unless anyone is a huge aficionado of frightening black and white Swedish animation.

The cast and crew of New York, I Love You keeps growing and growing. There's not even enough room on the headline to list all the names that were just added. New York is a collection of short stories, part of a "Cities of Love" anthology that was begun by Paris, je ta'ime. New York will reportedly be followed by Shanghai, and then cities in South America and Africa.

The stories are showcasing an incredible variety of actors and directors. Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson are both making their directing debut, there's a good representation of international talent, and Brett Ratner hasn't been driven away by pitchforks and torches. Variety reported that Orlando Bloom, Olivia Thirlby, Hayden Christensen, and Ethan Hawke had climbed aboard the film. No word on who's segments they will appear in yet -- but a far better choice for Bloom's career than Prince of Persia, wouldn't you say?

Just over a week ago, Anthony Minghella passed away suddenly at the age of 54. One of the unfinished projects that he left was his installment in the upcoming anthology New York, I Love You, which includes the talents of Scarlet Johansson, Natalie Portman, Woody Allen, Kevin Bacon, and more. While some of the segments have begun filming, Minghella had not gotten a chance to cast or shoot the segment he had written.

The Hollywood Reporter now posts that after confirming the move with Minghella's family, this honor will be handed to Shekhar Kapur, whose roster includes both Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. One week ago, Kapur had blogged about his last conversation with Minghella, and said: "On Sunday, two days before Anthony Minghella went in for an operation on a tumour they had just discovered, Anthony called me to see if I would direct a short he had written ... He told me his film was about the value of life, and how people sometimes just throw away their lives unable to look beyond into the real beauty of it."

In the past, both directors had long conversations about the nature of life, and Kapur says: "He recalled those conversations -- saying that it was those conversation too that lead him to believe that I should be the one to direct this short film." I like the idea of Minghella not only choosing a worthy director, but one who has similar thoughts about the project. With all that has happened, plus Anthony's talents as a screenwriter, this should make for a pretty powerful short.

It's almost like the beginning of a joke: "A Hasidic Jew and Natalie Portman are walking down the street in New York ..." Only problem is it's far from a joke ... it's all kinda real and kinda not good. The other day we shared photos from the set of the upcoming anthology New York, I Love You, featuring Portman walking alongside a Hasidic Jew on the Brooklyn Bridge. Apparently, Portman is playing a Jewish bride in the film -- problem is, the real Jews aren't so happy about who's starring opposite her.

Turns out the Hasidic Jew filming the scene with Portman was, in fact, a real Hasidic Jew, and his community was not happy after the photos leaked online. Abe Karpen, a kitchen cabinet salesman from Brooklyn and married father of three, told the New York Daily News that he's backing out of the movie because of the pressure he's feeling. "They [the rabbis] didn't like the ideas of a Hasidic guy playing in Hollywood. I have my kids in religious schools and the rabbi called me over yesterday and said in order for me to keep my kids in the school I have to do what they tell me and back out."

Well that sucks. But the good news for you Jewish guys out there -- Portman speaks Hebrew! Oh yes, according to Karpen, "I was shocked that she's a big Hollywood big shot. We talked in Hebrew ... She wants to become more religious." (Keep in mind, some Hasidic Jews do not believe in are not allowed to watching television or film, so that's probably why he doesn't know who she is.) No word yet on Karpen's replacement, though I imagine the filmmakers will tone down the authenticity with their next casting choice.