Viggo Mortensen, a 1976 Watertown High School and 1980 St. Lawrence University graduate, could not get his latest movie, The Road, screened in Watertown.

He personally called Regal Cinemas to request “The Road” play at the Salmon Run Mall, but due to its limited release in only 128 theaters, Regal Cinemas’ film department opted to open the film at the Carousel Mall instead.

“Unfortunately the distributor didn’t keep their contractual agreement — their commitment to put it out in 1,200 theaters or more,” Mr. Mortensen said. “That’s unfortunate for Watertown people to have to go to Syracuse.”

“The Road” stars Mortensen as a father taking care of his only son in a post-apocalyptic world. It is based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy.

One of the recently announced contestants on the sixth season of Bravo’s “Top Chef” calls Rochester home. Laurine Wickett, 38, chef/owner of Left Coast Catering in San Francisco, is a Rochester native. She also received her two-year degree from the Culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park. Though she no longer calls upstate NY home, we can bet some of her dishes will have an upstate NY flair.

Season six debuts on Bravo at 9 p.m. Wednesday, August 26th.

As Gossip Girl begins shooting its third season next week, we’ve learned that one of the pivotal characters in the season two finale was from right here in upstate New York. Saratoga Springs native Chris Riggi played Scott, the long-lost son of Lily and Rufus on the show’s season finale. Riggi will return for several episodes in season three as well.

Tiffany Pollard, aka New York, has starred in 4 different incarnations of her hit reality show I Love New York on VH1. First discovered as a contestant on Flavor of Love, where she vied for the love of Flavor Flav and quickly became a fan favorite, New York has gone on to her own franchise on VH1 including I Love New York, I Love New York 2, New York Goes to Hollywood, and the upcoming New York Goes To Work.

Pollard was born in Utica and lived here until joining the cast of Flavor of Love in 2006. Her mother, Michelle Rothschild-Patterson (also known as “Sister Patterson”), still lives in Utica and they are both frequently spotted at the local Wal-Mart and area restaurants. Pollard attended John F. Kennedy Middle School and graduated from Thomas R. Proctor High School in Utica.

Central New Yorkers have a very famous neighbor right in our own backyard. In 2007, Adrien Brody bought the Stone Barn Castle in Cleveland, New York, located about 30 miles northeast of Syracuse on the north shore of Oneida Lake. He reportedly paid a mere $650,000 for the house and 50 acres of land which were used as a farm museum until the actor moved in. The castle was also once home to an annual Halloween party that drew crowds from across Upstate New York. Now the home is a showcase featuring designs by Giorgio Armani. So be on the  look out for Brody in Wal-Mart, Sylavan Beach, and even right here in Utica!

By now everyone has heard about the tragic death of Natasha Richardson. What many don’t know is that Natasha and husband Liam Neeson owned a home in Millbrook, NY. Millbrook is located about 30 miles northeast of Poughkeepsie. It was announced today that Richardson will be buried at St. Joseph’s Church in Millbrook. The couple was often seen in local restaurants and shops, enjoying the quiet life in Millbrook, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. For more about Millbrook, take a look at the town’s official website.