Gibson to speak Maya in upcoming ‘Apocalypto’

New York – Mel Gibson will give audiences a preview of the ancient language spoken in his upcoming movie, “Apocalypto.”

During a brief appearance today on the Academy Awards, Gibson will speak Maya, the only language in the film.

“Apocalypto” is set in pre-Columbian Mexico and is being shot on the fringe of southern Mexico’s rain forests. It addresses the end of civilizations.

Voight: Ring from role as pope ‘makes me better’

Warsaw, Poland – Jon Voight says the ring he kept from his role playing the late Pope John Paul II helps him be a better person.

“I feel him. I think, ‘Wait a minute, Jon, if you are wearing this ring you’d better think a little better,”‘ Voight said Friday at a news conference the day the movie “Pope John Paul II” opened in cinemas across Poland, the late pope’s homeland.

The flat, gold-colored ring with a figure of St. Peter on it, given to him after starring in the movie, “makes me better,” Voight said, adding that he’ll probably wear it for the rest of his life.

Voight and the movie team, including director John Kent Harrison, were in Poland for the ceremonial opening of the movie Thursday in the southern city of Krakow.

Lovett to receive award for contribution to Texas film

Austin – A new soundtrack award honoring artists for their contributions to Texas film will be presented to Lyle Lovett, the Austin Film Society announced.

Lovett will receive the AMD Live Soundtrack Award at the sixth annual Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards on Friday, the film society said. Former Gov. Ann Richards will preside over the ceremony, which will also recognize inductees Kris Kristofferson, Matthew McConaughey, Cybill Shepherd and JoBeth Williams.

The society lauded Lovett’s soundtrack for Robert Altman’s “Dr. T and the Women” and the 2003 album “Smile,” a collection of his covers from various soundtracks. He also has acted in films including “The Opposite of Sex” and “The New Guy,” which was filmed at Austin Studios.

Kristofferson, McConaughey and Williams are all Texas natives.