Henson Honor goes to Rowling

“Harry Potter� author J.K. Rowling was named Wednesday as a recipient of an inaugural Jim Henson Honor, an award that reflects the values of the late Muppets creator.

The British author behind the boy wizard was chosen for the Jim Henson Celebration Honor, the top award.

“By encouraging audiences of all ages to rediscover the magic of books and reading, Ms. Rowling has truly made this world a better place,� said Brian Henson, son of the award’s namesake. Winners were selected by the staff at the Jim Henson Co.

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FINALLY

For your consideration: Just in time to remind Oscar voters that it came out this year, Fox is rereleasing Ridley Scott’s “Kingdom of Heaven� at the Laemmle Fairfax Theatre in L.A. on Friday. Billed as a director’s cut, it’s 45 minutes longer than the version that came out in May.

Minutes count: The version of “The New World� that opens in L.A. and New York on Sunday is 149 minutes long, but that isn’t necessarily what the rest of the country will see next month. Variety reported Wednesday that director Terrence Malick is preparing a version that is 15 to 20 minutes shorter. New Line will decide which one will get national distribution.