Quick Takes - Dec. 31, 2009

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller� video, with that unforgettable graveyard dance, will rest among the nation’s treasures in the world’s largest archive of film, TV and sound recordings.

The 1983 music video, directed by John Landis and still the subject of lawsuits over profits, was one of 25 films to be inducted Wednesday for preservation in the 2009 National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

It’s the first music video named to the registry. It had been considered in past years, but following Jackson’s death, the time was right, said Steve Leggett, coordinator of the National Film Preservation Board.

Joining the King of Pop in the 2009 class will be 1979’s “The Muppet Movie,� the 1957 sci-fi classic “The Incredible Shrinking Man� and Bette Davis’ Oscar-winning performance in “Jezebel� from 1938.

-- associated press Patrick Stewart honored as knight

There’s an especially starry knight in Britain’s latest round of royal honors.

Patrick Stewart -- “Star Trek: The Next Generation’s� Capt. Jean-Luc Picard -- becomes Sir Patrick in Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s honors list, which also includes a knighthood for theater and film director Nicholas Hytner.

“This is an honor that embraces those actors, directors and creative teams who have in these recent years helped fill my life with inspiration, companionship and sheer fun,� said the 69-year-old Stewart, who recently returned to the British stage following a long career in Hollywood that included playing professor Charles Xavier in three “X-Men� films.

A separate honors list in New Zealand bestowed a knighthood on the king of Middle-earth, “Lord of the Rings� filmmaker Peter Jackson.

Jackson, 53, was knighted in New Zealand, his native land and the filming location for the trilogy, which collected 17 Academy Awards. The New Zealand award is approved by the queen, the country’s head of state.

-- associated press Sheens want reconciliation

Actor Charlie Sheen and his wife, Brooke, want to reconcile, their lawyers said Wednesday, even though she told police he put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her less than a week ago.

“They’re very much in love. They want to try to work it out and want to have the best shot at doing that,� said Brooke Sheen’s lawyer, Yale Galanter.

Charlie Sheen’s attorney, Richard Cummins, said he is asking a judge to modify a restraining order that prevents the couple from having contact.

Charlie Sheen, 44, was arrested on Christmas Day in Aspen, Colo., where the couple was on vacation. His wife told police he threatened her during an argument that started when she said she wanted a divorce.

-- associated press Ex-police chief is sentenced

A former police chief in Martins Ferry, Ohio, was sentenced to prison Wednesday in connection with a break-in at the home of the surrogate who bore twins for Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.

Barry Carpenter was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. He was convicted last month on charges of receiving stolen property, theft in office and evidence tampering but acquitted of other counts, including burglary.

-- associated press