Thursday, December 29, 2011

Review - Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, start off with Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) on the verge of solving another case on the eve of his best friend Watson's (Jude Law) wedding. The case involved Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris), who has been buying up many different industries, as well as placing bombs and assassins in strategic places to increase Franco-German tensions in 1890. Holmes believes that Moriarty is the mastermind behind these attacks, while the rest of the world thinks it is the goverments of each country. After Watson and his new wife become targets of Moriarty, he joins Holmes, as well as a young gypsy Madam Simza Heron (Noomi Rapace), who has a deep connection to Moriarty's plan, to try to stop him before his evil plan is complete.

I personally was not a big fan of the first one, as the conclusion of this long adventure ended in about two minutes. A frustrating narrative flaw to say the least. I am proud to say that the ending of part 2 is much better, and the pacing of the second is a lot faster, with much more action, making it a more enjoyable experience. Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. are at their witty finest, and Noomi Rapace is a nice addition to the cast. While I kind of missed the sexiness and sultriness of Rachel McAdams (who does briefly make an appearence), I enjoyed the change of pace with Noomi, and am happy she is starting to make a dent in American cinema. The action is thrilling, and the technical elements, including Hans Zimmer's score, the sets and costumes are all top notch. More importantly, the final conclusion is a lot more fun, a lot less rushed, and actually leaves some welcomed ambiguity.

While Game of Shadows improved on many accounts or at least maintained the positive aspects that made the first decent, there are still some major flaws in the film that are hard to overlook, and, at moments, makes it difficult to watch. First of all, it is incredibly long, and there are some scenes that continue to drag, and should have been cut. Second of all, despite fine performances from his actors, Guy Ritchie need to learn to pick his spots with some of his directorial flourishes. I know he is trying to show us the mind of Sherlock Holmes, but by the fifth or sixth time, you are wanting to hit the fast forward button and get to the good stuff. Finally, Moriarty is a good foil in terms of intellect for Holmes, but divulging him so early loses some of the mystery, and he seems to be lacking the sinister nature of Mark Strong from the original.

So Game of Shadows is a flawed effort, but I'll admit, a fun one. It manages to keep you entertained throughout most of its long run time, and is a nice diversion during the holiday season.

Grade: B-

Oscar Potential: Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Awards Psychic Top Ten Television Programs of 2011

10. Grey's Anatomy - I know I know, Grey's lost its luster years ago. But for me last season, and the first half of this season have brought Grey's at least partially back to its former glory, with workable storylines, a stable cast, the humor, and the variety of interesting patients that make Grey's work. And just like EW exclaimed last year, Grey's really has got its groove back, and while it may seem like an exercise in futility, for those of us who love this show, it is a welcomed return to form.

9. New Girl - Sweet and infectious, quirky and outrageous, and simply a bowl of fun, New Girl is my new favorite comedy, perfectly showcasing the quirky talents of its star Zooey Deschanel, and proving to only get better with age. Each week, the characters grow more on you than they had the previous week, and despite some its eccentricities it is one of the few shows on television where I laugh out loud at least 15 times throughout a short 22 minute episode.

8. Justified - First there was the Margo Martindale storyline last season, but this year, Justified has continued to be one of the most compelling dramas on television, with its western style, its fascinating storylines, its eclectic characters, and its incredible capability to keep things interesting. Timothy Olyphant keeps up the charm and the fear, and leads the show with gusto, and unlike other genre pieces, never seems to get old, even a couple of seasons in.

7. American Horror Story - Sure, some of the cheesy, Ryan Murphy-esque lines can get old quick, and sure it drags sometimes at an incredibly slow pace, but American Horror Story is the first series in a long time that I am proud to announce is truly a guilty pleasure of mine. Week after week, I thought about giving it up, but just when I thought it might lose me something incredibly ridiculous and juicy would happen that I just had to know what would happen next. It didn't hurt that the likes of Connie Britton, Frances Conroy, and the wonderful, deliciously evil Jessica Lange, whose stunning performance week to week is reason enough to stick with it (and worthy of its SAG/GG nods). After its intriguing season finale, I can't wait to see what 2012 will bring us for the illustrious Murder House.

6. Parks & Recreation - It had a rough start, but after a couple of seasons, Amy Poehler and gang have really found their footing, and the last couple of seasons have been some of the smartest, funniest, and best seen on television. Poehler, Offerman, Scott, and the whole cast are down right hilarious, and with its groove finally in tact, it proves to be one of the most consistently appealing shows week to week.

5. Breaking Bad - Is is possible that this incredible show, with Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul continually getting better, that this show's current season is its best? After its amazing run so far, it is hard to imagine that it can continually top itself, but time and time again it has proven me wrong and managed to keep getting better. It is gritty, compelling, and dark, and if there is any hope, it could be the series that finally knocks off the Mad Men reign, or least it should be the one that does it.

4. Modern Family - I have to admit, it took me awhile to get into this series, but once I did I realized why critics, fans, and the Television Academy have swooned over it, as its incredible cast, its top-notch writing, and its hilarious story lines are simply pitch perfect. There's really not much else to say, except, if you have missed out, its time for you to catch up and join the craze. Trust me, it's actually worth it.

3. Friday Night Lights - Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton were the perfect married couple, you sometimes forgot that you were watching a TV show. They were so convincing, and so was the honest and emotional portrayal of a Texas football coach, and the drama and story revolving around the lives of its coach and players. It was an incredible show, and the Kyle Chandler win at the Emmys was pure awards-show heaven. It is something that will be truly be missed.

2. Homeland - Filmed close to my hometown, I had been excited about this series for quite some time. Little did I know how incredible it would turn out. The best new series of the 2011, Homeland plays on the fears and insecurities that have encompassed the American public since the tragedy of September 11, 2001. It is challenging and honest, but also extremely stylish making for compelling, and also important television.

1. The Good Wife - I know that this third season has had some trouble taking off, but the ending of Season 2 was simply brilliant, and in the last couple of episodes of this year the simmering pot of the first half came to a full boil, and the juiciness that has made this such a great series seems to be back. It is intelligent, and seems to pack so much into an hour that you are sitting on the edge of your seat. You know, since The West Wing went off the air, I have not found a series that peaked my political science/law interest. And while it is not majestic and ethereal like The West Wing, it is dramatic, dark, and political, and is finally filling my void.

Austin Film Critics Winners

Best Film:Hugo

Best Director:
Nicolas Winding Refn, Drive

Best Actor:
Michael Shannon, Take Shelter

Best Actress:
Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin

Best Supporting Actor:
Albert Brooks, Drive

Best Supporting Actress:
Jessica Chastain, Take Shelter

Best Original Screenplay:
Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Drive, Hossein Amini

Best Cinematography:
The Tree of Life, Emmanuel Lubezki

Best Original Score:
Attack the Block, Steven Price

Best Foreign Language Film:
I Saw the Devil, South Korea [dir: Jee-woon Kim]

Best Documentary:
Senna [dir: Asif Kapadia]

Best Animated Feature:
Rango [dir: Gore Verbinski]

Robert R. "Bobby" McCurdy Memorial Breakthrough Artist Award:
Jessica Chastain, Take Shelter/The Tree of Life/The Help/The Debt/Coriolanus/Texas Killing Fields

Best First Film:
Attack the Block [dir: Joe Cornish]

Austin Film Award:
Take Shelter [dir: Jeff Nichols]

Top 10 Films:
1. Hugo
2. Drive
3. Take Shelter
4. Midnight in Paris
5. Attack the Block
6. The Artist
7. Martha Marcy May Marlene
8. I Saw the Devil
9. 13 Assassins
10. Melancholia

American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Television Nominees

ONE-HOUR EPISODIC TELEVISION SERIES/PILOT
David Franco for HBO’s "Boardwalk Empire" (“To the Lost”)
Jonathan Freeman, ASC for "Boardwalk Empire" (“21”)
David Katznelson, DFF, BSC for PBS’ "Downton Abbey" (Pilot)
John Lindley, ASC for ABC’s "Pan Am" (Pilot)
David Stockton, ASC for NBC’s "Chase" (“Narco Part 2”)

TELEVISION MOVIE/MINISERIES
Ed Lachman, ASC for HBO’s "Mildred Pierce"
Kevin Moss for Showtime’s "Chicago Overcoat"
David Moxness, CSC for ReelzChannel’s "The Kennedys" (“Moral Issues and Inner Turmoil”)
Martin Ruhe for PBS’ "Page Eight"
Wojciech Szepel for PBS’ "Any Human Heart" (“Episode 2”)

HALF-HOUR EPISODIC SERIES OR PILOT
James Bagdonas, ASC for ABC’s "Modern Family" (“Bixby’s Back”)
Michael Balfry, CSC for The Hub’s "R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour" (“Brush with Madness”)
Vanja Cernjul, HFC for HBO’s "Bored to Death" (“Forget the Herring”)
Levie Isaacks, ASC for ABC’s "Man Up" (“Acceptance”)
Michael Weaver, ASC for Showtime’s "Californication" (“Suicide Solution”)

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Phoenix Film Critics Winners

BEST PICTURE


"The Artist"

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2011 (in alphabetical order)


"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Drive"
"The Help"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"Moneyball"
"My Week With Marilyn"
"Super 8"
"The Tree of Life"

BEST DIRECTOR


Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE


Jean Dujardin, "The Artist

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE


Elizabeth Olsen, "Martha Marcy May Marlene"

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE


Albert Brooks, "Drive"

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE


Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"

BEST ENSEMBLE ACTING


"Super 8"

BEST SCREENPLAY - ORIGINAL


"The Artist"

BEST SCREENPLAY - ADAPTATION


"The Help"

BEST LIVE ACTION FAMILY FILM (Rated G or PG)


"The Muppets"

THE OVERLOOKED FILM OF THE YEAR


"A Better Life"

BEST ANIMATED FILM


"Rango"

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM


"The Skin I Live In"

BEST DOCUMENTARY


"Page One: Inside the New York Times"

BEST ORIGINAL SONG


Life's a Happy Song, "The Muppets"

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE


"The Artist"

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY


"Tree of Life"

BEST FILM EDITING


"The Artist"

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN


"Hugo"

BEST COSTUME DESIGN


"The Artist"

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS


"Hugo"

BEST STUNTS


"Drive"

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE ON CAMERA


Thomas Horn, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"

BREAKTROUGH PERFORMANCE BEHIND THE CAMERA


Michael Hazanavicius, "The Artist"

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A YOUTH IN A LEAD OR SUPPORTING ROLE – MALE


Thomas Horn, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A YOUTH IN A LEAD OR SUPPORTING ROLE – FEMALE


Saoirse Ronan, "Hanna"

Monday, December 26, 2011

The 2nd Annual Awards Psychic Awards: Nominees

I am once again putting my hat into the ring, with my own personal picks for the best films and performances of the year. So I am proud to announce the nominees for the 2nd Annual Awards Psychic Awards! Enjoy, and tune in this week for the winner announcement.

Best Picture – Drama
The Descendants
Drive
The Help
Moneyball
Take Shelter

Best Picture – Comedy
50/50
The Artist
Bridesmaids
Crazy, Stupid Love
Win Win
Young Adult

Best Picture - Sci-Fi/Horror/Fantasy
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Scream 4
Super 8
X-Men: First Class

Best Picture - Animated Feature
Adventures of Tintin
Arthur Christmas
Chico & Rita
Rango
Winnie the Pooh

Best Director
Bennett Miller “Moneyball”
Alexander Payne “The Descendants”
Nicholas Winding Refn “Drive”
Jason Reitman “Young Adult”
David Yates “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”

Best Actor – Drama
George Clooney “The Descendants”
Ryan Gosling “Drive”
Brad Pitt “Moneyball”
Michael Shannon “Take Shelter”
Martin Sheen “The Way”

Best Actress – Drama
Viola Davis “The Help”
Vera Farmiga “Higher Ground”
Elizabeth Olsen “Martha Marcy May Marlene”
Tilda Swinton “We Need to Talk About Kevin
Michelle Williams “My Week With Marilyn”

Best Actor – Comedy/Musical
Jean Dujardin “The Artist”
Paul Giamatti “Win Win”
Brendan Gleeson “The Guard”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt “50/50”
Ewan McGregor “Beginners”

Best Actress – Comedy/Musical
Berenice Bojo “The Artist”
Julianne Moore “Crazy, Stupid Love”
Emma Stone “Crazy, Stupid Love”
Charlize Theron “Young Adult”
Kristen Wiig “Bridesmaids”

Best Supporting Actor
Albert Brooks “Drive”
Patton Oswalt “Young Adult”
Ezra Miller “We Need to Talk About Kevin”
Christopher Plummer “Beginners”
Alan Rickman “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”

Best Supporting Actress
Jessica Chastain “The Help”
Angelica Huston “50/50”
Allison Janey “The Help”
Melissa McCarthy “Bridesmaids”
Carey Mulligan “Drive”
Octavia Spencer “The Help”

Best Ensemble
The Descendants
Drive
Bridesmaids
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
The Help

Best Adapted Screenplay
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Taylor “The Descendants”
Hossein Amini “Drive”
Steve Kloves “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”
Tate Taylor “The Help”
Aaron Sorkin and Steve Zaillian “Moneyball”

Best Original Screenplay
Will Reiser “50/50”
Annie Mumulo and Kristen Wiig “Bridesmaids”
Jeff Nichols “Take Shelter”
Thomas McCarthy  and Joe Tiboni “Win Win”
Diablo Cody “Young Adult”

Best Cinematography
Drive
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Best Visual Effects
Hugo
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Super 8
X-Men: First Class

Worst Movie of the Year
Dream House
Jack & Jill
The Smurfs
Sucker Punch
Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

Nomination Totals
Drive – 8
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - 7
The Help – 6
Bridesmaids - 5
The Descendants – 5
Young Adult – 5
50/50 – 4
Moneyball - 4
The Artist - 3
Crazy, Stupid Love – 3
Take Shelter – 3
Win Win – 3
Beginners – 2
Hugo – 2
Rise of the Planet of the Apes – 2
Super 8 – 2
We Need to Talk About Kevin - 2
X-Men First Class – 2
Adventures of Tintin -1
Arthur Christmas - 1
Chico & Rita – 1
The Guard – 1
Higher Ground – 1
Martha Marcy May Marlene - 1
My Week With Marilyn – 1
Rango - 1
The Way – 1
Winnie the Pooh – 1

Online Film Critics Society Nominees

Best Picture:
The Artist
The Descendants
Drive
Hugo
The Tree of Life


Best Animated Feature:
The Adventures of Tintin
Arthur Christmas
Kung Fu Panda 2
Rango
Winnie the Pooh

Best Director:
Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
Terrence Malick - The Tree of Life
Nicolas Winding Refn - Drive
Martin Scorsese - Hugo
Lars von Trier - Melancholia

Best Lead Actor:
George Clooney - The Descendants
Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Michael Fassbender - Shame
Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Solider Spy
Michael Shannon - Take Shelter

Best Lead Actress:
Kirsten Dunst - Melancholia
Elizabeth Olsen - Martha Marcy May Marlene
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton - We Need to Talk About Kevin
Michelle Williams - My Week with Marilyn

Best Supporting Actor:
Albert Brooks - Drive
John Hawkes - Martha Marcy May Marlene
Nick Nolte - Warrior
Brad Pitt - The Tree of Life
Christopher Plummer - Beginners

Best Supporting Actress:
Jessica Chastain - The Tree of Life
Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer - Albert Nobbs
Carey Mulligan - Shame
Shailene Woodley - The Descendants

Best Original Screenplay:
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Midnight in Paris
A Separation
The Tree of Life
Win Win

Best Adapted Screenplay:
The Descendants
Drive
Moneyball
Tinker Tailor Solider Spy
We Need to Talk About Kevin

Best Editing:
Drive
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
The Tree of Life
We Need to Talk About Kevin

Best Cinematography:
The Artist
Drive
Hugo
Melancholia
The Tree of Life

Best Film Not in the English Language:
13 Assassins
Certified Copy
A Separation
The Skin I Live In
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

Best Documentary:
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
The Interrupters
Into the Abyss
Project Nim
Tabloid

Special Awards
To Jessica Chastain, the breakout performer of the year
To Martin Scorsese in honor of his work and dedication to the pursuit of film preservation

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish you all a merry and wonderful Christmas today! I will be enjoying several family gatherings, and I hope where ever you are you are celebrating the holiday!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Awards

Another win for The Artist

Complete List of OFCC 2011 Film Awards

Top 10 Films
 
1. “The Artist”
2. “Drive” 
3. “The Descendants” 
4. “Hugo” 
5. “Shame” 
6. “Moneyball” 
7. “Midnight in Paris” 
8. “Melancholia” 
9. “Tree of Life”
10.“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”

Best Film
The Artist”

Best Director
Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”

Best First Feature
Sean Durkin, “Martha Marcy May Marlene”

Best Actress
Michelle Williams, “My Week with Marilyn”

Best Actor
George Clooney, “The Descendants” 

Best Supporting Actress
Octavia Spencer, “The Help” 

Best Supporting Actor
Albert Brooks, “Drive” 

Best Screenplay, Adaptation
Moneyball,” Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin 

Best Screenplay, Original
The Artist,” Michel Hazanavicius

Best Documentary Film
Page One: Inside The New York Times”

Best Foreign Language Film
The Skin I Live In”

Best Animated Film
The Adventures of Tintin”

Obviously Worst Film
Transformers: Dark of the Moon”

Not-So-Obviously-Worst Film
The Hangover Part II”

Best Guilty Pleasure
Fright Night”

The State of Race: Organized Chaos

Before the critics descended on us, and gave their thoughtful opinions regarding this Oscar race, the race itself could be described as complete chaos. So many questions, not enough answers. In the post-critic world, many of our questions have gotten at least partial answers, but compared to last year, where so many of the nominees seemed set in stone, and the winners in the acting categories looking like slam dunks, what we have remaining in this lull between critics and guilds is organized chaos. In each category there are some sure bets, but a lot of dangling films and performances that could fill a fourth or fifth slot.

In Best Picture, I am feeling pretty confident about The Artist and The Descendants. The Help, Midnight in Paris, and Hugo are less strong, but still seem like safe bets. War Horse is getting good enough reviews, and across the board technical support seems like it will be strong, and I think it is in too. It is those last two slots that seem tricky. Extremely Loud is getting mixed reviews, but we are all so cautious after The Reader, that most people have kept it in despite less-than-stellar reaction. That would be seven. Are there more nominees out there? Moneyball has done well, but not great in precursors, but mostly in Acting/Screenplay categories. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is dividing people, but in this year of emotion and sap, a well-executed, dark, violent film may be a nice counterpart. Then there are those films like Drive and The Tree of Life, that could probably make the list with ten, but with less than that, and both getting the shaft from SAG (and possibly other guilds), means their incredible run so far might be coming to a close. So two are safe, three are pretty safe, two are good maybes, and two are hard pills to swallow.

Until the DGA announces, the Director's race is probably the most complicated. Scorsese, Payne, and Hazanavicius seem safe bets, but the last two slots are truly a mess. You have classics like Steven Spielberg and Woody Allen, both have strong possibilites. Daldry has never missed a nomination. Malick will have his champions, but not enough broad support. Then there are directors like Bennett Miller and Tate Taylor, whose project's other strengths may be enough to bring them in the loop. Three safe, four others fighting for two spots.

Unlike the top two races, the acting races seem to all have four safes (with the exception of Supporting Actor). In Actor, we have Pitt, Clooney, and Dujardin, with Dicaprio also most likely getting in over bad reviews. What happens in the fifth slot? Bichir got the SAG, but needs more support, Fassbender has the NC-17 thing over him, and Oldman has to rely only on a BAFTA nod for his support. We could see an out of the box fifth nominee, some like Javier Bardem last year. Either way, the category is in flux. Best Actress is probably the most stable with Streep, Davis, and Williams being the frontrunners, and Swinton and Close getting SAG and GG nods to boost. Charlize Theron and Rooney Mara are possibilities, but both won't get in if there is an upset.

Supporting Actress has six/seven women for five slots, Chastain, Spencer, and Bojo looking like safe bets, with McTeer, Woodley, and McCarthy fighting for the last two slots. Now the Supporting Actor race is a mess. Plummer and Branagh seem in, and despite lack of a SAG nod, I still think Brooks gets the nod. But the last two slots are tricky. Jonah Hill seems to be in, a shocker to say the last, but Armie Hammer is not safe. Despite SAG love, I think that J. Edgar could be all about DiCaprio. Max von Sydow is still in, simply because he is, well him, and ELCC could be big contender. Nick Nolte has come screaming back into this race, but is Warrior strong enough of a vehicle? I can't put my finger on it, but there is something about this category that makes me nervous. I just don't know what to expect. There are a few other factors like Serkis and Oswalt, and I keep waiting for the bomb to drop.

So what does all of this mean? That while the race has started to calm down, it is far from set in stone, and we may have more surprises coming our way. To be frank...it is organized chaos.

Alliance of Women Film Journalists Nominees

As Sasha Stone from Awards Daily pointed out, there is not one female nominee for Best Director (although there is a separate category for women). I do like some of their Female-centric categories. They are wildly interesting and show off the range and complexity of female entertainers and female story-lines. Check out the nominees below:
 
Best Film:
  • The Artist
  • The Descendants
  • Hugo
  • Melancholia
  • Midnight in Paris
Best Director:
  • Woody Allen - Midnight In Paris
  • Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
  • Terrence Malick - Tree of Life
  • Alexander Payne - The Descendants
  • Martin Scorsese - Hugo
Best Screenplay, Original
  • The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius
  • Beginners - Mike Mills
  • Bridesmaids - Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo
  • Midnight in Paris - Woody Allen
  • Win Win - Thomas McCarthy
Best Screenplay, Adapted
  • The Descendants - Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
  • Hugo - John Logan
  • Moneyball - Steven Zallian and Aaron Sorkin
  • Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan
  • We Need To Talk About Kevin - Lynne Ramsey and Rory Kinnear
Best Documentary
  • Bill Cunningham New York
  • Buck
  • Cave of Forgotten Dreams
  • The Interrupters
  • Pina
  • Project Nim
Best Animated Film
  • Arthur Christmas
  • Kung Fu Panda
  • Puss in Boots
  • Rango
  • Tintin
Best Actress
  • Viola Davis - Abileen Clark in The Help
  • Kirsten Dunst - Justine in Melancholia
  • Meryl Streep - Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady
  • Tilda Swinton - Eva Khatchadourian in We Need To Talk About Kevin
  • Michelle Williams - Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
  • Bernice Bejo - Peppy Miller in The Artist
  • Jessica Chastain - Celia Foote in The Help
  • Janet McTeer - Hubert Page in Albert Nobbs
  • Carey Mulligan - Sissy Sullivan in Shame
  • Octavia Spencer - Minny Jackson in The Help
Best Actor
  • George Clooney - Matt King in The Descendants
  • Jean Dujardin - George Valentin in The Artist
  • Michael Fassbinder - Brandon Sullivan in Shame
  • Brad Pitt - Billy Beane in Moneyball
  • Michael Shannon - Curtis in Take Shelter
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
  • Kenneth Brannagh - Sir Laurence Olivier in My Week With Marilyn
  • Albert Brooks - Bernie Rose in Drive
  • Christopher Plummer - Hal Fields in Beginnings
  • Alan Rickman - Professor Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II
  • Andy Serkis - in Planet of the Apes
Best Ensemble Cast
  • Bridesmaids
  • The Descendants
  • The Help
  • Margin Call
  • Midnight In Paris
Best Editing:
  • The Artist - Anne-Sophie Bion and Michel Hazanavicius
  • Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
  • Hugo - Thelma Schoonmaker
  • Tree of Life - Hank Corwin, Jay Rabinowitz, Daniel Rezende, Billy Weber, Mark Yoshikawa
  • War Horse - Michael Kahn
Best Cinematography:
  • The Artist - Guillaume Schiffman
  • Hugo - Robert Richardson
  • Melancholia - Manuel Alberto Claro
  • Tree of Life - Emmanuel Lubezki
  • Warhorse - Janusz Kaminski
Best Film Music Or Score :
  • The Artist - Ludovic Bource, Original Score
  • Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Original Score
  • Hannah - The Chemical Brothers, Original Score
Best Non-English-Language Film:
  • Le Havre - Aki Kaurismaki, Finland/France
  • Pina - Wim Wenders, Germany
  • A Separation - Ashgar FarhadI, Iran
  • The Skin I Live In - Pedro Almodovar, Spain
  • Trollhunter - André Øvredal, Norway
EDA FEMALE FOCUS AWARDS
 
Best Woman Director
  • Lynne Ramsey - We Need To Talk About Kevin
  • Dee Rees - Pariah
  • Vera Farmiga - Higher Ground
  • Kelly Reichardt - Meek’s Cutoff
  • Jennifer Yuh - Kung Fu Panda
Best Woman Screenwriter
  • Diablo Cody - Young Adult
  • Abi Morgan - The Iron Lady
  • Lynne Ramsey and Rory Kinnear - We Need To Talk About Kevin
  • Dee Rees - Pariah
  • Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo - Bridesmaids
Kick Ass Award For Best Female Action Star
  • Rooney Mara — Lisbeth Salander in Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
  • Helen Mirren - Rachel Singer in The Debt
  • Paula Patton - Jane in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
  • Saoirse Ronan - Hanna in Hanna
  • Zoe Saldana - Cataleya in Colombiana
Best Animated Female
  • Emily Blunt as Juliet in Gnomeo and Juliet
  • Isla Fisher as Beans in Rango
  • Anne Hathaway as Jewel in Rio
  • Salma Hayak as Kitty Softpaws in Puss in Boots
  • Angelina Jolie - Tigress in Kung Fu Panda
Best Breakthrough Performance
  • Jessica Chastain as Mrs. O’Brien in Tree of Life
  • Elizabeth Olsen as Martha, Marcy May and Marlene in Martha Marcy May Marlene
  • Adepero Oduye as Alike in Pariah
  • Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
  • Shailene Woodley as Alexandra King in The Descendants
Female Icon Award
  • Glenn Close as Albert Nobbs in Albert Nobbs
  • Viola Davis as Abileen Clark in The Help
  • Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady
Actress Defying Age and Ageism
  • Glenn Close as Albert Nobbs in Albert Nobbs
  • Judi Dench as Anna Marie Hoover in J. Edgar Hoover
  • Helen Mirren as Rachel Singer in The Debt
  • Vanessa Redgrave as Volumnia in Coriolanus
  • Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady
This Year’s Outstanding Achievement By A Woman In The Film Industry:
  • Jessica Chastain for performances in four highly acclaimed films
  • Thelma Schoonmaker for editing Hugo
  • Stacey Snider for helming Dreamworks
  • Kristin Wiig for Bridesmaids
AWFJ Award Humanitarian Activism
  • Sandra Bullock for tsunami relief
  • Elaine Hendrix for Animal Rescue Corps and In Defense of Animals
  • Angelina Jolie for UN work and making In The Land of Milk and Blood to raise awareness about genocide.
  • Elizabeth Taylor for her work with AIDS
  • Olivia Wilde for relief work in Haiti
EDA SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS

AWFJ Hall Of Shame Award
  • The Hollywood Reporter for failing to invite any women to join the Directors Roundtable
  • I Melt With You, production and cast
  • Jack and Jill, production and cast
  • Something Borrowed, production and cast
  • Sucker Punch, production and cast
Actress Most in Need Of A New Agent
  • Jennifer Aniston
  • Kate Hudson
  • Sarah Jessica Parker
  • Amanda Seyfried
  • All actresses in New Year’s Eve
Movie You Wanted To Love But Just Couldn’t:
  • Drive
  • The Future
  • Sucker Punch
  • Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
  • Young Adult
Unforgettable Moment Award:
  • The Artist - The sound of glass clinking on the table
  • Drive - The elevator scene
  • Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Lisbeth’s revenge
  • The Help - The pie scene
  • Shame - Carey Mulligan singing New York, New York
Best Depiction Of Nudity, Sexuality, or Seduction:
  • A Dangerous Method - Carl Jung spanks Sabina Speilrein
  • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo — Lisbeth mounts Mikael
  • Melancholia - Justine in the moonlight
  • Shame - Opening sequence on the subway train
  • Shame - Brandon with co-worker
Sequel or Remake That Shouldn’t Have Been Made Award:
  • Arthur
  • Cars 2
  • Hangover Part II
  • Hoodwinked 2
  • Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon
Most Egregious Age Difference:
  • Albert Nobbs - Glenn Close (64) and Mia Wasikowska (22)
  • Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Daniel Craig (43) and Rooney Mara (26)
  • Midnight in Paris - Owen Wilson (43) and Léa Seydoux (26)
  • Sleeping Beauty - Emily Browning (23) and Man 1 (Peter Carroll, 1968), Man 2 (Chris Haywood, 63) and Man 3 (Hugh Keays-Byrne, 64)
  • Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 - Bella (18) and Edward (over 100)

Thursday, December 22, 2011

97 Original Scores Eligible for Oscar

"The Adjustment Bureau,” Thomas Newman, composer
“The Adventures of Tintin,” John Williams, composer
“African Cats,” Nicholas Hooper, composer
“Albert Nobbs,” Brian Byrne, composer
“Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked,” Mark Mothersbaugh, composer
“Anonymous,” Thomas Wander and Harald Kloser, composers
“Another Earth,” Phil Mossman and Will Bates, composers
“Answers to Nothing,” Craig Richey, composer
“Arthur Christmas,” Harry Gregson-Williams, composer
“The Artist,” Ludovic Bource, composer
“@urFRENZ,” Lisbeth Scott, composer
“Atlas Shrugged Part 1,” Elia Cmiral, composer
“Battle: Los Angeles,” Brian Tyler, composer
“Beastly,” Marcelo Zarvos, composer
“The Big Year,” Theodore Shapiro, composer
“Captain America: The First Avenger,” Alan Silvestri, composer
“Cars 2,” Michael Giacchino, composer
“Cedar Rapids,” Christophe Beck, composer
“Conan the Barbarian,” Tyler Bates, composer
“The Conspirator,” Mark Isham, composer
“Contagion,” Cliff Martinez, composer
“Coriolanus,” Ilan Eshkeri, composer
“DAM999,” Ousepachan, composer
“The Darkest Hour,” Tyler Bates, composer
“The Debt,” Thomas Newman, composer
“Dolphin Tale,” Mark Isham, composer
“Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark,” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, composers
“Dream House,” John Debney, composer
“The Eagle,” Atli Orvarsson, composer
“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
“Fast Five,” Brian Tyler, composer
“The First Grader,” Alex Heffes, composer
“The Flowers of War,” Qigang Chen, composer
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, composers
“The Greatest Miracle,” Mark McKenzie, composer
“Green Lantern,” James Newton Howard, composer
“Hanna,” Tom Rowlands, composer
“Happy Feet Two,” John Powell, composer
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
“The Help,” Thomas Newman, composer
“Hop,” Christopher Lennertz, composer
“Hugo,” Howard Shore, composer
“I Don’t Know How She Does It,” Aaron Zigman, composer
“The Ides of March,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
“Immortals,” Trevor Morris, composer
“In Search of God,” Rupam Sarmah, composer
“In the Land of Blood and Honey,” Gabriel Yared, composer
“In Time,” Craig Armstrong, composer
“Insidious,” Joseph Bishara, composer
“The Iron Lady,” Thomas Newman, composer
“J. Edgar,” Clint Eastwood, composer
“Jane Eyre,” Dario Marianelli, composer
“The Lady,” Eric Serra, composer
“Like Crazy,” Dustin O’Halloran, composer
“Margaret,” Nico Muhly, composer
“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” Michael Giacchino, composer
“Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” Rolfe Kent, composer
“Moneyball,” Mychael Danna, composer
“Monte Carlo,” Michael Giacchino, composer
“New Year’s Eve,” John Debney, composer
“Norman,” Andrew Bird, composer
“One Day,” Rachel Portman, composer
“Puss in Boots,” Henry Jackman, composer
“Rampart,” Dickon Hinchliffe, composer
“Real Steel,” Danny Elfman, composer
“Rebirth,” Philip Glass, composer
“Red Riding Hood,” Alex Heffes and Brian Reitzell, composers
“Restless,” Danny Elfman, composer
“Rio,” John Powell, composer
“Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” Patrick Doyle, composer
“The Rite,” Alex Heffes, composer
“The Rum Diary,” Christopher Young, composer
“Sanctum,” David Hirschfelder, composer
“Sarah’s Key,” Max Richter, composer
“Senna,” Antonio Pinto, composer
“Shame,” Harry Escott, composer
“The Skin I Live In,” Alberto Iglesias, composer
“The Smurfs,” Heitor Pereira, composer
“Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” Rachel Portman, composer
“Super 8,” Michael Giacchino, composer
“Take Shelter,” David Wingo, composer
“The Thing,” Marco Beltrami, composer
“Thor,” Patrick Doyle, composer
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” Alberto Iglesias, composer
“Tower Heist,” Christophe Beck, composer
“W.E.,” Abel Korzeniowski, composer
“War Horse,” John Williams, composer
“Warrior,” Mark Isham, composer
“Water for Elephants,” James Newton Howard, composer
“The Way,” Tyler Bates, composer
“We Bought a Zoo,” Jon Thor Birgisson, composer
“We Need to Talk about Kevin,” Jonny Greenwood, composer
“Win Win,” Lyle Workman, composer
“Winnie the Pooh,” Henry Jackman, composer
“X-Men: First Class,” Henry Jackman, composer
“Young Adult,” Rolfe Kent, composer
“Your Highness,” Steve Jablonsky, composer

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Hobbit Trailer

I am so excited to see that The Hobbit looks like it will pick up from the greatness of the LOTR series, and be an epic spectacle. Here is the first trailer:

Dublin Film Critics Awards

Best Film - Drive
Best Director - Nicholas Winding Refn "Drive"
Best Actress - Jessica Chastain "The Tree of Life"
Best Actor - Ryan Gosling "Drive"
Best Foreign Language Film -  A Separation
Best Documentary- Senna
Best Irish Film - The Guard
Best Irish Documentary - Knuckle
International Breakthrough - Jessica Chastain
Domestic Breakthrough - John Michael McDonagh "The Guard"

Black Film Critic Circle Awards

Best Picture: "The Help"
Best Director: Dee Rees, "Pariah"
Best Actor: Olivier Litondo, "The First Grader"
Best Actress: Viola Davis, "The Help"
Best Supporting Actor: Albert Brooks, "Drive"
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, "The Help"
Best Independent Film: "Pariah"
Best Adapted Screenplay: "The Help"
Best Original Screenplay: "Pariah"
Best Animated Film: "Rango"
Best Documentary: "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey"
Best Ensemble: "The Help"
Pioneer Award: Harry Belafonte
Rising Star Award: Adepero Oduye
Special Mention: "Attack the Block"
Top 10 Films (in order): "The Help," "The Artist," "Pariah," "Drive," "The Descendants," "Attack the Block," "The Tree of Life," "Hugo," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and "Warrior"

Utah Film Critics Association Awards

  • Picture • ”Drive”; runner-up: “The Artist.”
  • Director • Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”; runner-up: Nicholas Winding Refn, “Drive.”
  • Lead performance, female • Michelle Williams, “My Week With Marilyn”; runner-up: Rooney Mara, “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”
  • Lead performance, male • Joseph Gordon-Levitt, “50/50”; runner-up: Jean Dujardin, “The Artist.”
  • Supporting performance, female • Amy Ryan, “Win Win”; runner-up: Vanessa Redgrave, “Coriolanus.”
  • Supporting performance, male • Albert Brooks, “Drive”; runner-up: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners.”
  • Original Screenplay • “50/50,” Will Reiser; runner-up: “Beginners,” Mike Mills.
  • Adapted Screenplay • “The Descendants,” Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash, from a novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings; runner-up: “The Muppets,” Jason Segel & Nicholas Stoller, based on characters created by Jim Henson.
  • Cinematography • “Drive,” Newton Thomas Sigel; runner-up: “The Tree of Life,” Emmanuel Lubezki.
  • Documentary • ”Senna,” directed by Asif Kapadia; runner-up: “Project Nim,” directed by James Marsh.
  • Non-English Language Feature • “A Separation” (Iran), directed by Asghar Farhadi; runner-up: “13 Assassins” (Japan), directed by Takashi Miike.
  • Animated Feature • “Rango,” directed by Gore Verbinski; runners-up (tie): “The Adventures of Tintin,” directed by Steven Spielberg; and “Kung Fu Panda 2,” directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Women Film Critics Circle Awards

Winners are italicized.

BEST MOVIE BY A WOMAN – tied
  • The Iron Lady 
  • We Need To Talk About Kevin
  • Pariah
  • The Whistleblower
BEST MOVIE ABOUT WOMEN
  • The Help
  • Albert Nobbs  
  • Cracks
  • Rid Of Me
BEST WOMAN STORYTELLER
Screenwriting Award
  • The Iron Lady [Abi Morgan] 
  • In The Land Of Blood And Honey [Angelina Jolie]
  • Pariah [Dee Reese]
  • We Need To Talk About Kevin [Lynne Ramsey] 
BEST ACTRESS
  • Viola Davis: The Help
  • Jessica Chastain: The Debt/The Help 
  • Meryl Streep: The Iron Lady 
  • Tilda Swinton: We Need To Talk About Kevin
BEST ACTOR
  • George Clooney: The Descendants
  • Jean Dujardin: The Artist
  • Tom Hardy: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy/Warrior
  • Ryan Gosling: Drive/The Ides Of March
BEST COMEDIC ACTRESS
  • Melissa McCarthy: Bridesmaids
  • Katie O’Grady: Rid Of Me
  • Sarah Jessica Parker: I Don’t Know How She Does It
  • Kristen Wiig: Bridesmaids
BEST YOUNG ACTRESS
  • Shailene Woodley: The Descendants
  • Jordana Beatty: Judy Moody
  • Liana Liberato: Trust
  • Amara Miller: The Descendants
BEST FOREIGN FILM BY OR ABOUT WOMEN
  • The Hedgehog
  • A Separation
  • In The Land Of Blood And Honey
  • When We Leave
BEST FEMALE IMAGES IN A MOVIE
  • The Whistleblower
  • Albert Nobbs 
  • The Iron Lady 
  • Soul Surfer
WORST FEMALE IMAGES IN A MOVIE
  • Melancholia
  • Jack And Jill
  • My Week With Marilyn
  • Young Adult
BEST MALE IMAGES IN A MOVIE
  • The Descendants
  • 50/50
  • Meet Monica Velour
  • Of Gods And Men
WORST MALE IMAGES IN A MOVIE
  • Hangover 2
  • No Strings Attached
  • The Skin I Live In
  • Straw Dogs
BEST DOCUMENTARIES BY OR ABOUT WOMEN
  • Always Faithful
  • The Price Of Sex
  • The Woman With The Five Elephants
  • Women Art Revolution
BEST FAMILY FILM
  • Hugo
  • Judy Moody
  • The Muppets
  • The Adventures of Tintin 
BEST ANIMATED FEMALES
  • Puss N Boots 3D
  • Arthur Christmas
  • Gnomeo And Juliet
  • Kung Fu Panda 2
BEST EQUALITY OF THE SEXES
  • The Debt
  • The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – review coming soon!
  • The Iron Lady - review coming soon!
  • Midnight In Paris
COURAGE IN ACTINGTaking on unconventional roles that radically redefine the images of women on screen
  • Glenn Close: Albert Nobbs 
  • Josiane Balasko: The Hedgehog
  • Mimi Chakarova: The Price Of Sex
  • Tilda Swinton: We Need To Talk About Kevin
THE INVISIBLE WOMAN AWARDPerformance by a woman whose exceptional impact on the film dramatically, socially or historically, has been ignored
  • Miral: Hiram Abbass
  • Meeks Cutoff: Michelle Williams
  • Danai Gurira: 3 Backyards
  • Red Shirley
WOMEN’S WORK: BEST ENSEMBLE
  • The Help –
  • Albert Nobbs - 
  • Bridesmaids –
  • The Whistleblower
BEST SCREEN COUPLE
  • The Artist: Berenice Bejo and Jean Dujardin
  • Gnomeo And Juliet
  • The Iron Lady 
  • Like Crazy
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
  • Kathy Bates
  • Cicely Tyson
  • Hiam Abbass
  • Michelle Yeoh
ACTING AND ACTIVISM
  • Elizabeth Taylor
  • Mia Farrow
  • Daryl Hannah
  • Alfre Woodard
ADRIENNE SHELLY AWARDFor a film that most passionately opposes violence against women
  • The Whistleblower
  • In A Better World
  • In The Land Of Blood And Honey
  • Life, Above All
JOSEPHINE BAKER AWARDFor best expressing the woman of color experience in America
  • The Help
  • America
  • Pariah
  • 3 Backyards
KAREN MORLEY AWARDFor best exemplifying a woman’s place in history or society, and a courageous search for identity
  • Albert Nobbs 
  • The Conspirator
  • Meek’s Cutoff
  • Snow Flower And The Secret Fan
MOMMIE DEAREST WORST SCREEN MOM OF THE YEAR AWARD
  • Judi Dench: J. Edgar

Florida Film Critics Awards

Best Picture: "The Descendants"
Best Director: Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"
Best Actor: Michael Fassbender, "Shame"
Best Actress: Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn"
Best Supporting Actor: Albert Brooks, "Drive"
Best Supporting Actress: Shailene Woodley, "The Descendants"
Best Adapted Screenplay: "The Descendants"
Best Original Screenplay: "The Artist"
Best Arti Direction/Production Design: "Hugo"
Best Cinematography: "The Tree of Life"
Best Visual Effects: "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
Best Animated Feature: "The Adventures of Tintin"
Best Documentary: "Project Nim"
Best Foreign Language Film: "The Skin I Live In"
Breakout: Elizabeth Olsen, "Martha Marcy May Marlene"

London Critics' Circle Awards Nominations

FILM OF THE YEAR
The Artist (Entertainment)
Drive (Icon)
A Separation (Artificial Eye)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (StudioCanal)
The Tree of Life (Fox)

The Attenborough Award: BRITISH FILM OF THE YEAR
The Guard (StudioCanal)
Kill List (StudioCanal)
Shame (Momentum)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (StudioCanal)
We Need to Talk About Kevin (Artificial Eye)

FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
Mysteries of Lisbon (New Wave)
Poetry (Arrow)
Le Quattro Volte (New Wave)
A Separation (Artificial Eye)
The Skin I Live In (Fox/Pathé)

DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR
Cave of Forgotten Dreams (Picturehouse)
Dreams of a Life (Dogwoof)
Pina (Artificial Eye)
Project Nim (Icon)
Senna (Universal)

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Asghar Farhadi - A Separation (Artificial Eye)
Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist (Entertainment)
Terrence Malick - The Tree of Life (Fox)
Lynne Ramsay - We Need to Talk About Kevin (Artificial Eye)
Nicolas Winding Refn - Drive (Icon)

SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR
Asghar Farhadi - A Separation (Artificial Eye)
Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist (Entertainment)
Kenneth Lonergan - Margaret (Fox)
Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (StudioCanal)
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon & Jim Rash - The Descendants (Fox)

The Virgin Atlantic Award: BREAKTHROUGH BRITISH FILM-MAKER
Richard Ayoade - Submarine (StudioCanal)
Paddy Considine - Tyrannosaur (StudioCanal)
Joe Cornish - Attack the Block (StudioCanal)
Andrew Haigh - Weekend (Peccadillo)
John Michael McDonagh - The Guard (StudioCanal)

ACTOR OF THE YEAR
George Clooney - The Descendants (Fox)
Jean Dujardin - The Artist (Entertainment)
Michael Fassbender - Shame (Momentum)
Ryan Gosling - Drive (Icon)
Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (StudioCanal)

ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Kirsten Dunst - Melancholia (Artificial Eye)
Anna Paquin - Margaret (Fox)
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady (Fox/Pathé)
Tilda Swinton - We Need to Talk About Kevin (Artificial Eye)
Michelle Williams - My Week With Marilyn (Entertainment)

SUPPORTING ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Simon Russell Beale - The Deep Blue Sea (Artificial Eye)
Kenneth Branagh - My Week With Marilyn (Entertainment)
Albert Brooks - Drive (Icon)
Christopher Plummer - Beginners (Universal)
Michael Smiley - Kill List (StudioCanal)

SUPPORTING ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Sareh Bayat - A Separation (Artificial Eye)
Jessica Chastain - The Help (Disney)
Vanessa Redgrave - Coriolanus (Lionsgate)
Octavia Spencer - The Help (Disney)
Jacki Weaver - Animal Kingdom (StudioCanal)

BRITISH ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Tom Cullen - Weekend (Peccadillo)
Michael Fassbender - A Dangerous Method (Lionsgate), Shame (Momentum)
Brendan Gleeson - The Guard (StudioCanal)
Peter Mullan - Tyrannosaur (StudioCanal), War Horse (Disney)
Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (StudioCanal)

The Moët & Chandon Award: BRITISH ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Olivia Colman - The Iron Lady (Fox/Pathé), Tyrannosaur (StudioCanal)
Carey Mulligan - Drive (Icon), Shame (Momentum)
Vanessa Redgrave - Anonymous (Sony), Coriolanus (Lionsgate)
Tilda Swinton - We Need to Talk About Kevin (Artificial Eye)
Rachel Weisz - The Deep Blue Sea (Artificial Eye)

YOUNG BRITISH PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
John Boyega - Attack the Block (StudioCanal)
Jeremy Irvine - War Horse (Disney)
Yasmin Paige - Submarine (StudioCanal)
Craig Roberts - Submarine (StudioCanal)
Saoirse Ronan - Hanna (Universal)

The Sky 3D Award: TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Manuel Alberto Claro, cinematography - Melancholia (Artificial Eye)
Paul Davies, sound design - We Need to Talk About Kevin (Artificial Eye)
Maria Djurkovic, production design - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (StudioCanal)
Dante Ferretti, production design - Hugo (Entertainment)
Alberto Iglesias, original score - The Skin I Live In (Fox/Pathé)
Chris King & Gregers Sall, editing - Senna (Universal)
Joe Letteri, visual effects - Rise of the Planet of the Apes (Fox)
Cliff Martinez, original score - Drive (Icon)
Robert Richardson, cinematography - Hugo (Entertainment)
Robbie Ryan, cinematography - Wuthering Heights (Artificial Eye)

The Dilys Powell Award: EXCELLENCE IN FILM
Nicolas Roe

Monday, December 19, 2011

39 Songs Contending for Oscar

"The World I Knew" from "African Cats"
"Lay Your Head Down" from "Albert Nobbs"
"Star Spangled Man" from "Captain America: The First Avenger"
"Collision of Worlds" from "Cars 2"
"Dakkanaga Dugu Dugu" from "DAM999"
"DAM999 Theme Song" from "DAM999"
"Mujhe Chod Ke" from "DAM999"
"Rainbird" from "Dirty Girl"
"Keep On Walking" from "The First Grader"
"Where the River Goes" from "Footloose"
"Hello Hello" from "Gnomeo & Juliet"
"Love Builds a Garden" from "Gnomeo & Juliet"
"Bridge of Light" from "Happy Feet Two"
"The Mighty Sven" from "Happy Feet Two"
"Never Be Daunted" from "happythankyoumoreplease"
"Hell and Back" from "Hell and Back Again"
"The Living Proof" from "The Help"
"Coeur Volant" from "Hugo"
"It's How We Play" from "I Don't Know How She Does It"
"When the Heart Dies" from "In the Land of Blood and Honey"
"Ja Nao Estar" from "José and Pilar"
"The Keeper" from "Machine Gun Preacher"
"Life's a Happy Song" from "The Muppets"
"Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets"
"Pictures in My Head" from "The Muppets"
"Summer Song" from "The Music Never Stopped"
"Imaginary Friends" from "Olive"
"Sparkling Day" from "One Day"
"Taking You with Me" from "Our Idiot Brother"
"The Greatest Song I Ever Heard" from "POM Wonderful Presents The Greatest Movie Ever Sold"
"Hot Wings" from "Rio"
"Let Me Take You to Rio" from "Rio"
"Real in Rio" from "Rio"
"Shelter" from "Take Shelter"
"Gathering Stories" from "We Bought a Zoo"
"Pop" from "White Irish Drinkers"
"Think You Can Wait" from "Win Win"
"The Backson Song" from "Winnie the Pooh"
"So Long" from "Winnie the Pooh"

Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards

My hometown critic (Lawrence Toppman) is a member, so these awards are near and dear to my heart.

Best Picture - The Descendants

Top Ten Films

The Descendants
The Artist
Hugo
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
Drive
Midnight in Paris
Win Win
War Horse
The Help

Best Actor - George Clooney "The Descendants"
       Runner Up - Michael Fassbender "Shame"
Best Actress - Meryl Streep "The Iron Lady"
       Runner Up - Tilda Swinton "We Need to Talk About Kevin"
Best Supporting Actor - Christopher Plummer "Beginners"
       Runner Up - Albert Brooks "Drive"
Best Supporting Actress - Janet McTeer "Albert Nobbs"
       Runner Up - Shailene Woodley "The Descendants"
Best Ensemble - The Help
       Runner Up -  The Descendants
Best Director - Martin Scorsese "Hugo"
       Runner Up -  Michel Hazanavicius "The Artist"
Best Original Screenplay -  Midnight In Paris
       Runner Up - The Artist
Best Adapted Screenplay - The Descendants
       Runner Up - Moneyball
Best Documentary - Project Nim
       Runner Up - Tabloid
Best Foreign Language Film - A Separation
       Runner Up - The Skin I Live In
Best Animated Film - Rango
       Runner Up - The Adventures of Tintin
Best Cinematography - The Tree of Life 
       Runner Up - Hugo
The Gene Wyatt Award - The Help 
       Runner Up - Undefeated   

Chicago Film Critics Association Winners

PICTURE: The Tree of Life
DIRECTOR: Terrence Malick (-) The Tree of Life
ACTOR: Michael Shannon (-) Take Shelter
ACTRESS: Michelle Williams (-) My Week With Marilyn
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Albert Brooks (-) Drive
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Jessica Chastain (-) The Tree of Life
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: The Artist (-) Michel Hazanavicius
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Moneyball (-) Steven Zaillian & Aaron Sorkin
CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Tree of Life (-) Emmanuel Lubezki
ORIGINAL SCORE: Drive (-) Cliff Martinez
ANIMATED FEATURE: Rango
DOCUMENTARY: The Interrupters
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: A Separation
PROMISING PERFORMER: Elizabeth Olsen (-) Martha Marcy May Marlene
PROMISING FILMMAKER: Sean Durkin (-) Martha Marcy May Marlene

St. Louis Film Critics Winners

Best Film - The Artist
       Runner Up - The Descendants
Best Director - Michel Hazanavicius "The Artist
       Runner Up - Terrence Malick "The Tree of Life"
Best Actor - George Clooney "The Descendants"
       Runner Up - Ryan Gosling "Drive"
Best Actress - Rooney Mara "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
       Runner Up - Meryl Streep "The Iron Lady" and Michelle Williams "My Week With Marilyn"
Best Supporting Actor - Albert Brooks "Drive"
       Runner Up - Alan Rickman "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
Best Supporting Actress - Berenice Bojo "The Arist"
       Runner Up - Octavia Spencer "The Help" and Shailene Woodley "The Descendants"
Best Adapted Screenplay - Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash "The Descendants"
       Runner Up - Steve Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin "Moneyball"
Best Cinematography - The Tree of Life
       Runner Up - The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and War Horse
Best Visual Effects - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
       Runner Up - Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Best Music - The Artist
       Runner Up - Drive
Best Foreign Langauge - 13 Assassins
       Runner Up - Winter in Wartime
Best Documentary - Being Elmo
       Runner Up - Tabloid
Best Comedy - Bridesmaids
       Runner Up - Midnight In Paris
Best Animated Film  - The Adventures of Tintin
       Runner Up - Rango     
Best Artistic/Creative Film - We Need to Talk About Kevin
       Runner Up - Win Win
Special Merit for Best Scene - The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Opening Credits)
       Runner Up - The Artist (Final Dance Scene)

Golden Satellite Winners

Film Awards
Best Picture - The Descendants
Best Director - Nicholas Winding Refn "Drive "
Best Actor - Ryan Gosling "Drive"
Best Actress - Viola Davis "The Help"
Best Supporting Actor - Albert Brooks "Drive"
Best Supporting Actress - Jessica Chastain "The Tree of Life"
Best Adapted Screenplay - Alexander Payne, Jim Rash, and Nat Faxon "The Descendants"
Best Original Screenplay - Terrence Malick "The Tree of Life"
Best Foreign Film - Mysteries of Lisbon
Best Animated Film - The Adventures of Tintin
Best Documentary - Senna
Best Original Score - Marco Beltrami "Soul Surfer"
Best Original Song - "Lay Down Your Head" from Albert Nobbs
Best Cinematography - Janusz Kaminski "War Horse"
Best Visual Effects - Robert Legato "Hugo"
Best Film Editing - Chris Gill "The Guard"
Best Art & Production Design - The Artist
Best Costume Design - Water for Elephants
Best Sound - Drive
Best First Feature - Tyrannosaur
Best Ensemble - The Help

Television Awards
Best Actress in a Movie/Mini Kate Winslet "Mildred Pierce"
Best Actor in a Movie/Mini - Jason Isaacs "Case Histories"
Best Supporting Actor - Ryan Hurst "Sons of Anarchy" & Peter Dinklage "Game of Thrones"
Best Supporting Actress  -  Vanessa Williams "Desperate Housewives"
Best Drama Series - Justified
Best Comedy Series - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Best Actor in a Drama Series - Timothy Olyphant "Justified"
Best Actress in a Drama Series - Claire Danes "Homeland"
Best Actor in a Comedy Series - Louis C.K. "Louie"
Best Actress in a Comedy Series - Martha Plimpton "Raising Hope"
Best Genre Series - American Horror Story
Best TV Movie/Mini Series - Mildred Pierce
Special Award - Best Performance in a TV Program - Jessica Lange "American Horror Story"

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Initial Golden Globe Predictions

Here are my initial predictions for the Golden Globe Awards. I'll post inital SAG predictions later today or tomorrow.

Film Categories
Best Picture - Drama - The Descendants
Best Picture - Comedy/Musical - The Artist
Best Actor - Drama - George Clooney "The Descendants"
Best Actress - Drama - Viola Davis "The Help"
Best Actor - Comedy - Jean Dujardin "The Artist"
Best Actress - Comedy - Michelle Williams "My Week With Marilyn"
Best Supporting Actor - Christopher Plummer "Beginners"
Best Supporting Actress - Octavia Spencer "The Help"
Best Director - Martin Scorsese "Hugo"
Best Screenplay - Alexander Payne, Jim Rash, and Nat Faxon "The Descendants"
Best Animated Feature - Rango
Best Foreign Language Film -  A Separation
Best Original Score - Ludovic Bource "The Artist"
Best Original Song - "The Living Proof" from "The Help"

Television Categories
Best Drama Series - Game of Thrones
Best Comedy Series - Modern Family
Best TV Movie/Miniseries - Mildred Pierce
Best Actor - Drama - Kelsey Grammer "Boss"
Best Actress - Drama - Julianna Margulies "The Good Wife"
Best Actress- Comedy - Zooey Deschanel "New Girl"
Best Actor - Comedy - Alec Baldwin "30 Rock"
Best Actor - Movie/Mini - Bill Nighy "Page Eight"
Best Actress - Movie/Mini - Kate Winslet "Mildred Pierce"
Best Supporting Actor - Peter Dinklage "Game of Thrones"
Best Supporting Actress - Jessica Lange "American Horror Story"

Saturday, December 17, 2011

New Polls in Sidebar

Check out the new Golden Globes polls in the sidebar, next week it will be about SAG!

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Friday, December 16, 2011

State of the Race: Post BFCA/SAG/Golden Globes Predictions

Best Picture
The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight In Paris
Moneyball
War Horse

Other Contenders - Drive, The Tree of Life, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Bridesmaids, 50/50, The Ides of March, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Young Adult, My Week With Marilyn

Commentary - So no, my actual predictions did not change and here is why. Drive and The Tree of Life have been racking up critical support and got the BFCA nod. But the Globes shunned them (except Brooks), and SAG, really shunned them, including Brooks, who was looking like a surefire bet. The critics may love them, but until either of them gets some sort of guild support, they are currently my nine and ten, and not predicted. That being said, the rest remains stable. It looks like The Artist is the frontrunner, with Hugo and The Descendants hot on its tails. I think that Hugo could be a problem for The Artist. Their subject matter is so similar that it could pull votes away, or end in a split BP/BD. While not in the top three, it also looks like War Horse (I know it got no SAG support, but neither did Hugo, let's face it they were not actor's movies) is in, but no winner since Braveheart has failed to get a SAG ensemble nod, so it should settle for a nod. The Help is looking particularly strong, and while The Artist will most likely win the SAG, don't be shocked if the starpower of The Help is too overpowering. Despite lack of any real critical notice, Midnight in Paris gets the SAG nod, the BFCA nod, and the Golden Globe nod. It will definitely get the WGA nod, and most likely the PGA, and Allen is always a threat for Director (and he got a Globe nod), so I say Midnight in Paris is in. The last two slots are not as safe. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is probably still in, as it is a tear jerker with Stephen Daldry, Tom Hanks, and Sandra Bullock behind it. But without Globe or SAG recognition it is not as secure as it once was. Finally, Moneyball took a hit with critics, but it got some SAG love (not the ensemble, but Pitt, and surprisingly Jonah Hill keeps popping up), and it got the BFCA and GG. I think it gets the PGA nod, and WGA nod, and gets an eighth spot.

Best Director
Stephen Daldry "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Michel Hazanavicius "The Artist"
Alexander Payne "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese "Hugo"
Steven Spielberg "War Horse"

Other Contenders - Woody Allen "Midnight In Paris", Tate Taylor "The Help", Nicholas Winding Refn "Drive", Terrence Malick "The Tree of Life", Bennett Miller "Moneyball", George Clooney "The Ides of March", David Fincher "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"

Commentary - Until the DGA, this one seems to be a little big in limbo, once again Drive and The Tree of Life have made some great gains, but they are going to have to get some guild support for their films, to carry over their critical success. I can safely say that I think Michel Hazanavicius, Martin Scorsese, and Alexander Payne are pretty safe bets, and in the last two slots I am going with old Academy favorites. But Refn and Mallick will have their devout supporters, and one of them could make the cut. Woody Allen is defintely in the mix, and love or hate The Help, if it continues its strong showing, Tate Taylor could pull off a nod. I still think that Fincher and Miller are in this too, and could be dark horses, as both of their films are good, and both are previous nominees. And despite all the love for Ides of March, I don't think it has many possibilites outside of Adapted Screenplay, although in the mess that is the Best Actor race, a surprising Ryan Gosling could be a factor.

Best Actor
George Clooney "The Descendants"
Leonardo Dicaprio "J. Edgar"
Jean Dujardin "The Artist"
Michael Fassbender "Shame"
Brad Pitt "Moneyball"

Other Contenders - Demian Bichir "A Better Life", Gary Oldman "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy", Ryan Gosling "The Ides of March", Ryan Gosling "Drive", Michael Shannon "Take Shelter", Thomas Horn "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close", Woody Harrelson "Rampart"

Commentary - So Jean Dujardin, George Clooney, and Brad Pitt are the top conteders as expected. But after going 3 for 3 with SAG/BFCA/GG, Leonardo Dicaprio has overcome bad reviews to make the cut for J. Edgar, and I think he will get an Oscar nod. So what about the fifth slot?  This one is particularly tricky. Amazingly Demian Bichir got a nod for A Better Life, so can he get a Javier Bardem-esque nomination? He is definitely in the race, but Bardem was a former winner, so his presence in the race wasn't shocking. I am not completely sold on Bichir, simply because the other branches may not recognize him as SAG did. Gary Oldman has fallen after getting no GG/BFCA/SAG nominations, and only BAFTA recognition can keep him in the race. Michael Shannon and Woody Harrelson have gotten in on smaller movies before, but both needed some boost, and neither got it. I am starting to think Ryan Gosling can take some love, but for which film, Drive or The Ides of March? So with all these questions in mind, I am hoping that the Academy recognizes the brilliance of Michael Fassbender (The Globes did), and he slips in the fifth spot. Although this can be wishful thinking.

Best Actress
Glenn Close "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis "The Help"
Meryl Streep "The Iron Lady"
Tilda Swinton "We Need to Talk About Kevin"
Michelle Williams "My Week With Marilyn"

Other Contenders - Charlize Theron "Young Adult", Rooney Mara "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo", Elizabeth Olsen "Martha Marcy May Marlene", Anna Paquin "Margaret", Felicity Jones "Like Crazy", Kirsten Dunst

Commentary - Well, poor Charlize Theron, despite GG and BFCA love, looks like the SAG didn't go for her, and Young Adult may have to settle for only a screenplay nod. In her place, Tilda Swinton has come on strong, winning some critics awards, and getting the whole trifecta SAG/GG/BFCA. After a couple of years of being ignored, Swinton looks like she is back in the race. Also coming in strong back in the race is Glenn Close. It looks like her and her co-star, despite being left out of critical notices, are making a gain in the race, with a SAG/GG nod. Beyond that, the top three contenders, Davis, Williams, and Streep are still in a close race, but Williams has been racking up critical mentions, and could be the one to beat.

Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh "My Week With Marilyn"
Albert Brooks "Drive"
Jonah Hill "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer "Beginners"

Other Contenders - Max von Sydow "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close", Patton Oswalt "Young Adult", Armie Hammer "J. Edgar", Andy Serkis "Rise of the Planet of the Apes", Viggo Mortensen "A Dangerous Method", Ben Kingsley "Hugo", John Hawkes "Martha Marcy May Marlene", Ezra Miller "We Need to Talk About Kevin"

Commentary - This category has a few shakeups, as Max von Sydow and Patton Oswalt have moved down, due to lack of SAG/GG/BFCA love (Oswalt did get BFCA, but that was it), and Albert Brooks, while still in the race, took a big hit with the lack of a SAG nomination. Nick Nolte has survived the dead buzz for Warrior, and got the SAG/BFCA nominations. Although the Globe would have helped too, I think he has solidified himself as a contender once again. Kenneth Branagh and Christopher Plummer, both considered sure bets are still in this thing, and I am betting with Sydow not being as strong as once thought that Plummer has a clear shot for the win. At the SAG, two young contenders shocked us all with nominations. Of course I am talking about Armie Hammer and Jonah Hill. My guess is that only one gets in, and since Hill also got the Globe nod, and Moneyball is a much better movie with Best Picture buzz, I am putting him in the fifth slot for now. Also, despite the critical support, I think a miracle is needed for Andy Serkis to get in, which is a shame.

Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bojo "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy "Bridesmaids"
Octavia Spencer "The Help"
Shailene Woodley "The Descendants"

Other Contenders - Janet McTeer "Albert Nobbs", Vanessa Redgrave "Coriolanus", Sandra Bullock "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close", Carey Mulligan "Shame", Jessica Chastain "Take Shelter", Jessica Chastain "The Tree of Life",

Commentary - Well, after the critics were too scared to pick a film the big guns, all chose Jessica Chastain for The Help, and I think that is her nomination vehicle. She will be joined by her co-star Octavia Spencer and Berenice Bojo, both of who are top contenders for the win. It is the last two slots that are offering up some trouble. Janet McTeer, Shailene Woodley, and Melissa McCarthy seem to be fighting it out for the last two slots. It was surprising when the Globes snubbed McCarthy, and then even more surprising when the Actor's branch didn't. I think that tells us a lot, and while she is shaky, I am officially on the Melissa McCarthy bandwagon. In the last slot I am going with Woodley. I know Janet McTeer is a veteran, and got the SAG nod, but I don't know if the rest of the Academy will be so generous to Albert Nobbs, and will be so to The Descendants.