AMPAS Announces 2015 Governors Awards

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced their 2015 honors for the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and the Honorary Oscars for the upcoming ceremony in February.

1) Harry Belafonte is this year's recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Not only is he a film and music icon, but he has work with the UN to fight AIDS and other global travesties, and of course, his work on and off the screen advanced civil rights for African Americans for decades.

2) Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary Japanese director who produced countless classics over his decades in the industry, and won an Oscar for Spirited Away, is receiving one of this year's Honorary Oscars.

3) Jean-Claude Carriere was a brilliant French screenwriter, who won an Oscar in in 1962 for the Live Action Short "Heureux Anniversaire (Happy Anniversary)". Over his career he has worked with some of France's finest directors creating masterful scripts for the likes of Luis Bunuel, Jean-Luc Godard, and Philip Kaufman.

4) Finally, Maureen O'Hara, the legendary actress, who was never nominated for an Oscar during her long career, is finally getting her deserved recognition with the final Honorary Oscar. She starred in such films as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, How Green Was My Valley, Rio Grande, The Quiet Man, Miracle on 34th Street, and The Parent Trap.

For more information about these talented artists, the upcoming Oscars, and the Academy as a whole, visit www.oscars.org.

2014 Emmys: The End

I needed a day to really process this year's Emmys, because there was just something about them that seemed off. I have finally figured out the problem. With the exception of The Blacklist, and renewing Parenthood and Parks & Recreation for another season, NBC really can't do anything right. By moving up the Emmys entire month, in ensured that there were few surprises in major categories, probably because by the time that voters had the episodes to watch, there was little time to actually absorb the episodes and the performances within them. That extra month that is usually given is where voters have time to really watch and see, and it is also where we get our surprises, which make for an exciting evening. What I saw Monday night was an incredibly dull show, and also incredibly too predictable because voters simply fell back on their old favorites. Now let me stop here and put out an important disclaimer. There was not one bad or undeserving winner in the Comedy and Drama Categories. Breaking Bad ended in superb style, so the wins for the series, Gunn, Cranston, and Paul were certainly worthy. The Good Wife's resurgent season ended with its star Julianna Margulies earning another Emmy representative of the season as a whole, and her stunning performance week after week. Even True Detective earned a directing win for its great season. I know that we are all sick of Modern Family winning, but this past season was one of its best, and Burrell and Mancuso are always good for laughs and quality directing. Jim Parsons gets a lot of hate around the blogosphere, but he has created one of the most iconic and endearing television characters of the last decade, so it is not hard to see what voters keep going back to him, especially since his category has been relatively weak for years now. And Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Allison Janney are two of the best actress working in television today, so even though their continued honors may seem excessive, they are not undeserved. All of this being said, I think it would have been nice to see at least a few newcomers, a few surprises, if for anything, for the fact that we as viewers watch the ceremony to not only view the honors, but also to be entertained. I think NBC is doing it again next year, which is a real shame for us Emmy fanatics. I hope that they sense that that an extra month would do all the voters a bit of good, and change their policy. If not, we will probably continue to see old favorites.

There were a few surprises, but almost all of them occurred in the Television Movie/Miniseries categories. Fargo and The Normal Heart took the program categories as expected, and while most people were predicting someone else, it was not a shock that Kathy Bates and Jessica Lange took home honors, their veteran statuses probably helping in this shortened period. But there must have been some Sherlock fans in those panels, because after not winning any Emmys for its first two seasons, it won a total of seven (including Creative Arts), becoming the most honored program this year. Martin Freeman's win was probably a combination of Fargo and Sherlock fans, so it wasn't that surprising. But when Steven Moffatt beat out Larry Kramer, and Benedict Cumberbatch beat the Fargo guys and Mark Ruffalo, I was shocked. The Normal Heart clearly had enough broad support in the larger program panels, but in the smaller ones, its support was simply not very deep, and that is probably the biggest surprise. We expected it to explode that the Emmys, and it ended up winning a total of two out of twelve nominations. The folks over at HBO are probably still scratching their heads, while the PBS folks are probably still celebrating.

But other than those couple of surprises, the evening overall was dull, and uneventful, and poor Seth Meyers just paled in comparison to last year's host Neil Patrick Harris. And because of their shortened scedule, the whole season seemed like a gigantic blur, there was not enough time to absorb them or really enjoy them. So here's to hoping next year will be a bit more exciting, and until then, the Oscar race is officially on, as the Venice Film Festival has officially begun, and the Oscar buzz is already building. Stay tuned!!!

2014 Venice Film Festival: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Birdman

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu has made plenty of excellent films that have garnered critical and Oscar attention. But according to early reviews out of the Venice Film Festival, Birdman may be his finest yet. The cast and crew are all getting raves, but it looks like it is Michael Keaton that is the center of the film, and of the critics positive reviews. He apparently is electrifying and could well be on his way to his first Oscar nomination.

Peter DeBruge from Variety writes:

"Alejandro G. Inarritu’s fifth and best feature provides the delirious coup de grace — a triumph on every creative level, from casting to execution, that will electrify the industry, captivate arthouse and megaplex crowds alike, send awards pundits into orbit and give fresh wings to Keaton’s career."

Full review at: http://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/venice-film-review-birdman-or-the-unexpected-virtue-of-ignorance-1201287921/

Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter had a similar response:

"Birdman flies very, very high. Intense emotional currents and the jagged feelings of volatile actors are turned loose to raucous dramatic and darkly comedic effect in one of the most sustained examples of visually fluid tour de force cinema anyone's ever seen, all in the service of a story that examines the changing nature of celebrity and the popular regard for fame over creative achievement. An exemplary cast, led by Michael Keaton in the highly self-referential title role of a former superhero-film star in desperate need of a legitimizing comeback, fully meets the considerable demands placed upon it by director Alejandro G. Inarritu, as he now signs his name."

Full Review: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/birdman/review/727190

And if you keep digging, you will continue to find a plethora of positive reviews, all along the same vein, praising the efforts of Inarritu, Keaton, the crew, and supporting turns from Edward Norton and Emma Stone. As always, there is an important disclaimer to early festival reviews. We do not know how these films will play to a broader consensus, to the American populous, or more importantly, to Academy voters. But if it can maintain this buzz, it is sure to be a contender through this long season ahead.

The 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Award Winners

Best Drama Series - Breaking Bad
Best Comedy Series - Modern Family
Best Actor in a Drama Series - Bryan Cranston "Breaking Bad"
Best Actress in a Drama Series - Julianna Margulies "The Good Wife"
Best Actor in a Comedy Series - Jim Parsons "The Big Bang Theory"
Best Actress in a Comedy Series - Julia Louis-Dreyfus "Veep"
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Aaron Paul "Breaking Bad"
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Anna Gunn "Breaking Bad"
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Ty Burrell "Modern Family"
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Allison Janney "Mom"
Best TV Movie - The Normal Heart
Best Miniseries - Fargo
Best Actor in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Benedict Cumberbatch "Sherlock: His Last Vow"
Best Actress in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Jessica Lange "American Horror Story: Coven"
Best Supporting Actor in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Martin Freeman "Sherlock: His Last Vow"
Best Supporting Actress in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Kathy Bates "American Horror Story: Coven"
Best Variety Series - The Colbert Report
Best Reality-Competition Series - The Amazing Race
Best Directing in a Comedy Series - Gail Mancuso "Modern Family - Las Vegas"
Best Writing in a Comedy Series - Louis C.K. "Louie - So Did the Fat Lady"
Best Directing in a Drama Series - Cary Fukunaga "True Detective - Who Goes There"
Best Writing in a Drama Series - Moira Walley-Beckett "Breaking Bad - Ozymandias"
Best Directing in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Colin Bucksey "Fargo - Buridan's Ass"
Best Writing in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Steven Moffat "Sherlock: Hist Last Vow"
Best Directing in a Variety Special - Glenn Weiss "The 67th Annual Tony Awards"
Best Writing in a Variety Special - Sarah Silverman "Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles"

2014 Emmy Predictions: Final List

Ok, so here we go! Months of watching and predicting have all led up to this, the final predictions list. Will post the winners, obviously, tonight, and will do a full rundown of the show, the season, and etc. soon after before we take a look at the upcoming Oscar season with the beginning of the fall festivals.

Best Drama Series - Breaking Bad
Best Comedy Series - Modern Family
Best Actor in a Drama Series - Matthew McConaughey "True Detective"
Best Actress in a Drama Series - Julianna Margulies "The Good Wife"
Best Actor in a Comedy Series - Ricky Gervais "Derek"
Best Actress in a Comedy Series - Julia Louis-Dreyfus "Veep"
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Josh Charles "The Good Wife"
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Anna Gunn "Breaking Bad"
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Jesse Tyler Ferguson "Modern Family"
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Allison Janney "Mom"
Best TV Movie - The Normal Heart"
Best Miniseries - Fargo
Best Actor in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Mark Ruffalo "The Normal Heart"
Best Actress in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Cicely Tyson "The Trip to Bountiful"
Best Supporting Actor in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Matt Bomer "The Normal Heart"
Best Supporting Actress in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Julia Roberts "The Normal Heart"
Best Variety Series - The Colbert Report
Best Reality-Competition Series - The Voice
Best Directing in a Comedy Series - Gail Mancuso "Modern Family - Las Vegas"
Best Writing in a Comedy Series - Louis C.K. "Louie - So Did the Fat Lady"
Best Directing in a Drama Series - Cary Fukunaga "True Detective - Who Goes There"
Best Writing in a Drama Series - Vince Gilligan "Breaking Bad - Felina"
Best Directing in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Ryan Murphy "The Normal Heart"
Best Writing in a TV Movie/Miniseries - Larry Kramer "The Normal Heart"
Best Directing in a Variety Special - Glenn Weiss "The 67th Annual Tony Awards"
Best Writing in a Variety Special - Billy Crystal and Alan Zweibel "Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays"

2014 MTV VMA Award Winners

The full list is below:

Video of the Year
Miley Cyrus "Wrecking Ball"

Best Male Video
Ed Sheeran ft. Pharrell "Sing"

Best Female Video
Katy Perry feat. Juicy J. "Dark Horse"

Best Pop Video
Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea "Problem

Best Hip Hop Video
Drake feat. Majid Jordan "Hold On, We're Going Home"

Best Rock Video
Lorde "Royals"

Best Collaboration
Beyonce feat. Jay-Z "Drunk in Love"

Best Lyric Video
5 Seconds of Summer "Don't Stop"

MTV Artist to Watch
Fifth Harmony "Miss Moving On"

MTV Clubland Award
Zedd feat. Hayley Williams "Stay the Night"

Best Video with a Social Message
Beyonce "Pretty Hurts"

Best Direction
Daniels for DJ Snake & Lil Jon "Turn Down for What"

Best Art Direction
Arcade Fire "Reflektor"

Best Choreography
Sia "Chandelier"

Best Cinematography
Beyonce "Pretty Hurts"

Best Editing
Eminem "Rap God"

Best Visual Effects
OK GO "The Writing's On the Wall"

2014 Emmy Predictions: Best Drama Series

Will Win - Breaking Bad

Should Win - Breaking Bad

Could Win - True Detective or House of Cards

Commentary - People say that Breaking Bad cannot win because it aired so long ago. And yes, that could be a significant factor. And yet, all these months later, as AMC is reliving the entire series through their Breaking Bad Binge, those last couple of episodes seems to be all anybody can talk about. Breaking Bad was a cultural phenomenon, it was as addicting as the drugs that these characters sold and cooked, it was and will always remain one of the greatest drama series to ever air on television. True Detective is the new, shiny toy, and did well at the Creative Arts Emmys showing a lot of support. Plus HBO is hungry to win this prize again, that is why they moved it into this category instead of Miniseries. And House of Cards is a political heavyweight with genuine movie stars and a killer premise.  But I think both will have to just wait one more year. I think that this industry recognizes the need to honor Breaking Bad one more time, and least I hope they do.

2014 Emmy Predictions: Best Comedy Series

Will Win - Modern Family

Should Win - Veep or The Big Bang Theory

Could Win - Veep, Orange is the New Black, or The Big Bang Theory

Commentary - In order to take down the juggernaut Modern Family, there need to be a clear winner, and honestly, while there are three real possibilities, none of them seem to be standing out as the one to beat it. Veep had another great season, and finally got a writing nomination, something that is almost essential to winning. And I do think that if anything can take down Modern Family it is Veep. It its a straight up, laughh-out-loud comedy with a great ensemble (basically the formula for winning  Best Comedy Series), and has a political twist, which also helps its cause. Speaking of no writing (or directing), The Big Bang Theory once again missed the mark on those accounts. But it is always a threat, as it is the biggest show on television, and reminds me a lot of the last winner to win without either writing or directing, Friends. If voters are looking for an opportunity to reward this show, this year with multiple contenders and no clear front runner could be the one that lands them the top prize. Then there is Orange is the New Black. It is the hot new show, won an impressive amount of Creative Arts Emmys, and has crazy buzz. But here is the sticking point for me. This type of dramedy show has never won this category, despite plenty of nominations for the genre over the last decade. Voters for this category like comedies, they like to laugh, and while Orange is the New Black has its moments, it is not really a comedy, and I think its dramatic parts (which compromise the majority of the series) will cause it to lose. So we come back to Modern Family. It had a much better season than last year's (probably the best season since the first two), is still clearly beloved by this industry, and in a close race, I go with what I know. And what I know is that Emmy voters will have no problem giving Modern Family a fifth Emmy in a row.

2014 Emmy Predictions: Best Actor in a Drama Series

Will Win - Matthew McConaughey "True Detective"

Should Win - Matthew McConuaghey or Woody Harrelson "True Detective" or Bryan Cranston "Breaking Bad"

Could Win - Woody Harrelson "True Detective" or Bryan Cranston "Breaking Bad"

Commentary - As always this is a brutal race, this year it looks like that race is between three acting titans. You have television veteran, Emmy winner, and movie star Woody Harrelson vs. recent Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey vs. three-time Emmy winner Bryan Cranston. And we haven't even gotten to the rest of the nominees, all of which have their own pedigrees as well. This is just one of those races were literally voters could do no wrong. But I think it is between these three guys. Harrelson is just as fantastic as McConaughey in True Detective, and is a television veteran. But I think he will be encompassed by the McConaissance. Bryan Cranston could ride the Breaking Bad wave to another Emmy victory, but we all noticed how he stopped winning when his character lost the sympathy factor. I think that McConaughey gets to play so many different emotions and worlds in his role that Emmy voters will eat it up in a very close race.

2014 Emmy Predictions: Best Actress in a Drama Series

Will Win - Julianna Margulies "The Good Wife"

Should Win - Lizzy Caplan "Masters of Sex" or Julianna Margulies "The Good Wife"

Could Win - Claire Danes "Homeland" or Kerry Washington "Scandal"

Commentary - After missing the cut last year, Julianna Margulies has come back in full force. Not only did she secure a nomination, but she has a knock out episode submission backed by a knock out season and I think that she is going to take home a second Emmy for her role as Alicia Florrick. The acting branch went to bat for The Good Wife this year, and gave it four well-deserved nominations. I think between her episode and the goodwill for her and the cast this year will be enough to overcome two incredibly competitive contenders. I had thought Robin Wright would play a role in this race, but her episode was underwhelming. Contrarily, I thought Claire Danes would be out (not in terms of a nod but for the win), and she once again submitted a great episode that shows her range as an actor. Even though Homeland has slipped in terms of overall recognition, they clearly love Danes, and this character. Do not be surprised if she pulls off a third win in a row. Finally, none of us should discount Kerry Washington. She is fierce on Scandal, an icon of style, politics, and film/television, and still has the ability to make history. Plus, Emmy voters clearly like Scandal, especially the actors, so if that particular panel is filled with Gladiators, it could easily happen.