The Playground of Hollywood

The Playground of Hollywood

Friday, December 25, 2015

10 Films remain for Best Visual Effects

The Academy has narrowed the shortlist for Best Visual Effects in half, down from 20 to 10. Which means Bridge of Spies, Chappie, Everest, Furious 7, Hunger Games, In the Heart of the Sea, Jupiter Ascending, Mission Impossible, Spectre, and Terminator are all no longer in the running.

All the members of the Visual Effects Branch are invited on January 9, to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the remaining films, from which the final 5 nominees will be chosen. The 10 films remaining in competition for consideration are...


  • ANT-MAN
  • AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON
  • EX MACHINA
  • JURASSIC WORLD
  • MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
  • THE MARTIAN
  • THE REVENANT
  • STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
  • TOMORROWLAND
  • THE WALK

2015 Awards -- Florida Film Critics Nominees & Winners

Florida goes for Mad Max, taking 4 total awards including Director and Best Picture once again! A couple of nice surprises for the acting, with the group reaching back into summer and beyond for Paul Dano and Oscar Isaac's work. 



BEST PICTURE
The Big Short
Carol
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (WINNER)
The Martian
Spotlight (Runner-up)

BEST DIRECTOR
Todd Haynes - "Carol" (Runner-up)
Alejandro G. Inarritu - "The Revenant"
Tom McCarthy - "Spotlight"
GEORGE MILLER - "MAD MAX: FURY ROAD" (WINNER)
Ridley Scott - "The Martian"

BEST ACTOR
Bryan Cranston - "Trumbo"
PAUL DANO - "LOVE & MERCY" (WINNER)
Leonardo DiCaprio - "The Revenant" (Runner-up)
Michael Fassbender - "Steve Jobs"
Eddie Redmayne - "The Danish Girl"

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett - "Carol"
BRIE LARSON - "ROOM" (WINNER)
Charlotte Rampling - "45 Years" (Runner-up)
Saoirse Ronan - "Brooklyn"
Charlize Theron - "Mad Max: Fury Road"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
OSCAR ISAAC - "EX MACHINA" (WINNER)
Mark Ruffalo - "Spotlight"
Mark Rylance - "Bridge of Spies"
Michael Shannon - "99 Homes" (Runner-up)
Sylvester Stallone - "Creed"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Elizabeth Banks - "Love & Mercy"
Jennifer Jason Leigh - "The Hateful Eight" (Runner-up)
Rooney Mara - "Carol"
KRISTEN STEWART - "CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA" (WINNER)
Alicia Vikander - "Ex Machina"

BEST ENSEMBLE
The Big Short
Mistress America
SPOTLIGHT (WINNER)
Straight Outta Compton
Tangerine (Runner-up)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Ex Machina
The Hateful Eight
Inside Out
Mistress America (Runner-up)
SPOTLIGHT (WINNER)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
THE BIG SHORT (WINNER)
Brooklyn
Carol (Runner-up)
Room
Steve Jobs

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Anomalisa (Runner-up)
The Good Dinosaur
INSIDE OUT (WINNER)
The Peanuts Movie
Shaun the Sheep Movie

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Carol (Runner-up)
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (WINNER)
The Revenant
Sicario
Youth

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Brooklyn
CAROL (WINNER)
Crimson Peak
Love & Mercy
Mad Max: Fury Road (Runner-up)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ex Machina
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (WINNER)
The Martian
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Runner-up)
The Walk

BEST SCORE
Carol (Runner-up)
The Hateful Eight
LOVE & MERCY (WINNER)
Mad Max: Fury Road
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
THE ASSASSIN (WINNER)
Mommy (Runner-up)
Mustang
Phoenix
Son of Saul

BEST DOCUMENTARY
AMY (WINNER)
Best of Enemies
Cartel Land
Heart of a Dog (Runner-up)
The Look of Silence

FFCC BREAKOUT AWARD
Bel Powley - "Diary of a Teenage Girl"
DAISY RIDLEY - "STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS" (WINNER)
Kitana Kiki Rodriguez - "Tangerine"
Jacob Tremblay - "Room"
Alicia Vikander - "Ex Machina" & "The Danish Girl" (Runner-up)

2015 Awards -- Kansas City Film Critics Nominees & Winners

Kansas City joins the fray, and Mad Max comes away as the big winner, with 3 total wins including Best Picture and Director.


BEST PICTURE
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Room
Sicario
Spotlight

BEST DIRECTOR
Alex Garland - "Ex Machina"
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - "The Revenant"
Tom McCarthy - "Spotlight"
George Miller - "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Denis Villeneuve - "Sicario"

BEST ACTOR
Steve Carell - "The Big Short"
Bryan Cranston - "Trumbo"
Leonardo DiCaprio - "The Revenant"
Michael Fassbender - "Steve Jobs"
Eddie Redmayne - "The Danish Girl"

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett - "Carol"
Emily Blunt - "Sicario"
Bel Powley - "The Diary of a Teenage Girl"
Saoirse Ronan - "Brooklyn"
Charlize Theron - "Mad Max: Fury Road"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Benicio Del Toro - "Sicario"
Tom Hardy - "The Revenant"
Mark Rylance - "Bridge of Spies"
Michael Shannon - "99 Homes"
Sylvester Stallone - "Creed"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Elizabeth Banks - "Love & Mercy"
Jennifer Jason Leigh - "The Hateful Eight"
Rooney Mara - "Carol"
Alicia Vikander - "Ex Machina"
Kate Winslet - "Steve Jobs"

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Ex Machina
The Hateful Eight
Inside Out
Sicario
Spotlight
Trainwreck

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Big Short
Carol
The Martian
Room
Steve Jobs

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Anomalisa
Inside Out
Minions
The Peanuts Movie
Shaun the Sheep Movie

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Assassin
Goodnight Mommy
Phoenix
Son of Saul
The Tribe
White God

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Amy
Best of Enemies
The Look of Silence
Where to Invade
The Wrecking Crew

BEST SCI-FI, FANTASY OR HORROR FILM
Ex Machina
Goodnight Mommy
It Follows
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian

9 Finalists in the Foreign Language Film category

There are always very worthy foreign films that never make it to the ceremony. The biggest crime when a film that has a chance to win isn't even the film submitted by it's country, and is therefore not eligible. Happens more than you realize. A few examples:

2002 -- Spain -- "Talk to Her" wins original screenplay, nominated for director, while not chosen by the country for submission. Instead "Mondays in the Sun" is submitted, and fails to receive a nod.

Things like that happen all the time. This category, in my opinion, needs a bit on an overhaul. I think the eligibility should be expanded to also include films that meet the criteria for the rest of the categories, i.e. being released in L.A. county for a public run, etc... That would allow many more brilliant films to be considered for the top foreign prize....Talk to Her...City of God...The Diving Bell and the Butterfly...and many others.

Regardless, the Academy has released the shortlist of finalists for Best Foreign Language Film. It started with a 88 films originally submitted for the category, and now we're down to 9. For those who don't know, here's how they get there.

Between mid-October and December 14, the phase I committee, consisting of several hundred LA-based Academy members screen all the original submissions. They take the top 6 choices of that group, and then add 3 additional selections voted by the Academy's Foreign Language Film Executive Committee. Those 6 + 3 = The 9 finalists. 

To later decide the final 5, invited committees in NY, LA and London will spend Jan. 8-10, viewing 3 films a day and then casting their ballots. The 9 finalists are...



  • Belgium -- "THE BRAND NEW TESTAMENT"
  • Columbia -- "EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT"
  • Denmark -- "A WAR"
  • Finland -- "THE FENCER"
  • France -- "MUSTANG"
  • Germany -- "LABYRINTH OF LIES"
  • Hungary -- "SON OF SAUL"
  • Ireland -- "VIVA"
  • Jordan -- "THEEB"



2015 Awards -- Las Vegas Film Critics Society

Las Vegas joins the fray of Spotlight lovers, where the film once again takes the awards for Picture, Director, and Screenplay.



TOP TEN FILMS OF 2015
1. SPOTLIGHT
2. Creed
3. Ex Machina
4. Straight Outta Compton
5. Beasts of No Nation
6. The Martian
7. Mad Max: Fury Road
8. Sicario
9. Legend
10. Room

Best Director
TOM MCCARTHY - "SPOTLIGHT"

Best Actor
LEONARDO DICAPRIO - "THE REVENANT"

Best Actress
BRIE LARSON - "ROOM"

Best Supporting Actor
SYLVESTER STALLONE - "CREED"

Best Supporting Actress
ELIZABETH BANKS - "LOVE & MERCY"

Best Ensemble
SPOTLIGHT

Best Original Screenplay
SPOTLIGHT

Best Adapted Screenplay
THE MARTIAN

Best Animated Film
INSIDE OUT

Best Cinematography
THE REVENANT

Best Film Editing
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

Best Art Direction
BROOKLYN

Best Costume Design
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

Best Visual Effects
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

Best Score
THE HATEFUL EIGHT

Best Song
"SEE YOU AGAIN" -- FURIOUS 7

Best Foreign Film
GOODNIGHT MOMMY

Best Documentary
GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF

Breakout Filmmaker of the Year
ALEX GARLAND - "EX MACHINA"

Best Comedy Film
TRAINWRECK

Best Action Film
MAX MAD: FURY ROAD

Best Family Film
CINDERELLA

Best Horror/Sci-Fi Film
EX MACHINA

Youth in Film
JACOB TREMBLAY - "ROOM"

Silver Nitrate Award
LEE LANIER (DAM SHORT FILM FESTIVAL)

William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award
ENNIO MORRICONE

Thursday, December 24, 2015

2015 Awards -- Austin Film Critics Nominees & Winners

Austin Film Critics nominees are out. Strong showings again for Carol, Mad Max and Spotlight. In the end, Mad Max took the top awards, while Room, Ex Machina and Inside Out all won several as well.


BEST PICTURE
Anomalisa
Carol
Mad Max: Fury Road
Spotlight
Trumbo

BEST DIRECTOR
Todd Haynes - "Carol"
Tom McCarthy - "Spotlight"
Adam McKay - "The Big Short"
George Miller - "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Quentin Tarantino - "The Hateful Eight"

BEST ACTOR
Bryan Cranston - "Trumbo"
Leonardo DiCaprio - "The Revenant"
Michael Fassbender - "Steve Jobs"
Michael B. Jordan - "Creed"
Jacob Tremblay - "Room"

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett - "Carol"
Brie Larson - "Room"
Rooney Mara - "Carol"
Saoirse Ronan - "Brooklyn"
Charlize Theron - "Mad Max: Fury Road"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Benicio Del Toro - "Sicario"
Idris Elba - "Beasts of No Nation"
Oscar Isaac - "Ex Machina"
Michael Shannon - "99 Homes"
Sylvester Stallone - "Creed"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Elizabeth Banks - "Love & Mercy"
Jennifer Jason Leigh - "The Hateful Eight"
Kristen Stewart - "Clouds of Sils Maria"
Alicia Vikander - "Ex Machina"
Kate Winslet - "Steve Jobs"

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Ex Machina
The Hateful Eight
Inside Out
Sicario
Spotlight

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Anomalisa
The Big Short
Carol
Room
Steve Jobs

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Anomalisa
The Good Dinosaur
Inside Out
The Peanuts Movie
Shaun the Sheep Movie

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Carol
The Hateful Eight
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Sicario

BEST SCORE
Carol
The Hateful Eight
Inside Out
It Follows
Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Mustang
Phoenix
Son of Saul
The Tribe
Victoria

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Amy
Best of Enemies
Cartel Land
The Look of Silence
Where to Invade Next

BEST FIRST FILM
Bone Tomahawk
The Diary of a Teenage Girl
Ex Machina
Mustang
Son of Saul

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST AWARD
Abraham Attah - "Beasts of No Nation"
Amy Schumer - "Trainwreck"
Mya Taylor - "Tangerine"
Jacob Tremblay - "Room"
Alicia Vikander - "Ex Machina"

BEST AUSTIN FILM
Arlo and Julie
A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
Peace Officer
Two Step

TOP TEN FILMS
1. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 
2. Spotlight
3. Carol
4. Anomalisa
5. Room
6. Ex Machina (tie)
6. Inside Out (tie)
8. Creed
9. The Big Short
10. Sicario

112 Scores deemed eligible for Best Original Score

112 Original Scores have been deemed eligible by the Academy, and sadly, for the 2nd year in a row, the score for Inarittu's film has not made the cut. Last year Birdman was left off the list, and this year, The Revenant will also not be hearing it's name called. Most of the early mentions for score have only gone to a few films, most notably The Hateful Eight, Mad Mad, Carol, Sicario, Inside Out and Bridge of Spies.



2015 Awards -- American Film Institute Top 10


  • THE BIG SHORT
  • BRIDGE OF SPIES
  • CAROL
  • INSIDE OUT
  • MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
  • THE MARTIAN
  • ROOM
  • SPOTLIGHT
  • STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
  • STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

THE BIG SHORT achieves the extraordinary -- making sense of the 2008 market collapse and making it entertaining. Adam McKay's whip-smart satire pulses with brazen pacing, pop-up celebrity cameos and AAA performances from Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt. This endlessly innovative comedy is also an object lesson in greed's consequences for the many and, ultimately, a tale to break a nation's heart.

BRIDGE OF SPIES is history written in moving images and another chapter in this nation's collective chronicle brought to life by an American master, Steven Spielberg. A brilliant script by Matt Charman and Joel and Ethan Coen serves as code to crack this story of the Cold War, with Tom Hanks proving his place in the canon alongside cinema's great everyman heroes. His charge to defend a Soviet spy -- portrayed in a transformative turn from Mark Rylance -- embodies our nation in its finest hour, fighting for what's right no matter the cost.

CAROL sets the screen aglow with the light of longing as Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara transform a period piece into a timeless cry from defiant hearts. Todd Haynes serves their romance as a restorative cocktail, adding splashes of color to a repressive Eisenhower-ear, when love was often seen in black-and-white. From luminous performances to sumptuous production, this is cinema's promise fulfilled -- a haunting portrait in moving images, painted in the universal hues of heartache and passion.

INSIDE OUT invites audiences on an introspective adventure unlike any other -- bringing to life the emotions that make us whole, while sending them on their own sentimental journey of self-discovery. Presenting this existential exploration as an epic candy-colored confection, Pete Docter and Pixar's brain-trust have created an utterly unforgettable experience -- taking us inside the mind of a young girl to consider the emotional bond between sadness and joy.

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD explodes with apocalyptic anarchy -- a journey of fire and blood through which the action genre is razed to the ground and reborn. Visionary director George Miller drives the creative engine that fuels this cinematic fever dream with poetic rage and balletic brutality. Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron are the hardened heroes of this blockbuster bacchanal, breathing fearless purpose into chaos with steely, human resolve.

THE MARTIAN takes us to another planet to illustrate what it is to be human. This epic tale of survival is directed with cosmic wonder by Ridley Scott, who fills space with breathtaking spectacle but saves the film's greatest wonderment for the mind of man. Matt Damon's singular performance orbits all aspects of human emotion - embodying a united world's boundless capacity for hope, sparked by the soaring power of science.

ROOM opens a window into a world of darkness -- a harrowing nightmare for a mother and son held captive in unimaginable circumstances. Amidst the horror, Lenny Abrahamson creates an expansive space filled with wonder, and tenacious performances from Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay illuminate the power of imagination and hope, while asking us to consider the cost of survival.

SPOTLIGHT puts the power of journalism on the front page. With measure befitting the investigative method, Tom McCarthy presents The Boston Globe's inquiry into cardinal sins without tabloid sensationalism -- creating tension around the team's dauntless pursuit of truth. Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton and Rachel McAdams are the dogged journalists behind the story, standing for an age of integrity in the news media when no one was above question, including those asking the questions.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS stands as a cultural landmark for generations young and old. J.J. Abrams takes the helm of George Lucas' beloved saga with this epic popcorn opera fueled by the combined power of myth and movie magic. Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver join the indelible characters created by Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill -- expanding the iconic galaxy far, far away with this timeless gift to all who love the movies.

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON is an American anthem to the explosive power of art. This potent, pulsing story of the rise and fall of N.W.A. is a raging tonic for troubled times -- and F. Gary Gray's ode to the strength of street knowledge stands as a celebration of talent, courage and voices rising against injustice. O'Shea Jackson, Jr., Corey Hawkins and Jason Mitchell inhabit their iconic roles as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E with righteous attitude, honoring a rich legacy while expressing themselves to a new generation.

7 Finalists in the race for Best Makeup & Hairstyling Oscar

The makeup branch of the Academy have released their list of 7 finalists for a nomination. They are...


  • The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
  • Black Mass
  • Concussion
  • Legend
  • Mad Max: Fury Road
  • Mr. Holmes
  • The Revenant
Surprised that Star Wars, The Danish Girl, and Carol all missed out. This list of 7 will be narrowed down to the 3 eventual nominees. I'd say Mad Max in the only guarantee. Could make a case for each of the others, particularly 100-Year-Old Man, Black Mass, Mr. Holmes, and The Revenant.

2015 Awards -- London Critics' Circle Nominees & Winners

The London critics have announced their nominees as well. Carol leads the way with 7 nominations, followed by Mad Max, The Revenant & Steve Jobs, all with 5...and in the end Mad Max takes the top prize and director, and 45 Years takes British Film of the year.



FILM OF THE YEAR
45 Years
Amy
Carol
Inside Out
The Look of Silence
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Andrew Haigh - "45 Years"
Todd Haynes - "Carol"
Alejandro G. Inarritu - "The Revenant"
George Miller - "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Ridley Scott - "The Martian"

ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Tom Courtenay - "45 Years"
Paul Dano - "Love & Mercy"
Leonardo DiCaprio - "The Revenant"
Michael Fassbender - "Steve Jobs"
Tom Hardy - "Legend"

ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Cate Blanchett - "Carol"
Brie Larson - "Room"
Rooney Mara - "Carol"
Charlotte Rampling - "45 Years"
Saoirse Ronan - "Brooklyn"

SUPPORTING ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Benicio Del Toro - "Sicario"
Tom Hardy - "The Revenant"
Oscar Isaac - "Ex Machina"
Michael Keaton - "Spotlight"
Mark Rylance - "Bridge of Spies"

SUPPORTING ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Olivia Colman - "The Lobster"
Kristen Stewart - "Clouds of Sils Maria"
Tilda Swinton - "Trainwreck"
Alicia Vikander - "Ex Machina"
Kate Winslet - "Steve Jobs"

SCREENWRITER OF THE PLAY
Emma Donoghue - "Room"
Nick Hornby - "Brooklyn"
Phyllis Nagy - "Carol"
Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy - "Spotlight"
Aaron Sorkin - "Steve Jobs"

FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
Eden
Hard to Be a God
The Look of Silence
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
The Tribe

DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR
Amy
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief
The Look of Silence
Palio
A Syrian Love Story

BRITISH/IRISH FILM OF THE YEAR
45 Years
Amy
Brooklyn
The Lobster
London Road

BRITISH/IRISH ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Michael Caine - "Kingsman: The Secret Service" & "Youth"
Idris Elba - "Beasts of No Nation" & "Second Coming"
Colin Farrell - "The Lobster" & "Miss Julie"
Michael Fassbender - "Macbeth", "Slow West" & "Steve Jobs"
Tom Hardy - "Legend", "London Roa", "Mad Max: Fury Road" & "The Revenant"

BRITISH/IRISH ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Emily Blunt - "Sicario"
Carey Mulligan - "Far From the Madding Crowd" & "Suffragette"
Charlotte Rampling - "45 Years" & "The Forbidden Room"
Saoirse Ronan - "Brooklyn" & "Lost River"
Kate Winslet - "The Dressmaker", "A Little Chaos" & "Steve Jobs"

YOUNG BRITISH/IRISH PERFORMER
Asa Butterfield - "X + Y"
Milo Parker - "Mr. Holmes" & "Robot Overlords"
Florence Pugh - "The Falling"
Liam Walpole - "The Goob"
Maisie Williams - "The Falling"

BREAKTHROUGH BRITISH/IRISH FILMMAKER
Tom Browne - "Radiator"
Mark Burton & Richard Starzak - "Shaun the Sheep Movie"
Emma Donoghue - "Room"
Alex Garland - "Ex Machina"
John Maclean - "Slow West"

BRITISH/IRISH SHORT FILM
Directed by Tweedie
Leidi
Over
Rate Me
Stutterer

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Carter Burwell - Music - "Carol"
Wade Eastwood - Stunts - "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation"
Colin Gibson - Production Design - "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Elliott Graham - Editing - "Steve Jobs"
Edward Lachman - Cinematography - "Carol"
Tom Ozanich - Sound Design - "Sicario"
Sandy Powell - Costumes - "Cinderella"
John Seale - Cinematography - "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Alistair Sirkett & Markus Stemler - Sound Design - "Macbeth"
Andrew Whitehurst - Visual Effects - "Ex Machina"

2015 Awards -- Critics Choice Awards (Broadcast Film Critics Association)

One of the biggest awards of the year has announced their nominees, and Mad Max has lown away the pack with a whopping 13 nominations! Carol, The Martian & The Revenant follow up with 9 apiece. Spotlight brought in 8, The Big Short with 7, and The Hateful Eight with 6. Several films garnered 5, including Bridge of Spies, Brooklyn, The Danish Girl, Jurassic World & Sicario. Room took 4.

And with the awards given out, Spotlight withstands the onslaught of Mad Max to take the top prize of Best Picture, as well as Ensemble and Original Screenplay.
But Mad Max straight up CLEANED UP tonight, taking 9 total awards including Director, 5 technical awards, and all 3 Action Movie awards.
The Big Short also did well, with 3 total awards including Adapted Screenplay and 2 in the Comedy categories.




BEST PICTURE
The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Carol
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Sicario
Spotlight

BEST DIRECTOR
Todd Haynes - "Carol"
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - "The Revenant"
Tom McCarthy - "Spotlight"
George Miller - "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Ridley Scott - "The Martian"
Steven Spielberg - "Bridge of Spies"

BEST ACTOR
Bryan Cranston - "Trumbo"
Matt Damon - "The Martian"
Johnny Depp - "Black Mass"
Leonardo DiCaprio - "The Revenant"
Michael Fassbender - "Steve Jobs"
Eddie Redmayne - "The Danish Girl"

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett - "Carol"
Brie Larson - "Room"
Jennifer Lawrence - "Joy"
Charlotte Rampling - "45 Years"
Saoirse Ronan - "Brooklyn"
Charlize Theron - "Mad Max: Fury Road"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Paul Dano - "Love & Mercy"
Tom hardy - "The Revenant"
Mark Ruffalo - "Spotlight"
Mark Rylance - "Bridge of Spies"
Michael Shannon - "99 Homes"
Sylvester Stallone - "Creed"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Jason Leigh - "The Hateful Eight"
Rooney Mara - "Carol"
Rachel McAdams - "Spotlight"
Helen Mirren - "Trumbo"
Alicia Vikander - "The Danish Girl"
Kate Winslet - "Steve Jobs"

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
The Big Short
The Hateful Eight
Spotlight
Straight Outta Compton
Trumbo

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Bridge of Spies
Ex Machina
The Hateful Eight
Inside Out
Spotlight

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Big Short
Brooklyn
The Martian
Room
Steve Jobs

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Anomalisa
The Good Dinosaur
Inside Out
The Peanuts Movie
Shaun the Sheep Movie

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Carol
The Hateful Eight
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Sicario

BEST FILM EDITING
The Big Short
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Spolight

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Carol
The Danish Girl
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Brooklyn
Carol
Cinderella
The Danish Girl
Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ex Machina
Jurassic World
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
The Walk

BEST HAIR & MAKEUP
Black Mass
Carol
The Danish Girl
The Hateful Eight
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant

BEST SCORE
Carol
The Hateful Eight
The Revenant
Sicario
Spotlight

BEST SONG
"Love Me Like You Do" - Fifty Shades of Grey
"One King of Love" - Love & Mercy
"See You Again" - Furious 7
"Simple Song #3" - Youth
"Til It Happens To You" - The Hunting Ground
"Writing's on the Wall" - Spectre

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Assassin
Goodnight Mommy
Mustang
The Second Mother
Son of Saul

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Amy
Cartel Land
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief
He Named Me Malala
The Look of Silence
Where to Invade Next

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
Abraham Attah - "Beasts of No Nation"
RJ Cyler - "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl"
Shameik Moore - "Dope"
Milo Parker - "Mr. Holmes"
Jacob Tremblay - "Room"

BEST COMEDY MOVIE
The Big Short
Inside Out
Joy
Sisters
Spy
Trainwreck

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Christian Bale - "The Big Short"
Steve Carell - "The Big Short"
Robert De Niro - "The Intern"
Bill Hader - "Trainwreck"
Jason Statham - "Spy"

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Tina Fey - "Sisters"
Jennifer Lawrence - "Joy"
Melissa McCarthy - "Spy"
Amy Schumer - "Trainwreck"
Lily Tomlin - "Grandma"

BEST ACTION MOVIE
Furious 7
Jurassic World
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
Sicario

BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Daniel Craig - "Spectre"
Tom Cruise - "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation"
Tom Hardy - "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Chris Pratt - "Jurassic World"
Paul Rudd - "Ant-Man"

BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Emily Blunt - "Sicario"
Rebecca Ferguson - "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation"
Bryce Dallas Howard - "Jurassic World"
Jennifer Lawrence - "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2"
Charlize Theron - "Mad Max: Fury Road"

BEST SCI-FI / HORROR MOVIE
Ex Machina
It Follows
Jurassic World
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian

2015 Awards -- Southeastern Film Critics

Spotlight takes yet another award, this time from the Southeastern Film Critics, which is always fun for me since I know a few of the members.



TOP TEN FILMS
1. SPOTLIGHT
2. Mad Max: Fury Road
3. Room
4. Brooklyn
5. Carol
6. The Big Short
7. The Martian
8. Inside Out
9. Bridge of Spies
10. Trumbo

BEST DIRECTOR:  GEORGE MILLER - "MAD MAX: FURY ROAD"
       Runner-up:  Tom McCarthy - "Spotlight"

BEST ACTOR:  BRYAN CRANSTON - "TRUMBO"
       Runner-up:  Michael Fassbender - "Steve Jobs"

BEST ACTRESS:  BRIE LARSON - "ROOM"
       Runner-up:  Saoirse Ronan - "Brooklyn"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:  SYLVESTER STALLONE - "CREED"
       Runner-up:  Mark Rylance - "Bridge of Spies"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:  ALICIA VIKANDER - "EX MACHINA"
       Runner-up:  Kate Winslet - "Steve Jobs"

BEST ENSEMBLE:  SPOTLIGHT
       Runner-up:  The Big Short

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:  SPOTLIGHT
       Runner-up:  Inside Out

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:  ROOM
       Runner-up:  The Big Short

BEST ANIMATED FILM:  INSIDE OUT
       Runner-up:  Anomalisa

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:  MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
       Runner-up:  Youth

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:  SON OF SAUL
       Runner-up:  The Assassin

BEST DOCUMENTARY:  AMY
       Runner-up:  Best of Enemies

GENE WYATT AWARD (SPIRIT OF THE SOUTH):  FINDERS KEEPERS

2015 Awards -- Chicago Film Critics Association Nominees & Winners

Mad Max: Fury Road sweeps the Chicago critics awards with 5 wins including Director and Best Picture! 2 each for Ex Machina & Room, and 8 films taking home 1 apiece.



BEST PICTURE
Carol
Inside Out
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
The Revenant
Spotlight

BEST DIRECTOR
Todd Haynes - "Carol"
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - "The Revenant"
Tom McCarthy - "Spotlight"
Adam McKay - "The Big Short"
GEORGE MILLER - "MAD MAX: FURY ROAD"

BEST ACTOR
Christopher Abbott - "James White"
LEONARDO DICAPRIO - "THE REVENANT"
Michael Fassbender - "Steve Jobs"
Eddie Redmayne - "The Danish Girl"
Jason Segel - "The End of the Tour"

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett - "Carol"
BRIE LARSON - "ROOM"
Charlotte Rampling - "45 Years"
Saoirse Ronan - "Brooklyn"
Charlize Theron - "Mad Max: Fury Road"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
BENICIO DEL TORO - "SICARIO"
Sam Elliott - "Grandma"
Mark Rylance - "Bridge of Spies"
Michael Shannon - "99 Homes"
Sylvester Stallone - "Creed"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Jason Leigh - "Anomalisa"
Jennifer Jason Leigh - "The Hateful Eight"
Cynthia Nixon - "James White"
Kristen Stewart - "Clouds of Sils Maria"
ALICIA VIKANDER - "EX MACHINA"

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Bridge of Spies
Ex Machina
The Hateful Eight
Inside Out
SPOTLIGHT

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Anomalisa
THE BIG SHORT
Brooklyn
Room
Steve Jobs

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Anomalisa
The Good Dinosaur
INSIDE OUT
The Peanuts Movie
Shaun the Sheep Movie

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Carol
The Hateful Eight
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
The Revenant
Sicario

BEST EDITING
The Big Short
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
The Martian
The Revenant
Spotlight

BEST ART DIRECTION
The Assassin
Brooklyn
Carol
Crimson Peak
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Carol
THE HATEFUL EIGHT
Inside Out
It Follows
Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Assassin
The Look of Silence
Phoenix
SON OF SAUL
White God

BEST DOCUMENTARY
AMY
Cartel Land
The Hunting Ground
The Look of Silence
Where to Invade Next

MOST PROMISING FILMMAKER
ALEX GARLAND - "EX MACHINA"
Marielle Heller - "The Diary of a Teenage Girl"
Josh Mond - "James White"
Laszlo Nemes - "Son of Saul"
Bill Pohlad - "Love & Mercy"

MOST PROMISING PERFORMER
Christopher Abbott - "James White"
Bel Powley - "The Diary of a Teenage Girl"
Geza Rohrig - "Son of Saul"
Amy Schumer - "Trainwreck"
JACOB TREMBLAY - "ROOM"

2015 Awards -- St. Louis Film Critics Nominees & Winners

St. Louis also goes for Spotlight, surprising no one. 


BEST PICTURE
Inside Out
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Road
Spotlight

BEST DIRECTOR
Todd Haynes - "Carol"
Alejandro G. Inarritu - "The Revenant"
Tom McCarthy - Spotlight"
George Miller - "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Ridley Scott - "The Martian"

BEST ACTOR
Abraham Attah - "Beasts of No Nation"
Matt Damon - "The Martian"
Leonardo DiCaprio - "The Revenant"
Ian McKellen - "Mr. Holmes"
Eddie Redmayne - "The Danish Girl"

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett - "Carol"
Brie Larson - "Room"
Saoirse Ronan - "Brooklyn"
Charlize Theron - "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Alicia Vikander - "The Danish Girl"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Paul Dano - "Love & Mercy"
Idris Elba - "Beasts of No Nation"
Mark Ruffalo - "Spotlight"
Mark Rylance - "Bridge of Spies"
Sylvester Stallone - "Creed"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Jason Leigh - "The Hateful Eight"
Rooney Mara - "Carol"
Kristen Stewart - "Clouds of Sils Maria"
Alicia Vikander - "Ex Machina"
Kate Winslet - "Steve Jobs"

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Clouds of Sils Maria
Ex Machina
The Hateful Eight
Inside Out
Spotlight

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Brooklyn
Creed
The Martian
Room
Steve Jobs


BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Anomalisa
The Good Dinosaur
Inside Out
The Peanuts Movie
Shaun the Sheep Movie

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Beasts of No Nation
Carol
The Hateful Eight
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant

BEST FILM EDITING
The Big Short
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Spotlight

BEST ART DIRECTION
Brooklyn
Carol
Cinderella
The Danish Girl
Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ex Machina
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
The Walk

BEST MUSIC SCORE
Carol
The Hateful Eight
Inside Out
It Follows
Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST SONG
"Feels Like Summer" - Shaun the Sheep Movie
"See You Again" - Furious 7
"Simple Song #3" - Youth
"Til It Happens to You" - The Hunting Ground
"Writing's on the Wall" - Spectre

BEST SOUNDTRACK
Amy
Dope
Love & Mercy
The Martian
Straight Outta Compton

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Assassin
Goodnight Mommy
Phoenix
Son of Saul
Wild Tales

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Amy
Best of Enemies
Cartel Land
The Hunting Ground
The Look of Silence

BEST COMEDY
Inside Out
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Spy
Trainwreck
What We Do in the Shadows

BEST SCENE
Creed -- Creed's first fight
Furious 7 -- Paul Walker farewell
The Revenant -- Bear attack
Room -- Jack's escape and rescue
The Walk -- Walk between the Twin Towers

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Mad Max: Fury Road -- Stunt work