THE OSCAR BEACHHOUSE BLOG

BAFTA Award Winners!

2012-02-13T09:03:00.000-08:00

Last night, the British Academy held their awards, and it was a downpour of trophies for The Artist, taking 7 total wins. Here are the full winners...

BEST PICTURE: The Artist
BEST DIRECTOR: Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist"
BEST ACTOR: Jean Dujardin - "The Artist"
BEST ACTRESS: Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Octavia Spencer - "The Help"
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: The Artist
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: Rango
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Artist
BEST FILM EDITING: Senna
BEST ART DIRECTION: Hugo
BEST COSTUME DESIGN: The Artist
BEST SOUND: Hugo
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
BEST MAKEUP & HAIR: The Iron Lady
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: The Artist
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: The Skin I Live In
BEST DOCUMENTARY: Senna
BEST SHORT FILM: Pitch Black Heist
BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM: A Morning Stroll
BEST BRITISH FILM: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
BEST BRITISH DEBUT: "Tyrannosaur" - Paddy Considine (Director) & Diarmid Scrimshaw (Producer)
RISING STAR AWARD: Adam Deacon

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Picture

2012-02-05T22:52:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Director

2012-02-05T22:47:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS - "THE ARTIST"

TERRENCE MALICK - "THE TREE OF LIFE"

ALEXANDER PAYNE - "THE DESCENDANTS"

NICOLAS WINDING REFN - "DRIVE"

MARTIN SCORSESE - "HUGO"

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Actor

2012-02-05T22:45:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

JEAN DUJARDIN - "THE ARTIST"

MICHAEL FASSBENDER - "SHAME"

JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT - "50/50"

RYAN GOSLING - "DRIVE"

MICHAEL SHANNON - "TAKE SHELTER"

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Actress

2012-02-05T22:43:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

BERENICE BEJO - "THE ARTIST"

KIRSTEN DUNST - "MELANCHOLIA"

ROONEY MARA - "THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO"

ELIZABETH OLSEN - "MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE"

MICHELLE WILLIAMS - "MY WEEK WITH MARILYN"

2011 BEACHHOUSE AWARDS - Best Supporting Actor

2012-02-05T22:41:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

KENNETH BRANAGH - "MY WEEK WITH MARILYN"

ALBERT BROOKS - "DRIVE"

PATTON OSWALT - "YOUNG ADULT"

CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER - "BEGINNERS"

ANDY SERKIS - "RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES"

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Supporting Actress

2012-02-05T22:39:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

JESSICA CHASTAIN - "THE HELP"

CAREY MULLIGAN - "SHAME"

VANESSA REDGRAVE - "CORIOLANUS"

OCTAVIA SPENCER - "THE HELP"

SHAILENE WOODLEY - "THE DESCENDANTS"

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Ensemble Cast

2012-02-05T22:36:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

THE HELP

THE IDES OF MARCH

MARGIN CALL

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Original Screenplay

2012-02-05T22:34:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

50/50

BEGINNERS

MARGIN CALL

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

SOURCE CODE

2011 BEACHHOUSE AWARDS - Best Adapted Screenplay

2012-02-05T22:33:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

THE DESCENDANTS

DRIVE

HUGO

THE IDES OF MARCH

MONEYBALL

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Animated Feature

2012-02-05T22:31:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN

KUNG FU PANDA 2

PUSS IN BOOTS

RANGO

WINNIE THE POOH

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Cinematography

2012-02-05T22:30:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

THE ARTIST

DRIVE

HUGO

THE TREE OF LIFE

WAR HORSE

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Film Editing

2012-02-05T22:28:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

THE ARTIST

THE DESCENDANTS

DRIVE

MONEYBALL

WAR HORSE

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Art Direction

2012-02-05T22:26:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

THE ARTIST

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2

HUGO

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Costume Design

2012-02-05T22:24:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

ANONYMOUS

THE CONSPIRATOR

HUGO

JANE EYRE

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Sound Mixing

2012-02-05T22:21:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

HANNA

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2

SUPER 8

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

WAR HORSE

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 -- Best Sound Editing

2012-02-05T22:15:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

DRIVE

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

SUPER 8

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Visual Effects

2012-02-05T22:01:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2

HUGO

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Makeup

2012-02-05T21:58:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

THE ARTIST

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2

HUGO

THE IRON LADY

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Original Score

2012-02-05T21:50:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

THE ARTIST

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

WAR HORSE

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Original Song

2012-02-05T21:46:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

"LAY YOUR HEAD DOWN" - ALBERT NOBBS

"LIFE'S A HAPPY SONG" - THE MUPPETS

"THE LIVING PROOF" - THE HELP

"MAN OR MUPPET" - THE MUPPETS

"SO LONG" - WINNIE THE POOH

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 - Best Foreign Language Film

2012-02-05T21:44:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

LE HAVRE - (FINLAND)

MYSTERIES OF LISBON - (PORTUGAL)

PINA - (GERMANY)

A SEPARATION - (IRAN)

UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES - (THAILAND)

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 -- Best Comedy Film

2012-02-05T21:36:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

50/50

BRIDESMAIDS

CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE.

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS

THE MUPPETS

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 -- Best Action Film

2012-02-05T21:34:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

FAST FIVE

HANNA

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 -- Best Breakthrough Performance

2012-02-05T21:31:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

JESSICA CHASTAIN - "THE HELP"

ROONEY MARA - "THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO"

HUNTER MCCRACKEN - "THE TREE OF LIFE"


ELIZABETH OLSEN - "MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE"

SHAILENE WOODLEY - "THE DESCENDANTS"

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 -- Best Breakthrough Filmmaker

2012-02-05T21:25:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

J.C. CHANDOR - "MARGIN CALL"

SEAN DURKIN - "MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE"

JEFF NICHOLS - "TAKE SHELTER"

NICOLAS WINDING REFN - "DRIVE"

TATE TAYLOR - "THE HELP"

BEACHHOUSE AWARDS 2011 -- Best Overlooked Film

2012-02-05T21:17:00.000-08:00

And the nominees are...

ATTACK THE BLOCK

A BETTER LIFE

CEDAR RAPIDS

HIGHER GROUND

MEEK'S CUTOFF

WIN WIN

My Top Ten Films of 2011

2012-02-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

I still have a few to catch from last year, but I don't foresee any of them really making a big enough splash to knock anything off. So here it is, my Top Ten Films of 2011.

10. MONEYBALL -- (dir. Bennett Miller)

(Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in "Moneyball")

Six years after "Capote", Bennett Miller returns with his sophomore effort, and again hits the target dead in the center. 2-for-2 for Best Picture nominees. In one of the few sports movies that is truthfully about so much more than sports, Brad Pitt delivers a career performance as Billy Beane, with fantastic support from the entire cast, especially Philip Seymour Hoffman, and the surprisingly good Jonah Hill. The script is it's own star here, with the Sorkin/Zaillian dialogue cracking throughout the story. A behind-the-scenes look at an organization that tried to go against the grain and highlight a fact in that is well-known but little discussed in sports...that it's easy to "buy" a championship, but it's much harder to "earn" one.

9. BEGINNERS -- (dir. Mike Mills)

(Melanie Laurent, Ewan McGregor and Arthur in "Beginners")

One of the least seen, most overlooked, and most wonderful films of 2011, writer/director Mike Mills' "Beginners" just may be the best love story of the year. A brilliant script highlighted by fantastic performances from Ewan McGregor, Melanie Laurent, and this year's Best Supporting Actor frontrunner, Christopher Plummer, in a career-defining role. The emotions of love, pain, truth, and honestly resonate with each frame. The story is semi-autobiographical from Mills' own life, and it shows on the page and on the screen. This is what love feels like...

8. CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE. -- (dir. Glenn Ficarra & John Requa)

(Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling in "Crazy, Stupid, Love.")

A mountain of great performances in a heartbreaking dramady, led by Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling. The shopping scene, hilarious. The bar scene(s), painful. The "Dirty Dancing" scene, sexy. The backyard scene, epic. And in one of the most clever scripts of the year, you can't say you saw it coming, cause you didn't. Just admit it. If there was any better movie about "the one" this year, I didn't see it.

7. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2 -- (dir. David Yates)

(Ralph Fiennes in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2)

How to you finish the most successful film series in history? With possibly the best film of the bunch (toss up with Prisoner of Azkaban for me). Epic in its grandeur, heart-wrenching in it's quiet moments, and delivering some of the best performances in the entire series, I was rejoicing in my seat when I quickly realized that the filmmakers were going to send the HP series off with a bang. In a year where we saw big-budget releases disappoint over and over, how refreshing was it to see the climax of one of the most epic stories in history, and see it done right.

6. DRIVE -- (dir. Nicolas Winding Refn)

(Ryan Gosling in "Drive")

Lighting up the screen with the some of the most beautiful and stirring shots of Los Angeles since Michael Mann's "Collateral", "Drive" is the best debut film for a director this year. Nicolas Winding Refn is a force to be reckoned with, and I can't wait for his next project. I've heard this film described from the "popcorn" crowd as slow or boring. And that crowd couldn't be more wrong. I can think of a few better words. Try..."outstanding"..."poetic"..."brutal"..."tense"...oh, and "brilliant" works too. Inspired casting doesn't hurt either, with Albert Brooks giving the biggest and best "against type" role he's ever had, and Ryan Gosling giving his best performance of the year, in a role where words are few and emotions are high. This isn't "The Fast and the Furious". It's not about the cars, it's about the driver. Know that going in.

5. HUGO -- (dir. Martin Scorsese)

(Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz and Helen McCrory in "Hugo")

Hugo suffered from an inability to market itself properly. What seemed like a child-adventure film ends up being about something completely different. In short, it is Scorsese's version of a love letter to early cinema and the pioneers who created it. While a bit plodding in parts and a bit too long as a whole, the majestic view of the beginning of this industry, through the eyes of a master filmmaker, is a wonder to behold. It is technologically brilliant (hello Art Direction Oscar), and once you settle into what the story is really about, in my opinion, is where it turns from entertaining to amazing. And having Ben Kingsley and Christopher Lee never hurts a film either.

4. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS -- (dir. Woody Allen)

(Marion Cotillard and Owen Wilson in "Midnight in Paris")

I was cautious going into Midnight in Paris. Hearing "Woody's best film in years" makes you set the bar pretty high. But shortly after the film started, I found myself enthralled, enraptured, and enchanted. The most original story of the year (and only Woody's 3rd Best Picture nominee ever....RIGHT?????), everything is superb here, from the ensemble cast of famous characters, to the B-roll footage of the glorious Paris in the rain. An interesting study of the position we all find ourselves in from time to time...to be happy in the time that we exist in.

3. THE ARTIST -- (dir. Michel Hazanavicius)

(Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo in "The Artist")

A black-and white, silent (mostly) film, shot by a French cast and crew, and released in 2011 = brilliance. It's another love-letter to early cinema, and it's also one of the best films of the year. Proof that good actors can tell any story without much dialogue, and also challenges the audiences to pay attention and follow the story on their own merit. That may be one reason audiences have loved it so much. Nothing is dumbed down or given to you, you have to go with the story and draw out your own thoughts, your own ideas. Wonderful turns by Dujardin and Bejo (who is a LEAD, not supporting, come on), directed with a flourish and a love by Michel Hazanavicius, and you get one of the most enthralling, enjoyable pieces of work put on film this year.

2. 50/50 -- (dir. Jonathan Levine)

(Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen in "50/50")

50/50 was almost completely shutout of the awards season this year, besides the screenplay, which did manage to score a few mentions. But the tale of a 27-year-old man (Gordon-Levitt) who discovers he has cancer is easily one of the best, most moving, and most true films of the year. JGL shines in a role that can't have been easy to play. Going through every emotion in a person's mind in one film is admirable, if not downright amazing. Fantastic supporting work from Anjelica Huston and especially Anna Kendrick, who gives the film's unsung hero performance. Few films moved me more, or made me laugh as hard.

1. THE DESCENDANTS -- (dir. Alexander Payne)

(Shailene Woodley, George Clooney and Amara Miller in "The Descendants")

In his first film since 2004's "Sideways", Alexander Payne has created a masterpiece. It's hard to imagine Clooney giving a finer performance, with best-of-the-year (and snubbed) support from Shailene Woodley, among the entire cast. It's a film that is all at once heartbreaking, hilarious, and passionate in it's storytelling. And when the credits started rolling, the first thought in my mind was "Nothing has made me feel real emotions as closely, painfully, and directly as this. That was the best movie I've seen this year." And it still rings true.

2011 OSCAR NOMINATIONS and how I did predicting

2012-01-24T21:16:00.000-08:00

This year I correctly predicted 70 out of 104 nominations, bump that up to 89 including my alternates.

Here are the Academy Award nominations for 2011.

BEST PICTURE -- 7/9

The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredible Close (missed)
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life (alternate)
War Horse

BEST DIRECTOR -- 4/5

Woody Allen - "Midnight in Paris"
Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist"
Terrence Malick - "The Tree of Life" (alternate)
Alexander Payne - "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese - "Hugo"

BEST ACTOR -- 4/5

Demian Bichir - "A Better Life" (alternate)
George Clooney - "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin - "The Artist"
Gary Oldman - "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Brad Pitt - "Moneyball"

BEST ACTRESS -- 4/5

Glenn Close - "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis - "The Help"
Rooney Mara - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (alternate)
Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams - "My Week with Marilyn"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR -- 3/5

Kenneth Branagh - "My Week with Marilyn"
Jonah Hill - "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte - "Warrior" (alternate)
Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"
Max Von Sydow - "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" (missed)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS -- 4/5

Berenice Bejo - "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain - "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy - "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer - "Albert Nobbs" (alternate)
Octavia Spencer - "The Help"

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY -- 4/5

The Artist
Bridesmaids
Margin Call (missed)
Midnight in Paris
A Separation

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY -- 3/5

The Descendants
Hugo
The Ides of March (missed)
Moneyball
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (alternate)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE -- 3/5

A Cat in Paris (missed)
Chico & Rita (missed)
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY -- 5/5

The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse

BEST FILM EDITING -- 3/5

The Artist
The Descendants (alternate)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball (alternate)

BEST ART DIRECTION -- 4/5

The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Hugo
Midnight in Paris (alternate)
War Horse

BEST COSTUME DESIGN -- 3/5

Anonymous (alternate)
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
W.E. (missed)

BEST SOUND MIXING -- 2/5

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (missed)
Hugo
Moneyball (missed)
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (alternate)
War Horse

BEST SOUND EDITING -- 1/5

Drive (alternate)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (missed)
Hugo (missed)
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (alternate)
War Horse

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS -- 4/5

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Hugo
Real Steel (missed)
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark of the Moon

BEST MAKEUP -- 1/3

Albert Nobbs (alternate)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
The Iron Lady (alternate)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE -- 3/5

The Adventures of Tintin (missed)
The Artist
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (alternate)
War Horse

BEST ORIGINAL SONG -- 1/2

"Man or Muppet" - The Muppets
"Real in Rio" - Rio (missed)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM -- 4/5

Bullhead [Belgium]
Footnote [Israel]
In Darkness [Poland]
Monsieur Lazhar [Canada] (alternate)
A Separation [Iran]

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE -- 3/5

Hell and Back Again (missed)
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front (alternate)
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Undefeated

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT

The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement
God Is the Bigger Elvis
Incident in New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT FILM

Pentecost
Raju
The Shore
Time Freak
Tuba Atlantic

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life

NOMINATIONS BY FILM

11 nominations
Hugo*

10 nominations
The Artist*

6 nominations
Moneyball*
War Horse*

5 nominations
The Descendants*
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

4 nominations
The Help*
Midnight in Paris*

3 nominations
Albert Nobbs
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
The Tree of Life*

2 nominations
Bridesmaids
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close*
The Iron Lady
My Week with Marilyn
A Separation

1 nomination
The Adventures of Tintin
Anonymous
Beginners
A Better Life
Bullhead
A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Drive
Footnote
The Ides of March
In Darkness
Jane Eyre
Kung Fu Panda 2
Margin Call
Monsieur Lazhar
The Muppets
Puss in Boots
Rango
Real Steel
Rio
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Warrior
W.E.

Post-nomination thoughts and reactions....

2012-01-24T14:49:00.000-08:00

Wow. What a tough, tough year in this game of Oscars. I didn't get quite as many as last year, but still, out of 104 possible correct nominations, including my alternate choices in each category, I got 89 right. I'll take it. 86% isn't exactly bad at this. A few quick thoughts...

1. Jonah Hill is an Oscar nominated actor.....Let me say that again...JONAH HILL is an Oscar-nominated actor!!!!! That means Jonah Hill = 1 ... Errol Flynn, Jim Carrey, Edward G. Robinson, Buster Keaton, Bob Hope, Fred MacMurray = 0

2. On the other hand, GARY OLDMAN IS AN OSCAR-NOMINATED ACTOR. About freaking time guys! If he didn't get into the race here, I was under the impression that he very likely never would be. Might be the nod I'm most happy about this year. And happy I predicted it too.

3. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close just became the lowest-rated reviewed film to be nominated for Best Picture since I don't even know when. There was much outcry when The Blind Side snuck into the race a few years ago, but even that film was at 66% positive reviews, with the public rating into the 90% range. Extremely Close is currently running at 48% positive reviews, with only 67% with the public??? How does that make this a viable "Best Picture of the Year" choice. Ugh.

4. Very happy to see Demian Bichir in the race. I was hoping for it, and I think he gives one of the best performances this year in "A Better Life". Well-deserved sir.

5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo gets 5 nods, all in technical categories except for Rooney Mara in actress, but is snubbed in screenplay, director, and Picture. You gotta wonder how many people didn't even wanna see it, knowing what kind of movie there were in for.

6. J.C. Chandor scoring a nod for his screenplay to Margin Call is awesome. I had it listed as a possibility, but didn't think it'd actually have a chance. But it is one of the better films of the year, with an amazing cast, and a very sharply written script. The film was mostly overlooked by the public this year. I didn't even hear about it here in ATL until it was already on DVD. But it's worthy, so check it out if you haven't.

7. Damn you sound categories!!! Only 3/5 in both, and that's including my alternate choices! 2/5 and 1/5 without? Ouch! Oh, and I apparently still suck as predicting Makeup. Haven't gotten more than 1 choice right for 3 years running now. Ouch again!

8. Haven't heard of A Cat in Paris and/or Chico & Rita? You have now. I unfortunately didn't predict it to happen, but I did mention them both as outside chances. Both films now finds themselves in the Animated Feature race. Tintin was lost at sea. Arthur Christmas was left in the cold. Winnie the Pooh got lost in the woods.....you get the point.

9. Seriously, if this is the type of ridiculousness they're going to do in the Song category, just cancel the category at this point. How can you only have 2 nominees? 2? It already sucked back in 2006 & 2008 when you had 3. But 2??? You know when this has happened before in Oscar history? NEVER. Literally, we've NEVER had only 2 nominees. The only plus side is that it pretty much guarantees a win for The Muppets.

10. The fact that Project Nim and Buck aren't in the Documentary race may be one of the worst snubs in the entire year. Both are wonderful, both are deserving, and both got snubbed. Oh, and Project Nim was the perceived "frontrunner".

11. Happy to see 3 nods for the final film in the Harry Potter series, and hopefully they can capitalize on at least 1 of the 3. Hard to believe this series has never won an Oscar. Best chance has to be Makeup, as I feel Art Direction & Visual Effects are already pretty sewn up.

A few final things I'm sad for....

Still never a nomination in the X-Men series.
Mission: Impossible got nothing.
Super 8 missed entirely, even after getting nods from both sound guilds.
I called it correct that there would be a film up for Editing that wasn't also up for Picture, something that hadn't happened in 3 years. But I said it would be Drive...It was Dragon Tattoo.
Shailene Woodley was snubbed for The Descendants. And she might be the performance I'm most sad about missing. One of my favs of the year.
Shame was shut out. Wrong.

Ok, enough ranting and raving for now. Gotta head out to a screening soon. What a day!

FINAL PREDICTIONS - OSCAR NOMINATIONS 2011 - ALL CATEGORIES

2012-01-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

Here we are again. Now in the...10th year I'll been officially doing this, and it all comes down to tomorrow's announcement. May I just say that this year has been quite the hard one to fill out. It feels like in almost every category we have a full locks, and the rest is a turkey shoot. I mean in literally EVERY CATEGORY. Last year, between my picks and my alternates, I got 99/106 correct. I'm hoping for the best, but have absolutely no feeling that I'm going to come anywhere close to that. But that's what makes every new film season fun, entertaining, and frustrating. There's always those few films that either give too much credit, or not enough. There's always surprises, always snubs, and always great races. So here we go. My predictions for the 84th Oscars, for the year of 2011.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

The shortlist of finalists left off several of the most popular choices with the critics this year, mainly "Cave of Forgotten Dreams" and "Page One: Inside the New York Times". Sad to see them left on the shelf, but we deal with what we have. A few choices have sorta, kinda surged to the lead, but really, this is anyone's guess. This is only the 2nd year I'm predicting this category.

Predictions

Buck

Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory

Pina

Project Nim

Undefeated

Alternates

If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front

We Were Here

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Again, in this category, we have several films left off the finalist list, including previously recognized released from Brazil, China, France, and most surprisingly, "Le Havre" from Finland, "Where Do We Go Now" from Lebanon, and "Miss Bala" from Mexico. Although it kinda feels like this year's race may be already sewn up, who knows what will happen. The front-runner, by a mile, is "A Separation" from Iran. It's picked up more awards than the other films I'm predicting, COMBINED. "Pina", out of Germany, is also a film I'm predicting in Documentary as well, so it should find a home here as well, as it's one of the best of the year in both races. Poland's "In Darkness" has made waves as well.

Predictions

Bullhead - Iran

Footnote - Israel

In Darkness - Poland

Pina - Germany

A Separation - Iran

Alternates

Monsieur Lazhar

Warriors of the Rainbow

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

Always one of the toughest to predict since there's very little to go on. I feel "The Muppets" should score at least one if not two nods here (since that's the max allowed). Also, turns from several music stars, including Elton John & Sinead O'Connor, should also find themselves in the mix.

Predictions

"Hello Hello" - Gnomeo & Juliet

"Lay Your Head Down" - Albert Nobbs

"Life's a Happy Song" - The Muppets

"The Living Proof" - The Help

"Man or Muppet" - The Muppets

Alternates

"Coeur Volant" - Hugo

"Pictures in My Head" - The Muppets

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

I feel pretty secure in a few of these choices, mainly The Artist, War Horse, and Hugo. After that, it gets a little fuzzier. Alexandre Desplat had not 1 but 2 great scores this year, with both the final Harry Potter film, and his work on Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. And after their victory last year for Social Network, could Ross & Reznor find themselves invited to the show again? Their work in Dragon Tattoo is certainly good enough. Also, Alberto Iglesias' work in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is some of the best of the year, albeit some of the most understated at times.

Predictions

The Artist

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Hugo

War Horse

Alternates

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

BEST MAKEUP

With the finalist list of 7 released from the Academy, there are only a few films that still stand a chance here. Although I must point out that this has been one of my weakest categories predicting for about 3 years running. Hopefully I can turn that around this year. The HP series has never been recognized here, but from all the injury wounds, plus the Voldemort and Goblin work, here's hoping. The Hugo tidal wave could carry it thru here, and in a battle between two leading lady films with The Iron Lady and Albert Nobbs, I'm sticking my neck out and saying that they cancel each other out, leaving another tech nod available for The Artist. But who knows? Even Gainsbourg has a good shot.

Predictions

The Artist

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Hugo

Alternates

Albert Nobbs

The Iron Lady

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Tough to narrow this category down from the finalist list, but I feel that Harry Potter, Hugo, and Apes are all safe. Then it gets tougher. The work in the latest Transformers was, imo, far better than the 2nd film, where it missed out. And the visual effects society surprisingly (but deservedly), went with Pirates 4 in their main category. Although this could mean that the effects in Captain America, Mission Impossible, X-Men, and Tree of Life may be shut out. Honestly, nothing showing up here would surprise me too much.

Predictions

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Hugo

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Alternates

Captain America: The First Avenger

The Tree of Life

BEST SOUND EDITING

Another very difficult category to predict, without the widespread range in precursor awards. Also, maybe times (but not always), it matches up decently well with the Sound Mixing category. After finding a home in both Foley and ADR categories with the Sound Editors Guild (MPSE), I think that Apes, Super 8, and War Horse should settle in here. This might also be a place to award a nod to two of the most entertaining action movies of the year, Mission Impossible and Fast Five. Although many other choices wait in the wings for their chance as well, including Drive and Dragon Tattoo.

Predictions

Fast Five

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Super 8

War Horse

Alternates

Drive

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

BEST SOUND MIXING

Sometimes this category and sound editing match up almost perfectly. Sometimes they're way off. This here, I'm going with something in the middle. Hanna scored a surprise and very deserved nod from the CAS. And though HP and War Horse didn't, they have showed up on almost every precursor sound category so far.

Predictions

Hanna

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Hugo

Super 8

War Horse

Alternates

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

This year's race should be dominated by period films. The harder part is deciding which ones. The Artist should ride it's momentum to a nod here, as should the Parisian work of Hugo. The Help's southern period dress could also appear here, the only tech category I'm predicting it in. My Week with Marilyn showed up in several precursors, but missed with the CDG. And in a battle of English history, Jane Eyre's garb has been the most awarded, over it's also-deserving competition of Anonymous and W.E. If the Academy chooses to go for fantasy, both Pirates and Harry Potter could find a surprise nod here too. Not one of the easier categories to predict this year.

Predictions

The Artist

The Help

Hugo

Jane Eyre

My Week with Marilyn

Alternates

Anonymous

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

BEST ART DIRECTION

If there is one nomination, in any category, that I feel most secure about, it is Dante Ferretti's work in Hugo for art direction. It is the one to beat this year. This is another category however that feels very wide open in it's possibilities. Series films such as Harry Potter and Pirates have shown up here in the past, and very well could again. Especially Potter, in my opinion, due to the immense Hogwarts battle scenes. The Artist, like Hugo, brings back memories of a long lost time in Hollywood, partly to it's art direction. The rest is really a crap shoot.

Predictions

The Artist

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Hugo

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

War Horse

Alternates

Anonymous

Midnight in Paris

BEST FILM EDITING

One of the most important categories, as films that fail to land a nod here practically never had a realistic shot to win Best Picture, even if they nominated for the big one. Although they do like to throw in deserving nods here as sometimes consolation prizes (Collateral in 04, Almost Famous in 00, Memento in 01, Bourne and Diving Bell in 07). In fact, the last film to be nominated here and NOT for Best Picture, was The Dark Knight back in 08, so it's been a few years of Best Picture domination in this category. That said, I'm giving 4 of the 5 slots to also predicted Picture nominees, and going out on a limb with 1 other. No guts, no glory, possible failure.

Predictions

The Artist

Drive

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hugo

War Horse

Alternates

The Descendants

Moneyball

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

To me it really feels like there are only 6 or 7 real possibilities here, unless something comes completely out of left field to stead a nod. The Artist, Hugo, and The Tree of Life seemed locked and loaded. Dragon Tattoo seems like a good bet after scoring with the ASC, so there's only 1 spot left. Could be Drive, could be Tinker Tailor (also an ASC nominee), but I'm going with the sweeping and poetic camerawork of Janusz Kaminski for War Horse. Whether you like the film or not (and I did), you can't deny that it looks like a visual poem.

Predictions

The Artist

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hugo

The Tree of Life

War Horse

Alternates

Drive

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Enough films were released this year for us to have 5 nominees, which always makes me happy, as I'm really just a huge kid and love animation. After taking both the Globe and the Producers Guild, Spielberg, Jackson & company should score a nod here with Tintin. Although...could they protest the motion capture technique and snub it? Rango brought a new twist to a classic homage western, and both Kung Fu Panda 2 and Puss in Boots continued the story of their franchises, to admirable results. The last spot for me in the hardest. Arthur Christmas was the best reviewed, and scored a nod with BAFTA. Cars 2 missing would make it the first Pixar EVER to miss a nod here, since the category's inception back in 2001. Quite a run. And a classic made a triumphant return to the screen with this year's traditional animation Winnie the Pooh. And if they want to award something left fields (like Secret of Kells 2 years ago), we could here A Cat in Paris or more likely Chico & Rita called out. Tough category.

Predictions

The Adventures of Tintin

Arthur Christmas

Kung Fu Panda 2

Puss in Boots

Rango

Alternates

Cars 2

Winnie the Pooh

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

4 of these choices seem like done and done choices. Moneyball, Descendants, and Hugo have shown up on winner lists again and again, and The Help has been right behind them. Again, the hard part is picking the last one. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo scores a WGA nod, and Tinker Tailor snatched a Bafta look here, with one of the best spy stories in years. Then you have the quick dialogue of The Ides of March (another Clooney nod?), and the most overlookedly but worthy A Dangerous Method. And then, finally, you have the schmaltzy, but heart tugging War Horse. My head says Dragon Tattoo, my heart goes to the horse...by a nose.

Predictions

The Descendants

The Help

Hugo

Moneyball

War Horse

Alternates

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

The Artist and Midnight in Paris are locks here, and the easiest to call. The huge guild support and big box-office of Bridesmaids could help it find a home here. And the good reviews for 50/50 make it a very possible contender for a nod. But this category is CROWDED, with no less than 5 more worthy films besides those already mentioned, including Mike Mills brilliant Beginners, J.C. Chandor's debut Margin Call, Diablo Cody's Young Adult, and Tom McCarthy's equally brilliant Win Win. But, in a nod to a film that won't likely show up anyway else other than Foreign Film, I'm going with the Iranian drama A Separation, which has taken home several awards in this category this year.

Predictions

50/50

The Artist

Bridesmaids

Midnight in Paris

A Separation

Alternates

Win Win

Young Adult

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Let me say this now. Berenice Bejo's work in The Artist is brilliant, is award-worthy, and is a CO-LEAD. But that said, she will find a spot here instead. The Help will very likely be the newest film in the club of having 2 nominees in the same acting category. Octavia Spencer has snatched up several big prizes already, and Jessica Chastain's amazing year (no less than 4 amazing performances) should be rewarded here as well, as long as she doesn't cancel each other out. Janet McTeer was a nominee back in 1999, and hasn't been in the race since, but if the Academy goes for Albert Nobbs, she could easily find herself nominated here. As could Carey Mulligan, who was fantastic in both Drive and Shame. But she was just nominated 2 years ago. Too much, too young, too soon? Melissa McCarthy has been a standout in the Bridesmaids clan, and she won an Emmy earlier this year, so she's still riding her wave of popularity. And though she's waned as of late in the awards race, I think the admiration for The Descendants could bring the very deserving Shailene Woodley back into the race, and make here the latest Clooney co-star to be nominated alongside.

Predictions

Berenice Bejo - "The Artist"

Jessica Chastain - "The Help"

Melissa McCarthy - "Bridesmaids"

Octavia Spencer - "The Help"

Shailene Woodley - "The Descendants"

Alternates

Janet McTeer - "Albert Nobbs"

Carey Mulligan - "Shame"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Very confident in 3 of these choices, those being Branagh, Brooks, and Plummer. Then is gets rough. I never ever thought I would type this sentence, but Jonah Hill might be an Oscar nominee. That is just weird to me, although I thought he was very good in Moneyball. And while I wouldn't mind hearing Nick Nolte's name announced for Warrior (one of the best films this year that not many people saw), I'm throwing out a No Guts, No Glory call for Patton Oswalt in Young Adult. He is the glue that held that film, and the hot mess of Charlize Theron's character in it, together. Also, did you catch his speech at the Critics Choice? Hilarious.

Predictions

Kenneth Branagh - "My Week with Marilyn"

Albert Brooks - "Drive"

Jonah Hill - "Moneyball"

Patton Oswalt - "Young Adult"

Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"

Alternates

Armie Hammer - "J. Edgar"

Nick Nolte - "Warrior"

BEST ACTRESS

Another case of confidence in 3 choices, as Streep, Davis, and Williams are locks. But this is the most crowded of all the acting categories. The list of worthy choices goes on and on, and contains everyone from Elizabeth Olsen for Martha Marcy May Marlene, to Charlize Theron for Young Adult. From Rooney Mara for Dragon Tattoo, to Olivia Colman in Tyrannosaur, to Kristen Wiig for Bridesmaids. But I'm rounding out my choices with former winner Tilda Swinton, for her subdued work as the mother of a school-shooting child, and Glenn Close, who should snag her first nod in years as a woman pretending to be a man for work, and life, purposes.

Predictions

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"

Alternates

Elizabeth Olsen - "Martha Marcy May Marlene"

Charlize Theron - "Young Adult"

BEST ACTOR

Another 3 locks. Clooney and Pitt give career-best performances, and The Artist himself, Jean Dujardin, will dance his way to a nomination. Will the NC-17 rating make voters shy away from Shame, or will it make them watch it even quicker. Either way, if enough people see it, Michael Fassbender's amazing year (4 great performances) should find reward here. Demian Bichir broke my heart in A Better Life, of the best of the year, and DiCaprio is always a possibility, especially teamed up with a director like Clint Eastwood, but after the outpouring of Bafta love for Tinker Tailor, I'm going for another No Guts, No Glory pick and say that Gary Oldman FINALLY captures his first ever nomination. One of the greatest actors to never have heard his name called.

Predictions

George Clooney - "The Descendants"

Jean Dujardin - "The Artist"

Michael Fassbender - "Shame"

Gary Oldman - "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"

Brad Pitt - "Moneyball"

Alternates

Demian Bichir - "A Better Life"

Leonardo DiCaprio - "J. Edgar"

BEST DIRECTOR

I'm going with a 4/5 match from the DGA. Hazanavicius, Payne and Scorsese are locked, locked, locked, and Woody Allen is pretty damn close to it himself for his best film in years, and his biggest box-office film of his career. Then I see it as a close race between 3 men. The Tree of Life is truly a Director's film, and if the Academy sees it that way, Terrence Malick could be around come Oscar time. David Fincher was a surprise DGA nod, but after losing for The Social Network last year, could they try to make it up to him with another nomination? Or will Spielberg find his name called for the 2nd time this year, after his nod for Tintin, with a director nod of his own for War Horse.

Predictions

Woody Allen - "Midnight in Paris"

Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist"

Alexander Payne - "The Descendants"

Martin Scorsese - "Hugo"

Steven Spielberg - "War Horse"

Alternates

David Fincher - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

Terrence Malick - "The Tree of Life"

BEST PICTURE

The hardest part is picking where the cut off line is going to be, as we don't yet have any clue how many films will be chosen this year. If it were 5, I would be more confident. If it were 10, I would be more confident. Could it be either of those? Possible. Not probable, but possible. So, just to shoot for the middle of the road, I'm going with.......8 choices. Artist, Descendants, Help, Hugo, and Midnight would be my picks for just 5. Like I said, the hardest part is finding the cutoff.

Several films made big splashes in the race, and could be a surprise nod, such as Drive & The Tree of Life, but for my 8 choices, I'm going with...

Predictions

The Artist

The Descendants

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Help

Hugo

Midnight in Paris

Moneyball

War Horse

Alternates

Bridesmaids

Drive

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

The Tree of Life

Predix in the works

2012-01-20T17:06:00.001-08:00

After the hectic season of precursor awards, film critics groups, and screenings, it all comes down to this. I am working on my final nomination predictions, and like I've done for the last 2 years, will be providing commentary for my choices in 21 of the 24 Oscar categories. Stayed tuned for them to be up. In process soon, but online soon.

Awards - Motion Picture Sound Editors

2012-01-20T16:14:00.000-08:00

The final guild to announce every year, and I think this may be the first time they announce before the Oscar nods are announced??? I seem to remember they always being the day after. But anyways, here are the nominees, in 7 categories, for the Sound Editors Guild. The biggest award to watch for prediction purposes is Sound Effects & Foley, and also maybe Dialogue and ADR. Keep in mind all these categories have to do with Sound Editing specifically (ex. Editing of Original Music, not the score itself).

BEST SOUND EFFECTS AND FOLEY IN A FEATURE FILM

Drive

Fast Five

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Super 8

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

War Horse

BEST DIALOGUE AND ADR IN A FEATURE FILM

Abduction

The Help

Moneyball

Quarantine II: Terminal

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Super 8

War Horse

The Way

BEST MUSIC IN A FEATURE FILM

Drive

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hop

Hugo

Priest

Super 8

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

The Tree of Life

BEST MUSIC IN A MUSICAL FEATURE FILM

Footloose

The Muppets

Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll

Pina

BEST SOUND EDITING IN A FEATURE ANIMATED FILM

The Adventures of Tintin

Cars 2

Kung Fu Panda 2

Puss in Boots

Rango

Rio

The Smurfs

BEST SOUND EDITING IN A FEATURE FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM

1920. The World's Most Important Battle

Circumstance

The Flower of War

In the Land of Bloody and Honey

Sarah's Key

The Skin I Live In

Tropa de Elite 2 (Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within)

BEST SOUND EDITING IN A FEATURE DOCUMENTARY

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

George Harrison: Living in the Material World

Lemmy

Pearl Jam Twenty

London Film Critics winners

2012-01-20T15:36:00.000-08:00

After announcing their nominees last month, the London Film Critics have announced their winners. Taking the top award was, surprise surprise, The Artist, which also took home wins for Director and Actor.

Film of the Year: THE ARTIST
British Film of the Year: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
Director of the Year: MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS - "THE ARTIST"
Actor of the Year: JEAN DUJARDIN - "THE ARTIST"
British Actor of the Year: MICHAEL FASSBENDER - "A DANGEROUS METHOD" & "SHAME"
Actress of the Year: ANNA PAQUIN - "MARGARET" & MERYL STREEP "THE IRON LADY" (TIE)
British Actress of the Year: OLIVIA COLMAN - "THE IRON LADY" & "TYRANNOSAUR"
Supporting Actor of the Year: KENNETH BRANAGH - "MY WEEK WITH MARILYN"
Supporting Actress of the Year: SAREH BAYAT - "A SEPARATION"
Screenwriter of the Year: "A SEPARATION" - ASGHAR FARHADI
Foreign Language Film of the Year: A SEPARATION
Documentary of the Year: SENNA
Breakthrough British Filmmaker: ANDREW HAIGH - "WEEKEND"
Young British Performer of the Year: CRAIG ROBERTS - "SUBMARINE"
Technical Achievement of the Year: MARIA DJURKOVIC - "TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY" - PRODUCTION DESIGN

Awards - Costume Designers Guild (CDG)

2012-01-20T15:23:00.000-08:00

As always, we have 15 films nominated for the Costume Design, in 3 different categories. The most "noticeable" costume are usually found in the Period category, but we also have Fantasy and Contemporary as well.

We have a few surprises this year, most noticeably for films that were left out for more than films that were included in the nominees. The big snubs, in my opinion, would be the lack of Anonymous and My Week with Marilyn, particularly Marilyn, since it had shown up in many precursor awards so far.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN (PERIOD)

THE ARTIST

Mark Bridges

THE HELP

Sharen Davis

HUGO

Sandy Powell

JANE EYRE

Michael O'Connor

W.E.

Arianne Phillips

BEST COSTUME DESIGN (FANTASY FILM)

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2

Jany Temime

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES

Penny Rose

RED RIDING HOOD

Cindy Evans

THOR

Alexandra Byrne

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

Sammy Sheldon

BEST COSTUME DESIGN (CONTEMPORARY)

BRIDESMAIDS

Leesa Evans & Christine Wada

THE DESCENDANTS

Wendy Chuck

DRIVE

Erin Benach

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

Trish Summerville

MELANCHOLIA

Manon Rasmussen

Awards - Cinema Audio Society (CAS)

2012-01-20T14:30:00.000-08:00

The sound mixers guild has released their nominees for the year. A few surprises (Hanna deservedly in, Moneyball in too???). Still expect a few other films to be in the running at the oscars here, but here are the 2011 choices from the CAS.

HANNA

Production Mixer: Roland Winke

Re-recording Mixers: Christopher Scarabosio & Craig Berkey, CAS

Scoring Mixer: Andrew Dudman

HUGO

Production Mixer: John Midgley

Re-recording Mixer: Tom Fleischman, CAS

Scoring Mixer: Simon Rhodes

MONEYBALL

Production Mixer: Ed Novick

Re-recording Mixers: Deb Adair, CAS; Ron Bochar, CAS; David Giammarco

Scoring Mixer: Brad Haenel

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES

Production Mixer: Lee Orloff, CAS

Re-recording Mixers: Paul Massey, CAS & Chris Boyes

Scoring Mixer: Alan Meyerson

SUPER 8

Production Mixer: Mark Ulano, CAS

Re-recording Mixers: Tom Johnson, Andy Nelson & Anna Behlmer

Scoring Mixer: Dan Wallin

Oscar - 9 Foreign Language Film finalists

2012-01-18T17:58:00.000-08:00

The Academy has released the final shortlist for this year's foreign language film prize. From the 9 remaining films, which has been whittled down from the original list of 63 entries, 5 films will become nominees on Tuesday morning. The finalists are...

Belgium - "Bullhead" - Michael A. Roskam, director
Canada - "Monsieur Lazhar" - Philippe Falardeau, director
Denmark - "Superclasico" - Ole Christian Madsen, director
Germany - "Pina" - Wim Wenders, director
Iran - "A Separation" - Asghar Farhadi, director
Israel - "Footnote" - Joseph Cedar, director
Morocco - "Omar Killed Me" - Roschdy Zem, director
Poland - "In Darkness" - Agnieszka Holland, director
Taiwan - "Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale" - Wei Te-sheng, director

News - Michelle Williams in GQ

2012-01-18T09:40:00.000-08:00

Already in hot contention for this year's Oscar for "My Week with Marilyn", Michelle Williams is also on the cover of this month's GQ magazine. Already a two-time nominee, and a practical guarantee for a third on Tuesday, don't think this spread won't make some voters take notice. She hasn't shown herself as sexy as this since her Dawson's Creek days! Coming across as bombshell as Marilyn herself, Michelle is oozing sexuality in every shot. Is there any better reason to post these pics? Oh, and you're welcome. :-P

Awards - BAFTA Awards

2012-01-18T07:42:00.000-08:00

The British Film Academy, or BAFTA, have released their nominees for this year's awards. England's version of the Oscars is arguably one of the biggest awards in film besides the Academy Awards, and many times a strong showing across the pond will show up in the Oscar race as well, due to the high crossover of voters. I remember back in 2008 when The Reader made a surprise appearance on the BAFTA list, and then showed up on the roster here in the U.S. as well. So don't count out the power of the Brits.

Leading the way this year is The Artist with 12 nominations. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy follows close behind with 11, Hugo taking 9 (without a nod for Picture!?!?), My Week with Marilyn pulling in 6, and The Help & War Horse each scoring 5. The possibly surprise party crasher besides Tinker? Drive, which scored nods in both Best Picture and Best Director.

BEST FILM

The Artist

The Descendants

Drive

The Help

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

BEST DIRECTOR

Tomas Alfredson - "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"

Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist"

Lynne Ramsay - "We Need to Talk About Kevin"

Nicolas Winding-Refn - "Drive"

Martin Scorsese - "Hugo"

BEST ACTOR

George Clooney - "The Descendants"

Jean Dujardin - "The Artist"

Michael Fassbender - "Shame"

Gary Oldman - "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"

Brad Pitt - "Moneyball"

BEST ACTRESS

Berenice Bejo - "The Artist"

Viola Davis - "The Help"

Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady"

Tilda Swinton - "We Need to Talk About Kevin"

Michelle Williams - "My Week with Marilyn"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Kenneth Branagh - "My Week with Marilyn"

Jim Broadbent - "The Iron Lady"

Jonah Hill - "Moneyball"

Philip Seymour Hoffman - "The Ides of March"

Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Jessica Chastain - "The Help"

Judi Dench - "My Week with Marilyn"

Melissa McCarthy - "Bridesmaids"

Carey Mulligan - "Drive"

Octavia Spencer - "The Help"

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

The Artist

Bridesmaids

The Guard

The Iron Lady

Midnight in Paris

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Descendants

The Help

The Ides of March

Moneyball

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

BEST ANIMATED FILM

The Adventures of Tintin

Arthur Christmas

Rango

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Artist

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hugo

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

War Horse

BEST FILM EDITING

The Artist

Drive

Hugo

Senna

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

The Artist

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Hugo

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

War Horse

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

The Artist

Hugo

Jane Eyre

My Week with Marilyn

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

BEST SOUND

The Artist

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Hugo

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

War Horse

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

The Adventures of Tintin

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Hugo

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

War Horse

BEST MAKEUP & HAIR

The Artist

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Hugo

The Iron Lady

My Week with Marilyn

BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC

The Artist

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hugo

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

War Horse

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Incendies

Pina

Potiche

A Separation

The Skin I Live In

BEST DOCUMENTARY

George Harrison: Living in the Material World

Project Nim

Senna

BEST SHORT FILM

Chalk

Mwansa the Great

Only Sound Remains

Pitch Black Heist

Two and Two

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

Abuelas

Bobby Yeah

A Morning Stroll

BEST BRITISH FILM

My Week with Marilyn

Senna

Shame

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

We Need to Talk About Kevin

BEST DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER

Attack the Block - Joe Cornish (Director/Writer)

Black Pond - Will Sharpe (Director/Writer), Tom Kingsley (Director), Sarah Brocklehurst (Producer)

Coriolanus - Ralph Fiennes (Director)

Submarine - Richard Ayoade (Director/Writer)

Tyrannosaur - Paddy Considine (Director), Diarmid Scrimshaw (Producer)

ORANGE WEDNESDAYS RISING STAR AWARD

Adam Deacon

Chris Hemsworth

Tom Hiddleston

Chris O'Dowd

Eddie Redmayne

FULL LIST OF MULTIPLE NOMINEES

12 - The Artist

11 - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

9 - Hugo

6 - My Week with Marilyn

5 - The Help
5 - War Horse

4 - Drive
4 - The Iron Lady
4 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

3 - The Descendants
3 - Moneyball
3 - Senna
3 - We Need to Talk About Kevin

2 - Shame
2 - The Ides of March
2 - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
2 - Bridesmaids
2 - The Adventures of Tintin

Awards - Film Editors Guild (ACE Eddie)

2012-01-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

The 62nd Annual ACE Eddie Awards have announced their nominees, covering both film and television. In the film categories, we have Drama, Comedy/Musical, Animated, and Documentary. Editing is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS an important category to watch, as good editing is rarely rewarded to films that don't stand a chance elsewhere.

BEST FILM EDITING (DRAMATIC)

THE DESCENDANTS

Kevin Tent, ACE

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

Angus Wall, ACE & Kirk Baxter, ACE

HUGO

Thelma Schoonmaker, ACE

MONEYBALL

Christopher Tellefsen, ACE

WAR HORSE

Michael Kahn, ACE

BEST FILM EDITING (COMEDY/MUSICAL)

THE ARTIST

Anne-Sophie Bion & Michel Hazanavicius

BRIDESMAIDS

William Kerr & Michael L. Sale

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

Alisa Lepselter

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

Adam Recht

YOUNG ADULT

Dana E. Glauberman, ACE

BEST FILM EDITING (ANIMATED FEATURE)

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN

Michael Kahn, ACE

PUSS IN BOOTS

Eric Dapkewicz

RANGO

Craig Wood, ACE

BEST FILM EDITING (DOCUMENTARY)

CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS

Joe Bini & Maya Hawke

FREEDOM RIDERS

Lewis Erskine & Aljernon Tunsil

GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD

David Tedeschi

Golden Globe winners

2012-01-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

Last night the Hollywood Foreign Press gave out the annual Golden Globe Awards, which Ricky Gervais back hosting the show. No huge surprises in the winners, except possibly in Animated Feature, as Tintin took home it's first major award of the year. And the winners are...

BEST PICTURE (DRAMA): The Descendants
BEST PICTURE (COMEDY/MUSICAL): The Artist
BEST DIRECTOR: Martin Scorsese - "Hugo"
BEST ACTOR (DRAMA): George Clooney - "The Descendants"
BEST ACTOR (MUSICAL/COMEDY): Jean Dujardin - "The Artist"
BEST ACTRESS (DRAMA): Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady"
BEST ACTRESS (MUSICAL/COMEDY): Michelle Williams - "My Week with Marilyn"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Octavia Spencer - "The Help"
BEST SCREENPLAY: Midnight in Paris
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: The Adventures of Tintin !!!!
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: The Artist
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: "Masterpiece" - W.E.
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: A Separation

News - Skyfall first pic

2012-01-14T10:42:00.000-08:00

The first picture from the next James Bond film, SKYFALL, has leaked online. Enjoy.

Brodcast Film Critics (Critics Choice) Winners!

2012-01-14T09:15:00.000-08:00

The Broadcast Film Critics held their annual awards a few days ago. One of my favorite award groups of the year, the Critics Choice awards were shown live on VH1, and you can find it on demand, category by category, on vh1's website as well if you missed it. Here were the big winners!

BEST PICTURE: The Artist
BEST DIRECTOR: Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist"
BEST ACTOR: George Clooney - "The Descendants"
BEST ACTRESS: Viola Davis - "The Help"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Octavia Spencer - "The Help"
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE: The Help
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Midnight in Paris
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Moneyball
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: Rango
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Tree of Life & War Horse (tie)
BEST FILM EDITING: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
BEST ART DIRECTION: Hugo
BEST COSTUME DESIGN: The Artist
BEST SOUND: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
BEST MAKEUP: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: The Artist
BEST ORIGINAL SONG: "Life's a Happy Song" - The Muppets
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: A Separation
BEST DOCUMENTARY: George Harrison: Living in the Material World
BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS: Thomas Horn - "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
BEST ACTION FILM: Drive
BEST COMEDY FILM: Bridesmaids

Awards - USC Scripter Award

2012-01-13T05:58:00.000-08:00

The USC Scripter is a bit of a special award each year. It is the only award I can think of that is actually awarded not only to the adapted screenplay, but also to the original source material the adaptation comes from, be it another film, book, play, or short story. This year we find a few unexpected choices thrown in with the usual suspects of Descendants and Moneyball.

A DANGEROUS METHOD
Christopher Hampton

Adapted from the nonfiction book A Most Dangerous Method: The Story of Jung, Freud, and Sabina Spielrein by John Kerr and the 2002 stage play The Talking Cure by Hampton

THE DESCENDANTS
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon & Jim Rash

Adapted from Kaui Hart Hemmings' novel (itself an expansion of her first published short story, The Minor Wars)

JANE EYRE
Moira Buffini

Adapted from the 1847 book by Charlotte Bronte

MONEYBALL
Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin & Stan Chervin

Based on Michael Lewis' book, Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY
Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan
Based on the novel by John le Carre

Awards - American Society of Cinematographers (ASC)

2012-01-12T20:38:00.000-08:00

The cinematography guild has released their nominees, and we have another blow to War Horse and another mention for Dragon Tattoo! Cinematography has always been and will always be my favorite technical category. So naturally, this is the one of the announcements I very much look forward to every year. Here are the five nominees.

JEFF CRONENWETH, ASC

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

***2nd career feature nomination (The Social Network)

HOYTE VAN HOYTEMA, FSF, NSC

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

***1st career feature nomination

EMMANUEL LUBEZKI, ASC, AMC

The Tree of Life

***3rd career feature nomination (Sleepy Hollow; Children of Men)

ROBERT RICHARDSON, ASC

Hugo

***10th career feature nomination (Born on the Fourth of July; JFK; A Few Good Men; Heaven & Earth; The Horse Whisperer; Snow Falling on Cedars; The Aviator; The Good Shepherd; Inglourious Basterds)

GUILLAUME SCHIFFMAN, AFC

The Artist

***1st career feature nomination

Oscars -- Best Makeup shortlist

2012-01-12T19:42:00.000-08:00

The Academy has released the list of the 7 films still in the running for a nomination in the Best Makeup category. 3 films will be chosen from the following list.

Albert Nobbs
Anonymous
The Artist
Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Hugo
The Iron Lady

A very mixed bag in the running this year. I could easily make a case for every film to be in the final three. If I had to predict at this moment, and this will probably change closer to nomination morning, but I'd guess for The Artist, Harry Potter, and Hugo. But again, any of these 7 would be no surprise to me.

Awards -- Directors Guild (DGA)

2012-01-12T19:29:00.000-08:00

The nominees for the DGA have long since been one of the best predictors for what films make the cut for Best Picture nominees at the Oscars, along with of course, Best Director. This year, 4 expected showings, a Spielberg snub, and a BIG ASS SURPRISE in the likes of David Fincher scoring the nod. Maybe a backlash vote for his Oscar snub last year for Social Network? Regardless, here are your nominees for the Directors Guild of America top prize...

WOODY ALLEN
Midnight in Paris
(Sony Pictures Classics)

***5th career feature nomination (Annie Hall; Manhattan; Hannah and Her Sisters; Crimes and Misdemeanors)

DAVID FINCHER
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
(Columbia Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)

***3rd career feature nomination (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; The Social Network)

MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS
The Artist
(The Weinstein Company)

***1st career feature nomination

ALEXANDER PAYNE
The Descendants
(Fox Searchlight Pictures)

***2nd career feature nomination (Sideways)

MARTIN SCORSESE
Hugo
(Paramount Pictures)

***8th career feature nomination (Taxi Driver; Raging Bull; GoodFellas; The Age of Innocence; Gangs of New York; The Aviator; The Departed)

Awards - Visual Effects Society (VES)

2012-01-12T18:33:00.000-08:00

The guild for the visual effects artists has announced it's nominees for the year, and they are usually a decent indicator (along with the finalist list released by the academy), for which films will find a nomination for Best Visual Effects. They do many different categories, covering film, tv, commercial, and videogames, but I'll only list the film categories here. The biggest is the first, effects in an effects-driven film. I like the fact that the categories are separated into live-action and animated, that way both genres can be equally awarded. I think they may have added some new categories this year too, cause I don't remember the "Virtual Cinematography" categories in previous year.

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Feature

Captain America: The First Avenger

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature

Anonymous

Hugo

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Source Code

War Horse

Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature

The Adventures of Tintin

Arthur Christmas

Kung Fu Panda 2

Puss in Boots

Rango

Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Feature

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 -- Ukranian Ironbelly

Paul -- Paul

Rise of the Planet of the Apes -- Caesar

The Thing -- Edvard/Adam

Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature

The Adventures of Tintin -- Tintin

Puss in Boots -- Puss

Rango -- Rango

Rio -- Nigel

Outstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Feature

Anonymous -- London

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 -- Hogwarts

Thor -- Heimdall's Observatory

Transformers: Dark of the Moon -- 155 Wacker Drive

Outstanding Created Environment in an Animated Feature

The Adventures of Tintin -- Bagghar

The Adventures of Tintin -- Docks

The Adventures of Tintin -- Pirate Battle

Puss in Boots -- The Cloud World

Rango -- Main Street Dirt

Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Live Action Feature

Hugo

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Thor

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in an Animated Feature

The Adventures of Tintin

Arthur Christmas

Cars 2

Rango

Outstanding Models in a Feature

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 -- Hogwarts School Buildings

Hugo -- Train Crash

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol -- Parking Garage

Transformers: Dark of the Moon -- Driller

Outstanding Compositing in a Feature

Captain America: The First Avenger

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Awards - Kansas City Film Critics

2012-01-12T17:58:00.000-08:00

I thought we were all done with the critics group, but it seems I was mistaken! The Kansas City critics announced their winners, and The Descendants took home the top prize, as well as best actor for Clooney, where as The Tree of Life took home best director and best supporting actress. Full winners below.

Best Picture

THE DESCENDANTS

Best Director

TERRENCE MALICK - "THE TREE OF LIFE"

Best Actor

GEORGE CLOONEY - "THE DESCENDANTS"

Best Actress

KIRSTEN DUNST - "MELANCHOLIA"

Best Supporting Actor

CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER - "BEGINNERS"

Best Supporting Actress

JESSICA CHASTAIN - "THE TREE OF LIFE"

Best Original Screenplay

BEGINNERS

Best Adapted Screenplay

MONEYBALL

Best Animated Film

RANGO

Best Foreign Film

A SEPARATION

Best Documentary

CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS

Best Fantasy Film
HUGO

Awards - National Society of Film Critics

2012-01-12T17:45:00.000-08:00

One of the most prestigious groups in the country, the National Society of Film Critics, have announced their winners as well. They always include the votes received in their announcement as well, so you can see how close the individual races were. Here are this year's winners...

BEST PICTURE: MELANCHOLIA (29)

Runner-ups: The Tree of Life (28), A Separation (20)

BEST DIRECTOR: TERRENCE MALICK - "THE TREE OF LIFE" (31)

Runner-ups: Martin Scorsese - "Hugo" (29), Lars von Trier - "Melancholia" (23)

BEST ACTOR: BRAD PITT - "MONEYBALL" & "THE TREE OF LIFE" (35)

Runner-ups: Gary Oldman - "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" (22), Jean Dujardin - "The Artist" (19)

BEST ACTRESS: KIRSTEN DUNST - "MELANCHOLIA" (39)

Runner-ups: Yun Jung-hee - "Poetry" (25), Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady" (20)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: ALBERT BROOKS - "DRIVE" (38)

Runner-ups: Christopher Plummer - "Beginners" (24), Patton Oswalt - "Young Adult" (19)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: JESSICA CHASTAIN - "THE TREE OF LIFE", "TAKE SHELTER" & "THE HELP" (30)

Runner-ups: Jeannie Berlin - "Margaret" (19), Shailene Woodley - "The Descendants" (17)

BEST SCREENPLAY: A SEPARATION (39)

Runner-ups: Moneyball (22), Midnight in Paris (16)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: THE TREE OF LIFE (76)

Runner-ups: Melancholia (41), Hugo (33)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: A SEPARATION (67)
Runner-ups: Mysteries of Lisbon (28), Le Havre (22)

BEST NONFICTION: CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS (35)

Runner-ups: The Interrupters (26), Into the Abyss (18)

Awards - Denver Film Critics

2012-01-12T17:20:00.000-08:00

The Denver film critics have announced their awards for the year. It's nice to see some variety going on the lists, with films such as Melancholia and Martha Marcy May Marlene showing up in big categories.

BEST PICTURE

The Artist

The Descendants

Martha Marcy May Marlene

Melancholia

The Tree of Life

BEST DIRECTOR

Sean Durkin - "Martha Marcy May Marlene"

Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist" (tie)

Terrence Malick - "The Tree of Life" (tie)

Alexander Payne - "The Descendants"

Lars Von Trier - "Melancholia"

BEST ACTOR

George Clooney - "The Descendants"

Jean Dujardin - "The Artist"

Michael Fassbender - "Shame"

Woody Harrelson - "Rampart"

Brad Pitt - "Moneyball"

BEST ACTRESS

Glenn Close - "Albert Nobbs"

Kirsten Dunst - "Melancholia"

Rooney Mara - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

Elizabeth Olsen - "Martha Marcy May Marlene"

Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Albert Brooks - "Drive"

Ryan Gosling - "Crazy, Stupid, Love"

John Hawkes - "Martha Marcy May Marlene"

Nick Nolte - "Warrior"

Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Jessica Chastain - "The Tree of Life"

Judy Greer - "The Descendants"

Melissa McCarthy - "Bridesmaids"

Janet McTeer - "Albert Nobbs"

Shailene Woodley - "The Descendants"

BEST ENSEMBLE

Bridesmaids

Contagion

The Descendants

Margin Call

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

BEST SCREENPLAY

Bridesmaids

Contagion

The Descendants

Martha Marcy May Marlene

Moneyball

BEST ANIMATED FILM

The Adventures of Tintin

Kung Fu Panda 2

Puss in Boots

Rango

Rio

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

The Artist

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hanna

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

The Double Hour

The Flowers of War

Le Havre

A Separation

The Skin I Live In

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Buck

Into the Abyss: A Tale of Death, a Tale of Life

The Other F Word

Page One: Inside The New York Times

Project Nim

BEST BREAKOUT STAR

Jessica Chastain

Felicity Jones

Rooney Mara

Elizabeth Olsen

Shailene Woodley

Awards - Writers Guild (WGA)

2012-01-07T21:03:00.000-08:00

The Writers Guild of America has announced their nominees for the year. The WGA and the Oscars rarely match up exactly, especially since several screenplays in the race every year are not eligible for the WGAs. Nevertheless, here are this year's choices.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

50/50

Will Reiser

BRIDESMAIDS

Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

Woody Allen

WIN WIN

Tom McCarthy & Joe Tiboni

YOUNG ADULT

Diablo Cody

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

THE DESCENDANTS

Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon & Jim Rash
Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemming

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

Steven Zaillian
Based on the novel by Stieg Larsson

THE HELP

Tate Taylor
Based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett

HUGO

John Logan
Based on the book "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick

MONEYBALL

Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin & Stan Chervin
Based on the book by Michael Lewis

BEST DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY

BETTER THIS WORLD

Katie Galloway & Kelly Duane de la Vega

IF A TREE FALLS: A STORY OF THE EARTH LIBERATION FRONT

Marshall Curry & Matthew Hamachek

NOSTALGIA FOR THE LIGHT

Patricio Guzman

PINA

Wim Wenders

POSITION AMONG THE STARS

Hetty Naaijkens-Retel Helmrich & Leonard Retel Helmrich

SENNA

Manish Pandey

Oscars - Visual Effects Finalists down to 10

2012-01-07T20:38:00.000-08:00

The Academy has narrowed the finalist list from 15 down to 10 for the visual effects category. The 5 nominees will be chosen from this list...

Captain America: The First Avenger
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Hugo
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Real Steel
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
The Tree of Life
X-Men: First Class

The five films eliminated from contention were Cowboys & Aliens, Sherlock Holmes 2, Sucker Punch, Super 8 & Thor.

Awards - Art Directors Guild (ADG)

2012-01-07T20:25:00.000-08:00

The next guild to announce their nominees is the Art Directors Guild. They group their awards into 3 categories: Contemporary, Fantasy & Period films.

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN OF A CONTEMPORARY FILM

BRIDESMAIDS

Jefferson Sage

THE DESCENDANTS

Jane Anne Stewart

DRIVE

Beth Mickle

EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE

K.K. Barrett

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

Donald Graham Burt

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN OF A FANTASY FILM

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN

tbd

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Rick Heinrichs

COWBOYS & ALIENS

Scott Chambliss

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2

Stuart Craig

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES

John Myhre

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN OF A PERIOD FILM

ANONYMOUS

Sebastian Krawinkel

THE ARTIST

Laurence Bennett

THE HELP

Mark Ricker

HUGO

Dante Ferretti

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Maria Djurkovic

Awards - Producers Guild (PGA)

2012-01-07T20:06:00.000-08:00

And now, the run of the Guilds begin. We already had the SAG announce their nominees, and now the Producers Guild of America has announced their 10 nominees for the Best Film of the Year. A few surprises, with most of the expected arrivals as well. Bridesmaids and The Ides of March crash into the final list, while the more expected Drive & The Tree of Life can't find a home. Nice to see some variety in play. And the nominees are...

THE ARTIST

Producer: Thomas Langmann

BRIDESMAIDS

Producers: Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel & Clayton Townsend

THE DESCENDANTS

Producers: Jim Burke, Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

Producers: Cean Chaffin & Scott Rudin

THE HELP

Producers: Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus & Brunson Green

HUGO

Producers: Graham King & Martin Scorsese

THE IDES OF MARCH

Producers: George Clooney, Grant Heslov & Brian Oliver

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

Producers: Letty Aronson & Stephen Tenenbaum

MONEYBALL

Producers: Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz & Brad Pitt

WAR HORSE

Producers: Kathleen Kennedy & Steven Spielberg

And the nominees for the Best Animated Feature category...

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN
Producers: Peter Jackson, Kathleen Kennedy & Steven Spielberg

CARS 2

Producer: Denise Ream

KUNG FU PANDA 2

Producer: Melissa Cobb

PUSS IN BOOTS

Producers: Joe M. Aguilar & Latifa Ouaou

RANGO

Producers: John B. Carls & Gore Verbinski

Awards - Vancouver Film Critics

2012-01-07T19:38:00.000-08:00

The Vancouver critics have announced their nominees. Pretty much the regulars showing up here as well, with a few lesser choices thrown in as well.

BEST FILM

The Artist

The Descendants

The Tree of Life

BEST DIRECTOR
Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist"

Terrence Malick - "The Tree of Life"

Martin Scorsese - "Hugo"

BEST ACTOR

Jean Dujardin - "The Artist"

Michael Fassbender - "Shame"

Michael Shannon - "Take Shelter"

BEST ACTRESS

Elizabeth Olsen - "Martha Marcy May Marlene"

Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady"

Michelle Williams - "My Week with Marilyn"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Kenneth Branagh - "My Week with Marilyn"

Albert Brooks - "Drive"

Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Jessica Chastain - "The Tree of Life"

Melissa McCarthy - "Bridesmaids"

Shailene Woodley - "The Descendants"

BEST SCREENPLAY

The Artist

The Descendants

Midnight in Paris

Moneyball

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

The Kid with a Bike

Poetry

A Separation

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

The Interrupters

Nostalgia for the Light

Project Nim

Surviving Progress

BEST CANADIAN FILM: Cafe de flore
BEST DIRECTOR OF A CANADIAN FILM: David Cronenberg - "A Dangerous Method"
BEST ACTOR IN A CANADIAN FILM: Peter Stormare - "Small Town Murder Songs"
BEST ACTRESS IN A CANADIAN FILM: Michelle Williams - "Take This Waltz"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A CANADIAN FILM: Viggo Mortensen - "A Dangerous Method"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A CANADIAN FILM: Helene Florent - "Cafe de flore"
BEST BRITISH COLUMBIA FILM: People of a Feather

Online Film Critics winners

2012-01-07T19:21:00.000-08:00

The winners have been announced from the Online Film Critics, with The Tree of Life taking the most prizes, including Best Picture.

Best Picture

THE TREE OF LIFE

Best Director

TERRENCE MALICK - "THE TREE OF LIFE"

Best Actor

MICHAEL FASSBENDER - "SHAME"

Best Actress

TILDA SWINTON - "WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN"

Best Supporting Actor

CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER - "BEGINNERS"

Best Supporting Actress

JESSICA CHASTAIN - "THE TREE OF LIFE"

Best Original Screenplay

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

Best Adapted Screenplay

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Best Animated Feature

RANGO

Best Cinematography

THE TREE OF LIFE

Best Film Editing

THE TREE OF LIFE

Best Foreign Language Film

A SEPARATION

Best Documentary
CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS

Awards - Central Ohio Film Critics

2012-01-02T13:34:00.000-08:00

The COFCA, located primarily based out of Columbus, Ohio, have announced their nominees. There were a few ties in the voting round, so several categories have more than the usual number of nominees. Love some of the choices here. Nice to see a few things, like Source Code, and Tinker Tailor, and Hanna pop up.

They will announce winners soon, but here are the nominees.

BEST PICTURE

1. DRIVE

2. Martha Marcy May Marlene
3. Take Shelter

4. Melancholia

5. The Descendants.
6. Midnight in Paris
7. The Tree of Life
8. The Artist
9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

10. Hugo

Honorable Mentions: The Ides of March, Margin Call, Moneyball, Super 8, Win Win

BEST DIRECTOR

David Fincher - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

Terrence Malick - "The Tree of Life"

Nicolas Winding Refn - "Drive"

Martin Scorsese - "Hugo"

Lars von Trier - "Melancholia"

BEST ACTOR

George Clooney - "The Descendants"

Jean Dujardin - "The Artist"

Michael Fassbender - "Shame"

Ryan Gosling - "Drive"

Michael Shannon - "Take Shelter"

BEST ACTRESS

Viola Davis - "The Help"

Kirsten Dunst - "Melancholia"

Elizabeth Olsen - "Martha Marcy May Marlene"

Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady"

Charlize Theron - "Young Adult"

Michelle Williams - "My Week with Marilyn"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Albert Brooks - "Drive"

John Hawkes - "Martha Marcy May Marlene"

Patton Oswalt - "Young Adult"

Brad Pitt - "The Tree of Life"

Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Jessica Chastain - "The Help"

Jessica Chastain - "The Tree of Life"

Melissa McCarthy - "Bridesmaids"

Carey Mulligan - "Shame"

Shailene Woodley - "The Descendants"

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST

Bridesmaids

The Descendants

The Help

The Ides of March

Margin Call

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

The Tree of Life

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Midnight in Paris

Source Code

Take Shelter

The Tree of Life

Young Adult

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Descendants

Drive

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Ides of March

Moneyball

BEST ANIMATED FILM

The Adventures of Tintin

Arthur Christmas

Kung Fu Panda 2

Rango

Winnie the Pooh

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Drive

Hugo

Melancholia

The Tree of Life

War Horse

BEST SCORE

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hanna

Hugo

The Tree of Life

War Horse

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

13 Assassins

Certified Copy

I Saw the Devil

Of Gods and Men

The Skin I Live In

BEST DOCUMENTARY

African Cats

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

Project Nim

Tabloid

ACTOR OF THE YEAR (for an exemplary body of work)
Jessica Chastain - "Coriolanus", "The Debt", "The Help", "Take Shelter", "Texas Killing Fields" & "The Tree of Life"

George Clooney - "The Descendants" & "The Ides of March"

Michael Fassbender - "A Dangerous Method", "Jane Eyre", "Shame" & "X-Men: First Class"

Ryan Gosling - "Crazy, Stupid, Love.", "Drive" & "The Ides of March"

Brad Pitt - "Happy Feet Two", "Moneyball" & "The Tree of Life"

BREAKTHROUGH FILM ARTIST

Jessica Chastain -- acting -- "Coriolanus", "The Debt", "The Help", "Take Shelter", "Texas Killing Fields" & "The Tree of Life"

Sean Durkin -- directing & screenwriting -- "Martha Marcy May Marlene"

Elizabeth Olsen -- acting -- "Martha Marcy May Marlene"

Nicolas Winding Refn -- directing -- "Drive"

Shailene Woodley -- acting -- "The Descendants"

BEST OVERLOOKED FILM

Attack the Block

Beginners

Higher Ground

Margaret

Of Gods and Men

Awards - Austin Film Critics

2012-01-02T10:16:00.000-08:00

Another win in the bag for Hugo as Best Film, this time from the Austin film critics. I like their top ten as well. Nice variety for a change with some of the usual suspects throw in for good measure. Apparently I really do need to see Take Shelter.

Top Ten Films

1. HUGO (Best Film of the Year)

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

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

Best Adapted Screenplay

Drive

Best Animated Feature
Rango

Best Cinematography

The Tree of Life

Best Original Score

Attack the Block

Best Foreign Language Film

I Saw the Devil

Best Documentary
Senna

Oscars - 265 Eligible Films this year!

2011-12-31T09:18:00.000-08:00

Every year, there are usually somewhere between 250 & 325 or so films released that are eligible for the Academy Awards. The films released that AREN'T are few and far between. Either they didn't complete the necessary Los Angeles qualifying run, or they are foreign films that were eligible last year, or one of only a few other foreseeable circumstances.

Regardless, the list has been revealed by the Academy of the films eligible for this year's awards, and there are 265 films this year. How many have you seen? At the time of this post, I'm up to 84, almost a third of the way there.

Abduction

The Adjustment Bureau

The Adventures of Tintin

African Cats

Albert Nobbs

Alois Nebel

Alvin and theChipmunks: Chipwrecked

Amigo

Anonymous

Another Earth

Another HappyDay

Answers ToNothing

Apollo 18

Arrugas(Wrinkles)

The Art ofGetting By

Arthur

ArthurChristmas

The Artist

@URFRENZ

Atlas Shrugged:Part 1

Attack theBlock

Back DoorChannels: The Price of Peace

Bad Teacher

Battle: LosAngeles

Beastly

Beats, Rhymes& Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest

Beautiful Boy

The Beaver

Beginners

A Better Life

The Big Bang

Big Mommas:Like Father, Like Son

The Big Year

Blackthorn

Bloodworth

The Boy Mir –Ten Years in Afghanistan

Bridesmaids

Brighton Rock

Bucky Larson:Born to Be a Star

CaptainAmerica: The First Avenger

Carancho

Carnage

Cars 2

A Cat in Paris

Cedar Rapids

Certified Copy

The Change-Up

Chico &Rita

Circumstance

Colombiana

Conan theBarbarian

The Conquest

The Conspirator

Contagion

Coriolanus

Courageous

Cowboys &Aliens

Cracks

Crazy, Stupid,Love.

Dam999

A DangerousMethod

The DarkestHour

Daydream Nation

The Debt

The Descendants

The Devil’sDouble

Diary of aWimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

The Dilemma

Dirty Girl

Dolphin Tale

Don’t Be Afraidof the Dark

Dream House

Drive

Drive Angry

The Eagle

Elektra Luxx

Everything MustGo

ExportingRaymond

Extremely Loud& Incredibly Close

Fast Five

50/50

FinalDestination 5

Finding Kind

The FirstGrader

The Flower ofWar

Fly Away

Footloose

Friends withBenefits

Fright Night

The Future

Gainsbourg: AHeroic Life

The Girl withthe Dragon Tattoo

Glee: The 3DConcert Movie

Gnomeo &Juliet

A Good OldFashioned Orgy

The Grace Card

The GreatestMiracle

The GreenHornet

Green Lantern

The Guard

Hall Pass

The HangoverPart II

Hanna

Happy Feet Two

Happythankyoumoreplease

Harry Potterand the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Hell and BackAgain

The Help

Higher Ground

Hitler’s Grave

Hoodwinked Too!Hood vs. Evil

Hop

Horrible Bosses

Hugo

I Am NumberFour

I Don’t knowHow She Does It

I Melt With You

The Ides ofMarch

Immortals

In Darkness

In Search ofGod

In the Land ofBlood and Honey

In Time

Insidious

The Iron Lady

J. Edgar

Jack and Jill

Jane Eyre

Johnny EnglishReborn

Jose and Pilar

Judy Moody andthe Not Bummer Summer

Jumping theBroom

Just Go With It

Justin Bieber:Never Say Never

Kill theIrishman

Kung Fu Panda 2

The Lady

Larry Crowne

The Last Ride

Le Havre

Life, Above All

Like Crazy

Limitless

The LincolnLawyer

Machine GunPreacher

Margaret

Margin Call

Mars Needs Moms

Martha MarcyMay Marlene

The Mechanic

Meek’s Cutoff

Meet MonicaVelour

Melancholia

Midnight inParis

The Mill &the Cross

Miral

Mission:Impossible – Ghost Protocol

Moneyball

Monte Carlo

Mozart’s Sister

Mr. Popper’sPenguins

The Muppets

The Music NeverStopped

My Week withMarilyn

Mysteries ofLisbon

The Myth of theAmerican Sleepover

The Names ofLove

New Year’s Eve

No StringsAttached

Norman

Of Gods and Men

Olive

One Day

Our IdiotBrother

ParanormalActivity 3

Pariah

Passione

Paul

Pirates of theCaribbean: On Stranger Tides

Pom WonderfulPresents The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

Potiche

Priest

The Princess ofMontpensier

Project Nim

Prom

Puncture

Puss in Boots

Rampart

Rango

Real Steel

Rebirth

Red Riding Hood

Red State

Restless

Rio

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

The Rite

The Roommate

The Rum Diary

Salvation Boulevard

Sanctum

Sarah’s Key

Scream 4

Season of the Witch

Senna

A Separation

Shame

Shark Night 3D

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

The Sitter

The Skin I Live In

The Smell of Success

The Smurfs

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Something Borrowed

A Somewhat Gentle Man

Soul Surfer

Source Code

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D

Straw Dogs

Submarine

Sucker Punch

Super

Super 8

Take Me Home Tonight

Take Shelter

Terri

The Thing

30 Minutes or Less

Thor

The Three Musketeers

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Tower Heist

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

The Tree of Life

Trust

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1

Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family

Tyrannosaur

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

Undefeated

Unknown

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas

Viva Riva!

W.E.

War Horse

Warrior

Water for Elephants

The Way

We Bought a Zoo

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Weekend

What’s Your Number?

The Whistleblower

White Irish Drinkers

Win Win

Winnie the Pooh

Women Art Revolution

The Women on the 6^th Floor

X-Men: First Class

Young Adult

Young Goethe in Love

Your Highness

Zookeeper

Oscars -- 2011 Poster revealed

2011-12-30T09:17:00.000-08:00

Here is the official poster for this year's Academy Awards. 8 films, 1 chosen from each decade, are represented. Can you name them? If not, here's some help. All but one of them are Best Picture winners.

Top left -- FORREST GUMP -- winner of 6 Oscars including Adapted Screenplay, Actor, Director & Best Picture (1994)

Top middle -- THE GODFATHER -- winner of 3 Oscars including Adapted Screenplay, Actor & Best Picture (1972)

Top right -- THE SOUND OF MUSIC -- winner of 5 Oscars including Director & Best Picture (1965)

Middle left -- GONE WITH THE WIND -- winner of 8 Oscars including Screenplay, Supporting Actress, Actress, Director & Best Picture (1939)

Middle right -- DRIVING MISS DAISY -- winner of 4 Oscars including Adapted Screenplay, Actress & Best Picture (1989)

Bottom left -- GIANT -- winner of Best Director (1956) [only non-Picture winner on poster]

Bottom middle -- GLADIATOR -- winner of 5 Oscars including Actor & Best Picture (2000)

Bottom right -- CASABLANCA -- winner of 3 Oscars including Screenplay, Director & Best Picture (1943)

Awards - Online Film Critics

2011-12-27T22:15:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite awards of every year, as you can imagine. Many times I find myself agreeing with their choices, if not at least with their nominees. Hopefully, in the near future, I can gain membership myself. There are a few films I'm surprised to not see represented but all in all, I think they are a solid group of choices. Here are the full nominees...and winners. The Tree of Life takes home 5 awards, including Supporting Actress, Director & Best Picture.

BEST PICTURE

The Artist

The Descendants

Drive

Hugo

The Tree of Life

BEST DIRECTOR

Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist"

Terrence Malick - "The Tree of Life"

Nicolas Winding Refn - "Drive"

Martin Scorsese - "Hugo"

Lars Von Trier - "Melancholia"

BEST ACTOR

George Clooney - "The Descendants"

Jean Dujardin - "The Artist"

Michael Fassbender - "Shame"

Gary Oldman - "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"

Michael Shannon - "Take Shelter"

BEST 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 SUPPORTRING 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 Soldier Spy

We Need to Talk About Kevin

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

The Adventures of Tintin

Arthur Christmas

Kung Fu Panda 2

Rango

Winnie the Pooh

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Artist

Drive

Hugo

Melancholia

The Tree of Life

BEST FILM EDITING

Drive

Martha Marcy May Marlene

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

The Tree of Life

We Need to Talk About Kevin

BEST NON-ENGLISH FILM

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

Oscars - There are 97 eligible original scores this year....

2011-12-23T19:46:00.000-08:00

.......and unfortunately, DRIVE, A DANGEROUS METHOD, THE TREE OF LIFE are not part of that list. This particular race just got a tad-bit (but not hugely) narrower in here. The submitted and eligible scores are..

“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

Awards - Utah Film Critics

2011-12-22T21:50:00.000-08:00

The Utah critics have announced, and in a few categories, at least we got some variety. Nice love for JGL & 50/50.

BEST PICTURE: DRIVE
Runner-up: The Artist

BEST DIRECTOR: MICHAEL HAZANAVICIUS - "THE ARTIST"
Runner-up: Nicolas Winding Refn - "Drive"

BEST ACTOR: JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT - "50/50"
Runner-up: Jean Dujardin - "The Artist

BEST ACTRESS: MICHELLE WILLIAMS - "MY WEEK WITH MARILYN"
Runner-up: Rooney Mara - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: ALBERT BROOKS - "DRIVE"
Runner-up: Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: AMY RYAN - "WIN WIN"
Runner-up: Vanessa Redgrave - "Coriolanus"

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: 50/50
Runner-up: Beginners

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: THE DESCENDANTS
Runner-up: The Muppets

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: RANGO
Runner-up: The Adventures of Tintin & Kung Fu Panda 2

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: DRIVE
Runner-up: The Tree of Life

BEST NON-ENGLISH FILM: A SEPARATION
Runner-up: 13 Assassin

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: SENNA
Runner-up: Project Nim

Awards - London Film Critics

2011-12-22T21:34:00.000-08:00

The critics from across the pond have released their nominees for the year. As always, they've broken their awards up between British and non. Good times. The only film to show up on both lists, is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

FILM OF THE YEAR

The Artist

Drive

A Separation

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

The Tree of Life

BRITISH FILM OF THE YEAR

The Guard

Kill List

Shame

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

We Need to Talk About Kevin

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Asghar Farhadi - "A Separation"

Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist"

Terrence Malick - "The Tree of Life"

Lynne Ramsay - "We Need to Talk About Kevin"

Nicolas Winding Refn - "Drive"

ACTOR OF THE YEAR

George Clooney - "The Descendants"

Jean Dujardin - "The Artist"

Michael Fassbender - "Shame"

Ryan Gosling - "Drive"

Gary Oldman - "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"

BRITISH ACTOR OF THE YEAR

Tom Cullen - "Weekend"

Michael Fassbender - "A Dangerous Method" & "Shame"

Brendan Gleeson - "The Guard"

Peter Mullan - "Tyrannosaur" & "War Horse"

Gary Oldman - "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"

ACTRESS OF THE YEAR

Kirsten Dunst - "Melancholia"

Anna Paquin - "Margaret" (tie)

Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady" (tie)

Tilda Swinton - "We Ned to Talk About Kevin"

Michelle Williams - "My Week with Marilyn"

BRITISH ACTRESS OF THE YEAR

Olivia Colman - "The Iron Lady" & "Tyrannosaur"

Carey Mulligan - "Drive" & "Shame'

Vanessa Redgrave - "Anonymous" & "Coriolanus"

Tilda Swinton - "We Need to Talk About Kevin"

Rachel Weisz - "The Deep Blue Sea"

SUPPORTING ACTOR OF THE YEAR

Simon Russell Beale - "The Deep Blue Sea"

Kenneth Branagh - "My Week with Marilyn"

Albert Brooks - "Drive"

Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"

Michael Smiley - "Kill List"

SUPPORTING ACTRESS OF THE YEAR

Sareh Bayat - "A Separation"

Jessica Chastain - "The Help"

Vanessa Redgrave - "Coriolanus"

Octavia Spencer - "The Help"

Jacki Weaver - "Animal Kingdom"

SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR

The Artist - Michael Hazanavicius

The Descendants - Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon & Jim Rash

Margaret - Kenneth Lonergan

A Separation - Asghar Farhadi

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR

Le Quattro Volte

Mysteries of Lisbon

Poetry

A Separation

The Skin I Live In

DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

Dreams of a Life

Pina

Project Nim

Senna

BREAKTHROUGH BRITISH FILMMAKER

Richard Ayoade - "Submarine"

Paddy Considine - "Tyrannosaur"

Joe Cornish - "Attack the Block"

Andrew Haigh - "Weekend"

John Michael McDonagh - "The Guard"

YOUNG BRITISH PERFORMER OF THE YEAR

John Boyega - "Attack the Block"

Jeremy Irvine - "War Horse"

Yasmin Paige - "Submarine"

Craig Roberts - "Submarine"

Saoirse Ronan - "Hanna"

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR

Manuel Alberto Claro - "Melancholia" - cinematography

Paul Davis - "We Need to Talk About Kevin" - sound design

Maria Djurkovic - "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" - production design

Dante Ferretti - "Hugo" - production design

Alberto Iglesias - "The Skin I Live In" - original score

Chris King & Gregers Sall - "Senna" - film editing

Joe Letteri - "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" - visual effects

Cliff Martinez - "Drive" - original score

Robert Richardson - "Hugo" - cinematography

Robbie Ryan - "Wuthering Heights" - cinematography