Awards -- Cinema Audio Society (CAS)

The sound guild released their nominees a few days ago, and with no really big surprises, here's how it went. Wouldn't be a big surprised if these 5 made up the Oscar nominees either. Although don't count out a few others, most notably Basterds & Up. Oh, and special congrats to Andy Nelson & Gary Summers for their 2 nods, and to my friend Greg P. Russell for his nomination.

AVATAR
Re-recording Mixers: Chris Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson
Production Mixer: Tony Johnson, CAS

DISTRICT 9
Re-recording Mixers: Michael Hedges, Gilbert Lake
Production Mixer: Ken Saville

THE HURT LOCKER
Re-recording Mixer: Paul N.J. Ottosson
Production Mixer: Ray Beckett

STAR TREK
Re-recording Mixers: Andy Nelson, Anna Behlmer
Production Mixer: Peter J. Devlin, CAS

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN
Re-recording Mixers: Greg P. Russell, CAS, Gary Summers
Production Mixer: Geoffrey Patterson, CAS

News -- Best Foreign Language Film finalists

The list of entries has been narrowed down to 9 finalists. Of these films, 5 will become Oscar-nominees. As of now, France & Germany have to considering the front-runners still, but don't count out Argentina & Australia, who have very strong entries as well. The finalists are...

Argentina -- "El Secreto de Sus Ojos"
Australia -- "Samson & Delilah"
Bulgaria -- "The World is Big and Salvation Lurks Around the Corner"
France -- "Un Prophete"
Germany -- "The White Ribbon"
Israel -- "Ajami"
Kazakhstan -- "Kelin"
The Netherlands -- "Winter in Wartime"
Peru -- "The Milk of Sorrow"

Awards -- Visual Effects Society (VES)

The Visual Effects Society released their nominees for this year, and surprise surprise, AVATAR leads the list of nominees, scooping up a grand total of 11.

VISUAL EFFECTS IN A VISUAL EFFECTS DRIVEN FEATURE FILM
2012
Avatar
District 9
Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

SUPPORTING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A FEATURE FILM
Angels & Demons
The Box
Invictus
The Road
Sherlock Holmes

ANIMATION IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
9
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Up

BEST SINGLE VISUAL EFFECT OF THE YEAR
"2012" -- Escape from L.A.
"Avatar"
"Avatar" -- Quarich's Escape
"Knowing" -- Plane Crash
"Terminator: Salvation" -- VLA Escape

ANIMATED CHARACTER IN A LIVE-ACTION FEATURE FILM
"Avatar" -- Neytiri
"District 9" -- Christopher Johnson
"G-Force" -- Bucky
"Watchmen" -- Doctor Manhattan

ANIMATED CHARACTER IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
"Coraline" -- Coraline
"Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" -- Buck
"Monsters vs. Aliens" -- B.O.B.
"Up" -- Carl

EFFECTS ANIMATION IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
Monsters vs. Aliens
Up

MATTE PAINTING IN A FEATURE FILM
"Avatar" -- Pandora
"Avatar" -- Franklyn
"Avatar" -- Meanwhile City Scapes
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
"Star Trek"

MODELS AND MINIATURES IN A FEATURE FILM
"Avatar" -- Samson / Home Tree / Floating Mountains / Ampsuit
"Coraline"
"Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian" -- National Air and Space Museum Escape
"Terminator: Salvation"

CREATED ENVIRONMENT IN A FEATURE FILM
"2012" -- Los Angeles Destruction
"Avatar" -- Floating Mountains
"Avatar" -- Jungle / Biolume
"Avatar" -- Willow Glade

COMPOSITING IN A FEATURE FILM
"Avatar"
"Avatar" -- End Battle
"District 9"
"Sherlock Holmes" -- Wharf Explosion Sequence

#5 of 2009...INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

5. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (director: Quentin Tarantino)

I can't think of anyone else but Quentin Tarantino even attempting to make this movie, much less succeeding on all levels at it. In what may be the most quotable film of the year, (due in large part to the delivery of Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz), it is also one of the best-written scripts of the year. The film reaks of Tarantino, and I say that in a good way. His usual 15 minutes of dialogue before 30 seconds of action formula is never wasted, because the dialogue is just THAT good. Technically the film is fantastic, especially in it's design elements. But the real stars here are the actors and the story, as they always are in his films. Brother...business is a boomin!

#6 of 2009...UP IN THE AIR

6. UP IN THE AIR (director: Jason Reitman)







Nothing is harder than following success in Hollywood. And after directing Thank You For Smoking and Juno, Jason Reitman had his work cut out for him. Fortunately, Up in the Air is a wonderful film, at times heartbreaking, at times hilarious, and at times honestly truthful. The tale of a man who fires others for a living is not exactly an easy one, but due to the charm, wit, and sheer starpower of George Clooney, it becomes a performance to admire. For me, the best performances were given by the women of the film. Vera Farmiga has never been sexier (or better) as a fellow frequent-flier who strikes up a relationship with Clooney. I thought she was one of the best things about The Departed back in 06, and yet she was completely passed over when it came to recognition. She's earning it here, and she deserves it. Also, Anna Kendrick's turn as a new fresh-faced young upstart who has far-too-big asperations to turn Clooney's company around in the face of sheer profit is something she should be proud of. She can take her nomination and shove if in her "Twilight" co-stars face, proving that a cliche role in a popular series can amazingly NOT be a career killer.

#7 of 2009...I LOVE YOU, MAN

7. I LOVE YOU, MAN (directed: John Hamburg)

Let it be said and known to the world now...if (as an actor) I could ever work with one guy in a comedy film, that guy would be Jason Segel. The guy is BRILLIANT, and his performance (along with a wonderful turn by Paul Rudd), make this film not only the best "buddy" comedy of the year, but the best comedy film of the year...period. The journey of a man to find some "bro" friends is heartfelt, hilarious, and at times disturbing, but the chemistry of the cast, along with the hilarious dialogue and brutally honest subject matter make for a film that may be at slight times a little too close to home, but nonetheless, gets funnier and funnier with each viewing. Oh, and it's RIDICULOUSLY quotable. "Slappin the bass", "Laters on the menjai", these are now offically in my lexicon.

#8 of 2009...STAR TREK

8. STAR TREK (director: J.J. Abrams)



The last few years have brought up several "reboots" of classic franchises, but none have succeeded such admirably as Star Trek. The sheer joy of the TV franchise shows thru on the big-screen, and the casting is pitch-perfect. The realistic and "futuristic" camera-work, along with a storyline that (OMG) actually makes sense (!!!), this Star Trek should and will fuel the franchise into a complete restarting, and reimagining. PS...bonus points for bringing back Leonard Nimoy, in a role that he himself thought was wonderful.

#9 of 2009...UP

9. UP (director: Pete Docter)







The most dependable studio for over a decade now has been Pixar. The studio that broke the mold, and gave the world the first-EVER completely computer-generated animated film. From the start, Pixar has been a beacon by which all other animated film studios are measured. And while some specific films has reached similar heights (Shrek, Spirited Away), the fact is, no studio, animated or live-action, has produced such reliably and wonderfully as Pixar. In fact, 5 different films (including Up), each made it on my personal top-ten lists of their respective years this decade, including Ratatouille taking the #1 spot in 2007. This particular story, of a lonely old-man (voice wonderfully by Ed Asner), flying his house down to South America, as a tribute to his late wife's lifelong wishes, touches the heart, ignites the soul, and signals the laughter in all ages. Up is a truly wondrous film. And the "married life" montage earns my vote as the best single "scene" in any film this year. Never has 4 minutes shown and made real so many emotions.

#10 of 2009...MOON

10. MOON (director: Duncan Jones)

The most purely science-fiction film of the year, in a year with several, and one of the most original. A completely original idea, wonderfullly fleshed out from an original story by Duncan Jones (who also directed). Also contains possibly Sam Rockwell's best performance to date (and with Green Mile, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, etc.. popping into my head, that's saying A LOT). A hit at several film festivals including Sundance, this is a film that will be watched and discussed for years to come. The great question...if you were alone, and you found...yourself (literally), what would youdo. Genius work all around.

Reviews -- My Official Top Ten of 2009....

Firstly, there are quite a few people I have read who think that 2009 was a bad year in cinema. I'm completely in disagreement with them. I found 09 to bring us characters and stories that will be discussed and watched, admired and scrutinized, analyzed and enjoyed for year to come. That being said...I always give an "Honorable Mentions" list along with my top ten. This are 10 (or more) films that didn't quite make my top ten list, but nevertheless stirred me, entertained me, and damn it require some recognition.

HONORABLE MENTIONS FOR 2009

Adventureland

An Education

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The Messenger

The Princess and the Frog

The Road

Sunshine Cleaning

Two Lovers

Where the Wild Things Are

And now...my top ten of 2009..

Awards -- Ace Eddie Nominees (ACE)

The Film Editing also released their nominees today. It's CRUCIAL for a film that is going to win best picture at the oscars, to at least get nominated here. That said, with today's WGA nods, as well as the PGA nods from a few days ago, it's very possible that the sci-fi year might become a reality. Avatar is a lock for a Best Picture nod, but the acclaim and nods are seriously racking up for both District 9 and Star Trek as well. I would LOVE for all 3 to be in the Picture race, but here's hoping!

DRAMA

AVATAR
Stephen Rivkin, John Refua & James Cameron

DISTRICT 9
Julian Clarke

THE HURT LOCKER (WINNER)
Bob Murawski & Chris Innis

STAR TREK
Maryann Brandon & Mary Jo Markey

UP IN THE AIR
Dana Glauberman


COMEDY

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER
Alan Edward Bell

THE HANGOVER (WINNER)
Debra Neil-Fisher

IT'S COMPLICATED
Joe Hutshing & David Moritz

JULIE & JULIA
Richard Marks

A SERIOUS MAN
Roderick Jaynes (Joel & Ethan Coen)


ANIMATED FILM

CORALINE
Christopher Murrie & Ronald Sanders

FANTASTIC MR. FOX
Andrew Weisblum

UP (WINNER)
Kevin Nolting


DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

THE COVE (WINNER)
Geoffrey Richman

FOOD, INC.
Kim Roberts

THIS IS IT
Don Brochu

News -- Makeup Oscar Finalists

The Academy has released the shortlist of 7 finalists for this year's Best Makeup Oscar. In my humble opinion, they left off some SERIOUSLY good work, particularly in the films Drag Me to Hell, Inglourious Basterds, Harry Potter 6, and Watchmen. But the 3 nominees will be taken from these finalists...

District 9
Il Divo
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
The Road
Star Trek
The Young Victoria

If I had to predict right now, I would say...

District 9
Imaginarium
Star Trek

as those are the most popular and previously lauded choices going in. However, the makeup branch is never afraid to throw a WTF in their choices...look no further than A Beautiful Mind, Norbit, Master & Commander, The Sea Inside, and Cinderella Man for examples.

Awards -- ASC (American Society of Cinematographers) nominees

The Cinematography guild has released their picks for the year. Always one of my favorite categories to watch. Not surprised at any of these choices, but was really hoping to see The Road show up. Where the film may have had definite weaknesses, it's camera-work was definitely not one of them. Oh well. And the nominees are...

AVATAR
Mauro Fiore, ASC

THE HURT LOCKER
Barry Ackroyd, BSC

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
Robert Richardson, ASC

NINE
Dion Beebe, ASC, ACS

THE WHITE RIBBON
Christian Berger, AAC

Awards -- Writers Guild (WGA) Nominees

It's important to remember that MANY of the most lauded screenplays of the year, including Basterds, District 9, A Single Man, and The Road, were all not eligible here. So don't be surprised if these nominees end up looking very different from the Oscar lineup. But nonetheless...

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER
Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber

AVATAR
James Cameron

THE HANGOVER
Jon Lucas & Scott Moore

THE HURT LOCKER
Mark Boal

A SERIOUS MAN
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen


ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

CRAZY HEART
Scott Cooper
Based on the novel by Thomas Cobb

JULIE & JULIA
Nora Ephron
Based on the books Julie & Julia by Julie Powell & My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud-homme

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL 'PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE
Geoffrey Fletcher
Based on the novel Pusy by Sapphire

STAR TREK
Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
Based on Star Trek; created by Gene Roddenberry

UP IN THE AIR
Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner
Based on the novel by Walter Kim


DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY

AGAINST THE TIDE
Richard Trank

CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY
Michael Moore

THE COVE
Mark Monroe

EARTH DAYS
Robert Stone

GOOD HAIR
Chris Rock, Jeff Stilson, Lance Crouther & Chuck Sklar

SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION
Bill Guttentag & Dan Sturman

Awards -- Directors Guild (DGA)

Basically reconfirming the frontrunners of this year's race, the Director's Guild of America announced their nominees. Basically, if their were only 5 nominees for Picture this year, these 5 films would 99.9% likely be the 5 nominated films. Was hoping for a good surprise in this list, especially for Neill Blomkamp, but the nominees are...

Kathryn Bigelow
The Hurt Locker

James Cameron
Avatar

Lee Daniels
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Jason Reitman
Up in the Air

Quentin Tarantino
Inglourious Basterds

News -- Visual Effects Category

The Academy has narrowed down the initial list of 15 semi-finalists in the Visual Effects category, down to 7 finalists. From these 7 films, the 3 nominees will be chosen. On Thursday, January 21, all members of the Academy's Visual Effects Brach will be invited to view 15-minute excerpts form each of the seven films. Following the screenings, the members will vote to nominate three filims for final Oscar consideration. The 7 finalists are...

Avatar
District 9
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Star Trek
Terminator: Salvation
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
2012

Awards -- USC Scripter Nominees

The USC Scripter is an award given for adapted screenplays. However, they are the only group that ALSO give their award to the original source material, be it a book, other screenplay, etc... In that way, this award is unique, but nonetheless always a good indicator to watch when it comes to the adapted screenplay category. An Education, Precious, and Up in the Air where all pretty easy guesses, but the inclusion of District 9 is a huge boost for the film, especially after being nominated at the PGA earlier today as well. It's possible that District 9 could sneak into the Best Picture race after all, where it deserves to be. This year, the USC Scripter nominees are...

CRAZY HEART
Scott Cooper, screenwriter
Thomas Cobb, author

DISTRICT 9
Neill Blomkamp, screenwriter and author
Terri Tatchell, screenwriter

AN EDUCATION
Nick Hornby, screenwriter
Lynn Barber, author

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL 'PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE
Geoffrey Fletcher, screenwriter
Sapphire, author

UP IN THE AIR
Jason Reitman, screenwriter
Sheldon Turner, screenwriter
Walter Kirn, author

Awards -- Producers Guild Nominees (PGA)

One of the biggest groups of the year to watch, along with the SAG, DGA, and WGA, have announced their nominees this morning. Like the Oscars, they've chosen to expand their list of nominees to 10. And the nominees are...

PRODUCER OF A FEATURE FILM

AVATAR
Producers: James Cameron & Jon Landau

DISTRICT 9
Producers: Carolynne Cunningham & Peter Jackson

AN EDUCATION
Producers: Finola Dwyer & Amanda Posey

THE HURT LOCKER
Producers: TBD

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
Producer: Lawrence Bender

INVICTUS
Producers: Clint Eastwood, Rob Lorenz, Lori McCreary & Mace Neufeld

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL 'PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE
Producers: Lee Daniels, Gary Magness & Sarah Siegl-Magness

STAR TREK
Producers: J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof

UP
Producer: Jonas Rivera

UP IN THE AIR
Producer: TBD


Here also are the nominees in the animated feature & documentary categories...

PRODUCER IN ANIMATED THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

9
Producer: TBD

CORALINE
Producer: TBD

FANTASTIC MR. FOX
Producer: TBD

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG
Producer: Peter Del Vecho

UP
Producer: Jonas Rivera


PRODUCER OF THE YEAR IN DOCUMENTARY

BURMA VJ
Producer: Lise Lense-Moller

THE COVE
Producers: Pauls DuPre Pesman & Fisher Stevens

SERGIO
Producer: TBD

SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION
Producer: TBD

Awards -- National Society of Film Critics

Usually a group that thinks outside the box completely, last year they went with Happy-Go-Lucky for most of their awards, except for Best Picture, which they awarded to Waltz With Bashir. However, this year, they went with THE HURT LOCKER, which has now won this, and both the LA and NY critics. The last film to do that? L.A. Confidential, which eventually lost the Oscar to Titanic. Coincidence? We'll see...

BEST PICTURE
The Hurt Locker

BEST DIRECTOR
Kathryn Bigelow "The Hurt Locker"

BEST ACTOR
Jeremy Renner "The Hurt Locker"

BEST ACTRESS
Yolande Moreau "Seraphine"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christoph Waltz "Inglourious Basterds" & Paul Schneider "Bright Star" (TIE)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Mo'Nique "Precious"

BEST SCREENPLAY
A Serious Man

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
The White Ribbon

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Summer Hours

BEST NON-FICTION FILM
The Beaches of Agnes

Awards -- Online Film Critics Society

Always one of my favorite voting groups of the year, because they ALWAYS throw in so many more deserving choices than your average group does. Here are this year's nominees...and winners...

Best Picture
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow "The Hurt Locker"
Neill Blomkamp "District 9"
James Cameron "Avatar"
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen "A Serious Man"
Quentin Tarantino "Inglourious Basterds"

Best Actor
Jeff Bridges "Crazy Heart"
Sharlto Copley "District 9"
George Clooney "Up in the Air"
Joaquin Phoenix "Two Lovers"
Jeremy Renner "The Hurt Locker"

Best Actress
Melanie Laurent "Inglourious Basterds"
Carey Mulligan "An Education"
Gabourey Sidibe "Precious"
Meryl Streep "Julie & Julia"
Tilda Swinton "Julia"

Best Supporting Actor
Peter Capaldi "In the Loop"
Jackie Earle Haley "Watchmen"
Woody Harrelson "The Messenger"
Anthony Mackie "The Hurt Locker"
Christoph Waltz "Inglourious Basterds"

Best Supporting Actress
Vera Farmiga "Up in the Air"
Anna Kendrick "Up in the Air"
Diane Kruger "Inglourious Basterds"
Mo'Nique "Precious"
Julianne Moore "A Single Man"

Best Original Screenplay
(500) Days of Summer
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
A Serious Man
Up

Best Adapted Screenplay
District 9
Fantastic Mr. Fox
In the Loop
Up in the Air
Where the Wild Things Are

Best Animated Feature
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Ponyo
The Princess and the Frog
Up

Best Cinematography
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
A Serious Man

Best Film Editing
(500) Days of Summer
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds

Best Original Score
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Informant!
Star Trek
Up
Where the Wild Things Are

Best Foreign Language Film
Broken Embraces
Police, Adjective
Silent Light
Summer Hours
The White Ribbon

Best Documentary
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
The Beaches of Agnes
Capitalism: A Love Story
The Cove
Food, Inc.