2009 Academy Award Nominations
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards,
Despite no major wins for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at Jan. 11’s Golden Globes, the film lead all entries at this morning’s Academy Award nominations. The Brad Pitt feature will go into next month’s ceremony with 13 opportunities to walk away with at least one statue. (Slumdog Millionaire will have 10 chances.)
Here are some of the noteworthy mentions from today’s press conference:
- Kate Winslet (The Reader) - a double-winner just a few weeks ago - only received one nomination this morning. Meryl Streep will only get one chance as well for her role in Doubt.
- Although it wasn’t represented at the Globes, Frozen River was recognized several times today.
- Heath Ledger‘s nomination (on the anniversary of his death!) was expected; The Dark Knight‘s omission was a disappointment.
- Four acting nods for Doubt didn’t equate to an honor for the film.
- Several pleasant announcements in the Best Actor/Supporting Actor categories: Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) and Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder). Shannon got the only major nom for his picture.
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Dark Knight Gets Its January Return Date
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Thrillers, Awards, Box Office, Distribution,
You might want to hold off buying that Batman DVD just a little while longer.
Although The Dark Knight will be available for home video starting this Tuesday, the movie will soon be hitting a much larger screen. Starting January 23rd, the second-highest domestic grosser of all time will once again be entering the multiplexes.
Why now? Well, there are two very good reasons. Those who don’t recognize the significance of the “premiere” date should know that it was chosen for a reason. January 23rd just happens to fall one day after the Oscar nominations are announced. Could Warner Bros. be planning on a posthumous nod for Heath Ledger? If so, a re-release could remind voters of this summer’s most noteworthy performance.
And the second reason? Money. Knight is very close to reaching the $1 billion mark. Another $4 million will put the blockbuster in a group currently occupied by Titanic, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.
Read More | Variety
Dark Knight Set to Re-Release in January
Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Classics, Mystery, Sequels, Thrillers, Awards, Box Office, Distribution,
Warner Bros. now has plans to re-release Christopher Nolan’s record-breaking Batman sequel this January.
While I initially heard the news of The Dark Knight‘s re-release plan, I was excited to see that it may have a second chance to break Titanic‘s record; however, I was met with disappointment to discover that their motives linked to more materialistic goal named Oscar.
January is the prime voting season for the Academy Awards, and those determined folks at Warner Bros. don’t want anyone over there to forget about that impressive summer blockbuster of theirs.
Click to continue reading Dark Knight Set to Re-Release in January
The Hollywood Reporter
Tommy Lee Jones Sues Paramount For $10 Million
Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Paramount, Action, Adventure, Drama, Noir, Thrillers, Box Office, Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Controversy, Corporate Shakeups, Rumors,
While Fox and Warner Bros. are dealing with their battles, Paramount now has to deal with one of their own, thanks to a $10 million dollar lawsuit compliments of Tommy Lee Jones.
The veteran actor is seeking payment that he claims is rightfully owed to him for the services he provided for the 2007 Coen Brothers’ hit, No Country For Old Men.
Although both Paramount and Jones declined to comment, the actor’s publicist simply pointed to the lawsuit, which notes a contract N.M. Classics (a subsidiary of Paramount’s) that promises Jones “significant box-office bonuses and ‘back-end’ compensation.”
Click to continue reading Tommy Lee Jones Sues Paramount For $10 Million
San Antonio Express-News
Academy Makes Changes to Best Song Category
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards,
If you’ve ever felt yourself wondering, “How many songs could Beyonce possibly sing during this awards show?” - this news is for you.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made a change that will go into effect before next year’s Oscars ceremony. From this point forward, no one movie will be able to dominate the Academy Awards’ Best Song category. While producers can submit as many tunes as they like, only two songs per film will be allowed for nomination.
Click to continue reading Academy Makes Changes to Best Song Category
Variety
My Fair Lady: One Remake Over the Line?
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Adaptation, Musicals, Casting,
There is a certain merit in re-introducing young generations to the classics, in keeping with the times and re-inventing the old to make it seem young and fresh again. But at some point, some where, is there a line which can be crossed? Are some things not already so perfect, so pristine and so well-done that they manage to stand the test of time? Aren’t there some things which no one could possibly ever re-create? It’s true the Sistine Chapel has looked the exact same way since 1512…yet no one could really consider re-vamping this most famous ceiling so that it has a much more modern appeal. Buckingham Palace famously houses a queen, and yet no major changes have been made to this edifice in her entire eighty-two year lifespan. Some things are made to stand alone. Just don’t try telling that to Hollywood…or lazy scriptwriters.
Click to continue reading My Fair Lady: One Remake Over the Line?
Variety
Memorable Moments from the Unmemorable Academy Awards
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards, Celeb News,
Last night’s Best Actor categories were as predictable as the Best Actress races were surprising. Yesterday’s ceremony was also as disappointing as it was routine.
For months now, we’d been hearing about several plans being orchestrated for the Academy Awards. If the writers’ strike was still in effect, the producers swore the telecast would continue with packages that celebrated Oscar’s 80-year history. Interestingly enough, even with the scribes back at work, the show was still horribly written and crammed with unnecessary fillers. (Even I could have penned ‘the always Fantastic…Jessica Alba’.)
As it was, the winners appeared to have been given less time last night to accept their awards than ever. (Which may or may not have been a good thing.) But did Javier Bardem really need to rush his lovely speech to his mother? Did the organizers have to reshow the previous awards presentations? Did the AMPAS President really need to waste time explaining how the selection process is done??
Click to continue reading Memorable Moments from the Unmemorable Academy Awards
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: February 05, 2008
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: 20th Century Fox, Buena Vista, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Classics, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Music, Musicals, Religious, Satire, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, New Releases,
As the 80th Annual Academy Awards inch ever closer, some of us are still scrambling to see the contenders in question before the big night. Those anxious to see their favorites before the inevitable acceptance speech or scowl-behind-forced-smile have the chance to watch a few in high-def this week.
On HD DVD is Elizabeth: The Golden Age, nominated for Cate Blanchett‘s performance and the opulent costumes. On Blu-ray are Across the Universe, nominated for its costumes, and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, nominated for Casey Affleck‘s supporting performance.
Look for other nominees, brought to you in crystal clear high definition, throughout the month.
Check out the full list of high-def releases after the jump.
Click to continue reading This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: February 05, 2008
Catch Up On Your (Classic) Oscar Films
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards, Home Entertainment, Lists,
If the February sweeps period hasn’t offered you enough to watch on TV, here is a surefire way to fill up your DVR. For the next few weeks, Turner Classic Movies will be honoring Oscar-nominated films.
The cable channel will devote one day of each week to a different era (e.g. Tuesdays/1940’s, Fridays/1970’s). This, of course, all leads up to the Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, February 24th.
Although we are already one week into February, TCM still has many films left to cover. (Approximately 4-6 movies will be show on any given day.) Here is a list of some of those upcoming selections:
- MONDAYS (1920’s and 30’s): It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds Comes to Town
- TUESDAYS (1940’s): The Red Shoes, Yankee Doodle Dandy
- WEDNESDAYS (1950’s): Vertigo, Roman Holiday
- THURSDAYS (1960’s): 2001: A Space Odyssey, Easy Rider
- FRIDAYS (1970’s): The Goodbye Girl, Apocalypse Now
- SATURDAYS (1980’s): Raging Bull, Ordinary People
- SUNDAYS (1990’s and 2000’s): Mr. Holland’s Opus, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
To use their fantastic interactive site and schedule your own recordings, click on the link below.
Turner Classic Movies
Oscar Nominees Talk Strike
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Awards, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Scripts,
The Academy Award nominations have been announced, AMPAS is determined the show will go on in February, and everything seems to be moving toward the big night (the Oscar ceremony). But…is it, really? The Writers Guild is in talks with the producers, and all parties seem to be hopeful this whole strike might end. According to some nominees, that’s the only way they’ll even attend the event.
Tony Gilroy, nominated in the Best Director category, told the Associated Press he “would never cross a picket line ever.” Viggo Mortensen, who received the Best Actor nod, likewise said that if the strike continues he’ll not be on the red carpet. Others, like producer Scott Rudin, said they doubt there will even be an Oscars event if the strike isn’t solved beforehand.
The Academy, however, is sticking to its guns; President Sid Ganis said they will put on the show. That settles that.
Yahoo! News
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