Search results matching tag 'Awards'

Oscars Doc shortlist: same as it ever was.

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:35:00 GMT

Bemoaning the failures of the Oscars in the Best Documentary department has become an annual ritual, like spazzing about filing your income taxes or dusting off stale jokes about March Madness obsessions. So the news that this year's doc shortlist of 15 potential nominees is full of omissions and small obscurities is not a surprise. Many folks would've liked to have seen "Anvil! The Story Of Anvil," "Collapse," "Crude," "Tyson," "We Live In Public," "The September Issue" or "It Might Get Loud" on the list. So it goes. Some of those omissions are reasonable -- there's not much in "Tyson" you can't find on YouTube, and "Collapse" wasn't eligible -- others, not so much. But this category has a long history of leaving out prime picks. Not nominated in the past: "Grey Gardens," "Gimme Shelter," "Don't Look Back," "The Thin Blue Line," "Shoah," "Hoop Dreams," "Crumb." You know, the very...

The Cinema Eyes love "The Cove."

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:09:35 GMT

"The Cove," Louie Psihoyos' much-lauded documentary about Japanese dolphin hunting, is the big fish (heh) amongst this year's nominees for the Cinema Eye Honors, the awards dedicated to excellence in non-fiction filmmaking. "The Cove" was nominated in seven categories, including feature of the year, in which it will compete with Anders Ostergaard's "Burma VJ," Robert Kenner's "Food, Inc.," Darius Marder's "Loot" and Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher's "October Country." Agnes Varda ("The Beaches Of Agnes"), John Maringouin ("Big River Man"), Anders Østergaard ("Burma Vj"), Darius Marder ("Loot"), Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher ("October Country") and Terence Davies ("Of Time And The City") are up for the director award. A complete list of the nominees is here -- the awards will take place in the Times Center in New York on January 15th. [Photo: "The Cove," Roadside Attractions, 2009]

The death of the original screenplay...?

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:07:00 GMT

This week's favorite Oscar topic, besides last night's announcement that Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin will be co-hosting the awards, is where all the original screenplays have gone. The Hollywood Reporter's Steven Zeitchik points out the a dearth of obvious candidates for the "Best Original Screenplay" category. If "Up," "Inglourious Basterds" and "A Serious Man" are virtual locks, what else does that leave us with? Zeitchik proposes "(500) Days Of Summer," and maybe "The Hangover" or "Star Trek." (Yes, under the Academy's ever-dizzying, perpetually nonsensical rules, it's a possibility.) THE ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY MUST BE DEAD. Because "ever since the studios became obsessed with remakes and sequels, there's been a depletion of the kind of new ideas that once populated the category." Well, except that, unlike many of the other categories, Best Original Screenplay nominees don't have to have made a lot of money -- recent ones have included "Frozen River"...

Why Oprah won't hurt "Precious"'s Oscar chances.

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:36:00 GMT

A few reasons why the upcoming "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" is a lock for a Best Picture Oscar nomination, not to mention a likely box office sleeper hit: 1. There are ten best picture slots open this year. It can't not get a nod after winning both the Sundance audience and jury prizes. 2. It's a melodrama that doesn't waste time on stuff like "nuance," going straight for the jugular with uncomplicated bursts of emotion (Brutality! Joy! Soul song montage!). And people like that -- the film got 80% "definite recommend" scores at at a test screening. At a Magic Johnson's in Harlem. Despite the dark subject matter, "Precious" is not a hard sell. It just sounds like one, but so did an Indian movie with police torture. 3. Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey have added their names in support -- in fact, Oprah's going to...

The New Guggenheims Are Here!

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:33:09 GMT

The list of 2009 Guggenheim Fellows (press released here) was released today and there were many filmmakers on the rise.

Amongst my faves are Ramin Bahrani, Julia Loktev, and Kelly Reichardt... but I am sure that others would be on that list if I knew more of their work... which, hopefully, these grants will make possible.

Ramin Bahrani (GOODBYE SOLO), Filmmaker, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Adjunct Professor of Screenwriting and Directing, Columbia University: Film.
Danae Elon (PARTLY PRIVATE), Filmmaker, Brooklyn, New York: Film.
Lynn Hershman Leeson (STRANGE CULTURE), Filmmaker, San Francisco, California; Chair, Department of Film, San Francisco Art Institute: Film.
Henry Hills, Filmmaker, New York City: Film.
Sam Kauffmann, Filmmaker, Medfield, Massachusetts; Associate Professor of Film, Boston University: Film.
Julia Loktev (DAY NIGHT DAY NIGHT), Filmmaker, Brooklyn, New York: Film.
Julia Meltzer, Filmmaker, Los Angeles, California; Director, Clockshop: Film.
Arturo Pérez Torres, Filmmaker, Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Film.
Kelly Reichardt (WENDY AND LUCY), Filmmaker, Astoria, New York; Visiting Assistant Professor of Film and Electronic Arts, Bard College: Film.
Federico Solmi, Filmmaker, New York City: Film.
David Thorne, Filmmaker and Artist, Los Angeles, California: Film.

LA Press Club's 2nd Annual National Entertainment Journalism Awards

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:21:42 GMT

I just got a note than Shawn Edwards and have Russ Simmons won Best TV Film Critic, the second year in the row the the pair have been honored as Best TV Film Critics.

This is the only winner I know of, as the awards winners, given out last night, have not been announced anywhere I can find on the web, including the LAPC website.

In any case, this win made me curious about who was in the running...

THE FINALISTS... As Reported by The LA Press Club on March 8, 2009

A1. NEWS STORY, PRINT
* Alexis Chiu, People Magazine
* Dan Halpern, Playboy
* John Horn, Los Angeles Times
* Oliver Jones, Alexis Chiu, Johnny Dodd, Jennifer Garcia and Brenda Rodriguez, People Magazine
* John Lafayette, Greg Baumann and Tom Gilbert, TelevisionWeek

A2. NEWS STORY, TELEVISION
* Robert Kovacik, Jeffreu Scharping and KhallidShabazz, KNBC-TV
* George Pennacchio, KABC-TV
* George Pennacchio, KABC-TV

A3. NEWS STORY, RADIO
* Claude Brodesser-Akner and Matt Holzman, KCRW
* Rachel Dornhelm, NPR’s Marketplace

A4. NEWS STORY, ONLINE
N/A

B1. FEATURE, PRINT
* Geoff Boucher, Los Angeles Times
* Mike Guy, Playboy
* Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone Magazine
* J. Rentilli, American Way
* Nancy Rommelmann, LA Weekly

B2. FEATURE, TELEVISION
* Shawn Edwards, Fox 4 News, Kansas City
* Manny the Movie Guy, KMIR6/NBC
* Manuela Hoelterhoff, Zinta Lundborg, Carol Massar, Howard Silver and Alex Graham, Bloomberg
* Nancy Jay, Celebrity Spotliht, AAFES-EXTV
* George Pennacchio, KABC-TV

B3. FEATURE, RADIO
* Soo Ah Youn, KCRW
* Matt Holzman, KCRW
* Brian Lauritzen, Gail Eichenthal and Mark Hatwan, KUSC
* John Rabe, KPCC
* Edgar Treiguts, G.P.B. Radio, Atlanta

B4. FEATURE, ONLINE
* Anil Dewan, Nathan Lubeck, Lincoln Myerson and Ariana Morgenstern, KCRW
* Patrick Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
* John Lafayette and Greg Baumann, TelevisionWeek
* Lisa Martinez, Splash
* Tim Mohr, Playboy Magazine

C1. CRITIC, PRINT
* Doug Elfman, Las Vegas Review Journal
* Peter Rainer, Bloomberg Muse
* Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times
* Ella Taylor, LA Weekly
* Kent Williams, Isthmus, Madison, Wisconsin

C2. CRITIC, TELEVISION
* Shawn Edwards and Russ Simmons, Fox4 News, Kansas City
* Nancy Jay, AAFES-EXTV
* Manny the Movie Guy, KMIR6/NBC
* Sandie Newton. CBS11/TXA21, Texas
* George Pennacchio, KABC-TV

C3. CRITIC, RADIO
* John DeSando and Kristin Dreyer Kramer, WCBE, Ohio
* Matt Holzman, KCRW
* Charles Horak, KTEP, El Peso, Texas
* James Taylor, Theater Talk, KCRW
* Kenneth Turan, KUSC

C4. CRITIC, ONLINE
* Jay Carr, Turner Classic Movies.com
* Shawn Edwards, ILoveBlackMovies.com
* Tim Mohr, Playboy.com
* Tom Tangney, My Northwest.com
* Luke Y. Thompson, LYTrules.com

The Weekend That Was

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:40:37 GMT

Things have changed a lot over the years…

There is a weird competition between journalists about who is going where and who is invited to what. Silly. But there is the ongoing “which ones are you going to” chatter, which was only overwhelmed this weekend by endless conversations about which ones are going… going to unemployment.

One classic exchange was with Bob Strauss, who was reported in LA Observed to be heading out of the one remaining film critics job at the LA Daily News. But the report went too far. Bob, who may well have released the news today, is heading to business side, but in coverage of the film business for the paper. So for him, the freedom not to see every bad studio film for the sake of a review is, understandably, a bit of a relief. And almost as walking confirmation, Mark Caro of the Chicago Tribune, who was also pushed out of being the #2 critic at that paper, was flown out to L.A. for the weekend activities and continues to be a vital voice for that paper, years after the unhappy transition.

Also working the room was Mike Jones, who was getting a lot of chatter over a piece he freelances for indieWIRE last week.

The happiest man there seemed to be Geoff Gilmore, who seems invigorated by the change to come, including life in The Big City, where his lady love lives and where they have a great home together.

My favorite sideshow was Mickey Rourke, who left the tent after about 10 minutes and rarely re-entered. He smoked, he took photos with fans, he chatted with Santa Monica cops, he hung out on the steps of the trailer-sized portable men’s room... and when Rainn Wilson did his Wrestler song, he watched it from the outside tent, where a bar (which Mickey was not using in any way) stood with some furniture and two TVs.

Shortly after the song ended, a frantic TV production person came running out. “Mickey… you’re category is up!” He waved her off… “Don’t worry about it, honey.” He wasn’t going anywhere. Frantic Fox Searchlighters tried to talk him into it. But he was clearly scared of walking back into that competitive situation.

The show sent a camera out to the outside tent to get him on camera, even if he wouldn’t come in. And that got him to head in… one step too disruptive. And he made it too his seat, half way across the room, seconds before the camera demanded a live shot of him as the nominees were announced.

And he won.

And he was great.

I am told that he was devastated by the Oscar loss, failing to complete his comeback circle. But that’s really a shame. He really couldn’t have asked for more from this last six months. And he should be happy as hell with that… even in light of the very real loss of Loki.

=================

I got a little face time with some of my favorite people, just hanging around. It takes a few years to realize that people you meet and have some kind of pleasant connection with are not friends. But now and again, you get to spend time with people with whom you really do have normal, friendly conversations. And that can be a great delight.

It’s a weird thing, because you’re not always sure they know who you are… or care. And it seems so presumptuous to assume that they will, no matter how much time you spent together.

One guy who I wasn’t sure would remember me was Jon Demme, who not only did, but who was just wonderfully at peace with not being competitive in this competitive situation. I guess he has won enough to not worry about winning more. But he was just so upbeat and energetically positive about keeping it all in perspective. Great.

=================

The Indie Spirits had an off-year, show-wise. But after the weekend ended, it was fascinating just how traditional this once iconoclastic show really was. It was like The Baby Oscars. And The Oscars had more of an Independent Spirit, especially with the Hugh Jackman opening, which was pure ISA.

The post-show party, hosted by IFC, was also cut back a bit… and loud as hell. The cuisine? Heavy-handed poured drinks and tiny hot dogs, hamburgers, and tacos with a side of sushi.

=================

Miramax/Disney is getting to be the best studio at charming, relaxed-feeling parties around award season. Their rooftop soirée at the Beverly Wilshire for The Globes was a dandy and this London (formerly Bel Age) roof topper was also lovely. The Doubt and Wall-E teams were there in full before they all headed out for an evening of running around.

A report from the dinner party for Sony Classics was that it was charming and quiet and profoundly sane.

And Fox Searchlight, which had a great off-hotel party for The Golden Globes last month would go on to have a pretty low-key event last night as well.

Ah.. sanity.

=================

The calmness of the Sunday night Fox Searchlight viewing and party, aka The Winner’s party, was surprising. It was, as most parties are, too loud, and there were too many tight t-shirted aspiring actresses wandering around, looking to hand anyone they could encourage a drink.

Finally, at jut before Midnight, the first of the Slumdog team, AR Rahmin, rolled in with his two Oscars. Then, it was Rothman and Giannopoulos. Then, Dev and Freida, Dev being surrounded by a bevy of young women seeking his attention. Then, Peter Chernin. Then the producer, DP, editor, Peter Rice, Nancy Utley, Steve Gilula, and finally, after a burst of pre-teen, post-teen and under-ten actors from the film burst in wearing adorable outfits and taking photos, was Danny Boyle.

There was swarming, yes. But one got the feeling that there were not a lot of strangers in that room. The love fest was a family fest.

The kids, who finally made the trip to the US, overcoming obstacles like no official birth certificates, which made passports a tough get, are spending one extra day in L.A. going to Disneyland. (I don’t think they made a commercial… but it would have been a great idea for Disney and ABC.)

Favorite movies and all aside, there is something lovely about people who are good and decent and well-intended winning the night. And this group, from top to bottom, qualifies. Good people. Good night.

The 2009 Oscars: Liveblogged

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:21:11 GMT

I'll be liveblogging the 81st Annual Academy Awards right here once the ceremony starts. In the meanwhile, though I'm feeling as lacking in Oscar predictive mojo as I've ever in my life, let's go ahead and put these out there anyway: Best picture: "Slumdog Millionaire." Director: Danny Boyle. Lead actor: Mickey Rourke. Lead actress: Anne Hathaway. Supporting actor: Heath Ledger. Supporting actress: Penélope Cruz. Animated feature: "WALL-E," unless God is angry. Doc: "Man on Wire." Foreign language film: "The Class." Adapted screenplay: "Slumdog Millionaire." Original screenplay: "Milk."...

Spirit Awards 2009: Liveblogged

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 21:37:50 GMT

Last year I get the chance to go out to Santa Monica to act as one of the hosts of our Spirit Awards red carpet coverage, and, despite getting locked out on the patio of my hotel room and having to climb over the fence and head back into the Casa Del Mar lobby in my socks, it was great. But these are more wintry times, and accordingly I've stayed planted in New York this year, from which I'll be live-blogging the awards. Which will be starting shortly! In the meantime, FIND has gallantly shouldered the red carpet duties -- you can see the tail end of their coverage here. 4:55: Matt Singer, from the red carpet: "Mickey Rourke gave me a fist bump. I'm not gonna lie. It hurt." 5:00: Technically, it's live from a parking lot NEAR the beach, not the actual beach, as much as we'd all...

More Slumavation

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:52:22 GMT

ACE Awards...

BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (DRAMATIC):
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Chris Dickens

BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (COMEDY OR MUSICAL):
WALL-E
Stephen Schaffer

BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY:
Man on Wire
Jinx Godfrey

STUDENT EDITING COMPETITION
Junna Xiao – American Film Institute

===============================

American Society of
Cinematographers Awards Awards

FEATURE FILM
Anthony Dod Mantle - Slumdog Millionaire