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Latest Video: FilmCrunch 067: Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, Premonition reviewed

Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, and Premonition in this episode of FilmCrunch.
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Academy’s Best Picture Field Grows to Ten

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

Oscar statueAs strange as the are (why are all the Best Supporting actors lumped into one category?), there are several reasons why that ceremony trumps the Oscars. In addition to the laid-back feel (an endless flow of alcohol helps), the ceremony annually gives ten movies a chance to shine. That’s five more than the Academy Awards does! That is, until now

Beginning in 2010, the Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will do something it hasn’t done in nearly seven decades. At the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, ten nominees will all be lumped into one Best Picture category. (That’s one less than the Globes.) The last time the category was that broad, Casablanca emerged as the winner. (That year was 1943.)

Low broadcast ratings (artsy projects in limited release tend to alienate viewers) and backlash from angry Dark Knight fans (a film can be #1 and be worthy too) were likely factors in the decision.

“Having 10 Best Picture nominees is going allow Academy voters to recognize and include some of the fantastic movies that often show up in the other Oscar categories but have been squeezed out of the race for the top prize,” Academy president Sid Ganis said.

The 2010 Academy Awards airs Sunday, March 7, 2010 on ABC.

Read More | Futon Critic

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The 2009 Academy Awards: Live Commentary

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

The Oscars

After a year away from live Oscars coverage, I’m thrilled to be back for the 2009 Academy Awards.

Even though Dark Knight‘s snub will probably keep a number of viewers away (how many can honestly say they’ve seen The Reader?), I’m eagerly anticipating several moments from this evening’s broadcast.

Will Heath Ledger’s family bring the house to tears? Is Mickey Rourke going to make the producers wince? Will the cameras pan to Brangelina after Jennifer Aniston’s presentation? Are Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron really (really?) going to do a song and dance number?

To find out if this will be the year of the Slumdog or the underdog, stay tuned here for the live results!

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Read More | Oscars

2009 Razzie Award Winners

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

Repo! The Genetic Opera

While Mickey Rourke was busy offending viewers, Paris Hilton and Mike Myers were awarded for offending audiences.

At yesterday’s 29th Annual Golden Raspberry Awards presentation, the two nominees were both (dis)honored with three wins each. Myers’ earned a Razzie for Worst Picture along with awards for Worst Actor and Worst Screenplay.

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Read More | Razzies

Mickey Rourke Gives Profanity-Laden Speech at Spirit Awards

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards


Warning: This is the uncensored version.

At yesterday’s 2009 Film Independent Spirit Awards, (The Wrestler) delivered a speech that could only be heard on a cable channel. Fortunately for everyone watching, the Best Male Lead winner did it on live television.

The comeback kid, probably realizing he’d be limited at the Oscars, let it all hang out. Here’s hoping he still has something in the reserves for the Academy tonight.

You can find the full list of Spirit Award winners here.

Read More | E! Online

Winslet, Rourke Awarded with BAFTAs

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

Kate Winslet in The Reader

While it’s looking pretty clear that will take home the Oscar later this month, the race for Best Actor and Best Actress remains a bit muddy.

At yesterday’s Orange British Academy Film Awards, Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) and Kate Winslet (The Reader) both took home the top honors for acting. Although this is similar to how they performed at the Golden Globes, neither actor was a winner at the recent SAG Awards. (Sean Penn and Meryl Streep took home the statues that evening.)

Click to continue reading Winslet, Rourke Awarded with BAFTAs

Read More | British Academy of Film and Television Arts

2009 Academy Award Nominations

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

Oscar statues

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:

  • (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.
  • ‘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 (Tropic Thunder). Shannon got the only major nom for his picture.

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Read More | Oscars

2009 Razzie Award Nominations

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards

The Love Guru

What do , Jessica Alba and Cameron Diaz have in common? They might not get dates with Oscar anytime soon, but they still have shots at an award.

Early Wednesday, the three ladies became the latest actresses to contend for a title previously owned by Halle Berry and Lindsay Lohan. Come February 21, the trio - along with the cast of The Women and Kate Hudson - will all by vying for the Worst Actress category at the 29th Annual Razzie Awards.

At today’s announcement, Hilton was named for a total of three acting categories: Worst Actress (The Hottie and the Nottie), Worst Supporting Actress (Repo!: The Genetic Opera) and Worst Screen Couple (with either Christine Lakin or Joel David Moore from Hottie). Meanwhile, Mike Myers’ comeback film, , could walk away with the most honors this year. The “comedy” - with help from Alba and Verne Troyer - was nominated a whopping seven times.

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Read More | Razzies

National Society of Film Critics Picks Waltz with Bashir

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: FOCUS, Fox Searchlight, Miramax, Animation, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Foreign Language, Period, Political, Comedy, Awards, Lists

Waltz with Bashir

One year after honoring There Will Be Blood, the National Society of Film Critics has named its favorite film of 2008. Although it’s primarily been considered in the Best Animated or Best Foreign Language categories, Ari Folman’s was selected as this group’s top film of 2009.

The animated Israeli film - Folman’s memoir of his country’s 1982 Invasion of Lebanon - is currently up for a Golden Globe.

Here are the remaining 43rd Annual National Society of Film Critics Awards winners:

2009 Screen Actors Guild Award Nominations (Film)

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: FOCUS, Fox Searchlight, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Period, Political, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Awards, Lists

Doubt

Although last January’s were spared from the writers’ dispute, SAG is facing its own strike this year. Regardless, the awards season must go on. Next month’s event - scheduled to air on Sunday, January 25th on both TNT and TBS - will come just three days after the Oscar nominations are announced.

Here are some of the noteworthy mentions from this year’s list of film nominees:

  • led this year’s crop with three nominations. Milk and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button came in second with two nods each.
  • Richard Jenkin was honored for The Visitor while Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino) was left off.
  • added another nom to his belt. Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr. was nominated for his turn in Tropic Thunder.
  • Kate Winslet was named for both The Reader and Revolutionary Road. Leonardo DiCaprio was left empty-handed.
  • The Dark Knight, Revolutionary Road and The Reader were all left out of the Best Ensemble categories.

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Read More | Screen Actors Guild Awards

2009 Golden Globe Nominations (Film)

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Foreign, Foreign Language, Independent, Musicals, Period, Political, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Awards, Lists

Revolutionary Road

Although a looming SAG strike may threaten next year’s Academy Awards, the Golden Globes ceremony should finally go on as planned. The 66th annual event is scheduled to air on Sunday, January 11th, just 11 days before the Oscar nominations are announced.

Here are some of the noteworthy mentions from this year’s list of film nominees:

  • Frost/Nixon and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button both led the field with five nominations each.
  • Despite being chosen Best Film by the New York Film Critics, Sean Penn was the only nod Milk received by the HFPA.
  • Meryl Streep earned two nominations for her work in Doubt and Mamma Mia.
  • Kate Winslet is also up for two awards. Her films - Revolutionary Road and The Reader - are also up for Best Picture.
  • Heath Ledger did get a posthumous nomination as expected.
  • Although he was recently recognized for his acting work in Gran Torino, director Clint Eastwood (Changeling) was only acknowledged for his musical achievements.

(You can find the full list of film nominees after the jump. Click here for the TV nominations.)

 

Click to continue reading 2009 Golden Globe Nominations (Film)

Read More | Hollywood Foreign Press Association

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