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

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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Cruise Barred for Being a Scientologist

Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Celeb News, Celebrity Controversy, Upcoming Releases

In a new film entitled Valkyrie, Tom Cruise will play Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg, a man deeply opposed to Nazi treatment of the Jews and leader of a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.  Unfortunately, the plan to film on German military sites was quickly undermined when Defense Ministry spokesperson Harald Kammerbauer denied the crew access citing Cruise’s belief in Scientology.  Kammerbauer claimed that the Church of Scientology is not recognized as a church by the German government and that the religion is merely an invention to make money.  Furthermore, he said the film would not be shot on the sites as long as Cruise was playing Count Stauffenberg.

Kammerbauer also stated that the German military deeply espouse the accurate portrayal of Stauffenberg and the events of said mission.  One of the films producers, Paula Wagner, was quick to refute: “(Cruise’s) personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie’s plot, themes or content.”

I’m no advocate for Scientology.  In fact, I largely agree with the opinion of the German military — Scientology is a façade, a faux religion for rich people.  But I must side with Cruise in this case — this is a ridiculous reason to hinder the production of a movie.  He is an actor.  His religious affiliation won’t have an effect on how this story is told.  And hasn’t Germany learned yet about the dangers of discrimination?

Read More | CNN

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