Viola Davis Calls for Acting Equality
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Casting, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip,
Viola Davis wants to be seen as "equal" to other actresses.
The Oscar-nominated actress feels her ethnicity means there is a limit to the kind of roles she is offered and wishes casting directors could appreciate her varying qualities.
"All I want is to have the same opportunities as a 46-year-old white actress. I'm a lot of things other than strong, sassy, wise and dignified. I just want to be seen as equal. That's it, simple as that," she said.
The Help star is frustrated that casting non-white stars in movies appears to be viewed as making the films niche by Hollywood bosses: "I can't think of a black actress, apart from Halle Berry maybe, who is considered a box-office draw. You can have a story about a white family living on fifth Avenue in New York that somehow speaks to all mankind, but if you have a black family in New York it only speaks to the black community apparently. It sends a message to Hollywood; 'Don't put your money into that black film, put it on the white film.'"
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Casting Corner: Anthony Hopkins, January Jones and More
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: FOCUS, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Remakes, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Casting, Celeb News, Scripts, Upcoming Releases,
Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:
Anthony Hopkins: The Wolfman actor will soon play dad to another large character: Thor. Hopkins has been cast as Odin, father of the title character (Chris Hemsworth) who is sent down to Earth after reigniting an ancient war. The film - which also includes Natalie Portman and Tom Hiddleston - will open May 20, 2011.
Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Anthony Hopkins, January Jones and More
This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: April 7, 2009
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, Disney, Magnolia, Miramax, New Line, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Documentary, Drama, Family, Horror, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment,
Here are some of the DVD and Blu-ray options available this Tuesday:
- 2010: The Year We Make Contact: Blu-ray
- Above the Law: Blu-ray
- American History X: Blu-ray
- Bedtime Stories: DVD, Blu-ray
- Collateral Damage: Blu-ray
- The Day the Earth Stood Still: DVD, Blu-ray
- Donkey Punch: DVD
- Doubt: DVD, Blu-ray
- Final Destination: Blu-ray
- Fly Away Home: Blu-ray
- I.O.U.S.A.: DVD
- John Q: Blu-ray
- Not Easily Broken: DVD, Blu-ray
- Point of No Return: Blu-ray
Click to continue reading This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: April 7, 2009
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The 2009 Academy Awards: Live Commentary
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Awards,
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!
Click to continue reading The 2009 Academy Awards: Live Commentary
Read More | Oscars
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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Read More | Oscars
Oprah Reveals She Was Turned Down for Doubt
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Miramax, Adaptation, Drama, Religious, Casting, Celeb News,
In the first few weeks of 2009, Oprah Winfrey has revealed a great deal to her audience. Not only is mad at herself for falling off the weight wagon (again), she was once recently told “No.”
On Tuesday’s episode of her talk show, Winfrey told recent Golden Globe nominee Meryl Streep some surprising news. She asked director John Patrick Shanley to audition for Meryl’s film, Doubt.
Click to continue reading Oprah Reveals She Was Turned Down for Doubt
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Box Office Breakdown: Marley & Me Ends 2008 on Top
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Foreign, Foreign Language, Period, Religious, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists,
Aside from a few changes at the bottom of this week’s Top Ten, every single movie remained planted in their positions from last Monday. Since Friday’s new entries (Good, Defiance) were only offered in limited release, there really wasn’t much of a battle.
Over the last three days, Marley & Me tacked on another $24 million and officially crossed the $100 million mark. The Fox adaptation became the 25th film from 2008 to accomplish that. Meanwhile, the only new charter was #10’s Slumdog Millionaire. Although it was only shown in 612 theaters (that’s down two from last week), the Fox Searchlight feature helped push The Spirit down to #13. The probable Oscar contender also earned a better per screen average than all the films ahead of it.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Marley & Me Ends 2008 on Top
Read More | Variety
Box Office Breakdown: Marley & Me is the Weekend’s Top Dog
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, Miramax, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Period, Political, Religious, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists,
When it comes to the box office, Jennifer Aniston has no problem pushing best friends (Courteney Cox), exes (Brad Pitt) or former leading men (Jim Carrey) aside.
After a record-breaking Christmas Day, Marley & Me pulled in approximately $36.4 million over the last three days. The PG-rated film, which earned nearly $51 million since December 25, gave Aniston bragging rights and Owen Wilson his best Friday-Sunday gross ever.
Although he eventually lost out to Jen, Brad Pitt really had nothing to complain about. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the weekend’s #3 finisher, had the 2nd best ($12 million) Christmas day opening. Meanwhile, Bedtime Stories - starring Adam Sandler and Courteney Cox - now ranks 3rd ($10.6 million) on the all-time Dec. 25 debuts list.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Marley & Me is the Weekend’s Top Dog
Read More | Variety
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,
Although last January’s Screen Actors Guild Awards 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:
- Doubt 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.
- Heath Ledger 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.
Click to continue reading 2009 Screen Actors Guild Award Nominations (Film)
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,
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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