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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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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

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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.)

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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

AFI’s Top Films of 2008

The Wrestler

This weekend, the released its list of Top Ten Films. Unlike most lists created by the AFI, the selections chosen for this annual category are not ranked - they are simply presented in alphabetical order.

Since the 13-person jury only considers movies with “significant creative and/or production elements from the United States,” critical fave Slumdog Millionaire was not in the running. Meanwhile, Revolutionary Road and The Reader - both Golden Globe nominees - simply weren’t included.

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Read More | American Film Institute

2009 Golden Globe Nominations (Film)

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.)

 

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Read More | Hollywood Foreign Press Association

New York and Los Angeles Film Critics Choose Milk, Wall-E

Milk

Just last week, the National Board of Review named Slumdog Millionaire its Best Film of 2008. Not surprisingly, that selection isn’t an opinion shared by all.

So which films could eventually be up for the Academy Award come February 22nd? (That is - assuming a possible SAG strike doesn’t halt the ceremony altogether.) Based on the choices just revealed by the New York and Los Angeles film critics, it could be anyone’s game.

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Read More | LAFCA

Slumdog Millionaire Chosen Best Movie by NBR

Slumdog Millionaire

It’s that time of the year again. The time when critics give awards to movies most of us haven’t gotten around to seeing yet. And in the ‘s case, many honors are going to films not yet in release.

Last year, the NBR - a group consisting of educators, historians and film industry professionals - chose Old Country for Old Men as its top selection for 2007. Although that movie went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, the organization’s acting picks did not collect any Oscars.

Even though we are still very early in the awards season, there were several noteworthy items in this recently announced list.  While it’s not surprising to see a mention, the 78-year-old was actually chosen for his acting (Gran Torino) rather than his directing (Gran Torino or Changeling). Then there’s Josh Brolin’s Best Supporting honor for Milk. His selection not only highlights Sean Penn’s missing name, but Heath Ledger’s as well.

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Read More | National Board of Review of Motion Pictures

Box Office Breakdown: Batman Smokes Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express

’ strong open last week made number crunchers wonder: Would this be the week Batman was finally taken down? Unfortunately, breaking the record for ‘Any Wednesday in August’ doesn’t necessarily mean a movie will succeed on Friday or Saturday or Sunday. And despite Pineapple‘s promising start (the movie grossed $12.1 million on its first day), the comedy found itself smoked by the Caped Crusader.

‘s recent $26 million take has now pushed the film past $441 million. When the sequel passes Star Wars’ $461 million (which should happen shortly), it will become the #2 film of all time. By staying on top for the fourth weekend in a row, Knight has also accomplished something that hasn’t been done since 2003’s Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.

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Read More | Yahoo! Movies

Box Office Breakdown: The Dark Knight Fights Off the Mummy

The Mummy's Michelle Yeoh

It was a close one. A very close one. But after a tight contest, once again emerged as the box office winner this weekend.

Although it initially appeared as if was going to bring Batman down, the three-quel lost steam at the end. The film, which grossed $40.4 million over the past three days, narrowly lost out to Knight and wound up being the lowest performer in its series. (The Mummy opened at $43.4 million in 1999 while The Mummy Returns scored $68 million in 2001.)

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Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: The Dark Knight Hits $300 Million

The Dark Knight

Despite the combined forces of Ferrell/Reilly and Duchovny/Anderson, Team Bale/Ledger could not be slowed down.

This past week, added a few more records to the franchise’s box office mantle:

  • The film became the fastest movie ever to surpass the $300 million mark. (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest crossed that line in 16 days; Knight did it in 10.)
  • The sequel is now predicted to break $400 million in approximately 18 days. Shrek 2 took 43 days to the same in 2004.
  • IMAX theaters also continue to benefit from the blockbuster’s success. Another $4.6 million was grossed over the weekend.
  • It’s now believed the latest Batman installment could soar to $500 million - making it only the second movie to do so. Domestically, ($601 million) still reigns as the box office champ. (The original Star Wars pocketed $461 million while Shrek 2 earned $436 million.)

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Dark Knight Hits $300 Million

Read More | Variety

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