After making a splash at TIFF ’13, eOne Films releases Our Man in Tehran in theatres.  The Documentary co-directed by the Toronto Duo  Larry Weinstein and Drew Taylor, reveals via first-hand Interviews with those involved, new information about the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979 – which we’ve all come to know about a bit better in 2013 Academy Award Best Picture, Argo.

I had the pleasure of catching-up with Taylor, who as an aside has a Ph.D. and also the distinction formerly of playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, during the Film Festival. Would you believe that Ben Affleck himself had e-mailed offering to narrate the Documentary? “That totally would’ve defeated the purpose of what we were trying to accomplish”, he tells me about the Film which promises a more accurate Snapshot of the events that took place leading-up to the rescue of six Hostages with the help of then-Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor in what would go on to be known as the “Canadian Caper“.

Perhaps we’ll hear from our new Batman in the DVD release?

Watch the Trailer in full below:

Our Man in Tehran is now playing at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films/Mr. Will Wong)

If you think you’re a Fan of Best Picture Winner at the Academy Awards, Argo, wait till you know the truth behind it all.  Our Man in Tehran debuts at TIFF ’13, chronicling the whole story behind what became known as The Canadian Caper, involving the rescue of six Americans who made it out of Tehran unscathed after behind held hostage during the 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis.

The Film, directed by Larry Weinstein and former professional Baseball Player Drew Taylor, delivers a Canadian perspective an gained the participation of  Ken Taylor (played by Victor Garber), the then Ambassador who sheltered the six American Diplomats, and Tony Mendez (played by Ben Affleck) among other Hostages.

eOne Films distributes Our Man in Tehran and for those of you looking to see it first at TIFF ’13, it screens at TIFF Bell Lightbox 2 on Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 6:15 PM.

(Photo credit: eOne Films)

Hollywood united once again for the biggest night in Film, the 85th annual Academy Awards, held at newly-coined Dolby Theatre (formerly Kodak Theatre) in Los Angeles.  Hosted (and Nominee) by Funnyman Seth McFarlane, there were several moments of biting humour where he  drew “ooh”s, followed by “hahahaha”s, including everything from  jokes about Chris Brown and Rihanna to nine-year-old Nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, whom he said “in 15 years will be of age to date George Clooney“.  The highlight of his Opening Speech  included dancing by Charlize Theron and Channing Tatum and a cynical William Shatner, where we saw a hilarious Sock Puppet Re-enactment of Best Picture Nominee Flight. In addition, the sometimes Crooner showed-off  his singing chops including an inappropriate Duet with Kristin Chenoweth as the credits rolled, poking fun at the Losers.

Winning top honours tonight was Ben Affleck-directed Argo, which solidified its place in the race for Best Picture with a gain in momentum of late, with wins at major Oscars pre-cursor ceremonies including  the Critics’ Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards and Directors Guide Awards. The Film also won Editing and Adapted Screenplay earlier in the evening and despite noticeably being left-out  in the Directing race this year, a fast-talking Affleck sorta addressed his snubbing by saying, “You can’t hold grudges and it doesn’t matter how you get knocked down in life as all that matters is that you  get up.”. The Drama had the distinction of debuting here at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September, when we were lucky enough to see Affleck and the Cast here in the City.

It should come as no surprise to many that Daniel Day-Lewis went on to win his third  Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in Best Picture Contender, Lincoln.  The private British-Irish Actor in 1989 won for My Left Foot and also in 2007 for There Will Be Blood.  In his Acceptance Speech, he showed his funny side, joking “Steven (Spielberg) originally wanted to cast Meryl (Streep) in the role of Lincoln“, accepting his Award from a fellow three-time Winner in Streep, acknowledging what a versatile Actress she is.

Winning Best Actress was 22-year-old Jennifer Lawrence, who looked stunning in her Dress designed by Dior Haute Couture, winning for her work in Rom-Com, Silver Linings Playbook.  Tripping up the stairs while accepting her Award, she humbly said “You’re all standing just because you felt bad I fell down”.  Lawrence became the second youngest Actress ever to win the Award, behind only a then 21-year-old Marlee Matlin in Children of a Lesser God.  The Category was seen as a hotly-contested battle between her and Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty.

Christoph Waltz repeated his 2010 feat, winning Best Supporting Actor once again for his second collaboration with Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained.  The Austrian Actor  has solidified his standing  in North America as a Star with a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live just last week, completing his Awards Season sweep which also included wins at the Golden Globe Awards and also the BAFTAs.

Anne Hathaway, being the odds-on favourite to win Best Supporting Actress also was absolutely no surprise winning  her respective Category on the strength of her heartbreaking performance as Fantine in Tom Hooper‘s Les Misérables. Dressed in Prada – a decision she only made three hours prior to walking the Red Carpet which was met with mixed reviews – the New York Native has won an astonishing  43 wins  this Awards Season, with handful more to go still.

Taiwan-born Director Ang Lee became a two-time winner in the  Directing Category with his Life of Pi, after winning in 2005 with Brokeback Mountain.  Quentin Tarantino also won his second Oscar – his first being in1995 with Pulp Fiction – for his Screenplay, Django Unchained, although he  noticeably was omitted from consideration in the Directing Category.

After much buzz surrounding her appearance tonight which prevented her from appearing at the BRIT Awards the other night, International Singing Sensation Adele performed a stirring rendition of  Skyfall, co-written by her and Paul Epworth, which went on to win her an Oscar tonight for Best Original Song.   Adele among others, beat-out Host MacFarlane‘s co-written Everybody Needs a Best Friend, sung by Norah Jones, from Ted.

 See some of the stunning Fashion from the Oscars tonight, including my fave look – Amanda Seyfried in Alexander McQueen!

For a full list of Winners, click here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Some of you might recall that my dear Friend Jonathan Godfrey, a fellow Film Aficionado has pitched-in a few Reviews here of late.  He thought of the brilliant idea of us combining our perspectives together for you all to read right in time for the 85th annual Academy Awards.  As it turns out, we have rather different opinions on how we feel the Oscars will unfold. We both live for Oscars Day and these would be our choices if we were given Ballots by the Academy…

SUPPORTING ACTRESS & ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Jonathan Godfrey: Ladies first, I am a Gentleman after all. And when it comes to the fairer sex I must admit my fondness for Anne Hathaway, however when it comes to this year’s Best Supporting Actress, she is not my Flagbearer. Helen Hunt is, and the sexuality she exudes in The Sessions makes her so.

Mr. Will: Although I would agree that the brazen and physically-correct Helen Hunt  was superb in  The Sessions,  it was Hathaway who devastated me most as Fantine in Les Misérables.  In fact her performance was so good that if the Academy would allow it, she could well have won Actress in a  Leading Role this year.  The last two-thirds of Les Misérables never could match that level of intensity it had when she was on-screen.  Mark my words, it will be a Hathaway Sweep this Awards season, completed by an Oscar win here.  Anne, I’m still on for Soy Lattes and Salon Day some time.  Text me, A-Hath!

Jonathan Godfrey: As for Actress in a Leading Role, my choice is far more mainstream. Jennifer Lawrence is unforgettable in Silver Linings Playbook, and such an impression should be adequately awarded.

Mr. Will: Inasmuch as I love J-Law – and I really do – I really just don’t think she’s earned it yet.  When you measure her performance here against recent Winners like Natalie Portman in Black Swan, Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby/Boys Don’t Cry, Charlize Theron in Monster or Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady, her Silver Linings Playbook work just doesn’t stack-up to that caliber. I’m so sorry to say it – don’t Katniss me with a Crossbow! I also would hate to see her peak this early in her career as I think her best work is still ahead of her.  The Oscars Curse can be detrimental,  ask Mira Sorvino.  Therefore, my vote goes to the effervescent Jessica Chastain.  Her stone-cold performance as Maya in Zero Dark Thirty in my opinion, dug that extra layer deeper and left an impression with me long after I left the theatre. Kudos also to a then six-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis who wowed me in Beasts of the Southern Wild, a born natural.  Naomi Watts I adore, starting off so strong in The Impossible, but alas it is her role which didn’t give her as much to work with after she fell ill for most of the Film.

SUPPORTING ACTOR & ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Jonathan Godrey: My choices here are for the  pair of Chaps who star opposite each other in The Master. Yes, I was one of those Oddballs impressed by that haunting theological treatise. And so I believe Philip Seymour Hoffman to be Supporting Actor, and Joaquin Phoenix the Actor in a Leading Role. Color me crazy (a suitable shade), for that Film drove me to madness (its own indelible mark).

Mr. Will: Odd, indeed! The Master was this year’s Tree of Life for me.  Although sartorially exquisite, it went completely over my head.  I appreciate Phoenix‘s daringness  and Hoffman‘s conviction here, but it is Christoph Waltz who lit-up the Screen for me in Django Unchained, giving us a performance equally  brilliant  to the one he gave us in 2009’s Inglourious Basterds.  This Man fascinates me: his range, his ability to command a scene and his working chemistry with Quentin Tarantino is just explosive. And can I  say what an injustice it is that Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t get recognized?

As for Actor in a Leading Role I begrudgingly have to say the incomparable Daniel Day-Lewis is the odds-on choice.  And I  say “begrudgingly” because I know how Hugh Jackman gave it his all in Les Misérables, finally getting that long-overdue Academy acknowledgment.  In any other year it could’ve been him.

COSTUME DESIGN, PRODUCTION DESIGN & ORIGINAL SCORE

Jonathan Godfrey: Though I do not believe I am qualified to comment on every Technical category, I do wish to talk about a few. It may be Paul Delgado’s first nomination, but he is deserving of the gold for Costume Design nonetheless. The Wardrobe he stitched for Les Misérables is inspiring, so is Sarah Greenwood & Katie Spencer’s work on Anna Karenina. To them the aesthetic award of Best Production Design is given easily. They made the stage a character of its own, a truth too often overlooked. Lastly, may Mychael Danna take the Oscar for Original Score in Life of Pi. We Torontonians must stick together.

Mr. Will: I tend to agree with you Jonathan, despite our v. different opinions in the Acting categories. In any given year there are several Nominees in categories such as Short Film – Animated or Short Film – Live Action which we unfortunately don’t get an opportunity to evaluate.  In terms of Costume Design, Colleen Atwood has built her own legacy and her work for Snow White and The Huntsman cannot be overlooked as a possible Dark Horse,  but yes, the Costumes in Anna Karenina were stunning –  a Film defined by its Fashion. I do think though that Les Misérables has more fuel in its tank at this point in Awards Season.  I’d give the upper hand to  Delgado here for his work in the Musical.

As for Production Design, I’m inclined to say that the Duo of Eve Stewart  & Anna Lynch-Robinson for Les Misérables also will be awarded.  Hard to believe they made us believe we were amidst the June Rebellion in France all within the confines of a few Soundstages. As for Original Score, I love John Williams as does the Academy making him the choice, although Thomas Newman for Skyfall might give him a run for his money.

I also would like to commend the phenomenal Makeup and Hairstyling in the under-appreciated Hitchcock.  You go, Howard Berger, Peter Montagna & Martin Samuel!  Anyone who can turn Sir Anthony Hopkins so believably into such a widely-recognizable Icon deserves a round of applause in my books.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY, ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY & DIRECTING

Jonathan Godfrey:  Lucy Alibar & Benh Zeitlin cannot go unmentioned for Adapted Screenplay. Theirs is a story of life, its beauty and opposing struggle. Beasts of the Southern Wild is absolutely brilliant and so is Amour. Thus, for Original Screenplay the statue goes to Michael Haneke. However, as much as I am torn in denying Haneke the Award for Directing, it nevertheless goes to a worthy Opponent. Benh Zeitlin took home the honours at Sundance for Beasts, and here he shall have them again. His Film reminds the World that life is in the living.

Mr. Will: Argo was my fave Film of 2012, so I am pretty much rooting for Chris Terrio to be awarded Adapted Screenplay for his enthralling, humanistic and detailed work.  For Original Screenplay, my heart is with Tarantino for Django Unchained; an unparalleled Storyteller, in a league of his own.

As for Directing, it still to this day does not sit well with me that Ben Affleck so cruelly was overlooked for Argo.  The Golden Globes, BAFTAs, DGAs and Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards got it right. The Academy, not so much.  That being said, the legendary Steven Spielberg is as deserving as he’s ever been for Lincoln, drawing  phenomenal performances all around from his superior-caliber Cast, paying a fitting tribute to a Man who changed our World.

BEST PICTURE

Jonathan Godfrey:  Beasts of the Southern Wild is my selection for Best Picture. All of the Nominees are deserving of the honour this year, and I believe Les Misérables and Amour to be especially so. That said, Beasts remains my choice, one I have been debating for weeks on-end. In time, I shall see if the Academy agrees with me, and I do not worry if they don’t. I’m happy to have seen all of the nominated Films, and to have enjoyed them in turn. I hope those interested do the same, and come to their own honest conclusions.

Mr. Will:  Although I walked away from Zero Dark Thirty thinking for sure it was this year’s Best Picture, I’ve seen both Silver Linings Playbook and Argo gain a huge amount of momentum over the past few weeks, particularly the latter.  To be honest, I think Argo is peaking at the right moment to take it all, especially with Affleck‘s snubbing reminding the Academy how badly they’ve messed-up failing to recognize his work as a Director.  Argo, it is.

And thank you so much Jonathan for generously sharing your thoughts with us.  You definitely have a unique perspective and offer a refreshing take!  I do think you’re terribly wrong about  Hathaway though and you know it!

ABC airs the 85th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 7:00 PM EST.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The accolades continue to pour-in for Argo, which won top honours today including Best Picture and Best Director (Ben Affleck) at the EE BAFTA Awards, held at London’s Royal Opera House.  Acclaimed Actor Stephen Fry filled hosting duties.  The Drama also won Best Editing, further drawing attention to the Academy‘s snubbing of Affleck at this year’s forthcoming Oscars in the Directing category.

Winning British Film at the Awards this year was Skyfall, the latest in the James Bond Franchise.  Composer  Thomas Newman also won Original Music too for the connections of the Film.

Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables also took home an impressive four Awards including shoe-in Anne Hathaway for her work as Fantine.  The Film also won Best Hair and Makeup, Production Design and  Sound also.

Perhaps the biggest Shocker to come out of the EE BAFTA Awards was 85-year-old Actress Emmanuelle Riva‘s win for Amour, which also won Best ForeignFilm.  The Category was seen widely as a match between Zero Dark Thirty‘s Jessica Chastain and Silver Linings Playbook‘s Jennifer Lawrence, further evincing what a wide-open affair this year’s Oscars really is.  Not so surprisingly, Daniel Day-Lewis was honoured for his work in Lincoln.

Picking-up the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award this year is Juno Temple who is making a splash stateside in titles like Dirty Girl, Killer Joe and The Dark Knight Rises.

See all the Winners here.

See some of the Fashion from the BAFTAs at Vogue UK here.

e! will be airing the BAFTAs at 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PAC tomorrow, February 11, 2013.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

A massive Storm on the East Coast couldn’t keep the Moviegoers home, with Identity Thief from Universal Pictures opening huge at the Box Office with $36 million from 3,141 theatres.  The Comedy starring Melissa McCarthy and Justin Bateman was panned widely by Critics (24% at Rotten Tomatoes), but Audiences responded fairly well, garnering a B CinemaScore.  If there was any doubt that McCarthy‘s Career is going strong, Bridesmaids which garnered her an Oscar Nomination last year, made only $26 million in its opening weekend.

Last week’s Champ Warm Bodies continues to perform solidly in second with $11.7 million this weekend for Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, tallying-in at an impressive $36.8 million in two weeks.  The Zombie Rom-Com was made for $30 million.

Brilliant Psychological-Thriller, Side Effects, boasts an Oscar-worthy Cast including Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jude Law and Channing Tatum, but could only muster a third place debut for Open Road Films/eOne Films with $9.4 million from 2,605 theatres.  Meanwhile, Critics loved what is being called Steven Soderbergh‘s final Film, giving it 85% on the Tomatometer, but Audiences didn’t respond quite as well with a B CinemaScore.  Perhaps it will fare better in its secondary run on DVD/Blu-ray/Video-on-Demand.

Silver Linings Playbook continues to receive a major Oscars Boost and it doesn’t hurt that Jennifer Lawrence is just about everywhere including the cover of Vanity Fair and a high-profile appearance on Saturday Night Live a couple weeks back.  The Best Picture Contender earns $6.4 million this weekend in fourth, almost on its way to that illusive $100-million mark for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films (Alliance Films).

Former Champ Mama in its fourth week of release earns $4.2 million in sixth spot, just ahead of Zero Dark Thirty in seventh with $3.9 million.  Argo now in its 18th week of release has a remarkable resurgence with $2.4 million earned this weekend in eighth, likely due to the exposure from Ben Affleck‘s recent Director’s Guild Award and the Ensemble’s Screen Actors Guild Awards victories. Top Gun‘s 3-D Re-Release by Paramount Pictures rounds out the Top Ten with $2 million, from 300 theatres.

The 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were held tonight at The Shrine in Los Angeles, as one of the final major Awards Ceremonies leading up to next month’s Oscars.  The Awards, which allow Actors to honour their v. own, recognize both Film and Television Performers.  As is the case with the SAG Awards, what makes it unique is that their is now Best Picture Award as the Ceremony honours performances strictly.  This year, Dick Van Dyke was the honourary Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Winning top honours tonight was Argo for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, which is making it seem increasingly likely as a real Best Picture Candidate at the Oscars, considering its Motion Picture – Drama win at the Golden Globes a couple weeks back.  Actor/Director Ben Affleck, who was a noticeable omission from the Directing Category at the Oscars, delivered a heartfelt and funny Speech, remembering to thank Wife Jennifer Garner: “I wanna thank my Wife, who I love, and my Kids, and Warner Brothers, who I love, but not as much.”.  The Ensemble Cast from Argo includes: Clea Duvall, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Victor Garber, Scoot McNairy, Kerry Bishé, Tate Donovan and more.

Lincoln also continues to be a major presence this Awards Season with Daniel Day-Lewis solidifying his case for Best Actor at the Oscars with a win  for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture.  This counts as his third win at the Awards, after previously having won in 2003 and 2008 for Gangs of New York and There Will Be Blood. In what was a competitive Category, Tommy Lee Jones too was awarded Supporting Actor, Film for his work in Lincoln too after having been defeated by Christoph Waltz a couple weeks ago at the Golden Globes.

Jennifer Lawrence, who despite recovering from Pneumonia still ventured-out in her Dior Couture (same label as her Golden Globes Dress), pulled-off a surprise upset over an Alexander McQueen-clad Jessica Chastain, with her spirited work in Silver Linings Playbook.  While accepting the Award, even Katniss herself couldn’t avoid a slight Wardrobe Malfunction with her dress appearing to tear at the knees, although it was later confirmed via Dior that in fact this was part of the design.

Meanwhile,  Anne Hathaway won Supporting Actress, Film for her stunning performance in Les Misérables, her first ever SAG Award and just one of many won of late.  The Actress stunned in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture, daring in a black Dress which drew some parallels to her scandal-inducing Tom Ford Dress worn at the New York City Premiere for the Film in December.

Now into its final Season, 30 Rock nabbed two Awards for Actor and Actress in Television Series, Comedy with both Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey respectively, while the Cast of Modern Family for a third time won Ensemble Cast, Comedy, Television Series.  ITV British Import Downton Abbey won Ensemble Cast, Drama, Television Series.

For Television Movie or Miniseries, both Film Veterans Kevin Costner and Juliane Moore were victorious for their work in History’s Hatfields and McCoys and HBO‘s Game Change respectively.  Claire Danes also continues her domination this Awards Season, winning for her work on Showtime‘s Homeland for Actress, Television Series, Drama, while  Cranston won Actor Award, Television Series, Drama  for AMC’s Breaking Bad (making him a double-Winner also for Argo), beating-out Danes’ Co-Star Damian Lewis who won at the Golden Globes.

Toronto Viewers tonight were inconvenienced by technical glitches, delaying the broadcast of the SAG Awards on Global Television. Finally at approximately 9:00 PM the issue was resolved, but not without   Torontonians first being so outraged that they took to Twitter to vent so much that the Station trended.  Bad Publicity can be good too perhaps.

Read Global Television‘s Tweets about the glitches below:

 See some of the best looks from the SAG Awards tonight including  my favourite, Chastain and Seyfried in Zac Posen:

Complete List of Winners here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Warner Bros.)

Giving just a taste of what’s to come at the Oscars next month, the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards took place tonight at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.  As originally thought, the Race to next month’s Oscars is just as wide-open as ever based on tonight’s results. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association awarded top Honours to Argo for Motion Picture – Drama, when many thought Zero Dark Thirty or Lincoln would be victorious. To further illustrate the drastic differences between the HFPA‘s tastes and that of the Academy, Ben Affleck shocked many in failing to garner a mention for Best Director when Oscar Nominees were unveiled this past Thursday. To put this into context, Affleck‘s win tonight for Motion Picture – Director had him defeating previous Oscar Winners Kathryn Bigelow and even past Cecil B. DeMille Award Winner, Steven Spielberg. Nonetheless, with Argo nabbing two key Awards, in addition to Django Unchained winning Original Screenplay and Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (Christoph Waltz) and Les Misérables also winning an impressive three Awards: Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Actor in a Musical or Comedy (Hugh Jackman) and Supporting Actress in a Musical or Comedy (Anne Hathaway), these three Best Picture Nominees definitely cannot be ruled-out.

Jodie Foster, a six-time Golden Globe Nominee herself, was honoured with the Cecil B. DeMille Award this year, raising quite a few eyebrows with her v. candid Speech which for the first time publicly had her addressing her Sexuality. “I’m just gonna put it out there loud and proud, so I’m gonna need your support on this. I am single. Yes I am”, she said with a bit of nervousness. “I already did my coming-out a thousand years ago in the Stone Age in those very quaint days when a fragile young Girl would open-up to Family and Friends”.  On her longevity as an Actress Foster says, “There are a few secrets to keeping your Psyche intact over such a long career – love people and stay beside them.”.

As predicted, Jessica Chastain and Daniel Day-Lewis won respectively for Best Actress and Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. This is the second time Chastain has been nominated, her first Nomination coming with 2011’s The Help.  Also this is the sixth time the reclusive Day-Lewis has been nominated and his second time winning the prestigious Award.  He won in  2008 for There Will Be Blood.

Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman earned his first-ever Golden Globe  for Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, with  Les Misérables; he received  his first nomination back in 2002 for Kate & Leopold.  Jackman edged-out Bradley Cooper, a first-time Nominee for his work on Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Winner Silver Linings Playbook.  Both Actors will vie with Day-Lewis at next month’s Oscars for the  coveted Best Actor Award.

The Hunger Games Star Jennifer Lawrence, won her first Golden Globe for Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her work in Silver Linings Playbook.  “What can I say? I beat Meryl!”, she joked upon accepting her Award from hilarious Anchorman 2 Duo, Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell.  “JLaw” as she likes to be called, received her first Golden Globe in 2010 for Breakthrough Role in Winter’s Bone.

Three-time Golden Globe Nominee Anne Hathaway was seen widely as a heavy Favourite to win for Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and did not disappoint for her work in Les Misérables.  Defeating an exceptionally-talented Group including Helen Hunt, Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams and Sally Field, Hathaway likely will take home Best Supporting Actress next month also.  The New York Native’s Acceptance Speech was full of compliments, giving nods to Co-Host Tina Fey, using a word she made famous, “Blarg!” and also praising Field for her Oscar-winning work in Norma Rae.

Despite some heavy competition, two-time Golden Globe Nominee and now two-time Winner Waltz rose above all to win Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his spirited turn in Django Unchained. With the exception of Co-Star Leonardo DiCaprio, he will be up against Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tommy Lee Jones and Alan Arkin again next month at the Oscars in the same Category.

In the Television categories, HBO‘s Sarah Palin-inspired Game Change and  Showtime Drama Series Homeland walked away the big Winners. The former won for Mini-Series or Motion Picture for Television, in addition to Stars Julianne Moore and Ed Harris each winning Actress and Supporting Actor respectively. The latter garnered four nominations this year, including Television Series – Drama.  New Mom  Claire Danes, who won last year for Actress in a Television Series – Drama repeated the feat again this year, while Co-Star Damian Lewis won the Award for Actor.  HBO‘s Breakout Hit Girls despite falling short at the Primetime Emmy Awards late last year, would not be refused tonight winning Television Series – Comedy and also its Writer and Star Lena Dunham winning Actress in a Television Series – Comedy.  Coincidentally or not, Season Two of the Series premiered tonight.

As always, Fashion is a huge part of the Festivities and especially stunning on the Red Carpet tonight were Hathaway donning an elegant white Chanel Dress.  Chastain rarely disappoints and tonight she chose Calvin Klein as her Clothier of choice, looking Classic Hollywood and Katharine Hepburn-esque.  Lawrence also drew a lot of attention for her red Dior Couture Dress cinched with a thematically-appropriate gold belt, as did Foster in a navy Armani Number.    Lucy Liu who currently stars in TV Series Elementary, may have drawn some mixed responses for her floral Carolina Herrera Dress, but she gets big points here for the inspired Look. Also, hilariously snappy Co-Hosts  Tina Fey and Amy Poehler graced the Carpet in Wife and Husband Outfits, Fey looking particularly amazing in L’wren Scott. Of the Gentleman, no one can deny that Leonardo DiCaprio was King of the Ball in Tom Ford!

For a complete list of Winners, click here.

(Photo credit: @GoldenGlobes)

Hollywood didn’t sleep much last night as the 85th annual Academy Award Nominations were announced at 5:30 AM Pacific Time.  This year, Emma Stone and Funnyman Seth McFarlane were called-upon for announcing duties and although there were a few surprise Omissions, few will dispute that this year’s Nominees are deserving.  MacFarlane himself even received a Nomination for his Song, Everybody Needs a Friend from Ted.

This year’s Best Picture Nominees are: Amour, Argo, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Django Unchained, Les Misérables, Life of Pi, Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty and lastly, Lincoln which leads the way with twelve Nominations. Many are concerned that snubs in the Directing Category might be predictive of a voting result here.

Directing Nominees include: Michael Haneke (Amour), Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild), Ang Lee (Life of Pi), David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook) and Steven Spielberg (Lincoln).  Surprise Omissions are first-ever Female Winner in the Category, Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty) and Ben Affleck who despite a v. heavy promotional Campaign, still got snubbed for Argo. Missing also is Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained.

Actor in a Leading Role is hotly-contended with Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables) up against current Favourite Daniel Day-Lewis  (Lincoln), Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook), Joaquin Phoenix (The Master) and Denzel Washington (Flight). Many are surprised that John Hawkes was snubbed here while his The Sessions Co-Star Helen Hunt was recognized for her work.

Actress in a Leading Role boasts two records – youngest and oldest Actress ever to be nominated with Quvenzhané Wallis and Emmanuelle Riva holding those distinctions respectively.  Otherwise, Naomi Watts (The Impossible) is up against Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) and Favourite, Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) – these three Actresses each receiving their second-ever Nominations.

Actor in a Supporting Role for the first-time ever includes all previous Academy Award Winners: Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained), Robert DeNiro (Silver Linings Playbook), Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Master), Tommy Lee-Jones (Lincoln) and Alan Arkin (Argo).  Some are surprised that Leonardo Dicaprio got snubbed for his work in Django Unchained, in perhaps the most evenly-matched Category at this year’s Awards.

Actress in a Supporting Role recognizes some fine work this year, but through and through Anne Hathaway is likely to win it all for her bone-chilling work as Fantine in Les Misérables.  Also nominated are Amy Adams (The Master), Helen Hunt (The Sessions), Sally Field (Lincoln) and Jackie Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook).  Each of these Actresses have either been nominated for or have won at least one Academy Award prior.

As an added surprise, perhaps we can expect to see Adele performing Original Song Nominee Skyfall?

For a complete list of Nominees, click here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

With the voting deadline having passed for Academy Members, Deadline is reporting much controversy over the transition of the voting process from over-the-mail to online.  Apparently, some Movers & Shakers and even Oscar-winning Actors themselves were having technical issues accessing their accounts as they scrambled to make this week’s deadline. Click here to read more about that.

Non-theatrical Drama aside, I am beyond-excited for this Thursday morning’s Oscar Nominee Announcements.  Expect Jessica Chastain to be the definitive Favourite to win Best Actress for Zero Dark Thirty, as is the case with Anne Hathaway in the Category of Best Supporting Actress based on her bone-chilling Les Misérables Performance.  In a tight match, Hugh Jackman and two-time Winner Daniel Day-Lewis foreseeably will be neck-in-neck for Best Actor, while Django Unchained Co-Stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Christoph Waltz likely will vie for Best Supporting Actor along with Tommy Lee Jones for Lincoln, and Philip Seymour Hoffman for The Master.  In a year with several standouts, Zero Dark Thirty, Silver Linings Playbook, Django Unchained, Argo and Lincoln all to be in close contention, while divisive Dark Horse The Master, could surprise.

Seth MacFarlane hosts the 85th annual Academy Awards on February 24, 2013. ABC airs at 7:00 PM EST. 

As a reminder, the Golden Globe Awards follow only a few days after the Oscar Nominations are unveiled, taking place on Sunday, January 13, 2012 at 8:00 PM EST, to air on NBC; Tina Fey & Amy Poehler host. 

I live for this!

(Photo credit: Oscars.com)