The World of Cinema Elite made their way to Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles tonight for the 86th annual Academy Awards. Praised as both a strong year for Red Carpet Fashion and Film with a heated battle between American Hustle, 12 Years a Slave and Gravity, among others for Best Picture, ultimately 12 Years a Slave would prevail with top honours tonight.
The Drama based on the Memoir by Solomon Northrup, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September, before going-on to sweep a litany of accolades this Awards Season including victories at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Broadcast Film Critics Association and the Independent Spirit Awards just yesterday. In addition, to winning coveted Best Picture, it won also for Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong’o) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Alfonso Cuarón‘s Gravity, which has grossed over $700 million worldwide, also premiering at TIFF this last Fall, won the most Oscars this evening, tallying-in at seven wins, primarily in technical categories including Cinematography, Score and Visual Effects. Cuarón himself went-on to win for Directing.
AIDS Drama Dallas Buyers Club won the important Actor and Supporting Actor Categories with Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto respectively. Both brought along their Mothers to the Awards, the latter making a heartfelt tribute to his Mother who overcame great odds to provide for both him and his Brother.
As predicted by many, Cate Blanchett now is a two-time Oscar Winner, her first win coming for her work in 2004’s The Aviator. The Australian Actress won for her empathetic portrayal of a Woman coping with mental and addiction issues in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine.
The Fashion on the Red Carpet tonight was a huge draw as several Fans via Social Media sounded-off on the tasteful styles of Kate Hudson in Versace, Cate Blanchett in Armani Privé, Amy Adams in Gucci, Angelina Jolie in Elie Saab and perhaps the most-talked-about was a Princess-like Lupita Nyong’o in what is now being called a “Nairobi Blue” Prada Dress with a Hairband. The light pastel blue Creation was chosen by the eventual Oscar Winner, who told Ryan Seacrest on the Red Carpet that it reminded the Kenyan Native of Nairobi.
Ellen DeGeneres once again did a bang-up job, making herself right at home with the A-List Audience, poking fun at everything from welcoming Liza Minnelli as a Female Impersonator, to some of this year’s Nominees who didn’t attend College (the Camera panned on Amy Adams nodded her head, admitting she too didn’t attend) to bringing out Pizza to some of the Evening’s famous Guests. Meryl Streep was one of the first to help herself to a slice. In addition, DeGeneres was out to set a record for the Most Re-Tweeted Selfie and helping her along were the likes of Bradley Cooper, Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lawrence, Jared Leto, Meryl Streep, Lupita Nyong’o, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey. Quickly, the Photo received over a million Re-Tweets (overtaking a previous Tweet from President Obama upon his Re-Election) and could’ve received more if it weren’t for reported technical difficulties likely due to the onslaught of traffic.
See it below:
See more Photos here.
(Photo credit: Getty Images/Ellen DeGeneres)
And the Countdown officially begins! The Nominees for the 86th annual Academy Awards were unveiled this morning at Samuel Goldwyn Theatre with expecting-Father Chris Hemsworth and Academy President Cheryl Isaac Boone on-hand to make the announcements. Leading the way each with ten nominations are Gravity and American Hustle. 12 Years a Slave certainly wasn’t far behind with nine nominations. American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave are seen as being in close contention after each winning a Golden Globe Award this past weekend for Best Motion Picture Comedy and Drama respectively.
There was little dispute that this year’s Nominees for Best Picture this year aren’t a deserving bunch, that eclectic List including: 12 Years a Slave, American Hustle, Her, Dallas Buyers Club, Philomena, The Wolf of Wall Street, Captain Phillips, Nebraska and Gravity. Some are surprised the highly-buzzed Inside Llewyn Davis and Saving Mr. Banks lacked recognition from the Academy. Canada received a Nod with Director Jean-Marc Vallée responsible for Dallas Buyers Club.
Even more heated a battle is the Category of Actor in a Leading Role, where again there are no major surprises, but the question now exactly is who will be victorious. Up for the Oscar are: Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club), Bruce Dern (Nebraska) and Christian Bale (American Hustle).
Actress in a Leading Role also again presents few surprises, although Fans of the well-receieved Saving Mr. Banks might make a case that its Star Emma Thompson was snubbed. Nominated this year are: Amy Adams (American Hustle), Judi Dench (Philomena), Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine), Sandra Bullock (Gravity) and Meryl Streep (August: Osage County). Indeed a tough Category with the exception of Adams is filled by previous Winners, with Blanchett regarded as a Favourite to take it all despite her Film being released far in advance of Awards Season.
For Actor in a Supporting Role, we see repeat Nominees Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street), Bradley Cooper (American Hustle) up against a trio of first-time Nominees in Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave), Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) and definitive Choice Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club).
The Actress in a Supporting Role Category also is an immensely-talented Group including a Newcomer in Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), in addition to Screen Veteran June Squibb (Nebraska) and previous Golden Globe Winner Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine) being recognized. Previous Winners Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) and Julia Roberts (August: Osage County) add mega-watt Starpower to the Race. Much controversy came of Nyong’o‘s loss to Lawrence in the same Category at last weekend’s Golden Globes and this outcome will be highly-watched by Award Pundits and Fans.
Up for Directing this year are first-time Nominee Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), two-time Nominee Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity), three-time Alexander Payne (Nebraska), five-time Nominee David O. Russell (American Hustle) and eight-time Nominee/one-time Winner Martin Scorcese (The Wolf of Wall Street).
Watch the Nominations below courtesy of The Telegraph:
Click here to view a complete List of Nominees.
CBS airs the 86th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 7:00 PM EST.
(Photo credit: The Telegraph)
58 Categories, many, many Winners! The 40th annual People’s Choice Awards were held tonight at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles and walking away the night’s big Winner was America’s Sweetheart Sandra Bullock, taking home four Awards as decided by the General Public. The Actress had a super year at the Box Office with two major Hits Gravity and The Heat, both which won Favorite Dramatic Movie and Favourite Comedic Movie respectively. The former earned Bullock a People’s Choice Award in the Category of Favorite Movie Duo along with her Co-Star George Clooney, in addition to wins for Favorite Actress, Favorite Dramatic Actress and Favorite Comedic Actress.
2 Broke Girls Stars Beth Behrs and Kat Dennings hosted the Evening, which saw performances from the likes of Brad Paisley, One Republic and Sara Bareilles and although the two Actresses were nominated for Favourite TV Gal Pals, they lost-out to Rachel & Santana (Lea Michele and Naya Rivera) from Glee.
Toronto was well-represented with Kristin Kreuk winning Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress for her work in Beauty and the Beast. Meanwhile, the Series which is filmed in the City and also Toronto-filmed Reign won Favorite New TV Drama.
Winners tonight were as follows:
Favorite Streaming Series
Orange Is the New Black
Favorite Cable TV Drama
The Walking Dead
Favorite TV Gal Pals
Rachel & Santana (Glee)
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor
Ian Somerhalder
Favorite Movie Actress
Sandra Bullock
Favorite Comedic Movie Actress
Sandra Bullock
Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress
Sandra Bullock
Favorite Album
The 20/20 Experience (Justin Timberlake)
Favorite Male Artist
Justin Timberlake
Favorite R&B Artist
Justin Timberlake
Favorite Daytime TV Host(s)
Ellen DeGeneres
Favorite New Talk Show Host
Queen Latifah
Favorite Comedic Movie Actor
Adam Sandler
Favorite Dramatic TV Actor
Josh Charles
Favorite Competition TV Show
The Voice
Favorite Network TV Drama
The Good Wife
Favorite Comedic Movie
The Heat
Favorite Cable TV Actress
Lucy Hale
Favorite On-Screen Chemistry
Damon & Elena (The Vampire Diaries)
Favorite Pop Artist
Britney Spears
Favorite Comedic TV Actress
Kaley Cuoco
Favorite Comedic TV Actor
Chris Colfer
Favorite Action Movie
Iron Man 3
Favorite Action Movie Star
Robert Downey Jr.
Favorite Actress in a New TV Series
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Favorite Movie
Iron Man 3
Favorite Late Night Talk Show Host
Stephen Colbert
Favorite Movie Actor
Johnny Depp
Favorite Movie Duo
Sandra Bullock & George Clooney (Gravity)
Favorite Dramatic Movie
Gravity
Favorite Dramatic Movie Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio
Favorite Family Movie
Despicable Me 2
Favorite Horror Movie
Carrie
Favorite Thriller Movie
Now You See Me
Favorite Network TV Comedy
The Big Bang Theory
Favorite Dramatic TV Actress
Stana Katic
Favorite Actor in a New TV Series
Joseph Morgan
Favorite TV Crime Drama
Castle
Favorite Cable TV Comedy
Psych
Favorite Premium Cable TV Show
Homeland
Favorite TV Anti-Hero
Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead)
Favorite TV Bromance
Sam, Dean & Castiel (Supernatural)
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show
Beauty and the Beast
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress
Kristin Kreuk
Favorite TV Movie/Miniseries
American Horror Story
Favorite Series We Miss Most
Breaking Bad
Favorite New TV Comedy
Super Fun Night
Favorite New TV Drama
Reign
Favorite Female Artist
Demi Lovato
Favorite Breakout Artist
Ariana Grande
Favorite Country Artist
Taylor Swift
Favorite Country Music Icon
Tim McGraw
Favorite Hip-Hop Artist
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Favorite Band
One Direction
Favorite Alternative Band
Fall Out Boy
Favorite Song
Roar (Katy Perry)
Favorite Music Video
Roar (Katy Perry)
Favorite Music Fan Following
Lovatics
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
After settling for second spot last weekend, Disney‘s Oscar-buzzed Animated Feature, Frozen advances to the top of the Box Office this chilly weekend with $31.6 million from 3,742 theatres across North America. After debuting in second last week the Film voiced by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel initially was behind The Hunger Games: Catching Fire at the start of the weekend, but Moviegoing traffic from Families drove its numbers up Saturday and Sunday. In two weeks, it has grossed $134 million.
After two record-setting weeks on-top, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire slips to second spot this weekend with $27 million from 4,163 theatres. In three weeks, it has earned over $336 million for eOne Films and Lionsgate Films.
Opening on a less-than-ideal weekend, Christian Bale‘s latest Drama, Out of the Furnace debuts in third spot with $5.3 million for Open Road Films and VVS Films. Audiences gave the violence-driven Film an C+ CinemaScore, while Critics were about on-par with a 55% tallied on the Tomatometer.
Thor: The Dark World still continues to go well in fourth with $4.7 million, now in its fifth week in theatres. It is nearing-in on the $200 mark and likely will surpass that shortly for Disney. This places it ahead of fifth-place finisher Delivery Man also from Disney, with $3.8 million.
Homefront remains in sixth place again this weekend for VVS Films and Open Road Films, with $3.2 million this weekend. eOne Films/The Weinstein Co.’s Philomena continues to go well in limited release with $3.2 million in ninth spot this weekend based on its Oscar buzz. Black Nativity rounds-out-onto the Top Ten with $889k for Fox Searchlight.
A big weekend ahead is expected for Warner Bros. as they release their Blockbuster The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug next weekend.
Not that there ever was any doubt about it, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire makes a record-setting debut for highest ever November opening for a Film with a monstrous $161.1 million this weekend across North America for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films! The record previous was held by The Twilight Saga: New Moon in 2009 with $142 million. The Action-Fantasy, the second in the Series of four Films, opened in 4,163 theatres with an excellent A CinemaScore and equally strong reviews from Critics (89% on the Tomatometer). By contrast, its Predecessor earned $152 million in its March 2012 debut.
In its third week, Thor: The Dark World slips to second spot with $14.1 million from 3,713 theatres for Disney. To-date the second Film in the Thor Franchise has earned $168 million domestically.
The Best Man Holiday continues to go strong in third in its second week out for Universal Pictures, earning $12.5 million and almost surpassing the $50-million mark.
Debuting in fourth with $8.2 million from 3,036 theatres is Sperm Donor-Comedy, Delivery Man starring Vince Vaughn. The Adaptation of TIFF ’11 Favourite Starbuck, released by Disney, didn’t do amazingly well with Critics who gave it 35% on the Tomatometer, but Audiences responded much better giving it a B+ CinemaScore.
Gravity continues to bring in the cash for Warner Bros., now in its seventh week with $3.5 million. Domestically, the Film has grossed $245 million in its eight weeks in theatres.
12 Years a Slave continues to perform well, now showing at 1,474 theatres, landing in ninth spot with $2.8 million this weekend for Fox Searchlight. To-date it has grossed almost $30 million, much of that impressively in limited release.
Dallas Buyers Club rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.7 million from 666 theatres for Focus Features/Remstar Films. The Drama based on a true story has a remarkable 95% on the Tomatometer and is a major Contender for Best Picture at the Oscars, having received a TIFF ’13 Premiere.
No surprises here! Ender’s Game debuts atop the Box Office this week, saying ‘Game Over’ to the Competition with a strong $27 million earned from 3,407 theatres. The Adaptation of the 1985 Novel by Orson Scott Card, garnered fairly strong reviews, earning a solid 62% on the Tomatometer for eOne Films. Audiences gave the Film starring Asa Butterfield (Hugo), Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) and Abigail Breslin (August: Osage County) an A- CinemaScore also, boding well for a word-of-mouth buzz.
Last week’s Champion Bad Grandpa slips to second spot this weekend with a still decent $18.1 million for Paramount Pictures in this its second week, landing just ahead of Comedy Last Vegas, which brings together Oscar Winners Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline. It earned $15.5 million for eOne Films, from 3,035 theatres, generally getting panned with a 42% rating on the Tomatometer, although Audiences enjoyed it more giving it a B CinemaScore.
Animated Feature, Free Birds, debuts in fourth spot for eOne Films/Relativity Media, with $16.2 million earned from 3,736 theatres. Critics panned the Film featuring the voices of Amy Poehler and Owen Wilson, giving it a 21% rating on the Tomatometer although Audiences enjoyed it much more with a B Cinemascore.
Gravity in its fifth week still is going strong in fifth spot with $13.1 million for Warner Bros., earning a cumulative total domestically of $218 million thus far.
12 Years a Slave expands to 410 theatres, still mustering a seventh-placing with $4.6 million in this its third week of release for Fox Searchlight.
Carrie rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.1 million for Sony Pictures in its third week out, just surpassing the $30-million mark in North America.
Fans of the Jackass Franchise know v. well what they’d be getting with Jackass: Bad Grandpa, clamouring to the Box Office this Halloween Weekend for some Tricks along with the Treats. Starring Johnny Knoxville disguised as 86-year-old Irving Zisman, the Comedy debuts easily at number one with $32 million for Paramount Pictures, opening in 3,336 theatres. Not only did Audiences enjoy it giving it a B CinemaScore, but Critics gave it fairly positive reviews, tallying-in at 63% on the Tomatometer.
Gravity slips to second spot after an impressive three-week-reign for Warner Bros., earning a still great $20.3 million in its fourth week of release, closing-in on that $200-million mark.
Slipping to third spot is Sony Pictures’ Captain Phillips which makes $11.8 million in this its third week of release. The Drama is en route to surpassing the $70-million mark domestically.
Although expectations were higher, Sir Ridley Scott‘s latest, The Counselor, manages only a fourth-place debut with $8 million for 20th Century Fox. Surprisingly, it received a detrimental D CinemaScore from Audiences despite its stellar Cast which includes Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz and Rising Star Natalie Dormer. It opened in 3,044 theatres and had an estimated $25-million Production Budget.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 finds itself in sixth spot with $5 million, just surpassing the $100-million mark domestically, ahead of the Carrie Remake in sixth, in this its second week of release. The Horror garners $5.9 million for Sony Pictures.
Despite it showing only in 123 theatres across North America, Best Picture Contender and TIFF ’13 People’s Choice Award Winner 12 Years a Slave, still manages a placing in eighth for Fox Searchlight, with $2.1 million. The Slavery-themed Drama from Director Steve McQueen with a whopping 95% rating at Rotten Tomatoes, continues to expand in coming weeks.
Prisoners rounds-out the Top Ten with $1 million for Warner Bros., in its sixth week of release, just shy of the $60-mark in its North American run.
For a third consecutive week, Gravity continues to push Moviegoers to the Theatres as it continues its dominant reign atop the Box Office with $29.3 million this weekend. The Sci-Fi Flick starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney cumulatively has grossed $168 million to date for Warner Bros., from 3,820 theatres. According to Variety some of these astronomical numbers are from repeat Viewers – it genuinely is that great a Film!
Despite opening right in-time for Halloween when Moviegoers are thirsty for Horror, Carrie debuts in second spot with $18 million from 3,157 theatres for Sony Pictures. Filmed in Toronto, the Remake of Brian De Palma‘s 1976 Stephen King Adaptation, garnered mixed Reviews from Critics with a 50% rating on the Tomatometer. Audiences however gave it a B- CinemaScore, which might not really help in terms of word-of-mouth, but hopefully there will be a hold next week as we edge closer to Halloween.
Captain Phillips starring Tom Hanks, continues to garner tons of Oscar buzz and in its second week with a great $16.9 million. To date the fact-based Drama has grossed $53 million for Sony Pictures.
Escape Plan starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone merges some Heavyweights together on-screen, but still couldn’t draw the Moviegoers in big numbers as it debuts with $9.8 million for Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate Films/eOne Films from 2,883 theatres. Audiences however did respond well with a B+ CinemaScore, although Critics didn’t think much of it with a 45% rating on the Tomatometer.
After its Premiere at TIFF ’13, The Fifth Estate debuts in sixth with $2 million from 1,769 theatres. The Drama based on the rise of WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange was panned by Critics with a 40% rating on the Tomatometer. Audiences did however give it a B- CinemaScore, but overall the Bill Condon-directed Film starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Brühl, has received a less-than-ideal reception.
Also premiering at TIFF ’13 and starring Brühl alongside Chris Hemsworth, rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.5 million. To date in North America it has earned $24 million, while overseas it has fared much better with $47.5 million garnered to date.
For the second week in a row, Warner Bros. finds itself on-top with the Film on everyone’s lips these days, Gravity. The Best Picture Contender powers-on in its second week of release, earning $44.3 million this weekend – a cumulative total of $124 million in two weeks. The Sci-Fi Flick starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney is playing in 3,660 theatres currently across North America.
Opening with almost universally-positive reviews in second spot is Captain Phillips from Sony Pictures. Starring Tom Hanks, the Drama opens with $25 million from 3,020 theatres and an A CinemaScore, and also a stupendous 95% on the Tomatometer. Much Oscar buzz is building around Hanks’ performance here as the Captain who oversaw the Maersk Alabama Ship which was hijacked by Somali Pirates in 2009.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 slips to third in its third week for Sony Pictures, still going strong to earn $15 million this weekend. To date it has grossed almost $80 million domestically.
Machete Kills debuts in fourth spot for Open Road Films/VVS Films with $5 million this weekend, a Follow-up to the 2009 Film by Robert Rodriguez. Critics didn’t think much of the Action Flick which features Lady Gaga‘s first-ever acting role, garnering a 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a B- CinemaScore from Audiences.
Prisoners continues to hang tough in sixth spot, now in its fourth week of release for Warner Bros., earning $3.7 million, just surpassing the $50-million mark. Rush slips to ninth spot with $2.3 million for Imagine/Universal Pictures/eOne Films, the Oscar Contender playing in 2,130 theatres.
Baggage Claim rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.3 million for Fox Searchlight, now having made $18.2 million in its three-week run.
Sandra Bullock continues to prove herself as a major Box Office Megastar with her latest Film, Sci-Fi Flick Gravity which premiered at TIFF ’13 to raves, debuting on-top with a stellar $55 million from 3,575 theatres. Other recent Blockbusters featuring her front and center include The Blind Side, The Heat and The Proposal. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, the Film not only won praise from Audiences with an A- CinemaScore, but Critics universally adored the Film, it receiving a rating of 98% on the Tomatometer. With the buzz continuing to spill-over via word-of-mouth, look for a possible #1 repeat next weekend, although certainly it faces stiff competition from Captain Phillips.
Last week’s Champ Cloud with a Chance of Meatballs 2 continues to go strong for Sony Pictures, landing in number two this weekend with $21.5 million, for a cumulative total of $60 million in two weeks.
In third spot with $7.6 million from 3,024 theatres, is Runner Runner which debuts to both lackluster numbers for 20th Century Fox, getting a paltry 8% on the Tomatometer and not-so-great C- CinemaScore for the Thriller-Drama starring Ben Affleck, Justin Timberlake and Gemma Arterton.
Prisoners in its third week performs respectable in fourth spot with $5.7 million from 3,236 theatres for Warner Bros. also. It grows closer to the $50 million mark.
Rush in its second week lands in fifth spot with $4.4 million from 2,308 theatres for Universal Pictures/Imagine/eOne Films. To date it has grossed over $18 million in its second week of wide release.
Pulling Strings opens in ninth spot for Lionsgate Films, the Comedy earning $2.5 million from only 387 theatres. The Film stars Laura Ramsey, Jaime Camil, Stockard Channing and Tom Arnold, still yet to see a Canadian release.
Rounding-out the Top Ten for Fox Searchlight is the excellent Rom-Com, Enough Said, which in its third week earns $2.1 million from only 437 theatres. Critics have given the Film, one of the last from the late James Gandolfini, universal praise with a 95% rating on the Tomatometer.
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