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.)
Some mixed reactions to Jennifer Lawrence‘s first time hosting Saturday Night Live last night. The twice Oscar-nominated Actress started off strong with a hilarious opening Monologue poking-fun at the upcoming Oscars Race, going through each and every one of her fellow Nominees. “Ladies I love you all, but you’re about to get served”, warns Lawrence before throwing wooly-mitten punches at each of the nominated Actresses. “Jessica Chas-ain’t-not-winning-no-Oscar-on-my-Watch“, she says about Jessica Chastain. On Naomi Watts, she says, “You were in The impossible… you know what else is impossible? You beating me on Oscar night.”. Neither the old nor the young got a break as she also went-on to ask record youngest-ever Nominee 9-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis, “What ‘chu talking ’bout Wallis?”. On Amour Star Emannuelle Riva, she doesn’t hold back one bit stating, “An 85-year-old French Lady? Umm… yah I think I can take you. You know what you can say to your Oscar chances? Emmanuelle Arrivaderci!”. LOL Of course all in good humour.
Performing alongside Musical Guests The Lumineers, Lawrence had a few bright moments such as the super-cute Top Dog Chef Sketch which had her dressed as a Yorkie and preparing a culinary creation for a panel of Judges. One Sketch had her parodying The Hunger Games with herself as Katniss, before a panel of Reporters at a Press Conference asking burning questions which poked fun at some of the rules of the Games and also Lawrence and Co-Star Josh Hutcherson‘s height differences. Bobby Moynihan took hunger to a new level making all his questions about food because apparently he’s starving out there in District 12. Truly versatile in reaching young to old(er), Lawrence held her own in some of the more sex-oriented Sketches like Danielle, a deliciously trashy Parody of late-night French Soaps with horrible dubbing. Also, a Lincoln-inspired Sketch had her writing her Boyfriend-at-War (Newcomer Tim Robinson) Love Letters, but it seemed all he wanted were Tit Pics.
Those of us in Canada, it shouldn’t be long before Global finally uploads their Page with Clips.
Check here in a bit.
(Photo/video credit: NBC)
Alright Hunger Games, let’s see what you’ve got! In the event you haven’t paid your Cable bill these past couple months, you otherwise are well aware probably that Jennifer Lawrence is hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend. The stunning Golden Globe Award Winner brings out the laughs here along with Funnyman Jason Sudeikis, in this just-release Promo for the eagerly-awaited Episode. Watch her pull a Katniss on poor Bobby Moynihan.
In addition to her Awards Blitz which includes an appearance at next month’s Oscars, for which she’s nominated with Silver Linings Playbook, Lawrence also covers the February 2013 Issue of Vanity Fair. Read the fascinating Piece here by as she chats with Jim Windolf about her rise to success over Beer and a Beef Burrito.
One interesting quote from Lawrence about her modest Start: “I was 14. And my brothers were star athletes. And one of them was a straight-A student. I always felt like I sucked at everything, that I could never find the thing that I liked. I auditioned and I probably sucked, but I had decided 100 percent that this is what I wanted to do. And, fortunately, my mother and I had fallen in love with New York, so the idea of living there for the summer wasn’t as scary.”.
Watch Lawrence‘s SNL Promo below:
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)
It was all about The Hunger Games, leading the way with a stellar six Wins at tonight’s People’s Choice Awards held at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. The Film won top honour of Favourite Movie, Favourite Movie Franchise, Favourite On-Screen Chemistry, Favourite Movie Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Favourite Face of Heroism (Jennifer Lawrence) and Favourite Action Movie. Timed perfectly, Entertainment Weekly will be releasing a Catching Fire Preview Issue Friday featuring Interviews and Photos from the second installment of the Suzanne Collins Trilogy! See some Photos here.
The annual Awards Show honours the Public’s Favourites in Music, Television and Music, a bit of a Teaser leading-up-to this weekend’s Golden Globe Awards, tomorrow morning’s Oscar Nominees Announcements and next month’s GRAMMYs.
Ellen DeGeneres won her 13th People’s Choice Award tonight for Favourite Daytime TV Host (Jimmy Fallon won Late Night Host) and hilariously thanking the People on her “Team” figuratively, “Melissa Etheridge, Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes…”, during her Acceptance Speech.
Meanwhile, Katy Perry and One Direction also were recognized with multiple Wins tonight – the former winning Favourite Music Following for her Fans (KatyCats), Favourite Pop Artist and Favourite Music Video (Part of Me). The latter won Favourite Album (Up All Night) and Favourite Song (What Makes You Beautiful), although they were defeated in the voting by rival British Boy Band The Wanted for Favourite Breakout Artist.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower was awarded Favourite Dramatic Movie, while one of its Stars Emma Watson won Favourite Dramatic Actress.
Toronto also got piece of the pie with locally-filmed Series Beauty and The Beast, winning Favourite New TV Series!
Click here for a complete list of Winners.
(Photo credit: CBS/Getty Images)
This frickin‘ killed me! Right in-time for its release today, Jennifer Lawrence visited The Ellen DeGeneres Show and admitted that her Mom recently stole her Oscars Ballot, voted and mailed it in. Fortunately enough, Lawrence‘s Mom mailed it to the wrong address and it got returned to Sender. On whether or not she agreed with her Mom’s choices, Lawrence replied, “Uh.. no.”. Lawrence who despite being nominated for an Oscar for her work in 2010 Drama Winter’s Bone, only recently was inducted into the Academy.
Of course there is tons of Oscar buzz already for 22-year-old Lawrence who portrays a young Woman with Bipolar Tendencies in the hilarious new Comedy from David O. Russell (The Fighter), alongside Bradley Cooper. Currently still working on The Hunger Games Sequel Catching Fire in Atlanta, Lawrence was just in Toronto this past September for TIFF, where Silver Linings Playbook premiered to warm reception, winning the People’s Choice Award.
See a couple Snaps I got of the current Brunette here and here.
Read my Review of Silver Linings Playbook here.
(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)
Exciting news, Tributes! Casting has completed for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and you’ll be thrilled to know who will be in the upcoming Sequel to the one Film which single-handedly has revived the sport of Archery’s popularity. The following additions have been confirmed:
Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair
Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee
Jena Malone as Johanna Mason
Amanda Plummer as Wiress
Alan Ritchson as Gloss
Jeffrey Wright as Beetee
Bruno Gunn as Brutus
Meta Golding as Enobaria
Maria Howell as Seeder
E. Roger Mitchell as Chaff
Lynn Cohen as Mags
In Catching Fire, we can expect Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) to join forces with Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason as President Snow (Donald Sutherland) is none too pleased of the Rebellion Katniss is responsible for sparking in District 12 with her Victory in the last Hunger Games.
Currently filming in Georgia, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has been penciled-in for a November 22, 2013 release.
(Photo credit: Lionsgate Films)
Fame really can change a person… all the way down to how they sign their name. Two Summers ago, I decided to write Jennifer Lawrence a Fan Letter while she was filming House at the End of the Street (now in theatres) in Ottawa. Within a week or two, she was amazingly sweet to reply back, signing a couple Photos I included with the letter. Incredibly touched by her performance in Winter’s Bone, I had told her I was so excited for her return to Toronto one day and it would appear I got my wish come true for TIFF 2011, seeing her name confirmed as a Guest for the Romantic Drama, Like Crazy. Days into the Festival, I received the devastating news that she no longer would be coming for the Festival. When I saw her name surface on the Guest List for TIFF 2012, a huge smile was drawn on my face.
Although it’s only been two years since I sent that piece of Fanmail to Lawrence, I knew my chances of meeting her at the Festival this year were nil, I am thrilled that her star has risen so quickly with the popularity of The Hunger Games. At the Premiere for Silver Linings Playbook– which I loved – I found myself buried six rows deep among Fans, knowing that I didn’t stand a chance of getting that coveted Photo with her. Perhaps another year.
I was however, able to obtain an Autograph in-person by thrusting forward a Photo to her amidst the clanging of Clipboards and tattered Memorabilia and found it amusing what a huge Crowd and a Handler rushing can do to one’s Autograph. Above we have a proper Jennifer Lawrence Autograph, personalized along with a heartfelt note: “TO WILL – Thank for the sweet letter! Jennifer Lawrence“. Below we have a sample of her 2012 Autograph obtained among a Crowd. I think I see the letter “J” somewhere in there? LOL
Not to be ungrateful, because I appreciate any gesture large or small, but I found great amusement in doing a side-by-side comparison of this!
The difference between The House at the End of the Street and any other Haunted House-Horror is that this Mother and Daughter know exactly what they’re getting, versus finding out along the way when it’s already too late. This effort from Director Mark Tonderai has Sarah (Elisabeth Shue) and Elissa (Jennifer Lawrence) aware precisely of a Double Homicide which took place on the same street they relocate to, all in the name of affordable housing.
Despite their genuine efforts to make reconnecting as Mother and Daughter a primary focus, things fall to the wayside quickly with Sarah‘s busy work schedule as a Doctor. A headstrong Elissa befriends Ryan (Max Thieriot) against her Mother’s wishes as something isn’t quite right about Ryan. You guessed it – the Victims of that said Double Homicide were his Parents and the Killer would be his brain-damaged younger sister, who is rumoured to live in the woods. Great. On paper, the signs are all there to steer the heck clear of the Drama, but if weren’t for Drama, there wouldn’t be a Movie.
House at the End of the Street doesn’t tread any new territory in terms of the Genre, but what makes it entertaining is the honest and fully-committed performance given by now-Megastar Lawrence. Surely she couldn’t have known that back in the Summer of 2010 when she filmed this Movie in Ottawa, that she’d see her Star rise as quickly as it has. Thieriot – whom I kept confusing for Cam Gigandet – more than ably fills the role of the Villain here and if you are patient enough to wait till the end, you’d better have your Baseball Bat ready for a sharp Curve Ball thrown your way. It’s always a pleasure to see Oscar-nominated Shue on the Big Screen, even if she isn’t fully challenged here.
This Horror may have Genre Enthusiasts turning-up their noses, however Lawrence’s younger Fans definitely will have a bit of fun with this. And did you know she could sing really well? Alliance Films releases House at the End of the Street on Friday, September 21, 2012.
After being institutionalized, Pat (Bradley Cooper) transitions back to his normal life again, staying with his Parents Dolores (Jackie Weaver) and Pat Sr. (Robert DeNiro). His ultimate goal is to reconcile with his Wife, proving to her that they can pick-up where things left off, but along the way he meets an equally troubled Woman named Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence). Matters become complicated as they both get to know one another, confusing what it is that Pat really wants, as they prepare themselves with a challenge of an upcoming local Dance Competition.
David O. Russell (The Fighter) helms and writes a beautiful Piece here with rich, complex and flawed Characters, maintaining our interest and support throughout. Make no mistake though, Silver Linings Playbook is a Comedy and it is chalk full of biting humour and you will leave feeling uplifted. Its message is central and universal – with love you achieve and endure anything, no matter what you’re working against.
Oscar-nominated Lawrence‘s performance here is a true revelation, commanding our attention at all times with Tiffany‘s presence. Just wait till you see her school the Boys on Football in one scene and surely, a great deal of discipline was required to learn some of the Choreography in the Film. Cooper is endearing as a lovesick Man who at moments is unable to contain his emotions or bite his tongue – at once grating and incredibly charming.
Whether or not Silver Linings Playbook has the meatiness to win Best Picture at the Oscars remains to be seen, but on its own it surely is a Movie I’d love to see again! Alliance Films releases on November 21, 2012.
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