After significant wins at the 72nd annual Golden Globe Awards this past weekend, BIRDMAN and THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL lead the way at the upcoming 87th annual Academy Awards, as announced earlier this morning in Los Angeles by Chris Pine, J.J. Abrams and Alfonso Cuarón. The two Films received nine nominations each and will be going head-to-head for top honours in Best Picture, Cinematography, Writing (Original Screenplay) and Directing. The latter received no nominations in the Acting categories.
Following closely with eight nominations is Winner of the People’s Choice Award (on numerous occasions a Pre-cursor to Oscar success) at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, THE IMITATION GAME. Meanwhile, BOYHOOD which won Best Motion Picture, Drama at the Golden Globes would go-on to garner six nominations today tying with AMERICAN SNIPER, which has had the quietest Awards Campaign thus far as it proceeds in a gradual roll-out to theatres. All three of these Films are up for Best Picture.
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING, WHIPLASH and INTERSTELLAR received five nominations apiece also, with the former two up for Best Picture and the latter receiving recognition almost exclusively in technical categories.
The Best Actor category is perhaps the most competitive with Golden Globe Winners Michael Keaton (Birdman) and Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) up against Steve Carell (Foxcatcher), Bradley Cooper (American Sniper) and Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game). Many are seeing the omissions of David Oyelowo (Selma) and Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler) as major snubs, after being present much of this Awards Season for their riveting performances respectively. Bradley Cooper now has the distinction of being the first Actor in a decade to receive three consecutive (Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle and now American Sniper) Oscar nominations; the last to do so was his former Partner, Renee Zellweger.
Julianne Moore leads a strong group in the Best Actress category after a win at the Golden Globes for Still Alice. Her other strong Best Actress performance in Maps to the Stars did not get recognition this morning, but this could well be a blessing in eliminating split votes against herself. Reese Witherspoon (Wild) also is seen as a strong Contender, alongside Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) and Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything) – the latter whose Campaign has varied between Supporting Actress and Lead Actress. A surprise was Oscar Winner Marion Cotillard‘s appearance on the list for her work in French Drama Two Days, One Night. Amy Adams, who was awarded Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy for Big Eyes on Sunday unfortunately will not be a Contender.
J.K. Simmons is seen as a definitive choice for Best Supporting Actor with his performance as a sadistic Conductor in Whiplash. Two-time Nominee Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher), three-time Nominee Edward Norton (Birdman), four-time Nominee Ethan Hawke (Boyhood) and Oscar Winner Robert Duvall (The Judge) round-out the Group.
After being quiet this Awards Season, many are thrilled that Lauren Dern gets recognized for her work in Wild for Best Supporting Actress. She is now a two-time Nominee after getting her first nod in 1992’s Rambling Rose. Dern will be up against Golden Globe Winner Patricia Arquette (Boyhood), Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game), Emma Stone (Birdman) and three-time Oscar Winner Meryl Streep (Into the Woods). Some are seeing Jessica Chastain‘s omission in A Most Violent Year also a snub.
For a complete list of Nominees, visit the official Oscars Website.
The 87th annual Academy Awards air on ABC Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 7:00 PM EST.
(Photo credit: ABC)
Cinema Lovers were inundated with fantastic Selections at the Movies in 2014. Although there isn’t quite a definitive Standout, there were many, many outstanding Films released. Dare we say, one of the strongest years in recent memory? This certainly makes the race for dominance this Awards Season a rather curious one.
We rely regularly on the opinions of our resident Contributors: Jonathan Godfrey (now with us a third year!), David Baldwin, Justin Waldman and our newest Team addition George Kozera, to keep us informed on what to watch and asked them what their Favourites of 2014 were. We’re not professional Film Critics by any measure, but we love Film passionately and if you ever want a Friend’s opinion, we are happy to share! The voice of the Fan always should matter most and we are Fans just like YOU!
As you will see, the choices are eclectic, a reflection of the offerings this year…
JONATHAN GODFREY
1. Interstellar
2. Lucy
3. The Tale of Princess Kaguya
4. Nymphomaniac
5. John Wick
6. Maps to the Stars
7. Wild
8. Mood Indigo
9. Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt 1
10. Bjork: Biophilia Live
Every year of my life has been cinematically-splendid, and 2014 was no different. Numerous Films from diverse Genres excited my eyes and elevated my mind-state. None more so than Nolan’s Interstellar. Having seen it four times in the theatre it still doesn’t feel like enough. That said, it wasn’t the only slice of Sci-Fi I gobbled up. Lucy also satiated my appetite for Techno-Fantasy. Then there was the outright Fantasy of Studio Ghibli’s breathtaking tale about a Bamboo Princess, Lars Von Triers four-hour dive into sexual addiction, Keanu’s kick-ass Escapade, Cronenberg’s Olympian Tragedy, Witherspoon’s awe-inspiring performance, Michel Gondry’s take on a cult novel that finally made its way to Canadian screens, and Katniss Everdeen… the Icon who continues to inspire me. Last, but most definitely not least, Björk released her incredible Concert Film which combined technological advances with her love for nature. Maybe 2014 was a little different after all, it was grippingly- cinematic, but with a touch of the divine.
DAVE BALDWIN
Looking back, I think 2014 was one hell of a year for Film. There were some truly awful and sub-par Films released this year too. But there were just as many good, and even a few truly-great Films released as well. It was a mixed bag, but the quality and ambition of some of this year’s crop of Films was truly extraordinary. While Franchise/Comic Book Film fatigue is starting to become quite evident, some pretty huge and experimental gambles paid off brilliantly (did anyone ever expect The LEGO Movie to be as wildly enjoyable as it was?). The Box Office stats in North America may not suggest it, but it was a truly memorable year. And if this is what we have to expect in 2015, I am immediately excited for some of its prospects — and for some time to re-watch some of this year’s best Films again!
1. Whiplash
2. Nightcrawler
3. Birdman
4. Boyhood
5. Life Itself
6. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
7. The Imitation Game
8. Gone Girl
9. How To Train Your Dragon 2
10. Guardians of the Galaxy
(Potential top Films not seen before end of 2014: Big Eyes, American Sniper, A Most Violent Year)
JUSTIN WALDMAN
It is New Year’s Eve and that means that we are supposed to look back at the year and discuss the best things we have seen and witnessed this year. This year brought a ton of great Films that were released throughout the entire year, most of which came out in the second half of the year but some came out earlier on. With so many great Films that came out this past year and one Title that comes out in February, here are the best Films of 2014 with a few extra Titles. In absolutely no particular order:
1. Snowpiercer
2. Big Hero 6
3. Whiplash
4. Nightcrawler
5. Foxcatcher
6. The F Word
7. Pride
8. Dear White People
9. Calvary
10. Guardians of the Galaxy
Now that the best 10 Movies of the year I saw are out there, here is a few of the other Titles that did not make the Top 10 but deserve recognition, at least in my mind. Into the Woods, Big Eyes, Theory of Everything, Interstellar, Birdman, Gone Girl, Locke and Life Itself. 2014 was an excellent year of Film, 2015 has a tough year to compete against but BRING IT ON!
GEORGE KOZERA
For the first time in years, I struggled with whittling down the Movies I saw that were eligible for my Top 10 Movies of 2014. That in itself is a strong indication how many great movies were released this year! So it is with great apologies to the following Movies that WOULD have made the list in a weaker movie year (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wild, Gone Girl, The Lego Movie, The F Word, Locke & The Babadook), I submit my Top 10 that made the biggest impact on me in 2014.
1. Boyhood
2. Foxcatcher
3. The Theory of Everything
4. Birdman
5. Ida
6. The Immigrant
7. The Imitation Game
8. Mommy
9. Nightcrawler
10. Whiplash
My 2014 in review, including my Best-Of? Click here for that.
Stick with us once again in 2015 for the most exciting Canadian Advance Screening Giveaways, Prizes, Star-Spottings and Reviews!
(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures/Mongrel Media/Elevation Pictures/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)
Despite many Moviegoers being preoccupied with Holiday Parties and Shopping, 20th Century Fox still manages to debut on-top this weekend with Exodus: Gods and Kings by Director Ridley Scott. Made for $140 million, the Biblical Adaptation starring Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton earns $24 million from 3,053 theatres across North America. Critics panned the Film with a paltry 27% on the Tomatometer and a B- CinemaScore from Audiences who were more forgiving.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 still is going strong into the Holidays with $12.5 million in its fourth week out for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. It just surpassed $276 million domestically.
The Penguins of Madagascar is in third spot this weekend, again for 20th Century Fox, with $7.1 million grossed. To-date it has grossed $58 million.
After a debut at TIFF ’14, Chris Rock‘s Top Five garners strong reviews in fourth with a stellar 89% on the Tomatometer and $6.8 million grossed from 979 theatres for Paramount Pictures. An expansion is likely in coming weeks for the Comedy.
Interstellar is in sixth spot this weekend with $5.4 million now in its sixth week out, for Paramount Pictures.
Wild rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.3 million earned from just 116 theatres, a stellar performance for the Fox Searchlight release which also premiered at TIFF ’14.
There was never a doubt it would be Number One, but the question was by how much. THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 1 might be drawing some mixed reactions critically with a 69% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer, but Fans still continue to love it giving it an A- CinemaScore. This latest Installment debuts across North America with $124.8 million from 4,141 theatres (including 900 alone in Canada) for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, the lowest so far it the Franchise behind Catching Fire‘s $158 million debut in 2013. No need to fret though – if we look back at The Twilight Saga‘s numbers also we see that Part 1 of its final two Breaking Dawn Films also saw a slight dip in 2011 before finishing strong in its Finale and similar can be expected of Mockingjay, Part 2 when it opens next November.
BIG HERO 6 despite pulling in a hefty $20 million in its third week is a distant second, bringing its domestic tally to $135.7 million for Disney.
INTERSTELLAR still continues to go well in third with $15 million also in its third week out for Paramount Pictures, just surpassing $120 million in these parts.
DUMB AND DUMBER TO after debuting on-top last week, slips to fourth spot for Universal Pictures with $14 million, nearing the $60 million in its two week run.
GONE GIRL hangs-on valiantly to the Top Ten in fifth with $2.8 million in its eighth week out for 20th Century Fox.
TIFF ’14 Selection and Oscar Contender THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.5 million from only 140 theatres for Focus Features/eOne Films in its third week of limited release.
Proving that laughter is timeless, DUMB AND DUMBER TO takes the top of the Box Office this weekend with a stellar $36.3 million from 3.154 theatres for Universal Pictures. The follows successfully in the footsteps of its Predecessor which in 1994 also debuted at number one with $16 million. Reviews for the Comedy reuniting Jeff Bridges and Jim Carrey have been harsh, tallying-in at 27% on the Tomatometer, but Audiences gave it a much better B- CinemaScore.
Coming in a tight second is last week’s Champ, BIG HERO 6 which brings-in $35.8 million, for a two week domestic total of $111.4 million for Disney.
INTERSTELLAR continues to perform well in third with $28.7 million made in its second week out for Paramount Pictures, edging ever so close to that $100-million mark in North America.
Musical Drama BEYOND THE LIGHTS, debuts a distant fourth for Relativity Media and eOne Films, with $6.4 million from 1,789 theatres. Starring the buzzed Gugu Mbatha-Raw, the Film gets a stellar 84% on the Tomatometer from Critics and an equally great A CinemaScore.
NIGHTCRAWLER hangs-on to the Top Ten in ninth with $2.8 million for Open Road Films/Elevation Pictures, edging closer to the $30-million mark.
The widely acclaimed BIRDMAN expands to 857 theatres, debuting in the Top Ten after five weeks in limited release with $2,4 million for Fox Searchlight. It has grossed $11.6 million to date domestically.
Paramount Pictures Canada and Mr. Will want to take Readers to see INTERSTELLAR with Run-of-Engagement Passes! After a smashing debut at the Box Office, this latest Sci-Fi/Drama from The Dark Knight Trilogy Helmer Christopher Nolan continues to rattle up a debate among Moviegoers and now we want YOU to join the conversation! You can even use the Passes where there is IMAX!
Official Synopsis:
Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), a widower, is a former NASA test pilot who still dreams of flight. He and his two children, Tom (Timothée Chalamet), 15, and Murphy (Mackenzie Foy), 10, struggle to survive.
Meanwhile, Professor Brand (Michael Caine), a brilliant physicist, and his team, including his scientist daughter (Anne Hathaway) have two potential plans to save mankind, but only one involves saving the six-billion plus people on Earth.
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. Readers in Canada only please.
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Paramount Pictures release INTERSTELLAR, now in theatres!
Official Artwork:
(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)
In a bit of a shocker, BIG HERO 6 surpasses INTERSTELLAR to take the top of the Box Office this weekend in North America! The Family-oriented offering from Disney takes-in $56 million from 3,761 theatres, earning an A CinemaScore from Audiences which makes it highly likely that word of mouth will continue to spread for the Animated Feature. Critics gave it a decisive 91% also on the Tomatometer.
INTERSTELLAR debuts in second but certainly not shamefully with a stellar $52 million from 3,561 theatres for Paramount Pictures after opening only in IMAX on Wednesday. Despite high expectations, the latest from Dark Knight Trilogy Helmer Christopher Nolan, managed a 73% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore. By comparison, The Dark Knight Rises opened in 2012 with $160 million and 2010’s Inception opened with $62 million.
GONE GIRL just keeps going with $6 million in its sixth week out for 20th Century Fox. It now has grossed $145 million domestically.
OUIJA settles in fourth in its third week out for Universal Pictures with $5.7 million. Cumulatively it has made $43 million stateside.
NIGHTCRAWLER slips to sixth in its second week for Open Road Films/Elevation Pictures with $5.5 million. In two weeks it has made approximately $20 million.
THE BOOK OF LIFE rounds-out the Top Ten with $3 million in its fourth week for 20th Century Fox.
There are few Films we’re more excited about the INTERSTELLAR this Fall! The Trailer goes straight for the gut with an emotionally-charged highlighting of the Father-Daughter Storyline between Matthew McConaughey and Mackenzie Foy.
The Sci-Fi-Drama follows a group of scientists travel through a wormhole in outer space into another dimension. Director by the brilliant Christopher Nolan, the Film stars Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, Ellen Burstyn and Matthew McConaughey.
Watch the brand-new Trailer below:
Paramount Pictures release INTERSTELLAR on Friday, November 7, 2014.
Excited yet?
(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)
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