Yes, you’ve seen the Movies in time for Awards Season, but what about the great songs featured in them?  Up for Best Original Song at next months’ Academy Awards are these five finalists. Spanning from the institution of James Bond to a much-talked-about BDSM Romance to a gripping Documentary about College Rape, these songs are a cross-section of the diverse Films we saw in 2015.

WRITING’S ON THE WALL (SPECTRE) – SAM SMITH

TIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU (THE HUNTING GROUND) – LADY GAGA

EARNED IT (FIFTY SHADES OF GREY) – THE WEEKND

MANTA RAY (RACING EXTINCTION) – J. RALPH + ANTONY

SIMPLE SONG #3 (YOUTH) – SUMI JO

The 88th ACADEMY AWARDS air 7 PM Sunday, February 28, 2016 on ABC.

(Photo credit: Sony Music/Universal Music/Milan Records/Rumor Mill Records)

Nominees for the 2016 Academy Awards were announced earlier this morning in Los Angeles. Although there were a few surprises, much of what we have seen thus far this Awards Season, including the Golden Globes this past weekend, has been punctuated.

Leading the way with 12 nominations is The Revenant which thus far this season has swept major awards including the Golden Globes this past weekend in the important Motion Picture Drama, Director and Actor in a Drama categories. Its competitors include Spotlight, The Martian, Bridge of Spies, The Big Short, Room and Brooklyn.  Spotlight, The Revenant and Room all were filmed in Canada, while Brooklyn is a co-Canadian production.

Leonardo DiCaprio, seen widely as the prohibitive choice to take Best Actor for his work in The Revenant, solidified his standing with an expected nomination. Other nominees in the category include a surprising Bryan Cranston, Eddie Redmayne, Michael Fassbender and Matt Damon.

Brie Larson literally has come out of nowhere before Awards Season, to now be a forced to be reckoned with in the Best Actress category for her Room performance. Propelled in its festival circuit run by a People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, Room after much debate also secured itself among the year’s best with a nod for Best Picture. Larson is up against Awards Season veteran and two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett who could well join the likes of Meryl Streep to win a third for her fantastic performance in Carol. Also nominated are Jennifer Lawrence, Saoirse Ronan and legendary actress Charlotte Rampling.

The Supporting Actor category saw nominated for the first time since 1977, Sylvester Stallone, who nabbed a long-overdue Golden Globe this past weekend for his work in latest Rocky installment, Creed. An overdue Tom Hardy, previous winner Christian Bale, Mark Rylance and Mark Ruffalo round-out the bunch. Missing noticably is Canadian Child Actor Jacob Tremblay who has received much acclaim for his breakthrough performance in Room.

The Supporting Actress category continues to be a hotly-contested one. While Academy Award winner Kate Winslet won a Golden Globe for her performance in Steve Jobs, she faces stiff competition in Rooney Mara for her acclaimed understated performance in Carol. Also up are Toronto’s own Rachel McAdams, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alicia Vikander. Kristen Stewart for Clouds of Sils Maria is seen as an omission.

Up for Best Director are Tom McCarthy (Spotlight), George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road), Lenny Abrahamson (Room), Alejandro Gonzalez-Inaritu (The Revenant) and Adam McKay (The Big Short). The Winner of this category often is seen as a precursor to Best Picture.

The Oscars air on ABC Sunday, February 28, 2016 7 PM EST.

(Photo credit: Oscars.Com)

Although it was a competitive year, there would be no stopping Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s BIRDMAN from winning coveted BEST PICTURE at the 87th Academy Awards tonight!  This latest victory caps-off a Campaign for the Dramedy beginning with a release last October.  Since then, among others, it has nabbed several important Best Picture Awards including yesterday’s Independent Spirit Awards, the Golden Globe Awards and several more. Mexican Filmmaker Iñárritu was awarded Best Director for BIRDMAN, his second nomination after getting a nod for 2007’s Babel.

Winning Best Actor, first-time Nominee at the age of 33 was English Star Eddie Redmayne, recognized for his phenomenal work as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.  He took a moment to dedicate his win to ALS awareness.

After four previous nominations, a tearful Julianne Moore at long last gets a Best Actress trophy for her turn in STILL ALICE, in which she plays a Professor suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. The Actress stunned in a unique Chanel number, never before seen on a runway. She thanked her Family and took a moment to direct attention to finding a cure for Alzheimers, and also Richard Glatzer, Director/Writer of Still Alice, whom is suffering from ALS.

As expected, J.K. Simmons as expected took Best Supporting Actor for a stirring performance as a psychotic Conductor in WHIPLASH.  Patricia Arquette likewise would go on to take Best Supporting Actress for her performance in BOYHOOD, getting cheers from the likes of Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez after making a call to the Industry for equal rights and equal pay for Women.

See it again here:

Why Meryl Streep and J.Lo. freaked out over Patricia Arquette’s Oscar speech. http://t.co/v9IxK6xt8r pic.twitter.com/QbmGr1LSeY

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 23, 2015

Stars shined bright on the rainy Red Carpet tonight and turning many heads were Rising Star Margot Robbie in Van Cleef and Arpels in a sheer long-sleeve black gown with a deep plunging ‘V’. Seen widely prior as an Oscar Contender for her fantastic performance in CAKE, Jennifer Aniston donned her signature hair, stunning in a shiny Versace number, fitting her perfect. Reese Witherspoon seen for the first time in Tom Ford this Awards Season, looked stunning with an off-the-shoulder dress just days after being spotted at the Designer’s Show.  As for the Gentlemen, Performer Adam Levine and Presenter Josh Hutcherson displayed bespoke tailoring and impeccable grooming, both in Armani!

Star of Stage and Screen Neil Patrick Harris, hosted delivering the laughs with a spirited opening number where he was joined by Anna Kendrick and Jack Black, referring to Motion Pictures as “moving pictures”.  He even stripped down to his skivvies for the sake of entertainment!

See his Intro here:

Megastar Lady Gaga warmed the heart of Julie Andrews with a flawless Medley Tribute to the Sound of Music, easily one of the evening’s biggest Highlights!

And for a Canadian connection, Craig Mann, whom I am proud to say I went to High School with at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering – we both took Musical Keyboarding – won Best Sound Mixing for WHIPLASH!

For a complete list of Winners, click here.

(Photo/video credit: Getty Images)

With the 87th annual ACADEMY AWARDS set to take place tonight, we asked our resident Experts their opinions on which Film will win coveted BEST PICTURE. Though the Award is widely seen as a two-horse Race between BIRDMAN and BOYHOOD, each has their opinion on that potential Dark Horse that could pull the wool right over our eyes and surprise us tonight!

Come, let’s take a peek…

George Kozera (Twitter: @PartyG)
“My personal pick for Best Picture is BOYHOOD. My Dark Horse is Bradley Cooper for Best Actor. There’s a lotta love there for Sniper.”.

Justin Waldman (Twitter: @JDubs12)
“BIRDMAN! Because the Movie is absolutely astonishing in its ability to be a one take Film with no cuts or breaks.

AMERICAN SNIPER is my Dark Horse pick as there is a bit of a Republican slant in the Academy, I feel…”.

Jonathan Godfrey 
“Richard Linklater is a distinct and continuously impressive Auteur in Cinema, and if accolades are available let them wander his way.

BOYHOOD is worthy of another award on its mantle place. It drives the Audience to feel something, to connect with something transcendent. It’s charming to know it will continue to be celebrated on the World Stage.

I definitely don’t have a Dark Horse.”.

David Baldwin (Twitter: @DonFishies)
“Its going to be BIRDMAN or BOYHOOD. Both terrific Films, wide scopes and amazing performances. Leaning on the former more because I love Michael Keaton, and hope he wins too. Dark Horse is AMERICAN SNIPER — it just may steal the Show!”.

Mr. Will (Twitter: @Mrwillw)

“If this were the Mr. Will Awards, it certainly would be WHIPLASH‘s year, however in all probability we will be seeing the Team behind BOYHOOD at the podium.  What a remarkable feat in Cinema, a real tour-de-force!

Therefore, my Dark Horse pick, WHIPLASH.  Most likely Winner, BOYHOOD.  No shock if the also genius BIRDMAN won, but BOYHOOD gets the slight edge.”.

The 87th annual ACADEMY AWARDS, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, air on ABC at 7 PM EST.

E!’s Live From the Red Carpet starts 5:30 PM EST.

(Photo credit: Mongrel Media/Warner Bros.)

The 87th annual Academy Awards Luncheon was held earlier today at the Beverly Hilton and in keeping with annual tradition, this year’s Nominees, along with Ceremony  Host Neil Patrick Harris, grouped together for a Class Photo.  Among the Nominees in attendance were the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Clint Eastwood, Emma Stone, Rosamund Pike, Julianne Moore, Reese Witherspoon, Eddie Redmayne, Bradley Cooper and several more.

See the Class of 2015 (photo via Rebecca Keegan):

Oprah, Clint and 150 or so fellow Oscar nominees at today’s luncheon

A photo posted by Rebecca Keegan (@that_rebecca) on Feb 2, 2015 at 2:40pm PST

We adore this Photo of this year’s Lead Actress Nominees getting friendly:

Voting for The Academy still is underway with the fate of this year’s Nominees to be unveiled live on ABC Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 7:00 PM EST!

(Photo: Oscars.org/Rebecca Keegan)

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)

After a victory at the Golden Globes this past weekend, a Video for Common and John Legend‘s Glory finally sees a release. The Track is featured in the widely-acclaimed SELMA.

If you haven’t heard the Track yet, check it out below in full:

After a successful campaign by African-American Business Leaders, Students across America have been granted the opportunity to see Selma for free as part of the #SELMAFORSTUDENTS Initiative. How amazing is that?

Learn more about the SELMA Soundtrack, now in stores here.

Paramount Pictures release SELMA, now in theatres.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

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)

It is the rise of an empire, indeed! The Sequel to 300 trumps the Box Office this weekend, bringing-in an outstanding $45 million in its Debut from 3,470 theatres. By comparison, its 2007 Predecessor starring Gerard Butler, grossed $70 million, but still this is no shame considering already overseas it has brought-in $30 million over three days too. Critics gave it 43% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it an even “B” CinemaScore.

20th Century Fox‘s Animated Feature, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, in its debut garners $30 million from 3,934 theatres. Featuring the Voicework of Ty Burrell and Max Charles, the Film received a 77% rating on the Tomatometer, while Audiences similarly had great things to say, giving it a “yes” with an A CinemaScore also.

After dominating last week, Non-Stop starring Liam Neeson, slips to third spot this weekend with $15 million for Universal Pictures, just surpassing the $50-million mark in its second week of release.

The Lego Movie (which also features Neeson) continues to stand on strong footing with $11 million in its fifth week out for Warner Bros., just ahead of 20th Century Fox‘s Biblical-Drama, Son of God, with $9 million in its second week.

Frozen finds itself in seventh spot with $3 million now in its 16th week of release, undoubtedly boosted by last weekend’s Oscar win and maybe even John Travolta‘s infamous “Adele Mazeem” gaffe when introducing its Star, Idina Menzel.

12 Years a Slave also sees a post-Oscar boost following its Best Picture win, bringing-in $2.5 million for Fox Searchlight. In its 21-week run domestically, it has made over $$53 million.

Ride Along rounds-out the Top Ten for Universal Pictures with $1.9 million, showing tremendous staying power in its eighth week.

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)