After making a huge splash at the Box Office internationally, Academy Award Best Animated Feature Nominee Wreck-It Ralph, soon will hit stores! In a groundbreaking move, Disney will be debuting the HD Digital and HD Digital 3D Versions early on February 12, 2013. For the rest of us who aren’t quite technologically there yet, the Video-on-Demand, DVD and DVD/Blu-ray Combo Packs (two and four-disc versions) will see a release on March 5, 2013.
Wreck-it Ralph centers around Video Game Villain Ralph (John C. Reilly), who is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer), the “Good Guy” Star of their Game who always gets to save the day. But after decades doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he’s tired of playing the role of a Bad Guy. He takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a game-hopping journey across the arcade through every generation of Video Games to prove he’s got what it takes to be a Hero. On his quest, he meets the tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch) from the first-person action Game Hero’s Duty. But it’s the feisty Misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) from the candy-coated Cart Racing Game, Sugar Rush, whose world is threatened when Ralph accidentally unleashes a deadly Enemy that threatens the entire arcade. Will Ralph realize his dream and save the day before it’s too late?
The four-disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition for Wreck-it Ralph includes:
Watch the Trailer below:
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(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment)
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)
Amidst these February Blahs, Moviegoers find solace in Comedy with Universal Pictures’ Identity Thief usurps the top of the Box Office once again in its third week with $14.1 million; tepid but enough to be number one this weekend and just-shy of the $100-million mark domestically.
Snitch starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, opens in second spot with $13 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films in 2,511 theatres across North America. Reviews were mixed for the Action Flick at 54% on the Tomatometer, but audiences responded better with a B CinemaScore.
Escape from Planet Earth, the Canadian-produced Animated Feature, is in third this weekend with $11 million. Its two week tally is $35.1 million.
Holding its position at number four is Nicholas Sparks Adaptation, Safe Haven, with $10.6 million in its second week, just ahead of Horror Flick Dark Skies in number for in its debut with $9 million. Both Films are distributed by eOne Films in Canada.
Experiencing a significant slip is A Good Day to Die Hard in fifth with $10 million for 20th Century Fox. Its cumulative total for two weeks is an impressive $51 million for last week’s number one Film.
Amazingly, Silver Linings Playbook continues to show its grit in seventh spot with $6.1 million as its fate at the Oscars is set to be revealed tonight – the only Film still remaining in the Top Ten in the running for Best Picture.
Side Effects rounds-out this week’s Top Ten with $3 million in this its third week of release.
Sorta uncanny how in The Hunger Games’, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is propelled rapidly into stardom after her historic first Co-Victory with Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), but is reality now mirroring Art? It surely feels that way with Lawrence‘s v. quick silver-lined ascent to the top of the A-List in Hollywood and front of the Style Pages. And now after Oscar Winner Natalie Portman‘s Reign as the face of Miss Dior comes Lawrence‘s turn, going superglam in these just-released Promotional Photos for their Spring/Summer 2013 Campaign.
After stunning us already this Awards Season in Dior at the Golden Globes and the Critics’ Choice Awards, will Lawrence be making at a three-peeta (lol), donning a creation by the Fashion House again tomorrow at the 85th Academy Awards? Would seem so.
See the images below:
While in the moment of her current Media domination, this amazing -looking Promotional One-Sheet for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was just released by Lionsgate Fillms yesterday, promoting Katniss and Peeta‘s Victory Tour within the forthcoming Sequel. A Promotional Tour within a Promotional Campaign… how meta!
Check-out the Poster below:
And if you aren’t one of the 8.6 million Facebook Users who have “liked” The Hunger Games Movie Facebook Page, do it here! Catching Fire hits theatres November 22, 2013.
(Photo credit: Dior/Lionsgate Films)
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.)
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)
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)
The Toronto International Film Festival traditionally is a good indicator of the Films we can expect to be in-contention come Awards Season, which concludes with the Oscars. In fact, six out of seven recent Best Picture Winners saw their debuts at TIFF including: Crash, The King’s Speech, Slumdog Millionaire, No Country for Old Men, The Hurt Locker and The Artist. This raises the question – will the next Best Picture Winner also be premiering at TIFF 2012? Bet on it. Here are a few early Contenders premiering at TIFF 2012 nabbing serious buzz coming into the Festival and some of these just may even have a real fighting chance Sunday, February 24, 2013 at the Oscars.
ARGO – A CIA Specialist helps six Americans who have found shelter at the home of Canadian Ambassador during the Iranian Revolution. Stars Ben Affleck, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, Victor Garber, Clea Duvall and Taylor Schilling. Affleck also directs. Warner Bros. releases October 12, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Friday, September 7, 2012 at Roy Thomson Hall – 6:30 PM, Saturday, September 8, 2012 at VISA Screening Room – 11:00 AM and Saturday, September 15, 2012 at VISA Screening Room – 3:00 PM.
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK – A former Teacher who was institutionalized, returns home to reconcile matters with his Ex-Girlfriend. He meets a mysterious Woman with her own set of problems. Stars Bradley Cooper, Julia Stiles and Jennifer Lawrence. David O. Russell (The Fighter) directs. Already hearing Oscar buzz from Insiders about Lawrence here. Alliance Films releases November 21, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Roy Thomsom Hall at 6:30 PM and Sunday, September 9, 2012 at VISA Screening Room at 11:00 AM.
THE MASTER – A Drama set in the ’50s about a Man whose Faith-based Organizations begin to catch-on with the help of his Right-hand Man. Stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix. Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) directs. Alliance Films releases on October 12, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Friday, September 7, 2012 at Princess of Wales Theatre – 9:00 PM, Saturday, September 8, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox – 3:15 PM and Sunday, September 16, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox – 6:00 PM.
THE SESSIONS – A Man with an iron Lung enlists the help of a Sex Therapist and Priest to help him lose his Virginity. Stars Helen Hunt, William H. Macy and John Hawkes; Ben Lewin directs. Fox Searchlight releases October 26, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Sunday, September 8, 2012 at VISA Screening Rom at 2:30 PM, Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at VISA Screening Room at 2:30 PM and Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Ryerson Theatre.
THE PAPERBOY – A Reporter returns to his Hometown in Florida to investigate the case of a Man on Death Row. Stars John Cusack, Matthew McConnaughey, Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron; Lee Daniels (Precious) directs. D Films releases on October 19, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Friday, September 14, 2012 at VISA Screening Room – 6:00 PM and Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Ryerson Theatre – 6:00 PM.
THE HUNT – A Danish Film about a Kindergarten Teacher is falsely accused of Child Abuse. Stars Mads Mikkelsen (who won Best Actor at Cannes in May for this) and Thomas Bo Larsen; Thomas Vinterberg directs. Screens at TIFF: Monday, September 10, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox – 9:15 PM and Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox – 3:00 PM. Opens in theatres October 25, 2012 via Mongrel Media.
FRANCES HA – A young Dance Teacher lives her life with unaccountable joy and lightness, but aims to be so much more than what she is. Stars Greta Gerwig, Adam Driver and Mickey Sumner; Noah Baumbach directs this Film which recently won the hearts of Critics at the Venice Film Festival. Screens at TIFF: Friday, September 7, 2012 at Ryerson Theatre – 9:30PM, Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Winter Garden Theatre – 12:00 PM and Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Bloor HotDocs Cinema – 6:15 PM.
DREDD 3D – Set in a futuristic World where Violence is fought with Violence, a Trainee aspires to become a Judge – who act also as Jury and Executioners. Stars Olivia Thirlby, Karl Urban and Lena Headey; Pete Travis directs. Screens at TIFF: Thursday, September 6, 2012 at Ryerson Theatre – 11:59 PM and Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas – 12:30 PM. Opens in theatres via Alliance Films on Friday, September 21, 2012.
Of course, as is the case with previous TIFFs, there always is a Dark Horse or two to emerge out of the clouds. Surely we’ll also be hearing about The Reluctant Fundamentalist, A Song for Marion and Hyde on Hudson Park? We soon shall see…
(Photo credit: Alliance Films)
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