Hollywood didn’t sleep much last night as the 85th annual Academy Award Nominations were announced at 5:30 AM Pacific Time. This year, Emma Stone and Funnyman Seth McFarlane were called-upon for announcing duties and although there were a few surprise Omissions, few will dispute that this year’s Nominees are deserving. MacFarlane himself even received a Nomination for his Song, Everybody Needs a Friend from Ted.
This year’s Best Picture Nominees are: Amour, Argo, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Django Unchained, Les Misérables, Life of Pi, Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty and lastly, Lincoln which leads the way with twelve Nominations. Many are concerned that snubs in the Directing Category might be predictive of a voting result here.
Directing Nominees include: Michael Haneke (Amour), Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild), Ang Lee (Life of Pi), David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook) and Steven Spielberg (Lincoln). Surprise Omissions are first-ever Female Winner in the Category, Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty) and Ben Affleck who despite a v. heavy promotional Campaign, still got snubbed for Argo. Missing also is Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained.
Actor in a Leading Role is hotly-contended with Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables) up against current Favourite Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln), Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook), Joaquin Phoenix (The Master) and Denzel Washington (Flight). Many are surprised that John Hawkes was snubbed here while his The Sessions Co-Star Helen Hunt was recognized for her work.
Actress in a Leading Role boasts two records – youngest and oldest Actress ever to be nominated with Quvenzhané Wallis and Emmanuelle Riva holding those distinctions respectively. Otherwise, Naomi Watts (The Impossible) is up against Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) and Favourite, Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) – these three Actresses each receiving their second-ever Nominations.
Actor in a Supporting Role for the first-time ever includes all previous Academy Award Winners: Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained), Robert DeNiro (Silver Linings Playbook), Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Master), Tommy Lee-Jones (Lincoln) and Alan Arkin (Argo). Some are surprised that Leonardo Dicaprio got snubbed for his work in Django Unchained, in perhaps the most evenly-matched Category at this year’s Awards.
Actress in a Supporting Role recognizes some fine work this year, but through and through Anne Hathaway is likely to win it all for her bone-chilling work as Fantine in Les Misérables. Also nominated are Amy Adams (The Master), Helen Hunt (The Sessions), Sally Field (Lincoln) and Jackie Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook). Each of these Actresses have either been nominated for or have won at least one Academy Award prior.
As an added surprise, perhaps we can expect to see Adele performing Original Song Nominee Skyfall?
For a complete list of Nominees, click here.
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
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)
For the second year in-a-row, eOne Films takes home Top Prize with the Toronto Film Critics Association‘s Best Film being awarded to The Master. Last year, they were victorious with Terrence Malick‘s ever-polarizing Tree of Life. Paul Thomas Anderson’s Drama which many believe to be about Scientology, also wins in Directing, Screenwriting and Supporting Actor categories for both Anderson and Philip Seymour Hoffman, respectively. Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams who turn-in stellar performances also, fell just-short of deserved accolades.
In a bit of a surprise, the TFCA also selected Denis Lavant as Best Actor for his work in French Film Holy Motors, while Rachel Weisz wins Best Actress for her performance in The Deep Blue Sea. Both Films are distributed in Canada by Mongrel Media. Gina Gershon also is awarded Best Supporting Actress for her chicken bone-sucking performance in VVS Films‘ Killer Joe. These all are seen somewhat as a shock, considering the amount of year-end buzz Films like Zero Dark Thirty, Les Miserables, Silver Linings Playbook and Lincoln are receiving from our Friends south of the Border.
Also, a huge congrats goes to our Friends at Alliance Films for their Best Animated Feature win with ParaNorman. The Canadian Distributor also is up for the $100k Rogers Best Canadian Film Award with Goon, which is up against Bestiaire and Stories We Tell. The Winner will be revealed January 8, 2013 at The Carlu during the TFCA‘s annual Awards Dinner.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Just when you thought one abduction in the Family was too much, it happens again in Taken 2! The Follow-up to 2010’s $226-million grossing Action-Thriller adds Famke Janssen to the mix, while the bigger draw of course would be Box Office Megastar Liam Neeson. This Sequel from 20th Century Fox opens to horrific reviews (19% on Rotten Tomatoes) but big reception from Moviegoers, earning $50 million in its debut. Stellar. Although I hate to be the one pointing it out, Neeson‘s Career since experiencing the sad misfortune of Widowhood in March 2009, has skyrocketed. Since then, his Films have earned over $1.1 billion worldwide. Suffice it to say, there is an Angel looking over him?
Hotel Transylvania continues to perform beautifully for Sony Pictures, earning $26.6 million in its second weekend, now tallying at $75.4 million. Meanwhile, Pitch Perfect expands in its second week to 2,770 theatres, impressive in third spot with $14.5 million. Reviews also are solid for the Musical-Comedy starring Rebel Wilson, Anna Kendrick and Brittany Snow.
Disney‘s Frankenweenie opens in fifth this weekend with $12 million from 3,005 theatres. This latest effort from Tim Burton, garnered v. strong reviews with 85% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes. Some may see this as a disappointment, however the Film was made for a sensible $39 million and still has yet to open overseas.
The Master in 864 theatres continues to hang onto the Top Ten in ninth spot with $1.6 million for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films, while Finding Nemo 3D rounds out the Top Ten for Disney.
After a few weak weekends in a row, Moviegoers finally showed their Box Office support this weekend with a big debut for Sony Pictures’ Hotel Transylvania. The Animated Feature starring Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez and Kevin James debuts with $43 million from 3,349 theatres across North America. The Film debuted at TIFF just a few weeks back. See my Snaps with the Cast here!
Sony Pictures/Alliance Films earned big numbers from Action-Thriller, Looper, starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the Film also receiving a Premiere here at TIFF a couple weeks back as the Opening Night Gala. It earns $21.2 million from 2,992 theatres, making it a Sony Pictures Top Two in the U.S., opening with resoundingly strong reviews at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Last week’s number one Film End of Watch continues to perform well in third with $8 million, tallying at a two-week total of $25.9 million, exceeding all expectations for Open Road and VVS Films with a $7 million budget. Trouble with the Curve and Thriller The House at the End of the Street follow closely behind in fourth and fifth with $7.5 million and $7.1 million respectively.
Musical-Comedy Pitch Perfect, debuts in sixth impressively with $5.2 million from only 335 theatres for Universal Pictures. The Film is Anna Kendrick‘s second film in the Top Ten along with End of Watch this weekend, and it likely will expand to bigger numbers in coming weeks.
Best Picture Candidate The Master showing in 856 theatres only, continues to perform fairly well with $2.71 million in ninth spot for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films, while Won’t Back Down starring Maggie Gyllenhaal (two Gyllenhaals in the Top Ten) and Viola Davis, rounds out the Top Ten for 20th Century Fox with $2.7 million from 2,515 theatres.
In an extremely tepid weekend at the Box Office, End of Watch, an intense Action-Drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena opens on-top with $13.1 million for Open Road (VVS Films in Canada) from 2,730 theatres. The Film earned really positive reviews coming out of TIFF 2012 and also 85% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer. In what originally was deemed at two-way tie, final numbershave End of Watch at number one.
Ottawa-filmed House at the End of the Street decidedly is number two in its debt, just edged-out by a hair with $13 million based almost completely on the Starpower of The Hunger Games Star, Jennifer Lawrence alone. The Horror opened in 3,083 theatres, although receiving widely negative reviews.
Clint Eastwood‘s latest Baseball Drama Trouble with the Curve opens in third for Warner Bros. with $12.7 million from 3,212 theatres. Sadly, the legendary Eastwood earns another negative review here following consecutive disappointments Hereafter and J. Edgar.
The excellent Dredd 3D debuts in fifth behind Finding Nemo 3D, earning $6.3 million, which is unfortunate as had great reviews (78% on the Tomatometer), but ultimately a lack of buzz.
The Master expands to 788 theatres this weekend, earning $5 million for The Weinstein Co. and eOne Films. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive with its trio of stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix all garnering Oscar buzz.
ParaNorman, meanwhile, rounds out the Top Ten in its sixth week with $2.3 million for Focus Features and Alliance Films.
Big debut for the Resident Evil Franchise this weekend! The latest installment, titled Retribution, in the Video Game Adaptation Series was filmed in Toronto last Winter and takes the top of the Box Office this weekend with $20.5 million in North America from 3,012 theatres. And to think Billy was a part of it all, bringing smiles to Stars Milla Jovovich and Kevin Durand‘s faces on their break!
Disney‘s Finding Nemo 3-D debuts in second with $17.5 million – a far cry from the $70 million it made back when it opened originally in 2003, but in its second run still performs strong.
Meanwhile, former Champion The Possession is a distant third this weekend with $5.7 million, ahead of Western Lawless which in its third week slips to fourth spot with $4.2 million; to-date it has earned $30.3 million. The Words starring Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana, lands in seventh with $2.8 million in its second week of release. The Campaign impressively still is hanging tough in tenth spot with $2.4 million in this its sixth week of release.
Bubbly under, The Master (which just premiered at TIFF), breaks a record for highest per-theatre average with $146k from just 5 theatres. In total, it earned $730k this past weekend; mighty impressive.
Such a pleasure for Toronto finally to be graced with the presence of Oscar-nominated Actress Amy Adams, whose rise to Hollywood’s A-List has come as rapid as it takes for one to warm-up to her when watching her on-screen. I absolutely adore Adams and got one of my greatest wishes in meeting her after having fawned over her work for years now in Enchanted, The Fighter, Doubt, The Muppets and Sunshine Cleaning – just a taste of her eclectic range as an Actress.
Although Co-Star Joaquin Phoenix was quick to leave Toronto, curtailing his Press responsibilities, Adams was a true Professional working alongside Director Paul Thomas Anderson today at the Junket for The Master. The Drama swept multiple Awards at the Venice Film Festival this weekend including Best Actor and the Silver Lion Award. Legitimate Contender to take it all come Oscars season.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Already gaining Oscar buzz withn Paul Thomas Anderson‘s The Master, the lovely Amy Adams arrived in Toronto earlier today to help promote the Film which is being touted as a Best Picture Contender. After enjoying the Premiere in full while Co-Star Joaquin Phoenix left after introducing it, Adams was seen taking Photos and Autographs upon exiting the Princess of Wales Theatre after midnight.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, in-town for Looper last night, was spotted at the Screening, entering and leaving discreetly through the Stage Door.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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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