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Eddie Murphy to Host The Oscars

Damon Houx — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:49:49 +0000

Brett Ratner is producing the next Oscar telecast. Brett Ratner just directed Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy in Tower Heist, and has been the rumored choice for a Beverly Hills Cop 4 movie. So perhaps it’s no surprise that Ratner asked Murphy to host the Academy Awards. The surprise is that Murphy has said yes (according to Deadline Hollywood).

Murphy’s career started in stand-up and sketch comedy, having broken into the mainstream on Saturday Night Live as one of the few consistently funny performers during the show’s biggest off years. He leapfrogged into movies, and quickly became the biggest star in America with a string of hit films. And such is why – since the 1987 release of a concert film called Eddie Murphy Raw – Murphy hasn’t been doing a lot of stand-up. That’s one of the most interesting parts of this decision, it’s a skill-set he seemingly abandoned. Having grown up in the 1980′s, most kids had his comedy albums memorized, though much of his humor was profanity-laced, inappropriate and now politically incorrect (Murphy had at least twenty minutes of material dedicated to homosexuals). So regardless if he has to change his tone or character a little, Murphy returning to that form is exciting and must be a bit daunting for an artist who hasn’t spent much of the last two decades challenging himself artistically.

The other fascinating aspect about this is that Murphy famously walked out of the ceremony when he lost best supporting actor to Alan Arkin in 2006. And then also: What if Tower Heist bombs? And what will Brett Ratner do with (and quite possibly to) the Oscars? And can it be better or worse than the dullish three hour ceremonies of the last couple years? All I know is that for the first time in a long time I honestly want to watch now.

Can you recite any of Eddie Murphy’s old routines?

Oscar Nominated Shorts Playing in Theaters!

Mali Elfman — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:15:20 +0000

It’s time to take a look at the over looked! Every year, finely crafted shorts are made and rarely do they find a way to get noticed (unless they’re played in front of a Pixar film). If you’re lucky enough to live in LA you’ll have the chance to see all the Animated Live Action, and Documentary shorts nominated for Oscars played in theaters around the city!

Shorts International and Magnolia Pictures have just announced that they will be opening the Oscar-nominated short films starting February 11. Find out what films are playing, where and when below…

There will be three separate showings:

February 11th: The Animated and Live Actions shorts will be playing at The Nuart in West LA and in Orange County at the South Coast Village Plaza in Santa Ana.
February 18th: The nominated Documentary short films will open at Laemmle’s Sunset 5 in West Hollywood.
February 25: Again, the Animated and Live Actions shorts will open at Laemmle’s Town Center 5, Encino; Laemmle’s Pasadena Playhouse 7 in Pasadena and Laemmle’s Sunset 5 in West Hollywood.

There will be separate admission for each program.

Following are the list of nominees (Animation has two bonus films added to the program)…

ANIMATED SHORTS:

DAY & NIGHT USA/6 MIN

Director/Writer: Teddy Newton
Producer: Kevin Reher

When Day, a sunny fellow, encounters Night, a stranger of distinctly darker moods, sparks fly! Day and Night are frightened and suspicious of each other at first, and quickly get off on the wrong foot. But as they discover each other’s unique qualities – and come to realize that each of them offers a different window onto the same world – the friendship helps both to gain a new perspective.

THE GRUFFALO UK, Germany/27 MIN

Directors: Jakob Schuh, Max Lange
Writers: Julia Donaldson, Max Lang, Jakob Schuh
Producers: Michael Rose, Martin Pope
Cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Robbie Coltrane, James Corden, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson

The magical tale of a mouse who takes a walk through the woods in search of a nut. Encountering three predators who all wish to eat him a fox, an owl and a snake the plucky mouse has to use his wits to survive, creating an imaginary monster who then turns out to be only too real.

LET’S POLLUTE USA/6 MIN

Director/Writer/Producer: Geefwee Boedoe
Cast: Jim Thornton

In the spirit of 50′s & 60′s educational films, ‘Let’s Pollute’ is a modern satire on how pollution is our heritage and keeps our economy growing strong, while instructing us how to be better polluters for a better blighted tomorrow.

THE LOST THING Australia, UK/15 MIN

Directors/Writers: Andrew Ruhemann, Shaun Tan
Producer: Sophie Byrne
Cast: Tim Minchin

A boy discovers a bizarre looking creature while out collecting bottle tops at the beach. Realising it is lost, he tries to find out who owns it or where it belongs, but is met with indifference from everyone else, who barely notice its presence, each unwilling to entertain this uninvited interruption to their day to day lives. For reasons he does not explain, the boy empathises with the creature, and sets out to find a ‘place’ for it.

MADAGASCAR, CARNET DE VOYAGE France/11 MIN

Director: Bastien Dubois
Writer: Bastien Dubois
Producer: Ron Dyens, Aurélia Prévieu

This film is a journey diary that redraws the trip of a European traveller confronted with Famadihana customs. As pages of a diary turn, colorful pencil sketches come to life, revealing the majestic rolling landscapes of Madagascar, and acquainting the audience to the people of the Malagasy culture.

HIGHLY COMMENDED – Added Animated Shorts

THE COW WHO WANTED TO BE A HAMBURGER USA/6 MIN

Director/Writer/Producer: Bill Plympton
Producer: Biljana Labovic

This is a children’s fable about the power of advertising, the meaning of life, and ultimately the test of a mother’s life.

URS Germany/10 MIN

Director/Writer: Moritz Mayerhofer
Producer: Stina McNicholas

For many years Urs has had to look after his aging mother. But now he sets out for a dangerous journey: He carries his mother up a mountain to find a better place for both of them. But she wants to stay at home.

LIVE ACTION

THE CONFESSION UK/26 MIN

Director: Tanel Toom
Writer: Caroline Bruckner
Producer: Emily Williams
Cast: Aran Bell, Joe Eales, Lewis Howlett, James Simmons

Quiet and sincere 9-year-old Sam is worried about making his first confession. His conscience is clear, therefore he cannot hope for any relief from the experience. He and his friend Jacob decide to remedy that situation, but their initially innocent prank turns unexpectedly tragic.

THE CRUSH Ireland/15 MIN

Director/Writer: Michael Creagh
Producer: Damon Quinn
Cast: Charlie Bonner, Neilí Conroy, Oran Creagh, Rory Keenan, Olga Wehrly

Ardal Travis is in love. There’s just one problem. He’s an 8 year old schoolboy and the object of his affection is his Second Class teacher, Miss Purdy. But when her boyfriend arrives on the scene Ardal is heartbroken. His reaction, though, is a little unexpected. He challenges Miss Purdy’s boyfriend to a duel. To the death.

GOD OF LOVE USA/18 MIN

Director/Writer: Luke Matheny
Producers: Gigi Demant, Ryan Silbert, Stefanie Walmsley
Cast: Luke Matheny, Marian Brock, Christopher Hirsh, Emily Young, Miguel Rosales

Lounge-singing darts champion Raymond Goodfellow finds his prayers are answered — literally — when he receives a mysterious package of passion-inducing darts. The catch is that the one woman he loves — Kelly, a drummer in his band — is already in love with Ray’s best friend Fozzie, the guitarist in the band. But when Ray uses the darts in a loony scheme to resolve this strange romantic triangle, he learns a surprising lesson about unrequited love and discovers his own place in the universe. Romance is in the air in this bohemian charmer.

NA WEWE Belgium/19 MIN

Director: Ivan Goldschmidt
Writers: Ivan Goldschmidt, Jean-Luc Pening
Producer: Ivan Goldschmidt
Cast: Renaud Rutten

1994: There is civil war in Burundi, a small country of Central Africa directly bordering Rwanda. A near genocidal confrontation opposes rebels mainly composed of ethnic Hutus and a national army with a majority of Tutsis.

This short film relates a sadly frequent episode of this fratricidal conflict: the attack by rebels of a minivan carrying ordinary citizens. A Kalashnikov bursts out. The bus stops, the passengers get off. An order is barked: “Hutus to the left, Tutsis to the right!” The sorting out begins. But who is a Hutu, who is a Tutsi? This story is entirely based on real people and situations. It was written by a person who has lived in the beauty of Burundi and suffered its horrors. With emotion, suspense and humour it exposes the absurdity of ethnic and racial strife.

“NA WEWE” (pronounce “Na wayway”) means “You too” in Kirundi.

WISH 143 UK/24 MIN

Director: Ian Barnes
Writer: Tom Bidwell
Producer: Samantha Waite
Cast: Jim Carter, Jodie Whittaker, Dean Andrews

A fifteen-year-old boy with only months to live is granted one wish from the Dreamscape Charity. But David doesn’t want to go to Disneyland or meet Gary Neville; what he really wants is an hour alone with a naked woman.

DOCUMENTARY

KILLING IN THE NAME USA/39 MIN

Director: Jed Rothstein
Producer: Jed Rothstein, Liz Garbus, Rory Kennedy

Ashraf Al-Khaled was celebrating the happiest day of his life when a suicide bomber walked into his wedding and killed his father and twenty-six other family members in front of his eyes. Now, he’s rising from horrific tragedy to take an unprecedented step–breaking the code of silence in the Muslim community by speaking out against terrorism. Killing in the Name follows Ashraf’s quest to understand what gives rise to terrorism and expose its true costs. From an Al-Qaeda recruiter, to a militant behind one of the world’s worst terrorist attacks, to a madrassa full of boys ready for jihad, Ashraf takes us on a journey around the world to see if one man can speak truth to terror.

POSTER GIRL USA/38 MIN

Director: Sara Nesson
Producer: Mitchell Block, Sara Nesson

Apple pie cheerleader turned tough-as-nails machine gunner in the Iraq War, Sgt. Robynn Murray comes home to face a new kind of battle she never anticipated.

STRANGERS NO MORE USA/40 MIN

Directors/Producers: Karen Goodman, Kirk Simon

In the heart of Tel Aviv, there is an exceptional school where children from 48 different countries and diverse backgrounds come together to learn. Many of the students arrive at Bialik-Rogozin in the wake of poverty, political adversity and even genocide. Here, no child is a stranger.

SUN COME UP USA, Papua New Guinea/38 MIN

Director/Producer: Jennifer Redfearn
Producer/Cinematographer: Tim Metzger

Sun Come Up follows the relocation of some of the world’s first environmental refugees, the Carteret Islanders – a community living on a remote island chain in the South Pacific Ocean. When rising seas threaten their survival, the islanders face a painful decision: they must leave their beloved land in search of a new place to call home.

THE WARRIORS OF QIUGANG USA/39 MIN

Director: Ruby Yang
Writer: Thomas Lennon
Producers: Thomas Lennon & Ruby Yang

Villagers in a remote district of central China take on a chemical company that is poisoning their water and air. For five years they fight to transform their environment and as they do, they find themselves transformed as well.

VOTD: Elizabeth Shue and Ving Rhames Wins Oscar and Suck Face

Mali Elfman — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:58:17 +0000

In case you haven’t already run out to see Piranhna 3D or have recently thought about going to see it because you know there will be a sequel and you want to be able to say “no I saw this original, this is a masterpiece compared to that!” Or are just impressed to see Elizabeth Shue back on the big screen with no less than Ving Rhames, than FunnyOrDie has a little treat for you.

Whether or not you have seen the film, you don’t want to miss Shue handing Rhames his long over-do Oscar and then sucking face with him. Oh yeah. Check it out below…

Ving Rhames Wins Oscar for Piranha 3D from Piranha 3D

Brad Pitt sure does look happy about it!

Is The Hangover Worth Oscar Gold?

Krystal Clark — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:06:31 +0000

I just came across an interesting article on EW.com, where they discussed one of the many possible Oscar contenders for the upcoming ceremony. Hold on to your butts, because you won’t believe who they think has a chance in not one but multiple categories. I’m talking about Todd Phillips’ summer comedy, The Hangover!

The author of the article, had a conversation with an avid Academy voter who brought up The Hangover as a serious contender for Best Picture and maybe even Best Supporting Actor. The Academy made waves months ago when it was announced that the Best Picture category would now be filled with 10 nominees, a change that angered a lot of people (some I know personally). This levels the playing field for a lot of films, but The Hangover really? Here’s what Dave Karger had to say,

Even Hangover haters have to admit the movie does boast an irresistible premise, a brilliant structure, and an amazing comedic performance by Zach Galifianakis, who could just be a stealth Best Supporting Actor contender if the movie’s campaign takes off. With several of the big-ticket “Oscar movies” destined to disappoint, perhaps a bona fide summer blockbuster will occupy a slot (or two) of the top 10.

What’s so sad, is that I agree with him on the disappointing Oscar caliber films this year. I haven’t been particularly blown away by any of the buzz that’s been generated for certain movies, so I’m wondering if those 10 slots will even be necessary? As for The Hangover getting in on the action, Robert Downey Jr. did get nominated for his outlandish role in Tropic Thunder. Even if an Oscar nod isn’t in the film’s future maybe a Golden Globe is?

What do you think about The Hangover being a serious awards season contender?

Academy Sends Out Invitations To Prospect Members

Laura Aguirre — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:59:02 +0000

It may be that an actor’s ultimate goal in his/her career is to win an Oscar, but being offered a position in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences should also be a great honor. The Academy issued invitations to 134 members of the film community on Tuesday and among those shining stars were Hugh Jackman, who hosted the most recent Oscar show, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, James Franco and Michelle Williams. The Academy also invited some comical figures like Michael Cera, Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd.

According to THR, Academy president Sid Ganis shared his anticipation for the newcomers saying, “These filmmakers have, over the course of their careers, captured the imagination of audiences around the world. It’s this kind of talent and creativity that make up the Academy, and I welcome each of them to our ranks.”

There were a maximum of 166 open slots to fill in the group, but fewer invitations were issued holding the voting membership under 6,000 members, a number that has been maintained since 2003. The new members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception, which will be held at the Academy’s Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study this September in Beverly Hills.

Take a look at the 2009 invitees:

ACTORS

Casey Affleck (“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” “Gone Baby Gone”)
Emily Blunt (“Sunshine Cleaning,” “The Devil Wears Prada”)
Michael Cera (“Juno,” “Superbad”)
Viola Davis (“Doubt,” “State of Play”)
James Franco (“Milk,” “Spider-Man”)
Brendan Gleeson (“In Bruges,” “Mission: Impossible II”)
Anne Hathaway (“Rachel Getting Married,” “The Princess Diaries”)
Taraji P. Henson (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Hustle & Flow”)
Emile Hirsch (“Into the Wild,” “Lords of Dogtown”)
Hugh Jackman (“X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “The Prestige”)
Melissa Leo (“Frozen River,” “21 Grams”)
Jane Lynch (“Role Models,” “The 40 Year-Old Virgin”)
Eddie Marsan (“Happy-Go-Lucky,” “The Illusionist”)
James McAvoy (“Atonement,” “The Last King of Scotland”)
Seth Rogen (“Monsters vs. Aliens,” “Knocked Up”)
Paul Rudd (“I Love You, Man,” “Knocked Up”)
Amy Ryan (“Changeling,” “Gone Baby Gone”)
Michael Shannon (“Revolutionary Road,” “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”)
Michelle Williams (“Wendy and Lucy,” “Brokeback Mountain”)
Jeffrey Wright (“Quantum of Solace,” “W.”)

ANIMATORS

J.J. Blumenkranz (“Monster House,” “The Polar Express”)
Konstantin Bronzit (“Lavatory-Lovestory,” “The Cat and the Fox”)
Kendal Cronkhite (“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” “Antz”)
Rodolphe Guenoden (“Kung Fu Panda,” “Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas”)
Byron Howard (“Bolt,” “Lilo & Stitch”)
Kunio Kato (“La Maison en Petits Cubes”)
Doug Sweetland (“Presto,” “The Incredibles”)
Chris Williams (“Bolt,” “Chicken Little”)

ART DIRECTORS

Andrew Ackland-Snow (“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” “Notting Hill”)

AT-LARGE

Matthew D. Loeb
Redmond Morris

CASTING DIRECTORS

John Papsidera (“The Dark Knight,” “Agent Cody Banks”)
Bernie Telsey (“Sex and the City,” “Across the Universe”)

CINEMATOGRAPHERS

Russ T. Alsobrook (“Paul Blart Mall Cop,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”
Anthony Dod Mantle (“Slumdog Millionaire,” “The Last King of Scotland”)
Henner Hofmann (“Ave Maria,” “La Leyenda de una Mascara”)
Claudio Miranda (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Failure to Launch”)
Rodney Taylor (“Save Me,” “Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France”)
Mandy Walker (“Australia,” “Shattered Glass”)

COSTUME DESIGNERS

Deborah Hopper (“Changeling,” “Million Dollar Baby”)
Louise Mingenbach (“The Hangover,” “Superman Returns”)
Michael O’Connor (“The Duchess,” “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day”)
Michael Wilkinson (“Watchmen,” “Babel”)

DIRECTORS

Rachid Bouchareb (“Days of Glory,” “Dust of Life”)
Danny Boyle (“Slumdog Millionaire,” “Sunshine”)
David Frankel (“Marley & Me,” “The Devil Wears Prada”)
Rod Lurie (“Nothing But the Truth,” “The Contender”)
Thomas McCarthy (“The Visitor,” “The Station Agent”)
Tyler Perry (“Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns,” “Madea’s Family Reunion”)
Henry Selick (“Coraline,” “Monkeybone”)

DOCUMENTARY

William Gazecki (“Crop Circles: Quest for Truth,” “Waco: The Rules of Engagement”)
Rachel Grady (“Jesus Camp,” “The Boys of Baraka”)
Rory Kennedy (“Ghosts of Abu Ghraib,” “A Boy’s Life”)
Scott Hamilton Kennedy (“The Garden,” “OT: Our Town”)
James Marsh (“Man on Wire,” “Wisconsin Death Trip”)
Megan Mylan (“Smile Pinki,” “Lost Boys of Sudan”)
Doug Pray (“Surfwise,” “Scratch”)

EXECUTIVES

Daniel D.A. Battsek
Steve Beeks
Graham W. Burke
Joe Drake
Erik Feig
Paul Hanneman
Donald P. Harris
Claudia Lewis

FILM EDITORS

Roger Barton (“Speed Racer,” “Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith”)
Hank Corwin (“What Just Happened,” “The New World”)
Chris Dickens (“Slumdog Millionaire,” “Shaun of the Dead”)
Elliot Graham (“Milk,” “Superman Returns”)
Kathryn Himoff (“Appaloosa,” “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”)
Leo Trombetta (“Little Children,” “Northfork”)
Brent White (“Step Brothers,” “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”)
Pam Wise (“Then She Found Me,” “Transamerica”)

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILMS

Reto Caffi (“Auf der Strecke,” “Leos Freunde”
Jochen Alexander Freydank (“Spielzeugland [Toyland],” “Dienst [Duty]“)
F. Carter Pilcher (“The Dreaming,” “Bitter”)

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLISTS

Howard Berger (“Seven Pounds,” “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”)
Mike Elizalde (“Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Fantastic Four: Rise of The Silver Surfer”)
Louis Lazzara (“Race to Witch Mountain,” “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”)
Gerald Quist (“Tropic Thunder,” “The Santa Claus 3: The Escape Clause”)

MUSIC

Jeff Danna (“Lakeview Terrace,” “Fracture”)
Andrew Dorfman (“Baby Mama,” “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist”)
Peter Gabriel (“WALL-E,” “Philadelphia”)
Clint Mansell (“The Wrestler,” “The Fountain”)
A.R. Rahman (“Slumdog Millionaire,” “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”)

PRODUCTION DESIGNERS

Donald Graham Burt (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Zodiac”)
Michael Carlin (“The Duchess,” “In Bruges”)
Jane Ann Stewart (“The Savages,” “Sideways”)
Kevin Thompson (“Duplicity,” “Michael Clayton”)

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Michael D. Camp
Marc Cohen
Megan Colligan
James C. Gallagher
David Kaminow
Sal Ladestro
Maria Pekurovskaya
Elizabeth Petit

SET DECORATORS

Rebecca Alleway (“The Duchess” “The Last King of Scotland”)
Peter Lando (“The Dark Knight,” “The Invisible”)
Barbara Munch-Cameron (“Bottle Shock,” “Rent”)

SCENIC ARTISTS

Robert Topol (“Doubt,” “The Departed”)

SOUND

Michael Barry (“The Reader,” “Mamma Mia!”)
Derek Casari (“The Soloist,” “Beowulf”)
Aaron Glascock (“Deception,” “Good Night, and Good Luck”)
Ren Klyce (“Zodiac,” “The Fight Club”)
Peter F. Kurland (“No Country for Old Men,” “Walk the Line”)
Karen Baker Landers (“27 Dresses,” “The Bourne Ultimatum”)
Hamilton Sterling (“Fool’s Gold,” “Scary Movie 4″)
Deborah Wallach (“Frost/Nixon,” “The Da Vinci Code”)
Kim Waugh (“Shade,” “Monster’s Ball”)

VISUAL EFFECTS

Christopher Bond (“Idlewild,” “Superman Returns”)
Matthew Butler (“The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Letters from Iwo Jima”)
Chris Corbould (“The Dark Knight,” “Casino Royale”)
Rob Engle (“Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,” “Beowulf”)
Scott Gordon (“Nim’s Island,” “Spider-Man 3″)
Hal Hickel (“Iron Man,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”)
Van Ling (“Milk,” “Vanilla Sky”)
Shane Mahan (“Iron Man,” “War of the Worlds”)
Steve Preeg (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”)
Tim Webber (“The Dark Knight,” “Children of Men”)
Edson Williams (“Star Trek [2009],” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”)

WRITERS

John August (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Charlie’s Angels’)
Dustin Lance Black (“Milk”)
Courtney Hunt (“Frozen River”)
Howard A. Rodman (“Savage Grace,” “Joe Gould’s Secret”)

The Academy Award Awards

Andrew Payne — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:00:17 +0000

Okay, so Hollywood’s best and brightest are now at home polishing their statuettes and basking in the afterglow of being appreciated. But what about the show itself? We can’t really go without honoring the best and worst of the actual awards can we?

Here are the First Annual Academy Award Awards…

Worst Pre-Show Moment: When Jess Cagle, the managing editor for Entertainment Weekly, asked Seth Rogen, Judd Apatow and Leslie Man who they would save if there were in Earthquake tonight. A student editor at a high school TV station would have ridiculed a reporter for asking a question that inane. Runner-Up: 21-Year-Old Zac Efron referring to 18-year-old Dev Patel as “A Great Kid”. Who does he think he is? Jack Nicholson? OR… When Jess Cagle didn’t seem to know who Sarah Jessica Parker’s date was. Ummmm, that’s Matthew Broderick.

Best Pre-Show Moment: When Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt ran from Tim Gunn like he was carrying a flesh-eating virus. Whatever happened to Chris Connelly on the pre-show? Runner-Up: When it ended.

Best Opening Number Moment: When Hugh Jackman absolutely ripped Benjamin Button to shreds. Exactly. Why did nobody seem to care that he was aging backwards? Runner-Up: Anne Hathaway‘s guest appearance.

Worst Opening Number Moment: When Hugh Jackman started singing directly to people in the audience. That was really awkward. As was having the stage so low. Runner-Up: All the “recession” sets. Did it really like look like they were cheap? Just lame.

Worst Idea from the New Producers: Having five actors come out and individually sing the praises of each nominee. Those moments were absolutely interminable and added nothing to the show except more awkwardness. Runner-Up: The “this is the way a movie gets made” theme idea. Very very cheesy.

Best Idea from the New Producers: The theme may have been stupid but the briskly paced presentation of the smaller categories was welcome. If they hadn’t taken fifteen minutes to present each Acting category the show would have finished in under three hours. Runner-Up: The “This year in. . .” clip montages.

Funniest Moment: Best Animated Short winner Kunio Kato whipping out a Styx tribute by closing his speech with “Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto”. Runner-Up: Tina Fey + Steve Martin = Comic Gold. Why not have them co-host next year?

Least-Funny Joke: Pretty much anything Hugh Jackman said or sang. He was brilliant on the Tonys but they really mis-used him at the Oscars. Runner-Up: Cuba Gooding, Jr.’s faux-yelling at Robert Downey Jr. about stealing roles from “the brothers”. Shouldn’t Cuba be yelling at his agent for bringing him Snow Dogs after he won an Oscar?

Best Unintentional Comedy: Having Christopher Walken sing the praises of Michael Shannon. Pretty sure he’s his illegitimate son. Runner-Up: Anthony Dod Mantle’s hair doing its best Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men impression.

Biggest Opportunity Missed for Unintenional Comedy: Showing mega-bomb Delgo during The Year in Animation montage. Runner-Up: Having Jennifer Aniston say anything positive about Angelina Jolie’s Kung Fu Panda.

Worst Clip/Montage/Musical Number: The ridiculous Best Song montage. The way the producers decided to present that wasn’t just a bad idea, it was insulting to the songs and artists. Imagine if Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova would have been forced to sing 90 seconds of “Falling Slowly” in the midst of that mess. It almost makes you wonder if Bruce Springsteen and Clint Eastwood actually got enough votes for a nomination but the producers insisted The Academy limit the shortlist to three because their haunting and spare songs wouldn’t have fit with the awful little production number they had planned. Kudos to Peter Gabriel for sitting it out, he’s the only who one who retained his dignity following that awful slap in the face of music. Runner-Up: “The Musical is Back!” dance number. Long, boring, and pointless.

Best Clip/Montage/Musical Number: Judd Apatow’s short featuring James Franco and Seth Rogen discussing the year in Comedy. Actually a better movie than Pineapple Express. Runner-Up: The brisk and classy way they presented the Best Original Score nominees. It really seemed like a return of Debbie Allen’s interpretive dance numbers was a possibility for a second.

Death Applause Award Winner: Paul Newman, as expected. Runner-Up: Sydney Pollack

Death Applause Award Loser: Queen Latifah. Do we really need a live singer to go with the montage? How about just the orchestra?

Best Acceptance Speech: Best Sound Editing Winner Resul Pookutty’s classy tribute to his homeland of India. Runner-Up: Heath Ledger’s family.

Worst Acceptance Speech: We all love ya, Kate, but if you say the word Godesses one more time, you’re barred from the Academy Awards forever. Runner-Up: Donald Graham Burt stealing the entire 45 seconds from Victor J. Zolfo after their Best Art Direction win. Share the love, man.

Biggest Upset: Without question it is Departures beating both The Class and Waltz with Bashir for Best Foreign Language Film. It would have been less surprising if Milk had won Best Picture. Runner-Up: Smile Pinki beating Martin Luther King doc Witness for Best Documentary Short Subject.

Poll: Was Ben Stiller’s Spoof Rude or Funny?

Mali Elfman — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:30:18 +0000

Personally, I thought this was a little too mean. Obviously Joaquin Phoenix is having a bit of a rough time. Do we really need to mock him at a huge event? What do you think?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Full List of 2009 Oscar Winners

Mali Elfman — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:30:56 +0000

It’s been quite an award show. We twittered the Oscars live from inside the Kodak theater. We posted all the best moments on the red carpet and the big winners of the night. Just in case you were looking for a full list of all the nominees and all the winners, here it is!

*Winners are bolded*

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Richard Jenkins – The Visitor
Frank Langella – Frost / Nixon
Sean Penn – Milk
Brad Pitt – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Josh Brolin – Milk
Robert Downey Jr. – Tropic Thunder
Phillip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt
Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon – Revolutionary Road

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Anne Hathaway – Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie – Changeling
Melissa Leo – Frozen
Meryl Streep – Doubt
Kate Winslet - The Reader

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams – Doubt
Penelope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis – Doubt
Taraji P. Henson – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E

DIRECTING
Danny Boyle – Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry – The Reader
Gus Van Sant – Milk
David Fincher – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard – Frost/Nixon

BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost / Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
Frozen River
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Milk
Wall-E

MUSIC (SCORE)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Defiance
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E

MUSIC (SONG)
“Down to Earth” – Wall-E (Peter Gabriel)
“Jai Ho” – Slumdog Millionaire (A.R. Rahman)
“O Saya” – Slumdog Millionaire (A.R. Rahman & Maya Arulpragasam)

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire
Trouble the Water

DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki
The Witness – From the Balcony of Room 306

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
La Maison en Petits Cubes
Lavatory – Lovestory
Oktapodi
Presto
This Way Up

SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
Auf der Streke (On the Line)
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy
The Pig
Spielzeugland (Toyland)

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Der Bader Meinhof Komplex
The Class
Departures
Revanche
Waltz with Bashir

ART DIRECTION
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

COSTUME DESIGN
Australia
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Duchess
Milk
Revolutionary Road

FILM EDITING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost / Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire

MAKEUP
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army

SOUND EDITING
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E
Wanted

SOUND MIXING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E
Wanted

VISUAL EFFECTS
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Iron Man
The Dark Knight

OSCARS: Best Picture!

JC — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:50:07 +0000

Surprise Surprise! Slumdog Millionaire SWEPT the Oscars with eight wins, including the highly anticipated award for Best Picture. With it’s outstanding ensemble cast, kick-ass soundtrack, and obviously genius direction by Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire just put India on the map!

It’s been an incredible year in story-telling. Every single Best Picture nominee (The Curious Case of Bemjamin Button, Slumdog Millionaire, The Reader, Frost/Nixon, and Milk) was endearing and had incredibly relevant themes – each bringing something completely fresh to the table. In fact, any of these five films seem worthy of the award in my book.

Bravo to another brilliant year in film. And let’s start counting down ’til next February!

OSCARS: Best Supporting Actor and Actress

Krystal Clark — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:27:22 +0000

As the first award of the evening the Academy showed us what we could expect for the rest of the ceremony with their new format. Five past winners of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar, whom included Eva Marie Saint, Whoopi Goldberg, Goldie Hawn, Angelica Huston, and Tilda Swinton presented this year’s five nominees with a monologue describing the significance of their nomination and their role.

And the Oscar went to…

Penelope Cruz for her role as Maria Elena in Vicki, Cristina, Barcelona. The first time winner spoke about how where she came from acting was not a very realistic dream, but she still faithfully watched the Oscars every year.

“I always felt that this ceremony was a moment of unity for the world, because art in any form is, has been, and will always be our universal language. And we should do everything we can to protect it’s survival. So, I thank you so much.”

The most anticipated award of the night was for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar and it was presented by past winners Joel Grey, Christopher Walken, Kevin Kline, Alan Arkin, and Cuba Gooding, Jr.

And the Oscar went to…

The late Heath Ledger for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight. Ledger’s award was accepted by three members of his family, and they each gave tribute to the late actor.

Heath, we both knew what you created in the Joker was extraordinarily special and had even talked about being here on this very day. We really wish you were, but we proudly accept this award on behalf of your beautiful Matilda. Thank you.

Ledger is only the second actor behind Peter Finch to win a posthumous Academy Award.

OSCARS: Musical Opening?

JC — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:26:51 +0000

Last time I checked this was the Oscars, not the Tony’s – but Hugh Jackman‘s little song and dance was definitely one way to start this epic evening! Each Best Picture nominee was featured in this musical montage – and it was surprisingly hilarious! Frank Langella got a lap dance from Mr. Jackman, and Anne Hathaway even got up there. Who knew she could sing?!

Stay tuned for more updates… perhaps we are in store for another musical number?

OSCARS: Red Carpet hi-lights!

JC — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:03:12 +0000

Lights are flashing, my friends! The evening has arrived, and the two-hour red carpet parade of nominees, presenters, and hollywood’s A-listers has begun! We’ve kept posted with ABC’s coverage, and below are a couple hi-lights from the interviews…

On the success of Frost/Nixon:

“Its been amazing, the whole journey. It started in London as a play, then new york. People have been going mental for the film. Ron has done a magnificent job of making it. It offers something new to everyone. People who remember the interviews, the people who don’t – it’s a bit of a boxing match. Whether you remember or not, it’s a compelling story.” - Michael Sheen

On his Best Supporting Actor nomination for Tropic Thunder:

“I just knew it was a risky thing. Ben had it on his mind for a while. The threat assessment was quite high. ” – Robert Downey Jr.

On his Best Actor nomination for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button :

“I‘ve never been to the Kodak theatre. Literally hundreds and hundreds of people were needed to make this film. It’s also nice to check in with the other people who have been working hard this year, too. When I started, Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn were my idols. Just to be sitting in the same category as them is an honor.” – Brad Pitt

On his Best Actor nomination:

“I’ve been blessed, after fifteen years, to have a second chance. It’s good to be back in the game!” – Mickey Rourke

On his Best Actor nomination:

“I’m looking forward to my next job. I’m available! Every actor knows what every actor feels. We’re all in this together. Whoever walks up there, we’re happy for.” – Frank Langella

There you have it, from Hollywood’s leading men! Stay tuned for more updates when the show begins!

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