Oscar 2009: Academy Invites 134 New Members
James McAvoy in Atonement (top); Michelle Williams, Lucy in Wendy and Lucy (bottom)
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 134 artists and executives to join its roster in 2009.
As per the Academy’s press release, all the various branches could pick a maximum of 166 new members, but as in the previous years "the several branch committees endorsed fewer candidates than were proposed to them."
Most of the invitees are actors, among them several previous Oscar nominees, e.g., Casey Affleck, Melissa Leo, Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams, and lots of young talent, e.g., James Franco, Michael Cera, James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Seth Rogen, Emile Hirsch. (But where are Robert Pattinson and Zac Effron??)
Among those listed in the other [...]
by Deborah Arthur | June 30, 2009
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Tags: Academy Awards, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Danny Boyle, Dustin Lance Black, Film Awards, James Marsh, James McAvoy, Michelle Williams
Dustin Lance Black and Role Models
The fact that Dustin Lance Black will — at least for the time being — be better known for his sexual activities than for his Milk screenplay says more about our society (or societies, since the thing has gone global) than about Black himself, whose sex life — with or without condoms; with or without a camera — should be his business and nobody else’s.
Some have tried to turn the online leak of Black’s sex photos into something of momentous importance for gay rights, the spread of HIV, etc. In truth, except for Black and his sex partner those photos are irrelevant. Really, will anyone now decide to fight against marriage equality simply because of Black’s sexual life? Will gay [...]
by Andre Soares | June 17, 2009
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Tags: Dustin Lance Black, Gay Interest, Jennifer Connelly, Liam Neeson, Milk, Sex, What's Wrong with Virginia
London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2009: PEDRO, MADAME X: AN ABSOLUTE RULER
London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2009
Tuesday, March 31, highlights
Schedule and synopses from the LLGFF website
Madame X – An Absolute Ruler
Directed by:
Ulrike Ottinger
Cast:
Tabea Blumenschein
Country:
West Germany
Year:
1977
Running time:
141min
Adventure and fun on the high seas comes at a price for this band of stereotyped women, who answer a call to join Madame X on her ship Chinese Orlando and experience a life without rules and patriarchal tyranny. However old roles reassert themselves and the women find themselves swapping one kind of servitude for another as Madame X demands complete devotion from her shipmates, even the ones she is enamoured with.
An early low-budget film from renowned avant-garde filmmaker [Ulrike] Ottinger, who actually took all crew positions [...]
by Andre Soares | March 28, 2009
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Tags: Alex Loynaz, Dustin Lance Black, Film Festivals, Gay Film Festivals, Gay Interest, Heather Tobin, London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, London Screenings, Madame X - An Absolute Ruler, Nick Oceano, Nigel Finch, Pedro, Pedro Zamora, Stonewall, To Each Her Own, Ulrike Ottinger
Oscar 2009 Predictions: Best Director, Screenplay
Danny Boyle
BEST DIRECTION
Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)
David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon)
Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight)
Gus Van Sant (Milk)
All the nominees match the films found in the best picture list — something that is less common than one might think. Fincher has been getting plenty of recognition from critics’ and other groups, which makes me believe that, despite some unenthusiastic reviews for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, he’ll land a best director nomination come next January.
Doubt director John Patrick Shanley will have to be content with a screenwriting nod.
Runners-up: Mike Leigh (Happy-Go-Lucky), who may pull off another Vera Drake upset and take Ron Howard’s place; Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road); the idolized Clint Eastwood (Gran [...]
by Andre Soares | December 24, 2008
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Tags: 2009 Oscar, Academy Awards, Christopher Nolan, Danny Boyle, David Fincher, Dustin Lance Black, Film Awards, Gran Torino, Gus Van Sant, Oscar Predictions, Ron Howard, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Chicago Film Critics Awards 2008
2008 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
2008 Chicago Film Critics nominations: December 14, 2008
2008 Chicago Film Critics winners: December 18, 2008
("*" denotes the winner in each category)
BEST FILM
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
* WALL-E
BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM
The Band’s Visit
Che
A Christmas Tale
I’ve Loved You So Long
* Let the Right One In
BEST DOCUMENTARY
American Teen
Dear Zachary
IOUSA
* Man on Wire
Standard Operating Procedure
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
The Tale of Despereaux
* WALL-E
Waltz with Bashir
BEST DIRECTOR
* Danny Boyle — Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher — The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Christopher Nolan — The Dark Knight
Andrew Stanton — WALL-E
Gus Van Sant — Milk
BEST ACTOR
Clint Eastwood — Gran Torino
Richard Jenkins — The Visitor
Frank Langella — Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn — Milk
* Mickey Rourke — The Wrestler
BEST ACTRESS
* Anne Hathaway — Rachel [...]
by Deborah Arthur | December 18, 2008
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Tags: Anne Hathaway, Danny Boyle, Doubt, Dustin Lance Black, Film Awards, Heath Ledger, Kate Winslet, Let the Right One In, Rachel Getting Married, Slumdog Millionaire, WALL-E
