There is the serious business of awarding films and filmmakers – the Oscars, the BAFTAs, the Globes and all that – and then there is the lighter side. The side where, instead of a weighty gold statue of a small naked man, winners are given one a much less heavier one made of popcorn. It’s still gold, though, and that’s what counts. The MTV Movie Awards take place this Sunday in LA, and I’ll be there, covering them for the first time. These awards have become known for their irreverent take on the films we’ve been watching over the past year. They’re a chance to honour those films and that…
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Oscar Sunday
It’s been threatening to rain for the past few days and then it did – downpours of the torrential kind. Hopefully Mother Nature has got it all out her system by now because no one likes a wet red carpet… Yesterday in Santa Monica, the annual Independent Spirit Awards were handed out by Film Independent, the organization that aims to promote indie films and actors. In this ceremony, gems like Fruitvale Station and Short Term 12 had the chance to be included among the nods to great films of the past year. The ceremony (which also has a relaxed atmosphere, thanks to the midday drinking that’s encouraged) was hosted by…
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Interviewing the Cast of 12 Years a Slave
12 Years a Slave, beyond the Oscar buzz and nominations, is a film experience worth taking in – even though it is a difficult watch. Steve McQueen brings the true story of Solomon Northup to life in such artistic detail, and with such a measured force, it leaves the audience a little more understanding, a little more kinder – at least that is the deep hope – than when they first went into the cinema. I was lucky enough to sit down with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyongo’ from the cast of the movie, as well as director Steve McQueen, who spoke about the impact of telling this story, which…
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And This Year’s Oscar Nominations Are…
Gravity and American Hustle lead with 10 nominations each, followed by 12 Years a Slave, which has 9. Sadly, there was little love for Inside Llewyn Davis, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, and Fruitvale Station. BEST PICTURE 12 Years a Slave Gravity American Hustle Captain Phillips The Wolf of Wall Street Philomena Her Nebraska Dallas Buyers Club BEST DIRECTOR Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave Alexander Payne, Nebraska David O. Russell, American Hustle Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street BEST ACTOR Christian Bale, American Hustle Bruce Dern, Nebraska Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street BEST ACTRESS…
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Ahead of the Oscar Nominations, A Few Predictions
[Pic: Fox Searchlight Pictures] Ah, the Golden Globes — such fun times. From Tina Fey making jokes at George Clooney’s expense to Emma Thompson taking to the stage with heels in one hand, cocktail in the other, it’s the ceremony with the a reputation for being the most laid-back of awards season. But now things become a little more solemn as the very serious business of the Oscar nominations is almost upon us. The announcement will be made this Thursday by new Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs and her arm candy Chris Hemsworth. So who can we expect to see on the list of…
