Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 18th to 24th, 2023 - Update #16

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

STRIKE - From Deadline:  Members of the Directors Guild of America have overwhelmingly ratified a new film and television contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the film and TV studios.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The "Magnum P.I." reboot starring Jay Hernandez was broadcast for four seasons on CBS. NBC picked it up for a fifth season when CBS cancelled it.  Now, NBC has opted not to order additional episodes beyond this current fifth season.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Director Spike Lee is attending the Cannes Lions Festival where he will receive the "Creative Maker of the Year" awards.  In an interview, the Oscar-winner mentioned a piece of advice given to him by the late recording artist and icon, Michael Jackson.  The King of Pop told Spike, "Don't ever use the term, 'music video'." Spike calls his music videos "short films."

NETFLIX - From Variety:  Netflix has revealed the cast for its live-action series version of "Avatar: The Last Airbender," and it has released the first teaser trailer.  The series is due in 2024,

MOVIES - From IndieWire:  Oscar-winners, Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, and should-be-an-Oscar-winner, Paul Thomas Anderson, have teamed up for an emergency call with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav about the layoffs of Turner Classic Movies’ (TCM) top brass.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Warner Bros. Discovery is shopping some of its HBO library titles to its rival, Netflix.  The first title may be the Issa Rae comedy, "Insecure," which recently finished its five-season run.

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  France’s highest appeals court dismissed accusations of rape by Belgian-Dutch actress Sand Van Roy against French director and producer Luc Besson on Wednesday. Van Roy accused Besson of raping her in 2016 and 2018 encounters.

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  Actor Dan Stevens will now provide the voice of the lead character, "Korvo," in Hulu's animated series, "Solar Opposites."  He replaces Justin Roiland, who is also the co-creator (with Mike McMahan) of the series.  Roiland was ousted from Solar Opposites in January because he was facing domestic abuse charges.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Television super-producer and creator, Ryan Murphy ("American Horror Story," "Nip/Tuck," "Pose") is set to leave Netflix after his five-year Netflix deal expires.  He is in talks to return to Disney which owns FX, the home of his biggest hits.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/16 to 6/18/2023 weekend box office is Warner Bros.' "The Flash" with an estimated total of 55.1 million dollars.

From Deadline:  Wes Anderson's latest film, "Asteroid City," has the strongest opening weekend ($790,000) for a limited release/specialty box office film in many years.

From BloodyDisgusting:  John Squires of "Bloody Disgusting" says that The seven million-dollar debut of Tim Story's "The Blackening" is a win for Lionsgate.

DISNEY - From Variety:  In an interview with "Variety," Pixar CCO (Chief Creative Officer) Pete Docter says that Disney has trained families to wait for films to appear on Disney+.  He reveals that Pixar is working on "Toy Story 5."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Two plagiarism claimants were trying to delay the recent release of director Tim Story's black-centric horror comedy, "The Blackening."  A California district court judge didn't buy the claim.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Stage and screen actor, Frederic Forrest, has died at the age of 86, Friday, June 23, 2023.  His breakthrough film was 1972's "When Legends Die," which earned his a Golden Globe Award.  He appeared in four films in which Francis Ford Coppola was involved, including "The Conversation" (1974) and "Apocalypse Now" (1979).  He earned an Academy Award nomination for "Best Supporting Actor" for his role as "Huston Dyer" in "The Rose" (1979), alongside Bette Midler.

From Deadline:  American mystery author and actress, Carol Higgins Clark, has died at the age of 66, Monday, June 12, 2023.  She was best known for her "Regan Reilly" mystery series, and Clark was also the daughter of the late suspense novelist, Mary Higgins Clark.  She also appeared in several television movies, including "A Cry in the Night" (1992), which was based on her mother's 1982 novel of the same title.

WRITERS STRIKE:

From THR:  Studios won't give writers better pay, and now, are laying off janitors.

From Deadline:  The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has reached a tentative new three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). So what does the Writers Guild (WGA), currently on strike and negotiating with the AMPTP, think of that deal.

From Deadline:  Netflix shareholders declined to support the 2023 pay packages of top executives during a non-binding vote at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Thursday.  The vote won't prevent these execs from getting their loot (an total of $166 million), but this is a rare public rebuke.  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has urged shareholders to vote "No" because the pay was "inappropriate" at this time.

From Deadline:  Warner Bros Discovery chief David Zaslav gave the commencement address at Boston University. There he was met with jeers and also chants of "pay your writers" from picketers and from some in the audience.

From Deadline:   President Joe Biden speaks on the Writers Guild of America strike.

From Deadline:  Retaliation! The studios have starting informing writer-producers who have "overall" and "first-look" deals that such deals are being suspended.

From Deadline:  Retaliation!  Prolific HBO creator, David Simon, who is best known for "The Wire," is one of the many writers who have had their overall deals suspended the studios due to the WGA strike.  Simon has been with HBO for 25 years.

From Deadline:  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is on strike.

From Deadline:  Disney, HBO/HBO Max, and CBS have sent letters to showrunners (the TV equivalent of film directors) instructing them to return to work, inspite of the writer's strike.

From Deadline:  The WGA's chief negotiator, Ellen Stutzman, talks about the state of the writers' strike, including the lack of engagement on the part of the strike's other party, AMPTP.

From Deadline:  What went wrong between the WGA and AMPTP? What could they not agree on that led to a strike?

From Deadline:  The site explains the WGA strike: the issues, the stakes, movies and TV shows affected, and how long it might last.

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Review: Takes a Bit, But Pixar's "Soul" Finds its Soul

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 30 of 2021 (No. 1768) by Leroy Douresseaux

Soul (2020)
Running time:  100 minutes (1 hour, 40 minutes0
MPAA –  PG for thematic elements and some language
DIRECTORS:  Pete Docter with Kemp Powers (co-director)
WRITERS:  Pete Docter, and Mike Jones, and Kemp Powers
PRODUCER:  Dana Murray
CINEMATOGRAPHERS:  Matt Aspbury (D.o.P.) and Ian Megibben (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Kevin Nolting
COMPOSERS: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross with Jon Batiste (jazz compositions and arrangements)
Academy Award winner

ANIMATION/FANTASY/COMEDY/DRAMA

Starring:  (voices) Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Rachel House, Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade, Phylicia Rashad, Donnell Rawlings, Ahmir-Khalib Thompson a.k.a. Questlove, Angela Bassett, Cora Champommier, Margo Hall, Daveed Diggs, Rhodessa Jones, Wes Studi, Sakina Jaffrey, Ochuwa Oghie, Jeannie Tirado, Dorian Lockett, and Marcus Shelby

Soul is a 2020 American computer-animated, comedy-drama, and fantasy film from director Pete Docter and co-director Kemp Powers and is produced by Pixar Animation Studios.  Soul is also the first Pixar film to feature an African-American protagonist.  Soul focuses on a jazz pianist who finds himself trapped in a strange place that exists between Earth and the afterlife.

Soul introduces Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), a pianist living in New York City and who dreams of playing jazz professionally.  He is also a middle school music teacher at M.S. 70, and the school's Principal Arroyo (Jeannie Tirado) has just offered to make him a full-time teacher.  Joe's mother, Libba, (Phylicia Rashad) insists that he make teaching a full time job, fearing for his financial security as a jazz musician chasing gigs and sessions.

One day, a former student, Lamont “Curley” Baker (Ahmir-Khalib Thompson a.k.a. Questlove), who is now a jazz drummer, tells Joe that there is an opening in the jazz group, “the Dorothea Williams Quartet,” and that auditions are being held at “The Half Note” jazz club.  Dorothea Williams is a legend, and playing in a jazz outfit like hers has been Joe's dream for years.

But an accident causes Joe's soul to be separated from his body, and Joe ends up trapped between “the Great Beyond” and “the Great Before.”  And perhaps the only thing that can save Joe is helping a wayward soul known as “22” (Tina Fey).

Soul may feature Pixar Animation Studios' first African-American lead, Jamie Foxx's Joe Gardner,, but it is not really a “black film.”  The film is not a celebration of ordinary black people, but it dares to imagine black people as ordinary folks who have the same ups and downs, successes and failures, and hopes and dreams as everyone else.  Also, Soul is the most adult film that Pixar has produced to date.  I think children could enjoy it, but Soul deals with the kind of existential questions that adults face.  In fact, I found that the film's story seemed to confront me about my life on more than a few occasions.  I also like that the film asks a lot of questions, but bluntly and stubbornly refuses to answer all of them.

I did find the first 50 minutes of Soul to be muddled in terms of the narrative.  Everything about it is technically proficient, but the story lacks … soul.  It is not until Joe and 22 reach Earth that Soul really begins to grapple with the struggle between living a life with a purpose as in goals and living a life in which once enjoys living.

Whenever I review a Pixar film, I really don't get into the quality of the animation.  From the standpoint of technology and art, Pixar has practically always been astounding and awesome.  For a long time now, Pixar's computer-animation (or 3D animation) has been so good and so beautifully rendered and colored that it makes me forget that I am watching an animated film.  Soul, in its dazzling colors, inventive characters, and imaginative settings (“the Great Beyond” and how it welcomes a soul), is about as strong as its predecessors

Soul's film score recently won an Oscar.  Jon Batiste's jazz compositions and arrangements are captivating, and made me feel like I was right there in the performance.  Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' score, especially when the story moves into the realms of the soul, is ethereal, magically, and futuristic, and sounds like music from another world.

I like the voice performances.  Jamie Foxx does not fully sound like Jamie Foxx, and, in that, he makes Joe Gardner feel like a genuine character.  What more can I say about Tina Fey?  As “22,” she shows, once again, that she has talent to burn.  Also, I think Phylicia Rashad makes the most of every line she has in the film; she makes Libba Gardner seem like a real mother.

Ultimately, Soul reminds me that I really need Pixar Animation Studios in my life.  Pixar's feature films find the best of humanity and emphasize the beauty in us all.  This time, Pixar gives us Soul to remind us to look up and notice the beauty in us and in the world around us.

8 of 10
A

Sunday, May 2, 2021


NOTES:
2021 Academy Awards, USA:  2 wins:  “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures-Original Score” (Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Jon Batiste) and “Best Animated Feature Film” (Pete Docter and Dana Murray); 1 nomination: “Best Sound” (Ren Klyce, Coya Elliott, and David Parker)

2021 Golden Globes, USA:  2 wins: “Best Motion Picture – Animated” and “Best Original Score - Motion Picture” (Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Jon Batiste)

2021 BAFTA Awards:  2 wins: “Best Animated Feature Film” (Pete Docter and Dana Murray) and “Original Score” (Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor, and Atticus Ross); 1 nomination: “Best Sound” (Coya Elliott, Ren Klyce, and David Parker)


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Winners at the 93rd Academy Awards Are Announced; "Nomadland" Wins "Best Picture

The 93rd Oscars® nominations were announced Monday, March 15, 2021, recognizing nominees in 23 categories.  Academy members from each of the 17 branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories – actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, etc. In the Animated Feature Film and International Feature Film categories, nominees are selected by a vote of multi-branch screening committees. All voting members are eligible to select the Best Picture nominees.

Active members of the Academy were eligible to vote for the winners in all 23 categories beginning Thursday, April 15, through Tuesday, April 20, 2021.

The 93rd Oscars were held on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Union Station Los Angeles and the Dolby® Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and was televised live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Winners for the 2021 / 93rd Academy Awards:

Best motion picture of the year:
"Nomadland" Frances McDormand, Peter Spears, Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey and Chloé Zhao, Producers - WINNER
"The Father" David Parfitt, Jean-Louis Livi and Philippe Carcassonne, Producers
"Judas and the Black Messiah" Shaka King, Charles D. King and Ryan Coogler, Producers
"Mank" Ceán Chaffin, Eric Roth and Douglas Urbanski, Producers
"Minari" Christina Oh, Producer
"Promising Young Woman" Ben Browning, Ashley Fox, Emerald Fennell and Josey McNamara, Producers
"Sound of Metal" Bert Hamelinck and Sacha Ben Harroche, Producers
"The Trial of the Chicago 7" Marc Platt and Stuart Besser, Producers

Performance by an actor in a leading role:
Anthony Hopkins in "The Father" - WINNER
Riz Ahmed in "Sound of Metal"
Chadwick Boseman in "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom"
Gary Oldman in "Mank"
Steven Yeun in "Minari"

Performance by an actor in a supporting role:
Daniel Kaluuya in "Judas and the Black Messiah" - WINNER
Sacha Baron Cohen in "The Trial of the Chicago 7"
Leslie Odom, Jr. in "One Night in Miami..."
Paul Raci in "Sound of Metal"
Lakeith Stanfield in "Judas and the Black Messiah"

Performance by an actress in a leading role:
Frances McDormand in "Nomadland"- WINNER
Viola Davis in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"
Andra Day in "The United States vs. Billie Holiday"
Vanessa Kirby in "Pieces of a Woman"
Carey Mulligan in "Promising Young Woman"

Performance by an actress in a supporting role:
Yuh-Jung Youn in "Minari" - WINNER
Maria Bakalova in "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan"
Glenn Close in "Hillbilly Elegy"
Olivia Colman in "The Father"
Amanda Seyfried in "Mank"

Best animated feature film of the year:
"Soul" Pete Docter and Dana Murray- WINNER
"Onward" Dan Scanlon and Kori Rae
"Over the Moon" Glen Keane, Gennie Rim and Peilin Chou
"A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon" Richard Phelan, Will Becher and Paul Kewley
"Wolfwalkers" Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart, Paul Young and Stéphan Roelants

Achievement in cinematography:
"Mank" Erik Messerschmidt - WINNER
"Judas and the Black Messiah" Sean Bobbitt
"News of the World" Dariusz Wolski
"Nomadland" Joshua James Richards
"The Trial of the Chicago 7" Phedon Papamichael

Achievement in costume design:
"Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom" Ann Roth - WINNER
"Emma" Alexandra Byrne
"Mank" Trish Summerville
"Mulan" Bina Daigeler
"Pinocchio" Massimo Cantini Parrini

Achievement in directing:
"Nomadland" Chloé Zhao - WINNER
"Another Round" Thomas Vinterberg
"Mank" David Fincher
"Minari" Lee Isaac Chung
"Promising Young Woman" Emerald Fennell

Best documentary feature:
"My Octopus Teacher" Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed and Craig Foster - WINNER
"Collective" Alexander Nanau and Bianca Oana
"Crip Camp" Nicole Newnham, Jim LeBrecht and Sara Bolder
"The Mole Agent" Maite Alberdi and Marcela Santibáñez
"Time" Garrett Bradley, Lauren Domino and Kellen Quinn

Best documentary short subject:
"Colette" Anthony Giacchino and Alice Doyard - WINNER
"A Concerto Is a Conversation" Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers
"Do Not Split" Anders Hammer and Charlotte Cook
"Hunger Ward" Skye Fitzgerald and Michael Scheuerman
"A Love Song for Latasha" Sophia Nahli Allison and Janice Duncan

Achievement in film editing:
"Sound of Metal" Mikkel E. G. Nielsen - WINNER
"The Father" Yorgos Lamprinos
"Nomadland" Chloé Zhao
"Promising Young Woman" Frédéric Thoraval
"The Trial of the Chicago 7" Alan Baumgarten

Best international feature film of the year:
"Another Round" Denmark - WINNER
"Better Days" Hong Kong
"Collective" Romania
"The Man Who Sold His Skin" Tunisia
"Quo Vadis, Aida?" Bosnia and Herzegovina

Achievement in makeup and hairstyling:
"Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom" Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson - WINNER
"Emma" Marese Langan, Laura Allen and Claudia Stolze
"Hillbilly Elegy" Eryn Krueger Mekash, Matthew Mungle and Patricia Dehaney
"Mank" Gigi Williams, Kimberley Spiteri and Colleen LaBaff
"Pinocchio" Mark Coulier, Dalia Colli and Francesco Pegoretti

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score):
"Soul" Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste - WINNER
"Da 5 Bloods" Terence Blanchard
"Mank" Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
"Minari" Emile Mosseri
"News of the World" James Newton Howard

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song):
"Fight For You" from "Judas and the Black Messiah" Music by H.E.R. and Dernst Emile II; Lyric by H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas - WINNER

• "Hear My Voice" from "The Trial of the Chicago 7" Music by Daniel Pemberton; Lyric by Daniel Pemberton and Celeste Waite
• "Husavik" from "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga" Music and Lyric by Savan Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus and Rickard Göransson
• "Io Sì (Seen)" from "The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)" Music by Diane Warren; Lyric by Diane Warren and Laura Pausini
• "Speak Now" from "One Night in Miami..." Music and Lyric by Leslie Odom, Jr. and Sam Ashworth

Achievement in production design:
"Mank" Production Design: Donald Graham Burt; Set Decoration: Jan Pascale - WINNER
"The Father" Production Design: Peter Francis; Set Decoration: Cathy Featherstone
"Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom" Production Design: Mark Ricker; Set Decoration: Karen O’Hara and Diana Stoughton
"News of the World" Production Design: David Crank; Set Decoration: Elizabeth Keenan
"Tenet" Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Kathy Lucas

Best animated short film:
"If Anything Happens I Love You" Will McCormack and Michael Govier - WINNER
"Burrow" Madeline Sharafian and Michael Capbarat
"Genius Loci" Adrien Mérigeau and Amaury Ovise
"Opera" Erick Oh
"Yes-People" Gísli Darri Halldórsson and Arnar Gunnarsson

Best live action short film:
"Two Distant Strangers" Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe - WINNER
"Feeling Through" Doug Roland and Susan Ruzenski
"The Letter Room" Elvira Lind and Sofia Sondervan
"The Present" Farah Nabulsi
"White Eye" Tomer Shushan and Shira Hochman

Achievement in sound:
"Sound of Metal" Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michelle Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés and Phillip Bladh - WINNER
"Greyhound" Warren Shaw, Michael Minkler, Beau Borders and David Wyman
"Mank" Ren Klyce, Jeremy Molod, David Parker, Nathan Nance and Drew Kunin
"News of the World" Oliver Tarney, Mike Prestwood Smith, William Miller and John Pritchett
"Soul" Ren Klyce, Coya Elliott and David Parker

Achievement in visual effects:
"Tenet" Andrew Jackson, David Lee, Andrew Lockley and Scott Fisher - WINNER
"Love and Monsters" Matt Sloan, Genevieve Camilleri, Matt Everitt and Brian Cox
"The Midnight Sky" Matthew Kasmir, Christopher Lawrence, Max Solomon and David Watkins
"Mulan" Sean Faden, Anders Langlands, Seth Maury and Steve Ingram
"The One and Only Ivan" Nick Davis, Greg Fisher, Ben Jones and Santiago Colomo Martinez

Adapted screenplay:
"The Father" Screenplay by Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller - WINNER
"Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Swimer & Peter Baynham & Erica Rivinoja & Dan Mazer & Jena Friedman & Lee Kern; Story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Swimer & Nina Pedrad
"Nomadland" Written for the screen by Chloé Zhao
"One Night in Miami..." Screenplay by Kemp Powers
"The White Tigers" Written for the screen by Ramin Bahrani

Original screenplay:
"Promising Young Woman" Written by Emerald Fennell - WINNER
"Judas and the Black Messiah" Screenplay by Will Berson & Shaka King; Story by Will Berson & Shaka King and Kenny Lucas & Keith Lucas
"Minari" Written by Lee Isaac Chung
"Sound of Metal" Screenplay by Darius Marder & Abraham Marder; Story by Darius Marder & Derek Cianfrance
"The Trial of the Chicago 7" Written by Aaron Sorkin

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Disney Introduced Its Upcoming Film Slate to D23 Expo Attendees

Disney Presents Upcoming Live-Action and Animated Movie Slate at D23 Expo 2019

The Walt Disney Studios—including studio leaders and filmmakers from Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Disney live action, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios—offered guests at D23 Expo 2019 a captivating look at Disney’s upcoming film slate. Alan Horn, co-chairman and chief creative officer, The Walt Disney Studios, was joined by Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy, Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige, Disney live action’s Sean Bailey, Pixar’s Pete Docter and Disney Animation’s Jennifer Lee for the presentation in Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Center, featuring never-before-seen footage and a host of stars from films such as Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Marvel Studios’ The Eternals, Jungle Cruise, Onward and Frozen 2.

“You’re not just fans, you’re family,” Horn said, as he kicked off the highly anticipated presentation. “It’s because of you that we keep working so hard to make great movies, and we love D23 Expo because it’s where we can share them with you first.”

Here are the films that were in the spotlight:

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy welcomed director/writer/producer J.J. Abrams to the Hall D23 stage to celebrate the end of a saga that began 40 years ago. They were joined by nine stars from the film—returning cast members Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, and Billy Dee Williams, and newcomers to the galaxy far, far away, Naomi Ackie and Keri Russell. A brand new poster was revealed for the audience, who were also given a look back at the incredible legacy of Star Wars storytelling and treated to a sneak peek of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which opens in U.S. theaters on December 20, 2019.

Black Panther 2 (working title)

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige was joined by Black Panther director and co-writer Ryan Coogler to confirm that a sequel to the blockbuster 2018 film will be released on May 6, 2022.

Marvel Studios’ The Eternals

“We’ve pulled back the cosmic curtain on the MCU [Marvel Cinematic Universe] in ways you can’t imagine,” Feige said, as he brought the cast of The Eternals to the stage. Richard Madden portrays the all-powerful Ikaris; Kumail Nanjiani plays cosmic-powered Kingo; Lauren Ridloff portrays the super-fast Makkari, the first deaf hero in the MCU; Brian Tyree Henry plays the intelligent inventor Phastos; Salma Hayek plays the wise and spiritual leader Ajak; Lia McHugh portrays the eternally young, old-soul Sprite; Don Lee plays the powerful Gilgamesh; and Angelina Jolie stars as the fierce warrior Thena. Feige revealed concept art images of each character and announced three new cast members and their characters: Gemma Chan, who plays humankind-loving Sersi; Kit Harington, who was cast as non-Eternal Dane Whitman, and Barry Keoghan, who portrays aloof loner Druig, and was on hand for the event. Chloé Zhao, who helmed the critically acclaimed Sundance film The Rider, directs. The Eternals opens in U.S. theaters on November 6, 2020.

Black Widow

Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe kicks off with Black Widow, opening in U.S. theaters on May 1, 2020. Cate Shortland directs the film, which stars Scarlett Johansson, reprising her role of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, David Harbour, as Alexei the Red Guardian, and Florence Pugh, who plays Yelena. Today, Feige gave the D23 Expo audience an exclusive look at the upcoming film.

Jungle Cruise

Sean Bailey, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, kicked off a preview of upcoming releases for the studio with next summer’s Jungle Cruise, a rousing adventure inspired by the classic theme-park attraction. Star Dwayne Johnson, who plays riverboat captain Frank Wolff, “sailed” into Hall D23 aboard an original Jungle Cruise boat, introducing a “trailer” that showed off his character—so much so, that co-star Emily Blunt, who portrays Dr. Lily Houghton, arrived via classic car to share with fans her own “trailer,” offering a different perspective. Bailey laughingly informed Johnson and Blunt that neither trailer was official.

“We are keenly aware of the responsibility we have for such a beloved property, and that property is Jungle Cruise, the ride,” Johnson told fans, acknowledging the reverence fans have had for the attraction for generations. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, Disney’s Jungle Cruise hits U.S. theaters on July 24, 2020.

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

In the follow-up to the hit 2014 film, Maleficent, portrayed by Angelia Jolie, and her goddaughter Aurora, played by Elle Fanning, begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies and new dark forces at play. “We really pose the question and fight for the belief that what is different makes you stronger,” Jolie shared today. “And what is family and what defines family is what you believe in and how you love and what you stand for—it’s not just blood, and it’s not because you’re the same.” Jolie and Fanning were joined today at D23 Expo by Michelle Pfeiffer, who portrays Queen Ingrith, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, who stars as Connal, one of the leaders of the dark fey who becomes Maleficent’s ally. Directed by Joachim Rønning, who co-helmed 2017’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil arrives in U.S. theaters on October 18, 2019.

Mulan

Niki Caro, directs Disney’s Mulan, the upcoming live-action reimagining of the 1998 classic animated film. “What drew me to this project was Mulan herself,” Caro detailed. “Her journey from village girl to male soldier to warrior to hero, I think represents all of us. And the story is as relevant and inspiring today as it was when it was first written over 1,500 years ago. In Mulan, which opens in U.S. theaters on March 27, 2020, the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders. So, the eldest daughter of an honored but ailing warrior masquerades as a man, transforming into a heroic warrior to ultimately earn her the respect of a grateful nation and a proud father.

Cruella

Emma Stone and Emma Thompson star in the all-new feature film Cruella, which director Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya; The Finest Hours) brings to the big screen on May 28, 2021. Stone, who plays the iconic “Cruella,” sent D23 Expo fans a greeting from the film’s London-based set. Additionally, fans were able to get a taste of the fresh, 1970s, punk-rock approach Gillespie is bringing to the film through an image of Stone in full costume with the title character’s signature black-and-white hair.

Soul

Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter, making his first Expo appearance since taking the helm of the Emeryville-based studio, shared exclusive looks at Pixar’s two original films slated for release in 2020. “Sequel or original, the most important thing for us at Pixar is making films that speak to everyone,” Docter said. Soul journeys from the streets of New York City to the never-before-seen cosmic realms and “The You Seminar,” the fantastical place where we all discover our unique personalities.

Producer Dana Murray, co-director/writer Kemp Powers and writer Mike Jones joined Docter on stage, and together they set up the film for the audience and shared a sneak peek. They were joined by members of the voice cast, revealed for the first time in Hall D23: Jamie Foxx stars as Joe Gardner, a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz; while Tina Fey is 22, a soul-in-training who has an unexpected encounter with Joe when he accidentally finds his way to the “The You Seminar.” Together, they embark upon finding a way to get Joe back to Earth, making him think again about what it truly means to have soul. Rounding out the cast—and joining Foxx and Fey today—are Ahmir Questlove Thompson as Curly; Phylicia Rashad as Libba; and Daveed Diggs as Paul. Filmmakers also revealed that globally renowned musician Jon Batiste will be writing original jazz music for the film, and Oscar® winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (The Social Network), from Nine Inch Nails, will compose an original score that will drift between the real and soul worlds. Disney and Pixar’s Soul opens in U.S. theaters on June 19, 2020.

Onward

The movie, which opens in U.S. theaters on March 6, 2020, stars Tom Holland and Chris Pratt as two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left in the world. Set in a modern fantasy world, Disney and Pixar’s Onward is inspired by Scanlon’s personal experiences with his brother. Holland, Pratt and Julia Louis-Dreyfus—who voices Mom in the movie—joined the filmmakers on stage—much to the delight of the audience, who watched an eight-minute clip from the film and also received an exclusive Onward poster.

Raya and the Last Dragon

“For nearly a decade, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most incredible artists and technicians in the world. And like me, they came to Disney because they were inspired and they wanted to help create the animated films of the future: adventures in completely original, fantastical worlds; stories from around the globe; and the next generation of musicals,” said Jennifer Lee, who, today, marked her first D23 Expo appearance as Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Lee presented an overview of the studio’s next two features, beginning with the Thanksgiving 2020 fantasy-action-adventure, Raya and the Last Dragon.

Directors Paul Briggs and Dean Wellins (Big Hero 6, Frozen), producer Osnat Shurer (Moana) and writer Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asians) joined Lee on stage to set up the film, which introduces Raya, a lone warrior from the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra who teams up with a crew of misfits in her quest to find the Last Dragon and bring light and unity back to their world. The D23 Expo crowd was the first to get a look at the new film, viewing an exclusive three-minute piece. They also met two newly announced members of the voice cast: Awkwafina lends her voice to Sisu, the Last Dragon, who was left on Earth in case dark forces return to the world, and Cassie Steele voices the lead character, Raya. Exploring themes of community and hope, and inspired by the beautiful and diverse cultures of Southeast Asia, the fantasy-action-adventure Raya and the Last Dragon opens in U.S. theaters on November 25, 2020.

Frozen 2

Lee, who directs Frozen 2 with Chris Buck, and wrote the screenplay, invited Buck to join her on stage as the Oscar®-winning duo revealed new details about the upcoming film, which opens in U.S. theaters on November 22. Lee and Buck shared with Disney fans that together, along Oscar®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, they realized they still had more of Anna and Elsa’s story to tell, and that together, Frozen and Frozen 2 form one complete story.

Two new Frozen 2 cast members were introduced: Sterling K. Brown, who voices Lieutenant Destin Mattias, and Evan Rachel Wood, who voices Queen Iduna, Anna and Elsa’s mother. The crowd received an exclusive D23 Expo Frozen 2 poster and saw never-before-seen footage of the new characters, including a scene that featured Wood, as Iduna, singing to young Elsa and Anna. The song, “All Is Found,” is one of seven all-new original songs by Oscar®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The audience also saw a sequence from the movie that showcased Elsa’s yearning for answers about the past, culminating in another song, “Into the Unknown.” The studio presentation drew to a close with a climactic performance of the song “Some Things Never Change” by Menzel, Bell, Groff and Gad that brought the audience to its feet for a spectacular finale to a truly unforgettable presentation at D23 Expo 2019.

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Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios to Share Secrets at D23 Expo 2019

Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios Prepare to Share Never-Before-Seen Footage, Details, and Experiences at Disney’s D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim, August 23–25, 2019

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS) are gearing up for an exciting weekend of announcements and presentations—sharing never-before-seen footage—plus interactive displays, artist autograph signings, sharable photo opportunities, and giveaways for 2019’s D23 Expo in Anaheim, California.

This year, Pixar and WDAS will join forces with Disney’s live-action team, creating a thrilling Walt Disney Studios slate presentation that promises to wow Disney fans in Hall D23 with new announcements, surprise talent appearances, and sneak peeks of select scenes from the films.

GO BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS
Saturday, August 24, 2019, 10 a.m., Hall D23

As a part of The Walt Disney Studios presentation, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee and Pixar Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter will present never-before-seen footage, surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by all-star voice talent from the studios’ upcoming slate of animated films. Fans will get new looks at WDAS’ highly anticipated follow-up to 2013’s Oscar®-winning feature film Frozen when directors Chris Buck, Lee, and producer Peter Del Vecho reveal new details about Frozen 2. Director Dan Scanlon and producer Kori Rae will introduce fans to the characters in Pixar’s upcoming original feature film Onward, while Docter and producer Dana Murray share details about next summer’s original feature, Soul. Cell phones, cameras, and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

SHOW FLOOR
August 23–25, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

On the show floor, the two studios will once again team up for an immersive animation experience at D23 Expo. The studios’ upcoming slate of films, which include WDAS’ much-anticipated Frozen 2 and Pixar’s brand-new original feature film Onward, will be highlighted, including opportunities to meet the teams behind the movies and autograph signings of exclusive art and promotional item giveaways.

Pixar Animation Studios will also introduce fans to a real-life version of Guinevere, the van from their upcoming film Onward. Decked out with crescent moon windows and a “Pegacorn” (part Pegasus, part unicorn) painted on her sides, Guinevere will offer guests a taste of the adventure that two teenage elf brothers will embark upon in the movie.

ANIMATION PANELS
Sunday, August 25, 10 a.m., D23 Expo Arena.
The Little Mermaid: The 30th Anniversary Celebration! - Presented by H2O+
Fans of the classic film are invited to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of The Little Mermaid, recognized around the world as one of the greatest animated films of all time. Hosted by the voice of Ariel herself, Jodi Benson, it will be an unforgettable “Under the Sea” celebration.

Sunday, August 25, 12 p.m., Walt Disney Archives Stage
Hidden Gems of the Walt Disney Animation Research Library: Preserving and Inspiring the Disney Legacy
Fans will discover what it’s like to hold Disney history in their hands in this informative panel. The talented team at Walt Disney Animation Research Library (ARL) preserves millions of pieces of original Disney Animation art from Steamboat Willie to the films of today. Attendees will learn how the ARL shares these hidden gems, inspiring artists and audiences alike.

Sunday, August 25, 4 p.m., Stage 28.
World Premiere: Walt Disney Animation Studios Presents Short Circuit
In this exciting panel, Walt Disney Animation Studios will debut Short Circuit, an experimental short film program that will debut in Spring 2020 on Disney+. Talented artists and filmmakers will share their films for the first time anywhere and give behind-the-scenes insights.


About Walt Disney Animation Studios
Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS) is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. Located in Burbank, WDAS continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, from the first fully animated feature film, 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to 2013’s Academy Award®-winning Frozen, the biggest animated film of all time. Among the studio’s timeless creations are Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, and the upcoming Frozen 2, which opens in U.S. theaters on November 22, 2019.

About Pixar Animation Studios
Pixar Animation Studios, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is an Academy Award®-winning film studio with world-renowned technical, creative, and production capabilities in the art of computer animation. The Northern California studio has created some of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time, including Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Cars, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, WALL•E, Up, Toy Story 3, Brave, Inside Out, Coco, Incredibles 2, and this summer’s must-see feature film Toy Story 4. Its movies have won 36 Academy Awards® and have grossed more than $14 billion at the worldwide box office to date. Onward, Pixar’s 22nd feature, will open in theaters on March 6, 2020.

About D23 Expo 2019
D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 Expo 2019 news, visit D23expo.com. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 Expo conversation, be sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23Expo.

About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99), Gold Family Membership ($129.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Review: "Inside Out" is Outta Sight

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 17 (of 2016) by Leroy Douresseaux

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

Inside Out (2015)
Running time:  95 minutes (1 hour, 35 minutes)
MPAA – PG
DIRECTOR:  Pete Docter
WRITERS:  Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, and Josh Cooley; based on an original story by Pete Docter and Ronnie Del Carmen
PRODUCER:  Jonas Rivera
EDITOR:  Kevin Nolting
COMPOSER:  Michael Giacchino
Academy Award winner

ANIMATION/ADVENTURE/DRAMA/COMEDY/FAMILY

Starring:  (voices) Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Kaitlyn Dais, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan, Paula Poundstone, Bobby Moynihan, Frank Oz, Dani Dare, Dara Iruka, Dawnn Lewis, and Rashida Jones

Inside Out is a 2015 computer-animated feature film from Pixar Animation Studios.  The film is directed by Pete Docter and is based on a story written by Docter and Ronnie Del Carmen (who also co-directed this film).  Inside Out focuses on a 'tween girl who struggles with the move to a new home and on her animated emotions who get carried away by her stress.  Inside Out was executive produced by John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton.

Riley Anderson (Kaitlyn Dais) has within her mind, five personifications of her basic emotions:  Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling), and Sadness (Phyllis Smith).  This quintet influences Riley's actions by using a console in her mind's Headquarters.  The emotions' biggest challenge comes when Riley is 11-years-old.

Riley and her parents, Bill Andersen (Kyle MacLachlan) and Jill O'Riley-Andersen (Diane Lane), move from her birthplace in Minnesota to San Francisco for Bill's new business.  Joy, who is the leader of the emotions, is determined to keep Riley happy during this transition.  However, an accident sends Joy and Sadness far away from Headquarters, leaving Anger, Disgust, and Fear in charge.  Chaos ensues, and Joy is determined to get back in order to take charge and fix the problems.  But can she get back in time before a great disaster occurs, and does she know what the problem with Riley really is?

Sometimes, it seems pointless to review Pixar movies, especially when they are as exceptionally good as Inside Out most certainly is.  Of course, this film is gorgeously animated.  Of course, it is both inventive in its conception and powerfully moving in its drama.  Inside Out is the best non-sequel Pixar film since 2009's Up.  So instead of heaping more praise on a movie upon which much praise (and an Oscar) has already been heaped, I will talk about a few things I liked about Inside Out.

I liked how the film emphasized that it is okay for people not to be happy all the time, that it is okay to sometimes be sad.  Joy and sadness go hand in hand, and sometimes they are connected in ways we never realize.  Obviously, Inside Out seems to be a movie made by filmmakers who are parents and who wish that their children would never grow up, but realize that of course they will.  Inside Out is about change, and sometimes change is painful for the things that we lose that we cannot get back.  Sometimes, we should not even want to get back things that are recoverable.

The voice performances are, all around, quite good.  I particularly liked Richard Kind as Riley's former imaginary friend, Bing Bong.  Amy Poehler's turn as Joy is full of shifts in character, mood, timbre, and color that not only define Joy, but also shape and define the narrative.  Lewis Black is surprisingly nimble as Anger, and Bill Hader manages to make his character, Fear, stand out when he could easily disappear into the pack.  I have to admit that I find Kaitlyn Dias exceptionally good as Riley; her performance makes the character seem genuine and goes a long way in making Inside Out work.

I won't say that this film is perfect.  I think the first 25 minutes are problematic because the story struggles.  It is as if the storytellers cannot hide the fact that they are bored with the obligatory set-ups and cannot wait to get to the part where the story really begins.

I have often heard it said or read that Pixar is like classic Walt Disney animated film in that Pixar movies have heart.  I think that Pixar's storytellers are willing to grapple with the bittersweet nature of life.  Like true artists, they find beauty in life:  the good, the bad, and even the mundane.  Pixar sells hope and embraces the fight for survival... or at least for something better.  Some might think of this as American middle class values.  I think Pixar's films are timeless and universal.  Woody and Buzz Lightyear's race to catch up to the car at the end of Toy Story will always be compelling.  And now, Inside Out has Joy and Riley's journey, and I don't think that story will ever grow old.

9 of 10
A+

Friday, April 22, 2016


NOTES:
2016 Academy Awards, USA:  1 win: “Best Animated Feature Film of the Year” (Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera); 1 nomination: “Best Writing, Original Screenplay” (Pete Docter-screenplay/story, Meg LeFauve-screenplay, Josh Cooley-screenplay, and Ronnie Del Carmen-story)

2016 Golden Globes, USA:  1 win: “Best Motion Picture – Animated”

2016 BAFTA Awards:  1 win:  “Best Animated Film” (Pete Docter); 1 nomination: “Best Original Screenplay (Josh Cooley, Pete Docter, and Meg LeFauve)


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Oklahoma Film Critics Gives "Spotlight" its Best Picture Award

The Oklahoma Film Critics Circle (OFCC) is the statewide group of professional film critics.  OFCC members are Oklahoma-based movie critics who write for print, broadcast and online outlets that publish or post reviews of current film releases.

The OFCC announced its 10th annual awards winners in early January of 2016.

2015 Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Award winners:

Best Picture - "Spotlight"

Best Actor – Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Revenant"

Best Actress – Brie Larson, "Room"

Best Animated Film - "Inside Out"

Best Body of Work – Alicia Vikander, "Ex Machina," "The Danish Girl," "Testament of Youth," "Burnt"

Best Director – George Miller, "Mad Max: Fury Road"

Best Documentary - "Amy"

Best First Feature – Alex Garland, "Ex Machina"

Best Foreign Language Film - "Son of Saul" (Hungary)

Best Original Screenplay - "Spotlight"

Best Adapted Screenplay – Charles Randolph and Adam McKay, "The Big Short"

Best Supporting Actor (TIE)
Michael Keaton "Spotlight"
Sylvester Stallone "Creed"

Best Supporting Actress – Alicia Vikander, "Ex Machina"

Most Disappointing Film – "Tomorrowland"

Top 10 Films
"Spotlight"
"Mad Max: Fury Road"
"Brooklyn"
"Ex-Machina"
"The Big Short"
"Carol"
"The Revenant"
"Inside Out"
"Sicario"
"The Hateful Eight

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2016 BAFTA Awards Announced; "The Revenant" Wins "Best Film"

The British Academy Film Awards (also known as the BAFTAs) are presented in an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). They are the British counterpart of the Oscars.

Previously known as the Orange British Academy Film Awards, they are now known as the EE British Academy Film Awards.  The British telecommunications company, EE, replaces Orange as the title sponsor of the awards.

The 69th EE British Academy Film Awards took place on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. The ceremony was hosted by Stephen Fry and was broadcast exclusively on BBC One and BBC One HD, preceded by a red carpet show on BBC Three.

2016 / 69th BAFTA Film Award winners (for the year in film 2015):

BEST FILM
THE REVENANT Steve Golin, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Arnon Milchan, Mary Parent, Keith Redmon

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
BROOKLYN John Crowley, Finola Dwyer, Amanda Posey, Nick Hornby

DIRECTOR
THE REVENANT Alejandro G. Iñárritu

LEADING ACTOR
LEONARDO DICAPRIO The Revenant

LEADING ACTRESS
BRIE LARSON Room

SUPPORTING ACTOR
MARK RYLANCE Bridge of Spies

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
KATE WINSLET Steve Jobs

OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER
NAJI ABU NOWAR (Writer/Director) RUPERT LLOYD (Producer) Theeb

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
WILD TALES Damián Szifron (Argentina, Spain)

DOCUMENTARY
AMY Asif Kapadia, James Gay-Rees

ANIMATED FILM
INSIDE OUT Pete Docter

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
SPOTLIGHT Tom McCarthy, Josh Singer

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
THE BIG SHORT Adam McKay, Charles Randolph

ORIGINAL MUSIC
THE HATEFUL EIGHT Ennio Morricone

CINEMATOGRAPHY
THE REVENANT Emmanuel Lubezki

EDITING
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Margaret Sixel

PRODUCTION DESIGN
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Colin Gibson, Lisa Thompson

COSTUME DESIGN
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Jenny Beavan

MAKE UP & HAIR
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Lesley Vanderwalt, Damian Martin

SOUND
THE REVENANT Lon Bender, Chris Duesterdiek, Martin Hernandez, Frank A. Montaño, Jon Taylor, Randy Thom

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Chris Corbould, Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh, Neal Scanlan

BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION
EDMOND Nina Gantz, Emilie Jouffroy

BRITISH SHORT FILM
OPERATOR Caroline Bartleet, Rebecca Morgan

THE EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)
JOHN BOYEGA

OUTSTANDING BRITISH CONTRIBUTION TO CINEMA
Angels Costumes

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Nevada Film Critics Choose "Spotlight" as Best Film of 2015

The Nevada Film Critics Society (NFCS) is apparently a society of film critics who reside in Nevada and produce film reviews for print, broadcast, radio, and online.

The Nevada Film Critics Society's 2015 Awards for Achievement in Film:

Best Film – Spotlight

Best Actor - Leonardo DiCaprio - The Revenant

Best Actress - Brie Larson – Room

Best Supporting Actor - Tom Hardy - The Revenant

Best Supporting Actress - Alicia Vikander - Ex Machina

Best Youth Performance - Jacob Tremblay – Room

Best Director - Alejandro Iñárritu - The Revenant

Best Original Screenplay - Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer – Spotlight

Best Adapted Screenplay (TIE)
Drew Goddard for The Martian
Emma Donoghue for Room

Best Ensemble Cast - Spotlight

Best Documentary - Amy

Best Animated Movie - Inside Out

Best Production Design - Francois Séguin - Brooklyn

Best Cinematography - Emmanuel Lubezki - The Revenant

Best Visual Effects - Ex Machina

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2016 Annie Awards Announced; Pixar's "Inside Out" Dominates

ASIFA-Hollywood, the Los Angeles, California branch of the International Animated Film Society, presents the Annie Awards.  The Annie honors achievements in animation as a whole, including current animated productions, as well as career and lifetime achievements.  These awards were created in 1972 by veteran voice talent, June Foray.

The 43rd Annual Annie Awards recognized the year 2015's best in the field of animation.  The Annie Awards covered 36 categories and include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Special Production, Commercials, Short Subjects, and Outstanding Individual Achievements.  The winners were announced at a black tie ceremony on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

2016/43rd Annie Awards nominations:

PRODUCTION CATEGORIES___________________________

Best Animated Feature
Inside Out - Pixar Animation Studios

Best Animated Special Production
He Named Me Malala - Parkes-MacDonald / Little Door

Best Animated Short Subject
World of Tomorrow - Don Hertzfeldt

Best Animated Television/Broadcast Commercial
Man and Dog - Psyop

Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children
Tumble Leaf - Episode: Mirror - Amazon Studios and Bix Pix Entertainment

Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Children
Wander Over Yonder - Episode: The Breakfast - Disney Television Animation

Best General Audience Animated Television/Broadcast Production
The Simpsons - Episode: Halloween of Horror - Gracie Films in Association with 20th Century Fox Television

Best Animated Feature-Independent
Boy and the World - Filme de Papel

Best Student Film
ed - Taha Neyestani

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES___________________

Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in an Animated Production
The Good Dinosaur - Pixar Animation Studios - Effects Supervisor: Jon Reisch, Effects Lead: Stephen Marshall

Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in a Live Action Production
Marvel's Avengers : Age of Ultron – Sokovia Destruction - Marvel Studios - Creature Sim Supervisor: Michael Balog, Creature Simulation Lead: Jim Van Allen, Effects Simulation Supervisor: Florent Andorra, Effects Lead: Georg Kaltenbrunner

Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Dragons: Race to the Edge - Episode: "Have Dragon Will Travel, Part 1" - DreamWorks Animation Television, Character Animator: Chi-Ho Chan, Character: Heather, Windshear, Dagur, Savage, Hiccup, Toothless, Berserkers

Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Feature Production
Inside Out - Pixar Animation Studios - Animator: Allison Rutland, Character: All Characters

Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Live Action Production
The Revenant – The Bear - Regency Enterprises, New Regency Pictures, Anonymous Content, M Productions, Appian Way, RatPac-Dune Entertainment - Animation Supervisor: Matthew Shumway, Lead Digital Artist: Adrian Millington, Digital Artist: Blaine Toderian, Digital Artist: Alexander Poei, Digital Artist: Kevin Lan

Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Video Game
Evolve - 2K Games - Character Animator: David Gibson, Character: Daisy, Goliath, Kraken

Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas - Episode: Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas - Screen Novelties Warner Bros Animation, Character Designer: Craig Kellman, Character: Buddy, Jovie, Walter Hobbs, Michael Hobbs, Mr. Greenway, Chadwick & Matthews, Santa Claus, Background Characters

Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out - Pixar Animation Studios - Character Art Director: Albert Lozano, Character: All Characters, Character Artist: Chris Sasaki Character: All Characters

Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Gravity Falls - Episode: Northwest Mansion Mystery - Disney Television Animation - Director: Matt Braly

Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out - Pixar Animation Studios - Director: Pete Docter

Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Disney Mickey Mouse - Episode: ¡Feliz Cumpleaños! - Disney Television Animation - Composer: Christopher Willis

Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out - Pixar Animation Studios - Composer: Michael Giacchino

Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show - Episode: "Peabody's Parents/Galileo" - DreamWorks Animation Televsion - Production Design: Kevin Dart; Production Design: Sylvia Liu; Production Design: Chris Turnham; Production Design: Eastwood Wong

Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out - Pixar Animation Studios - Production Design: Ralph Eggleston

Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Disney Mickey Mouse - Episode: ¡Feliz Cumpleaños! - Disney Television Animation - Storyboard Artist: Alonso Ramirez Ramos

Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out - Pixar Animation Studios - Storyboard Artist: Tony Rosenast

Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Bob's Burgers - Episode: Hawk & Chick - Twentieth Century Fox Television Bento Box Entertainment - Starring: Kristen Schaal Character: Louise, Belcher

Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out - Pixar Animation Studios - Cast: Phyllis Smith; Character: Sadness

Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Bob's Burgers - Episode: The Hauntening - Twentieth Century Fox Television Bento Box Entertainment - Writer: Steven Davis, Writer: Kelvin Yu

Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out - Pixar Animation Studios - Writer: Pete Docter, Writer: Meg LeFauve, Writer: Josh Cooley

Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Disney Mickey Mouse - Episode: Coned - Disney Television Animation - Nominee: Illya Owens

Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated Feature Production
Inside Out - Pixar Animation Studios - Nominee: Kevin Nolting

JURIED AWARDS__________________________________

Winsor McCay Award –  for their career contributions to the art of animation

Joe Ranft
Phil Roman
Isao Takahata

June Foray Award –  for their significant and benevolent or charitable impact on the art and industry of animation

Don Hahn

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Kansas City Film Critics Name "Mad Max: Fury Road" Best Picture of 2015

Founded in 1967, The Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) says that it is the "second oldest professional film critics" association in the United States" (behind the New York Film Critics Circle).  The organization is composed of media film critics in the Kansas City metropolitan area.  The KCFCC’s awards are named for the group’s founder, James Loutzenhiser, who died in November 2001.

On December 21, 2015, the Kansas City Film Critics Circle announced the winners of its 49th annual awards.

2015 / 49th KCFCC Annual Awards:

BEST PICTURE: Mad Max: Fury Road

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR: George Miller – Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST ACTOR: Leonardo DiCaprio – The Revenant

BEST ACTRESS: Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Michael Shannon – 99 Homes

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Alicia Vikander – Ex Machina

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy – Spotlight

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Charles Randolph and Adam McKay – The Big Short

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: Inside Out

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: Phoenix (Germany)

BEST DOCUMENTARY: Amy

VINCE KOEHLER AWARD FOR BEST SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY or HORROR FILM: Ex Machina

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2015 EDA Awards Announced; "Spotlight" Named Best Film of 2015

According the organization’s website, The Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Inc. (AWFJ), was founded in 2006.  The membership is made up of “highly qualified professional female movie critics, reporters and feature writers working in print, broadcast and online media.”  Its state purpose is to “support work by and about women - both in front of and behind the cameras - through intra-group promotional activities, outreach programs and by presenting the annual EDA Awards in recognition of outstanding accomplishments (the best and worst) by and about women in the movies.”

AWFJ BEST OF AWARDS: These awards are presented to women and/or men without gender consideration.”

EDA Award winners were announced on January 12, 2016.

2015 EDA Awards winners:

Best Film
SPOTLIGHT

Best Director (Female or Male)
Tom McCarthy for SPOTLIGHT

Best Screenplay, Original
SPOTLIGHT – Josh Singer, Tom McCarthy

Best Screenplay, Adapted
CAROL – Phyllis Nagy

Best Documentary
AMY – Asif Kapadia

Best Animated Film
INSIDE OUT – Pete Docter, Ronnie Del Carmen

Best Actress
Charlotte Rampling in 45 YEARS

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Kristen Stewart in CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA

Best Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio in THE REVENANT

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Paul Dano in LOVE & MERCY

Best Ensemble Cast (tie)
SPOTLIGHT
STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

Best Editing
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD – Margaret Sixel

Best Cinematography
CAROL – Edward Lachman

Best Film Music Or Score
THE HATEFUL EIGHT – Ennio Morricone

Best Non-English-Language Film
Son of Saul – Laszlo Nemes (Hungary)

EDA FEMALE FOCUS AWARDS (These awards honor WOMEN only.)

Best Woman Director
Marielle Heller for DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL

Best Woman Screenwriter
Emma Donoghue for ROOM

Best Female Action Star
Charlize Theron for MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

Best Breakthrough Performance
Alicia Vikander for EX MACHINA, TESTAMENT OF YOUTH and THE DANISH GIRL

Female Icon of the Year (presented to a woman whose work in film and/or in life made a difference)
Chantal Ackerman – In Memoriam, for being a great filmmaker and an inspiration.

EDA SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS

Best Depiction Of Nudity, Sexuality, or Seduction (Tie)
ANOMALISA
CAROL

Actress Defying Age and Ageism (Tie)
Charlotte Rampling
Lily Tomlin

Most Egregious Age Difference Between The Lead Character and The Love Interest
DANNY COLLINS – Al Pacino (born 1940) and Katarina Cas (born 1976)

Actress Most in Need Of A New Agent
Emma Stone for ALOHA

Movie You Wanted To Love, But Just Couldn’t
THE DANISH GIRL

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Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Name "Spotlight" Best Picture of the Year

The Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association is also known as the DFW Film Critics Association.  The group describes itself as a not-for-profit, unincorporated voluntary organization of print, broadcast and internet film critics based in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area and greater North Texas who meet its membership criteria.  The DFW Film Critics Association currently consists of 31 broadcast, print, and online journalists from throughout North Texas.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association 2015 / 22nd Annual Critics’ Poll:

Best Picture:
Spotlight (director — Tom McCarthy)

Best Animated Feature:
Inside Out (director — Pete Docter)

Best Foreign Language Film:
Son of Saul (Hungary)

Best Documentary:
Amy

Best Director:
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (The Revenant)

Best Actor:
Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant)

Best Actress:
Brie Larson (Room)

Best Supporting Actor:
Paul Dano (Love and Mercy)

Best Supporting Actress:
Rooney Mara (Carol)

Best Screenplay:
Spotlight (Josh Singer, TomMcCarthy)

Best Cinematography:
Emmanuel Lubezki (The Revenant)

Best Musical Score:
The Revenant (Bryce Dessner, Carsten Nicolai and Ryûichi Sakamoto)

Russell Smith Award (named for the late Dallas Morning News film critic. The honor is given annually to the best low-budget or cutting-edge independent film.)
Tangerine (director — Sean Baker)

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2016 Critics Choice Awards Announced; "Spotlight" Named Best Picture of 2015

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) is the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada.  It represents almost 300 television, radio and online critics. For additional information about the BFCA and their memberships, visit www.criticschoice.com.

The winners for the 21st Critics’ Choice Awards were announced Sunday, January 17, 2016.

The 2016 / 21st Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards – winners (for the year in film, 2015):

BEST PICTURE: Spotlight

BEST DIRECTOR: George Miller – Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST ACTOR: Leonardo DiCaprio – The Revenant

BEST ACTRESS: Brie Larson – Room

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Sylvester Stallone – Creed

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Alicia Vikander – The Danish Girl

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS: Jacob Tremblay – Room

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE: Spotlight

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy – Spotlight

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Charles Randolph and Adam McKay – The Big Short

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Revenant – Emmanuel Lubezki

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN: Mad Max: Fury Road – Colin Gibson

BEST EDITING: Mad Max: Fury Road – Margaret Sixel

BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Mad Max: Fury Road – Jenny Beavan

BEST HAIR & MAKEUP: Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: Inside Out

BEST ACTION MOVIE: Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE: Tom Hardy – Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE: Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST COMEDY: The Big Short

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY: Christian Bale – The Big Short

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY: Amy Schumer – Trainwreck

BEST SCI-FI/HORROR MOVIE: Ex Machina

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: Son of Saul (Hungary)

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Amy

BEST SONG: Furious 7 – “See You Again”

BEST SCORE: The Hateful Eight – Ennio Morricone

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Central Ohio Film Critics Name "Spotlight" Best Film of 2015

The Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA) was founded in 2002 and is made up of film critics based in Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding areas.  Its membership currently consists of more than 21 print, radio, television, and new media critics.  Each January, COFCA votes on a number of awards, recognizing excellence in the film industry.

The 14th Annual Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards, honoring the best in film for 2015, were announced on January 7, 2016.

2015 / 14th Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards – winners:

Best Film
   1. Spotlight
   2. Inside Out
   3. Room
   4. Mad Max: Fury Road
   5. Ex Machina
   6. Sicario
   7. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
   8. The Revenant
   9. The Big Short
  10. The Martian

Best Director
  • Tom McCarthy - (Spotlight)
  • Runner-Up: George Miller - (Mad Max: Fury Road)

Best Actor
  • Leonardo DiCaprio - (The Revenant)
  • Runner-Up: Michael Fassbender - (Steve Jobs)

Best Actress
  • Brie Larson - (Room)
  • Runner-Up (tie): Saoirse Ronan - (Brooklyn)
  • Runner-Up (tie): Alicia Vikander - (The Danish Girl)

Best Supporting Actor
  • Benicio Del Toro - (Sicario)
  • Runner-Up: Oscar Isaac - (Ex Machina)

Best Supporting Actress
  • Alicia Vikander - (Ex Machina)
  • Runner-Up: Jennifer Jason Leigh - (The Hateful Eight)

Best Ensemble
  • Spotlight
  • Runner-Up: The Hateful Eight

Actor of the Year (for an exemplary body of work)
  • Alicia Vikander - (Burnt, The Danish Girl, Ex Machina, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Seventh Son, and Testament of Youth)
  • Runner-Up: Domhnall Gleeson - (Brooklyn, Ex Machina, The Revenant, and Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens)

Breakthrough Film Artist
  • Alicia Vikander - (Burnt, The Danish Girl, Ex Machina, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Seventh Son, and Testament of Youth) - (for acting)
  • Runner-Up: Sean Baker - (Tangerine) - (for producing, directing, screenwriting, film editing, cinematography, camera op)

Best Cinematography
  • Emmanuel Lubezki - (The Revenant)
  • Runner-Up: John Seale - (Mad Max: Fury Road)

Best Film Editing
  • Margaret Sixel - (Mad Max: Fury Road)
  • Runner-Up: Joe Walker - (Sicario)

Best Adapted Screenplay
  • Charles Randolph and Adam McKay - (The Big Short)
  • Runner-Up: Emma Donoghue - (Room)

Best Original Screenplay
  • Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy - (Spotlight)
  • Runner-Up: Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, and Josh Cooley - (Inside Out)

Best Score
  • Ennio Morricone - (The Hateful Eight)
  • Runner-Up: Junkie XL - (Mad Max: Fury Road)

Best Documentary
  • The Look of Silence
  • Runner-Up: Amy

Best Foreign Language Film
  • Phoenix
  • Runner-Up: Wild Tales (Relatos salvajes)

Best Animated Film
  • Inside Out
  • Runner-Up: Anomalisa

Best Overlooked Film
  • The Tribe (Plemya)
  • Runner-Up: The Gift

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2016 Golden Globe Award Winners - Complete List

The Golden Globe Award is a movie accolade bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).  The award recognizes excellence in both film and television.  The annual awards ceremony is a major part of the film industry’s award season.

The 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards winners were announced on Sunday, January 10, 2016.  The 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards were hosted by Ricky Gervais.  The ceremony aired on NBC, from 8:00 (EST) and 5:00 (PST).  Denzel Washington was presented with the Cecil B. DeMille Award.

2016 / 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards winners:

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

• THE REVENANT -Regency Enterprises; Twentieth Century Fox

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

• BRIE LARSON, ROOM

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

• LEONARDO DICAPRIO, THE REVENANT

BEST MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

• THE MARTIAN - Twentieth Century Fox; Twentieth Century Fox

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

• JENNIFER LAWRENCE, JOY

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

• MATT DAMON, THE MARTIAN

BEST MOTION PICTURE – ANIMATED

• INSIDE OUT - Pixar Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

BEST MOTION PICTURE – FOREIGN LANGUAGE

• SON OF SAUL (HUNGARY) - Laokoon Filmgroup; Sony Pictures Classics

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE

• KATE WINSLET, STEVE JOBS

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE

• SYLVESTER STALLONE, CREED

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE

• ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ IÑÁRRITU, THE REVENANT

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE

• AARON SORKIN, STEVE JOBS

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE

• ENNIO MORRICONE, THE HATEFUL EIGHT

BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE

• “WRITING’S ON THE WALL” — SPECTRE: Music by: Sam Smith, Jimmy Napes; Lyrics by: Sam Smith, Jimmy Napes

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

• MR. ROBOT (USA NETWORK) - Universal Cable Productions

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

• TARAJI P. HENSON, EMPIRE

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

• JON HAMM, MAD MEN

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

• MOZART IN THE JUNGLE (AMAZON VIDEO)- Amazon Studios

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

• RACHEL BLOOM, CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

• GAEL GARCÍA BERNAL, MOZART IN THE JUNGLE

BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

• WOLF HALL PBS - A Playground Entertainment and Company Pictures production for BBC and MASTERPIECE in association with BBC Worldwide, Atlus Media and Prescience

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

• LADY GAGA, AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

• OSCAR ISAAC, SHOW ME A HERO

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

• MAURA TIERNEY, THE AFFAIR

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

• CHRISTIAN SLATER, MR. ROBOT

Cecil B. DeMille Award:  Denzel Washington

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Florida Film Critics Name "Mad Max: Fury Road" Best Picture of 2015

The Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) was founded in 1996 is comprised of writers from various state-based publications.

The Florida Film Critics Circle Award winners were announced on December 23, 2015.

2015 Florida Film Critics Circle winners:

BEST PICTURE:  MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
Runner-Up: Spotlight

BEST DIRECTOR:  GEORGE MILLER – MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
Runner-Up: Todd Haynes – Carol

BEST ACTOR:  PAUL DANO – LOVE & MERCY
Runner-Up: Leonardo DiCaprio – The Revenant

BEST ACTRESS: BRIE LARSON – ROOM
Runner-Up: Charlotte Rampling – 45 Years

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:  OSCAR ISAAC – EX MACHINA
Runner-Up: Michael Shannon – 99 Homes

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: KRISTEN STEWART – CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA
Runner-Up: Jennifer Jason Leigh – The Hateful Eight

BEST ENSEMBLE: SPOTLIGHT
Runner Up: Tangerine

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:  SPOTLIGHT (Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer)
Runner Up: Mistress America (Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:  THE BIG SHORT (Charles Randolph and Adam McKay)
Runner Up: Carol (Phyllis Nagy)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:  MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (John Seale)
Runner Up: Carol (Edward Lachman)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:  MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
Runner Up: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

BEST ART DIRECTION/PRODUCTION DESIGN:  CAROL
Runner Up: Mad Max: Fury Road

BEST SCORE:  LOVE & MERCY
Runner Up: Carol

BEST DOCUMENTARY:  AMY
Runner Up: Heart of a Dog

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:  THE ASSASSIN
Runner Up: Mommy

BEST ANIMATED FILM: INSIDE OUT
Runner Up: Anomalisa

PAULINE KAEL BREAKOUT AWARD:  DAISY RIDLEY – STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
Runner Up: Alicia Vikander: Ex Machina and The Danish Girl

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Austin Film Critics Name "Mad Max: Fury Road" Best Film of 2015

The Austin Film Critics Association describes itself as a group dedicated to supporting the best in film, whether at the international, national, or local level.  Members of the AFCA contribute to such publications and outlets as Ain’t It Cool News, the Austin American-Statesman, the Austin Chronicle, The Daily Texan, DVDActive, Fandango, Film School Rejects, FirstShowing.net, KOOP Radio, Movies.com, among others.

The AFCA announced its 2015 awards winners, Top 10 films of the 2015, and special awards on Tuesday, December 29, 2015.

2015 Austin Film Critics Association Awards winners:

Best Film: Mad Max: Fury Road (dir: George Miller)

Best Director: George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Actor: Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Best Actress: Brie Larson, Room

Best Supporting Actor: Sylvester Stallone, Creed
Best Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina
Best Original Screenplay: Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley, Inside Out
Best Adapted Screenplay: Emma Donoghue, Room
Best Cinematography: Edward Lachman, Carol
Best Score: Ennio Morricone, The Hateful Eight
Best Foreign-Language Film: Son of Saul (dir: László Nemes)
Best Documentary: The Look of Silence (dir: Joshua Oppenheimer)
Best Animated Film: Inside Out (dir: Pete Docter)
Best First Film: Ex Machina (dir: Alex Garland)

The Robert R. “Bobby” McCurdy Memorial Breakthrough Artist Award: Jacob Tremblay, Room
Austin Film Award: Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (dir: David Zellner)

Special Honorary Award: Austin-based writer/animator Don Hertzfeldt in celebration of a career of remarkable short filmmaking and contributions to animation spanning two decades, with 2015’s award-winning “World of Tomorrow” being recognized as his best work to date

AFCA 2015 Top Ten Films:

1. Mad Max: Fury Road
2. Spotlight
3. Carol
4. Anomalisa
5. Room
6. TIE: Ex Machina and Inside Out
8. Creed
9. The Big Short
10. Sicario

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Black Film Critics Circle Name "Creed" Best Picture of 2015

The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) was founded in 2010 and is a membership organization.  Its membership is comprised of film critics of color from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, radio, and television and also from qualifying on-line publications.

2015 Black Film Critics Circle Awards:

Best Picture: “Creed”

Best Directing: George Miller “Mad Max: Fury Road”

Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan “Creed”

Best Actress: Brie Larson “Room”

Best Supporting Actor: Sylvester Stallone “Creed”

Best Supporting Actress: Tessa Thompson “Creed”

Best Screenwriting (Original Screenplay): “Straight Outta Compton”

Best Screenwriting (Adapted Screenplay): “The Martian”

Best Cinematography: “Mad Max: Fury Road”

Best Foreign Language Film: “Son of Saul” (Hungary)

Best Documentary Feature: “What Happened, Miss Simone?”

Best Animated Feature: “Inside Out”

Best Ensemble Performance: “Straight Outta Compton”

Pioneer Award: Ice Cube

Rising Star: Abraham Attah

Special Mention: Beasts of No Nation


BFCC’s Top 1o Films of 2015 are as follows in order of distinction:

1. “Creed”

2.  “Mad Max: Fury Road”

3. “Straight Outta Compton”

4. “Spotlight”

5. “The Martian”

6. “Room”

7. “Beasts of No Nation”

8. “The Hateful Eight”

9. “The Big Short”

10. “Ex Machina”

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Las Vegas Film Critics Named "Spotlight" Best Picture of 2015

The Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) is a non-profit organization that describes itself as “progressive” and “dedicated to the advancement and preservation of film.”  The LVFCS membership is comprised of “select” print, television and internet film critics in the Las Vegas area. The LVFCS presents its "Sierra" awards each year for the best in film, including The William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award, which is named for the late Academy Award winning actor.

2015 Sierra Award winners:

Best Picture
“Spotlight”

Best Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Revenant”

Best Actress
Brie Larson, “Room”

Best Supporting Actor
Sylvester Stallone, “Creed”

Best Supporting Actress
Elizabeth Banks, “Love & Mercy”

Best Director
Tom McCarthy, “Spotlight”

Best Screenplay (Original)
Tom McCarthy & Josh Singer, “Spotlight”

Best Screenplay (Adapted)
Drew Goddard, “The Martian”

Best Cinematography
Emmanuel Lubezki, “The Revenant”

Best Film Editing
Margaret Sixel, “Mad Max: Fury Road”

Best Costume Design
Jenny Beavan, “Mad Max: Fury Road”

Best Art Direction
“Brooklyn”

Best Visual Effects
“Mad Max: Fury Road”

Best Foreign Film
“Goodnight Mommy” (Austria)

Best Documentary
“Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief”

Best Animated Film
“Inside Out”

Best Family Film
“Cinderella”

Best Horror/Sci-Fi Film
“Ex Machina”

Best Comedy Film
“Trainwreck”

Best Action Film
“Mad Max: Fury Road”

Best Ensemble
“Spotlight”

Best Score
“The Hateful Eight”

Best Song
“See You Again” (DJ Frank E, Charlie Puth, Wiz Khalifa, and Andrew Cedar – writers) – “Furious 7”

Youth in Film
Jason Tremblay, “Room”

Breakout Filmmaker of the Year
Alex Garland, “Ex Machina”

Silver Nitrate Award
Lee Lanier (Dam Short Film Festival)

William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award
Ennio Morricone

LVFCS Top 10 Films of 2015:
1. Spotlight
2. Creed
3. Ex Machina
4. Straight Outta Compton
5. Beasts of No Nation
6. The Martian
7. Mad Max: Fury Road
8. Sicario
9. Legend
10. Room

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