by Amos Semien
The London Film Critics’ Circle is part of a larger organization, The Critics’ Circle, which makes an annual award for Services to the Arts. This circle is comprised of the five sections: dance, drama, film, music, and visual arts.
The Critics’ Circle Film Section held its annual awards on Sunday night, February 2, 2014 at the May Fair Hotel. The 34th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards featured sponsorship by The May Fair, Beluga, Novikov, Cameo, Audi, Innerplace and Publicity Media.
The big winner at the ceremony was 12 Years a Slave, which won awards for “Film of the Year,” “Actor of the Year” (Chiwetel Ejiofor), and “Supporting Actress of the Year” (Lupita Nyong'o). The film's director, Steve McQueenc was on hand to collect the awards.
The Selfish Giant won two awards, “British Film of the Year” and “Young British Performer of the Year” (Conner Chapman). Actor John Hurt introduced Gary Oldman who was presented with the Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film.
Full list of winners 2014 / 34th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards (for the year in film 2013):
Film of the Year: 12 Years a Slave
Foreign-language Film of the Year: Blue Is the Warmest Colour
Documentary of the Year: The Act of Killing
British Film of the Year: The Selfish Giant
Director of the Year: Alfonso Cuarón - Gravity
Screenwriter of the Year: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen - Inside Llewyn Davis
Actor of the Year: Chiwetel Ejiofor - 12 Years a Slave
Actress of the Year: Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine
Supporting Actor of the Year: Barkhad Abdi - Captain Phillips
Supporting Actress of the Year: Lupita Nyong'o - 12 Years a Slave
British Actor of the Year: James McAvoy - Filth / Trance / Welcome to the Punch
British Actress of the Year: Judi Dench - Philomena
Young British Performer of the Year: Conner Chapman - The Selfish Giant
Breakthrough British Filmmaker: Jon S Baird - Filth
Technical Achievement Award: Gravity - Tim Webber, special effects
Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film: Gary Oldman
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http://www.criticscircle.org.uk/
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Jesse Eisenberg and Jeremy Irons Join "Superman/Batman" Film
Jesse Eisenberg and Jeremy Irons Join the Cast of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Untitled Superman/Batman Film from Director Zack Snyder
Eisenberg to star as Superman’s greatest foe, Lex Luthor, while Irons takes on the role of Alfred.
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures announced that Jesse Eisenberg has been set to star as Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons will play Alfred in the upcoming Zack Snyder untitled Superman/Batman film. The dual announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Snyder stated, “Lex Luthor is often considered the most notorious of Superman’s rivals, his unsavory reputation preceding him since 1940. What’s great about Lex is that he exists beyond the confines of the stereotypical nefarious villain. He’s a complicated and sophisticated character whose intellect, wealth and prominence position him as one of the few mortals able to challenge the incredible might of Superman. Having Jesse in the role allows us to explore that interesting dynamic, and also take the character in some new and unexpected directions.”
The director added, “As everyone knows, Alfred is Bruce Wayne’s most trusted friend, ally and mentor, a noble guardian and father figure. He is an absolutely critical element in the intricate infrastructure that allows Bruce Wayne to transform himself into Batman. It is an honor to have such an amazingly seasoned and gifted actor as Jeremy taking on the important role of the man who mentors and guides the guarded and nearly impervious façade that encapsulates Bruce Wayne.”
Eisenberg received Academy Award®, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award® and BAFTA Award nominations for his starring role as Mark Zuckerberg in David Fincher’s “The Social Network.” He also starred in Woody Allen’s “To Rome with Love” and Louis Letterier’s “Now You See Me.” He next appears in “The Double” and “Night Moves.”
Irons won the Academy Award® for his portrayal of Claus von Bülow in “Reversal of Fortune.” His work in the film also garnered him a Golden Globe Award. He won an Emmy Award and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award® for his performance in the TV miniseries “Elizabeth I,” opposite Helen Mirren, and recently starred on the small screen as Rodrigo Borgia in Neil Jordan’s highly acclaimed Showtime series “The Borgias,” for which Irons earned a Golden Globe nomination. He was recently nominated for a SAG Award® for the PBS Great Performances television miniseries “The Hollow Crown,” for his performance as Henry IV.
Snyder’s film stars Henry Cavill, reprising his role as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne, and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince. The film also reunites “Man of Steel” stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.
The new film is currently being written by Chris Terrio, from a screenplay by David S. Goyer. Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.
The film is set to open worldwide on May 6, 2016, and is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, Batman characters created by Bob Kane, and Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment.
Eisenberg to star as Superman’s greatest foe, Lex Luthor, while Irons takes on the role of Alfred.
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures announced that Jesse Eisenberg has been set to star as Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons will play Alfred in the upcoming Zack Snyder untitled Superman/Batman film. The dual announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Snyder stated, “Lex Luthor is often considered the most notorious of Superman’s rivals, his unsavory reputation preceding him since 1940. What’s great about Lex is that he exists beyond the confines of the stereotypical nefarious villain. He’s a complicated and sophisticated character whose intellect, wealth and prominence position him as one of the few mortals able to challenge the incredible might of Superman. Having Jesse in the role allows us to explore that interesting dynamic, and also take the character in some new and unexpected directions.”
The director added, “As everyone knows, Alfred is Bruce Wayne’s most trusted friend, ally and mentor, a noble guardian and father figure. He is an absolutely critical element in the intricate infrastructure that allows Bruce Wayne to transform himself into Batman. It is an honor to have such an amazingly seasoned and gifted actor as Jeremy taking on the important role of the man who mentors and guides the guarded and nearly impervious façade that encapsulates Bruce Wayne.”
Eisenberg received Academy Award®, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award® and BAFTA Award nominations for his starring role as Mark Zuckerberg in David Fincher’s “The Social Network.” He also starred in Woody Allen’s “To Rome with Love” and Louis Letterier’s “Now You See Me.” He next appears in “The Double” and “Night Moves.”
Irons won the Academy Award® for his portrayal of Claus von Bülow in “Reversal of Fortune.” His work in the film also garnered him a Golden Globe Award. He won an Emmy Award and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award® for his performance in the TV miniseries “Elizabeth I,” opposite Helen Mirren, and recently starred on the small screen as Rodrigo Borgia in Neil Jordan’s highly acclaimed Showtime series “The Borgias,” for which Irons earned a Golden Globe nomination. He was recently nominated for a SAG Award® for the PBS Great Performances television miniseries “The Hollow Crown,” for his performance as Henry IV.
Snyder’s film stars Henry Cavill, reprising his role as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne, and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince. The film also reunites “Man of Steel” stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.
The new film is currently being written by Chris Terrio, from a screenplay by David S. Goyer. Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.
The film is set to open worldwide on May 6, 2016, and is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, Batman characters created by Bob Kane, and Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment.
Michael B. Jordan and Kristen Bell Host Sci-Tech Oscars
Kristen Bell And Michael B. Jordan To Host Academy's Sci-Tech Awards
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Actors Kristen Bell and Michael B. Jordan will host the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Awards on Saturday, February 15, at The Beverly Hills Hotel. They will present 19 awards to 52 individual recipients during the evening.
“We are thrilled to have Kristen and Michael join us as hosts for this year’s Sci-Tech Awards,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “They are bright, young talents in the film community and will be a great addition to a night that honors the industry’s technical achievements.”
Bell recently lent her voice to the Oscar®-nominated Disney animated feature “Frozen.” She also will be seen in the title role of the upcoming feature “Veronica Mars,” in theaters this March. Bell’s other film credits include “The Lifeguard,” “Hit & Run,” “When in Rome” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”
In 2013, Jordan appeared in his first major leading role in the critically acclaimed film “Fruitvale Station.” He also will be seen in “That Awkward Moment,” with Zac Efron and Miles Teller, which opened this past Friday (January 31, 2014). His other credits include “Chronicle” and “Red Tails.”
Portions of the Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation will be included in the Oscar telecast.
Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars®, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Actors Kristen Bell and Michael B. Jordan will host the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Awards on Saturday, February 15, at The Beverly Hills Hotel. They will present 19 awards to 52 individual recipients during the evening.
“We are thrilled to have Kristen and Michael join us as hosts for this year’s Sci-Tech Awards,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “They are bright, young talents in the film community and will be a great addition to a night that honors the industry’s technical achievements.”
Bell recently lent her voice to the Oscar®-nominated Disney animated feature “Frozen.” She also will be seen in the title role of the upcoming feature “Veronica Mars,” in theaters this March. Bell’s other film credits include “The Lifeguard,” “Hit & Run,” “When in Rome” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”
In 2013, Jordan appeared in his first major leading role in the critically acclaimed film “Fruitvale Station.” He also will be seen in “That Awkward Moment,” with Zac Efron and Miles Teller, which opened this past Friday (January 31, 2014). His other credits include “Chronicle” and “Red Tails.”
Portions of the Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation will be included in the Oscar telecast.
Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars®, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
Monday, February 3, 2014
"Frozen" the Coolest at 41st Annie Awards - Complete List of Winners
by Leroy Douresseaux
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.
At the 41st Annie Awards, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen won five awards, including “Best Animated Feature,” “Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated Feature Production” (Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee), and a voice acting award for Josh Gad as “Olaf” the snowman. Frozen is already the fifth highest-grossing animated feature in history ($360+ million domestically and $864.3 million world), as of this writing. Frozen is practically a juggernaut, and this Annie win probably seals the deal for a best animated feature Oscar for the animated musical.
The 41st Annual Annie Awards were held on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at UCLA’s Royce Hall, in Los Angeles, California. They ceremony was hosted by noted voice actor, Patrick Warburton. Director Steven Spielberg (The Adventures of Tintin) was presented with the Winsor McCay Award at the ceremony.
41st (2014) Annual Annie Awards Winners (for the year in film and TV 2013):
PRODUCTION CATEGORIES
Best Animated Feature
•Frozen - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Best Animated Special Production
•Chipotle Scarecrow - Moonbot Studios
Best Animated Short Subject
•Get A Horse! - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Commercial
•Despicable Me 2 - Cinemark - Universal Pictures
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children
•Disney Sofia the First - Disney Television Animation
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Children’s Audience
•Adventure Time - Cartoon Network Studios
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Futurama - 20th Century Fox Television
Best Animated Video Game
•The Last of Us - Naughty Dog
Best Student Film
•Wedding Cake - Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES
Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in an Animated Production
•Jeff Budsberg, Andre Le Blanc, Louis Flores, Jason Mayer - The Croods - DreamWorks Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in a Live Action Production
•Michael Balog, Ryan Hopkins, Patrick Conran, Florian Witzel - Pacific Rim - Industrial Light & Magic
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
•Kureha Yokoo - Toy Story OF TERROR! - Pixar Animation Studios Character
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Feature Production
•Jakob Jensen - The Croods - DreamWorks Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Live Action Production
•Jeff Capogreco, Jedrzej Wojtowicz, Kevin Estey, Alessandro Bonora, Gino Acevedo - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Gollum - Weta Digital
Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Paul Rudish - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
•Carter Goodrich, Takao Noguchi, Shane Prigmore - The Croods - DreamWorks Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Angus MacLane - Toy Story OF TERROR! - Pixar Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated Feature Production
•Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee - Frozen - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Christopher Willis - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated Feature Production
•Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Christophe Beck - Frozen - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Angela Sung, William Niu, Christine Bian, Emily Tetri, Frederic Stewart - The Legend of Korra - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
•Alonso Ramos-Ramirez - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
•Dean Kelly - Monsters University - Pixar Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Tom Kenny as the voice of Ice King - Adventure Time - Cartoon Network Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
•Josh Gad as the voice of Olaf - Frozen - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Lewis Morton - Futurama - 20th Century Fox Television
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated Feature Production
•Miyazaki Hayao – The Wind Rises - The Walt Disney Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Illya Owens - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated Feature Production
•Greg Snyder, Gregory Amundson, Steve Bloom - Monsters University - Pixar Animation Studios
JURIED AWARDS
Winsor McCay Award — Katsuhiro Otomo, Steven Spielberg & Phil Tippett
June Foray Award — Alice Davis
Ub Iwerks —DZED Systems for Dragonframe stop-motion animation software
Special Achievement Award — Creative Talent Network (CTN) Animation eXpo
Certificate of Merit — “I Know That Voice” (Documentary)
---------------------------------------------
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.
At the 41st Annie Awards, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen won five awards, including “Best Animated Feature,” “Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated Feature Production” (Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee), and a voice acting award for Josh Gad as “Olaf” the snowman. Frozen is already the fifth highest-grossing animated feature in history ($360+ million domestically and $864.3 million world), as of this writing. Frozen is practically a juggernaut, and this Annie win probably seals the deal for a best animated feature Oscar for the animated musical.
The 41st Annual Annie Awards were held on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at UCLA’s Royce Hall, in Los Angeles, California. They ceremony was hosted by noted voice actor, Patrick Warburton. Director Steven Spielberg (The Adventures of Tintin) was presented with the Winsor McCay Award at the ceremony.
41st (2014) Annual Annie Awards Winners (for the year in film and TV 2013):
PRODUCTION CATEGORIES
Best Animated Feature
•Frozen - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Best Animated Special Production
•Chipotle Scarecrow - Moonbot Studios
Best Animated Short Subject
•Get A Horse! - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Commercial
•Despicable Me 2 - Cinemark - Universal Pictures
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children
•Disney Sofia the First - Disney Television Animation
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Children’s Audience
•Adventure Time - Cartoon Network Studios
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Futurama - 20th Century Fox Television
Best Animated Video Game
•The Last of Us - Naughty Dog
Best Student Film
•Wedding Cake - Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES
Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in an Animated Production
•Jeff Budsberg, Andre Le Blanc, Louis Flores, Jason Mayer - The Croods - DreamWorks Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in a Live Action Production
•Michael Balog, Ryan Hopkins, Patrick Conran, Florian Witzel - Pacific Rim - Industrial Light & Magic
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
•Kureha Yokoo - Toy Story OF TERROR! - Pixar Animation Studios Character
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Feature Production
•Jakob Jensen - The Croods - DreamWorks Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Live Action Production
•Jeff Capogreco, Jedrzej Wojtowicz, Kevin Estey, Alessandro Bonora, Gino Acevedo - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Gollum - Weta Digital
Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Paul Rudish - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
•Carter Goodrich, Takao Noguchi, Shane Prigmore - The Croods - DreamWorks Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Angus MacLane - Toy Story OF TERROR! - Pixar Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated Feature Production
•Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee - Frozen - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Christopher Willis - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated Feature Production
•Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Christophe Beck - Frozen - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Angela Sung, William Niu, Christine Bian, Emily Tetri, Frederic Stewart - The Legend of Korra - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
•Alonso Ramos-Ramirez - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
•Dean Kelly - Monsters University - Pixar Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Tom Kenny as the voice of Ice King - Adventure Time - Cartoon Network Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
•Josh Gad as the voice of Olaf - Frozen - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Lewis Morton - Futurama - 20th Century Fox Television
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated Feature Production
•Miyazaki Hayao – The Wind Rises - The Walt Disney Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
•Illya Owens - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated Feature Production
•Greg Snyder, Gregory Amundson, Steve Bloom - Monsters University - Pixar Animation Studios
JURIED AWARDS
Winsor McCay Award — Katsuhiro Otomo, Steven Spielberg & Phil Tippett
June Foray Award — Alice Davis
Ub Iwerks —DZED Systems for Dragonframe stop-motion animation software
Special Achievement Award — Creative Talent Network (CTN) Animation eXpo
Certificate of Merit — “I Know That Voice” (Documentary)
---------------------------------------------
Review: Spike Lee's "25th Hour" Focuses on Mood (Remembering Philip Seymour Hoffman)
25th Hour (2002)
Running time: 135 minutes (2 hours, 15 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong language and some violence
DIRECTOR: Spike Lee
WRITER: David Benioff (based upon his novel, The 25th Hour)
PRODUCERS: Spike Lee and Jon Kilik and Julia Chasman and Tobey Maguire
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Rodrigo Prieto
EDITOR: Barry Alexander Brown
COMPOSER: Terrence Blanchard
Golden Globe nominee
DRAMA
Starring: Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper, Rosario Dawson, Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Tony Siragusa, Tony Devon, and Isaiah Whitlock, Jr.
The subject of this movie review is 25th Hour, a 2002 drama from director, Spike Lee. The film is based on The 25th Hour, a 2001 novel by David Benioff, who also wrote the screenplay for this film. 25th Hour the movie focuses on a convicted New York City drug dealer who reevaluates his life in the last 24 hours of freedom he has before he begins serving a seven-year jail term.
Montgomery “Monty” Brogan (Edward Norton) is just a day away from entering prison on a seven-year stint for dealing heroin. He spends the last 24 hours of his freedom with his two best friends – his childhood buddies, Frank (Barry Pepper), a Wall Street bond trader; and Jakob (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a high school English teacher; and his girlfriend, Naturelle (Rosario Dawson). They plan to party the night away at their New York City haunts as they ruminate on the their pasts and futures and on 9/11. Monty also touches base with his widower father, Frank (Brian Cox), who has trouble dealing with what has happened to his only child.
Spike Lee’s 25th Hour isn’t so much about plot and story as it is about emotions and moods. The story is certainly compelling – a man trying to find some closure the last day of is freedom (especially when one considers that Monty Brogan really doesn’t look like he’s going to do well in prison). However, Lee emphasizes the raw feelings and powerful emotions, as well as the thoughts that press and weigh on the mind of a condemned man. It makes for some riveting scenes, such as the one in which Monty asks Frank to help him get the right look for prison (by beating him up). There is an equally poignant, heart-rending, and ultimately beautiful monologue in which Monty’s dad, Frank, offers him a vision for a better tomorrow. Combine that with the 9/11 references, and this is a New York film that is familiar to us all.
There are good performances all around, making the most of Lee’s stunning succession of potent moods. No really stands out, because all the leads: Norton, Hoffman, Pepper, Dawson and Cox get at least a few chances to show their dramatic chops in an earthy way that tests their intellects as actors. The film does dry up in a few places, but its closing sequence will remind viewers of how well a film can capture the human story.
8 of 10
A
NOTES:
2003 Golden Globes, USA: 1 nomination: Best Original Score - Motion Picture (Terrence Blanchard)
2003 Black Reel Awards: 3 nominations: “Theatrical - Best Supporting Actress” (Rosario Dawson), “Theatrical - Best Director” (Spike Lee), “Best Film” (Spike Lee, Tobey Maguire, Jon Kilik, and Julia Chasman)
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Updated: Monday, February 03, 2014
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Oscar-winner Philip Seymour Hoffman Dead at 46
Yesterday, Sunday, February 2, 2014, I was living under the rock that is known as the Super Bowl. So I did not learn until this morning (Monday, February 3, 2014) that Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment on Sunday. He was 46-years-old.
Hoffman was born on July 23, 1967. He made his first screen appearance on an episode of Law & Order in 1991. After that, he made people notice him in Scent of a Woman (1992). Hoffman certainly made an impression on me in that film. That is why I describe myself as an admirer of Hoffman's work more than I am a fan of him, although I certainly like him.
He appeared in a number of films, working with many noted directors and earning acclaim; then, he won a best actor Oscar for his starring role in Capote (2006). He received three other Oscar nominations for his supporting work in the films: Charlie Wilson's War (2007), Doubt (2008), and The Master (2012).
Go to Variety for more on this sad news. Negromancer offers condolences to Hoffman's family and friends. R.I.P. Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Hoffman was born on July 23, 1967. He made his first screen appearance on an episode of Law & Order in 1991. After that, he made people notice him in Scent of a Woman (1992). Hoffman certainly made an impression on me in that film. That is why I describe myself as an admirer of Hoffman's work more than I am a fan of him, although I certainly like him.
He appeared in a number of films, working with many noted directors and earning acclaim; then, he won a best actor Oscar for his starring role in Capote (2006). He received three other Oscar nominations for his supporting work in the films: Charlie Wilson's War (2007), Doubt (2008), and The Master (2012).
Go to Variety for more on this sad news. Negromancer offers condolences to Hoffman's family and friends. R.I.P. Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
"Her" and "Captain Phillips" Win at 2014 Writers Guild Awards
by Leroy Douresseaux
The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) honored outstanding achievement in writing during the year 2013 with the 2014 Writers Guild Awards. The winners of the 2014 Writers Guild Awards were announced on Saturday, February 1, 2014, during simultaneous ceremonies held in both Los Angeles and New York.
A complete list of 2014 Writers Guild Award nominees and winners can be found here: http://www.wga.org/wga-awards/nominees-winners.aspx.
The 2014 Writers Guild Award winners (for the year in film and TV 2013):
SCREEN WINNERS
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
Her, Written by Spike Jonze; Warner Bros. - WINNER
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Captain Phillips, Screenplay by Billy Ray; Based on the book A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea by Richard Phillips with Stephan Talty; Columbia Pictures - WINNER
DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY:
Stories We Tell, Written by Sarah Polley; Roadside Attractions - WINNER
TV-NEW MEDIA-RADIO WINNERS
DRAMA SERIES
Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC - WINNER
COMEDY SERIES:
"Veep," Written by Simon Blackwell, Roger Drew, Sean Gray, Armando Iannucci, Ian Martin, Georgia Pritchett, David Quantick, Tony Roche, Will Smith; HBO - WINNER
NEW SERIES:
"House of Cards," Written by Kate Barnow, Rick Cleveland, Sam Forman, Gina Gionfriddo, Keith Huff, Sarah Treem, Beau Willimon; Netflix - WINNER
EPISODIC DRAMA:
“Confessions” (Breaking Bad), Written by Gennifer Hutchison; AMC - WINNER
EPISODIC COMEDY:
“Hogcock!” (30 Rock), Written by Jack Burditt & Robert Carlock; NBC - WINNER
LONG FORM – ADAPTED:
Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight, Written by Shawn Slovo, Based on the book by Howard Bingham and Max Wallace; HBO - WINNER
SHORT FORM NEW MEDIA – ORIGINAL:
“Episode 4: The Collected Sylvia” (Sylvia Plath: Girl Detective), Written by Mike Simses; sylviaplathgirldetective.com - WINNER
ANIMATION:
“A Test Before Trying” (The Simpsons), Written by Joel H. Cohen; Fox - WINNER
COMEDY / VARIETY (INCLUDING TALK) – SERIES:
"The Colbert Report," Writers: Stephen Colbert, Tom Purcell, Michael Brumm, Nate Charny, Rich Dahm, Paul Dinello, Eric Drysdale, Rob Dubbin, Glenn Eichler, Gabe Gronli, Dan Guterman, Barry Julien, Jay Katsir, Frank Lesser, Opus Moreschi, Bobby Mort, Meredith Scardino, Max Werner; Comedy Central - WINNER
COMEDY / VARIETY – MUSIC, AWARDS, TRIBUTES – SPECIALS:
"Blake Shelton’s Not So Family Christmas," Head Writers: Jay Martel, Ian Roberts; Writers: Alex Rubens, Charlie Sanders; NBC - WINNER
QUIZ AND AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
"Jeopardy!", Written by John Duarte, Harry Friedman, Mark Gaberman, Debbie Griffin, Michele Loud, Robert McClenaghan, Jim Rhine, Steve D. Tamerius, Billy Wisse; ABC - WINNER
DAYTIME DRAMA:
"Days of Our Lives," Written by Lorraine Broderick, David Cherrill, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Rick Draughon, Christopher Dunn, Janet Iacobuzio, David A. Levinson, Ryan Quan, Dave Ryan, Melissa Salmons, Christopher J. Whitesell; NBC - WINNER
CHILDREN'S – EPISODIC & SPECIALS:
“influANTces” (A.N.T. Farm), Written by Vincent Brown; Disney Channel - WINNER
DOCUMENTARY – CURRENT EVENTS:
“Egypt in Crisis” (Frontline), Written by Marcela Gaviria & Martin Smith; PBS - WINNER
DOCUMENTARY – OTHER THAN CURRENT EVENTS: (TIE)
“The Choice 2012” (Frontline), Written by Michael Kirk; PBS - WINNER - TIE
“Silicon Valley” (American Experience), Telescript by Randall MacLowry and Michelle Ferrari; Story by Randall MacLowry; PBS - WINNER - TIE
NEWS – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT:
“Tragedy at Newtown” Special Edition (ABC World News with Diane Sawyer), Written by Lisa Ferri and Matt Negrin; ABC - WINNER
NEWS – ANALYSIS, FEATURE, OR COMMENTARY:
“Lethal Medicine” (60 Minutes), Written by Michael Rey, Oriana Zill de Granados, Michael Radutzky; CBS – WINNER
RADIO WINNERS
DOCUMENTARY:
“2012 Year in Review,” Written by Gail Lee; CBS Radio News - WINNER
NEWS – REGULARLY SCHEDULED OR BREAKING REPORT:
“Afternoon Drive,” Written by Bill Spadaro; CBS Radio/1010 WINS - WINNER
NEWS – ANALYSIS, FEATURE OR COMMENTARY:
“Remembering C. Everett Koop,” Written by Scott Saloway; CBS Radio News - WINNER
PROMOTIONAL WRITING AND GRAPHIC ANIMATION NOMINEES
ON-AIR PROMOTION (TELEVISION, NEW MEDIA OR RADIO):
“The Crazy Ones – Building a Better Comedy,” Written by Erial Tompkins; CBS - WINNER
TELEVISION GRAPHIC ART AND ANIMATION:
CBS News Animations: “Brain Injury,” “Pills,” “Bionic Leg,” “Midland Parade,” “Concordia Salvage;” Animation by David Rosen; CBS News - WINNER
(*WGA Note: There were no nominees in Long Form – Original, Short Form New Media – Adapted, or Children’s – Long Form or Special awards categories this year.)
VIDEOGAME WINNER:
The Last of Us, Written by Neil Druckmann; Sony Computer Entertainment - WINNER
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The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) honored outstanding achievement in writing during the year 2013 with the 2014 Writers Guild Awards. The winners of the 2014 Writers Guild Awards were announced on Saturday, February 1, 2014, during simultaneous ceremonies held in both Los Angeles and New York.
A complete list of 2014 Writers Guild Award nominees and winners can be found here: http://www.wga.org/wga-awards/nominees-winners.aspx.
The 2014 Writers Guild Award winners (for the year in film and TV 2013):
SCREEN WINNERS
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
Her, Written by Spike Jonze; Warner Bros. - WINNER
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Captain Phillips, Screenplay by Billy Ray; Based on the book A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea by Richard Phillips with Stephan Talty; Columbia Pictures - WINNER
DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY:
Stories We Tell, Written by Sarah Polley; Roadside Attractions - WINNER
TV-NEW MEDIA-RADIO WINNERS
DRAMA SERIES
Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC - WINNER
COMEDY SERIES:
"Veep," Written by Simon Blackwell, Roger Drew, Sean Gray, Armando Iannucci, Ian Martin, Georgia Pritchett, David Quantick, Tony Roche, Will Smith; HBO - WINNER
NEW SERIES:
"House of Cards," Written by Kate Barnow, Rick Cleveland, Sam Forman, Gina Gionfriddo, Keith Huff, Sarah Treem, Beau Willimon; Netflix - WINNER
EPISODIC DRAMA:
“Confessions” (Breaking Bad), Written by Gennifer Hutchison; AMC - WINNER
EPISODIC COMEDY:
“Hogcock!” (30 Rock), Written by Jack Burditt & Robert Carlock; NBC - WINNER
LONG FORM – ADAPTED:
Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight, Written by Shawn Slovo, Based on the book by Howard Bingham and Max Wallace; HBO - WINNER
SHORT FORM NEW MEDIA – ORIGINAL:
“Episode 4: The Collected Sylvia” (Sylvia Plath: Girl Detective), Written by Mike Simses; sylviaplathgirldetective.com - WINNER
ANIMATION:
“A Test Before Trying” (The Simpsons), Written by Joel H. Cohen; Fox - WINNER
COMEDY / VARIETY (INCLUDING TALK) – SERIES:
"The Colbert Report," Writers: Stephen Colbert, Tom Purcell, Michael Brumm, Nate Charny, Rich Dahm, Paul Dinello, Eric Drysdale, Rob Dubbin, Glenn Eichler, Gabe Gronli, Dan Guterman, Barry Julien, Jay Katsir, Frank Lesser, Opus Moreschi, Bobby Mort, Meredith Scardino, Max Werner; Comedy Central - WINNER
COMEDY / VARIETY – MUSIC, AWARDS, TRIBUTES – SPECIALS:
"Blake Shelton’s Not So Family Christmas," Head Writers: Jay Martel, Ian Roberts; Writers: Alex Rubens, Charlie Sanders; NBC - WINNER
QUIZ AND AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
"Jeopardy!", Written by John Duarte, Harry Friedman, Mark Gaberman, Debbie Griffin, Michele Loud, Robert McClenaghan, Jim Rhine, Steve D. Tamerius, Billy Wisse; ABC - WINNER
DAYTIME DRAMA:
"Days of Our Lives," Written by Lorraine Broderick, David Cherrill, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Rick Draughon, Christopher Dunn, Janet Iacobuzio, David A. Levinson, Ryan Quan, Dave Ryan, Melissa Salmons, Christopher J. Whitesell; NBC - WINNER
CHILDREN'S – EPISODIC & SPECIALS:
“influANTces” (A.N.T. Farm), Written by Vincent Brown; Disney Channel - WINNER
DOCUMENTARY – CURRENT EVENTS:
“Egypt in Crisis” (Frontline), Written by Marcela Gaviria & Martin Smith; PBS - WINNER
DOCUMENTARY – OTHER THAN CURRENT EVENTS: (TIE)
“The Choice 2012” (Frontline), Written by Michael Kirk; PBS - WINNER - TIE
“Silicon Valley” (American Experience), Telescript by Randall MacLowry and Michelle Ferrari; Story by Randall MacLowry; PBS - WINNER - TIE
NEWS – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT:
“Tragedy at Newtown” Special Edition (ABC World News with Diane Sawyer), Written by Lisa Ferri and Matt Negrin; ABC - WINNER
NEWS – ANALYSIS, FEATURE, OR COMMENTARY:
“Lethal Medicine” (60 Minutes), Written by Michael Rey, Oriana Zill de Granados, Michael Radutzky; CBS – WINNER
RADIO WINNERS
DOCUMENTARY:
“2012 Year in Review,” Written by Gail Lee; CBS Radio News - WINNER
NEWS – REGULARLY SCHEDULED OR BREAKING REPORT:
“Afternoon Drive,” Written by Bill Spadaro; CBS Radio/1010 WINS - WINNER
NEWS – ANALYSIS, FEATURE OR COMMENTARY:
“Remembering C. Everett Koop,” Written by Scott Saloway; CBS Radio News - WINNER
PROMOTIONAL WRITING AND GRAPHIC ANIMATION NOMINEES
ON-AIR PROMOTION (TELEVISION, NEW MEDIA OR RADIO):
“The Crazy Ones – Building a Better Comedy,” Written by Erial Tompkins; CBS - WINNER
TELEVISION GRAPHIC ART AND ANIMATION:
CBS News Animations: “Brain Injury,” “Pills,” “Bionic Leg,” “Midland Parade,” “Concordia Salvage;” Animation by David Rosen; CBS News - WINNER
(*WGA Note: There were no nominees in Long Form – Original, Short Form New Media – Adapted, or Children’s – Long Form or Special awards categories this year.)
VIDEOGAME WINNER:
The Last of Us, Written by Neil Druckmann; Sony Computer Entertainment - WINNER
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