Oscar-Nominated Bette Midler Announced as 2014 Oscar Performer

Bette Midler To Perform On The Oscars®

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Two-time Oscar®-nominated actress and multiple Grammy Award®-winning singer Bette Midler will perform for the first time on the Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

“We are thrilled to have Bette perform on the Oscars for the very first time,” said Zadan and Meron.  “We believe she will make our Oscar telecast an especially moving evening.”

Midler received Oscar nominations for Actress in a Leading Role for “For the Boys” and The Rose.” She has recorded 13 studio albums, the first of which, 1972’s “The Divine Miss M,” sold over a million copies and earned her a Grammy for Best New Artist. Midler has gone on to sell over 30 million albums worldwide and win two additional Grammys for the songs “The Rose” (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance) and “Wind Beneath My Wings” (Record of the Year). She has been honored with three Emmy® Awards and a special Tony Award® in 1974 for her contribution to that year’s Broadway season. Her numerous starring film roles include “The First Wives Club,” “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” and  “Ruthless People,” Last year Midler portrayed the late Hollywood agent Sue Mengers in the hit Broadway production, “I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers.”

Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 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.

Review: "Riddick" Goes Back to Basics

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 8 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

Riddick (2013)
Running time:  119 minutes (1 hour, 59 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong violence, language and some sexual content/nudity
DIRECTOR:  David Twohy
WRITER:  David Twohy (based upon characters created by Jim Wheat and Ken Wheat)
PRODUCERS:  Vin Diesel and Ted Field
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  David Eggby
EDITOR:  Tracy Adams
COMPOSER:  Graeme Revell

SCI-FI/ACTION/THRILLER

Starring:  Vin Diesel, Jordi Molla, Matt Nable, Katee Sackhoff, Dave Bautista, Bokeem Woodbine, Raoul Trujillo, Conrad Pla, Danny Blanco Hall, Noah Danby, Neil Napier, Nolan Gerard Funk, Andreas Apergis, Keri Lynn Hilson, and Karl Urban

Riddick is a 2013 British-American science fiction and action-thriller film from writer-director David Twohy.  Starring Vin Diesel in the title role, this film is a sequel to the 2004 science fiction film, The Chronicles of Riddick, and is also the third feature film in The Chronicles of Riddick film franchise that began with 2000’s Pitch Black.  In the new film, Riddick finds himself left for dead on a desolate planet and facing off against two bands of mercenaries and the planet’s predatory inhabitants.

Riddick takes place five years after the events of the movie, The Chronicles of Riddick.  The universe’s most dangerous man, Richard B. Riddick (Vin Diesel), awakens on an unnamed, sun-scorched planet and finds himself severely injured.  He realizes that he must go “back to zero” and awaken the savage inside himself.  Eventually, Riddick discovers that although he has survived the planet’s harsh environment and native predators, he must still find a way off this world.

Riddick activates an emergency beacon at an abandoned mercenary station.  Two ships promptly answer the beacon.  The first carries a band of grungy mercenaries led by the violent and erratic, Santana (Jordi Molla).  The second group of mercenaries is more professional and better equipped, but they are led by Boss John (Matt Nable), a man who has a connection to Riddick’s past.  As the two groups fight to see which will capture Riddick, they are unaware of something that may be more dangerous than Riddick.

Riddick isn’t by any means a great movie, but, just like The Chronicles of Riddick, it is a rather entertaining movie.  Riddick is very much the work of talented artists, craftsman, and photographers and CGI artists.  Their best work is revealed in the long-distance views of the planet’s sun-scorched landscapes and turbulent sky.

However, director David Twohy and his star, Vin Diesel, don’t leave everything up to the techs and artisans.  They go back to the basics, delivering a tense, brooding thriller that borrows heavily from the first film, Pitch Black, which is basically a template for this new movie.  Riddick recaptures the stripped-down, indie-style science fiction that was the first film, while jettisoning the opulent sci-fi mode of the second film.  If you like Pitch Black, you may like Riddick.

I wish the screenplay developed the characters better than it does.  The Boss John subplot is wasted.  There is potential for real conflict between Riddick, John, and the other mercs, but the other characters are mostly cannon fodder or are simply in the film to make Riddick look like such a stallion among nags.

Say what you will about his acting (and there may be little to say), Diesel, as a movie star, is a steed and a charger and a stallion, and his personality is a large object, large enough to cast a shadow over his co-stars.  That can keep other characters from showing their best side.  But what the hell – Riddick is back, and that’s more than good enough for me.

7 of 10
B+

Monday, February 17, 2014


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Oscar-Winner Anne Hathaway Announced as 2014 Oscar Presenter

Anne Hathaway To Present On Oscar® Sunday

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Oscar winner Anne Hathaway will present at this year’s Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Hathaway won last year’s Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in “Les Misérables.” She was previously nominated for her leading role in the 2008 film “Rachel Getting Married.” Hathaway, who made her feature film debut in 2001’s “The Princess Diaries,” has starred in films including “Ella Enchanted,” “The Devil Wears Prada” and “The Dark Knight Rises.”

Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 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.

Ooops - (Belated) Happy Birthday, David

Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law - Monday, February 17th.  Have another good one and many, many, many more, David.

2014 Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Award Winners

by Amos Semien

The 2014 Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards were held Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the historic Paramount Theater on the Paramount Studios lot.  Winners received “The Artisan” award (a statuette) for both outstanding makeup and hair styling achievements.  Two special Lifetime Achievement Awards and a Distinguished Artisan award were also presented.

Academy Award-winning Make-Up Artist Dick Smith (Amadeus) received the “Make-Up Artists Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 2014 MUAHS.  Academy Award-winner Rick Baker, who was Smith’s apprentice, presented the award.

Academy Award-winning Hair Stylist Gail Ryan received the “Hair Stylists Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 2014 MUAHS.  Academy Award-winning actor Benicio Del Toro (Traffic) presented the award to Ryan.  Ryan won an Oscar for her work on How the Grinch Stole Christmas (with make-up artist Rick Baker).

Johnny Depp received the “Distinguished Artisan Award.”  The Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild explained the honor in the following statement:

"Johnny Depp is one of the most prominent and talented actors working today.  The award-winning characters he consistently brings to life through film are uniquely enhanced with make-up and hair stylist artistry.  Beginning with Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands in 1990, Depp repeatedly creates indelible characterizations, making it hard to imagine any other actor in these roles.  His iconic performances in Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Alice in Wonderland; and, of course, the continuing Pirates of the Caribbean series, are among the 50 plus roles he has played, which have been brought to life in partnership with his gifted make-up artists and hair stylists."

2014 Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards winners (for the year 2013):

FEATURE-LENGTH MOTION PICTURE

BEST CONTEMPORARY HAIR STYLING:
Lee Daniels’ The Butler - Candace Neal, Robert Stevenson

BEST CONTEMPORARY MAKEUP:
Prisoners - Donald Mowat, Pamela Westmore

BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER HAIRSTYLING::
American Hustle - Katherine Gordon, Michelle Johnson

BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER MAKEUP:
Dallas Buyers Club - Evelyne Noraz, Rachel Geary

BEST SPECIAL MAKE-UP EFFECTS:
Bad Grandpa - Stephen Prouty

TELEVISION and NEW MEDIA SERIES

BEST CONTEMPORARY HAIRSTYLING:
The Voice - Shawn Finch, Jerilynn Stephens

BEST CONTEMPORARY MAKEUP:
Breaking Bad - Tarra Day, Sheila Trujillo Gomez

BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER HAIRSTYLING:
Vikings - Dee Corcoran

BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER MAKEUP:
Boardwalk Empire - Michele Paris

BEST SPECIAL MAKEUP EFFECTS:
The Walking Dead - Greg Nicotero, Jake Garber

TELEVISION MOVIE or MINISERIES

BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER HAIRSTYLING:
Behind the Candelabra - Marie Larkin, Yvette Stone

BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER MAKEUP
Behind the Candelabra - Kate Biscoe, Deborah Rutherford:

THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS:
Magic Flute - Darren Jinks, Samantha Wooten, 3rd Petition Brandi Strona


COMMERCIALS

BEST CONTEMPORARY MAKEUP
Wash the Day Away (Kohler) - Tyson Fountaine, Brian Penikas

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Three-Time Oscar-Winner Daniel-Day Lewis Announced as 2014 Oscar Presenter

Daniel Day-Lewis to Return To Present On Oscar® Sunday

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis will return to present at this year’s Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Winning for the title role in last year’s “Lincoln,” Day-Lewis has also been nominated for five Oscars in the lead actor category. His previous wins were for the 2007 film “There Will Be Blood” and 1989’s “My Left Foot.” He also received nominations for his starring roles in “Gangs of New York” (2002) and “In the Name of the Father” (1993).

Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 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.

"12 Years a Slave" Wins "Best Film" at 2014 BAFTAs - Complete List

by Leroy Douresseaux

"12 Years a Slave" Wins "Best Film"

The British equivalent of the Oscars is the EE British Academy Film Awards (also known as the BAFTAs).  The 67th British Academy Film Awards took place on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London.  The ceremony was hosted by Stephen Fry and broadcast exclusively on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Gravity was the leading winner with 6 awards, including “Best Director” (Alfonso Cuarón) and “Best British Film” (a designation that was and still is controversial in some circles).  American Hustle won three prizes, including “Best Supporting Actress” for Jennifer Lawrence.

According to what I’ve read, the night wore on, and 12 Years a Slave was not winning in categories it was expected win (adapted screenplay, supporting actress, and even supporting actor).  Some thought that the film would not win any awards, but towards the end of the show, the film picked up the big wins.  First, there was “Best Actor” for Chiwetel Ejiofor.  Then, when it seemed like Gravity and maybe American Hustle would win “Best Film,” 12 Years a Slave escaped with the trophy (going to producers Anthony Katagas, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Steve McQueen.

In the non-competitive awards, director Peter Greenaway was honored with “Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema” and Helen Mirren won “The Fellowship,” the highest honor the Academy can bestow.

2014 / 67th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) winners (for the year in film, 2013):

Best Film: 12 Years a Slave

Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity

Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave

Best Actress: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

Best Supporting Actor: Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips

Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle

Best British Film: Gravity

Best Debut By a British Writer, Director or Producer: Kieran Evans

Best Original Screenplay: American Hustle

Best Adapted Screenplay: Philomena

Best Film Not In The English Language: The Great Beauty

Best Documentary: The Act of Killing

Best Original Film Score: Gravity

Best Cinematography: Gravity

Best Editing: Rush

Best Sound: Gravity

Best Animated Film: Frozen

Best Visual Effects: Gravity

Best Makeup and Hair: American Hustle

Best Production Design: The Great Gatsby

Best Costumes: The Great Gatsby

Best Short Film: Room 8

Best Animated Short: Sleeping With The Fishes

BAFTA Rising Star Award: Will Poulter

Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema in 2014: Peter Greenaway

The Fellowship:  Helen Mirren

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