National Society of Film Critics Names Godard's "Goodbye to Language" as Best Picture of 2014

The National Society of Film Critics was founded in New York City in 1966 and its membership is currently comprise of 56 of the country’s most prominent movie critics.  Known for their highbrow tastes, these critics form one of the most prestigious film groups on the United States.  Current members include some of my favorite film critics, like David Edelstein and J. Hoberman, among others.  The late Roger Ebert, my favorite critic, was also a member.  The society has produced several anthologies about movies, including the must-have for film fans, Produced and Abandoned: The Best Films You’ve Never Seen (1990).

The National Society of Film Critics on Saturday, January 3, 2015, chose Jean-Luc Godard’s 3-D film, Goodbye to Language, as Best Picture of the Year 2014.

Here is a list of the National Society of Film Critics 2014 winners and runners-up, with vote counts from the final round.

BEST PICTURE
*1. Goodbye to Language 25 (Jean-Luc Godard)
2. Boyhood 24 (Richard Linklater)
3. Birdman 10 (Alejandro G. Iñárritu)
3. Mr. Turner 10 (Mike Leigh)

BEST DIRECTOR
*1. Richard Linklater 36 (Boyhood)
2. Jean-Luc Godard 17 (Goodbye to Language)
3. Mike Leigh 12 (Mr. Turner)

BEST NON-FICTION FILM
*1. Citizenfour 56 (Laura Poitras)
2. National Gallery 19 (Frederick Wiseman)
3. The Overnighters 17 (Jesse Moss)

BEST SCREENPLAY
*1. The Grand Budapest Hotel 24 (Wes Anderson)
2. Inherent Vice 15 (Paul Thomas Anderson)
2. Birdman 15 (four co-writers)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
*1. Mr. Turner 33 (Dick Pope)
2. The Immigrant 27 (Darius Khondji)
3. Goodbye to Language 9 (Fabrice Aragno)

BEST ACTOR
*1.Timothy Spall 31 (Mr. Turner)
2. Tom Hardy 10 (Locke)
3. Joaquin Phoenix 9 (Inherent Vice)
3. Ralph Fiennes 9 (The Grand Budapest Hotel)

BEST ACTRESS
*1. Marion Cotillard 80 (The Immigrant; Two Days, One Night)
2. Julianne Moore 35 (Still Alice)
3. Scarlett Johansson 21 (Lucy; Under the Skin)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
*1. J.K. Simmons 24 (Whiplash)
2. Mark Ruffalo 21 (Foxcatcher)
3. Edward Norton 16 (Birdman)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
*1. Patricia Arquette 26 (Boyhood)
2. Agata Kulesza 18 (Ida)
3. Rene Russo 9 (Nightcrawler)

FILM HERITAGE AWARD
1. To Ron Magliozzi, associate curator, and Peter Williamson, film conservation manager, of the Museum of Modern Art, for identifying and assembling the earliest surviving footage of what would have been the first feature film to star a black cast, the 1913 “Lime Kiln Field Day” starring Bert Williams.

2. To Ron Hutchinson, co-founder and director of The Vitaphone Project, which since 1991 has collected and restored countless original soundtrack discs for early sound short films and features, including the recent Warner Bros. restoration of William A. Seiter’s 1929 “Why Be Good?”

DEDICATION: The meeting was dedicated to the memory of two distinguished members of the Society who died in 2014: Jay Carr and Charles Champlin.

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Free Showings of "Selma" in Selma, Alabama Beginning January 9th, 2015

AVA DUVERNAY’S “SELMA” TO OPEN IN SELMA, ALABAMA ON JANUARY 9th

IN AN UNPRECEDENTED OFFERING, AND IN THANKS TO THE CITY WHERE THE FILM WAS SHOT, “SELMA” IS BEING SHOWN FOR FREE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY

Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), announced today that the Golden Globe nominated film “SELMA” from director Ava DuVernay will be shown for free to the town’s citizens at the Selma Walton Theater in the city of Selma, Alabama beginning January 9th.

“With deep gratitude to the people of Selma, Alabama, we are proud to share this powerful film depicting the historic events that took place there 50 years ago,” said Oprah Winfrey on behalf of the film's producers. “I hope generations will watch the film and share their stories of remembrance and history together.”

“The city and people of Selma welcomed the production with open arms this past summer and in celebration of the film’s national release on January 9th, we are incredibly excited and very humbled to be bringing Ava’s finished film to the community,” said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures.

“I’m so happy that the movie ‘Selma’ will be shown in Selma when it’s released to the nation. I’m so grateful of the fact that Selma has been blessed to have a movie named after it. I’m thankful to the producers, director Ava, and executive producer Paul Garnes for their leadership, and all of the cast for selecting Selma to produce this movie. We must keep in mind that the movie is just that, a movie and not a documentary. May God continue to bless Selma,” said Selma Mayor George P. Evans.

Citizens of the city of Selma, AL can get more information and showtimes at http://www.selmawaltontheater.com/

Directed by DuVernay and starring David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr., “SELMA” has been nominated for 4 Golden Globes, including for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Song (“Glory” by Common and John Legend).

The film also stars Tom Wilkinson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alessandro Nivola, Giovanni Ribisi, Common, Carmen Ejogo, Lorraine Toussaint, with Tim Roth and Oprah Winfrey as “Annie Lee Cooper.”

Paramount Pictures, Pathé, and Harpo Films present “SELMA.” Produced by Christian Colson, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Oprah Winfrey, the film is executive produced by Cameron McCracken, Nik Bower, Diarmuid McKeown, Ava DuVernay, Paul Garnes, and Nan Morales. The film is written by Paul Webb. “SELMA” is directed by Ava DuVernay.

“SELMA” is the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition.  The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.  Director Ava DuVernay’s “SELMA” tells the story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history.

Currently open in select cities, “SELMA” opens in theaters nationwide on January 9, 2015. To learn more about the film, go to www.selmamovie.com


About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Television, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

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"Real Husbands of Hollywood" Returns Tuesday, January 6th, 2015 on BET

Kevin Hart and Duane Martin star in the Winter 2015 return episode of "Real Husbands of Hollywood" Tuesday, January 6th at 10:00 P.M. ET/PT. Photo credit: BET Networks/Tyler Golden

Single Black Male: Duane Martin Moves in with Kevin Hart on the Winter Return of "Real Husbands of Hollywood"

Nelly Hits the Studio with R&B Divas Tamar Braxton and Elle Varner

New Episodes of “Real Husbands of Hollywood” Return Tuesday, January 6th at 10:00 P.M. ET/PT

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It may be cold outside, but things are heating up on the Winter 2015 return of "REAL HUSBANDS OF HOLLYWOOD". After her weekend in jail, Tisha Campbell Martin kicks Duane Martin out, so Duane promptly moves himself in to Kevin's penthouse. Kevin Hart's protests don't survive the hotty masseuses, posh butler and high-profile negotiations Duane is making. But when Tisha proves incapable of managing domestic life, Kevin refuses to give Duane back. Who will get custody of Duane?

Meanwhile, Nelly writes a hit song for girlfriend Bridgette (Erica Ash), but she reverts to her homicidal tendencies when Nelly doesn’t keep his word. Will Nelly survive Bridgette’s wrath?

R&B singers Tamar Braxton and Elle Varner guest star.

New episodes of "REAL HUSBANDS OF HOLLYWOOD" air Tuesdays at 10 P.M. ET/PT in January, beginning January 6th, 2015.

For video sneak peeks and first looks of "REAL HUSBANDS OF HOLLYWOOD" visit the official page at BET.com/RHOH.

Viewers can also find series updates on Facebook by liking the fan page at Facebook.com/BETRealHusbands. Also, join the conversation about the show on Twitter by using hashtag: #BETRealHusbands; follow the show for all updates & special surprises @BETRealHusbands.

Clip Link: http://www.bet.com/video/the-real-husbands-of-hollywood/season-3/sneak-peek/episode-309-kevin-has-a-comical-exchange-with-nelly-about-bridgette.html

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites for January 1st to 3rd, 2015 - Update #6

NEWS:

From TheIntercept:  Meet the template for Zero Dark Thirty.

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From SlashFilm:  Apparently, District 9's Neill Blomkamp was, at one point, working on an Alien film for Fox.


COMIC BOOKS:

From YahooGames:  There is a teaser for the "Ant-Man" teaser trailer, which will debut during broadcast of "Agent Carter," Tuesday, January 3rd, 2015.

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From TheVerge:  Five most important things learned from tiny "Ant-Man" teaser.

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From YahooGames: A list of comic books planned for 2015 that excite the author.  Most of them don't interest me much, if at all.  New Love and Rockets: New Stories in March - that's exciting.


OBITS:

From YahooTV:  According to local TV reports, Donna Douglas, who played "Elly Mae Clampett" on the classic TV series, "The Beverly Hillbillies," died on New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1, 2015.  She was 81.

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From HitFix:  He won an Emmy for his role on "The Practice."  He won a Tony Award.  He was the voice over narrator for countless History Channel and PBS productions.  But I (like many others) will remember Edward Herrmann as the vampire master, "Max," in 1987's beloved The Lost Boys.  I remember his character, "Graham Sherbourne," being clearly overwhelmed by the rustic, working class masculinity of Fred Ward's "Roone Dimmick" in 1988's Big Business.  Edward Herrmann was cool.

Of course, fans of the series, "Gilmore Girls," will always remember Herrmann.

Herrmann died at the age of 71 on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 after a battle with brain cancer.  Negromancer sends well wishes and condolences to Herrmann's family and friends.  R.I.P. Mr. Herrmann.

"Boyhood" Tops Austin Film Critics Association Awards

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 2014 AFCA Awards were announced on December 17, 2014.

2014 Austin Film Critics Association Awards winners:

Best Film: Boyhood (Richard Linklater)

Best Director: Richard Linklater, Boyhood

Best Actor: Jake Gyllenhaal, Nightcrawler

Best Actress: Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl

Best Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

Best Original Screenplay: Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler

Best Adapted Screenplay: Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl

Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki, Birdman

Best Score: Antonio Sanchez, Birdman

Best Foreign-Language Film: Force Majeure (Ruben Östlund)

Best Documentary: Citizenfour (Laura Poitras)

Best Animated Film: The LEGO Movie (Phil Lord, Christopher Miller)

Best First Film: Nightcrawler (Dan Gilroy)

Breakthrough Artist: Jennifer Kent, The Babadook

Best Austin Film: Boyhood (Richard Linklater)

Special Honorary Award: Gary Poulter, for his outstanding performance in Joe

AFCA 2014 Top Ten Films:
1. Boyhood
2. Whiplash
3. The Grand Budapest Hotel
4. Birdman
5. Snowpiercer
6. Nightcrawler
7. Selma
8. The Imitation Game
9. TIE: Inherent Vice and Gone Girl

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Happy Negromancer New Year; A Fond Negromancer Farewell to 2014

Welcome to Negromancer 2.0.  This is the rebirth of Negromancer, the former movie review website as a new movie review and movie news site.  2014 was a great year for Negromancer, all thanks to you lovely visitors and readers.  Let's do this again.  Let's make 2015 Negrotacular or just spectacular.

Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.

All images and text appearing on this blog are ©2015 copyright and/or trademark their respective owners.

Review: "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" a Disappointing Reboot

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 57 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
Running time: 105 minutes (1 hour, 45 minutes)
MPAA - PG-13 for sequences of violence and intense action, and brief strong language
DIRECTOR:  Kenneth Branagh
WRITERS:  Adam Cozad and David Koepp (based on characters created by Tom Clancy)
PRODUCERS:  David Barron, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Mace Neufeld, and Mark Vahradian
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Haris Zambarloukos
EDITOR:  Martin Walsh
COMPOSER:  Patrick Doyle

ACTION/SPY/THRILLER

Starring:  Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, Kevin Costner, Kenneth Branagh, Lenn Kudrjawizki, Alec Utgoff, Nonso Anozie, Seth Ayott, Colm Feore, and David Paymer with Mikhail Baryshnikov

The subject of this movie review is Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, a 2014 action and espionage thriller from director, Kenneth Branagh.  This is the fifth film in the Jack Ryan film franchise, which began with 1990's The Hunt for Red October (based on the novel by the late author, Tom Clancy).  Shadow Recruit focuses on a young Jack Ryan as he tries to uncover a Russian plot against the United States.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit opens at the London School of Economics, where Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) is a student.  The film also opens on September 11, 2001, the day of the terrorists attacks on New York City and Washington D.C.  Ryan joins the U.S. Marines after the attacks, but he is critically injured during a mission.  While undergoing recovery, Ryan meets and falls for Cathy Muller (Keira Knightley), a young medical student.  Muller, however, is not the only one who is watching Ryan.

Thomas Harper (Kevin Costner) of the CIA recruits Ryan into the agency.  A covert analyst, Ryan works for a Wall Street stock brokerage as a cover.  There, he discovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy via a terrorist attack.  Ryan first dangerous mission takes him to Moscow to face the sinister Viktor Cherevin (Kenneth Branagh), but this dangerous mission suddenly takes a decidedly lethal turn.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is a reboot of the Jack Ryan film franchise.  This is actually the second reboot of Jack Ryan, as The Sum of All Fears (2002) was a fresh start for the franchise with Ben Affleck as Ryan.  Shadow Recruit is also the first Jack Ryan film not based on one of Tom Clancy's novels.  Perhaps, not being based directly on a Clancy novel is the missing ingredient for this film.  It lacks the complexity and large size of Clancy's work.  As for the screenplay:  Tom Clancy ain't Shakespeare, but he was quite good at what he wrote, and screenwriters Adam Cozad and David Koepp are not Clancy

Shadow Recruit does not have to reinvent the action-thriller, let alone the Jack Ryan movie, and it certainly does neither.  This film is a well-produced movie with some good moments, especially those that take place in Moscow.  Ultimately, Shadow Recruit is nothing special, nor is it particularly slick, a characteristic of big-budget, big studio American action films.

I like Chris Pine, but I think that at the age of 33 (when the film was made), he looks too young and too boyish, and lacks the gravitas to play Jack Ryan.  Kenneth Branagh plays beneath his talent here, and it's evident; he looks tired/bored as Viktor Cherevin.

Seriously, I think Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is best as a past-time you watch on an over-the-air television station one lazy Sunday afternoon.  Sadly, though, I think the Jack Ryan film franchise is done for, and that's a shame.

5 of 10
C+

Sunday, December 14, 2014


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