Feb 09 2010
An innovation for Oscar winners. Here's the info from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Oscar Winners to Make It Personal at the Governors Ball
Beverly Hills, CA - For the first time, Academy Award winners will be able to have their Oscar statuettes personalized with engraved nameplates on Oscar Night at the Governors Ball, the official celebration immediately following the 82nd Academy Awards on Sunday, March 7, 2010, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today.
In preparation for the night, the Academy will create 197 nameplates, one for each 2009 nominee in every category. The engraving will include the nominee's name, category, film title and year. After the winners have been announced, the unused nameplates will be recycled.
"An Oscar statuette just isn't complete until a nameplate is attached," said Academy President Tom Sherak. "The Governors Ball is the perfect place for Oscar winners to add that final touch as they celebrate their accomplishment and the year's movies."
Previously, Academy Award winners were asked to bring their Oscars to the Academy in the weeks following the ceremony, at which time the nameplates - engraved only after the winners were announced - were affixed to the statuettes.
At the Governors Ball, which will be take place at the Grand Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center, Academy Award winners will be invited to enter a specially designed area where Academy technicians will affix the personalized nameplates to each Oscar.
R.S. Owens, the company which manufactures the Oscar statuettes, will produce and engrave the nameplates for the Academy.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Feb 07 2010
Things I learned while living through Snowmageddon:
1. Twenty hours without power can seem like a really long time when the temperature inside your house drops to 44 degrees (or below, since that's as low as the thermostat goes) and your gloves, scarves, down jacket and sweatpants are damp from shoveling snow.
2. When your power goes out, your heat shuts off, your phone dies and a robocall orders you to conserve water, it's impossible not to think about "The Road" - the scene where Viggo Mortensen sees a flash, knows life is about to change and fills a bathtub with water just in case - and "The Book of Eli" when Denzel Washington's character observes, "We had no idea what was precious, what wasn't."
3. Sometimes it pays to have a transistor radio that runs on four AA batteries.
4. Ditto for a crank flashlight and a fully charged cell phone.
5. SnapLight flameless candles really work. You bend them, snap them (without cracking them in half) and shake them and they glow for much longer than the four hours the package advertises. The ones I had were made by Cyalume Technologies in West Springfield, Mass., and I intend to track down more.
Mine were freebies that came to the office but the company website says the lightbars are carried at Home Depot and Lowe's stores.
6. Warming centers are a great and potentially life-saving idea but if you don't have power, how are you supposed to know where they are? Or how can you get there when cars are buried or banned and walking perilous?
7. Power company workers, snowplow drivers, police officers and ambulance crews, just to name a few, deserve whatever overtime they are earning ... and then some.
Feb 07 2010
How to do your Oscar homework before the March 7 event at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood (shown above in photo from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences). This is the press release from AMC:
AMC Best Picture Showcase changes include spreading events throughout two weekends; guests invited to help select show schedule lineup for first time ever
Kansas City, Mo. (Feb. 4, 2010) - AMC Theatres (AMC), a leading theatrical exhibition and entertainment company, is proud to continue its AMC Best Picture Showcase program offering guests the rare opportunity to experience the 10 films nominated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for "Best Picture" at more than 100 theatres in 46 markets (theatre list available at www.AMCEntertainment.com/BPS).
With the doubling of nominated films in 2010, this year's program will be divided among back-to-back weekends, Saturday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, March 6. The Oscar "Best Picture" nominees include "Avatar," "The Blind Side," "District 9," "An Education," "The Hurt Locker," "Inglourious Basterds," "Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire," "A Serious Man," "Up" and "Up in the Air."
New this year, guests will be invited to select the films to join box office smash hit "Avatar" (in 3D*) the first weekend of the Showcase via an online poll. This feature allows guests the unprecedented opportunity to help design the program's show schedule for the first time.
As in previous years, with the purchase of a pass, attendees receive a large popcorn with unlimited refills and a souvenir lanyard, which will feature artwork from the 10 nominated films and will give guests the freedom to come and go throughout the event.
| Milestone Dates: |
|
| Thursday, Feb. 4 |
AMC Best Picture Showcase Fan Poll goes live at AMCEntertainment.com/BPS |
| Sunday, Feb. 7 |
AMC Best Picture Showcase Fan Poll closes at midnight |
| Monday, Feb. 8 |
AMC announces final show schedule (and other program surprises) online and via media advisory |
| Friday, Feb. 12 |
AMC Best Picture Showcase passes on sale online at AMCEntertainment.com/BPS and at box offices |
| Saturday, Feb. 27 |
First weekend of AMC Best Picture Showcase |
| Saturday, March 6 |
Second weekend of AMC Best Picture Showcase |
AMC Best Picture Showcase Pass Purchasing Options:
Two-Day Pass (includes all 10 films on Feb. 27 and March 6)
- $60: Online price available at AMCEntertainment.com/BPS
- $50: Box office price available only at participating AMC Best Picture Showcase theatres
- $40: MovieWatcher® member price available only at participating AMC Best Picture Showcase theatre box offices
One-Day Pass (includes five films on Feb. 27 OR March 6)
- $30: Online and box office price available either at AMCEntertainment.com/BPS or at participating theatres
- $25: MovieWatcher member price available only at participating AMC Best Picture Showcase theatre box offices
Feb 07 2010
The Annie Awards are the Oscars of the animation world. Here's the press release about the ceremony held this weekend:
PIXAR'S "UP" WINS THE ANNIE FOR BEST FEATURE
Disney, DreamWorks Top List of Winners at 37th Annual Annie Awards
"Up" won the Best Animated Feature honor at the 37th Annual Annie Awards held at UCLA's Royce Hall on Saturday, Feb. 6.
Walt Disney Animation Studios won six Annies overall including three for its feature The Princess and the Frog and three for its television production Prep and Landing. DreamWorks Animation won five Annies including Best Television Production for Children and Directing/TV for The Penguins of Madagascar, Character Animation/TV and Storyboarding/Feature for Monsters vs. Aliens and Storyboarding/TV for Merry Madagascar.
The Annie Awards ceremony will be webcast on the Annies website of www.annies.org beginning Tuesday, February 9, 2010.
The Winsor McCay award was given to three industry leaders - Tim Burton, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Bruce Timm. Named in honor of the prolific animator, Winsor McCay, this award stands as one of the highest honors given to an individual in the animation industry in recognition for career contributions to the art of animation. Tim Burton accepted his Winsor via video.
Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor, director, producer and one of pop culture's most recognizable figures, William Shatner, handled hosting duties this year and was joined on stage by a lively mix of animation luminaries, celebrity presenters and comedic talent including animation legend June Foray, actors Seth Green John Leguizamo, Sean Astin and industry notables Pete Docter, Ed Catmull and Henry Selick. A special tribute to the late Roy Disney was introduced by Don Hahn.
Often a predictor of the annual Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, the Annie Awards recognize the year's best animated features, television productions, commercials, short subjects and outstanding individual achievements in the field of animation.
Feb 07 2010
Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried did what Mel Gibson and others couldn't: They beat "Avatar" at the box office with "Dear John."
The Nicholas Sparks adaptation brought in $32.4 million (pretty impressive given the weather crippling much of the country) while "Avatar" was No. 2 with $23.6 million.
Falling in behind:
"From Paris With Love," $8.1 million.
"Edge of Darkness," $7 million.
"Tooth Fairy," $6.5 million.
Final numbers will be released on Monday.
Feb 04 2010
If the inclusion of "The Secret of Kells" had you going "Huh?" when the Oscar nominations were announced, you can see the movie the weekend of the Academy Awards.
Pittsburgh Filmmakers has booked it for sneak peek matinees on March 6 and 7. Details will be forthcoming:
Here's the description from Filmmakers:
The animated masterpiece from the producers of "Triplets of Belleville" and "Kirikou and the Sorceress" is one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year.
Magic, fantasy and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and dazzling details in a sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times.
Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. One day a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers.
To help complete the book, Brendan must embark on a dangerous quest through an enchanted forest. Features the voice of Brendan Gleeson. In English. (Tomm Moore, Ireland/France/Belgium; 2009; 78 min.)
It is competing for best animated feature along with "Coraline," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "The Princess and the Frog" and "Up."
Feb 04 2010
This just in, from the Associated Press:
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Brittany Murphy died from pneumonia, but anemia and prescription drugs also played a role, coroner's officials said Thursday.
The primary cause of death was community-acquired pneumonia, with contributing factors of iron deficiency anemia and "multiple drug intoxication," according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
The death was ruled accidental.
Coroner's spokesman Craig Harvey declined to specify what types of drugs were involved but said they were all prescription medications. Details about the drugs the "Clueless" and "8 Mile" star had in her system will be released in several weeks when a complete report is done.
Murphy died Dec. 20 at age 32 after collapsing at her Hollywood Hills home. Her mother and husband have said the actress didn't abuse prescription medications or have an eating disorder.
Attempts to reach them for further comment were not immediately successful Thursday.
Murphy's husband, Simon Monjack, and mother, Sharon Murphy, told investigators the actress had been experiencing flu-like symptoms in the days before she died.
Monjack told The Associated Press last month that his wife did take several prescriptions, including an anti-seizure drug, but did not abuse the medications.
He said she had been taking over-the-counter Robitussin for her recent sickness.
A memorial for a foundation in Brittany Murphy's name that had been planned for Thursday was abruptly canceled with no explanation.
Dr. Michael Baden, the former chief medical examiner in New York City, said the coroner's determination indicated drugs probably played a key role in Murphy's death.
"If she died of pneumonia, that cause of death is a natural cause," Baden said. He said the use of some prescription medications can lead to pneumonia, and that the coroner's office may have listed that as the primary cause to lessen the blow to Murphy's family.
"It sounds more like it's a drug-related than a natural pulmonary pneumonia," said Baden, who did not work on the Murphy case but has served as an expert witness in numerous high-profile deaths.
He said the quantities and types of drugs Murphy was taking is key to understanding how she died, as well as how recently she saw a doctor.
"One doesn't die of pneumonia, usually, that quickly," Baden said. He also downplayed the role anemia may have played in Murphy's death.
Feb 04 2010
DREAMWORKS STUDIOS LOOKING FOR YOUNG MALE ACTOR (AGE 10 - 14)
LOS ANGELES, CA (February 4, 2010) - DreamWorks Studios has launched a nationwide casting search to fill a lead role in its upcoming movie "Real Steel," it was announced today by DreamWorks Studios.
Actors interested in the role have two ways to audition. Beginning immediately, individuals can submit a videotaped audition through www.realsteelcasting.com. Complete instructions are available on the website.
Additionally, two open call auditions will be held starting on Sunday, February 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois and then on Saturday, February 20, 2010 in New York, New York. No acting experience is necessary for interested actors, nor are they required to prepare anything for the audition.
Role to be cast is ‘Max': Male, 10-14 years old. He's a street-smart, tough, charming kid with a hard, untrusting outer shell which hides a warm enthusiastic spirit beneath. He is a complicated, strong-willed and resourceful boy. Details on the open call auditions are as follows:
CHICAGO
Sunday, February 14, 2010
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Chicago Academy of the Arts
1010 W Chicago Street
Chicago, IL 60642-5490
(Parking behind building)
NEW YORK
Saturday, February 20, 2010
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Shetler Studios
244 West 54th Street
12th Floor
New York, NY 10019-5515
Complete details on the auditions are available at www.realsteelcasting.com. All videotape submissions will become the property of Dreamworks Studios and will not be returned.
The new sport of robot-boxing is the backdrop for the sports drama "Real Steel" about a former boxer (Hugh Jackman) who gets one last shot at the title when he teams up with his long-lost son (‘Max') to train a unique robot for the upcoming Real Steel World Championship. Film is being directed by Shawn Levy (NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM) and produced by Don Murphy, Susan Montford and Shawn Levy. Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke, Steve Starkey, Josh McLaglen, and Mary McLaglen are all executive producing. John Gatins has written the script.
Feb 02 2010
Since word came that there would be 10 Best Picture nominees, colleagues have been asking if AMC-Loews would still do an Oscar marathon and, if so, how.
This is what I heard today from a spokesman at AMC headquarters:
"Yes, we will be doing Best Picture Showcase again this year. But the 10 nominees this year (vs. five last year) present a few logistical challenges. We'll be making an announcement about how the program will work later this week."
As soon as I hear, I will post the details and get them into the paper. Until the 10 Best Picture nominees were announced, it was probably difficult for AMC to plan. After all, "Avatar" alone is almost three hours long while "Up" is just 96 minutes.
Someone, somewhere is doing the math and, I would imagine, figuring out how to make this manageable for moviegoers.
Feb 01 2010
Academy Launches College Oscar Watch Party Contest on Campuses Nationwide (here's the official info)
Beverly Hills, CA - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the launch of its first College Oscar Watch Party Contest on campuses nationwide. Participation is open to undergraduates from any college or university in the United States that offers a B.A., B.S. or equivalent degree.
Individual party organizers or groups of up to four organizers who register with the Academy will be responsible for organizing their respective parties and submitting recap materials after the event. A registration form is available for download at www.oscars.org. The deadline for registration is Friday, February 19, 2010.
Entrants will post up to 10 photos of their Oscar watch party on www.flickr.com and up to five minutes of video footage on www.YouTube.com, and submit URLs and a description of no more than 500 words to marketing@oscars.org. The Academy will select the best Oscar watch party based on the following criteria: enthusiasm (i.e., number of attendees, how the event was publicized); creativity (i.e., themes, decorations, food); and guest involvement (i.e., games, activities). The deadline to submit post-event materials is Monday, March 15, 2010.
The organizers of the grand prize-winning party, to be revealed later in the month, will each receive two red carpet bleacher seats at the 83rd Academy Awards in 2011. Photos and/or video of the winning party will be posted on the Academy's Facebook page. Organizers of two runner-up parties will also receive acknowledgement on the site, as well as official Oscar prize packages.
For a complete list of rules and regulations for the College Oscar Watch Party Contest, visit www.oscars.org/watchpartycontest.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
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