Movie Awards-- now with Oscar Nominations & Predictions!

[Rosebud]

OSCAR NOMINATIONS & DISCUSSION BEGINS ON PAGE 2

Awards Season has officially begun! Every year, the National Board of Review kicks off the season with their picks of the best films and performances of the year. Next up will be the NY Film Critics Awards and then the Golden Globe nominations.

The National Board of Review winners:

Best Picture: Good Night and Good Luck
Best Director: Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Best Actress: Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
Best Supporting Actor: Jake Gyllenhaal, Brokeback Mountain
Best Supporting Actress: Gong Li, Memoirs of a Geisha
Best Screenplay: The Squid and the Whale (Noah Baumbach)



National Board of Review Picks Top Film

NEW YORK - The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures gave its best-picture award Monday to "Good Night, and Good Luck," George Clooney's sparse, black-and-white depiction of Edward R. Murrow's on-air battles against Sen. Joseph McCarthy. The group spread the awards around, naming Ang Lee as best director for the cowboy romance "Brokeback Mountain."

Two performers who underwent significant transformations for their roles received the top acting honors: Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote in "Capote," and Felicity Huffman as a preoperative transsexual in "Transamerica."

Even though "Good Night" takes place a half-century ago, the National Board of Review was struck by its relevance to the current state of journalism. David Strathairn stars as Murrow, the pioneering CBS News anchor who criticized McCarthy for his communist witch hunts of the Clooney is the director and co-star.

"The press is very much on the tip of everybody's tongue _ what they're reporting, how much they're reporting," said Annie Schulhof, National Board of Review president.

"I think it was an extraordinary film. Mr. Clooney really nailed it. He really understood the issues," Schulhof added. "It got people talking, and many times, that's what a good film does."

Supporting acting honors went to Jake Gyllenhaal for "Brokeback Mountain" and Gong Li for "Memoirs of a Geisha." "Mrs. Henderson Presents," about a wealthy widow who started a nude revue in 1930s London, received the ensemble acting award.

Also on Monday, the New York Film Critics Circle planned to announce its choices for the top films of 2005. Golden Globe nominations were scheduled for Tuesday morning.

The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, formed in 1909, is composed of film historians, students and educators.

[Rosebud]

The NY Film Critics Awards have just been announced.

New York Film Critics Circle Awards:

Best Picture: Brokeback Mountain
Best Actor: Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Best Supporting Actor: William Hurt, A History of Violence
Best Supporting Actress: Maria Bello, A History of Violence
Best Director: Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Best Screenplay: The Squid and the Whale (Noah Baumbach)



New York Film Critics Circle Announces 2005 Award Winners

William Hurt, who received a Tony nomination for his work in the 1984 production of Hurlyburly, was named Best Supporting Actor by the New York Film Critics Circle for his performance in "A History of Violence."

The Critics Circle, which announced its decisions Dec. 12, named "Brokeback Mountain" Best Picture of 2005 with that film's director, Ang Lee, Best Director.

Heath Ledger, who plays gay cowboy Ennis Del Mar in "Brokeback," was honored with the Best Actor prize, while Reese Witherspoon received Best Actress honors for her performance in "Walk the Line."

Others honored by the New York Film Critics Circle include Werner Herzog (Best Non-Fiction Films for "Grizzly Man" and "White Diamond"), "2046" (Best Foreign-Language Film), Bennett Miller (Best First Film for "Capote"), "Howl's Moving Castle" (Best Animated Feature), Maria Bello (Best Supporting Actress for "A History of Violence"), Christopher Doyle, Lai Yiu Fai and Kwan Pun Leung (Best Cinematography for "2046") and Noah Baumbach (Best Screenplay for "The Squid and the Whale").

The New York Film Critics Circle, according to its official website, "is comprised of critics from daily and weekly newspapers and magazines based in New York." The group's annual awards dinner will be held at Cipriani's Jan. 8, 2006.

For more information visit www.nyfcc.com.

[Rosebud]

The Boston Film Critics have also announced their winners.

Boston Society of Film Critics Awards:

Best Picture: Brokeback Mountain
Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Best Supporting Actor: Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
Best Supporting Actress: Catherine Keener, Capote
Best Director: Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Best Screenplay: Capote (Dan Futterman)


Boston film crix hail 'Brokeback,' 'Capote'

BOSTON -- "Brokeback Mountain" and "Capote" were the biggest winners in the 24th annual balloting of the Boston Society of Film Critics, announced Sunday.
"Brokeback" and director Ang LeeAng Lee bested "Munich" and director Stephen Spielberg in the picture and director categories.

"Capote" and "Brokeback" went head to head in the actor category, with Philip Seymour HoffmanPhilip Seymour Hoffman's uncanny portrayal of the author edging out Heath Ledger's taciturn cowboy.

Reese WitherspoonReese Witherspoon copped actress honors for "Walk the Line," besting Keira KnightleyKeira Knightley in "Pride & Prejudice."

"Capote's" Catherine KeenerCatherine Keener landed the supporting actress nod, winning for three of her four films in 2005. (The 20 voting critics cited "Capote," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "The Ballad of Jack & Rose" but pointedly omitted "The Interpreter.")

Paul GiamattiPaul Giamatti's turn as the feisty boxing manager in summer release "Cinderella Man" landed him the supporting actor nod, putting his perfperf back on the radar for Oscar voters. He won over Oliver Platt of "Casanova" and "The Ice Harvest."

In the screenplay category, Dan FuttermanDan Futterman's work on "Capote" was lauded over "Munich," which went home empty-handed.

Documentary nod went to the well-reviewed "Murderball," about paraplegic rugby players, with "Grizzly Man" the runner-up.

Joe Wright, director of "Pride & Prejudice," won the David Brudnoy New Filmmaker Award, named for the late Boston film critic and one of the founding members of the organization.

Wright's win shut out "Crash""Crash" helmer Paul Haggis; the ensemble cast award went to "Syriana," again beating "Crash."

Cinematography went to Robert Elswit's stylish black-and-white work in "Good Night, and Good Luck," with "Brokeback Mountain's" Rodrigo PrietoRodrigo Prieto as runner-up. Two Asian films slugged it out for the foreign-language film prize, with over-the-top comedy "Kung Fu Hustle" garnering more votes than the atmospheric "2046."

[Rosebud]

...and the L.A. Film Critics awards...

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards:

Best Picture: Brokeback Mountain
Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Best Actress: Vera Farmiga, Down to the Bone
Best Supporting Actor: William Hurt, A History of Violence
Best Supporting Actress: Catherine Keener, Capote
Best Director: Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Best Screenplay: tie: The Squid and the Whale (Noah Baumbach) and Capote (Dan Futterman)



L.A. crix ride with 'Brokeback'

The Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. on Saturday named "Brokeback Mountain," the film adaptation of Annie Proulx's story of the enduring but thwarted love between two cowboys, as best picture of the year.

Ang Lee secured the director nod for his work on the Focus Features release.

The voting split up the honors widely and strongly favored independent fare over major studio releases. The L.A. org repped the first group out of the gate with its year-end kudos; The National Board of Review usually claims that distinction, but its announcement has been delayed until today due to ballot snafus (Daily Variety, Dec. 8).

Philip Seymour Hoffman drew the actor kudos for his portrayal of the eponymous author in "Capote," while Vera Farmiga took the actress prize for "Down to the Bone," a Sundance Film Festival entry that received minimal theatrical release.

William Hurt drew supporting actor honors for his turn as a cultivated gangster in "A History of Violence." Catherine Keener prevailed as supporting actress on the basis of her work in four films, "Capote," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "The Ballad of Jack & Rose" and "The Interpreter."

Voting for the screenplay prize ended in a tie between Noah Baumbach's "The Squid and the Whale" and Dan Futterman's script for "Capote."

The foreign film accolade went to Michael Haneke's thriller "Cache" (Hidden).

Werner Herzog's "Grizzly Man" snared documentary film honors, while the animated feature award went to "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit."

Nod for score went to Joe Hisaishi for the Japanese animated feature "Howl's Moving Castle." Robert Elswit's black-and-white lensing of "Good Night, and Good Luck" drew cinematography honors, while the production design award went to William Chang Suk-Ping for the Hong Kong-Chinese "2046."

The New Generation award was voted to actor Terrence Howard, who broke through this year in "Hustle & Flow." Career achievement award, as previously announced, went to Richard Widmark.

With 32 LACA members present Saturday afternoon, voting ranged all over the map, as numerous films vied closely in all categories.

[Rosebud]

Golden Globe Nominations have been announced. Here are the nominees...

Golden Globe Nominees:

Best Picture (Drama):

Brokeback Mountain
The Constant Gardener
Good Night, and Good Luck
A History of Violence
Match Point

Best Picture (Musical or Comedy):

Mrs. Henderson Presents
Pride & Prejudice
The Producers
The Squid and the Whale
Walk the Line

Best Actor (Drama):

Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
Russell Crowe, Cinderella Man
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
David Strathairn, Good Night, and Good Luck
Terrence Howard, Hustle & Flow

Best Actress (Drama):

Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
Maria Bello, A History of Violence
Gwyneth Paltrow, Proof
Charlize Theron, North Country
Ziyi Zhang, Memoirs of a Geisha

Best Actor (Musical or Comedy):

Pierce Brosnan, The Matador
Jeff Daniels, The Squid and the Whale
Johnny Depp, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Nathan Lane, The Producers
Cillian Murphy, Breakfast on Pluto
Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line

Best Actress (Musical or Comedy):

Judi Dench, Mrs. Henderson Presents
Keira Knightley, Pride & Prejudice
Laura Linney, The Squid and the Whale
Sarah Jessica Parker, The Family Stone
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line

Best Director:

Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
George Clooney, Good Night, And Good Luck
Woody Allen, Match Point
Peter Jackson, King Kong
Fernando Meirelles, The Constant Gardener
Steven Spielberg, Munich

Best Supporting Actor:

George Clooney, Good Night, and Good Luck
Matt Dillon, Crash
Will Ferrell, The Producers
Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
Bob Hoskins, Mrs. Henderson Presents

Best Supporting Actress:

Scarlett Johansson, Match Point
Shirley MacLaine, In Her Shoes
Frances McDormand, North Country
Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener
Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain

Best Screenplay:

Match Point (Woody Allen)
Good Night, and Good Luck (George Clooney & Grant Heslov)
Crash, Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco
Munich, Tony Kushner and Eric Roth
Brokeback Mountain, Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana

[BrownEyedGirl]

Way to go Brokeback Mountain!!!

I cheer mainly because I work for one of the Executive Producers...but I've also read the short story it's based on...and it was really good.

Woohoo!

[Rosebud]

I cheer mainly because I work for one of the Executive Producers...but I've also read the short story it's based on...and it was really good.


It's an Annie Proulx short story, right? She's such an amazingly talented writer!

I'm surprised in these nominations & awards announcements to not see more nods for Syriana, Munich and King Kong. I'm expecting King Kong will clean up the technical awards and Naomi Watts could still get an Oscar nomatination... but I thought Syriana and Munich would do better. Interesting.

I love these critics' lists because it reminds me which movies I need to get my butt out and SEE!!

[Rosebud]

This isn't an awards list, but it might as well be. This is the "Top 10 Films of 2005" list picked by A.O. Scott, the senior film critic at The New York Times.

The Best of Youth
The Aristocrats
Darwin's Nightmare
The Holy Girl
Match Point
Wallace and Gromit
Mysterious Skin
The Squid and the Whale
Funny Ha Ha
Munich

He also had 20 runners-up, including Brokeback Mountain, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, Nobody Knows, and King Kong.

I think it's always interesting to see what the critics pick, in constrast to awards given. And on that note, here's Roger Ebert's list of his "Top 10 of 2005":

1. Crash
2. Syriana
3. Munich
4. Junebug
5. Brokeback Mountain
6. Me and You and Everyone We Know
7. Nine Lives
8. King Kong
9. Yes
10. Millions

He also has a bunch of runners up, which you can see HERE (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/COMMENTARY/512180302).

[msnicolea]

NY Film Critics list is the same as my Oscar List, except that I have George Clooney winning supporting actor for Syriana. He is ADORED in Hollywood and is apparently awesome in the movie--not sure I'm up to seeing it though as I've heard there are some scenes involving torure. I am such a wimp.

Of course, I have to wait until the actual nominations come out, but those are what I'm feeling right now.

[Rosebud]

originally posted by msnicolea
NY Film Critics list is the same as my Oscar List, except that I have George Clooney winning supporting actor for Syriana. He is ADORED in Hollywood and is apparently awesome in the movie--not sure I'm up to seeing it though as I've heard there are some scenes involving torure. I am such a wimp.



msnicolea-
I think that list could definitely be close! Although I think Philip Seymour Hoffman might win best actor over Heath Ledger. The Academy loves Hoffman and he's really due for an Oscar. Plus, he did an awesome job in Capote.

Saw Syriana last night. Clooney was good, but I'm not sure it's good enough for an Oscar. He is well liked, so he'll be due sometime soon, for sure. Syriana was interesting, but didn't come together as well as I'd hoped. There is the one torture scene (which I totally closed my eyes through!) but it's pretty short.

Brokeback Mountain seems to have a lot of momentum for Best Picture right now... but having seen Match Point the other night, I think that movie could give it a run for its money! It was amazing.

[Rosebud]

Whoops, I haven't been keeping up with this....


DGA AWARDS (for film):

Best Feature Film Director: Ang Lee, "Brokeback Mountain."
Best Documentary Film Director: Werner Herzog, "Grizzly Man."


SAG AWARDS (for Movies):

Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Capote."
Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon, "Walk the Line."
Best Supporting actor: Paul Giamatti, "Cinderella Man."
Best Supporting actress: Rachel Weisz, "The Constant Gardener."
Best Ensemble cast: "Crash."


GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS (for Film):

Best Film (Drama): Brokeback Mountain.
Best Actress (Drama): Felicity Huffman (Transamerica).
Best Actor (Drama): Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote).
Best Film (Musical or Comedy): Walk the Line.
Best Actress (Musical or Comedy): Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line).
Best Actor (Musical or Comedy): Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line).
Best Supporting Actress: Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener).
Best Supporting Actor: George Clooney (Syriana).
Best Director: Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain).
Best Screenplay: Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana (Brokeback Mountain).
Best Original Score: John Williams (Memoirs Of A Geisha).
Best Original Song: "A Love That Will Never Grow Old" (Brokeback Mountain).
Best Foreign Language Film: Paradise Now (Palestine).

[Rosebud]

And now we have the Oscar nominations, which were announced this morning. So, if you're entering an Oscar Pool this year, it might be helpful for you to look back at the winners of previous awards before making your selections for the Academy Awards.

Academy Awards Nominations:

Performance by an actor in a leading role

Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Capote”
Terrence Howard in “Hustle & Flow”
Heath Ledger in “Brokeback Mountain”
Joaquin Phoenix in “Walk the Line”
David Strathairn in “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

George Clooney in “Syriana”
Matt Dillon in “Crash”
Paul Giamatti in “Cinderella Man”
Jake Gyllenhaal in “Brokeback Mountain”
William Hurt in “A History of Violence”

Performance by an actress in a leading role

Judi Dench in “Mrs. Henderson Presents”
Felicity Huffman in “Transamerica”
Keira Knightley in “Pride & Prejudice”
Charlize Theron in “North Country”
Reese Witherspoon in “Walk the Line”

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

Amy Adams in “Junebug”
Catherine Keener in “Capote”
Frances McDormand in “North Country”
Rachel Weisz in “The Constant Gardener”
Michelle Williams in “Brokeback Mountain”

Achievement in directing

“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features) Ang Lee
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics) Bennett Miller
“Crash” (Lions Gate) Paul Haggis
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures) George Clooney
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks) Steven Spielberg

Best motion picture of the year

“Brokeback Mountain”
“Capote”
“Crash”
“Good Night, and Good Luck.”
“Munich”

[wine_o_girlie]

Erin, you seem to have a close insight into the film industry. Were you surprised by any of the nominations this morning? I haven't seen it, but I was surprised Walk the Line wasn't nominated for Best Picture due to its' strong showing at the GG's. Were you? I am very happy that Munich is finally getting some award show love - I thought it was extremely well done.

[Rosebud]

I was really surprised by the number of awards for Crash. I expected it at SAG, which is really about performance... but I don't think Crash deserves to be nominated for Best Picture given some of the competition this year. I don't think it was better than "Walk the Line," "Cinderella Man," "King Kong," "Match Point" or "A History of Violence." And I'm a little suprised to see Matt Dillon nominated for it, as well.

Speaking of "A History of Violence," that movie got a lot of love in the Golden Globe noms and throughout the critics awards... but virtually none here. Just the William Hurt nomination and adapted screenplay.

I'm thrilled to see "Murderball" nominated for best documentary. I think it's the best movie of the whole year, documentary or feature. If it doesn't win I'm going to be really disappointed.

I'm a little dismayed to see Kiera Knightly nominated over Naomi Watts. However, I LOVE the supporting actress nominations and think that's going to be one of the most interesting categories to watch. I'd give Catherine Keener the lead, followed closely by Michelle Williams. But the critics adored Junebug, so Amy Adams might stand a chance if Academy voters actually go see the movie.

I'm sure I'll have many more thoughts on this later. I'm in the middle of several big email conversations about it right now. :D

[LeslieandPaul]

I woke up this morning and came to the computer and turned on the tv and Michael Douglas was taling about a nominee luncheon and I went "It's Oscar nominee day!!!!" It was like the greatest thing in the world to me :p
I'm surprised Walk the Line wasn't nominated for Best Picture.
I've got a few movies to see before the Oscars! I'd better get on that.

[Rosebud]

It was like the greatest thing in the world to me

It's not the greatest thing when you have to go to work at 2:30 in the morning to prepare for the announcement, I assure you. :D But fortunately that was only one year (of working at the Academy) and now I can enjoy them at home. Much better!

My film geek friends and I have been trading emails about this all morning. One big point that I didn't mention earlier (probably because I didn't post the visual effects noms) is that Star Wars got totally shafted. It didn't get a nomination for best visual effects. That is pretty shocking! I sat through the bake-off where the potential nominees were presented this year and the Star Wars effects were much better than the Narnia effects. Although my company did the Narnia effects, so I have to be excited for them.


Achievement in visual effects

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”
“King Kong”
“War of the Worlds”

[msnicolea]

Reaction from nominees for the Academy Awards:

"We never expected to change people's minds. But if it does affect people's hearts, if perceptions can get altered, that's a good thing." —
Heath Ledger, best actor nominee for the gay romance "Brokeback Mountain."

___

"Long after the
Oscars this year, I think we're going have weekly dinners together. We're all planning to all move in together." —
Steven Spielberg, director of "Munich," on his fellow nominees.

___

"We'll be able to say six nominations for `Good Night, and Good Luck.' That'll look good on the DVD box. I think what awards are really about is a way to get more people to see movies like this." —
George Clooney, nominated for directing and co-writing best-picture nominee "Good Night, and Good Luck," and nominated for supporting actor for "Syriana."

___

"You can't pasteurize the Academy Award, you can't negotiate it. It is the top." —
Felicity Huffman, nominated for best actress for "Transamerica."

___

"I am so thrilled to be nominated for something I loved working on every single day." —
Judi Dench, best actress nominee for "Mrs. Henderson Presents."

___

"My eyes are so covered in tears, I couldn't see half the television." — Terrence Howard, best actor nominee for "Hustle & Flow."

___

"I'll really enjoy it because it will never happen again." —
Michelle Williams, on being nominated for best supporting actress alongside fiance Ledger.

___

"I'm just really delighted that this little film with big ambitions got the recognition it deserved." —
Matt Dillon, best supporting actor nominee for "Crash."

___

"My levels of gratitude will be overflowing all day, so I'll be making a mess as they spill all over wherever I go." — Bennett Miller, director nominee for "Capote."

[LeslieandPaul]

It must be a happy day in Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams house! (yeah it took me til now to put two and two together :rolleyes: silly me)

[GoCougs]

Reaction from nominees for the Academy Awards:


"My eyes are so covered in tears, I couldn't see half the television." — Terrence Howard, best actor nominee for "Hustle & Flow."



I'd love to see Terrence Howard win. He just seems like a very sincere person who LOVES what he does.

[Rosebud]

Here's an interesting article about some of the films that got snubbed in the Oscar nominations. They talk about Walk The Line, Star Wars, Match Point and several others.

2006 Oscar Snubs (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/31/ap/entertainment/mainD8FFSEF08.shtml)