2010 Leonard Maltin Guide's Ratings of Last Year's Award Winners

The Leonard Maltin Guide, for better or worse, sets a standard for how movies are ranked in later years. Although there are many examples of aberrations (for example Unforgiven, which frequently lands on best-films-of-all-time lists, is rated just *** out of ****) the guide has had influence in general in accessing films for future generations.






With that in mind, here are the films that received the main awards from critics, guilds, etc. from last year and where they placed in Maltin's rankings.

AMPAS Best Picture Nominees:
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (****)
FROST/NIXON (****)
MILK (*** 1/2)
THE READER (*** 1/2)
SLUMDOG MILIONAIRE [winner] (****)

Best Actor: Sean Penn for MILK (*** 1/2)
Best Actress: Kate Winslet for THE READER (*** 1/2)
Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger for THE DARK KNIGHT (**)
Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz for VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA (*** 1/2)
Best Director: Danny Boyle for SLUMDIG MILIONAIRE (****)
Best Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black for MILK (*** 1/2)
Best Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (****)
Best Foreign Film: DEPARTURES(***)
Best Animated Film: WALL•E (** 1/2)
Best Documentary Feature: MAN ON WIRE (*** 1/2)

Multiple Oscar winners (features):
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE— 8 (****)
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON— 3 (****)
THE DARK KNIGHT— 2 (**)
MILK— 2 (*** 1/2)

Golden Globes Best Motion Picture Drama: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (****)
Golden Globes Best Musical or Comedy Film: VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA (*** 1/2)
Golden Globes Foreign-Language Film: WALTZ WITH BASHIR (*** 1/2)
Golden Globes Animated Film: WALL•E (** 1/2)

BAFTA Best Film: SLUMDOG MILIONAIRE (****)
BAFTA Best British Film: MAN ON WIRE (*** 1/2)
BAFTA Best Foreign-Language Film: I’VE LOVED YOU SO LONG (***)
BAFTA Best Animated Film: WALL•E (** 1/2)

PGA Best Film: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (****)
PGA Best Animated Motion Picture: WALL•E (** 1/2):
PGA Best Documentary: MAN ON WIRE (*** 1/2)

SAG Ensemble Award: SLUMDOG MILIONAIRE (****)

DGA Award: Danny Boyle for SLUMDOG MILIONAIRE (****)

WGA Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black for MILK (*** 1/2)
WGA Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (****)
WGA Documentary Screenplay: Ari Folman for WALTZ WITH BASHIR (*** 1/2)

Online Film Critics Society Best Picture: WALL•E (** 1/2)
OFCS Best Foreign-Language Film: LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (*** 1/2)
OFCS Best Documentary: MAN ON WIRE (*** 1/2)
OFCS Best Animated Film: WALL•E (** 1/2)

Broadcast Film Critics Best Picture: SLUMDOG MILIONAIRE (****)
BFCA Best Action Movie: THE DARK KNIGHT (**)
BFCA Comedy Movie: TROPIC THUNDER (** 1/2)
BFCA Best Documentary Feature: MAN ON WIRE (*** 1/2)
BFCA Animated Movie: WALL•E (** 1/2)
BFCA Foreign-Language Film: WALTZ WITH BASHIR (*** 1/2)

Nat’l Society of Film Critics Best Picture: WALTZ WITH BASHIR (*** 1/2)
NSFC Foreign-Language Film: n/a
NSFC Non-Fiction Film: MAN ON WIRE (*** 1/2)

New York Film Critics Circle Best Picture: MILK (*** 1/2)
NYFCC Best Animated Film: WALL•E (*** 1/2)
NYFCC Best Non-Fiction Film: MAN ON WIRE (*** 1/2)
NYFCC Best Foreign-Language Film: 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS, 2 DAYS (*** 1/2)

Los Angeles Film Critics Assn Best Picture: WALL•E (** 1/2)
LAFCA Best Animated Film: WALTZ WITH BASHIR (*** 1/2)
LAFCA Best Non-Fiction Film: MAN ON WIRE (*** 1/2)
LAFCA Best Foreign Language Film: STILL LIFE (n/a)

National Board of Review Top Ten Films:
BURN AFTER READING (** 1/2)
THE CHANGELING (***)
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (****)
THE DARK KNIGHT (**)
DEFIANCE (** 1/2)
FROST/NIXON (****)
GRAN TORINO (***)
MILK (*** 1/2)
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE [Best Film] (****)
WALL•E (** 1/2)
THE WRESTLER (*** 1/2)

NBR Best Foreign Film: MONGOL (***)
NBR Best Animated Film: WALL•E (** 1/2)
NBR Best Documentary: MAN ON WIRE (*** 1/2)

AFI Top Ten
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (****)
THE DARK KNIGHT (**)
FROST/NIXON (****)
FROZEN RIVER (***)
GRAN TORINO (***)
IRON MAN (** 1/2)
MILK (*** 1/2)
WALL•E (** 1/2)
WENDY AND LUCY (***)
THE WRESTLER (*** 1/2)

Indiewire Top Ten
1. THE FLIGHT OF THE RED BALLOON (***)
2. A CHRISTMAS TALE (*** 1/2)
3. WALL•E (** 1/2)
4. WENDY AND LUCY (***)
5. HAPPY-GO-LUCKY (***)
6. PARANOID PARK (** 1/2)
7. STILL LIFE (n/a)
8. SILENT LIGHT (n/a)
9. SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK (**)
10. WALTZ WITH BASHIR (*** 1/2)

Village Voice Top Ten
1. WALL•E (** 1/2)
2. THE FLIGHT OF THE RED BALLOON (***)
3. HAPPY-GO-LUCKY (***)
4. STILL LIFE (n/a)
5. A CHRISTMAS TALE (*** 1/2)
6. WALTZ WITH BASHIR (*** 1/2)
7. MILK (*** 1/2)
8. WENDY AND LUCY (***)
9. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (*** 1/2)
10. SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK (**)


2008 additions to They Shoot Pictures…. website Top 250 Films of the 21st Century:

30. FLIGHT OF THE RED BALLOON (***)
54. A CHRISTMAS TALE (*** 1/2)
55. WENDY AND LUCY (***)
68. WALL-E (** 1/2)
73. STILL LIFE (n/a)
78. MY WINNIPEG (*** 1/2)
79. PARANOID PARK (** 1/2)
84. HAPPY-GO-LUCKY (***)
86. WALTZ WITH BASHIR (*** 1/2)
116. SILENT LIGHT (n/a)
117. SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK (**)
118. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (*** 1/2)
123. IN THE CITY OF SYLVIA (n/a)
127. THE LIVES OF OTHERS (*** 1/2)
141. RACHEL GETTING MARRIED (***)
144. HUNGER (*** 1/2)
153. MILK (*** 1/2)
159. THE WRESTLER (*** 1/2)
172. HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (2004) (*** 1/2)
176. THE DUCHESS OF LANGEAIS (***)
186. THE EDGE OF HEAVEN (n/a)
196. MAN ON WIRE (*** 1/2)
197. BALLAST (***)
219. WOMAN ON BEACH (n/a)
220. REPRISE (** 1/2)
223. CHE (**)
231. CHUNHYANG (2000) (**)

81st Annual Academy Awards: The Final Tally

Ten feature-length films join the list of Oscar-winners this year, as follows:

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE— 8 Oscars

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
— 3 Oscars

THE DARK KNIGHT
— 2 Oscars
MILK
— 2 Oscars



DEPARTURES— 1 Oscar
THE DUCHESS— 1 Oscar
MAN ON WIRE— 1 Oscar
THE READER— 1 Oscar
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA— 1 Oscar
WALL•E— 1 Oscar

81st Annual Academy Awards: Interesting Facts

With the Awards over, here are some statistics about the winners:


• Slumdog Millionaire is the 11th film to win Best Picture without receiving any acting nominations. The other 10 are: Wings, All Quiet on the Western Front, Grand Hotel, An American in Paris, The Greatest Show on Earth, Around the World in 80 Days, Gigi, The Last Emperor, Braveheart and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

• Sean Penn is the ninth actor to win two Best (Lead) Actor Oscars, following: Spencer Tracy, Frederic March, Gary Cooper, Marlon Brando, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, and last year's Daniel Day-Lewis.

• Heath Ledger is the second posthumous winner in acting following Peter Finch for Network.

• Woody Allen has tied Elia Kazan as the director responsible for the most wins in the Best Supporting Actress category-- with four each [Allen: Dianne Wiest in Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), Dianne Wiest in Bullets Over Broadway (1994), Mira Sorvino in Mighty Aphrodite (1995), and Penelope Cruz in Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008); Kazan: Celeste Holm in Gentleman's Agreement (1947), Kim Hunter in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Eva Marie Saint in On the Waterfront (1954), and Jo Van Fleet in East of Eden (1955)].

• Japan won three of the eight awards for foreign-language film in the pre-1956 Oscars ceremonies when the award was an honorary award; this year, Departures becomes the first Japanese film to win a competive award for Best Foreign-language film.

• This is the first year since the 2004/05 (Million Dollar Baby) Oscars that Entertainment Weekly correctly predicted 6/6 of the top awards-- the last three years they were off by one (the incorrect predictions were-- 2005: Best Picture, Brokeback Mountain/ 2006: Eddie Murphy, Best Supporting Actor/ 2007: Julie Christie, Best Actress)

• The least amount of feature films (ten) took home Oscars since 2003 (nine).

• This year's Oscars had the ceremonies' third-smallest audience (36.3 million) in forty years, following 2003 (33 million viewers) and 2008 (32 million).

81st Annual Academy Awards: A Review

The 81st Annual Academy Awards was a mixed bag of new ideas that frequently fumbled at the goal line. Hugh Jackman was enthusiastic, but I think the evening proved that, despite Jackman's general success, the host should always be a comedian.

Despite his non-comedian status, I give Hugh Jackman credit for scoring with his few scripted quips, like when he said he was contractually obligued to mention Brad Pitt & Anjelina Jolie five times during the show or saying that Meryl Streep’s fifteen nominations leave suspicions of steroid use. Laughed too when Jackman sat on Frank Langella’s lap and said something like, I know you do theater, but that’s a bit much… But the Baz Luhrmann musical number was torture (and done under the slim-as-slim guise that “the musicals are back” because Mamma Mia did well in the UK) and the opening number, despite a standing ovation, was the usual nonsense. Within it, the lyrics about not seeing The Reader were pretty funny and the Anne Hathaway bit worked pretty well, but I would have much preferred a funny monologue from Jon Stewart. And I miss coming back from comercial and having the host make a joke about something that just transpired.

In fact the whole show was low on humor. The two funniest moments were Steve Martin/Tina Fey presenting the screenplay Oscar and Robert DeNiro’s comment about Sean Penn only getting straight roles up to now. The presenters in general weren’t that funny. The Ben Stiller/Natalie Portman and Jack Black/Jennifer Aniston bits were just too obvious. Humor is a critical element on a three-and-a-half-hour show: it was gravely missing this year. Yet on the other hand, Stiller's continuation of the “humor” over the serious part of his presenting came off as rude—it's not SNL after all, this is that person’s big moment— you have to know when to get to business.

The set was very nice and made the show look special. I thought that having the orchestra onstage was a nice touch and what they played, gave an old Hollywood vibe. Unfortunately, the orchestra continuing to play while the presenters were talking was, to quote Christian Bale, distracting.

Liked the idea very much of having five previous winners give the award in the acting categories. This was easily the best and most successfully executed "new idea." Unfortunately it can’t be repeated every year and work as well. I wish there were more “old timers” – however, the oldest ones seemed to have some trouble with the teleprompter, so maybe it was for the best. But a Sidney Poitier or Jack Nicholson, or a Jane Fonda or Julie Andrews, would have bumped things up. One odd little moment occured when Michael Douglas addressed Frank Langella saying Langella's Nixon erased all other previous ones from memory-- and who is standing right next to Michael Douglas?-- Anthony Hopkins! I also liked the clips of the past winners— glad that Hattie McDaniel wasn’t the only b&w clip as it has seemed in years past.

The "2008 movie yearbook" was a really good idea but where was Chuck Workman when you needed him? The animation reel seemed light (where was Waltz with Bashir?); the documentary reel was smart with the clips of the documentarians—but what were the movies about?; the comedy reel/bit was amusing (Seth Rogan and James Franco), but not as brilliantly funny as it should have been; the action package was a mess-- there was no rhythm to it; the romance reel probably came off best, although I spent half of it wondering if they were gonna skip Milk (they got it in there). Queen Latifah's singing during the "In Memorium" was very nice, but again, another fumble, when the TV audience was subjected to canted looks at the screens displaying the clips onstage.

Memorable speeches? Sean Penn; the Milk screenwriter; the guy who said “Dōmo arigatō, Mr. Roboto”; and Man on Wire’s Philippe Petit’s antics. So, basically, not a lot. Did like the Woody Allen story in Penelope Cruz's speech and the Kate Winslet's father's "whistle," as well. However, I didn’t find Heath Ledger's family's speech to be as touching as I would have expected—and was Robert Downey, Jr. caught napping during it? The best thing about Jerry Lewis’s speech was it's brevity. Little controversy unless you want to count the Milk speeches or the cutting to Angelina Jolie during Jennifer Aniston's appearance onstage.

Best dressed— probably Penelope Cruz, with Natalie Portman as runner-up. No major fashion disasters, except for maybe Philip Seymour Hoffman’s ski cap, although, supposedly his hair is funky for a movie he's shooting. It seems that the suggestion to presenters to skip the red carpet (so their appearance onstage would be a surprise) was ignored by quite a few people: Ben Kingsley, Sophia Loren, Natalie Portman, Kevin Kline, to name a few.

The show seemed long as always, even when it clocked in at a lean 3 hours 29 minutes. Toward the end, when the orchestra played bits from the best scores, it practically lulled me to sleep. Note to the Academy: bump this segment up earlier in the show! Part of the length issue had to do with the fact that there were no surprises among the winners—unless you want to count Sound Mixing and Foreign Language Film.

The producers of this year’s show really tried their best, but it’s just impossible to escape the formula and give out all the awards at the same time. I think, for example, setting up the “craft” awards worked, but ultimately, it wasn’t much different then it is every year: “Art Direction is when….”

One of my favorite additions to the show was running sneak previews of several 2009 movies over the end credits-- I really, really hope this becomes a tradition. It would be a cool way to promote movies who are willing to “premiere” just a few tantalizing moments— I, for example, loved that they showed a few seconds from Woody Allen’s upcoming Whatever Works.

All in all a very good show, but never great and I think on the whole I'd give last year’s show with Jon Stewart a slightly better grade than this year, despite all the "newness" and changes. I liked Hugh Jackman and he clearly has an appeal to the considerable number of female viewers, but I hope he leaves this at a one-shot gig.

81st Annual Academy Awards

What film title will be placed on the Hollywood/Highland Oscar Best Picture placard for 2008? Following the awards, click on this link for the full list of winners.

Click here for the official Oscar ballot-- link on the bottom of the page.

The Academy Preps for the 81st Oscars

Was at Hollywood and Highland this past weekend and took a few shots on how the front of the Kodak looks, as AMPAS preps for the Oscars. Inside of a week to the Oscars!

My Predictions: The 81st Annual Academy Awards

We're less than a week away from the big night. Here are my predictions for the winners in the big categories:

Best Picture: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Best Director: Danny Boyle for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Best Actor: Mickey Rourke for THE WRESTLER
Best Actress: Kate Winslet for THE READER
Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger for THE DARK KNIGHT
Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz for VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

I think SLUMDOG will capture a lot of the other Oscars it's up for: Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Score, Song. I see BENJAMIN BUTTON having four chances at not becoming the biggest loser of all-time: Adapted Screenplay, Make-Up, Supporting Actress (Taraji P. Henson-- my second guess for this category), or Visual Effects. I think it will get at least Make-Up and Visual Effects.

THE DARK KNIGHT is likelt to get the two sound awards: that makes three Oscars total with Ledger-- not a bad haul. It could take Cinematography and Editing away from SLUMDOG: that would give them 5 each.

There are at least two Oscar pool spoilers this year: Costume Design (AUSTRALIA?); Art Direction (CHANGELING?), in addition to the who-knows-what Doc, Foreign, and short subjects crap shoot.

And, as always, Best Animated Feature is a slam-dunk: WALL-E.

Oscar Producers Talk with "USA Today"

There was an interesting article from a week or so ago, regarding this years Oscarcast. In case you didn't catch it, here's the link: USA Today Oscar article.

I'm happy about several things, as stated by the producers: (1.) Less "canned" clip reels (2.) That they are making it a celebration of ALL movies of the last year (I've been saying this for years!) (3.) They want a "party" atmosphere. (Although that sounds a little too like Allan Carr, and we know how the 89/90 Oscars turned out.)

The oddest thing in it was Bill Condon's comment that the 1968 show represents the "gold standard." Well, when did he see it last? 1968? When he was what, fifteen years old?

Anyway, I'm actually looking forward to this year's Oscars more than usual as a result of this article. Even a catastrophe would be a welcome sight.

Catch Up on Late Critics' Picks: North Texas and Iowa

I haven't posted yet on a few of the later critics groups, as follows:

North Texas Film Critics who picked SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE as Best Film. Link.

Iowa Film Critics who picked SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE as Best Film. Link.

Still no word on the Houston Film Critics. When it happens, I'll attach the link.

"Slumdog" Nabs DGA Award for Danny Boyle

With Danny Boyle's win of Best Director at the DGA Awards, it's Oscar outlook for Best Picture is a virtual lock. Link to DGA website.

There are several awards which are a sure thing for SLUMDOG, including Best Score, Best Song, and Best Cinematography.

BENJAMIN BUTTON, SLUMDOG's competition, seems to have just one sure thing (Best Visual Effects) and little else to hope for. Not that BUTTON couldn't get a few surprise wins-- but it seems less and less likely that Best Pciture will be one of them.

WGA, PGA, and SAG Winners Announced Over the Weekend

The WGA winners were announced yesterday. Link to the WGA site.


The 15th Annual SAGs were also yesterday-- SLUMDOG took film ensemble. Link to the SAG site.

The PGA winners were announced on January 24th. Link to the PGA site.

Oscar Nominations 2008: My Thoughts

This year's nominations had nearly everyone saying to me: I haven't seen any of those movies! Yet, everyone I know has seen at least SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (the frontrunner) and most have seen BENJAMIN BUTTON, which got the most nominations. What gives? I think I know-- the DARK KNIGHT slight. The simple switch of putting in the DARK KNIGHT (which everyone saw) in Best Picture/Director over surprise nominee THE READER (which no one saw) would have made all the difference (even with the number of little-seen acting nominees).

Not a lot of surprises this year in terms of what was nominated, but a few in what wasn't.






Here's my reactions to the nominations:

TOP TEN BIGGEST SHOCKS (NOMINEES)— Not necessarily because I did or didn't like them, just surprising
1. Stephen Daldry- Best Director- THE READER
2. Michael Shannon- Best Supporting Actor- REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
3. THE READER- Best Picture
4. Courtney Hunt- Best Original Screenplay- FROZEN RIVER
5. Richard Jenkins-- Best Actor- THE VISITOR
6. Robert Downey, Jr.- Best Supporting Actor- TROPIC THUNDER
7. WANTED- Best Sound Mixing [just that WANTED is an Oscar-nominated film now]
8. AUSTRALIA- Best Costume Design [same thing AUSTRALIA is an Oscar-nominee]
9. Melissa Leo- Best Actress- FROZEN RIVER
10. Kate Winslet- Best Actress- THE READER (the surprise here is that she was in lead [which it SHOULD be, but after that Golden Globe win in supporting...]

TOP TEN BIGGEST SHOCKS (SHUT-OUTS)— Again, not necessarily because I like or dislike them, just surprising
1. Christopher Nolan- Best Director- THE DARK KNIGHT
2. Sally Hawkins- Best Actress- HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
3. THE DARK KNIGHT- Best Picture
4. Clint Eastwood- Best Actor- GRAN TORINO
5. Clint Eastwood- Best Song- Gran Torino
6. Woody Allen- Best Original Screenplay- VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
7. Bruce Springsteen- Best Song- THE WRESTLER
8. Clint Eastwood- Best Score- CHANGELING
9. Joel & Ethan Coen- Best Original Screenplay- BURN AFTER READING
10. Dev Patel- Best Supporting Actor- SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

TOP TEN MOST EXCITING NOMINATIONS (SOOO HAPPY THESE MADE IT)
1. Martin McDonagh- Best Original Screenplay- IN BRUGES
2. Penelope Cruz- Best Supporting Actress- VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
3. Frank Langella- Best Actor- FROST/NIXON
4. FROST/NIXON- Best Picture
5. A. R. Rahman- Best Score- SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
6. Ron Howard- Best Director- FROST/NIXON
7. THE DARK KNIGHT- Best Make-Up
8. Amy Adams- Best Supporting Actress- DOUBT
9. FROST/NIXON- Best Editing
10. Kate Winslet- Best Actress- THE READER (not because of the performance, because they put it in lead-- and, after ALL her career noms, she deserves a win for Lead)

TOP TEN BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS— WISH THEY HAD MADE IT (HAD A DEFINITE CHANCE AT A NOMINATION)
1. Woody Allen- Best Original Screenplay- VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
2. Charlie Kaufman- Best Original Screenplay - SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK
3. Rosemarie DeWitt- Best Supporting Actress- RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
4. Brendan Gleeson- Best Actor- IN BRUGES
5. Colin Farrell- Best Actor- IN BRUGES
6. Ralph Fiennes- Best Supporting Actor- IN BRUGES
7. Sally Hawkins- Best Actress- HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
8. Michael Sheen- Best Actor- FROST/NIXON
9. CLOVERFIELD- Best Visual Effects
10. SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK- Best Art Direction/Set Decoration

TOP TEN BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS— WISH THEY HAD MADE IT (PERFECT WORLD NOMINATIONS)
1. SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK- Best Picture
2. Charlie Kaufman- Best Director- SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK
3. IN BRUGES- Best Picture
4. Mathieu Amalric- Best Supporting Actor- A CHRISTMAS TALE
5. Jean-Claude Van Damme- Best Actor- JCVD
6. Debra Winger- Best Supporting Actress- RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
7. James Cromwell- Best Supporting Actor- W.
8. Ann Savage- Best Supporting Actress- MY WINNIPEG
9. Bill Maher- Best Screenplay- RELIGULOUS
10. Kristen Bell- Best Actress- FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL

WISH THEY HADN'T BEEN NOMINATED: I just can't do it— I can't begrudge anyone an Oscar nomination. (But believe me I could think of some!)

THANK GOD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!: I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG- Best Foreign Language Film

Referring back to my "ballot" (link to blog entry), here's my scorecard in terms of what I wished for (a poor showing!):

Best Picture (1/5):
Best Director (1/5)
Best Actor (2/5):
Best Actress (1/5)[two 1/2s- Jolie and Winslet up for other movies]:
Best Supporting Actor (1/5):
Best Supporting Actress (2/5):
Best Original Screenplay (1/5):
Best Adapted Screenplay (3/5):

Other categories:
FROST/NIXON (Best Editing)
THE DARK KNIGHT (Best Visual Effects, Best Make-Up)
IRON MAN (Best Visual Effects)
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (Best Score, Best Cinematography)
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (Best Visual Effects)

Oscar Nominations 2008: Interesting Facts

Not that many terribly interesting facts are coming to light.

• DOUBT's four acting nominations is the first since 2002's CHICAGO.

• This is the first year since 1994 that none of the Best Score nominees is a previous winner.

• "Oscar's biggest loser" Kevin O'Connell is not nominated this year after a four-year nomination streak and 20 total nominations.

Oscar Nominations 2008

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON receives the most nominations: 13, as per my (not earth-shaking) prediction.

Oscar Nominations have been announced (link).

What Film Will Get the Most Oscar Nominations?

Tomorrow morning at 5:38:30 AM PST, the Oscar nominations will be announced. It's time for the annual parlor game: What is your guess for the film that will get the most nominations? Last year it was a tie between NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN and THERE WILL BE BLOOD (garnering 8 nominations each).

Here are the possible choices for this year:

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON: With two likely acting nominations (Pitt and Taraji P. Henson) and a possible third in Cate Blanchett, plus all the crafts nominations (Art Direction, Make-up, Music) and the techincal ones (Editing, Visual Effects)-- it's up for a slew of nominations.

THE DARK KNIGHT: Only one acting nomination plus possible shutouts in a few crafts areas (costume, art direction-set decoration) will probably put it a few behind the leader.

DOUBT: It's chance at four acting nominations (Streep, Hoffman, Adams, Viola Davis) puts it in the running, even if it will get little else outside of adapted screenplay.

FROST/NIXON: Will likely only get one acting nomination (Frank Langella) and little in the way of crafts, but with Picture/Director/Adapted Screenplay/Editing, has an outside chance.

MILK: Two acting noms (Penn and Brolin) plus all the crafts (except make-up) will not be enough-- it won't likely make it into the technical areas.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE: Might not even get one acting nomination, could pick up some crafts/technical nominations (definitely: score, cinematography, and editing) but probably won't sweep them.

THE WRESTLER: With two acting nominations (Rourke, Tomei) and possibilities in many different categories (Director, Screenplay, Art Direction-Set Decoration, Song) has a dark horse chance, but only if it can pull off a miraculous Best Picture nomination.

My Guess: It seems like THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON will nab the most nominations (despite the current running toward SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE for the Best Picture win).

Top 250 Films of the 21st Century (Update)

Every January, the website THEY SHOOT PICTURES, DON'T THEY? re-issues their "top films of the 21st century" list to incorporate the films from the previous year. This is the coolest list to look at, particularly in seeing what manages to "stay" on it: the future VERTIGOs and KANEs. The site also notes the full list of 27 that got "knocked off," plus shows the ranking changes of the others, up or down. OLDBOY made the most dramatic jump-- from 245 to 75 (!).

Still reigning at #1 is Wong Kar-wai's IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (photo above).


Here is a list of the 2008 additions (and link to the entire list):

30. FLIGHT OF THE RED BALLOON
54. A CHRISTMAS TALE
55. WENDY AND LUCY
68. WALL-E
73. STILL LIFE
78. MY WINNIPEG
79. PARANOID PARK
84. HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
86. WALTZ WITH BASHIR
116. SILENT LIGHT
117. SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK
118. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
123. IN THE CITY OF SYLVIA
127. THE LIVES OF OTHERS
141. RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
144. HUNGER
153. MILK
159. THE WRESTLER
172. HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (2004)
176. THE DUCHESS OF LANGEAIS
186. THE EDGE OF HEAVEN
196. MAN ON WIRE
197. BALLAST
219. WOMAN ON BEACH
220. REPRISE
223. CHE
231. CHUNHYANG (2000)

BAFTA Nominations 2008

BAFTA Film Noms were announced today-- with SLUMDOG and BENJAMIN BUTTON tied at the most, with 11 nominations each.

Best Film noms listed below (and link to their website with the full list):

BEST FILM
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Ceán Chaffin
FROST/NIXON – Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard
MILK – Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen
THE READER – Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Donna Gigliotti, Redmond Morris
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE – Christian Colson

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
HUNGER – Laura Hastings-Smith, Robin Gutch, Steve McQueen, Enda Walsh
IN BRUGES – Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Martin McDonagh
MAMMA MIA! – Judy Craymer, Gary Goetzman, Phyllida Lloyd, Catherine Johnson
MAN ON WIRE – Simon Chinn, James Marsh
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE – Christian Colson, Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy

"Slumdog Millionaire," "John Adams," "30 Rock" Big Winners At the Golden Globes; Kate Winslet Nabs Two Globes

The Globes were a bit dull. Just like the Emmys, Ricky Gervais was the only real highlight. I did like Laura Linney's speech and Tracy Morgan's irreverence. But jees, the Globes felt long.

Although generally an actor, say Tom Hanks-- who was right there-- would normally be asked, I admire the HFPA for choosing Martin Scorsese to present to Spielberg. It seemed more genuine. The clip reel was weak (how do you screw that up?). I did like Spielberg's speech (and seeing Drew Barrymore-- Gertie!-- in the audience).

Surprises? A few. Colin Farrell-- a pleasant surprise. Oddly, Vicky Christina Barcelona won up against the others (despite no other wins) but go Woody! And of course Kate Winslet's double win-- hated her speeches-- if you can call them that. Poor Penelope Cruz-- supporting should have been hers.

There was a whole lotta love in the room for Mickey Rourke-- will he win the Oscar?

BFCA/DGA/Central Ohio Critics Announce Winners/Online Critics Late Posting

Another big "Awards Season" day for announcements, as follows:

The Broadcast Film Critics Association have announced their winners. Link to their website.


The DGA have announced their nominees. Link to their website.


The 7th Annual Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards, have announcedf their picks. Link to their website.


No word yet from the Online Films Critics, due today.... stayed tuned I guess.

The Online Film Critics Society have announced their picks. Link to their website.

WGA and PGA Noms Announced

Today the WGA announced their nominations today (the PGA announced on 1/5).

The PGA nominations for Best Film are as follows; winners to be announced on January 24th. Link to the PGA site.



The Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire


The WGA nominations are as follows; winners to be announced on January 25th. Link to the WGA site.






ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Burn After Reading, (Joel Coen & Ethan Coen)
Milk (Dustin Lance Black)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Woody Allen)
The Visitor (Tom McCarthy)
The Wrestler (Robert Siegel)

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Eric Roth; Screen Story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord)
The Dark Knight (Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan; Story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer)
Doubt (John Patrick Shanley)
Frost/Nixon(Peter Morgan)
Slumdog Millionaire (Simon Beaufoy)

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY
Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story (Stefan Forbes and Noland Walker)
Chicago 10 (Brett Morgen)
Fuel (Johnny O'Hara)
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, (Alex Gibney)
Waltz with Bashir (Ari Folman)