2012 OSCAR NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Jennifer Lawrence announces 2012 Oscar Nominees

The 2012 Oscar nominations were announced bright and early this morning with the help of The Hunger Games Star Jennifer Lawrence and the surprises just wouldn't quit! Martin Scorcese came out on-top with an impressive eleven nominations, including Best Picture. Many also were surprised to see the sudden presence of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, which has been a non-presence much of Awards Season, only to pop-up finally for the coveted prize - a brilliant campaign by Warner Bros. to shape perceptions with as late a release as possible. Nonetheless, The Artist which has swept Best Picture awards coast to coast leading up to this, receives a stellar ten nominations. It is without a question the one to beat, although other Nominees The Descendants, Midnight in Paris, War Horse, Moneyball, The Tree of Life and The Help might have something to say about this.

Everyone is talking about some surprising omissions, namely both Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan for their mesmerizing work in Shame.  Elizabeth Olsen who is astoundingly good in Martha Marcy May Marlene also was nowhere to be found either and some are saying that Fox Searchlight which handled distribution for both Films in the U.S., had tapped-out its resources campaigning for its Prize Horse, The Descendants. Also, The Adventures of Tintin, widely considered a contender for Animated Feature Film at one point was overlooked altogether this year.

There were some real pleasant surprises to be had this morning, especially for Actor in a Supporting Role with Jonah Hill (Moneyball), Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marilyn), Max von Sydow (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close) and Nick Nolte (Warrior) all popping-up based on their powerful performances, to join category favourite, Christopher Plummer (Beginners).  Despite Warrior failing to garner critical and commercial success, it is thrilling that Nolte gets his due recognition as an alcoholic Father on-the-mend, hoping to repair his relationships with his two Sons.

MELISSA MCCARTHY WINS FOR "BRIDESMAIDS"

Melissa McCarthy

Surprise! Melissa McCarthy suddenly has thrust herself into the spotlight as a legitimate Oscar Contender for her work in Blockbuster Hit, Bridesmaids as sassy and tough Megan.  Just today McCarthy was awarded Best Supporting Actress by both the New York Film Critics Online and Boston Film Critics Association Awards.    The praise continues to roll-in for Bridesmaids also with the American Film Institute also naming it one of their Top Ten Films of 2011.

Although this isn't typically the type of Film the Academy is clamouring to hand awards to, don't be surprised if it is a major presence these next couple months as Awards Season continues to roll.

(Photo credit: The Hollywood Reporter)

MELISSA MCCARTHY & HUSBAND BEN FALCONE IN "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY"

Still from Bridesmaids

Okay, I am embarrassed to admit that  legitimately I had no idea that Mike and Molly Star Melissa McCarthy was married to her Bridesmaids Co-star Ben Falcone. You know, the Guy she accused of being an Air Marshall, seducing him over and over?  They even have two Kids together, Vivian (four-and-a-half) and Georgette (19 months)! 

In addition to appearing on-screen together in one of 2011's biggest Box Office smashes (Bridesmaids has grossed over $286 million worldwide), the Couple also co-wrote together on a new Sitcom which they've sold to CBS. Also coming is a Dramedy titled Tammy which will be released via Warner Bros./New Line in which McCarthy stars also.  The Help Director Tate Taylor is being wooed for the Project as per early reports.

Falcone tells Entertainment Weekly's Karen Valby on his Wife's recent Emmy Win, "The first thing I did was yell. Everybody got up and yelled ‘Oh my God! Oh my God! She won!!!!’ And then after that I think everybody was kind of concerned for me because I fell into a weird, slack-jawed stunned silence for like 20 minutes.".  Now that's a supportive Husband, right there.

Click here to read the Interview in full.

And have you seen the Cover of the current issue of Entertainment Weekly?  The Queen!

(Photo credit: Universal Pictures/Entertainment Weekly)

MELISSA MCCARTHY ON "SNL"

Melissa McCarthy on Saturday Night Live

Melissa McCarthy might be your unconventional It Girl... but she is! The Funnywoman is exactly why we need to see more real Comedic talent on Saturday Night Live instead of Celebrities trying their hands as Actors, at the expense of our patience and time.  The Star of Mike and Molly and Bridesmaids was rushed onto the long-running Show hot on the heels of her recent Emmy win and the results were tremendous.  She sang, she danced, she made us laugh and she grossed us the hell out (i.e. gulping down some Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing straight from the bottle).

Although it's hit or miss, whether or not it will work due to NBC's regional restrictions (Canadians can see it here), this is the proper link for one of her most brilliant Sketches, Arlene where she not-so -subtly drops a hint or two to her Co-worker played by Jason Sudeikis, that she's into him.  We all need someone like that in our Offices!

Watch below:

"DEGRASSI" RECEIVES FIRST PRIMETIME EMMY NOMINATION

Clare Edwards, Sav Bhandari & Holly Sinclair from Degrassi

Congratulations to the Cast and Crew of Degrassi, who received their first-ever Emmy Award nomination earlier today for Outstanding Children's Program. Seeing the complex and sophisticated ideas which have evolved out of The Kids of Degrassi Street - which I watched  religiously growing up - brings me a sense of pride and joy as a Torontonian.  

Despite negative reviews, Toronto-filmed Mini-series The Kennedys also received a handful of nominations!  No love for Katie Holmes though.

BRIDESMAIDS - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Bridesmaids

Easily one of the best Films of 2011, Bridesmaids is equal parts heartfelt as it is hilarious. The Paul Feig (Superbad) Film centers around Annie (Kristen Wiig), a single lovelorn Woman who is coping with the failure of her Bakery which recently went Bankrupt. Her BFF since childhood Lilian (Maya Rudolph) then suddenly names her Maid of Honour at her upcoming wedding, but Annie really hasn't a clue what to do. Above this, she must deal with the menacing presence of the socially graceful Helen (Rose Byrne), who over the past eight months has become quite close to Lilian, threatening her role as BFF/Maid of Honour.

Annie is involved with Tim (Jon Hamm), a Playboy who takes advantage of her and has no plans to commit to her. Getting pulled-over while driving one day, she encounters Nathan (Chris O'Dowd) who just might the right Guy for her. Being challenged by her own personal Demons and insecurities, Annie finds herself caught in a cycle of self-sabotage and with Lilian's wedding looming, we are concerned whether ultimately she'll  be able to pull herself out this slump.

Although Judd Apatow fills the role of Producer here, his influence is palpable even with Feig helming the Film.  As normally is the case with Apatow's films, they often clock-in past the two-hour mark, yet on that note the characters in his stories are thoughtfully crafted with genuine struggles.  Bridesmaids is no exception.

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT REVIEW

Life as We Know It Still

Greg Berlanti is known more recently as Producer of series like Brothers & Sisters and also forthcoming blockbuster Green Hornet.  Life as We Know It is only his second attempt at directing a Feature and it actually exceeded my expectations, as its trailers suggest the standard predictability that comes with Romantic Comedies.

Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) is a successful entrepreneur, who owns a successful local Café.  A bit of a Control Freak, she is introduced to a strapping yet perhaps too carefree Messer (Josh Duhamel) by her BFF Alison (Christina Hendricks) and husband Peter Novak (Hayes MacArthur).  Of course, things never go according to plan and both Holly and Messer realize their lack of chemistry, yet because they remain close friends to Alison and Peter, they are continuously in each other's scope.

One day unexpectedly, the couple passes away and they grant Guardianship of their daughter Sophie to Holly and Messer, forcing them to re-evaluate their priorities in life as they struggle to embrace their new  roles as her parents.  Messer though, is a bit of a Playboy, wrapped-up in his aspirations to be a Director of televised sports events.  With their drastically different aspirations and clashing personalities, will Baby Sophie be able to be the binding force which brings them together, especially with Social Worker Janine Groff (Sarah Burns) remaining at close range, determining their competency and thus fate as her parents?