"DR. SEUSS' THE LORAX" DEBUTS HUGE WITH $70.7 MILLION OPENING

Still from Dr. Seuss' The Lorax

Relevant in the '70s when it was first was written and definitely still poignant today, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax takes the top of the Box Office in its debut, connecting in a big way with audiences. The environmentally-conscious Animated 3-D Musical debuts to a huge $70.7 million opening from 3,729 theatres for Universal Pictures.  Its release was timed on what would have been Dr. Seuss' 108th Birthday.  Already recouping its $70 million production budget, its Cast features the likes of Betty White, Taylor Swift, Zac Efron, Ed Helms, Danny DeVito and many more, covering a wide range in terms of Fanbase already.  Critics however, gave it mixed reviews overall with it scoring 56% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

Exceeding the expectations of many, Warner Bros.' Project X opens in second spot this weekend with $20.7 million from 3,055 theatres.  Made for $12 million, the Party-Comedy produced by Todd Phillips (The Hangover) gave its first indication of success with an impressive Midnight Screening tally of $1.15 million on Friday.  Reviews on the other hand haven't been as stellar garnering 29% at Rotten Tomatoes, but it is connecting with the under-25 audience; CinemaScore rates it at a B.

Last week's Champion Act of Valor still continues to perform well in third, earning $13.7 million in its second week of release for Relativity Media, ahead of Safe House which still is going strong in fourth spot with $7.2 million.  In three weeks, it has tallied $108.2 million for Universal Pictures. Tyler Perry's Good Deeds from Lionsgate Films settles for fifth spot with $7 million in its second week.

Rounding out the Top Ten is Best Picture Winner at the Oscars last Sunday, The Artist with an expansion from 966 to 1,756 theatres, experiencing a 34% spike in its 15th week of release.

"THE ARTIST" SWEEPS THE 84TH ACADEMY AWARDS

Meryl Streep at the 84th Academy Awards

Winning the coveted Best Picture at the 84th Academy Awards as predicted, was Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist, which after sweeping many major precursor ceremonies leading up to the Oscars, was the favourite to win tonight. To date, the Film has grossed $76 million worldwide since its November 25, 2011 release and it will be interesting to see if it experiences a post-Oscar boost in coming weeks.  It also was victorious for Directing, Costume Design and Score.

Above this, the much-watched Actor in a Leading Role category went to a deserving Jean Dujardin for his unforgettable portrayal of Silent Film Actor, George Valentin in The Artist.  "Woh! I love your Country!", proclaimed the French Actor.

Winning Actress in a Leading Role as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, was the legendary Meryl Streep in her third Oscar win ever. Although many believed that Viola Davis would win the Award following her Golden Globe victory for The Help, alas Streep's superb performance would prevail in the category. This Actor/Actress sweep for The Weinstein Co., also is a big score for Canadian Distributor Alliance Films which handled both The Iron Lady and The Artist in these parts.

At 82 years of age, Toronto-born Christopher Plummer would win his first ever Oscar for Actor in a Supporting Role as a terminally-ill Gay Man in Beginners. Octavia Spencer like Plummer, repeated her feat of a Golden Globe/Oscar-double for her performance in The Help, winning Actress in a Supporting Role.

Hugo might not have been a massive Box Office success, nor did it win Best Picture, but the gorgeous Martin Scorcese Film but it sure gave The Artist a run for its glory tonight, winning five awards including: Cinematography, Visual Effects, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Art Direction.

For a complete list of Winners, click here.

To see some of the gorgeous Red Carpet Victresses tonight like Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Michelle Williams, Angelina Jolie and Milla Jovovich, visit Zimbio here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

UGGIE BITES HARVEY LEVIN OF "TMZ"

Uggie on TMZ

One of the greatest cinematic performers of 2011 won't be gracing tomorrow's Red Carpet at the 84th Academy Awards. Uggie, the brilliant Jack Russell and star of The Artist has been snubbed by the Academy, failing to receive an invite to partake in any of the celebrations, sparking an outcry from his  Supporters.  One of his biggest champions is Harvey Levin of TMZ who created this well-intentioned Video pleading for Uggie to garner some recognition, but unfortunately things sour near the end of it with the recent Golden Collar Award Winner nipping Levin as he leans-in to pet him. 

Watch the Video below:

It's Karma, Bitches.

(Photo/video credit: TMZ)

MY PICKS FOR THE 84TH ACADEMY AWARDS

The 84th Academy Awards Official Poster

Being less than a week away, I've compiled my picks for the 84th Academy Awards. Admittedly, I haven't seen the Documentary and Short Film nominees so I am unable to comment.   I predict another sweep for The Artist, specifically for Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role, Directing, Costume Design and perhaps a couple technical categories.  Although I think Viola Davis did a fantastic job on The Help, I still feel at this point Meryl Streep should edge her out for Actress in a Leading Role based on her powerful portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.

Cannot wait to pop the Champagne and celebrate another year of Cine-memories!

Here are my picks:

BEST PICTURE
The Artist


ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Jean Dujardin
The Artist


ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Meryl Streep
The Iron Lady


ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Octavia Spencer
The Help


ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Rango
Gore Verbinski

ZOOEY DESCHANEL ON "SNL": JEAN DUJARDIN SURPRISE APPEARANCE

Zooey Deschanel & Jean Dujardin on SNL

What a surprise it was to see The Artist Star Jean Dujardin on last night's Saturday Night Live, hosted by Zooey Deschanel!  The Best Actor Frontrunner made an appearance on the Sketch, Les Jeunes de Paris - normally reserved best for Emma Stone - a subtle and appropriate bit of campaigning to nab that Oscar.

Deschanel was delightful, performing a cute song in a heart-patterned dress on her Ukulele about her Boyfriend forgetting Valentine's Day, which sounded similar to her viral version of What Are You Doing New Years' Eve?  Suffering a few fumbles with her dialogue, the New Girl Star's best Sketch teamed her with Kristen Wiig, both of them enticing a group of hungry Men at a restaurant called Crab Blast.  After teasing and teasing at great lengths, ultimately we learn there is no crab to be served!

Watch Deschanel on SNL in the US here and in Canada here.

(Photo credit: NBC)

JEAN DUJARDIN IN "FUNNY OR DIE: VILLAIN AUDITIONS" SKETCH

Jean Dujardin's Villain Auditions

Funny or Die has released this amazing Sketch of Best Actor Frontrunner Jean Dujardin being simply amazing.  Following in the footsteps of past Oscar Winners Javier Bardem and Christoph Waltz, who had successful careers in Europe before crossing-over into American Cinema as Villains, this pokes fun at that expectation with him auditioning for a series of ridiculous sequels to Hollywood hits. Love this. Love the accent. I even love the little mock Deadline Blog Post shown at the end. Completely ridiculous.

Dujardin.  Best Actor.

Watch and laugh below:

Jean Dujardin's Villain Auditions from Jean Dujardin

(Photo/video credit: Funny or Die)

18TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS RECAP

Viola Davis - 18th Annual SAG Awards

The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were held at The Shrine in Los Angeles earlier this evening, with Winners being determined by 2,100 Actors voting to honour their Peers for their brilliant work.  Viola Davis was Queen of the Red Carpet in a gorgeous white Marchesa dress, while her The Help Co-star Emma Stone looked stunning also in a black Alexander McQueen number.  Although the Ladies of Bridesmaids won over the audience re-enacting a drinking game on-stage around the word "Scorese", it was the Cast of The Help which was awarded Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Viola Davis was a bit of a surprise winning Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role in The Help (defeating Meryl Streep) and Jean Dujardin for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in The Artist. Both wins for further solidify that they too just  might win Best Actress and Actor at next month's Academy Awards.

A recurring theme among tonight's SAG Award Winners was that it's never too late to be recognized.  For one, 82-year-old Christopher Plummer earned his first SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Beginners.  Some also might have been surprised that 90-year-old veteran Actress Betty White won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for Hot in Cleveland, beating-out Julie Bowen, Sofia Vergara, Tina Fey and Edie Falco. Another late to gain recognition is 62-year-old Jessica Lange, honoured for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series with American Horror Story.  

MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS WINS DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA AWARD FOR "THE ARTIST"

Michel Hazanavicius

Congratulations again to The Artist which saw its Director Michel Hazanavicius win the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Film tonight. If you weren't convinced that this is your clear favourite for Best Picture at the upcoming Oscars, this should finally convince you.

Other Winners named this evening at Los Angeles' Grand Ballroom include Canada's Jon Cassar awarded in the category of Movies for Television and Mini-Series for his work on The Kennedys, filmed here in Toronto Summer 2010.  Patty Jenkins who helmed 2003's Monster - which saw Charlize Theron win an Oscar in the category of Best Actress - also earned a win for Dramatic Series with The Killing, for which she directed the Pilot.

For a full list of Winners, click here.

(Photo credit: The Weinstein Co.)

"THE ARTIST" STAR UGGIE RETIRING

Uggie

Sad news! Uggie, our favourite Jack Russell and star of The Artist, is retiring from Show Business, well from Feature Films in the v. least following his February 25th appearance at the Oscars. One of his Trainers, Sarah Clifford at Animal Savvy tells The Hollywood Reporter, "We don’t force our dogs to do this. And it always has to be fun for them. Uggie's still enjoying it but he’s getting up there and he’s slowing down a little.".

Many don't realize that Uggie already is 10-years-old and that the 15-hour days on-set just might be a bit too grueling for him.  Before The Artist, he appeared in Water for Elephants alongside Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson.

Check out this adorable Interview he did with Lynn Hirschberg at W Magazine!

(Photo credit: W Magazine)

JEAN DUJARDIN IN FEBRUARY 2012 ISSUE OF "GQ"

Jean Dujardin in GQ

The Star of The Artist himself graces the February 2012 issue of GQ looking amaze.  Just Oscar- nominated for the category of Actor in a Leading Role, Dujardin looks supremely dapper in Suits by Prada, Armani, Isaia and more in photos by Carter Smith.

In the Piece by Mary Kay Schilling, we learn that the Actor got his start in France doing James Bond Spoofs, also by The Artist Director Michel Hazanavicius and before that, he did Stand-up Comedy.  In terms of Style, he reveals he's a huge Fan of Paul Newman.

Does Dujardin plan to move to Hollywood now that his Career stateside is flourishing? "Oh, no, I am too Parisian. And I think the French would be angry if I left. I hope they would be angry", he says.

Click here to read more.

(Photo credit: GQ/Carter Smith)

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.

"THE ARTIST" WINS AT PRODUCERS GUILD AWARDS

Angelina Jolie at 23rd Annual Producers Guild Awards

The Producers Guild Awards were held earlier this evening at the Beverly Hilton, honouring the Producers behind the finest in Television and Film. The Awards are considered a major precursor to determining who might win at the Oscars. The Artist has solidified its status as the Frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars with its Producer Thomas Langmann winning for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures.  Nominations will be announced early Tuesday.

Other Winners tonight included:

• Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy & Peter Jackson for The Adventures of Tintin (Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Picture

• Angelina Jolie's directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey (The Stanley Kramer Award)

• Paul Corrigan, Abraham Higginbotham, Steven Levitan, Christopher Lloyd, Jeff Morton, Jeffrey Richman, Dan O’Shannon, Brad Walsh, Bill Wrubel & Danny Zuker for Modern Family (Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy)

• Julian Fellowes, Nigel Marchant & Gareth Neame for Downtown Abbey (Outstanding Producer of Long-form Television) 

 

See Photos from the Awards at Zimbio. View a complete list of Winners here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

WHO PARTIED WHERE AFTER THE GOLDEN GLOBES?

Uggie at The Weinstein Company's 2012 Golden Globes After Party

The Weinstein Company's 2012 Golden Globes After Party was the place to be last night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel! Everyone showed up including Winners Meryl Streep (Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama), Michelle Williams (Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Musical/Comedy), Kelsey Grammer (Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series Drama), Jean Dujardin (Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical/Comedy). Even adorable Jack Russell Terrier Uggie, Star of The Artist arrived in a little Bowtie! OMG.

Alexander Skarsgård, Paris Hilton, Nicki Hilton, Katherine Heigl, Cory Monteith, Mark Salling, Ewan McGregor, Jeremy Irons, Kathy Griffin, Diddy, Gerard Butler, Thomas Jane and many more. The former Actress and Playboy Model known as Lindsay Lohan might even have walked the Red Carpet too...

Our Girl Kathleen Robertson who stars in Golden Globe-nominated Boss, celebrated her Co-star Grammer's Victory looking amaze in white!  We just chatted with her the other day - check it out.

Click here to see the Red Carpet Photos!

That can't possibly be all right?  Tilda Swinton, Charlize Theron, Orlando Bloom, Melissa McCarthy, Miranda Kerr, Emma Stone, Sofia Vergara, Kate Beckinsale, Amy Poehler, Jeremy Irvine, Jon Hamm, Jessica Alba, Heidi Klum, Tina Fey, Matt Leblanc, Jessica Chastain, Zooey Deschanel, Connie Britton, Paul Giamatti, Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Viola Davis, Kim Kardashian and more were spotted at the glam InStyle and Warner Bros. 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards After Party.

FEW SURPRISES AT GOLDEN GLOBES: "THE ARTIST" & "THE DESCENDANTS" HEAD-TO-HEAD TO WIN OSCAR

Michelle Williams Backstage at 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards

The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards went down earlier this evening at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles and there were few surprises to be found with Oscars Frontrunner The Artist winning Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical and its closest competitor The Descendants winning Best Motion Picture Drama.

The Artist also won for Best Original Motion Picture Score (Ludovic Bource) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy/Musical (Jean Dujardin), while The Descendants won Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama (George Clooney). Clooney upon accepting his award told fellow Nominee Michael Fassbender, "Thanks for taking over the frontal nudity clause" - referring to that one's daring performance in Shame. "If you want to go play Golf with your hands behind your back, go right ahead!".

Michelle Williams won Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy/Musical for her outstanding portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn, while current Oscar favourite for Best Actress, the formidable Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady, won Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama - her eighth Golden Globe. A humble Streep made note of some additional performances she felt were of note this year among her Peers, including Adepero Oduye's work in Pariah and Mia Wasikowska as Jane Eyre.  "In any other year they would be awarded", she told the audience.

Modern Family won Best Television Comedy or Musical for a third consecutive year, while Showtime's Homeland won two awards for Best Television Drama and Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Drama (Clare Danes).

"THE ARTIST" SWEEPS CRITICS' CHOICE AWARDS

Jean Dujardin, Star of The Artist

The Critics have spoken, indeed! The Broadcast Film Critics Association held their 17th annual Critics' Choice Awards earlier this evening and if you weren't convinced of The Artist's Oscar chances, you'd better think again. The Film by Michel Hazanavicius was awarded Best Director, Best Costume Design, Best Score and also Best Picture.

The Ladies of The Help also were well-represented, winning Best Actress with Viola Davis, Best Supporting Actress with Octavia Spencer and also, the Award for Best Ensemble Cast.

George Clooney walk award with Best Actor for The Descendants, while Acting Legend Christopher Plummer won for his work as Best Supporting Actor in The Beginners.  Note the irony in namesake: The Beginners... The Descendants... get it?

Although not yet updated, Photos and Winners will be posted on the Critics' Choice Awards Website.

See Photos from the Red Carpet over at Zimbio.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

A-LISTERS AT 23RD ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS GALA

Brad Pitt & Angeline Jolie at 23rd Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala

The 23rd Annual Palm Springs Film Festival Awards Gala is where it was at last night with tons of A-listers flying out to spritz-up the Desert with a bit of Glamour. Brad Pitt, who arrived with a cane in-hand after inuring his knee skiing with three-year-old Daughter Vivienne, received the Desert Palm Achievement Award. On-stage, he thanked Co-stars Jonah Hill, Sean Penn and Philip Seymour Hoffman. On his Tree of Life Co-star Jessica Chastain who earlier received the Spotlight Award, he joked "Usually an Actress has to work in the Porn industry to have that kind of success. It’s impressive.”.

Others honoured last night included Michelle Williams in Prada, receiving the Desert Palm Achievement Award for her work in My Week with Marilyn; Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud Director Stephen Daldry being named Director of the Year; Glenn Close getting a Career Achievement Award; Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Diablo Cody & Jason Reitman given the Ensemble Award for Young Adult; Director Michel Hazanavicius being presented with the Sono Bono Visionary Award for The Artist; and Octavia Spencer, a Breakthrough Performance Award for her work in The Help. 

See Photos from the Night over at Zimbio.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

"THE ARTIST" LIVE CHAT RECAP

Jean Dujardin at The Artist Live Chat

Kicking its Oscars Campaign into high gear now, The Weinstein Co. held a Live Chat with the Cast and Director of Best Picture Frontrunner, The Artist tonight.  Questions were fielded in-house from the Audience, Twitter and Facebook and we learned a few interesting things.

I for one, had no idea the Film's Director Michel Hazanavicius, actually is married the the Film's Supporting Actress Bérénice Bejo.  A jet-lagged Bejo, who just flew in from Paris to Los Angeles for the Chat, admits that at first she had some struggles working together with her Husband, but after getting a bit of advice from Friends, she finally was able to relax in taking direction from him.  She also explained that the final dance sequence seen in The Artist actually was quite a challenge since neither her nor her Co-star Jean Dujardin are actually Dancers.  The Sequence which is shot continuously took about 17 takes to get right.

Dujardin with the help of a Translator, explained that he never prior had visited Los Angeles for other than leisure.  He lived in the area for approximately three months and really connected to George Valentin as an Outsider in the 35 days of filming.  He also was flattered by all the comparisons to Gene Kelly he is receiving.

One thing which many people forget about this Film is that the Actors did work with Dialogue and were really speaking during Filming.  Actor James Cromwell however, clarifies simply that the sound is not recorded and captured in depicting this as a Silent Film.

Michel Hazanavicius sums-up the messsage of The Artist nicely stating, "We live in a world that changes very, very fast and it is our job to adapt. I think this is what makes the Film really Human". 

Following the Chat, the Cast and Director went into the Audience, signing Autographs and taking Photos with lucky Fans in-attendance!  Jealous!

See some Photos from the Chat below:

MR. WILL-W.:POP MAVEN'S 2011 BEST-OF LISTS

Although I was always under the mindset that 2011 wasn't really a standout year in terms of Music and Film, looking back I can appreciate that even though for me there were no clear-cut, definitive favourites, overall there were many bright and memorable moments.  I have selected my Top Ten Films and Top 20 Tracks of 2011.  Let's see where my choices compare to yours!

Still from The Artist

TOP TEN FILMS:
1. The Artist
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
3. Shame
4. Bridesmaids
5. The Help
6. The Muppets
7. War Horse
8. My Week with Marilyn
9. Drive
10. Warrior

One of my biggest regrets this year was not seeing The Artist at TIFF in September, but better late than never as the Film which touched and uplifted me most, actually is only a recent discovery.  The Silent Film about Era-star George Valentin is a triumph and a must-see for all.  Also, despite not loving the original Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, alas all that buzz did amount to something solid with David Fincher's Adaptation starring Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig being absolutely electrifying.  Michael Fassbender quickly has become one of my favourite Actors also with his riveting performance in Shame as a Sex Addict whose life is interrupted by the sudden arrival of his estranged Sister. Kristen Wiig's performance in Bridesmaids still sticks with me to this day as does Michelle Williams' work in My Week with Marilyn.

"THE ARTIST" LEADS 69TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

Still from The Artist

Awards Season has now kicked-in officially with the Golden Globe Nominations being announced earlier today at 5:00 AM PAC from Los Angeles. No huge surprises this year, but if anything Michael Hazanavicius' The Artist has solidified itself as a Frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars, leading all other Nominees with a total six nods including Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical where it is up against 50/50, My Week with Marilyn, Midnight in Paris and the biggest Box Office Hit of them all, Bridesmaids.

The Help fared v. well, in addition to leading in SAG Awards nominations as announced yesterday, garnering nods for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama with Viola Davis (some saw her as a Supporting Actress) and also Actress in a Supporting Role with Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer. It too is in the running for Best Motion Picture - Drama vying against The Descendants, Hugo, Moneyball, War Horse and The Ides of March.

Michelle Williams leads the race for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical for My Week with Marilyn, giving her a bit of breather from her stiffest Oscars competition in Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady in the the category of Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama. Both Streep and Williams are being campaigned by the same interest in The Weinstein Co.  The Match of the Year.

"THE ARTIST" SWEEPS AWARDS IN NEW YORK, BOSTON AND LOS ANGELES

Still from The Artist

In case there was any doubt about it, The Artist is now one of your early favourites to take it all at the Oscars.  The French Production about Actor George Valentin at the end of the Silent Film Era, stars Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo.

Earlier today The Film swept the New York Film Critics Online, Boston and Los Angeles Film Critics Associations' Best Picture Awards. It also doesn't hurt that The Weinstein Co., which won the Academy Award for Best Picture with The King's Speech also is responsible for campaigning The Artist.

The American Film Institute also announced its Top Ten of 2011 but as The Artist is not a U.S.-produced Title, it is deemed ineligible. Also, both Dujardin and Bejo failed to win at any of the three Awards ceremonies today.

The Artist is now in theatres in Canada via Alliance Films.

(Photo credit: Alliance Films)