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

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.  

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.

"UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING": RUNAWAY WINNER AT BOX OFFICE

Still from Underworld: Awakening 3-D

Underworld: Awakening 3-D is a runaway winner at the Box Office this weekend, earning $25 million from 3,078 theatres for Sony Pictures, meaning that Kate Beckinsale has had two number one Films consecutively - last week, Contraband and now this fourth installment of the Underworld Franchise.

Red Tails defies all expectations, debuting in second spot for 20th Century Fox.  The World War II Film, funded and produced largely by LucasFilm (George Lucas' Production Company), earned $19 million from 2,512 theatres, just ahead of last week's champion, Contraband with $12.3 million in its second week.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close earned $10.2 million in its fifth week of release, now expanding to 2,630 theatres for Warner Bros.  Critics however, haven't been so responsive to this weekend's Top Four, with this one earning the highest score on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes at 49%.

Meanwhile, Steven Soderbergh's Haywire starring Mixed Martial Arts Star Gina Carano, opens in fifth spot with $8.6 million for Relativity Media garnering strong reviews at 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, just marginally ahead of Disney's Beauty and the Beast 3-D in its second week with $8.3 million.

The Iron Lady earns $3.7 million from 1,076 theatres in its second week of expansion.  Overseas it is faring rather well, bringing in $19.5 million already there.

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.

"CONTRABAND" DELIVERS THE GOODS AT THE TOP OF BOX OFFICE

Still from Contraband

No real surprise that Universal Pictures takes the top of the Box Office with their Action flick Contraband, starring Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale, with a total of $25 million from 2,863 theatres.  Call it a comeback for Beckinsale who hasn't seen the top of the Box Office since 2006 with Adam Sandler Comedy, Click.

Landing in second is Disney's new and improved Beauty and the Beast 3-D, showing in 2,625 theatres with $18.5 million earned in its debut, just ahead of another Musical in Joyful Noise starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah with $12.3 million.

Still going strong in fourth is Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol with $12.1 million from 3,346 theatres in its fifth week of release, edging-out last week's champion The Devil Inside in fifth spot with $7.5 million. Both are from Paramount Pictures.

MERYL STREEP AT EUROPEAN PREMIERE FOR "THE IRON LADY"

Meryl Streep at European Premiere of The Iron Lady

I am so incredibly jealous of everyone in this Photo!  Meryl Streep stunned at the European Premiere of The Iron Lady at the British Film Institute - Southbank last night in Stella McCartney and totally made time for her Fans going in and out, which always brings a smile to my face.

I screened the Film earlier today and have nothing but praise for Streep's work and the Review is coming v. soon.  Alliance Films releases The Iron Lady on January 13, 2012 nationwide.

See more Photos of Streep being amaze on the Blue Carpet over at Zimbio!  Click here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Zimbio)

MERYL STREEP CELEBRATED AT "KENNEDY CENTER HONORS"

Meryl Streep - 34th annual Kennedy Center Honors

The Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington hosted its 34th annual Kennedy Center Honors, paying tribute to five individuals who have made great cultural contributions to America. Honorees this year include Sonny Rollins, Yo-Yo Ma, Barbara Cook, Neil Diamond and of course The Iron Lady herself, Meryl Streep.

The actual Gala took place earlier this month on Sunday, December 4, 2011 and one night prior, the Honorees received their Medallions from Senator Hillary Rodhmam Clinton.

During tonight's Broadcast, a tearful and appreciative Streep watched on from her balcony as she was serenaded to a tune of "She's Me Pal" by The Devil Wears Prada Co-star Anne Hathaway - complete with the splits - sounding noticeably improved due likely to preparations for her upcoming Role as Fantine in Tom Hooper's Les Miserables.  The Musical Drama is slated for a December 2012 release and production will begin soon. 

Friends and Co-stars Kevin Kline, Emily Blunt and Robert DeNiro also paid tribute to Streep. As her introduction stated succinctly, "By disappearing into her roles, Meryl Streep has made the World visible to us".

See more Photos over at Zimbio. CBS also is streaming Clips on its Website here.

The Iron Lady, for which Streep widely is considered an Oscar Frontrunner in the Best Actress category, opens Friday, January 13, 2012 via Alliance Films.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

"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.

NEW TRAILER FOR "THE IRON LADY"

Still from The Iron Lady

"Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny.".  Wise words for us all to live by according to Margaret Thatcher.

This new Trailer for The Iron Lady just surfaced and if you weren't already excited about Meryl Streep's chances at Oscar Gold this time around, this just might be enough to make you switch from Team Michelle Williams.  

We get a clearer picture of some of the Story here and from those who have already screened the Film, I gather that this is more of a Love Story between Thatcher and her Husband Denis (Jim Broadbent) versus a lot of Politics which we see in these Trailers.  I am also hearing that the Film focuses much more on the latter part of Thatcher's life after Denis' death and her battle with Dementia.

Watch this latest Trailer:

FIRST TRAILER: "THE IRON LADY"

Still from The Iron Lady

"With all due respect Sir, I have done battle every single day of my Life.".

Gosh, I am praying they didn't throw all the good bits only in the Trailer on this one. The first official UK Trailer for The Iron Lady has surfaced and Meryl Streep is just astonishingly good once again here amping up the theatrics as Margaret Thatcher. It already is shaping-up strictly to be a Michelle Williams vs. Meryl Streep Battle for the Oscar at this point in the game and as much as I am excited to see My Week with Marilyn this Thursday, I must say that Streep just appears to delve that extra inch deeper.  We'll soon know.

Here, you can judge for yourself:

NEW UK POSTER FOR "THE IRON LADY"

Official UK Poster for The Iron Lady

Much better.  The UK Poster for The Iron Lady, which surely will garner Meryl Streep her 17th Oscar nomination early next year in her performance as former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, has been unveiled at a London Photo Call today.  Wouldn't you agree that it is so powerful that it deserves its own Post? Much more poignant and tasteful than this horrific North American Poster making its way around our Theatres below:

Director Phyllida Lloyd despite rumours of Thatcher's Children disapproving of the Film and its Script, has stated publicly that they will be won-over after seeing Streep's performance.  Can't wait. December 30, 2011.

See more Photos of Streep at the Photo Call.

(Photo credit: Film4/Alliance Films)

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY ANNOUNCES "25 FALL MOVIES WE CAN'T WAIT FOR"

Still from J Edgar

Entertainment Weekly has announced their 25 Fall Movies We Can’t Wait For complete with stills from each film.  Included on their List are:

• Moneyball
• Drive
• The Ides of March
• J Edgar
• Hugo
• Carnage
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

NEW TEASER TRAILER FOR "THE IRON LADY"

Still from The Iron Lady

OMG. This just made my day. Can we just disqualify for Meryl Streep from the Oscars race for Best Actress and give her a Lifetime Achievement Award named after herself? The Meryl Streep Honourary Lifetime Achievement Academy Award. That sounds about right.

Check out this just-released Teaser Clip for The Iron Lady below.  The Biopic about former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher opens in the U.S. this December via The Weinstein Co.

NEW PROMOTIONAL PHOTO OF MERYL STREEP AS MARGARET THATCHER

Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady

Pathé Films has released this amazing Promotional Shot of Meryl Streep as former-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. Chameleon!

The Film which is now in its second week of Production in London, will get a Sneak Preview at the Cannes Festival in May. This is going to be positively amazing!

(Photo credit: Pathé Films)

MERYL STREEP PREPPING FOR MARGARET THATCHER ROLE



Meryl Streep

Method Actress. The Queen – Meryl Streep – visited Britain’s House of Parliament yesterday to research for her role as former British Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher in the upcoming Biopic The Iron Lady. The Film is set in 1982 during the 17 days prior to the Falklands War between the UK and Argentina. According to The Independent, Streep watched-on and studied a debate between British Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour Leader Ed Miliband.

The Iron Lady is still in pre-production but will be produced by Pathé Films, which also is developing a Princess Diana Biopic starring Keira Knightley.

(Photo credit: 20th Century Fox)