"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)

THE WEINSTEIN CO. PICKS-UP MADONNA'S "W.E."

Abbie Cornish at TIFF 2007

I've been keeping a tab on this one for a while now and am excited about this bit of news! The Weinstein Co., purveyor of some of my favourites like NINE, Blue Valentine and Academy Awards Best Picture winner The King's Speech, announced yesterday that it will be handling the U.S. distribution for Madonna's directorial debut, W.E.

The Romantic Drama which criss-crosses the love stories of King Edward VIII  (James D'Arcy) who famously gave up his title as King of England to be with a Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), an American Divorcée, together with a modern day Love Story more than 60 years later between an American Girl named Wally (Abbie Cornish) and a Russian Security Guard Evgeni (Oscar Isaac).  Fans of The King's Speech will recall that Film touched upon this famous Romance between King Edward VIII and Simpson.  Natalie Dormer who I met in Toronto a couple months back filming ABC's Poe, also stars.

Weinstein issued a statement yesterday stating “Madonna has really come into her own as a Filmmaker with W.E.,” said Weinstein. “She’s taken one of the most famous romances of the 20th Century and brought it to life in a smart, sexy and thoroughly modern way. It’s a terrific addition to our U.S. release slate.”.

SARAH FERGUSON, HARVEY WEINSTEIN & MORE ATTEND MARCHESA GALA IN TORONTO

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York & Mr. Will-W.

Suzanne Rogers, Toronto Fashionista and Wife of Cable Heir Edward, combined two of her greatest loves together for an ultra-exclusive Bash this evening at The Carlu. That is, her desire of Philanthropy and passion for Fashion - specifically Marchesa, which made its official Toronto debut tonight.  Proceeds from the Gala were to benefit the SickKids Hospital Foundation.

Co-founded in 2004 by Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman, who is known more in the public eye as the Wife of Movie Mogul Harvey Weinstein, the Brand is a Red Carpet favourite among Actresses.  Both Craig and Chapman arrived in Toronto for the festivities, doing Press out of their Yorkville Hotel earlier in the day before Rehearsals for the Show.  Accompanying Chapman of course was Weinstein, who is said to have taken care of Baby Daughter, India Pearl while Mommy was hard at work. 

Needless to say, guests of the Marchesa Gala this evening had nothing but rave reviews, with many taking to Twitter to express their excitement.

"BATTLE: LOS ANGELES" A CLEAR CHAMPION AT BOX OFFICE

Still from Battle: Los Angeles

Sony Pictures gets their fourth consecutive number one Film of 2011 with Battle: Los Angeles debuting with an impressive $36 million at the Box Office this weekend. The Alien Invasion Film was made for $70 million and looks well on its way to making that back despite overall negative reviews.

Rango after an impressive opening, does well in its second week with $23 million, slipping only one spot. To date it has made $68.6 million domestically for Paramount Pictures.

Debuting below expectations is Warner Bros.' Red Riding Hood which perhaps didn't cater to a male demographic as much as Battle: Los Angeles. It made only $14 million despite high hopes, although it was made for $42 million and surely will recoup this over the next few weeks.

Former Box Office topper The Adjustment Bureau is still going strong in fourth spot in its third week of release with $12 million made this weekend. It has made $39 million thus far.

Disney's Mars Needs Moms debuts in fifth this weekend with only $7 million earned. It was made for a budget of $150 million.  Perhaps its advertising campaign didn't clearly sell the Film as in all honesty I had no movie was about after seeing its Trailer multiple times.  Yikes.

Best Picture winner The King's Speech slips to ninth this week in its 16th week of release, earning a total $129 million in these parts - likely its final week on the Top Ten. An impressive run for a fantastic Film.

"RANGO" OUT-WRANGLES ITS COMPETITION AT BOX OFFICE

Still from Rango

Rango reigns supreme at the Box Office this weekend, winning by a clear margin with $38 million for Paramount. The Animated Feature starring Johnny Depp and Isla Fisher won also with Critics, garnering an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

Perhaps carefully-timed delays has paid off for Universal, pushing back the release of The Adjustment Bureau multiple times. Placing second with $20.9 million and screening in 1,100 fewer theatres than Rango, the Science Fiction/Romance starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt has received generally positive reviews  (69% on Rotten Tomatoes) also.

Beastly lands in third in its debut for CBS Films with $10.1 million. The loose Adaption of classic Beauty & The Beast has been panned by Critics.  Despite debuting on-top last week by a hair, Hall Pass keeps Gnomeo & Juliet at bay again slipping from first to fourth this weekend with $9 million earned in its second week of release.

The King's Speech after winning Best Picture at the Oscars last weekend moves up one spot to seventh with $6.5 million. To date it has earned over $123 million domestically in 15 weeks of release.

Disney's I Am Number Four drops to ninth spot with $5.7 million, a second title starring Alex Pettyfer in the Top Ten.

2011 ACADEMY AWARDS RECAP

Natalie Portman at the 83rd Academy Awards

The 83rd Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre this evening, were marred most perhaps by predictability. As Award after Award was handed-out this evening, it became more and more apparent that there were not going to be any real surprises in the most anticipated categories.   

Colin Firth as Actor in a Leading Role, yes - saw it a mile away.  Christian Bale and Melissa Leo, giving The Fighter an Oscar double in the Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role categories respectively - yes.  Aaron Sorkin for Adapted Screenplay with The Social Network - uh-huh.  Inception in the technical categories: Sound Editing, Visual Effects, Editing, Sound Mixing - yup.

The biggest surprise in my opinion was The King's Speech Director Tom Hooper nabbing the Award for Directing over The Social Network's David Fincher, a telling sign that the former would go on to win the coveted Best Picture Award.  Another telling sign was that Colin Firth's now-famous Speech in that Film was played over a Montage of all the Best Picture Nominees prior to the Award being announced.  The Weinstein Brothers sure know how to win an Oscar, that much I'll say.

UNAUTHORIZED: THE HARVEY WEINSTEIN PROJECT - TORONTO PREMIERE & MOVIE REVIEW

Harvey Weinstein at TIFF 2010

Montreal-born Director Barry Avrich took on the daunting task of making a Documentary about one of the most-feared men in Hollywood, Harvey Weinstein.  Unauthorized: The Harvey Weinstein Project is a revealing look at the Underdog Movie Mogul's rise to Fame from his humble beginnings in New York. We learn that Weinstein got his beginnings as a Concert Promoter in Buffalo, before creating Indie Flick Mecca Miramax along with his much shyer older Brother Bob. 

The Documentary details his aggressive Oscar campaigning tactics to Miramax's highly-publicized fallout with Parent Company Disney.  Briefly it touches upon the Brothers' resurgence once again with The Weinstein Co., which now is leading the Oscars race for Best Picture with The King's Speech.  We see their legacy as visionaries with impeccable taste, revolutionizing the sending of DVD-Screeners to Academy Voters because they know well that every vote counts when it comes to the Oscars.

RENEE ZELLWEGER & COLIN FIRTH REUNITE AT "THE KING'S SPEECH" AUDI PARTY

Renée Zellweger & Colin Firth

She hasn't looked this good in years!  Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth did a Bridget Jones's Diary reunion of their own reunion at Château Marmont last night as Audi hosted a part for Oscar Contender The King's Speech. 

The Party was full of talent including the likes of Amanda Seyfried, Michelle Williams, Busy Phillips, Cory Monteith, Gerard Butler and Orlando Bloom.

The Party comes one day after the annual Oscars Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel where Nominees showed-up in full force except for a noticably absent Director David Fincher for The Social Network.



"THE ROOMMATE" HOLDS STALKERS AT BAY ATOP THE BOX OFFICE

Still from The Roommate

I don't believe my eyes! A James Cameron Movie not to top the Box Office? Sony Screen Gems, which seems to be specializing in films of the Camp genre ruled the Box Office on a tepid weekend with Thriller, The Roommate. Drawing parallels to that of 1992 Thriller Single White Female, the Film starring Leighton Meester and Minka Kelly brought in $15.6 million in its debut. Review to follow later today.

Another Thriller, Sanctum, placed second with $9.2 million for Universal Pictures. Produced by Avatar Director James Cameron, the Film was made for a $30 million budget. Critics however didn't budge this time, with the Film earning a negative 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

No Strings Attached still continues to perform well in its third week with $8.4 million for Paramount. To date it has pulled in $51.8 million domestically - not bad considering it was made for $25 million.

The King's Speech lands in fourth with $8.3 million, bringing its domestic tally to $84.1 million as its Oscar buzz reaches a feverish pitch for the Historical Drama from The Weinstein Co.

HOPKINS TOPS BOX OFFICE FOR FIRST TIME IN NINE YEARS WITH "THE RITE"

Still from The Rite

In a tepid weekend at the Box Office, Exorcism-themed Thriller The Rite finds itself on top with $15 million from 2,985 screens. Starring The Tudors' Colin O'Donoguhe and veteran Anthony Hopkins, this marks the first time a Hopkins Film has topped the Box Office since 2002's Red Dragon.  Read my review of The Rite here.

Last week's champion No Strings Attached slips one spot to second with $13.6 million this weekend, the second week in a row Natalie Portman has two films in the Top Ten. Portman's Fox Searchlight Oscar vehicle, Black Swan, accounts for the eighth spot with $5.1 million as it closes in on the $100 million mark domestically. Well done.

Action Hunk Jason Statham's The Mechanic accounts for third spot with $11.5 million for recently-launched CBS Films. The Film has received mixed reviews overall, with 48% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes.

"THE KING'S SPEECH" TOPS RIVALS WITH 12 OSCAR NOMINATIONS

Still from The King's Speech

Some surprises, but not really. This year’s Oscar nominations were announced earlier today and The King’s Speech from The Weinstein Co. towers over its rivals with a total twelve nominations, including the most coveted category of Best Picture in which it will be up against nine other titles. It is considered a favourite especially in the Best Actor category based on the strength of Colin Firth’s career-best performance, but also Co-stars Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter also get recognized for their work in the Best Supporting Actor/Actress categories.

Paramount Pictures’ Western-Drama True Grit garnered an impressive ten nominations also with Jeff Bridges surprising some with a Best Actor nomination after having won that Award last year. Meanwhile, Warner Bros.’ Blockbuster Inception earned a total eight nominations, although mostly in technical categories and less for Acting. This ranks Inception as the third most nominated Film in this year’s Oscars race, alongside Sony Pictures’ The Social Network which many consider to be the frontrunner for Best Picture based on its wins in precursor ceremonies like the most recent Golden Globes.  The King's Speech however, edged it out this past weekend in the Producer's Guild Awards. 

Another title from Paramount Pictures’ The Fighter, consistently has been in the thick of it this Awards season, garnering seven nominations (three coming from its outstanding Support Cast members Amy Adams, Melissa Leo and Christian Bale). Many are wondering though whether or not the split votes between Adams and Leo will aid for True Grit’s 14 year-old Star Hailee Steinfeld, who is seen as a Dark Horse to win Best Supporting Actress in her first role ever in a Film.

"NO STRINGS ATTACHED" TIES UP THE TOP SPOT AT BOX OFFICE

Still from No Strings Attached

No one can deny that Natalie Portman is the Belle of the Ball right now and she tops of the Box Office this weekend with Paramount Pictures' No Strings Attached, for which she is listed as not only its Star, but also a Producer. Despite mixed reviews overall (51% on Rotten Tomatoes), Moviegoers were not deterred with a projected total $20 million in a strong debut.

The Green Hornet 3-D continues to perform well, giving Sony Pictures a sigh of relief after multiple delays resulted from Re-shoots for the Comic adaptation. It is expected to bring in $17 million in its second week, bringing its two-week tally to $67.5 million.  It is performing fairly well overseas also, where it pulled in $15 million last weekend in select countries.

Ron Howard's The Dilemma which slips only one spot to third this weekend with $10 million for Universal Pictures, just ahead of Producer's Guild Award-winner The King's Speech which lands in fourth with $8.5 million for The Weinstein Co.

The team at Fox Searchlight surely are patting themselves on the back for the massive success that is Black Swan making for a second Portman Film in this weekend's Top Ten. Based on this weekend's $5.7 million, its total domestic run has brought home $83 million. Again, it was made for only $13 million and this tally does not even include overseas numbers.  I've seen it six times!

The Fighter also in its sixth week is still in the Top Ten impressively, hanging on in eighth spot with $4 million. Its total run so far has brought in $72.5 million in these parts for Paramount and Alliance Films, north and south of the Border respectively.

2011 BAFTA NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

BAFTA Award

The British Academy of Film & Television Arts announced their 2011 Film Awards Nominees earlier today in Piccadilly. Not drawing many distinctions from those Award ceremonies held so far in the U.S., their Best Film category finalists include: Black Swan, Inception, The King’s Speech, The Social Network and True Grit. The inclusion of Inception for some might be the surprise. The King's Speech leads the way with a total 14 nominations.

For Outstanding British Film, nominees include 127 Hours, Made in Dagenham, The King’s Speech, Another Year and the more obscure Four Lions.

There were no real surprises in the Acting categories other than Melissa Leo failing to get a Best Supporting Actress nomination; instead her The Fighter co-star Amy Adams got the nod. They also considered 14 year-old Hailee Steinfeld in the Best Actress category versus Best Supporting Actress, which she has been considered for mostly here. The Academy also recognized The Town Actor Peter Postlethwaite in the Best Supporting Actor category; he hasn’t been mentioned much thus far for Oscar contention in these parts also.

The BAFTA Awards will be held February 13, 2011. Read a Full list of nominees here.

 

(Photo credit: BAFTA)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 68TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

Aaron Sorkin

For those of you who missed the 68th annual Golden Globes tonight on NBC, here's a recap and some highlights:

-The Social Network executes a full-on assault on the evening, winning most major Awards - Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Director (David Fincher), Best Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin) and Best Score (Trent Reznor)

-The televised broadcast going black as Natalie Portman is announced as a nominee for Best Actress in a Drama Motion Picture for Black Swan.  Of course she won joking, "That Man - Benjamin Millepied - he`s the best Actor ever because in the Film he said he wouldn`t sleep with me and look, he really does want to sleep with me! ". Millepied is now engaged to Portman and the Father of their Child, to be born this Summer.

-Colin Firth winning Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for The King's Speech and true to character, delivering understated words.  No surprises there.

-A recovering Michael Douglas presenting the Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama to The Social Network Producer Scott Rudin; Douglas received a standing ovation.

"THE GREEN HORNET 3-D" STINGS THE COMPETITION AT BOX OFFICE

Still from The Green Hornet 3-D

It was a big weekend at the Box Office this weekend with the top two finishers performing v. well. Sony Pictures' The Green Hornet 3-D is projected to take in approximately $34 million based on early numbers. Despite a $150 million budget, the Film is expected to perform well overseas too, especially the Asian market as it stars a familiar face in those parts, Jay Chou. Other stars like Cameron Diaz and Christoph Waltz also give it an international appeal.

The Dilemma is the latest Comedy from Director Ron Howard and despite raising its share of eyebrows with some controversy surrounding the offensive use of the word "gay" in its Trailer, the Film still does well enough to land in second with a projected $17.4 million. Although failing to match previous Vince Vaughn-headlined titles, it is should be noted that this one was up against some stiff competition with Movie-goers still catching up on Oscar candidates like The King's Speech and Black Swan which continue to expand in Wide Release, in addition to The Green Hornet 3-D having opened.

Paramount Pictures is having a hay day (pardon the pun) with its Western True Grit which in earning $11.2 million this weekend is good enough still to hang-on in third after being in the Top Two since its release four weeks ago.

"TRUE GRIT" EXPECTED TO TAKE TOP OF BOX OFFICE

Still from True Grit

In a tight finish for a third consecutive week, True Grit and Little Fockers duke it out Cowboy style at the Box Office. True Grit based on preliminary numbers from Friday, is expected to take the top spot with $13.5 million. Two-week champion Little Fockers, is expected to land in second with $13.2 million although it could well take top spot after final tallies come in tomorrow.  Screeners have already floated online as illegal downloads for True Grit, not impacting its Box Office performance.

Season of the Witch, which critically has been-panned, the latest in a series of Box Office and critical failures from Oscar winner Nicolas Cage, is expected to bring in $9.2 million, good enough for third spot in its debut. Rotten Tomatoes has pegged the Film at 1% on the Tomatometer. Pathetic.

Sony Screen Gems' Country Strong also failed to impress the Critics despite high hopes, but doesn't disgrace itself in its debut with $7.5 million in fourth. Keep in mind that it only opened in 1,424 theatres versus Season of the Witch which is showing in 2,816 theatres.

17TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Still from The Fighter

Nominees for the Screen Actors Guild Awards have just been announced and perhaps this is a better indication of what's to come for the Oscars than the randomness of Monday's Golden Globe nominees.  Honouring the v. best performances in Television and Film, the SAGs will air Sunday, January 30, 2011 on TBS.

The Fighter ties The King's Speech in leading all nominees with four nods each. Surprisingly, The Social Network only earned two nominations this time - Oustanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture and Oustanding Performance by an Actor in Leading Role in a Motion Picture.

Both Robert Duvall for Get Low and Jeff Bridges for True Grit finally get some recognition this Awards season in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role alongside favourites Jesse Eisenberg for The Social Network, Colin Firth for The King's Speech and James Franco for 127 Hours.

2011 GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Golden Globe Award

Nominees for the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards were announced earlier today and the Hollywood Foreign Press Assocation made some good choices and some odd ones too in honouring the best in both Television and Film.  The King's Speech led all others with a total seven nominations, while The Fighter and The Social Network followed behind closely with six each.

Nominees for Best Motion Picture, Drama include Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The King's Speech and The Social Network - all excellent and deserving choices.  The HFPA however, raised a few eyebrows for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy with choices like Alice in Wonderland 3-D, Burlesque, The Tourist and Red, showing signs that perhaps this category has outgrown its name? The clear-cut favourite here would be The Kids Are All Right, looking like a shoe-in for the win against these.

The match for Best Director is a competitive one with finalists which including Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), David Fincher (The Social Network), Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), Christopher Nolan (Inception) and David O. Russell (The Fighter) - all deserving of the win.

DISNEY'S "TANGLED 3-D" CLIMBS TO #1 AT BOX OFFICE

Still from Tangled 3-D

It was a tight finish at the Box Office this weekend with Disney's Tangled 3-D coming out on-top, a rarity in that it debuted at number two Thanksgiving Weekend behind Warner Bros.' Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows.  The updated spin on The Brothers Grimm's Rapunzel brought in $21.5 million from 3,603 theatres.  Harry Potter's latest installment continues to go strong in its third week of release, with $16.7 million from 4,125 theatres.

Surprisingly, Burlesque also experienced a bit of a spike, landing in third spot this weekend with $6.3 million, bringing its total to $27 million for Sony Screen Gems.   Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal's Love and Other Drugs in its second week brought in $6 million, good enough to place it in fifth spot.

Due Date in its fifth week is hanging tough in seventh spot this weekend, bringing in $4.1 million, bringing its total gross just past the $90 million mark domestically - a profitable venture for its studio.

The only other debut in this weekend's Top Ten was Relativity Media's The Warrior's Way which brought in $2.6 million from 1,622 theatres.

All eyes however, are on the big Oscar contenders which are still bubbling-under in Limited Release.  Fox Searchlight has a strong pair in 127 Hours and Black Swan.  The former brought in a decent $500,000 from 433 theatres, although the real success story for the studio is the latter, which from only 18 theatres earned $1.4 million.  Meanwhile The Weinstein Co.'s Best Picture candidate The King's Speech earned $85,000 from a paltry six theatres, enough to keep that buzz afloat.  And after a prolonged wait, Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor's Gay-themed Romantic Comedy I Love Your, Phillip Morris finally surfaced in six theatres with $30,000 earned.

"THE KING'S SPEECH" SETS BOX OFFICE RECORD IN LIMITED RELEASE

Still from The King's Speech

Congratulations to The Weinstein Co. as they've been long overdue for a hit for a while.   And it looks like they already have the favourite for Best Picture at the 2011 Oscars with The King's Speech which opened in limited release this weekend.  The Film set a Box Office record with an average gross per theatre of $87,500 and $350,000 from just four theatres this weekend. 

Tom Hooper's The King's Speech will open in theatres in wide release December 10, 2010.

Read my review of it here.