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.

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)

"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.

LEA MICHELE DENIES "TRUE GRIT" STAR HAILEE STEINFELD AN AUTOGRAPH

Hailee Steinfeld

This just breaks my heart.  I appreciate the fact that while an Entertainer is busy at work, it might not be a "good time", but honestly when there's no one else around and you have Security with you above that, an Autograph or a Photo with a Fan takes only seconds. Your making it to wherever you have to be at that moment should never come at the expense of a young Fan crying.

The tables have turned for Hailee Steinfeld, the 14 year-old Star of True Grit, a certified critical and commercial success and front runner for Best Picture this year at the Oscars.  Steinfeld was auditioning for the part of Mattie Ross (which she got eventually) on the lot of Paramount Studios, when when she had decided to ask Glee Star Lea Michele for an Autograph.  The Girl practically was ignored and told "Sorry, now's not a good time!" by Michele's Bodyguard.

"TRUE GRIT" AIMS LASSO AT "FOCKERS" FOR TOP SPOT OF BOX OFFICE

Still from True Grit

Despite early predictions that True Grit would take the top spot at the Box Office this New Year`s Weekend, your top three is identical to that of the week prior.  Last week`s champion Little Fockers, took top spot with $26.3 million from 3,554 theatres over a determined True Grit which brought in $24.5 million from 3,083 theatres. 

Even though it hasn't exceeded expectations, Disney`s TRON: Legacy continues to perform consistently in third again with an estimated $18.3 million this weekend.  Another representative from the same studio Tangled 3-D lands in sixth - also v. consistent considering it is now in its fifth week of release, surviving a competitive Holiday release schedule.

The Fighter likely will surpass the $45 million mark this weekend in seventh, bringing in $10 million for Paramount Pictures, just ahead of two other Best Picture contenders in Black Swan (ninth - $8.4 million) and The King`s Speech (tenth - $7.6 million), the latter which just expanded to 700 theatres.  In Canada, both Fighter and Speech are distributed by Alliance Films, marking a successful last quarter which will also see expansions for Sofia Coppola`s Somewhere and Derek Cianfrance`s Blue Valentine in coming weeks.

"LITTLE FOCKERS" TOPS THE BOX OFFICE CHRISTMAS WEEKEND

Still from Little Fockers

Staying true to form, the latest installment of the Meet the Parents franchise, Little Fockers, lands on-top of the Box Office this Christmas long weekend. The Comedy starring Robert DeNiro, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand, brought in a healthy $34.1 million from 3,536 theatres, significantly weaker than 2004's Meet the Fockers which brought in $46.1 million in its debut also on Christmas weekend.

Performing surprisingly well in second is True Grit with $25.6 million from 3,047 theatres. It has grossed $36.8 million since Wednesday and was made from $38 million, proving a moneymaker for Paramount Pictures.

Disney's TRON: Legacy 3-D this weekend slips to third spot with $20.1 million in its second week. The visually stunning Film has made $88.2 million in total, just shy of the $170 million it cost to make. Around the world though, it has made $111 million and that is nothing to scoff about.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of Dawn Treader started strong three weeks ago and is still holding on in fourth spot. Although it has only made $63.9 million in North America, this third Film from the Narnia series, actually fared much better overseas, where it has made $128.9 million to-date.

TRUE GRIT (2010) - FILM REVIEW

Still from True Grit

It really did not need to be made, but The Coen Brothers have re-interpreted 1969 Western True Grit. This remake though, more closely follows Charles Portis' Novel than its predecessor zoning-in on its 14 year-old Heroine Mattie Ross, played by newcomer Hailee Steinfeld. Mattie is out to avenge the murder of her Father by a Traitor named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin).

Left with none more than $320 and a Family to care for, the Girl hires the help of tough-talking, sharp-shooting Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to help capture her Father's Murderer. Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) as it turns out, also is in pursuit of Tom Chaney. Despite having a bit of a challenge in persuading these two Men to aid in her cause, she manages to convince them and together they find themselves trekking through Arkansas in a dangerous guns-out fight for justice. Will Mattie be able to avenge the death of her Father or will she, Laboeuf and Rooster suffer a similar fate?

I'll admit that I am not a fan of Westerns and in a year where there have been many strong, original stories on-screen, it's easy for a Film like True Grit to be forgotten.  Everything about this Film though, feels authentic.  The Screenplay is brilliant and despite little back story being given, we somehow are left wanting to unravel the missing pieces to the murder of Mattie's Father and also understand Chaney's justification.  Chalk full of humorous and memorable one-liners, like Rooster describing Mattie's straight talking ways: "You give out very little sugar with your pronouncements", The Coen Brothers delve that one layer deeper into the Psyche. Never do they underestimate the intelligence of their audience.

Particularly engaging is Steinfeld in one of the finest breakout performances in recent memory.  The level of conviction she delivers here is breathtaking - of a maturity many years beyond her youth.  She nails the physicality and emotionality required of her role effortlessly.

NEW TRAILER FOR "HANNA"

It's sorta like True Grit when you think about it, but a little less Country.  The Trailer for Hanna has just been released and it looks pretty intriguing if you ask me. 

Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan who delivered the goods in 2007's Atonement, plays a 14 year-old Girl trained to be a Killer by her Father (Eric Bana) in the woods of Finland. Cate Blanchett plays Marissa, an Intelligence Operative who has her Agents hunting for Hanna in a chase across Europe.  The Joe Wright (Atonement, The Soloist) Film hits theatres April 8, 2011 via Focus Features.

WESTERN "TRUE GRIT" NOW AN OSCARS DARK HORSE

Still from True Grit

Looking more and more like a Dark Horse in the race for Best Picture at next February's Oscars, the reviews are now pouring in for The Coen Brothers' True Grit.  And they're unanimously positive and I mean unanimous.  Critical aggregate Rotten Tomatoes now has the Western at a stellar 96% on the Tomatometer.

Here's what many of the bigger names are saying about it:

Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post - "True Grit has sweep and scope and entertainment value to burn, but it's Mattie who invests even the grandest aesthetic elements with meaning."

Christy Lemire, The Associated Press - "It's sort of a screwball Western, if you will, with vivid performances and strikingly vast, picturesque vistas, the always gorgeous work of the always great Roger Deakins, the Coens' frequent cinematographer."

JEFF BRIDGES IS THE NEW HELEN MIRREN

Jeff Bridges on Saturday Night Live

Okay, everybody goes on about how hot Helen Mirren (65) is for someone in her Senior years, but I hereby am lobbying for Jeff Bridges (61) to be considered the new Poster Boy for Sexiest Senior honours.  Well technically, he is just a few years shy of actually meeting the requirement, but still....

Seriously, he looks amazing and dare I say - hot -  just now also hitting his best stride as an Actor, having won Best Actor at the Oscars earlier this year for Crazy Heart.  Above this, he still continues to get top billing in prominent Films like TRON:Legacy and the upcoming remake of True Grit from The Coen Brothers.  Now who says Hollywood entirely is Ageist?

For those of you who missed Bridges on NBC's Saturday Night Live last night, which he hosted, you must watch this hilarious Skit he did titled Jeff'd.  The spoof on Ashton Kutcher's Punk'd has him going around re-visiting some of his famous Co-Stars of the past, but instead playing incredibly lame and tame pranks on them.  He actually comes across v. endearing in the way a Child can find hours of endless entertainment on end in a new joke they picked-up from the Schoolyard.  It's safe to say he put previous weeks' barely funny Paul Rudd, Robert DeNiro and Scarlett Johansson to shame.

Watch Jeff'd below:

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.

WHO IS HAILEE STEINFELD?

Still from True Grit

Her name is popping up everywhere of late. Hailee Steinfeld is only 13 years-old and hails from Los Angeles. Before the slew of Award nominations she has been receiving for her role as Mattie Ross in The Coen Brother’s upcoming True Grit remake, she was known mostly for roles on obscure Teen Movies and a K-Mart Television Ad. Steinfeld’s character avenges the death of her Father in the Film, which opens December 22, 2010 via Paramount Pictures. From K-Mart to the Oscars. Thus, is the American Dream.

Just these past few days, Steinfeld has received Awards for Best Supporting Actress from the Southeastern and Toronto Film Critics Associations, in addition to the Indiana Film Journalist Association. Also, she has just been nominated too for a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress and Best Young Performer. Although shut-out of a Golden Globe nomination (announced earlier today), it’s still early and we shouldn’t be surprised to see her pop-up for an Oscar nomination.

(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures)

"THE SOCIAL NETWORK" WINS BIG AT TORONTO FILM CRITICS ASSOCATION AWARDS

Still from The Social Network

No surprises here. The Toronto Film Critics Association announced their year’s best this morning and again David Fincher’s The Social Network cleaned-up. The movie based on the rise of Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, won Picture of the Year in addition to awards for Best Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin), Best Director (Fincher), Best Actor (Jesse Eisenberg) and in a bit of a shocker, Best Supporting Actor (Armie Hammer).  His co-stars Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield actually have been getting a bit more buzz so this comes as a bit of an upset.

Best Actress went to Jennifer Lawrence for her breakthrough performance in Winter’s Bone.  She also was awarded the same honour by the Los Angeles Film Critics this weekend. Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld who before this weekend was known more for her appearance on a K-Mart ad and some Teen Flicks, was Best Supporting Actress for her turn in The Coen Brothers’ True Grit – another breakthrough performance.

Runner-up for Picture of the Year was Cannes’ Palme D’or Winner Uncle Boonme Who Can Recall His Past Lives and also Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan.

Read more here about Toronto’s Winners.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

MR. WILL-W.'S EARLY OSCAR PREDICTIONS - OCTOBER 2010

Although not quite as formula-based as my girl Sasha predictions are over at Awards Daily, Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven is known to have picked an Oscar winner or two in the past.  Even though the big day isn't until Sunday, March 5, 2011, I will break down for you who I feel is in-contention for a nomination in the major categories.   Obviously, there are a few contenders which I have not seen yet, so I have denoted these with an asterisk.  The names in bold are the contenders I feel have the greatest chance of winning the actual Oscar.  Selections are subject to change and I'll probably re-jig this again closer to the end of the year.

Still from Black Swan

BEST PICTURE

• The Town
• Black Swan
• Inception
• The Kids Are All Right
• The Social Network
• 127 Hours
• Rabbit Hole
• Toy Story 3
• Blue Valentine
• The King's Speech

*Hereafter (review to be posted Wednesday), Made in Dagenham, True Grit, Fair Game and Love and Other Drugs