Christopher Plummer

SAG Award Winners Announced; THE HELP Wins Best Ensemble, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 29th, 2012 at 7:13 pm

The 2012 Screen Actors Guild Award winners were announced tonight, and The Help took home the top film prize, “Outstanding Performance By A Cast In A Motion Picture”.  The drama also took home awards for Best Actress (Viola Davis) and Best Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer).  If you think that’s no big deal in terms of affecting the Oscar race, I have one word for you: Crash.  Granted, The Help didn’t even pick up an Oscar nomination for Best Director, but actors make up the largest block of Academy voters (25 percent).  And as we’ve seen, actors really like movies that make us think we’ve defeated racism, which we totally have.  That’s why all African-American actors pull in huge salaries.  Actors like Will Smith and…Will Smith.  I wouldn’t put The Help ahead of The Artist just yet, but Davis and Spencer should now be considered serious contenders in their respective catagories (Spencer is almost at a lock at this point).

2012 Oscar Nominations Announced; HUGO and THE ARTIST Lead the Pack

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 24th, 2012 at 6:05 am

The nominations for the 84th Annual Academy Awards have finally been unveiled. Many of the categories have fallen in line just as most have predicted (I fared alright with my predictions, but not great), with Hugo scoring 11 nods, followed closely by The Artist with 10. The biggest surprises are War Horse and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close getting in for Best Picture, the exclusion of The Adventures of Tintin from Best Animated Feature, and The Tree of Life nabbing Best Picture and Best Director nods (hooray!). On the snub side of things, despite landing the most precursor critics awards of any other actor in the race thus far, Albert Brooks was denied a Best Supporting Actor nod for his stellar work in Drive (boo). Additionally, Tilda Swinton was overlooked for giving the best performance of the year in We Need to Talk About Kevin, and AMPAS has no love for Michael Fassbender‘s haunting work in Shame.

There’s still plenty to be happy about, as Gary Oldman has his first ever Oscar Nomination (yes, that’s right) and Melissa McCarthy is a Best Supporting Actress nominee. Hit the jump to check out the full list of nominees. The 84th Academy Awards will be presented by Billy Crystal on February 26th.

Oscars 2012: Adam Predicts the Nominees

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 21st, 2012 at 2:38 pm

As I’ve been covering awards season pretty extensively here on the site over the past few months, I figured it would be appropriate to (foolishly) try to predict the upcoming Oscar nominations. It’s been a fairly tame year, as a few frontrunners were singled out early in the race and have held their ground throughout the grueling awards season. We haven’t been without a few surprises, as Steven Spielberg’s War Horse took a massive tumble following snubs from most of the major guilds, and David Fincher has surged back into the race bringing his adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with him.

Though there are plenty of safe bets when it comes to the 2012 Oscar nominations, there are still a few wildcards and tricky categories. I’ve put on my prognosticating cap (those interested can purchase one of these nifty hats at your local Target) and compiled a list of who and what I think will make the cut. Hit the jump to see how I think the nods will stack up when they’re announced on January 24th.

2012 Golden Globe Winners Announced; THE ARTIST and THE DESCENDANTS Take Top Prizes

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 15th, 2012 at 8:20 pm

I’ve just spent the past three hours watching and live-blogging the 2012 Golden Globe Awards.  My brain feels mushy.  After the jump and presented without comment is a list of this year’s winners. If you don’t even want to hit the jump, The Artist and The Descendants won Best Comedy/Musical and Best Drama, respectively.  If you want to awards prognosticate, I’ll save you the trouble: both were nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.  Those nominations haven’t been announced yet, but they were nominated.  Trust me.  I’m a professional.

Also, feel free to sound off on the winners and losers.  Lord knows I’ve been doing it for the past three hours.

THE ARTIST Wins Top Prize at Critics Choice Awards; George Clooney Named Best Actor

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 12th, 2012 at 7:52 pm

With each passing awards ceremony, it’s looking more and more likely that we’re in for a fairly boring/predictable Oscars this year. The Artist continues to dominate the precursor ceremonies as it took home the Best Picture and Best Director prize at the Critics Choice Awards. On the acting side of things, George Clooney was named Best Actor for his work in The Descendants, and Viola Davis won Best Actress for The Help. The Artist is our clear frontrunner headed towards Oscar night, and I don’t really think anything else will be able to take it down. I can’t really complain about any of the acting wins, though for what it’s worth I think Brad Pitt gave the best performance of the year in Moneyball.

Elsewhere, Drive won Best Action Movie (though it’s really a drama) Bridesmaids won Best Comedy, and Rango was named Best Animated Feature. Hit the jump to see the full list of winners.

Christopher Plummer Talks THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, Pixar’s UP, BEGINNERS, Michael Powell, and a Lot More

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: December 29th, 2011 at 12:08 pm

It’s not too often you get to interview a living legend, but sitting across from Christopher Plummer in a hotel room in New York City a few weeks ago, I was smiling like a kid on Christmas.  That’s because before I understood what a movie was, I had already seen his work, as I grew up watching The Sound of Music with my family every holiday season.  And while most eighty year olds might slow down, Plummer has delivered some of his best work these past few years.  If you haven’t seen Mike Mills‘ Beginners, Michael Hoffman‘s The Last Station, Terry Gilliam‘s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus or Pixar’s Up (he voices Charles Muntz), I strongly suggest checking them out.  I’ll be shocked if Plummer doesn’t get nominated for an Oscar for Beginners.

The reason I got to speak with this great actor is for David Fincher‘s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Plummer plays Henrik Vanger, a wealthy old man who’s been haunted by the disappearance of his beloved niece for the past forty years.  As most of you know, Dragon Tattoo is the first in Stieg Larson’s Millennium trilogy and it centers on a disgraced journalist (Daniel Craig) who’s hired by Vanger to investigate the mysterious disappearance.  Rooney Mara plays Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant young hacker who teams up with Craig.  During the interview, Plummer talked about the last few years, acting in films and in the theater, working with Fincher, voicing Charles Muntz in Up, how he almost played Prospero in Michael Powell‘s unrealized adaptation of The Tempest, and a lot more.  Hit the jump to read or listen to the interview.

Southeastern Film Critics Association Chooses THE DESCENDANTS as the Top Film of 2011

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 19th, 2011 at 8:12 am

The Artist is currently the frontrunner in the 2011 awards race, but The Descendants continues to nip at its heels.  Today, the Southeastern Film Critics Association chose The Descendants as the top film of 2011, although The Artist came in second. SEFCA also bestowed The Descendants with Best Actor (George Clooney) and Best Adapted Screenplay, and also pulled runner-up awards for Best Supporting Actress (Shaileen Woodley) and Best Ensemble.

This was my first year as a SEFCA member, and sadly I disagree with most of the association’s choices.  Hit the jump for the full list of winners and my thoughts on them.

National Board of Review Names HUGO Best Film of the Year; DRIVE, THE ARTIST, and THE DESCENDANTS Make Top 10

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 1st, 2011 at 12:48 pm

The National Board of Review has announced their honors for 2011.  As always, the wide selection allows the NBR to technically have a say in directing awards season, and their picks remain solid.  While I didn’t go nuts over Hugo, a lot of people did and so it’s not surprising NBR gave it Best Picture and named Martin Scorsese as Best Director.  For the most part, I like all of NBR’s choices.  I’m glad any time Drive gets attention, the acting picks are all worthy, and I’m happy Crime After Crime and 13 Assassins got some love.  Notable snubs include Young Adult, Moneyball, and Martha Marcy May Marlene.  Of course, anything Clint Eastwood does has to make NBR’s Top 10 so that’s why a spot is wasted on J. Edgar.

Hit the jump for the full list of winners.

BEGINNERS DVD Review

by Jake Lasker    Posted: December 1st, 2011 at 5:59 am

When I received the DVD for Beginners in the mail last week, I was out of my mind excited. After all, Beginners is one of my favorite films of the year. I couldn’t wait to check out the supplemental material and I’m glad to report the disc doesn’t disappoint.

First things first: the film itself. Mike Mills’ semi-autobiographical tale follows Oliver, played wonderfully by Ewan McGregor, at two very different times in his life. The first timeline follows Oliver’s time with his father Hal (an Oscar-worthy Christopher Plummer), who has recently been diagnosed with cancer and come out of the closet. The second timeline follows Oliver as he embarks on a romance with Anna (Inglourious Basterd’s Melanie Laurent), a French actress staying in Los Angeles. Oliver is kept company at all times by his faithful terrier Arthur.  Continue reading for my full review.

Over 35 New Images from THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 29th, 2011 at 2:48 pm

The release of director David Fincher’s highly anticipated adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is quickly approaching, and today a plethora of new images from the film have been unveiled. While most image galleries give away 80% of the movie, the images here are used more to invoke mood than story. While we do get looks at stars Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig, there are quite a few shots of stationary objects or settings that give off the chilling vibe so expertly conveyed in the trailers. If the marketing materials released thus far are any indication of the film’s quality, we’re in for quite a ride come Christmas.

Hit the jump to check out the images. The film also stars Stellan Skarsgard, Christopher Plummer, and Robin Wright. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo opens December 23rd.

Independent Spirit Awards Nominations Announced; DRIVE, 50/50, and THE ARTIST Up for Top Prize

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 29th, 2011 at 9:15 am

The nominations for the 27th Annual Independent Spirit Awards were announced this morning with The Artist and Take Shelter each nabbing five nominations. In addition to The Artist and Take Shelter, Drive, 50/50, The Descendants, and Beginners will duke it out for the top prize. Absent from the Best Feature list is Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, though the film was recognized in Best Supporting Male (Corey Stoll) and Best Cinematography. Also of note, Elizabeth Olsen and John Hawkes landed nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Male for Martha Marcy May Marlene, and Ryan Gosling and Woody Harrelson were both singled out in Best Actor for Drive and Rampart respectively.

Hit the jump to check out the full list of nominations. Recognizing the best in independent film, the awards will be handed out on February 25th, the day before the Oscars.

2012 Oscar Preview: Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 24th, 2011 at 9:20 am

Ah, November. Leaves are falling, colder weather is here (depending on where you live), and the 2011 movie season is coming to a close. While angry shoppers and red Starbucks cups generally mean it’s time to start preparing for the many awkward/tense family encounters that are sure to come, it’s also time to start thinking Oscar. We’ve seen a few contenders throughout the year, but a plethora of heavyhitters will be opening over the next 5 weeks.

To aid in your Oscar polls (or to quench your curiosity) we’ve compiled a state of the race preview as of this lovely Thanksgiving week. Granted, a lot can change from now until February, but a good portion of the major players have already been screened and we’re starting to get a sense of how it could all play out. We’ll be examining all the major categories over the next four days, kicking things off with the infamously unpredictable Best Supporting Actor and Actress. Hit the jump to see where things stand.

International Trailer for THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 4th, 2011 at 2:37 pm

The international trailer for David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has been released. It’s essentially a shorter version of the great four-minute trailer that hit the web a couple weeks ago. There are a couple of new glimpses here, but all in all it’s pretty much more of the same (which is definitely not a bad thing). I’m loving the marketing campaign for the film thus far. The teaser trailer was spectacular, stars Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara were featured in rather dark photo spread for Empire recently, and just today a video was released that chronicled the creation of a metal poster for the film set against Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ chilling score.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer. The film also stars Stellan Skarsgård, Robin Wright, Christopher Plummer, and Joely Richardson. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo opens December 21.

New Four-Minute Trailer for THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 22nd, 2011 at 12:50 am

Sony has released a new trailer for David Fincher’s adaptation of the popular Stieg Larsson novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  The film stars Rooney Mara stars as Lisbeth Salander, a young hacker with a dark secret who investigates the Vanger family with disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig).  The new trailer is almost four minutes long and goes in depth explaining the plot and introducing the characters.  However, it doesn’t have the kick of the teaser trailer and it doesn’t change my feeling that The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is weak source material.  The only thing that’s really keeping me hooked is Fincher.  I like the look of the film and I’m interested to see how Mara will take on such a popular character, but I continue to wonder if Fincher and screenwriter Steven Zaillian have found a way to make the story compelling.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer and click here to read the description of the eight-minute version. The film also stars Stellan Skarsgård, Robin Wright, Christopher Plummer, and Joely Richardson. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo opens December 21.

3 New Images from THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 25th, 2011 at 8:06 am

Sony has released three new images from David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  According to Fincher, his take on the film explores “the cultural legacy of denial,” and “we want to find a place where you can talk about something and be really, really hard-hitting – like the material it’s based on – and yet we also want to make it a moviegoing experience.”  I haven’t read the book but the Swedish adaptation didn’t seem like it had much to say about anything.  It was simply a detective story with some colorful but meaningless brutality thrown in.  I give Fincher the benefit of the doubt that he can glean a more rewarding film from Stieg Larsson’s novel.

Hit the jump to check out the images.  The film stars Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara.  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo opens December 21st.

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