Friday, December 31, 2010

CNN picks best and worst films of 2010

The best (and worst) films of 2010
By Tom Charity

1. "Carlos"
Few films pack as much information about the state of the world as this high velocity thriller about the notorious '70s terrorist Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, aka Carlos the Jackal. I was lucky enough to catch the full 330-minute TV version, not the 160-minute feature released in U.S. theatres. Directed by Olivier Assayas, this is a fascinating dissection of how the Cold War, the Palestinian problem and oil potentates laid the fault lines for today's political tensions. It's Jason Bourne with a Ph.D. in political science.
2. "True Grit"
A classical western except for the prodigiously eloquent and determined teenage girl at its center, "True Grit" finds the Coen brothers keeping a tight rein on their sometimes snide comic inclinations. "True Grit" is folkloric in its hard-nosed evocation of a place and time where the prospect of sudden death is a constant factor, but where a young girl of redoubtable principle and pluck can still stir acts of remarkable self-sacrifice in even the hardest hearts.
3. "Shutter Island"
Leonardo DiCaprio made two intriguing dream projects back to back. "Inception" was an impressive demonstration of Christopher Nolan's command of time and space, but Scorsese's gothic nightmare was an altogether deeper and more troubling excavation of the repressed. Critically lauded and a commercial hit, "Shutter Island" still seems underrated -- the film's real twist is that it's an even better movie on second viewing.
4. "Toy Story 3"
A brilliantly inventive and surprisingly suspenseful escape movie conjured from the fearsome prospect of consignment to the toy box in a day care's toddler room. Pixar's long-lived series' abiding separation anxiety is funneled into a succession of ingenious feints and evasions, climaxing in an apocalyptic vision of the gaping inferno. (In 3-D, of course.)
5. "127 Hours"
There was no more exhilarating movie experience than Danny Boyle's intense nail-biter about trapped climber Aron Ralston. The story's built-in restrictions inspire the "Slumdog" director to his giddiest heights, and James Franco delivers one of the performances of the year as a young sensation-seeker forced to confront his imminent extinction.
6. "Mother"
Korean soap actress Kim Hye-ja makes one of the movies' most unconventional amateur sleuths in the latest idiosyncratic thriller from Bong Joon-ho ("The Host"; "Memories of Murder"): a street herbalist convinced that her mentally challenged son is not the murderer he has been made out to be. Her investigation is unorthodox, intuitive and ultimately agonizing.
7. "Winter's Bone"
Based on the novel by Daniel Woodrell, this features a breakthrough performance from Jennifer Lawrence as 17-year-old Ree Dolly, traversing the Ozark hollers in search of her father to persuade him to meet his court date and save the family farm from the bail bondsmen. Debra Granik directed this bleak, desolate picture of a community scratching by. Like Mattie in "True Grit," Ree has no power here except the moral authority she insists on.
8. "The Social Network"
This enthralling account of the birth of Facebook is a masterly piece of storytelling from screenwriter Aaron Sorkin and director David Fincher. It's a portrait of a petulant prodigy to put beside "Amadeus," and as class conscious as "The King's Speech," but very much of the moment. Only time will tell if it endures as well as some of Fincher's previous efforts.
9. "Let Me In"
Hard to say what the audience was for Matt Reeves' Americanization of the acclaimed Swedish vampire film "Let the Right One In." In any case, they didn't show. But this superb chiller honored the delicacy of the original in its subtle shading of childhood horrors and its wintry evocation of Los Alamos, while delivering two or three terrific set-pieces.
10. "Exit Through the Gift Shop"
Is this a fake documentary about real artists or a real documentary about fake artists -- or a bit of both? Credited to the pseudonymous British street artist Banksy and to his French-American acolyte Thierry Guetta (aka Mr Brainwash), the film is a slippery comedy about authenticity in art, as witty and devious as Orson Welles' "F For Fake." The camcorder footage of Space Invader, Shepard Fairey and Banksy himself creating guerilla art high above slumbering cities is priceless.
And five of the worst...
1. "The Last Airbender"
M Night Shyamalan appears to have completely lost the plot.
2. "Killers"
Katherine Heigl meets cute with contract killer Ashton Kutcher. Silliest script of the year, hands down.
3. "The Bounty Hunter"
Another utterly underwhelming action rom-com, this time with Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler. Should have, could have been better.
4. "The Expendables"
It's not that I don't like action -- or Stallone -- but this geriatric throwback to the 1980s was lazy and lunkheaded.
5. "Grown Ups"
"The Big Chill" with fat, frat and fart jokes. Thanks, but I preferred it the first time around, with laughs.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

San Diego critics pick Winter's Bone

Picture: Winter’s Bone
Actor: Colin Farrell, Ondine
Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone
Supporting actor: John Hawkes, Winter’s Bone
Supporting actress: Lesley Manville, Another Year
Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Original Screenplay: Jesse Armstrong, Sam Bain and Chris Morris, Four Lions
Director: Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan

Saturday, December 25, 2010

The Hollywood Reporter's critics pick their best films of 2010

BEST 10 FILMS OF 2010

Todd McCarthy: Carlos, The Social Network, Wild Grass, A Prophet, Sweetgrass, Inside Job, Toy Story 3, Animal Kingdom, The Kids Are All Right, Unstoppable

Kirk Honeycutt: Inception, The Social Network, The King's Speech, 127 Hours, True Grit, Carlos, A Prophet, The Kids Are All Right, Winter's Bone, The Way Back

Stephen Farber: The King's Speech, 127 Hours, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Get Low, Rabbit Hole, Another Year, The Kids Are All Right, The Social Network, The Secret in Their Eyes, The Fighter

Michael Rechtshaffen: The Social Network, The King's Speech, The Ghost Writer, Black Swan, Toy Story 3, How to Train Your Dragon, Inception, The Town, Winter's Bone, Let Me In

Sheri Linden: The Social Network, Boxing Gym, Father of My Children, The Illusionist, Mother, Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inferno, Please Give, The Ghost Writer, Toy Story 3, A Prophet

Justin Lowe: Inception, Exit Through the Gift Shop, The Town, Greenberg, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, Let Me In, 127 Hours, The Social Network, Tiny Furniture

Ray Bennett: Inception, The Secret In Their Eyes, A Prophet, Carlos, The Ghost Writer, Black Swan, Shutter Island, True Grit, Get Low, Blue Valentine

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Chicago Film Critics embrace The Social Network

Best Picture: The Social Network
Best Director: David Fincher “The Social Network”
Best Actor: Colin Firth “The King’s Speech”
Best Actress: Natalie Portman “Black Swan”
Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale “The Fighter”
Best Supporting Actress: Hailee Steinfeld “True Grit”
Best Original Screenplay: Christopher Nolan “Inception”
Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin “The Social Network”
Best Foreign Language Film: A Prophet
Best Documentary: Exit Through the Gift Shop Best Animated Feature: Toy Story 3 Best 

Cinematography: Wally Pfister “Inception”
Best Original Score: Clint Mansell “Black Swan”
Most Promising Performer: Jennifer Lawrence “Winter’s Bone”
Most Promising Filmmaker: Derek Cianfrance “Blue Valentine”

London Critics bare 2010 nominees


The Critics' Circle Film Awards will take place at BFI Southbank where the winners will be announced at the National Film Theatre on Feb. 10, 2011.
Here is the full list of nominees:
SKY 3D AWARD: FILM OF THE YEAR
Black Swan (Fox)
The Kids Are All Right (Universal)
The King's Speech (Momentum)
The Social Network (Sony)
Toy Story 3 (Disney)
THE ATTENBOROUGH AWARD: BRITISH FILM OF THE YEAR
127 Hours (Warner/Pathe)
The Arbor (Verve)
Another Year (Momentum)
The King's Speech (Momentum)
Monsters (Vertigo)
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
Dogtooth (Verve)
I Am Love (Metrodome)
Of Gods and Men (Artificial Eye)
The Secret in Their Eyes (Metrodome)
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (New Wave)
ACTOR OF THE YEAR sponsored by Narrabeen Communications
Jeff Bridges - True Grit (Paramount)
Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network (Sony)
Colin Firth - The King's Speech (Momentum)
Ryan Gosling - Blue Valentine (Optimum)
Edgar Ramirez - Carlos (Optimum)
MOËT ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Annette Bening - The Kids Are All Right (Universal)
Jennifer Lawrence - Winter's Bone (Artificial Eye)
Natalie Portman - Black Swan (Fox)
Noomi Rapace - The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Momentum)
Hailee Steinfeld - True Grit (Paramount)
BRITISH ACTOR OF THE YEAR in association with Cameo Productions
Riz Ahmed - Four Lions (Optimum)
Christian Bale - The Fighter (Paramount/Momentum)
Jim Broadbent - Another Year (Momentum)
Colin Firth - The King's Speech (Momentum)
Andrew Garfield - Never Let Me Go (Fox)
BRITISH ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Helena Bonham Carter - The King's Speech (Momentum)
Lesley Manville - Another Year (Momentum)
Rosamund Pike - Barney's Version (Universal)
Ruth Sheen - Another Year (Momentum)
Tilda Swinton - I Am Love (Metrodome)
BRITISH ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
David Bradley - Another Year (Momentum)
Pierce Brosnan - The Ghost (Optimum)
Andrew Garfield - The Social Network (Sony)
Tom Hardy - Inception (Warner)
Peter Wight - Another Year (Momentum)
BRITISH ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Helena Bonham Carter - Alice in Wonderland (Disney)
Christine Bottomley - The Arbor (Verve)
Minnie Driver - Barney's Version (Universal)
Rosamund Pike - Made in Dagenham (Paramount)
Olivia Williams - The Ghost Writer (Optimum)
YOUNG BRITISH PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Jessica Barden - Tamara Drewe (Momentum)
Conor McCarron - NEDs (Entertainment One)
Will Poulter - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Fox)
Saoirse Ronan - The Way Back (Entertainment One)
Thomas Turgoose - The Scouting Book for Boys (Pathe)
DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Darren Aronofsky - Black Swan (Fox)
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen - True Grit (Paramount)
David Fincher - The Social Network (Sony)
Christopher Nolan - Inception (Warner)
Apichatpong Weerasethakul - Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (New Wave)
BRITISH DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Clio Barnard - The Arbor (Verve)
Danny Boyle - 127 Hours (Warner/Pathe)
Tom Hooper - The King's Speech (Momentum)
Mike Leigh - Another Year (Momentum)
Christopher Nolan - Inception (Warner)
SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR
Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg - The Kids Are All Right (Universal)
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen - True Grit (Paramount)
Chris Morris, Sam Bain, Simon Blackwell & Jesse Armstrong - Four Lions (Optimum)
David Seidler - The King's Speech (Momentum)
Aaron Sorkin - The Social Network (Sony)
Virgin Atlantic BREAKTHROUGH BRITISH FILMMAKER
Banksy - Exit Through the Gift Shop (Revolver)
Clio Barnard - The Arbor (Verve)
J Blakeson - The Disappearance of Alice Creed (CinemaNX)
Gareth Edwards - Monsters (Vertigo)
Chris Morris - Four Lions (Optimum)

Monday, December 20, 2010

AP critics pick their top ten films of 2010...

from wire reports...
The top 10 films of 2010, according to AP Movie Writer David Germain:

1. "Winter's Bone" — Yes, there's a banjo, yet director Debra Granik's country-noir gem is anything but the usual backwoods tale loaded with white-trash cliches. Jennifer Lawrence offers a star-making performance as a teen carrying the weight of the Ozarks on her shoulders as she doggedly confronts the region's crime clan to find her missing dad and save her family's home. The filmmakers present a raw, unsympathetic world filled with people capable of savage cruelty — and surprising nobility.

2. "Four Lions" — At last, some suicide bombers you can feel good laughing at. Chris Morris' wonderfully absurdist nightmare about terrorist wannabes plays like the Three Stooges carrying out their own jihad — with terribly real consequences instead of the slapstick of Curly, Larry and Moe. The tale of phenomenally incompetent British Muslims on the path to martyrdom against Western imperialism balances gasps with guffaws to create a film that's one of the year's funniest and scariest.

3. "Barney's Version" — When you need a curmudgeon with an old, deep soul, Paul Giamatti's your man. Richard J. Lewis' adaptation of Mordecai Richler's big, sloppy, heartbreaking and hilarious novel is all that and more. A self-righteous arbiter of all the world's ills on the outside, an incurable romantic on the inside, Giamatti's Barney is like an old friend who sadly goes sour living his unrepentant life, while Rosamund Pike is a counterweight of decency as the soulmate he cannot help but fail.

4. "The King's Speech" — How's this for great acting? Colin Firth plays a guy who can barely string two words together yet still delivers one of the year's most eloquent, august performances. As stammering King George VI in Tom Hooper's near-flawless period drama, Firth is both regal and an everyman — a guy with a job he doesn't want, for which he's ill-suited, yet he goes to work and does his best, aided by his joyously irreverent speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush) and queenly sweetheart (Helena Bonham Carter).

5. "Never Let Me Go" — There's never time enough to do and say the things we really should, both in our world and in this melancholy offshoot, an alternate yet familiar reality that's a beautiful allegory for the journey we're all taking. Mark Romanek's film faithfully preserves the simple but bottomless spirituality of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, while Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield embody hope, heartache and everything in between as school friends with a terrible destiny.

6. "Inception" — Christopher Nolan messes with our heads in ways no other studio filmmaker dares. He dazzles with his visual effects, wows with his action scenes, thrills with his surprises. All along, he asks us to think as he spins a fantastically entertaining tale of a lost man (Leonardo DiCaprio) clawing his way back to the things that matter through a virtual world of dreams. Nolan has planted the seed of the brainy blockbuster in Hollywood. Here's hoping the idea doesn't die of loneliness.

7. "Another Year" — "Life's not always kind," a friend laments to an utterly disconsolate woman in Mike Leigh's latest, a quiet dramatic jewel so authentic it's like eavesdropping on the neighbors. Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen provide the stability as doting old marrieds with a circle of lovelorn friends and relations. Lesley Manville provides everything else with the performance of the year as a woman desperate for the tiniest happiness but too turned inward to go searching for it. She'll make you weep.

8. "True Grit" — The little girl was looking for a man with true grit. Joel and Ethan Coen were looking for a little girl who could act. They got Hailee Steinfeld, a girl with true grit to hold her own alongside Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon in this take on novelist Charles Portis' darkly comic Western that's far superior to John Wayne's 1969 version. Just turned 14, Steinfeld is a revelation in her screen debut as the fearless girl who bends two seasoned lawmen to her will in avenging her father.

9. "127 Hours" — Give Danny Boyle two sock puppets and he'll probably do a "Romeo and Juliet" to rival Zeffirelli's. The "Slumdog Millionaire" director plunks a man alone in a crevasse, trapped there for most of the movie, yet the story's a cyclone of hallucination, horror, agony and euphoria. As real-life adventurer Aron Ralston, James Franco re-enacts a deed excruciating to watch, but it's one of the most life-affirming acts you'll ever see on screen, in one of the most life-affirming films.

10. "The Social Network" — Just about everyone's friends with this critical darling and box-office success chronicling the rise of Facebook — and the falling out of friends who quarrel over its riches. David Fincher crafts a sharp-tongued tale of egos ballooning like tech stocks before the bubble burst. As Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Jesse Eisenberg is a marvel of contradictions, a genius for the masses but an interpersonal lout for whom, even with all his billions, you can't help but feel a little sorry.

The top 10 films of 2010, according to AP Movie Critic Christy Lemire:

1. "The Social Network" — The movie of the year because it captures where we are in time in captivating fashion. In depicting the origin of Facebook, director David Fincher and writer Aaron Sorkin have created an epic tale about how we tell the world the tiniest details of our lives, and they convey potentially dry, unwieldy topics — computer coding and competing lawsuits — in an intimate way. This represents the best of what they do: Fincher's mastery of fluid, visual storytelling, Sorkin's knack for crisp, biting dialogue. It's sharp, funny and tense, has great energy and pulsates with the thrill of discovery, with an excellent cast led by Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake.

2. "Inception" — All the hype is justified. Writer-director Christopher Nolan's film is a stunningly gorgeous, technically flawless symphony of images and ideas. In its sheer enormity, it's every inch a blockbuster, but in the good sense of the word: with awesomeness, ambition and scope, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio at the center of a classy, eclectic cast. The cinematography, production design, effects, editing, score, everything down the line — all superb. But unlike so many summer movies assigned that tag, this is no mindless thrill ride. With its complicated concepts about dreams within dreams, it'll make you work, but that's part of what's so exciting.

3. "Winter's Bone"_ There's not a single false note in this intense, intimate story about a teenage girl struggling to keep her family's home. Debra Granik's backcountry drama oozes authenticity, both in its small details and its grand, haunting gestures. Jennifer Lawrence proves she's a flat-out star as a young woman who ventures deep into the Ozark Mountains to track down her drug-dealing father. As she confronts increasingly dangerous foes, she discovers her own strength. But there's also unexpected hope to be found toward the film's end, especially in the scenes Lawrence shares with the formidable John Hawkes as her ornery uncle.

4. "I Am Love" — Words like "lush" and "gorgeous" don't even begin to scratch the surface in describing Italian director Luca Guadagnino's retro-styled melodrama. It's more like the most sumptuous design porn, lingering over every detail in the palatial home of a Milanese industrialist and his family, allowing plenty of time for us to ooh and ahh. This is a visual medium, after all, and in the tradition of Visconti and Sirk, Guadagnino expertly throws in everything he's got. But despite these aesthetic trappings, an even more compelling factor is the most fundamental: the tour-de-force performance from its star, Tilda Swinton, as a wealthy wife who comes to question the life she's built.

5. "Black Swan" — At once gorgeous and gloriously nutso, a trippy, twisted fantasy that delights and disturbs. Darren Aronofsky takes the same stripped-down fascination with the minutiae of preparation he brought to his Oscar-nominated "The Wrestler" and applies it to the pursuit of a different kind of artistry: ballet. But then he mixes in a wildly hallucinatory flair as "Black Swan" enters darker psychological territory, featuring a brave performance from Natalie Portman as a dancer slipping into madness. Working with his frequent cinematographer, Matthew Libatique, and blending dazzling visual effects, Aronofsky spins a nightmare scenario within a seemingly gentile world.

6. "127 Hours" — James Franco gives it his all and then some as trapped hiker Aron Ralston, and the role allows him to show off every bit of his range: his gifts for both effortless comedy and deep despair. Even though the movie is about a man who's essentially stagnant for five days straight, Danny Boyle makes the story vital and vibrant in his signature kinetic style. Despite the physical restrictions of this real-life tale, the way Boyle and co-writer Simon Beaufoy tell it are boundless. "127 Hours" skips around in time and place, taking us outside the canyon and deep within one man's isolation and fear. And it's shot so beautifully, it'll make you want to explore middle-of-nowhere Utah yourself — with a buddy.

7. "Never Let Me Go" — It's philosophically provocative and achingly sad, touching the mind and the heart with equal measure. Longtime video director Mark Romanek has made a film that's sumptuously gorgeous and filled with sterling performances from Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield. But it's never stuffy, and, at times, even a little gritty in an appealing way. It also raises intriguing questions about medical ethics and the nature of humanity itself. Some may find its tone suffocatingly heavy, but if you give into it, you'll find yourself sucked into this melancholy alternate world, an ambitious hybrid of sci-fi drama and coming-of-age romance set in a British boarding school.

8. "Animal Kingdom" — A riveting look at a small-time Melbourne crime family unraveling under the weight of its overconfidence. Australian writer-director David Michod takes his time methodically detailing his characters' self-destruction; it's such a stripped-down, assured little thriller, you'd never know it was Michod's feature debut. The combination of steady pacing, intimate cinematography and startling performances — especially from Jacki Weaver, who's chilling as the family's matriarch — will leave you feeling tense throughout and probably for a while afterward.

9. "The King's Speech" — This is the kind of handsomely photographed, weighty-yet-uplifting period drama that seems to arrive amid great fanfare come awards time each year. It's based on a true story about British royalty — always a favorite among those coveted voters — features a pedigreed cast and hits every note you expect it to hit. And yet Tom Hooper's film is so flawlessly appointed and impeccably acted, you can't help but succumb. The friendship that develops between Colin Firth as the stammering King George VI and Geoffrey Rush as his unorthodox speech therapist gives the film its sweet, beating heart. Watching the sparring matches between two actors at top of their game is nothing short of a joy.

10. "Exit Through the Gift Shop" — During the Los Angeles Film Critics Association's annual voting, someone asked whether this should be considered a documentary. Without missing a beat, another critic answered: "It is if you want it to be." Well, I want it to be — but I also love that it explores the ideas of truth and beauty in art, all the while exposing the malleable perception of what actually constitutes art. Leave it to the elusive and subversive Banksy to shine such a bright and brilliant light on the very forces that made him famous. In a year of are-they-or-aren't-they? docs, this is the only one that hits its targets.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

EW's top ten movie picks

Lisa Schwarzbaum's top 10:
The Social Network
The Kids are All Right
Winter's Bone
Toy Story 3
Last Train Home
Animal Kingdom
The Ghost Writer
A Prophet
Another Year
127 Hours

Lisa's 5 Worst: Sex and the City 2, Killers, Furry Vengeance, Remember Me, Jonah Hex

Owen Gleiberman's top 10:
The Social Network
The Kids are All Right
Toy Story 3
Exit Through the Gift Shop
The Ghost Writer
Another Year
Blue Valentine
The Town
Ajami
127 Hours

Owen's 5 Worst: The Book of Eli; A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop; Robin Hood; Charlie St. Cloud; Welcome to the Riley's

    Golden Satellite picks "The Social Network" as best pic of 2010


    'Social Network' Named Best Dramatic Film at Satellite Awards
    from the Hollywood Reporter report

    The Social Network and Inception picked up three trophies each at the International Press Academy's 15th annual Satellite Awards, which were handed out at a luncheon Sunday at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City.

    In the TV categories, the HBO film Temple Grandin took the lead, with three wins, including best motion picture made for television.

    Sony's Social Network took the prizes for best motion picture drama; best director, which went to David Fincher; and best adapted screenplay, which was awarded to Aaron Sorkin.

    Warner Bros.' Inception was singled out for its score by Hans Zimmer, its cinematography by Wally Pfister and its art direction and production design by Guy Hendrix Dyas, Luke Freeborn, Brad Ricker and Dean Wolcott.

    The Press Academy, a group of journalists, also named Scott Pilgrim vs. the World best motion picture comedy or musical and gave its comedy actor award to that film's Michael Cera.

    Other acting kudos were given to Noomi Rapace, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, best actress in a drama; Colin Firth, The King's Speech, best actor in a drama; Anne Hathaway, Love and Other Drugs, best actress in a comedy; Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom, best supporting actress; and Christian Bale, The Fighter, best supporting actor.

    The Swedish Dragon Tattoo also was chosen best foreign-language film. Toy Story 3 was hailed as best animated feature, while Restrepo conquered as best documentary.

    In other film awards, Speech earned the award for best original screenplay for its script by David Seidler. Diane Warren's ballad "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me," sung by Cher in Burlesque, was selected best song. The editing award went to Robert Frazen for Please Give.

    Alice in Wonderland took home trophies for Colleen Atwood's costumes and its visual effects by Mark P. Stoeckinger, Kevin O'Connell, Beau Borders and William P. Kaplan.

    Saturday, December 18, 2010

    Roger Ebert lists his favorite 2010 films

    Top Ten Films of 2010
    1. "The Social Network"
    2. "The Kings Speech”
    3. "Black Swan"
    4. "I Am Love"
    5. "Winter's Bone"
    6. "Inception"
    7. "The Secret in their Eyes" (winner of 2009 best foreign film Oscar)
    8. "The American"
    9. "Kids Are All Right"
    10. "The Ghost Writer"

    Jury Prizes:
    127 Hours
    Another Year

    For your consideration:
    "All Good Things."
    "Carlos"
    "Chloe"
    "Greenberg"
    "Hereafter"
    "Monsters"
    "Never Let Me Go”
    "Rabbit Hole"
    "Secretariat"
    "Solitary Man"

    Ebert’s final analysis: “Overall, 2010 was not a great movie year, but it has many great movies. In days to come on my blog I'll write in more detail about the best in the categories of Documentaries, Foreign, Animation, Thrillers, Indies. Why categories? They provide a way to list more good films. If a "best film" list serves any purpose, it's to give you ideas.”

    Thursday, December 16, 2010

    2010 SAG noms are in...

    17th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS® NOMINATIONS
    THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
    JEFF BRIDGES / Rooster Cogburn – “TRUE GRIT” (Paramount Pictures)
    ROBERT DUVALL / Felix Bush - "GET LOW” (Sony Pictures Classics)
    JESSE EISENBERG / Mark Zuckerberg - "THE SOCIAL NETWORK" (Columbia Pictures)
    COLIN FIRTH / King George VI - "THE KING’S SPEECH" (The Weinstein Company)
    JAMES FRANCO / Aron Ralston - "127 HOURS" (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
    ANNETTE BENING / Nic - "THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT” (Focus Features)
    NICOLE KIDMAN / Becca – “RABBIT HOLE” (Lionsgate)
    JENNIFER LAWRENCE / Ree Dolly – “WINTER’S BONE” (Roadside Attractions)
    NATALIE PORTMAN / Nina Sayers – “BLACK SWAN” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
    HILARY SWANK / Betty Anne Waters – “CONVICTION” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
    CHRISTIAN BALE / Dicky Eklund – “THE FIGHTER” (Paramount Pictures)
    JOHN HAWKES / Teardrop – “WINTER’S BONE” (Roadside Attractions)
    JEREMY RENNER / James Coughlin – “THE TOWN” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
    MARK RUFFALO / Paul – “THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT” (Focus Features)
    GEOFFREY RUSH / Lionel Logue – “THE KING’S SPEECH” (The Weinstein Company)

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
    AMY ADAMS / Charlene Fleming – “THE FIGHTER” (Paramount Pictures)
    HELENA BONHAM CARTER / Queen Elizabeth – “THE KING’S SPEECH” (The Weinstein Company)
    MILA KUNIS / Lily – “BLACK SWAN” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
    MELISSA LEO / Alice Ward – “THE FIGHTER” (Paramount Pictures)
    HAILEE STEINFELD / Mattie Ross – “TRUE GRIT” (Paramount Pictures)

    Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

    *BLACK SWAN (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
    VINCENT CASSEL / Thomas Leroy
    BARBARA HERSHEY / Erica Sayers
    MILA KUNIS / Lily
    NATALIE PORTMAN / Nina Sayers
    WINONA RYDER / Beth Macintyre

    *THE FIGHTER (Paramount Pictures)
    AMY ADAMS / Charlene Fleming
    CHRISTIAN BALE / Dicky Eklund
    MELISSA LEO / Alice Ward
    JACK MCGEE / George Ward
    MARK WAHLBERG / Micky Ward

    *THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (Focus Features)
    ANNETTE BENING / Nic
    JOSH HUTCHERSON / Laser
    JULIANNE MOORE / Jules
    MARK RUFFALO / Paul
    MIA WASIKOWSKA / Joni

    *THE KING’S SPEECH (The Weinstein Company)
    ANTHONY ANDREWS / Stanley Baldwin
    HELENA BONHAM CARTER / Queen Elizabeth
    JENNIFER EHLE / Myrtle Logue
    COLIN FIRTH / King George VI
    MICHAEL GAMBON / King George V
    DEREK JACOBI / Archbishop Cosmo Lang
    GUY PEARCE / King Edward VIII
    GEOFFREY RUSH / Lionel Logue
    TIMOTHY SPALL / Winston Churchill

    *THE SOCIAL NETWORK (Columbia Pictures)
    JESSE EISENBERG / Mark Zuckerberg
    ANDREW GARFIELD / Eduardo Saverin
    ARMIE HAMMER / Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss
    MAX MINGHELLA / Divya Narendra
    JOSH PENCE / Tyler Winklevoss
    JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE / Sean Parker

    2010 SAG noms predix

    Best Ensemble:
    The Kids Are All Right
    The Social Network
    The Fighter
    The King's Speech
    True Grit

    Best Actor:
    James Franco, 127 Days
    Colin Firth, The King's Speech
    Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
    Jeff Bridges, True Grit
    Javier Bardem, Biutiful

    Best Actress:
    Natalie Portman, Black Swan
    Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
    Jennifer Lawrence, Winter's Bone
    Lesley Manville, Another Year
    Julianne Moore, The Kids Are All Right

    Best Supporting Actor:
    Christian Bale, The Fighter
    Andrew Garfield, The Social Network
    Geoffrey Rush, The King's Speech
    Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right
    Armie Hammer, The Social Network

    Best Supporting Actress:
    Melissa Leo, The Fighter
    Amy Adams, The Fighter
    Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech
    Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom
    Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit

    Top Critics' Top Ten Lists

    (This list will be continually updated throughout the entire 2010 awards season. Not every critic's list will be listed here. Only those who are nationally recognized will be featured in this summary.)

    Anne Thompson: Winter’s Bone, The Kids Are All Right, The Social Network, Toy Story 3, Inside Job, Carlos, Let Me In, The King’s Speech, True Grit, The Ghost Writer

    Glenn Kenny: Carlos, The Social Network, Everyone Else, Bluebeard, Toy Story 3, Black Swan, Wild Grass, Fish Tank, Shutter Island, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World,
    The Social Network

    David Edelstein: Winter’s Bone, Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer, Inside Job, Please Give, Toy Story 3, Another Year, Mother and Child, Vincere, Exit Through the Gift Shop, Marwencol, Despicable Me

    David Denby: The Social Network, Company Men, Exit Through the Gift Shop, The Fighter, The Ghost Writer, Inside Job, Please Give, Restrepo, Toy Story 3, Winter’s Bone

    Peter Travers: The Social Network, Inception, The King’s Speech, True Grit, The Kids Are All Right, 127 Hours, Black Swan, The Fighter, Winter’s Bone, Toy Story 3

    Richard Corliss: Toy Story 3, Inside Job, Never Let Me Go, Life During Wartime, The Social Network, Rabbit Hole, Wild Grass, Green Zone, Waiting for Superman, Four Lions

    A.O. Scott: Inside Job, Toy Story 3, Carlos, Somewhere, The Kids Are All Right, Greenberg, 127 Hours, Last Train Home, Secret Sunshine, Exit Through the Gift Shop

    Wednesday, December 15, 2010

    Jeff Bridges on the making of "Tron:Legacy"


    Making a movie without cameras
    By Raymond de Asis Lo, L.A. Correspondent (The Philippine Star) Updated December 16, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

    Jeff Bridges has a fascinating hobby he has successfully sustained all these years: when he makes a movie, he chronicles the filming by taking snapshots of the actors, technicians and crew on the set — during and in-between takes.

    “Did you see my book yet?” he asked us immediately at the start of our roundtable interview with him during the junket for Disney’s highly-anticipated sequel to the 1982 cult hit Tron recently at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills.

    The set of photographs he took during the shoot, or variations thereof, as the actor characterized it, was compiled into a neat coffeetable book and was made available to every journalist covering the junket as part of the introduction of Tron: Legacy to the world.
    He brought up his book to give us an idea of the challenging work he and the rest of the cast and crew did to create what is probably the most deliriously-immersive and enjoyable 3D experience one will ever have at the movies this year.

    “It was bizarre,” he said of the filming process. “I made it though. It was a challenge but an exciting one. One of the reasons that brought me to the first one was the chance to work with all the technology that was available at that time. And it was the same thing for this one — to take part in the cutting-edge technology that is available today.”

    To create the movie’s revolutionary look, the filmmakers used more advanced and sophisticated cameras than those used in Avatar. “It was basically making a movie without cameras — what a bizarre thought; I’ve never done that. This was the perfect movie to experience that because it’s very odd making movies without cameras; you make it in a green room called the volume.”

    Avid film enthusiasts are in for an early Christmas treat when Disney rolls out its biggest and most ambitious project this year tomorrow, Dec. 17. Tron: Legacy opens simultaneously worldwide to ease the hunger faithful fans of the original Tron have been waiting to see for nearly three decades.

    This incredible build-up of excitement over the release of Tron: Legacy was in direct contrast to the tepid box-office and critical reception the original Tron had when it was released in 1982. The groundbreaking and never-before-seen special effects used on the movie were initially blamed for the failure but over the years the movie has gained enormous cult following and diehard fans started on-line petitions for a sequel.

    The commonplace CGI-effects that we see in big blockbusters today would not have been possible without the technology developed for Tron, which, interestingly, was so advanced in 1982 that it was deemed ineligible for an Oscar award consideration, with the Academy accusing the filmmakers of cheating.

    That was 28 years ago. This year, the filmmakers behind Tron: Legacy are introducing another groundbreaking special effect: Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges regains his youthful, 30-year-old look!

    The Hollywood veteran, who turned 61 this month, plays a dual role in the movie: The younger computer program Clu and Kevin Flynn, the creator of the Tron universe.

    “It was very strange,” he said, describing how his character Clu was created. “It took me a while to get used to it as an actor because I like having a costume. I like having a make-up and a set. I like to know where the camera is, you know, but in this case everything was done in post-production.”

    For the part of Clu, the actor was shot wearing white leotard and with 52 markers drawn on his face. He was fitted with a state-of-the-art helmet that captured and controlled his facial expressions and movements. He still had control over the “performance” of Clu.

    “The challenge was to not bitch too much about that,” he joked. “It’s like going to a party and they are playing the waltz when all you want is do the cha-cha.”

    When we did the interview with Jeff, the actor has not had the opportunity to watch the final cut of the movie yet and had no idea how it came out. “Did it come off all right?” he asked. When told that it evoked memories of the adolescent Jeff in The Las Picture Show, he smiled politely before laughing loudly. “They were going more for Against All Odds. That was the model they were going after.”

    “It’s wonderful as an actor to know that, now, I can play myself at any age. Usually, there’s two actors playing the young guy but now I can play that part, too,” he added.

    Asked if there were any roles that he would like to revisit, he replied: “I had thought about it, you know. It’s wild to be able to go back there and play it… It’s crazy. It opens up a whole world.”

    Aside from the “technical wizardry” that this production of Tron offered, what attracted Jeff to the movie was the opportunity to create a modern-day myth that “will help us navigate these waters, these technological waters that we find ourselves in now.”

    He recalled how technology has rapidly advanced in three decades since the first Tron was released — “There was no Internet!” — that the idea of charting a universe to give life to this modern-day invention was very appealing to him.

    In his own personal universe, Jeff continues to chart his legacy, too. A highly-respected veteran, the actor has been in the business for more than four decades and has enjoyed the patronage of Hollywood all those years. Last March, he was awarded with an Oscar for his performance in Crazy Heart.

    He shared that the recognition opened the door for him to pursue his music career. “The acknowledgement was great but the real cool thing was that particular movie, being all about music, caused a blooming in my own music,” he revealed.

    “I have been doing music since I was a teenager and I had to put it in the back burner.” He added that he is currently in the middle of making an album with T-Bone Burnett.

    Before we ended the interview, we asked Jeff what would he tell the younger version of himself if he were to meet him: “That’s it, man. You’re doing okay,” he said while making hand gestures like patting someone in the back.

    Yes, the dude deserves that very nice pat in the back.

    "The Social Network" is the top choice by three more critics groups...


    * San Francisco Film Critics 2010 Winners

    Best Picture: “The Social Network”
    Best Director: David Fincher, “The Social Network”; Darren Aronofsky, “Black Swan” (tie)
    Best Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, “The Social Network”
    Best Actor: Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech”
    Best Actress: Michelle Williams, “Blue Valentine”
    Best Supporting Actor:  John Hawkes, “Winter’s Bone”
    Best Supporting Actress: Jacki Weaver, “Animal Kingdom”


    * Indiana Film Journalists Awards 2010 Winners

    Best Picture: “The Social Network”
    Best Director: Christopher Nolan, “Inception”
    Best Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, “The Social Network”
    Best Actor: James Franco, “127 Days”
    Best Actress: Natalie Portman, “Black Swan”
    Best Supporting Actor:  Christian Bale, “The Fighter”
    Best Supporting Actress: Hailee Steinfeld, “True Grit”


    * African-American Film Critics 2010 Winners

    Best Picture: “The Social Network”
    Best Director: Christopher Nolan, “Inception”
    Best Actor: Mark Wahlberg, “The Fighter”
    Best Actress: Halle Berry, “Frankie & Alice”
    Best Supporting Actor:  Michael Ealy, “For Colored Girls”
    Best Supporting Actress: Kimberly Elise, “For Colored Girls”

    Southeastern Film Critics pick 2010 winners!


    TOP TEN FILMS
    1 – The Social Network
    2 – The King’s Speech
    3 – Winter’s Bone
    4 – Black Swan
    5 – Inception
    6 – True Grit
    7 – Toy Story 3
    8 – 127 Hours
    9 – The Fighter
    10 – The Kids Are All Right

    BEST ACTOR
    Winner- Colin Firth (The King’s Speech)
    Runner-up – James Franco (127 Hours)

    BEST ACTRESS
    Winner – Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
    Runner-up – Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone)

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
    Winner – Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech)
    Runner-up – Christian Bale (The Fighter)

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
    Winner – Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
    Runner-up – Melissa Leo (The Fighter)

    BEST ENSEMBLE
    Winner – The Social Network
    Runner-up – Winter’s Bone

    BEST DIRECTOR
    Winner – David Fincher, The Social Network
    Runner-up – Christopher Nolan, Inception

    BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
    Winner – The King’s Speech
    Runner-up – Inception

    BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
    Winner – The Social Network
    Runner-up -Winter’s Bone

    BEST DOCUMENTARY
    Winner – Inside Job
    Runner-up – Exit Through the Gift Shop

    BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM
    Winner – Mother
    Runner-up – Biutiful

    BEST ANIMATED FILM
    Winner – Toy Story 3
    Runner-up – How To Train Your Dragon

    BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
    Winner – True Grit
    Runner-up – Inception

    The GENE WYATT AWARD for FILM THAT BEST EVOKES THE SPIRIT OF THE SOUTH
    Winner: Winter’s Bone
    Runner-up – Get Low

    Toronto Critics pick 2010 winners...


    BEST PICTURE: “The Social Network”
    Runners-up: “Black Swan”, “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives”

    BEST ACTOR: Jesse Eisenberg, “The Social Network”
    Runners-up: Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech”, James Franco, “127 Hours”

    BEST ACTRESS: Jennifer Lawrence, “Winter’s Bone”
    Runners-up: Natalie Portman, “Black Swan”, Michelle Williams, “Blue Valentine”

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Armie Hammer, “The Social Network”
    Runners-up: Christian Bale, “The Fighter”, Geoffrey Rush, “The King’s Speech”

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Hailee Steinfeld, “True Grit”
    Runners-up: Amy Adams, “The Fighter”, Melissa Leo, “The Fighter”

    BEST DIRECTOR: David Fincher, “The Social Network”
    Runners-up: Darren Aronofsky, “Black Swan”, Christopher Nolan, “Inception”

    BEST SCREENPLAY: “The Social Network”
     Runners-up: “The King’s Speech”, “True Grit”

    BEST FIRST FEATURE: “Exit Through the Gift Shop”, directed by Banksy
    Runners-up: “Get Low”, “Monsters”

    BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
    “How to Train Your Dragon”
    Runners-up: “Despicable Me”, “Toy Story 3

    BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM:
    “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives”
    Runners-up: “Mother”, “Of Gods and Men”

    ALLAN KING DOCUMENTARY AWARD
    “Exit Through the Gift Shop”
    Runners-up: “Inside Job”, “Marwencol”

    Tuesday, December 14, 2010

    2010 Golden Globes noms are in...


    Best Motion Picture - Drama
    Black Swan           
    The Fighter           
    Inception           
    The King's Speech           
    The Social Network

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
    Halle Berry - Frankie & Alice           
    Nicole Kidman - Rabbit Hole           
    Jennifer Lawrence - Winter's Bone           
    Natalie Portman - Black Swan
    Michelle Williams - Blue Valentine           

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
    Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network           
    Colin Firth - The King's Speech           
    James Franco - 127 Hours           
    Ryan Gosling - Blue Valentine           
    Mark Wahlberg - The Fighter           

    Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
    Alice in Wonderland           
    Burlesque           
    The Kids Are All Right
    Red           
    The Tourist           

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
    Annette Bening - The Kids Are All Right
    Anne Hathaway - Love & Other Drugs           
    Angelina Jolie - The Tourist           
    Julianne Moore - The Kids Are All Right           
    Emma Stone - Easy A           

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy           
    Johnny Depp - Alice in Wonderland
    Johnny Depp - The Tourist           
    Paul Giamatti - Barney's Version           
    Jake Gyllenhaal - Love & Other Drugs           
    Kevin Spacey - Casino Jack           

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
    Amy Adams - The Fighter
    Helena Bonham Carter - The King's Speech           
    Mila Kunis - Black Swan           
    Melissa Leo - The Fighter           
    Jacki Weaver - Animal Kingdom           

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture           
    Christian Bale - The Fighter           
    Michael Douglas - Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps           
    Andrew Garfield - The Social Network           
    Jeremy Renner - The Town           
    Geoffrey Rush - The King's Speech           

    Best Animated Feature Film           
    Despicable Me           
    How to Train Your Dragon           
    The Illusionist           
    Tangled           
    Toy Story 3

    Best Foreign Language Film           
    Biutiful
    The Concert           
    The Edge           
    I Am Love           
    In a Better World           

    Best Director - Motion Picture           
    Darren Aronofsky - Black Swan
    David Fincher - The Social Network           
    Tom Hooper - The King's Speech           
    Christopher Nolan - Inception           
    David O. Russell - The Fighter           

    Best Screenplay - Motion Picture           
    127 Hours           
    The Kids Are All Right           
    Inception           
    The King's Speech           
    The Social Network

    Best Original Score - Motion Picture           
    The King's Speech           
    Alice in Wonderland           
    127 Hours           
    The Social Network
    Inception           

    Best Original Song - Motion Picture           
    "Bound to You" - Burlesque           
    "Coming Home" - Country Strong           
    "I See the Light" - Tangled
    "There's a Place for Us" - Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader           
    "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" - Burlesque  

    Monday, December 13, 2010

    NY Film Critics Circle pick "The Social Network" as best film of 2010!

    Best Film: The Social Network
    Best Director: David Fincher, The Social Network
    Best Screenplay: The Kids Are All Right
    Best Actress: Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
    Best Actor: Colin Firth, The King’s Speechh
    Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, The Fighter
    Best Supporting Actor: Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right
    Best Cinematography: Black Swan
    Best Animated Film: The Illusionist
    Best Non-fiction Film: “Inside Job
    Best Foreign Language Film: Carlos
    Best First Feature: Animal Kingdom

    Boston Critics pick "The Social Network" as best film of 2010!

    Best Picture: The Social Network
    Best Actor: Jesse Eisenberg for The Social Network
    Best Actress: Natalie Portman for Black Swan
    Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale for The Fighter
    Best Supporting Actress: Juliette Lewis for Conviction
    Best Director: David Fincher for The Social Network
    Best Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network
    Best Cinematography: Roger Deakins for True Grit
    Best Documentary: Marwencol
    Best Foreign-Language Film: Mother
    Best Animated Film: Toy Story 3
    Best Film Editing (awarded in memory of Karen Schmeer): Andrew Weisblum for Black Swan
    Best New Filmmaker (awarded in memory of David Brudnoy): Jeff Malmberg for Marwencol
    Best Ensemble Cast: The Fighter
    Best Use of Music in a Film: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for The Social Network

    NY Film Critics Online pick winners!

    Picture - The Social Network
    Actor - James Franco, 127 Hours
    Actress - Natalie Portman, Black Swan
    Director - David Fincher, The Social Network
    Supporting Actor - Christian Bale, The Fighter
    Supporting Actress - Melissa Leo, The Fighter
    Breakthrough Performer - Noomi Rapace, The Millenium Trilogy
    Debut Director - John Wells, The Company Men
    Ensemble Cast - The Kids Are All Right
    Screenplay - The Social Network, Aaron Sorkin
    Documentary - Exit through the Gift Shop
    Foreign Language - I Am Love
    Animated - Toy Story 3
    Cinematography - Black Swan, Matthew Libatique
    Film Music or Score - Black Swan, Clint Mansell

    Top 10 Films
    127 Hours (Fox Searchlight)
    Another Year (Sony Pictures Classics)
    Black Swan (Fox Searchlight)
    Blue Valentine (The Weinstein Co.)
    The Ghost Writer (Summit)
    Inception (Warner Bros.)
    The Kids Are All Right (Focus Features)
    The King's Speech (The Weinstein Co.)
    Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Universal)
    The Social Network (Sony)

    Broadcast Film Critics noms are in!

    BEST PICTURE
    •127 Hours
    •Black Swan
    •The Fighter
    •Inception
    •The King's Speech
    •The Social Network
    •The Town
    •Toy Story 3
    •True Grit
    •Winter's Bone

    BEST ACTOR
    •Jeff Bridges - "True Grit"
    •Robert Duvall - "Get Low"
    •Jesse Eisenberg - "The Social Network"
    •Colin Firth - "The King's Speech"
    •James Franco - "127 Hours"
    •Ryan Gosling - "Blue Valentine"

    BEST ACTRESS
    •Annette Bening - "The Kids Are All Right"
    •Nicole Kidman - "Rabbit Hole"
    •Jennifer Lawrence - "Winter's Bone"
    •Natalie Portman - "Black Swan"
    •Noomi Rapace - "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
    •Michelle Williams - "Blue Valentine"

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
    •Christian Bale - "The Fighter"
    •Andrew Garfield - "The Social Network"
    •Jeremy Renner - "The Town"
    •Sam Rockwell - "Conviction"
    •Mark Ruffalo - "The Kids Are All Right"
    •Geoffrey Rush - "The King's Speech"

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
    •Amy Adams - "The Fighter"
    •Helena Bonham Carter - "The King's Speech"
    •Mila Kunis - "Black Swan"
    •Melissa Leo - "The Fighter"
    •Hailee Steinfeld - "True Grit"
    •Jacki Weaver - "Animal Kingdom"

    BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
    •Elle Fanning - "Somewhere"
    •Jennifer Lawrence - "Winter's Bone"
    •Chloe Grace Moretz - "Let Me In"
    •Chloe Grace Moretz - "Kick-Ass"
    •Kodi Smit-McPhee - "Let Me In"
    •Hailee Steinfeld - "True Grit"

    BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
    •The Fighter
    •The Kids Are All Right
    •The King's Speech
    •The Social Network
    •The Town

    BEST DIRECTOR
    •Darren Aronofsky - "Black Swan"
    •Danny Boyle - "127 Hours"
    •Joel Coen & Ethan Coen - "True Grit"
    •David Fincher - "The Social Network"
    •Tom Hooper - "The King's Speech"
    •Christopher Nolan - "Inception"

    BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
    •"Another Year" - Mike Leigh
    •"Black Swan" - Mark Heyman and Andres Heinz and John McLaughlin
    •"The Fighter" - Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
    •"Inception" - Christopher Nolan
    •"The Kids Are All Right" - Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg
    •"The King's Speech" - David Seidler

    BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
    •"127 Hours" - Simon Beaufoy and Danny Boyle
    •"The Social Network" - Aaron Sorkin
    •"The Town" - Peter Craig and Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard
    •"Toy Story 3" - Michael Arndt
    •"True Grit" - Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
    •"Winter's Bone" - Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini

    BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
    •"127 Hours" - Anthony Dod Mantle and Enrique Chediak
    •"Black Swan" - Matthew Libatique
    •"Inception" - Wally Pfister
    •"The King's Speech" - Danny Cohen
    •"True Grit" - Roger Deakins

    BEST ART DIRECTION
    •"Alice in Wonderland" - Robert Stromberg
    •"Black Swan" - Therese DePrez and Tora Peterson
    •"Inception" - Guy Hendrix Dyas
    •"The King's Speech" - Netty Chapman
    •"True Grit" - Jess Gonchor and Nancy Haigh

    BEST EDITING
    •"127 Hours" - Jon Harris
    •"Black Swan" - Andrew Weisblum
    •"Inception" - Lee Smith
    •"The Social Network" - Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter

    BEST COSTUME DESIGN
    •"Alice in Wonderland" - Colleen Atwood
    •"Black Swan" - Amy Westcott
    •"The King's Speech" - Jenny Beavan
    •"True Grit" - Mary Zophres

    BEST MAKEUP
    •Alice in Wonderland
    •Black Swan
    •Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
    •True Grit

    BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
    •Alice in Wonderland
    •Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
    •Inception
    •Tron: Legacy

    BEST SOUND
    •127 Hours
    •Black Swan
    •Inception
    •The Social Network
    •Toy Story 3

    BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
    •Despicable Me
    •How to Train Your Dragon
    •The Illusionist
    •Tangled
    •Toy Story 3

    BEST ACTION MOVIE
    •Inception
    •Kick-Ass
    •Red
    •The Town
    •Unstoppable

    BEST COMEDY
    •Cyrus
    •Date Night
    •Easy A
    •Get Him to the Greek
    •I Love You Phillip Morris
    •The Other Guys

    BEST PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
    •The Pacific
    •Temple Grandin
    •You Don't Know Jack

    BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
    •Biutiful
    •I Am Love
    •The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

    BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
    •Exit Through the Gift Shop
    •Inside Job
    •Restrepo
    •Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work
    •The Tillman Story
    •Waiting for Superman

    BEST SONG
    •"I See the Light" - performed by Mandy Moore & Zachary Levi/written by Alan Menken & Glenn Slater - Tangled
    •"If I Rise" - performed by Dido and A.R. Rahman/music by A.R. Rahman/lyrics by Dido Armstrong and Rollo Armstrong - 127 Hours
    •"Shine" - performed and written by John Legend - Waiting for Superman
    •"We Belong Together" - performed and written by Randy Newman - Toy Story 3
    •"You Haven't Seen the Last of Me Yet" - performed by Cher/written by Diane Warren - Burlesque

    BEST SCORE
    •"Black Swan" - Clint Mansell
    •"Inception" - Hans Zimmer
    •"The King's Speech" - Alexandre Desplat
    •"The Social Network" - Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
    •"True Grit" - Carter Burwell

    Sunday, December 12, 2010

    AFI lists 2010 best in movies and TV!


    AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR
    BLACK SWAN
    THE FIGHTER
    INCEPTION
    THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
    127 HOURS
    THE SOCIAL NETWORK
    THE TOWN
    TOY STORY 3
    TRUE GRIT
    WINTER'S BON
    E

    AFI TELEVISION PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
    THE BIG C
    BOARDWALK EMPIRE
    BREAKING BAD
    GLEE
    MAD MEN
    MODERN FAMILY
    THE PACIFIC
    TEMPLE GRANDIN
    30 ROCK
    THE WALKING DEAD


    AFI SPECIAL AWARDS
    THE KING'S SPEECH
    WAITING FOR SUPERMAN


    LA Film Critics name "The Social Network" best film of 2010!

    BEST PICTURE:  "The Social Network”; RUNNER-UP: "Carlos"
    BEST DIRECTOR: Olivier Assayas, "CARLOS" and David Fincher, "The Social Network" (TIE)
    BEST ACTOR: Colin Firth, "THE KING'S SPEECH"; RUNNER-UP: Edgar Ramirez, "CARLOS"
    BEST ACTRESS: Kim Hye-Ja, "MOTHER"; RUNNER-UP: Jennifer Lawrence, "WINTER'S BONE"
    BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Niels Arestrup, "A PROPHET"; RUNNER-UP: Geoffrey Rush, "THE KING'S SPEECH"
    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Jacki Weaver, "ANIMAL KINGDOM"; RUNNER-UP: Olivia Williams, "THE GHOST WRITER"
    BEST SCREENPLAY: Aaron Sorkin, “THE SOCIAL NETWORK"; RUNNER-UP: David Seidler, "THE KING'S SPEECH"
    BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Matthew Libatique, "BLACK SWAN"; RUNNER-UP: Roger Deakins, "TRUE GRIT"
    BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN: Guy Hendriz Dyas, "INCEPTION"; RUNNER-UP: Eve Stewart, “THE KING'S SPEECH"
    BEST MUSIC SCORE: Alexandre Desplat, "THE GHOST WRITER" AND Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, "THE SOCIAL NETWORK" (TIE)
    BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM: "Carlos" (OLIVIER ASSAYAS);  RUNNER-UP: "Mother" (JOON-HO BONG)
    BEST DOCUMENTARY/NON-FICTION FILM: "Last Train Home" (LIXIN FAN); RUNNER-UP: "Exit Through the Gift Shop" (BANKSY)
    BEST ANIMATION: "Toy Story 3" (LEE UNKRICH); RUNNER-UP: "The Illusionist" (SYLVAIN CHOMET)
    Special Awards:
    NEW GENERATION:
    *Lena Dunham, "TINY FURNITURE"
    CAREER ACHIEVEMENT: 
    *Paul Mazursky  
    THE DOUGLAS EDWARDS EXPERIMENTAL/INDEPENDENT FILM/VIDEO AWARD: 
    *Jean-Luc Godard, "FILM SOCIALISM"
    LEGACY OF CINEMA AWARDS: 
    *SERGE BROMBERG, "HENRI-GEORGES CLOUZOT'S INFERNO"
    *THE F.W. MURNAU FOUNDATION AND FERNANDO PENA FOR THE RESTORATION OF "METROPOLIS"

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