January 25, 2017

SAG AWARDS 2017 – PREDICTIONS

Will DOWNTON ABBEY win for its swan song, or can THE CROWN shake things up? The SAG Awards are a strange mix of frustratingly predictable repeat winners, as well as out-and-out pleasant surprises. Here are some predictions for Sunday night.

TELEVISION
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
THE CROWN
DOWNTON ABBEY
GAME OF THRONES
STRANGER THINGS
WESTWORLD

Three strong contenders have joined this list this year to potentially mix things up—WESTWORLD, STRANGER THINGS and THE CROWN. They’ve been three of the most talked about shows in the last year. However, being the most talked about show hasn’t helped GAME OF THRONES in this category, so I suspect the SAG-AFTRA will stick to DOWNTON ABBEY. THE CROWN has strong chances of winning, but I think it will be DOWNTON, especially since this is its last year.

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
THE BIG BANG THEORY

BLACKISH
MODERN FAMILY
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
VEEP

New entrants—the cast of BLACKISH—could mix things up. However, I think it will be the cast of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, continuing their winning streak, having won in this category for the last two years.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown, THIS IS US

Peter Dinklage, GAME OF THRONES
John Lithgow, THE CROWN
Rami Malek, MR. ROBOT
Kevin Spacey, HOUSE OF CARDS

Kevin Spacey’s winning streak could continue, like Alec Baldwin’s did for 30 ROCK in comedy. However, in this category, the last six years have given us wins for three different roles, in two consecutive years each. If that continues, it’s time for a new role to win this one. As such, I think it’s between Spacey and John Lithgow. An upset could be Rami Malek, but I think Lithgow will win this year.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Millie Bobby Brown, STRANGER THINGS 

Claire Foy, THE CROWN 
Thandie Newton, WESTWORLD 
Winona Ryder, STRANGER THINGS 
Robin Wright, HOUSE OF CARDS

None of the recent winners in this category are nominated this time. The only repeat nominee is in fact Robin Wright. However, I don’t think she’ll win. Before the Globes, I would’ve said that Winona Ryder would win, but Claire Foy’s win at the Globes mixes things up a bit. Considering the SAG-AFTRA’s appreciation for British shows and performers, I think this one will also go to Foy for THE CROWN.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson, BLACKISH

Tituss Burgess, UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT 
Ty Burrell, MODERN FAMILY
William H. Macy, SHAMELESS
Jeffrey Tambor, TRANSPARENT

The last three Actors for this category have gone to different people, all of whom are nominated here. However, considering the nature of last year’s winner—Jeffrey Tambor—I think we’re looking at multiple wins for him. Alec Baldwin did win seven consecutive years for 30 ROCK. Could Tambor be the new Baldwin?

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Uzo Aduba, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK 

Jane Fonda, GRACE AND FRANKIE
Ellie Kemper, UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, VEEP
Lily Tomlin, GRACE AND FRANKIE

I wouldn’t be surprised if Uzo Aduba wins this for the third year in a row. The SAG-AFTRA are known to repeat a lot of recipients. Julia Louis-Dreyfus could reclaim this. Lily Tomlin won’t win, since she’s receiving the lifetime achievement Actor anyway. I hope Jane Fonda wins. This is her first nomination for GRACE AND FRANKIE. However, I think it’ll be Aduba.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Riz Ahmed, THE NIGHT OF

Sterling K. Brown, THE PEOPLE VS. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
Bryan Cranston, ALL THE WAY
John Turturro, THE NIGHT OF
Courtney B. Vance, THE PEOPLE VS. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

He missed out at the Globes, but Courtney B. Vance was the stronger contender at the Emmys, even though both he and Sterling K. Brown won Emmys, since they were in different categories there. It’s THE PEOPLE V. O.J.’s year, so if it’s not Vance, it will be Brown.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Bryce Dallas Howard, BLACK MIRROR

Felicity Huffman, AMERICAN CRIME
Audra McDonald, LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL
Sarah Paulson, THE PEOPLE VS. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
Kerry Washington, CONFIRMATION

Come on! It’s Sarah Paulson’s year. She’s winning this for sure.

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble 
GAME OF THRONES
DAREDEVIL
LUKE CAGE
THE WALKING DEAD
WESTWORLD

GAME OF THRONES has won this for five consecutive years. I don't see that streak ending this year.


MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Captain Fantastic

Fences
Hidden Figures
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea 

Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic
Denzel Washington, Fences

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Amy Adams, Arrival

Emily Blunt, The Girl on the Train
Natalie Portman, Jackie 
Emma Stone, La La Land
Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight

Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water
Hugh Grant, Florence Foster Jenkins
Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea
Dev Patel, Lion

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Viola Davis, Fences

Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Nicole Kidman, Lion
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble 
Captain America: Civil War
Doctor Strange
Hacksaw Ridge
Jason Bourne
Nocturnal Animals

January 18, 2017

THE 89TH OSCARS – NOMINATIONS, LIVE

(Complete list below)
Watch this space on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, 5:18am PST (1:18pm GMT; 6:48pm IST) to see the nominations of the 2017 Oscars, being announced live

Joined by Academy President, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, at the nominations announcement will be Oscar-winning and nominated Academy members, sharing anecdotes about their Oscars experience. Among these members will be Demian Bichir, Dustin Lance Black, Glenn Close, Guillermo del Toro, Marcia Gay Harden, Terrence Howard, Jennifer Hudson, Brie Larson, Jason Reitman, Gabourey Sidibe and Ken Watanabe. Pre-taped footage of the members talking about their experiences will be interspersed with the live announcement of this year's nominees. 

Stream it live here:

© A.M.P.A.S.



OSCAR NOMINATIONS 2017: THE COMPLETE LIST

Best Picture
Arrival
Fences
Hacksaw Ridge
Hell Or High Water
Hidden Figures
La La Land
Lion
Manchester By The Sea
Moonlight

Actor In A Leading Role
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic
Denzel Washington, Fences

Actress In A Leading Role
Isabelle Huppert, Elle
Ruth Negga, Loving
Natalie Portman, Jackie
Emma Stone, La La Land
Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Actor In A Supporting Role
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water
Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea
Dev Patel, Lion
Michael Shannon, Nocturnal Animals

Actress In A Supporting Role
Viola Davis, Fences
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Nicole Kidman, Lion
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Directing
Denis Villeneuve, Arrival
Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge
Damien Chazelle, La La Land
Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester By The Sea
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight

Animated Feature Film
Kubo And The Two Strings
Moana
My Life As A Zucchini
The Red Turtle
Zootopia

Cinematography
Arrival, Bradford Young
La La Land, Linus Sandgren
Lion, Greig Fraser
Moonlight, James Laxton
Silence, Rodrigo Prieto

Costume Design
Allied, Joanna Johnston
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, Colleen Atwood
Florence Foster Jenkins, Consolata Boyle
Jackie, Madeline Fontaine
La La Land, Mary Zophres

Documentary (Feature)
Fire at sea
I Am Not Your Negro
Life, Animated
O.J.: Made In America
13th

Documentary (Short Subject)
Extremis
4.1 Miles
Joe's Violin
Watani: My Homeland

The White Helmets

Film Editing
Arrival, Joe Walker
Hacksaw Ridge, John Gilbert
Hell Or High Water, Jake Roberts
La La Land, Tom Cross
Moonlight, Nat Sanders and Joi McMillon

Foreign Language Film
Land Of Mine (Denmark)
A Man Called Ove (Sweden)
The Salesman (Iran)
Tanna (Australia)
Toni Erdmann (Germany)

Makeup And Hairstyling
A Man Called Ove, Eva von Bahr and Love Larson
Star Trek Beyond, Joel Harlow and Richard Alonzo
Suicide Squad, Alessandro Bertolazzi, Giorgio Gregorini and Christopher Nelson

Music (Original Score)
Jackie, Mica Levi
La La Land, Justin Hurwitz
Lion, Dustin O'Halloran and Hauschka
Moonlight, Nicholas Britell
Passengers, Thomas Newman

Music (Original Song)
‘Audition (The Fools Who Dream)’ from La La Land; Music by Justin Hurwitz; Lyric by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
‘Can't Stop The Feeling’ from Trolls; Music and Lyric by Justin Timberlake, Max Martin and Karl Johan Schuster
‘City Of Stars’ from La La Land; Music by Justin Hurwitz; Lyric by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
‘The Empty Chair’ from Jim: The James Foley Story; Music and Lyric by J. Ralph and Sting
‘How Far I'll Go’ from Moana; Music and Lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Production Design
Arrival, Production Design: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Paul Hotte
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, Production Design: Stuart Craig; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock
Hail, Caesar!, Production Design: Jess Gonchor; Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh
La La Land, Production Design: David Wasco; Set Decoration: Sandy Reynolds-Wasco
Passengers, Production Design: Guy Hendrix Dyas; Set Decoration: Gene Serdena

Short Film (Animated)
Blind Vaysha
Borrowed Time
Pear Cider And Cigarettes
Pearl
Piper

Short Film (Live Action)
Ennemis Intérieurs
La Femme Et Le Tgv
Silent Nights
Sing

Timecode

Sound Editing
Arrival, Sylvain Bellemare
Deepwater Horizon, Wylie Stateman and Renée Tondelli
Hacksaw Ridge, Robert Mackenzie and Andy Wright
La La Land, Ai-Ling Lee and Mildred Iatrou Morgan
Sully, Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman

Sound Mixing
Arrival, Bernard Gariépy Strobl and Claude La Haye
Hacksaw Ridge, Kevin O’Connell, Andy Wright, Robert Mackenzie and Peter Grace
La La Land, Andy Nelson, Ai-Ling Lee and Steve A. Morrow
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, David Parker, Christopher Scarabosio and Stuart Wilson
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi, Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Mac Ruth

Visual Effects
Deepwater Horizon, Craig Hammack, Jason Snell, Jason Billington and Burt Dalton
Doctor Strange, Stephane Ceretti, Richard Bluff, Vincent Cirelli and Paul Corbould
The Jungle Book, Robert Legato, Adam Valdez, Andrew R. Jones and Dan Lemmon
Kubo And The Two Strings, Steve Emerson, Oliver Jones, Brian McLean and Brad Schiff
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, John Knoll, Mohen Leo, Hal Hickel and Neil Corbould

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Arrival, Screenplay by Eric Heisserer
Fences, Screenplay by August Wilson
Hidden Figures, Screenplay by Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi
Lion, Screenplay by Luke Davies
Moonlight, Screenplay by Barry Jenkins; Story by Tarell Alvin McCraney

Writing (Original Screenplay)
Hell Or High Water, Written by Taylor Sheridan
La La Land, Written by Damien Chazelle
The Lobster, Written by Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthimis Filippou
Manchester By The Sea, Written by Kenneth Lonergan
20th Century Women, Written by Mike Mills


January 9, 2017

GOLDEN GLOBES 2017 – ‘LA LA LAND’ BREAKS RECORD, MERYL STREEP CAPTIVATES WITH PERFECT SPEECH



With talk of Hollywood, foreigners and the press, the 74th Golden Globe Awards were certainly not ignoring the fact that in less than two weeks, Donald Trump would be president of the United States. Hugh Laurie first brought it up when he won the Globe for his role in THE NIGHT MANAGER, which would go on to win two more Globes. He said he didn’t mean to be gloomy, and the dark humor was not lost on the audience.

Bringing it up again was Meryl Streep, who did so while accepting her Cecille B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement award. The legendary actress, with a record 30 Golden Globe nominations and 8 wins (not counting the Cecille B. DeMille Award), delivered the best acceptance speech of the night, after a lovely presented by Viola Davis. Beautifully articulating how art doesn’t see borders, Streep spoke of the artists who come from all over—even doing an effortless Irish accent when talking about Ruth Negga. She added that that if they kick foreigners out of America, Americans would have only football and mixed martial arts to watch. She went on to speak of how people in power humiliating others filters down into people’s lives. She made strong points that were very relevant to Hollywood, the arts, the press, and the future of America. She ended her speech quoting her friend, ‘dear departed Princess Leia’ (Carrie Fisher), saying, “Take your broken heart, make it into art.”

Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds were the only late artists who were paid tribute to 'in memoriam'. Presented by host Jimmy Fallon, it was his only serious moment at the awards. Fallon was surprisingly alright as host. He had big shoes to fill, but he cleverly didn’t try doing what Ricky Gervais or Tina Fey or Amy Poehler—all excel at. Instead he did an opening number, with appearances by Nicole Kidman, Rami Malek, Evan Rachel Wood, Kit Harington, and others. It was very entertaining, and a pleasant surprise, because it was like something that you would usually see only at the Oscars or Emmys or Tonys. Of course, it worked to this year’s Globes' and to Fallon’s advantage that there was the marvelous and hugely popular music of La La Land to use, using a track that’s set in a traffic jam—aptly fitting in. What made it particularly entertaining were the hilarious references to GAME OF THRONES, MR. ROBOT, WESTWORLD, etc.

La La Land’s music was also the winner of the night, having won the Globes for Original Score and Original Song. Those were only two of 7 awards it won, becoming the film with the highest ever number of wins at the Golden Globes. With Globes for Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Direction, Screenplay and acting, the movie has emerged as a clear frontrunner for the Oscars next month. Making the internet swoon, Ryan Gosling made a beautiful speech, dedicating his award to his partner, Eva Mendes’ brother, who died of cancer, while thanking Mendes for her support. Emma Stone’s speech was a close second to Streep’s as the second best of the evening, as she dedicated her award to the dreamers, like her and Gosling’s characters in the film. She was fantastic.

In television, THE CROWN was surprisingly and deservingly victorious, with two wins, for drama series and lead actress, Claire Foy. In comedy, another new entrant, ATLANTA, won for comedy series and lead actor, Donald Glover. THE NIGHT MANAGER took home three of the limited series/TV movie acting awards, while THE PEOPLE V. O.J. won the best limited series/TV movie.

As always, there were quite a few surprises over the course of the awards. The show itself was quite good, made even better with the wonderful acceptance speeches, and certain presentations like Kristen Wiig and Steve Carell presenting the Globe for animated feature. Jimmy Fallon was perfectly adequate. I wouldn’t mind seeing Wiig and Carell taking his place next year.

Here are all the winners:


Best Television Series — Drama
THE CROWN
GAME OF THRONES
STRANGER THINGS
THIS IS US
WESTWORLD

Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy
ATLANTA
BLACK-ISH
MOZART IN THE JUNGLE
TRANSPARENT
VEEP

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
AMERICAN CRIME
THE DRESSER
THE NIGHT MANAGER
THE NIGHT OF
THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama
Caitriona Balfe, OUTLANDER
Claire Foy, THE CROWN
Keri Russell, THE AMERICANS
Winona Ryder, STRANGER THINGS
Evan Rachel Wood, WESTWORLD

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama
Rami Malek, MR. ROBOT
Bob Odenkirk, BETTER CALL SAUL
Matthew Rhys, THE AMERICANS
Liev Schreiber, RAY DONOVAN
Billy Bob Thornton, GOLIATH

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy
Anthony Anderson, BLACK-ISH
Gael García Bernal, MOZART IN THE JUNGLE
Donald Glover, ATLANTA
Nick Nolte, GRAVES
Jeffrey Tambor, TRANSPARENT

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy
Rachel Bloom, CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, VEEP
Sarah Jessica Parker, DIVORCE
Issa Rae, INSECURE
Gina Rodriguez, JANE THE VIRGIN
Tracee Ellis Ross, BLACK-ISH

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Riz Ahmed, THE NIGHT OF
Bryan Cranston, ALL THE WAY
Tom Hiddleston, THE NIGHT MANAGER
John Turturro, THE NIGHT OF
Courtney B. Vance, THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Felicity Huffman, AMERICAN CRIME
Riley Keough, THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE
Sarah Paulson, THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
Charlotte Rampling, LONDON SPY
Kerry Washington, CONFIRMATION

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television
Sterling K. Brown, THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
Hugh Laurie, THE NIGHT MANAGER
John Lithgow, THE CROWN
Christian Slater, MR. ROBOT
John Travolta, THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television
Olivia Colman, THE NIGHT MANAGER
Lena Headey, GAME OF THRONES
Chrissy Metz, THIS IS US
Mandy Moore, THIS IS US
Thandie Newton, WESTWORLD

Best Motion Picture — Drama
Hacksaw Ridge
Hell or High Water
Lion
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight

Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
20th Century Women
Deadpool
Florence Foster Jenkins
La La Land
Sing Street

Best Director — Motion Picture
Damien Chazelle, La La Land
Tom Ford, Nocturnal Animals
Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight
Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama
Amy Adams, Arrival
Jessica Chastain, Miss Sloane
Isabelle Huppert, Elle
Ruth Negga, Loving
Natalie Portman, Jackie

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
Joel Edgerton, Loving
Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge
Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic
Denzel Washington, Fences

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Comedy or Musical
Colin Farrell, The Lobster
Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Hugh Grant, Florence Foster Jenkins
Jonah Hill, War Dogs
Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool



Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Comedy or Musical
Annette Bening, 20th Century Women
Lily Collins, Rules Don’t Apply
Hailee Steinfeld, The Edge of Seventeen
Emma Stone, La La Land
Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water
Simon Helberg, Florence Foster Jenkins
Dev Patel, Lion
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nocturnal Animals

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture
Viola Davis, Fences
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Nicole Kidman, Lion
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Best Motion Picture — Animated
Kubo and the Two Strings
Moana
My Life as a Zucchini
Sing
Zootopia

Best Screenplay — Motion Picture
Damien Chazelle, La La Land
Tom Ford, Nocturnal Animals
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight
Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester By the Sea
Taylor Sheridan, Hell or High Water

Best Original Score — Motion Picture
Nicholas Britell, Moonlight
Justin Hurwitz, La La Land
Jóhann Jóhannsson, Arrival
Volker Bertelmann and Dustin O’Halloran, Lion
Benjamin Wallfisch, Pharrell Williams, and Hans Zimmer, Hidden Figures

Best Original Song — Motion Picture
“Can't Stop The Feeling!” – Trolls
“City Of Stars” – La La Land
“Faith” – Sing
“Gold” – Gold
“How Far I'll Go” – Moana