January 27, 2020

THE OSCARS TRIVIA

Before the 92nd Academy Awards this Sunday, let’s look at a few of the records that have been set, met or have been broken over the last 92 years

Photos, courtesy: AMPAS
Click here for all the predictions for the 2020 Oscars
OSCAR RECORDS HELD BY MOTION PICTURES
The highest number of Oscars ever won by a motion picture is 11. Three films over the years have earned that distinction—Ben Hur (1959), Titanic (1997) and The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King. 


Titanic holds the record for the highest number of Oscar nominations and wins for a motion picture

Ben Hur (1959): Best motion picture, directing (William Wyler), actor (Charlton Heston), actor in a supporting role (Hugh Griffith), art direction—color, cinematography—color, costume design—color, film editing, music, sound, special effects
Titanic (1997): Best picture, directing, art direction, cinematography, costume design, film editing, music—score, music—song (‘My heart will go on’), sound, sound effects editing, visual effects
The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003): Best picture, directing, art direction, costume design, film editing, make-up, music—score, music—song (‘Into the west’, sound editing, visual effects, writing—adapted screenplay 

The motion pictures with the highest number of Oscar nominations are La La Land (2016), Titanic (1997) and All About Eve (1950), with 14 nominations each.

OSCAR RECORDS HELD BY INDIVIDUALS
The actors with the highest number of Oscars are Daniel Day-Lewis, Jack Nicholson and Walter Brennan—all with three each. Of them, Daniel Day-Lewis holds the record for having won the highest number of Oscars for leading roles. 

Daniel Day-Lewis with his Oscar for Lincoln

Daniel Day-Lewis: My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007), Lincoln (2012)
Jack Nicholson: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Terms of Endearment (1983) [supporting], As Good as It Gets (1997)
Walter Brennan: Come and Get It (1936), Kentucky (1938), The Westerner (1940) 


Katharine Hepburn and Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator

The actress who holds the record of having won the highest number of Oscars is Katharine Hepburn, with 4 Oscars for leading roles—Morning Glory (1932/33), Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (1967), The Lion in Winter (1968), On Golden Pond (1981).
Cate Blanchett won her first Oscar for playing Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator (2004).


Meryl Streep with her Oscar for The Iron Lady

The actress with the highest number of Oscar nominations is Meryl Streep, with 21 nominations—The Deer Hunter (1978) [supporting], Kramer Vs Kramer (1979) [supporting; won], The French Lieutenant’s Wife (1981), Sophie’s Choice (1982) [won], Silkwood (1983), Out Of Africa (1985), Ironweed (1987), A Cry In The Dark (1988), Postcards From The Edge (1990), The Bridges Of Madison County (1995), One True Thing (1998), Music Of The Heart (1999), Adaptation (2002) [supporting], The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Doubt (2008), Julie & Julia (2009), The Iron Lady (2011) [won], August Osage County (2013), Into The Woods (2014) [supporting], Florence Foster Jenkins (2016), The Post (2017). Four nominations have been for supporting roles. Streep has won three Oscars.

The oldest actor to have won an Oscar is Christopher Plummer, who won supporting actor Oscar for Beginners (2012), at age 82. 


Walt Disney holds the record of the individual to have won the highest number of Oscars, with 22 wins.

The director with the highest number of Oscars for directing is John Ford. He won four Oscars—The Informer (1935), The Grapes Of Wrath (1940), How Green Was My Valley (1941), The Quiet Man (1952).


Kathryn Bigelow with her Oscars for directing and Best Picture for The Hurt Locker

Only five women have ever earned Oscar nominations for directing—Lina Wertmüller for Seven Beauties (1976), Jane Campion for The Piano (1993), Sofia Coppola for Lost in Translation (2003), Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker (2009), and Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird (2017). Bigelow became the first, and has since been the only woman to have won an Oscar for directing. The Hurt Locker also won the Oscar for Best Picture that year. Gerwig's film Little Women is nominated for six Oscars this year, including one for best picture.
Only four actors/actresses have won Oscars for leading roles in their debut films—Shirley Booth for Come Back, Little Sheba (1952), Julie Andrews  for Mary Poppins (1964), Barbra Streisand for Funny Girl (1968) and Marlee Matlin for Children of a Lesser God (1986).


TRIVIA REGARDING THE 2020 OSCARS:
Parasite is the first film from South Korea to earn a nomination for best international feature film.

Parasite is only the sixth movie to be nominated for both, international feature as well as best picture.

Parasite could become the first ever foreign film to win the Oscar for best picture.


Cynthia Erivo is only the third person to be nominated for acting (in Harriet) and original song (‘Stand up’ from Harriet) together, the first two being Mary J. Blige (Mudbound, 2017) and Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born, 2018).

Lead actress nominee Cynthia Erivo is already an Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner, which means she is just one Oscar away from achieving the distinction of being an ‘EGOT’—one that only 15 people have earned to date.

Composer John Williams, who is nominated for his original score for Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker, is the living person with the maximum Oscar nominations, next only to the late Walt Disney, who earned 59 Oscar nominations—the highest number achieved by any individual.

January 14, 2020

THE 2020 SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS PREDICTIONS

They call the SAG cast and ensemble awards the 'equivalents' of best picture or best series. However, the results can be dramatically different, because here they consider the actors' performances alone. A comparison between recent years’ winners in these categories and the ‘equivalents’ at the Oscars, Golden Globes or Emmys will make that quite evident. So don’t be surprised if Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood takes home the ‘equivalent’ here, even if it doesn't come close to a best picture Oscar. 

Take a look at all predictions, across television and motion pictures for this Sunday’s 26th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

TELEVISION


Outstanding Performance By An Ensemble In A Drama Series
BIG LITTLE LIES—could win
THE CROWN—most likely
GAME OF THRONES
THE HANDMAID’S TALE
STRANGER THINGS

This one is difficult to predict. They’ve never given it to GAME OF THRONES, so the GOT cast can win for their swansong. BIG LITTLE LIES is a strong contender. However, I think this will go to the cast of THE CROWN.

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston, THE MORNING SHOW—could win
Helena Bonham Carter, THE CROWN
Olivia Colman, THE CROWN—most likely
Jodie Comer, KILLING EVE
Elisabeth Moss, THE HANDMAID’S TALE

The SAGs have awarded THE CROWN and KILLING EVE before in this category, though for different actresses. I believe they'll stick with THE CROWN this year. I think it'll be Olivia Colman. Alternatively, it could go to Jennifer Aniston, or Jodie Comer.  

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown, THIS IS US—could win
Steve Carell, THE MORNING SHOW—most likely
Billy Crudup, THE MORNING SHOW
Peter Dinklage, GAME OF THRONES
David Harbour, STRANGER THINGS

Steve Carell is a strong contender here. I suspect he’ll win. If not, the SAGs might make up for their lack of love for THIS IS US this year, by awarding Sterling K. Brown, who hasn’t won in this category before.


Outstanding Performance By An Ensemble In A Comedy Series
BARRY
FLEABAG—most likely
THE KOMINSKY METHOD
THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL
SCHITT’S CREEK—could win

It’s FLEABAG’s year. Enough said.

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Comedy Series
Christina Applegate, DEAD TO ME
Alex Borstein, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL
Rachel Brosnahan, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL
Catherine O’Hara, SCHITT’S CREEK
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, FLEABAG—most likely, will win

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is winning this one. It’s FLEABAG’s year.

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Comedy Series
Alan Arkin, THE KOMINSKY METHOD
Michael Douglas, THE KOMINSKY METHOD
Bill Hader, BARRY—could win
Andrew Scott, FLEABAG—most likely
Tony Shaloub, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL

The SAGs don’t shy away from awarding supporting performances in a category that also includes lead roles. So it would be safe to predict Andrew Scott as the winner here, since it’s FLEABAG’s year. Alternatively, Bill Hader could win.

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Television Movie Or Limited Series
Patricia Arquette, THE ACT—could win
Toni Collette, UNVELIEVABLE
Joey King, THE ACT
Emily Watson, CHERNOBYL
Michelle Williams, FOSSE/VERDON—most likely

Michelle Williams is most likely to win. But considering Patricia Arquette’s Golden Globe win, it could be hers.

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Television Movie Or Limited Series
Mahershala Ali, TRUE DETECTIVE
Russell Crowe, THE LOUDEST VOICE—could win
Jared Harris, CHERNOBYL
Jharrel Jerome, WHEN THEY SEE US—most likely
Sam Rockwell, FOSSE/VERDON

After Russell Crowe’s Golden Globe win, this one is hard to predict. However, I think Jharrel Jerome will win here. Alternatively, Jared Harris or Crowe could take it home.


MOTION PICTURES


Outstanding Performance By A Cast In A Motion Picture
Bombshell
The Irishman—could win
Jojo Rabbit
Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood—most likely
Parasite

This is where the SAG most understandably goes a direction quite different than that of the Golden Globes or eventually the Oscars. Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood will most likely lose out at the Oscars, but the enormous cast and the picture’s popularity will push it forward for the SAG. After Black Panther’s win last year, this far more deserving (potential) win should be far from surprising.

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Leading Role
Cynthia Erivo, Harriet
Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story
Lupita Nyong'o, Us
Charlize Theron, Bombshell—could win
Renée Zellweger, Judy—most likely

The SAG has often gone in a different direction with lead actress even, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Charlize Theron or even Scarlett Johansson take this home, instead of awards season favorite, Zellweger.

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Leading Role
Christian Bale, Ford v Ferrari
Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood
Adam Driver, Marriage Story
Taron Egerton, Rocketman
Joaquin Phoenix, Joker—most likely, will win

I think this is the most predictable category across all major awards this awards season. I don’t think there’s any doubt that Joaquin Phoenix will win here.

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Supporting Role
Laura Dern, Marriage Story—most likely
Scarlett Johansson, Jojo Rabbit
Nicole Kidman, Bombshell
Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers—could win
Margot Robbie, Bombshell

Again, the SAG has been known to appreciate lighter fare more than the other awards do, especially since they don’t have separate comedy categories. So if Jennifer Lopez wins, it won’t be a shock. Though Laura Dern is still a favorite.

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Supporting Role
Jamie Foxx, Just Mercy
Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood
Al Pacino, The Irishman—could win
Joe Pesci, The Irishman
Brad Pitt, Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood—most likely

Brad Pitt is the favorite in this category for sure. However, if the SAGs decide to go all SAG about this, they could give it to Al Pacino.

January 13, 2020

WATCH HERE: THE 2020 OSCAR NOMINATIONS (LIVE)

The nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards were announced live, today, Monday, January 13, at 5:18am, PST; 8:18am, EST; 1:18pm, GMT; and 6:48pm, IST. The announcement was made by actors John Cho and Issa Rae.

Watch the nominations announcement here:





ALL 2020 OSCAR NOMINATIONS:

Best Motion Picture
Ford v Ferrari
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
1917
Once upon a Time...in Hollywood
Parasite

Achievement In Directing
The Irishman | Martin Scorsese
Joker | Todd Phillips
1917 | Sam Mendes
Once upon a Time...in Hollywood | Quentin Tarantino
Parasite | Bong Joon Ho

Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role
Cynthia Erivo in Harriet
Scarlett Johansson in Marriage Story
Saoirse Ronan in Little Women
Charlize Theron in Bombshell
Renée Zellweger in Judy

Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role
Antonio Banderas in Pain and Glory
Leonardo DiCaprio in Once upon a Time...in Hollywood
Adam Driver in Marriage Story
Joaquin Phoenix in Joker
Jonathan Pryce in The Two Popes

Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role
Kathy Bates in Richard Jewell
Laura Dern in Marriage Story
Scarlett Johansson in Jojo Rabbit
Florence Pugh in Little Women
Margot Robbie in Bombshell

Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role
Tom Hanks in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Anthony Hopkins in The Two Popes
Al Pacino in The Irishman
Joe Pesci in The Irishman
Brad Pitt in Once upon a Time...in Hollywood

Adapted Screenplay
The Irishman | Screenplay by Steven Zaillian
Jojo Rabbit | Screenplay by Taika Waititi
Joker | Written by Todd Phillips & Scott Silver
Little Women | Written for the screen by Greta Gerwig
The Two Popes | Written by Anthony McCarten

Original Screenplay
Knives Out | Written by Rian Johnson
Marriage Story | Written by Noah Baumbach
1917 | Written by Sam Mendes & Krysty Wilson-Cairns
Once upon a Time...in Hollywood | Written by Quentin Tarantino
Parasite | Screenplay by Bong Joon Ho, Han Jin Won; Story by Bong Joon Ho

Achievement In Cinematography
The Irishman | Rodrigo Prieto
Joker | Lawrence Sher
The Lighthouse | Jarin Blaschke
1917 | Roger Deakins
Once upon a Time...in Hollywood | Robert Richardson

Achievement In Film Editing
Ford v Ferrari | Michael McCusker and Andrew Buckland
The Irishman | Thelma Schoonmaker
Jojo Rabbit | Tom Eagles
Joker | Jeff Groth
Parasite | Yang Jinmo

Achievement In Costume Design
The Irishman | Sandy Powell and Christopher Peterson
Jojo Rabbit | Mayes C. Rubeo
Joker | Mark Bridges
Little Women | Jacqueline Durran
Once upon a Time...in Hollywood | Arianne Phillips

Achievement In Makeup And Hairstyling
Bombshell | Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan and Vivian Baker
Joker | Nicki Ledermann and Kay Georgiou
Judy | Jeremy Woodhead
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil | Paul Gooch, Arjen Tuiten and David White
1917 | Naomi Donne, Tristan Versluis and Rebecca Cole

Achievement In Music Written For Motion Pictures (Original Score)
Joker | Hildur Guðnadóttir
Little Women | Alexandre Desplat
Marriage Story | Randy Newman
1917 | Thomas Newman
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | John Williams

Achievement In Music Written For Motion Pictures (Original Song)
‘I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away’ from Toy Story 4 | Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
‘(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again’ from Rocketman | Music by Elton John; Lyric by Bernie Taupin
‘I'm Standing With You’ from Breakthrough | Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
‘Into The Unknown’ from Frozen II | Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
‘Stand Up’ from Harriet | Music and Lyric by Joshuah Brian Campbell and Cynthia Erivo

Achievement In Production Design
The Irishman | Production Design: Bob Shaw; Set Decoration: Regina Graves
Jojo Rabbit | Production Design: Ra Vincent; Set Decoration: Nora Sopková
1917 | Production Design: Dennis Gassner; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales
Once upon a Time...in Hollywood | Production Design: Barbara Ling; Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh
Parasite | Production Design: Lee Ha Jun; Set Decoration: Cho Won Woo

Achievement In Sound Editing
Ford v Ferrari | Donald Sylvester
Joker | Alan Robert Murray
1917 | Oliver Tarney and Rachael Tate
Once upon a Time...in Hollywood | Wylie Stateman
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | Matthew Wood and David Acord

Achievement In Sound Mixing
Ad Astra | Gary Rydstrom, Tom Johnson and Mark Ulano
Ford v Ferrari | Paul Massey, David Giammarco and Steven A. Morrow
Joker | Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic and Tod Maitland
1917 | Mark Taylor and Stuart Wilson
Once upon a Time...in Hollywood | Michael Minkler, Christian P. Minkler and Mark Ulano

Achievement In Visual Effects
Avengers: Endgame | Dan DeLeeuw, Russell Earl, Matt Aitken and Dan Sudick
The Irishman | Pablo Helman, Leandro Estebecorena, Nelson Sepulveda-Fauser and Stephane Grabli
The Lion King | Robert Legato, Adam Valdez, Andrew R. Jones and Elliot Newman
1917 | Guillaume Rocheron, Greg Butler and Dominic Tuohy
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | Roger Guyett, Neal Scanlan, Patrick Tubach and Dominic Tuohy

Best Animated Feature Film
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
I Lost My Body
Klaus
Missing Link
Toy Story 4

Best International Feature Film
Corpus Christi | Poland
Honeyland | North Macedonia
Les Misérables | France
Pain and Glory | Spain
Parasite | South Korea

Best Documentary Feature
American Factory
The Cave
The Edge of Democracy
For Sama
Honeyland

Best Documentary Short Subject
In the Absence
Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)
Life Overtakes Me
St. Louis Superman
Walk Run Cha-Cha

Best Animated Short Film
Dcera (Daughter)
Hair Love
Kitbull
Memorable
Sister

Best Live Action Short Film
Brotherhood
Nefta Football Club
The Neighbors' Window
Saria
A Sister