At the 27th Academy Awards, Oscar helped Edmond O’Brien win an Oscar.
O’Brien played sleazy show biz publicist Oscar Muldoon in 1954’s “The Barefoot Contessa,” which starred Humphrey Bogart and Ava Gardner. Bogart had been crowned Best Actor of 1951 for “The African Queen,” and had also contended for the same award for 1943’s Best Picture, “Casablanca.” Gardner was coming off of her first and only nomination, for Best Actress in 1953’s “Mogambo.” “The Barefoot Contessa” was written and directed by Academy favorite Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who had won back-to-back Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay Oscars for 1949’s “A Letter to Three Wives” and 1950’s Best Picture, “All About Eve.”
”The Barefoot Contessa” didn’t fare quite as well at the Oscars as “Letter” or “Eve.” Neither Bogart or Gardner received nominations, though Bogart was cited for his role in that same year’s Best Picture entry “The Caine Mutiny.
O’Brien played sleazy show biz publicist Oscar Muldoon in 1954’s “The Barefoot Contessa,” which starred Humphrey Bogart and Ava Gardner. Bogart had been crowned Best Actor of 1951 for “The African Queen,” and had also contended for the same award for 1943’s Best Picture, “Casablanca.” Gardner was coming off of her first and only nomination, for Best Actress in 1953’s “Mogambo.” “The Barefoot Contessa” was written and directed by Academy favorite Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who had won back-to-back Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay Oscars for 1949’s “A Letter to Three Wives” and 1950’s Best Picture, “All About Eve.”
”The Barefoot Contessa” didn’t fare quite as well at the Oscars as “Letter” or “Eve.” Neither Bogart or Gardner received nominations, though Bogart was cited for his role in that same year’s Best Picture entry “The Caine Mutiny.
- 6/4/2024
- by Tariq Khan
- Gold Derby
“Thank you for your service.” The words have become a cliché, but Hollywood has tried long and hard to make them matter. The industry has produced countless films about warfare and those who died for their country (whom we remember this week). But it has had a mixed record on presenting characters suffering the after-effects of putting their lives on the line. They may have survived, but lost comrades and innocence. It is their moment, too.
World War II brought the most cinematic treatment, and one of the directors who himself served — William Wyler — later had the guts to depict the challenges soldiers faced when the fighting stopped. Vietnam was likely the most troublesome to depict, it being the one we lost. Right-winger John Wayne was up first, with “The Green Berets,” gung-ho in flavor. It wasn’t until the late ‘70s that a pair of exceptional movies focused less...
World War II brought the most cinematic treatment, and one of the directors who himself served — William Wyler — later had the guts to depict the challenges soldiers faced when the fighting stopped. Vietnam was likely the most troublesome to depict, it being the one we lost. Right-winger John Wayne was up first, with “The Green Berets,” gung-ho in flavor. It wasn’t until the late ‘70s that a pair of exceptional movies focused less...
- 5/27/2024
- by Michele Willens
- The Wrap
After initially breaking the record for directing the most Oscar-winning performances in 1939 and then being temporarily displaced by Victor Fleming the following year, William Wyler has singularly retained said distinction since 1943. At the time of his retirement more than half a century ago, he was responsible for making movies that produced a whopping 14 acting wins, including at least two in each of the four possible categories. Check out our complete photo gallery of Oscar-winning turns in Wyler films, which also includes a rundown of the unsuccessful nominees directed by him.
Between 1926 and 1970, Wyler directed 44 narrative feature films, 22 of which earned a collective total of 127 Oscar nominations and 39 wins. Among them is “Ben-Hur” (1960), which shares the record for most single-film wins (11) with “Titanic” (1998) and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2004). Prior to his death in 1981, Wyler was personally recognized 14 times across two categories, winning Best Director for...
Between 1926 and 1970, Wyler directed 44 narrative feature films, 22 of which earned a collective total of 127 Oscar nominations and 39 wins. Among them is “Ben-Hur” (1960), which shares the record for most single-film wins (11) with “Titanic” (1998) and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2004). Prior to his death in 1981, Wyler was personally recognized 14 times across two categories, winning Best Director for...
- 3/21/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
After initially breaking the record for directing the most Oscar-winning performances in 1939 and then being temporarily displaced by Victor Fleming the following year, William Wyler has singularly retained said distinction since 1943. At the time of his retirement more than half a century ago, he was responsible for making movies that produced a whopping 14 acting wins, including at least two in each of the four possible categories. Check out our complete photo gallery of Oscar-winning turns in Wyler films, which also includes a rundown of the unsuccessful nominees directed by him.
Between 1926 and 1970, Wyler directed 44 narrative feature films, 22 of which earned a collective total of 127 Oscar nominations and 39 wins. Among them is “Ben-Hur” (1960), which shares the record for most single-film wins (11) with “Titanic” (1998) and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2004). Prior to his death in 1981, Wyler was personally recognized 14 times across two categories, winning Best Director for...
Between 1926 and 1970, Wyler directed 44 narrative feature films, 22 of which earned a collective total of 127 Oscar nominations and 39 wins. Among them is “Ben-Hur” (1960), which shares the record for most single-film wins (11) with “Titanic” (1998) and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2004). Prior to his death in 1981, Wyler was personally recognized 14 times across two categories, winning Best Director for...
- 3/21/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Steve Harley, the frontman of British glam rock band Cockney Rebel, died Sunday at 73 from cancer.
Harley’s family said Sunday that he had “passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side.” Harley said late last year he was being treated for “a nasty cancer.”
His best known song was “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me),” which went to No. 1 in the UK in 1975.
Harley also sang the title song of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical The Phantom of the Opera alongside Sarah Brightman when it was released as a single in 1986. He was originally cast in the title role for the stage musical, but was replaced by Michael Crawford.
Harley also presented Sounds of the ’70s on BBC Radio 2 from 1999-2008.
Born in London in 1951, Harley spent almost four years of his childhood hospitalized after contracting polio.
He formed Cockney Rebel, which released its first album,...
Harley’s family said Sunday that he had “passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side.” Harley said late last year he was being treated for “a nasty cancer.”
His best known song was “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me),” which went to No. 1 in the UK in 1975.
Harley also sang the title song of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical The Phantom of the Opera alongside Sarah Brightman when it was released as a single in 1986. He was originally cast in the title role for the stage musical, but was replaced by Michael Crawford.
Harley also presented Sounds of the ’70s on BBC Radio 2 from 1999-2008.
Born in London in 1951, Harley spent almost four years of his childhood hospitalized after contracting polio.
He formed Cockney Rebel, which released its first album,...
- 3/17/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Rather than fulfilling general expectations by becoming the first film since “Slumdog Millionaire” (2009) to win eight Oscars, “Oppenheimer” left the 2024 Academy Awards with seven, including the coveted Best Picture prize. Although its eventual haul was far from the most impressive ever, it still comfortably ranked as the biggest winner of the night and officially joined a stellar, eight-decade-spanning roster of 12 movies that each merited a lucky seven competitive academy honors.
In addition to the top award, “Oppenheimer” racked up victories for Best Director (Christopher Nolan), Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Score. Of the dozen films that preceded it in winning seven Oscars, the one that comes closest to matching its exact haul is “The Bridge on the River Kwai” (1958), which took Best Adapted Screenplay rather than Best Supporting Actor (Sessue Hayakawa).
“The Bridge on the River Kwai...
In addition to the top award, “Oppenheimer” racked up victories for Best Director (Christopher Nolan), Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Score. Of the dozen films that preceded it in winning seven Oscars, the one that comes closest to matching its exact haul is “The Bridge on the River Kwai” (1958), which took Best Adapted Screenplay rather than Best Supporting Actor (Sessue Hayakawa).
“The Bridge on the River Kwai...
- 3/12/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
As the expectation of an “Oppenheimer” steamroller at the Academy Awards this coming Sunday rises seemingly by the day, it’s worth looking at some of the Oscar juggernauts of the past and guessing where the film will fall in terms of number of victories. It’s possible the movie could even score a double-digit total, and if it does, that would elevate it into some very rarified air.
While it could conceivably win as many as 13 statuettes based on its 13 nominations, “Oppenheimer” is obviously highly unlikely to sweep every category. It probably won’t, for instance, take home the trophies for costume design or for makeup and hairstyling. When you think of the Father of the Atomic Bomb, after all, you don’t necessarily envision what a sharp dresser he was or how perfectly coiffed. I’m also predicting the film will lose at least one other of the...
While it could conceivably win as many as 13 statuettes based on its 13 nominations, “Oppenheimer” is obviously highly unlikely to sweep every category. It probably won’t, for instance, take home the trophies for costume design or for makeup and hairstyling. When you think of the Father of the Atomic Bomb, after all, you don’t necessarily envision what a sharp dresser he was or how perfectly coiffed. I’m also predicting the film will lose at least one other of the...
- 3/4/2024
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
The 2024 Oscar race is on, and one film has the potential to accomplish a feat that hasn’t happened in 64 years. “Oppenheimer” leads the nominations with 13, and it’s on track to win several of those categories. If Christopher Nolan‘s epic claims Best Picture, Best Actor (Cillian Murphy) and Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), it will be the first time since 1960 that the same film (“Ben-Hur”) has won those three exact categories. And it would be only the fourth time it’s ever happened.
See Cillian Murphy interview: ‘Oppenheimer’
Since the Best Supporting Actor category was introduced in 1937, only three films have walked away with Best Picture as well as both male acting categories. In 1945, the inspirational musical comedy “Going My Way” not only became the highest-grossing film of 1944, but also won seven of its ten Oscar nominations, making it the big winner of the night. Beside the top prize,...
See Cillian Murphy interview: ‘Oppenheimer’
Since the Best Supporting Actor category was introduced in 1937, only three films have walked away with Best Picture as well as both male acting categories. In 1945, the inspirational musical comedy “Going My Way” not only became the highest-grossing film of 1944, but also won seven of its ten Oscar nominations, making it the big winner of the night. Beside the top prize,...
- 3/2/2024
- by Susan Pennington
- Gold Derby
Just 30 minutes after final voting for the Screen Actors Guild Awards wrapped up, I made a last-minute switch in my best actress prediction — from Lily Gladstone in “Killers of the Flower Moon” to Emma Stone in “Poor Things.” Let this be a lesson: Second-guessing yourself is seldom a good idea.
Lily Gladstone made history as the first Native American and Indigenous person to clinch an individual SAG Award for her portrayal of Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman, in Martin Scorsese’s gripping crime saga. With a lead actress (drama) Golden Globe and a SAG Award now under her belt, Gladstone’s award-season momentum continues to be formidable. Historically, only seven performers have failed to win the Oscar after winning the unique combination of Globe and SAG:
1995: Lauren Bacall (“The Mirror Has Two Faces”) lost to Juliette Binoche 2001: Russell Crowe (“A Beautiful Mind”) lost to Denzel Washington (“Training Day...
Lily Gladstone made history as the first Native American and Indigenous person to clinch an individual SAG Award for her portrayal of Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman, in Martin Scorsese’s gripping crime saga. With a lead actress (drama) Golden Globe and a SAG Award now under her belt, Gladstone’s award-season momentum continues to be formidable. Historically, only seven performers have failed to win the Oscar after winning the unique combination of Globe and SAG:
1995: Lauren Bacall (“The Mirror Has Two Faces”) lost to Juliette Binoche 2001: Russell Crowe (“A Beautiful Mind”) lost to Denzel Washington (“Training Day...
- 2/25/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Since the beginning of the Academy Awards in the late 1920s, Hollywood filmmakers have been making socially conscious films. Many of the best of those have scored the film town’s top honor — Oscar best picture.
This year, that winner could be “Oppenheimer,” a film that boldly and starkly dramatizes the creation of man’s most dangerous invention: atomic weapons.
It could be “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a film that brought a lost and dreadful piece of American history into the sunlight of the Cannes Film Festival and ultimately the spotlights of awards season.
It could be either “Barbie” or “Poor Things,” two of the wildest, most colorful and inventive investigations of feminist and/or post-feminist womanhood to ever hit the big screen.
It could be “American Fiction,” a wry and witty look at Black American middle-class identity and family relations under preposterous, dispiriting cultural pressures.
But will the...
This year, that winner could be “Oppenheimer,” a film that boldly and starkly dramatizes the creation of man’s most dangerous invention: atomic weapons.
It could be “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a film that brought a lost and dreadful piece of American history into the sunlight of the Cannes Film Festival and ultimately the spotlights of awards season.
It could be either “Barbie” or “Poor Things,” two of the wildest, most colorful and inventive investigations of feminist and/or post-feminist womanhood to ever hit the big screen.
It could be “American Fiction,” a wry and witty look at Black American middle-class identity and family relations under preposterous, dispiriting cultural pressures.
But will the...
- 2/16/2024
- by Steven Gaydos
- Variety Film + TV
Although he has personally competed for the Best Picture Oscar as a qualifying producer of just four films, Martin Scorsese is responsible for directing 10 of the top Academy Award category’s nominees, including 2024 contender “Killers of the Flower Moon.” This recent improvement upon his total makes him only the third filmmaker in Oscars history to helm a double-digit amount of Best Picture nominees. Including him, six people who were already credited with directing at least one nominee rose higher in the ranks this year.
The previous Scorsese films that vied for Best Picture are 2007 winner “The Departed” (for which he earned his sole directing trophy) and nominees “Taxi Driver” (1977), “Raging Bull” (1981), “Goodfellas” (1991), “Gangs of New York” (2003), “The Aviator” (2005), “Hugo” (2012), “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2014), and “The Irishman” (2020). Of the 10, he received producing notices for the most recent four and directing bids for all but “Taxi Driver.” The only ones who...
The previous Scorsese films that vied for Best Picture are 2007 winner “The Departed” (for which he earned his sole directing trophy) and nominees “Taxi Driver” (1977), “Raging Bull” (1981), “Goodfellas” (1991), “Gangs of New York” (2003), “The Aviator” (2005), “Hugo” (2012), “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2014), and “The Irishman” (2020). Of the 10, he received producing notices for the most recent four and directing bids for all but “Taxi Driver.” The only ones who...
- 2/9/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
For the first seven decades of Oscar history, the Academy Awards and the general public were more or less in agreement on what constituted a “good” movie. Box office champions like Gone With the Wind, The Best Years of Our Lives, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Ben-Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, The Sound of Music, The Godfather, Rain Man, Titanic, and many more all won best picture and plenty of other Oscar categories. But then, after a last gasp from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in 2004, everything changed. Over the past 20 years, it’s become routine for the No. 1 movie at the box office to not even get nominated for best picture, let alone win.
But this year, filmgoers and awards voters may have finally reached a compromise. The worldwide phenomenon “Barbenheimer” is poised to give just as much of a jolt to the Oscar...
But this year, filmgoers and awards voters may have finally reached a compromise. The worldwide phenomenon “Barbenheimer” is poised to give just as much of a jolt to the Oscar...
- 1/19/2024
- by Ben Zauzmer
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Christmas movies are one of the most beloved genres in cinema history with every film fan having their own select favorite that they watch and rewatch every year. However, while the genre is treasured, the Oscars haven’t rewarded it as much as you might think or hope. There are several movies, however, that have found their way into Oscars lineups. We’ve detailed just five of those Christmas movies that have managed Oscar nominations or wins.
By the way, “The Apartment” is not included on this list (but might be in a future article). The Billy Wilder movie won five Academy Awards including Best Picture (1961) but there seems to be debate around whether it actually qualifies as a Christmas movie or not. It’s set during the holiday period, but some feel that isn’t enough for it to be an out-and-out Christmas movie. Perhaps that’s one for our forums.
By the way, “The Apartment” is not included on this list (but might be in a future article). The Billy Wilder movie won five Academy Awards including Best Picture (1961) but there seems to be debate around whether it actually qualifies as a Christmas movie or not. It’s set during the holiday period, but some feel that isn’t enough for it to be an out-and-out Christmas movie. Perhaps that’s one for our forums.
- 12/14/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Martin Scorsese is one of the greatest movie makers of all time, with titles such as “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” and “The Irishman.” The Academy Awards think that highly of him, too. Scorsese has reaped nine Best Director nominations. That tally ties him with Steven Spielberg. Here’s the breakdown of Best Director bids for both of them:
Scorsese:
“Raging Bull” in 1981 — lost to Robert Redford for “Ordinary People.” “The Last Temptation of Christ” in 1989 — lost to Barry Levinson for “Rain Man.” “Goodfellas” in 1991 — lost to Kevin Costner for “Dances With Wolves.” “Gangs of New York” in 2003 — lost to Roman Polanski for “The Pianist.” “The Aviator” in 2005 — lost to Clint Eastwood for “Million Dollar Baby.” “The Departed” in 2007 — Won. “Hugo” in 2012 — lost to Michel Hazanavicius for “The Artist.” “The Wolf of Wall Street” in 2014 — lost to Alfonso Cuarón for “Gravity.” “The Irishman” in 2020 — lost to Bong Joon Ho for “Parasite.
Scorsese:
“Raging Bull” in 1981 — lost to Robert Redford for “Ordinary People.” “The Last Temptation of Christ” in 1989 — lost to Barry Levinson for “Rain Man.” “Goodfellas” in 1991 — lost to Kevin Costner for “Dances With Wolves.” “Gangs of New York” in 2003 — lost to Roman Polanski for “The Pianist.” “The Aviator” in 2005 — lost to Clint Eastwood for “Million Dollar Baby.” “The Departed” in 2007 — Won. “Hugo” in 2012 — lost to Michel Hazanavicius for “The Artist.” “The Wolf of Wall Street” in 2014 — lost to Alfonso Cuarón for “Gravity.” “The Irishman” in 2020 — lost to Bong Joon Ho for “Parasite.
- 9/13/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
With his latest film “Oppenheimer,” Christopher Nolan has returned to war; World War II, specifically. Although the J. Robert Oppenheimer biopic doesn’t feature any scenes of soldiers heading into battle, it’s a war movie at its heart, with the conflict in Europe and Asia motivating the morally reprehensible actions of the Manhattan Project in the States. “Oppenheimer” makes, in some ways, a good companion piece to Nolan’s 2016 hit “Dunkirk”: a more conventional (relatively speaking) depiction of the war, from the perspectives of the ordinary soldiers during the Dunkirk evacuation.
From the moment it ended, World War II has proven fertile ground for hundreds of directors, as Hollywood stars have geared up to fight some Nazis. But, perhaps due to the relative recency and large scope of the conflict, the war has also invited an unexpected level of nuance and diversity of perspectives. One of the earliest...
From the moment it ended, World War II has proven fertile ground for hundreds of directors, as Hollywood stars have geared up to fight some Nazis. But, perhaps due to the relative recency and large scope of the conflict, the war has also invited an unexpected level of nuance and diversity of perspectives. One of the earliest...
- 8/3/2023
- by Kate Erbland and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
If you’re in the mood for a great story, Amazon’s excellent Prime Video service has some incredible dramas to keep you entertained. The service has a huge library, from Oscar-winning favorites to obscure gems. And the best part is that it’s free if you have Amazon Prime. If you don’t, you can pick up a 30-day Free trial.
30-Day Free Trial $8.99 / month amazon.com Titanic November 18, 1997
101-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater tells the story of her life aboard the Titanic, 84 years later. A young Rose boards the ship with her mother and fiancé. Meanwhile, Jack Dawson and Fabrizio De Rossi win third-class tickets aboard the ship. Rose tells the whole story from Titanic’s departure through to its death—on its first and only voyage.
This is the movie that launched Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet into superstardom. It is epic in every way, and director James Cameron...
30-Day Free Trial $8.99 / month amazon.com Titanic November 18, 1997
101-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater tells the story of her life aboard the Titanic, 84 years later. A young Rose boards the ship with her mother and fiancé. Meanwhile, Jack Dawson and Fabrizio De Rossi win third-class tickets aboard the ship. Rose tells the whole story from Titanic’s departure through to its death—on its first and only voyage.
This is the movie that launched Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet into superstardom. It is epic in every way, and director James Cameron...
- 6/6/2023
- by Ben Bowman
- The Streamable
"Everything Everywhere All at Once" didn't win everything, or everywhere, but it sure did win a lot, and practically all at once. The high-concept sleeper hit, which debuted almost a year ago last March, somehow kept the great word of mouth going for almost an entire year, earning over $108 million and a whopping seven Oscars.
It's a gigantic accomplishment for an independent film about a Chinese-American immigrant (Michelle Yeoh) who hates that she never did anything with her life, only to discover that across the vast multiverse of realities, she did practically everything. Eventually, she reconciles her various destinies while coming to terms with her overbearing father (James Hong), her disconnected husband (Ke Huy Quan), and her queer daughter (Stephanie Hsu). That's just a weird danged premise for a movie in general, and now it's actually swept the 2023 Academy Awards.
What's more, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" pulled off the...
It's a gigantic accomplishment for an independent film about a Chinese-American immigrant (Michelle Yeoh) who hates that she never did anything with her life, only to discover that across the vast multiverse of realities, she did practically everything. Eventually, she reconciles her various destinies while coming to terms with her overbearing father (James Hong), her disconnected husband (Ke Huy Quan), and her queer daughter (Stephanie Hsu). That's just a weird danged premise for a movie in general, and now it's actually swept the 2023 Academy Awards.
What's more, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" pulled off the...
- 3/13/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- Slash Film
As Gold Derby predicted, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” dominated the 2023 Oscars on Sunday, March 12. In all, A24’s sci-fi hit from filmmakers Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert claimed seven trophies: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress (Michelle Yeoh), Best Supporting Actor (Ke Huy Quan), Best Supporting Actress (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Best Film Editing. Just how impressive is seven Oscars? In the past 95 years of Academy Awards ceremonies, only 15 films have managed to take home more statuettes.
When the Oscars like you, they really, really like you. Tour our photo gallery above (or click here for direct access) to see the 15 films with the most Oscars won throughout history. At 11 victories apiece, the current three record-holders are “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” “Titanic” and “Ben-Hur.” But where do other Academy Awards faves like “West Side Story,” “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Gone with the Wind...
When the Oscars like you, they really, really like you. Tour our photo gallery above (or click here for direct access) to see the 15 films with the most Oscars won throughout history. At 11 victories apiece, the current three record-holders are “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” “Titanic” and “Ben-Hur.” But where do other Academy Awards faves like “West Side Story,” “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Gone with the Wind...
- 3/13/2023
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
In much the same way you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, you can’t have the Oscars without breaking a few hearts along the way.
Over the years, a glut of films have swept the board at the Academy Awards. In 1991, The Silence of the Lambs became the first and so far only horror film to win Oscars in all five major categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Titanic, of course, won 11 Oscars in 1998 with James Cameron naturally declaring: “I’m the King of the World!”
More recently still, movies like Slumdog Millionaire and Gravity took home a slew of Oscars for their efforts. But while the movies that take home the night’s big awards continue to live long in the memory – Crash aside – it’s worth not just sparing a thought for the also-rans and nearly...
Over the years, a glut of films have swept the board at the Academy Awards. In 1991, The Silence of the Lambs became the first and so far only horror film to win Oscars in all five major categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Titanic, of course, won 11 Oscars in 1998 with James Cameron naturally declaring: “I’m the King of the World!”
More recently still, movies like Slumdog Millionaire and Gravity took home a slew of Oscars for their efforts. But while the movies that take home the night’s big awards continue to live long in the memory – Crash aside – it’s worth not just sparing a thought for the also-rans and nearly...
- 3/12/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Celebrated director William Wyler directed 19 feature films in 1927 alone. To put that into perspective, Stanley Kubrick directed 13 in his whole career.
Wyler is one of the more towering figures in American cinema, holding the record for the greatest number of Oscar nominations for Best Director at 12, and has won three times for "Mrs. Miniver," for "The Best Years of Our Lives," and for "Ben-Hur." Additionally, his films have attracted more Oscar attention than any other filmmaker in history; 13 of them have been nominated for Best Picture, and he directed 14 Oscar-winning performances. If you are playing Trivial Pursuit and the question is about records at the Academy Awards, William Wyler is likely your best guess.
As one of the tentpoles of Hollywood's Golden Age, naturally, Wyler was afforded access to the best actors and actresses, and seemingly had his run of whatever projects he wanted. Throughout the 1920s, Wyler paid his...
Wyler is one of the more towering figures in American cinema, holding the record for the greatest number of Oscar nominations for Best Director at 12, and has won three times for "Mrs. Miniver," for "The Best Years of Our Lives," and for "Ben-Hur." Additionally, his films have attracted more Oscar attention than any other filmmaker in history; 13 of them have been nominated for Best Picture, and he directed 14 Oscar-winning performances. If you are playing Trivial Pursuit and the question is about records at the Academy Awards, William Wyler is likely your best guess.
As one of the tentpoles of Hollywood's Golden Age, naturally, Wyler was afforded access to the best actors and actresses, and seemingly had his run of whatever projects he wanted. Throughout the 1920s, Wyler paid his...
- 3/10/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The 70th Academy Award ceremony on March 23, 1998, is the most-watched Oscar ceremony to date — most likely due to a “Titanic” film nominated for several awards. However, Gil Gates, who produced 14 Oscar ceremonies between 1990 and 2008, also wanted a special segment to recognize Oscar’s platinum anniversary, and arranged for 70 past acting winners to sit together on the stage, with Norman Rose announcing the films for which each performer won. It was a spectacular gathering of actors and actresses from Classic Hollywood, New Hollywood and the contemporary period.
Let’s flashback to the first Oscars family album featured in the ceremony 25 years ago.
SEEOscar flashback 25 years to 1998: Winners are Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Robin Williams and ‘Titanic’ ratings for ABC
Among those present was the first performer to win back-to-back acting Oscars, Best Actress champ Luise Rainer. At the age of 88, she was the oldest one on the stage; when she...
Let’s flashback to the first Oscars family album featured in the ceremony 25 years ago.
SEEOscar flashback 25 years to 1998: Winners are Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Robin Williams and ‘Titanic’ ratings for ABC
Among those present was the first performer to win back-to-back acting Oscars, Best Actress champ Luise Rainer. At the age of 88, she was the oldest one on the stage; when she...
- 3/7/2023
- by Susan Pennington and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
In 1949, John Wayne was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Allan Dwan's war film "Sands of Iwo Jima." Despite several thoughtful antiwar films that preceded it -- specifically "All Quiet on the Western Front" and "The Best Years of Our Lives" -- "Iwo Jima" came at a time when patriotic, downright jingoistic movies about World War II were coming into vogue. In particular, 1949 saw the release of films like "Battleground" and "Twelve O'Clock High," both films about the nobility of war and the heroism of soldiers. Both those films were nominated for Best Picture, although they lost to the political corruption drama "All the King's Men." Wayne himself lost Best Actor to Broderick Crawford, the star of "King's Men."
In 1969, Wayne looked back on "Iwo Jima" in an interview with Roger Ebert, and posited that he lost his Oscar for political reasons. A...
In 1969, Wayne looked back on "Iwo Jima" in an interview with Roger Ebert, and posited that he lost his Oscar for political reasons. A...
- 2/28/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
This expensive production was dismissed as a flop, and literary critics scorned it for diluting the famed novel by Theodore Dreiser. But it plays well now: William Wyler gives star Laurence Olivier what may be his best film acting role ever. Jennifer Jones’ title part suffers from script changes that censor and sentimentalize Dreiser’s intentions, but the film remains a shattering tragedy. Eddie Albert co-stars in one of his first dramatic roles; this encoding includes a scene dropped from the original release.
Carrie (1952)
Region Free Blu-ray
Viavision [Imprint] #200
1952 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 121, 118 min. / Street Date February 22, 2023 / Available from [Imprint] / Aud 34.95
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Jennifer Jones, Miriam Hopkins, Eddie Albert, Basil Ruysdael, Ray Teal, Barry Kelley, William Reynolds, Mary Murphy, Charles Halton, William Baldwin, Dorothy Adams, Jacqueline de Witt, Don Beddoe, Royal Dano, Margaret Field.
Cinematography: Victor Milner
Art Directors: Hal Pereira, Roland Anderson
Costume Design: Edith Head
Film Editor: Robert Swink...
Carrie (1952)
Region Free Blu-ray
Viavision [Imprint] #200
1952 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 121, 118 min. / Street Date February 22, 2023 / Available from [Imprint] / Aud 34.95
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Jennifer Jones, Miriam Hopkins, Eddie Albert, Basil Ruysdael, Ray Teal, Barry Kelley, William Reynolds, Mary Murphy, Charles Halton, William Baldwin, Dorothy Adams, Jacqueline de Witt, Don Beddoe, Royal Dano, Margaret Field.
Cinematography: Victor Milner
Art Directors: Hal Pereira, Roland Anderson
Costume Design: Edith Head
Film Editor: Robert Swink...
- 2/18/2023
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The 76th BAFTAs take place on Sunday, February 19 at the Royal Festival Hall with Richard E. Grant hosting. Germany’s ‘”All Quiet on the Western Front” leads with 14 nominations, followed by 10 for “The Banshees of Inisherin” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and nine for “Elvis.”
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts was founded in April 1947 as the British Film Academy by luminaries including David Lean, Carol Reed, Charles Laughton, Laurence Olivier, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Lean was named chairman of the awards that would “recognize those which had contributed outstanding creative work towards the advancement of British film.” Eleven years later, the British Film Academy merged with the Guild of Television Producers and Directors.
The first awards were handed out on May 29, 1949 at the Odeon Cinema in Leicester Square to honor films released in Britain in 1947-48. Best Picture went to William Wyler’s 1946 release “The Best Years of Our Lives,...
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts was founded in April 1947 as the British Film Academy by luminaries including David Lean, Carol Reed, Charles Laughton, Laurence Olivier, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Lean was named chairman of the awards that would “recognize those which had contributed outstanding creative work towards the advancement of British film.” Eleven years later, the British Film Academy merged with the Guild of Television Producers and Directors.
The first awards were handed out on May 29, 1949 at the Odeon Cinema in Leicester Square to honor films released in Britain in 1947-48. Best Picture went to William Wyler’s 1946 release “The Best Years of Our Lives,...
- 2/16/2023
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Look over the list of Best Picture winners over the years and you realise that almost every film selected is still in circulation.
William Wellman’s Wings, the very first winner in 1927, is readily available on DVD and Blu-Ray, as are such other early winners as Cimarron and Broadway Melody.
Most of the other Best Picture winners are titles that any film lover will recognise instantly. The blind spots are obvious. The Academy never chooses foreign language titles. In recent years, it has shunned comedies.
The Shape of Water may have won in 2018, but voters are generally wary about genre pictures. You don’t see many sci-fi or martial arts titles on the list.
There is a growing divide between what wins at the Oscars and what makes the money at the box office. Even so, the est Picture Oscar remains one of the most reliable bellwethers for films that will have an afterlife.
William Wellman’s Wings, the very first winner in 1927, is readily available on DVD and Blu-Ray, as are such other early winners as Cimarron and Broadway Melody.
Most of the other Best Picture winners are titles that any film lover will recognise instantly. The blind spots are obvious. The Academy never chooses foreign language titles. In recent years, it has shunned comedies.
The Shape of Water may have won in 2018, but voters are generally wary about genre pictures. You don’t see many sci-fi or martial arts titles on the list.
There is a growing divide between what wins at the Oscars and what makes the money at the box office. Even so, the est Picture Oscar remains one of the most reliable bellwethers for films that will have an afterlife.
- 2/2/2023
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- The Independent - Film
Look over the list of Best Picture winners over the years and you realise that almost every film selected is still in circulation.
William Wellman’s Wings, the very first winner in 1927, is readily available on DVD and Blu-Ray, as are such other early winners as Cimarron and Broadway Melody.
Most of the other Best Picture winners are titles that any film lover will recognise instantly. The blind spots are obvious. The Academy never chooses foreign language titles. In recent years, it has shunned comedies.
The Shape of Water may have won in 2018, but voters are generally wary about genre pictures. You don’t see many sci-fi or martial arts titles on the list.
There is a growing divide between what wins at the Oscars and what makes the money at the box office. Even so, the est Picture Oscar remains one of the most reliable bellwethers for films that will have an afterlife.
William Wellman’s Wings, the very first winner in 1927, is readily available on DVD and Blu-Ray, as are such other early winners as Cimarron and Broadway Melody.
Most of the other Best Picture winners are titles that any film lover will recognise instantly. The blind spots are obvious. The Academy never chooses foreign language titles. In recent years, it has shunned comedies.
The Shape of Water may have won in 2018, but voters are generally wary about genre pictures. You don’t see many sci-fi or martial arts titles on the list.
There is a growing divide between what wins at the Oscars and what makes the money at the box office. Even so, the est Picture Oscar remains one of the most reliable bellwethers for films that will have an afterlife.
- 2/2/2023
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- The Independent - Film
Best Film Editing and Best Picture have had an important relationship throughout Oscars history. While the two awards don’t always necessarily go to the same film, it is rare that a Best Picture winner isn’t at least nominated for Best Film Editing. Only two out of the last 20 Best Picture champs were snubbed by the editors’ branch: “Birdman” in 2015 and “Coda” in 2022.
One of the best cutters in the business is Thelma Schoonmaker. This longtime collaborator of Martin Scorsese reunites with him for this year’s red-hot Oscar contender, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” This story tells the true tale of the murder of several Osage tribe members in the USA in the 1920s, which led to an FBI investigation involving J. Edgar Hoover. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone star.
Schoonmaker reaped her record ninth nomination for her work on this epic. Her other bids were as follows: 1971 for “Woodstock,...
One of the best cutters in the business is Thelma Schoonmaker. This longtime collaborator of Martin Scorsese reunites with him for this year’s red-hot Oscar contender, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” This story tells the true tale of the murder of several Osage tribe members in the USA in the 1920s, which led to an FBI investigation involving J. Edgar Hoover. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone star.
Schoonmaker reaped her record ninth nomination for her work on this epic. Her other bids were as follows: 1971 for “Woodstock,...
- 1/25/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
For Oscar voters, the unspoken rule regarding supporting male performances is the longer the better. An average winner in the category clocks in with 33 minutes and 55 seconds of screen time, and the last five champs have consistently raised that bar. Last year’s victor, Troy Kotsur, was honored for appearing in 35 minutes and 34 seconds (or nearly one-third) of Best Picture winner “Coda.” Of the 86 performances that have won Best Supporting Actor, his falls comfortably within the longer half.
Unlike the three Best Supporting Actor recipients who directly preceded him – Daniel Kaluuya (“Judas and the Black Messiah”), Brad Pitt (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”), and Mahershala Ali (“Green Book”) – Kotsur’s category placement was uncontested, meaning there was no talk about him instead belonging in the lead race. Emilia Jones, the un-nominated star of “Coda” who plays Kotsur’s daughter, towers over him by a margin of 52 minutes. His is...
Unlike the three Best Supporting Actor recipients who directly preceded him – Daniel Kaluuya (“Judas and the Black Messiah”), Brad Pitt (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”), and Mahershala Ali (“Green Book”) – Kotsur’s category placement was uncontested, meaning there was no talk about him instead belonging in the lead race. Emilia Jones, the un-nominated star of “Coda” who plays Kotsur’s daughter, towers over him by a margin of 52 minutes. His is...
- 1/21/2023
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
The tone of Clint Eastwood's 2006 war film "Flags of Our Fathers" might be surprising. "Flags of Our Fathers" is a film extrapolated from the celebrated 1945 Joe Rosenthal photograph titled "Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima," taken at the eponymous battle, and featuring a group of American soldiers hoisting their nation's flag just after the carnage. The photograph also served as the model for the Marine Corps War Memorial, sculpted in 1954 and located in Arlington, Virginia. The screenplay was an adaptation of a book by James Bradley and Ron Powers, whose fathers are featured in the photograph, hence the title.
Ever since the days of "Twelve O'Clock High" in 1949, whenever American filmmakers make movies about American soldiers, they tend to be romanticized stories of survival and victory. Given the subject matter of "Flags of Our Fathers," one might presume that it, too, stands as a tale of honor and tenacity.
Ever since the days of "Twelve O'Clock High" in 1949, whenever American filmmakers make movies about American soldiers, they tend to be romanticized stories of survival and victory. Given the subject matter of "Flags of Our Fathers," one might presume that it, too, stands as a tale of honor and tenacity.
- 1/21/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It’s been nearly a year since Sian Heder’s “Coda,” the feel-good coming-of-age story of a teenage girl who is the one hearing member of a predominately Deaf family, delighted audiences and secured Oscars for Best Picture, Supporting Actor, and Adapted Screenplay. But, in the months since its big wins, has on-screen Deaf and disabled representation actually gotten any better?
In November 2022, more than six months after “Coda” won big at the Oscars, the National Research Group released a new study that examined Deaf representation on-screen. Per a Variety article that shared the study’s results, 56 percent of Deaf consumers shared that, even in the aftermath of “Coda” breaking through, they still “rarely” or “never” see their identities represented in film and television.
And when those identities are portrayed on-screen, the results were not satisfying.
Variety reported that “63 percent of Deaf consumers say movies and shows that feature Deaf...
In November 2022, more than six months after “Coda” won big at the Oscars, the National Research Group released a new study that examined Deaf representation on-screen. Per a Variety article that shared the study’s results, 56 percent of Deaf consumers shared that, even in the aftermath of “Coda” breaking through, they still “rarely” or “never” see their identities represented in film and television.
And when those identities are portrayed on-screen, the results were not satisfying.
Variety reported that “63 percent of Deaf consumers say movies and shows that feature Deaf...
- 1/18/2023
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
When Michelle Williams entered the Best Actress Oscar race for “The Fabelmans,” that put Steven Spielberg in line to become the fifth person to direct Oscar winners in all four acting categories. That, of course, is still possible, but someone else may beat him to that quartet set this season: Martin McDonagh.
“The Banshees of Inisherin” is looking increasingly strong to nab four acting nominations for lead Colin Farrell and supporting players Kerry Condon, Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan. All four earned Golden Globe and Critics Choice bids last week. At the Oscars, McDonagh needs Farrell to win Best Actor and Condon to win Best Supporting Actress to complete his collection as he previously directed “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri” (2017) stars Frances McDormand to a Best Actress prize and Sam Rockwell to a Best Supporting Actor statuette.
If that happens, McDonagh will join William Wyler, Elia Kazan, Hal Ashby and Martin Scorsese,...
“The Banshees of Inisherin” is looking increasingly strong to nab four acting nominations for lead Colin Farrell and supporting players Kerry Condon, Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan. All four earned Golden Globe and Critics Choice bids last week. At the Oscars, McDonagh needs Farrell to win Best Actor and Condon to win Best Supporting Actress to complete his collection as he previously directed “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri” (2017) stars Frances McDormand to a Best Actress prize and Sam Rockwell to a Best Supporting Actor statuette.
If that happens, McDonagh will join William Wyler, Elia Kazan, Hal Ashby and Martin Scorsese,...
- 12/22/2022
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
There are lots of things that people take for granted, and one of them is snow. Because snow is a miracle. Maybe not the old-fashioned cold stuff that floats down every year when it gets too chilly. A great many of us have had to shovel a frozen walkway and chip away at the ice on our windshields, so we could be forgiven for not being sentimental about that.
But motion picture snow. Oh wow, that's the good stuff.
The thing about motion picture snow is, it was a real pain in the butt to invent it. It's not like real snow was in abundance in the golden age of cinema, when films were largely shot on soundstages in Hollywood, California. So for decades ,when filmmakers needed to shoot a snowy scene, they used bleached cornflakes, which were so crunchy, they made it difficult to record sound. They were also so corny,...
But motion picture snow. Oh wow, that's the good stuff.
The thing about motion picture snow is, it was a real pain in the butt to invent it. It's not like real snow was in abundance in the golden age of cinema, when films were largely shot on soundstages in Hollywood, California. So for decades ,when filmmakers needed to shoot a snowy scene, they used bleached cornflakes, which were so crunchy, they made it difficult to record sound. They were also so corny,...
- 11/23/2022
- by William Bibbiani
- Slash Film
Beloved Turner Classic Movies series “Reframed” is back for a second season, but this time with a twist.
While Season 1 focused on re-contextualizing problematic feature films, the upcoming season, premiering November 5, instead looks at groundbreaking movies that had racially diverse casts, showed queer romances, and de-stigmatized differences.
“Movies change our perspectives,” the trailer says. “Movies change us for the better.”
TCM, with the slogan “where then meets now,” will program a series of films that were “groundbreaking for their time due to their depictions of everything from Black or Asian leads, stories about the Jewish experience, films with trans characters and other marginalized groups/issues shown in a positive light,” per an official press statement.
Each selected film, ranging from “The Snake Pit” to “Brokeback Mountain,” will air along with a conversation between TCM host Ben Mankiewicz and a guest, including film historian Donald Bogle, filmmaker Kimberly Peirce (“Boys Don’t Cry...
While Season 1 focused on re-contextualizing problematic feature films, the upcoming season, premiering November 5, instead looks at groundbreaking movies that had racially diverse casts, showed queer romances, and de-stigmatized differences.
“Movies change our perspectives,” the trailer says. “Movies change us for the better.”
TCM, with the slogan “where then meets now,” will program a series of films that were “groundbreaking for their time due to their depictions of everything from Black or Asian leads, stories about the Jewish experience, films with trans characters and other marginalized groups/issues shown in a positive light,” per an official press statement.
Each selected film, ranging from “The Snake Pit” to “Brokeback Mountain,” will air along with a conversation between TCM host Ben Mankiewicz and a guest, including film historian Donald Bogle, filmmaker Kimberly Peirce (“Boys Don’t Cry...
- 11/1/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Steven Spielberg famously got his start as a director via the trial by fire of guiding Joan Crawford through the pilot episode of Rod Serling's "Night Gallery." The screen diva put him through his paces but good, but the filmmaker hung in there, likening the experience to "pitching to Hank Aaron your first time in the game." The only performer who might've been more daunting for a tyro director during that era was Bette Davis. Ron Howard learned this when he was assigned to manage the two-time Oscar-winner in the 1980 made-for-television drama "Skyward."
Howard was not quite as wet behind the ears as Spielberg was when he took on Crawford. The "Happy Days" star had been in show business his entire life stretching back to "The Andy Griffith Show." He made his feature-directing debut with 1977's action-comedy "Grand Theft Auto," and called the shots on a TV movie called "Cotton Candy" a year later.
Howard was not quite as wet behind the ears as Spielberg was when he took on Crawford. The "Happy Days" star had been in show business his entire life stretching back to "The Andy Griffith Show." He made his feature-directing debut with 1977's action-comedy "Grand Theft Auto," and called the shots on a TV movie called "Cotton Candy" a year later.
- 10/31/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Click here to read the full article.
Ask classic-film fans how they feel about the actor Fredric March — star of legendary movies including Inherit the Wind, The Best Years of Our Lives and the 1937 version of A Star Is Born — and chances are that question will be answered with generally effusive praise for the Academy Award-winning actor and his work both onscreen and off.
That’s why dual decisions in recent years to remove March’s name from a pair of performing-arts venues at two campuses of the University of Wisconsin — March’s alma mater — have drawn confusion, frustration and anger from some film fans, the Hollywood community and activists alike.
Among those weighing in on the controversy: Turner Classic Movies primetime host Ben Mankiewicz, who will address the issue during a tribute to the actor on Friday, Sept. 30, marking the 125th anniversary of March’s birth. “To me, two...
Ask classic-film fans how they feel about the actor Fredric March — star of legendary movies including Inherit the Wind, The Best Years of Our Lives and the 1937 version of A Star Is Born — and chances are that question will be answered with generally effusive praise for the Academy Award-winning actor and his work both onscreen and off.
That’s why dual decisions in recent years to remove March’s name from a pair of performing-arts venues at two campuses of the University of Wisconsin — March’s alma mater — have drawn confusion, frustration and anger from some film fans, the Hollywood community and activists alike.
Among those weighing in on the controversy: Turner Classic Movies primetime host Ben Mankiewicz, who will address the issue during a tribute to the actor on Friday, Sept. 30, marking the 125th anniversary of March’s birth. “To me, two...
- 8/28/2022
- by Laurie Brookins
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
William Wyler was a three-time Oscar winner who crafted several classics during Hollywood’s Golden Age, adapting his style to a wide variety of genres. Let’s take a look back at 20 of his greatest films, ranked worst to best.
Born in 1902 in Germany, Wyler immigrated to the U.S. when his cousin, Universal Studios chief Carl Laemmle, hired him as an errand boy. He quickly moved up the ranks, directing shorts during the silent era before transitioning into features. It was with the advent of sound that he hit his stride, displaying an ear for dialogue that would serve him well in lofty literary adaptations produced by his longtime partner, independent mogul Samuel Goldwyn.
Wyler quickly became an Oscar mainstay, earning a record-breaking 12 nominations for Best Director: “Dodsworth” (1936), “Wuthering Heights” (1939), “The Letter” (1940), “The Little Foxes” (1941), “Mrs. Miniver” (1942), “The Best Years of Our Lives” (1946), “The Heiress” (1949), “Detective Story” (1951), “Roman Holiday...
Born in 1902 in Germany, Wyler immigrated to the U.S. when his cousin, Universal Studios chief Carl Laemmle, hired him as an errand boy. He quickly moved up the ranks, directing shorts during the silent era before transitioning into features. It was with the advent of sound that he hit his stride, displaying an ear for dialogue that would serve him well in lofty literary adaptations produced by his longtime partner, independent mogul Samuel Goldwyn.
Wyler quickly became an Oscar mainstay, earning a record-breaking 12 nominations for Best Director: “Dodsworth” (1936), “Wuthering Heights” (1939), “The Letter” (1940), “The Little Foxes” (1941), “Mrs. Miniver” (1942), “The Best Years of Our Lives” (1946), “The Heiress” (1949), “Detective Story” (1951), “Roman Holiday...
- 6/29/2022
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Colin Kaepernick. Cher. George Clooney. Charlize Theron. Sherry Lansing. Dwyane Wade. Barbara Broccoli. Jennifer Hudson. This may seem like a disparate group of powerful people in the fields of entertainment and sports. But what they have in common is a deep sense of philanthropic commitment — a desire to do something beyond a photo op for the causes that matter to them. And all these people have entrusted the same organization to help them run their charities, the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
“People come to me for advice,” says Lansing, whose blockbuster charity, Stand Up To Cancer, has raised more than $746 million to fund cancer research since she and eight other women founded it in 2008. “I often say to them, ‘You should meet the people at Eif.’ “
In Hollywood, getting Lansing’s endorsement for a philanthropic organization is akin to getting a 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, so trusted is the former Paramount...
“People come to me for advice,” says Lansing, whose blockbuster charity, Stand Up To Cancer, has raised more than $746 million to fund cancer research since she and eight other women founded it in 2008. “I often say to them, ‘You should meet the people at Eif.’ “
In Hollywood, getting Lansing’s endorsement for a philanthropic organization is akin to getting a 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, so trusted is the former Paramount...
- 6/23/2022
- by Rebecca Keegan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Having paid my 8.50 to see Top Gun: Maverick last weekend, my local cineplex inadvertently improved my appreciation of the film. For three minutes the sound clicked off and, minus dialogue, I was instantly caught up in the soaring jets, hyper-caffeinated cast and the durable charisma of its star. Then sound returned, the story unfolded and reality set in: This is not really a plot but a superbly crafted business plan, half video game and half military recruitment film. It’s the perfect structure for a Tom Cruise genre-bashing blockbuster.
Historians may ultimately cite the movie as a turning point — the film that reignited audiences, young and old, to pay homage to their movie palaces. FiIm critics may also single out the Top Gun sequel as a defiant reinvention of the classic war genre.
Does it measure up to the classics? Sure it does, but only Cruise would set out to...
Historians may ultimately cite the movie as a turning point — the film that reignited audiences, young and old, to pay homage to their movie palaces. FiIm critics may also single out the Top Gun sequel as a defiant reinvention of the classic war genre.
Does it measure up to the classics? Sure it does, but only Cruise would set out to...
- 6/2/2022
- by Peter Bart
- Deadline Film + TV
Nancy Meyers is bringing her filmmaking talents (and her immaculate kitchens) to Netflix, where she’ll write, direct and produce a new feature film.
News of the partnership comes after Meyers and Netflix teamed to release the short film “Father of the Bride Part 3 (ish),” which debuted on the streamer’s social channels in 2020. The special project brought together the cast of “Father of the Bride” and “Father of the Bride Part II” — Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Kieran Culkin, George Newbern and Martin Short — for the first time in 25 years, with Robert De Niro, Florence Pugh, Alexandra Shipp and Ben Platt added to the mix. Meyers wrote and directed the Banks family reunion clip (produced by Reese Witherspoon), which benefitted World Central Kitchen.
Details about the new film are scarce, though the project is described as an ensemble comedy, a formula which Meyers has mastered over her career.
News of the partnership comes after Meyers and Netflix teamed to release the short film “Father of the Bride Part 3 (ish),” which debuted on the streamer’s social channels in 2020. The special project brought together the cast of “Father of the Bride” and “Father of the Bride Part II” — Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Kieran Culkin, George Newbern and Martin Short — for the first time in 25 years, with Robert De Niro, Florence Pugh, Alexandra Shipp and Ben Platt added to the mix. Meyers wrote and directed the Banks family reunion clip (produced by Reese Witherspoon), which benefitted World Central Kitchen.
Details about the new film are scarce, though the project is described as an ensemble comedy, a formula which Meyers has mastered over her career.
- 4/5/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Troy Kotsur has become the first deaf male actor to win a competitive Oscar, winning the Best Supporting Actor prize for his work on “Coda.”
Kotsur is preceded only by Marlee Matlin, his “Coda” co-star and on-screen wife, as the only other deaf individual to have won an Oscar. She won Best Actress for her work in “Children of a Lesser God” in 1986.
“This is amazing to be here on this journey,” Kotsur said through an interpreter as last year’s Best Supporting Actress winner, Yuh-Jung Youn, held his Oscar so he could sign his speech. “I really want to thank all the wonderful deaf theater stages where I was allowed to develop my craft as an actor.”
He added, “This is dedicated to the deaf community, to the Coda community, to the disabled community. This is our moment.”
Kotsur plays Frank Rossi in “Coda,” a deaf fisherman from Gloucester,...
Kotsur is preceded only by Marlee Matlin, his “Coda” co-star and on-screen wife, as the only other deaf individual to have won an Oscar. She won Best Actress for her work in “Children of a Lesser God” in 1986.
“This is amazing to be here on this journey,” Kotsur said through an interpreter as last year’s Best Supporting Actress winner, Yuh-Jung Youn, held his Oscar so he could sign his speech. “I really want to thank all the wonderful deaf theater stages where I was allowed to develop my craft as an actor.”
He added, “This is dedicated to the deaf community, to the Coda community, to the disabled community. This is our moment.”
Kotsur plays Frank Rossi in “Coda,” a deaf fisherman from Gloucester,...
- 3/28/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Every year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences gets together to single out the best movies, performances and craftsmanship, and sometimes they actually get it right. Sure, sometimes it goes the other way, but throughout the history of the Oscars, there are many excellent examples of actors who gave astounding performances for the ages. The types of roles may change, and the acting styles may evolve, but these Oscar-winning actors of yesteryear absolutely deserved their gold statues and remain some of the gold standards for screen acting.
Norma Shearer, “The Divorcee” (1930)
Norma Shearer gives an astoundingly multifaceted performance in Robert Z. Leonard’s “The Divorcee,” as a woman whose husband is unfaithful and decides turnabout is fair play, only to see her role in polite society shift dramatically. What could have been a tawdry and finger-wagging cautionary tale lights up because Shearer explores all the emotional complexity of her...
Norma Shearer, “The Divorcee” (1930)
Norma Shearer gives an astoundingly multifaceted performance in Robert Z. Leonard’s “The Divorcee,” as a woman whose husband is unfaithful and decides turnabout is fair play, only to see her role in polite society shift dramatically. What could have been a tawdry and finger-wagging cautionary tale lights up because Shearer explores all the emotional complexity of her...
- 3/23/2022
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
“31 Days of Oscar” on Turner Classic Movies has recently made some fascinating, big changes in how it presents the movies in its latest, annual presentation of the top films that once competed for Hollywood’s highest honor.
Usually, the series showcases films that have either won or were nominated for Oscars. “This year we’re just presenting Oscar-winning movies,” notes the series’ savvy host Dave Karger, who contributes his predictions to Gold Derby. “So it’s only Oscar-winning movies for the entire month of March, 24 hours a day, no commercials. That gives us some cachet.”
Below are the air dates of just some Best Picture winners. See the full “31 Days of Oscar” schedule here and take note that the movies tend to be grouped by different decades each day. “That’s so interesting because you get to see how the Oscars have changed over this passage of time,” notes Karger.
Usually, the series showcases films that have either won or were nominated for Oscars. “This year we’re just presenting Oscar-winning movies,” notes the series’ savvy host Dave Karger, who contributes his predictions to Gold Derby. “So it’s only Oscar-winning movies for the entire month of March, 24 hours a day, no commercials. That gives us some cachet.”
Below are the air dates of just some Best Picture winners. See the full “31 Days of Oscar” schedule here and take note that the movies tend to be grouped by different decades each day. “That’s so interesting because you get to see how the Oscars have changed over this passage of time,” notes Karger.
- 3/23/2022
- by Tom O'Neil
- Gold Derby
Director Sidney J. Furie discusses his favorite films he’s watched and re-watched during quarantine with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Dr. Blood’s Coffin (1961)
The Ipcress File (1965) – Howard Rodman’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
The Appaloosa (1966)
The Naked Runner (1967)
Lady Sings The Blues (1972)
The Entity (1982) – Luca Gaudagnino’s trailer commentary
The Boys in Company C (1978)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Dennis Cozzalio’s review
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
The Apartment (1960) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing
The Best Years Of Our Lives (1946)
Twelve O’Clock High (1949)
A Place In The Sun (1951) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Out Of Africa (1985)
The Last Picture Show (1971) – Mark Pellington’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing
Annie Hall (1977)
The Bad And The Beautiful (1952)
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)
The Tender Bar...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Dr. Blood’s Coffin (1961)
The Ipcress File (1965) – Howard Rodman’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
The Appaloosa (1966)
The Naked Runner (1967)
Lady Sings The Blues (1972)
The Entity (1982) – Luca Gaudagnino’s trailer commentary
The Boys in Company C (1978)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Dennis Cozzalio’s review
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
The Apartment (1960) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing
The Best Years Of Our Lives (1946)
Twelve O’Clock High (1949)
A Place In The Sun (1951) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Out Of Africa (1985)
The Last Picture Show (1971) – Mark Pellington’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing
Annie Hall (1977)
The Bad And The Beautiful (1952)
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)
The Tender Bar...
- 2/15/2022
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
The public considers the Academy Awards as a Hollywood event. True, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is headquartered in Southern California, and most of the best pic contenders are American and/or in the English language. But Oscar history proves they have been an international event from the beginning.
In the first year (1927-28), there were nominations for directors Herbert Brenon (born in Ireland) and Lewis Milestone (born in Moldova), plus a special award to Charlie Chaplin (from the U.K.).
The next five years saw two noms apiece for directors Ernst Lubitsch (Germany) and Josef von Sternberg (Austria). And the second best actress Academy Award was given to Canadian Mary Pickford.
The early years of Oscar featured a slew of non-Americans. Aside from mega-star Chaplin, the list of early Academy Award winners includes Emil Jannings, George Arliss (U.K.), Claudette Colbert (raised in the U.S. but...
In the first year (1927-28), there were nominations for directors Herbert Brenon (born in Ireland) and Lewis Milestone (born in Moldova), plus a special award to Charlie Chaplin (from the U.K.).
The next five years saw two noms apiece for directors Ernst Lubitsch (Germany) and Josef von Sternberg (Austria). And the second best actress Academy Award was given to Canadian Mary Pickford.
The early years of Oscar featured a slew of non-Americans. Aside from mega-star Chaplin, the list of early Academy Award winners includes Emil Jannings, George Arliss (U.K.), Claudette Colbert (raised in the U.S. but...
- 1/22/2022
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
One thing that all the great, iconic, landmark Hollywood films of any era have in common is universality. As Clint Eastwood’s iconic serial killer thriller “Dirty Harry” turns 50 this week, the Don Siegel film’s rocky critical reception back in 1971 only temporarily obscured the pic’s primal pull and lasting (not “Sudden”) impact. Like “Casablanca” and “The Best Years of Our Lives,” both powerfully relevant to World War II survivors, or “Grapes of Wrath,” which spoke to Depression era audiences, or “In the Heat of the Night” with its relevance to the Civil Rights revolution, “Harry” was the man of the Nixon/Law and Order moment, which we now see was much a bigger harbinger of tumultuous social change than just Tricky Dick and the transitory winds blown up by a single political figure.
In the late 1960s and early ‘70s, a multitude of globally significant events and trends...
In the late 1960s and early ‘70s, a multitude of globally significant events and trends...
- 12/21/2021
- by Steven Gaydos
- Variety Film + TV
The undeniable Christmas classic It’s A Wonderful Life is celebrating its diamond anniversary this season. Believe it or not, it has been 75 years since its release in December 1946.
Considering it has become the classic of classics for the yuletide season, this irresistible film starring James Stewart as George Bailey, a suicidal man who receives a visit from an angel to show him what life would have been like if he had never existed, was basically a box office flop upon its release after it was rushed into theaters to replace a film that wasn’t ready in time. Costing reportedly $3.7 million to make but only earning back $3.3 million, initially at least, it was the first significant return to acting for Stewart after serving in World War II, and originally planned at one time to star Cary Grant.
It was only many years later, thanks largely to television, that it...
Considering it has become the classic of classics for the yuletide season, this irresistible film starring James Stewart as George Bailey, a suicidal man who receives a visit from an angel to show him what life would have been like if he had never existed, was basically a box office flop upon its release after it was rushed into theaters to replace a film that wasn’t ready in time. Costing reportedly $3.7 million to make but only earning back $3.3 million, initially at least, it was the first significant return to acting for Stewart after serving in World War II, and originally planned at one time to star Cary Grant.
It was only many years later, thanks largely to television, that it...
- 12/3/2021
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s the Gold Standard of Christmas movies and likely the oldest feature still broadcast on network TV during the holidays: Frank Capra’s sentimental favorite is his most human movie, the kind of show that convinced people that raising a family is a great idea. Although we’re now a full three generations removed from the world events that surround the story of George Bailey, his problems haven’t dated. Paramount’s anniversary disc gives us a new encoding from a 4K scan, a repressing of the older colorized version, a good making-of piece by Craig Barron and Ben Burtt, a reel of home movies from the film’s wrap picnic in the summer of ’46. . . and a set of ‘Bailey Family Recipe Cards.’
It’s a Wonderful Life 75th Anniversary
Blu-ray
Paramount
1946 / B&w + Colorized / 1:37 Academy / 130 min. / Street Date November 16, 2021 / Available from /
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore,...
It’s a Wonderful Life 75th Anniversary
Blu-ray
Paramount
1946 / B&w + Colorized / 1:37 Academy / 130 min. / Street Date November 16, 2021 / Available from /
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore,...
- 11/30/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
In 2020, the Covid pandemic caused the motion picture academy to cancel the Governors Awards, which has been a stand-alone event since 2009. Instead, it presented the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to both Tyler Perry and the Motion Picture & Television Fund during the Oscars. This morale booster was a bright spot in the ceremony.
The Governors Awards are set to return on January 15, 2022. Honorary Oscars will be presented to multi-hyphenate Elaine May as well as actors Samuel L. Jackson and Liv Ullmann. Another actor, Danny Glover, will be feted with the Hersholt for his work on behalf of Unicef.
There have been four honorees at the Governors Awards every year but two since 2009. As detailed below, all but one of the academy’s 17 branches — Visual Effects — are represented among the roster of 138 winners of honorary Oscars. In the case of Visual Effects, the academy has presented special achievement awards to a host...
The Governors Awards are set to return on January 15, 2022. Honorary Oscars will be presented to multi-hyphenate Elaine May as well as actors Samuel L. Jackson and Liv Ullmann. Another actor, Danny Glover, will be feted with the Hersholt for his work on behalf of Unicef.
There have been four honorees at the Governors Awards every year but two since 2009. As detailed below, all but one of the academy’s 17 branches — Visual Effects — are represented among the roster of 138 winners of honorary Oscars. In the case of Visual Effects, the academy has presented special achievement awards to a host...
- 11/29/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Editor’s Note: On Nov. 14, 2005, Variety published the following interview with Mort Sahl. The revolutionary comedian, who died on Oct. 26, provided an unfiltered view on the entertainment industry, from Depression-era cinema and the Hollywood blacklist to how current films tackle race, politics and culture.
For half of the last century and on into the next one, Mort Sahl, 78, has been the comedic conscience of America. Since 1968, when he debuted at San Francisco’s legendary Hungry i nightclub, he’s been walking onstage in his trademark V-neck sweater, a newspaper tucked under his arm, serving notice to every pundit and politician from Eisenhower through Bush that there was nowhere to hide.
He was the original truth-teller, pioneering a new kind of stand-up — barbed bipartisan political humor — paving the way for everyone from Lenny Bruce to Woody Allen to Chris Rock.
In 1958, he co-hosted the Oscars. In 1960, Time magazine put him on the cover,...
For half of the last century and on into the next one, Mort Sahl, 78, has been the comedic conscience of America. Since 1968, when he debuted at San Francisco’s legendary Hungry i nightclub, he’s been walking onstage in his trademark V-neck sweater, a newspaper tucked under his arm, serving notice to every pundit and politician from Eisenhower through Bush that there was nowhere to hide.
He was the original truth-teller, pioneering a new kind of stand-up — barbed bipartisan political humor — paving the way for everyone from Lenny Bruce to Woody Allen to Chris Rock.
In 1958, he co-hosted the Oscars. In 1960, Time magazine put him on the cover,...
- 10/28/2021
- by Steven Kotler
- Variety Film + TV
Photo: 'Summer Days, Summer Nights' As the Temperature Cools Down, Romances Heat Up Picture this: the camera rolls through a quaint summer beach town located in Long Island. It’s 1982 and the summer is coming to an end for the town’s residents as well as the tourists that are vacationing there. This certainly doesn’t mean however that new romances aren’t just beginning while old ones fizzle out. Cue ‘Summer Days, Summer Nights’ the recently released romantic dramedy feature directed and written by Edward Burns. The film is equipped with a large ensemble cast with familiar (and talented) faces. Pico Alexander, who viewers might recognize from ‘Dickinson’ or ‘Home Again’ where he starred alongside Reese Witherspoon, is JJ: the recent high school graduate who works for his dad at the local beach club. The father in the film just so happens to be played by the writer/director himself,...
- 9/9/2021
- by Alexa Sutherland
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
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