Oscars 2013 - Nominations

BEST PICTURE
Amour 
Argo 
Beasts of the Southern Wild 
Django Unchained  
Les Misérables  
Life of Pi
Lincoln 
Silver Linings Playbook 
Zero Dark Thirty

BEST DIRECTOR
Amour - Michael Haneke
Beasts of the Southern Wild -Benh Zeitlin
Life of Pi - Ang Lee
Lincoln - Steven Spielberg
Silver Linings Playbook - David O. Russell

BEST ACTOR
Bradley Cooper - Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln
Hugh Jackman - Les Misérables
Joaquin Phoenix - The Master
Denzel Washington - Flight

BEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain - Zero Dark Thirty
Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook 
Emmanuelle Riva - Amour 
Quvenzhané Wallis - Beasts of the Southern Wild 
Naomi Watts - The Impossible

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Alan Arkin - Argo
Robert De Niro - Silver Linings Playbook
Philip Seymour Hoffman - The Master 
Tommy Lee Jones - Lincoln 
Christoph Waltz - Django Unchained

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams - The Master 
Sally Field - Lincoln 
Anne Hathaway - Les Misérables
Helen Hunt - The Sessions 
Jacki Weaver - Silver Linings Playbook

The full list is here.

Matt Damon On Liberace

Via Playboy:

“These two men were deeply in love and in a real relationship—a marriage—long before there was gay marriage. That’s not an insignificant thing. The script is beautiful and relatable. Their conversations when they’re dressing or undressing or having a spat or getting ready for bed? That’s every marriage. It feels like you’re witnessing something really intimate you would normally see with a man and a woman, but instead it’s two men, which was thrilling. There’s stuff I think will make people uncomfortable. Great. It’s HBO—they can change the channel. We both have a lot of gay friends, and we were not going to screw this up or bullshit it.

“It wasn’t the most natural thing in the world to do, though. Like, for one scene, I had to come out of a pool, go over to Michael, straddle him on a chaise longue and start kissing him. And throughout the script, it’s not like I kiss him just once. We drew it up like a football plan. Michael was a wonderful kisser. My concerns ended up mattering a lot less once we were filming. The dynamic between the men was complex and interesting. Liberace was very powerful and adored, a great showman making $50,000 a week doing his act in Vegas. Scott was much younger and grew up in foster homes, so there was a lot to play.”

Trailer: Struck By Lightning (Starring Chris Colfer)

Channing Tatum & A Magic Mike Flash Mob Show Off Their Stripper Skills On Today

Bully Has Been Re-Rated PG-13

Market Watch reports:

The Weinstein Company (TWC), aided by the guidance and consultation from attorneys David Boies and Ted Olson, announced today that the MPAA has lowered the R rating, given for some language, for BULLY to a PG-13 in time for the film’s April 13th expansion to 55 markets. The scene that has been at the forefront of the battle with the MPAA, the intense scene in the film that shows teen Alex Libby being bullied and harassed on a bus, has been left fully intact and unedited. BULLY director Lee Hirsch felt editing the scene was not an option, and subsequently refused to do so, since it is too important to the truth and integrity behind the film. Also a victory is the exception the MPAA made by allowing the film to be released with the new rating before 90 days, which is the length of time their policy states a film must wait to be in theaters after a rating change to avoid confusion or inconvenience for moviegoers.
This decision by the MPAA is a huge victory for the parents, educators, lawmakers, and most importantly, children, everywhere who have been fighting for months for the appropriate PG-13 rating without cutting some of the most sensitive moments. Three uses of the ‘F word’ were removed from other scenes, which ultimately persuaded the MPAA to lower the rating. Hirsch made the documentary with the intent to give an uncensored, real-life portrayal of what 13 million children suffer through every year.
The new rating, which came about with the great support from MPAA Chairman Chris Dodd, grants the schools, organizations and cities all around the country who are lined up and ready to screen BULLY, including the National Education Association and the Cincinnati School District, the opportunity to share this educational tool with their children.
“Senator Dodd is a hero for championing this cause, and the MPAA showed great courage by not cutting the scene everyone has been fighting to keep,” said TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein. “Senator Dodd’s support gives voice to the millions of children who suffer from bullying, and on behalf of TWC, the filmmakers, the families in the film and the millions of children and parents who will now see this film, I thank him for recognizing that this very real issue cannot afford to go unnoticed.”
“I feel completely vindicated with this resolution,” said Hirsch. “While I retain my belief that PG-13 has always been the appropriate rating for this film, as reinforced by Canada’s rating of a PG, we have today scored a victory from the MPAA. The support and guidance we have received throughout this process has been incredible, from the more than half a million people who signed Katy Butler’s petition, to members of Congress, Governor Mike Huckabee and the many celebrities and others who raised their voices to express deeply felt support for a film that can inspire millions. The scene that mattered remains untouched and intact, which is a true sign that we have won this battle. With an array of great partners, a fabulous educator’s guide and extensive online tools, we can now bring this film unhindered, to youth and adults across our country.”
Building support for the Safe Schools Improvement Act is the next step in this movement for change. Already a meeting has been set with Senator Bob Casey to discuss how he can help. Lawmakers and politicians are being sought out to back the efforts of anti-bullying supporters everywhere in creating legislation that will comprehensively address the issues of bullying and harassment.
“If we can’t get the Safe Schools Improvement Act passed, we’ll be visiting the home states of each lawmaker until it does,” said Katy Butler, the 17 year old Michigan high school student who rallied petitioners on Change.org to urge the MPAA to lower BULLY’s rating. “On behalf of the more than half a million supporters who joined me on Change.org in petitioning the MPAA, I want to express how grateful I am not only to the MPAA for lowering the rating without cutting a vital scene, but to all of the people who used their voices to put a national spotlight on this movie and its mission.”
For the hundreds of organizations and individuals partnering with the film, the rating news means more screenings for more children.
Said National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel, “The changing of the rating for BULLY from R to PG-13 will enable many more young people to see this film. NEA applauds the Motion Picture Association of America and the producers for the PG-13 rating. Every teenage student should have the opportunity to see this powerful documentary about a problem that still haunts our schools. NEA also salutes 17-year-old Katy Butler and the other young activists whose online petition drive led to having the rating for BULLY reconsidered.”
After Weinstein’s and BULLY teen Alex Libby’s appeal in February to the MPAA for a PG-13 rating was denied by one vote, TWC and Hirsch chose to move forward with releasing the film unrated last weekend allowing theaters the chance to use their discretion when admitting children to the theater. BULLY leads all non-fiction films so far for 2012 with its strong opening weekend attendance.

The Ellen Show: Andrew Garfield Talks About Wearing Nothing But The SpiderMan Suit

Bully Film Will Be Released As Unrated 

The Advocate reports:

The controversial documentary Bully will be released without a rating, prompting director Lee Hirsch to say he knows “kids will come, so it’s up to the theaters to let them in.”

Entertainment Weekly reports the film, which looks at the bullying epidemic in the American school system, will be released in Los Angeles and New York Friday without a rating. Theater owners will then be able to make decisions on who will be permitted to see the film. This is despite the efforts of the Weinstein Co., numerous high-profile personalities including marriage equality attorneys David Boies and Ted Olson, and others to have the rating changed by the Motion Picture Association of America from R to PG-13, which would allow it to be seen by a wider audience, including the young people being affected by bullying.

Katy Butler, the lesbian teen who famously launched a petition that collected nearly half a million signatures to urge the MPAA rating changed to PG-13 also released a statement, saying, “I am happy Bully will maintain its authenticity and will be an accurate portrayal of what thousands of kids experience every day.”

In a statement released to the media by the Weinstein Co., Hirsch defends the decision to not edit out the language used by the teens in the film. “The small amount of language in the film that’s responsible for the R rating is there because it’s real. It’s what the children who are victims of bullying face on most days,” he says. “All of our supporters see that, and we’re grateful for the support we’ve received across the board. I know the kids will come, so it’s up to the theaters to let them in.”

Trailer: Scarlet Letter - Atheist Documentary

Turkey: Parents’ Appeal For Anti-Homophobia Film “My Child”

Pink News UK reports:

A support group for the families of gay and trans people in Turkey is appealing for funds to finish a documentary on the experiences of parents.
LISTAG has secured nearly $10,000 of its $40,000 target and secured a matching grant which will double donations.
The group was formed in 2008 and now runs as a solidarity and support network for friends, families and especially parents of LGBT individuals, actively working against homophobia, transphobia, discrimination, and hate crimes.
In the documentary, seven parents are interviewed in their homes in Istanbul on their experiences of raising gay and trans children.
A LISTAG spokesperson told PinkNews.co.uk “We felt the need to make this documentary, because it is very important to be heard by as many people as possible in this homophobic, transphobic society where our voices usually are not being heard.
“People do not know or understand what we have been going through and mostly ignore the situation.
“We thought that we should have a voice. People should know what we and our children go through in this part of the world and that a different world is possible! We think that if we talk as parents, it is easier for people to understand what would happen if one day their children were to come out to them as LGBTs.
“As you can imagine it is not easy for us to be in front of the camera as parents of LGBTs in such a homophobic and transphobic society where our children have to struggle even when expressing their sexual identities.”
The Republic of Turkey has never criminalised homosexuality, but there is no protection for gay or trans people in employment, education, housing, health care, public accommodations or credit and no domestic partnership or marriage rights for gays.
In 2009, a Turkish man was put on trial ‘in absentia’ for the death in his son, thought to have been an ‘honour’ killing.
Selma Aliye Kavaf, State Minister Responsible for Women and Family sparked protests in 2010 when she said: “I believe homosexuality is a biological disorder, a disease. It needs to be treated.”
This week it was announced that a case had been lodged at the European Court of Human Rights against Turkey for the criminalisation of gay sex in Northern Cyprus.
Visit LISTAG’s Indiegogo fundraising page or the group’s website for more information on the film.

Spain’s Notodofilmfest Contestant: Una Buena Noticia

Synopsis:

A [University] student is at the library reviewing his notes of Spanish History while listening his favourite [radio show], where he is [about to] listen an incredible news.

Notodofilmfest is a film festival born in 2001 with a vocation to support young audiovisual creators and provide a showcase for them using a new medium, Internet. It also broke down barriers in film production and distribution.

Notodofilmfest.com is an initiative of La Fábrica based on Javier Fesser’s original idea: a festival that puts Internet at the service of cinema as a formula for discovering new talent in order to experiment with a new medium within the reach of everyone and achieve a very wide dissemination. With eight editions behind it, Notodofilmfest.com is widely recognised in Spain as Internet’s reference film competition.

My friend Diego M. Riveroll, who was the Director of Photography for this project, tipped me with this info. Check and review this out.  

Here are some of the Nominees:

BEST PICTURE: The Artist, The Descendants, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Help, Hugo, Midnight in Paris,Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse.

BEST ACTOR: Demián Bichir - A Better Life, George Clooney - The Descendants, Jean Dujardi - The Artist, Gary Oldman -Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Brad Pitt - Moneyball.

BEST ACTRESS: Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs, Viola Davis -The Help, Rooney Mara - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady, Michelle Williams = My Week With Marilyn.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Kenneth Branagh - My Week With Marilyn, Jonah Hill - Moneyball, Nick Nolte - Warrior, Christopher Plummer - Beginners, Max von Sydow -Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Bérénice Bejo - The Artist, Jessica Chastain - The Help, Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids, Janet McTeer - Albert Nobbs, Octavia Spencer - The Help.

BEST DIRECTOR: The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius, The Descendants - Alexander Payne, Hugo - Martin Scorsese,Midnight in Paris - Woody Allen, The Tree of Life - Terrence Malick.

Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons Join All Star Normal Heart Cast

The Advocate reports:

Actors Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, Alec Baldwin, and Julia Roberts are set to join previously announced Mark Ruffalo in Ryan Murphy’s film adaptation of Larry Kramer’s landmark playThe Normal Heart, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Originally produced in 1985, Kramer’s searing drama about the AIDS epidemic in New York received an acclaimed, Tony Award-winning revival last year. Murphy optioned the rights in August and cast Ruffalo as the Kramer stand-in Ned Weeks. The Reporter reveals that Roberts will portray Dr. Emma Bookner, a role that won a Tony Award for Ellen Barkin, while Alec Baldwin has been cast as Weeks’s brother. 

Bomer, who in March will also appear in the staged reading of 8, Dustin Lance Black’s marriage equality play, will costar as Week’s boyfriend Felix Turner, a role which garnered a Tony Award for John Benjamin Hickey. Parsons will recreate his role in last summer’s production as a Southern-born gay activist.

Murphy will direct the script adapted by Kramer.

Lindsay Lohan In Talks To Play Elizabeth Taylor In Lifetime Movie

Deadline reports:

After emulating Marilyn Monroe in a series of photo shoots, most recently for Playboy, Lindsay Lohan may be taking on another screen legend, Elizabeth Taylor. I have learned that the 25-year-old actress is in early talks for the female lead in Lifetime’s original movie Elizabeth & Richard: A Love Story, chronicling the enduring love of movie icons Taylor and Richard Burton, whose fiery romance was the most notorious, publicized and celebrated love affair of its day. The film, produced by Larry Thompson (Amish Grace) and written by Christopher Monger (Temple Grandin), was originally announced as part as Lifetime’s 2011-12 development slate. Lohan, a child actress who successfully transitioned into young adult roles with Freaky Friday and Mean Girls, has been largely sidelined from her acting career for the past couple of years by stints in rehab, jail, court rooms, and recently a morgue as part of her community service. Lohan’s most recent credits include the features Machete and Labor Pains and an arc on ABC’s Ugly Betty.Lohan has been compared to Taylor. In addition to their physical resemblance, a 2004 Slate story lists a host of other similarities: “Both had domineering stage mothers, little semblance of a real childhood, fame from a young age, substance abuse issues, public emotional outpourings, and copious amounts of tabloid drama. The key difference, though, is that Elizabeth Taylor had a true record of achievement before she became the most notorious movie star in America.”

TRAILER: The Hobbit