Saturday, February 28, 2015

Happy Birthday, Tracy

I will NOT reveal your age, but I will wish you a Happy Birthday and many, many, many more.


"Avengers: Age of Ultron" Team Poster


The sequel to Marvels The Avengers opens Thursday, April, 23, 2015


"Avengers: Age of Ultron" HULK Poster


The sequel to Marvels The Avengers opens Thursday, April, 23, 2015


The Killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson - February 2015 Edition - Update #11


From Cleveland.com:  City responds to lawsuit by Tamir Rice's family.

From Reuters via RSN:  Justice Department reportedly to sue Ferguson Police Department.

From YahooNews:  The Department of Justice will announce that it will not file civil rights charges against George Zimmerman for killing teenager, Trayvon Martin.  Looks like we need some street justice on this one.

From Reuters:  A cop who shot an unarmed man is indicted in Kansas City.

From RT:  Protests ignite in Pasco, Washington over the police killing of a Latino man.

From YahooNews:  Cop who killed a black man in a Brooklyn stairwell is indicted.

From Guardian:  I can't even describe this one, other than police kill black man, because it so bizarre and ridiculous.

From RSN:  Cop who shot a young man in the back is charged with murder.

From TheDailyKos:  The emerging trend of innocent black men and boys dying after calls to 911

From YahooNews:  A man from India was profiled in the neighborhood where his son lives; then, he was severely beaten by an Alabama cop.

From Esquire:  Civil rights attorney sues over Ferguson's debtor's prisons.

From ThinkProgress:  Cops who want a free hand to kill unarmed civilians attack New Mexico prosecutor.

From YahooNews:  Brawl erupts at meeting to find peace between black people and St. Louis cops.  White cop antagonizes until brawl erupts.

From DetroitFreePress:  After two hung juries, Joseph Weekley, the white Detroit cop who fatally shot a seven year old black girl during a raid, will not face a third trial.  The shooting happened during a raid that was filmed by the show, "The First 48."

From NYT:  The Justice Department will not bring charges against Darren Wilson, the man who killed Michael Brown.  Mike is dead.  Wilson is now a millionaire because of donations he received for killing a black man and the $500,000 ABC News gave him for exclusive, softball interview.  The victim is dead.  The killer is rich.  Yep, doesn't sound like a civil rights violation.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Dark Horse Comics a Second Printing for "EI8HT #1"


‘EI8HT’ #1 SELLS OUT, GOES TO SECOND PRINT

ENCOUNTER THE DINOSAUR IN SPECIAL SECOND-PRINT COVER

MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse Comics announced that Rafael Albuquerque and Mike Johnson’s critically acclaimed EI8HT #1 has sold out at the Diamond level and gone to a second printing.

ABOUT: Welcome to the Meld, an inhospitable dimension in time where Joshua, a chrononaut, finds himself trapped. With no memory or feedback from the team of scientists that sent him, he can’t count on anything but his heart and a stranger’s voice to guide him to his destiny.

The past is green, the present is purple, the future is blue—but the Meld is something else entirely. Emphasizing the incredible concept of the Meld, the second-printing cover by Rafael Albuquerque invites readers to experience a new adventure.

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Find out why fans and critics are traveling in droves to the Meld. Order your second printing of EI8HT #1 today from your local comics retailer!: http://www.comicshoplocator.com/Home/1/1/57/575

Check out the full second printing cover at Comic Book Resources: http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/exclusive-rafael-albuquerques-ei8ht-1-second-printing-cover

EI8HT #1 (of 5) (DEC148728)
Rafael Albuquerque (W/A/Cover) and Mike Johnson (W)
On sale Mar 25
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries

Praise for EI8HT #1:

“EI8HT . . . is smart and stunning work. One of the most visually captivating books in years. Find a copy.”—Rick Remender (Uncanny Avengers)

“A beautiful and intriguing first issue! Don’t miss it!”—Kurt Busiek (Astro City)

“While the colors make for a strong hook, the story and art bring the goods as well . . . Fortunately for us, the Meld looks like a great breeding ground for some fantastic comic book storytelling.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Snappy dialogue, eye-catching scenery and a mystery as deep as twenty-two pages can accommodate.”—Comic Book Resources

“A pretty damn near ideal first issue.”—Comics Bulletin


About Dark Horse
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

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Titan Comics Announces "Ring of Roses" Graphic Novel


This July sees the release of conspiracy thriller Ring of Roses by Das Petrou and John Watkiss, which industry legend Dave Gibbons is calling, “fresh and invigorating...arresting and vivid!”

London, 1991. But not the London you may be familiar with. Imagine an England under Catholic rule - a rule so iron-fisted that science and technology has been set back decades.

Lawyer Samuel Waterhouse investigates a ghoulish murder mystery set in alternate history London of religious mania, secret societies, and the plague.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
RING OF ROSES
WRITER: Das Petrou
ARTIST: John Watkiss
PUBLISHER: Titan Comics
PAGE-COUNT: 144​pp

FORMAT: HC, FC​
ISBN: 9781782760016
PRICE: $22.99
​/$25.95 CAN/£16.99 UK​
​COMIC STORE RELEASE DATE: ​
July 8, 2015
DIAMOND ORDER CODE: MAR151544

THE DA VINCI CODE MEETS ​THE X-FILES!​ PRESENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN COLOR!

“FRESH AND INVIGORATING...ARRESTING AND VIVID!” ​Dave Gibbons (WATCHMEN, SECRET SERVICE)​

Ring of Roses is available to order now from the March edition of PREVIEWS using order code: ​MAR151544

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of February 22nd to 28th, 2015 - Update #13


NEWS:

From Variety:  Mr. Spock has died - Friday, February 27, 2015.

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From YahooCelebrity:  Zendaya responds to Giuliana Rancic's comments about her "ethnic" (my term) hair.

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From People:  Lady Gaga to appear in "American Horror Story: Hotel," the fifth season of the series, which is due October 2015.

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From YahooCelebrity:  A sad moment regarding Michael Keaton not winning the best actor Oscar this past Sunday night.

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From YahooMovies:  What's next for Oscar winners in the acting categories and also for several others, including John Legend and Common.

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From The New Yorker via RSN:  Why CitizenFour deserved its Oscar.

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From YahooNews:  Lady Gaga usually sings "jigaboo" music...

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From YahooMovies:  Birdman wins the "Best Picture" Oscar, one of four awards the film won.  Also a complete list of winners.

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From TheHollywoodReporter:  The winner of the Oscar weekend box office (Fri., Feb. 20th to Sun., Feb. 22nd, 2015) is Fifty Shades of Grey with an estimated take of $23.2 million.

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From TheHollywoodReporter:  Selma is the best picture of 2014 - according to a social media ranking.

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From YahooTV:  An interesting Zachary Quinto interview - talks about "The Slap" and "The Chair."

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From YahooCelebrity:  Is Eddie Murphy really "don?"

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From IGN:  Evan Peters on Quicksilver's possible return in "X-Men Apocalypse" and Bryan Singer drops another image from the film.


COMIC BOOKS:

From LiveForFilms:  Joe Madureira's comic book, Battle Chasers (one of my favorite) will return as as a game and eventually as a comic book.

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From YahooNews:  Next movie Spider-Man could be Black or Hispanic.

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From CinemaBlend:  Could the Doctor Strange of Marvel's movies be British?



Thursday, February 26, 2015

VIZ Media's "Requiem of the Rose King" Arrives March 10th, 2015

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES THE DARK FANTASY MANGA SERIES REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING

New Series By The Creator Of OTOMEN Set In Medieval England Is Based On Shakespeare’s Political Drama Richard III

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga (graphic novels) and anime in North America, delivers an engrossing new series from one of the most exciting voices in contemporary manga with the launch of REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING on March 10th, 2015.

Inspired by an early draft of William Shakespeare’s Richard III, one of literature’s most famous and polarizing political dramas, REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING was created by Aya Kanno, widely known for her previous manga series Blank Slate and OTOMEN (both published by VIZ Media). REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Future volumes of the continuing series are scheduled to be published domestically twice a year.

In the series, Richard, the ambitious third son of the House of York, is a tortured soul who believes he is damned from birth to eternal darkness. But is it truly fate that sets him on the path to personal destruction? Or his own tormented longings? Aya Kanno’s dark fantasy finds the man who could be king standing between worlds, between classes, between good and evil.

In the opening volume, set in medieval England during the age of the Wars of the Roses, a fierce battle rages between the House of York and the House of Lancaster. Young Richard of the House of York is determined that his family will ascend the throne…but he’s hiding a secret that could destroy everything he desires.

“Aya Kanno’s unique take on the era of the Wars of the Roses, REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING, will resonate with her current fans and hopefully bring even more awareness to her lush, masterful work,” says Joel Enos, Editor. “Aya Kanno returns to a darker, gothic inspired aesthetic, reworking Shakespeare’s classic tragedy about poisonous Machiavellian ambition into a ruthless and beautiful new series. Her Richard is a cunning, flawed prince determined to secure the throne for his family!”

Aya Kanno is the creator of manga series including Soul Rescue, Blank Slate (published by VIZ Media), and the New York Times bestselling series, Otomen (published by VIZ Media), which was recognized as a Great Graphic Novel for Teens by the Young Adult Library Services Association.

For more information on REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING and other manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

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Webcomics Update: Grumble #1 Page 18


Page 18 is here: http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbleone018.html


Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Emmy-Winner Rob Schrab Named Director of "The LEGO Movie" Sequel

Everything is Still Awesome, as Rob Schrab is Set to Direct “The LEGO® Movie Sequel”

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the “Master Builders” of the first blockbuster hit, are writing and will produce the sequel together with Dan Lin and Roy Lee

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Director Rob Schrab (TV’s “Community,” “The Mindy Project”) will mark his feature directorial debut overseeing construction on “The LEGO® Movie Sequel,” the eagerly awaited follow-up to the worldwide sensation “The LEGO Movie.” The announcement was made by Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who wrote and directed “The LEGO Movie,” are writing the new feature based on a story by Lord, Miller, Jared Stern and Michelle Morgan. In addition, Lord and Miller will serve as producers, alongside returning producers Dan Lin and Roy Lee.

Silverman stated, “‘The LEGO Movie’ captivated critics and audiences on a global scale with its irresistible blend of humor, imagination and fun. Warner Bros. is excited to build our relationship with The LEGO Group with this new adventure, and we join them in welcoming the multi-talented Rob Schrab to the LEGO family as he takes the helm of ‘The LEGO Movie Sequel.’”

In a joint statement, Lord and Miller said, “We are so excited to collaborate with Rob. He is a comedy genius, a visual savant, and we have been stalking him for years. No one works harder than Rob, and his aesthetic, combined with his sense of humor, bring a strong, unique, thoughtful, and passionately nerdy voice to this project. People who know him are slapping their foreheads today and saying, ‘Of course!’”

Schrab has recently directed episodes of such hit series as “Community,” “The Mindy Project” and “Parks and Recreation.” He also wrote, directed and executive produced “The Sarah Silverman Program,” for which he gained a WGA Award nomination. He previously earned a 2007 Annie Award nomination for Best Writing in an Animated Feature Production, for the Oscar-nominated comedy “Monster House.” In addition, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, and received an additional nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special for his work on the 81st Annual Academy Awards.

“The LEGO Movie Sequel” is another piece of the Studio’s growing LEGO film franchise, also including the upcoming “Ninjago,” slated for a September 23, 2016, release, and an as-yet-untitled BatmanTM LEGO feature, due out in May 2017.


LEGO, the LEGO logo, Ninjago, the minifigure and the brick and knob configuration are trademarks of The LEGO Group. ©2015 The LEGO Group. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

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Negromancer's Fave Poli-Reads - February 2015 Edition - Update #8


From NewYorkTimes: It is racist because you are a racist, Giuliani.

From RollingStone:  Matt Taibbi dogs Rudy Giuliani.

From Reuters via RSN:  Kate Brown, the new governor of Oregon, becomes the first openly bisexual governor in U.S. history.

From RawStory:  I am always amazed by Sarah Palin's ability to be both pimp and prostitute at the same time.

From Esquire:  Charles Pierce - Why didn't Scott Walker graduate from college.

From Reuters:  John Stewart is leaving "The Daily Show."

From YahooNews.  The racist senior advisor to Rep. Aaron Schock (R. Ill) resigns.

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From The Intercept via RSN:  Glenn Greenwald on whiny, privileged celebrity journalists.

From NewYorkMag:  Greenwald's target.
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From RSN:  President Barack Obama: Blueprint for Middle-Class Economics


Tuesday, February 24, 2015

"Selma" Dominates 2015 Black Reel Awards - Complete Winners List

The Black Reel Awards annually honor African-Americans in feature, independent, and television film.  The awards also take notice of the work in film by people of color throughout the African Diaspora.  The awards were launched in 2000, and this is the 15th year the awards will be handed out.  The Black Reel Awards are now given out by the Foundation for the Advancement of African-Americans in Film (FAAAF).

The 15th Annual Black Reel Awards winners were announced on Friday, February 20, 2015.  The Black Reel Awards are comprised of more than 60 voters across the country.  The voters annually select and spotlight films and performances featuring African-Americans, as well as people of color throughout the African Diaspora.

Selma won 8 awards, tying the film with last year's 12 Years a Slave for the most Black Reel Award wins in a single year.

2015 / 15th Annual Black Reel Awards Winners:

Outstanding Motion Picture
Selma | Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner & Christian Colson (Paramount)

Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture
David Oyelowo | Selma (Paramount)

Outstanding Actress, Motion Picture
Gugu Mbatha-Raw | Belle (Fox Searchlight)

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Motion Picture
Wendell Pierce | Selma (Paramount)

Outstanding Supporting Actress, Motion Picture
Carmen Ejogo | Selma (Paramount)

Outstanding Director, Motion Picture
Ava DuVernay | Selma (Paramount)

Outstanding Screenplay, Motion Picture
Chris Rock | Top Five (Paramount)

Outstanding Documentary
Anita: Speaking Truth to the Power | Freida Lee Mock

Outstanding Ensemble (Awarded to Casting Directors)
Selma | Aisha Coley (Paramount)

Outstanding Foreign Film
Fishing Without Nets (Kenya) | Cutter Hodierne (Drafthouse Films)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male
Tyler James Williams | Dear White People (Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female
Teyonah Parris | Dear White People (Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions)

Outstanding Voice Performance
Morgan Freeman | The LEGO Movie (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Score
Jason Moran | Selma (Paramount)

Outstanding Original Song
“Glory” from Selma | Performed by: John Legend & Common;
Written by: John Legend, Common & Che Smith (Paramount)

INDEPENDENT:

Outstanding Independent Feature
The Retrieval | Chris Eska

Outstanding Independent Documentary
25 to Life | Mark Brown

Outstanding Independent Short
#AmeriCan | Nate Parker

TELEVISION:

Outstanding Television Documentary or Special
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown | Alex Gibney (HBO)

Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series
The Trip to Bountiful | Bill Haber, Cicely Tyson, Hallie Foote & Jeff Hayes (Lifetime)

Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Larenz Tate | Gun Hill (BET)

Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Cicely Tyson | The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime)

Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Blair Underwood | The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime)

Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Anika Noni Rose | A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime)

Outstanding Director, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Reggie Rock Bythewood | Gun Hill (BET)

Outstanding Screenplay, TV Movie or Mini-Series
Reggie Rock Bythewood | Gun Hill (BET)

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Amazon Studios Greenlights Second Seasons of Its Original Kids Series

Amazon Studios Greenlights Second Seasons of Original Kids Series Tumble Leaf, Creative Galaxy, Annedroids and Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street

Growing original kids programming slate also includes Wishenpoof! and recently greenlit series Just Add Magic and The Stinky & Dirty Show

Returning series come from accomplished creators Drew Hodges (Saturday Night Live, Community), J.J. Johnson (Dino Dan), Angela C. Santomero (Blue’s Clues, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood), and first-time creator greenlit from studio’s open-door pilot submissions process, David Anaxagoras


SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ:AMZN)— Amazon Studios today announced it has renewed second seasons of its current kids series: Creative Galaxy, Annedroids, Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, and recent Annie Award winner, Tumble Leaf. All four series will return exclusively to Prime Instant Video for Prime members to stream and enjoy as part of their membership. Amazon Original kids series are among the top kids titles across all of Prime Instant Video, with Creative Galaxy, Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street and Tumble Leaf delivering some of the most-streamed kids seasons on Amazon. These shows, along with Annedroids, have recently been honored by the Parents’ Choice Foundation.

    “Tumble Leaf, Creative Galaxy, Annedroids and Gortimer have all experienced a tremendous response from our customers and we’re excited to bring them back for another season”

“Tumble Leaf, Creative Galaxy, Annedroids and Gortimer have all experienced a tremendous response from our customers and we’re excited to bring them back for another season,” said Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming for Amazon Studios. “Working with such remarkably talented and impactful creators in both the preschool and kids six to 11 space, it’s exciting to see where the storylines and characters will take us for another season.”

Annecy International Festival and Annie award-winning series, Tumble Leaf was created by Drew Hodges (Saturday Night Live, Community) and executive produced by Hodges and Kelli Bixler (Saturday Night Live, The Roadents) of award-winning studio Bix Pix Entertainment. Created for preschool-aged children, each episode of the stop-motion world of Tumble Leaf follows Fig, a delightfully curious blue fox, and his best friend Stick, a quirky caterpillar, as they embark on a fun and nature-filled adventure, learning science through their natural play. The series features voice work from newcomers Christopher Downs as Fig, Brooke Wolloff as Maple, Zac McDowell as Hedge, Addie Zintel as Pine, and Alex Trugman as Ginkgo.

Creative Galaxy, from Out of the Blue Enterprises, with Angela C. Santomero (Blue’s Clues, Super Why! Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) serving as Creator and Executive Producer, and Samantha Freeman as Executive Producer, is a make-along, create-along art adventure series for preschool-aged children. The series, animated by 9 Story Entertainment, features Arty, an adorable alien artist, and Epiphany, his inspirational side-kick, on their adventures through the Creative Galaxy solving problems through art. To give kids and parents the real-life tools they need to recreate Arty’s experience, a live-action piece at the end of each animated episode takes families through the craft project Arty showcased in the galaxy. Creative Galaxy features vocal talent from Christian Distefano (PAW Patrol) as Arty, Kira Gelineau (Dear Viola) as Epiphany, and guest stars Samantha Bee (The Daily Show), Jason Jones (The Daily Show), Cloris Leachman (Malcolm In the Middle), Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210) and Brooke Shields (Lipstick Jungle).

Annedroids, created by Emmy-nominated J.J. Johnson (Dino Dan) and Sinking Ship Entertainment, is a kids six to 11 live-action adventure series about Anne, a young female scientist, her human friends and their android assistants, and the amazing scientific discoveries they make while undertaking the biggest experiment of them all: growing up. The series spotlights, through trial and error, how science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEAM) can inspire children to do great things. Annedroids stars Addison Holley (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) as Anne, Adrianna Di Liello (Stage Fright) as her friend Shania, and Jadiel Dowlin as Nick. The series also features vocal talent from Millie Davis (Orphan Black) as Pal.

Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, created by first-time writer David Anaxagoras and executive produced by Oscar winner Luke Matheny (God of Love), stars Sloane Morgan Siegel (Partners), Ashley Boettcher (Aliens in the Attic), Drew Justice (The Little Rascals Save the Day), and Robyn Lively (Saving Grace, Twin Peaks). The series, for kids six to 11, is a coming-of-age tale of friendship that centers around Gortimer (Siegel) and the bond with his two best friends Ranger (Justice) and Mel (Boettcher), as they chronicle their adventures on Normal Street—an ordinary suburban neighborhood that has a hint of something unexpected just beneath the surface. Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street is the first kids series to receive a greenlight from Amazon Studios’ open-door pilot submissions process. Anaxagoras, a preschool teacher, was one of many aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters who submitted their ideas for original series through AmazonStudios.com, and whose concept moved forward as a pilot that debuted on Amazon Instant Video in February 2014.

Prime members can now watch episodes from the first seasons of Tumble Leaf, Creative Galaxy, Annedroids and Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street as often as they would like with the Amazon Instant Video app for TVs, connected devices and mobile devices, or online at amazon.com/originals, at no additional cost to their membership. Customers who are not already a Prime member can sign up for a free trial at amazon.com/prime. Additionally, apps for Tumble Leaf and Annedroids, exclusively for Fire devices, are available to download for free at the Amazon App Store. Tumble Leaf, Creative Galaxy, Annedroids, and Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street are also available as part of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, the all-you-can-eat subscription service designed from the ground up for kids—FreeTime Unlimited is available exclusively on Amazon devices including Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets, and a year-long subscription is included with every Fire HD Kids Edition.

About Amazon Studios
Amazon Studios most recently debuted its first live-action series for kids six to 11, Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street. The studio has also launched three additional children’s series, the Annecy International Animated Film Festival Award-winning and Annie Award-winning Tumble Leaf from Bix Pix Entertainment; Creative Galaxy from Angela C. Santomero and Out of the Blue Enterprises, the creators of Blue’s Clues; and Annedroids, from Emmy nominated Sinking Ship Entertainment. All four children’s series have been honored by the Parents’ Choice Foundation. The studio has also debuted dramatic comedy Mozart in the Jungle from Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, Paul Weitz, John Strauss and Alex Timbers and Jill Soloway’s multi-Golden Globe Award-winning dark comedy Transparent; as well as a second season of the Garry Trudeau political comedy Alpha House.

Amazon Studios has also recently greenlit full seasons of two kids series Just Add Magic based on Cindy Callaghan’s young adult book and adapted by Joanna Lewis & Kristine Songco; and The Stinky & Dirty Show based on the “I Stink!” book series by Kate & Jim McMullan and written by Guy Toubes; along with The Man in the High Castle, based on the Philip K. Dick alternative history novel executive produced by Frank Spotnitz, Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker, Christian Baute, Stewart Mackinnon, Isa Dick Hackett and Christopher Tricarico and co-executive produced by Kalen Egan and Jordan Sheehan; hour-long dark comedy Mad Dogs created by Cris Cole and executive produced by Cole, Shawn Ryan, Marney Hochman, Andy Harries, Suzanne Mackie and Charles McDougall; and docu-series The New Yorker Presents executive produced by Academy Award-winning documentarian Alex Gibney and Dawn Ostroff and co-produced by Condé Nast Entertainment and Jigsaw Productions.

Three additional original series will also debut in 2015, including kids series Wishenpoof! from Angela C. Santomero and Out of the Blue Enterprises; Hand of God from Marc Forster and Ben Watkins; and Red Oaks from Steven Soderbergh, David Gordon Green, Greg Jacobs and Joe Gangemi; as well as a second season of Transparent.

In 2015 Amazon Studios will begin to produce and acquire original movies for theatrical release, followed by early window distribution on Prime Instant Video.

Amazon Studios launched in 2010 as a new way to develop feature films and episodic series—one that’s open to great ideas from creators and audiences around the world. Anyone can upload a script online and Amazon Studios will read and review all submissions. Those who choose to make their projects public can also receive feedback from the Amazon Studios community.

About Prime Instant Video
Amazon Prime members have instant access to stream tens of thousands of movies and TV episodes, including award-winning Amazon Original Series, available on Prime Instant Video at no additional cost to their membership. In addition, new release movies like Gone Girl, Boyhood and Birdman along with in-season shows like The Walking Dead, Scandal and Better Call Saul are also available for rent or purchase on Amazon Instant Video for all customers to stream and enjoy.

Customers can watch shows and movies with the Amazon Instant Video app. The Amazon Instant Video app is available on hundreds of devices including connected TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Xbox and PlayStation, as well as on mobile devices like Fire phone, Fire tablets, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Customers can also watch online at Amazon.com/PIV. Prime Instant Video is also the only U.S. online-only subscription streaming service that enables offline viewing—on a plane, on vacation, and anywhere else where you may not have Wi-Fi.

Amazon Prime members have exclusive access to popular TV series at no additional cost to their membership. Prime members can enjoy binge-worthy TV shows including Amazon Original Series’ airing now such as multi-Golden Globe winning series, Transparent, the hour-long drama, Bosch, based on Michael Connelly’s best-selling books, the Roman Coppola and Jason Schwartzman comedy, Mozart in the Jungle and the political comedy starring John Goodman, Alpha House, in addition to HBO favorites like The Sopranos, True Blood and Six Feet Under, and popular primetime series including 24, Covert Affairs, Downtown Abbey, Extant, Falling Skies, Grimm, Hannibal, Justified, Orphan Black, Teen Wolf, The Americans, Under the Dome and Veronica Mars. Prime members also have access to an exclusive collection of kids shows now airing including Amazon Original Series’ Annedroids, Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street and the Annecy International Animated Film Festival Award-winning and Annie Award-winning Tumble Leaf, as well as popular shows from Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Team Umizoomi, Blue’s Clues and The Bubble Guppies.

Comprehensive cast and crew information, including bios and filmographies, is available on Amazon's IMDb (www.imdb.com), the world’s most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content.

About Amazon
Amazon.com opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995. The company is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire phone, Fire tablets, and Fire TV are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon.

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Happy Birthday, Laura!

Happy _ _ th Birthday, dear sister.  Have a great day.  Have many, many, many more Happy Birthdays.

Monday, February 23, 2015

The 87th Academy Awards - Complete Winners List

The 87th Oscars were held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood.  The ceremony was televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.  The Oscars were produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.  The ceremony was televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

The 87th Academy Award winners for the 2015 Oscars:

Best Picture of 2014:
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, and James W. Skotchdopole, Producers

Director:
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Actor:
Eddie Redmayne in “The Theory of Everything”

Supporting Actor:
J.K. Simmons in “Whiplash”

Actress:
Julianne Moore in “Still Alice”

Supporting Actress:
Patricia Arquette in “Boyhood”

Animated Feature:
“Big Hero 6” Don Hall, Chris Williams and Roy Conli

Adapted Screenplay:
“The Imitation Game” Written by Graham Moore

Original Screenplay:
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Written by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. & Armando Bo

Cinematography:
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Emmanuel Lubezki

Costume Design:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Milena Canonero

Documentary Feature:
“CitizenFour” Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky

Documentary Short Subject:
“Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1” Ellen Goosenberg Kent and Dana Perry

Film Editing:
“Whiplash” Tom Cross

Foreign Language Film:
“Ida” Poland

Makeup and Hairstyling:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Frances Hannon and Mark Coulier

Original Score:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Alexandre Desplat

Original Song:
“Glory” from “Selma”
Music and Lyric by John Stephens and Lonnie Lynn

Production Design:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Production Design: Adam Stockhausen; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock

Animated Short Film:
“Feast” Patrick Osborne and Kristina Reed

Live Action Short Film:
“The Phone Call” Mat Kirkby and James Lucas

Sound Editing:
“American Sniper” Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman

Sound Mixing:
“Whiplash” Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins and Thomas Curley

Visual Effects:
“Interstellar” Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter and Scott Fisher

------------------------


Sunday, February 22, 2015

"Birdman" Wins Oscar as Best Picture of 2014

Best Picture:

“American Sniper” Clint Eastwood, Robert Lorenz, Andrew Lazar, Bradley Cooper and Peter Morgan, Producers

“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher and James W. Skotchdopole, Producers WINNER

“Boyhood” Richard Linklater and Cathleen Sutherland, Producers

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson, Producers

“The Imitation Game” Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky and Teddy Schwarzman, Producers

“Selma” Christian Colson, Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, Producers

“The Theory of Everything” Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce and Anthony McCarten, Producers

“Whiplash” Jason Blum, Helen Estabrook and David Lancaster, Producers


Julianne Moore Wins Lead Actress Oscar for "Still Alice"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:

Marion Cotillard in “Two Days, One Night”
Felicity Jones in “The Theory of Everything”
Julianne Moore in “Still Alice” WINNER
Rosamund Pike in “Gone Girl”
Reese Witherspoon in “Wild”


Eddie Redmayne Wins Lead Actor Oscar for "The Theory of Everything"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:

Steve Carell in “Foxcatcher”
Bradley Cooper in “American Sniper”
Benedict Cumberbatch in “The Imitation Game”
Michael Keaton in “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Eddie Redmayne in “The Theory of Everything” WINNER


Alejandro G. Iñárritu Wins Directing Oscar for "Birdman"

Achievement in Directing:

“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Alejandro G. Iñárritu WINNER

“Boyhood” Richard Linklater
“Foxcatcher” Bennett Miller
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Wes Anderson
“The Imitation Game” Morten Tyldum


"The Imitation Game" Wins Adapted Screenplay Oscar

Best Adapted Screenplay:

“American Sniper” Written by Jason Hall
“The Imitation Game” Written by Graham Moore WINNER
“Inherent Vice” Written for the screen by Paul Thomas Anderson
“The Theory of Everything” Screenplay by Anthony McCarten
“Whiplash” Written by Damien Chazelle


"Birdman" Wins Original Screenplay Oscar

Best Original Screenplay:

“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Written by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. & Armando Bo WINNER
“Boyhood” Written by Richard Linklater
“Foxcatcher” Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Screenplay by Wes Anderson; Story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness
“Nightcrawler” Written by Dan Gilroy


"The Grand Budapest Hotel" Wins Original Score Oscar

Best Original Score:

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Alexandre Desplat WINNER

“The Imitation Game” Alexandre Desplat
“Interstellar” Hans Zimmer
“Mr. Turner” Gary Yershon
“The Theory of Everything” Jóhann Jóhannsson


"Glory" Wins Original Song Oscar

Best Original Song:

“Everything Is Awesome” from “The Lego Movie”
Music and Lyric by Shawn Patterson

“Glory” from “Selma”
Music and Lyric by John Stephens and Lonnie Lynn WINNER

“Grateful” from “Beyond the Lights”
Music and Lyric by Diane Warren

“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” from “Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me”
Music and Lyric by Glen Campbell and Julian Raymond

“Lost Stars” from “Begin Again”
Music and Lyric by Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisebois


"CitizenFour" Wins Documentary Feature Oscar

Best Documentary Feature:

“CitizenFour” Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky WINNER

“Finding Vivian Maier” John Maloof and Charlie Siskel
“Last Days in Vietnam” Rory Kennedy and Keven McAlester
“The Salt of the Earth” Wim Wenders, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado and David Rosier
“Virunga” Orlando von Einsiedel and Joanna Natasegara


"Whiplash" Wins Film Editing Oscar

Achievement in Film Editing:

“American Sniper” Joel Cox and Gary D. Roach
“Boyhood” Sandra Adair
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Barney Pilling
“The Imitation Game” William Goldenberg
“Whiplash” Tom Cross WINNER


"Birdman" Wins Cinematography Oscar

Achievement in Cinematography:

“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Emmanuel Lubezki WINNER

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Robert Yeoman
“Ida” Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lenczewski
“Mr. Turner” Dick Pope
“Unbroken” Roger Deakins


"The Grand Budapest Hotel" Wins Production Design Oscar

Achievement in Production Design:

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Production Design: Adam Stockhausen; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock  WINNER

“The Imitation Game” Production Design: Maria Djurkovic; Set Decoration: Tatiana Macdonald
“Interstellar” Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
“Into the Woods” Production Design: Dennis Gassner; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock
“Mr. Turner” Production Design: Suzie Davies; Set Decoration: Charlotte Watts


"Big Hero 6" Wins Animated Feature Oscar

Best Animated Feature:

“Big Hero 6” Don Hall, Chris Williams and Roy Conli WINNER

“The Boxtrolls” Anthony Stacchi, Graham Annable and Travis Knight
“How to Train Your Dragon 2” Dean DeBlois and Bonnie Arnold
“Song of the Sea” Tomm Moore and Paul Young
“The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” Isao Takahata and Yoshiaki Nishimura


"Feast" Wins Animated Short Film Oscar

Best Animated Short Film:

“The Bigger Picture” Daisy Jacobs and Christopher Hees
“The Dam Keeper” Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi
“Feast” Patrick Osborne and Kristina Reed WINNER
“Me and My Moulton” Torill Kove
“A Single Life” Joris Oprins


"Interstellar" Wins Visual Effects Oscar

Achievement in Visual Effects:

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” Dan DeLeeuw, Russell Earl, Bryan Grill and Dan Sudick
“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, Daniel Barrett and Erik Winquist
“Guardians of the Galaxy” Stephane Ceretti, Nicolas Aithadi, Jonathan Fawkner and Paul Corbould
“Interstellar” Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter and Scott Fisher WINNER
“X-Men: Days of Future Past” Richard Stammers, Lou Pecora, Tim Crosbie and Cameron Waldbauer


Patricia Arquette Wins Best Supporting Actress Oscar

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:

Patricia Arquette in “Boyhood” WINNER

Laura Dern in “Wild”
Keira Knightley in “The Imitation Game”
Emma Stone in “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Meryl Streep in “Into the Woods”


"American Sniper" Wins Sound Editing Oscar

Achievement in Sound Editing:

“American Sniper” Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman WINNER
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Martín Hernández and Aaron Glascock
“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” Brent Burge and Jason Canovas
“Interstellar” Richard King
“Unbroken” Becky Sullivan and Andrew DeCristofaro


"Whiplash" Wins Sound Mixing Oscar

Achievement in Sound Mixing:

“American Sniper” John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff and Walt Martin
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño and Thomas Varga
“Interstellar” Gary A. Rizzo, Gregg Landaker and Mark Weingarten
“Unbroken” Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño and David Lee
“Whiplash” Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins and Thomas Curley WINNER

"Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1" Wins Documentary Short Subject

Documentary Short Subject:

“Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1” Ellen Goosenberg Kent and Dana Perry WINNER

“Joanna” Aneta Kopacz
“Our Curse” Tomasz Sliwinski and Maciej Slesicki
“The Reaper (La Parka)” Gabriel Serra Arguello
“White Earth” J. Christian Jensen


"The Phone Call" Wins Live Action Short Film Oscar

Live Action Short Film:
“Aya” Oded Binnun and Mihal Brezis
“Boogaloo and Graham” Michael Lennox and Ronan Blaney
“Butter Lamp (La Lampe Au Beurre De Yak)” Hu Wei and Julien Féret
“Parvaneh” Talkhon Hamzavi and Stefan Eichenberger
“The Phone Call” Mat Kirkby and James Lucas WINNER


"Ida" Wins Foreign Language Film Oscar

Best Foreign Language Film:
“Ida” Poland WINNER
“Leviathan” Russia
“Tangerines” Estonia
“Timbuktu” Mauritania
“Wild Tales” Argentina


"The Grand Budapest Hotel" Wins Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar

Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling:
“Foxcatcher” Bill Corso and Dennis Liddiard
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Frances Hannon and Mark Coulier WINNER
“Guardians of the Galaxy” Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou and David White


"The Grand Budapest Hotel" Wins Costume Design Oscar

Achievement in Costume Design

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Milena Canonero WINNER

“Inherent Vice” Mark Bridges
“Into the Woods” Colleen Atwood
“Maleficent” Anna B. Sheppard and Jane Clive
“Mr. Turner” Jacqueline Durran


J.K. Simmons Wins "Best Supporting Actor" Oscar

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:

Robert Duvall in “The Judge”
Ethan Hawke in “Boyhood”
Edward Norton in “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Mark Ruffalo in “Foxcatcher”
J.K. Simmons in “Whiplash” WINNER


Once again... Your 2015 Academy Award Nominations - Complete List


The 87th Academy Award Nominations for the 2015 Oscars (for the year in film 2014):

Best Picture
“American Sniper” Clint Eastwood, Robert Lorenz, Andrew Lazar, Bradley Cooper and Peter Morgan, Producers

“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher and James W. Skotchdopole, Producers

“Boyhood” Richard Linklater and Cathleen Sutherland, Producers

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson, Producers

“The Imitation Game” Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky and Teddy Schwarzman, Producers

“Selma” Christian Colson, Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, Producers

“The Theory of Everything” Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce and Anthony McCarten, Producers

“Whiplash” Jason Blum, Helen Estabrook and David Lancaster, Producers

Actor
Steve Carell in “Foxcatcher”
Bradley Cooper in “American Sniper”
Benedict Cumberbatch in “The Imitation Game”
Michael Keaton in “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Eddie Redmayne in “The Theory of Everything”

Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall in “The Judge”
Ethan Hawke in “Boyhood”
Edward Norton in “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Mark Ruffalo in “Foxcatcher”
J.K. Simmons in “Whiplash”

Actress
Marion Cotillard in “Two Days, One Night”
Felicity Jones in “The Theory of Everything”
Julianne Moore in “Still Alice”
Rosamund Pike in “Gone Girl”
Reese Witherspoon in “Wild”

Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette in “Boyhood”
Laura Dern in “Wild”
Keira Knightley in “The Imitation Game”
Emma Stone in “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
Meryl Streep in “Into the Woods”

Animated Feature
“Big Hero 6” Don Hall, Chris Williams and Roy Conli
“The Boxtrolls” Anthony Stacchi, Graham Annable and Travis Knight
“How to Train Your Dragon 2” Dean DeBlois and Bonnie Arnold
“Song of the Sea” Tomm Moore and Paul Young
“The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” Isao Takahata and Yoshiaki Nishimura

Adapted Screenplay
“American Sniper” Written by Jason Hall
“The Imitation Game” Written by Graham Moore
“Inherent Vice” Written for the screen by Paul Thomas Anderson
“The Theory of Everything” Screenplay by Anthony McCarten
“Whiplash” Written by Damien Chazelle

Original Screenplay
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Written by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. & Armando Bo
“Boyhood” Written by Richard Linklater
“Foxcatcher” Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Screenplay by Wes Anderson; Story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness
“Nightcrawler” Written by Dan Gilroy

Cinematography
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Emmanuel Lubezki
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Robert Yeoman
“Ida” Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lenczewski
“Mr. Turner” Dick Pope
“Unbroken” Roger Deakins

Costume Design
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Milena Canonero
“Inherent Vice” Mark Bridges
“Into the Woods” Colleen Atwood
“Maleficent” Anna B. Sheppard and Jane Clive
“Mr. Turner” Jacqueline Durran

Director
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Alejandro G. Iñárritu
“Boyhood” Richard Linklater
“Foxcatcher” Bennett Miller
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Wes Anderson
“The Imitation Game” Morten Tyldum

Documentary Feature
“CitizenFour” Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky
“Finding Vivian Maier” John Maloof and Charlie Siskel
“Last Days in Vietnam” Rory Kennedy and Keven McAlester
“The Salt of the Earth” Wim Wenders, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado and David Rosier
“Virunga” Orlando von Einsiedel and Joanna Natasegara

Documentary Short Subject
“Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1” Ellen Goosenberg Kent and Dana Perry
“Joanna” Aneta Kopacz
“Our Curse” Tomasz Sliwinski and Maciej Slesicki
“The Reaper (La Parka)” Gabriel Serra Arguello
“White Earth” J. Christian Jensen

Film Editing
“American Sniper” Joel Cox and Gary D. Roach
“Boyhood” Sandra Adair
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Barney Pilling
“The Imitation Game” William Goldenberg
“Whiplash” Tom Cross

Foreign Language Film
“Ida” Poland
“Leviathan” Russia
“Tangerines” Estonia
“Timbuktu” Mauritania
“Wild Tales” Argentina

Makeup and Hairstyling
“Foxcatcher” Bill Corso and Dennis Liddiard
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Frances Hannon and Mark Coulier
“Guardians of the Galaxy” Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou and David White

Original Score
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Alexandre Desplat
“The Imitation Game” Alexandre Desplat
“Interstellar” Hans Zimmer
“Mr. Turner” Gary Yershon
“The Theory of Everything” Jóhann Jóhannsson

Original Song
“Everything Is Awesome” from “The Lego Movie”
Music and Lyric by Shawn Patterson

“Glory” from “Selma”
Music and Lyric by John Stephens and Lonnie Lynn

“Grateful” from “Beyond the Lights”
Music and Lyric by Diane Warren

“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” from “Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me”
Music and Lyric by Glen Campbell and Julian Raymond

“Lost Stars” from “Begin Again”
Music and Lyric by Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisebois

Production Design
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” Production Design: Adam Stockhausen; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock
“The Imitation Game” Production Design: Maria Djurkovic; Set Decoration: Tatiana Macdonald
“Interstellar” Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
“Into the Woods” Production Design: Dennis Gassner; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock
“Mr. Turner” Production Design: Suzie Davies; Set Decoration: Charlotte Watts

Animated Short Film
“The Bigger Picture” Daisy Jacobs and Christopher Hees
“The Dam Keeper” Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi
“Feast” Patrick Osborne and Kristina Reed
“Me and My Moulton” Torill Kove
“A Single Life” Joris Oprins

Live Action Short Film
“Aya” Oded Binnun and Mihal Brezis
“Boogaloo and Graham” Michael Lennox and Ronan Blaney
“Butter Lamp (La Lampe Au Beurre De Yak)” Hu Wei and Julien Féret
“Parvaneh” Talkhon Hamzavi and Stefan Eichenberger
“The Phone Call” Mat Kirkby and James Lucas

Sound Editing
“American Sniper” Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Martín Hernández and Aaron Glascock
“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” Brent Burge and Jason Canovas
“Interstellar” Richard King
“Unbroken” Becky Sullivan and Andrew DeCristofaro

Sound Mixing
“American Sniper” John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff and Walt Martin
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño and Thomas Varga
“Interstellar” Gary A. Rizzo, Gregg Landaker and Mark Weingarten
“Unbroken” Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño and David Lee
“Whiplash” Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins and Thomas Curley

Visual Effects
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” Dan DeLeeuw, Russell Earl, Bryan Grill and Dan Sudick
“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, Daniel Barrett and Erik Winquist
“Guardians of the Galaxy” Stephane Ceretti, Nicolas Aithadi, Jonathan Fawkner and Paul Corbould
“Interstellar” Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter and Scott Fisher
“X-Men: Days of Future Past” Richard Stammers, Lou Pecora, Tim Crosbie and Cameron Waldbauer

------------------------


Saturday, February 21, 2015

"Birdman" Wins "Best Feature" at 2015 Independent Spirit Awards - Complete Winners List

Film Independent’s Spirit Awards (formerly known as the Independent Spirit Awards) were founded in 1984 and are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers.  Film Independent is the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and also the Los Angeles Film Festival.

The 2015/30th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards winners were announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 21, 2015.  Winners of the Spirit Awards Filmmaker Grants were highlighted during the awards ceremony and were announced at the Film Independent Spirit Awards Filmmaker Grants and Nominee Brunch on Saturday, January 10, 2015, at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood.

2015 / 30th Film Independent Spirit Award winner:

BEST FEATURE
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Producers: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole

BEST DIRECTOR
Richard Linklater: Boyhood

BEST SCREENPLAY
Dan Gilroy: Nightcrawler

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
Nightcrawler
Director: Dan Gilroy
Producers: Jennifer Fox, Tony Gilroy, Jake Gyllenhaal, David Lancaster, Michel Litvak

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Justin Simien: Dear White People

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director and producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.

Land Ho!
Writers/Directors: Aaron Katz & Martha Stephens
Producers: Christina Jennings, Mynette Louie, Sara Murphy

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Julianne Moore: Still Alice

BEST MALE LEAD
Michael Keaton: Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Patricia Arquette: Boyhood

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
J.K. Simmons: Whiplash

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Emmanuel Lubezki: Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

BEST EDITING
Tom Cross: Whiplash

BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer)
CITIZENFOUR
Director/Producer: Laura Poitras
Producers: Mathilde Bonnefoy, Dirk Wilutzky

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)
Ida (Poland)
Director: Pawel Pawlikowski

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD – (Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast)
Inherent Vice
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Casting Director: Cassandra Kulukundis

Ensemble Cast: Josh Brolin, Martin Donovan, Jena Malone, Joanna Newsom, Joaquin Phoenix, Eric Roberts, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, Serena Scott Thomas, Benicio Del Toro, Katherine Waterston, Michael Kenneth Williams, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon

SPECIAL DISTINCTION AWARD
Foxcatcher
Director/Producer: Bennett Miller
Producers: Anthony Bregman, Megan Ellison, Jon Kilik
Writers: E. Max Frye, Dan Futterman
Actors: Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum

18th ANNUAL PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – The 18th annual Producers Award, sponsored by Piaget, honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.
Chad Burris
Elisabeth Holm
Chris Ohlson

21st ANNUAL KIEHL’S SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The 21st annual Someone to Watch Award, sponsored by Kiehl’s Since 1851, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Kiehl’s Since 1851.

H.
Directors: Rania Attieh & Daniel Garcia

20th ANNUAL LENSCRAFTERS TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 20th annual Truer Than Fiction Award, sponsored by LensCrafters is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by LensCrafters.

The Kill Team
Director: Dan Krauss

----------------


Cesar Awards Name "Timbuktu" as Best Picture of 2014 - Complete List of Winners

First given out in 1975, the César Award is the national film award of France.  Some even think of the César Award as the French equivalent of the American Academy Awards (Oscars). The nominations are selected by the members of the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma, and the award ceremony is held in Paris each February.  The name of the award comes from the late sculptor César Baldaccini, and the trophies are actual sculptures of the artist.

The winners for the 40th Cesar Awards were announced on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Paris.  Director Abderrahmane Sissako's Timbuktu won 7 Césars, including “Best Film” and “Best Director.”  Timbuktu is also one of the five films nominated for the foreign language film Oscar at the 87th Oscars.  Kristen Stewart won for “Best Supporting Actress” for Sils Maria, becoming the first American to win an acting award from the French Academy.  Sean Penn won an Honory César.

The 2015 / 40th Cesar Award winners (for the year in 2014) – complete list:

Best Film
Timbuktu, dir: Abderrahmane Sissako

Best Director
Abderrahmane Sissako, Timbuktu

Best Actress
Adèle Haenel, Les Combattants

Best Actor
Pierre Niney, Yves Saint Laurent

Best Supporting Actress
Kristen Stewart, Sils Maria

Best Supporting Actor
Reda Kateb, Hippocrate

Best Newcomer (Female)
Louane Emera, La Famille Bélier

Best Newcomer (Male)
Kevin Azaïs, Les Combattants

Best Original Screenplay
Timbuktu

Best Adapted Screenplay
Diplomatie

Best Foreign Film
Mommy, dir Xavier Dolan

Best Debut Feature
Les Combattants

Best Score
Timbuktu

Best Editing
Timbuktu

Best Cinematography
Timbuktu

Best Set Design
La Belle Et La Bête

Best Costumes
Saint-Laurent

Best Documentary
Salt Of The Earth

Best Sound
Timbuktu

Best Animated Film
Minuscule – La Vallée Des Fourmis Perdues, dirs: Thomas Szabo and Hélène Giraud

Best Short Film
La Femme De Rio

Best Animated Short
Les Petits Cailloux

Honorary César: Sean Penn

Prix Daniel Toscan du Plantier: Sylvie Pialat

Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma – Médaille d’Or: Luc Besson

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Webcomics Update: Grumble #1 Page 17


Page 17 is here: http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbleone017.html


Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of February 15th to 21st, 2015 - Update #17


NEWS:

From Variety:  Oliver Stone's film, "Snowden," with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley is due for Christmas.

-------------------
From TheWrap:  Lena Dunham, the star and creator of HBO's "Girls," will guest star on ABC's "Scandal," or which she is reportedly a super-fan.

--------------------
From Variety:  District 9's Neill Blomkamp is working on an Alien movie for 20th Century Fox.

---------------------
From YahooMovies:  The quiet furor over the blood profits of American Sniper.

-------------------
From TheHollywoodReporter:  An anonymous Oscar voter shares her hilarious views on her voting process with THR.  For the record, Missy Anonymous, if a 60-year-old white man had directed Selma, he would have been nominated for "Best Director."

------------------
From TheHollywoodReporter:  Roman Polanski to attend extradition hearing in Poland.

-------------------
From BlackAmericaWeb:  Don Lemon "Hates" FOX's "Empire."

--------------------
From TheVerge:  Alejandro Jodorowsky tries Kickstarter to finance his next film project.

--------------------
From HitFix:  The winner of the Feb. 13th to 15th, 2015 weekend box office is Fifty Shades of Grey with an estimated take of $81.6 million.


COMIC BOOKS:

From TheVerge:  First image of Jason Momoa as "Aquaman" for "Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice."

---------------------
From YahooMovies:  Marvel and Netflix's "Jessica Jones" adds three new cast members.


STAR WARS:

From TheDailyBeast:  Huge Star Wars spoiler - another reason this movie needs to be released at an earlier date.

----------------------
From IBT:  Rumors about Han Solo and Princess Leia's children.

-----------------------
From HitFix:  Rumors about a son of Luke Skywalker.


OBITS:

From YahooMovies:  The French actor, Louis Jourdan, died at the age of 93 on Saturday, February 14, 2015.  Many remember him for his role in Gigi, but many others best remember Jourdan as the villain, Kamal Khan (an exiled Afghan prince), in the 1983 James Bond movie, Octopussy.

--------------------
From Variety:  Gary Owens, the original voice of Hanna-Barbera character, Space Ghost, died Thursday, February 12, 2015.  He was either 78 or 80.  Recently, Owens was the voice of the over-the-air digital network, Antenna TV.  He is a fond remembrance of my childhood.  I send my condolences to his family.


MISC:

From TheVox:  It's a Black thing... or is it?

-----------------------
From YahooSports:  Bobby Knight should have been run out of "polite" society a long time ago.

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From YahooParenting:  A great birthday story.


"Birdman" leads 2015 Costume Designers Guild Awards - Complete Winners List

The Costume Designers Guild is an international group that represents motion picture, television, and commercial costume designers, assistant costume designers and costume illustrators.  The Costume Designers Guild (CDG) is Local 892 of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.).  The Costume Designers Guild Awards began in 1999 to annually honor costume designers in Motion Pictures, Television, and Commercials.

The winners for the 17th Costume Designers Guild Awards, which celebrates excellence in film, television and commercial costume design, were announced Tuesday, February 17th, 2015. The winners of the seven competitive awards were revealed at the gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Continuing its long-time support of the Guild, LACOSTE returned as Presenting Sponsor of the Costume Designers Guild Awards.  LACOSTE has been featured in numerous films such as Bridesmaids, That Awkward Moment, The Heat, Chef, and Last Vegas, as well as television shows including Mad Men, Saturday Night Live, Glee, and The Newsroom. 

Acclaimed producer, director and screenwriter Richard Linklater (who recently collaborated with costume designer Kari Perkins on the 12-Years-In-the-Making epic film, Boyhood) received the Distinguished Collaborator Award in recognition of his support of Costume Design and creative partnerships with Costume Designers.  An Honorary Career Achievement Award was presented to Costume Designer Aggie Guerard Rodgers for her outstanding work in film.  The 2015 Edith Head Award for the Advancement of the Art of Costume Design was presented to costume designer, scholar, and two-term CDG past president, Dr. Deborah Nadoolman Landis, a CDG member and costume design activist for nearly 40 years. The LACOSTE Spotlight Award honoree was Naomi Watts, with the award presented to her by Laura Dern.

2015 / 17th Costume Designers Guild Awards winners and nominees:

EXCELLENCE IN CONTEMPORARY FILM
Birdman – Albert Wolsky WINNER
Boyhood – Kari Perkins
Gone Girl – Trish Summerville
Interstellar – Mary Zophres
Wild – Melissa Bruning

EXCELLENCE IN PERIOD FILM
The Grand Budapest Hotel – Milena Canonero WINNER
The Imitation Game – Sammy Sheldon Differ
Inherent Vice – Mark Bridges
Selma – Ruth E. Carter
The Theory of Everything – Steven Noble

EXCELLENCE IN FANTASY FILM
Guardians of the Galaxy – Alexandra Byrne
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – Bob Buck, Ann Maskrey, Richard Taylor
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 – Kurt and Bart
Into the Woods – Colleen Atwood WINNER
Maleficent – Anna B. Sheppard, Jane Clive

OUTSTANDING CONTEMPORARY TELEVISION SERIES
House of Cards – Johanna Argan
Ray Donovan – Christopher Lawrence
Saturday Night Live – Tom Broecker, Eric Justian
Scandal – Lyn Paolo
True Detective – Jenny Eagan WINNER

OUTSTANDING PERIOD/FANTASY TELEVISION SERIES
Boardwalk Empire – John Dunn
Game of Thrones – Michele Clapton WINNER
The Knick – Ellen Mirojnick
Mad Men – Janie Bryant
Masters of Sex – Ane Crabtree

OUTSTANDING MADE FOR TV MOVIE OR MINI SERIES
American Horror Story: Freak Show – Lou Eyrich WINNER
Houdini – Birgit Hutter
The Normal Heart – Daniel Orlandi
Olive Kitteridge – Jenny Eagan
Sherlock – Sarah Arthur

EXCELLENCE IN COMMERCIAL COSTUME DESIGN
Army ‘Defy Expectations, Villagers’ – Christopher Lawrence WINNER
Direct TV ‘Less Attractive’, with Rob Lowe – Mindy Le Brock, Jessica Albertson
Dos Equis ‘Most Interesting Man in the World Walks on Fire’ – Julie Vogel
Kia Soul Hamster Commercial Featuring ‘Animals’ – Anette Cseri
Smirnoff ‘The Mixologist’ – Laura Jean Shannon

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Friday, February 20, 2015

"Empire's" Terrence Howard to Present at 87th Oscars

Terrence Howard And Felicity Jones To Present At 87th Oscars®
Oscar®-nominated actor Terrence Howard (2006) and Oscar nominee Felicity Jones will be presenters at this year’s Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, will air on Sunday, February 22, live on ABC.

Howard was nominated for his leading role in 2006’s “Hustle & Flow.” His other films include Oscar-winning Best Picture “Crash” (2004), “Ray” (2004), “Iron Man” (2008), “Prisoners” (2013), “Lee Daniel’s The Butler” (2013) and “St. Vincent” (2014).  Howard currently stars in the hit television series “Empire.”  His upcoming films include “Term Life” and “Cardboard Boxer.”

Jones is nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for “The Theory of Everything.” Her previous film credits include “The Tempest” (2010), “Like Crazy” (2011), “The Invisible Woman” (2013) and “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (2014). Jones’ upcoming films include “True Story,” “Autobahn,”  “A Monster Calls” and “Inferno.”

Oscar presenters and performers include:
Presenters:
Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Cate Blanchett, Jessica Chastain, Marion Cotillard, Benedict Cumberbatch, Viola Davis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, Ansel Elgort, Chris Evans, Kevin Hart, Terrence Howard, Josh Hutcherson, Scarlett Johansson, Dakota Johnson, Felicity Jones, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez, Jared Leto, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey, Sienna Miller, Chloë Grace Moretz, Eddie Murphy, Liam Neeson, Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Pine, Chris Pratt, Margot Robbie, Zoe Saldana, Octavia Spencer, Meryl Streep, Channing Tatum, Miles Teller, John Travolta, Kerry Washington, Naomi Watts, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon.

Performers:
Jack Black, Common, Jennifer Hudson, Anna Kendrick, Lady Gaga, John Legend, Adam Levine with Maroon 5, Tim McGraw, Rita Ora and Tegan and Sara with The Lonely Island.


The 87th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars, produced by Zadan and Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

2015 Cesar Award Nominations - Complete List

First given out in 1975, the César Award is the national film award of France.  Some even think of the César Award as the French equivalent of the American Academy Awards (Oscars). The nominations are selected by the members of the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma, and the award ceremony is held in Paris each February.  The name of the award comes from the late sculptor César Baldaccini, and the trophies are actual sculptures of the artist.

The nominations for the 40th Cesar Awards were announced Friday, January 28, 2015.  The 40th Cesar Awards will be presented on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Paris.

The 2015 / 40th Cesar Award nominees (for the year in 2014) – complete list:

Best Film
Les Combattants, dir: Thomas Cailley
Eastern Boys, dir: Robin Campillo
La Famille Bélier, dir: Eric Lartigau
Saint Laurent, dir: Bertrand Bonello
Hippocrate, dir: Thomas Lilti
Sils Maria, dir: Olivier Assayas
Timbuktu, dir: Abderrahmane Sissako

Best Director
Céline Sciamma, Bande De Filles
Thomas Cailley, Les Combattants
Robin Campillo, Eastern Boys
Thomas Lilti, Hippocrate
Bertrand Bonello, Saint Laurent
Olivier Assayas, Sils Maria
Abderrahmane Sissako, Timbuktu

Best Actress
Juliette Binoche, Sils Maria
Catherine Deneuve, Dans La Cour
Marion Cotillard, Deux Jours, Une Nuit
Emilie Dequenne, Pas Son Genre
Adèle Haenel, Les Combattants
Sandrine Kiberlain, Elle L’Adore
Karin Viard, La Famille Bélier

Best Actor
Pierre Niney, Yves Saint Laurent
Romain Duris, Une Nouvelle Amie
Gaspard Ulliel, Saint Laurent
Guillaume Canet, La Prochaine Fois Je Viserai Le Coeur
Niels Arestrup, Diplomatie
François Damiens, La Famille Bélier
Vincent Lacoste, Hippocrate

Best Supporting Actress
Marianne Denicourt, Hippocrate
Claude Gensac, Lulu Femme Nue
Izïa Higelin, Samba
Charlotte Le Bon, Yves Saint Laurent
Kristen Stewart, Sils Maria

Best Supporting Actor
Eric Elmosnino, La Famille Bélier
Jérémie Renier, Saint Laurent
Guillaume Gallienne, Yves Saint LAurent
Louis Garrel, Saint Laurent
Reda Kateb, Hippocrate

Best Newcomer (Female)
Lou de Laâge, Respire
Joséphine Japy, Respire
Louane Emera, La Famille Bélier
Ariane Labed, Fidelio, L’Odyssée D’Alice
Karidja Touré, Bande De Filles

Best Newcomer (Male)
Kevin Azaïs, Les Combattants
Ahmed Dramé, Les Héritiers
Kirill Emelyanov, Eastern Boys
Pierre Rochefort, Un Beau Dimanche
Marc Zinga, Qu’Allah Bénisse La France

Best Original Screenplay
Les Combattants
La Famille Bélier
Hippocrate
Sils Maria
Timbuktu

Best Adapted Screenplay
La Chambre Bleue
Diplomatie
Pas Son Genre
Lulu Femme Nue
La Prochaine Fois Je Viserai Le Coeur

Best Foreign Film
Winter Sleep, dir: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Boyhood, dir: Richard Linklater
12 Years A Slave, dir: Steve McQueen
Deux Jours, Une Nuit, dirs: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne
Mommy, dir Xavier Dolan
Ida, dir: Pawel Pawlikowski
The Grand Budapest Hotel, dir: Wes Anderson

Best Debut Feature
Les Combattants
Elle L’Adore
Fidelio, L’Odyssée D’Alice
Party Girl
Qu’Allah Bénisse La France

Best Score
Bande De Filles
Bird People
Les Combattants
Timbuktu
Yves Saint-Laurent

Best Editing
Les Combattants
Hippocrate
Party Girl
Saint-Laurent
Timbuktu

Best Cinematography
La Belle Et La Bête
Saint-Laurent
Sils Maria
Timbuktu
Yves Saint Laurent

Best Set Design
La Belle Et La Bête
La French
Saint-Laurent
Timbuktu
Yves Saint Laurent

Best Costumes
La Belle Et La Bête
La French
Saint-Laurent
Une Nouvelle Amie
Yves Saint Laurent

Best Documentary
Caricaturistes – Fantassins De La Démocratie
Les Chèvres De Ma Mère
La Cour De Babel
National Gallery
Salt Of The Earth

Best Sound
Bande De Filles
Bird People
Les Combattants
Saint Laurent
Timbuktu

Best Animated Film
Minuscule – La Vallée Des Fourmis Perdues, dirs: Thomas Szabo and Hélène Giraud
Jack Et La Mécanique Du Coeur, dir: Stéphane Berla
Le Chant De La Mer, dir: Tomm Moore

Best Short Film
Aïssa
La Femme De Rio
Inupiluk
Les Jours D’Avant
Où Je Mets Ma Pudeur
La Virée A Paname

Best Animated Short
Bang Bang!
La Bûche De Noël
La Petite Casserole D’Anatole
Les Petits Cailloux

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Fifth "Misssion: Impossible" Movie to Hit IMAX Screens in July 2015


THE FIFTH INSTALLMENT IN THE “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE” FRANCHISE, FROM PARAMOUNT PICTURES, SKYDANCE PRODUCTIONS AND BAD ROBOT, WILL BE RELEASED IN IMAX® THEATRES GLOBALLY BEGINNING JULY 31st

Paramount Pictures, Skydance Productions, Bad Robot, and IMAX Corporation today announced that the fifth installment in the blockbuster “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE” franchise, directed by Christopher McQuarrie and starring Tom Cruise, will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® format and released in IMAX® theaters worldwide beginning July 31st, 2015.

The new film is produced by Tom Cruise, J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk. The executive producers are David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger of Skydance Productions and Jake Myers. Drew Pearce, Christopher McQuarrie, Will Staples, Laeta Kalogridis & Patrick Lussier and Dylan Kussman wrote the screenplay, based on the television series created by Bruce Geller.

The newest installment reunites Cruise with stars from 2011’s “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL,” including Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames. Joining the cast is Alec Baldwin, Rebecca Ferguson and Sean Harris.

“IMAX is so important in giving the audience the best experience of the film we have made. I am very happy to have this partnership on the next ‘MISSION,’” said Cruise.

“After the innovative way we worked with our longtime partners Paramount Pictures, Skydance Productions, Bad Robot and Tom Cruise on the record-setting ‘MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL,’ we are beyond thrilled to once again offer audiences The IMAX Experience® of the latest installment of this action-packed franchise,” said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “This film was literally made for IMAX and summer moviegoing.”

Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures said, “Audiences the world over proved with the last ‘MISSION’ that the IMAX experience is not to be missed and so we are all thrilled to again partner with Rich, Greg and everyone at IMAX to bring this next exciting installment to their screens this summer.”
The “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE” franchise has earned more than $2 billion at the box office, making it one of the most successful franchises in movie history.

The IMAX® release of the latest “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE “ film will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.


About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About Skydance Productions
Skydance Productions tells big stories and creates immersive worlds, producing narratives that span film, television, games and more. Skydance is currently in post-production on a reset of the TERMINATOR franchise, TERMINATOR GENISYS, to be released on July 1, 2015. The company is also in post-production on the latest installment in the highly successful MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise starring Tom Cruise with Chris McQuarrie directing. Additionally, Skydance is currently in production on a disaster film on a global scale titled GEOSTORM written by Dean Devlin and Paul Guyot with Devlin also directing. Skydance will next begin production on STAR TREK 3, the third installment in the JJ Abrams franchise. Simon Pegg and Doug Jung are attached to co-write with Justin Lin to direct. Currently in development is AFRICA, a sweeping epic about paleo-anthropologist Richard Leakey's battle with ivory poachers that threaten the existence of the African elephant population and the very soul of Africa. Angelina Jolie is attached to direct the film based on Eric Roth's screenplay. Skydance’s recent releases include JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT, from director Kenneth Branagh and starring Chris Pine; WORLD WAR Z, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Marc Forster; STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS, directed by J.J. Abrams and starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto; and G.I. JOE: RETALIATION, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson. Skydance’s previous projects include Christopher McQuarrie’s JACK REACHER, starring Tom Cruise; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL, starring Tom Cruise and Jeremy Renner; and the award-winning Coen Brothers film TRUE GRIT, starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon.

About Bad Robot Productions
Bad Robot was formed by filmmaker J.J. Abrams in 2001. The company has produced television series such as ALIAS, LOST, FRINGE, PERSON OF INTEREST, REVOLUTION, ALMOST HUMAN, feature films such as CLOVERFIELD, STAR TREK, SUPER 8, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL, STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, the upcoming STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, the latest installment of the MISSION IMPOSSIBLE franchise, STAR TREK 3 and interactive content including the mobile apps SUPER 8 and ACTION MOVIE FX. Bad Robot’s first foray into publishing, S., a novel conceived by Abrams and written by Doug Dorst, was a New York Times Best Seller. Bad Robot is based in Los Angeles and can be followed at twitter.com/bad_robot.

About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.  As of September 30, 2014, there were 880 IMAX theatres (751 commercial multiplexes, 19 commercial destinations and 110 institutions) in 60 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience® and IMAX Is Believing® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).