Review: "Mr. Holmes" Shows that Ian McKellan is as Sharp as Ever

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 4 (of 2016) by Leroy Douresseaux

[A version of this review originally appeared in Patreon.]

Mr. Holmes (2015)
Running time:  104 minutes (1 hour, 54 minutes)
MPAA – PG
DIRECTOR:  Bill Condon
WRITER:  Jeffrey Hatcher (based on the novel, A Slight Trick of the Mind, by Mitch Cullin)
PRODUCERS:  Iain Canning, Anne Carey, and Emile Sherman
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Tobias A. Schliessler
EDITOR:  Virginia Katz
COMPOSER:  Carter Burwell

DRAMA with elements of a mystery

Starring:  Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Milo Parker, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hattie Morahan, Patrick Kennedy, Frances de la Tour, Roger Allam, and John Sessions

Mr. Holmes is a 2015 British-American drama from director Bill Condon and writer Jeffrey Hatcher.  The film is based on the 2005 novel, A Slight Trick of the Mind, from author Mitch Cullin.  Mr. Holmes the movie focuses on an aged and retired Sherlock Holmes, who struggles with early dementia as he tries to remember his final case, which haunts him.

Mr. Holmes opens in 1947.  The long-retired Sherlock Holmes (Ian McKellen) returns from abroad and travels to Headley House, his farmhouse in Sussex.  He shares his home with Mrs. Munro (Laura Linney), his housekeeper and a war widow, and Roger (Milo Parker), her young son.  Holmes is suffering from early dementia or “senility.”  His trip abroad was to Japan, specifically Hiroshima, where he hoped to find the prickly ash plant, as he believes a “jelly” made from the plant can act as an elixir and help his failing memory.

Holmes is trying to recall his last case, which occurred over 30 years prior.  A suspicious husband, Thomas Kelmot (Patrick Kennedy), had asked Holmes to investigate his wife, Ann (Hattie Morahan).  Something happened, leaving the case unfinished and causing Holmes to retire.  Unhappy with his ex-partner, Dr. John Watson's account of the case, Holmes hopes to write his own account.  However, he has trouble recalling the details, but young Roger's curiosity drives the legendary detective to close a troubled chapter in his famed career.

Sherlock Holmes first appeared in the 1887 detective novel, A Study in Scarlet, which was written by British author, Arthur Conan Doyle.  Just over a decade later, the Holmes character began appearing in films, and after a little more than a century, Holmes has appeared in over 200 films (according to the British newspaper, The Telegraph).

Although I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes, I would be surprised if I have seen even 30 of those films.  I am certainly happy to have experienced Mr. Holmes.  It is one of the best Sherlock Holmes films that I have ever seen, primarily because of Ian McKellen's tenderly-wrought and alluring turn as Holmes.

As the 93-year-old Holmes, McKellen fashions a vulnerable man, who doggedly fights a losing battle with his health.  Still, he maintains his dignity and learns to change and to acknowledge his errors and misjudgments, both in the past and in the present.  As the Holmes seen in this film's flashbacks, who is in his late 50s or early 60s (which is somewhat unclear), McKellen presents a Holmes who is clearly a man of some age, but who is also clearly still a detective in full.  It is a testament to McKellen's skills and talent as a thespian that he can make two versions of “old-man Holmes” that are distinct from one another and are of different states of mind and intellect.

Laura Linney is potent and fiery as Mrs. Munro, although the script mostly keeps her restrained, even silently suffering.  Once again, a consummate actor takes what is given to her and makes it more than an actor of lesser skills could.  Young Milo Parker steals the movie as the brash Roger, who is on the cusp of young manhood and whose curiosity is a torch that brings light to what could have been a dark and moody film.

I recommend Mr. Holmes without reservations to fans of Sherlock Holmes movies and to fans of director Bill Condon.  He seems always to deliver interesting films that grab the audience with their unique way of being film narratives.  I think that there must simply be at least a few film award nominations in its future because Mr. Holmes does Sherlock Holmes so differently and so delightfully.

8 of 10
A

Saturday, November 21, 2015


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Donnie Yen Joins "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage"

INTERNATIONAL ACTION ICON DONNIE YEN JOINS THE CAST OF “xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE”

Martial Arts Icon and “Ip Man” Star to Face Off Against Vin Diesel in Sequel to Revolution Studios Blockbuster

HOLLYWOOD, CA – International martial arts star Donnie Yen (“IP MAN”) will square off against Vin Diesel in “xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE.” Yen will play an alpha-warrior named Xiang in the hotly anticipated sequel, which is shooting in Toronto and the Dominican Republic this month for Revolution Studios, Roth Kirschenbaum Films, One Race Films and Paramount Pictures.

Yen co-stars with  producer and star Diesel in a cast that also includes Bollywood star Deepika Padukone (“TAMASHA”), Tony Jaa (“ONG-BAK,” “FURIOUS 7”), Ruby Rose (“Orange Is the New Black”), mixed martial-arts sensation Conor McGregor, Nina Dobrev (“The Vampire Diaries”), Kris Wu (“SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW”), Hermione Corfield (“MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION”), with Toni Collette (“THE SIXTH SENSE”) and Samuel L. Jackson (“THE HATEFUL EIGHT”).

D.J. Caruso (“I AM NUMBER FOUR”) is directing “xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE.”  The film is written by Chad St. John (“LONDON HAS FALLEN”) with current revisions by F. Scott Frazier (“COLLIDE”).

Yen is coming off the New Zealand-based shoot of the upcoming “CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: SWORD OF DESTINY,” in which he stars opposite Michelle Yeoh. One of the world’s top martial-arts film stars, Yen is best known in the U.S. for his role opposite Jet Li in director Zhang Yimou’s “HERO,” the third-highest-grossing foreign-language release of all time in the U.S. He co-starred in the Jackie Chan-Owen Wilson action-comedy “SHANGHAI KNIGHTS” and performed the title role in the hugely influential “IP MAN” franchise, one of the highest grossing film series in Chinese history.

Yen’s numerous other films include “DRAGON,” which premiered to acclaim at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, and the Chinese blockbuster “THE MONKEY KING” as the Monkey King, opposite Chow Yun-fat. Yen, who was born in Canton, China, and raised in Boston, is one of the top action choreographers and has served as action director in dozens of films and has won numerous awards. He is currently developing a series of films for his own companies, Bullet Group Ltd and Bullet Films Productions, including the epic crime drama “DRAGON CITY.”

“There are only a handful of martial-arts stars who have crossed over to worldwide fame and Donnie Yen is the top of that elite cohort,” said Revolution CEO Vince Totino, who is executive producing the film along with Chief Operating Officer Scott Hemming.

“Donnie’s fighting skill and on-screen charisma make him a perfect foil for Vin,” said producer Joe Roth, who recently partnered with Jeffrey Kirschenbaum in their new venture, Roth Kirschenbaum films. “We are all excited to see these two great action stars go toe to toe.”

Donnie Yen just completed co-starring in “ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY” for Lucasfilm and Disney.


About Revolution Studios
Revolution Studios, originally established by Joe Roth in 2000, was purchased in June 2014 through funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, moving forward with Vince Totino as CEO and Scott Hemming as COO.  Since its founding, Revolution Studios has created a library of 46 films, including the Academy Award®-winning Black Hawk Down, Maid in Manhattan, Anger Management, Daddy Day Care, America’s Sweethearts, XXX and White Chicks, which collectively earned more than $3.7 billion in box office receipts. Most recently, Revolution has developed and produced multiple syndicated television series, including “Are We There Yet?” for TBS; “Anger Management,” starring Charlie Sheen, with Lionsgate for FX; and “Drew Carey’s Improv-A-Ganza” for GSN. In 2014, Revolution acquired the 64-title Morgan Creek International library, and in 2015, the eight-film Cold Springs Pictures Library among others, totaling 120 films to date in the Studio’s library.

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 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 Roth Kirschenbaum Films
Roth Kirschenbaum Films is an independent film production company formed by Joe Roth and Jeff “Kirsch” Kirschenbaum in late 2015.

Roth, before Kirsch arrived, was the founder of Roth Films.  He produced ALICE IN WONDERLAND, which grossed over $1 billion, and at the time of release, was the sixth highest grossing film of all time.  He most recently produced THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR, ALICE: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, MALEFICENT, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, OZ, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN and more.  Roth was also Chairman of 20th Century Fox and Walt Disney Studios.

Kirsch, before partnering with Roth, was a 15-year veteran of Universal Pictures.  He was most recently the President of Production, shepherding the FAST AND FURIOUS franchise for over the past decade, as well as some of the studio’s biggest tent pole releases, including the MUMMY franchise, the SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN franchise and WANTED.  Prior to Universal, he worked at CAA and Mace Neufeld Productions.

About Vin Diesel and One Race Films
One Race Films, founded in 1995 by writer, director, producer and actor Vin Diesel, has produced the four highest-grossing films in the “Fast” franchise — “Furious 7,” “Fast and Furious 6,” “Fast Five” as well as “Fast & Furious.” He has directed “Multifacial,” “Strays” and “Los Bandoleros.” Previously, One Race launched multiple franchises in the action genre, including the science-fiction thriller “Pitch Black” and the two follow-up films, “Chronicles of Riddick” and “Riddick,” along with the hit “xXx.”  Diesel’s business acumen also extends to the gaming universe, where his Tigon Studios produced three critically acclaimed console titles including “Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay” and original property “The Wheelman.”  One Race Television has partnered with Universal Television on a multi-year, first-look production deal.

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

Sony Announces New Cast Members for "Smurfs: The Lost Village"

New Smurfs In The Village! Sony Pictures Animation Announces Additional Cast For SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE

Culver City, CA – Sony Pictures Animation today announced the addition of three new cast for the lineup of talent in the next Smurf adventure Smurfs: The Lost Village, hitting theaters March 31, 2017.

Joining the already announced Demi Lovato as Smurfette, Rainn Wilson as Gargamel and Mandy Patinkin as Papa Smurf will be: triple Emmy nominee Jack McBrayer (30 Rock, Wreck-It Ralph) as the sweet, awkward and honest-to-a-fault Clumsy, who’s forever trying his best and missing the mark; Danny Pudi (Community) as book smart and geek proud Brainy, who’s long on knowledge, but short on inter-Smurf-onal skills; and Joe Manganiello (True Blood, Magic Mike) as the strong and super-positive Hefty, a loyal dynamo struggling with his hero complex.

The newest entry in the Columbia Pictures movie franchise that has grossed more than $900 million globally, Smurfs: The Lost Village is set for a worldwide release on March 31, 2017. The fully-animated return to the tone and style of the beloved comic book creations of Peyo is directed by Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2, Gnomeo & Juliet), produced by Jordan Kerner (Charlotte's Web, The Smurfs), co-produced by Mary Ellen Bauder (Hotel Transylvania), and executive produced by Raja Gosnell and Ben Waisbren.

It seems to Smurfette that everyone else in the Village has a purpose — Papa Smurf (leading), Baker Smurf (baking), even Grouchy Smurf (grouching) — except for her. So what’s the only girl in the village to do? Go in search of hers, of course! When she accidentally crosses paths with a mysterious creature that takes off into the Enchanted Forest, she follows, and sets off into the uncharted and strictly forbidden woods. Joined by her brothers Brainy, Hefty and Clumsy — and with the evil wizard Gargamel shadowing their every step — Team Smurf undertakes a wild journey full of action, danger and discovery, setting them on a course that leads to the biggest mystery in Smurf history!

Based on the characters and works of PEYO.

SMURF, and all Smurfs characters: ©Peyo. All Rights Reserved. "Smurf" and "The Smurfs" are registered trademarks of STUDIO PEYO

Sony Pictures Animation produces a variety of animated and family entertainment for audiences around the world. The studio is following its worldwide comedy hits—the record-breaking monster comedies Hotel Transylvania and Hotel Transylvania 2, the hybrid live action/animated blockbusters The Smurfs and The Smurfs 2, and the mouth-watering Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs movies—with the fully animated reboot Smurfs: The Lost Village in March 2017; the inspirational story The Lamb in December 2017; and an animated Spider-Man feature from the minds of directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord in Summer 2018. The studio, in conjunction with Aardman Animations, has produced two critically acclaimed feature films: the CG-animated family comedy Arthur Christmas; and the Academy Award®-nominated stop-frame animated high-seas adventure, The Pirates! Band of Misfits. In 2007, Surf's Up also received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Animated Feature Film. The division—whose first feature film Open Season led to a very successful movie franchise, including the upcoming Open Season: Scared Silly in Spring 2016—turned 10 in 2012. Sony Pictures Animation is a division of the Sony Pictures Motion Pictures Group.

    • Website: http://www.sonypicturesanimation.com/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SONYPicturesAnimation/
    • Twitter: http://twitter.com/sonyanimation
    • Tumblr: http://sonyanimation.tumblr.com/
    • YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SonyAnimation


About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.

About The Smurfs
The story of the Smurfs - a property created by Peyo - started in 1958 with the creation of comic books which were later brought to both the big and small screen. Over the years, the little blue characters haven't just limited themselves to the page and the screen. They have inspired records and CDs that have sold millions of copies, entire collections of figurines and toys, and many more products. In all, more than 3,000 derived products have been produced and leading brands and companies have spread their messages worldwide with the help of the Smurfs. A multitude of new projects appear regularly, thus making the success of the Smurfs planetary!

About Lafig Belgium S.A.
Lafig Belgium is the owner of the rights to produce audio-visual works based on the Smurf universe and of the Smurf worldwide licensing rights (together with IMPS). Lafig Belgium is controlled by the heirs of Pierre Culliford, better known under his pseudonym Peyo, the author/creator of the Smurfs. For 50 years, the Culliford family has controlled the Smurf characters and all licenses worldwide.

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

2016 Grammy Award Winners - Complete List; Kendrick Lamar Leads with 5 Wins

The Grammy Awards (or Grammys) are given out by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) of the United States. The Grammy is an accolade that recognizes outstanding achievement in the music industry. It is the music industry equivalent to the Academy Awards for film, the Emmy Awards for television, and the Tony Award for stage.

The 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards were held on Monday, February 15, 2016, at Staples Center in Los Angeles.  The ceremony was broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).  The 58th Annual Grammy Awards recognized the best musical (and some spoken word and video) recordings, compositions, and artists for the eligibility year that began on October 1, 2014 and ended on September 30, 2015.

2016 / 58th Grammy Award winners:

Record of the Year
“Uptown Funk,” Mark Ronson, featuring Bruno Mars

Album of the Year
“1989,” Taylor Swift

Song of the Year
“Thinking Out Loud,” Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge (Ed Sheeran)

New Artist
Meghan Trainor

Pop Solo Performance
“Thinking Out Loud,” Ed Sheeran

Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Uptown Funk,” Mark Ronson, featuring Bruno Mars

Traditional Pop Vocal Album
“The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern,” Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap

Pop Vocal Album
“1989,” Taylor Swift

Dance Recording
“Where Are Ü Now,” Skrillex and Diplo With Justin Bieber

Dance/Electronic Album
“Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü,” Skrillex and Diplo

Contemporary Instrumental Album
“Sylva,” Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest

Metal Performance
“Ghost,” Cirice

Rock Performance
“Don’t Wanna Fight,” Alabama Shakes

Rock Song
“Don’t Wanna Fight,” Alabama Shakes (Alabama Shakes)

Rock Album
“Drones,” Muse

Alternative Music Album
“Sound & Color,” Alabama Shakes

R&B Performance
“Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey),” the Weeknd

Traditional R&B Performance
“Little Ghetto Boy,” Lalah Hathaway

R&B Song
“Really Love,” D’Angelo & Kendra Foster (D’Angelo and The Vanguard)

Urban Contemporary Album
“Beauty Behind the Madness,” The Weeknd

R&B Album
“Black Messiah,” D’Angelo and the Vanguard

Rap Performance
“Alright,” Kendrick Lamar

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
“These Walls,” Kendrick Lamar, featuring Bilal, Anna Wise and Thundercat

Best Rap Song
“Alright,” Kendrick Duckworth, Kawan Prather, Mark Anthony Spears and Pharrell Williams (Kendrick Lamar)

Rap Album
“To Pimp a Butterfly,” Kendrick Lamar

Country Solo Performance
“Traveller,” Chris Stapleton

Country Duo/Group Performance
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town

Country Song
“Girl Crush,” Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose (Little Big Town)

Country Album
“Traveller,” Chris Stapleton

New Age Album
“Grace,” Paul Avgerinos

Improvised Jazz Solo
“Cherokee,” Christian McBride

Jazz Vocal Album
“For One to Love,” Cécile McLorin Salvant

Jazz Instrumental Album
“Past Present,” John Scofield

Large Jazz Ensemble Album
“The Thompson Fields,” Maria Schneider Orchestra

Latin Jazz Album
“Made in Brazil,” Eliane Elias

Gospel Performance/Song
“Wanna Be Happy?,” Kirk Franklin (Kirk Franklin)

Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
“Holy Spirit,” Francesca Battistelli (Francesca Battistelli)

Gospel Album
Israel and Newbreed, Covered: Alive Is Asia” [Live] (Deluxe)

Contemporary Christian Music Album
“This Is Not a Test,” Tobymac

Roots Gospel Album
“Still Rockin’ My Soul,” The Fairfield Four

Latin Pop Album
“A Quien Quiera Escuchar (Deluxe Edition),” Ricky Martin

Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album TIE
“Hasta La Raíz,” Natalia Lafourcade
“Dale,” Pitbull

Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
“Realidades — Deluxe Edition,” Los Tigres Del Norte

Tropical Latin Album
“Son De Panamá,” Rubén Blades With Roberto Delgado and Orchestra

American Roots Performance
“See That My Grave Is Kept Clean,” Mavis Staples

American Roots Song
“24 Frames,” Jason Isbell (Jason Isbell)

Americana Album
“Something More Than Free,” Jason Isbell

Bluegrass Album
“The Muscle Shoals Recordings,” The Steeldrivers

Best Blues Album
“Born to Play Guitar,” Buddy Guy

Folk Album
“Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn,” Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn

Regional Roots Music Album
“Go Go Juice,” Jon Cleary

Reggae Album
“Strictly Roots,” Morgan Heritage

World Music Album
“Sings,” Angelique Kidjo

Children’s Album
“Home,” Tim Kubart

Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling)
“A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety,” Jimmy Carter

Comedy Album
“Live at Madison Square Garden,” Louis C.K.

Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
“Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me,” Julian Raymond, compilation producer

Score Soundtrack for Visual Media
“Birdman,” Antonio Sanchez, composer

Song for Visual Media
“Glory,” from “Selma,” Lonnie Lynn, Che Smith and John Stephens (Common & John Legend)

Musical Theater Album
“Hamilton”

Instrumental Composition
“The Afro Latin Jazz Suite,” Arturo O’Farrill (Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, featuring Rudresh Mahanthappa)

Arrangement, Instrumental or a Cappella
“Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” Ben Bram, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstin Maldonado and Kevin Olusola (Pentatonix)

Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
“Sue (Or in a Season of Crime),” Maria Schneider (David Bowie)

Recording Package
“Still The King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys,” Sarah Dodds, Shauna Dodds and Dick Reeves, art directors (Asleep at the Wheel)

Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package
“The Rise & Fall Of Paramount Records, Volume Two (1928-32),” Susan Archie, Dean Blackwood and Jack White, art directors (Various Artists)

Album Notes
“Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, a Ballet, Waiting to Be Danced,” Joni Mitchell (Joni Mitchell)

Historical Album
“The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11,” Steve Berkowitz, Jan Haust and Jeff Rosen, compilation producers; Peter J. Moore & Mark Wilder, mastering engineers (Bob Dylan and the Band)

Engineered Album, Non-Classical
“Sound & Color,” Shawn Everett, engineer; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer (Alabama Shakes)

Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
“Uptown Funk (Dave Audé Remix),” Dave Audé, (Mark Ronson, featuring Bruno Mars)

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Jeff Bhasker

Surround Sound Album
“Amused To Death,” James Guthrie, surround mix engineer; James Guthrie and Joel Plante, surround mastering engineers; James Guthrie, surround producer (Roger Waters)

Engineered Album, Classical
“Ask Your Mama,” Leslie Ann Jones, John Kilgore, Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum and Justin Merrill, engineers; Patricia Sullivan, mastering engineer (George Manahan and San Francisco Ballet Orchestra)

Producer of the Year, Classical
Judith Sherman

Orchestral Performance
“Shostakovich: Under Stalin’s Shadow — Symphony No. 10,” Andris Nelsons, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra)

Opera Recording
“Ravel: L’Enfant Et Les Sortilèges; Shéhérazade,” Seiji Ozawa, conductor; Isabel Leonard; Dominic Fyfe, producer (Saito Kinen Orchestra; SKF Matsumoto Chorus and SKF Matsumoto Children’s Chorus)

Choral Performance
“Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil,” Charles Bruffy, conductor (Paul Davidson, Frank Fleschner, Toby Vaughn Kidd, Bryan Pinkall, Julia Scozzafava, Bryan Taylor & Joseph Warner; Kansas City Chorale & Phoenix Chorale)

Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
“Filament,” Eighth Blackbird

Classical Instrumental Solo
“Dutilleux: Violin Concerto, L’Arbre Des Songes,” Augustin Hadelich; Ludovic Morlot, conductor (Seattle Symphony)

Classical Solo Vocal Album
“Joyce & Tony — Live From Wigmore Hall,” Joyce DiDonato; Antonio Pappano, accompanist

Classical Compendium
“Paulus: Three Places of Enlightenment; Veil of Tears & Grand Concerto,” Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor; Tim Handley, producer

Contemporary Classical Composition
“Paulus: Prayers & Remembrances,” Stephen Paulus, composer (Eric Holtan, True Concord Voices & Orchestra)

Music Video
“Bad Blood,” Taylor Swift, featuring Kendrick Lamar

Music Film
“Amy,” Amy Winehouse

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

Third Wave of 2016 Oscar Presenters Announced; Daisy Ridley Among New Names

STARS TO LIGHT UP OSCAR NIGHT

Six Oscar Winners Join Presenter Line Up

Oscars producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin announced today a third slate of presenters for the 88th Oscars telecast. The Oscars, hosted by Chris Rock, will air live Oscar® Sunday, February 28, 2016 on ABC. 

The presenters, including several Oscar winners, are:

Patricia Arquette

Abraham Attah

Cate Blanchett

Emily Blunt

Louis C.K.

Common

Russell Crowe

Chris Evans

Jennifer Garner

Louis Gossett, Jr.

Michael B. Jordan

Rachel McAdams

Dev Patel

Eddie Redmayne

Daisy Ridley

Sarah Silverman

Sofia Vergara

"Through their work, these artists have shown us the unique, transformative power of cinema,” said Hill and Hudlin. “We are delighted they will be joining us on the Oscars stage this year.”   

The 88th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 28, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.    

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

2016 BAFTA Awards Announced; "The Revenant" Wins "Best Film"

The British Academy Film Awards (also known as the BAFTAs) are presented in an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). They are the British counterpart of the Oscars.

Previously known as the Orange British Academy Film Awards, they are now known as the EE British Academy Film Awards.  The British telecommunications company, EE, replaces Orange as the title sponsor of the awards.

The 69th EE British Academy Film Awards took place on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. The ceremony was hosted by Stephen Fry and was broadcast exclusively on BBC One and BBC One HD, preceded by a red carpet show on BBC Three.

2016 / 69th BAFTA Film Award winners (for the year in film 2015):

BEST FILM
THE REVENANT Steve Golin, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Arnon Milchan, Mary Parent, Keith Redmon

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
BROOKLYN John Crowley, Finola Dwyer, Amanda Posey, Nick Hornby

DIRECTOR
THE REVENANT Alejandro G. Iñárritu

LEADING ACTOR
LEONARDO DICAPRIO The Revenant

LEADING ACTRESS
BRIE LARSON Room

SUPPORTING ACTOR
MARK RYLANCE Bridge of Spies

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
KATE WINSLET Steve Jobs

OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER
NAJI ABU NOWAR (Writer/Director) RUPERT LLOYD (Producer) Theeb

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
WILD TALES Damián Szifron (Argentina, Spain)

DOCUMENTARY
AMY Asif Kapadia, James Gay-Rees

ANIMATED FILM
INSIDE OUT Pete Docter

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
SPOTLIGHT Tom McCarthy, Josh Singer

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
THE BIG SHORT Adam McKay, Charles Randolph

ORIGINAL MUSIC
THE HATEFUL EIGHT Ennio Morricone

CINEMATOGRAPHY
THE REVENANT Emmanuel Lubezki

EDITING
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Margaret Sixel

PRODUCTION DESIGN
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Colin Gibson, Lisa Thompson

COSTUME DESIGN
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Jenny Beavan

MAKE UP & HAIR
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Lesley Vanderwalt, Damian Martin

SOUND
THE REVENANT Lon Bender, Chris Duesterdiek, Martin Hernandez, Frank A. Montaño, Jon Taylor, Randy Thom

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Chris Corbould, Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh, Neal Scanlan

BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION
EDMOND Nina Gantz, Emilie Jouffroy

BRITISH SHORT FILM
OPERATOR Caroline Bartleet, Rebecca Morgan

THE EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)
JOHN BOYEGA

OUTSTANDING BRITISH CONTRIBUTION TO CINEMA
Angels Costumes

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

2016 Writers Guild Awards Announced; "Spotlight," "The Big Short" Lead

The Writers Guild of America is a labor union representing film, television, radio, video game, and new media writers. The Writers Guild of America Award acknowledges outstanding achievements in film, television, and radio and has been presented annually by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America, West since 1949.

On Saturday, February 13, 2016, the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) announced the winners for outstanding achievement in screenwriting during 2015. Winners were honored at the 2016 / 68th Writers Guild Awards at concurrent ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York City.

Richard LaGravenese received the 2016 Ian McClellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement. David Crane and Marta Kauffman received the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory scribe John August received the “Valentine Davies” award which is given to a member for their humanitarian efforts. John McNamara (a WGA nominee for Trumbo) was honored with the Paul Selvin award “given to a member whose script best embodies the spirit of constitutional and civil rights and liberties that are indispensable to the survival of free writers everywhere” per the WGA. Arthur Sellers received the Morgan Cox award for guild service.

2016 / 68th Writers Guild Awards (for the year 2015):

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Spotlight

Written by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy; Open Road Films

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Big Short

Screenplay by Charles Randolph and Adam McKay; Based on the Book by Michael Lewis; Paramount Pictures

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief

Written by Alex Gibney; HBO Documentary Films

DRAMA SERIES

Mad Men, Written by Lisa Albert, Semi Chellas, Jonathan Igla, Janet Leahy, Erin Levy, Tom Smuts, Robert Towne, Matthew Weiner, Carly Wray; AMC

EPISODIC DRAMA

“Uno” (Better Call Saul)

Written by Vince Gilligan & Peter Gould; AMC

COMEDY SERIES

Veep

Written by Simon Blackwell, Jon Brown, Kevin Cecil, Roger Drew, Peter Fellows, Neil Gibbons, Rob Gibbons, Sean Gray, Callie Hersheway, Armando Iannucci, Sean Love, Ian Martin, Georgia Pritchett, David Quantick, Andy Riley, Tony Roche, Will Smith; HBO

EPISODIC COMEDY

“Sand Hill Shuffle” (Silicon Valley)

Written by Clay Tarver; HBO

COMEDY / VARIETY (INCLUDING TALK) – SERIES

Real Time with Bill Maher

Writers: Scott Carter, Adam Felber, Matt Gunn, Brian Jacobsmeyer, Jay Jaroch, Chris Kelly, Bill Maher, Billy Martin, Danny Vermont; HBO

COMEDY / VARIETY – MUSIC, AWARDS, TRIBUTES – SPECIALS

Jimmy Kimmel Live: 10th Annual After The Oscars Special

Written by Jack Allison, Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, Joelle Boucai, Greg Dorris, Gary Greenberg, Josh Halloway, Sal Iacono, Eric Immerman, Jimmy Kimmel, Bess Kalb, Jeff Loveness, Molly McNearney, Danny Ricker, Joe Strazzullo, Bridger Winegar; ABC

COMEDY / VARIETY – SKETCH SERIES

Inside Amy Schumer

Head Writer: Jessi Klein Writers: Hallie Cantor, Kim Caramele, Kyle Dunnigan, Jon Glaser, Kurt Metzger, Christine Nangle, Dan Powell, Tami Sagher, Amy Schumer; Comedy Centraland Jimmy Kimmel Live: 10th Annual After The Oscars Special won for Comedy/Variety Special.

LONG FORM ORIGINAL

Saints & Strangers

Written by Seth Fisher, Walon Green, Chip Johannessen, Eric Overmyer; National Geographic Channel

CHILDREN’S EPISODIC

“Gortimer and the Surprise Signature” (Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street)

Written by Gretchen Enders & Aminta Goyel; Amazon Studios

CHILDREN’S LONG FORM

Descendants, Written by Josann McGibbon & Sara Parriott; Disney Channel

TV NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT

“Cuba” (60 Minutes)

Written by Scott Pelley, Nicole Young, Oriana Zill de Granados, Andy Court and Robert Anderson; CBS News

TV NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE, OR COMMENTARY

“The Storm After the Storm” (60 Minutes)

Written by Sharyn Alfonsi, Michael Rey and Oriana Zill de Granados; CBS News

DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT – CURRENT EVENTS

“American Terrorist” (Frontline)

Written by Thomas Jennings; PBS

LONG FORM ADAPTED

Fargo

Written by Steve Blackman, Bob DeLaurentis, Noah Hawley, Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert, Based on the film Fargo; FX

DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT – OTHER THAN CURRENT EVENTS

“The Great Math Mystery” (Nova)

Written by Daniel McCabe; PBS

DAYTIME DRAMA

General Hospital

Writers: Ron Carlivati, Anna Theresa Cascio, Andrea Archer Compton, Suzanne Flynn, Kate Hall, Elizabeth Korte, Daniel James O’Connor, Elizabeth Page, Jean Passanante, Katherine Schock, Scott Sickles, Chris Van Etten; ABC

RADIO NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE, OR COMMENTARY

“Passages”

Written by Gail Lee; CBS Radio News

EPISODIC COMEDY

“Sand Hill Shuffle” (Silicon Valley)

Written by Clay Tarver; HBO

RADIO DOCUMENTARY

“Marking the End of Vietnam: 40 Years Later”

Written by Andrew Evans; ABC News Radio

ANIMATION

“Housetrap” (Bob’s Burgers)

Written by Dan Fybel; Fox

SHORT FORM NEW MEDIA – ORIGINAL

“Back to Reality” (Weight)

Written by Daryn Strauss; weighttheseries.com

NEW SERIES

Mr. Robot

Written by Kyle Bradstreet, Kate Erickson, Sam Esmail, David Iserson, Randolph Leon, Adam Penn, Matt Pyken; USA

VIDEOGAME WRITING

Rise of the Tomb Raider, Lead Narrative Designer John Stafford; Narrative Designer Cameron Suey; Lead Writer Rhianna Pratchett; Additional Writer Philip Gelatt; Microsoft

QUIZ AND AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Hollywood Game Night

Head Writer: Grant Taylor; Writers: Michael Agbabian, Alex Chauvin, Ann Slichter, Dwight D. Smith; NBC

SHORT FORM NEW MEDIA – ADAPTED

“Chapter Two: Phoebe” (Heroes Reborn: Dark Matters)

Written by Zach Craley; nbc.com

ON-AIR PROMOTION (TELEVISION, NEW MEDIA OR RADIO)

“The McCarthys and Under the Dome Promos”

Written by Erial Tompkins; CBS

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