Oscar-Winner Anne Hathaway Announced as 2014 Oscar Presenter

Anne Hathaway To Present On Oscar® Sunday

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Oscar winner Anne Hathaway will present at this year’s Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Hathaway won last year’s Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in “Les Misérables.” She was previously nominated for her leading role in the 2008 film “Rachel Getting Married.” Hathaway, who made her feature film debut in 2001’s “The Princess Diaries,” has starred in films including “Ella Enchanted,” “The Devil Wears Prada” and “The Dark Knight Rises.”

Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

Ooops - (Belated) Happy Birthday, David

Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law - Monday, February 17th.  Have another good one and many, many, many more, David.

2014 Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Award Winners

by Amos Semien

The 2014 Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards were held Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the historic Paramount Theater on the Paramount Studios lot.  Winners received “The Artisan” award (a statuette) for both outstanding makeup and hair styling achievements.  Two special Lifetime Achievement Awards and a Distinguished Artisan award were also presented.

Academy Award-winning Make-Up Artist Dick Smith (Amadeus) received the “Make-Up Artists Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 2014 MUAHS.  Academy Award-winner Rick Baker, who was Smith’s apprentice, presented the award.

Academy Award-winning Hair Stylist Gail Ryan received the “Hair Stylists Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 2014 MUAHS.  Academy Award-winning actor Benicio Del Toro (Traffic) presented the award to Ryan.  Ryan won an Oscar for her work on How the Grinch Stole Christmas (with make-up artist Rick Baker).

Johnny Depp received the “Distinguished Artisan Award.”  The Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild explained the honor in the following statement:

"Johnny Depp is one of the most prominent and talented actors working today.  The award-winning characters he consistently brings to life through film are uniquely enhanced with make-up and hair stylist artistry.  Beginning with Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands in 1990, Depp repeatedly creates indelible characterizations, making it hard to imagine any other actor in these roles.  His iconic performances in Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Alice in Wonderland; and, of course, the continuing Pirates of the Caribbean series, are among the 50 plus roles he has played, which have been brought to life in partnership with his gifted make-up artists and hair stylists."

2014 Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards winners (for the year 2013):

FEATURE-LENGTH MOTION PICTURE

BEST CONTEMPORARY HAIR STYLING:
Lee Daniels’ The Butler - Candace Neal, Robert Stevenson

BEST CONTEMPORARY MAKEUP:
Prisoners - Donald Mowat, Pamela Westmore

BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER HAIRSTYLING::
American Hustle - Katherine Gordon, Michelle Johnson

BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER MAKEUP:
Dallas Buyers Club - Evelyne Noraz, Rachel Geary

BEST SPECIAL MAKE-UP EFFECTS:
Bad Grandpa - Stephen Prouty

TELEVISION and NEW MEDIA SERIES

BEST CONTEMPORARY HAIRSTYLING:
The Voice - Shawn Finch, Jerilynn Stephens

BEST CONTEMPORARY MAKEUP:
Breaking Bad - Tarra Day, Sheila Trujillo Gomez

BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER HAIRSTYLING:
Vikings - Dee Corcoran

BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER MAKEUP:
Boardwalk Empire - Michele Paris

BEST SPECIAL MAKEUP EFFECTS:
The Walking Dead - Greg Nicotero, Jake Garber

TELEVISION MOVIE or MINISERIES

BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER HAIRSTYLING:
Behind the Candelabra - Marie Larkin, Yvette Stone

BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER MAKEUP
Behind the Candelabra - Kate Biscoe, Deborah Rutherford:

THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS:
Magic Flute - Darren Jinks, Samantha Wooten, 3rd Petition Brandi Strona


COMMERCIALS

BEST CONTEMPORARY MAKEUP
Wash the Day Away (Kohler) - Tyson Fountaine, Brian Penikas

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Three-Time Oscar-Winner Daniel-Day Lewis Announced as 2014 Oscar Presenter

Daniel Day-Lewis to Return To Present On Oscar® Sunday

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis will return to present at this year’s Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Winning for the title role in last year’s “Lincoln,” Day-Lewis has also been nominated for five Oscars in the lead actor category. His previous wins were for the 2007 film “There Will Be Blood” and 1989’s “My Left Foot.” He also received nominations for his starring roles in “Gangs of New York” (2002) and “In the Name of the Father” (1993).

Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

"12 Years a Slave" Wins "Best Film" at 2014 BAFTAs - Complete List

by Leroy Douresseaux

"12 Years a Slave" Wins "Best Film"

The British equivalent of the Oscars is the EE British Academy Film Awards (also known as the BAFTAs).  The 67th British Academy Film Awards took place on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London.  The ceremony was hosted by Stephen Fry and broadcast exclusively on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Gravity was the leading winner with 6 awards, including “Best Director” (Alfonso Cuarón) and “Best British Film” (a designation that was and still is controversial in some circles).  American Hustle won three prizes, including “Best Supporting Actress” for Jennifer Lawrence.

According to what I’ve read, the night wore on, and 12 Years a Slave was not winning in categories it was expected win (adapted screenplay, supporting actress, and even supporting actor).  Some thought that the film would not win any awards, but towards the end of the show, the film picked up the big wins.  First, there was “Best Actor” for Chiwetel Ejiofor.  Then, when it seemed like Gravity and maybe American Hustle would win “Best Film,” 12 Years a Slave escaped with the trophy (going to producers Anthony Katagas, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Steve McQueen.

In the non-competitive awards, director Peter Greenaway was honored with “Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema” and Helen Mirren won “The Fellowship,” the highest honor the Academy can bestow.

2014 / 67th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) winners (for the year in film, 2013):

Best Film: 12 Years a Slave

Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity

Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave

Best Actress: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

Best Supporting Actor: Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips

Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle

Best British Film: Gravity

Best Debut By a British Writer, Director or Producer: Kieran Evans

Best Original Screenplay: American Hustle

Best Adapted Screenplay: Philomena

Best Film Not In The English Language: The Great Beauty

Best Documentary: The Act of Killing

Best Original Film Score: Gravity

Best Cinematography: Gravity

Best Editing: Rush

Best Sound: Gravity

Best Animated Film: Frozen

Best Visual Effects: Gravity

Best Makeup and Hair: American Hustle

Best Production Design: The Great Gatsby

Best Costumes: The Great Gatsby

Best Short Film: Room 8

Best Animated Short: Sleeping With The Fishes

BAFTA Rising Star Award: Will Poulter

Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema in 2014: Peter Greenaway

The Fellowship:  Helen Mirren

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Jennifer Lawrence Announced as 2014 Oscar Presenter

Jennifer Lawrence To Present At The Oscars®

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Oscar® winner Jennifer Lawrence will return to present at this year’s Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Lawrence took home the Oscar for her lead performance in “Silver Linings Playbook.” She is nominated this year for her supporting role in “American Hustle.” Previously Lawrence was nominated for her leading role in “Winter’s Bone.” Her other credits include “X-Men: First Class” and “The Hunger Games” series.

Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

Review: "Kick-Ass 2" Kicks Better Ass

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 7 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

Kick-Ass 2 (2013)
Running time:  103 minutes (1 hour, 43 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong violence, pervasive language, crude and sexual content, and brief nudity
DIRECTOR:  Jeff Wadlow
WRITER:  Jeff Wadlow (based upon the comic books by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.)
PRODUCERS:  Adam Bohling, Tarquin Pack, Brad Pitt, David Reid, and Matthew Vaughn
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Tim Maurice Jones (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Eddie Hamilton
COMPOSERS:  Henry Jackman and Matthew Margeson

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/CRIME/COMEDY

Starring:  Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Morris Chestnut, Clark Duke, Augustus Prew, Donald Fiason, Garret M. Brown, Steve Mackintosh, Monica Dolan, Robert Emms, Lindy Booth, Daniel Kaluuya, Olga Kurkulina, Tom Wu, Yancy Butler, and Jim Carrey

Kick-Ass 2 is a 2013 British-American superhero film and crime comedy from writer-director, Jeff Wadlow.  It is based upon two comic books, Kick-Ass 2 and Hit Girl, from writer Mark Millar (the creator of Wanted) and John Romita, Jr.  Kick-Ass 2 is also a sequel to the 2010 film, Kick Ass, which was also based on a Millar-Romita, Jr. comic book of the same name.  In Kick-Ass 2 the movie, high-school superhero Kick-Ass joins a group of costumed crime-fighters who were inspired by him, while an old enemy plots revenge against him.

After the events of the first film, high school student Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) retired from fighting crime as the costumed vigilante/superhero, “Kick-Ass.”  But now, he is bored, and begins training with Mindy Macready a/k/a Hit Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz), who is now 15-years-old.  However, Mindy’s guardian is her late father’s friend, Detective Marcus Williams (Morris Chestnut), and he demands that Mindy give up being Hit Girl and become a proper high school student.

With Hit Girl taken out of action, Dave looks for a new partner and finds a group of normal citizens who were inspired by Kick-Ass to fight crime in costume.  Led by Colonel Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey), Kick-Ass and a small band of wannabe superheroes fight crime and do charity work.

Meanwhile, Chris D’Amico (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), whose crime boss father was killed by Kick-Ass, is frustrated that his mother forced him to stop being the costumed Red Mist.  After he takes control of his family’s wealthy, Chris becomes what he calls the world’s first supervillain, The Motherfucker, and swears vengeance against Kick-Ass.

I thought that the first Kick Ass movie wasn’t as deranged as it thought it was, nor was it as entertaining as its source material.  Kick-Ass 2 is as deranged as it thinks it is – perhaps even more so.  Sometimes, it is too deranged – with violence that is off-putting.  It is not that the violence is over-the-top, so much that it seems like the filmmakers almost seemed obsessed with spiting the critics, prudes, and people who cannot accept that this is make-believe and has nothing to do with real-world violence (like Newtown).

I think I find Kick-Ass 2 more entertaining than the first movie because the new film has one main plot.  The first movie was kind of all over the place, which is understandable as it was introducing a new kind of superhero concept.  Kick-Ass 2 is about revenge.  Yes, the story has subplots about teen angst and self-doubt, parental-child conflict, and peer acceptance, but this is a movie about payback and the mindset one has to have in order to engage in revenge.

I thought Hit Girl dominated the first movie, thankfully.  This time, Dave Lizewski and Chris D’Amico are just as fun to watch as Mindy Macready, although I honestly wish that Kick-Ass 2 has a few more hits of Hit Girl.  Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse deliver excellent performances that make their characters’ respective conflicts, obstacles, and goals seem quite genuine.

I can’t say exactly what, but Kick-Ass 2 seems to be missing something.  I like the movie and had a blast watching some of it, but there were moments that I found only mildly amusing and entertaining.  I guess that should be enough.  I can say that Kick-Ass 2 has the wanton violence, foul language, and sexual content of the first film, but done a little more thoughtfully.  Plus, Jim Carrey’s turn in a small role is an amazing little thing that has to be seen.

6 of 10
B

Friday, February 14, 2014


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