The 2006 Awards Season Has Started!

[MacGuffin]

'Crash,' 'Brokeback' Honored by Writers

The writers of "Brokeback Mountain," the sweeping tale about the longtime forbidden romance between rugged ranch hands, won best adapted screenplay Saturday night at the 58th annual Writers Guild Awards.

The screenplay was written by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana and based on a short story by Annie Proulx. The film stars actors Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal and received a leading eight Oscar nominations.

The writers of the ensemble drama "Crash," which follows the lives of a cast of characters over a chaotic 36-hour period in Los Angeles, won for best original screenplay. The screenplay was written by Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco based on a Haggis story.

In other awards, the ABC television show "Grey's Anatomy" won the writing award for a new series.

Larry David, the writer and star of the HBO comedy "Curb Your Enthusiasm," won for best writing in a comedy series.

The crew of writers for the hit ABC show "Lost" were honored in the dramatic series category.

In the television animation category, Michael Price won for "Mommie Beerest" an episode on the long-running Fox show "The Simpsons."

Winners were announced in ceremonies held in Los Angeles and New York.

Other television winners announced Saturday:

Episodic Drama: "Autopsy" ("House"), Lawrence Kaplow, Fox.

Episodic Comedy: "You Can't Miss the Bear" ("Weeds"), Jenji Kohan, Showtime.

Long Form-Original: "Warm Springs," Margaret Nagle, HBO.

Long-Form Adapted: "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers," Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, based on the book by Roger Lewis, HBO.

Comedy/Variety Series: "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," Mike Sweeney, Chris Albers, Jose Arroyo, Andy Blitz, Kevin Dorff, Dan Goor, Michael Gordon, Tim Harrod, Berkley Johnson, Brian Kiley, Michael Koman, Brian McCann, Guy Nicolucci, Conan O'Brien, Allison Silverman, Robert Smigel, Brian Stack, Andrew Weinberg, NBC.

[life_boy]

Are we doing the Xixax Awards this year?

[MacGuffin]

Are we doing the Xixax Awards this year?

Yes, but we're pushing 'em back a bit this year in order to give everyone a chance to see the 'contender' films as they become available on DVD.

[Fernando]

Are we doing the Xixax Awards this year?

Yes, but we're pushing 'em back a bit this year in order to give everyone a chance to see the 'contender' films as they become available on DVD.

Great, for once the ppl won against the powers that be. 

[Redlum]

Did anyone see the BAFTA's? There was a strong spirit there this year, convincing me that 2005 was certainly a great year for films.

Particularly inspirational and moving was Lord Puttnam's acceptance speech for his Bafta fellowship. A highly personal anecdote about his relationship with film and also gave specific kudos to Clooney and his friends for the kind of work that he'd always dreamed would come to the forefront of cinema.

What makes the BAFTAS stand out above the Oscars (at least in one area) is that its a ceremony where two longstanding, hardworking crew (a gaffer and a best boy) can receive and give thanks for honorary awards in front of the many celebs attending.

[MacGuffin]

"Brokeback Mountain" Wins 4 BAFTA Awards, Including Best Picture

Tonight in London, "Brokeback Mountain" won four top British Academy Film Awards from BAFTA (the British Academy of Film and Television Arts), nabbing prizes for best picture (Diana Ossana & James Schamus, producers), best director (Ang Lee), adapted screenplay (Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana), and best supporting actor (Jake Gyllenhaal). "Memoirs of a Geisha" won three BAFTA awards tonight (for film music, cinematography, and costume design).

The complete list of winners follows.

ACADEMY FELLOWSHIP Lord Puttnam

THE MICHAEL BALCON AWARD for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Robert (Chuck) Finch and Bill Merrell

FILM "Brokeback Mountain" - Diana Ossana/James Schamus

THE ALEXANDER KORDA AWARD for the Outstanding British Film of the Year "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" - Claire Jennings/David Sproxton/Nick Park/Steve Box/Mark Burton/Bob Baker

THE CARL FOREMAN AWARD for Special Achievement by a British Director, Writer or Producer in their First Feature Film Joe Wright (Director) - Pride & Prejudice

THE DAVID LEAN AWARD for Achievement in Direction "Brokeback Mountain" - Ang Lee

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY "Crash" - Paul Haggis/Bobby Moresco

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY "Brokeback Mountain" - Larry McMurtry/Diana Ossana

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE "De Battre Mon Coeur s'est Arrete" (The Beat That My Heart Skipped) - Pascal Caucheteux/Jacques Audiard

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Philip Seymour Hoffman - Capote

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Reese Witherspoon - Walk the Line

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Jake Gyllenhaal - Brokeback Mountain

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Thandie Newton - Crash

THE ANTHONY ASQUITH AWARD for Achievement in Film Music "Memoirs of a Geisha" - John Williams

CINEMATOGRAPHY "Memoirs of a Geisha" - Dion Beebe

EDITING "The Constant Gardener" - Claire Simpson

PRODUCTION DESIGN "Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire" - Stuart Craig

COSTUME DESIGN "Memoirs of a Geisha" - Colleen Atwood

SOUND "Walk The Line" - Paul Massey/D M Hemphill/Peter F Kurland/Donald Sylvester

ACHIEVEMENT IN SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS "King Kong" - Joe Letteri/Christian Rivers/Brian Van't Hul/Richard Taylor

MAKE UP & HAIR "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" - Howard Berger/Gregory Nicotero/Nikki Gooley

SHORT ANIMATION FILM "Fallen Art" - Jarek Sawko/Piotr Sikora/Tomek Baginski

SHORT FILM "Antonio's Breakfast"- Howard Stogdon/Amber Templemore-Finlayson/Daniel Mulloy

THE ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD James McAvoy

[MacGuffin]

ASC puts focus on 'Geisha'

Dion Beebe won the top cinematography prize for "Memoirs of a Geisha" in the feature film race Sunday at the 20th annual American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement Awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.

Beebe beat out Rodrigo Prieto's "Brokeback Mountain," Andrew Lesnie's "King Kong," Robert Elswit's "Good Night, and Good Luck" and Wally Pfister's "Batman Begins."
 
Robbie Greenberg and Nathan Hope won the television heats, with Greenberg leading the field in the television movie competition with HBO's "Warm Springs." Hope won his second ASC Award for CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," for the episode "Who Shot Sherlock?"

Special tributes were presented to Richard Kline, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award; Sydney Pollack, who was recognized with a Board of Governors Award; Woody Omens, who received the Presidents Award; Fredrick Wiseman, who received an Award of Distinction; and British cinematographer Gilbert Taylor, who earned the International Achievement Award.

[MacGuffin]

"Brokeback," "Capote," "Crash," "Transamerica" Honored With Spirit Awards

For the first time in memory, the Independent Spirit Awards honored a group of films that are likely to dominate the Academy Awards. Presented each year on the eve of the Oscars, the Independent Spirit Awards (presented by the recently re-branded Film Independent) honor work made outside the Hollywood system, with lower budgets and a "uniqueness of vision." Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain," Bennett Miller's "Capote," Paul Haggis' "Crash," and Duncan Tucker's "Transamerica," all nominated for multiple awards at tomorrow's Oscars, dominated the Spirit Awards this afternoon at the ceremony held in a tent, on the beach, in Santa Monica, CA. Each won two Independent Spirit Awards, while "Capote" also was honored with a special producing prize.

"Brokeback Mountain" won the award for best feature, while "Crash" won the prize for best first feature. "Brokeback" director Ang Lee won the award for best director at the event today. Screenwriter Dan Futterman was honored with the screenplay prize from the Spirit Awards, while "Transamerica" writer and director Duncan Tucker was awarded the prize for best first screenplay.

Mora Stephens' "Conventioneers" won this year's John Cassavetes Award, honoring a film made for under $500,000.

Today's event, telecast live on IFC, was hosted by salty, sassy comedian Sarah Silverman, who is currently starring in her own indie film ("Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic"). Committees choose nominees for the Spirits, with the winners selected by the membership of FIND and branches of the IFP around the country (FIND recently split from the other IFP chapters and re-named itself Film Independent.)

In the acting awards, "Capote" star Philip Seymour Hoffman won the best actor prize, while Felicity Huffman was honored as best female lead. Supporting actor prizes went to Amy Adams for "Junebug" and Matt Dillon for "Crash."

Filmmaker Garrett Scott, who died earlier this week, won the Truer Than Fiction prize, along with his "Occupation: Dreamland" director Ian Olds. The award is one of three special prizes selected by separate juries and each includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant. "Capote" producer Caroline Baron won the AMC/American Express Producers Award, while Ian Gamazon and Neill Dela Llana received the Someone to Watch Award for "Cavite".

The complete list of Independent Spirit Awards winners:

Best Feature: "Brokeback Mountain" Producers: Diana Ossana and James Schamus

Best Director: Ang Lee, "Brokeback Mountain"

Best Screenplay: Dan Futterman, "Capote"

Best First Feature: "Crash" Director: Paul Haggis Producers: Cathy Schulman, Don Cheadle, Bob Yari, Mark R. Harris, Bobby Moresco, Paul Haggis

Best First Screenplay: Duncan Tucker, "Transamerica"

John Cassavetes Award: "Conventioneers" (For the Best Feature made for under $500,000) Director: Mora Stephens Writers: Mora Stephens and Joel Viertel Producer: Joel Viertel

Best Supporting Female: Amy Adams, "Junebug"

Best Supporting Male: Matt Dillon, "Crash"

Best Female Lead: Felicity Huffman, "Transamerica"

Best Male Lead: Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Capote"

Best Cinematography: Robert Elswit, "Good Night, and Good Luck"

Best Foreign Film: "Paradise Now" Director: Hany Abu-Assad

Best Documentary: "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" Director: Alex Gibney

AMC/American Express Producers Award: Caroline Baron, "Capote", "Monsoon Wedding" ($25,000 unrestricted grant -- honors producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality independent films.)

IFC/Acura Someone To Watch Award: Ian Gamazon and Neill Dela Llana, "Cavite" ($25,000 unrestricted -- honors a director of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition.)

Truer Than Fiction Award: Ian Olds and Garrett Scott, "Occupation: Dreamland" ($25,000 unrestricted -- presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features.)

[modage]

The complete list of Independent Spirit Awards winners:

Best Feature: "Brokeback Mountain" Producers: Diana Ossana and James Schamus
Best Director: Ang Lee, "Brokeback Mountain"
Best Screenplay: Dan Futterman, "Capote"
Best First Feature: "Crash" Director: Paul Haggis
Best Supporting Female: Amy Adams, "Junebug"
Best Supporting Male: Matt Dillon, "Crash"
Best Female Lead: Felicity Huffman, "Transamerica"
Best Male Lead: Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Capote"
Best Cinematography: Robert Elswit, "Good Night, and Good Luck"

i watched this awards show again this year and it really is kind of ridiculous.  as sarah silverman joked "but the Spirit Awards honor little-known filmmakers like directors Ang Lee and George Clooney."  so it's better if they just own up to it, they want to award all the mainstream indie just as much as anybody else. but the awards rep comes out halfway through and says something about all the films nominated that are ALSO up for oscars and says that well 75% of the nominated films ARENT nominated for oscars.  but look at the winners above.  EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM IS NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR!  and in most cases they're the favorites to win!  so it really doesnt matter if they nominate Miranda July also because they're awarding Haggis anyways for Best First Feature!  the guy is 53 years old!  and as one of the winning producers said, 'thanks for giving me this award for the second time' cause he also won for 'gods and monsters' a few years ago.  so sarah silverman is funny but awards are full-of-crap.  and i love watching them.  oscar rant(s) to follow.

[MacGuffin]

Yeah, but Huffman could not have said that speech at the Oscars.

[I Don't Believe in Beatles]

The complete list of Independent Spirit Awards winners:

Best Feature: "Brokeback Mountain" Producers: Diana Ossana and James Schamus
Best Director: Ang Lee, "Brokeback Mountain"
Best Screenplay: Dan Futterman, "Capote"
Best First Feature: "Crash" Director: Paul Haggis
Best Supporting Female: Amy Adams, "Junebug"
Best Supporting Male: Matt Dillon, "Crash"
Best Female Lead: Felicity Huffman, "Transamerica"
Best Male Lead: Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Capote"
Best Cinematography: Robert Elswit, "Good Night, and Good Luck"

i watched this awards show again this year and it really is kind of ridiculous.  as sarah silverman joked about the best indie artists like 'george clooney and ang lee'.  so it's better if they just own up to it, they want to award all the mainstream indie just as much as anybody else. but the awards rep comes out halfway through and says something about all the films nominated that are ALSO up for oscars and says that well 75% of the nominated films ARENT nominated for oscars.  but look at the winners above.  EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM IS NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR!  and in most cases they're the favorites to win!  so it really doesnt matter if they nominate Miranda July also because they're awarding Haggis anyways for Best First Feature!  the guy is 53 years old!  and as one of the winning producers said, 'thanks for giving me this award for the second time' cause he also won for 'gods and monsters' a few years ago.  so sarah silverman is funny but awards are full-of-crap.  and i love watching them.  oscar rant(s) to follow.

Looking around at IMDB, I found this...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114244/

I guess Crash isn't his first feature after all.

[modage]

Miranda July seems to echo my sentiment...

Director Miranda July, nominated for Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay for Me and You and Everyone We Know, expressed concern that the congruity between many of this year's Independent Spirit and Oscar nominees tend to eclipse smaller independent films that would otherwise be celebrated and brought to the attention of audiences. "It's troubling to think that the establishment consumes independent films and filmmakers. A new wave of truly independent filmmakers will always be emerging," says July, who is already working on her second feature. "I'm very gratified by the attention my film is getting, but I think if you're doing too well in this celebrity-driven awards environment--be it Spirit Awards or Oscars--you should probably wonder what you're doing wrong."

[MacGuffin]

Cruise, McCarthy Singled Out at Razzies

Jenny McCarthy may have been singled out as this year's top Razzie recipient, but Tom Cruise's couch-jumping antics did not go unrewarded.

As the star, writer and producer of 2005's little-seen, but universally panned "comedy" Dirty Love, the onetime Playboy Playmate earned a trio of dishonors at Saturday's awards ceremony--namely Worst Actress, Worst Screenplay and Worst Picture.

In introducing the film, Golden Raspberry Award Foundation "Head Berry" John Wilson described it as "the bastard child that might have resulted had John [Bolero] Derek and Tom [Freddy Got Fingered] Green spent the winter together tending sheep on Brokeback Mountain." (Translation: this is what happens when you allow the former host of an MTV dating show to write, produce and star in her own movie.)

Unsurprisingly, McCarthy did not put in an appearance at the 26th Annual Razzie Awards to claim her trophies. Also absent was her soon-to-be ex-husband, John Asher, who was named Worst Director for helming his wife's box office disaster, which took in only $58,116 during the limited time it remained in theaters.

On a more positive note, Dirty Love failed to sweep the six categories in which it was nominated. Worst Supporting Actress nominee Carmen Electra lost out to House of Wax star Paris Hilton, and McCarthy, nominated for Worst Onscreen Couple, along with Anyone Dumb Enough to Befriend or Date Her, lost to Bewitched duo Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell.

Perhaps the closest race of the night came down to the newly created Razzie Award for Most Tiresome Tabloid Target, a category in which Tom Cruise: The Anti-Psychiatry Rant was matched up against Tom Cruise: Katie Holmes, Oprah's Couch, the Eiffel Tower and Tom's Baby.

In the end, Cruise's "jump the couch" antics won out over his distaste for mind-altering pseudosciences, though it was undoubtedly a tough decision for the voting parties.

Rob Schneider, a contender for five awards on the strength of Deuce Bigalow: European Gigalo, took the Worst Actor prize, but was shut out in all other categories. (We're guessing Schneider is busy drafting a blistering written response to the Razzie Foundation right about now.)

The force was not with Hayden Christensen, who earned Worst Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode III--The Revenge of the Sith, an award he previously earned in 2003 for his work as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II--The Attack of the Clones.

Son of the Mask, which went into the Razzies with a leading eight nominations, scored the biggest upset of the night, earning only the award for Worst Sequel or Remake.

The best of the worst were determined by a voting panel of about 750 film critics, industry professions and movie fans in 41 states and 15 countries.

While last year's Worst Actress winner Halle Berry famously showed up at the Razzies to accept her award in person, this year's dishonorees unanimously boycotted the event.

Here's a complete rundown of the "winners" of the 2006 Razzie Awards:

WORST PICTURE: Dirty Love
WORST ACTRESS: Jenny McCarthy, Dirty Love
WORST ACTOR: Rob Schneider, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigalo
WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Paris Hilton, House of Wax
WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Hayden Christensen, Star Wars: Episode III--Revenge of the Sith
WORST ONSCREEN COUPLE: Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell, Bewitched
WORST DIRECTOR: John Asher, Dirty Love
WORST SCREENPLAY: Dirty Love
WORST SEQUEL OR REMAKE: Son of the Mask
MOST TIRESOME TABLOID TARGET: Tom Cruise: Katie Holmes, Oprah's Couch, the Eiffel Tower and Tom's Baby