2019 Academy Awards: Kevin Hart quits as Oscars host after homophobia controversy; Academy faces another PR disaster

December 6, 2018

by Colleen McGregor

Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart in “Night School” (Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Just two days after announcing that he would host the 91st Academy Awards show, Kevin Hart has quit the job after homophobic remarks from his past caused controversy over his hiring. In a series of social-media posts that began on December 6, 2018, Hart admitted that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had pressured him to make a public apology or else they would fire him. Hart says he chose to quit instead. Several of the homophobic remarks that he made on social media have now been deleted.

The 91st Oscars will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on February 24, 2019. ABC will have the U.S. telecast of the show, which is being produced by Donna Gigliotti and Glenn Weiss. Gigliotti, who won an Oscar with Harvey Weinstein and others for producing 1998’s “Shakespeare in Love,” will be producing the Oscar telecast for the first time. Weiss has been the director of the Oscars telecast for the past several years, and he won an Emmy for it in 2018. The Oscars, like many televised award shows, has faced a steep decline in ratings in recent years. Hart is a popular comedian who has been in several hit movies, and he regularly sells out arenas. His homophobic remarks have been public knowledge for quite some time, ever since he made those comments in 2009 and 2010, but the producers of the Oscars telecast chose to take the risk of hiring him, clearly under-estimating the public outcry that would follow.

Hart said in an Instagram video on December 6, 2018: “My team calls me, ‘Oh my God, Kevin, everyone’s upset by tweets you did years ago. Guys, I’m nearly 40 years old. If you don’t believe that people change, grow, evolve as they get older, I don’t know what to tell you. If you want to hold people in a position where they always have to justify the past, do you. I’m the wrong guy, man.”

He added, “I chose to pass on the apology. The reason why I passed is because I’ve addressed this several times. This is not the first time this has come up. I’ve addressed it. I’ve spoken on it. I’ve said where the rights and wrongs were. I’ve said who I am now versus who I was then. I’ve done it. I’m not going to continue to go back and tap into the days of old when I’ve moved on and I’m in a completely different place in my life.”

Hart later tweeted: “I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year’s Oscars. This is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past. I’m sorry that I hurt people. I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart. Much love and appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again.”

The messy controversy over Hart is yet another embarrassment for the Academy, which in the past few years has had its own share of problems when it comes to accusations of bigotry. In 2015 and 2016, there was backlash against the Academy when all the actors and actress nominated for Oscars were white, which led to to the social media hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. After several media outlets published statistics revealing that the overwhelming majority of Academy members were white men over the age of 50, the Academy made very public efforts to invite more women, people of color and younger people into its membership.

In October 2017, after the Harvey Weinstein scandal hit and the #MeToo movement became a major cultural force, the Academy expelled Weinstein from its membership, but received widespread criticism for letting filmmaker Roman Polanski, a convicted rapist, still be a member of the Academy. Polanski, who still has not served his sentence for the 1977 rape of an underage girl in California, is a fugitive from the law living in Europe. Polanski was eventually expelled from the Academy in 2018, as was Bill Cosby after Cosby was convicted of rape. Polanski received his first Academy Award for directing the 2002 movie “The Pianist,” and received a standing ovation from several Academy members when he was announced as the winner. Polanski was not at the ceremony because he has not been in the U.S. since he fled in 1978.

In March 2018, the Academy faced more controversy when president John Bailey was accused of sexual harassment. A female former colleague alleged that he inappropriately touched her when they worked together. Bailey, who denied the accusation, was cleared in an investigation two weeks later, and he was re-elected president of the Academy in August 2018.

The Academy then had a public-relations misstep in August 2018, when it announced that it was adding a new Oscars category for popular films, but said that it hadn’t been decided yet what the qualifications would be for films to eligible for this category. The announcement was very controversial with most Academy members, who say the decision was largely made by the Academy’s board of directors without letting the Academy members vote on the decision. The idea for a “popular films” category also got a mostly negative reaction from the media and the general public. A month after announcing the decision, the Academy announced that the “popular films” category was indefinitely shelved.

Hart quitting as host of the Oscars isn’t the first time that someone has walked away from the job. In 2011, Eddie Murphy (who also has a history of making homophobic remarks when he was doing stand-up comedy) quit the job of hosting the 2012 Academy Awards, after filmmaker Brett Ratner, who had been hired as the Oscar telecast producer, stepped down for saying a homophobic slur in an interview. Murphy was later replaced by Billy Crystal. (Years later, during the rise of the #MeToo movement in 2017, Ratner was accused of sexual harassment by several women, including actress Olivia Munn, who claims that while on a film set, Ratner masturbated in front of her without her consent. Ratner has denied all the allegations, but he has lost several business deals, including with Warner Bros. Pictures and Playboy Enterprises, as a result of the accusations.)

The Murphy/Ratner debacle for the Oscars telecast was years before the rise of the #MeToo movement, and the controversy over Hart shows that the producers of the Oscar telecast have not learned from past mistakes about hiring people who’ve made bigoted remarks, no matter how long ago those remarks were made. Because the Oscars telecast has been losing millions of viewers and because there is more pressure than ever to be a host who can bring in the desired ratings without offending people, it’s no longer as prestigious to host the Oscars as it used to be. Many A-list entertainers don’t want to be under that type of pressure for a dwindling audience.

One thing is clear: Anyone who hosts the Oscars from now on better have a non-offensive background. We are now living in an era where, for many people, it’s not enough for apologies to be made for past bigoted remarks. People are expected to have the type of moral character to not say those hateful comments in the first place. The gray area comes in evaluating how much people are sincerely remorseful for their offensive mistakes, how they have possibly changed for the better to not make the same mistakes, and giving them a chance to prove it.

2019 Golden Globe Awards: ‘Vice’ leads movie nominations, ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace’ is the top TV nominee

December 6, 2018

by Carla Hay

Golden Globes trophy

With six nominations, the dark comedy “Vice” is the leading contender at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards, which will take place at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on January 6, 2019. The miniseries “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” which won several Emmy Awards, has the most Golden Globe nominations in the TV field, getting four nods. NBC will have the U.S. telecast of the 2019 Golden Globe Awards, which will be hosted by Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh. Dick Clark Productions is producing the show. The Golden Globe Awards are voted for by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Eligible movies are those with U.S. release dates in 2018, while eligible TV shows were those that televised new episodes in the U.S. in 2018.

As expected, “Vice” (which could be considered a drama or a dark comedy) was nominated in the Musical or Comedy categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor (for Christian Bale, who plays former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney in the movie); Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (for Amy Adams, who plays Lynne Cheney, Dick Cheney’s wife); Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (for Sam Rockwell, who plays former U.S. President George W. Bush); Best Director (for Adam McKay); and Best Screenplay.

The Peter Farrelly-directed “Green Book,” starring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, picked up five nods, and faces off against “Vice” in all the same categories except Best Supporting Actress. “The Favourite,” which also received five nominations, is competing for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Screenplay, while star Oliva Colman is up for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and co-stars Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone have nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. Other movies that have several nominations are “A Star Is Born,” “BlacKkKlansman” and “Mary Poppins Returns,” which received four nods each.

The nominations for “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” include Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. Also getting nominated are lead actor Darren Criss (who played serial killer Andrew Cunanan), supporting actor Édgar Ramírez (who played Gianni Versace) and supporting actress Penélope Cruz (who played Donatella Versace).

Other TV shows with several nominations are “The Americans,” “Barry,” “Homecoming,” “The Kominsky Method,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Sharp Objects,” which have three nods each. “The Americans” (which had its final season in 2018), “Barry” (which had its first season in 2018) and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (whose first season debuted in 2017) already won Emmys in 2018. Critically acclaimed new series “Homecoming,” “The Kominsky Method” and “Sharp Objects” premiered in the second half of 2018, and will be eligible for the 2019 Emmy Awards, as will the second season of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” “Sharp Objects” star Amy Adams and “Seven Seconds” star Regina King have achieved a rare milestone of being nominated for a TV show and a movie in the same year at the Golden Globes. In the category of Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, Adams is nominated for “Vice,” while King received a nod for “If Beale Street Could Talk.”

Movie Snubs and Surprises

“First Man,” the drama about astronaut Neil Armstrong and his historic voyage as the first man on the moon, was considered an early frontrunner since it was was getting recognition at film festivals, but that buzz has considerably quieted due to criticism the movie has received for being emotionally distant and not patriotic enough. “First Man” also disappointed at the box office. “First Man,” directed by Damien Chazelle and starring Ryan Gosling as Armstrong, was snubbed in the two categories many people had predicted the movie would get nominated: Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director. However, “First Man” did get nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (for Claire Foy, who plays Armstrong’s first wife Janet) and Best Original Score (for Justin Hurwitz, a previous winner of this award for “La La Land”). “First Reformed,” a drama starring Ethan Hawke as a clergyman with secrets, has been winning several awards from critics and at shows honoring independent films, but the movie was completely snubbed by the Golden Globes. And although “Mary Poppins Returns” received a nod for Best Original Score, the movie musical failed to get any nominations for Best Original Song. It should be noted that the Spanish-language “Roma,” which has been getting several critics’ awards, was not eligible for a Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture because Golden Globe rules prevent a movie to be nominated for both Best Picture and Best Foreign-Language Film. However, as expected, “Roma” is nominated for Best Foreign-Language Film, where it is a clear frontrunner.

As for surprises in the movie categories, the critically acclaimed blockbuster “Black Panther” made Golden Globes history as the first superhero movie to get a Best Picture nomination, although some awards pundits had predicted this nomination would happen. However, unlike all the other nominees in the Best Picture categories, “Black Panther” did not get any nominations for acting, directing or screenwriting, which does not bode well for the movie’s chances of winning. The little-seen independent film “A Private War,” starring Rosamund Pike as real-life war journalist Marie Colvin, picked up two nominations: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and Best Original Song (for Annie Lennox’s “Requiem for a Private War”). Meanwhile, Robert Redford was nominated for Best Actor for the dramatic film “The Old Man and the Gun,” but not in the category people would expect. His nomination was in the Musical or Comedy category, not Drama. The Golden Globes often get criticism for placing dramatic films in the musical or comedy categories, and this is another example of that misplacement.

TV Snubs and Surprises

In the TV categories, Emmy Award winners “Game of Thrones” and “The Crown” were ineligible for Golden Globe nominations this year since the shows did not have any new episodes in 2018. Previous Golden Globe winners “This Is Us,” “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Atlanta” failed to get nominations in the Best Series categories. “This Is Us” was completely shut out of the race by not getting any Golden Globe nods, which might indicate that Golden Globe voters have grown weary of “This Is Us” melodrama. “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Atlanta” were snubbed, respectively, in the categories of Best Drama Series and Best Musical or Comedy Series, although the show’s stars (Elisabeth Moss of “A Handmaid’s Tale” and Donald Glover of “Atlanta”) did get nominated for their leading roles in the series. “Westworld” only received one nomination: Best Supporting Actress (for Thandie Newton, who won an Emmy this year for her role in “Westworld”). “House of Cards,” which had its final season in 2018, used to get multiple Golden Globe nominations, but was completely shut out of the race again this year. It seems that the sexual misconduct scandals of former “House of Cards” star Kevin Spacey still have had repercussions for the show. And multiple Emmy winner “Saturday Night Live,” which has never really been celebrated at the Golden Globes, failed to get any Golden Globe nominations again this year.

TV nomination surprises include three new series: “Kidding” received two nods: Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy and Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy (for Jim Carrey, who stars in series as the host of a children’s TV show). “Pose,” about drag-queen culture in New York City, also picked up two nods: Best Television Series – Drama and Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama (for Billy Porter). “Bodyguard,” another surprise nominee, is competing in the same two categories as “Pose,” with Richard Madden up for the Best Actor prize. All three shows, which premiered in the second half of 2018, will be eligible for the 2019 Emmy Awards. Meanwhile, even though the “Murphy Brown” revival received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics and has now be canceled, the comedy show’s star Candice Bergen received a surprise nomination.

Here is the complete list of nominations for the 2019 Golden Globe Awards:

MOVIES

Best Motion Picture – Drama
“Black Panther”
“BlacKkKlansman”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“If Beale Street Could Talk”
“A Star Is Born”

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
Glenn Close (“The Wife”)
Lady Gaga (“A Star Is Born”)
Nicole Kidman (“Destroyer”)
Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”)
Rosamund Pike (“A Private War”)

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Bradley Cooper (“A Star Is Born”)
Willem Dafoe (“At Eternity’s Gate”)
Lucas Hedges (“Boy Erased”)
Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”)
John David Washington (“BlacKkKlansman”)

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
“Crazy Rich Asians”
“The Favourite”
“Green Book”
“Mary Poppins Returns”
“Vice”

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Emily Blunt (“Mary Poppins Returns”)
Olivia Colman (“The Favourite”)
Elsie Fisher (“Eighth Grade”)
Charlize Theron (“Tully”)
Constance Wu (“Crazy Rich Asians”)

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Christian Bale (“Vice”)
Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Mary Poppins Returns”)
Viggo Mortensen (“Green Book”)
Robert Redford (“The Old Man and the Gun”)
John C. Reilly (“Stan & Ollie”)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Amy Adams (“Vice”)
Claire Foy (“First Man”)
Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk”)
Emma Stone (“The Favourite”)
Rachel Weisz (“The Favourite”)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Mahershala Ali (“Green Book”)
Timothée Chalamet (“Beautiful Boy”)
Adam Driver (“BlacKkKlansman”)
Richard E. Grant (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”)
Sam Rockwell (“Vice”)

Best Director
Bradley Cooper (“A Star Is Born”)
Alfonso Cuarón (“Roma”)
Peter Farrelly (“Green Book”)
Spike Lee (“BlacKkKlansman”)
Adam McKay (“Vice”)

Best Screenplay
Alfonso Cuarón (“Roma”)
Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara (“The Favourite”)
Barry Jenkins (“If Beale Street Could Talk”)
Adam McKay (“Vice”)
Peter Farrelly, Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie (“Green Book”)

Best Animated Film
“Incredibles 2”
“Isle of Dogs”
“Mirai”
“Ralph Breaks the Internet”
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”

Best Foreign Language Film
“Capernaum”
“Girl”
“Never Look Away”
“Roma”
“Shoplifters”

Best Original Score
Marco Beltrami (“A Quiet Place”)
Alexandre Desplat (“Isle of Dogs”)
Ludwig Göransson (“Black Panther”)
Justin Hurwitz (“First Man”)
Marc Shaiman (“Mary Poppins Returns”)

Best Original Song
“All the Stars” (“Black Panther”)
“Girl in the Movies” (“Dumplin’”)
“Requiem For a Private War” (“A Private War”)
“Revelation” (“Boy Erased”)
“Shallow” (“A Star Is Born”)

TELEVISION

Best Television Series – Drama
“The Americans”
“Bodyguard”
“Homecoming”
“Killing Eve”
“Pose”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama
Caitriona Balfe (“Outlander”)
Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)
Sandra Oh (“Killing Eve”)
Julia Roberts (“Homecoming”)
Keri Russell (“The Americans”)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama
Jason Bateman (“Ozark”)
Stephan James (“Homecoming”)
Richard Madden (“Bodyguard”)
Billy Porter (“Pose”)
Matthew Rhys (“The Americans”)

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy
“Barry”
“The Good Place”
“Kidding”
“The Kominsky Method”
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy
Kristen Bell (“The Good Place”)
Candice Bergen (“Murphy Brown”)
Alison Brie (“GLOW”)
Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
Debra Messing (“Will & Grace”)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy
Sacha Baron Cohen (“Who Is America?”)
Jim Carrey (“Kidding”)
Michael Douglas (“The Kominsky Method”)
Donald Glover (“Atlanta”)
Bill Hader (“Barry”)

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
“The Alienist”
“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”
“Escape at Dannemora”
“Sharp Objects”
“A Very English Scandal”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Amy Adams (“Sharp Objects”)
Patricia Arquette (“Escape at Dannemora”)
Connie Britton (“Dirty John”)
Laura Dern (“The Tale”)
Regina King (“Seven Seconds”)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Antonio Banderas (“Genius: Picasso”)
Daniel Brühl (“The Alienist”)
Darren Criss (“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”)
Benedict Cumberbatch (“Patrick Melrose”)
Hugh Grant (“A Very English Scandal”)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Alex Borstein (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
Patricia Clarkson (“Sharp Objects”)
Penélope Cruz (“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”)
Thandie Newton (“Westworld”)
Yvonne Strahovski (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Alan Arkin (“The Kominsky Method”)
Kieran Culkin (“Succession”)
Édgar Ramírez (“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”)
Ben Whishaw (“A Very English Scandal”)
Henry Winkler (“Barry”)

2019 Golden Globe Awards: Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh named as hosts

December 5, 2018

Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg
Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg at the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards  at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2018. (Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBC)

The following is a press release from Dick Clark Productions and NBC:

Sandra Oh, star of the critically acclaimed BBC America drama series “Killing Eve,” and Andy Samberg, star of NBC’s Golden Globe-winning comedy “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” will co-host the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

The three-hour telecast will air live on NBC coast to coast Sunday, January 6 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT from The Beverly Hilton.

The Golden Globes serve as the official kickoff to the 2019 awards season. Winners in 25 categories — 14 in film and 11 in television — are voted on by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).

“Sandra and Andy are the perfect choices to host this world-class event,” said Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks, Co-Chairmen, NBC Entertainment. “They bring wit, charm and style to a room filled with the very best of film and television. It’s sure to be another unforgettable fun-filled night.”

“We’re excited to welcome Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg as co-hosts of Hollywood’s Party of the Year,” said HFPA President Meher Tatna. “Both Golden Globe Award recipients have continually showcased their talents in film and television, and we can’t wait see what their undeniable chemistry will bring to the Golden Globes stage.”

“We are thrilled to have Sandra and Andy co-hosting the Golden Globes,” said Mike Mahan, Executive Producer and CEO, dick clark productions. “This innovative pairing sets the perfect tone for the most entertaining awards celebration of the year.”

Oh currently serves as co-executive producer and earned an Emmy Award nomination for Lead Actress in a Drama for BBC America’s “Killing Eve” as Eve Polastri, an MI5 officer who hunts down and becomes entangled with a cold-blooded female assassin. Previously, Oh starred as Dr. Cristina Yang on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” for which she won a 2006 Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Female Actor in a Drama Series and five Emmy nominations for Supporting Actress in a Drama. Oh’s film credits include “Sideways,” “Under the Tuscan Sun,” “Catfight” and “Meditation Park,” and she produced the animated film “Window Horses: The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming” as well as voicing the title character.

In 2014, Samberg was a two-time Golden Globe winner for “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” winning Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy and as a producer on the show for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.  Prior to that, Samberg was a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” from 2005-12.  His work on NBC’s iconic late night franchise earned him an Emmy Award and six additional Emmy nominations for his work with The Lonely Island and their digital shorts. The Lonely Island has also been nominated for three Grammys. In 2015, Samberg hosted the 67th annual Primetime Emmy® Awards and in 2013, hosted the Film Independent Spirit Awards.

The new season of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” begins Thursday, Jan. 10 at 9 p.m. on NBC.

The Golden Globe Awards, often referred to as “Hollywood’s Party of the Year,” is one of the biggest nights on the calendar for live viewing. It’s also one of the few awards shows that combine the honorees of both film and television.

The 2018 Golden Globe Awards telecast averaged a 5.0 rating in adults 18-49 and 19 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research, putting it ahead of every show on television from the previous 10 months in total viewers, since the prior year’s Academy Awards. The Golden Globes led NBC to the nightlong win in total viewers despite NFL playoff competition.

Produced by dick clark productions in association with the HFPA, the Golden Globe Awards are viewed in more than 210 territories worldwide.

Meher Tatna is President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Allen Shapiro, Executive Chairman of dick clark productions, Mike Mahan, CEO of dick clark productions and Barry Adelman, Executive VP of Television at dick clark productions, will serve as executive producers.
 
About the Hollywood Foreign Press Association
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) was founded in 1943 as the Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association (HFCA) by a group of entertainment journalists representing world media in Hollywood, who realized the need to unite and organize to gain the recognition and access to studios and talent accorded to the domestic press. All qualified journalists were accepted, with the bold goal of “Unity Without Discrimination of Religion or Race.” A year later, the HFCA created the Golden Globe Awards which, to this day, the entire membership selects, votes on and awards every year for outstanding achievements in motion pictures and television. This year marked the 75th anniversary of the Golden Globe Awards. Members of the HFPA represent 56 countries with a combined readership of 250 million in some of the world’s most respected publications. Each year, the organization holds the third most watched awards show on television, the Golden Globe® Awards, which has enabled the organization to donate more than $33 million to 80 entertainment-related charities, scholarship programs and humanitarian efforts over the last 25 years. For more information, please visit www.GoldenGlobes.com and follow us on Twitter (@GoldenGlobes), Instagram (@GoldenGlobes), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/GoldenGlobes).

ABOUT DICK CLARK PRODUCTIONS
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.

Fox’s New Year’s Eve: Steve Harvey returns as host to ring in 2019; Sting, Robin Thicke, Florence + the Machine, Jason Aldean among musical performers

December 5, 2018

Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey (Photo by Brian Bowen Smith/Fox)

The following is a press release from Fox:

Emmy® Award-winning personality, producer and talk show host Steve Harvey returns this holiday season to host FOX’S NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH STEVE HARVEY: LIVE FROM TIMES SQUARE, once again alongside Emmy® Award-winning journalist and TV personality Maria Menounos. The second annual live broadcast special, airing from the heart of New York City’s famed Times Square, airs Monday, Dec. 31 (8:00-10:00 PM and 11:00 PM-12:30 AM ET LIVE CT/MT/PT tape-delayed), on FOX.

Harvey will count down to 2019 with an unmatched, star-studded three-and-a-half-hour primetime celebration, featuring an electrifying musical performance by 16-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Sting. The live event also will feature performances by hit artists Robin Thicke, Florence + the Machine, Jason Aldean, Juanes and Why Don’t We. Additionally, the special will include celebrity cameo appearances by THE MASKED SINGER’s Ken Jeong, comedian Kenan Thompson and FOX NFL SUNDAY commentators Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy Johnson. Additional performers and celebrity guests to be announced.

[December 20, 2018 UPDATE: Snoop Dogg has been added to the lineup of performers.]

Last year, Harvey led an incredible countdown to the New Year, which included performances by music legends Neil Diamond and Celine Dion, hit artists Maroon 5, Macklemore with Skylar Grey, Backstreet Boys, Flo Rida and many more. Harvey also officiated a surprise live wedding for Menounos. The special marked an all-time high for a FOX New Year’s special, averaging 8.5 million total viewers.

FOX’S NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH STEVE HARVEY: LIVE FROM TIMES SQUARE is produced by IMG Original Content and Done + Dusted. Guy Carrington, Katy Mullan, Mike Antinoro, Dave Chamberlin and Orly Anderson serve as executive producers; and Eddie Delbridge serves as co-executive producer. Recent IMG productions that air on FOX include the annual MISS UNIVERSE® contests, currently hosted by Steve Harvey. IMG also produces Harvey’s daytime talk show, “Steve.” “Like” Steve Harvey at facebook.com/SteveHarvey and follow him on Twitter @IAmSteveHarvey or Instagram @IAmSteveHarveyTV.

About Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey is a TV personality, talk show host, actor and comedian who currently hosts several popular TV shows: Emmy® Award-winning daytime talk show “Steve”; breakout hit “Little Big Shots”; game show “Family Feud,” which has achieved the highest ratings in the franchise’s history since Harvey began to host; and “Celebrity Family Feud.” He also hosts the top-rated, nationally syndicated radio show “The Steve Harvey Morning Show.” Additionally, he hosts the MISS UNIVERSE® contests, which have aired on FOX since 2015.

Harvey began his career doing stand-up comedy in the mid-1980s. His success as a comedian eventually led to a long stint as host of “It’s Showtime at the Apollo,” as well as various acting, hosting, writing and producing roles. His entertainment credits include the extremely popular “Kings of Comedy” and “Think Like a Man.” In addition, Harvey is a New York Times No. 1 best-selling author and motivational speaker. Harvey’s business imprint, Steve Harvey Global, also successfully produces broadcast television projects, events/festivals and digital content.  Harvey’s philanthropic efforts, which include mentoring camps for boys and girls, are achieved through the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation. For more about Harvey, visit www.steveharvey.com.

About Maria Menounos

An Emmy® Award-winning journalist, TV personality, motivational speaker, New York Times best-selling author, host of the Noovie cinema pre-show and Founder/CEO of the AfterBuzz TV Networks, Maria Menounos has gained numerous achievements throughout her career in the news and entertainment industry. One of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful, Menounos holds the distinct honor of having conducted the only sit-down interview with the entire Obama family –

an interview ABC News heralded as a deciding factor in President Obama’s historic victory. Currently, Menounos hosts the Noovie cinema pre-show seen daily in 70% of America’s movie theaters. As one of the only female CEOs in the world of tech, Menounos heads the AfterBuzz TV digital broadcast network which produces over 150 hours of weekly programming for over 120 countries worldwide. Menounos’ AfterBuzz TV mentorship program has helped launch hundreds of Hollywood careers, including Eboni K. Williams, WWE superstars Sonia Deville and Cathy Kelly and “Entertainment Tonight’s” Courtney Tezano, Deidre Behart and Jason Carter.

About Sting

Composer, singer-songwriter, actor, author and activist Sting has sold close to 100 million albums from his combined work with The Police and as one of the world’s most distinctive solo artists. Throughout his illustrious career, he has received 16 Grammy Awards, two Brits, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, four Academy Award nominations, a Tony Award nomination, Billboard Magazine’s Century Award and the MusiCares 2004 Person of the Year Award. He also is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and he has been awarded the Kennedy Center Honors, The American Music Award of Merit and The Polar Music Prize. His film and stage work include appearances in more than 15 films, an executive producer credit on the critically acclaimed “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints” and a starring role in “The Threepenny Opera” on Broadway in 1989. His most recent theater project is the Tony-nominated musical “The Last Ship,” for which he wrote both the music and lyrics, inspired by his memories of the shipbuilding community in northeast England where he was born and raised. In February and March 2019, he will star in the Toronto-based production of the show. Next summer, Sting will tour Europe with a rollicking, dynamic show, performing the most beloved and classic songs he’s written throughout his prolific career. Sting’s support for human rights organizations includes Amnesty International, Live Aid and The Rainforest Fund, which he co-founded with his wife, Trudie Styler in 1989.

About IMG

IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media, operating in more than 30 countries. The company manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is a leading independent producer and distributor of sports and entertainment media. IMG also specializes in sports training and league development, as well as marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions. IMG is part of the Endeavor network.

2019 Academy Awards: Kevin Hart named as host

December 4, 2018

by Carla Hay

Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart at the Los Angeles premiere of “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”

Comedian/actor Kevin Hart will host the 91st Academy Awards, which will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and February 24, 2019. ABC will have the live U.S. telecast of the show.

He made the announcement on his Instagram account: “For years I have been asked if I would ever host the Oscars and my answer was always the same… I said it would be the opportunity of a lifetime for me as a comedian and that it will happen when it is suppose [sic] to. I am so happy to say that the day has finally come for me to host the Oscars. I am blown away simply because this has been a goal on my list for a very long time…

“To be able to join the legendary list of host [sic] that have graced that stage is unbelievable. I know my mom is smiling from ear to ear right now. I want to thank my family/friends/fans for supporting me & riding with me all this time…

“I will be sure to make this years [sic] Oscars a special one. I appreciate @The Academy for the opportunity…now it’s time to rise to the occasion.”

It’s the first time that Hart is hosting the Oscars. Most of the previous hosts of the ceremony have had an extensive background in comedy, including Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Ellen DeGeneres, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, David Letterman, Jon Stewart, Neil Patrick Harris, Chris Rock, Seth MacFarlane and Jimmy Kimmel.

Hart has starred in hit movies such as “Ride Along,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” and “Central Intelligence.” He hosted the MTV Video Music Awards in 2012, and he co-hosted the MTV Movie Awards with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in 2016. In addition to starring in movies, Hart is one of the top-grossing stand-up comedians of all time, with his sold-out headlining arena shows. He is also a producer for TV and Web series, with credits that include BET’s “The Real Husbands of Hollywood,” Comedy Central’s “Kevin Hart Presents: the Next Level” and website Laugh Out Loud Network’s “Laugh Out Loud by Kevin Hart.” In 2018, Hart signed a first-look deal to develop and produce content for Nickelodeon.

Oscar-winning producer Donna Gigliotti (“Shakespeare in Love”) will produce the 91st Oscars, while Emmy-winning director Glenn Weiss will co-produce and direct the show.  Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on January 22, 2019.

As previously reported, the Academy is implementing new policies for the award show in 2019, including enforcing the three-hour time limit and dropping a few categories from the telecast. It has not yet been announced yet which categories will be dropped from the telecast, but winners of the dropped categories will be announced during commercial breaks, and then listed on screen sometime during the show. The Academy says that it every year, the Oscar ceremony will have a different set of dropped categories from the telecast.

2018 AFI Awards: 10 best movies and 10 best TV shows announced

December 4, 2018

AFI

The following is a press release from the American Film Institute:

The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the honorees of AFI AWARDS 2018, celebrating the year’s most outstanding achievements in the art of the moving image — with 10 films and 10 television programs deemed culturally and artistically significant.

In addition to the 20 honorees, AFI also recognizes ROMA with an AFI Special Award, designated for a work of excellence outside the Institute’s criteria for American film.

AFI AWARDS honorees are selected based on works that advance the art of the moving image, enhance the rich cultural heritage of America’s art form, inspire audiences and artists alike and make a mark on American society.

AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR

BLACKKKLANSMAN
BLACK PANTHER
EIGHTH GRADE
THE FAVOURITE
FIRST REFORMED
GREEN BOOK
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
MARY POPPINS RETURNS
A QUIET PLACE
A STAR IS BORN

AFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR

THE AMERICANS
THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
ATLANTA
BARRY
BETTER CALL SAUL
THE KOMINSKY METHOD
THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL
POSE
SUCCESSION
THIS IS US

AFI SPECIAL AWARD

ROMA

Marking the 19th chapter in the American Film Institute’s ongoing almanac of the moving image, the 2018 entries join a notable group of previous AFI AWARDS honorees — works of significance that contribute to the rich cultural legacy and define the state of the art form. View all past AFI AWARDS honorees here.

AFI AWARDS selections are made through a jury process where AFI Trustees, scholars, artists and critics determine the year’s most outstanding achievements and provide contextual rationales for each selection.

This year’s juries — one for film and one for television — were chaired by AFI Board of Trustees Vice Chairs Tom Pollock (former Vice Chairman of MCA, Chairman of Universal Pictures) for film and Richard Frank (former Chairman of Walt Disney Television, President of Walt Disney Studios, President of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) for television. The juries featured acclaimed artists such as David Benioff, Joan Chen, Courtney B. Vance and Alfre Woodard; renowned authors and scholars representing prestigious universities with recognized motion picture arts and television programs; film historian Leonard Maltin; the AFI Board of Trustees; and film and television critics from media outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, TV Guide, Vanity Fair, Variety and The Washington Post.

Honorees will gather on January 4, 2019, for recognition at the annual AFI AWARDS private luncheon in Los Angeles, CA — an event favored by the entertainment community for its informal intimacy and its inclusive acknowledgement of excellence. At the luncheon, AFI will present jury rationales providing artistic and cultural context for the selection of each honoree.

The AFI AWARDS luncheon will be sponsored by Audi, a supporter of AFI and its programs for the past 15 years. The AFI AWARDS luncheon is also sponsored by American Airlines, the official airline of AFI.

About the American Film Institute
The American Film Institute was established by presidential proclamation in the White House Rose Garden, and launched its national mandate on June 5, 1967 — to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI’s founding Trustees included Chairman Gregory Peck, Vice Chairman Sidney Poitier, Francis Ford Coppola, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Jack Valenti and George Stevens, Jr., as Director.

About Audi
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands, delivering about 1.878 million vehicles globally in 2017. In the U.S., Audi of America sold nearly 227,000 vehicles in 2017 and broke all-time company sales records for the eighth straight year. Visit audiusa.com or media.audiusa.com for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.

2018 British Independent Film Awards: ‘The Favourite’ wins a record-breaking 10 prizes

December 2, 2018

by Carla Hay

Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman in "The Favourite"
Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman in “The Favourite” (Photo by Yorgos Lanthimos)

The dark comedy “The Favourite” won a record-breaking 10 prizes, including Best Picture, at the 2018 British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), which were presented  on December 2 at Old Billingsgate in London. It was the most BIFAs won by one film in the same year. “The Favourite,” which follows the antics of England’s Queen Anne and two women competing for her affections, received 10 of the 13 awards for which the movie was nominated, including Best Director (Yorgos Lanthimos), Best Actress (Olivia Colman) and Best Supporting Actress (Rachel Weisz).

Other movies to get multiple awards include “American Animals,” “Ray & Liz” and You Were Never Really Here,” which won two awards each.  Joe Cole of “A Prayer Before Dawn” was named Best Actor, while Alessandro Nivolo from “Disobedience” was named Best Supporting Actor.

Judi Dench received the 2018 Richard Harris Award. Felicity Jones received the 2018 Variety Award. Horace Ové received the Special Jury Award.

Here is the complete list of nominations and winners of the 2018 British Independent Film Awards:

*=winner

Best British Independent Film
“American Animals” (Producers: Bart Layton, Katherine Butler, Dimitri Doganis, Derrin Schlesinger, Mary Jane Skalski

“Beast (Producers: Michael Pearce, Kristian Brodie, Lauren Dark, Ivana MacKinnon)

“Disobedience” (Producers: Sebastián Lelio, Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Ed Guiney, Frida Torresblanco, Rachel Weisz)

“The Favourite” (Producers: Yorgos Lanthimos, Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara, Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday)*

“You Were Never Really Here” (Producers: Lynne Ramsay, Pascal Caucheteux, Rosa Attab, James Wilson, Rebecca O’Brien)

Best Director 
Andrew Haigh,  “Lean on Pete”
Yorgos Lanthmos, “The Favourite”*
Bart Layton, “American Animals”
Michael Pearce, “Beast”
Lynne Ramsay, “You Were Never Really Here”

Best Screenplay
Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara, “The Favourite”*
Bart Layton, “American Animals”
Sebastian Lelio, Rebecca Lenkiewicz, “Disobedience”
Michael Pearce, “Beast”
Lynne Ramsay, “You Were Never Really Here”

Best Actress
Gemma Arterton, “The Escape”
Jessie Buckley, “Beast”
Olivia Colman, “The Favourite”*
Maxine Peake, “Funny Cow”
Rachel Weisz, “Disobedience”

Best Supporting Actress
Nina Arianda, “Stan & Ollie”
Rachel McAdams, “Disobedience”
Emma Stone, “The Favourite”
Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite”*
Molly Wright, “Apostasy”

Best Actor
Joe Cole, “A Prayer Before Dawn”*
Steve Coogan, “Stan & Ollie”
Rupert Everett, “The Happy Prince”
Joaquin Phoenix, “You Were Never Really Here”
Charlie Plummer, “Lean on Pete”

Best Supporting Actor
Steve Buscemi, “Lean on Pete”
Barry Keoghan, “American Animals”
Alessandro Nivola, “Disobedience”*
Van Peters, “American Animals”
Dominic West, “Colette”

Most Promising Newcomer
Jessie Buckley, “Beast”*
Michaela Coel, “Been So Long”
Liv Hill, “Jellyfish”
Marcus Rutherford, “Obey”
Molly Wright, “Apostasy”

The Douglas Hickox Award (Best Debut Director)
Richard Billingham, “Ray & Liz”*
Daniel Kokotajlo, “Apostasy”
Matt Palmer, “Calibre”
Michael Pearce, “Beast”
Leanne Welham, “Pili”

Debut Screenwriter
Karen Gillan, “The Party’s Just Beginning”
Daniel Kokotajlo, “Apostasy”
Bart Layton, “American Animals”*
Matt Palmer, “Calibre”
Michael Pearce, “Beast”

Breakthrough Producer
Kristian Brodie, “Beast”
Jacqui Davies, “Ray & Liz”*
Anna Griffin, “Calibre”
Marcie MacLellan, “Apostasy”
Faye Ward, “Stan & Ollie”

 

The Discovery Award
“The Dig” (Directors: Andy Tohill, Ryan Tohill. Producers: Stuart Drennan, Brian J. Falconer. Writer: Stuart Drennan.)

“Irene’s Ghost” (Director: Iain Cunningham. Writers: Iain Cunningham, David Arthur. Producer: Rebecca Mark-Lawson. Director of Animation: Ellie Land.)

“A Moment in the Reeds” (Director/writer/producer: Mikko Makela. Producer: James Watson.)

“Super November” (Director/producer: Douglas King. Writer: Josie Long.)

“Voyageuse” (Director/writer/producer: May Miles Thomas)*

Best Documentary
“Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story” (Director/producer: Steve Sullivan)

“Evelyn” (Director: Orlando von Einsiedel. Producer: Joanna Natasegara.)*

“Island” (Director: Steven Eastwood. Producer: Elhum Shakerifar.)

“Nae Pasaran” (Director/producer: Felipe Bustos Sierra)

“Under the Wire” (Director: Christopher Martin. Producer: Tom Brisley.)

Best British Short Film 
“The Big Day”*

“Bitter Sea”

“The Field”

“Pommel”

“To Know Him”

Best International Independent Film 
“Capernum” (Director/writer: Nadine Labaki. Writers: Jihad Hojeily, Michelle Keserwani, Producers: Khaled Mouzanar, Michel Merkt.)

“Cold War” (Director/writer: Pawel Pawlikowski. Writer: Janusz Glowacki. Producers: Ewa Puszczynska, Tanya Seghatchian)

“The Rider” (Director/writer/producer: Chloé Zhao. Producers: Mollye Asher, Sacha Ben Harroche, Bert Hamelinck.)

“Roma,” (Director/writer/producer: Alfonso Cuarón. Producers: Nicolás Celis, Gabriela Rodriguez.)*

“Shoplifters” (Director/writer/producer: Hirokazu Koreeda)

Best Casting
Dixie Chassay, “The Favourite”*
Julie Harkin, “Beast”
Avy Kaufman, “American Animals”
Andy Pryor, “Stan & Ollie”
Michelle Smith, “Apostasy”

Best Cinematography
Ole Bratt Birkeland, “American Animals”
Magnus Nordenhof Jønck, “Lean on Pete”
Robbie Ryan, “The Favourite”*
Tom Townend, “You Were Never Really Here”
David Ungaro, “A Prayer Before Dawn”

Best Costume Design
Jacqueline Durran, “Peterloo”
Aandrea Flesch, “Colette”
Sandy Powell, “The Favourite”*
Guy Sperenza, “Stan & Ollie”
Alyssa Tull, “An Evening With Beverly Luff Lin”

Best Editing
Joe Bini, “You Were Never Really Here”
Marc Boucrot, “A Prayer Before Dawn”
Nick Fenton, Julian Hart, Chris Gill, “American Animals”*
Yorgos Mavropsaridis, “The Favourite”
Ben Wheatley, “Happy New Year, Colin Burstead”

Best Effects
Howard Jones, “Early Man”*
Matthew Stranger, Mark Wellband, “Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back)”
George Zwier, Paul Driver, “Peterloo”

Christmas 2018: Holiday-themed movies in theaters

December 1, 2018

by Carla Hay

There are numerous Christmas-themed movies available to watch on TV, computers or mobile devices, but for Christmas 2018, there are a select number of these movies that will be released in theaters in December.  Christmas-themed movies released before December 2018 that should still be in theaters during the Halloween season include “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” and “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.” Here are the movies that have a December 2018 release:

Information in this article is about U.S. releases.

SPECIAL RE-RELEASES

“Bolshoi Ballet: The Nutcracker 2018”

“The Nutcracker,” the ultimate Christmas ballet, will get a big-screen showcase when the Bolshoi Ballet performs it on December 23. Fathom Events will present the show in cinemas later that day. More information and ticket purchases can be found here.

 

“A Christmas Story”

Based on the writings of Jean Shepherd, the 1983 comedy “A Christmas Story,” directed by Bob Clark, has been a classic staple of holiday TV viewing for decades, but Regal Cinemas will be giving people a chance to see the movie in theaters on December 8, while Alamo Drafthouse will have the movie at various dates and locations in December. The movie, which is rated PG, stars Peter Billingsley as the 9-year-old hapless kid Ralphie Parker, who dreams of getting his ideal Christmas gift: a Red Ryder Carbine Action Air Rifle.

“Die Hard”

The 1988 movie that made Bruce Willis a mega-star is also considered the most famous action Christmas movie. In “Die Hard,” directed by John McTiernan, Willis plays cop John McClane, who battles terrorists who have taken an office Christmas party hostage. Alamo Drafthouse is having screenings of “Die Hard,” which is rated R, at various times and locations in December.

“Elf”

In this 2003 blockbuster comedy, Will Ferrell plays Buddy, a child-like man who was accidentally left on the North Pole as an infant and raised by elves. When Buddy discovers that he is a human, not an elf, he travels to New York in search of his biological father (played by James Caan), who is a cold-hearted businessman. “Elf,” which is rated PG, was directed by Jon Favreau, who has a role in the movie. The cast also includes Zooey Deschanel and Bob Newhart.  Alamo Drafthouse and iPic Theaters will have “Elf” on various dates in December, while Regal Cinemas is bringing back “Elf” on December 22. Marcus Theatres will have the film at various times and locations from November 30 to December 6.

“Jim Henson’s Holiday Special”

Two of the late Jim Henson’s beloved specials have been remastered and are coming to the big screen: “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” and “The Bells of Fraggle Rock.” The event includes an all-new featurette with a special guest. Fathom Events is presenting “Jim Henson’s Holiday Special” in theaters on December 10 and December 16. More information and ticket purchases can be found here.

“The Holiday”

In this Nancy Meyers-directed 2006 romantic comedy, two lovelorn women— meek Iris Simpkins (played by Kate Winslet) and workaholic Amanda Woods (played by Cameron Diaz)—decide to temporarily swap their homes during the Christmas holiday season. Iris’ home is in England, while Amanda’s home is in Los Angeles. While at each other’s homes, Iris meets Miles Dumont (played by Jack Black) who is the assistant of Amanda’s ex-boyfriend. Meanwhile, Amanda meets Iris’ brother Graham (played by Jude Law). Naturally, unexpected romantic sparks fly, but will these new couples survive the reality that each partner lives in another country? Alamo Drafthouse is having screenings of “The Holiday,” which is rated PG-13, at various times and locations in December.

“Home Alone”

Macualey Culkin’s most famous movie is one of the most beloved Christmas movies that appeals to many generations of people. In the 1990 comedy, directed by Chris Columbus, Culkin plays 8-year-old Kevin McCallister, who is accidentally left behind at home when his family goes on a Christmas vacation to Paris. When two burglars (played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) break into the house, it’s up to Kevin to defend himself and the family home. Alamo Drafthouse is having screenings of “Home Alone,” which is rated PG, at various times and locations in December. Marcus Theatres will have the film at various times and locations from November 30 to December 6.

“Love Actually”

This 2003 British romantic comedy directed by Richard Curtis is considered a modern classic. With an all-star cast that includes Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson, “Love Actually” tells the story of people looking for love during Christmas and who are more connected to each than it would seem at first glance. Alamo Drafthouse is bringing back “Love Actually,” which is rated R, at various times and locations throughout the month of December. Everyone who buys a ticket for the movie will automatically be entered into a sweepstakes in which the winner will get a trip for two to Las Vegas to see Mariah Carey’s show at the MGM Grand and get a meet-and-greet experience with Carey. More information and ticket purchases can be found here.

It’s a Wonderful Life”

Directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, the 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life” is widely considered the ultimate American Christmas movie classic. The plot is simple but told with an effective tone: During the Christmas season, an angel helps a suicidal family man by showing him what life would have been like if he never existed. Marcus Theatres will have the film at various times and locations from November 30 to December 6. Gathr is presenting the film at various cinema chains, including AMC and Regal, on December 18 and December 19. Bowtie Cinemas is bringing back “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which is rated PG, from December 21 to December 27.

“Miracle at 34th Street”

In this 1947 classic Christmas story directed by George Seaton, a young lawyer (played y John Payne) defends a man (played by Edmund Gwenn) who has been placed in a psychiatric institution after claiming to be Kris Kringle, also known as Santa Claus. “Miracle at 34th Street,” which is not rated, also stars Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood. Marcus Theatres will have the film at various times and locations from December 7 to December 14. Bowtie Cinemas is bringing back “Miracle at 34th Street” from December 8 to December 16.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

The Griswold family continues to have mishaps and hi-jinks in this PG-13-rated holiday sequel that was originally released in 1989. Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” doesn’t follow the family on a trip but instead shows what happens when the Griswolds stay home and their wacky relatives come to visit. The movie’s cast includes Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid and Juliette Lewis. The Cinépolis theater chain is showing “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” on December 4, while Regal Cinemas will have the movie on December 15. Alamo Drafthouse is showing the movie at various times and locations in December. Marcus Theatres will have the film at various times and locations from December 7 to December 13.

“The Polar Express”

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the 2004 adventure film “The Polar Express” was an early pioneer of motion-capture visual effects. In the movie, a young boy (portrayed by Daryl Sabara) embarks on a magical journey to the North Pole on the Polar Express. Tom Hanks portrays the train’s conductor.  Regal Cinemas is bringing back “The Polar Express,” which is rated G, on December 1.  Marcus Theatres will have the film at various times and locations from December 7 to December 13.

“White Christmas”

This 1954 classic musical is about singers Bob Wallace (played by Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (played by Danny Kaye), who team up with sister act Betty Haynes (played by Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (played by Vera-Ellen) to perform a Christmas show in rural Vermont. When the men find out that their former World War II commander, Gen. Waverly (played Dean Jagger), is in danger of losing his country inn, they all team up to put on a show that will help him with his financial problems. “White Christmas” was directed by Michael Curtiz with music by Irving Berlin. In partnership with the TCM cable network, Fathom Events is presenting “White Christmas” in theaters on December 9 and December 12, with exclusive insight from Turner Classic Movies. More information and ticket purchases can be found here.

2018 New York Film Critics Circle Awards: ‘Roma’ is the top winner

November 29, 2018

by Carla Hay

With three prizes, including Best Picture, “Roma” was the top winner of the 2018 New York Film Critics Circle Awards, which were announced on November 29.  The movie, which is inspired by writer/director Alfonso Cuarón’s childhood in Mexico, also won the awards for Best Director and Best Cinematography. Cuarón is also the movie’s cinematographer and one of the producers. The awards will be presented at New York City’s Tao Downtown on January 7, 2019.

The New York Film Critics Circle tends to award independent art-house movies instead of movies from major studios. That might explain why the New York Film Critics Circle completely snubbed Warner Bros. Pictures’ “A Star Is Born” and Universal Pictures’ “Green Book,” which have been racking up awards elsewhere, such as the National Board of Review Awards. In fact, the only movie from a major studio that the New York Film Critics Circle  awarded for 2018 is Sony/Columbia Pictures’ “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” which won the prize of Best Animated Film. The “Spider-Man” victory is somewhat of an upset for Pixar’s “Incredibles 2,” which has been the presumed frontrunner in all the awards for animated films released in 2018.

Other big surprises: “Support the Girls” star Regina Hall won for Best Actress, in a race that many people have predicted would be dominated by Lady Gaga for “A Star Is Born.” The NYFCC Award is the first big prize for Hall’s role in “Support the Girls,” a little-seen comedy in which she portrays the no-nonsense manager of a Hooters-style restaurant. Richard E. Grant, who plays a charming con artist in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” won the prize for Best Supporting Actor. It’s his first major award for his role in the movie, and the prize comes at a time when many Oscar pundits have named “Green Book’s” Mahershala Ali as a Best Supporting Actor frontrunner. Although Hall and Grant were nominated for IFP Gotham Awards for their respective movies, they didn’t win at that award show.

“First Reformed,” a drama about a clergyman and his secrets, won two prizes: Best Actor (for Ethan Hakwe) and Best Screenplay (for writer/director Paul Schrader). Other winners of the 2018 NYFCC Awards include “If Beale Street Could Talk” co-star Regina King (Best Supporting Actress); writer/director Bo Burnham’s “Eighth Grade” (Best First Feature); and director Bing Liu’s skateboarder documentary “Minding the Gap” (Best Nonfiction Film).

Click here for an updated tally of major awards won by movies that have a 2018 U.S. release date.

2018 returning NYFCC chairman Eric Kohn, who is IndieWire’s chief film critic, commented in a press release: “Our membership expanded this year and so did the sheer volume of great movies worth voting on. We’re so thrilled to spread the love with these terrific films and performances, all of which deliver fresh, exciting visions of the world. From the poetic heights of ‘Roma’ to the haunting paranoia of ‘First Reformed’ and the mind-bending visual sophistication of ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,’ every single winner this year features a complex, unpredictable vision. Conventionality is for conventional awards shows. Our January dinner will certainly not fall into that category.”

Founded in 1935, the New York Film Critics Circle consists of critics from several media outlets. The organization meets in New York every year to vote for its awards, which honor films that were released in the U.S. in that calendar year.

A full list of voting members is below:

Eric Kohn (Chair)
IndieWire

Alison Willmore (Vice Chair)
BuzzFeed

Marshall Fine (General Manager)
Freelance

MEMBERS:

Sam Adams
Slate

John Anderson
Freelance

Melissa Anderson
FourFrames

Michael Atkinson
The Village Voice

Richard Brody
The New Yorker

Dwight Brown
NNPA Syndication

Kameron Austin Collins
Vanity Fair

Bilge Ebiri
The Village Voice

David Edelstein
New York Magazine

David Ehrlich
IndieWire

Kate Erbland 
IndieWire

David Fear
Rolling Stone

Graham Fuller
Culture Trip

Owen Gleiberman
Variety

Ed Gonzalez
Slant Magazine

Steven Greydanus
The National Catholic Register

Rafer Guzman
Newsday

Jordan Hoffman
The Guardian

Caryn James
BBC

Stuart Klawans
The Nation 

Richard Lawson
Vanity Fair

Tomris Laffly 
Time Out New York

Violet Lucca
Film Comment

Joe Morgenstern
The Wall Street Journal

Sheila O’Malley
Rogerebert.com

Nick Pinkerton
Freelance

Peter Rainer
Christian Science Monitor

Rex Reed
New York Observer

Joshua Rothkopf
Time Out New York

Alan Scherstuhl
The Village Voice

Matt Zoller Seitz
Rogerebert.com

David Sims
The Atlantic

Matt Singer
ScreenCrush

Kyle Smith
National Review

Dana Stevens
Slate

Sara Stewart
New York Post

Amy Taubin
Artforum

Peter Travers
Rolling Stone

Keith Uhlich
Freelance

Elizabeth Weitzman
The Wrap

Stephen Whitty
The Star-Ledger

Alissa Wilkinson
Vox

Emily Yoshida 
New York Magazine 

Stephanie Zacharek
Time Magazine

Here is the complete list of winners of the 2018 New York Film Critics Circle Awards:

Best Film: “Roma”

Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón (“Roma”)

Best First Film: “Eighth Grade” (Bo Burnham)

Best Actor: Ethan Hawke (“First Reformed”)

Best Actress: Regina Hall (“Support the Girls”)

Best Supporting Actor: Richard E. Grant (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”)

Best Supporting Actress: Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk”)

Best Non-Fiction Film: “Minding the Gap” (Bing Liu)

Best Screenplay: “First Reformed” (Paul Schrader)

Best Cinematography: “Roma” (Alfonso Cuarón)

Best Foreign Language Film: “Cold War” (Pawel Pawlikowski)

Best Animated Film: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman)

Special Award: Kino Classics Box Set “Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers”

Special Award: David Schwartz, stepping down as Chief Film Curator at Museum of the Moving Image after 33 years

 

NBC’s New Year’s Eve: Carson Daly, Chrissy Teigen, Leslie Jones, Keith Urban will usher in 2019

November 29, 2018

The following is a press release from NBC:

NBC has it all on New Year’s Eve as Carson Daly and Chrissy Teigen host “NBC’s New Year’s Eve” live from Times Square in New York with Leslie Jones. Keith Urban will perform live from Nashville and host the Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight: New Year’s Eve from Nashville’s Bicentennial State Park. This incredible line up of talent will introduce the biggest musical acts of the year (to be announced) and join the crowd in saying goodbye to 2018.

The special will air Monday, Dec. 31 from 10-11 p.m. ET/PT, will break for local news and return for the final countdown from 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

CARSON DALY

Carson Daly serves as host and producer for the 15th season of the hit NBC series “The Voice.” The series has received seven consecutive Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and won in 2013, 2015-17. Additionally, “The Voice” received a Producers Guild Award for Outstanding Producer of Competition Television for the sixth year in a row. Daly joined NBC’s morning show “Today” in 2013 and is host of the Orange Room, its digital studio. Daly’s long-running late night NBC series, “Last Call with Carson Daly,” is currently entering its 18th season. “Last Call” has garnered acclaim for its documentary style, emphasis on exceptional storytelling and status as late-night TV’s unofficial music tastemaker. After getting his start in radio as the host at the top-rated morning-drive radio program on 97.1 AMP-FM Los Angeles, Daly quickly landed one of the most coveted positions in the business — the early evening voice of L.A.’s influential and highly rated alternative rock station KROQ-FM. MTV soon recognized his talent and brought him to New York. As host and executive producer of MTV’s “Total Request Live (TRL),” Daly transformed an afternoon music video program into a must-stop on the publicity circuit for musicians, movie stars and entertainers. It was Daly’s guy-next-door charm that made him appealing as he entered living rooms daily to offer exactly what the audience desired.

CHRISSY TEIGEN

Chrissy Teigen is a bestselling cookbook author, model and television host. In 2016, she released her #1 New York Times best-selling cookbook, “Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat.” Earlier this year she followed that publication up with her highly anticipated second cookbook, “Cravings: Hungry for More,” in addition to launching her kitchen and tabletop collection, “Cravings by Chrissy Teigen,” which is available exclusively at Target. Teigen can also be seen on Paramount Network’s smash hit competition show, “Lip Sync Battle.”

LESLIE JONES

Leslie Jones is currently starring in her fifth season of “Saturday Night Live.” Her work on the longstanding sketch show has garnered her two Emmy Award nominations and inclusion on the Time 100 list. Jones covered the most recent Summer and Winter Olympics for NBC and was the host of the 2017 BET Awards. She is currently recording one of the lead roles in “Angry Birds 2” for Sony Pictures. Jones also starred in Paul Feig’s reboot of “Ghostbusters,” alongside Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon. Her other film credits include Chris Rock’s “Top Five,” Judd Apatow’s “Trainwreck” and the animated film “Sing.” Jones is from Memphis, Tenn.

KEITH URBAN

Keith Urban, 2018 CMA Entertainer of the Year and Grammy Award winner, recently released his new album, “Graffiti U,” in conjunction with his “Graffiti U World Tour 2018.” The album, which upon its debut on April 27, hit #1 on charts in the United States, Canada and Australia, is Urban’s ninth. He’s had an album atop the all-genre charts in the U.S., Canada and Australia twice and is the only male country artist to have achieved the mark even once. He now stands at #8 on Billboard’s All-Time Country Airplay Chart as the artist with the most consecutive top 10 songs on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart (38) – a streak that started in 2000. Besides four Grammys, Urban has won 12 Country Music Association Awards, 11 Academy of Country Music Awards, four People’s Choice Awards and four American Music Awards. He is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He’s long supported numerous charities, including the CMA Foundation, for which he is the first Ambassador, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum©, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, for which he is an advisory board member, the Mr. Holland’s Opus Fund and the Grammy Foundation.

The 10th annual Nashville New Year’s Eve event will take place near the Tennessee State Capitol at Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. The music-filled evening caps off with a Music Note Drop and fireworks to ring in the New Year.

“NBC’s New Year’s Eve” is executive produced by Daly, Teigen and John Irwin through NBCUniversal Television Studio and Irwin Entertainment. It is co-executive produced by Casey Spira and directed by Ryan Polito.

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