Over Hollywood’s century-long history, women have played an integral part both as actresses on the screen, as well as creators behind the scenes. Many have fought to establish themselves in a male-dominated world, and have earned their place in history alongside the best, even managing to show out at the most prestigious awards ceremony — the Academy Awards. In celebration of Women’s History Month 2024, and the recent 96th Oscars ceremony, following is a list of 26 women who have earned eight or more Oscar nominations. Scroll through our photo gallery below.
One area in which women have dominated Oscar nominations is writing. Going all the way back to the second ceremony, Josephine Lovett earned a bid for “Our Dancing Daughters,” while Bess Meredyth received two noms for “A Woman of Affairs” and “Wonder of Women.” The next year, Frances Marion became the first woman to triumph in a non-gendered category,...
One area in which women have dominated Oscar nominations is writing. Going all the way back to the second ceremony, Josephine Lovett earned a bid for “Our Dancing Daughters,” while Bess Meredyth received two noms for “A Woman of Affairs” and “Wonder of Women.” The next year, Frances Marion became the first woman to triumph in a non-gendered category,...
- 3/10/2024
- by Susan Pennington, Misty Holland and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
These days, Peter Jackson is best known for directing big budget spectacles. He took the Hobbits to Mordor, he cast Benedict Cumberbatch as a dragon, he brought us the sight of a motion-capture King Kong smacking around a bunch of dinosaurs. But when he was just getting his career started, he was making very different kinds of movies: horror comedies that were drenched in blood and pretty much every other bodily fluid you can think of. In 1992, he brought the world what may be the bloodiest film ever made: a zombie comedy he would call Braindead, but many fans know it as Dead Alive. And if you haven’t seen this one yet (you can watch it Here), it’s the Best Horror Movie You Never Saw.
Peter Jackson never had any formal film school training, and not just because they didn’t have such courses in his home country of New Zealand.
Peter Jackson never had any formal film school training, and not just because they didn’t have such courses in his home country of New Zealand.
- 3/8/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
“Oppenheimer” is the most nominated film at this year’s Oscars with 13 nominations. That’s one shy of the all-time record of 14 nominations so it missed out on Oscars history in the nomination phase.
However, Universal’s movie could match Academy Awards history in the awards phase by equalling the record of 11 Oscar wins overall. So far, three films have won 11 Academy Awards. They were “Ben-Hur” in 1960, “Titanic” in 1998, and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” in 2004. Here’s the breakdown of what awards they won.
“Ben-Hur”
Best Picture — Sam Zimbalist Best Director — William Wyler Best Actor — Charlton Heston Best Supporting Actor — Hugh Griffith Best Film Editing Best Cinematography (Color) Best Music (Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture) Best Costume Design (Color) Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Color) Best Sound Recording Best Visual Effects
*”Ben-Hur” was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for Karl Tunberg...
However, Universal’s movie could match Academy Awards history in the awards phase by equalling the record of 11 Oscar wins overall. So far, three films have won 11 Academy Awards. They were “Ben-Hur” in 1960, “Titanic” in 1998, and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” in 2004. Here’s the breakdown of what awards they won.
“Ben-Hur”
Best Picture — Sam Zimbalist Best Director — William Wyler Best Actor — Charlton Heston Best Supporting Actor — Hugh Griffith Best Film Editing Best Cinematography (Color) Best Music (Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture) Best Costume Design (Color) Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Color) Best Sound Recording Best Visual Effects
*”Ben-Hur” was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for Karl Tunberg...
- 3/8/2024
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
The films in contention for the 2024 Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar are “American Fiction,” “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” “Poor Things,” and “The Zone of Interest.” Our odds currently indicate that “American Fiction” (7/2) will win the award, followed in order of likelihood by “Oppenheimer” (18/5), “Barbie” (4/1), “Poor Things” (9/2), and “The Zone of Interest” (9/2).
This marks only the 14th instance in 96 years of all five Best Adapted Screenplay-nominated films also being in the running for Best Picture. Prior to the last time in 2017 – the year “Moonlight” achieved dual victories – this had happened only twice during the 21st century (2011; 2013) and once during the latter half of the 20th (1965). The bulk of cases occurred almost annually from 1934 to 1943, with the only inapplicable year being 1937.
Respective “The Zone of Interest” and “Oppenheimer” writers Jonathan Glazer and Christopher Nolan are simultaneously nominated for Best Director, while Nolan is also set to face off against “American Fiction” scripter Cord Jefferson in the Best Picture race.
This marks only the 14th instance in 96 years of all five Best Adapted Screenplay-nominated films also being in the running for Best Picture. Prior to the last time in 2017 – the year “Moonlight” achieved dual victories – this had happened only twice during the 21st century (2011; 2013) and once during the latter half of the 20th (1965). The bulk of cases occurred almost annually from 1934 to 1943, with the only inapplicable year being 1937.
Respective “The Zone of Interest” and “Oppenheimer” writers Jonathan Glazer and Christopher Nolan are simultaneously nominated for Best Director, while Nolan is also set to face off against “American Fiction” scripter Cord Jefferson in the Best Picture race.
- 3/7/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
It’s been two decades since an epic fantasy film made history at the Oscars, winning every category in which it was nominated, and three women set new records. There weren’t many surprises at the 76th Academy Awards, but there were some memorable moments. Billy Crystal hosted for his eighth time on February 29, 2004. Read on for Gold Derby’s Oscars flashback 20 years ago to 2004.
It was finally Peter Jackson‘s time as the third installment of his “Lord of the Rings” trilogy earned him a trio of awards. Despite numerous nominations, the first two films failed to make big showings; however, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” not only claimed Best Picture, but won all 11 categories in which it was nominated. It tied with “Ben-Hur” (1960) and “Titanic” (1998) for most wins in one ceremony, and holds the record for biggest sweep. It was the 10th film...
It was finally Peter Jackson‘s time as the third installment of his “Lord of the Rings” trilogy earned him a trio of awards. Despite numerous nominations, the first two films failed to make big showings; however, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” not only claimed Best Picture, but won all 11 categories in which it was nominated. It tied with “Ben-Hur” (1960) and “Titanic” (1998) for most wins in one ceremony, and holds the record for biggest sweep. It was the 10th film...
- 3/3/2024
- by Susan Pennington
- Gold Derby
When adapting any great work of literature, or even one that is just mid, filmmakers and visual artists will be forced to make changes big and small for any myriad of reasons. Sometimes it is due to the economy of storytelling in a truncated form—such as the famous example of Scarlett O’Hara’s number of children shrinking from three to one in Gone with the Wind. Other times, the changes are made because the requirements of a visual medium shifts the structure of the story; like showing the massacre at Hardhome by ice zombies in Game of Thrones instead of simply reading about it in a letter. There are even times when the filmmaker wants to put a modern spin on the text. This would be how every Dracula now is a sexy rock star god.
But then, dear reader, there are times when the filmmaker or screenwriter sees...
But then, dear reader, there are times when the filmmaker or screenwriter sees...
- 12/12/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Twenty years ago, the extraordinary Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King opened in theaters, completing the original Lotr saga. Created by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, this epic trilogy is in my humble opinion one of the greatest trilogies ever in cinema history. In celebration of this 20th anniversary, the props & weapons & practical FX house Weta Workshop has posted a video on their YouTube. This "20 years of Middle-earth" video is a "behind-the-scenes at Wētā Workshop" look at their Lord of the Rings days. "In order to share our joy with fans worldwide, please enjoy this collection of fond memories from our days spent sketching, sculpting, exploring, painting, crafting, creating, and, most importantly, dreaming within the vast world of Middle-earth." It's a silent slideshow of photographs from the making of the Lotr movies, running a grand total of 40 mins as it slowly fades from one photo to the next.
- 12/1/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Fantasy is a genre that is often hard done by the awards groups, particularly the academy. Occasionally, the odd masterpiece such as Peter Jackson‘s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which won 17 Oscars, will break their barrier but, in general, the genre doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Even “Harry Potter” failed to earn an Oscar win and was never nominated in any above-the-line category.
However, Andrew Haigh‘s “All of Us Strangers” is poised to be the next fantastical film that makes the academy’s voters sit up and take notice. Part romance, part ghost story, the film is loosely based on Taichi Yamada‘s 1987 novel “Strangers.” The story follows Andrew Scott‘s Adam as a writer struggling with his latest project who forms a relationship with Paul Mescal‘s Harry. As their relationship progresses, Adam finds himself drawn to his past and visits his hometown only...
However, Andrew Haigh‘s “All of Us Strangers” is poised to be the next fantastical film that makes the academy’s voters sit up and take notice. Part romance, part ghost story, the film is loosely based on Taichi Yamada‘s 1987 novel “Strangers.” The story follows Andrew Scott‘s Adam as a writer struggling with his latest project who forms a relationship with Paul Mescal‘s Harry. As their relationship progresses, Adam finds himself drawn to his past and visits his hometown only...
- 11/24/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Sure, 28 Oscar nominations and 17 wins aren’t to be sniffed at. But the remarkable thing about Peter Jackson‘s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy is that it should have been nominated for more. Only one of the cast was nominated for an Oscar across all three films — that was for Best Supporting Actor for Sir Ian McKellen in 2002 for “The Fellowship of the Ring” — while there were a few other curious snubs that, in hindsight, just don’t make sense. So, there was actually more room to nominate this rightly-heralded trilogy of astounding films. With that in mind, here are five more Oscar nominations “The Lord of the Rings” should have landed.
Best Original Score: “The Two Towers”
The music of “The Lord of the Rings” has gone down as one of the best scores ever committed to film. Howard Shore‘s adored score is so top drawer it leaves you clamoring for more.
Best Original Score: “The Two Towers”
The music of “The Lord of the Rings” has gone down as one of the best scores ever committed to film. Howard Shore‘s adored score is so top drawer it leaves you clamoring for more.
- 11/15/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
For Pride Month, Team Experience is looking at LGBTQ+ related Oscar nominations...
by Nick Taylor
Hello! Are you an enterprising young queer and/or Milf lover fresh off the newest season of Yellowjackets looking for another story of dangerous, imaginative, mentally unwell young women starring The Melanie Lynskey? Would you like it to focus on an obsessive life-bond so intense it has almost no choice but to be queer? What if this one was based on a true story? Then have I got a film for you! Try your hand at Heavenly Creatures, the restaging of the infamous Parker-Hulme murder case in 1954 New Zealand about two pubescent girls so wrapped up in the fantasy world they’ve created over two years of isolating friendship that the only way the can imagine protecting each other from life’s unsustainable realities is to kill Mom.
Heavenly Creatures was directed by Peter Jackson,...
by Nick Taylor
Hello! Are you an enterprising young queer and/or Milf lover fresh off the newest season of Yellowjackets looking for another story of dangerous, imaginative, mentally unwell young women starring The Melanie Lynskey? Would you like it to focus on an obsessive life-bond so intense it has almost no choice but to be queer? What if this one was based on a true story? Then have I got a film for you! Try your hand at Heavenly Creatures, the restaging of the infamous Parker-Hulme murder case in 1954 New Zealand about two pubescent girls so wrapped up in the fantasy world they’ve created over two years of isolating friendship that the only way the can imagine protecting each other from life’s unsustainable realities is to kill Mom.
Heavenly Creatures was directed by Peter Jackson,...
- 6/26/2023
- by Nick Taylor
- FilmExperience
One franchise to rule them all. Last year, Warner Bros. Discovery revealed its plans to mine J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” for more material. The newly formed studio, a combination of WarnerMedia and Discovery, said it would make multiple films with the property over the next several years, ostensibly rebooting the beloved series of films that grossed almost $3 billion worldwide and won several Oscars. The previous franchise’s filmmaking team – Oscar winners Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens – will not be involved directly in the features, but said in a statement they were kept “in the loop” about the Warner Bros. Discovery plans. “We look forward to speaking with them further to hear their vision for the franchise moving forward,” Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens said.
That was good news for many “Lord of the Rings” fans and even some of the old cast members. Speaking to...
That was good news for many “Lord of the Rings” fans and even some of the old cast members. Speaking to...
- 4/14/2023
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Elijah Wood has weighed in on Warner Bros. and New Line’s plan to develop more Lord of the Rings movies.
In a new interview with GQ, the 42-year-old actor said he was generally supportive of the idea, but admitted to having a concern.
“I’m fascinated and I’m excited,” he said. “I hope it’s good. I’m surprised—I don’t know why I’m surprised because, of course there would be more movies. Obviously at the core of that, is a desire to make a lot of money. It’s not that a bunch of executives are like, ‘Let’s make really awesome art.’ And, again, not begrudging anybody because, of course, it is commerce. But great art can come from commerce. So those two things are not mutually exclusive.”
“But Lord of the Rings didn’t come out of that place,” he added. “It came...
In a new interview with GQ, the 42-year-old actor said he was generally supportive of the idea, but admitted to having a concern.
“I’m fascinated and I’m excited,” he said. “I hope it’s good. I’m surprised—I don’t know why I’m surprised because, of course there would be more movies. Obviously at the core of that, is a desire to make a lot of money. It’s not that a bunch of executives are like, ‘Let’s make really awesome art.’ And, again, not begrudging anybody because, of course, it is commerce. But great art can come from commerce. So those two things are not mutually exclusive.”
“But Lord of the Rings didn’t come out of that place,” he added. “It came...
- 4/14/2023
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Elijah Wood is “fascinated” and “surprised” over Warner Bros. developing multiple new “Lord of the Rings” movies. The studio announced the plan in February. Wood, of course, played the hobbit Frodo in Peter Jackson’s original “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which grossed $2.9 billion worldwide and remains one of cinema’s greatest fantasy achievements.
“I’m fascinated and I’m excited. I hope it’s good,” Wood recently told GQ magazine about the new films. “I’m surprised—I don’t know why I’m surprised because, of course there would be more movies.”
“Obviously at the core of that, is a desire to make a lot of money,” Wood continued. “It’s not that a bunch of executives are like, ‘Let’s make really awesome art.’ And, again, not begrudging anybody because, of course, it is commerce. But great art can come from commerce. So those two things are not mutually exclusive.
“I’m fascinated and I’m excited. I hope it’s good,” Wood recently told GQ magazine about the new films. “I’m surprised—I don’t know why I’m surprised because, of course there would be more movies.”
“Obviously at the core of that, is a desire to make a lot of money,” Wood continued. “It’s not that a bunch of executives are like, ‘Let’s make really awesome art.’ And, again, not begrudging anybody because, of course, it is commerce. But great art can come from commerce. So those two things are not mutually exclusive.
- 4/14/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
The episode of Deconstructing… covering The Frighteners was Written, Edited, and Narrated by Kier Gomes, Produced by Tyler Nichols and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
Question: What makes the hero of a good story worth rooting for? Are we looking for a tragic backstory that forces us to sympathize with them? Do we need to see our hero lose everything so that we can wish for them to gain it back with interest? Is it the underdog with good intentions who seemingly has flaws that any audience member can relate to? Or could it be that what makes a hero is having the most lines and the most to do in a scene? Either way, if a hero talks like a hero, and seemingly behaves like a hero, but is completely motivated by their own agenda and personal gain – are they still a hero? What if this...
Question: What makes the hero of a good story worth rooting for? Are we looking for a tragic backstory that forces us to sympathize with them? Do we need to see our hero lose everything so that we can wish for them to gain it back with interest? Is it the underdog with good intentions who seemingly has flaws that any audience member can relate to? Or could it be that what makes a hero is having the most lines and the most to do in a scene? Either way, if a hero talks like a hero, and seemingly behaves like a hero, but is completely motivated by their own agenda and personal gain – are they still a hero? What if this...
- 4/5/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
More and more screen adaptations of the works of Jrr Tolkien are in development these days. In addition to Amazon’s The Rings of Power, a prequel series set during the Second Age of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, Warner Bros. Discovery announced in February that new films are also in development. The first will be an animated movie called The War of the Rohirrim, set 183 years before The Lord of the Rings and telling the story of a legendary king of Rohan called Helm Hammerhand, owner of the great horn at Helm’s Deep, which was named after him. We can only speculate on what else Wbd might have planned — the love story of Aragorn and Arwen, told in the Appendices to The Lord of the Rings, is surely ripe for a film adaptation and would probably be our first choice.
A blockbuster Tolkien franchise incorporating various different stories and characters...
A blockbuster Tolkien franchise incorporating various different stories and characters...
- 4/4/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Tolkien-inspired mythology has taken over our screens while a treasure chest of epic fantasy tales lies unused
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King will be back in North American cinemas next month, to celebrate 20 years since Peter Jackson first debuted his Oscar-winning film. Its return to the multiplexes comes at a time when we seem to have more Jrr Tolkien-inspired fantasies to choose from than a 1980s branch of Games Workshop. As well as Gollum and co returning to the big screen, we have the baffling, utterly superfluous yet sumptuously filmed and geekily delightful small screen The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power TV show. Then next year there will be The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, an animated venture with Brian Cox as Helm Hammerhand and Jackson alumnus Miranda Otto as Eowyn (who will take the narrator’s role...
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King will be back in North American cinemas next month, to celebrate 20 years since Peter Jackson first debuted his Oscar-winning film. Its return to the multiplexes comes at a time when we seem to have more Jrr Tolkien-inspired fantasies to choose from than a 1980s branch of Games Workshop. As well as Gollum and co returning to the big screen, we have the baffling, utterly superfluous yet sumptuously filmed and geekily delightful small screen The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power TV show. Then next year there will be The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, an animated venture with Brian Cox as Helm Hammerhand and Jackson alumnus Miranda Otto as Eowyn (who will take the narrator’s role...
- 3/24/2023
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Mark Wahlberg once found himself starring in the 2009 film The Lovely Bones. The feature dealt with some extremely dark subject matter that the actor sometimes had difficulty grappling with.
Ryan Gosling was originally supposed to be in ‘The Lovely Bones’ Mark Wahlberg | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
The Lovely Bones was the film adaptation of the 2002 novel of the same name written by Alice Sebold. It told the story of Susie Salmon, who was a young girl murdered tragically. Played by Saoirse Ronan, Susie would watch how her murder affected her loved ones from the afterlife. Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz ended up playing Susie’s parents.
Before Wahlberg was cast, however, Gosling was already briefly cast as the father. But according to the film’s producer Fran Walsh, Gosling didn’t feel he was right for the part despite the studio’s insistence.
“Ryan came to us two or three times and said,...
Ryan Gosling was originally supposed to be in ‘The Lovely Bones’ Mark Wahlberg | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
The Lovely Bones was the film adaptation of the 2002 novel of the same name written by Alice Sebold. It told the story of Susie Salmon, who was a young girl murdered tragically. Played by Saoirse Ronan, Susie would watch how her murder affected her loved ones from the afterlife. Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz ended up playing Susie’s parents.
Before Wahlberg was cast, however, Gosling was already briefly cast as the father. But according to the film’s producer Fran Walsh, Gosling didn’t feel he was right for the part despite the studio’s insistence.
“Ryan came to us two or three times and said,...
- 3/22/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Polish up that ring you've been keeping secret and safe because Fathom Events and Warner Bros. Pictures are re-releasing the extended edition of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" in theaters for a limited time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the film, according to Deadline. I'll just pause here for a second to let you digest how old that makes you.
The 2003 film, the third in the trilogy based on the works of author J.R.R. Tolkien, was directed by Peter Jackson from a script from Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens. It starred Elijah Wood as Frodo, Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Sean Astin as Samwise, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, Billy Boyd as Pippin, Dominic Monaghan as Merry, John Rhys-Davies as Gimli, Orlando Bloom as Legolas, and Andy Serkis as Sméagol/Gollum. It won an Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as 10 others that year,...
The 2003 film, the third in the trilogy based on the works of author J.R.R. Tolkien, was directed by Peter Jackson from a script from Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens. It starred Elijah Wood as Frodo, Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Sean Astin as Samwise, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, Billy Boyd as Pippin, Dominic Monaghan as Merry, John Rhys-Davies as Gimli, Orlando Bloom as Legolas, and Andy Serkis as Sméagol/Gollum. It won an Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as 10 others that year,...
- 3/21/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy divides fans. While many were thrilled that Jackson and collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens returned to Middle Earth to film this adaptation of J.R.R Tolkien’s book, more than a few fans felt the movies didn’t live up to what had come before. Indeed, following up the Lord of the Rings trilogy would never be easy. Those films are regarded as modern classics, with the third movie, The Return of the King, even winning Best Picture and Director Academy Awards. How do you follow up a classic?
Indeed, there was never really supposed to be a Hobbit trilogy, with Guillermo del Toro initially attached to turn Tolkien’s tome into a 2-movie tale. Eventually, del Toro had to depart the project due to ongoing delays and Jackson, to the delight of fans, stepped in as a director, expanding the project’s scope to three films.
Indeed, there was never really supposed to be a Hobbit trilogy, with Guillermo del Toro initially attached to turn Tolkien’s tome into a 2-movie tale. Eventually, del Toro had to depart the project due to ongoing delays and Jackson, to the delight of fans, stepped in as a director, expanding the project’s scope to three films.
- 3/20/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
When writer-director Sarah Polley won her well-deserved Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 95th Academy Awards last night, her speech started with a clever callout. "I want to thank the Academy for not being mortally offended by the words 'women' and 'talking' put so close together like that!" she said, before speaking about the themes of democratic womanhood in Miriam Toews' novel. While the reference to "Women Talking" could easily apply to a half-dozen different areas of improvement the Oscars still has to work on when it comes to supporting women, it also gets to the truth of Polley's category: in over 90 years, Polley is only the 10th woman to receive the trophy. This is also the first time in Oscar history that it's gone to a woman two years in a row.
Past winners of what's currently known as the Best Adapted Screenplay race include plenty of writers...
Past winners of what's currently known as the Best Adapted Screenplay race include plenty of writers...
- 3/14/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Sarah Polley’s Oscar win gives Best Adapted Screenplay back-to-back female champs for the first time
“Women Talking”? More like women (are) winning. Sarah Polley took home the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar on Sunday, making her one of the category’s few female winners and giving the category back-to-back female champs for the first time.
With Polley’s victory, Best Adapted Screenplay has now gone to women nine times — and twice to the same person, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, who triumphed for 1986’s “A Room with a View” and 1992’s “Howards End.” Polley joins Jhabvala as one of four women who’ve won as solo writers. The others are Emma Thompson (1995’s “Sense and Sensibility”) and last year’s winner, Sian Heder (“Coda”).
The category’s other female winners prevailed as part of writing teams. Sarah Y. Mason was the first woman to win adapted screenplay for co-writing 1933’s “Little Women” with her husband Victor Heerman. Claudine West shared her award for 1942’s “Mrs. Miniver” with George Froeschel,...
With Polley’s victory, Best Adapted Screenplay has now gone to women nine times — and twice to the same person, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, who triumphed for 1986’s “A Room with a View” and 1992’s “Howards End.” Polley joins Jhabvala as one of four women who’ve won as solo writers. The others are Emma Thompson (1995’s “Sense and Sensibility”) and last year’s winner, Sian Heder (“Coda”).
The category’s other female winners prevailed as part of writing teams. Sarah Y. Mason was the first woman to win adapted screenplay for co-writing 1933’s “Little Women” with her husband Victor Heerman. Claudine West shared her award for 1942’s “Mrs. Miniver” with George Froeschel,...
- 3/13/2023
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
The films in contention for the 2023 Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar are “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Glass Onion,” “Living,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” and “Women Talking.” Our odds currently indicate that “Women Talking” (10/3) will win the award, followed in order of likelihood by “All Quiet on the Western Front” (37/10), “Glass Onion” (9/2), “Top Gun: Maverick” (9/2), and “Living” (9/2).
“Glass Onion” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” which are, respectively, the first sequels to 2019’s “Knives Out” and 1986’s “Top Gun,” are the first pair of continuation films ever nominated against each other in this category. Included among the seven sequels that have contended here before are winners “The Godfather Part II” (1975) and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2004) and nominees “Before Sunset” (2005), “Toy Story 3” (2011), “Before Midnight” (2014), “Logan” (2018), and “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” (2021).
Of the 11 individual writers in this year’s lineup, only Sarah Polley (“Women Talking”) has competed for this particular award before.
“Glass Onion” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” which are, respectively, the first sequels to 2019’s “Knives Out” and 1986’s “Top Gun,” are the first pair of continuation films ever nominated against each other in this category. Included among the seven sequels that have contended here before are winners “The Godfather Part II” (1975) and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2004) and nominees “Before Sunset” (2005), “Toy Story 3” (2011), “Before Midnight” (2014), “Logan” (2018), and “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” (2021).
Of the 11 individual writers in this year’s lineup, only Sarah Polley (“Women Talking”) has competed for this particular award before.
- 3/11/2023
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
New “Lord of the Rings” movies are officially on the way from Warner Bros., and Andy Serkis is the first original cast member to say he’s ready to return to Middle-earth. Serkis gave an iconic motion capture performance as Gollum in Peter Jackson’s original trilogy and reprised the role in “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”
“Look, [producers] Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens are sort of a second family that I have become part of and have gone on to make so many films with,” Serkis told BroBible’s Post-Credit Podcast. “And — let me tell you — they are the best and most incredible people to work with. I think that there are so many other potential Middle-earth projects which could come about, and if they’re doing them, I would, of course, jump at the chance to have that relationship rekindled.”
Serkis added, “Middle-earth has never left me.”
While...
“Look, [producers] Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens are sort of a second family that I have become part of and have gone on to make so many films with,” Serkis told BroBible’s Post-Credit Podcast. “And — let me tell you — they are the best and most incredible people to work with. I think that there are so many other potential Middle-earth projects which could come about, and if they’re doing them, I would, of course, jump at the chance to have that relationship rekindled.”
Serkis added, “Middle-earth has never left me.”
While...
- 3/10/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Melanie Lynskey often plays complex female roles that defy societal norms, most recently her dark turns in "Yellowjackets" and "The Last of Us." But before Lynskey played a quietly fierce plane survivor or ruthless leader in a zombie apocalypse, she gave a bone-chilling performance in Peter Jackson's "Heavenly Creatures," her screen debut alongside the equally talented Kate Winslet.
Lynskey was chosen from 500 New Zealand schoolgirls for the role of Pauline Parker, a glum outcast who engages in an obsessive friendship with an intelligent English rose named Juliet Hulme. The imaginative teen girls share eventually conspire to kill Pauline's mother with a brick.
"We were looking for an actor who could capture the quiet intensity of Pauline Parker — who was by all accounts, a fiercely passionate introvert," says the "Heavenly Creatures" screenwriter Fran Walsh. "We knew immediately that she was right for the role. Mel was a natural in front of the camera,...
Lynskey was chosen from 500 New Zealand schoolgirls for the role of Pauline Parker, a glum outcast who engages in an obsessive friendship with an intelligent English rose named Juliet Hulme. The imaginative teen girls share eventually conspire to kill Pauline's mother with a brick.
"We were looking for an actor who could capture the quiet intensity of Pauline Parker — who was by all accounts, a fiercely passionate introvert," says the "Heavenly Creatures" screenwriter Fran Walsh. "We knew immediately that she was right for the role. Mel was a natural in front of the camera,...
- 3/5/2023
- by Caroline Madden
- Slash Film
When Amazon debuted its highly anticipated Most Expensive TV Series Ever Made — The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power last fall — the company had to contend with a bothersome rival from Warner Bros. Discovery: the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon. Warners picked a debut date for its prestige TV drama 12 days before Amazon’s $1 billion gamble launched, ensuring nonstop media and fandom comparisons, many of which were less favorable to the family-friendly Rings. For Amazon, the head-to-head rivalry was all the more galling because Warners is a minority licensee stakeholder in Rings, so they’re ostensibly supposed to be on the same side. Team Rings’ public spin concerning the matchup went like this: None of this matters because these shows are totally different.
All of which made the Feb. 23 announcement by Warners almost Westeros-level brutal: Now the studio is going to make The Lord of the Rings content,...
All of which made the Feb. 23 announcement by Warners almost Westeros-level brutal: Now the studio is going to make The Lord of the Rings content,...
- 2/28/2023
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"I think I'm quite ready for another adventure."
When an aged Bilbo Baggins spoke that wistful line at the end of Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," it was meant as a bittersweet and definitively final note to put a capper on one of the most formative blockbuster trilogies to ever grace the silver screen. Not even Jackson or co-writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens could've anticipated that they'd once again be roped back into Middle-earth for an entire trilogy of "The Hobbit" movies, let alone watch from the sidelines as Prime Video swooped in to acquire the television rights for a $500+ million series called "The Rings of Power." But in an IP-fixated blockbuster landscape where we're likely to get a never-ending stream of Marvel movies and "Star Wars" installments until the heat death of the universe, it was probably inevitable that the...
When an aged Bilbo Baggins spoke that wistful line at the end of Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," it was meant as a bittersweet and definitively final note to put a capper on one of the most formative blockbuster trilogies to ever grace the silver screen. Not even Jackson or co-writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens could've anticipated that they'd once again be roped back into Middle-earth for an entire trilogy of "The Hobbit" movies, let alone watch from the sidelines as Prime Video swooped in to acquire the television rights for a $500+ million series called "The Rings of Power." But in an IP-fixated blockbuster landscape where we're likely to get a never-ending stream of Marvel movies and "Star Wars" installments until the heat death of the universe, it was probably inevitable that the...
- 2/24/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Middle Earth is returning to the big screen.
On Thursday, during an earnings call, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced the studio has landed the rights to produce new “Lord of the Rings” films.
Read More: James Corden Reveals The Role He Auditioned For In ‘Lord Of The Rings’
The deal to produce “multiple” new Middle Earth-set films was struck with Swedish gaming company Embracer Group, which owns the rights to the franchise, Variety reported.
Under Embracer’s Freemode division, the deal includes rights to both the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books, with the films being produced under the banner Middle-earth Enterprises.
What those films will look like is still unknown, but while no filmmakers have been attached to the project, “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies director Peter Jackson and his collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are being kept in the loop by the studio.
On Thursday, during an earnings call, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced the studio has landed the rights to produce new “Lord of the Rings” films.
Read More: James Corden Reveals The Role He Auditioned For In ‘Lord Of The Rings’
The deal to produce “multiple” new Middle Earth-set films was struck with Swedish gaming company Embracer Group, which owns the rights to the franchise, Variety reported.
Under Embracer’s Freemode division, the deal includes rights to both the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books, with the films being produced under the banner Middle-earth Enterprises.
What those films will look like is still unknown, but while no filmmakers have been attached to the project, “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies director Peter Jackson and his collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are being kept in the loop by the studio.
- 2/24/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced that new studio leaders Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy have made a deal to make “multiple” films based on the J.R.R. Tolkien books ‘Lord of the Rings’.
The projects will be developed through WB label New Line Cinema. The first ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, helmed by Peter Jackson, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide; Jackson’s follow-up trilogy based on Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit’ matched those grosses, reports Variety.
No filmmakers have been attached to the projects as yet, but in a statement to Variety, Jackson and his main ‘Lord of the Rings’ collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens said Warner Bros. and Embracer “have kept us in the loop every step of the way.”
“We look forward to speaking with them further to hear their vision for the franchise moving forward,” Jackson, Walsh and Boyens said.
Freemode, a division of Embracer Group,...
The projects will be developed through WB label New Line Cinema. The first ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, helmed by Peter Jackson, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide; Jackson’s follow-up trilogy based on Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit’ matched those grosses, reports Variety.
No filmmakers have been attached to the projects as yet, but in a statement to Variety, Jackson and his main ‘Lord of the Rings’ collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens said Warner Bros. and Embracer “have kept us in the loop every step of the way.”
“We look forward to speaking with them further to hear their vision for the franchise moving forward,” Jackson, Walsh and Boyens said.
Freemode, a division of Embracer Group,...
- 2/24/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
All said and done, Peter Jackson's two trilogies based on Jrr Tolkien's work made more than $6 billion worldwide for Warner Bros. So we perhaps should not be very surprised to learn that parent company Warner Bros. Discovery has hatched a deal to make more movies.
To be clear, these new planned films will be separate from The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim, the animated story of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. That one is already headed to screens next year on 12 April.
Given that the news has only just been revealed by Wbd CEO David Zaslav on an investors' call, there are naturally zero details as to where the new films might draw from, but we'd hope the company doesn't look to tread the same old ground. (The Second Age is also likely off limits thanks to Prime Video's mega budget TV series.
To be clear, these new planned films will be separate from The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim, the animated story of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. That one is already headed to screens next year on 12 April.
Given that the news has only just been revealed by Wbd CEO David Zaslav on an investors' call, there are naturally zero details as to where the new films might draw from, but we'd hope the company doesn't look to tread the same old ground. (The Second Age is also likely off limits thanks to Prime Video's mega budget TV series.
- 2/24/2023
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
We may soon be returning to Middle-earth as New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures have signed a multi-year agreement with Embracer Group Ab’s Middle-earth Enterprises with the intention of making new Lord of the Rings movies.
“Following our recent acquisition of Middle-earth Enterprises, we’re thrilled to embark on this new collaborative journey with New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, bringing the incomparable world of J.R.R. Tolkien back to the big screen in new and exciting ways,” Lee Guinchard, CEO of Embracer Group’s operative group Freemode, said. “We understand how cherished these works are, and working together with our partners at New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, we plan to honor the past, look to the future, and adhere to the strongest level of quality and production values.“
Related The Lord of the Rings: Lego unveils massive Rivendell set with over 6000 pieces
Warner Bros. Pictures Group...
“Following our recent acquisition of Middle-earth Enterprises, we’re thrilled to embark on this new collaborative journey with New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, bringing the incomparable world of J.R.R. Tolkien back to the big screen in new and exciting ways,” Lee Guinchard, CEO of Embracer Group’s operative group Freemode, said. “We understand how cherished these works are, and working together with our partners at New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, we plan to honor the past, look to the future, and adhere to the strongest level of quality and production values.“
Related The Lord of the Rings: Lego unveils massive Rivendell set with over 6000 pieces
Warner Bros. Pictures Group...
- 2/23/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: The obvious question in David Zaslav’s reveal today that Warner Bros/New Line intend to to head back into Middle-earth with rights owner Embracer and expand the Lord of the Rings franchise is this: What do the Kiwi creatives who architected the Oscar-winning, billion-dollar-grossing franchise feel about the whole thing?
Well, the news is encouraging. Director Peter Jackson and his writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens have just weighed in. Nothing definitive but encouraging from the trio, who did not take part in the Amazon Studios series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Related Story More ‘Lord Of The Rings’ Movies In Works As Warner Bros & New Line Strike Rights Deal Related Story David Zaslav Praises CNN Adding More GOP Voices; "Balance Strategy" Is "Important," Warner Bros Discovery Boss Says Related Story 'Shazam! Fury Of The Gods' Eyeing $35M Box Office Opening, But It's...
Well, the news is encouraging. Director Peter Jackson and his writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens have just weighed in. Nothing definitive but encouraging from the trio, who did not take part in the Amazon Studios series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Related Story More ‘Lord Of The Rings’ Movies In Works As Warner Bros & New Line Strike Rights Deal Related Story David Zaslav Praises CNN Adding More GOP Voices; "Balance Strategy" Is "Important," Warner Bros Discovery Boss Says Related Story 'Shazam! Fury Of The Gods' Eyeing $35M Box Office Opening, But It's...
- 2/23/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Pictures is revamping the “Lord of the Rings” film franchise.
On a Thursday earnings call, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced that newly-installed studio leaders Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy have brokered a deal to make “multiple” films based on the beloved J. R. R. Tolkien books. The projects will be developed through WB label New Line Cinema. The first “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, helmed by Peter Jackson, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide; Jackson’s follow-up trilogy based on Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” matched those grosses.
No filmmakers have been attached to the projects as yet, but in a statement to Variety, Jackson and his main “Lord of the Rings” collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens said Warner Bros. and Embracer “have kept us in the loop every step of the way.”
“We look forward to speaking with them further to hear their vision for the franchise moving forward,...
On a Thursday earnings call, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced that newly-installed studio leaders Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy have brokered a deal to make “multiple” films based on the beloved J. R. R. Tolkien books. The projects will be developed through WB label New Line Cinema. The first “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, helmed by Peter Jackson, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide; Jackson’s follow-up trilogy based on Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” matched those grosses.
No filmmakers have been attached to the projects as yet, but in a statement to Variety, Jackson and his main “Lord of the Rings” collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens said Warner Bros. and Embracer “have kept us in the loop every step of the way.”
“We look forward to speaking with them further to hear their vision for the franchise moving forward,...
- 2/23/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros. and New Line are going back to Middle-earth, with the studio making a deal that will allow it to develop more Lord of the Rings movies.
The multiyear pact with rights holders Embracer Group Ab allows Warners to develop features based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings books and The Hobbit. Embracer Group, the Swedish gaming company, acquired the rights to produce Lotr films, games, merchandise, theme park attractions and live productions when it purchased rights holder Middle-earth Enterprises last year from The Saul Zaentz Company.
The move, announced during Warner Bros. Discovery’s investor call Thursday, comes as CEO David Zaslav seeks to assure Wall Street that Warners is very much in the franchise game, here harking back to the 2000s glory days when the studio was minting money with Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. In November,...
The multiyear pact with rights holders Embracer Group Ab allows Warners to develop features based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings books and The Hobbit. Embracer Group, the Swedish gaming company, acquired the rights to produce Lotr films, games, merchandise, theme park attractions and live productions when it purchased rights holder Middle-earth Enterprises last year from The Saul Zaentz Company.
The move, announced during Warner Bros. Discovery’s investor call Thursday, comes as CEO David Zaslav seeks to assure Wall Street that Warners is very much in the franchise game, here harking back to the 2000s glory days when the studio was minting money with Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. In November,...
- 2/23/2023
- by Aaron Couch and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Love is in the air this week, and we’re celebrating romance in horror ahead of Valentine’s Day. For horror fans, nothing says romance quite like Peter Jackson’s Dead Alive (aka Braindead outside the U.S.), a twisted love story between meek mama’s boy Lionel Cosgrove (Timothy Balme) and hungry-for-love shopgirl Paquita Maria Sánchez (Diana Peñalver). The film also happens to have just turned 30, released in the U.S. on February 12, 1993.
In celebration of the splatstick horror rom-com’s 30th anniversary, here are 30 reasons we’re still so in love with Peter Jackson’s Dead Alive/Braindead.
30. The ‘50s Setting
Peter Jackson and co-writers Stephen Sinclair and Frances Walsh ensure you’ve never seen the ’50s depicted like this. The story takes place almost entirely in the quaint city of Wellington in 1957. Pastel houses and trolley cars moving down the main street belie the absolute carnage ensuing.
In celebration of the splatstick horror rom-com’s 30th anniversary, here are 30 reasons we’re still so in love with Peter Jackson’s Dead Alive/Braindead.
30. The ‘50s Setting
Peter Jackson and co-writers Stephen Sinclair and Frances Walsh ensure you’ve never seen the ’50s depicted like this. The story takes place almost entirely in the quaint city of Wellington in 1957. Pastel houses and trolley cars moving down the main street belie the absolute carnage ensuing.
- 2/13/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
It’s been a rocky road for “Women Talking,” having underperformed or been overlooked completely at various precursors, but it managed to earn two Oscar nominations: Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for Sarah Polley. The latter category has long been predicted to be the one that the drama could win and it is currently out in front with 16/5 odds. If Polley does pull through, she’ll join a short list of not just female winners in the category but an even shorter list of female writers who’ve won individually.
As is the case with most non-gendered categories, female champs are rather infrequent in Best Adapted Screenplay. In the 94-year history of the Oscars, the award has gone to women just eight times — and twice to the same person, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, who prevailed for 1986’s “A Room with a View” and 1992’s “Howards End.” Jhabvala is one of...
As is the case with most non-gendered categories, female champs are rather infrequent in Best Adapted Screenplay. In the 94-year history of the Oscars, the award has gone to women just eight times — and twice to the same person, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, who prevailed for 1986’s “A Room with a View” and 1992’s “Howards End.” Jhabvala is one of...
- 1/30/2023
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
In the wake of the breathtaking Avatar: The Way of Water soaring past the 2 billion global gross mark, the James Cameron-directed epic scored a best picture nomination, along with noms for production design, sound and visual effects. The snub of Cameron’s monumental achievement in the best director category continues the franchise’s complex relationship with Oscar.
Related Story Oscar Nominations: The Complete List Of Nominees Related Story 'Top Gun: Maverick' Lands Best Picture Nom & Five Others; No Tom Cruise Acting Nom But A Nod For Bringing Moviegoing Back From Pandemic Related Story 'Avatar: The Way Of Water' Swims Past 2B Worldwide; Chinese New Year Kicks Off & 'Puss 2' Nears 300M Global – International Box Office
Cameron surely breathed a sigh of relief when the film performed as robustly as he hoped it would, clearing the way for three or four sequels as Avatar is set...
Related Story Oscar Nominations: The Complete List Of Nominees Related Story 'Top Gun: Maverick' Lands Best Picture Nom & Five Others; No Tom Cruise Acting Nom But A Nod For Bringing Moviegoing Back From Pandemic Related Story 'Avatar: The Way Of Water' Swims Past 2B Worldwide; Chinese New Year Kicks Off & 'Puss 2' Nears 300M Global – International Box Office
Cameron surely breathed a sigh of relief when the film performed as robustly as he hoped it would, clearing the way for three or four sequels as Avatar is set...
- 1/24/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
This article contains The Lord of the Rings spoilers.
When The Two Towers was released in December 2002, it was fairly common knowledge among J.R.R. Tolkien fans that screenwriters Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens had initially planned on putting the character of Arwen at the Battle of Helm’s Deep. It would’ve been a major change to the books. And more than just consider the concept, Jackson even filmed scenes with actor Liv Tyler there in complete armored regalia. And even now, several eagle-eyed YouTubers have spotted moments in the final cuts of the film where Tyler can just about be seen on screen from a distance.
However, the filmmakers changed their minds, and Arwen was removed from the sequence while action scenes were reshot. In fact, Arwen’s entire character arc in the film was altered, a decision that was greeted very positively by a large number...
When The Two Towers was released in December 2002, it was fairly common knowledge among J.R.R. Tolkien fans that screenwriters Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens had initially planned on putting the character of Arwen at the Battle of Helm’s Deep. It would’ve been a major change to the books. And more than just consider the concept, Jackson even filmed scenes with actor Liv Tyler there in complete armored regalia. And even now, several eagle-eyed YouTubers have spotted moments in the final cuts of the film where Tyler can just about be seen on screen from a distance.
However, the filmmakers changed their minds, and Arwen was removed from the sequence while action scenes were reshot. In fact, Arwen’s entire character arc in the film was altered, a decision that was greeted very positively by a large number...
- 12/16/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Epic fantasy has been a popular genre in the movies for nearly a century. Classics like "The Wizard of Oz," "Jason and the Argonauts," and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" attracted hordes of moviegoers; they also won awards and drew rave reviews from critics. But not every fantasy film gets two thumbs up. For every "The Lord of the Rings," there's a "Hobbit"; for every "Labyrinth," an "Eragon."
And yet, some of these films might make you sit up and cheer anyway. It's not just the swords and sorcery that make them fun; it's the diverse and complex characters, the bizarre and creative creatures, and the wild and innovative settings. Many fantasy films were lambasted by reviewers when they were released, but if you sit down to watch them today, you'll have a fantastic time.
Don't believe me? These 14 epic fantasy movies were panned by professional commentators, but they're still a blast to watch.
And yet, some of these films might make you sit up and cheer anyway. It's not just the swords and sorcery that make them fun; it's the diverse and complex characters, the bizarre and creative creatures, and the wild and innovative settings. Many fantasy films were lambasted by reviewers when they were released, but if you sit down to watch them today, you'll have a fantastic time.
Don't believe me? These 14 epic fantasy movies were panned by professional commentators, but they're still a blast to watch.
- 12/14/2022
- by Brendan Knapp
- Slash Film
This December, one of director Guillermo del Toro’s long-held passion projects, a stop-motion animated version of Pinocchio, will premiere on Netflix after a limited run in theaters. Del Toro has long wanted to adapt the original 1881 novel, previously saying, “No single character in history has had as deep of a personal connection to me as Pinocchio.”
We’re glad that the esteemed Mr. del Toro—not just one of our finest modern filmmakers, but one of our most influential proponents of all things fantastical—has finally gotten to make Pinocchio just the way he wanted. But the truth is that it’s just one of many, many projects that del Toro has developed or been attached to over the years that nevertheless eluded him. This one just has a happier ending than many of the other projects.
That’s of course the life of any filmmaker. The idea is...
We’re glad that the esteemed Mr. del Toro—not just one of our finest modern filmmakers, but one of our most influential proponents of all things fantastical—has finally gotten to make Pinocchio just the way he wanted. But the truth is that it’s just one of many, many projects that del Toro has developed or been attached to over the years that nevertheless eluded him. This one just has a happier ending than many of the other projects.
That’s of course the life of any filmmaker. The idea is...
- 11/3/2022
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
If “Women Talking” take home the Best Picture statuette at next year’s 95th Oscars, Frances McDormand would become only the second woman to win at least two Academy Awards trophies in the category. We say ”at least” because should the movie win the top prize, it would mean that fellow “Women Talking” producer Dede Gardner had earned her third.
In fact, Gardner has a pair of chances this year to add more Best Pic gold to her bio: “Women Talking” and “She Said.” Her previous triumphs in the category came in 2014 for “12 Years a Slave” and in 2017 for “Moonlight.”
See‘Women Talking’ women talk about taking down the patriarchy [Watch]
McDormand’s previous Best Picture producer victory came in 2021 for “Nomadland,” for which she also earned her third Best Actress award. Her other Oscar performing wins – also for Best Actress – came in 1997 for “Fargo” and in 2018 for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing,...
In fact, Gardner has a pair of chances this year to add more Best Pic gold to her bio: “Women Talking” and “She Said.” Her previous triumphs in the category came in 2014 for “12 Years a Slave” and in 2017 for “Moonlight.”
See‘Women Talking’ women talk about taking down the patriarchy [Watch]
McDormand’s previous Best Picture producer victory came in 2021 for “Nomadland,” for which she also earned her third Best Actress award. Her other Oscar performing wins – also for Best Actress – came in 1997 for “Fargo” and in 2018 for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing,...
- 10/24/2022
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
[Editor’s Note: The following article contains spoilers for “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” Season 1 finale, “Alloyed.”]
There were a few cards that “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” hadn’t really played yet. It’s a show that has largely stayed strong on its own merits, even when tossing in some nods to the entry point that a majority of viewers are most familiar with.
On some level, the identities of Sauron and Stranger were going to consume everything else in this season finale like a supernova. That’s partly due to the slow-plays and misdirects that have been built into the season to this point, and it’s also a symptom of how genre TV gets absorbed now. Regardless of the reason, “Rings of Power” was a little less coy at the close of Season 1.
As anyone looking to dissect the finale has no doubt seen by now, “Alloyed” ripped...
There were a few cards that “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” hadn’t really played yet. It’s a show that has largely stayed strong on its own merits, even when tossing in some nods to the entry point that a majority of viewers are most familiar with.
On some level, the identities of Sauron and Stranger were going to consume everything else in this season finale like a supernova. That’s partly due to the slow-plays and misdirects that have been built into the season to this point, and it’s also a symptom of how genre TV gets absorbed now. Regardless of the reason, “Rings of Power” was a little less coy at the close of Season 1.
As anyone looking to dissect the finale has no doubt seen by now, “Alloyed” ripped...
- 10/14/2022
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
With The Rings of Power doing great numbers on Amazon, The Lord of the Rings is experiencing a resurgence. The mixed reaction to The Hobbit trilogy has largely faded and fans are ready to return to Middle-earth. While the first and best source for the enthusiasm garnered by the new series must be J.R.R. Tolkien‘s original books, there’s no denying that The Rings of Power would not enjoy its current level of prestige were it not for The Lord of the Rings trilogy from director Peter Jackson. The movies took a beloved but notoriously unfilmable series of books, filled with strange fantasy races, lost languages, epic battles, and an omnipotent singing hippie, and made them into crowd-pleasing adventures for audiences of all ages.
But it almost fell apart, right at a crucial moment. The studio initially showed remarkable confidence in Jackson’s talents, greenlighting three huge movies to be shot consecutively.
But it almost fell apart, right at a crucial moment. The studio initially showed remarkable confidence in Jackson’s talents, greenlighting three huge movies to be shot consecutively.
- 10/13/2022
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Sian Heder‘s Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar win for “Coda” earlier this year marked the first time in 17 years that the award went to woman. But we may not have to wait that long for the next one. Sarah Polley currently leads the Best Adapted Screenplay odds for her adaptation of Miriam Toews‘ 2018 novel “Women Talking.” If she prevails, it’ll be the ninth time a woman has won and the first time the category has seen back-to-back female winners.
Even though the first woman to win adapted screenplay was Sarah Y. Mason for co-writing 1933’s “Little Women” with her husband Victor Heerman, it will not shock you to learn that, like most non-gendered categories, female winners are few and far in between here. There have been just eight instances total, with Ruth Prawer Jhabvala accounting for two of them. Jhabvala is also one of three women who’ve won as individuals,...
Even though the first woman to win adapted screenplay was Sarah Y. Mason for co-writing 1933’s “Little Women” with her husband Victor Heerman, it will not shock you to learn that, like most non-gendered categories, female winners are few and far in between here. There have been just eight instances total, with Ruth Prawer Jhabvala accounting for two of them. Jhabvala is also one of three women who’ve won as individuals,...
- 9/21/2022
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)
The Movie: "King Kong" (2005)
Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max
The Pitch: Peter Jackson's "King Kong" doesn't get the respect it deserves and I think it's high time to re-evaluate his epic love letter to the movie that made him want to be a filmmaker in the first place. Is it a little indulgent? Yes. Is it overlong? Maybe. But it's also a fascinating moment where one of our most visionary directors was coming off a landmark trilogy that forever changed the way movies were made with all the clout, creative freedom, and budget that comes with a success as big as "The Lord of the Rings." A lot of the unique chemistry that made "Lord of the Ring...
The Movie: "King Kong" (2005)
Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max
The Pitch: Peter Jackson's "King Kong" doesn't get the respect it deserves and I think it's high time to re-evaluate his epic love letter to the movie that made him want to be a filmmaker in the first place. Is it a little indulgent? Yes. Is it overlong? Maybe. But it's also a fascinating moment where one of our most visionary directors was coming off a landmark trilogy that forever changed the way movies were made with all the clout, creative freedom, and budget that comes with a success as big as "The Lord of the Rings." A lot of the unique chemistry that made "Lord of the Ring...
- 8/31/2022
- by Eric Vespe
- Slash Film
“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” is only days away, and the Amazon Prime Video series has earned mostly rave reviews with a few mixed reactions (and one flat-out pan) as critics returned to Middle-earth.
As Variety chief TV critic Caroline Framke wrote in her review: “It’s safe to say that Amazon throwing the weight of its coffers at this property has resulted in a perfectly winning adaptation that unfolds swashbuckling adventures with clear reverence and affection for the considerable mythos behind it.”
Set during the Second Age of Middle-earth (thousands of years before the events of “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” and “The Hobbit”), the prequel series reintroduces characters from Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy, including a young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo). The Second Age consists of the rise and fall of Númenor,...
As Variety chief TV critic Caroline Framke wrote in her review: “It’s safe to say that Amazon throwing the weight of its coffers at this property has resulted in a perfectly winning adaptation that unfolds swashbuckling adventures with clear reverence and affection for the considerable mythos behind it.”
Set during the Second Age of Middle-earth (thousands of years before the events of “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” and “The Hobbit”), the prequel series reintroduces characters from Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy, including a young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo). The Second Age consists of the rise and fall of Númenor,...
- 8/31/2022
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Several years (and several hundreds of millions of dollars) after Amazon bought the TV rights to “The Lord of the Rings” from the J.R.R. Tolkien estate, the mammoth effort to boost Prime Video’s profile with the same kind of phenomenon HBO found in “Game of Thrones” is upon us — and it’s just as grand, if not as downright surreal, as the occasion calls for. Sure, “Game of Thrones” might have solidified a television format for fantasy epics. But George R.R. Martin’s novels simply wouldn’t exist without Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” and bringing these stories to episodic life requires not just all the considerable money Amazon can provide, but a certain amount of guts from the TV writers taking it on now, some 85 years after “The Hobbit” changed the game.
From first-time showrunners Patrick McKay and John D. Payne, “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” — premiering Sept.
From first-time showrunners Patrick McKay and John D. Payne, “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” — premiering Sept.
- 8/31/2022
- by Caroline Framke
- Variety Film + TV
Two decades after its release, "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy remains a monumental achievement. Like "Star Wars," or "Jurassic Park" before it, Peter Jackson's trilogy adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary book was a blend of old-school cinematic techniques and new technological wizardry. The films used on-camera tricks like forced perspective and miniatures, but also state-of-the-art VFX and motion-capture technology in order to bring Middle-earth to life.
This is especially true of the fight scenes in the trilogy, which share a sense of scope with the epic movies of old like "Ben-Hur" or "Cleopatra" while still feeling modern.
While we wait for Prime Video to bring us the most expensive TV show ever with "The Rings of Power," it's time to revisit the #1 trilly and the golden standard for fantasy movie trilogies and what makes it great. There is one scene in particular which, even 20 years later,...
This is especially true of the fight scenes in the trilogy, which share a sense of scope with the epic movies of old like "Ben-Hur" or "Cleopatra" while still feeling modern.
While we wait for Prime Video to bring us the most expensive TV show ever with "The Rings of Power," it's time to revisit the #1 trilly and the golden standard for fantasy movie trilogies and what makes it great. There is one scene in particular which, even 20 years later,...
- 8/23/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
The new Amazon series Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power airs its first episode on September 2, but we apparently won’t be seeing a Peter Jackson cameo in the show even though its creators had a chance to make it happen.
Jackson told The Hollywood Reporter this surprising fact recently on the Awards Chatter podcast. He said the show’s writer/producer Fran Walsh contacted him asking if he wanted to be “involved,” which meant the door could’ve been open for performing a cameo, simply providing writing advice, or even joining the creative team in some capacity.
The director of The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit trilogies apparently responded with “that’s an impossible question to answer without seeing a script,” and said Walsh promised he would see the first couple of scripts once they were finished.
Jackson said that was the last he heard from them,...
Jackson told The Hollywood Reporter this surprising fact recently on the Awards Chatter podcast. He said the show’s writer/producer Fran Walsh contacted him asking if he wanted to be “involved,” which meant the door could’ve been open for performing a cameo, simply providing writing advice, or even joining the creative team in some capacity.
The director of The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit trilogies apparently responded with “that’s an impossible question to answer without seeing a script,” and said Walsh promised he would see the first couple of scripts once they were finished.
Jackson said that was the last he heard from them,...
- 8/12/2022
- by Jacob Linden
- Uinterview
Peter Jackson is not heading back to Middle-earth. As the mastermind behind the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, it stands to reason that the director would be involved in the latest J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation, the Prime Video series The Rings of Power. It turns out the Oscar winner was approached to participate in the new series but was ghosted before making a decision. "They asked me if I wanted to be involved—[writer-producer Fran Walsh] and I — and I said, 'That's an impossible question to answer without seeing a script,'" Jackson told The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast Aug. 8. "So they said, 'As soon as we get the first couple scripts, we'll send...
- 8/8/2022
- E! Online
Peter Jackson wanted to cast a spell of sorts to forget his years-long involvement in bringing J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” novels to the big screen.
Jackson “seriously considered” undergoing hypnosis to watch his Academy Award-winning trilogy films like a regular fan without being immersed in the viewing experience as a director.
“When we did ‘The Lord of the Rings’ movies I always felt I was the unlucky person who never got to see [them] as a coming-out-of-the-blue film,” the director explained during The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast. “By the time there were screening I was immersed in it for five or six years. It was such a loss for me not [to] be able to see them like everyone else.”
He continued, “I actually did seriously consider going to some hypnotherapy guy to hypnotize me to make me forget about the films and the work I...
Jackson “seriously considered” undergoing hypnosis to watch his Academy Award-winning trilogy films like a regular fan without being immersed in the viewing experience as a director.
“When we did ‘The Lord of the Rings’ movies I always felt I was the unlucky person who never got to see [them] as a coming-out-of-the-blue film,” the director explained during The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast. “By the time there were screening I was immersed in it for five or six years. It was such a loss for me not [to] be able to see them like everyone else.”
He continued, “I actually did seriously consider going to some hypnotherapy guy to hypnotize me to make me forget about the films and the work I...
- 8/8/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
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