The Martian
Written by Drew Goddard (adapted from the novel by Andy Weir)
Directed by Ridley Scott
USA, 2015
Though it boasts the spectacle we’ve come to expect from sci-fi blockbusters, The Martian is a glorious celebration of scientific endeavor and problem solving. Director Ridley Scott shows amazing restraint as he scales back the pyrotechnics and emphasizes human ingenuity. The result is a crowd-pleasing adventure that entertains, engages, and inspires. Smart, accessible sci-fi at its best.
You don’t need a doctorate in astrophysics to understand the premise of The Martian. We open with the frantic evacuation of the first Martian outpost, as six resident astronauts scramble to escape a massive storm. Amidst the swirling red chaos, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is clipped by debris and blown beyond the reach of his crewmates. When a desperate search yields no trace of Watney, the team leader, Commander Lewis (Jessica Chastain...
Written by Drew Goddard (adapted from the novel by Andy Weir)
Directed by Ridley Scott
USA, 2015
Though it boasts the spectacle we’ve come to expect from sci-fi blockbusters, The Martian is a glorious celebration of scientific endeavor and problem solving. Director Ridley Scott shows amazing restraint as he scales back the pyrotechnics and emphasizes human ingenuity. The result is a crowd-pleasing adventure that entertains, engages, and inspires. Smart, accessible sci-fi at its best.
You don’t need a doctorate in astrophysics to understand the premise of The Martian. We open with the frantic evacuation of the first Martian outpost, as six resident astronauts scramble to escape a massive storm. Amidst the swirling red chaos, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is clipped by debris and blown beyond the reach of his crewmates. When a desperate search yields no trace of Watney, the team leader, Commander Lewis (Jessica Chastain...
- 10/1/2015
- by J.R. Kinnard
- SoundOnSight
Is nuclear power the solution to global warming? "Pandora's Promise," a documentary from Robert Stone ("Radio Bikini," "Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst") that airs on CNN tonight, November 7th at 9pm after a premiere at Sundance and a theatrical release in June, attempts to make the counterintuitive case that as an energy source, the glow of radioactivity is actually the green choice. Stone, who chronicled the start of the environmental movement in his 2009 film "Earth Days," enlists a group of pro-nuclear experts that includes Stewart Brand, Gwyneth Cravens and Mark Lynas, some of whom came around to the idea of nuclear power after initially being against it. "Pandora's Promise" really presents half an issue, which is not uncommon for docs produced to make a particular argument, but is always more evident when you're not already on board with the argument being made. In this instance, it's that nuclear power...
- 11/7/2013
- by Alison Willmore
- Indiewire
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed its 276-member-strong class of 2013.
The list, published by The Hollywood Reporter, includes actors, cinematographers, designers, directors, documentarians, executives, film editors, makeup artists and hairstylists, "members-at-large," musicians, producers, PR folks, short filmmakers and animators, sound technicians, visual effects artists, and writers.
Jason Bateman, Rosario Dawson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Milla Jovovich, Lucy Liu, Jennifer Lopez, Emily Mortimer, Sandra Oh, Jason Schwartzman, and Michael Peña are among the roster of actors, while "The Heat" and "Bridesmaids" helmer Paul Feig made the directors' cut.
"We did not change our criteria at all," says Academy president Hawk Koch of this year's larger-than-usual class. "Yes, this year there is a tremendous amount of women, a tremendous amount of people of color, people from all walks of life. This year, we asked the branches to look at everybody who wasn't in the Academy but who deserved to be.
The list, published by The Hollywood Reporter, includes actors, cinematographers, designers, directors, documentarians, executives, film editors, makeup artists and hairstylists, "members-at-large," musicians, producers, PR folks, short filmmakers and animators, sound technicians, visual effects artists, and writers.
Jason Bateman, Rosario Dawson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Milla Jovovich, Lucy Liu, Jennifer Lopez, Emily Mortimer, Sandra Oh, Jason Schwartzman, and Michael Peña are among the roster of actors, while "The Heat" and "Bridesmaids" helmer Paul Feig made the directors' cut.
"We did not change our criteria at all," says Academy president Hawk Koch of this year's larger-than-usual class. "Yes, this year there is a tremendous amount of women, a tremendous amount of people of color, people from all walks of life. This year, we asked the branches to look at everybody who wasn't in the Academy but who deserved to be.
- 7/4/2013
- by Laura Larson
- Moviefone
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today the 276 members of the entertainment industry invited to join organization. The list includes actors, directors, documentarians, executives, film editors, producers and more. Of those listed below, those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy's membership in 2013. "These individuals are among the best filmmakers working in the industry today," said Academy President Hawk Koch in a press release. "Their talent and creativity have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, and I am proud to welcome each of them to the Academy." Koch also told Variety, "In the past eight or nine years, each branch could only bring in X amount of members. There were people each branch would have liked to get in but couldn't. We asked them to be more inclusive of the best of the best, and each branch was excited, because they got...
- 6/28/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The Academy just added 276 Oscar voters.
That’s 100 more than last year, and part of an easing of a longstanding cap on the number of new members allowed to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences each year.
AMPAS usually adds between 130 and 180 new members, replacing those who have quit or passed away. The membership now stands around 6,000.
Jason Bateman, Jennifer Lopez, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emmanuelle Riva, and Chris Tucker are among the actors who have been invited to join, the organization announced today.
Other interesting additions: the musician Prince, Girls and Tiny Furniture writer/director/actress Lena Dunham,...
That’s 100 more than last year, and part of an easing of a longstanding cap on the number of new members allowed to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences each year.
AMPAS usually adds between 130 and 180 new members, replacing those who have quit or passed away. The membership now stands around 6,000.
Jason Bateman, Jennifer Lopez, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emmanuelle Riva, and Chris Tucker are among the actors who have been invited to join, the organization announced today.
Other interesting additions: the musician Prince, Girls and Tiny Furniture writer/director/actress Lena Dunham,...
- 6/28/2013
- by Anthony Breznican
- EW - Inside Movies
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 276 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy’s membership in 2013.
“These individuals are among the best filmmakers working in the industry today,” said Academy President Hawk Koch. “Their talent and creativity have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, and I am proud to welcome each of them to the Academy.”
The 2013 invitees are:
Actors
Jason Bateman – “Up in the Air,” “Juno”
Miriam Colon – “City of Hope,” “Scarface”
Rosario Dawson – “Rent,” “Frank Miller’s Sin City”
Kimberly Elise – “For Colored Girls,” “Beloved”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt – “Lincoln,” “The Dark Knight Rises”
Charles Grodin – “Midnight Run,” “The Heartbreak Kid”
Rebecca Hall – “Iron Man 3,” “The Town”
Lance Henriksen – “Aliens,” “The Terminator”
Jack Huston – “Not Fade Away,” “Factory Girl”
Milla Jovovich – “Resident Evil,...
“These individuals are among the best filmmakers working in the industry today,” said Academy President Hawk Koch. “Their talent and creativity have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, and I am proud to welcome each of them to the Academy.”
The 2013 invitees are:
Actors
Jason Bateman – “Up in the Air,” “Juno”
Miriam Colon – “City of Hope,” “Scarface”
Rosario Dawson – “Rent,” “Frank Miller’s Sin City”
Kimberly Elise – “For Colored Girls,” “Beloved”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt – “Lincoln,” “The Dark Knight Rises”
Charles Grodin – “Midnight Run,” “The Heartbreak Kid”
Rebecca Hall – “Iron Man 3,” “The Town”
Lance Henriksen – “Aliens,” “The Terminator”
Jack Huston – “Not Fade Away,” “Factory Girl”
Milla Jovovich – “Resident Evil,...
- 6/28/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Did you know that British people are funny? Sometimes on purpose? And often in a rather dry, subtle, non-butt-related manner referred to as "wit"?
Ever heard of Shakespeare? Well he's dead. But there are still, like, 300 funny British people, and a lot of them are funny on British TV every week, or whatever they call a unit of seven Earth days over there. (A "welly"? I think it's called a "welly." Have a good welly-end, as they say! Put it in the boot! Lorries, innit? Haha! Crazy Brits.)
Our silly American cable networks don't want us to know it, but it's true. Thankfully, that's where the Internet comes in. And this week, while American TV hibernates and strengthens up (like a bear!) for the spring, some funny stuff was happening over in jolly ol' England. Let's watch some of it!
Ever heard of Shakespeare? Well he's dead. But there are still, like, 300 funny British people, and a lot of them are funny on British TV every week, or whatever they call a unit of seven Earth days over there. (A "welly"? I think it's called a "welly." Have a good welly-end, as they say! Put it in the boot! Lorries, innit? Haha! Crazy Brits.)
Our silly American cable networks don't want us to know it, but it's true. Thankfully, that's where the Internet comes in. And this week, while American TV hibernates and strengthens up (like a bear!) for the spring, some funny stuff was happening over in jolly ol' England. Let's watch some of it!
- 12/29/2010
- by editor@buddytv.com
- buddytv.com
Astronomers have found the biggest cluster of exoplanets ever, the first in 15 years. The star at the center of the discovery is Sun-like, and there may even be an Earth-y planet still hiding in the data.
Over a six year period of observations at the European Southern Observatory astronomers watched the star HD 10180, 127 light years off in the Hydrus constellation, using the world's most powerful spectrograph (an instrument which measures light over a specific wavelength). The sky watchers used the same method as used to discover many of the other exoplanets we now know about--by looking for "wobbles" in the light coming from the star, and then modeling these perturbations to work out what planets are in orbit. By clever maths, you can calculate the mass of the planets in question.
Accordingly the new discovery is of five giant planets, around the same mass as our gas giant Neptune, and...
Over a six year period of observations at the European Southern Observatory astronomers watched the star HD 10180, 127 light years off in the Hydrus constellation, using the world's most powerful spectrograph (an instrument which measures light over a specific wavelength). The sky watchers used the same method as used to discover many of the other exoplanets we now know about--by looking for "wobbles" in the light coming from the star, and then modeling these perturbations to work out what planets are in orbit. By clever maths, you can calculate the mass of the planets in question.
Accordingly the new discovery is of five giant planets, around the same mass as our gas giant Neptune, and...
- 8/24/2010
- by Kit Eaton
- Fast Company
As of writing, I'm engaged in a battle of wills with a wee anole lizard who has made his way all the way up the wall above my window. I've got both curtains pulled back so the window looks alluringly like an exit and a plastic bowl and magazine behind me so I can flip him into the bowl and out the window. I can see him wanting to move to get to the window, and he can see me sitting here watching him and neither of us are going to back down easily. I've previously evicted several lizards and a tree frog from the house because I've got a skill with it (or immunity to a violent case of the heebies) that both my roommates lack. Such is the price for living in a subtropical climate. If I were to get my own house down here I think I'd...
- 4/19/2010
- by Intern Rusty
Tonight, in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day (which is actually this Thursday, April 22), PBS is presenting a documentary that I promise you, if you see it, will alter much of what you think you know about the modern environmental movement. It's called Earth Days (it will be shown Monday, April 19, from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. on American Experience), and as directed by Robert Stone, it's a rapturous, provocative, fascinatingly researched, and altogether stirring piece of deep-dish cultural reportage that's organized around an eye-opening perception. Namely, that if you think of environmentalism as a liberal-left movement -- and let's be honest,...
- 4/18/2010
- by Owen Gleiberman
- EW.com - The Movie Critics
Writer Mark Boal was given the best original screenplay award at the 2010 Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards for his screenplay for the film "The Hurt Locker" beating out other nominees "(500) Days of Summer," "Avatar," "The Hangover," and "A Serious Man."
"Up in the Air" writers Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner won the best adapted screenplay award beating out "Crazy Heart," "Julie & Julia," "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," and "Star Trek."
Winning the best documentary screenplay was Mark Monroe for "The Cove." Other documentary nominees were "Against the Tide," "Capitalism: A Love Story," "Earth Days," "Good Hair," and "Soundtrack for a Revolution."
Here's the complete list of WGA Awards winners (for the nominees and my accurate predictions, ahem, click here):
2010 WGA Awards Winners
Screen Winners
Original Screenplay
The Hurt Locker, Written by Mark Boal; Summit Entertainment
Adapted Screenplay
Up in the Air, Screenplay by Jason Reitman...
"Up in the Air" writers Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner won the best adapted screenplay award beating out "Crazy Heart," "Julie & Julia," "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," and "Star Trek."
Winning the best documentary screenplay was Mark Monroe for "The Cove." Other documentary nominees were "Against the Tide," "Capitalism: A Love Story," "Earth Days," "Good Hair," and "Soundtrack for a Revolution."
Here's the complete list of WGA Awards winners (for the nominees and my accurate predictions, ahem, click here):
2010 WGA Awards Winners
Screen Winners
Original Screenplay
The Hurt Locker, Written by Mark Boal; Summit Entertainment
Adapted Screenplay
Up in the Air, Screenplay by Jason Reitman...
- 2/22/2010
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Tonight the Writers Guild held the 2010 Writers Guild Awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City. The winners were no real surprise as Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner took home the award for adapted screenplay and Mark Boal won for his Hurt Locker screenplay in the original screenplay category. The Cove won for documentary screenplay.
Of course, this gives both of these scripts a bump in consideration at the Oscars, but it should be remembered several films were not eligible for a WGA nomination based on Guild rules.
Of the films nominated for an Oscar that were not eligible for a WGA Award include An Education, District 9 and In the Loop in the adapted category. In the original screenplay category both Inglourious Basterds and Up were not eligible. These films, according to Steve Pond at The Wrap,...
Of course, this gives both of these scripts a bump in consideration at the Oscars, but it should be remembered several films were not eligible for a WGA nomination based on Guild rules.
Of the films nominated for an Oscar that were not eligible for a WGA Award include An Education, District 9 and In the Loop in the adapted category. In the original screenplay category both Inglourious Basterds and Up were not eligible. These films, according to Steve Pond at The Wrap,...
- 2/21/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Mark Boal was handed the Writers Guild of America award for best original screenplay Saturday night for his explosive drama script, "The Hurt Locker." The journalist-turned-movie-scribe spun his harrowing time embedded with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team in Baghdad in 2004 into a taut action thriller directed by DGA award winner Kathryn Bigelow.
Adding to their cache of frequent-awards miles, "Up in the Air" writers Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner flew off with the WGA's adapted screenplay honor. The pair has already taken home the Golden Globe for best screenplay and several critics' honors. Reitman was nommed by the WGA once before, in 2007, for his adaptation of Christopher Buckley's novel "Thank You for Smoking."
Mark Monroe was awarded the documentary screenplay award for "The Cove." The nonfiction writing nominees included Michael Moore for "Capitalism: A Love Story"; Robert Stone for "Earth Days"; Chris Rock, Jeff Stilson, Lance Crouther and Chuck Sklar...
Adding to their cache of frequent-awards miles, "Up in the Air" writers Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner flew off with the WGA's adapted screenplay honor. The pair has already taken home the Golden Globe for best screenplay and several critics' honors. Reitman was nommed by the WGA once before, in 2007, for his adaptation of Christopher Buckley's novel "Thank You for Smoking."
Mark Monroe was awarded the documentary screenplay award for "The Cove." The nonfiction writing nominees included Michael Moore for "Capitalism: A Love Story"; Robert Stone for "Earth Days"; Chris Rock, Jeff Stilson, Lance Crouther and Chuck Sklar...
- 2/20/2010
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
By Steve Pond
The International Film Music Critics Association has spoken, and the nominees are …
Everybody.
But mostly Michael Giacchino.
With 11 different categories for new films, plus categories for television, videogames, re-recordings and reissues, the organization saluted almost 50 different composers when it released its annual nominations on Friday. But Giacchino led all composers with a record nine separate nominations, which came for the films “Up” and “Star Trek,” the documentary “Earth Days” and the television series “Los...
The International Film Music Critics Association has spoken, and the nominees are …
Everybody.
But mostly Michael Giacchino.
With 11 different categories for new films, plus categories for television, videogames, re-recordings and reissues, the organization saluted almost 50 different composers when it released its annual nominations on Friday. But Giacchino led all composers with a record nine separate nominations, which came for the films “Up” and “Star Trek,” the documentary “Earth Days” and the television series “Los...
- 1/29/2010
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Composer Michael Giacchino set a new record in the six year long history of the International Film Music Critics Association Awards with nine (9) nominations for his output in 2009. Along with several mentions for his score to the animated Up (which also earned the composer the Golden Globe) and Star Trek, the 42-year old composer received nominations for television series Lost as well as documentary Earth Days. Giacchino was also ...
- 1/29/2010
- by Mikael Carlsson
- MovieScore Magazine
As hard as it may be to believe sometimes, someone (or someones) actually sits down and writes a movie or TV show before you end up seeing it at your local multiplex or on your favorite TV network. The people who do the sitting and the writing are, surprisingly, called writers and, like the Directors, the Golden Globes and the Oscars, they have their own awards show.
This week, the Writers Guild of America, which is the trade group and advocate for writers, announced its nominations for outstanding achievement in feature film and television, radio, news, promotional writing, and graphic animation during the 2009 season to be honored at the upcoming 2010 Writers Guild Awards on February 20, 2010, in Los Angeles and New York.
We realize that these nominations may not be as glamorous as the Golden Globes or the Oscars, but we kinda like writers around here and think they do a pretty important job.
This week, the Writers Guild of America, which is the trade group and advocate for writers, announced its nominations for outstanding achievement in feature film and television, radio, news, promotional writing, and graphic animation during the 2009 season to be honored at the upcoming 2010 Writers Guild Awards on February 20, 2010, in Los Angeles and New York.
We realize that these nominations may not be as glamorous as the Golden Globes or the Oscars, but we kinda like writers around here and think they do a pretty important job.
- 1/13/2010
- by Joe Gillis
- The Flickcast
Writers Guild of America has announced nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for the screen during the past year.
There are three categories of nominees: original, adapted and documentary.
The winners will be announced on Saturday, February 20th, from a ceremony in Los Angeles and New York.
Last year’s winners were “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Milk.” Both movies later won an Oscar.
Check out the list of nominees:
Original Screenplay
“500 Days of Summer” – Written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber
“Avatar” – Written by James Cameron
“The Hangover” – Written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore
“The Hurt Locker” – Written by Mark Boal
“A Serious Man” – Written by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Adapted Screenplay
“Crazy Heart” – Screenplay by Scott Cooper; Based on the novel by Thomas Cobb
“Julie & Julia” – Screenplay by Nora Ephron; Based on the books Julie & Julia by Julie Powell and My Life in France by Julia Child...
There are three categories of nominees: original, adapted and documentary.
The winners will be announced on Saturday, February 20th, from a ceremony in Los Angeles and New York.
Last year’s winners were “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Milk.” Both movies later won an Oscar.
Check out the list of nominees:
Original Screenplay
“500 Days of Summer” – Written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber
“Avatar” – Written by James Cameron
“The Hangover” – Written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore
“The Hurt Locker” – Written by Mark Boal
“A Serious Man” – Written by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Adapted Screenplay
“Crazy Heart” – Screenplay by Scott Cooper; Based on the novel by Thomas Cobb
“Julie & Julia” – Screenplay by Nora Ephron; Based on the books Julie & Julia by Julie Powell and My Life in France by Julia Child...
- 1/13/2010
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
The nominations for 2010 Writers Guild Awards have been unveiled on Monday, January 11. Among the list are James Cameron's "Avatar", Bradley Cooper-starring comedy "The Hangover", and Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker". The three movies will compete with "A Serious Man" and "500 Days of Summer" for Original Screenplay award.
"Star Trek" also has a place on the list as the J.J. Abrams-directed movie is nominated for Adapted Screenplay prize. It will be up against "Crazy Heart", "Julie & Julia", "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire", and "Up in the Air", which receive nods for the same category.
The winners of the 2010 Writers Guild Awards will be announced during ceremonies, which will be held on February 20 simultaneously at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City. Beside honoring movies, the event will also present awards to TV,...
"Star Trek" also has a place on the list as the J.J. Abrams-directed movie is nominated for Adapted Screenplay prize. It will be up against "Crazy Heart", "Julie & Julia", "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire", and "Up in the Air", which receive nods for the same category.
The winners of the 2010 Writers Guild Awards will be announced during ceremonies, which will be held on February 20 simultaneously at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City. Beside honoring movies, the event will also present awards to TV,...
- 1/12/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
The Writers Guild of America has announced nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for the screen during the past year. Winners will be honored at the 2010 Writers Guild Awards held on Saturday, February 20, 2010, at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
Some interesting notes:
Not one but two sci-fi films received noms -- "Avatar" written by James Cameron and "Star Trek" written by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
"Inglourious Basterds" was Not nominated! Huh?
"The Hangover" yay!
"Julie and Julia" honestly? I loved the Julia Child part, but the Julie Powell part dragged the whole film for me.
And kudos to Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story." The documentary was not included in the Academy longlist, but received a writing nomination.
Here's the complete list of nominees of the 2010 Writers Guild Awards. I highlighted who I think should win:
Original Screenplay
(500) Days of Summer, Written by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber; Fox Searchlight
Avatar,...
Some interesting notes:
Not one but two sci-fi films received noms -- "Avatar" written by James Cameron and "Star Trek" written by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
"Inglourious Basterds" was Not nominated! Huh?
"The Hangover" yay!
"Julie and Julia" honestly? I loved the Julia Child part, but the Julie Powell part dragged the whole film for me.
And kudos to Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story." The documentary was not included in the Academy longlist, but received a writing nomination.
Here's the complete list of nominees of the 2010 Writers Guild Awards. I highlighted who I think should win:
Original Screenplay
(500) Days of Summer, Written by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber; Fox Searchlight
Avatar,...
- 1/11/2010
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Some critics may have taken potshots at James Cameron's screenplay for "Avatar," but it has earned a nomination from the Writers Guild of America, which announced nominations for the 2010 WGA Awards on Monday.
Cameron -- who was also nominated by the WGA for "Titanic," though that movie failed to earn a best screenplay Oscar nomination -- will compete for the honor with Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber, nominated for their fractured romance "(500) Days of Summer"; Jon Lucas & Scott Moore for breakout summer comedy "The Hangover"; Mark Boal for his Iraq War study, "The Hurt Locker"; and Joel Coen & Ethan Coen for their modern-day retelling of the story of Job, "A Serious Man."
In the adapted screenplay category, the nominees are "Crazy Heart," screenplay by Scott Cooper, based on the novel by Thomas Cobb; "Julie & Julia," which Nora Ephron adapted from two books, "Julie & Julia" by Julie Powell and "My Life in France,...
Cameron -- who was also nominated by the WGA for "Titanic," though that movie failed to earn a best screenplay Oscar nomination -- will compete for the honor with Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber, nominated for their fractured romance "(500) Days of Summer"; Jon Lucas & Scott Moore for breakout summer comedy "The Hangover"; Mark Boal for his Iraq War study, "The Hurt Locker"; and Joel Coen & Ethan Coen for their modern-day retelling of the story of Job, "A Serious Man."
In the adapted screenplay category, the nominees are "Crazy Heart," screenplay by Scott Cooper, based on the novel by Thomas Cobb; "Julie & Julia," which Nora Ephron adapted from two books, "Julie & Julia" by Julie Powell and "My Life in France,...
- 1/11/2010
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Writers Guild of America announced their nominations Monday for outstanding achievements in screenwriting in 2009, and there are a few surprises and glaring omissions. The 2010 Writers Guild Awards held on Saturday, February 20, 2010, at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
James Cameron’s script for Avatar, arguably the weakest element of the science fiction blockbuster and criticized for its likeness to other concepts, was nominated for “Original Screenplay.” Competing in the same category is R-rated comedy The Hangover, which was a funny flick but seems silly up against (500) Days of Summer and serious “Best Picture” contender The Hurt Locker.
Star Trek also raised eyebrows in the “Adapted Screenplay” category.
Michael Moore’s stunt-filled Capitalism: A Love Story picked up a nomination in “Documentary Screenplay,” after missing the short list for the doc Oscar. I guess the guild thought shouting into a bullhorn on Wall Street was worthy of recognition.
James Cameron’s script for Avatar, arguably the weakest element of the science fiction blockbuster and criticized for its likeness to other concepts, was nominated for “Original Screenplay.” Competing in the same category is R-rated comedy The Hangover, which was a funny flick but seems silly up against (500) Days of Summer and serious “Best Picture” contender The Hurt Locker.
Star Trek also raised eyebrows in the “Adapted Screenplay” category.
Michael Moore’s stunt-filled Capitalism: A Love Story picked up a nomination in “Documentary Screenplay,” after missing the short list for the doc Oscar. I guess the guild thought shouting into a bullhorn on Wall Street was worthy of recognition.
- 1/11/2010
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
Today the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced their 2009 nominees for best adapted, original and documentary screenplays. However, before you go examining the noms too closely be sure and know the following scripts were not eligible due to their failure to qualify under WGA rules, which require scripts to be written for productions that are signatories to the guild's Minimum Basic Agreement, or the agreement of affiliated international guilds.
Those that failed to qualify include: Inglourious Basterds A Single Man The Road An Education Me and Orson Welles In the Loop District 9 That list comes courtesy of Steve Pond at The Wrap who added the following films that don't qualify for adapted and original screenplay categories either: Adam Antichrist Broken Embraces Capitalism: A Love Story (it is eligible for documentary screenplay) The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond Moon Trucker The White Ribbon Angels and...
Those that failed to qualify include: Inglourious Basterds A Single Man The Road An Education Me and Orson Welles In the Loop District 9 That list comes courtesy of Steve Pond at The Wrap who added the following films that don't qualify for adapted and original screenplay categories either: Adam Antichrist Broken Embraces Capitalism: A Love Story (it is eligible for documentary screenplay) The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond Moon Trucker The White Ribbon Angels and...
- 1/11/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has announced the nominations for their awards honoring 2009’s films, with a few surprises, notably Chris Rock’s Good Hair in the Documentary Writing section. And given all the reviews of Avatar that I’ve read which attack the script’s writing, especially the dialogue, I’m surprised to see it on the list for Original Screenplay. I thought The Hangover was silly fun, but, I don’t know if I’d say it was what we’d call great writing. I think I’d take the writing in noticeably absent Inglorious Basterds over those 2 films.
Also surprised not to see Tom Ford’s adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s novel, A Single Man. I’d take that over Star Trek in that category.
Winners will be honored at the 2010 Writers Guild Awards held on Saturday, February 20, 2010, at simultaneous ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles.
Also surprised not to see Tom Ford’s adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s novel, A Single Man. I’d take that over Star Trek in that category.
Winners will be honored at the 2010 Writers Guild Awards held on Saturday, February 20, 2010, at simultaneous ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles.
- 1/11/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
While I've yet to see the doc myself (I reference Claire Denis' White Material when I think of what the film might hold narratively), when the Cinema Eye Honor Noms were released I was surprised to see that, despite the positive buzz, Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson's Mugabe and the White African only manage to grab one nomination. Clearly the film is a favorite for the 2009 edition of the Ida Awards - it picked up three nominations in the Feature Documentary, ABCNews VideoSource Award an the Pare Lorentz Award categories. - While I've yet to see the doc myself (I reference Claire Denis' White Material when I think of what the film might hold narratively), when the Cinema Eye Honor Noms were released I was surprised to see that, despite the positive buzz, Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson's Mugabe and the White African only manage to grab one nomination.
- 12/13/2009
- by Ioncinema.com Staff
- IONCINEMA.com
Here we are, the day after Halloween. The day of the dead, All Hallow’s Eve, has come and past for another year and we now fully embrace the autumn season, the season of temporary death. This is the season of life going dormant, but it does so with the intent of reviving itself even stronger and more fertile in the months of spring. So, for me it seems a fitting time for a new documentary about the state of our environment.
So, I can almost hear the many voices asking why we need another documentary on this subject, one that has been nearly beaten into the ground as of late. But, has it really run it’s course? Have we really seen any impact in practice from the previous slew of documentaries on the topic? Personally, I believe we’ve only begun to even consider the truth of the relationship between us,...
So, I can almost hear the many voices asking why we need another documentary on this subject, one that has been nearly beaten into the ground as of late. But, has it really run it’s course? Have we really seen any impact in practice from the previous slew of documentaries on the topic? Personally, I believe we’ve only begun to even consider the truth of the relationship between us,...
- 11/1/2009
- by Travis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The 2009 Hawaii International Film Festival (Hiff) will continue its tradition of focusing on the green movement with a host of screenings that will be targeted towards preserving environmental sustainability through social responsibility.
The Green Screen Showcase will be sponsored by Whole Foods and will feature five films each carrying an important message. The five films will include "The Burning Season," "Earth Days," "Ingredients," "The Last Beekeeper" and "No Impact Man: The Documentary."
"The Burning Season" is an eco-thriller about a young man not afraid to confront the biggest challenge of our time. "Earth Days," from acclaimed director Robert Stone, traces the origins of the modern environmental movement through the eyes of nine Americans. "Ingredients" will explore a thriving local food movement as our world becomes a more flavorless, disconnected and dangerous place to eat.
"The Last Beekeeper" is a documentary by Jeremy Simmons examining the enormity of how bees are vanishing.
The Green Screen Showcase will be sponsored by Whole Foods and will feature five films each carrying an important message. The five films will include "The Burning Season," "Earth Days," "Ingredients," "The Last Beekeeper" and "No Impact Man: The Documentary."
"The Burning Season" is an eco-thriller about a young man not afraid to confront the biggest challenge of our time. "Earth Days," from acclaimed director Robert Stone, traces the origins of the modern environmental movement through the eyes of nine Americans. "Ingredients" will explore a thriving local food movement as our world becomes a more flavorless, disconnected and dangerous place to eat.
"The Last Beekeeper" is a documentary by Jeremy Simmons examining the enormity of how bees are vanishing.
- 10/9/2009
- icelebz.com
In light of the on-going ecological crises we seem to face daily, it was not only a massive task that veteran doc director Robert Stone tackled by making his latest film, Earth Days, but it was crucial for a movie like this to have come out this summer (it debuted as the closing night film for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival). The film documents the history of environmental activism from its roots nearly four decades ago through the eyes of some of its key participants. To Stone, the modern ecological movement began with the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, and is moving on to a new and hopeful phase today. To illustrate such a globe-spanning movement, Stone chose to focus on a small set of its crucial players and thinkers.Employing interviews, a strong historical reference and beautiful...
- 9/3/2009
- by Brad Balfour
- Huffington Post
1970S Environmental Activists In Director Robert Stone'S Earth Days. Courtesy Zeitgeist Films. Robert Stone may not be the most famous documentarian, but he is one of the most accomplished and important non-fiction directors working today. The son of eminent British historian Lawrence Stone, Stone was born in England in 1958, but grew up in both the U.S. and Europe after his father left Oxford University to teach at Princeton in 1960. Stone studied history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating in 1980, and thereafter spent seven years turning the subject of his thesis project, the U.S. nuclear tests on the island of Bikini, into the documentary Radio Bikini (1987). The film was Oscar nominated for Best Documentary Feature,...
- 8/29/2009
- by Nick Dawson
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
One of the pleasures in AMC's critically acclaimed Mad Men, about an advertising man lost in the changing world of the 60s, is its attention to detail: some of the show's most iconic moments come from little things, marked commentary that stings with the wisdom of time - Sally Draper playing inside a plastic laundry bag, or the Draper family on an idyllic picnic, casually dumping their trash. This last image was so emblematic of the show that when AMC released the online game 'Mad Men Yourself,' in advance of the show's third season, one of the choices included the picnic scene. It's difficult to imagine a time where people didn't know what the earth looked like from space. And it's even harder to imagine how that image would change your concept of the world. Robert Stone's documentary Earth Days illustrates the shift in consciousness, from a Mad Men-late 50s/early 60s hangover,...
- 8/17/2009
- TribecaFilm.com
Robert Stone’s documentary Earth Days is meant to be about the history of the environmental movement in the United States, but it kicks off with an awful lot of throat-clearing. Earth Days repeatedly returns to the same handful of environmentalists—people like former Secretary Of The Interior Stewart Udall and astronaut Rusty Schweickart—and for roughly the first 20 minutes of the movie, each waxes nostalgic about the simple, sustainable life of their youth, in contrast to the dangerous gluts of today. Stone underlines their reveries with stock footage and an overbearing Michael Giacchino score, which sounds lovely and ...
- 8/13/2009
- avclub.com
This week offers animation from Asia, science fiction from South Africa, horror from Europe and romance on the home continent.
Download this in audio form (MP3: 16:23 minutes, 15 Mb) Subscribe to the In Theaters podcast: [Xml] [iTunes]
"Bandslam"
Despite the odd detour to pen such fare as the unpleasant 1993 remake of "The Vanishing," actor-turned-writer/director Todd Graff has returned time and again to themes of ambitious young performers struggling for recognition. With his follow-up to 2003's "Camp," he offers up a plush, pristinely PG tale of a gaggle of Texas high school misfits who congregate under the believe-in-yourself banner to put together a fledgling rock band. "High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens co-stars as Sa5m (the 5 is silent), the object of affection for wannabe rock star Will (Gaelan Connell). Aly Michalka, Charlie Saxton and Ryan Donowho fill out the "Breakfast Club"-esque supporting roles.
Opens wide.
"Cloud 9"
With what's...
Download this in audio form (MP3: 16:23 minutes, 15 Mb) Subscribe to the In Theaters podcast: [Xml] [iTunes]
"Bandslam"
Despite the odd detour to pen such fare as the unpleasant 1993 remake of "The Vanishing," actor-turned-writer/director Todd Graff has returned time and again to themes of ambitious young performers struggling for recognition. With his follow-up to 2003's "Camp," he offers up a plush, pristinely PG tale of a gaggle of Texas high school misfits who congregate under the believe-in-yourself banner to put together a fledgling rock band. "High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens co-stars as Sa5m (the 5 is silent), the object of affection for wannabe rock star Will (Gaelan Connell). Aly Michalka, Charlie Saxton and Ryan Donowho fill out the "Breakfast Club"-esque supporting roles.
Opens wide.
"Cloud 9"
With what's...
- 8/10/2009
- by Neil Pedley
- ifc.com
First off, the best news, as I predicted (in private) Duncan Jones' Moon will be premiering, yay! The comedy Adventureland starring the talented Bill Hader is playing. The sweet kid soldier film Johnny Mad Dog is playing in the spectrum section, and the Jesco White story White Lightnin' which we reported on earlier is in the Park City at Midnight section.
But where the hell is Stingray Sam?
Full list after the break.
Premieres
* "Adventureland," directed and written by Greg Mottola, stars Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds and Bill Hader in the story of a college grad who gets a job at an amusement park. A Miramax release.
* "Brooklyn’s Finest," directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Michael C. Martin, a drama about three Brooklyn cops who come together at the same deadly location. With Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Don Cheadle and Ellen Barkin.
* "Earth Days," directed by Robert Stone,...
But where the hell is Stingray Sam?
Full list after the break.
Premieres
* "Adventureland," directed and written by Greg Mottola, stars Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds and Bill Hader in the story of a college grad who gets a job at an amusement park. A Miramax release.
* "Brooklyn’s Finest," directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Michael C. Martin, a drama about three Brooklyn cops who come together at the same deadly location. With Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Don Cheadle and Ellen Barkin.
* "Earth Days," directed by Robert Stone,...
- 12/4/2008
- QuietEarth.us
Premieres
To showcase the diversity of contemporary independent cinema, this section offers the latest work from American and international directors and world premieres of highly anticipated films.
Adventureland / U.S. (Director-screenwriter: Greg Mottola)
In 1987, a recent college graduate takes a nowhere job at his local amusement park and discovers the job is perfect preparation for the real world. Cast: Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader. World premiere
Brooklyn's Finest / U.S. (Director: Antoine Fuqua; screenwriter: Michael C. Martin)
After enduring vastly different career paths, three unconnected Brooklyn cops wind up at the same deadly location. Cast: Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Don Cheadle, Ellen Barkin. World premiere
Earth Days / U.S. (Director: Robert Stone)
The history of our environmental undoing through the eyes of nine Americans whose work and actions launched the modern environmental movement. World premiere, closing-night film
Endgame / U.K. (Director: Pete Travis; screenwriter: Paula Milne)
A...
To showcase the diversity of contemporary independent cinema, this section offers the latest work from American and international directors and world premieres of highly anticipated films.
Adventureland / U.S. (Director-screenwriter: Greg Mottola)
In 1987, a recent college graduate takes a nowhere job at his local amusement park and discovers the job is perfect preparation for the real world. Cast: Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader. World premiere
Brooklyn's Finest / U.S. (Director: Antoine Fuqua; screenwriter: Michael C. Martin)
After enduring vastly different career paths, three unconnected Brooklyn cops wind up at the same deadly location. Cast: Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Don Cheadle, Ellen Barkin. World premiere
Earth Days / U.S. (Director: Robert Stone)
The history of our environmental undoing through the eyes of nine Americans whose work and actions launched the modern environmental movement. World premiere, closing-night film
Endgame / U.K. (Director: Pete Travis; screenwriter: Paula Milne)
A...
- 12/4/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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