“The Killing” Returns this June!!

One of my favorite shows from the past few years, the mystery drama The Killing comes back from the dead for season 3 on June 2. The show which had been cancelled and then un-cancelled by AMC makes a dramatic return with a new season long story about a serial killer and reunites Holder (Joel Kinnaman) with Linden (Emmy nominee Mirielle Enos) who had left the force after the Rosie Larson case wrapped up. Joining the cast is Golden Globe nominee Peter Sarsgaard as someone with a key to the murder spree. This season’s mystery will be solved in one season promises AMC after much fan and critic displeasure with the Larsen case going over two seasons. I’m thrilled the show is coming back because it’s a taut, tense and brilliant drama. And for those who gave up before watching the entire second season, I say catch up on Netflix now because this show is just too good to be ignored…. Catch new episodes of The Killing this June and also watch for Enos on the big screen alongside Brad Pitt in World War Z on June 21st.

The Killing Season 3 Promo:

Holdovers Hold Up while Brad Bombs at the Weekend Box Office

In the traditionally slow weekend after Thanksgiving, Hollywood rarely releases big new film because they seem to always tank. Well, this weekend they offered up two new movies, and wouldn’t you know it, they both bombed. Poor Brad Pitt’s well reviewed by moviegoer-reviled flick Killing Them Softly took in a paltry $7 million for a seventh place debut while the horror crapfest The Collection did even worse with just $ 3.4 million…. With this news, I wonder if the studios will avoid the weekend again next year? … In the meantime, their holdovers did quite well as Twlight, Skyfall, Lincoln, The Life of Pi and Rise of the Guardians all did double digits. Take a look at the new top ten below and head to Box Office Mojo for the latest on the numbers.

TW LW Title (click to view) Studio Weekend Gross % Change Theater Count / Change Average Total Gross Budget* Week #
1 1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 Sum. $17,410,000 -60.1% 4,008 -62 $4,344 $254,593,000 $120 3
2 2 Skyfall Sony $17,000,000 -52.1% 3,463 -63 $4,909 $246,029,000 $200 4
3 3 Lincoln BV $13,509,000 -47.4% 2,018 – $6,694 $83,698,000 $65 4
4 4 Rise of the Guardians P/DW $13,500,000 -43.2% 3,672 +19 $3,676 $48,947,000 $145 2
5 5 Life of Pi Fox $12,000,000 -46.6% 2,928 +1 $4,098 $48,361,000 $120 2
6 6 Wreck-It Ralph BV $7,020,000 -57.6% 3,087 -172 $2,274 $158,257,000 $165 5
7 N Killing Them Softly Wein. $7,000,000 – 2,424 – $2,888 $7,000,000 $15 1
8 7 Red Dawn (2012) FD $6,550,000 -54.1% 2,781 +57 $2,355 $31,320,000 $65 2
9 8 Flight Par. $4,540,000 -46.3% 2,603 -35 $1,744 $81,527,000 $31 5
10 N The Collection LD $3,409,000 – 1,403 – $2,430 $3,409,000 – 1

“The Killing” is still a Killer Show

Last week, I had the privilege of going to a special screening of an episode of AMC’s The Killing followed by a Q & A with the cast and creator Veena Sud. It was a wonderful evening held at the Television Academy and the episode screened, “Off the Reservation“, (which aired last night) was incredible. It was another showcase for the show’s star Mireille Enos who grabbed an Emmy nomination last year and should find herself in the running again for this emotional installment as her character was searching for her missing partner Holder (played by the incredibly charismatic Joel Kinnaman). Those two detectives have been going rogue a bit lately in this second season of the fantastic mystery thriller as they try to solve the murder of teen Rosie Larson. There seems to be a conspiracy involving the cops, the mayor and the Indian casino reservation, and those two aren’t sure who to trust. Still in the mix are Larson’s grieving parents, played by the amazing Brent Sexton and Emmy nominated Michelle Forbes, and her aunt Terry (the wonderfully damaged Jamie Anne Allman) who has some secrets of her own. The political connections to the crime continue to weigh heavily as well with Billy Campbell, Kristen Lehman and Eric Ladin all giving incredible performances as well as they deal with Campbell’s character’s recent paralysis and campaign crises. The Killing remains a tense and brilliant thriller week in and week out and I hope it gets more Emmy recognition this year especially for the amazing Enos, who couldn’t be nicer and more lovely by the way. Enos has such wonderful intensity, vulnerability and relatability and can say so much with just a tiny glint of emotion in her eye. Watch for her to be a big movie star soon too in Gangster Squad  with Sean Penn and Ryan Gosling and alongside Brad Pitt in World War Z.  She and most of the cast (Sexton, Allman, Lehman, Kinnaman, and a very funny Campbell) were at the Q&A and gave some great insight into this tremendous program. I highly recommend you catch up with it ASAP before we finally learn who actually killed Rosie at the end of this season. For more on the show, head to AMC here and check out my pictures below. Please enjoy my friend Giana Mucci in the pictures as well. She loves the show as much as me and clearly loved the cast too.
The Killing airs Sunday nights at 10pm on AMC.

And here’s a look at season 2 of The Killing

And here are our photos from the event…

Watch George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Bomer and More perform the Marriage Equality play “8″ live tomorrow night

Tomorrow night YouTube may have its busiest day ever as the stars have aligned for a one time only incredible live performance of the play 8. This new play written by Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black (Milk) discusses the landmark Prop 8 trial regarding gay marriage in California. Emmy winner Rob Reiner (All in the Family) will be directing a who’s who of Hollywood’s best and hottest actors who are all donating their time to bring awareness to this very important cause. Among the big names performing in this wonderful staged reading are Oscar winner George Clooney, Oscar nominees Brad Pitt and John C. Reilly, Emmy winners Yeardley Smith, Christine Lahti and Jane Lynch, Golden Globe winner Chris Colfer, Tony nominee Rory O’Malley (The Book of Mormon), Emmy nominees Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Kevin Bacon, Martin Sheen and Matthew Morrison plus Jamie Lee Curtis, James Pickens Jr. and one of the hottest men on Earth, the newly out star of White Collar, Matt Bomer, . They all agree marriage equality is a must have right for everyone. For more on this incredible one time only performance, head to the American Federation for Equal Rights website here.

Here are the details for tomorrow night’s show live from Los Angeles and broadcast on youtube.

About “8”
Uncover the truth about marriage for gay and lesbian Americans. George Clooney, Martin Sheen and Jane Lynch join an all-star cast for a one-night-only benefit reading of “8,” the new play by Academy-award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk, J. Edgar) that chronicles the landmark federal trial of California’s Prop. 8 using the actual court transcripts and first-hand interviews.
Watch the L.A. Premiere LIVE
Saturday, March 3
Pre-Show: 7:30 p.m. PT
Curtain: 7:45 p.m. PT

And here’s Rob Reiner telling you all about the show. Enjoy it, tune in and help support Equal Rights and Marriage Equality. I sure will be!

Rob Reiner on 8

Let’s Rank the Oscar Nominees

The Oscar race is really heating up. While The Artist seems to be the best bet for the big award, we have some serious horse races in the Acting categories. Will it be George or Brad or Jean? Will Meryl be able to stop Viola? Can anyone stop Christopher Plummer? Well, with all of that in mind (and Sunday’s BAFTA awards looming), I’ve decided to rank who I think SHOULD win the Academy Awards. Yes, these are my rankings of this year’s contenders. (Remember, it’s not who I think will win, it’s who should). Take a look and give me your two cents. Then, check back in a couple of weeks for my official predictions of the winners.

My Rankings of this year’s Oscar Nominees~

Picture:
1. The Help
2. The Artist
3. War Horse
4. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
5. Midnight in Paris
6. Moneyball
7. Hugo
8. The Descendants
9. The Tree of Life

Best Director:
1. Michael Hazanavicius, The Artist
2. Martin Scorcesse, Hugo
3. Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
4. Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life
5. Alexander Payne, The Descendants

Best Actor:
1. Jean Dujardin, The Artist
2. Demian Bichir, A Better Life
3. Brad Pitt, Moneyball
4. George Clooney, The Descendants
5. Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Best Actress:
1. Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
2. Viola Davis, The Help
3. Michelle Wiliams, My Week with Marilyn
4. Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
5. Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Best Sup. Actor:
1. Christopher Plummer, Beginners
2. Nick Nolte, Warrior
3. Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn
4. Max Von Sydow, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
5. Jonah Hill, Moneyball

Best Sup Actress:
1. Octavia Spencer, The Help
2. Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
3. Jessica Chastain, The Help
4. Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
5. Berenice Bejo, The Artist

Original Screenplay:
1. The Artist
2. Bridesmaids
3. Midnight in Paris
4. Margin Call
5. A Separation

Adapted Screenplay:
1. Moneyball
2. The Ides of March
3. Hugo
4. The Descendants
5. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

My Big Bold 2012 Golden Globe Winner Predictions

Last night, the awards season really got underway with the Critics Choice Awards where The Artist ruled supreme. That film should grab a few more trophies this Sunday with arguably the most fun of all the awards shows, The Golden Globe Awards. Featuring stars from both film and television and always a big supporter of new shows (New Girl, Enlightened, Revenge, Boss) and big stars (Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling, Jodie Foster, Madonna), the Globes will have some serious eye candy. They will also have an awesome, irreverent and sometimes controversial host in Ricky Gervais who is back again this year after ruffling some feathers in 2011. So, I know you will tune in and so will I! Of course, before that happens, I have to give you my latest big bold predictions of the winners. Check it out below and watch the show Sunday night on NBC.

My Big Bold 2012 Golden Globe Award Winner Predictions:

Best Picture Drama:
The Descendants, The Help ,Hugo,The Ides of March, Moneyball, War Horse
Will win: The Descendants
Should win: The Help

Best Picture Musical/Comedy:
50/50, The Artist, Bridesmaids, Midnight in Paris, My Week with Marilyn
Will & Should win: The Artist
spoiler: Midnight in Paris

Best Actor Drama:
George Clooney (The Descendants), Leonardo DiCaprio (J. Edgar), Michael Fassbender (Shame), Ryan Gosling (The Ides of March), Brad Pitt (Moneyball)
Will win: George Clooney
Should win: Brad Pitt
spoiler: Brad Pitt

Best Actress Drama:
Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs), Viola Davis (The Help), Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady), Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk about Kevin)
Will & Should win: Meryl Streep
spoiler: Viola Davis

Best Actor Musical or Comedy:
Jean Dujardin (The Artist), Brendan Gleeson (The Guard), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (50/50), Ryan Gosling (Crazy Stupid Love), Owen Wilson (Midnight in Paris)
Will win: Jean Dujardin
Should win: Joseph Gordon-Levitt
spoiler: Ryan Gosling

Best Actress Musical or Comedy:
Jodie Foster (Carnage), Charlize Theron (Young Adult), Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn), Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids), Kate Winslet (Carnage)
Will & Should win: Michelle Williams
spoiler: Charlize Theron

Best Supporting Actor:
Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marilyn), Albert Brooks (Drive), Jonah Hill (Moneyball), Viggo Mortenson (A Dangerous Method), Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
Will & Should win: Christopher Plummer
spoiler: Kenneth Branagh

Best Supporting Actress:
Berenice Bejo (The Artist), Jessica Chastain (The Help), Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs), Octavia Spencer (The Help), Shailene Woodley (The Descendants)
Will & Should win: Octavia Spencer
spoiler: Berenice Bejo

Best Director:
Woody Allen (Midnight inParis), George Clooney (The Ides of March), Mcihael Hazanavicius (The Artist), Alexander Payne (The Descendants), Martin Scorcesse (Hugo)
Will & Should win: Michael Hazanvicius
spoiler: Woody Allen

Screenplay:
The Artist, The Descendants, The Ides of March, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball
Will win: Midnight in Paris
Should win: Moneyball
spoiler: The Descendants

Animated Film:
The Adventures of Tin Tin, Arthur Christmas, Cars 2, Kung Fu Panda 2, Rango
Will win: The Adventures of Tin Tin
should win: Rango
spoiler: Rango

Score
The Artist, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Hugo, W.E., War Horse
Will win: The Artist
Should win: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Song:
“Hello Hello”- EltonJohn (Gnomeo & Juiliet), “The Keeper”- Chris Cornell (Machine Gun Preacher), “Lay Your Head Down”- Sinead o’Conner performer (Albert Nobbs), “The Living Proof”- Mary J. Blige (The Help), “Masterpiece”- Madonna (W.E.)
Will & Should win: “The Living Proof”
spoiler: “Masterpiece”

TV CATEGORIES:

Drama Series:
American Horror Story, Boardwalk Empire, Boss, Game of Thrones, Homeland
Will & Should win: Homeland
spoiler: Game of Thrones

Musical/Comedy Series:
Enlightened, Episodes, Glee, Modern Family, New Girl
Will & Should win: Modern Family
spoiler: Glee

Actress Drama Series:
Clare Danes (Homeland), Mirielles Enos (The Killing), Juliana Marguiles (The Good Wife), Madeline Stowe (Revenge), Callie Thorne (Necessary Roughness)
Will & Should win: Clare Danes
spoiler: Juliana Marguiles

Actor Drama Series:
Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Kelsey Grammer (Boss), Jeremy Irons (The Borgias), Damian Lewis (Homeland)
Will win: Damian Lewis
Should win: Bryan Cranston
spoiler: Jeremy Irons

Actress Musical/Comedy Series:
Laura Dern (Enlightened), Zooey Deschanel (New Girl), Tina Fey (30 Rock), Laura Linney (The Big C), Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
Will win: Zooey Deschanel
Should win: Amy Poehler
spoiler: Laura Dern

Actor Musical/Comedy Series:
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), David Duchovny (Californication), Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), Thomas Jane (Hung), Matt LeBlanc (Episodes)
Will & Should win: Alec Baldwin
spoiler: Matt LeBlanc

TV Movie/Miniseries:
Cinema Verite, Downton Abbey, The Hour, Mildred Pierce, Too Big To Fail
Will & Should win: Downton Abbey
spoiler: Mildred Pierce

Lead Actress TV Movie/Miniseries:
Romala Garai (The Hour), Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey), Diane Lane (Cinema Verite), Kate Winslet (Mildred Pierce), Emily Watson (Appropriate Adult)
Will win: Kate Winslet
Should win: Diane Lane

Lead Actor TV Movie/Miniseries:
Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Idris Elba (Luther), William Hurt (Too Big to Fail), Bill Nighy (Page Eight), Dominic West (The Hour)
Will win: Hugh Bonneville
should win: Too Big To Fail
spoiler: Idris Elba

Supporting Actress TV Series, Movie, Miniseries:
Jessica Lange (American Horror Story), Kelly MacDonald (Boardwalk Empire), Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey), Sofia Vergara (Modern Family), Evan Rachel Wood (Mildred Pierce)
Will win: Maggie Smith
Should win: Sofia Vergara
spoiler: Jessica Lange

Supporting Actor TV Series, Movie, Miniseries:
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), Paul Giamatti (Too Big To Fail), Guy Pearce (Mildred Pierce), Tim Robbins (Cinema Verite), Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family)
Will & Should win: Peter Dinklage
spoiler: Guy Pearce

Melancholia gets a Surprise Win from the National Society of Film Critics

One more week and one more group of critics have announced their winners for the best of 2012. Today, the National Society of Film Critics threw the race for a loop giving their Best Picture honor to the Cannes sensation Melancholia which has been sitting on the sidelines for most of the season. The film’s star Kirsten Dunst also jumped back in the race winning Best Actress. Best Actor went to Brad Pitt for Moneyball AND The Tree of Life while Albert Brooks and Jessica Chastain prevailed in the supporting categories. Check out all the winners below and get ready for the Golden Globes and Critic’s Choice Awards next week.

2012 National Society of Film Critics Award Winners (and the top 3 vote getters):

Best Picture
1. Melancholia
2. The Tree of Life
3. A Separation

Best Actor:
1. Brad Pitt (Moneyball, The Tree of Life)
2. Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
3. Jean Dujardin (The Artist)

Best Actress:
1. Kirsten Dunst (Melancholia)
2. Yung Jung-hee (Poetry)
3. Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)

Best Supporting Actor:
1. Albert Brooks (Drive)
2. Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
3. Patton Oswalt (Young Adult)

Best Supporting Actress:
1. Jessica Chastain (The Help, The Tree of Life, Take Shelter)
2. Jeannie Berlin (Margaret)
3. Shailene Woodley (The Descendants)

Best Nonfiction
1. Cave of Forgotten Dreams
2. The Interrupters
3. Into the Abyss

Best Screenplay
1. A Separation
2. Moneyball
3. Midnight in Paris

Foreign Language Film
1. A Separation
2. Mysteries of Lisbon
3. Le Havre

Cinematography
1. The Tree of Life
2. Melancholia
3. Hugo

Director:
1. Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life)
2. Martin Scorcesse (Hugo)
3. Lars Von Tier (Melancholia)

The Online Film Critics Love The Tree of Life and Serve up Some Serious Snubs

The Online Film Critics Society is one of the last critics organizations weigh in on their top choices of the year, but boy did they make some waves today with their nominations. The Tree of Life led the nominations with 7 bids followed by Drive with 6. Those films overshadowed the other big three contenders that seem to be leading the derby currently: The Descendants, The Artist and Hugo. But no worries, those films were mentioned. However there were a lot of big names missing from the list. Among the big snubs: everyone from The Help including Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, plus no Glenn Close, Leonardo Dicaprio, Steven Speilberg, Ryan Gosling, Kenneth Branaugh, Bernice Bejo (The Artist), and no Brad Pitt for Moneyball. However, Brad and his costar Jessica Chastain did receive nods for Tree (Chastain has been getting most of her recognition for The Help this season). For more on the nominations and the group head to their website here and check out all the nominations below.

Best Picture:
The Artist
The Descendants
Drive
Hugo
The Tree of Life
Best Animated Feature:
The Adventures of Tintin
Arthur Christmas
Kung Fu Panda 2
Rango
Winnie the Pooh
Best Director:
Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist
Terrence Malick – The Tree of Life
Nicolas Winding Refn – Drive
Martin Scorsese – Hugo
Lars von Trier – Melancholia
Best Lead Actor:
George Clooney – The Descendants
Jean Dujardin – The Artist
Michael Fassbender – Shame
Gary Oldman – Tinker Tailor Solider Spy
Michael Shannon – Take Shelter
Best Lead Actress:
Kirsten Dunst – Melancholia
Elizabeth Olsen – Martha Marcy May Marlene
Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton – We Need to Talk About Kevin
Michelle Williams – My Week with Marilyn
Best Supporting Actor:
Albert Brooks – Drive
John Hawkes – Martha Marcy May Marlene
Nick Nolte – Warrior
Brad Pitt – The Tree of Life
Christopher Plummer – Beginners
Best Supporting Actress:
Jessica Chastain – The Tree of Life
Melissa McCarthy – Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer - Albert Nobbs
Carey Mulligan – Shame
Shailene Woodley – The Descendants
Best Original Screenplay:
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Midnight in Paris
A Separation
The Tree of Life
Win Win
Best Adapted Screenplay:
The Descendants
Drive
Moneyball
Tinker Tailor Solider Spy
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Best Editing:
Drive
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
The Tree of Life
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Best Cinematography:
The Artist
Drive
Hugo
Melancholia
The Tree of Life
Best Film Not in the English Language:
13 Assassins
Certified Copy
A Separation
The Skin I Live In
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
Best Documentary:
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
The Interrupters
Into the Abyss
Project Nim
Tabloid
Special Awards
To Jessica Chastain, the breakout performer of the year
To Martin Scorsese in honor of his work and dedication to the pursuit of film preservation

Brad, Michelle and The Artist wow the Boston Critics

We really have a big Oscar race on our hands. With each critics group announcements, we are getting a big variety of winners making for one heck of an awards derby. Yesterday the Boston Society of Film Critics heralded their choices which included The Artist, Brad Pitt, Michelle Williams, Albert Brooks and Melissa McCarthy (yay, that’s two wins for the Bridesmaids star!). Check out all the winners below including the cast of Carnage who won their first big kudo for Best Ensemble.

Boston Society of Film Critics Award Winners:

Best Picture
The Artist

Best Actor
Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Best Actress
Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn

Best Supporting Actor
Albert Brooks, Drive

Best Supporting Actress
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids

Best Director
Martin Scorsese, Hugo

Best Screenplay
Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin, Moneyball

Best Cinematography
Emmanuel Lubezki, The Tree of Life

Best Documentary
Project Nim

Best Foreign-Language Film
Incendies

Best Animated Film
Rango

Best Film Editing
Christian Marclay, The Clock
(awarded in memory of Karen Schmeer)

Best New Filmmaker
Sean Durkin, Martha Marcy May Marlene
(awarded in memory of David Brudnoy)

Best Ensemble Cast
Carnage   (John C. Riley, Jodie Foster, Christoph Waltz, Kate Winslet)

Best Use of Music in a Film
Tie: Drive and The Artist

The Artist, Meryl and Brad top the NY Film Critics Awards!

It’s been almost 30 years since Meryl Streep won an Oscar (for Sophie’s Choice), but she may finally get the golden guy again this year. She just grabbed her first big award of the season for her performance in The Iron Lady from the New York Film Critics Circle, the first of the critics group to announce their winners for this year. I think it’s a great sign for the long-overdue and always worthy (hello, she should’ve won for Doubt and Julie & Julia) Streep. Also winning big were The Artist which took Picture and Director and Brad Pitt who won Best Actor for his work in Moneyball and The Tree of Life. For more on the winners, head to the NYFCC site here and check out all the winners below.

Best Picture The Artist
Best Cinematography Emmanuel Lubezki, The Tree of Life
Best Screenplay Steven Zaillian & Aaron Sorkin, Moneyball
Best Director Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Best Foreign Language Film A Separation
Best Actor Brad Pitt, Moneyball & The Tree of Life
Best Actress Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Best Supporting Actor Albert Brooks, Drive
Best Supporting Actress Jessica Chastain, The Tree of Life, The Help, and Take Shelter
Best First Feature Margin Call
Best Non-Fiction Film Cave of Forgotten Dreams