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

It’s all about Hollywood as The Artist, Hugo and Meryl dominate the Oscars

It was a clear message heard round the Kodak (what will they change the name to?) theatre in Hollywood tonight as Hollywood honored the movies at the Oscars:  if it was about movie-making or starred our very own movie queen, it won. The Artist and Hugo, both films that are essentially love letters to movie-making, each won 5 awards while Meryl Streep, the most lauded and iconic actress of our time finally won her 3rd Oscar for her amazing work in The Iron Lady. Yes, she only has three! Despite 17 nominations, she hadn’t won since Sophie’s Choice 29 years ago, and she was arguably the most deserving winner of the night. (No disrespect to the tremendously lovely Viola Davis by the way. I swear you will get your Oscar one day!)… Speaking of deserving winners, Christopher Plummer and Ocatvia Spencer finished their dominated awards season runs picking up the Supporting Actor honors for Beginners and The Help. WIth his win, Plummer became the oldest acting winner in history at the tender age of 82!… Best Actor went to Jean Dujardin (over heavily favored George Clooney) whose film The Artist also picked up Best Picture, Director, Costume Design and Score. Hugo’s 5 wins were in the technical categories while one big surprise was the Best Editing win for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. For more on all the winners and the delightful if a bit subdued broadcast hosted by Billy Crystal, head here. (Big props to the ladies of Bridesmaids and Tina Fey for bringing us the funniest moments by the way). And check out all the winners below… And let me just say I am so incredibly happy for Streep! She gave the best, classiest speech of the night and I’m just thrilled she finally won. Congrats Meryl!!!!

2012 Academy Award Winners:

Best Picture: The Artist
Best Director: Michael Hazanavicius (The Artist)
Best Actress: Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)
Best Actor: Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer (The Help)
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
Best Adapted Screenplay: The Descendants
Best Original Screenplay: Midnight in Paris
Best Cinematography: Hugo
Best Editing: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Best Art Direction: Hugo
Best Costume Design: The Artist
Best Makeup: The Iron Lady
Best Original Score: The Artist     
Best Original Song: “Man or a Muppet” (The Muppets)
Best Sound Editing: Hugo
Best Sound Mixing: Hugo
Best Visual Effects: Hugo

Best Documentary: Undefeated
Best Foreign Language Film: A Separation
Best Animated Film: Rango
Best Animated Short Film: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Best Live Action Short Film: The Shore
Best Documentary Short Subject: Saving Face

Most Wins~
The Artist: 5
Hugo: 5
The Iron Lady: 2

My Big Bold 2012 Oscar Winner Predictions

Ok, enough with the Grammys, Globes and SAG Awards, the grand daddy of them all is here: the Academy Awards. This Sunday is the big day with the supreme Oscar host Billy Crystal returning to preside over the big day. With Crystal in command, we know the show will be hilarious, but will there be any surprises? Well, the top two acting races are just that, races between two deserving candidates. So, we could have upsets and some serious excitement. With that said, can anyone stop The Artist from sweeping? Well, take a look at my big bold Oscar winner predictions below and see.

My Big Bold 2012 Oscar Winner Predictions:

Best Picture:
The Artist, The Descendants, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Help, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse
Will & Should win: The Artist
spoiler: Hugo
~ my sentimental fave: The Help

Best Director:
Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris), Michael Hazanvicius (The Artist), Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life), Alexander Payne (The Descendants), Martin Scorsese (Hugo)
Will & Should win: Michael Hazanavicius
~spoiler: Martin Scorsese

Best Actor:
Demian Bichir (A Better Life), George Clooney (The Descendants), Jean Dujardin (The Artist), Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Brad Pitt (Moneyball)
Will & Should win: Jean Dujardin
~spoiler: George Clooney
* This is a super tight race and it will be close between Clooney and Dujardin. How neat would it be if the wonderful and truly deserving Bichir pulled a surprise upset here? It’s not gonna happen, but it would be lovely to see.

Best Actress:
Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs), Viola Davis (The Help), Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady), Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)
Will & Should win: Meryl Streep
~spoiler: Viola Davis
* ok, I’m going out on a big limb here. Conventional wisdom and smart money is on Davis (who was wonderful and would be a deserving winner). However, if you’ve seen The Iron Lady, you can’t deny Streep should win. She also hasn’t won in 30 years. Hello people!

Best Supporting Actor:
Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marilyn), Jonah Hill (Moneyball), Nick Nolte (Warrior), Christopher Plummer (Beginners), Max Von Sydow (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close)
Will & Should win: Christopher Plummer
~spoiler: Max Von Sydow

Best Supporting Actress:
Berenice Bejo (The Artist), Jessica Chastain (The Help), Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids), Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs), Octavia Spencer (The Help)
Will & Should win: Octavia Spencer
~spoiler: Melissa McCarthy

Best Original Screenplay:
The Artist, Bridesmaids, Margin Call, Midnight in Paris, A Separation
Will win: Midnight in Paris
Should win: Bridesmaids
~spoiler: The Artist

Best Adapted Screenplay:
The Descendants, Hugo, The Ides of March, Moneyball, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Will Win: Moneyball
~spoiler: The Descendants
* This one will be close. I feel like they may throw a bone to The Descendants here, but I’m keeping my money on the better screenplay for Moneyball. Plus it has more overall nominations indicating wider support within the academy.

Best Cinematography:
The Artist, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Hugo, The Tree of Life, War Horse
Will win: The Tree of Life
Should win: War Horse (yes, I loved the movie, what of it?)
~spoiler: The Artist (they love some black and white)

Best Editing:
The Artist, The Descendants, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Hugo, Moneyball
Will win: The Artist
Should win: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
~Spoiler: Hugo

Best Animated Film:
A Cat in Paris, Chico and Rita, Kung Fu Panda 2, Puss in Boots, Rango
Will & Should win: Rango

Best Foreign Film:
Bullhead, Footnote, In Darkness, Monsieur Lahzar, A Separation
Will & Should win: A Separation
~spoiler: In Darkness

Best Original Score:
The Adventures of Tin Tin, The Artist, Hugo, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, War Horse
Will & Should win: The Artist

Best Original Song:
“Man or a Muppet” (The Muppets), “Real in Rio” (Rio)
Will & Should win: “Man or a Muppet” (this would be the first ever win for a Muppet movie!)
* PS- this category is a disaster. Due to their strict rules, a ton of great and deserving songs by Mary J. Blige (The Help), Elton John (Gnomeo & Juliet), Madonna (W.E.), Pink (Happy Feet 2) and more didn’t make the cut. Blargh!

Best Art Direction:
The Artist, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, War Horse
Will win: Hugo
Should win: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2
~spoiler: The Artist

Best Costume Design:
Anonymous, The Artist, Hugo, Jane Eyre, W.E.
Will win: The Artist
Should win: W.E.
~spoiler: W.E.

Best Makeup:
Albert Nobbs, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, The Iron Lady
Will & Should win: The Iron Lady
~spoiler: Harry Potter

Best Sound Editing:
Drive, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Hugo, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, War Horse
Will win: Hugo
Should win: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Best Sound Mixing:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Hugo, Moneyball, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, War Horse
Will win: Hugo
Should win: War Horse
~spoiler: Transformers

Visual Effects:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, Hugo, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Real Steel, Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Will win: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Should win: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 (hello the Harry Potter franchise has never won an Oscar!)
~spoiler: Harry Potter

Best Documentary:
Hell and Back Again, If a Tree Falls, Paradise Lost 3, Pina, Undefeated
Will win: Undefeated
Should win: Pina
~spoiler: Paradise Lost 3
* this one is a super tight race… My first instinct is for Pina to win (and it’s the most interesting, but also the most experimental). Then, I was thinking Undefeated plays into the emotions of the academy and has a bigger profile, so it may win. It’s a real tossup with the well-known Paradise Lost series in the mix as well.

* for the shorts, shoot me an email.

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

The Actors Love “The Help” at tonight’s SAG Awards

Dominating the SAG Awards with a definitive 3 wins, The Help got some more Oscar juice. The wonderful film took home awards for Best Ensemble, Best Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer) and, in a little bit of an upset, Best Actress (Viola Davis). With her win, Davis is making a serious bid for the Oscar and now has to be considered the front-runner to her dear friend Meryl Streep (who I think should have won, but that’s bygones, because Davis is extraordinary regardless)… The other big surprise was Jean Dujardin taking out George Clooney in the Best Actor race. The Oscars look like they will have some serious battles ahead… Winning Supporting Actor was Christopher Plummer for Beginners... The TV races saw some really boring repeats with Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi and Boardwalk Empire, but at least Jessica Lange was a new winner in the Drama Actress category defeating last year’s victor Juliana Marguiles. For more on the show, head to TNT and check out all the winners below.
(Oh and props to everyone for stepping it up with some great fashion tonight~ much better than the Golden Globes.)

2012 SAG AWARD WINNERS:

Movies~
Best Ensemble: The Help
Best Actor: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Best Actress: Viola Davis, The Help
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Stunt Ensemble: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2

TV~

Drama Ensemble: Boardwalk Empire
Drama Actor: Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Drama Actress: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Comedy Ensemble: Modern Family
Comedy Actress: Betty White, Hot in Clevleand
Comedy Actor: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
TV Movie/Miniseries Actress: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
TV Movie/Miniseries Actor: Paul Giamatti, Too Big to Fail
Stunt Ensemble: Game of Thrones

The Artist, The Descendants, Meryl and Madonna win Big at the Golden Globes

Well, Madonna sure did piss off Elton John at tonight’s Golden Globe Awards… No, not because of anything she said, but because she won the award for Best Original song for her gorgeous track from W.E.,”Masterpiece”. It beat Elton’s track from Gnomeo and Juliet and boy, did he have a disgruntled face if I’ve ever seen one. That was just one fun highlight from a night that saw few surprises, but was rather entertaining as a whole. Ricky Gervais returned as host and was quite funny but not as controversial as last year and was only bleeped once I think. Heck, Meryl Streep was bleeped too! Speaking of Streep, she won her 8th Globe for Lead Actress in a Drama for The Iron Lady while Michelle Williams won for Lead Actress in a Musical or Comedy. These wins, along with Viola Davis’s win at the Critics Choice Awards on Thursday, are making it a real horse race for the Best Actress race… Best Actor could be tight between tonight’s two winners as well, George Clooney for Drama and Jean Dujardin for Musical or Comedy. Both of their films won as well with The Descendants taking Drama and The Artist nabbing the trophy for Musical or Comedy. The latter film won the most awards with a third for Best Score…. Christopher Plummer and Octavia Spencer continued their winning runs in the supporting category while Martin Scorsese pulled out a surprise win for Director for Hugo.

On the TV front, Modern Family and Homeland won the series awards while Downton Abbey won TV Movie/Miniseries. There were several acting surprises though, both good (Matt LeBlanc) and bad (Kelsey Grammar~ no offense to his work, but how on Earth did he beat Bryan Cranston and Damian Lewis, argh!!!) Also, Laura Dern pulled out a little bit of a shocker for Lead actress in a Comedy over front runners Zooey Deschanel, Amy Poehler and last year’s winner Laura Linney. For more on the show, head to the Globes site here and take a look at all the winners below.

 

2012 Golden Globe Winners:
Best Picture (Drama): The Descendants
Best Actor in a Movie (Drama): George Clooney, The Descendants
Best Picture (Comedy or Musical): The Artist
Best Actress in a Movie (Drama): Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Best Actor in a Movie (Comedy or Musical): Jean Dujardin, The Artist
 Best TV Series (Comedy or Musical): Modern Family
Best Director: Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Best Supporting Actress in a Movie: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Best Actor in a TV Series (Comedy or Musical): Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Best Actress in a TV Series (Drama): Claire Danes, Homeland
Best Foreign Language Movie: A Separation (Iran)
Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series, Miniseries, or TV Movie: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Best Screenplay: Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen
Best Animated Movie: The Adventures of Tintin
Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series, Miniseries, or TV Movie: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Best Actress in a Movie (Comedy or Musical): Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie: Idris Elba, Luther
Best Original Song: “Masterpiece,” W.E.
Best Original Score: Ludovic Bource, The Artist
Best TV Series (Drama): Homeland
Best Actor in a TV Series (Drama): Kelsey Grammer, Boss
Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Best Miniseries or TV Movie: Downton Abbey
Best Actress in a TV Series (Comedy or Musical): Laura Dern, Enlightened
Best Supporting Actor in a Movie: Christopher Plummer, Beginners

And here’s the song that made Elton so mad. (Mary J. Blige didn’t look too happy either when she lost the category as well by the way)… Madonna’s “Masterpiece” from W.E.

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

The Artist and The Help win big at the Critics Choice Awards

The Artist and The Help just picked up some serious ammunition as they continue their Oscar march with both films winning big at tonight’s Critics Choice Awards. The Artist won four awards including Best Picture and Director (Michael Hazanavicus) while The Help took home three: Best Acting Ensemble, Best Actress (Viola Davis) and Best Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer). I have to say Davis easily had the best speech of the night and now has to be seen as the biggest threat to take the Academy Award from Meryl Streep. Both ladies will be competing at Sunday’s Golden Globes too where I think Streep may prevail. (And to make things interesting Michelle Williams who lost here tonight should win at the Globes since she’s in the Musical/Comedy category not Drama like her peers. This is a serious race!)… The other big honors went to George Clooney for Best Actor and Christopher Plummer for Best Supporting Actor. Take a look at all the winners including Bridesmaids for Best Comedy and Thomas Horn (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close) for best Younger Actor/Actress below and head to the BFCA website for more info here.

2012 Critics Choice Award Winners:

Best Picture The Artist
Best Director Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Best Actor George Clooney, The Descendants
Best Actress Viola Davis, The Help
Best Supporting Actor Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Best Supporting Actress Octavia Spencer, The Help
Best Original Screenplay Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Best Adapted Screenplay Aaron Sorkin & Steven Zaillain, Moneyball
Best Acting Ensemble The Help
Best Animated Film Rango
Best Foreign Language Film A Separation
Best Documentary George Harrison: Living in the Material World
Best Comedy Bridesmaids
Best Action Movie Drive
Best Young Actor/Actress Thomas Horn, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Best Makeup Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows Part 2
Best Song “Life’s A Happy Song,” The Muppets
Best Costume Design The Artist
Best Score The Artist
Best Editing The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Best Sound Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Best Visual Effects Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Best Art Direction Hugo
Best Cinematography (tie) War Horse and The Tree of Life

My Big Bold Critics Choice Movie Award Winner Predictions

The first big awards show of the year is here. No, I’m not talking about the People’s Choice Awards. Seriously, those are pretty ridiculous… I’m speaking of the 17th Annual Critics Choice Awards. The kudosfest honors the best in film as voted on by the Broadcast Film Critics Association and is a great forecaster of the Oscars. It doesn’t have the flash of the Golden Globes (which air Sunday), but it does help us figure out just who is in front for the big Academy Award. So, who will win? I, as usual, have done my predictions and I have them for you below. Remember, these are critics, so sometimes their tastes are a little different from the Guild groups (i.e.: SAG, DGA). Watch the show Thursday night on VH1 at 8pm hosted by comedians Paul Shceer and Rob Huebel and see if I am right.

Best Picture:
The Artist
The Descendants
Drive
Extremely Loud & incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse
Will win: The Artist
Should win: The Help
spoiler: The Descendants

Best Actor:
George Clooney (The Descendants), Leonardo DiCaprio (J. Edgar), Jean Dujardin (The Artist), Michael Fassbender (Shame), Ryan Gosling (Drive), Brad Pitt (Moneyball)
Will win: George Clooney
Should win: Jean Dujardin
Spoiler: Brad Pitt

Best Actress:
Viola Davis (The Help), Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady), Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk about Kevin), Charlize Theron (Young Adult), Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)
Will & Should win: Meryl Streep
spoiler: Michelle Williams

Best Supporting Actor:
Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marilyn), Albert Brooks (Drive), Nick Nolte (Warrior), Patton Oswalt (Young Adult), Christopher Plummer (Beginners), Andy Serkis (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)
Will & Should win: Christopher Plummer
spoiler: Albert Brooks

Best Supporting Actress:
Bernice Bejo (The Artist), Jessica Chastain (The Help), Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids), Carey Mulligan (Shame), Octavia Spencer (The Help), Shailene Woodley (The Descendants)
Will & Should win: Octavia Spencer
spoiler: Jessica Chastain

Best Younger Actor/Actress:
Asa Butterfield (Hugo), Elle Fanning (Super 8), Thomas Horn (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close), Ezra Miller (We Need to Talk About Kevin), Saorsie Ronan (Hanna), Shailene Woodley (The Descendants)
Will win: Shailene Woodley
Should win: Thomas Horn
spoiler: Elle Fanning

Best Ensemble:
The Artist, Bridesmaids, The Descendants, The Help, The Ides of March
Will & Should win: The Help
spoiler: The Artist

Best Director:
Stephen Daldry (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close), Michael Hazanavicius (The Artist), Alexander Payne (The Descendants), Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive), Martin Scorsese (Hugo), Steven Speilberg (War Horse)
Will win: Alexander Payne
Should win: Michael Hazanavicius
spoiler: Martin Scorsese

Best Adapted Screenplay:
The Descendants, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Help, Hugo, Moneyball
Will win: The Descendants
Should win: Moneyball
spoiler: Moneyball

Best Original Screenplay:
50/50, The Artist, Midnight in Paris, Win Win, Young Adult
Will win: Midnight in Paris
Should win: 50/50
spoiler: The Artist

Best Cinematography:
The Artist, Drive, Hugo, The Tree of Life, War Horse
Will win: The Tree of Life
Should win: The Artist
spoiler: War Horse

Best Art Direction:
The Artist, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, Hugo, The Tree of Life, War Horse
Will & Should win: Hugo
spoiler: The Artist

Best Editing:
The Artist, Drive, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Hugo, War Horse
Will win: The Artist
Should win: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
spoiler: Hugo

Best Costume Design:
The Artist, The Help, Hugo, Jane Eyre, My Week with Marilyn
Will win: The Artist
Should win: The Help
spoiler: My Week with Marilyn

Makeup:
Albert Nobbs, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, The Iron Lady, J. Edgar, My Week with Marilyn
Will & Should win: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2
spoiler: The Iron Lady

Visual Effects:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, Hugo, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Super 8, The Tree of Life
Will win: Hugo
Should win: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2
spoiler: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Sound:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, Hugo, Super 8, The Tree of Life, War Horse
Will & Should win: War Horse
spoiler: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2

Animated Feature:
The Adventures of Tin Tin, Arthur Christmas, Kung Fu Panda 2, Puss in Boots, Rango
Will & Should win: Rango
spoiler: The Adventures of Tin Tin

Action Film:
Drive, Fast Five, Hanna, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Super 8
Will & Should win: Drive
spoiler: Super 8

Comedy Film:
Bridesmaids, Crazy Stupid Love, Horrible Bosses, Midnight in Paris, The Muppets
Will win: Midnight in Paris
Should win: Bridesmaids
spoiler: Bridesmaids

Foreign Language Film:
In Darkness, Le Havre, A Separation, The Skin I Live In, Where Do We Go Now
Will & Should win: A Separation

Best Song:
“Hello Hello” (Gnomeo & Juliet), “Life’s a Happy Song” (The Muppets), “The Living Proof” (The Help), “Man or a Muppet” (The Muppets), “Pictures in my Head” (The Muppets)
Will win: “Life’s a Happy Song”
Should win: “The Living Proof”
spoiler: “Hello Hello”

Best Score:
The Artist, Drive, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Hugo, War Horse
Will win: The Aritst
Should win: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Spoiler: War Horse

George Clooney, The Artist and The Descendants lead the Golden Globe Nominations

It was a good morning for George Clooney as the Oscar and Golden Globe winner heard his name four times when today’s Golden Globe Nominations were announced. Clooney is up for Best Actor (The Descendants) and writing, producing and directing The Ides of March. Conventional wisdom is that he’ll at least take one of those home. Along with The Descendants, also leading the way with a boatload of nominations was The Artist with six bids followed by The Help with five. Take a look at all of the nominees and check back here later today for more analysis.

2012 Golden Globe Nominations:

MOVIES~

Best Drama
The Descendants
The Help
Hugo
The Ides of March
Moneyball
War Horse

Best Comedy/Musical
50/50
The Artist
Bridesmaids
Carnage
Midnight in Paris
My Week with Marilyn

Best Animated Film
Arthur Christmas
Cars 2
Rango
Puss in Boots
The Adventures of Tintin

Best Foreign Language Film
The Flowers of War
In the Land of Blood and Honey
The Kid With a Bike
A Separation
The Skin I Live In

Best Actor in a Drama
George Clooney, The Descendants
Brad Pitt, Moneyball
Ryan Gosling, The Ides of March
Michael Fassbender, Shame
Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar

Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Brendan Gleeson, The Guard
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 50/50
Ryan Gosling, Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Owen Wilson, Midnight in Paris

Best Supporting Actor
 in a Motion Picture
Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Albert Brooks, Drive
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Viggo Mortensen, A Dangerous Method

Best Actress in a 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

Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy
Jodie Foster, Carnage
Charlize Theron, Young Adult
Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids
Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
Kate Winslet, Carnage

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Shailene Woodley, The Descendants
Octavia Spencer, The Help
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Berenice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help

Best Director

Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
George Clooney, The Ides of March
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo

Best Screenplay for a Motion Picture
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, Kaui Hart Hemmings, The Descendants
Steve Zallian, Aaron Sorkin, Stan Chervin, Michael Lewis, Moneyball
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, The Ides of March

Best Original Score in a Motion Picture
Ludovic Bource, The Artist
Abel Korzeniowski, W.E.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Howard Shore, Hugo
John Williams, War Horse

Best Original Song in a Motion Picture
“Hello Hello,” Gnomeo & Juliet
“The Keeper,” Machine Gun Preacher
“Lay Your Head Down,” Albert Nobbs
“The Living Proof,” The Help
“Masterpiece,” W.E.

TV~

Best TV Drama
American Horror Story
Boardwalk Empire
Boss
Game of Thrones
Homeland

Best TV Comedy or Musical
Enlightened
Episodes
Glee
Modern Family
New Girl

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture
Cinema Verite
Downton Abbey
The Hour
Mildred Pierce
Too Big To Fail

Best Actor in a TV Drama
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Damian Lewis, Homeland
Jeremy Irons, The Borgias
Kelsey Grammer, Boss

Best Actor in a TV Musical or Comedy
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
David Duchovny, Californication
Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory
Thomas Jane, Hung
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes

Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Made-for-TV Movie
Hugh Bonneville, Downton Abbey
Idris Elba, Luther
William Hurt, Too Big To Fail
Bill Nighy, Page Eight
Dominic West, The Hour

Best Supporting Actor in TV Series, Mini-Series, or Made-for-TV Movie
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Paul Giamatti, Too Big To Fail
Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
Tim Robbins, Cinema Verite
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Best Actress in a TV Drama
Claire Danes, Homeland
Mireille Enos, The Killing
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Madeleine Stowe, Revenge
Callie Thorne, Necessary Roughness

Best Actress in a TV Musical or Comedy
Laura Dern, Enlightened
Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Laura Linney, The Big C
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Made-for-TV Movie
Romola Garai, The Hour
Diane Lane, Cinema Verite
Elizabeth McGovern, Downton Abbey
Emily Watson, Appropriate Adult
Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce

Best Supporting Actress in TV Series, Mini-Series, or Made-for-TV Movie

Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred Pierce