New York Film Critics Circle Awards 2011

The New York Film Critics Circle today announced its 2011 via Twitter, and Michel Hazanavicius's critically acclaimed film "The Artist" took home the prize for best picture. Emmanuel Lubezki won best cinematography for Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life."

Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin can share the award for best screenplay for "Moneyball." Brad Pit was named best actor for his performances in "Moneyball" and "The Tree of Life". The NYFCC selected Michel Hazanavicius of "The Artist" for best director.

Meryl Streep won best actress for her role as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." Jessica Chastain took home best supporting actress for three films: "The Tree of Life," "The Help" and "Take Shelter." Albert Brooks was named best supporting actor for "Drive."

"Margin Call" was voted best first film, and Werner Herzog's "Cave of Forgotten Dreams" won best non-fiction film. "A Separation" took the award for best foreign film. The NYFCC did their best to race to the polls and be the first to announce their 2011 winners.

Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep to star in 'August'

Actresses Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep are headed to the big screen together for John Wells' adaptation of Tracy Letts' Pulitzer-winning play "August: Osage County." Letts wrote the screenplay.

THR says the story centers on a family's life after the death of its patriarch. Streep will play the widow/mother, and Roberts stars as the eldest daughter, whose husband had an affair with a student.

Sounds like quite the drama. Roberts last starred in "Eat Pray Love," while Streep last appeared in "It's Complicated." Wells, who will be directing "August," has "The Company Men" coming soon.

Sony picks up Meryl Streep/Tina Fey comedy

Meryl Streep and Tina Fey will play mother and daughter in "Mommy & Me," and Sony Pictures has officially picked up the comedy project, which Stanley Tucci will direct. Tucci also helmed "Blind Date."

The Hollywood Reporter says no story details are being released, but the film will obviously deal with all the problems and funy aspects that come with mother-daughter relationships.

Joby Harold penned the treatment. Streep starred with Tucci in "Julie & Julia" and "The Devil Wears Prada." Fey, the "30 Rock" star, was last seen in "Date Night." She will next be heard in "Megamind."

2009 Screening Log Movie Awards Winners!

A week ago I posted the nominations for the 1st annual Screening Log Movie Awards, and here are the winners I picked for the year 2009. These are really the best of the best of the year.

The big winner for me is "Up in the Air," which received three awards, including best film, best screenplay and best supporting actress (Vera Farmiga). Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" won two prizes.

As you can see below, the best actor category ended in a tie. It's something I don't usually like to do, but Nicolas Cage and Jeff Bridges just equally surprised me this year. Enjoy all the winners below.

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Movie Review: “It’s Complicated”

Seen on: December 25, 2009

The players: Director: Nancy Meyers, Writer: Nancy Meyers, Cast: Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski, Lake Bell

Facts of interest: Meyers previously directed "The Holiday."

The plot: Jane and Jake have been divorced for 10 years. Chaos erupts when the two start having an affair.

Our thoughts: Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin offer a trio of wonderful performances in Nancy Meyers’ new comedy “It’s Complicated,” a simplistic, yet quite charming and overall mildly entertaining film about what happens to a divorcee when she engages in a passionate affair with her ex-husband. 

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This week's new movie releases - Dec. 25, 2009

Opening this week are "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes" with Robert Downey Jr., and Nancy Meyers' "It's Complicated" with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin.

SHERLOCK HOLMES (with Robert Downey Jr.)

Synopsis: In a dynamic new portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous characters, “Sherlock Holmes” sends Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.

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Southeastern Film Critics Awards 2009

The Southeastern Film Critics Association picked Jason Reitman's superb "Up in the Air" as the best film of 2009. Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" was runner-up, followed by Pixar's animated flick "Up."

That said, Kathryn Bigelow ("Locker") picked up the award for best director. George Clooney ("Up in the Air") was voted best actor of 2009. Meryl Streep was named best actress for her role in "Julie & Julia."

Christoph Waltz picked up another award for best supporting actor in "Inglourious Basterds," while Mo’Nique was named best supporting actress for "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."

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New York Film Critics Circle Awards 2009

The New York Film Critics Circle today announced its 2009 film awards, and Kathryn Bigelow's war drama "The Hurt Locker" was named best film of the year. N.Y. critics also named Bigelow best director.

In the best actress category, Meryl Streep took the top award for her extraordinary performance in "Julie & Julia." George Clooney won best actor for "Up in the Air," and in my book, he totally deserves it.

Christoph Waltz was named best supporting actor for his amazing role in "Inglourious Basterds," and Mo'nique picked up yet another best supporting actress prize for her powerful performance in "Precious."

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Boston film critics pick 'Hurt Locker' as year's best

The Boston Society of Film Critics has named its best films of the year, and just like the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, it picked Kathryn Bigelow's war drama "The Hurt Locker" as best film of '09.

"Locker" won more than one award though. Bigelow was named best director, and Barry Ackroyd won the award for best cinematography. Bob Murawski and Chris Innis won best editing for the film.

Joel Coen and Ethan Coen earned the award for best screenplay for "A Serious Man," and Meryl Streep won best actress for "Julie & Julia." Christoph Waltz won best supporting actor for "Inglourious Basterds."

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New York online critics name 'Avatar' best of '09

It has begun! James Cameron's anticipated spectacle "Avatar" was screened for us critics last week, and the New York Film Critics Online on Sunday named the upcoming sci-fi action epic the best film of 2009.

"Avatar," however, only took home one award. It was Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" that was named winner in four different categories, starting with best screenplay by Quentin Tarantino.

The violent WWII drama also won best cinematography for Robert Richardson, and actor Christopher Waltz took home the awards for best supporting actor and breakthrough performer. That's good to hear!

Jeff Bridges was named best actor for his role in "Crazy Heart," while Meryl Streep won in the best actress category for "Julie & Julia." Mo'Nique took home the award for best supporting actress for "Precious."

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