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.

Fincher and Nolan on the importance of Terrence Malick

Director Terrence Malick's much buzzed about new film "The Tree of Life" has been dazzling many people as of late. Not only did it win the Palme d'Or at Cannes film festival but has also done astonishingly well at the box office considering the small amount of theaters featuring the picture. 

However, as Fox Searchlight prepares to take the film to over 100 theaters this weekend, they aren't taking any chances with the reputation that the film has already built. Instead, they have created a promotional video with directors David Fincher ("The Social Network, "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo") and Christopher Nolan ("The Dark Knight", "Inception") discussing the genius of Terrence Malick interspersed with clips from the new film. 

So if you were still on the fence about the film even after all of the accolades that it has received and the money it has made, Fox is hoping that Fincher and Nolan's words will finally get your butt in the theater. If you need even more convincing, you can read our review of the film here.

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Movie Review: 'The Tree of Life'

Seen on: June 7, 2011

The players: Director: Terrence Malick, Writer: Terrence Malick, Cast: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain

Facts of interest: Heath Ledger was originally cast in the lead role, but it eventually went to Brad Pitt.

The plot: The eldest son of a 1950s-era Midwestern family sets out on an existential journey that leads him to question his faith while seeking answers to life’s most challenging mysteries.

Our thoughts: Terrence Malick has always been enamored (perhaps even obsessed) with the human condition. For the reclusive auteur, it is life’s great mysteries, its unexplainable inscrutabilities that are the fodder of his art. "The Tree of Life," his most sprawling and overwrought film to date, attempts to answer the great “whys” of our existence by starting at the very beginning.

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'Tree of Life' wins Palme d'Or at Cannes

Terrence Malick's metaphysical drama "The Tree of Life," which stars Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, nabbed the grand prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival. This might come as a shock to many as it was reported that some members of the audience booed the film when it concluded.

The Grand Prix Award at this year's Cannes fest went to "Once Upon A Time In Anatolia" by Nuri Bilge Ceylan and "The Kid with a Bike" by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. Nicolas Winding Refn won best director for "Drive." The Jury Prize was awarded to Maiwenn's "Poliss."

Meanwhile, Jean Dujardin took home the award for best actor for his performance in "The Artist," while Kirsten Dunst won best actress for "Melancholia" (the new Lars von Trier movie). The award for best screenplay went to "Footnote" by Joseph Cedar.

Kim Ki-Duk took home the Un Certain Regard Prize for "Arirang." The same award was also handed to Andreas Dresen for "Halt auf freier Strecke." The Special Jury Prize went to Andrey Zvyagintsev's "Elena." The 64th edition of the Cannes Film Festival ran May 11 to 22, 2011.

Fox Searchlight to release 'Tree of Life'

Fox Searchlight Pictures has acquired the theatrical rights to Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life," which stars Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain. The studio said it will release the film next year.

"Terrence Malick has crafted a deeply moving, keenly observed and magisterial film. Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and the entire cast's performances are simply amazing," said the studio's Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley.

"The Tree of Life" is the impressionistic story of a Midwestern family in the 1950s chronicling the journey of the eldest son Jack (Sean Penn) through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years.

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Daily news dose: John Hughes dead at 59; Robert Luketic to direct new 'Barbarella' film

Here is your dose of film news for August 7, 2009:

Filmmaker John Hughes, whose credits include "The Breakfast Club," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Sixteen Candles," died of a sudden heart attack Thursday in New York. He was 59. Some of his writing credits include "Dennis the Menace" and the "Home Alone" films.

Robert Luketic is in talks to direct "Barbarella," a new version of Roger Vadim's 1968 sci-fi adventure starring Jane Fonda. Joe Gazzam will write the script, which follows a sexual chick traveling the universe and undertaking different missions. Luketic recently helmed "The Ugly Truth." (THR)

Niki Caro, whose credits include the brilliant drama "Whale Rider" and "North Country," is set to direct "Buttercup," about a man who tries to get his life back in order after the death of his wife. Alice O'Neil wrote the script. (THR)

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