The gang over at Pixar is celebrating its 'Toy Story 3' Academy Award nominations today, most notably for Best Picture. "Lee Unkrich [director] and I called each other, and John Lasseter [executive producer] at 5:45," producer Darla K. Anderson tells PopEater. "We were all whooping it up and texting each other. It's really fun."
Anderson says that watching the nominations being read was a nerve-wracking experience for herself and fellow 'Toy Story 3' colleagues.
"When they read off the nominations, we were at the bottom of the second half of the list, and I thought, 'Oh, my God. Come on.' My heart was pounding. The potential was killing me. I personally was surprised."
"It's something you don't take for granted, what a gigantic honor it is, such a huge honor, to be nominated for an Academy Award."
She notes that, "I'm here at Pixar, which is exactly what I want. I want to be with the 400-plus people who made this film possible. We'll definitely be celebrating. It may be as simple as gathering somewhere and hugging each other," she said this morning.
As for what she thinks is their biggest competition? "It seems like 'The King's Speech' and 'The Social Network' are doing so well -- but you never know what is going to happen," Anderson replies.
As the film's lone producer, Anderson would have chief honors of accepting the Oscar if they win Best Picture.
The team knew they were going out on a limb with their animated tale in some respects, but she says, "When this film was finished and in the can, I have to be honest, I felt really an enormous amount of peace."
She says that as a producer, she didn't have to leave any stones unturned in the making of the film, and they made sure that it was exactly how they wanted it to turn out.
"We did take a lot of risks on this film -- we had some moments of loss and poignancy," she said. "We risked Andy giving the toys away, and a lot of intensity, along with a lot of laughter. And I wasn't sure how people would respond to the film -- but I knew we told the story we wanted to tell, and took the story to all those places we wanted to take it."
'Toy Story 3' received five major nominations, including best picture, animated feature, sound editing, original song and adapted screenplay.
Showing posts with label Best. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Best. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Who Is the Best Musician Turned Author?
Ever wanted to know a little bit more about how it feels to be "Like a Rolling Stone"?
Music fans, take note: Legendary folk singer Bob Dylan has inked a deal to write six new books, including two follow-ups to his 2004 best-seller "Chronicles: Volume One" and a collection based on his Sirius XM radio show.
Literary agent Andrew Wylie was seeking an eight-figure offer, Crain's New York Business reported, but it's unclear how much 69-year-old Dylan ultimately wrung out of Simon & Schuster.
We can see why Dylan signed up to write more books -- the singer once told Rolling Stone he was "spoiled" by the positive response to "Chronicles: Volume One."
"The reviews of this book, some of 'em almost made me cry - in a good way," he confessed. "I'd never felt that from a music critic, ever...."
Dylan is not the only musician to enjoy a little love from the best-seller lists. Readers can't get enough of hearing about Keith Richards' "Life" with the Rolling Stones.
And back in the '90s, poetry fans were more likely to be studying Jewel than Shakespeare.
Music fans, take note: Legendary folk singer Bob Dylan has inked a deal to write six new books, including two follow-ups to his 2004 best-seller "Chronicles: Volume One" and a collection based on his Sirius XM radio show.
Literary agent Andrew Wylie was seeking an eight-figure offer, Crain's New York Business reported, but it's unclear how much 69-year-old Dylan ultimately wrung out of Simon & Schuster.
We can see why Dylan signed up to write more books -- the singer once told Rolling Stone he was "spoiled" by the positive response to "Chronicles: Volume One."
"The reviews of this book, some of 'em almost made me cry - in a good way," he confessed. "I'd never felt that from a music critic, ever...."
Dylan is not the only musician to enjoy a little love from the best-seller lists. Readers can't get enough of hearing about Keith Richards' "Life" with the Rolling Stones.
And back in the '90s, poetry fans were more likely to be studying Jewel than Shakespeare.
Denise Richards Trying Her Best to Protect the Kids from Charlie Sheen's Antics
Charlie Sheen's behavior during the last month has been bizarre to say the least. With more and more claims of his wild partying ways coming out almost every day, ex-wife Denise Richards is doing all she can to protect the couple's two young daughters from all the news.
The 39-year-old actress is speaking out about her worries in an interview with 'Access Hollywood.' Richards says, "I think a lot of people are concerned about Charlie, and my concern is obviously -- what becomes difficult is things become so public."
She continues, "I try my best to keep that quiet from our daughters because, you know, this is something I've never dealt with in my life until this situation. I'm learning how to deal with it, and just keeping a lid on it for our kids has been my main priority and it does become difficult."
The couple went through a bitter and very public divorce in 2006, after a three-year marriage. Initially it was decided that that they would share custody of daughters Sam, 6, and Lola, 5, but last year Richards persuaded Sheen to sign over sole parental rights to her.
Richards said that she worked hard to maintain a cordial relationship with Sheen for the sake of the children, and that it seemed to have worked well for all of them over the last two years. She believes, however, Sheen's behavior during a family trip to New York last year may have set things back.
Richards says, "When we went to New York, that was our intention -- to have a nice time with the girls and I thought it was great that we could all travel together and go out to dinner and do things even though we're not together anymore. The events that took place after that, you know, it was ... difficult."
The event Richards is referring to is when Sheen hired porn star Capri Anderson, got drunk and trashed his room at the Plaza hotel while Anderson hid behind a locked bathroom door.
Watch an exclusive interview Richards gave to PopEater's Naughty but Nice Rob Shuter just after the New York incident.
The 39-year-old actress is speaking out about her worries in an interview with 'Access Hollywood.' Richards says, "I think a lot of people are concerned about Charlie, and my concern is obviously -- what becomes difficult is things become so public."
She continues, "I try my best to keep that quiet from our daughters because, you know, this is something I've never dealt with in my life until this situation. I'm learning how to deal with it, and just keeping a lid on it for our kids has been my main priority and it does become difficult."
The couple went through a bitter and very public divorce in 2006, after a three-year marriage. Initially it was decided that that they would share custody of daughters Sam, 6, and Lola, 5, but last year Richards persuaded Sheen to sign over sole parental rights to her.
Richards said that she worked hard to maintain a cordial relationship with Sheen for the sake of the children, and that it seemed to have worked well for all of them over the last two years. She believes, however, Sheen's behavior during a family trip to New York last year may have set things back.
Richards says, "When we went to New York, that was our intention -- to have a nice time with the girls and I thought it was great that we could all travel together and go out to dinner and do things even though we're not together anymore. The events that took place after that, you know, it was ... difficult."
The event Richards is referring to is when Sheen hired porn star Capri Anderson, got drunk and trashed his room at the Plaza hotel while Anderson hid behind a locked bathroom door.
Watch an exclusive interview Richards gave to PopEater's Naughty but Nice Rob Shuter just after the New York incident.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Santonio Holmes: Troy Polamalu is Best
Troy Polamalu has a huge fan in Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes.
Holmes, in his first season with New York, gushed Wednesday about the effect his former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate has on games.
"With all due respect, I honestly think Troy Polamalu is probably the greatest player I've ever played with or even seen play in person," Holmes said. "Everybody has their one person they think is the greatest player. In my eyes, I think he's the greatest player I've ever played with."
Holmes will get to see Polamalu up close as an opponent when the Jets (13-5) and Steelers (13-4) play for the AFC championship Sunday night in Pittsburgh. Polamalu sat out the teams' previous meeting last month -- a 22-17 victory for the Jets -- with a right Achilles' tendon injury.
"The things that he did in my four years of being there, and prior to me getting there, was just disrupt a team," Holmes said. "He's jumping over the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball, tackling runners in the backfield, jumping up and intercepting the ball one-handed. He's returning it for touchdowns, doing numerous things."
Polamalu, a contender for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is recognized as one of the game's best. The safety had seven interceptions in 14 games along with a sack, a forced fumble and 82 tackles.
Holmes was traded to the Jets in the offseason after a sometimes stormy tenure in Pittsburgh. It was highlighted by him being selected MVP of the 2009 Super Bowl after an acrobatic catch to put the Steelers ahead late against Arizona. The speedy wideout knows that for him and the Jets to get to the Super Bowl in Texas, how they deal with Polamalu will be a major factor.
"Just having him keyed in and keeping the ball away from him," Holmes said. "Playing sound football and not turning it over and giving him any opportunities to make those type of plays can definitely keep him from disrupting our team."
Holmes, in his first season with New York, gushed Wednesday about the effect his former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate has on games.
"With all due respect, I honestly think Troy Polamalu is probably the greatest player I've ever played with or even seen play in person," Holmes said. "Everybody has their one person they think is the greatest player. In my eyes, I think he's the greatest player I've ever played with."
Holmes will get to see Polamalu up close as an opponent when the Jets (13-5) and Steelers (13-4) play for the AFC championship Sunday night in Pittsburgh. Polamalu sat out the teams' previous meeting last month -- a 22-17 victory for the Jets -- with a right Achilles' tendon injury.
"The things that he did in my four years of being there, and prior to me getting there, was just disrupt a team," Holmes said. "He's jumping over the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball, tackling runners in the backfield, jumping up and intercepting the ball one-handed. He's returning it for touchdowns, doing numerous things."
Polamalu, a contender for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is recognized as one of the game's best. The safety had seven interceptions in 14 games along with a sack, a forced fumble and 82 tackles.
Holmes was traded to the Jets in the offseason after a sometimes stormy tenure in Pittsburgh. It was highlighted by him being selected MVP of the 2009 Super Bowl after an acrobatic catch to put the Steelers ahead late against Arizona. The speedy wideout knows that for him and the Jets to get to the Super Bowl in Texas, how they deal with Polamalu will be a major factor.
"Just having him keyed in and keeping the ball away from him," Holmes said. "Playing sound football and not turning it over and giving him any opportunities to make those type of plays can definitely keep him from disrupting our team."
Monday, January 17, 2011
Golden Globes Cement Best Actress Oscar Race as a Natalie Portman-Annette Bening Showdown
In the lead-up to the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes are usually a pretty good indicator of who is on the road to Oscar glory. While the prizes are handed out by two entirely different voting bodies -- the Globes come from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a collection of foreign journalists who cover the American movie industry, and the Oscars are awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a collective of over 6,000 film professionals (actors, directors, writers, etc.) -- more often than not, if an actor or actress wins the Globes' lead dramatic acting prize, they go on to score the Oscar.
This year, however, both of the leading contenders for the Best Actress Academy Award -- Annette Bening and Natalie Portman -- took home Globes. In stark contrast to years past, a comedic performance is in very real contention for Academy's top acting prize, and since the Globes separate drama and comedy in the lead acting categories, all the Globes did was confirm something we already knew -- that this year's Best Actress race is pretty much a showdown between Bening (for 'The Kids Are All Right') and Portman (for 'Black Swan').
It's never a sure thing, of course, but the Globes do have a pretty good batting average when it comes to accurately predicting who will take home an Oscar. Only once in the last 10 years has the eventual Best Actress Oscar winner not also won a Globe. (The exception came in 2002, when Sissy Spacek took the drama prize for 'In the Bedroom' and Nicole Kidman won the musical/comedy award for 'Moulin Rouge,' while Halle Berry went on to win the Oscar for 'Monster's Ball.')
Most often, the Globes' Best Actress (Drama) winner is the one who takes home the big prize. Seven of the nine Globe winners who went on to win the Oscar won in the drama category, while the two musical/comedy winners -- Reese Witherspoon ('Walk the Line') and Marion Cotillard ('La Vie en Rose') -- won for dramatic performances in what the HFPA determined were musicals.
So while the Oscars do tend to favor drama, that Bening's performance is being treated as a comedic one certainly doesn't rule her out of the Oscar race. 'The Kids Are All Right' is probably better described as a dramedy than a full-on comedy, and her role as the lesbian mother of two children who seek out their sperm donor father is a heavy one.
There's also a sentiment in Hollywood that Bening is long overdue for an Oscar win and that her strong performance in 'Kids' is worthy-enough of recognition. The Academy has a long history of handing out what some call "career Oscars." Just last year, after four nominations and no wins, Jeff Bridges took home the Best Actor prize for 'Crazy Heart' despite being up against an arguably better performance by Colin Firth, who himself is the frontrunner for this year's win, in 'A Single Man.' There's no argument that Bridges gave a fantastic performance in 'Heart,' but was he really better than Firth, or was it just time for the acting legend to finally take home Hollywood's biggest prize?
Hollywood's inclination to award veteran performers who have racked up multiple nominations is well-known. In 2009, Kate Winslet, whose nomination for 'The Reader' was her sixth, took home the Best Actress trophy for a lukewarm-reviewed film while first-time nominee Anne Hathaway ('Rachel Getting Married'), who won raves as well as prizes from the National Board of Review, Broadcast Film Critics Association and multiple critics groups, looked on. In 1995, a famously competitive year, Susan Sarandon, who was 0-for-5 at the time, triumphed for her quiet turn in 'Dead Man Walking' over performances that have gone on to gain further esteem, most notably Sharon Stone's intense turn in Martin Scorsese's 'Casino.'
So while Portman's win in the drama category seems to better position her for a victory at the Oscars, the notion that it's Bening's turn to take the podium should not be discounted. The Oscars can be a notoriously political affair -- hence all the campaigning that goes on, when the award is meant to represent the best in film (not the most well-funded marketing machine). With both actresses enjoying Globe glory, Hollywood's second biggest honor has only further entrenched Portman and Bening in a celluloid war with the other -- for everyone else, well, it really is an honor just to be nominated.
Watch PopEater's own Denise Warner, John Mitchell and Jett Wells join Moviefone's Andy Scott to talk about Natalie Portman and Annette Bening's Oscar chances for Moviefone's Movie Club:
This year, however, both of the leading contenders for the Best Actress Academy Award -- Annette Bening and Natalie Portman -- took home Globes. In stark contrast to years past, a comedic performance is in very real contention for Academy's top acting prize, and since the Globes separate drama and comedy in the lead acting categories, all the Globes did was confirm something we already knew -- that this year's Best Actress race is pretty much a showdown between Bening (for 'The Kids Are All Right') and Portman (for 'Black Swan').
It's never a sure thing, of course, but the Globes do have a pretty good batting average when it comes to accurately predicting who will take home an Oscar. Only once in the last 10 years has the eventual Best Actress Oscar winner not also won a Globe. (The exception came in 2002, when Sissy Spacek took the drama prize for 'In the Bedroom' and Nicole Kidman won the musical/comedy award for 'Moulin Rouge,' while Halle Berry went on to win the Oscar for 'Monster's Ball.')
Most often, the Globes' Best Actress (Drama) winner is the one who takes home the big prize. Seven of the nine Globe winners who went on to win the Oscar won in the drama category, while the two musical/comedy winners -- Reese Witherspoon ('Walk the Line') and Marion Cotillard ('La Vie en Rose') -- won for dramatic performances in what the HFPA determined were musicals.
So while the Oscars do tend to favor drama, that Bening's performance is being treated as a comedic one certainly doesn't rule her out of the Oscar race. 'The Kids Are All Right' is probably better described as a dramedy than a full-on comedy, and her role as the lesbian mother of two children who seek out their sperm donor father is a heavy one.
There's also a sentiment in Hollywood that Bening is long overdue for an Oscar win and that her strong performance in 'Kids' is worthy-enough of recognition. The Academy has a long history of handing out what some call "career Oscars." Just last year, after four nominations and no wins, Jeff Bridges took home the Best Actor prize for 'Crazy Heart' despite being up against an arguably better performance by Colin Firth, who himself is the frontrunner for this year's win, in 'A Single Man.' There's no argument that Bridges gave a fantastic performance in 'Heart,' but was he really better than Firth, or was it just time for the acting legend to finally take home Hollywood's biggest prize?
Hollywood's inclination to award veteran performers who have racked up multiple nominations is well-known. In 2009, Kate Winslet, whose nomination for 'The Reader' was her sixth, took home the Best Actress trophy for a lukewarm-reviewed film while first-time nominee Anne Hathaway ('Rachel Getting Married'), who won raves as well as prizes from the National Board of Review, Broadcast Film Critics Association and multiple critics groups, looked on. In 1995, a famously competitive year, Susan Sarandon, who was 0-for-5 at the time, triumphed for her quiet turn in 'Dead Man Walking' over performances that have gone on to gain further esteem, most notably Sharon Stone's intense turn in Martin Scorsese's 'Casino.'
So while Portman's win in the drama category seems to better position her for a victory at the Oscars, the notion that it's Bening's turn to take the podium should not be discounted. The Oscars can be a notoriously political affair -- hence all the campaigning that goes on, when the award is meant to represent the best in film (not the most well-funded marketing machine). With both actresses enjoying Globe glory, Hollywood's second biggest honor has only further entrenched Portman and Bening in a celluloid war with the other -- for everyone else, well, it really is an honor just to be nominated.
Watch PopEater's own Denise Warner, John Mitchell and Jett Wells join Moviefone's Andy Scott to talk about Natalie Portman and Annette Bening's Oscar chances for Moviefone's Movie Club:
"Boardwalk Empire" Earns Best Drama, and Best Actor for Steve Buscemi
Steve Buscemi's role as gangster Nucky Thompson, the man who made Atlantic City what it is, scored the veteran actor the Best Actor in a Drama prize.
"I have to thank table 114, you guys are a lot of fun," said Buscmei. "Now I have to put my glasses on, I'm gonna try to talk fast before that sad music comes on. I'd like to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press, this is quite an honor. I thank you."
"I'm only as good as the people I work with, and I have the best cast thank you, Kelly--are you saying please wrap up already?--thank you, Kelly and the whole cast. I love going to work every day. I wanna thank the crew, I wanna thank the directors... Martin Scorsese, you're genius is matched only by your generosity..."
Moments later, the shows's creator, Terrence Winter took the stage to accpet the show's prize for Best TV Drama
"Holy F'in' crap, we just won a Golden Globe award!"
"I have to thank table 114, you guys are a lot of fun," said Buscmei. "Now I have to put my glasses on, I'm gonna try to talk fast before that sad music comes on. I'd like to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press, this is quite an honor. I thank you."
"I'm only as good as the people I work with, and I have the best cast thank you, Kelly--are you saying please wrap up already?--thank you, Kelly and the whole cast. I love going to work every day. I wanna thank the crew, I wanna thank the directors... Martin Scorsese, you're genius is matched only by your generosity..."
Moments later, the shows's creator, Terrence Winter took the stage to accpet the show's prize for Best TV Drama
"Holy F'in' crap, we just won a Golden Globe award!"
Why Best TV Actress Winner Laura Linney Missed The Globes
Celebrated actress Laura Linney was awarded with another accolade on Sunday – a Golden Globe win for her work on Showtime’s “The Big C” — but she wasn’t there to receive it for a tragic reason.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Laura’s father, Romulus Linney, a playwright, died of lung cancer the night before. Romulus died at his home in Germantown, N.Y., the trade mag reported.
Laura won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Comedy series for playing Cathy Jamison on “The Big C,” a high school teacher and mom, whose life changes after finding out she has stage 4 cancer.
Romulus’ funeral will be a private ceremony, the mag reported.
It was the second Globe win for Laura, who previously took home the award for Best Performance by an Actress In a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television in 2009 for her role in the mini-series “John Adams.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Laura’s father, Romulus Linney, a playwright, died of lung cancer the night before. Romulus died at his home in Germantown, N.Y., the trade mag reported.
Laura won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Comedy series for playing Cathy Jamison on “The Big C,” a high school teacher and mom, whose life changes after finding out she has stage 4 cancer.
Romulus’ funeral will be a private ceremony, the mag reported.
It was the second Globe win for Laura, who previously took home the award for Best Performance by an Actress In a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television in 2009 for her role in the mini-series “John Adams.”
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