Spirit Awards 2017: Molly Shannon, Casey Affleck, and “Moonlight”

Posted on February 26, 2017 at 4:01 pm

I love the Spirit Awards (formerly Independent Spirit), given out the night before the Oscars for the best of the year’s independent films. These are movies made with more passion than money, and the award ceremony, on the beach, is always casual and a bit subversive, but always very sincere. I am proud to be a Spirit Awards voter, and very proud of our selections.

Best Feature:

Moonlight (A24)

Producers: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adele Romanski

Best Director:

Barry Jenkins, Moonlight (A24)

Best Screenplay:

Barry Jenkins, Tarell Alvin McCraney (Story By), Moonlight (A24)

Best First Feature:

The Witch (A24)

Director: Robert Eggers

Producers: Daniel Bekerman, Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, Jodi Redmond,

Rodrigo Teixeira

Best First Screenplay:

Robert Eggers, The Witch (A24)

John Cassavetes Award (For best feature made under $500,000):

Spa Night (Strand Releasing)

Writer/Director: Andrew Ahn

Producers: David Ariniello, Giulia Caruso, Ki Jin Kim, Kelly Thomas

Best Supporting Female:

Molly Shannon, Other People (Vertical Entertainment)

isabelle-huppert-in-elle-closing-her-shutters-in-storm-with-help-of-neighbor
Image via Sony Picture Classics
Best Supporting Male:

Ben Foster, Hell or High Water (CBS Films/Lionsgate)

Best Female Lead:

Isabelle Huppert, Elle (Sony Pictures Classics)

Best Male Lead:

Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea (Amazon Studios)

Robert Altman Award:

Moonlight (A24)

Director: Barry Jenkins

Casting Director: Yesi Ramirez

Ensemble Cast: Mahershala Ali, Patrick Decile, Naomie Harris, Alex Hibbert, André Holland, Jharrel Jerome, Janelle Monáe, Jaden Piner, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders

Best Cinematography:

James Laxton, Moonlight (A24)

Best Editing:

Joi McMillon, Nat Sanders, Moonlight (A24)

Best International Film:

Toni Erdmann (Germany and Romania– Sony Pictures Classics)

Director: Maren Ade

Best Documentary:

O.J.: Made in America (ESPN Films)

Director/Producer: Ezra Edelman

Producers: Deirdre Fenton, Libby Geist, Nina Krstic, Erin Leyden, Tamara Rosenberg, Connor Schell, Caroline Waterlow

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The Razzies 2017: Batman v. Superman, Zoolander 2, and Hillary’s America

Posted on February 26, 2017 at 3:54 pm

Each year at Oscar time the Golden Raspberry Awards (the Razzies) pay “tribute” to the worst films of the year.

The big “winner” this year was “Hillary’s America,” an anti-Hillary Clinton “documentary” from Dinesh D’Souza, who was awarded Razzies for worst film, worst director, and worst actress for the woman who portrayed the former first lady, Secretary of State, Senator, and Presidential candidate. D’Souza deserves some sort of good sport award for showing up to accept the honors. Other awardees included “Batman v. Superman” and “Zoolander 2.” Mel Gibson’s comeback was recognized with a “Razzie Redeemer award” for “Hacksaw Ridge.”

Worst picture: “Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party.”

Worst actor: Dinesh D’Souza, for “Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party.”

Worst actress: Rebekah Turner, for “Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party.”

Worst director: Dinesh D’Souza, for “Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party.”

Worst supporting actor: Jesse Eisenberg, from “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”

Worst supporting actress: Kristen Wiig, from “Zoolander No. 2.”

Worst screenplay: “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”

Worst ripoff or sequel: “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”

Worst screen combo: “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”

The Razzie Redeemer Award: Mel Gibson, for “Hacksaw Ridge”

Barry L. Bumstead Award (for a movie that cost a lot and lost a lot): “Misconduct”

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Critics’ Oscar Wishes

Posted on February 25, 2017 at 8:00 am

Many thanks to my friends at Rogerebert.com for including me in their round-up of tributes to the people we’re rooting tomorrow night at the Oscars. I was thrilled to get a chance to write about Mahershala Ali’s performance in “Moonlight,” and I hope the Academy will recognize his superb performance. The all-star line-up writing about all-star filmmakers includes:

Best Documentary: “I Am Not Your Negro” — Essay by Omer Mozaffar
Best Foreign Language Film: “Toni Erdmann” — Essay by Matt Fagerholm
Best Adapted Screenplay: “Moonlight” — Essay by Peter Sobczynski
Best Original Screenplay: “Manchester by the Sea” — Essay by Scout Tafoya
Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali for “Moonlight” — Essay by Nell Minow
Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis for “Fences” — Essay by Christy Lemire
Best Actor: Casey Affleck in “Manchester by the Sea” — Essay by Patrick McGavin
Best Actress: Isabelle Huppert in “Elle”— Essay by Susan Wloszczyna
Best Director: Barry Jenkins for “Moonlight” — Essay by Brian Tallerico
Best Picture: “Moonlight” — Essay by Matt Zoller Seitz

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MovieGuide Awards for Christian Values Entertainment

Posted on February 16, 2017 at 8:00 am

The MovieGuide Awards are sponsored by the Christian Film & Television Commission®

SPECIAL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Lifetime Achievement Award for Communicating and Living the Good News to Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, the 700 Club and Operation Blessing

THE EPIPHANY PRIZES FOR INSPIRING MOVIES & TV

EPIPHANY PRIZE FOR MOST INSPIRING MOVIE OF 2016

Winner: THE YOUNG MESSIAH

Other nominees: HACKSAW RIDGE, MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, GOD’S NOT DEAD 2, RISEN, SILENCE, BEN-HUR (2016), HAIL, CAESAR!

EPIPHANY PRIZE FOR MOST INSPIRING TV PROGRAM OF 2016

Winner: DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE

Other nominees: THE PASSION: NEW ORLEANS, THE BRIDGE PART 2, A TIME TO DANCE, OPERATION CHRISTMAS, POCAHONTAS: DOVE OF PEACE, AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.LD.: SEASON 3: EPISODES: 20-22: Emancipation, Absolution, Ascension

TEN BEST MOVIES FOR FAMILIES

1 – MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN
2 – THE YOUNG MESSIAH
3 – SING
4 – THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016)
5 – FINDING DORY
6 – THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS
7 – TROLLS
8 – QUEEN OF KATWE
9 – ZOOTOPIA
10 – PETE’S DRAGON (2016)

TEN BEST MOVIES FOR MATURE AUDIENCES

1 – GOD’S NOT DEAD 2
2 – HACKSAW RIDGE
3 – CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR
4 – RISEN
5 – SILENCE
6 – BEN-HUR (2016)
7 – THE FINEST HOURS
8 – SULLY
9 – EDDIE THE EAGLE
10 – HAIL, CAESAR!

FAITH & FREEDOM AWARD FOR PROMOTING POSITIVE AMERICAN VALUES IN MOVIES*

Winner: HACKSAW RIDGE

Other Nominees: CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, GOD’S NOT DEAD 2, SULLY, SING, QUEEN OF KATWE, HAIL, CAESAR!

FAITH & FREEDOM AWARD FOR PROMOTING POSITIVE AMERICAN VALUES IN TV*

Winner: OPERATION CHRISTMAS

Other Nominees: POCAHONTAS: DOVE OF PEACE, THE BRIDGE PART 2, DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE, THE PASSION: NEW ORLEANS,
AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.LD.: SEASON 3: EPISODES: 20-22: Emancipation, Absolution, Ascension

* Supported by a grant from the Harry and Lynde Bradley Foundation

GRACE AWARDS FOR MOST INSPIRING ACTING IN MOVIES

WINNING ACTOR: Adam Greaves-Neal for THE YOUNG MESSIAH

Other Nominees: Joseph Fiennes for RISEN, Robert Pike Daniel for HAIL, CAESAR!, David A.R. White for GOD’S NOT DEAD 2, Andrew Garfield for HACKSAW RIDGE, Cliff Curtis for RISEN, Rodrigo Santoro for BEN-HUR (2016), Josh Brolin for HAIL, CAESAR!

WINNING ACTRESS: Melissa Joan Hart for GOD’S NOT DEAD 2

Other Nominees: Kylie Rogers for MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, Jennifer Garner for MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN

GRACE AWARD FOR MOST INSPIRING ACTING IN TELEVISION

WINNING ACTOR: Devielle Johnson for A TIME TO DANCE

OTHER NOMINEES: Ted McGinley for THE BRIDGE PART 2, Tyler Perry for THE PASSION: NEW ORLEANS, Gerald McRaney for DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE, Marc Blucas for OPERATION CHRISTMAS

WINNING ACTRESS: Faith Ford for THE BRIDGE PART 2

OTHER NOMINEES: Alyvia Alyn Lind for DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE, Dolly Parton for DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE, Natalia Cordova-Buckley for AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.LD.: SEASON 3: EPISODES: 20-22 – Emancipation, Absolution, Ascension

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SAG Awards 2017

Posted on January 29, 2017 at 11:01 pm

The presenters and the awardees brought a strong message of justice and inclusion to this year’s SAG awards, which were given out at the end of a long, combative weekend following the new restrictions on people entering the country.

The awards were satisfyingly spread out, honoring a range of productions and sources. Long-time awards favorites and newcomers were recognized, from Denzel Washington (“Fences”) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep”) to Claire Foy (“The Crown”) and the cast of “Stranger Things.” The SAG Award show is always straightforward and elegant. It does not waste time on musical numbers or elaborately produced opening sequences. There are no high-profile hosts. Members of the Screen Actors Guild spoke simply and sincerely about what being an actor meant to them, and then it was just a matter of introducing the nominees and presenting the awards, plus the in memoriam segment and the Lifetime Achievement Award to Lily Tomlin, presented by her “Nine to Five” co-star Dolly Parton (a bit nervous and giggly because her co-presenter, Jane Fonda, had to cancel due to illness).

The awardees:

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Hidden Figures

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Denzel Washington, Fences

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Emma Stone, La La Land

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Viola Davis, Fences

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Hacksaw Ridge

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Stranger Things

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Orange Is the New Black

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
John Lithgow, The Crown

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Claire Foy, The Crown

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
William H. Macy, Shameless

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
Bryan Cranston, All the Way

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
Game of Thrones

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