Academy Selects 15 Documentary Hopefuls to its Shortlist

The AMPAS has chosen 15 films from the qualifying 89 documentaries to its shortlist. The hopefuls, vying for a final spot in the Documentary Feature category of the 82nd Academy Awards, are listed below, but the list is not without a bit of controversy. Some prominent omissions include the acclaimed smash Anvil! The Story of Anvil, James Toback's Tyson, and, most notably, Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story. Moore's previous film Sicko was nominated in 2008 and his documentary Bowling for Columbine won an Oscar in 2003. However, the 15 documentaries listed below are still all more than deserving of a selection.

Pixar's Up Gets a Gorgeous For Your Consideration Ad in Variety

One of the many perks of the awards season are the For Your Consideration ads that studios run at this time of year. Basically, full-page ads are taken out in the trade mags to get Academy voters to consider that movie when they're voting. It's part of the epic political process of getting a movie nominated at the Oscars. While this may seem a bit odd to those not a part of the industry, I like these FYC ads because they're always beautifully designed and they always highlight a great movie. For example, this full-page ad for Pixar's Up (scanned via Awards Daily) is quite gorgeous and shows that Disney really wants this to win Best Picture.

Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin to Co-Host the Academy Awards

After deciding that Hugh Jackman would not be returning to host the Oscars, the AMPAS has announced today that Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin will serve as co-hosts of the 82nd Academy Awards telecast on March 7th, 2010. "We think the team of Steve and Alec are the perfect pair of hosts for the Oscars," said producers Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman. "Steve will bring the experience of having hosted the show in the past and Alec will be a completely fresh personality for this event." This does also confirm, sadly, that Neil Patrick Harris will not be hosting every awards show ever. But will these two sing and dance instead?

Early Best Picture Predictions: Invictus & Hurt Locker Lead

I know we've still got a good two months left in the year and most of the heavy-hitting films haven't even been seen by anyone yet, but it's never too early to talk about the Oscars. Over the past week, Tom O'Neil of the LA Times' Gold Derby blog polled some 16 Oscar pundits and film critics to get an early pulse on what they think are top contenders right now for Best Picture. Those polled include well-known film critics like Erik Davis, Pete Hammond, Peter Travers, Jeff Wells, and Susan Wloszczyna. And the list of their top picks might not exactly be what you're expecting. Or maybe it is? Read on for their picks and to tell us your own!

Hugh Jackman Not Returning to Host the Oscars - Who Should?

Aw shucks! Variety is reporting that Hugh Jackman "quietly turned down the job within the past few weeks." There was much speculation that the Academy might bring back Jackman to host the Oscars once again next March, but that's no longer the case. Last year's presentation was like nothing we've ever seen the Academy do before, with musical numbers and cardboard sets and duets with Anne Hathaway. I enjoyed it, I liked Jackman as the host, now they just need to live up to that or perhaps even improve more this time. So if Jackman is out, who should they pick to host the Oscars? And it can't be another comedian! Or can it?

Ricky Gervais to Host the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards

British comedian Ricky Gervais is no stranger to laughter, making his way from the hit BBC series "The Office" all the way to leading roles in films like Ghost Town and more recently The Invention of Lying (you can check out Brandon's review here). Now Gervais will finally get a job that I've been hoping he'd get for a few years now, as he's been named the host of the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards, which will be broadcast live on the evening of January 17th, 2010 on NBC. This marks the first time that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's yearly gala has had a real host since 1995! No pressure whatsoever, Mr. Gervais.

Best Animated Feature Category Might Have Five Nominees

Even though we're not an Oscar blog, that doesn't mean I don't like to occasionally talk about awards buzz. One category of the Oscars that I'm always nervous about is the Best Animated Feature Film category, which usually (and deservedly) ends up going to the latest Pixar feature (which it should this year too), but occasionally ends up going to someone else (like when Wallace & Gromit or Happy Feet won). The category has usually featured only three nominees, but word is that might finally be bumped up to five this year. It's not due to a change in rules, it's simply that there are enough animated movies to allow for five nominees.

Original Song from Up in the Air Won't Be Eligible for an Oscar

Why does this seem to happen every year? Steve Pond over at The Wrap reports that the song titled "Up in the Air" that plays in Jason Reitman's new film Up in the Air will most likely not end up getting Oscar consideration (even though it deserves it) because of some ridiculous rules that are a part of the Original Song category. Since most people haven't seen Up in the Air yet, the song plays in the end credits second half. It was written by Kevin Renick, a St. Louis musician who gave Reitman the song on a cassette tape after a Q&A. He had written it when he lost his job and it fit perfectly in the film and Jason decided to use it.

Cannes Film Festival Awards 2009 - Michael Haneke Wins!

The 62nd Cannes Film Festival has come to an end. To put the finishing touches on another great festival, this year's awards, including the coveted Palme d'Or, have been announced. The jury was lead by actress Isabelle Huppert and included members Asia Argento, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, James Gray, Hanif Kureishi, Chang-dong Lee, Shu Qi, Sharmila Tagore, and Robin Wright Penn. There were a lot of strong contenders in the competition category this year, but big winner this year is The White Ribbon. Also, Best Director is a huge letdown, as I absolutely hated that movie! Read on for the complete list of winners.

Sound Off: The Oscar Ceremony - Your Favorite Moments?

As Yojiro Takita, director of Best Foreign Film winner Departures, said last night during his acceptance speech, "I am here because of films!" The Oscars are a time to celebrate any and everything film, whether it be the celebrities and their shenanigans, or the filmmakers and craftsmen who make it all look good, or the big execs who make everything happen. I'm one of those people who has grown up with the Oscars. I've watched the show since before I can remember and have never missed it, no matter where I am. This year's new format was refreshing to see and has obviously provided plenty for us to talk about the day after.

2009 Academy Awards Winners - Slumdog Millionaire Wins!

The 81st Academy Awards have arrived and it's time to announce the winners of the most prestigious award in Hollywood. The ceremony is being held live at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood where host Hugh Jackman will be taking us on an Oscars journey like we've never seen before. While our own favorite film, The Dark Knight, didn't get as much Oscar love as we think it deserved, there is still a fine selection of other great nominees this year, including Slumdog Millionaire and Mickey Rourke, amongst others. The complete list of nominees below will be updated with the winners as they're announced live on the show tonight.

PICTURE:

Slumdog Millionaire

DIRECTOR:

Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire

ACTOR:

Sean Penn - Milk

ACTRESS:

Kate Winslet - The Reader

Read on for the complete list of nominees and winners and to let us know what your thoughts are!

This will be updated throughout the night to reflect the winners. Additionally, I occasionally might add a small bit of editorial commentary beneath each category. Winners are highlighted in BOLD below.

2009 Independent Spirit Awards Winners Announced

The Independent Spirit Awards are an annual award given in the name of independent film, featuring those little indies which deserve the honor and recognition that they won't necessarily be receiving at the Oscars tomorrow. The winners were announced earlier tonight at the ceremony held on the beach in Santa Monica. Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler took home the most awards, a total of three, for Best Cinematography, Best Actor, and Best Feature. The rest of the winners couldn't be more deserving and I expect I'll end up liking these winners more than those that are chosen tomorrow night at the Oscars.

Stephen Colbert Predicts This Year's Oscars - Do You Agree?

Everyone's favorite Comedy Central talk show host, Stephen Colbert, has predicted the Oscar winners this year, which, as he says, is "not bad considering I never seen any of the movies, I just look at the posters when I'm outside of the theater protesting." So how does he do it? Well, he uses The DaColbert Code, which is his power to find patterns where none exist. Colbert predicts: Penelope Cruz will win Best Supporting Actress, Kate Winslet will win Best Actress, Heath Ledger will win Best Supporting Actor, Mickey Rourke will win Best Actor, and Slumdog Millionaire will win Best Picture. Those sound about right to you?

2009 BAFTA Award Winners - Slumdog Triumphs Yet Again

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts annual awards for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games, and animation took place today. Often known as the British equivalent to the Oscars, BAFTA is a charity organization which strives to "support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public." They've identified and rewarded a number of excellent films this year - Slumdog Millionaire being the most recognized with a total of 7 awards. Here's the entire rundown of who triumphed across the pond.

Danny Boyle Wins the 2009 Directors Guild Award

Slumdog Millionaire and Danny Boyle triumphed yet again at the Directors Guild of America Awards held last night in Beverly Hills. Boyle won the award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2008 over his fellow nominees which included Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight, David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon and Gus Van Sant for Milk. Ari Folman also won the documentary award for Waltz with Bashir. With this win, it's pretty much certain that Slumdog Millionaire is going to take both the Best Director and Best Picture Oscars on February 22nd.