Posts Tagged ‘Oscar’

Veteran filmmaker and director Kevin Smith is shaking things up in Hollywood with his new movie, Red State. The film, a fast-paced suspense/horror film about a Christian church that takes drastic action against those it deems sinners, recently wrapped a 15-city American tour that was a smashing success, as well as a one week only Oscar run at Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Theatre in Los Angeles.

Though Red State is slated for an October release, Smith took the movie across the country on a sneak preview/Q&A tour in order to raise funds for distribution, as the movie is being released without the help of any major motion picture company.

The tour, which ended on April 9th at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, raised a staggering amount of money in it’s showings and has shown that Smith’s wild experiment was a great one, bringing the film into profit on a very limited run.

Red State has been in the works for years. A sharp detour from Smith’s usual films (mostly comedies with a touch of drama), Red State was passed on by the Weinstein brothers (Smith’s usual backers), as well as many other movie studios. Having what Smith himself deemed a great movie on his hands but without his usual support, the filmmaker decided to make it himself, and shoot the film on a shoestring budget of only $4,000,000, which represented the smallest budget he had worked with since “Chasing Amy” (one of my favorite films ever).

Somehow, Smith was able to put together a phenomenal movie in “Red State”, with a cast that includes John Goodman, Oscar winner Melissa Leo, comedian Kevin Pollack, Steven Root, the stunningly beautiful Kerry Bishé and more. The star that steals the movie though, is veteran actor Michael Parks, who brings five decades of acting experience to the part of Abin Cooper, patriarch and preacher.

Parks is a larger than life figure who absolutely dominates every frame that he is in, and makes the audience completely buy in to his characters fervor and beliefs. It would be shocking to see his name missing from this year’s Oscar nominees for Best Actor.

Though time and time again Smith was told “Red State” was not a film Hollywood studios could sell, repeated sold out showings throughout the country have proven otherwise. With the success of “Red State”, Smith may be able to turn things in Hollywood on their head, and show that if a filmmaker has enough passion, drive and determination, they can succeed when every other person in the room believes that they will fail. Smith marketed the film himself through his own Smodcast team and steadfastly has believed in “Red State”, and not only has he proven himself right, but also he has made one of the best films of his career in the process.

All of here at Positively Celebrity laud Kevin Smith’s example of “Red State” as a project that he believed in when no one else would, and are looking forward to it’s successful run in theaters throughout the world, as well as on DVD/Blu-Ray and VOD (releasing on September 1). You can learn more about Red State by going to it’s website – www.CoopersDell.com.

And, as always, be sure to check back for all things celebrity from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

A hearty Congratulations is in order for Oscar and Grammy-award-winning actress/singer Jennifer Hudson and fiancé David Daniel Otunga, on the recent birth of their brand-spankin’-new baby boy, named after his father.

The Junior David weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds, 14 ounces and is described by Ms. Hudson’s publicist Lisa Kasteler as “beautiful and perfect.” The latest development is a welcome event in the life of both parents, but particularly to Ms. Hudson, who experienced tragedy in fall 2008 when her mother, brother and nephew were brutally slain. Congratulations again to both parents!

Those romantics out there looking for a better ending to the one Kate and Leo suffered at the end of “Titanic” may be disappointed to see what their relationship is like in “Revolutionary Road,” their first film together since the big boat sank twelve years ago.

Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio play Frank and April Wheeler, a young, idealistic couple in the ‘50s based on the 1961 book by Richard Yates. They meet at a party, find each other interesting, and get married. Soon they have the stereotypical American dream with two kids living in a quaint house in the suburbs. He goes to work joining the other carbon copies of husbands just like him who are like workers in an assembly line everyday marching to and from work moving in a sea of hats. You don’t even know who is who – they’re all just hats that look exactly alike.

Being just like everyone else is adamantly not enough for April who meanwhile stays at home everyday with all her unfilled goals, fantasies and desires bubbling dangerously close to the surface. Finally, she gets the brilliant idea: “Let’s escape all this and move to Paris!” she tells Frank. Hesitant at first, he eventually agrees and they’re off to Paris – or at least that was the intention. Conflicts arise like Frank getting a job promotion and an unexpected pregnancy. Will they stay or will they go?

Meanwhile Frank and April are crippled by their incessant fighting. They got together because they thought they saw the same idealistic, ambitious, individualistic goals in each other; but, it turns out they don’t actually want the same thing lending to a film that consists of mostly just bickering. The film barely showed any happy moments so it’s hard to grasp that they ever did love each other making it hard to care if they do ever end up happy together.

While DiCaprio’s performance is satisfactory, it seems as though he prepared for his role by watching too much of Pete on “Mad Men” with an uncanny similarity of speech pattern. Actually much of the supporting cast is also just a big parody of the ‘50s with them acting as caricatures of the decade’s desperate individuals. “No Frank, he’s not welllllll,” Kathy Baker wails a little too dramatically.

In fact, the whole film comes off as a cliché of the 1950s. While the characters incessantly puff away at cigarettes and lunch over a wee bit too many martinis, the film doesn’t go beyond the surface and lacks the book’s emotional depth. It’s easy to see that, yes, Frank and April are both deeply unhappy but why? What’s more is that we don’t know who to side with or who to root for because we don’t really understand why they’re both so thoroughly messed up and mean to each other.

The stand-out performances are Winslet and Michael Shannon. Winslet gives it her all both verbally and through her subtle facial expressions. With just one slightly sullen look in her eyes and a pursed together smile, we can clearly see that she is trying to act excited over seeing her new suburban house for the first time even though she views it as a prison.   

Shannon, who plays the son of their friends, is the only one to garner an Oscar nomination for this film; and, while he isn’t in the film for that long he sure makes his presence known to the Wheelers. As a brilliant mathematician who’s spent time in a mental institution, he’s the only one who sees – or dares to – see through the Wheeler’s façade and to call them out on it. Wearing a squished up scowl on his face, he strolls into their perfect little house like a wrecking ball bringing all their true emotions, desires, and motives to the surface. His only crime is making people see themselves for what they really are.

So it’s quite ironic that the “crazy” guy is the only one who really knows what’s going on. Meanwhile, all the “normal” characters in the film are depressed and repressed. If that’s the way it is, “Revolutionary Road” will make you wish that you’re crazy.

Angelina Jolie wielded a gun in this summer’s action flick, “Wanted,” but the role also helped her get the most bang out of her buck. In The Hollywood Reporter’s list of highest-earning actresses released on Friday, Jolie came in at No. 1.

The Oscar winner, who was No. 2 last year, reportedly made $15 million for her assassin role in “Wanted” and could make $20 for the sequel.

 It’s been almost 20 years since she burst onto the scene in “Pretty Woman,” but Julia Roberts proved she can still garner big money. She made the list at No. 2 for making $15 million for her upcoming film, “Duplicity.”

Other big movie stars of Robert’s caliber, however, didn’t make the cut this year. Nicole Kidman and Halle Berry are both Oscar winners like Jolie and Roberts but failed to garner a $10 million salary from any of their movies. 

Last year’s highest-earning actress, Reese Witherspoon, slipped to No. 3 for earning $14 million for “Four Christmases,” which has been No. 1 at the box office for the past two weeks.

Cameron Diaz, Katherine Heigl (who made her debut on the list), Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Aniston, who made $8 million for the upcoming “Marley and Me,” rounded out the list.

Despite the power wattage from these actresses, the Y chromosome still helps to make the big bucks. Will Smith can make up to $25 million per movie and Brad Pitt can get up to $20 million. 

Nevertheless, Shiloh et. al have some rich movie star parents.

Barbara Walters presented her 16th annual edition of “The Ten Most Fascinating People” Thursday night with a list of some obvious choices and a sprinkling of “huhs?”.

The most obvious choice for No. 1 was President-elect Barack Obama. As Walters said herself, “Who are we going to pick other than President-elect Obama, I mean really?”

Viewers heard more about how Obama is a symbol of hope for America and asked him if the expectations for him to cure the economy and save the planet are too high to which he replied, “I can meet expectations of a government that is competent and honest and every single day is trying to make lives of ordinary Americans better.”

One new thing we learned, however, is that Obama never expected to be President – he wanted to be an architect, basketball player or judge.

Someone who does think he could be President is No. 10 on the list, Will Smith. He could potentially play a President because he said Obama would want Smith to play him in a movie; but, Smith also said if he really wanted to be President he could. “If I absolutely chose to, absolutely,” he said. “But I’m not ever going to choose to. I like being in movies.”

In fact, he’s starring in “Seven Pounds” opening in two weeks, which seemed to be the only reason why he was on Walter’s list.

Tom Cruise, who came in at No. 2, also seemed to be on the list because of his upcoming movie, “Valkryie.” Walters said this time interviewing him he appeared to be a “weathered and wiser Tom Cruise.” He is now keeping mum on his previously outspoken Scientology beliefs and, as Walters said, “He is no longer the boy wonder we fell in love with, the cocky young stud who finds his heart at the last minute or the hero who defeats evil with ease. Now he’s grown into something far more daring and interesting.”

While Smith and Cruise are uber-famous stars, Walters put a low-profile actor, Frank Langella, on her list at No. 4. And surprise, he’s also in a movie coming out: “Frost/Nixon.” Langella is not a star, but Walters said he has finally found stardom with his Tony Award for playing Richard Nixon in a play and now his role in the screen adaptation.

If Walters wanted to pick an actor who has finally made success, she should have picked the No. 1 comeback actor right now, Robert Downey, Jr.

But, at least Langella is honest. In regards to if he wants to win an Oscar he said, “It would be disingenuinous and absurd for an actor to say it doesn’t matter. Of course it does. Very few people win an Oscar. Wouldn’t it be great to be one of them?”

Someone who has won quite a lot of accolades is record-breaking Olympic swimmer, Michael Phelps, who won eight gold medals this year. Enough said there.

Enough also said with No. 8 on the list. Teen sensation Miley Cyrus has her own hit TV show, her new solo album not as Hannah Montana and a hit movie, “Bolt.” Not to mention that little scandal with the photos in “Vanity Fair.” She did admit that she sometimes worries, “Am I just it for now? But I live for the moment so I’m loving this and taking it all in.”

And it wouldn’t be a recap of 2008 without talking about Sarah Palin and her uncanny impersonator, Tina Fey. Walters put Palin at No. 3 because she showed that the celebrity lifecycle applies to politics as well. In under three months she went from, “hopeful unknown, to white hot star, to tarnished disappointment, to comeback tour.”

Fey, who came in at No. 7, didn’t think her impression was mean or sexist towards Palin: “There’s a strange double standard of a woman portraying another woman,” she said. “We stuck to things that at a lot of times she herself said.”

Another political commentator, Rush Limbaugh, made the list at No. 6. The conservative radio host appeared to make the list simply because he was a popular commentator on this year’s election who was one of the few to defend Palin. After some grilling on Walter’s part regarding his opinion on Palin, women aging in our culture and his contract of $38 million a year, Limbaugh described himself as “a harmless, lovable little fuzzball.”

Lastly, the pregnant man, Thomas Beatie, appeared on the list at No. 5. We’ve heard all about how Beatie became a man but used his female reproductive organs to give birth to a baby girl in June. What we did learn, however, is that the pregnant man is now pregnant once more. “You’re going to go through this again?” Walters asked.

All in all, a list of some obvious picks and also some “so whats?” Joy Behar, Walter’s co-host on “The View” also had some bones to pick with the show when she appeared during the end credits.

“What exactly do I have to do to get on this show? Miley Cyrus is 16 years old. I have brassieres older than her. Should I skin a moose? Become a man and then get pregnant? Maybe I’ll jump over a couch.”

Maybe next year, Joy.

There aren’t many actors out there who shrug off their new movie as “just a film,” but Diego Luna does.

The 28-year-old told People at the premiere of his newly released film, “Milk,” that his almost four-month-old son, Jeronimo, changed his perspective on life.

“I’m here just talking about a film – it’s just a film – everything now is just what it is,” he said. “It can’t be so important. Now, there’s just one thing that really matters.”

Luna was born in Mexico City, Mexico to an English mother and Mexican father, but sadly his mother died in a car accident when he was two. Luna, whose father is a celebrated theater, cinema and opera set designer, began acting at an early age and became friends with fellow actor, Gael Garcia Bernal.

Luna got his big break in 2001 when he starred with Bernal in the critically acclaimed Mexican film, “Y tu mama también,” and he has gone on to star in films such as “Frida,” “The Terminal” and “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.”

In his latest role in Gus Van Sant’s “Milk” he falls in love with Sean Penn’s character, Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay elected official. “Milk” has earned rave reviews from critics and is already garnering Oscar buzz.

Making great films is something Luna cares a lot about even starting a production company with Bernal. They will next be producing a documentary directed by John Malkovich about illegal aliens.

But it seems films will be a little lower on his priority list these days because of Jeronimo.

“There is just one reason for you to be here,” he told People. “It’s to make sure someone else is happy, and has everything he needs. It’s as simple as that.”

The leaves have fallen, the snow’s on its way and so are the season’s Oscar-worthy movies and holiday fare to take you through that long, delicious Thanksgiving dinner and those countless Christmas songs on the radio.

Slumdog Millionaire (Nov. 12) The newest film from genre-shifting Danny Boyle is about a man (Dev Patel) participates on the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” Pieces of his life – including the story of his love with a childhood soulmate- are depicted throughout the film as the super smart contestant is questioned on how he knows all the answers. Critics are already calling it a possibility for Best Picture.

Quantum of Solace (Nov. 14) The latest in the 007 franchise picks up right after last year’s “Casino Royale” left off when Bond and Mr. White came face to face. On his mission to find out who blackmailed his deceased love, Vesper, into betraying him, Bond will travel to Austria, Italy and South America while, of course, meeting some new Bond girls.

Twilight (Nov. 21) Step aside, “Harry Potter,” the first installment in the almost-equally popular “Twilight” book series is on its way. Instead of “Harry’s” witches, warlocks and muggles, “Twilight” brings us the story of a typical teenage girls who happens to fall in love with a devastatingly handsome vampire.

Four Christmases (Nov. 26) Unless you have to attend four Christmases as well, you’ll have time to see this romantic comedy in which Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn have to split up Christmas between each of their divorced parents after their tropical getaway flight gets cancelled. An all-star cast includes Mary Steenburgen, Sissy Spacek, Robert Duvall and Jon Voight.

Wendy and Lucy (Dec. 10) No, Wendy and Lucy aren’t two best girlfriends – at least in the human sense. Michelle Williams of “Brokeback Mountain” and “Dawson’s Creek” fame is Wendy and Lucy is her dog and traveling companion on her trip to a new job in Alaska. She already only has about $600 to her name but it gets worse when her car breaks down and she loses Lucy. Williams could possibly get an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

Nothing Like the Holidays (Dec. 12) John Leguizamo, Freddy Rodriguez and Debra Messing star in this holiday-themed family drama movie. The Rodriguez family gathers in Chicago to celebrate Christmas and the return of their son from Iraq. Expect secrets to be revealed and family drama to ensue. If you liked Jodi Foster’s “Home for the Holidays,” this one may be for you.

Yes Man (Dec. 19) Jim Carrey used to say “no, no ,no,” but now he’s saying “yes, yes, yes.” Throughout the course of a year, Carrey pledges to say “yes” to everything as part of a self-help program he signs up for. Of course its Jim Carrey, so expect silly hilarity to ensue and look for costar Zooey Deschanel whose shone brightly in small roles in “Elf” and “Failure to Launch.”

Bedtime Stories (Dec. 25) Another not so little-known funnyman by the name of Adam Sandler stars in this family holiday comedy. Sandler is an uncle who tells crazy bedtime stories; but instead of reading a normal book with ordinary pictures, his stories come to life with crazy CGI effects to keep the little ones both in the movie and in the theater entertained this Christmas.

With “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” setting a box office record opening for a musical with $42 million last weekend, it doesn’t look like movie musicals are dead.

The all-time best movie musicals like “The Sound of Music,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Grease,” and “West Side Story,” thrived in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s; but, that doesn’t mean there haven’t been any movies worth singing about lately. Read on for the best movie musicals to be made within the last decade.

5. Sweeney Todd (2007) Sure most musicals are uplifting, but Sweeney Todd does not lack in musical quality. Based on the Broadway musical, Tim Burton’s dark drama set in Victorian England about a murderous barber out to revenge the man who exiled him and stole away his wife and daughter boasts soaring, melodramatic songs sung by Johnny Depp whose singing is as good as his acting.

4. Walk the Line (2005) Not only does this biography of Johnny Cash tell a moving story, it has the music to match it. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon – as Johnny and June Cash – not only portray the country duo to a hilt; they perfectly capture their singing styles. All together this makes great storytelling and a great soundtrack. Witherspoon won an Oscar for Best Actress.

3. Once (2006) This low-budget film starring real life performers, rather than professional actors, wasn’t a hit at the box office, but the Academy noticed it. Earlier this year, Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard were awarded with Best Song with the titular “Once.” It’s a simple film that tells the love story of two characters who aren’t even given names through the songs they write, rehearse and record in the course of a week.

2. Moulin Rouge! (2001) Unlike “Once,” this movie musical is stylish, glitzy, and over-the-top, which is what makes it so much fun. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor play star-crossed lovers in 1899 Paris. Kidman is Satine, a prostitute at the underworld night club (the titular Moulin Rouge) and McGregor is the idealistic, romantic poet who sings beautifully heartbreaking songs to his beloved Satine in a film reminiscent of “Romeo & Juliet.”

1. Chicago (2002) One of a handful of movie musicals to win Best Picture, “Chicago” boasts an all-star cast of Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, John C. Reilly and Queen Latifah; spectacular, jazzy songs and dance numbers, and an intricate, tantalizing story of love and murder set in 1920s Chicago. Zeta-Jones won Best Supporting Actress.

After three long days of intense search throughout Chicago, the family Jennifer Hudson received the worst possible news: that the body of a 7-year-old male found in a white SUV on Chicago’s Southside was indeed the nephew of the Oscar-winning actress.

Julian Hudson was taken from his grandmother’s home on Friday, following what police termed a “domestic disturbance.” Inside the home was the body of Hudson’s mother and older brother. Julia Hudson, Jennifer’s sister and Julian’s mother, discovered the bodies and immediately notified authorities, having realized her son was nowhere to be found.

A statewide search quickly ensued, and Jennifer Hudson offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of her beloved nephew.

What a tragic end to a young life, an entire family, and to its community, which stood in support of the Hudson family throughout this entire ordeal.

Our thoughts are with those who mourn over this senseless tragedy, and certainly with the Hudson family, while we respect their privacy during what is bound to be a difficult healing process.

On the heels of her national breakthrough tour, Jennifer Hudson and her family are faced with the worst of tragedies. On Friday Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, age 57, and Donerson’s oldest son, Jason, age 29, were found dead by Jennifer’s sister, Julia, in Donerson’s home. Both had been shot multiple times.

As if things couldn’t get worse, Julia’s son (Jennifer’s nephew) is missing from the home, where he spent the night with his grandmother. He is just 7 years old. The Hudson family went public to plea for the child’s safe return.

From the beginning of her career, Jennifer Hudson credited the loving support and continued encouragement from her family. It was in fact her mother who suggested Hudson audition for American Idol, which helped to launch her career.

Since appearing on AI, Hudson has gone on to appear in films, notably Dreamgirls, which garnished an Oscar, as well as several other films. Her latest film, The Secret Life of Bees, is now appearing in theaters nationwide and also stars Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Dakota Fanning and Sophie Okonedo.