WEATHER ALERT
Oscars invite Steven Yeun, Issa Rae, others to join Academy
Read full article: Oscars invite Steven Yeun, Issa Rae, others to join AcademySteven Yeun, Nathan Lane, Issa Rae, Robert Pattinson, Janet Jackson, Leslie Odom Jr. and Laverne Cox are among the artists being invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
'Nomadland' wins best picture at a social distanced Oscars
Read full article: 'Nomadland' wins best picture at a social distanced OscarsChloé Zhao’s “Nomadland,” won best picture Sunday at the 93rd Academy Awards, where the China-born Zhao also became just the second woman — and the first woman of color — to win best director.
In possible Oscar preview, 'Nomadland' wins at Spirit Awards
Read full article: In possible Oscar preview, 'Nomadland' wins at Spirit AwardsChloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” won best feature at the 36th Independent Spirit Awards in a ceremony that turned the annual beach soiree into a virtual, largely pre-taped event, and, possibly, an Oscar preview.
Oscar predictions: Can anything beat ‘Nomadland’?
Read full article: Oscar predictions: Can anything beat ‘Nomadland’?Ahead of Sunday’s 93rd Academy Awards, Associated Press Film Writers Jake Coyle and Lindsey Bahr share their predictions for a ceremony that may see historic wins in multiple categories.
On 'Promising Young Woman,' consent, and a harrowing ending
Read full article: On 'Promising Young Woman,' consent, and a harrowing endingIn an audacious and provocative film, there’s no part more audacious and provocative than the final act of “Promising Young Woman,” in which protagonist Cassie exacts her unique form of revenge.
New this week: 'Big Shot,' 'Mare of Easttown' and 'Monday'
Read full article: New this week: 'Big Shot,' 'Mare of Easttown' and 'Monday'This week’s new entertainment releases include new music from rockers Greta Van Fleet and the return of John Stamos to TV as a hot-button NCAA basketball coach in “Big Shot” who ends up coaching girls at an elite private high school.
Chloé Zhao becomes 1st woman of color to win top DGA honor
Read full article: Chloé Zhao becomes 1st woman of color to win top DGA honorChloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” continued its tour of dominance through awards season Saturday night, when Zhao took top honors at the 73rd annual Directors Guild Association Awards.
'Borat,' 'Promising Young Woman' win at Writers Guild Awards
Read full article: 'Borat,' 'Promising Young Woman' win at Writers Guild AwardsThis image released by Amazon Studios shows Sacha Baron Cohen in a scene from "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm." (Amazon Studios via AP)NEW YORK – Sacha Baron Cohen's “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” was partly improvised and scripted by nine writers, but it still walked away Sunday night with one of the Writers Guild Awards' top honors, best adapted screenplay. Best original screenplay went to the script for the feminist revenge thriller “Promising Young Woman,” by writer-director Emerald Fennell. “Thank you for this incredible award, though I can’t help thinking we won it because 60% of the Writers Guild worked on this movie,” said Baron Cohen. The guild's awards came after the conclusion of a two-year battle with talent agencies over potential conflicts of interest as representatives of film and TV writers.
Where to stream the best picture Oscar nominees
Read full article: Where to stream the best picture Oscar nominees(Sony Pictures Classics/Warner Bros. Pictures, Netflix, A24, Searchlight Pictures, Focus Features, Amazon Studios, Netflix via AP)Normally, Academy Award nominations mean an Oscar bump in box office. This year, streaming services and digital rental platforms may get a bounce. On March 26, it will become available to rent on premium on-demand platforms and soon after for digital rental. — “Promising Young Woman”: Emerald Fennell's pitch-black #MeToo revenge comedy, from Focus Features, is available for $19.99 rental on digital platforms. Fennell, in her directorial debut, was nominated for best director and best screenplay, and star Carey Mulligan is up for best actress.
Oscars surprises, snubs include Glenn Close, ‘Da 5 Bloods’
Read full article: Oscars surprises, snubs include Glenn Close, ‘Da 5 Bloods’It’s a rare year when most of the Oscar nomination surprises are good ones, but 2020 was also a rare year for moviegoing and awards campaigns. Here’s our rundown of the snubs and surprises in the 93rd Academy Award nominations. FEMALE DIRECTORS GET THEIR SHOTFor 92 Academy Awards, only 5 women had ever been nominated for best director and never more than one in the same year. This year, the dubious honor goes to Glenn Close for her portrayal of Mamaw in Ron Howard’s adaptation of J.D. Starring Mads Mikkelsen, the film was well received, but seemed like a long shot for the major Oscars categories.
'Mank' leads Oscar nominations in a year of record diversity
Read full article: 'Mank' leads Oscar nominations in a year of record diversityZhao, the first woman of color nominated for best director, is the most nominated woman in a single year in Oscar history. She was also tipped for the film’s adapted screenplay, editing and as a producer in the best picture category. “I just quietly gave thanks and felt some gratitude.”Davis, who won for her performance in 2016’s “Fences,” landed her fourth Oscar nomination, making her the most nominated Black actress ever. The Academy Awards would typically have happened by now but this year will be telecast April 25. “Collective,” the Romanian documentary about investigative journalism and government corruption, became just the second film nominated for both best documentary and best international film.
Chloé Zhao, Emerald Fennell make history in DGA nominations
Read full article: Chloé Zhao, Emerald Fennell make history in DGA nominationsThis image released by Focus Features shows Carey Mulligan, left, Emerald Fennell and Laverne Cox on the set of "Promising Young Woman." (Focus Features via AP)NEW YORK – Chloé Zhao and Emerald Fennell have been nominated for outstanding directorial achievement by the Directors Guild of America, marking the first time two women have ever competed for the guild's top honor. The 73rd Annual DGA Awards, considered a strong indicator of directing honors at the Academy Awards, announced nominees Tuesday. The Directors Guild Awards will be held virtually April 10. ___This story corrects the date of the Directors Guild Awards to April 10.
'Nomadland,' 'Rocks' lead more diverse BAFTA nominations
Read full article: 'Nomadland,' 'Rocks' lead more diverse BAFTA nominationsThis image released by Altitude shows, from left, Kosar Ali, Ruby Stokes and Bukky Bakray in a scene from "Rocks." Much like previous Academy Awards controversies, last year's nominations by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts were denounced for their all-male directing nominees and all-white acting nominees, a backlash that spawned a #BaftasSoWhite hashtag. The British academy responded with a seven-month review. Also nominated are Lee Isaac Chung for the family drama “Minari” and Thomas Vinterberg for the Danish dark comedy “Another Round.”More films were nominated, too. ___AP's Hilary Fox contributed to this report from London___Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
Chloé Zhao is 2nd woman to win best director prize at Globes
Read full article: Chloé Zhao is 2nd woman to win best director prize at GlobesZhao accepted the award for best director for a motion picture for "Nomadland" at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP, File)LOS ANGELES – Chloé Zhao became the second woman to win best director at the Golden Globes and the first female winner of Asian descent on a night in which her film “Nomadland” was crowned the top drama film. “This is what he said about compassion,” Zhao said. Zhao also was nominated for best motion picture screenplay and lost to Aaron Sorkin. McDormand received a nod for actress in a motion picture drama, but lost.