83rd Annual Oscar Nominations...King's Speech nabs 12 nods! Wahlberg, Moore & Affleck snubbed!

Die-hard film buffs and a swarm of discerning film critics (anxious to yelp "I told 'ya so") tumbled out of bed at the crack of dawn today to catch a run-down of the Oscar nods for the calendar year of 2010.

I was brimming with pride when the nominees were named because - as it turns out - most of my own predictions in all the major categories fell in line with those drummed up by the Academy.

Top Ten Flicks

Post: 12/28/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/12/top-10-movies-for-2010social-network.html

Top 5 Actors & Actresses

Post: 01/02/11

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2011/01/julian-ayrs-top-5-picksactors-actresses.html

Top 5 Directors

Post: 01/09/11

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2011/01/julian-ayrs-top-5-picks-for-director.html

Top 5 Screenwriters

Post: 01/11/11

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2011/01/julian-ayrs-5-top-picksbest.html

In some respects - a handful of hopefuls who received a nod from the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences - were a shoe-in to capture the coveted honor.

But, there were a couple of nasty upsets, nonetheless.

For instance, Julianne Moore - considered a leading contender for her seamless characterization in - "The Kids are Alright" - was passed over.

Mark Wahlberg - who pined quietly in the sidelines the past few weeks (surreptiously biting his nails) watched supporting players on his highly-nominated film (The Fighter) rustle up nods while he was left out of the ring.

The Academy could have at least tossed a bone to Ben Affleck - in the category of Best Director - since the handsome actor did such a bang-up job on his first big-budget suspense-thriller (the talented kid also garnered great critical notices for his feataure "Gone Baby Gone").

Uh-huh!

The big winner was "The King's Speech" which nabbed a staggering 12 nominations.

"True Grit" trailed behind with ten of the little suckers.

As expected - "The Social Network" - made a fairly big splash alongside the oh-so-dark "Black Swan" and the well-received boxing flick "The Figher".

Mo’Nique - who was dressed-to-the-nines in a spiffy body-fitting frock which suited her dark sultry looks, nervously shared the heady task of announcing the Oscar nominees with the President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at (yawn) 5:30 a.m. on CBS.

With little more ado - drum roll - please!

BEST PICTURE

• Black Swan
• The Fighter
• Inception
• The Kids are All Right
• Toy Story 3
• The King’s Speech
• The Social Network
• True Grit
• Winter’s Bone
• 127 Hours

BEST ACTOR IN A LEAD ROLE

• Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
• Colin Firth (The King’s Speech)
• James Franco (127 Hours)
• Jeff Bridges (True Grit)
• Javier Bardem (Biutiful)

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEAD ROLE

• Annette Bening (Kids are All Right)
• Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
• Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone)
• Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
• Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)

BEST ACTOR IN SUPPORTING ROLE

• Christian Bale (The Fighter)
• Mark Ruffalo, (Kids are All Right)
• John Hawkes, (Winter’s Bone)
• Jeremy Renner (The Town)
• Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech)

BEST ACTRESS IN SUPPORTING ROLE

• Amy Adams (The Fighter)
• Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech)
• Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
• Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
• Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)

BEST DIRECTOR

• Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
• David Fincher (The Social Network)
• Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech)
• Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (True Grit)
• David O. Russell (The Fighter)

ANIMATED FILM

• How to Train Your Dragon
• The Illusionist
• Toy Story 3

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

• Mike Leigh (Another Year)
• Scott Silver & Paul Tamasay (Fighter)
• Christopher Nolan  (Inception)
• Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg (Kids All Right)
• David Seidler (The King’s Speech)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

• Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufroy (127 Hours)
• Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network)
• Ethan Coen and Joel Coen (True Grit)
• Debra Granik & Anne Rosselini (Winter’s Bone)
• John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, Michael Arndt
Toy Story 3)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

• Biutiful (Mexico)
• Dogtooth (Greece)
• Incendies (Canada)
• Outside the Law (Algeria)
• In a Better World (Denmark)

The Oscars will be handed out Feb. 27th amdist at lot of hoopla & dazzle at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, after nominees make the long arduous trek down the frenzied red carpet on Hollywood Boulevard.

Anne Hathaway and James Franco are hosting the splashy event!

See 'ya there.

As Bugs Bunny would say:

That's all folks!

http://www.thetattler.biz/



Julian Ayrs Top 5 Picks...Actors & Actresses! Oscar Race 2010!



Now that the fog has lifted - and Hollywood insiders have turned the page for another stellar year of filmmaking - the occasion is ripe for tossing the glaring spotlight on five (5) of the top performances worthy of an Oscar nod in the category of stand-out Best Actor / Best Actress in the realm of celluloid.

So, here are my delicious picks in no particular order of importance.

Top 5 Actors

Lead role

Jeff Bridges

True Grit (Drama)

Coen Brothers (Director)

 Jesse Eisenberg 

The Social Network (Drama)

David Fincher (Director)

James Franco

127 Hours (Drama)

Danny Boyle (Director)

Colin Firth
The King's Speech (Drama)

Tom Hopper (Director)

Kevin Spacey
Casino Jack (Drama)

George Hickenlooper (Director)

Top 5 Actresses

 

Lead Role

Nicole Kidman

Rabbit Hole (Drama)

John Cameron Mitchell (Director)

Natalie Portman 

The Black Swan (Drama)

Darren Aronofsky (Director)

Sally Hawkins 

Made in Dagenham (Drama/Com)

Nigel Cole (Director)

Annette Bening
The Kids are All Right (Drama/Com)

Lisa Cholodenko (Director)

Top 5 Actors

Supporting Role

Christian Bale
The Fighter (Drama)

Coen Brothers (Directors)

Jeremy Renner

The Town (Drama)

Ben Affleck (Director)

Matt Damon
True Grit (Drama)

Coen Brothers (Director)

Bo Hoskins

Made in Dagenham (Drama/Com)

Nigel Cole (Director)

Geoffrey Rush
The King's Speech (Drama)

Tom Hopper (Director)

 
Top 5 Actresses

Supporting Role

Barbara Hershey

The Black Swan (Drama)

Darren Aronofsky (Director)

Dianne Weist

The Rabbit Hole (Drama)
John Cameron Mitchell (Director)

Helena Borham
The King''s Speech
Tom Hopper (Director)

 Elle Fanning
Somewhere (Drama)
Sofia Coppola (Director)

Melissa Leo
The Fighter (Drama)
David O. Russell (Director)

http://www.thetattler.biz

Julian Ayrs Top 10 Flicks for 2010...The.Social Network, True Grit, Black Swan!

 



Now that the Oscar ballots have been mailed out to the voting academy, and choices are running swimmingly in the minds of the "show-biz" film wizards, I am inclined to publish my own picks for top ten best pics of the year.

In no particular order, they are as follows:

*The Social Network  
   Jesse Eisenberg (Lead actor)
   David Fincher (Director)
   Aaron Sorkin (Screenplay)

*The Black Swan  
   Natalie Portman (Lead actress)
   Darren Aronofsky (Director)
   Mark Heyman (Screenplay)
  
*Toy Story 3 
   Tim Allen (Lead Actor)
   Lee Unkrich (Director)
   Michael Arndt (Screenplay)
  
*127 Hours
   James Franco (Lead Actor)
   Danny Boye (Director)
   Simon Beaufoy (Screenplay)

*Tangled 
   Mandy Moore (Lead Actress)
   Nathan Greno & Byron Howard (Directors)
   Dan Fogelman (Screenplay)
 
*Made in Dagenham 
   Sally Hawkins (Lead Actress)
   Nigel Cole (Director)
   William Ivory (Screenplay)
 
*The Fighter 
   Mark Wahlberg (Lead Actor)
   David O. Russell (Director)
   Scott Silver & Paul Tamasy (Screenplay)
 
*The King's Speech
   Colin Firth (Lead Actor)
   Tom Hopper (Director)
   David Seidler (Screenplay)

*Somewhere 
   Stephen Dorff (Lead Actor)
   Sofia Coppola (Director)
   Sofia Coppola (Screenplay)

*True Grit
   Jeff Bridges (Lead Actor)
   Joel & Ethan Coen (Directors)
   Joel & Ethan Coen (Screenplay)

http://www.thetattler.biz/

James Franco in 127 Hours

Halle Berry & Mark Wahlberg....stars nearly collide on starry night! Hollywood dazzle!

 

In downtown Hollywood last night the streets were awash - not only with excited fans dress-to-the-nines swarming Mann's movie theatres for coveted seats at a couple of hot-ticket film premieres (at the tail end of a sold-out film festival) - but graced with the dazzling presence of two popular stars pushing their careers and new flicks on the infamous strip.

Pretty Halle Berry was the epitome of style and good taste - when she flirted with the paparazzi in the main foyer of the Roosevelt Hotel - after holding court (where she offered up career tid-bits) in Mann's Chinese Theatre earlier in the evening to a packed house.

"I can't believe I just met Halle Berry," one fan gushed, as she strode past me, and disappeared into the ecstatic crowd of well-wishers who turned out - Hollywood-style - in full force.

Ms. Berry was invited to appear last evening at the historic Hollywood landmark to chat up an insightful host about her outstanding career accomplishments before (and behind) the camera here and abroad.

Berry will soon burst onto the silver screen in her next project - Frankie & Alice - which is a rivetting feature based on the true story of a woman suffering from mulitple personality disorders.

The gifted actress (who produced Frankie & Alice) won the Academy Award for Monster's Ball in 2001.

Meanwhile, rumors were spreading around the "Walk of Fame" that Mark Whalberg would be trotting down the red carpet to attend a "secret" screening of his new flick "The Fighter".

A couple of the local entertainment papers were issuing freebies to catch the drama, with strict orders from the producers not to discuss the details, however.

The theatre staff were forebidden to reveal the name of the project (or who was starring in it) until the guests were firmly ensconced inside the main theatre where security was tight.

Insiders tipped me off earlier in the evening - so I was able to enlighten a couple of folks about the hush-hush preview - so they could get into the rush line with the ultimate aim of catching the screen offering last-minute.

Is the studio a bit jittery about Wahlberg's latest vehicle for some reason?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Mark Wahlberg...13 inch co** from Boogie Nights kept in drawer!

Some Hollywood myths should be left alone!

For instance, today Mark Wahlberg confessed that the 13-inch donkey-dick he gamely exposed to the cameras in the soft-porn flick - Boogie Nights - was not his own impressive steely-hard co**.

In addition, he also shattered another bogus rumor, when he also admitted that the eye-popping penis was not even the man-tool of a ballsy stand-in he had an affair with off-camera.

OMG!

Over the years I actually bought into the gossip that the producers enticed Marky Mark into exposing himself on celluloid - to the tune of $100,000.00 - for every inch he mustered up with the help of a studly fluffer!

Do 'ya suppose the former rapper was just packing a rolled-up argyle sock two to give the impression he was so well-hung in those infamous tightie-whitie ads?

Only Calvin knows fer sure!

As to the dildo, for some intriguing reason, Wahlberg put in his dibs for it when the flick wrapped.

"I used to keep it in my desk drawer. And I'd take it out and slap my friends in the face with it. I don't keep many things from my movies, but that just seemed to have personal significance," Mark slyly winked to a media hound in recent days

Do tell!

I can think of worse punishments.

A dildo up the a** without lube or mercy!

He looks like the type, doesn't he?

The flick that revived Burt Reynolds' career!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Mark Wahlberg...perplexed by Star on Walk of Fame!

Just goes to show 'ya what a little bumping and grinding will do for a dude!

One minute, Marky Mark (Kids on the Block) was frenetically perking up his pecs with strenuous bouts of push-ups backstage before sauntering into the glare of the spotlight to entertain a frenzied hip-hop fan base - and in the next - found himself acting in big budget features rustling up Oscar nominations.

If you recall, Wahlberg was nominated for an Academy Award for his so-so acting performance in Martin Scorsese's drama "The Departed".

When it was announced a few days ago that the crotch-grabbing former Calvin Klein model was about to get some true Hollywood respect, he couldn't quite get a handle on it.

A case in point.

When the toothy actor/cum/toy-boy tease with the infectious grin and pecs to die for - was informed that he was being honored with a pristine star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - he was literally speechless.

With family in tow, gun shy Wahlberg was inclined to turn the speech-making duties over to good pal and confidante - Will Ferrell - when he showed up to acknowledge the - um - kudo?

“I really felt like this was a big practical joke," Wahlberg mumbled, almost embarrassed by an  accollade that many equate with the pinnacle of success in their film or TV career.

The ballsy fun-loving comic had no qualms filling in for the Boogie Nights star.

“I’m flattered and honoured to speak on Mark’s behalf," he solemnly started off.

But, a second or two later, Will  shifted gears and engaged in a few hi-jinks to the delight of the throngs of fans who turned out to get a glimpse of the action-hero.

“I loved him in all the Bourne movies,” Ferrell  joked.

“Just the best.”

Some pooh-poohed Wahlberg's wimpy response to the plaudit - and shook their heads when the cocky producer of HBO's "Entourage" - failed to muster up a quip or two at the podium on that auspicious day.

The B-list actor explained it all away the following day in a bold-faced effort to regain favor with the Chamber of Commerce, all die-hard fans, and his fellow actors.

“The last time I prepared something was actually at the Academy Awards. I wrote a little speech, and obviously, I didn’t win that."

Didn't anyone inform him that he was the only one in-the-running for a star on the "Walk of Fame" in the name of Mark Wahlberg?

Duh!

The coveted place-holder on Hollywood Boulevard was yours for the taking, Marky Mark, no kidding!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Jason Reitman...screens Boogie Nights & Shampoo! Packed house...

 

Jason Reitman's programming event at the New Beverly Cinema was sold out on Sunday;  in fact, disappointed fans were forced to return last night to catch the filmmaker's second run of the two films he chose to screen this weekend  (Boogie Nights & Shampoo).

Reitman (UP IN THE AIR) is an expressive articulate filmmaker who gets passionate about the creative process - particularly evident - when his hands start to flutter to emhasize a salient point or two.

As surreptiously as possible (and mindful not to be too  intrusive) I managed to capture a few minutes of his enlightening dialogue on HD Video to share with you.

Once the footage is processed, I will post the Video here and at my YouTube site later today.

Jason Reitman (Shampoo & Boogie Nights)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrHHnVy5TWI

At the early show at the Revival House in Hollywood, Reitman excitedly gushed that" Shampoo" was a perfect film.

"Up in the Air" (his lastest directorial success) was inspired by the Hal Ashby adult comedy, according to Reitman.

"I grew up in the neighborhood (Beverly Hills) where the film was shot. Just bet I could tell you the names of all the streets depicted in the movie," he boasted.

Ashby was one of Reitman's heroes

"The three films he directed back-to-back underscored what a talent he was," the likeable film buff opined  in so many words.

"It humbles me as a director."

Of course, he was referring to "Harold & Maude", "The Last Detail" and "Shampoo".

Reitman chose the two films (Boogie Nights & Shampoo) for his programming debut for the double-bill (although they appear at first glance to be an odd coupling) because the characters in each project are essentially searching for themselves (trying to find their way).

The last time I caught "Shampoo" was years ago on cable.

With a lot of life experience - and film knowledge under my belt now - I found myself peeling away the layers I missed before when I was  a younger film enthusiast.

All I recalled 'til yesterday was that Warren Beatty played a hairdresser  with a sexual addiction to women of all shapes, sizes, and persuasions.

A straight stylist (a rare find), Beatty's character is tracked by Ashby as he hilariously tip-toes his way through a mindfield of off-the-wall trysts (mostly with former or current clients at the hair salon where he snips and tips).

Who could forget the Beatty "do" -  and the hip attire he sports with great machismo from that  era - that jolted back memories of the "way we were" when I got caught up in the side-splitting plot of Shampoo last evening.

Filmgoers smiled when "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" crept  in to buoy up a couple of pivotal scenes.

Once the story unfolded, though, it was obvious that Ashby was making a more profound statement, especially about sex and politics in particular.

Now and then, for instance, the camera lens panned to a television set to capture Richard Nixon campaigning for the election, which was quite telling.

Suddenly, it dawned on me this quirky comedy was all about sexual politics, not just about a romp in the hay.

In one of my favorite moments, "George" (Beatty) barks out:

"I don't fu** for money. I fu** for fun."

There you have it.

After a handful of choice revealing scenes, George comes to recognize his failings in life (too late).

What to expect?

Ashby subtly underscores (without banging folks on the head) that many choose relationships - not based on sex (or even love) - but on their potential for future security.

Especially, after they've played the field, and sown their wild oats (in George's case).

Ironic that the film features Nixon (once known as tricky "dick") and a plotline that focuses on the tricky situations George gets into because of his own (cock),

In another interesting parallel, Beatty professes his love for Julie Christie's character - intriguing -  since the two were lovers in real life off-screen for years.

I wonder how much of the dialogue rang true in uncanny impromptu moments on the set during filming?

"Boogie Nights" was the film, on the other hand, that revived an aging Lothario's career.

Of course, I am referring to Burt Reynolds,

His acting chops had pretty much  fallen by the wayside, written off by the industry, when he sprang back in this remarkable gem of a role.

It was rumored that he was so desperate for the part of the porn director that he worked for a measly 100 thousand dollars (in spite of the fact he once commanded milliions to star in big-budget studio projects).

The gamble paid off.

For Mark Whalberg, the meaty part  (in more ways than one) was a chance to be taken seriously as an actor.

Just prior to this release, I recall reading an interview where he complained that no casting director would hire him.

This was no doubt due to the fact their take on his acting ability was clouded by his Marky Mark persona and the underwear crotch-thrusting exhibitionist days of yesteryear.

But, there's been no looking back for Mark, since the release of Boogie Nights.

For me, it was a real hoot to catch Philip Seymour Hoffman in a dicey little role such as the one he played here (with tie-dyed t-shirt, belly hanging out, and tacky ill-fitting jean - which drew attention to the fact - he keenly prepares for a role)..

Catch the flick just for his performance alone.

All in all, it was a fun entertaining night out with Jason Reitman.

Reitman returns on Wednesday night for another double-bill.

He'll be screening two films:

Breaking Away &  Bottle Rocket

The latter was Wes Anderson's first venture into filmmaking.
At press time, it was announced the two leads who starred in  "Breaking Away" might attend schedules permitting.

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Dykes on Bikes, Mark Wahlberg, Harry Potter gay spoof...rack up hits!

One of the features at WordPress I have particularly warmed up to is the blog stats function.

If a blogger is wondering how it is that web surfers unceremoniously arrived at his or her doorstep, the savvy blogster has only to check a special section of the logs to determine which "search words" were used to locate the site.

Also, since WordPress automatically matches up blog posts with related stories of interest, it is immensely intriguing to use a little detective work and fathom the links that hooked up the mercurial Internet seekers to your posts.

Another feature is pretty practical, too.

A WordPress filter senses when a spam post is being attempted and summarily places it into a holding pattern or queue until the blog owner has the opportunity to okay it or not.

For example, after I posted a feature on Erotica LA this weekend, my site was inundated with ads, videos, and promos for porno web sites!

I was able to select the best ones - um - weed out the nasty little devils and send them off to the recycle bin.

Aw, what waste of succulent erotic flesh, eh?

Most web site owners and bloggers are curious to know how popular their site is and how many clicks they're getting.

Over the past couple of days, for instance, the logs paved the way for me.

A post on Dykes on Bikes (West Hollywood Gay Pride), Mark Wahlberg (shower scene), and a gay video spoof on Harry Potter landed the top hits.

Angelina Jolie scored pretty high as well.

With a little astute analysis it should be obvious to many that this weekend - for some inexplicable reason - the masses around the Nation were horny, titillated by gay sex, and fascinated by butch women on motorcycles.

Only in America!


Risque Beowulf publicity stills of Angelina Jolie revved up the band waves!