Danny Boyle...named Artistic Director for Olympics! London 2012...

Surprise!

The Olympic committee for the 2012 games in London (England) has decided to go Hollywood!

It was announced that "Slumdog Millionaire" Director Danny Boyle has been hired on as Artistic Director to work alongside Executive Producer Stephen Daldry to orchestrate the high-profile event.

Last year, I was blessed with the opportunity to interview Mr. Boyle on the red carpet, for the world premiere screening of "Slumdog".

Post:  02/24/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/02/slumdog-millionaireafi-foresaw.html

Boyle is down-to-earth insightful man with a twinkle in his eye!

Daldry is no slouch in the talent department, either.

The top-notch director has helmed three hits - Billy Elliott, The Reader, and The Hours - to name a few.

Boyle excitedly gushed to media outlets that it was a fantastic responsibilty.

No doubt, he'll rise to the occasion well, too!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

The Oscars...Hugh Jackman danced his little butt off! The new James Bond???

As usual, critics grumbled and moaned about the quality (or lack thereof) of the 81st Annual Oscar Celebration in Tinsel town.

"Too long," many chided below the klieg lights at the Kodak.

One too many misguided cerebral moments, in my estimation.

In fact, the on-going proliferation of mind-boggling altruistic speeches from teary-eyed guests was enough to make me throw up, at one point!

Pottie-break!

But, Hugh Jackman scored an A+ for giving it the old college try.

The Aussie showman danced and sang his little heart out (to a captivated audience) and has the tight butt cheeks to prove it!

See 'ya next year, Hugh!

Unless the Academy chooses to go in a fresh direction - i.e. - with the new flavor of the month.

That's show biz!

Jackman, the new Bond?

http://www.julianayrs.com

Slumdog Millionaire...AFI foresaw potential success for Oscar-winning feature!

A few months ago, the American Film Institute premiered "Slumdog Millionaire" at a splashy red carpet event at the Arclight Theatre in Hollywood.

Back then, Slumdog was an unknown commodity.

After all, the film wasn't released yet around the country.

In addition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences had yet to single out the feature as a potential Oscar-winner.

Needless to say, when the cast breezed down the carpet that starry night, few in the press corps were familiar with the actors inhabiting the roles on the silver screen - or even the subject matter of the now-celebrated feature.

In view of this - the paparazzi and film critics alike - were inclined to glom onto Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy for quotes.

Then, shortly after the film was released - and it began to receive a multitude of accolades across the board - some criticized Boyle for focusing on an impoverished aspect of India that wasn't too flattering.

Many people in Mumbai, for instance, protested about the gritty portrayal of India - and in particular - the title.

Poor residents in the region of Mumbai perceived "Slumdog" as a derogatory term which demeaned them.

In retrospect - a question I put to Mr. Boyd (an affable down-to-earth man) that glittering night - appears to have been appropriate.

"The script came to me," he noted, when I asked how he came to choose the project.

"I was knocked out by the material when I read it," he beamed.

The opportunity to shoot the feature on location in India was a big plus for Mr. Boyle, too.

When Simon Beaufoy strolled up - all charm and wit - I was inclined to note right off-the-bat that I was a big fan of "Full Monty".

I was the picture of diplomacy; after all, I hadn't screened "Slumdog" yet, and was at loss to discuss slumdog particulars!

I put forth the notion that the titillating scene casting the spotlight on the studly - um - attributes of the rough-around-the-edges dudes as they stripped buck-naked in "Monty" was a ploy to rustle up some controversy - and likewise - sell a few theatre tickets.

"It was a metaphor," he stated matter-of-fact.

"It was all about humiliation."

The out-of-work men featured in the off-beat English film, if you recall, put on a strip-show to raise much-needed funds to make ends meet.

Frankly, I thought the scene was liberating, not humbling at all.

One of the character actors in Slumdog on hand at the Arclight (who is firmly established as a lead actor in the "Bollywood" film industry) stopped to chat.

I learned, at this juncture, that he has played opposite - Aishwarya Rai - an actress many tout as the most beautiful woman in the world.

"My readers would probably like to know what it was like to work with Ms. Rai. Did you have any intimate love scenes with her?"

He smiled.

"No, unfortunately," he laughed.

"She is a lovely woman and very professional," he added

When I asked if it was difficult to break into acting in Bollywood, he confessed that it was just as tough making it overseas in India in the medium, as it is for any young hopeful beating the pavement in Hollywood trying to land an acting job.

At first glance, Dev Patel (an an actor in Slumdog) was innocent-looking.

Tall - and suprisingly poised for his age - he was eager to discuss his role with the press.

But, it was evident from the get-go, that all the supporting players were a little overwhelmed by the glitzy red carpet experience.

And, the magic doesn't appear to have faded in the least in recent days

Slumdog has snatched up so many Oscars, you have to wonder, what next?

A sequel?

An adaptation for Television?

News at 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Oscar Nominations...few surprises! Nods to Button, Milk & Slumdog. Eastwood shut out, though...

There were few surprises when the Oscar nominees were announced bright and early this morning as the Nation struggled to survive an Obama hang-over from the night before.

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" garnered 13 nominations - some worthy - others not.

If you recall, "Benjamin Button" snapped up a gaggle of nods at the Golden Globes Awards, but walked away empty-handed at the end of the glamorous day.

There was at least one oversight in the Oscar run, though.

Clint Eastwood failed to nab any respect from the Academy for his acting chops in the newly-released drama, Gran Torino.

Pity that; after all, the down-to-earth actor's actor was deserving of a nomination.

Gran Torino represents a crowning achievement in acting after at least fifty fruitful years in the business.
(review to follow)

Speaking of male leads, nominees for Best Actor are Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Sean Penn (Milk), Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon), and Brad Pitt (Benjamin Button).

Actresses nominted lead roles include Kate Winslet for a star-turn in "The Reader", fifteen-time nominee Meryl Streep for a stint in "Doubt", Ann Hathaway for her potrayal of an addict struggling with addiction in "Rachel Getting Married", Angelina Jolie as a distraught mother urging corrupt police to locate her missing boy in "The Changeling", and Melissa Leo as a desperate woman in "Frozen River".

The Academy is pinning their hopes on Hugh Jackman - sexist man of-the-hour - to inject new life into the Oscar celebration which is slated for broadcast next month on February 22nd at ground zero - the Kodak Theatre - in Hollywood, California.



Oscar Nominations

Best Picture

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

'Frost/Nixon'

'Milk'

'The Reader'

'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Director

Danny Boyle, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Stephen Daldry, 'The Reader'

David Fincher, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Ron Howard, 'Frost/Nixon'

Gus Van Sant, 'Milk'

Best Actor

Richard Jenkins, 'The Visitor'

Frank Langella, 'Frost/Nixon'

Sean Penn, 'Milk'

Brad Pitt, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Mickey Rourke, 'The Wrestler'

Best Actress

Anne Hathaway, 'Rachel Getting Married'

Angelina Jolie, 'Changeling'

Melissa Leo, 'Frozen River'

Meryl Streep, 'Doubt'

Kate Winslet, 'The Reader'

Best Supporting Actor

Josh Brolin, 'Milk'

Robert Downey Jr., 'Tropic Thunder'

Philip Seymour Hoffman, 'Doubt'

Heath Ledger, 'The Dark Knight'

Michael Shannon, ' Revolutionary Road'

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams, 'Doubt'

Penelope Cruz, 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'

Viola Davis, 'Doubt'

Taraji P. Henson, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Marisa Tomei, 'The Wrestler'

Best Animated Feature Film

'Bolt'

'Kung Fu Panda'

'Wall-E'

Best Foreign Film

'The Baader Meinhof Complex' (Germany)

'The class' (France)

'Departures'(Japan)

'Revanche' (Austria)

'Waltz With Bashir' (Israel)

Best Original Screenplay

Dustin Lance Black, 'Milk'

Courtney Hunt, 'Frozen River'

Mike Leigh, 'Happy-Go-Lucky'

Martin McDonagh, 'In Bruges'

Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter, 'WALL-E'

Best Adapted Screenplay

Eric Roth, Robin Swicord, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

John Patrick Shanley, 'Doubt'

Peter Morgan, 'Frost/Nixon'

David Hare, 'The Reader'

Simon Beaufoy, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Documentary Feature

'The Betrayal'

'Encounters at the End of the World'

'The Garden'

'Man on Wire'

'Trouble the Water'

Best Original Score

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

'Defiance'

'Milk'

'Slumdog Millionaire'

'WALL-E'

Best Original Song

'Down to Earth,' WALL-E

'Jai Ho,' 'Slumdog Millionaire'

'O Saya,' 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Film Editing

Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Lee Smith, 'The Dark Knight'

Mike Hill, Dan Hanley, 'Frost/Nixon'

Elliot Graham, 'Milk'

Chris Dickens, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Documentary (Short Subject)

'The Conscience of Nhem En,' Steven Okazaki

'The Final Inch,' Irene Taylor Brodsky, Tom Grant

'Smile Pinki,' Megan Mylan

'The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306,' Adam Pertofsky, Margaret Hyde

Best Cinematography

Tom Stern, 'Changeling'

Claudio Miranda, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Wally Pfister, 'The Dark Knight'

Chris Menges, Roger Deakins, 'The Reader'

Anthony Dod Mantle, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Costume Design

Catherine Martin, 'Australia'

Jacqueline West, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Michael O'Connor, 'The Duchess'

Danny Glicker, 'Milk'

Albert Wolsky, 'Revolutionary Road'

Best Sound Mixing

David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Mark Weingarten, 'Benjamin Button'

Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo, Ed Novick, 'The Dark Knight'

Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Ben Burtt, 'WALL-E'

Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño, Petr Forejt, 'Wanted'

Best Sound Editing

Richard King, 'The Dark Knight'

Frank Eulner, Christopher Boyes, 'Iron Man'

Tom Sayers, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Ben Burtt, Matthew Wood, 'WALL-E'

Wylie Stateman, 'Wanted'

Best Live Action Short Film

'Auf der Strecke (On the Line),' Reto Caffi

'Manon on the Asphalt,' Elizabeth Marre, Olivier Pont

'New Boy,' Steph Green, Tamara Anghie

'The Pig,' Tivi Magnusson, Dorte Høgh

'Spielzeugland (Toyland),' Jochen Alexander Freydank

Best Animated Short Film

'La Maison de Petits Cubes,' Kunio Kato

'Lavatory - Lovestory,' Konstantin Bronzit

'Oktapodi,' Emud Mokhberi, Thierry Marchand

'Presto,' Doug Sweetland

'This Way Up,' Alan Smith, Adam Foulkes

Best Makeup

Greg Cannom, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

John Caglione, Jr., Conor O'Sullivan, 'The Dark Knight'

Mike Elizalde, Thom Flout, 'Hellboy II: The Golden Army'

Best Art Direction

James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis, 'Changeling'

Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando, 'The Dark Knight'

Michael Carlin, Rebecca Alleway, 'The Duchess'

Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt, 'Revolutionary Road'

Best Visual Effects

Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber, Paul Franklin, 'The Dark Knight'

John Nelson, Ben

http://www.julianayrs.com

Golden Globe Awards...Surprises! Shut-outs! Glitz! Slumdog's mighty bite!

High profile celebs dazzled the excited red-carpet gazers, actor Heath Ledger won a prestigious award posthumously, and jaws dropped when Sting pranced on stage in a bizarre fashion-victim get-up.

By the time the glitter settled on the walk of fame, the popular hit - "Slumdog Millionaire" (the little film that could) shut-out "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", "FROST/NIXON", and "Doubt" in four categories: Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Score.

After interviewing Simon Beaufoy (Full Monty) and Danny Boyle at the premiere of the run-away hit a few weeks ago at the AFI Fest, I have been inclined to root for both since.

After all, Beaufroy is a charming down-to-earth man deserving of the honor.

And, Boyle is not unlike an excited kid with a new toy, still intrigued with the wonder of the potential of the medium of film.

For the most part, the women sashayed along the red carpet in simple chic gowns, with a touch of understated jewellery to spark up their fashion flourishes.

There was an exception with Eva Mendes, though.

Her over-the-top frock ( swept up on one side) appeared to have been jolted by a gale force wind. Even still, spectators were wowed by a stunning diamond necklace which drew attention to her graceful neck.

The males tended to go for dark suits and ubiquitous bow ties - a number of which - needed tweaking. Some were a tad floppy, or too wide, or just downright stingy when it came to fabric (and individual flair).

When it came to the male peacocks, stand-outs included heart-throb Leonardo Di Carpio (at ease in a tasteful black suit & skinny tie) Colin Farrell (spiffy in a dark ensemble which included a vest and properly-knotted cravat) and, believe it or not, Tom Cruise.

Mr. Cruise took a risk with a black tuxedo-style jacket with wide satin lapels and matching slacks and pulled the look off admirably.

In contrast, when Sting strode on stage, jaws literally dropped.

A three-quarter-length boxy-style jacket - skirt-like in appearance and teamed up with a sparkly shirt underneath open at the neck) - conjured up a hideous fashion disaster.

An English gentleman run amok in Frederick's of Hollywood?

Kate Winslett was positively stunning in a strapless black cocktail dress, as was Drew Barrymore in a pretty feminine gown in a distinctive pastel shade which complemented her fresh complexion.

There was a buzz in the room when Renee Zellwegger floated on stage in what can only be described as a witchy apparition.

For starters, fabric pulled unpleasingly at stress points (there were a few).

Worse still, her bodice played beek-a-boo with her unmentionables underneath which was very tacky! tacky! tacky!

There were also a number of side-splitting awkward moments when the camera panned in on unsuspecting guests, too.

In one shot, Leonardo Di Carpio was focused somewhere a thousand-miles away.

A penny for your thoughts, Leo!

Sally Field appeared to be laughing at two earnest young presenters trying to get it "right" at the podium until a friend pointed out she was on air.

With little aplomb, she half-turned and waved, with a slightly sheepish look on her face.

Yeah, we like you! We really like you!

Highlights of the night?

Mickey Rourke rolled off the ropes at long last and landed a knock-out punch in the acting arena which garnered him a Best Actor prize.

Kate Winslett faced an embarrassment of riches - Golden Globes for her roles in "The Reader" and "Revolutionary Road" respectively.

Laura Linney snatched up a Best Actress Award for her role in the mini-series John Adams, which rustled up some elation in this corner.

I've been loyally following Laura's rising career since she first appeared in one of my primo favorite cable shows "Tales of the City".

Comments that got laughs?

One actor quipped that he would never sleep with 200 female Foreign Press Correspondents again.

"Too many wispy beards."

Ouch!

Aaron Eckhart, responding to queries about his role in Dark Knight, laughed:

"It was great to be in a film people actually saw."

What about Erin Brockovich, dummy???

Tina Fey won for 30 Rock, and took the golden opportunity to give the finger to Internet critics who have been razing the funny-lady throughout the novel Sarah (who?) Palin impersonations in recent days.

"Suck it," she gleefully shouted at the camera as she held her statuette high and proud.

In an inspirational moment, Steven Spielberg took the stage to received a tribute for his life's work in the form of the Cecil B. DeMille award.

Martin Scorsese, a buddy since Film 101, stood on the sidelines humbly - and if I am not mistaken - actually shed a genuine tear or two.

For some inexplicable reasons, the camera crew didn't shine a light on it.

Some moments are too precious for celluloid intrusions.

http://www.julianayrs.com