'HOLIDAY SEASON RINGS IN AWARDS'
Hollywood ~ and New York City ~ are busier than ever with blockbuster movies, film premieres, and the 2002 awards shows quickly approaching.
In my last column, I suggested several films to see in anticipation of the 2002 Awards Season, which officially kicked off on December 5th with the announcement of the National Board of Review's top picks for 2001.
Early film awards such as those given by NBR are viewed as indicators of a movie's or performer's chances for Academy Awards. While some say NBR's announcement will boost a movie's Oscar potential, keep in mind the NBR is one of the more controversial groups and are often criticized for their selection processes (check out the articles at Tom O'Neil's GoldDerby.com forum).
With that said, since 1989, the movie honored as Best Picture by NBR has gone on to win an Oscar 10 out of 12 times. For 2001, the hyperkinetic musical Moulin Rouge topped NBR's list of the year's best movies.
Also in the board's top 10: In the Bedroom, Ocean's Eleven, Memento, Monster's Ball, Black Hawk Down, The Man Who Wasn't There, A.I., The Pledge, and Mulholland Drive.
Ali, The Royal Tenenbaums, Gosford Park, The Shipping News, The Majestic, and Vanilla Sky.
The real indicator, though, of what might be deemed the best of 2001 will be revealed when the critics speak up with their annual winners lists, which began on December 13th, when the New York Film Critics Circle convened at Sardi's to announce their choices.
The West Coast critics (or 'crix' in their circles) was heard on Saturday, December 15th, when the Los Angeles Film Critics Association announces its annual film awards.
On the heels of those announcements comes words from the IPA, who will announce their nominations for the Golden Satellite Awards, and then possibly the biggest - or at least the most entertaining - announcement of the month arrived on Thursday, December 20th, when the 59th Annual Golden Globes nominations are announced (broadcast live on E! Entertainment Television 5:30 a.m. PT/ 8:30 a.m. ET)
With all the attention on awards shows nominations and presentations, it's no coincidence that some of the best films premiere late in the year. It seems that this year is especially subject to several major releases.
Fans living in or visiting L.A. have been on Cloud 9 these past few weeks, given that so many A-list stars have been sailing down the red carpets, giving interviews, posing for pictures, and greeting the hardy spectators at the following December premieres:
December 3rd, I Am Sam at the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences
December 5th, Ocean's Eleven at Mann's Village Theater
December 6th, The Royal Tenenbaums
December 7th, Not Another Teen Movie at the AVCO Westwood
December 9th, The Shipping News
December 10th, Vanilla Sky at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
December 11th, The Majestic at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
December 11th, Kate and Leopold at Mann's Bruin Theatre
December 12th, Ali at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
December 13th, A Beautiful Mind at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
December 16th, Lord of the Rings - Fellowship of the Ring at The Egyptian Theatre
December 17th, Charlotte Gray at The Egyptian Theatre
December 18th, Black Hawk Down at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The website Seeing-Stars.com has archived all the press releases of these and many more major films, in case you want to see which big name stars were expected at or attended these or other events.
Much love,
Linda
Linda Mirabella
Editor In Chief
L. A. Starz
pictured left: Russell Crowe attended the December 12th premiere of Ali, just days before his own movie, A Beautiful Mind, is screened in Beverly Hills
pictured right: Meg Ryan at the December 11th premiere of her new film,
Kate and Leopold.
Both Crowe's movie A Beautiful Mind and Ryan's Kate and Leopold are receiving early Award buzz.
They might have put their romance behind them, but the paparrazi will have a field day when Russ & Meg undoubtedly start appearing at the same events.
more premiere pictures below!!
