Tag: Steven Spielberg

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Oscars Watch: 75th Annual Directors Guild of America Award Nominees

A day removed from Steven Spielberg winning the Golden Globe award for Best Direction – Motion Picture for his work on “The Fabelmans,” his name is atop the nominees for the Directors Guild of America’s top honors as well. Fellow Golden Globe nominees Martin McDonagh (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) and the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”) are along … Read More Oscars Watch: 75th Annual Directors Guild of America Award Nominees

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Oscars Watch: 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards

After a year off for bad behavior, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association returned with a televised version of their 80th annual Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best of last year’s films and television. Jerrod Carmichael was on hand to host the event and opened the night, sitting on the stage explaining the decision-making behind getting picked as the host. The pull quote on every … Read More Oscars Watch: 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards

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Oscars Watch: 7th Annual New Mexico Film Critics Association Awards (2022)

The New Mexico Film Critics Association was one of the first groups to go against the grain this awards season. Winning the Best Picture award was “Top Gun: Maverick,” which also won Ensemble, Editing, Cinematography, and Song, totaling five honors altogether. “The Fabelmans” was also loved by the critics in New Mexico, winning Steven Spielberg the Best Director award and Original Screenplay with Tony … Read More Oscars Watch: 7th Annual New Mexico Film Critics Association Awards (2022)

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Oscars Watch: 94th Annual National Board of Review Awards (2022)

In what I can only describe as a huge surprise, the National Board of Review announced “Top Gun: Maverick” as their Best Picture pick of 2022. They also spread the love, with Steven Spielberg winning for “The Fabelmans” and Martin McDonagh, Colin Farrell, and Brendan Gleeson all winning for “The Banshees of Inisherin.” Lots of A24 titles were honored as well, with Michelle Yeoh … Read More Oscars Watch: 94th Annual National Board of Review Awards (2022)

2022 Oscars Challenge: [23] “West Side Story” (Seven Nominations)

FILM #23 OF 38 94TH ACADEMY AWARDS | 2022 OSCARS CHALLENGE“West Side Story”MARCH 5, 2022HBO MAX DAY 26 OF 48 Best Motion Picture of the YearProduced by Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger Best Achievement in DirectingDirected by Steven Spielberg Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting RolePerformance by Ariana DeBose Best Achievement in CinematographyCinematography by Janusz Kaminski Best Achievement in Costume DesignCostume … Read More 2022 Oscars Challenge: [23] “West Side Story” (Seven Nominations)

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Oscars Watch: 2021 New Mexico Film Critics Association Awards

Priding themselves on stepping outside of the box, the New Mexico Film Critics Association picked their winners of the year. “West Side Story” and Steven Spielberg winded up in the top spot, also winning Editing and Production Design. “Cry Macho” was honored with Best Actor and Original Song while films like “The Falls,” “One Second,” and “Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time” were honored … Read More Oscars Watch: 2021 New Mexico Film Critics Association Awards

2019 Oscars Challenge: [24] “Ready Player One” – Best Visual Effects

“READY PLAYER ONE”Roger Guyett, Grady Cofer, Matthew E. Butler and David Shirk Director: Steven SpielbergProducer: Steven Spielberg, Donald De Line, Dan Farah, and Kristie Macosko KriegerWriters: Zak Penn and Ernest ClineBased On: “Ready Player One” by Ernest ClineCinematography: Janusz KamińskiEditors: Michael Kahn and Sarah BrosharComposer: Alan SilvestriDistributors: Warner Bros. PicturesRelease Date: March 29, 2018Budget: $175 millionRun-time: 140 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: In the year 2045, … Read More 2019 Oscars Challenge: [24] “Ready Player One” – Best Visual Effects

Movie Review: Ready Player One (2018)

READY PLAYER ONE BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLAPRIL 5, 2018 “These three words were always the last thing an OASIS user saw before leaving the real world and entering the virtual one: READY PLAYER ONE” ― Ernest Cline, “Ready Player One” (novel) Taking a 385 page novel and truncating it into an enjoyable two-and-a-half hour feature is no easy feat, yet director Steven Spielberg and writers … Read More Movie Review: Ready Player One (2018)

2018 Oscars Challenge: [5] “The Post” – 2 Nominations

“THE POST” Amy Pascal, Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger Director: Steven Spielberg Writers: Liz Hannah & Josh Singer Cinematography: Janusz Kamiński Editor: Nick Houy Composer: John Williams Distributor: 20th Century Fox Release Date: December 22, 2017 Run-time: 116 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: In 1971, Washington Post owner Kay Graham, the first female publisher of a major newspaper, and executive editor Ben Bradlee debate whether they … Read More 2018 Oscars Challenge: [5] “The Post” – 2 Nominations

New Trailer: Ready Player One – Official Trailer #2

READY PLAYER ONE Synopsis: In a virtual world called Oasis, a teenager finds himself competing in a treasure hunt against ruthless foes after the game’s founder dies and offers his fortune as the grand prize. Starring: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance, Simon Pegg, and T. J. Miller Directed By: Steven Spielberg Based On: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Release Date: March 30, … Read More New Trailer: Ready Player One – Official Trailer #2

New Trailer: The Post – Official Trailer #1

THE POST Synopsis: Ben Bradlee and Kay Graham of The Washington Post challenge the federal government for the right to publish classified information in 1971. Starring: Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep Directed By: Steven Spielberg Music By: John Williams Release Date: December 22, 2017 Studio: 20th Century Fox

New Trailer: Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: 40th Anniversary – Official Re-Release Trailer #1

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND: 40TH ANNIVERSARY RE-RELEASE Synopsis: Science fiction adventure about a group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) witnesses an unidentified flying object, and even has a “sunburn” from its bright lights to prove it. Roy refuses to accept an explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his life to … Read More New Trailer: Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: 40th Anniversary – Official Re-Release Trailer #1

New Trailer: Ready Player One – Official Trailer #1

READY PLAYER ONE Synopsis: In a virtual world called Oasis, a teenager finds himself competing in a treasure hunt against ruthless foes after the game’s founder dies and offers his fortune as the grand prize. Starring: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance, Simon Pegg, and T. J. Miller Directed By: Steven Spielberg Based On: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Release Date: March 30, … Read More New Trailer: Ready Player One – Official Trailer #1

2016 Oscars Challenge: [31] “Bridge Of Spies” – Best Picture

FILM SYNOPSIS: In 1957, in the midst of the Cold War, New York insurance lawyer James Donovan is enlisted to provide a pro-bono defense for Rudolf Abel, who is accused of spying for the Russians. The CIA then sends Donovan to East Berlin to conduct precarious negotiations with the Soviets to exchange Abel for a recently captured U.S. Air Force pilot, Francis Gary Powers. … Read More 2016 Oscars Challenge: [31] “Bridge Of Spies” – Best Picture

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2016 Oscars Challenge: [31] “Bridge Of Spies” – Best Supporting Actor

MARK RYLANCE “Bridge Of Spies” OscarsⓇ Nominated Role: As Rudolf Abel, Mark Rylance plays an undercover KGB agent stationed in the U.S. who is apprehended and tried for espionage. Whether you’re Tom Hanks or someone unknown, being in a Steven Spielberg film will likely catapult your career, not just because there’s tons of eyes on a Spielberg piece, but because he’s an except director. Mark … Read More 2016 Oscars Challenge: [31] “Bridge Of Spies” – Best Supporting Actor

2016 Oscars Challenge: [31] “Bridge Of Spies” – Best Original Score

BRIDGE OF SPIES Thomas Newman The paranoia and uneasiness of the Cold War are brought to life by Thomas Newman’s score for “Bridge Of Spies.” On top of being a period piece, the film itself is a re-teaming of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, which brings about reminiscent qualities that are shared with the score. Pushing scenes like the final bridge exchange, the battle … Read More 2016 Oscars Challenge: [31] “Bridge Of Spies” – Best Original Score

2016 Oscars Challenge: [31] “Bridge Of Spies” – Best Production Design

BRIDGE OF SPIES Adam Stockhausen (Production Design); Rena DeAngelo and Bernhard Henrich (Set Decoration) Listening to “Bridge Of Spies” production designer Adam Stockhausen talk about his process, the thing he mentions a few times is how much Berlin has changed since the days of the Cold War and the Berlin Wall, which make it almost impossible to film a historically accurate period piece there … Read More 2016 Oscars Challenge: [31] “Bridge Of Spies” – Best Production Design

2016 Oscars Challenge: [31] “Bridge Of Spies” – Best Original Screenplay

BRIDGE OF SPIES Written by Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen FILM SYNOPSIS: In 1957, in the midst of the Cold War, New York insurance lawyer James Donovan is enlisted to provide a pro-bono defense for Rudolf Abel, who is accused of spying for the Russians. The CIA then sends Donovan to East Berlin to conduct precarious negotiations with the Soviets to … Read More 2016 Oscars Challenge: [31] “Bridge Of Spies” – Best Original Screenplay

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2016 Oscars Challenge: [31] “Bridge Of Spies” – 6 nominations

“BRIDGE OF SPIES” {click each category for individual look} // Produced by Steven Spielberg, Marc Platt, and Kristie Macosko Krieger // Directed by Steven Spielberg // // Dated Viewed: Sunday, February 14th, 2016 // DVD //  11 films – 15 days //

2016 Oscars Challenge: [3] “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” – Best Original Score

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS John Williams Let it be known, first of all, that composer John Williams, age 83, has been nominated by the Academy a total of fifty times following this nomination for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” On top of that already astonishing fact, Williams was nominated for his work on all three of the original “Star Wars” films and even … Read More 2016 Oscars Challenge: [3] “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” – Best Original Score

Quick Review: Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom (1984)

INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLNOVEMBER 18, 2013 Immediately tossing the viewer into the harrowing world of Indiana Jones, “The Temple Of Doom” is a literal roller coaster ride of action and adventure, highlighting the characteristics and mannerisms that audiences loved in the original film. From the opening sequence of an antidote vial being kicked around to a car chase … Read More Quick Review: Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom (1984)

Quick Review: Saving Private Ryan (1998)

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLNOVEMBER 17, 2013 Easily one of the best war films of all time, Steven Spielberg brings to the screen a representation of WWII’s D-day that overwhelms and captivates in the most emotional, realistic, and an unforgettable 24-minute opening sequence that blows you away while opening your eyes to the loss of the war. “Saving Private Ryan” brings an all-star … Read More Quick Review: Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Quick Review: Jurassic Park 3D (1993)

JURASSIC PARK 3D BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLAPRIL 5, 2013 “Jurassic Park” is a masterpiece and one of the greatest films of all time. An adventure on one of the grandest scales, the iconic dinosaur and island imagery, and still-ahead-of-its-time visual effects will live on forever. Steven Spielberg solidifies his name in the history books alongside Michael Crichton, who turns his epic novel into an extremely … Read More Quick Review: Jurassic Park 3D (1993)

New Trailer: Lincoln – Official Trailer #1

LINCOLN // Steven Spielberg has gone from “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park” to “War Horse” and “Lincoln”; who would have thought? Daniel Day-Lewis is the man to pull off the prestigious role, however, and you can expect tons of awards coming out of this film come Oscar season, especially with John Williams at the score. Along with Tommy Lee Jones, Jackie Earle Haley, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, … Read More New Trailer: Lincoln – Official Trailer #1

Spotlight: Teasers for Trailers

I am thoroughly excited for the new “Lincoln” film coming out November 16th. Pairing one of the greatest directors ever, Steven Spielberg, with one of the best actors in the world, Daniel Day Lewis; what’s not to love? If that isn’t enough to sway you, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, John Hawkes, and Tommy Lee Jones as the supporting cast presents the makings of a perfect film. … Read More Spotlight: Teasers for Trailers

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2012 Oscars Challenge: [29] The Adventures of Tintin & John Williams

[17 OUT OF 46 FILMS REMAINING]-[14 DAYS TO OSCARS] If any film was robbed this year (outside of the Documentary category and “Drive”), it would be Steven Spielberg’s second directing venture of the year, “The Adventures of Tintin”. Slated as one of the top competitors in the Best Animated Feature category against “Rango”, “Tintin” didn’t even get a nomination. If that wasn’t strange enough, … Read More 2012 Oscars Challenge: [29] The Adventures of Tintin & John Williams

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2012 Oscars Challenge: [28] War Horse & 6 Nominations

[18 OUT OF 46 FILMS REMAINING]-[15 DAYS TO OSCARS] After five years, Steven Spielberg is back on the Oscar map, with a Best Picture nomination. Spielberg has previously had six films nominated for Best Picture and has only won a single Best Picture Academy Award for “Schindler’s List”. He’s also been nominated six times for Best Director, winning for “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private … Read More 2012 Oscars Challenge: [28] War Horse & 6 Nominations

Movie Review: Gremlins (1984)

GREMLINS BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLDECEMBER 3, 2011 Somehow amid Christmas season rituals like decorating the house after Thanksgiving and the countless television stations playing “A Christmas Story” and “Elf” all day on Christmas Eve, a new ritual was born in the form of a little fuzzy creature named Gizmo. Produced by Steven Spielberg, “Gremlins” has become as Christmas as “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “Miracle … Read More Movie Review: Gremlins (1984)

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For Your Consideration 2011: “War Horse”

When Steven Spielberg’s name is attached to a film, you damn sure better expect it to get noticed. I expect multiple nominations to come out of this film, including Costume Design and Cinematography. With John Williams at the helm of the score, I would not doubt a Best Original Score nomination, nor would I doubt Spielberg himself getting a nomination for directing. It just … Read More For Your Consideration 2011: “War Horse”

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For Your Consideration 2011: “Super 8”

“Super 8” is easily one of the most original films of the year, produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by J.J. Abrams. Though I do not see any huge awards coming out of this film, visual effects and screenplay should definitely be honored. How nice would it be to see Elle Fanning nominated for her performance, however, she may be too young and this … Read More For Your Consideration 2011: “Super 8”

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For Your Consideration 2011: “The Adventures of Tintin”

An animated film produced by Peter Jackson, directed by Steven Spielberg, and scored by John Williams seems a hard film to top. How this film will not get nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film I do not know. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN ALL CATEGORIES including BEST PICTURE & BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM** Produced by Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy … Read More For Your Consideration 2011: “The Adventures of Tintin”

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Spotlight: J.J. Abrams

Director Of The Week: J.J. Abrams