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Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Film awards for ‘No Country,’ Clooney and Christie
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Coen brothers’ “No Country for Old Men” was named the year’s best picture today by the National Board of Review. Top acting awards went to George Clooney for “Michael Clayton” and Julie Christie for “Away From Her.”
The National Board, founded in 1909 is the first major American group to announce final movie honors each year. Membership includes film historians, educators and others.
Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne also is being honored with the group’s William K. Everson Film History Award. Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas will receive the award for career achievement.
Among the group’s other awards: director — Tim Burton (“Sweeney Todd”); supporting actor — Casey Affeck (“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”); supporting actress — Amy Ryan (“Gone Baby Gone”); foreign film — “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”; documentary — “Body of War”; animated feature — “Ratatouille”; ensemble cast — “No Country for Old Men”; breakthrough actor — Emile Hirsch (“Into the Wild”); breakthrough actress — Ellen Page (“Juno”); directorial debut — Ben Affleck (“Gone Baby Gone”); original screenplay — a tie between “Juno” and “Lars and the Real Girl”; adapted screenplay — “No Country for Old Men.”
The group’s Top 10 films of 2007 (in alphabetical order): “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” “Atonement,” “The Bourne Ultimatum,” “The Bucket List,” “Into the Wild,” “Juno,” “The Kite Runner,” “Lars and the Real Girl,” “Michael Clayton” and “Sweeney Todd.”
The group’s Top 5 foreign films: “4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days,” “The Band’s Visit,” “The Counterfeiters,” “La Vie En Rose” and “Lust, Caution.”
Top 5 documentaries: “Dafur Now,” “In the Shadow of the Moon,” “Nanking,” “Taxi to the Darkside” and “Toots.”
Top indie films (in alphabetical order): “Away From Her,” “Great World of Sound,” “Honeydripper,” “In the Valley of Elah,” “A Mighty Heart,” “The Namesake,” “Once,” “The Savages,” “Starting Out in the Evening” and “Waitress.”
Freedom of Expression awards: “Persepolis” and “The Great Debaters.”
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12/5: Project 9-6-1’s Giant Brian raises nearly $100K for Empty Stocking
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Giant Brian show on Project 9-6-1 just finished up 50 hours to raise $96,535 for the Empty Stocking Fund, which found its warehouse stripped of $50,000 in gifts for needy kids. The thieves have yet to be found but he said it’s obvious the fund will end up with more cash than it otherwise would have had, said Don Crawford, the Empty Stocking Fund executive director.
“I’m tired but inspired,” “Giant” Brian Carothers said after the total was announced at 10:12 a.m. today.
“We thank you very much. It will help a lot of children,” said Crawford.
About 690 people contributed money. More will come in so the final total will likely be bigger and might break $100,000, said Chris Williams, program director.
John Cabaniss, a research scientist at Georgia Tech who lives in Marietta, stopped by the studio ((above, right, with Giant Brian)) and gave $16,000 from a charity foundation set up by his grandmother on behalf of his late grandfather. The radio station gave $25,000.
The two jocks didn’t stay awake or stay at the studio the entire 50 hours. They both snuck home overnight to shower, brush their teeth and shave. Brian Carothers slept three hours last night on a love seat while Shaffee found a spot on the floor in the control room under a desk to doze for an hour last night. “The carpet probably hasn’t been vacuumed since this building opened so I breathed in all sorts of dust, but it was worth it,” he said.
A company called Digital Blue, an education and entertainment company, said it will provide a matching total (including in-kind trades). So the final total could be closer to $200,000.
Crawford said the thieves focused on electronics, taking hundreds of DVD players and MP3 players. They didn’t steal any of the books.
Last year, the charity organization said it helped out 46,376 underprivileged children. You can donate directly here..
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A gift of memories will last forever
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What if your kids came to you and said they’d rather go on a holiday or Christmas ( you fill in the appropriate word) vacation than have presents?
Well, that’s what happened to me. And you know what? I’m thrilled.
I won’t have to brave the stores, the crowds or the decisions of what to buy. I’ll admit that it sort of makes me feel out of the loop, but that feeling doesn’t last for long.
In fact, the gift I’m giving my children is the gift of memories and since they will be on their own before too long, I”m just glad they still want to spend time with us.
Granted, my girls are now 15 and 19. So, while there are plenty of things they’d like to have, I’m hoping they are getting away from the need to have more stuff.
What would you think if your kids asked for a little getaway instead of presents?
Abby Brunks blogs on Fayette.Talk
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Special holiday videos — Watch No. 2 now
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s the Turtle Creek Chorale of Dallas, Texas — some members in full “Flying Nun” habits — performing what would best be called “THE HALLELUJAH NUNS’ CHORUS”. It’s clearly a case of performance over camerawork. And if this film doesn’t make you laugh, bah humbug on you!
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Regifting: Better the second time around?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s Christmas Day and there’s a knock at the door.
In steps a relative or friend bearing gifts. Problem is, there’s nothing for her under the tree.
Except…
There is the lavender scarf a co-worker gave you last year and there’s the unopened bottle of perfume you got for your birthday.
Who’s to know, right?
Some things are better the second time around but does that apply to gifts?
Have you ever regifted? Are you thinking about regifting this Christmas? Do you suspect you’ve been on the receiving end of a revolving gift? Is this an acceptable way to pass along a gift you will never use or just plain cheap and tacky?
Have you ever been caught? How did you handle it? Are there principles that even the most chronic regifter follows?
(Note: For those of you who get a Christmas gift from me, don’t worry. Honestly, it never crossed my mind…)
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The lowdown on movie opening dates for the holidays
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I looked down at my December calendar today and the month is already full — movie screenings, movie openings, parties, photo shoots, parties, family arrivals and parties.
I, like you I’m sure, need things to be in order. And because I am always giving I’ve prepared a calendar for you of important movie openings for Oscar contenders, holiday movies and such from now till after the first of the year. I do this because movies don’t always open everywhere on the same day.
Here’s the lineup for metro Atlanta (note that dates are definitely subject to change on the whim of studio execs):
FRIDAY — “Atonement” with James McAvoy and Keira Knightley; “The Golden Compass” with Nicole Kidman and several polar bears; “Romance and Cigarettes” with Tony Soprano and a lot of karaoke singing.
DEC. 12 — “The Perfect Holiday” with Queen Latifah, Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut in a Santa suit.
DEC. 14 — “I am Legend” with Will Smith and New York City; “Alvin and the Chipmunks” with Alvin, Simon and Theodore.
DEC. 21 — “Charlie Wilson’s War” with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts; “Juno” with Ellen Page and Michael Cera; “The Kite Runner” with Afghanistan; “P.S. I Love You” with Hilary “I’m Just A Girl From A Trailer Park With A Dream” Swank; “The Walker” with Woody Harrelson.
DEC. 25 — “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” with English subtitles for the French dialogue; **”The Water Horse” with a CGI creature; “The Savages” with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney; “Alien vs. Predator — Requiem” with aliens, predators and a town of people.
JAN. 4 — “Cassandra’s Dream” with Colin Farrell.
JAN. 11 — “Grace is Gone” (maybe on this date) with John Cusack; “The Bucket List” with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.
SOMETIME IN JANUARY — “There Will Be Blood” with Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano; “Starting Out in the Evening” with Frank Langella.
FEB. 1 — Persepolis” with French animation.
Which films are you looking forward to?
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