In 2004, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” became the film with joint-most Oscar wins of all time with a whopping 11 victories, matching the total tallies of both “Titanic” and “Ben-Hur.” Those 11 Academy Awards capped off a hugely successful trilogy of movies that collectively snagged 28 Oscar nominations and 17 wins in total. But yet… Peter Jackson‘s film series, adapted from the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, is so, so good that, well, it could have won more. That sounds greedy and over the top, of course, but if you take a look at each film’s nominations, it’s actually very feasible that any one of the three films could have turned the bid into a win. So, with that in mind, here are five Oscar nominations that “The Lord of the Rings” films could and perhaps should have turned into victories.
Best Art Direction — “The Fellowship of the Ring...
Best Art Direction — “The Fellowship of the Ring...
- 11/13/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Before Karl Urban was in "The Boys," he played characters who love swords and shields as much as Billy Butcher loves killing supes. There's his role as Skurge in "Thor: Ragnarok" and as Éomer in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, as well as the box-office dud "Pathfinder" or any of his various appearances in the Riddick films as Vaako. The reason for Urban's casting in this niche probably has something to do with the two television series that make up a large part of his early career: "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and "Xena: Warrior Princess."
Although Urban first appeared in "Hercules" as Cupid in the season 3 episode "The Green Eyed Monster," he's better known for the recurring character Julius Caesar in the spin-off "Xena". The actor also played two other guest roles in "Xena": the father-drugging psychopath Mael and the nomadic human Kor.
Urban's experience working on "Hercules...
Although Urban first appeared in "Hercules" as Cupid in the season 3 episode "The Green Eyed Monster," he's better known for the recurring character Julius Caesar in the spin-off "Xena". The actor also played two other guest roles in "Xena": the father-drugging psychopath Mael and the nomadic human Kor.
Urban's experience working on "Hercules...
- 8/28/2022
- by Steven Ward
- Slash Film
Production designer Patrice Vermette and set decorator Zsuzsanna Sipos took home statuettes for their work on Dune at the Academy Awards on Sunday, with Vermette paying “special” tribute to his “friend” Jean-Marc Vallée—the Canadian filmmaker behind Big Little Lies, Dallas Buyers Club and more, who died suddenly in December, aged 58.
Vermette also thanked director Denis Villeneuve “for allowing us to dream” and “for being a great friend,” saying, “I owe this to you.”
“I’m such a crybaby, I’m sorry,” added Sipos. “It means an awful lot and I just want to thank my team and everyone who participated, and for the opportunity.”
Oscars Winners List – Updating Live
Both Vermette and Sipos are first-time winners, though the former had previously been nominated for his work on the films The Young Victoria and Arrival. The pair bested the teams behind Guillermo del Toro’s carnival noir Nightmare Alley (production designer: Tamara Deverell,...
Vermette also thanked director Denis Villeneuve “for allowing us to dream” and “for being a great friend,” saying, “I owe this to you.”
“I’m such a crybaby, I’m sorry,” added Sipos. “It means an awful lot and I just want to thank my team and everyone who participated, and for the opportunity.”
Oscars Winners List – Updating Live
Both Vermette and Sipos are first-time winners, though the former had previously been nominated for his work on the films The Young Victoria and Arrival. The pair bested the teams behind Guillermo del Toro’s carnival noir Nightmare Alley (production designer: Tamara Deverell,...
- 3/28/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Going to watch the 2022 Oscars and wondering who will win? Scroll down for our Oscar predictions in all 23 categories. These official odds are derived from the 2022 Oscar predictions of thousands of Gold Derby readers. Our projected winners are highlighted in gold.
Among those making their forecasts at Gold Derby are dozens of Expert journalists from major media outlets, our Editors who cover awards year-round, the Top 24 Users who did the best predicting last year’s Oscar winners and the All-Star Top 24 who had the highest scores for the last two years combined.
“The Power of the Dog” came into these awards with the most nominations (12) and looked to be a lock. The film won with the BAFTAs and Jane Campion picked up prizes both there and with the DGA for helming. But “Coda” claimed the top prize at the SAG Awards and won Best Picture at the PGA Awards, which...
Among those making their forecasts at Gold Derby are dozens of Expert journalists from major media outlets, our Editors who cover awards year-round, the Top 24 Users who did the best predicting last year’s Oscar winners and the All-Star Top 24 who had the highest scores for the last two years combined.
“The Power of the Dog” came into these awards with the most nominations (12) and looked to be a lock. The film won with the BAFTAs and Jane Campion picked up prizes both there and with the DGA for helming. But “Coda” claimed the top prize at the SAG Awards and won Best Picture at the PGA Awards, which...
- 3/27/2022
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Whether or not “The Power of the Dog” wins the big prize at the Academy Awards on Sunday, David Strong, chief executive of the New Zealand Film Commission for the past eight months, is guaranteed to be an in-demand visitor to Los Angeles over the next week.
With the Jane Campion-directed film handily showcasing New Zealand’s talent, locations and craft strengths, the country has now reopened its borders to international visitors. Also sweetening the deal are more studio spaces.
Ahead of Strong’s flight to Los Angeles, where he has a week of meetings set up with Hollywood decision makers, he spoke to Variety about what New Zealand has to offer going forward.
What has been the impact of “The Power of the Dog” and its Oscar nominations?
It’s already been a big success story for us. The New Zealand government put $8 million into “The Power of the Dog” and,...
With the Jane Campion-directed film handily showcasing New Zealand’s talent, locations and craft strengths, the country has now reopened its borders to international visitors. Also sweetening the deal are more studio spaces.
Ahead of Strong’s flight to Los Angeles, where he has a week of meetings set up with Hollywood decision makers, he spoke to Variety about what New Zealand has to offer going forward.
What has been the impact of “The Power of the Dog” and its Oscar nominations?
It’s already been a big success story for us. The New Zealand government put $8 million into “The Power of the Dog” and,...
- 3/25/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The films competing for the 2022 Best Production Design Oscar are “Dune,” “Nightmare Alley,” “The Power of the Dog,” “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” and “West Side Story.” Our odds currently indicate that “Dune” (16/5) will be the winner, followed in order of likelihood by “Nightmare Alley” (39/10), “West Side Story” (4/1), “The Tragedy of Macbeth” (9/2), and “The Power of the Dog” (9/2).
Six of the individual craftspeople in this lineup have been nominated before and four have won at least once. The only newcomers in the bunch are production designers Stefan Dechant (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”) and Tamara Deverell (“Nightmare Alley”) and set decorators Amber Richards (“The Power of the Dog”) and Zsuzsanna Sipos (“Dune”).
Nancy Haigh (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”) is on her ninth bid and could add a third trophy to her collection after having triumphed for “Bugsy” (1992) and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2020). The only other woman who has achieved three...
Six of the individual craftspeople in this lineup have been nominated before and four have won at least once. The only newcomers in the bunch are production designers Stefan Dechant (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”) and Tamara Deverell (“Nightmare Alley”) and set decorators Amber Richards (“The Power of the Dog”) and Zsuzsanna Sipos (“Dune”).
Nancy Haigh (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”) is on her ninth bid and could add a third trophy to her collection after having triumphed for “Bugsy” (1992) and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2020). The only other woman who has achieved three...
- 3/24/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
About 20 minutes into Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog,” Montana rancher Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) is staring out at a sunlit mountain range. “What is it you see up there, Phil,” a farmhand asks. “There is something there, right?”
Phil smiles. “Not if you can’t see it, there ain’t,” he says.
What Phil is looking at is a Rorschach-like dog’s face in profile, created by long-cast shadows in the undulating hills. We in the audience get a second chance to spot it about an hour later in the film. This phenomenon is known as “pareidolia,” the observing of familiar shapes or patterns in random objects. In Instagram parlance, it’s also known as Faces in Things.
The barking dog’s face can be seen slightly to the center-right in the mountain range. Here is a closer look:
Credit: Netflix
During the pre-production stage of the film,...
Phil smiles. “Not if you can’t see it, there ain’t,” he says.
What Phil is looking at is a Rorschach-like dog’s face in profile, created by long-cast shadows in the undulating hills. We in the audience get a second chance to spot it about an hour later in the film. This phenomenon is known as “pareidolia,” the observing of familiar shapes or patterns in random objects. In Instagram parlance, it’s also known as Faces in Things.
The barking dog’s face can be seen slightly to the center-right in the mountain range. Here is a closer look:
Credit: Netflix
During the pre-production stage of the film,...
- 3/15/2022
- by Joe McGovern
- The Wrap
Jane Campion emerged as the big winner during Sunday night’s Critics Choice Awards, winning three major victories from the Critics Choice Association, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Director.
Campion’s first opportunity to address the room of celebrity attendees and journalists came late in the show, when she received the Best Director award. The New Zealand-born filmmaker used the top portion of her speech to address the “incredible women” in attendance, including Venus and Serena Williams. The tennis greats appeared at the Critics Choice Awards in support of “King Richard,” the film about their upbringing.
“Venus and Serena, what an honor to be in the room with you,” Campion told the Williams sisters. “I’ve taken up tennis. I truly have, and [“King Richard” star] Will Smith if you want to come over we can do lessons. I would truly love it. I actually had to...
Campion’s first opportunity to address the room of celebrity attendees and journalists came late in the show, when she received the Best Director award. The New Zealand-born filmmaker used the top portion of her speech to address the “incredible women” in attendance, including Venus and Serena Williams. The tennis greats appeared at the Critics Choice Awards in support of “King Richard,” the film about their upbringing.
“Venus and Serena, what an honor to be in the room with you,” Campion told the Williams sisters. “I’ve taken up tennis. I truly have, and [“King Richard” star] Will Smith if you want to come over we can do lessons. I would truly love it. I actually had to...
- 3/14/2022
- by Caillou Pettis
- Gold Derby
Last Updated March 7: Dune,” “Nightmare Alley,” and “No Time to Die” were the big film winners March 5 at the 26th Art Directors Guild Awards (held at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown). However, the production design race now comes down to “Dune” and “Nightmare Alley.”
Last Updated February 9: The production design Oscar nominees — “Dune” (Warner Bros.), “Nightmare Alley” (Searchlight/Disney), “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix), The Tragedy of Macbeth” (Apple TV+), and “West Side Story” (20th Century/Disney) — are all creative examples of world building which defy genre expectations.
However, the ambitious and imaginative world building for Denis Villeneuve “Dune” is the frontrunner for production designer Patrice Vermette and set decorator Zsuzsanna Sipos. They oversaw an assortment of large-scale sets at Origo Studios in Budapest. There’s the castle of the Atreides family on the ocean planet Caladan and distinguished by its Norwegian vibe with mottled hues. The...
Last Updated February 9: The production design Oscar nominees — “Dune” (Warner Bros.), “Nightmare Alley” (Searchlight/Disney), “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix), The Tragedy of Macbeth” (Apple TV+), and “West Side Story” (20th Century/Disney) — are all creative examples of world building which defy genre expectations.
However, the ambitious and imaginative world building for Denis Villeneuve “Dune” is the frontrunner for production designer Patrice Vermette and set decorator Zsuzsanna Sipos. They oversaw an assortment of large-scale sets at Origo Studios in Budapest. There’s the castle of the Atreides family on the ocean planet Caladan and distinguished by its Norwegian vibe with mottled hues. The...
- 3/7/2022
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Over the past week or two we’ve seen a bit of wavering in this year’s highly competitive Best Picture race as one front-runner or another misses out on a nomination or award and loses support from its most fervent backers. In the case of Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog,” for instance, the film is still considered the favorite for Best Picture among the Gold Derby odds-makers, but movies like “Coda” have been getting more recent support — from the SAG Awards specifically. Although 13 Experts are still backing Campion’s movie, eight others are picking one of three other rivals. That’s especially interesting since 20 out of 21 Experts have Campion winning Best Director, so why is there less confidence in “Power of the Dog” taking Best Picture as well?
September was a long time ago, but “Power of the Dog” was already considered the front-runner back then...
September was a long time ago, but “Power of the Dog” was already considered the front-runner back then...
- 3/4/2022
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
As mentioned in my rundown of Best Cinematography at the Oscars, the Production Design field is so closely linked creatively that all five movies nominated there are also nominated here. This Oscar goes to the film’s production designer and its set decorator, both highly crucial roles to any film, which is why (like Cinematography) four of the five movies nominated for Production Design are Best Picture nominees as well.
It may come as no surprise that Gold Derby’s Experts have Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” – the only movie this year nominated in every single below-the-line category (save Best Original Song) – ahead to win for Production Design, although a few of them lean towards “Nightmare Alley” or “West Side Story.” But this is not about who will win as much about why all the nominees are bona fide winners already.
As of this writing the Production Design category has been...
It may come as no surprise that Gold Derby’s Experts have Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” – the only movie this year nominated in every single below-the-line category (save Best Original Song) – ahead to win for Production Design, although a few of them lean towards “Nightmare Alley” or “West Side Story.” But this is not about who will win as much about why all the nominees are bona fide winners already.
As of this writing the Production Design category has been...
- 3/3/2022
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
The 2022 Oscar nominations were announced on Tuesday, February 8 live from Los Angeles. Emmy winner Leslie Jordan and Emmy nominee Tracee Ellis Ross hosted the nomination ceremony, reading off nominees in all 23 categories. The announcement was live-streamed online via the Oscars website, accessible at both Oscar.com and Oscars.org. In addition to the academy’s main site, the nominations streamed live online via Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. The 94th Academy Awards air live on ABC on March 27 with the ceremony set to kick off from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood at 5:00 p.m. Pt/ 8:00 p.m. Et.
Scroll down to see the full list of nominations in all 23 competitive categories at the 94th Academy Awards.
Best Picture
“Belfast” Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, Producers
“Coda” Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers
“Don’t Look Up” Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers
“Drive My Car” Teruhisa Yamamoto,...
Scroll down to see the full list of nominations in all 23 competitive categories at the 94th Academy Awards.
Best Picture
“Belfast” Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, Producers
“Coda” Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers
“Don’t Look Up” Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers
“Drive My Car” Teruhisa Yamamoto,...
- 2/8/2022
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Jane Campion’s drama “The Power of the Dog” is one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year, judging by all the critics awards it has received and how many top-10 lists it appeared on for 2021. It’s almost guaranteed a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars, and Campion will be nominated as well for writing and directing along with probably three of her actors getting in, so that’s six nominations right there. But how many more will it get on the road to potentially winning top honors from the academy?
SEE2022 Oscars guild awards final scorecard: ‘Dune’ goes 12 for 13, ‘West Side Story’ 10, ‘The Power of the Dog’ 8
It’s often important for a movie to fare well with below-the-line branches of the academy as well. In those cases, though, “Power of the Dog” has to face what will likely be the below-the-line juggernaut, “Dune,” so can...
SEE2022 Oscars guild awards final scorecard: ‘Dune’ goes 12 for 13, ‘West Side Story’ 10, ‘The Power of the Dog’ 8
It’s often important for a movie to fare well with below-the-line branches of the academy as well. In those cases, though, “Power of the Dog” has to face what will likely be the below-the-line juggernaut, “Dune,” so can...
- 2/6/2022
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
In April 2019, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences board of governors decided to change the name of the foreign-language-film category, saying it was “outdated within the global film community.” So they renamed it “international film.” It’s better, but still not precise: All films are international, whether they’re in English or not. This year’s Academy Awards race provides many reminders of that fact.
Several 2021 Oscar contenders seem like all-American films, such as “West Side Story,” though the cinematographer is Janusz Kaminski, from Poland; “Nightmare Alley” boasts Dp Dan Laustsen (Denmark), editor Cam McLauchlin and production designer Tamara Deverell (both Canada), not to mention director Guillermo del Toro (Mexico) and stars Cate Blanchett and Toni Collette (both from Australia).
“Coda,” the great funny/poignant comedy about a U.S. family, includes producer Philippe Rousselet (France) and Dp Paula Huidobro (Mexico City), in addition to stars Emilia Jones (the U.
Several 2021 Oscar contenders seem like all-American films, such as “West Side Story,” though the cinematographer is Janusz Kaminski, from Poland; “Nightmare Alley” boasts Dp Dan Laustsen (Denmark), editor Cam McLauchlin and production designer Tamara Deverell (both Canada), not to mention director Guillermo del Toro (Mexico) and stars Cate Blanchett and Toni Collette (both from Australia).
“Coda,” the great funny/poignant comedy about a U.S. family, includes producer Philippe Rousselet (France) and Dp Paula Huidobro (Mexico City), in addition to stars Emilia Jones (the U.
- 1/23/2022
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
The Set Decorators Society of America, which celebrates excellence in the art of set decoration for film, announced its nominees Monday. The Decor/Design categories highlight feature-length films of the 2021 season, which were voted on by Sdsa members.
Here is the full list of Nominees:
Best Achievement In Decor/Design Of A Contemporary Feature Film
Don’t Look Up
Set Decoration by Tara Pavoni with Production Design by Clayton Hartley
Hand of God
Set Decoration by Iole Autero with Production Design by Carmine Guarino
The Lost Daughter
Set Decoration by Christine-Athina Vlachos with Production Design by Inbal Weinberg
No Time To Die
Set Decoration by Véronique Melery Sdsa with Production Design by Mark Tildesley
Best Achievement In Decor/Design Of A Period Feature Film
Being The Ricardos
Set Decoration by Ellen Brill Sdsa with Production Design by Jon Hutman
House of Gucci
Set Decoration by Letizia Santucci Sdsa with Production Design...
Here is the full list of Nominees:
Best Achievement In Decor/Design Of A Contemporary Feature Film
Don’t Look Up
Set Decoration by Tara Pavoni with Production Design by Clayton Hartley
Hand of God
Set Decoration by Iole Autero with Production Design by Carmine Guarino
The Lost Daughter
Set Decoration by Christine-Athina Vlachos with Production Design by Inbal Weinberg
No Time To Die
Set Decoration by Véronique Melery Sdsa with Production Design by Mark Tildesley
Best Achievement In Decor/Design Of A Period Feature Film
Being The Ricardos
Set Decoration by Ellen Brill Sdsa with Production Design by Jon Hutman
House of Gucci
Set Decoration by Letizia Santucci Sdsa with Production Design...
- 1/18/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies from film awards editor Clayton Davis. Following history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Oscar and Emmy predictions are updated regularly with the current year's list of contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. The eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and is subject to change.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Oscars Collective
Visit each category, per the individual awards show from The Oscars Hub
Revisit the prediction archive of the 2021 season The Archive
Link to television awards is atTHE Emmys Hub
2022 Oscars Predictions:
Best Production Design
Updated: Dec 27, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: Production designer Patrice Vermette has had an impressive...
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Oscars Collective
Visit each category, per the individual awards show from The Oscars Hub
Revisit the prediction archive of the 2021 season The Archive
Link to television awards is atTHE Emmys Hub
2022 Oscars Predictions:
Best Production Design
Updated: Dec 27, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: Production designer Patrice Vermette has had an impressive...
- 12/27/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Early during Camerimage, everyone’s still reeling from jet lag. By the time Ari Wegner sits down for an interview by a reception desk in the festival’s main hall, she’s already held one Q&a and is about to head to another. Still, she’s upbeat and articulate about one of the most acclaimed films of the year.
Set in 1925 Montana, Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog takes place on a remote cattle ranch. Brothers struggle over control of the ranch, a conflict heightened by the arrival of a new wife and her college-age son.
Based on a 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, the story pries into characters and themes long ignored by Westerns. The cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch as overbearing rancher Phil Burbank, Jesse Plemons as his diffident younger brother George, and Kirsten Dunst as Rose Younger, a bride unsure of her position in a new family.
Set in 1925 Montana, Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog takes place on a remote cattle ranch. Brothers struggle over control of the ranch, a conflict heightened by the arrival of a new wife and her college-age son.
Based on a 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, the story pries into characters and themes long ignored by Westerns. The cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch as overbearing rancher Phil Burbank, Jesse Plemons as his diffident younger brother George, and Kirsten Dunst as Rose Younger, a bride unsure of her position in a new family.
- 12/2/2021
- by Daniel Eagan
- The Film Stage
What are the greatest challenges facing production designers making movies? What inspires them? Listen to some of Hollywood’s top talent reveal the answers themselves. Meet five top contenders for awards this year, including the Oscar, film critics and guild awards: Jon Hutman (‘Being the Ricardos’), Adam Stockhausen (‘The French Dispatch’), Grant Major (‘Power of the Dog’) and Ina Mayhew (‘Respect’). Watch their individual chats with Gold Derby Senior Editor Daniel Montgomery, followed by a lively group discussion.
- 11/24/2021
- by Tom O'Neil
- Gold Derby
“To be the production designer is so much to do with the unspoken part of the story and the way that that can sort of fit the audience’s experience,” says Grant Major (“The Power of the Dog”) about how he hopes his work is perceived — or not perceived — by audiences. We talked with him and his fellow production designers Jon Hutman (“Being the Ricardos”), Adam Stockhausen (“The French Dispatch”), and Ina Mayhew (“Respect”) about their work on some of this season’s awards contenders. Watch our “Meet the Experts” panel roundtable discussion above. Click each name above to watch that person’s individual interview.
Seetv production design panel: ‘Cowboy Bebop,’ ‘The Morning Show, ‘ ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ ‘The Wheel of Time,’ ‘The White Lotus’
“It’s not that you want somebody to notice a specific thing or a specific prop, but the totality of it, and it affects the experience watching the movie.
Seetv production design panel: ‘Cowboy Bebop,’ ‘The Morning Show, ‘ ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ ‘The Wheel of Time,’ ‘The White Lotus’
“It’s not that you want somebody to notice a specific thing or a specific prop, but the totality of it, and it affects the experience watching the movie.
- 11/22/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
“So much of the work we do as production designers is to try and create worlds that feel real because they have their own history and things that fit each individual scene that we’re bringing to the screen. So everything has to work in a sort of multifaceted way,” says Grant Major about his work recreating 1920s Montana in Netflix’s “The Power of the Dog.” We talked to Major as part of our “Meet the Experts” Production Designers Panel. Watch our exclusive video interview above.
Written and directed by Jane Campion based on a novel by Thomas Savage, “The Power of the Dog” tells the story of Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch), a resentful rancher who bullies his brother’s new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and stepson (Kodi Smit-McPhee). But while the story takes place in the American West, the film was shot on the opposite end of the world: “Montana is a very big,...
Written and directed by Jane Campion based on a novel by Thomas Savage, “The Power of the Dog” tells the story of Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch), a resentful rancher who bullies his brother’s new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and stepson (Kodi Smit-McPhee). But while the story takes place in the American West, the film was shot on the opposite end of the world: “Montana is a very big,...
- 11/22/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Special effects maestro Brian Cox and producer and costume designer Catherine Martin were both honoured at the Australian Production Design Guild Awards on Sunday.
Cox, whose 40-year career has included credits such as The Matrix and Moulin Rouge, was awarded the Canal Road Artisan Lifetime Achievement Award, while Martin -Australia’s most prolific Academy Award winner – was recognised with the Cameron Creswell Outstanding Contribution to Design Award.
The awards, which celebrated their 10th anniversary, also marked the end of an era as Apdg president and founder George Liddle announced he was stepping down after more than a decade at the helm.
Speaking at the virtual event, he said the future looked positive for the guild.
“Technological advances change the way we work, but they are mere tools,” he said.
“The creative design mind remains. That means design practitioners will remain an essential part of all successful productions in the live performance,...
Cox, whose 40-year career has included credits such as The Matrix and Moulin Rouge, was awarded the Canal Road Artisan Lifetime Achievement Award, while Martin -Australia’s most prolific Academy Award winner – was recognised with the Cameron Creswell Outstanding Contribution to Design Award.
The awards, which celebrated their 10th anniversary, also marked the end of an era as Apdg president and founder George Liddle announced he was stepping down after more than a decade at the helm.
Speaking at the virtual event, he said the future looked positive for the guild.
“Technological advances change the way we work, but they are mere tools,” he said.
“The creative design mind remains. That means design practitioners will remain an essential part of all successful productions in the live performance,...
- 11/10/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Four top production designers will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2022 Oscar and guild contenders. Each person from these films will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Friday, November 19, at 5:00 p.m. Pt; 8:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Daniel Montgomery and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your reservation. Or click here to RSVP for our entire ongoing panel series of 17 panels in November and December. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 awards contenders:
“Being the Ricardos”: Jon Hutman
Synopsis: Follows Lucy and Desi as they face a crisis that could end their careers...
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your reservation. Or click here to RSVP for our entire ongoing panel series of 17 panels in November and December. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 awards contenders:
“Being the Ricardos”: Jon Hutman
Synopsis: Follows Lucy and Desi as they face a crisis that could end their careers...
- 11/10/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Cinematographer Ari Wegner is about to become a more familiar name in the film world, as the “Zola” Dp starts to rake in recognition for her contribution to Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog,” in selected theaters Nov. 17 and arriving on Netflix Dec. 1.
Wegner has received the Toronto International Film Festival Variety Artisan Award and the Middleburg Film Festival Distinguished Cinematographer Award. At the Middleburg, Va., fest, she sat down to talk with Variety about working with Campion. “Jane is a visionary auteur [and] a deeply wonderful person whose ability to see the world in a boldly openhearted way is infused into her films as well as her filmmaking process,” says Wegner.
More than a year before shooting, Wegner and Campion scouted locations and traded ideas. “We looked at the exploration of the big and the small — in a vast landscape, the nuance of human interactions,” Wegner says.
The...
Wegner has received the Toronto International Film Festival Variety Artisan Award and the Middleburg Film Festival Distinguished Cinematographer Award. At the Middleburg, Va., fest, she sat down to talk with Variety about working with Campion. “Jane is a visionary auteur [and] a deeply wonderful person whose ability to see the world in a boldly openhearted way is infused into her films as well as her filmmaking process,” says Wegner.
More than a year before shooting, Wegner and Campion scouted locations and traded ideas. “We looked at the exploration of the big and the small — in a vast landscape, the nuance of human interactions,” Wegner says.
The...
- 10/27/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Awards
Spain has selected a high profile trio of films as finalists for the country’s 2021 International Feature Oscar submission.
The favorite, at least at this early stage, is Pedro Almodóvar’s “Madres paralelas” (“Parallel Mothers“), which just saw lead Penelope Cruz take the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. The film, which world premiered at the Italian event, was also a contender for the Golden Lion for best film and the Queer Lion.
Not to be counted out, Fernando León de Aranoa’s “The Good Boss,” starring an almost unrecognizable Javier Bardem, was also selected as a finalist for this year’s honor. Buzz around the film is at a fever pitch in Spain, with positive word of mouth after initial press screenings and its official world premiere set for next week’s San Sebastian Film Festival.
Rounding out the short list is Marcel Barrena...
Spain has selected a high profile trio of films as finalists for the country’s 2021 International Feature Oscar submission.
The favorite, at least at this early stage, is Pedro Almodóvar’s “Madres paralelas” (“Parallel Mothers“), which just saw lead Penelope Cruz take the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. The film, which world premiered at the Italian event, was also a contender for the Golden Lion for best film and the Queer Lion.
Not to be counted out, Fernando León de Aranoa’s “The Good Boss,” starring an almost unrecognizable Javier Bardem, was also selected as a finalist for this year’s honor. Buzz around the film is at a fever pitch in Spain, with positive word of mouth after initial press screenings and its official world premiere set for next week’s San Sebastian Film Festival.
Rounding out the short list is Marcel Barrena...
- 9/14/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
As anticipated, writer-director Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog will make its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival.
The festival unveiled its full line-up yesterday, with Campion’s drama – a Netflix Original – to compete against 20 other titles such as Pablo Larrain’s Princess Diana biopic Spencer; Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut The Lost Daughter and Pedro Almodovar’s Parallel Mothers.
An Australian-New Zealand co-production based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, The Power of the Dog stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzie, Frances Conroy, Keith Carradine, Peter Carroll and Adam Beach.
Set in the 1920s, Cumberbatch and Plemons play brothers Phil and George Burbank, who own the biggest ranch in the Montana valley.
When George secretly marries local widow Rose (Dunst), a shocked and angry Phil wages a relentless war to destroy her, using her effeminate son Peter (Smit-McPhee) as a pawn.
The festival unveiled its full line-up yesterday, with Campion’s drama – a Netflix Original – to compete against 20 other titles such as Pablo Larrain’s Princess Diana biopic Spencer; Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut The Lost Daughter and Pedro Almodovar’s Parallel Mothers.
An Australian-New Zealand co-production based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, The Power of the Dog stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzie, Frances Conroy, Keith Carradine, Peter Carroll and Adam Beach.
Set in the 1920s, Cumberbatch and Plemons play brothers Phil and George Burbank, who own the biggest ranch in the Montana valley.
When George secretly marries local widow Rose (Dunst), a shocked and angry Phil wages a relentless war to destroy her, using her effeminate son Peter (Smit-McPhee) as a pawn.
- 7/27/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
High Ground, The Invisible Man and 2067 lead the feature film nominees and Hungry Ghosts, Stateless and Bump television for the upcoming Australian Production Design Guild (Apdg) Awards.
Production designer for High Ground Ross Wallace and The Invisible Man’s Alex Holmes will compete for the night’s top gong against Relic‘s Steven Jones-Evans and True History of the Kelly Gang‘s Karen Murphy.
In television, battling for the production designer award are Hungry Ghost‘s Carrie Kennedy, On Becoming A God In Central Florida‘s Annie Beauchamp, Stateless’ Melinda Doring and The Luminaries‘ Felicity Abbott.
There are 23 categories for this year’s awards, including the traditional live performance, film, television, event, animation and costume design awards, in addition to new categories that include set decorators, screen graphic designers and live performance video designers.
“Over the past 10 years our young emerging designers have flourished,” production designer and Apdg president George Liddle said.
Production designer for High Ground Ross Wallace and The Invisible Man’s Alex Holmes will compete for the night’s top gong against Relic‘s Steven Jones-Evans and True History of the Kelly Gang‘s Karen Murphy.
In television, battling for the production designer award are Hungry Ghost‘s Carrie Kennedy, On Becoming A God In Central Florida‘s Annie Beauchamp, Stateless’ Melinda Doring and The Luminaries‘ Felicity Abbott.
There are 23 categories for this year’s awards, including the traditional live performance, film, television, event, animation and costume design awards, in addition to new categories that include set decorators, screen graphic designers and live performance video designers.
“Over the past 10 years our young emerging designers have flourished,” production designer and Apdg president George Liddle said.
- 7/15/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons, will reportedly premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival.
The news was broken today in Variety, though the festival has declined to comment.
Produced by See-Saw Films, Brightstar, BBC Films, Big Shell Films and Max Films, the Netflix original is written by Campion and based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage.
Set in the 1920s, the film follows Cumberbatch and Plemons as brothers Phil and George Burbank, who own the biggest ranch in the Montana valley.
When George secretly marries local widow Rose (Dunst), a shocked and angry Phil wages a relentless war to destroy her, using her effeminate son Peter as a pawn.
Also starring are Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzie, Frances Conroy, Keith Carradine, Peter Carroll and Adam Beach.
The Power of the Dog is Campion’s first feature since 2009’s Bright Star.
The news was broken today in Variety, though the festival has declined to comment.
Produced by See-Saw Films, Brightstar, BBC Films, Big Shell Films and Max Films, the Netflix original is written by Campion and based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage.
Set in the 1920s, the film follows Cumberbatch and Plemons as brothers Phil and George Burbank, who own the biggest ranch in the Montana valley.
When George secretly marries local widow Rose (Dunst), a shocked and angry Phil wages a relentless war to destroy her, using her effeminate son Peter as a pawn.
Also starring are Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzie, Frances Conroy, Keith Carradine, Peter Carroll and Adam Beach.
The Power of the Dog is Campion’s first feature since 2009’s Bright Star.
- 6/11/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
“Mank” got a big boost in its Oscar bid for Best Production Design with a win on April 10 at the Art Directors Guild Awards. It prevailed in the period design race over two of its Oscar rivals — “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “News of the World” — plus “Mulan” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
Its closest Oscar competition could be “Tenet,” which won the fantasy prize at the Adg Awards on Saturday; the fifth Oscar nominee, “The Father,” was not in contention here.
The other Adg winners were the contemporary film “Da 5 Bloods” and the animated film “Soul.”
The Adg Awards were bestowed during a virtual ceremony on April 10. Ryan Murphy was feted with the Cinematic Imagery Award.
Period Film
X – “Mank” – Production Designer: Donald Graham Burt
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” – Production Designer: Mark Ricker
“Mulan” – Production Designer: Grant Major
“News of the World” – Production Designer: David Crank...
Its closest Oscar competition could be “Tenet,” which won the fantasy prize at the Adg Awards on Saturday; the fifth Oscar nominee, “The Father,” was not in contention here.
The other Adg winners were the contemporary film “Da 5 Bloods” and the animated film “Soul.”
The Adg Awards were bestowed during a virtual ceremony on April 10. Ryan Murphy was feted with the Cinematic Imagery Award.
Period Film
X – “Mank” – Production Designer: Donald Graham Burt
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” – Production Designer: Mark Ricker
“Mulan” – Production Designer: Grant Major
“News of the World” – Production Designer: David Crank...
- 4/11/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
David Fincher’s “Mank,” Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods,” and Pete Docter’s “Soul” were the big film winners at the 25th annual Art Directors Guild Awards Saturday evening, taking production design honors for period, fantasy, contemporary, and animated feature, respectively. Additionally, “The Mandalorian,” “Ozark,” and “The Queen’s Gambit” were among the TV winners at the ceremony, which bodes well for “The Mandalorian” and “The Queen’s Gambit’s” Emmy prospects in the craft category.
The annual awards fete the finest production design in movies, TV, commercials, music videos, and animated features in 12 categories.
The monochromatic “Mank” is the only film that took home an Adg award that is competing for Best Picture. Pixar’s “Soul” is the favorite for Best Animated Feature. Other Adg nominees included Oscar hopefuls “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
In terms of the Oscar race,...
The annual awards fete the finest production design in movies, TV, commercials, music videos, and animated features in 12 categories.
The monochromatic “Mank” is the only film that took home an Adg award that is competing for Best Picture. Pixar’s “Soul” is the favorite for Best Animated Feature. Other Adg nominees included Oscar hopefuls “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
In terms of the Oscar race,...
- 4/11/2021
- by Bill Desowitz and Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
David Fincher’s “Mank” takes audiences back into 1930s Hollywood, a black and white world where the screenplay for “Citizen Kane” comes together. In Disney’s “Mulan,” audiences are transported to the Imperial City for the live-action heroine tale based on Chinese folklore. George C. Wolfe’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” hones in on a recording session one hot summer’s day in Chicago 1927. And Christopher Nolan experiments with time-inversion in the globetrotting action thriller “Tenet.”
There was an abundance of real-world locations utilized by the contenders for production design.
For “Mank,” production designer Donald Graham Burt and Fincher spent months tracking down locations around Los Angeles that could stand in for Hearst Castle since filming isn’t allowed on the actual estate. In the end, the Huntington Library and Gardens; in South Pasadena, sites in Malibu and soundstages were all carefully decorated to give the feel of Hearst Castle,...
There was an abundance of real-world locations utilized by the contenders for production design.
For “Mank,” production designer Donald Graham Burt and Fincher spent months tracking down locations around Los Angeles that could stand in for Hearst Castle since filming isn’t allowed on the actual estate. In the end, the Huntington Library and Gardens; in South Pasadena, sites in Malibu and soundstages were all carefully decorated to give the feel of Hearst Castle,...
- 3/4/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars from Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis. Following Academy Awards history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Oscar predictions are updated regularly with the current year's contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. Eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and will be displayed next to revision date.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 Oscars Predictions:
Best Production Design
Updated: Mar. 4, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: The Art Directors Guild gave momentum to “Mulan,” “Promising Young Woman” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” in the production design race. The usual suspects such as “Mank, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and...
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 Oscars Predictions:
Best Production Design
Updated: Mar. 4, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: The Art Directors Guild gave momentum to “Mulan,” “Promising Young Woman” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” in the production design race. The usual suspects such as “Mank, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and...
- 3/4/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
As is the case with most below-the-line Oscar categories, bigger equals better when it comes to Best Production Design. The more lavish the sets, the more accurate the period detail, the more extravagant the designs, the more likely your film will win an Academy Award. Formerly known as Best Art Direction/Set Decoration, this prize goes to the production designer and set decorator, leaving the poor art directors on the outside looking in; perhaps that accounts for the title change. (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2021 Oscar predictions for Best Production Design.)
Like Best Costume Design, this award rarely corresponds with Best Picture. Before “The Shape of Water” prevailed in both categories in 2018, the last to line-up was “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” in 2004. Often, the winner of this race hasn’t even been nominated for the top prize, as was the case with “Memoirs of a Geisha...
Like Best Costume Design, this award rarely corresponds with Best Picture. Before “The Shape of Water” prevailed in both categories in 2018, the last to line-up was “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” in 2004. Often, the winner of this race hasn’t even been nominated for the top prize, as was the case with “Memoirs of a Geisha...
- 3/3/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Art Directors Guild announced the nominations for the 25th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards on Thursday, honoring the finest production design in theatrical motion pictures, television, commercials, music videos, and animation features.
Among the nominees for film are Oscar hopefuls “Mank,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” with TV accolades including “The Mandalorian,” “The Queen’s Gambit,” and “What We Do in the Shadows.”
Netflix was the big winner grabbing seven Adg nominations, including three period dramas; one fantasy film (George Clooney’s “The Midnight Sky”); and three contemporary films.
Also making the cut were Christopher Nolan’s time-inversion spy thriller, “Tenet” (production designed by five-time Oscar nominee Nathan Crowley), and two surprises: Emerald Fennell’s Oscar buzzy revenge black comedy, “Promising Young Woman,” which scored a contemporary Adg nomination, and Matteo Garron’s period “Pinocchio” Gothic re-imagining, which scored for period.
Also being honored is Ryan Murphy,...
Among the nominees for film are Oscar hopefuls “Mank,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” with TV accolades including “The Mandalorian,” “The Queen’s Gambit,” and “What We Do in the Shadows.”
Netflix was the big winner grabbing seven Adg nominations, including three period dramas; one fantasy film (George Clooney’s “The Midnight Sky”); and three contemporary films.
Also making the cut were Christopher Nolan’s time-inversion spy thriller, “Tenet” (production designed by five-time Oscar nominee Nathan Crowley), and two surprises: Emerald Fennell’s Oscar buzzy revenge black comedy, “Promising Young Woman,” which scored a contemporary Adg nomination, and Matteo Garron’s period “Pinocchio” Gothic re-imagining, which scored for period.
Also being honored is Ryan Murphy,...
- 2/25/2021
- by Libby Hill and Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
On February 25 the Art Directors Guild announced the nominees for its 25th annual awards, which will be handed out on April 10. These kudos have a stellar record at previewing the Academy Awards. Over the first 24 years of these prizes, the eventual Oscar winner for Best Production Design has always numbered among the Adg nominees in the various categories.
According to our expert predictions, period film contender “Mank” is the clear frontrunner to win the Oscar for Best Production Design. We expect that three of its rival in that race at the Adg — “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “News of the World” and “Mulan” — will also contend at the Oscars. The fifth Academy Awards nominee is expected to be “Tenet,” which vies in the fantasy film race at the Art Director Guild Awards.
The fifth period picture in the running for the Adg honor is “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” The...
According to our expert predictions, period film contender “Mank” is the clear frontrunner to win the Oscar for Best Production Design. We expect that three of its rival in that race at the Adg — “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “News of the World” and “Mulan” — will also contend at the Oscars. The fifth Academy Awards nominee is expected to be “Tenet,” which vies in the fantasy film race at the Art Director Guild Awards.
The fifth period picture in the running for the Adg honor is “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” The...
- 2/25/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Art Directors Guild has unveiled nominations for its 25th annual Excellence in Production Design Awards, which celebrate the year’s best achievements in theatrical motion pictures, TV, commercials, music videos and animated features. Winners will be announced April 10 during a virtual ceremony.
Last year, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Avengers: Endgame and Parasite were the big film winners in the Period, Fantasy and Contemporary categories, respectively, with Hollywood going on to take the Production Design Oscar. TV winners included The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Cherrnobyl, The Big Bang Theory, Russian Doll, The Umbrella Academy and Drunk History.
As previously announced, Ryan Murphy will receive the group’s Cinematic Imagery Award. The Adg Lifetime Achievement Awards, annually presented to outstanding individuals in each of the guild’s four crafts, and will be announced shortly.
With today’s nominations out, online balloting will now be held March 11-April 7.
Here’ the list...
Last year, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Avengers: Endgame and Parasite were the big film winners in the Period, Fantasy and Contemporary categories, respectively, with Hollywood going on to take the Production Design Oscar. TV winners included The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Cherrnobyl, The Big Bang Theory, Russian Doll, The Umbrella Academy and Drunk History.
As previously announced, Ryan Murphy will receive the group’s Cinematic Imagery Award. The Adg Lifetime Achievement Awards, annually presented to outstanding individuals in each of the guild’s four crafts, and will be announced shortly.
With today’s nominations out, online balloting will now be held March 11-April 7.
Here’ the list...
- 2/25/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
“Mank,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Mulan,” “News of the World” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” have been nominated in the Art Directors Guild Awards’ period-film category, the Adg category that most closely corresponds to the Academy Award for Best Production Design.
In the Adg’s fantasy-film category, which often supplies one or two Oscar nominees, the guild singled out “Birds of Prey,” “Pinocchio,” “Tenet,” “The Midnight Sky” and “Wonder Woman 1984.”
Nominees in the contemporary category, which last year included Oscar nominee “Parasite,” were “Da 5 Bloods,” “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” “Palm Springs,” “Promising Young Woman” and “The Prom.”
In the television categories, nominees included episodes of “Lovecraft Country,” “The Crown,” “The Mandalorian,” “The Flight Attendant” and “Utopia” in the one-hour categories; “Emily in Paris,” “Space Force,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” “The Neighborhood” and “Will & Grace” in the half-hour categories; and “Fargo,” “Hollywood...
In the Adg’s fantasy-film category, which often supplies one or two Oscar nominees, the guild singled out “Birds of Prey,” “Pinocchio,” “Tenet,” “The Midnight Sky” and “Wonder Woman 1984.”
Nominees in the contemporary category, which last year included Oscar nominee “Parasite,” were “Da 5 Bloods,” “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” “Palm Springs,” “Promising Young Woman” and “The Prom.”
In the television categories, nominees included episodes of “Lovecraft Country,” “The Crown,” “The Mandalorian,” “The Flight Attendant” and “Utopia” in the one-hour categories; “Emily in Paris,” “Space Force,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” “The Neighborhood” and “Will & Grace” in the half-hour categories; and “Fargo,” “Hollywood...
- 2/25/2021
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
“Mank, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Tenet” are among the top films recognized for excellence in production design in the 25th annual Art Directors Guild nominations.
On Thursday, the Adg announced nominations for this year’s awards show, which will be held April 10 in a virtual ceremony, breaking with tradition in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Mank,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Mulan” landed nominations in the Period Feature Film category, and “Birds of Prey,” “Pinocchio” and “Wonder Woman 1984” earned recognition in Fantasy Feature Film.
Missing out were Oscar contenders “Emma,” “The Personal History of David Copperfield” and “One Night in Miami.”
As previously announced, multiple award-winning writer-director-producer Ryan Murphy, whose film and television shows have consistently reflected the highest quality of production design, will receive the esteemed Cinematic Imagery Award.
See the full list of nominations for film and TV below.
Period Feature Film
“Mank” ( Donald Graham Burt...
On Thursday, the Adg announced nominations for this year’s awards show, which will be held April 10 in a virtual ceremony, breaking with tradition in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Mank,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Mulan” landed nominations in the Period Feature Film category, and “Birds of Prey,” “Pinocchio” and “Wonder Woman 1984” earned recognition in Fantasy Feature Film.
Missing out were Oscar contenders “Emma,” “The Personal History of David Copperfield” and “One Night in Miami.”
As previously announced, multiple award-winning writer-director-producer Ryan Murphy, whose film and television shows have consistently reflected the highest quality of production design, will receive the esteemed Cinematic Imagery Award.
See the full list of nominations for film and TV below.
Period Feature Film
“Mank” ( Donald Graham Burt...
- 2/25/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
by Nathaniel R
Gong Li and Denise Kum on the set of Mulan
Mulan may have been released in September but some of its most memorable looks -- battle scarred villains, matchmaking painted faces, Gong Li's masked face and taloned hands, and Mulan's hair flowing in battle -- are still remarkably easy to conjure up with great clarity months later. We were thrilled to speak with its gifted makeup artist Denise Kum about her career and work on the Disney epic.
We spoke over Zoom while she was in Prague completing work on a World War II drama called Operation Mincemeat before diving into full fantasy with Amazon's forthcoming series The Wheel of Time based on Robert Jordan's bestsellers. Kum's work stretches from lush period pieces, through grounded dramas, to high fantasy and superhero franchises. She likes to genre hop. One consistent throughline in her work, though, is her frequent collaborators.
Gong Li and Denise Kum on the set of Mulan
Mulan may have been released in September but some of its most memorable looks -- battle scarred villains, matchmaking painted faces, Gong Li's masked face and taloned hands, and Mulan's hair flowing in battle -- are still remarkably easy to conjure up with great clarity months later. We were thrilled to speak with its gifted makeup artist Denise Kum about her career and work on the Disney epic.
We spoke over Zoom while she was in Prague completing work on a World War II drama called Operation Mincemeat before diving into full fantasy with Amazon's forthcoming series The Wheel of Time based on Robert Jordan's bestsellers. Kum's work stretches from lush period pieces, through grounded dramas, to high fantasy and superhero franchises. She likes to genre hop. One consistent throughline in her work, though, is her frequent collaborators.
- 2/9/2021
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
As one of the many films affected by the ongoing pandemic, Disney’s “Mulan” was delayed and ultimately released on the studio’s streaming service alongside a much smaller theatrical release last year. That makes it one of the few major studio films to be eligible for this year’s Oscars. Like the 1998 animated original, the remake tells the story of a young woman (Yifei Liu) in ancient China who pretends to be a man in order to take her father’s place in the Chinese army as they prepare to fight the invading Huns; the new version trades musical numbers for wuxia-style martial arts.
See Exclusive video interview with “Mulan” composer Harry Gregson-Williams
“Mulan” is just the latest of Disney’s many live-action remakes of its animated properties, and like its predecessors it brings its cartoon world to life with an impressive level of detail and craft. It’s...
See Exclusive video interview with “Mulan” composer Harry Gregson-Williams
“Mulan” is just the latest of Disney’s many live-action remakes of its animated properties, and like its predecessors it brings its cartoon world to life with an impressive level of detail and craft. It’s...
- 1/30/2021
- by Zach Moore
- Gold Derby
“Mulan” lands on Disney Plus for subscribers at no extra charge this weekend. The live-action remake directed by Niki Caro is an adaptation of Disney’s 1998 animated film and based on Chinese folklore. The film stars Yifei Li as Mulan.
Weta Digital crafted hundreds of visual effects shots to reinforce the authenticity of the film’s settings and spectacular action to make the movie immersive and resonant. Their VFX shots spanned ancient China, and a key location is the Imperial City — fictional environments based on historical places and design principles, and the VFX house delivered the majority of the visual effects shots required for the movie, completing 434 shots in total.
Having begun working on the film in the summer of 2018, the Weta team went to China collecting the necessary shots before principal filming had even began, so much of their work was guesswork on what Caro would need.
From building the Imperial City in Houdini,...
Weta Digital crafted hundreds of visual effects shots to reinforce the authenticity of the film’s settings and spectacular action to make the movie immersive and resonant. Their VFX shots spanned ancient China, and a key location is the Imperial City — fictional environments based on historical places and design principles, and the VFX house delivered the majority of the visual effects shots required for the movie, completing 434 shots in total.
Having begun working on the film in the summer of 2018, the Weta team went to China collecting the necessary shots before principal filming had even began, so much of their work was guesswork on what Caro would need.
From building the Imperial City in Houdini,...
- 12/4/2020
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
As the magical creatures of Middle Earth prepare to resume venturing through Auckland, New Zealand, for Amazon’s “Lord of the Rings” prequel series, the mythical world of Pandora has been bursting into life for James Cameron’s “Avatar” sequels in Wellington, just one hour’s flight south. Meanwhile, on the South Island, stars like Viggo Mortensen are planning to embark on “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” in Dunedin, while a game-changing production studio has been proposed for Christchurch.
As filming hubs like Los Angeles and London continue to face restrictions and increased health and safety costs amid the coronavirus pandemic, New Zealand called “action” on international productions in June.
“I think the pause was beneficial to all of us because we were grateful to finish our film healthy and safely,” says actor Kirsten Dunst about returning to work on Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog.” “We pushed...
As filming hubs like Los Angeles and London continue to face restrictions and increased health and safety costs amid the coronavirus pandemic, New Zealand called “action” on international productions in June.
“I think the pause was beneficial to all of us because we were grateful to finish our film healthy and safely,” says actor Kirsten Dunst about returning to work on Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog.” “We pushed...
- 8/13/2020
- by Leena Tailor
- Variety Film + TV
To hear celebrated production designer Grant Major tell it, New Zealand’s film industry was reborn in the last years of the 20th century, thanks to “The Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson, who pioneered, agitated and doggedly got on with things.
Today, the industry has grown far beyond its leading practitioner into one that is capable of simultaneously working on the next “Avatar” franchise movies, Amazon’s massive “The Lord of the Rings” TV series, as well as Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog.”
Despite its 4.5 million people, who are heavily outnumbered by sheep, New Zealand has also launched major talent such as Taika Waititi and Niki Caro. And at the same time, it is also building structures to nurture newer names such as Madeline Sami, Jackie van Beek and Tom Hern.
Because of its limitations, which include a small population, a geographic location far from...
Today, the industry has grown far beyond its leading practitioner into one that is capable of simultaneously working on the next “Avatar” franchise movies, Amazon’s massive “The Lord of the Rings” TV series, as well as Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog.”
Despite its 4.5 million people, who are heavily outnumbered by sheep, New Zealand has also launched major talent such as Taika Waititi and Niki Caro. And at the same time, it is also building structures to nurture newer names such as Madeline Sami, Jackie van Beek and Tom Hern.
Because of its limitations, which include a small population, a geographic location far from...
- 11/7/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Here’s the story of a woman who overcame adversity — not the dramatic, historical kind, but the sort of mundane discriminatory issues that come along with being ‘different.’ Director Jane Campion’s biographical drama about the unsteady life and amusing triumphs of New Zealand author Janet Frame was adapted from a TV miniseries. Poor, isolated and socially excluded, Frame jumps from one unfortunate problem to the next, but is repeatedly rescued by her own talent… at one point a writing award saves her from being lobotomized. Criterion’s extras include a candid audio interview with the author herself.
An Angel at My Table
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 301
1990 / Color / 1.78 widescreen / 158 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date August 6, 2019 / 31.96
Starring: Kerry Fox, Alexia Keogh, Karen Fergusson, Iris Churn, Jessie Mune, Kevin J. Wilson.
Cinematography: Stuart Dryburgh
Film Editor: Veronika Haeussler
Original Music: Don McGlashan
Written by Laura Jones from books by...
An Angel at My Table
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 301
1990 / Color / 1.78 widescreen / 158 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date August 6, 2019 / 31.96
Starring: Kerry Fox, Alexia Keogh, Karen Fergusson, Iris Churn, Jessie Mune, Kevin J. Wilson.
Cinematography: Stuart Dryburgh
Film Editor: Veronika Haeussler
Original Music: Don McGlashan
Written by Laura Jones from books by...
- 8/17/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
“Two things I like in life. A shark. And Statham!” Humans are deathly afraid of sharks, but we keep coming back for more everytime a new film is released about them.
Check out the “whoa” reactions, gasps and nervous laughs, as movie fans watch the trailer for The Meg, in theaters August 10. This is going to be so much fun!
The best quote is from the guy who says, “that’s why I don’t swim.” We can’t wait for this movie!
Jason Statham and Li Bingbing star in the science fiction action thriller The Meg, directed by Jon Turteltaub.
In the film, a deep-sea submersible—part of an international undersea observation program—has been attacked by a massive creature, previously thought to be extinct, and now lies disabled at the bottom of the deepest trench in the Pacific…with its crew trapped inside. With time running out, expert...
Check out the “whoa” reactions, gasps and nervous laughs, as movie fans watch the trailer for The Meg, in theaters August 10. This is going to be so much fun!
The best quote is from the guy who says, “that’s why I don’t swim.” We can’t wait for this movie!
Jason Statham and Li Bingbing star in the science fiction action thriller The Meg, directed by Jon Turteltaub.
In the film, a deep-sea submersible—part of an international undersea observation program—has been attacked by a massive creature, previously thought to be extinct, and now lies disabled at the bottom of the deepest trench in the Pacific…with its crew trapped inside. With time running out, expert...
- 6/22/2018
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
"Pleased to eat you." With movies such as The Shallows and 47 Meters Down, we've been experiencing a shark-aissance in recent years, and Warner Bros. is looking to bring the water-based subgenre to a whole new level with the first official trailer for The Meg (based on Steve Alten's 1997 novel), complete with enough one-liners to hold fans over until the movie's August 10th release:
Press Release: "Jason Statham (“Spy,” “Furious 7,” “The Expendables” films) and award-winning Chinese actress Li Bingbing (“Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Forbidden Kingdom,” “The Message”) star in the science fiction action thriller “The Meg,” directed by Jon Turteltaub (the “National Treasure” movies, “Last Vegas”).
In the film, a deep-sea submersible—part of an international undersea observation program—has been attacked by a massive creature, previously thought to be extinct, and now lies disabled at the bottom of the deepest trench in the Pacific…with its crew trapped inside.
Press Release: "Jason Statham (“Spy,” “Furious 7,” “The Expendables” films) and award-winning Chinese actress Li Bingbing (“Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Forbidden Kingdom,” “The Message”) star in the science fiction action thriller “The Meg,” directed by Jon Turteltaub (the “National Treasure” movies, “Last Vegas”).
In the film, a deep-sea submersible—part of an international undersea observation program—has been attacked by a massive creature, previously thought to be extinct, and now lies disabled at the bottom of the deepest trench in the Pacific…with its crew trapped inside.
- 4/10/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Even Amity Mayor Larry Vaughn would close the beach if he saw this shark.
With a new trailer for the massive shark movie The Meg (based on Steve Alten's 1997 book) expected to arrive soon, EW unveiled a new image from the film (see below) that shows the prehistoric size of the Megalodon shark, which makes beachgoers look like minnows in comparison.
Directed by Jon Turteltaub (Last Vegas, National Treasure) and featuring a cast that includes Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Cliff Curtis, Rainn Wilson, and Ruby Rose, The Meg is scheduled to swim into theaters on August 10th from Warner Bros.
Stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates, check out the previous press release and new image below, and in case you missed it, read our Q&A with Meg author Steve Alten (back when Eli Roth was set to helm the film adaptation). Also, be sure to head...
With a new trailer for the massive shark movie The Meg (based on Steve Alten's 1997 book) expected to arrive soon, EW unveiled a new image from the film (see below) that shows the prehistoric size of the Megalodon shark, which makes beachgoers look like minnows in comparison.
Directed by Jon Turteltaub (Last Vegas, National Treasure) and featuring a cast that includes Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Cliff Curtis, Rainn Wilson, and Ruby Rose, The Meg is scheduled to swim into theaters on August 10th from Warner Bros.
Stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates, check out the previous press release and new image below, and in case you missed it, read our Q&A with Meg author Steve Alten (back when Eli Roth was set to helm the film adaptation). Also, be sure to head...
- 4/6/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Director Steven Spielberg’s penultimate shark film Jaws spawned Deep Blue Sea, The Shallows and Open Water, just to name a few. Mankind has been chum in the cinema water for these sharp toothed beasties for decades.
Now comes the latest terror The Meg. In their recent 2018 preview, Warner Bros. Pictures has released a chilling first image from the film starring Jason Statham. Expect a first trailer to hit soon.
Statham plays Jonas Taylor in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Gravity Pictures’ action adventure. It is slated for release on August 10, 2018.
Jason Statham (“Spy,” “Furious 7,” “The Expendables” films) and award-winning Chinese actress Li Bingbing (“Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Forbidden Kingdom,” “The Message”) star in the science fiction action thriller, directed by Jon Turteltaub (the “National Treasure” movies, “Last Vegas”).
In the film, a deep-sea submersible—part of an international undersea observation program—has been attacked by a massive creature, previously thought to be extinct,...
Now comes the latest terror The Meg. In their recent 2018 preview, Warner Bros. Pictures has released a chilling first image from the film starring Jason Statham. Expect a first trailer to hit soon.
Statham plays Jonas Taylor in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Gravity Pictures’ action adventure. It is slated for release on August 10, 2018.
Jason Statham (“Spy,” “Furious 7,” “The Expendables” films) and award-winning Chinese actress Li Bingbing (“Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Forbidden Kingdom,” “The Message”) star in the science fiction action thriller, directed by Jon Turteltaub (the “National Treasure” movies, “Last Vegas”).
In the film, a deep-sea submersible—part of an international undersea observation program—has been attacked by a massive creature, previously thought to be extinct,...
- 1/14/2018
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
It's capable of bringing down a T-Rex in prehistoric times, so just imagine the meal it could have with a modern-day menu. The massive Megalodon shark from Steve Alten's 1997 novel, Meg, will finally come to life on film via Warner Bros., but viewers now have a bit longer of a wait to see the ultimate apex predator make its splash on the big screen.
Multiple sources, including Variety, report that Meg will now be released in theaters (in 3D and IMAX) on August 10th, 2018, moving it several months from its previous March 2nd slot.
Directed by Jon Turteltaub (Last Vegas, National Treasure) and featuring a cast that includes Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Cliff Curtis, Rainn Wilson, and Ruby Rose, filming on Meg began last October in New Zealand, with shooting on the project also being done in China.
Stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates, check out the...
Multiple sources, including Variety, report that Meg will now be released in theaters (in 3D and IMAX) on August 10th, 2018, moving it several months from its previous March 2nd slot.
Directed by Jon Turteltaub (Last Vegas, National Treasure) and featuring a cast that includes Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Cliff Curtis, Rainn Wilson, and Ruby Rose, filming on Meg began last October in New Zealand, with shooting on the project also being done in China.
Stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates, check out the...
- 3/3/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
The modern-day world meets a prehistoric threat from below in the massive shark thriller Meg (based on Steve Alten’s novel of the same name), which recently began filming in New Zealand with a cast that includes Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, and Cliff Curtis.
Press Release: (October 12, 2016 – Burbank, CA) – Principal photography is underway in New Zealand on the science fiction action thriller “Meg,” being directed by Jon Turteltaub (the “National Treasure” movies, “Last Vegas”). The film stars Jason Statham (“Spy,” “Furious 7,” “The Expendables” films). Award-winning Chinese actress Li Bingbing (“Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Forbidden Kingdom,” “The Message”) has been set to star opposite Statham.
A deep-sea submersible—part of an international undersea observation program—has been attacked by a massive creature, previously thought to be extinct, and now lies disabled at the bottom of the deepest trench in the Pacific…with its crew trapped inside. With time running out,...
Press Release: (October 12, 2016 – Burbank, CA) – Principal photography is underway in New Zealand on the science fiction action thriller “Meg,” being directed by Jon Turteltaub (the “National Treasure” movies, “Last Vegas”). The film stars Jason Statham (“Spy,” “Furious 7,” “The Expendables” films). Award-winning Chinese actress Li Bingbing (“Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Forbidden Kingdom,” “The Message”) has been set to star opposite Statham.
A deep-sea submersible—part of an international undersea observation program—has been attacked by a massive creature, previously thought to be extinct, and now lies disabled at the bottom of the deepest trench in the Pacific…with its crew trapped inside. With time running out,...
- 10/13/2016
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
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We celebrate a century of huge and expensive film sets, from historical epics to sprawling fantasies and sci-fi action movies...
The advent of cinema saw the art of set design gradually spread its wings from the relative confines of the theatre. As movies established their own language and became ever more ambitious in the early part of the 20th century, so set designers were called on to create increasingly expansive and more detailed backdrops.
As the list of movies below proves, the construction of huge sets has been a major part of cinema for the past century. And with scale comes expense, as the recreation of ancient landmarks, futuristic cities or doomed ocean liners takes hundreds of artists, designers and crafty types months of labour to plan and construct. Often, these sets are on the screen for a few scant minutes before they're torn down and largely...
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We celebrate a century of huge and expensive film sets, from historical epics to sprawling fantasies and sci-fi action movies...
The advent of cinema saw the art of set design gradually spread its wings from the relative confines of the theatre. As movies established their own language and became ever more ambitious in the early part of the 20th century, so set designers were called on to create increasingly expansive and more detailed backdrops.
As the list of movies below proves, the construction of huge sets has been a major part of cinema for the past century. And with scale comes expense, as the recreation of ancient landmarks, futuristic cities or doomed ocean liners takes hundreds of artists, designers and crafty types months of labour to plan and construct. Often, these sets are on the screen for a few scant minutes before they're torn down and largely...
- 2/9/2016
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
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