Laurence Olivier was an Oscar-winning thespian best remembered for his psychologically intense Shakespeare adaptations, both as an actor and a director. Yet his filmography extends well past the Bard’s work. Let’s take a look back at 15 of his greatest films, ranked worst to best.
Born in 1907 in Surrey, England, Olivier first came to prominence on the British stage. A series of acclaimed theatrical performances, most notably in Noel Coward‘s “Private Lives,” caught the attention of filmmakers both in the UK and the US.
He earned his first Oscar nomination as Best Actor for William Wyler‘s “Wuthering Heights” (1939), competing the very next year for Alfred Hitchcock‘s “Rebecca” (1940). Having firmly established himself as a formidable talent in front of the camera, he stepped behind it to great success with “Henry V”, the first of three films he would direct and star in based on the works of William Shakespeare.
Born in 1907 in Surrey, England, Olivier first came to prominence on the British stage. A series of acclaimed theatrical performances, most notably in Noel Coward‘s “Private Lives,” caught the attention of filmmakers both in the UK and the US.
He earned his first Oscar nomination as Best Actor for William Wyler‘s “Wuthering Heights” (1939), competing the very next year for Alfred Hitchcock‘s “Rebecca” (1940). Having firmly established himself as a formidable talent in front of the camera, he stepped behind it to great success with “Henry V”, the first of three films he would direct and star in based on the works of William Shakespeare.
- 5/18/2024
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
April 25, 2024 – A trio of stellar actors give voice to the featured members of the Dickens family as Academy Award winner Kenneth Branagh portrays Charles Dickens, Oscar nominee Uma Thurman plays Catherine Dickens and Golden Globe nominee Roman Griffin Davis gives life to Walter Dickens in Mofac Animation’s upcoming The King of Kings, an animated family film inspired by a little-known short story by Charles Dickens depicting the life and times of Jesus Christ.
Renowned for his big screen adaptations of William Shakespeare and Agatha Christie tales, Branagh changes gears to portray one of the greatest authors of the ages for The King of Kings. As Charles Dickens, Branagh portrays a man conflicted between his burgeoning career and his role as father to the Dickens clan and, in particular, his youngest son Walter (Davis). It’s his wife, Catherine Dickens, brought to animated life by Thurman with an even balance...
Renowned for his big screen adaptations of William Shakespeare and Agatha Christie tales, Branagh changes gears to portray one of the greatest authors of the ages for The King of Kings. As Charles Dickens, Branagh portrays a man conflicted between his burgeoning career and his role as father to the Dickens clan and, in particular, his youngest son Walter (Davis). It’s his wife, Catherine Dickens, brought to animated life by Thurman with an even balance...
- 4/28/2024
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
The 2024 Oscar nominees for Best Actor are Bradley Cooper (“Maestro”), Colman Domingo (“Rustin”), Paul Giamatti (“The Holdovers”), Cillian Murphy (“Oppenheimer”), and Jeffrey Wright (“American Fiction”). Murphy (16/5) is favored to win by our odds, followed in order by Giamatti (18/5), Cooper (9/2), Wright (9/2), and Domingo (9/2).
Whereas last year’s lead male lineup was the first in almost nine decades to consist entirely of Oscars newcomers, this one includes three rookies and two general veterans. Standing alone in having already competed for this specific award is Cooper, who was previously recognized for “Silver Linings Playbook” (2013), “American Sniper” (2015), and “A Star Is Born” (2019). Since he personally helmed both “A Star Is Born” and “Maestro,” he is now the fourth person to direct himself to multiple acting nominations, following Laurence Olivier, Warren Beatty, and Clint Eastwood.
Cooper is concurrently nominated for co-writing the original screenplay for “Maestro” with past winner Josh Singer and is directly involved...
Whereas last year’s lead male lineup was the first in almost nine decades to consist entirely of Oscars newcomers, this one includes three rookies and two general veterans. Standing alone in having already competed for this specific award is Cooper, who was previously recognized for “Silver Linings Playbook” (2013), “American Sniper” (2015), and “A Star Is Born” (2019). Since he personally helmed both “A Star Is Born” and “Maestro,” he is now the fourth person to direct himself to multiple acting nominations, following Laurence Olivier, Warren Beatty, and Clint Eastwood.
Cooper is concurrently nominated for co-writing the original screenplay for “Maestro” with past winner Josh Singer and is directly involved...
- 3/8/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
With the Screen-to-Stage-back to Screen adaptation of Mean Girls landing in first place this weekend, we wanted to know what film based on a play has been your favorite? Are Oscar winning musicals such as Chicago or Amadeus your favorite? Maybe the classics like Grease or Little Shop of Horrors are more your speed? Or perhaps a nice court room drama such as A Few Good Men ranks number one for you? If you don’t see your favorite listed click the “Other” button and let us know what your favorite is in the comments.
Favorite Stage-to-Screen AdaptationCasablanca (1943)West Side Story (1961)My Fair Lady (1964)The Sound of Music (1965)A Man For All Seasons (1966)Oliver! (1968)Amadeus (1984)Driving Miss Daisy (1989)Chicago (2002)Alfie (1966)American Buffalo (1996)Annie (1982)Annie Get Your Gun (1950)A Bronx Tale (1993)Bug (2007)Cabaret (1972)Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)Children of a Lesser God (1986)Closer (2004)The Crucible (1996)Cyrano (2021)Dear Evan Hansen...
Favorite Stage-to-Screen AdaptationCasablanca (1943)West Side Story (1961)My Fair Lady (1964)The Sound of Music (1965)A Man For All Seasons (1966)Oliver! (1968)Amadeus (1984)Driving Miss Daisy (1989)Chicago (2002)Alfie (1966)American Buffalo (1996)Annie (1982)Annie Get Your Gun (1950)A Bronx Tale (1993)Bug (2007)Cabaret (1972)Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)Children of a Lesser God (1986)Closer (2004)The Crucible (1996)Cyrano (2021)Dear Evan Hansen...
- 1/14/2024
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
A Haunting in Venice is a mystery movie directed by Kenneth Branagh, based on the novel by Agatha Christie.
As you may know, Kenneth Branagh, an excellent actor and film and theater director, has taken it upon himself to revive Agatha Christie and portray her iconic detective, Hercule Poirot. He skillfully blends classic novel elements with a distinct, visually striking cinematic style.
In our opinion, this is the most accomplished adaptation on a cinematographic level. The atmosphere and story lend themselves to elaborate compositions and chiaroscuro effects.
Branagh’s adaptations of Agatha Christie’s works are, without a doubt, the finest ones to date. Whether you enjoy this kind of mystery and intrigue or not is a different matter.
A Haunting in Venice Plot
A writer seeks Poirot’s help, even though he has retired from investigative work, to expose a psychic who meets a tragic end. The investigation leads...
As you may know, Kenneth Branagh, an excellent actor and film and theater director, has taken it upon himself to revive Agatha Christie and portray her iconic detective, Hercule Poirot. He skillfully blends classic novel elements with a distinct, visually striking cinematic style.
In our opinion, this is the most accomplished adaptation on a cinematographic level. The atmosphere and story lend themselves to elaborate compositions and chiaroscuro effects.
Branagh’s adaptations of Agatha Christie’s works are, without a doubt, the finest ones to date. Whether you enjoy this kind of mystery and intrigue or not is a different matter.
A Haunting in Venice Plot
A writer seeks Poirot’s help, even though he has retired from investigative work, to expose a psychic who meets a tragic end. The investigation leads...
- 11/4/2023
- by Martin Cid
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
Kenneth Branagh is back for this third — and by TheWrap’s account, best — appearance as Agatha Christie’s detective Hercule Poirot in “A Haunting in Venice.” He also directs the spooky mystery, which boasts a terrific lineup of murder suspects (and potential victims), including Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan and Kelly Reilly.
Here’s who plays which character in the film based on Christie’s 1969 novel “Hallowe’en Party” — and where you might have seen the less familiar names before.
“A Haunting in Venice” is now streaming on Disney+.
20th Century Studios.
Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot
British actor Kenneth Branagh reprises his role as the fussy Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, whom he previously played in the recent remakes “Murder on the Orient Express” and “Death on the Nile.” The film begins in 1947 with Poirot retired from sleuthing and leading a quiet life in Venice — until he’s dragged into a new case.
Here’s who plays which character in the film based on Christie’s 1969 novel “Hallowe’en Party” — and where you might have seen the less familiar names before.
“A Haunting in Venice” is now streaming on Disney+.
20th Century Studios.
Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot
British actor Kenneth Branagh reprises his role as the fussy Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, whom he previously played in the recent remakes “Murder on the Orient Express” and “Death on the Nile.” The film begins in 1947 with Poirot retired from sleuthing and leading a quiet life in Venice — until he’s dragged into a new case.
- 10/31/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
“A Haunting in Venice,” the latest all-star mystery film starring and directed by Kenneth Branagh, tells the story of the detective Hercule Poirot trying to uncover another killer after someone is murdered at a séance in Italy. With Branagh’s latest movie currently in theaters, let’s look back at his eight Oscar races and talk about how the actor-director finally won his first gold trophy just last year.
In early 2022, Branagh broke the record for nominations in the highest number of different categories at the Academy Awards. Of his eight Oscar mentions, he has competed in seven categories total — Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Screenplay and Best Live Action Short Film. The first two he made it into were Director and Actor for “Henry V,” the William Shakespeare adaptation released in 1989. His directorial debut resulted in an Academy Award win for Best Costume Design,...
In early 2022, Branagh broke the record for nominations in the highest number of different categories at the Academy Awards. Of his eight Oscar mentions, he has competed in seven categories total — Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Screenplay and Best Live Action Short Film. The first two he made it into were Director and Actor for “Henry V,” the William Shakespeare adaptation released in 1989. His directorial debut resulted in an Academy Award win for Best Costume Design,...
- 9/27/2023
- by Brian Rowe
- Gold Derby
Kenneth Branagh's newest film, "A Haunting in Venice" is his spookiest to date. Based on the 1969 novel "Hallowe'en Party," "Haunting" sees Hercule Poirot (Branagh) hauled out of retirement by a mystery author named Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey) to investigate the veracity of an itinerant psychic named Joyce Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh). Joyce Reynolds has been hired by a wealthy Venitian socialite named Rowena Drake (Kelly Reilly) to attend a Halloween party for children and, once the lights are out, host a séance. Poirot and Ariadne don't believe Joyce has authentic psychic powers, but can't prove she doesn't.
There are about seven other main characters, each with a mystery or a personal tragedy of their own.
The bulk of "A Haunting in Venice" takes place in Rowena Drake's labyrinthine, shadowy Venetian manse, with Poirot exploring its many secret passageways and darkened corridors. As this is a murder mystery, one of the...
There are about seven other main characters, each with a mystery or a personal tragedy of their own.
The bulk of "A Haunting in Venice" takes place in Rowena Drake's labyrinthine, shadowy Venetian manse, with Poirot exploring its many secret passageways and darkened corridors. As this is a murder mystery, one of the...
- 9/15/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
This generation of filmgoers mostly probably thinks of Irish actor-director Kenneth Branagh as Agatha Christie’s mustachioed detective Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Death on the Nile (2022) and the upcoming A Haunting in Venice.
But there is so much more to Branagh’s career. As a director, he’s dabbled in multiple genres, including fantasy, action, science fiction, thriller, comedy and superhero.
Branaghs career as an actor has been equally as diverse. He’s acted in legal thrillers, Westerns, romantic thrillers, animation, fantasy pics and dramedies.
And then there’s Shakespeare. There’s always Shakespeare. Branagh has a self-professed love of the Bard. He’s acted in and directed...
But there is so much more to Branagh’s career. As a director, he’s dabbled in multiple genres, including fantasy, action, science fiction, thriller, comedy and superhero.
Branaghs career as an actor has been equally as diverse. He’s acted in legal thrillers, Westerns, romantic thrillers, animation, fantasy pics and dramedies.
And then there’s Shakespeare. There’s always Shakespeare. Branagh has a self-professed love of the Bard. He’s acted in and directed...
- 9/15/2023
- by David Morgan
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney has kept Kenneth Branagh’s 20th Century Studios Hercule Poirot franchise going following its inception at Fox with 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express, but recent installments have yet to reach that first pic’s box office heights.
The latest Branagh adaption of an Agatha Christie tome, A Haunting in Venice, looks to make around $12 million this weekend and could possibly push Nun 2 out of No. 1 in its second weekend, that is if the Conjuring spinoff sequel falls worse than 60%. But that $12M is still far from the surprising $28.6M opening weekend from Orient Express , which wound up being an adult holiday sleeper with $102.8M.
A Haunting in Venice‘s start isn’t expected to be far from its previous chapter, Death on the Nile, which opened in early February 2022 to $12.8M at a time when its older core demo was still concerned about Covid. A Haunting in Venice,...
The latest Branagh adaption of an Agatha Christie tome, A Haunting in Venice, looks to make around $12 million this weekend and could possibly push Nun 2 out of No. 1 in its second weekend, that is if the Conjuring spinoff sequel falls worse than 60%. But that $12M is still far from the surprising $28.6M opening weekend from Orient Express , which wound up being an adult holiday sleeper with $102.8M.
A Haunting in Venice‘s start isn’t expected to be far from its previous chapter, Death on the Nile, which opened in early February 2022 to $12.8M at a time when its older core demo was still concerned about Covid. A Haunting in Venice,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
In the world of Agatha Christie adaptations, there’s always a delicate balance to strike between remaining faithful to the source and modernizing the narrative for contemporary audiences. A Haunting in Venice is Kenneth Branagh’s third venture in this territory and may have finally found his rhythm with these films. In addition to Branagh, the film stars Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, Jamie Dornan, Camille Cottin, and others.
In Venice 1947, Hercule Poirot (Branaugh) is retired and no longer a detective, but Adriane (Fey), a mystery novel writer looking for her next hit story, convinces him to accompany her to a seance to find out if the medium chosen for the event is a liar. What they find is that this home is the location of a tragedy. The current owner of the Palazzo, Rowena (Reilly), an opera singer, has contacted a medium Ms Reynolds (Yeoh) to connect with a relative who died there.
In Venice 1947, Hercule Poirot (Branaugh) is retired and no longer a detective, but Adriane (Fey), a mystery novel writer looking for her next hit story, convinces him to accompany her to a seance to find out if the medium chosen for the event is a liar. What they find is that this home is the location of a tragedy. The current owner of the Palazzo, Rowena (Reilly), an opera singer, has contacted a medium Ms Reynolds (Yeoh) to connect with a relative who died there.
- 9/9/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
It's been said before, it'll be said again: so much of casting involves typecasting, where an actor lands a part not just for their ability but for their looks and overall vibe. Many's the occasion where a director has picked an actor for a role after just holding a general meeting with them or even after seeing them merely walk into an audition room.
Of course, for the actor, this can be a double-edged sword. Actors need to work, no doubt, yet they also want to be fulfilled by the work and not feel like they're doing the same thing over and over again. One such actor was the late Robbie Coltrane, who began his career proving his versatility on stage as well as in the alternative comedy series "The Comic Strip Presents." That versatility led to further roles in film and television, particularly as characters who were highly colorful; in other words,...
Of course, for the actor, this can be a double-edged sword. Actors need to work, no doubt, yet they also want to be fulfilled by the work and not feel like they're doing the same thing over and over again. One such actor was the late Robbie Coltrane, who began his career proving his versatility on stage as well as in the alternative comedy series "The Comic Strip Presents." That versatility led to further roles in film and television, particularly as characters who were highly colorful; in other words,...
- 8/27/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
In the nearly 35 years since he first came to the film world’s attention with his dazzling screen adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry V,” Sir Kenneth Branagh has constantly surprised us. Just when we thought he would be content just setting Shakespeare to film, Sir Kenneth has directed an array of film treats, from a neo-noir thriller and a classic Disney remake to a Marvel superhero epic and even a musical comedy. Branagh, who has received Academy Award nominations for his acting, writing, producing and directing, has quickly and clearly become one of the most successful multi-hyphenates of his generation.
In addition to his eight Oscar nominations (including a 2021 win for writing “Belfast”), Branagh has been nominated for the DGA Award, PGA Award, six BAFTA, five Golden Globe and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Besides directing himself to an Oscar nomination for “Henry V,” Branagh has worked with such acclaimed filmmakers as Richard Curtis,...
In addition to his eight Oscar nominations (including a 2021 win for writing “Belfast”), Branagh has been nominated for the DGA Award, PGA Award, six BAFTA, five Golden Globe and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Besides directing himself to an Oscar nomination for “Henry V,” Branagh has worked with such acclaimed filmmakers as Richard Curtis,...
- 8/21/2023
- by Tom O'Brien, Chris Beachum and Misty Holland
- Gold Derby
Like most English actors, Albert Finney began his career in theater before transitioning to television and film. Finney was noted as one of the most successful English actors, with his impeccable versatility in stage, film, and television. In theater, he debuted playing the titular character King Henry in Henry V (1956) at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Finney had a reputation for playing titular characters in most of his plays. Some include Coriolanus in Coriolanus (1959), Martin Luther in Martin Luther, Prince Hamlet in Hamlet (1976), and Tamburlaine in Tamburlaine (1976). Finney’s final role on television was portraying Winston...
- 6/29/2023
- by Onyinye Izundu
- TVovermind.com
The fourth and final season of “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” arrives on Prime Video on June 30. It finds Ryan — now the new acting CIA director — unearthing internal corruption and suspicious black ops that leaves the United States vulnerable to attack. John Krasinski stars as the tough-as-nails Ryan.
Watch the “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” trailer:
“Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” is a new docuseries that reveals the truth behind the myth of the wholesome religious family and their involvement with the predatory Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic Life Principles. The organization’s abusive practices — and the insidious long political game it plays — is revealed on June 2. The Duggars and their 19 “happy” kids are exposed as frauds, while also being manipulated by Gothard and enduring the scandal of Josh, their sexually abusive son.
Check out the “Shiny Happy People” trailer:
When a body is found on the beach in the Tasmanian town of Deadloch,...
Watch the “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” trailer:
“Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” is a new docuseries that reveals the truth behind the myth of the wholesome religious family and their involvement with the predatory Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic Life Principles. The organization’s abusive practices — and the insidious long political game it plays — is revealed on June 2. The Duggars and their 19 “happy” kids are exposed as frauds, while also being manipulated by Gothard and enduring the scandal of Josh, their sexually abusive son.
Check out the “Shiny Happy People” trailer:
When a body is found on the beach in the Tasmanian town of Deadloch,...
- 5/25/2023
- by Fern Siegel
- The Streamable
A common theme in U.S. network coverage of King Charles’ coronation was, why are Americans so fasciated by this?
Starting around 5 a.m. Et, the better question might as well have been, why are they up watching this?
As the king started their procession down the streets of London, commentator after commentator weighed in. On MSNBC, historian Jon Meacham quoted Shakespeare’s Henry V and said of the pageantry unfolding, “It is this marvelous cocktail, if you will, of the human, the divine, the democratic, the monarchial, the English and to some extent American.”
Others mentioned the colonial history of the U.S. and the special relationship between the two countries.
Perhaps the most succinct explanation came from Fox News’ Benjamin Hall, recently returned after recovering from severe injuries while covering the war in Ukraine, who said, “You’ve got pomp and circumstance, you’ve got a bit of...
Starting around 5 a.m. Et, the better question might as well have been, why are they up watching this?
As the king started their procession down the streets of London, commentator after commentator weighed in. On MSNBC, historian Jon Meacham quoted Shakespeare’s Henry V and said of the pageantry unfolding, “It is this marvelous cocktail, if you will, of the human, the divine, the democratic, the monarchial, the English and to some extent American.”
Others mentioned the colonial history of the U.S. and the special relationship between the two countries.
Perhaps the most succinct explanation came from Fox News’ Benjamin Hall, recently returned after recovering from severe injuries while covering the war in Ukraine, who said, “You’ve got pomp and circumstance, you’ve got a bit of...
- 5/6/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney showed off a spooky new trailer for Kenneth Branagh’s latest Agatha Christie adaptation, A Haunting in Venice here at CinemaCon today. The ensemble murder mystery begins international rollout on September 14 and hits North America on September 15. There’s been some speculation it could world premiere at the Venice Film Festival ahead of that.
Branagh is back as Inspector Hercule Poirot, retired and living in self-imposed exile in the titular city. He reluctantly attends a séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets.
Related: CinemaCon 2023 – Deadline’s Full Coverage
In the trailer shown today during Disney’s presentation, the séance is led by Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh’s medium as one of those present seeks to hear the voice again of her daughter who met a tragic end a year prior. Before this,...
Branagh is back as Inspector Hercule Poirot, retired and living in self-imposed exile in the titular city. He reluctantly attends a séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets.
Related: CinemaCon 2023 – Deadline’s Full Coverage
In the trailer shown today during Disney’s presentation, the séance is led by Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh’s medium as one of those present seeks to hear the voice again of her daughter who met a tragic end a year prior. Before this,...
- 4/26/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro, Nancy Tartaglione and Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
For centuries, actors have endured a unique position in society. After dazzling audiences with their talent on the silver screen or stage, many talented individuals move behind the camera to become directors. With this transition comes great respect from those who recognize their performances as an actor and their skills in directing films that capture hearts and minds worldwide in spectacular fashion.
Related: Top 10 Richest Actors in the World [2022]
We wanted to know which actors make up some of our favorite director-actor combinations. So we dove into IMDb’s extensive collection of movie ratings, searching for insight into history’s best actor-directors based on viewer opinion alone. What follows is ten beloved actor-directors who saw success on either side (or both!) throughout various stages throughout showbiz’ past decade: Charlie Day, Zoë Kravitz, and Chris Pine, among others, all turn out award-winning feature productions utilizing decades worth of experience knowing precisely...
Related: Top 10 Richest Actors in the World [2022]
We wanted to know which actors make up some of our favorite director-actor combinations. So we dove into IMDb’s extensive collection of movie ratings, searching for insight into history’s best actor-directors based on viewer opinion alone. What follows is ten beloved actor-directors who saw success on either side (or both!) throughout various stages throughout showbiz’ past decade: Charlie Day, Zoë Kravitz, and Chris Pine, among others, all turn out award-winning feature productions utilizing decades worth of experience knowing precisely...
- 4/11/2023
- by Buddy TV
- buddytv.com
Sharon Acker, the Canadian actress who portrayed Lee Marvin’s unfaithful wife in the 1967 neo-noir classic Point Blank and the right-hand woman Della Street opposite Monte Markham on a rebooted Perry Mason in the 1970s, has died. She was 87.
Acker died March 16 in a retirement home in her native Toronto, her daughter Kim Everest, a casting director, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Star Trek fans know Acker for her January 1969 turn as Odona, a desperate woman from an overpopulated planet, on the third-season episode “The Mark of Gideon.”
She also starred on a 1976-77 CBS adaptation of Executive Suite, playing the wife of Mitchell Ryan‘s Dan Walling. (Acker and Ryan assumed the parts performed by William Holden and June Allyson in the 1954 MGM film directed by Robert Wise.)
In John Boorman’s Point Blank, Acker’s character takes up with John Vernon’s Mal Reese after he shoots Walker (Marvin...
Acker died March 16 in a retirement home in her native Toronto, her daughter Kim Everest, a casting director, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Star Trek fans know Acker for her January 1969 turn as Odona, a desperate woman from an overpopulated planet, on the third-season episode “The Mark of Gideon.”
She also starred on a 1976-77 CBS adaptation of Executive Suite, playing the wife of Mitchell Ryan‘s Dan Walling. (Acker and Ryan assumed the parts performed by William Holden and June Allyson in the 1954 MGM film directed by Robert Wise.)
In John Boorman’s Point Blank, Acker’s character takes up with John Vernon’s Mal Reese after he shoots Walker (Marvin...
- 4/1/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Oscar-winning UK producer David Parfitt shared insights from the highs and lows of his 35-year producing career at a masterclass for the Doha Film Institute’s Qumra talent incubator over the weekend.
“I have been staggeringly lucky,” said Parfitt, who won an Oscar in 1999 for Shakespeare in Love with other high-profile credits including Much Ado About Nothing, The Madness Of King George, My Week With Marilyn and the Oscar-winning drama The Father.
Parfitt, who has worked in film and TV most of his life having started out as a child actor in the 1970s, said he knew from adolescence that he wanted to stay in the business but not in front of the camera. He credited Kenneth Branagh for enabling his crossover into producing.
The pair met on a West End theatre show in the 1980s.
“We had next-door dressing rooms. We were young and had too much time on our hands.
“I have been staggeringly lucky,” said Parfitt, who won an Oscar in 1999 for Shakespeare in Love with other high-profile credits including Much Ado About Nothing, The Madness Of King George, My Week With Marilyn and the Oscar-winning drama The Father.
Parfitt, who has worked in film and TV most of his life having started out as a child actor in the 1970s, said he knew from adolescence that he wanted to stay in the business but not in front of the camera. He credited Kenneth Branagh for enabling his crossover into producing.
The pair met on a West End theatre show in the 1980s.
“We had next-door dressing rooms. We were young and had too much time on our hands.
- 3/17/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
“You Can Call Me Bill” is the latest documentary from director Alexandre O. Philippe, who specializes in plucking tasty subjects out of the pop cosmos and doing deep-dive meditations on them. Philippe often leans into horror, but even with other subjects, what he’s always looking for is the heady ineffable curveball insight. So if you go into his new movie, which is all about William Shatner, presuming that it’s going to be something other than a conventional portrait of William Shatner, you’d be quite correct. The movie is built around an interview with the legendary 91-year-old actor, still vigorous and voluble, with a seize-the-day cornball glow to him. In “You Can Call Me Bill,” Shatner sits under the hot lights, with the camera close to his face, talking, talking, and talking — about life, death, acting, fame, love, desolation, and trees.
No one else is interviewed. At no point is Shatner called “Bill,...
No one else is interviewed. At no point is Shatner called “Bill,...
- 3/17/2023
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
”Our Hamlet is set in the UK in the future; politics have collapsed, the monarchy have taken over again.”
Producer David Parfitt is talking about “two or three people” for the role of Hamlet in upcoming Shakespeare adaptation Hamlet, Prince Of Wales.
The feature film is in development, and will be produced by Parfitt’s UK firm Trademark Films.
“Everything is cast-dependent” and depends on “if we can find that key piece of talent,” Parfitt told Screen in Doha, where he is attending the Qumra incubator as a master. “The twist on our Hamlet development is it’s Hamlet set in the UK.
Producer David Parfitt is talking about “two or three people” for the role of Hamlet in upcoming Shakespeare adaptation Hamlet, Prince Of Wales.
The feature film is in development, and will be produced by Parfitt’s UK firm Trademark Films.
“Everything is cast-dependent” and depends on “if we can find that key piece of talent,” Parfitt told Screen in Doha, where he is attending the Qumra incubator as a master. “The twist on our Hamlet development is it’s Hamlet set in the UK.
- 3/12/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
To describe William Shatner, who turns 92 later this month, as “full of life” would be a gross understatement. When Deadline spoke with him about the documentary You Can Call Me Bill, which is making its world premiere at SXSW, he was about to go horseback riding. At a time when many people his age, those fortunate few to reach their 90s, are getting about with walkers or wheelchairs, he’s hoofing it.
“After this interview I’m gonna get on a horse,” he told us, with some astonishment. “I’m not going to get in a wheelchair. I’m gonna go on a reining horse and practice.”
William Shatner speaks onstage at 2022 Los Angeles Comic Con on December 4, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
He said he can’t quite believe the term “91-year-old” applies to him. “Every time I hear that figure I think, ‘That’s right. That’s me. My God,...
“After this interview I’m gonna get on a horse,” he told us, with some astonishment. “I’m not going to get in a wheelchair. I’m gonna go on a reining horse and practice.”
William Shatner speaks onstage at 2022 Los Angeles Comic Con on December 4, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
He said he can’t quite believe the term “91-year-old” applies to him. “Every time I hear that figure I think, ‘That’s right. That’s me. My God,...
- 3/10/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
With Michael B. Jordan making his directorial debut with Creed III this weekend, we wanted to know what film by a first time Actor turned Director has been your favorite? Some came out of the gates with Oscar Glory (Kevin Costner/ Robert Redford) while others found a passion they haven’t looked back from (Ron Howard/ Sofia Coppola). If you don’t see your favorite listed, please let us know what (and who) it is in the comments section.
Update: I have rightly been called out for listing Braveheart as Mel Gibson’s first film when he actually directed a film prior to that called The Man Without a Face in 1993. So I guess the results are slightly skewed, but really, wasn’t Braveheart the first Mel Gibson directed film we all saw?!
Favorite Film by a First Time Actor Turned DirectorThat Thing You Do! (1996) (Tom Hanks)Ordinary People (1980) (Robert Redford)In a World…...
Update: I have rightly been called out for listing Braveheart as Mel Gibson’s first film when he actually directed a film prior to that called The Man Without a Face in 1993. So I guess the results are slightly skewed, but really, wasn’t Braveheart the first Mel Gibson directed film we all saw?!
Favorite Film by a First Time Actor Turned DirectorThat Thing You Do! (1996) (Tom Hanks)Ordinary People (1980) (Robert Redford)In a World…...
- 3/5/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.
The Movie: "Much Ado About Nothing" (1993)
Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max, DirecTV
The Pitch: Kenneth Branagh's film adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Henry V," the filmmaker's first feature, was a massive success when it was released in 1989. Branagh was nominated for Best Actor and Best Director, and Phyllis Dalton won the Oscar for Best Costumes. The film caused a great deal of buzz around Branagh, and audiences kept a close eye on him. In 1989, he married actress Emma Thompson (who played Katherine in "Henry V"), and the two of them would proceed to work together incredibly well on several notable films. Thompson co-starred with Branagh in the excellent reincarnation thriller "Dead Again" in 1991, and she appeared as...
The Movie: "Much Ado About Nothing" (1993)
Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max, DirecTV
The Pitch: Kenneth Branagh's film adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Henry V," the filmmaker's first feature, was a massive success when it was released in 1989. Branagh was nominated for Best Actor and Best Director, and Phyllis Dalton won the Oscar for Best Costumes. The film caused a great deal of buzz around Branagh, and audiences kept a close eye on him. In 1989, he married actress Emma Thompson (who played Katherine in "Henry V"), and the two of them would proceed to work together incredibly well on several notable films. Thompson co-starred with Branagh in the excellent reincarnation thriller "Dead Again" in 1991, and she appeared as...
- 2/2/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Kenneth Welsh, a prolific Canadian character actor with more than 200 screen credits, died Thursday evening. He was 80 years old.
Actra, the Canadian film and television union, confirmed the news on Friday. “Ken was one of Canada’s all-time great performers, with hundreds of memorable roles spanning decades,” Actra wrote in a statement. “He will be greatly missed. Our condolences to his loved ones.”
Actra Toronto is extremely saddened today by the passing of Kenneth Welsh. Ken was one of Canada’s all-time great performers, with hundreds of memorable roles spanning decades. He will be greatly missed. Our condolences to his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/SqcV3Wmhqk
— Actra Toronto (@ACTRAToronto) May 6, 2022
Welsh is best known to American audiences for his role as Windom Earle, the crazed FBI agent in Season 2 of the groundbreaking television series “Twin Peaks.”
In his native Canada, he was a consistent figure on television, frequently starring in TV films.
Actra, the Canadian film and television union, confirmed the news on Friday. “Ken was one of Canada’s all-time great performers, with hundreds of memorable roles spanning decades,” Actra wrote in a statement. “He will be greatly missed. Our condolences to his loved ones.”
Actra Toronto is extremely saddened today by the passing of Kenneth Welsh. Ken was one of Canada’s all-time great performers, with hundreds of memorable roles spanning decades. He will be greatly missed. Our condolences to his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/SqcV3Wmhqk
— Actra Toronto (@ACTRAToronto) May 6, 2022
Welsh is best known to American audiences for his role as Windom Earle, the crazed FBI agent in Season 2 of the groundbreaking television series “Twin Peaks.”
In his native Canada, he was a consistent figure on television, frequently starring in TV films.
- 5/7/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Before he was Batman, he was Bateman. Christian Bale's turn as Patrick Bateman in "American Psycho" was a breakthrough role for him as a leading man. Bale got his start as a child actor, appearing in films such as Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun" and Kenneth Branagh's "Henry V" in the late 1980s. But with "American Psycho," he achieved a new level of recognition for taking on a part Leonardo DiCaprio originally wanted to play as a subversion of his teen heartthrob image from "Titanic."
Although DiCaprio would go on to play "The Wolf of Wall Street" years later, director Mary Harron didn't think he...
The post Becoming American Psycho's Patrick Bateman Bordered On Obsession For Christian Bale appeared first on /Film.
Although DiCaprio would go on to play "The Wolf of Wall Street" years later, director Mary Harron didn't think he...
The post Becoming American Psycho's Patrick Bateman Bordered On Obsession For Christian Bale appeared first on /Film.
- 4/23/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
Bradley Cooper is a triple threat at the Academy Awards, being nominated a total of nine times in the acting, producing and writing categories. However, he has yet to take home the golden statuette. His most recent bid was for producing the Best Picture nominee “Nightmare Alley,” which lost to “Coda” at the 2022 Oscars ceremony. At nine career losses, that means Cooper has quietly now surpassed legendary performers Glenn Close and Peter O’Toole, both of whom failed to win any of their eight bids (all for acting).
Cooper’s three Oscar nominations in the Best Actor race came for “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012), “American Sniper” (2014) and “A Star Is Born” (2018), plus he earned one notice in Best Supporting Actor for “American Hustle” (2013). The multi-hyphenate was recognized four times for producing Best Picture contenders “American Sniper,” “A Star Is Born,” “Joker” (2019) and “Nightmare Alley” (2021). And he has a Best Adapted Screenplay mention...
Cooper’s three Oscar nominations in the Best Actor race came for “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012), “American Sniper” (2014) and “A Star Is Born” (2018), plus he earned one notice in Best Supporting Actor for “American Hustle” (2013). The multi-hyphenate was recognized four times for producing Best Picture contenders “American Sniper,” “A Star Is Born,” “Joker” (2019) and “Nightmare Alley” (2021). And he has a Best Adapted Screenplay mention...
- 3/30/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
After seven Oscar nominations since his splashy debut in 1990's "Henry V," Kenneth Branagh finally took home his first Academy Award for the screenplay for "Belfast" this past Sunday. Lest you forget, the brilliantly talented multi-hyphenate has another movie arriving on home video this week: The star-studded sequel to "Murder on the Orient Express," titled "Death on the Nile." The film, based on the famed Agatha Christie mystery yarn, opened in theaters only last month and did a respectable $134 million worldwide, and there's also a third movie starring Branagh as Belgian detective Hercule Poirot currently in the planning stages...
The post Oscar Winner Kenneth Branagh's Poirot Explained In Death On The Nile Bonus Feature Clip [Exclusive] appeared first on /Film.
The post Oscar Winner Kenneth Branagh's Poirot Explained In Death On The Nile Bonus Feature Clip [Exclusive] appeared first on /Film.
- 3/30/2022
- by Max Evry
- Slash Film
Kenneth Branagh came out of the gate scorching hot, earning Best Director and Best Actor nominations for his directorial debut "Henry V" in 1989. The man has been nominated for eight Academy Awards over the course of his film career as an actor, director, producer, and even for Best Live Action Short Film. He also has received two nominations as a writer, and Branagh just took home the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his highly autobiographical film "Belfast." While not the most innovative or exciting screenplay of the slate of nominees by a long shot, "Belfast" was obviously a very personal film for Branagh, and...
The post The Oscar Nominated Screenplay That Didn't Require Any Writing appeared first on /Film.
The post The Oscar Nominated Screenplay That Didn't Require Any Writing appeared first on /Film.
- 3/28/2022
- by Mike Shutt
- Slash Film
Kenneth Branagh received his first Oscar nomination 32 years ago for 1989's "Henry V," and the actor-director has finally won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his latest film, "Belfast."
Although "Belfast" was a surprising win — keeping in mind that the other contenders in the category included "King Richard," "Licorice Pizza," "Don't Look Up," and "The Worst Person in the World" — it is hard to be angry/disappointed about this win, considering how well-deserved it is within the context of Branagh's expansive, sweeping career. Branagh accepted the award while expressing his love for the "amazing city" of Belfast, where he spent his...
The post It's Hard to Be Mad at Kenneth Branagh Winning an Oscar appeared first on /Film.
Although "Belfast" was a surprising win — keeping in mind that the other contenders in the category included "King Richard," "Licorice Pizza," "Don't Look Up," and "The Worst Person in the World" — it is hard to be angry/disappointed about this win, considering how well-deserved it is within the context of Branagh's expansive, sweeping career. Branagh accepted the award while expressing his love for the "amazing city" of Belfast, where he spent his...
The post It's Hard to Be Mad at Kenneth Branagh Winning an Oscar appeared first on /Film.
- 3/28/2022
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
Following nominations for blockbusters “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982), Steven Spielberg achieved his first Best Director Oscar win in for “Schindler’s List” (1993). Five years later, he nabbed a bookend trophy for “Saving Private Ryan” (1998) and thus became the 17th of 21 double directing champs. Having since earned bids for “Munich” (2005) and “Lincoln” (2013), his category nomination total has now risen to eight with his new one for “West Side Story.” This gives him another shot at joining the exclusive club of triple Best Director award recipients, which, since 1960, has consisted of just three members: Frank Capra, John Ford (who later won a fourth time) and William Wyler.
See 2022 Oscar nominations: Full list of nominees in all 23 categories
Spielberg’s challengers in this year’s contest are Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”), Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”), Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”) and...
See 2022 Oscar nominations: Full list of nominees in all 23 categories
Spielberg’s challengers in this year’s contest are Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”), Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”), Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”) and...
- 3/26/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
In 1966, Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Teshigahara broke new ground as the first Asian Best Director Oscar contender with his bid for “Woman in the Dunes.” He was also the 10th Japanese male nominee in any category, the first of whom was production designer Eddie Imazu. Twenty years later, his countryman Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran” brought him his first and only directing notice after four decades in the business. Now, Ryusuke Hamaguchi (“Drive My Car”) has been added to this all too short list of Japanese directing nominees and could become the first one to pull off a win.
See 2022 Oscar nominations: Full list of nominees in all 23 categories
Hamaguchi is the only first-timer in this year’s directing lineup, which also includes Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”), Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”), Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”) and Steven Spielberg (“West Side Story”). Spielberg has already competed here seven times and...
See 2022 Oscar nominations: Full list of nominees in all 23 categories
Hamaguchi is the only first-timer in this year’s directing lineup, which also includes Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”), Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”), Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”) and Steven Spielberg (“West Side Story”). Spielberg has already competed here seven times and...
- 3/26/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Oscar nominee profile: Jane Campion (‘The Power of the Dog’) would be 3rd woman to win Best Director
Nearly three decades ago, Jane Campion made history as the second female Best Director Oscar nominee after Lina Wertmüller. The film that brought her this recognition was 1993’s “The Piano,” for which she ended up winning Best Original Screenplay. In the time since, Kathryn Bigelow has blazed a trail as the first woman to win the directing prize, and Chloe Zhao followed in her footsteps just last year. Campion’s current nomination for helming “The Power of the Dog” establishes her as the only woman with two in the category and could lead to its first instance of back-to-back female victories.
See 2022 Oscar nominations: Full list of nominees in all 23 categories
Campion’s challengers in the current directing race are Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”), Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (“Drive My Car”) and Steven Spielberg (“West Side Story”). All but Hamaguchi have been recognized here before. Spielberg boasts the...
See 2022 Oscar nominations: Full list of nominees in all 23 categories
Campion’s challengers in the current directing race are Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”), Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (“Drive My Car”) and Steven Spielberg (“West Side Story”). All but Hamaguchi have been recognized here before. Spielberg boasts the...
- 3/26/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Thirty-two years ago, 29-year-old “Henry V” (1989) director, writer and star Kenneth Branagh became the second youngest person to receive Best Director and Best Actor Oscar nominations for the same film after Orson Welles. Over the next 22 years, he picked up bids in three more categories: Best Live Action Short, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor. Now, his Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay notices for the 2021 film “Belfast” have made him the first person ever recognized in seven unique categories. He is also included in this year’s Best Director lineup, making that the only award for which he has competed twice.
See 2022 Oscar nominations: Full list of nominees in all 23 categories
The directors currently nominated against Branagh are Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”), Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (“Drive My Car”) and Steven Spielberg (“West Side Story”). All but Hamaguchi have vied for this honor at least once before,...
See 2022 Oscar nominations: Full list of nominees in all 23 categories
The directors currently nominated against Branagh are Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”), Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (“Drive My Car”) and Steven Spielberg (“West Side Story”). All but Hamaguchi have vied for this honor at least once before,...
- 3/26/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Since making his feature directing debut with “Hard Eight” (1996), Paul Thomas Anderson has proven his versatility and unique artistry with eight subsequent films, all of which he also wrote. Over the past two dozen years, he has been nominated 11 times across four Oscar categories, with his three most recent bids having come for directing, writing and producing 2021’s “Licorice Pizza.” This marks his third inclusion in a Best Director lineup after landing bids for “There Will Be Blood” (2007) and “Phantom Thread” (2017).
See 2022 Oscar nominations: Full list of nominees in all 23 categories
In this year’s directing race, Anderson faces Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”), Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (“Drive My Car”) and Steven Spielberg (“West Side Story”). Hamaguchi is the only first-timer in the bunch, while Spielberg is the only previous directing winner, having triumphed for both “Schindler’s List” (1993) and “Saving Private Ryan” (1998); this is his eighth nomination in the category.
See 2022 Oscar nominations: Full list of nominees in all 23 categories
In this year’s directing race, Anderson faces Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”), Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (“Drive My Car”) and Steven Spielberg (“West Side Story”). Hamaguchi is the only first-timer in the bunch, while Spielberg is the only previous directing winner, having triumphed for both “Schindler’s List” (1993) and “Saving Private Ryan” (1998); this is his eighth nomination in the category.
- 3/26/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
The 2022 Oscar nominees for Best Director are Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”), Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”), Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (“Drive My Car”), and Steven Spielberg (“West Side Story”). Our odds currently show that Campion (3/1) is most likely to win, followed in order by Branagh (4/1), Spielberg (9/2), Anderson (9/2), and Hamaguchi (9/2).
All but Hamaguchi are previous directing nominees. Spielberg has already collected a pair of trophies for helming “Schindler’s List” (1994) and “Saving Private Ryan” (1999). His five other bids came for “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1978), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1982), “E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1983), “Munich” (2006), and “Lincoln” (2013). His initial victory was against Campion on her first outing for “The Piano.” Branagh was recognized here in 1990 for “Henry V,” while Anderson has two past directing bids to his name for “There Will Be Blood” (2008) and “Phantom Thread” (2018).
All five of these contenders are nominated in at least one other category this year.
All but Hamaguchi are previous directing nominees. Spielberg has already collected a pair of trophies for helming “Schindler’s List” (1994) and “Saving Private Ryan” (1999). His five other bids came for “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1978), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1982), “E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1983), “Munich” (2006), and “Lincoln” (2013). His initial victory was against Campion on her first outing for “The Piano.” Branagh was recognized here in 1990 for “Henry V,” while Anderson has two past directing bids to his name for “There Will Be Blood” (2008) and “Phantom Thread” (2018).
All five of these contenders are nominated in at least one other category this year.
- 3/25/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
The films in contention for the 2022 Best Original Screenplay Oscar are “Belfast,” “Don’t Look Up,” “King Richard,” “Licorice Pizza,” and “The Worst Person in the World.” Our odds currently indicate that “Licorice Pizza” (10/3) will take the prize, followed in order of likelihood by “Belfast” (18/5), “Don’t Look Up” (9/2), “King Richard” (9/2), and “The Worst Person in the World” (9/2).
For the fifth time in eight years, multiple original writing nominees – namely, Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”) and Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”) – also picked up bids for directing and producing their films. Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay are now the sixth and seventh unique categories that Branagh has earned notices in after Best Actor, Best Director (“Henry V” and “Belfast”), Best Live Action Short, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor.
Anderson was previously recognized here for his “Boogie Nights” (1998) and “Magnolia” (2000) scripts. The 22-year gap between his “Magnolia” and “Licorice Pizza” nominations is...
For the fifth time in eight years, multiple original writing nominees – namely, Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”) and Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”) – also picked up bids for directing and producing their films. Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay are now the sixth and seventh unique categories that Branagh has earned notices in after Best Actor, Best Director (“Henry V” and “Belfast”), Best Live Action Short, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor.
Anderson was previously recognized here for his “Boogie Nights” (1998) and “Magnolia” (2000) scripts. The 22-year gap between his “Magnolia” and “Licorice Pizza” nominations is...
- 3/25/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
The Oscars are a few days away, and I’m looking not only at the nominated actors’ performances this year, but at the stage careers that helped them develop and/or refine their skills to be eligible for Academy Awards. Half of this year’s Oscar nominees for acting were previously involved with Tony-nominated and other productions on Broadway.
For example, Ariana DeBose, the Academy Award Best Actress in a Supporting Role nominee, most-predicted on Gold Derby to win, cut her teeth on Broadway for a decade before she landed her nominated role as “Anita” in West Side Story. Her first Broadway job at age 21 was as a member of the ensemble of Bring It On in 2012, a Tony-nominated musical which required a lot of acrobatic dancing. Although it didn’t win any awards, Bring It On did have music and lyrics co-written by Lin Manuel Miranda with choreography by Andy Blakenbuehler.
For example, Ariana DeBose, the Academy Award Best Actress in a Supporting Role nominee, most-predicted on Gold Derby to win, cut her teeth on Broadway for a decade before she landed her nominated role as “Anita” in West Side Story. Her first Broadway job at age 21 was as a member of the ensemble of Bring It On in 2012, a Tony-nominated musical which required a lot of acrobatic dancing. Although it didn’t win any awards, Bring It On did have music and lyrics co-written by Lin Manuel Miranda with choreography by Andy Blakenbuehler.
- 3/21/2022
- by Susan Haskins-Doloff
- Gold Derby
Oscar-winning actor William Hurt, who rose to fame as one of the most notable leading men on the big-screen in the 1980s, died on March 13, 2022 – one week before his 72nd birthday. According to his family, “He died peacefully, among family, of natural causes.”
A three-time nominee for Best Actor at the Academy Awards, he won the prize for his cross-dressing role in 1985’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” His first big-screen role was in the 1980 sci-fi horror film “Altered States,” which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. He would become a very versatile male lead. He was comfortable doing neo-noirs such as “Body Heat” and “Eyewitness” as well as romantic comedies like “Broadcast News” and “The Accidental Tourist” and dramas such as “Children of a Lesser God.”
SEEOscar Best Actor Gallery: Every Winner in Academy Award History
Besides claiming a trophy for “Kiss of a Spider Woman,” Hurt garnered two...
A three-time nominee for Best Actor at the Academy Awards, he won the prize for his cross-dressing role in 1985’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” His first big-screen role was in the 1980 sci-fi horror film “Altered States,” which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. He would become a very versatile male lead. He was comfortable doing neo-noirs such as “Body Heat” and “Eyewitness” as well as romantic comedies like “Broadcast News” and “The Accidental Tourist” and dramas such as “Children of a Lesser God.”
SEEOscar Best Actor Gallery: Every Winner in Academy Award History
Besides claiming a trophy for “Kiss of a Spider Woman,” Hurt garnered two...
- 3/14/2022
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
The Good Fight is adding another award-winning star to its Season 6 cast.
Paramount+ announced this week that André Braugher (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) will join the upcoming sixth season of the critically acclaimed drama.
What's more, the series is now set to return in the summer.
Braugher will star as Ri'Chard Lane, a showman lawyer and rainmaker who is forced on Liz as a new name partner.
A force of nature, Ri'Chard is a wild mix of brilliance, geniality, religion and joyful hedonism.
In short, he's a handful.
"Our dream of an actor is always someone who can mix comedy and drama equally, and André Braugher is exactly that," said Robert and Michelle King, series co-creators, showrunners and executive producers.
"His work on 'Men of a Certain Age,' 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' and 'Homicide' has been amazing and funny. We're ecstatic that he finally has time in his schedule to come play.
Paramount+ announced this week that André Braugher (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) will join the upcoming sixth season of the critically acclaimed drama.
What's more, the series is now set to return in the summer.
Braugher will star as Ri'Chard Lane, a showman lawyer and rainmaker who is forced on Liz as a new name partner.
A force of nature, Ri'Chard is a wild mix of brilliance, geniality, religion and joyful hedonism.
In short, he's a handful.
"Our dream of an actor is always someone who can mix comedy and drama equally, and André Braugher is exactly that," said Robert and Michelle King, series co-creators, showrunners and executive producers.
"His work on 'Men of a Certain Age,' 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' and 'Homicide' has been amazing and funny. We're ecstatic that he finally has time in his schedule to come play.
- 3/10/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
I’ll start by stressing that this is not a predictions piece. You can find out who is considered the front-runner in each category here based on the combined predictions of thousands of Gold Derby users. Instead, I’m going through each category to discuss the merits of each of the nominees and why they should be considered by academy voters before ticking off a box.
This year is an especially prestigious and varied Best Director category with a number of veterans (four of the five are previous nominees), as well as an up-and-coming international filmmaker who burst onto the scene this year after being a respected film festival regular for many years before that.
SEEOscar Experts Typing: Kristen Stewart made it, but can she actually win Best Actress? “Licorice Pizza” – Paul Thomas Anderson
This is only Anderson’s third nomination as a director out of 11 total Oscar bids, but...
This year is an especially prestigious and varied Best Director category with a number of veterans (four of the five are previous nominees), as well as an up-and-coming international filmmaker who burst onto the scene this year after being a respected film festival regular for many years before that.
SEEOscar Experts Typing: Kristen Stewart made it, but can she actually win Best Actress? “Licorice Pizza” – Paul Thomas Anderson
This is only Anderson’s third nomination as a director out of 11 total Oscar bids, but...
- 2/15/2022
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Riz Ahmed received his first Oscar nomination last year for his leading role as a drummer losing his hearing in “Sound of Metal.” This year he’s already back with his second nomination, but it’s not for acting. He’s in the running for Best Live Action Short for “The Long Goodbye,” which he co-wrote, produced, and stars in. He’s only the fifth Oscar-nominated actor to also receive a nomination for Best Live Action Short. And he would be just the second to win it.
In “The Long Goodbye,” he plays Riz, whose British-Pakistani family encounters far-right marchers with terrible consequences. He’s nominated alongside the film’s director/co-writer Aneil Karia, but this isn’t the first time Ahmed has worked behind the camera. He was also a co-writer and producer of the feature film “Mogul Mowgli,” and he’s an executive producer of “Flee,” which earned...
In “The Long Goodbye,” he plays Riz, whose British-Pakistani family encounters far-right marchers with terrible consequences. He’s nominated alongside the film’s director/co-writer Aneil Karia, but this isn’t the first time Ahmed has worked behind the camera. He was also a co-writer and producer of the feature film “Mogul Mowgli,” and he’s an executive producer of “Flee,” which earned...
- 2/14/2022
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
As the pandemic wreaked havoc on festival and release schedules, the box office returned in fits and starts, but the 2021 award season brought a feast of plenty. The studios and specialty distributors saved their best for last, from Steven Spielberg’s $100-million whirling update of the stage and film musical classic “West Side Story” (20th Century/Disney), starring breakout nominee Ariana DeBose, to Canadian auteur Denis Villeneuve’s $165-million space epic “Dune” (Warner Bros./HBO Max), which landed ten nominations including Best Picture — but no acting or directing mentions.
Of course, there are only five slots to Best Picture’s ten this year. Given this tony branch’s penchant for naming international directors, they gave the nod to Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, for Best Picture nominee and Japanese Oscar entry “Drive My Car.” Many voters will assume that Hamaguchi will take the international Oscar.
As always, A-list directors enter the Oscar race...
Of course, there are only five slots to Best Picture’s ten this year. Given this tony branch’s penchant for naming international directors, they gave the nod to Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, for Best Picture nominee and Japanese Oscar entry “Drive My Car.” Many voters will assume that Hamaguchi will take the international Oscar.
As always, A-list directors enter the Oscar race...
- 2/13/2022
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
As the pandemic wreaked havoc on festival and release schedules, the box office returned in fits and starts, but the 2021 award season brought a feast of plenty. The studios and specialty distributors saved their best for last, from Steven Spielberg’s $100-million whirling update of the stage and film musical classic “West Side Story” (20th Century/Disney), starring breakout nominee Ariana DeBose, to Canadian auteur Denis Villeneuve’s $165-million space epic “Dune” (Warner Bros./HBO Max), which landed ten nominations including Best Picture — but no acting or directing mentions.
Of course, there are only five slots to Best Picture’s ten this year. Given this tony branch’s penchant for naming international directors, they gave the nod to Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, for Best Picture nominee and Japanese Oscar entry “Drive My Car.” Many voters will assume that Hamaguchi will take the international Oscar.
As always, A-list directors enter the Oscar race...
Of course, there are only five slots to Best Picture’s ten this year. Given this tony branch’s penchant for naming international directors, they gave the nod to Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, for Best Picture nominee and Japanese Oscar entry “Drive My Car.” Many voters will assume that Hamaguchi will take the international Oscar.
As always, A-list directors enter the Oscar race...
- 2/13/2022
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Academy voters give creators extra points for controlling their visions; that gives auteurs the advantage in the race for Best Original Screenplay.
Getting a boost during 2021 is any film that debuted to real, live audiences at a film festival like Cannes. Writers branch voters often look overseas for their contenders. Auteur Joachim Trier (and writer Eskil Vogt) landed a surprise nomination for Norway’s International Feature Film nominee “The Worst Person in the World,” a coming-of-age drama starring Cannes Best Actress winner Renate Reinsve, which competes against a slate of high-powered Best Picture contenders.
During the pandemic Kenneth Branagh wrote and filmed a personal story, “Belfast” (Focus Features) which scored the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival, often a harbinger of a Best Picture contender. Set in 1969, the film stars Jude Hill as Branagh’s nine-year-old self and veteran nominees Dame Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinds as his grandparents.
Getting a boost during 2021 is any film that debuted to real, live audiences at a film festival like Cannes. Writers branch voters often look overseas for their contenders. Auteur Joachim Trier (and writer Eskil Vogt) landed a surprise nomination for Norway’s International Feature Film nominee “The Worst Person in the World,” a coming-of-age drama starring Cannes Best Actress winner Renate Reinsve, which competes against a slate of high-powered Best Picture contenders.
During the pandemic Kenneth Branagh wrote and filmed a personal story, “Belfast” (Focus Features) which scored the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival, often a harbinger of a Best Picture contender. Set in 1969, the film stars Jude Hill as Branagh’s nine-year-old self and veteran nominees Dame Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinds as his grandparents.
- 2/12/2022
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Academy voters give creators extra points for controlling their visions; that gives auteurs the advantage in the race for Best Original Screenplay.
Getting a boost during 2021 is any film that debuted to real, live audiences at a film festival like Cannes. Writers branch voters often look overseas for their contenders. Auteur Joachim Trier (and writer Eskil Vogt) landed a surprise nomination for Norway’s International Feature Film nominee “The Worst Person in the World,” a coming-of-age drama starring Cannes Best Actress winner Renate Reinsve, which competes against a slate of high-powered Best Picture contenders.
During the pandemic Kenneth Branagh wrote and filmed a personal story, “Belfast” (Focus Features) which scored the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival, often a harbinger of a Best Picture contender. Set in 1969, the film stars Jude Hill as Branagh’s nine-year-old self and veteran nominees Dame Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinds as his grandparents.
Getting a boost during 2021 is any film that debuted to real, live audiences at a film festival like Cannes. Writers branch voters often look overseas for their contenders. Auteur Joachim Trier (and writer Eskil Vogt) landed a surprise nomination for Norway’s International Feature Film nominee “The Worst Person in the World,” a coming-of-age drama starring Cannes Best Actress winner Renate Reinsve, which competes against a slate of high-powered Best Picture contenders.
During the pandemic Kenneth Branagh wrote and filmed a personal story, “Belfast” (Focus Features) which scored the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival, often a harbinger of a Best Picture contender. Set in 1969, the film stars Jude Hill as Branagh’s nine-year-old self and veteran nominees Dame Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinds as his grandparents.
- 2/12/2022
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Twenty-eight years ago, Steven Spielberg (“Schindler’s List’) and Jane Campion (“The Piano”) were the favorites in the Best Director race at the Oscars. Spielberg won for the first time back then with Campion picking up the original screenplay Academy Award. And now they are facing off again.
Spielberg is nominated as Best Director for the eighth time for his remake of the musical “West Side Story” and Campion is up for her Western “The Power of the Dog.” Two of the other contenders for Best Director — Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”) and Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”) — are previous nominees (it’s been a long -and record breaking-32 years between Branagh’s bids). The fifth nominee is an Oscar rookie, Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi for “Drive My Car.”
Take a read of the Best Director Oscar nominees biographies and then make your prediction as to who will prevail on March 27.
Paul Thomas Anderson,...
Spielberg is nominated as Best Director for the eighth time for his remake of the musical “West Side Story” and Campion is up for her Western “The Power of the Dog.” Two of the other contenders for Best Director — Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”) and Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”) — are previous nominees (it’s been a long -and record breaking-32 years between Branagh’s bids). The fifth nominee is an Oscar rookie, Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi for “Drive My Car.”
Take a read of the Best Director Oscar nominees biographies and then make your prediction as to who will prevail on March 27.
Paul Thomas Anderson,...
- 2/9/2022
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Nearly three decades have passed since Jane Campion reaped a pair of Oscar bids for directing and writing “The Piano.” She was the second woman to pull off this double play after Lina Wertmüller. Campion won Best Original Screenplay but lost Best Director to Steven Spielberg (“Schindler’s List”).
Now, she and Spielberg face off in a long-awaited rematch, having earned nominations for helming “The Power of the Dog” and “West Side Story,” respectively. She is now the first two-time female nominee in the history of the Best Director category. The prize has only gone to two women in the past, and it took 82 years for that glass ceiling to be broken. Kathryn Bigelow (“The Hurt Locker”) achieved that historical feat in 2010, and Chloe Zhao (“Nomadland”) followed in her footsteps just last year.
In addition to Wertmüller, the directing category’s small group of female also-rans consists of Sofia Coppola, Greta Gerwig,...
Now, she and Spielberg face off in a long-awaited rematch, having earned nominations for helming “The Power of the Dog” and “West Side Story,” respectively. She is now the first two-time female nominee in the history of the Best Director category. The prize has only gone to two women in the past, and it took 82 years for that glass ceiling to be broken. Kathryn Bigelow (“The Hurt Locker”) achieved that historical feat in 2010, and Chloe Zhao (“Nomadland”) followed in her footsteps just last year.
In addition to Wertmüller, the directing category’s small group of female also-rans consists of Sofia Coppola, Greta Gerwig,...
- 2/9/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
In 1989, Kenneth Branagh made his feature film directing debut with “Henry V,” based on the history play by William Shakespeare. He went on to compete in the next year’s Best Director Oscar race, ultimately losing to Oliver Stone (“Born on the Fourth of July”). Now, over three decades later and with 18 more directing credits under his belt, his work on “Belfast” has brought him a second bid in the category, as well as his first for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture.
With those latter two nominations, Branagh makes Oscar history as the first person to contend in seven distinct categories. He started his journey toward this singular achievement by landing a second bid for “Henry V” as its leading man. That made him the fifth person to earn acting and directing Oscar nominations for the same film, after Orson Welles, Laurence Olivier, Woody Allen, and Warren Beatty. His...
With those latter two nominations, Branagh makes Oscar history as the first person to contend in seven distinct categories. He started his journey toward this singular achievement by landing a second bid for “Henry V” as its leading man. That made him the fifth person to earn acting and directing Oscar nominations for the same film, after Orson Welles, Laurence Olivier, Woody Allen, and Warren Beatty. His...
- 2/9/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
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