'The King's Speech' wins Toronto Film Festival award -- Oscar next?

"The King's Speech" won the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival. In past years the same prize went to two films that went on to win best picture at the Oscars ("Slumdog Millionaire," "American Beauty") and others that were nominated ("Precious," "Shine"). "The King's Speech" director Tom Hooper issued this statement that was read at the award ceremony: "I'm absolutely thrilled. The fact that the award is voted exclusively by audiences makes this award especially special. Holding the world premiere here was such a privilege. On behalf of all the cast and crew, I want to thank TIFF and the festival audience." The film stars Colin Firth as Britain's reluctant King George VI,...

Academy Awards Oscars The King's Speech Toronto Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival
09/19/2010 11:56
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Mark Romanek on 'Never Let Me Go': Not sci-fi, it's a love story

The Times' Kenneth Turan hails "Never Let Me Go": "Starring Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley, the A Team of young British acting talent, this is a moving and provocative film that initially unsettles, then disturbs and finally haunts you well into the night." While at the Toronto International Film Festival, I chatted with director Mark Romanek. Video by Paul Sheehan Get Gold Derby on Twitter. Join the Gold Derby Group at Facebook. Become friends with Tom O'Neil on Facebook. Get Gold Derby RSS feed via Facebook. RSS Feedburner. RSS Atom.

Academy Awards Never Let Me Go Oscars Toronto Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival
09/17/2010 17:26
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Oscar derby update: Race for best picture

Now that many Oscar contenders are being widely seen by media and industry wags, I think the race for best picture is becoming clearer. Here's my snapshot of the track as I see it now from my box seat at the Toronto International Film Festival. I won't get to see "The Social Network" until I return to New York on Thursday, but early reviews are in. And they're great, suggesting that we have an official front-runner. BEST PICTURE (Front-runners) "127 Hours" "Black Swan" "Inception" "The King's Speech" "The Social Network" "Toy Story 3" "The Kids Are All Right" (Possible) "Blue Valentine" "Hereafter" "How to Train Your Dragon" "Never Let Me Go" "Secretariat" "The Way Back"...

127 Hours Academy Awards Black Swan Oscars Toronto Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival
09/14/2010 08:38
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Calling all psychics: Will 'Hereafter' return Clint Eastwood to the Oscars?

Clint Eastwood has had trouble getting back into the Oscar race lately. After winning best picture way back in 1992 ("Unforgiven"), he had a great run from 2003 to 2006 with two best-pic nominees ("Mystic River," "Letters From Iwo Jima") and one more champ ("Million Dollar Baby"), but then he got tripped up. His later films scored acting bids for Angelina Jolie ("Changeling") and Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon ("Invictus"), but they didn't make the best-picture contest. "Gran Torino" got shut out of all categories, but most Oscarologists believe it would have done better if it had been released to theaters a few weeks earlier. Trotting out onto the derby track next: Clint's "Hereafter," which...

Academy Awards Clint Eastwood Matt Damon Oscars Toronto Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival
09/13/2010 14:07
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Natalie Portman is the official Oscar front-runner

"That's it! The best actress race is already over!" gasped a notable Oscar-tracking journo after witnessing Natalie Portman's dazzling diva turn in Darren Aronofsky's ballet thriller, "Black Swan," at the Toronto International Film Festival. I was equally wowed and tempted to agree with that Oscar assessment except for one cautious reminder. At this point on last year's calendar we didn't know that the eventual winners of the last Academy Awards for best actress and actor -- Sandra Bullock ("The Blind Side") and Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart") -- were even in the running. That said, it's still fun to make fierce pronouncements, so let's leap as boldly as Portman does on screen while she performs "Swan...

Academy Awards Black Swan Darren Aronofsky Julia Roberts Natalie Portman Nicole Kidman Oscars Sandra Bullock Toronto Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival
09/10/2010 14:21
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Media check-in at the Toronto Film Festival

It's usually a mob scene at the media office of the Toronto International Film Festival when you arrive to pick up credentials. This year the staff is much better organized. The line was short and moved fast. Once journos pick up their passes, we can hang out in lounge areas of the vast press room that features open computers with free Wi-Fi. Photo credit: Tom O'Neil Get Gold Derby on Twitter. Join the Gold Derby Group at Facebook. Become friends with Tom O'Neil on Facebook. Get Gold Derby RSS feed via Facebook. RSS Feedburner. RSS Atom.

Toronto Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival
09/09/2010 14:41
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Hollywood glitz versus local muskmelons at the Toronto International Film Festival

Two faces of Toronto -- one that showcases the world's film glitterati, the other that hawks tomatoes and carrots to local residents -- collided Thursday outside Roy Thomson Hall, just hours before celebrities and media arrived for the opening of the Toronto International Film Festival. On Thursdays, the grounds of the hall are typically home to a farmers' market that had no intention of shutting down just because paparazzi, TV satellite trucks and lots of Hollywooders dressed in tuxedos and gowns were en route. In the top three photos, you can see Thomson Hall surrounded by two sets of white tents. One set is cast over the empty red carpet; the other protects food vendors...

Toronto Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival
09/09/2010 14:34
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Toronto Film Festival lineup loaded with Oscar hopefuls

The 35th annual edition of the Toronto Film Festival is scheduled to include the world and North American premieres of a slew of awards contenders. This year's festival is to kick off on Sept. 9 and run for 11 days. Among the 50 titles announced Tuesday are the following films that could well figure in the contests for kudos this year: "Another Year" -- The latest domestic drama by Mike Leigh ("Happy Go Lucky") is centered on a middle-aged couple (Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen) and their assorted friends and family, including a saucy alcoholic (Lesley Manville). "Biutiful" -- Oscar champ Javier Bardem won best actor at Cannes for his portrayal of a dying father looking...

Academy Awards Cannes Film Festival Carey Mulligan Helen Mirren Hilary Swank Javier Bardem Nicole Kidman Oscar nominations Oscars Toronto Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival Woody Allen
07/27/2010 10:45
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'Precious' = Precious metal (Oscar gold)

Based upon its awards sweep earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival and its buzz today after screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, "Precious: Based Upon the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" emerges as a serious Oscars contender. Watch out for a lead-actress Oscar nomination for Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe and — possibly — one in the supporting slot for Mo'Nique. And maybe a bid for best adapted screenplay. Even best picture? That's not out of the picture considering Oprah Winfrey is executive producer and this movie is a knock-out — literally — as in it knocks the wind right out of you. The crowd at the press and industry screening this morning was wowed...

movie news Oscars Toronto Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival
09/12/2009 15:01
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Telluride Film Festival to debut 'Bright Star' and 'The Road' (which 'leads nowhere,' says Variety)

Films to unspool at the Telluride Film Festival, which begins tomorrow, were announced today: Jane Campion's "Bright Star," John Hillcoat's "The Road," Lone Scherfig's "An Education," Todd Solondz's "Life During Wartime" and Michael Haneke's Palme d'Or champ at Cannes "White Ribbon." Curiously missing: "Jason Reitman's "Up in the Air," which was rumored to be among the offerings. Nonetheless, it will make its official debut the following week at the Toronto International Film Festival. Read Variety's report here. Also check out the preview by L.A. Times scribe John Horn, which was penned before the official announcement was made that "Up in the Air" would not be included. Unfortunately, it looks as if "The Road" may be...

Academy Awards Telluride Film Festival Toronto Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival
09/03/2009 18:59
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Toronto Film Festival update: Slugfest over 'Slumdog' | Oscars buzz for Kristin Scott Thomas | Zac Efron 'excellent' in 'Orson Welles'

Following up on our first recap of how potential Oscar contenders fared at the Toronto Film Festival, word continues to flow south from Hollywood north. However, it turns out the biggest drama of the 10-day fest may not even have unfolded on the big screen. NY Post critic Lou Lumenick and Chicago Sun Times scribe Roger Ebert had a real-life altercation during last Saturday's packed press screening of breakout hit "Slumdog Millionaire." Seems Lou was blocking Roger from seeing the subtitles and after Roger, being unable to speak due to ongoing health issues, tapped him on the shoulder a few times, Lou hit back. Ebert, who attended the fest despite his ongoing health problems, did...

Academy Awards films Mickey Rourke Oscars Slumdog Millionaire Toronto Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival Zac Efron
09/12/2008 16:57
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Oscars contenders break loose at the Toronto Film Festival

Lots of top Oscars contenders skipped the Toronto Film Festival this year (read my gripe about omissions HERE), but yet some brave ponies hit the derby track running while others, oops, stumbled ("Burn After Reading," "The Burning Plain"). Four fillies had good runs in the lead actress race: Sally Hawkins ("Happy-Go-Lucky"), Anne Hathaway ("Rachel Getting Married"), Kristin Scott Thomas ("I've Loved You So Long") and Keira Knightley ("The Duchess"). Many film critics dreaded seeing "Duchess" because they anticipated another pat costume drama but were surprisingly pleased with the pic. One of the naysayers was AwardsDaily.com reporter Nancy Kriparos, who found fault in Knightley's turn because of "little chemistry" with her lover (Dominic Cooper). I had...

Toronto Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival
09/09/2008 10:36
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