Now, this is how you stage a live musical event on TV! Grease: Live! has upped the bar for live network musical productions, with excellent performances, terrific choreography, and a behind the scenes team that absolutely nailed it. Director Thomas Kail kicked the musical off with “Grease is the Word” sung by Jessie J. while strutting through backstage passageways, working her way through sets as she emerged outside to finish the song while joined by key members of the huge cast. El Nino reared its ugly head and the cast members were forced to incorporate umbrellas, but the bad weather didn’t put a damper on what turned out to be the best live musical on television to date.
I’d love to see a lengthy behind-the-scenes video focusing on the camera crew who flawlessly delivered a musical that flowed smoothly without missing a beat. The onscreen choreography was first-rate but what was going on off-screen must have been entertaining to behold.
Not every element from the beloved 1978 musical starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John made its way into the TV production, but the vibe was captured and the ‘50s came alive during this three-hour production. So what if the dance competition didn’t end with the T-Birds mooning the camera? The story carried on without it and still made sense. The decision to make Sandy (Julianne Hough) camera shy and thus open the door for Danny (Aaron Tveit) to dance with Cha Cha (Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer) was also completely in keeping with this version’s sweeter tone.
Song lyrics were adjusted for primetime television, although there were innuendos a plenty left in the script. Grease: Live! also altered a few relationships, making Rizzo (Vanessa Hudgens) and Sandy less adversarial going into the final act. It also made Eugene (Noah Robbins) the hero of the drag race which was a nice touch. And speaking of the drag race, kudos again to director Kail and the camera crew/lighting department for making a drag race between two cars that weren’t moving look thrilling.
The Rydell dance scenes were a highlight of the production, with Joe Jonas and DNCE’s performance of “Born to Hand Jive” and its high-energy choreography more than living up to expectations. The puddle skirts swirled, the T-Birds and Pink Ladies all had their moments to shine, and I’ll bet viewers at home were doing the Hand Jive along with the cast. The dance competition led directly into Julianne Hough’s amazing take on “Hopelessly Devoted,” which was moved from the Pink Ladies sleepover scene to the high school dance segment. Its move made sense in the overall story but had viewers worried when it wasn’t included in the sleepover scene.
As for the performances, Vanessa Hudgens is to be especially commended for handling the role of Rizzo, Grease‘s bad girl and leader of the Pink Ladies, just a day after the death of her father. Hudgens went on with the show, dedicating her performance to her dad, and delivering one of the best performances of the show. Hudgens’ “There Are Worst Things I Could Do” was absolutely heart-wrenching, and she nailed both sides of Rizzo, never once slipping out of character.
Everyone knows Julianne Hough can dance but not everyone knew she could sing, and the fact she was taking on Olivia Newton-John songs had some Grease fans unsure of the casting choice. But those naysayers were hushed after “Summer Lovin”, a fan-favorite number that proved Hough was going to be just fine as Grease: Live’s Sandy. Hough has the sweet and innocent vibe down pat, and there was solid chemistry between her and Tveit.
I wasn’t familiar with Aaron Tveit prior to Grease: Live! but you can bet his performance has me wanting to check out his filmography. Tveit was better in the more awkward or sweet scenes, but he did a decent job of pulling off Zuko’s bad boy swagger (although he never matched Hudgens in the swagger department). Tveit seemed to constantly be on the verge of a smile, so some of the scenes in which he’s supposed to be detached/standoff-ish about the whole Danny/Sandy relationship didn’t quite play out real. However, those moments were easily forgiven as the rest of his Grease: Live! performance was outstanding.
Carly Rae Jepsen’s Frenchy was fun, Kether Donohue was a blast to watch as scene-stealer Jan, and Keke Palmer shined as Marty. Palmer’s delivery of “Freddy My Love” was mesmerizing. The actors who made up the T-Bird crew – Carlos PenaVega (Kenickie), David Del Rio (Putzie), Jordan Fisher (Doody), and Andrew Call (Sonny) – gave enthusiastic performances, with Fisher taking “Those Magic Changes” from just another Grease song and making it into a memorable number.
Songs were moved around a bit and a few minor storylines were altered, but that didn’t matter. Grease: Live! was a joyous celebration of musicals and in fact, nothing captured that joyousness better than the musical’s finale featuring the entire cast. Director Kail, his crew, and the cast gave audiences an incredible new take on Grease that lives up to the original but also stands on its own.
Bravo’s culinary competition series Top Chef will return for a 14th season with casting set to get underway this month in Las Vegas. Season 13 of the popular series is currently airing on Thursdays at 9pm ET/PT with 1.8 million viewers tuning in. According to Bravo, Top Chef holds first place among food programs on cable with viewers ages 25 through 54.
Top Chef season 13 February 4th episode details: For the first time in Top Chef history, the Chefs are opening their restaurants for both lunch and dinner services. No one is safe as each chef must run front of house or act as the executive chef in one of the services. The pressure is on as two services means twice the drama.
Top Chef Season 14 Casting Calls:
Las Vegas – Friday, February 5 from 9am-3pm hosted by Rick Moonen, “Top Chef Masters” Season 1 and “Top Chef Masters” Season 2 Finalist. The call will take place at the RM Seafood Restaurant located at 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89119.
New York – Sunday, February 7 from 9am-3pm hosted by Tom Colicchio, “Top Chef” Head Judge. The casting call is set for Craft located at 43 E 19th St. New York, NY 10003.
Portland – Monday, February 8 from 9am-3pm hosted by Gregory Gourdet, “Top Chef” Season 12 Finalist. The event will take place at
Departure which is situated at 525 SW Morrison St. Portland, OR 97204.
Philadelphia – Tuesday, February 9 from 9am-3pm hosted by Kevin Sbraga, “Top Chef” Season 7 Winner. The call will be held at Sbraga located at 440 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19146.
Denver – Wednesday, February 10 from 9am-3pm hosted by Jennifer Jasinski, “Top Chef Masters” Season 5 Finalist. The casting call will happen at Rioja located at 1431 Larimer St. Denver, CO 80202.
New Orleans – Thursday, February 11 from 9am-3pm hosted by John Besh, “Top Chef Masters” Season 1. The Pigeon and Prince will serve as the location for the event. The address is 129 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.
Minneapolis – Friday, February 12 from 9am-3pm hosted by Gavin Kaysen, “Top Chef” Guest Judge at the Spoon and Stable. The address is 211 1st St N. Minneapolis, MN 55401.
Houston – Saturday, February 13 from 9am-3pm hosted by Tyson Cole, “Top Chef” Guest Judge at Uchi. The address is 904 Westheimer Rd.,
Houston, TX 77006.
Los Angeles – Monday, February 15 from 9am-3pm hosted by Susan Feniger, “Top Chef Masters” Season 2. The Mud Hen Tavern will be the location of the event. The address is 742 Highland Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90038.
Per Bravo: Interested chefs looking to vie for the coveted title should email [email protected] with the city in the subject line or go to Bravotv.com/topchefcasting.com for more information.
Chris Stapleton and Eric Church lead the list of 51st Academy of Country Music Awards nominees with five nominations each, followed by Cam, Chris Young, and Little Big Town with four. Chris Janson, Miranda Lambert, and Thomas Rhett each picked up three nominations. The Academy of Country Music Awards will be hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley and are set to air live on CBS from Vegas on April 3, 2016 (tape delayed on the West Coast).
Church’s nominations came in the Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Video of the Year, and Vocal Event of the Year categories. He also earned his first nomination in the Entertainer of the Year category. Stapleton was nominated in the Male Vocalist of the Year, New Male Vocalist of the Year, and Vocal Event of the Year categories. He also snagged two nomination for Traveller as artist and producer.
Academy of Country Music Awards Nominees:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
— Jason Aldean
— Garth Brooks
— Luke Bryan
— Eric Church
— Miranda Lambert
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
— Jason Aldean
— Dierks Bentley
— Eric Church
— Brett Eldredge
— Chris Stapleton
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
— Kelsea Ballerini
— Jana Kramer
— Miranda Lambert
— Kacey Musgraves
— Carrie Underwood
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
— Brothers Osborne
— Dan + Shay
— Florida Georgia Line
— Joey + Rory
— Maddie & Tae
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
— Eli Young Band
— Little Big Town
— Old Dominion
— Rascal Flatts
— Zac Brown Band
NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
— Brett Eldredge
— Chris Janson
— Thomas Rhett
— Chase Rice
— Chris Stapleton
NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
— Kelsea Ballerini
— Cam
— Mickey Guyton
— RaeLynn
NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
— A Thousand Horses
— Brothers Osborne
— Maddie & Tae
— Old Dominion
— Parmalee
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]
— I’m Comin’ Over – Chris Young Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young Record Label: RCA Records
— Montevallo – Sam Hunt Producers: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally Record Label: MCA Nashville
— Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church Producer: Jay Joyce Record Label: EMI Records Nashville
— Tangled Up – Thomas Rhett Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Chris DeStefano, Joe London Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
— Traveller – Chris Stapleton Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton Record Label: Mercury Records
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]
— Burning House – Cam Producers: Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Camaron Ochs Record Labels: Arista Nashville, RCA Records, Kravenworks
— Buy Me A Boat – Chris Janson Producers: Brent Anderson, Chris DuBois, Chris Janson Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
— Die A Happy Man – Thomas Rhett Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
— Girl Crush – Little Big Town Producer: Jay Joyce Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
— I’m Comin’ Over – Chris Young Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young Record Label: RCA Nashville
— Take Your Time – Sam Hunt Producers: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally Record Label: MCA Nashville
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)
— Biscuits – Kacey Musgraves Director: Mark Klasfeld Producer: Nicole Acacio
— Burning House – Cam Director: Trey Fanjoy Producer: Trent Hardville
— Girl Crush – Little Big Town Directors: Karla Welch, Matthew Welch Producer: Amanda Prunesti
— Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church Directors: Reid Long, John Peets Producer: Megan Smith
— Riser – Dierks Bentley Director: Wes Edwards Producer: Jennifer Rothlein
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]*(Off Camera Award)
— Hangover Tonight – Gary Allan Featuring Chris Stapleton Producers: Gary Allan, Greg Droman Record Label: MCA Nashville
— Home Alone Tonight – Luke Bryan Featuring Karen Fairchild Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens Record Label: Capitol Nashville
— Raise ‘Em Up – Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Nashville
— Smokin’ And Drinkin’ – Miranda Lambert Featuring Little Big Town Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Worf Record Label: RCA Nashville
— Wild Child – Kenny Chesney With Grace Potter Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney Record Labels: Blue Chair Records, Columbia Nashville
RADIO AWARDS – The following radio awards will be presented during the annual Radio Winners Reception held the day prior to the ACM Awards telecast, on Saturday, April 2 in Las Vegas, NV.
NATIONAL ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR (3-way tie within category lead to increased nominees)
— Blair Garner, Chuck Wicks – America’s Morning Show
— Cody Alan – CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan
— Lon Helton – Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton
— Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase – The Crook and Chase Countdown
— Sam Alex – Taste of Country Nights
— The Bobby Bones Show – The Bobby Bones Show
— Whitney Allen, Jackie Stevens & Mike McNamee – The Big Time with Whitney Allen
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
— Ben Campbell and Matt McAllister – KNIX-FM – Phoenix, AZ
— Cadillac Jack – WQYK-FM – St. Petersburg, FL
— Chris Carr, Maverick and Kia – KEEY-FM – St. Louis Park, MN
— Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, Geof Knight – WKKT-FM – Charlotte, NC
— Tanner in the Morning – WSOC-FM – Charlotte, NC
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
— AJ & Ashley In The Morning – WWKA-FM – Orlando, FL
— Dave O’Brien – WLHK-FM – Indianapolis, IN
— Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt & Kevin Freeman – WFMS-FM – Indianapolis, IN
— Karen, Scott & Radar – WMIL-FM – Greenfield, WI
— Randy Carroll and Jamie Martin – KAJA-FM – San Antonio, TX
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
— Andy Ritchie, Alison Mencer, Jimmy Holt – WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN
— Broadway, Cory, Jordan – WWYZ-FM – Hartford, CT
— Buzz Jackson – KIIM-FM – Tucson, AZ
— Scott Wynn, Sarah Kay, Sue Wilson – WQMX-FM – Akron, OH
— The Dex and Mo Show – WUSY-FM – Chattanooga, TN
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
— Bill Barrett, Tim Fox & Tracy Berry – KKNU-FM – Eugene, OR
— Brent Lane and Candy Ruddy – WYCT-FM – Pensacola, FL
— Brian Gary, Todd Harding, and Susan Moore – The Good Morning Guys – KUAD-FM – Windsor, CO
— Scotty Cox & Cara Denis – KCLR-FM – Columbia, MO
— Sherry St. John – WXFL-FM – Florence, AL
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
— KMLE-FM – Phoenix, AZ
— WKKT-FM – Charlotte, NC
— WKLB-FM – Boston, MA
— WQYK-FM – St. Petersburg, FL
— WYCD-FM – Southfield, MI
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
— KAJA-FM – San Antonio, TX
— WLHK-FM – Indianapolis, IN
— WMIL-FM – Greenfield, WI
— WUBE-FM – Cincinnati, OH
— WQDR-FM – Raleigh, NC
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
— KUZZ-FM – Bakersfield, CA
— WHKO-FM – Dayton, OH
— WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN
— WQMX-FM – Akron, OH
— WUSY-FM – Chattanooga, TN
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
— KKNU-FM – Eugene, OR
— KTTS-FM – Springfield, MO
— WGSQ-FM – Cookeville, TN
— WXFL-FM – Florence, AL
— WYCT-FM – Pensacola, FL
Disney XD is targeting a fall 2016 premiere for MECH-X4 (formerly known as MTX!), with filming now underway in Vancouver. The sci-fi adventure series from executive producer Steve Marmel stars Nathaniel James Potvin, Kamran Lucas, Pearce Joza, and Raymond Cham. Anupam Nigam is on board as an executive producer with Dead Rising: Watchtower‘s Zach Lipovsky directing.
“This serialized live-action adventure saga is a new genre for Disney XD, and we’ve assembled a dream team in a cast and crew that commands this action-packed series, masterfully blending high-end visual effects with compelling mythology to bring MECH-X4 to life,” said Adam Bonnett, executive vice president, Original Programming, Disney Channels Worldwide.
The MECH-X4 Plot:
The series stars newcomer Nathaniel James Potvin as Ryan Walker, a freshman at Bay City High who has technopathy – the extraordinary ability to control technology with his mind. His talent mysteriously awakens MECH-X4, a giant 120-foot robot built by an elusive genius-in-hiding to defend their town against impending doom. Ryan recruits his two best friends and his older brother to help him operate MECH-X4. When monsters suddenly begin to descend upon their city, the four must quickly learn to work as a team in order to pilot the robot that is their only hope of saving their town, and ultimately the world, from mass destruction.
Kung Fu Panda 3 didn’t match the opening weekend numbers of Kung Fu Panda or Kung Fu Panda 2, but its $41 million take was more than enough to set a new record for an animated film opening in January. The record had been held by 2014’s squirrelly Nut Job, which now moves into a distant second in the record books. The weekend’s other new releases – The Finest Hours, Jane Got a Gun, and Fifty Shades of Black – fared less well. The Fifty Shades of Grey parody starring Marlon Wayans only did $6.1 million, which is still far better than Natalie Portman’s Jane Got a Gun. Jane Got a Gun had a troubled path to theatrical release and didn’t even make it into the top 10 films after opening in 1200+ theaters. Disney’s The Finest Hours snagged fourth place with a $10.3 million opening weekend, but cost in the $80 million-ish range to shoot.
The Kung Fu Panda 3 Plot: In 2016, one of the most successful animated franchises in the world returns with its biggest comedy adventure yet, Kung Fu Panda 3. When Po’s long-lost panda father suddenly reappears, the reunited duo travels to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters. But when the supernatural villain Kai begins to sweep across China defeating all the kung fu masters, Po must do the impossible—learn to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas!
Nate Parker in ‘The Birth of a Nation’ (Photo by Elliot Davis)
Winners have been announced for the 2016 Sundance Film Festival which screened 123 feature films as well as 72 short films. Between Sea and Land, The Birth of a Nation, First Girl I Loved, Jim: The James Foley Story, Sand Storm, Sonita and Weiner took home top honors, with Birth of a Nation and Sonita earning Grand Jury Prizes and Audience Awards. According to the festival, this is only the third time two films have taken both awards in their respective sections.
Simon Kilmurry, Jill Lepore, Shola Lynch, Louie Psihoyos, Amy Ziering, Mark Adams, Lena Dunham, Jon Hamm, Avy Kaufman, Franklin Leonard, Randall Poster, Fernanda Solórzano, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Mila Aung-Thwin, Tine Fischer and Asif Kapadia made up this year’s Sundance jury.
2016 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL FEATURE FILM AWARDS:
U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary Weiner / U.S.A. (Directors: Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg) — With unrestricted access to Anthony Weiner’s New York City mayoral campaign, this film reveals the human story behind the scenes of a high-profile political scandal as it unfolds, and offers an unfiltered look at how much today’s politics is driven by an appetite for spectacle.
U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic The Birth of a Nation / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Nate Parker) — Set against the antebellum South, this story follows Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner, accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. After witnessing countless atrocities against fellow slaves, Nat devises a plan to lead his people to freedom. Cast: Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King, Jackie Earle Haley, Gabrielle Union, Mark Boone Jr.
World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary Sonita / Germany, Iran, Switzerland (Director: Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami) — If 18-year-old Sonita had a say, Michael Jackson and Rihanna would be her parents and she’d be a rapper who tells the story of Afghan women and their fate as child brides. She finds out that her family plans to sell her to an unknown husband for $9,000.
World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic Sand Storm / Israel (Director and screenwriter: Elite Zexer) — When their entire lives are shattered, two Bedouin women struggle to change the unchangeable rules, each in her own individual way. Cast: Lamis Ammar, Ruba Blal-Asfour, Hitham Omari, Khadija Alakel, Jalal Masrwa.
Audience Award: U.S. Documentary Jim: The James Foley Story / U.S.A. (Director: Brian Oakes) — The public execution of American conflict journalist James Foley captured the world’s attention, but he was more than just a man in an orange jumpsuit. Seen through the lens of his close childhood friend, Jim: The James Foley Story moves from adrenaline-fueled front lines and devastated neighborhoods of Syria into the hands of ISIS.
Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic The Birth of a Nation / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Nate Parker) — Set against the antebellum South, this story follows Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner, accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. After witnessing countless atrocities against fellow slaves, Nat devises a plan to lead his people to freedom. Cast: Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King, Jackie Earle Haley, Gabrielle Union, Mark Boone Jr.
Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary Sonita / Germany, Iran, Switzerland (Director: Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami) — If 18-year-old Sonita had a say, Michael Jackson and Rihanna would be her parents and she’d be a rapper who tells the story of Afghan women and their fate as child brides. She finds out that her family plans to sell her to an unknown husband for $9,000. Between Sea and Land (Credit: Sundance Film Festival) Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic Between Sea and Land / Colombia (Director: Carlos del Castillo, Screenwriter: Manolo Cruz) — Alberto, who suffers from an illness that binds him into a body that doesn’t obey him, lives with his loving mom, who dedicates her life to him. His sickness impedes him from achieving his greatest dream of knowing the sea, despite one being located just across the street. Cast: Manolo Cruz, Vicky Hernandéz, Viviana Serna, Jorge Cao, Mile Vergara, Javier Sáenz.
Audience Award: NEXT First Girl I Loved / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Kerem Sanga) — Seventeen-year-old Anne just fell in love with Sasha, the most popular girl at her L.A. public high school. But when Anne tells her best friend, Clifton—who has always harbored a secret crush on her—he does his best to get in the way. Cast: Dylan Gelula, Brianna Hildebrand, Mateo Arias, Jennifer Prediger, Tim Heidecker, Pamela Adlon.
Directing Award: U.S. Documentary
Roger Ross Williams for his film Life, Animated / U.S.A. (Director: Roger Ross Williams) — Owen Suskind, an autistic boy who could not speak for years, slowly emerged from his isolation by immersing himself in Disney animated movies. Using these films as a roadmap, he reconnects with his loving family and the wider world in this emotional coming-of-age story.
Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic
Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan for their film Swiss Army Man / U.S.A. (Directors and screenwriters: Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan) — Hank, a hopeless man stranded in the wild, discovers a mysterious dead body. Together the two embark on an epic journey to get home. As Hank realizes the body is the key to his survival, this once-suicidal man is forced to convince a dead body that life is worth living. Cast: Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary
Michal Marczak for his film All These Sleepless Nights / Poland (Director: Michal Marczak) — What does it mean to be awake in a world that seems satisfied to be asleep? Kris and Michal push their experiences of life and love to a breaking point as they restlessly roam the city streets in search of answers, adrift in the euphoria and uncertainty of youth.
Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic Belgica / Belgium, France, Netherlands (Director: Felix van Groeningen, Screenwriters: Felix van Groeningen, Arne Sierens) — In the midst of Belgium’s nightlife scene, two brothers start a bar and get swept up in its success. Cast: Stef Aerts, Tom Vermeir, Charlotte Vandermeersch, Hélène De Vos.
Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic
Chad Hartigan for Morris from America / U.S.A., Germany (Director and screenwriter: Chad Hartigan) — Thirteen-year-old Morris, a hip-hop loving American, moves to Heidelberg, Germany, with his father. In this completely foreign land, he falls in love with a local girl, befriends his German tutor-turned-confidant, and attempts to navigate the unique trials and tribulations of adolescence. Cast: Markees Christmas, Craig Robinson, Carla Juri, Lina Keller, Jakub Gierszał, Levin Henning.
U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Editing
Penny Lane and Thom Stylinski for NUTS! / U.S.A. (Director: Penny Lane) — The mostly true story of Dr. John Romulus Brinkley, an eccentric genius who built an empire with his goat-testicle impotence cure and a million-watt radio station. Animated reenactments, interviews, archival footage, and one seriously unreliable narrator trace his rise from poverty to celebrity and influence in 1920s America.
U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for For Social Impact Filmmaking Trapped / U.S.A. (Director: Dawn Porter) — American abortion clinics are in a fight for survival. Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) laws are increasingly being passed by states that maintain they ensure women’s safety and health, but as clinics continue to shut their doors, opponents believe the real purpose of these laws is to outlaw abortion.
U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Writing Kate Plays Christine / U.S.A. (Director: Robert Greene) — This psychological thriller follows actor Kate Lyn Sheil as she prepares to play the role of Christine Chubbuck, a Florida television host who committed suicide on air in 1974. Christine’s tragic death was the inspiration for Network, and the mysteries surrounding her final act haunt Kate and the production.
U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Vérité Filmmaking The Bad Kids / U.S.A. (Directors: Keith Fulton, Lou Pepe) — At a remote Mojave Desert high school, extraordinary educators believe that empathy and life skills, more than academics, give at-risk students command of their own futures. This coming-of-age story watches education combat the crippling effects of poverty in the lives of these so-called “bad kids.”
U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award As You Are / U.S.A. (Director: Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, Screenwriters: Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, Madison Harrison) — As You Are is the telling and retelling of a relationship between three teenagers as it traces the course of their friendship through a construction of disparate memories prompted by a police investigation. Cast: Owen Campbell, Charlie Heaton, Amandla Stenberg, John Scurti, Scott Cohen, Mary Stuart Masterson.
U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance
Joe Seo for Spa Night / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Andrew Ahn) — Los Angeles’s Korean spas serve not only as meeting places but also as a bridge between past and future for generations of immigrant families. Spa Night explores one Korean American family’s dreams and realities as each member struggles with the overlap of personal desire, disillusionment, and sense of tradition. Cast: Joe Seo, Haerry Kim, Youn Ho Cho, Tae Song, Ho Young Chung, Linda Han.
U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Individual Performance
Melanie Lynskey in The Intervention / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Clea DuVall) — A weekend getaway for four couples takes a sharp turn when one of the couples discovers the entire trip was orchestrated to host an intervention on their marriage. Cast: Melanie Lynskey, Cobie Smulders, Alia Shawkat, Clea DuVall, Natasha Lyonne, Ben Schwartz.
U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Individual Performance
Craig Robinson in Morris from America / U.S.A., Germany (Director and screenwriter: Chad Hartigan) — Thirteen-year-old Morris, a hip-hop loving American, moves to Heidelberg, Germany, with his father. In this completely foreign land, he falls in love with a local girl, befriends his German tutor-turned-confidant, and attempts to navigate the unique trials and tribulations of adolescence. Cast: Markees Christmas, Craig Robinson, Carla Juri, Lina Keller, Jakub Gierszał, Levin Henning.
World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Debut Feature
Heidi Brandenburg and Mathew Orzel for their film When Two Worlds Collide / Peru (Directors: Heidi Brandenburg, Mathew Orzel) — An indigenous leader resists the environmental ruin of Amazonian lands by big business. As he is forced into exile and faces 20 years in prison, his quest reveals conflicting visions that shape the fate of the Amazon and the climate future of our world.
World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Cinematography
Director and cinematographer Pieter-Jan De Pue for his film The Land of the Enlightened / Belgium (Director: Pieter-Jan De Pue) — A group of Kuchi children in Afghanistan dig out old Soviet mines and sell the explosives to child workers in a lapis lazuli mine. When not dreaming of an Afghanistan after the American withdrawal, Gholam Nasir and his gang control the mountains where caravans are smuggling the blue gemstones.
World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Editing
Mako Kamitsuna and John Maringouin for We Are X / United Kingdom, U.S.A., Japan (Director: Stephen Kijak) — As glam rock’s most flamboyant survivors, X Japan ignited a musical revolution in Japan during the late ’80s with their melodic metal. Twenty years after their tragic dissolution, X Japan’s leader, Yoshiki, battles with physical and spiritual demons alongside prejudices of the West to bring their music to the world.
World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting
Vicky Hernandéz and Manolo Cruz in Between Sea and Land / Colombia (Director: Carlos del Castillo, Screenwriter: Manolo Cruz) — Alberto, who suffers from an illness that binds him into a body that doesn’t obey him, lives with his loving mom, who dedicates her life to him. His sickness impedes him from achieving his greatest dream of knowing the sea, despite one being located just across the street. Cast: Manolo Cruz, Vicky Hernandéz, Viviana Serna, Jorge Cao, Mile Vergara, Javier Sáenz.
World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Screenwriting
Ana Katz and Inés Bortagaray in Mi Amiga del Parque / Argentina, Uruguay (Director: Ana Katz, Screenwriters: Ana Katz, Inés Bortagaray) — Running away from a bar without paying the bill is just the first adventure for Liz (mother to newborn Nicanor) and Rosa (supposed mother to newborn Clarisa). This budding friendship between nursing mothers starts with the promise of liberation but soon ends up being a dangerous business. Cast: Julieta Zylberberg, Ana Katz, Maricel Álvarez, Mirella Pascual, Malena Figó, Daniel Hendler.
World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Unique Vision and Design
Agnieszka Smoczyńska for The Lure / Poland (Director: Agnieszka Smoczynska, Screenwriter: Robert Bolesto) — Two mermaid sisters, who end up performing at a nightclub, face cruel and bloody choices when one of them falls in love with a beautiful young man. Cast: Marta Mazurek, Michalina Olszanska, Jakub Gierszal, Kinga Preis, Andrzej Konopka, Zygmunt Malanowicz.
Idris Elba with his two Screen Actors Guild Awards (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Turner)
Idris Elba earned two Screen Actors Guild awards (one for Luther, one for Beasts of No Nation) and Carol Burnett received one of the longest standing ovations in SAG history at the 2016 SAG Awards held on Saturday, January 30, 2016. Orange is the New Black scored two awards, Downton Abbey won for the third time in four years, and Leonardo DiCaprio finally picked up his first win after being nominated eight times previously.
The SAG Awards are always host-less and honor only the work of actors, and the winners do a great job of making their acceptance speeches short and sweet without having to be played off by an orchestra.
22nd ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS NOMINEES AND WINNERS:
THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
BRYAN CRANSTON / Dalton Trumbo – “TRUMBO” (Bleecker Street)
JOHNNY DEPP / James “Whitey” Bulger – “BLACK MASS” (Warner Bros. Pictures) WINNER: LEONARDO DiCAPRIO / Hugh Glass – “THE REVENANT” (20th Century Fox)
MICHAEL FASSBENDER / Steve Jobs – “STEVE JOBS” (Universal Pictures)
EDDIE REDMAYNE / Einar Wegener/Lili Elbe – “THE DANISH GIRL” (Focus Features)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
CATE BLANCHETT / Carol Aird – “CAROL” (The Weinstein Company) WINNER: BRIE LARSON / Ma – “ROOM” (A24)
HELEN MIRREN / Maria Altmann – “WOMAN IN GOLD” (The Weinstein Company)
SAOIRSE RONAN / Eilis – “BROOKLYN” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
SARAH SILVERMAN / Laney Brooks – “I SMILE BACK” (Broad Green Pictures)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
CHRISTIAN BALE / Michael Burry – “THE BIG SHORT” (Paramount Pictures) WINNER: IDRIS ELBA / Commandant – “BEASTS OF NO NATION” (Netflix)
MARK RYLANCE / Abel Rudolph – “BRIDGE OF SPIES” (DreamWorks)
MICHAEL SHANNON / Rick Carver – “99 HOMES” (Broad Green Pictures)
JACOB TREMBLAY / Jack – “ROOM” (A24)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
ROONEY MARA / Therese Belivet – “CAROL” (The Weinstein Company)
RACHEL McADAMS / Sacha Pfeiffer – “SPOTLIGHT” (Open Road Films)
HELEN MIRREN / Hedda Hopper – “TRUMBO” (Bleecker Street) WINNER: ALICIA VIKANDER / Gerda Wegener – “THE DANISH GIRL” (Focus Features)
KATE WINSLET / Joanna Hoffman – “STEVE JOBS” (Universal Pictures)
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
BEASTS OF NO NATION (Netflix)
ABRAHAM ATTAH / Agu
KURT EGYIAWAN / 2nd I-C
IDRIS ELBA / Commandant
THE BIG SHORT (Paramount Pictures)
CHRISTIAN BALE / Michael Burry
STEVE CARELL / Mark Baum
RYAN GOSLING / Jared Vennett
MELISSA LEO / Georgia Hale
HAMISH LINKLATER / Porter Collins
JOHN MAGARO / Charlie Geller
BRAD PITT / Ben Rickert
RAFE SPALL / Danny Moses
JEREMY STRONG / Vinny Peters
MARISA TOMEI / Cynthia Baum
FINN WITTROCK / Jamie Shipley
WINNER: SPOTLIGHT (Open Road Films)
BILLY CRUDUP / Eric MacLeish
BRIAN D’ARCY JAMES / Matty Carroll
MICHAEL KEATON / Walter “Robby” Robinson
RACHEL McADAMS / Sacha Pfeiffer
MARK RUFFALO / Michael Rezendes
LIEV SCHREIBER / Marty Baron
JOHN SLATTERY / Ben Bradlee, Jr.
STANLEY TUCCI / Mitchell Garabedian
STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON (Universal Pictures)
NEIL BROWN JR. / DJ Yella
PAUL GIAMATTI / Jerry Heller
COREY HAWKINS / Dr. Dre
ALDIS HODGE / MC Ren
O’SHEA JACKSON JR. / Ice Cube
JASON MITCHELL / Eazy-E
TRUMBO (Bleecker Street)
ADEWALE AKINNUOYE-AGBAJE / Virgil Brooks
LOUIS C.K. / Arlen Hird
BRYAN CRANSTON / Dalton Trumbo
DAVID JAMES ELLIOTT / John Wayne
ELLE FANNING / Niki Trumbo
JOHN GOODMAN / Frank King
DIANE LANE / Cleo Trumbo
HELEN MIRREN / Hedda Hopper
MICHAEL STUHLBARG / Edward G. Robinson
ALAN TUDYK / Ian McLellan Hunter
TELEVISION PROGRAMS
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries WINNER: IDRIS ELBA / DCI John Luther – “LUTHER” (BBC America)
BEN KINGSLEY / Grand Vizier Ay – “TUT” (Spike)
RAY LIOTTA / Lorca/Tom Mitchell – “TEXAS RISING” (History)
BILL MURRAY / Himself – “A VERY MURRAY CHRISTMAS” (Netflix)
MARK RYLANCE / Thomas Cromwell – “WOLF HALL” (Masterpiece/PBS)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
NICOLE KIDMAN / Grace – “GRACE OF MONACO” (Lifetime) WINNER: QUEEN LATIFAH / Bessie Smith – “BESSIE” (HBO)
CHRISTINA RICCI / Lizzie Borden – “THE LIZZIE BORDEN CHRONICLES” (Lifetime)
SUSAN SARANDON / Gladys Mortenson – “THE SECRET LIFE OF MARILYN MONROE” (Lifetime)
KRISTEN WIIG / Delores DeWinter – “THE SPOILS BEFORE DYING” (IFC)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
PETER DINKLAGE / Tyrion Lannister – “GAME OF THRONES” (HBO)
JON HAMM / Don Draper – “MAD MEN” (AMC)
RAMI MALEK / Elliot – “MR. ROBOT” (USA Network)
BOB ODENKIRK / Jimmy McGill – “BETTER CALL SAUL” (AMC) WINNER: KEVIN SPACEY / Francis Underwood – “HOUSE OF CARDS” (Netflix)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
CLAIRE DANES / Carrie Mathison – “HOMELAND” (Showtime) WINNER: VIOLA DAVIS / Annalise Keating – “HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER” (ABC)
JULIANNA MARGULIES / Alicia Florrick – “THE GOOD WIFE” (CBS)
MAGGIE SMITH / Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham – “DOWNTON ABBEY” (Masterpiece/PBS)
ROBIN WRIGHT / Claire Underwood – “HOUSE OF CARDS” (Netflix)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
TY BURRELL / Phil Dunphy – “MODERN FAMILY” (ABC)
LOUIS C.K. / Louie – “LOUIE” (FX Networks)
WILLIAM H. MACY / Frank – “SHAMELESS” (Showtime)
JIM PARSONS / Sheldon Cooper – “THE BIG BANG THEORY” (CBS) WINNER: JEFFREY TAMBOR / Maura Pfefferman – “TRANSPARENT” (Amazon)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series WINNER: UZO ADUBA / Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren – “ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK” (Netflix)
EDIE FALCO / Jackie Peyton – “NURSE JACKIE” (Showtime)
ELLIE KEMPER / Kimmy Schmidt – “UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT” (Netflix)
JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS / President Selina Meyer – “VEEP” (HBO)
AMY POEHLER / Leslie Knope – “PARKS AND RECREATION” (NBC)
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
WINNER: DOWNTON ABBEY (Masterpiece/PBS)
HUGH BONNEVILLE / Robert, Earl of Grantham
LAURA CARMICHAEL / Lady Edith Crawley
JIM CARTER / Mr. Carson
RAQUEL CASSIDY / Baxter
BRENDAN COYLE / Mr. Bates
TOM CULLEN / Anthony Gillingham
MICHELLE DOCKERY / Lady Mary Crawley
KEVIN DOYLE / Mr. Molesley
JOANNE FROGGATT / Anna Bates
LILY JAMES / Lady Rose
ROBERT JAMES-COLLIER / Thomas Barrow
ALLEN LEECH / Tom Branson
PHYLLIS LOGAN / Mrs. Hughes
ELIZABETH McGOVERN / Cora, Countess of Grantham
SOPHIE McSHERA / Daisy
LESLEY NICOL / Mrs. Patmore
JULIAN OVENDEN / Charles Blake
DAVID ROBB / Dr. Clarkson
MAGGIE SMITH / Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham
PENELOPE WILTON / Isobel Crawley
GAME OF THRONES (HBO)
ALFIE ALLEN / Theon Greyjoy
IAN BEATTIE / Ser Meryn Trant
JOHN BRADLEY / Samwell Tarly
GWENDOLINE CHRISTIE / Brienne of Tarth
EMILIA CLARKE / Daenerys Targaryen
MICHAEL CONDRON / Bowen Marsh
NIKOLAJ COSTER-WALDAU / Jaime Lannister
BEN CROMPTON / Dolorous Edd
LIAM CUNNINGHAM / Ser Davos Seaworth
STEPHEN DILLANE / Stannis Baratheon
PETER DINKLAGE / Tyrion Lannister
NATHALIE EMMANUEL / Missandei
TARA FITZGERALD / Selyse Baratheon
JEROME FLYNN / Bronn
BRIAN FORTUNE / Othell Yarwyck
JOEL FRY / Hizdahr Zo Loraq
AIDAN GILLEN / Littlefinger Petyr Baelish
IAIN GLEN / Ser Jorah Mormont
KIT HARINGTON / Jon Snow
LENA HEADEY / Cersei Lannister
MICHIEL HUISMAN / Daario Naharis
HANNAH MURRAY / Gilly
BRENOCK O’CONNOR / Olly
DANIEL PORTMAN / Podrick Payne
IWAN RHEON / Ramsay Snow
OWEN TEALE / Ser Alliser Thorne
SOPHIE TURNER / Sansa Stark
CARICE VAN HOUTEN / Melisandre
MAISIE WILLIAMS / Arya Stark
TOM WLASCHIHA / Jaqen H’ghar
HOMELAND (Showtime)
F. MURRAY ABRAHAM / Dar Adal
ATHEER ADEL / Numan
CLAIRE DANES / Carrie Mathison
ALEXANDER FEHLING / Jonas Hollander
RUPERT FRIEND / Peter Quinn
NINA HOSS / Astrid
RENÉ DAVID IFRAH / Bibi
MARK IVANIR / Ivan Krupin
SEBASTIAN KOCH / Otto Dűring
MIRANDA OTTO / Allison Carr
MANDY PATINKIN / Saul Berenson
SARAH SOKOLOVIC / Laura Sutton
HOUSE OF CARDS (Netflix)
MAHERSHALA ALI / Remy Danton
DEREK CECIL / Seth Grayson
NATHAN DARROW / Edward Meechum
MICHAEL KELLY / Doug Stamper
ELIZABETH MARVEL / Heather Dunbar
MOLLY PARKER / Jackie Sharp
JIMMI SIMPSON / Gavin Orsay
KEVIN SPACEY / Francis Underwood
ROBIN WRIGHT / Claire Underwood
MAD MEN (AMC)
SOLA BAMIS / Shirley
STEPHANIE DRAKE / Meredith
JAY R. FERGUSON / Stan Rizzo
BRUCE GREENWOOD / Richard Burghoff
JON HAMM / Don Draper
CHRISTINA HENDRICKS / Joan Harris
JANUARY JONES / Betty Francis
VINCENT KARTHEISER / Pete Campbell
ELISABETH MOSS / Peggy Olson
KEVIN RAHM / Ted Chaough
KIERNAN SHIPKA / Sally Draper
JOHN SLATTERY / Roger Sterling
RICH SOMMER / Harry Crane
AARON STATON / Ken Cosgrove
MASON VALE COTTON / Bobby Draper
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
THE BIG BANG THEORY (CBS)
MAYIM BIALIK / Amy Farrah Fowler
KALEY CUOCO / Penny
JOHNNY GALECKI / Leonard Hofstadter
SIMON HELBERG / Howard Wolowitz
KUNAL NAYYAR / Rajesh Koothrappali
JIM PARSONS / Sheldon Cooper
MELISSA RAUCH / Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz
KEY & PEELE (Comedy Central)
KEEGAN-MICHAEL KEY / Various Characters
JORDAN PEELE / Various Characters
MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
JULIE BOWEN / Claire Dunphy
TY BURRELL / Phil Dunphy
AUBREY ANDERSON EMMONS / Lily Tucker-Pritchett
JESSE TYLER FERGUSON / Mitchell Pritchett
NOLAN GOULD / Luke Dunphy
SARAH HYLAND / Haley Dunphy
ED O’NEILL / Jay Pritchett
RICO RODRIGUEZ / Manny Delgado
ERIC STONESTREET / Cameron Tucker
SOFIA VERGARA / Gloria Delgado-Pritchett
ARIEL WINTER / Alex Dunphy
WINNER: ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (Netflix)
UZO ADUBA / Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren
MIKE BIRBIGLIA / Danny Pearson
MARSHA STEPHANIE BLAKE / Berdie Rogers
DANIELLE BROOKS / Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson
LAVERNE COX / Sophia Burset
JACKIE CRUZ / Marisol “Flaca” Gonzales
CATHERINE CURTIN / Wanda Bell
LEA DELARIA / Carrie “Big Boo” Black
BETH FOWLER / Sister Jane Ingalls
JOEL MARSH GARLAND / Scott O’Neill
KIMIKO GLENN / Brook Soso
ANNIE GOLDEN / Norma Romano
DIANE GUERRERO / Maritza Ramos
MICHAEL J. HARNEY / Sam Healy
VICKY JEUDY / Janae Watson
SELENIS LEYVA / Gloria Mendoza
TARYN MANNING / Tiffany “Pennsatucky” Doggett
ADRIENNE C. MOORE / Black Cindy
KATE MULGREW / Galina “Red” Reznikov
EMMA MYLES / Leanne Taylor
MATT PETERS / Joel Luschek
LORI PETTY / Lolly Whitehill
JESSICA PIMENTEL / Maria Ruiz
DASCHA POLANCO / Dayanara Diaz
LAURA PREPON / Alex Vause
ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ / Aleida Diaz
RUBY ROSE / Stella Carlin
NICK SANDOW / Joe Caputo
ABIGAIL SAVAGE / Gina
TAYLOR SCHILLING / Piper Chapman
CONSTANCE SHULMAN / Yoga Jones
DALE SOULES / Frieda
YAEL STONE / Lorna Morello
SAMIRA WILEY / Poussey Washington
TRANSPARENT (Amazon)
ALEXANDRA BILLINGS / Davina Rejennae
CARRIE BROWNSTEIN / Syd Feldman
JAY DUPLASS / Josh Pfefferman
KATHRYN HAHN / Raquel Fein
GABY HOFFMANN / Ali Pfefferman
CHERRY JONES / Leslie Mackinaw
AMY LANDECKER / Sarah Pfefferman
JUDITH LIGHT / Shelly Pfefferman
HARI NEF / Gittel/Gerson
EMILY ROBINSON / Rose Boymelgreen
JEFFREY TAMBOR / Maura Pfefferman
VEEP (HBO)
DIEDRICH BADER / Bill Ericsson
SUFE BRADSHAW / Sue Wilson
ANNA CHLUMSKY / Amy Brookheimer
GARY COLE / Kent Davidson
KEVIN DUNN / Ben Cafferty
TONY HALE / Gary Walsh
HUGH LAURIE / Tom James
PHIL REEVES / Doyle
SAM RICHARDSON / Richard
REID SCOTT / Dan Egan
TIMOTHY SIMONS / Jonah Ryan
SARAH SUTHERLAND / Catherine
MATT WALSH / Mike McLintock
SAG AWARDS® HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
“EVEREST” (Universal Pictures)
“FURIOUS 7” (Universal Pictures)
“JURASSIC WORLD” (Universal Pictures) WINNER: “MAD MAX: FURY ROAD” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
“MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION” (Paramount Pictures)
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series
“THE BLACKLIST” (NBC) WINNER: “GAME OF THRONES” (HBO)
“HOMELAND” (Showtime)
“MARVEL’S DAREDEVIL” (Netflix)
“THE WALKING DEAD” (AMC)
LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
52nd Annual SAG Life Achievement Award – CAROL BURNETT
The first Screen Actors Guild awards of 2016 went to the stunt ensembles of HBO’s Game of Thrones and Warner Bros’ Mad Max: Fury Road. Game of Thrones earned the SAG Award in the Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series category which included fellow nominees The Blacklist, Homeland, Marvel’s Daredevil and The Walking Dead. Everest, Furious 7, Jurassic World, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, and Mad Max: Fury Road competed in the Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture, with Mad Max emerging as winner.
SAG Awards Chair JoBeth Williams and Committee Vice Chair Daryl Anderson announced the ensemble awards during the live 22nd Annual SAG Awards Red Carpet Show. The Screen Actors Guild is one of the few awards bodies that recognizes the work of stunt ensembles.
Netflix confirmed new episodes of Gilmore Girls are in the works. The streaming service also confirmed Gilmore Girls stars Lauren Graham (‘Lorelai Gilmore’), Alexis Bledel (‘Rory Gilmore’), Scott Patterson (‘Luke Danes’) and Kelly Bishop (‘Emily Gilmore’) will be reprising their roles for what’s labeled the show’s ‘final’ season. Also coming back are Sean Gunn (‘Kirk Gleason’) and Keiko Agena (‘Lane Kim’).
Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions and Warner Bros. Television are producing the series. Series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino is writing the new episodes and will executive produce. Daniel Palladino is also executive producing as well as writing and directing.
The new Gilmore Girls series doesn’t have a confirmed titled and Netflix did not reveal when we can expect to see the new season air or how many episodes will be shot. The show originally aired from 2000 to 2007 on The CW.
Walt Disney’s The Finest Hours is based on an incredible true story of a U.S. Coast Guard rescue mission that took place back in 1952. And I’ll give it to director Craig Gillespie (Fright Night) that the era is represented well in this two-hour dramatic film. However, the harrowing rescue of sailors trapped on a sinking oil tanker feels trapped beneath its CG effects. 60 foot waves rise and fall, but the characters remain are as flat as a pond on a calm afternoon.
Chris Pine stars as Bernie Webber, the captain of the Coast Guard rescue boat who is sent out in stormy waters by his boss, Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff (Eric Bana), to rescue the crew of the tanker. Casey Affleck plays engineer Ray Sybert, the one guy on board the tanker who, despite the fact no one ever listens to him, comes up with the only solution as to how to stay alive until someone can get to the fast-sinking ship. Ben Foster, John Magaro, and Kyle Gallner have co-starring roles as the only men who will accompany Ray on the dangerous mission. Holliday Grainger plays Ray’s fiancée, Miriam, whose job it is to worry, rage, and generally stress out over the fact Ray is racing across the ocean on what everyone back at home assumes will be a failed rescue mission.
There’s an incredible story to be told based on the events of 1952 as laid out in the book by Casey Sherman and Michael J. Tougias, but The Finest Hours isn’t up to the task of telling it. The Ray and Miriam love story bogs the film down, and the chemistry between Grainger and Pine is non-existent. Anytime the story switches from covering the actual rescue to spending time back on land with Miriam, The Finest Hours sputters and sinks. Miriam is not a fascinating character and instead feels like a caricature of every girl-left-behind character from classic films. It doesn’t help that Miriam’s actions are illogical and ridiculous, and that for some reason she’s pictured in freezing conditions dressed in lightweight clothes without a shiver or a goosebump in sight. Reality be damned, I guess.
The Finest Hours also features very few characters who can reason through a problem to get to a workable solution. It’s frustrating that scenes unfold in which the audience is led to a logical conclusion of a problem only to find that apparently the character we’re following on screen did not come to the same conclusion. It’s difficult to explain, but bear with me on this. There’s a scene in which the lights go out all over the town due to the storm. That leaves our heroes out at sea without lights to guide them to shore. So, Miriam stands at a window wondering how her man will return home and suddenly she sees a car’s headlights. You can almost witness the lightbulb going off in her head as she connects the dots: headlights are bright, therefore turn them on and face them out to sea. But, no, next we’re treated to a long, long string of cars driving to the dock in order to attempt to spot Ray’s small boat. The cars park and turn their headlights off. That’s right, off! Miriam and the townspeople stand around looking out to sea when suddenly she gets the idea to turn the lights on. Didn’t that come to her when she was watching out the window? It’s multiple scenes such as this that make The Finest Hours so exasperating to sit through.
Pine, Bana, and Affleck have done fine work before but The Finest Hours is not their finest hours. The effects are terrific, but the story is lost somewhere at sea.
