Want to see that Preferential Ballot that we've all heard so much about?

Steve Pond has an interesting article here that details how ugly the race has gotten, but I mainly wanted to call everyone's attention to the new ballot system. Pond gets into the voting process in case anyone isn't sure, as well (essentially, you just fill in those bubbles with 1-10, according to your preference...hence the term "preferential ballot"). Thoughts?

...Speaking of Woody Allen, his upcoming project adds Rachel McAdams to its cast!

Since there's always two Woody Allen movies being discussed at once (since he moves on to his next project before his previous one hits theaters), it's somewhat apt to have the first post of the day and the last post of yesterday both be about his films. His upcoming film that he's prepping to shoot has added to its cast, as you can see in this article from The Hollywood Reporter:

Rachel McAdams is in negotiations to star opposite Owen Wilson and Marion Cotillard in Woody Allen's untitled movie scheduled to shoot in the summer.

As with most Allen movies, plot details are being kept under wraps, though the setting for the ensemble is France. Spain's Mediapro is financing and plans to sell the movie in Cannes.

McAdams' boarding comes on the heels of Allen's latest movie, the London-set "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger," being acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. "Stranger" also was financed by Mediapro.

McAdams is coming off the success of "Sherlock Holmes" and has on her docket Terrence Malick's untitled movie project, in which she will co-star with Christian Bale, Javier Bardem and Olga Kurylenko. The movie shoots this year.

The actress, repped by UTA and Magnolia Entertainment, next appears with Harrison Ford in the J.J. Abrams-produced "Morning Glory," which Paramount releases Oct. 28.

-This is shaping up to be very interesting...thoughts?

Sony Pictures Classics to distribute Woody Allen's next film!

Via Variety:

Sony Pictures Classics has snagged the North American distribution rights to Woody Allen's drama "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" and set a fall release.

Pic, set in London, stars Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins, Freida Pinto and Naomi Watts.

It's the third Allen film released by Sony Classics, which also handled "Whatever Works" last year and "Sweet and Lowdown" in 1999.

"Stranger" was shot in London last August and is produced by Letty Aronson, Steve Tenenbaum and Jaume Roures. It is financed by Mediapro, the Spain-based company that also funded "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

-I love Woody, so count me in...thoughts?

Tim Burton to help get 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' made into a movie?

Yes, yes he will. He's planning to produce the adaptation of the book of the same name, written by the author of 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies'. Here's the story in The Hollywood Reporter:

Tim Burton and "Wanted" director Timur Bekmambetov are teaming to bring the Seth Grahame-Smith novel "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" to the big screen.

The book was released today by Grand Central Publishing.

Burton and Bekmambetov will produce the adaptation with Jim Lemley. The trio first collaborated to produce the animated fantasy "9" with Focus Features released last fall. Grahame-Smith, who combined zombies and Jane Austen in the best-selling novel "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," will write the screenplay. Hollywood already has its hooks in "Zombies"; the book is set up at Lionsgate with Natalie Portman producing and attached to direct.

"Lincoln" is not set up anywhere but Burton and Bekmambetov, who are not attached to direct, hope to change that soon. One of the factors that cemented the filmmakers' interest was a peek at an in-house trailer for the book, made by Grand Central.

"Lincoln" reimagines one of the great U.S. presidents as an axe-throwing, highly trained vampire assassin, promising to give new context to real historical events such as the Civil War and Lincoln's ascension to the White House. It begins with his mother's murder when he was still a young boy and his vow of revenge.

Burton and Bekmambetov and Grahame-Smith are repped by WME.

-Tim Burton doesn't always do it for me, but I'm very interested to see how his hand in this mix might make the project ultimately turn out...thoughts?

American Idol Interview: Felicia Barton

We continue our Past American Idols Interviews with Season 8 Top 36 contestant, Felicia Barton.

You can download it from our Awards Circuit Podcasts (Search The Awards Circuit Blog on iTunes) or you can go directly to the page HERE

Joseph Gordon-Levitt to star in a "cancer comedy"...

...replacing James McAvoy in the lead role of this project that we've mentioned a few times on the blog in the past (I think it could be very interesting). Here's the story from The Hollywood Reporter:

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is taking over the role that James McAvoy was to have played in the untitled cancer comedy that Jonathan Levine is directing for Summit Entertainment and Mandate Pictures.

Summit said McAvoy left the project, which begins filming Monday in Vancouver, "due to unrelated circumstances beyond his control." Neither the film company nor the actor's reps offered any further explanation.

Gordon-Levitt will appear opposite Seth Rogen in the autobiographical tale, written by Will Reiser, of a man dealing with cancer. The film also stars Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston and Philip Baker Hall.

Producing are Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Ben Karlin; Reiser is exec producing alongside Mandate president Nathan Kahane.

"It's incredibly unfortunate that circumstances outside of everyone's control have taken James away from the project, but, with James' blessing, we were able to have Joseph step in to take on the role of Adam," Rogen said. "We all look forward to working with James in the future."

Gordon-Levitt, repped by CAA, recently starred in "(500) Days of Summer" and Sundance "Hesher." He next appears in "Inception."

-Thoughts?

What are some of the "dumbest" Oscar wins?

Well, as part of today's updates on the Main Page, we have an article detailing what might have been some of Oscar's worst mistakes. The article is found here, so be sure to check it out and let us know your choices!
We also have the next article in the Will Win/Should Win series hitting, so check that out here and be on the lookout for the last few pieces to be coming along before the Academy Awards on Sunday.
Finally, there's an update to the American Idol page with some new commentary, be sure to check here for all the latest!
-Thoughts on the articles and American Idol commentary?

The controversy regarding one of the producers of 'The Hurt Locker' gets resolved...

...with a slap on the wrist (properly, in my opinion, not making a mountain out of a molehill). Here's the press release:

Beverly Hills, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that, should “The Hurt Locker” be announced as the recipient of the Best Picture award at Sunday’s ceremonies, only three of the picture’s producers will be present for the celebration. The fourth of the film’s credited producers, Nicolas Chartier, has been denied attendance at the 82nd Academy Awards® as a penalty for violating Academy campaigning standards.

Chartier had recently disseminated an email to certain Academy voters and other film industry figures in which he solicited votes for his own picture and disparaged one of the other contending films. Academy rules prohibit “casting a negative or derogatory light on a competing film.” The executive committee of the Academy’s Producers Branch, at a special session late Monday, ruled that the ethical lapse merited the revocation of Chartier’s invitation to the Awards.

The group stopped short of recommending that the Academy governors rescind Chartier’s nomination. If “The Hurt Locker” were to be selected as Best Picture, Chartier would receive his Oscar® statuette at some point subsequent to the March 7 ceremonies.

-Overall, I found this more than sufficient, but that's just me...thoughts?

We continue with the Who Will Win/Should Win series, and more on the Main Page!

Indeed, we have the second in our series on Who Will Win/Who Should Win the Oscars. The newest article can be found here, and keep your eyes open for more in the coming days!
We also have an article detailing some of the worst winners of the Best Picture prize in the history of the Oscars. The article is found here and is a good jumping off point for debate, so take a gander and let us know your picks.
Finally, we made sure we sought out The Secret of Kells to give the mysterious film a review, and we now have one for you here. Enjoy!
-Thoughts on the updates?

LOST, son'

I'm not sure if we have any other followers of LOST out there, but if you exist, feel free to comment on the blog. I'll probably open up a thread on the message board (if hasn't been done already). There are only ten episodes left, and more theories are floating around about the show than the Kennedy assassination. I'm enthralled, and would love to chat with you guys.

Another of the Best Films of the Year hits DVD this week, and it's a "Wild Thing"!

Well, "best" as in it was rather high up on my Top 10 of 2009 list, but hey, I write this column, so I suppose I make the definitions. As it is, my PICK OF THE WEEK is also really the only really great movie on DVD this week. It's:
Where the Wild Things Are
This movie was absolute magic to me, capturing the book of the same name perfectly while expanding it to include some very poignant and timely issues. Director Spike Jonze (who also co-wrote the screenplay with author/scribe Dave Eggers) spun straw into gold, as it were, and add in a great performance by young Max Records, and this was easily one of the best films of the year in my eyes. I highly recommend this one!
-The other movies out this week getting a recommendation are the animated film Ponyo and the documentary We Live in Public. Both were well regarded yet underseen flicks, and if they appear to be your cup of tea, pick them up and enjoy.
-The rest of the releases are somewhat flawed, yet enjoyable. There's the disaster flick 2012, which turned out better than I expected (mostly due to the efforts of John Cusack), but still is way too long and incredibly silly. There's also the drama The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, which should have been a lot better, but just never put it together. Finally, there's the fantasy comedy Gentlemen Broncos, which frankly, was just too weird. None are bad, but all could, and should, have been better than they turned out to be.
-My Vintage pick is, in honor of Friday's release of Brooklyn's Finest, a really great and underrated cop movie. It's Cop Land, and anyone who never got to see this modern day western should do themselves a favor and check it out. You'll thank me later!
-What will you be watching on DVD this week?

Darren Aronofsky to potentially make a film with Angelina Jolie?

Well, they're discussing it at least, according to this in The Hollywood Reporter:

Angelina Jolie and Darren Aronofsky are in discussions to develop a big-screen adaptation of Ron Rash's 2008 period tome "Serena: A Novel." The project would be a starring vehicle for Jolie, while Aronofsky would direct.

Chris Kyle, who penned the Kathryn Bigelow movies "The Weight of Water" and "K-19: The Widowmaker," wrote the screenplay for the project, which is being produced by Nick Wechsler, the man behind recent high-profile adaptation such as "The Road," "The Time Traveler's Wife" and "Reservation Road."

Set in the rugged mountains of 1929 North Carolina, "Serena" follows a man named George Pemberton and his new bride, Serena, as they create a timber empire. Serena not only takes to the woods, but she also pushes her husband to commit more and more ruthless acts. When she learns she cannot bear a child, Serena sets out to murder the son her husband fathered illegitimately.

The package is quietly making the rounds around town in its search for financing. Work on the script is also needed before the duo could move forward.

CAA-repped Aronofsky, who just wrapped "Black Swan" for Fox Searchlight and Phoenix Pictures, is on the hunt for a new project. And he has shown that he is not afraid to go it alone to get a movie made -- as he did with "The Wrestler."

Despite the period setting, "Serena" could be made for a price if made in a similar fashion to the way Paul Thomas Anderson fashioned his early 20th century-set movie "There Will Be Blood."

Jolie, repped by Media Talent Group, remains one of the few female actresses who can make or break a movie. It was her interest in "Salt" that got Sony to change the sex of its title character to make that pic, which opens July 23.

Jolie recently dropped out of "Wanted 2" for Universal, which caused reports to surface the project was dead. The sequel is alive, according to Universal insiders.

The actress, who is currently shooting "The Tourist" with Johnny Depp, has nothing lined up as a follow-up, though a movie based on the Patricia Cornwell character Kay Scarpetta is one of the stronger contenders on her to-do list.

-Sounds very interesting...thoughts?

"Dancing with the Stars" Season 10 Cast Announced...

Courtesy of www.mjsbigblog.com

* Pamela Anderson – “Baywatch”
* Chad Ochocinco -Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver.
* Aiden Turner – from “All My Children.”
* Kate Gosselin, – of “Jon and Kate Plus 8″
* Shannen Doherty – “Beverly Hills 90210″ and “Charmed”
* Buzz Aldrin – Astronaut, walked on the moon
* Evan Lysacek – Figure skater just won a gold medal in Vancouver.
* Erin Andrews – ESPN sportscaster
* Nicole Scherzinger – Pussycat Doll, was a judge on “Sing Off”
* Niecy Nash – Comedian, “Reno 911″
* Jake Pavelka – The Bachelor!

The new season of Dancing with the Stars debuts March 22

The Oscar Circuit comes to a close today, and the Who Will Win/Should Win article series begins!

Yes, as we here at The Awards Circuit close one door today, we open another. We have the final two Oscar Circuit articles for the season, and they are the Best Original Screenplay category (found here) and the big one...Best Picture (found here). Hope you enjoyed the articles!
We also have the beginning of our annual Who Will Win/Should Win series, and we kick it off with the first one here. Each staff member will be contributing one, so stay tuned for them all!
-Thoughts on the articles?

The IFMCA Awards honor Michael Giacchino!

He took top honors, but these are the full awards:

FILM COMPOSER OF THE YEAR
• MICHAEL GIACCHINO

FILM SCORE OF THE YEAR
• UP, music by Michael Giacchino

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR A DRAMA FILM
• A SINGLE MAN, music by Abel Korzeniowski

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR A COMEDY FILM
• THE INFORMANT!, music by Marvin Hamlisch

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR AN ACTION/ADVENTURE FILM
• THE RED CANVAS, music by James Peterson

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR A FANTASY/SCIENCE FICTION FILM
• STAR TREK, music by Michael Giacchino

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR A HORROR/THRILLER FILM
• DRAG ME TO HELL, music by Christopher Young

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR AN ANIMATED FEATURE
• UP, music by Michael Giacchino

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR A DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
• HOME, music by Armand Amar

FILM MUSIC COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR
• DRAG ME TO HELL – “Concerto to Hell,” music by Christopher Young

BREAKOUT COMPOSER OF THE YEAR
• JAMES PETERSON

-Thoughts?

Academy Idol 3: Top 2 (Season Retrospective)

This week, I've edited together a little video showcasing all the films that have competed so far this season, leading up to our final two contenders. Enjoy:

Thoughts?

The Visual Effects Society had their awards last night...

...and here are the winners:

Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Feature Motion Picture
“2012”
“Avatar”
“District 9”
“Star Trek”
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”

Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture
“Angels & Demons”
“The Box”
“Invictus”
“The Road”
“Sherlock Holmes”

Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
“9”
“Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs”
“Coraline”
“Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs”
“Up”

Best Single Visual Effect of the Year
“2012” (“Escape From L.A.”)
“Avatar” (“Quarich’s Escape”)
“Avatar” (“Neytiri Drinking”)
“Knowing” (“Plane Crash”)
“Terminator Salvation” (“VLA Escape”)

Animated Character in a Live-Action Feature Motion Picture
“Avatar” (Neytiri)
“District 9” (Christopher Johnson)
“G-Force” (Bucky)
“Watchmen” (Doctor Manhattan)

Animated Character in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
“Coraline” (Coraline)
“Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” (Buck)
“Monsters vs. Aliens” (B.O.B.)
“Up” (Carl, “No Dad Scene”)

Effects Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
“Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs”
“Coraline”
“Monsters vs. Aliens”
“Up”

Matte Paintings in a Feature Motion Picture
“Avatar” (“Pandora”)
“Franklyn” (“Meanwhile City Scapes”)
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”
“Star Trek”

Models and Miniatures in a Feature Motion Picture
“Avatar” (”Samson” / “Home Tree” / “Floating Mountains” / “Ampsuit”)
“Coraline”
“Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” (”National Air and Space Museum Escape”)
“Terminator Salvation”

Created Environment in a Feature Motion Picture
“2012” (“Los Angeles Destruction”)
“Avatar” (“Floating Mountains”)
“Avatar” (“Jungle” / “Biolume”)
“Avatar” (“Willow Glade”)

Compositing in a Feature Motion Picture
“Avatar”
“Avatar” (“End Battle”)
“District 9”
“Sherlock Holmes” (“Wharf Explosion Sequence”)

-Thoughts?