BTW, I just have to take a personal moment and say I am SO happy that A History of Violence, Walk the Line, Good Night and Good Luck, and Syriana are getting good reviews. I'm such a huge fan of the people involved with these, I could give a shit less if they are nominated for anything. I'm very much looking forward to seeing them.

Even Brokeback Mountain, which I have discounted the whole year... I mean if it's really *good* then I'm really happy for it and Ang Lee.

Now if Jarhead, Munich, Harry Potter and King Kong come out with great reviews, then my 2005 can be salvaged.

These arguments swirled around Silence of the Lambs, Gladiator and Gangs of New York as well. It didn't really hurt those films. Violence, when articulated and necessary (as the reviews seem to make it out to be) doesn't seem to cripple a film. It's not like it's rated NC-17.

The Academy has a history of nominating things like Midnight Express. So it's nothing new.

So was Dancer in the Dark, and we heard nothing from it or its lead (and famous) actress. In fact, I don't know how one would go about searching this, but probably winning Cannes Independent Film Awards, or any of those other ones has had marginal if any impact on Oscar noms. When push comes to shove its still mostly about content. And we're not ready for it. Why? Either because Hollywood doesn't feel like putting itself in too politicized of a position (which for once I actually see where they're coming from) and 2. The theatre run will not last long enough to impact memory/outcome unless someone's about to pull a really masterful release schedule.

Who's won all the other critical awards for, say, the last ten years? Match them up to see if they got noms. And I'm not being mean about it, I really don't know and have never done an analysis. I don't know if its just an impression or not, but I don't *think* its been a big factor before. I don't remember ever hearing a movie carry both in the same year (or multiple earlier awards and still have steam by late December).



Oops. Didn't know reviews had started filtering in. That's not great, even though its early. Hmmmm, thanks for the new consideration Killi. I guess i was operating more on concepts than, you know, how well they were made.

Brokeback Mountain's buzz was quite different from Dancer in the Dark. First, Dancer won Cannes, which is way earlier in the season than Venice and Toronto. Second, Dancer was divisive among critics even though it won Cannes.

Unlike previous years, the winners at Cannes and Toronto won't be a factor except for the foreign language film category. That gives a lot of opportunities to films like Brokeback, Violence, and Good Luck, the ones that came out of festivals with buzz.

Don't get me wrong, I think Bjork's performance in that film is probably like my favorite performance by a female in any role, ever, but she wasn't necessarily famous or well known as an actress in the circles she travelled. That was her debut and so far, only acting gig.


Errr... I wouldn't agree with that actually.


Which critic awards? I mean, for example, Return of the King won an assload.


The problem is there isn't "one" critic award, and they are hard to peg. When mainstream films start getting critic awards that's a big signal of their Oscar potential.

Thats a good point, I hope you're right.

Anyways right now I see it like this

Brokeback Mountain - The only lock i'd say, reviews are glowing all over the place, sounds like theres no doubt it's gonna end up being one of the best movies of the year. Though I do think it's a lock I think its chances at actually getting the gold are slim, I dont belive the academy has enough balls to give gold to Brokeback.

Jarhead - Early word is that it's great, Mendes is a fantastic director ( I think Road to Perdition got robbed of a best picture nod and him of a best director nod ) great talent involved all around, seems like a very good contender.

Walk the Line - That one movie that is probably good, but maybe not oscar worthy and the one that least belongs especially since theres so much great work coming out, the Ray of this year

Munich - Alot of hype around this movie, people are expecting big things, again much talent involved in the director chair and the cast. The subject matter alone smells like oscar material. It would probably be a very big shock to alot of this isnt nominated.

All the King's Men - Ok this is my personal pick. Looks like a critics darling, the cast is nothing short of amazing, the man who did the screenplay for Schindler's List ( he did have a few duds though ) like I said before this feels to me like the Aviator of the year. There has been a few early screenings and all in all it's been getting great response, the only problem seems to be the pace might be a bit slow, but im hearing they're cutting a little bit of the movie. Hopefully Sony pushes this movie if it really is good.


Anyways, theres about 10 other movies that also have a good chance at a nod, this year looks to be a great f'in oscar year with no one movie having a better chance then the other.

I think you've got to consider Munich, going by it's director's pedigree and the relevant subject matter, a lock-in-waiting. I also believe that Walk the Line is a lock for Best Picture. I'm not feeling it for The New World. I just can't get that Disney cartoon out of my head. Mrs. Henderson Presents??? Unless he knows something we don't...uh...no. Memoirs of a Geisha is the token picture that'll show the academy in their "we are smarter than you" mindsets. I foresee a best picture nom, along with much more. I'd give Brokeback Mountain a bit more credit than he's giving it, and I agree that he's not high enough on Good Night and Good Luck, as it could easily impress and grab the indie slot. I agree with him about A History of Violence, The Family Stone, and Syriana being real contenders, but with question marks, at this point.



I think Roy Fiennes is the only hope for The Constant Gardener to be nominated for anything major, though I still haven't seen it, admittedly. I don't know why he feels it's such a hard road for Cronenberg to get a nom. It's got a good release date, critical acclaim, and desired subject matter, with good actors present. He may be selling Sam Mendes a bit short, and I agree with his assessments of of Steve Zaillian, Rob Marshall, and Stephen Gaghan's chances, with the latter being somebody that I'll be watching closely. Ang Lee is possible, but is he forgiven for Hulk? (which was great, by the way!)



Poland's already got Phoenix in bold, and it's not a surprise. He's locked and loaded. Both Heath Ledger and Philip Seymour Hoffman are definitely in a good seat right now, and somebody like Ledger, the unlikely nominee, could pull an upset not unlike what Adrian Brody did a few years ago. I don't know if they are ready to reward Penn again so soon, especially with my feelings about All the King's Men not getting as much love as some think it will. Bana is a good possibility. Something has to give Spielberg and the film strength. It'll be interesting to see what Clooney pulls off in Syriana, and I still think he's going to get rewarded. He's made a lot of friends in the biz. Viggo Mortensen is not somebody who should be taken lightly, even if his performance is lowkey and restrained compared to more "showy" performances. Jeff Daniels is an interesting choice. I've long felt that he's probably the most underrated actor in the business, capable of holding his own with Jim Carrey in comedy, or holding his own with Jack Nicholson and Shirlie MacLaine.

I still believe that Matt Dillon will get a nomination for Crash, but, at the risk of sounding a little brash, Don Cheadle could get one because of the lack of strong performances by blacks this year, and since they were so "there" last year, with two wins, I can't see the race having no representatives, and Cheadle could be it this year. I'm curious to see what Matt Damon delivers, as well, and I really think Syriana could jump into major contention quickly. On paper, it's already very near the top of the top 5 films that will be fighting it out. Wlliam Hurt will be interesting, but I don't think the lack of screentime will get him a nom.




Oh, shit, I didn't notice he used the term Locked and loaded until just now. I can definitely see why he thinks Reese Witherspoon is. She's a lock. Not sure about the luscious Dame Judi yet, but I'm hearing many throw her name around. Charlize is a real possibility, as is Diane Keaton, for the much anticipated The Family Stone. I don't really agree that it's a thin category, I just think there are too many question marks, at this point. Cameron Diaz plays a girl with a scatter brain, so I wouldn't say it's not a rangey role. I hear she gets a bit overshadowed but Toni and Shirlie, but she's paid her dues. Joan Allen isn't out of this yet.

I agree that Patricia Clarkson, who's in All the King's Men and Good Night and Good Luck will probably get a nom, and this could be her year to win. Kate Winslett is also a deserving actress who could be one nom away from a win. Shirlie MacLaine is in two supporting roles (In Her Shoes and Rumor Has It) and is probably a lock for a nom, too. Hearing lots of good stuff about Maria Bello in A History of Violence. Toni Collette stands a real good shot at this nom, especially if she is actually in a lead role and overshadows Diaz. I see Diaz being pushed as the lead, though. It will be interesting to see if Rachel McAdams and Sarah Jessica Parker will be able to manage what the daughters in The Upside of Anger couldn't do, and I'd say all of them are not likely to be nominated this year.



Paul Haggis is probably going to win best original, as he'll be nominated, and they'll be well aware that he didn't win last year for his award winning Million Dollar Baby screenplay. Good Night and Good Luck could very well get it's recognition here. So could Woody Allen (as if he needs anymore) for Match Point.

Walk the Line will probably get a nom for best adapted, as I see it being a MAJOR Best Picture contender. A History of Violence could, too, and that mere fact that it's a frontrunner, along with all of the actors who are being mentioned, I'd say it's not such a stretch that the film and Cronenberg could be serious contenders. I think this is a possible vindication slot for Cinderella Man, and since it's real quality, but won't be getting anything major elsewhere, it's very possible that it could slip in there.

It's time to drink the Kool-Aid and get on the Walk the Line Express. It's getting nominated

More good press for A History of Violence.

http://oscarwatch.com

And Speaking of Brilliant Directors...

Not only the great Roman Polanski is releasing a film, but the extraordinary and extraordinarily underrated David Cronenberg is releasing the eagerly anticipated History of Violence, which, by most accounts, is dazzling the critics. Our go-to guy for the Academy's take is Kenneth Turan of the LA Times who writes:

"A History of Violence" is a ticking time bomb of a movie, a gripping, incendiary, casually subversive piece of work that marries pulp watchability with larger concerns without skipping a beat. It's a tightly controlled film about an out-of-control situation: the predilection for violence in America and how that affects both individuals and the culture as a whole.

It's the gift of "Violence," which stars Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello and features terrific support from Ed Harris and William Hurt, that it manages to do all these things without seeming to make a fuss. That's how strong and compelling its dead-on plot is, and how much command of the medium veteran Canadian director David Cronenberg demonstrates.

Ink that should put Viggo in the running:

From an acting point of view, however, this film belongs to Mortensen and Bello as a severely challenged husband and wife. Making use of Mortensen's sweetness and vulnerability as well as his "Lord of the Rings" physicality, Tom Stall is one of the best roles Mortensen has had, and he takes full advantage of it. Matching her costar's level of commitment, Bello gives her most involving performance, supplying a level of emotional belief that is the film's secret weapon, holding it together no matter where it goes.

"A History of Violence" finally belongs to the man who held the entire equation of the film in his head and made it add up, David Cronenberg. Yes, the director admitted in Cannes, this effort on one level does not seem as initially challenging as some of the films he's done before. On the other hand, "it has a simplicity, such a transparency that you can see through it into something else that is underneath. And that something else is quite disturbing." Quite disturbing indeed.

And Manohla Dargis is equally impressed by Mr. Cronenberg, the cast:

Ornamented with ghoulish comedy (a "live bait" sign posted at a murder site) and superbly acted by all the principals, including, in a nice surprise, William Hurt, who delivers a beautiful showboat of a performance late in the film, "A History of Violence" finds Mr. Cronenberg at the top of his form. Few directors working today know more about the erotics of screen violence than this filmmaker, who can make your head spin and your pulse quicken with a single edit. Fewer directors still bother to acknowledge that the canard "it's only a movie" is not only an article of bad faith, but also a deceptively comforting one. Movies, Mr. Cronenberg understands, make meaning: they entertain, therefore we are.

A History of Violence is getting outstanding reviews!

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/history ... critic=all

Reviews counted: 70
Fresh: 59 Rotten: 11
Average Rating: 7.8/10

84%

100% cream of the crop with an 8.3 rating.

I'd call that a serious contender.

Gooodddd. So if Brokeback Mountain and History of Violence are both exceeding their expectations, we'll have 5 slots and 6 wannabe Best Picture nominated films. Jarhead, Walk the Line, Munich, Memoirs of a Geisha, Brokeback Mountain, History of Violence. Geisha could be in trouble, it can fall out easily.

A History of Violence has some great parts about it, mostly that I don't think The New World can generate these kind of reviews. New Line has a solid contendor. Brokeback also has the solid backing of Focus.

A History of VIolence is stronger than The New World in my view (sight unseen) because it looks like A History of Violence has some super-hot potential supporting nominees, a name director, and even a lead actor that could swing into the film. Return of the King, and his fame, will not hurt Mr. Viggo.

All in all, it's not a lock by any means, but I think it's definately shown itself to be in the top 10. If it does over $50 million at the box office, I think it could easily get a nomination with a slight push. We'll have to see how that pans out.

Here's an article from Jeff Well's on All the King's Men ( someone saw a very early screening of it, it was still a work in progress, I think they're going through the editing as I type for the film )

From Jeff Well's Hollywood Elsewhere column.

Reviews counted: 76
Fresh: 65 Rotten: 11
Average Rating: 7.8/10

86%

Last year's nominees...

Million Dollar Baby

Reviews counted: 202
Fresh: 184 Rotten: 18
Average Rating: 8.4/10

91%

The Aviator

Reviews counted: 196
Fresh: 174 Rotten: 22
Average Rating: 7.9/10

89%

Finding Neverland

Reviews counted: 180
Fresh: 151 Rotten: 29
Average Rating: 7.6/10

84%

Sideways

Reviews counted: 195
Fresh: 187 Rotten: 8
Average Rating: 8.5/10

96%

Ray

Reviews counted: 182
Fresh: 148 Rotten: 34
Average Rating: 7.3/10

81%

A History of Violence is getting comparable reviews and a comparable rating to be well within range of getting a nomination.

We may indeed have a new entry to pay some serious attention to.

The Squid and the Whale. It features Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, William Baldwin, and Anna Paquin, among others.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/squid_a ... critic=all

Reviews counted: 9
Fresh: 8 Rotten: 1
Average Rating: 8.2/10

89%

The trailer does indeed look as if it's being pushed as an Oscar contender. As I've said, Jeff Daniels is probably the most underrated actor in the biz, so I'd welcome some recognition for him. Here's the trailer.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/independe ... whale.html

(by the way, he didn't write that song, it's a Pink Floyd song.)

Laura Linney is coming off a major hit, so she might get some attention.

So we might have a new contender in Best Actress/Best Supporting Actress(don't know which she is, I hope its lead): Allison Janney for Our Very Own. I'm a little biased because I've been following this film for a while, but so far shes been acclaimed to shit:

From Brian Mosley, Shelbyville Gazette(slightly unknown but whatever):http://www.t-g.com/story/1114126.html
"Janney's work as Joan, a woman trying to keep her world from falling apart, is something that hasn't been seen in film in recent memory. She feels as trapped in her life as the kids do, effectively brought to life when she realizes in one scene at a ladies' town meeting that no one has ever left Shelbyville. Her rapid shift in emotions reflects the chaos her life is becoming."

From Variety:http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117927675?categoryid=31&cs=1&s=h&p=0
"What's amazing about Janney's portrayal is that this is only the beginning of what develops into one of the most fully realized female characters in recent American film."

The movie itself, while cleaning up at film festivals, and having pretty good stars(Keith Carradine, Autumn Reeser, John Ritter, Hilarie Burton, Cheryl Hines) is too small, not well-known enough, and too young actor based to get much more attention. But Janney could get one.

Kris Tapley's impression of In Her Shoes:

http://www.oscarwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7565

It just...wasn't very good.

Sluggishly paced, seemed to take two hours to tell an hour's story.

It's a stretch for Hanson, which I like, an it had some interesting things to say about relationships within the family. And the metaphor of being "in someone's shoes" is indeed hammered home. But mostly, it just doesn't work all that well.

Shirley MacLaine is splendid. But this isn't an Oscar winner. At ALL. A nod, honestly, would be an accomplishment. IMO.

Toni Collette is the real stand-out, in what is assuredly a co-lead, as the character I'd say the film is ultimately "about." If she gets a supporting push (they could go lead) she's in. EASILY. And above MacLaine. She's outstanding.

The film will find an audience, there's no question. And while it's an intriguing little character study on some levels, it's mostly a series of over-inflated scenarios that slowly roll to an ultimately flat conclusion.

See it for Collette's performance if for any reason at all.

Oscar nod potential:

Definitely:
Toni Collette - Best Supporting Actress (and if she's pushed lead - watch out there too)

Possible:
Shirley MacLaine - Best Supporting Actress
Best Adapted Screenplay

Distant:
Cameron Diaz - Best Actress

Nothing else is even plausible.

Yeah, it's just an opinion, but he is an insider and has recently joined MCN as one of their columnists, so I figure I'll post his thought. His grades of Hanson's films are as followed:

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle - **1/2
L.A. Confidential - ****
Wonder Boys - ***1/2 to ****
8 Mile - **1/2 to ***
In Her Shoes - ** to **1/2

Most others who replied in that thread like the film more, and considering Kris gave 3 probable nominations even though he didn't like the film overall, the film's award potential is definitely there. I'll have it among the top 10 contenders.

If Hanson's Wonder Boys didn't get much Oscar love, I doubt In Her Shoes will. Maybe an acting nom. or two, but that's it.

And those WON'T be for Cameron Diaz.

Well, In Her Shoes, as I said, is second only to Crash as my favorite movie of the year so far.

I think everyone needs to see it, I just loved it so much.

I plan on seeing it, Libs. What is it looking like from an awards potential. You said that the 3 actresses give deserving performances. Is the movie deserving, too? Taking out the fact that you loved it so much, can you see the academy loving it as much, or is it more of a film that women would enjoy most?

Interesting: Charlize Theron honored as Hollywood Actress of the Year, Joaquin Phoenix honored as Hollywood Actor of the Year Award, Matthew Broderick honored as Hollywood Supporting Actor of the Year , Susan Saradon honored as Hollywood Supporting Actress of the Year, Jake Gyllenhaal who will be honored as Hollywood Breakthrough Actor of the Year, Rachel McAdams will be honored as Hollywood Breakthrough Actress of the Year, and Paul Haggis will be honored as Hollywood Breakthrough Director of the Year, among others.

http://www.moviecitynews.com/Notepad/20 ... 26_pr.html

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., September 26, 2005 -- The Hollywood Film Festival's Board of Advisors is proud to announce that this year's festival will honor Academy Award-winning actress CHARLIZE THERON with the "Hollywood Actress of the Year Award" for her performance in Warner Bros. Pictures and Participant Productions' "NORTH COUNTRY," Oscar(r)-nominated actor JOAQUIN PHOENIX with the "Hollywood Actor of the Year Award" for his portrayal of Johnny Cash in Fox's "WALK THE LINE," Tony Award-winning actor MATTHEW BRODERICK with the "Hollywood Supporting Actor of the Year Award" for his performance in Universal Pictures' "THE PRODUCERS" and Oscar(r)-winning actress SUSAN SARANDON with the "Hollywood Supporting Actress of the Year Award" for her performance in Paramount Pictures' "ELIZABETHTOWN."

The awards will be bestowed upon the honorees as part of the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony on Monday evening, October 24, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The announcement was made today by Carlos de Abreu, Founder and Executive Director of the Hollywood Film Festival. "Every year we are very proud to honor excellence in the art of filmmaking, and Ms. Theron, Mr. Phoenix, Mr. Broderick and Ms. Sarandon are great examples of that excellence," said de Abreu.

CHARLIZE THERON stars in the October 21 release "North Country," directed by Niki Caro, an inspiring story about a single mother who rallies her female coworkers to rise above unfair treatment they face at a mining company. She will next be seen starring in Paramount Pictures' sci-fi thriller "Aeon Flux," due for release December 2. Charlize Theron won the Oscar(r) for her stunning performance in 2003 in Patty Jenkins's "Monster," which she also produced. Her other feature films include "Head in the Clouds," "The Italian Job," "Waking Up in Reno," "Trapped," "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion," "15 Minutes," "Sweet November," "The Legend of Baggar Vance," "Men of Honor," "The Yards," "Reindeer Games," "The Cider House Rules," "The Astronaut's Wife," "Mighty Joe Young," "Celebrity," "The Devil's Advocate," and "That Thing You Do!" among others.

JOAQUIN PHOENIX stars as country music legend Johnny Cash in James Mangold's film "Walk the Line" from Twentieth Century Fox, which also stars Reese Witherspoon. Mr. Phoenix received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Commodus in 2000 in the highly acclaimed Oscar(r)-winning film "Gladiator." He began his film career at age 10 with a role in "SpaceCamp," and since then has portrayed a wide range of characters in such films as "Ladder 49," "Hotel Rwanda," "The Village "Signs," "Quills," "The Yards," "8MM," "Clay Pigeons," "Return to Paradise," "U Turn," "Inventing the Abbotts," and "To Die For," among others.

MATTHEW BRODERICK stars in Universal Pictures' feature film version of "The Producers," reprising his Tony Award-winning performance in the Broadway musical, which was written and produced by Mel Brooks from his Oscar(r)-winning screenplay for the 1968 film. A veteran performer and highly regarded film actor, Mr. Broderick starred in the smash hit "Godzilla," in the hit romantic comedy "Addicted to Love," opposite Meg Ryan, in "The Cable Guy," opposite Jim Carrey, and in the hit "Inspector Gadget." Mr. Broderick's other film credits include "Strangers with Candy," "The Last Shot," "The Stepford Wives," "You Can Count on Me," "The Road to Wellville," "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle," the voice of Simba in "The Lion King," "Glory," "Torch Song Trilogy," "Biloxi Blues," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "WarGames" and "Max Dugan Returns," among many others. Also a veteran of the Broadway stage, Matthew Broderick won Tonys for "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," and will open October 27 on Broadway in "The Odd Couple," starring opposite Nathan Lane.

SUSAN SARANDON stars in Paramount Pictures' "Elizabethtown," directed by Cameron Crowe and also starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst. Ms. Sarandon won the Oscar(r) for her performance in 1996 in Tim Robbins's "Dead Man Walking," and she has received four other Academy Award nominations, for her work on "The Client," "Lorenzo's Oil," "Thelma & Louise" and "Atlantic City." Susan Sarandon made her acting debut in the film "Joe" in 1970, and since then has performed in such films as "Alfie," "Shall We Dance," "Noel," "Moonlight Mile," "The Banger Sisters," "Igby Goes Down," "Joe Gould's Secret," "Anywhere But Here," "Cradle Will Rock," "Stepmom," "Illuminata," "Twilight," "Safe Passage," "Little Women," "Bob Roberts," "Light Sleeper," "White Palace," "A Dry White Season," "Sweet Hearts Dance," "Bull Durham," "The Witches of Eastwick," "Compromising Positions," "The Buddy System," "Pretty Baby," "King of the Gypsies," "The Other Side of Midnight," "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," "The Great Waldo Pepper" and "The Front Page," among many others.

Other industry professionals who will be honored for their achievements at the Gala Awards Ceremony are Oscar(r)-winning producer Douglas Wick and producer Lucy Fisher who will receive the "Hollywood Producers of the Year Award," actor Jake Gyllenhaal who will be honored with the "Hollywood Breakthrough Actor of the Year Award," actress Rachel McAdams who will receive the "Hollywood Breakthrough Actress of the Year Award," director Paul Haggis who will be honored with the "Hollywood Breakthrough Director of the Year Award," screenwriter Akiva Goldsman who will be awarded the "Hollywood Screenwriter of the Year Award," Lions Gate Films Releasing President Tom Ortenberg who will be honored with the "Hollywood Leadership Award," Librarian of Congress Dr. James Billington who will receive the "Hollywood Film Preservation Award," Oscar(r)-nominated cinematographer Pawel Edelman who will be honored with the "Hollywood Cinematographer of the Year Award," Academy Award-winning editor Walter Murch who will be awarded the "Hollywood Editor of the Year Award," award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams who will receive the "Hollywood Composer of the Year Award," Oscar(r)-winning director Hayao Miyazaki who will be honored with the "Hollywood Animation Award," Academy Award-winning senior visual effects supervisor Dennis Muren who will receive the "Hollywood Visual Effects of the Year Award," special make-up effects supervisor Gregory Nicotero who will be honored with the "Hollywood Make-Up of the Year Award," supervising sound editor David G. Evans who will receive the "Hollywood Sound of the Year Award," Academy Award-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood who will be honored with the "Hollywood Costume Designer of the Year Award," Oscar(r)-winning production designer Grant Major who will receive the "Hollywood Production Designer of the Year Award" and casting director Avy Kaufman who will be honored with the "Hollywood Casting Director of the Year Award."

The 2005 Annual Hollywood Film Festival will take place from October 18 to 24. The festival's screenings take place at Arclight Theatres in Hollywood, and its Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Monday, October 24.

For more information please go to http://www.hollywoodfestival.com

Most interesting for Matthew Brodrick. If he runs supporting he may have a shot at getting a Best Supporting Actor nod.

I don't know how their "year" works though. We know they didn't see anyting like Munich and some of the later pictures so I don't know how this plays into that.

The Movie of the Year will be announced in mid-October.

Previous Hollywood Film Festival Winners:

2004
Movie of the Year - Fahrenheit 9/11
Actress of the Year - Annette Bening
Actor of the Year - Leonardo DiCaprio
Director of the Year - Michael Mann
Best European Feature - The Sea Inside

2003
Movie of the Year - Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Actor of the Year - Johnny Depp
Actress of the Year - Diane Lane
Supporting Actor of the Year - Geoffrey Rush
Supporting Actress of the Year - Alison Lohman
Best European Feature - Moonlight
Breakthrough Acting (Male) - Orlando Bloom

2002
Movie of the Year - Minority Report
Actor of the Year - Tom Hanks
Actress of the Year - Jennifer Aniston
Outstanding Achievement in Directing - Martin Scorsese
Breakthrough Acting - Naomi Watts

2001
Movie of the Year - Moulin Rouge!
Actor of the Year - Ewan McGregor
Actress of the Year - Nicole Kidman
Outstanding Achievement in Directing - John Frankenheimer
Breakthrough Female Performance - Shannon Elizabeth
Breakthrough Male Performance - Paul Walker

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha