Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:
“Bridesmaids”
“The Artist”
“The Descendants”
“The Help”
“Midnight in Paris”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role:
George Clooney, “The Descendants”
Demian Bicher, “A Better Life”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “J. Edgar”
Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”
Brad Pitt, “Moneyball”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role:
Michelle Williams, “My Week with Marilyn”
Glenn Close, “Albert Nobbs”
Viola Davis, “The Help”
Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady”
Tilda Swinton, “We Need to Talk About Kevin”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role:
Nick Nolte, “Warrior”
Kenneth Branagh, “My Week with Marilyn”
Armie Hammer, “J. Edgar”
Jonah Hill, “Moneyball”
Christopher Plummer, “Beginners”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role:
Octavia Spencer, “The Help”
Berenice Bejo, “The Artist”
Jessica Chastain, “The Help”
Melissa McCarthy, “Bridesmaids”
Janet McTeer, “Albert Nobbs”

For a full list of winners, including winners from the television categories, click here.

After looking again at a list of winners, there are a few things that immediately stand out. Yes, many awards went to the obvious choices– no one was really that surprised that Jean Dujarin took home the best actor award in a comedy or musical for his silent performance in The Artist, or that Meryl Streep was the top pick for best actress in a drama for her role in The Iron Lady, or even that The Artist was chosen as the best comedy or musical film (God, was Harvey Weinstein having his heyday).

But then, like any good award show, there were the shocks that let us all eagerly anticipating the Oscars know that we have a real race ahead of us. For example, is George Clooney really the top pick for the Best Actor category for his lead performance in The Descendants over his friend, Brad Pitt’s role (and higher-praised at that) in Moneyball? Or what about the best director award? It came as a shock to me (and I’m sure to many) that given as many awards The Artist was slated to take home, its director, Michel Hazanavicius, lost it to Martin Scorsese for his animated Hugo. Will The Artist actually win all the Oscars its slated to? (I not-so-secretly hope not).

Shocks aside, you also have to wonder if the obvious choice-wins were the Awards Season’s way of throwing us off our game for the Oscars. For example, will Meryl Streep actually take home the Best Actress Oscar, or, in a (probably deserving upset) will the award go to Rooney Mara for her amazing performance in Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or even Viola Davis in The Help? And with Octavia Spencer winning the Best Supporting Actress Globe, does that mean that Jessica Chastain has a better chance of winning any Oscar she may be nominated for (after all, she was in a staggering number of well-received films this year)?

I guess there is no way to tell until first, the Oscar nominations are released, and second, until the actual Oscars happen. But let me tell you, if Terrence Malick’s Tree of Life is snubbed the way it was at the more viewer-friendly Golden Globes, the award show is going to have some ‘splaining to do.

Overall, I thought the Golden Globes were great this year (due in large part to its three-year-running great host Ricky Gervais). Hopefully, the Oscars will learn a thing or two from this event. Until this can be discerned, I thank the Golden Globes (and the Hollywood Foreign Press) for a good night full of some expected awards and some shocks.

Fresh off of writing, directing and starring in this year’s Ides of March (Oscar bait, anyone?), The Wrap is reporting that Clooney has already found his next film to, uh, write, direct, and star in (do I suspect a pattern?). Much less of a political thriller and much more of a historical heist film, The Monuments Men is set to be Clooney’s next venture.

Based off of Robert M. Edsel’s book, The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History, the film will follow a group of American and British men picked to retrieve artwork back from the Nazis. Clooney has yet to reveal which role he will actually be taking on in front of the camera, but no doubt it will be a big one if his two roles behind the camera are to be taken into consideration (uh, The Ides of March, Leatherheads, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, anyone?)

First a political thriller and now a story involving Nazis? It seems like someone is eyeing the much coveted directing Oscar (or at the very least, a Writing Oscar). Let’s just hope this more closely follows Clooney’s Good Night, and Good Luck. rather than his much-less well-recieved Leatherheads. There’ll be no way to tell, though for quite some time. But I’m on board: I’m rooting for you, Clooney. I really am.

2011: A Great year for genre films. Though, to say that for film’s themselves is a bit of a stretch. Overall, this was definitely one weak year for movies.  So while the Oscar worthy film’s are few and far  between, 2011 was filled with some great comedies, action films, sci fi adventures, and family films. They show what can happen when sticking to the script doesn’t mean churning out another bland remake. So without further ado, here are TheMovieBanter.com’s Top 10 films of the year:

Honorable Mention: Real Steel,  50/50, Moneyball, Warrior, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part II

10. Young Adult

Charlize Theron plays the girl everyone hates in high school, but everyone feels sorry for years later. Riding out the glory days for far too long, Theron plays a woman straddling the line between sane and childish so well, that, by the end, you dislike her as much as her high school peers. Another win for the Jason Reitman-Diablo Cody collaborative team.

9. Super 8

J.J. Abrams you’ve done it again! It’s impossible to dislike anything this man does. With also the most fascinating online campaign this year,Super 8 delivers with nothing more than good storytelling. Sure, the ending is a little corny, but it’s hard NOT to picture Abrams and producer Steven Spielberg running around with their cameras when they were kids. There were probably less aliens, but who knows looking at their collective output.

8. Ides of March

Rebounding form the awful Leatherheads, Clooney gets to stride once again behind the camera. Ryan Goslin, the ‘winner’ of this year, leads an all-star cast that include Clooney himself, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, and Marisa Tomei. Political strife is big right now as the elections approach, and Ides of March shines a bright light behind the scenes of those running for office.

7. Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol

The best summer blockbuster of the year came out in December. Tom Cruise converts even the biggest doubter in this action packed experience. A franchise on the verge of extinction comes back with so much brute force, the over two hour running time passes by with a breeze. Props to Brad Bird on his first live action film, and even more props to the Burj Khalifa in a great supporting role. See it in IMAX.

6. The Help

Emma Stone had a big year this year but this isn’t about her. The Help succeeds on the heavy shoulders of Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer. The film about racial struggle in the 1960’s became a hit with audiences old and young alike. You’ll be hearing even more about this triumph when award season rolls in. That is a guarantee.

5. The Muppets

Yeah. The Muppets. Who can argue that? Who didn’t love this movie? It’s no Oscar contender, but you’re lying to yourself if you didn’t come out of this movie on cloud 9. Jason Segel, being the obsessive puppet fan he is, brought back another rather dead franchise. A perfect family film.

4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Let the critics be hushed. From the moment the first teaser trailer revealed itself, it was clear David Fincher was destined to helm this adaptation. Dark, mysterious, and strange is his forte and Stieg Larsson’s novel became his great specimen. Daneil Craig is great, but Rooney Mara! Wow! A year ago (roughly), no one would have guessed the little girl who broke Mark Zuckerberg’s heart at the beginning of The Social Network would return as a tattooed, pierced detective. The transformation amazes, but it’s the powerful performance that sets Mara up as Hollywood’s next big thing.

3. Midnight In Paris

Woody Allen has done it again? Or has he done it for the first time? Midnight in Paris is now his most financially successful film of all time, which says a lot for the 76-year-old writer-director. It advertised itself as a movie for everyone and delivered on that promise. European cities have become Allen’s muses and this one is no different. It seems that all the others were stepping stones to this Woody Allen masterpiece.

2. Bridesmaids

Forget the “Hangover for women” titles. Drop the “best female comedy of all time” stuff. Bridesmaids was this year’s best comedy by far. It has the potential to be as influential as Old School, and it has nothing to do with the cast being predominantly female; it has to do with every single one of those females being funny as hell. When you get down to it. Kristen Wiig had created a movie with huge heart and huge laughs. What more can you ask for from a comedy?

1. Drive

What didn’t Drive do right? Excellent cast? Check. Phenomenal soundtrack? Yup. Suspense? Oh, absolutely. The Ryan Gosling led picture is exactly what happens when all the pieces come together. Sound and picture were used in such a beautiful way that the strong, violent subject matter untangled itself into more than a movie, but also a beautiful art project. These image-driven pictures tend to draw themselves out and end up ‘pretty’ rather than good, but Drive hurdles over these stereotypes and ends up as the best movie of 2011.

George Clooney leads The Descendants in true Clooney fashion. He comes across as he does in most other movies: cool and calm. This time, however, he is less collected. His wife has been in a fatal accident. He has to find a way to (in descending successful order) connect with his daughters, confront his wife’s lover, and make a huge business deal.

Without a doubt, the highlight of this film is Clooney’ relationship with his eldest daughter, played by Secret Life of the American Teenager’s Shailene Woodley. The two spend most of the film together, which results in dynamic chemistry and human connection. The younger daughter Amara Miller provides the comic relief, but is cast aside when it’s time to get serious. Her emotional pinnacle is somewhat shrugged off and done in a style that has to be chalked up to laziness or lack of faith in the actress.

Second, Clooney’s wife has been cheating on him. Poor good-looking George Clooney. But, also, seriously, poor guy. I’m not sure why the better part of the movie is about finding her affair partner, but I believe it meant to represent some closure for Clooney. Matthew Lillard, not known for his dramatic acting, was fine. He didn’t have a big role. This felt too much like a B plot line brought to the forefront.

Last, the land developer aspect of this movie was slow and predictable from its introduction. I’m sure this was to be a big metaphor (he gets the land from his ancestors), but really seemed like they needed to have a reason for the Hawaiian setting besides Woodley in a bikini. It didn’t work.

The Descendants is a perfect example of why this Oscar season appears boring; it’s pretty run of the mil. Critics can glorify Clooney’s performance all they want, but, when it comes down to it, it’s clearly not his best work. Movies like J. Edgar and The Iron Lady come across as nothing more than indulgent star vehicles. War Horse is the story of a boy and his pet. And don’t even get me started on a silent movie possibly winning Best Picture in 2011, no matter how good it is.

Slow and sad doesn’t make a film Oscar worthy. I thought I was going to enjoy this. What I found was a lot emotional close ups on Clooney’s face.

Yup, that’s right Banterers. Jack of all trades, Scarlett Johansson is set to direct the film version of Truman Capote’s first written novel (yet remained the last published one, posthumously) Summer Crossing. The screenplay is currently being adapted by playwright Tristin Skylar, who is coincidentally also penning the film version of The Bell Jar with Julia Styles attached as the lead, and revolves around a 17-year-old semi-socialite living in New York City in 1945 who falls in love with a parking attendant, and subsequently marries him and bears his child. It sounds interesting enough.

While Johansson did direct These Vagabond Shoes, one of the shorts that didn’t make the theatrical cut for New York, I Love You, this will mark Johansson’s first step into the world of feature-filmmaking. Johansson is certainly an interesting choice for this somewhat coveted list, but I remain a little hesitant as Johansson’s career, while starting out very strong with noteworthy roles in The Horse Whisperer, Ghost World, and Lost in Translation, has since subsided with poor decisions to star in the dreadful The Nanny Diaries and He’s Just Not That Into You. Still, though, I was a Johansson fan from the beginning and I will remain that way until the end. Let’s just hope her less-than-appreciated turn to music with is no signifier for this latest venture.

The Ides of March, a George Clooney directed political drama, focuses on the rise and eventual disillusionment of Stephen Myers (Ryan Gosling), a junior campaign manager for Mike Morris (Clooney), a democratic presidential nominee. While it was only after watching the movie that I realized Clooney was the director as well as one of the stars of the film (perhaps a strategic publicity move in order to maintain a certain type of prestige around the movie), I must say that Clooney did a good job in creating a feature that kept me engaged and excited until the very end. Admittedly, this is not a terribly difficult feat, what with the level of star power the film holds. Aside from Clooney and Gosling, The Ides of March boasts a supporting cast made up of award show mainstays Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, and Evan Rachel Wood. All did a very good job in their respective roles, although, again, this is not too surprising, but remains a very welcome addition.

I was most interested to see if Gosling could actually open three movies this summer/fall, and am happy to report that he indeed can. Is there no stopping this man?! God, I hope not.

In terms of Oscar nods, it seems to me we should be expecting a Best Picture nomination as well as perhaps a Best Actor for Gosling and Best Supporting for Hoffman (when does that man do something the Academy doesn’t recognize him for?). A Best Director nomination seems less likely to me, but I suppose only time will tell.

Until then, I am endorsing The Ides of March, not as a perfect film, but as a solidly good one. The plot remains a little predictable but at the end of the day, believable performances, quick, intense dialogue, and building character investment are the memorable aspects of this film.

SEE IT.

Without having seen the film (Our very own Alia Haddad’s review will be up soon), it is obvious how we are expected to feel about this movie as an audience. That’s how you really know a film has good marketing, when you already know what the film wants you to like about it.

For instance, even though it sits at around an 80% average on Rotten Tomatoes, a seemingly low percentage for an “Oscar” contender, the film will still probably garner a Best Picture nomination. Why you ask? Well there are a few reasons for that, let’s take a look:

1) This film is very timely. With the 2012 presidential election in full force right now, what better time to release a politically themed movie? And especially in a year of political controversies (hello Anthony Weiner), the scandals in this film should be even more enjoyable.

2) The cast is perfection. The cast this film has racked up is completely stacked with Oscar favorites. George Clooney, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti, and Philip Seymour Hoffman have all taken home statues in the past. Ryan Gosling has been nominated once and Evan Rachel Wood has been nominated for a Golden Globe. Yep, this cast is pitch perfect.

3) George Clooney is directing. Who doesn’t love George Clooney? You find me one person who dislikes him and I will be shocked. He’s extraordinarily handsome, witty, intelligent, and an extremely talented man. Not only is he superb at acting, he’s a damn fine director. Just check out ‘Good Night, and Good Luck,’ which was nominated for 6 Oscars in the past.

So there you have it folks. This film is an ideal example of Oscar bait. It’s got the timing, the cast, and the director. Oh and did I mention this is based off of an award-winning play too? Yep, that means the script will definitely be up for Best-Adapted Screenplay as well. While technically no one can really know until nominations come out in January, I’d say it’s a pretty safe bet this film has combined all the necessary elements to be a hit at the 2012 Academy Awards.

10- The Skin I Live In

Release Date: October 14, 2011

Starring Antonio Banderas as a deranged, but brilliant plastic surgeon, who creates a synthetic skin that withstands any kind of damage, his guinea pig, a mysterious and volatile woman, holds the key to his obsession. To be honest even after that synopsis I don’t know too much about the film, and after watching the trailer I know less. But this actually intrigues me more. Watch the trailer and you’ll see, this film will definitely be different than anything you’ve ever seen before.

Click here to view the embedded video.

9- Carnage

Release Date: December 16, 2011

You can’t really go wrong with a Roman Polanski film in my book. Not to mention a dynamite cast of Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and John C. Reilly. It tells the story of two sets of parents who decide to have a cordial meeting after their sons are involved in a schoolyard brawl. If the trailer is any indication of the film itself, we can look forward to some incredible chemistry among the cast.

Click here to view the embedded video.

8- My Week With Marilyn

Release Date: November 4, 2011

While we haven’t seen a trailer yet for this film, early positive buzz and a solid cast already has this one a lock at awards season next year. While some people had their doubts about Michelle Williams pulling off a convincing Marilyn Monroe, I always had faith in her and after the first few promo pics were released, I see that I am right. Look out for Emma Watson in a supporting comedic role too!

7- J. Edgar

Release Date: November 9, 2011

Like ‘Marilyn,’ we don’t have much information on this film yet. But how can you go wrong with Clint Eastwood in the director’s chair and a spectacular cast of Leonardo DiCaprio (as J. Edgar Hoover no less), Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer, Judie Dench, Ed Westwick and more! Throw in a controversial gay subplot and I’m hooked. Does anyone else think it’s time DiCaprio won an Oscar?

6- Warrior

Release Date: September 9, 2011

I have to admit, when I first heard about this film all I could think of is how it is just a rip-off of last year’s ‘The Fighter.’ But after checking out the emotionally driven trailer, and reading up on some positive early buzz, I definitely have had a change of heart. Some people are even saying it is better than ‘The Fighter’! I’ll believe that when I see it, but I’m definitely intrigued.

Click here to view the embedded video.

5- The Ides of March

Release Date: October 7, 2011

The moment I saw the trailer for this flick I was sold. Not only is it directed by George Clooney, he also stars in it, along with a few other names you may know. Ryan Gosling, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. I’m sure one of those names at least rings a bell huh? With a scandalous and exciting political storyline to boot, this film is definitely a must see.

Click here to view the embedded video.

4- Drive

Release Date: September 16, 2011

Ryan Gosling sure has a big year ahead of him. There is already some talk that ‘Drive’ is going to be the biggest surprise hit of the year and while I’m not convinced yet, I can’t deny the story of a Hollywood stunt performer who turns into a heist driver by night doesn’t grab my attention. Throw in tons of great action sequences and the talented Carey Mulligan and I’m in.

Click here to view the embedded video.

3- Contagion

Release Date: September 9, 2011

Without a doubt, ‘Contagion’ has to be one of the most anticipated films of the year. A high-profile cast? Check. A slick marketing campaign? Check. A gripping and exciting trailer? Check. Yep, the Steven Soderbergh directed flick not only has a roster of Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Jude Law, and Laurence Fishburne, it also has a sinister plot. An action film with a thriller tone? Count me in!

Click here to view the embedded video.

2- 50/50

Release Date: September 30, 2011

I have already had the pleasure of seeing ‘50/50’ in theaters (expect my review closer to release), and let me just squash any doubts about a cancer comedy now. Not only is this film hysterical, well-acted (Joseph Gordon-Levitt killed it!), and emotional, it’s actually my favorite film of the year by far! Even Seth Rogen (who usually annoys me) nailed his role. Don’t miss out!

Click here to view the embedded video.

1. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Release Date: December 21, 2011

Of course my most anticipated movie of the year also has the latest release date. Not only is this based on my favorite book series, it’s also being helmed by my favorite director, David Fincher. The cast is filled with plenty of international stars and the teaser trailer proves Fincher is going dark with this one, real dark. The tagline reads ‘The Feel Bad Movie of Christmas’ and I couldn’t be more excited!

Click here to view the embedded video.

What do you think Banters? Any of these grab your attention? And what’s YOUR most anticipated film of the Fall season?

Did you know exactly how appropriate it is that David O. Russell was chosen to direct the upcoming Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale starrer, THE FIGHTER?

The hot-headed director has a reputation for violent on-set encounters.  On the set of I HEART HUCKABEES, Russell verbally assaulted Lily Tomlin with a barrage of, let’s say, discourteous remarks that would’ve made Eminem say, “Whoa, dude… easy there.”  Years earlier, Russell was physically and verbally abusing crew members on the set of THREE KINGS, to which George Clooney took extreme exception.  After being instigated directly by Russell, Clooney grabbed him by the throat and started pummeling him before being pulled away by the crew members.

We all heard the audio clips of Christian Bale’s, let’s say, impolite exchange with a gaffer on a film set last year, so THE FIGHTER is chock-full of real life on-set fighters.  Should be fun.