The Baftas - Film and Television Awards

Bafta Award Nominations 2008

dave — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:16:58 +0000

The excitement is growing as the nominations have now been announced for the prestigious BAFTA awards for 2008. This year the BAFTA’s are at the forefront for the film industry because the Golden Globe awards were reduced to a press conference with no stars taking part. This year the critics believe that there have been no surprises, and the main nominations in all categories, described here, were as expected.

Topping the list with 14 nominations is the tragic World War II love story Atonement, which included the bets actor James McAvoy, best actress Keira Knightley, and best director Joe Wright, this production has to be a favourite for the “OSCARS” as well.

Following closely is the nomination There Will Be Blood, which notched up 9 nominations for best film, with Paul Thomas Anderson as best director and Golden Globe winning actor Daniel Day Lewis nominated here as well. No Country For Old Men has also been nominated for best film, a production which has received acclaim in some quarters, Javier Bardem has been nominated for best supporting actor.

Amongst the other main nominations for the awards show is Cate Blanchett for her performance in, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, also she is shortlisted as best supporting actress for her role in the Bob Dylan film I’m Not There. Marion Cotillard for her portrayal of French singer Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, Julie Christie for, Away From Her, and newcomer Ellen Page for her role as a pregnant teenager in Juno.

With the main categories mentioned here are certain to provide an exciting evening for all concerned, we wait with anticipation for the evening of February the 10th at London’s Opera house, an event to be broadcast on the main television channel BBC1.

Naomie Harris - RISING STAR AWARD

dave — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:02:07 +0000

Cambridge graduate Naomie Harris the 30 year old daughter of sitcom writer Lisselle Kayla was born in London and trained at the famous Bristol Old Vic. While she has acted in TV and film since she was nine, she only became a high-profile actress in 2002, with her performance as Selena, a co-lead in the film 28 Days Later. Since then, she has been cast in supporting roles in more high-profile movies, such as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Michael Mann’s Miami Vice. She also had a lead role in the television adaptation of Zadie Smith’s White Teeth.

Having starred alongside some of the biggest names in film, including Pierce Brosnan, Colin Farrel and Johnny Depp, surely it is only a matter of time before she becomes a huge star in her own right and Naomie is presently working on the latest “Pirates” movie Pirates of the Caribbean 3.

Eva Green - RISING STAR AWARD

dave — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:01:13 +0000

Born in 1980 in France and brought up and schooled there by her French mother and Swedish dentist father, himself appearing in a one off film in 1966, Eva Green studied in Paris and then a ten week “finishing course” at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. The new “Bond” girl made her film debut in Bertolucci’s The Dreamers where she played alongside Michael Pitt and Louis Garrel and was described by Bertolucci as being “so beautiful it’s indecent”.

Following her role in The Dreamers she starred in the French film Arsène Lupin in 2004, Kingdom of Heaven in 2005 and then her starring role in Casino Royale in 2006 along side the new “007” Daniel Craig. She has recently joined the cast of His Dark Materials: Northern Lights, based on Philip Pullman’s novel, where again she will be reunited with Daniel.

Attractive Eva Green has to be amongst the front runners for the Rising Star Award at the forthcoming award ceremony.

Emily Blunt - RISING STAR AWARD

dave — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:00:48 +0000

Winning critical acclaim in the multi award winning British movie My Summer of Love, which shot Emily to international prominence, she has now gone on to bigger and bigger things. Described by her co-star Meryl Streep, in the 2006 movie The Devil Wears Prada, as “the best young actress I’ve worked with in some time, perhaps ever”, has to be a commendation that all young aspiring actresses would love to hear.

Emily Blunt was born on February 23, 1983, in London, England. She is one of four children in the family of a teacher mother and barrister father. She studied acting in London in 2001 and made her debut in the West End theatre opposite Dame Judi Dench in Sir Peter Hall’s production of “The Royal Family” at Haymarket Theatre, a role which won her the Evening Standard award for best newcomer. The prestigious Chichester Festival has been graced by the presence of Emily Blunt where she played Juliet in the Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet in 2002.

As well as the acclaimed TV series Boudica, Emily has played opposite Susan Sarandon and Sam Neil in Irresistible. She is undoubtedly a versatile and talented actress and includes singing and playing the cello amongst her many talents and has homes in both London and Vancouver.

Cillian Murphy - RISING STAR AWARD

dave — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:00:06 +0000

A native of Cork in Ireland, born in 1976, actor and musician Cillian Murphy is one of the five nominees for the BAFTA rising star award in the 2007 ceremony. Set for big things, with his impressive range of acting and his success in film roles, his female admirers would say aided by his startling blue eyes.

Cillian’s first big role, one which brought him to the attention of the film going public and the movie industry, was 28 Days Later, although it was his portrayal as The Scarecrow in Batman Begins that made audiences sit up and take notice.

Although he initially studied Law at University College Cork, Cillian Murphy’s heart was in the field of music and acting and he established himself as he went on tour with the play Disco Pigs. A part in Intermission followed, but it was his performance in Danny Boyle’s Twenty Eight Days Later which established his reputation. Offers were soon to follow which included The Girl with the Pearl Earring and Cold Mountain. In 2006 he starred in Ken Loach’s Palme D’Or winner The Wind That Shakes the Barley. Cillian is a true rising star and looks set for a secure acting within the acting profession.

Ben Wishaw - RISING STAR AWARD

dave — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 13:59:29 +0000

Twenty six year old Bedfordshire born Ben Wishaw graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2003. Always prepared to take on challenging roles, he is a versatile actor who played the part of Grenouille in the recently released movie Perfume. Trevor Nunn’s Hamlet on stage saw rave reviews for his performance which followed his West End debut in Philip Pullman’s production of His Dark Materials.

Apart from Perfume, Ben’s other film successes have included Todd Haynes portrayal of Bob Dylan’s life I’m Not Here, where he played alongside such well respected stars as Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Richard Gere and Layer Cake. The adaptation of Ian McEwan’s popular novel Enduring Love providing him with yet more success. Television is media which is not unknown to Ben, having starred in the ITV comedy drama The Booze Cruise amongst many other productions, including Other Peoples Children, Ready When You Are Mr McGill, Nathan Barley, all proving tremendously popular. Truly a rising star.

MISS POTTER misses out on Bafta

dave — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 11:30:41 +0000

The movie Miss Potter has missed out on a prestigious BAFTA award by not been nominated
It was hoped that the Film, which tells the story Beatrix Potter the children’s author, would feature when nominations were released Today.

Miss potter had been included on the long lists in several categories,
which included :
best lead actress for star Renee Zellweger
best supporting actress for Emily Watson.

But, Dame Helen Mirren’s Film “The Queen” is among the favourites to dominate the British Academy Film Awards.

However, Miss Potter has earned a nomination for a Golden Globe in the United States so fingers crossed.

and the nominees are

dave — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 11:21:36 +0000

This year’s BAFTas will be held on Sunday 11 February,at the Royal Opera House. The nominees is below.

My tips this year is that “the queen” will get best Film and “CASINO ROYALE” will get the ALEXANDER KORDA AWARD, then both will fight it out for the rest.

FILM
BABEL
THE DEPARTED
THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
THE QUEEN

THE ALEXANDER KORDA AWARD for the Outstanding British Film of the Year
CASINO ROYALE
THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
NOTES ON A SCANDAL
THE QUEEN
UNITED 93

THE CARL FOREMAN AWARD for Special Achievement by a British Director, Writer or Producer in their First Feature Film
ANDREA ARNOLD (Director) - Red Road
JULIAN GILBEY (Director) - Rollin’ with the Nines
CHRISTINE LANGAN (Producer) - Pierrepoint
GARY TARN (Director) - Black Sun
PAUL ANDREW WILLIAMS (Director) - London to Brighton

THE DAVID LEAN AWARD for Achievement in Direction
BABEL - Alejandro González Iñárritu
THE DEPARTED - Martin Scorsese
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE - Jonathan Dayton/Valerie Faris
THE QUEEN - Stephen Frears
UNITED 93 - Paul Greengrass

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
BABEL - Guillermo Arriaga
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE - Michael Arndt
PAN’S LABYRINTH - Guillermo del Toro
THE QUEEN - Peter Morgan
UNITED 93 - Paul Greengrass

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
CASINO ROYALE - Neal Purvis/Robert Wade/Paul Haggis
THE DEPARTED - William Monahan
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA - Aline Brosh McKenna
THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND - Peter Morgan/Jeremy Brock
NOTES ON A SCANDAL - Patrick Marber

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
APOCALYPTO - Mel Gibson/Bruce Davey
BLACK BOOK (ZWARTBOEK) - Teun Hilte/San Fu Maltha/Jens Meurer/Paul Verhoeven
PAN’S LABYRINTH - Alfonso Cuarón/Bertha Navarro/Frida Torresblanco/Guillermo del Toro
RANG DE BASANTI (PAINT IT YELLOW) - Ronnie Screwvala/Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
VOLVER - Agustín Almodóvar/Pedro Almodóvar

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
CARS - John Lasseter
FLUSHED AWAY - David Bowers/Sam Fell
HAPPY FEET - George Miller

ACTOR in a LEADING ROLE
DANIEL CRAIG - Casino Royale
LEONARDO DICAPRIO - The Departed
RICHARD GRIFFITHS - The History Boys
PETER O’TOOLE - Venus
FOREST WHITAKER - The Last King of Scotland

ACTRESS in a LEADING ROLE
PENELOPE CRUZ - Volver
JUDI DENCH - Notes on a Scandal
HELEN MIRREN - The Queen
MERYL STREEP - The Devil Wears Prada
KATE WINSLET - Little Children

ACTOR in a SUPPORTING ROLE
ALAN ARKIN - Little Miss Sunshine
JAMES MCAVOY - The Last King of Scotland
JACK NICHOLSON - The Departed
LESLIE PHILLIPS - Venus
MICHAEL SHEEN - The Queen

ACTRESS in a SUPPORTING ROLE
EMILY BLUNT - The Devil Wears Prada
ABIGAIL BRESLIN - Little Miss Sunshine
TONI COLETTE - Little Miss Sunshine
FRANCES DE LA TOUR - The History Boys
JENNIFER HUDSON - Dreamgirls

THE ANTHONY ASQUITH AWARD for Achievement in Film Music
BABEL - Gustavo Santaolalla
CASINO ROYALE - David Arnold
DREAMGIRLS - Henry Krieger
HAPPY FEET - John Powell
THE QUEEN - Alexandre Desplat

CINEMATOGRAPHY
BABEL - Rodrigo Prieto
CASINO ROYALE - Phil Meheux
CHILDREN OF MEN - Emmanuel Lubezki
PAN’S LABYRINTH - Guillermo Navarro
UNITED 93 - Barry Ackroyd

EDITING
BABEL - Stephen Mirrione/Douglas Crise
CASINO ROYALE - Stuart Baird
THE DEPARTED - Thelma Schoonmaker
THE QUEEN - Lucia Zucchetti
UNITED 93 - Clare Douglas/Christopher Rouse/Richard Pearson

PRODUCTION DESIGN
CASINO ROYALE - Peter Lamont/Simon Wakefield
CHILDREN OF MEN - Geoffrey Kirkland/Jim Clay/Jennifer Williams
MARIE ANTOINETTE - K K Barrett/Véronique Melery
PAN’S LABYRINTH - Eugenio Caballero/Pilar Revuelta
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST - Rick Heinrichs/Cheryl A Carasik

COSTUME DESIGN
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA - Patricia Field
MARIE ANTOINETTE - Milena Canonero
PAN’S LABYRINTH - Lala Huete
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST - Penny Rose
THE QUEEN - Consolata Boyle

SOUND
BABEL - José García/Jon Taylor/Chris Minkler/Martín Hernández
CASINO ROYALE - Chris Munro/Eddy Joseph/Mike Prestwood Smith/Martin Cantwell/Mark Taylor
PAN’S LABYRINTH - Martín Hernández/Jamie Bashkt
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST - Christopher Boyes/George Watters II/ Paul Massey/Lee Orloff
UNITED 93 - Chris Munro/Mike Prestwood Smith/Douglas Cooper/Oliver Tarney/Eddy Joseph

ACHIEVEMENT IN SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
CASINO ROYALE - Steve Begg/Chris Corbould
CHILDREN OF MEN - Frazer Churchill/Tim Webber/Michael Eames/Paul Corbould
PAN’S LABYRINTH - Edward Irastorza/Everett Burrell
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST - John Knoll/Hal Hickel/Charles Gibson
SUPERMAN RETURNS - Mark Stetson

MAKE UP & HAIR
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA - Nicki Ledermann/Angel De Angelis
MARIE ANTOINETTE - Jean-Luc Russier/Desiree Corridoni
PAN’S LABYRINTH*
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST - Ve Neill/Martin Samuel
THE QUEEN - Daniel Phillips

SHORT ANIMATION FILM
DREAMS AND DESIRES - FAMILY TIES - Les Mills/Joanna Quinn
GUY 101 - Ian Gouldstone
PETER AND THE WOLF - Hugh Welchman/Alan Dewhurst/Suzie Templeton

SHORT FILM
CARE - Rachel Bailey/Corinna Faith
CUBS - Lisa Williams/Tom Harper
DO NOT ERASE - Asitha Ameresekere
HIKIKOMORI - Karley Duffy/Paul Wright
KISSING, TICKLING AND BEING BORED - David Smith/Jim McRoberts

THE ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD (nominees announced on 8 Jan 2007)
EMILY BLUNT
EVA GREEN
NAOMIE HARRIS
CILLIAN MURPHY
BEN WHISHAW

The Baftas 2007 predictions

dave — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:44:37 +0000

Time once again for the 2007 Bafta Awards, with and

So far the smart money is on “Casino Royale” and “The Queen” each battling for the lion’s share of awards along with their respective stars, Daniel Craig and Helen Mirren.

Also keep your eye on Children of Men, Babel, Pans Labryinth and The Departed to make an appearance on the short list of nominees when they are officially announced in 2 days time, on January 12, 2007.

Meanwhile, check out the complete list of 2006 winners

The Baftas 2007

dave — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:31:45 +0000

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is the UK’s leading organisation for the promotion and celebration of film, television and interactive media. There are several high profile awards ceremonies held throughout the year specifically to reward those who, according to the judging committee, have achieved excellence in the areas of film, television and interactive media.