“Frozen II,” “Missing Link” Lead 2020 Annie Awards Nominations

By Creative Media Times

United Artists Releasing

Its been another great year in animation, and this year’s Annie Awards have the list to prove it. ASIFA-Hollywood has just announced the nominees for the 47th Annual Annie Awards, with ‘Frozen 2’ and ‘Missing Link’ topping the list.

Presented annually by the Los Angeles branch of the International Animated Film Association, Annie Awards recognizes the best in the field of animation throughout the year.

Just as “Frozen 2” is currently breaking boxoffice records, the Disney film also earned an incredible eight nominations, including Best Feature. Also in this category is fellow Disney film “Toy Story 4,” LAIKA’s “Missing Link, DreamWorks’ “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” and Netflix’s “Klaus.”

This bodes well for all five films’ prospects at the Oscar’s Best Animated Feature. Since 2002, the Academy Awards has bestowed the trophy to the same Annie winner a total of 13 times. Last year’s big Annie winner “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” won seven awards including Best Animated Feature. The film went on to emerge victorious the Academy Awards.

This year’s Best Character Animation is equally competitive, with “Alita: Battle Angel,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Game of Thrones,” “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” and “Spider-Man: Far From Home” all vying for the trophy.

The Annies also announced the nominations for the categories in television, student film, commercial, special production and VR. See the list of nominations below, or visit annieawards.org/nominees.

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Both “Birds of Prey” and “The Suicide Squad” Expected To Be R-Rated

By Creative Media Times

After the massive success of “Joker,” its probably not that surprising for WB/DC’s upcoming comic cook films to take the same path. As Variety reports, “Birds of Prey” and “The Suicide Squad” are expected to the be Rated R.

“In the case of Birds of Prey, the film won’t be in the pitch-black, grim vein of Joker,” says the article. “Insiders describe the film has a more humorous, spirited, girl gang adventure, albeit not one for younger children. A series of recent reshoots dramatically improved test screening results and the studio is confident Birds of Prey will be a hit when it opens in February.”

Although “Logan” and the “Deadpool” films were released with such restricted ratings, Hollywood superhero blockbusters have largely avoided it. During the past two months however, Joker proved to be a strong precedent for filmmakers to appeal to more adult audiences, earning over $1 billion worldwide and emerged as a strong contender for the upcoming awards season.

Birds of Prey, directed by Cathy Yan, is set for release on February 7, 2020, while The Suicide Squad sequel from James Gunn will be released on August 6, 2021.

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“EMMA” Teaser Trailer And Poster Released

By Creative Media Times

Focus Features

“Behold a new vision of Jane Austen’s beloved comedy about love and all its surprises.”

Focus Features has unveiled the first teaser trailer for Emma, a new adaptation of the classic Jane Austen comedic book about happiness, love and romance.

Directed by Autumn de Wilde from the script by Eleanor Catton, the film reimagines Austen’s 1815 novel and features Anya Taylor-Joy as the titular Emma Woodhouse, the clever young woman who plays matchmaker to her friends. This is de Wilde’s directorial debut.

The film is set for release in the US on February 21, 2020. The film’s full ensemble cast includes Johnny Flynn, Bill Nighy, Mia Goth, Miranda Hart, Josh O’Connor, Callum Turner, Rupert Graves, Gemma Whelan, Amber Anderson, Tanya Reynolds, and Connor Swindells.

Here is the film’s official synopsis:
Handsome, clever, and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless queen bee without rivals in her sleepy little town. In this glittering satire of social class and the pain of growing up, Emma must adventure through misguided matches and romantic missteps to find the love that has been there all along.

Here’s the first teaser trailer for Autumn de Wilde’s Emma:

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“Uncut Gems” & “The Lighthouse” Lead 35th Independent Spirit Awards Nominations

By Creative Media Times

A24

The nominations for the 35th Independent Spirit Awards have been announced this morning, with Robert Eggers’ “The Lighthouse” and Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie’s “Uncut Gems” scoring the most nods this year with five.

A24 also have a lot to celebrate, with the indie studio leading the field once again with 18 nominations, spread out over 7 films. A24 released both The Lighthouse and Uncut Gems. Neon was second with 10 noms, while Amazon was third with eight.

Netflix received seven, though it should be noted that one of its awards contenders “The Irishman”, went above the Spirit Awards’ budget ceiling of $22.5 million.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards is produced by Film Independent, the organization which decides the nominees. Film Independent is produces the Los Angeles Film Festival.

The nominations were announced by Zazie Beetz (Atlanta, Joker) and Natasha Lyonne (Orange is the New Black, Russian Doll) at The LINE LA. The winners will be revealed at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 8, 2020.

Below are the nominees for the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Award:

Best Feature
A HIDDEN LIFE
CLEMENCY
THE FAREWELL
MARRIAGE STORY
UNCUT GEMS

Best Director
Robert Eggers – THE LIGHTHOUSE
Alma Har’el – HONEY BOY
Julius Onah – LUCE
Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie – UNCUT GEMS
Lorene Scafaria – HUSTLERS

Best First Feature
BOOKSMART
THE CLIMB
DIANE
THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO
THE MUSTANG
SEE YOU YESTERDAY
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Noah Hawley To Write & Direct Next “Star Trek”

By Creative Media Times

The next Star Trek film seems to be back on track once again, with Legion and Fargo creator Noah Hawley said to be in “final talks” to pen and direct the next installment.

There has not been a lot of activity on a new Star Trek after 2016′ Star Trek Beyond, but that appears to be changing soon.

Though not a lot of details has been released, it is said that Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and Karl Urban are set to return.

In 2009, director J.J. Abrams has relaunched the franchise which featured a Chris Pine as Captain Kirk. The film was success, grossing $385 million at the boxoffice, and was critically well-received. Abrams returned to direct a follow up in 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness. This makes the upcoming film the fourth in the series.

Noah Hawley has recently made his directorial feature film debut in this year’s “Lucy in the Sky.”

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The Doobie Brothers Announce 50th Anniversary Tour Featuring Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons & John McFee

Four-time GRAMMY Award winners and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees The Doobie Brothers today announced a 30-city North American tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the band’s founding. TOM JOHNSTON, MICHAEL MCDONALD, PAT SIMMONS and JOHN MCFEE will be back on tour together for the first time in nearly 25 years. The announcement came at the conclusion of the band’s performance at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, in which they played two of their iconic albums, Toulouse Street and The Captain and Me. MICHAEL MCDONALD took to the stage during the band’s encore and gave a surprise performance of The Doobie Brothers’ smash hit single, “Takin’ It To The Streets,” before Pat Simmons announced that the entire band would be teaming up for a North American tour.

Tickets to THE DOOBIE BROTHERS 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, December 6 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com. A limited number of LaneOne Premium Packages will also be available, including amazing seats, transportation, preferred entrance and more. Check LINK for LaneOne details.

Selling nearly 50 million albums worldwide, The Doobie Brothers have had five top-10 singles, 16 top-40 hits, 3 multi-platinum albums, 7 platinum albums, 14 gold albums and own a rare diamond record for their 1976 album, Best of the Doobies. The Doobie Brothers’ collection of timeless hits will once again be played by the artists who wrote them, providing fans the rare opportunity to see these Rock and Roll legends performing their full catalog of songs on stage.

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR will kick off on June 9, 2020 in West Palm Beach, FL and will make stops in 30 cities, including Nashville, Toronto, Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles and more, including a special hometown show in Mountain View, CA at the Shoreline Amphitheatre on September 12. The tour is being produced by Live Nation.
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Keeley Hawes Joins Hugh Boneville In Untitled Patricia Neal/Roald Dahl Picture

Keeley Hawes, Hugh Bonneville

Align and Goldcrest Features announced today that the as currently untitled (f.k.a An Unquiet Life) feature starring Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), and Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard, Misbehaviour), will begin filming on November 14th.

The story of the world’s most beloved children’s author, Roald Dahl (Bonneville) and his film star wife, Patricia Neal (Hawes) will be directed by John Hay (Lost Christmas, There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble). Hay also wrote the film alongside David Logan. The picture is being produced by Donall McCusker (The Hurt Locker), Adrian Politowski (The Artist), Martin Metz (Mandy) and Nick Quested (Danger Close ).

The film is an Align/Goldcrest presentation, produced by Atticus Films and financed by Align, LipSync Productions LLP and Goldcrest Features Inc. Principal photography commences on November 14th in Surrey, England.

Goldcrest represents the worldwide rights, and has already closed deals with Icon Film Distribution PTY LTD in Australia and New Zealand, Empire International in the Middle East, Paradiso Filmed Entertainment in Benelux, Red Apollo Group in China, and MVP Entertainment in India.

In 1962 Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal retreated to the English countryside to bring up their joyful and expanding young family. The unlikely pairing of an Academy Award-winning actress and a burgeoning children’s author, Dahl and Neal put their relationship to the test, revealing a love more painful than anything Roald Dahl ever wrote about in his books. However, for this remarkable pair, redemption and strength sees them changed forever.

“Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal seemingly had it all until an unimaginable event threatened to tear their family apart. I am so pleased we have attracted two award-winning talents in Hugh and Keeley to play these iconic roles,” Director John Hay said.

“I can’t wait to start work on this film,” said Keeley Hawes. “The story of Patricia Neal and Roald Dahl is extraordinary, and I’m so excited to be part of it and so looking forward to working with the brilliant Hugh Bonneville and the hugely talented John Hay who has provided us with such a beautiful script.”

Donall McCusker, Producer, adds, “Award winning writers John Hay and Dave Logan have written a warm, funny and powerful script that we know is going to resonate with audiences throughout the world”.

Adrian Politowski, CEO of Align notes, “With a love as electric as Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal’s it’s no surprise a project as special as this one has attracted the likes of Hugh Bonneville and Keeley Hawes.”

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First Trailer To “Scoob!” Gives Peek At Shaggy & Scooby Origin

Warner Bros. has released the very first official trailer for Scoob!, the upcoming American computer-animated adventure comedy film, which features how the Scooby-Doo and long-time best friend Shaggy Rogers.

The trailer, which shows some of the characters in their teens and their younger years, starts with young Shaggy meeting a homeless young pup at the beach. When an offers arrives to take Scooby, Shaggy claims The Great Dane. “He’s not a stray!,” Shaggy said, then naming him “Scooby Dooby Doo” to prove it.

Frank Welker is voicing Scooby-Doo, which he has done so since 2002, while Will Forte is Shaggy. Tony Cervone directed the film, from a screenplay by Kelly Fremon Craig.

Also in “Scoob!” are Zac Efron as Fred Jones, Gina Rodriguez as Velma, Amanda Seyfried as Daphne and Jason Isaacs as Dick Dastardly.

Scoob! is set to for release next summer on May 15, 2020.

Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
The first full-length animated Scooby-Doo adventure for the big screen is the never-before told stories of Scooby-Doo’s origins and the greatest mystery in the career of Mystery Inc. “SCOOB!” reveals how lifelong friends Scooby and Shaggy first met and how they joined with young detectives Fred, Velma and Daphne to form the famous Mystery Inc. Now, with hundreds of cases solved and adventures shared, Scooby and the gang face their biggest, most challenging mystery ever: a plot to unleash the ghost dog Cerberus upon the world. As they race to stop this global “dogpocalypse,” the gang discovers that Scooby has a secret legacy and an epic destiny greater than anyone imagined.

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2019 People’s Choice Awards Winners

By Creative Media Times

Marvel Studios

“Avengers: Endgame” took home the top award Sunday night’s 2019 E! People’s Choice Awards, winning best movie during the ceremony which took place at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica and aired live on E!

Meanwhile, Gwen Stefani was honored with Fashion Icon, P!nk with the People’s Champion and Jennifer Aniston with the The People’s Icon award.

Kevin Hart, who made his first public appearance since he was involved in a serious car accident in September, took home Comedy Act of 2019.

Alessia Cara performed her song “Rooting for You”, while 26-year-old country singer Kelsea Ballerini performed her brand-new song, “Club.

Here’s the full list of winners:

Movie of 2019:
WINNER: Avengers: Endgame
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The European Film Awards Announce Nominees

By Creative Media Times

Sony Pictures Classics

The nominees for the 32nd European Film has been unveiled today, with biographical crime-drama “The Traitor” leading with four nominations including Best European Film as well as nomination for its director Marco Bellocchio.

Also with four nominations are Roman Polanski’s “An Officer And A Spy” and Pedro Almodóvar’s “Pain and Glory.” All three films are vying for Best European Film of 2019 along with Les Miserables, System Cracher, and The Favorite.

Voted on by more than 3,600 members of the European Film Academy, the awards will be presented during an awards ceremony on Dec. 7 in Berlin.

The creation of the European Film Academy (EFA) was the initiative of a group of Europe’s finest filmmakers brought together on the occasion of the first European Film Awards Ceremony held in November 1988. EFA was finally founded in 1989 as the European Cinema Society by its first president Ingmar Bergman and 40 filmmakers to advance the interests of the European film industry. Wim

Best European Film of 2019
An Officer and a Spy, Roman Polanski
Les Miserables, Ladj Ly
Pain and Glory, Pedro Almodovar
System Crasher, Nora Fingscheidt
The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos
The Traitor, Marco Bellocchio

European Documentary
For Sama
Honeyland
Putin’s Witnesses
Selfie
The Disappearance of My Mother

EUROPEAN DIRECTOR 2019:

Pedro Almodóvar for PAIN AND GLORY
Marco Bellocchio for THE TRAITOR
Yorgos Lanthimos for THE FAVOURITE
Roman Polanski for AN OFFICER AND A SPY
Céline Sciamma for PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE

EUROPEAN ACTRESS 2019:

Olivia Colman in THE FAVOURITE
Trine Dyrholm in QUEEN OF HEARTS
Noémie Merlant & Adèle Haenel in PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE
Viktoria Miroshnichenko in BEANPOLE
Helena Zengel in SYSTEM CRASHER

EUROPEAN ACTOR 2019:

Antonio Banderas in PAIN AND GLORY
Jean Dujardin in AN OFFICER AND A SPY
Pierfrancesco Favino in THE TRAITOR
Levan Gelbakhiani in AND THEN WE DANCED
Alexander Scheer in GUNDERMANN
Ingvar E. Sigurðsson in A WHITE, WHITE DAY

EUROPEAN SCREENWRITER 2019:

Pedro Almodóvar for PAIN AND GLORY
Marco Bellocchio, Ludovica Rampoldi, Valia Santella & Francesco Piccolo for THE TRAITOR Robert Harris & Roman Polanski for AN OFFICER AND A SPY
Ladj Ly, Giordano Gederlini & Alexis Manenti for LES MISÉRABLES
Céline Sciamma for PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE

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