VH's Guide To The Awards Season 2008

A special day for Viggo. Ah where else would you please a handsome and fine actor wearing a red vest, eh?

Quote :

Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, and Vincent
Cassel star in this David Cronenberg's thriller concerning a London
midwife who unwittingly stumbles into a clandestine Russian sex
trafficking ring. An unidentified Russian teen has been rushed to a
London hospital after going into labor. Though midwife Anna Khitrova
(Watts) does manage to deliver a
healthy baby girl, the newborn's mother dies tragically during
delivery. But the deceased mother's secrets did not die with her,
because
she has left behind a diary. Determined to ensure the newborn is placed
with her rightful family, Anna attempts to read the diary and discovers
a business card for a local restaurant therein. Upon visiting the
restaurant Anna is greeted by kindly owner Semyon (Mueller-Stahl), who
generously offers to translate it for her. But Semyon is
not what he appears to be, and before long Anna begins to fear that the
child could be in great danger. Semyon admits to Anna that the diary
contains information about his son Kirill (Cassell) that could land the
volatile offspring in jail despite the fact that Kirill is at heart a
good person. As the truth begins to unfold and Anna begins to believe
that Kirill and his driver Nikolai (Mortensen) - an ambitious driver
seeking to ascent the ranks of the notorious Russian mafia - mean the
baby harm, an underworld storm begins to brew that could consume all
involved. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Atonement" nominated in 14 categories at British Academy Film Awards

Published Date: January 17, 2008
By JILL LAWLESS


Tragic period romance "Atonement" dominated the race for the British Academy Film Awards, with nominations in 14 categories including best picture, actor, actress and director. "No Country for Old Men," "There Will Be Blood" and "The Bourne Ultimatum" also received multiple nods for Britain's equivalent of the Oscars, organizers announced Wednesday. The prizes, to be awarded at a
ceremony at London's Royal Opera House on Feb. 10, are considered an
important indicator of prospects at the Academy Awards in L
os Angeles next month.

This year they have a higher-than-usual profile, with the
Hollywood screenwriters' strike muting the traditional glamour of the
show-business awards season in the U.S. In an eclectic field of
nominees, Joel and Ethan Coen's noir western "No Countryfor Old Men" received nine nods, including best director and three best supporting performer nominations, for Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones and Kelly Macdonald.

Historical epic "There Will be Blood" also received nine nominations, including best actor for
Daniel Day-Lewis. "Atonement," adapted from Ian McEwan's literary
tear-jerker about an ill-starred romance, played out against the
backdrop of World War II, wasnominated for best picture and best British picture. Stars Keira Knightley and James McAvoy were nominated in the acting categories, and Joe Wright was shortlisted for best director.

Atonement" won the best-picture prize at the Golden Globe Awards in Los
Angeles on Sunday, although Knightley and McAvoy lost out on the acting
prizes. The full list of best-picture nomineesis "Atonement," "There Will Be Blood," "No Country for Old Men," crime epic "American Gangster" and German drama "The Lives of Others." In the separate category of best British film, "Atonement" is up against "The Bourne Ultimatum," Russian mafia thriller "Eastern Promises," skinhead drama "This is England" and Joy Di
vision biopic "Control.

The best-actor contenders are McAvoy, Day-Lewis, George Clooney for "Michael Clayton," Viggo Mortensen for "Eastern Promises" and the late Ulrich Muhe for "The Lives of Others." Leading actress nominees are Knightley, Cate Blanchett for "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," Julie Christie for "Away from Her," Marion Cotillard for "La Vie En Rose" and newcomer Ellen Page for "Juno." The British awards - officially the Orange British Academy Film Awards but known as BAFTAs - have become an essential pre-Oscars stop s
ince they were moved in 2000 from April to a February date to precede the Academy Awards in Hollywood.- AP

Read some more here
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00013792.html

OH, but Viggo has not win a price there. I read about it on a website for him, The film has some prizes but Viggo not. That is not fair, he has played so good in Eastern Promises and they don't give him a prize.

Well Lisa, if Viggo thought exactly as you I most certainly would not be a fan. No offence, dear. I know we can all be disappointed for him and even to the point of sadness but look on the bright side - my goodness he has been nominated consistently in more than one country's awards. I feel proud to be a fan. Our awards here in Canada aren't glitzy but we're pleased that we have them all the same.

I caught a few minutes of the awards -- enough to see Sarah Polley's award for best director however in the fashion department I wouldn't give her a dime for the outfit she was wearing. Yikes! Talk about embarassing. I personally have been an admirer of young Sarah since her days as a child actress in Canada's CBC series 'Road to Avonlea' - which I still will watch re-runs of as well as remember my time working for the CBC years ago as part of the team to promote this series across Canada. She has matured into a fine young director/artist and I am proud of her as a fellow Canadian.

As for Gordon Pinsent taking the best actor award from Viggo, well let me say that Viggo should feel honoured to be nominated in the same category as this fine actor. I would have liked to see Viggo win but then again I have followed Mr. Pinsent's performances since I was a little girl. I'm glad he won. Viggo will one day walk home with a statuette of one kind or another. The joy is in the hoping I think. And the sharing of a wonderful experience just being recognized with other equal and fine actors. There are no losers in my opinion. I just wish Viggo had attended.

As for David Cronenberg not winning a Genie, I daresay he would begrudge any of the winners. David is a staunch Canadian and no doubt he would applaud all the winners and likely say "I just gotta get better than those guys!" which means we can expect better and better from DC all the time. Do I personally feel he and EP were overlooked at the Oscars? Yeah I do. So be it. Dems de brakes, eh David?

As for the moment of the Genies that I was glad I caught was Roméo Dallaire actually showing up as a presenter. His quip of being a "double for Roy Dupuis" was totally wonderful. It's an inside joke. This man is the former boss of some friends of mine and although I wish the movie "Shake Hands With The Devil" had received more recognition - just the fact that a movie was made with an international star based on a book he wrote about such a horrific expereince and he showed up as a proud presenter is more than this Canadian can be happy for. Adieu.

Sorry, but I do not really understand of what you say. I only sayd I was sad that he do not get a price for the great movie. So you think if he is sad about that too, then you are no fan of him any more? Do you not think he is a bit sad about that some times too? I do not think he does not care about prices, every actor likes to win one some times I think. He only is too nice to say that, he always tells people he does not care about it, but I think deep inside of him he would be very proud to get a award too.

Lisa wrote:

Sorry, but I do not really understand of what you say. I only sayd I was sad that he do not get a price for the great movie. So you think if he is sad about that too, then you are no fan of him any more? Do you not think he is a bit sad about that some times too? I do not think he does not care about prices, every actor likes to win one some times I think. He only is too nice to say that, he always tells people he does not care about it, but I think deep inside of him he would be very proud to get a award too.

Lisa you are likely right. Still with all the hype, every which way he turned, I am sure that it would add to the degree of disappointment and sadness even for someone like Viggo.

And yes I am still a fan.