Steve Pond's Blog, page 2001
January 26, 2020
Amazon Studios Acquires Phyllida Lloyd’s ‘Herself’
Amazon Studios acquired the North American rights to Phyllida Lloyd’s “Herself’ out of Sundance, the distributor announced Sunday.
The distributor is planning a theatrical release for the film later this year. No financial details were disclosed.
“Herself” follows single mother Sandra, who escapes her abusive partner with her two young children, but soon finds herself trapped in temporary accommodations. She then comes up with the idea to self-build an affordable home with the help of friends and neighbors.
Also Read: Huriyyah Muhammad Wins Producers Award From Sundance Institute and Amazon Studios
The film stars Clare Dunne as Sandra, as well as Harriet Walter and Conleth Hill. Dunne wrote the script with Malcolm Campbell.
Rory Gilmartin, Sharon Horgan and Ed Guiney are producing, while Andrew Lowe, Clelia Mountford, Rose Garnett, Alison Thompson and Mary Burke executive produced.
Also Read: 'Downhill' Film Review: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell Remake Falls Short of Original
The film was co-developed by Element Pictures and Merman. Cornerstone Films is handling worldwide sales and distribution.
This is the first major deal on the ground at the festival — Rebecca Hall’s “The Night House” is reportedly closing a deal with Searchlight Pictures.
Related stories from TheWrap:
‘Blast Beat’ Film Review: Debut Feature Captures the Messy, Imperfect, Sometimes Empowering Immigrant Experience
Sublimely specific in content yet boasting wide appeal, Colombian filmmaker Esteban Arango’s “Blast Beat” expands on his short film with the same title (and starring the same co-leads) for a terrific bilingual debut that keenly scrutinizes the American Dream, those who pursue it vehemently, and the ones who reject it as the sole avenue to fulfillment.
Fleeing extortion in Bogota, Colombia, the upper-middle-class Restrepo teen brothers, Carlos Andres (Mateo Arias) and Mateo Adrian (Moises Arias), and their mother Nelly (Diane Guerrero, “Orange is the New Black”) land in sultry Georgia to meet their father, played by Venezuelan-American actor Wilmer Valderrama in a rare but excellent dramatic turn charged with measured warmth and aggravation. It’s 1999, and the ELN armed group wrecks havoc in the South American nation.
Opposing forces fueled by rampant testosterone, the young men maintain a rivalrous relationship which, in spite of its often-negative intensity, benefits from the inherently natural fraternal rapport and lived-in psychological intricacy of be
ing played by the real-life Arias brothers. Each of their processes, related to homesickness and adaptation, operate in direct enmity.
Also Read: Netflix Beats Colombian Journalist's Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Over 'Narcos'
Arango’s luckiest break was signing on these two tempestuous actors to clash against each other with the unfiltered animosity that only people who also love each other fiercely can summon. Conjunctionally engrossing, the Arias’ performances hit like wrecking balls of genuine and conflicted emotions, giving cinematographer Ed Wu (“Sleight”) the task of matching that indomitable vibrancy in the hues that fill their rooms and through the use of unorthodox motion.
Eldest sibling Carly, a longhaired metal-head with dreams of working for NASA, debunks the tired image of the introverted, glasses-wearing science genius, but does fit the bill as a rule-abiding and goal-driven person. Moises Arias, as the resentful and artistically-minded Mateo, pushes the rebellious and untamed energy shown in last year’s masterful “Monos” into a more restrained direction but still inhabiting the same unruly space.
Shaping their identities in a place far from what they’ve always known, the divide that separates Carly and Mateo transcends a difference in musical taste and aspirations and now involves how they react to the possibility of being repatriated and even their national allegiance. Interactions with strangers around them exacerbate the difficulty of acclimating to their new reality as outsiders.
Also Read: Jennifer Lopez Teams With STX Films on Drug Lord Drama 'The Godmother'
“You should learn Spanish, half of the world speaks it,” Carly tells a clueless white classmate when she questions his English-language skills. The pair’s proficiency in the tongue is attributed to their private education back home, and though a passing explanation is better than none, removing the ESL (English as a Second Language) barrier, which many incoming migrants endure, functions as an extremely convenient device to facilitate some story beats.
Another interpretation is that perhaps the writer-director needed to express that not all Latin Americans arrive without speaking the language, just as he does with other gross misconceptions and assumptions about people from south of the border. At school, Mateo is recurrently on the receiving end of anti-Mexican slurs and geographically ignorant comments, while Carly sees his succeeding in the aerospace field partly as a vehicle to denote Colombians are more than Pablo Escobar.
A soundscape comprised of David Murillo’s moody electronic score and tracks exemplifying the genres that distinguish the duo’s personalities (heavy metal for Carly and Spanish-language rap for Mateo) exalts the contrast between them on a sonic level. Hot and heavy perreo, a suggestive Latin American dance style, and the presence of Colombian-American singer Kali Uchis on screen as Carly’s Colombian girlfriend (and through the use of one of her songs) reveal how vital music is in Arango’s storytelling grammar.
Also Read: 'NCIS' Star Wilmer Valderrama Signs First-Look Deal With CBS TV Studios to Focus on Diversity
Heavy-handed lines of dialogue that forcefully instill the plot with the supposedly merit-based philosophy and hard-work ethic of the U.S. dampen a handful of scenes, like when a teacher overtly notes the American way discourages short cuts or in how a professor vilifies Carly’s by-any-means-necessary approach for what he considers is trying to cheat the system. These pitfalls, however, are minor when considering the overall radiance of authenticity on display, in that the actors speak with accents matching their characters’ origin, and the sense that the creator understands first-hand what it means to be Colombian at home and abroad.
Whether inadvertently or consciously, Arango allowed four U.S.-born Latinos to walk in the struggle-tested shoes of Latin American immigrants braving a foreign land displeased with their presence, and perhaps to channel into the screen what their own parents or themselves (Miami-born Valderrama moved back from Venezuela to the U.S. as a teen, while Guerrero has been outspoken about her parents’ deportation) encountered as ex-pats reshaping their destinies up north.
Such scenarios are the outcome of creators with culturally distinct points of view and from largely under-seen backgrounds taking the reins of their narratives. Artistic merits aside, of which there are plenty, “Blast Beat” epitomizes the type of works about Latinos in the United States we want to see today: character-driven, stylistically bold, and stereotype-adverse.
Niche as some of the situations Arango poses are, his movie is the rare work of art that viscerally understands the immigrant experience but is cerebral enough not to oversimplify it, allowing it to appear messy and imperfect, and all the more truthful for it. It has its heart in both places, the troubled motherland and the land of conditional opportunity, and can see them with a loving yet critical eye.
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'NCIS" Wilmer Valderrama Wants Deportation Storyline to Create 'Forward Thinking' Conversation
Gina Rodriguez Goes All Lil' Wayne on Wilmer Valderrama During 'Lip Sync Battle' (Video)
'Minority Report' Star Wilmer Valderrama Exclusive Wrap Portraits (Photos)
Ethan Hawke, Dee Rees, Emily Mortimer Among Sundance 2020 Jury Members
‘Downhill’ Film Review: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell Remake Falls Short of Original
If you’re going to have the hubris to remake a good movie, you’d better be prepared to bring some exciting new ideas or fresh approaches to the material. The appropriately titled “Downhill” does neither.
Nat Faxon and Jim Rash are superb performers (I’ve been a fan since they were Groundlings) turned talented screenwriters (“The Descendants”) and directors (“The Way Way Back”), but their pedestrian remake of the squirmily hilarious 2014 comedy “Force Majeure” seems like a major miscalculation.
Had they made a the-same-but-in-English do-over, it would be unremarkable but forgivable. Instead (with co-writer Jesse Armstrong, “Succession”), they have actively dumbed down the Swedish restraint of Ruben Ostlund’s original, spelling out and underlining every bit of characterization and motivation in a manner that suggests they don’t trust the audience’s intelligence.
Watch Video: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell Have an Awkward Ski Vacation in 'Downhill' Trailer
Americans Pete (Will Ferrell) and Billie (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and their children are on a ski vacation in the Alps when one of the resort’s controlled avalanches seemingly goes out of control, blanketing their deck with a blinding amount of snow; Billie stays with the terrified kids while Pete’s instinct is to grab his cellphone and run. In the aftermath, Pete tries to pretend that nothing has happened — even suddenly becoming overprotective of his children’s safety — while Billie waits for him to acknowledge how he responded during what appeared to be a life-or-death situation.
Pete’s initial unwillingness to cop to his actions, and Billie’s increasing frustration with him (in addition to the way the incident underscores other issues in their marriage), leads to uncomfortably comic altercations, particularly one that will be recognizable to anyone who’s ever been an annoyed parent or recalcitrant child.
Also Read: Disney Kills Off Fox, Rebrands Labels 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures
Even with its shortcomings, “Downhill” does a lot right, from the casting of its leads — Louis-Dreyfus is the queen of coiled irritation and Ferrell is her equal when it comes to beta-male bluster — to the gloss and grandeur of the luxury Alpine settings. (Admittedly, “Force Majeure” also had a great sense of place, so at its best, this new film is merely its predecessor’s equal.)
Anyone looking to illustrate the difference between European art-house filmmaking and Hollywood studio product (“Downhill” is the first film to go out with the Fox-less “Searchlight Pictures” logo) could point to the many times “Downhill” comes out and says what “Force Majeure” only has to imply. The new film borrows the iconic shot of the family brushing their teeth together in the big bathroom mirror, but in “Downhill,” we know that Billie is annoyed with Pete because she crosses over and uses the other sink that faces the other side of the mirror.
Also Read: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Signs Overall Deal With Apple
That’s just one example of the film not trusting us to pick up on cues, on glances, on awkward silences. The blow-ups between Pete and Billie are tense and funny, yes — and co-stars Miranda Otto, Zach Woods and Zoë Chao get their own moments to shine — but Rash and Faxon lack the confidence to let the audience wriggle on the hook of unease by delaying the couple’s inevitable confrontations. And on top of that, there’s a third-act resolution that goes overboard in spelling out how everyone feels and how they’ll proceed from here.
“Downhill” is a movie designed for people who can’t be bothered to jump what Bong Joon Ho recently called the “one-inch hurdle” of subtitles in a very accessible film. (As of this writing, “Force Majeure” is available for rent on Amazon and streaming for subscribers of Hulu and Kanopy.) Anyone who sees this new movie without having watched the original will certainly enjoy the lead performances, but they’ll be getting the frozen-watered-down version of the story.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Nicole Byer, Nat Faxon Join HBO Max Comedy Pilot 'Delilah'
How Jim Rash Went From Improv to 'Community' to a 'Descendants' Oscar Nomination
Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds' Musical Take on 'A Christmas Carol' Heads to Apple
Kobe Bryant Crash: Fog Was So Bad on Sunday Morning, LAPD Grounded Its Own Helicopters
As the investigation into what caused the helicopter carrying Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant and eight others to crash on Sunday continues, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Air Support Division said its helicopters were grounded that morning because of fog.
“The weather situation did not meet our minimum standards for flying,” Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Josh Rubenstein said.
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said his department did the same thing “basically because of the weather.”
Also Read: NBA Legend Kobe Bryant and Teenage Daughter Gianna Killed in Helicopter Crash at 41
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash and will determine the official cause. The FBI is also assisting the investigation, a standard practice.
During a press conference on Sunday, Villanueva said the crash site was difficult to access and “a logistical nightmare.” He also urged people to stay away from the scene, saying, “If you do not have identification that says you are a local resident, you won’t have access to the area.”
Dr. Jonathan Lucas, Los Angeles County Coroner, said the recovery effort of the bodies could take days to complete due to the terrain of the crash site. He added, “Our next priority after recovery is identification and notification of the families.”
Also Read: LA Lakers Superfan Jack Nicholson Reacts to Kobe Bryant's Death: 'It's Just a Terrible Event'
Nine people were killed when the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter crashed at about 10 a.m. PT, officials said. The helicopter’s manufacturer is cooperating with the investigation, the company said in a statement.
In addition to Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri and their daughter Alyssa, and Christina Mauser, an assistant girls basketball coach at an elementary school in Orange County were among those killed. The other three passengers remain unidentified.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Grammys Open With Kobe Bryant Tribute at Staples Center: 'Tonight Is for Kobe' (Video)
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Kobe Bryant Remembered by Laker Legends Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kobe Bryant Crash Fatalities Include College Baseball Coach and His Family, Girls Basketball Coach
While authorities have yet to officially confirm the identity all of the people killed in the helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., that claimed the life of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, information is coming out about some of the other people who lost their lives on Sunday.
Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri and their daughter Alyssa were killed in the crash, according to the college. Altobelli’s family confirmed their deaths to the school.
“John meant so much to not only Orange Coast College, but to baseball,” OCC athletic director Jason Kehler said in a statement. “He truly personified what it means to be a baseball coach. The passion that he put into the game, but more importantly his athletes, was second to none — he treated them like family. Our deepest condolences go out to the Altobelli family during this time of tragedy.”
Also Read: Grammys Open With Kobe Bryant Tribute at Staples Center: 'Tonight Is for Kobe'
Altobelli coached at OCC for 27 years, leading the school to four state titles. Altobelli coached New York Yankees star Aaron Judge as well as New York Mets all-star Jeff McNeil at one point during their careers.
In addition, Christina Mauser, an assistant girls basketball coach at Harbor Day School in Corona Del Mar, Calif., died in the crash as well, Mauser’s husband said on social media. He wrote on his Facebook page, “My kids and I are devastated. We lost our beautiful wife and mom today in a helicopter crash. Please respect our privacy. Thank you for all the well wishes they mean so much.”
Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley tweeted about Mauser’s passing, writing, “This devastating tragedy gets worse by the hour. So much pain for so many local families. Our hearts are broken & grieving for the families impacted.”
I just learned that our amazing Matt Mauser of TiajuanaDogs lost his wife Christina in the crash. She coached the girls team. This devastating tragedy gets worse by the hour. So much pain for so many local families. Our hearts are broken & grieving for the families impacted.
— Mayor Katrina Foley (@KatrinaFoley) January 27, 2020
Also Read: Kobe Bryant Remembered by Laker Legends Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Dr. Jonathan Lucas, Los Angeles County Coroner, said the recovery effort of the bodies could take days to complete due to the terrain of the crash site. He added, “Our next priority after recovery is identification and notification of the families.”
The helicopter was traveling to a basketball practice at Bryant’s Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks, Calif., when it went down in the hills west of the San Fernando Valley on Sunday at about 10 a.m. PT, officials said.
The crash caused a wildfire that was contained to the crash site and was not near any homes or major roadways. When authorities arrived at the mountainside area, they found no survivors in the fiery wreckage.
Bryant’s death came just one day after he was passed on the NBA’s all-time scoring list by current Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
Related stories from TheWrap:
LA Lakers Superfan Jack Nicholson Reacts to Kobe Bryant's Death: 'It's Just a Terrible Event'
Grammys Open With Kobe Bryant Tribute at Staples Center: 'Tonight Is for Kobe' (Video)
Tiger Woods Learned of Kobe Bryant's Death Minutes After Finishing a Round of Golf
2020 Grammy Awards: Billie Eilish Sweeps Top Categories – Winners List
Newcomer Billie Eilish took home five prizes at the 2020 Grammy Awards on Sunday, including Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year for her hit “Bad Guy” and Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”
Lizzo emerged as a big winner as well, winning Best Pop Solo Performance for her hit “Truth Hurts,” as well as awards for Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best Urban Contemporary Album.
And Gary Clark Jr. won for Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Contemporary Blues Album for “This Land.”
Other major winners included Tyler the Creator for rap album, Anderson .Paak for R&B album, Tanya Tucker for country album, Vampire Weekend for alternative album and Cage the Elephant for rock album.
Also Read: All 60 Grammy Best New Artist Winners, From The Beatles to Adele to Milli Vanilli (Photos)
Alicia Keys returned to host the telecast, which aired live on CBS (tape-delayed on the West Coast) and CBS All Access from L.A.’s Staples Center.
Lizzo led all nominees with eight, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist. Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X each came into the night with six nominations.
The awards show opened with a tribute to retired NBA star Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning at age 41.
Check out the list of select winners below (winners are bolded with a star next to their name):
BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
“Spirit,” Beyoncé
“Bad Guy,” Billie Eilish
“7 Rings,” Ariana Grande
“Truth Hurts,” Lizzo **WINNER
“You Need to Calm Down,” Taylor Swift
BEST POP/DUO GROUP PERFORMANCE
Boyfriend, Ariana Grande & Social House
Old Town Road, Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus **WINNER
Sucker, Jonas Brothers
Sunflower, Post Malone & Swae Lee
Señorita, Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
BEST LATIN ROCK, URBAN OR ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
X 100PRE, Bad Bunny
Oasis, J Balvin & Bad Bunny
Indestructible, Flor De Toloache
Almadura, iLe
El Mal Querer, Rosalía **WINNER
BEST LATIN POP ALBUM
VIDA, Luis Fonsi
11:11, Maluma
Montaner, Ricardo Montaner
#Eldisco, Alejandro Sanz **WINNER
Fantasia, Sebastian Yatra
BEST COMEDY ALBUM
Quality Time — Jim Gaffigan
Relatable — Ellen DeGeneres
Right Now — Aziz Ansari
Son of Patricia — Trevor Noah
Sticks & Stones — Dave Chappelle **WINNER
BEST COUNTRY SONG
“Bring My Flowers Now,” Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth & Tanya Tucker, songwriters (Tanya Tucker) **WINNER
“Girls Goin’ Nowhere,” Jeremy Bussey & Ashley McBryde, songwriters (Ashley McBryde)
“It All Comes Out in the Wash,” Miranda Lambert, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
“Some Of It,” Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde & Bobby Pinson, songwriters (Eric Church)
“Speechless,” Shay Mooney, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers and Laura Veltz, songwriters (Dan + Shay)
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Desperate Man, Erich Church
Stronger Than the Truth, Reba McEntire
Interstate Gospel, Pistol Annies
Center Point Road, Thomas Rhett
While I’m Livin, Tanya Tucker **WINNER
BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
“Brand New Man,” Brooks & Dunn With Luke Combs
“I Don’t Remember Me (Before You),” Brothers Osborne
“Speechless,” Dan + Shay **WINNER
“The Daughters,” Little Big Town
“Common,” Maren Morris Featuring Brandi Carlile
BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE
“All Your’n,” Tyler Childers
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere,” Ashley McBryde
“Ride Me Back Home,” Willie Nelson **WINNER
“God’s Country,” Blake Shelton
“Bring Me My Flowers Now,” Tanya Tucker
BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE
“Linked” — Bonobo
“Got To Keep On” — The Chemical Brothers **WINNER
“Piece Of Your Heart” — Meduza Featuring Goodboys
“Underwater” — RÜFÜS DU SOL
“Midnight Hour” — Skrillex & Boys Noize Featuring Ty Dolla $ign
BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM
LP5 — Apparat
No Geography — The Chemical Brothers **WINNER
Hi This Is Flume (Mixtape) — Flume
Solace — RÜFÜS DU SOL
Weather — Tycho
BEST CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Ancestral Recall — Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
Star People Nation — Theo Croker
Beat Music! Beat Music! Beat Music! — Mark Guiliana
Elevate — Lettuce
Mettavolution — Rodrigo y Gabriela **WINNER
BEST RAP ALBUM
Revenge of the Dreamers III, Dreamville
Championships, Meek Mill
I Am > I Was, 21 Savage
Igor, Tyler, the Creator **WINNER
The Lost Boy, YBN Cordae
BEST RAP/SUNG PERFORMANCE
“Higher” — DJ Khaled Featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend **WINNER
“Drip Too Hard” — Lil Baby & Gunna
“Panini” — Lil Nas X
“Ballin” — Mustard Featuring Roddy Ricch
“The London” — Young Thug Featuring J. Cole & Travis Scott
BEST RAP SONG
“Bad Idea,” Chancelor Bennett, Cordae Dunston, Uforo Ebong & Daniel Hackett, songwriters (YBN Cordae Featuring Chance The Rapper)
“Gold Roses,” Noel Cadastre, Aubrey Graham, Anderson Hernandez, Khristopher Riddick-Tynes, William Leonard Roberts II, Joshua Quinton Scruggs, Leon Thomas III & Ozan Yildirim, songwriters (Rick Ross Featuring Drake)
“A Lot,” Jermaine Cole, Dacoury Natche, 21 Savage & Anthony White, songwriters (21 Savage Featuring J. Cole) **WINNER
“Racks in the Middle,” Ermias Asghedom, Dustin James Corbett, Greg Allen Davis, Chauncey Hollis, Jr. & Rodrick Moore, songwriters (Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy)
“Suge,” DaBaby, Jetsonmade & Pooh Beatz, songwriters (DaBaby)
BEST RAP PERFORMANCE
“Middle Child” — J. Cole
“Suge” — DaBaby
“Down Bad” — Dreamville Featuring J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, EARTHGANG & Young Nudy
“Racks In The Middle” — Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy **WINNER
“Clout” – Offset Featuring Cardi B
BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
“Pretty Waste” — Bones UK
“This Land” — Gary Clark Jr. **WINNER
“History Repeats” — Brittany Howard
“Woman” — Karen O & Danger Mouse
“Too Bad” — Rival Sons
BEST ROCK SONG
“Fear Inoculum” — Danny Carey, Justin Chancellor, Adam Jones & Maynard James Keenan, songwriters (Tool)
“Give Yourself A Try” — George Daniel, Adam Hann, Matthew Healy & Ross MacDonald, songwriters (The 1975)
“Harmony Hall” — Ezra Koenig, songwriter (Vampire Weekend)
“History Repeats” — Brittany Howard, songwriter (Brittany Howard)
“This Land” — Gary Clark Jr., songwriter (Gary Clark Jr.) **WINNER
BEST METAL PERFORMANCE
“Astorolus” – The Great Octopus — Candlemass Featuring Tony Iommi
“Humanicide” — Death Angel
“Bow Down” — I Prevail
“Unleashed” — Killswitch Engage
“7empest” — Tool **WINNER
BEST RAP PERFORMANCE
“Middle Child,” J. Cole
“Suge,” DaBaby
“Down Bad,” Dreamville Featuring J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, EARTHGANG & Young Nudy
“Racks in the Middle,” Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy **WINNER
“Clout,” Offset feat. Cardi B
BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM
“Ain’t Too Proud”
“Hadestown” **WINNER
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical”
“The Music of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – in Four Contemporary Suites”
“Oklahoma!”
BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUM
Beastie Boys Book — (Various Artists) Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz, Scott Sherratt & Dan Zitt, producers
Becoming — Michelle Obama **WINNER
I.V. Catatonia: 20 Years As A Two-Time Cancer Survivor — Eric Alexandrakis
Mr. Know-It-All — John Waters\
Sekou Andrews & The String Theory — Sekou Andrews & The String Theory
BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIUM
The Lion King: The Songs — (Various Artists)
Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood — (Various Artists)
Rocketman — Taron Egerton
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse — (Various Artists)
A Star Is Born — Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper **WINNER
BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIUM
Avengers: Endgame — Alan Silvestri, composer
Chernobyl — Hildur Guðnadóttir, composer **WINNER
Game of Thrones: Season 8 — Ramin Djawadi, composer
The Lion King — Hans Zimmer, composer
Mary Poppins Returns — Marc Shaiman, composer
BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIUM
“The Ballad Of The Lonesome Cowboy” — Randy Newman, songwriter (Chris Stapleton), Track from: Toy Story 4
“Girl in the Movies” — Dolly Parton & Linda Perry, songwriters (Dolly Parton), Track from: Dumplin’
“I’ll Never Love Again” (Film Version) — Natalie Hemby, Lady Gaga, Hillary Lindsey & Aaron Raitiere songwriters (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper), Track from: A Star Is Born **WINNER
“Spirit” — Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Timothy McKenzie & Ilya Salmanzadeh, songwriters (Beyoncé), Track from: The Lion King
Suspirium” — Thom Yorke, songwriter (Thom Yorke), Track from: Suspiria
BEST INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION
“Begin Again” — Fred Hersch, composer (Fred Hersch & The WDR Big Band Conducted By Vince Mendoza)
“Crucible For Crisis” — Brian Lynch, composer (Brian Lynch Big Band)
“Love, A Beautiful Force” — Vince Mendoza, composer (Vince Mendoza, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts & Temple University Studio Orchestra)
“Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Symphonic Suite” — John Williams, composer (John Williams) **WINNER
“Walkin’ Funny” — Christian McBride, composer (Christian McBride)
BEST R&B SONG
“Could’ve Been,” Dernst Emile II, David “Swagg R’Celious” Harris, H.E.R. & Hue “Soundzfire” Strother, songwriters (H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller)
“Look at Me Now,” Emily King & Jeremy Most, songwriters (Emily King)
“No Guidance,” Chris Brown, Tyler James Bryant, Nija Charles, Aubrey Graham, Anderson Hernandez, Michee Patrick Lebrun, Joshua Lewis, Noah Shebib & Teddy Walton, songwriters (Chris Brown Featuring Drake)
“Roll Some Mo,” David Brown, Dernst Emile II & Peter Lee Johnson, songwriters (Lucky Daye)
“Say So,” PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton Featuring JoJo) **WINNER
BEST MUSIC FILM
Homecoming — Beyoncé **WINNER
Remember My Name — David Crosby
Birth Of The Cool — (Miles Davis)
Shangri-La — (Various Artists)
Anima — Thom Yorke
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
“We’ve Got To Try” — The Chemical Brothers; Ellie Fry, video director; Ninian Doff, video producer
“This Land” — Gary Clark Jr.; Savanah Leaf, video director; Alicia Martinez, video producer
“Cellophane” — FKA twigs; Andrew Thomas Huang, video director; Alex Chamberlain, video producer
“Old Town Road (Official Movie)” — Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus; Calmatic, video director; Candice Dragonas, Melissa Larsen & Saul Levitz, video producers **WINNER
“Glad He’s Gone” — Tove Lo; Vania Heymann & Gal Muggia, video directors; Natan Schottenfels, video producer
BEST NEW ARTIST
Black Pumas
Billie Eilish **WINNER
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Maggie Rogers
Rosalía
Tank and the Bangas
Yola
BEST R&B PERFORMANCE
“Love Again,” Daniel Caesar and Brandy
“Exactly How I Feel,” Lizzo feat. Gucci Mane
“Roll Some Mo,” Lucky Daye
“Come Home,” Anderson .Paak feat. André 3000 **WINNER
“Could’ve Been,” H.E.R. feat. Bryson Tiller
BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE
“Time Today” — BJ The Chicago Kid
“Steady Love” — India.Arie
“Jerome” — Lizzo **WINNER
“Real Games” — Lucky Daye
“Built For Love” — PJ Morton Featuring Jazmine Sullivan
BEST ROCK ALBUM
Amo, Bring Me The Horizon
Social Cues, Cage The Elephant **WINNER
In The End, The Cranberries
Trauma, I Prevail
Feral Roots, Rival Sons
BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
“Pretty Waste,” Bones UK
“This Land,” Gary Clark Jr. **WINNER
“History Repeats,” Brittany Howard
“Woman,” Karen O & Danger Mouse
“Too Bad,” Rival Sons
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
U.F.O.F. — Big Thief
Assume Form — James Blake
I,I — Bon Iver
Anima — Thom Yorke
Father Of The Bride — Vampire Weekend **WINNER
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
The Lion King: The Gift, Beyoncé
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Billie Eilish **WINNER
thank u, next, Ariana Grande
No. 6 Collaborations Project, Ed Sheeran
Lover, Taylor Swift
BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
Sì, Andrea Bocelli
Love (Deluxe Edition), Michael Bublé
Look Now, Elvis Costello & The Pretenders **WINNER
A Legendary Christmas, John Legend
Walls, Barbra Streisand
BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
“Boyfriend,” Ariana Grande & Social House
“Sucker,” Jonas Brothers
“Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus **WINNER
“Sunflower,” Post Malone & Swae Lee
“Señorita,” Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Always Remember Us This Way,” Natalie Hemby, Lady Gaga, Hillary Lindsey & Lori McKenna, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
“Bad Guy,” Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish) **WINNER
“Bring My Flowers Now,” Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth & Tanya Tucker, songwriters (Tanya Tucker)
“Hard Place,” Ruby Amanfu, Sam Ashworth, D. Arcelious Harris, H.E.R. & Rodney Jerkins, songwriters (H.E.R.)
“Lover,” Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
“Norman F—ing Rockwell,” Jack Antonoff & Lana Del Rey, songwriters (Lana Del Rey)
“Someone You Loved,” Tom Barnes, Lewis Capaldi, Pete Kelleher, Benjamin Kohn & Sam Roman, songwriters (Lewis Capaldi)
“Truth Hurts,” Steven Cheung, Eric Frederic, Melissa Jefferson & Jesse Saint John, songwriters (Lizzo)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
i,i, Bon Iver
Norman F–ing Rockwell!, Lana Del Rey
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Billie Eilish **WINNER
thank u, next, Ariana Grande
I Used To Know Her, H.E.R.
7, Lil Nas X
Cuz I Love You (Deluxe), Lizzo
Father Of The Bride, Vampire Weekend
RECORD OF THE YEAR
“Hey, Ma,” Bon Iver
“Bad Guy,” Billie Eilish **WINNER
“7 Rings,” Ariana Grande
“Hard Place,” H.E.R.
“Talk,” Khalid
“Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus
“Truth Hurts,” Lizzo
“Sunflower,” Post Malone and Swae Lee
A complete list of winners can be found on the Grammys website.
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The Grammys have honored some major stars early in their careers — and also some head-scratchers (Debby Boone over Andy Gibb and Foreigner?)
1960: Bobby Darin • Also nominated: Edd Byrnes; Johnny Restivo; Mark Murphy; Mavis Rivers
1961: Bob Newhart • Also nominated: Joanie Sommers; Leontyne Price; Miriam Makeba; The Brothers Four
1962: Peter Nero • Also nominated: Ann-Margret; Dick Gregory; The Lettermen; Timi Yuro
1963: Robert Goulet • Also nominated: Allan Sherman; Peter, Paul and Mary; The Four Seasons; The New Christy Minstrels; Vaughn Meader
1964: The Swingle Singers • Also nominated: John Gary; Trini Lopez; The J’s with Jamie; Vikki Carr
1965: The Beatles • Also nominated: The Beatles
Antonio Carlos Jobim; Astrud Gilberto; Morgana King; Petula Clark
1966: Tom Jones •
Also nominated: Glenn Yarbrough; Herman’s Hermits; Horst Jankowski; Marilyn Maye; Sonny & Cher; The Byrds
1968: Bobbie Gentry • Also nominated: Harpers Bizarre; Jefferson Airplane; Lana Cantrell; The 5th Dimension
1969: José Feliciano • Also nominated: Cream; Gary Puckett & The Union Gap; Jeannie C. Riley; O. C. Smith
1970: Crosby, Stills & Nash • Also nominated: Chicago; Led Zeppelin; Oliver; The Neon Philharmonic
1971: The Carpenters • Also nominated: Anne Murray; Elton John; Melba Moore; The Partridge Family
1972: Carly Simon • Also nominated: Bill Withers; Chase; Emerson, Lake & Palmer; Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
1973: America • Also nominated: Eagles; Harry Chapin; John Prine; Loggins and Messina
The Eagles were robbed!
1974: Bette Midler • Also nominated: Barry White; Eumir Deodato; Marie Osmond; Maureen McGovern
Bette over Barry White? Interesting…
1975: Marvin Hamlisch • Also nominated: Bad Company; David Essex; Graham Central Station; Johnny Bristol; Phoebe Snow
Another old-fashioned choice.
1976: Natalie Cole • Also nominated: Amazing Rhythm Aces; Brecker Brothers; KC and the Sunshine Band; Morris Albert
Unforgettable.
1977: Starland Vocal Band • Also nominated: Boston; Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band; The Brothers Johnson; Wild Cherry
Who?
1978: Debby Boone • Also nominated: Andy Gibb; Foreigner; Shaun Cassidy; Stephen Bishop
Another boring, safe choice that snubs legends like Gibb and Foreigner. Doesn’t feel like the first time the Grammys have gone the wrong way.
1979: A Taste of Honey • Also nominated: Chris Rea; Elvis Costello; The Cars; Toto
Really?! You pass over Elvis Costello and The Cars for the “Boogie Oogie Oogie” duo?
1980: Rickie Lee Jones • Also nominated: Dire Straits; Robin Williams; The Blues Brothers; The Knack
1981: Christopher Cross • Also nominated: Amy Holland; Irene Cara; Robbie Dupree; The Pretenders
The “Sailing” guy bests the Pretenders? Take me away.
1982: Sheena Easton • Also nominated: Adam and the Ants; James Ingram; Luther Vandross; The Go-Go’s
Love Sheena, but Luther and the G0-Gos made a bigger impact.
1983: Men at Work • Also nominated: Asia; Jennifer Holliday; Stray Cats; The Human League
1984: Culture Club • Also nominated: Big Country; Eurythmics; Men Without Hats; Musical Youth
Boy George vs. Annie Lennox.
1985: Cyndi Lauper • Also nominated: Corey Hart; Frankie Goes to Hollywood; Sheila E.; The Judds
The Grammys got this one right.
1986: Sade • Also nominated: A-ha; Freddie Jackson; Katrina and the Waves; Julian Lennon
1987: Bruce Hornsby and the Range • Also nominated: Glass Tiger; Nu Shooz; Simply Red; Timbuk3
1988: Jody Watley • Also nominated: Breakfast Club; Cutting Crew; Terence Trent D’Arby; Swing Out Sister
1989: Tracy Chapman • Also nominated: Rick Astley; Take 6; Toni Childs; Vanessa L. Williams
At least the Grammys didn’t Rick-roll Tracy Chapman.
1990: [Milli Vanilli] • Also nomianted: Indigo Girls; Neneh Cherry; Soul II Soul; Tone Lōc
Granted, the Grammys rescinded the award after the pop duo Milli Vanilli were exposed as lip-syncers of other vocalists. But the fact that they beat great artists like Indigo Girls and Tone Lōc in the first place is embarrassing.
1991: Mariah Carey • Also nominated: Lisa Stansfield; The Black Crowes; The Kentucky Headhunters; Wilson Phillips
One year after the Milli Vanilli debacle, Grammy voters got it right.
1992: Marc Cohn • Also nominated: Boyz II Men; C+C Music Factory; Color Me Badd; Seal
Another vanilla choice in a year in which Boys II Men and Seal were both contenders.
1993: Arrested Development • Also nominated: Billy Ray Cyrus; Jon Secada; Kris Kross; Sophie B. Hawkins
1994: Toni Braxton • Also nominated: Belly; Blind Melon; Digable Planets; SWV
1995: Sheryl Crow • Also nominated: Ace of Base; Counting Crows; Crash Test Dummies; Green Day
Green Day gets no love.
1996: Hootie & the Blowfish • Also nominated: Alanis Morissette; Brandy; Joan Osborne; Shania Twain
Guess Darius Rucker’s band name didn’t effectively warn Grammy voters that it would not withstand the test of time.
1997: LeAnn Rimes • Also nominated: Garbage; Jewel; No Doubt; The Tony Rich Project
1998: Paula Cole • Also nominated: Erykah Badu; Fiona Apple; Hanson; Puff Daddy
I don’t wanna wait… for my career to be outshone.
1999: Lauryn Hill • Also nominated: Andrea Bocelli; Backstreet Boys; Dixie Chicks; Natalie Imbruglia
What a really strong year for new artists.
2000: Christina Aguilera • Also nominated: Britney Spears; Kid Rock; Macy Gray; Susan Tedeschi
Xtina beat Britney!?
2001: Shelby Lynne • Also nominated: Brad Paisley; Jill Scott; Papa Roach; Sisqó
Lynne wins on her sixth studio album — and beats future country superstar Brad Paisley?
2002: Alicia Keys • Also nominated: David Gray; India.Arie’ Linkin Park; Nelly Furtado
2003: Norah Jones • Also nominated: Ashanti; Avril Lavigne; John Mayer; Michelle Branch
Whatever happened to Norah Jones?
2004: Evanescence • Also nominated: 50 Cent; Fountains of Wayne; Heather Headley; Sean Paul
2005: Maroon 5 • Also nominated: Gretchen; Wilson; Los Lonely Boys; Joss Stone; Kanye West
It’s a wonder Yeezy didn’t storm the stage to demand a recount.
2006: John Legend • Also nominated: Ciara; Fall Out Boy; Keane; Sugarland
2007: Carrie Underwood • Also nominated: Chris Brown; Corinne Bailey Rae; Imogen Heap; James Blunt
2008: Amy Winehouse • Also nominated: Feist; Ledisi; Paramore; Taylor Swift
Sorry, TSwift. Hard to argue with this choice of a gone-too-soon legend.
2009: Adele • Also nominated: Duffy, Jonas Brothers, Jazmine Sullivan, Lady Antebellum
2010: Zac Brown Band • Also nominated: Keri Hilson, MGMT, Silversun Pickups, The Ting Tings
2011: Esperanza Spalding • Also nominated: Drake, Florence and the Machine, Justin Bieber, Mumford & Sons
Another head-scratcher.
2012: Bon Iver • Also nominated: J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Skrillex, The Band Perry
2013: Fun • Also nominated: Alabama Shakes, Hunter Hayes, Frank Ocean, The Lumineers
Does anyone even remember Fun?
2014: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis • Also nominated: Ed Sheeran, James Blake, Kacey Musgraves, Kendrick Lamar
2015: Sam Smith • Also nominated: Bastille, Brandy Clark, Haim, Iggy Azalea
2016: Meghan Trainor • Also nominated: Courtney Barnett, James Bay, Tori Kelly, Sam Hunt
2017: Chance the Rapper • Also nominated: Kelsea Ballerini, The Chainsmokers, Maren Morris, Anderson Paak
2018: Alessia Cara • Also nominated: Khalid; Lil Uzi Vert; Julia Michaels; SZA
LA Lakers Superfan Jack Nicholson Reacts to Kobe Bryant’s Death: ‘It’s Just a Terrible Event’
Jack Nicholson had the best seat in the house at Staples Center for much of Kobe Bryant’s illustrious NBA career. As he put it, “I sat right behind his jump shot on the lefthand side.”
Nicholson, who is almost as well known for being a Los Angeles Lakers fan as he is a prolific and Oscar-winning actor, gave a rare telephone interview on Sunday after Bryant’s untimely passing on Sunday, sharing his feelings about the Lakers superstar he watched up close and personal for 20 years.
“My reaction is the same as almost all of L.A.,” Nicholson told CBS2‘s Jim Hill. “Where everything was solid, there’s just a hole in the wall.”
Also Read: Shaq 'Sick' Over Kobe Bryant's Death: 'There's No Words to Express the Pain I'm Going Through'
Nicholson reminisced with Hill, recalling the first time he met a young Bryant: “I remember him in totality as just how great a player he was. But you know I teased him the first time we met. It was in the (Madison Square) Garden in New York and I offered him a basketball and asked him if he wanted me to autograph it for him. He looked at me like I was crazy.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said nine people died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., that killed the former Lakers star and eight others, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
During his 20-year career with the Lakers, Bryant won five NBA championships. Two years ago, he shared an Oscar with animator Glen Keane for the animated short “Dear Basketball.”
An investigation into the crash is still ongoing.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Grammys Open With Kobe Bryant Tribute at Staples Center: 'Tonight Is for Kobe' (Video)
Kobe Bryant on His Post-NBA Career as Storyteller and Moviemaker
RIP Kobe Bryant: Sports, Music and Hollywood Stars Mourn NBA Legend
NBA Legend Kobe Bryant and Teenage Daughter Gianna Killed in Helicopter Crash
January 25, 2020
American Society of Cinematographers Gives Its Top Award to Roger Deakins, Again
“1917” cinematographer Roger Deakins has won the award for the best feature-film cinematography of 2019 at the American Society of Cinematographers Awards, which were handed out on Saturday night in Los Angeles.
The win was Deakins’ fifth from the ASC, tying him with Emmanuel Lubezki for the most ever. It was also his third win in the past decade, after “Skyfall” in 2013 and “Blade Runner 2049” in 2018.
Deakins is favored to win his second Oscar for his work on a film that was designed to look like one long, continuous shot. It came about half an hour after Sam Mendes won the Directors Guild Award for that film.
The Spotlight Award, which goes to a film that has not received wide theatrical distribution, went to Oscar nominee Jarin Blaschke for “The Lighthouse,” while the ASC’s first documentary award went to “Honeyland.”
Also Read: Directors Guild Awards 2020: Sam Mendes Wins Top Prize for '1917'
Television awards were given to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Terror: Infamy” and “Project Blue Book.”
Over the 33 previous years of the ASC Awards, the winner has gone on to receive the Oscar for Best Cinematography less than half the time. Last year, the ASC Award went to Lukasz Zal for “Cold War,” while the Oscar went to Alfonso Cuaron for “Cold War.”
The winners:
Theatrical Release: Roger Deakins, ASC, BSC for “1917”
Spotlight Award: Jarin Blaschke for “The Lighthouse”
Documentary: Fejmi Daut and Samir Ljuma – “Honeyland”
Episode of a Series for Non-Commercial Television: Colin Watkinson, ASC, BSC – “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Night” (Hulu)
Episode of a Series for Commercial Television: C. Kim Miles, CSC, MySC – “Project Blue Book,” “The Flatwoods Monster” (History)
Motion Picture, Miniseries, or Pilot Made for Television: John Conroy, ISC – “The Terror: Infamy,” “A Sparrow in a Swallow’s Nest” (AMC)
Related stories from TheWrap:
'Klaus' and Netflix Dominate at the Annie Awards
Directors Guild Awards 2020: Sam Mendes Wins Top Prize for '1917'
Whoops! Glenn Close Confuses SAG Awards for Golden Globes — Twice!
‘Ford v Ferrari’ Takes Top Award From Cinema Audio Society
“Ford v Ferrari” has won the top award at the Cinema Audio Society Awards, which were handed out on Saturday night in Los Angeles.
“Toy Story 4” won the award for animated feature, while the award for sound mixing of a documentary went, unsurprisingly, to “Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound.”
Television awards went to “Game of Thrones,” to “Barry” and “Fleabag” in a tie and to “Chernobyl.”
The winner of the CAS Award for live-action motion picture goes on to win the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing about half the time. Last year, “Bohemian Rhapsody” won both awards. This year, only three of the five CAS nominees — “Ford v Ferrari,” “Joker” and “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” also received Oscar nominations. The CAS chose “Rocketman” and “The Irishman” for its final two spots, while the Academy went with “1917” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
Also Read: 'Ford v Ferrari,' '1917,' 'Jojo Rabbit' Win Awards From Motion Picture Sound Editors
The winners:
Motion Picture – Live Action: “Ford v Ferrari”
Motion Picture – Animated: “Toy Story 4”
Motion Picture – Documentary: “Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound”
Television Series – 1 Hour: “Game of Thrones”: “The Bells”
Television Series – 1/2 Hour: (TIE) “Barry”: “ronny/lily” and “Fleabag”: “Episode #2.6”
Television Movie or Limited Series: “Chernobyl”: “1:23:45”
Television Non-Fiction, Variety or Music Series or Specials: “David Bowie: Finding Fame”
Outstanding Product – Production: Sound Devices, LLC: Scorpio
Outstanding Product – Post Production: iZotope, Inc.: Dialogue Match
Related stories from TheWrap:
How to Watch or Stream the 2020 Grammy Awards
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SAG Awards Crown 'Parasite,' Give the Oscar Race a Shot of Uncertainty
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