Brett Ratner donates $1 million to Academy museum

Posted by · 2:50 pm · May 29th, 2013

We all know about Brett Ratner’s unfortunate recent history with the Academy. I guess he’s made amends and whatnot but certainly this will go a long way toward smoothing it all out.

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84th Oscarcast beginning to take shape

Posted by · 10:31 am · February 17th, 2012

With the Oscar telecast just over a week away, details are slowly starting to emerge about what we could expect. And some of the signs point to a celebration dovetailing with one of the year’s unofficial themes at the multiplex: an homage to classic movies and moviemaking.

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Round-up: Time to erase the animation Oscar?

Posted by · 6:25 am · February 16th, 2012

Also: Brett Ratner’s act of apology, and Streep’s 2013 Oscar bid

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Oscarweb Round-up: The year of the dog

Posted by · 6:28 am · November 14th, 2011

“The Artist” is looking an increasingly safe bet in any number of Oscar categories, but Best Supporting Actor isn’t one of them, and it’s all because Academy rules bar canine actors from competing. That’s a tough break for the film’s remarkable Jack Russell prodigy Uggy, who’s no less deserving than some past human nominees in […]

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Oscar Talk: Ep. 69 — Ratner, Murphy, Grazer, Crystal, Freeman, 'Hugo,' BUSY WEEK!

Posted by · 7:58 am · November 11th, 2011

In this week’s podcast, Anne and Kris discuss the busiest Oscar week of the season as the producer and host of the telecast were replaced, talk about the just-wrapped AFI Fest and some more on Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo,” among many other things.

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Oscarweb Round-up: End of an Oscar era?

Posted by · 7:04 am · November 11th, 2011

In today’s round-up, Steve Pond calls this week an “end of an era” for the Oscars, Bill Nighy discusses “Arthur Christmas” across the pond and Ricky Gervais offers Hollywood a “2 for 1” offer on hosting the Globes and the Oscars.

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AMPAS president Tom Sherak has his say on Oscargate

Posted by · 4:05 pm · November 10th, 2011

At the tail end of the craziest Oscar week of the season, Academy president Tom Sherak took to the press to assure one and all: “We’re not panicking.”

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Oscarweb Round-up: Murphygate

Posted by · 7:08 am · November 10th, 2011

In today’s round-up, well, there is plenty of discussion regarding Eddie Murphy’s bowing out as Oscar host, George Clooney says he’ll be “shocked” if “The Descendants” isn’t nominated for Oscar and Mia Wasikowska hits the circuit to talk “Jane Eyre” and “Albert Nobbs.”

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Brian Grazer to the rescue

Posted by · 4:54 pm · November 9th, 2011

After the Ratner-Murphy fiasco, Oscar-winning producer Brian Grazer looks like a safe pair of hands for the Oscar show.

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Oscars host Eddie Murphy follows Brett Ratner out the door

Posted by · 10:16 am · November 9th, 2011

The Academy has announced that Eddie Murphy will also bow out of this year’s Oscar ceremony, in the wake of Brett Ratner’s controversy, leaving the show hostless. We’re back to square one.

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Oscarweb Round-up: Oprah's honor

Posted by · 7:08 am · November 9th, 2011

In today’s round-up, Oprah Winfrey stands up for herself re: receiving the Academy’s humanitarian prize, Vanity Fair puffs up “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” with new pics from the set and Searchlight debuts a site for Steve McQueen’s “Shame.”

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Brett Ratner issues statement after resigning as Oscarcast producer

Posted by · 3:40 pm · November 8th, 2011

In the wake of controversy surrounding his use of a homophobic slur, as well as some classless comments on the PR tour for “Tower Heist,” Brett Ratner has stepped down as Oscarcast producer.

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Oscarweb Round-up: Ratner's remark

Posted by · 7:04 am · November 8th, 2011

In today’s round-up, Brett Ratner’s recent gay slur causes a stir, Charlotte Gainsbourg talks “Melancholia” and “The Muppets” catches Savannah Film Festival audiences off guard.

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Newly tapped Oscarcast writers place an emphasis on funny

Posted by · 6:05 pm · November 6th, 2011

It has been reported that Oscarcast producers Brett Ratner and Don Mischer have brought in a seasoned but fresh crop of comedy writers to spice up this year’s Academy Awards.

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Oscarweb Round-up: Lasseter gets his star

Posted by · 7:11 am · November 2nd, 2011

In today’s round-up, John Lasseter gets his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Art Directors Guild pays tribute to the “Harry Potter” franchise and Disney takes to the heartland to build “War Horse” steam.

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David Letterman talks hosting the Oscars with Eddie Murphy

Posted by · 10:16 am · October 26th, 2011

Eddie Murphy has, of course, been fielding questions about his upcoming Oscar hosting gig on the press trail for “Tower Heist.” He recently stopped by David Letterman, who has his own experiences hosting the show.

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Oscarweb Round-up: Protesting 'Anonymous'

Posted by · 8:45 am · October 25th, 2011

In today’s round-up, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is protesting “Anonymous” in a curious fashion, Steve Jobs is on a list of potential writers of a Steve Jobs biopic and “The Artist” takes yet another audience award.

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Oscarweb Round-up: Keeping the 'Dark Knight Rises' secret

Posted by · 4:00 am · September 21st, 2011

In today’s round-up, Christopher Nolan is rumored to refuse letting the ending of “The Dark Knight Rises” outside the confines of his brain, Lars Von Trier retracts his apology for controversial Nazi remarks at the Cannes Film Festival and Ryan Gosling seems to be considering…retirement?

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