“Lee Daniels’ The Butler” star Oprah Winfrey was feted at the 29th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival Wednesday night with the Montecito Award. She spoke at length about her minimal but accomplished work on the big screen, beginning with the moment that changed her life: Steven Spielberg’s “The Color Purple.”
Oprah reflects on 'The Color Purple,' America's disinterest in news and '12 Years a Slave'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 12:12 am · February 6th, 2014
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Gayle King says Oprah Winfrey doesn't feel snubbed after Oscar nominations
Posted by Dave Lewis · 12:30 pm · January 28th, 2014
One of the big names missing when the Oscar nominations were revealed earlier this month was media mogul Oprah Winfrey, who won acclaim for her supporting turn in “Lee Daniels’ The Butler.” Her good pal Gayle King spoke to HitFix about the supposed snub in the video interview posted above.
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Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey lead the list of shocking Oscar snubs
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:55 am · January 16th, 2014
This year’s Oscar nominations announcement brought more surprising omissions than usual, from Tom Hanks to Sarah Polley to Emma Thompson to Lana del Rey. We run through some of the most shock shut-outs.
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'12 Years a Slave' and 'The Butler' impress African-American Film Critics Association
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:20 pm · December 13th, 2013
“12 Years a Slave” and “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” were the clear favorites as the African American Film Critics’ Association named their winners, while Sandra Bullock and Oprah Winfrey took their first acting wins of the season.
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'Philomena' and 'Rush' spark with Globe nominations, but no room for Oprah
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:02 am · December 12th, 2013
Coming into today’s Golden Globes nominations announcement, we knew “Philomena” and “Rush” had gone over well with the HFPA. We knew “August: Osage County” and “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” had not. Their fates were sealed, but it’s “American Hustle” that surprised with a near field-leading showing.
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Globe snubs and surprises: 'Rush' returns, 'Banks' retreats, Lana del Rey is unloved
Posted by Guy Lodge · 6:15 am · December 12th, 2013
We round up the most surprising inclusions and exclusions from this morning’s Golden Globe nominations announcement — including a surprise Best Picture nod for “Rush,” and the underperforming “Saving Mr. Banks.”
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Roundup: NYT's short film project, starring Oprah, Cate Blanchett and more
Posted by Guy Lodge · 2:40 am · November 26th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, Oprah Winfrey, Cate Blanchett and Bradley Cooper are among the stars participating in the New York Times’ short film series directed by Janusz Kaminski. Meanwhile, are animals really being harmed on movie sets?
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Roundup: The screenplay Oscar conundrum
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:47 am · November 15th, 2013
In today’s roundup of notable online news and views, Mark Harris considers the confusing categorizations in the Oscars’ screenplay races, and wonders if a third category is necessary. Also: Alfonso Cuaron regrets making “Great Expectations,” and a look at the value of a Cinemascore F.
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Oprah Winfrey to receive Santa Barbara fest's Montecito Award
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:10 am · November 12th, 2013
It almost seems too perfect for the Santa Barbara Film Festival to recognize “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” star Oprah Winfrey with the annual Montecito Award this year. Winfrey lives in Montecito and doesn’t offer up too many chances for film awards lately, so festival director Roger Durling and company have struck while the iron is hot.
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Tell us what you thought of 'Lee Daniels' The Butler'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:04 am · August 16th, 2013
Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey stir the early Oscar talk this weekend.
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Will 'Lee Daniels' The Butler' be an awards season preface or just a puffy prelude?
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:00 pm · August 8th, 2013
Showbiz 411’s Roger Friedman — who some would call a noted Harvey Weinstein shill — bloviated about “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” under the cover of “Oscar observation” a few weeks ago but apparently no one else could. The embargo is up today so let’s get into it. The question on this one is, will it be an awards player or just fade out before the season even gets here? A few thoughts…
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Off the Carpet: Gearing up for the 2013-2014 season
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:33 am · August 5th, 2013
A few updates and thoughts before the fall festival circuit sends us into the fray.
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The Academy celebrates Smith, Jones and Winfrey at third annual Governors Awards
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:37 pm · November 12th, 2011
The Academy has had a rough week. But that wasn’t going to stop the organization for toasting its Honorary Oscar recipients this evening at the third annual Governors Awards.
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Oscarweb Round-up: Oprah's honor
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 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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AMPAS announces film series to celebrate the work of this year's Honorary Oscar recipients
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:38 am · October 28th, 2011
The Academy has put a new spin on the annual Governors Awards ceremony this year: a film series celebrating the work of the Honorary Oscar recipients. “The Exorcist,” “The Great White Hope” and “The Color Purple” will screen.
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