In Contention

Tag: Michael Cera

  • COMIC-CON: ‘Scott Pilgrim’ preaches to an enthusiastic choir

    Perhaps the most ubiquitous presence at Comic-Con this year has been Universal’s “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” The film held a traditional panel Thursday evening, was screened three times to audiences including the public, was fully visible with a massive ad on the north side of the Hilton Bayfront and took over the Hilton Gaslamp with “The Scott Pilgrim Experience,” a smörgåsbord of marketing mojo fit with T-shirt printing, video game test drives and autograph sessions.

    I saw the film at the first screening Thursday.  Following the Hall H panel, director Edgar Wright led the march from the convention center through downtown San Diego as a hundred or so lucky fans got the chance to partake in the event at the Balboa Theatre.

    Inside, Dan the Automator and Kid Koala were filling everyone’s eardrums with funky beats as the crowd filed in.  It was interesting to note that many didn’t even seem to realize they were witnessing a show people would pay good money to see, assuming it was just another DJ set or something.  Hardly.

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  • The Academy opens the doors to 134 new members

    Seth RogenThe headline says it all.  After bringing in 105 new members last year, the Academy has just announced a new list of 134 names to join their ranks.

    Actors include Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Jeffrey Wright (woo-hoo!), James McAvoy, Casey Affleck (who should have been brought in after his 2007 nomination), James Franco, Michael Cera and Seth Rogen, as well as, of course, all of the first-time nominees from last year’s season.  I was rather surprised to see Brendan Gleeson only now getting the invite.

    A big huzzah to director Rod Lurie, who made the cut in the directors branch, along with last year’s big winner Danny Boyle and animator Henry Selick, among others.  And another tip of the hat to Clint Mansell (robbed blind for his “Fountain” score two years ago), who joined the composers’ ranks along with Peter Gabriel (another guy I figured would have been in long ago) and last year’s winner in both music categories, A.R. Rahman.

    Neither here nor there, since now we’re getting to inside baseball, but a big shout-out to Paramount’s Megan Colligan, who was allowed passage in the public relations arena.

    Check out the full list after the jump.

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  • BAFTA Orange Rising Star nominees

    Michael Fassbender in HungerGuy has already touched upon some BAFTA coverage today.  The Brits like to draw out their nominations process as long is possible, and good on ’em for it.  You gotta compete in this flurry of awards season announcements.

    Anyway, the nominees for the Orange Rising Star award were announced earlier today, and they are:

    Michael Cera
    Noel Clarke
    Michael Fassbender
    Rebecca Hall
    Toby Kebbell

    This is a tough call for me, the toss-up being Michael Fassbender and Rebecca Hall.  The former was an absolute sensation in “Hunger,” while the latter is probably the best part of Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” despite Penélope Cruz nabbing the raves.  My guess is Hall takes it.

    Here’s a bit from the press release:

    The Orange Rising Star Award is unique as it is the only Award presented at The Orange British Academy Film Awards to be voted for by the British public.  Film fans can have their say by voting via the Orange website HYPERLINK “http://www.orange.co.uk/bafta” orange.co.uk/bafta; or via text. The winner will be announced at The Orange British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 8 February 2009…

    Nominees must have featured in a film that has been entered for this year’s Orange British Academy Film Awards. Nominees will have usually already appeared in several feature films in their career so far.

    Last year’s winner was Shia LaBeouf, who announced this morning’s nominees.

  • 9/29 Oscarweb Round-up

    Michael Cera• A happy ending of sorts for Matilda Rose in the wake of Heath Ledger’s death. [Agence France-Presse]

    • Kenneth Branagh is in talks to direct “Thor.”  Weird, but badass. [Variety]

    • Tom O’Neil traces Paul Newman’s frustrating quest for Oscars. [Gold Derby]

    • James Rocchi talks to “Miracle at St. Anna” director Spike Lee. [Cinematical]

    • The Los Angeles Times have hired an east coast outsider and called it awards coverage.  Well, we wish him well. [The Envelope]

    • Nikki Finke primises to report all the “juicy backstory” on the Rudin/Weinstein situation — because she’s a journalistic disgrace. [Deadline Hollywood Daily]

    • “Quantum of Solace” will have more product placement than any Bond film before it. [The Independent]

    • Mark Olson grills Jonathan Demme on “Rachel Getting Married.” [Los Angeles Times]

    • Meanwhile, Susan King takes on “Rachel” screenwriting Jenny Lumet. [Los Angeles Times]

    • Chris Lee gets some quality time in with Leonardo DiCaprio re: “Body of Lies.” [Los Angeles Times]

    • Michael Cera: heart throb. [Newsweek]

    • Or, Michael Cera: almost famous. [New York Times]

    • Greg Kinnear dishes on his roles in “Flash of Genius” and “Ghost Town.” [Associated Press]

    • Bill Maher Q&A’s it up on “Religulous.” [New York Post]

    • And again, with director Larry Charles in tow. [New York Times]

    …okay, I gotta cut it off there.  Tons of items out there today.