“There are no young people in it, there’s no sex, there’s no violence, no car chases and there’s no action and no vampires.
“Watching two middle-aged men in a room talking, slowly becoming friends, is not exactly a pitch you put out there if you want a film to tear it up at the box office. It’s only now that a bit of time has gone by that I can appreciate how extraordinary it’s been.”
via BBC News
For a list of all the winners and nominees, and some of the evening’s most memorable quotes visit our OSCAR page.
Britain’s Colin Firth won his first Oscar on Sunday for playing a stammering monarch in “The King’s Speech”, crowning a virtual clean sweep of the movie awards season.
The best actor victory was expected for the 50-year-old veteran of the screen and stage after his acclaimed portrayal of reluctant wartime King George VI, struggling to overcome a crippling speech impediment.
“I have a feeling my career has just peaked,” Firth deadpanned as he accepted his Academy Award. He also won Golden Globe, BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild trophies for the role.
“I am experiencing stirrings somewhere in the upper abdominals which are threatening to form themselves into dance moves, which joyous as they may be for me, would be extremely problematic if they make it to my legs before I get off stage,” he added.… [continue reading]
“It is very strange to look back after seven films and remember how wary I was of putting Harry on the big screen. I kept saying no. But being involved with these films has been one of the best experiences of my life.” - J K Rowling on the 7 Harry Potter films
“It would mean an enormous amount if that were to be the case. Even if the person you were playing had a living daughter who wasn’t the Queen it would be important.” – Colin Firth on hearing the Queen approves his portrayal of her father in The King’s Speech
“This is pretty much what all of Britain looks like apart from one street where Ken Loach lives with Mike Leigh in a council flat.” - presenter Jonathan Ross introducing foreign viewers to the Royal Opera House
“I’m so used to losing, it’s quite a strange feeling to win.… [continue reading]
The story of King George VI’s struggle to overcome a stammer, aided by his devoted wife, dominated the Orange British Academy Film Awards. Colin Firth continued his winning streak by taking the best actor prize for his portrayal of the reluctant monarch. Helena Bönham Carter and Geoffrey Rush won the supporting actor categories.
reports Anita Singh in The Telegraph.
Firth’s first Oscar now appears closer than ever. The 50-year-old actor joked that his involvement with the film might never have come about had he not cancelled a doctor’s appointment.
The day I had my first meeting with [director] Tom Hooper, I had to postpone a routine but possibly somewhat uncomfortable medical examination. I am pleased to report that the meeting with Tom was a lot more edifying.”
It was Firth’s second consecutive best actor Bafta — he won last year for A Single Man.… [continue reading]
For much of the year, we movie critics shout “Bah, humbug!” at mainstream movies. Then, come award time, we just bleat “Baaaa!” Sheep-like is the word for the near-unanimity in the annual best-of awards announced over the past month by the 25 critics associations I kept tabs on.* If their citations were clear harbingers of the winners at the Academy Awards on Feb. 27, you could lock up most of your Oscar ballot now.
Twenty of the 25 critics’ organizations voted The Social Network as best film, with two more groups splitting the award between the Facebook movie and another picture. Fifteen chose The Social Network’s David Fincher as best director, again with two other ties. Fourteen picked Colin Firth, of The King’s Speech, as best actor; 16 said Natalie Portman was best actress for Black Swan; 18 selected Christian Bale, in The Fighter, as best supporting actor.… [continue reading]
The British monarchy tale “The King’s Speech” led Golden Globe contenders today with seven nominations, including best drama and acting honors for Colin Firth, Helena Bönham Carter and Geoffrey Rush.
Other best-drama nominees were the psychosexual dance thriller “Black Swan,” the boxing saga “The Fighter,” the sci-fi blockbuster “Inception” and the Facebook chronicle “The Social Network.”
Nominees in the Globes’ other best-picture category, for musical or comedy, are the Lewis Carroll fantasy “Alice in Wonderland,” the song-and-dance extravaganza “Burlesque,” the lesbian-family tale “The Kids Are All Right,” the action tale “Red” and the romantic thriller “The Tourist.”
“The Social Network” and “The Fighter” tied for second with six nominations each. Among nominations for “The Social Network” were Jesse Eisenberg as best dramatic actor, Andrew Garfield as supporting actor and David Fincher as director.… [continue reading]
Colin Firth’s new film, The King’s Speech, dominated the Moet British Independent Film Awards by scooping five gongs.
The period drama about King George VI, directed by Tom Hooper, won the top award for Best British Independent Film, acting honours for leading man Colin, Helena Bönham Carter (as Queen Elizabeth) and Geoffrey Rush (as speech therapist Lionel Logue) and a prize for screenwriter David Seidler.
“It’s fantastic. I’ve been doing this for nearly 30 years and it is quite wonderful,” said Colin as he picked up his award. “Speaking of regrettable milestones, I have to thank the Film Council for reminding us that putting money into film is a good idea. This tiny film was celebrated tonight, and while it was taken as a risk, it has punched above its weight.”
Helena was the toast of the night, when she revealed partner Tim Burton’s medical problems. … [continue reading]
