Poll Results

Of seven upcoming sequels, the majority is most looking forward to the next installment of the Harry Potter series coming July 17, 2009. Here's a recently-released featurette by Warner Bros. that offers a behind-the-scenes look into "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" ~ enjoy!

ACADEMY AWARDS ~ RESULTS

Best Motion Picture of the Year
"Slumdog Millionaire" ~ Christian Colson

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Sean Penn for "Milk"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Kate Winslet for "The Reader"

Best Achievement in Directing
Danny Boyle for "Slumdog Millionaire"

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
"Okuribito" (Japan)

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
"Slumdog Millionaire" ~ A.R. Rahman, Sampooran Singh Gulzar ~ Jai Ho

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
"Slumdog Millionaire" ~ A.R. Rahman

Best Achievement in Editing
"Slumdog Millionaire" ~ Chris Dickens

Best Achievement in Sound
"Slumdog Millionaire" ~ Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
"The Dark Knight" ~ Richard King

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" ~ Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron

Best Documentary, Short Subjects
"Smile Pinki" ~ Megan Mylan

Best Documentary, Features
"Man on Wire" ~ James Marsh, Simon Chinn

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Heath Ledger for "The Dark Knight"

Best Short Film, Live Action
"Spielzeugland" ~ Jochen Alexander Freydank

Best Achievement in Cinematography
"Slumdog Millionaire" ~ Anthony Dod Mantle

Best Achievement in Makeup
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" ~ Greg Cannom

Best Achievement in Costume Design
"The Duchess" ~ Michael O'Conner

Best Achievement in Art Direction
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" ~ Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo

Best Short Film, Animated
"La Maison en Petits Cubes" ~ Kunio Kato

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
"WALL-E" ~ Andrew Stanton

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
"Slumdog Millionaire" ~ Simon Beaufoy

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
"Milk" ~ Dustin Lance Black

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Penelope Cruz for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

Box Office: "The Dark Knight" -- UPDATE

I wrote a post a few weeks ago about "The Dark Knight" having a box office performance just shy of $1 billion. Well folks, after being re-released in various traditional and IMAX theaters in the U.S., the film has hopped the $1 billion hurdle!

As of today, the film's worldwide box office performance stands at $1.001 billion ~ including $533.1 million in U.S. cinemas and $468 million overseas.

"The Dark Knight" is the fourth highest-grossing film of all time, trailing behind "Titanic" ($1.84 billion), "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" ($1.12 billion), and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" ($1.07 billion).

Trailer: "Waltz with Bashir"

A few days ago, a co-worker told me about an animated documentary film titled "Waltz with Bashir". The film, which premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, documents a 1982 Lebanon War-veteran's attempts to recover his lost memories from the Sabra and Shatila massacre.

If you've seen it already, what did you think? Or if, like me, you haven't seen it yet, what do you think about this trailer?

Poll Results

With a decisive 80% of the vote, "Pirates of the Caribbean" has been crowned your favorite trilogy! Other trilogies in the running included "The Matrix", "The Godfather", "Austin Powers", and "The Lord of the Rings". Thanks for voting!

Trailer: "The Great Buck Howard"

Until I watched John Malkovich host the Christmas special of SNL last December, I admittedly never knew too much about him. All I knew was that there was a movie that came out about 10 years ago with his name in the title, but now I'm definitely on the look-out for his movies! Why? Just watch this 'Twas the Night Before Christmas monologue -- you'll see what I mean.

Coming out next month -- starring John Malkovich and Tom & Colin Hanks -- is "The Great Buck Howard". Check it out!

Will Smith: Hollywood's Most Bankable Star

Wondering who to cast in your next movie? Looks like Will Smith should be at the top of your list! According to a new Forbes magazine report, Will Smith is Hollywood's most bankable movie star.

The list, also featuring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie, was compiled by a collaboration among more than 150 entertainment industry professionals, including directors and producers.

Among other factors, the stars were ranked on their ability to attract financing for a project as will as box office success. "Seven Pounds", Smith's most recent film, has already earned more than $141.6 million worldwide.

Poll Results

Which of these 1980s classics is your favorite?

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" narrowly topped the poll with 46% of the votes!

"The Breakfast Club" got 30% of the vote, and "E.T.", "Back to the Future", and "Rain Man" each received 7%.

Thanks for voting ~ new poll coming soon!