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The Foreign Language Nominees Symposium

March 8, 2010 | By Michelle Paradis

The 82nd Academy Awards’ Foreign Language Film nominees couldn’t be more diverse and interesting. At the Foreign Language Nominees Symposium held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, March 6, the honored filmmakers of Adjami – Israel, The Milk of Sorrow (La Teta Asustada) – Peru, A Prophet (Un Prophete) – France, The Secret in Their... »

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards

March 7, 2010 | By Jack Egan
The 82nd Annual Academy Awards

The Hurt Locker, a suspense drama about a bomb disposal squad in war-torn Iraq, was the night’s big winner, garnering six Oscars overall. Three were for top line categories including best picture, best director (Kathryn Bigelow is the first woman to win the helmer honor) and best screenplay. »

Contenders – Editors Bob Murawski and Chris Innis, The Hurt Locker

March 2, 2010 | By Mary Ann Skweres
Contenders – Editors Bob Murawski and Chris Innis, <em>The Hurt Locker</em>

Editor Bob Murawski was finishing Spiderman 3 when he got a call from friend, Paul Ottosson, who had been hired as sound designer on The Hurt Locker. »

Sound is the Winner at the 46th Annual CAS Awards

March 2, 2010 | By Bob Bayless

At the 46th Annual CAS Awards, Feb. 27, The Hurt Locker took top honors, receiving the CAS Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Motion Pictures.  Accepting the award was production mixer Ray Beckett and re-recording mixer Paul N.J. Ottosson. Back for the third year, KTLA Morning News Entertainment Reporter Sam Rubin, warmed... »

The Stars Sparkle at the 12th Annual CDG Awards Gala

March 1, 2010 | By Mary Ann Skweres
The Stars Sparkle at the 12th Annual CDG Awards Gala

The Costume Designers Guild Awards was held Feb. 25 in the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel to celebrate achievements in the art and craft of costume design with Swarovski once again acting as presenting sponsor. The glittering, crystal-curtained stage was a fitting backdrop for the star-studded event, hosted by Parker Posey who... »

The 57th MPSE Golden Reel Awards

February 22, 2010 | By Bob Bayless

The Motion Picture Sound Editors Guild held its 57th annual Golden Reel Awards, Feb. 20, at the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Aside from a bit of a parking SNAFU, the show went off without a hitch, and considering the sheer number of recipients, the evening went by fairly fast. MPSE president Bobbi... »

Contender – Sound Designer/Mixer, Paul Ottosson, The Hurt Locker

February 10, 2010 | By Bob Bayless
Contender – Sound Designer/Mixer, Paul Ottosson, <em>The Hurt Locker</em>

In Oscar contender The Hurt Locker, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the action starts with a bomb squad in Iraq trying to diffuse an IED. The tension never lets up from there. To keep that level of tension must have been difficult for everyone involved, but especially for Oscar-nominated, Emmy-wining sound designer Paul Ottosson. After... »

Contenders – Composers Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, The Hurt Locker

February 10, 2010 | By Bob Bayless
Contenders – Composers Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, <em>The Hurt Locker</em>

The intensity of drama in Director Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker, is framed by the sparse, yet effective score by Oscar contenders Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders. “It has almost a documentary feel to it,” Beltrami offered. “The fear was that putting too much music in it, would take you out of the picture.... »

Costume Designers Guild Announces Nominations

January 28, 2010 | By Jack Egan

The Costume Designers Guild has announced its nominations for best theatrical feature costume design in three categories—contemporary, period and fantasy. The award ceremonies will be held Feb. 25 at the Beverly Hilton. Contemporary (500) Days of Summer, Hope Hanafin Bruno, Jason Alper Crazy Heart, Doug Hall Precious, Marina Draghici Up in the Air, Danny... »

MPSE Announces Golden Reel Noms

January 25, 2010 | By Scott Lehane

Nominees for this year’s annual Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards include leading proponents of the art of sound editing, music editing and sound design from around the world. “Our members are editing professionals who want to raise awareness of what a motion-picture soundtrack is capable of doing to support the art of... »



Director Series

Get Low Director’s First Feature Attracts All-star Cast and Crew

August 2010 | By Jack Egan

<i>Get Low</i> Director’s First Feature Attracts All-star Cast and Crew

Get Low, a small-budget gem now in theaters, is directed by long-time cinematographer Aaron Schneider, his first time at the helm of a feature... »



Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois show How to Train Your Dragon

April 2010 | By Mary Ann Skweres

Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois show <em>How to Train Your Dragon</em>

Helmed by Oscar-nominated writer/director Chris Sanders and writer/director Dean Deblois (Lilo & Stitch, Mulan), the DreamWorks Animation SKG production of »


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Exclusive Film Reviews

Up in the Air

December 2009 | By Len Klady

<em>Up in the Air</em>

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) has an amiable disposition that belies the fact that it’s best to stay out of his path. You see he’s... »



The Young Victoria

December 2009 | By Len Klady

<em>The Young Victoria</em>

The enduring image of Queen Victoria, whose reign dominated the bulk of the 19th century, is of a benevolent, elderly grandmother. Though she was... »


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