BAFTA Winners & Red Carpet
Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 6:07PM The British Academy have long since finished handing out their prizes and we're still waiting for BBC America to begin the Broadcast. It's so delayed we may just wait till tomorrow morning to watch it and check out the Grammys instead tonight. Who knows? It's so strange to be denied *live* events on the telly. If you don't want to know the winners before you see the taped broadcast, skip this post.
The Harry Potter Gang
You already knew that it would be a big night for the Harry Potter crowd, since they were getting a special tribute but it was an even bigger night for Bellatrix LeStrange, our Lady Helena, as she took home Best Supporting Actress for her very popular film The King's Speech. It occurred to me today that HBC, for all the ups and downs of her career, noone but her husband has really been casting her for some time, she's really sealed her place in history, not once, not twice, but three times over. Other actresses should be so lucky. She's an irreplaceable part of 80s era cinema as a major Merchant/Ivory rep player. She's an irreplaceable part of Tim Burton's filmography (and despite his rocky past decade in terms of quality, that means something). AND she's an irreplaceable part of the Harry Potter franchise which dominated the past decade of film. So, well done HBC.
It was sort of a stealth approach to screen immortality but however you get there...
BAFTA WINNERS
Academy Fellowship: Christopher Lee
Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema: the Harry Potter films
Film: The King's Speech
British Film: The King's Speech
Outstanding Debut: Four Lions, Chris Morris
Director: David Fincher, The Social Network
Screenplay: The King's Speech
Adapted Screenplay: The Social Network
Foreign Film: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Animated Film: Toy Story 3
Actor: Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Actress: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Supporting Actor: Geoffrey Rush, The King's Speech
Supporting Actress: Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech
a major night for the Royal family with both Best Film awards
Music: Alexandre Desplat, The King's Speech
Cinematography: Roger Deakins, True Grit (read the Film Experience interview)
Editing: Angus Wall & Kirk Baxter, The Social Network (read the Film Experience interview)
Production Design Guy Dyas, Inception
Costume Design: Colleen Atwood, Alice in Wonderland
Sound: Inception
Visual Effects: Inception
Makeup and Hair: Alice in Wonderland
Short Animation: The Eagleman Stag
Short Film: Until the River Runs Red
Rising Star Award: Tom Hardy
More dresses? Who do you think is best dressed? (UPDATE: More pictures are coming in so this is just a teensy peak of the fashion)
I'm glad that Julianne Moore got one more big event this year as a nominee. She looks great. She didn't get to cheer on Annette Bening, though. Aside from the supporting categories -- which were part of the very dominant King's Speech (though strangely technicals like production design & costumes were not) -- the BAFTAs gave us the same crop of winners as virtually everywhere else in one of the most samey-samey years in awards history. It's unlikely that Oscar night will hold any surprises. Hopefully there will be major fashion risks to give us plenty to talk about other than "Which of Colin Firth's major speeches did you like best?"
How are you feeling about the BAFTA choices? Disappointed? Happy? Empty Inside?
Reader Comments (38)
"She didn't get to accept for Annette Bening, though."
But Annette Bening was there as well?
BTW, for anyone who doesn't want to wait for the BBC broadcast, the whole event is on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M4Nck-hEtg
And Helena Bonham Carter's speech was really great and funny (it's in part 3). It was nice to see her onstage and Geoffrey Rush winning and David Fincher... those were all more or less surprising.
This is one of the most boring races ever. I'm praying (in vain I imagine) that Oscar has some major surprises to offer: The Social Network for Picture and Director, Kidman or Bening for actress (although I think Portman is great as well--I just think there is no excitement left for Oscar night), Weaver for Supporting, or something other big surprise.
cinephile -- i know. annette bening's photo didn't show up in the red carpet stuff until i was done with this post. now i see it.
Nat, I think what the BAFTA showed us today is that even though The King's Speech is ahead in the race, The Social Network still has a fighting chance. I mean, they gave Best Director to David Fincher when the DGA awarded Tom Hooper. I think that says something, and don't some of the members that vote for BAFTA also vote for the Oscars? Maybe The Social Network still has a chance to swing back, and if nothing else, it can win Best Director (which in splits is often the most celebrated film anyway). Also, this may not apply, but remember when Atonement won Best Film here three years ago, but the Coen Brothers still won Best Director, and then No Country for Old Men went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture (granted, that one also had Guild support, but still something that comes to mind) I also find it interesting that even the London Film Critics picked The Social Network. Shows that it still has a lot of support.
Also, I don't think Geoffrey Rush will win the Oscar, mostly because I feel The Fighter is like Milk was two years ago. Not popular (or maybe not seen enough) across the pond but very much so in the U.S., so I think Christian Bale will still win, and probably so will Melissa Leo (though Haille Steinfeld still has a chance I think).
Richter -- i'd agree. but maybe that's just because i *really* want FINCHER to win. I still think a major King's Speech near-sweep may await us at oscar. I don't think it will sweep sweep. I can't see it tying the record for most oscar wins after all ;) but I think 7-9 statues is quite possible and that is. a. lot.
I am glad they fave director to David Fincher, makes me think that he could still win the Oscar he deserves
Would The Social Network winning be a surprise though? I mean it's either that or The King's Speech right? Both choices are "boring" at this point. I say shock us with True Grit, Inception, or Black Swan. That would be REALLY fun.
Ryan -- i think it would at this point (funny how things change) but i'd rather boredom that looks good in the history books than standard boredom :)
everyone -- the Moore i look at the photo the better i think Julianne looks in deep dark blue. wow.
Wow Kings Speech took both Best Film AND Best British film, that doesn't happen often, they must of really liked it. I wonder why there weren't more tech wins though....
Off-topic but...
Dame Julie Andrews is a Grammy winner. Go for the EGOT, Julie ;)
Relieved that Fincher and Portman won. Fincher because it does keep a litle spice in the race. Portman because if that race ended with a Bening win, I won't be pleased, so now I can keep hoping.
I love Helena Bonham Carter, so I was extremely happy with her win. She also gave, what I thought to be, the best speech of awards season so far. If it weren't for The Fighter, I think she'd take the Oscar too.
It's funny that the camera kept cutting to the losing nominees during the winners' speeches (an attempt to catch some scandalous reactions, I suppose). They stayed on Miranda Richardson of all people for, like, ten seconds, and then went back to her again. Lesley Manville and Amy Adams, in particular, seemed very gracious.
Brooke, i looked throught the last 20 years of the BAFTA's winners about a month ago to see if any film had won both Best Film and Outstanding British Film, because Nathaniel raised the question. I'm fairly sure it hasn't happened in the last 20 years which i looked through (maybe it has never happened?). Previously when they gave Best Film to a British film they gave the British specific award to a different film, in this year that would be something like 127 hours or Another Year. I'm actually sort of disappointed that TKS is the film they have broken the trend with.
The funniest moment of the whole Baftas ceremony was Miranda Richardson's completely bitchtastic reaction to Helena Bonham Carter's win, and then again when Colin Firth won. Priceless!
Though Miranda Richardson gets bonus points for also being part of the HP franchise...
Miranda Richardson is amazing. She made the show for me.
I don't really get why people single out this year's race as 'the most predictable ever'? It's not really any more so than any of the last years. In fact Best Director is actually still a race, something that rarely happens (usually Director is always one of the surest things months before the ceremony).
As a Brit myself, the BAFTA's were boring and even I was hoping TSN would win TKS.
BUT
something I've noticed, us Brits do lovely funny brills speeches.
Helena Bonham Carter's was the best, Colin's always lovely and fun and genuine and the man we've all fell in love with so many times before, you've already commented on Christian Bale's awesome speeches. The Oscar for Best Speech Givers goes to THE BRITS
PS. i'm literally PRAYING for a Bening/Williams win because Natalie's speeches are lame and that laugh, eugh. Amen.
Jorge, Dame Julie already won a Grammy in '65, and, after that "egregious" year '96, I don't think there's a competitive Tony in her future...
;-)
I enjoyed seeing Rosamund Pike but otherwise thought the BAFTAs were a bit of a snooze.
CARTER > MANVILLE ?! ARE YOU F*CKING NUTS?
Okay, I'm fine. I'm calm. Whatever...
I think there will be an upset in one of the supporting acting categories on Oscar night...I'm just not sure which one...
...supporting actress seems like the obvious choice with Melissa Leo's recent faux fur ad controversy, but for some reason I could easily see Geoffrey Rush winning supporting actor (which would not be to my preference, because I love Christian Bale)...Rush just seems genuinely liked by his peers and with the unattainable excitement and love for The King's Speech, I could easily see Rush benefiting and upsetting Christian Bale...
aaron -- i could see that too though it'd be such a bummer because he's already won and Bale is so magnficient in The Fighter.
Joseph -- uh. yeah. but like everyone else i really love HBC so i'm happy her career is suddenly going well. i'd even be okay if she upset at hte Oscars provided it meant she got some challenging roles again. I'd die for another performance onthe level of WINGS OF THE DOVE. but you can't give those if no one is giving you the meaty parts.
Thanks to cinephile for the link. I didn't watch all of it but I did check out Helena Bonham Carter's speech which was great. I also loved the fact that she wasn't played off or hurried despite the length, not sure if that's a regular BAFTA thing or the director just recognised that it was an entertaining speech. I would have preferred a Manville win but I suppose I can just pretend that its to make up for the absence of award kudos for her Marla Singer performance ; )
I was rooting for Manville but after listening to Helena's speech I'm kind of pleased she finally got it. It is always a thrill listening to brit actors!
Awards race should be redesigned. We all get sooo tired of it just before the big night!
PREDICTABLE apart from rush,so sad to see bening loose again.
Carter's speech made me well up a bit it was that good. I dont think they hurry you off the stage at the Baftas much , and though her speech was long there was a few no show winners so it kind of get balanced in the end anyway.
on recent re-vewings, I'd say that Bening's performance holds up a lot stronger than Portman's. It's just....god, how two-dimensional was Portman? There's like a grand total of three or four mannerisms she uses throughout the entire movie.
Man, I legitimately want Annette Bening to win now.
Stella, I agree with you 100%.
Benning was there.
Thandie Newton is a goddess. She is a vision in this dress.
Amanda -- have u seen For Colored Girls. Thandie Newton is a vision on the red carpet but she is such a weird actress. I always feel like she's giving 2-4 performances at once and Girls is the most unmissable instance of this. Decide who you're playing, Thandie! :)
Stella -- that's kind of where I am too, to an extent. I still think Portman was pretty damn terrific in Black Swan but it's not as complicated as Bening, Williams or Kidman's work.
Stella, there's something funny about the reaction to Natalie's Performance: some people are outraged by TKS success and cant stop whining about how its nothing but pure Oscar bait, but nobody seem to complain about how Natalie's role is pure Oscar bait as well: Deglam! Physical transformation! Training! Madness! Masturbation! Repressed sexuality! Self mutilation! Lesbianism! Visions! Crazyness! Weight Loss! Victim! Suffering! And yet no one complains about how obvious and predictable it is that a media princess would win for such a role.
No, Nate, I havent. I dont give her a lot of thought as an actress but she is always stunning and has such a lot of class, an understated sweet subtle and charming elegance.
Darren Aronovsky accepted Natalie's award and pretty much made the case why she should way. How she trained a year ahead of time on her own dime and how she is in every scene in the picture.
Meanwhile Bening and Moore both looked gorgeous in the audience as they listened.
Oops above post is supposed to say "why Natalie should win."
The show despite the no shows was very entertaining. Watching Eisenberg and Garfield accept for David Fincher--what a delight.
The Harry Potter acceptance with Rowling and the stars and the directors including Cuaron!
Christopher Lee's speech was so touching. I'm not sure we'll see him in The Hobbit unless they film his scenes within the next few months, though. He looked frail.
The obvious disappointment of Mike Leigh.
The graciousness of Toy Story 3's director.
Alexandre Desplat is so cool.
Tilda Swinton's obvious like for The Social Network in the way she said the words.
Annette Benning, Julienne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo all looking so happy even though they didn't win.
Hallie Steinfield's excitement, though she seemed so along with no True Grit people around her.
Aaron Sorkin expressing that his night was made even before he won because in front of him was Paul McCartney, then Julienne Moore, then Annette Bening.
Tom Ford looking like an excited schoolboy when he was presenting an award with Eva Greene and then being mentioned by Colin Firth in his speech.
Firth and Carter's speech's both were great, they now how to accept an award with humor and grace.
I think the winners can talk long because the show is edited and they can cut elsewhere.
I do miss when BBC showed the event live though.
And Stephen Fry is so witty. It's a shame he's no longer host.
On the subject of Thandie Newton is it just me or does her fame far outweigh her actual filmography, she is always at the BAFTAs it seems.
stella-1 word 4 u: THANK'S
The Benning for the win!!
Gabriel Oak - I don't think anyone should win an Oscar for training or dancing. It's like saying that they guys from The Fighter should win because of what they put themselves through.
Stella - I couldn't disagree more. Bening's performance and Kidman's performance both worked better for me the first time around, but the second time around I had greater appreciation for their costars (Moore, Weist, and Ruffalo especially). Portman was as strong for me the second time around as she was the first, and thank god for it because the film depends entirely on her.
I finally caught Mother and Child and I'm a little surprised Bening didn't get any critical attention for it.
Amanda - Isn't the Oscar Bait charge always kind of a rigged one though? Most performances qualify as 'Oscar Bait'. Portman hardly de-glams in Black Swan, in fact she's pretty well-coiffed in the entire film. Are masturbation and lesbianism really generally considered Oscar Bait traits? I could swear madness is a O.B. trait for actors far more than it generally is for actresses. The victim/suffering thing is a given; Oscar likes to see its women crying.
This is just very interesting because pretty much everyone, from newspapers to commentors, were saying 5-10 months ago that you don't win an Oscar for playing a deranged, self-touching, pseudo-lesbian, wing-sprouting ballerina.
I really don't care for any of those dresses. But I dislike Moore's dress the most. I wish she'd worn something like Nicole Kidman did to the Grammys, I think it would've been more flattering.
I'm completely in the Portman camp (honestly, she's fantastic) but if anyone deserves to upset at the Oscars, it should be Nicole.and NOT The Bening.
I'm totally of the school of thought that Annette AND Julianna should've been nominated together or not at all. She really isn't THAT much better than Moore in terms of a FULL performance. They're both equally fantastic AS A DUO so I don't understand Bening being singled out, and especially for the win. Nicole was magnificent in her awards comeback role (and underrated considering how tiny seen Rabbit Hole was compared the rest of her fellow nominees) so seeing her win would be SWEET as opposed to the annoyance of having Bening win while Moore wasn't even nominated for an equally good performance.
Tilda was my favourite overall though, just like last year.
/actressexuality rant