Susannah York (RIP)

Sad news to report. The lovely, talented 60s star Susannah York, aka Superman's Mom (the biological one back on Krypton) has died at the age of 72. Here's why she'll live on though... They Shoot Horses Don't They? (1969)

They Shoot Horses Don't They (1969)

They Shoot Horses is my personal favorite film of 1969 and an all-time Oscar record holder (most nominations without a corresponding Best Picture citation, a grand total of Nine!) but it's sadly underdiscussed these days. Susannah was nominated for playing Jane Fonda's main dancing rival in the marathon contest at the film's center, a neat metaphorical object, human suffering as entertainment. Susannah's psychotic break in the shower rivals any femme unravelling in Black Swan.

York also holds the distinction of being the only female cast member of Best Picture winner Tom Jones (1963) to not be nominated for Best Supporting Actress. I'm exaggerating but since an incredible three women were nominated from the film (the most ever -- though that 60% of the category trick has happened twice in Best Supporting Actor) it felt like it.

Other highlights include Freud (1962) with Montgomery Clift and Robert Altman's Images (1972) for which she won Best Actress at Cannes. She was so beautiful she could play an adult version of Michelle Pfeiffer in Falling in Love Again (1980, Michelle's first large film role after a few tv series and an itty bitty movie role)

Further Reading: Moving Pictures Blog and MUBI

9 Days 'til Nominations (Globe Predictions)

The countdown is progressing. Today's Topic: Golden Globe Predictions. (We'll be live-blogging starting with the arrivals 'round about 6:30 PMish.

So without further ado. Some predictions. We're predicting them in the order with which they appear on the Golden Globe site so as to save typing time!

Best Motion Picture - Drama
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The King's Speech
The Social Network

Should Win: The Social Network
Will Win: I think it's going to be The Social Network but the Globes are hard to predict since they aren't that worried about what Oscar might pick (yay! -- I hate predictions as votes). So I suppose we could see an upset from The King's Speech or even The Fighter?

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Halle Berry – Frankie and Alice
Nicole Kidman – Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence – Winter's Bone
Natalie Portman – Black Swan
Michelle Williams – Blue Valentine

Click to read more ...

Red Carpet BFCA

Tonight the Golden Globes come and wash all memories of previous precursors away leaving basically only Oscar butterflies and mounting campaigns in their wake. So before they arrive, one last look back at the BFCA "Critics Choice" by way of the red carpet. I was wrong about the fuchsia being the color story -- the NBR threw me off -- as it seems like this year is going to be sedate with creams, whites and blackzzzz. But perhaps someone will go all bold red or crazy rainbow or something tonight at the Globes. 

Mystique, Lily, Sister of Dakota, Category Fraud

Comment Questions for y'all

1. Do you think Jennifer Lawrence is pissed that Mila Kunis and Hailee Steinfeld stole all her Hot New Must Have Actress buzz as precursor season revved up? I'd still be surprised if she was snubbed in Best Actress but not as surprised as I would have been.
2. Don't you think Mila is just biding her time till the Oscars. Obviously she has it in her to steal the show so why not steal the red carpet? We're waiting...
3. Elle Fanning's look: 70s Granny Ice Skater? I'm confused.
4. Best Dressed Here: Jennifer, Mila, Elle Fanning or Hailee?

God, Amazon, Freakshow, Belle of the BallMore blacks and whites.  More questions!

1. Does anyone look better in a plunging neckline than Julianne Moore? She's been favoring that look (on occassion) since the 90s and it still looks sensational on her.
2. Is Tilda Swinton's look an homage to Mildred Pierce or just plain ol' 'it's the Critics Choice I can't be bothered. Here, this unironic 80s look will do' (?)
3. Helena's purse: Hilarious, Obnoxious or 'The Rest of My Look Is Fairly Sedate For Me (For Me) And I Want You To Remember That This is Helena Bonham Carter You're Looking At!'?
4. How far along is Natalie Portman? We assumed it was earlybut she's already wearing flowing no-waist gowns and plump cheeks .

Her Majesty, Best of His Generation, Julia & Amy

We end with a random assortment about which we have no questions other than this: Isn't it disappointing that nobody has time to talk about how amazing Ryan Gosling is in Blue Valentine? There's only so many celebrities that can get omgtheirperformancechangedmylifeiwanttohavetheirbabieswhooooooo type praise each year, but he definitely should have been one of them, don't you think?

Recommended Reading "They're Off! Let the Second Guessing Begin"
The New York Times guesses what the stars will wear to the Globes tonight.

Overheard: "Black Swan / Donnie Darko"

Three twentysomething friends eating lunch at new hot restaurant uptown, discussing Facebook. Conversation shifts to The Social Network and an argument over whether or not Mark Zuckerberg saw the movie / stole the idea / is an asshole. They are divided. Youngest girl (who didn't like The Social Network) blurts out:

Did you see 'Black Swan'? That made no sense. She just kept talking to herself. [Pause]. You know how some people like 'Donnie Darko' because it's artsy and crap? It's like that!"

Ha. Uh, yes. Black Swan is exactly like Donnie Darko. (?)

Although now I can't stop picturing Nina haunted by Frank instead of her usual demons! She's already so scared she's like Black Chicken. Frank only makes it worse. "She's He's after me!"

Pssst. Nathaniel is experimenting with his barely used wacom drawing tablet (for Illustration Friday) which shall gather dust no more! He shall improve.

10 Days 'til Nominations (127 Hours?)

The countdown is on...

Today's countdown topic: 127 Hours
It's been falling from punditry favor as fast as James Franco's 'Aron Ralston' dropped down that crevice. But he does that twice in the movie. Will he land in the pool of refreshing Oscar waters in 10 days (like the first drop) with nominations for Picture, Actor and a few techs. Or will this be like that second nastier drop where horrors await (Best Actor only)? I'm thinking it's going to hang on by its fingertips to the former on account of #1 votes; those who love it love it. But I've been wrong before.

How many nominations do you see coming?

FYI: I've added a prediction index for ease of use. See? I listen to y'all! That's why you need to keep commenting. Don't make me feel alone in this virtual world.