Source: 34th Annual Saturn Awards

The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films has announced the nominations for the 34th Annual Saturn Awards. Leading the nominations this year is the groundbreaking film, “300” with 10 nominations. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” follows close behind with 9 nominations and Tim Burton’s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is represented with 8 nominations.A trio of fantastic adventures: “The Golden Compass”, “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”, and “Spider-Man 3” received 4 nominations each, while “The Bourne Ultimatum”, “Eastern Promises”, “Enchanted”, “Grindhouse”, “The Mist”, “No Country For Old Men”, “Stardust”, and “There Will Be Blood” each received 3 nominations.

Warner Bros. leads the nominations this year with a total of 23. Paramount follows closely behind with 22 nominations (combining the releases of Paramount, DreamWorks/Paramount, and Paramount Vantage). Buena Vista received a total of 10 nominations, with Sony Pictures capturing 9 nominations. The Weinstein Co. is represented this year with 8 nominations and New Line Cinema with 6 nominations. (more…)

Guild finally honors action film, TV ensembles

Source: Variety
By BOB VERINI

As the Screen Actors Guild readies its first-ever awards to stuntpersons, some have found irony in recognizing a community at the exact moment when CGI advances seem destined to render that community irrelevant — or at best secondary — to creating thrilling action on film.If you express such views to stunt performers, get ready to be brained by a (breakaway) chair and hoisted up on wires in front of a bluescreen. They’ll tell you nothing could be further from the truth. According to Jane Austin, president of the Stuntwomen’s Assn., “CGI has opened up a ton of work for us. We have more work than ever, and we’re able to do bigger and better things.” Stuntmen’s Assn. topliner Steve Kelso concurs. “It’s made our industry so much safer, and made for better movies.”

In every way, asserts stunt vet Conrad Palmisano (”Rush Hour 3″), “things are looking rosy.”

Increased exposure contributes to the community’s optimism, with Austin seen as the prime mover behind the SAG board’s decision to name Best Stunt Ensembles in features and TV. “We appreciate her efforts,” Palmisano says. “We take the backseat a lot, so it’s good to get a little acknowledgment.”

Since 2001, the annual Taurus World Stunt Awards have bestowed such kudos as “Best Fire Stunt” and “Best Work With a Vehicle,” but the profession still lacked a showcase for the world at large. And lobbying for a stuntwork Oscar has gotten little headway. As a SAG national board member, Austin was uniquely placed to carry the argument to her peers, and months of meetings and negotiations followed. (more…)

‘Ratatouille,’ ‘Bourne’ among nominees

By DAVE MCNARY
Source: Variety

The Art Directors Guild has tapped 15 features in three categories for its production design awards, with winners to be announced Feb. 16 at the Beverly Hilton.

Nominees in the period film category were Arthur Max for “American Gangster,” Sarah Greenwood for “Atonement,” Guy Hendrix Dyas for “Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” Dante Ferretti for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” and Jack Fisk for “There Will Be Blood.”

Fantasy mentions went to Dennis Gassner for “The Golden Compass,” Stuart Craig for “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” Rick Heinrichs for “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” Harley Jessup for “Ratatouille” and James Bissell for “300.” (more…)

By Carolyn Giardina
Source: The Hollywood Reporter

The Cinema Audio Society is set to announce Thursday that the nominees for outstanding achievement in sound mixing for motion pictures are “The Bourne Ultimatum,” “Into the Wild,” “No Country for Old Men, “300″ and “Transformers.” (more…)

‘300,’ ‘Sweeney Todd’ among Oscar shortlist

By DEREK PETERS
Source: Variety

The achievement in makeup Oscar will go to one of seven films announced Monday by the Academy.

Big spectacles fill the list: “300,” “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.” Two French-language pics were also mentioned: “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and “La Vie en rose.” Eddie Murphy’s many transformations in “Norbit” round out the contenders.

The Academy’s makeup branch will screen samples of the films Jan. 19 and pare the list down to three in time for the complete nominee announcement Jan. 22.