Michael Beach was in his late twenties and primed for a breakout performance when he landed the role of Pluto in Carl Franklin's "One False Move." This was not supposed to be that performance. It was a low-budget crime flick from a couple of unknown screenwriters named Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson that was intended to go straight to video. But when L.A. Weekly journo Anne Thompson caught an early screening, she spread the word to her critic colleagues. Once the Los Angeles Times' Sheila Benson and the Chicago Sun-Times' Roger Ebert began raving about the film, the distributor, I.R.S. Releasing, opted for a small theatrical release. The movie wound up on multiple year-end top 10 lists and earned five Independent Spirit Award nominations (with Franklin beating out newcomer Quentin Tarantino for Best Director).
Strangely, only Cynda Williams managed to score an acting nomination for her portrayal of a...
Strangely, only Cynda Williams managed to score an acting nomination for her portrayal of a...
- 8/7/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Hollywood has been adapting Tom Clancy’s techno-thrillers for three decades-plus — with a handful of familiar faces playing the famous character of Jack Ryan, from Alec Baldwin to Ben Affleck. But how have critics on RottenTomatoes.com rated these adaptations?
“The Hunt for Red October” (1990)
Tomatometer: 89%
Tom Clancy’s first big-screen outing pitted CIA agent Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) against a mysterious Russian sub commander played by Sean Connery. As the L.A. Times critic Sheila Benson wrote: “You may not be limp from accumulated tension when this hunt is over, but its cautiously upbeat global message leaves a satisfying glow and it operates with a crackerjack premise.”
“Clear and Present Danger” (1994)
Tomatometer: 80%
In his second outing as Jack Ryan, Harrison Ford chases down a rogue CIA agent and a drug cartel. The New York Times’ Janet Maslin praises “another fast, gripping spy story with some good tricks up its sleeve,...
“The Hunt for Red October” (1990)
Tomatometer: 89%
Tom Clancy’s first big-screen outing pitted CIA agent Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) against a mysterious Russian sub commander played by Sean Connery. As the L.A. Times critic Sheila Benson wrote: “You may not be limp from accumulated tension when this hunt is over, but its cautiously upbeat global message leaves a satisfying glow and it operates with a crackerjack premise.”
“Clear and Present Danger” (1994)
Tomatometer: 80%
In his second outing as Jack Ryan, Harrison Ford chases down a rogue CIA agent and a drug cartel. The New York Times’ Janet Maslin praises “another fast, gripping spy story with some good tricks up its sleeve,...
- 6/22/2023
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Todd Field’s “Tár”won another major critics award on Saturday, with the National Society of Film Critics naming the dark drama about an imperious conductor and composer the best film of 2022.
The win gave “Tár” a near-sweep of the major critics awards. The film won the top prize from the New York Film Critics Circle and tied with “Everything Everywhere All at Once” with the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. The only other films to finish first with all three groups were “Schindler’s List,” “L.A. Confidential,” “The Hurt Locker,” “The Social Network” and “Drive My Car.”
Runner-up in the Nsfc best-picture voting was Charlotte Wells’ “Aftersun,” followed by Jafar Panahi’s “No Bears.”
Also Read:
New York Film Critics 2022: ‘Tar’ Named Best Film
“Tár” also won awards for Field’s screenplay and for lead actress Cate Blanchett, who won over Michelle Yeoh for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,...
The win gave “Tár” a near-sweep of the major critics awards. The film won the top prize from the New York Film Critics Circle and tied with “Everything Everywhere All at Once” with the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. The only other films to finish first with all three groups were “Schindler’s List,” “L.A. Confidential,” “The Hurt Locker,” “The Social Network” and “Drive My Car.”
Runner-up in the Nsfc best-picture voting was Charlotte Wells’ “Aftersun,” followed by Jafar Panahi’s “No Bears.”
Also Read:
New York Film Critics 2022: ‘Tar’ Named Best Film
“Tár” also won awards for Field’s screenplay and for lead actress Cate Blanchett, who won over Michelle Yeoh for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,...
- 1/7/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The National Society of Film Critics convened in New York and Los Angeles on Saturday to vote on their annual film awards, with some of the top prizes going to “TÁR” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.” Todd Field’s classical music saga won Best Picture, Best Actress for Cate Blanchett, and Best Screenplay for Field himself. “Banshees” took home Best Actor for Colin Farrell while Kerry Condon won Best Supporting Actress. Both films were already expected to be Oscar frontrunners, but today’s vote certainly helped their cause.
Another film to notch a major win, albeit a more unexpected one, was “Aftersun,” as Charlotte Wells won Best Director for her debut feature.
Per usual, voting was being conducted via a weighted ballot system. In each category, critics submitted ballots containing their top three picks. Their first choice received three points, their second received two, and their third choice received a single point.
Another film to notch a major win, albeit a more unexpected one, was “Aftersun,” as Charlotte Wells won Best Director for her debut feature.
Per usual, voting was being conducted via a weighted ballot system. In each category, critics submitted ballots containing their top three picks. Their first choice received three points, their second received two, and their third choice received a single point.
- 1/7/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
What becomes a legend most? Well, in the case of Marilyn Monroe, it’s countless books, feature films, TV movies, limited series, documentaries and even a Broadway musical. “Blonde,” the latest film about the influential sex symbol, who starred in such films as 1953’s “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and 1959’s ‘Some Like it Hot” and tragically died at the age of 36 in 1962, has been polarizing critics and audiences since it premiered at the recent Venice Film Festival.
Based on Joyce Carol Oates’ best-selling 2000 novel, “Blonde” offers a fictionalized look at the troubled actress. Currently in theaters and streaming on Netflix, “Blonde” stars Ana de Armas. She has been singled out by critics for her work, but director Andrew Dominik (“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”) hasn’t been so lucky. “’Blonde’ has been conceived as a slow-motion death march,” said the L.A. Times Justin Chan.
The...
Based on Joyce Carol Oates’ best-selling 2000 novel, “Blonde” offers a fictionalized look at the troubled actress. Currently in theaters and streaming on Netflix, “Blonde” stars Ana de Armas. She has been singled out by critics for her work, but director Andrew Dominik (“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”) hasn’t been so lucky. “’Blonde’ has been conceived as a slow-motion death march,” said the L.A. Times Justin Chan.
The...
- 10/3/2022
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Sheila Benson, who was chief film critic for the Los Angeles Times from 1981-1991, died February 23 in Seattle. She was 91.
A gregarious enthusiast who always hoped for the best when the lights went down, Benson came from a family with strong ties to the film industry. She was born in New York City, where her father, Dwight Franklin, created dioramas for the American Museum of Natural History before heading for Hollywood in the mid-1920s to work on the Douglas Fairbanks swashbuckler The Black Pirate. For the next 25 years, Franklin worked in various capacities on many films, notably handling costumes on several major Cecil B. DeMille productions.
Benson’s mother, Mary C. McCall Jr., studied at Vassar and Trinity College in Dublin, and in 1932 published her first novel, The Goldfish Bowl. The book was bought by Warner Bros and that same year was made into a film called It’s...
A gregarious enthusiast who always hoped for the best when the lights went down, Benson came from a family with strong ties to the film industry. She was born in New York City, where her father, Dwight Franklin, created dioramas for the American Museum of Natural History before heading for Hollywood in the mid-1920s to work on the Douglas Fairbanks swashbuckler The Black Pirate. For the next 25 years, Franklin worked in various capacities on many films, notably handling costumes on several major Cecil B. DeMille productions.
Benson’s mother, Mary C. McCall Jr., studied at Vassar and Trinity College in Dublin, and in 1932 published her first novel, The Goldfish Bowl. The book was bought by Warner Bros and that same year was made into a film called It’s...
- 3/3/2022
- by Todd McCarthy
- Deadline Film + TV
One could have watched the Critics Choice Awards last Sunday and thought they were re-watching the Golden Globes. Same nominees, mostly the same winners, same sweatshirt for Jason Sudeikis. Wait … didn’t the professional entertainment judgers generally blast the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for, well, for being what and who they are?
What happened to early critics’ winners like “First Cow”? How quickly they forget and go with the flow. In fact, this is the time critics — respect or resent them — are currently getting a taste of their own.
Consider “Malcolm and Marie,” the controversial film from Sam Levinson starring John Thomas Washington and Zendaya. It is basically one long argument about whether “that white lady of the L.A. Times” wrote a positive or negative review of Washington’s character’s film, seen through the racial lens. Washington ends his screed by saying he hopes the writer gets “f...
What happened to early critics’ winners like “First Cow”? How quickly they forget and go with the flow. In fact, this is the time critics — respect or resent them — are currently getting a taste of their own.
Consider “Malcolm and Marie,” the controversial film from Sam Levinson starring John Thomas Washington and Zendaya. It is basically one long argument about whether “that white lady of the L.A. Times” wrote a positive or negative review of Washington’s character’s film, seen through the racial lens. Washington ends his screed by saying he hopes the writer gets “f...
- 3/13/2021
- by Michele Willens
- The Wrap
“I have some big news,” the Los Angeles Times lead film critic Kenneth Turan tweeted on Wednesday. “After close to 30 years in the most exciting and rewarding of jobs, I am stepping away from being a daily film critic for the Los Angeles Times. I will keep writing about film but at a different pace. To quote Ecclesiastes, ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.’ Looking forward to what’s to come.”
The outpouring of praise for Turan, who is 73, was intense and immediate. “The maestro takes a bow,” responded The New York Times lead film critic A.O. Scott on Twitter, who himself stepped down from full-time daily criticism on March 15 for one year, leaving that task to his fellow lead critic Manohla Dargis. In his case, taking the title of Critic at Large as he writes “bigger, cross-topic essays,” per The Nyt,...
The outpouring of praise for Turan, who is 73, was intense and immediate. “The maestro takes a bow,” responded The New York Times lead film critic A.O. Scott on Twitter, who himself stepped down from full-time daily criticism on March 15 for one year, leaving that task to his fellow lead critic Manohla Dargis. In his case, taking the title of Critic at Large as he writes “bigger, cross-topic essays,” per The Nyt,...
- 3/26/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
“I have some big news,” the Los Angeles Times lead film critic Kenneth Turan tweeted on Wednesday. “After close to 30 years in the most exciting and rewarding of jobs, I am stepping away from being a daily film critic for the Los Angeles Times. I will keep writing about film but at a different pace. To quote Ecclesiastes, ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.’ Looking forward to what’s to come.”
The outpouring of praise for Turan, who is 73, was intense and immediate. “The maestro takes a bow,” responded The New York Times lead film critic A.O. Scott on Twitter, who himself stepped down from full-time daily criticism on March 15 for one year, leaving that task to his fellow lead critic Manohla Dargis. In his case, taking the title of Critic at Large as he writes “bigger, cross-topic essays,” per The Nyt,...
The outpouring of praise for Turan, who is 73, was intense and immediate. “The maestro takes a bow,” responded The New York Times lead film critic A.O. Scott on Twitter, who himself stepped down from full-time daily criticism on March 15 for one year, leaving that task to his fellow lead critic Manohla Dargis. In his case, taking the title of Critic at Large as he writes “bigger, cross-topic essays,” per The Nyt,...
- 3/26/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Marlon Brando's 1947 screen test for Rebel Without a Cause, which was included in a 2006 DVD of his 1951 film A Streetcar Named Desire has gotten attention online this week. "Whoa, what a change this character went through: Brando to Dean, man to teenager," says former La Times film critic Sheila Benson, who studied acting with James Dean, a close friend, before he was cast as a Brando type in 1953's East of Eden and in 1955's Rebel. Photos: James Dean Remembered Did Brando, in 1947 a 23-year-old stage star awaiting his movie break, nearly get
read more...
read more...
- 7/19/2013
- by Tim Appelo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Napa Valley Film Festival (Nvff) Co-Founders and Directors Brenda and Marc Lhormer have announced the Jury and Audience Awards for the 2nd annual film festival. Showcasing the best of new independent cinema along with the Napa Valley’s finest food, wine and hospitality, the 2nd annual Nvff, from November 7 – 11, 2012, witnessed a significant increase in attendance over last year’s inaugural festival. Initial estimates range from a 33% to 50% increase; detailed final results will be shared as soon as they are available.
"Our esteemed Jurors and our audiences have recognized a diverse set of cinematic talent," remarked Nvff Executive and Artistic Director Marc Lhormer. "We are delighted with the response to this year's Program and look forward to hosting another batch of exceptional films and filmmakers next year."
Jury Awards for Narrative Features:
Best Narrative Feature ($10,000 Cash Prize presented by Meadowood Napa Valley; wine from Lail Vineyards)
Future Weather,written and directed by Jenny Deller
Special Jury Award for Cinematography (wine from Beaulieu (Bv) Vineyard)
Not Waving but Drowning, Cinematographer Nathan Levine-Haney
Special Jury Award for Acting (wine from Freemark Abbey)
Madeline Zima and Joel David Moore in Stuck, directed by Stuart Acher
Jury Awards for Documentary Films:
Best Documentary Feature (wine from Terlato Family Vineyards)
Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself, co-directed by Tom Bean and Luke Poling
Special Jury Award for Most Promising Documentary Filmmaker (wine from Hill Family Estate)
Matt Day, director ofShape of Things to Come,
Best Documentary Short Subject (wine from Alpha Omega)
The Last Ice Merchant (El Ultimo Hielero), directed by Sandy Patch
Jury Awards for Narrative Short Films:
Best Narrative Short (wine from Chappellet and Fortunati, respectively)
Co-winners: My Name Is Your First Love, written and directed by Rob Richert; The Pact, written and directed by Jason Pugatch
Special Jury Award for Social Impact (wine from Saintsbury)
Put It In a Book, directed by Rodrigo Garcia
Audience Awards:
Favorite Narrative Feature (wine from Behrens Family Winery)
Any Day Now, written and directed by Travis Fine
Favorite Documentary Feature (wine from Peju Province Winery)
Rising From Ashes, directed by T.C. Johnstone
Favorite Documentary Short Subject (wine from Chiarello Family Wines)
Necking, directed by Lindsay Lindenbaum
Favorite Narrative Short (wine from Allora Vineyards)
High Maintenance, written and directed by Shawn Wines
Favorite Lounge Feature (Narrative or Doc) (wine from Show from Trinchero Family)
Beware of Mr. Baker, directed by Jay Bulger
Mt. Veeder Peak Performance for Best Acting in a Narrative Feature ($1,000 Cash Prize and wine from Mt. Veeder Appellation)
Alan Cumming inAny Day Now, directed by Travis Fine; Cumming is donating his prize money to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts
The 2012 Napa Valley Film Festival Jury consisted of: Jury Co-President Leonard Maltin, respected film critic and historian – perhaps best known for his annual paperback reference “Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide” – currently teaching at USC School of Cinematic Arts; Jury Co-President Joe Carnahan, well-known writer/director of films such as The Grey, Smokin' Aces, andNarc; John Horn, Film Editor at the Los Angeles Times, where he has been on staff since 2002 and had previously been on staff at Newsweek and premier magazines; Sydney Levine, having thirty plus years in the film industry including being the first woman in international film distribution at 20th Century Fox; Lisa Schwartz, Executive Vice President of Distribution Operations and Business Development for Sundance Selects and IFC Films; Morrie Warshawski, who has worked in the nonprofit arts and culture sector for over thirty years and formerly served as the Executive Director of Bay Area Video Coalition in San Francisco; Paul Zaentz, a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania who started his movie-making career on the Academy Award winning film Amadeus; Lissa Gibbs, the Executive Director of the Napa Valley College Foundation; T.J. Martin and Dan Lindsay, Co-Directors/Co-Editors/Co-Cinematographers of the Oscar-winning documentary, Undefeated, a selection of the 2011 Nvff; Sheila Benson, the Principal Film Critic for the Los Angeles Times from 1981–1991. Affiliated with the National Society of Film Critics and the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Sheila has served on juries at film festivals including Berlin, Toronto, and Sundance. Melanie Lynskey, accomplished and versatile actress, originally from New Zealand whose credits include: Win-Win, Up in the Air, The Informant, Away We Go, Flags of Our Fathers, Sweet Home Alabama and her first award-winning role was in Heavenly Creatures with Kate Winslet; Pat Saperstein, Associate Editor of Variety, where she coordinates festival coverage and daily news. Pat has served on juries at several festivals and has been on numerous panels; and Raj Mathai, NBC Bay Area’s news anchor and personality hosted the Awards Ceremony on Closing Night and received a bottle of Mumm Non-Vintage Brut Prestige. Additionally, the Jury Co-Presidents were presented with 3L bottles of wine: Leonard Maltin was given a Duckhorn 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon and Joe Carnahan was given a Cornerstone Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.
On Friday, November 9, Access Hollywood's Billy Bush hosted the Celebrity Tribute Ceremony which was held at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville. Nvff honored James Marsden with the “Trailblazer” Tribute; the actor and singer is known for his roles in 30 Rock, Enchanted, Hairspray, and Robot & Frank, whose upcoming films include Two Guns, opposite Denzel Washington, and playing John F. Kennedy in The Butler. James was also presented with a bottle of Grgich Hills 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Nvff’s “Spotlight On” Tribute went to the seductive Alan Cumming, who has created indelible roles in The Anniversary Party, Sweet Land, the hit series The Good Wife, and his powerful performance in Any Day Now (2012 Nvff selection). Alan received a bottle of Ehlers Estate 2008 One Twenty Over Eighty with his award. Nvff presented two “Rising Star” Tributes: Imogen Poots, a talented young British actress who costars in A Late Quartet (Nvff 2012), who received a bottle of Chandon Non-Vintage Brut Classic along with her award; and Adam Driver who has a charming performance in the Nvff 2012 feature, Not Waving But Drowning, whoalso received a bottle of Chandon Non-Vintage Brut Classic with his award. Driver is best known for his roles in HBO's Girls, Angels in America, You Don’t Know Jack and J. Edgar, the latter opening the 2011 Nvff. Host Billy Bush also received a bottle of Allora Vineyards 2008 “Lusso” Cabernet Sauvignon.
In addition to all of the awards given to actors and films, the Nvff highlighted an impressive array of local restaurants from the area, which were recognized throughout the five-day festival in its “Foodspotting Contest.” This year's Master Foodspotter was Elissa Gordon, with almost 25 sightings. The “Silence of the Lamb Barbacoa Taco” from La Condesa was voted this year's "Best Menu Item," and received the most votes for the name and concept. Alexis Baking Co. was awarded the "Crowd Favorite" as they had the most photos, three of each of their five items.
The 3rd annual Napa Valley Film Festival will take place November 6 – 10, 2013. A special holiday pre-sale, through Dec. 15, 2012, offers Festival Passes for $190 (regularly $250) and Pass Plusses for $425 (regularly $500). Both Passes offer five-day access to film, food and wine events. Additionally, 4-pack tickets will be offered, perfect for holiday gift-giving: Four Festival Passes for $680 ($170 each – normally $250 – for a 32% total savings); Four Pass Plusses for $1,560 ($390 each – normally $500 – for a 22% percent savings). To experience the Festival at its most luxurious, Patron Circle membership starts at $2,500 per person (tax-deductible); join the Circle or renew your membership by Dec. 15, 2012 and receive a complimentary Festival Pass for a friend or family member. For more information or to purchase tickets at the best rates to be offered all year, please visit napavalleyfilmfest.org by midnight, December 15, 2012.
About the Napa Valley Film Festival & Cinema Napa Valley:
The Napa Valley Film Festival is produced by Cinema Napa Valley, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization headquartered in Napa, California. The festival's co-creators – and Cinema Napa Valley co-chairs – are Brenda and Marc Lhormer, producers and distributors of the feature film Bottle Shock about the historic upset victory by Napa Valley wines over the French at the1976 wine-tasting competition in Paris. Bottle Shock premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival before going on to international theatrical distribution. The husband-and-wife team also ran the successful Sonoma Valley Film Festival from 2001 through 2008. In addition to producing the annual film festival, Cinema Napa Valley presents special film programs throughout the year and provides support to student filmmaking programs in Napa Valley schools. To learn more, visit www.napavalleyfilmfest.org and follow www.facebook.com/NapaValleyFilmFestival.
"Our esteemed Jurors and our audiences have recognized a diverse set of cinematic talent," remarked Nvff Executive and Artistic Director Marc Lhormer. "We are delighted with the response to this year's Program and look forward to hosting another batch of exceptional films and filmmakers next year."
Jury Awards for Narrative Features:
Best Narrative Feature ($10,000 Cash Prize presented by Meadowood Napa Valley; wine from Lail Vineyards)
Future Weather,written and directed by Jenny Deller
Special Jury Award for Cinematography (wine from Beaulieu (Bv) Vineyard)
Not Waving but Drowning, Cinematographer Nathan Levine-Haney
Special Jury Award for Acting (wine from Freemark Abbey)
Madeline Zima and Joel David Moore in Stuck, directed by Stuart Acher
Jury Awards for Documentary Films:
Best Documentary Feature (wine from Terlato Family Vineyards)
Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself, co-directed by Tom Bean and Luke Poling
Special Jury Award for Most Promising Documentary Filmmaker (wine from Hill Family Estate)
Matt Day, director ofShape of Things to Come,
Best Documentary Short Subject (wine from Alpha Omega)
The Last Ice Merchant (El Ultimo Hielero), directed by Sandy Patch
Jury Awards for Narrative Short Films:
Best Narrative Short (wine from Chappellet and Fortunati, respectively)
Co-winners: My Name Is Your First Love, written and directed by Rob Richert; The Pact, written and directed by Jason Pugatch
Special Jury Award for Social Impact (wine from Saintsbury)
Put It In a Book, directed by Rodrigo Garcia
Audience Awards:
Favorite Narrative Feature (wine from Behrens Family Winery)
Any Day Now, written and directed by Travis Fine
Favorite Documentary Feature (wine from Peju Province Winery)
Rising From Ashes, directed by T.C. Johnstone
Favorite Documentary Short Subject (wine from Chiarello Family Wines)
Necking, directed by Lindsay Lindenbaum
Favorite Narrative Short (wine from Allora Vineyards)
High Maintenance, written and directed by Shawn Wines
Favorite Lounge Feature (Narrative or Doc) (wine from Show from Trinchero Family)
Beware of Mr. Baker, directed by Jay Bulger
Mt. Veeder Peak Performance for Best Acting in a Narrative Feature ($1,000 Cash Prize and wine from Mt. Veeder Appellation)
Alan Cumming inAny Day Now, directed by Travis Fine; Cumming is donating his prize money to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts
The 2012 Napa Valley Film Festival Jury consisted of: Jury Co-President Leonard Maltin, respected film critic and historian – perhaps best known for his annual paperback reference “Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide” – currently teaching at USC School of Cinematic Arts; Jury Co-President Joe Carnahan, well-known writer/director of films such as The Grey, Smokin' Aces, andNarc; John Horn, Film Editor at the Los Angeles Times, where he has been on staff since 2002 and had previously been on staff at Newsweek and premier magazines; Sydney Levine, having thirty plus years in the film industry including being the first woman in international film distribution at 20th Century Fox; Lisa Schwartz, Executive Vice President of Distribution Operations and Business Development for Sundance Selects and IFC Films; Morrie Warshawski, who has worked in the nonprofit arts and culture sector for over thirty years and formerly served as the Executive Director of Bay Area Video Coalition in San Francisco; Paul Zaentz, a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania who started his movie-making career on the Academy Award winning film Amadeus; Lissa Gibbs, the Executive Director of the Napa Valley College Foundation; T.J. Martin and Dan Lindsay, Co-Directors/Co-Editors/Co-Cinematographers of the Oscar-winning documentary, Undefeated, a selection of the 2011 Nvff; Sheila Benson, the Principal Film Critic for the Los Angeles Times from 1981–1991. Affiliated with the National Society of Film Critics and the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Sheila has served on juries at film festivals including Berlin, Toronto, and Sundance. Melanie Lynskey, accomplished and versatile actress, originally from New Zealand whose credits include: Win-Win, Up in the Air, The Informant, Away We Go, Flags of Our Fathers, Sweet Home Alabama and her first award-winning role was in Heavenly Creatures with Kate Winslet; Pat Saperstein, Associate Editor of Variety, where she coordinates festival coverage and daily news. Pat has served on juries at several festivals and has been on numerous panels; and Raj Mathai, NBC Bay Area’s news anchor and personality hosted the Awards Ceremony on Closing Night and received a bottle of Mumm Non-Vintage Brut Prestige. Additionally, the Jury Co-Presidents were presented with 3L bottles of wine: Leonard Maltin was given a Duckhorn 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon and Joe Carnahan was given a Cornerstone Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.
On Friday, November 9, Access Hollywood's Billy Bush hosted the Celebrity Tribute Ceremony which was held at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville. Nvff honored James Marsden with the “Trailblazer” Tribute; the actor and singer is known for his roles in 30 Rock, Enchanted, Hairspray, and Robot & Frank, whose upcoming films include Two Guns, opposite Denzel Washington, and playing John F. Kennedy in The Butler. James was also presented with a bottle of Grgich Hills 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Nvff’s “Spotlight On” Tribute went to the seductive Alan Cumming, who has created indelible roles in The Anniversary Party, Sweet Land, the hit series The Good Wife, and his powerful performance in Any Day Now (2012 Nvff selection). Alan received a bottle of Ehlers Estate 2008 One Twenty Over Eighty with his award. Nvff presented two “Rising Star” Tributes: Imogen Poots, a talented young British actress who costars in A Late Quartet (Nvff 2012), who received a bottle of Chandon Non-Vintage Brut Classic along with her award; and Adam Driver who has a charming performance in the Nvff 2012 feature, Not Waving But Drowning, whoalso received a bottle of Chandon Non-Vintage Brut Classic with his award. Driver is best known for his roles in HBO's Girls, Angels in America, You Don’t Know Jack and J. Edgar, the latter opening the 2011 Nvff. Host Billy Bush also received a bottle of Allora Vineyards 2008 “Lusso” Cabernet Sauvignon.
In addition to all of the awards given to actors and films, the Nvff highlighted an impressive array of local restaurants from the area, which were recognized throughout the five-day festival in its “Foodspotting Contest.” This year's Master Foodspotter was Elissa Gordon, with almost 25 sightings. The “Silence of the Lamb Barbacoa Taco” from La Condesa was voted this year's "Best Menu Item," and received the most votes for the name and concept. Alexis Baking Co. was awarded the "Crowd Favorite" as they had the most photos, three of each of their five items.
The 3rd annual Napa Valley Film Festival will take place November 6 – 10, 2013. A special holiday pre-sale, through Dec. 15, 2012, offers Festival Passes for $190 (regularly $250) and Pass Plusses for $425 (regularly $500). Both Passes offer five-day access to film, food and wine events. Additionally, 4-pack tickets will be offered, perfect for holiday gift-giving: Four Festival Passes for $680 ($170 each – normally $250 – for a 32% total savings); Four Pass Plusses for $1,560 ($390 each – normally $500 – for a 22% percent savings). To experience the Festival at its most luxurious, Patron Circle membership starts at $2,500 per person (tax-deductible); join the Circle or renew your membership by Dec. 15, 2012 and receive a complimentary Festival Pass for a friend or family member. For more information or to purchase tickets at the best rates to be offered all year, please visit napavalleyfilmfest.org by midnight, December 15, 2012.
About the Napa Valley Film Festival & Cinema Napa Valley:
The Napa Valley Film Festival is produced by Cinema Napa Valley, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization headquartered in Napa, California. The festival's co-creators – and Cinema Napa Valley co-chairs – are Brenda and Marc Lhormer, producers and distributors of the feature film Bottle Shock about the historic upset victory by Napa Valley wines over the French at the1976 wine-tasting competition in Paris. Bottle Shock premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival before going on to international theatrical distribution. The husband-and-wife team also ran the successful Sonoma Valley Film Festival from 2001 through 2008. In addition to producing the annual film festival, Cinema Napa Valley presents special film programs throughout the year and provides support to student filmmaking programs in Napa Valley schools. To learn more, visit www.napavalleyfilmfest.org and follow www.facebook.com/NapaValleyFilmFestival.
- 12/14/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.