The nominations for the 73rd Academy Awardsฎ were announced in Los Angeles earlier this afternoon. Here's a list of the main categories.
BEST PICTURE
'Chocolat'
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
'Erin Brockovich'
'Gladiator'
'Traffic'
BEST LEADING ACTOR
Javier Bardem ('Before Night Falls')
Russell Crowe ('Gladiator')
Tom Hanks ('Cast Away')
Ed Harris ('Pollock')
Geoffrey Rush ('Quills')
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jeff Bridges ('The Contender')
Willem Dafoe ('Shadow of the Vampire')
Benicio Del Toro ('Traffic')
Albert Finney ('Erin Brockovich')
Joaquin Phoenix ('Gladiator')
BEST LEADING ACTRESS
Joan Allen ('The Contender')
Juliette Binoche ('Chocolat')
Ellen Burstyn ('Requiem for a Dream')
Laura Linney ('You Can Count on Me')
Julia Roberts ('Erin Brockovich')
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Judi Dench ('Chocolat')
Marcia Gay Harden ('Pollock')
Kate Hudson ('Almost Famous')
Frances McDormand ('Almost Famous')
Julie Walters ('Billy Elliot')
BEST DIRECTOR
'Billy Elliot'
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
'Erin Brockovich'
'Gladiator'
'Traffic'
BEST ART DIRECTION
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
'The Grinch'
'Gladiator'
'Quills'
'Vatel'
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
'Gladiator'
'Malena'
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
The Patriot
COSTUME DESIGN
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
'The Grinch'
'Gladiator'
'102 Dalmations'
'Quills'
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
'Amores Perros'
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
'Divided We Fall'
'Everybody Famous!'
'The Taste of Others'
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
'Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport'
'Legacy'
'Long Night's Journey Into Day'
'Scottsboro: An American Tragedy'
'Sound and Fury'
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
'Chocolat'
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
'Gladiator'
'Malena'
'The Patriot'
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' - "A Love Before Time"
'Dancer in the Dark' - "I've Seen It All"
'The Emperor's New Groove' - "My Funny Friend and Me"
'Meet the Parents' - "A Fool In Love"
'Wonder Boys' - "Things Have Changed"
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
'Chocolat'
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
'O Brother, Where Art Though?'
'Traffic'
'Wonderboys'
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
'Almost Famous'
'Billy Elliot'
'Erin Brockovich'
'Gladiator'
'You Can Count on Me'
Cameo is proud to have been associated with many of these acclaimed movies. The 73rd Annual Academy Awardsฎ take place on Sunday 25th March. For more details visit:www.oscar.com
The shortlist for the Orange Audience Award 2001 has just been announced and as in previous years deciding which film to vote for won't be easy. Now a well established feature of the Orange British Academy Film Awards, the Audience Award puts the past year's ten most successful UK box office hits up against each other. The Audience Award is unique within the ceremony in that it is voted for by the cinmea-going public as opposed to members of the British Academy. This years's films are: 'Billy Elliot', 'Charlie's Angels', 'Chicken Run', Dinosaur', 'Gladiator', 'Mission:Impossible 2', 'Stuart Little', 'The Grinch', 'What Lies Beneath' and 'X Men'. Although deciding which film to vote for might prove a challenge, casting your vote is now easier than ever. Orange customers can have their say via their mobile phones or by using the special bill inserts, while anyone can cast their vote in any Orange shop or online at: www.orange.co.uk/sponsorship Radio Times, Sky Open and Customer Magazine, Odeon Cinemas and ITV's This Morning are all providing alternative ways to vote.
Later this month screen legend Sean Connery will be seen in 'Finding Forrester', a film about a unique relationship between a reclusive novelist (Connery) and an amazingly gifted scholar/athlete (played by newcomer Rob Brown). Directed by Academy Award nominee Gus Van Sant ('Good Will Hunting'), the drama also stars Oscar-winner Anna Paquin and Busta Rhymes. The film has already been hailed by critics in the US with 'Rolling Stone' describing Connery's performance as 'the richest, subtlest, most emotionally unguarded of his career'. If you work for a national or London based radio station this is your chance to see one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year so far. Columbia Tristar will be holding screenings on the following dates: Monday 12, Friday 16, Monday 19, Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 February. All screening are 6.30pm for 7.00pm start and will be held at Sony Pictures, Europe House, 25 Golden Square, London W1. To apply for a ticket please RSVP to:Press_Office@spe.sony.com 'Finding Forrester' opens nationwide on 23 February and a Cameo IPK for the release is coming soon to a PC near you!
Johnny Depp was in London's West End last night for the star-studded UK premiere of his new film, 'Blow'. Its director Ted Demme was also there to introduce the film to an audience of celebrities including Dave Stewart, Natalie Imbruglia and Jemima Khan. Comic Paul Whitehouse, whom Depp met when he appeared on BBC's The Fast Show, told the A-list star that he looked like 'an old tramp'. In 'Blow' Johnny Depp portrays the notorious George Jung, who was responsible for importing up to 85% of all cocaine into the US before his arrest. The film, which co-stars Penelope Cruz, Rachel Griffiths, Ray Liotta and Paul Reubens, opens nationwide on Friday.
So you think it's safe to take out the trash? Think again, as Tony Soprano takes us on more adventures in 'waste management' with the VHS and DVD premiere of Series 2 of "The best TV show
ever" (Q Magazine), 'The Sopranos'. If you missed it the first time, this is your chance to catch up on the most gripping show around.
Earlier this year, Series 2 of 'The Sopranos' received fifteen Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe nominations, with James Gandolfini winning the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for the second year running. This "brilliant" (Mail on Sunday) series "gets better with every episode" (The Sun) and now you can enjoy the genius of 'The Sopranos' at home and to re-acquaint yourself with the family before the third series gets underway on Channel 4 later this year.
Fresh from critical success at Cannes last week, 'Shrek' went on to prove equally popular at the US box-office over the weekend, taking an estimated $42.1 million. This marks the second biggest opening for any animated film and the highest grossing opener for a DreamWorks release, surpassing the $34.8 million taken by 'Gladiator' in May 2000. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow head the voice cast of 'Shrek', an irreverent comedy, based on the children's book by William Steig. 'Shrek' opens across the UK on 29 June.
The 54th Cannes International Film Festival drew to a close last night as the jury revealed who would receive the coveted prizes. The Palme d'Or went to Italian director Nanni Moretti for 'The Son's Room', a powerful drama about a family in mourning for the loss of their adolescent son. The much discussed French language love story, 'The Piano Teacher', from Austrian Michael Hanekea garnered the Grand Jury prize, as well as both acting awards. Entries from the United States were not ignored, with David Lynch and Joel Coen sharing Best Director honours for 'Mulholland Drive' and 'The Man Who Wasn't There'.
A nation stands divided over the escalating war in Vietnam. Thousands of young Americans lie dead on foreign soil. And at Fort Polk, Louisiana, thousands more prepare to join them. Directed by Joel Schumacher, 'Tigerland' is the story of a handful of raw, naïve army recruits as they endure the final stages of infantry training, just weeks away from combat.
Reluctantly led by rebellious anti-hero Bozz (Farrell), the Second Platoon finds themselves in Tigerland, a wilderness designated by the army for jungle combat simulation. Their last stop before the war.
Tonight 'Moulin Rouge' will open this year's prestigious Cannes Film Festival. After the huge success of 'William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet', director Baz Luhrmann has recreated the world famous Moulin Rouge, with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in starring roles. Twentieth Century Fox invite you to watch the red carpet arrivals at the Opening Night Performance via a live webcast between 18:15 and 18:30 on 
'The Mummy Returns' has achieved the biggest opening weekend of all time, for a non-holiday weekend, at the US box-office. Taking $68.1 million, the adrenaline-charged Egyptian adventure secured the second highest grosssing opening weekend ever, behind Speilberg's 'Jurassic Park: The Lost World'.
Liv Tyler was joined by celebrity friends such as Kate Moss, Christina Ricci and Stella McCartney at last night's glitzy London premiere of her new film 'One Night at McCool's'. Director Harald Zwart was also at the Warner West End for the opening of his feature film debut, along with his friends classic pop group Aha. 'One Night at McCool's' also stars Matt Dillon, Paul Reiser, John Goodman and Michael Douglas, who selected the comedy as the first film to come from his new production company Furthur Films. The film opens at cinemas nationwide on Friday. For more details and broadcast quality audio go to the Cameo IPK.
London's Empire in Leicester Square was the place to be last night as the most eagerly-awaited film of the year so far, 'Bridget Jones's Diary', received its star-studded UK premiere. Cast in attendance included Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and new dad Colin Firth. Director Sharon Maguire was there to introduce the film, along with novelist Helen Fielding and screenwriter Richard Curtis. Other A-list celebrities keen to be among the first to see the film included Helena Bonham Carter, Lulu, Thora Birch, Toni Collette, Stephen Daldry, Stephen Fry, Kristen Scott Thomas, Jason Isaacs and Geri Halliwell.
'The Dish', starring Sam Neill, made Australian box-office history with the highest grossing opening week of all time for an Australian film. Based on a true story, the movie follows the extraordinary role Australia played during the Apollo XI lunar mission in July 1969. Neil Armstrong's words "That's one small step for Man, one giant leap for Mankind" are imprinted in our collective consciousness forever. However, few know the story of how live footage of these first steps was broadcast to the world from a huge satellite dish in smalltown Australia. 'The Dish' also stars Kevin Harrington, Tom Long, Patrick Warburton and Roy Billing. From the makers of hit comedy 'The Castle', the film is set for release in the UK on 11 May.
Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr. star in the inspirational drama 'Men of Honour', based on the real life story of Carl Brashear - the first African-American Navy Diver. De Niro plays the prejudiced Master Chief Billy Sunday, who presents just one of the obstacles standing in the way of Brashear's (Gooding, Jr.) ambition. But despite their acrimonious on-screen relationship, the 'Men of Honour' co-stars enjoyed working opposite so much that they are currently seekeing another project to star in together.
Renee Zellweger, star of the eagerly-awaited 'Bridget Jones's Diary' (opens 13 April) was determined to get into her role as the thirty-something heroine by spending time in London and mastering the accent. But to recreate Bridget, whose diet consists of booze, cigarettes and chocolate, Renee had to get OUT of shape for the part! Here's how she managed.
Last night London's West End was glittering with A-list celebrities who had flown in from all over the world for The Orange British Academy Film Awards. Nominees such as Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Tom Hanks, Hilary Swank and Kate Hudson were all in attendance at the Odeon, Leicester Square. The line-up of presenters was equally impressive, with names such as Goldie Hawn, Christina Ricci, Robert Altman, Hugh Grant and Annette Bening all handing out awards.
Best Actor-winner Jamie Bell was astonished to have fought off such fierce competition as Geofrey Rush, Tom Hanks, Michael Douglas and Russell Crowe, who Bell jokingly thanked in his acceptance speech. The night also saw Julie Walters take home her first BAFTA since 1983, when she won Best Actress for 'Educating Rita'. 'Billy Elliot' was voted this year's Best British Film.
'Gladiator' won both Best Film and The Orange Audience Award, as well as being honoured with gongs for Cinematography, Editing and Production Design. 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' garnered four awards including Best Foreign Film and Best Director for Ang Lee, presented by an exuberant Kate Winslet.
New Zealander Russell Crowe and a host of other celebrities turned out in force for the premiere of his new film 'Proof of Life' in London's Leicester Square last night. Russell plays a tough hostage negotiator in the film which was shot in the South American jungle. He certainly needs stamina this weekend as he jets to Sydney for the film's Australian premiere and back to the UK for the Orange British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 25th, where he stands a chance of picking up Best Actor.
