Here is the first trailer for Hope Springs , featuring Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones as a 60-something married couple on a steep sexual downswing. What to do? Travel to Dr. Steve Carell’s Seaside Coitus Clinic, of course, where, with the director of The Devil Wears Prada and Marley & Me , the group will explore the all the carnal dilemmas of our proto-senior population. I don’t know about crankypants Jones, but I predict that at least the box office for this thing — which Sony will open Aug. 10, right around the time the studio’s ” Julie & Julia ” hit big three years ago — will be rock hard. VERDICT : Sold! (To our parents)
Before IMAX became a way to boost action sequences — Tom Cruise dangling from the tallest building in the world, the Joker’s gang rappelling down from a Gotham City high-rise to rob a bank — the outsized format was primarily the domain of nature films like To the Arctic 3D , which aim to dazzle with large-scale shots of mountains and dolphins and Australia and other impressive-looking things. Forty minutes long and narrated by Meryl Streep , To the Arctic uses spoonfuls of cuteness — featuring walruses and caribou, though polar bears are its primary animal stars — to make its fairly grim environmental message go down a little easier. Directed by Greg MacGillivray, an old hand at IMAX docs, To the Arctic tries to balance out its underlying sense of global warming alarm with spectacular imagery and footage of the far north ecosystem at work. Of course, even when it comes to the most roly poly of polar bear cubs, life at the top of the world isn’t easy, and while the film discreetly leaves the majority of the process of hunting and gobbling down seals off screen, it does include some potentially troubling sequences involving the food sources the male bears turn to when desperate. Polar bears aren’t easy to film — a segment about how would-be cinematographers camouflage remote-controlled cameras in order to get closer shots of the animals shows one bear breaking a device like an enraged celebrity attacking a paparazzo. So when the filmmakers find a family of bears and are able to stick with them for several days, they end up catching a chase across the ice. It’s a mother polar bear and her two cubs who are the heart of To the Arctic , the trio traveling across the diminishing sea ice as the mother searches for food for her offspring in the lean summer months when hunting is more difficult. Survival isn’t a certainty — earlier footage shows a mother swimming for nine days and hundreds of miles in search of meat, her cub not surviving the journey. But in the case of these bears, their most dangerous enemy turns out to be males of their own species, who will eat cubs when they can’t find seals to nosh on. The mother anxiously herds her children across the ice floes, always on the lookout for other bears, though despite her caution one finds them and tries to track them down. (Parents with children and sensitive stoners planning on seeing the film can rest assured there are no scenes of violent polar bear cannibalism.) To the Arctic flutters from place to place, peering in at some Inuit hunters and researchers who dive beneath the ice, then traveling with a pair of scientists tracking caribou migrations before pausing to watch walruses loll in the sun and then jumping to a ship departing from Svalbard. The only thematic ties beyond a shared region are the environmental threats being posed by global warming, which is making it harder to polar bears and walruses to hunt and is wreaking havoc on the caribou migration patterns. The film is marked by a few jarring stylistic touches, like a score that wavers between dramatic instrumentals and Paul McCartney songs (“Mr. Bellamy,” “I’m Carrying” and “Little Willow”) and opening credits that explode into shards of ice that fly at you — narrated by Meryl Streep BOOM! Streep offers her voiceover with nary a sly twinkle, even when delivering lines about the “frisky dance of the northern lights” or urging that “we can help keep the Arctic white.” But it’s the visuals you’re here to see, and they look great on the massive screen in three dimensions, especially in helicopter shots that whirl past waterfalls cascading off of glaciers or travel over the fantastic tundra like there’s an army of orcs to be discovered just over the next bluff. 3-D and IMAX may no longer be new, but in moments like those, they can still summon a sense of awe. Follow Alison Willmore on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
That's why Justin Bieber , Demi Lovato, Johnny Depp, Ellen DeGeneres and Meryl Streep are raising their voice with Katy Butler, the brave 17-year-old who started the viral petition to get Bully a PG-13 rating. She surpassed … More: 'Bully' Needs More Sigs, So Join Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, Ellen …
Meryl Streep was in New York City today to attend the prestigious Women in the World Summit, held at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. The summit featured numerous distinguished guests, and was also attended by Hilary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, Upon Streep’s departure from the theater, she is greeted by an appreciative, aspiring actress.
‘You can never call a Meryl Streep win a real upset, because she’s so beloved in the industry,’ BoxOffice.com’s Phil Contrino tells MTV News. By Kevin P. Sullivan Meryl Streep poses with her award at the 2012 Oscars Photo: Getty Images Heading into Sunday night’s Academy Awards , few expected any major surprises in the top categories. “The Artist” was expected to take Best Director, Actor and Picture, while Octavia Spencer and Christopher Plummer had been considered locks in the supporting categories for weeks. In the Best Actress category, however, some Oscar analysts ( MTV News included ) may have been too quick to call the Best Actress category for Viola Davis in “The Help.” Such confidence resulted in the biggest surprise of the evening when Meryl Streep won her third Academy Award for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.” So what happened to Viola Davis? In the night that belonged so heavily to the odds-on favorite, how was it that Streep pulled off the upset? Even Streep had to admit that most people thought the award belonged to Davis. “When they called my name,” she said during her acceptance speech, “I had this feeling I could hear half of America going, ‘Oh no! Oh come on, why her? Again?’ But … whatever.” Entertainment reporter Jo Piazza said that the crowd’s familiarity with Streep may have been her key to Oscar gold. “It wasn’t Meryl’s performance that gave her the edge,” Piazza said. “It was the fact that she hasn’t won in 30 years. Her performance was great, but that was what gave her the advantage.” The perceived disappointment was a direct result of both Davis’ status as a favorite and the success of “The Help.” When it came to ensemble awards, even “The Artist” couldn’t come close to topping the wins for “The Help” this awards season. The cast won at the SAGs, the National Board of Review and the Broadcast Film Critics Association. It also certainly helped to have Octavia Spencer cleaning up the Supporting Actress awards wherever she went. Because of the awards and nominations close to Davis and her strong performance in the film, many saw her as the favorite for Best Actress, despite splitting many of the key awards with Streep. Davis won over the Broadcast Film Critics Association and took home the Actor at the SAG Awards, the last major awards show before the Oscars. But all of that overlooks the hefty haul of awards Streep took home before last night’s Academy Awards. Naturally, Streep won Best Actress at the BAFTAs, a victory undermined by the very British subject matter of “The Iron Lady, but also, more importantly, at the Golden Globes, where Streep’s future Oscar seemed the most likely. Though it may have initially been thought of as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s signature celebrity-love, Streep’s Globes win should have been considered more heavily when predicting the Oscars. Streep, after all, embodied many of the key traits of an Oscar winner. She played a historical figure, donned makeup to transform into her character and is a repeat winner, so perhaps there shouldn’t have been as many “Oh, no’s” as there were. Phil Contrino of BoxOffice.com told MTV News that Streep’s status as a Hollywood legend should have precluded any talk of upsets. “You can never call a Meryl Streep win a real upset, because she’s so beloved in the industry,” he said. “It’s important to remember that she was running very close to Viola Davis for most of the season.” The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Keep it locked at MTV.com for updates on the night’s big winners and the best red-carpet fashion . Related Videos Oscars 2012: Show Highlights Oscars 2012: Red Carpet Highlights Related Photos Oscars 2012: Parties Oscars 2012: The Main Show
George Clooney, Taylor Lautner and Meryl Streep among the many high-profile actors who joined Kimmel for his annual post-Oscar parody. By Josh Wigler George Clooney on a poster for “Movie: The Movie” Photo: ABC From the man who brought you “I’m F—ing Ben Affleck” and “The Handsome Men’s Club” comes something so big, something so spectacular, something so uncontrollably crazy that it’s simply too good to be true — which, of course, it is. We’re talking about the one and only “Movie: The Movie,” the not-actually-upcoming blockbuster from the maniacal mind of Jimmy Kimmel. Once again, the talk-show host reacted to Oscar night the only way he knows how: with a reliably ridiculous star-studded parody video. This year, Kimmel outdid himself with an all-star cast including the likes of George Clooney, Charlize Theron, Meryl Streep, Kate Beckinsale, Chewbacca, Taylor Lautner and even Daniel Day-Lewis in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it turn as Tyler Perry as George Washington. Sound confusing? It gets worse. As best as we can tell, “Movie: The Movie” follows a man who meets a woman who meets a werewolf that comes upon an ancient scroll owned by Antonio Banderas, who goes on to marry a secret agent (Edward Norton) to former United States President George W. Bush, played once again by Josh Brolin — and that absurd run-on sentence only covers about 30 seconds of a nine-minute trailer. Other highlights of “Movie: The Movie” (which is reportedly co-directed by J.J. Abrams and Martin Scorsese and produced by the same people responsible for “Terminator,” “The Hunt for Red October” and “Dora: The Explorer”) include a star-making turn from up-and-comer Tom Hanks as Robo-Lawyer; a questionably certified medical professional played by Jeff Goldblum breaking the tragic news to Gary Oldman that he’s actually a centaur; and Bryan Cranston as a street-tough hot dog vendor (“Wieners here! Everybody’s got to have a wiener!”) who regularly finds himself on the receiving end of an explosion. None of that even mentions unsung hero Matt Damon, who once again ends up in an uncomfortable position at the hands of Mr. Kimmel. In short, Kimmel topped himself yet again with “Movie: The Movie.” Though release dates of Thanksgiving, spring and summer are promised in the trailer, something tells us “Movie: The Movie” isn’t actually coming soon to a theater near you — though lord knows we’d be first in line to see it, if only to figure out what the heck this thing’s all about. The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Keep it locked at MTV.com all night and beyond for updates on the night’s big winners and the best red-carpet fashion . Join the live conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars. Related Videos Oscars 2012: Red Carpet Highlights Oscars 2012: Show Highlights Related Photos Oscars 2012: Winners Oscars 2012: Parties
Each Wednesday for the past five months, my colleague S.T. VanAirsdale has fearlessly navigated the ever-shifting Academy Awards tides with his weekly Oscar Index , a gig that’s enough to make even the most intrepid seafaring mortal long for dry land. It’s in sight, Stu! By this coming Monday morning, all of our meticulously calibrated predictions, as well as our wayward hopes for our own personal favorites, will amount to little more than scraps of speared whale blubber, receding in the distance as we move toward next year’s Oscar broadcast. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There’s still time to savor the last-minute glitter wave. To that end, here are my own Oscar predictions for each category, followed by the candidates I wish would win. BEST PICTURE I loved The Artist when I first saw it last May, and I’ve seen it twice since. It has, of course, become de rigueur to adopt the “It’s not so great” stance when talking about the picture. But that’s not where my heart lies, and I’ve already spent ample time, both publicly (over at Slate Movie Club ) and privately, defending the movie from the “Meh” Brigade. So, yeah, I hope it wins. But I also have a great deal of fondness for both Moneyball and Midnight in Paris , as well as for War Horse , whose old-school movie grandness appears to be sorely out of fashion, and more’s the pity. Will win : The Artist Should win : The Artist BEST DIRECTOR I still don’t understand how you can have nine Best Picture nominees and only five Best Director nominees. What, does the Academy think these pictures direct themselves? Of course, in the case of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close , you’d be forgiven for thinking so, but never mind. Woody Allen has given us his best movie in years – many years – with Midnight in Paris, so I would probably quaff an extra dose of Champagne if he were to win. But my Best Director choice nearly always aligns with my Best Picture choice, which leads us to Hazanavicius. Will win : Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist Should win : Michel Hazanvicius, The Artist BEST ACTOR As I voted in numerous critics’ groups at the end of 2011, I put the same three names on every Best Actor ballot: Jean Dujardin, Gary Oldman and Brad Pitt (the latter for Moneyball only, though I concede that in The Tree of Life, he works his ass off for a director who cares little for actors). I would be thrilled if any of the three were to win, with perhaps a slight edge – about the width of a pencil mustache – going to Dujardin. Will win : Jean Dujardin Should win : Jean Dujardin or Brad Pitt or Gary Oldman – please don’t make me choose! BEST ACTRESS Although Michelle Williams gave my favorite female performance of the year, in My Week with Marilyn, for so many years now I’ve been watching Viola Davis doing superb work – always the quiet, unflashy kind – that I would be thrilled to see her win for The Help. Poor Glenn Close – I don’t want to look at Albert’s or anyone else’s nobbs, thanks very much. And while I greatly dislike Meryl Streep’s high-toned mimicry in The Iron Lady , the one thing that would really drive me ‘round the bend is another trilling, faux-gracious acceptance speech from La Streep. Oh God, no, please. Will win : Viola Davis, The Help Should win : Viola Davis, The Help BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR This is the category for which I have the least enthusiasm: These performances are all fine, but I don’t see any sparks of mad genius in them. (Not even Branagh’s amusing channeling of Olivier qualifies.) I can live with a Christopher Plummer win, if only because it’s about time for Old Mr. Grouchypants. Will win : Christopher Plummer, Beginners Should win : Christopher Plummer, Beginners BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Octavia Spencer is the real charmer in this category, and she has the benefit of being both an unknown and the underdog. Jessica Chastain is lovely in The Help, but she’s even better in a little-seen movie from a few years back called Jolene, in which she played a forerunner of the same character. Bérénice Bejo is extremely winning in The Artist , but I’d still prefer to see Spencer win. While it’s laudatory that the Academy should nominate a comedic actress for this award, I’d prefer it not to be the brassy McCarthy. And while McTeer is quite moving in Albert Nobbs, I truly am looking forward, as I said earlier, to a nobb-free Sunday evening. Will win : Octavia Spencer, The Help Should win : Octavia Spencer, The Help BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY I have my fingers crossed for either Guillame Schiffman for The Artist or Janusz Kaminski for the unfairly maligned – and gorgeous — War Horse. (I wish Kaminski could follow me around with a key light every moment of my life – I’d kill to look as luminous as that horse does.) But I fear the winner will be Emmanuel Lubezki for The Tree of Life. I love Lubezski, but not The Tree of Life ‘s brand of sterile, calculated beauty. Will win : Emmanuel Lubezki, The Tree of Life Should win : Guillame Schiffman for The Artist or Janusz Kaminski for War Horse. BEST ANIMATED PICTURE Generally, I’m with Mark Harris : I don’t much care about this category. Except when I do. And this year, I found what I thought was a firm favorite in Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal’s lovely, mostly hand-drawn Latin jazz romance Chico & Rita. . Then I saw Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli’s A Cat in Paris – another hand-drawn adventure, this one about a winsome and mysterious cat burglar padding his way through the world’s most mysterious and beautiful city – and I fell even more deeply in love. I would be thrilled to see either picture win, though I suspect the honor will go to Gore Verbinski’s Rango, which is at least clever and lively. Will win : Rango Should win : A Cat in Paris or Chico & Rita Follow Stephanie Zacharek on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
The good people over at Entertainment Weekly have undertaken a scientific survey (as scientific as a movie blog can be, anyway) to find out, and for the raw data they have wisely turned to the expert…Mr. Skin! Using frequently nude Oscar darling Kate Winslet as the quin-tit-ssential example, EW cross-checked all the Best Actress Oscar winners from 1987 to 2011 with their records on MrSkin.com. So is going nude the key to gripping a little bald man in your sweaty palms (an Oscar , you pervs)? Yes and no. Only 9 out of the 25 winners went nude in the role they won for (like Halle Berry in Monster’s Ball (2001) and Holly Hunter in The Piano (1993)), but 21 out of the 22 actresses in the survey (some won multiple times- we’re looking at you, Meryl Streep ) had gone nude at some point in their career. Numbers don’t lie, ladies- if you want to win, you’ve got to show skin! Check out our Top 10 Nude Oscar Nominees for 2012 right here at MrSkin.com
*: As determined by Movieline’s Institute For the Advanced Study of Kudos Forensics after crunching 23 weeks of data from the awards cognoscenti and beyond. Thank you for reading; our work here is done. The Final 9: 1. The Artist 2. The Help 3. The Descendants 4. Moneyball 5. Hugo 6. The Tree of Life 7. Midnight in Paris 8. The Daldry 9. War Horse What’s to say? The die was cast long ago, and unless all those old-ass , inactive white dudes who apparently make the Academy magic happen suddenly decide they want to recognize The Help (or come around on Moneyball a la some latecoming pundits or at least one old-ass, distaff counterpart ), then you might as well just plan to go out on Sunday night to take advantage of the quiet restaurants and/or grocery stores. (And maybe follow our livetweeting here if/when the urge strikes.) The Final 5: 1. Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist 2. Alexander Payne, The Descendants 3. Martin Scorsese, Hugo 4. Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life 5. Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris Did we ever settle on how many of these guys are actually going to show up to lose to Hazanavicius in person? The Final 5: 1. Viola Davis, The Help 1. Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady 3. Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn 4. Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo 5. Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs Sasha Stone wrote a few days ago about the “general consensus” solidifying around some shakier frontrunners; Davis seems the most locked-in of that class. Anything could still happen this weekend, which is fine by me as long as it happens fast and we can get on with our lives. The Final 5: 1. Jean Dujardin, The Artist 2. George Clooney, The Descendants 3. Brad Pitt, Moneyball 4. Demi
From Meryl Streep to Martin Scorsese and awards season juggernaut The Artist , Hollywood’s finest came out in full force Sunday in London for the 2012 BAFTA Awards. ( Get the full list of BAFTA winners here .) Hit the jump to see who dazzled on the red carpet and celebrated backstage at the last big hurrah before the Oscars. Launch the 2012 BAFTA red carpet gallery!
