AWARDS HEADLINES
Awards 2016: How a Two-Time Oscar Winner Helped Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárittu Turn ‘The Revenant’ Into a Full-On Acoustic Experience
The first thing you notice, from the first few frames, is how gorgeous it is. But listen closely, and you quickly notice something else: that every whisper of wind through the trees, every gurgle of water flowing in a river, every crunch of boot against gravel, all of it is as crisp and clear as the images on the screen. It’s easy to say that sound is as important to a good movie as the pictures, but there is sound and then there’s sound, and there is a very distinct difference. (SSN)
The Accidental Turitz: How ‘The Martian’ Screenwriter Drew Goddard Adapted “Diary Entries Describing Science Experiments” Into One of the Most Entertaining Films of the Year
Senior Editor Neil Turitz returns with his eponymous column to discuss his favorite movie of the year and the writer who turned a nerdy bestseller into the blueprint for exactly the kind of movie the studios don’t normally make anymore. Strap yourself in for a look at Goddard’s process and why he might have a gold statuette in his future. (SSN)
SSN Screening Series: The Team Talks About ‘The QT Factor’, Smashing Guitars and Shooting In Minus 10 Degrees On the Set of Tarantino’s ‘The Hateful Eight’
Last night, SSN Insider held a screening of Quentin Tarantino’s latest film, in a packed theater on the CBS Raleigh Studio lot. The Weinstein Company released the film Christmas day in 70mm, 35mm and digital, but the audience on the lot viewed the three hour, specialty, roadhouse cut of the film. Sound mixer, Mark Ulano, BAFTA nominated editor Fred Raskin, and make-up department head Heba Thorisdottir were on hand to discuss the film. (SSN)
And … It’s On! As Of Yesterday, Voting For the 2016 Academy Awards Has Officially Begun
When you consider the seemingly non-stop lunches, brunches, dinners, cocktail receptions, Q&As, private screenings, musical events, and endless ads, billboards and TV spots it does seem like the Oscar campaign season has been on overdrive since the Fall festivals kicked it off in early September. Now, with so many races still so wide open, voting is in progress. (AL)
OTHER HEADLINES
Film Development for 12/31/15: New Details on Christopher Nolan’s ‘Dunkirk’, ‘All Eyez on Me’ Finds its Tupac Shakur, AMBI Plans Lamborghini Pic
In the final installment of the year, we see more movement on Alien: Covenant, something new from Jordan Peele, another new film from Michael Haneke, and a jewel theft thriller from producer Brian Grazer. Click on the link for all the info. (SSN)
Syfy Likes ‘The Expanse’ Enough To Hand Out a Second Season, With an Increased Show Order
Cable net is increasing the episode order from 10 to 13 for the futuristic mystery’s sophomore turn. Set 200 years in the future, show stars Thomas Jane and Steven Strait as a hardened detective and a rogue ship captain whose unlikely alliance may end up exposing the greatest conspiracy in human history. (VAR)
On This, the Last Day Of 2015, Seven Things We Learned About Television This Year
Too much TV, better TV and defining TV all helped make 2015 a fascinating time to talk about the goings on of the small screen. Things like “There is no such thing as too much,” and “Netflix’s viewing statistics,” and how “streaming has caught up with cable, even at the Emmys” are all examined, as well as several other items that have added to our communal pop culture education. (IW)
Take a Moment To Appreciate the Year’s Very Best Movie Posters
This is not “Posters for the Most Loved Movies of the Year,” nor is it “Posters for the Highest-Grossing Movies of the Year,” but rather, “The Best Movie Posters,” period. Yes, some of 2015’s most beloved/money-making flicks made the cut, and yes there are movies on here you have never heard of. All of them, however, are outstanding pieces of art. (CS)
And, Finally, Since This Time Of Year Is All About the “Best” Lists, Here’s a List Of the Best Lists
It’s an eclectic list of lists, to be sure, and includes such things as investigations into police shootings, the books that “literally” every white male owns, Arya Stark’s Kill List from Game of Thrones, and David Letterman’s final Top 10 list, from his final show. (VUL)
Trailer Buzz: ‘Zootopia’
Disney has released the new trailer for Walt Disney Animation’s new film, starring the voice talents of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Nate Torrence, Jenny Slate, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Alan Tudyk, Tommy “Tiny” Lister, Raymond Persi, Katie Lowes, Jesse Corti, and John DiMaggio. The film opens in theaters March 4th. (COL)