Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Victor Garber
Director: Ben Affleck
Running Time: 120 mins
Certificate: 15
Release Date: March 4th 2013
Director: Ben Affleck
Running Time: 120 mins
Certificate: 15
Release Date: March 4th 2013
Although it’s not too unusual for the winner of the Best Picture Oscar not to also pick up the Best Director gong, it’s very rare for the winner of the biggest prize not to even get a nomination for its helmer. However that’s what happened with Argo, marking the first time it’s occurred since Driving Miss Daisy in 1989. (Incidentally it’s also now tied with Gigi as the Best Picture winner with the shortest title).
It was a real oversight on the part of the Academy, because it’s not like Ben Affleck’s direction is irrelevant to the movie’s success. Indeed it’s him probably more than anyone else who makes the film work. [Read more…]
It was undoubtedly one of the most open Oscar races for years, with the result that rather than one film sweeping the entire thing, the Academy has spread the cheer amongst a bunch of movie. The winner of the big prize was Argo, marking one of the few times the Best Picture Oscar has gone to a film whose helmer wasn’t even nominated for Best Director. The film also won Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing
The Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman grossout comedy Identity Thief may have been faced with some vitriolic reviews, but US audiences obviously didn’t care as the film significantly outperformed expectations, taking $36.5 million in its first three days in cinemas. It’s one of the best starts ever for an R-rated comedy, suggesting the film should have strong legs over the coming weeks.
The complete list of Dorian Award winners is below. A celebratory toast will be held Sunday, February 17the in Los Angeles. For more information, please visit: 
It might not have hit the $150-$160 million opening some were predicting, but The Twilight Saga – Breaking Dawn Part 2 was certainly no slouch at the US box office, taking $141 million, which is the eighth biggest first three-day take ever. It was slightly behind New Moon, which still holds the franchise record with $142 million, but slightly ahead of Breaking Dawn Part 1.
Throughout last week, the predictions of how well Skyfall would do on its US opening kept growing. It went from a possible $50 million debut, until the day before its opening many were thinking $60 million, perhaps even $70 million. By Friday the predictions had reached $80 million, but in the end even that was too conservative, as by Sunday it had hit $90 million.
Wreck-It Ralph certainly got a good start this weekend, with the highest opening ever for a non-Pixar Disney animated movie. The film took $49.1 million, just ahead of Tangled’s $48.8 million debut. It’s a great start, helped by the fact it appealed to both boys and girls, and with little to challenge it in the family demographic over the next few weeks, it should have strong legs.