OSCARs 2017: Best Picture Noms
In case you missed it, the Oscar nominations have been announced. There were some surprises (Mel Gibson), snubs (Deadpool, Sing Street) and the expected avalanche of noms for La La Land (14). If you're not familiar with some of 2016's biggest movies, here they are:
Arrival is up for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. Release date: February 14th.
Fences is up for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay. Release date: March 2017 (estimated).
Hacksaw Ridge is up for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. Release date: Feb. 21st.
Hell or High Water is up for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. Release date: April 2017 (estimated).
Hidden Figures is up for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay. Release date: April 2017 (estimated).
La La Land is up for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, Best Original Song (x2) Best Sound and Best Sound Mixing. Release date: April 2017 (estimated).
Lion is up for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. Release date: March 2017 (estimated).
Manchester By The Sea is up for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing and Best Original Score. Release date: Feb. 28th.
*all release dates refer to physical DVD/Blu-Ray format
Gaga Refuses Super Bowl Pay
Lady Gaga has turned down payment for her upcoming halftime show performance at this years Super Bowl.
“While this may seem shocking, it’s actually a very logical marketing move. What she’ll forgo in direct payment, she’ll make up for with valuable exposure. With Lady Gaga’s new album slated for early October 2017, over 100 million viewers won’t hurt her sales. She’ll likely have a tour to follow, which means big money for her.”
Gaga's "Monster Ball Tour" in 2011 earned a whopping $239 million... so yeah, Forbes has a point.
Turning down the NFL payday is apparently part of Gaga's "plan" to announce a new album, following the October 2016 release of Joanne. Fan sites have been saying Gaga is going to deliver some major tour details shortly after (or maybe, during) her halftime show performance. The singer has added fuel to the fire by retweeting some of these claims:
Further rumors suggest Gaga is in talks with Fenway Park to book a summertime concert. A far cry from the more intimate or small-sized venues she played during her Bud Light Dive Bar Tour at the end of last year.
I guess we'll have to wait and see! Her focus at the moment seems locked on her upcoming halftime show performance where an estimated 100 million viewers will be tuned in. Gaga has been sharing videos and pictures of her and her dancers prepping for the big event. She insists there will be no surprise guests. It's all about Gaga.
Oh, and it's a little about the Patriots and Falcons... Super Bowl LI (51) airs Sunday, Feb. 5th from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Women's March on Washington: Celeb Sightings
ICYMI: Here's a comprehensive list of celebrities who promoted and/or participating in the Women's March on Washington in D.C. and other major cities:
Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Madonna, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, America Ferrera (and her Ugly Betty co-stars), Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Judd, Kim Kardashian, Kesha, Beyonce, Vanessa Hudgens, Lauren Jauregui (Fifth Harmony), Emma Watson, Nick Offerman (Parks and Rec.), Amy Schumer, Janelle Monae, Halsey, Kendall Jenner, Laverne Cox, Kerry Washington, Mark Hamill, Jessica Chastain, James Franco, Mandy Moore, Wesley Snipes, Charlize Theron, Chelsea Handler, Demi Lovato, Zendaya, Sir Ian McKellan, Olivia Wilde, Chrissy Teigen, Ellen Page, Lena Dunham and the list is ever growing as we stumble across photo evidence from Saturday’s rallies held world-wide.
Closer to home, Ottawa held its own with a staggering 8,000 in attendance (est.).
“Thousands of women, with a strong representation of men and children, descended on the Ottawa Human Rights Monument near City Hall Saturday morning to march in support of sister organizations in Washington and around the world.
The marches were to protest the new administration of President Donald Trump, with a focus on protecting and advancing women’s rights.”
Read their article Ottawa marchers kick off protest in support of women's march in Washington by CLICKING HERE.
Twitter | @rmayersinger
In related news, "Pussy Hats" are taking over! You'll see 'em in most of the photos associated with the Women's March on Washington. Pink, hand knit toques with cute cat ears on top have become a symbol of solidarity following Trump's gross convo with Billy Bush from 2005 that was leaked. Women have decided to take back the term and use it to promote strength and solidarity. Plus, who doesn't love a good pink toque?
Read more about the Pussy Hat Project by CLICKING HERE.
2017 Winterlude Fact Sheet
Want to enjoy Winterlude 2017 in Ottawa-Gatineau this year but aren't sure where to start? Here are some quick tips to get your adventure(s) planned!
There are 3 Main Locations:
- The Crystal Garden at Confederation Park & Marion Dewar Plaze (Elgin at Laurier/City Hall) - here you will find breathtaking ice sculptures, family fun and the Sub-Zero Concert Series
- The Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques-Cartier Park (Rue Laurier, Gatineau) - great for kids with snow slides and tonnes of outdoor fun
- The Rideau Canal - the world's largest skating rink
Here are some other locations to enjoy various Winterlude activities: CLICK HERE.
Winterlude runs February 3rd to the 20th with all sites open on Family Day in Ontario.
The full calendar of events can be found HERE.
Let's get to the Sub-Zero Concert Series (highlighting KiSS 105.3 artists). Concerts happen every Friday and Saturday (Feb. 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th and 19th) plus the last Sunday (Feb. 19th) @ 7:30PM, Confederation Park - CIBC Stage.
Opening night: Friday, Feb. 3rd: Karim Ouellet and Coleman Hell
Friday, Feb 10th - Alx Velix, DJ DOMENO and Trevor Guthrie
Saturday, Feb 11th - Canada 150 Signature Concert
Saturday, Feb. 18th - David Usher
Sunday, Feb. 19th - Scott Helman and more
Adele Will Perform at 2017 GRAMMYs
Adele has joined the 2017 Grammy's list of performers. She will perform a song from her latest album, 25. Other artists who'll be performing include John Legend, Metallica, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.
Adele has won ten Grammys and is nominated for five more at this year's ceremony including Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for Hello, Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year for 25.
The GRAMMYs are coming to City, February 12th.
Adele performed last year at the Grammys and suffered technical difficulties. During a performance of "All I Ask" her microphone dropped onto a piano's keys and it threw off the sound system.
“We had the most complicated show on television. Period. End of story. With each musical performance, we change over the microphones, the wires... She did a great job and we certainly don’t like when those things happen, but those things happen sometimes.”
Adele told Ellen that she took it pretty hard and "cried pretty much all day" following the screw-up, adding:
“Next time I have any sound issues, I am going to start over... In fairness, I would have cried it it went really well... I always cry. I was so embarrassed...”