The Envelope - LA Times - Independent Spirit Awards

'The Wrestler' wins at Film Independent's Spirit Awards

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Best lead actor: Mickey Rourke, 'Wrestler.' Lead actress: Melissa Leo, 'Frozen River.' Supporting actor: James Franco, 'Milk.' Supporting actress: Penelope Cruz, 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona.'

"The Wrestler," the poignant drama about an aging grappler who refuses to give up the ring, pinned its competition Saturday afternoon at Film Independent's Spirit Awards, winning honors for best feature, best male lead for star Mickey Rourke, and best cinematography for Maryse Alberti.

Steve Coogan on 'home turf' as host of Spirit Awards

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800

That's the ticket for an irreverent host. So hello, Steve Coogan.

British funnyman Steve Coogan welcomes challenges. "I like to scare myself," he says.

Steve Coogan to host Spirit Awards

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The star of 'Hamlet 2' will be master of ceremonies at Film Independent's February awards show.

British comic actor Steve Coogan of "24 Hour Party People," "Hamlet 2" and "Tropic Thunder" fame, has been named master of ceremonies for the 2009 Spirit Awards. Film Independent made the announcement Wednesday morning. The ceremony will take place in a tent on the beach on Santa Monica on Feb. 21, the day before the Academy Awards.

'Rachel Getting Married,' 'The Wrestler' get Indie Spirit noms

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

"Ballast," "Frozen River" and "Wendy and Lucy" round out the best feature category.

"Ballast," an austere drama about a grieving man who forms a bond with a woman and her young son, "Frozen River," a somber tale about the relationship between two poverty-stricken women, and "Rachel Getting Married," an intimate drama about a young woman confronting her demons at her sister's nuptials, dominated the nominations for the2009 Film Independent Spirit Awards today, earning six each.

'Juno' scores at Spirit Awards

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Page, Cody bask in their individual wins as the comedy takes the top prize.

The quirky coming-of-age comedy "Juno" cleaned up at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday afternoon as it continues its Cinderella season going into Sunday night's Academy Awards.

Indie host gets 'down and dirty'

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Rainn Wilson doesn't do stand-up but he does do Youtube.

You may have noticed a new Internet chat-show that popped up a week or so ago "Rainn On Film." As a preview/teaser for this Saturday's Film Independent Spirit Awards, the show's host, actor Rainn Wilson, asked a few questions of some of the nominees.

Spirits pull up a chair for Bardem

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The Oscar nominee and past Spirit Award winner will also present at the star-studded event.

"No Country for Old Men" Oscar nominee Javier Bardem was named honorary chair today of the 2008 Spirit Awards, which will be held Feb. 23 on the beach in Santa Monica.

See a whole new side of Rainn Wilson

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The co-star of "The Office" and host of the Spirit Awards says he dropped trou for a few comedy sketches.

Get ready to see a whole lot more of Rainn Wilson than you ever would have imagined.

Spirit Awards announces '08 nominees

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0800

'I'm Not There,' Todd Haynes' Bob Dylan surrealistic biopic, dominates with four nods.

"I'm Not There," Todd Haynes' quirky biopic on Bob Dylan, may have puzzled mainstream critics and audiences with its surrealistic vision of casting several actors and actresses as the famed troubadour -- a deep knowledge of Dylan and an open mind are recommended -- but the indie world has embraced the film, as evidenced Tuesday by its domination of the first major award nominations of the season.

Ex-stripper in movie spotlight

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The "Juno" screenwriter also has written a sweet movie that's shaping up as a surprise hit.

Diablo Cody has a tough-chick reputation -- the tattooed, punkish sex blogger wrote a book about her year as a stripper, and the name of her blog is too risque for family newspapers.