The Envelope - LA Times - Screen Actors Guild Awards

Clint Eastwood shines up his 'Gran Torino'

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

He's a Hollywood icon -- actor, director, composer. Just listen as . . .

In the afternoons, there's a hush and warm amber glow in Clint Eastwood's office, which, unlike other bungalows at the Warner Bros. studio lot, has a rustic feel and furniture that manages to be just as practical as it is stylish. All of that suits the 78-year-old Hollywood icon who started off his career as John Wayne but seems to be finishing it as John Ford.

Seeing more of Josh Brolin

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The actor's onetime low profile gets raised ever higher with roles in 'W.' and 'Milk.'

Who knows how these things happen? Josh Brolin made his film debut in "The Goonies" and subsequently appeared in films for such directors as Woody Allen, David O. Russell, Paul Verhoeven and Guillermo del Toro, well on his way to a respectable but low-key career. Then, within the last few years, giving off a vibe of authentic-Americana masculinity largely missing from the man-boys of the multiplex, he began appearing in films of a markedly higher profile. Last year, Brolin was seen in "In the Valley of Elah," "American Gangster," "Grindhouse" and the eventual best picture winner, the Coen brothers' "No Country for Old Men." This year he appeared as George W. Bush in Oliver Stone's controversial "W.," and in Gus Van Sant's "Milk" he plays Dan White, the former firefighter, police officer and city supervisor who shot and killed San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and activist and politician Harvey Milk.

Unlikely front-runners face a still-formidable Clint Eastwood

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Frank Langella, Mickey Rourke and Richard Jenkins are expected to vie with the craggy icon in the lead actor race.

This year's lead actor and supporting actor categories offer no end of irony.

During award season it pays to be Kate -- or Cate

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

This year that's Winslet or Blanchett, but don't count out Emma Thompson, Anne Hathaway and of course, Meryl Streep.

If you're an actress, keep in mind that when it comes to getting nominated for an Oscar it doesn't hurt if your name is Kate.

'Mad Men' rages into award season

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Spearheaded by Jon Hamm's acting and Matt Weiner's smart storytelling, the critics' darling gathers Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations.

The numbers may be small, but they are fervent. The AMC series "Mad Men" does not have a huge fan base -- its audience topped out at 2 million for the second-season premiere -- but that apparently includes every critic in the world. Not to mention fellow actors, writers, directors and producers.

Are Oscar contenders over-exposed?

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

With many of this year's contenders, it's like you know them before you see them.

If "Slumdog Millionaire" doesn't snag the Oscar for best picture, then the academy might consider creating a new award for it this year: the only Oscar-buzzed film you didn't feel like you had already seen before you actually saw it.

Grand designs in store for Penélope Cruz

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

With two buzz-worthy movie roles, just think of all the gowns this Spanish siren will wear come award season.

Penélope Cruz has two contender films this season. Does that mean more red carpet gowns? Her adept portrayal of Javier Bardem's psychotically sexy ex in Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" has already earned her a supporting actress Golden Globe nomination. And there's a smattering of buzz that her surprisingly layered turn as a student who becomes the erotic obsession of an infamous womanizer professor-literary critic ( Ben Kingsley) in "Elegy" may also earn her an Oscar nod.

Michael Shannon's 'Revolutionary Road'

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Michael Shannon's mentally ill mathematician adds abrupt turns to 'Revolutionary Road.'

Michael Shannon is a big, imposing guy (whose head may weigh a whopping 15 pounds if one is to believe Internet biographies) who has played a lot of intense, imposing characters in such films as "Bug," "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" and "Shotgun Stories." In "Revolutionary Road," Sam Mendes' film about 1950s angst, Shannon cranks up the intensity to almost uncomfortable levels.

Here's to the casting directors

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Casting directors play an essential behind-the-scenes role: figuring out which actor is the one who is . . .

When casting director John Papsidera commenced work on Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" in 2006, he knew that filling the role of the Joker would be among his biggest challenges. After all, no less an actor than Jack Nicholson had played the part in Tim Burton's 1989 " Batman," an indelible portrayal that could scare away big-name and up-and-coming thespians alike. But considering Nolan's distinctive vision for the role, it quickly became clear to Papsidera that he was not looking for an actor who could reinterpret Nicholson.

Daniel Orlandi designs costumes for 'Frost/Nixon'

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Times change. But classic menswear hasn't really changed that much in the last 30 years.

Times change. But classic menswear hasn't really changed that much in the last 30 years.