Disney & Pixar, The Golden Globes and More
February 2006 Movie News
A Mouse in the House: Namely, Pixar Animation Studios Inc.. Yes, the Walt Disney Co. finally purchased the animation studio in January, reported for around $7 billion. These two have a long past, of course, as Disney has co-financed and put out Pixar films for over twelve years. "I think this is great for Disney, not only to have Pixar be part of the company, but to have Pixar influence the company," Chief Executive Robert A. Iger of Disney told The Associated Press. This will also make Steve Jobs, CEO of Pixar, a very powerful man. He will join the Disney Board of Directors.
It is hoped that this merger will rejuvenate Disney's animation studios, thought by many to be moribund. Two very popular films, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles, were created by Pixar for Disney. Only Lilo and Stitch, back in 2002, strikes me as a genuine Disney animation success. Only time will tell if this union will bear fruit.
The Golden Globe Awards: No surprise, Brokeback Mountain won four awards, more than any other movie, including a nod to director Ang Lee. I'm not running down the movie, far from it. But I have a cynical suspicion that the judges simply wished to come across as "enlightened" and voted for the gay love story. A shame, for we all need to look past narrow-mindedness and see the story itself, which is simple and moving. Coming in second was Walk the Line, the Johnny Cash flick starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon.
Other winners were: best actor Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote in Capote, George Clooney as best supporting actor in Syriana, and best supporting actress Rachel Weisz in The Constant Gardener. Something to fan the flames of controversy is the winner of best foreign film: Paradise Now, which focuses on Palestinian suicide bombers. Recent events (the terrorist group Hamas winning the right to lead their people) will give the film more attention; it's still up in the air whether or not this is good or bad.
Then Again...: Brokeback Mountain won eight Academy Award nominations, a good start for a possible win of the best movie award. Maybe our society is ready for this, after all. Other nominees were Capote, Crash, and Good Night, and Good Luck, the Edward R. Murrow compelling drama directed by George Clooney. Too early to tell yet who may win, but I don't think we will have a clear front-runner. I have a feeling that voting will be very close between them all.
An Actor Dies: Chris Penn, an accomplished actor in his mid-40s, was found dead in his condo in late January. The cause of death remains unknown. His latest film, The Darwin Awards, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival the same day he was found. Quite a macabre coincidence, I would say.
