With less than two full days of Oscar nomination voting left, many contenders have pushed the pedal to the metal in order to ensure they land as many member votes as possible. Saturday night saw likely nominees such as Alfonso Cuaron accepting awards at the LAFCA film awards and even more will be on hand for the Critics Choice Awards Sunday night in Santa Monica (actually how many big names show up remains to be seen). But individual movies were also bringing out the big guns to garner more support at events across Los Angeles (and the world).
READ MORE: Regina King shines in a clip from “If Beale Street Could Talk”
In the Hollywood Hills, Brad Pitt hosted a screening and reception Saturday evening of Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk” that saw approximately 150 Academy members attend including Timothee Chalamet and Dianne Warren. Jenkins was joined by a number of his cast and crew including KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Brian Tyree Henry, blaFinn Whittrock, composer Nicholas Britell and cinematographer James Laxton, among others. This pundit spoke to Britell and Laxton, had a brief hello with Jenkins, but had to jet to a “Cold War” Q&A before Pitt arrived because this weekend there is practically something going on every hour. Oh, and did I mention the “Roma” Sound Designers Q&A I’d moderated right before the “Beale” event? It’s fast and furious to say the least.
Yes, there was also a “Black Panther” all guild screening with Ryan Coogler, Kevin Feige, production designer Hannah Beachler, costume designer Ruth Carter, composer Ludwig Goransson and sound mixer Doc Cane. And there was the separate SAG screening for “Panther” as the Marvel Studios title goes for the Best Ensemble trophy with Danai Gurira, Sterling K. Brown and Winston Duke in attendance. But wait, back to “Roma”…Cuaron might have been at LAFCA for a good portion of the night, but his film was feted at the Chateau Marmont with hosts Charlize Theron and Diego Luna.
A screening and party were held for Adam McKay’s “Vice” at the home of Sacha Gervasi where Chalamet (making the rounds), Nicole Kidman, Stephen Gaghan, Alan Ruck and Rufus Sewell, among others, stopped by. A reception and screening were also held Saturday for “BlacKkKlansman” with Spike Lee, Jason Blume, John David Washington and Adam Driver, on hand.
And, last but not least, Yorgos Lanthimos and the cast of “The Favourite” shored up more AMPAS and BAFTA votes in London this weekend.
Oh wait, did we forget the reception and screening Friday night for “Mary Poppins Returns” hosted by none other than the legendary Sophia Loren? WE almost did. Director Rob Marshall and songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman were just some of the creative team that worked the room for a film that might find more love with AMPAS members than some suspect.
And the campaigning won’t stop until voting ends at 5 PM PT on Monday. And then maybe, maybe, this town can breathe for a minute.