Mickey Rourke

Video: Trailer for ‘The Expendables’ With Sylvester Stallone, Mickey Rourke

BrianTT — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:47:04 -0600

CHICAGO – Since its was announced, Sylvester Stallone’s “The Expendables” has promised to be one of the more over-the-top, ridiculous action movies in years. The film unites some of the most high-profile action stars in the business including Sly, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke and more. Don’t miss this preview and mark your calendars for Aug. 20, 2010.

Editor’s note: We have been contacted by Lionsgate with a request to remove this trailer. Per the request, we took this trailer down at 11:16 a.m. on Oct. 16, 2009. It leaked from the Venice Film Festival. We will post the Lionsgate-authorized trailer for “The Expendables” when it is released.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

DVD Round Up, Sept. 2, 2009: ‘Boot Camp,’ ‘Red Velvet,’ ‘Homeboy’

BrianTT — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:09:15 -0600

CHICAGO – Time to catch up with the DVD Round-Up, a collection of titles that may have slipped under your radar while you were busy blogging about Inglourious Basterds” or programming your DVR for the new Fall TV season.

This week’s titles are a motley crew of horror, drama, action, and a couple of films clearly tied to bigger theatrical releases. “Like Mila Kunis in “Extract”? Why not check her out in “Boot Camp”?” “Like Kelli Garner in “Taking Woodstock”? Take a look at “Red Velvet””

Plot synopsis, cast, and special features information - what you really want to know - for a half-dozen titles follow. At least one should make your Netflix queue.

“Dark Rising” and “London to Brighton” were released on August 11th, 2009.

“Boot Camp” and “Red Velvet” were released on August 25th, 2009.

“Homeboy” was released on September 1st, 2009.

“Boot Camp”

Photo credit: Fox

Synopsis: “Sophie Bauer’s attitude and behavior towards her stepfather gets her sent to a high-tech ‘tough love’ rehabilitation program for troubled teens called Camp Serenity. Located on the island of Fiji, the facility is a penitentiary-style boot camp where teenagers are brutalized and brainwashed. After intentionally causing problems at home, Sophie’s boyfriend Ben arranges to get sent to the camp to try and rescue her.”

“Boot Camp” stars Mila Kunis, Gregory Smith, and Peter Stormare. The film was written by Agatha Dominik & John Cox and directed by Christian Duguay. The film is presented in widescreen with a 1.85:1 aspect ration and accompanied by an English 5.1 Dolby Digital audio track. It is not rated.

The DVD includes not one special feature. Boo.

“Red Velvet”

Photo credit: 3Mac Films

Synopsis: “After meeting his neighbor Linda at the local laundromat, Aaron soon learns she is disappointed about missing a birthday bash that is to take place with her friends at a remote cabin in the woods. To entertain Linda, Aaron, a storyteller, constructs a terrifying tale featuring a psychopathic killer that systematically and gruesomely murders all the guests at the party. Linda becomes more engaged as the mayhem mounts in Aaron’s story, even contributing some of her own ideas along the way. As Aaron’s yarn unfolds, the sexual tension between the mysterious stranger and his “hot” blonde neighbor continues to build with each scene as viewers are rapidly moved to its horrific climax.”

“Red Velvet” stars Henry Thomas, Kelli Garner, Cristen Coppen, Natalia Baron, and Eric Jugman. It was written by Joe Moe & Anthony Burns and directed by Bruce Dickson. The film is presented in widescreen with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by a Dolby Stereo track. It is not rated.

There are no special features. Boo too.

“Dark Rising”

Photo credit: E1

Synopsis: “Jason Parks’ life goes from bad to worse as a series of supernatural events turn his dream of reconciliation with his ex Jasmine into a nightmare. While on a camping trip, Jason, along with his former fiancee, her new girlfriend and his best friend Ricky, accidentally summon a blood-thirsty demon. Luckily, they also summon Summer Vale, a sexy, axe-wielding demon-hunter.”

“Dark Rising” stars Landy Cannon, Jay Reso, Brigitte Kingsley, Julia Schneider, Vanessa James, Haley Shannon, Peter Nelson, and Jack Newman. It was written and directed by Andrew Cymek. The film is presented in widescreen and accompanied by a Dolby Digital audio track. It is not rated.

Special features include Behind-the-Scenes Featurette, Photo Gallery, Commentary With Director and Cast, Wrestling Match Between Christian Cage and Rhino, and Deleted Scenes.

“London to Brighton”

Photo credit: E1

Synopsis: “Kelly, a desperate prostitute, is bullied by her pimp into finding an underage girl for a sadistic mobster. She discovers Joanne, an 11-year-old runaway, who naively complies. But when the pedophile turns violent, Kelly intervenes. Now the two girls are on the run with nowhere to hide.”

“London to Brighton” stars Lorraine Stanley, Johnny Harris, Samp Spruell, Georgia Groome, Alexandra Morton, and Nathan Constance. It was written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams. The film is presented with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound track. The film is rated R.

Special features include Deleted Scenes, Alternate Ending, Behind-the-Scenes Footage, and a Commentary With Director Paul Andrew Williams.

“Homeboy”

Photo credit: Lionsgate

Synopsis: “Johnny Walker (Rourke) is a punch-drunk, alcoholic boxer whose best days are behind him. In an effort to raise money for his girlfriend’s financially troubled arcade, he considers an offer to take part in a heist of a jewelry store from Wesley Pendergrass (Walken), a promoter and smooth-talking hood. However, Johnny is tempted back into the ring by a large prize payout, even though a blow to his fractured temple bone could kill him.”

“Homeboy” stars Mickey Rourke, Christopher Walken, Debra Feuer, Thomas Quinn, Kevin Conway, Antony Alda, and Jon Polito. It was written by Eddie Cook and directed by Michael Seresin. The film is presented in widescreen with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English 2.0 Dolby Digital audio track. It is rated R.

Special features include, well, nothing. Boo three.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

DVD Review: ‘Killshot’ With Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane Finally Gets Released

BrianTT — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:30:18 -0600

CHICAGO – How does a movie with Oscar-nominated leads, a prominent director, beloved source material, and an excellent supporting cast get delayed for so long that it inevitably gets quietly shuffled off to DVD? Well, if history tells us anything, having a complicated and troubled project in the Weinstein Company archives doesn’t help a movie like “Killshot,” an action thriller that has its flaws but none so big that it deserved such an unusual and lackluster fate.

DVD Rating: 1.0/5.0

Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane, Thomas Jane, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Rosario Dawson started shooting “Killshot” with director John Madden (“Shakespeare in Love”) in 2005. Then the dreaded Weinstein test audience process began. Entire characters (including one played by Johnny Knoxville) were excised from the film and “Killshot” had more release date delays than nearly any movie in history.

Of course, everyone moved on and Mickey Rourke became a star again with “The Wrestler”. So, after a minor theatrical release, “Killshot” is being quietly released in what is essentially a straight-to-DVD release to bank off Rourke’s return to fame.

Killshot was released on DVD on May 26th, 2009.
Photo credit: HBO Home Video

It has to be horrible, right? Only a train wreck of a film would suffer a fate as awful as the editing out of complete characters, three years of release date delays, and a straight-to-DVD release with no accompanying Blu-Ray, right? Of course not.

Killshot was released on DVD on May 26th, 2009.
Photo credit: HBO Home Video

To be fair, “Killshot” has some problems. It’s not too hard to see what turned off test audiences and spooked the executives. Hossein Amini’s screenplay based on the book by Elmore Leonard doesn’t quite work and even Madden doesn’t seem to have the right grasp on the character-driven crimes of one of the best genre authors of the last century. It’s hard to tell how many of the problems with “Killshot” are directly related to the nightmare post-production and how many were there in the first place, but it’s not like this is a perfect hidden gem that was completely railroaded by the Hollywood machine. But while it may not be perfect, “Killshot” deserved a better fate.

I think audiences will take to “Killshot” on DVD. Action films always do well on the home market and Rourke is absolutely beloved by nearly everyone who saw “The Wrestler”.

Rourke plays a hitman named Blackbird, a deadly killer who leaves no loose ends. Blackbird gets pressured into a job with the psychotic Richie Nix (a movie-stealing Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and stumbles across a pair of witnesses (Thomas Jane & Diane Lane) who see his face. The struggling couple gets put in the witness protection program and the rest of the film is basically a ticking clock until the two pairs inevitably meet up again.

Killshot was released on DVD on May 26th, 2009.
Photo credit: HBO Home Video

The set-up for “Killshot” is interesting but the follow-through is dull and plodding. It’s hard to tell, but it’s unlikely that years of delays and editing did anything to help the final product. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Thomas Jane, and Rosario Dawson all do good work but Rourke and Lane are surprisingly dull. Both of these actors are capable of so much more when given better material.

The film itself might be a solid 2.5/5 but this is a “DVD review” and the home release for “Killshot” is absolutely pathetic. With all the editing, you would think there would at least be a FEW deleted scenes. And how amazing would it have been to hear a commentary by Madden or anyone else involved after all this time? Have they all forgotten they made the film?

The fact is that in today’s market of great technical transfers and hours of special features, a bare-bones DVD without a single bonus and standard video & audio just doesn’t cut it. “Killshot” deserved better.

‘Killshot’ is released by The Weinstein Company and stars Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson, Thomas Jane. It was written by Hossein Amini and directed by John Madden. The DVD was released on May 26th, 2009. It is rated R.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: Fantastic, Beloved ‘The Wrestler’ With Mickey Rourke

BrianTT — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:06:11 -0600

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Mickey Rourke’s multi-award-winning performance in “The Wrestler” anchors one of the best films of 2008, now released on Blu-Ray and DVD. If you haven’t seen the film yet, you truly must do so as soon as possible, and if you love the movie like so many people do, you’ll be satisfied, if not overly impressed, by a decent HD release.

His speech would have been legendary, but Rourke not winning the Oscar for “The Wrestler” may have been the best thing that could have happened to the film. It keeps the actor, the movie, and the character as the beloved underdog everyone wants them to be. No one roots for the winner. The idea that the Academy got it wrong, not only in their choice of Sean Penn over Rourke for Best Actor but in ignoring the film in other major categories like Director and Picture will only add to the allure of the film over the years. It’s going to be a prime example of where the Academy went wrong in a lot of fan’s eyes. Randy “The Ram” got screwed again.

The Wrestler was released on Blu-Ray on April 21st, 2009.
Photo credit: Fox

If you’re unfamiliar, Rourke plays Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a former superstar wrestler who is now barely making ends meet in every arena of his life. He can’t pay rent on his lonely trailer. His health is deteriorating rapidly from nights spent in the ring. And as he sees his final rounds of life approaching he reaches out to a kind-hearted stripper (Marisa Tomei) in a similar life situation (she too has made a living using her body) and to his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood).

The one thing about the response to “The Wrestler” that aggravated me a bit during awards season was the impression by some that this was a one-man show or even a three-actor showcase. That’s far from the truth. Darren Aronofsky’s expert direction, Clint Mansell’s touching score, Robert Siegel’s brilliantly non-melodramatic screenplay, even Bruce Springsteen’s fantastic theme song - “The Wrestler” features arguably the best performance of 2008 but it’s also a lot more than just that. It’s a great movie all around.

The Wrestler was released on Blu-Ray on April 21st, 2009.
Photo credit: Fox

I’ve seen “The Wrestler” four times now and it’s been just as rich and accomplished every time. Films that hold up that well are the kind of films you want to own. So, I would never try to dissuade someone from buying the Blu-Ray of “The Wrestler,” just because the movie itself is so fantastic, but I do feel like the home release could have been a bit better and suspect a special edition may be coming down the road.

The video and audio on “The Wrestler” are good-not-great. Sometimes Fox transfers can look a little flatter than they should and there are moments of that in “The Wrestler”. Similarly, the audio in 5.1 DTS-HD won’t distract anyone in either direction. It gets the job done, not detracting from the movie, but also not really enhancing it as it could.

I’m struck a little bit by the paucity of the special features on “The Wrestler”. I have a feeling that in ten years, hardcore fans of this movie are going to be quoting it verbatim. It is one of the most widely adored films of the last few years and a movie I get asked about nearly as much as any other from 2008. With that kind of rabid fan base, couldn’t Fox do better than two featurettes and a music video?

The Wrestler was released on Blu-Ray on April 21st, 2009.
Photo credit: Fox

Where’s the commentary track? The deleted scenes? How about some of the publicity from awards season? I’d have gone up an entire ratings point if they had just included Mickey’s amazing Independent Spirit Awards speech. Aronofsky thought outside the box when he made this raw drama, but the Blu-Ray feels like nearly the minimum the studio could have done in return.

To be fair, what is include is interesting. “Within the Ring” is a 43-minute behind-the-scenes documentary shot during production. It’s advertised on the case as “A No-Holds-Barred One-on-One with Wrestlers and Filmmakers”. Not quite. I was hoping for more insight into the production from actual wrestlers, the advisors on-set that made it feel so genuine. It’s pretty standard b-t-s material, interesting because the movie is so good, but not really a must-see.

Better is the “Wrestler Round Table,” a discussion with actual wrestlers that runs 25 minutes. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Lex Luger, “Diamond” Dallas Page, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine,” and moderator Damon Andrews provide a loud, spirited, lively conversation about wrestling that should be riveting for fans of the sport and gives a little insight into the truth behind the fiction of Randy “The Ram” Robinson.

The final extra is the music video for Bruce Springsteen’s excellent theme song to the film.

“The Wrestler” will stand the test of time. In fact, I expect its cult to grow significantly with each passing year. Darren Aronosfky proved with his drama that greater risks can often produce greater rewards. The Ram may have deserved a better Blu-Ray treatment (and I expect he’ll get it down the road), but you can’t complain about the film itself.

‘The Wrestler’ is released by Twentieth Century Fox and stars Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, and Evan Rachel Wood. It was written by Robert Siegel and directed by Darren Aronofsky. It was released on April 21st, 2009. It is rated R.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Sin City’ Exceeds Expectations With Flawless Release

BrianTT — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:22:52 -0600

Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – “Sin City - Recut, Extended, Unrated” was one of the best DVD box sets in the history of the format. Most collectors interested in the Blu-Ray upgrade of the title will probably already own the box set that came with an entire graphic novel and is currently anchoring many a respectable DVD shelf. The Blu-Ray release features two new special features and, of course, HD picture and sound. Should you upgrade?

Yes. I’m sorry to say it, but those of you who liked “Sin City” enough to buy the DVD set will love the two new special features on the Blu-Ray release. The video and audio are flawless. Ultimately, one of the best standard DVD releases has become a must-own Blu-Ray release, an exhaustive, fascinating dissection of a very enjoyable film.

Sin City was released on Blu-Ray on April 21st, 2009.
Photo credit: WDSHE

“Sin City” is what we call a “schedule clearer”. There’s so much material in this one two-disc set that you’ll need to cancel some plans. It brings new meaning to “jam-packed”.

Most viewers will start with the movie itself, a film that has held up very well since its release. I enjoy “300” and even parts of “The Spirit,” but they don’t compare to this ambitious, stunningly rendered film. And, as the back of the case says pretty correctly, “If ever a movie was meant to be experienced in high definition, Frank Miller’s Sin City is guilty on all counts!”

Sin City was released on Blu-Ray on April 21st, 2009.
Photo credit: WDSHE

The film itself looks incredible in 1080p with the film’s original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and the sound mix is perfect in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. I found no flaws in either the video or audio. The line definition between the blacks and whites of Rodriguez’s vision is crystal clear with no blurring or unnecessary grain.

On the first disc, you can watch the film itself five separate ways. You can just experience the movie itself, watch it with a commentary by Rodriguez and Miller, watch it with an amazing commentary by Rodriguez and Tarantino, watch with the audio track of a recording of the first Austin audience to see the film, or use Cine-Explore.

That last choice is the first Blu-Ray exclusive feature and it’s a stunner. The film split-screens to show you what you’re watching at several different stages. For example, in the opening scene, you’ll see Josh Hartnett in the film itself, the actor standing on a green screen, and the panels from the original comic that inspired it, all on the same screen. It’s a must-see feature for fans of the film.

Disc one would make “Sin City” worth buying on Blu-Ray. The movie with flawless video/audio, a great picture-in-picture special feature, and a very entertaining commentary track from Tarantino and Rodriguez justify the purchase price. But it’s just the beginning.

Sin City was released on Blu-Ray on April 21st, 2009.
Photo credit: WDSHE

Disc two features the “Recut, Extended, Unrated Version” of “Sin City”. Now you can watch a re-edited version of the film with 23 minutes not included in the theatrical version and with the option to watch each story individually. Want to just see Marv’s (Mickey Rourke) story from beginning to end? Now you can in HD.

Disc two also includes all the special features from the last edition and a new interactive comic book called “Kill ‘Em Good”. The special features included are “15-Minute Film School,” “All Green-Screen Version,” “The Long Take,” “Sin City: Live in Concert,” “10-Minute Cooking School,” “How it Went Down: Convincing Frank Miller to Make the Film,” “Special Guest Director: Quentin Tarantino,” “A Hard Top With a Decent Engine: The Cars of Sin City,” “Booze, Broads and Guns: The Props of Sin City,” “Making the Monsters: Special Effects Make-Up,” “Trench Coats & Fishnet: The Costumes of Sin City,” the teaser and theatrical trailer. There will be no questions left unanswered about the making of the movie.

“Sin City” should be a model for movies like this one on Blu-Ray. Of course, you can’t have this exhaustive a treatment for an intimate drama, but a technically-accomplished, challenging film like “Sin City” should play to its fan base like this release does. The bar for blockbusters on Blu-Ray has been set just a bit higher.

‘Sin City’ is released by Walt Disney Home Video and stars Jessica Alba, Benicio Del Toro, Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Elijah Wood, Rosario Dawson, Jaime King, Alexis Bledel, and Devon Aoki. It was written and directed by Frank Miller & Robert Rodriguez. It was released on April 21st, 2009. It is rated R and not rated.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 30-Image Gallery For Red-Carpet Arrivals at 2009 Academy Awards

BrianTT — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:45:22 -0700

CHICAGO – This 30-image slideshow contains a selection of the arrivals at The 81st Annual Academy Awards. Want to know what people were wearing? Check out images of Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz, “High School Musical“‘s Vanessa Hudgens, Marisa Tomei, Mickey Rourke, Natalie Portman, Taraji P. Henson, Melissa Leo, “New Moon“‘s Robert Pattinson, and many more.

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos are credited to Adam Larkey and courtesy of ABC. All Rights Reserved.

oscars2009_red_carpet_01: Miley Cyrus
oscars2009_red_carpet_02: Emile Hirsch
oscars2009_red_carpet_03: Vanessa Hudgens
oscars2009_red_carpet_04: Freida Pinto
oscars2009_red_carpet_05: Melissa Leo
oscars2009_red_carpet_06: Viola Davis
oscars2009_red_carpet_07: Taraji P. Henson
oscars2009_red_carpet_08: Richard Jenkins
oscars2009_red_carpet_09: Heidi Klum
oscars2009_red_carpet_10: Leslie Mann
oscars2009_red_carpet_11: Amy Adams
oscars2009_red_carpet_12: Amanda Seyfried
oscars2009_red_carpet_13: Sarah Jessica Parker
oscars2009_red_carpet_14: Diane Lane
oscars2009_red_carpet_15: Marisa Tomei
oscars2009_red_carpet_16: Marisa Tomei and Natalie Portman
oscars2009_red_carpet_17: Mickey Rourke
oscars2009_red_carpet_18: Evan Rachel Wood
oscars2009_red_carpet_19: Meryl Streep
oscars2009_red_carpet_20: Jessica Biel
oscars2009_red_carpet_21: Penelope Cruz
oscars2009_red_carpet_22: Kate Winslet
oscars2009_red_carpet_23: Angelina Jolie
oscars2009_red_carpet_24: Alicia Keys
oscars2009_red_carpet_25: Virginia Madsen
oscars2009_red_carpet_26: Robert Pattinson
oscars2009_red_carpet_27: Melissa George
oscars2009_red_carpet_28: Natalie Portman
oscars2009_red_carpet_29: Mickey Rourke
oscars2009_red_carpet_30: Angelina Jolie

Read our full 2009 Oscar coverage of the winners.
Read our full list of the 2009 Oscar nominees.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 20-Image Gallery For Film Independent Spirit Awards With Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba

BrianTT — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 09:18:49 -0700

CHICAGO – This 20-image slideshow contains the selected images from the Piaget event at the “Film Independent Spirit Awards” from Saturday, February 21st, 2009. Celebrities photographed include Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Jon Hamm, Aaron Eckhart, Alec Baldwin, Laura Dern, Anthony Mackie, John Waters, Taraji P. Henson, Mena Suvari, Anne Hathaway, Melissa Leo, Michelle Williams, and Andie MacDowell.

Official press release about the event: “For the second time, the swiss watchmaker and jeweller Piaget, renowned for its High Jewellery collections and exceptional lines of watches, has further strengthened its longstanding ties with Hollywood by deciding to sponsor the Independent Spirit Awards. Since its founding in 1874, Piaget stands for unique watchmaking and jewellery know-how allied with a pioneering spirit. The exceptional talent of Piaget’s craftsmen lies in their ability to constantly reinvent age-old watchmaking techniques and to make people dream by creating emotions around gold and diamonds. Today, art continues to find the most varied forms of expression; and boundaries are progressively shattered. Design, video, film, music and fashion are all creative territories that Piaget explores and integrates into its collections. Thus, it was only natural that Piaget team-up with Film Independent to celebrate for the second time, the best of independent films through sponsorship of the Spirit Awards.”

Read about the winners of the “Film Independent Spirit Awards”.

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos are courtesy of Piaget and image.net. All Rights Reserved.

ISA_01: Jon Hamm
ISA_02: Jon Hamm
ISA_03: Aaron Eckhart
ISA_04: Aaron Eckhart
ISA_05: Aaron Eckhart
ISA_06: Jessica Alba
ISA_07: Jessica Alba and Mickey Rourke
ISA_08: Jessica Alba
ISA_09: Jessica Alba and Alec Baldwin
ISA_10: Laura Dern
ISA_11: Anthony Mackie
ISA_12: John Waters
ISA_13: Taraji P. Henson
ISA_14: Jessica Alba
ISA_15: Mena Suvari
ISA_16: Anne Hathaway
ISA_17: Melissa Leo and Michelle Williams
ISA_18: Laura Dern
ISA_19: Andie MacDowell
ISA_20: Jessica Alba and Mickey Rourke

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Mickey Rourke, Melissa Leo Win 2009 Film Independent Spirit Awards

BrianTT — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:31:45 -0700

CHICAGO – “The Wrestler” was the big winner at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles, as Darren Aronofsky’s film took home the prize for Best Picture and Mickey Rourke won for Best Actor. Other big winners included Melissa Leo for Best Actress for “Frozen River,” James Franco for Best Supporting Actor for “Milk,” and Penelope Cruz for “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”.

Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight

Mickey Rourke gave the most entertaining speech of the day, taking time to note that friend Eric Roberts should get the same kind of career comeback that he has had with “The Wrestler” and becoming emotional when speaking about his recently deceased close friend, his dog Loki. Like a lot of people, he was clealry having a blast

Rourke gave one of the most heartfelt, fun, and generally entertaining speeches in years, a part of a ceremony that always feels more laid-back and enjoyable than nearly any other awards show. How many other awards shows feature f-bombs and giant bottles of Jameson on the table?

The Steve Coogan-hosted event included unusual musical numbers (sung by people like Christina Applegate, Teri Hatcher, and Rainn Wilson) for the five films nominated for Best Feature (“Ballast,” “Frozen River,” “Rachel Getting Married,” “Wendy and Lucy,” and “The Wrestler”)

“The Wrestler” may have been the big winner but the Independent Spirit Awards, hosted by Steve Coogan and broadcast live on IFC, really spread the wealth around with each acting award and the director award going to five different films.

Other major winners includes Thomas McCarthy for Best Director for “The Visitor,” Woody Allen for Best Screenplay for “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” “The Class” for Foreign Film, Maryse Alberti for Best Cinematography for “The Wrestler,” and “Man on Wire” for Best Documentary.

Charlie Kaufman won Best First Feature for “Synecdoche, New York” and Dustin Lance Black won Best First Screenplay for “Milk”.

The Acura Someone to Watch Award went to Lynn Shelton for “My Effortless Brilliance”. The Plaget Producers Award went to Heather Rae for “Frozen River”. Margaret Brown won the Lacoste Truer Than Fiction Award for “The Order of Myths”. The team behind “Synecdoche, New York” was given a special prize, the Robert Altman Award, given to the film’s director, casting director and its ensemble cast.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 44-Image Gallery For 15th-Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

BrianTT — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 09:17:19 -0700

CHICAGO – This 44-image slideshow contains a selection of official press images from The 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, which were handed out on Sunday, January 25th, 2009.

The Screen Actors Guild gave out their coveted awards on Sunday, January 25th, 2009 and Heath Ledger, Kate Winslet, Sean Penn, and Meryl Streep walked away with the major film acting prizes. “Slumdog Millionaire” was awarded the prize for best ensemble of the year.

Predictably, “30 Rock” and “Mad Men” took home the television ensemble prizes. Images of all winners are included in the slideshow.

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. Photo credits listed on each individual slide.

Read our news story with the winners of the 2009 SAG awards.

SAG_Awards_01: Kate Winslet and Freida Pinto arrive to the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevn Mazur.
SAG_Awards_02: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arrive to the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Lester Cohen.
SAG_Awards_03: Mickey Rourke and Josh Brolin arrive to the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Lester Cohen.
SAG_Awards_04: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arrive to the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner.
SAG_Awards_05: Kate Winslet in the Press Room at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner.
SAG_Awards_06: Forest Whitaker and James Earl Jones in the Press Room at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner.
SAG_Awards_07: Laura Linney in the Press Room at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner.
SAG_Awards_08: Sean Penn in the Press Room at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner.
SAG_Awards_09: The cast of Slumdog Millionaire in the Press Room at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner.
SAG_Awards_10: Freida Pinto in the Press Room at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner.
SAG_Awards_11: Meryl Streep in the Press Room at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner.
SAG_Awards_12: Kate Winslet on stage at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Caulfield
SAG_Awards_13: James Earl Jones on stage at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Caulfield
SAG_Awards_14: Gary Oldman on stage at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Caulfield
SAG_Awards_15: Taraji P. Henson and Brad Pitt on stage at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Caulfield
SAG_Awards_16: Meryl Streep on stage at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Caulfield
SAG_Awards_17: Penelope Cruz and Meryl Streep attend the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris.
SAG_Awards_18: Evan Rachel Wood, Mickey Rourke, Angelina Jolie, and Brad Pitt attend the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris.
SAG_Awards_19: Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski in the audience at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by John Shearer.
SAG_Awards_20: Actors Penelope Cruz and Marisa Tomei in the audience at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur
SAG_Awards_21: Actress Tina Fey, actress Amy Poehler and actor Will Arnett in the audience at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_22: Actors Penelope Cruz and Kate Winslet in the audience at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_23: Sean Penn backstage at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_24: Tina Fey backstage at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Lester Cohen.
SAG_Awards_25: Tracy Morgan backstage at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Lester Cohen.
SAG_Awards_26: Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn in the audience at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_27: Actor Alec Baldwin poses for his portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_28: Actress Tina Fey and actor Alec Baldwin poses for their portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_29: The Cast of “30 Rock” pose for their portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_30: Actress Tina Fey poses for her portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_31: Actress Tina Fey poses for their portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_32: Actress Sally Field poses for their portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_33: Actress Kate Winslet and actress Sally Field pose for their portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_34: Actress Kate Winslet poses for her portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_35: Actor Hugh Laurie poses for his portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_36: Actor Hugh Laurie poses for his portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_37: The cast of “Mad Men” pose for their portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_38: Actor Forrest Whittaker and actor James Earl Jones pose for their portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_39: Actress Laura Linney poses for her portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_40: Actor Sean Penn poses for his portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_41: Actress Meryl Streep poses for her portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_42: Actress Meryl Streep poses for her portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_43: Actors Irrfan Kahn, Frieda Pinto, Dev Patel and Anil Kapoor pose for their portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.
SAG_Awards_44: Actor Dev Patel and actress Freida Pinto poses for their portrait at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur.

Read our news story with the winners of the 2009 SAG awards.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Kate Winslet, Heath Ledger, Mickey Rourke, Sally Hawkins, Colin Farrell Big Winners at 2009 Golden Globes

BrianTT — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:03:37 -0700

CHICAGO – The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards were held Sunday night and “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” “Mad Men,” “John Adams,” and “30 Rock” were the big winners from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). The HFPA spread the wealth around to a variety of talented actors including Heath Ledger, Sally Hawkins, Anna Paquin, Laura Dern, Laura Linney, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti, Tina Fey, Colin Farrell, Mickey Rourke, and Kate Winslet, twice.

Golden Globe Statuette
Photo credit: Chris Haston

“Slumdog Millionaire” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” won the two Best Picture awards, with the former taking away the most Golden Globes overall with four. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association chose “Mad Men” and “30 Rock” as the best television series on the air, giving the latter the most regular series awards with three. HBO’s “John Adams” tied “Slumdog Millionaire” for the most awards with four. Only “Adams,” “Slumdog,” “The Wrestler,” and “30 Rock” won more than a single award with the prizes being spread around to different films and shows.

One of the more emotional beats of the night came when director Chris Nolan accepted Best Supporting Actor for Heath Ledger for his amazing work in “The Dark Knight” and incredible speeches were given by Kate Winslet, Sally Hawkins, Tina Fey, Steven Spielberg, Danny Boyle, Colin Farrell, Mickey Rourke, and Tracy Morgan, accepting Best Comedy for “30 Rock”.

HBO destroyed on the TV side of the awards, winning all the major dramatic acting awards, as their “True Blood,” “In Treatment,” “John Adams,” and “Recount” were all given trophies before another network even took home their first prize. When the comedy awards came up, it was a clean sweep for “30 Rock,” winning best actor, actress, and comedy series. The dramatic awards were more spread out with “Mad Men” taking series, but “In Treatment” and “True Blood” winning the acting awards.

Winner Kate Winslet for Best Supporting Actress in “The Reader” on stage during the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009
Photo credit: Paul Drinkwater

On the film side, “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” “Revolutionary Road,” “The Dark Knight,” “The Reader,” “Happy-Go-Lucky,” “In Bruges,” and “The Wrestler” were all recipients of major awards, adding fuel to their various Oscar campaigns.

The night opened with Jennifer Lopez presenting the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture to Kate Winslet in “The Reader,” who beat Amy Adams and Viola Davis in “Doubt,” Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler”, and Penelope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”. With a stunning seven nominations in her Golden Globe history, including two this year, Winslet’s win was the first of her amazing career (but not the last of the night). She gave a humble speech and looked absolutely amazing. Winslet is clearly the frontrunner for the equivalent Oscar, another award she has never won.

Sting presented the Best Song award to Bruce Springsteen for his excellent contribution to Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler”. He had one of the best lines of the night when he said, “This is the only time I’m gonna be in competition with Clint Eastwood. Felt pretty good, too.”

Simon Baker of “The Mentalist” and Eva Longoria of “Desperate Housewives” kicked off the awards for TV by giving Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series, or TV Movie to Tom Wilkinson for playing Ben Franklin in HBO’s “John Adams,” beating Neil Patrick Harris for “How I Met Your Mother,” Denis Leary for “Recount,” Jeremy Piven for “Entourage,” and Blair Underwood for “In Treatment”. It was Wilkinson’s first win.

Winner Tom Wilkinson, Best Supporting Actor in Mini-Series or TV Movie “John Adams” on stage during the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009.
Photo credit: Paul Drinkwater

The same presenters gave HBO another prize when they handed Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series or TV Movie to Laura Dern for “Recount,” beating Eileen Atkins for “Cranford,” Melissa George for “In Treatment,” Rachel Griffiths for “Brothers & Sisters,” and Dianne Wiest for “In Treatment”. Dern dedicated her award to the people who voted for “change in this country” in the last presidential election.

Hayden Panettiere and Zac Efron gave the TV award for Best Actor in a TV Series - Drama to Gabriel Byrne for his brilliant work on “In Treatment”. Byrne, who could not attend, beat Jon Hamm from “Mad Men,” Hugh Laurie from “House,” Jonathan Rhys Meyers for “The Tudors,” and Michael C. Hall for “Dexter”.

The equivalent actress award went to Anna Paquin in “True Blood”. The first-year series star beat Sally Field in “Brothers & Sisters,” January Jones in “Mad Men,” Kyra Sedgwick in “The Closer,” and Mariska Hargitay in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”. If you’re keeping track, all four acting awards for dramatic television went to HBO and for four different series or movies. It was an amazing night for the network that was just getting started.

The Jonas Brothers gave “WALL-E” the award for Best Animated Feature Film, beating “Bolt” and “Kung Fu Panda”. The winner for Best Motion Picture or Mini-Series Made for Television continued the run for HBO and created the first multiple award winner as “John Adams” beat “Raisin in the Sun,” “Bernard and Dorris,” “Cranford,” and “Recount”.

Anna Paquin, Winner of Best Actress: TV Series Drama for “True Blood” on stage during the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009.
Photo credit: Paul Drinkwater

Johnny Depp gave Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy to Sally Hawkins for “Happy-Go-Lucky,” beating out Meryl Streep for “Mamma Mia!,” Emma Thompson for “Last Chance Harvey,” Rebecca Hall for “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” and Frances McDormand for “Burn After Reading”. The delightful Hawkins was clearly surprised and stunned at her win and gave arguably the most charming speech of the night.

Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture went, as expected, to Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight,” beating Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder,” Ralph Fiennes in “The Duchess,” and Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt”. Director Christopher Nolan accepted the award, which was greeted with an almost-immediate standing ovation.

Best Foreign Language Film went to Israel’s “Waltz With Bashir,” beating Germany’s “The Baader Meinhof Complex,” “Everlasting Moments” from Sweden/Denmark, Italy’s “Gomorra,” and France’s “I’ve Loved You So Long”.

Back to the TV award, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Aaron Eckhart gave Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television to Laura Linney to “John Adams,” making it three awards for the film. She beat Judi Dench in “Cranford,” Catherine Keener in “An American Crime,” Shirley MacLaine in “Coco Chanel,” and Susan Sarandon in “Bernard and Doris”. Six TV awards into the evening and HBO was the only network that had won a single prize.

Alec Baldwin, winner Best Actor in TV Series Musical or Comedy 30 Rock on stage during the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009.
Photo credit: Paul Drinkwater

Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogen gave the first big award of the night to “Slumdog Millionaire,” giving Simon Beaufoy the award for Best Screenplay, beating “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Doubt,” “Frost/Nixon,” and “The Reader”.

Bouncing back and forth between film and television, the next award was Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, which went to Alec Baldwin in “30 Rock”. Baldwin predictably beat Steve Carell from “The Office,” Kevin Connolly from “Entourage,” David Duchovny in “Californication,” and Tony Shalhoub from “Monk”.

Terence Howard and Megan Fox gave the award for Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Movie to, as widely expected by this point, Paul Giamatti in “John Adams,” making it a clean sweep for the mini-series, winning a stunning four awards. Giamatti beat Kiefer Sutherland in “24: Redemption,” Tom Wilkinson and Kevin Spacey in “Recount,” and Ralph Fiennes in “Bernard and Doris”. It was the great Giamatti’s first win at the Golden Globes.

“30 Rock” won the prize for Best TV Comedy again, beating “Californication,” “Entourage,” “The Office,” and “Weeds”.

“Slumdog Millionaire” would take home its second prize of the night when Kate Beckinsale and Sean Combs gave A.R. Rahman the trophy for Best Score. Rahman beat the much more widely known composers, Alexandre Desplat for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Clint Eastwood for “Changeling,” James Newton Howard for “Defiance,” and Hans Zimmer for “Frost/Nixon”.

Danny Boyle, winner Best Director of Motion Picture Slumdog Millionaire on stage during the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009.
Photo credit: Paul Drinkwater

David Duchovny and Kane Krakowski gave Best Actress in a TV Comedy to, predictably, Tina Fey in “30 Rock”. Fey beat Christina Applegate for “Samantha Who?,” America Ferrera for “Ugly Betty,” Debra Messing for “The Starter Wife,” and Mary Louise Parker for “Weeds”. “30 Rock” had swept the comedy awards, winning best actor, actress, and series, all choices hard to argue with although it might have been nice to spread the wealth a bit. Fey gave a great speech, taking jabs at the people who had criticized her online.

Steven Spielberg accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement from Martin Scorsese, an old friend and, as Spielberg said, “inspiration”. As the clip reel of Spielberg’s work made crystal clear, if anyone deserves a lifetime achievement award it is Steven Spielberg.

Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson presented best director to Danny Boyle for “Slumdog Millionaire,” beating Stephen Daldry for “The Reader,” David Fincher for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Ron Howard for “Frost/Nixon,” and Sam Mendes for “Revolutionary Road”.

The most surprising win of the night, by far, came when Sandra Bullock gave Best Actor in a Comedy to Colin Farrell for “In Bruges”. The very gracious and surprised Farrell beat his co-star in the film, Brendan Gleeson, Dustin Hoffman for “Last Chance Harvey,” James Franco for “Pineapple Express,” and Javier Bardem in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”.

Sacha Baron Cohen cracked about the end of Madonna’s marriage before giving Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy to Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” beating “Burn After Reading,” “In Bruges,” “Mamma Mia!,” and “Happy-Go-Lucky”. Sadly, Woody didn’t appear to accept the award himself.

Mickey Rourke, winner Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama The Wrestler on stage during the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009.
Photo credit: Paul Drinkwater

Mark Wahlberg and Cameron Diaz presented Kate Winslet with her second award of the night for “Revolutionary Road,” beating Anne Hathaway for “Rachel Getting Married,” Angelina Jolie for “Changeling,” Kristin Scott Thomas for “I’ve Loved You So Long,” and Meryl Streep for “Doubt”. The clearly stunned Winslet was speechless, repeating “thank you so much” and crying. It took seven nominations for Kate Winslet to win two awards in one night.

After what was clearly now just a technical error in favor of Anne Hathaway earlier this week, most expected her to win, making the Winslet announcement that much more surprising.

Blake Lively and Rainn Wilson presented the award for Best Television Series - Drama to “Mad Men,” beating “Dexter,” “House,” “In Treatment,” and “True Blood”. A predictable but deserving win.

Susan Sarandon appeared to present Best Actor in a Drama, which went to Mickey Rourke for “The Wrestler”. Rourke beat out Sean Penn in “Milk,” Leonardo DiCaprio in “Revolutionary Road,” Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon,” and Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. Rourke was humbled and happy to win. He thanked, among others, Axl Rose, Bruce Springsteen, and his dogs. Someone give this man an Oscar.

Not surprisingly, “Slumdog Millionaire” closed the night with a win for Best Drama, presented by Tom Cruise. The excellent film beat “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Frost/Nixon,” “The Reader,” and “Revolutionary Road”.

See the full list of 2009 Golden Globe winners in list form.
Read about Anne Hathaway’s early, accidental Golden Globe snafu.
Read more Golden Globes articles on HollywoodChicago.com.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com