Real-life newspaper drama Spotlight, which will get its regional premiere on Monday at the Dubai International Film Festival, was the big winner at the LA Film Critics Awards.
Traditionally, the awards offer a good indication of which films will be in contention at the following year’s Oscars.
Director and co-scriptwriter Thomas McCarthy's Spotlight – which stars Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton and Rachel McAdams, and tells the story of the investigation by Boston Globe reporters into the cover-up of child abuse in the Catholic Church – won the Best Picture and Best Screenplay awards.
Apocalyptic action reboot Mad Max: Fury Road won Best Director for George Miller, Best Cinematography and Best Production Design.
Venice Grand Jury-winner Anomolisa could be an outside bet for Oscar glory, after picking up Best Animation, Best Music Score, and the runner-up spot in the Best Screenplay category.
Notable omissions included Room (Wednesday's opening-night Diff film), Creed, and The Hateful Eight. – The National staff
Eagles of Death Metal return to Paris stage
Eagles of Death Metal – the American rock band whose concert last month in Paris was targeted by terrorists in an attack that left 89 people dead – made an emotional return to the stage in the French capital on Monday night alongside the popular Irish rock band U2.
The appearance was widely expected after U2 singer Bono said that “special” guests would be joining them onstage for Sunday and Monday night’s concerts at the AccorHotels Arena.
However, with no official confirmation, doubts arose after Patti Smith joined U2 on Sunday.
Introducing the band, Bono said: “They were robbed of their stage three weeks ago and we would like to offer them ours tonight.”
Bono embraced the band’s lead singer, Jesse Hughes, before breaking into a rousing rendition of Patti Smith’s
People Have The Power
.
Kardashian West baby given a name
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have revealed, via Twitter, that their baby boy has been named Saint.
Kardashian documented her pregnancy on Twitter to her 37 million fans, most recently posting an image of her baby bump on Friday night, with the caption “Ready whenever you are lol”.
The baby arrived the following day, weighing in at eight pounds, one ounce. – AP
Kendrick Lamar leads Grammy nominees
Rapper Kendrick Lamar has received the most nominations for the Grammy Awards, though Taylor Swift arguably received more nominations in the major categories.
Lamar – who has earned widespread critical acclaim for his politically charged latest album To Pimp a Butterfly – has 11 nominations. Swift and rising Canadian R&B star The Weeknd each have seven nominations.
Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly is also up for Album of the Year, as is The Weeknd's Beauty Behind the Madness. British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran's viral ballad Thinking Out Loud is up for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
The winners will be announced on February 15 at a gala in Los Angeles. – AFP
Actress Pamela Anderson meets Russians
Baywatch actress and animal-rights activist Pamela Anderson visited The Kremlin on Monday to discuss conservation with President Putin's chief of staff Sergei Ivanov.
During the televised meeting, Anderson expressed her concern about the fate of Russian seals and the prevalence of aquariums that keep belugas, orcas and dolphins in captivity.
In his opening remarks, Ivanov thanked the former Baywatch star for an opportunity to discuss issues of conservation "in the company of beautiful women". – AP
