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“300”
battles “Harry Potter” and “Sweeney Todd” at
the 34th Annual Saturn Awards
The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and
Horror Films has announced the nominations for the 34th Annual Saturn
Awards. Leading the nominations this year is the groundbreaking film,
“300” with 10 nominations. “Harry Potter and the Order
of the Phoenix” follows close behind with 9 nominations and Tim
Burton’s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
is represented with 8 nominations.
A trio of fantastic adventures: “The Golden Compass”, “Pirates
of the Caribbean: At World’s End”, and “Spider-Man
3” received 4 nominations each, while “The Bourne Ultimatum”,
“Eastern Promises”, “Enchanted”, “Grindhouse”,
“The Mist”, “No Country For Old Men”, “Stardust”,
and “There Will Be Blood” each received 3 nominations.
Warner Bros. leads the nominations this year with a total of 23. Paramount
follows closely behind with 22 nominations (combining the releases of
Paramount, DreamWorks/Paramount, and Paramount Vantage). Buena Vista
received a total of 10 nominations, with Sony Pictures capturing 9 nominations.
New Line Cinema received 6 nominations. Dimension Films / MGM is represented
with 5 nominations
In
television, “Lost” dominated with 7 nominations. Showtime’s
“Dexter” carved an impressive 5 nominations and “Heroes”
soared with 4 nominations.
The
organization also announced the Saturn
Special Awards to be given this year:
Television
producers Robert Halmi, Sr. and
Robert Halmi, Jr. will each receive the Life Career Award for
their contributions in producing quality genre entertainment. This talented
team has produced over 100 series, telefilms, and mini-series since
1980. Their works include: “Tin Man”, “Hogfather”,
“Hercules”, “Jason and the Argonauts”, “Dinotopia”,
and “Earthsea”. Upcoming projects include: “Dr. Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde”, “Son of the Dragon”, and “The
Last Templar”. Robert Halmi Jr. currently serves as President
and CEO of RHI Entertainment.
Guillermo
del Toro will receive the coveted George Pal Memorial Award.
This year’s Filmmakers Showcase Award goes to Matt
Reeves, the director of the hit film, “Cloverfield”.
“Cloverfield” depicts a group of young people who must find
a way to survive in a major city which is under attack from a monstrous
creature.
The Academy has chosen to give The Service Award to Fred
Barton for his efforts in manufacturing and promoting world-famous
robots. Some of the robots which he currently puts on public display
include: Robby (the Robot), Robert B-9 (from “Lost in Space”),
and Gort (from “The Day the Earth Stood Still”).
Author Tim Lucas has been singled out to
receive a Special Achievement Award for his 2007 book: Mario Bava: All
the Colors of the Dark. This critical study of the film work of Director
Mario Bava is a life long project and labor of love from author Lucas
who spent over 20 years seeing the completion and eventual publication
of the book, ably supported by his wife, Donna Lucas.
The
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films is a non-profit
organization devoted to honoring, recognizing and promoting genre entertainment.
The organization was founded in 1972 by film historian Dr. Donald A.
Reed. It is currently headed by film enthusiast Robert Holguin. This
year’s show will take place on Tuesday, June 24, in Universal
City, California. |
