Cinematographers Capture Final Ballots

February 14, 2006:

ASC Feature Film Ballots Due

Nominees in the American Society of Cinematographers' feature film competition are: Dion Beebe, ASC, ACS for "Memoirs Of A Geisha"; Robert Elswit, ASC for "Good Night, and Good Luck"; Andrew Lesnie, ASC, ACS for "King Kong"; Wally Pfister, ASC for "Batman Begins"; and Rodrigo Prieto, ASC, AMC for "Brokeback Mountain." The awards will be presented February 26, 2006. Recipients of honorary ASC Awards and other information is available on our February awards show calendar (see ASC).

Beebe, Elswit, Pfister, and Prieto are also nominated for Best Achievement in Cinematography at the 78th Annual Academy Awards®. Strangely, Emmanuel Lubezki took the fifth Oscar slot for "The New World" over the talented Lesnie's work on "King Kong."

Oscar Nominee Official Class Picture

Academy's Class of 2006

Here they are, the nominees of the 78th Annual Academy Awards®:

Unfortunately, Oscar nominees Ang Lee, Paul Giamatti and Rachel Weisz were unable to attend today's luncheon as they were caught in the blizzard that blanketed New York and much of the East Coast. In all, about 111 (according to Entertainment Tonight's Leonard Maltin) to 116 (according to The Insider's Pat O'Brien) talented nominees came together for the power lunch.

For more information, see yesterday's blog: Oscar Nominee Luncheon.

Photo: Copyright 2006 A.M.P.A.S.®

Gift Ideas for Your Valentine

Set the Mood and Glow

There is a scene in David Spade's "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star" that depicts how NOT TO set the mood with your sweetheart. Dickie's ex-girlfriend, played by Alyssa Milano, shows up at his "childhood" home and is invited to stay the night. The couple goes through the motions to create a romantic atmosphere - they turn down the glaring white lights, light a few candles, sip some sour bubbly. Dickie doesn't really want her there and at one point "accidentally" pours candle wax on her back, causing her to scream "You burned me!" Well, if Dickie and Cyndi really wanted to be romantic, they would have gone about this a lot differently.

We would recommend they start with lighting from Mood-Lites and candles from Lotion Glow : > )

Lotion Glow candles are made from all natural pure soy, which has a melting temperature of 100 degrees - just above your normal body temperature - and they create a subtly scented atmosphere that provides the perfect setting for romance and relaxation. Cyndi would have welcomed the warm, silky, clear liquid as it was applied to her back and massaged into her skin. Rather than scream at Dickie, she would whisper a breathy command to him, "don't stop, don't stop!."

Yes, that is how great these candles are. They come in 10 amazing scents: Mango Passion (Harmony), Sex on the Beach (Life Force), Pina Colada (Energy), Cucumber Melon (Balance), Lavender Fields (Relaxation), Calm Waters (Serenity), Soft Rain (Tranquillity), Tuberose (Romance), Hawaiian Gardenia (Spirituality), and Plumeria (Love). Each is available individually or in a Rainbow Collection that provides a pleasing palate of colors and fragrances that help facilitate relaxation.

To compliment this great gift for your sweetheart, combine an assortment of Lotion Glow candles with a variety of Mood-Lites - the affordable Light Bulbs for Your Lifestyle - in a gift basket. Mood-Lites also come in a relaxing array of colors - Happy, Tranquility, Renewal, Energy, Passion, Serenity and Creativity. At an ambient 25 watts, they are the perfect companion to Lotion Glow candles to set any mood.

Photos: Amber Tamblyn with Mood Lites at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards Celebrity Gift Lounge; Terrence Howard at the 2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards, where he received an introduction to Lotion Glow. Both licensed images © Wire Image.