As a member of The Broadcast Film Critics Association, I was, once again, in Hollywood for The Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. Now in its 20th year, the show was better than ever, thanks to a new host (Michael Strahan) a new, supportive network (A&E), a new venue (the historic Hollywood Palladium) and even more of Hollywood’s biggest stars in attendance. I was able to meet and reconnect with a total of more than 30 nominees and presenters before, during (commercial breaks) and after the show. Let’s get started with the stories:
The first on-screen nominee into the Palladium during the pre-show was the young star of “St. Vincent”, Jaeden Lieberher. He wore a terrific tux and told me he had an incredible time working with Bill Murray. And he admitted that forever, or at least until another role changes things, he’ll be known as “The St. Vincent Kid”. Fellow Best Younger Actor/Actress nominee Tony Revolori (“The Grand Budapest Hotel”) was very excited about being there and the evening to come.
I got to reunite with “Frozen”‘s Josh Gad, who just got off of a plane from NYC, where he was on “The Tonight Show” the night before promoting “The Wedding Ringer” (which I happened to see the night before). Turns out we had basically matching outfits – dark gray suits, light grey shirts. “How to Train Your Dragon 2” director Dean DeBlois and producer Bonnie Arnold were thrilled to receive their Oscar nomination that morning.
And both new “Late Late Show” host James Corden (“Into the Woods”) and “Theory of Everything” nominee Eddie Redmayne were rushed-in by their handlers, but still stopped for a brief chat and photos. Both couldn’t have been nicer. But the best pre-show story goes to “Obvious Child” star Jenny Slate, who later won Best Actress in a
Comedy. We’d never met before, but she told me that she and her friends were actually talking about me
on New Year’s Eve! Pretty wild.
Once the show began, the Paladium was packed with shining stars: At my table, Oscar winner Marion Cotillard. We took a photo that was posted on CCMA social media (using a provided iPad). Julianne Moore was pleased with her on-screen holiday season, with both “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” and “Still Alice”, for which she won Best Actress. Robert Duvall could understand why I liked the California sunshine. “It’s cold up there”, he said, referring to Upstate NY. And all three stars of “Boyhood”, Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, and Ellar Coltrane appreciated the film’s many recognitions.
Lifetime Achievement Winner Kevin Costner surprised me by stating that he doesn’t like attention and was actually nervous about giving speeches, including the one that he’d deliver later that evening, which was outstanding. “Nightcrawler” actress Rene Russo, who presented Costner with his award, was fighting laryngitis, but still was so friendly. Melissa McCarthy told me she’s looking forward to the May release of her new action comedy “Spy”. And, like me, she said she can’t believe that Jason Statham is in the film. Funnymen Ben Falcone (McCarthy’s husband), Jon Favreau and Tyler Perry were also on hand and great to meet. Perry thanked me for being a Madea fan.
Also representing “Gone Girl”, Rosamund Pike glowed in her white dress, and at the After Party, writer Gillian Flynn was proud of receiving Best Adapted Screenplay (especially considering she was snubbed by The Academy that morning). The “Selma” ensemble was in full force: star David Oyelowo and director Ava DuVernay (who were also denied Oscar nods), were nonetheless gracious. They were joined by a couple of cool dudes: Andre Holland, and Common, who was rightfully proud of his trophy for Best Song (“Glory”), and a great acceptance speech.
“Bates Motel” star Vera Farmiga still remembers her incredible experience working with George Clooney on “Up in the Air”. And when I told fellow star Freddie Highmore that “I grew up with you as Charlie” (in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”), he replied, “That was so long ago!” He still looks so young. “Interstellar”‘s Mackenzie Foy loved working with Matthew McConaughey (aka “The Coolest Guy”). And Rosario Dawson was pleased with the success of “Top Five”, saying that Chris Rock worked on the script for three years before she even read it.
“Birdman” composer Antonio Sanchez entertained the house on the drums throughout the night. He’d done my podcast a few months ago and updated my on what he’s got coming-up, including three new albums and possibly another film. Patrick Stewart was pleased with his great year, including box office smash “X-Men: Days of Future Past”. And Chaz Ebert, wife of late film critic Roger Ebert, and “Life Itself” director Steve James, were honored to receive the Best Documentary Feature award.
However, my favorite celeb encounter of the night was reuniting with Emily Blunt. We first met when we were guests on “The Tonight Show” back in 2011. Since that time she’s gone from movie star to MOVIE STAR! And what a 2014 she had, with the fantastic “Edge of Tomorrow”, for which she won Best Actress in an Action film, a Golden Globe nominated performance in the all-star musical “Into the Woods”, and a new baby with husband John Krasinski. No doubt in my mind her career will continue to skyrocket.
And last, but certainly not least, I was only 10-feet away from where Michael Keaton fell off of the stage after accepting his Best Actor award. The event wasn’t shown on the broadcast and apparently no one in the audience caught in on camera. Thankfully the 63 year old landed on his feet, bounced-up and was greeted with a huge hug from Ethan Hawke. Keaton then quickly exited the room. The room went from shocked to stunned to silent in the period of 10-seconds it took for all this to take place. And everyone watching at home had no idea any of this was going on, or why Strahan wrapped-up the show by mentioning that “Birdman really tried to fly.” Just another reason why being at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards is always a memorable experience.