Martin Scorsese talks about Oscar nominations

The nominees for the 2012 Academy Awards were released last Tuesday with Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” (Paramount Pictures, 2011) leading the way with 11 nominations. 

The filmmaker, who is one of the candidates running for best picture and best director, said: “I am deeply honored to have been nominated by the Academy for my work on “Hugo”. Every picture is a challenge, and this one - where I was working with 3D, HD and Sacha Baron Cohen for the first time was no exception. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that you¹ve been recognized by the people in your industry. I congratulate my fellow nominees. It¹s an impressive list, and I’m in excellent company.”

“Hugo”, a kid’s adventure that pays homage to early cinema, is nominated in the following categories:

Best picture

* Graham King and Martin Scorsese, producers

Best director

* Martin Scorsese

Best art direction

* Production design: Dante Ferretti

* Set decorator: Francesca Lo Schiavo

Best cinematography

* Robert Richardson

Best costumes

* Sandy Powell

Best film editing

* Thelma Schoonmaker

Best original score

* Howard Shore

Best sound editing

* Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty

Best sound mixing

* Tom Fleischman and John Midgley

Best visual effects

* Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossman and Alex Henning

Best adapted screenplay

* Guión de John Logan

“Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol” London premiere

Film hero Tom Cruise joined stars on London red carpet last night to present “Ghost Protocol” (Paramount Pictures), the fourth instalment of the action-packed spy franchise “Mission Impossible”.

Cruise, who once again plays IMF agent Ethan Hunt, accompanied by co-stars, Paula Patton, Lea Seydoux, A list British actor/comedian Simon Pegg, director Brad Bird and producer Bryan Burk, attended the media, posed for photographers and chatted with fans, who gathered at the BFI IMAX entrance.

Other guest attending the premiere included X-files actress Gillian Anderson, Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, top model and reality TV celebrity Caprice and former pop star Sinitta.

On this occasion, blamed for a terrorist attack on the Kremlin, Ethan Hunt and the entire IMF agency are disavowed by the U.S. government when the president initiates the “Ghost Protocol.” Forced to go off the grid and left without resources or backup, Hunt must somehow clear the agency’s name and prevent another attack. Complicating matters even more, Ethan must undertake this impossible mission with a group of fellow IMF fugitives whose true motives are suspect.

The new “MI” flick, which was the 8th Dubai International Film Festival opener, is first showing on Wednesday December 21.

If you want to watch the official trailer, have a look at set photos and other curiosities about the film click here to visit the website at your own risk.