November 2008 Archives

Kanye West accepts the rap/hip-hop favorite male artist award at the American Music Awards on Sunday night in Los Angeles. (Matt Sayles/AP)

Chris Brown was the big winner at last night's American Music Awards, but Chicago's own Kanye West had the most fun.

Announcements finally came of the nominees and special honors for the next round of Chicago Music Awards.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has tapped ''Ratatouille'' composer Michael Giacchino as music director for the upcoming Oscars ceremony.

A few more announcements today regarding the "Grammy Nominations Concert Live!!" TV event coming up Dec. 3. In addition to the previously announced lineup, Mariah Carey is now scheduled to perform on the show, and much ballyhooed country phenom Taylor Swift is now on board as a co-host.

Singer Santogold and rapper Spank Rock perform during the mtvU Woodie Awards on Wednesday in New York. (Jason DeCrow/AP)

Perhaps accurately representing the iPod generation, no one artist or genre dominated at the 2008 MTVu Woodie Awards, held Nov. 12 at New York's Roseland Ballroom.

Motion City Soundtrack kicked off the night by winning the Video of the Year Woodie for ''It had to be You.'' They were followed by indie rappers Atmosphere, who picked up the Performance Woodie. Eighties revivalists Chromeo took home the Left Field Woodie, while NYU band the Bride Wore Black won for Best Music on Campus.

The NAACP says it will honor environmental activists Al Gore and Wangari Muta Maathai at its 40th Image Awards.

The Feb. 12 ceremony will kick off a yearlong centennial celebration for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Juanes holds his five awards backstage at the 9th annual Latin Grammy Awards on Thursday in Houston. (David J. Phillip/AP)

By MONICA RHOR

HOUSTON -- On a night when the theme of change and cultural fusion echoed in lyrics, performances and acceptance speeches, a Colombian rocker who's become a voice for social issues walked away as king of the Latin Grammys.

Kenny Chesney snagged his fourth Entertainer of the Year award at tonight's CMAs, tying Garth Brooks for the honor.

Here's the complete list of winners ...

This year's American Music Awards will be diva-heavy, with Beyonce topping the list.

The CMAs are tonight. But, wait, the CMAs are just announcing nominees ...?

Ah, the country music awards are tonight. Next week, the other CMAs: the Chicago Music Awards.

Nominees for the 28th annual Chicago Music Awards will be announced at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Exposure Tapas Restaurant, 1313 South Wabash.

Carrie Underwood is pictured arriving at the ACMs in Las Vegas back in May. Tomorrow she'll be at the CMAs. (What, no MACs?) (AP file)

What truly kicks of awards-show season? The Emmys, back in September? The full run probably begins at 7 p.m. tomorrow night on ABC -- with the Country Music Association awards ...

We left the theater after seeing Oliver Stone's "W." biopic feeling pretty sad, actually. Sure, we chuckled a few times -- if you don't laugh at this debacle, you cry -- but the dramatic narrative of a doofus elevated to a kingship was, in the end, kinda depressing.

The makers of the film, however, hope you concentrate on the chuckles. They're entering it for Golden Globes consideration as a comedy.

Fourteen films have been submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in hopes of securing one of the three nominations available in the best animated feature category.

The contenders are ''Bolt,'' ''Delgo,'' ''Dragon Hunters,'' ''Fly Me to the Moon,'' ''Igor,'' ''Kung Fu Panda,'' ''Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,'' ''$9.99,'' ''The Sky Crawlers,'' ''Sword of the Stranger,'' ''The Tale of Despereaux,'' ''Waltz With Bashir'' ''WALL-E'' and ''Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!''

Robert Downey Jr. stands near a life-size "Iron Man" during a news conference in Tokyo, Japan. (AP file)

First, Dave Karger, a blogger at Entertainment Weekly collected a round of early Oscar picks -- actors to watch in the upcoming race. The list includes Frank Langella as Tricky Dick in the still-to-be-released "Frost/Nixon" and Sean Penn in "Milk," opening later this month.

Then, another bunch of Oscar watchers slammed Karger for his list. ...

''Iron Man'' will battle ''The Dark Knight'' and ''Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'' for favorite movie at the 35th annual People's Choice Awards.