ACE Eddie Awards: ‘American Hustle,’ ‘Captain Phillips’ and ‘Frozen’ Top Films
“Captain Phillips,” “American Hustle” and “Frozen” took top honors among narrative features as the American Cinema Editors handed out the ACE Eddie Awards Friday evening.
“Captain Phillips” and its editor Christopher Rouse took kudos for dramatic feature, “American Hustle” editors Jay Cassidy, Crispin Struthers & Alan Baumgarten took the award for comedy or musical feature, and “Frozen’s” Jeff Draheim took home the Eddie for animated feature.
It’s the second major honor for “Captain Phillips” in a week, as the picture won the WGA’s adapted screenplay prize last Saturday.
The timing of the award was fortuitous for the A.C.E., as “Captain Phillips” helmer Paul Greengrass was the org’s Filmmaker of the Year honoree.
Tom Hanks introduced Greengrass, but first congratulated the A.C.E. on its 64 years and for having the largest trophy in show business. “Pardon my language but that thing is fuckin’ huge,” Hanks said.
Hanks hailed “United 93″ as a masterpiece. “He made a document, a public service that is all too full of uncomfortable truths.”
“Film is an unruly animal and you cannot master it but it must be mastered and you must control it,” Greengrass said. “And that is the paradox of filmmaking… And that happens in a cutting room.” He thanked the editors he’s worked with, “especially my dear dear friend Christopher Rouse,” calling their professional relationship “a marriage.”
“It’s part psychotherapy and part artistry, Greengrass said.
The documentary feature prize went to Douglas Blush, Kevin Klauber & Jason Zeldes for ”20 Feet From Stardom.”
On the TV side, the Eddies continued the run of awards for the finale of “The Office,” “Breaking Bad” and “Behind the Candelabra.”
When the nominees for hourlong series for commercial TV we’re read, “The Good Wife” got a cheer — mostly out of sympathy, since four of the nominated episodes were from “Breaking Bad.”
Vince Gilligan’s acclaimed crime drama brought the commercial-TV hourlong series honor to Skip MacDonald for the episode “Felina.” David Rogers & Claire Scanlon won for the “Office” finale in the half-hour category and “Behind the Candelabra’s” Mary Ann Bernard (AKA Steven Soderbergh) won in minis/made-fors. Soderbergh, who used his mother’s name as a pseudonym, sent a message that his mother had died that morning and dedicated the award to her.
Terry Kelly won the non-commercial TV hourlong prize for “Homeland” episode “Big Man in Tehran.”
Also feted at the Beverly Hilton ceremony were career honorees Richard Halsey and Robert C. Jones, as well Heritage Award honoree Randy Roberts.
“This is better than the Oscar, I’ll tell you that right now,” Halsey said as the aud stood and applauded.
Warren Beatty presented career honoree Jones and teased that he was hurt that Jones had done so many good movies without him. “‘The Last Detail,’” he quipped, “Jack, Jack, Jack, Jack, Jack. Enough.”
Jones, a bit stopped but still an imposing figure, admitted, “I spent many years battling with the feeling I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“By the time I started working with Warren Beatty, I thought I’d used up all my insecurities,” Jones said. “Boy, was I wrong. Working with Warren was like re-entering the birth canal.”
Before the show, contingents from the various contenders led cheers when their editors’ names appeared in the montage of past winners. Leonardo DiCaprio, seated next to editing legend Thelma Schoonmaker, led the cheers by the “Wolf of Wall Street” table, along with Jonah Hill. Presenting the award for documentary feature, Hill said he’d decided not to use his prepared speech. “I’m just going to improvise a bunch of stuff, somebody will deal with it later. Right, Thelma?”
A full list of winners follows:
64th ANNUAL ACE EDDIE AWARD WINNERS
BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (DRAMATIC):
Captain Phillips, Christopher Rouse.
BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (COMEDY OR MUSICAL):
American Hustle, Jay Cassidy, Crispin Struthers & Alan Baumgarten
BEST EDITED ANIMATED FEATURE FILM:
Frozen, Jeff Draheim
BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE):
20 Feet from Stardom, Douglas Blush, Kevin Klauber & Jason Zeldes
BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY (TELEVISION):
The Assassination of President Kennedy, Chris A. Peterson
BEST EDITED HALF-HOUR SERIES FOR TELEVISION:
The Office: “Finale,” David Rogers & Claire Scanlon
BEST EDITED ONE-HOUR SERIES FOR COMMERCIAL TELEVISION:
Breaking Bad: “Felina.” Skip MacDonald
BEST EDITED ONE-HOUR SERIES FOR NON-COMMERCIAL TELEVISION:
Homeland: “Big Man in Tehran,” Terry Kelley
BEST EDITED MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE FOR TELEVISION:
Behind the Candelabra, Mary Ann Bernard
BEST EDITED NON-SCRIPTED SERIES:
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown: Tokyo, Nick Brigden
BEST STUDENT EDITING:
Ambar Salinas, Video Symphony
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