Awards

Dick Smith brought the devil out of Linda Blair, transformed Marlon Brando into a jowly Mafia don and punked out Robert De Niro with a startling Mohawk. So what's next for the 86-year-old special effects makeup artist? How about a tribute from his friends and colleagues? Smith's innovative work on "The Exorcist," "The Godfather," "Taxi Driver" and "Amadeus" (for which he won an Oscar) among others has had a huge influence on the field.

"Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire" scored a rare triple victory Saturday night at the Sundance Film Festival, winning both the grand jury prize and the audience award for drama as well as a special jury prize for acting.

Some editions of The Times did not carry this article Sunday. The Directors Guild of America on Saturday named Danny Boyle the best director of 2008 for "Slumdog Millionaire." It's the first guild win for the 52-year-old British director. Boyle has won critics' groups honors, as well as the Golden Globe, Critics' Choice and the British Independent Film Award, for "Slumdog Millionaire."

No invention since the phonograph more dramatically affected how popular music is made than Fender guitars, arriving as they did with the birth of rock 'n' roll. Buddy Holly was an early Fender convert; Jimi Hendrix used the Stratocaster to revolutionize the world of rock guitar playing.

"Slumdog Millionaire" dominated the British Academy Film Awards on Sunday evening, taking home the prize in seven categories, including best film. "Slumdog," which revolves around an impoverished teenager who ends up competing on the Indian version of the TV game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," also won director honors for Danny Boyle, as well as adapted screenplay for Simon Beaufoy. The drama also scored in the music, cinematography, editing and sound categories.

The Golden Globes' big winner, "Slumdog Millionaire," earned yet another nomination Monday morning for the 59th annual American Cinema Editors' Eddie Award. "Slumdog" editor Chris Dickens received a nomination in the best edited dramatic feature film category along with Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Lee Smith for "The Dark Knight," Mike Hill and Dan Hanley for "Frost/Nixon" and Elliot Graham for "Milk."

Woody Allen received his 19th screenplay nomination from the Writers Guild of America on Wednesday, when he was named for his romantic comedy "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Allen, 73, has previously won the WGA award for original screenplay for "Annie Hall," "Broadway Danny Rose," "Hannah and Her Sisters" and "Crimes and Misdemeanors."

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday awarded its annual civic medal of honor to Thomas V. McKernan, chief executive and president of the Automobile Club of Southern California and Auto Club Enterprises. First awarded in 2003, the civic medal of honor is given to non-elected civic leaders who are dedicated to community and public service, said George Kieffer, a member of the selection committee that includes a few past recipients and other citizens.

Superhero films are proving to be more than just popcorn escapism this award season. "The Dark Knight" earned a nomination Monday for the Producers Guild of America's top prize. And on Tuesday, "Iron Man," 2008's other superhero box-office champ, received a nomination for the USC Libraries 21st Annual Scripter Award.

"Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" dominated the nominations Thursday for the BAFTAs -- the U.K.'s Oscar equivalent -- earning 11 each. "Slumdog," which swept the Golden Globes last weekend, was nominated for best film, outstanding British film, best director for Danny Boyle, lead actor for Dev Patel, supporting actress for Freida Pinto, adapted screenplay, cinematography, editing, music, production design and sound.