Hollywood Beat

Eddie Awards & Placido Domingo Honorees 

The Descendants, The Artist and Rango took feature film kudos as the American Cinema Editors gave out their ACE Eddie Awards.  Clint Eastwood presented the Lifetime Achievement award to Film Editor, Joel Cox, who worked with him in such flicks as Million Dollar Baby, The Unforgiven, and of course, the Dirty Harry Series.  Eastwood credits Cox’s editing genius to help establish him as an award-winning actor & director.

As he stated, “I am an impressionistic guy, and Joel understands that.  I surround myself with good people, and they make me look good.”

Doug Ibold, who edited such legendary TV series as Law & Order, Walker, Texas Ranger and Xena, Warrior Princess, received his Career Achievement Award from Producer Dick Wolf, who worked with him on Miami Vice, and many other hit TV series.

Ibold noted it was 20 years since ACE upgraded the Eddie Awards.  In 1992, Clint Eastwood was our first filmmaker of the year; and Joe Cox, won an Oscar for editing Unforgiven.  And guess what?  We are all here tonight.”  A great testimony to a great team!

We must admit we have never seen the seldom-performed Opera, Simon Boccanegra by Verdi, but we were privileged to see Placido Domingo in the title role at the Los Angeles Opera.  He was never in better voice, (even as a baritone) and the production was truly outstanding.  Ana Maria Martinez, who sang the role of his daughter, Amelia was amazing. The control and clarity of her crystal clear voice was thrilling to the sold-out audience.

After the matinee, Domingo hosted the Placido Domingo Awards where author Antonio Skarmeta and philanthropists Nicandro and Elizabeth Juarez were honored.   Skarmeta’s novel was the inspiration for the Academy Award winning film,  Il Postino; which was later, turned into an Opera by the late composer, Daniel Catan. It was truly a heartbreaking moment when Maestro Domingo presented the award to the Chilean writer.

Kudos to Ed and Alicia Clark who established Hispanics for the Opera in 1991, to promote opera attendance at the L A. Opera by Hispanic audience.

They certainly have reached their goal – thanks to benefactors like the Juarez family, and, of course, their major supporter, Placido Domingo.

He stated he was proud to lend his name to this worthy cause.

Clint Eastwood with Lifetime Career Achievement Winner, Joel Cox

Kevin Tent ACE and Reese Witherspoon present ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year to Alexander Payne

Placido Domingo presenting award to Author Antonio Skarmeta (Il Postino)

Alicia Garcia Clark & Ed Clark with Soprano Ana Maria Martinez at Hispanics for the Opera