Holy shit...
Go see something good!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
I Am Jack's Hatred For Film Studios...Watchmen's Troubles In and Out Of The Courtroom...
I AM REPOSTING THIS OLDER POST, WITH AN UPDATE. I'VE RECIEVED A FEW COMMENTS ON WHAT THE CASE IS ABOUT, SO I FIGURE, WHY NOT GO THROUGH IT'S HISTORY...
The wheels for a Watchmen adaptation began in August of 1986, when Lawrence Gordon, a Fox Studios executive, purchased the rights to the comic and it's adaptation, for the studio. Fox first asked Alan Moore, the comic's author, to pen the screenplay, but when he declined, they went another way, with Sam Hamm, writer of the Tim Burton Batman films, who brought the first draft into the studio in September of 1988. Now, Terry Gilliam was attached to direct, but when they could only raise $25 million for the budget, roughly a fourth of the needed amount, he abandoned the project, which would not be restarted until 2001. In 2001, they got David Hayter, writer of X Men and X2 (also the voice of Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid, fyi), to write and direct it. He left in 2002, and in 2004, Darren Aronofsky was set to helm it, with Simon Pegg as Rorschach, but this also was put to an end when Aronofsky left to make the great film, The Fountain (great decision by Darren, I may add).
Fast forward to Feburary 8th, 2008, as today's version of Watchmen, helmed by the solid director, Zack Snyder and starring Jackie Earl Haley, Patrick Wilson, and Billy Crudup, is just fiinshing up filming. On this date, Fox officially filed a suit stating that the finishing and release of this version of The Watchmen should be put to bed. Remember Lawrence Gordon? Well, it has been said, and is the basis of the lawsuit, that Gordon sold the rights to The Watchmen to WB, but neglected to pay out Fox. Gordon had left the studio as a producer, and shopped the rights around, without giving any sort of buy out to Fox. So, in August of this year, a judge denied an injunction by WB to get the charges thrown out, and now it is slated that this case will see the court on Janurary 6th, two months before the intended release of the film. The studios are trying to get this date moved up even further, so it looks as though they don't want to delay it. However, the date is in jeopardy, if WB and Fox don't settle out of court.
UPDATE: The court date has been pushed back to January 20th, and no deal has yet been made.
Honestly, to me, I blame both parties. On an artistic level, it bugs me that a studio that is pumping out Tooth Fairy, Street Fighter, and Dragonball (Fox) would be the ones to stall this film that look to be absolutely brilliant, but if WB had done what they should have, and bought out Fox, then we wouldn't be talking about this right now. So I say set up a Fight Club (like the reference in the title of the note) and let them fight it out. This is really mainly WB's fault, so while I want to see this get released in March (the month of my birthday for gods sake) Fox is doing what they have to, and needed to do. What are your thoughts?
I hope this could be of some help to all of you who aren't sure what this whole court case is about.
Come back later for more news and notes!
Go see something good!
The wheels for a Watchmen adaptation began in August of 1986, when Lawrence Gordon, a Fox Studios executive, purchased the rights to the comic and it's adaptation, for the studio. Fox first asked Alan Moore, the comic's author, to pen the screenplay, but when he declined, they went another way, with Sam Hamm, writer of the Tim Burton Batman films, who brought the first draft into the studio in September of 1988. Now, Terry Gilliam was attached to direct, but when they could only raise $25 million for the budget, roughly a fourth of the needed amount, he abandoned the project, which would not be restarted until 2001. In 2001, they got David Hayter, writer of X Men and X2 (also the voice of Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid, fyi), to write and direct it. He left in 2002, and in 2004, Darren Aronofsky was set to helm it, with Simon Pegg as Rorschach, but this also was put to an end when Aronofsky left to make the great film, The Fountain (great decision by Darren, I may add).
Fast forward to Feburary 8th, 2008, as today's version of Watchmen, helmed by the solid director, Zack Snyder and starring Jackie Earl Haley, Patrick Wilson, and Billy Crudup, is just fiinshing up filming. On this date, Fox officially filed a suit stating that the finishing and release of this version of The Watchmen should be put to bed. Remember Lawrence Gordon? Well, it has been said, and is the basis of the lawsuit, that Gordon sold the rights to The Watchmen to WB, but neglected to pay out Fox. Gordon had left the studio as a producer, and shopped the rights around, without giving any sort of buy out to Fox. So, in August of this year, a judge denied an injunction by WB to get the charges thrown out, and now it is slated that this case will see the court on Janurary 6th, two months before the intended release of the film. The studios are trying to get this date moved up even further, so it looks as though they don't want to delay it. However, the date is in jeopardy, if WB and Fox don't settle out of court.
UPDATE: The court date has been pushed back to January 20th, and no deal has yet been made.
Honestly, to me, I blame both parties. On an artistic level, it bugs me that a studio that is pumping out Tooth Fairy, Street Fighter, and Dragonball (Fox) would be the ones to stall this film that look to be absolutely brilliant, but if WB had done what they should have, and bought out Fox, then we wouldn't be talking about this right now. So I say set up a Fight Club (like the reference in the title of the note) and let them fight it out. This is really mainly WB's fault, so while I want to see this get released in March (the month of my birthday for gods sake) Fox is doing what they have to, and needed to do. What are your thoughts?
I hope this could be of some help to all of you who aren't sure what this whole court case is about.
Come back later for more news and notes!
Go see something good!
REVIEW: Valkyrie...
You know, I'm not really a big fan of war films. At least modern war films. However, for some weird reason, I was really looking forward to checking out Valkyrie. It may be my respect for Tom Cruise, it may be my love of Bryan Singer films, or it could just be the copious amount of buzz behind it, from Internet circles, and truthfully, I'm pretty glad I did.
At the height of WW2, a group of high-ranking German officers hatched a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, and seize power of the military command in order to end the war. The operation was codenamed "Valkyrie", for the emergency plan that was meant to be used in case of a revolt against the Nazi government. This plan had been modified by the conspirators to ensure their success, but for various reasons the plot failed when finally carried out on 20 July 1944. The conspirators of the inner circle were shot after a kangaroo trial or sentenced to death soon after. We follow the leader of this operation, Claus von Stauffenberg, through the set up, execution, and ultimately failure (it's no spoiler) of one of 15 attempts on Hitler's life.
The film stars Tom Cruise as von Stauffenberg, and is his first starring role since last year's film, Lions For Lambs, and is his second film role of the year, after a hilarious turn in Tropic Thunder. I have my problems with Mr. Cruise, honestly, I think he's bat shit crazy, but that's neither here nor there, because he's a great actor. If you look at his career, you can see that he is one of the better actors working today. Maybe not in the top 10, but when you have a career spanning Top Gun, A Few Good Men, Eyes Wide Shut, Magnolia, Rain Man, A Few Good Men, Minority Report AND a dark turn in Collateral, it shows that he's a really solid actor. Crazy, but a great actor.
And while I have my problems with the role, he's actually quite good here. He's a little wooden, but in a world where everyone else is strict in their stature, it really didn't bother me. The rest of the cast is also quite good here, with great performances from Kenneth Branagh, and a small role from Terrence Stamp. Bill Nighy was a little lacking to me but that's the only true weak link.
This is also the newest film from director, Bryan Singer, most famous for the first two X-Men films, Superman Returns, and The Usual Suspects, and this is a perfect addition to his canon. This is a gorgeous film, and his stamp is all over it. There aren't really any action scenes, minus a really well staged opening, but for a film that is basically the WWII version of Zodiac, a film about, in this case, planning, to be this visually enthralling, it needs to be spoken for. From cinematography, to costume design, this is a gorgeous film, and there is one shot in particular, in which soldiers are taking the War Ministry, and it's a basic over head shot, but there are hundreds of soldiers running through an area that's just covered with Nazi flags, and the bright red, white, and black of the flags amongst the grayish blue color scheme that is used throughout the film, it really took my breath away.
There is one thing that I was really nervous about is how they would go about setting up the language of the film. What I mean by that is, if you have seen the trailer, you know that they are speaking English, without ANY sort of German accent. When I first saw this, I was a bit nervous, but they set it up perfectly in the opening of the film. Tom Cruise's character is sitting in a tent, writing in his journal. As most films do, when someone is writing, they have a voice over of the actor, reading what he or she is writing. However, here, it's Cruise speaking in German. As the narration goes on, the German voice over and a new, English voice over clash, and as the German voice over fades, the English one comes in, ultimately culminating in a soldier rushing into Cruise's tent, speaking in English, and then you are off. It was PERFECTLY done, and from there on, it didn't bother me. Do I wish this was a German film, sure, but it didn't bother me, because of the brilliant way they set it up.
That said, this is definitely a flawed film. The biggest qualm I have with this film is the horrible pace it follows. The film really drags itself done into the mud in the second act, and if it weren't for a really well done ending, it may have been a much different film-going experience. I mentioned a similar film, Zodiac, which is an hour longer, but so much more compelling, because the pace is so brilliantly done, that Mr. Singer and the screenwriters could have taken a couple of pointers from David Fincher and his crew. There were moments that the screenplay seemed a little too on the nose, and some of the cast just really didn't hold up. However, this isn't a bad film, it's just not the best of the year.
VALKYRIE - 7/10
It's a mixed bag of quality. There are visual flourishes, but there is also horrible pacing. If you are into the subject matter, rent this one and a brilliant German film called Downfall, both are worth your time.
Sorry for the short review, honestly, there's really not much to talk about when it comes to this movie, so I hope you enjoyed the review!!!
Come back later for more news and reviews!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Make a new years resolution to go see something good bitches... :D
Monday, December 29, 2008
NEWS: A Brief but Horrible Watchmen Update...
So, with last weeks news that Fox had won their court case, it looks like we may have to wait to see the hotly anticipated graphic novel adaptation...thanks to cinematical for the news...
Watchmen is not going to end 2008 on a high note. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a lawyer for 20th Century Fox has said that the studio will seek an order delaying the release of the film. Ever since Fox first filed its suit, Watchmen fans have been panicked that the film's legal woes would delay its March 6 release. Seriously, Fox, don't you just want some money? A nice chunk of money? Don't kick the Watchmen when they're down.
Though the judge ruled in favor of Fox on Christmas, agreeing that Fox retained copyright on the film, he now plans to hold the trial as planned on January 20th. Warner Bros finally spoke out about the messy situation, via their lawyer, and said that
he didn't know if the studio would appeal, but that trial was necessary, and a settlement was "unlikely."
So, despite that the scales of justice are tipped in Fox's favor, Warner Bros refuses to blink and agree to a payoff.
Considering that Paramount already has the international distribution rights, they don't want to lose any more of the box office pie than they have to. Cue the theme to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and we'll keep you updated as this case drags into 2009.
Question: At what point do nerdy fanboys begin bombarding 20th Century Fox with nasty hate mail?
So, it looks like, unless a settlement is reached, which is unlikely at this point, the best case scenario is that we all see the release date moved back, but who knows how far. I still have hopes that a deal will be reached, but it doesn't look so good at this point, and it may just be me and my wishful thinking. I will keep you all updated as the news comes in...
Go see something good!
Watchmen is not going to end 2008 on a high note. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a lawyer for 20th Century Fox has said that the studio will seek an order delaying the release of the film. Ever since Fox first filed its suit, Watchmen fans have been panicked that the film's legal woes would delay its March 6 release. Seriously, Fox, don't you just want some money? A nice chunk of money? Don't kick the Watchmen when they're down.
Though the judge ruled in favor of Fox on Christmas, agreeing that Fox retained copyright on the film, he now plans to hold the trial as planned on January 20th. Warner Bros finally spoke out about the messy situation, via their lawyer, and said that
he didn't know if the studio would appeal, but that trial was necessary, and a settlement was "unlikely."
So, despite that the scales of justice are tipped in Fox's favor, Warner Bros refuses to blink and agree to a payoff.
Considering that Paramount already has the international distribution rights, they don't want to lose any more of the box office pie than they have to. Cue the theme to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and we'll keep you updated as this case drags into 2009.
Question: At what point do nerdy fanboys begin bombarding 20th Century Fox with nasty hate mail?
So, it looks like, unless a settlement is reached, which is unlikely at this point, the best case scenario is that we all see the release date moved back, but who knows how far. I still have hopes that a deal will be reached, but it doesn't look so good at this point, and it may just be me and my wishful thinking. I will keep you all updated as the news comes in...
Go see something good!
VIDEO: The Times of Harvey Milk on Hulu...
If any of you have seen Milk, please, do yourself a favor and watch this documentary. It's one of the best I've ever seen, and the people over at Hulu have been gracious enough to post it on their site for us all to enjoy. Check it out below, or at the site here...
Go see something good!
Go see something good!
TOP 10: Anticipated of '09...
Hey faithful readers. We are 3 days away from this year officially being placed in the history books, so I've decided, instead of continuing my look back, I'll take a look forward. I've compiled a list of the ten most anticipated film releases, at least in my book. Enjoy!
10. Public Enemies
9. The Road
8. New York, I Love You/Tokyo!
7. Shutter Island
6. The Fantastic Mr. Fox
5. Inglourious Basterds
4. Sherlock Holmes
3. Up
2. Watchmen
1. Where The Wild Things Are
What are YOU looking forward to next year? Wolverine? Star Trek? Zac Effron's brilliant turn in 17 Again??
Go see something good!
10. Public Enemies
9. The Road
8. New York, I Love You/Tokyo!
7. Shutter Island
6. The Fantastic Mr. Fox
5. Inglourious Basterds
4. Sherlock Holmes
3. Up
2. Watchmen
1. Where The Wild Things Are
What are YOU looking forward to next year? Wolverine? Star Trek? Zac Effron's brilliant turn in 17 Again??
Go see something good!
Friday, December 26, 2008
VIDEO: Brad Pitt And David Fincher on Charlie Rose...
/Film posted a video today of a recent episode of The Charlie Rose Show in which his guests were the director and star of one of my favorite films of '08, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Brad Pitt and David Fincher. Having just picked up the 2-Disc Director's Cut of Zodiac (5 Dollars at Wal-Mart, please, EVERYONE pick this one up), and seeing Fight Club three times over break (Thank you G4), I've been on a big Fincher kick, so I thought I would post this video too. It's interesting, not to in depth, but very fascinating, so if you have an hour to give, check it out!
Come back later for more news, notes, and hopefully a review of Doubt!
Go see something good!
My Year End Rankings...
This actually only took about 5 minutes, so I'm pretty confident this is my perfect list...
WARNING: I have NOT seen the following... Frost/Nixon, Doubt, Synechdoche New York, The Reader, The Wrestler, Revolutionary Road (The last four have not opened near me)
1 Rachel Getting Married
2 Paranoid Park
3 Milk
4 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
5 The Dark Knight
6 Funny Games
7 Vicky Cristina Barcelona
8 Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father
9 The Fall
10 Wall E
11 In Bruges
12 Religulous
13 Iron Man
14 Battle In Seatlle
15 W
16 Man On Wire
17 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days
18 Tropic Thunder
19 Slumdog Millionaire
20 The Visitor
21 Burn After Reading
22 Recount
23 Encounters At The End Of The World
24 Smart People
25 My Blueberry Nights
26 Zack and Miri Make a Porno
27 Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
28 Changeling
29 Role Models
30 The Incredible Hulk
31 Wanted
32 The Tracy Fragments
33 The Life Before Her Eyes
34 Quantum of Solace
35 Forgetting Sarah Marshall
36 Hellboy II: The Golden Army
37 Kung Fu Panda
38 Lakeview Terrace
39 Traitor
40 The Bank Job
41 Body of Lies
42 City Of Men
43 The Strangers
44 The Promotion
45 Foot Fist Way
46 Cassandra's Dream
47 Eagle Eye
48 Snow Angels
49 Blindness
50 Pineapple Express
51 Charlie Bartlett
52 Be Kind, Rewind
53 Indy 4
54 Teeth
55 Baby Mama
56 Speed Racer
57 Mirrors
58 The Ruins
59 27 Dresses
60 Run, Fat Boy, Run
61 21
62 Space Chimps
63 Max Payne
64 Sex Drive
65 Leatherheads
66 The Other Boleyn Girl
67 Hancock
68 Sex and the City: The Movie
69 Step Brothers
70 Semi-Pro
71 Cloverfield
72 Stop Loss
73 Jumper
74 Never Back Down
75 10,000 B.C.
76 Vantage Point
77 The Happening
78 Mad Money
79 Strange Wilderness
80 Drillbit Taylor
81 Prom Night
82 Nobel Son
83 Meet The Spartans
Go see something good!
WARNING: I have NOT seen the following... Frost/Nixon, Doubt, Synechdoche New York, The Reader, The Wrestler, Revolutionary Road (The last four have not opened near me)
1 Rachel Getting Married
2 Paranoid Park
3 Milk
4 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
5 The Dark Knight
6 Funny Games
7 Vicky Cristina Barcelona
8 Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father
9 The Fall
10 Wall E
11 In Bruges
12 Religulous
13 Iron Man
14 Battle In Seatlle
15 W
16 Man On Wire
17 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days
18 Tropic Thunder
19 Slumdog Millionaire
20 The Visitor
21 Burn After Reading
22 Recount
23 Encounters At The End Of The World
24 Smart People
25 My Blueberry Nights
26 Zack and Miri Make a Porno
27 Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
28 Changeling
29 Role Models
30 The Incredible Hulk
31 Wanted
32 The Tracy Fragments
33 The Life Before Her Eyes
34 Quantum of Solace
35 Forgetting Sarah Marshall
36 Hellboy II: The Golden Army
37 Kung Fu Panda
38 Lakeview Terrace
39 Traitor
40 The Bank Job
41 Body of Lies
42 City Of Men
43 The Strangers
44 The Promotion
45 Foot Fist Way
46 Cassandra's Dream
47 Eagle Eye
48 Snow Angels
49 Blindness
50 Pineapple Express
51 Charlie Bartlett
52 Be Kind, Rewind
53 Indy 4
54 Teeth
55 Baby Mama
56 Speed Racer
57 Mirrors
58 The Ruins
59 27 Dresses
60 Run, Fat Boy, Run
61 21
62 Space Chimps
63 Max Payne
64 Sex Drive
65 Leatherheads
66 The Other Boleyn Girl
67 Hancock
68 Sex and the City: The Movie
69 Step Brothers
70 Semi-Pro
71 Cloverfield
72 Stop Loss
73 Jumper
74 Never Back Down
75 10,000 B.C.
76 Vantage Point
77 The Happening
78 Mad Money
79 Strange Wilderness
80 Drillbit Taylor
81 Prom Night
82 Nobel Son
83 Meet The Spartans
Go see something good!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
REVIEW: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button...
If you all haven't noticed, I like to start off my posts with a random one liner on something related to the film. However, for this review, I'm going to start off with a little rant, so just hold on for a second. I hate the modern movie goer. I sit down in my seat about 25 minutes before the film starts, as I love to get their early and discover new things such as "Colin Farell was a line dancer in Ireland". It really makes my day. Today was a little different though. While I wait, a group of people begin to come in, in massive quantities be you. As the film begins to role, or at least the commercials before the trailers before the intro before the film, the popcorn comes out. Now, as a polite person, I decide that it may be best if I chew once the popcorn is in my mouth. However, not many people feel the same, and the chorus of bastard popcorn angels begins to sing. Not only that, but people begin to get angry as "there wasn't a single trailer for a film that looked good" (Revolutionary Road was one of them mind you), and the fact the film is about 3 hours long got to many of the angst ridden Hawthorne Heights fans, a.k.a. high school students, behind me. That all said, I must say, this goes right up there as best film experiences of '08.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a tale about Benjamin Button, a man who lived a pretty interesting life. Born with the ailing of a man going into his mid 80's, Benjamin was left on the steps of a house by his father, Thomas Button, owned by Queenie, a young African American woman, using the house as an "old folks home". As he grows up, he begins to age backwards. As the years go by, he gets younger and younger, in looks and health. While at a party, he runs into a girl named Daisy, who he sparks up a relationship with. However, things in life happen, and he goes off to sea. While away, Daisy begins to become a world famous dancer, until one day, their paths cross again. The tag line for this film sums up the story in a nutshell, or at least it's theme. Life isn't measured in minutes, but in moments. This is the life of Benjamin Button, as told through his diary.
We begin the story with an older story, being told to us by Daisy, from her hospital bed. There once was a clock in a train station, built by a blind man, whose son just was shipped off to war. Once his clock was finished and unveiled, it was shown to tick backwards, so that "hopefully our boys will come home safe again". With this coda in mind, we are then thrust into the life of Benjamin Button, as Daisy's daughter is reading it to her, as her last wish. From this moment, the viewer is sent through unique moment after unique moment in a very unique life, filled with love, loss, and life. And I loved all 2 hours and 47 minutes of it.
The true star of this film is no one we see on screen, or nothing the actors are repeating, it's the man behind the camera, David Fincher. This film is one that will be looked back as a complete "game changer" as Steven Soderbergh so perfectly put it. His use of motion capture and cg, along with the brilliant use of the Viper cameras first seen in last year's under seen Zodiac, make for one of the most beautiful and gorgeous films I've seen all year. It's his skill to take this unique life, filled with some of the most mundane moments, and bring out the extraordinary parts of them. Also, it's interesting to see him beginning to find his style, or just honing it. There's one shot at the very end, that's a simple shot, drawing away from the focal point, yet with his patented movement in the frame, your eyes are drawn squarely into the frame as a whole. This along with the gorgeous cinematography from Claudio Miranda make this a shoe in for Oscar consideration in not only cinematography, but at this late moment, Fincher is my pick for best director.
Now, I know that there is a large group of people that like to hate on Brad Pitt but with his recent string of films, and including this one, he's growing into one of the better actors working today. He's absolutely stellar here, and so is everyone in the rest of the cast, particularly Taraji P. Henson as Queenie. Best known for her turn in the great Hustle and Flow, she gives such life and love into this film, that she is just a joy to watch on screen. Pitt is great, completely deserving of his Golden Globe nomination, and Cate Blanchett is also great, which is now the norm for the brilliant actress. In a film like this, more so than acting, chemistry is the most important thing, and I think that they really sold me on Daisy and Ben's relationship, and with a story as moving as this one is, it really worked.
The film is not simply about this man's life. There is a coda near the middle to the end of act II I believe, that basically states that the simplest of things can change the most complex of lives, and this perfectly sums up this film. This is a premise that is done quite a bit, yet the screenwriter, Eric Roth, not only dishes out one of the best screenplays of '08, but I believe vastly improves upon the source material. It's so well done without being heavy handed, and so emotionally moving without being melodramatic, and it's just a really well done piece of work. Not to mention, the score is also very well done.
There is one problem however. The film IS 2 hours and 47 minutes long, not including trailers and commercials. If you want a fast paced action film that you can simply throw away from your mind as soon as you toss your popcorn bag/bucket, look elsewhere. This is a well paced, if long winded film, that doesn't rely on action to hold your attention. It does lag near the middle, and there is one sequence that involves Tilda Swinton that maybe goes on for to long, but overall, I really did like this film. It forced me to sort of take stock of my life, and where I'm at and going, so for a film to do that and be as well crafted as this, I say it's one of the must sees of '08. Not the best, but certainly up there.
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - 8.5/10
Easily in my top 10, Benjamin Button is a gorgeous film, that may lag just a little bit, but is so well crafted, acted, written, and paced, that if there is one film to see with a loved one this season, make it this.
I could talk about more, but I know many of you were interested in checking this one out, so please, leave your comments below! I would love to hear what you guys have to think!
Come back later for more news and notes!
Go see something good!
HAPPY HOLIDAY'S
My Year End Awards...
It's almost that time. It's almost time to kick out '08, and ring in '09. However, it wouldn't be complete, if I didn't chime in with my year end awards. So without further ado, here are the best, and worst, of '08, in my eyes...
BEST FILM
Rachel Getting Married
BEST DIRECTOR
David Fincher – THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
WORST FILM
Meet The Spartans
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY/VISUALLY STUNNING
Paranoid Park
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Rachel Getting Married
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BEST SOUNDTRACK
Rachel Getting Married
BEST SCORE
The Dark Knight
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
The Wrestler – Bruce Springsteen, theme to “The Wrestler”
BEST ACTOR
Sean Penn - MILK
BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway – RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Heath Ledger – THE DARK KNIGHT
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Rosemarie DeWitt – RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About his Father
BEST ANIMATED FILM
Wall-E
BEST HERO
Wall-E
BEST VILLIAN
The Joker
BIGGEST DISSAPOINTMENT
Quantum of Solace
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE (MALE)
Dev Patel – SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)
Rosemarie DeWitt – RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
BREAKTHROUGH DIRECTOR
Martin McDonagh – IN BRUGES
MOST UNDERRATED
Funny Games
MOST OVERRATED
Pineapple Express
BEST ENDING
Funny Games
BEST SCENE
Dishwasher Scene – RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
BEST MADE FOR TV FILM
Recount
BEST TRAILER
Watchmen
What film do you think deserved best of the year? What was your least favorite?
Come back tomorrow for my COMPLETE ranking of films that I saw in '08, along with my review of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button!
Go see something good!
BEST FILM
Rachel Getting Married
BEST DIRECTOR
David Fincher – THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
WORST FILM
Meet The Spartans
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY/VISUALLY STUNNING
Paranoid Park
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Rachel Getting Married
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BEST SOUNDTRACK
Rachel Getting Married
BEST SCORE
The Dark Knight
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
The Wrestler – Bruce Springsteen, theme to “The Wrestler”
BEST ACTOR
Sean Penn - MILK
BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway – RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Heath Ledger – THE DARK KNIGHT
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Rosemarie DeWitt – RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About his Father
BEST ANIMATED FILM
Wall-E
BEST HERO
Wall-E
BEST VILLIAN
The Joker
BIGGEST DISSAPOINTMENT
Quantum of Solace
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE (MALE)
Dev Patel – SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)
Rosemarie DeWitt – RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
BREAKTHROUGH DIRECTOR
Martin McDonagh – IN BRUGES
MOST UNDERRATED
Funny Games
MOST OVERRATED
Pineapple Express
BEST ENDING
Funny Games
BEST SCENE
Dishwasher Scene – RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
BEST MADE FOR TV FILM
Recount
BEST TRAILER
Watchmen
What film do you think deserved best of the year? What was your least favorite?
Come back tomorrow for my COMPLETE ranking of films that I saw in '08, along with my review of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button!
Go see something good!
Happy Holidays! Well, for Everybody, BUT Watchmen Fans...
Hello all! So, on this happy holidays, a U.S. Judge decided to give us all the worst present ever...Thanks to /film for the horrible news...
United States District Court judge Gary A. Feess has a horrible Christmas present for Watchmen fans. The judge concluded on Wednesday that 20th Century Fox “should prevail on crucial issues” in their lawsuit with Warner Bros over the rights to the comic book movie adaptation. According to the New York Times, Feess says that “Fox owns a copyright interest consisting of, at the very least, the right to distribute the Watchmen motion picture” and that “The parties may wish to turn their efforts from preparing for trial to negotiating a resolution of this dispute or positioning the case for review.” The trial had been scheduled for January.
You’re probably wondering what this decision means to you, the eager movie ticket buyer. Let me preface this by saying that I’m not a lawyer, but this is what I have gathered from the various legal articles I have consumed over the last few months. To start, it means that Warner Bros likely has no rights to distribute a film based on the Watchmen graphic novel. They could appeal this ruling and continue to fight, what is appearing to seem like an unwinnable battle, or start negotiating with Fox on some sort of settlement.
The talks will likely result in a deal that will give Fox co-distribution rights to the film, or even full rights to the motion picture. It seems doubtful that Fox would squash the release of the film altogether, but from what I understand, that possibility exists. Making a deal with Warner Bros could be a dangerous precedent for the company to make to make in terms of copyright ownership.
That said, I would be surprised if a deal doesn’t go down. Also, I would be surprised if Watchmen keeps it’s March release date. There will be a lot more to this story, and we will keep you updated as the news comes in.
FML. I totally expect a HUGE deal to go down, but if not, look for the Watchmen film to be completely squashed. A deal should go down soon, so expect more updates on this story here as they come in. Happy Holidays!!!
Go see something good!
United States District Court judge Gary A. Feess has a horrible Christmas present for Watchmen fans. The judge concluded on Wednesday that 20th Century Fox “should prevail on crucial issues” in their lawsuit with Warner Bros over the rights to the comic book movie adaptation. According to the New York Times, Feess says that “Fox owns a copyright interest consisting of, at the very least, the right to distribute the Watchmen motion picture” and that “The parties may wish to turn their efforts from preparing for trial to negotiating a resolution of this dispute or positioning the case for review.” The trial had been scheduled for January.
You’re probably wondering what this decision means to you, the eager movie ticket buyer. Let me preface this by saying that I’m not a lawyer, but this is what I have gathered from the various legal articles I have consumed over the last few months. To start, it means that Warner Bros likely has no rights to distribute a film based on the Watchmen graphic novel. They could appeal this ruling and continue to fight, what is appearing to seem like an unwinnable battle, or start negotiating with Fox on some sort of settlement.
The talks will likely result in a deal that will give Fox co-distribution rights to the film, or even full rights to the motion picture. It seems doubtful that Fox would squash the release of the film altogether, but from what I understand, that possibility exists. Making a deal with Warner Bros could be a dangerous precedent for the company to make to make in terms of copyright ownership.
That said, I would be surprised if a deal doesn’t go down. Also, I would be surprised if Watchmen keeps it’s March release date. There will be a lot more to this story, and we will keep you updated as the news comes in.
FML. I totally expect a HUGE deal to go down, but if not, look for the Watchmen film to be completely squashed. A deal should go down soon, so expect more updates on this story here as they come in. Happy Holidays!!!
Go see something good!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
NEWS: Roger Ebert's F*** You to The Spirit...
“The Spirit is mannered to the point of madness. There is not a trace of human emotion in it. To call the characters cardboard is to insult a useful packing material.”
Zing bitches...
Go see something good!
MUSIC: The Brilliance of The Revolutionary Road Trailers...
So, over the past week or so, I have been in my true year end mindset. I've gone through and completed my catalog of all 79 (and growing as I plan to see Man on Wire, Standard Operating Procedure, Snow Angels, Ben Button, and one other film, yet to be named, over the next week or so) films that I have seen during 2008, and I also did a recent post of the top 10 Trailers of this year. Coming in at number 2 was the first in a pair of brilliant Revolutionary Road Trailers.
Now, the true piece of brilliance behind this piece of promotion, isn't anything to do with the film (although it's one I'm excited to check out) it's the music. The song is called "Wild Is The Wind", and it comes to us from Nina Simone, a world renowned artist, and the one great thing a trailer can do, besides introduce me to a great film, is introduce me to a great artist. While I had heard of Nina Simone, I never really listened to her music, until this trailer. It's a beautiful song, so striking that it grabs your attention and forces you to focus on whats on the screen. Not only that, but when you have two great actors like Kate "I'm constantly being underrated" Winslet and Leo DiCaprio going at it, it makes for one of the better trailers of the year. However, not to be outdone, Dreamworks released a second trailer, that may be just as good, if not better...
Cinematically, I love the use of split-screen in this trailer, I also really like how the editors of this trailer simply let the really powerful "Sea of Love" by Cat Power, to play over some footage, without any sound coming from the said footage. I'm a huge fan of Cat Power, as some of you may know, and this may be my favorite song of hers. It's a very minimal song but her voice and that guitar really work. Another great use of Cat Power came in a horribly under-seen film from this year, called My Blueberry Nights, in which her song "The Greatest" was the main theme.
So, I hope that I could have helped you all find a couple of new artists that you may just want to throw on your iPods.
Come back later for more news and reviews...
Go see something good!!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
I Met The Walrus...
Here's a great little Oscar Nominated Short film from a few years back. It takes an old interview with John Lennon, and animates it to make one of the coolest little shorts I've ever seen. Thanks to CurrentTV for the heads up!
Go see something good!
Go see something good!
AWARDS: My '09 Golden Globe Predictions...
Hello all! Now, while I haven't seen ALL of the films nominated for a few of these, as I live in the cinematic b.f.e. known as West Michigan, there is NO news for today, and most likely for the rest of the year, so here are my predictions for the upcoming Golden Globes. Check the parenthesis for who I think should, and who I think will win each respective category...
Best Motion Picture - Drama
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road (Should, or it's the one I'm most anticipating)
Slumdog Millionaire (Will win)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married (should and I believe will win)
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas - I’ve Loved You So Long (Il Y A Longtemps Que Je T’Aime)
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Leonardo Dicaprio - Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk (Should)
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin BUtton
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler (Will, and probably should, I just haven't seen it)
Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Should and will)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Rebecca Hall - Vicky Cristina Barcelona (should)
Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky (will)
Frances McDorman - Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep - Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson - Last Chance Harvey
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Javier Bardem - Vicky Cristina Barcelona (should)
Colin Farrell - In Bruges
James Franco - Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson - In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman - Last Chance Harvey (Will)
Best Animated Film
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E (Will and should)
Best Foreign Language Film
The Baader Meinhof Complex
Everlasting Moments
Gomorrah (will and should)
I’ve Loved You so Long
Waltz with Bashir
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona (will and should)
Viola Davis - Doubt
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
Kate Winslet - The Reader
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Tom Cruise - Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes - The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight (will and should)
Best Director - Motion Picture
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire (will)
Stephen Daldry - The Reader
David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (should)
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire
David Hare - The Reader
Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (will and should)
John Patrick Shanley - Doubt
Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Alexandre Desplat - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Clint Eastwood - Changeling
James Newton Howard - Defiance
A. R. Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire
Hans Zimmer - Frost/Nixon
Best Original Song - Motion Picture
“Down to Earth” - Wall-E
“Gran Torino” - Gran Torino
“I Thought I Lost You” - Bolt
“Once in a Lifetime” - Cadillac Records
“The Wrestler” - The Wrestler (Will and should)
What do you guys think?? I have to set a little side note about this list, as I mentioned above, I haven't gotten a chance, and most of the people in the country haven't had a chance to see many of these films, so here are a few of the films I have yet to see...My top 5 regrets of 2008
5. The Reader
4. Happy Go Lucky
3. Let the Right One In
2. Revolutionary Road
1. The Wrestler
So in my constant attempt to give you all as much content as possible, I will be over the next week giving you all my year end wrap up. Tomorrow will be my Most Anticipated of '09, Thursday will be a review of Ben Button and my ranking of EVERY film I've seen in '08, and then Friday will be my year end awards, with a review, most likely, of Doubt.
Come back later for all of that and maybe some news...
Go see something good!
Best Motion Picture - Drama
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road (Should, or it's the one I'm most anticipating)
Slumdog Millionaire (Will win)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married (should and I believe will win)
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas - I’ve Loved You So Long (Il Y A Longtemps Que Je T’Aime)
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Leonardo Dicaprio - Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk (Should)
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin BUtton
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler (Will, and probably should, I just haven't seen it)
Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Should and will)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Rebecca Hall - Vicky Cristina Barcelona (should)
Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky (will)
Frances McDorman - Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep - Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson - Last Chance Harvey
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Javier Bardem - Vicky Cristina Barcelona (should)
Colin Farrell - In Bruges
James Franco - Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson - In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman - Last Chance Harvey (Will)
Best Animated Film
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E (Will and should)
Best Foreign Language Film
The Baader Meinhof Complex
Everlasting Moments
Gomorrah (will and should)
I’ve Loved You so Long
Waltz with Bashir
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona (will and should)
Viola Davis - Doubt
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
Kate Winslet - The Reader
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Tom Cruise - Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes - The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight (will and should)
Best Director - Motion Picture
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire (will)
Stephen Daldry - The Reader
David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (should)
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire
David Hare - The Reader
Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (will and should)
John Patrick Shanley - Doubt
Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Alexandre Desplat - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Clint Eastwood - Changeling
James Newton Howard - Defiance
A. R. Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire
Hans Zimmer - Frost/Nixon
Best Original Song - Motion Picture
“Down to Earth” - Wall-E
“Gran Torino” - Gran Torino
“I Thought I Lost You” - Bolt
“Once in a Lifetime” - Cadillac Records
“The Wrestler” - The Wrestler (Will and should)
What do you guys think?? I have to set a little side note about this list, as I mentioned above, I haven't gotten a chance, and most of the people in the country haven't had a chance to see many of these films, so here are a few of the films I have yet to see...My top 5 regrets of 2008
5. The Reader
4. Happy Go Lucky
3. Let the Right One In
2. Revolutionary Road
1. The Wrestler
So in my constant attempt to give you all as much content as possible, I will be over the next week giving you all my year end wrap up. Tomorrow will be my Most Anticipated of '09, Thursday will be a review of Ben Button and my ranking of EVERY film I've seen in '08, and then Friday will be my year end awards, with a review, most likely, of Doubt.
Come back later for all of that and maybe some news...
Go see something good!
Best. Breakup Scene. EVER.
This one really hits home...
Please, EVERYONE should see this flick. It's from a film called Closer, and I saw this film about a year, year and a half ago, but completely forgot about it. Then the geniuses over at Scene/Unseen, chose this as a DVD pick, and I went out and rented it. It's truly a great film, but also completely emotionally draining and destructive. Brilliant film, and everyone should check it out...
Come back later for more news and notes!
Go see something good!
Please, EVERYONE should see this flick. It's from a film called Closer, and I saw this film about a year, year and a half ago, but completely forgot about it. Then the geniuses over at Scene/Unseen, chose this as a DVD pick, and I went out and rented it. It's truly a great film, but also completely emotionally draining and destructive. Brilliant film, and everyone should check it out...
Come back later for more news and notes!
Go see something good!
Monday, December 22, 2008
TOP 10: Trailers of 2008...
Everything starts with a preview. No one would find out about a film, if there were no publicity or promotion behind it (perfect example, Delgo). So, in honor of that, and it being near the end of this long year, I have compiled my list of the 10 Best Trailers released this year.
10. Fears Of The Dark
9.W
8. Doubt
7. Zack and Miri Make a Porno (Red Band)
6. Benjamin Button
5. Milk
4. Rachel Getting Married
3. The Wrestler
2. Revolutionary Road (Trailer 1)
1. Watchmen (Trailer 1)
What films did I forget? What shouldn't be on this list?
Come back later for more news and notes!!!
Go see something good!
10. Fears Of The Dark
9.W
8. Doubt
7. Zack and Miri Make a Porno (Red Band)
6. Benjamin Button
5. Milk
4. Rachel Getting Married
3. The Wrestler
2. Revolutionary Road (Trailer 1)
1. Watchmen (Trailer 1)
What films did I forget? What shouldn't be on this list?
Come back later for more news and notes!!!
Go see something good!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
WEEKEND WRAP UP...
Hello all! It's Christmas week, so we have a lot of stuff to get into, so here are your box office top 10...
1.Yes Man
2.Seven Pounds
3.The Tale of Despereaux
4.The Day the Earth Stood Still
5.Four Christmases
6.Twilight
7.Bolt
8.Slumdog Millionaire
9.Australia
10.Quantum Of Solace
Of those 10, the best film, or the one I think everyone should see is Slumdog. It's not a perfect film, but it is a really solid flick, with a lot of praise being heaped upon it. I don't think it's Oscar worthy, but 99.9% of this planet does, and it will win Best Picture come February, so check it out! Also, Will Smith's streak of films grossing over $100 Million will most likely end, as Seven Pounds only grossed $16 Million.
It's Christmas time, and for me, one of the best presents is a set of DVDs or a Best Buy Gift card, however, this week will have me asking for a different gift. Here are the DVDs you should Buy, Borrow, and Burn
BUY:
-Go back to last weeks post, there's nothing here-
BORROW:
-The Duchess-
I never got a chance to see this flick, but costume period dramas are a guilty pleasure of mine. It features Keira Knightley and her lovely cheek bones, and Ralph Fiennes, and will probably be talked about this Oscar season for art direction and costume design. Not really worth a purchase, but if you are like me and love films like Pride and Prejudice, then rent the hell out of this thing.
-Eagle Eye-
A film I did see, this convoluted film from director DJ Caruso, most famous for his Rear Window rip-off Disturbia and The Salton Sea, stars Shia Lebeouf as Jerry Shaw, a guy who is thrown into the middle of a cat and mouse game along with Rachel Holloman, played by Michelle Monaghan who become the nations most wanted fugitives, led by a mysterious woman who contacts them via cell phone. The film is definitely action packed, but it's also lazy and just not really all that interesting. Not a horrible film, just not a good one. Worth a rent, if you really want to see it.
BURN:
-Ghost Town-
Ricky Gervais in an American film...skip it at all costs...
Oh, also, Resident Evil: Regeneration comes out this week, so if you are a RE fan like I am, and enjoyed Final Fantasy: Advent Children, then give it a shot. I know I will.
I'm hopefully going to get out and rent Savage Grace, so you can most likely expect a review of this controversial flick...
As with most years, this Christmas week is jam packed with films that will be hitting your local theatres. First we have the major Awards flicks, starting with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. This film, based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story, stars Brad Pitt as the main character, Ben Button, who is born in the body of an 80 year old, and as the years go by, he begins to age backwards. It also stars the elegant Cate Blanchett, and the much talked about turn from Taraji P. Henson, most known for playing Terrance Howard's main squeeze in Hustle and Flow. Ever since the trailer premiered with Indy 4 (the only thing worth the money I spent to see that flick), I have been anticipating this film like none other, at least from this year. However, early reviews have been mixed. I'm still extremely hopeful as David Fincher has yet to really let me down, minus Alien 4. So this Friday you can expect a review of this film. I hope you all check it out.
Then you have the other awards films, both based on plays, with Doubt and Frost/Nixon. Doubt features a great cast, with Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Viola Davis, the latter two getting Golden Globe nominations for their respective roles. The film is about a heavy subject, as the plot is about a priest who has been accused of touching a male student. Not the most bright subject for Christmas time, but you can not go wrong with that cast. Speaking of great casts, Frost/Nixon doesn't have a bad one either. Telling the story of the historic interview between Richard Nixon and British TV host David Frost, this film stars Frank Langella and Charlie Sheen as Dick and David respectively, the same roles the two actors played in the stage version when it showed in London and New York. Langella is one of my favorite actors, at least after last years great film Starting Out In The Evening, and his performance is being buzzed about as a possible contender for Best Actor. Frost/Nixon is currently up for Best Film-Drama at this years Golden Globe Awards.
Then there are the family films, with Bedtime Stories and Marley And Me. Bedtime Stories stars Adam Sandler and tells the story of a guy who loves to tell stories to his niece and nephew, but as time goes on, his stories come alive. Pretty much a more sterilized and comedic Spiderwick Chronicles, but if you have a family, give it a shot. Also, if you have a girlfriend, then take her out to see Marley and Me. It's based on the book, and is a story about a family and their dog. I will not be seeing either, so moving on.
Finally, the last two films, the probable flops. First there is The Spirit, the Frank Miller directed adaptation of the beloved Will Eisner comic series. All I will say about this film, is that a guy over at a blog I really love reading, said that four words can sum up this film. "Not since Battlefield Earth". Enough said. It's being destroyed critically, but me being the massive fan of stylized film noir, I'll still end up seeing it. Finally, we have Valkyrie, the Tom Cruise, Nazi conspiracy film, about the conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler. It's gaining mixed early reviews, but in a week that's really loaded at the top, there's just no way I think people will get out to this one. If any of you do see it, please let me know what you think!
That's all I've got for now, so come back later for more news, notes, and this Friday, I will have my complete ranking of all of the films I have seen in 2008, along with the 5 films I regret missing or never got the chance to.
Go see something good!
1.Yes Man
2.Seven Pounds
3.The Tale of Despereaux
4.The Day the Earth Stood Still
5.Four Christmases
6.Twilight
7.Bolt
8.Slumdog Millionaire
9.Australia
10.Quantum Of Solace
Of those 10, the best film, or the one I think everyone should see is Slumdog. It's not a perfect film, but it is a really solid flick, with a lot of praise being heaped upon it. I don't think it's Oscar worthy, but 99.9% of this planet does, and it will win Best Picture come February, so check it out! Also, Will Smith's streak of films grossing over $100 Million will most likely end, as Seven Pounds only grossed $16 Million.
It's Christmas time, and for me, one of the best presents is a set of DVDs or a Best Buy Gift card, however, this week will have me asking for a different gift. Here are the DVDs you should Buy, Borrow, and Burn
BUY:
-Go back to last weeks post, there's nothing here-
BORROW:
-The Duchess-
I never got a chance to see this flick, but costume period dramas are a guilty pleasure of mine. It features Keira Knightley and her lovely cheek bones, and Ralph Fiennes, and will probably be talked about this Oscar season for art direction and costume design. Not really worth a purchase, but if you are like me and love films like Pride and Prejudice, then rent the hell out of this thing.
-Eagle Eye-
A film I did see, this convoluted film from director DJ Caruso, most famous for his Rear Window rip-off Disturbia and The Salton Sea, stars Shia Lebeouf as Jerry Shaw, a guy who is thrown into the middle of a cat and mouse game along with Rachel Holloman, played by Michelle Monaghan who become the nations most wanted fugitives, led by a mysterious woman who contacts them via cell phone. The film is definitely action packed, but it's also lazy and just not really all that interesting. Not a horrible film, just not a good one. Worth a rent, if you really want to see it.
BURN:
-Ghost Town-
Ricky Gervais in an American film...skip it at all costs...
Oh, also, Resident Evil: Regeneration comes out this week, so if you are a RE fan like I am, and enjoyed Final Fantasy: Advent Children, then give it a shot. I know I will.
I'm hopefully going to get out and rent Savage Grace, so you can most likely expect a review of this controversial flick...
As with most years, this Christmas week is jam packed with films that will be hitting your local theatres. First we have the major Awards flicks, starting with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. This film, based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story, stars Brad Pitt as the main character, Ben Button, who is born in the body of an 80 year old, and as the years go by, he begins to age backwards. It also stars the elegant Cate Blanchett, and the much talked about turn from Taraji P. Henson, most known for playing Terrance Howard's main squeeze in Hustle and Flow. Ever since the trailer premiered with Indy 4 (the only thing worth the money I spent to see that flick), I have been anticipating this film like none other, at least from this year. However, early reviews have been mixed. I'm still extremely hopeful as David Fincher has yet to really let me down, minus Alien 4. So this Friday you can expect a review of this film. I hope you all check it out.
Then you have the other awards films, both based on plays, with Doubt and Frost/Nixon. Doubt features a great cast, with Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Viola Davis, the latter two getting Golden Globe nominations for their respective roles. The film is about a heavy subject, as the plot is about a priest who has been accused of touching a male student. Not the most bright subject for Christmas time, but you can not go wrong with that cast. Speaking of great casts, Frost/Nixon doesn't have a bad one either. Telling the story of the historic interview between Richard Nixon and British TV host David Frost, this film stars Frank Langella and Charlie Sheen as Dick and David respectively, the same roles the two actors played in the stage version when it showed in London and New York. Langella is one of my favorite actors, at least after last years great film Starting Out In The Evening, and his performance is being buzzed about as a possible contender for Best Actor. Frost/Nixon is currently up for Best Film-Drama at this years Golden Globe Awards.
Then there are the family films, with Bedtime Stories and Marley And Me. Bedtime Stories stars Adam Sandler and tells the story of a guy who loves to tell stories to his niece and nephew, but as time goes on, his stories come alive. Pretty much a more sterilized and comedic Spiderwick Chronicles, but if you have a family, give it a shot. Also, if you have a girlfriend, then take her out to see Marley and Me. It's based on the book, and is a story about a family and their dog. I will not be seeing either, so moving on.
Finally, the last two films, the probable flops. First there is The Spirit, the Frank Miller directed adaptation of the beloved Will Eisner comic series. All I will say about this film, is that a guy over at a blog I really love reading, said that four words can sum up this film. "Not since Battlefield Earth". Enough said. It's being destroyed critically, but me being the massive fan of stylized film noir, I'll still end up seeing it. Finally, we have Valkyrie, the Tom Cruise, Nazi conspiracy film, about the conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler. It's gaining mixed early reviews, but in a week that's really loaded at the top, there's just no way I think people will get out to this one. If any of you do see it, please let me know what you think!
That's all I've got for now, so come back later for more news, notes, and this Friday, I will have my complete ranking of all of the films I have seen in 2008, along with the 5 films I regret missing or never got the chance to.
Go see something good!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
REVIEW: Slumdog Millionaire
I less than three independent films. There are two different types of indie films though. First, you have the true independents, such as, well, ANY David Lynch film. Then you have the bigger indie films (oxymoron aside), such as any Fox Searchlight film. Over the past couple of years, Fox Searchlight has produced the proverbial "little indie that could" during Oscar season. 2006 you had the critically lauded Little Miss Sunshine, a film I don't completely love, but it grows on me with every viewing. Then, last year, you had the more critically lauded Juno, a film I like even less. Now, in 2008, they have released the Golden Globe nominated, and HEAVILY favored independent film, Slumdog Millionaire. In a year that has brought us brilliant indie or indie-esque films such as Milk, Paranoid Park, and my #1 film of the year, Rachel Getting Married, can this one stand out?
Slumdog Millionaire is a new film from Danny Boyle, most famous for helming the great zombie flick 28 Days Later, and the favorite film of many college kids I know, Trainspotting. It tells the tale of Jamal Malik, a young beggar, who makes an appearance on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. He does extremely well, which suddenly raises questions about how a "slumdog" could know answers other, supposedly smarter contestants couldn't. The film consists of flashbacks of major events in his life, from the death of his mother at a very young age, up to the final, 20,000,000 Rupee question, all of which show how he knew a subsequent answer. A love story is at the center of the film, and it's the real driving force as to the movement of the film. Now, this film has gotten a lot of pub, and is favored by many people in the know when it comes to who will win Best Picture this year at the Oscars, and honestly, I can see why, I just don't completely agree.
This, as I stated above, is the new film from director, Danny Boyle, who, in my opinion, made his best film last year, in the horribly unseen film, Sunshine. However, this is a close second. The film is truly saved by his direction. He shot the film with a new, camera called the Silicon Imaging SI-2K, which made the film very interesting to look at. It's shot on digital, so it doesn't really look like film, but the resolution does look a lot like film, more than most digital films. It's not as liquid than film, with a lot more grainy visual flares, but the camera is a lot smaller, so all of the acting and interchanges feel a lot more natural, and not so "acted", especially from the younger actors. Also, during a few of the major flashback moments, the shots sort of jump a little, as if you are watching a bunch of photos in motion, which makes it feel all the more dream like. There are a couple of truly great chase scenes that really work, and there may be no single place on this planet that looks better on film than India.
Throughout the film, we follow Jamal, through major events in his life, all pertaining to questions he was asked during Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. We first see him being interrogated by a police officer, trying to get information out of him, on how he knew all of the answers, as no one has ever been able to get past the 50,000 rupee question, and he's one away from 20,000,000. The older Jamal is played by Dev Patel, and he is a major discovery. He gives such innocence and general kindness, that this film really grows on you as it goes. That all said, he does have a couple of bad-ass moments, that make this film really fun. The film does have a few heavy moments, but overall, I had a smile on my face until the end of this flick, even up to the dance number during the credits. The entire cast really does a great job, even the brilliant Irfan Kahn, who gives another great turn.
The film is based off of a book called Q and A, written by Vikas Swarup, and is written by Simon Beaufoy, who definitely deserves some sort of award. The premise seems like it would be a tough story to write, but Beaufoy knocks it out of the park with not only giving a great suspense story in finding out if he gets the answers right, but he also gives the film a completely working and compelling love story that really saves the film from being another flash in the pan. It's not perfectly written, but minus a few follies, this is definitely a great film. However, there are a few flaws.
The biggest flaw to me, is that, while there is a story intertwining the flashbacks, it all feels far to episodic for me. It feels like 24, but instead of each episode being an hour, each episode is a different question. The direction does save this a little bit, but near the middle, I just got a little bored with it. Also, some of the direction felt a little ham fisted, in that it felt like it was trying to grab your attention, simply to the visuals, instead of the story. If this film was shot in a smaller sense like Rachel Getting Married, but as beautifully as this is, it would have been a brilliant film. Really though, EVERYONE is loving this film, so whatever I say shouldn't steer you away. I liked this film, I just don't think it's going to make my year end top 10, so take that for what it is. I will say this though, it's better than both Juno and Little Miss Sunshine. Leaps and bounds ahead.
Slumdog Millionaire - 8/10
Come back later for more news and notes, along with a new top 10, the 10 Best Films of 2008...
Go see something good!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
NEWS: Clearing up ALL of the Dark Knight Rumors...
Hey faithful readers! Here are your major headlines...
- It seems as though the most recent Dark Knight dream castings have pushed Warner Brothers to send out a statement. Collider had a chance to speak to Alan Horn, President of Warner Brothers, and clear some of this stuff up...
"We've been talking to Chris Nolan and what we have to do is get him in the right place and have him tell us what he thinks the notion might be for a great story, but Chris did a great job and we'd love to have him come back and do another one. The story is everything and we are very respectful of Chris. We have a wonderful relationship with him and we are going to be respectful of his timing and we want to get it right. Also, I think the fans expect that – they want us to make a terrific movie – we have to give them another great movie."
Well that's good news. That's the way they've played it so far, and it's gotten us one hell of a great franchise. They pissed off Nolan in their attempt to start up the Justice League movie, with a DIFFERENT Batman, so it's good to see them walk softly for the future.
- Later in that interview, they also get news that Green Lantern is most likely going to be WB and DC's next film, and that they are VERY close to starting production.
- Baz Luhrmann's (Romeo + Juliet, Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge!, and Australia) next film is set to be an adaptation of The Great Gatsby...
- In MORE Batman news, Mark Hammil and Kevin Conroy will be reprising their voice work for the upcoming Batman: Arkham Asylum, as The Joker and Batman respectivley...Check out the teaser below...
- Finally, Hulu AGAIN amazes me with their brilliance, as they have just added the brilliant film, 21 Grams to their great collection...watch it below, and leave your thoughts!
Come back later for more news and note!
Go see something good!
- It seems as though the most recent Dark Knight dream castings have pushed Warner Brothers to send out a statement. Collider had a chance to speak to Alan Horn, President of Warner Brothers, and clear some of this stuff up...
"We've been talking to Chris Nolan and what we have to do is get him in the right place and have him tell us what he thinks the notion might be for a great story, but Chris did a great job and we'd love to have him come back and do another one. The story is everything and we are very respectful of Chris. We have a wonderful relationship with him and we are going to be respectful of his timing and we want to get it right. Also, I think the fans expect that – they want us to make a terrific movie – we have to give them another great movie."
Well that's good news. That's the way they've played it so far, and it's gotten us one hell of a great franchise. They pissed off Nolan in their attempt to start up the Justice League movie, with a DIFFERENT Batman, so it's good to see them walk softly for the future.
- Later in that interview, they also get news that Green Lantern is most likely going to be WB and DC's next film, and that they are VERY close to starting production.
- Baz Luhrmann's (Romeo + Juliet, Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge!, and Australia) next film is set to be an adaptation of The Great Gatsby...
- In MORE Batman news, Mark Hammil and Kevin Conroy will be reprising their voice work for the upcoming Batman: Arkham Asylum, as The Joker and Batman respectivley...Check out the teaser below...
- Finally, Hulu AGAIN amazes me with their brilliance, as they have just added the brilliant film, 21 Grams to their great collection...watch it below, and leave your thoughts!
Come back later for more news and note!
Go see something good!
VIDEO: Whatever We Do...
This is a short film from Sundance directed by Entourage star, Keving Connolly. Here's the synopsis...
Directed by Kevin Connolly and starring Robert Downey Jr., Amanda Peet, Tim Roth, and Zooey Deschanel.
A 2003 Sundance short, a newly engaged 30 something's plans for a romantic day are thwarted when the man's charismatic and crazy childhood friend arrives with an agenda to celebrate the pending nuptials via a drunken debauch, and the seduction of the new fiancee.
This is pre-comeback Robert Downey Jr., and it's a pretty solid short. What do you guys think? Does Connolly have a future in the directors chair?
Go see something good!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
NEWS: MORE Batman 3 Bullsh**
Okay, now the proverbial shit has hit the fan. The European newspaper, The Sun is now reporting that Eddie Murphy and Shia Lebouf have officially been cast in the sequel to this year's hit, The Dark Knight, as The Riddler and Robin respectively. Peter Sciretta over at /film put it best, "it looks like the rumor mongers aren't even putting an effort into these things anymore." Honestly guys?
Truthfully, I HOPE that Christopher Nolan doesn't come back to the franchise. All of this casting bull has really left a sour taste in my mouth, and I pray that the people at Warner Brothers don't force another film down his throat, and it looks like they aren't. To me, and a friend of mine said this last night at a poker game, there's really nowhere that Nolan can go with one film to really make an impact on the overall franchise. Do I want' the films to continue, most definitely, but with a guy as brilliant as Christopher Nolan and a group of actors and crew as great as the one they've got for this thing, I think it's time for them all to move on and do other work. Now, Bale WILL be back for a third film, but this is where my question to you all comes in...
I was watching an episode of the great TV series, The Directors, on Reelz Channel, about the work of the brilliant filmmaker, Darren Aronofsky. At one point and time, right before he went into pre production on The Fountain, he was set to take on the Dark Knight, in Batman: Year One. However, that fell through, and he went on to make a vastly superior film to both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, in the Fountain, and the rest is history, but that brings me to my question. Of all of the film makers working today, who would YOU like to see take the reigns of this franchise for a third film. My personal pick is Frank Darabont, the writer/director behind The Shawshank Redemption. I would say Aronofsky, but he's been working on Robocop and I hope he pushes EVERYTHING aside for his 4 hour Noah's Ark Epic, so, who would YOU guys like to take the helm?
Come back later for more news and notes!
Go see something good!
Truthfully, I HOPE that Christopher Nolan doesn't come back to the franchise. All of this casting bull has really left a sour taste in my mouth, and I pray that the people at Warner Brothers don't force another film down his throat, and it looks like they aren't. To me, and a friend of mine said this last night at a poker game, there's really nowhere that Nolan can go with one film to really make an impact on the overall franchise. Do I want' the films to continue, most definitely, but with a guy as brilliant as Christopher Nolan and a group of actors and crew as great as the one they've got for this thing, I think it's time for them all to move on and do other work. Now, Bale WILL be back for a third film, but this is where my question to you all comes in...
I was watching an episode of the great TV series, The Directors, on Reelz Channel, about the work of the brilliant filmmaker, Darren Aronofsky. At one point and time, right before he went into pre production on The Fountain, he was set to take on the Dark Knight, in Batman: Year One. However, that fell through, and he went on to make a vastly superior film to both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, in the Fountain, and the rest is history, but that brings me to my question. Of all of the film makers working today, who would YOU like to see take the reigns of this franchise for a third film. My personal pick is Frank Darabont, the writer/director behind The Shawshank Redemption. I would say Aronofsky, but he's been working on Robocop and I hope he pushes EVERYTHING aside for his 4 hour Noah's Ark Epic, so, who would YOU guys like to take the helm?
Come back later for more news and notes!
Go see something good!
SPECIAL TOP 10: News Stories of '08...
So, I was watching G4 today, as I do everyday (it is the greatest channel on television, just to let you all know) and I came across a special episode of X-Play, their videogame news show. It was an hour long episode, and it went over their ten most important and newsworthy stories of the year, in videogames. After a little bit of thinking, I decided to do the same, instead of a forum post about possible replacements for Christopher Nolan if he decides to skip out on the third Batman film (which I will do later, because I would love to get your thoughts on that). Therefor, here are the ten most important and newsworthy pieces of film news of this year.
10. The B.S. - The Dark Knight and it's subsiquent unwarranted sequel rumors
9. The Trend - The copius amounts of remakes out, and in development
8. The Delays - The Soloist, The Road, Sherlock Holmes, and Defiance
7. The Brilliance - Hulu gains popularity AND a ton of great films/tv shows
6. The Superheroes - The Rebirth of the Comic Book Film Genre with The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Dark Knight, Wanted, and Hellboy 2 all being very popular, publicly and critically
5. The Aliens - The dissapointment known as Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull
4. The Blockbuster - The HUGE Box Office gross for The Dark Knight
3. The comebacks - Robert Downey Jr. and Mickey Rourke
2. The Trailer - Watchmen, and it's subsequent court case
1. The Loss Of Talent and Legends - Heath Ledger, Roy Scheider, Paul Newman, Isaac Hayes, Bernie Mac, George Carlin, Stan Winston, Sydney Pollack, Charleton Heston, Anthony Minghella
What are some stories I forgot? There have been a lot, so I kept these a little general, but what do you think should have made the list?
Come back later for more news and notes...
Go see something good
10. The B.S. - The Dark Knight and it's subsiquent unwarranted sequel rumors
9. The Trend - The copius amounts of remakes out, and in development
8. The Delays - The Soloist, The Road, Sherlock Holmes, and Defiance
7. The Brilliance - Hulu gains popularity AND a ton of great films/tv shows
6. The Superheroes - The Rebirth of the Comic Book Film Genre with The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Dark Knight, Wanted, and Hellboy 2 all being very popular, publicly and critically
5. The Aliens - The dissapointment known as Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull
4. The Blockbuster - The HUGE Box Office gross for The Dark Knight
3. The comebacks - Robert Downey Jr. and Mickey Rourke
2. The Trailer - Watchmen, and it's subsequent court case
1. The Loss Of Talent and Legends - Heath Ledger, Roy Scheider, Paul Newman, Isaac Hayes, Bernie Mac, George Carlin, Stan Winston, Sydney Pollack, Charleton Heston, Anthony Minghella
What are some stories I forgot? There have been a lot, so I kept these a little general, but what do you think should have made the list?
Come back later for more news and notes...
Go see something good
NEWS: Watchmen Court Case Update...
Hello all! Now, I don't have much in the way of witty criticism when discussing this news item, but it is something I know I've been hearing a lot about, at least in way of updating. So, without further ado, /film gets the thank you for this piece of news...
The Watchmen court trial has been pushed back two weeks to January 20th 2009, according to Variety. Los Angeles federal judge Gary Allen Feess also refused to make a pre-trial summary judgement, which was requested by both sides — Warner Bros and 20th Century Fox. The judge declared that he could not make a summary judgement because the contracts in question are so open to interpretation, and that a trial is required. All I know is that the trial date is slowly moving closer to the scheduled film release date in March. That can’t be good
No, that honestly can't be a good thing. However, there is a little bit of greatness within this news report over at /film, which I will link to at the bottom of the note...
Meanwhile, CHUD has seen the first 22 minutes of Watchmen at But-num-a-thon and came out surprised how much it looks and feels like a real movie, and not just “peed ramping and flashy money shots” as seen in the trailers. Devin says that the footage felt felt like “a calculated decision to convince the fans that Watchmen is not 300 with superheroes”, and writes: “From what I’ve seen this isn’t even remotely true at all. The footage is stylish - well shot, with rich visuals and dynamic compositions - but it looked more like a modern take on a noir film than anything else. What I saw was moody, sometimes muted. Snyder allows his takes to be long, eschewing a quick cut style that many seem to think would rule the day in this film.” Read the full review on CHUD.
A modern day film noir!?!?!? Brilliant, just brilliant. From what I've seen and heard, this film is going to blow us all away, and I don't think it's possible to be more excited for a film than I am right now. So, here's to hoping we get to see it on it's set release date, March 6th, 2009. Here's to hoping...
Go see something good!
The Watchmen court trial has been pushed back two weeks to January 20th 2009, according to Variety. Los Angeles federal judge Gary Allen Feess also refused to make a pre-trial summary judgement, which was requested by both sides — Warner Bros and 20th Century Fox. The judge declared that he could not make a summary judgement because the contracts in question are so open to interpretation, and that a trial is required. All I know is that the trial date is slowly moving closer to the scheduled film release date in March. That can’t be good
No, that honestly can't be a good thing. However, there is a little bit of greatness within this news report over at /film, which I will link to at the bottom of the note...
Meanwhile, CHUD has seen the first 22 minutes of Watchmen at But-num-a-thon and came out surprised how much it looks and feels like a real movie, and not just “peed ramping and flashy money shots” as seen in the trailers. Devin says that the footage felt felt like “a calculated decision to convince the fans that Watchmen is not 300 with superheroes”, and writes: “From what I’ve seen this isn’t even remotely true at all. The footage is stylish - well shot, with rich visuals and dynamic compositions - but it looked more like a modern take on a noir film than anything else. What I saw was moody, sometimes muted. Snyder allows his takes to be long, eschewing a quick cut style that many seem to think would rule the day in this film.” Read the full review on CHUD.
A modern day film noir!?!?!? Brilliant, just brilliant. From what I've seen and heard, this film is going to blow us all away, and I don't think it's possible to be more excited for a film than I am right now. So, here's to hoping we get to see it on it's set release date, March 6th, 2009. Here's to hoping...
Go see something good!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
NEWS: Delgo, H2, and Sequels Galore...
Hello faithful readers. Today's been a pretty busy day, so here are your headlines...
- As I briefly mentioned in my last news post, it looks like the people over in Terminator land have begun work on Terminator 5, the inevitable sequel to NEXT YEARS Terminator Salvation. No word as to who will direct it, but McG has had his hands in the pre-pre-production, so it looks like he will be holding on as director. Bonus, Christian Bale has three Terminator films in his contract! Here's to hoping Salvation is quality...
- In other sequel news, it looks like rumors were indeed true, as it is now confirmed that Rob Zombie will take back the reigns of the Halloween franchise and will direct the sequel to his much maligned 2007 reboot.
- In MORE sequel news, release dates for Transformers 3 and the Twilight sequel New Moon have been set, with Transformers 3 looking at a July 29th, 2011 release date, and New Moon set to head out on November 20th, of 2009. I'm not to surprised, except for New Moon. They play to get into production roughly around March, so that's a pretty fast turn around. Plus, I thought they would definitely move to a summer date, but they did make 71 Million bones in the middle of Oscar season.
- It looks like people can't get the Dark Knight out of their heads, as ANOTHER casting rumor has been talked about for the inevitable sequel. It looks like E! Online in all of their Ryan Seacrest glory, are reporting, against all others, that Christopher Nolan "will for sure be back" and that he and Warner Brothers are considering Rachel Weisz for the role of Catwoman. While I think it would be brilliant casting (more on that in a second), I know for almost a fact that this rumor, along with all others are bull. I know, through various web sources, that Nolan has yet to even sign up for a third film, let alone started writing a story. Until Warner Brothers and Nolan himself say that he will be back for a third one, all Batman 3 rumors are not true. Sorry to burst everyones preverbial bat shaped bubble, but it's the hard truth.
NOW, when Nolan does sign (becuase I really think he will), I hope he goes this kind of route instead of the Johnny Depp route. The thing with this new Batman franchise, is that all of the cast, at the time of their casting, were not really well known, aside from Morgan Freeman. Bale was just a beloved indie actor, Gary Oldman was and still is very much on that indie fringe, Michael Caine was a well known actor, but not to the younger generation, and even Cillian Murphy was really only known for 28 Days Later. Then you have Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart, both well known, but not truly stars yet, and it just wouldn't seem like the right fit for Johnny Depp and Phillip Seymour Hoffman to take over their respective roles. I honestly think they would both be good, but it would be to overwhelming and honestly, I think there are better people out their. However, with Rachel Weisz, you get a brilliant actress, along with the small name, at least in major circles. Honestly, I don't know of a better pick for Catwoman. She's gorgeous, sexy, smart, and an amazing actress to boot. Nolan, if you are reading and I know you do, please, make this the one rumor that ends up being true. Oh, and take my advice, Crsipin Glover for Riddler and Bob Hoskins for Penguin...GOLD...
- Finally, the animated film, Delgo, had the worst opening weekend box office gross in the history of film. It grossed roughly $511,920, and here's the kicker, ON 2,160 SCREENS. That's a per screen average of $237 per screen, or, if tickets are $8 and there are 5 showings a day, two people per showing...The production behind it is really a sad story and shows the difficulties of independent film making, show read more about it here...
Come back later for more news and notes!
Go see something good!
- As I briefly mentioned in my last news post, it looks like the people over in Terminator land have begun work on Terminator 5, the inevitable sequel to NEXT YEARS Terminator Salvation. No word as to who will direct it, but McG has had his hands in the pre-pre-production, so it looks like he will be holding on as director. Bonus, Christian Bale has three Terminator films in his contract! Here's to hoping Salvation is quality...
- In other sequel news, it looks like rumors were indeed true, as it is now confirmed that Rob Zombie will take back the reigns of the Halloween franchise and will direct the sequel to his much maligned 2007 reboot.
- In MORE sequel news, release dates for Transformers 3 and the Twilight sequel New Moon have been set, with Transformers 3 looking at a July 29th, 2011 release date, and New Moon set to head out on November 20th, of 2009. I'm not to surprised, except for New Moon. They play to get into production roughly around March, so that's a pretty fast turn around. Plus, I thought they would definitely move to a summer date, but they did make 71 Million bones in the middle of Oscar season.
- It looks like people can't get the Dark Knight out of their heads, as ANOTHER casting rumor has been talked about for the inevitable sequel. It looks like E! Online in all of their Ryan Seacrest glory, are reporting, against all others, that Christopher Nolan "will for sure be back" and that he and Warner Brothers are considering Rachel Weisz for the role of Catwoman. While I think it would be brilliant casting (more on that in a second), I know for almost a fact that this rumor, along with all others are bull. I know, through various web sources, that Nolan has yet to even sign up for a third film, let alone started writing a story. Until Warner Brothers and Nolan himself say that he will be back for a third one, all Batman 3 rumors are not true. Sorry to burst everyones preverbial bat shaped bubble, but it's the hard truth.
NOW, when Nolan does sign (becuase I really think he will), I hope he goes this kind of route instead of the Johnny Depp route. The thing with this new Batman franchise, is that all of the cast, at the time of their casting, were not really well known, aside from Morgan Freeman. Bale was just a beloved indie actor, Gary Oldman was and still is very much on that indie fringe, Michael Caine was a well known actor, but not to the younger generation, and even Cillian Murphy was really only known for 28 Days Later. Then you have Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart, both well known, but not truly stars yet, and it just wouldn't seem like the right fit for Johnny Depp and Phillip Seymour Hoffman to take over their respective roles. I honestly think they would both be good, but it would be to overwhelming and honestly, I think there are better people out their. However, with Rachel Weisz, you get a brilliant actress, along with the small name, at least in major circles. Honestly, I don't know of a better pick for Catwoman. She's gorgeous, sexy, smart, and an amazing actress to boot. Nolan, if you are reading and I know you do, please, make this the one rumor that ends up being true. Oh, and take my advice, Crsipin Glover for Riddler and Bob Hoskins for Penguin...GOLD...
- Finally, the animated film, Delgo, had the worst opening weekend box office gross in the history of film. It grossed roughly $511,920, and here's the kicker, ON 2,160 SCREENS. That's a per screen average of $237 per screen, or, if tickets are $8 and there are 5 showings a day, two people per showing...The production behind it is really a sad story and shows the difficulties of independent film making, show read more about it here...
Come back later for more news and notes!
Go see something good!
TOP 10: Epic Films...
Hello all! So, this past week, or maybe a few weeks ago, the newest film from director/genius Steven Soderbergh was released. Che, a biopic on the life of Che Guevara, stars Benicio Del Toro as the man himself. Now, unlike a previous film about him, The Motorcycle Diaries (brilliant, by the way, and one hell of a score), Che has not only an epic feel, but an epic length, as the running time clocks in at right under 4 1/2 hours. Now, I'm a fan of films, no matter the length. However, I'm here to honor, not the longest of films, but the most grandiose and epic of them. Here are the 10 best Epics...
10. There Will Be Blood (for a more modern feel to the epic film)
9. Dr. Zhivago
8. Spartacus/Paths of Glory
7. Gandhi
6. Schindler's List
5. Gone With The Wind
4. Seven Samurai
3. Godfather Part 1 & 2
2. Lawrence of Arabia
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
Next week I will have my year end blowout, and then the following Tuesday, I will have the ranking of EVERY film I've seen in 2008...All 80 of them...
Go see something good!
10. There Will Be Blood (for a more modern feel to the epic film)
9. Dr. Zhivago
8. Spartacus/Paths of Glory
7. Gandhi
6. Schindler's List
5. Gone With The Wind
4. Seven Samurai
3. Godfather Part 1 & 2
2. Lawrence of Arabia
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
Next week I will have my year end blowout, and then the following Tuesday, I will have the ranking of EVERY film I've seen in 2008...All 80 of them...
Go see something good!
TRAILER: The Growler...
So, with the recent release of Gran Torino on 3 screens, the geniuses over at Funny Or Die have made a trailer for Clint Eastwoods next film, The Growler, and it's pretty funny...
Go see something good!
Clint Eastwood in The Growler - watch more funny videos
Go see something good!
Monday, December 15, 2008
VIDEO: A Shoe Throwing and a Wolverine...
Hello all! Today the epitome of a news-less day, so, I thought that this little diddy would be pretty interesting. I think most of you have seen this, but this is a brilliantly hilarious video, of an Iraqi reporter throwing his shoes at President Bush...
Finally, there is some noteworthy movie news, aside from the report of Terminator 5 already being worked on, yes, it's true, and it happens to include a certain Marvel superhero. The first trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine has been released, and it kinda kicks ass...
Thoughts? Do you like the trailer? How about the copious amounts of heroes? How about Jackman's back muscles?
Come back tomorrow for more news, notes, and a top 10.
Go see something good!
Finally, there is some noteworthy movie news, aside from the report of Terminator 5 already being worked on, yes, it's true, and it happens to include a certain Marvel superhero. The first trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine has been released, and it kinda kicks ass...
Thoughts? Do you like the trailer? How about the copious amounts of heroes? How about Jackman's back muscles?
Come back tomorrow for more news, notes, and a top 10.
Go see something good!
TRAILER: Terminator Salvation...
So, with me being home and all, I can finally get my daily dose of Reelz Channel. Today, while watching Dailies, I got the chance to check out the most recent Terminator Salvation Trailer, that was released early last week. I had really no interest in the film, until now. Not only does this trailer look amazing, but Christian Bale stars, and Dark Knight co-writer, Johnathan Nolan, had his hand in the script. Enjoy the kickassness (I'm coining that word by the way)that is the Terminator Salvation trailer...
Thoughts?
Go see something good!
Thoughts?
Go see something good!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
WEEKEND WRAP UP...
I hate making changes. Most of the time, when I make a change, at least for this blog, they end up working. However, in my attempt to ease my work load, I've neglected to update you all on upcoming DVD's and theatrical releases. However, the weekend wrap up is back, so here is the box office Top 10...
1.The Day The Earth Stood Still
2.Four Christmases
3.Twilight
4.Bolt
5.Australia
6.Quantum Of Solace
7.Nothing Like the Holidays
8.Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
9.Milk
10.Transporter 3
11.Slumdog Millionaire
I'm throwing in the 11th film, because, this weekend, I will get the chance to check it out, and I would like you all to read up about it. I'll explain more about this film in a few minutes.
So, over the past couple of weeks, we've had a few big releases, whether it be The Dark Knight or even smaller films, like Bottle Rocket in a new Criterion Edition, however, that completely changes this week...Here are the DVD's you should Buy, Borrow, or Burn...
BUY
-Burn After Reading-
This is the little seen follow up to No Country For Old Men, from the brilliant brother duo, Joel and Ethan Coen, and features a Golden Globe nominated performance by Frances McDormand. It's a very funny, if dry comedy, with a stellar cast, including a hilarious turn by Brad Pitt. It's not the funniest film of the year, but it is one of the more fun, and a must own for any fan of the Coen's, like yours truly.
BORROW
-TRAITOR-
Written by funny man, Steve Martin, this was another little seen film, that was a neo-replica of The Bourne series, just featuring Don Cheadle. Cheadle plays Samir Horn, a former U.S. Special Agent who turns to terrorism after a stay in a Middle Eastern prison. Guy Pearce co-stars in this solid action thriller. Worth a rent for sure.
BURN
-Death Race-
The critically destroyed remake of Death Race 2000, a personal favorite of mine, featuring Jason Statham and Tyrese. Avoid like the plague.
-House Bunny-
No matter how hot I think Anna Farris is, there is no way that this flick is getting money.
-Mamma Mia!-
A film based on a musical based on Abba music. Enough said.
-Mummy: Tomb of The Dragon Emperor-
A third film in the Mummy series, and it DOESN'T feature Rachel Weisz? Oh, and a fourth one is in the works, FYI
-Hamlet 2-
This is a big winner from this past Sundance Film Festival, but outside of a couple of good reviews, this is one that was mildly panned all around. Also, if you say the words "Napoleon Dynamite" in the TV spots, you can rest ushered your film will end up on this part of my list.
-American Teen-
I would say it would be worth a rent had The Breakfast Club never been made. I know I will get flamed all around, but you know what, if you are in high school, getting ready to leave school, check it out. Plus, one of the main characters is a film maker, so go for it, I'll just be picking up my copy of Sukiyaki Western Django.
Finally, we have a few films getting wide release this weekend. First we have Seven Pounds, a new film starring Will Smith as an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on a journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers. It features Rosario Dawson, and has not been talked about much in the huge awards discussion over the past month. Not one I'm to interested in, but over the past couple of days, the trailers have gotten me a little more into it. I don't think Smith is the most brilliant of actors, but he does have talent and an insane amount of range, and it features the same director as Pursuit of Happyness, a director Smith chose after seeing some of his Italian films, Gabriele Muccino.
However, when you have to go up against Slumdog Millionaire, not many films can win. This is the brand new film from director Danny Boyle, who stole the show for me last year with his great film, Sunshine. Its the story of how impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik became a contestant on the Hindi version of "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?" A decision made without prize money in mind, rather, an effort to prove his love for his friend Latika, who is a huge fan of the show. Sounds like a great story, and in many, many circles, it's the odds on favorite to win the Golden Globe for Best Drama Film, and maybe even the Oscar for Best Picture.
So, I will have a review of Slumdog up over the weekend, along with a possible review of Curious Case of Benjamin Button, if a certain Grand Rapids Press selects me for one of 25 pairs of tickets.
Come back later for more news and notes...
Go see something good!
1.The Day The Earth Stood Still
2.Four Christmases
3.Twilight
4.Bolt
5.Australia
6.Quantum Of Solace
7.Nothing Like the Holidays
8.Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
9.Milk
10.Transporter 3
11.Slumdog Millionaire
I'm throwing in the 11th film, because, this weekend, I will get the chance to check it out, and I would like you all to read up about it. I'll explain more about this film in a few minutes.
So, over the past couple of weeks, we've had a few big releases, whether it be The Dark Knight or even smaller films, like Bottle Rocket in a new Criterion Edition, however, that completely changes this week...Here are the DVD's you should Buy, Borrow, or Burn...
BUY
-Burn After Reading-
This is the little seen follow up to No Country For Old Men, from the brilliant brother duo, Joel and Ethan Coen, and features a Golden Globe nominated performance by Frances McDormand. It's a very funny, if dry comedy, with a stellar cast, including a hilarious turn by Brad Pitt. It's not the funniest film of the year, but it is one of the more fun, and a must own for any fan of the Coen's, like yours truly.
BORROW
-TRAITOR-
Written by funny man, Steve Martin, this was another little seen film, that was a neo-replica of The Bourne series, just featuring Don Cheadle. Cheadle plays Samir Horn, a former U.S. Special Agent who turns to terrorism after a stay in a Middle Eastern prison. Guy Pearce co-stars in this solid action thriller. Worth a rent for sure.
BURN
-Death Race-
The critically destroyed remake of Death Race 2000, a personal favorite of mine, featuring Jason Statham and Tyrese. Avoid like the plague.
-House Bunny-
No matter how hot I think Anna Farris is, there is no way that this flick is getting money.
-Mamma Mia!-
A film based on a musical based on Abba music. Enough said.
-Mummy: Tomb of The Dragon Emperor-
A third film in the Mummy series, and it DOESN'T feature Rachel Weisz? Oh, and a fourth one is in the works, FYI
-Hamlet 2-
This is a big winner from this past Sundance Film Festival, but outside of a couple of good reviews, this is one that was mildly panned all around. Also, if you say the words "Napoleon Dynamite" in the TV spots, you can rest ushered your film will end up on this part of my list.
-American Teen-
I would say it would be worth a rent had The Breakfast Club never been made. I know I will get flamed all around, but you know what, if you are in high school, getting ready to leave school, check it out. Plus, one of the main characters is a film maker, so go for it, I'll just be picking up my copy of Sukiyaki Western Django.
Finally, we have a few films getting wide release this weekend. First we have Seven Pounds, a new film starring Will Smith as an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on a journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers. It features Rosario Dawson, and has not been talked about much in the huge awards discussion over the past month. Not one I'm to interested in, but over the past couple of days, the trailers have gotten me a little more into it. I don't think Smith is the most brilliant of actors, but he does have talent and an insane amount of range, and it features the same director as Pursuit of Happyness, a director Smith chose after seeing some of his Italian films, Gabriele Muccino.
However, when you have to go up against Slumdog Millionaire, not many films can win. This is the brand new film from director Danny Boyle, who stole the show for me last year with his great film, Sunshine. Its the story of how impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik became a contestant on the Hindi version of "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?" A decision made without prize money in mind, rather, an effort to prove his love for his friend Latika, who is a huge fan of the show. Sounds like a great story, and in many, many circles, it's the odds on favorite to win the Golden Globe for Best Drama Film, and maybe even the Oscar for Best Picture.
So, I will have a review of Slumdog up over the weekend, along with a possible review of Curious Case of Benjamin Button, if a certain Grand Rapids Press selects me for one of 25 pairs of tickets.
Come back later for more news and notes...
Go see something good!
NEWS: Twilight and Manslaughter...
Hello all! It's a Sunday, so most of the time news isn't to big, but that can not be said for today. Here are your headlines.
- As I reported roughly a year ago, it looks like Roger Avary, most famous for penning the script to my favorite film of all time, Pulp Fiction, has officially been charged with vehicular manslaughter, stemming from a car accident back Jan. 13, 2008. He was driving under the influence, when he lost control of the vehicle, and killed a passenger, and seriously injured his wife when she was ejected from the vehicle. A hearing is set for Feb. 20.
- In lighter news, Hugh "Abs of Adamantium" Jackman will be hosting the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony. He's hosted the Tony's three times, won an Emmy for one of those shows, and is currently the sexiest man in the world, minus yours truly. I love the pick, what about you guys?
- It looks as though rumors have been true, as the director of The Golden Compass , Chris Weitz, WILL be helming the upcoming Twilight sequel, New Moon.
That's it for now, so come back later for more news, notes, a top 10, and a week from tomorrow, I should have up my Year End Wrap Up, along with my year end top 10...
Go see something good!
- As I reported roughly a year ago, it looks like Roger Avary, most famous for penning the script to my favorite film of all time, Pulp Fiction, has officially been charged with vehicular manslaughter, stemming from a car accident back Jan. 13, 2008. He was driving under the influence, when he lost control of the vehicle, and killed a passenger, and seriously injured his wife when she was ejected from the vehicle. A hearing is set for Feb. 20.
- In lighter news, Hugh "Abs of Adamantium" Jackman will be hosting the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony. He's hosted the Tony's three times, won an Emmy for one of those shows, and is currently the sexiest man in the world, minus yours truly. I love the pick, what about you guys?
- It looks as though rumors have been true, as the director of The Golden Compass , Chris Weitz, WILL be helming the upcoming Twilight sequel, New Moon.
That's it for now, so come back later for more news, notes, a top 10, and a week from tomorrow, I should have up my Year End Wrap Up, along with my year end top 10...
Go see something good!
Friday, December 12, 2008
REVIEW: Milk...
So, as you all may know, I was at one point in time a Political Science Major, here at Grand Valley State University. I looked at politics throughout the years, and have grown to be an avid liberal, with a great appreciation for people with conviction in their beliefs. That is why I was more than excited to check out Milk, the story of a man, Harvey Milk, who fought his way to becoming the first openly gay man elected to major office, in this nations history.
Milk is the story of Harvey Milk, who, after moving to San Francisco with his lover, Scott Smith, became a Gay Rights activist, and began his campaign for City Supervisor. On his third attempt, he was elected to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors in 1977, making him the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the USA. The following year, both he and the city's mayor, George Moscone, were shot to death by former city supervisor, Dan White, who blamed his former colleagues for denying White's attempt to rescind his resignation from the board. Dan White then defended his action with what has been known as the Twinkie Defense, stating that his diet of junk food made him go crazy. The film is directed by Gus Van Sandt, and stars Sean Penn, Diego Luna, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsh, and James Franco.
Harvey Milk was a man who loved life, and I absolutely loved this film. It starts off with this really poetic and disturbing opening, of newsreel footage of gay men and women being arrested for simply being gay in public, and the score by Danny Elfman is so beautiful, that it's really breathtaking.
We then see Harvey Milk, played by Sean Penn, at a tape recorder, recording a tape that he says should be played in the event of his assassination. It then goes to 1970, and we begin looking at the events that truly made this man and the movement he helped spark.
Performance wise, this film is really top notch, all beginning with the main role. Here is something that could be a little blasphemous, but Penn gives his best performance to date, far and away. Having seen The Times of Harvey Milk, a great documentary about the man, you see that this man really loved life and people, and Penn epitomizes that. James Franco plays Scott Smith, Milks first lover, or at least in the film, and he is also brilliant, and is shaping up to be one of the better actors working right now. Josh Brolin turns out another solid performance, and is continuing his streak dating back to early last year. He plays Dan Brown as a truly horrible man, but with some sympathy as well, as he was really willing to "work" with Harvey, but ended up losing his job, and sanity.
The only real lacking performance came from Diego Luna, who portrayed Jack Lira, Harvey's lover after Scott. He just didn't seem to fit in the rest of the film, or at least the character didn't, but alas, it's a biopic, so I can't really fault them for that. Also, contrast that with Emile Hirsch's Cleve Jones, a really fun performance, it didn't really take much away.
Another thing that surprised me, in a year where film scores began to play a character in the film, this score from Danny Elfman was really subdued and allowed me to simply listen to the music, instead of paying attention to it. It never made a huge impression, but in a film this emotionally moving, it didn't really need to. It swelled at the right times, it stayed back at the right time, it's simply one of the best scores of the year, and would be my favorite had the Dark Knight been released this year.
This is Gus Van Sandt's second film of '08, with Paranoid Park being released at the beginning of the year. Paranoid Park was a brilliant poetic film, with a lyrical sort of indie feel to it, and this is a much different film, but equal in quality. It's much more commercial, yet still has some of Gus' visual stamps to it, including some super 8 footage, that was also used brilliantly in Paranoid, used throughout the film. This is probably his most commercial film, but it's still very much his style of film, which is a great thing. Oh, and is their a cinematographer working today that can shoot California better than Harris Savides? He did it amazingly in last year's Zodiac, and he does it again, although with much more warmth and a more optimistic feel in Milk. Truly great work.
Also, there has to be something said for a film with this pure emotional power. Near the end, as the fall begins to happen, the way that Van Sandt and writer Dustin Lance Black work visuals and writing just really amplify this already heartbreaking story. Not only that, but near the end, when the stunning candle light vidal takes place, I felt this great sense of emotion, that I really just wanted to get up and fight for something I believed in with as much conviction as he did. He was a great man, and the best hero on screen this year, or in a long time.
Now, this film was released a few weeks ago, about a month or so after the passing of Proposal 8, banning Gay Marriage. A similar Proposal is at the heart of this film, Prop 6, which if passed, luckily it wasn't, it would have allowed schools and other businesses to fire people based upon their sexual preference. It's shocking to think about today, but if you take a close look at what is going on, it's not that far off. John Briggs, former California State Senator, was the one who introduced the proposal, and during debates with Harvey Milk, was using similar reasoning as to why the Prop was good, such as comparing homosexuality to bestiality, as people like Rick Santorum today. This is a powerful film, that really makes you think, if the Gay Rights Movement had someone with the political prowess and pure conviction today, if the outcome may be a little different.
Please, I'm really hoping that this over the moon review of Milk makes you all go out and check it out. It's a powerful story, and one that will really make you wonder if we actually have come all that far.
MILK - 9/10
Brilliant, beautiful, heartbreaking, and powerful, this film will make you want to cry and take action for something you believe in.
Come back later for more news and notes...
Go see something good!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
NEWS: '09 Golden Globe Nominations...
Hey! First, before I get into my thoughts, here are the nominees (pertaining to film) for the upcoming Golden Globe Awards...
Best Motion Picture - Drama
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas - I’ve Loved You So Long (Il Y A Longtemps Que Je T’Aime)
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Leonardo Dicaprio - Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin BUtton
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler
Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Rebecca Hall - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky
Frances McDorman - Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep - Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson - Last Chance Harvey
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Javier Bardem - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Colin Farrell - In Bruges
James Franco - Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson - In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman - Last Chance Harvey
Best Animated Film
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E
Best Foreign Language Film
The Baader Meinhof Complex
Everlasting Moments
Gomorrah
I’ve Loved You so Long
Waltz with Bashir
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
Kate Winslet - The Reader
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Tom Cruise - Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes - The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Best Director - Motion Picture
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry - The Reader
David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire
David Hare - The Reader
Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley - Doubt
Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Alexandre Desplat - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Clint Eastwood - Changeling
James Newton Howard - Defiance
A. R. Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire
Hans Zimmer - Frost/Nixon
Best Original Song - Motion Picture
“Down to Earth” - Wall-E
“Gran Torino” - Gran Torino
“I Thought I Lost You” - Bolt
“Once in a Lifetime” - Cadillac Records
“The Wrestler” - The Wrestler
Okay, so here are a few things...
1)Tom Cruise was great, but didn't deserve a Best Supporting Actor Nomination
2)The Wrestler better win Best Original Song
3)Breaking up nominations into Drama/Musical and Comedy awards is ridiculous
4)This may be a deathblow to The Dark Knights Oscar chances. These awards are pretty much concurrent for the Academy Awards, at least historically. I have it at my number 2 spot (right behind Rachel Getting Married, yes, it's THAT good), but I personally don't see it getting anything beyond Supporting Actor, and some tech nods.
5)Milk AND TDK only received one nod, for Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor respectively.
So, what do YOU guys think? Are these good nominations? Who would you want to win, or who would you have nominated?
The Golden Globes will be awarded on January 11th, and will air on NBC at 8 p.m. I will be picking my winners in two weeks!
Come back later for more news and notes,
Go see something good!
Best Motion Picture - Drama
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas - I’ve Loved You So Long (Il Y A Longtemps Que Je T’Aime)
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Leonardo Dicaprio - Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin BUtton
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler
Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Rebecca Hall - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky
Frances McDorman - Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep - Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson - Last Chance Harvey
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
Javier Bardem - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Colin Farrell - In Bruges
James Franco - Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson - In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman - Last Chance Harvey
Best Animated Film
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E
Best Foreign Language Film
The Baader Meinhof Complex
Everlasting Moments
Gomorrah
I’ve Loved You so Long
Waltz with Bashir
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
Kate Winslet - The Reader
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Tom Cruise - Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes - The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Best Director - Motion Picture
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry - The Reader
David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire
David Hare - The Reader
Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley - Doubt
Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Alexandre Desplat - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Clint Eastwood - Changeling
James Newton Howard - Defiance
A. R. Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire
Hans Zimmer - Frost/Nixon
Best Original Song - Motion Picture
“Down to Earth” - Wall-E
“Gran Torino” - Gran Torino
“I Thought I Lost You” - Bolt
“Once in a Lifetime” - Cadillac Records
“The Wrestler” - The Wrestler
Okay, so here are a few things...
1)Tom Cruise was great, but didn't deserve a Best Supporting Actor Nomination
2)The Wrestler better win Best Original Song
3)Breaking up nominations into Drama/Musical and Comedy awards is ridiculous
4)This may be a deathblow to The Dark Knights Oscar chances. These awards are pretty much concurrent for the Academy Awards, at least historically. I have it at my number 2 spot (right behind Rachel Getting Married, yes, it's THAT good), but I personally don't see it getting anything beyond Supporting Actor, and some tech nods.
5)Milk AND TDK only received one nod, for Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor respectively.
So, what do YOU guys think? Are these good nominations? Who would you want to win, or who would you have nominated?
The Golden Globes will be awarded on January 11th, and will air on NBC at 8 p.m. I will be picking my winners in two weeks!
Come back later for more news and notes,
Go see something good!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
NEWS: Hollywood Blacklist...
Hello all. So, in the rampant release of end of the year lists that has been the case over the past week (mine will be done in 2 weeks or so. A couple days after Christmas), there is one interesting list that was just released today. The Hollywood Blacklist is a list compiled by 250 development executives and high level assistants, and ranks the hottest screenplays currently swimming in the sea I call Hollywood. The scripts were written this year, and will not be released in the calendar year. /film summed it up best, as it's basically the hottest projects in Hollywood that you haven’t heard of yet.
Just to put it into perspective, Juno, Lars and The Real Girl, and Things We Lost In The Fire were on the 2005 list...So, for you Juno fans, me not being one of them, these are your flicks...here are the top 10...
1. The Beaver by Kyle Killen
A depressed man finds hope in a beaver puppet that he wears on his hand.
Status: Steve Carell is attached to star.
2. The Oranges by Jay Reiss and Ian Helfer
“A man has a romantic relationship with the daughter of a family friend, which turns
their lives upside down.”
Status: Anthony Bregman (Thumbsucker) and Media Rights Capital will produce.
3. Butter by Jason Micallef
“A small town becomes a center for controversy and jealousy as its annual butter carving contest begins.”
Status: Jennifer Garner is in talks to play Laura, Michael De Luca Productions producing.
4. Big Hole by Michael Gilio
“An old cowboy goes on a mission to recover his money after a million dollar sweepstakes scam cleans out his entire bank account.”
Status: Aversano Films (Failure to Launch) is producing.
5. The Low Dweller by Brad Ingelsby
“A man trying to assimilate into society after being released from jail discovers that someone from his past is out to settle a score.”
It’s Like: Unforgiven, only less geriatric. And much less forgiving.
Status: Relativity, Energy Entertainment, Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way and Tony and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions will co-produce.
6. F***buddies by Liz Meriwether
“A guy and a girl struggle to have an to realize they want much more.”
Status: Montecito Picture Company producing.
7. Winter’s Discontent by Paul Fruchbom
“When Herb Winter’s wife of fifty years dies, the faithful but sexually frustrated widower moves into a retirement community to start living the swinging single life.”
Status: Sony’s Atlas Entertainment producing.
8. Broken City by Brian Tucker
“A New York private investigator gets sucked into a shady mayoral election.”
9. I’m With Cancer by Will Reiser
“A autobiographical comic account of one man’s struggle to beat cancer.”
Status: Seth Rogen is producing and signed on to co-star.
10. Our Brand Is Crisis by Peter Straughan
“Based on the eponymous documentary. James Carville and a team of U.S. political consultants travel to South Abecome President of Bolivia.”
Status: Warner Bros and George Clooney’s Company producing.
For the rest of the list, check this link...
Come back for more news and notes...
Go see something good!
Just to put it into perspective, Juno, Lars and The Real Girl, and Things We Lost In The Fire were on the 2005 list...So, for you Juno fans, me not being one of them, these are your flicks...here are the top 10...
1. The Beaver by Kyle Killen
A depressed man finds hope in a beaver puppet that he wears on his hand.
Status: Steve Carell is attached to star.
2. The Oranges by Jay Reiss and Ian Helfer
“A man has a romantic relationship with the daughter of a family friend, which turns
their lives upside down.”
Status: Anthony Bregman (Thumbsucker) and Media Rights Capital will produce.
3. Butter by Jason Micallef
“A small town becomes a center for controversy and jealousy as its annual butter carving contest begins.”
Status: Jennifer Garner is in talks to play Laura, Michael De Luca Productions producing.
4. Big Hole by Michael Gilio
“An old cowboy goes on a mission to recover his money after a million dollar sweepstakes scam cleans out his entire bank account.”
Status: Aversano Films (Failure to Launch) is producing.
5. The Low Dweller by Brad Ingelsby
“A man trying to assimilate into society after being released from jail discovers that someone from his past is out to settle a score.”
It’s Like: Unforgiven, only less geriatric. And much less forgiving.
Status: Relativity, Energy Entertainment, Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way and Tony and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions will co-produce.
6. F***buddies by Liz Meriwether
“A guy and a girl struggle to have an to realize they want much more.”
Status: Montecito Picture Company producing.
7. Winter’s Discontent by Paul Fruchbom
“When Herb Winter’s wife of fifty years dies, the faithful but sexually frustrated widower moves into a retirement community to start living the swinging single life.”
Status: Sony’s Atlas Entertainment producing.
8. Broken City by Brian Tucker
“A New York private investigator gets sucked into a shady mayoral election.”
9. I’m With Cancer by Will Reiser
“A autobiographical comic account of one man’s struggle to beat cancer.”
Status: Seth Rogen is producing and signed on to co-star.
10. Our Brand Is Crisis by Peter Straughan
“Based on the eponymous documentary. James Carville and a team of U.S. political consultants travel to South Abecome President of Bolivia.”
Status: Warner Bros and George Clooney’s Company producing.
For the rest of the list, check this link...
Come back for more news and notes...
Go see something good!
NEWS: New York Film Critics Best Of The Year...
So, I just got back from a long day of exams and Dark Knight DVD buying, to come to the conclusion that today is a very slow news day. However, the New York Film Critics have released their year end awards, and the list is not only interesting, it's quite shocking...
Best Picture: Milk
Best Director: Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky
Best Actor: Sean Penn, Milk
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Best Supporting Actor: Josh Brolin, Milk
Best Supporting Actress: Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Best Screenplay: Jenny Lumet, Rachel Getting Married
Best Cinematographer: Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Animated Film: Wall-E
Best First Film: Courtney Hunt, Frozen River
Best Foreign Film: 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
Best Documentary: Man on Wire
Okay, so first off, I'm now insanely excited about Milk, if it's even possible to be any more excited for that flick. Second, I think one of 3 sure fire locks for this years Oscars is Wall-E winning best animated feature, and the other two are also on here, in Man on Wire winning best Documentary, and Penelope Cruz winning Best Supporting Actress, although I truly think Rosemarie DeWitt should win for Rachel Getting Married. That all said, the biggest surprise come in the Best Actress/Best Supporting Actor/Best Director categories. This list is one that many people look to to see what the Academy Awards may look like, so let's just say, this will be one interesting awards season. Golden Globe nominations are tomorrow night, so as soon as they are announced, I will get the information up!
Go see something good!
Best Picture: Milk
Best Director: Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky
Best Actor: Sean Penn, Milk
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Best Supporting Actor: Josh Brolin, Milk
Best Supporting Actress: Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Best Screenplay: Jenny Lumet, Rachel Getting Married
Best Cinematographer: Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Animated Film: Wall-E
Best First Film: Courtney Hunt, Frozen River
Best Foreign Film: 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
Best Documentary: Man on Wire
Okay, so first off, I'm now insanely excited about Milk, if it's even possible to be any more excited for that flick. Second, I think one of 3 sure fire locks for this years Oscars is Wall-E winning best animated feature, and the other two are also on here, in Man on Wire winning best Documentary, and Penelope Cruz winning Best Supporting Actress, although I truly think Rosemarie DeWitt should win for Rachel Getting Married. That all said, the biggest surprise come in the Best Actress/Best Supporting Actor/Best Director categories. This list is one that many people look to to see what the Academy Awards may look like, so let's just say, this will be one interesting awards season. Golden Globe nominations are tomorrow night, so as soon as they are announced, I will get the information up!
Go see something good!
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