Juno in Review

I saw Juno last night. I read the script this morning. I want to see it again tonight. What is it about Juno that I adore? First and foremost, the outstanding characters. When the closing credits rolled, I found myself melancholy upon remembering that I am no longer going to be hanging out with Paulie Bleaker, Mac and Bren, Mark and Vanessa, Leah and, of course, Juno MacGuff. Second, the pitch-perfect dialogue. Juno's consistently witty and pop-culture savvy lines remind me oh-so-much of what I strive to talk like. I know for a fact that I will be quoting this film for a long time to come, much to the dismay of the people surrounding me. Finally, Jason Reitman's direction of Diablo Cody's script ensured this as my favorite film of the year. His tight shots created an intimate feel to the film, and each frame was overflowing with Reitman's desire to do justice to the script. And that direction might have something do with the fact that all of the principal cast (Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmon and Alison Janney) are top contenders on my personal picks for 2007. Watching Juno makes one feel as though you just spent an afternoon with your best friends. Only wittier. A

Capote v. Infamous: Part Two

Many of you will remember the hullabaloo regarding the "2 Capote movies" last year and the year before. I've seen both, preferred Capote but still loved Infamous. Anyway, it looks like 2008 and 2009 will present a similar situation. Except now, even the titles are the same. The writer in subject here is none other than Edgar Allen Poe, one of the finest, and darkest, writers of all time.

Here is the link to Poe, scheduled to be released in 2008. Note the type of film this is.

Here is a link to Poe, scheduled to be released in 2009. Note the director choice. What's up with that?

I looked at the animated Poe's director and I didn't recognize any of his work, although he does have an Academy Award nomination for a short (animated) film of his. This might not go mainstream, but with a cast of Hugh Dancy (as the eponymous writer), Dianne Wiest, and Alfred Molina, this could easily be a dark animated hit. Possibly in the vein of Corpse Bride or The Nightmare Before Christmas. Imagine if Burton was going to do this, that would be awesome. This is still a cool concept.

Viggo Mortensen is rumored to play Poe in Stallone's version of Poe. This, unlike the other, is live action. If played correctly, which I believe he could, Mortensen could face serious awards consideration for this role. But, keep in mind, Sylvester Stallone wrote the screenplay. I'm, personally, not a fan of his (besides the original Rocky). But, his screenplays are comparable to George Lucas' romantic dialogue. But, who knows, maybe his screenplay is good. We'll see.

This situation could prove a bit more difficult to compare than the Capotes. Either way, here's hoping Viggo is cast as Poe.

Daniel's Updated Predictions

I figured I'd give my last two cents before I'm away for a bit due to the holidays. And they are:

Best Picture
Atonement
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Into the Wild
No Country for Old Men**
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Director
Tim Burton, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men**
Sean Penn, Into the Wild
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Joe Wright, Atonement

Best Actor
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood**
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Ryan Gosling, Lars and the Real Girl
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises

Best Actress
Amy Adams, Enchanted
Julie Christie, Away from Her**
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart
Ellen Page, Juno

Best Supporting Actor
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men**
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Max von Sydow, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton

Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Catherine Keener, Into the Wild
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone**
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

Best Original Screenplay
Eastern Promises
Juno**
Michael Clayton
Ratatouille
The Savages

Best Adapted Screenplay
Atonement
Charlie Wilson's War
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Into the Wild
No Country for Old Men**

My Top Ten list will be up in the new year. Happy Holidays!

Rainn Wilson will host the Indepdent Spirit Awards

Brief article is here.

Looks like he got a waiver from the WGA to write for the ceremony. Good choice for a host.

Roger Ebert Announces 2007 Top Ten

1. Juno
2. No Country for Old Men
3. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
4. Atonement
5. The Kite Runner
6. Away From Her
7. Across the Universe
8. La Vie En Rose
9. The Great Debaters
10. Into the Wild

Big help for Juno! And, in choosing The Great Debaters and Across the Universe, it shows that his reviews might have persuaded some voters to give those films their surprise Golden Globe BP nods.

Sacha Baron Cohen kills Borat and Ali G

Unrelated to this year's Oscar race but the link to the article is here.

"The actor has decided he can no longer reprise his popular characters-gangster-rapper Ali G and anti-Semitic homophobic reporter Borat- as they have become too famous."

Sacha Baron Cohen says:

"It is hard, and the problem with success, although it's fantastic, is that every new person who sees the 'Borat.' movie is one less person I 'get' with Borat again. So it's kind of self-defeating form really."

I have to say, I completely agree with him. Completely justifiable.

Go see Juno.

Sweeney Todd in Review

As you may know, I've been very skeptical about the film adaptation of Sweeney Todd. It is probably my favorite musical of all time, and the thought of it being ruined on film worried me. And once I heard Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter's singing, I was very apprehensive to accept it. Nonetheless, I was at the theater opening night. And I must say that this is filmmaking at its finest. Burton creates a mood completely independent from the show, but still incorporates enough elements from the show to satisfy its most obsessive fans. Depp and Carter may sound subpar (at least to some), but, when you see the new direction they have taken their character in, it works tremendously. Also, Ed Sanders has one of the best voices I've ever heard come from a child; he gives the best vocal performance in the entire cast (can't say the same of his acting, but eh). The only problem I had is that, though it was good, if you're going to do a Stephen Sondheim movie musical that is 70% singing, why not just go all out and get actors who can sing their hearts out? I don't blame Depp and Carter, as they did make it work, but still, this was not the correct project for Tim Burton to cast his best friend and fiance in. That said, both will probably end up making my ballot. All in all, Sweeney Todd satisfies deeply, with its unforgettable music, intricate plot, and surprisingly very good performances. And yet, I was left wanting just a little bit more out of it all. A-

A Few General Thoughts on the Race

- I'm almost 100% certain that Hairspray will be this year's Almost Famous in the sense of a Golden Globe nomination (win for AF) and an SAG nomination but it probably still won't be nominated for Best Picture.

-As of now, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has a score of 86 on Metacritic with 23 reviews, an excellent score. Since the film is so visually beautiful, I think it will also appeal to the members of the technical areas of the Academy, hopefully making up the Screen Actors Guild apparent lack of impressment regarding the film (or lack of screener DVDs). I still think it will be nominated for Best Picture.

-I do, however, think that Juno has less of a chance now for Best Picture. It needs a Producers Guild nomination to stay in the Best Picture race. The actors were a huge driving force that helped Little Miss Sunshine get nominated, or I like to think so. Its win at the SAG last year was key for its nomination.

-Does 3:10 to Yuma's surprise nomination make an impact on the race? I don't think so. If anything, it just gives Ben Foster more chances of a nomination. But, they must be sending out a lot of screener DVDs if they got their film remembered enough for this nomination.

-There Will Be Blood has a 100 score with 5 reviews on Metacritic. This score is bound to change but I think it'll still end up being very high, possibly higher than No Country for Old Men's score. However, I don't think this gives it the edge for the Best Picture win. Blood is a movie that, I decided a couple weeks ago, would not get a Best Picture nomination, become a classic, and years later we would all complain about how the Academy should have voted it Best Picture. Or, if it does get a nomination, we'd all complain about how it didn't win (ex. The Graduate, Raging Bull, ...Citizen Kane...).

How the SAG Nominations Changed Everything

Obviously, the SAG nominations are nothing short of shocking. Each category had something that changes the race. Observe:

Best Performance by a Cast
3:10 to Yuma
American Gangster
Hairspray
Into the Wild
No Country for Old Men

I got 2/5 on this one (No Country for Old Men and Hairspray). Um...where the hell is Atonement? And Sweeney Todd? I wasn't sure about them getting in, but the BP frontrunners HAVE to get in. This means that No Country is basically a lock, unless something bizarre happens. Also, Into the Wild and American Gangster have a fighting chance for a nod now (though we'll see what happens with the PGA).

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Ryan Gosling, Lars and the Real Girl
Emile Hirsch, Into the Wild
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises

I got 2/5 (Clooney and Day-Lewis). Viggo shouldn't have any trouble getting a nomination as is now, and Hirsch and Gosling could easily make it. But the elephant in the room for this category is...WHERE IS JOHNNY DEPP???????? Does this mean that it really is Day-Lewis's category? Or will someone like Clooney or Hirsch take it? Either way, this is a huge dent for Sweeney Todd.

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Marion Cottilard, La Vie en Rose
Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart
Ellen Page, Juno

I got 5/5. I KNEW CATE WOULD GET IN!!! (reminder to self: I need to see The Golden Age) Does this mean that this is what Best Actress will look like? I'm starting to think so. That means no Amy. And it's interesting that 3/5 of the nominees (Christie, Cottilard, Jolie) come from films released in the first half of the year, none of which had a great box office performance. That said, I'm still kind of iffy about the Academy honoring Cate in this category. I dunno...

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tommy Lee Jones, No Country for Old Men
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton

I got 3/5. This is by far the category I'm most pleased with for two reasons: one, Tommy Lee Jones got in!!! Two, John Travolta won't get an Oscar nod!!! Not much to say about this category. It's been a bit of a mystery all year (as it usually is), so I wouldn't bet on this being identical to the Oscar lineup.

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Catherine Keener, Into the Wild
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

I got 3/5. Big help for Michael Clayton, even though it wasn't hard to predict that SAG would be crazy for the film. This is the snub that hurts Atonement more than any other, as it snubbed its strongest acting candidate. If it fails to get a nomination at any of the other guilds, then the once undisputed frontrunner could be struggling to make the Best Picture.



This certainly put a spin on this year's season. What do you all make of these nominations?

Screen Actors Guild nominations

Lots of surprises and omissions. Here are the nominees:

Best Performance by a Cast
3:10 to Yuma
American Gangster
Hairspray
Into the Wild
No Country for Old Men

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Ryan Gosling, Lars and the Real Girl
Emile Hirsch, Into the Wild
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Marion Cottilard, La Vie en Rose
Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart
Ellen Page, Juno

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesses James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tommy Lee Jones, No Country for Old Men
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Catherine Keener, Into the Wild
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

San Diego Film Critics Society Winners

Best Film: No Country for Old Men
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Best Actress: Julie Christie, Away From Her
Best Supporting Actor: Tommy Lee Jones, No Country for Old Men
Best Supporting Actress: Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Best Original Screenplay: Diablo Cody, Juno
Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Best Foreign Language Film: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Best Documentary: (tie) Crazy Love and Deep Water
Best Ensemble: No Country for Old Men
Best Animated Film: Ratatouille
Best Cinematography: Roger Deakins, No Country for Old Men
Best Editing: Paul Tothill, Atonement
Best Score: Jonny Greenwood, There Will Be Blood
Best Production Design: Dante Ferretti, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Body of Work: Christian Bale, 3:10 to Yuma, Rescue Dawn, and I’m Not There

Speaking of contenders (along with Janney) that I loved who weren't receiving much buzz but now have won an award, Tommy Lee Jones' win for No Country for Old Men is very well deserved.

Austin Film Critics Winners

Top Ten:

There Will Be Blood
No Country for Old Men
Juno
Into the Wild
3:10 to Yuma
Knocked Up
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Atonement
American Gangster
Eastern Promises

Best Film: There Will Be Blood
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Best Actor: Daniel Day Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Best Actress: Ellen Page, Juno
Best Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem, No Country For Old Men
Best Supporting Actress: Allison Janney, Juno
Best Foreign Film: Black Book
Best Documentary: The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Best Animated Film: Ratatouille
Best First Film: Ben Affleck, Gone Baby Gone
Best Original Screenplay: Diablo Cody, Juno
Best Adapted Screenplay: Ethan & Joel Coen, No Country For Old Men
Best Cinematography: Robert Elswit, There Will Be Blood
Best Original Score: Jonny Greenwood, There Will Be Blood
Breakthrough Artist: Michael Cera, Superbad and Juno
Austin Film Award: Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, Grindhouse

I'm very excited about Allison Janney's win for Juno. I loved her performance so much and I'm just happy she got recognized by someone.

SAG Predictions

DANIEL

Here we go:

Best Performance by a Cast
Atonement
I'm Not There
Juno
No Country for Old Men
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Alternate: Into the Wild

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Ryan Gosling, Lars and the Real Girl
James McAvoy, Atonement
Alternate: Denzel Washington, American Gangster

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Amy Adams, Enchanted
Helena Bonham Carter, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Ellen Page, Juno
Alternate: Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
John Travolta, Hairspray
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Alternate: Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Catherine Keener, Into the Wild
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Vanessa Redgrave, Atonement
Alternate: Saoirse Ronan, Atonement

BRIAN

This year's SAG's are more important than ever. Every category has some "almost" contenders, and the SAG will truly separate the boys from the men. We'll see tomorrow!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY THE CAST OF A MOTION PICTURE
Hairspray (my choice to make it fun)
I'm Not There
Juno (this would seal the deal for a BP nod)
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
ALTERNATIVE: Charlie Wilson's War, Atonement

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
George Clooney-Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis-There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp-Sweeney Todd
Tom Hanks-Charlie Wilson's War
James McAvoy-Atonement
ALTERNATIVE: Denzel Washington-American Gangster

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Cate Blanchett-Elizabeth: The Golden Age (actors do love her, you know)
Julie Christie-Away From Her
Marion Cotillard-La vie en Rose
Angelina Jolie-A Mighty Heart
Ellen Page-Juno
ALTERNATE: Amy Adams-Enchanted

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Casey Affleck-The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem-No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman-Charlie Wilson's War
John Travolta-Hairspray
Tom Wilkinson-Michael Clayton
ALTERNATIVE: Hal Halbrook-Into the Wild

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Cate Blanchett-I'm Not There
Ruby Dee-American Gangster
Vanessa Redgrave-Atonement
Saorsie Ronan-Atonement
Amy Ryan-Gone Baby Gone
ALTERNATIVE: Tilda Swinton-Michael Clayton


What are your predictions?

Phoenix Film Critics Society Announces

Best Picture
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Top Ten Films (In Alphabetical Order)
Atonement
Away From Her
Hairspray
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country For Old Men
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
There Will Be Blood
3:10 to Yuma
Zodiac

Best Achievement in Direction
Ethan and Joel Coen for NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Daniel Day Lewis for THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Julie Christie for AWAY FROM HER

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Javier Bardem for NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Ryan for GONE BABY GONE

Best Ensemble Acting
The Cast of NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Best Screenplay written directly for the screen
Diablo Cody for JUNO

Best Screenplay adapted from another medium
Joel and Ethan Coen for NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
Adapted from the novel by Cormac McCarthy

Best Live Action Family Film
ENCHANTED

Overlooked Film of the Year
STARDUST

Best Animated Film
RATATOUILLE

Best Foreign Language Film
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

Best Documentary
SICKO

Best Original Song
"Falling Slowly" from ONCE

Best Original Score
ATONEMENT

Best Achievement in Cinematography
ATONEMENT

Best Achievement in Editing
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Best Achievement in Production Design
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

Best Achievement in Costume Design
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET>

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
300

Best Achievement in Stunts
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM

Breakthrough on Camera
Ellen Page for JUNO

Breakthrough behind the Camera
Sarah Polley for AWAY FROM HER

Best Performance by a Youth in a Lead or Supporting Role - Male
Edward Sanders for SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

Best Performance by a Youth in a Lead or Supporting Role - Female
Saoirse Ronan for ATONEMENT

Yawn.

WGA Denies Waiver for Oscars and Golden Globes

Story here.


I think I'm going to die.

Predix Revamp

With all the commotion of precursors, I seem to have forgotten to update my predictions. So, yet again, we will be doing a Big 8 revamp. Here goes:

BEST PICTURE
1. No Country for Old Men
2. Atonement
3. There Will be Blood
4. Sweeney Todd
5. Juno

BEST DIRECTOR
1. Joel and Ethan Coen-No Country for Old Men
2. Paul Thomas Anderson-There Will be Blood
3. Tim Burton-Sweeney Todd
4. Julian Schnabel-The Diving Bell & the Butterfly
5. Joe Wright-Atonement

BEST ACTOR
1. Daniel Day-Lewis-There Will be Blood
2. Johnny Depp-Sweeney Todd
3. George Clooney-Michael Clayton
4. James McAvoy-Atonement
5. Viggo Mortenson-Eastern Promises

BEST ACTRESS
1. Julie Christie-Away From her
2. Marion Cotillard-La Vie en Rose
3. Ellen Page-Juno
4. Angelina Jolie-A Mighty Heart
5. Amy Adams-Enchanted

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
1. Javier Bardem-No Country for Old Men
2. Tom Wilkinson-Michael Clayton
3. Casey Affleck-The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
4. Philip Seymour Hoffman-Charlie Wilson's War
5. John Travolta-Hairspray (don't ask...I have a feeling in the back of my mind. That said, I personally loathed this performance.)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1. Amy Ryan-Gone Baby Gone
2. Cate Blanchett-I'm Not There
3. Tilda Swinton-Michael Clayton
4. Saorsie Ronan-Atonement
5. Ruby Dee-American Gangster

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
1. Juno
2. Michael Clayton
3. Ratatouille
4. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
5. The Savages

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
1. No Country for Old Men
2. Atonement
3. Charlie Wilson's War
4. There Will be Blood
5. The Diving Bell & the Butterfly

Golden Sattelite Award Winners

Actress In A Motion Picture, Drama
Julie Christie	Away From Her	Lionsgate
Angelina Jolie	A Mighty Heart	Paramount Vantage
Marion Cotillard	La Vie En Rose	Picturehouse
Tilda Swinton	Stephanie Daily	Regent Releasing
Keira Knightley	Atonement	Focus Features
Laura Linney	The Savages	Fox Searchlight
Actor In A Motion Picture, Drama
Denzel Washington	American Gangster	Universal Pictures
Josh Brolin	No Country For Old Men	Miramax Films
Christian Bale	Rescue Dawn	MGM
Viggo Mortensen	Eastern Promises	Focus Features
Frank Langella	Starting Out In The Evening	Roadside Attractions
Tommy Lee Jones	In The Valley Of Elah	Warner Independent Pictures
Actress In A Motion Picture, Comedy Or Musical
Katherine Heigl	Knocked Up	Universal Pictures
Amy Adams	Enchanted	Walt Disney Pictures
Ellen Page	Juno	Fox Searchlight
Emily Mortimer	Lars And The Real Girl	MGM
Nicole Kidman	Margot At The Wedding	Paramount Vantage
Cate Blanchett	I’m Not There	The Weinstein Company
Actor In A Motion Picture, Comedy Or Musical
Richard Gere	The Hoax	Miramax
Seth Rogen	Knocked Up	Universal Pictures
Ben Kingsley	You Kill Me	IFC Films
Ryan Gosling	Lars And The Real Girl	MGM
Clive Owen	Shoot ‘Em Up	New Line Cinema
Don Cheadle	Talk To Me	Focus Features
Actress In A Supporting Role, Drama
Saoirse Ronan	Atonement	Focus Features
Emmanuelle Seigner	La Vie En Rose	Picturehouse
Tilda Swinton	Michael Clayton	Warner Bros. Pictures
Amy Ryan	Gone Baby Gone	Miramax Films
Taraji P. Henson	Talk To Me	Focus Features
Ruby Dee	American Gangster	Universal Pictures
Actor In A Supporting Role, Drama
Jeff Daniels	The Lookout	Miramax Films
Brian Cox	Zodiac	Paramount Pictures
Tom Wilkinson*	Michael Clayton	Warner Bros. Pictures
Ben Foster	3:10 To Yuma	Lionsgate
Javier Bardem	No Country For Old Men	Miramax Films
Casey Affleck*	The Assassination Of Jessie James	Warner Bros. Pictures
(Tie)
Motion Picture, Drama
The Lookout		Miramax Films
Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead		Thinkfilm
Away From Her		Lionsgate
Eastern Promises		Focus Features
No Country For Old Men		Miramax Films
3:10 To Yuma		Lionsgate
Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
Hairspray		New Line Cinema
Juno		Fox Searchlight
Shoot ‘Em Up		New Line Cinema
Lars And The Real Girl		MGM
Knocked Up		Universal Pictures
Margot At The Wedding		Paramount Vantage
Motion Picture, Foreign Film
Ten Canoes	Australia	Palm Pictures
Offside	Iran	Sony Pictures Classics
La Vie En Rose	France	Picturehouse
Lust, Caution	Taiwan	Focus Features
4 Months 3 Weeks & 2 Days	Romania	IFC Films
The Orphanage	Spain	Picturehouse
Motion Picture, Animated Or Mixed Media
Persepolis		Sony Pictures Classics
The Simpsons Movie		Twentieth Century Fox
The Golden Compass		New Line Cinema
Ratatouille		Buena Vista Pictures
300		Warner Brothers
Beowulf		Paramount Pictures
Motion Picture, Documentary
The King Of Kong		Picturehouse
The 11th Hour		Warner Independent Pictures
Sicko		Lionsgate
No End In Sight		Magnolia Pictures
Darfur Now		Warner Independent Pictures
Lake Of Fire		Thinkfilm
Director
Ang Lee	Lust, Caution	Focus Features
Olivier Dahan	La Vie En Rose	Picturehouse
David Cronenberg	Eastern Promises	Focus Features
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen	No Country For Old Men	Miramax Films
Sidney Lumet	Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead	Thinkfilm
Sarah Polley	Away From Her	Lionsgate
Screenplay, Original
Scott Frank	The Lookout	Miramax Films
Diablo Cody	Juno	Fox Searchlight
Kelly Masterson	Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead	Thinkfilm
Tony Gilroy	Michael Clayton	Warner Bros. Pictures
Nancy Oliver	Lars And The Real Girl	MGM
Steven Knight	Eastern Promises	Focus Features
Screenplay, Adapted
James Vanderbilt	Zodiac	Paramount Pictures
Christopher Hampton	Atonement	Focus Features
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen	No Country For Old Men	Miramax Films
David Benioff	The Kite Runner	Paramount Vantage
Sarah Polley	Away From Her	Lionsgate
Wang Hui Ling, James Schamus	Lust, Caution	Focus Features
Original Score
Dario Marianelli	Atonement	Focus Features
James Newton Howard	The Lookout	Miramax Films
Michael Giacchino	Ratatouille	Buena Vista Pictures
Alberto Iglesias	The Kite Runner	Paramount Vantage
Howard Shore	Eastern Promises	Focus Features
Nick Cave	Assassination Of Jesse James	Warner Brothers
ORIGINAL SONG
”Do You Feel Me”/Diane Warren	American Gangster	Universal
"If You Want Me”/Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova	Once	Fox Searchlight
"Come So Far”/Marc Shaiman	Hairspray	New Line Cinema
“Rise”/Eddie Vedder	Into The Wild	Paramount Vantage
“Grace Is Gone”/Clint Eastwood & Carole Bayer Sager	Grace Is Gone	The Weinstein Company
“Lyra”/Kate Bush	The Golden Compass	New Line Cinema
Cinematography
Harris Savides	Zodiac	Paramount Pictures
Robert Elswit	There Will Be Blood	Paramount Vantage
Bruno Delbonnel	Across The Universe	Revolution Studios
Janusz Kaminski	The Diving Bell And The Butterfly	Miramax Films
Roger Deakins	The Assassination Of Jesse James	Warner Brothers
Henry Braham	The Golden Compass	New Line Cinema
Visual Effects
Scott Farrar	Transformers	Paramount
Michael Fink	The Golden Compass	New Line Cinema
Chris Watts, Grant Freckelton, Derek Wentworth, Daniel Leduc	300	Warner Bros. Pictures
Peter Chiang, Charlie Noble, David Vickery, Mattias Lindahl	The Bourne Ultimatum	Universal Pictures
Thomas Schelesny, Matt Jacobs, Tom Gibbons	Enchanted	Walt Disney Pictures
Rob Engle, Jerome Chen, Sean Phillips, Kenn McDonald, Michael Lantieri	Beowulf	Paramount
Film Editing
Pietro Scalia	American Gangster	Universal Pictures
Jill Savitt	The Lookout	Miramax Films
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen	No Country For Old Men	Miramax Films
Richard Marizy	La Vie En Rose	Picturehouse
Christopher Rouse	The Bourne Ultimatum	Universal Pictures
Ronald Sanders	Eastern Promises	Focus Features
Sound (Mixing & Editing)
Mike Prestwood-Smith, Mark Taylor, Glenn Freemantle	The Golden Compass	New Line Cinema
Nikolas Javelle, Jean-Paul Hurier	La Vie En Rose	Picturehouse
Christopher Boyes, Paul Massey, Lee Orloff, George Watters II	Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End	Buena Vista Pictures
Scott Hecker, Eric Norris, Chris Jenkins, Frankie Montano, Patrick Rousseau	300	Warner Brothers
Karen Baker Landers, Kirk Francis, Per Hallberg, Scott Millan, David Parker	The Bourne Ultimatum	Universal Pictures
Tod A. Maitland, Skip Lievsay, Rick Kline, Jeremy Peirson	I Am Legend	Warner Brothers
Art Direction & Production Design
Guy Dyas, David Allday	Elizabeth: The Golden Age	Universal Pictures
Patricia Norris, Martin Gendron, Troy Sizemore	The Assassination Of Jessie James	Warner Brothers
Dennis Davenport, David Gropman	Hairspray	New Line Cinema
Mark Tildesley, Gary Freeman, Stephen Morahan, Denis Schnegg	Sunshine	Fox Searchlight Pictures
David Allday, Matthew Gray, Charles Wood	Amazing Grace	Samuel Goldwyn Films
Mark Friedberg, Peter Rogness	Across The Universe	Revolution Studios
Costume Design
Alexandra Byrne	Elizabeth: The Golden Age	Universal Pictures
Yvonne Blake	Goya’s Ghosts	Samuel Goldwyn Pictures
Marit Allen	La Vie En Rose	Picturehouse
Rita Ryack	Hairspray	New Line Cinema
Jenny Beavan	Amazing Grace	Samuel Goldwyn Films
Jacqueline Durran	Antonement	Focus Features

Big boost for Juno and Lust, Caution (for foreign film).

Southeastern Film Critics Awards

Best Picture: No Country for Old Men
Best Director: Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Best Actress: Julie Christie, Away From Her
Best Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Best Supporting Actress: Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Best Original Screenplay: Juno
Best Adapted Screenplay: No Country for Old Men
Best Foreign Language Film: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Best Documentary: No End in Sight
Best Animated Feature: Ratatouille
WYATT Award: Waitress

1. No Country for Old Men
2. There Will Be Blood
3. Atonement
4. Juno
5. Michael Clayton
6. Zodiac
7. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
8. Gone Baby Gone
9. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
10. Into the Wild

Pretty typical, not much to say, really.

The Dark Knight: Theatrical Trailer

I think it looks great. I loved Batman Begins and I think this looks even better. I'd say Heath Ledger has a strong possibility of some awards contention.

Sweeney Todd Featurette

Many of you have probably already seen this but I just became aware of it and it has a lot of good footage in it. My excitement for this film grows exponentially on a daily basis.

AFI Winners

Top Ten:

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Into the Wild
Juno
Knocked Up
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
Ratatouille
The Savages
There Will Be Blood

Ouch, 5/10. I should have seen the Atonement snub coming...I can't believe I forgot it wasn't an American film, I saw it in the UK before the American release, after all! Speaking of that topic, just to clear up something for anyone who doesn't know, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is both a US and French feature so that's why it qualified. I predicted The Bucket List for the same reason that Brian predicted Knocked Up, the AFI has a tendency to include comedies in their list. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street's exclusion is a bit surprising. The Savages stays in the race, as does Before the Devil Knows You're Dead.

What do you think of these?

Daniel and Brian's AFI Predictions

The AFI Awards are to be announced tonight. Here are our top 10 predictions:

DANIEL
Atonement
The Bucket List
Charlie Wilson's War
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Hairspray
Into the Wild
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
Sweeney Todd

BRIAN
Atonement
Charlie Wilson's War
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Hairspray
Juno
Knocked Up
No Country for Old Men
Once
Sweeney Todd
There Will be Blood

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Asks Not to be Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film

Look at this FYC ad:

"And in all applicable categories except Best Foreign Language Film."

That's kind of a strange choice, but I can see why they would make it. I can see the Academy giving it a Foreign Film win instead of a Picture nomination. It's actually a pretty smart move, if you ask me. God, I want to see this movie.

My Updated Predictions

(Separate from Brian's)

I just added Juno back to my predictions about thirty seconds ago. One of my predictions, I'm sure you'll be able to guess it, is a little far out...but I'm predicting it because I firmly believe he'll get the SAG nomination as well, therefore, making him a potential lock.

Best Picture
Atonement
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Juno
No Country for Old Men**
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Tim Burton, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men**
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Joe Wright, Atonement

Best Actor
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street**
Frank Langella, Starting Out in the Evening
James McAvoy, Atonement

Best Actress
Amy Adams, Enchanted
Julie Christie, Away From Her**
Marion Cottilard, La Vie en Rose
Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart
Ellen Page, Juno

Best Supporting Actor
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men**
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
John Travolta, Hairspray
Max von Sydow, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton

Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There**
Vanessa Redgrave, Atonement
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

Best Original Screenplay
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Juno**
Michael Clayton
Ratatouille
The Savages

Best Adapted Screenplay
Atonement
Away From Her
No Country for Old Men**
There Will Be Blood
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

What are your current predictions?

First Teaser for Mamma Mia!

I can't say that I've ever liked ABBA, but there is no denying that that was a ridiculously fun trailer. And with this and Doubt, Meryl HAS to win a third Oscar in 2008, right?

Chicago Film Critics Awards

Thanks to Awards Daily for these-



Best Picture: No Country for Old Men
Best Director: Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Best Actress: Ellen Page, Juno
Best Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Best Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Best Original Screenplay: Diablo Cody, Juno
Best Adapted Screenplay: Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Best Foreign Language Film: 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
Best Original Score: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova, Once
Best Cinematography: Roger Deakins, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Best Documentary: Sicko
Best Animated Feature: Ratatouille
Most Promising Performer: Michael Cera, Juno and Superbad
Most Promising Filmmaker: Ben Affleck, Gone Baby Gone

- No Country continues to dominate.
- Ellen Page wins her first critics award for Juno.
-In addition to the just mentioned win, Juno's win for Best Screenplay helps it solidify its position as the one to beat for that award.
- 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days' win adds a little more flavor to the Foreign Language race.
-Amy Ryan loses to Cate Blanchett for I'm Not There.

Golden Globe Nominees

Best Picture (Drama)

American Gangster
Atonement
Eastern Promises
The Great Debaters
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Best Picture (Musical or Comedy)

Across The Universe
Charlie Wilson's War
Hairspray
Juno
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Actor (Drama)
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day- Lewis, There Will Be Blood
James McAvoy, Atonement
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
Denzel Washington, American Gangster

Best Actress (Drama)
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Jodie Foster, The Brave One
Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart
Keira Knightley, Atonement

Best Actor (Musical or Comedy)
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Ryan Gosling, Lars and the Real Girl
Tom Hanks, Charlie Wilson's War
Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Savages
John C. Reilly, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Best Actress (Musical or Comedy)
Amy Adams, Enchanted
Nikki Blonsky, Hairspray
Helena Bonham Carter, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Ellen Page, Juno

Best Supporting Actor

Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
John Travolta, Hairspray
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton

Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Julia Roberts, Charlie Wilson's War
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

Best Director
Tim Burton, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Ridley Scott, American Gangster
Joe Wright, Atonement

Best Screenplay
Diablo Cody, Juno
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Christopher Hampton, Atonement
Ronald Harwood, The Diving Bell & the Butterfly
Aaron Sorkin, Charlie Wilson's War

Best Foreign Language Film
4 Months, 3 Weeks And 2 Days (Romania)
The Diving Bell And The Butterfly (France)
The Kite Runner (United States)
Lust, Caution (Taiwan)
Persepolis (France)

Best Animated Feature Film
Bee Movie
Ratatouille
The Simpsons Movie

Best Original Score

Into the Wild
Grace is Gone
The Kite Runner
Atonement
Eastern Promises

More thoughts to come...