Thursday, September 27, 2007

London Film Festival

One of the less talked about film festivals of the year is coming up in a little less than a month. I live in the area so I purchased my tickets today (since I read The Times I got advance booking). So, I'm seeing six films and I may try and see some other ones by standing in lines the day of. These are the ones that I am attending-

(in order of viewing)

1. Grace is Gone
2. Rescue Dawn (hasn't come out in UK yet)
3. Bee Movie
4. I'm Not There
5. The Savages
6. Juno

I said earlier I was going to try and wait in line for some and those would be-

1. Steve Buscemi (doing an exclusive interview...not to be confused with his movie "Interview")
2. The Assassination of Jesse James...

Look forward to coverage and reviews for all of these films.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

New Predix: Best Original Screenplay/Best Supporting Actress

This category DESPERATELY needed an update.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
1. The Savages
2. Margot at the Wedding
3. The Bucket List
4. I'm Not There
(I've given in)
5. Juno
IN THE RUNNING
6. Ratatouille (seriously...where's the buzz?)
7. Knocked Up/Superbad (see above)
8. Waitress
9. Eastern Promises
10. In the Valley of Elah

Supporting Actress could use an update, too.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1. Jennifer Jason Leigh-Margot at the Wedding-She's so overdue for a nod that it hurts, and the raves are in. She looks solid.

2. Cate Blanchett-I'm Not There-Sigh. She got the reviews. My bomb-of-the-year prediction has failed.

3. Romola Garai-Atonement-The strongest looking contender so far this year, the Academy is likely to nominate it everywhere it can.

4. Evan Rachel Wood-In Bloom-Probably not, but this is a very slow category, so she'll act as our space filler.

5. Julia Roberts-Charlie Wilson's War-See above

IN THE RUNNING
6. Helena Bonham Carter-Sweeney Todd-Sadly, she'll probably be nominated in this category, but we'll leave her out until we're 100% sure.

7. Meryl Streep-Rendition-The reviews haven't been that good, so now she just has to rely on being Meryl (though that may be enough).

8. Saoirse Ronan-Atonement-A very meaty role, but she still has to overcome the youth factor.

9. Abbie Cornish-The Golden Age-Like "Rendition", the trailer was downright amazing, but the reviews have been pretty bad.

10. Susan Sarandon-In the Valley of Elah-It would be typical of Paul Haggis to campaign this to death, but the reviews haven't quite been good enough for that.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

The Darjeeling Limited

Thanks to Awards Daily, formerly Oscar Watch, we have found a clip of Wes Anderson's upcoming film, The Darjeeling Limited.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Focus Features: This Year's Studio to Beat

I just found their YouTube page, and I gotta say that I was surprised. They've got three big contenders coming out this year, and it took me until now to realize it. Look at these trailers!

ATONEMENT


LUST, CAUTION


EASTERN PROMISES


Proof that they're the most dependable studio in Hollywood (along with Pixar). Not to mention that all of these have received rave reviews so far, and are in serious Oscar contention (well, maybe not with Eastern Promises, unless they campaign their asses off). Bravo!

(Oh, and we'll be getting some prediction updates soon. Sorry it took so damn long!)

Friday, September 14, 2007

Important Film Openings This Week

What a busy weekend!

THE BRAVE ONE
44% on Rotten Tomatoes
56/100 on MetaCritic

The film won't get anywhere, that's for sure, but even the most negative reviews have praised Jodie Foster. Hard to believe she hasn't been nominated since 1994. A win is totally out of the question, but she can easily get a Globe nod, and if she gets the SAG nomination, then perhaps she can snag a spot in Oscar's top 5, too. Not likely, but, at this point, it's possible. Time will tell.

EASTERN PROMISES
84% on Rotten Tomatoes
83/100 on MetaCritic

It's been very well received, but not in an Oscar-friendly way. It comes off as more of a straight-up thriller, rather than a political/psychological thriller. And the reviews aren't quite positive enough for a movie of that type to become a major Oscar contender. But if critics include it on their Top 10's come January, it could happen.

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
46% on Rotten Tomatoes
59/100 on MetaCritic

The trailer make it look amazing. Maybe even amazing enough that the Academy could overcome how offbeat it is. But, with reviews like these, that's not likely. Even technical nods are starting to seem unlikely.

SILK
10% on Rotten Tomatoes
37/100 on MetaCritic

I briefly considered that Keira Knightley may get a nod for this. Now I know otherwise. But don't worry, Kiera fans. She's still got Atonement.


IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH
67% on Rotten Tomatoes
64/100 on MetaCritic

Paul Haggis and his ultra-campaigning ways may not be enough for this one. Too bad that the film didn't live up to the trailer (which means that The Golden Age had better be amazing!).


Well it's about time that some of the predicted contenders fall. I was sick of hearing all of the Atonement, Lust, Caution, Charlie Wilson's War and There Will Be Blood raves. Nothing makes it feel like Oscar season more than seeing top contenders not living up to the hype. We're only a few months away from that time of the year!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Jon Stewart Likely to Host 2008 Oscars

From The New York Times:

The Academy Awards haven’t exactly turned into a yearly show with Jon Stewart. But Mr. Stewart, the political satirist and star of “The Daily Show,” is getting another shot at the Oscar podium.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which bestows the Oscars, is expected to bring back Mr. Stewart, who was host of the ceremony in 2006. An announcement is scheduled for Wednesday, according to two people involved with the plan who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to talk to the news media.

A spokesman for the academy declined to comment.

And a publicist for Mr. Stewart declined to comment. The show, scheduled for Feb. 24 on ABC, will be produced by Gil Cates, who was also the producer when Mr. Stewart made his appearance in 2006.
------------

Yay!

Saturday, September 8, 2007

LUST, CAUTION wins the Golden Lion!

Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution" takes the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Perhaps the subject matter isn't a turn off...

Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt(how did this happen?) pick up the two acting awards.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Newest MPAA Ratings

Persepolis
Animation
SPC 12/25/07 PG-13 mature thematic material including violent images, sexual references, language and brief drug content
Bonneville
Drama
SenA 2/29/08 PG some mild language and innuendo
Control
Music Drama
Wein. 10/10/07 R language and brief sexuality
The Hunting Party
Drama / Thriller
MGM/W 9/7/07 R strong language and some violent content
The Good Night
Fantasy Drama
YFG 10/5/07 R language and some sexual content
Pathology MGM 11/30/07 R disturbing and perverse behavior throughout, including violence, gruesome images, strong sexual content, nudity, drug use and language
Stop Loss
War Drama
Par. 3/28/08 R graphic violence and pervasive language
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Fantasy Drama
Fox 11/16/07 G
Alien Vs. Predator 2
Sci-Fi Horror
Fox 12/25/07 R violence, gore and language
Shoot 'Em Up
Action
NL 9/7/07 R pervasive strong bloody violence, sexuality and some language
Bee Movie
Animation
P/DW 11/2/07 PG mild suggestive humor, and a brief depiction of smoking
The R for Alien vs. Predator 2 is somewhat surprising, but the first one had all the violence it needed to be R. But don't be surprised if they cut it down to a PG-13. And does anyone else think that Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium will be the best live action family film of the year?

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Awesome Trailer for Sweeney Todd!



Too bad it's fake.

GOD! I really need an official one.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

"Once" in Review

Um...wow. I have just seen one of the smartest, most original, simplest, best acted and downright best films of the decade. The acclaimed indie features a practically unknown cast, all of whom give great performances, as well as some of the best songs I've heard in a long time--in a movie or otherwise. I really cannot express how highly I recommend the film. I'm not sure if I would call this the best of the year so far, but we'll see soon. If it continues to have such a profound impact on me, it's well on its way. A