He is also set to play the young version of Wolverine in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Looks like we have, basically, our final cast for one of my most anticipated movies of the year.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The Road has a Father, Wife...and now a Son
To continue with our coverage of the upcoming The Road based off Cormac McCarthy's brilliant novel...there has been a name confirmed for the son. He's not exactly the unknown I was expecting (I was expecting an actor with no film credits, and also to not know what he looked like until the trailer or stills) but he looks perfect. Here's a picture.
He is also set to play the young version of Wolverine in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Looks like we have, basically, our final cast for one of my most anticipated movies of the year.
He is also set to play the young version of Wolverine in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Looks like we have, basically, our final cast for one of my most anticipated movies of the year.
Capote v. Infamous: Part Three
Last year, I reported on the two Edgar Allen Poe films to be released over the next two years. Now, we have another biopic versus biopic of the same subject. Except this time, they're both live action.
Here is a link to Escobar with Edgar Ramirez.
Here is a link to Killing Pablo with Javier Bardem.
And I can't help but feel that Entourage had something to do with this.
Here is a link to Escobar with Edgar Ramirez.
Here is a link to Killing Pablo with Javier Bardem.
And I can't help but feel that Entourage had something to do with this.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Worst of the Year Awards
After yesterday's Worst of the Year List, I thought I could continue my negativity for one more day. Thus, here are my worst of the year awards (on Sunday we'll get to the positive stuff. I promise.)
MOST OVERRATED FILM: INTO THE WILD
I realize that I'll get plenty of "what the hell are you talking about?!?!?!?!?!?" comments for saying this, but this would be #11 on my worst of the year list. The movie could have easily been cut by 45 minutes, and I really don't think that Emile Hirsch's performance was all that great. The Academy was absolutely right in shutting this out in everywhere but Supporting Actor. But the main problem I had with the movie was that the character of Christopher McCandless was a spoiled, incredibly self-absorbed young man. And yet, we're supposed to think he's Superman. While he did, of course, have some positive traits, I felt like the film was totally neglecting the fact that he had serous emotional and psychological problems due to his harsh upbringing. The movie didn't have the courage to have a three-dimensional protagonist; just a totally flawed guy that the filmmakers assumed (correctly, apparently) would be adored by everyone. While I realize that in the end he learns that "happiness only real when shared", I never felt like learned anything from his experiences. While in actuality I'm sure that he did, I don't believe the movie did a good job in showing that.
MOST OVERRATED PERFORMANCE: CATE BLANCHETT - I'M NOT THERE
MOST OVERRATED FILM: INTO THE WILD
I realize that I'll get plenty of "what the hell are you talking about?!?!?!?!?!?" comments for saying this, but this would be #11 on my worst of the year list. The movie could have easily been cut by 45 minutes, and I really don't think that Emile Hirsch's performance was all that great. The Academy was absolutely right in shutting this out in everywhere but Supporting Actor. But the main problem I had with the movie was that the character of Christopher McCandless was a spoiled, incredibly self-absorbed young man. And yet, we're supposed to think he's Superman. While he did, of course, have some positive traits, I felt like the film was totally neglecting the fact that he had serous emotional and psychological problems due to his harsh upbringing. The movie didn't have the courage to have a three-dimensional protagonist; just a totally flawed guy that the filmmakers assumed (correctly, apparently) would be adored by everyone. While I realize that in the end he learns that "happiness only real when shared", I never felt like learned anything from his experiences. While in actuality I'm sure that he did, I don't believe the movie did a good job in showing that.
MOST OVERRATED PERFORMANCE: CATE BLANCHETT - I'M NOT THERE
I'm sure that this will cause just as much outrage as selecting Into the Wild as Most Overrated Film, however, my feelings about her are not as strong as mine about Into the Wild. I cannot, for the life of me, decipher what was so special about this performance. Sure, I applaud Ms. Blanchett for taking such a big risk. I just think that everyone is rewarding her for taking on such a leap; not necessarily because she gave a great performance. For every one of her scenes, I felt like I was watching some actress doing a student film where she pretends to be Bob Dylan. I did not, for one second, forget that it was a woman underneath the wig, makeup and cigarette. But, then again, what can you expect from a film as incomprehensively self-indulgent as "I'm Not There."
WORST SCREENPLAY: EPIC MOVIE
Kickin' it Old Skool, Norbit, Things We Lost in the Fire and Spider-Man 3 came very close here, but at the end of the day, screenplays don't get much worse than Epic Movie. As with most comedies--especially parodies--a good screenplay is essential for its success. Epic Movie, however, seemed like an 85 minute movie that took 15 minutes to write. Just make remarks on every movie you can think of that an unintelligent teenager will be familiar with, and you're done. They never bothered to actually make insights on the films they were spoofing or even an homage to them. Just get through the references as fast as possible. I don't know why I paid $8 to see this piece of trash when I could have just said "The Chronicles of Narnia, Superman Returns, The Pirates of the Caribbean, Borat..." to myself and gotten the same experience.
WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: JESSICA BIEL - I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY
I came VERY close to giving this award to Penelope Ann Miller for her laughable performance in The Messengers, but the scene where Adam Sandler feels up her "real" breasts was enough to give it to Biel. But seriously, why is this woman working? I honestly think that the only reason she's on the A-list is because she's being confused with Jessica Alba.
WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR: CUBA GOODING, JR. - NORBIT
John Travolta in Hairspray, who seemed to think that a brilliant script wasn't worth actually trying for, was a close second, but Cuba has got to be the biggest sell-out in Hollywood. In 1997, his Oscar winning turn in "As Good as it Gets", and his delightful work in the previous year's "Jerry Maguire", made him a national treasure (and deservedly so). Fast forward ten years and he's starring in a movie a 90-minute fat joke and a sorry excuse for a family comedy. Seriously, what happened? He's a great actor. Hopefully he'll stop giving sleepwalk performances like he did here, but, sadly, I doubt that will happen.
WORST ACTRESS: EVA MENDES - GHOST RIDER
Okay, so I don't understand why Jessica Biel is a star, but Mendes...wow. She's essentially botox on wheels, and one HELL of a bad actress. Oh, who can forget her delivery of such provocative lines as "You don't know me, but I love him" or "The way I see it, here are my options. You truly believe this story, in which case I should take you to a shrink. Or, you'd rather invent ridiculous stories rather than tell me the truth. " The fact that she, out of so many thousands of other more talented actresses who are struggling to pay the rent, is famous, infuriates me.
WORST ACTOR: TOBEY MAGUIRE - SPIDER-MAN 3
In the summer of three-quels, this would *have* to be the worst. And a lot of that is because of Maguire. First off, he has no idea what kind of actor he is. He's the nerd. He's not super suave (just look at him). He could have played up his talents when he became emo, black-costume Spidey, but instead he just decided to slouch and complain for his 45 minutes of evil. God, talk about not taking advantage of an opportunity!
WORST PICTURE: KICKIN' IT OLD SKOOL
I'd basically be repeating what I said in the Top 10 post...read that. I'd rather not live through this nightmare again.
Well, it was nice to get that off my chest. And now, I am totally ready to start revealing my favorites of 07, rather than the opposite.
But what were your picks for the worst of the year? Discuss on the forum.
WORST SCREENPLAY: EPIC MOVIE
Kickin' it Old Skool, Norbit, Things We Lost in the Fire and Spider-Man 3 came very close here, but at the end of the day, screenplays don't get much worse than Epic Movie. As with most comedies--especially parodies--a good screenplay is essential for its success. Epic Movie, however, seemed like an 85 minute movie that took 15 minutes to write. Just make remarks on every movie you can think of that an unintelligent teenager will be familiar with, and you're done. They never bothered to actually make insights on the films they were spoofing or even an homage to them. Just get through the references as fast as possible. I don't know why I paid $8 to see this piece of trash when I could have just said "The Chronicles of Narnia, Superman Returns, The Pirates of the Caribbean, Borat..." to myself and gotten the same experience.
WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: JESSICA BIEL - I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY
I came VERY close to giving this award to Penelope Ann Miller for her laughable performance in The Messengers, but the scene where Adam Sandler feels up her "real" breasts was enough to give it to Biel. But seriously, why is this woman working? I honestly think that the only reason she's on the A-list is because she's being confused with Jessica Alba.
WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR: CUBA GOODING, JR. - NORBITJohn Travolta in Hairspray, who seemed to think that a brilliant script wasn't worth actually trying for, was a close second, but Cuba has got to be the biggest sell-out in Hollywood. In 1997, his Oscar winning turn in "As Good as it Gets", and his delightful work in the previous year's "Jerry Maguire", made him a national treasure (and deservedly so). Fast forward ten years and he's starring in a movie a 90-minute fat joke and a sorry excuse for a family comedy. Seriously, what happened? He's a great actor. Hopefully he'll stop giving sleepwalk performances like he did here, but, sadly, I doubt that will happen.
WORST ACTRESS: EVA MENDES - GHOST RIDER
Okay, so I don't understand why Jessica Biel is a star, but Mendes...wow. She's essentially botox on wheels, and one HELL of a bad actress. Oh, who can forget her delivery of such provocative lines as "You don't know me, but I love him" or "The way I see it, here are my options. You truly believe this story, in which case I should take you to a shrink. Or, you'd rather invent ridiculous stories rather than tell me the truth. " The fact that she, out of so many thousands of other more talented actresses who are struggling to pay the rent, is famous, infuriates me.
WORST ACTOR: TOBEY MAGUIRE - SPIDER-MAN 3In the summer of three-quels, this would *have* to be the worst. And a lot of that is because of Maguire. First off, he has no idea what kind of actor he is. He's the nerd. He's not super suave (just look at him). He could have played up his talents when he became emo, black-costume Spidey, but instead he just decided to slouch and complain for his 45 minutes of evil. God, talk about not taking advantage of an opportunity!
WORST PICTURE: KICKIN' IT OLD SKOOL
I'd basically be repeating what I said in the Top 10 post...read that. I'd rather not live through this nightmare again.
Well, it was nice to get that off my chest. And now, I am totally ready to start revealing my favorites of 07, rather than the opposite.
But what were your picks for the worst of the year? Discuss on the forum.
Top 10 Worst Movies of 2007
As my 2007 Year in Review begins (a little late, I know...blame the theaters in my town. A lot of contenders didn't open until last week) with my Worst of the Year Awards. Now, before I post this, I need to say that, in my opinion, 2007 was an exceptional year for movies. I haven't seen so many worthy Oscar contenders since...I don't even know when.
However...
I also saw quite a bit of crap. Why did I see it? Let's just say that I have a weakness for spoofs and bad horror movies. I always see the latest PG-13 satire that took two months to make, hate it, and then see the sequel next year. Don't ask why.
Let's begin with the top 10 worst movies of 2007:
10. Evan Almighty
The hilarious and talented Steve Carrel and my favorite actor, Morgan Freeman, star alongside humorless comedienne Wanda Sykes and default-movie-mom Lauren Graham in this painfully unfunny sequel (kinda) to the adequately amusing 2003 Jim Carrey comedy "Bruce Almighty." This, for some reason, is a family comedy full of plenty of jokes that will amuse a 9-year-old boy, but no one else (hopefully).
9. Things We Lost in the Fire
Though this film did have a nice performance by Halle Berry and a solid first half, the second half seemed like a satire of tearjerking dramas. The movie is completely devoid of any kind of logic (the main character wants her late husband's unemployed, drug-addicted best friend--who she flat out hates--to move in?) and the direction by Susanne Bier, who seems to think that a well-made movie means cutting to an extreme close-up of someone's eye every other shot, is nothing short of appalling. I don't want to spoil the movie in case, for whatever reason, you are interested in seeing this piece of garbage, but when you find out the completely out-of-nowhere reasoning behind the title, you'll understand why I put this film on the list.
8. Spider-Man 3
I absolutely love the first "Spider-Man", and the second was just fine, but this was absolutely pitiful. 15 minutes into the movie, I was disappointed to find that Kirsten Dunst and Tobey Maguire were so clearly sick of this story. Later on, I wasn't as disappointed as I was bored and perplexed at why Sam Raimi felt it necessary to extend a 5-minute montage of Peter Parker acting like a dick into 45 minutes. Though there were some pretty entertaining action sequences, I found myself struggling to stay awake for most of the movie. How sad it is to see this franchise die.
7. Norbit
The worst reviewed movie of the year is, beyond a doubt, Eddie Murphy's laugh-free comedy "Norbit." Murphy, as you know, plays three parts, each one free from any originality or even entertainment value. The movie is basically a supplement for 12-year-olds who are in search of some more "yo mama is so fat..." jokes, but, if you ask me, it was just a bit more. It was also an opportunity for Eddie Murphy to show that he didn't learn anything after his Oscar-nominated, frontrunner performance in "Dreamgirls." It also showed that the worst reviews imaginable and a recycling bin for jokes we've seen a thousand times can still bring in major box office numbers. When will Eddie Murphy learn? Or, better yet, when will America learn?
6. The Messengers
This film was a turkey with both box office and critics and, I must say, that is refreshing. Though I will give this film credit for being a horror movie that WASN'T a remake of a Japanese one, it might as well have been. The plot is so familiar (family moves into a house in a creepy area) that you could argue that it is a remake of 90% of horror movies. Add cringe-inducing performances, a twist so bad it hurts and subtract any scares and you've got one of the worst movies of the year.
5. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Just as "Norbit" is a safe haven for fat jokes, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry is a safe haven for gay jokes. Only here's the thing: it turns out that they were teaching us to love gay people! How splendid for us. Thing is, the goal was to make us laugh with some third-rate gay jokes, but then, it turns out that we weren't laughing because we're close-minded, homophobic slobs. It's because we were learning to respect everyone, no matter who they love. It felt like the School for the Blind and Deaf making Helen Keller jokes. Only not as funny.
4. Evening
So disappointing, considering that it had the best cast since "Bobby." However, this film gathered a significant portion of the most respected females working today and forgot to have a good script. Or, even more so, a good director. Oh my god! This film, at a length of 117 minutes, went on...and on...and on. And anyone who can manage to suck the acting talent out of Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave and Glenn Close can't be very good. I will say, though, that Mamie Gummer gave a very nice performance, by somehow making lines that belong in a melodrama sound down-to-earth and emotional.
3. Ghost Rider
If Spider-Man 3 was a bad superhero movie, then I would hope you didn't see Ghost Rider. I'm just surprised that the film was made; let alone the fact that it was a hit. They had an actor with barely any range playing a mediocre superhero; a part he would have been to old for 15 years ago; and paired him up with the worst leading lady in Hollywood and a lazy special effects team. But you do have to appreciate the subtlety of this film: for example, instead of just showing the devil, you see a MAN who looks normal, but has the SHADOW of the devil. How brilliant of them.
2. Epic Movie
I have to say that this is the film I'm most embarrassed to say I admitted to seeing. The thing about this movie that bugged me the most about this movie is that it portrays a completely incorrect definition of parody. NOTE TO JASON FRIEDBERG AND AARON SELTZER (apparently, after Meet the Spartans, they really do need this): A parody is when a film, play, television show or any other medium takes some elements from a previous existing source and exaggerates it to the point where it is humorous. It is not simply referencing another publication. It is really no wonder that it took less than two months to write, shoot and edit this poor exercise in "comedy."
1. Kickin' it Old Skool
Remember this movie? No? Oh, how I envy you. You may be wondering how a comedy can possibly get worse than "Epic Movie." Well, try imagining the worst SNL skit you've ever seen expanded to 108 minutes and add Jamie Kennedy (that's right...a Jamie Kennedy movie was 108 minutes). Now take out anything you found funny, original or otherwise entertaining about that skit. That is the simple formula to the worst movie of the year.
Worst of the Year Awards will be posted tomorrow, and the nominees for the 2nd Annual Oscar Obsession Honors will be released Sunday.
However...
I also saw quite a bit of crap. Why did I see it? Let's just say that I have a weakness for spoofs and bad horror movies. I always see the latest PG-13 satire that took two months to make, hate it, and then see the sequel next year. Don't ask why.
Let's begin with the top 10 worst movies of 2007:
10. Evan Almighty
The hilarious and talented Steve Carrel and my favorite actor, Morgan Freeman, star alongside humorless comedienne Wanda Sykes and default-movie-mom Lauren Graham in this painfully unfunny sequel (kinda) to the adequately amusing 2003 Jim Carrey comedy "Bruce Almighty." This, for some reason, is a family comedy full of plenty of jokes that will amuse a 9-year-old boy, but no one else (hopefully).
9. Things We Lost in the Fire
Though this film did have a nice performance by Halle Berry and a solid first half, the second half seemed like a satire of tearjerking dramas. The movie is completely devoid of any kind of logic (the main character wants her late husband's unemployed, drug-addicted best friend--who she flat out hates--to move in?) and the direction by Susanne Bier, who seems to think that a well-made movie means cutting to an extreme close-up of someone's eye every other shot, is nothing short of appalling. I don't want to spoil the movie in case, for whatever reason, you are interested in seeing this piece of garbage, but when you find out the completely out-of-nowhere reasoning behind the title, you'll understand why I put this film on the list.
8. Spider-Man 3I absolutely love the first "Spider-Man", and the second was just fine, but this was absolutely pitiful. 15 minutes into the movie, I was disappointed to find that Kirsten Dunst and Tobey Maguire were so clearly sick of this story. Later on, I wasn't as disappointed as I was bored and perplexed at why Sam Raimi felt it necessary to extend a 5-minute montage of Peter Parker acting like a dick into 45 minutes. Though there were some pretty entertaining action sequences, I found myself struggling to stay awake for most of the movie. How sad it is to see this franchise die.
7. Norbit
The worst reviewed movie of the year is, beyond a doubt, Eddie Murphy's laugh-free comedy "Norbit." Murphy, as you know, plays three parts, each one free from any originality or even entertainment value. The movie is basically a supplement for 12-year-olds who are in search of some more "yo mama is so fat..." jokes, but, if you ask me, it was just a bit more. It was also an opportunity for Eddie Murphy to show that he didn't learn anything after his Oscar-nominated, frontrunner performance in "Dreamgirls." It also showed that the worst reviews imaginable and a recycling bin for jokes we've seen a thousand times can still bring in major box office numbers. When will Eddie Murphy learn? Or, better yet, when will America learn?
6. The MessengersThis film was a turkey with both box office and critics and, I must say, that is refreshing. Though I will give this film credit for being a horror movie that WASN'T a remake of a Japanese one, it might as well have been. The plot is so familiar (family moves into a house in a creepy area) that you could argue that it is a remake of 90% of horror movies. Add cringe-inducing performances, a twist so bad it hurts and subtract any scares and you've got one of the worst movies of the year.
5. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Just as "Norbit" is a safe haven for fat jokes, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry is a safe haven for gay jokes. Only here's the thing: it turns out that they were teaching us to love gay people! How splendid for us. Thing is, the goal was to make us laugh with some third-rate gay jokes, but then, it turns out that we weren't laughing because we're close-minded, homophobic slobs. It's because we were learning to respect everyone, no matter who they love. It felt like the School for the Blind and Deaf making Helen Keller jokes. Only not as funny.
4. Evening
So disappointing, considering that it had the best cast since "Bobby." However, this film gathered a significant portion of the most respected females working today and forgot to have a good script. Or, even more so, a good director. Oh my god! This film, at a length of 117 minutes, went on...and on...and on. And anyone who can manage to suck the acting talent out of Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave and Glenn Close can't be very good. I will say, though, that Mamie Gummer gave a very nice performance, by somehow making lines that belong in a melodrama sound down-to-earth and emotional.
3. Ghost RiderIf Spider-Man 3 was a bad superhero movie, then I would hope you didn't see Ghost Rider. I'm just surprised that the film was made; let alone the fact that it was a hit. They had an actor with barely any range playing a mediocre superhero; a part he would have been to old for 15 years ago; and paired him up with the worst leading lady in Hollywood and a lazy special effects team. But you do have to appreciate the subtlety of this film: for example, instead of just showing the devil, you see a MAN who looks normal, but has the SHADOW of the devil. How brilliant of them.
2. Epic Movie
I have to say that this is the film I'm most embarrassed to say I admitted to seeing. The thing about this movie that bugged me the most about this movie is that it portrays a completely incorrect definition of parody. NOTE TO JASON FRIEDBERG AND AARON SELTZER (apparently, after Meet the Spartans, they really do need this): A parody is when a film, play, television show or any other medium takes some elements from a previous existing source and exaggerates it to the point where it is humorous. It is not simply referencing another publication. It is really no wonder that it took less than two months to write, shoot and edit this poor exercise in "comedy."
1. Kickin' it Old SkoolRemember this movie? No? Oh, how I envy you. You may be wondering how a comedy can possibly get worse than "Epic Movie." Well, try imagining the worst SNL skit you've ever seen expanded to 108 minutes and add Jamie Kennedy (that's right...a Jamie Kennedy movie was 108 minutes). Now take out anything you found funny, original or otherwise entertaining about that skit. That is the simple formula to the worst movie of the year.
Worst of the Year Awards will be posted tomorrow, and the nominees for the 2nd Annual Oscar Obsession Honors will be released Sunday.
Monday, January 28, 2008
My Thoughts on the SAG Winners
I went 4/5 here. Fairly boring night, except for that one category...
BEST ENSEMBLE: No Country for Old Men
Obvious pick. I'm not sure if this really helps its BP cause, as it was already a near-lock, but his might help a bit. I was actually kind of expecting there to be some huge Act III surprise, but that wasn't exactly a realistic expectation.
BEST ACTOR: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Well, duh. Again, certainly not a surprise. I suppose this helps his campaign, but honestly, it didn't really need help. Great acceptance speech, by the way.
BEST ACTRESS: Julie Christie, Away From Her
I was shocked to see that she was actually there to accept it. I'm glad she was, because she's a real class act. Hopefully she'll accept her Oscar in person as well. Though if there was going to be a huge upset, I think it would be in this category. I just can't see Best Actor AND Best Actress going to former winners. But I'm not stupid enough to predict otherwise...yet.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Naturally. He's probably the biggest lock of the year, closely followed by Day-Lewis. As Josh Brolin said, this is his 497th award.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Ruby Dee, American Gangster
My mouth was wide open for about five minutes after her name was announced (to match her amount of screentime, apparently), but, as everyone said this morning, it all makes perfect sense: they wanted to reward a great actress that hasn't gotten anything in the past. That said, I think her chances of winning the Oscar are about the same as they were on Saturday.
BEST ENSEMBLE: No Country for Old Men
Obvious pick. I'm not sure if this really helps its BP cause, as it was already a near-lock, but his might help a bit. I was actually kind of expecting there to be some huge Act III surprise, but that wasn't exactly a realistic expectation.
BEST ACTOR: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Well, duh. Again, certainly not a surprise. I suppose this helps his campaign, but honestly, it didn't really need help. Great acceptance speech, by the way.
BEST ACTRESS: Julie Christie, Away From HerI was shocked to see that she was actually there to accept it. I'm glad she was, because she's a real class act. Hopefully she'll accept her Oscar in person as well. Though if there was going to be a huge upset, I think it would be in this category. I just can't see Best Actor AND Best Actress going to former winners. But I'm not stupid enough to predict otherwise...yet.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Naturally. He's probably the biggest lock of the year, closely followed by Day-Lewis. As Josh Brolin said, this is his 497th award.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Ruby Dee, American GangsterMy mouth was wide open for about five minutes after her name was announced (to match her amount of screentime, apparently), but, as everyone said this morning, it all makes perfect sense: they wanted to reward a great actress that hasn't gotten anything in the past. That said, I think her chances of winning the Oscar are about the same as they were on Saturday.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Screen Actors Guild Winners
Outstanding Performance by a Cast
No Country for Old Men
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
No Country for Old Men
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Daniel's Final SAG Predictions
I'm not going to write out an explanation for every winner because I'm not taking any risks with these this year so my winners are pretty self-explanatory.
Best Performance by a Cast
No Country for Old Men
Alternate: Into the Wild
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Alternate: George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Alternate: Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Alternate: Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Alternate: Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
What are your predictions?
Best Performance by a Cast
No Country for Old Men
Alternate: Into the Wild
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Alternate: George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Alternate: Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Alternate: Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Alternate: Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
What are your predictions?
Joel and Ethan Coen win DGA
Winning for No Country for Old Men, the Coens have become a further lock for Best Director.
"Oh, we get two of them," Ethan Coen said as he and brother Joel were presented with their trophies for outstanding feature film achievement."
Thoughts?
Saturday, January 26, 2008
My SAG Predix
I always like to use the SAG as an opportunity to make some absolutely absurd predix, but, because (especially in the last few years), those have never turned out to be true, I'm playing it safe this year. My predix are:
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Cate Blanchett - I'm Not There
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
BEST ACTRESS: Julie Christie - Away From Her
BEST ACTOR: Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood
BEST ENSEMBLE: No Country for Old Men
Yawn.
But what if it went down like this:
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Catherine Keener - Into the Wild
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Tommy Lee Jones - No Country for Old Men
BEST ACTRESS: Angelina Jolie - A Mighty Heart
BEST ACTOR: Emile Hirsch - Into the Wild
BEST ENSEMBLE: Hairspray
That would be...hilarious. It would make for a much more exciting award season. What would be even more exciting is if The Diving Bell and the Butterfly won the PGA, Sean Penn took the DGA and the WGA went to Zodiac and Knocked Up. The Oscars would be much more unpredictable.
But that's just me dreaming. It's totally impossible. Sigh.
Well, discuss your thoughts on the forum. Winners are announced tomorrow in an ACTUAL TELECAST! Be sure to tune in because, and I hate to say this, it might be what we get instead of an Oscar broadcast.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Cate Blanchett - I'm Not There
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
BEST ACTRESS: Julie Christie - Away From Her
BEST ACTOR: Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood
BEST ENSEMBLE: No Country for Old Men
Yawn.
But what if it went down like this:
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Catherine Keener - Into the Wild
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Tommy Lee Jones - No Country for Old Men
BEST ACTRESS: Angelina Jolie - A Mighty Heart
BEST ACTOR: Emile Hirsch - Into the Wild
BEST ENSEMBLE: Hairspray
That would be...hilarious. It would make for a much more exciting award season. What would be even more exciting is if The Diving Bell and the Butterfly won the PGA, Sean Penn took the DGA and the WGA went to Zodiac and Knocked Up. The Oscars would be much more unpredictable.
But that's just me dreaming. It's totally impossible. Sigh.
Well, discuss your thoughts on the forum. Winners are announced tomorrow in an ACTUAL TELECAST! Be sure to tune in because, and I hate to say this, it might be what we get instead of an Oscar broadcast.
Friday, January 25, 2008
My Final DGA Prediction...
As we all know, the Director's Guild of America Award always ends up being a very important precursor. Around 80% of the time, the recipient of the award goes on to win the Best Director Oscar, and it is also a catalyst in predicting BP. The winner is being announced tomorrow, so my final prediction is:
JOEL COEN AND ETHAN COEN for NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. Obviously. No Country is almost certainly going to win Best Picture, unless it doesn't work out at the guilds. I'm actually kind of hoping it goes to someone totally unexpected like TONY GILROY for MICHAEL CLAYTON or even SEAN PENN for INTO THE WILD if they really want to screw with us, but of course that's not going to happen. PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON for THERE WILL BE BLOOD is a dark horse candidate, and a win here would definitely make the Best Picture race more interesting, but, if the Coen Brothers fail to win for some reason, it will go to JULIAN SCHANBEL for THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY. It would be really interesting if that did happen, seeing as how it would make the arguable frontrunner the director of a foreign, non-BP nominated film. But it's pretty clear that the Coens will take it in a breeze.
But who knows? What do you all think? Discuss on the forum.
JOEL COEN AND ETHAN COEN for NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. Obviously. No Country is almost certainly going to win Best Picture, unless it doesn't work out at the guilds. I'm actually kind of hoping it goes to someone totally unexpected like TONY GILROY for MICHAEL CLAYTON or even SEAN PENN for INTO THE WILD if they really want to screw with us, but of course that's not going to happen. PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON for THERE WILL BE BLOOD is a dark horse candidate, and a win here would definitely make the Best Picture race more interesting, but, if the Coen Brothers fail to win for some reason, it will go to JULIAN SCHANBEL for THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY. It would be really interesting if that did happen, seeing as how it would make the arguable frontrunner the director of a foreign, non-BP nominated film. But it's pretty clear that the Coens will take it in a breeze.
But who knows? What do you all think? Discuss on the forum.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Just a Reminder...
I haven't talked about this in months, which probably explains why there hasn't been a post in months, but we do have a forum here where you can discuss any and all things Oscar (and film) related with other fans (and, again, thanks to The Oscar Igloo for introducing me to this *great* hosting site). The link is on the sidebar, or here.
Oh, and thanks to everyone for voting in the poll! You've still got 2 days to cast your vote, and I really encourage you to do so. I'm hoping to make this a weekly thing.
First round predix will start tomorrow.
Oh, and thanks to everyone for voting in the poll! You've still got 2 days to cast your vote, and I really encourage you to do so. I'm hoping to make this a weekly thing.
First round predix will start tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Heath Ledger
R.I.P. Heath.
My condolences to your family.
I loved your performance from Brokeback Mountain and I was really looking forward to see you as the Joker later this summer in The Dark Knight.
You will be missed.
My condolences to your family.
I loved your performance from Brokeback Mountain and I was really looking forward to see you as the Joker later this summer in The Dark Knight.
You will be missed.
My Thoughts on the Nominees...
First and foremost, however, condolences to the family of Heath Ledger. Very sad news...
Best Picture
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
The biggest surprise here is probably Atonement...however, the surprise, as usual, comes not from what is nominated, but from what isn't nominated. I was really surprised to see Into the Wild passed up in all the Big 8 categories besides Best Supporting Actor. The rest is pretty much as expected. Also; and this is just a tidbit; this is the first year where I have seen every nominated film (came close last year with 4/5). Exciting.
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Jason Reitman, Juno
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
I'm trying to keep my thoughts on the year's films bottled up until I release my ballot, but, since I've already reviewed Juno, I will just say:
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jason Reitman got in! I thought that the direction was the best element of Juno; even better than the performances and screenplay. Very happy about that.
Best Actor
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
Well, Johnny got in, which I guess I should have predicted. I dunno, I was just feeling a snub. Other than that, it looks pretty obvious. Wait a second...
TOMMY LEE JONES FOR IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH?????? Did anyone see that coming? I suppose it was compensating for not nomination him for No Country. Maybe? I don't know. But the Gosling and Hirsch snubs are surprising (to me at least).
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away from Her
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Laura Linney, The Savages
Ellen Page, Juno
I've only seen two of these films (Away From Her and Juno), but I have to say that I'm pretty satisfied with these nominees. I haven't seen The Savages or A Mighty Heart, but I have to say: good for Laura Linney! Sure didn't see that coming...guess I should have listened to that last-minute buzz.
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
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Everyone was predicting a Tommy Lee Jones nomination as a last-minute surprise, but this really isn't a shocker. Bardem has this award in the bag.
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
The only real surprise in this category is that Catherine Keener was snubbed in favor of either Saoirse Ronan or Ruby Dee; whichever you think. This is a pretty exciting race, because, as is now, it could really go to either Blanchett or Ryan. It would be awesome if the SAG went to Dee, Ronan or Swinton, just to screw things up.
Best Original Screenplay
Juno
Michael Clayton
Lars and the Real Girl
Ratatouille
The Savages
We all knew Ratatouille, Juno and Michael Clayton would get in. The rest was just picking two from The Savages, Lars and the Real Girl, American Gangster or Knocked Up.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Atonement
Away from Her
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
There Will Be Blood
No Country for Old Men
Away From Her is the big surprise here. Zodiac and Into the Wild being shut out certainly makes this category interesting. This will be a fun race to predict, as it could really go to No Country for Old Men just because it's the BP frontrunner, or There Will Be Blood because it is so script-heavy, and the writer's love Paul Thomas Anderson. We'll see.
Best Picture
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
The biggest surprise here is probably Atonement...however, the surprise, as usual, comes not from what is nominated, but from what isn't nominated. I was really surprised to see Into the Wild passed up in all the Big 8 categories besides Best Supporting Actor. The rest is pretty much as expected. Also; and this is just a tidbit; this is the first year where I have seen every nominated film (came close last year with 4/5). Exciting.
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Jason Reitman, Juno
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
I'm trying to keep my thoughts on the year's films bottled up until I release my ballot, but, since I've already reviewed Juno, I will just say:
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jason Reitman got in! I thought that the direction was the best element of Juno; even better than the performances and screenplay. Very happy about that.
Best Actor
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
Well, Johnny got in, which I guess I should have predicted. I dunno, I was just feeling a snub. Other than that, it looks pretty obvious. Wait a second...
TOMMY LEE JONES FOR IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH?????? Did anyone see that coming? I suppose it was compensating for not nomination him for No Country. Maybe? I don't know. But the Gosling and Hirsch snubs are surprising (to me at least).
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away from Her
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Laura Linney, The Savages
Ellen Page, Juno
I've only seen two of these films (Away From Her and Juno), but I have to say that I'm pretty satisfied with these nominees. I haven't seen The Savages or A Mighty Heart, but I have to say: good for Laura Linney! Sure didn't see that coming...guess I should have listened to that last-minute buzz.
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
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Everyone was predicting a Tommy Lee Jones nomination as a last-minute surprise, but this really isn't a shocker. Bardem has this award in the bag.
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
The only real surprise in this category is that Catherine Keener was snubbed in favor of either Saoirse Ronan or Ruby Dee; whichever you think. This is a pretty exciting race, because, as is now, it could really go to either Blanchett or Ryan. It would be awesome if the SAG went to Dee, Ronan or Swinton, just to screw things up.
Best Original Screenplay
Juno
Michael Clayton
Lars and the Real Girl
Ratatouille
The Savages
We all knew Ratatouille, Juno and Michael Clayton would get in. The rest was just picking two from The Savages, Lars and the Real Girl, American Gangster or Knocked Up.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Atonement
Away from Her
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
There Will Be Blood
No Country for Old Men
Away From Her is the big surprise here. Zodiac and Into the Wild being shut out certainly makes this category interesting. This will be a fun race to predict, as it could really go to No Country for Old Men just because it's the BP frontrunner, or There Will Be Blood because it is so script-heavy, and the writer's love Paul Thomas Anderson. We'll see.
Full Oscar Nominees
I am so unbelievably pleased with these nominees. Here we go:
Best Picture
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Jason Reitman, Juno
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Best Actor
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
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
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away from Her
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Laura Linney, The Savages
Ellen Page, Juno
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Best Adapted Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Christopher Hampton, Atonement
Ronald Harwood, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Sarah Polley, Away from Her
Best Original Screenplay
Brad Bird, Jim Capobianco, and Jan Pinkava, Ratatouille
Diablo Cody, Juno
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Tamara Jenkins, The Savages
Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl
Best Foreign Language Film
Beaufort- Israel
The Counterfeiters- Austria
Katyn- Poland
Mongol- Kazakhstan
12- Russia
Best Animated Film
Persepolis
Ratatouille
Surf's Up
Best Art Direction
American Gangster
Atonement
The Golden Compass
Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
There Will Be Blood
Best Cinematography
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Atonement
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Costume Design
Across the Universe
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
La Vie en Rose
Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Documentary Feature
No End in Sight
Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience
Sicko
Taxi to the Dark Side
War/Dance
Best Documentary Feature- Short Subject
Freeheld
La Corona (The Crown)
Salim Baba
Sari's Mother
Best Film Editing
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Into the Wild
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Makeup Design
La Vie en Rose
Norbit
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Best Original Score
3:10 to Yuma
Atonement
The Kite Runner
Michael Clayton
Ratatouille
Best Original Song
"Falling Slowly", Once
"Happy Working Song", Enchanted
"Raise It Up", August Rush
"So Close", Enchanted
"That's How You Know", Enchanted
Best Short Film- Animated
I Met the Walrus
Madame Tutli
Même Les Pigeons Vont au Paradis (Even Pigeons Go to Heaven)
My Love (Moya Lyubov)
Peter & the Wolf
Best Short Film- Live Action
At Night
Il Supplente (The Substitute)
Le Mozart des Pickpockets (The Mozart of Pickpockets)
Tanghi Argentini
The Tonto Woman
Best Sound Editing
The Bourne Ultimatum
No Country for Old Men
Ratatouille
There Will Be Blood
Transformers
Best Sound Mixing
3:10 to Yuma
The Bourne Ultimatum
No Country for Old Men
Ratatouille
Transformers
Best Visual Effects
The Golden Compass
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Transformers
I think these might be the best set of Oscar nominees in a very long time (minus the lack of love for Into the Wild and The Simpsons Movie). The surprise nominations of Laura Linney and Jason Reitman are amazing; I'm so pleased.
EDIT 7:45 PM GMT: But I guess I'm in the minority on that last thought.
Best Picture
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Jason Reitman, Juno
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Best Actor
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
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
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away from Her
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Laura Linney, The Savages
Ellen Page, Juno
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Best Adapted Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Christopher Hampton, Atonement
Ronald Harwood, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Sarah Polley, Away from Her
Best Original Screenplay
Brad Bird, Jim Capobianco, and Jan Pinkava, Ratatouille
Diablo Cody, Juno
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Tamara Jenkins, The Savages
Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl
Best Foreign Language Film
Beaufort- Israel
The Counterfeiters- Austria
Katyn- Poland
Mongol- Kazakhstan
12- Russia
Best Animated Film
Persepolis
Ratatouille
Surf's Up
Best Art Direction
American Gangster
Atonement
The Golden Compass
Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
There Will Be Blood
Best Cinematography
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Atonement
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Costume Design
Across the Universe
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
La Vie en Rose
Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Documentary Feature
No End in Sight
Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience
Sicko
Taxi to the Dark Side
War/Dance
Best Documentary Feature- Short Subject
Freeheld
La Corona (The Crown)
Salim Baba
Sari's Mother
Best Film Editing
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Into the Wild
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Makeup Design
La Vie en Rose
Norbit
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Best Original Score
3:10 to Yuma
Atonement
The Kite Runner
Michael Clayton
Ratatouille
Best Original Song
"Falling Slowly", Once
"Happy Working Song", Enchanted
"Raise It Up", August Rush
"So Close", Enchanted
"That's How You Know", Enchanted
Best Short Film- Animated
I Met the Walrus
Madame Tutli
Même Les Pigeons Vont au Paradis (Even Pigeons Go to Heaven)
My Love (Moya Lyubov)
Peter & the Wolf
Best Short Film- Live Action
At Night
Il Supplente (The Substitute)
Le Mozart des Pickpockets (The Mozart of Pickpockets)
Tanghi Argentini
The Tonto Woman
Best Sound Editing
The Bourne Ultimatum
No Country for Old Men
Ratatouille
There Will Be Blood
Transformers
Best Sound Mixing
3:10 to Yuma
The Bourne Ultimatum
No Country for Old Men
Ratatouille
Transformers
Best Visual Effects
The Golden Compass
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Transformers
I think these might be the best set of Oscar nominees in a very long time (minus the lack of love for Into the Wild and The Simpsons Movie). The surprise nominations of Laura Linney and Jason Reitman are amazing; I'm so pleased.
EDIT 7:45 PM GMT: But I guess I'm in the minority on that last thought.
Oscar Nominees!!!!
Best Picture
:: Atonement
:: Juno
:: Michael Clayton
:: No Country for Old Men
:: There Will Be Blood
Best Director
:: Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
:: Jason Reitman, Juno
:: Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
:: Ethan and Joel Coen, No Country for Old Men
:: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Best Actor
:: George Clooney, Michael Clayton
:: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
:: Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd
:: Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
:: Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
Best Actress
:: Cate Blanchett, The Golden Age
:: Julie Christie, Away From Her
:: Marion Cotillard, La Vie En Rose
:: Laura Linney, The Savages
:: Ellen Page, Juno
Best Supporting Actor
:: Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James
:: Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
:: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
:: Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
:: Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Best Supporting Actress
:: Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
:: Ruby Dee, American Gangster
:: Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
:: Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
:: Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Will post reactions later. But, first off:
Yay.
:: Atonement
:: Juno
:: Michael Clayton
:: No Country for Old Men
:: There Will Be Blood
Best Director
:: Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
:: Jason Reitman, Juno
:: Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
:: Ethan and Joel Coen, No Country for Old Men
:: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Best Actor
:: George Clooney, Michael Clayton
:: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
:: Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd
:: Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
:: Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
Best Actress
:: Cate Blanchett, The Golden Age
:: Julie Christie, Away From Her
:: Marion Cotillard, La Vie En Rose
:: Laura Linney, The Savages
:: Ellen Page, Juno
Best Supporting Actor
:: Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James
:: Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
:: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
:: Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
:: Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Best Supporting Actress
:: Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
:: Ruby Dee, American Gangster
:: Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
:: Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
:: Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Will post reactions later. But, first off:
Yay.
Monday, January 21, 2008
David's Top 10 of 2007
To continue on this rare appearance on my behalf, I'd like to present my personal top 10 of the past year.
10. Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
9. Into The Wild
8. Michael Clayton
7. Ratatouille
6. Eastern Promises
5. The Kite Runner
4. Juno
3. Atonement
2. There Will Be Blood
1. No Country For Old Men
Honorable Mentions: Once, Sweeney Todd, 3:10 To Yuma, Knocked Up, The Diving Bell & The Butterfly
What's your top 10 of 2007?
10. Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
9. Into The Wild
8. Michael Clayton
7. Ratatouille
6. Eastern Promises
5. The Kite Runner
4. Juno
3. Atonement
2. There Will Be Blood
1. No Country For Old Men
Honorable Mentions: Once, Sweeney Todd, 3:10 To Yuma, Knocked Up, The Diving Bell & The Butterfly
What's your top 10 of 2007?
David's Oscar Predix
Hello all! Sorry for my long absence away from the blog, but school is hell these days, I guess I don't have to tell you! But that's not gonna stop me from getting my predix in come Oscar time.
Well, to get things going, here's my final predix on who will be nominated for tomorrow's Oscar nominations announcement.
Well, to get things going, here's my final predix on who will be nominated for tomorrow's Oscar nominations announcement.
BEST PICTURE
Atonement
Into The Wild
Juno
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood
BEST DIRECTOR
Paul Thomas Anderson - There Will Be Blood
Joel & Ethan Coen - No Country For Old Men
Sean Penn - Into The Wild
Julian Schnabel - The Diving Bell & 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
Emile Hirsch - Into The Wild
Viggo Mortensen - Eastern Promises
BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth: The Golden Age
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
Tommy Lee Jones - No Country For Old Men
Tom Wilkinson - Michael Clayton
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett - I'm Not There
Catherine Keener - Into The Wild
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
The Diving Bell & The Butterfly
Into The Wild
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
12
Beaufort
The Counterfeiters
Days Of Darkness
The Year My Parents Went On Vacation
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Persepolis
Ratatouille
The Simpsons Movie
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM
Autism: The Musical
The King Of Kong: A Fistful Of Quarters
No End In Sight
Sicko
War/Dance
BEST FILM EDITING
Atonement
The Bourne Ultimatum
Into The Wild
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood
BEST ART DIRECTION
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Hairspray
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
There Will Be Blood
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
Atonement
The Diving Bell & The Butterfly
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Hairspray
La Vie En Rose
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
BEST MAKEUP
300
La Vie En Rose
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Atonement
Into The Wild
The Kite Runner
Ratatouille
There Will Be Blood
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
'That's How You Know' - Enchanted
'Grace Is Gone' - Grace Is Gone
'Come So Far (Got So Far To Go)' - Hairspray
'Guaranteed' - Into The Wild
'Falling Slowly' - Once
BEST SOUND EDITING
3:10 To Yuma
Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End
Ratatouille
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
Transformers
BEST SOUND MIXING
300
The Bourne Ultimatum
Hairspray
No Country For Old Men
Transformers
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
300
Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End
Transformers
Final Tally:
9 - Atonement, Into The Wild
8 - There Will Be Blood, No Country For Old Men
5 - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
4 - Michael Clayton, Ratatouille, Hairspray
3 - Juno, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, La Vie En Rose, 300, Transformers
2 - The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford, The Bourne Ultimatum, Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End
Tune in tomorrow to find out the results!
One Small Change in my Predix...
I usually NEVER let myself do this, but it was announced today that There Will Be Blood, Into the Wild and Enchanted are disqualified for Best Original Score. TWBB and Into the Wild are in my predix, so I am going to change that now. Sorry.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
American Gangster
Atonement
Eastern Promises
Ratatouille
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
American Gangster
Atonement
Eastern Promises
Ratatouille
Daniel's FINAL Predictions
I'm only going to change one nominee on my predictions yesterday. After this is posted, I will not change any of the nominees. So, my final predictions for the 80th Academy Awards are:
Best Picture
Into the Wild
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Sean Penn, Into the Wild
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
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
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Catherine Keener, Into the Wild
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Best Original Screenplay
Brad Bird, Ratatouille
Diablo Cody, Juno
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Tamara Jenkins, The Savages
Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl
Best Adapted Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Christopher Hampton, Atonement
Sean Penn, Into the Wild
Aaron Sorkin, Charlie Wilson's War
Best Foreign Language Film
12
Days of Darkness
The Counterfeiters
The Unknown
The Year My Parents Went on Vacation
Best Animated Film
Persepolis
The Simpsons Movie
Ratatouille
Best Documentary Feature
Autism: The Musical
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Lake of Fire
No End in Sight
Sicko
Best Film Editing
Atonement
The Bourne Ultimatum
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Art Direction
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
There Will Be Blood
Best Cinematography
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Atonement
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Costume Design
3:10 to Yuma
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Hairspray
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Makeup
La Vie en Rose
Norbit
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Original Score
3:10 to Yuma
Atonement
Eastern Promises
The Kite Runner
Ratatouille
Best Original Song
"That's How You Know", Enchanted
"Grace is Gone", Grace is Gone
"Come So Far (Got So Far to Go)", Hairspray
"Guaranteed", Into the Wild
"Falling Slowly", Once
Best Sound Editing
3:10 to Yuma
No Country for Old Men
Ratatouille
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Transformers
Best Sound Mixing
The Bourne Ultimatum
Hairspray
No Country for Old Men
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Transformers
Best Visual Effects
300
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Transformers
Best Picture
Into the Wild
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Sean Penn, Into the Wild
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
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
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Catherine Keener, Into the Wild
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Best Original Screenplay
Brad Bird, Ratatouille
Diablo Cody, Juno
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Tamara Jenkins, The Savages
Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl
Best Adapted Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Christopher Hampton, Atonement
Sean Penn, Into the Wild
Aaron Sorkin, Charlie Wilson's War
Best Foreign Language Film
12
Days of Darkness
The Counterfeiters
The Unknown
The Year My Parents Went on Vacation
Best Animated Film
Persepolis
The Simpsons Movie
Ratatouille
Best Documentary Feature
Autism: The Musical
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Lake of Fire
No End in Sight
Sicko
Best Film Editing
Atonement
The Bourne Ultimatum
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Art Direction
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
There Will Be Blood
Best Cinematography
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Atonement
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Costume Design
3:10 to Yuma
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Hairspray
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Makeup
La Vie en Rose
Norbit
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Original Score
3:10 to Yuma
Atonement
Eastern Promises
The Kite Runner
Ratatouille
Best Original Song
"That's How You Know", Enchanted
"Grace is Gone", Grace is Gone
"Come So Far (Got So Far to Go)", Hairspray
"Guaranteed", Into the Wild
"Falling Slowly", Once
Best Sound Editing
3:10 to Yuma
No Country for Old Men
Ratatouille
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Transformers
Best Sound Mixing
The Bourne Ultimatum
Hairspray
No Country for Old Men
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Transformers
Best Visual Effects
300
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Transformers
And that's it.
My nomination tally:
No Country for Old Men- 8
Atonement, Michael Clayton, & There Will Be Blood- 7
Into the Wild & Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street- 6
Ratatouille- 4
3:10 to Yuma, Hairspray, Juno, & Transformers- 3
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Bourne Ultimatum, Charlie Wilson's War, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Eastern Promises, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, La Vie en Rose, Lars and the Real Girl- 2
No Country for Old Men- 8
Atonement, Michael Clayton, & There Will Be Blood- 7
Into the Wild & Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street- 6
Ratatouille- 4
3:10 to Yuma, Hairspray, Juno, & Transformers- 3
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Bourne Ultimatum, Charlie Wilson's War, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Eastern Promises, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, La Vie en Rose, Lars and the Real Girl- 2
Finally, the nominees will be announced. Good luck to everyone with their predictions.
My FINAL Oscar Nominee Predix
This is one of my favorite days of the year: Nomination Eve. All the guesswork we've been doing since March is about to be either proven or not. Very exciting stuff.
I told all of you that I was only going to allow myself to change one nominee in my Top 5 Final Predix. However, I'm pretty confident in my predix...or so I thought I was considering taking out Michael Clayton, but I ended up keeping it in. It seems like Diving Bell and the Butterfly should be in there somewhere, but where? I decided to just leave Best Picture as it is. But, for Best Director, I am pretty sure that I will be taking out Gilroy in place of Joe Wright for Atonement. Making such a prediction might make it seem like I don't know what I'm talking about, but I simply cannot see Gliroy's name being announced tomorrow. Don't ask why...
All I hope for is that my top 3 make the cut (speaking of which...my ballot and top 10 will be published on February 3. I know that's really late for an Oscar site, but there are some contenders that won't even open in my town until February). I would say that there is a pretty good chance of that happening, but...ya never know.
Okay, here we go (because this isn't focused on winners, this will be one of the few times where nominees are listed in alphabetical order, rather than their likeliness of winning):
I hope I'm able to get the nominees up tomorrow morning, but I might run into time issues...we'll see. But be sure to watch the Oscar Nominee Announcement tomorrow at 5:30 Pacific Time on...I don't know what station. It's probably on E!, so look there. If you don't have cable, then I would guess ABC because they're hosting the telecast.
Yay!
I told all of you that I was only going to allow myself to change one nominee in my Top 5 Final Predix. However, I'm pretty confident in my predix...or so I thought I was considering taking out Michael Clayton, but I ended up keeping it in. It seems like Diving Bell and the Butterfly should be in there somewhere, but where? I decided to just leave Best Picture as it is. But, for Best Director, I am pretty sure that I will be taking out Gilroy in place of Joe Wright for Atonement. Making such a prediction might make it seem like I don't know what I'm talking about, but I simply cannot see Gliroy's name being announced tomorrow. Don't ask why...All I hope for is that my top 3 make the cut (speaking of which...my ballot and top 10 will be published on February 3. I know that's really late for an Oscar site, but there are some contenders that won't even open in my town until February). I would say that there is a pretty good chance of that happening, but...ya never know.
Okay, here we go (because this isn't focused on winners, this will be one of the few times where nominees are listed in alphabetical order, rather than their likeliness of winning):
BEST PICTURE
Into the Wild
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Paul Thomas Anderson – There Will Be Blood
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen – No Country for Old Men
Sean Penn – Into the Wild
Julian Schnabel – The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Joe Wright – Atonement
George Clooney – Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis – There Will Be Blood
Emile Hirsch – Into the Wild
Ryan Gosling – Lars and the Real Girl
Viggo Mortensen – Eastern Promises
Cate Blanchett –
Julie Christie – Away From Her
Marion Cotillard – La Vie En Rose
Angelina Jolie – A Mighty Heart
Ellen Page – Juno
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
Tommy Lee Jones – No Country for Old Men
Tom Wilkinson – Michael Clayton
Cate Blanchett – I’m Not There
Catherine Keener – Into the Wild
Vanessa Redgrave – Atonement
Amy Ryan – Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton – Michael Clayton
American Gangster
Juno
Michael Clayton
Ratatouille
The Savages
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Into the Wild
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Zodiac
12
Beaufort
The Counterfeiters
The Unknown
The Year My Parents Went on Vacation
Ratatouille
The Simpsons Movie
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Autism: The Musical
No End in Sight
The Rape of Europa
Sicko
War/Dance
BEST FILM EDITING
American Gangster
The Diving Bell & the Butterfly
No Country for Old Men
Michael Clayton
There Will Be Blood
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Atonement
Into the Wild
The Kite Runner
Ratatouille
There Will Be Blood
“That’s How You Know” – Enchanted
“Grace is Gone” – Grace is Gone
“Come So Far (Got So Far to Go)” – Hairspray
“Guaranteed” – Into the Wild
“Falling Slowly” – Once
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Hairspray
Sweeney Todd
There Will Be Blood
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Atonement
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Atonement
Enchanted
La Vie En Rose
Sweeney Todd
BEST MAKEUP
300
La Vie En Rose
Sweeney Todd
BEST SOUND EDITING
Hairspray
No Country for Old Men
Ratatouille
Transformers
BEST SOUND MIXING
300
Hairspray
The Bourne Ultimatum
No Country for Old Men
300
Pirates of the
Transformers
I hope I'm able to get the nominees up tomorrow morning, but I might run into time issues...we'll see. But be sure to watch the Oscar Nominee Announcement tomorrow at 5:30 Pacific Time on...I don't know what station. It's probably on E!, so look there. If you don't have cable, then I would guess ABC because they're hosting the telecast.
Yay!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
TOP 5 FINAL PREDIX: Best Picture
BEST PICTURE
1. No Country for Old Men-Very little can stop this from taking it all.
2. There Will Be Blood-Major success at the guilds could give this the statuette, but don't hold your breath.
3. Michael Clayton-It's almost surely gonna get the nod, but a win is near impossible.
4. Juno-It's an enormous hit with audiences and the guilds, but will that be enough? There's a lot of competition, and I'm afraid that this might be what suffers.
5. Into the Wild-It's either this, Diving Bell and the Butterfly or Atonement. We have to remember that EVERY member of AMPAS votes for BP; not just producers; and, even though it was snubbed at the PGA, it was still a smash hit everywhere else. This looks like the one, though Diving Bell is very close behind.
2. There Will Be Blood-Major success at the guilds could give this the statuette, but don't hold your breath.
3. Michael Clayton-It's almost surely gonna get the nod, but a win is near impossible.
4. Juno-It's an enormous hit with audiences and the guilds, but will that be enough? There's a lot of competition, and I'm afraid that this might be what suffers.
5. Into the Wild-It's either this, Diving Bell and the Butterfly or Atonement. We have to remember that EVERY member of AMPAS votes for BP; not just producers; and, even though it was snubbed at the PGA, it was still a smash hit everywhere else. This looks like the one, though Diving Bell is very close behind.
Daniel's Predictions for the 80th Academy Awards: Big Eight
Here we go:
Best Picture
Into the Wild
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Sean Penn, Into the Wild
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
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
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tommy Lee Jones, No Country for Old Men
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Catherine Keener, Into the Wild
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Best Original Screenplay
Brad Bird, Ratatouille
Diablo Cody, Juno
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Tamara Jenkins, The Savages
Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl
Best Adapted Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Christopher Hampton, Atonement
Sean Penn, Into the Wild
Aaron Sorkin, Charlie Wilson's War
I thought I'd throw in a couple snubs or surprises just to keep them interesting.
Things that would be entertaining or surprising:
-Marisa Tomei receives a surprise Best Supporting Actress nomination and then wins (a la My Cousin Vinny)
-James McAvoy receives a Best Actor nomination
-Johnny Depp is snubbed of a Best Actor nomination (the most likely)
-Laura Linney AND Philip Seymour Hoffman receive nominations for The Savages
-Kelly Macdonald receives a nomination for Best Supporting Actress; the Academy falls completely, head-over-heels, in love with No Country for Old Men
-Charlie Wilson's War receives a Best Picture nomination
-Leave comments with some more
Best Picture
Into the Wild
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Sean Penn, Into the Wild
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
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
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Tommy Lee Jones, No Country for Old Men
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Catherine Keener, Into the Wild
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Best Original Screenplay
Brad Bird, Ratatouille
Diablo Cody, Juno
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Tamara Jenkins, The Savages
Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl
Best Adapted Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Christopher Hampton, Atonement
Sean Penn, Into the Wild
Aaron Sorkin, Charlie Wilson's War
I thought I'd throw in a couple snubs or surprises just to keep them interesting.
Things that would be entertaining or surprising:
-Marisa Tomei receives a surprise Best Supporting Actress nomination and then wins (a la My Cousin Vinny)
-James McAvoy receives a Best Actor nomination
-Johnny Depp is snubbed of a Best Actor nomination (the most likely)
-Laura Linney AND Philip Seymour Hoffman receive nominations for The Savages
-Kelly Macdonald receives a nomination for Best Supporting Actress; the Academy falls completely, head-over-heels, in love with No Country for Old Men
-Charlie Wilson's War receives a Best Picture nomination
-Leave comments with some more
Saturday, January 19, 2008
The Road finally has a confirmed Father?
Taking a quick detour from this year's Oscar race to next year's Oscar race:
A film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's masterpiece, and one of my all time favorite books, The Road was announced on IMDB somewhere around a year ago. Since then, there have been rumors floating around about the unnamed protagonist; the father character. While there have been times when a single actor is on the cast list, the character name has never been confirmed. In addition, most of the time there was a split between two or three actors, all who had (rumored) or (in talks) next to their names but, once again, no character name next to them.
IMDB has a finalized choice for the role of the Father in next year's The Road. That actor is.
His name has been dropped for a while for the role but hadn't been confirmed. Mortensen has said in an interview last September that he will be playing the role. That is just absolutely brilliant casting. I've been rooting for him to get the role since I first saw his name on the IMDB page.
Even newer in the cast is Charlize Theron, who will be playing the mother role (in flashbacks, which is obvious to anyone who has read the novel).
While Mortensen has been the name used for the father since last year, now that IMDB has the confirmation...I consider it officially official.
Also, if you need a more recent source...click here.
A film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's masterpiece, and one of my all time favorite books, The Road was announced on IMDB somewhere around a year ago. Since then, there have been rumors floating around about the unnamed protagonist; the father character. While there have been times when a single actor is on the cast list, the character name has never been confirmed. In addition, most of the time there was a split between two or three actors, all who had (rumored) or (in talks) next to their names but, once again, no character name next to them.
IMDB has a finalized choice for the role of the Father in next year's The Road. That actor is.
His name has been dropped for a while for the role but hadn't been confirmed. Mortensen has said in an interview last September that he will be playing the role. That is just absolutely brilliant casting. I've been rooting for him to get the role since I first saw his name on the IMDB page.
Even newer in the cast is Charlize Theron, who will be playing the mother role (in flashbacks, which is obvious to anyone who has read the novel).
While Mortensen has been the name used for the father since last year, now that IMDB has the confirmation...I consider it officially official.
Also, if you need a more recent source...click here.
TOP 5 FINAL PREDIX: Best Director
BEST DIRECTOR
1. Joel Coen and Ethan Coen-No Country for Old Men-They are pretty much the undisputed frontrunners. If they win the DGA, expect lock status.
2. Julian Schnabel-The Diving Bell and the Butterfly-He's in for a nomination, but only a DGA victory can get us talking about a win (translation: he'll have to accept just a nomination).
3. Sean Penn-Into the Wild-Both the Academy and the Director's Guild love their actors turned directors. He's safe.
4. Paul Thomas Anderson-There Will Be Blood-He'll win someday. Not this year.
5. Tony Gilroy-Micheal Clayton-This could really go to Gilroy, Burton or Wright. Why am I giving it to Gilroy? Uhh...I dunno. I guess it's just because I would feel less stupid being wrong than I would be if I predicted Burton or Wright.
2. Julian Schnabel-The Diving Bell and the Butterfly-He's in for a nomination, but only a DGA victory can get us talking about a win (translation: he'll have to accept just a nomination).
3. Sean Penn-Into the Wild-Both the Academy and the Director's Guild love their actors turned directors. He's safe.
4. Paul Thomas Anderson-There Will Be Blood-He'll win someday. Not this year.
5. Tony Gilroy-Micheal Clayton-This could really go to Gilroy, Burton or Wright. Why am I giving it to Gilroy? Uhh...I dunno. I guess it's just because I would feel less stupid being wrong than I would be if I predicted Burton or Wright.
Friday, January 18, 2008
TOP 5 FINAL PREDIX: Best Actor
BEST ACTOR
1. Daniel Day-Lewis-There Will Be Blood-Count on it.
2. George Clooney-Michael Clayton-The rest of these four spots could really go to any of the 5 additional contenders. Clooney, however, is the safest bet of that group.
3. Ryan Gosling-Lars and the Real Girl-He's scored every precursor he needs, essentially. I don't see why he wouldn't be included.
4. Emile Hirsch-Into the Wild-The buzz has been cut in half after the PGA snub, but I think he should make it in without much sweat.
5. Viggo Mortenson-Eastern Promises-He's received every precursor nod he needs...now all he needs is buzz. However, I am very attached to my theory that Johnny will be snubbed.
2. George Clooney-Michael Clayton-The rest of these four spots could really go to any of the 5 additional contenders. Clooney, however, is the safest bet of that group.
3. Ryan Gosling-Lars and the Real Girl-He's scored every precursor he needs, essentially. I don't see why he wouldn't be included.
4. Emile Hirsch-Into the Wild-The buzz has been cut in half after the PGA snub, but I think he should make it in without much sweat.
5. Viggo Mortenson-Eastern Promises-He's received every precursor nod he needs...now all he needs is buzz. However, I am very attached to my theory that Johnny will be snubbed.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
TOP 5 FINAL PREDIX: Best Actress
BEST ACTRESS
1. Julie Christie-Away From Her-She's legendary, she's got a boatload of precursors, she's critically acclaimed...she's just about locked and loaded.
2. Ellen Page-Juno-She's this year's breakthrough character actress. She'll have to settle for that. Unless there's some sort of upset...
3. Marion Cotillard-La Vie En Rose-Refreshing to see that a foreign actress can achieve lock status.
4. Angelina Jolie-A Mighty Heart-I'm not sure how she did it, but the buzz is back and it's golden. She's got everything ready to get a nod.
5. Cate Blanchett-Elizabeth: The Golden Age-To my surprise, it seems that her performance overpowered the film's awful reviews. Can you imagine what a lock she'd be if the film didn't suck?
2. Ellen Page-Juno-She's this year's breakthrough character actress. She'll have to settle for that. Unless there's some sort of upset...
3. Marion Cotillard-La Vie En Rose-Refreshing to see that a foreign actress can achieve lock status.
4. Angelina Jolie-A Mighty Heart-I'm not sure how she did it, but the buzz is back and it's golden. She's got everything ready to get a nod.
5. Cate Blanchett-Elizabeth: The Golden Age-To my surprise, it seems that her performance overpowered the film's awful reviews. Can you imagine what a lock she'd be if the film didn't suck?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
TOP 5 FINAL PREDIX: Best Screenplays
I just realized that nominations are being announced this Tuesday.
Wow.
Okay, so here's the game plan: starting today, I'm going to be making my final nominee predix for the top 5 (or is it 6?) categories (Screenplays, Actress, Actor, Director and Picture). I will finalize each category one day at a time. After I somehow decipher what the hell my final BP predix will look like on the 20th, I will finalize every category, besides shorts. I will only allow myself to change ONE nominee in the top 5. So, let us start with Best Screenplays:
Wow.
Okay, so here's the game plan: starting today, I'm going to be making my final nominee predix for the top 5 (or is it 6?) categories (Screenplays, Actress, Actor, Director and Picture). I will finalize each category one day at a time. After I somehow decipher what the hell my final BP predix will look like on the 20th, I will finalize every category, besides shorts. I will only allow myself to change ONE nominee in the top 5. So, let us start with Best Screenplays:
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
1. Juno-It's won virtually every precursor besides the GG, and, if there is a comedy in the BP lineup, it will usually win this category. Basically a lock.
2. Michael Clayton-Its likely BP nod will secure a spot for the screenplay.
3. Ratatouille-We all know they have a thing for Pixar in this category. It shouldn't have any trouble getting in.
4. American Gangster-This has to be rewarded somewhere, doesn't it?
5. The Savages-It feels like this movie died, but the WGA nod is reasurring, I suppose. And, between Lars and the Real Girl and Knocked Up, this is definitely the most baity.
2. Michael Clayton-Its likely BP nod will secure a spot for the screenplay.
3. Ratatouille-We all know they have a thing for Pixar in this category. It shouldn't have any trouble getting in.
4. American Gangster-This has to be rewarded somewhere, doesn't it?
5. The Savages-It feels like this movie died, but the WGA nod is reasurring, I suppose. And, between Lars and the Real Girl and Knocked Up, this is definitely the most baity.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
1. No Country for Old Men-Even if the movie somehow fails to win Best Picture, this is one win the Coens can count on.
2. There Will Be Blood-The admiration for PTA in the writer's community is enough to get him in, and the fact that this film is so highly acclaimed makes it pose a slight threat.
3. Into the Wild-Even if the film fails to get a BP nod, the WGA nomination assures it a spot here.
4. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly-Foreign films rarely get screenplay nods, but Diving Bell is, refreshingly, being treated equally.
5. Zodiac-It's either this or Atonement, but, with Zodiac snatching a Scripter and WGA nod over Atonement, this looks pretty solid. I honestly think Atonement will be shut out of all the major categories.
2. There Will Be Blood-The admiration for PTA in the writer's community is enough to get him in, and the fact that this film is so highly acclaimed makes it pose a slight threat.
3. Into the Wild-Even if the film fails to get a BP nod, the WGA nomination assures it a spot here.
4. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly-Foreign films rarely get screenplay nods, but Diving Bell is, refreshingly, being treated equally.
5. Zodiac-It's either this or Atonement, but, with Zodiac snatching a Scripter and WGA nod over Atonement, this looks pretty solid. I honestly think Atonement will be shut out of all the major categories.
BAFTA Nominations
My favorite precursor this year, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards, has released its nominees. It's my favorite this year because I'm going to attempt to be one of those annoying pedestrians who tries to flood the red carpet area. Will I be acting like a starstruck seven year old? Yes. Yes I will.
Thank you to the Oscar Igloo blog for the results:
FILM
AMERICAN GANGSTER – Brian Grazer/Ridley Scott
ATONEMENT – Tim Bevan/Eric Fellner/Paul Webster
THE LIVES OF OTHERS – Quirin Berg/Max Wiedemann
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Scott Rudin/Joel Coen/Ethan Coen
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – JoAnne Sellar/Paul Thomas Anderson/Daniel Lupi
BEST BRITISH FILM
ATONEMENT – Tim Bevan/Eric Fellner/Paul Webster/Joe Wright/Christopher Hampton
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Frank Marshall/Patrick Crowley/Paul L Sandberg/Paul Greengrass/Tony Gilroy/Scott Z Burns/George Nolfi
CONTROL – Orian Williams/ Todd Eckert/Anton Corbijn/Matt Greenhalgh
EASTERN PROMISES – Paul Webster/Robert Lantos/David Cronenberg/Steve Knight
THIS IS ENGLAND – Mark Herbert/Shane Mead
THE CARL FOREMAN AWARD
for Special Achievement by a British Director, Writer or Producer in their First Feature Film
CHRIS ATKINS (Director/Writer) – Taking Liberties
MIA BAYS (Producer) – Scott Walker: 30 Century Man
SARAH GAVRON (Director) – Brick Lane
MATT GREENHALGH (Writer) – Control
ANDREW PIDDINGTON (Director/Writer) – The Killing of John Lennon
DIRECTOR
ATONEMENT – Joe Wright
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Paul Greengrass
THE LIVES OF OTHERS – Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Joel Coen/Ethan Coen
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Paul Thomas Anderson
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
AMERICAN GANGSTER – Steven Zaillian
JUNO – Diablo Cody
THE LIVES OF OTHERS – Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
MICHAEL CLAYTON – Tony Gilroy
THIS IS ENGLAND – Shane Meadows
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
ATONEMENT – Christopher Hampton
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY – Ronald Harwood
THE KITE RUNNER – David Benioff
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Joel Coen/Ethan Coen
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Paul Thomas Anderson
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY – Kathleen Kennedy/Jon Kilik/Julian Schnabel
THE KITE RUNNER – William Horberg/Walter Parkes/Rebecca Yeldham/Marc Foster
THE LIVES OF OTHERS – Quirin Berg/Max Wiedemann/Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
LUST, CAUTION – Bill Kong/James Schamus/Ang Lee
LA VIE EN ROSE – Alain Goldman/Olivier Dahan
ANIMATED FILM
RATATOUILLE – Brad Bird
SHREK THE THIRD – Chris Miller
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE – Matt Groening/James L Brooks
LEADING ACTOR
GEORGE CLOONEY – Michael Clayton
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS – There Will Be Blood
JAMES McAVOY – Atonement
VIGGO MORTENSEN – Eastern Promises
ULRICH MÜHE – The Lives of Others
LEADING ACTRESS
CATE BLANCHETT – Elizabeth: The Golden Age
JULIE CHRISTIE – Away From Her
MARION COTILLARD – La Vie en Rose
KEIRA KNIGHTLEY – Atonement
ELLEN PAGE – Juno
SUPPORTING ACTOR
JAVIER BARDEM – No Country for Old Men
PAUL DANO – There Will Be Blood
TOMMY LEE JONES – No Country for Old Men
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN – Charlie Wilson’s War
TOM WILKINSON – Michael Clayton
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
CATE BLANCHETT – I’m Not There
KELLY MACDONALD – No Country for Old Men
SAMANTHA MORTON – Control
SAOIRSE RONAN – Atonement
TILDA SWINTON – Michael Clayton
MUSIC
AMERICAN GANGSTER – Marc Streitenfeld
ATONEMENT – Dario Marianelli
THE KITE RUNNER – Alberto Iglesias
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Jonny Greenwood
LA VIE EN ROSE – Christopher Gunning
CINEMATOGRAPHY
AMERICAN GANGSTER – Harris Savides
ATONEMENT – Seamus McGarvey
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Oliver Wood
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Roger Deakins
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Robert Elswit
EDITING
AMERICAN GANGSTER – Pietro Scalia
ATONEMENT – Paul Tothill
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Christopher Rouse
MICHAEL CLAYTON – John Gilroy
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Roderick Jaynes
PRODUCTION DESIGN
ATONEMENT – Sarah Greenwood/Katie Spencer
ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE – Guy Hendrix Dyas/Richard Roberts
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX – Stuart Craig/Stephenie McMillan
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Jack Fisk/Jim Erickson
LA VIE EN ROSE – Olivier Raoux
COSTUME DESIGN
ATONEMENT – Jacqueline Durran
ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE – Alexandra Byrne
LUST, CAUTION – Pan Lai
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET – Colleen Atwood
LA VIE EN ROSE – Marit Allen
SOUND
ATONEMENT – Danny Hambrook/Paul Hamblin/Catherine Hodgson
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Kirk Francis/Scott Millan/Dave Parker/Karen Baker Landers/Per Hallberg
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Peter Kurland/Skip Lievsay/Craig Berkey/Greg Orloff
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Christopher Scarabosio/Matthew Wood/John Pritchett/Michael Semanick/Tom Johnson
LA VIE EN ROSE – Laurent Zeilig/Pascal Villard/Jean-Paul Hurier/Marc Doisne
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Peter Chiang/Charlie Noble/Mattias Lindahl/Joss Williams
THE GOLDEN COMPASS – Michael Fink/Bill Westenhofer/Ben Morris/Trevor Woods
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX – Tim Burke/John Richardson/Emma Norton/Chris Shaw
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END – John Knoll/Charles Gibson/Hal Hickel/John Frazier
SPIDER-MAN 3 – Scott Stokdyk/Peter Nofz/Kee-Suk Ken Hahn/Spencer Cook
MAKE UP & HAIR
ATONEMENT – Ivana Primorac
ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE – Jenny Shircore
HAIRSPRAY – Nominees TBC
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET – Ivana Primorac
LA VIE EN ROSE – Jan Archibald/Didier Lavergne
SHORT ANIMATION
THE PEARCE SISTERS – Jo Allen/Luis Cook
HEAD OVER HEELS – Osbert Parker/Fiona Pitkin/Ian Gouldstone
THE CRUMBLEGIANT – Pearse Moore/John McCloskey
SHORT FILM
DOG ALTOGETHER – Diarmid Scrimshaw/Paddy Considine
HESITATION – Julien Berlan/Michelle Eastwood/Virginia Gilbert
THE ONE AND ONLY HERB MCGWYER PLAYS WALLIS ISLAND – Charlie Henderson/James Griffiths/Tim Key/Tom Basden
SOFT – Jane Hooks/Simon Ellis
THE STRONGER – Dan McCulloch/Lia Williams/Frank McGuinness
THE ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)
SHIA LABEOUF
SIENNA MILLER
ELLEN PAGE
SAM RILEY
TANG WEI
While on the topic of British cinema, I saw Atonement for the second time (first time was way back in early October) and absolutely loved it. I want to see it again for a third time.
Thank you to the Oscar Igloo blog for the results:
FILM
AMERICAN GANGSTER – Brian Grazer/Ridley Scott
ATONEMENT – Tim Bevan/Eric Fellner/Paul Webster
THE LIVES OF OTHERS – Quirin Berg/Max Wiedemann
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Scott Rudin/Joel Coen/Ethan Coen
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – JoAnne Sellar/Paul Thomas Anderson/Daniel Lupi
BEST BRITISH FILM
ATONEMENT – Tim Bevan/Eric Fellner/Paul Webster/Joe Wright/Christopher Hampton
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Frank Marshall/Patrick Crowley/Paul L Sandberg/Paul Greengrass/Tony Gilroy/Scott Z Burns/George Nolfi
CONTROL – Orian Williams/ Todd Eckert/Anton Corbijn/Matt Greenhalgh
EASTERN PROMISES – Paul Webster/Robert Lantos/David Cronenberg/Steve Knight
THIS IS ENGLAND – Mark Herbert/Shane Mead
THE CARL FOREMAN AWARD
for Special Achievement by a British Director, Writer or Producer in their First Feature Film
CHRIS ATKINS (Director/Writer) – Taking Liberties
MIA BAYS (Producer) – Scott Walker: 30 Century Man
SARAH GAVRON (Director) – Brick Lane
MATT GREENHALGH (Writer) – Control
ANDREW PIDDINGTON (Director/Writer) – The Killing of John Lennon
DIRECTOR
ATONEMENT – Joe Wright
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Paul Greengrass
THE LIVES OF OTHERS – Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Joel Coen/Ethan Coen
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Paul Thomas Anderson
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
AMERICAN GANGSTER – Steven Zaillian
JUNO – Diablo Cody
THE LIVES OF OTHERS – Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
MICHAEL CLAYTON – Tony Gilroy
THIS IS ENGLAND – Shane Meadows
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
ATONEMENT – Christopher Hampton
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY – Ronald Harwood
THE KITE RUNNER – David Benioff
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Joel Coen/Ethan Coen
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Paul Thomas Anderson
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY – Kathleen Kennedy/Jon Kilik/Julian Schnabel
THE KITE RUNNER – William Horberg/Walter Parkes/Rebecca Yeldham/Marc Foster
THE LIVES OF OTHERS – Quirin Berg/Max Wiedemann/Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
LUST, CAUTION – Bill Kong/James Schamus/Ang Lee
LA VIE EN ROSE – Alain Goldman/Olivier Dahan
ANIMATED FILM
RATATOUILLE – Brad Bird
SHREK THE THIRD – Chris Miller
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE – Matt Groening/James L Brooks
LEADING ACTOR
GEORGE CLOONEY – Michael Clayton
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS – There Will Be Blood
JAMES McAVOY – Atonement
VIGGO MORTENSEN – Eastern Promises
ULRICH MÜHE – The Lives of Others
LEADING ACTRESS
CATE BLANCHETT – Elizabeth: The Golden Age
JULIE CHRISTIE – Away From Her
MARION COTILLARD – La Vie en Rose
KEIRA KNIGHTLEY – Atonement
ELLEN PAGE – Juno
SUPPORTING ACTOR
JAVIER BARDEM – No Country for Old Men
PAUL DANO – There Will Be Blood
TOMMY LEE JONES – No Country for Old Men
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN – Charlie Wilson’s War
TOM WILKINSON – Michael Clayton
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
CATE BLANCHETT – I’m Not There
KELLY MACDONALD – No Country for Old Men
SAMANTHA MORTON – Control
SAOIRSE RONAN – Atonement
TILDA SWINTON – Michael Clayton
MUSIC
AMERICAN GANGSTER – Marc Streitenfeld
ATONEMENT – Dario Marianelli
THE KITE RUNNER – Alberto Iglesias
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Jonny Greenwood
LA VIE EN ROSE – Christopher Gunning
CINEMATOGRAPHY
AMERICAN GANGSTER – Harris Savides
ATONEMENT – Seamus McGarvey
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Oliver Wood
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Roger Deakins
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Robert Elswit
EDITING
AMERICAN GANGSTER – Pietro Scalia
ATONEMENT – Paul Tothill
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Christopher Rouse
MICHAEL CLAYTON – John Gilroy
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Roderick Jaynes
PRODUCTION DESIGN
ATONEMENT – Sarah Greenwood/Katie Spencer
ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE – Guy Hendrix Dyas/Richard Roberts
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX – Stuart Craig/Stephenie McMillan
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Jack Fisk/Jim Erickson
LA VIE EN ROSE – Olivier Raoux
COSTUME DESIGN
ATONEMENT – Jacqueline Durran
ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE – Alexandra Byrne
LUST, CAUTION – Pan Lai
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET – Colleen Atwood
LA VIE EN ROSE – Marit Allen
SOUND
ATONEMENT – Danny Hambrook/Paul Hamblin/Catherine Hodgson
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Kirk Francis/Scott Millan/Dave Parker/Karen Baker Landers/Per Hallberg
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Peter Kurland/Skip Lievsay/Craig Berkey/Greg Orloff
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Christopher Scarabosio/Matthew Wood/John Pritchett/Michael Semanick/Tom Johnson
LA VIE EN ROSE – Laurent Zeilig/Pascal Villard/Jean-Paul Hurier/Marc Doisne
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM – Peter Chiang/Charlie Noble/Mattias Lindahl/Joss Williams
THE GOLDEN COMPASS – Michael Fink/Bill Westenhofer/Ben Morris/Trevor Woods
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX – Tim Burke/John Richardson/Emma Norton/Chris Shaw
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END – John Knoll/Charles Gibson/Hal Hickel/John Frazier
SPIDER-MAN 3 – Scott Stokdyk/Peter Nofz/Kee-Suk Ken Hahn/Spencer Cook
MAKE UP & HAIR
ATONEMENT – Ivana Primorac
ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE – Jenny Shircore
HAIRSPRAY – Nominees TBC
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET – Ivana Primorac
LA VIE EN ROSE – Jan Archibald/Didier Lavergne
SHORT ANIMATION
THE PEARCE SISTERS – Jo Allen/Luis Cook
HEAD OVER HEELS – Osbert Parker/Fiona Pitkin/Ian Gouldstone
THE CRUMBLEGIANT – Pearse Moore/John McCloskey
SHORT FILM
DOG ALTOGETHER – Diarmid Scrimshaw/Paddy Considine
HESITATION – Julien Berlan/Michelle Eastwood/Virginia Gilbert
THE ONE AND ONLY HERB MCGWYER PLAYS WALLIS ISLAND – Charlie Henderson/James Griffiths/Tim Key/Tom Basden
SOFT – Jane Hooks/Simon Ellis
THE STRONGER – Dan McCulloch/Lia Williams/Frank McGuinness
THE ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)
SHIA LABEOUF
SIENNA MILLER
ELLEN PAGE
SAM RILEY
TANG WEI
While on the topic of British cinema, I saw Atonement for the second time (first time was way back in early October) and absolutely loved it. I want to see it again for a third time.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Eligible Foreign Films Announced
Austria, “The Counterfeiters,” Stefan Ruzowitzky, director
Brazil, “The Year My Parents Went on Vacation,” Cao Hamburger, director
Canada, “Days of Darkness,” Denys Arcand, director
Israel, “Beaufort,” Joseph Cedar, director
Italy, “The Unknown,” Giuseppe Tornatore, director
Kazakhstan, “Mongol,” Sergei Bodrov, director
Poland, “Katyn,” Andrzej Wajda, director
Russia, “12,” Nikita Mikhalkov, director
Serbia, “The Trap,” Srdan Golubovic, director
That is...unbelievable. I haven't heard of a single one of these. The fact that Persepolis, 4 Months, 3 Days & 2 Weeks and even Lust, Caution were snubbed from the list is nothing short of shocking.
Brazil, “The Year My Parents Went on Vacation,” Cao Hamburger, director
Canada, “Days of Darkness,” Denys Arcand, director
Israel, “Beaufort,” Joseph Cedar, director
Italy, “The Unknown,” Giuseppe Tornatore, director
Kazakhstan, “Mongol,” Sergei Bodrov, director
Poland, “Katyn,” Andrzej Wajda, director
Russia, “12,” Nikita Mikhalkov, director
Serbia, “The Trap,” Srdan Golubovic, director
That is...unbelievable. I haven't heard of a single one of these. The fact that Persepolis, 4 Months, 3 Days & 2 Weeks and even Lust, Caution were snubbed from the list is nothing short of shocking.
Monday, January 14, 2008
PGA Nominees
As for my GG thoughts, I'll post them either today or tomorrow. I have a *lot* to say about that sorry excuse for a winner announcement, so I want to be good and ready to deliver my thoughts.
Now, the nominees are:
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Looks like that's going to be the lineup. Yay for Juno!! I'm seeing There Will Be Blood sometime this weekend (it opens in my town on Friday...can't wait!!!!!). And I'm really disappointed that I missed Diving Bell and the Butterfly, so hopefully that will come back into town before I give out my awards. After that, this will be the first year...ever, I believe, where I've seen all of the nominees.
This really hurts Into the Wild. One will have to go for it to get in, and my guess is that it will be The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and if not that, then Juno. I really don't see it being snubbed.
Now, the nominees are:
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Looks like that's going to be the lineup. Yay for Juno!! I'm seeing There Will Be Blood sometime this weekend (it opens in my town on Friday...can't wait!!!!!). And I'm really disappointed that I missed Diving Bell and the Butterfly, so hopefully that will come back into town before I give out my awards. After that, this will be the first year...ever, I believe, where I've seen all of the nominees.
This really hurts Into the Wild. One will have to go for it to get in, and my guess is that it will be The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and if not that, then Juno. I really don't see it being snubbed.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Globe Winners
I'll post my thoughts tomorrow. And trust me, there are plenty.
Drama Picture: Atonement
Comedy/Musical Picture: Sweeney Todd
Drama Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis
Drama Actress: Julie Christie
Comedy/Musical Actor: Johnny Depp
Comedy/Musical Actress: Marion Cotillard
Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem
Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett
Director: Julian Schnabel
Screenplay: No Country for Old Men
Score: Atonement
Song: Into the Wild
Animated Film: Ratatouille
Foreign-Language Film: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Drama Picture: Atonement
Comedy/Musical Picture: Sweeney Todd
Drama Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis
Drama Actress: Julie Christie
Comedy/Musical Actor: Johnny Depp
Comedy/Musical Actress: Marion Cotillard
Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem
Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett
Director: Julian Schnabel
Screenplay: No Country for Old Men
Score: Atonement
Song: Into the Wild
Animated Film: Ratatouille
Foreign-Language Film: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Daniel's Golden Globe Predictions
Sorry for the delay. I've got 18 minutes to predict these. Let's not waste any time:
Best Picture (Drama): No Country for Old Men
Best Picture (Musical or Comedy): Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Actor (Drama): Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Best Actress (Drama): Julie Christie, Away From Her
Best Actor (Musical or Comedy): Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Actress (Musical or Comedy): Helena Bonham Carter, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Best Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Best Director: Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Best Screenplay: Juno
Best Animated Film: Ratatouille
Best Foreign Language Film: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Best Original Score: Grace is Gone
Best Original Song: "That's How You Know", Enchanted
Regarding the Helena Bonham Carter win...I had to predict an upset in at least one category despite the fact that's it is HIGHLY unlikely that it will actually happen.
Best Picture (Drama): No Country for Old Men
Best Picture (Musical or Comedy): Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Actor (Drama): Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Best Actress (Drama): Julie Christie, Away From Her
Best Actor (Musical or Comedy): Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Actress (Musical or Comedy): Helena Bonham Carter, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Best Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Best Director: Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Best Screenplay: Juno
Best Animated Film: Ratatouille
Best Foreign Language Film: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Best Original Score: Grace is Gone
Best Original Song: "That's How You Know", Enchanted
Regarding the Helena Bonham Carter win...I had to predict an upset in at least one category despite the fact that's it is HIGHLY unlikely that it will actually happen.
Our First Anniversary/Golden Globes
It just so happens that today, the day of the Golden Globes, is also the first anniversary of Oscar Obsession. How ominous.
Anyways, the Dateline interviews start in about 10 minutes over here, which, I guess, will serve as a way for nominees to accept their awards. It'll be like the regular telecast only out of order...I hope.
Enjoy the press conference and interviews. I'll try to post my quick reactions afterwards. Happy Golden Globes :-)
Anyways, the Dateline interviews start in about 10 minutes over here, which, I guess, will serve as a way for nominees to accept their awards. It'll be like the regular telecast only out of order...I hope.
Enjoy the press conference and interviews. I'll try to post my quick reactions afterwards. Happy Golden Globes :-)
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Brian's Final Golden Globe Predix
I know it doesn't feel like it, but formal telecast or not, the Golden Globes are tomorrow and I, for one, am excited. Though the Globes bare relatively little similarity to the Oscars, they are still the most publicized precursor award. My final predix are:BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Prediction: Walk Hard (one of my oddball predix)
Runner-Up: Into the Wild
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Prediction: Atonement
Runner-Up: Into the Wild
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Prediction: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Runner-Up: 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
BEST ANIMATED FILM
Prediction: Ratatouille
Runner-Up: The Simpsons Movie
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Prediction: Amy Ryan-Gone Baby Gone
Runner-Up: Cate Blanchett-I'm Not There
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Prediction: Javier Bardem-No Country for Old Men
Runner-Up: Philip Seymour Hoffman-Charlie Wilson's War
BEST SCREENPLAY
Prediction: Juno
Runner-Up: No Country for Old Men
BEST DIRECTOR
Prediction: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen-No Country for Old Men
Runner-Up: Julan Schnabel-The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
BEST ACTRESS (MUSICAL OR COMEDY)
Prediction: Ellen Page-Juno
Runner-Up: Marion Cotillard-La Vie En Rose
BEST ACTRESS (DRAMA)
Prediction: Julie Christie-Away From Her
Runner-Up: Angelina Jolie-A Mighty Heart
BEST ACTOR (MUSICAL OR COMEDY)
Prediction: Ryan Gosling-Lars and the Real Girl
Runner-Up: Johnny Depp-Sweeney Todd
BEST ACTOR (DRAMA)
Prediction: Daniel Day-Lewis-There Will Be Blood
Runner-Up: George Clooney-Michael Clayton
BEST PICTURE (MUSICAL OR COMEDY)
Prediction: Juno
Runner-Up: Sweeney Todd
BEST PICTURE (DRAMA)
Prediction: No Country for Old Men
Runner-Up: Atonement
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Predix Revamp
I know that these are annoying, but the predix are ridiculously out of date.
BEST PICTURE
1. No Country for Old Men
2. There Will Be Blood
3. Into the Wild
4. Michael Clayton
5. Juno
BEST DIRECTOR
1. Joel Coen and Ethan Coen-No Country for Old Men
2. Paul Thomas Anderson-There Will Be Blood
3. Sean Penn-Into the Wild
4. Julian Schnabel-The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
5. Tony Gilroy-Michael Clayton
BEST ACTOR
1. Daniel Day-Lewis-There Will Be Blood
2. George Clooney-Michael Clayton
3. Emile Hirsch-Into the Wild
4. Viggo Mortenson-Eastern Promises
5. Ryan Gosling-Lars and the Real Girl (that's right; no Johnny)
BEST ACTRESS
1. Julie Christie-Away From Her
2. Ellen Page-Juno
3. Marion Cotillard-La Vie En Rose
4. Angelina Jolie-A Mighty Heart
5. Cate Blanchett-Elizabeth: The Golden Age
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
1. Javier Bardem-No Country for Old Men
2. Casey Affleck-The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
3. Hal Holbrook-Into the Wild
4. Tom Wilkinson-Michael Clayton
5. Tommy Lee Jones-No Country for Old Men (my surprise nod this year)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1. Amy Ryan-Gone Baby Gone
2. Cate Blanchett-I'm Not There
3. Tilda Swinton-Michael Clayton
4. Ruby Dee-American Gangster
5. Catherine Keener-Into the Wild
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
1. Juno
2. Michael Clayton
3. Lars and the Real Girl
4. Ratatouille
5. Knocked Up (I dunno...)
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
1. No Country for Old Men
2. There Will Be Blood
3. Into the Wild
4. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
5. Zodiac (sorry, Atonement)
BEST PICTURE
1. No Country for Old Men
2. There Will Be Blood
3. Into the Wild
4. Michael Clayton
5. Juno
BEST DIRECTOR
1. Joel Coen and Ethan Coen-No Country for Old Men
2. Paul Thomas Anderson-There Will Be Blood
3. Sean Penn-Into the Wild
4. Julian Schnabel-The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
5. Tony Gilroy-Michael Clayton
BEST ACTOR
1. Daniel Day-Lewis-There Will Be Blood
2. George Clooney-Michael Clayton
3. Emile Hirsch-Into the Wild
4. Viggo Mortenson-Eastern Promises
5. Ryan Gosling-Lars and the Real Girl (that's right; no Johnny)
BEST ACTRESS
1. Julie Christie-Away From Her
2. Ellen Page-Juno
3. Marion Cotillard-La Vie En Rose
4. Angelina Jolie-A Mighty Heart
5. Cate Blanchett-Elizabeth: The Golden Age
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
1. Javier Bardem-No Country for Old Men
2. Casey Affleck-The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
3. Hal Holbrook-Into the Wild
4. Tom Wilkinson-Michael Clayton
5. Tommy Lee Jones-No Country for Old Men (my surprise nod this year)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1. Amy Ryan-Gone Baby Gone
2. Cate Blanchett-I'm Not There
3. Tilda Swinton-Michael Clayton
4. Ruby Dee-American Gangster
5. Catherine Keener-Into the Wild
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
1. Juno
2. Michael Clayton
3. Lars and the Real Girl
4. Ratatouille
5. Knocked Up (I dunno...)
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
1. No Country for Old Men
2. There Will Be Blood
3. Into the Wild
4. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
5. Zodiac (sorry, Atonement)
The Writer's Guild Nominations!
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
2. Great news for The Savages and Lars...can Knocked Up make it at the Oscars, too?
3. Bad news for Ratatouillle (but I thought that they had a separate category for animated screenplays?)
4. Zodiac is looking in the race.
JUNO, Written by Diablo Cody, Fox Searchlight
MICHAEL CLAYTON, Written by Tony Gilroy, Warner Bros. Pictures
THE SAVAGES, Written by Tamara Jenkins, Fox Searchlight
KNOCKED UP, Written by Judd Apatow, Universal Pictures
LARS AND THE REAL GIRL, Written by Nancy Oliver, MGM
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, Screenplay by Ethan Coen & Joel Coen, Based on the Novel by Cormac McCarthy, Miramax
THERE WILL BE BLOOD, Screenplay by Paul Thomas Anderson, Based on the Novel Oil by Upton Sinclair, Paramount Vantage
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY, Screenplay by Ronald Harwood, Based on the Book by Jean-Dominique Bauby, Miramax
INTO THE WILD, Screenplay by Sean Penn, Based on the Book by Jon Krakauer, Paramount Vantage
ZODIAC, Screenplay by James Vanderbilt, Based on the Book by Robert Graysmith, Paramount Pictures
My thoughts:
1. Goodbye, Atonement.2. Great news for The Savages and Lars...can Knocked Up make it at the Oscars, too?
3. Bad news for Ratatouillle (but I thought that they had a separate category for animated screenplays?)
4. Zodiac is looking in the race.
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