Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Around The Bend - Cinemascape in 2006

In the next few weeks here at Cinemascape, I'll be posting my Best of 2005 column, my top ten list, my own personal awards for 2005, and my most anticipated films of 2006.

Along with that, I'll be posting my winner predictions for this year's Oscars in the coming weeks. March 6th, the day after the Oscars, I'll post my year-in-advance Oscar predictions for next season - just so that I can laugh at myself ten months down the road. After that, the awards season will come to an end.

Expect further - and more extensive - film reviews, commentary, and general talk from the reel and back. Also, expect maybe a bit of a facelift for Cinemascape in the coming months, as I try to perk things up around here a little bit.

To readers and followers of this here place - if such creatures exist - stick around. Comments are encouraged and I'm always open for suggestions. Thanks, and here's to another year in film.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/31/2006 09:15:00 PM 1 comments

Moment of Truth - How did I do?

Of the major categories, I went 35/40, or a very solid 87.5%.

All in all, the tech categories hung me up a bit, and I went 70/95, or a fair, but disappointing 73.6%.

Now, a brief moment where I blow smoke up my own ass;

5/5 on Director, Actress, Adapted Screenplay
3/3 on Makeup, Song

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/31/2006 11:11:00 AM 0 comments

Watch Out Now - Oscar Nominations

• Complete list of nominations.

Whew.

Random, unfocused, rapid-fire thoughts and blurbs:

• Munich made it. I predicted 5, it got 5. However, I was not expecting the picture nomination. It didn't at all surprise me, but I thought Walk the Line would squeeze in there. Munich landed nods for Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Score, and Film Editing. Good on AMPAS there.

• Brokeback, no surprise, leads in nominations. However, surprisingly, it missed out on an editing nod and leads with only 8 total nominations. The last film to win Best Picture without an editing nomination was Ordinary People, 25 years ago.

• TERRENCE HOWARD! Thankfully, he proved me wrong and beat out Russell (Cinders only nabbing 3 nods) for the last Actor spot. Hustle & Flow also grabbed a nomination in the Original Song category!

• WILLIAM HURT! :shockandawe: Holy shit. Elated with that nomination, but completely and utterly surprised.

• Thank you, AMPAS, for remembering Amy Adams, Keira Knightley, and Howl's Moving Castle. However, the Bello snub for McDormand is just silly.

• Geisha (5) beats Kong (4) in the nomination count? Give me a break.

• Only one lone nod for The New World. Not a surprise, but unjustified.

• Finally, I can say ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE PAUL GIAMATTI and ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN.

• So much for Star Wars going out with a bang. One nomination, for makeup. The visual f/x snub is shameful.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME...

• Picture and Director matched 5/5?

• Three films make it into the best picture category without Globe picture nods?


Many more organized thoughts and analysis throughout the day. I'll also post the list of nominees on the side, as well.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/31/2006 09:30:00 AM 0 comments

Monday, January 30, 2006

One Last Shot (In The Dark)

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'Twas the night before...

My Oscar predictions have been updated for the last time this season. I've sort of waited until the last minute, about 18 hours before the nominations are announced. I'm fairly happy with them, but like most of us, I'm bound to have screwed something up.

You can find them on the sidebar to your right.

Some comments, analysis, potential storymakers, and possible surprises tomorrow morning:

• TERRENCE HOWARD VS. RUSSELL CROWE

Easily, in my opinion, the toughest call to make. Howard could grab two nominations tomorrow morning, or zero. Maybe a snub for Hustle & Flow and a nomination for Crash, or vice versa. Crowe is the safe choice, I guess, he does have the SAG nod. However, Howard did carry Hustle & Flow to a SAG ensemble nod. I'm predicting Crowe, but it really wouldn't surprise me at all if it was Howard who got in. Which leads me to my next point, what if they're both nominated?...

• HEATH LEDGER GETS SNUBBED? WHAT?!

Calm down, I'm not predicting it. But, it's possible. There's always a shocking omission every year, and I think that Ledger could be a prime candidate for such a thing. Hoffman and Phoenix just aren't getting snubbed, fuggedaboudit. Some are thinking about a possible Strathairn snub, but David is just too respected and admired to be pushed aside. He's easily in, in my opinion. If the Academy tries to honor both Crowe and Howard (unlikely, but again, possible), I think Ledger gets Giamatti-ed.

• MUNICH SCORES 5 NOMINATIONS, BUT MISSES PICTURE

I'm predicting it. I think Capote and Walk the Line will edge out Munich to grab the last two best picture nominations tomorrow morning. I think Spielberg, however, is safe for a director nod. The film does have that DGA nomination in its back pocket, but it's just been such a disappointment this season. I can't really see it getting in over Capote, a film greatly embraced by most guilds, or Walk the Line, the Globe winner for picture. Munich is my alternate for picture, if Walk the Line or Capote were to falter.

• WOODY ALLEN AND MATCH POINT SNUBBED COMPLETELY

Again, I'm predicting it. The film, aside from the Globes, really hasn't shown up this year as many expected. Supporting actress, screenplay, and director nominations are possibilities, but I don't think we see it anywhere tomorrow morning.

• ZIYI - THE ODD WOMAN OUT

It's really between Ziyi Zhang, Theron, and Knightley for the final two spots. Ziyi remains my alternate, but really, she could easily slide in there.


POTENTIAL TUESDAY MORNING SHOCKERS

• CONSTANT GARDENER LANDS 5 TO 8 NODS, INCLUDING PICTURE AND/OR DIRECTOR AND/OR ACTOR

It wouldn't surprise me, but I don't have the guts to predict it. Meirelles' last film scored four surprise nominations and The Constant Gardener remains one of the most acclaimed and loved films of the year. It also scored 10 BAFTA nominations.

• KING KONG SHOWS UP

I'm currently predicting 6 nominations for the film, all technical nominations. If the tech branch supports the film enough, it is possible - possible for King Kong to sneak into the picture, director, or actress categories. It's also possible for the film to lead in nominations. Possible. But unlikely.

• CINDERELLA MAN SHOWS UP

Remember Seabiscuit? Well, the majority of AMPAS is your older crowd, the same crowd that rallied Seabiscuit to a picture nomination over Cold Mountain. Ron Howard's crowdpleaser could sneak into the picture or director categories tomorrow morning.

• THANDIE NEWTON, FRANK LANGELLA, DONALD SUTHERLAND, NAOMI WATTS?

All four are possible. Again, I'm not predicting them, but they're three possible surprise nominees tomorrow morning.


That's all, folks. Enjoy the show tomorrow morning, 8:30am EST, 5:30am PST. I'll be back in the morning with the complete list of nominees along with reaction and analysis.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/30/2006 12:51:00 PM 0 comments

Sunday, January 29, 2006

SAG Winners!

Nothing too surprising, for me at least. I got 4.5 out of 5. My miss was supporting actress, though I did have Weisz as my alternate.

Best Ensemble • Crash
Best Actor • Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Best Actress • Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Best Supporting Actor • Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
Best Supporting Actress • Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/29/2006 11:12:00 PM 0 comments

Ang Lee wins DGA award

Not really a surprise. Brokeback really seems to have it locked up now.

Don't forget the SAG awards tomorrow!

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/29/2006 01:35:00 AM 0 comments

Saturday, January 28, 2006

SAG Predictions

Best Ensemble
Crash
(alt. Brokeback Mountain)

Best Actor
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
(alt. Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line)

Best Actress
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
(alt. Felicity Huffman, Transamerica)

Best Supporting Actor
Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
(alt. George Clooney, Syriana)

Best Supporting Actress
Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain
(alt. Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener)

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/28/2006 11:30:00 PM 0 comments

DGA Prediction

The Directors Guild of America announces its top award tonight shortly after 1 a.m. EST. The DGA has always been a reliable precursor to lead us to our BP/BD lineup. Rarely does a film win at DGA and go on to lose both Picture and Director at the Oscars. It usually nabs at least one. Remember last year, it was the turning point of the season when Million Dollar Baby won the DGA and went on to scoop up Picture and Director at the Oscars.

The nominees are:

George Clooney, Good Night, and Good Luck.
Paul Haggis, Crash
Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Bennett Miller, Capote
Steven Spielberg, Munich

This year, all bets are on Ang Lee. Potentials upsets lie in Clooney and Haggis. A Spielberg would certainly shake up things, while a Miller win would just be plain wacky.

My Prediction:

Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain

I really want to go with Clooney here. Badly. Unfortunately, I was burned at the Globes, so I'm reluctant here. But really, a Clooney win wouldn't surprise me in the least. However, I'll go with a safer route this time, even if Ang did just win this five years ago. I predicted the Eastwood upset last year. Let's see how I do tonight.

SAG predictions coming tomorrow. Final Oscar predictions on Monday!

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/28/2006 01:27:00 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Final Predix Update / Best of '05 Looming...

I have one more Oscar predictions update coming Monday, 24 hours before Oscar nominations are due. Many questions still surround several categories. Crowe or Howard for lead actor? Ziyi, Theron, Knightley are all shaky for actress. How close will picture and director match? We know what the frontrunner is, but who will lead in nominations?

We'll find out very early Tuesday morning, one week from now. Monday, I'll take a final stab at what I think will transpire.

My top ten list and best of 2005 are also coming in the next couple of weeks. Stick around.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/24/2006 02:16:00 AM 0 comments

Monday, January 23, 2006

Producers' Guild crowns 'Brokeback'

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Not really a surprise as Ang Lee's (almost) universally acclaimed drama Brokeback Mountain took home the Producers' Guild of America's (PGA) prize for film of the year. The film, fresh off of its Globe win last week, seems poised for a Best Picture win at the Oscars in six weeks.

Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award
Theatrical Motion Pictures

Brokeback Mountain
(Focus Features)
Diana Ossana
James Schamus


Producer of the Year Award
Animated Film

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
(DreamWorks)
Claire Jennings
Nick Park

• And of course, don't forget about the DGA announcement late Saturday night, followed by the SAG awards on Sunday night.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/23/2006 01:15:00 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

'Brokeback', 'Walk the Line' lead Globes

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Best Picture - Drama • Brokeback Mountain
Best Actor - Drama • Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Best Actress - Drama • Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
Best Film - Comedy/Musical • Walk the Line
Best Actor - Comedy/Musical • Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line
Best Actress - Comedy/Musical • Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Best Director • Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Best Supporting Actor • George Clooney, Syriana
Best Supporting Actress • Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener
Best Screenplay • Brokeback Mountain
Best Foreign Film • Paradise Now
Best Score • Memoirs of a Geisha, John Williams
Best Song • "A Love That Will Never Grow Old" -- Brokeback Mountain

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/17/2006 12:34:00 AM 0 comments

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Golden Globe Predictions!

MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
X - "Brokeback Mountain"
"The Constant Gardener"
"Good Night, and Good Luck"
"A History of Violence"
"Match Point"

• I don't really think there's any question about this one. Brokeback's probably a lock. A potential spoiler could rise in Good Night, and Good Luck or The Constant Gardener, but really, this is Brokeback's to lose.

ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Maria Bello, "A History of Violence"
X - Felicity Huffman, "Transamerica"
Gwyneth Paltrow, "Proof"
Charlize Theron, "North Country"
Ziyi Zhang, "Memoirs of a Geisha"

• Interesting category due to Bello's placement in lead here. I expect Huffman to take it, as she has been getting really nothing but raves for her performance, but watch out for Bello. Ziyi could also slip in here.

ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Russell Crowe, "Cinderella Man"
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Capote"
Terrence Howard, "Hustle & Flow"
X - Heath Ledger, "Brokeback Mountain"
David Strathairn, "Good Night, and Good Luck"

• Hoffman vs. Ledger. This is really a toss-up. I'll call Ledger here.

MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY
"Mrs. Henderson Presents"
X - "Pride & Prejudice"
"The Producers"
"The Squid and the Whale"
"Walk the Line"

• Walk the Line seems like the safe pick, but many of us Oscarwatchers have been getting strange Pride & Prejudice vibes recently. I really do want to say Walk the Line, but it's too safe, and the Globes are never predictable. My surprise pick of the night. If I'm wrong, which I probably will be, you can serve me up my helping of crow.

ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Judi Dench, "Mrs. Henderson Presents"
Keira Knightley, "Pride & Prejudice"
Laura Linney, "The Squid and the Whale"
Sarah Jessica Parker, "The Family Stone"
X - Reese Witherspoon, "Walk the Line"

• One of the biggest "locks" of the night. It's in the bag. Unless the HFPA REALLY loves Keira.

ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Pierce Brosnan, "The Matador"
Jeff Daniels, "The Squid and the Whale"
Johnny Depp, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"
Nathan Lane, "The Producers"
Cillian Murphy, "Breakfast on Pluto"
X - Joaquin Phoenix, "Walk the Line"

• Speaking of locks. The ONLY person who can upset is Daniels, and I just don't see that happening. At all.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
X - "Kung Fu Hustle" (China)
"Master of the Crimson Armor" aka "The Promise" (China)
"Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noel)" (France)
"Paradise Now" (Palenstine)
"Tsotsi" (South Africa)

• Here's a dart. Throw it. Paradise Now or Tsotsi are other definite possibilities.

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Scarlett Johansson, "Match Point"
Shirley MacLaine, "In Her Shoes"
Frances McDormand, "North Country"
X - Rachel Weisz, "The Constant Gardener"
Michelle Williams, "Brokeback Mountain"

• The most confusing category all season has cleared up a bit, but it's still up in the air. I can see the HFPA loving Weisz here, but Scarlett or Williams is just as likely. The biggest toss-up of the night.

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
George Clooney, "Syriana"
Matt Dillon, "Crash"
Will Ferrell, "The Producers"
X - Paul Giamatti, "Cinderella Man"
Bob Hoskins, "Mrs. Henderson Presents"

• Giamatti is really poised for Oscar redemption this year. Again, his biggest competition here is Clooney. But, I'm comfortable picking Giamatti for the win here, and setting himself up for a possible Academy Award on March 5th.

DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE
Woody Allen, "Match Point"
X - George Clooney, "Good Night, and Good Luck"
Peter Jackson, "King Kong"
Ang Lee, "Brokeback Mountain"
Fernando Meirelles, "The Constant Gardener"
Steven Spielberg, "Munich"

• I can't imagine Clooney leaving empty-handed. I'm thinking Clooney for the Director win at the Oscars. He could definitely help his chances by swiping Director at the Globes. Obviously, Ang Lee is his biggest competition. If Clooney picks up Supporting Actor, Lee will probably take director.

SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE
Woody Allen, "Match Point"
George Clooney & Grant Heslov, "Good Night, And Good Luck"
X - Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco, "Crash"
Tony Kushner & Eric Roth, "Munich"
Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana, "Brokeback Mountain"

• You'd think they'd award it somewhere, even if it did miss a Picture nomination. Crash just picked up screenplay at BFCA last week, and it's really picking up momentum right now. It's a tough category, any of the other four nominees could steal it away.

ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE
Alexandre Desplat, "Syriana"
James Newton Howard, "King Kong"
Gustavo Santaolalla, "Brokeback Mountain"
Harry Gregson-Williams, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"
X - John Williams, "Memoirs of a Geisha"

• Williams is a very respected and loved man, and so is his score for Memoirs. Santaolalla for Brokeback could upset.

ORIGINAL SONG - MOTION PICTURE
X - "A Love That Will Never Grow Old" -- "Brokeback Mountain"
Music by: Gustavo Santaolalla, Lyrics by: Bernie Taupin
"Christmas in Love" -- "Christmas in Love"
Music by: Tony Renis, Lyrics by: Marva Jan Marrow
"There's Nothing Like a Show on Broadway" -- "The Producers"
Music & Lyrics by: Mel Brooks
"Travelin' Thru" -- "Transamerica"
Music & Lyrics by: Dolly Parton
"Wunderkind" -- "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"
Music & Lyrics by: Alanis Morissette

• I'm predicting a Brokeback win here, even though the song isn't even eligible at the Oscars. Narnia or The Producers are other possibilities.


Lock of the Night • Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line
Most Wide-Open Race • Best Supporting Actress
The "Potential-Shocker-Of-The-Night" Winner • Spielberg or Allen for director, or Howard for actor.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/15/2006 12:39:00 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Talk with Rachel Weisz tonight!

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Chat with this year's Golden Globe and SAG (and soon to be Oscar!) nominee Rachel Weisz at Goldderby tonight. Rachel has received accolades and acclaim this year for her powerful performance in The Constant Gardener.

• From Goldderby:

Tonight @ 4:30 p.m. Pacific/ 7:30 p.m. eastern -- Rachel Weisz talks The Constant Gardener

Thursday @ 3 p.m. Pacific/ 6 p.m. eastern -- Amy Adams, star of Junebug

And, Goldderby captain Tom O'Neil is reporting that Gwyneth Paltrow may also be having a chat on Friday at 3 p.m. PST/ 6 p.m. EST.

_____

• http://goldderbyforums.com/eve/chime

Click on "Chatroom" and join in cyber-conversation live. Guests can participate or follow along -- no need to register.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/11/2006 07:06:00 PM 0 comments

Honorary Oscar goes to Robert Altman

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The highly acclaimed and respected director Robert Altman, who has never won a competitive Oscar, is set to receive this year's Honorary Oscar at the 78th Annual Academy Awards on March 5th.

Altman has been nominated five time for best director for his work on MASH, Nashville, The Player, Short Cuts, and Gosford Park. He has been nominated twice in the best picture category for his films Nashville and Gosford Park.

A very worthy choice.

• Steve Pond over at The Envelope has the scoop.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/11/2006 04:14:00 PM 0 comments

ASC Nominations

The American Society of Cinematographers announced their nominees this morning. Let's take a look.

• BATMAN BEGINS (Wally Pfister)
• BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (Rodrigo Prieto)
• GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK (Robert Elswit)
• KING KONG (Andrew Lesnie)
• MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (Dion Beebe)

Big surprise here with the Batman Begins inclusion, even though Mr. Pfister's work on the film is tremendous.

Great to see King Kong here, while Geisha's nomination isn't too surprising. I still thought we'd see The New World or Jarhead show up here. Guess not.

The Brokeback Mountain and Good Night, and Good Luck nominations were to be expected all the way.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/11/2006 02:26:00 PM 0 comments

Monday, January 09, 2006

BFCA Winners

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Best Picture • Brokeback Mountain
Best Director • Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Best Actor • Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Best Actress • Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Best Supporting Actor • Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
Best Supporting Actress • (tie) Amy Adams, Junebug & Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain
Best Writer • Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco, Crash
Best Ensemble • Crash
Best Comedy Movie • The 40 Year-Old Virgin
Best Animated Feature • Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Best Foreign Language Film • Kung Fu Hustle
Best Documentary • March of the Penguins
Best Family Film • The Chronicles Of Narnia
Best Young Actor • Freddie Highmore, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
Best Young Actress • Dakota Fanning, War of the Worlds
Best Picture Made For Televison • Into The West
Best Composer • John Williams, Memoirs of a Geisha
Best Song • "Hustle & Flow”, Terrence Howard from Hustle & Flow

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/09/2006 10:06:00 PM 0 comments

'Crash' takes Chicago Film Critics

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Best Picture • "Crash"
Best Foreign Language Film • "Cache" (Hidden)
Best Director • David Cronenberg for "A History of Violence"
Best Actor • Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Capote"
Best Actress • Joan Allen in "The Upside of Anger"
Best Supporting Actor • Mickey Rourke in "Sin City"
Best Supporting Actress • Maria Bello in "A History of Violence"
Best Documentary • "Grizzly Man"
Best Cinematography • Rodrigo Prieto for "Brokeback Mountain"
Best Original Score • Gustavo Santaolalla's music for "Brokeback Mountain"
Best Screenplay • Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco - "Crash"
Most Promising Performer • Miranda July in "Me and You and Everyone We Know"
Most Promising Filmmaker • Bennett Miller for directing "Capote"

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/09/2006 06:46:00 PM 0 comments

Disappointing 'Memoirs'

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Memoirs of a Geisha
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by Shawn Snead / January 4th, 2006

Memoirs of a Geisha is the epitome of a sloppy movie. With so much potential in its back pocket, we are served a disappointing, overbaked melodrama wrapped in a pretty little shroud.

I'll mention this first to get it out of the way, why English? Was this really necessary? With varying accents and tones, the already ridiculous dialouge is now ridiculous AND awkward. Unfortunately, due to this silly move, would-be good performances are shattered as the film is turned into some campy, melodramatic circus.

This is not good storytelling. The film is greatly unfocused and it flouders about, searching for a direction. It truly feels like it doesn't know where to go. Characters do things without motivation for their actions, scenes are dropped into the film for no reason, scenes that are supposed to bear an emotional reaction are either relegated to awkwardness, or are just plain disappointing. The entire arc of Sayuri and her romance with the Chairman, in particular, is forced beyond comprehension.

The actors try their best, particularly Ziyi and Li, but the dull narrative and distracting vocalization sucks the life right out of these potentially great performances. Every character is underwritten and crafted into a one-dimensional or two-dimensional character. And like I said, the choice of language here really doesn't help their causes at all. Line readings sound forced and awkward, everything just rings false. The entire film, really, plays out like a soap opera. Just too much. Too much of nothing. There's just no connection here. At all. With anything.

Aesthetically, the film is gorgeous, and the score of Mr. John Williams is fabolous. Unfortunately, after you're fighting sleep after an hour, it's really hard to appreciate the work. Memoirs of a Geisha is a very neatly decorated package, full of nothing. A very disappointing effort by Marshall and company.

-----

Directed by Rob Marshall; written by Robin Swicord and Doug Wright, based on the novel by Arthur Golden; produced by Lucy Fisher, Steven Spielberg, Douglas Wick; original score by John Williams; cinematography by Dion Beebe; editing by Pietro Scalia; released by Dreamworks, Sony Pictures. Running time 145 minutes. Rated PG-13 for mature subject matter and some sexual content. Released December 9th, 2005 (NY/LA/SF), wide on December 23rd, 2005.

Starring Ziyi Zhang (Sayuri), Li Gong (Hatsumoto), Michelle Yeoh (Mameha), Ken Watanabe (The Chairman), Kenneth Tsang (The General).

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/09/2006 02:28:00 PM 0 comments

Thursday, January 05, 2006

• Predictions Overhaul! •

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Monster Oscar predix update on the sidebar. And yes, I have conceded Kong. It's still a top ten possibility, but realistically, it's probably over. The Guilds have answered a lot of questions. Like last year, and the year before, we are down to a six film race:

Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Crash
Good Night, and Good Luck.
Munich
Walk the Line

At this point, I think Walk the Line edges out Capote while Miller still gets a director nod. All of this is subject to change though. However, I do feel that those two films will battle it out for the final slot.

As far as acting goes, the lead actor race looks pretty set right now. Actress, who knows. It seems to be Reese -- then everyone else. Supporting categories are getting a bit tighter as well.

Expect minor changes over the next couple of weeks, leading to nomination day on January 31st.

More thoughts coming.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/05/2006 02:25:00 PM 0 comments

DGA: Clooney, Haggis, Lee, Miller, Spielberg

George Clooney, Good Night, and Good Luck.
Paul Haggis, Crash
Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Bennett Miller, Capote
Steven Spielberg, Munich

• Variety.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/05/2006 01:27:00 PM 0 comments

It's the big one!

Don Cheadle? Catherine Keener? Amy Adams? No Keira? No Munich? No Kong? More Capote love? Hustle & Flow for Ensemble? Thanks for clearing up nothing, SAG.

With SAG nominations greeting us this morning, DGA is expected to announce its nominees very shortly. Here are some predictions:

George Clooney, Goodnight, and Good Luck.
Ron Howard, Cinderella Man
Peter Jackson, King Kong
Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Steven Spielberg, Munich

If King Kong or Munich draw a snub, it could just about do it for those films. Cinderella Man could get a HUGE boost today with a DGA nomination, and we all know how they love Ron.

Paul Haggis is my alternate, I can see him replacing Howard or Jackson.

• Expect a H-U-G-E Oscar predix update today.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/05/2006 09:51:00 AM 0 comments

SAG Nominations

•••••

ACTOR
Russell Crowe, Cinderella Man
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line
David Strathairn, Good Night, and Good Luck

ACTRESS
Judi Dench, Mrs. Henderson Presents
Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
Charlize Theron, North Country
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Ziyi Zhang, Memoirs of a Geisha

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Don Cheadle, Crash
George Clooney, Syriana
Matt Dillon, Crash
Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
Jake Gyllenhaal, Brokeback Mountain

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Junebug
Catherine Keener, Capote
Frances McDormand, North Country
Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener
Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain

ENSEMBLE
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Crash
Good Night, and Good Luck
Hustle & Flow

•••••

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/05/2006 09:41:00 AM 0 comments

Ladies and Gentlemen, We have a host

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Great choice.

I didn't think the Academy would go for Jon because of his socially satrical material. But it's great that in such a controversial year, they grab a host to poke fun at everything and still get everyone laughing.

Though, I guess they won't get Sean Penn to present again this year. Ha.

Note: SAG and DGA nominations coming in eight hours!

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/05/2006 12:33:00 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

The, uh, Producers Guild Nominees

•••••

PRODUCERS GUILD OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES NOMINEES AND PRODUCERS
FOR THE 2006 PGA AWARDS

Sunday, January 22nd at The Universal Hilton

Wednesday, January 4th, 2006 (Los Angeles, CA)-- The Producers Guild of America is pleased to announce the nominated productions and eligible producers for the 2006 Producers Guild Awards, hosted by Intel and sponsored by Volvo. The event will take place on Sunday, January 22nd at the Universal Hilton.

Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award
Theatrical Motion Pictures

Brokeback Mountain (Focus Features)
Diana Ossana
James Schamus

Capote (USA/Sony Pictures Classic)
Caroline Baron
William Vince
Michael Ohoven

Crash (Lions Gate Films)
Paul Haggis
Cathy Schulman

Good Night, and Good Luck (Warner Independent Pictues)
Grant Heslov

Walk the Line (Twentieth Century Fox)
James Keach
Cathy Konrad

•••••

Okay, one could see Crash coming. But Capote over Kong or Munich? Wow.

DGA and SAG coming tomorrow. Hopefully, they'll tell us SOMETHING.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/04/2006 02:16:00 PM 0 comments

So now then: Writers Guild Nominees

•••••

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

CINDERELLA MAN, Screenplay by Cliff Hollingsworth and Akiva Goldsman, Story by Cliff Hollingsworth, Universal Pictures

CRASH, Screenplay by Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco, Story by Paul Haggis, Lions Gate Films

THE 40 YEAR-OLD VIRGIN, Written by Judd Apatow & Steve Carell, Universal Pictures

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK, Written by George Clooney & Grant Heslov, Warner Independent Pictures

THE SQUID AND THE WHALE, Written by Noah Baumbach, Samuel Goldwyn Films


ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, Screenplay by Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana, Based on the Short Story by Annie Proulx, Focus Features

CAPOTE, Screenplay by Dan Futterman, Based on the Book by Gerald Clarke, Sony Pictures Classics

THE CONSTANT GARDENER, Screenplay by Jeffrey Caine, Based on the Novel by John le Carré, Focus Features

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, Screenplay by Josh Olson, Based on the Graphic Novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, New Line Cinema

SYRIANA, Written by Stephen Gaghan, Based on the Book "See No Evil" by Robert Baer, Warner Bros. Pictures

•••••

No Munich. No Kong. No Match Point.

We do have The 40 Year-Old Virgin and The Squid and the Whale. Good on WGA for those nominations.

Crazy season.

PGA Nominations will be posted momentarily.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/04/2006 01:32:00 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

The Aftermath

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Munich
***1/2
by Shawn Snead / January 2nd, 2006


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Directed by Steven Spielberg; written by Tony Kushner and Eric Roth, based on the book Vengeance by George Jonas; produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Barry Mendel, Steven Spielberg, Colin Wilson; original score by John Williams; cinematography by Janusz Kaminski; editing by Michael Kahn; released by Universal Pictures. Running time 164 minutes. Rated R for strong graphic violence, some sexual content, nudity and language. Released December 23rd, 2005.

Starring Eric Bana (Avner), Daniel Craig (Steve), Ciaran Hinds (Carl), Mathieu Kassovitz (Robert), Hanns Zischler (Hans), Ayelet Zorer (Daphna), Geoffrey Rush (Ephraim), Lynn Cohen (Golda Meir), Marie-Josee Croze (Jeanette).

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/03/2006 02:38:00 AM 0 comments

Monday, January 02, 2006

New Year, No Resolution

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In all reality, we've only just begun.

Most critic awards have come and gone. So have the Globe nominations. We have a frontrunner (Brokeback Mountain) and some favorites (Reese Witherspoon, George Clooney), but the picture remains cloudy.

This week, things should get very interesting. One word: guilds.

On Wednesday, nominations for both the PGA and WGA come out. On Thursday, it's the motherload; SAG and DGA. As soon as I know something, you'll know something. SAG and DGA should be particularly interesting, both guilds are rather large forecasters for how things will fly with the Academy.

Everything is about to become very clear.

Or not.

Probably not.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 1/02/2006 02:44:00 AM 0 comments