Cinemascape

"Let's start at the beginning..."

2007-05-24T18:12:00.000-04:00

This is what we call a hiatus, in case you haven't noticed.

We'll be starting from the beginning, in the not too distant, not too soon, future.

He did it!

2007-02-26T00:28:00.000-05:00

And the Academy got it right this year.

No one gives it to you. You have to take it.

2007-02-24T12:05:00.000-05:00

For the final time this awards season, we indulge ourselves with season that is, and soon to be was. The year has been, for the most part, fleeting. It's been exciting as we have what is probably the most wide-open Best Picture race in years (and years, and years...), without too much uniformity throughout the rest of the ballot.

You'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who isn't, for lack of a better term, batshit insane, enough to predict the Mirren/Hudson trains will come to a screeching halt on Sunday. There is little, if any suspense in the other two acting categories. Whitaker has run the Best Actor gamut this season, and the only thing that could possibly stand in his way is a certain 74-year-old, seven-time loser who refuses to go down without a scrap. Eddie Murphy faces a similar struggle in the Supporting Actor category, as his unlikely loss would probably come at the hands of another 70-something veteran. Or Marky Mark. But that won't happen. Probably.

Unabashed mystery and anxiety surround our top two categories. For Director, we all know the story. He has has seven opportunities -- five, in this category -- to snag that ellusive honor of "Academy Award winner." The work accomplished by Scorsese, on the other hand, firmly towers over said title. Of course, it is a title that would be nice. It is a moment that would have the cineworld collectively doing cartwheels around the world. Please, Oscar, please? Please.

For the most prestigious honor of the night, Oscarwatchers are scratching their heads trying to figure this darn thing out. Anything could win. Anything probably will win. But for excitement's sake, would you have it any other way?

So, it is time for me to take my stab at what we could see unfold on Sunday night. I'm sort of going with a glass half-empty angle on my predictions this year. Probably because I'm focusing all of my optimism in Best Director. Hang on. (It's going to be a bumpy night.)

Winner Predictions for Sunday's 79th Annual Academy Awards:

Best Performance by an
Actor in a Leading Role

Forest Whitaker
"The Last King of Scotland"

Alternate: Peter O'Toole, "Venus"

Best Performance by an
Actress in a Leading Role

Helen Mirren
"The Queen"

Alternate: Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"

Best Performance by an
Actor in a Supporting Role

Eddie Murphy
"Dreamgirls"

Alternate: Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"

Best Performance by an
Actress in a Supporting Role

Jennifer Hudson
"Dreamgirls"

Alternate: Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine"

Best Writing,
Original Screenplay

Michael Arndt
"Little Miss Sunshine"

Alternate: Peter Morgan, "The Queen"

Best Writing,
Adapted Screenplay

William Monahan
"The Departed"

Alternate: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Peter Baynham, Dan Mazer, Todd Phillips, "Borat"

Best Motion Picture
of the Year

"Babel"
Alejandro González Iñárritu, Steve Golin, Jon Kilik

Alternate: "The Departed" - Graham King

Best Achievement in
Directing

Martin Scorsese
"The Departed"

Alternate: Clint Eastwood, "Letters from Iwo Jima"

Best Achievement in
Art Direction

Eugenio Caballero, Pilar Revuelta
"Pan's Labyrinth"

Alternate: John Myhre, Nancy Haigh, "Dreamgirls"

Best Achievement in
Cinematography

Emmanuel Lubezki
"Children of Men"

Alternate: Guillermo Navarro, "Pan's Labyrinth"

Best Achievement in
Costume Design

Sharen Davis
"Dreamgirls"

Alternate: Milena Canonero, "Marie Antoinette"

Best Achievement in
Film Editing

Douglas Crise, Stephen Mirrione
"Babel"

Alternate: Thelma Schoonmaker, "The Departed"

Best Achievement in
Makeup

David Martí, Montse Ribé
"Pan's Labyrinth"

Alternate: Aldo Signoretti, Vittorio Sodano, "Apocalypto"

Best Achievement in Music,
Original Score

Alexandre Desplat
"The Queen"

Alternate: Philip Glass, "Notes on a Scandal"

Best Achievement in Music,
Original Song

"Listen" from
"Dreamgirls"

Alternate: "I Need to Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth"

Best Achievement in
Sound Mixing

Michael Minkler, Bob Beemer, Willie D. Burton
"Dreamgirls"

Alternate: Kevin O'Connell, Greg P. Russell, Fernando Cámara, "Apocalypto"

Best Achievement in
Sound Editing

Alan Robert Murray, Bub Asman
"Letters from Iwo Jima"

Alternate: George Watters II, Christopher Boyes, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"

Best Achievement in
Visual Effects

John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel, Charles Gibson, Allen Hall
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"

Alternate: Mark Stetson, Richard R. Hoover, Neil Corbould, Jon Thum, "Superman Returns"

Best Foreign Language
Film of the Year

"Pan's Labyrinth"
(Mexico) / Guillermo del Toro

Alternate: "The Lives of Others" - (Germany) / Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Best Animated Feature
Film of the Year

"Cars"
John Lasseter

Alternate: "Happy Feet" - George Miller

Best Documentary,
Feature

"An Inconvenient Truth"
Davis Guggenheim

Alternate: "Iraq in Fragments" - James Longley, Yahya Sinno

Best Documentary,
Short Subject

"Recycled Life"
Leslie Iwerks, Mike Glad

Alternate: "The Blood of Yingzhou District" - Ruby Yang, Thomas Lennon

Best Short Film,
Animated

"The Little Matchgirl"
Roger Allers, Don Hahn

Alternate: "Maestro" - Géza M. Tóth

Best Short Film,
Live Action

"West Bank Story"
Ari Sandel

Alternate: "Binta y la gran idea" - Javier Fesser, Luis Manso

I don't feel very comfortable about these, to be honest with you. I'm going against my better judgment for Picture. I hope I'm wrong about that one. For the record, here's how I'd rank the chances for our Best Picture contenders:

1. "Babel" (Since I have no idea what the hell is going to win, I'll be a pessimist.)
2. "The Departed" (It feels safe enough.)
3. "Letters from Iwo Jima" (I have a... strange feeling here...)
4. "Little Miss Sunshine" (I can't believe I have this fourth.)
5. "The Queen" (Which, of course, means it's winning.)

More tomorrow and Monday. Enjoy the weekend, folks.

The Homestretch

2007-02-18T17:57:00.000-05:00

- Final Oscar Predictions
- 2006's Top Ten List
- 2006's Cinemascape Awards

And more. Hopefully.

This week.

Scorsese Wins the DGA, Planets Apparently Aligning

2007-02-04T00:48:00.000-05:00

“No one gives it to you. You have to take it.”

After seven previous chances, the Directors Guild of America finally recognizes Martin Scorsese, the winner of this year's DGA award.

Next: Oscar!

Variety has the full story.

Quiet Week 'Round These Parts

2007-02-03T23:44:00.000-05:00

Hopefully more posting this coming week.

DGA tonight! Don't forget. My prediction -- and everyone else's -- is Marty.

'Little' Best Picture?

2007-01-28T23:51:00.000-05:00

Could it happen?

Winners from tonight's 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards:
Best Ensemble: "Little Miss Sunshine"
Best Actress: Helen Mirren, "The Queen"
Best Actor: Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"
Best Supporting Actor: Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"

Take Five: A Look at Sunday's SAG Awards

2007-01-27T00:21:00.000-05:00

Sunday night's Screen Actors Guild Awards could be a dress rehearsal for Oscar night in four weeks. Nineteen of the twenty Oscar nominees for acting are represented at the SAG Awards, and so are three of the five Oscar Picture nominees in the SAG Ensemble category.

This is where "Crash" began its ascent to Oscar glory last year, will another picture do the same this year? Let's take a look.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Adriana Barraza, "Babel"
Cate Blanchett, "Notes on a Scandal"
Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"
Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel"

Not too many supporting actress honors have passed over Jennifer Hudson's work in "Dreamgirls" this year, and I wouldn't expect that to change for the rest of the year.

However, -- and there is always that however, that slight chance -- if the Screen Actors Guild wants to buck the trend, they will do so by awarding 10-year-old Abigail Breslin. It's quite clear that "Little Miss Sunshine" has captured the hearts of many in Movieland, and the Screen Actors Guild has a past of appreciating the work of child actors. That being said, it's an uphill climb -- but, it's a climb that isn't impossible.

Predicted Winner: Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"
Alternate: Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Departed"
Jackie Earle Haley, "Little Children"
Djimon Hounsou, "Blood Diamond"
Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"

Again, we have a category with a clear frontrunner from "Dreamgirls," who could lose to a legitimate "Little Miss Sunshine" threat. However, in this case, the margin of separation between the two isn't nearly as distant as the other category. Eddie Murphy has been on a roll lately, but will the guild defer the chance to award the veteran in favor of a quasi-comeback?

Don't forget about Leo, either. If "The Departed" has enough supporters, or Arkin and Murphy possibly split votes, the guild may leap at the opportunity to award DiCaprio's lead actor work in the supporting actor category. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me.

Three possibilities, who will it be? Will the Screen Actors Guild march to the beat of their own drummer, or simply follow everyone else's lead?

Predicted Winner: Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"
Alternate: Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Penelope Cruz, "Volver"
Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal"
Helen Mirren, "The Queen"
Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"
Kate Winslet, "Little Children"

Now, this isn't a category where the frontrunner is threatened by a "Little Miss Sunshine" actor. In fact, there isn't a threat to the frontrunner at all. Unless another Dame pulls a miracle out of her hat, or a certain Ms. Miranda Priestly woos over the acting body, it's all about Dame/Reigning Queen Helen Mirren.

Predicted Winner: Helen Mirren, "The Queen"
Alternate: Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Leonardo DiCaprio, "Blood Diamond"
Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson"
Peter O'Toole, "Venus"
Will Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness"
Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"

I hate the fact that I'm picking all of the obvious frontrunners here, but I'm about to do it again. I understand that Miramax has sent out 100,000 screeners for "Venus," but I don't quite have the balls to predict the veteran in his possible swan song. On the other hand, I will say, if Peter is awarded on Sunday night, the Oscar is his.

How loved is Forest Whitaker's performance, exactly? Whitaker has swept nearly every award this year, but can he hold off Peter O'Toole down the final stretch? We'll find out soon enough.

Predicted Winner: Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"
Alternate: Peter O'Toole, "Venus"

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
"Babel"
"Bobby"
"The Departed"
"Dreamgirls"
"Little Miss Sunshine"

The biggest award of the night could give one of the three Best Picture nominees represented here a huge boost heading down the home stretch.

"Babel" is certainly favorable considering its large, diverse international cast with a couple of respected names in the mix. It also has that "important factor" going for it.

"The Departed" has a cast list that jumps off the page at you, that much is certain. With so many loved actors and performances in the film, the acting guild could pass over Leo in the supporting category and decide to honor it all here. Of course, the Nicholson and Wahlberg exclusions could prove that there isn't a great deal of love for the picture, but I think those omissions are due more to Warner Brothers' shoddy campaign. The film is loved across the nation, and it does have that hefty box office total in its favor.

If any film is loved more across the nation, though, it's "Little Miss Sunshine." With a small, strong ensemble leading a performance-driven indie comedy, it reminds me of another similar film that won this award two years ago: "Sideways." It plays wonderfully on DVD, it's a true crowd-pleaser, it's got a "cute factor," six nomination-worthy performances -- I think it's winning.

Or it could be "Dreamgirls." How funny would that be?

Predicted Winner: "Little Miss Sunshine"
Alternate: "The Departed"

Hey, maybe I'll get one right?

The 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Predictions

Best Actor - Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"
Best Actress - Helen Mirren, "The Queen"
Best Supporting Actor - Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"
Best Supporting Actress - Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"
Best Ensemble - "Little Miss Sunshine"

My Absence Explained or: How Technology Bitchslapped Me 3 Days Before the Biggest Day of the Cineyear or: The Clint Ends the 'Dream'

2007-01-26T22:48:00.000-05:00

Saturday. January 20th. 09:29am. For over 100 hours.

108, to be exact.

Of all of the four-day stints for your cable modem to die on you. Of all of the times. It had to happen to me. This week. Me.

This, of course, explains my lack of finalized predictions, and planned instantaneous nomination reaction. Hell, I had to wait until Wednesday just to find out who was nominated in the other fourteen categories.

Nevertheless. Let us not dwell in the past, but focus on the present. You will have to excuse me for my delayed reaction, as, of course, I have not had the ability to express it in the wide world of webs. So, here it goes:

DREAMGIRLSOMGWTFBBQ!?!blahblahblah.

Honestly, is Clint the Messiah of Tinseltown? Where did this come from? A month or two ago, sure, expected. But not lately. At least not over a heavy frontrunner like "Dreamgirls."

"Dreamgirls", you know, the film with the most nominations this year. The film has the distinct dishonor of becoming the first picture in the history of the Oscars to lead in nominations, but miss Picture. It also missed Director and Screenplay, to boot. The film did, however, have almost as many nominations in one category (Original Song) as "Letters from Iwo Jima" had altogether. "Letters" managed to secure only four nominations: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, and Sound Editing. In fact, two films ("Dreamgirls, "Pan's Labyrinth") scored as many or more nominations as four Best Picture nominees. This does, indeed, looks to be a "spread the wealth" type of year.

My favorite nomination of the morning, without a doubt, was Paul Greengrass in the Directing category for "United 93." I've been predicting it nearly the entire year, and have been steadfast in my hope and belief that his amazing work would be recognized by the Academy. "United 93" also, expectedly (at least by me), showed up in the Film Editing category.

It was also wonderful to see three well-deserved nominations for "Children of Men," including one for Best Adapted Screenplay. "Apocalypto," "The Prestige," and "Pan's Labyrinth" also delightfully surprised me, each film scoring more than one nomination. The latter, in particular, is the most nominated foreign film since 2000's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." It is also very pleasing to see the likes of "Marie Antoinette," "Borat," "Superman Returns," and "The Good Shepherd" on the ballot.

Naturally, the morning did serve its helping of moans and groans. First and foremost, it is unforgivable that Mr. Jack Nicholson is not present in the Best Supporting Actor category. In fact, only one "Departed" performance was recognized by the Academy, that of Mark Wahlberg. DiCaprio did manage to land a Best Actor nomination, albeit for the wrong film. Speaking of, "Blood Diamond" is a five-time Oscar nominee. No, you did not read it wrong. Yes, it is mind-boggling. And I won't even touch "Babel"'s seven nominations.

Oh, and Click: Academy Award nominee. Wow.

It it impossible to read the Academy from this ballot. Honestly, I could see all five of these pictures taking home the biggest award of the night. I'll post my predicted winners this weekend, and update continuously between then and Oscar night.

It's nice to be back.

Globes Offer Few Surprises, Become More Irrelevant

2007-01-16T00:18:00.000-05:00

11 out of 14 for my predictions. Not bad, not bad. I really wish I had gotten one more wrong, however.

More later.

Mmm, Globe Predictions.

2007-01-14T22:02:00.000-05:00

Playing it safe for tomorrow, save maybe one.

Picture (Drama)
"Babel"

Blah. I can feel the vomit rising in my throat now. It seems that most are predicting "The Departed," with the remaining crowd predicting "Babel." I don't want to see it come to fruition (I never said this was an unbiased blog), but I am afraid it will. "Babel" leads in nominations, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association seems to have loved it, and it's not like "The Departed" is a juggernaut of a frontrunner. I hope to see "The Departed" win the top prize tomorrow night, but I'll be a pessimist and call "Babel."

Picture (Musical or Comedy)
"Dreamgirls"

The grand musical blockbuster versus the little film that could. The HFPA obviously didn't love "Little Miss Sunshine," only bestowing a mere two nominations on the indie comedy. Aside from Picture, Collette was nominated in the Lead Actress category, while they snubbed Arkin, Breslin, and the film's screenplay and directors. A mild upset could still prevail, but I'm thinking "Dreamgirls" all the way here.

Director
Martin Scorsese - "The Departed"

Actor (Drama)
Forest Whitaker - "The Last King of Scotland"

Actress (Drama)
Helen Mirren - "The Queen"

Actor (Musical or Comedy)
Sacha Baron Cohen - "Borat"

Actress (Musical or Comedy)
Meryl Streep - "The Devil Wears Prada"

Supporting Actor
Eddie Murphy - "Dreamgirls"

Supporting Actress
Jennifer Hudson - "Dreamgirls"

Screenplay
"The Departed"

Original Score
"Babel"

Original Song
"Listen" from "Dreamgirls"

Foreign Language Film
"Letters from Iwo Jima"

Animated Film
"Cars"

Critics' Choice Awards Winners

2007-01-12T23:24:00.000-05:00

Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a Best Picture race.

"The Departed" wasn't the biggest winner of the night -- only winning two, -- but it won the two that count. Scorsese and his film took home top honors at tonight's Broadcast Film Critics Association's Critics' Choice Awards. "Dreamgirls" and "Little Miss Sunshine" led in wins, each film winning four each.

Queen Mirren and Forest Whitaker continue their dominance this season, both adding wins to their already staggering total. Murphy and Hudson were cited in the supporting categories. A 4/4 match with Oscar is very, very possible. Hudson and Mirren are locks, and I've always had a hunch about Murphy. Whitaker would be in good shape for a win, if not for O'Toole looming.

The Globes on Monday will be interesting to watch. If "The Departed" can hold off "Babel" in Picture - Drama, and if "Dreamgirls" can hold off "Little Miss Sunshine" in Picture - Musical/Comedy, a "Dreamgirls" vs. "The Departed" battle will ensue. "Little Miss Sunshine" will never be far behind, of course. Barring a "Babel" surge, it's a three-horse race.

Oh, and I still need to see "The Illusionist," BUT, Clint Mansell was robbed.

Your complete list of winners from tonight's 12th Annual BFCA Critics' Choice Awards:

Best Picture
"The Departed"

Best Director
Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"

Best Actor
Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"

Best Actress
Helen Mirren, "The Queen"

Best Supporting Actor
Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"

Best Supporting Actress
Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"

Best Acting Ensemble
"Little Miss Sunshine"

Best Writer
Michael Arndt, "Little Miss Sunshine"

Best Young Actor
Paul Dano, "Little Miss Sunshine"

Best Young Actress
Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine"

Best Comedy Movie
"Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan"

Best Family Film
"Charlotte's Web"

Best Picture Made for Television
"Elizabeth I"

Best Animated Feature
"Cars"

Best Documentary Feature
"An Inconvenient Truth"

Best Foreign Language Film
"Letters from Iwo Jima"

Best Song
"Listen" by Beyonce Knowles, "Dreamgirls"

Best Soundtrack
"Dreamgirls"

Best Composer
Philip Glass, "The Illusionist"

Booyakasha. BAFTA.

2007-01-12T12:47:00.000-05:00

A bit too long-winded to post. At least in the rush I'm in.

BAFTA nominees.

God save The Queen, huh? Nothing much to talk about here. Lots of love for "The Queen," "Casino Royale," "The Last King of Scotland," and the three amigos. No love for "Borat" and Mr. Sacha Baron Cohen. What's the deal, my British folk?

And, The Editors

2007-01-12T00:48:00.000-05:00

The American Cinema Editors nominees:

Drama
"Babel," Stephen Mirrione, Douglas Crise
"Casino Royale," Stuart Baird
"The Departed," Thelma Schoonmaker
"The Queen," Lucia Zuccheti
"United 93," Clare Douglas, Christopher Rouse, Richard Pearson

Comedy/Musical
"The Devil Wears Prada," Mark Livolsi
"Dreamgirls," Virginia Katz
"Little Miss Sunshine," Pamela Martin
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," Craig Wood, Stephen Rivkin
"Thank You for Smoking," Dan Glauberman

All of the Best Picture contenders show up, along with "United 93," the alternate in the locked-up Best Picture race now. "Letters from Iwo Jima" continues to get the cold shoulder from the guilds, while "The Devil Wears Prada" continues to ride its wave of support.

The BAFTA nominations announcement is coming within hours. Stay tuned for those.

And, The Cinematographers

2007-01-11T23:33:00.000-05:00

The American Society of Cinematographers nominees:

"Apocalypto," Dean Semler
"The Black Dahlia," Vilmos Zsigmond
"Children of Men," Emmanuel Lubezki
"The Good Shepherd," Robert Richardson
"The Illusionist," Dick Pope

Aside from "Children of Men," what can you say? "The Good Shepherd" and "Apocalypto" aren't too surprising, but I can't say the same about the other two. "The Illusionist" is, surprisingly, finding guild support.

Another "Dreamgirls" snub to point out here. The omissions of "Babel" and "The Departed" are surprising. I do believe it's the first guild that those two films have missed. The other guild juggernaut this year, "Little Miss Sunshine," was never a contender here, obviously.

"Letters from Iwo Jima"/"Flags of Our Fathers" misses another one. Is it vote-splitting? Is it just a general lack of enthusiasm? Did anyone even get to see "Letters?" A Best Picture nomination for "Letters" would be considered one of the biggest surprises in Oscar nomination history now, given the lack of guild support.

And, The Costumers

2007-01-11T19:28:00.000-05:00

The Costume Designer's Guild has weighed in. The nominees are:

Contemporary
"Babel," Michael Wilkinson
"Casino Royale," Lindy Hemming
"The Devil Wears Prada," Patricia Field
"Little Miss Sunshine," Nancy Steiner
"The Queen," Consolata Boyle

Period
"Curse of the Golden Flower," Chung Man Yee
"Dreamgirls," Sharen Davis
"The Illusionist," Ngila Dickson
"Marie Antoinette," Milena Canonero
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," Penny Rose

Fantasy
"Eragon," Kym Barrett
"The Fountain," Renee April
"Pan's Labyrinth," Lala Huete
"V for Vendetta," Sammy Sheldon
"X-Men: The Last Stand," Judianna Makovsky

Variety has the story.

Look through those fifteen CDG nominees, and you're bound to find the five Oscar nominees. Mark this down as another hole in the sinking ship that is "Clint Campaign '06/'07." "Bobby" missed, so I'll probably be taking it out of my predix now. Other than that, nothing too revelatory here. "Marie Antoinette," "Dreamgirls," and "The Devil Wears Prada" are the most likely nominees. "Curse of the Golden Flower," "The Illusionist," "The Queen", or maybe even "Pirates" should compete for the final spots on the ballot.

The Writers Chime In

2007-01-11T15:17:00.000-05:00

Writers Guild of America Nominees

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Babel, Written by Guillermo Arriaga, Paramount Vantage

Little Miss Sunshine, Written by Michael Arndt, Fox Searchlight Pictures

The Queen, Written by Peter Morgan, Miramax Films

Stranger Than Fiction, Written by Zach Helm, Sony Pictures Entertainment

United 93, Written by Paul Greengrass, Universal Pictures

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Peter Baynham & Dan Mazer, Story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Peter Baynham & Anthony Hines & Todd Phillips, Based on a Character Created by Sacha Baron Cohen, Twentieth Century Fox

The Departed, Screenplay by William Monahan, Based on the Motion Picture Internal Affairs, Written by Alan Mak and Felix Chong, Warner Bros. Pictures

The Devil Wears Prada, Screenplay by Aline Brosh McKenna, Based on the Novel by Lauren Weisberger, Twentieth Century Fox

Little Children, Screenplay by Todd Field & Tom Perrotta, Based on the Novel by Tom Perrotta, New Line Cinema

Thank You for Smoking, Screenplay by Jason Reitman, Based on the Novel by Christopher Buckley, Fox Searchlight Pictures

Hooray for "United 93!" "Babel," "Little Miss Sunshine," and "The Departed" complete their sweep of the four major guilds. "Dreamgirls" takes a hit here, while "Letters" appears to be dead and buried. "Letters" swept the guilds, just not the way they wanted to. One has to wonder if Clint's two World War II films can even muster up a couple of nominations at this point.

Also announced today were the Cinematography and Costuming guilds. I'll be posting those shortly. Expect another predix revision, too.

DGA in, Eastwood out

2007-01-09T18:00:00.000-05:00

So much for "immediately." Blogger was down, unfortunately.

From Variety:

“The Directors Guild has selected Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu for "Babel," Bill Condon for "Dreamgirls," Martin Scorsese for "The Departed," Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris for "Little Miss Sunshine" and Stephen Frears for "The Queen" as nominees for its top feature directing award.

DGA president Michael Apted made the announcement Tuesday morning at guild headquarters in Hollywood. The winner, to be decided by voting among the 13,000 DGA members, will be announced Feb. 3 in ceremonies at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.

The winner of the DGA award will be a front-runner for the directing Oscar. The DGA winner and the Oscar winner have matched in 52 of the last 58 years, including last year when Ang Lee won both trophies for "Brokeback Mountain."

The nominees were chosen by DGA members from over 400 eligible films with a theatrical release in 2006.”

And so, there it is. The Directors Guild of America. Underwhelming is the word, I do believe.

As I said yesterday, the DGA isn’t one for surprises, but apparently they forgot about that. I was dreading, but somewhat expecting, Inarritu to get in over Greengrass and others. He did. However, the big story of the day is the omission of Eastwood, considered yesterday as the most likely nominee only behind Scorsese. Instead of Eastwood, the DGA went with the 1-2 punch of "Little Miss Sunshine" -- Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.

Could this really be our Best Picture lineup? Could all of Warner Bros.’ maneuvering of “Letters” be for naught? The obvious three are virtual locks, with “Babel” also appearing safe now. At least for now, I’ll side with the DGA’s forecast. I think you’re looking at our five Best Picture nominees.

Director is, naturally, a horse of a different color. Many a-time before we’ve had a director get in without his or her picture being nominated for the top prize. I’m still surprised about the “Little Miss Sunshine” duo getting in at the DGA, so I still have my doubts about their Oscar prospects in the Director category. Eastwood, even Greengrass, Altman, del Toro, or Cuaron, remain in the hunt for a Director nod. It’s impossible to predict whether Oscar and DGA will match 5/5, 4/5, or even 3/5.

Updated predictions in wake of this afternoon’s announcement will be posted this evening.

Final Stand

2007-01-08T23:26:00.000-05:00

This is it for "United 93," really. If it's to show up for Best Picture in two weeks, it really must snag a nomination tomorrow (1pm EST) with the DGA. The consensus stands at Scorsese, Eastwood, Frears, Condon, and Inarritu. I've been predicting a Greengrass nomination here for months, and I see no reason to retract that. The lineup above does seem most likely, particularly with the "Babel" love that has surfaced lately. Still, and it may be the optimist in me here, I remain adamant with my Greengrass prediction. However, if the consensus five does get in tomorrow, you're probably looking at your five Best Picture nominees.

As for surprises, which DGA has never heeded to, watch for a possible Condon snub, or a strong showing from the "Three Amigos" -- Alfonso Cuaron, Guillermo del Toro, and the aforementioned Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. Aside from the eight I have mentioned here, Mr. Robert Altman is also a small possibility.

The Directors Guild of America has been the most reliable indicator of how the Best Picture lineup will look on nomination morning, predicting all five films for the past four years. My predictions for tomorrow's announcement, in order of likelihood:

Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"
Clint Eastwood, "Letters from Iwo Jima"
Stephen Frears, "The Queen"
Bill Condon, "Dreamgirls"
Paul Greengrass, "United 93"

Alternates, in order of likelihood:

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, "Babel"
Guillermo del Toro, "Pan's Labyrinth"
Alfonso Cuaron, "Children of Men"
Robert Altman, "A Prairie Home Companion"

When the announcement is made, just like last year, it will be posted immediately along with thoughts. Some post-SAG/post-DGA/pre-WGA/pre-other guilds predix tweaking due tomorrow too, promise.

Late, Brief: Producers

2007-01-07T22:51:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week, the Producers Guild of America handed down their nominations for Best Picture. "The Departed," "The Queen," and "Dreamgirls" were shoo-ins all the way. "Babel" showed up, asserting itself as a likely Picture nominee on January 23rd. If it grabs a DGA nomination, it's in. "Little Miss Sunshine" also managed to squeeze in there, knocking out critical darling "United 93" and snubbee "Letters from Iwo Jima."

Other than the "Letters" snub, there really isn't anything very surprising about this list at all. Hopefully the DGA will be more exciting Tuesday. Below is the five nominated films contending for Best Picture honors from the PGA, alongside the films in the Animated category.

"Babel"
"The Departed"
"Dreamgirls"
"Little Miss Sunshine"
"The Queen"

Animated
"Cars"
"Flushed Away"
"Happy Feet"
"Ice Age: The Meltdown"
"Monster House"

Screen Actors Guild Announces, Does Usual Song and Dance

2007-01-04T09:49:00.000-05:00

Per usual, The Screen Actors Guild answered about as many questions as they asked this morning when they announced their choices for this year's nominees. Nothing too revelatory though. No Cloris Leachman, no Freddie Highmore, not even a "Hustle & Flow."

First off - OK, I got it. No Cohen. I really thought he would have gotten in today, but alas, no silver dollar. I'll be taking him out of my predix this afternoon, though he does still linger on the outskirts.

In the answered group, Lead and Supporting Actress seem locked to me. I've been one of the few who has been steadfast in predicting Abigail Breslin for an Oscar mention, knowing that the SAG would nominate her turn in "Little Miss Sunshine," even without that Globe nomination. That Globe omission is irrelevent now, as far as I'm concerned. Barring any unusual changes, I think Breslin is certainly in for a Supporting Actress nomination in a couple of weeks. Today's announcement should end most of the O'Hara talk that has surfaced over the holidays, however deserving it may be.

As reported by various sources yesterday, by Warner Bros. dropping the ball this season, DiCaprio landed in the supporting category for his incredible work in "The Departed." That, coupled with the lead nomination for "Blood Diamond" entices a very awkward position for the studio. Because of Warner's handling of these two performances, DiCaprio could end up with as many two, or as few as zero Oscar nominations on the 23rd. It would be a damn shame for DiCaprio, with the career-best year that he is having, to be left out in the cold on nomination morning. Inexplicable.

Supporting Actor is now officially, certifiably ridiculous. Globes say Nicholson, Pitt, Affleck, Wahlberg -- SAG says DiCaprio, Hounsou, Haley, Arkin. The only constant is Eddie Murphy, who hasn't missed a nomination this year, and has picked up his share of critical wins. An Oscar win for Murphy could be just around the corner. As for Michael Sheen, it disappoints me that he hasn't been able to build any momentum this year -- despite winning several critical accolades. I'll update my predictions later this afternoon, but I have no idea what to forecast in this category. Easily, the most headache-inducing category of the year.

As for ensemble, "United 93" draws another unfortunate snub. DGA is really the film's last chance on Tuesday. I still think it has a shot. "Dreamgirls," "Little Miss Sunshine," and "Babel" don't surprise me here. "The Departed" got in with only one other nomination, which casts doubt over my thought earlier in the week that the film could win the Ensemble prize. It still may, but "Dreamgirls" -- or even, sadly, "Babel," the pebble inside of the shoe this season -- is now just as likely. Of course, disregard the "Bobby" nomination. The film is NOT showing up in Picture, or any acting category on Oscar nomination morning. And unlike most, I was never sold on "Letters from Iwo Jima" making the cut here. Even without it, I don't think it hinders its likely (see: almost locked) Best Picture nomination.

Continued thoughts, updated Oscar predix, and my late PGA (Producers' Guild, not golf) coverage coming this afternoon.

Ensemble
"Babel"
"Bobby"
"The Departed"
"Dreamgirls"
"Little Miss Sunshine"

Best Actor
Leonardo Dicaprio, "Blood Diamond"
Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson"
Peter O'Toole, "Venus"
Will Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness"
Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"

Best Actress
Penelope Cruz, "Volver"
Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal"
Helen Mirren, "The Queen"
Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"
Kate Winslet, "Little Children"

Best Supporting Actor
Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Departed"
Jackie Earle Haley, "Little Children"
Djimon Hounsou, "Blood Diamond"
Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"

Best Supporting Actress
Adriana Barraza, "Babel"
Cate Blanchett, "Notes on a Scandal"
Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"
Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel"

So long, 2006

2006-12-31T20:32:00.000-05:00

In these waning hours of 2006, I want to wish all a very happy, very safe New Year's. Let's keep the drinking and driving to the boundaries of Playstation, ok?

2007 just sounds better than 2006, doesn't it? Sometimes we all need a fresh start, a new year representing a new slate. 2007 sounds so much later, too. So futuristic. It's hard to believe that we're in the final few years of this decade. How time flies, I guess.

Here's wishing all of us a wonderful, joyous, successful 2007. Happy New Year's, everybody.

The following message paid for by

2006-12-29T23:21:00.000-05:00

"Blood Diamond" simply isn't one of the ten best films of the year, no matter what anyone involved in the BFCA will try to tell you. It's a film with a heavy heart and an even heavier hand that fails to rise above the level of smarter-than-average popcorn fare. I enjoyed Ed Zwick's "The Last Samurai," I did, but "Blood Diamond" hits only a handful of high notes on its way out of Africa, so to speak.

The biggest problem with the film is the overt saturation of politics that overrides any true establishment of character. All of us know that Africa isn't in great shape now. We know this, Ed. So, the film shows us child soldiers and random, brutal killings in order to provoke strong emotions from the viewer. Like most other thematic melodramas, sometimes it works, other times it doesn't. I just wish the film didn't have to rely on such tactics.

The strongest aspect of the film is some fine acting by its three leads. DiCaprio, Connelly, and Hounsou all make the film better in their own ways, and its characters bolder than they stand on paper. DiCaprio, in particular, has astounded me this year. He follows his masterful turn in "The Departed" with one worthy of praise in this film. Hounsou does a lot of scenery-chewing, but his best moments come when he isn't in barking mode. The two do make a fine onscreen team -- along with Connelly's endless greens, naturally.

"Blood Diamond" is worthy of its place as a political genre thriller. It doesn't reach the heights of "City of God" or "The Constant Gardener", two similar films, but the film isn't the worst entry into the subgenre. It never ceases to dazzle in its intense action sequences, admirable cinematography, or aforementioned acting. I respect the film socially and politically -- but as cinema, it's nothing too special.

Frodo and Stephanie usher in the guilds

2006-12-28T23:38:00.000-05:00

“Los Angeles, California – Two-time Actor® recipient Sandra Oh, currently starring in the ABC series Grey’s Anatomy, and Actor® recipient Elijah Wood, currently starring in the Golden Globe®-nominated films Bobby and Happy Feet, will join Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg to announce the nominees for the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®, Executive Producer Jeff Margolis announced today.

The SAG Awards™ nominations will be revealed at 6:05 a.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, in the SilverScreen Theater at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. The nominations announcement will be telecast live on Turner Network Television (TNT), E! Entertainment Television and streamed live on TNT.TV and TBS.COM.”

And to all, a good night.

2006-12-24T23:50:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas. Shitter was full.

2006-12-23T22:33:00.000-05:00

Enjoy the holiday weekend by watching what is the greatest holiday film -- or one of the greatest films, period -- Frank Capra's 1946 masterpiece, "It's a Wonderful Life." Posted above are the film's final nine sublime minutes.

Here are a few other personal holiday favorites, in no order of preference:

"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (1989, Jeremiah S. Chechik)

If you can't enjoy Randy Quaid standing in a frontyard, in his underwear, dumping raw shit into a sewage drain, you can't celebrate Christmas. It's that simple. "Christmas Vacation" should be viewed as the benchmark for all holiday films. I love this film. So much.

"Scrooged" (1988, Richard Donner)

A film that many haven't seen, or have simply forgotten about. It's a true gem, and one of my favorite films by Mr. Murray. Bill gives one of his best performances as Frank Cross, a Scrooge for today's corporate America. It's great, it's long been one of my favorite holiday films.

"The Polar Express" (2004, Robert Zemeckis)

Watching Robert Zemeckis' wonderful adaptation of this story is warm enough to heat the coldest of hearts. Glorious atmosphere and just the right stroke of holiday magic makes this film maybe the most personal of holiday films.

"The Santa Clause" (1994, John Pasquin)

I couldn't find a clip from this film, so I'll leave you the trailer to one of its inferior sequels! Tim Allen has sort of become Mr. Christmas lately, and this is the film that started it all. Disney followed it up with a not-so-bad sequel in 2003, and a not-too-terrible third film earlier this year -- but nothing measures up to this original.

"A Garfield Christmas" (1987, Phil Roman & George Singer)

A holiday tradition, a holiday classic in my family. A delightful portrait of a heartland, big family American Christmas that strikes the perfect tone. It's hard to find, I don't believe it's on DVD. HOWEVER, thanks to modern technology, you can watch it ALL on YouTube! There you can hear about Binky! Why he's the clown who saved Christmas!

You can't go wrong with any of those programs, or other favorites including "Bad Santa," "The Ref," and "Home Alone."

I'll be back in a few days, when the eggnog wears off. Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays, everybody.

Manohla Dargis knows the score

2006-12-23T00:46:00.000-05:00

Manohla Dargis released her top ten list today. In her opinion, the best film of the year came out in 1969. That is, Jean-Pierre Melville’s "Army of Shadows," which received its American theatrical release this year. "Letters from Iwo Jima" was her second choice, a film I am now anxiously awaiting as the superlatives continue to come down from pretty reliable sources.

Two films I have yet to have the pleasure of seeing, two 2006 releases I am looking forward to most, "Children of Men" and "Inland Empire," also landed on Ms. Dargis' list. I sure hope that Universal knows what they're doing with "Children of Men." From an outsider's perspective, it sure looks like a botched release. As for "Inland Empire," I just hope it'll come out my way before DVD.

But the thing that made me gleeful, the reason for this post, finally, a reasonable person has acknowledged Michael Mann's most underrated work to date, "Miami Vice." A film undeserving of the thrashing it received in many circles upon its release this past summer.

It's nice to see "Vice," along with "Marie Antoinette," pop up during the awards season. The two films are two of the most accomplished works of the year, certainly two of the most underrated, each receiving lukewarm to poor critical responses. All the while, overloved films such as "Babel" are painted on most top ten lists and awards ballots. Ah, the subjectivity of the medium.

This is the second time in as many years Manohla's top ten has jumped out at me. Last year, Ms. Dargis recognized Terrence Malick's glorious "The New World."

Too underrated, it's not even fair

2006-12-22T23:44:00.000-05:00

My name-a Borat. I like you. I like sex. Is nice!

2006-12-22T20:26:00.000-05:00

That's right!

Hey, we're in that downtime between the Globe nominations and the Guild mentions, why not? If Cohen misses at SAG, I may sing a different tune, but this is where I stand.

All of the predictions have been updated on the sidebar, including all techs, animated, documentary, and foreign categories.

2006-12-22T01:10:00.000-05:00

Tease.

2006-12-22T00:44:00.000-05:00

It'll tear you in two.

Wes Anderson is back at work

2006-12-22T00:30:00.000-05:00

A picture is worth a thousand words. Click for the enlarged version.

Wes Anderson's new film, "The Darjeeling Limited," is currently in production in India at the moment. The film, written by Anderson, Schwartzman, and Roman Coppola, is due out in 2007 per Fox Searchlight.

However.

This is Anderson's first picture without Mr. Bill Murray since his film debut, "Bottle Rocket." Sadly.

Quite possibly the greatest advertisement in Oscar history

2006-12-21T22:05:00.000-05:00

This year's official poster, and it is all shades of lovely. Click for an enlarged version.

“She called me a dirty word.”

2006-12-20T23:09:00.000-05:00

W i d e r

2006-12-20T19:19:00.000-05:00

Not quite 16:9 HD, but a slight format adjustment has been implemented today at the 'Cape.

I've been quite busy since last week's Globe announcement, so I really haven't had the time to sit down and update my predictions yet. However, you can expect that before the weekend -- promise.

As far as Globe commentary, there really isn't much to say. Don't believe the "Babel" hype, it was always going to score big with the HFPA. A lot of what we saw on nomination morning (the clumsiest nomination morning ever) was expected, the rest was on par with something like the Blockbuster Awards. I prefer the BFCA.

A pretty entertaining read

2006-12-15T18:52:00.000-05:00

Globe nominees react to their nominations, per Variety.

Visual Effects finalists announced

2006-12-15T18:10:00.000-05:00

From the official press release:

“Seven Vie for Visual Effects Oscar®

Beverly Hills, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that seven films are in consideration for achievement in Visual Effects for the 79th Academy Awards®.

The films are listed below in alphabetical order:

“Casino Royale”
“Eragon”
“Night at the Museum”
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
“Poseidon”
“Superman Returns”
“X-Men The Last Stand”

On Wednesday, January 17, the Academy’s Visual Effects Award nominating committee will view 15-minute film excerpts from each of the seven shortlisted films. Following the screenings, members will vote to nominate three films for Oscar consideration.

Nominations for the 79th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2007, at 5:30 a.m. PST in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2006 will be presented on Sunday, February 25, 2007, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network at 5 p.m. PST, beginning with a half-hour arrivals segment."

Fairly underwhelming choices in a fairly underwhelming year for the category. The omissions of "Charlotte's Web" and "Flags of Our Fathers" are worth mentioning, particularly the latter. I wholly expect "Pirates" to win this in a walk. "Superman Returns" should be able to slide in with a nomination, with the third nominee likely to be "X-Men", "Eragon", or -- God help us -- "Poseidon".

I wasn't expecting the likes of "The Fountain" or "Mission: Impossible: III" to be nominated, but it would have been nice to see them at least make the bakeoff.

Again, a pretty ho-hum list.

"Babel" leads underwhelming Globe nominations

2006-12-14T08:36:00.000-05:00

"Babel" was the big winner this morning with seven nominations.

Commentary and updated Oscar predictions are forthcoming after today's silly Globe nominations.

PICTURE (DRAMA)
"Babel"
"Bobby"
"The Departed"
"Little Children"
"The Queen"

PICTURE (MUSICAL OR COMEDY)
"Borat"
"The Devil Wears Prada"
"Dreamgirls"
"Little Miss Sunshine"
"Thank You For Smoking"

DIRECTOR
Clint Eastwood - "Flags of Our Fathers"
Clint Eastwood - "Letters from Iwo Jima"
Stephen Frears - "The Queen"
Alejandro González Iñárritu - "Babel"
Martin Scorsese - "The Departed"

ACTOR (DRAMA)
Leonardo DiCaprio - "Blood Diamond"
Leonardo DiCaprio - "The Departed"
Peter O'Toole - "Venus"
Will Smith - "The Pursuit of Happyness"
Forest Whitaker - "The Last King of Scotland"

ACTRESS (DRAMA)
Penelope Cruz - "Volver"
Judi Dench - "Notes on a Scandal"
Maggie Gyllenhaal - "Sherrybaby"
Helen Mirren - "The Queen"
Kate Winslet - "Little Children"

ACTOR (MUSICAL OR COMEDY)
Sacha Baron Cohen - "Borat"
Johnny Depp - "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"
Aaron Eckhart - "Thank You for Smoking"
Chiwetel Ejiofor - "Kinky Boots"
Will Ferrell - "Stranger Than Fiction"

ACTRESS (MUSICAL OR COMEDY)
Annette Bening - "Running with Scissors"
Toni Collette - "Little Miss Sunshine"
Beyoncé Knowles - "Dreamgirls"
Meryl Streep - "The Devil Wears Prada"
Renée Zellweger - "Miss Potter"

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ben Affleck - "Hollywoodland"
Eddie Murphy - "Dreamgirls"
Jack Nicholson - "The Departed"
Brad Pitt - "Babel"
Mark Wahlberg - "The Departed"

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Adriana Barraza - "Babel"
Cate Blanchett - "Notes on a Scandal"
Emily Blunt - "The Devil Wears Prada"
Jennifer Hudson - "Dreamgirls"
Rinko Kikuchi - "Babel"

SCREENPLAY
"Babel"
"Little Children"
"Notes on a Scandal"
"The Departed"
"The Queen"

ORIGINAL SCORE
"Babel"
"The Da Vinci Code"
"The Fountain"
"The Painted Veil"
"Nomad"

ORIGINAL SONG
"A Father's Way" from "The Pursuit of Happyness"
"Listen" from "Dreamgirls"
"Never Gonna Break My Faith" from "Bobby"
"The Song of the Heart" from "Happy Feet"
"Try Not to Remember" from "Home of the Brave"

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
"Apocalypto"
"Letters from Iwo Jima"
"The Lives of Others"
"Pan's Labyrinth"
"Volver"

ANIMATED FILM
"Cars"
"Happy Feet"
"Monster House"

Ennio Morricone to receive the Honorary Oscar

2006-12-14T08:16:00.000-05:00

For the second consecutive year, I wholeheartedly agree with the selection. Bravo, AMPAS. Bravo.

Variety's full story.

GlobePredixLikeWhoa

2006-12-13T23:57:00.000-05:00

Yes, my pretty little chimps. It's that time of year again. That's right, it's time for the Globes to go cuh-razee. Remember that Munich snub last year? Okie-dokie.

Firstly, don't expect any update to my Oscar predictions on the sidebar until later tomorrow or Friday. This week has been jam-packed with accolades tossed around to various films, and I'm waiting until the smoke clears on Friday to offer my input on the week that was. After the Globe nominations, things usually settle down before things hit the fan when the guilds march in after the holidays.

But, before the Globes get us all shook up tomorrow, I think I'll lay down some predictions for tomorrow morning's announcement. After the nominations are announced, they'll be posted here with reaction and thoughts -- alongside that Oscar predix update.

Let's jump in.

Motion Picture - Drama
"Babel"
"The Departed"
"Flags of Our Fathers"
"The Queen"
"United 93"
Alternate #1 - "World Trade Center"
Alternate #2 - "Little Children"

Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical
"Borat"
"The Devil Wears Prada"
"Dreamgirls"
"Little Miss Sunshine"
"A Prairie Home Companion"
Alternate #1 - "Stranger than Fiction"
Alternate #2 - "Thank You for Smoking"

Best Director
Pedro Almodovar, "Volver"
Bill Condon, "Dreamgirls"
Clint Eastwood, "Letters from Iwo Jima"
Paul Greengrass, "United 93"
Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"
Alternate #1 - Stephen Frears, "The Queen"
Alternate #2 - Alejandro González Iñárritu, "Babel"

Best Actor - Drama
Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Departed"
Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson"
Peter O'Toole, "Venus"
Will Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness"
Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"
Alternate #1 - Ken Watanabe, "Letters from Iwo Jima"
Alternate #2 - Leonardo DiCaprio, "Blood Diamond"

Best Actor - Comedy/Musical
Sacha Baron Cohen, "Borat"
Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"
Aaron Eckhart, "Thank You for Smoking"
Jamie Foxx, "Dreamgirls"
Will Ferrell, "Stranger than Fiction"
Alternate #1 - Greg Kinnear, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Alternate #2 - Gael Garcia Bernal, "The Science of Sleep"

Best Actress - Drama
Penelope Cruz, "Volver"
Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal"
Maggie Gyllenhaal, "Sherrybaby"
Helen Mirren, "The Queen"
Kate Winslet, "Little Children"
Alternate #1 - Naomi Watts, "The Painted Veil"
Alternate #2 - Cate Blanchett, "The Good German"

Best Actress - Comedy/Musical
Annette Bening, "Running with Scissors"
Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Beyonce Knowles, "Dreamgirls"
Catherine O'Hara, "For Your Consideration"
Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"
Alternate #1 - Kirsten Dunst, "Marie Antoinette"
Alternate #2 - Toni Collette, "Little Miss Sunshine"

Best Supporting Actor
Ben Affleck, "Hollywoodland"
Djimon Hounsou, "Blood Diamond"
Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"
Jack Nicholson, "The Departed"
Brad Pitt, "Babel"
Alternate #1 - Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Alternate #2 - Michael Sheen, "The Queen"

Best Supporting Actress
Adriana Barraza, "Babel"
Cate Blanchett, "Notes on a Scandal"
Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"
Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel"
Emma Thompson, "Stranger than Fiction"
Alternate #1 - Vera Farmiga, "The Departed"
Alternate #2 - Maggie Gyllenhaal, "World Trade Center"

Best Screenplay
"Babel"
"The Departed"
"Dreamgirls"
"Little Miss Sunshine"
"The Queen"
Alternate #1 - "Letters from Iwo Jima"
Alternate #2 - "Little Children"

Best Original Song
"O Kazakhstan" - "Borat"
"Listen" - "Dreamgirls"
"Love You I Do" - "Dreamgirls"
"You Know My Name" - "Casino Royale"
"I Need to Wake Up" - "An Inconvenient Truth"
Alternate #1 - "Ordinary Miracle" - "Charlotte's Web"
Alternate #2 - "Never Gonna Break My Faith" - "Bobby"

Best Original Score
Alexandre Desplat, "The Painted Veil"
Alexandre Desplat, "The Queen"
Clint Eastwood, "Letters from Iwo Jima"
Thomas Newman, "The Good German"
Hans Zimmer, "The Da Vinci Code"
Alternate #1 - Howard Shore, "The Departed"
Alternate #2 - Craig Armstrong, "World Trade Center"

Best Foreign Language Film
"Apocalypto"
"Letters from Iwo Jima"
"The Lives of Others"
"Pan's Labyrinth"
"Volver"
Alternate #1 - "Curse of the Golden Flower"
Alternate #2 - "Water"

Best Animated Film
"Cars"
"Flushed Away"
"Happy Feet"
"Monster House"
"Over the Hedge"
Alternate #1 - "A Scanner Darkly"
Alternate #2 - "Ice Age: The Meltdown"

Or something like that.

Possible Snubs - "United 93" for Picture, Brad Pitt for Supporting Actor
Possible Surprise Nominations - Robert Altman for Director, Dakota Fanning for Actress - Comedy/Musical

Puttin' on the Ritz

2006-12-13T23:23:00.000-05:00

Word came down this morning that Peter Boyle had passed away at the age of 71. He had recently been battling multiple myeloma and heart disease.

Boyle was most recently famous for his television work on "Everybody Loves Raymond" (where he was nominated for an incredible seven consecutive Emmys), but his shining turn came in Mel Brooks' 1974 classic "Young Frankenstein". A must-see for those who haven't had the privilege. From "Joe" to "Taxi Driver", "Monster's Ball" to "While You Were Sleeping", Peter Boyle left an idelible mark on film and television. He will be missed.

San Francisco critics go unconventional

2006-12-12T23:59:00.000-05:00

"Little Children" garnered three wins today with the San Francisco film critics, but nothing for Ms. Kate Winslet. The Mirren winning streak continues.

Unconventional, with the exception of Queen/Dame Helen Mirren's win. Of course.

It's nice to see "Brick" pop up this awards season.

Best Picture
Little Children

Best Director
Paul Greengrass for United 93

Best Original Screenplay
Brick

Best Adapted Screenplay
Little Children

Best Actor
Sacha Baron Cohen for Borat

Best Actress
Helen Mirren for The Queen

Best Supporting Actor
Jackie Earle Haley for Little Children

Best Supporting Actress
Adriana Barraza for Babel

Best Foreign Language Film
Pan's Labyrinth

Best Documentary
An Inconvenient Truth

Marlon Riggs Award for courage & vision in the Bay Area film community
Stephen Salmons co-founder & artistic director San Francisco Silent Film Festival

Special Citation in honor of Arthur Lazere
The Death of Mr. Lazarescu

BFCA nominations are out, 'Dreamgirls', 'Departed' and 'Letters' completely snubbed

2006-12-12T23:58:00.000-05:00

What?

Ok, so not really.

In fact, the BFCA really didn't offer much in the surprise department. The biggest surprise, for me at least, was the Supporting Actor category. I can certainly live with Affleck getting in over Pitt, but nominating Adam Beach over Michael Sheen is downright dirty. Nonetheless, I wouldn't anticipate seeing that much more this year. Hounsou also snuck in, and with a possible Globe nod this week, he could be a contender. I have my reservations.

Speaking of "Blood Diamond", I am puzzled as to how the picture scored a nomination in the most important category over "Borat", or even "Flags of Our Fathers". DiCaprio also scored a Best Actor nod for his work in the film, to go coincide with his nomination for his fine work in "The Departed". "United 93" continues to gain strength, while films such as "The Painted Veil" and "World Trade Center" suffer major setbacks. "The Good Shepherd" and "The Good German" are really all but dead. And where the hell is "Children of Men"?!

I absolutely love the Clint Mansell nomination, along with the Marie Antoinette notice for Soundtrack.

"The Departed", "Dreamgirls", "Little Miss Sunshine", and "Babel" lead with seven nominations each.

BEST PICTURE
Babel
Blood Diamond
The Departed
Dreamgirls
Letters from Iwo Jima
Little Children
Little Miss Sunshine
Notes on a Scandal
The Queen
United 93

BEST ACTOR
Leonardo DiCaprio - Blood Diamond
Leonardo DiCaprio - The Departed
Ryan Gosling - Half Nelson
Peter O'Toole - Venus
Will Smith - The Pursuit of Happyness
Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland

BEST ACTRESS
Penelope Cruz - Volver
Judi Dench - Notes on a Scandal
Helen Mirren - The Queen
Meryl Streep - The Devil Wears Prada
Kate Winslet - Little Children

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ben Affleck - Hollywoodland
Alan Arkin - Little Miss Sunshine
Adam Beach - Flags of Our Fathers
Djimon Hounsou - Blood Diamond
Eddie Murphy - Dreamgirls
Jack Nicholson - The Departed

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Adriana Barraza - Babel
Cate Blanchett - Notes on a Scandal
Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls
Rinko Kikuchi - Babel
Catherine O'Hara - For Your Consideration
Emma Thompson - Stranger Than Fiction

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
Babel
Bobby
The Departed
Dreamgirls
Little Miss Sunshine
A Prairie Home Companion

BEST DIRECTOR
Bill Condon - Dreamgirls
Clint Eastwood - Letters from Iwo Jima
Stephen Frears - The Queen
Paul Greengrass - United 93
Martin Scorsese - The Departed

BEST WRITER
Michael Arndt - Little Miss Sunshine
Guillermo Arriaga - Babel
Todd Field and Tom Perrotta - Little Children
Zach Helm - Stranger Than Fiction
William Monahan - The Departed
Peter Morgan - The Queen

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Cars
Flushed Away
Happy Feet
Monster House
Over the Hedge

BEST YOUNG ACTOR
Cameron Bright - Thank You For Smoking
Joseph Cross - Running With Scissors
Paul Dano - Little Miss Sunshine
Freddie Highmore - A Good Year
Jaden Christopher Syre Smith - The Pursuit of Happyness

BEST YOUNG ACTRESS
Ivana Baquero - Pan's Labyrinth
Abigail Breslin - Little Miss Sunshine
Shareeka Epps - Half Nelson
Dakota Fanning - Charlotte's Web
Keke Palmer - Akeelah and the Bee

BEST COMEDY MOVIE
Borat
For Your Consideration
Little Miss Sunshine
The Devil Wears Prada
Thank You For Smoking

BEST FAMILY FILM (LIVE ACTION)
Akeelah and the Bee
Charlotte's Web
Flicka
Lassie
Pirates of the Caribbean 2

BEST PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Elizabeth I
The Librarian
Nightmares & Dreamscapes
The Ron Clark Story
When the Levees Broke

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Apocalypto
Days of Glory
Letters from Iwo Jima
Pan's Labyrinth
Volver
Water

BEST SONG
I Need to Wake Up - Melissa Etheridge - An Inconvenient Truth
Listen - Beyonce - Dreamgirls
My Little Girl - Tim McGraw - Flicka
The Neighbor - Dixie Chicks - Shut Up & Sing
Never Gonna Break My Faith - Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige - Bobby
Ordinary Miracle - Sarah McLachlan - Charlotte's Web

BEST SOUNDTRACK
Babel
Cars
Dreamgirls
Happy Feet
Marie Antoinette

BEST COMPOSER
Philip Glass - The Illusionist
Clint Mansell - The Fountain
Thomas Newman - The Good German
Gustavo Santaolalla - Babel
Howard Shore - The Departed
Hans Zimmer - The Da Vinci Code

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
An Inconvenient Truth
Shut Up & Sing
This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Who Killed the Electric Car?
Wordplay

NYFCC crowns "United 93", Scorsese

2006-12-11T00:39:00.000-05:00

After a recent resurgence in precursors over the past few days, "United 93" could be closing in on a Best Picture nomination.

Best Picture
United 93
Runners-up: The Queen
The Departed

Best Director
Martin Scorsese, The Departed
Runners-Up: Stephen Frears, The Queen,
Clint Eastwood, Letters From Iwo Jima

Best Non-Fiction Film
Deliver Us From Evil
Runners-Up: 49 Up
Borat
An Inconvenient Truth

Best Foreign-Language Film
Army of Shadows
Runners-Up: Volver
The Death Of Mr. Lazarescu

Best First Film
Half Nelson
Runners-Up: Little Miss Sunshine
A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints

Best Animated Feature
Happy Feet
Runners-Up: A Scanner Darkly
Cars

Best Actor
Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland
Runners-Up: Ryan Gosling, Half Nelson
Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat

Best Actress
Helen Mirren, The Queen
Runners-Up: Judi Dench, Notes On A Scandal
Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada

Best Supporting Actor
Jackie Earle Haley, Little Children
Runners-Up: Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls
Steve Carell, Little Miss Sunshine

Best Supporting Actress
Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
Runners-Up: Shareeka Epps, Half Nelson
Catherine O'Hara, For Your Consideration

Best Cinematography
Guillermo Navarro, Pan's Labrynth
Runners-Up: Curse Of The Golden Flower
Children Of Men

Best Screenplay
Peter Morgan, The Queen
Runners-Up: The Departed
Little Miss Sunshine

Slow down, critics! DC folks this time around

2006-12-10T23:58:00.000-05:00

"United 93" picked up its first Best Picture award of the season today courtesy of WAFCA.

Is EVERYONE announcing something today?!

Critics from the Capitol spread the wealth, awarding "United 93", Scorsese, Whitaker, and Mirren.

And "Marie Antoinette"!

Best Film
"United 93"

Best Actor
Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"

Best Actress
Helen Mirren, "The Queen"

Best Supporting Actor
Djimon Hounsou, "Blood Diamond"

Best Supporting Actress
Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"

Best Director
Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"

Best Original Screenplay
Michael Arndt, "Little Miss Sunshine"

Best Adapted Screenplay
Jason Reitman, "Thank You For Smoking"

Best Foreign Film
"Pan's Labyrinth"

Best Animated Feature
"Happy Feet"

Best Documentary
"An Inconvenient Truth"

Best Ensemble
"Little Miss Sunshine"

Best Art Direction
"Marie Antoinette"

LAFCA announces, I ponder

2006-12-10T23:36:00.000-05:00

Following the lead of the NBR, LAFCA lends top honors to Clint Eastwood's "Letters from Iwo Jima".

I'm really more of a NYFCC guy myself, but the LAFCA did announce their winners today. The two things that jumped out at me most was the "Departed" shutout, and Sacha Baron Cohen.

I really, really, really think that Cohen has a quality shot at an Oscar nod. It isn't solely for today's win either, though that does help his cause. He's basically a lock to win the Globe, and may stand a good shot at getting a SAG nod. I'll tell you what, if Cohen is able to make the BFCA nomination list Tuesday, I'm predicting him. As long as no one is sick of him by next month -- or now -- I could easily see Oscar ride the media wave for Cohen. Especially in such a weak category this year.

As for the "Departed" shutout, LAFCA has always been a bit wacky. This also explains their Supporting Actress choice. I wouldn't expect the NYFCC to follow suit as it relates to "The Departed".

"The Queen" has certainly had a good day today, as goes with "United 93". I still feel very comfortable in my Greengrass prediction, and would not be surprised if the film grabs hold of one of the five Picture slots again in the coming weeks. Let's get that buzz building again.

Very quickly -- I still don't think that "Letters" is the frontrunner to win. I don't. I may be whistling a different tune in a few weeks, but that's where I stand now. It's certainly one of the few major contenders. "Happy Feet" vs. "Cars", anyone? I love the Desplat, Lubezski, and Newman mentions. Three wonderful artists who could pick up Oscar nominations next month.

BEST PICTURE
"Letters from Iwo Jima"
Runner Up: "The Queen"

DIRECTOR
Paul Greengrass, "United 93"
Runner-up: Clint Eastwood, "Flags of our Fathers", "Letters from Iwo Jima"

ACTRESS
Helen Mirren, "The Queen"
Runner-up: Penelope Cruz, "Volver"

ACTOR
Tie - Sacha Baron Cohen, "Borat"
and Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"

SCREENPLAY
"The Queen" by Peter Morgan
Runner-up: "Little Miss Sunshine" by Michael Arndt

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Luminita Gheorghiu, "The Death of Mr. Lazarescu"
Runner-up: Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Michael Sheen, "The Queen"
Runner-up: Sergi Lopez, "Pan's Labyrinth"

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
"The Lives of Others" directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Runner-up: "Volver" directed by Pedro Almodovar

DOCUMENTARY/NON-FICTION FILM
"An Inconvenient Truth" directed by Davis Guggenheim
Runner-up: "Darwin's Nightmare" directed by Hubert Sauper

PRODUCTION DESIGN
Eugenio Caballero, "Pan's Labyrinth"
Runner-up: Jim Clay, Veronica Falzon, Geoffrey Kirkland, "Children of Men"

ANIMATION
"Happy Feet" (George Miller)
Runner-up: "Cars" (John Lasseter, Joe Ranft)

MUSIC
Alexandre Desplat, "The Painted Veil" and "The Queen"
Runner-up: Thomas Newman, "The Good German" and "Little Children"

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Emmanuel Lubezki, "Children of Men"
Runner-up: Tom Stern, "Flags of our Fathers" and "Letters from Iwo Jima"

NEW GENERATION
Michael Arndt, Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris - "Little Miss Sunshine"

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT
Robert Mulligan

INDEPENDENT/EXPERIMENTAL
Tie - "Old Joy" directed by Kelly Reichardt
and "In Between Days" directed by So Yong Kim

SPECIAL CITATIONS
To Jean-Pierre Melville's 1969 film "Army of Shadows" which had its U.S. premiere this year, and to Jonas Mekas for his career as a critic and filmmaker.

"The Queen" sweeps NYFCO

2006-12-10T23:02:00.000-05:00

"The Queen" captured Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actress, and Supporting in a full-blown sweep of the New York Film Critics Online awards today.

And the critic awards keep comin'...

New York Film Critics Online Awards 2006

New York Film Critics Online is composed of major reviewers
in the New York area who work exclusively for online
publications or for print/broadcast media with a strong online
presence. The twenty-six members (NYFCO.ORG) met at
O'Neal's Restaurant, 49 W 64 Street in Manhattan on December
10th, 2006, and voted for these awards.

Picture
The Queen

Director
Stephen Frears, The Queen

Actor
Forrest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland

Actress
Helen Mirren, The Queen

Supporting Actor
Michael Sheen, The Queen

Supporting Actress
(Tie) Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
and Catherine O'Hara, For Your Consideration

Screenplay
Peter Morgan, The Queen

Ensemble Cast
Little Miss Sunshine

Debut as Director
Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris - Little Miss Sunshine

Breakthrough Performer
Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls

Cinematography
Dick Pope, The Illusionist

Film Score
Philip Glass, The Illusionist

Documentary Feature
An Inconvenient Truth

Animated Feature
Happy Feet

Foreign Language Picture
Pan's Labrynth

Humanitarian Award
DEEPA MEHTA (Water) for taking risks to create films about
the difficulties of social change in India especially as it affects
women.

Ten Best Pictures (Alphabetical)
BABEL (Paramount Vantage)
THE FOUNTAIN (Warner Bros.)
INLAND EMPIRE (Absurda)
LITTLE CHILDREN (New Line)
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (Fox Searchlight)
PAN'S LABYRINTH (Picturehouse)
THE QUEEN (Miramax)
THANK YOU FOR SMOKING (Fox Searchlight)
VOLVER (Sony Pictures Classics)
WATER (Fox Searchlight)

Boston critics tell the AFI to fuck off

2006-12-10T22:50:00.000-05:00

Take note, American Film Institute. Take note.

Talk about right up your alley -- taking Picture, Director, Screenplay, Supporting Actor, and runner-up again in Supporting Actor, and Ensemble, "The Departed" swept the Boston critics awards today. Whitaker and Mirren, a winning combo we're likely to see a lot this year, were awarded actor and actress, respectively. Thankfully, "United 93" finally showed up this season taking Best Ensemble, and were awarded runner-up for Best Picture and Best Director.

Boston Society of Film Critics
Awards 2006

Best Picture
"The Departed"
"United 93", runner-up

Best Director
Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"
Paul Greengrass, "United 93", runner-up

Best Actor
Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"
Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson", runner-up

Best Actress
Helen Mirren, "The Queen"
Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal", runner-up

Best Supporting Actor
Mark Wahlberg, "The Departed"
TIE: Michael Sheen, "The Queen"; Alec Baldwin, "The Departed", "Running with Scissors", "The Good Shepherd", runners-up

Best Supporting Actress
Shareeka Epps, "Half Nelson"
Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wore Prada", runner-up

Best Ensemble Cast
"United 93"
"The Departed", runner-up

Best Screenplay
William Monahan, "The Departed"
Peter Morgan, "The Queen", runner-up

Best Foreign Language Film
"Pan's Labyrinth"
"Volver", runner-up

Best Documentary
TIE: "Deliver Us From Evil" / "Shut Up & Sing"
"51 Birch Street", runner-up

Best New Filmmaker
Ryan Fleck, "Half Nelson"
Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris, "Little Miss Sunshine", runners-up

Best Cinematography
Guillermo Navarro. "Pan's Labyrinth"
TIE: Stuart Dryburgh, "The Painted Veil"; Xiaoding Zhao, "Curse of the Golden Flower", runners-up

AFI announces, bewilders, and snubs 'The Departed'

2006-12-10T19:59:00.000-05:00

The wholly irrelevent, yet endlessly entertaining, top ten list has been announced by the American Film Institute. Last year the AFI's top ten included all five Best Picture nominees, while including only three in 2004. They'll probably hit 2-4 this year.

I really wouldn't make much of the "Departed" omission, even if it is puzzling. That mild feeling of bewilderment is only accentuated when you look over the ten films and see the likes of "Happy Feet", "Inside Man", "The Devil Wears Prada", and to a lesser extent, "Borat".

Nonetheless, enjoy these. I guess. Los Angeles, Boston, and DC critics are coming later today.

American Film Institute
Movies of the Year - 2006
Official Selections

"BABEL"
"BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN"
"THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA"
"DREAMGIRLS"
"HALF NELSON"
"HAPPY FEET"
"INSIDE MAN"
"LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA"
"LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE"
"UNITED 93"

"Letting everyone down would be my greatest unhappiness."

2006-12-08T23:25:00.000-05:00

Putting the National Board of Review in perspective

2006-12-07T18:39:00.000-05:00

Twenty-four hours later, the National Board of Review still has things all shook up. However, David Poland over at MCN offers his take on yesterday's announcement and places it in a different light.

I'm really not so sure if the NBR will be forgotten by this time next week, as Poland implies, I'm thinking more in the middle of the road. Yes, "Dreamgirls" and "The Queen" missed big time here, but anyone who says that "Iwo Jima" is now the frontrunner for the win is clearly delusional. Is the race more wide open than we may have thought a few weeks ago? Absolutely. Does the National Board of Review really matter as much as we would like to think it does? Absolutely not.

Edward Zwick won Best Director at the NBR in 2003 for "The Last Samurai". Michael Mann in 2004 for "Collateral". Gong Li last year, and Philip Seymour Hoffman in 1999 in the supporting categories. As Poland reminds us, two of the past five Best Picture winners have missed the top ten at the NBR.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and next Thursday will certainly offer greater insight than yesterday's announcement.

Predictions Updated Accordingly

2006-12-07T11:38:00.000-05:00

Yes, I have bit the bullet and tossed "Letters from Iwo Jima" into my predicted five for Best Picture. Other minor changes reflect the current state of the race as well.

Expect another predix update next week as we have the LAFC, NYFCC, BFCA, and Golden Globes all announcing within the next seven days. Should be fun. I should have every category filled by then, enabling me to launch predictions for all twenty-four categories.

NBR President Annie Schulhof: "[Letters] perhaps one of the greatest films of our time."

2006-12-07T00:58:00.000-05:00

“2006 was one of the most challenging for the NBR in terms of choosing winners in the various categories,” said NBR President Annie Schulhof. “There were many outstanding films and performances this year, and our 2006 Ten Best Films list reflects a wide range of narratives. LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA is probably Mr. Eastwood's masterpiece and perhaps one of the greatest films of our time. His achievement is all the more extraordinary when one views the film as a companion piece to FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS. We are also proud to honor the special career achievements of Eli Wallach, Irwin Winkler, Jonathan Demme and Donald Krim, all of whom are such talented and deserving people. The accounting firm of Lutz & Carr tabulated the actual ballots.”

This thing begins to get more and more interesting. Keep in mind that no foreign language film has ever won Best Picture on Oscar night. Though, there is a first time for everything. Stay tuned. It's bound to be an entertaining season.

• Full Press Release.

National Board of Review drops a bomb

2006-12-06T13:43:00.000-05:00

Clint Eastwood's "Letters from Iwo Jima" goes from non-factor to Oscar titan in a matter of weeks.

I wish I could have told someone in October that "Letters from Iwo Jima" would be named Best Picture of the Year by the National Board of Review, "Flags of Our Fathers", "The Devil Wears Prada", and "Blood Diamond" would make the commitee's top ten, while "Dreamgirls" and "The Queen" would miss that list and only pick up an acting prize each.

Of course, if that was the case, I'd go out and buy a handful of lottery tickets tomorrow.

So, this is how the awards season begins? Consider me intrigued. I mean, I KNOW, it's only the National Board of Review. However, anyone not taking "Letters" as a serious contender now must be off their meds. Will Clint make history this season? Might the "Dreamgirls" train be slowing? Will Marty FINALLY win?!

Clint vs. Marty, Part II. Someone grab the popcorn.

Best Film: LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
Best Director: MARTIN SCORSESE, The Departed
Best Actor: FOREST WHITAKER, The Last King of Scotland
Best Actress: HELEN MIRREN, The Queen
Best Supporting Actor: DJIMON HOUNSOU, Blood Diamond
Best Supporting Actress: CATHERINE O'HARA, For Your Consideration
Best Foreign Film: VOLVER
Best Documentary: AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
Best Animated Feature: CARS
Best Ensemble Cast: THE DEPARTED
Breakthrough Performance by an Actor: RYAN GOSLING, Half Nelson
Breakthrough Performance by an Actress: (2)
JENNIFER HUDSON, Dreamgirls and RINKO KIKUCHI, Babel

Best Directorial Debut: JASON REITMAN, Thank You for Smoking
Best Original Screenplay: ZACH HELM, Stranger Than Fiction
Best Adapted Screenplay: RON NYSWANER, The Painted Veil

Top Ten Films:
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA

(and, in alphabetical order)

BABEL
BLOOD DIAMOND
THE DEPARTED
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
THE HISTORY BOYS
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
NOTES ON A SCANDAL
THE PAINTED VEIL

Top Five Foreign Films:
VOLVER

(and, in alphabetical order)

CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER
DAYS OF GLORY
PAN'S LABYRINTH
WATER

Top Five Documentary Films
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

(and, in alphabetical order)

51 BIRCH STREET
IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS
SHUT UP & SING
WORDPLAY

Top Independent Films
(in alphabetical order)

AKEELAH AND THE BEE
BOBBY
CATCH A FIRE
COPYING BEETHOVEN
A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS
HALF NELSON
THE ILLUSIONIST
LONESOME JIM
SHERRYBABY
10 ITEMS OR LESS
THANK YOU FOR SMOKING

Career Achievement - ELI WALLACH
Billy Wilder Award for Excellence in Directing - JONATHAN DEMME
Career Achievement in Producing - IRWIN WINKLER
William K. Everson Film History Award - DONALD KRIM
The BVLGARI Award for NBR Freedom of Expression - WATER and WORLD TRADE CENTER

Variety's full story.

"Half Nelson" upsets heavy-hitters, sweeps Gothams

2006-11-29T23:48:00.000-05:00

After strong showings at the ISA nominations yesterday and at the Gotham Awards tonight, "Half Nelson" seems to be gaining some momentum.

Best Picture
"Half Nelson"

Breakthrough Director
Ryan Fleck, "Half Nelson"

Breakthrough Actor
Shareeka Epps, "Half Nelson" / Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel"

Best Documentary
"Iraq in Fragments"

Best Ensemble
"Babel"

Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You
"Choking Man"

Full story.

Spirits go small, snub Breslin

2006-11-29T19:02:00.000-05:00

Film Independent did not call Abby's name this morning.

Some fairly strange nominations coming from Film Independent today. "Little Miss Sunshine" dances to 5 nominations (co-leading with "Half Nelson"), yet the film's star, Abigail Breslin, was omitted. I don't think this effects her Oscars chances in the least, it's still quite early.

If you're wondering how "Pan's Labyrinth" scored a Best Feature nod as a foreign language film, apparently the film just barely met the criteria needed to be considered for the Spirits. Nonetheless, it is surprising to see the film grab a feature nod without a nomination for the film's director Guillermo del Toro.

Speaking of directors, it sure is nice to see Altman's inclusion, isn't it?

"Little Children", "The Queen", "The Last King of Scotland", "Venus", "The History Boys", "Borat", and "Bobby" were ineligible for the Spirits for one reason or another, so take that into consideration while scanning over the nominees.

The Spirits managed to skew much smaller than they did last year when Oscar titans "Brokeback", "Capote", "Good Night, and Good Luck." and "Crash" scored several nominations. This makes the Spirits much less interesting this year as far as the big picture is concerned, but they're still one of my favorite precursors. Plus, Sarah Silverman is hosting again this year!

2007 Independent Spirit Award Nominations

Best Feature
"American Gun"
"The Dead Girl"
"Half Nelson"
"Little Miss Sunshine"
"Pan's Labyrinth"

Best First Feature
"Day Night Day Night"
"Man Push Cart"
"The Motel"
"Sweet Land"
"Wristcutters: A Love Story"

Best Director
Robert Altman, "A Prairie Home Companion"
Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Ryan Fleck, "Half Nelson"
Karen Moncrieff, "The Dead Girl"
Steven Soderbergh, "Bubble"

John Cassavetes Award
(Given to the best feature made for under $500,000)
"Chalk"
"Four Eyed Monsters"
"Old Joy"
"Quinceañera"
"Twelve and Holding"

Best Screenplay
Neil Burger, "The Illusionist"
Nicole Holofcener, "Friends with Money"
Ron Nyswaner, "The Painted Veil"
Jason Reitman, "Thank You For Smoking"
Jeff Stanzler, "Sorry, Haters"

Best First Screenplay
Michael Arndt, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck, "Half Nelson"
Goran Dukic, "Wristcutters: A Love Story"
Dito Montiel, "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints"
Gabrielle Zevin, "Conversations with Other Women"

Best Female Lead
Shareeka Epps, "Half Nelson"
Catherine O'Hara, "For Your Consideration"
Elizabeth Reaser, "Sweet Land"
Michelle Williams, "Land of Plenty"
Robin Wright Penn, "Sorry, Haters"

Best Male Lead
Aaron Eckhart, "Thank You For Smoking"
Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson"
Edward Norton, "The Painted Veil"
Ahmad Razvi, "Man Push Cart"
Forest Whitaker, "American Gun"

Best Supporting Female
Melonie Diaz, "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints"
Marcia Gay Harden, "American Gun"
Mary Beth Hurt, "The Dead Girl"
Frances McDormand, "Friends with Money"
Amber Tamblyn, "Stephanie Daley"

Best Supporting Male
Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Raymond J. Barry, "Steel City"
Daniel Craig, "Infamous"
Paul Dano, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Channing Tatum, "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints"

Best Cinematography
"Four Eyed Monsters"
"Brothers of the Head"
"Pan's Labyrinth"
"Wild Tigers I Have Known"
"Man Push Cart"

Best Documentary
"A Lion in the House"
"My Country, My Country"
"The Road to Guantanamo"
"The Trials of Darryl Hunt"
"You're Gonna Miss Me"

Best Foreign Film
"12:08 East of Bucharest"(Romania)
"The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros" (Philippines)
"Chronicle of an Escape" (Argentina)
"Days of Glory" (France/Morocco/Algeria/Belgium)
"The Lives of Others" (Germany)

Weekend Update

2006-11-26T01:03:00.000-05:00

The first predictions of the season are on the sidebar to the right. For now, I have only the top eight categories up. However, expect an entire rundown in the next week. Furthermore, I should have some charts coming up just around the corner, albeit for just the top eight categories for the time being.

If you're reading this (all two and a half of you) and ratings for new releases haven't been posted on the sidebar, expect those within the next 48 hours. I promise.

Keep an eye out for the Independent Spirit nominations this week, along with the Gotham Awards. As soon as they're available, they'll be posted.

Everyone's entitled to one good scare

2006-10-31T14:27:00.000-05:00

Ratings Updated

2006-10-08T00:52:00.000-04:00

Ratings on the sidebar have been updated through the latest film I viewed (Hollywoodland). Obviously, it has been a slow two months here and elsewhere. Where have all the good movies gone?

Here, apparently. Starting this weekend with The Departed, floodgates have opened that will dish out the usual serving of autumn/winter goodness. Awards season is alive and kicking, and so am I.

Here a link, there a link...

2006-07-15T02:04:00.000-04:00

... everywhere a link link.

Many new additions to the links column on the sidebar, new categories included. Expect more to be added this month.

If you would like your entertainment, Oscar, or film blog or site to be added, just contact me.

Christopher Nolan's latest looks grand

2006-07-14T23:55:00.000-04:00

"The Prestige," starring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman.

Christopher Nolan just continues to impress. Following his breakout "Memento," 2002's underrated "Insomnia," and last year's splendid "Batman Begins," Nolan is really starting to become one of my favorite new filmmakers.

But the trailer for his latest film, "The Prestige," really took me by surprise. I remember reading about it last year, but just thinking of it as a "sandwich film" between the two "Batman" films. It clearly has the look of something special.

As far as Oscars go, maybe? The cast is certainly there, the director, the techs -- particularly cinematography, costume design, and art direction -- are there. Wally Pfister, photographer of all of Nolan's major films ("Prestige" included), has impressed me just as much as Nolan. His work on "The Prestige" looks as if it will be another marvelous outing. Who knows? There's a surprise every year, and "The Prestige" looks like it could be one fine piece of work.

"The Prestige" will begin in a limited release on October 27th.

Quick Hits: This Week's Chatter

2006-07-14T00:15:00.000-04:00

Angie's next project to be a family affair.

• Angelina Jolie set to play widow of Daniel Pearl in "A Mighty Heart." Brad producing. (MSNBC)

• Academy Award-winning actor and comedian Red Buttons passes away at age 87. (E! News)

• Pirates makes $183 million in six days. Superman Returns makes $149 million in fifteen days. In related news, moviegoers are getting dumber. (Box Office Mojo)

• Pacino. Kidman. (ComingSoon.net)

• James Gandolfini's knee pisses off millions of people. (MSNBC)

• Spiderman. Spiderman. Does whatever a spider can. (Superhero Hype!)

• Disney rapes an 80's classic. (ComingSoon.net)

• Natalie Portman is a tease. (Dark Horizons)

Argh.

2006-07-11T00:19:00.000-04:00

See Jack. See Jack run. See Jack run straight to The World's End.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
(Gore Verbinski, 2006)

Sweet, meet sour. Sour, sweet.

It really is difficult for me to dislike "Dead Man's Chest" TOO much. The film's flaws can be seen from miles (and miles) away, but I can't help but have an enjoyable time with the adventure, even if that adventure exists far outside of the script. The sequel to one of this decade's most surprising films, "Chest" is very easy to like, and just as easy to dislike. I'm clearly of two minds with the film.

The biggest problem with the picture is that we don't have any true sense of purpose. There's a lack of presence that the first film maintained. The film is less like "Dean Man's Chest," more like the first half of "The World's End," the third film in the franchise, due in May. Surely because of this the film will be lumped together with "The World's End," similar to the way people combine "Matrix Reloaded" & "Revolutions." And similar to the final two "Matrix" films, "Dead Man's Chest" doesn't near the original in quality.

The film suffers from excess. Convoluted ideas are thrown upon the slight story arc with a great force creating some major over-plotting in some instances, robbing the film of any true character development. You're having to play catch-up for far too long during the film, taking you out of the action, and ultimately, out of the film. The screenplay, alas, is just too awkward and bloated for its own good, recalling something resembling Calista Flockhart on steroids. A thin core covered in a thick crust.

The story did not provide any true sense of emotion or engagement. These feelings were provoked by the lavish action scenes, stunning set pieces, and mesmerizing visual effects. Pirates seems to be America's "Indiana Jones" of this decade, that exciting, broadly-appealing new adventure. "Dead Man's Chest," while not measuring up to the spectacle of "The Black Pearl," dazzles the eye on more than one occasion. The stand-alone action scenes are fun, but they also attempt to mask a lot of the faulty plotting and story errs.

A storyline involving "Bootstrap" Bill Turner (Stellan Skarsgård in a very decent performance) and his son, William (Orlando Bloom with another sleep-inducing turn) is rendered incredibly uninteresting. This is mostly due to the fact that Orlando Bloom has absolutely zero conviction. He is void of emotion -- physically, dictionally, or subtlely. The storyline doesn't work because Turner doesn't appear to be remotely interested that he's reunited with his father. Another attempt by the writers to beef up the thin story while we wait for the threequel, it just doesn't work at all.

While the film struggles mostly (greatly) in its script, Captain Jack Sparrow never fails to entertain. Depp's performance doesn't carry that sublime freshness or unpredictability this time around, expected in a sequel, but the performance still stands out as the film's best asset. I only wish that the screenwriters would recognize the ace in which they possess, as after a masterful entrance into the film, Depp isn't featured nearly as much as he should be. Come on, people: More Depp, less Bloom. Keira, for the record, continues to impress. She also acts circles around Bloom.

Also standing out is Bill Nighy's squidy character of Davy Jones and his digital additions. The visual work used for Nighy's character and his posse of sea monsters, and the entire film actually, is pretty extraordinary. Pulling off a convincing, menacing turn with a computer-generated face can't be an easy thing to do, but Nighy did it. His performance and character was one of my favorite things about the film.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" could have been grandeur. The film does have its moments. It's unfortunate that it has just as many disappointing flaws. If you can get past its cinematic blunders, you'll probably have a decent time at a popcorn movie. Matey.

**½ / C+
Directed by Gore Verbinski; written by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio; based on characters by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Stuart Beattie, Jay Wolpert; released by Walt Disney Pictures; Rated PG-13; 150 minutes.

With Johnny Depp as Capt. Jack Sparrow, Orlando Bloom as Will Turner, Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann, Jack Davenport as Norrington, Bill Nighy as Davy Jones, Jonathan Pryce as Governor Weatherby Swann, Naomie Harris as Tia Dalma, and Stellan Skarsgård as Bootstrap Bill Turner.

Yo Ho Ho-ly Shit

2006-07-09T14:13:00.000-04:00

135,634,554

Adios, records. See you in May.

Running In Circles: The Weekly Week-In-Review

2006-07-07T01:12:00.000-04:00

We're looking everywhere for Lost's Emmy nominations.

• Emmy voters defy logic, insult our intelligence, and apparently, don't watch TV. (Reuters, Complete list of nominations)

• We could learn a thing or two from Johnny Depp. (The Envelope)

• Tony Scott is fun. (Yahoo! Movies)

• What do Dakota Fanning, Werner Herzog, and Dolly Parton all have in common? (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Keith Richards is an actor. (ComingSoon.net)

• Again, the Emmys are dumb. (Mercury News)

• The critical enthusiasm for Pirates is slowing down. If this doesn't boost ticket sales, I don't know what will. (Rotten Tomatoes)

• Superman Returns "underperforms." I just don't understand it. (Box Office Mojo)

The son becomes the father, and the father, the son.

2006-07-06T23:33:00.000-04:00

"You wrote that the world doesn't need a savior, but every day I hear people crying for one."

Superman Returns
(Bryan Singer, 2006)

It's been 28 years since "Superman" first flew onto the big screen in 1978. Christopher Reeve was a fresh face without hardly any acting experience. In fact, though he was playing the Man of Steel, Reeve took third billing behind Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman in the film. Reeve, undoubtedly, will remain the face synonymous with Superman. He stole the hearts of Americans and those around the world, and made them believe that a man could fly.

Now, in 2006, Superman returns. His six-year absence a mystery to Metropolis and the world. He returns to resume his identity of Clark Kent, and try to find his place in a world that claims it doesn't need him anymore. He returns to reclaim the love of Lois Lane. He returns to be a light in dark times. But most importantly, for our sake, he just returns.

After countless years, dollars, and scripts spent trying to bring Supes back to the big screen -- we have a liftoff. Did all of that effort pay off? Was it worth it? A resounding "yes" rings clear. In fact, I wonder if the franchise was just sitting, waiting for a man like Bryan Singer to take the helm. I wouldn't doubt it. It's quite difficult -- disturbing, even -- to consider McG or Brett Ratner directing the film, two names attached to the project before Singer came along. But this was always Singer's film, you can tell that by watching every frame -- maybe Earth wasn't waiting for Superman, maybe Superman was waiting for Bryan Singer.

Singer's realization and resurrection of the iconic superhero is comparable to Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" (The film I claimed to be the greatest superhero film of all-time. I stand by that claim.) last year. Both franchises in need of new blood and fresh faces, both franchises guided by two directors who clearly know how to make a superhero film more than just a superhero film. I cannot wait to see what these two have in store for the future of these franchises. It's sure to be extraordinary.

Singer's talent (and the talent of his penners) of lifting his characters from the page to the screen has always impressed me. While "Superman Returns" doesn't have the depth in its supporting characters that some of his other work has, I don't think it was as necessary here. The film is a cinematic comic book, with a fairly rich character study of its protagonist. It doesn't have that need of ensemble like Singer's "X-Men" films.

The new face of Superman, and of the franchise, belongs to that of Brandon Routh. A strapping young lad with a slight resemblance (though Routh has more of a boyish quality) to his predecessor. Routh doesn't necessarily radiate the charisma or physical presence as Reeve once did, but he certainly impresses.

Routh really excels in the line between Clark Kent and Superman. He is able to balance and differentiate the two polar characters wonderfully. He embodies the entire character of Kal-El and possesses enough personality, presence, and acting talent to boot. In fact, Routh shows flashes of near brilliance at some points during the film. The latest actor to step into the red underwear shows that he clearly has enough potential to carry on the cape and the series.

Oh, and let me just add something right here. Yes, the physical similarities between Superman and Clark Kent are uncanny. No, Lois cannot see this. Please think. Quit asking why she can't see Superman in Clark. It's like Santa Claus, yes? You notice that the only person who could see a resemblance between the two sides of Kal-El is Jason, Lois' child. In a way, it may come down to a bit of innocence.

Of course, many will/are talk/talking about and discuss/discussing the Superman/Christ parallels; they are readily apparent. The film could possibly even serve as a gospel story for some. Superman has always had larger-than-life, Godlike parallels anyway, really. All the while having the powers and features of an almighty deity, he still tries to find his own accepted place in society -- and with Lois. It's tough being Superman.

Stepping into that role of Lois Lane is Kate Bosworth, a casting choice that did not satisfy me at all when I first heard about it. I'm still not entirely sold on the fact that this is the woman that a superbeing would go soft for, but to each his own I suppose. Bosworth actually shines at times (balancing Lane's strength and vulnerability), but rubbed me the wrong way at others. Acting-wise, there isn't much here to give a hard time. The portrayal is a bit unagreeable for my liking, but hardly grating.

Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey), is handled in that same criminally/comically zany/campy way that we are akin to, however Spacey is able to accentuate Luthor's more evil and vicious demeanor this time around. Delivering what may be the film's best performance, Spacey absolutely flourishes in the role.

Luthor is joined by his equally crazy sidekick, Kitty Kowalski (Parker Posey), and Kumar, apparently. Yes, Kal Penn is here... lurking around with Luthor at all times... a distraction, to say the least. The rest of the ensemble, including Sam Huntington's fun Jimmy Olsen, Frank Langella as Perry White, and James Marsden (who has more to work with here than in X3, funny enough) as Lane's newest love, is quite delightful.

Of course, what would "Superman" be without John Williams? Thankfully, Singer and composer/editor John Ottman prevent us from finding out. Williams' classic score from 1978's "Superman" is resurrected by Ottman who keeps it in tact, while pumping a bit of his own influence into it. The result is perfection. Williams' themes are iconic and Ottman knows this, he did a masterful job incorporating the wonderful musical motifs into the picture.

Newton Thomas Sigel's cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking. Even at the lowest point for some of the visual effects and CGI -- which are few and far between -- Sigel's cinematography paints a picture so pretty you can't see anything else.

Early in the film, after Kal-El crash lands back on Earth, there's a very welcomed flashback to Clark growing up on the Kent farm, discovering and toying his powers. It's something that I would have liked to have seen more of. In this way, I think that the film could have been even longer. The film runs a very fast 154 minutes, I could have easily sat through a three-hour "Superman Returns" with a few, not needed, but would-be pleasant additions. Really just one of the very few quibbles I have with the film.

"Superman Returns" delivers. Singer, Routh, and company give us a film that can, I believe, stand right next the Richard Donner's 1978 "Superman" in terms of quality. And better yet, "Superman Returns" can stand out on its own as one fantastic superhero film, and as a very promising start to the next chapter of Superman.

And to think, this is only the beginning.

***½ / A-
Directed by Bryan Singer; written by Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris; based on characters by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster; released by Warner Bros. Pictures; Rated PG-13; 154 minutes.

With Brandon Routh as Superman/Clark Kent, Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane, Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor, James Marsden as Richard White, Parkey Posey as Kitty Kowalski, Frank Langella as Perry White, Sam Huntington as Jimmy Olsen, Eva Marie Saint as Martha Kent, and Marlon Brando as Jor-El.

Eh.

2006-07-06T22:12:00.000-04:00

And that's... that.

Underworld: Evolution
(Len Wiseman, 2006)

I saw a movie tonight on DVD.

It was not good.

That is all.

*½ / D+

June Recap and Mini-Reviews

2006-07-01T01:30:00.000-04:00

Nacho Libre
(Jared Hess, 2006)

I did not have very high expectations for the film. I’m a fan of Jack Black, but I didn’t think the film would deliver too much. I was right, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune says it best: “The film is easy to take and easy to forget.” Black is riotous and is the reason why the film is enjoyable. Hess’ direction gets grating after a while -- particularly the silly fart jokes and catch-phrasery. The ridiculousness and, of course, Jack Black did manage to keep a smile on my face through most of the film. Nacho Libre isn’t much, but it’s enough.

**½ / C+
Directed by Jared Hess; written by Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess, Mike White; released by Paramount Pictures; Rated PG; 100 minutes.

A Prairie Home Companion
(Robert Altman, 2006)

Not liking Mr. Robert Altman’s latest, A Prairie Home Companion, is like not liking Christmas. Bursting with energy and joy, the film is just fun to watch and listen to. The music is great, the actors are great, and as always, Altman excels. Streep, Tomlin, and Kline stand out among the very impressive ensemble. If this is indeed Mr. Altman’s swan song, it’s been a pleasure.

***½ / A-
Directed by Robert Altman; written by Garrison Keillor; released by Picturehouse Films; Rated PG-13; 105 minutes.

The Break-Up
(Peyton Reed, 2006)

The Break-Up isn’t Old School, so toss any of those preconceived notions. This film is sweet, it’s funny, it’s fairly real. It suffers from a touch of schizophrenia, failing to carefully juggle the dramatic shifts in tone or pace. Because of this, you don’t know whether you’re watching Wedding Crashers (for the film’s laugh-out-loud moments) or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (for the films more reflective periods -- and Jon Brion‘s similarly fantastic score). However, the film doesn’t suffer much from it. It remains entertaining and enjoyable. Aniston and Vaughn have a sweet chemistry, though not matching you-know-who’s chemistry last year. Some reviewers criticize a “cop-out ending,” I do not see such a thing; I enjoyed the quasi-honest ending. Cohesion and script kinks could have pushed the film onto a higher plateau, but the film does satisfy at its foothills.

*** / B-
Directed by Peyton Reed; written by Jeremy Garelick & Jay Lavender; released by Universal Pictures; Rated PG-13; 105 minutes.

April/May Recap and Mini-Reviews

2006-07-01T01:00:00.000-04:00

X-Men: The Last Stand
(Brett Ratner, 2006)

Is this... it? After all of that (X-Men, X2), this is how it ends?

I have a bias, I know I do. If you're looking for objective thoughts, thoughts from someone who didn't love the first two films, you're looking in the wrong place.

It’s like experiencing a fantastic Christmas morning full of wonderful gifts, then experiencing the following Christmas morning that is just as good as its predecessor, only to have the following Christmas ruined by the tree catching on fire and burning your house down and you alive. This is how disappointing X-Men: The Last Stand is for me. I’ve seen films that were much worse, however, the sheer weight of this disappointment makes me yearn for… well, Bryan Singer.

It would be unfair to throw all of the blame upon director Brett Ratner (though he deserves quite a bit for his hollow execution), the script he was provided had some pretty decent ideas attached to it (tolerance, acceptance), however these themes were presented in a very simple, very awkward manner. Paint by numbers. Simple philosophy, simple narrative, simple characters. The element of complexity that Singer brought to the table was completely absent.

This was supposed to be EPIC. I felt like I was watching an episode of Smallville.

After two extraordinary, complex, wonderfully-crafted films, we are served a ham-handed, silly, cartoonish, studio make-me-a-buck action film full of clumsy storytelling, obnoxious action sequences, and lazy character abandonment. The film almost feels as if its sole purpose is to sell Happy Meals and toys. Sense of wonder? Sorry. Sense of touch? No. Character foundations? Gone. That X-factor? Non-existent.

I feel deserted. I am angry. I'm still waiting for my conclusion.

In loving memory of the X-Men film franchise. July 14th, 2000 - May 26th, 2006.

Note: I am just angry, disappointed, and quite frankly, hurt. As mindless summer fun, the film entertains. However, the crushing disappointment that the film offers suffocates any positive thought you could have about the film. Easily one of the most disappointing films in years. And years.

* / D
Directed by Brett Ratner; written by Simon Kinberg & Zak Penn; released by 20th Century Fox; Rated PG-13; 104 minutes.

The Da Vinci Code
(Ron Howard, 2006)

One of the most anticipated films of the year lands with a resounding… "hm." This appears to be the overall consensus for the film, and I shall agree. The film isn’t bad per se, it’s just exceptionally bland. Perhaps with a different man at the helm and a different penner (and maybe a different male lead, at least one with less hair), you may have a better final product. Back to hair, Hanks, like the film, isn’t bad. Insipid, yes. Bad, no. Tautou turns in a better performance than her co-star, but the diamond in the rough is Sir Ian McKellen. An inspired, centered performance that should standout as one of the better supporting turns of the year.

The best aspect of the film, without one shade of doubt, is Hans Zimmer’s virtuoso score. Chevaliers de Sangreal alone is worth an Academy Award nomination. Overall, the film has its highs, it has its lows, but that’s certainly not the feeling you want to have when leaving the auditorium.

**½ / C+
Directed by Ron Howard; written by Akiva Goldsman (based on the novel by Dan Brown); released by Sony/Columbia Pictures; Rated PG-13; 149 minutes.

Brick
(Rian Johnson, 2006)

I could say that this is the best high school noir in quite some time, and while I would be right, well, you can see my reasoning there. Brick is poignant, atmospheric, and sharp. Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s rebirth onto the indie scene continues with another convincing performance. But the real credit here goes to writer/director Rian Johnson. His eye and pen steadily guide every engaging frame. A fine, fine film. You’ll have to seek out Brick, it’s playing in a very limited release, but it will be available on DVD August 8th. Do try to catch it, it’s well worth your time.

***½ / A-
Written and directed by Rian Johnson; released by Focus Features; Rated R; 110 minutes.

Poseidon
(Wolfgang Petersen, 2006)

This is bad. However, far from terrible, far from unbearable. But pretty darn bad. Director Wolfgang Petersen seems to be losing his touch, his films are getting progressively… worse. As mindless popcorn entertainment it can entertain, if only in brief periods of time. The visual effects are lackluster and, at times, downright silly-looking. The actors play the cards they’re dealt, and that’s that. As expected, this won’t be making any top ten lists this winter.

* / D
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen; written by Mark Protosevich (based on the novel by Paul Gallico); released by Warner Bros. Pictures; Rated PG-13; 99 minutes.

Mission: Impossible: III
(J.J. Abrams, 2006)

Batman Begins did it last year with Christopher Nolan, Spider-Man has been doing it with Sam Raimi, Bryan Singer did it with X-Men. I can only hope that every franchise begins to put their darlings in the hands of a filmmaker like those guys. Now, we can add another person to that list: J.J. Abrams.

A first-time filmmaker (remember, Abrams is a TV guy), Abrams could have easily mucked up this eagerly awaited three-quel. Instead, he outdoes the film’s predecessors and creates one of the best times at the movies all year. As a big Cruise fan and backer, I was delighted to see him getting back to what he revels in: making movies. Hoffman excels as the cold, merciless villain. A very, very enjoyable film.

***½ / B+
Written and directed by J.J. Abrams; released by Paramount Pictures; Rated PG-13; 126 minutes.

United 93
(Paul Greengrass, 2006)

I’ll wait and post my full review when the film arrives on DVD September 5th. Until then, let me just say that Paul Greengrass’ harrowing, powerful realization of this event is, undoubtedly, the best film I have seen this year. Greengrass doesn’t politicize the event, he presents it in the most authentic, most simple way that a filmmaker should. A phenomenal achievement.

***½ / A-
Written and directed by Paul Greengrass; released by Universal Pictures; Rated R; 91 minutes.

The Coast Is Always Changing

2006-07-01T00:20:00.000-04:00

With the new layout change, the archives are a bit messy. Broken pictures, misaligned text, not to mention my amateur writing.

Will try to fix the pictures and text soon. The writing, however, remains prosaic. But hey, we all gotta learn sometime. To improve is to keep trying.

Film ratings are a bit skewed, too. I'm on a less generous scale this year, so until I edit pre-2006 ratings (I'll let you know), you can really just ignore them.

Again, a thanks to those who read my silly words.

First Breath After Coma (The Air Near My Fingers)

2006-07-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

Hello one and all to the brand spankin' new Cinemascape for the 2006-2007 year.

The look of the site has obviously changed a bit. I'll still be doing some tweaking here and there this week, but as of today, the hibernation is over.

Some thoughts on some of the films I've seen in the past few months will be up this weekend, including a full review of that big film that came out this weekend, Super-something.

I'd like to thank those (the loyal few) who have stuck around here through the hiatus, sincerely. Keep checking back, keep an eye out over here, and hopefully you all will enjoy what this place has to offer in the coming months.

If you have any suggestions, feedback, or anything else that you would like to share, please leave a comment below. Again, I thank you for your readership. Here's to a great new season of film, and a wonderful and exciting awards season.

A new dawn is nearing...

2006-06-26T15:35:00.000-04:00

Cinemascape will relaunch on July 1st.

A new design, a new layout, a new perspective. More frequent updates, reviews, commentary.

Most filmic/Oscar blogs usually hibernate for a few months after awards season dies down, this place being no different. However my little monkeys (all two of you), this time is reaching its conclusion.

Fresher. Better. More.

Welcome (back) to the fold.

I'm Not Dead

2006-06-07T01:33:00.000-04:00

It's just that slow time of year. I've been fairly occupied as of late, but film ratings, thoughts and other musings shall be up very soon.

Hope you all are having a nice start to your summer.

Cannes Lineup Unveiled

2006-04-27T23:56:00.000-04:00

In Competition
"Flandres" (Bruno Dumont)
"Selon Charlie" (Nicole Garcia)
"Quand j'etais Chaunteur" (When I Was a Singer) (Xavier Giannoli)
"Volver" (Pedro Almodovar)
"Red Road" (Andrea Arnold)
"La Raison du Plus Faible" (Lucas Belvaux)
"Indigenes" (Days of Glory) (Rachid Bouchareb)
"Iklimer" (Climates) (Nuri Bilge Ceylan)
"Marie Antoinette" (Sofia Coppola)
"Juventude em Marcha" (Pedro Costa)
"Pan's Labyrinth" (Guillermo Del Toro)
"Babel" (Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu)
"Lights in the Dusk" (Aki Kaurismaki)
"Southland Tales" (Richard Kelly)
"Fast Food Nation" (Richard Linklater)
"The Wind That Shakes the Barley" (Ken Loach)
"Summer Palace" (Lou Ye)
"The Caiman" (Nanni Moretti)
"L'Amico del Famiglia" (Paolo Sorrentino)

No Francis Ford Coppola, no Lynch, no Aronofsky. Slightly disappointing. Nonetheless, the surprise inclusion of Kelly's Southland Tales is music to my ears. I can't wait to hear the first reactions to that.

Marie-Antoinette, Volver, Babel, and Fast Food Nation were locks to make it. Again, thoroughly looking forward to the first word concerning Marie-Antoinette.

• The Envelope has the complete rundown.

Mini-Review Capsules: Friends with Money, American Dreamz, & Thank You for Smoking

2006-04-25T23:05:00.000-04:00

A few brief notes on a few films I've checked out recently, but didn't have the time and/or didn't care to write a full review for.

___

Everybody Has Problems

Friends with Money
(Nicole Holofcener, 2006)

Some will argue that Friends with Money never really reaches beyond its title. Some will find themselves struggling to find the film’s “plot.” Some will probably even find themselves drifting off to sleep halfway into its 88 minute runtime. Not me.

Friends with Money examines the everyday life of these four women, their relationships, and the things in between. The film never dips into ‘Desperate Housewives’ auto-pilot. It remains honest, charming, and clever.

Jennifer Aniston holds her own -- in fact, stands out -- in the midst of Academy Award nominees and winners Frances McDormand, Catherine Keener, and Joan Cusack. All four ladies are at the top of their game. It’s quite difficult to single out anyone, but I was thoroughly impressed with Ms. Catherine Keener. Her career year last year is clearly carrying over into this year.

I left the film feeling satisfied. You should, too.

B

_

Written and directed by Nicole Holofcener; produced by Anthony Bregman; music by Rickie Lee Jones, Craig Richey, Deb Talan, Steve Tannen; cinematography by Terry Stacey; editing by Robert Frazen; released by Sony Pictures Classics. Running time 88 mins. Rated R for language, some sexual content and brief drug use. Released April 7th, 2006.

Starring Jennifer Anistion (Olivia), Frances McDormand (Jane), Joan Cusack (Franny), Catherine Keener (Christine), Jason Issacs (David), Scott Caan (Mike), Simon McBurney (Aaron).

___

Everybody Has Dreamz

American Dreamz
(Paul Weitz, 2006)

For a comedic satire, American Dreamz isn’t all that funny, nor is it all that satirical. However, the film isn‘t entirely void of redeeming qualities. Disappointing is the word. And more often than not, that feeling will linger longer than a few chuckles.

There are a few enjoyable moments in the film, and a couple of nice performances -- Mandy Moore and Chris Klein. But, the film suffers from its awkward, ham-handed script. Is American Dreamz satirizing American pop culture? Or, is it merely a part of it? I swear, at times, the film itself doesn’t even know.

Paul Weitz tried something new; unfortunately, the result is a mild misfire. If a different filmmaker had tried his hand at the film, I may not be as critical. But, when you know what a filmmaker is capable of -- in this case, Weitz’ About a Boy and In Good Company -- the feeling of disappointment is the most prevalent when exiting the auditorium. American Dreamz is good enough to spend a pleasant afternoon at the movies, but don’t expect much more than that.

C+

_

Written and directed by Paul Weitz; produced by Rodney M. Liber, Andrew Miano, Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz; music by Stephen Trask; cinematography by Robert Elswit; editing by Myron I. Kerstein; released by Universal Pictures. Running time 107 mins. Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sexual references. Released April 21st, 2006.

Starring Hugh Grant (Martin Tweed), Dennis Quaid (President Staton), Mandy Moore (Sally Kendoo), Willem Dafoe (Chief of Staff), Chris Klein (William Williams), Jennifer Coolidge (Mrs. Kendoo), Sam Golzari (Ozer).

___

Everybody Has a Talent

Thank You for Smoking
(Jason Reitman, 2006)

Aaron Eckhart leads the impressive ensemble with a performance that should propel him more into the public’s eye. He’s pitch-perfect as Nick Naylor, the clever, conniving tobacco lobbyist.

Reitman skims the surface of many different topics in order to create a tighter, faster laugh attack. I don’t have too much of a problem with it, Reitman keeps the witticisms -- and the edutainment -- coming.

Sidenote: Katie Holmes as the seductive reporter? Really?

B

_

Written and directed by Jason Reitman - based on the novel by Christopher Buckley; produced by David O. Sacks; original score by Rolfe Kent; cinematography by Jim Whitaker; editing by Dana E. Glauberman; released by Fox Searchlight Pictures. Running time 92 mins. Rated R for language and some sexual content. Released March 17th, 2006.

Starring Aaron Eckhart (Nick Naylor), Maria Bello (Polly Bailey), Cameron Bright (Joey Naylor), J.K. Simmons (BR), Katie Holmes (Heather Holloway), William H. Macy (Senator Ortolan K. Finistirre), David Koechner (Bobby Jay Bliss).

AMPAS Releases 79th Oscar Season Schedule

2006-04-18T00:11:00.000-04:00

Beverly Hills, CA - The 79th Annual Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2007, Academy President Sid Ganis announced today.

The telecast will again originate from the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network.

Key dates currently scheduled are:

Friday, December 1, 2006: Official Screen Credits Forms Due
Tuesday, December 26, 2006: Nominations ballots mailed.
Saturday, January 13, 2007: Nominations polls close 5 p.m. PST.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007: Nominations announced 5:30 a.m. PST
Wednesday, January 31, 2007: Final ballots mailed.
Monday, February 5, 2007: Nominees Luncheon
Saturday, February 10, 2007: Scientific and Technical Awards Dinner
Tuesday, February 20, 2007: Final polls close 5 p.m. PST.
Sunday, February 25, 2007: 79th Annual Academy Awards Presentation

Confidence Man

2006-04-16T23:31:00.000-04:00

A Schizophrenic Mini-Review of Inside Man

Inside Man
(Spike Lee, 2006)

Review by Shawn Snead / March 31st, 2006

Inside Man is a pleasurable time at the movies, first and foremost. An eye-catching, engaging thriller that never fails to entertain --- even with its flaws. At times, it does have the ability to frustrate you. Only because you know the potential that a vehicle like this can hold. Its flaws lie primarily in the script, however it doesn’t hinder one of Spike Lee’s best efforts.

Russell Gewirtz’ screenplay isn’t nearly as smart as it thinks it is. While entertaining throughout, it falls into a trap of devices and chicanery -- particularly in the third act. The script fails to rise above its faults and reach the level of Spike Lee’s ambitious direction. With the film, Lee observes the post-9/11 terrain bluntly. The film -- at times quietly, while other times, not so quietly -- addresses issues of class, race, and gender. He utilizes his eye for urban authenticity and his bold sense of flare.

The best performance of the film comes from the person whose face we see the least, Clive Owen. He’s cold, he’s conniving, he is, as always, at the top of his game. While Denzel gets a passing grade, I must say, I was expecting more from him. He is clearly outdone by a man whom is masked throughout most of the film.

I’m still trying to figure out exactly what Jodie Foster was thinking when she signed on to play this poor, one-dimensional character whose definition and identity is never convincingly elaborated upon. The entire arc involving her character and that of Christopher Plummer -- who never quite settles into his awkwardly-written character -- just never evolves into anything more than muddle.

For me, the film draws obvious comparisons to The Usual Suspects. From Dalton’s cat-and-mouse game, to the way the film tries to intricately devolve into a Suspects-like ending. It doesn’t succeed in that endeavor. The final act -- the “twist,” if you will -- is anti-climactic. It isn’t necessarily poor, but the buildup (and buildup, and buildup) leading up to it raises your expectations far too high. You almost begin to expect Denzel’s character to drop his coffee cup as he begins to realize who Keyser Soze is.

Technically, Terence Blanchard's bombastic score is a joy to listen to, while Spike returns to his dolly shot that he likes so much. The shot isn’t necessary, but it isn’t out of place either.

My mini-review may be selling the film a bit short. I’m a few weeks removed from seeing it, so forgive me. I may have spotlighted its imperfections over the areas in which it excels, but I think that that is a credit to the efforts of Spike Lee, et al. Even with the script’s hindrances, the film overcomes those obstacles to evolve into quite a fine film. As I mentioned before, it can frustrate you. Gewirtz’ script didn’t need to be as awkward as it is. Maybe a couple of rewrites and you have an all-around triumph.

Spike Lee leads the way with his aggressive approach, and is aided by a couple of strong performances. While it may not bring anything considerably new or inventive into the heist genre, it’s one solid entry. Flawed, but completely tolerable. It’s certainly one of the best cinematic outings of the past few months.

B

_

Directed by Spike Lee; written by Russell Gewirtz; produced by Brian Glazer, Jonathan Filley; original music by Terence Blanchard; cinematography by Matthew Libatique; editing by Barry Alexander Brown; released by Universal Pictures. Running time 128 mins. Rated R for language and some violent images. Released March 24th, 2006.

Starring Denzel Washington (Detective Keith Frazier), Clive Owen (Dalton Russell), Jodie Foster (Madeline White), Christopher Plummer (Arthur Case), Willem Dafoe (Captain John Darius), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Detective Bill Mitchell).

Carmike Cinemas Suck: or Why I Won't Get to See Slither Until DVD

2006-04-07T23:57:00.000-04:00

My local Carmike theater sucks. It's that simple.

In 2004, I went there to see The Village. Being a fan of Shyamalan's, I could not wait for the film. I was there for the FIRST SHOWING on OPENING DAY. The auditorium was packed, the crowd was excited, and I could hardly wait. The film starts and I notice they have trouble framing the film during the opening credits. The credits are well far to the south of where they should be. I figure that they'll sort it out, but I hope that they would do so quickly. A moment later, everything is in its right place -- JUST as the director's credit is appearing -- JUST in the nick of time.

Then it happens. Several minutes into the film, I notice something entering the top of the frame... I notice... a MOTHERFUCKING BOOM MIC. Now, I'm optimistic, I figure that Night left one slip. I, unfortunately, was mistaken. Throughout the ENTIRE film BOOM MICS keep appearing. Now, I'm not talking about the slight end of one sneaking into the far edge of the screen. At times, they are RIGHT THERE, in plain view, just above an actor's head. I'm pissed. I knew that it was the projectionist's fault, it had to be.

One week later, I travel to the next closest theater showing the film. Guess what? NO BOOM MICS. Not one.

Jump forward one year, June 2005, where I am attending a screening of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Well, at least I was trying to. Due to "technical difficulties" the film starts almost 40 minutes after the original showtime. Even with the delay, the film was mic-less, so I wasn't too upset. However, there was a young couple who came in toward the end of the film and sat through the last 20 minutes or so. Yeah, you guessed it. They came for the next showing. The end of the film is ruined for them due to another Carmike blunder.

Jump forward almost another year, to this past Thursday. It was Slither's last day in theaters here. Yes, only a one week run, due to its disappointing box office take. So, I go to the Carmike in an attempt to see the film.

"Hi, one for Slither."
"Um, we're not showing it today. The projector's broken. Sorry."

Ah. Another Carmike misadventure. It figures.

This, of course, doesn't even mention the times that the theater would occasionally cut a film off during the end credits, lie about showtimes, and misframe trailers.

As you can see, I dread any time that I have to attend a screening at my local Carmike. It's truly an experience.

Slither - Critically Approved!

2006-04-01T04:16:00.000-05:00

So, apparently Slither is one of the most well-received films thus far this year? The slimy horromedy currently sits at 86% on RT (81% COTC).

I'm always up for a good slice of campy horror fun, so I've been looking forward to this for a couple of months now. Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks, and Jenna Fischer? Love it. The red-band trailer was the icing on the cake.

In a first quarter mostly occupied by garbage, it's nice to see that someone still has a fun time making movies. Slither is playing nationwide now. I'll be checking it out in the coming days, with a review following.

• http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/slither/

Sidebar: Speaking of camp, apparently Snakes on a Plane has had reshoots to push the film into R-rated territory? Woo!

A Couple of Notes

2006-03-27T23:22:00.000-05:00

• As the some of the best films of 2005 hit DVD, expect a few changes to come to my top 25 list. Some films moving up, some films moving down.

• Which reminds me, don't forget to run out and pick up Peter Jackson's King Kong on DVD tomorrow!

• Inside Man review going up in the coming days.

Full 'United 93' Trailer Released

2006-03-23T23:26:00.000-05:00

In high definition, courtesy of Apple.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/united93/hd/

It will certainly grab everyone's attention. I'm still interested to see how it's received both critically and domestically.

Cannes Contenders Taking Shape

2006-03-23T18:52:00.000-05:00

Sofia Coppola's Marie-Antoinette, Pedro Almodóvar's Volver, David Lynch's Inland Empire, and Alejandro González Iñárritu's Babel are expected to headline the 59th Cannes Film Festival in May. Other possibilities are Darren Aronofsky's The Fountain, and Richard Linklater's Fast Food Nation.

The reaction that I'm looking forward to most is Marie-Antoinette. After The Virgin Suicides and especially Lost In Translation, I'm expecting great things from Coppola's latest. That fine trailer is just the cherry on top.

Expect a full list to be released in the next month. With the level of talent that is producing films this year, this year's festival could easily be one of the greatest ever.

• Source.

A Brief Note

2006-03-23T16:34:00.000-05:00

Inside Man hits theatres nationwide tomorrow. However, don't expect a review for it here until about Monday or Tuesday. Tomorrow is someone's birthday, so someone will be unable to screen it.

As soon as I can, it'll be posted.

"I want these motherfuckin' snakes off the motherfuckin' plane!"

2006-03-23T02:00:00.000-05:00

http://www.tagworld.com/snakesonaplane

Snakes + Plane = Snakes on a Plane. A classic in the making?

Marching in the Streets

2006-03-19T18:21:00.000-05:00

V for Vendetta
(James McTeigue, 2006)

Review by Shawn Snead / March 17th, 2006

I'm not going to sit here and compare the film adaptation of V for Vendetta to the comic book. It's entirely unfair, completely irrelevent, and quite frankly, ridiculous. Movies based on previously existing work should not come with excess baggage or some sort of companion piece. The film works alone, and alone, it works well.

Set against the backdrop of a totalitarian England, a masked revolutionary only identified as "V" uses terror (see:terrorist) tactics in an attempt to overthrow the vicious regime. The film, contrary to what some may write, does not glorify terrorism. It is, however, a bit reckless in its exemplification. Some will perceive that V is more of a terrorist than a patriot, and vice versa. Its message isn't subtle, and at times, its Bush undertones are suffocating. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out this film's intentions.

When V saves an ordinary young woman, Evey (Natalie Portman), she joins V in his struggle against the forces of tyranny. Natalie, at times, struggles with her British accent. Other than that, she flourishes in her role. Physically and emotionally demanding, it's one of the most difficult performances she's had to pull off. While not in the same league of her turns in Closer or Léon, Portman continues to demonstrate why she is one of the brightest young stars in Hollywood. As she continues to mature as an actor, she'll only improve.

Hugo Weaving is perfect as V. His distinct voice, unified with the Wachowski brothers' stylish, snappy script, provides a charming linguistic carnival. His chemistry with Natalie -- albeit 'masked,' so to speak -- is readily apparent. A good thing, considering its vitality to the story's structure. Even if that story's structure is a bit clunky.

The film goes from event to event, on occasion, with no reason or rhyme. In that sense, it's unbalanced -- and at times, staggering around the auditorium. It can also be incredibly overambitious and overblown, and just downright obnoxious -- but I mean that in the best way possible. Even at its lowest, V never ceases to entertain. James McTeigue's dark, intriguing comic book adaptation is sure to reach 'cult classic' status in no time.

Technically, the film is superb. The team that brought us The Matrix Trilogy doesn't serve up something quite as equally extravagant, but it doesn't look too shabby.

Fresh off of an Academy Award nomination for his work on Pride & Prejudice, Dario Marianelli's surprisingly effective work here certainly deserves, I think, a respectable amount of praise and recognition. The overall use of music, including Tschaikowsky’s 1812 Overture -- as buildings are exploding, stands out as one of the finest characteristics of the film. The use of music contributes to a couple of surprisingly powerful scenes -- Evey's rebirth, in particular, along with the film's satisfying ending.

The film draws a few obvious similarities to The Phantom of the Opera and The Count of Monte Cristo -- which V states as his favorite film, of course. No accident, I'm sure.

The one word you've heard me employ more than all of the others in this review might be surprising. I went into the film with average-to-below average expectations. When I left, that was the feeling that I had. V for Vendetta is, clearly, no vast cinematic or political breakthrough. However, it is entertaining, it is smarter than your average thriller, and it does provoke a thought or two.

B-

_

Directed by James McTeigue; written by The Wachowski Brothers - Alan Moore, David Lloyd (characters); produced by Grant Hill, Joel Silver, The Wachowski Brothers; original score by Dario Marianelli; cinematography by Adrian Biddle; editing by Martin Walsh; released by Warner Bros. Running time 132 mins. Rated R for strong violence and some language. Released March 17th, 2006.

Starring Hugo Weaving (V), Natalie Portman (Evey), Stephen Rea (Finch), Stephen Fry (Deitrich), John Hurt (Adam Sutler), Tim Pigott-Smith (Creedy), Rupert Graves (Dominic).

Buy Me: Good Night, And Good Luck

2006-03-17T02:54:00.000-05:00

I love this film. I know that others offer up criticisms of simplicity and Clooney's one-sided take on the matter, but the film never really tries to be more than it is. It's a snapshot of this window in history.

Delicately directed by George Clooney, and likewise acted by David Strathairn et al, the film was my third favorite of the Best Picture nominees last year. It's a neatly dressed, taut, fine piece of cinema. Currently placed #10 in my top ten of 2005.

- V for Vendetta review is going up this weekend -- among other things.

Some 'Scape Changes / 2006 begins with 'V'

2006-03-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

As you can see, I've redesigned Cinemascape a bit this weekend. More minor changes will probably come over the next month or so. I am, of course, always open to any further comments or suggestions concerning the design/layout.

I'll be seeing my first 2006 film this week in V for Vendetta. Certainly looking forward to kicking off my 2006 movie season after such a sorry opening to the year. Two and a half months in, and we finally have a film worthy checking out? Yikes. Fortunately, the rest of the year doesn't look as bad at all.

The 'Crash' Heard 'Round the World

2006-03-06T21:43:00.000-05:00

(Timothy A. Clary / Getty Images)
Last night, the world froze for a second. Jack Nicholson opened the final envelope of the evening, took a look at it, and hesitated. He was taken aback. "And the Oscar goes to... 'Crash'." And then, we were taken aback. Some were crushed. Some were overjoyed. Some were angry. Everyone was in utter disbelief.

24 hours later, the picture remains fuzzy. Sure, "Crash" had mounted a valiant campaign over the past month, had the media on its side, and had homefield advantage. But still, "Brokeback" had won really every Best Picture award this season. All of them. Except the one that mattered most.

(Mark Terrill / AP Photo)

Some are calling homophobia. Some are calling for a boycott. Some are packing it in and leaving Oscarwatching behind. Personally, I think those last two are silly. But, I won't open that can of worms. To each his own.

The first part, however, the homophobia argument, could hold merit. Academy member Tony Curtis publicly stated that he would not view "Brokeback Mountain" due to its gay content. Did the Academy take one step forward, two steps back with its public image and social progression? We may never know, and I won't divulge into that. It's not my place. My personal choice for the win was "Brokeback Mountain" or "Capote," however neither film made my top three. I'm one who enjoyed all five Picture nominees, so I'm not too discouraged at the "Crash" upset. An upset that, undoubtedly, unquestionably, is one of the biggest shockers in Oscar history.

(Monica Almedia / The New York Times)

Moving on, one of the highlights of the night for me, as I'm sure it was for many, was Three 6 Mafia taking home the Best Original Song Oscar for "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp," from "Hustle & Flow." It's always great to see a genuinely happy winner, who isn't afraid to express that joy onstage.

Philip Seymour Hoffman deservingly won Best Actor for "Capote." A long time fan of his, it's really terrific to see him get what he deserves in spades. Hoffman, along with the always adorable Reese Witherspoon who won Best Actress for "Walk the Line," provided two of the more memorable, poignant speeches of the night. It was also great to see Robert Altman finally get himself an Oscar.

(Steve Granitz, Wireimage.com)

I love Amy Adams. I know, it's irrelevant to this discussion, she didn't win. Neither did my boy, Mr. Giamatti, unfortunately. But, I am totally and completely in love with Amy Adams. So, there you have it.

Of course, it's also wonderful to see my personal #1 film of the year, "King Kong," tie for most wins last night. Albeit tied with one of the worst films of the year, "Memoirs of a Geisha." "Brokeback Mountain" and "Crash" also co-led with three wins each, "Crash" of course taking picture, "Brokeback" taking Best Director.

(Reuters)
Some of the worst parts of the ceremony included the embarrassing stage performance of Best Original Song nominee "In The Deep." Really, a burning car, and interpretive dancers wandering around the stage? I couldn't hear the song over my laughing. Speaking of cringe-inducing behavior; did anyone else see a vision of James Cameron's "I'm the king of the world!" speech in their head when director Ang Lee opened his acceptance speech with "I wish I knew how to quit you." Yikes. Please, can we retire that line already?

Oh, and the illustration of disrespect shown by running people off the stage with light dims, music swelling, and mic cuttage HAS to go. Talk about shameful.

Overall, I enjoyed the show and the ceremony. First-time host Jon Stewart handled things very well, I thought. I hope that he gets asked back soon, though I doubt that he will.

(Timothy A. Clary/Agence France-Presse - Getty Images)

• As far as my predictions go, I landed 19 out of 24. Not bad at all, though I did miss the biggest category of the night. I also missed cinematography, original score, original song, and documentary short. However, with alternates, I hit 23 out of 24. Documentary short was the only category that I missed completely.

So, I guess that does it for the 2005-2006 awards season. Talk about closing it out with a bang, my ears are still ringing. I hope that everyone has enjoyed Cinemascape's coverage of everything. This was the first season of awards coverage here at Cinemascape, since I created this place a week after the 2004-2005 season last year. No doubt, I will get better with time. Next year's coverage will be bigger and better.

• Expect some aesthetic changes to take place here at Cinemascape this month. Some minor things, maybe a facelift - however, nothing Joan Rivers-like. This week, I'll post some thoughts on the next awards season, but other than that, you should expect the awards coverage portion of Cinemascape to slow down drastically over the next several months. Reviews, thoughts, and overall film commentary, however, will surely increase.

Bye-bye 2005.

Crash-ed

2006-03-05T23:39:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I asked, "Could Crash shock the world?"

Well. It just did.

Talk about being knocked sideways. Ho-lee cow.

Complete wrap-up coming early tomorrow. I'm sort of dumbfounded right now.

Please, Oscar

2006-03-05T16:06:00.000-05:00

Grant me these three wishes.

Best Supporting Actor - Paul Giamatti!
Best Supporting Actress - Amy Adams!
King Kong goes 4 for 4!

Kong is the best film of the year, Amy Adams delivers the second-best overall performance of 2005, and Paul Giamatti deserves an Oscar for his last three years of work. It pains me to pick against Adams and Giamatti, especially Giamatti, because I correctly called his SAG win. Please, prove me wrong.

Please, please, please, please, please...

Last Call

2006-03-04T23:00:00.000-05:00

It's time. My winner predictions for tomorrow night's Academy Awards.

I'll be updating Cinemascape periodically all day tomorrow, tomorrow night, and late tomorrow night after the ceremony with various tidbits, news, reaction, analysis, thoughts, and all around musings. Enjoy the rest of the Oscar weekend, folks. It's sure to be a good one.

Now, watch me get all of my predictions wrong.

BEST PICTURE
• Brokeback Mountain
(alt. Crash)

BEST DIRECTOR
• Ang Lee - Brokeback Mountain
(alt. George Clooney - Good Night, and Good Luck)

BEST ACTOR
• Philip Seymour Hoffman - Capote
(alt. Heath Ledger - Brokeback Mountain)

BEST ACTRESS
• Reese Witherspoon - Walk The Line
(alt. Felicity Huffman - Transamerica)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
• George Clooney - Syriana
(alt. Paul Giamatti - Cinderella Man)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
• Rachel Weisz - The Constant Gardener
(alt. Amy Adams - Junebug)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
• Brokeback Mountain
(alt. Capote)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
• Crash
(alt. Good Night, and Good Luck.)

BEST ART DIRECTION
• Memoirs of a Geisha
(alt. King Kong)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
• Brokeback Mountain
(alt. Memoirs of a Geisha)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
• Memoirs of a Geisha
(alt. Walk the Line)

BEST FILM EDITING
• Crash
(alt. Munich)

BEST MAKEUP
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
(alt. Star Wars - Episode III: Revenge of the Sith)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
• Memoirs of a Geisha
(alt. Brokeback Mountain)

BEST ORIGINAL SONG (talk about a crapshoot.)
• Crash
(alt. Hustle & Flow)

BEST SOUND
• King Kong
(alt. Walk the Line)

BEST SOUND EDITING
• King Kong
(alt. War of the Worlds)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
• King Kong
(alt. War of the Worlds)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
• Tsotsi
(alt. Paradise Now)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
• Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
(alt. Tim Burton's Corpse Bride)

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
• March of the Penguins
(alt. Darwin's Nightmare)

BEST SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
• Six Shooter
(alt. Ausreisser (The Runaway))

BEST SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
• The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation
(alt. 9)

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
• God Sleeps In Rwanda
(alt. The Death of Kevin Carter: Casualty of the Bang Bang Club)

A Closer Look: Best Picture

2006-03-04T20:25:00.000-05:00

Here it is, to round out our A Closer Look at Oscar series, an examination of the Best Picture category. I hope that you all have enjoyed the category breakdowns over the past few days. Up next, my final predictions, coming in hours.

Brokeback Mountain
Diana Ossana, James Schamus

A lock for most of the awards season, Brokeback Mountain still holds the strongest chance of winning tomorrow. Crash has made a run at it, sure, I give you that. But if this precursor system works at all, Brokeback Mountain will win. We'll find out soon.

Chances of Winning
60% - No reins on this one.

---

Capote
Caroline Baron, William Vince, Michael Ohoven

Who would have thought that this would have been possible earlier in 2005? Nobody. Capote far exceeded its expectations, my expectations, everyone's expectations. Both in its performance throughout this awards season, and in the film's high quality.

Chances of Winning
2% - It doesn't stand a chance, I know.

---

Crash
Paul Haggis, Cathy Schulman

Could Crash shock the world? Could the fan favorite make a valiant comeback for the win? It could happen. It COULD happen. WILL it happen? No, I don't think so. It has a shot though, I give it that. It certainly stands a better chance than it did a two months ago. Still, I think Crash comes up short.

Chances of Winning
28% - The only film that could take Brokeback down.

---

Good Night, And Good Luck.
Grant Heslov

Good Night, And Good Luck. has really been the only film besides Brokeback that has been a constant fixture at almost every awards ceremony this season. It hasn't transferred into many wins, but Mr. Clooney's film sure has enlightened, entertained -- and he himself sure has amused us -- all season long.

Chances of Winning
5% - They can't all win.

---

Munich
Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Barry Mendel

What happened? Steven Spielberg's Munich was locked, cocked, and ready to go. But it has just sort of limped around all season long, finally collapsing into the top five here. Surely not the path that the Munich camp, nor the path that all of us thought the film would take.

Chances of Winning
5% - How the mighty fall.

---

CINEMASCAPE SAYS... Brokeback Mountain.
It's been locked since the DGA, even though its certainty has been somewhat shaken over the past month. A Crash upset is still possible, however, I remain confident in my pick.

Who WILL Win: Brokeback Mountain
Who SHOULD Win: Brokeback Mountain (just nudging out Capote)

Who Should/Shouldn't Be Here: Forget all the others. It's King Kong, the best picture of the year.

A Closer Look: Best Director

2006-03-04T03:14:00.000-05:00

We're getting closer...

Here's a concentrated look at the Best Director category. Expect a further examination of the Best Picture category to be up very shortly to round out our A Closer Look series. And tonight, expect my final, absolute, complete predictions along with other last-minute thoughts and analysis.

George Clooney
Good Night, And Good Luck.

The "it" man of the past year, the entertainer of the year, if you will, George Clooney. As I pondered in my breakdown of the supporting actor category, will Clooney walk away with an Oscar this weekend? If he does, I highly, highly doubt that it will be in this category.

Precursor Support
Wins: --
Nominations: DGA, Globe, BAFTA, ISA, OFCS, Satellite

Chances of Winning
14% - Very, very, very outside chance.

---

Paul Haggis
Crash

Despite release date obstacles and little early precursor support, Paul Haggis and Crash are enjoying a late surge of momentum that could shake up things this weekend. However, Haggis still really isn't considered a legitimate threat here, nor should he be. But I must say, the man has to be enjoying the remarkable success that he has encountered over the past two years. Four Oscar nominations in two years ain't too shabby.

Precursor Support
Wins: --
Nominations: DGA, BAFTA

Chances of Winning
9% - No.

---

Ang Lee
Brokeback Mountain

After unjustifiably losing Best Director five years ago for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Ang Lee finds himself back in the running for Brokeback Mountain. Ang has swept really every directing award this season, and should stay on that course Sunday.

Precursor Support
Wins: DGA, Globe, BAFTA, ISA, BFCA, BSFC, NBR, NYFCC, LAFCA, SFFCC, DFWFC, ALFS, SEFC, VFC, Satellite, Venice
Nominations: OFCS

Chances of Winning
70% - Several locked categories this year. This is another one.

---

Bennett Miller
Capote

I doubt that you had heard the name Bennett Miller before a few months ago. I know that I sure hadn't. His outstanding work on Capote really has been one of the biggest surprises this year. Bennett Miller -- Academy Award nominee. Not bad for a first-time feature film director.

Precursor Support
Wins: Gotham
Nominations: DGA, BAFTA, Berlin, OFCS, Satellite

Chances of Winning
2% - Somebody has to be last.

---

Steven Spielberg
Munich

Usually a frontrunner any other year in this category, Steven Spielberg finds himself just happy to be nominated this year. He's had one of his busiest years in his career, directing both War of the Worlds and Munich. Both films are nominated this weekend, but (unfortunately, and unjustly) have to be considered small disappointments after the lofty expectations set for both films.

Precursor Support
Wins: Venice
Nominations: DGA, Globe, BFCA, OFCS

Chances of Winning
5% - It's just not Spielberg's year.

---

CINEMASCAPE SAYS... Ang Lee.
He certainly looks unbeatable.

Who WILL Win: Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Who SHOULD Win: Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain (Just nudging out Clooney.)

Who Should/Shouldn't Be Here: I'd remove Spielberg and Haggis for Malick and the best director of the year, Peter Jackson for King Kong. The last spot is tough, but I'd probably place Cronenberg in just before Miller.

I Have a Feeling

2006-03-04T01:14:00.000-05:00

Hm.

A Closer Look: Best Actor

2006-03-03T20:00:00.000-05:00

Time to dissect another locked category.

Philip Seymour Hoffman
Capote

The two words that any Oscarwatcher loves to hear side-by-side during awards season: locked and deserving. Hoffman is both of those things, and then some. He, like Reese Witherspoon over in the lead actress category, has swept everything -- EVERYTHING -- this season. It's the second consecutive year that someone has done that in this category. He has my pick for the best overall performance of 2005, and one of the greatest in the last fifteen years.

Precursor Support
Wins: SAG, Globe, BAFTA, BFCA, LAFCA, OFCS, CFC, NSFC, FFC, KCFC, UFC, TFC, SDFC, DFW, SEFC, WAFC, NBR, BSFC, NYOFC, IFCA, VFC, Satellite
Nominations: ISA

Chances of Winning
63% - It's his, and he deserves it.

---

Terrence Howard
Hustle & Flow

He did it. He overcame the stigma of playing a pimp, he overcame the small production and early release date, and now, Terrence Howard is an Academy Award nominee. Deservedly so, too. In my opinion, he's second only to Hoffman in this category, and third only to Adams and Hoffman overall. His intense, ranging performance in Hustle & Flow, and his greatly overlooked (as far as awards season goes) performance in Crash has really put Howard on the map. In 2005, Terrence Howard came into his own. In 2005, a star was born.

Precursor Support
Wins: Satellite
Nominations: Globe, BFCA, ISA, Gotham, Image, CFC, OFCS

Chances of Winning
9% - Sorry, Terrence. You deserve more than this.

---

Heath Ledger
Brokeback Mountain

What is this that I'm hearing about a possible upset? Excuse me? Has everyone gone mad? What would even provoke such a notion? Sure, Ledger's turn has been raved up and down the board, and has amassed a fair amount of critical honors. However, he doesn't even begin to approach the reception that Philip Seymour Hoffman has encountered this season. Possible spoiler? Maybe. Winner on Sunday night? No, not happening.

Precursor Support
Wins: NYFCC, COFC, SLGFC, PFC, LVFC, SFFC
Nominations: SAG, Globe, BAFTA, BFCA, ISA, OFCS, Satellite

Chances of Winning
14% - Philip's biggest "competition." Eh, whatever.

---

Joaquin Phoenix
Walk the Line

Normally, pulling off Johnny Cash would be enough for a win. Without last year's Ray, Joaquin and his film may have stood a better chance with the Academy this year. Instead, the film was shut out of the Best Picture category, and Joaquin is considered a (long) longshot to win. It's really almost a shame that this year's lead actor category is so loaded. Any other year, Joaquin would surely have a much better shot.

Precursor Support
Wins: Globe
Nominations: SAG, BFCA, BAFTA, Satellite, OFCS

Chances of Winning
9% - Sorry, Joaquin.

---

David Strathairn
Good Night, And Good Luck.

In Good Night, And Good Luck., David Strathairn provides a wonderfully potent, reserved and ultimately, underappreciated performance as Edward R. Murrow. Like I mentioned above with Joaquin, it's really a shame that a performance such as David's has to fly so low under the radar in the midst of this ferocious battle of high quality. He's one of the most admired and respected actors working today. Still, he'll fall just short this year.

Precursor Support
Wins: Venice
Nominations: SAG, Globe, BFCA, BAFTA, ISA, OFCS, Satellite

Chances of Winning
5% - Again, deserving of more than this. Unfortunately, he's probably in fifth place.

---

CINEMASCAPE SAYS... Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Forget an upset. Philip has this, and he deserves it.

Who WILL Win: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Who SHOULD Win: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote

Who Should/Shouldn't Be Here: The lead actor category is stacked this year, all these guys should be here and then some. How about having ten nominated actors? Throw in Bill Murray for Broken Flowers, Jeff Daniels for The Squid and the Whale, Russell Crowe for Cinderella Man, Ralph Fiennes for The Constant Gardener, and Jake Gyllenhaal for Jarhead. There.

A Closer Look: Best Actress

2006-03-02T22:34:00.000-05:00

This category has been locked since day one. Nonetheless, let's take a further look at this year's Best Actress nominees.

Judi Dench
Mrs. Henderson Presents

This year in the Judi Dench spot is, Judi Dench. Nominated 5 times in 9 years, it's well past a trend. It's really an annual reservation. Seven years ago, she won supporting actress for Shakespeare In Love. She's never won in the lead actress category, and she won't this year. Though, as we all know, she'll be back again. And sooner rather than later.

Precursor Support
Wins: SLGFC
Nominations: SAG, BAFTA, Globe, BFCA, Satellite, BIFA

Chances of Winning
2% - Not happening.

---

Felicity Huffman
Transamerica

A very real threat to win? I'm not buying it. She's second in line, no doubt, but I really don't see her getting past Reese for the win. Even with the Globe and the last-minute surge -- the film's too small, Huffman doesn't have the vast popularity that Reese enjoys, and it's really not the performance/character that beats a June Carter Cash. If I'm wrong, I'll be here for my crow on Monday.

Precursor Support
Wins: Globe, NBR, DFWFC, SEFC, VFC
Nominations: SAG, BFCA, ISA, OFCS, Satellite, Tribeca

Chances of Winning
18% - And I'm being generous.

---

Keira Knightley
Pride & Prejudice

Keira's nomination came as a surprise to some, but I do not really know why. I guess due to the SAG snub and BAFTA omission. But really, who thought that Ziyi Zhang would score more #1's and #2's than Keira? I've had her in my predictions since the film came out. The Academy loves the younger female movie star. Unfortunately for Keira, she's not the only one in this category that matches that description. In my opinion, her performance is the best in the category.

Precursor Support
Wins: NYOFC
Nominations: Globe, BFCA, OFCS, Satellite

Chances of Winning
12% - Thismuch of a chance.

---

Charlize Theron
North Country

Another proverbial nominee all season, Theron has yet to beat out Witherspoon or Huffman for any real prizes. She's (very) unlikely to do so on Sunday. This is no Monster. I'm not a big fan of the film, and I'm not a big fan of the way that Theron's character was portrayed. Too Oscar-paint-by-numbers for me. Nonetheless, Theron finds herself nominated for the second time in three years.

Precursor Support
Wins: n/a
Nominations: SAG, BFCA, BAFTA, Globe, Satellite

Chances of Winning
5% - Not happening, either.

---

Reese Witherspoon
Walk the Line

Locked and loaded. The Reese Witherspoon juggernaut keeps rolling, and ~~should~~ will culminate in an Oscar win on Sunday. Her performance as June Carter Cash, while not the best of the year - in my opinion, has been taking everything. Everything. She's the southern belle, the movie star. She fits the Oscar-winning profile to a T; she's strong, she's supportive, she sings, she smiles. There's no way that she loses this on Sunday, no matter what some are predicting.

Precursor Support
Wins: Globe, SAG, BFCA, BAFTA, OFCS, NSFC, FFC, KCFC, UFC, LVFC, SFFC, WAFC, NYFCC, BSFC, Satellite
Nominations: n/a (Yes, she's won everything that she's been up for.)

Chances of Winning
63% - It's hers.

---

CINEMASCAPE SAYS... Reese Witherspoon.
Well, yeah. Anyone picking against her needs to reassess their Oscarwatching status.

Who WILL Win: Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Who SHOULD Win: Keira Knightley, Pride & Prejudice

Who Should/Shouldn't Be Here: Take out Huffman, Dench, and Theron. Sorry. Throw in Joan Allen for The Upside of Anger, and Laura Linney for The Squid and the Whale. Then, throw in the true best actress of the year, Naomi Watts in King Kong.

A Closer Look: Best Supporting Actor

2006-03-01T23:36:00.000-05:00

Time to take a further examination of the supporting actor race. Expect more tomorrow, as we inch closer to Oscar night.

George Clooney
Syriana

Clooney couldn't go 0/3, ... could he? Screenplay and Director are out of the question now, and it's Giamatti vs. Clooney for supporting actor. Clooney's Globe win is big, so is the immaculate year that he's been having. On the other hand, one has to wonder; if Clooney's having such a big year, why doesn't he have more than a Globe and one minor critical accolade? Talk about tough to call. Sunday, everything will become very clear.

Precursor Support
Wins: Globes, SLGFC
Nominations: BFCA, BAFTA, SAG

Chances of Winning
28% - Clooney, Giamatti, Clooney, Giamatti, Clooney, Giamatti.

---

Matt Dillon
Crash

The Comeback Kid has been the one constant nominee in this category throughout the season, but he's yet to breakthrough for a win. If the Academy wants to award Crash somewhere among the major categories, or if they want to recognize the entire ensemble, they will award Matt Dillon on Sunday. I see it as a very real possibility, he's the dark horse. Still, I find it hard to fully commit to a Dillon prediction.

Precursor Support
Wins: DFWFC
Nominations: SAG, BFCA, BAFTA, Globes, ISA, OFCS

Chances of Winning
19% - It's possible. He's definitely the dark horse behind the two favorites.

---

Paul Giamatti
Cinderella Man

"I'm sorry we fucked up last year." says the Academy. Giamatti's famous, unforgivable snub last year had everyone talking. His turn in 2003's American Splendor was also criminally overlooked. This year, however, AMPAS finally recognized Paul Giamatti for his terrific, sprightly performance in Cinderella Man. He's got a great shot at a (well-deserved) win, but it's a dead heat between him and Clooney. This will be a photo-finish.

Precursor Support
Wins: SAG, BFCA, BSFC, SEFC, TFC
Nominations: Globes, OFCS

Chances of Winning
28% - Giamatti, Clooney, Giamatti, Clooney, Giamatti, Clooney.

---

Jake Gyllenhaal
Brokeback Mountain

Gyllenhaal is really the wild-card in the category. His film leads in nominations, and if the Academy embraces Brokeback with open arms, a Gyllenhaal win could be swept up in the process. That BAFTA win a couple of weeks ago certainly was interesting. However, I still feel that Gyllenhaal is fourth in the group. This is one wide-open category, though. You never know.

Precursor Support
Wins: BAFTA, NBR, PFC
Nominations: SAG, BFCA, OFCS, Satellite

Chances of Winning
15% - It could happen.

---

William Hurt
A History of Violence

Surprise, surprise. Were any of you as delighted as I to see William Hurt's name show up on nomination morning? His superb, albeit very short, performance was hailed by critics and cinephiles, but unfortunately forgotten about by most average moviegoers. Now, you have to think -- if Hurt could score so many #1's and #2's on nomination ballots, could he possibly pull off the upset of all upsets? Highly doubtful. However, if he does, I hope he utilizes that classic Philadelphia mobster accent of his.

Precursor Support
Wins: LAFCA, NYFCC
Nominations: OFCS

Chances of Winning
10% - Unlikely, and least likely of the nominees. Still, kudos to AMPAS for the nod.

---

CINEMASCAPE SAYS... George Clooney.
The toughest race to call. Clooney and Giamatti are neck-and-neck, with Dillon peering around the corner. I want Giamatti to win, I'll be pulling for him. However, I think it's going to be Clooney. I hope I'm wrong.

Who WILL Win: George Clooney, Syriana
Who SHOULD Win: Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man

Who Should/Shouldn't Be Here: Terrence Howard in Crash, along with Craig T. Nelson in The Family Stone were both nomination-worthy. Take out Gyllenhaal, and maybe Dillon.

A Closer Look: Best Supporting Actress

2006-03-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

The first of several breakdowns and examinations of the main categories, leading up to Sunday. First off, supporting actress. Later today, supporting actor.

Amy Adams
Junebug

I'm so delighted that the Academy remembered, and recognized Amy Adams's work in one of the best films of the year, Junebug. However, I would be elated, no -- I would be euphorically jubilant if AMPAS would deservingly hand Amy Adams some gold hardware on Sunday. Please, please, please.

Precursor Support
Wins: BFCA, Gotham, Sundance, NSFC, SFFC, SEFC, VFC, COFC, FFC, WAFC, NYOFC
Nominations: SAG, ISA, Satellite, OFCS

Chances of Winning
27% - The dark horse.

---

Catherine Keener
Capote

Some have raised their eyebrows at the inclusion of Catherine Keener in this category, citing that her turn was nothing more than a "throwaway" performance. However, it is Keener's performance that steadily holds the film in balance. Playing Truman Capote's moral compass, and sharing the screen with Philip Seymour Hoffman couldn't have been easy, but Keener was effective, and deserving of her nomination. In a stronger supporting year, of course, things may have been different.

Precursor Support
Wins: BSFC, NYFC, LAFC, DFWFC, TFC
Nominations: SAG, BAFTA, BFCA, OFCS

Chances of Winning
16% - Longshot. Her nomination is her award.

---

Frances McDormand
North Country

Filler alert. This is, without a shred of doubt, the most head-scratching acting nomination for me this year. I mean, really? This performance as this character in this film? However, I guess she is Frances McDormand, and this role (and film) is just stuffed with over-the-top portions of baity goodness. The Academy took it -- hook, line, and sinker.

Precursor Support
Wins: LVFC
Nominations: SAG, Globes, BAFTA, Satellite

Chances of Winning
0% - Just, no.

---

Rachel Weisz
The Constant Gardener

Usually a SAG and a Globe will lock you up, however with the wide-open vibe around this category, you never know. Weisz easily holds onto the frontrunner status, and is favored to win by most. Nevertheless, you cannot forget about Amy Adams and Michelle Williams. Amy Adams, if enough people can see the film, can absolutely pull off an upset.

Precursor Support
Wins: SAG, Globes, SLGFC, UFC, SDFC, ALFS
Nominations: BAFTA, BIFA, OFCS

Chances of Winning
36% - Likely, but there's room for an upset.

---

Michelle Williams
Brokeback Mountain

A sure contender in the category, Michelle Williams has been earning praise all season for her performance in Brokeback Mountain. However, will she be outshined by her two male co-stars? Her fellow contenders in this category, Weisz and Adams, occupy much more screentime than Williams, which may definitely damage her Oscar hopes. Keep in mind though, the Academy loves their supportive wives, and a good scenery-chewing scene. If Brokeback is received well enough, Williams may walk away with an Oscar on Sunday.

Precursor Support
Wins: BFCA, PFC
Nominations: SAG, Globes, BAFTA, ISA, OFCS

Chances of Winning
21% - Possible, but doubtful.

---

CINEMASCAPE SAYS... Rachel Weisz.
I'm going safe here. But really -- Watch. Out. For. Amy. Adams.

Who WILL Win: Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener
Who SHOULD Win: Amy Adams, Junebug

Who Should/Shouldn't Be Here: I'm a big fan of Taryn Manning's work in Hustle & Flow. Her co-star Taraji P. Henson, or Maria Bello, or Thandie Newton would have stood as better choices over McDormand.

The Cinemascape Awards

2006-02-28T19:37:00.000-05:00

We have come to this. Winners for the 2005 Cinemascape Awards, to end our three-day year-in-review. Nominations and the Best Films of 2005 column can be found on the sidebar to your right.

• The 2005 Cinemascape Awards

Best Picture
WINNER: King Kong (Universal Pictures)
Runner-up: The New World (New Line Cinema)
Thirdsies: Sin City (Dimension Films)

Best Director
WINNER: Peter Jackson, King Kong
Runner-up: Terrence Malick, The New World
Thirdsies: Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain

Best Actor
WINNER: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Runner-up: Terrence Howard, Hustle & Flow
Thirdsies: David Strathairn, Good Night, And Good Luck.

Best Actress
WINNER: Naomi Watts, King Kong
Runner-up: Keira Knightley, Pride & Prejudice
Thirdsies: Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line

Best Supporting Actor
WINNER: Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
Runner-up: William Hurt, A History of Violence
Thirdsies: George Clooney, Syriana

Best Supporting Actress
WINNER: Amy Adams, Junebug
Runner-up: Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener
Thirdsies: Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain

Best Original Screenplay
WINNER: The Squid and the Whale (Noah Baumbach)
Runner-up: Good Night, And Good Luck. (George Clooney, Grant Heslov)
Thirdsies:The 40 Year-Old Virgin (Judd Apatow, Steve Carell)

Best Adapted Screenplay
WINNER: Syriana (Stephen Gaghen)
Runner-up: Capote (Dan Futterman)
Thirdsies: A History of Violence (Josh Olsen)

Best Art Direction
WINNER: King Kong (Grant Major, Dan Hennah, Simon Bright)
Runner-up: Memoirs of a Geisha (John Myhre, Gretchen Rau)
Thirdsies: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Alex McDowell, Peter Young)

Best Cinematography
WINNER: The New World (Emmanuel Lubezki)
Runner-up: King Kong (Andrew Lesnie, Derek Whipple)
Thirdsies: Sin City (Robert Rodriguez)

Best Costume Design
WINNER: Memoirs of a Geisha (Colleen Atwood)
Runner-up: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Gabriella Pescucci)
Thirdsies: Walk the Line (Arianne Phillips)

Best Film Editing
WINNER: Cinderella Man (Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill)
Runner-up: Good Night, And Good Luck. (Stephen Mirrione)
Thirdsies: The Constant Gardener (Claire Simpson)

Best Makeup
WINNER: The New World
Runner-up: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Thirdsies: Sin City

Best Original Score
WINNER: Batman Begins (James Newton Howard, Hans Zimmer)
Runner-up: King Kong (James Newton Howard)
Thirdsies: Pride & Prejudice (Dario Marianelli)

Best Original Song
WINNER: "Whoop That Trick" - from Hustle & Flow
Runner-up: "The Maker Makes" - from Brokeback Mountain
Thirdsies: "In The Deep" - from Crash

Best Sound Mixing
WINNER: Munich
Runner-up: King Kong
Thirdsies: Walk the Line

Best Sound Editing
WINNER: King Kong
Runner-up: Munich
Thirdsies: War of the Worlds

Best Visual Effects
WINNER: King Kong
Runner-up: Sin City
Thirdsies: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

The Top Five Acting Performances of 2005 (All classifications abandoned)
1 • Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
2 • Amy Adams, Junebug
3 • Terrence Howard, Hustle & Flow
4 • Naomi Watts, King Kong
5 • David Strathairn, Good Night, And Good Luck.

And one more time, as we wrap up 2005.

The Top Ten Films of 2005
1 • King Kong
2 • The New World
3 • Sin City
4 • Brokeback Mountain
5 • Capote
6 • Syriana
7 • Jarhead
8 • The Squid and the Whale
9 • Broken Flowers
10 • Good Night, And Good Luck.

The Cinemascape Oscar Ballot!

2006-02-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

The 2005 Wrap-Up and Review continues with my 2005 Cinemascape Oscar Ballot. My pick for the nominees in (almost) every category, and honoring who I thought deserved the recognition and appreciation for their work last year. Like every year, I could only wish that the Academy would agree with me completely. This year, we probably agreed as much as we disagreed - the biggest disagreement being in the biggest category - Best Picture of the Year.

I'm excluding the Short categories, along with Documentary, Foreign Language, and Animated Feature due to the fact that I simply haven't seen enough films to fill those categories. Winners, however, for those categories will be announced along with all the others in a couple of days. The Best Picture nominees, of course, should be pretty easy to figure out.

Stay tuned for the Cinemascape Awards in the next couple of days. Winners for all of the categories, the aformentioned short, doc, foreign, and animated categories, and many other random 2005 end-of-the-year awards will be announced then as we wrap-up and bid farewell to 2005. Alright, alright - So, let's get to the nominees already.

• The 2005 Cinemascape Award Nominations

Best Picture
Brokeback Mountain (Focus Features)
Capote (Sony Pictures Classics)
King Kong (Universal Pictures)
The New World (New Line Cinema)
Sin City (Dimension Films)

Best Director
George Clooney, Good Night, And Good Luck.
David Cronenberg, A History of Violence
Peter Jackson, King Kong
Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Terrence Malick, The New World

Best Actor
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Terrence Howard, Hustle & Flow
Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
Bill Murray, Broken Flowers
David Strathairn, Good Night, And Good Luck.

Best Actress
Joan Allen, The Upside of Anger
Laura Linney, The Squid and the Whale
Keira Knightley, Pride & Prejudice
Naomi Watts, King Kong
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line

Best Supporting Actor
George Clooney, Syriana
Terrence Howard, Crash
Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
William Hurt, A History of Violence
Craig T. Nelson, The Family Stone

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, Junebug
Catherine Keener, Capote
Taryn Manning, Hustle & Flow
Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener
Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain

Best Original Screenplay
The 40 Year-Old Virgin (Judd Apatow, Steve Carell)
Broken Flowers (Jim Jarmusch)
Crash (Paul Haggis, Bobby Moresco)
Good Night, And Good Luck. (George Clooney, Grant Heslov)
The Squid and the Whale (Noah Baumbach)

Best Adapted Screenplay
Brokeback Mountain (Larry McMurtry, Diana Ossana)
Capote (Dan Futterman)
A History of Violence (Josh Olsen)
Sin City (Frank Miller)
Syriana (Stephen Gaghen)

Best Art Direction
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Alex McDowell, Peter Young)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Stuart Craig, Stephenie McMillan)
Good Night, And Good Luck. (James D. Bissell, Jan Pascale)
King Kong (Grant Major, Dan Hennah, Simon Bright)
Memoirs of a Geisha (John Myhre, Gretchen Rau)

Best Cinematography
Batman Begins (Wally Pfister)
Brokeback Mountain (Rodrigo Prieto)
King Kong (Andrew Lesnie, Derek Whipple)
The New World (Emmanuel Lubezki)
Sin City (Robert Rodriguez)

Best Costume Design
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Gabriella Pescucci)
King Kong (Terry Ryan)
Memoirs of a Geisha (Colleen Atwood)
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (Trisha Biggar)
Walk the Line (Arianne Phillips)

Best Film Editing
The Constant Gardener (Claire Simpson)
Cinderella Man (Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill)
Good Night, And Good Luck. (Stephen Mirrione)
Jarhead (Walter Murch)
Munich (Michael Kahn)

Best Makeup
The New World
Sin City
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

Best Original Score
Batman Begins (James Newton Howard, Hans Zimmer)
Cinderella Man (Thomas Newman)
King Kong (James Newton Howard)
The New World (James Horner)
Pride & Prejudice (Dario Marianelli)

Best Original Song
"Hustle & Flow (It Ain't Ovah)" - from Hustle & Flow
"In The Deep" - from Crash
"It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp" - from Hustle & Flow
"The Maker Makes" - from Brokeback Mountain
"Whoop That Trick" - from Hustle & Flow
* "The Maker Makes" isn't eligible over at AMPAS, but ask me if I care.

Best Sound Mixing
Hustle & Flow
Jarhead
King Kong
Munich
Walk the Line

Best Sound Editing
King Kong
Munich
War of the Worlds

Best Visual Effects
King Kong
Sin City
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

• Stick around for the announcement of the winners in these categories, among other categories -- coming tomorrow.