FRAKKING HELL. Those pinheads in Hollystupid are up to it yet again. They are forcing another pointless and needless remake upon the stupid and moronic masses: Near Dark. Now for all of you that have yet to see this film... well why haven't you. One of the few classic vampire films to come out of Hollywood. Most great vampire films are either indy films or European (Jean Rollin and that ilk... okay only some of them are good but they are cool at least). The film that had a little feud with Rice since she said it stole from "Interview...", but she was mistaken and look what a dud the film version of Interview was. A hip vampire road movie. Is there a down side to that? Those of you of a certain age that missed it, well I forgive you, that tripe of "Lost Boys" stole it's glory and audience. Two vampire movies over a single summer just didn't fly. I am not saying any thing here that has not been said before but what teen boy had a poster of Rob Lowe on their wall? Was lost boys actually closeted boys? "not that there is any thing wrong with that".... oh yea, back to "Near Dark". Lance Henrikson when he was actually scary (his other great film is Dead Man). Bill Paxton rules in this film. He is horrifying and his bad boy's evil is seductive and repulsive at the same time. Creepy kid (the least said about that the better for Near Dark virgins). Sexy female vampires (gotta have sexy female vampires). There is not a mis-step in this film. One of those films that just got overlooked. The studio should re-release instead of remaking. That has not been one remake that was either "great" or needed of a classic horror film. They have mostly sucked. We all suck for going to them and supporting this stupidity. Quit supporting this crap and maybe we get some new horror films. Gotta stop Michael Bay from doing this frakking crap. Go see Near Dark. The dvd is easy to come by. Bill Paxton needs to make another horror film (on either side of the lense ...see his great "Fraility").
Note to aspiring directors that might be doing a remake. If you are going to do it. Don't. But if you have to then completely re-imagine it. Change almost everything. Make it your film. If you need an example then watch the two versions of "The Thing". The first was creepy but after Carpenter remade it then "yikes" super frakking creepy. Do this.
Oh! I like the Rob Zombie remake of Halloween. I guess it is an exception to my rule and I guess I am supporting that/this crap. What happens in the directors cut of Zombie's Halloween? Should I buy it?
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Acting Categories
ACTOR
I have not seen George Clooney in Michael Clayton, nor Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah.
Who Could Be Here?
Emile Hirsh
Ryan Gosling
James McAvoy
Frank Langella
Who Will Win?
Daniel Day-Lewis
Who Should Win?
Daniel Day-Lewis
Who Could Upset?
George Clooney
The Dark Horse
Viggo Mortenson
My Favorite
I am very partial to Johnny Depp, but Daniel Day-Lewis was the best performance this year.
BEST ACTRESS
I have not seen “Away from Her” nor “The Savages”. Those films didn’t play here. “Away from Her” is on my Netflix queue though.
Who Should Not Be Here?
I don’t have a problem with this list.
Who Could Be Here?
Angelina Jolie
Amy Adams
Jodie Foster
Who Will Win?
Julie Christie
Who Should Win?
Cate Blanchett
Who Could Upset?
Ellen Page
The Dark Horse
Laura Linney
My Favorite
The Great Cate Blanchett
SUPPORTING ACTOR
I have not seen “Michael Clayton,” nor “Into the Wild,” which has not been shown here at all.
Who Should Not Be Here?
Again, I don’t have a problem with this list either. My list of nominees has not changed since mid-December.
Who Could Be Here?
Paul Dano
John Travolta
Philip Bosco
Max von Sydow
Steve Zahn
Who Will Win?
Javier Bardem
Who Should Win?
Javier Bardem
Who Could Upset?
Hal Holbrook
The Dark Horse
Casey Affleck
My Favorite
Javier Bardem, there is no other.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
I’ve only one of these films; Atonement.
Who Should Not Be Here?
Ruby Dee
Saoirse Ronan
Who Should Be Here?
Jennifer Garner
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Samantha Morton
Marisa Tomei
Catherine Keener
Kelly MacDonald
Who Will Win?
Cate Blanchett
Who Should Win?
Amy Ryan
Who Could Upset?
Ruby Dee
Winning the SAG award does raise her chances to steal the Oscar away.
The Dark Horse
Ruby Dee
My Favorite
The Great Cate Blanchett
I have not seen George Clooney in Michael Clayton, nor Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah.
Who Could Be Here?
Emile Hirsh
Ryan Gosling
James McAvoy
Frank Langella
Who Will Win?
Daniel Day-Lewis
Who Should Win?
Daniel Day-Lewis
Who Could Upset?
George Clooney
The Dark Horse
Viggo Mortenson
My Favorite
I am very partial to Johnny Depp, but Daniel Day-Lewis was the best performance this year.
BEST ACTRESS
I have not seen “Away from Her” nor “The Savages”. Those films didn’t play here. “Away from Her” is on my Netflix queue though.
Who Should Not Be Here?
I don’t have a problem with this list.
Who Could Be Here?
Angelina Jolie
Amy Adams
Jodie Foster
Who Will Win?
Julie Christie
Who Should Win?
Cate Blanchett
Who Could Upset?
Ellen Page
The Dark Horse
Laura Linney
My Favorite
The Great Cate Blanchett
SUPPORTING ACTOR
I have not seen “Michael Clayton,” nor “Into the Wild,” which has not been shown here at all.
Who Should Not Be Here?
Again, I don’t have a problem with this list either. My list of nominees has not changed since mid-December.
Who Could Be Here?
Paul Dano
John Travolta
Philip Bosco
Max von Sydow
Steve Zahn
Who Will Win?
Javier Bardem
Who Should Win?
Javier Bardem
Who Could Upset?
Hal Holbrook
The Dark Horse
Casey Affleck
My Favorite
Javier Bardem, there is no other.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
I’ve only one of these films; Atonement.
Who Should Not Be Here?
Ruby Dee
Saoirse Ronan
Who Should Be Here?
Jennifer Garner
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Samantha Morton
Marisa Tomei
Catherine Keener
Kelly MacDonald
Who Will Win?
Cate Blanchett
Who Should Win?
Amy Ryan
Who Could Upset?
Ruby Dee
Winning the SAG award does raise her chances to steal the Oscar away.
The Dark Horse
Ruby Dee
My Favorite
The Great Cate Blanchett
Monday, January 28, 2008
Another Pet Peeve
This has begun to bother me and it shouldn't, but it does. The contemporary actor playing some part from antiquity or some other period piece and one notices that he has the tell tale scar of a pierced ear. It does not take much to realize that he has this contemporary scar and that it is entirely out of place. It does not much to cover it up. They covered it for Daniel Day Lewis in both Gangs of New York and for There Will Be Blood. Minor make up would take care of it. ...and as long as I am on this soap box-the same thing goes for tattoos. Was anyone else freaked out by Colin Farrell's tattoos in "The New World". It takes strong acting for me to ignore this contemporary "tribal" marks in an actor playing a period part. Mikey Roarke fails to pull it off in his portrayal of ST. Francis, so there is not much chance for anyone else.
....don't even get me started on the idiocracy of scarring your body so that you fit in with your "new" clan by trying to look cool just like them (notice the scar on my ear). This is for the record: tattoos and piercing are not transgressive nor or they proletariat at this point. The bourgeois trying to be something other. I am pretty sure that this is a symptom to dysgenics. Okay, perhaps that is a bit harsh but you get my point.
Actors that say they are artists should strive to protect their art. Body modifications is not striving to protect their artistic instrument.
As for my friends that I just insulted, well you are all excepted from my rant (as if I would do that )
....don't even get me started on the idiocracy of scarring your body so that you fit in with your "new" clan by trying to look cool just like them (notice the scar on my ear). This is for the record: tattoos and piercing are not transgressive nor or they proletariat at this point. The bourgeois trying to be something other. I am pretty sure that this is a symptom to dysgenics. Okay, perhaps that is a bit harsh but you get my point.
Actors that say they are artists should strive to protect their art. Body modifications is not striving to protect their artistic instrument.
As for my friends that I just insulted, well you are all excepted from my rant (as if I would do that )
Friday, January 25, 2008
Small minded theatre blues...yet again.
What do I want to see? Well lets see. I tend to like dark films. I tend to like off beat films. I tend to like horror films. What fits that criteria? TEETH. Will I get to see it? Not likely or at least not likely at a regular theatre. When will the Edinburg Alamo Draft House open? Not that it would be any help because most of the Alamo Draft Houses get stuck showing the same commercial theatrical dreck as any other theatre, but (and this is a big but) at least there might be a chance of something cool opening. How I despise the death of our local indy movie house.
The Best DIRECTOR race, as I see it now...
I’ve only seen two of these films so far.
Who Should Not Be Here?
Jason Reitman
I’m not saying that directing a comedy isn’t hard, it’s just that this film couldn’t have been hard at all.
And maybe;
Tony Gilroy. I haven’t seen his film so I can’t judge, but I could replace him easily.
Who Should Be Here?
Tim Burton, of course in place of Mr. Reitman, or…
Sean Penn
Sidney Lumet
David Cronenberg
Ang Lee
In that order, again it was a good year, a very good year.
Who Will Win?
The Coen Brothers
Who Should Win?
Paul Thomas Anderson
Because this could well be the greatest film he will ever direct and it will be a shame if he is not rewarded.
Who Could Upset?
Julian Schnabel, but he will get no love from the Academy.
The Dark Horse
Paul Thomas Anderson
My Favorite
The Coen brothers. I’m a huge fan.
Who Should Not Be Here?
Jason Reitman
I’m not saying that directing a comedy isn’t hard, it’s just that this film couldn’t have been hard at all.
And maybe;
Tony Gilroy. I haven’t seen his film so I can’t judge, but I could replace him easily.
Who Should Be Here?
Tim Burton, of course in place of Mr. Reitman, or…
Sean Penn
Sidney Lumet
David Cronenberg
Ang Lee
In that order, again it was a good year, a very good year.
Who Will Win?
The Coen Brothers
Who Should Win?
Paul Thomas Anderson
Because this could well be the greatest film he will ever direct and it will be a shame if he is not rewarded.
Who Could Upset?
Julian Schnabel, but he will get no love from the Academy.
The Dark Horse
Paul Thomas Anderson
My Favorite
The Coen brothers. I’m a huge fan.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Atonement?...I think not.
Atonement. I was guessing that this was going to be a "high brow" chick film and I was not disappointed. I am not saying this is a bad thing but rather one knows a chick film when one sees a chick film. I want to state for the record that chick films are in and of themselves a film genre. Chick films as genre films should be as routinely shunned by the academy as any other genre of film. If that was only so.. but no! It seems that we are routinely told that this year's model is a genre crossing "great" film and deserves to be considered the best film of the years. Critics start to drool in their slavish (not a mis-spelling and not a reference to Slavic culture) praise. There is so little original thought amongst critics that I wonder why I bother paying attention...oh, I don't. This does not just apply to this year's chick flick but rather all the entertaining but unworthy films that have graced the best picture category of both the academy and the drollness of critics best of the year lists (should be less..okay I thought it was funny). Do I need to give you an example ? Okay then: Titanic (chick flick of the year and not even a good chick flick) ;Forrest Gump (entertaining sure but best film, no, I think not)....; etc, etc,.... . I could go on but I suspect I am beginning to insult your favorite films and by extension you. I do not mean to say that I am opposed to insulting you but rather do it face to face rather then the new "online" way (which takes me on a different rant outside the parameters of this blog). How often have you been disappointed because critical reviews steered you towards some supposed "great" film , only to have it turn out to be just an entertaining film. There is no original thought amongst us movie goers as well though I am trying hard to joust all the windmills.
Where was I? Atonement. The look of the film was great and I truly appreciated both the cinematography and art direction. The acting was superb. The story was fine but nothing greater. One leaves the film and it is simply over. There is no lingering mental residue. There is nothing to discuss amongst ourselves. We leave and wonder what we are going to see next. This brings up an interesting question: Do chick flicks ever leave any kind of lingering thought or are they always over when the film is over simply by definition? Okay. I saw Atonement. I like it. Now what. I have to note that the supposed erotic moment was far from it. A side here: The theatre was freezing cold and I ate all the drink's ice before the movie was a third over. I am telling you not to do this. Stay away from ice in a cold theatre.
You want movies that engage conversation? Well the two movies that we saw prior to Atonement did just that. Spend your money and see both The Orphanage and Cloverfield (perhaps I will quit calling it Cloverdale). There was at least things to think about and discuss after both films. I was thinking stuff over as we drank our slushos.
Simply: Any film that is best picture material should leave a lasting mental picture. There should be things that you want to discuss and ponder. The academy should not be such frakking snobs and consider more genre films for best film (genre directors need to quit slumming and produce great work for this to happen). I know that I wish for the impossible but then again I think I am slaying dragons.
Where was I? Atonement. The look of the film was great and I truly appreciated both the cinematography and art direction. The acting was superb. The story was fine but nothing greater. One leaves the film and it is simply over. There is no lingering mental residue. There is nothing to discuss amongst ourselves. We leave and wonder what we are going to see next. This brings up an interesting question: Do chick flicks ever leave any kind of lingering thought or are they always over when the film is over simply by definition? Okay. I saw Atonement. I like it. Now what. I have to note that the supposed erotic moment was far from it. A side here: The theatre was freezing cold and I ate all the drink's ice before the movie was a third over. I am telling you not to do this. Stay away from ice in a cold theatre.
You want movies that engage conversation? Well the two movies that we saw prior to Atonement did just that. Spend your money and see both The Orphanage and Cloverfield (perhaps I will quit calling it Cloverdale). There was at least things to think about and discuss after both films. I was thinking stuff over as we drank our slushos.
Simply: Any film that is best picture material should leave a lasting mental picture. There should be things that you want to discuss and ponder. The academy should not be such frakking snobs and consider more genre films for best film (genre directors need to quit slumming and produce great work for this to happen). I know that I wish for the impossible but then again I think I am slaying dragons.
The Best Picture Race, as I see it now
I have yet to see Michael Clayton and There Will Be Blood, but the later is next on my list this weekend. As for Michael Clayton, I missed it the first time around and it only played for about a week or two, I know it was gone quickly.
Who Should Not Be Here?
Atonement, it’s just not Oscar material, the Academy was blinded by the acting and it’s supposed sweeping epic style, but the fact is the story is told in a rather half assed and convoluted way which only makes this a so, so picture that’s beautiful to look at.
Who Should Be Here?
I believe that everyone was right, 2007 was a good year for movies.
So, who should be here instead of “Atonement,” my favorite, Sweeny Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street or..
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Zodiac
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Gone Baby Gone
American Gangster.
Who Will Win?
No Country for Old Men
Who Should Win?
No Country for Old Men
Who Could Upset?
There Will Be Blood
The Dark Horse
Juno
Who Should Not Be Here?
Atonement, it’s just not Oscar material, the Academy was blinded by the acting and it’s supposed sweeping epic style, but the fact is the story is told in a rather half assed and convoluted way which only makes this a so, so picture that’s beautiful to look at.
Who Should Be Here?
I believe that everyone was right, 2007 was a good year for movies.
So, who should be here instead of “Atonement,” my favorite, Sweeny Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street or..
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Zodiac
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Gone Baby Gone
American Gangster.
Who Will Win?
No Country for Old Men
Who Should Win?
No Country for Old Men
Who Could Upset?
There Will Be Blood
The Dark Horse
Juno
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Reaction to this morning's news
I got 3 categories perfect with a total of 64 right, 74 with my alternates. It was a morning of surprises though, and not all good. What I'm most surprised by was "Enchanted" hogging up the original song category shutting out "Into the Wild."
Tommy Lee Jones for Best Actor = good
Jason Ritman for Best Director = not so good, no love for "Sweeny" it was a sign.
Away from Her for Best Adapated Screenplay = great, five women screenwriters nominated.
Surf's Up for Best Animated Film = Doh!
American Gangster for Art Direction = huh?
Across the Universe for Best Costume = Yeah! It got something.
Norbit = WHAT THE HELL!!
3:10 to Yuma for Score = Damn the disqualification of There Will Be Blood.
The Bourne Ultimatum with 3 nominations = good.
Tommy Lee Jones for Best Actor = good
Jason Ritman for Best Director = not so good, no love for "Sweeny" it was a sign.
Away from Her for Best Adapated Screenplay = great, five women screenwriters nominated.
Surf's Up for Best Animated Film = Doh!
American Gangster for Art Direction = huh?
Across the Universe for Best Costume = Yeah! It got something.
Norbit = WHAT THE HELL!!
3:10 to Yuma for Score = Damn the disqualification of There Will Be Blood.
The Bourne Ultimatum with 3 nominations = good.
Monday, January 21, 2008
BEST PICTURE
No Country for Old Men
Juno
There Will Be Blood
Atonement
Michael Clayton
Alternate:in place of Michael Clayton
Into the Wild
BEST DIRECTOR
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen (No Country for Old Men)
P.T. Anderson (There Will Be Blood)
Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and Butterfly)
Joe Wright (Atonement)
Sean Penn (Into the Wild)
Alternate:
Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton)
Sidney Lumet (Before the Devil Knows Your Dead)
BEST ACTOR
Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood)
George Clooney (Michael Clayton)
Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd)
James McAvoy (Atonement)
Viggo Mortenson (Eastern Promises)
Alternate:
Emile Hirsh (Into the Wild)
Denzel Washington (American Gangster)
BEST ACTRESS
Julie Christie (Away from Her)
Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose)
Ellen Page (Juno)
Amy Adams (Enchanted)
Angelina Jolie (A Mighty Heart)
Alternate:
Laura Linney (The Savages)
Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth: The Golden Age)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Charlie Wilson’s War)
Cassey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James)
Tom Wilkinson ( Michael Clayton)
Hal Holbrook (Into the Wild)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone)
Cate Blanchett (I’m Not There)
Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton)
Saoirse Ronan (Atonement)
Jennifer Gardner (Juno)
Alternate:
Vanessa Redgrave
Ruby Dee
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Juno
Michael Clayton
The Savages
Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
Eastern Promises
Alternate:
Ratatouille
Lars and the Real Girl
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
The Diving Bell and Butterfly
Atonement
Into the Wild
Alternate:
Zodiac
Charlie Wilson's War
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Ratatouille
Persepolis
The Simpsons Movie
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
No Country for Old Men
Atonement
The Assassination of Jesse James
There Will Be Blood
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Alternate:
Lust, Caution
BEST ART DIRECTION
Sweeney Todd
Atonement
There Will Be Blood
The Golden Compass
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Alternate:
Hairspray
Pirates of the Caribbean at World’s End
BEST FILM EDITING
No Country for Old Men
Atonement
American Gangster
Sweeney Todd
There Will Be Blood
Alternate:
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Diving Bell and Butterfly
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Sweeney Todd
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Hairspray
The Assassination of Jesse James …
BEST MAKEUP
Sweeny Todd
Pirates of the Caribbean at World’s End
La Vie en Rose
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Atonement
There Will Be Blood
Lust, Caution
The Kite Runner
Eastern Promises
Alternate:
Into the Wild
Ratatouille
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Once “Falling Slowly”
Into the Wild “Guaranteed”
Hairspray “Come So Far”
Enchanted “How Does She Know”
American Gangster “Do You Feel Me?”
Alternate:
Grace is Gone
BEST SOUND MIXING/DESIGN
Sweeney Todd
Pirates of the Caribbean at World’s End
Transformers
Spider-Man 3
Ratatouille
Alternate:
The Golden Compass
Hairspray
BEST SOUND EDITING/EFFECTS
Transformers
Spider-Man 3
Ratatouille
300
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
Alternate:
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Kingdom
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Transformers
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
300
Alternate:
Spider-Man 3
I Am Legend
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Sicko
Lake of Fire
No End in Sight
For the Bible Tells Me So
Nanking
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Counterfeiters (Austria)
Year my Parents Went on Vacation (Brazil)
Katyn (Poland) dir. Andrzej Wajda
Days of Darkness (Canada)
The Unknown “Woman” (Italy)
Alternate:
12
No Country for Old Men
Juno
There Will Be Blood
Atonement
Michael Clayton
Alternate:in place of Michael Clayton
Into the Wild
BEST DIRECTOR
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen (No Country for Old Men)
P.T. Anderson (There Will Be Blood)
Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and Butterfly)
Joe Wright (Atonement)
Sean Penn (Into the Wild)
Alternate:
Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton)
Sidney Lumet (Before the Devil Knows Your Dead)
BEST ACTOR
Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood)
George Clooney (Michael Clayton)
Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd)
James McAvoy (Atonement)
Viggo Mortenson (Eastern Promises)
Alternate:
Emile Hirsh (Into the Wild)
Denzel Washington (American Gangster)
BEST ACTRESS
Julie Christie (Away from Her)
Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose)
Ellen Page (Juno)
Amy Adams (Enchanted)
Angelina Jolie (A Mighty Heart)
Alternate:
Laura Linney (The Savages)
Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth: The Golden Age)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Charlie Wilson’s War)
Cassey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James)
Tom Wilkinson ( Michael Clayton)
Hal Holbrook (Into the Wild)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone)
Cate Blanchett (I’m Not There)
Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton)
Saoirse Ronan (Atonement)
Jennifer Gardner (Juno)
Alternate:
Vanessa Redgrave
Ruby Dee
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Juno
Michael Clayton
The Savages
Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
Eastern Promises
Alternate:
Ratatouille
Lars and the Real Girl
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
The Diving Bell and Butterfly
Atonement
Into the Wild
Alternate:
Zodiac
Charlie Wilson's War
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Ratatouille
Persepolis
The Simpsons Movie
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
No Country for Old Men
Atonement
The Assassination of Jesse James
There Will Be Blood
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Alternate:
Lust, Caution
BEST ART DIRECTION
Sweeney Todd
Atonement
There Will Be Blood
The Golden Compass
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Alternate:
Hairspray
Pirates of the Caribbean at World’s End
BEST FILM EDITING
No Country for Old Men
Atonement
American Gangster
Sweeney Todd
There Will Be Blood
Alternate:
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Diving Bell and Butterfly
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Sweeney Todd
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Hairspray
The Assassination of Jesse James …
BEST MAKEUP
Sweeny Todd
Pirates of the Caribbean at World’s End
La Vie en Rose
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Atonement
There Will Be Blood
Lust, Caution
The Kite Runner
Eastern Promises
Alternate:
Into the Wild
Ratatouille
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Once “Falling Slowly”
Into the Wild “Guaranteed”
Hairspray “Come So Far”
Enchanted “How Does She Know”
American Gangster “Do You Feel Me?”
Alternate:
Grace is Gone
BEST SOUND MIXING/DESIGN
Sweeney Todd
Pirates of the Caribbean at World’s End
Transformers
Spider-Man 3
Ratatouille
Alternate:
The Golden Compass
Hairspray
BEST SOUND EDITING/EFFECTS
Transformers
Spider-Man 3
Ratatouille
300
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
Alternate:
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Kingdom
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Transformers
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
300
Alternate:
Spider-Man 3
I Am Legend
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Sicko
Lake of Fire
No End in Sight
For the Bible Tells Me So
Nanking
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Counterfeiters (Austria)
Year my Parents Went on Vacation (Brazil)
Katyn (Poland) dir. Andrzej Wajda
Days of Darkness (Canada)
The Unknown “Woman” (Italy)
Alternate:
12
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
BFCA reaction
I got 11 right. Not bad considering I just posted on a whim yesterday. I did miss most of the show, but I caught about the last hour and a half. Loved Jarvier Bardem and Eddie Izzard though.
Here is what I hope will be worth my money in '08.
2008
Cloverfield
Be Kind Rewind
Rambo
My Blueberry Nights
Jumper
George A. Romer’s Diary of the Dead
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Vantage Point
The Other Boleyn Girl
Penelope
Semi-Pro
10,000 B.C
21
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who
Pride and Glory
Sleepwalking
Inkheart
Shutter
Stop Loss
Leatherheads
Nim’s Island
The Ruins
The Visitor
The Forbidden Kingdom
Iron Man
Speed Racer
The Chronicles of Naria: Prince Caspian
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Savage Grace
Kung Fu Panda
The Happening
The Incredible Hulk
Get Smart
WALL*E
Hellyboy 2
Tropic Thunder
Mamma Mia!
The Dark Knight
The X Files 2
Blindness
The International
Case 39
Babylon A.D.
Clive Barker Presents: Hellraiser
Nights in Rodanthe
Death Race
RocknRolla
Valkyrie
Body of Lies
Igor
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Revolutionary Road
The Tale of Despereaux
Star Trek
Where the Wild Things Are
Bond 22
Frost/Nixon
The Changeling
Doomsday
Australia
Traitor
Last Chance Harvey
Righteous Kill
Eagle Eye
Wanted
Ghost Town
A Tale of Two Sisters
Ender’s Game
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Emerald City
Dancing with Shiva
Pinkville
Memoirs of Hadrian
Boones Lick
What Just Happened?
Tulia
Burn After Reading
Adoration
Tree of Life
Frankie Machine
The Argentine
Guerrilla
The Reader
The Lovely Bones
Cloverfield
Be Kind Rewind
Rambo
My Blueberry Nights
Jumper
George A. Romer’s Diary of the Dead
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Vantage Point
The Other Boleyn Girl
Penelope
Semi-Pro
10,000 B.C
21
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who
Pride and Glory
Sleepwalking
Inkheart
Shutter
Stop Loss
Leatherheads
Nim’s Island
The Ruins
The Visitor
The Forbidden Kingdom
Iron Man
Speed Racer
The Chronicles of Naria: Prince Caspian
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Savage Grace
Kung Fu Panda
The Happening
The Incredible Hulk
Get Smart
WALL*E
Hellyboy 2
Tropic Thunder
Mamma Mia!
The Dark Knight
The X Files 2
Blindness
The International
Case 39
Babylon A.D.
Clive Barker Presents: Hellraiser
Nights in Rodanthe
Death Race
RocknRolla
Valkyrie
Body of Lies
Igor
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Revolutionary Road
The Tale of Despereaux
Star Trek
Where the Wild Things Are
Bond 22
Frost/Nixon
The Changeling
Doomsday
Australia
Traitor
Last Chance Harvey
Righteous Kill
Eagle Eye
Wanted
Ghost Town
A Tale of Two Sisters
Ender’s Game
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Emerald City
Dancing with Shiva
Pinkville
Memoirs of Hadrian
Boones Lick
What Just Happened?
Tulia
Burn After Reading
Adoration
Tree of Life
Frankie Machine
The Argentine
Guerrilla
The Reader
The Lovely Bones
What to expect in 2008?
Well, I will spend the next few months, as always catching up on films I missed in 2007. One of these days or decades I will get to see films before they come to DVD. (I doubt it)
But I fear that the way we watch films has changed. In fact I know it has.
How has it changed?
We have watched less films at the theatre this year, in fact the number has gone down every year for the last three years.
We have a 37 inch wide screen television with surround sound and over 200 films on DVD at home.
We joined Netfilx and rented 48 films last year.
We have a new LCD television with which I plan to hook up to our computer and watch Netfix movies on.
I have friends and family who watch films that are still playing at the theatre on bootleg discs. This is something that Will and I refuse to do. That is just not right. It is bad enough that we have to suffer paying and watching films with inproperly lit screens and speakers that tweek during a melody. I have so wanted to get our money back or walk out, but it would be the same elsewhere.
Even so, we will still try to go to the movies at least once a week. But I fear that there will not be anything we wish to see. You see we have about 70 screens within 15 miles of where we live. Two second run theatres (16 screens), and three multiplexes (54 screens), where they show two crappy films like, “National Treasure 2” and “I Am Legend’ 18 screens.
So our choices are very limited sometimes. Although this may be the time when the crappiest films are released. It's actually the best and my favorite time of the year, when all the films everyone else is talking about finally get down here. I am so looking forward to seeing "The Orphanage" and "The Kite Runner," opening this weekend, and for "Michael Clayton" to come back next week.
But I fear that the way we watch films has changed. In fact I know it has.
How has it changed?
We have watched less films at the theatre this year, in fact the number has gone down every year for the last three years.
We have a 37 inch wide screen television with surround sound and over 200 films on DVD at home.
We joined Netfilx and rented 48 films last year.
We have a new LCD television with which I plan to hook up to our computer and watch Netfix movies on.
I have friends and family who watch films that are still playing at the theatre on bootleg discs. This is something that Will and I refuse to do. That is just not right. It is bad enough that we have to suffer paying and watching films with inproperly lit screens and speakers that tweek during a melody. I have so wanted to get our money back or walk out, but it would be the same elsewhere.
Even so, we will still try to go to the movies at least once a week. But I fear that there will not be anything we wish to see. You see we have about 70 screens within 15 miles of where we live. Two second run theatres (16 screens), and three multiplexes (54 screens), where they show two crappy films like, “National Treasure 2” and “I Am Legend’ 18 screens.
So our choices are very limited sometimes. Although this may be the time when the crappiest films are released. It's actually the best and my favorite time of the year, when all the films everyone else is talking about finally get down here. I am so looking forward to seeing "The Orphanage" and "The Kite Runner," opening this weekend, and for "Michael Clayton" to come back next week.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Best Film
My lovely wife may not pick a single film but I will: The Assassination of Jesse James by the coward Robert Ford. The film reminded me the reason I like Brad Pitt. Pitt's last several films have been entertaining but he has mostly walked through them. The subject matter and characters were light. The portrayal of Jesse James was thoughtful and quiet with a restrained force that was both the "character" and the actor. The whole film was quiet and that made the moments of violence just that much more horrifying and powerful. The direction was slow and that allowed the story to develop almost organically. Much has been said about Casey Affleck but not enough about Sam Rockwell. Rockwell's character keeps the movie on an even balance both in showing the unpredictability of J.James and the Ford brother respect and loyalty to him. There is a sadness to the portrayal that belies an actor as young as Rockwell. I suspect he will become one of those actors that will never quite get the acclaim they deserve. The look of the film was majestic with much of it shot through leaded windows. The scenes looked both realistic and painterly. The score was perhaps the most haunting score that I have heard in years. It keep in the flavor of the time while still being flowing and organic. I have not bought a soundtrack in years but I have this one.
ON A SIDE NOTE: I am happy to report that the book is as great as the film. The adaptation was spot on with dialog transferred directly. I only wished that I could have shared this with my father. W
ON A SIDE NOTE: I am happy to report that the book is as great as the film. The adaptation was spot on with dialog transferred directly. I only wished that I could have shared this with my father. W
The Best of 2007?
It is so hard to make this kind of list when the films that I have not seen almost out number the films I did see. But that is not my fault! I can't help that the following films from this week's top fifty (accroding to MCN) have not played within 300 miles of where I live.
There Will Be Blood
Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Atonement
Into the Wild
Away From Her
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
I’m Not There
Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
The Savages
Persepolis
Syndromes and a Century
Killer of Sheep
The King Of Kong
Offside
Lars and the Real Girl
Control
Lake of Fire
Margot at the Wedding
Wind that Shakes the Barley
Southland Tales
And the following I simply missed.
Michael Clayton
Gone Baby Gone
American Gangster
Enchanted
In the Valley of Elah
So what have I seen?
No Country for Old Men
Zodiac
Once
Juno
Ratatouille
The Assassination of Jesse James…
Sweeny Todd
Eastern Promises
The Lives of Others
The Bourne Ultimatum
Knocked Up
No End in Sight
The Host
Superbad
Grindhouse
Hairspray
The Darjeeling Limited
Sicko
3:10 to Yuma
Hot Fuzz
Charlie Wilson’s War
Rescue Dawn
Across the Universe
300
Breach
so...
Here is my list of the best of the films I Have Seen this year. I have actually seen 72 films this year, which is about average. To be fair I do inclued films that I watched from Netflix on DVD and online and films that were shown on televison.
Best Horror
Halloween; The Host, 28 Weeks Later, 30 Days of Night, Fido
Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Stardust, The Water Horse
Romance
Across the Universe
Drama
No Country for Old Men
Action
Shoot ‘Em Up
Crime
Zodiac
Animation
Ratatouille
Comic Adaptation
300, 30 Days of Night
Comedy
Superbad, Juno, Knocked Up, Walk Hard, Blades of Glory
Musical
Sweeny Todd, Once, Across the Universe, Hairspray
Documentary
No End in Sight, Sicko
Western
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, 3:10 to Yuma, Seraphim Falls
War
Rescue Dawn, The Kingdom
Remake
Halloween, 3:10 to Yuma
Sequel
The Bourne Ultimatum
Thriller
Mr. Brooks, The Lookout
Most Overrated
Transformers
Most Underrated
The Assassination of Jesse James…
Biggest Letdown
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Biggest Surprise
3:10 to Yuma
Worst Movie we paid for
1408
There Will Be Blood
Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Atonement
Into the Wild
Away From Her
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
I’m Not There
Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
The Savages
Persepolis
Syndromes and a Century
Killer of Sheep
The King Of Kong
Offside
Lars and the Real Girl
Control
Lake of Fire
Margot at the Wedding
Wind that Shakes the Barley
Southland Tales
And the following I simply missed.
Michael Clayton
Gone Baby Gone
American Gangster
Enchanted
In the Valley of Elah
So what have I seen?
No Country for Old Men
Zodiac
Once
Juno
Ratatouille
The Assassination of Jesse James…
Sweeny Todd
Eastern Promises
The Lives of Others
The Bourne Ultimatum
Knocked Up
No End in Sight
The Host
Superbad
Grindhouse
Hairspray
The Darjeeling Limited
Sicko
3:10 to Yuma
Hot Fuzz
Charlie Wilson’s War
Rescue Dawn
Across the Universe
300
Breach
so...
Here is my list of the best of the films I Have Seen this year. I have actually seen 72 films this year, which is about average. To be fair I do inclued films that I watched from Netflix on DVD and online and films that were shown on televison.
Best Horror
Halloween; The Host, 28 Weeks Later, 30 Days of Night, Fido
Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Stardust, The Water Horse
Romance
Across the Universe
Drama
No Country for Old Men
Action
Shoot ‘Em Up
Crime
Zodiac
Animation
Ratatouille
Comic Adaptation
300, 30 Days of Night
Comedy
Superbad, Juno, Knocked Up, Walk Hard, Blades of Glory
Musical
Sweeny Todd, Once, Across the Universe, Hairspray
Documentary
No End in Sight, Sicko
Western
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, 3:10 to Yuma, Seraphim Falls
War
Rescue Dawn, The Kingdom
Remake
Halloween, 3:10 to Yuma
Sequel
The Bourne Ultimatum
Thriller
Mr. Brooks, The Lookout
Most Overrated
Transformers
Most Underrated
The Assassination of Jesse James…
Biggest Letdown
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Biggest Surprise
3:10 to Yuma
Worst Movie we paid for
1408
Crtics Choice Awards
Ok, Ok! I'll take a guess. I won't be watching the show so I'll check the results later. I don't expect to get many of these right, but since everyone else is doing it I guess I will too.
PICTURE: No Country for Old Men
ACTOR: Daniel Day-Lewis
ACTRESS: Ellen Page
SUPPPORTING ACTOR: Javier Bardem
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Amy Ryan
ENSEMBLE: Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
DIRECTOR: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
WRITER: Diablo Cody
ANIMATED FEATURE: Ratatouille
BEST YOUNG ACTOR: Michael Cera
BEST YOUNG ACTRESS: Saoirse Ronan
BEST COMEDY: Juno
BEST FAMILY FILM: Enchanted
BEST PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION: Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
BEST SONG: Guaranteed
BEST DOCUMENTARY: Sicko
PICTURE: No Country for Old Men
ACTOR: Daniel Day-Lewis
ACTRESS: Ellen Page
SUPPPORTING ACTOR: Javier Bardem
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Amy Ryan
ENSEMBLE: Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
DIRECTOR: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
WRITER: Diablo Cody
ANIMATED FEATURE: Ratatouille
BEST YOUNG ACTOR: Michael Cera
BEST YOUNG ACTRESS: Saoirse Ronan
BEST COMEDY: Juno
BEST FAMILY FILM: Enchanted
BEST PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION: Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
BEST SONG: Guaranteed
BEST DOCUMENTARY: Sicko
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