1. Atonement – the frontrunner, because I have not read one single bad thing about this film anywhere, although it reminds of “the English Patient.” And I don’t think that is a good thing. I am looking forward to seeing this, although I probably won’t get a chance until after the New Year maybe even only after the nominations come out and it gets those 9 or 10 nominations I’m predicting it to get.
2.There Will Be Blood – The second most critically reviewed film so far. With comparisons to “Citizen Kane,” that could be good for or bad, for a dark period drama with phenomenal acting that may not have wide appeal. Again, unfortunately another film that I won’t get to see until probably some time early next year.
3.Charlie Wilson’s War – With two of America’s favorite actors, though Tom Hanks seems miss-cast, people will go see this film for Tom Hanks and for Julia Roberts, but they may not like it, and more importantly the critics and the Academy may not like it. Especially if we get beat over the head with a message film. It’s got to be great! But we will have to wait and see, and for us it will have to wait probably until the New Year, this is not our priority holiday film.
4.Sweeny Todd the Barber of Fleet Street – (this is our priority holiday film!) It’s Johnny Depp and Tim Burton together again! BUT, it’s a musical… so? So I happen to like musicals. (We don’t get but maybe two Broadway shows down here a year, and not any of the new touring stuff, i.e., “Cats” played for the first time two years ago). We had serious doubts about Johnny in the first Pirates film way back in the summer of ’03; we couldn't’t believe that he was in a Disney movie, and that the film was based on a Disneyland ride. If this film can match just half of that success “Sweeny Todd” could prove golden.
5.This 5th spot is tricky it could be any one of these next five….
Juno – A festival favorite this year’s “Little Movie That Might.” And because of last year’s “Little Miss Sunshine” success, this film has a chance. But it has got to go into a wide release no more than two weeks after its limited release, and go big. (we will not get to see this before the New Year)
American Gangster – Another Gangster/Mob/Cop drama, this type of film, I think can compare to the Western in its 1950’s heyday – everyone loved a western then like everyone loves a bad guy (or rather a gangsta) today. But Ridley Scott will not win for this film, God, I hope he won't. His time WILL come, just not this year with this film.
No Country for Old Men – The Hit n’ Miss Coen Brothers are back,(some people just don’t get them) and most of those people are voting Academy members. The violence might be too brutal but the performances could save it. As Coen Bros. fans, we can’t wait to see it – this is probably our Thanksgiving Holiday film.
Michael Clayton – An Oscar bait film, but George Clooney is not drawing them in with that weak opening weekend, although as this is targeted towards adults, word of mouth and critical success could keep this film from falling by the way side, but the test will be if it survives this weekend.
Gone Baby Gone – So far so good; wait for it … we’ll know more by Friday. This is could take the fifth spot.
Eastern Promises – A very good film, deserving of a nomination, but it can’t compete with what else is out there this year.
3:10 to Yuma – A very good remake, most say better than the original, but it’s still a REMAKE!
Into the Wild – Too small, too early, and too sad. It suffers from the same effect “Little Children” had last year. It’s on everyone’s list but not seriously. Still a must see for me. But like “Little Children,” we won’t get to see this until it hits Netflix.
CLOSE TO THE EDGE
These films are still up in the air, because of their potential and because they are good films, but they only have a slight chance; they need a miracle.
In the Valley of Elah
The Savages
Lions for Lambs
Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
The Great Debaters
Once
Lust, Caution
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
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1 comment:
hit and miss Coens? in what world? Hit, hit, hit, well okay one mis-step buy not exactly a miss.... okay I don't want to see it again
Ugh Zeta-jones and Clooney were hideous in that travesty
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