Nominations Announced for the Satellite Awards!

And I am very puzzled....

-Motion Picture, Drama
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
Revolutionary Road
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Frozen River

-Director
Thomas McCarthy - The Visitor
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant - Milk
Christopher Nolan - The Dark Knight
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry - The Reader

-Actress In A Motion Picture, Drama
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Kristin Scott Thomas - I’ve Loved You So Long
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - The Reader

-Actor In A Motion Picture, Drama
Mickey Rourke -The Wrestler
Mark Ruffalo - What Doesn’t Kill You
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
Frank Langella -Frost/Nixon
Leonardo Dicaprio - Revolutionary Road
Sean Penn - Milk

-Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
Happy-Go-Lucky
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Tropic Thunder
In Bruges
Choke

-Actress In A Motion Picture, Comedy Or Musical
Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky
Meryl Streep - Mamma Mia!
Lisa Kudrow - Kabluey
Kat Dennings - Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Catherine Deneuve - A Christmas Tale
Debra Messing - Nothing Like the Holidays

-Actor In A Motion Picture, Comedy Or Musical
Ricky Gervais - Ghost Town
Sam Rockwell - Choke
Josh Brolin - W.
Michael Cera - Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Brendan Gleeson - In Bruges
Mark Ruffalo - The Brothers Bloom

-Actress In A Supporting Role
Rosemarie DeWitt - Rachel Getting Married
Penelope Cruz - Elegy
Anjelica Huston - Choke
Sophie Okonedo - The Secret Life of Bees
Emma Thompson - Brideshead Revisited
Viola Davis - Doubt
Beyoncé Knowles - Cadillac Records

-Actor In A Supporting Role
Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road
Robert Downey, Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Rade Sherbedgia - Fugitive Pieces
James Franco - Milk
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt

-Motion Picture, Foreign Language Film
Let the Right One In - Sweden
The Class - France
Sangre de mi Sangre - Argentina
Reprise - Norway
Gomorrah - Italy
Caramel - Lebanon / France

-Motion Picture, Animated Or Mixed Media
The Tale of Despereaux
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!
WALL-E
Bolt
Waltz With Bashir
The Sky Crawlers

-Motion Picture, Documentary
Man on Wire
Pray the Devil Back to Hell
Encounters at the End of the World
Religulous
Anita O’Day - The Life of a Jazz Singer
Waltz With Bashir

-Screenplay, Original
Philip Roth - Elegy
Thomas McCarthy -The Visitor
Eric Roth, Robin Swicord - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Courtney Hunt - Frozen River
Baz Luhrmann, Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood, Richard Flanagan - Australia
Dustin Lance Black - Milk

-Screenplay, Adapted
John Patrick Shanley - Doubt
Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon
David Hare - The Reader
Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire
Justin Haythe - Revolutionary Road

-Original Score
David Arnold - Quantum of Solace
Thomas Newman - WALL-E
John Powell - Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!
A.R. Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire
David Hirschfelder - Australia
Danny Elfman - Milk

-Original Song
”Another Way to Die”/Jack White - Quantum of Solace
“If the World”/Guns N’ Roses - Body of Lies
“Down to Earth”/Peter Gabriel - WALL-E
“By the Boab Tree”/Angela Little et al. - Australia
“Jaiho”/ A.R. Rahman and Gulzar - Slumdog Millionaire
“The Wrestler”/Bruce Springsteen - The Wrestler

-Cinematography
Jess Hall - Brideshead Revisited
Gyula Pados - The Duchess
Mandy Walker - Australia
Tim Orr - Snow Angels
Tom Stern - Changeling
Claudio Miranda - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

-Visual Effects
Quantum of Solace
Iron Man
The Dark Knight
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Australia

-Film Editing
Quantum of Solace
Iron Man
The Dark Knight
Australia
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon

-Sound (Mixing & Editing)
Quantum of Solace
Iron Man
The Dark Knight
Australia
WALL-E
The Day the Earth Stood Still

-Art Direction & Production Design
Australia
Brideshead Revisited
The Duchess Paramount Vantage
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
City of Ember
Revolutionary Road

-Costume Design
The Duchess
Brideshead Revisited
Australia
Sex And The City
City of Ember
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

-TOP 10 FILMS OF 2008
BALLAST
CHANGELING
DOUBT
THE DARK KNIGHT
FROST / NIXON
FROZEN RIVER
MILK
THE READER
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

-Overall, some rather surprising omissions, but some interesting inclusions, so it's nothing too special...this doesn't mean much in the long run...the NBR this week will be a helping hand, though if any trends from here continue, we'll certainly take note....thoughts?

Adoration Trailer

The latest from Atom Egoyan:


-Thoughts?

Poster for Terminator: Salvation

The National Board of Review is Coming Soon!

Over at Awards Daily, they have a really cool contest for predicting the NBR (http://www.awardsdaily.com/Contests/nbr.php), but with it coming up next week, and essentially precursor season opening, it figures appropriate to ask: Which films do you think are going to show up in the NBR top 10?

Initial thoughts on 'Milk'

I haven't seem 'Slumdog' yet, so its tough to say that Milk is the unequivocal frontrunner. However, it will certainly get nominated for best pic. Milk is nothing short of brilliant. From directing to acting, Milk is phenomenal. In terms of acting, I know Brolin and Penn will get a lot of attention for their performances, but I would love for Emile Hirsch to get some love. He was spectacular. I don't want to reveal too much about the movie, but if you get a chance to see it, do so! It's really relevant these days, and will give an adequate historical context to the gay rights (and human rights) movement. Also, I recommend watching the documentary, The Times of Harvey. I can't stress how much more you will appreciate the film if you see some of the actual footage of Harvey Milk's life. You really see that Penn went the extra mile to play Harvey to pefection. So, if you can't catch the movie anytime soon, watch the doc to get ready for the film.

What Doesn't Kill You Trailer

One of the films I mentioned in my annual "Slipping Under The Radar" article (http://www.awardscircuit.com/undertheradar.html) now gets an enticing trailer:


-Could it be a contender in the acting categories?

Happy Turkey Day!

From all of us at the site, enjoy!

Academy Idol Video Coming Soon!

Hi all...the video for the Adapted category will be up shortly, but for now you can still vote, so please do so!

Duplicity Trailer

-Definitely has potential, though looks to be somewhat lighter than Michael Clayton...thoughts?

Anne Thompson On Men?

Occasionally, I check around the web to see what other critics are saying about the Oscar race. Sometimes their comments strike me as bizarre but I tend to let it slide. However, Anne Thompson's characterization of the movie taste of dudes has forced my hand. She writes, "Men would rather die than go to a romantic comedy--unless it stars Seth Rogen, Vince Vaughn or Adam Sandler. Judd Apatow figured out that making rom-coms for both sexes was the way to go". First, this is a complete (and false) generalization. Adam Sandler isn't popular anymore. He sucks. The same is applicable to Vince Vaughn. He plays the same character in all of his movies.

Also, we don't see Seth Rogen/Apatow films because of the romance part. We go see them primarily because of the crude juvenile humor. The romance parts of Knocked Up accentuate the comedy. If it was just romance for the sake of romance, I'm pretty confident most dudes would've hated it.

She also writes that, "they [movie studios] like to make movies for men because they're more predictable and reliable and less finicky and demanding than women."

I really just take issue with the "more predictable" part. Women aren't that complicated. If you make a romance comedy that's pretty sappy, then most women will go see it. You turn Sex in the City into a movie, then plenty of women will go see it. I don't see how this makes women less predictable. I like to believe that most movie goers (women and men) are fairly predictable. You can probably tell what they are interested in within the first minutes of speaking to them. For instance, if a girl likes america's next top model or the hills, then it's highly unlikely that she will citizen kane, and will go see there will be blood. There's nothing wrong with this of course. But, I don't think its right to characterize men as more predictable movie watchers. Most people are fairly predictable.

He's Just Not That Into You Poster

Certainly doesn't lack in terms of star power...

New in Town Trailer

-Doesn't look very promising, but could come off with a charming "Fargo"-ish vibe...

'The Reader' Poster

Dope.

Even Will Smith Can't Save This DVD Release Week!

Yes, it's that bad. So bad in fact that I had to go to an unusal source for my PICK OF THE WEEK...a stand up comedy special. It's:

George Carlin: It's Bad For Ya

While certainly not the best that Carlin has ever done, it is definitely very entertaining and consider this a further tribute to the late funnyman and great thinker of our time.

-Unfortunately, nothing else out this week is any good. Will Smith is alright in Hancock, but the story is terrible and it feels immensely neutered. A good cast is wasted in the holiday film Fred Claus, the animated film Space Chimps is only entertaining if you are in the single digits age-wise, and the less said about Eddie Murphy's Meet Dave, the better.

-To make up for it, my Vintage pick this week is a double feature of movie goodness. It's a P.T. Anderson back to back of Boogie Nights and Magnolia. It's a huge time drain, but if you have the hole in your day, it's well worth the time. Two of my favorite films of all time, they still hold up today and are supremely well made and entertaining.

-What will you guys be watching? (I myself will be trying to see as many prestige pics as possible, ie Milk, Australia, etc)

MILK Opening (limited) Tomorrow!

I intend to see it tomorrow, early. If you are interested, I know it's playing in AMC Loews Village 7 (NYC). The tickets are only 6 dollars for matinee.

Poster for Viggo's "Good"

Courtesy of Awards Daily

Academy Idol: Top 10 Original DIRECTORS

Jason Reitman's Follow-Up to Juno is Taking Flight!

Variety has the story on the cast piecing itself together:

Vera Farmiga is taking to the skies.
The "Departed" thesp will star opposite George Clooney in Jason Reitman's "Up in the Air" for Paramount Pictures and Montecito.
Story centers on a human resources exec whose only joy in life comes from the prospect of notching his millionth frequent-flyer mile, a goal he pursues with zeal as the rest of his life falls apart because he is constantly on the road.
Farmiga will play a businesswoman who develops a romantic relationship with Clooney's character through meetings in airports and hotels around the country.
Reitman adapted the screenplay from Walter Kirn's novel of the same name. Project had been developed at DreamWorks but became a Par-led project after DreamWorks exited the Melrose studio in September. "Up in the Air" is one of the dozens of DreamWorks-developed pics being overseen at Par by former DreamWorks prexy of production Adam Goodman.
Shooting starts in late February in St. Louis, Miami and Las Vegas.
Farmiga's upcoming films include Niki Caro's "The Vintner's Luck" and the thriller "Orphan" for Joel Silver's Dark Castle and Warner Bros.

-Looking forward to this?

A New Trailer for Benjamin Button!

Hot on the heels of what sounds to me to be like a dynamite press screening for the film:

-By far the most romantic trailer yet, this could be something that Oscar absolutely falls in love with...thoughts? (Thanks to AwardsDaily for the scoop)

A SAG Strike Coming Soon?

Not good news at all, as this portion of the article in Variety states:

In a move toward Hollywood's second strike in a year, the Screen Actors Guild will seek a strike authorization from its 120,000 members -- prompting an angry response from the congloms.
SAG made the announcement early Saturday morning after federal mediator Juan Carlos Gonzalez abandoned efforts to bring the two sides together, following their first face-to-face meeting in four months. Neither side budged significantly during two lengthy sessions Thursday and Friday with negotiators spending much of the time reiterating previous positions.
"Our leadership was optimistic that federal mediation would help to move our negotiations forward, but despite the Guild’s extraordinary efforts to reach agreement, the mediation was adjourned shortly before 1:00 a.m. today," SAG said. "Management continues to insist on terms we cannot responsibly accept on behalf of our members."
The Alliance of Motion Pictures blasted back at SAG late Saturday morning by asserting the guild's out of touch with the industry's concerns and noting that it's the only Hollywood union that hasn't closed a master contract deal this year.
"Now, SAG is bizarrely asking its members to bail out the failed negotiating strategy with a strike vote - at a time of historic economic crisis," the AMPTP said. "The tone deafness of SAG is stunning."
SAG national exec director Doug Allen told Daily Variety that it's the companies are out of step. "It's ironic that they would use the word 'tone deaf' when they've been tone deaf when it comes to listening to the concerns of working actors," he added.
No timetable's been set for the authorization vote but SAG could be on strike on primetime and features as early as the Jan. 11 Golden Globes. SAG would need at leaset three weeks to conduct the strike authorization vote but it said Saturday it would launch a "full-scale education campaign" in support of a "yes" vote.
For SAG to strike, the authorization must receive support from 75% of members who vote on the referendum. SAG's strategy of holding out for a better deal received backing of 87% of slightly over 10,000 members voting in a September postcard poll -- which the AMPTP derided as meaningless -- but it's uncertain if SAG members would offer the same level of support amid a worsening economy.
SAG last struck in 2000, when it stayed out for six months against the ad industry.

-Hopefully they can sort this out....

Not Exactly Surprising News...

Hope you're not tired of romantic vampires, since there's going to be more films from the Twilight series being produced, according to this piece in Variety:

Fresh from a massive opening day for "Twilight," Summit Entertainment has officially greenlit a "New Moon" sequel.
Summit made the widely expected announcement Saturday morning. "Twilight" generated first-day grosses of $35.7 million from 3,419 playdates on Friday -- including $7 million from Thursday midnight shows.
The vampire thriller's a ready-made franchise for Summit with four books in Stephenie Meyer’s series, which have sold more than 17 million copies worldwide.
"New Moon" is the second title in the series and is centered on Edward Cullen leaving Bella Swan in order to keep her safe from other vampires. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart play the leads in the film.
"I don't think any other author has had a more positive experience with the makers of her movie adaptation than I have had with Summit Entertainment," Meyer said in a statement.
"Twilight" had been expected to open in the $50 million to $60 million range, although it looks likely to end up above that.

-I'm personally more of a fan of HBO's True Blood, but I have the Twilight book on my bed right now, and it seems I should give it a shot. What do you guys think of the books/movie?

What's Left for Best Picture?

Sasha Stone today posted a piece that is a very interesting read, basically summing up the state of the Best Pic race and saying it's down to the following films:

Milk

Slumdog Millionaire

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Revolutionary Road

The Dark Knight

The Reader

Frost/Nixon

Doubt

Rachel Getting Married

Gran Torino

The Wrestler

-The entire article is worth reading, but this is what she sees it being left to now. My question to you guys is....do you agree?

Adventureland Trailer

The new film from Greg Mottola, who first came to our attention with the indie road trip flick "The Daytrippers" and most recently made "Superbad":

-Looks like it could be fun, maybe a hybrid of Clerks, Waiting, and Superbad...on a personal note, I worked at Astroland in Coney Island for part of a summer, so I feel like I might relate to this quite heavily, for better or worse...

Warner Brothers Pushing Some Scores

In Contention already posted this, but it's worth noting alone for the chance to listen to the tremendous score for The Dark Knight. WB's Music FYC page (http://warnerbros2008.warnerbros.com/#/movies/thedarkknight/score/score1) has it in full, along with the pretty good score for Eastwood's upcoming Gran Torino.

-Opinions on the Gran Torino score? (We all know the score for TDK is amazing, but it's out of contention, as we all know)

More Bourne Flicks To Come?

Apparently so, if this article in Variety is correct:

Universal Pictures has made an overall deal with the estate of "The Bourne Identity" author Robert Ludlum that gives the studio exclusive rights to the Jason Bourne character and first look at other Ludlum novels.
The deal with Ludlum Entertainment paves the way for more installments in the Bourne saga, which was originally envisioned as a three-picture series but has become Universal's answer to James Bond.
After the first three films grossed a total of more than $1 billion worldwide, U signed Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass for a fourth film that George Nolfi is penning. Produced by Frank Marshall and Ludlum Entertainment chairman-CEO Jeffrey Weiner, the film will be readied for a summer 2010 release.
Weiner will take offices on the Universal lot as part of the deal and hire development executives as the company takes an active hand in developing projects, including some not based on books by Ludlum. Weiner was the author's accountant for 16 years before being tapped by Ludlum to be estate executor and to run the holding company that produces his movies and publishes his books and videogames.
"Universal has done such an excellent job with the first three films that they deserve the opportunity to keep Jason Bourne at the studio forever," Weiner told Daily Variety.
The deal was put together by U co-presidents of production Jimmy Horowitz and Donna Langley, who said that the gritty action style has rubbed off on other action fare.
The deal also gives Universal an inside track on other Ludlum books that would be developed with Ludlum Entertainment. That is especially valuable for U, whose chairman Marc Shmuger and co-chairman David Linde have made franchises a priority.
Universal tried but didn't win "The Matarese Circle" when that Ludlum Cold War thriller was shopped last April, with Denzel Washington attached along with "Wanted" scribes Michael Brandt and Derek Haas. MGM and Relativity won the auction; they've set David Cronenberg to direct a film expected to begin production next year. Ludlum titles routinely turn into seven-figure packages, including the $4 million Paramount paid for "The Chancellor Manuscript" in 2005, with Leonardo DiCaprio attached to star and produce with Red Wagon.
Universal is developing another Ludlum book, "The Sigma Protocol," with Strike Entertainment partners Marc Abraham and Eric Newman. Summit Entertainment has "The Osterman Weekend," with Simon Kinberg set to write and direct.
There are plenty more where those came from.
"There is a deep Ludlum library. Over 25 of his novels have never been exploited in movies," Weiner said. He recalled that Ludlum watched a couple of his titles get turned into movies during the early 1980s, and he was underwhelmed by the result. The author died while "The Bourne Identity" was in production. Now, the estate has contractual approval not only on screenplays but also on characters and even actors, Weiner said.
"The goal is to pick the right people to be in business with, so you don't have to wield these things like a club," Weiner said. "If you get to that point, you're in business with the wrong people."
ICM and Henry Morrison rep Ludlum Entertainment.

-The Bourne flicks are good stuff, so if the quality stays the same, I'm all in favor of more films...how bout all of you?

Clint Eastwood, Duke Basketball, and the Oscars

Since UCLA choked in the 2K Sports Classic, there will be a vintage championship match between the great Duke Blue Devils and the infamous scandal ridden time out calling Michigan Wolverines. Now, this isn't the 1992 NCAA championship game, where we won by 20. But, as a sports fan and movie fan, I wanted to see if there were any possible connections between us beating Michigan in a championship game and the Oscars. So, the last time we destroyed Michigan in a championship game, Clint Eastwood completely dominated the Oscars with Uniforgiven. He was nominated for best Director (w) and Actor. Unforgiven was nominated for a total of nine and went on to win four. Perhaps if Duke wins tomorrow, we might see Clint return to form with one of his two films. He probably has a better chance with Gran Torino, since he is directing and starring in the film (and Changeling half way sucks). Given this completely accidental, merely correlated, and slightly illogical connection, we can reasonably predict that Clint Eastwood will be rooting for Duke tomorrow night. So, if I were you, I would also root for Duke or Dirty Harry will get ya.

Official 'Curious Case' Poster

According to Brad Brevet (Rope of Silicon), the images above are the official posters for the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. As I mentioned before, I think the posters are great. I appreciate the simpleness (yet subtlety) of them. Besides, Cate Blanchett is gorgeous.

The Oscar Schedule

As Ryan Adams over at Awards Daily noted, there is a slight change in the schedule, which is as follows:

Monday, December 1, 2008: Official Screen Credits forms due
Friday, December 26, 2008: Nominations ballots mailed
Monday, January 12, 2009: Nominations polls close 5 p.m. Pacific Time
Thursday, January 22, 2009: Nominations announced 5:30 a.m. PT, Samuel Goldwyn Theater
Wednesday, January 28, 2009: Final ballots mailed
Monday, February 2, 2009: Nominees Luncheon (nominees luncheon 2008 photos)
Saturday, February 7, 2009: Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards presentation
Tuesday, February 17, 2009: Final polls close 5 p.m. PT
Sunday, February 22, 2009: 81st Annual Academy Awards presentation

-As Ryan notes, Barack Obama's inauguration pushes the nominations announcement from January 20th to the 22nd....two more days for us to fret!

The Wrestler Trailer!

Enjoy!



Quick notes:

1. Springsteen's song is phenomenal (fyc best song?).
2. Marisa Tomei is hot.
3. Ron "The Truth" Killings (K Kwik) is in the trailer (1:43) Irrelevant I know.
4. The 'Ram' reminds me of this guy and this guy. I really miss wrestling.

Academy Idol: Top 24 Results

2012 Teaser Trailer

The next disaster movie from Roland Emmerich:



-Two things to note....1) Emmerich seems to love tidal waves, and 2)somehow this got a pretty good cast (John Cusack for one example) so maybe this will be better than it looks....

Coraline Trailer

-Looks kinda interesting...

Moon Poster

Something very cool looking about this poster...could this be a film in the vein of Solaris or Sunshine?

Does Oldboy Have A Writer?

Apparently so, or at least so says this article in The Hollywood Reporter:

In a potential high-profile star-writer reunion, "I Am Legend" co-scribe Mark Protosevich is in early talks to pen the remake of "Old Boy" that boxoffice king and "Legend" star Will Smith is developing with director Steven Spielberg.DreamWorks secured the remake rights from Mandate Pictures, which also is staying involved in the project. Although the studio was meeting with several high-profile writers to do the adaptation, Smith invited Protosevich to meet with Spielberg on the project.DreamWorks declined comment. The rights deal with Mandate is not complete.Mandate acquired the 2003 Korean film co-written and directed by Park Chan-wook from Universal, which picked up the rights in 2004 with Vertigo Entertainment ("The Eye," "The Grudge"). The original film, which like much edgy Asian cinema includes some disturbing material, detailed a man's mysterious kidnapping, 15-year imprisonment and feverish quest for revenge upon being released.A slew of Asian remakes have found their way into American theaters and onto development slates in the past few years. Screenwriter William Monahan won the best adapted screenplay Oscar in 2007 for translating the Hong Kong thriller "Infernal Affairs" into the 2006 best picture winner "The Departed," at Warner Bros. And Brad Ingelsby is adapting the 2000 Korean gangster movie "Die Bad," which "Quantum of Solace" director Marc Forster is negotiating to helm for Universal.DreamWorks has engaged in a flurry of activity since its departure from Paramount two months ago. At that time, Spielberg and co-chairman and CEO Stacey Snider took 17 projects with them that DreamWorks had developed at Paramount, which retains an option to co-finance and co-distribute any resulting production."Old Boy" would be DreamWorks' first acquisition since the move, though Mandate might retain some ownership role in the film. Spielberg has been working on directing the first of a planned series of "Tintin" films with fellow producer Peter Jackson.The CAA-repped Protosevich also has written "Poseidon" and "The Cell," and he worked on "Thor" for Marvel Studios.

-A good choice or no?

Another Push (In Reverse) for The Soloist and Perhaps a Release Date for The Lovely Bones

Variety's story says as much:

DreamWorks and Paramount have agreed to release fact-based Jamie Foxx-Robert Downey Jr. drama "The Soloist" on April 24 instead of March 13.
DreamWorks was caught off guard last month when Par pushed back the release of "The Soloist" from this year to March 13 at the 11th hour.
The Joe Wright-directed pic was originally to have opened Nov. 21.
In the April 24 slot, "Soloist" will open one week before the official start of the summer box office, which is primetime for moviegoing.
Based on a series of articles by Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez, film tells the story of a homeless schizophrenic musician's dream to play at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
After moving "The Soloist," Par relocated Paul Rudd comedy "I Love You, Man" from Jan. 16 to March 20, according to Rentrak. Peter Jackson's "The Lovely Bones" is still tentatively skedded to bow on March 13, but the DreamWorks/Par film is ultimately expected to open later in the year.

-The Soloist still seems like it could be an Oscar film to me, so we'll see if this ultimately helps it out or not, and on The Lovely Bones front, it's just good to hear some news about the upcoming Peter Jackson drama...thoughts?

Ebert, Deep Vote, and Revolutionary Road Screening

Ryan Adams (Awards Daily) linked this gem.

I'm not sure if this is legit, but it's worth reading since Ebert is the man. Also, if you are in the NYC area, you should get tickets to a Revolutionary Road screening and q/a session with Sam Mendes.

The Opening Film at Sundance is Revealed!

Curtosy of Variety:

The 25th Sundance Film Festival will open January 15 with Adam Elliot's clay-animated feature "Mary and Max," voiced by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Toni Collette.
Pic follows a 20-year, pen-pal friendship between an 8-year-old girl in Melbourne and an obese, 42-year-old man in New York.
"This portrait of a global friendship between two marvelously dysfunctional people is an exceptionally moving, funny and thought-provoking work," said Geoffrey Gilmore, Director, Sundance Film Festival. ""Mary and Max" is the first film of its kind to open the Festival."
Australian animator Adam Elliot screened his short "Harvie Krumpet" at the 2004 Sundance, which went on to win the Oscar. Melanie Combs, Elliot's long-time producer, will return with him to Park City.
"By Opening Night it will have been five years since Melanie and I began working on the film," said Elliot. "It has been a whale of a pregnancy and we are so thrilled that the birth will be in Sundance."
"Mary and Max" was financed by Screen Australia, Adirondack Pictures, and Film Victoria. Icon is selling all rights.
The Sundance Film Festival unspools January 15-25 in Park City, Utah. The entire program will be revealed December 3 and 4.

-Interesting choice...hopefully it will be a good festival....

A look at "Where The Wild Things Are"

Spike Jonze is never a boring filmmaker, and this was one of my favorite books as a child, so perhaps the reported early issues with the first cut of the flick will give way to a groundbreaking new children's movie....time will tell, but what do you guys thing?

The Fall of MGM and Tom Cruise? But, mainly Tom Cruise.

It seems like MGM has a lot riding on Cruise, Singer, and Valkyrie. Brook Barnes (NY Times) writes that, "“Valkyrie” has turned into a test not only of Mr. Cruise’s career durability, but of MGM’s determination to be taken seriously as a producer and distributor of the kind of risky event films that define a major studio." Brad Brevet (Rope of Silicon) adds that:

Based on everything that has happened the article ends up pointing at the December 26 release of Valkyrie as a major test for the studio as well as its star, Tom Cruise. Considering the film centers on a group of men who set out to assassinate Hitler with Cruise playing a German officer, the release date, subject matter and casting has all come into question. The film has bounced all around the release schedule, has had to endure reshoots and despite some fantastic looking trailers still undergoes scrutiny based on the lack of German accents, especially from Cruise who plays the films figure-head Claus von Stauffenberg.

I'm not expecting much out of the film. The trailers look great. I don't mind the lack of accents, but I think Cruise will hurt the film more than anything. Hopefully, the story and direction will be enough to salvage this project, but I'm not expecting it to resuscitate Cruise's once bright career.

This movie would have been an Oscar juggernaut 17 years ago.

Nothing but the Trailer for Nothing But The Truth!

-FYC?

A Huge Haul on DVD This Week!

Yes indeed my friends, there is plenty on DVD this week worth checking out. In fact, there's just about something for everyone, and we lead off today, as always, with my PICK OF THE WEEK, which actually should appeal to just about everyone. It's:

WALL-E

One of my favorite films of the year, this is the high point for Pixar and just a heartwarming film in general. This tale of a robot finding his place in the universe is something that if you haven't seen yet, you owe to yourself to see.

-Also out this week, we have a few other films definitely worth picking up. There's Tropic Thunder, which was one of the funnier films of the year, and features an Oscar worthy turn by Robert Downey Jr. as the most method actor in history. We also have Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson, which is a very informative and actually entertaining documentary about the legendary writer. Also on the documentary front is Werner Herzog's Encounters at the End of the World, which is pretty cool (no pun intended). Finally we have Garden Party, a strange drama about a group of young and sexually confused Los Angelenos. It's not for everyone, but it's a nice character study.

-A few films of less quality are out as well, but both are merely mediocre, and not horrible in any way. There's the disappointingly average diamond heist flick Priceless as well as the thoroughly mediocre sequel Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Neither are bad, but neither are anything special.

-My Vintage pick this week is, in honor of the onslaught of cold weather finally hitting my area (Brooklyn, New York for home, but school at Stony Brook University in Long Island) the criminally underseen Ryan Gosling film The Slaughter Rule. He plays a kid dealing with pressure from everywhere and everyone in his life, and the bitter small town life is only matched by the bitter weather. Gosling is great here and it's worth a look for anyone that likes his work.

-What will you guys be watching?

Academy Idol: Top 12 Adapted

Top Ten Reasons NOT to Make 'Batman 3'

I know we don't need anymore Batman talk, but I am in full support for ending the Batman franchise at the 'Dark Knight'. I think we need to start this campaign, and luckily David Frank offers some compelling reasons.

Full Trailer for Star Trek!

Is This Our First Glimpse At Johnny Depp as A Certain Hatter of Some Sort?

If this turns out to be a real image from Tim Burton's upcoming interpretation of Alice in Wonderland, things are going to be very interesting (and weird).....what do you guys think of this?

The Short List for Best Documentary!

Here they are:

“At the Death House Door”

“The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)”

“Blessed Is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh”

“Encounters at the End of the World”

“Fuel”

“The Garden”

“Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts”

“I.O.U.S.A.”

“In a Dream”

“Made in America”

“Man on Wire”

“Pray the Devil Back to Hell”

“Standard Operating Procedure”

“They Killed Sister Dorothy”

“Trouble the Water”

-Some solid features here, though I would have found room for Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, Religulous, and Bigger, Stronger, Faster...

Academy Idol Closes at Midnight

Get your votes in, its looking a little tight at this point.

Adapted Screenplay Top 12 post tomorrow with voting open until Thursday Midnight ET.

Results video on Friday!!!

The Dark Knight Begins The Crusade for Best Picture!

With this FYC Ad:
will it happen?

Some New Projects on the Horizon for a Well Known Scribe!

Variety has the dirt on some new gigs for the screenwriter of "The Usual Suspects", among other flicks:

"Valkyrie" scribe Christopher McQuarrie has signed on to write and produce a pair of United Artists projects: "The Monster of Florence" and "The Champions."
On "Monster," McQuarrie is teaming with producers Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen ("American Beauty," "Milk"). Together they optioned "Monster," based on a New York Times bestseller (Daily Variety, Sept. 5).
Story chronicles a true series of events from author Douglas Preston's life. Shortly after moving his family to Italy in 2000, Preston learned that an olive grove on their property had been the scene of a brutal murder. Teaming with Italian journalist Mario Spezi, Preston began investigating the crime, which was part of a series of eight double homicides between 1968-85. Story also spawned a 1985 Italian-language docudrama of the same name.
McQuarrie sees the project as an opportunity to tell the story of a writer, not a serial killer.
It's a "surreal account of two writers opening a proverbial Pandora's box with their research," the "Usual Suspects" scribe said. "They witness first-hand how the misguided good intentions of others allow evil to flourish, eventually becoming a part of the story themselves."
McQuarrie has also boarded "The Champions" with fellow writer-producer Guillermo del Toro. Based on the 1968-69 British TV series, "The Champions" follows the adventures of a team of secret government agents who are rescued from a Himalayan plane crash by an advanced civilization and given superhuman abilities.
McQuarrie said the source material was too strong and the opportunity to work with Del Toro too great to pass up.
"Champions" is a "great premise with fascinating potential; I wanted to be involved from the moment Guillermo and I first discussed it," he added.
Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner are also producing.

-McQuarrie is capable of some great stuff, so this could turn into some nice films...

The Official Poster for 'The Wrestler'

Even more haunting. This is one of the better posters I've seen this year. But, it looks like Rourke will get all of the love, which might overshadow the movie. We'll see.

Academy Idol: Top 12 Originals

Judd Apatow's "Funny People" Gets a Poster

This could be the comedy standout of next summer...

Marc Forster Signs Up For A Zombie War!

Variety has the story:

Paramount has set "Quantum of Solace" director Marc Forster to helm "World War Z," based on the Max Brooks bestselling novel about a worldwide infestation of flesh-eating zombies.
"Changeling" scribe J. Michael Straczynski is writing the screenplay, and Brad Pitt's Plan B is producing.
Brooks -- the son of Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft -- wrote a detailed tale in which a researcher for the U.N. Postwar Commission interviews survivors from countries all over the world, 10 years after the crisis, to gather a first-person post-mortem on a war that obliterated every country on the map.
Forster is unlikely to return for another James Bond installment.
As for "WWZ," "The genre always fascinated me, and when they pitched it to me, it reminded me of the paranoid conspiracy films of the '70s like 'All the President's Men,' " Forster told Daily Variety.
Par bought the book for Plan B in 2006, and it is one of several high-profile projects for the company headed by Pitt, who next stars for the studio in the David Fincher-directed "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."
Plan B is also prepping an adaptation of the novel "Eat, Pray, Love," with Ryan Murphy directing and Julia Roberts expected to star; the Fincher-directed projects "The Killer" and "Black Hole"; and a film about drug addiction based on two nonfiction tales: "Beautiful Boy" and "Tweak."
Forster is repped by CAA and Management 360.

-This could end up being a fantastic project...thoughts?

More Backwards Button!

A Very Interesting Project Developing...

Variety lets us in:
Clint Eastwood is in talks to direct the supernatural thriller "Hereafter" for DreamWorks. Company, led by principals Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider, picked up the spec penned by "Frost/Nixon" scribe Peter Morgan in March when it was still a part of Paramount Pictures. DreamWorks held onto the project as part of its separation pact with the Melrose studio and has been wooing Eastwood to board the project for months. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but it is described as in the vein of "The Sixth Sense." Kathleen Kennedy is producing. Eastwood, who has two films in awards season contention this year -- "The Changeling" and "Gran Torino" -- previously worked with Spielberg on "Flags of Our Fathers" and "Letters From Iwo Jima," both of which Spielberg produced.

-Eastwood, Spielberg, and Morgan? Sounds good to me...how bout you guys?

More than one option

• (Co) Paramount Pictures
• (Co) Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M
• (Co) Paramount Studio Facilities

More than one option

• (Person) Peter Morgan
  Executive Producer, From Story, Co-Producer
• (Person) Peter Morgan
  Camera Assistant
• (Person) Peter T Morgan
• (Person) Peter Morgan
  Assistant, Production Assistant, Transportation
• (Person) Peter Morgan
  Associate Producer, Screenplay
• (Person) Peter Morgan
  Song
• (Person) Peter Morgan

More than one option

• (Person) Kathleen Kennedy
  Co-Executive Producer, Executive Producer, Assistant
• (Person) Kathleen Kennedy
  Production Assistant
• (Person) Kathleen Kennedy

More than one option

• (Film) The Changeling
  George C Scott, Peter Medak
• (Film) The Changeling
  2007 - Wendy Herlich, Jay Stern
• (Film) The Changeling

Poster for Under $10

Perhaps the title is a bit too cute here, but I couldn't resist...It's on the Academy's shortlist, and they love their clay, but will it have any chance against a certain robot?

Second Revolutionary Road Trailer!

Another one for the mind. Looks great. Not feeling the music in the background though. Way too melodramatic, but I guess that's what they are going for right?

Newest Trailer for Watchmen!

By far the most dramatic of the bunch:


-Looking good...

Trailer for Crossing Over

It's like Traffic, only with less drugs:

-Oscar material? Probably not, but we shall see...

A New Project for David O. Russell!

Variety has the word:

David O. Russell is in talks to direct Matthew McConaughey in "The Grackle," a raucous comedy for New Line. McConaughey is producing with his j.k. livin' accomplices Gus and Mark Gustawes.
The script by Mike Arnold and Chris Poole prompted a bidding battle two years ago (Daily Variety, June 23, 2006), before New Line got it as part of a two-picture deal. McConaughey will play a barroom fighter in New Orleans who hires himself out for $250 to settle disputes for people who can't afford to hire a lawyer. Harsh language and quick fists are his weapons of choice.
The project will aim for an R rating and fits more closely in the mode of "Wedding Crashers" than some of the romantic comedies and adventures in which McConaughey has starred recently.
Russell just completed "Nailed," the Jessica Biel-Jake Gyllenhaal film that had halted production several times because of the cash crunch experienced by financier Capitol Films. Pic is in post-production.
-Anxious for a new film by him?

Giallo Trailer

A rather meta title for the latest by Dario Argento:


-The voiceover is almost a parody, but still could be good...

No Nod for The "Dark" Score

Variety's Awards Central writes of how the score to The Dark Knight will not be able to compete at the Oscars:

The score for "The Dark Knight" has been disqualified by the executive committee of the Academy music branch.
Formal letters to that effect are expected to go out this week to composers Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, who collaborated on the music.
Their previous collaboration, on "Batman Begins," was similarly disqualified in 2005.
Sources inside the committee said that the big issue was the fact that five names were listed as composers on the music cue sheet, the official studio document that specifies every piece of music (along with its duration and copyright owner) in the film.
Zimmer said, in an interview with Variety prior to this week's Acad action, that listing multiple names on the cue sheet was a way of financially rewarding parts of the music team who helped make the overall work successful. (Performing-rights societies like ASCAP and BMI use the cue sheet to distribute royalties to composers.)
Zimmer, Howard and the other three individuals -- music editor Alex Gibson, ambient music designer Mel Wesson and composer Lorne Balfe -- reportedly signed an affidavit stating that the score was primarily the work of Zimmer and Howard.
That apparently wasn't enough for the majority of the committee, which was also supplied with documentation indicating that more than 60%, but less than 70%, of the score was credited to Zimmer and Howard.
The "Dark Knight" score -- and the whole issue of multiple-composer collaboration, which is on the rise in Hollywood these days -- has occupied about four hours of discussion over the past two executive committee meetings.
Some members sided with Zimmer and Howard; citing the originality and cutting-edge nature of the music, they urged others to keep the "Dark Knight" score eligible despite the cue-sheet issue.
Both Zimmer and Howard declined comment on the ruling. Both are seven-time nominees; Zimmer won for "The Lion King."

-Tough break, I know...thoughts?

The Enterprise Through the Ages...

The last one is the newest one...thoughts?

Ridley Scott has a Monopoly!

Or so The Hollywood Reporter tells us:

-The Hasbro-Universal collaboration "Monopoly" is jumping a large number of spaces up the board.The feature project has brought on Pamela Pettler to write the screenplay; She penned Tim Burton's "Corpse Bride," Gil Kenan's "Monster House" and the upcoming animated adventure "9," produced by Burton and Timur Bekmambetov. And Ridley Scott, who has been attached as a producer on "Monopoly" and has been mentioned as a possible director, is now officially attached to helm the project, with an eye toward giving it a futuristic sheen along the lines of his iconic "Blade Runner."In addition to Scott, Giannina Facio and Hasbro's Brian Goldner are also producing the movie, which will shape a narrative out of the iconic real-estate game. Lawrence Grey will oversee for Universal and Bennett Schneir will oversee for Hasbro."Monopoly" marks the latest Hasbro property to look to pass go and head to the big screen. Board games and branded properties have become more attractive as studios look to mitigate risk by finding built-in audiences.Universal is working with Hasbro on several projects as part of a long-term development deal. Platinum Dunes is producing its feature adaptation of "Ouija Board," while the maritime classic "Battleship" is also in development. Elsewhere at Hasbro, Paramount this summer is set to release Stephen Sommers' feature based on its "G.I. Joe" character. And "Trivial Pursuit: America Plays" is now airing as a syndicated television program.Hasbro, Scott and Pettler are all repped by WMA.

-Weird...

Arrested Development Movie!?

Huge fan of the show (as should you). Probably one of the funniest shows of the last decade, and I was sad to see it go. But, there are rumors that a movie might be in the works, so lets hope its true.

Be sure to check out the interview on collider.com (linked above).

Backwards Button...

Not a great view at the poster, but it's something...

A little funny....

Timecrimes Trailer!

-Looks like a real interesting take on the time travel flick....

To "Hell" with DVDs This Week!

Judging from that perhaps a bit too cute pun in the title, it should be little surprise what my PICK OF THE WEEK is:

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

The second in what might end up being a trilogy is a very entertaining film with terrific direction by Guillermo Del Toro is well worth a view if you liked the first Hellboy flick, and even if you haven't, it's just a fun way to spend some time on DVD.

-Also out we a handful of disappointing films, ranging from most disappointing of the bunch (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which is perhaps the worst thing to ever carry the Star Wars label) to the simply mediocre (Beer for My Horses and This Christmas). Nothing to write home about in the case of any of them.

-My Vintage pick is, aptly enough...Hellboy. Since #2 came out today, revisit numero uno and make a night of it!

-Anything interesting you guys will be watching this week?

The Short List for Best Animated Feature!

Three of these will make the cut:

“Bolt”

“Delgo”

“Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!”

“Dragon Hunters”

“Fly Me to the Moon”

“Igor”

“Kung Fu Panda”

“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”

“$9.99”

“The Sky Crawlers”

“Sword of the Stranger”

“The Tale of Despereaux”

“WALL-E”

“Waltz with Bashir”

-Aside from WALL-E, any sure things?

An Obama victory helps The Dark Knight?

I apologise for the tardiness on this one. I read this entry a few days ago, and it struck me as an odd argument to make. Here's a passage:

Usually I'm not the kind of guy who thinks that outside events have too much influence on the Oscar race. I generally think it's about the movies, more or less in a vacuum. But I do think that this week's election-day results may have a profound effect on the Best Picture chances of two films. For starters, there's The Dark Knight. I thought the sequence involving the two ferries (in which a group of commuters and a group of convicts have the power to blow up each others' boats but don't) was a bit too reality-show-ish for my taste. But I know most viewers loved it. Either way, that part of the film speaks to the innate goodness of human behavior. And let's remember that Oscar ballots are due next January 12, just a week before Barack Obama is inaugurated. It's safe to say most Hollywood types will also see that event as an example of innate human goodness. All of this only helps The Dark Knight's chances, don't you think?

I respect Dave Karger's work, but this line of reasoning strikes me as illogical. For starters, though one part of the film spoke to innate human goodness, there were other parts of the film that spoke to human badness (whether innate or not). Moreover, his argument presumes that most (even some) academy award members interpreted that particular scene as he did. Moreover, it presumes that most (even some) academy award voting members will interpret Obama's inauguration as an example of innate human goodness. I'm guessing that most academy award members probably weren't thinking along those lines.

When I first read the headline, I thought Dave might argue that the concept of "change" (a concept crucial to Obama's campaign) would influence ampas memebers. In that, if American voters were able to embrace the idea of voting for an African American president, then we can certainly embrace the idea of voting for an atypical movie. This argument makes slightly more sense, but I'm confident both will not resonate in the minds of ampas members.

A little early....

With all the excitement and a slew of movies to watch, we're announcing the Top 24 TODAY!

Why not?....voting starts next week

Here's the video...(you can also check it out on the Academy Idol Page on the MainSite)

A New "Watchmen" Poster

Very nice...though mildly reminds me of the poster for The Dark Knight, which might not be a bad marketing strategy...

"...Of The Dead" Poster

Apparently George A. Romero's latest zombie flick is currently skipping the standard title for his movies....good idea?

There's A New Karate Kid...Again

Variety has the story, and it seems Will Smith should be proud:

Columbia Pictures is back in the dojo with a new version of the 1984 hit "The Karate Kid," which has been refashioned as a star vehicle for Jaden Smith.
The film will be produced by Jerry Weintraub (who launched the original franchise) and Overbrook Entertainment's James Lassiter, Will Smith and Ken Stovitz. Will Smith, who is the 10-year-old actor's father, co-starred alongside Jaden in his feature debut, "The Pursuit of Happyness," which Overbrook and Escape Artists produced for Columbia.
The script is being written by Chris Murphy, and the film will shoot next year in Beijing and other cities. While the new film will be set in that exotic locale, it will borrow elements of the original plot, wherein a bullied youth learns to stand up for himself with the help of an eccentric mentor.
China Film Group Corp. will co-produce in China.
The younger Smith, who next stars in "The Day the Earth Stood Still," is a martial arts practitioner.
Columbia presidents Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach said they had been trying to find a way to bring back the series, which began with three films that featured Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. A subsequent film launched the career of Hilary Swank.

-Any interest in this at all?

A Better Look...

I was a huge wrestling fan growing up, so this film excites me even more. The poster is rather melancholy, primarily because the Ram looks worn out. But, it looks like it captures the overall tone of the movie, and that's all you can ask for out of a poster.

Captain America Gets A Commanding Officer!

The film now has a director, according to The Hollywood Reporter:

-Joe Johnston has inked a deal to direct "First Avenger: Captain America," Marvel Studios' take on its classic comic book character. Marvel's Kevin Feige is producing. No writers are on board, but the studio, which is hearing pitches, expects to hire shortly. Johnston first met with Marvel two years ago. When the two parties clicked, general talks turned into Captain America-specific meetings, with much of the project's current direction resulting from those early conversations. "This is a guy who designed the vehicles for 'Star Wars,' who storyboarded the convoy action sequence for 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' " Feige said. "From 'Rocketeer' to 'October Sky' to 'The Wolfman,' you can look at pieces of his movies and see how they lead to this one."Created in 1941 by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon for Timely Comics, Captain America is the heroic alter ego of Steve Rogers, who is rejected by the Army for being too sickly and undergoes an experiment that takes him to the pinnacle of human form. Paired with an indestructible shield, he became a symbol of the war effort, in and out of comics.The character disappeared in the 1950s but was revived during the early era of Marvel Comics. He was reintroduced as part of the Avengers, the absence explained by having him being in a state of suspended animation during a war mission until found by the superteam.Kicking off with "Iron Man," Marvel Studios' slate of movies --including "Thor" and the "Iron Man" sequel -- is building toward an "Avengers" movie set for release in 2011, in which the characters from the films team for one big adventure. "Captain America" is scheduled for release May 6, 2011."Captain America" will be a World War II-set movie, and the character will appear in the modern day-set "Avengers." Executive producing on "Captain" are Louis D'Esposito, Stan Lee and Marvel Studios' chairman David Maisel.The character's last live-action appearance was in 1990's "Captain America," a cheap production from 21st Century Films that ended up going to straight to video. The movie starred Matt Salinger as the hero, dethawed in modern times to fight his archnemesis, the Red Skull. CAA-repped Johnston's credits include "Jurassic Park III" and "Hidalgo." He is in post on Universal's retelling of "The Wolfman," starring Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins.

-Thoughts?

Cadillac Records Trailer

Poster for the Wrestler

Check out the poster for the Wrestler behind Rourke and his powder blue shoes. Also, on a slightly unrelated note, I urge you to check out The Times of Harvey Milk (1984; Academy Award for best documentary) before going to see Milk. It really gives you an idea of who and what Harvey Milk was about. I also checked out the extra footage they had of the documentary, and there is a great panel discussion (including Dan White's defense team) on the defense used to get Dan White convicted of voluntary manslaughter as opposed to first degree murder. It's really fascinating stuff on the legal side.

Harvey Milk was really dynamic, so I hope that Penn is able to capture this aspect of Milk. Dan White is also a particularly fascinating character, so expect a great turn from Brolin, who's been quite consistent these last 2 years. I think Mr. Ledger might get some competition from Brolin, but we have to wait and see.

The Pink Panther 2 has a Trailer...Yikes

-Because apparently the first one didn't suck enough....

A "Special" Trailer

Definitely a different kind of superhero flick:

New Poster for Australia

Bond Means Business!

Like we had any doubt, but Variety tells us how the latest 007 film is doing abroad:
-James Bond is dominating the foreign box office as "Quantum of Solace" grossed $106.5 million at 9,870 playdates in 60 territories -- the 11th biggest international weekend ever.
Sony-MGM's Bondpic, which opened in the U.K., France and Sweden last weekend, has cumed $160.3 million internationally in its first 10 days.
The weekend number for "Solace" was the second largest international weekend in 2008, trailing only the $146.6 million debut of "Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." It still has four major markets to open.
"Solace" opened bigger than "Casino Royale," which cumed $429 million overseas, in all 57 new markets. And in 13 territories, the Daniel Craig vehicle more than doubled the "Casino" launch.
"Solace" also posted the top openings ever in Finland, Nigeria, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates and the second highest number in India, Kenya and Latvia. Its Chinese launch was the second largest ever for a non-Chinese pic.
"Quantum" opens Friday in North America.
Mexico will also open Friday, followed by Australia on Nov. 19, Spain on Nov. 21 and Japan on Jan. 24.
The U.K. generated the top "Solace" number, declining 40% in its second frame to $15.1 million for a 10-day cume of $50.3 million. Germany led the openers with $15 million followed by Russia and China with $9.1 million each, South Korea with $4.5 million, Italy with $4.3, Switzerland with $3.8 million, India with $3.5 million, Denmark with $2.9 million, Norway with $2.3 and Holland with $2.2 million.
The second French frame declined 46% to $5.7 million for a 10-day cume of $20.5 million.

Gran Torino Gets A New Poster

A Sequel for Road to Perdition?

Apparently so, as this story in Variety indicates:

The road has been cleared for a sequel to Tom Hanks-Paul Newman starrer "Road to Perdition."
The 2002 pic was based on the graphic novel by Max Allan Collins, who continued the story in follow-ups "Road to Purgatory" and "Road to Paradise."
Collins will adapt and direct "Purgatory" for his and Jeffrey B. Mallian's JBM Prods. and Joel Eisenberg's EMO Films.
The $20 million indie pic is being shopped at the American Film Market.
Project got the go-ahead in August, when DreamWorks-Paramount waived the right to produce the sequel. DreamWorks released the original "Perdition." As with other DreamWorks titles, "Perdition" came under the Par banner when the studio bought DreamWorks.
"Purgatory" will follow the character of Michael Sullivan Jr. -- the son in "Perdition" -- as he returns home from WWII and vows to avenge the murder of his father. He is ultimately led to Frank Nitti, whom he is urged to kill on the orders of Al Capone.
Phillip W. Dingeldein, also a partner at JBM Prods., is exec producing "Purgatory."
Mallian's producing credits include "Angel Eyes" and "Over the Line."
EMO Films recently wrapped the Columbine-themed "April Showers," with upcoming projects including biopic "Ghoulishly Yours, William M. Gaines."
"Road to Purgatory" will be dedicated to Newman.

-Opinions?

Nominations for the European Film Awards!

EUROPEAN FILM 2008
-“Il Divo,” Italy, written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino produced by Indigofilm, Lucky Red, Parco Film, Babe Films, StudioCanal, Arte France Cinema
-“Entre Les Murs” (The Class), France, directed by Laurent Cantet written by Laurent Cantet, Francois Begaudeau & Robin Campillo after the novel of Francois Begaudeauproduced by Haut et Court, France 2 Cinema
-“Gomorra” (Gomorrah), Italy, directed by Matteo Garrone written by Maurizio Bracci, Ugo Chiti, Gianni di Gregorio, Matteo Garrone, Massimo Gaudioso & Roberto Saviano produced by Fandango, RAI Cinema
-“Happy-Go-Lucky,” UK, written and directed by Mike Leigh produced by Thin Man Films Ltd., Summit Entertainment, Ingenious Film Partners, Film4, UK Film Council
-“El Orfanao” (The Orphanage), Spain, directed by Juan Antonio Bayona written by Sergio G. Sanchez produced by Rodar y Rodar S.L., Telecinco Cinema
-“Waltz With Bashir,” Israel/France/Germany, written and directed by Ari Folman produced by Bridgit Folman Film Gang, Les Films d’Ici, Razor Film Produktion, ARTE France, ITVS International
EUROPEAN DIRECTOR 2008
-Laurent Cantet for “Entre Les Murs” (The Class)

-Andreas Dresen for “Wolke 9” (Cloud 9)

-Ari Folman for “Waltz With Bashir

-“Matteo Garrone for “Gomorra” (Gomorrah)

-Steve McQueen for “Hunger“

-Paolo Sorrentino for “Il Divo”

EUROPEAN ACTOR 2008

-Michael Fassbender in “Hunger”

-Thure Lindhardt & Mads Mikkelsen in “Flammen & Citronen” (Flame & Citron)

-James McAvoy in “Atonement”

-Toni Servillo in “Gomorra” (Gomorrah) and “Il Divo”

-Juergen Vogel in “Die Welle” (The Wave)

-Elmar Wepper in “Kirschbluten - Hanami” (Cherry Blossoms)
EUROPEAN ACTRESS 2008

-Hiam Abbass in “Lemon Tree”

-Arta Dobroshi in “Le Silence de Lorna” (Lorna’s Silence)

-Sally Hawkins in “Happy-Go-Lucky”

-Belen Rueda in “El Orfanato” (The Orphanage)

-Kristin Scott Thomas in “Il y a Longtemps Que Je T’aime” (I’ve Loved You So Long)

-Ursula Werner in “Wolke 9” (Cloud 9)
EUROPEAN SCREENWRITER 2008

-Suha Arraf & Eran Riklis for “Lemon Tree”

-Maurizio Braucci, Ugo Chiti, Gianni di Gregorio, Matteo Garrone, Massimo Gaudioso & Roberto Saviano for “Gomorra” (Gomorrah)

-Ari Folman for “Waltz With Bashir”

-Paolo Sorrentino for “Il Divo”
CARLO DI PALMA EUROPEAN CINEMATOGRAPHER AWARD 2008

-Luca Bigazzi for “Il Divo”

-Oscar Faura for “El Orfanato” (The Orphanage)

-Marco Onorato for “Gomorra” (Gomorrah)

-Sergey Trofimov & Rogier Stoffers for “Mongol”
EUROPEAN FILM ACADEMY PRIX D’EXCELLENCE 2008

-Marton Agh for production design, “Delta”Magdalena Biedrzycka for costume design, “Katyn”Laurence Briaud for editing, “Un Conte de Noel”Petter Fladeby for sound design, “O’Horten”
EUROPEAN COMPOSER 2008

-Tuur Florizoone for “Aanrijding in Moscou” (Moscow, Belgium)

-Dario Marianelli for “Atonement”

-Max Richter for “Waltz With Bashir”

-Fernando Velazquez for “El Orfanato” (The Orphanage)
EUROPEAN DISCOVERY 2008
-“Hunger,” UK, directed by Steve McQueenwritten by Enda Walsh & Steve McQueen
-“Snijeg” (Snow), Bosnia and Herzegovina / Germany / France / Iran, directed by Aida Begiwritten by Aida Begi and Elma Tataragi
-“Tatil Kitabi” (Summer Book), Turkey, written and directed by Seyfi Teoman
-“Tulpan,” Germany / Switzerland / Kazakhstan / Russia / Poland, directed by Sergey Dvortsevoywritten by Sergey Dvortsevoy and Gennady Ostrovskiy
-Previously announced award recipients will include the Prix Eurimages to producers Vibeke Windelov from Scandinavia and Bettina Brokemper from Germany, and honorary awards to Dame Judi Dench and Dogma founders Soren Kragh-Jacobsen, Kristian Levring, Lars von Trier, and Thomas Vinterberg.
-The Prix Arte for best documentary will be presented to Helena Trestikova’s “Rene” from the Czech Republic.

A Film About Obama Already?

So it seems, according to this report in Variety:

-Days after the election of Barack Obama, HBO has paid low seven figures for U.S. TV rights to Amy Rice and Alicia Sams' untitled docu on the senator's presidential run.
Rice brought the idea to Edward Norton and his Class 5 Films banner in 2006. Norton secured cooperation with Obama and has had cameras rolling ever since, capturing his 2006 trip to Africa and his 2007 presidential announcement (Daily Variety, March 11). The production has had close access to Obama as well as his family, friends, campaign staff and volunteers.
Shooting will continue through the inauguration. Sam Pollard, who cut HBO's "When the Levees Broke" and "4 Little Girls," will keep editing for a 2009 preem.
"We believe this film will capture a tipping point in American history, when a new generation of leadership emerged and old prejudices were finally vaulted over," Norton said.
Pic is being produced by Norton, Stuart Blumberg and Bill Migliore with financing by Good, Green Film Co., Citi Prods. and Class 5 Films. Endeavor Independent head Graham Taylor and Andrew Hurwitz negociated with HBO on behalf of the filmmakers and are seeking a theatrical distrib.

-Definitely could be interesting, though I doubt it'll be too hard hitting...

Trailer for Pixar's Up!

Some actual footage from the film....


-opinions?

Poster for The Boat That Rocked!

Richard Curtis last gave us "Love, Actually" so anything he's doing right now excited me. How bout you?

It's coming....

Steven Spielberg and Will Smith to Unite on a Remake of Oldboy?

Seems like it could happen, according to Variety:

Steven Spielberg and Will Smith are in early discussions to collaborate on a remake of Chan Wook-park's "Oldboy." DreamWorks is in the process of securing the remake rights, and the new pic will be distributed by Universal.
In the 2003 Korean original, a man gets kidnapped and held in a shabby cell for 15 years without explanation. Suddenly, he's released and given money, a cell phone and clothes and is set on a path to discover who destroyed his life so he can take revenge.
Spielberg had been looking for an opportunity to make a film with Smith, who would play the kidnapped man if all the pieces fall into place. Spielberg is looking for a writer to begin the development process.
The film was originally set at U and then found its way to Mandate.
Spielberg is next expected to direct "Tintin."

-It's still very early in the process, but does this excite you?

Full Trailer for Marley and Me

The Oscar Race meets The Presidential Race...

A nice change of pace, I think

Barack Obama, Willie Stark, and Populism

I decided to watch All the King's Men (1949) again, which chronicles the rise and fall of Willie Stark. If you haven't had a chance to read the book or watch the film (not this one), then I highly recommend. Aside from the obvious parallels between Stark and Obama (both ran on a slightly populist platforms, both started off as "innocent" lawyers outside of politics, both believe in wealth redistribution to some degree), the only thing I want to point out is that people should be wary of politicians, especially those who are insanely popular. I don't think Obama will end up like Willie Stark, but if a politician becomes too popular, we may "neglect" to criticize him. History or not, he is the leader of our nation, and he should be held accountable for all that he does (good or bad). He is a human being like the rest of us, so always keep a degree of skepticism about him. It's the only reasonable way to judge a person.

Bandaras to play Dali?

Seems so, as this report in Variety reads:

-Antonio Banderas is in final negotiations to play Salvador Dali in the Simon West-helmed indie biopic "Dali."
Media 8 Entertainment ("Monster") is producing alongside West's shingle, which has been developing the project since 2003, when West optioned the feature film rights to Jeremy Walters' spec script for low- to mid-six figures.
Film will blend music with CGI sequences in an effort to capture the inventiveness and color of the painter. Story will explore how Dali conquered America and the world with sex, sin and surrealism only to succumb later to worldwide scandal and misfortune.
At least two other Dali biopics are in the works: Al Pacino is attached to play the artist in "Dali & I: The Surreal Story," with Andrew Niccol directing; and "Twilight's" Robert Pattinson stars as Dali in the upcoming "Little Ashes," which chronicles the young life and loves of the painter as well as filmmaker Luis Bunuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca.
West is producing "Dali" alongside Jib Polhemus ("Lara Croft: Tomb Raider"). Media 8 is handling worldwide sales, with pre-sales beginning this week at the American Film Market.
Media 8 has already sold the film in Eastern Europe to Revolutionary Releasing, which is comprised of some of the territory's leading companies, including Monolith, Blitz, Bonton, Forum and MediaPro.
West added that the project will focus not only on Dali's outrageous lifestyle but his lifelong love affair with Gala, his wife, muse and manipulative manager.
Shooting is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2009 in Spain and England. The film will be an international co-production.

-Thoughts?

RIP Michael Crichton

Variety has the obituary:
John Michael Crichton, director, screenwriter and bestselling author of sci-fi thrillers that inspired some of Hollywood's most popular movies and TV shows, including "Jurassic Park" and "The Andromeda Strain," died of cancer Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 66.
Crichton received numerous awards across genres and forms for his work and was Emmy nommed eight times for drama series for "ER," winning one Emmy in 1996. He was also part of a team that won a 1995 technical achievement Oscar for developing computerized motion picture budgeting.
"He was the greatest at blending science with big theatrical concepts, which is what gave credibility to dinosaurs again walking the earth," said "Jurassic Park" helmer Steven Spielberg. "In the early days, Michael had just sold 'The Andromeda Strain' to Robert Wise at Universal, and I had recently signed on as a contract TV director there. Michael was a gentle soul who reserved his flamboyant side for his novels."
Movies based on Crichton's stories and screenplays were frequently financially successful: "Jurassic Park" remains the 13th highest grossing film in history, while "Twister" (which Crichton co-wrote) and "The Lost World" sit at Nos. 53 and 60 respectively.
"Michael Crichton was a modern-day Renaissance man," said NBC Universal prexy Jeff Zucker. "He was a physician, writer, director and producer -- few people have done so many things so well. As creator and producer of NBC's 'ER,' he helped change the face of televised drama."
Early in his career, Crichton directed his own screenplays, including 1979 Sean Connery starrer "The First Great Train Robbery," which he wrote, directed and adapted from his own novel; and 1973's "Westworld." He was also director and screenwriter of "Coma," based on the Robin Cook novel.
Born in Chicago, Crichton was raised in Roslyn, Long Island, N.Y., and graduated summa cum laude from Harvard in 1964. In a decision that would inform much of his writing, he chose to attend Harvard Medical School and obtained his medical doctorate in 1969. Throughout his education, he wrote under various pseudonyms, including Jeffery Hudson, the name that appears on "A Case of Need." The writer was uncommonly tall at 6 feet 9 inches. He married five times and divorced four.
In his later years, Crichton broke with popular opinion on the subject of global warming, addressing what he saw as hysteria around the issue in his 2004 novel "State of Fear." Perhaps because of similar views on the topic, Crichton was also one of the few novelists to get along well with President Bush.
Crichton's stories often chronicled disaster and systematic breakdown, frequently using a big, action-packed narrative like the rampaging dinosaurs of "Jurassic Park" to explain such complicated concepts as chaos theory. In person and in print, Crichton advocated for the literary merits of science fiction writers, leaping to the defense of writer Kurt Vonnegut in the pages of the New Republic.
Published by HarperCollins since his 2002 thriller "Prey," Crichton was working on another novel during the illness before his death. HarperCollins' Jonathan Burnham said it was unknown whether the book could be published posthumously, since the writer never discussed his work before it was completed. "He was truly a unique talent," Burnham said. "A visionary thinker, a writer whose range of intellectual passion and curiosity was vast and a great and generous entertainer."
He is survived by his wife, Sherri, and daughter Taylor.

New Trailer for The Tale of Despereaux!

-could this challenge WALL-E? Probably not, but who knows...

Congratulations President Obama!

Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States, and we all congratulate him. Whatever side of the political spectrum you fall on, this was a night for the history books and something to tell the grandkids about!

After You VOTE, Check Out This Weeks DVD Releases!

Again, I can not stress the need to vote enough, but aside from that, we do have some films coming out on DVD this week that are worth checking out. My PICK OF THE WEEK is a throwback type of film. It's:

Transsiberian

Reminiscent of Hitchcock and just a solid film overall, Brad Anderson's followup to The Machinist is an engrossing film that also is superbly acted. Check it out this mystery on a train and enjoy.

-Also out we have Get Smart, which is better than we had any right to expect it to be, The latest Futurama movie called Futurama: Bender's Game, the melodrama When Did You Last See Your Father, and Flashbacks of a Fool, a surprisingly good movie starring Daniel Craig in a role far removed from Bond. All are solid and worth a look.

-For my Vintage picks, I'm going with a collage of politcal themed films. Feel free to choose from any of the following: Primary Colors, Dave, The Contender, Bobby, Goodnight and Good Luck, JFK, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. All are worthy, but also be sure to watch the results come in tonight!

-Happy election day!

PLEASE VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a friendly reminder to get out today and make your voice heard. Whether you support Obama or McCain or Nader or Mickey Mouse, just make sure you exercise your right to vote!

Wendy and Lucy Poster

Something about this film strikes me as having a chance to really propel Michelle Williams even farther than she already has gone...perhaps even to her first Oscar?

Confessions of a Shopaholic Trailer

-Isla Fisher poised to be the next chick flick queen??

Adam Resurrected Poster

Paul Schrader's latest film could be a Best Actor Dark Horse if it comes out this year...Jeff Goldblum FYC?

Trailer for The Class

-The big winner at Cannes, can it be a player for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars this year?

New Trailer for Australia!

-Thoughts?

Certainty in Oscar Prognostication

Certainty in predicting? That is surely an oxymoron, but at this point of the race, there seems to be a few certainties. By certainty, I mean I am about 85 percent sure this will happen, so I'm not certain at all, but who cares right? As it stands, I think the these five things will certainly occur in this year's Oscar race:

1. Heath Ledger will get nominated for an Oscar.

This is one of the few "locks" of the year. I don't think anyone (save this kid) is doubting Heath Ledger's Oscar chances. His chances of getting a nod are similar to this guy losing his mind on Tuesday.

2. Wall-E will win the Best Picture....in animation!

I'm not sold on its Best Picture chances, but it is certain to win the Best Animated Feature. Its been a lock since June, and the other potential competitors don't seem to offer the competition sufficient to dethrone Wall-e.

3. Kate Winslet will get nominated for Best Actress (Revolutionary Road or the Reader).

First, She's Kate Winslet. Plus, both movies look really good on the strength of her performance. The Academy loves her (and rightfully so) . The only thing standing in her way of a win is time and these ladies.

4. There will be a wrestler in the Best Acting category.

Not this guy, but Micky Rourke. It will be the perfect redemption story, save the redemption of my fellow Duke alum.

5. Chris Tucker will not get nominated for anything, ever.

Primarily because he's not in anything this year. But, if he was in anything, he still would not get nominated because he's played in the same movie for the last 8 years.

Any more certainties in this year's race?

The Reader Trailer

At first, I was not expecting much out of this, but from what I see, it looks incredibly good. This has to be Kate's year, or else. Thoughts?

Valkyrie Final Trailer

Thoughts?