FILM LOVERS R SICK PEOPLE

Monkey Time

2007-07-13T01:50:00.000-04:00

I have decided to take a completely wrong(different) turn on this blog. Instead of a blog about the cinema (all my serious review work can still be found at my site) this is now a blog about nothing and/or everything.

In honour of that, here is a picture of my monkey. Okay, actually it's a shot of an e-bay auction selling off a similar monkey to my own childhood friend. This one is in much much better shape - and he still has a banana (don't ask).

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More shall come in the future so stay tuned Earthlings...

I am a Media Whore !!!

2006-08-09T00:17:00.000-04:00

Being the Media Whore that I am (and I even capitalized it) and that my wife says I am (and I agree), I am once again quoted in the Harrisburg Patriot-News. This is the second article this Summer that I have quotes in - and who says I'm not famous !!? The first article can be read HERE.

It's a short quote, but here is the article anyway. It's about reaction to the new World Trade Center film opening to-morrow. My review of said film can be read HERE. So read on, I am about two thirds of the way down the article (and it's highlighted in bleu). The article is by fellow critics, Li Wang and Mary Klaus.

For 9/11 rescuers, 'World Trade Center' proves 'EMOTIONAL'

Is it too soon for a 9/11 film set in New York? And who is going to go see it?

Those are questions surrounding Oliver Stone's "World Trade Center," opening today. Unlike "United 93," the first major studio movie about Sept. 11, 2001, Stone's film, starring Nicolas Cage, focuses on two Port Authority police officers who were among the first responders to the scene.

Three members of Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, dispatched to New York City hours after the terrorist attacks, said it's not too soon for the film.

Harrisburg Bureau of Fire Lt. Donald Chesbro, Capt. Jeff Snyder and firefighter Nelson Powden II spent a week searching for survivors at the World Trade Center. They found only bodies.

Chesbro has seen the movie and called it "fairly realistic."

"It brought back a lot of memories," Chesbro said. "Ground zero looked like a war zone with a haze of thick dust, vehicles overturned, car alarms going off in crushed cars and steelworkers using torches to cut steel beams."

"The movie isn't as gory as people might expect," he said. "Some of it is very subtle. You hear people jumping out of the towers, but if you don't know what the noise is, you won't pick up on it."

Chesbro criticized the movie for "making it look like the Port Authority Police handled the whole thing. It doesn't show much of the firefighters." He said a part about a former Connecticut Marine donning his uniform, showing up at the World Trade Center and finding one of the trapped police officers seemed "far-fetched."

But he praised its depiction of the "human side" of the rescue attempts and the depiction of the families of the trapped police officers.

"For someone involved in the rescue, it's emotional," Chesbro said. "I think it will be a movie like 'Ladder 49,' something the general public may not latch onto, but firefighters and emergency workers will. I recommend it."

Snyder and Powden said they plan to see it. "I'd like to see how true they portrayed the event," Snyder said. "But I have a problem with any movie that makes a profit off of someone's loss."

Powden wants to see the movie "when I'm by myself. I think it will dredge up a lot of painful memories. I heard it's pretty true to life. I don't have nightmares, but it's very vivid, like it happened just yesterday."

"It's hard to believe that it's been five years," Snyder said.

Much is at stake for Viacom Inc.-owned Paramount with "World Trade Center," which cost $63 million to make. To break even, the studio needs the film to reach a broader audience than did Universal Pictures' lower-budget "United 93," which grossed $31.5 million at the box office.

An unconventional marketing effort has been launched to sell the film, such as multiple pre-release screenings, including five in the midstate. Local law enforcement, fire fighters and EMS teams were the primary invitees.

Local film critic Kevyn Knox of thecinematheque.com saw the film two weeks ago with his wife, Amy. The usually hard-to-please Knox was impressed. "I was surprised at how much restraint was used," he said.

Regular filmgoer Nathan DeMuro of Harrisburg said he was planning to stay away from "World Trade Center."

"I feel that we're in the midst of a war that was started by the events of that day and that there's so much turmoil in the world right now, the last thing we need to do is beat a dead horse," he said. "I know the movie is about the courage of the day, but I still think it's a little too early."

One of the film's producers, Michael Shamberg, said Paramount is targeting teens, an unusual tactic with a historical film, because many who are in their teens were children on 9/11. Teens also happen to have a heavy influence on box-office figures.

Efforts to connect with youths include TV ads with "Fix You" by the rock band Coldplay playing. A voiceover proclaims, "Every generation has a defining moment." The screen goes black and three words appear: "This was ours." The movie is also Stone's first PG-13 rated film.

The marketing efforts also emphasize the uplifting, emotional and inspirational aspects of the story. A film poster reads, "A True Story of Courage and Survival."

So far, the pre-release screenings have made a favorable impression with conservative groups, a sector that is usually at odds with the conspiratorial tone that has marked Stone's previous work, such as "JFK" and "Nixon." The conservative media watchdog group Media Research Center called the movie "a masterpiece."

Blog blog blog and blog back...

2006-07-29T00:45:00.000-04:00

Just today, I was browsing through our local paper's daily entertainment website and came across a blog on there. It had an article (so to speak) about Daniel "Harry Potter" Radcliffe and his new role in Equus (where he does indeed go bareback for one scene). This seemed to have disturbed their regular blogmeister. This is what she had to say:

Naked Harry Potter?
Is anyone else disturbed by this: Naked Role for Harry Potter?

I'm sorry but that's the last thing I want to see. It totally destroys the conception that I have of that kid. I don't know if I will be able to watch the 'Harry Potter' flicks again.

This particular role is pretty controversial; the play's name is 'Equus'. I won't get into the nitty gritty, but it involves horses, sex and violence...the play is essentially a fairly disturbing commentary on what is 'normal' in society.

There's a certain innocence that is annihilated with this news. I know the actor has a career to think about and he's showing some depth, but, man, wait until they kick you off of the films to do that artsy crap.

My response was this:

Just the fact that you used the term "artsy crap" tells me something about your obvious commoner mindset, so it comes as no surprise to find that someone exploring a deeper acting challange than waving a wand about in some overwrought kiddie flick would offend your blantantly pedestrian tatses.

Sorry to inform you, but he is NOT Harry Potter, he is an actor who will take on many roles in his lifetime (some in "artsy crap" and some in Hollywoody Plebian pieces for you sheep that cannot think past prime time reality TV drudge) whether you want him to or not.

Her response was then this:

My main point would be that the machinery fueling Daniel Radcliffe's career is Harry Potter. He would not have the huge amount of opportunities to do the work he is doing now, if not for the 'Harry Potter' series.

A lot of money went into his career, therefore, like many child actors (often tragically) - until he comes out with something as successful as 'Harry Potter' (or more respectable for that matter) - iconically, he is Harry Potter.

Sorry, but I am going to give credit to the Hollywood pack of sheep that created him and perpetuated his career. I have no shame admitting that I did enjoy the films along with the masses and that I will continue to go see the subsequent films. They're pretty solid pieces in my opinion; the fact that they have a good plot and characterization is enough to suit me considering the choices we've had at the box office lately.

I agree that the lack of substantial films is frustrating and it's great that he's expanding his repertoire, but you pay your dues and attribute your successes (at least that's my motto).

And I do like 'artsy' films, but I find 'Equus' disturbing. While I can appreciate its honesty and message, I wouldn't want to see it. I would prefer to spend my time with other indy pieces.

Then me again:

You are right about "the machinery fueling" Mr. Radcliffe's career and I can see the idea of that said machinery taking a dislike to this particular role.

To cite a somewhat off-the-mark point, hafter Leo DiCaprio did Romeo + Juliet, the film that turned him into a teen upstart, and then Titanic, the film that drove him from teen upstart to true blue super mega star, a film he had done a few years before was (for the first time) put onto dvd. It was the film, Total Eclipse, wherein he plays the tortured gay poet Rimbaud. There were several scenes in the film that would have greatly distressed his legion of adoring teenage girl fans (mainly brutally sexual scenes of sodomy) but for the most part, the people that would see Titanic and love it were not the same fans that would see a small independant half-Brit hybrid film such as Total Eclipse.

This is of course not the same scenario, and the only reason - due mainly to the rather disturbing imagery of Equus (and yes it IS disturbing) - the paths of Potter fans and those who will see Equus would cross would be the media-hyped connection of Radcliffe.

This probably won't effect the Potter franchise as much as we might think, and anyway, starting with the next film (and I suppose a little with this last one) things at Hogwarts will be getting a lot darker.

As for "the sheep" that I spoke of, I do tend to get rather high-handed at times and probably should be knocked down every once and a while (although I'm sure I'll just climb right on back up again). I did "enjoy" the films for the most part. For children's films they really weren't all the poorly done, but my tastes usually go toward the Tarkovsky, Bresson, Bergman side of things and tend to be a little on the dark, moody side in general.

As for you thanking me for being polite, I reread what I had written and I must say I didn't come off very polite at all (all that high-handed pretention I harbour), but thank you for thinking so - and I truly meant NO HARM in what I did say.

Thanx for listening,
Kevyn Knox

Lady in the Water ???????????

2006-07-23T04:12:00.000-04:00

I finally put away my lollygagging ways and went to see M. Night Shambalamba's Lady in the Water last night. I haven't posted my review yet (although it should be up on my site by Monday sometime) but here is an e-mail I had sent out just after seeing the film. I believe it gathers my albeit raw thoughts pretty clearly.

I have heard nothing but bad press about Lady in the Water - even M. Night Shambalamba is having second thoughts - and I knew as soon as I receiv'd my friend's e-mail I had to go see for myself dammit (fist hitting desktop in dramatic flair) - so mere seconds after I read his "Hey man, I just saw Lady in the Water and I just want you to know it sucked balls. You may know this already but just in case....it sucked balls." comment on the e-mail I got up, found my hat and made the movie in seconds flat.

My opinion on seeing it? He (so eloquently) said it "sucked balls" and I am going to have to disagree with that assertation and say this about it: "It sucked big fat donkey balls god damn it!!!".

Jesus Christ I cannot believe how insanely ridiculous this film is. It fucking flabbergasts me. One expects certain films to be bad (slasher films, straight-to-video thingees, teen sex romps, Wayans Bros. movies, B-Grade horror et cetera) but one could never be ready for the stupidity of a filmmaker that should know better.

I have never been a Shamalamadingdong fan - I have never liked one of his films, but I have never disliked any either (until tonight of course). Full of some of the most ridiculous dialogue this side of a carnival sideshow fortune teller act and some of the most ham-handed acting this side of an Ed Wood film. Jesus Christ this was bad.

I'm not even sure how to review a film this shockingly stupid. How do I do it god dammit!? (like this I suppose). Of course some critics (and you know who you are) seemed to have like the film, so I am even doubly bumfuzzled now...

The Top 5 Project is Baaaaaack!!!!!!

2006-07-13T18:36:00.000-04:00

Hello there true believers (a little Stan Lee moment for ya). After a long time away from Blogsville, it apperas as if I am back. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, The Top 5 Project - that little parlor game that took the Summer of '05 by veritable storm - is also back, with all new topics such as Top 5 First Films and last week's Top 5 Road Movies.

Many noted film critics and scholars have been participating and you can too be going over to The Cinematheque and naming your Top 5 Films set in New York (the current week's topic).

What the Top 5 Project essentially is, is a way to see what others are thinking about cinema - at least from a purely list-making perspective (although there is some commentary to go with). What I am proposing over here in Blogsville is more of a dialogue on the subjects being breached over at The Top 5 Project. A place for cinephiles and the like to exchange ideas, views, theories and perhaps even smack talk about the various Top 5 topics.

In starting us off, since this last week was The Top 5 Road Movies, let us look at a recent comment I recieved via e-mail about the final results (of which you can see here). So it goes.

Comments on the previous list - top 5 road movies: The nominees/results don't have well-defined boundaries. "Road movies" was mixed with "allegory movies". Examples of the latter: "Men With Guns", "The Searchers", "Apocalypse Now", "Lost Highway" (cat.: acid-trip/mind-f^%k/neo noir), "Grapes of Wrath" (this prompted me to write these comments).

Perhaps a "road movie" could be defined as a film that contains at least 50% running time depicting or implying movement towards an unintended physical location.

The previous comments were from Khoo Guan Soon, an Adjunct Faculty Member in Communications at Susquehanna University in PA, and a semi-regular contributor to The Top 5 Project (as well as a participant in the somewhat related Top 10 Project - check that out too).

So there you go, the possible beginnings of a cinematically-obsessed dialogue here in Blogsville. Send in your own thoughts and comments - either in the comments section of the blog or via e-mail at kevynknox@thecinematheque.com.

The AFI is Mocked Again (good!!)

2006-06-27T00:48:00.000-04:00

To go along with my recent rants (and subsequent quotiness in the newspaper) against the AFI and their annual inspid list-mongering, here is a little someting from ReverseBlog, the Reverse Shot Blog.

In other news, I'll be heading to New York on Thursday and I'll bring back reviews on Lower City from Brasilia and The Forsaken Land from Sri Lanka - as well as maybe some random thoughts on Austrian-born avant-gardist Peter Kubelka (all six of his films will play at Anthology Archives on Thursday).

I was quoted in the newspaper...that proves I'm important dammitt!!

2006-06-16T01:12:00.000-04:00

A few posts back, I put up my response to a question of what I thought of the AFI, and their annual lists. The entire diatribe can be read HERE. The results of that e-mail can be seen in several quotes in a recent article published in our local rag, The Harrisburg Patriot-News. There are also quotes from Caleb Smith and Todd Shill, both local Film Experts (and friends). Here is the whole article, written by Colin McEvoy.

AFI: 'Most inspiring films' list inspires some local dissent

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

by Colin McEvoy of The Patriot-News

Whether through an underdog boxer from the streets of Philadelphia, a man on a bench with a box of chocolates, or Julia Roberts fighting the powers-that-be in a push-up bra, we've all been inspired by the movies at one point or another.

In its ninth annual series celebrating the first century of cinema, the American Film Institute will honor the films that have emboldened and invigorated with "100 Years...100 Cheers," a list of what it calls the 100 most inspiring movies of the last century.

"'100 Years ... 100 Cheers' will celebrate the films that inspire us, encourage us to make a difference and send us from the theatre with a greater sense of possibility and hope for the future," said Jean Picker Firstenberg, AFI director, who will be retiring next year.

The list, to be televised at 8 tonight on CBS, will feature such film figures as Steven Spielberg, Jane Fonda, Sally Field and Sidney Poitier presenting, in ascending chronological order, the movies selected by a jury of 1,500 film artists, critics and historians.

While local film experts are mixed in their response to the AFI and its latest list, all agree with the motion picture's capacity to inspire.

"Films that inspire me are those that take the audience to places where people act differently, think differently, and have a different perspective on world events," said Todd Shill, founder of Harrisburg's Midtown Cinema. "Those films remind you that our corner of the world is very small and that there is always a different point of view."

And while some films -- "The Wizard of Oz," "Schindler's List," "Rocky," "It's a Wonderful Life" -- are all but guaranteed a spot in the top 10, some fans of cinema are hoping at least a few more contemporary films make the bill.

"There are many newer films and filmmakers who are going beyond the filmmaking boundaries in both image and storytelling," said Caleb Smith, program director of local arts organization Moviate, citing such movies as "Magnolia" and "The Royal Tannenbaums".

"[These] are two examples of modern inspiration, people dealing with inner turmoil and public issues, and then learning from their experience and overcoming problems."

But these films, as well as others Smith mentioned including "Lost in Translation" and "Broken Flowers," were not among the 300 films nominated for the list.

Kevyn Knox, a local film critic and operator of thecinematheque.com, said this is typical of the AFI.

Knox said the main purpose of the list programs are to sell DVDs and that the Institute ignores independent and lesser-known but worthy films in favor of Hollywood products.

"The AFI gives no regard for many of the obscure great films and filmmakers of American cinematic history," Knox said.

"Everyone knows of 'Star Wars', why do we need to hear about it again? But not many have seen 'Greed,' so why not let them in on that little secret bit of cinema?"

AFI officials defended the list series, saying that the AFI itself does not choose the movies, but that they are selected from a jury of more than a thousand "leaders from the creative community," who may also register write-in votes for films not among the 300 nominees.

The Wednesday program will be the ninth in the AFI's "100 Years..." series.

Previous lists included "100 Years of Film Scores," "100 Movie Quotes," "100 Heroes & Villains," "100 Passions," "100 Thrills," "100 Laughs" and "100 Stars" and "100 Movies."

Something to chew on !!?

2006-06-16T00:51:00.000-04:00

A few weeks back - actually over a month ago - I saw and then reviewed the film Silent Hill. At several points in the review I made mention of how I perceive those "gamers" that the film was styled toward. It wasn't exactly a glowing perception, in fact what I said was:

Silent Hill is just about everything one might expect from a movie based upon a video game - a style over substance exuberance fit perfectly for the rather philistine mindset of those who typically play video games - and I am sure the genre itself would not allow anything else. Silent Hill also fits in perfectly typical Christophe Gans style - as in his previous film, Le Pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) - all guts and no glory - a visually stylized slap in the face with no real meaning or essentiality behind said slap.

I also said, in closing:

Never understanding people's fascination with video games - I realize I don't enjoy mindless entertainment, but I can never fathom why others do - I suppose I'll never truly be enthralled by things such as Silent Hill, and that is just alright with me.

I never said I wasn't a pompous ass.

Anyway, I had gotten a short e-mail response to said review, which I will reveal here (name of author removed to protect the innocent (or guilty)):

I'm not exactly sure what type of interaction you have with individuals that identify themselves as "gamers" but being a person who regularly plays video games and regularly talks with other "gamers" I find that most are not typically smug or ignorant, at least no more than those who watch film. Despite that small gripe with your Silent Hill review I enjoyed reading it along with your other reviews. I'm also interested in seeing what films you select for your greatest films section. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint. ;)

Anway, I have no particular reason for showing this - I have no beef with the remark - I just thought it should be chronicled for any possible future archivist to easily unearth and put into The Collected Works of Kevyn Knox, Volume 3: Critiques of the Critiques.

I told you I was a pompous ass.

Will it be as good as the first ??

2006-06-12T22:43:00.000-04:00

I got to see the long-anticipated Clerks II earlier today and I have got to tell you...

Well, actually, thanks to professional courtesy, I can't actually tell you what I think until at least 24 hours prior to the film's release - which in this case is July 21st, 2006. So come back on the 20th and I'll tell you all about.

A teaser you ask? Okay, here goes: It sure ain't no Jersey Girl. There you go, see you soon!!

Meanwhile, check out other new reviews such as Lemming, Cavite, Changing Times and La Moustache - all coming sometime (hopefully) to-morrow night. Robert Altman's A Prairie Home Companion can be found on my site right now.

Bye bye for now...

AFI my Ass !!!

2006-06-06T21:57:00.000-04:00

I was recently asked for my opinions on the upcoming AFI Cheers List - the 100 Most Inspiring Movies - for an article in our local paper here in Harrisburg Pa (have I mentioned how eager I am to get the fuck out of here in into New York?!). Anyway, here was my e-mailed response:

As to the whole idea of the annual AFI lists in general, I must profess a rather strong distaste for them. Now don't get me wrong, I love making and compiling film lists - just look at my site (http://www.thecinematheque.com/) and you will see that - but the way the AFI goes about it is nothing short of a media-whored frenzy of marketing aimed directly toward those who know little or nothing about the art of cinema. Jonathan Rosenbaum, critic and resident film historian of the famed Chicago Reader, has said about the organization and it's lists: "...given its egregious industry ass kissing throughout its existence, I'm tempted to conclude that its only substantial contribution to film culture--American or global--was producing David Lynch's Eraserhead at its film school.".

You see, the whole idea of AFI's lists are to sell dvds. Every single title on every single AFI list so far is available on a studio-run dvd distribution company - every single one. I am not saying that many of their picks on previous lists are not good films (many are on my own personal Top 100 list), but their main problem is they ignore almost any cinema that is not Hollywood focused. Even the independents they choose are films like Pulp Fiction and Fargo, made substantially with Hollywood funding. I am also not saying that nothing good ever comes out of Hollywood, just look at Casablanca, The Godfather, Singin' in the Rain and On the Waterfront for affirmation of Hollywood's filmmaking prowess. What I am saying is that the AFI gives no regard for many of the more obscure (at least obscure to the common filmgoer) great films and filmmakers of American cinematic history, instead opting to tout those films - both good (Chinatown, Vertigo, All About Eve) and bad (Forrest Gump, Titanic) - that are already known to just about everyone in the modern world.

Where are filmmakers such as Cassavetes, Sturges, von Sternberg, King Vidor, Buster Keaton? Where are true American classics such as Intolerance or Sunrise?
Where are those films and filmmakers who are unknown to the masses? The same films and filmmakers that the AFI should be awarding with some sort of prestige, not just for their greatness - for that is a highly subjective thing anyway - but for the mere fact that they are relatively unknown to the masses. Everyone knows of Star Wars, why do we need to hear about it again, but not many have seen Greed, so why not let them in on that little secret bit of cinema?

To go back to Rosenbaum once more, in a statement he wrote on the occasion of the original AFI list (which aired in a spectacular pomp and circumstance extravaganza on CBS back in 1998): "Is the list simply a commercial ploy dreamed up by a consortium of marketers to repackage familiar goods, or is it a legitimate cultural contribution that's somehow supposed to improve the quality of our lives? (Are we still capable of distinguishing between the two?) If it's the former, then surely it qualifies as front-page news only if we're living in the equivalent of Stalinist Russia. If it's the latter, then why does the list contain so many movies that lie--about Vietnam (The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now), about racism (The Birth of a Nation, Taxi Driver, Pulp Fiction), about countless other matters? And why are so many of the entries aesthetically bland or worse while recapitulating all the worst habits of Hollywood self-infatuation, liberal (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner) as well as conservative (Forrest Gump)? Shane is bad enough, but why did Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid make the cut, along with (choke) Dances With Wolves? I yield to no one in my love for James Cagney, but did he ever make a less bearable picture than Yankee Doodle Dandy, the only Cagney vehicle on the list?".

So, I suppose I am saying that I have no desire to delve very deep into the waters of the AFI. I suppose if I were pushed into a corner and asked which films I believe would top the list (and I must admit to not really being all that sure what the AFI means by "inspiring movies"), I would have to go with Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind, Schindler's List, Forrest Gump, It's a Wonderful Life, Titanic, High Noon, The Sound of Music and Rocky - some of which I liked, some of which I disliked and a few of which I hated (including one that I would have to call the worst film ever made - go ahead, guess which one).

As for my own personal Top 10? Off the top of my head, at 9:35 on a Tuesday evening, I would say (and I am sorry but I just can't leave it at American films only) Ordet, Ugetsu, La Passion de Jeanne d'arc, Sunrise, Gertrud, The Bicycle Thief, Wild Strawberries, The 400 Blows, A Man Escaped and The Gospel According to St. Matthew.

Other than that, I don't know what I can add. I realize this wasn't what you were looking for and it probably was just a way for me to soapbox about the woes of modern cinema and the dumbing down of America, but there you have it anyway.

If you ever want to talk about cinema (and I really do like many Hollywood films, no matter what the above rant may preclude) or do an article on foreign film and/or just film in general, please give me a ring/e-mail and we will converse about such things.

Until then, fin.

Kevyn Knox

Start spreading the news....

2006-06-04T13:38:00.000-04:00

Let's talk about me for a while, shall we?

Last December I began going to Philadelphia for press screenings - seeing, among others, Brokeback Mountain, The New World and King Kong - but ya know what...Philadelphia is a dead city. So my next logical step - especially considering my desire to pack up the wife and three cats and head up there - was to go to New York. Home of the Yankees (currently sitting atop the AL East by a half a game by the way) and pretty much anything else you could ever want.

Well now it is my new stomping ground for press screenings. My first such screening was Hou Hsiao-hsien's Three Times (his best film since Flowers of Shanghai) at the IFC Center. This past Thursday I discovered the Magno Review house (just off of Times Square). It is a wonderful place. All the critics hang out there. There are two theatres and a lounge overlooking 50th street. It has the potential of being my very own Algonquin Round Table, but I suppose I am romanticizing the whole thing a bit too much.

My main point is, that I am being added to all the invite lists for NYC screenings - thanks to some online diligence and the help of people such as Brad Balfour, the editor of timessquare.com, where I might have some of my reviews published in the near future - albeit in a somewhat dumbed-down version - I do tend to get rather obscurantist (that was how I was described recently). So let the fun begin. Next Thursday I'll be seeing Les Temps qui changent (Changing Times), the first film in over twenty-five years to pair Deneuve and Depardieu, and Vers le sud (Heading South), the new film by Laurent Cantet.

Meanwhile, my reviews are now coming at an alarming rapidity and I am at work on several essays (for hopeful publication in Film Comment, Film Quarterly and some other outlets) and also at work on my first book (about Béla Tarr). It looks as if my life as a critique/essayist is swimming along rather smoothly.

My goal? I want to be living in New York (with my lovely Poetess wife and three cute-as-kittens cats) and working as a film critic, Essayist + Historian full time (without having to have a "day job" like now) by my fortieth birthday. My fortieth birthday? July 2, 2007.

Well, enough about me. Go out there and rent a movie. My suggestion: Andrei Rublev.

The Cannes Jury has spoken...

2006-05-28T17:21:00.000-04:00

Although my new reviews have been coming at an alarming rapidity as of late - go over to my site to see new reviews on Bubble, Battle in Heaven, Police Beat, Suite Habana, DaVinci Code, Poseiden, I am a Sex Addict, L'Enfant et cetera) - I have not talked much over here at my (ever-so reluctant) blog. So here is something new - all the way from the Croisette in France.

Ken Loach - somewhat surprisingly - took the Palme d'or earlier this evening with his new film The Wind that Shakes the Barley. Pedro Almadovar's Volver (the one I originally guessed at taking the Palme d'or) went home with a best screenplay award, while Alejandro González IÑÁRRITU took home best Director for Babel. All the awards can be found over here.

That's enough for today, I've got to get to my own awards ceremony - I sit upon the Jury (for the third straight year) of the Harrisburg Film Festival. G'night.

The Oscar Predix are among us...

2006-05-03T00:21:00.000-04:00

I wanted to let everyone know that I have FINALLY begun my (poorly named) Year-in-Advance Oscar Predictions. Best Picture is already up and the rest of the categories will be appearing all throughout this week and next, so keep an eye out.

New Stuff Galore !!!

2006-04-23T11:38:00.000-04:00

Long time no see, huh?

Well, The Cinematheque is back babies!! After a multi-month sabatical, I have finally returned to my criticism. New reviews of The king, Hard Candy, The Proposition, Lady Vengeance, CSA, Drawing Restraint 9, The Notorious Bettie Page, Silent Hill, Clean, The Wayward Cloud, Three Times and L'Enfant can be found on my New Reviews page.

Coming within the next few weeks will be many more, such as Down in the Valley, Mouth to Mouth, Police Beat, Winter Passing, Friends with Money, Inside Man (a bit late but oh well), I am a Sex Addict, Sorry Haters, American Dreamz, The Sentinal, The Promise, Brick, Art School Confidential and Prairie Home Companion.

Other news you ask? Well, I went to my very first New York press screening last Thursday. I saw Hou Hsiao-hsien's Three Times (yet another great film in Hou's oeuvre, and my current number one film of 2006). This coming Thursday I will be in Philadelphia to see Robert Altman's latest, Prairie Home Companion. I'll be there with my friend (and Cinematheque correspondant) Albert H. Muth - who incidentally begged and cried on the phone until I said i would take him with me.

Well, that's about it for now, but be on the lookout for other new happenings at The Cinematheque, like updates to The Top Ten Project and my upcoming Early Bird Oscar Predictions, and if you delve deep enough into the very bowels of The Cinematheque, you will find my obsessive compulsive list-making - lists of all the films I've seen categorized by country of origin, by director, by theatre I saw them in and many others on the way. My Top 10 Vault will soon be updated as well, and of course don't forget to check out all my new reviews.

Oh, and by the way, in case you are one of those people (or a group of those people, hoping that there is more than just one person reading this) who care about these things, this is blog entry number 100. Blow out the candles and wish us a happy birthday.

The New is just around the Corner !!!

2006-03-30T16:53:00.000-05:00

After a few months of Oscar obsession or just plain dis-interest (and/or other things taking over my life for a while), I AM BACK - or at least soon.

Beginning next week, brand new reviews of such films as Clean, V For Vendetta, Inside Man, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, The Wayward Cloud, The Proposition, Wordplay, Hard Candy, American Dreamz and many others. Also, my coverage of the Philadelphia Film Festival and the new film by Matthew Barney (starring his wife Bjork - God she is beautiful !!)

Also updates to The Top 10 Project, as well as many other lists on The Cinematheque (my Top Ten Vault included) AND a quick (and early) look at next year's Oscar Race.

So check back next week (after my return from The Pez Convention in Connecticut - yes I said Pez Convention) for a hell of a lot of new things...

Is this a BAD Thing !!???

2006-03-20T15:37:00.000-05:00

You Are 80% Evil

You are very evil. And you're too evil to care.Those who love you probably also fear you. A lot.

How Evil Are You?

The Oscar Project is Upon Us !!

2006-03-13T22:54:00.000-05:00

There is a hell of a lot going on behind the scenes at The Cinematheque right now. Recently I came across a cinephile who is attempting to see EVERY film ever nominated for Best Picture (which btw, is 453 motion pictures). His lists can be found right here. This has inspired me to do the same (a thing I've wanted to accomplish for a long time now), so I'm going to sit down and see all of them this year. Yes I said this year. So far I have seen 222 [or 49%], but I plan on seeing all 222 of the previously viewed ones over again, leaving out this past year's crop and The Philadelphia Story, Casablanca & Annie Hall, since I've seen all of those recently and can check them off the list. which means I have just 445 to go (450, if I don't finish by January/February of 2007).

Combine this with my desire to rewatch all those canonical films before composing My Greatest Films List (and seeing those never before seen) AND still keeping up on new releases and review duty (a thing that after my usual February-Oscar-Countdown respite, I'll be starting up again very soon), I may have to see 750+ films this year in order to accomplish this feat. And if Ed Gonzalez can do 800+ a year, then so can I dammit (even with a slow start).

You can view my Oscar Project page over at The Cinematheque right now, but it is still under a (wee) bit of construction, so please forgive me (for now). As I alluded to above, new reviews will be coming soon as well, so watch out for those.

It's not that bad guys...

2006-03-06T21:47:00.000-05:00

Here is what Ann Coulter - that leggy Right-Wing Skank - said about what some are calling "Black Sunday" (Oscar Night):

the snub of Brokeback and failure to award the suicide bombers' film an Oscar "a strategic retreat" by the left, and something normal Americans should find heartening.

Sure, some of the more conservative fuddy duddy's of The Academy may have voted a "straight" party line ticket, but I honestly do not think Brokeback's loss was due to anti-homosexual feelings in Hollywood. Crash was about L.A. The vast majority of AMPAS members live in and around L.A. Simple as that.

There are those (like the aforementioned Ms. Coulter) that believe Gayness to be a sentient form of evil, and there are those that make a joke out of Brokeback Mountain (even Heath Ledger has guffawed and giggled at the film) when making a joke about films such as Schindler's List and/or Do The Right Thing would have been (rightfully so) construed as racist, and there is a lot of backwards sliding going on after eight years of forward thinking (aka: the Clinton Years), but Crash's victory is most likely nothing more than The Academy having bad taste (although I liked the film, but only mildly). The Oscar rarely goes to the actual best picture. You have to go back to 1978 and The Deer Hunter to find the last time the Oscar went to the film I actually thought was the best of the five nominees.

In conclusion - and then we can all go on to the future - I will say that obvious Homophobia did play a part in Crash's victory (never has such a runaway frontrunner not won), it's not the only factor. Let's all get the fuck over it and move the fuck on !!!

Next up for me? My long-awaited and greatly procrastinated Greatest Films List will find it's way to The Cinematheque this coming Summer, but first I am going back and taking second looks at most of the films I think belong in such a grandiose list, as well as seeing those films I have yet to see (that any self-respecting Cinephile needs to see). All this will be done on my new LCD widescreen TV of course. But not to worry, I will still be doing reviews of the latest releases (a thing I have been sorely lackadaisical about as of late). Also The Top 10 Project keeps going, so join in on that if you so wish, and I'll see you later.

Rocky & Crash: Two Peas in a Pod !!

2006-03-06T01:25:00.000-05:00

By the way, Crash becomes the first film since Rocky way back in 1976 to win Best Picture with only three total awards...and at least that took Best Director too.

Crash wins BP !!??

2006-03-05T23:47:00.000-05:00

WHAT THE HELL !!??

I suppose it's no real surprise to see that a gay love story would not be given Best Picture. But I do always claim I want there to be a surprise at The Oscars and this definately was one (although I came this close to predicting it last week before sticking with BBM) - even Jack Nicholson looked shocked (he mouthed wow after announcing it). In the end Crash, BBM, Geisha and Kong all win three awards apiece (I'm going to have to check the stat books on that one). Highlights of the night include the gay western montage, George Clooney's speech and - of course - Meryl & Lily's introduction to Robert Altman.

Oh yeah, my total predix score? 16 out of 24 [or 67%]. I beat all my competition (as you can read at The Oscar Showdown Page), although Albert H. Muth does invoke some "delusional" rule where I cannot be deemed victor without also picking BP (he got 15 right - including picking Crash) - and he claims victory. I guess we have to count all the hanging chads to have an official victor.

To-morrow night (I have to work an entire eight hour shift to-morrow, unlike my normal five and a half) I will be posting my Year-in-Advance Oscar Predix for 2006/2007. They will be over at The Cinematheque sometime to-morrow night.

Good Night, and Good ... well, you know...

Brokeback Wins Cinematheque Oscar Poll !!!

2006-03-05T17:02:00.000-05:00

First off, as expected, Brokeback Mountain takes home our final Oscar Poll with a grand total of 10 votes (or 71%) - the largest margain of victory in any of the five polls. Second place goes to Good Night, and Good Luck. with 2 votes (or 14%). Third was a tie between Capote and Crash, each with a single vote (or 7%). Munich recieved no votes at all.

Secondly, my FINAL PREDIX have been posted over at The Cinematheque (and they are listed at the end of this posting). Also over at The Cinematheque is The Oscar Showdown - the annual battle between myself, my wife and our friend Bert. Right now I am still waiting on my opponents pix, but they will all be up before the show begins, so remember to check back later.

MY PREDIX:

Picture: Brokeback Mountain

Director: Ang Lee, BBM

Actress: Reese Witherspoon, WtL

Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote

Supp Actress: Rachel Weisz, Gardener

Supp Actor: George Clooney, GN&GL

O. Screenplay: Crash

A. Screenplay: Brokeback Mountain

Cinematog: Brokeback Mountain

Art Direction: Memoirs of a Geisha

Editing: Crash

Score: Memoirs of a Geisha

Song: Transamerica

Costumes: Memoirs of a Geisha

Make-up: Narnia

Sound: Walk the Line

Sound F/X: King Kong

Visual F/X: King Kong

Foreign: Tsotsi

Docum: March of the Penguins

Animated: Wallace & Gromit

Anim Short: One Man Band

Docum Short: God Sleeps in Rwanda

Live Action Short: Ausreisser

Final Oscar Predix !!!

2006-03-05T00:18:00.000-05:00

My final predictions are up over at my site. For the most part these are pretty obvious choices, with only Editing, Song, Score, Sound and Foreign giving my some second thoughts. I wonder though if there will be any real surprises this year (unlike last year's bore-fest) ?? The one that comes right to mind is the possibility of Amy Adams pulling off Supporting Actress. I suppose we'll see to-morrow night (or actually later tonight). I'll be back with the results of the latest Oscar Poll on Sunday afternoon as well as my FINAL FINAL predictions (I still might change a couple) and the predictions of some fellow critics. Anyway, good night for now.

Heath beats out Philip for Best Actor at The Cinematheque Poll !!!

2006-03-02T13:38:00.000-05:00

Forget Philip Seymour Hoffman, it's Heath Ledger who takes the Cinematheque Oscar Poll victory, with 10 votes (or 53%) to P.S. Hoffman's 8 votes (or 42%). Although it doesn't look like the Oscar will go that way, Ledger has this to fall back on (and I'm sure he will send a thank you note any day now). Coming in third was David Strathairn with just one vote (or 5%). Joaquin Phoenix and Terrence Howard both end without any votes (or for the math-impaired amongst you, 0%).

And now, lastly, we come to Part 5 of our Oscar Poll - Best Picture !! The poll is up now over at The Cinematheque, and will be posted until Sunday afternoon, whence the final results shall be posted. Also coming Sunday afternoon will be my final predictions for Oscar Night (as well as the predix from my wife, the poet Jeanette Trout, Cinematheque Correspondant Albert H. Muth and Harrisburg Patriot-News Film Critic Li Wang). Monday I'll play armchair quarterback and give my thoughts and analysis on The Oscars. Coming Saturday will be the announcement of the Winners of the Second Annual Cinematheque Awards. Will Ledger pull off a victory there as well (not that his Oscar competition, Mr. Hoffman is even nominated)? Come back Saturday and find out.

Queen Reese Takes the Gold (at The Cinematheque) !!

2006-02-26T20:40:00.000-05:00

No real surprise here. Reese Witherspoon takes the Best Actress prize from you - the voting public. In Part 3 of our Oscar Poll, Witherspoon takes 50% of the votes (which is only 7 votes in our ever-weakening poll results). Coming in second was Keira Knightly with 36% (or 5 votes). Third goes to Dame Judi Dench with 14% (or 2 votes). Both Felicity Huffman and Charlize Theron went voteless in the round. Up now is Part 4 of our Oscar Poll (Best Actor), so get over there and vote now. Part 5 (Best Picture, sorry Directors, I'm skipping you this year due to a late start) will be posted on Wednesday night, so vote here while you still can. And remember, my final Oscar Predix will be posted sometime on Sunday afternoon (along with some other local Film Snobs) and I'll be back here (and on my Oscar Pages) with commentary on the Awards Night. Until then (except for putting up Part 5 of the Poll) I'll probably be in communicato. And rember VOTE VOTE VOTE !!!

Jake Gyllenhaal takes Best Supporting Actor, easily, over the Competition !!

2006-02-21T23:04:00.000-05:00

Okay, so we only had fourteen votes this time around (meanwhile Nate over at Film Experience had nearly 1000 votes for a poll that had the same amount of airtime - what the fuck!?). Anyway, here are the results, for what they're worth.

Jake Gyllenhaal won the round with six votes (or 43%). George Clooney came in second with three votes (or 21%). Both William Hurt and Paul Giamatti recieved two votes (or 14%) and Matt Dillon (somewhat surprisingly) brings up the rear with just one vote (or 7%).

Of course, with such a low vote total (due to, I can only imagine, hardly anyone out there giving a shit about my site - which is odd, considering I have many people "claiming" they regularly view my site) the results cannot be thought of as anywhere close to conclusive, but there they are anyway.

Part 3 of the Oscar Poll - "Who SHOULD Win Best Actress?" is up right now, so get over there and vote. Meanwhile congrats to Jake on his "win".

A Sad Time for US Cinema (even w/ The Oscars coming soon)

2006-02-21T22:35:00.000-05:00

To those of you out there that regularly read my site (www.thecinematheque.com) - if there are any of you (read my belly-achin' a few posts below) - I apologize (again) for my lack of much new upon the site lately. My mind has been elsewhere + this is the time of year that everyone is so obsessed about the Oscars (myself included), there isn't much time left for other cinematatic pursuits - even the studios put out their "junk" during this time of the year. How else can you explain Date Movie. But then the film is in second place currently at the box office. Which brings me to the (sad) fact that I will take myself to see this film. Their is a masochistic streak in me that makes me - against better judgement - seek out films such as this one. Call it a sociological experiement if you will (and Nate did), but I need to see it. I cannot help myself. It's horrible, and I am sure the film itself will be too. Why, oh why do so many of the commoners flock to films like this (and many others like it - i.e. Scary Movie) and more importantly, why do so many people like them ??? It may have something to do with the dumbing down of America (and the World), or it may just be one of those unanswerable ponderments that will never be solved. But alas, I will see it (probably Thursday evening), and I'm sure I'll despise it thoroughly too. At least I can take the punch and save my sweet Doodlebug from harm coming to her. I can say, I'll see it, while she's listening to Toni Morrison speak nearby, so she won't have to - not that she would (she's much smarter than I after all). Anyway, I'm going back to The Olympics now. I'll be back in an hour or two to release the results of Oscar Poll #2 (Will Jake keep his lead at the end, or can Clooney reach him in time?).

Only a few hours left...

2006-02-21T21:50:00.000-05:00

Only a few more hours left on The Oscar Poll - Part 2 (Best Supporting Actor). Jake is running away with it as of right now, but who knows how it shall end - but only if you vote, will it matter, so get out there and vote people. The Best Actress portion will follow in Part 3 later tonight.

Is anyone out there ???

2006-02-20T20:19:00.000-05:00

The Oscar Poll over at The Cinematheque is going even more poorly than I expected. Part one of the Poll ("Who SHOULD win Best Supporting Actress?") had only 20 responses. So far in Part 2 (Supporting Actor) there have been just 9 votes (5 of which have gone to Jake, and 1 each to the others). There is a similar poll over at Nate's Film Experience (up for about the same amount of time - four days) and there have been 857 votes so far !!??

I realize he has a bigger following - who knows if anyone is reading my stuff - but 9 to 857 ???!!! So if anyone out there is listening, vote dammit - don't let me look like I have no friends.

Rachel Weisz takes the Cinematheque Oscar Poll victory over Michelle Williams !!

2006-02-18T00:19:00.000-05:00

The results are in, and after twenty-six votes, Rachel Weisz beats out Michelle Williams, 42% to 35% (or 11 votes to 9). Amy Adams takes the bronze with 15% (4 votes) and Catherine Keener comes in fourth with 8% (or 2 votes). And poor Frances McDormand comes in last with a big fat 0% (or, for those of you who failed a lot of math classes back in school, 0 votes).

Part 2 of the Oscar Poll is up right now, otherwise known as "Who SHOULD win Best Supporting Actor?". Go over to the site and vote vote vote (actually you can only vote once per computer, but hey...). We only received twenty-six votes for Part 1, so tell all yr friends to vote too, so we can get those totals up. And remember, Part 2 will only be posted until Tuesday Night (whence Part 3 shall commence), so don't dawdle people.

Top 10 Project Updates + some other items on the horizon

2006-02-17T03:13:00.000-05:00

New things are afoot over at The Cinematheque.

First: The Top 10 Project - that seemingly defunct little never-ending Film Poll - is back. Six new lists have been added (that's 131 total now) to the "Master List". As of right now, Citizen Kane is leading the Film portion (by 50+ points over 2001: A Space Odyssey) and Alfred Hitchcock is leading the Auteur portion (but by a much smaller margain of nineteen and a half points over Kubrick). You can view all the results (including Top 10 Films and Directors, as well as lists of every film/director voted for, and all the individual lists from all 131 of our contributors - including many a commentary) over on the site, on The Top 10 Project. And if you don't like the results, send in your own list, for the Top 10 Project shall never end. As long as there is Cinema, the Project will carry on.

Second: Speaking of polls - the first part of our Oscar Poll ("Who SHOULD win Best Supporting Actress?") is about to close to make room for part 2 (Supporting Actor), so get your votes in quick, for tomorrow, part 2 will be put up, and you will have lost your chance to participate from the beginning. All results (of all five parts) will be posted both here and on the Oscar Pages over at The Cinematheque. Currently Rachel and Michelle are battling it out for first, with 35% of the votes each, followed by Amy Adams at 20%, Catherine at 10% and poor Frances yet to garner a vote. You can change the course of history by participating, so do it dammit!!!

And don't forget my Oscar Predix will be posted later this month as well as those predix of others near and dear to me (such as my wife, Cinematheque corrospondant Albert H. Muth and Patriot-News Film Critic Li Wang). You can check out the before look HERE, but don't worry, things will be filled in before the Oscars are handed out on March 5th.

Stay tuned...

The Cinematheque Nominations are finally up !!!

2006-02-15T23:48:00.000-05:00

FINALLY -- After weeks of procrastination and slacking, The Second Annual Cinematheque Awards Nominations have been announced. Sorry about the tardiness (I had originally proposed the nominations to be out by January 23rd - aaaahhhhhh!!). But nevertheless, they are up and running over on my site. The big winners? 2046 & Brokeback Mountain.

As for the first of five Oscar Polls over at The Cinematheque ("Who SHOULD win Best Supporting Actress?") : With sixteen votes in, Rachel Weisz is leading with 38%, followed by Amy Adams & Michelle Williams each at 25%. Catherine Keener is at 13%, while Frances McDormond has yet to garner a single vote. Only sixteen people have participated, but there is still time left. Part 2 (Best Supporting Actor) will be posted on Friday, but until then, make sure to vote in Part 1. All results will be posted both here and on my site.

Coming up next: Updates on the Top 10 Project and new reviews galore...

New Oscar Polls at The Cinematheque !!!!!

2006-02-13T20:03:00.000-05:00

Over at The Cinematheque, I have begun a web poll that will extend up until Oscar Night. It will be in five parts. Part One will be that burning question - "Who SHOULD win Best Supporting Actress?". This is currently up and running, so get your ass over there and vote. Part Two will be Supporting Actor, followed by Lead Actor, Lead Actress and finally Best Picture itself. Since there are merely twenty days to go until The Oscars, each part will be up for just 4 days each, but I'm sure that's plenty of time for each. Results of each category will be posted both here and on the site.

Have fun kids...

I'm still here...I promise !!

2006-02-13T18:38:00.000-05:00

I AM still here.

I've been working on some other projects lately and haven't updated my site (www.thecinematheque.com) in a while, but there is some updates to come within the next week, including the final Cinematheque Awards Nominations, Updated Oscar Pages and new reviews for such films as Match Point, Cache, Mrs. Henderson presents and The White Countess.

So stick around and things shall soon pick up...

Senses of Cinema World Poll 2005

2006-02-07T00:48:00.000-05:00

Yes, yes, the damn Cinematheque Nominations are coming - hopefully by Thursday evening (I'm slow, sue me!!).

But in the meantime, check this out. I have been included in Senses of Cinema 2005 World Poll. I almost seem legit now, don't I? And yes, the nominations are coming dammit, stop screaming about it!!!

The Cinematheque Nominations are coming...I promise !!!

2006-02-05T18:50:00.000-05:00

I am such a procrastinator !!

The Second Annual Cinematheque Award Nominations (originally to be announced on Saturday) are still being worked on (although I am currently on a short break to watch the Super Bowl, or at least the commercials, although I am working while watching a little bit too) and will hopefully be complete later tonight and/or tomorrow night (the latter, I am sure is more accurate). I only have about ten more categories to "fill out" and then all the nominations - 57 categories I believe - will be announced. The Winners will be announced on March 1st, btw.

Stay tuned in...

Newly Discovered Blog !!

2006-02-02T15:47:00.000-05:00

There is a fun Blog I just ran into. It's called Drew's Blog-O-Rama and is repleat with pop-culture/film/TV references + some really funny comic strips (at least I think so), created by the Blogmeister himself, over at stripcreator.com. Here is his latest (just in time for the Oscar noms), that I hope he doesn't mind me reprinting here. But seriously, head on over to his Blog and take a look at a lot more fun stuff.

In fact, I've decided that each and every week I'm going to promote another Website and/or Blog that I think deserves the recognition. Okay, I suppose I'm giving props to two sites, but they both come from the same fountain source of recognition (what the Hell did that even mean!?). Anyway, this week - to reiterate - is Drew's Blog-O-Rama. Enjoy ya bastards!!

2006: The Films Just Aren't There Yet

2006-02-02T15:04:00.000-05:00

I've taken notice recently that I have yet to see a 2006 movie. Sure, I've seen films at last year's festivals that have yet to open theatrically in the US (Tristram Shandy, The Sun, Gabrielle) or have just recently opened (the sadly disappointing Manderlay), and I have three dvd's sitting by my all-region dvd player as we speak (Clean, The Wayward Cloud & Sympathy for Lady Vengeance) that will eventually recieve 2006 US releases, but, as of today, the second of February, on the day of the Groundhog, I have yet to watch an actual 2006 release in a theatre in the year 2006.

This - of course - has a lot to do with the wasted celluloid put up on screens during the Oscar races. Full of mainly crapola that even the studios know won't fly, instead opting to push their respective Oscar nominees. I have gone back and re-viewed some of my favourites from 2005 (The New World & Brokeback Mountain) and caught up on the dvd releases of some films I had missed earlier last year (40 Year Old Virgin, Happy Endings, Grizzly Man), but still nothing from 2006...yet.

I am very interested in Soderbergh's Bubble - released simultaneously in theatres, on dvd and on HDTV cable. Since it's playing no closer than Philadelphia, and I haven't taken a press screening trip down there yet in the new year, I'll watch it on dvd (not the best - it is ALWAYS better to watch a film in a theatre!!). The first theatrical release I am really looking forward to is V for Vendetta - coming out on St. Patrick's Day. It is Number 10 on my Most Anticipated List this year - and is a definate strong contender for next year's Best Poster Design Award at the 3rd Annual Cinematheque Awards. After that will be a barrage of films (Prairie Home Companion, L'Enfant, The Inside Man and such) and I will also be attending the Film Comment Selects Festival at Walter Reade later this month, as well as heading back to Phila for some screenings (maybe I'll catch Bubble there?).

But as far as right now? I am mildly interested in films like Underworld: Evolution and When A Stranger Calls, but mainly for how Kate Beckinsale looks in skin-tight black leather and the total cheese factor, respecively. At this point last year, I had only seen two 2005 releases (White Noise & Elektra) and disliked both - and it wouldn't be until mid-April (just after the Phila. Film Fest) that I was once again going to the theatre to see "new" films on a regular basis. So what will the first one be? I may possibly wait until Firewall - it looks ridiculous but Harrison Ford is still The Man (Han Solo Forever!!!).

Year-in-Advance ???

2006-02-02T11:43:00.000-05:00

I was looking at my "Year-in-Advance" predictions just now, and boy did I go wrong. Just like in the rest of my predictions this year 'round, I did worse than last year. Last year I went 8 for 40 in my Year-in-Advancers (not exactly good, but compared to this year...). This year I picked just 2 out of 40 - Brokeback for Screenplay and Phoenix for Actor - although I did have some "close" calls with picks like Russell Crowe, Ziyi Zhang and Walk the Line for BP. A few of my predix were films that ended up being postponed til 2006 (including four of my five Best Supporting Actress choices) - most notably was Benecio Del Toro for Che and several nods for All the King's Men (two films that will find their way onto my 2006 Year-in-Advance Predix when I create that on March 5th). And, with this coming 2006 Oscar Predix, I will go ahead and pick for all the categories instead of just the "Big 8" - well, at least most categories (I think I'll leave the short subjects out until later in the year).

My Prediction Rate for this year is now at 169/297 [or 57%] - up 9% from before the Oscar Nominations were announced, but still 7% below the 64% I was at last year at this point. My final Prediction rate last year (post Oscar Broadcast) was 177/273 [or 65%]. In order to best that this year, I will have to pull off a...well, I can't (mathematically speaking). Even a perfect score on March 5th will only get me to 60% for the year. Ah well, there is always next year - plus I am still planning on defending my title as Oscar Predix Champ at our annual Oscar Party.

Sofia & Kirsten do Marie !!

2006-02-01T21:46:00.000-05:00

Just saw the trailer for Sofia Coppola's Marie Antionette (due out in the Fall of 2006). Kirsten Dunst - in period wigs and costumes - dancing about to the music of New Order ("Age of Consent"). It is fantastic that that Coppola set the trailer of an 18th Century biopic to the modernity of New Order. It makes it that much more desirable to see - and it is already number three on my Most Anticipated Films of 2006 List.

And no, the picture isn't from the film, but I liked it and wanted to post it as a sort of teaser for the film.

Oscar Talk...

2006-02-01T18:07:00.000-05:00

I was all a bumble yesterday, being all giidy about the Oscar Nominations, that I hardly had time for ye - my public (if there really is anybody out there at all). So, while I sit here in my living room listening to a little Sinatra, I'll run down a few interesting (or not so much so) tidbits about the Oscars.

But first, a little bit of predictive thoughts: As we all know, Brokeback Mountain has been the frontrunner for a while now - but don't tell that to Crash. As BBM should know - and just ask Bugsy, Apollo 13, Shakespeare in Love, Moulin Rouge, The Hours and The Aviator - being the early frontrunner is not necessarily a good thing to be. I think - although I hate to say it - that BBM may now be in trouble from the onslaught of Crash's momentum. We'll see as the next five weeks progress.

And speaking of predictions - I ended up going 71% in my calculations (1% up from last year), but 85% in the "Big 8" categories. Not too shabby I guess.

Didjya know that BBM's league leading 8 nominations is the lowest amount for the top nom-getter since American Beauty did the same in 1999?

Also, with Woody Allen's Best Screenplay nod, he grabs up lifetime nomination #21 (he's won three).

Other interesting tidbits?

This marks the first time since the aforementioned 1999, that all ten screenplays were English-Language. In fact, there is not a single Foreign-Language film nominated outside the (obvious) category of Froeirgn-Language Film.

Then we have the three Animated nominees: The first time since the inception of the category (back in 2001) that there is not a one CG-created movie. 2D, claymation & stop-motion instead. The first time the Academy actually picked the BEST THREE films for nominations. None of that Pixar shit that tries to pull itself off as animated motin picture (although Pixar IS nominated for Best Animated Short).

Although Russell Crowe came up empty-handed yesterday morn (a thing I couldn't be happier about), Heath Ledger's nomination for Best Actor makes this the eleventh consecutive year with at least one Aussie in the acting line-up.

As far as my Oscar Pages go - most are updated, and there will be new items of interest added throughout the month of February, so check back. And don't forget the Oscars are not the only Awards Nominations being announced this week. The Second Annual Cinematheque Award Nominations will be announced on Saturday, February 4th. Stick around folks, cause that ain't the half of it. Coming on March 1st will be the Cinematheque Award Winners (in all 57 categories mind you). In April will be the posting of my Greatest Films List, followed by The Greatest Auteurs in May and the Greatest Actors & Actresses in June, and the ever-popular Top 5 Project will return in July - and never forget about the Top 10 Project - the never-ending Best Films/Directors compilation master list.

Oscar Morning First Thoughts

2006-01-31T09:03:00.000-05:00

Okay okay, I knew Q'Orianka was not going to get a nomination, but I just couldn't go the safe route with my predictions - although doing that I still would have missed Keira Knightly's nomination. I suppose the only real surprises were Keira for Best Actress and Munich for BP - but considering almost everyone had those listed as strong possibilities anyway, the surprise is still lacking. How boring - just like last year - with no Keisha Castle Hughes-esque shocker.

First impressions?? Nice to see Terrence Howard get some love and nice to see William Hurt among the Oscar names once again - even if it was for a performance just five minutes long. And it was sad to see no Maria Bello up there (although I had predicted that), but nice to see Amy Adams get a nod. And what was with that annoying guy on E! this morning!?? He was talking about Terrence Howard's role being so small in Crash, but he still managed a Best Actor nomination??? It was for a different film you fucking moron!!! Anyway...

I was just checking the complete nominee list and for some strange reason there are only three nominees for Best Song. Neither The Producers nor Corpse Bride were nominated there ?? Anyway, I'll be back later with a Hell of a lot more comments on the whole shabang - as well as a complete run down on my site. But for now, here is a list of all nominees:

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Philip Seymour Hoffman - CAPOTE
Terrence Howard - HUSTLE & FLOW
Heath Ledger - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Joaquin Phoenix - WALK THE LINE
David Strathairn - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
George Clooney - SYRIANA
Matt Dillon - CRASH
Paul Giamatti - CINDERELLA MAN
Jake Gyllenhaal - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
William Hurt - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Judi Dench - MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
Felicity Huffman - TRANSAMERICA
Keira Knightley - PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Charlize Theron - NORTH COUNTRY
Reese Witherspoon - WALK THE LINE

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams - JUNEBUG
Catherine Keener - CAPOTE
Frances McDormand - NORTH COUNTRY
Rachel Weisz - THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Michelle Williams - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE
TIM BURTON'S CORPSE BRIDE
WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT

ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
PRIDE & PREJUDICE

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
BATMAN BEGINS
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
THE NEW WORLD

ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
WALK THE LINE

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MUNICH

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
DARWIN'S NIGHTMARE
ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM
MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
MURDERBALL
STREET FIGHT

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
THE DEATH OF KEVIN CARTER: CASUALTY OF THE BANG BANG CLUB
GOD SLEEPS IN RWANDA
THE MUSHROOM CLUB
A NOTE OF TRIUMPH: THE GOLDEN AGE OF NORMAN CORWIN

ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING
CINDERELLA MAN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
CRASH
MUNICH
WALK THE LINE

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
DON'T TELL
JOYEUX NOèL
PARADISE NOW
SOPHIE SCHOLL - THE FINAL DAYS
TSOTSI

ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
CINDERELLA MAN
STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MUNICH
PRIDE & PREJUDICE

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
"In the Deep" - CRASH
"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" - HUSTLE & FLOW
"Travelin' Thru" - TRANSAMERICA

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MUNICH

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
BADGERED
THE MOON AND THE SON: AN IMAGINED CONVERSATION
THE MYSTERIOUS GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORATIONS OF JASPER MORELLO
9
ONE MAN BAND

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
AUSREISSER (THE RUNAWAY)
CASHBACK
THE LAST FARM
OUR TIME IS UP
SIX SHOOTER

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WAR OF THE WORLDS

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WALK THE LINE
WAR OF THE WORLDS

ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
WAR OF THE WORLDS

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
MUNICH

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MATCH POINT
THE SQUID AND THE WHALE
SYRIANA

...and those are the nominees for the 78th Annual Academy Awards (although put together by AMPAS in a rather strange order, w/ BP two-thirds of the way down the list??).

Two more Hours...

2006-01-31T06:26:00.000-05:00

It feels like Christmas morning here as I anxiously await the nomination announcements. I get this way each and every year, like a kid on Christmas morn, repleat with sugar plum fairies dancing in my head. Ya know, I could have gone for the easy Brokeback Mountain joke there, but decided to take the high road (okay, just the middle road since I actually mentioned its probability as a joke). Just two more hours and we will all find out. Be back then...

My Oscar Predictions are Final !!!

2006-01-30T23:09:00.000-05:00

Finally, my Oscar Predictions are complete. The categories with the most trouble were Original Screenplay and Director. My though process, you ask?

Best Director:

Ang Lee and George Clooney are locks - no doubt, but who else? Common knowledge says that BP and BD rarely go 5/5, so who to drop out? I suppose James Mangold is the most likely non-nominee. That leaves Miller for Capote and Haggis for Crash. Both first time directors, but it is Haggis who has more "street cred" with his Oscar nominated screenplay last year for Million Dollar Baby, so it looks like he'll be in and Miller is out. Which means a 3/5 split. The last time that happened was 2001, so it's not out of the question, but we still have one nagging question. If Miller and Mangold are out, who the Hell is going to replace them? Spielberg is the most likely candidate, since he has gotten a lot of precurser buzz and his film, Munich, is the most probable sixth place spoiler candidate - plus Hollywood does love Spielberg. The other candidate would be David Cronenberg - another precursor buzzmeister and someone long overdue for recognition, although there is the distinct possibility that HoV will get completly snubbed tomorrow morning. But I'm going with Cronenberg as slot #5 anyway. Other possibles include Meirelles for Gardener (he did surprise in 2003 with City of God) or even Woody Allen for Match Point, but that is very doubtful.

Then we have Best Original Screenplay:

Squid, Crash and GN&GL are locked in position, leaving two empty spaces and four films to fill them. The safe bets would be Match Point (if it gets anything it will be here) and Cinderella Man (for some unknown reason people liked this script), while the dangerous bets would be Syriana (whose last minute move from Adapted to the big O could kill its chances) and The 40 Year Old Virgin (Ghost World, My Big Fat Greek Wedding & About A Boy all got nominated). What can I do? In the end I went both the safe route AND the dangerous one, picking Match Point and Syriana for the final two spots, but never count out those other two.

Anyway, that's it for tonight, for I must rest in anticipation of tomorrow morning. God, this is worst than Christmas Eve as a kid - I'm all giddy inside. I'll see you all in the morning.

Seven more Final Predix are Posted

2006-01-30T22:17:00.000-05:00

I've posted a bunch of categories in my FINAL Oscar Predictions. Best Score, Best Song, Best Sound, Best Sound F/x, Best Viz F/x and Best Costumes and Make-up. Soon up will be the remainder categories, including the two I am most dreading - Original Screenplay & Director. But not to worry, they are all coming tonight - for obvious reasons.

Welcome to the Suck!!

2006-01-29T23:07:00.000-05:00

As far as my predictive powers go, well, they seem to be waning as of late. Here is the lowdown:

First off, the Critics Awards.

NYFCC: 0/12 (went 7/12 last year)
LAFCA: 3/13 (went 7/14 last year)
NBR: 5/17 (went 3/15 last year)

Overall (even though I did better w/ the NBR) I went from a total of 17/41 to 8/42. That is a drop of 22% (from 41% to 19%). So far, so sucky.

We now move on to the BFCA's:

This year: 12/18 last year: 14/18

This is a drop of 11% (from 78% to 67%)

Then we have the Golden Globes:

Nomination Predix: 41/65 (last year 46/65)
Winner Predix: 6/13 (8/13 last year round)

This is a drop of 8% in the nomination pix (from 71% to 63%) and a drop of 16% on Globe Night (from 62% to 46%) or a total drop of 9% (from 69% to 60%).

And finally, we have the SAGS:

I went 4/5 both this year and last (going 7/25 in nomination predix this year - I din't predict the nominees last year).

So I suppose I kept at an even 80% on this one.

Even though my prediction rate overall last year (pre-Oscar that is) was less than steller, it is scarcely utterable this year. Once the Oscars came about, I went 68/97 (70%) in predicting the nominees and 18/24 (75%) in picking the winners (for which I took my title back as reigning Oscar Champ, after five years of losing at our annual Oscar Party). On the brighter side of things, I am steadily getting better. Down 22% with the Critics Awards in mid December. Down 11% at the BFCA's in early January. Down 9% at the Globes in mid January. And even at tonight's SAG Awards. Which means my Oscar nomination predictions should be a better average than last year (although I am predicting those unknown short subjects this time around, and I know nothing about them really). My predictions on my predictions (which I listed last night) stand at 75% victory on Tuesday Morning and 83% victory on Oscar Night (which means picking 20 out of 24 correctly - which I have never done before).

Overall prediction pecentages for last year compared to this year (excluding - obviously - the upcoming Oscar Predix) and factoring in that last year I predicted the NSOFC as well and this year I predicted the PGA, WGA & DGA and the SAG noms, without doing so last year:

Last year: 91/152 [or 60%] -- 177/273 [or 65%] if you include Oscar pix too. This year: 92/188 [or 48%]

Down 12% from last year. After the Oscars are over and done with, I'll update this OCD mess and come up with a total overall prediction rate. Calculations right now make it seem as though I would have to get at least an 86% success rate between the Oscar noms on Tuesday and the actual ceremony on March 5th - which means that if I go about my predicting rate of 75% Tuesday Morning, I will have to pull off a 23/24 Oscar Night (???) just to stay at the 65% success rate from last year. Of course the Independent Spirit Awards are coming up before the Oscars, so maybe those will push me over the edge (or just bring me crashing down).

Anyway, that's enough of that crazy shit. Remember, more Final Oscar Predix coming tonight and tomorrow. Then all the buzzy fun of Oscar Nomination Morning, repleat with an array of mind-numbing obsessive factoids and percentages. After that dies down, my own Cinematheque Award Nominations will be announced on Saturday the 4th and following that buzz I will finally get around to posting those long-awaited reviews I have been promising for so long (Match Point, Caché, L'Intrus, as well as some newer films that I'll be seeing at Walter Reade Thetre during the Film Comment Selects Festival). Until my next blog, check out things on my site, and good night, and good luck.

The SAGS are now History

2006-01-29T22:12:00.000-05:00

Went 4 for 5 in my Filmic predictions - missing only Supporting Actress. If you toss in the TV categories, then I was only 5 for 13 - ugghhh!? But we're all about the cinema here at the appriopiately titled "Cinematheque", so my record stands at 4 for 5.

Most Interesting tidbit of the night???

Crash taking home Best Ensemble (and it is much more a real ensemble than BBM) is significant in the fact that it could very well be the one film that could theoretically take down BBM at the Oscars - a la Shakespeare in Love's "surprising" victory over the all-about-the-precursers Saving Pvt. Ryan back in '98 (something I predicted by the way). Will this happen? Who knows, we haven't even gotten the nominations yet - we'll have five weeks to obsess over who and/or what will win the little golden guy.

Other fun moments of the night:

S. Epatha Merkerson thanking her divorce lawyer (which garnered the biggest laugh of the night). Great moment indeed.

Heath Ledger's (coked up or drunk?) fidgety introduction to BBM clips.

And back to my 4 for 5 prediction rate. Amy (the lovely missus) went 3 for 5 (missing both supporting actors), but we ended up tying overall with our 5 for 13 rankings. More on my overall prediction rates so far this awards season a little later.

SAG Predictions

2006-01-29T19:00:00.000-05:00

Here are my predictions for the Screen Actors Guild tonight:

Best Ensemble: Crash
Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon
Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Best Supp Actress: Amy Adams
Best Supporting Actor: Paul Giamatti

and TV too (why not):

Best Dramatic Ensemble: The West Wing
Best Comedic Ensemble: Arrested Development
Best Actress in a Drama: Patricia Arquette
Best Actor in a Drama: Alan Alda
Best Actress in a Comedy: Megan Mullally
Best Actor in a Comedy: Jason Lee
Best Actress in a Mini-Series or TV Movie: S. Epatha Merkerson
Best Actor in a Mini-Series or TV Movie: Ed Harris

I have noticed that I went without giving anything to the Oscar frontrunner, so they might end up winning Best Ensemble, although I would oh so love to see Heath take down PSH, but it's doubtful. Anyway, there you go. I'll be back later with post-show commentary.

Oscar Predix: Three more Categories...

2006-01-29T16:58:00.000-05:00

Three more categories are up on my Oscar Prediction Pages. Best Cinematography, Art Direction & Editing have all been given the final touch. Later tonight I will post my final predix for the rest of the technical categories (Score, Sound, Sound f/x, Visual f/x, Song, Costumes, Make-up) as well as my final pix for Adapted Screenplay and Lead Actor. Hopefully I'll finish my Foreign Language page tonight as well (so many have been disqualified, and I have a lot of jumbling to do). As for the other categories not yet done - namely Best Director and Best Original Screenplay - I am going crazy coming up with my final pix on those. I'm saving them for last, so I can stress out about them some more. They will probably be posted tomorrow evening, along with Best Picture, which is an obvious five choices but dramatically it needs to come at the end. And then Tuesday Morning at 8:30am EST (5:30 PT) we will see how well we all did at our predictions. Last year I went 68 for 97 [or 70%] overall and 25 for 30 [or 83%] in the "Big Six". This year, since I have added all three short subjects to my predictions (making total nominees anywhere between 108 and 112 - depending on if the short subjects are awarded three or five nominees each), I may end up not doing quite as well overall (+ I made some rather dangerous choices in a few categories), but let me predict my predictions (God am I ever obsessed) by saying I will go 75% overall (living dangerously!!) and at least 80% in the "Big Six". Anyway, I'll be back in a few hours with my SAG predictions, and later with commentary on the show and more Oscar Predix.

Taking a Stab at some Categories I'v Never Tried Before...

2006-01-29T03:15:00.000-05:00

Decided to go all out this year and predict EVERY category. This - of course - must include the three short subject categories (Animated, Live-Action & Documentary). I'm not really sure what I'm doing with these, although there are a few seeming sure things, such as the Pixar short "One Man Band" and the Tom & Jerry cartoon "Karate Guard" (actually directed by the 94 year old Joseph Barbera), both most likely candidates to fight it out for the eventual Animated Short Film Oscar. "A Message from Fallujah" is the strongest candidate for Best Live-Action Short and "God Sleeps in Rwanda" is the surest thing in the Best Documentary Short Subject category. Other than these - and a few others (like "9", a short animated film soon to become a feature length Hollywood project, complete with the same director at the helm) - I am pretty much lost here, so if I don't do well here, perhaps I won't count them toward my overall prediction percentage total. Okay, that's cheating, so I'll probably stick with it - we'll see how moral I'm feeling on Tuesday Morning.

Lee Wins DGA !!

2006-01-29T02:59:00.000-05:00

Ang Lee takes yet another step toward Oscar Gold, with his victory at the Directors Guild tonight. The vast majority of DGA winners will eventually go on to win the Oscar as well. 21 out of the last 25 DGA winners have gone on to win the Oscar. The ones who did not? Steven Spielberg lost to Sydney Pollack in 1985. Ron Howard lost to Mel Gibson in 1995. Ang Lee lost to Steven Soderbergh in 2000. And Rob Marshall lost to Roman Polanski in 2002. I suppose this is Lee's chance to rectify his loss for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. A little sidenote on the four DGA-winners-turned-Oscar-losers. Two of them (Spielberg in '85 and Howard in '95) ended up not even getting nominated for an Oscar in those years - although both would go on to win Oscars later on (Spielberg twice now).

Oscar Predictions are Rolling in...

2006-01-28T23:34:00.000-05:00

Here we go...that annual countdown to Oscar Nomination Morning (another grand holiday in my household) - and with said countdown (just three more days ya know) also comes my annual Oscar Nomination Predictions, and that is what is going on over at The Cinematheque as we speak.

Ya know, I was expecting this to be a relatively easy time predicting things. I was going to go the safe route and pick all the "expected" choices, but then I was looking at the SAGS (which I will too have predix up for sometime to-morrow, before the show), and I suddenly realized that every single one of my acting predictions matched up with their nominees, yet NEVER have the two organisations been exactly the same - sometimes they're even way off. So, I went back and pulled some switcheroos - including a very surprising Best Actress pick - Q'Orianka Kilcher from The New World (in place of charlize Theron for Christ's sake). This would be the third year in a row that an under-eighteen non-white/non-black actress would be among the top 5 (Keisha Castle Hughes in 2003 and Catalina Sandino Moreno last year). This will also mark the first time an Asian Actress will be among the Best Actress noms (Ziyi Zhang, which is more likely than Kilcher). Anyway, this gut-feeling pick may just be wishful thinking (she is a strong candidate for my own awards - nominations announced next saturday), and it may cause me to go 4 for 5 - although I DID predict Catalina last year, when most did not. I suppose we will see come Tuesday Morn.

So far, I have listed final Predictions for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor. The rest will be completed later tonight and/or tomorrow. All predictions will definately be final no later than 5pm tomorrow afternoon - in order for me to concentrate on my SAG predix (which will be listed here tomorrow night before the show).

Just TEN more Days until The 2005 Cinematheque award Nominations are Announced !!!

2006-01-25T00:57:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am working furiously away at this year's Cinematheque Awards and the second annual Cinematheque Award Nominations will be announced on Saturday February 4th, 2006 - with due fanfare of course. I'm sure I will be competing with those "other" awards coming on the 31st, but it shouldn't be a problem - all the hoopla of those awards should be over by then. Hahahaha, yeah right - everyone (including yrs truly here) will still be obsessing over those damned Oscars long after that. So remember to stay tuned to The Cinematheque for the upcoming Cinematheque award Nominations.

A question of Taglines (sort of)

2006-01-19T18:23:00.000-05:00

I am currently working on my Cinematheque Awards - nominations shall be announced on January 27th and winners on March 1st - and am busily pouring away at tag lines from all the 2005 films, in order to hand out the six nominations for that particular category (yes, I hand out awards for Best Tagline, ya got a problem wit dat? - just see what other categories there are by checking out last year's inaugural awards) - anyway, I was looking at all the possibilities in order to narrow it down to just six, when I came across one of the better ones (and almost certainly one of the final six). It is the tagline for Jarhead - I already knew about it, but had forgotten. The tagline is "Welcome to the Suck". My only question is, was this the right Jake Gyllenhaal film for this to be the tagline for? Or should it have been that other Jake film? Hmmmmm???

Just thought I'd ask. Anyway, am about to go see Match Point - FINALLY - so, judging by my recent talent at getting reviews up and posted in a timely fashion, you should be able to read my review for Match Point sometime within April or May. Okay, okay, I know - I still haven't aired my Caché, L'Intrus or The New World reviews!! I'm getting to them - I promise (maybe). Seriously, they all should be up soon (I hope). Good Night, and welcome to the Suck Jake!!!

Is Brokeback getting Backlash ??

2006-01-19T11:54:00.000-05:00

This is an interesting story (found at Nathaniel's site), and when you combine it with the studio's FYC ads (99% of which show only Heath and Jake with their respective wives - not each other) - is there a hidden (or not so hidden) agenda of covering up what Brokeback Mountain is all about? I am probably just being paranoid, but we all know how the powers-that-be work, don't we?

Golden Globe Highlights (and lowlights)

2006-01-17T14:50:00.000-05:00

Awards for the awards Show:

Best Dressed: Michelle Williams, Natalie Portman & Keira Knightly
Best Dressed, but Most made Fun of: Reese Witherspoon
Best Dressed, but lay off the make-up (you're beautiful without it): Rachel Weisz
Best Dressed, but people scoffed some: Ziyi Zhang & Anne Hathaway

Worst Dressed: Drew Barrymore, c'mon now, even you should know better

Best Dressed Man: Terrence Howard & Heath Ledger

Best (aka Funniest) Speech: Sandra Oh, Geena Davis & Steve Carrell (co-written by wife and SNL alum Nancy Walls)

Most Sincere Speech: Felicity Huffman & Philip Seymour Hoffman

Best Speech that I forgot to mention above: Hugh Laurie (funny stuff)

Best at being Aloof Cool Guy: George Clooney

Hottest Couple: Reese & Ryan just beating out Michelle & Heath

Cute-as-button-est: Michelle Williams

Those who should stop trying to be funny: Chris Rock

Most Surprising Moment: Mary Louise Parker taking down ALL those Desperate Housewives nominees (loved it, although I did get that one wrong on my ballot)

Biggest Oscar Hopeful push toward the Gold: Philip Seymour Hoffman (seals Haeth's fate I believe) and John Williams (who has never lost an Oscar after winning a Globe first)

Worst Outlook for Gold in March: Heath Ledger and Paul Giamatti

That's about it for now, coming tomorrow - 2006 Movie Preview & the Most Anticipated Films of the Year.

Red Carpet Highlights !!

2006-01-17T12:46:00.000-05:00

Who was the hottest on the red carpet?

Everyone is making fun of poor Reese Witherspoon's look, but I liked it. Somewhat silly, but still beautiful + her and Ryan are neck and neck for best looking couple of the night. Their closest rivals are - of course - Michelle & Heath. Although they went away empty handed, they looked just cute as anything together, but let's face it, Reese is the new Queen of Hollywood (and I've been saying that for weeks now) and the Queen looks damn good!!

Other than Queen Reese's great look (and I stand by that call), and that of Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams (who may be the cutest thing this side of anywhere), there was also the classic Hollywood look of Heath & Michelle's Brokeback costar, Anne Hathaway (the youngest of the cast btw) who, with bright-as-anything red lipstick and classic - almost playfully hedonistic - gown, looked as if it were 1947 and the Golden Age of Hollywood were still upon us.

Others that looked great last night were Natalie Portman and Keira Knightly, both in basic classy gowns and Ziyi Zhang, the ultra beautiful star of 2046 (I choose that film over the lesser US made Memoirs of A Geisha, which by the way stars two Chinese and one Malaysian born Actress as three Japanese Geishas - but that is another diatribe for another day, for I'm talking about how lovely Ziyi looked at the Globes).

Of course, we can't go anywhere - style wise - without mentioning ole Jack Sparrow himself. Johnny Depp looked like some sort of disheveled yet dapper demon last night, upon the arm of his stunning wife, French actress Vanessa Paradis. And, of course there is my current "girlfriend of the Cinema", Rachel Weisz, who was gorgeous in her golden gown - as she accepted her Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.

I am sure there are others that I am forgetting (I'll have to watch E! tonight - and yes, I do watch E! - shhh, don't tell anyone) but before I go, I just wanted to share the photograph below with you - for obvious reasons. Go HERE for more Globe photos.

Goodbye Doll Doll

2006-01-17T03:01:00.000-05:00

As I prepare for bed, I say goodbye to my Grandmother now, who left this Earth earlier today for a far better place, where she can be with my Grandfather (after nearly a thirty year seperation). She was the one member of my family that loved me unconditionally. No matter how many times I screwed up - and it was a lot back in my younger days - she was there for me. I'll miss you Doll Doll, but I know you are in a much greater place than here. Goodbye Doll Doll. I'll love you forever. Rest in Peace. And say hello to Pa Pa for me.

The Globes are History

2006-01-16T23:45:00.000-05:00

What a night at The Golden Globes !! Although my predictive powers seemed to have waned since last year. I went just 6 for 13 (as opposed to 8 for 13 last year) while my wife (who beat me at Oscar pix in 1999, 2000, 2002 & 2003 - tying me in 2001 and losing to me in 1998 & 2004) went 8 for 13.

As a side note (although I never listed the TV side of things on my site or here) my prediction rate for the entire night was just 10 for 24 (while Amy's was 11 for 24). Aaarghhhh!!!!!

Of course I went out on a limb and picked Heath over Philip and Maria over Felicity, so I suppose I deserved to lose just for my faux chutzpah. Another one I got wrong was picking Clooney over Lee for Director, although BP and Director usually don't mesh at the Globes - they did this year though.

Winners are as follows:

Pic-drama: Brokeback Mountain
Pic-com/mus: Walk the Line
Director: Ang Lee, Brokeback Mt.
Actress-drama: Huffman, Transamerica
Actress-com/mus: Queen Reese of Hollywoodland
Actor-drama: Hoffman, Capote
Actor-com/mus: Phoenix, Walk the Line
Supp Actress: Rachel weisz, Constant Gardener
Supp Actor: Clooney, Syriana
Screenplay: McMurtrey & Ossana, Brokeback Mountain
Score: John Williams, Memoirs of a Geisha
Song: Emmy Lou/Taupin etc, Brokeback Mt.
Foreign: Paradise Now

Some notes on the show: I knew Clooney had to win something, so I guess Supporting Actor was his consolation prize. I was so hardpressed to pick between Michelle & Rachel for Supporting Actress, I would have been happy either way. Reese Witherspoon is indeed the new Queen of the Red Carpet (sorry Julia) - and she looked fantastical, didn't she!? There were some nice speeches on the TV side of things, with both Steve Carrell and Geena Davis being right on!! No real surprises though - except it was great to see Mary-Louise Parker win out over four Desperate Housewives. Good to see Munich fail to grab either of the awards it was up for, so maybe this seals Walk the Line's chances for that fifth Oscar spot - especially after winning the three top awards in its comedy/musical categories.

Overall, Brokeback won four, Walk the Line three and The Constant Gardener, Memoirs of A Geisha, Capote, Transamerica, Paradise Now & Syriana each won one. Nothing for A History of Violence, Match Point, Pride & Prejudice, Squid & the Whale, King Kong.

And in case you missed it at the beginning, here is a link to my Golden Globes page where you can read up on how poorly I did at predicting them this year. And since Amy did so well at her guesses (well, not that well, just less sucky than I did), when Oscar Night comes and we have our annual party, I'll list her predix on my site next to mine - as well as those of Cinematheque corrospondant (and nafarious Oscar grubber) Albert H. Muth (our record is 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2003 for him and 1998 & 2004 for me) and possibly others such as Harrisburg Film Festival coordinator and Filmspeak.com founder, Todd Shill and Harrisburg Patriot-News Film Critic Li Wang (if they're go for it that is). We'll see who the real Oscar Champion is (hint hint, pick me, ooh ooh pick me!!).

The stars are on the red carpet

2006-01-16T18:56:00.000-05:00

The stars are preening and looking great on the red carpet. I'll be back after the show with a round-up. Isn't this exciting ?!! The second best holiday of the year. And in case you missed them earlier, here are my Golden Globe Predictions once again.

Final Globe Predictions are up!!!

2006-01-16T00:16:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow night are the Golden Globes, so in keeping with tradition, here are My Golden Globe Predictions - be they what thay may. I went out on a limb with some of my guesses (Heath Ledger over P.S. Hoffman / Maria Bello over Felicity Huffman and so on) so who knows what will happen.

Also, my Oscar Predictions have FINALLY been updated. This will probably be the final update before the real final update on January 30th. Most categories have at least three (sometimes four) sure things, it's just those pesky fifth spots that are the real doozies to predict.

I'll be back with my Golden Globe round-up and highlights show, after the awards tomorrow night.

ASC Nominations

2006-01-13T01:04:00.000-05:00

The American Society of Cinematographers have announced their nominations for 2005. The five nominees are:

Batman Begins
Brokeback Mountain
Good Night, and Good Luck.
King Kong
Memoirs of A Geisha

The big surprise here has to be Batman. This is one of the aspects that I think this highly overrated film succeeds at, but c'mon. No New World? No Constant Gardener? No Pride & Prejudice? I din't expect 2046, but to put Batman Begins in front of it (and the others??).

Not that it has that much of a bering on the Oscars - they usually only match up 3 out of 5 - so other films still have a shot...at best shot (God that was an awful pun, wasn't it?).

Rachel Weisz - and she can act too

2006-01-13T00:58:00.000-05:00

I finally saw The Constant Gardener today (not sure how I missed it originally) and was swept away. Beautiful & gripping. Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz are spectacular in it. It is currently being added into various spots upon my soon to be announced Cinematheque Awards pages. Also, after watching this film, I think I may be in love with Rachel Weisz. Now, of course it's not that real kind of love that you would have for a girlfriend/boyfriend, husband, or - in my case - wife, but it is one of those unrequited things one feels for celebrities. Past loves have included (but are not restricted to) Jennifer Connelly, Isabelle Huppert, Zooey Deschanel, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Winona Ryder (pre-Dracula days - what the hell has happened to that girl!?), Ally Sheedy (brat pack days AND now), Princess Di (yes, you read that correctly - back in the early days of Princessdom) and my first crush, at the age of six, Laurie Partridge (aka Susan Dey, and now I am really telling my age). I am sure there are others, but enough of that, I only have eyes for Rachel now...but don't tell my wife (who is probably reading this right now, but with her Johnny Depp/Sean Penn/Michael Douglas thing going, I think it will be alright). PS: Jon, you were right, for once.

FYC: The 2nd Annual Cinematheque Awards are soon upon us all

2006-01-13T00:35:00.000-05:00

I keep saying that I am going to post my updated Oscar Predix on my site, but I have yet to do it. Why? Because every time I sit down at my comuter, I become distracted by some shiny object not so far away. All today it has been my own awards - The Second Annual Cinematheque Awards (much more prestigous than those nasty ole Oscars). I'll be announcing the nominations (in a total 0f 59 categories) on January 23rd, but for some reason I am obsessing over them right now.

And speaking of The Second Annual Cinematheque Awards, how 'bout some help? The studios take out FYC ads this time of the year and ask for your consideration's for certain actors, actresses, cinematographers, composers, films et cetera. I am asking this of you - my faithful readers. Tell me who you think I should nominate in whichever categories. I can't say I'll listen, but you may pull up something I have comepletely forgotten about. Oh, and case you want to know what these categories are, simply check out last year's awards. Hope to here from you soon, and yes, I'll try to get those Oscar Predix up and running asap.

Where are all the Surprises ??

2006-01-10T23:19:00.000-05:00

I'm currently updating my Oscar Predix pages when the preoccupying thought of how stale everything has become wafts over me with a its stinging breath (how dramatic was that?). For the past few years it seems as if the same people would take all the precurser awards and come Oscar Nom Morning there would be no surprises, and it looks like that again this year. Sure, as wrapped up in the whole Oscar thing as I get (and YES, it is an important national holiday in my wife and my's household!!), it would be hard to surprise me. Even longshots and/or darkhorses such as Joan Allen, Frank Langella, Gong Li or Jeff Daniels would still not surprise, since I do think they are capable of sneaking in if lucky. What we need is a bonafide suprise come January 31st. Something like Keisha Castle Hughes in 2003 or Ethan Hawke in 2001. We need something shocking, so to perpetuate that, here are a couple of "For Your Considerations" for the Academy:

FYC #1: Q'Orianka Kilcher in The New World
FYC #2: Steve Coogan in Happy Endings
FYC #3: Wong Kar-wai for 2046

Okay, none of these are ever going to happen, but I must say that in order for them to stay a surprise come that fateful Tuesday Morning.

Oh, and also, I would like to mention a milestone. You see, this is my fiftieth blog entry (yayyy me!!). Which brings me to another related topic (celebration is over btw).

When I first built my blog, my friend and Cinematheque Correspondant, Albert H. Muth and my wife, renowned multi-published poet Jeanette Trout, both called me a sellout for going to a form as commonplace and pedestrian as the blog. But now, fifty entries later, I still stand by my decision to start a blog. Over on my site (which you should have bookmarked and should read regularly), I concentrate on film critiques, my unhealthy obsession with lists lists lists and more lists and (of course) The Oscars, but I never find room for all those other thoughts rambling ramshod through my brain. Thoughts that would have no other home if not for this here blog. Hell, I even have one entry talking about the similarities in the Gyllenhaal's sex scenes this year (and yes, I am talking about getting it from behind). This is a forum for my over;load of thoughts and a forum for that it will stay.

I suppose I should get back to my Oscar Predix updates and stop all this blathering, but when I finish my updates I will announce it right here. It will probably be entry number 51, unless of course I come up with some other aside to traggle on and on about; in that case it will be #52 or 53 or 54 or...okay okay, I'll go already!!

Best of 2005 and a takedown of the BFCA

2006-01-10T17:04:00.000-05:00

Finally: The Best of 2005 has been posted on my site.

Coming very very soon: Oscar updates in ALL categories (probably later tonight).
Coming very soon: The 25 Most Anticipated Films of 2006 (probably tomorrow or Thursday)
Coming soon: Reviews of Caché, L'Intrus, The New World (which I have been promising since before X-mas) and Memoirs of A Geisha (all by this coming week-end)

As for other news:

The BFCA's were on last night - which you should damn well know if you regularly read my blog - and here is a hilarious rundown on the show from Joe Reid. I couldn't have said it better.

Not a mainstream kinda guy

2006-01-09T22:53:00.000-05:00

Nathaniel at The Film Experience had made mention of this in a recent blog entry. He talked of Engin's great filmsite (collecting all those critic's Top 10 Lists and compiling a master list - exhaustive and I am damn glad I don't have to do it, because if he hadn't, my OCD and list-making obsession would probably have forced me to attempt it, and in the meantime go comepletly insane). Nathaniel made mention of how often his own Top 10 has "matched up" with the overall Top 10. Engin has been doing the list since 2001 and here is my take on the whole thing (aka: how I matched up year for year):

2004: just 2 (Before Sunset & Kill Bill 2)
2003: 2 again (Lost in Translation & Kill Bill 1)
2002: 3 (Far From Heaven, Y Tu Mama & Spirited Away)
2001: 3 (Mulholland Dr., Memento & In the Mood for Love)

I suppose I'm not very "mainstream" eh?

Here are my match-ups on the annual Village Voice Poll (a much more selective group):

2005: five
2004: four
2003: three
2002: six
2001: five
2000: five
1999: five

Anyway, there you have it.

In other news, coming sometime tonight will be my Best of 2005 column on my site. Stay tuned.

BFCA Winners !!!

2006-01-09T22:43:00.000-05:00

The BFCA Awards went off without many surprises (the biggest probably being Amy Adams co-winning Supporting Actress w/ Michelle Williams - which now puts the Oscar for Supporting Actress at a six way race - Scarlett is most likely out - but more on that later). Great to see Brokeback take BP and Ang Lee Director, and Clooney was also fun to watch accept his "Freedom" award (no matter how much we try, my wife and I cannot dislike Mr. Clooney). Following are the winners (astricks mean I predicted it right - and I did that 12 times btw).

Prediction rate: 12 for 18 [67%]

*Best Film - Brokeback Mountain
*Best Director - Ang Lee
*Best Actress - Reese Witherspoon
*Best Actor - Philip Seymour Hoffman
Best Writer - Crash
Supporting Actress - TIE - Michelle Williams and Amy Adams
*Best Supporting Actor - Paul Giamatti
*Best Ensemble - CRASH
*Best Family Film - The Chronicles Of Narnia
Best Documentary - March of the Penguins
Best Young Actor - Freddie Highmore
*Best Young Actress - Dakota Fanning
Best Foreign Film - Kung Fu Hustle
*Best Animated Feature - Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Best Movie for TV - Into the West
Best Score - John Williams, Memoirs of a Geisha
*Best Song - Hustle & Flow
*Best Comedy - the 40 Year-Old Virgin

Oscar predictions will be updated later tonight and/or tomorrow afternoon (probably a combination of both actually).

BFCA Predix

2006-01-09T19:10:00.000-05:00

The Broadcast Film Critics Awards are on tonight, so I suppose I should do the obligatory prediction thing, right? I don't take the BFCA's all that seriously (they're not the Oscars after all), but I'll toss off a few guesses here on my blog (and leave the Oscar predicting to my actual site). So here goes...

Picture: Brokeback Mountain
Director: Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Actress: Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
S. Actor: Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
S. Actress: Rachel Weisz, Constant Gardener
Ensemble: Crash
Screenplay: Squid & the Whale
Young Actor: Jesse Eisenberg, Squid & Whale
Young Actress: Dakota Fanning, War of the Worlds
Song: Hustle & Flow
Score/Composer: Brokeback Mountain
Soundtrack: Walk the Line
Animated: Wallace & Gromit
Family Film (live action): Chronicles of Narnia
Comedy Movie: 40 Year Old Virgin
Documentary: Grizzly Man
Foreign: 2046 (wishful thinking??)

Who the Hell knows - I would like to see Ledger beat out Hoffman, but I don't know. Anyway, there they are. Results (as well as how I did in predicting) will be posted both here and on my site, later tonight. Enjoy the show.

I thought I knew more about Woody

2006-01-09T18:34:00.000-05:00

I got this link from Nathaniel R.'s Film Experience website.

Woody Allen Quiz

I got 8 out of 13 (Nathaniel scored 9). Here is what it said about me:

"You scored 8 out of a possible 13. Play it again, Sam. Room for improvement. To quote Mr Allen, "My brain is my second favourite organ" (Sleeper). Maybe you should concentrate a little more on number two."

Here (by the way) is what it says if you ace the quiz (which I did after finding out all the answers - just to see what would come up):

You scored 13 out of a possible 13. Stardust Memories. Well lah-di-dah. But does your intellect really bring you happiness? We think not. Alvy (to random couple): You look like a really happy couple? Are you? Woman: Yeah. Alvy: Yeah? So how do you account for it? Woman: I am very shallow and empty, and I have no ideas and nothing interesting to say. Man: And I'm exactly the same way. Alvy: I see. That's very interesting. So you managed to work out something? Man: Right!

Brokeback Backlash ???

2006-01-08T13:28:00.000-05:00

Sure, those of us in more enlightened circles may look at Brokeback Mountain as just another love story (and an incredibly emotional one at that), not as that "Gay cowboy thing" that most have been calling it. Larry David (creator of Seinfeld and the inspiration for George Castanza, as well as creator and star of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm) has boldly stated that he refuses to see Brokeback because he "doesn't want to become gay by osmosis". We all expected backlash from the right and I also expected a certain "ick" reaction from middle America, but now we are getting these reactions from a supposedly liberal voice like David's. Although it is the frontrunner in the Oscar Race (and don't forget that Sideways held the same position last year at this time and eventually lost all but a screenplay Oscar) and has been getting great reviews (it's ranked at 87 out of 100 on Metacritic right now), but all that was from the liberal sensibilities of critics and cinephiles from New York, LA and San Francisco - now the film goes wide and begins its run in places like Peoria, Topeka, Little Rock and Harrisburg Pa (my unfortunate hometown - although we do have a gay friendly art cinema at least). I don't mention Salt Lake City since - at the last moment - Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller pulled the film from his Megaplex at Jordan Commons in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City. No comment has been forthcoming (read the story here). Will middle America - a vast group capable of voting George W. Bush into office - twice (sort of) - welcome this film, or will they decry it as an abomination of nature, as they do with things such as Gay marriage and equal rights? I recently was listening to the radio (on a trip back from the center of the universe - aka New York City) and heard the deejay, while introducing Crocodile Rock, say how much he loved Elton John's music, but is sickened by the fact that he can now get married (as he did on December 23rd). You know, if this had been some remark against an African American celebrity - some derogatory comment against race - this deejay would have lost his job (and rightfully so I believe), but since it was "just" an anti-gay thing...well, that's okay - and this is the mentality of middle America. I just hope the film survives its wide release - it full well deserves to be seen.

The Gyllenhaals, shot from behind

2006-01-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Just saw Happy Endings on dvd. Not as funny as The Opposite of Sex, yet deeper in some of its aspects, but a critique of the films merits is for another day - and another page (more specifically, my 2005 reviews page) . I just wanted to note that, after seeing Maggie Gyllenhaal - who is fantastic as the misleading femme fatal-ish Jude in the film - take it from behind, from co-star Jason Ritter (yes, John's son), well...it must be a family thing, with brother Jake taking it all from Heath Ledger in that little pup tent on the mountain top earlier this year. There's probably no reason to mention this little '05 family trait, but I believe somebody had to mention it, so why not me.

As for The Best of 2005 - it's coming soon.

The Worst of 2005

2006-01-07T23:03:00.000-05:00

I've just posted my Worst of 2005 column on The Cinematheque. Actually more of a list with brief introduction, since I've decided not to dwell on the ugly this year, instead opting to take more time with my Best of 2005, which will be posted later tonight. As for right now, check out (but just briefly) the worst films of 2005 (at least the ones I didn't manage to avoid) - full of creepy children, wax-loving freaks, pretty TV witches, red-latexed super heroines, holy crusaders, a family of argumentative super heroes, static poltergeist-esque after-lifers, delusional teen prostitutes and a fast orange car with a big rebel flag on the top.

Best & Worst of 2005

2006-01-07T02:55:00.000-05:00

Coming Saturday night: The Best & Worst of 2005.

Also coming soon: Reviews of The New World, Shopgirl, L'Intrus and Caché.

For now, I say a little prayer for my grandmother, Doll Doll, who lies in Holy Spirit Hospital tonight - where she has been since Christmas Eve. I love you Doll Doll.

I'm Mad As Hell and I'm Not Gonna Take it Anymore!!!

2006-01-06T21:35:00.000-05:00

A short break from the rigors of Oscar clairvoyance, in order to gripe/bitch/kvetch about a recent "editing" job perpetrated by the editor/publisher of a local alt bi-monthly that I write for.

I wrote a review (as I am oft to do) for the film Brokeback Mountain. My intention was to have it published in a local alternative newspaper called Central Alternative (a publication that I regularly write dvd reviews for). So, as the story goes, I write the review, and it is one of the best reviews I have ever written; perhaps it is not great literature, but I liked it. I send the review to Mr. Frank Pizzoli, editor of the aforementioned Central Alternative and he publishes it in the January/february issue - just in time for its local premiere of January 6, 2006. And this is when the problem sets in. The man took a bloody hatchet to my review. Sure, that is what editors are supposed to do, "clean" things up for publication, but Mr. pizzoli took a rather lengthy piece, written in a somewhat Proustian style (although nowhere close to the elaborate poetics of M. Proust himself), with long languid sentances and page long comments, and turned it into a chop-sockey mess, that makes it appear as if I am a bad writer. Yes, he said I had spoilers in my review - and I suppose I did "allude" to the tragic thesis of Brokeback (as did Andrew Sarris and about every other critic who reviewed the film), and he wished to remove them, but in the process he chopped up sentances and "created" an ending that seems greatly truncated and far less powerful than my original final few words. I am so angered that I asked for the review to be taken off of the local Midtown Cinema website, where it had been co-published, and replaced with my original, intended piece.

If you think I am just belly-aching or that I just like the sound of my own voice (which may be true), see for yourself. I have created a Comparison Page on The Cinematheque, where you can see a side-by-side comparison of the two versions.

Anyway, more on this subject later (I fired off a rather bitter e-mail and am sure of a response soon), as well as more Oscar talk as well.

Capote joins the BP race

2006-01-06T01:49:00.000-05:00

Just when you think Spielberg is dead...they pull him back in. The DGA nods are out and here they are:

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

I only went 3 for 5 here, picking Woody and Cronenberg instead of Haggis and Miller. So now this - along with the SAG noms (which are listed at the end of this entry) - puts Munich right back in. The DGA is usually only 3 or 4 for 5 with Oscar Director nods, but they have been 5 for 5 with corresponding BP picks - for three straight years.

BP looks like (and I'll make this "official" on Sunday when I update my Oscar Page) Brokeback Mountain (duh), GN&GL (duh again), Crash (which I had predicted to make a year-end comeback), Capote (kind of a surprise, but it could be this year's Ray, instead of Walk the Line), and then that damned fifth spot, which looks as if it will be a fight between Munich and Walk the Line. Otherwise, all other films may be officially dead now, with the dark horse possibilty of The Constant Gardener.

As for Director - Clooney and Lee are the only two I am calling sure things, although Spielberg and Haggis probably should be too, but I am still thinking Cronenberg and Allen will sneak in (wishful thinking??), but I am hoping for Wong Kar-wai and Michael Haneke as well, but we know that ain't happening (except for my upcoming Cinematheque Awards).

I'll blather on about this tomorrow, but I am really tired right now (just got back from NY), so I'll put it to rest now. Oh yeah, the Sag noms !!?? Here they are:

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

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

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

Supporting Actor:
Don Cheadle, Crash
George Clooney, Syriana
Matt Dillon, Crash
Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
Jake Gyllenhaal, Brokeback Mountain

Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams, Junebug
Catherine Keener, Capote
Frances McDromand, North Country
Rachel Weisz, Constant Gardener
Michelle Williams, Brokeback

I like surprises, and Cheadle and Hustle & Flow fulfilled that for me, but it is also a shock that Terrence Howard was snubbed from either actor category.

The Cinematheque Oscar Poll !!!

2006-01-04T21:29:00.000-05:00

If Oscar were watching the poll currently on The Cinematheque (that's my site you know - in case you only know my blog), then Brokeback Mountain would win by a veritable landslide. Current poll results have Brokeback at 42% (47 votes) followed (distantly) by Munich at 12% (13 votes). After that it is anyones game. The Constant Gardener at 6% and then Walk the Line, King Kong and GNaGL each at 5%. So, in case you haven't already voted, head on over there and vote dammit. The poll will be up until January 31st (the day the AMPAS announces there top five).

The Guilds weigh in...

2006-01-04T20:57:00.000-05:00

And the guilds have spoken (at least two of them - the other two tomorrow) and what do we gleen from these nominations??? Capote and Crash get a late-in-the-game reprive and Munich's chances begin to slip. Here are the results (my predictions can be read in the blog entry just before this one):

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

I went 3 for 5 here (picking A History of Violence and Munich instead of Capote and Crash).

and...

WGA
original screenplay
Cinderella Man
Crash
40 Year Old Virgin
Good Night, and Good Luck.
The Squid & the Whale

I went 4 for 5 (choosing Match Point over Cinderella Man)

WGA
adapted screenplay
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
A History of Violence
Constant Gardener
Syriana

Here I went 4 for 5 also (missing Syriana for Munich)

Overall, I am very very glad that Munich did so poorly (just read my review), but I still think it is about to pull a Million Dollar Baby and drive right through to a fucking Oscar. This is about the time last year when the critical darling and 7 Golden Globe nommed Sideways started to fade and Million Dollar Baby came out of nowhere. Sure, Munich is not coming out of nowhere, but critical darling and 7 Golden Globe nommed Brokeback Mountain might be getting worried at this revelation - although Million Dollar Baby did get PGA and WGA nods, so perhaps Munich is out of it - I hope.

On the good side, both Capote and Crash got much needed pushes with their nominations today, which I suppose is a good thing - I liked both films but didn't love them the way I loved Brokeback Mountain, A History of Violence and The Squid & the Whale. Another film shot down ?? Match Point ?? But I'm pretty sure Woody will get his DGA nod tomorrow (and I'm hoping Cronenberg gets his too).

The PGA is far from a perfect forecaster for the Oscars - in fact they have never gone better than 4 for 5, and usually go 3 for 5. It is the Directors Guild (announcing tomorrow) that is the best predictor - going 5 for 5 when it comes to picking Best Picture, for three years running. I suppose we will see.

Also, once the dust settles, I will be updating my Oscar Predix on the ninth, for what will probably be the final time until the day before the nominations are announced. The Globes (airing on the sixteenth) should not be a factor in the Oscar noms, since most Oscar ballots - historically speaking - have already been filled out and sent back in.

Guild Predictions

2006-01-04T01:19:00.000-05:00

Okay, I said I'd be gone til Friday Night, but here I am, and it's only early Wednesday Morn. My reason for coming back early is my incessent need to categorize, predict and list everything on Earth. This time it will be predictions. The major Guilds will be handing out their annual nominations either Jan 4 or 5. Here go my predictions:

PGA
Brokeback Mountain
Munich
A History of Violence
Good Night, and Good Luck.
Walk the Line

if there are six: Crash

DGA
Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Steven Spielberg, Munich
David Cronenberg, A History of Violence
George Clooney, Good Night, and Good Luck.
Woody Allen, Match Point

if there are six: Ron Howard, Cinderella Man

WGA
original screenplay
Match Point
Squid & the Whale
Crash
Good Night, and Good Luck.
40 Year Old Virgin

if there are six: Me and You and Everyone We Know

adapted screenplay
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
A History of Violence
Munich
Constant Gardener

if there are six: Pride & prejudice

SAGs
ensemble
Brokeback Mountain
Squid & the Whale
Munich
Good Night, and Good Luck.
Crash

if there are six: Pride & Prejudice

male actor lead
Philip S. Hoffman, Capote
Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
Jeff Daniels, Squid & Whale
Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line
David Strathairn, Good Night...

if there are six: Terrence Howard, Hustle & Flow

female actor lead
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
Judi Dench, Mrs. Henderson Presents
Keira Knightley, Pride & Prejudice
Joan Allen, Upside of Anger

if there are six: Charlize Theron, North Country

male actor supporting
Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
George Clooney, Syriana
Matt Dillon, Crash
Frank Langella, Good Night...
Terrence Howard, Crash

if there are six: William Hurt, A History of Violence

female actor supporting
Maria Bello, A History of Violence
Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain
Rachel Weisz, Constant Gardener
Amy Adams, Junebug
Catherine Keener, Capote

if there are six: Scarlett Johansson, Match Point

There you have it. Results (with how well/poorly I did) will be posted as soon as the results come in.

A Short Break

2006-01-02T01:38:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone,

In case anyone cares (and I know you secretly do) - I am going to be taking a few days off from my site (and in turn, this blog). The mini-sabaitical will only be a few days, and I will make my triumphant return on Friday Night, with The Best & Worst of 2005, and the start of the Countdown to the Cinematheque Awards. All that and more is coming in just five short days, but for now, I must take a few days off in oder to organize my Pez Collection - yes you heard me correctly - my Pez Collection. The missus and me just moved and I have yet to organize and put up our great collection of Pez Dispensers (and related items) - 986 dispensers strong and counting - so now I am going to finally do said task. This may seem like a rather strange thing to take off five days for, but it is what's happening, so deal with it. I'm still going to be watching movies - of course - Palindromes, Clean and The Wayward Cloud all sit next to my dvd player and I'll be going to Philadelphia on Tuesday evening to catch a press screening of Match Point. But I'll tell you all about it this coming week-end...

2006 (+ 1 second)

2006-01-01T00:38:00.000-05:00

HAPPY 2006 !!!!!!!

The new year is upon us and coming soon to The Cinematheque are new reviews of The New World and Shopgirl, as well as new reviews of "older" films (that I just saw on dvd for the first time), Mysterious Skin, Last Days and Kings & Queen. Also soon: Best and Worst of 2005, the countdown to The Second Annual Cinematheque Awards (with even more categories than last year -- 59 in total) and the Most Anticipated Films of 2006.

NYC roadtrip aborted & A History of Violence

2005-12-30T01:41:00.000-05:00

I was all set to go. Take rte 78 to NYC and see those final few films I need in order to complete my Top 10 List for the year - Cache, Match Point, L'Intrus. It was early morning - sun barely peeking through the clouded horizon - and I had New York New York strumming through my head. And then it hit. The signs said road construction ahead / expect delays. I was mildly frustrated with knowing I would have to wait, but I had plenty of time - didn't I? Well, after about an hour sitting (not moving but a few feet every seven minutes or so) I get to the place where I first read the ROAD CLOSED sign. What the fuck!!!? I have already wasted an hour, and now I am told there would probably be a second hour to get through the detour. Goddammit !!! They couldn't have mentioned this earlier? Well, after speeding through some bumfuck town called Hamburg Pa, I headed home in despair.

But wait, things may look up suddenly. There is a press screening of Match Point on Tuesday (the third) in Philadelphia (where hopefully no roads will be closed) and next Thursday (when I will take a different route to NY), not only will I be able to see Cache and L'Intrus, but also the six hour Italian film, Best of Youth (making a one-week only reprise at Cinema Village, the first place I ever saw a film in NY). It actually looks as if it will be better to go next Thursday (the fifth) than it would have been today. Sure, my Best of 2005 article will need to be postponed (from the first to the sixth), but that's not too bad, is it? I will still be able to send it to Engin's site in time. All is well in filmland...

As for other end-of-year news: The Village Voice's annual poll - Take 7 - is out and A History of Violence is the big winner (by the largest margin in Voice Poll history - which wd be seven years btw). Maybe next year I will be invited to participate - since they ignored my request this year!!

The end-of-the-year is approaching fast !!

2005-12-28T01:25:00.000-05:00

Time-willing (and there better be dammit!!), I will catch Haneke's Cache, Denis' L'Intrus and Woody's Match Point all this week, and then I can complete my Top 10 of 2005 list, although I will still be missing Innocence, Best of Youth and Weeping Meadow (all of which could obstensibly make it in) - none of which I will see until January (on dvd) - which means they may still become part of my Cinematheque Awards (nominations announced on Jan 23rd). Other than that, new reviews will be posted soon on my site: Munich, Memoirs of A Geisha and my agonized-over review for The New World - also look for reviews of films finally caught on dvd: Kings & Queen, Last Days, Palindromes and Mysterious Skin. Happy New Year (a little early)...

Wait til you hear this one...

2005-12-27T02:04:00.000-05:00

I went to see Munich tonight, but that is not what I want to talk about right now. I shall leave that for tomorrow, when I reveal my review for it (which *hint*hint* will not be overly flattering). What I want to talk about right now is concerning one of the trailers that came with the film. The topic is anciet Mexico and the Aztecs, and something to do with a solar eclipse and the end of the world. The director is Mel Gibson (I can hear you gasping from here)...and here comes the best part...the name of this movie is...are U ready?...good...the name is APOCALYPTO. Wasn't that Superman's goldfish's name? Apocalypto?!?? Just by name alone this film should already be a laughing stock. I'm thinking The Postman, Water World, Battlefield Earth. There is a massochistic streak in me that is going to force me to rush to see it this coming Summer, so I'll let you know then. As for now...Happy Kwanzaa...

Merry Christmas To All...

2005-12-24T17:32:00.000-05:00

If I haven't said it before...Happy X-Mas (Holidays, Christmukkah, Festivus, Kwanzaa, whatever). Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. My grandma is doing better and the holidays march on.

I'll be back (after a short one day hiatus) with reviews of The New World, The Producers, Munich, Memoirs of A Geisha, The Family Stone and Rumor Has It. I am also going to do some shuffling in my Oscar Predix for next week, as well as revealing the first "Countdown to The Cinematheque Awards" (not going to explain right now, but you'll soon see). Best and Worst film moments will also be revealed next week, but for right now, I have a Christmas Eve Party to get ready for, so...

Doll Doll...

2005-12-24T01:43:00.000-05:00

Doll Doll, my wonderful Grandma, lies in the hospital tonight, just having emergency surgery. The doctors don't know how she will come out of it. Ever since my Grandfather (Pa Pa) died in 1978, Doll Doll has been saying "This is my last Christmas" - for twenty seven years now - but no one ever takes her seriously. We all know she'll be here another Christmas. Whatever happens this time, whether she makes it or whether she joins Pa Pa (which would make her happy I am sure), I know that I'll miss her - we all will. Although I am an ordained minister (no really, I am) and have studied world religions for years now (again, really) I have never been that astute of a believer, but I am praying tonight. I just hope she makes it and I am praying for her always. I love you Doll Doll...

100 (er...20) Greatest Christmas Songs

2005-12-24T01:15:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love and adore Christmas time, and in keeping with that, I now present to you (my loyal readers and true believers), another list (oh I love them so).

THE TOP 20 CHRISTMAS SONGS:

1. White Christmas (Bing Crosby)
2. Christmas Canon (Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
3. Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy (Crosby & Bowie)
4. Sleigh Ride (any version you want..they're all great)
5. Snoopy's Christmas (Royal Guardsmen)
6. Happy X-Mas (War is Over) (John & Yoko)
7. Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)
8. Charlie Brown Christmas (Vince Guaraldi Orchestra)
9. The Christmas Song (Nat King Cole)
10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)
11. Frosty the Snowman (Jimmy Durante)
12. Pretty Paper (Roy Orbison)
13. Father Christmas (Greg Lake)
14. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry)
15. Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)
16. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt or Madonna)
17. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano)
18. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Paul Anka)
19. Baby, It's Cold Outside (Dean Martin)
20. Iz Zat You Santy Claus? (Louis Armstrong)

There are many other fun songs, but I think I'll stop there, although that means leaving off Paul McCartney, Elton John, Billy Squier, The Pretenders, Harry Connick Jr, Bruce Springsteen, The Ronettes, Beach Boys, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Wham, The Jackson 5, Jimmy Buffet, Al Martino, Brenda Lee, Neil Diamond, Bob Goulet, Johnny Mathis, Bobby Helms, U2, The Carpenters, Manheim Steamroller, David Foster, Perry Como, Band Aid, Frank Sinatra and of course Mr Christmas himself, Andy Williams.

Also one more song: Adam Sandler's The Hanukkah Song - I usually cringe at the thought of Sandler, but I can't help liking this one...and of course there's also the Muppets (along with Mr. John Denver) doing the 12 Days of Christmas (bah bah bum!!).

Well that's it for now - Have a Happy Happy Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Holiday/Whatever...

Top 10's Galore !!!

2005-12-22T00:26:00.000-05:00

Just a brief note before I lumber off to slumber...A (mightily vast) collection of the Critic's Top 10 Lists is being tabulated at Engin. Go there and see which films are the most critically acclaimed of 2005. As for my Best of 2005...that will be coming on January First...meanwhile, check out my reviews (just published) of Syriana, King Kong and Capote.

Oscar Talk V: Best Director & Best Picture

2005-12-19T01:59:00.000-05:00

If the Globes proved one thing, it was the fact that even Spielberg is vulnerable. Even though I think he will still be up for Best Picture and Best Director, something as slight as a PGA (Jan 4) snub could easily eliminate Munich for good. The sure things still are Brokeback Mountain and Good Night, and Good Luck. - although if the right-wingers take hold, it could kill BBM's chances or make it even more likely - who knows. Clooney though, is probably the Best Director Winner over Ang Lee. Has a prominant actor-turned Director ever been nominated and not won?? As far as I can think, the answer is no (and Sofia Coppola was never a big time actor first btw).

Another strong candiadte for BP is Walk the Line, although I don't think its director, James Mangold is going to be there come Oscar Nom Morn. There is - more often than not - an odd man out director - one that doesn't match up with a corrosponding BP. This year I think it's Mangold left out and Woody Allen put in. There is also the possibility of Fernando Meirselles (Constant Gardener) and/or David Cronenberg (Violence), but it will probably be Woody. Although he only has two Best Pic nods (Annie Hall and Hannah) he has been up for Director five times (add Broadway Danny Rose, Crimes & Misdemeanors and Bullets over Broadway). He is the strongest candiadte to get a nomination WITHOUT a BP nod - although we certainly cannot count Match Point out yet.

The other big film - big Big BIg BIG - film is Peter Jackson's King Kong. Although not to the level of LOTR, Kong does have the big box office behind it, and in a year that was known as a BO fiasco - this could help tremendously. There is, of course, the possibility of Crash finding its way into the Top 5, but personally I am rooting for The New World. I'm afraid this film is going to go nearly completely unnoticed in this awards season, and that would be a shame. Let's just hope Cinderella Man - with all its talk of coming back - is finally dead in the water.

Picture: Brokeback, Good Night, Munich, Walk the Line & Kong.
Director: Clooney, Lee, Spielberg, Allen & Jackson.

The Top Tenners are upon us

2005-12-18T21:43:00.000-05:00

That time of the cinematic year is nearly upon us. The time when all the critics begin to name their Top 10 Lists. Okay, some of them have already been announced, but there are a lot more to come over the next three weeks or so. As for my own lists - I've upped the "release" date for my Best and Worst Lists. I will announce my Worst of 2005 on December 31st and then, on the following day - January 1st by the way - I will announce my Best of 2005. Of course, if you are a regular to my site, then you will already know of my annual rankings page, and in due course know which films I will be listing on by Best of 2005 page, but there are a handful of films I still need to see before finishing my lists, and there will be "never-before-read" commentary - that's mighty exciting isn't it!?.

As for other lists - there is a great annual sight that compiles upwards of 250 Top 10 Lists each and every year (since 2001). It is called Geninn, and it will most likely begin its round-up within the next week (in fact, I was just on there and it appears as if brewings are a brewin'). Another place to find Top 10 Lists is over at Nathaniel R.'s Film Experience. This list is comprised solely of on-line critics. I should be sending my list to both sights on New Year's Day. I'll list one Top 10 List here (actually two), but leave those others to compile the master list. Check out Nick Schager and Ed Gonzalez from Slant Magazine.

My predictive abilities seem to be waning !!

2005-12-17T19:11:00.000-05:00

As pertaining to my recent debacle at correctly predicting the winners of the three major critics orgs (LA, NY & NBR), I want to make a brief statement:

I SUCK !!!!!!!!!!

I went a miserably pathetic 8 for 42 in the three races (as opposed to 17 for 41 last year - which was still below 50% - 41% to be exact - but better nonetheless). My percentage this year: 19%. Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!

I went 71% and 75% in my Globe and Oscar predix, respectively, so hopefully those won't drop this year. And speaking of which, my Oscar Prediction Pages are - right now, as we speak - being updated (I have seven seperate windows open on my PC right now) and they should be comepletely updated by the end of this weekend, since I am about to leave the cyber world for the In-Laws' X-mas Party. The next updates will most likely come sometime between X-mas and New Year's Day.

Oscar Talk IV: Best Actress

2005-12-17T18:43:00.000-05:00

There have really only been two sure things in this year's Best Actress race - Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line and Dame Judi Dench in Mrs. Henderson Presents, but it's lovely Reese that is taking the critics awards by storm, the way Imelda Staunton did last year before she won the Osc...ooo wait, that's right, she didn't win, did she??? I guess what I'm saying is do not be decieved by early frontrunners, although I think Reese will weather any storm this year. She is at that perfectly ripe age for first time Oscar winners.

But let's not forget about Felicity Huffman in Transamerica. She changes her look and her sex (sort of) to play this part - although it may not be as dramatic as Theron changed when she won her "HIGHLY OVERRATED AND UNDESERVED" Oscar, but remeber what happened to Helen Hunt after she won an Emmy and then starred in a dramedy back in 1997...hmm.

This is where it gets a little more difficult to predict. Keira Knightly (Pride & Prejudice), Charlize Theron (North Country) and Ziyi Zhang all have good shots at the other two spots, but how many young beautiful actresses can we fit in one category - okay, a lot I suppose. But what about Joan Allen in The Upside of Anger? Early word had her in, but a Globe snub definately hurts those chances, and it may be enough for someone else to take her spot.

And then you have the dark horses. Naomi Watts in king Kong, has a shot only because I think the film is going to score a lot bigger than most give it credit for. It may not be LOTR, but it is a strong box officer in a year of slagging receipts, so it could be up for the big prize, which might allow Watts to slide in with it, and considering Witherspoon is the only other possibility from one othe BP contenders...

There is also the fifteen year old scene stealer from Terrence Malick's A New World - Q'orianka Kilcher. It may only be wishful thinking, since the film is flying so far under the radar, but what about Keisha Castle Hughes and Catalina Sandino Moreno? Good news on her behalf is the cover story on this weekend's USA Today. Laura Linney is another possible dark horse (although there may be category confusion) as is Maria Bello. Right now Bello is considered supporting, but a Globe nod for LEAD could change that - it has happened before.

Right now, I say: Witherspoon, Dame Judi, Knightly, Huffman & Allen...but here's hopin' for Q'orianka.

Oscar Talk III: Best Supporting Actor

2005-12-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

Let's talk Best Supporting Actor. A week ago, this was the most wide open of the acting categories. Today it is down to probably seven men, vying for the top five spots.

George Clooney for Syriana seems to be the sudden frontrunner in the race. He could - in all conceivability - get three nominations this year (Director, Screenplay, Supp. Actor) as well as have one of his films up for Best Pic. The other sure things seem to be Matt Dillon for Crash and Paul Giamatti for Cinderella Man. Giamatti could realistically win too - more for snub-make-up for Sideways than for anything else.

The fourth nominee (at this point) seems to be Bob Hoskins in Mrs. Henderson Presents. I think he is on shakier ground than most do, but I do have in for now. Which leaves that ever-saught after fifth spot, which appears to be the fighting ground for William Hurt (Violence), Gyllenhaal (Brokeback) and Howard (Crash). Gyllenhaal may end up being that inevitable loser from a film that gets snubbed even though the rest of the film gets a buttload of nominations. Howard, on the other hand, if he can sneak in, could be looking at a double nomination (with his lead spot for Hustle & Flow). There is one other scenario though, since there is often a "surprise" nod come Oscar Announcement Morning. Someone who has gotten very little buzz, but comes up with a happy little wake-up call at 5:37am PST. Someone like Keisha Castle-Hughes in Whale Rider or Ethan Hawke in Training Day. This year that nod could go to Frank Langella in Good Night, and Good Luck. Getting a BP nod definately does help a supporting actor/actress.

My guesses right now: Clooney, Giamatti, Dillon, Hoskins & Hurt...but look out for Mr. Langella. Tomorrow comes Best Actress, followed by Director and Picture on Sunday.

Oscar Talk II: Best Actor

2005-12-16T01:37:00.000-05:00

We've done Supporting Actress, now let's discuss Best Actor.

This is a race with three sure things, er...make that four sure things. Hoffman in Capote, Ledger in Brokeback Mountain, Phoenix in Walk the Line and Strathairn in Good Night, and Good Luck. Which leaves us with one open spot and five men who could realistically grab it.

The man of the hour right now looks to be Terrence Howard, who just grabbed a (somewhat) surprising Globe nomination and has grabbed up a few precursor "breakthrough" awards. His Hustle & Flow performance could put him in the big show. The two men that could fight him off here are Ralph Fiennes in The Constant Gardener and Jeff Daniels in The Squid & the Whale. Daniels has gotten some precursor love, but poor Ralph hasn't seen any - although his film and co-star have.

Of course we can't count out Russell Crowe. Cinderella Man seems to be down for the count (YAY - no Renee Zelwegger (sp?)), but Crowe may still sneak in on past glory alone. Then again, speaking of past glory, either Tommy Lee Jones (Three Burials) or Anthony Hopkins (Fastest Indian) could, well, probably not considering no one is going to see their films until too late, for any buzz to build. There's always the (rather slim) possibility of Cillian Murphy (Breakfast on Pluto), Viggo Mortenson (Violence) or Nathan Lane (Producers) picking up that fifth spot - but they are going to need a hell of abig push to get there. Which leaves dark horse Eric Bana in Munich. Spielberg's film was hurt with the Globe snub (although Spielberg himself was nommed) and critics reactions are all pretty lukewarm (this critic won't see it until next week), but I would loike to see this very underrated actor get his due...someday.

In the end I say: Hoffman, Phoenix, Ledger, Strathairn & Howard. Next up will be Best Supporting Actor...coming tomorrow.

Oscar Talk: Best Supporting Actress

2005-12-15T22:16:00.000-05:00

Let's talk Oscar.

Finally - after a truly long time of procrastinating - let's talk about the impact of the Golden Globes (and the critics groups) on the Oscar Race. The awardzapalooza that took place this past week (seven critics groups AND the Globes) has somewhat narrowed things down a bit - but just a bit. Let's take this category by category, shall we.

First off, Best Supporting Actress. Strangely enough this is probably the strongest category this year with about eleven actresses vying for the top five spots. And it's wide open, considering Scarlett Johansson (Match Point) is probably the only sure thing - but then again, we said that in 2003 with her Lost in Translation performance, and look what that got her - a big fat nothing on Oscar nomination morning. Actually, with her Globe nod this year, she has four Globe nominations in three years, but has yet to garner a single Oscar nod. Will this year do it for her?

Other - relatively - strong candidates are Michelle Williams for Brokeback Mountain, who despite a rather lackluster role to work with, will most likely ride the Brokeback wave to a nomination, and Gong Li, who may be the sole survivor of Memoirs of a Geisha's critical nosedive (a thing I predicted long ago). Another strong possibility is Maria Bello for A History of Violence, but there may be category confusion that ultimately seals her fate. Being campaigned as supporting, but garnering a lead nomination from the HFPA, Bello (or rather her studio) may decide to go lead, which actually may be for the best - and let's face it, Bello is lead here, not supporting.

As for the other two (or three if Bello goes lead) spots, they are pretty much up for grabs. More likely are Rachel Weisz for The Constant Gardener, Francis McDormand for North Country and Shirley Maclaine for In Her Shoes - all Globe nominees. One of these ladies may be left in the lurch unless Bello does go lead. The two actresses most hurt by their Globe snubs are Diane Keaton (Family Stone) and Uma Thurman (The Producers). Both strong contenders. Both with the wind knocked out of their sails so to speak. But then again, it is more likely to see a surprise (read: non Globe nominee) in the supporting categories than in leads - since there are ten lead actors/actresses to ultimately choose from. Another possibility - albeit a dark horse - is Catherine Keener, grabbing up a couple of crix pix (LA and Boston) but not a Globe. It's a small role without much glitz (which the academy oh so loves), but she is a former nominee, so possibilities are still there - and personally, I'm pretty confidant we will hear her name on January 30th. The final possibility is Amy Adams, whose Junebug performance has gotten raves all around and she has grabbed up three crix awards so far.

Right now, I would say the top five spots belong to Johansson, Weisz, Keener, Williams and Gong Li - with a strong chance of Maclaine sneaking in there in place of Keener or Gong Li.

I'm way behind, but I'm catching up...

2005-12-14T02:35:00.000-05:00

I've updated my awards chart to include all seven critics groups that have announced winners so far. Other than that, I'll be back sometime soon (probably tomorrow night or Thursday) with the results of my - rather lame - attempt at predicting the Golden Globes (as well as the other critics groups) and all the commentary that fits about how the Oscar Race is shaping up - not to mention my Oscar Predix updates and new reviews of King Kong, Capote and Syriana. For right now...sleepy time has come.

It's Catch-up Time here at The Cinematheque

2005-12-12T00:22:00.000-05:00

Aaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Too much information...too little time...too sleeeepy...

Just back from Philadelphia (poss. the world's most depressing city, but more on that later) and I am heading back to-morrow morning for three screenings (The New World, Three Burials... and King Kong). I can't even pretend to have the time to cover all the buzz precursor awards being shelled out right. I do love that both LA and Boston named Brokeback Mountain Picture of the Year. I'll try (there is no try...I know Yoda, I know - there is do or do not) to fit commentary about all the crix pix and the Globe noms (Tues. morn) sometime this week (hopefully Tuesday night, but more realistically, Thursday afternoon). I also have to catch up on all those films I haven't seen yet - for both my Best of the Year column (and my Senses of Cinema World Poll submission) and for the 2nd Annual Cinematheque Awards (nominations being announced on January 23rd).

December releases to still catch are Match Point, Mrs. Henderson, Family Stone, Rumor Has It, Munich, Memoirs of a Geisha, Transamerica, Down to the Bone, The White Countess & The Producers. Dvd's to catch up on those films I missed earlier in the year are Mysterious Skin, 9 Songs, Gus Van Sant's Last Days, Yes, Palindromes, Up and Down, The Edukators, Happy Endings & Kings and Queen. Also Hustle & Flow (dvd on Jan 10) and Constant Gardener (dvd Jan 17). I also should check out some of those less fortunate films for inclusion in my annual Worst of the Year, such as The Honeymooners, Dukes of Hazzard, Aeon Flux, The Fantastic Four and so on.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!

So little time...so many movies...sleeeeepy...

Brokeback Mt. kicks off Awards Season with a Big Bang in LA

2005-12-11T00:22:00.000-05:00

The LAFCA Crix Pix are in, and boy did I suck at predicting what they would be. A measly 3 right out of 13 (as compared to last year's 7 for 14). And the only ones I did get right were the "lower" awards (Animation, Doc and Cinematog.). But I am glad to see Brokeback Mountian take home Best Pic and Director (even if I was wrong). I won't take up much more time here, since I am in Philly right now and will be spending so much time at screenings and other film events, that I won't have time to calculate any serious opines on the crix pix and/or my crix pix predix (I love that). Since I will probably not be back online til late Monday night (I should buy a damned laptop ya know) I will do a full round-up of the NBR, LAFCA, NYFCC, BFCA and Globes on Tuesday evening (after all have announced), as well as updating my Oscar Predix. For now, go to sleep...

Philadelphia - rah rah rah !!!

2005-12-10T11:12:00.000-05:00

Off to the City of Brotherly Love (oddly enough the place I saw Brokeback Mountain...think about it people) for the week-end. Press screenings galore. Reviews coming - whence I return - will be King Kong, The New World, Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada and Capote (the last is less a screening and more a why-the-hell-haven't-I-seen-this-yet).

We didn't need words...we had faces.

2005-12-09T23:37:00.000-05:00

The lights went down, except for a lone bulb behind the screen. The film began and a man with Viola in hand started to play from behind the movie screen. His shadow mesmorizing upon the wall behind him - illuminated by the glow of the single rudimentary bulb left on. But no matter how much his viola-shaped elongated shadow stole my eyes, they quickly averted to the screen, where the face of Maria Falconetti engorged the frame and her sublime eyes engulfed you completely.

I am - of course - talking about Carl Dreyer's 1928 masterpiece (and I cannot emphasize that word enough), La Passion de Jeanne d'arc (#2 on my personal Top 10 List). It played at Dickinson College tonight, and I trudged through the snow (on a twenty-five minute voyage from Harrisburg to Carlisle) to see this icon of silent film mastery. Also among the audience were Albert H. Muth, Cinematheque correspondent, and Caleb Smith, experimental filmmaker and originator of Moviate.

I had these grandiose ideas of writing a review/critique of the film, but thought better of it once I sat down at my desk. The film is pure visual poetry. There is nothing more I can add, save for a few fawning sentences. So I leave it at that.

The BFCA's are coming (too!!)

2005-12-09T23:09:00.000-05:00

With all the hoopla I've been spouting concerning all the critics awards being announced in the next few days, I plum forgot about The Broadcast Film Critics association (did I say plum?). So in all fairness, here are my predictions for the BFCA's (nominations being announced this week-end):

Best Picture
The Squid & the Whale
Good Night, and Good Luck.
Brokeback Mountain
Cinderella Man
King Kong
Walk the Line
The Constant Gardener
Munich
Crash
A History of Violence

Best Director
George Clooney for Good Night, and Good Luck.
Ang Lee for Brokeback Mountain
Peter Jackson for King Kong
Steven Spielberg for Munich
David Cronenberg for A History of Violence
alt: Ron Howard (Cinderella Man) or Fernando Mereilles (Constant Gardener)

Best Actress
Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line
Ziyi Zhang in Memoirs of A Geisha
Charlize Theron in North Country
Judi Dench in Mrs. Henderson Presents
Laura Linney in The Squid & the Whale
alt: Keira Knightly (Pride & Prejudice) or Rachel Weisz (Constant Gardener)

Best Actor
Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain
Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line
Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote
David Strathairn in Good Night, and Good Luck.
Jeff Daniels in The Squid & the Whale
alt: Ralph Fiennes (Constant Gardener) or Eric Bana (Munich)

I'm going to stop there (although there are a bunch more categories).