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You know the ones they gave the green light to but then something happened and they just didn't turn out that great. So the films sit on the shelf collecting dust until 1st quarter and then get small releases. A couple of examples that come to mind: "My Blueberry Nights" This film wrapped 2 years ago but is just now getting a release. I know because I have seen Natalie Portman and Norah Jones doing the talk show circuit to promote it. Another example "Penelope" the film where Christina Ricci had a pig nose, bad reviews starred James McElvoy and even had Reese Witherspoon in it (she also produced it) it was open and closed faster than you could look up the show times. So with that being said chances are slim you're going to see something awesome this time of the year. But because I am always asked "seen any good movies?", heres what I've enjoyed this month: and you might want to remember to look for these on video in the coming months.
"21" Based on the best seller "Bringing Down the House" a group of MIT students led by their teacher (Kevin Spacey) count cards in Vegas on the weekends and win big until....dum dum dum the house catches on. Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne.
I went back to "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day"and again it was just a fun time at the movies. Amy Adams is a joy and Frances McDormand is wonderful. see this movie.
I also saw "Run Fat Boy Run" which was surprisingly entertaining. The film stars Simon Pegg who you'll recognize from "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz" . As Dennis Doyle, a slightly confused man who abandons his pregnant fiancee (Thandie Newton) at the alter he must train and run a marathon in 3 weeks to prove to himself and the woman he loves that he is worthy.. Directed by David Schwimmer of Friends fame it's a sweet little movie I think you'll enjoy.
On the animated front I thought "Horton Hears a Who" had great messages for all ages about friendship, loyalty,
and standing up for what you believe.Voiced by Jim Carrey and the great Carol Burnett
I was disappointed in "Leatherheads" its not a bad movie it's just not great and I wanted it to be great.
starring George Clooney and Renee Zellwegger in the 20's Howard Hawke's type of film I just felt like it moved slow and lacked the crackling dialog of a "His Girl Friday".
I'm back, sorry about the delays between postings I'll try and get better at this. I was in NY to interview Amy Adams and Lee Pace for the new film "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day". I cannot wait for ya'll to see this film. It's like a really good whipped dessert. A fun period romp about an actress (played by Adams) who's life is forever changed by a "social secretary" named Miss Pettigrew (played by Frances McDormand). McDormand is great as always and Adams has a long career ahead of her. Lee Pace
(the star of the ABC show Pushing Daisies) plays the penniless piano player in love with our heroine.
Great stuff out on DVD this month including: Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey in "Enchanted" .
I adored this film and you can watch it with the entire family. I also liked "Dan in Real Life" starring Steve Carell and Juliette Binoche. It's a sweet romantic comedy you'll be glad you rented.
Also the vastly overlooked "Into the Wild" with tremendous performances by Emile Hirsch and Hal Holbrook is available for rent.
SNEAK PREVIEW ALERT: We're having a sneak preview of the film "21" coming up so keep watching Good Morning Arkansas for details on how you can get your free passes. As always each pass is good for 2 people but you must get there early to get a seat. True story of 6 MIT students who learned to count cards and took Vegas for millions. Starring Kevin Spacey and Kate Bosworth.
Question for you: Now that the Oscars and all the Top 10 Lists have come and gone I'm curious, what was the worst film you saw last year?
-R
Lets talk Academy Award nominations; And do you think there will be an Academy Awards Show? I believe there will be, and you know what they say....if you can believe it, you can achieve it (an end to the strike that is) or at least a temporary fix so the show can go on.
Academy Award surprises, nothing huge but here are my immediate thoughts:
I really thought "Into the Wild" and Sean Penn would have gotten more accolades for picture and director. I thought someone or something from "Hairspray" would have gotten a nod.
On the actors: All solid performances in the acting categories and I was excited to see Viggo Mortensen honored with a nomination for "Eastern Promises" He really had the accent and everything down, incredibly believable, he's a chameleon and I thought this would be overlooked.
I just saw Cate Blanchett in "I'm Not There" wow, she seriously looks exactly like Bob Dylan, she is him just like she was Katherine Hepburn in "The Aviator". However 2 nominations never fares well for the person nominated. (She is nominated for Supporting Actress in I'm not there" and Best Actress for "Elizabeth")
So here's a question. Is this the first year a team wins Best Director? All signs point to Joel and Ethan Coen winning Best Directors for "No Country for Old Men"
Can you remember a year when a directing team has won? I can't. If you know of a Oscar winning directing team, please let me know. I can think of songwriting teams, etc but I got nothing on the co-directing thing.
Too many songs from "Enchanted" are nominated for best song. "That's How You Know" should have been it.
And there's always that one Best Picture that directs itself and this year it was "Atonement" This means it got a Best Picture nomination but not a Best Director nomination. Every other Best Picture nominee has a director nomination with it. But Julian Schnabel who directed "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" took Joe Wright (director of Atonement) slot.
I'm back but only for a few days off this weekend to the Critics Choice Awards in LA.
Wanted to put up some films and thoughts for the best of and get your feedback on the worst of...
My top 10 in no particular order for best of the year
1. "Atonement": beautiful film by Director Joe Wright starring Kiera Knightly and James McAvoy stand out performance by the little sister
heavy drama, .
2."Juno/ Super Bad/ Knocked Up" if you liked any one of these you'll like them all however if R rated humor is not your thing pass on these
Super Bad and Knocked Up are 2 more in the Judd Apatow 40 year old Virgin vein of comedy, great one liners, shocking humor
and not anything your mom would think is funny.
"Juno" is written by a first time screen writer who will be nominated for original screenplay (bank on it) and stars the unbelievable Ellen Page who you may recognize from
"Hard Candy", if you missed this sleeper rent it. She is a huge talent and gives Juno its snap crackle and pop.
Great performances by Jennifer Garner and Jk Rollins and Allison Janney are terrific in their supporting roles.
3."The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" emotionally exhausting true story of the editor of French vogue who dictates his autobiography by blinking his eye
it will stay with you long after the credits roll.
4. "Waitress" I loved this sweet film, saw it early in the year and it really charmed me. The back story of writer/ director/actor, Adrienne Shelly makes the film that much more worthy of your movie dollar. and who cannot appreciate a spontaneous poem?
5."Into the Wild" again I am a sucker for a true story. Sean Penns beautiful telling of a young mans journey of self discovery.
Not sure why this film didn't get more accolades. Regardless of whether or not you understand why he's doing it you have to respect his passion and commitment
to the ride itself. Look for Oscar noms for Hal Holbrook supporting, Penn for directing, Catherine Keener for S. Actress and possibly Emile Hirsch for best actor.
6. "Enchanted" The film for every girl whoever wanted to be a princess. Amy Adams is Enchanting, and incredibly believable and as the naive princess banished to Times Square. No other actress working today could have pulled this off. Patrick Dempsey is always dreamy and has been my prince charming since "Can't Buy me Love". Entertaining and fun. I really enjoyed this movie.
7."No Country for Old Men" The Coen Bros are back to the "Blood Simple" days when details are everything and dialogue is limited.
Tommy Lee Jones was born to be the sherrif and Javier Bardeem wins for scariest bad guy with bowl haircut ever on film.
loads of discussion and theory on line about this film. A lock for best picture nomination and director.
What a year for Josh Brolin.
8. "The Visitor" I saw this at the Toronto Film Fest (it will be a while before it gets to the Market Street.)
From the guy who brought us "The Station Agent" this is another sweet character study that will win you over.
Nothing big or flashy just a nice little film.
9. "The Namesake" and since my list I have seen "The Kite Runner" Both films are stories of family and journeys home.
Both films are emotional, and worth seeing.
10. "God Grew Tired of Us" about the lost boys of sudan. The best documentary I saw this year.
This is my absolute favorite time of year as the studios roll out all the really "Big" films for Oscar and Golden Globe consideration.
The campaigning starts, the talk show circuits begin, and all the websites start to make predictions.
I'll be making predictions too but not until right before the big show, I will change my mind who knows how many times before then.
Also I'll be doing a Top 10 list of films for 2007 so be on the look out for that and I'll try and keep you posted of any sleepers you may have missed new to DVD.
Let me know what you think of the movies.
