Blog Archives
Scorsese’s “Hugo” Named Best Film of the Year by the National Board of Review
I very rarely agree 100% with the NBR, but this year’s list is pretty decent, though I still need to see a handful of their choices.. They always include Eastwood, no matter what the consensus is on his films, though. I still haven’t seen J. Edgar, so I can’t comment just yet. I’m happy to see Drive on their list, but a little miffed to see the final Harry Potter on there, because from a stand-alone film point-of-view it failed miserably.
Movie Quote of the Day – Syriana, 2005 (dir. Stephen Gaghan)
Bob Barnes: If anything happens to me or my family. . .an accident, an accusation, anything. . .then, first, your son will disappear. His body will never be found. Then your wife. Her body will never be found either. Now, this is guaranteed. [beat] Then whatever is the most dangerous thing that you do in your life. . .it might be flying in a small plane. . .it might be walking to the bank. . .you’ll be killed. [beat] Understand what I’m saying? I want you to acknowledge that you understand so that we’re clear and there won’t be any mistakes.
Dean Whitting: Beirut rules, Mr. Barnes?
Movie Quote of the Day – O Brother, Where Art Thou?, 2000 (dir. Joel and Ethan Coen)
Pomade Vendor: I can get the part from Bristol. It’ll take two weeks, here’s your pomade.
Ulysses Everett McGill: Two weeks? That don’t do me no good.
Pomade Vendor: Nearest Ford auto man’s Bristol.
Ulysses Everett McGill: Hold on, I don’t want this pomade. I want Dapper Dan.
Pomade Vendor: I don’t carry Dapper Dan, I carry Fop.
Ulysses Everett McGill: Well, I don’t want Fop, goddamn it! I’m a Dapper Dan man!
Pomade Vendor: Watch your language, young feller, this is a public market. Now if you want Dapper Dan, I can order it for you, have it in a couple of weeks.
Ulysses Everett McGill: Well, ain’t this place a geographical oddity. Two weeks from everywhere!
Current Obsession: Anton Corbijn’s Photo Blog for The American
Anton Corbijn is one of my favorite photographers. Incidentally, due to his amazing work on his debut film – 2007’s Joy Division/Ian Curtis biopic Control, he is also one of my favorite filmmakers. His camerawork is just so luscious and his point of view so clear. September 1st sees the debut of his sophomore effort, the George Clooney anchored spy-thriller The American. I am pretty stoked for this film. The trailer looks amazing. The poster art is all kinds of fabulous vintage paperback pulp fiction awesomeness. But what has really excited me the most is Corbijn’s photo blog over on Focus Features’ site. The blog has been up since February and includes beautifully shot photos of Clooney, as well as other cast members, mixed in with cute anecdotes about the photos. I’m going to share my two favorite photos, but you should really go to the site and read Corbijn’s posts as well!
Don’t forget to check the photo blog out: http://focusfeatures.com/profile/anton_corbijn
Poster for Anton Corbijn’s ‘The American’
This is one of my most anticipated films of the year. Anton Corbijn’s debut film, 2007’s Ian Curtis biopic Control is one of my favorite films of all time. I think Corbijn’s background as a photographer and music video director gives him a really great point of view when it comes to his films. Add to the mix George Clooney, who has pretty much, aside from one or two not-so-great films, been on fire for the last ten years and you’ve really got something. Look for the trailer after the cut.
Oscar Vault Monday – The Thin Red Line, 1998 (dir. Terrence Malick)
Malick was one of the most acclaimed directors in the 1970s, with two highly acclaimed dramas – 1973’s Badlands and 1978’s Days of Heaven. He then disappeared for nearly twenty years before production of The Thin Red Line started. The result is an astounding WWII ensemble based on the novel of the same name by James Jones (who’s other book, From Here To Eternity was turned into a film in 1953 and won 8 Oscars). There is a version of The Thin Red Line from 1964 that I’m told is more true to the book; I’ve yet to see it. I also don’t really care if it’s more true to the book because I love what Malick did with this story. This film is one of my Top Ten Films of All Time. It was nominated for 7 Oscars in 1998 although it didn’t win a single award. It was up against Saving Private Ryan, Shakespeare In Love, Elizabeth and Life Is Beautiful.
Jeremy Renner and the Best Actor Race
I’ve yet to see A Single Man or Crazy Heart, mostly due to living in the middle of nowhere, and thus can only comment on the three performances I have seen. I enjoyed George Clooney in Up In The Air, but he was better in Michael Clayton. My opinion on Morgan Freeman in Invictus will come up later on in this post. That leaves Jeremy Renner in The Hurt Locker. And of the three I’ve seen, he has my vote. It’ll be a difficult race for him, but I think he has a chance of pulling it off. He had perhaps my favorite reaction to his nomination when interviewed on Good Morning America yesterday. When asked about his competition, he replied, “I’ve gotta break some serious legs.”
My Oscar Nominations Predictions
The Academy Award nominations will be announced at 5:30AM PST tomorrow, February 2nd. I’ve got predictions for 10 of the 24 categories. I’m also going to supply some alternates. I love being able to predict what the nominations will be, but at the same time, it would be nice for some surprises to sneak in there too!
Best Picture:
- (500) Days of Summer
- An Education
- Avatar
- District 9
- The Hangover
- The Hurt Locker
- Inglourious Basterds
- Precious
- Star Trek
- Up In The Air
(Alternates: Up, Invictus, A Serious Man)
the diary of a film history fanatic 