Ah yes. After being in development for almost ten years, Inglourious Basterds has finally arrived. Going through a multitude of changes, Inglourious Basterds has finally found its way to movie theatres. Being a huge Tarantino fan (what self-respecting filmgoer isn't?), I was excited for this movie even eons before Grindhouse was released and the movie was set to star Michael Madsen and Steve Buscemi as US Soldiers who were about to be sent on a destructive mission in order to redeem themselves and avoid the firing squad. Bring us up to August 21st, and the film now stars Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, Melanie Laurent, and Christoph Waltz. Pitt and Roth star respectively as members of an elite "Nazi-killing" squad known as The Basterds, sent into Normandy as plainclothes operatives, to do what Pitt's character Lt. Aldo Raine describes as "one thing and one thing only: killing Natzis". Roth plays the role of Staff Sergeant Donny Donowitz, a hulking obnoxious Bostonian who wields a Louisville Slugger and is aptly named "The Bear Jew" by the Nazis. Meanwhile, Kruger plays the esteemed German film star Bridget von Hammersmark, who in reality is a spy for the Allies. Melanie Laurent makes her major debut in English cinema as the French Jew Shosanna Dreyfus, who is the lone survivor of an execution order on her family. Colonel Hans Landa of the SS is played by Christoph Waltz, who is pridefully named "The Jew Hunter" for his persistence in tracking down Jews seeking refuge in Nazi-occupied France. For reasons different but similar, both The Basterds and Dreyfus, under the new identity of theatre-owner Emmanuelle Mimieux, take up missions to assassinate important members of the Third Reich at a film premiere being held at Emmanuelle's theatre. When it is discovered that Adolf Hitler will be attending the premiere, the stakes become dangerously -- and brutally higher.
With the plot carefully laid out, what did I make of the film? Well, I won't make you read through a wall of text to get to my final say, but I'll continue writing after I give you my overall take just because I can.
So yes, I'll say it. Save for Pulp Fiction, Inglourious Basterds is the best movie Quentin Tarantino has put forth. Looking at the $38.1 million dollars that the movie gathered in receipts, it looks to be up with Pulp Fiction as his most successful film financially as well. Anyways, yes. The movie is truly a treat. It takes the regular Tarantino tactics of detailed close-ups, unique camera points, awkward yet intriguingly long turns of dialogue, and of course lots of violence that likes to border on humour with its redundancy. What makes the film stand out is its unique setting in contrast with Tarantino's other exploits. This is Tarantino's first attempt at a historical piece (if you prefer to call it that), and as an expert filmmaker he does quite well. World War II is not only the most popular war genre to base a story around, but one of the most popular genres overall to put on 8mm. So of course, Tarantino has his work cut out for him. But in a way he doesn't, because the promotion of this movie tells any logical person that isn't a war epic. It's not even a war comedy, such as Dr. Strangelove. It's a throwback to the 1978 Italian war-film The Inglorious Bastards, and various other exploitation films, and is styled like a spaghetti-western with a Axis and Allies spin. So Tarantino doesn't have to capture the horrors of war, or illustrate the ordeals of the protagonists. Much like the movies it pays tribute to, Inglourious Basterds doesn't even have to have a coherent or realistic plot.
Yet, with all of this in mind, Inglourious Basterds is a potential Oscars darkhorse. While receiving mixed reviews at Cannes, it quickly picked up steam once critics began receiving screenings in North America and Europe. Christoph Waltz, who took home the Best Actor Award at Cannes, is the talk of a possible Oscar and Golden Globe recognition (actually, his chance for nomination for an Acting Award in the Musical/Comedy Award at the Globe is looking pretty good considering who has been nominated in the past few years).
Playing the SS Colonel Hans Landa, Waltz is absolutely astounding for an actor who has, for the majority of his film career, made his work in Germany and Austria. He portrays Landa as a romantic and polite Nazi Colonel, all the while being expertly coordinated and secretely sinister. Boasting his pride as the "Jew Hunter", Waltz's Landa practically proclaims his happiness for the Jews and his Fuhrer's need for their elimination, as he finds himself naturally adept of getting rid of them. From his precise mannerisms and long spats of dialogue, to his somewhat odd outbursts, Landa is someone that you truly love to hate, as if being a Nazi was not good enough. His performance as a cunning Nazi psychopath, much more of a "Bastard" than the heroes of the film, is more than worthy of an award or two.
Tarantino's portrayal of his leading actresses is also effective, in that they are given sex appeal without having to whorishly shove it down our throats, such as introducing them in a scene where they are bent over in jean shorts working on a motor bike in humid weather (hey, Megan Fox). As well, they are given quite a bit of importance in the film and aren't portrayed as brainless objects placed in the film to drive up revenue. It is actually their professionalism in their roles that both Melanie Laurent and Diane Kruger manage to grab a piece of the starlight. Dreyfus (played by Laurent), under the guise of Emmanuelle Mimieux, transforms from a haunted survivor to an established theatre-owner, and becomes set in her plan to rid the world of the Nazi leadership once it is confirmed the premiere of the film-within-the-film Nation's Pride will take place at her cinema. Meanwhile, Kruger, a native German, wonderfully plays the socialite actress with the awesome name of Bridget von Hammersmark, who moonlights as an elegant actress while feeding information to the British. Both women are not the stars that Tarantino favourite Uma Thurman is today, but they are both just as skilled at playing the take-no-bullshit gals that are staples of his films.
Of course, Brad Pitt, Eli Roth et. al. do not disappoint as the films titular protagonists. As Lieutenant Aldo "The Apache" Raine, Pitt shines as a soldier who has thrown ethical conduct in warfare to the wayside in his tireless hunt for Nazi blood (he is after all, a scalp collector). Raine is a man who wants things done, no matter the cost because to him the ends do justify the means. Speaking in a slick southern drawl, Raine marches The Basterds through Normandy on a Nazi-slaying adventure with a charming determination and a bag of puns and German-related insults, which just goes to show how Pitt can transform from the tender and wordly Benjamin Button to the foul-mouthed World War II veteran that he is in this film, as if it were two different people playing the roles. Meanwhile, his Staff Sergeant Donny Donowitz (Roth), a foul-mouthed, bat-wielder known as "The Bear Jew", is the perfect fit for an obnoxious brute who intimidates his enemies (and victims) while taunting them in his distinguished Bostonian accent. Clearly enjoying what they do, Raine, Donowitz and the rest of the Basterds chew through the Nazi ranks, and hilarity ensues.
While all of this takes place, the storyline itself flows smoothly, not following the trademark scene shuffling that makes Pulp Fiction or the Kill Bill films so unique, although the movie alternates between the different characters who are simultaneously concocting a plan to kill Hitler while oblivious to the existence of the other's scheme. And for anyone who complains about Inglourious Basterds lack of substance as a "war movie", then they should realize that in the end, the movie is less about war (I highly doubt it was Tarantino's intention to be compared with Saving Private Ryan and Platoon) than it is about the characters and their interactions. After all, Tarantino's films are always remembered by fans quoting exchanges of memorable dialogue, not by discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the story.
So yes, Inglourious Basterds is a winner. As of this writing (August 26th, 2009), I would have to say it is my favourite film of 2009.
FINAL GRADE: 9/10
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Countdown's Begun (Part 3; Late Edition)
Yes, so I got a bit lazy/busy. With my trip to Ottawa last week and the decision to move out of my parent's house this week, I got behind, but alas, here is the final section of my Oscar preview. In Part 3, I will look at The Hurt Locker, Amelia, The Informant!, and Precious.
The Hurt Locker (directed by Kathryn Bigelow, released on June 26th, 2009)
Premiering at smaller film festivals last fall, The Hurt Locker was a movie that wasn't really pegged to be an Oscar favourite. As of today, there is little to no doubt the movie will secure one of the ten Best Picture nominee slots at the 82nd Academy Awards, which is an noteworthy achievement for a movie released amid a sea of money-gobbling blockbusters. The movie, directed by Point Break helm Kathryn Bigelow, centers on an elite bomb-defusing team in the middle of the action in the Iraq War. After Sergeant Matt Thompson (Guy Pearce) is killed in an explosion, Bravo Company receives a new Team Leader in the form of Staff Sergeant William James, played by Jeremy Renner, who was briefly seen on television this spring in the failed cop drama The Unusuals. Renner immediately captures audiences as the confident and brash James, who seems incapable of losing his cool or his cocky wit, much to the chagrin of Sergeant JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie). Led by James, Bravo Company embark on dangerous missions in the streets of Baghdad, as The Hurt Locker plunges the viewer into a world of constant tension, with no knowledge to who will be the next victim to the hostile environment. Featuring amazing direction by Bigelow, outstanding acting chemistry between Renner and Mackie and a long-awaited feature on the Iraq War that stays true to its billing, The Hurt Locker is a not just a great movie that captures the terrifying aspects of war, it is a movie that flat out brings you to the edge of your seat.
Amelia (directed by Mira Nair, in theatres October 23rd, 2009)
With all of the fanfare that surrounds the famous pilot Amelia Earhart and her mysterious disappearance, it is a bit of a surprise that it has taken this long to get a major modern film about her life to get to the big screen. While there have been many History Channel specials and a few made-for-TV movies, a true look at the wonder pilot's life will take flight in October. The movie will be directed by Mira Nair, who is best known for directing 2006's The Namesake. While successful in her directing career this will definitely be Nair's biggest film to date. Amelia will star the renowned Hilary Swank in the titular role, as well as Richard Gere, who will be playing George Putnam, Amelia Earhart's husband. If biopics on historical figures of recent memory are any indication, Swank will be taking home her third Academy Award this coming Spring, as three out the last four Best Actor and Actress winners have taken home the Oscar for portraying a character based on a real life person. The movie will carry an aura of mystery, as to this day, there has been no evidence leading to the answer to what happened to Amelia Earhart as she disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean on July 2nd, 1937. Expected to feature her rocky relationship with husband Putnam, Amelia is set to be a triumph which not only chronicles the history of one of the greatest pilots to take to the skies, but pays tribute to a true heroine in a world dominated by men. Also starring Ewan McGregor and Virginia Madsen, Amelia hits screens October 23rd, 2009.
The Informant! (directed by Steven Soderbergh, in theatres September 18th, 2009)
Almost every year at the Oscars, a dark-comedy/dramedy is guaranteed a spot among the Famous Five just so the Academy can prove to everyone they enjoy laughing too. While one was left out at last year's awards, with ten nominees this year it is almost a guarantee we will see a movie that is laugh-driven. I think that movie will be The Informant!, which is actually based on the true story that surfaced in the 1990's with Archer Daniels Midland and the price-fixing scandle, which was brought to light by high-ranking executive Mark Whitacre (portrayed by Matt Damon). In reality, Mark Whitacre became a Dark Knight and was actually punished more severely for his involvement than the conspirators he helped bring to justice, The Informant! is a movie that focuses on Whitacre's ability (or lack thereof) to cope with being an informant for the FBI and the stress it brings him, on top the fact that he suffers from bipolar disorder. Featuring hilarious turns by Damon and the rest of the cast, Steven Soderbergh looks to follow up on the epic biopic of Che Guevera with a bouncy but dark comedy that is yet another classic among the corporate/business film genre. The Informant! sees limited release starting on September 18th.
Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire (directed by Lee Daniels, in theatres November 6th, 2009)
Originally titled Push but efficiently changed as to not confuse it with the sci-fi film of the same name that came out this February, Precious is no fairytale. The movie focuses on young Clareece 'Precious' Jones, a destitute teen growing up in Harlem. Coming from a world of terrible abuse, Jones is illiterate, poor, angry, and overweight, and most importantly, unloved. Pregnant with her second child, Precious is offered the chance of a lifetime as she is invited to enroll in an alternative school, where she is challenged to not only become educated of her surroundings, but about herself as well. Precious is played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, while other cast members include Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, and Sherri Shephard. A champion at this years' Sundance Film Festival where it won the Grand Jury Prize, Precious is a movie that is set to be a true darkhorse in the Oscar race but one that could do a lot of damage when awards night arrives. After all, isn't that what happened with Slumdog Millionaire? Catch Precious in theatres on November 6th.
So that's it. Those are your ten heavyweights. Other hopefuls will pop up and possibly spoil the race, but these are the true leaders of the pack.
The Hurt Locker (directed by Kathryn Bigelow, released on June 26th, 2009)
Premiering at smaller film festivals last fall, The Hurt Locker was a movie that wasn't really pegged to be an Oscar favourite. As of today, there is little to no doubt the movie will secure one of the ten Best Picture nominee slots at the 82nd Academy Awards, which is an noteworthy achievement for a movie released amid a sea of money-gobbling blockbusters. The movie, directed by Point Break helm Kathryn Bigelow, centers on an elite bomb-defusing team in the middle of the action in the Iraq War. After Sergeant Matt Thompson (Guy Pearce) is killed in an explosion, Bravo Company receives a new Team Leader in the form of Staff Sergeant William James, played by Jeremy Renner, who was briefly seen on television this spring in the failed cop drama The Unusuals. Renner immediately captures audiences as the confident and brash James, who seems incapable of losing his cool or his cocky wit, much to the chagrin of Sergeant JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie). Led by James, Bravo Company embark on dangerous missions in the streets of Baghdad, as The Hurt Locker plunges the viewer into a world of constant tension, with no knowledge to who will be the next victim to the hostile environment. Featuring amazing direction by Bigelow, outstanding acting chemistry between Renner and Mackie and a long-awaited feature on the Iraq War that stays true to its billing, The Hurt Locker is a not just a great movie that captures the terrifying aspects of war, it is a movie that flat out brings you to the edge of your seat.
Amelia (directed by Mira Nair, in theatres October 23rd, 2009)
With all of the fanfare that surrounds the famous pilot Amelia Earhart and her mysterious disappearance, it is a bit of a surprise that it has taken this long to get a major modern film about her life to get to the big screen. While there have been many History Channel specials and a few made-for-TV movies, a true look at the wonder pilot's life will take flight in October. The movie will be directed by Mira Nair, who is best known for directing 2006's The Namesake. While successful in her directing career this will definitely be Nair's biggest film to date. Amelia will star the renowned Hilary Swank in the titular role, as well as Richard Gere, who will be playing George Putnam, Amelia Earhart's husband. If biopics on historical figures of recent memory are any indication, Swank will be taking home her third Academy Award this coming Spring, as three out the last four Best Actor and Actress winners have taken home the Oscar for portraying a character based on a real life person. The movie will carry an aura of mystery, as to this day, there has been no evidence leading to the answer to what happened to Amelia Earhart as she disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean on July 2nd, 1937. Expected to feature her rocky relationship with husband Putnam, Amelia is set to be a triumph which not only chronicles the history of one of the greatest pilots to take to the skies, but pays tribute to a true heroine in a world dominated by men. Also starring Ewan McGregor and Virginia Madsen, Amelia hits screens October 23rd, 2009.
The Informant! (directed by Steven Soderbergh, in theatres September 18th, 2009)
Almost every year at the Oscars, a dark-comedy/dramedy is guaranteed a spot among the Famous Five just so the Academy can prove to everyone they enjoy laughing too. While one was left out at last year's awards, with ten nominees this year it is almost a guarantee we will see a movie that is laugh-driven. I think that movie will be The Informant!, which is actually based on the true story that surfaced in the 1990's with Archer Daniels Midland and the price-fixing scandle, which was brought to light by high-ranking executive Mark Whitacre (portrayed by Matt Damon). In reality, Mark Whitacre became a Dark Knight and was actually punished more severely for his involvement than the conspirators he helped bring to justice, The Informant! is a movie that focuses on Whitacre's ability (or lack thereof) to cope with being an informant for the FBI and the stress it brings him, on top the fact that he suffers from bipolar disorder. Featuring hilarious turns by Damon and the rest of the cast, Steven Soderbergh looks to follow up on the epic biopic of Che Guevera with a bouncy but dark comedy that is yet another classic among the corporate/business film genre. The Informant! sees limited release starting on September 18th.
Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire (directed by Lee Daniels, in theatres November 6th, 2009)
Originally titled Push but efficiently changed as to not confuse it with the sci-fi film of the same name that came out this February, Precious is no fairytale. The movie focuses on young Clareece 'Precious' Jones, a destitute teen growing up in Harlem. Coming from a world of terrible abuse, Jones is illiterate, poor, angry, and overweight, and most importantly, unloved. Pregnant with her second child, Precious is offered the chance of a lifetime as she is invited to enroll in an alternative school, where she is challenged to not only become educated of her surroundings, but about herself as well. Precious is played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, while other cast members include Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, and Sherri Shephard. A champion at this years' Sundance Film Festival where it won the Grand Jury Prize, Precious is a movie that is set to be a true darkhorse in the Oscar race but one that could do a lot of damage when awards night arrives. After all, isn't that what happened with Slumdog Millionaire? Catch Precious in theatres on November 6th.
So that's it. Those are your ten heavyweights. Other hopefuls will pop up and possibly spoil the race, but these are the true leaders of the pack.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Countdown's Begun (Part 2)
Ah, so we begin Part 2 of this wonderful trek to determine who the stronger breeds of this upcoming Oscar breed will be. Well, I guess it was already determined "who", in Part 1, the rest is about "why". In this post, I'll take a look at James Cameron's Avatar, the 2009 Disney-Pixar smash hit Up, and The Lovely Bones, which is Peter Jackson's latest project.
Avatar (directed by James Cameron, in theatres December 18th, 2009)
Behold. Here is the film that many people, including the entire James Cameron fanclub, have been waiting for. The famous director who brought us Aliens (which would be the greatest sequel ever if not for The Godfather Part II), the first two Terminator films, The Abyss, is finally set to release his next sci-fi epic, his first feature-length film since 1997's Titanic, which, you know, went on 11 Academy Awards and is still the highest grossing movie of all time. Avatar, which has been in conception since 1995, has been the worked on tirelessly by Cameron, and has been hailed as The Messiah by respected filmmakers and visual effects gurus alike who have seen snippets of the film. The CGI is reported to be literally groundbreaking, and will antiquate most of today's standard techniques. At a budget of $240 million, the movie will have to make serious strides if it is to stay out of the red, but as we all know Cameron is no stranger to box office success. The film centers around Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington, who visits the planet of Pandora, which is inhabited by a humanoid species called the Na'vi. As humans are unable to breathe the air on the planet, they are sent in the form of human-Na'vi hybrids called Avatars, in which the controller of the Avatar stays physically behind but their mind joins the Avatar body, allowing them to navigate the planet. As a means to regain his mobility being a parapalegic, Sully becomes deeply entangled in the Na'vi way of life, falling in love with a female named Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), and as Sully's feelings and identification with the evolutionarily advanced Na'vi intensify, it becomes clear that the Earth's military has plans for Pandora which do not fit the Na'vi's best interests. Forced to choose sides, Sully must make a decision that will have global consequences. A film that is set to blow expectations away in every film dimension, Avatar releases on December 18th, 2009. Be prepared for the long haul, though, as Avatar is reported to have a runtime of over two-and-a-half hours.
Up (directed by Pete Docter, released on May 29th, 2009)
Up, the latest Pixar darling, is an almost guarantee for a Best Picture nomination. With the Best Animated Feature film likely in its pocket, Up has a human feel, which is to be expected, as it is the first Disney-Pixar film since 2004's The Incredibles to actually be centered on humans. Like every other Disney-Pixar film, it has been a critical and box-office wonder, and as of this post has snagged over $367 million worldwide. Up, which features the always-stunning visuals from Pixar studios blended with the simple but effective storytelling of Disney magic, features 78-year old Carl Fredricksen as its unlikely protagonist, a widower who has become lonely and sour in his old age. Now, Carl's once pleasant home has been encroached on by the demands of the big-city life, is approached by contractors who wish to demolish his home in order to make room for skyscrapers. Ordered by the court to move to Shady Oaks Retirement Home, Carl hatches a truly unorthodox escape plan. With the power of 10,000 helium balloons, Carl literally lifts his home off of its foundations, and sails along the sky, finally at peace. To his dismay, he discovers that 8 year-old Wilderness Explorer Russell has unwittingly come along for the ride. From there, the duo goes on an amazing and perilous journey to the heart of South America, where they come face-to-face with Carl's childhood hero, Charles Muntz. When things become ugly as Charles desires the hunt down the mystical bird that has become Carl's and Russell's companion, the journey turns into a literal life-and-death struggle. Featuring the voices of Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, and newcomer Jordan Nagai, Up is a heartwarming tale that is sure to enchant audiences and is looking strong as the first animated feature film to be nominated for Best Picture since 1991, when Beauty and the Beast became the first animated flick to go up for the honour.
The Lovely Bones (directed by Peter Jackson, in theatres December 11th, 2009)
While Peter Jackson has always been a quality filmmaker, there is no doubt about it that he hit the big time when he successfully directed the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, which has received numerous accolades and will likely go down as the greatest fantasy films of all time. A visionary genius, Jackson followed the success of the LotR trilogy by filming the modern version of King Kong, which also turned out to be a tremendous hit, grossing over $550 million worldwide, as well as receiving critical acclaim and picking up three Academy Awards. After a four-year hiatus, Jackson returns with an adaption of Alice Sebold's best-selling novel The Lovely Bones, starring Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, and Susan Sarandon. The film, as mentioned in a previous blog post, centers on the story of Susie Salmon, played by Ronan, who at age 14, is tragically raped, murdered and dismembered by her neighbor. Susie's family and friends are devasted by her loss, but unbeknownest to them, Susie is watching over them from a heaven-like purgatory, where she has some forms of contact with the living world. Living in a beautiful fantasy realm, Susie begins to believe that everything is perfect, but she begins to realize that the memories of her killer still haunt her. With her ability to contact the living world, Susie must weigh her options, forced to choose between helping her family achieve vengeance or helping them heal. From the trailer alone, Peter Jackson's visual work looks beautiful enough to consider it a shoe-in for the technical awards at the 82nd Academy Awards, if it were not for Avatar being in the running as well. December 11th is the release date, and it is a sure thing that I will be there.
Catch Part 3 on the weekend.
Avatar (directed by James Cameron, in theatres December 18th, 2009)
Behold. Here is the film that many people, including the entire James Cameron fanclub, have been waiting for. The famous director who brought us Aliens (which would be the greatest sequel ever if not for The Godfather Part II), the first two Terminator films, The Abyss, is finally set to release his next sci-fi epic, his first feature-length film since 1997's Titanic, which, you know, went on 11 Academy Awards and is still the highest grossing movie of all time. Avatar, which has been in conception since 1995, has been the worked on tirelessly by Cameron, and has been hailed as The Messiah by respected filmmakers and visual effects gurus alike who have seen snippets of the film. The CGI is reported to be literally groundbreaking, and will antiquate most of today's standard techniques. At a budget of $240 million, the movie will have to make serious strides if it is to stay out of the red, but as we all know Cameron is no stranger to box office success. The film centers around Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington, who visits the planet of Pandora, which is inhabited by a humanoid species called the Na'vi. As humans are unable to breathe the air on the planet, they are sent in the form of human-Na'vi hybrids called Avatars, in which the controller of the Avatar stays physically behind but their mind joins the Avatar body, allowing them to navigate the planet. As a means to regain his mobility being a parapalegic, Sully becomes deeply entangled in the Na'vi way of life, falling in love with a female named Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), and as Sully's feelings and identification with the evolutionarily advanced Na'vi intensify, it becomes clear that the Earth's military has plans for Pandora which do not fit the Na'vi's best interests. Forced to choose sides, Sully must make a decision that will have global consequences. A film that is set to blow expectations away in every film dimension, Avatar releases on December 18th, 2009. Be prepared for the long haul, though, as Avatar is reported to have a runtime of over two-and-a-half hours.
Up (directed by Pete Docter, released on May 29th, 2009)
Up, the latest Pixar darling, is an almost guarantee for a Best Picture nomination. With the Best Animated Feature film likely in its pocket, Up has a human feel, which is to be expected, as it is the first Disney-Pixar film since 2004's The Incredibles to actually be centered on humans. Like every other Disney-Pixar film, it has been a critical and box-office wonder, and as of this post has snagged over $367 million worldwide. Up, which features the always-stunning visuals from Pixar studios blended with the simple but effective storytelling of Disney magic, features 78-year old Carl Fredricksen as its unlikely protagonist, a widower who has become lonely and sour in his old age. Now, Carl's once pleasant home has been encroached on by the demands of the big-city life, is approached by contractors who wish to demolish his home in order to make room for skyscrapers. Ordered by the court to move to Shady Oaks Retirement Home, Carl hatches a truly unorthodox escape plan. With the power of 10,000 helium balloons, Carl literally lifts his home off of its foundations, and sails along the sky, finally at peace. To his dismay, he discovers that 8 year-old Wilderness Explorer Russell has unwittingly come along for the ride. From there, the duo goes on an amazing and perilous journey to the heart of South America, where they come face-to-face with Carl's childhood hero, Charles Muntz. When things become ugly as Charles desires the hunt down the mystical bird that has become Carl's and Russell's companion, the journey turns into a literal life-and-death struggle. Featuring the voices of Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, and newcomer Jordan Nagai, Up is a heartwarming tale that is sure to enchant audiences and is looking strong as the first animated feature film to be nominated for Best Picture since 1991, when Beauty and the Beast became the first animated flick to go up for the honour.
The Lovely Bones (directed by Peter Jackson, in theatres December 11th, 2009)
While Peter Jackson has always been a quality filmmaker, there is no doubt about it that he hit the big time when he successfully directed the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, which has received numerous accolades and will likely go down as the greatest fantasy films of all time. A visionary genius, Jackson followed the success of the LotR trilogy by filming the modern version of King Kong, which also turned out to be a tremendous hit, grossing over $550 million worldwide, as well as receiving critical acclaim and picking up three Academy Awards. After a four-year hiatus, Jackson returns with an adaption of Alice Sebold's best-selling novel The Lovely Bones, starring Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, and Susan Sarandon. The film, as mentioned in a previous blog post, centers on the story of Susie Salmon, played by Ronan, who at age 14, is tragically raped, murdered and dismembered by her neighbor. Susie's family and friends are devasted by her loss, but unbeknownest to them, Susie is watching over them from a heaven-like purgatory, where she has some forms of contact with the living world. Living in a beautiful fantasy realm, Susie begins to believe that everything is perfect, but she begins to realize that the memories of her killer still haunt her. With her ability to contact the living world, Susie must weigh her options, forced to choose between helping her family achieve vengeance or helping them heal. From the trailer alone, Peter Jackson's visual work looks beautiful enough to consider it a shoe-in for the technical awards at the 82nd Academy Awards, if it were not for Avatar being in the running as well. December 11th is the release date, and it is a sure thing that I will be there.
Catch Part 3 on the weekend.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Countdown's Begun (Part 1)
Ah, it is almost that time again. This year's summer blockbusters have come and gone, with a few major releases still to be had before the September slowdown. With the end of the blockbuster season, it means only one thing - it is time to gear up for the annual Oscar hype that surrounds Hollywood from September until mid February the following year. Of course, it is always a good thing for a movie to receive critical praise but those that are released in the September-to-December window and do so are almost certainly put on the shortlist of Oscar favourites by movie fans and AMPAS voting members alike. After all, since 2001's A Beautiful Mind, only one movie released outside of that time frame (Crash, released in May 2005) has won the top prize. With these things in mind, why don't we play the role of speculator and have a look at some of the favourites for the 82nd Academy Awards in Hollywood? Remember, this year the fun doubles as there will be ten Best Picture nominations (an incredibly stupid move, I know). I'll list the ten movies that I think will get the call for the March 7th showdown, and then in a series of three posts I'll explain why.
THE LIST:
Nine
Shutter Island
Invictus
Avatar
Up
The Lovely Bones
The Hurt Locker
The Informant!
Amelia
Precious
Best Picture Candidates
Nine (directed by Rob Marshall, in theatres November 25th, 2009)
Nine is a clear favourite for many reasons. Rob Marshall, the man behind the helm, is no stranger to Academy success. His last two films, 2005's Memoirs of a Geisha and 2002's Chicago have a combined total of 19 award nominations and nine wins, including Chicago's win for Best Picture. Marshall himself was nominated for Best Director for Chicago, and his chances of grabbing a nomination for the March 7th, 2010 ceremony look good. What else? Six of the eight principal cast members have won an Acting award, including the 2007's Best Actor and Best Actress winners, Daniel Day-Lewis and Marion Cotillard. Nicole Kidman (Best Actress in 2002), Penelope Cruz (Best Supporting Actress in 2008), Sophia Loren (Best Actress in 1960), Judi Dench (Best Supporting Actress in 1998), Kate Hudson and Stacy Ferguson (aka the Black Eyed Peas' Fergie) also star in this musical based on the 1982 Tony Award-winning musical production of the same name. The story focuses on Italian film director Guido Contini (Day-Lewis) as he struggles with a midlife crisis while interacting with the various women in his life, including wife Luisa (Cotillard), his mistress Carla (Cruz), and his protege Claudia (Kidman). Nine is set for wide release on November 25th, 2008.
Shutter Island (directed by Martin Scoresese, in theatres October 2nd, 2009)
Martin Scorsese, like Marshall, is no stranger to the Oscars. While Scorsese was finally honoured with long-deserved Best Director award for 2006's The Departed, Scorsese has directed six films that have been given an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture (The Departed, The Aviator, Gangs of New York, Goodfellas, Raging Bull and Taxi Driver), with both The Departed and Raging Bull taking the top prize. So with his 21st feature-length film debuting on the same weekend as The Departed did three years ago, its easy to see why the film is garnering Oscar buzz. Taking a slight detour from his favoured crime sagas, Scorsese turns to frequent collaborator and friend Leonardo DiCaprio in this adaptation of Dennis Lehane's 2003 novel of the same name. Set in 1954, DiCaprio plays US Marshal Teddy Daniels who, along with his partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), is investigating the strange disappearance of Rachel Solando (Emily Mortimer) from the Ashecliffe Psychiatric Hospital on Shutter Island in Massachusetts. Once they arrive, they begin to discover that the hospital along with its director, Dr. John Caldwell (Ben Kingsley) have some sinister motives lurking beneath the surface. Michelle Williams and Jackie Earle Haley also star in this dark and suspenseful thriller that calls back to 1991's Cape Fear, and looks to be one of Scorsese's finest achievements yet.
Invictus (directed by Clint Eastwood, in theatres December 11th, 2009)
Clint Eastwood looks to be at it again. Age showing no ill effects, the two-time Best Director winner is taking on a horse of a different colour this time around, as Eastwood climbs the saddle to direct what can be considered his first true biopic, one that is no small task either. Set for release in mid-December, Invictus is the final resting name of the Nelson Mandela feature that will revolve around the fall of apartheid and Mandela's efforts to unite South Africa by hosting the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Matt Damon also stars as South Africa captain Francois Pienaar. The film has been in development for some time and is highly anticipated after Eastwood was left disappointed at the 81st Academy Awards, as both of his 2008 films Changeling and Gran Torino went empty handed. The film is said to be especially compelling and while focused on a limited time frame, accurately reflects the emotions and feelings that were about in South Africa at the time. For playing the Human Rights champion, Freeman has earned comparisons to Ben Kingsley's portrayal of Gandhi in 1982, a film which dominated the 55th Academy Awards. While the movie may suffer from Constant Gardener-syndrome in thanks to its peculiar name (it is Latin for "unconquered"), Invictus is sure to be recognized by the Academy in some form or another.
That's it for this one. Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3.
THE LIST:
Nine
Shutter Island
Invictus
Avatar
Up
The Lovely Bones
The Hurt Locker
The Informant!
Amelia
Precious
Best Picture Candidates
Nine (directed by Rob Marshall, in theatres November 25th, 2009)
Nine is a clear favourite for many reasons. Rob Marshall, the man behind the helm, is no stranger to Academy success. His last two films, 2005's Memoirs of a Geisha and 2002's Chicago have a combined total of 19 award nominations and nine wins, including Chicago's win for Best Picture. Marshall himself was nominated for Best Director for Chicago, and his chances of grabbing a nomination for the March 7th, 2010 ceremony look good. What else? Six of the eight principal cast members have won an Acting award, including the 2007's Best Actor and Best Actress winners, Daniel Day-Lewis and Marion Cotillard. Nicole Kidman (Best Actress in 2002), Penelope Cruz (Best Supporting Actress in 2008), Sophia Loren (Best Actress in 1960), Judi Dench (Best Supporting Actress in 1998), Kate Hudson and Stacy Ferguson (aka the Black Eyed Peas' Fergie) also star in this musical based on the 1982 Tony Award-winning musical production of the same name. The story focuses on Italian film director Guido Contini (Day-Lewis) as he struggles with a midlife crisis while interacting with the various women in his life, including wife Luisa (Cotillard), his mistress Carla (Cruz), and his protege Claudia (Kidman). Nine is set for wide release on November 25th, 2008.
Shutter Island (directed by Martin Scoresese, in theatres October 2nd, 2009)
Martin Scorsese, like Marshall, is no stranger to the Oscars. While Scorsese was finally honoured with long-deserved Best Director award for 2006's The Departed, Scorsese has directed six films that have been given an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture (The Departed, The Aviator, Gangs of New York, Goodfellas, Raging Bull and Taxi Driver), with both The Departed and Raging Bull taking the top prize. So with his 21st feature-length film debuting on the same weekend as The Departed did three years ago, its easy to see why the film is garnering Oscar buzz. Taking a slight detour from his favoured crime sagas, Scorsese turns to frequent collaborator and friend Leonardo DiCaprio in this adaptation of Dennis Lehane's 2003 novel of the same name. Set in 1954, DiCaprio plays US Marshal Teddy Daniels who, along with his partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), is investigating the strange disappearance of Rachel Solando (Emily Mortimer) from the Ashecliffe Psychiatric Hospital on Shutter Island in Massachusetts. Once they arrive, they begin to discover that the hospital along with its director, Dr. John Caldwell (Ben Kingsley) have some sinister motives lurking beneath the surface. Michelle Williams and Jackie Earle Haley also star in this dark and suspenseful thriller that calls back to 1991's Cape Fear, and looks to be one of Scorsese's finest achievements yet.
Invictus (directed by Clint Eastwood, in theatres December 11th, 2009)
Clint Eastwood looks to be at it again. Age showing no ill effects, the two-time Best Director winner is taking on a horse of a different colour this time around, as Eastwood climbs the saddle to direct what can be considered his first true biopic, one that is no small task either. Set for release in mid-December, Invictus is the final resting name of the Nelson Mandela feature that will revolve around the fall of apartheid and Mandela's efforts to unite South Africa by hosting the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Matt Damon also stars as South Africa captain Francois Pienaar. The film has been in development for some time and is highly anticipated after Eastwood was left disappointed at the 81st Academy Awards, as both of his 2008 films Changeling and Gran Torino went empty handed. The film is said to be especially compelling and while focused on a limited time frame, accurately reflects the emotions and feelings that were about in South Africa at the time. For playing the Human Rights champion, Freeman has earned comparisons to Ben Kingsley's portrayal of Gandhi in 1982, a film which dominated the 55th Academy Awards. While the movie may suffer from Constant Gardener-syndrome in thanks to its peculiar name (it is Latin for "unconquered"), Invictus is sure to be recognized by the Academy in some form or another.
That's it for this one. Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Weekend Updates
I was out and about this weekend, so Thursday & Friday were neglected some. I return however, with a couple of videos that any self-respecting filmgoer is going to want to see.
Last week, the visionary Peter Jackson, who everyone knows as the man who helmed the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, debuted his trailer for The Lovely Bones, which comes out December 11th of this year. An adaptation of the 2002 best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, The Lovely Bones stars Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Saiorse Ronan, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci. It focuses on the story of 14 year-old Susie Salmon, played by Ronan, who on December 6th, 1973, is brutally murdered by her neighbor (Tucci) when she decides to take a shortcut home from school. From heaven, Ronan is able to watch down on her family and when she finds she is able to interact with the living world, she must make the choice between helping her parents (Wahlberg and Weisz) catch her killer and achieve vengeance, or help them heal from the entire ordeal. The trailer alone almost guarantees a Visual Effects nomination as the movie promises some truly dazzling sequences, and Jackson seems to have done a wonderful job of blending the contrasting genres such as drama, horror and fantasy into a focused whole. As well, this movie looks to be Mark Wahlberg's return to form, appearing in his best role since 2006's The Departed, where he earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Check out the trailer below:
The Lovely Bones - Trailer 1 (2009)
Next up is Terry Gilliam's latest work of art, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this May, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was expecting a summer release but was well-received at Cannes, and thus the release for the film was pushed back (October for the UK and December for North America), as to appear as a legitimate contender for film awards. Even before this trailer came online, the movie had quite a bit of notoriety as it was a third of the way through filming when Heath Ledger, who had been cast in the role of Tony, passed away on January 22nd, 2008. As his parts were not completed, his role was recast and Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Ferrell stepped in to play the role of Tony, and Gilliam has covered this change by explaining that each actor plays a different physical incarnation of Tony as he and Dr. Parnassus' travelling theatre troupe travel through different worlds. As far as the trailer goes, it is visually spellbinding though a bit of a task to understand just what the movie's plot entails. The story features Dr. Parnassus, played by Christopher Plummer, who takes his travelling film troupe on an journey through dream worlds to rescue his daughter (Lily Cole), who has been taken by the Devil himself (played by musician Tom Waits), who is collecting on an deal that the immortal Parnassus made with him years ago. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus hits theatres on Christmas Day.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - Trailer 1 (2009)
Both trailers courtesy of YouTube.
Last week, the visionary Peter Jackson, who everyone knows as the man who helmed the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, debuted his trailer for The Lovely Bones, which comes out December 11th of this year. An adaptation of the 2002 best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, The Lovely Bones stars Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Saiorse Ronan, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci. It focuses on the story of 14 year-old Susie Salmon, played by Ronan, who on December 6th, 1973, is brutally murdered by her neighbor (Tucci) when she decides to take a shortcut home from school. From heaven, Ronan is able to watch down on her family and when she finds she is able to interact with the living world, she must make the choice between helping her parents (Wahlberg and Weisz) catch her killer and achieve vengeance, or help them heal from the entire ordeal. The trailer alone almost guarantees a Visual Effects nomination as the movie promises some truly dazzling sequences, and Jackson seems to have done a wonderful job of blending the contrasting genres such as drama, horror and fantasy into a focused whole. As well, this movie looks to be Mark Wahlberg's return to form, appearing in his best role since 2006's The Departed, where he earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Check out the trailer below:
The Lovely Bones - Trailer 1 (2009)
Next up is Terry Gilliam's latest work of art, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this May, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was expecting a summer release but was well-received at Cannes, and thus the release for the film was pushed back (October for the UK and December for North America), as to appear as a legitimate contender for film awards. Even before this trailer came online, the movie had quite a bit of notoriety as it was a third of the way through filming when Heath Ledger, who had been cast in the role of Tony, passed away on January 22nd, 2008. As his parts were not completed, his role was recast and Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Ferrell stepped in to play the role of Tony, and Gilliam has covered this change by explaining that each actor plays a different physical incarnation of Tony as he and Dr. Parnassus' travelling theatre troupe travel through different worlds. As far as the trailer goes, it is visually spellbinding though a bit of a task to understand just what the movie's plot entails. The story features Dr. Parnassus, played by Christopher Plummer, who takes his travelling film troupe on an journey through dream worlds to rescue his daughter (Lily Cole), who has been taken by the Devil himself (played by musician Tom Waits), who is collecting on an deal that the immortal Parnassus made with him years ago. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus hits theatres on Christmas Day.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - Trailer 1 (2009)
Both trailers courtesy of YouTube.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
John Hughes: 1950-2009
I've just come across the sad news that John Hughes, the director of the 80's hit films The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles and Ferris Bueller's Day Off has passed away at the age of 59 from an apparent heart attack while taking a morning walk in New York City. John Hughes also penned the script to numerous successful kids movies, including Home Alone and its sequel, Beethoven, Dennis The Menace, the live-action 101 Dalmatians film, and most recently, 2008's Drillbit Taylor.
Home Alone and Beethoven were two of my favourite movies growing up to watch, and Ferris Bueller remains one of my all-time favourite comedies. Rest in peace, John.
Home Alone and Beethoven were two of my favourite movies growing up to watch, and Ferris Bueller remains one of my all-time favourite comedies. Rest in peace, John.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Bettman vs Balsillie, Round 2
SO..
The stage is set. Exactly three weeks before the 2009-2010 NHL campaign is set to kick off, a potentially historic event could be underway. Judge Redfield T. Baum, the power that is presiding over the endless saga that began earlier this May when Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, has validated Jim Balsillie, the CEO of Research In Motion to participate in the September 10th auction for the team. This means that Balsillie's bid of $212.5 million, thus far the highest, will be put forward to buy the team. Considering that Jerry Reinsdorf, the owner of baseball's Chicago White Sox, is the next highest bidder with an amount of $148 million, it appears as if the Phoenix Coyotes are headed to Hamilton, right?
Not so fast.
Not so fast.
Last week, the NHL board of governors rejected Balsillie's application for ownership, as they are adamant on keeping the team in the Jobing.com Arena in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, Arizona, and are willing to scavenge through a laundry list of buyers to do so. The problem is, Bettman and his group of cronies have not really stated as to why they don't want Balsillie as an owner in the NHL. Thus far, the Blackberry boss' plan to move the team to Hamilton has been rather solid. He has the financial backing, and the obvious fan and community commitment, as Balisillie has been given exclusive rights to Copps Coliseum in Hamilton until November. Now that Balsillie has been given the opportunity to bid, the only thing in his way is a blockade of angsty board members, who are really going to have to scramble for legit reasons to prevent him from moving the team to Hamilton.
If Bettman conjures up a way to keep the flailing Coyotes in Phoenix, it is going to come off as yet another move to further the Americanization of the league that he has been hell bent on doing since he became Commissioner in 1993. In that time frame, two Canadian NHL franchises have moved south of the 49th parallel. One was the Quebec Nordiques, who became the Colorado Avalanche, and they have obviously done well. The other was the Winnipeg Jets who are now a struggling Phoenix club on the verge of being bounced out of town, and for good reason. The Phoenix Coyotes, for a lack of a better word, suck. In 12 seasons, the Coyotes have never won a division title, and have made the playoffs in five, last in 2002, and have never advanced beyond the first round. You could argue that there are worse clubs out there by saying "Hey, the Lightning have only made the playoffs five times in 16 seasons!", but a Stanley Cup Banner in the St. Pete Times Forum tells you they have had more productivity.
So why have the Coyotes been so woe-begotten, when their predecessors, the Jets, were quite a respectable club? Being three-time WHA Champions and having a plethora of NHL postseason appearances, it was certainly not performance that felled the Jets. The answer is simple. No one gives a fuck about hockey in Phoenix. Since 2001, Phoenix's attendance has averaged out to being ranked 26th in the league. Sure, there are the diehards that have risen up to protest a potential move, but that's all they are. Diehards. Winnipeg had a strong core, but being relatively small at the time of the move to Phoenix, the city of Winnipeg just couldn't keep up with the demands of a growing league. In Phoenix, sports' fans have better things to care about. Even before 2001, when the Diamondbacks won a World Series, no one was crazy about the Coyotes, and back then, out of the four major sports, the Coyotes were the best team statistically. Both the Diamondbacks and Suns were having off-and-on years and the Cardinals were just all around terrible. Yet like in every other American city, hockey was at the bottom of the priority list as far as sports was concerned. With Arizona being in what the average Canadian would call a state of constant summer, the Coyotes have struggled even more. No one wants to go watch hockey when its always hot out. Now, the issues for the Coyotes have grown. Since the arrival of Steve Nash, the Phoenix Suns have become an NBA Powerhouse, and the Arizona Cardinals were 35 seconds away from a Super Bowl victory this past February, while the Coyotes continue to dwindle away in mediocrity.
So I think the answer is simple. Move the team to back to Canada, where the team will be cared about, and money will be as big of an issue as what to name the team. Hamilton is rabid for NHL hockey, I believe that much is obvious from attending an Bulldogs' game. With a huge market and more buying power, a Hamilton team would be able to attract star players in free agency to supplement top draft picks should they have seasons as dreadful as Phoenix has been having. This will then build Hamilton into a strong team, something Phoenix has no hope of doing. Since becoming the Coyotes in 1996, the franchise has done absolutely nothing as far as drafting goes. The only noteworthy player they picked up was Daniel Briere in 1996, and he is obviously not playing for Phoenix. Meanwhile, Winnipeg is responsible for such players as Dale Hawerchuk, Teemu Selanne, Stu Barnes, Keith Tkachuk, Nikolai Khabibulin, Kris Draper, and Shane Doan, who still remains with the team for reasons beyond me.
So, the choice is simple. Either the NHL comes around and lets something that is financially and strategically smarter for all parties involved and lets Balsillie move the team to Hamilton. Or, they can stay in Phoenix, and Bettman can sleep better at night knowing that America continues to apply a chokehold on a league they had virtually no part in creating. Oh well, at least in 20 years, we can watch a 53-year-old Shane Doan lead a group of promising young Coyotes into the year with hope that that will be the year things finally turn around.
Birth of a blog.
So this is my first post using Blogger/Blogspot, under the ever illustrious title of The Blogotron. I could of spent a few minutes trying to compose a better name, but I opted out in favour of laziness. Anyways, welcome. On this blog you will discover a friendly assortment of things, such as movie reviews, random news clippings and comments on happenings in the world today.
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