The Flops that come...

Something that the "Che" trailer reminded me of...the music used in the trailer was resonating in my head. I KNEW I heard it before and than it snapped! A previous Oscar hopeful that crashed and burned like yesterday's garbage....Check it out!

How good did this movie look at first?

Guerrilla/The Argentine Trailer

Half Blood Prince Trailer

Looks great...

Remake of Friday the 13th

I know this isn't Oscar worthy by a mile but if you're into horror flicks, this may be the ticket for you to disappointment land but hey, its entertainment, isn't it? Watch it quick before it gets taken down. This was taken from the ComicCon festival...Note: Jason runs!

Emmys...Who's Who!

Best Actor in a Drama Series
Who Will Win: Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Who Could Win (Surprise!): James Spader, Boston Legal or Hugh Laurie, House
Who Should Win: Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad or Michael C. Hall, Dexter
No Chance: Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment

Best Actress in a Drama Series
Who Will Win: Glenn Close, Damages
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer or Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Who Should Win: Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
No Chance: Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters and Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Who Will Win: Michael Emerson, Lost
Who Could Win (Surprise!): John Slattery, Mad Men
Who Should Win: John Slattery, Mad Men or Zeljko Ivanek, Damages
No Chance: William Shatner, Boston Legal and Ted Danson, Damages

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:
Who Will Win: Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Candice Bergen, Boston Legal
Who Should Win: Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
No Chance: Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters and Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Who Will Win: Robin Williams, Law & Order: SVU
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Robert Morse, Mad Men
Who Should Win: Glynn Thurman, In Treatment or Charles Durning, Rescue Me or Oliver Platt, Nip/Tuck
No Chance: Stanley Tucci, ER

Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Who Will Win: Anjelica Huston, Medium
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Ellen Burstyn, Big Love
Who Should Win: Cynthia Nixon, Law & Order: SVU or Sharon Gless, Nip/Tuck
No Chance: Diahann Carroll, Grey's Anatomy

Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Who Will Win/Who Should Win: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies or Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men
No Chance: Tony Shalhoub, Monk and Steve Carell, The Office

Best Actress in a Comedy Series:
Who Will Win/Who Should Win: Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Who Could Win (Surprise!): America Ferrara, Ugly Betty or Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
No Chance: Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:
Who Will Win: Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Rainn Wilson, The Office
Who Should Win: Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother or Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
No Chance: Kevin Dillon, Entourage

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Who Will Win: Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men
Who Should Win: Jean Smart, Samantha Who?
No Chance: Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live and Kristin Chenowith, Pushing Daisies

Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Who Will Win: Will Arnett, 30 Rock
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Tim Conway, 30 Rock
Who Should Win: Shelley Berman, Curb Your Enthusiasm
No Chance: Steve Buscemi, 30 Rock and Rip Torn, 30 Rock

Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Who Will Win/Who Should Win: Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Sarah Silverman, Monk or Carrie Fisher, 30 Rock
No Chance: Edie Falco, 30 Rock and Polly Bergen & Kathryn Joostyn, Desperate Housewives

Best TV Series - Drama
What Will Win: Mad Men
What Could Win (Surprise!): Lost or House, M.D.
What Should Win: Dexter
No Chance: Boston Legal and Damages

Best TV Series - Comedy
What Will Win: 30 Rock
What Could Win (Surprise!): Curb Your Enthusiasm
What Should Win: 30 Rock or Two and a Half Men
No Chance: Entourage and The Office

Best Actor in a Movie/Mini-Series
Who Will Win: Paul Giamatti, John Adams
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Kevin Spacey, Recount
Who Should Win: Kevin Spacey, Recount or Ricky Gervais, Extras: Extra Special Series Finale
No Chance: Ralph Fiennes, Bernard & Doris and Tom Wilkinson, Recount

Best Actress in a Movie/Mini-Series
Who Will Win: Dame Judi Dench, Cranford
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Laura Linney, John Adams or Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin In The Sun
Who Should Win: Catherine Keener, An American Crime
No Chance: Susan Sarandon, Bernard And Doris

Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Mini-Series
Who Will Win: Tom Wilkinson, John Adams
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Stephen Dillane, John Adams or David Morse, John Adams
Who Should Win: Stephen Dillane, John Adams or Denis Leary, Recount
No Chance: Bob Balaban, Recount

Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Mini-Series
Who Will Win: Eileen Atkins, Cranford
Who Could Win (Surprise!): Laura Dern, Recount
Who Should Win:Eileen Atkins, Cranford or Laura Dern, Recount or Ashley Jensen, Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale
No Chance: Audra McDonald, A Raisin In The Sun and Alfre Woodard, Pictures Of Hollis Woods

Best TV Movie
What Will Win: Recount
What Could Win: Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale or Bernard And Doris
What Should Win: Recount or Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale
No Chance: A Raisin In The Sun and The Memory Keeper's Daughter

Best TV Mini-Series
What Will Win: John Adams
What Could Win: Cranford
What Should Win: John Adams or Cranford
No Chance: Tin Man and The Andromeda Strain

Best Original Song of 2008?

After having seen this summer's WALL-E, I just fell in love with Peter Gabriel & Thomas Newman's original song "Down to Earth". Thus far, I cannot think of any other prominent film songs so this definitely has a chance. It definitely has a real shot at a Grammy and probably a Golden Globe, which is what scares me. Music Golden Globe nominees usually differ from their Oscar equivalents. Many recent winners at the Globes for score or song have not even been nominated for an Oscar, especially the wonderful song "Guaranteed" from INTO THE WILD.

What are your thoughts on these differences? Which awards show nominate better music candidates?!

Stones and Stoners on DVD This Week!

Stone seems to be the word of the day (or week) with the dvd report this week. The Rolling Stones and everyone's favorite multicultural stoners lead the releases this week. The elder of the stoners however, grab the title of PICK OF THE WEEK with some help from director Martin Scorsese in:

Shine a Light

Fans of Scorsese, concert films, or the Stones would do well to pick up this excellent concert flick/documentary

-We also have Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay, which is exactly what you'd expect it to be. If you loved it when they went to White Castle, this is for you as well.

-Also this week, The Band's Visit is out, which missed out on a foreign film nod due to a technicality, Never Back Down, which is a decent teen fight flick, Doomsday, which is a cheesy apocolypse movie, and the unfortunate sequel War Games: The Dead Code, which seems unnecessary.

-My old school pick this week is Harsh Times, a very underrated Christian Bale flick, which is in the vein of Training Day and well worth a look.

-What will you guys be watching this week?

Venice Film Festival

Variety has a list of films in competition at VFF.

What's noteworthy is the limited amount of American films. However, Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" and the Coen's "Burn After Reading" are premiering.

I'm not sure how significant this year's VFF will impact the race, but in prior years, it's impact has been slight. But, I'm interested to see how critics will react to Burn After Reading. The trailer looked wicked good, and Pitt seems great in it.

You think the Coens might have another gem under their belt?

Dubya Trailer

I just came from Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen. He put on an incredible live show, and had some words for good old Dubya. I found it only fitting that the trailer was available...

Here it is:

W. Teaser Trailer
Uploaded by iliketolookatmyranch

Yes Man Trailer

Not exactly Oscar material, but perhaps a return to comedic form for Jim Carrey:

'Yes Man' Teaser Trailer @ Yahoo! Video

Holy crap! RoboCob is returning...

I'm not sure about you, but the prospects of a new RoboCop movie makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. I loved these films growing up (first one in particular), and it looks like Darren Aronofsky and David Self are the likely candidates to help reboot the franchise.

The Dark Knight versus The Godfather?

IMDB has an interesting debate going on regarding tDK, and it's supremacy over the t250 for the last week. For now, tDK is the top movie over classics like the Godfather, Memento, Shawshank Redemption, 12 Angry Men, and people have naturally rebelled against this. However, there are legions of fans who believe tDK is indeed the top movie of all time. Nonetheless, this ever growing debate has escalated into a full fledge war of words, and prompted IMDB to ask the following question:

"There's been a lot of discussion about The Dark Knight taking over the #1 slot on the IMDb Top 250; do you like it more than The Godfather?"

Clearly tDK is a very special movie. It's one of the best films this year, and arguably the best superhero movie to date. However, some fans have become very aggresive in their campaign to assert the greatness of this film, and the inevitable backlash has finally shown itself.

What do you guys think?

THE BROTHERS BLOOM TRAILER

@ Yahoo! Video
FYC>>>Rachel Weisz????

THE DUCHESS TRAILER

'Duchess' Theatrical Trailer @ Yahoo! Video

FYC>>>Keira Knightley???

Kelly's 100 Films - # 97: Into the Wild (2007)

It's been a long while guys. I've been so busy I haven't even continued doing this so, without further adieu, here's #97 - INTO THE WILD.

Written & Directed by...Sean Penn
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Brian Dierker, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart, Hal Holbrook

Synopsis: A young man leaves his middle class existence in pursuit of freedom from relationships and obligation. Giving up his home, family, all possessions but the few he carried on his back and donating all his savings to charity Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) embarks on a journey throughout America. His eventual aim is to travel into Alaska, into the wild, to spend time with nature, with 'real' existence, away from the trappings of the modern world. In the 20 months leading up to his Great Alaskan Adventure his travels lead him on a path of self-discovery, to examine and appreciate the world around him and to reflect on and heal from his troubled childhood and parents' sordid and abusive relationship. When he reaches Alaska he finds he has been insufficiently prepared for the hardships to come. Despite making it through the winter his plan is ill-judged and prepares to return home in spring, only to find the stream he crossed in the snow has become an impassable raging torrent and that he is trapped. With no means of sustaining himself adequately he eventually starves to death in his so sought after isolation. Throughout his epic journey the people he meets both influence and are influenced by the person he is and bring him to the eventual and tragic realisation that "Happiness is only real when shared".

Why It's on My List: Every possible reason. Emile Hirsch is a revelation and we are finally reminded of Catherine Keener's brilliance. Her last Oscar nod, for CAPOTE, was for a wooden cameo, a waste of her brilliance. She more than made up for herself was she always does. Also, the music was the best I have heard in years as were the songs. The cinematography and editing and direction were so raw and intense and jumbled and intense...I found it hard not to cry several times in the film. The morning Keener and newcomer Dierker (also a revelation) wake up on the beach only to find that Chris has left them is beautifully as are a few other scenes including one where Chris is talking to an apple, one where Chris attempts to leave only to find himself trapped by a raging river, and the one where he rips up his identity and hits the open road. I must admit I must have a bit of a man-crush on Hirsch (ala SEINFELD). He is just so cool and suave and so damn good-looking it makes me just wanna play football with the guy....and I couldn't possibly be more bad at football than I already am.

Awards Attention:

OSCAR
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Hal Holbrook)
Best Film Editing (Jay Cassidy)

GOLDEN GLOBE
***Best Original Song - "Guaranteed" (Eddie Vedder)
Best Original Score (Michael Brook, Eddie Vedder, Kaki King)

SAG
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Emile Hirsch)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Hal Holbrook)
Best Actress in Supporting Role (Catherine Keener)
Best Film Ensemble (Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Brian Dierker, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart, Hal Holbrook)

DGA
Best Director (Sean Penn)

WGA
Best Adapted Script (Sean Penn)

Trailer: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2LAuzT_x8Ek

WGA's Top 100 Screenplays

Please, follow this link:

http://filmcriticsdiscussion.blogspot.com/

Superhero Movies on the decline?

I've always appreciated what A.O Scott has to say, and this recent article is no different. Though I thoroughly enjoy many superhero movies, there are limitations that they all must face. This is one of the reasons why the Dark Knight can't be the "greatest movie ever", as some crazed fans from IMDB might lead you to believe (No. 1 on the Top 250????).

A.O. Scott writes:

But to paraphrase something the Joker says to Batman, “The Dark Knight” has rules, and they are the conventions that no movie of this kind can escape. The climax must be a fight with the villain, during which the symbiosis of good guy and bad guy, implicit throughout, must be articulated. The end must point forward to a sequel, and an aura of moral consequence must be sustained even as the killings, explosions and chases multiply. The allegorical stakes in a superhero are raised — it’s not just good guys fighting bad guys, but Righteousness against Evil, Order against Chaos — precisely to authorize a more intense level of violence.

A.O. makes some great points. The Dark Knight (like most superhero films) abide by certain rules in order to make money. Imagine if there was more blood in the film or Batman actually killed the Joker? There are certain lines that superhero films can't cross, and as good as the Dark Knight was, these limitations took away from it being a masterpiece; let alone the best movie ever...

Tearing Down The Balcony

Hey all, Joey here with my moral outrage of the day. I've been thinking about the end of Ebert and Roeper, and while the show has lost much of its significance since Roger Ebert left for health reasons, it still was an avenue I looked at in determining what the critical reception of a movie was like. The new incarnation of "At The Movies" is supposedly aimed at a younger audience, and I think that it'll end up just being some dumb imitation of what it once was (think of the Golden Globe Award Show last year and the idiotic presentation that it had). Maybe I'll be wrong, and it'll be a worthwhile show, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

-What do you guys think? Was Ebert and Roeper useless way before this or are we seeing the end of an era officially?

You Write It!!!

Okay ladies and gents, it's time for YOU to create the next Batman movie. This is just for fun and NOT a contest.

Here's what we need...
1) A TITLE
2) VILLIANS
3) STORYLINE
4) NEW GOOD GUYS? ALA ROBIN...
5) Also, if Christopher Nolan decided not to direct it, whom would you like to see take it over if Nolan still had a hand in producing and writing the script? I personally would love to see Brad Anderson (THE MACHINIST, NEXT STOP WONDERLAND) who directed Bale in the former.

Some DVD's to Watch While You Wait to See TDK Again

Hi all, Joey here with my weekly dvd report. It's another disheartening week, but there's one or two bright spots to be had here, and no real awful releases, so that's a start. The Dark Knight is still what everyone should be seeing, but when you're at home, a few of these movies might be able to help you pass the time. My PICK OF THE WEEK is actually a TV series, but based on the multitude of good word I've heard about it, my pick has to be:

Spaced

This english television show launched the careers of Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright. If that's not enough for you, Kevin Smith, Diablo Cody, and Quintin Tarantino are huge fans and provide commentary on the episodes. Works for me.

-The card counting movie 21 is out this week also, and while I felt it was slick and soulless Hollywood moviemaking, it wasn't inept or anything, so if you think you might like it, give it a shot.

-Robot Chicken fans and Star Wars fans can rejoice now that the Robot Chicken Star Wars special is available on dvd. I loved the episode but I don't feel any pressing need to own it on dvd...yet.

-Finally, we have John Voight's Mormon western September Dawn. It wasn't good at all, but compared to some of the atrocities that have been put out recently, this seems fair by comparison.

-My vintage pick this week is, in honor of The Dark Knight, Batman Begins. If you haven't seen it yet, I forgive you, but correct that right away!

-What will you guys be watching?

R.I.P. Estelle Getty (1923 - 2008)

`Golden Girls' actress Estelle Getty dies at 84 - 47 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actress Estelle Getty has died at the age of 84.

Her son, Carl Gettleman, says the co-star of the TV show "The Golden Girls" died early Tuesday at home in Los Angeles. Gettleman says she suffered from advanced dementia.

The diminutive actress spent 40 years struggling for success before landing the role of a lifetime in 1985, playing the sarcastic octogenarian Sophia on "The Golden Girls."

She was just 3 days shy of her 85th birthday on July 25.

Her film credits include a razzie-winning starring role in the 1992 Sylvester Stallone action-comedy STOP! OR MY MOM WILL SHOOT, supporting parts in MASK (1985) with Cher and Eric Stoltz, MANNEQUIN (1987) with Kim Cattrall and James Spader, and STUART LITTLE (1999) with Geena Davis and Michael J. Fox, as well as a bit part in TOOTSIE (1982).

Movie to TV Stars

A while back I posted a list of TV stars who went on to earn Oscar nominations or victories. Well, how about all those Oscar nominees/winners who go on to successful/unsuccessful TV shows.

Alec Baldwin (THE COOLER - 30 ROCK)
Paul Giamatti (CINDERELLA MAN - JOHN ADAMS)
Laura Linney (KINSEY, THE SAVAGES... - JOHN ADAMS, FRASIER)
James Woods (SALVADOR, GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI - SHARK)
Glenn Close (BIG CHILL, FATAL ATTRACTION.... - THE SHIELD, DAMAGES)
Sally Field (NORMA RAE, PLACES IN THE HEART - THE COURT, BROTHERS & SISTERS)
Holly Hunter (THE PIANO, THIRTEEN.... - SAVING GRACE)
Candice Bergen (STARTING OVER - MURPHY BROWN, BOSTON LEGAL)
Dianne Wiest (HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, PARENTHOOD .. - LAW & ORDER, IN TREATMENT)
Minnie Driver (GOOD WILL HUNTING - THE RICHES)
Rachel Griffiths (HILARY AND JACKIE - SIX FEET UNDER, BROTHERS & SISTERS)
Geena Davis (THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST, THELMA & LOUISE - COMMANDER IN CHIEF)
Stockard Channing (SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION - THE WEST WING, OUT OF PRACTICE)
Alfre Woodard (CROSS CREEK - ST. ELSEWHERE, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES)
Brad Dourif (ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST - DEADWOOD)
Lena Olin (ENEMIES: A LOVE STORY - ALIAS)
Cloris Leachman (THE LAST PICTURE SHOW - THE ELLEN SHOW, MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE)
John Lithgow (WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT - 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN)
Lorraine Bracco (GOODFELLAS - THE SOPRANOS)
Robert Downey Jr. (CHAPLIN - ALLY MCBEAL)
Sam Waterston (THE KILLING FIELDS - I'LL FLY AWAY, LAW & ORDER)
Christine Lahti (SWING SHIFT - CHICAGO HOPE, JACK & BOBBY)
James Earl Jones (THE GREAT WHITE HOPE - GABRIEL'S FIRE, PROS & CONS, UNDER ONE ROOF)
Angela Lansbury (GASLIGHT, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE..., MURDER SHE WROTE)
Marianne Jean-Baptiste (SECRETS & LIES - WITHOUT A TRACE)
Rip Torn (CROSS CREEK - THE LARRY SANDERS SHOWS)
Renee Taylor (writer of LOVERS & OTHER STRANGERS - THE NANNY)
Cicely Tyson (SOUNDER - ROOTS, KING, SWEET JUSTICE)
Peter Falk (MURDER INC, POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES - COLUMBO)
James Garner (MURPHY'S ROMANCE - FIRST MONDAY, 8 SIMPLE RULES...)
Charles Durning (TO BE OR NOT TO BE... - EVENING SHADE, FIRST MONDAY, RESCUE ME)
Barbara Barrie (BREAKING AWAY - BREAKING AWAY: THE SERIES, SUDDENLY SUSAN)
Eileen Brennan (PRIVATE BENJAMIN - PRIVATE BENJAMIN: THE SERIES)
Dean Stockwell (MARRIED TO THE MOB - QUANTUM LEAP)
Piper Laurie (THE HUSTLER, CARRIE, CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD - TWIN PEAKS)
Robert Loggia (JAGGED EDGE - MANCUSO FBI)
Mary Steenburgen (MELVIN AND HOWARD - INK, JOAN OF ARCADIA)
Jack Warden (SHAMPOO, HEAVEN CAN WAIT - CRAZY LIKE A FOX)
Edward J. Olmos (STAND & DELIVER - MIAMI VICE [final season], BATTLESTAR GALLACTICA)
Helen Hunt (AS GOOD AS IT GETS - MAD ABOUT YOU [final season])
Mary McDonnell (DANCES W/ WOLVES, PASSION FISH - HIGH SOCIETY, BATTLESTAR GALLACTICA)
Rita Moreno (WEST SIDE STORY - 9 TO 5, OZ, CANE)
Ralph Bellamy (THE AWFUL TRUTH - MAN AGAINST CRIME, THE SURVIVORS, MOST DEADLY GAME)
Lana Turner (PEYTON PLACE - THE SURVIVORS, FALCON CREST)
Barbara Stanwyck (DOUBLE INDEMNITY... - BARBARA STANWYCK SHOW, THE BIG VALLEY...)
Shirley Temple (THE LITTLE PRINCESS... - SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S PLAYHOUSE)
Doris Day (PILLOW TALK - THE DORIS DAY SHOW)
Carol Kane (HESTER STREET - TAXI)
Judd Hirsch (ORDINARY PEOPLE - TAXI, DEAR JOHN, NUMBERS)
Julie Harris (THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING - KNOTS LANDING)
Barbara Bel Geddes (I REMEMBER MAMA - DALLAS)
Ellen Corby (I REMEMBER MAMA - THE WALTONS)
Lynn Redgrave (GEORGY GIRL, GODS AND MONSTERS - HOUSE CALLS, RUDE AWAKENING)
Robert Vaughn (THE YOUNG PHILADELPHIANS - THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E)
Paul Winfield (SOUNDER - KING, ROOTS: THE NEXT GENERATION...)
Diane Ladd (ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE - ALICE)
Beatrice Straight (NETWORK - THE DAIN CURSE)
Karl Malden (A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, ON THE WATERFRONT - STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO)
Jack Albertson (SUBJECT WAS ROSES - CHICO AND THE MAN, GRANDPA GOES TO WASHINGTON)
Eva Marie Saint (ON THE WATERFRONT - HOW THE WEST WAS WON)
Brenda Vaccaro (ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH - SARA)
Lily Tomlin (NASHVILLE - THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS, THE WEST WING)
Tatum O'Neal (PAPER MOON - RESCUE ME)
Madeline Kahn (PAPER MOON, BLAZING SADDLES - OH MADELINE, MR. PRESIDENT, COSBY)
George C. Scott (THE HUSTLER, PATTON... - MR. PRESIDENT)
John Houseman (THE PAPER CHASE, producer of JULIUS CAESER - THE PAPER CHASE SHOW)
Randy Quaid (THE LAST DETAIL - SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, DAVIS RULES)
Liza Minnelli (THE STERILE CUCKOO, CABARET - ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT)
James Caan (THE GODFATHER - LAS VEGAS)
Eddie Albert (ROMAN HOLIDAY - GREEN ACRES)
Melanie Griffith (WORKING GIRL - TWINS, VIVA LAUGHLIN)
Jane Alexander (THE GREAT WHITE HOPE, KRAMER VS. KRAMER... - TELL ME YOU LOVE ME)
Jane Wyman (THE YEARLING, JOHNNY BELINDA... - FALCON CREST)
Oprah Winfrey (THE COLOR PURPLE - THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW)
Whoopi Goldberg (THE COLOR PURPLE, GHOST - WHOOPI, THE VIEW)

any others?

Where Would You Like To See The Caped Crusader Go Next?

Joey here, essentially just opening up the floor for a conversation about what the next Batman film should deal with. What foil for the Dark Knight would you like to see most? Would Robin be a bad idea? What role, if any, should Harvey Dent and The Joker play in it?

-Take it away guys!

The Dark Knight Buzz Kill?

You ever dislike something because of the people that like it? I like to call this the Staind effect. I was once a fan of the late 90s/early 2000s rock band Staind. They had a dark grungy appeal to them, and their debut album was insanely depressing. However, around 2003, their fan base started to shift. The death nail came when I overheard a 14 year 'NSYNC loving girl* singing one of their songs. After that, I deleted all of their songs off my Ipod, and vowed to never download another one.

I don't think the Dark Knight will suffer a similar fate as Staind, but I'm seeing people that I wouldn't normally trust counting to ten LOVE this film. I don't like when the movie world is out of order. Yes, people should like this movie because it's a Batman film, there are explosives, and its a summer flick. But, when the 14 year old 'NSYNC loving girl is calling this movie "brilliant" or "genius", it makes me question my own intelligence.

*note the 14 year old 'NSYNC loving fan is a general representative of the "not so smart" generation (1980-beyond)...correction (90s-beyond)

Multiple Acting Nods for TDK?

Joey here, and not to disrespect Heath Ledger in any way, I think that both Aaron Eckhart and Gary Oldman are completely worthy of supporting acting nods as well. They were all brilliant. If the Academy goes Bat-crazy, we could see The Dark Knight up there with Titanic (and All About Eve...they both got 14) in terms of total nominations.

-Let me start the FYC ads off right:

For Your Consideration:

Best Picture

Best Director- Christopher Nolan

Best Screenplay (original?)- Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan

Best Actor- Heath Ledger

Best Supporting Actor- Gary Oldman & Aaron Eckhart

Best Original Score- James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer

Best Cinematography- Wally Phister

Best Film Editing- Lee Smith

Best Art Direction- Nathen Crowley

Best Costume Design*

Best Sound*

Best Sound Mixing*

Best Visual Effects*

Best Makeup*

*not sure who'd get the nomination

-overall, it probably won't get all 15, but it could scoop up 10 easily...time will tell

What do you guys think?

Thoughts on the Dark Knight

It's Keith on the one and twos...

Sorry for my hiatus, but I wanted to stay away from blogs and reviews until the Dark Knight came out.

I went today at a matinee showing, and it was packed!!! I deliberately decided to go matinee to avoid a packed theater and screaming babies, and my planned backfired. Despite that, the movie was nothing short of brilliant. Heath's performance went beyond good acting. It was an iconic performance, and he will certainly be rewarded for it. The rest of the cast was phenomenal too, and I hope they won't get drowned by the Heath Ledger experience (which they will). With that said, I wrote earlier that I think the film should be nominated for an Academy Award. This was before I actually saw the film, and now I think my belief is much stronger. The film transcended the traditional superhero flick, and created a whole new species. At one point, I forgot the movie was about a superhero. It just felt like something much more. I looked around the theater, and everyone was completely silent after the film. Honestly, I'd never seen anything like that before. Everyone looked as if they were confused with what they saw. They new it was great, but they had no idea how to react to it. No applause, just silent (yet somber) appreciation.


Also, while watching the Joker, I started to get a sense of what Heath felt like before his death. Clearly, he had his problems, and this role seems to have brought out the best (his performance) and worst (his untimely death) in him. This role should cement his status as one of the greatest actors of his generations.

I would like to also note that Christopher and Johnathan Nolan are geniuses. They deserve some love real fast...They've given us Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins, The Prestige, and now the Dark Knight! What makes this even more incredible is that they've given us so much in 8 short years.

The Dark Knight is a Triumph!

Joey here, just back from seeing TDK and I must say, everything you've heard is true. Trust me for now, but see it for yourself and behold the wonder that Nolan has unleashed on us!

New Trailers! Behold!

Joey here, with a few highly anticipated trailers!

-First, Watchmen, the highly anticipated adaptation by Zack Snyder of the graphic novel

-Next we have the link to Ridley Scott's new film, Body of Lies, starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Russell Crowe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUkk9MsWrFA

-What do you guys think of these two trailers?

Emmy nominations!!

Best Actor in a Drama Series
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Hugh Laurie, House, M.D.
James Spader, Boston Legal
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad

Best Actress in a Drama Series
Glenn Close, Damages
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Michael Emerson, Lost
Ted Danson, Damages
John Slattery, Mad Men
Zeljko Ivanek, Damages
William Shatner, Boston Legal

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
Candice Bergen, Boston Legal
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters

Best Guest Actor - Drama
Stanley Tucci, ER
Oliver Platt, Nip/Tuck
Robert Morse, Mad Men
Charles Durning, Rescue Me
Glynn Thurman, In Treatment
Robin Williams, Law & Order: SVU

Best Guest Actress - Drama
Ellen Burstyn, Big Love
Sharon Gless, Nip/Tuck
Anjelica Huston, Medium
Diahann Carroll, Grey's Anatomy
Cynthia Nixon, Law & Order: SVU

Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Rainn Wilson, The Office
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Jean Smart, Samantha Who?
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live
Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men

Best Guest Actor - Comedy
Rip Torn, 30 Rock
Will Arnett, 30 Rock
Tim Conway, 30 Rock
Steve Buscemi, 30 Rock
Shelley Berman, Curb Your Enthusiasm

Best Guest Actress - Comedy
Edie Falco, 30 Rock
Carrie Fisher, 30 Rock
Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock
Sarah Silverman, Monk
Polly Bergen, Desperate Housewives
Kathryn Joostyn, Desperate Housewives

Best Direction - Drama
Greg Yaitanes, House ("House's Head")
Allen Coulter, Damages ("Pilot Episode")
Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad ("Pilot Episode")
Alan Taylor, Mad Men ("Smoke Gets In Your Eyes")
Arlene Sanford, Boston Legal ("The Mighty Rogues")

Best Writing - Drama
David Burns & Ed Simon, The Wire ("30")
Michael Angeli, Battlestar Gallactica ("Six Of One")
Matthew Weiner, Mad Men ("Smoke Gets In Your Eyes")
Matthew Weiner & Robert Veith, Mad Men ("The Wheel")
Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler, & Daniel Zelman, Damages ("Pilot Episode")

Best TV Series - Drama
Lost
House
Dexter
Damages
Mad Men
Boston Legal

Best Direction - Comedy
Paul Feig, The Office ("Goodbye, Toby")
Dan Attias, Entourage ("No Cannes Do")
Michael Engler, 30 Rock ("Rosemary's Baby")
Barry Sonnenfeld, Pushing Daisies ("Pie-Lette")
Paul Lieberstein, The Office ("Money: Parts 1 & 2")
James Bobin, Flight of the Conchords ("Sally Returns")

Best Writing - Comedy
Tina Fey, 30 Rock ("Cooter")
Jack Burditt, 30 Rock ("Rosemary's Baby")
Bryan Fuller, Pushing Daisies ("Pie-Lette")
Lee Eisenberg & Gene Stupnitsky, The Office ("Dinner Party")
James Bobin, Jemaine Clement, & Bret McKenzie, Flight of the Conchords ("Yoko")

Best TV Series - Comedy
30 Rock
Entourage
The Office
Two and a Half Men
Curb Your Enthusiasm

Best Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Kevin Spacey, Recount
Tom Wilkinson, Recount
Paul Giamatti, John Adams
Ralph Fiennes, Bernard And Doris
Ricky Gervais, Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale

Best Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Laura Linney, John Adams
Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin In The Sun
Susan Sarandon, Bernard And Doris
Catherine Keener, An American Crime
Dame Judi Dench, Cranford (Masterpiece Theatre)

Best Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Denis Leary, Recount
Bob Balaban, Recount
David Morse, John Adams
Tom Wilkinson, John Adams
Stephen Dillane, John Adams

Best Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Laura Dern, Recount
Audra McDonald, A Raisin In The Sun
Eileen Atkins, Cranford (Masterpiece Theatre)
Ashley Jensen, Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale
Alfre Woodard, Pictures Of Hollis Woods (Hallmark Hall Of Fame Presentation)

Best Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special
Jay Roach, Recount
Tom Hooper, John Adams
Mikael Salomon, The Company
Bob Balaban, Bernard And Doris
Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant, Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale

Best Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special
Danny Strong, Recount
Hugh Costello, Bernard And Doris
Kirk Ellis, John Adams ("Independence")
Heidi Thomas, Cranford (Masterpiece Theatre)
Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant, Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale

Best TV Movie
Recount
Bernard And Doris
A Raisin In The Sun
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale

No big surprises other than that I have never heard of THE MEMORY KEEPER'S DAUGHTER.

Best TV Mini-Series
Tin Men
John Adams
The Andromeda Strain
Cranford (Masterpiece Theatre)

Best TV Reality Host
Jeff Probst, Survivor
Heidi Klum, Project Runway
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol
Howie Mandel, Deal or No Deal
Tom Bergeron, Dancing with the Stars

Best TV Reality Program
Dirty Jobs
Intervention
Antiques Roadshow
Extreme Makeover Home Edition
Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List

Best TV Reality-Competition Program
Top Chef
American Idol
Project Runway
The Amazing Race
Dancing With The Stars

Best Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program
Tina Fey, Saturday Night Live
Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report
Jon Stewart, 80th Annual Academy Awards
Don Rickles, Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project
David Letterman, Late Show With David Letterman

Best Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour)
King Of The Hill ("Death Picks Cotton")
Robot Chicken ("Robot Chicken: Star Wars")
Creature Comforts America ("Don't Choke To Death")
The Simpsons ("Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind")
SpongeBob SquarePants ("Inmates of Summer / Two Faces of Squidward")

Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour Or More)
Family Guy ("Blue Harvest")
South Park ("Imaginationland")
Justice League: The New Frontier

Piggybacking off of Kelly...

Joey here...props to Kelly for a really good list. In honor of his, I will now do mine, except a little longer and excluding The Dark Knight (which I will be seeing, at this point, in about 30 hours...be jealous).

-Top 20 Most Anticipated Films (left to be released in 2008)

1. Choke

2. Zack and Miri Make a Porno

3. Pineapple Express

4. Quantum of Solace

5. Tropic Thunder

6. Youth in Revolt

7. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

8. Vicky Christina Barcelona

9. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

10. Assassination of a High School President

11. The Soloist

12. Blindness

13. Revolutionary Road

14. Hamlet 2

15. Religulous

16. The Road

17. Eagle Eye

18. Swing Vote (I like Costner, so sue me)

19. Towelhead

20. SAW V (I know, I know...but I like the flicks for some reason)

-not all Oscar material, I know...goes to show that I haven't completely become a film snob...yet!

What are you guys looking foward to?

DiCaprio and Pitt are 'Bastards'?

Seems like Tarantino potential new flick is getting more buzz than anything coming out this year (save the Dark Knight).

But, DiCaprio and Pitt in the same movie? Something tells me that despite the blood and guts, this movie will be very popular among the ladies.

The 10 Movies from 2008 I am looking forward too...

1. WALL-E (already released)
2. THE DARK KNIGHT
3. BODY OF LIES
4. THE ROAD
5. REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
6. GUERRILLA/CHE
7. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
8. FROST/NIXON
9. AUSTRALIA
10. MILK

Pixar's new films

UP! (2009)
Starring: Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger

From the Academy Award® nominated team of director Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc.") and co-director Bob Peterson comes "Up," a comedic adventure taking off (and lifting spirits) in summer 2009. Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life. "Up" takes audiences on a thrilling journey where the unlikely pair encounter wild terrain, unexpected villains and jungle creatures. When seeking adventure next summer — look "Up."



TOY STORY 3 (2010)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Ned Beatty (new addition to cast), Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, Annie Potts, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf with Jodi Benson as Barbie and R. Lee Ermey as G.I. Joe

Woody, Buzz, and the rest of their toy-box friends are dumped in a day-care center after their owner, Andy, departs for college.

NEWT (2011)
Starring: John Ratzenberger...

What happens when the last remaining male and female blue-footed newts on the planet are forced together by science to save the species, and they can’t stand each other? That’s the problem facing Newt and Brooke, heroes of "newt," the Pixar film by seven-time Academy Award® winner for sound Gary Rydstrom, and director of Pixar’s Oscar-nominated short, "Lifted." Newt and Brooke embark on a perilous, unpredictable adventure and discover that finding a mate never goes as planned, even when you only have one choice. Love, it turns out, is not a science.

CARS 2 (2012)
Starring: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Bonnie Hunt, John Ratzenberger, Tony Shalhoub, Jeremy Piven, Michael Keaton...

Racing star Lightning McQueen teams up with his best friend Mater for an international adventure as they go up against the world's fastest cars.

Theroux to Script Iron Man Sequel

Marvel Studios' first production and this summer's current top-grosser Iron Man, has been so successful, grossing over $560 million worldwide, that it was a foregone conclusion that a sequel would happen sooner rather than later. What might be surprising is that according to Variety, they're changing writers for the second movie, going with actor/filmmaker Justin Theroux to pen the sequel, which is planned for a late April release in 2010.

While Marvel Studios negotiates with director Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr. to bring them back for the sequel, they've hired .Theroux, who some might know from his acting roles in McG's Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle and HBO's "Six Feet Under." He also wrote and executive produced Ben Stiller's upcoming war comedy Tropic Thunder (also starring Robert Downey Jr.), and presumably Marvel saw that he could write comedy and action suitable for shellhead's sequel. (Marvel Studios themselves haven't commented on any of the developments on the sequel as of yet.)

Other than writing TROPIC THUNDER (his screenwriting debut), he most recently made his directorial debut with 2007's DEDICATION (starring Tom Wilkinson and Mandy Moore)

New Lists

TV Stars-turned Oscar nominees!

Warren Beatty (The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis - Bonnie & Clyde, Heaven Can Wait, Reds, Bugsy)
Ellen Burstyn (The Doctors - The Last Picture Show, The Exorcist, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Same Time Next Year, Resurrection, Requiem for a Dream)
Christopher Walken (The Guiding Light - The Deer Hunter, Catch Me If You Can)
Mary Tyler Moore (The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Tyler Moore Show - Ordinary People)
Judd Hirsch (Taxi - Ordinary People)
Pat Morita (Happy Days - The Karate Kid)
Oprah Winfrey (The Oprah Winfrey Show [Chicago-only] - The Color Purple)
Robin Williams (Mork & Mindy - Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, Good Will Hunting)
Morgan Freeman (The Electric Company - Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby)
Denzel Washington (St. Elsewhere - Cry Freedom, Glory, Malcolm X, The Hurricane, Training Day)
Albert Brooks (Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Saturday Night Live - Broadcast News)
Martin Landau (Mission: Impossible - Tucker: The Man and His Dream, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Ed Wood)
Joan Cusack (Saturday Night Live - Working Girl, In & Out)
Edward James Olmos (Miami Vice - Stand and Deliver)
Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies - Big, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away)
Dan Aykroyd (Saturday Night Live - Driving Miss Daisy)
Nick Nolte (Rich Man Poor Man - The Prince of Tides, Affliction)
Robert Downey Jr. (Saturday Night Live - Chaplin)
David Paymer (Cagney & Lacey - Mr. Saturday Night)
Clint Eastwood (Rawhide - Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby)
Emma Thompson (BBC's Tutti Frutti - Howard's End, In the Name of the Father, The Remains of the Day, Sense and Sensibility)
Marisa Tomei (A Different World - My Cousin Vinny, In the Bedroom)
Leonardo DiCaprio (Growing Pains - What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Aviator, Blood Diamond)
Stockard Channing (Sesame Street - Six Degrees of Separation)
Rosemary Harris (Notorious Woman, Holocaust - Tom & Viv)
Helen Mirren (Prime Suspect - The Madness of King George, Gosford Park, The Queen)
Kevin Spacey (Wiseguy - The Usual Suspects, American Beauty)
Woody Harrelson (Cheers - The People Vs. Larry Flynt)
Helen Hunt (Mad About You - As Good as It Gets)
Barbara Hershey (The Monroes - The Portrait of a Lady)
Greg Kinnear (The Greg Kinnear Show, Talk Soup - As Good as It Gets)
Burt Reynolds (Riverboat, Gunsmoke, Dan August, B.L. Stryker, Evening Shade - Boogie Nights)
Judi Dench (As Time Goes By - Mrs. Brown, Shakespeare in Love, Chocolat, Iris, Mrs. Henderson Presents, Notes on a Scandal)
Julianne Moore (As the World Turns - Boogie Nights, The End of the Affair, The Hours, Far From Heaven)
Hilary Swank (Beverly Hills, 90210 - Boys Don't Cry, Million Dollar Baby)
Haley Joel Osment (Sesame Street, The Jeff Foxworthy Show - The Sixth Sense)
Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel Air - Ali, The Pursuit of Happiness)
Halle Berry (Living Dolls, Knot's Landing - Monster's Ball)
Queen Latifah (Living Single - Chicago)
Bill Murray (Saturday Night Live - Lost in Translation)
Patricia Clarkson (Murder One, Six Feet Under - Pieces of April)
Alec Baldwin (The Doctors, Knots Landing, Saturday Night Live - The Cooler)
Johnny Depp (21 Jump Street - Pirates of the Caribbean, Finding Neverland, Sweeney Todd)
Jamie Foxx (In Living Color, The Jamie Foxx Show - Ray, Collateral)
Alan Alda (M*A*S*H, The West Wing - The Aviator)
Don Cheadle (Picket Fences - Hotel Rwanda)
Thomas Hayden Church (Wings - Sideways)
George Clooney (ER, Roseanne, The Facts of Life, Sisters - Syriana, Michael Clayton)
Felicity Huffman (Sports Night, Desperate Housewives - Transamerica)
Michelle Williams (Dawson's Creek - Brokeback Mountain)
Eddie Murphy (Saturday Night Live - Dreamgirls)
Jennifer Hudson (American Idol - Dreamgirls)
Adriana Barraza (numerous Spanish soap operas - Babel)
Hal Holbrook (Mark Twain Tonight!, The Bold Ones... - Into the Wild)
Amy Ryan (The Wire - Gone Baby Gone)
Ruby Dee (Peyton Place, Roots: The Next Generation - American Gangster)

can anyone think of others?


****************************************************************************************************************************
Worst Film Careers for Oscar nominees!

Marlon Brando (duh....only stuff after 1990)
Ivan Jandl (The Search)
Jocelyne LaGarde (Hawaii)
Ronee Blakely (Nashville)
Sylvester Stallone (Rocky)
Quinn Cummings (The Goodbye Girl)
Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter, Catch Me If You Can)
Justin Henry (Kramer vs. Kramer)
Diana Scarwid (Inside Moves)
Margaret Avery (The Color Purple)
Anne Archer (Fatal Attraction)
Melanie Griffith (Working Girl)
Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves)
Lorraine Bracco (Goodfellas)
Michael Lerner (Barton Fink)
Jaye Davidson (The Crying Game)
Jennifer Tilly (Bullets Over Broadway)
Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire)
Roberto Benigni (Life is Beautiful)
Janet McTeer (Tumbleweeds)
Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense)
Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted)
Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile)
Kate Hudson (Almost Famous)
Halle Berry (Monster's Ball)
Felicity Huffman (Transamerica)
Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)
Penelope Cruz (Volver) - American-based career

Name some others...

One of the Worst Weeks for DVD Releases in a Looong Time...

Joey here, though I may as well not be, since there are pretty much no films worth looking at this week. This is a sad week, most likely to make sure people go see The Dark Knight (and to a lesser extent Mamma Mia and perhaps even Space Chimps), and to further prove that, the PICK OF THE WEEK is only a decent film:

Meet Bill

Almost nobody saw this Aaron Eckhart film about a loser getting his life together, and while it's not so great, it's the best thing out this week. Take that as you will.

-The Bank Job was fair, but nothing more, and the scary thing is that it's by far the best of the remaining bunch.

-College Road Trip should have embarrassed Martin Lawrence into retirement, Step Up 2 The Streets made me long for the original Step Up (if that's humanly possible), Shutter was a sad excuse for a horror film, and i'm still not sure how so much talent got involved in such a huge misfire as Penelope was.

-Just to give people something to hang onto this week before we all see The Dark Knight, and my older movie picks are going to just be a list of some movies that I have been watching a lot of lately and are all far better than what we have available this week:

JFK

Charlie Bartlett

Ghosts of Mississippi

Heathers

Wolf Creek

Rocky Balboa

any of these films would satisfy you far more than what is out this week...

-So, who's ready for some Batman?

Kate Hudson Joins Rob Marshall's Nine

The Weinstein Company announced today that Academy Award nominee Kate Hudson (Almost Famous) will join the cast of Nine, Academy Award Nominee Rob Marshall's (Memoirs of a Geisha, Chicago) adaptation of the Tony Award Winning Broadway musical. The film stars Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will be Blood) as world famous film director Guido Contini as he prepares his latest picture and balances the numerous women in his life played by Hudson and the previously announced Academy Award Winners Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Judi Dench, Sophia Loren and Academy Award nominee Penélope Cruz. The announcement was made today by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, co-chairmen of The Weinstein Company.

Nine was adapted by Academy Award nominee Michael Tolkin (The Player) and Academy Award winner Anthony Minghella (The English Patient) with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, composer and lyricist for the original 1982 Broadway production that won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and was written by Arthur Kopit. Marshall and John DeLuca (Memoirs of a Geisha, Chicago) will choreograph. LUCAMAR Productions partners DeLuca and Marshall will be on board as part of the producing team, with Marc Platt serving as producer, and Arthur Kopit and Maury Yeston to serve as co-executive producers. The film is scheduled to begin shooting in the UK on October 10th.

Harvey Weinstein stated: "We are thrilled that Kate Hudson is joining this group of some of the most talented and creative actors in film and it will be an incredible experience for audiences to watch this cast work under the brilliant direction of Rob Marshall. Inspired by one of cinema's most profound auteurs, Minghella's dramatic writing, and Marshall's dynamic staging will provide the actors with a daring opportunity to showcase their artistic potential."

Rob Marshall said: "It's wonderful having Kate join this extraordinary cast! Her revelatory skills as a singer and a dancer lead to the creation of the role of 'Stephanie,' a fashion reporter from Vogue working in Italy. An exciting new song, written by our composer Maury Yeston, has been added for her as well."

Nine reunites Rob Marshall and Harvey Weinstein whose last collaboration, Chicago, helped revive the Hollywood Musical earning 13 Academy Award nominations and winning six Oscars including Best Picture. The film grossed over $170 million domestically and over $300 million worldwide.

Nine also extends the Weinsteins long-lasting relationships with these actors, having previously worked with Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench on such venerable projects as The Hours, The Others, Shakespeare in Love, Chocolat, My Left Foot and Gangs of New York all of which garnered 49 Academy Award nominations and 11 wins, earning each of the actors an Oscar for their work.

Inspired by Fellini's classic film 8 1/2, Nine is a sultry and enchanting musical. Day-Lewis stars as Contini with his wife "Luisa Contini" played by Cotillard, his sultry mistress "Carla" played by Cruz, Kidman as his film star muse "Claudia Graham," Judi Dench in the role of "Lily" - his confidant and costume designer, Sophia Loren as his mother or "Mamma" and Hudson as "Stephanie" the young American fashion journalist. The role of "Saraghina" the whore from Guido’s youth is yet to be cast.

The original 1982 Broadway production of "Nine," nominated for twelve Tony Awards and winning five, including Best Musical, was directed by Tommy Tune, choreographed by Thommie Walsh, starred Raúl Juliá with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and book by Arthur Kopit. The 2003 Broadway revival of "Nine" received eight Tony Award nominations and won two, including Best Revival of a Musical.

**Rumor has it, she is taking over the role inhabited on stage by Jane Krakowski.





Source: The Weinstein Company *** July 14, 2008***

Seven Emmy geniuses predict Thursday's award nominations

Somehow I've managed to coax six suckers brilliant kudos seers to join me in predicting the Emmy nominations that will be announced this Thursday morning: Michael Ausiello (EW.com), Matt Webb Mitovich (TVGuide.com), Marc Berman (MediaWeek), Ray Richmond (Hollywood Reporter) and our two resident Emmy gurus — our forums moderators Robert "Rob L" Licuria (AwardsHeaven.net) and Chris "Boomer" Beachum.

~ Tom O'Neil, goldderby.latimes.com

Lead Acting and Production Categories only...



So, this means they predict the following nominees:
Mad Men
Damages
House, M.D.
Boston Legal
with the 5th slot either going to LOST (snubbed since its victory for season 1) or GREY'S ANATOMY



So, this means they predict the following nominees:
30 Rock
The Office
Pushing Daisies
Two and a Half Men
Curb Your Enthusiasm



So, this means they predict the following nominees:
Hugh Laurie, House
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
James Spader, Boston Legal
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad



So, this means they predict the following nominees:
Glenn Close, Damages
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
with the fifth slot most likely going to either Patricia Arquette or Minnie Driver and maybe even Jeanne Tripplehorn.
For all we know, 6 nominees could be announced making room for both Arquette and Driver.




So, this means they predict the following nominees:
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men



So, this means they predict the following nominees:
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine

and Felicity Huffman is definitely a factor. I feel she would most likely be either a 6th nominee or replace Julia Louis-Dreyfus. However, her dramatic turn may steer her away from a comedy-based category.

R.I.P. Evelyn Keyes (1916 - 2008)

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0450810/

Gone With The Wind star Evelyn Keyes has died of uterine cancer. She was 91.

The actress passed away at her home in Santa Barbara, California on 4th July but the news was withheld until her death certificate had been filed, according to her close friend Allan Glaser.

Keyes played Scarlett O'Hara's younger sister, Suellen, in the 1939 movie and went on to star in a variety of other films including 1949's Mrs Mike and The Seven Year Itch in 1955.

The star, who married four times, counted director John Huston and band leader Artie Shaw among her famous husbands.

After Shaw died in 2004, Keyes sued his estate, claiming that she was entitled to half of it. In July 2006 a jury ruled in her favour and awarded her $1.42 million (GBP711,000).

Her last film appearance was in 1989 in the comedy movie Wicked Stepmother.

Am I The Only One....

that gets a weird feeling inside when reading a really good book or watching a terrific movie/dvd? Joey here again, and I've experienced this on more than one occasion, like your body and your brain is aware and somewhat in awe of the greatness it is experiencing. Does anyone else ever get this feeling or am I completely insane?

Just In Case We Haven't Talked About The Dark Knight Enough...

...we'll do it some more now! Joey here, and with a week (and counting) to go until it finally hits theaters (i'll be doing the 12:01 show...what about y'all?), all we can do is drowl. As of today, it has a 100% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This seems to be getting WALL-E type reviews, that good. Anyone out there somehow not planning to see it?

Inglorious Bastards Finally Getting Rolling?

Joey here with some potentially exciting news. According to this article: http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/quentin-tarantino-unveils-inglorious-bastards/

It seems that Tarantino is showing the script off to potential backers. Does this mean we may really see the flick at Cannes next year?

More importantly, does the idea of a new Tarantino film excite you guys?

Fragments of a DVD Report

Joey here with the weekly DVD report. This week we have a few interesting options, though only one or two really stand out. Luckily, there's only one cinematic abortion to deal with. Let's jump right in with my PICK OF THE WEEK, which comes with a caveat but still is my choice nonetheless. It is:

The Tracey Fragments

- This film has yet another terrific performance from Ellen Page, and that alone would make it worth the pick, but it's decision to use a split screen approach to telling the story also makes it something different. However, that also makes it something that not everyone will be able to sit through. So, if you think you can handle it, this is definitely worth picking up.

-Also out this week worth a mention is Stop-Loss, Kimberly Peirce's soldier drama. Not everyone liked it as much as I did, but I found her work her to be as good a piece of filmmaking as her previous film (Boys Don't Cry) was. We also have The Ruins, which is a solid entry into the horror genre. If you dig that type of flick, it won't dissapoint. There's also the melodrama Sleepwalking, which is decent but nothing special, and the animated Batman: Gotham Knight, which bridges the gap between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. If anime works for you, it's supposed to be fantastic.

-As usual, this week also has a horrible film being released. That film is Superhero Movie, and while it might not be as bad as Date Movie, it still, pardon my french, sucks out loud. Don't waste your time with this one.

-My "vintage" pick this week is one that I've been preaching about since it first came out in theaters 2 years ago. It's Half Nelson, and Ryan Gosling gives one of the best performances I've ever seen here. His Oscar nomination was well deserved for this role, and I still believe he should have won for it. Pick it up for his performance, but also take note of the unique filmmaking techniques at hand. A great film indeed.

-What will you guys be watching this week?

The Rottentomatoes Revolution Will Not Be Televised

Prior to becoming enlightened about the art of movies, I had no standard when it came to watching movies in theater. Regretfully, this led me to see movies like Inspector Gadget, the Bachelor, Godzilla, Blue Streak, Rush Hour 2, and a slew of other terrible movies. Since then, I (along with my brother Kenny) came up with a standard that saved me hundreds of dollars, time, and dignity. I don’t have a fancy name for it, and it is fairly straightforward. It’s based primarily on the tomatometer of RottenTomatoes, and it goes as follows:

Tomatometer-Willingness to Pay

100%-85%-VERY HIGH (I will probably see it unless an Act of God prevents me).
84%-79%-Medium (I like to call this the range of persuasion, which means I need a compelling/ very persuasive reason to go).
78% or below-Almost Non-Existent (It will take an exception or a gun to my face to make me go see it in a theater).

*Exceptions apply from 84% to 60%

*Developed by Kenneth and Keith Lucas

This simple criterion has saved me a great deal of time in the movie theater, and money. Some people say my system is too rigid, and I’ve engaged in fruitless debates about why I should change. However, like every rule, there are exceptions. So the method isn’t absolute. Here are a few of the exceptions:

1. Nostalgia Exception- this includes childhood movies, old TV shows turned into movies, and old childhood movies remade. “Childhood” is pretty vague, so use your discretion wisely. Watching Inspector Gadget or Street Fighters in theaters is not using your discretion wisely…

2. Dating Exception- I will probably never take a girl to go see There Will Be Blood (on a first date) unless I am absolutely sure she knows who Daniel-Day Lewis is. There are just some movies that are suitable for dating (i.e. 90 percent of Matthew Mcconaughey’s movies), while others are not (90 percent of the movies I like). Oh the conundrum…

3. “Job on the Line” or George Costanza Exception-Don’t lose your job because you can’t stomach watching a Chris O’Donnell movie. If your boss loves the Bachelor or Batman and Robin, and wants everyone to go, then go. This is just a cost that you will have to accept unless you don’t have anyone to report to or don’t mind being unemployed. (Also applicable to film critics since your job depends on reviewing movies of all sort)

I don’t want to spell out all of the exceptions. But I guarantee that if you follow this method, you will feel better about yourself, your marriage will be saved, world hunger will end, and no more movies like Little Man will be made. I understand that this is the age of Ignorance, but going to the theater to see White Chicks only sustains an institution that has caused many of the world problems. This is the institution of making crappy movies, and until we stop going to see them, we will continue to get annual Vin Diesel or Eddie Murphy movies. So let’s fight the system! It will start from the bottom, but in this age, anything is possible…

In Case Hancock Didn't Do It For You...

Joey here, and if Will Smith let you down over the 4th of July, have no fear, because if you live near a market playing The Wackness, go out and see it now! It's very good, and not at all, well...wack. Details to come soon, but suffice to say, this is a very good and very funny indie movie.

-Was Hancock any better than I Am Legend? Please say it was...

Dark Knight Blues

It's Keith on the one and twos...

I'm trying to figure out a way to avoid getting too hyped for The Dark Knight. I've been counting down intensely for the last year. But, I don't want to over anticipate the movie. I've done this a few times, and seldom does it turn out good for me (see American Gangster, Superman Returns, and Spider-man 3). I need to figure out a way to stop thinking about the Dark Knight until the 18th.

Any good advice on avoiding this?

New CONTEST!

ACADEMY IDOL will be coming this November! And we are running a contest to design the new Academy Idol Logo...

You can submit as many pictures as you want, all entries must be submitted by August 31st! YOU, then will vote for your favorite and the new banner will be used during the episodes of the season.

Prizes will be four free movie tickets, name on the credits at the end of each episode, and any DVD of their choice. GOOD LUCK!

Send pictures to: claytondavis@awardscircuit.com

To watch last year's episode LOOK HERE

or

http://www.youtube.com/user/thetrilogy911

Updates and Predictions

New Predictions of the MainSite. (Starting with Best Picture) Also Myles Big Opening Article and more updates to come.

I wish everyone a SAFE, and BBQ'd FILLED 4th of July weekend.

By the way, thank all of you for the birthday wishes, highly appreciated!

Take A Listen To This!

http://www.warnerbrosrecords.com/thedarkknight/

Joey here...could The Dark Knight also have the best score of the year as well?

Listen and comment!

It Certainly Looks Like...

...The Dark Knight is poised for a huge impact when it opens. Joey here, and at this point, I just can't see this film being bad at all. No negative reviews so far, more and more kickass clips/trailers popping up, and box office-wise, I just tried to buy tickets for the midnight IMAX show the wednesday it opens and it's already sold out. Wow.

-Bring on the caped crusader and the clown prince of crime!

Emmy Top 10 Lists

**** = likely nominees, ~~~ = likely winner


*Drama Actor*

****Jon Hamm, "Mad Men" ("The Wheel")
Denis Leary, "Rescue Me" ("Babyface")
****Hugh Laurie, "House" ("House's Head")
****Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad" ("Pilot")
Patrick Dempsey, "Grey's Anatomy" (episode?)
****James Spader, "Boston Legal" ("The Court Supreme") ~~~
Gabriel Byrne, "In Treatment" ("Paul and Gina: Week 4")
Eddie Izzard, "The Riches" ("Last Temptation of Wayne")
****Michael C. Hall, "Dexter ("There's Something About Harry")
Kyle Chandler, "Friday Night Lights" ("Last Day of Summer")

*Drama Actress*

****Glenn Close, "Damages" ("Pilot")
****Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer" ("Manhunt")
Patricia Arquette, "Medium" ( "Aftertaste")
Minnie Driver, "The Riches" ("Dead Calm")
Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men" ("The Hobo Code")
Mary McDonnell, "Battlestar Galactica" ("Faith"
Jeanne Tripplehorn, "Big Love" ("Take Me As I Am")
****Sally Field, "Brothers and Sisters" ("History Repeating")
****Holly Hunter, "Saving Grace" ("Tacos, Tulips, Duck and Spices") ~~~
****Mariska Hargitay, "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" ("Undercover")

*Drama Supporting Actor*

Naveen Andrews, "Lost" ("The Economist")
****John Slattery, "Mad Men" ( "Long Weekend")
Jake Weber, "Medium" ("Wicked Game, Part 1")
****Zeljko Ivanek, "Damages" ("I Hate These People")
Blair Underwood, "In Treatment" ("Alex: Week 6")
Bruce Dern, "Big Love" ("Good Guys and Bad Guys")
T.R. Knight, "Grey's Anatomy" ("Freedom, Parts 1 & 2")
****Ted Danson, "Damages" ("Jesus, Mary and Joe Cocker")
****Michael Emerson, "Lost" ("The Shape of Things to Come") ~~~
****Christian Clemenson, "Boston Legal" ("Roe vs. Wade, The Musical")

*Drama Supporting Actress*

****Sharon Gless, "Burn Notice" ("Identity")
Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men" ("Babylon")
Sandra Oh, "Grey's Anatomy" ("The Becoming")
Jill Clayburgh, "Dirty Sexy Money" ("The Watch")
****Rose Byrne, "Damages" ("Because I Know Patty")
Jane Alexander, "Tell Me You Love Me" (Episode 10)
S. Epatha Merkerson, "Law and Order" ("Bottomless")
****Candice Bergen, "Boston Legal" ("The Mighty Rogues")
****Dianne Wiest, "In Treatment" ("Paul and Gina: Week ?")
Rachel Griffiths, "Brothers and Sisters" ("Domestic Issues")
**** Chandra Wilson, "Grey's Anatomy" ("Lay Your Hands on Me") ~~~

*Drama Guest Guest Actor*

**** Charles Durning, "Rescue Me" ("Yaz")
Oliver Platt, "Nip-Tuck" ("Carly Summers")
**** Peter O'Toole, "The Tudors" ("Episode 208")~~~
**** Keith Carradine, "Dexter" ("Morning Comes")
Stanley Tucci, "E.R." ("The War Comes Home")
Glynn Turman, "In Treatment" ("Alex: Week 8")
**** Robert Morse, "Mad Men" ("Nixon vs. Kennedy")
Peter Riegert, "Damages" ("Do You Regret What We Did?")
Danny Glover, "Brothers and Sisters" ("The Feast of Epiphany")
**** Robin Williams, "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit ("Authority")

*Drama Series*

****"Damages" (Pilot)
"House" ("Frozen")
"The Tudors" (#205)
****"Lost" ("The Constant")
"The Wire" (Series finale, "30")
"Dexter" ("The Dark Defender")
****"Boston Legal" ("The Court Supreme")
****"Grey’s Anatomy" ("Freedom, Parts 1 and 2")
**** "Mad Men" (Pilot, "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes")~~~
"Friday Night Lights" ("Leave No One Behind")


*Comedy Actor*

Lee Pace, "Pushing Daisies" ("Pie-lette")
Steve Carell, "The Office" ("Goodbye, Toby")
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock" ("Rosemary's Baby")
Tony Shalhoub, "Monk" ("Mr. Monk and the ???")
David Duchovny, "Californication" ("The Last Waltz")
Larry David, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" ("The Bat Mitzvah")
Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men" ("Is There a Mrs. Waffles?")
----3 more to come----

*Comedy Actress*

**** Tina Fey, "30 Rock" ("Sandwich Day")~~~
Anna Friel, "Pushing Daisies" ("Bitter Sweets")
****Mary-Louise Parker, "Weeds" ("Bill Sussman")
****America Ferrera, "Ugly Betty" ("Odor in the Court")
Marcia Cross, "Desperate Housewives" ("Now You Know")
Eva Longoria Parker, "Desperate Housewives" ("In Buddy's Eyes")
****Christina Applegate, "Samantha Who?" ("The Restraining Order")
Sarah Silverman, "The Sarah Silverman Program" ("Bored of the Rings")
Felicity Huffman, "Desperate Housewives" ("Now I Know, Don't Be Scared")
****Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "New Adventures of Old Christine" ("One and a Half Men")

*Comedy Supporting Actor*

Justin Kirk, "Weeds" ("Bill Sussman")
****Rainn Wilson, "The Office" ("Money")
****Jack McBrayer, "30 Rock" ("Episode 210")
John Krasinski, "The Office" ("Branch Wars")
Tracy Morgan, "30 Rock" ("Secrets and Lies")
****Jeremy Piven, "Entourage" ("The Day F***ers")
Fred Willard, "Back to You" ("Cradle to Grave")
Kevin Dillon, "Entourage" ("The Dream Team")
****Neil Patrick Harris, "How I Met Your Mother" ("The Goat")
****Jon Cryer, "Two and a Half Men" ("Meander to Your Dander") ~~~

*Comedy Supporting Actress*

****Elizabeth Perkins, "Weeds" ("Risk")
Jenna Fischer, "The Office" ("Fun Run")
Judith Light, "Ugly Betty" ("I See Me, ICU")
Jane Krakowski, "30 Rock" ("The Collection")
****Kristin Chenoweth, "Pushing Daisies" ("Girth")
****Jean Smart, "Samantha Who? ("The Girlfriend")
Amy Poehler, "Saturday Night Live" ("Tina Fey")
****Vanessa Williams, "Ugly Betty" ("Bananas for Betty") ~~~
Conchata Ferrell, "Two and a Half Men" ("Fish in a Drawer")
****Holland Taylor, "Two and a Half Men" ("Media Room Slash Dungeon")

*Comedy Guest Actress*

Edie Falco, "30 Rock" ("Episode 210")
****Annie Potts, "Ugly Betty" ("Zero Worship")
Amy Ryan, "The Office" ("Goodbye Toby")
****Elaine Stritch, "30 Rock" ("LudaChristmas")
Carrie Fisher, "30 Rock" ("Rosemary's Baby")
****Polly Bergen, "Desperate Housewives" ("Distant Past")
Vivica A. Fox, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" ("The Rat Dog")
****Sarah Silverman, "Monk" ("Mr. Monk and His Biggest Fan") ~~~
Kathryn Joosten, "Desperate Housewives" ("Welcome to Kanagawa")
****Jane Lynch, "Two and a Half Men" ("Rough Night in Hump Junction")
Shirley Knight, "Desperate Housewives" ("If There's Anything I Can't Stand")

*Comedy Series*

"Weeds" ("Go")
**** "30 Rock" ("Cooter") ~~~
****"The Office" ("Local Ad")
****"Pushing Daisies" ("Pie-lette")
"Entourage" ("The Day F***ers")
"Family Guy" ("Padre de Famila")
"Flight of the Conchords" ("Sally Returns")
****"Curb Your Enthusiasm" ("The Bat Mitzvah")
"Ugly Betty" ("Something Wicked This Way Comes")
****"Two and a Half Men" ("Rough Night in Hump Junction")

The DVD Releases This Week Suggest One Thing...

...Go See WALL-E! Joey here, and the dvd releases this week are indeed relatively weak and of course coinciding with the upswing in big movie releases at the multiplex. That being said, as always I'm able to come up with a PICK OF THE WEEK, and this week's pick is:

-My Blueberry Nights

Wong Kar Wai's first english language film isn't perfect, but it oozes atmosphere and features a star studded cast and a rather good romance to boot. Norah Jones is the big suprise here, but everyone does good work.

-Also out this week on the positive side is City of Men, which is good, but not City of God good, and the comedy Sex and Death 101. This got a very limited release but comes from the man behind Heathers and is also a fairly dark comedy. This also has a really interesting premise, and while it's flawed, it's still not bas at all.

-Released this week as well, but of less quality is Vantage Point, which was not nearly as good as the marketing made you think it was, Drillbit Taylor, which was nowhere near as funny as the presence of Judd Apatow would have you think, and the shameless cash-in Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd: Out of Control. This looks just horrid and may actually taint Get Smart by its simple existence.

-My old school pick this week is the Kevin Costner sports vehicle For Love of the Game. Sam Raimi directed this and made a good book into a great sports drama about an aging pitcher. Seek it out if it sounds like your type of thing.

-Once again...Go See WALL-E!!!!!!!