Oscar Nomination Predictions
The Oscar nominations will be announced on Tuesday, 02 February 2010. Here are my own predictions for the nominees, with my personal picks for winners in bold and the rest ranked in order of likelihood of winning:
Best Picture: Avatar; The Hurt Locker; Up in the Air; Precious: Based on the Novel Push By Sapphire; Inglourious Basterds; Up; The Blind Side; Invictus; An Education; A Serious Man
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker); James Cameron (Avatar); Jason Reitman (Up in the Air); Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds); Lee Daniels (Precious: Based on the Novel Push By Sapphire)
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart); George Clooney (Up in the Air); Colin Firth (A Single Man); Morgan Freeman (Invictus); Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man)
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side); Meryl Streep, (Julie & Julia); Carey Mulligan (An Education); Helen Mirren (The Last Station); Gabourey Sidibe (Precious: Based on the Novel Push By Sapphire)
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds); Christopher Plummer (The Last Station); Woody Harrelson (The Messenger); Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones); Matt Damon (Invictus)
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique (Precious: Based on the Novel Push By Sapphire); Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air); Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air); Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds); Julianne Moore (A Single Man)
Best Original Screenplay: Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker); Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds); James Cameron (Avatar); Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber ([500] Days of Summer); Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (A Serious Man)
Best Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner (Up in the Air); Geoffrey Fletcher (Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire); Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart); Nora Ephron (Julie & Julia); Tom Ford (A Single Man)
Best Animated Feature: Up; Fantastic Mr. Fox; Coraline; Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs; The Princess and the Frog
Best Documentary Feature: The Cove; Food, Inc.; The Beaches of Agnes; Valentino: The Last Emperor; The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
Best Foreign Language Film: The White Ribbon; Un Prophete (A Prophet); El Secreto de Sus Ojos; Samson and Delilah; Ajami
Best Documentary Short Subject: Spike Jonze and Lance Bangs (Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak)
Best Cinematography: Barry Ackroyd (The Hurt Locker); Marco Fiore (Avatar); Robert Richardson (Inglourious Basterds); Christian Berger (The White Ribbon); Dione Beebe (Nine)
Best Editing: Stephen Rivkin, John Refua, and James Cameron (Avatar)
Best Original Score: James Horner (Avatar)
Best Original Song: James Horner, Simon Franglen, and Kuk Harrell (“I See You” from Avatar)
Best Sound Editing: Some Sound Nerds (Avatar)
Best Sound Mixing: Other Sound Nerds (Avatar)
Best Visual Effects: Some A/V Nerds (Avatar)
Best Makeup: Some Makeup Nerds (Avatar)
Best Art Direction: Some Art Direction Nerds (Avatar)
Best Costume Design: Some Costume Nerds (Avatar)
Best Animated Short: Nick Park (A Matter of Loaf and Death); Peter Sohn (Partly Cloudy)
Best Live Action Short: Gregg Helvey (Kavi) – A USC grad student who made a short film in India, hate this guy!
Cheers!
The basu! Guide to the Movies
(The Here-Comes-the-Australian-Open Edition)
01 – 29 January 2010
Special Mention: Haiti Earthquake Relief. It’s not too late to contribute any way you can.
http://www.google.com/haitiearthquake
The b! List
Ten things that are the best, ever (currently)!
1. “Giving Up the Gun” by Vampire Weekend. The best song on their amazing new album Contra!
http://bit.ly/4KUTYX
2. “Pata Pata” by Miriam Makeba. I was reminded of this song again because of that cool new Honda Accord Crosstour ad (cool car, very cool commercial). I dare you to get this song out of your head, dare you!
http://bit.ly/xsoFV
3. “Warm Heart of Africa” by The Very Best Feat. Erza Koening. The ultimate feel-happy song for this horrendous weather we’ve been having. I dare you to get this song out of your head, dare you!
http://bit.ly/5BA93V
4. “Peace Dream” by Ringo Starr Feat. Paul McCartney. My favorite Beatle is back, and better than ever!
http://bit.ly/4PZwuy
5. “Walk With You” by Ringo Starr Feat. Paul McCartney. My favorite Beatle is back, and even more better than ever!
http://bit.ly/5S53ZY
6. Walk The Fleet Road” by Editors. They’re back with a bold and unexpected new sound.
http://bit.ly/3lNdfC
7. “Dominos” by Big Pink. I caught this on Sirius Left of Center, sorry XMU, the other day and now can’t get it out my head.
http://bit.ly/3lUFzb
8. “Unhinged” by Eels. I used to like three songs by the Eels. Now I like four.
http://bit.ly/669b9P
9. “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train. I know, it’s Train for God’s sake, but I dare you to get this song out of your head, dare you!
http://bit.ly/83kEOh
10. “Heartbreak Warfare” by John Mayer. I never thought Mayer would do a better song than “Your Body is a Wonderland.” Well, I was wrong!
http://bit.ly/l0oDP
In Memoriam: J.D. Salinger. I have to admit the only book I ever read of his was Catcher in the Rye. Just based on that alone I would have to say that he was a literary legend and will be missed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._D._Salinger
In Memoriam: Howard Zinn. I have to admit the only book of his I ever bought was A People’s History of the United States. I really should read it now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Zinn
In Memoriam: Eric Rohmer. I have to admit the only film I ever saw of this legendary director was La collectionneuse, which I caught by accident on PBS. I have been a fan of the great character actor Patrick Bauchau ever since and always meant to watch more films by this all-time great director.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Rohmer
Movies
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
Directed by: The Singular Werner Herzog
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Val Kilmer, Eva Mendes, Jennifer Coolidge, Michael Shannon
Plot: A maverick cop tries to save himself and the woman he loves against opposing forces both within and outside the law. The-perfect-director-leading-man-combo type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Hoo boy! This is Cage being Cage in the way that you want him to be Cage. And God bless that lunatic Herzog for putting together such an insane movie that you really do have to see to believe. Too bad it’s not getting any Awards Season Love; it would have been fun to have seen Cage out and about again.
Bottom Line: Me and Other Fans of Lunatics Like Werner Herzog and Nicolas Cage: Theatres – Eventually; Other, More Reasonable Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
The Blind Side
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Kathy Bates, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw
Plot: A troubled young African American man becomes a star football player when a rich white family takes him in. The-real-feel-good-movie-of-the-year type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Look, it’s a very poorly made movie, and it’s more than a little cheesy. But you know what, we could all use a little cheese sometimes. Just a warm-hearted, uplifting, lovely little film with some great performances including the overlooked Aaron. And yes, I like Bullock, so there!
Bottom Line: Those (Like Me) Looking for a Cheesy Upliftment: Theatres – Eventually; Other, More Cynical People: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Starring: George Clooney, Bill Murray, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Wally Wolodarsky, Eric Anderson, Owen Wilson, and Jarvis Cocker (whew!)
Plot: A perfidious fox tries to outsmart the farmers trying to kill him, his family, and friends. An-animated-Wes-Anderson-movie-is-still-a-Wes-Anderson-movie type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: The funny thing is that I really, really want to hate Anderson (I mean seriously, can a guy be so precious/pretentious/twee/etc.) but I’ve loved/really liked all of his movies (really liked The Royal Tenenbaums, but have universally loved the rest). This one I really, really, really love! D*mn it, I so don’t want to love Anderson, but I just can’t help loving his movies, even if they are of the stop-motion animation variety and he had his personal tailor make the costumes for the lead “character” in the film and then had those same costumes made into suits for himself…so pretentious but so good, right?
Bottom Line: Theatres – First Week
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Invictus
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Zak Feaunati, Adjoa Andoh
Plot: The new president of a fledgling democracy forms an unlikely alliance with the captain of the national rugby team to try and bring a racially divided country together. You-really-couldn’t-make-this-up-if-you-tried type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Man, I feel like such an idiot! I actually watched the 1995 Rugby World Cup live and I now realize that I was the only person in the entire world rooting against South Africa. Why? Because I was such a huge fan of Jonah Lomu, especially after he single-handedly massacred England in the semi finals. From what I remember, the game was somewhat boring, the Springboks bottled up Lomu and essentially their version of Adam Vinatieri ultimately helped them win. Sigh, I now realize that I was on the wrong side of history.
Note: They misspelled Jonah Lomu’s name in the credits (as “Jonah Lumu”)…ridiculous! Warner Bros. should be ashamed!
Bottom Line: Me, and Others With Fond Memories of Jonah Lomu: Theatres – Eventually; Others on the Right Side of History: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
The Lovely Bones
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli
Plot: A murdered young girl watches over her devastated family from the other side. Talk-about-not-letting-go type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: You would think that a small-scale, disturbing novel like this would require an equally small-scale, intimate director to bring it to the screen. And that’s why Jackson turned it into a hundred million dollar special effects spectacular.
Bottom Line: Me and Others with Fond Memories of Heavenly Creatures: Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Nostalgic Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Precious: Based on the Novel by Sapphire
Directed by: Lee Daniels
Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mo’Nique, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz
Plot: A young African American woman tries to escape an abusive home while caring for her newborn child. Not-your-typical-after-school-special type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: A movie that you admire rather than truly like. Daniels is a bit of an opportunist and Mo’Nique is a little over-praised, but Sidibe is heart-breakingly good and Patton should be the one getting more Awards Season Love. And yes, I couldn’t recognize Carey either.
Bottom Line: Me and Others Caught Up in Awards Season Mania; Theatres – Eventually; Other, More Reasonable Moviegoers: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
The Road
Directed by: John Hillcoat
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Guy Pearce, and Michael Kenneth Williams (aka Omar from The Wire)
Plot: A man and his boy try to get to warmer climes while outrunning cannibals in a post-apocalyptic world. Not-quite-what-REM-had-in-mind complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: The end of the world never looked this bleakly beautiful. And no, I am not sure you can turn “bleak” into an adverb for “beautiful” but I just did.
Bottom Line: Me, and Others Who Love Good Cinematography: Theatres – Eventually; Others Looking for Better Reasons to Watch a Movie: DVD [Though It Won’t Look Nearly As Good]
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
The Princess and the Frog
Directed by: Ron Clements and John Musker
Starring: Anika Noni Rose, Terrence Howard, John Goodman, Keith David, Oprah Winfrey
Plot: A beautiful young woman kisses a frog to turn him back into a prince, only to become a frog herself. Men-I-tell-ya! type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: I really liked Rose in Dreamgirls and The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. As for Disney going back to its “roots” and all the racial-insensitivity criticism out there, that’s above my pay grade.
Bottom Line: Those with Young Children in Need of Babysitting Help: Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Harried Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Up in the Air
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Starring: George Clooney, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga, Jason Bateman, the great J.K. Simmons and Zach Galifianakis
Plot: A downsizing consultant must deal with a changed business environment as well as his unexpected feelings for a fellow business traveler. Flying-really-is-such-a-pain-these-days type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Back in the day I made a little documentary short at film school. I took it to a few festivals around the country and ended up in one with a little movie called In God We Trust. It was a well-made, funny little film, but with the kind of quasi-recognizable cast and special effects that spoke of a large budget, which made me upset. The director was nice, said he liked my movie and said that we should keep in touch. I took his card but never intended to follow through because he was a little too “Hollywood” for me. It was only years later that I remembered the last name that went with his first: Reitman…yes, that Reitman. And once again I was on the wrong side of history.
Bottom Line: Me and Others on the Wrong Side of History: Theatres – Eventually; Others Who Don’t Buy the Hype So Easily: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Bright Star
Directed by: Jane Campion
Starring: Abbie Cornish, Ben Whishaw, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox
Plot: The budding romance between a young woman and a well-regarded poet is complicated by his lack of income. Talk-about-swooning type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: I love Campion! She’s a great director and her movies are always beautifully put together. Too bad no one is talking about her as Best Director for this lovely little romantic film.
Bottom Line: Me and Other Fans of Jane Campion: Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Romantic Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Broken Embraces
Directed by: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Penelope Cruz, Lluis Homar, Blanca Portilla, Lola Duenas, Angela Molina
Plot: A blind director must confront the tragic incident in his past that lead to his current state. I-love-me-some-good-Almodovar complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: I was watching this movie and the whole time I was thinking that it was okay. Then I started thinking that it was pretty good. And then it ended and I completely and utterly loved it! That’s Almodovar for you!
Bottom Line: Theatres – Eventually
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
A Single Man [Not to be Confused by A Serious Man]
Directed by: Tom Ford
Starring: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Ginnifer Goodwin, Nicholas Hoult
Plot: A grieving college professor must decide if life is worth living after the sudden death of his longtime spouse. All-Colin-Firth-all-the-time type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: I absolutely love Firth, love that guy! I absolutely hate Ford, hate that guy! Why? Because this is his first movie…and it is amazing. I cannot believe that a first-time director put together something so accomplished and achingly beautiful that it would make the great Wong Kar-Wai proud! I am so happy for Firth that he is finally, finally, getting his moment in the Oscar sun.
Bottom Line: Theatres – First Week
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
A Serious Man [Not to be Confused by A Single Man]
Directed by: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Starring: Michael Stuhlbarg, Richard Kind, Adam Arkin, Fred Melamed, Aaron Wolf, Sari Wagner
Plot: A hapless college professor must decide if there is a higher power after the sudden downturn his life takes all around him. All-Michael-Stuhlbarg-all-the-time type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: I was so excited for No Country For Old Men, and then so disappointed when I actually saw it. I expected nothing from this film and still can’t get it out of my head – months after seeing it. Seriously, this movie will mess with your mind and sit with you for a very long time. It’s so very sad that this film is not getting any Awards Season Love because it stands up there with the best of the Brothers’ films, the very best in fact. And it really is so much better than the overrated (and quickly forgotten) No Country For Old Men. If there is a Movie God out there somewhere Stuhlbarg will sneak in a much-deserved Oscar nomination.
Bottom Line: Theatres – First Week
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Crazy Heart
Directed by: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall
Plot: An aging maverick country singer tries to redeem himself through the love of a young journalist. Stop-me-if-you’ve-heard-this-one-before type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Is it just me or does the trailer make it seem like this is really The Kris Kristofferson Story, especially with Bridges looking exactly like the great Kristofferson (and keeping that look at all the awards shows)? Bridges has been a solid actor for many years now, and the well-regarded leading-man-turned-character-actor is a shoo-in for that “Lifetime Achievement” Oscar that is the bow on a great career. And yes, both him and one-time Irish “cliche” Farrell do their own singing.
Bottom Line: Theatres – Eventually
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
An Education
Directed by: Lone Scherfig
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina, Peter Sarsgaard, Rosamund Pike, Olivia Williams, Sally Hawkins, and the great Emma Thompson
Plot: A young woman in Postwar England must choose between the safe life of her strict father and the exciting one promised by her mysterious older boyfriend. Those-crazy-uptight-Brits type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Man, the buzz on this movie since Sundance has been crazy and building incessantly. My own expectations were at a fever pitch going into the film. And I was so disappointed. I mean it was pretty good and all, but not, you know, the greatest thing since sliced bread. Mulligan was good and all, but not, you know, the greatest thing since sliced Streep. Molina and Pile were both very good (as was the always excellent Thompson), too bad they aren’t the ones getting the attention.
Bottom Line: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
The Last Station
Directed by: Michael Hoffman
Starring: Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, Paul Giamatti, James McAvoy
Plot: The wife of the legendary Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy battles for control of his estate. Estate-planning-was-never-this-complicated complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Now come on, who wouldn’t want to see two absolutely great actors going at it in a biopic about one of the greatest novelists in literary history? Plummer has been around for a very long time and this could have been his “Lifetime Achievement” Oscar role had it not been for Jeff Bridges and Christophe Waltz. Too bad, I’ve always liked him and it’s just bad timing (like Peter O’Toole a few years ago when he went up against Forest Whittaker) that this film came out when it did. God bless Mirren though, God bless her!
Bottom Line: Me and Other Fans of Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer: Theatres – First Week; Other, Less Nostalgic Souls: Theatres – Eventually
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
The Maid
Directed by: Sebastian Silva
Starring: Catalina Saavedra, Claudia Celedon
Plot: A maid struggles to hang on to her job after serving the same family for over 20 years. Man-this-economic-crisis-has-
The basu! Buzz: Full disclosure, I know next to nothing about this film. What I do know is that it scored an 83 (Universal Acclaim) on Metacritic, received heaps of critical acclaim, is considered one of the best movies of the year by those who have been lucky enough to have seen, and is naturally not eligible for a Best Foreign Film Oscar nomination. God bless the Academy Foreign Film Branch for once again coming through and messing things up. You can always count on that.
Bottom Line: Those Lucky Few in Manhattan: Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Geographically Fortunate Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
The Young Victoria
Directed by: Jean-Marc Vallee
Starring: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Jim Broadbent, Mark Strong
Plot: The young Queen of England must balance matters of state with, wait for it, matters of the heart. Ruling-an-empire-can-be-so-hard-sometimes type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: I like Blunt, and this would have been the kind of Oscar-baiting role that would have really put her over the top (since that Iron Man 2 role went to Scarlett Johanssoninstead). Too bad for her that the once estimable Bob Berney picked up the film. In this economic climate a small shop like Apparition has no shot, none at all. Poor Blunt (and Berney), hopefully she’ll get another chance to hit the big time again some time down the road.
Bottom Line: Those Lucky Few in Manhattan and Los Angeles: Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Geographically Fortunate Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Me and Orson Welles
Directed by: Richard Linklater
Starring: Zac Efron, Claire Danes, Christian McKay, Ben Chaplin, Kelly Reilly, Eddie Marsan
Plot: A young actor lucks into the role of a lifetime in a play staged by a young maverick director. Get-ready-for-some-pre-Rosebud- hijinks type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Poor Efron, he probably thought that this might be his shot at legitimacy: A biopic about probably the most fascinating film director directed by a quirky, well-liked indiecredulous (thanks Michael Wilbon) director. Too bad that it was picked up by a small distributor…no shot, no shot at all.
Bottom Line: Those Lucky Few in Manhattan and Los Angeles: Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Geographically Fortunate Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
The Messenger
Directed by: Oren Moverman
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone, Eamonn Walker
Plot: A young solider charged with informing families of the deaths of their loved ones finds himself drawn to a young widow. All-Woody-Harrelson-all-the-time type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Dude, what a year for Harrelson! He’s had all kinds of movies come out this year, from little-seen indie rom-coms (Management) to end-of-world box office hits (2012) to kick-a** zombie movies with 3-D sequels in development (Zombieland). Nice to see him have a career resurgence, now if only a bigger distributor had picked up this film he could have topped it all off with one of those long-time-well-liked-industry-veteran Oscar nominations that Christopher Plummer is going to pull off.
Bottom Line: Those Lucky Few in Manhattan and Los Angeles: Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Geographically Fortunate Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Nine
Directed by: Rob Marshall
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson, and the great Sophia Loren (whew!)
Plot: A world-famous director looks for inspiration while trying to juggle all the women in his life. I-guess-some-guys-have-all-the-problems type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: The last time the Weinstein Brothers produced an all-star musical with Marshall it won six Oscars (including for Best Picture) and earned more than $300 million worldwide. My, how the mighty have fallen.
Bottom Line: Me, and Others With Fond Memories of Miramax in Its Heyday: Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Nostalgic Souls: Pass [It Is That Bad]
Other Movies to Check Out (instead): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Red Cliff
Directed by: John Woo
Starring: Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Chang Chen, Zhao Wei
Plot: Ancient Chinese warlords try to battle against the Emperor’s much larger army. John-Woo-is-back-baby! type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: My friend “Krazy” Krish managed to watch this movie in theatres. Oh, did I mention that he’s married with a one-year-old daughter? And he managed to watch this limited release in movie theatres. I love Woo! I love Leung! I love the fact that this ambitious movie(s it was released as two films in Asia) is one of the most successful Asian films of all time and is a welcome return to form for the great director. If “Krazy” Krish can see this in theatres then I really have no excuse (and yes, it too is not eligible for a Best Foreign FilmOscar, naturally).
Bottom Line: Me, and Other Fans of John Woo and Tony Leung Who Need to Keep Up with “Krazy” Krish: Theatres – Eventually; Others With More Important Commitments: DVD [Both Movies]
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Avatar
Directed by: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang
Plot: A marine switches sides when he is sent to force out the native people on a distant moon. The-crazy-ba*tard-did-it-again! type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Man oh man oh man oh man. The knives were out; everybody was ready for the film to fall flat on its megalomaniacal director’s face. After the film’s so-so opening it looked like this was coming to pass. And then the people actually got a hold of the film and now it’s close to doing something I personally never thought possible, beat Titanic’s record box office haul (not accounting for inflation, or ticket prices, or the price of popcorn). Maybe this will change movies forever, and maybe it won’t, who am I to say? However, what I will say is that it’s one h*ll of a movie at a time when a movie has to be a movie to get people away from their big screen TVs at home. Yeah so the story is a little weak (but not quite as bad as you’ve been lead to believe), and the computer-generated characters are not completely photo-realistic (but they are the closest to it I’ve ever seen). But it’s such a spectacle, and Cameron certainly knows how to make an old-fashioned movie that ultimately sucks you in whether you like it or not. By the end of it you can’t help but shake your heard and marvel at what you have just witnessed. Awesome, simply awesome!
Bottom Line: Theatres – First Day [In IMAX 3D]!
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
That Evening Sun
Directed by: Scott Teems
Starring: Hal Holbrook, Walton Goggins, Barry Corbin, Dixie Carter, Ray McKinnon
Plot: An elderly man escapes a nursing home only to find someone else living on his property. Man-the-housing-market-affected- everyone type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Poor Holbrook. Into the Wild was his shot at that “Lifetime Achievement” Oscar, until another well-regarded longtime vet came through with a truly mesmerizing performance that just could not be ignored. I’m of course talking about the great Javier Bardem, and really, he could not be denied (same story with Peter O’Toole coming up againstForest Whitaker). And then Holbrook gets another shot, but small distributors just have no shot in the new film marketplace. Wonder if the great O’Toole will get another shot? I reallyhope he does.
Bottom Line: Those Lucky Few in Manhattan and Los Angeles: Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Geographically Fortunate Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Big Fan
Directed by: Robert Siegel
Starring: Patton Oswalt, Kevin Corrigan, Michael Rapaport, Marcia Jean Kurtz
Plot: A dedicated football fan must decide whether he is going to press charges against his favorite player, who just happened to assault him. What-hath-ESPN-wrought? type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Okay, so it’s a bit ragged, I mean not every first-time director can be Tom Ford. But the world that Siegel builds feels so very authentic, and Patton is so very good, that you find yourself completely caught up in the film before you even realize it.
Bottom Line: Theatres – Eventually
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Directed by: Terry Gilliam
Starring: Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Lily Cole, and Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell as Heath Ledger
Plot: The proprietor of a fantastical traveling show must protect his daughter from a deal he made with the Devil. We-are-firmly-in-Terry-Gilliam-fantasy-territory-here type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Okay, so the story is here how the great Ledger died during filming and director Gilliam was talked into finishing the film with Depp, Law, and Farrell taking over the role that Ledger had been playing. There will be a morbid curiosity to see how this whole thing turned out, sure, but the real reason to see this film is Gilliam. People like Tim Burtonkeep being lauded for maintaining their own idiosyncratic visions in a typically unsympathetic Hollywood system, yet Gilliam continues to struggle on the edges of the film world, still looking for legitimacy and a steady career. Love him or hate him, Gilliam is never, ever boring, and there’s always a good chance that his films will continue to confound easy expectations.
Bottom Line: Me and Other Fans of the Great Terry Gilliam: Theatres – First Week; Other, More Mainstream Souls: Theatres – Eventually
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
The White Ribbon
Directed by: Michael Haneke
Starring: Christian Friedel, Ernst Jacobi, Leonie Benesch
Plot: Strange accidents unfold in a German village on the eve of World War I. We-are-firmly-in-a-polarizing-director-at-the-top-of-his-game-territory-here type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: I’m not necessarily a huge fan of Haneke, but his movies almost always elicit a strong reaction. The strongest so far? Apparently, from the Cannes Jury which gave the film the coveted Palme d’Or. Pretty, pretty strong, wouldn’t you say?
Bottom Line: Those Lucky Few in Los Angeles and Manhattan: Theatres – First Week; Other, Less Geographically Fortunate Souls: Theatres – Eventually
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
Police, Adjective
Directed by: Corneliu Porumboiu
Starring: Dragos Bucur, Vlad Ivanov, Irina Saulescu, Ion Stoica, Marian Ghenea
Plot: A young police officer faces a difficult choice between following the rules and following his conscience. We-are-firmly-in-foreign-film-Cop-Drama-territory-here type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: First, I was totally into critically acclaimed Romanian films when I heard about The Death of Mr. Lazarescu. Then The Better Half and I watched this so-called masterpiece and we were off critically acclaimed Romanian films. Then I heard about 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days winning the Cannes Palme d’Or and then being predictably snubbed by the Academy Awards (the Foreign Film Branch is a complete and utter travockerysham), and after watching the film we were back into critically acclaimed Romanian films. Which means that we are into this film.
Bottom Line: Those Lucky Few in Los Angeles and Manhattan: Theatres – First Week; Other, Less Geographically Fortunate Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): All the Movies That Are in This Guide
The Top Italian Movie of 2008 That I Saw in 2009
Gomorrah [tie]
Il Divo [tie](new entry)
The Top Clive Owen Movie(s) of 2009
The Boys Are Back
The International
Duplicity
The Top WTH?! Movie of 2009 That I Wish I Could Put in My Top 10
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
The Top Scariest Movie, Ever! of 2009
Paranormal Activity
The Top 10 Movies of 2009
Avatar [tie]
Goodbye Solo [tie]
The Hurt Locker [tie]
The Cove [tie]
Up [tie]
A Serious Man
A Single Man
Broken Embraces (new entry)
The White Ribbon (new entry)
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Beaches of Agnes
The Hangover
Where the Wild Things Are
The Blind Side
Bright Star
Star Trek
Coraline
District 9
The Informant!
Big Fan
Public Enemies
Inglourious Basterds
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Drag Me To H*ll
The Road
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Up in the Air
Tyson
Michael Jackson’s This Is It
9
An Education
Precious: Based on the Novel by Sapphire
The Men Who Stare At Goats
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Top 10 Films Out Right Now That I Positively Have to See
Crazy Heart
The Lovely Bones
The Last Station
Red Cliff
The Young Victoria
It’s Complicated
44 Inch Chest
The Book of Eli
Edge of Darkness
When in Rome