Visionary directors of the Matrix/ producers of V for Vendetta bring to life the iconic anime Speed Racer in what looks to be quite the visceral experience. Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild) stars as Speed, a boy who knows one thing...how to drive. He is supported by Susan Sarandon and John Goodman as Mom and Pops Racer and Christina Ricci as Trixie. Matthew Fox adds to the cast as Racer X. Look for this movie coming Summer 2008.
Check the Trailer here
Friday, December 7, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
Best Picture: What is the Real Picture here?
Atonement- One of the films on the lips of all people Oscar-knowledgeable is Joe Wright's adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel about a child's imagination and it's effect on the love between two people. I'd say this is currently a lock for best picture due to striking reviews that herald this as the best romance in a long time, a complex character study, a fresh period piece, and beautiful exercise in literary adaptation.
No Country for Old Men- The Coen brothers' study of the decay of humanity is a visually stark , narratively spectacular film about what is essentially a cat-and-mouse chase. This film is following in Atonements footsteps with plenty of buzz, reviews that subscribe to this being the best Coen brothers film yet(which is a huge feat in comparison to Fargo). It's chances for a best pic nod are practically a sure thing, bet on seeing this movie and Atonement come Oscar night.
There Will Be Blood- This is a personal choice in prediction, but early reviews have compared this film to the likes of Citizen Kane. With a virtually flawless resume behind him, P.T. Anderson goes out on a limb to make the movie he's never dared to touch, both a period piece and a literary adaptation. This move out of the box of contemporary ensembles could garner the respect he deserves, but due to the dark subject matter of this film the only sure thing it seems is Daniel Day-Lewis' performance.
Into the Wild- This quiet, beautiful, and jarring adaptation of the Jon Krakauer novel has been receiving a lot of attention due to a combination of a proud performance by Emile Hirsch, a poetic screenplay, viscerally stunning cinematography, and the director being a large name actor like Sean Penn. This film received significant buzz on its release, but since has settled into a lull as other films campaign more assertively, and other big name films come out. With it's recent win at the Gotham Awards we can expect to see some more precursor recognition which could push this into the best picture place.
Juno- This small indie film has been capturing the hearts of critics since it was first viewed. With a witty, but heartfelt screenplay and a firecracker performance by the young and always splendid Ellen Page we could see this film pushed into the best picture slot due simply to both of those things and its enormous heart.
Charlie Wilson's War- What better combination could you have than a veteran a-list director like Mike Nichols directing two veteran performers like Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks and the powerhouse actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman? I know the answer, a script that isnt politically charged. It seems that this year the critical and audience praise is geared towards films that want to talk about something else, but still no one can deny the caliber of talent behind the picture.
Sweeney Todd- Tim Burton returns with a musical. Not only does he return but it seems he's bringing top-notch material and talent with him. He calls back his man-muse Depp and his wife Helena Bonham Carter to bring to the screen Sondheim's horror musical. Using his typical dark visuals and quirky humor it seems Burton is sticking with the old addage of "do what you know best" which could garner him more than just a little attention.
Kite Runner- Will the academy see this as just another movie about the middle east? Who could answer that is unknown to me, but it seems as though there is little hope for this film as hardly anyone has seen it and those that have aren't crazy about it, it might slip into the large group of those that missed the mark.
American Gangster- Denzel Washington, Russel Crowe, and Ridley Scott all revived their careers with this crime drama that functions more like Wall Street than Godfather. With a generous box office return, strong reviews, and some great performances there is a chance to see this slip past the other more somber pictures, however while the reviews were strong none were daring enough to call this the best so it seems its hope is only that...hope.
Michael Clayton- George Clooney leads a strong supporting cast in this adult thinking thriller. It looks just as strong as any contender with spectacular reviews, performances that drive and a screenplay that never dives for cheap thrills, the only thing it seems this film is missing is buzz.
Gone Baby Gone- With a dying acting career Ben Affleck really needed something to retrieve his industry respect and this certainly seems to be the movie to do that. Casting his little brother Casey, Affleck directs a story the reinvigorates the crime-drama genre. With buzz-driving performances and the academy's affection for actor-turned-director there is hope for this film adaptation.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly- This french movie seems to be wowing American critics about the mental workings of a stroke victim. It seems that everything in this film is strong but it is the story and the visuals that drive it to the reception it has received. If any foreign film is going to take the best picture nod it is this one.
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead- Sidney Lumet makes another trip to the big screen in a film about brothers. With strong critical reception and always top-grade work from Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke this could be a darkhorse contender.
The Savages- Fighting with Juno for the small indie spot on the top of the academy voters lists, The Savages stands a fighting chance with winning performances most notably from Laura Linney and a hilariously honest and poignant screenplay it could topple the actress showcase of Juno.
No Country for Old Men- The Coen brothers' study of the decay of humanity is a visually stark , narratively spectacular film about what is essentially a cat-and-mouse chase. This film is following in Atonements footsteps with plenty of buzz, reviews that subscribe to this being the best Coen brothers film yet(which is a huge feat in comparison to Fargo). It's chances for a best pic nod are practically a sure thing, bet on seeing this movie and Atonement come Oscar night.
There Will Be Blood- This is a personal choice in prediction, but early reviews have compared this film to the likes of Citizen Kane. With a virtually flawless resume behind him, P.T. Anderson goes out on a limb to make the movie he's never dared to touch, both a period piece and a literary adaptation. This move out of the box of contemporary ensembles could garner the respect he deserves, but due to the dark subject matter of this film the only sure thing it seems is Daniel Day-Lewis' performance.
Into the Wild- This quiet, beautiful, and jarring adaptation of the Jon Krakauer novel has been receiving a lot of attention due to a combination of a proud performance by Emile Hirsch, a poetic screenplay, viscerally stunning cinematography, and the director being a large name actor like Sean Penn. This film received significant buzz on its release, but since has settled into a lull as other films campaign more assertively, and other big name films come out. With it's recent win at the Gotham Awards we can expect to see some more precursor recognition which could push this into the best picture place.
Juno- This small indie film has been capturing the hearts of critics since it was first viewed. With a witty, but heartfelt screenplay and a firecracker performance by the young and always splendid Ellen Page we could see this film pushed into the best picture slot due simply to both of those things and its enormous heart.
Charlie Wilson's War- What better combination could you have than a veteran a-list director like Mike Nichols directing two veteran performers like Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks and the powerhouse actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman? I know the answer, a script that isnt politically charged. It seems that this year the critical and audience praise is geared towards films that want to talk about something else, but still no one can deny the caliber of talent behind the picture.
Sweeney Todd- Tim Burton returns with a musical. Not only does he return but it seems he's bringing top-notch material and talent with him. He calls back his man-muse Depp and his wife Helena Bonham Carter to bring to the screen Sondheim's horror musical. Using his typical dark visuals and quirky humor it seems Burton is sticking with the old addage of "do what you know best" which could garner him more than just a little attention.
Kite Runner- Will the academy see this as just another movie about the middle east? Who could answer that is unknown to me, but it seems as though there is little hope for this film as hardly anyone has seen it and those that have aren't crazy about it, it might slip into the large group of those that missed the mark.
American Gangster- Denzel Washington, Russel Crowe, and Ridley Scott all revived their careers with this crime drama that functions more like Wall Street than Godfather. With a generous box office return, strong reviews, and some great performances there is a chance to see this slip past the other more somber pictures, however while the reviews were strong none were daring enough to call this the best so it seems its hope is only that...hope.
Michael Clayton- George Clooney leads a strong supporting cast in this adult thinking thriller. It looks just as strong as any contender with spectacular reviews, performances that drive and a screenplay that never dives for cheap thrills, the only thing it seems this film is missing is buzz.
Gone Baby Gone- With a dying acting career Ben Affleck really needed something to retrieve his industry respect and this certainly seems to be the movie to do that. Casting his little brother Casey, Affleck directs a story the reinvigorates the crime-drama genre. With buzz-driving performances and the academy's affection for actor-turned-director there is hope for this film adaptation.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly- This french movie seems to be wowing American critics about the mental workings of a stroke victim. It seems that everything in this film is strong but it is the story and the visuals that drive it to the reception it has received. If any foreign film is going to take the best picture nod it is this one.
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead- Sidney Lumet makes another trip to the big screen in a film about brothers. With strong critical reception and always top-grade work from Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke this could be a darkhorse contender.
The Savages- Fighting with Juno for the small indie spot on the top of the academy voters lists, The Savages stands a fighting chance with winning performances most notably from Laura Linney and a hilariously honest and poignant screenplay it could topple the actress showcase of Juno.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Oscar Predictions: A Quick Note
My current Oscar predictions as far as nominations go is based on both buzz and what I have seen. The predicted winners however are only based on what I have seen so far, so they are slightly biased predictions. For those who cannot figure out which ones are the predicted winners they would be the italicized choices.
Oscar Predictions
Best Picture
Atonement
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Into the Wild
Juno
Best Director
The Coen Brothers-No Country for Old Men
Joe Wright-Atonement
P.T. Anderson-There Will Be blood
Sean Penn- Into the Wild
Ridley Scott-American Gangster or Ben Affleck-Gone Baby Gone
Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis- There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp-Sweeney Todd
James McAvoy- Atonement
Denzel Washington-American Gangster
John Cusack-Grace is Gone
Best Actress
Ellen Page-Juno
Amy Adams- Enchanted
Marion Cotillard- La Vie en Rose
Angelina Jolie- A Mighty Heart
Laura Linney- The Savages
Best Supporting Actor
Javier Bardem-No Country for Old Men
Hal Holbrook-Into the Wild
Paul Dano-There Will Be Blood
Tom Wilkinson-Michael Clayton
Casey Affleck- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett- I'm Not There
Saoirse Ronan- Atonement
Amy Ryan-Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton-Michael Clayton
Julia Roberts-Charlie Wilson's War
Best Original Screenplay
Juno
Enchanted
Michael Clayton
Ratatouille
I'm Not There
Best Adapted Screenplay
No Country for Old Men
Atonement
Into the Wild
There Will be Blood
Sweeney Todd
Best Original Music, Score
There Will Be Blood
Enchanted
Into the Wild
Atonement
Ratatouille
Best Original Music, Song
Enchanted
Once
Into the Wild
Hairspray
Sweeney Todd
Best Cinematography
No Country for Old Men
Into the Wild
Atonement
Sweeney Todd
There Will Be Blood
Atonement
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Into the Wild
Juno
Best Director
The Coen Brothers-No Country for Old Men
Joe Wright-Atonement
P.T. Anderson-There Will Be blood
Sean Penn- Into the Wild
Ridley Scott-American Gangster or Ben Affleck-Gone Baby Gone
Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis- There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp-Sweeney Todd
James McAvoy- Atonement
Denzel Washington-American Gangster
John Cusack-Grace is Gone
Best Actress
Ellen Page-Juno
Amy Adams- Enchanted
Marion Cotillard- La Vie en Rose
Angelina Jolie- A Mighty Heart
Laura Linney- The Savages
Best Supporting Actor
Javier Bardem-No Country for Old Men
Hal Holbrook-Into the Wild
Paul Dano-There Will Be Blood
Tom Wilkinson-Michael Clayton
Casey Affleck- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett- I'm Not There
Saoirse Ronan- Atonement
Amy Ryan-Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton-Michael Clayton
Julia Roberts-Charlie Wilson's War
Best Original Screenplay
Juno
Enchanted
Michael Clayton
Ratatouille
I'm Not There
Best Adapted Screenplay
No Country for Old Men
Atonement
Into the Wild
There Will be Blood
Sweeney Todd
Best Original Music, Score
There Will Be Blood
Enchanted
Into the Wild
Atonement
Ratatouille
Best Original Music, Song
Enchanted
Once
Into the Wild
Hairspray
Sweeney Todd
Best Cinematography
No Country for Old Men
Into the Wild
Atonement
Sweeney Todd
There Will Be Blood
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