Bacall Vs. Deneuve ~Interesting piece by Germaine Greer @ the Guardian about the devolution of screen women. The problem with the article is putting Lauren Bacall on a pedestal and cutting Catherine Deneuve down. I hear what the author is saying about the roles BUT Deneuve is a world class actor and Bacall is only a world class "star" so the argument falls apart from there.
Hudson Vs. Holliday ultranow has mashed up "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)" Someone had to do it.
Travis vs. Walter & Bill OK, OK. this is not a catfight but Travis Hoover does list Pan's Labyrinth as #1 overrated (something I'm totally onboard with --shoulda made my list but it was the second viewing yesterday that clarified my "wow, this is overpraised" feelings) while Walter Chaw & Bill Chambers both have it at #1 and #2 respectively for their top ten lists @ Film Freak Central.
Beyoncé vs. AMPAS Music Branch -word comes via The Envelope that Ms. Knowles won't be winning an Oscar for her Dreamgirls original "Listen" after all. The song has several songwriters and, just as in the best picture nominations for producers, apparently they only allow so many credited people to be nominated. [thx, preston]
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Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Cat Fight!
Bacall Vs. Deneuve ~Interesting piece by Germaine Greer @ the Guardian about the devolution of screen women. The problem with the article is putting Lauren Bacall on a pedestal and cutting Catherine Deneuve down. I hear what the author is saying about the roles BUT Deneuve is a world class actor and Bacall is only a world class "star" so the argument falls apart from there.
Hudson Vs. Holliday ultranow has mashed up "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)" Someone had to do it.
Travis vs. Walter & Bill OK, OK. this is not a catfight but Travis Hoover does list Pan's Labyrinth as #1 overrated (something I'm totally onboard with --shoulda made my list but it was the second viewing yesterday that clarified my "wow, this is overpraised" feelings) while Walter Chaw & Bill Chambers both have it at #1 and #2 respectively for their top ten lists @ Film Freak Central.
Beyoncé vs. AMPAS Music Branch -word comes via The Envelope that Ms. Knowles won't be winning an Oscar for her Dreamgirls original "Listen" after all. The song has several songwriters and, just as in the best picture nominations for producers, apparently they only allow so many credited people to be nominated. [thx, preston]
Hudson Vs. Holliday ultranow has mashed up "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)" Someone had to do it.
Travis vs. Walter & Bill OK, OK. this is not a catfight but Travis Hoover does list Pan's Labyrinth as #1 overrated (something I'm totally onboard with --shoulda made my list but it was the second viewing yesterday that clarified my "wow, this is overpraised" feelings) while Walter Chaw & Bill Chambers both have it at #1 and #2 respectively for their top ten lists @ Film Freak Central.
Beyoncé vs. AMPAS Music Branch -word comes via The Envelope that Ms. Knowles won't be winning an Oscar for her Dreamgirls original "Listen" after all. The song has several songwriters and, just as in the best picture nominations for producers, apparently they only allow so many credited people to be nominated. [thx, preston]
TTT: Three Amigos
Tuesday Top Ten! ~a new weekly feature. For the listmaker in me and the list lover in you. Today's top ten should in no way be confused with the year in review: top ten of 2006 which is coming in the next couple of days (or something -shut up)
Top Ten Films by the 'Three Amigos', Mexico's trio of celebrated filmmakers: Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Guillermo Del Toro who, awards watchers take not, all seem to be vying for this year's "lone director" spot on the Oscar shortlist.
It seems obvious that Scorsese (The Departed), Eastwood (Letters From Iwo Jima), Condon (Dreamgirls), and Frears (The Queen) will place in the directors nominations. But the fifth slot is, as ever, up for grabs. It's between any of these three Mexican auteurs, Pedro Almodovar (Volver), Paul Greengrass (United 93) or *sigh* a double dip for Eastwood (Flags of...). Who do you think will nab the coveted spot? Or do you think two of them will, leaving Condon without a song for Dreamgirls?
Anyway... the list:
p.s. Speaking of beauty...here's hoping that the talented Fernando Eimbcke can raise his profile soon and become a fourth amigos --at least in regards to international media attention.
Top Ten Films by the 'Three Amigos', Mexico's trio of celebrated filmmakers: Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Guillermo Del Toro who, awards watchers take not, all seem to be vying for this year's "lone director" spot on the Oscar shortlist.
It seems obvious that Scorsese (The Departed), Eastwood (Letters From Iwo Jima), Condon (Dreamgirls), and Frears (The Queen) will place in the directors nominations. But the fifth slot is, as ever, up for grabs. It's between any of these three Mexican auteurs, Pedro Almodovar (Volver), Paul Greengrass (United 93) or *sigh* a double dip for Eastwood (Flags of...). Who do you think will nab the coveted spot? Or do you think two of them will, leaving Condon without a song for Dreamgirls?
Anyway... the list:
- Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001, Cuarón)
- Children of Men (2006, Cuarón)
- Pan's Labyrinth (2006, Del Toro)
- Powder Keg (2001 *short The Hire, Iñárritu)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, Cuarón)
- Amores Perros (2001, Iñárritu)
- Cronos (1993, Del Toro)
- Babel (2006, Iñárritu)
- Mimic (1997, Del Toro)
- Hellboy (2004, Del Toro)
p.s. Speaking of beauty...here's hoping that the talented Fernando Eimbcke can raise his profile soon and become a fourth amigos --at least in regards to international media attention.
TTT: Three Amigos
Tuesday Top Ten! ~a new weekly feature. For the listmaker in me and the list lover in you. Today's top ten should in no way be confused with the year in review: top ten of 2006 which is coming in the next couple of days (or something -shut up)
Top Ten Films by the 'Three Amigos', Mexico's trio of celebrated filmmakers: Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Guillermo Del Toro who, awards watchers take not, all seem to be vying for this year's "lone director" spot on the Oscar shortlist.
It seems obvious that Scorsese (The Departed), Eastwood (Letters From Iwo Jima), Condon (Dreamgirls), and Frears (The Queen) will place in the directors nominations. But the fifth slot is, as ever, up for grabs. It's between any of these three Mexican auteurs, Pedro Almodovar (Volver), Paul Greengrass (United 93) or *sigh* a double dip for Eastwood (Flags of...). Who do you think will nab the coveted spot? Or do you think two of them will, leaving Condon without a song for Dreamgirls?
Anyway... the list:
p.s. Speaking of beauty...here's hoping that the talented Fernando Eimbcke can raise his profile soon and become a fourth amigos --at least in regards to international media attention.
Top Ten Films by the 'Three Amigos', Mexico's trio of celebrated filmmakers: Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Guillermo Del Toro who, awards watchers take not, all seem to be vying for this year's "lone director" spot on the Oscar shortlist.
It seems obvious that Scorsese (The Departed), Eastwood (Letters From Iwo Jima), Condon (Dreamgirls), and Frears (The Queen) will place in the directors nominations. But the fifth slot is, as ever, up for grabs. It's between any of these three Mexican auteurs, Pedro Almodovar (Volver), Paul Greengrass (United 93) or *sigh* a double dip for Eastwood (Flags of...). Who do you think will nab the coveted spot? Or do you think two of them will, leaving Condon without a song for Dreamgirls?
Anyway... the list:
- Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001, Cuarón)
- Children of Men (2006, Cuarón)
- Pan's Labyrinth (2006, Del Toro)
- Powder Keg (2001 *short The Hire, Iñárritu)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, Cuarón)
- Amores Perros (2001, Iñárritu)
- Cronos (1993, Del Toro)
- Babel (2006, Iñárritu)
- Mimic (1997, Del Toro)
- Hellboy (2004, Del Toro)
p.s. Speaking of beauty...here's hoping that the talented Fernando Eimbcke can raise his profile soon and become a fourth amigos --at least in regards to international media attention.
Todd Haynes
Today Todd Haynes, easily one of a handful of the most vital voices in American cinema, turns 46. Later this year his 5th full length feature I'm Not There an experimental film about the life of Bob Dylan (to be played by seven actors including: Heath Ledger, Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, and Richard Gere) will arrive. [On a totally irrelevant note that will be of interest to Oscar watchers only: early buzz (which should always be taken with a whole entire block of salt) suggests that Cate Blanchett has the meatiest most Oscar-friendly part among the Dylan avatars] This filmmakers chief muse Julianne Moore will also appear but her role has not been revealed.There's good reason to hope that this adventurous musical biopic will be one of the 2007's best films. Haynes has not made a less than fascinating film yet. His early shorts pointed to a filmmaker with a highly original voice: Dottie Gets Spanked (1993) is hilarious and you should look it up. The banned Karen Carpenter doll epic Superstar(1987) is harder to find but find it you should --it's smashingly inventive. The four features that followed made good on the promise. Poison (1991), Safe (1995), Velvet Goldmine (1998) and Far From Heaven (2002) make for quite a filmography. There's not a bad film among them and two of them are masterpieces.
If you've missed any of those, catch up on this filmography before I'm Not There arrives. There's no release date yet but it sounds like an October-ish release, doesn't it?
Todd Haynes
Today Todd Haynes, easily one of a handful of the most vital voices in American cinema, turns 46. Later this year his 5th full length feature I'm Not There an experimental film about the life of Bob Dylan (to be played by seven actors including: Heath Ledger, Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, and Richard Gere) will arrive. [On a totally irrelevant note that will be of interest to Oscar watchers only: early buzz (which should always be taken with a whole entire block of salt) suggests that Cate Blanchett has the meatiest most Oscar-friendly part among the Dylan avatars] This filmmakers chief muse Julianne Moore will also appear but her role has not been revealed.There's good reason to hope that this adventurous musical biopic will be one of the 2007's best films. Haynes has not made a less than fascinating film yet. His early shorts pointed to a filmmaker with a highly original voice: Dottie Gets Spanked (1993) is hilarious and you should look it up. The banned Karen Carpenter doll epic Superstar(1987) is harder to find but find it you should --it's smashingly inventive. The four features that followed made good on the promise. Poison (1991), Safe (1995), Velvet Goldmine (1998) and Far From Heaven (2002) make for quite a filmography. There's not a bad film among them and two of them are masterpieces.
If you've missed any of those, catch up on this filmography before I'm Not There arrives. There's no release date yet but it sounds like an October-ish release, doesn't it?
Monday, January 1, 2007
2007 Wish List
I'm keeping my New Year's Resolutions to myself but here is my wishlist for 2007. I'm trying to not to be too greedy. But re: the following seven things. Pretty pretty pretty please.
Michelle's Pfeiffer's comeback. There's three movies. Let at least one of them be awesome and well received. May she be smart enough to follow them with a challenging drama for 2008 and use the momentum of 07 to win her 19-years-overdue Oscar. Damn you Jessica Tandy!- Paul Thomas Anderson's comeback. It's been four plus years since we saw something from this young director (Punch-Drunk Love) and even longer since he flexed his possible-heir-to-Altman ensemble skills (Boogie Nights & Magnolia). I have high hopes for There Will Be Blood
- A movie I deeply and truly love. This year has been bereft of them. Give me another Far From Heaven, Brokeback, Moulin Rouge!, In the Mood for Love, or A History of Violence.
- Spider-Man 3. The first two are the best superhero movies ever made. Let it be as fun, eye popping, and well constructed as the last two. Bow out on top.
- When the year is over, let there be a reason for a cutesy titled article: How Julianne (Moore) Got Her Groove Back.
- Sweeney Todd's transfer to film. I don't have high hopes. Tim Burton, Tim Burton's muse, Tim Burton's wife, and a bunch of other non-singers: Prove me wrong. Work shocking unlikely magic. I beg this of you. This is one of the greatest pieces of musical theater ever written. Do right by the material.
- A year filled with film experiences worth writing and reading about.
2007 Wish List
I'm keeping my New Year's Resolutions to myself but here is my wishlist for 2007. I'm trying to not to be too greedy. But re: the following seven things. Pretty pretty pretty please.
- Michelle's Pfeiffer's comeback. There's three movies. Let at least one of them be awesome and well received. May she be smart enough to follow them with a challenging drama for 2008 and use the momentum of 07 to win her 19-years-overdue Oscar. Damn you Jessica Tandy!
- Paul Thomas Anderson's comeback. It's been four plus years since we saw something from this young director (Punch-Drunk Love) and even longer since he flexed his possible-heir-to-Altman ensemble skills (Boogie Nights & Magnolia). I have high hopes for There Will Be Blood
- A movie I deeply and truly love. This year has been bereft of them. Give me another Far From Heaven, Brokeback, Moulin Rouge!, In the Mood for Love, or A History of Violence.
- Spider-Man 3. The first two are the best superhero movies ever made. Let it be as fun, eye popping, and well constructed as the last two. Bow out on top.
- When the year is over, let there be a reason for a cutesy titled article: How Julianne (Moore) Got Her Groove Back.
- Sweeney Todd's transfer to film. I don't have high hopes. Tim Burton, Tim Burton's muse, Tim Burton's wife, and a bunch of other non-singers: Prove me wrong. Work shocking unlikely magic. I beg this of you. This is one of the greatest pieces of musical theater ever written. Do right by the material.
- A year filled with film experiences worth writing and reading about.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Year in Review: Trailers & Posters
I figured New Years Eve was a good time to post a piece about the movie things that whet our appetites for more movie things. Trailers (or teasers --which I actually prefer) and posters are the sweet moment of anticipation before the unveiling of the real thing. The best trailers never give the entire game away but leave you wanting more. The best posters offer an design that captures a movie while also being aesthetically appealing as a one off. Here are my choices for the best
BEST TRAILERS / TEASERS
Runners Up: Children of Men and Casino Royale. I'm not counting 2007 peaks like Spider-Man 3 or Ratatouille but if I was they'd be here. Without further ado, in descending order (left to right) the four best of the year.
4. The Prestige One of those rare trailers that shows you a lot without giving the game away, and cleverly establishes a three act structure for you to imagine filled out in the theater. The movie is messier but this trailer is tight.
3. The Devil Wears Prada Smart gambit, this. Merely a full scene but what a scene. A funny introduction to four main characters with a tantalizing new light cast on a legendary star. End result: You have to see the movie. You've already bought your ticket.
2. Marie Antoinette light as air, fun, and unusual. It immediately cues you in that this'll be an idiosyncratic and personal vision from a real auteur.
1. Little Children One of the best trailers I've seen in years. Better than the movie. So good, in fact, that (full confession) I went into the movie assuming it was a masterpiece and trying to love it as much as I felt I should. The movie hasn't aged all that well in my head but damn this trailer is an A+. It's so evocative and isn't that what trailers should be? They should make you feel something but the feeling should remain open-ended enough to leave you needing more.
BEST POSTERS
You know that The Devil Wears Prada's awesome graphic simplicity will appear (that heel with the devil's pitchfork: genius) but what else? The first FiLM BiTCH AWARDS Category is up. It's red, red, red. Check it out.
MARKETING
There are other sites that cover marketing well. It's not really my thing since I'm more interested in the final piece than the pre-release hype. But that said I feel like the teams behind the promotional pushes for Borat, Little Miss Sunshine, The Devil Wears Prada, and Casino Royale deserve some kinda medal for the magic acts performed. They played the media and the moviegoing public perfectly, maximizing the critical and financial response. So, good for them.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Tags: movies, marketing, cinema, movie posters, film, James Bond, Borat,New Years Eve, movie trailers
BEST TRAILERS / TEASERS
Runners Up: Children of Men and Casino Royale. I'm not counting 2007 peaks like Spider-Man 3 or Ratatouille but if I was they'd be here. Without further ado, in descending order (left to right) the four best of the year.
4. The Prestige One of those rare trailers that shows you a lot without giving the game away, and cleverly establishes a three act structure for you to imagine filled out in the theater. The movie is messier but this trailer is tight.
3. The Devil Wears Prada Smart gambit, this. Merely a full scene but what a scene. A funny introduction to four main characters with a tantalizing new light cast on a legendary star. End result: You have to see the movie. You've already bought your ticket.
2. Marie Antoinette light as air, fun, and unusual. It immediately cues you in that this'll be an idiosyncratic and personal vision from a real auteur.
1. Little Children One of the best trailers I've seen in years. Better than the movie. So good, in fact, that (full confession) I went into the movie assuming it was a masterpiece and trying to love it as much as I felt I should. The movie hasn't aged all that well in my head but damn this trailer is an A+. It's so evocative and isn't that what trailers should be? They should make you feel something but the feeling should remain open-ended enough to leave you needing more.
BEST POSTERS
You know that The Devil Wears Prada's awesome graphic simplicity will appear (that heel with the devil's pitchfork: genius) but what else? The first FiLM BiTCH AWARDS Category is up. It's red, red, red. Check it out.
MARKETING
There are other sites that cover marketing well. It's not really my thing since I'm more interested in the final piece than the pre-release hype. But that said I feel like the teams behind the promotional pushes for Borat, Little Miss Sunshine, The Devil Wears Prada, and Casino Royale deserve some kinda medal for the magic acts performed. They played the media and the moviegoing public perfectly, maximizing the critical and financial response. So, good for them.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Tags: movies, marketing, cinema, movie posters, film, James Bond, Borat,New Years Eve, movie trailers
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