10 from '06

2006 was not a great year for films in general, and certainly not a good year for independent cinema. There wasn't a clear favorite for most of the major award ceremonies that have passed, and the box office was dominated by simple, obvious blockbusters, with nary a sleeper making any major coin. Two films about the attacks on 9/11 did open to solid reviews and substantial grosses that were more than their budgets- it seems that hollywood did understand if it was "too soon" for some viewers, but still gave those who didn't carry those sentiments something worthwile and honest just the same.

Will 2007 hold the same issues for filmgoers? We'll just have to wait and see.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
DRAWING RESTRAINT 9
THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE
A SCANNER DARKLY
THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON
TRISTRAM SHANDY : A COCK AND BULL STORY
V FOR VENDETTA
SNAKES ON A PLANE
LITTLE CHILDREN
ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL
DIXIE CHICKS - SHUT UP AND SING

Funnier than you think- and smarter than it seems. It's a smack in the face to popular culture, but Director Weitz still wants to kiss the boo-boo and make things all better in the end. Not for everyone, but should be admired anyway for the crafty nature of events in their context. Hugh Grant's performance is witty and endearing, while the rest of the varied cast seems born to play their roles.

GAH! Not exactly the most fun/cheery motion picture ever, but instead the kind that Dateline's To Catch a Predator wish it could be in the realm of true shock and awe. Both Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page command this film, as well as your attention, as the pair bring this sly tale of terror and trial alive.

Daniel Craig makes me forget that Die Another Day existed and looks extremely fresh, as well as sincere as the new Bond. Getting back to basics, Bond gets his groove on the saucy and smart dame Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), while he carefully plays his hand with M (Judi Dench, great as always), who is watching out for Bond on his risky missions. And to think... those bitchy internet haters didn't think it could be done... ha!

Well gee... isn't this relevant! Alfonso Cuaron, the coolest and most versatile director working in the biz today smacks your face and breaks your spirit as Clive Owen's Theo attempts to survive in a world without hope. But when a pregnant refugee falls in his lap, he decides to go ahead and save the world - one fetus at a time. Hats off to Owen and his driven cynic Theo, and Alfonso for allowing the audience to experience a film, so devoid of cliche and yet extremely accessible, even to the general public.

Jonestown is more than just a troubling subject - it's an event in history that left much unanswered for those related to the victims, as well as the survivors. This documentary is a riveting glimpse at the promise, confusion, and devastation that Jim Jones left in his passing- usually, a subject as such could be overdone with interviews that allow a connection and face to the events, but the real star of this picture is the footage of Jones himself. Jones' speeches and convictions are the stuff of nightmares.

It's the most provocative and explicit romantic comedy/drama you'll ever see-
Director John Cameron Mitchell let's it all hang out for the audience to see, as his characters suffer from emotional and sexual dysfunction in the heart of a fragmented city- New York.
It's not for kids and it's definitely not for your mother- but it is for those who are willing to give any good story that is *gasp!* realistic a chance.

I wasn't expecting to love Clerks 2, but I did. And while it's not exactly a true View Askew film, nor is it something that everyone will love, but it's a touching glimpse at growing up while still holding on to the same immature mindset, for the sake of being what you are.

Enough really can't be said about United 93 - it's not a documentary but it gives you that feeling-
it might be the best non-narrative feature in a long time... a film that doesn't care about pleasing everyone except those who lived the events and the loved ones who still miss them dearly.

Darren Aronofsky has finally released The Fountain, a film with a much troubled slate before it even faced a release date, but with a surprising and rather brilliant result. Hugh Jackman experiences three pieces in time all in the name of saving his girl Rachel Weisz, so that their love can flourish in that point of their lives. But only time and reality will get in their way, in a remarkable and visually arresting dramatic sci-fi-esque romance that's as original as films get.

And it's all come down to this. The most intoxicating and vibrantly trashy movie I've ever seen. Tom Tykwer's Perfume is almost too much to handle at times, but it's just so unbelievable that it has to be seen. If Smell-o-vision should ever come back into the theaters, I've love to experience this masterpiece with such a format.

Posted by madamczyk at 01:06 AM | Comments (0)

The Bottom Six of 2006

You wanna know how bad this year was for movies? Do you really want to know???
Snakes On a Plane almost made my Top 10. Yeah, I spilled the beans early, but damn, SNAKES ON A PLANE. Not to negate the value of the film, but if that's what's gonna be entertaining and rewarding these days, so be it. Hollywood should be fined for the loads of crap they churn out, intended as entertaining, worthwhile stuff - especially with the ticket prices these days... yeesh. Can't wait til next year- oh wait, it already is next year! And now I just have to weed through the muck til May - and that includes the underwhelming fluff they're trying to pass off as "the best" this awards season.

DIS-HONORABLE MENTIONS
Basic Instinct 2
Blood Diamond
Bobby
The Break-Up
For Your Consideration
Little Miss Sunshine
Mission: Impossible III
The Oh! in Ohio
Stick It!

6) RUNNING WITH SCISSORS

A masterpiece of grand delusions, only to be outdone by the massive egos that crushed any chance for a glimmer of light to shine out of the bowels of this adaptive catastrophe. DID the real Augusten fudge his life story for recognition? Who cares. Hopefully in the future, someone won't give writer/director Ryan Murphy the pen if the studio is lame enough to hand him the camera. Remember Annette Bening's awkward, strained, robotic acceptance speech at the Golden Globes a few years back for Being Julia? Sure you don't. But it's more painful than that. Like, times a thousand.

5) THE DA VINCI CODE

Ron Howard has balls. Big, shiny balls. He made an outrageously expensive movie based upon an even most outrageously bad book that everyone bought and read, except me...
and what did he do? He hired the worst fecking writer in all of Hollywood to pen the 2 hrs and 30+ (or equal to eternity) movie. Akiva Goldsman, the guy who gave us Batman And Robin made Tom Hanks seem amateurish for the first time (it is worse than Bosom Buddies), and Audrey Tautou drab (you thought it could never be done... me as well). Only Paul Bettany got to have some fun in this super pop-religious-action-adventure blockbuster. He played Silas, the albino monk with a dream, a hit-list and a gun... and made me wish I did too.

4) NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

... BUT THIS IS A KIDS MOVIE... I'm an adult, and I'm not the target audience. Tough cookies, half pints! I shoulda, woulda, coulda LOVED this movie about 10 years ago, because 10 years ago, I liked Jumanji, no matter how much it deviated from the book. But this? It's not even worth compromising for the sake of my inner child. Dopey divorced cliché dad Larry is played by Ben Stiller. Concerned ex mommy who- guess what!- is dating a dopey guy, wants Larry patch things up with dopey son (played by the worst kid actor in a long time, who's name is Jake Cherry- and thankfully, he doesn't have any new projects listed on IMDB).
I admire Robin Williams (Theodore Roosevelt... who woulda thought) for making two not-so-fantastic family films this year and getting away unscathed from both of them- rightfully so, since Night At The Museum (Ishtar to RV's Lawrence of Arabia) is all about the lameness, and nobody makes lameness less painful like Robin Williams. But the colossal lameness of Night At The Museum is the unforgettable kind- the kind where, you'll see that its still making money at the box office, or in the near future, is listed the #1 selling DVD of the week/month/century, and just feel like ripping as many copies of the film apart with your bare hands... even if it requires your own blood to be shed. This isn't a movie- it's junk food at 24 frames per second.

3) WHEN A STRANGER CALLS

It's a PG-13 horror remake produced by a studio called Screen Gems. Oh, the irony.

2) THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

It's like Pretty Woman. Pretty Stupid Woman. Anne Hathaway does the same stuff she did in BOTH Princess Diaries movies... except this time, she doesn't get the guy. No, she doesn't. She instead gets the shoes, the bag, the coat, the blouse... all the material, shallow things ladies like me want, but don't end up sacrificing our ENTIRE CAREER GOALS ON for the sake of being a total masochist. Having a bad job is one thing, but suffering through an abusive job just because there are soooo many other girls out there who would "die" for it is to be devoid of a brain. All I got out of watching this picture was seeing Meryl Streep look bored, for absolutely no reason besides the fact that she's the villian, and having the one conscious individual in the film, Emily, played by the slightly entertaining Emily Blunt, get hit by a car, when Anne Hathaway's guppy Andrea jaywalks a dozen times or so. Life is not fair, and The Devil Wears Prada is not good filmmaking- the film is much like a stereotypical model- long, thin, lanky, and without any substance.

1) HOSTEL

I did doubt the awfulness of this movie a short while ago, but when a sibling of mine described it as "Gore 'N Porn," I started to boil inside. Not only is Hostel not scary, it's obvious that Roth himself wants nothing more than to gross-out the audience out as much as possible, all while paying homage/ripping off other movies that did it better time and time again... oh, and don't forget the useless scenes of gratuitous sex for the male viewers.
Takashi Miike, the filmmaker who's made a few movies that actually made me cover my eyes, shows up as one of the sicko businessmen in a cameo, but that's not to suggest that Roth himself will be a master of gore much like Miike one day- Eli Roth has the passion that any filmmaker needs to be successful, but at the current rate he's working at, is that going to happen anytime soon? Probably not- Hostel: Part II hits screens this summer.

Posted by madamczyk at 03:01 AM | Comments (0)

Scary Stuff 2.0

You know what time of year it is. Click away for the 2006 edition!

Michael Powell's PEEPING TOM is not so much a story about a murderer, but more an examination of personal conflict. The peeping tom pierces his victims with striking images, and as he moves closer to their soul through his lense, their deepest fears are realized. As hard as the movie is to describe, it's easy to watch, even when the film is at its most disturbing.

SLEEPAWAY CAMP is not the stuff of nightmares by any means. It's a horror movie with loads of awful lines only outdone by their horrid delivery by amateur actors and their cheesy death scenes- but this is what makes a bad horror movie enjoyable, right? However, the conclusion is what makes the movie outshine nearly everything similar in the genre. It's almost too brilliant, since you'll never, EVER see it coming and will consider watching the entire movie again just to check for hints that you missed.

Read the cover carefully - this direct-to-cable sequel isn't what it seems.In WHEN A STRANGER CALLS BACK, Jill returns (back when Jill wasn't supposed to be a stupid teenager), and she wants revenge upon the new stalker terrorizing another weepy babysitter. Yes, it's direct-to-cable, but it's a hell of a lot better than the original WASC. Don't even ask about the remake... ugh dreadful - but this is not. If you can find it in your rental store or playnig on the Lifetime network, give it a try.

WAYYY back before William Petersen was on CSI and even before Hannibal the cannibal was played by Anthony Hopkins, Thomas Harris' MANHUNTER was brought to the screen by Michael Mann. Yes, this is Red Dragon. Apparently, the studio thought that people would think it was a karate movie and decided on Manhunter. Hannibal is played by none other than Brian Cox. You know who he is - and if you don't, you know his face. But the story isn't about the cannibal and it isn't about a woman named Clarice. It's about a cat and mouse game between Petersen's Will Graham and total weirdo Francis Dolarhyde (now, if you want nightmares, this is the movie you will want instead of Brett Ratner's impotent Red Dragon). Even Joan Allen shows up to play Reba, the blind woman who falls for Dolarhyde. Of course she can't see how much of a psychopath he is, but her performance is the stuff of magic. Actually, this entire movie is magic. This is a thriller and it brushes with natural horror in masterful ways.

Posted by madamczyk at 12:33 AM | Comments (0)

The Best and Worst of 2006 - So Far.

Half way through the year! Surprisingly enough, I've seen five definite good movies, and five rather horrible movies, which I can guarantee are worthy of seeing or skipping.

WORST MOVIES OF 2006... so far

#5- BASIC INSTINCT 2

#4- THE BREAK-UP

The marketing blunder of '06.
I'm guessing the advertisers tried to make it out to be a comedy because it's obviously a really, really misguided and poor drama. A slob and a witch get together and complain for nearly 100 minutes. Is it funny? Hell no. And is it enjoyable? Still, no. File this under annoying junk with awful writing. I'm surprised this didn't go straight to video.

#3- THE DA VINCI CODE

#2- HOSTEL

#1- WHEN A STRANGER CALLS

An exercise in truly awful filmmaking, and the obvious intent of a remake made for people with low brain mass- yes... TEENAGERS. It's so sad that this pile of rehash was even slightly related to the brainy and scary original WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, which had Carol Kane (yes!) as Jill - but now, the amazing first 10 minutes of that movie has been elongated to the 82 minute dreck that is this. Ms. Jill in this version is anything but intelligent, has issues with dumb boys, and is often berated stupid drunk friends. Should I be surprised? No. The association of this film insults all classic horror - it puts shame upon the legacy that people like Jamie Lee Curtis have previously done to the genre.
Yes, there's going to be a sequel to this one - based upon the EVEN BETTER film WHEN A STRANGER CALLS BACK - if a remake like WASC can be made, we live in a cruel, evil world.

And now the better films...

*Best* Movies from 2006... so far

#5+ AMERICAN DREAMZ

So many movies that come out are branded "safe" and easy for the average viewer. American Dreamz is absolutely NOT for everyone, nor is it even a comedy. It's an "out there" take on the current state of American culture - what our nations priorities are, as well as what people value in themselves and other. Perception is always a key element in the film, as Hugh Grant's character constantly bickers behind the scenes, and everyone else otherwise loves him... because they don't know the real him. And being real is now a concept that the re-elected president, played by Dennis Quaid, would like to adopt into his aura. Mandy Moore is perfect as the hick chick with pipes who manipulates everything for her own gain - something that Grant's lead adores in her.
Then there's Omer - the real dreamer in all of this. The most honest and least hateful character in the entire bunch, and the one that most people in the movie wouldn't like to admit they loved, outside of his quirky singing. He represents the good in everyone, which many would rather discard for popularity, and he is victimized by Hollywood - but it is his dream which gives purpose, and absolute reason for this insult fest of satire.

#4+ TRISTRAM SHANDY : A COCK AND BULL STORY

#3+ V FOR VENDETTA

#2+ UNITED 93

#1+ HARD CANDY

Posted by madamczyk at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)

Ohhh Oscar. . .

Yeah yeah yeah. The OSCAR noms are out from AMPAS.
I got up Tuesday morning, much earlier than I would normally, since my classes are in the afternoon, and watched them be announced LIVE! as I usually have for the last 14 years or so.

Anyway, it's almost completely obvious to me who my picks are and who will win.
This year is really bone dry for gritty competition... no insane campaigns this year or really big snubs. I'm really only looking forward to this year's ceremonies because Jon Stewart is the host.

Let's sit back and read the list, shall we?
To me, there are only the Wills, the Shoulds, and Don't Count Outs.
So here we go, down the Oscar Trail ...

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Philip Seymour Hoffman - CAPOTE

Terrence Howard - HUSTLE & FLOW

Heath Ledger - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

Joaquin Phoenix - WALK THE LINE

David Strathairn - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN :
Philip Seymour Hoffman. Nobody else really has a chance here.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT :
David Strathairn. GN, GL needs some love somewhere, and besides the possibility of Screenplay,
the leading man of the film taking the prize doesn't seem too far fetched. However!
Heath Ledger has got some past award love. But I'd give it to Strathairn because he's been there, done that.

---

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

George Clooney - SYRIANA

Matt Dillon - CRASH

Paul Giamatti - CINDERELLA MAN

Jake Gyllenhaal - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

William Hurt - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

WHO WILL WIN
Paul Giamatti. Dammit, I don't want to give him the award for this movie either.
Make-up awards majorly suck, and considering his recent SAG award win, I somehow believe this
will happen. And IF it does, I'll probably throw stuff at my television.

WHO SHOULD WIN
Jake Gyllenhaal. He may be the youngest of the bunch, but he's majorly paid his dues in the biz at the age of 25. Jake is known for his consistent dramatic work, unlike Ledger, so why not give him an award? He's practically a lock for the BAFTA as well.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
George Clooney. This man WILL finish his Oscar night with a statue. Fo Sho.

---

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Judi Dench - MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS

Felicity Huffman - TRANSAMERICA

Keira Knightley - PRIDE & PREJUDICE

Charlize Theron - NORTH COUNTRY

Reese Witherspoon - WALK THE LINE

WHO WILL WIN
Reese Witherspoon. Walk the Line is the most successful movie nominated in all the major categories. Everybody loves Reese, and she has a made a name for herself as being a trustworthy source of talent.
Plus, it's about time AMPAS awarded an actress for putting on the MAC instead of taking it off.

WHO SHOULD WIN
Felicity Huffman. EVEN THOUGH she does get "ugly", fitting with the track record AMPAS has had the last few years, she has paid her dues in the industry, and with all her award wins for her acting on the big and small screen in the past year, she'd give another great speech. Plus, the other actresses in this category are in films that aren't exactly critical slam dunks. In a very weak year for Actresses, Felicity stands out for her uniqueness.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
Judi Dench. Why? She's Judi Dench.

---

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Amy Adams - JUNEBUG

Catherine Keener - CAPOTE

Frances McDormand - NORTH COUNTRY

Rachel Weisz - THE CONSTANT GARDENER

Michelle Williams - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

WHO WILL WIN
Rachel Weisz. She's british, lovely, and was in a movie about real issues. Oscar loves the brits.
Her role as Tessa was her time to shine, and her performance is quite affecting. It's a very safe bet.

WHO SHOULD WIN
AMY ADAMS! Her character Ashley is the most annoying, amazing, and bright little jewel of all the nominees. She has a few critical awards wins under her belt as well, so her taking the win in a category of pure drama is plausable.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
Catherine Keener. If the Academy doesn't give the Oscar to Hoffman (which is damn near insane), they could give it to Keener's Nell Harper Lee. She also is a previous nominee for Being John Malkovich, and has critical awards.

----

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR

HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE

TIM BURTON'S CORPSE BRIDE

WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT

WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN
Wallace and Gromit. They've won Oscars before, and they'll absolutely do it again.
Visually, the movie is groundbreaking and totally worthy.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
Howl's Moving Castle. There's no Disney competition - and Miyazaki won this category for Spirited Away a few years ago. I really can't see AMPAS giving it to Corpse Bride in any sense, especially since the movie wasn't critically successful.

---

ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE

KING KONG

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

PRIDE & PREJUDICE

WHO SHOULD AND WILL WIN
King Kong. Oscar loves Peter Jackson. Plain and simple.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
Harry Potter, because fantasy always gets the techs.

---

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY

BATMAN BEGINS

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

THE NEW WORLD

WHO WILL WIN
Brokeback Mountain. Nominated for BP, the front runner in everything, and it's pretty!

WHO SHOULD WIN
The New World. It's Malick. End of response.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
Good Night, and Good Luck. It's black and white ... and I don't really have any good reasons to say Geisha or Batman. :)

---

ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS

PRIDE & PREJUDICE

WALK THE LINE

WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN
Memoirs of a Geisha. It's a movie about beautiful people in a period piece.
That's all you really need.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
Pride and Prejudice. Read above.

---

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

DARWIN'S NIGHTMARE

ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM

MARCH OF THE PENGUINS

MURDERBALL

STREET FIGHT

WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN
Murderball. It's an indie documentary which made some cash, and this category lacking the praised Herzog flick Grizzly Man means that the other big critical hit will take it. This category isn't always game for politics - and human spirit triumphs all.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
March of the Penguins. The sleeper hit of the summer. Blah blah blah.

---

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

....?
I am HORRIBLE at the short categories. I sincerely apologize.
So if you're using my advice for an Oscar poll, pick the title you like best or go to Oscarwatch.com.
That's my advice.

---

ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING

CINDERELLA MAN

THE CONSTANT GARDENER

CRASH

MUNICH

WALK THE LINE

WHO WILL WIN
Munich. It's Spielberg.

WHO SHOULD WIN
Considering there is no visually demanding movies in this category, I'll say Crash, because it has multiple stories.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
Cinderella Man. I heard it had fighting in it.

---

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR

DON'T TELL

JOYEUX NOèL

PARADISE NOW

SOPHIE SCHOLL - THE FINAL DAYS

TSOTSI

WHO WILL WIN
Tsotsi.

WHO SHOULD WIN
I have absolutely no idea.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
Paradise Now. It takes aim at recent events, and actually had a sort of accessible release in the states.
Even though the Golden Globes aren't exactly the best precursor for this category, I'll just use it to back up my point.

---

ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

CINDERELLA MAN

STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH

WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN
Star Wars. Anakin the burn victim. Need I say more?

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
Narnia. Even though I can't really think of anyone who wore makeup in the movie besides Tilda Swinton.

---

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES
(ORIGINAL SCORE)

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

THE CONSTANT GARDENER

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

MUNICH

PRIDE & PREJUDICE

WHO WILL WIN
John Williams for Geisha. The score is the best thing about the movie and the J man has got a few wins for this score already.

WHO SHOULD WIN
Gustavo Santaolalla for Brokeback. If you saw it, you can't deny that the main theme makes you tear up just a bit when you hear it.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
Pride and Prejudice. Victorian stuff sometimes takes this category, even when the movie doesn't have a lot of nominations.

---

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES
(ORIGINAL SONG)

"In the Deep" - CRASH

"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" - HUSTLE & FLOW

"Travelin' Thru" - TRANSAMERICA

WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN
Since Brokeback didn't get the nom it deserved here, Dolly Parton is a slam dunk.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
Terrence Howard. The actor sings, and Eminem won this category, so AMPAS isn't too shy of anything out of the general stuff.

---

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING

KING KONG

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

WAR OF THE WORLDS

WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN
King Kong. It's really a no brainer.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
War of the Worlds ... the nomination of Geisha is quite silly.

---

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

WALK THE LINE

WAR OF THE WORLDS

WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN
Walk the Line. Narnia and War of the Worlds cancel each other out. Plus, movies with music as their main part score well.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
War of the Worlds. If Narnia doesn't get in it's way, it'll slide right in.

---

ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

KING KONG

WAR OF THE WORLDS

WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN
King Kong. End of discussion.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
Since Narnia was quite shoddy at times, War of the Worlds has an edge because .. it looked better.

---

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

CAPOTE

THE CONSTANT GARDENER

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

MUNICH

WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN
This is probably the hardest category to predict. In one corner, you have Brokeback which took a short story and turned it into a movie over two hours long. And then there's Capote. A movie about the creation of a book from a literary genius. It's a tough choice, but I'll give the edge to Capote, simply because of the content.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
The Constant Gardener. Munich has some adaptive controversy, while A History of Violence lacks the depth it should have had.

---

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

CRASH

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

MATCH POINT

THE SQUID AND THE WHALE

SYRIANA

WHO WILL WIN
Since Haggis won this category last year for Million Dollar Baby, he's going to take it again - just because Crash really hasn't got a chance in any other category. And not because he deserves it.

WHO SHOULD WIN
Match Point. It's Woody Allen. He's not going to show up, but he deserves it dammit.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
The CLOONEY movies. I'll give Good Night, and Good Luck the edge, since it's a slightly less touchy topic.

---

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

CAPOTE

CRASH

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

MUNICH

WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN
Ang Lee. Ang Lee. Ang Lee. He got the DGA. He made the most nominated film, which has won everything under the sun. Nobody can touch his style - plus, he's the one director who absolutely takes chances on his work consistently. The only other veteran is Spielberg, and he's not getting it because Munich really slid under the door this year. Even if it seems that Brokeback isn't the juggernaut we all thought it was, Ang Lee is still going to win.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
George Clooney. Again. He has a date with Oscar, and wants to walk him to the door for a goodnight kiss.

---

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

CAPOTE

CRASH

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

MUNICH

WHO WILL WIN
Son of the Mask. NO! Brokeback Mountain. Duh! It's a western sweeping epic love story. One for the history books. And even though it wasn't perfect, it does deserve it. A safe bet which has been taking everything, everywhere, and plowing through the awards season like wildfire.

WHO SHOULD WIN
Capote. It's the best reviewed movie of the year. A revelation for Sony Classics, and a totally worthy pick. Nothing says "awesome" like the little indie that could.

BUT DON'T COUNT OUT
In a year of movies both obviously bad and good, Crash managed to get nominations based on word through the general public grapevine. Say what you will, but Crash is the feel good movie that I loathe to death. I hated the movie for making me roll my eyes, and I hated it for making me hate people for being people. I immensely dislike Paul Haggis for re-writing Grand Canyon, and feeding the same ol' racial rift song and dance. But don't listen to me - it damn well could take Best Picture, even if that means that the forces of hell have frozen over.

Posted by madamczyk at 12:25 AM | Comments (6)

Ten.

THE ABSOLUTE BEST MOVIES OF 2005

wait for it ...

CLEAN

Maggie Cheung stars as Emily, the rock star wife who suddenly has to deal with the death of her husband - drugs, hardships, and her own issues arise as she has to piece her life back together for the sake of her son and in-laws. Nick Nolte plays her father-in-law with ease and care for his grandson - he wants Emily to succeed, stay away from drugs, and be the mother she has to be for her son - but the struggle is there. It will not go away and Emily must get herself out of the hole she has put herself in. CLEAN may not be the most original film I’ve seen, but it is affecting, unique, and heartbreaking.

JARHEAD

“Welcome to the Suck” says Troy to Swofford, the young man with an idea of what his war will be, only to find that it never is more than a single moment. Director Sam Mendes doesn’t give us a cliché war picture - this is of a personal war - one with characters, emotions, and moments in time. JARHEAD is the truth of one veteran’s experience - it’s not every serviceman’s voice - but it is one, that is controversial, devastating, and honest.

SHOPGIRL

The soft look at Mirabelle, the girl at the glove counter, could be seen as this year’s Lost in Translation, seemingly muted and with hidden depth, but Claire Danes’ performance is wondrous and charming, as her male counterparts, Steve Martin’s Ray, and Jason Schwartzman’s Jeremy, compliment and match her immensely. Anand Tucker’s filmic absence since Hilary and Jackie is forgotten - a treat like SHOPGIRL only comes along every once in a while - better to have it than never at all.

MOONLIGHT

Paula van der Oest’s MOONLIGHT is a small Dutch film you’ve never heard before - I can’t give a reason exactly why - but it’s not the easiest movie to watch. Laurien Van den Broeck stars as Claire, a young girl living with her wealthy adoptive family, when one day she discovers a boy hiding in her play shed on their property. She then realizes he has been left for dead, and was apart of a drug smuggling ring, to which they eventually come crawling around her homeland, seeking him. The two children eventually run away, all for the unnamed boys’ safety, and because Claire feels it is her duty. The movie is slowly starting to be released around the world, and had an extremely limited release stateside this past November. What I loved so much about this movie was the look and presentation of desperation in a youthful relationship. Claire acts selfless and most often isn’t sure of herself - but the movie is powerful and haunting. If you come upon it, give it a try.

PALINDROMES

And continuing the not-so-easy-to-watch pattern is another awesome exercise in controversy from Todd Solondz. If you want to read my full review, go here and scroll. Otherwise, you’re just going to have to take this number placement as a sign of my approval.

MYSTERIOUS SKIN

As far as Gregg Araki goes, I hate his work. But I’ll retract because of his amazing work with the Scott Heim novel adaptation of MYSTERIOUS SKIN, a touchy, graphic-but-not look at sexuality and child abuse. Joseph-Gordon Levitt and Brady Corbet are fantastic as two boys distanced from the present, but connected by their painful past. The film is not perfect, nor extremely well made, but it has had this resonance with me - it’s a moving and totally admirable little film that boldly goes where many would rather not.

STAR WARS- EPISODE III : REVENGE OF THE SITH

So NOW I’ll be really obvious and go for the biggest movie of 2005, box office wise -
but there’s got to be a reason for that, you know? Lucas gives us the FINAL installment and LAST of the prequels (which is relieving, for sure), and all while reaffirming my love for Star Wars and faith in ol’ George. Transition to Darth Vader for Anakin? IT WORKS. And all those What If’s? to wind up in a movie just about 140 minutes. Bravo. It’s definitely been a fun, bumpy ride.

MATCH POINT

MATCH POINT is a Woody Allen movie for someone who doesn’t like Woody Allen. I’m not one of those people, but if I was, I’d surely praise the film just as much. Where Allen could have been obvious with plot and intent, he instead decides to whisk us away to London, where a tennis playboy schemes, and a saucy out-of-work actress catches his eye, only to have his infatuation seemingly destroy everything he has worked for. In a movie filled with such desire and soft dialogue, Match Point is mysterious without letting you in on the mystery. And with gorgeous undertones that you don’t realize until the very end. A true work of brilliance for Allen.

KING KONG

KING KONG is everything you and I want in movies - but don’t want to admit. We want danger, destruction, action, love, romance, fright, charm, and to be grossed out. Peter Jackson has masterfully taken all of his awesome qualities from his past work and meshed it into the ULTIMATE experience . .. well, theatrically. King Kong might be seen as cheesy, overdone, and just plain indulgent, but those who say that don’t want to admit that a movie- and remake - about a giant Gorilla was absorbing and made you tear up, even when you knew what was going to happen in the end.

CAPOTE

I was hoping somehow that another movie could unseat CAPOTE as my favorite movie last year, but no. It didn’t happen, even when I thought the feat was managable. My absolute favorite genre is Drama- that said, Capote could possibly be my favorite dramatic feature made in the past decade. Engrossing, fascinating, and a near miracle in itself, Phillip Seymour Hoffman takes the reigns as Truman, with all the tools in his acting belt, and lets it flow like pure cinematic magic. Capote is exactly what I want all drama films to be, but they usually don’t end up being - powerful, moving, and having the ability to leave me speechless.

Posted by madamczyk at 11:12 PM | Comments (3)

Scary Stuff

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Oh, it's that time of year again - when millions of children begin the start of fresh cavaties - HALLOWEEN is upon us.
And what is a staple of Halloween ? Horror movies.
Since there are the classics that everyone knows and consistantly see this time of year, and most likely are played over and over again on cable, here are some horror movies you might not know about which are true classics.
(updated 10/28)

hometheaterhifi.com
If you haven't seen The Pledge, you don't know Jack (cheap joke, I know).
One of my favorite movies of all time is Sean Penn's naturalistic horror film about child predators. Jack Nicholson plays Jerry Black, a retiring cop who makes a promise to catch the killer of a young girl. By befriending Lori, played by Robin Wright Penn, who's child has the traits of what the killers past victims had, Jack himself becomes a predator of sorts, seeking out situations which will lead him to the killer, but also put Lori's daughter in harms way. This is a disturbing and brilliant piece of the limits we set ourselves at, due to our promises, and how it bends perception and intentions. An absolutely amazing and somewhat forgotten film.

dvd.nickbosse.dk
I know many of you have either seen or know about the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
But what most of you don't know is how creative Peter Jackson's films were before. And when I mean 'creative', I mean different-ways-you-can-rip-apart-human-flesh 'creative'.
Dead Alive (aka Brain Dead) is the story of a young man who's mother is bitten by a strange monkey creature thingy... so what happens to dear ol' mom ? She becomes a flesh-eating zombie. Yes. And from then on, the movie is all kinds of gore and dismemberment. SO MUCH FUN TOO!! And it has the classic line... "I kick ass for the lord", as said by a priest with martial arts expertise. Disgusting can be funny and enjoyable at the same time in this kiwi gore fest.

amazon.com

Suicide Club isn't exactly a horror film - it has some social commentary, and well, suicides, but it is pretty gruesome and disturbing at times. I would not recommend this for the average horror fan, but for someone seeking out foreign material, such as Takeshi Miike or Kitano. High school kids in Japan are dropping like flies. Their deaths are a mystery, and seemingly out of character, but the real corruptor of the dying youth is simplistic and shocking. Although definitely NOT for the faint of heart, it's thought provoking and haunting. Suggested for fans of Battle Royale.

allposters.com

The obvious classic and somehow underseen go-to horror film for me is The Evil Dead.
I can convince any of my friends to see it, and instantly, they either check out because they can't take it or cave in to the extreme gore- it's the basic story of some college kids renting a cabin, yes, in the woods. But from this basic formula, and through Sam Raimi's creativity, this basic plot is something more, with the 'dead' which been awoken from the ancient words from the 'Book of the Dead', attacking Ash (Bruce 'The Man' Campbell), and his friends as they try to enjoy their stay.
No big budget special effects here - Raimi's grassroots craftwork makes this low budget thriller graphic and shocking. And yes, this is from the man who made those little hit 'Spider-Man' movies.
The Evil Dead is unrated and most definitely not suitable for kids. - Sequels : EVIL DEAD 2 - DEAD BY DAWN =and= ARMY OF DARKNESS.

fangoria.com

A few years back, at the first year of the Independent Film Festival of Boston, I decided to see this little horror film called Soft for Digging - no big stars in the cast and a simple plot of a man losing his cat and discovering a body. Interesting ? Yes. And even more interesting is the gimmick - the movie has NO DIALOGUE. Well, there are some words spoken, but for nearly 70 minutes, you are subjected to the silence and visual horror that is this film. It was one of the most gut-wrenching and uncomfortable experiences I've ever had with a horror film. I can't really describe it, but when you take out the words and stick with the details, a movie like this nearly reaches subtle brilliance.

amazon.com

Now, if you call yourself a horror fan, you must bow down to Dario Argento. His films are true classics, filled with amazing visuals and intense moments. Suspiria is one of my favorite movies ever. Argento's film looks at the spooky happenings at a dance academy in europe- the main character
Suzy (Jessica Harper) is a young american girl who, on one windy, stormy night, arrives at the school to move in. But from the get-go, Argento brings on the shock with a disturbing opening. The lush imagery. The troubling score. Suspiria is a true piece of horror in all parts.

amazon.com

If there's one horror movie which made me rethink everything at the end, it was 1973's The Wicker Man. Seargent Neil Howie goes to a small island in Scotland to investigate the disappearance of a young girl - but what he finds is a cult of sorts spread throughout the island, led by Lord Summerisle, played by the sinister Christopher Lee (Sauron, fyi). I can't say much about it, but the movie is shocking, gripping, and ends with a surprise. I can't help but stress how essential this movie is as far as classic horror goes - there's a remake of this starring Nicholas Cage and directed by Neil LaBute coming out next year. If you are to rent this, I suggest getting the VHS as opposed to the DVD, since the film has a few different cuts - you might be able find the version of 101 min or so... not 88 min like the dvd.

Posted by madamczyk at 08:05 AM | Comments (5)