Bait an Oscar: June 2006

All Alone

2008-06-22T12:42:00.003-07:00

Author: Josh P.
Location: Chicago, IL

"All Alone"

Directed by Bennett Miller
Written by Paul Haggis
Produced by Ang Lee and James Shamus
Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto
Edited by Hughes Winborne

Principal Cast:

Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Billy Walker)
Geal García Bernal (Enrique Salas)
Haley Joel Osment (Joey Treystone)
Jake Gyllenhaal (Dayrl Longsteen)
Dianne Wiest (Amanda Walker)
Brian Cox (Jonathan Walker)
Ian McKellen (Professor James Arminsen)
Gwyneth Paltrow (Angie Henrickson)

Tagline: "Before the act of acceptance, comes the responsibility to act for it"

Synopsis: The movie tells the touching and heart-wrenching tale of a young gay man (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) trying to deal with the extreme hate and prejudice in the world during the 1980s in America. He does learn very fast that this isn't an easy world to live in. His father (Brian Cox) has basicly disowned him and his mother (Dianne Wiest) no longer speaks to him. He leaves his Chicago home behind and travels to New York where he attends a school in hopes of becoming a novelist. While there, he meets Enrique Salas (Gael García Bernal) and they immediatly fall in love. They must still be cautious though, especially when an old friend of Billy's stops by and drops off his son which he concieved with her on prom night eight years ago. Billy keeps the boy (Haley Joel Osment) but realizes that this is still a dangerous situation for his son and his own life.

What the press would say:

Another wonderful film has poured out of the talents of Bennett Miller. His gentle sensitivity to each frame gives it the extra touch needed. Paul Haggis also provides a magnificent screenplay that does well once again in evaluating the terms in today's social order. The movie also contains a great ensemble: Meyers has all the versitility needed to transend in this part and he is backed up by an equally impressive Bernal. Osment reminds us that he does posses talent beyond "The Sixth Sense" and minor players like Gyllenhaal, Cox, Wiest and Ian McKellen, who serves as a teacher at the school who does a pretty good critique on society. People are already exclaiming this to be the best film of the entire year. The consideration campaign:

Best Picture
Best Director: Bennett Miller
Best Actor: Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Best Supporting Actor: Gael García Bernal
Best Supporting Actor: Brian Cox
Best Supporting Actor: Haley Joel Osment
Best Supporting Actress: Dianne Wiest
Best Original Screenplay: Paul Haggis
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing

Auschwitz Love

2008-06-22T12:42:00.001-07:00

Author: Tom
Location: New Jersey

"Auschwitz Love"

Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written by Akiva Goldsman and Ronald Harwood
Cinematography by Rodrigo Pietro
Film Editing by Michael Kahn
Music by John Williams

Principal Cast:

Sebastian Muller- Joaquin Phoenix
Jonas Guedalia- Christian Bale
Mary Guedalia- Natalie Portman
Noah Guedalia- Adrien Brody
Isaac Guedalia- Roy Scheider
Leo Schneiderman- Eric Bana
Fritz Weber- Jonathon Rhys Meyers
Gunter Braun- Max von Sydow
Hanz Richter- Robert Deniro
Lena Wolf- Angelina Jolie
Gypsy Petulengro- Gael Garcia Bernal

Tagline: "The greatest tragedy the world has ever seen could not stop the greatest love they had ever known"

Synopsis: Sebastian Muller (Phoenix) believed in the Third Reich, which was why he worksat the Auschwitz concentration camp. But his life gets turned upside down when he meets Jonas Guedalia (Bale), a young Jewish man who, upon first arriving, begs Sebastian to have his father, Isaac (Scheider), go with Jonas, instead of to the gas chambers. Sebastian realizes that he is attracted to this Jew, andfinds himself doing favors for Jonas, including letting him see his sister, Mary (Portman), who is working in the women’s camp, and helping protect Isaac. Jonas realizes that he is attracted to Sebastian too, and struggles with theseemotions as he and his brother, Noah (Brody), struggle to keep their familyalive; Isaac is constantly in danger of being taken to the gas chamber,
and Maryis being abused by her supervisor, Lena (Jolie). As Sebastian tries to keep his
life under control with the help of his mentor, Gunter (Von Sydow), and his best friend Fritz (Meyers), he begins to discover the humanity in those he has been exterminating

However, he realizes that he is being closely watched by theheartless Hanz (DeNiro) and the cruel and crafty Lena. Through the incredible adversity that they face, Sebastian and Jonas try to love one another,overcoming their differences and those trying to tear them apart.

What the press would say:

Auschwitz Love is one of the bravest, most powerful films in recent history.

Steven Spielberg turns in his best work since Schindler’s List with this incredible drama that examines the way forbidden love plays out in times of terrible hardship. Akiva Goldsman’s rich character development combines with Ronald Harwood’s harsh realism into a brilliant screenplay, one that is able tobring out every aspect of the incredible range of emotions shown in this film.

Joaquin Phoenix is superb as the harsh Nazi who discovers his softer side when he falls in love with another man. His internal struggle is never overplayed, but always visible. Christian Bale, a somewhat controversial choice for the role of Jonas, is pitch perfect, his love for Sebastian consistently clashing with his need to protect his family. Every performance, from Natalie Portman’s quiet yet courageous portrayal of Jonas’ sister to Robert Deniro outstandingly harsh role as Hanz, rounds out this film beautifully. Particularly powerful isAngelina Jolie, who gives her best performance since Girl, Interrupted in a role completely different from anything she has done. The portrayal of Leo Scheiderman, a real life survivor of Auschwitz, by Eric Bana fleshes out thestory well. This film is incredibly heart wrenching, and although its stark portrayal of life in Auschwitz keeps it from being too emotionally manipulative,there will not be a dry eye in the house after a single showing of Auschwitz Love.

For Your Consideration:

Best Picture
Best Director- Steven Spielberg
Best Actor- Joaquin Phoenix
Best Supporting Actor- Christian Bale
Best Supporting Actor- Robert Deniro
Best Supporting Actress- Angelina Jolie
Best Supporting Actress- Natalie Portman
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography
Best Costumes
Best Film Editing
Best Makeup
Best Sound Mixing
Best Score

A Walk in the Park

2008-06-22T12:41:00.003-07:00

Author: Erick
Location: New Jersey

"A Walk in the Park"

Directed by: Gavin O'Conner (director of Tumbleweeds and Miracle)
Written by: Gavin O'Conner
Prodcued by: Paul Haggis

Principal Cast:

The Old Man - Kirk Douglas
Erica Luftino - Rachel Weisz
Jayson Davis- Cameron Bright
JD - Chris Pine
Mr. L - Ray Liotta
Mr. Hemmingfield - Andy Garcia

Tagline: "Take a walk in a park. You'll never guess what you will see"

Synopsis: An Old Man (Kirk Douglas) living in Astoria, NY is walking through a
park and notices four different people, Erica Luftino, Jayson Davis, JD, and Mr. L. But who are these people and what do they have all in common. Erica Luftino (Rachel Weisz) who is a hussy and has sex with many guys whom one is Mr. Hemmingfield.

Jayson Davis, one of Mr. Hemmingfield's eighth grade students, is a troubled teenager who does not know whom his father is.JD is a college druggie who is addicted to cocaine and had has a plan to kill one of his teachers. Mr. L is a deadbeat father who is addicted to cocaine as well and does not know what to do with himself. The movie goes on bit by bit jumping to each character leaving the audience with the final answer of how everyone is connected.

What the press would say:

This movie will keep the you second-guessing yourself throughout the entirety of it. Ray Liotta gives his best performance yet as the deadbeat father. Gavin O'Conner has done it again directing such a masterpiece in a different genre. He starts with a Chick-flick type of movie, then to a sports movie, and now this twisted Oscar nominated drama. This is the summer movie event of 2007. Rottentomatoes has given it 90 fresh votes and only 2 rotten
votes making it a 95%. The 2 rotten votes wre only because Ray Liotta made the audience hate him that much.

Nominations:

Best Picture
Best Director: Gavin O'Conner
Best Original Screenplay: Gavin O'Conner
Best Actor: Kirk Douglas
Best Supporting Actor: Ray Liotta
Best Supporting Actress: Rachel Weisz
Best Editing
Best Sound

Contemporary Comedy

2008-06-22T12:41:00.001-07:00

Author: Brian
Location: Arizona

"Contemporary Comedy"

Directed by Rob Reiner
Written by Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner
Music by Carter Burwell
Produced by Rob Reiner, Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner

Principal Cast:

Tim Robbins (Michael Stein)
Sandra Bullock (Lynn Stein)
Morgan Freeman (Leroy Lara)
Angela Basset (Tanya Lara)
Kevin Kostner (Danny McAfree)
Robin Wright Penn (Susana McAfree)
Steve Carrel (Lionel Sanders)
Dustin Hoffman (Jason Peterson)
Mel Brooks (Johnny C. Donald)
Liam Neeson (Lucas Radford)

Tagline: "7 Guys. 1 Hit Show. 0 Talent"

Synopsis: A mid-life crisis can happen to anyone. But no mid-life crisis has ever been quite as strong as lawyer Michael Stein's. Once he hits 45, he closes down his firm in franticism, only to lead his partners into a crazy scheme to make the next big sketch comedy show, written, directed and preformed by these seven unfunny men. After revolts from wives and being specified insane by others, the show turns out to be the biggest success in television history.

What the press would say:

Classic comedy team Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner team up one last time to create the most original and most hilarious film of the year. The all-star cast mixing some of today and yesterday's comedy geniuses with the comedic side of Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Angela Basset and others. Rob Reiner shines as the director of this gem. This near-perfect ensemble film could easily become the most serious comedic Oscar contender of the year, with a strong campaign in the following categories:

Best Picture (Rob Reiner, Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks)
Best Director (Rob Reiner)
Best Actor (Tim Robbins)
Best Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman, Kevin Costner, Steve Carrel, Dustin Hoffman, Mel Brooks, Liam Neeson)
Best Supporting Actress (Sandra Bullock, Angela Basset)
Best Original Score (Carter Burwell)
Best Film Editing
Best Cinematography

Crime and Punishment

2008-06-22T12:40:00.000-07:00

Author: Manos Peponakis
Location: N/A

"Crime and Punishment"

Directed by David Cronenberg
Written by Josh Olson
Based on the novel by Fyodor Dostoievsky
Music by Howard Shore
Cinematography by Robert Elswit
Editing by Michael Kahn
Costume Design by Sandy Powell
Art Direction by John Myhre & Gretchen Rau

Principal Cast:

Adrien Brody (Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov)
William Hurt (Pyotr Petrovich Luzin)
Viggo Mortensen (Dmitri Prokovich Razoumichin)
Keira Knightley (Sonja Semionovna Marmeladova)
Judi Dench (Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikova)
Natalie Portman (Avdodia Romanova Raskolnikova)
Imelda Staunton (Katerina Ivanovna Marmeladova)
Ian McKellen (Arcadius Ivanovich Svidrigailov)
Thomas Kretchmann (Porfiri Petrovich)
Anthony Hopkins (Semion Zaharich Marmeladov)
Dominique Swain (Nastasia)
Barbara Babcock (Aliona Ivanovna)
Lily Tomlin (Elisavet)

Tagline: "And then life exists! 23/11/2007"

Synopsis: The first period film of Cronenberg and an adaptation of a masterpiece. Rodion, a young and poor Russian student in Saint Petersburg decides to murder an old woman but then he is filled with remorse. He seeks desperately for punishment. But no one suspects him.

What the press would say:

Not a typical Cronenberg film. Cronenberg abandons the modern crime/drama to return to the most archetypic crime/drama book of international literature. The masterpiece of Dostoievski "Crime and Punishment" which deals with the haunted soul of a poor student who turned out to be a murderer. An anatomy of the human soul. Adrien Brody acts superbly in the leading role, surrounded by an exceptional supporting cast. Mortensen as his devoted friend. Kretchmann as the flic. Hopkins as a drunkard. Portman as a sister who wants to save her brother. Dench as his mother. Staunton as a fymatic woman who wants to protect her family from the disaster. Knightley as the woman who leads Rodion to the end of the drama. Josh Olson did a very good job with the screenplay, following the novel as good as it gets, respecting the great Dostoievsky and providing each character with depth. By all means a movie that can sweep the Oscars.

For Your Consideration
BEST PICTURE
BEST DIRECTING- David Cronenberg
BEST ADAPTEWD SCREENPLAY- Josh Olson
BEST ACTOR- Adrien Brody
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR- William Hurt
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR- Anthony Hopkins
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR- Ian McKellen
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS- Keira Knightley
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS- Judi Dench
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS- Imelda Staunton
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS- Natalie Portman
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE- Howard Shore
and various technical categories

Devil in the White City

2008-06-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

Author: Brian
Location: Arizona

"Devil in the White City"

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Written by M. Night Shyamalan and Paul Haggis
Based on the novel by Erik Larson
Produced by M. Night Shyamalan and Steven Spielberg

Principal Cast:

Matt Damon (Daniel Hudson Burnham)
Johnny Depp (Henry H. Holmes)
Natalie Portman (Holmes' first victim)
Kate Winslet (Mrs. Burnham)
Joaquin Phoenix (Fredrick Law Olmsted)
Adrien Brody (Charles McKim)
Leonardo DiCaprion (Louis Sullivan)
John C. Reilly (George Ferris)

Tagline: "Thrill, Excitement and Murder at the World's Fair"

Synopsis: Based on the bestselling novel by Erik Larson, "Devil in the White City"\is "the story of two men, each handsome and unusually adept at his chosen work, embodied an element of great dynamic that characterized America's rush toward the twentieth century. The architect was Daniel Hudson Burnham, the fair's brilliant director of works and the builder of many of the country's important structures, including the Flatiron Building in New York and Union Station in Washington D.C. The murderer was Henry H. Holmes, a young doctor who, in malgin parody of the White City, built the "World's Fair Hotel," just west of the fairgrounds-a torture palace complete with dissection table, gas chamber and a 3,000-degree crematorium. Burnham overcame trumendous obstacles and tragedies as he organized the talents of Frederick Law Olmsted, Charles McKim, Louis Sullivan and others to transform the swampy Jackson Park into the White City , while Holmes used the attraction of the great fair and his own sanatic charms to lure scores of young women to their deaths. What makes the story all the more chilling is that Holmes really lived, walking the grounds of the dream city by the lake." - Back cover synopsis of Devil in the White City

With M. Night Shyamalan's sense of thrill and Paul Haggis' talent for writing reality, the script balances both fact with what we wish was fiction.

What the press would say:

After "The DaVinci Code" turned out to be a mega-failure for this reporter, I was very reluctant to see the screen version of one of today's most popular novels. Thank God it turned out to be one of the best films of the decade! This chilling dramatic thriller doesn't waste a second of its running time, nor does it fall short of its all-star cast. With its ideal set for serial killer Henry H. Holmes (take notes, Art Direction voters!) and solid preformances, it is obvious what the eight years of production went into. Modern suspense connoisseur M. Night Shyamalan's flawless direction make up for his ciritcal flop "The Village." The early Oscar campaign is extremley strong, and includes the following:

Best Picture (M. Night Shyamalan and Steven Speilberg)
Best Director (M. Night Shyamalan)
Best Actor (Matt Damon, Johnny Depp)
Best Supporting Actor (Joaquin Phoenix, John C. Reilly)
Best Supporting Actress (Kate Winslet)
Best Original Score (Thomas Newman)
Best Film Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design

The Devil's Arithmetic

2008-06-22T12:38:00.004-07:00

Author: Connor
Location: Texas

"The Devil's Arithmetic"

Directed by: Sofia Coppola
Written by: Sofia Coppola, Jane Yolen
Score by: James Horner

Principal Cast:

Hannah Stern/Chaya- Sofia Vassilieva (NBC'S Medium)
Rivka- Dakota Fanning
Gitl- Lainie Kazan (My Big Fat Greek Wedding)
Shumel- Will Farrell
Fayge- Evangeline Lily
Commandant Bruer- Crspin Glover
Aunt Eva- Bette Midler
Grandpa Will- Kirk Douglas

Tagline: "The holocaust is on the other side of the door"

Synopsis: 12 year old Hannah Stern, celebrating, to an extent, Passover with her family, but when she opens the door to welcome the prophet Elijah, she is transported to 1940's Poland. She has transformed into a 12 year old Polish girl named Chaya. After maybe a week of her confusion, the Nazis invade and Chaya and who she now considers her family are sent to Auschwitz. There she discovers the horrors of nazi death camps, and searches for a way back home, before its too late.

What the press would say:

Medium's Sofia Vassilieva delivers a phenomenal performance as Hannah Stern, the 12 year old who is transported to Nazi Germany. Dakota Fanning, Lainie Kazan, Evangeline Lily, Will Farrell, Crispin Glover, Bette Midler and Kirk Douglas give excellent supporting performances under the direction of Sofia Coppola

NOMINATIONS
best picture
best director- sofia coppola
best adapted screenplay- sofia coppola and jane yolen
best actress- sofia vassilieva
best supporting actress- dakota fanning
best supporting actress- lainie kazan
best supporting actor- crispin glover
best original score- james horner
best art direction
best costume design
best film editing
best sound mixing

Discovery

2008-06-22T12:38:00.003-07:00

Author: Pat
Location: NY

"Discovery"

Directed By Robert Zemeckis
Written By Alan Ball
Music By Alan Silvestri

Principal Cast:

Evan Rachel Wood (Alison Livingston)
William H. Macy (Dan Livingston)
Joan Allen (Julia Livingston)
Chad Michael Murray (Mike Livingston)
Jon Voight (Gerry Dombrowski)
Jason Lee (Corey Nathanson)
Sean Faris (Ronnie)
Lacy Chabert (Caroline)

Tagline: "Discover your past"

Synopsis: Robert Zemeckis directs "American Beauty" writer Alan Ball's new script about a teenage girl who discovers in a heartbreaking way that she and her brother were adopted. Evan Rachel Wood leads the amazing cast as Alison, a girl who sees a picture of somebody who looks like her at Ellis Island and conducts an investigation that leads her to believe that the people who she thought were her parents have been lying to her about her origins. William H. Macy and Joan Allen play Alison's divorcing parents who have a hard time telling their daughter the truth about where she came from. Alison becomes suspicious of her parents when they refuse to tell her where they got her from and hires a private detective (Jason Lee) to find her real parents. Alison soon discovers that her real mother was raped and later murdered by a now-incarcerated sex offender, played by Jon Voight. Alison tries to connect with her real father and finds that learning the truth about her past could tear her family apart. Chad Michael Murray co-stars as Alison also-adopted, over-achieving brother who learns that his real parents were junkies. Sean Faris and Lacy Chabert also star as Alison's boyfriend and best friend, respectively.

What the press would say:

The new film from the Oscar-winning team of Robert Zemeckis and Alan Ball tells the tale of a young girl who learns that discovering her past could destroy her future. The main character Alison, played exceptionally well by Evan Rachel Wood, learns that her real father is a sex offender who raped and killed her mother after she had the baby. Jon Voight plays the sex offender in one of the creepiest screen roles since Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence Of The Lambs". But the best performances of the film comes from Alison's feuding parents (William H. Macy and Joan Allen) who are forced to come together when their daughter starts to learn her past. Overall, "Discovery" is a shocking, heart-wrenching story about one girl's desire to know her father.

Academy Awards:
Best Picture
Best Director-Robert Zemeckis
Best Actress-Evan Rachel Wood
Best Supporting Actor-William H. Macy
Best Supporting Actor-Jon Voight
Best Supporting Actress-Joan Allen
Best Original Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Original Score

Frayed

2008-06-22T12:38:00.001-07:00

Author: Matthew LaRusso
Location: New Jersey

"Frayed"

Directed by: Mike Nichols
Written by: Eric Roth
Music by: Alan Silvestri

Principal Cast:

Jake Gyllenhaal as Cameron Pratt
Hayden Christiansen as Dave Simon
Christina Ricci as Marissa
Julia Stiles as Julie
Jessica Alba as Jennifer
Vanessa Lengies as Jocelyn
Anna Paquin as Heather
Kirsten Dunst as Vanessa

Tagline: "Sometimes luck is nowhere to be found"

Synopsis: The story of an intelligent college student (Gyllenhaal) who seems to have the worst luck with women, despite his friend's (Christiansen) constant approval and motivation. In his search for the perfect woman, he tries to find himself in the process.

What the press would say:

A very young and talented ensemble make for a wonderfully dark and funny movie. Nichols' direction is superb as is the score by Al Silvestri. Aside from the great performances of the far from perfect young women in this film, Gyllenhaal is magnificient and is sure to garner the academy's attention as is Christina Ricci, who plays the over obsessive Marissa. Eric Roth adds a brilliantly original and funny screenplay.

Best Picture
Best Director- Mike Nichols
Best Actor- Jake Gyllenhaal
Best S. Actress- Christina Ricci
Best O. Screenplay- Eric Roth
Best Score
Best Original Song- "Who Am I?- Teddy Geiger

The Gary Busey Story

2008-06-22T12:37:00.002-07:00

Author: D.W. Dillon
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

"The Gary Busey Story"

Directed by Richard Linklater
Written by Gary Busey and Richard Linklater
Music by T. Bone Burnett

Principal Cast:

Jake Busey - Gary Busey
Heather Graham - Judy Helkenberg Busey
Catherine Zeta Jones - Tiani Warden Busey
Gary Busey - Old Man Busey
Dolly Parton - Ma Busey
Trevor Snarr - Jake Busey
Mel Gibson - The Devil

Tagline: "Sober - Son Of a Bitch! Everything's Real"

Synopsis: The life and times of Gary Busey. From drumming in "The Rubber Band" to Hollywood stardom making The Buddy Holly Story. And the downfall from a horrific motorcycle accident, cocaine overdose, cancer, divorces, weight loss, and meetings with The Devil, all of which awakens and changes the man we know and love today, Gary F'ng Busey.

What the press would say:

Flawless...

Best Picture
Best Director - Richard Linklater
Best Actor - Jake Busey
Best Supporting Actress - Dolly Parton
Best Supporting Actor - Gary Busey
Best Original Screenplay - Richard Linklaker & Gary Busey
Best Cinematography - Janusz Kaminiski
Best Score - T. Bone Burnett
Best Original Song - "Busey Blues" by Gary Busey & T. Bone Burnett
Best Costume Design
Best Sound
Best Sound Editing
Best Art Direction
Best Make-Up
Best Special Effects

Girl Shy

2008-06-22T12:37:00.001-07:00

Author: Jack
Location: New York

"Girl Shy"

Directed by Ron Howard
Written by Nancy Meyers
Music by James Horner

Principal Cast:

Liam Aiken- Jack Mawunyaga
Alexander Michaeletos- Elliot Bankhead
Iman- Natané Mawunyaga
Eartha Kitt- Bousia Mawunyaga

Tagline: "Love: the hardest lesson to learn"

Synopsis: A famous black model Natané (Iman), her mother, Bousia Mawunyaga Eartha Kitt, and her young, white, adoptive son Jack (Liam Aiken) move to a rich town in Connecticut. At school he becomes instantly popular because of his famous mother. Then, he makes his first real friend Elliot (Alexander Michaeletos). They become inseparable.
Their friendship soon turns into love, and lust. They have to deal with homophobia, bigotry, and racism. Can they make it through all for each other?

What the press would say:

An amazing cast helps this wonderful movie play out beautifully. Liam Aiken (A Series of Unfortunate Events) plays the shy and insecure Jack, while Alexander Michaeletos (Duma) plays the flamboyant and ostentatious Elliot. Veteran model Iman plays mother and model Natané, and Eartha Kitt plays her mother Bousia Mawunyaga. The movie teaches acceptance and kindness. This movie could end the thought that life only begins after eighteen.

Oscar Potential:
Best Picture
Best Actor (Liam Aiken)
Best Supporting Actor (Alexander Michaeletos)
Best Supporting Actress (Iman)
Best Supporting Actress (Eartha Kitt)
Best Original Score (James Horner)
Best Director (Ron Howard)
Best Original Screenplay (Nancy Meyers)

Herzog

2008-06-22T12:36:00.004-07:00

Author: Matthew LaRusso
Location: New Jersey

"Herzog"

Directed by: Ron Howard
Written by: Akiva Goldsman
Music by: Hans Zimmer

Principal Cast:

Russell Crowe as Moses Herzog
Kate Winslet as Madeline
Renee Zellwegger as Sono
Charlize Theron as Ramona

Tagline: "A man can lose his pride, but not his memories"

Synopsis: Based on Saul Bellow's book of the same name, this is the story of a man slowly slipping into senility, his past, his present and his optimistic future.

What the press would say:

Russell Crowe shines as the mysterious Moses Herzog in Ron Howard's latest collaboration with Akiva Goldsman. Howard brings the dark story of Herzog to life and so does Crowe's melancholy and brilliant approach to the character, who is only further enhanced by Goldsman's dynamic screenplay.

Best Picture
Best Director- Ron Howard
Best Actor- Russell Crowe
Best Screenplay- Akiva Goldsman
Best Costume
Best Makeup
Best Art Direction
Best Score

Home for the Departed

2008-06-22T12:36:00.003-07:00

Author: Maia Donovan
Location: LA

"Home for the Departed"

Directed by Todd Haynes
A Thriller written by Todd Haynes

Principal Cast:

Meryl Streep – Calista Michaels
Geena Davis – Louise Adams
Alec Baldwin – Peter Adams
Salma Hayek – Eva Torres
Chris Evans – Benny O’Toole
Mia Maestro – Eva Torres
Joe Pesci – Old Joe

Tagline: "THINK about It"

Synopsis: A twisted ghost tale… Neighbors in an old apartment building of New York City begin to wonder if they are in fact “alive” or if they are trapped in some kind of purgatory after a series of tragic and mysterious revelations.

Meryl Streep toplines as the eccentric Calista Michaels, the building’s oldest inhabitant who has spent the last years in a great depression after his husband’s suicidal. Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin star as the Adams, whose marriage holds on a string due to Baliwin’s character Peter’s infidelity. Salma Hayek and Mia Maestro are the Torres sisters, caught in a ferocious fight over neighbor Benny O’Toole’s (Chris Evans) love. Joe Pesci plays the building’s new and intriguing janitor “Old Joe”.

As they interact with each other, the neighbors become suspicious of Old Joe’s arrival to their building and they seem to be right: Old Joe has come to show them that “life” as they know it is not what it seems, or is it?

What the press would say:

Haunting! Thought-provoking! Director Todd Haynes revisits “The Sixth Sense” and ‘The Others” in “Home for the Departed,” a supernatural thriller that begins where these ghosts movies end.

The cast is great as neighbors with chaotic lives but Meryl Streep is the best as Calista, the first person in the building who suspects there’s a reason why she may not yet be able to move on in her life. Geena Davis, recently “revived” to US audiences thanks to the ABC show Commander in Chief is fantastic as the manic depressive wife who may now realize why she has been feeling guilty over the last years. Mia Maestro, from TV’s Alias, is heart-breaking as the only neighbor who is totally convinced that she was murdered by her sister in passion rage after having a conversation with the janitor. Yet, Joe Pesci (in a very dramatic role) gives the most powerful performance as Old Joe, the janitor determined to let them “see.”

Are they ghosts or not? You will only know if you catch this winter hit on your local theater.

Possible Nominations:

Best Picture
Best Director - Todd Haynes
Best Writer - Todd Haynes
Best Actress - Meryl Streep
Best Supporting Actor - Joe Pesci
Best Supporting Actress - Geena Davis, Mia Maestro & Salma Hayek
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Original Score

I'll Remember Them

2008-06-22T12:36:00.001-07:00

Author: Deepak
Location: Appleton

"I'll Remember Them"

Directed by Stephen Daldry
Produced by Don Cheadle and Bob Yari
Screenplay by Cameron Crowe
Music by James Horner

Principal Cast:

Jennifer Freeman (Kinah)
Oprah Winfrey ('Gogo' Ayo)
Don Cheadle (Nduke Ty)
Sophie Okenedo (Fari Toshi)
Morgan Freeman (Grandfather Khamani)
George O. Gore II (Hasani)
Denzel Washington (Iniko)
Halle Berry (Hazika)
Marcia Gay Harden (Doctor Susie)
Samantha Morton (Nurse Wilma)
Joaquin Phoenix (Lt. Richard Bart)

Tagline: "The dangers that lie ahead are worse than the ones they flee from..."

Synopsis: Oscar-nominated director Stephen Daldry revives the short story 'The Ultimate Safari' by Nadine Gordimer and directs this heart-softening tale of a little girl, Kinah (Jennifer), struggling to survive in the midst of war and a racist environment in Mozambique and also of the hardships shes faces at the tender age of 13. Now, after losing her father, Iniko (Denzel Washington), to the war and after the sudden disappearance of her mother, Hazika (Halle Berry), Kinah has only her grandparents, Ayo (Winfrey) and Khamini (Morgan) and her brother, Hasani (George), at her side.Under the belief that her mother is still alive and will someday return, she agrees to her grandmother's decision of fleeing from Mozambique and heading towards the refugee camp in South Africa. But what they have to cross to get to safety is far more dangerous than the war, the Zamrir Park where they befriend a pregnant woman, Fari Toshi (Sophie Okenedo). Being led by a mere stranger, Nduke Ty (Cheadle), they have to get across the park infiltrated with racist white soldiers, by whom if they where to be caught would be tortured and killed. This movie is about the journey of a girl through life. A life through which no child would even want to dream of. Also starring are Joaquin Phoenix, Samantha Morton and Marcia Gay Harden.

What the press would say:

Stephen Daldry does, once again, an amazing job in directing the all star cast in what-is-called 'Daldry's best movie since The Hours.' The story of 'I'll Remember Them' is of a gril living in one of the many warring villages of Mozambique and the difficulties she faces after the death of her father and disapperance of her mother. The movie shows us her journey through life and the Zamrir Park with only her grandparents and her brother there at her side. They depend on a mere stranger to lead them through the Park and he bravely takes their life in his hands. Kinah and company also have another burden of taking an 8 months pregnant woman safely across the Park, as they promised they would. In the movie, Jennifer Freeman plays Kinah with an elegance absent in most child actors and George O. Gore II plays Kinah's brother, Hasani. Academy Award nominee Oprah Winfrey gives the best performance of the year as Ayo, the grandmother who takes charge of the children's lives and Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman undertakes the role of the dying grandfather (Khamani) with ease. But Oscar nominated actors Sophie Okenedo and Don Cheadle are the ones who stole the spotlight with their magnificent portrayal of Fari Toshi, the pregnant woman and Nduke Ty, the brave leader. The movie also stars Oscar winners Halle Berry and Denzel Washington as Kinah's parents. Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden and two-time nominee Samantha Morton, who acts the greatest enthusiasm, portray Susie and Wilma, the medical staff at the refugee camp and two-time Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix is Lieutant Richard Bart, the officail who is an extreme racist. This is one of the have-to-see movies of the year. Its stellar performance and the great story that makes you leave the theater in tears, makes 'I'll Remember Them' an obvious contender for Oscar gold.

Nominations:
Best Picture: Bob Yari and Don Cheadle
Best Director: Stephen Daldry
Best Adapted Screenplay: Cameron Crowe
Best Original Score: James Horner
Best Actress: Whoopi Goldberg
Best Actress: Jennifer Freeman
Best Suppoerting Actor: Don Cheadle
Best Supporting Actor: Morgan Freeman
Best Supporting Actress: Sophie Okenedo
Best Suporting Actress: Samantha Morton
Best Costume Design
Best Art Design
Best Film Editing

Joe's Cafe

2008-06-22T12:35:00.004-07:00

Author: Craig O'Meara
Location: Fremont, CA

"Joe's Cafe"

Directed by David Lynch
Written by Charlie Kaufman
Music by Rachel Portman

Principal Cast:

Russell Crowe- Peter Martin
Jennifer Connelly- Marie Martin
Kevin Costner- Dennis Bennett
Michelle Pfeiffer- Isabel Bennett
Michael Angarano- Alex Bennett
Emilie de Ravin- Alison Martin
Tom Hanks- Officer Rourke
Juliette Binoche- Mathilda Martin

Tagline: "How can you have hope when all hope is lost?"

Synopsis: From the imagination of director David Lynch comes a thrilling psychological drama that centers around two couples (Crowe and Connelly, Costner and Pfeiffer) whose children (Angarano, de Ravin) go missing in the same place on the same day. The four people come to believe that the disappearances were linked until one couple (Costner, Pfeiffer) learns that their son was merely staying at a friend’s house. However, the son reveals that he saw the other couple’s daughter being abducted by his mother. This deceptive drama is full of elements that combine to form a one-of-a-kind film.

What the press would say:

Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly reunite in this unusual and amazing thriller-drama. Connelly is marvelous as a grieving mother who gives up on the case and decides to resort to alcohol in order to drown her grief. Pfeiffer is equally good as the mother who was supposedly seen kidnapping the young woman. Her performance steals the show and makes the audience wonder whether she is guilty or not. Hanks, Crowe, and Costner all have key parts in the plot as well, but they are overshadowed by the women, especially Juliette Binoche, who plays the femme fatale aunt of de Ravin. While her on-screen sister (Connelly) is miserable and hopeless, Binoche is ferocious in her battle against Pfeiffer and her attempt to find the daughter. Costner stands out above the other males as the husband who no longer knows if he should trust his wife. The amazing direction of David Lynch and the all-star cast make this a promisin g and Oscar-worthy film.

Potential Awards

Best Picture
Best Director-David Lynch
Best Original Screenplay- Charlie Kaufman
Best Original Score- Rachel Portman
Best Actress- Jennifer Connelly
Best Supporting Actress- Juliette Binoche
Best Supporting Actress- Michelle Pfeiffer
Best Supporting Actor- Kevin Costner

Life's a Drag!

2008-06-22T12:35:00.003-07:00

Author: Qasim Asif
Location: London, UK

"Life's a Drag!"

Directed by Sam Mendes
Produced by Peter Jackson
Written By Kimberly Peirce and Baz Luhrmann
Music by Liza Minnelli, Cillian Murphy and Milla Jovovich

Principal Cast:

Cillian Murphy (Andrew Leyson/Andrea Leyson)
Ewan Mcgregor (Gerald Smith – Andrea’s boyfriend)
Milla Jovovich (Sandrine Netta – Andrea’s best friend)
Naomi Watts (Emily Bishop Leyson – Andrea’s mother)
Sean Penn (Daniel Leyson – Andrea’s father)
Nicole Kidman (Stella Magnolia – Cabaret owner)
Special appearances by;
Liza Minnelli (Herself)
Jane Fonda (Herself)
Annette Benning (Herself)
Richard Gere (Himself)
Jamie Foxx (Himself)
Jude Law (Himself)
Kevin Spacey (Himself)

Tagline: "For some life’s Great, but for others, Life’s a Drag!"

Synopsis: We begin with Andrew Leyson (Cillian Murphy) who tell’s his life story, until he’s 20 we learn that this person has had a sex change and has become Andrea Leyson. Andrea works in a Cabaret with her best friend Sandrine Netta (Milla Jovovich), they both sing to make a living and to make the Cabaret owner - Stella Magnolia (Nicole Kidman) proud of them, they do this so they can have their name told to do biggest agents in America so they can be famous, Andrea’s dream is to be like one of her idol’s Liza Minnelli.

But after singing one night Andrea meets a handsome guy in the form of Gerald Smith (Ewan Mcgregor) and soon life blossoms but as life goes upwards for Andrea, it soon goes down as Andrea’s secret is revealed to Gerald. But soon after a spiral of bad luck occurs, her worst was being raped and her family disowning her. But as life goes from bad to worse, something good is bound to begin.

What the press would say:

Wonderful, Emotional a Monumental Triumph!
Life isn’t a Drag no more.

Oscar Nominations:
Best Picture,
Best Director: Sam Mendes
Best Actor in a Leading role: Cillian Murphy
Best Actress in a Supporting role: Milla Jovovich/Naomi Watts
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Ewan Mcgregor/Sean Penn
Best Screenplay
Best Score
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Costume
Best Art-Direction
Best Sound
Best Sound Editing
Best Make-Up
Best Original Song: Cillian Murphy for “Maybe this time”

Life's Support

2008-06-22T12:35:00.001-07:00

Author: Deepak
Location: Appleton

"Life's Support"

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Produced by Paul Haggis
Screenplay by Dan Futterman
Music by James Horner

Principal Cast:

Haley Joel Osment as Jude Zimmers
Joan Allen as Martha Zimmers
Jake Gyllenhaal as Harvey Samuel Olis
Anna Paquin as Aileen Kasporwicz
Edward Norton as Nathan Zimmers

Tagline: "Lost his loved ones. Now he's losing himself"

Synopsis: With news from Minneapolis that his uncle met with an accident and is in a coma, 16 year old Jude (Osment), his mother, Martha (Allen) and his girlfriend, Aileen (Paquin) leave for Minneapolis to be with his uncle, Nathan (Norton), until he gets better. Three straight days of living in the hospital had everyone exhausted especially Jude. to add to his misery, rumours had it that his uncle had already died and every started crying loudly until a doctor asked them where their faith was. The doctors announced that there was no hope and that one of the family members had to remove his life support. As no one wanted too, Jude was forced into doing it. He signed a few papers, he hugged his uncle, removed the life support and watched his uncle die in his arms. That day marked the beginning of Jude's mental turmoil. He couldnt sleep, he couldn't sleep. So he resorted to smoking, drinking and sex with prostitutes and made a new friend, Harvey (Gyllenhaal) who was always with him. Despite the way Jude used to treat her, Aillen never left his side nor did his mother. One day, while going for a midnight drive in the woods with Harvey, Jude fell asleep at the wheel of Harvey's car and drove right into a tree, killing Harvey and injuring himself. Out of fear, he ran and kept running till he reached home and didn't tell anyone about it. The memory of him uncle dying in his arms and of his best friend dying next to him and his guilt, most of all kept torturing him. He confined himself to his room and never came out. he started hitting himself and became insane. due to pepeated beating to the head, he went into a coma. Aileen and Mrs. Zimmers began fighting to keep him alive. Just to keep him alive. This is a life-changing story of how guilt destroyed this boy's life.

What the press would say:

If this movie doesn't make you cry, then you aren't human. Oscar-nominee M. Night Shyamalan directs the all-star cast to perfection in one of the best movies of this year. This movie is about a boy, Jude, who's tortured by guilt.The death of his uncle, Nathan, in his hands and the self-imposed guilt of killing his friend Harvey brought about this torture . he only has his mother Martha and his girlfriend Aileen by his side. Haley Joel Osment gives a performance as Jude better than that he gave in Sixth Sense, which won him an Oscar nomination. Oscar winner at the age of 11, Anna paquin who plays Jude's girlfriend brings tears to our eyes when she acts because it is that good. Also, Jake Gyllenhaal gives a perfromance at par with that of his Oscar nominated performance in Brokeback Mountain, as the playboy friend of Jude, Harvey Olis. But it was Oscar nominee Joan Allen who stole the spotlight with her performance as the heart-broken and hurting mother of Jude. Her performance was heart-touching and tearjerking, to say the least, and I felt like hugging her during her dramatic scenes. It's a movie with a lot of dramatic turns. The movie's cast and directing gives us the assurance that it will bag all the gold it is nominated in especially Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress either for Joan Allen or Anna Paquin.

Nominations:
Best Picture - Paul Haggis
Best Director - M. Night Shyamalan
Best Original Screenplay - Dan Futterman
Best Actor - Haley Joel Osment
Best Supporting Actor - Jake Gyllenhaal
Best Supporting Actress - Anna Paquin
Best Supporting Actress - Joan Allen
Best Original Score - James Horner
Best Film Editing
Best Sound Editing

Love, Ronnie

2008-06-22T12:34:00.006-07:00

Author: Chris
Location: New Jersey

"Love, Ronnie"

Written and Directed by: Curtis Hanson
Produced by: Clint Eastwood
Music by: Thomas Newman

Principal Cast:

Clint Eastwood as Ronald Reagan
Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan
Dana Carvey as George H.W. Bush
Judi Dench as Margaret Thatcher
Judy Davis as Jane Wyman
Catherine Keener as Patti Davis
Tom Cruise as Ron Reagan (JR)
Marcia Gay Harden as Maureen Reagan
Jack Black as Michael Reagan
John Travolta as Bill Clinton

Tagline: "There He Goes Again"

Release Date: Summer 2007

Synopsis: Ronald Reagan, the most beloved president, was a man of courage and integrity and restored patriotism in a wounded country. Based on his life after the White House on his beloved California ranch, focusing on his battle with Alzheimer's disease, his reconciliation with rebellious daughter Patti and the death of daughter Maureen. Love, Ronnie brilliantly mixes humor and drama to create one of the most touching glimpses of a public figure in cinematic history. The movie begins with him and Nancy before he dies and ends with her on Air Force One reading his letters that he wrote to her over the years.

What the press would say:

Love, Ronnie is the heartfelt movie of the year. A brilliant cast brings the larger than life family onto screen. Eastwood will finally get the Best Actor Oscar that has eluded him throughout his career.

Never before has Alzheimer's disease been displayed so truthfully on screen before. Fonda is back to form with her respectful portrayal as the former first lady. Jack Black shows promising range as the oldest son Michael. Look for show stopping scenes with Judy Davis as Ronald's first wife Jane Wyman, and John Travolta as Bill Clinton. Curtis Hanson wonderfully intertwines Comedy and Drama into this beautiful American Film. Academy Award prospects look strong. Look for recognition in the following categories.

Nominations:

Best Picture- Clint Eastwood
Best Actor- Clint Eastwood
Best Actress- Jane Fonda
Best Supporting Actress- Catherine Keener Best Supporting Actress- Marcia Gay Harden
Best Director- Curtis Hanson
Best Adapted Screenplay- Curtis Hanson
Best Score- Thomas Newman
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing

Mad Love

2008-06-22T12:34:00.005-07:00

Author: D.W. Dillon
Location: Las Vegas, NV

"Mad Love"

Directed by Christopher Nolan
Written by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm
Music by Danny Elfman

Principal Cast:

Naomi Watts - Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn
Johnny Depp - The Joker
Christian Bale - Bruce Wayne/Batman
Michael Caine - Alfred Pennyworth

Tagline: "Crazy in Love"

Synopsis: From the award winning graphic novel by The Batman Animated Series creators comes the story of Harleen Quinzel, the psychiatrist who tried to understand the mind of The Joker, but in turn fell in love. To prove her feelings, the new Harley Quinn sets out to capture and kill the Batman. Unfortunately, when her feelings aren't fully returned, a love/hate relationship developes, all the while driving even the Joker a little crazy...er.

What the press would say:

It's a mad mad mad love. Christian Bale selflessly takes a back seat for Christopher Nolan to take a different direction with this psuedo-sequel to his previous Batman effort, centralizing on the villians rather than the Batman. He brilliantly and bravely shy's away from Batman's inner struggle to focus on what it's like to be a bit crazy and a bit in love. New Academy darlings Naomi Watts and Johnny Depp are magnetic bringing a mountain of essentic characteristics to their roles. More than enough for the Academy to notice. A brilliant adaptation from a great piece of graphic novel writing.

Best Picture
Best Director - Christopher Nolan
Best Actress - Naomi Watts
Best Supporting Actor - Johnny Depp
Best Adapted Screenplay - Paul Dini & Bruce Timm
Best Score - Danny Elfman
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Special Effects
Best Costume Design
Best Make-Up

MLK

2008-06-22T12:34:00.003-07:00

Author: Matt Kanter
Location: Washington State

"MLK"

Directed by Danis Tanovic
Written by Danis Tanovic & Paul Haggis

Principal Cast:

Terrence Howard-Martin Luther King Jr.
Jamie Foxx-Malcolm X
Garrett Morris-Martin Luther King Sr.
Irma P. Hall-Alberta Williams King
Regina King-Coretta Scott King
Jaden Smith-Anthony Patterson
Will Smith-Blake Patterson
Reese Witherspoon-Denise Patterson
Sarah Bolger-Emma McTownsend
Brendan Gleeson-Charlie McTownsend
Lindsay Lohan-Sarah McTownsend
Eva Green-Paulette Claude McTownsend

Tagline: "N/A"

Synopsis: The first english language feature from criticaly acclaimed director Danis Tanovic ("No Man's Land", Best Foreign Film Academy Award Winner) written by Tanovic and Academy Award winner Paul Haggis ("Crash", "Million Dollar Baby"). A Film that focuses not only on Martin Luther King Jr., but also his future impact on the world. The Film focuses on the height of Martin Luther King's (Academy Award Nominee Terence Howard, "Hustle and Flow" power in the civil rights movement, then we move forward about 6 months after his assasination to watch the story of Anthony Patterson (Newcomer Jaden Smith) a 9 year old half black half white boy who does not yet realize who Martin Luther King was, but personaly knew him as one of his father's (Academy Award Nominee Will Smith, "Ali") friends, then too modern day as recent Irish Immigrant girl Emma McTownsend (Sarah Bolger, "In America") who's only sence of integration is when both the black and white kids make fun of her in her metropolitan Seattle Area school, and the dirty looks her father's (Brendan Gleeson, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire") Trophy Wife Paulette (Eva Green, "Casino Royale") gives her. Along with the powerful cast previously mentioned there's Jamie Foxx (Academy Award Winner "Ray"), Garrett Morris
("SNL"), Irma P. Hall ("The Ladykillers"), Regina King ("Ray"), Reese Witherspoon (Academy Award Winner, "Walk the Line"), and Lindsay Lohan ("Mean Girls")

What the press would say:

An amazing film, Danis Tanovic, who is little known in American for his fantastic Bosnian film "No Man's Land", makes an amazing English Language debut with a great film that not only makes us remember MLK in a hopeful way, but also causes us to look at our society today and realize that the only changes made have been made legally, racism and prejudice is still a problem in this country and we have to deal with it. The film has a magnificent screenplay (Co-Written by Tanovic and Super Writer Paul Haggis) and a great cast that most of who'm give their career best, even Jamie Foxx, who out do's his Academy Award Winning Performance in Ray, but still can't hold a candle to Denzel Washington's Portrayal of Malcolm X (Who Foxx plays in the film), the only exception to this is Jaden Smith (son of Will), although he does show potential for future roles. This film is campaigning for these academy award nominations:

Best Picture
Best Director: Danis Tanovic
Best Original Screenplay: Danis Tanovic & Paul Haggis
Best Actor: Terence Howard
Best Actress: Sarah Bolger
Best Supporting Actor: Jamie Foxx
Best Supporting Actor: Will Smith
Best Supporting Actor: Brendan Gleeson
Best Supporting Actor: Garrett Morris
Best Supporting Actress: Regina King
Best Supporting Actress: Reese Witherspoon
Best Supporting Actress: Eva Green
Best Supporting Actress: Lindsay Lohan
Best Supporting Actress: Irma P. Hall
And Various tech noms including Editing (Hughes Winborn, Academy Award
Winner "Crach) and Costumes (Santino Rice, "Project Runway").

Mom's Girl

2008-06-22T12:34:00.001-07:00

Author: Juan Ascencio
Location: Mexico

"Mom's Girl"

Directed by: Stephen Daldry
Screenplay by Buck Henry
Music by Gustavo Santoalalla

Principal Cast:

Sophia Blanchard- Julianne Moore
Natasha Walters- Naomi Watts
Charles Norton- Jamie Bell
Patrick Norton-Jeff Daniels

Tagline: "A mother’s life is always sincere but not always understood"

Synopsis: Sophia is a divorced working woman whose marriage failure was caused by a severe lack of communication with her husband and confusing feeling that she hid to her family. She lives with her teenage son, Charlie, and her daughter Maureen; even she tries to live peacefully and demonstrate them her sincere love, both blame her for their father’s abandonment, causing a pitiful family instability. Feeling lonely and confused, Sophia finds unconditional understanding and support with one of her best friends, a woman called Natasha, who seems to be confused about her feelings just like her. Both clear their feelings up and their innocent friendship turns into a secret romance. Charlie discovers her mother’s secret relationship and runs away, getting involved in serious drug problems. Sophia’s life becomes a real torment when she has to help her son and solve many other problems such as her daughter’s exaggerated reject, her husband’s resentment and all the difficulties that her new relationship will bring to her life, counting only with the companion of her unconditional friend, Natasha, and the hope of getting her children trust back.

What the press would say:

Mom’s girl is film full with real aspects of real life, in the story, we can witness the way human beings surrender to their internal emotions whenever they have a chance as a way of escape from a tired routine life, totally consumed by social pressures that force them to develop an established identity. When this happens, that person leaves behind all those thing that became them a “normal” person, such as love.

It is really special the authenticity that Julianne Moore gives to her role, Sophia, having the power of making us part of her confusion and need to escape from a existence full of conflicts and the devastating consequences of her actions, the loss of her children’s love and the fear of finding support in a forbidden relationship. Naomi Watts is also impeccable, showing a tremendous acting capacity and capturing her character, who suffers a hard emotional crisis that only ends when she meets Sophia, but that causes another crisis that makes her feel guilty. Jamie Bell and Jeff Daniels add the necessary bitterness to the story, that indirectly helps Sophia to find herself, without ignoring their own identity, characters hurt by life looking desperately for a solution to their problems. Evan R. Wood, as Maureen, makes a perfect performance, playing a girl that, without understanding her mother’s pain, gets emotionally affected, trying to blame someone for all her sadness.

In conclusion we can say that Stephen Daldry made an extraordinary work, paying attention to every detail, directing a great team that makes the story a real piece of art. The screenplay by Buck Henry is a true jewel to movies, and the music by Santoalalla is the perfect frame to represent human loneliness and confusion. This kind of projects can not be ignored by the AMPAS because of its originality, sensitivity, touching performances and the big talent of Stephen Daldry directing a big team

Awards for consideration:

Best Picture
Best director (Stephen Daldry)
Actress in a leading role (Julianne Moore)
Supporting Actress (Naomi Watts)
Supporting Actor (Jamie Bell, Jeff Daniels)
Original Screenplay
Music Score

Pretty Young

2008-06-22T12:33:00.005-07:00

Author: James Somerton
Location: Nova Scotia, CA

"Pretty Young"

Directed By: Gus Van Zant
Written By: James E.W. Somerton
Music By: James Newton Howard

Principal Cast:

Robin McNeil as Lexi Grant (Alexis Kuff)
Jake Gyllenhaal as Jeremy Glenn (Alex Stone)
Jenna Jameson as Traci Empire
Linsdsay Lohan as Jessica James
Michael Imperioli as Agent Anderson

Tagline: "A Different Kind of Love Story"

Synopsis: Lexi Grant is a young girl who has everything going for her; she's beautiful, smart, funny, and popular. The only thing that she can't seem to get is a job, which all of her friends have. She searched desperately for employment and finally finds it as a model. But modeling can only go so far and she begins nude modeling and eventually finds herself being drawn into the world of porn. Her life begins falling apart as she falls deeper and deeper in drugs, the man she loves dies because of something she did, and her once massive popularity in porn has dwindled to almost nothing. She has no family left to run to and the FBI is after her for what she has done. All of this before she turns eighteen.

What the press would say:

"Pretty Young Thing" is a showcase for new and old talent. With a brilliant script by a first time writer and the direction of a season vet., the story speeds ahead, never losing the audience. Robin McNeil brings Lexi Grant to life to the vigor and life of teenaged spirit, but gives Alexis Kuff the inner darkness of a drugged out junkie. The rest of the cast, including
real -life queen of porn Jenna Jameson as the venomous ex-porn queen turned producer, Traci Empire, make the viewer believe that what they are seeing are actual events, not the fictional account of so many people in the world of porn. A brillitant screenplay, fantastic direction, and a steller cast bring "Pretty Young Thing" out into the world with all the glitz and horrors of the porn world.

Best Picture.
Best Director: Gus Van Zant.
Best Original Screenplay: James E.W. Somerton.
Best Original Score: James Newton Howard.
Best Actress: Robin McNeil.
Best Supporting Actress: Jenna Jameson.
Best Supporting Actor: Jake Gyllenhaal

Rocket Man

2008-06-22T12:33:00.003-07:00

Author: Corey
Location: LA

"Rocket Man"

Directed by Ang Lee
Written by Alan Ball
Original Score by Elton John

Principal Cast:

Justin Timberlake as Elton John
Freddie Highmore as Young Elton John
Michelle Pfeiffer as Renate Blauel
Jeremy Piven as David Furnish

Tagline: "Underneath the pop icon, there was a confused sole"

Synopsis: Rocket Man shows the interesting life of one of the greatest rock and piano musicians of all time, Elton John. Starting out showing his childhood, Elton grows up amidst confusion over his sexual orientation. During the 70's, he becomes a rock icon. After his start up of fame, he goes through one marriage to a German recording engineer Renate Blauel, then another to ad exec David Furnish after the realization that he is a homosexual. After being knighted by the Queen, he still reigns as a pop icon today.

What the press would say:

Music star Justin Timberlake takes a serious role in his adaptation of his personal hero. Young Freddie Highmore is outstanding for his bit role. Michelle Pfeiffer and Jeremy Piven are also stunning in their supporting roles as lovers of Elton. While not delving too deeply into the sexual side of Elton's life, Ang Lee brings the magnificient approach he had with Brokeback Mountain to this film. As only right, Elton John himself conducts an original score bringing also along his previous hits. Rocket Man could be potentially nominated in these categories:

Best Picture
Best Director: Ang Lee
Best Screenplay: Alan Ball
Best Original Score: Elton John
Best Actor: Justin Timberlake
Best Supporting Actor: Freddie Highmore
Best Supporting Actress: Michelle Pfeiffer
Best Supporting Actor: Jeremy Piven
And other various technical categories

Talitha

2008-06-22T12:33:00.001-07:00

uthor: Matthew LaRusso
Location: New Jersey

"Talitha"

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Written By: Clark Gregg and Robert Zemeckis
Music By: Alan Silvestri

Principal Cast:

Paul Bettany as John Munro
Daniel Craig as Stephen Sagemore
Rachel Weisz as Rachel Munro
Kate Winslet as Colleen Sagemore
Anthony Hopkins as Det. Jon Lyles
David Duchovny as the Mastermind

Tagline: "Control is an illusion..."

Synopsis: A psychological thriller from Robert Zemeckis about two men whose wives are killed in the same car accident, but soon unlock clues to learn that there is much more to their wives deaths than meets the eye.

What the press would say:

This edge of your seat thriller from brilliant film-maker Robert Zemeckis leaves the audience short of breath, with a plot full of secrets and great cinematic twists. An unrelenting and frantic score help build to the shocking ending. Paul Bettany gives an inspiring performance as a vengeful husband while David Duchovny is shockingly brilliant, mysterious and crazy as the unnamed Mastermind. A breathtaking final fight scene between Duchovny and Bettany leaves the audience clenching to their seats and wanting more. Incredible film making.

Best Picture
Best Director: Robert Zemeckis
Beat Actor: Paul Bettany
Best Supporting Actor: David Duchovny
Original Screenplay
Score
Editing
Cinematography

The Punch

2008-06-22T12:32:00.003-07:00

Author: D.W. Dillon
Location: Las Vegas, NV

"The Punch"

Directed by John Sayles
Written by John Sayles & John Fienstein
Adapted from the book by John Fienstein
Music by Jerry Goldsmith

Principal Cast:

Will Smith - Kermit Washington (Lakers Power Forward)
Jesse Spencer - Rudy Tomjanovich (Rockets Guard)
Thandi Newton - Pat Carter Washington (Wife)
Don Cheadle - Calvin Murphy (Rockets Point Guard)
Jeff Bridges - Jerry West (Lakers Coach)
William Devane - Pete Newell (Lakers GM/Mentor)
Dennis Hopper - Ted Green (Sportswriter)

Tagline: "The Punch Heard Around The World"

Synopsis: Lakers power forward Kermit Washington, dubbed presumably by the media as "The Enforcer" during a time in the NBA when fighting was almost as common in the sport as it was in hockey, tries to find redemption after breaking the face of Rockets guard Rudy Tomjanovich in a game. Through death threats, constantly being traded from team to team, the complete regret of what happened to Rudy T. and with hope running thin, Kermit re-invents himself, dedicated to helping the struggling people of Rwanda.

What the press would say:

Based on the book by John Feinstein, John Sayles sinks his directing talents into his second sports film (first, Eight Men Out), this time taking on one of the most horrific incidents in NBA history. Will Smith plays redemption to the fullest and tacks on another brilliant sporting performance. Jeff Bridges and Thandi Newton pull off strong supporting roles. A well-developed character study of a film which makes it a strong contender for Best Picture. Jerry Goldsmith scores his second basketball film (Hoosiers), almost locking himself in for a nomination.

Best Picture
Best Director - John Sayles
Best Actor - Will Smith
Best Supporting Actor - Jeff Bridges
Best Supporting Actress - Thandi Newton
Best Adapted Screenplay - John Sayles & John Fienstein
Best Cinematography - Roger Deakins
Best Score - Jerry Goldsmith
Best Editing
Best Sound
Best Sound Editing
Best Costume

Wild Strawberries

2008-06-22T12:32:00.001-07:00

Author: Craig O'Meara
Location: Fremont, CA

"Wild Strawberries"

Director: Martin Scorsese
Writer: Sofia Coppola
Music: James Horner

Principal Cast:

Anna- Evan Rachel Wood
Owen- Jamie Bell
Alison- Kirsten Dunst
Alex- Natalie Portman
Jodie- Maria Bello
Ron- Sean Penn
June- Michelle Williams
David- Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Tagline: "Life isn’t always as tasty as you think"

Synopsis: A young woman (Wood) is released from a juvenile prison and returns to her home in the strawberry country, only to find that her family has shunned her and no longer lives there. She is taken in by her best friend (Bell) and his family (Bello, Dunst, Penn) who are the closest to family that she has. Along with other old friends (Portman, Williams, Gordon-Levitt), she attempts to relocate her family and at the same time, make up for her past mistakes.

What the press would say:

Once again, Evan Rachel Wood displays her amazing acting talent in this gritty and thought-provoking drama. Bell is just as good in his role as the compassionate but slightly ignored best friend. It is easy to predict that Bello is going to receive her long overdue Oscar nomination as the sympathetic mother of two who kindly takes Wood as another child against the judgment of her husband. Dunst gives her greatest performance to date as the sister who does not want a criminal living in her house. Portman, Williams, and Gordon-Levitt are amazing as a trio of old friends who do not know whether or not to let Wood’s character back into their group. Scorsese and Coppola make an unusual but talented team. Scorsese’s talent combined with Coppola’s imagination and taste make for a very int eresting and unforgettable film.

Potential Awards:

Best Actress- Evan Rachel Wood
Best Supporting Actress- Maria Bello
Best Supporting Actress- Kirsten Dunst
Best Supporting Actor- Jamie Bell
Best Director- Martin Scorsese
Best Screenplay- Sofia Coppola

2001: A Space Odyssey

2008-06-22T12:31:00.004-07:00

Author: TBA
Location: TBA

"2001: A Space Odyssey"

Directed by: Peter Jackson
Written by: Arthur C. Clark
Score adapted by: John Williams

Principal Cast:

Henry Ian Cusick as Dave Bowman
Patrick Wilson as Frank Poole
Douglas Rain as HAL
Tom Hanks as Dr. Heywood Floyd

Tagline: "Open The Pod Bay Doors, Hal"

Synopsis: This epic odyssey tells of the evolution of man through three segments. The first is about one man-ape, three million years ago, discovers a giant monolith that makes him think and act like a man. Three million years later Dr. Floyd goes to Clavius base on the moon for a urgent meeting. Scientists discover a giant monolith buried in the moon and Floyd and his team go to check it out. 18 months later David Bowman and Frank Poole go on a mission to Jupiter with the help of the supercomputer, the HAL 9000. A tragic accident caused HAL leaves Dave alone with an unexpected turn in human evolution when Bowman leaves the ship because he can't operate it alone.

What the press would say:

This new masterpeice has the same brilliance and beauty of Kubrick's original. The acting by realitive unknown Cusick and Oscar winning hanks is superb but is secondary to the cinematography and visual effects that leave you stunned. Using models instead of CGI is brilliant and more real than any computer can make.

Award nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Score
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction
Best Make-up
Best Sound
Best Visual Effects

Bars

2008-06-22T12:31:00.003-07:00

Author: Josh P.
Location: Chicago, IL

"Bars"

Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Produced by Lawrence Bender
Edited by Sally Menke
Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto
Production Designed by James D. Bissell and Jan Pascale

Principal Cast:

Jake Gyllenhaal (Andrew Carlson)
Christian Bale (Ricky T.)
Steve Buscemi (Mike Katman)
David Carradine (Earl Chambers)
Clifton Collins, Jr. (Josué Vasquez)
Matt Dillon (Jimmy Wholesome)
Morgan Freeman (Warden John H. Harolds)
Heath Ledger (Johnny Right)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Paul Greenwood)
Michael Madsen (Phil)
David Strathairn (Michale Rivers)

Tagline: "When you cage the devil, all hell breaks loose inside"

Synopsis: "Bars" is an intense drama that is set in a Texas prison near the outskirts of the notorious state. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a man who is convicted of the rape and murder of his girlfriend and is sentenced to twenty-five years to life in prison. But, of course, he realizes this will probably be shortened due to probation. His life his hell as the years go on. One prison guard (David Carradine) is treating him terribly and he constantly is on the lookout for Ricky T. (Bale) who is the prision yard bully and makes Carlson the target for his own weekly sex assaults. He can survive with the help of some good people, like the other guard (Strathairn) who knows a word of kindness and respect, Mike Katman (Buscemi) who has been his inside friend since day one, and Warden Harolds (Freeman) is always looking out for the safety and well-being of all the inmates. Also, a single-named inmate (Madsen) provides an intersting look on life to him. Throughout the movie, Carlson still retains great interest in this mysterious man. Dillon, Ledger, Hoffman and Collins fill out the rest of the mainly focused inmates.

What the press would say:

Quentin Tarantino provides another gritty and realistic portrait of a film. His masterful direction is present in every frame his top notch screenplay is another deserving one as well. Menke also has great editing decisions and Prieto continues to amaze with brilliant cinematography. Tarantino has also made James D. Bissell and Jan Pascale (Oscar nominated designers of "Good Night and Good Luck") his new production designers in place of David Wasco, and they bring a more grounded realism to the project that really intensifies with the set. And of course, one cannot forget the the great ensemble, especailly Madsen in a really tender role. The campaign is hoping for this:

Best Picture
Best Director-Quentin Tarantino
Best Actor-Jake Gyllenhaal
Best Supporting Actor-Christian Bale
Best Supporting Actor-Steve Buscemi
Best Supporting Actor-Michael Madsen
Best Supporting Actor-Morgan Freeman
Best Origianl Screenplay-Quentin Tarantino
Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Sound

Flying Circus

2008-06-22T12:31:00.001-07:00

uthor: Daniel Crooke
Location: Ohio

"Flying Circus"

Directed by: Terry Gilliam
Written by: Jonathan Lynn and Eric Idle
Score by: Danny Elfman

Principal Cast:

Hank Azaria as John Cleese
Paul Bettany as Graham Chapman
Johnny Depp as Eric Idle
Mark Moses as Michael Palin
Michael McGrath as Terry Gilliam
Rowan Atkinson as Terry Jones
Amy Poehler as Carol Cleveland

Tagline: "And now for something completely different!"

Synopsis: In 1969, BBC produced a sketch comedy show that would go down through ages, Monty Python's Flying Circus. The show ran from 1969-1974. The film focuses on the beginning of the Python's careers to the beginning of the show to the end of the show and everything in between. The six Pythons went down in comedy history, and this is how it all happened.

What the press would say:

"Flying Circus" is the exact definition of what a dramedy should be. The film was both comical and serious at the same time. The film, itself, is a long shot for a Best Picture nomination, but the cast are sure locks for the acting awards this season. What impressed me the most is the fact that almost all of these actors are not British. They took on the accent, beautifully, to put themselves in the roles of these comic geniuses. Eric Idle and Jonathan Lynn have written a beautiful screenplay, sure for some recognition. Another great move by the casting directors was to take two actors (Azaria and McGrath) who either played or still play these actor's famous parts in "Spamalot", which won the Tony Award for best musical. The musical is of course based off of the Python's most well-known work, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". "Flying Circus" chronicles the lives of the Pythons and of their show. One of the elements that made the film so great were that these actors actually recreated certain sketches from the show! Such as "The Spanish Inquisition", "Dead Parrot", and others.

But, the real question is- Did they accurately portray the Pythons? My answer is that they could not have done a better job. "Huff"'s Hank Azaria is extremely convincing as John Cleese, from playing Sir Lancelot to when Cleese quit the show. "Desperate Housewives" fans might know Mark Moses as the murderous Paul Young, but Moses has portrayed Michael Palin as the genius he really was. To be honest, I was a little disappointed in Depps' Eric Idle. Although convincing and well acted, I did not feel the certain spark I usually do by an exceptional Depp performance. Paul Bettany did a nice job, as did Michael McGrath. But, the scene stealer and by far most likely to win Best Actor this year is Rowan Atkinson as Terry Jones. Although Jones was not the most well-known Python, Atkinson shows unbelievable depth and spirit. I thought Atkinson's career was over after "Johnny English", but I was wrong. A great supporting role as Carol Cleveland (or "Zoot" from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail) was Amy Poehler. Ms. Poehler is a sure lock for the Best Supporting Actress, and a possible frontrunner.

Looking back, I sadly do not think the Academy will choose this as a "Best Picture" nominee. I really do hope that I am wrong and that the Academy will, but I am not sure. The cast is sure to get some nods, as is the screenplay. My personal opinion is that this is the best picture of the year, and it deserves extreme recognition. Hopefully the Academy will agree with me.

Nominations:

Best Picture
Best Actor: Rowan Atkinson
Best Actor: Hank Azaria
Best Supporting Actor: Mark Moses
Best Supporting Actress: Amy Poehler
Best Original Screenplay- Jonathan Lynn and Eric Idle
Best Editing

Helix

2008-06-22T12:30:00.002-07:00

Author: Daniel Crooke
Location: OH

"Helix"

Directed by Sofia Coppola
Written by: Dan Futterman
Score by: Hans Zimmer

Principal Cast:

Hugh Laurie as James Watson
Gene Hackman as Francis Crick
Catherine Keener as Rosalind Franklin
Sam Lloyd as Maurice Wilkins
Colin Mochrie as Linus Pauling
Maya Rudolph as Ruth Doreen Dodd

Tagline: "Rediscover Deoxyribonucleic acid this November, 2007"

Synopsis: In the 1950's, the discovery of DNA was born. Between two teams of scientists, the brilliant James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double helix structure of DNA in Cambridge. In London, Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins worked further on the three dimensional shape. From the early experiments to winning the Nobel Prize, the story of these scientists working together and independently warms the spirit with not only the discovery of the double helix, but also hope.

What the press would say:

After a brilliant screenplay in last year's Capote, Dan Futterman brings us another exceptional screenplay in Sofia Coppola's Helix. The principle cast is led by Hugh Laurie, Gene Hackman, Catherine Keener, and Sam Lloyd. One of the reasons this film is so different is because it brings two very talented comedic actors, Sam Lloyd and Colin Mochrie, and puts them in roles they were, forgive the cliché, born to play. Sam Lloyd as the brilliant, yet shattered Maurice Wilkins, it really is his time to shine. In a supporting role as the inspiration for the scientists, Colin Mochrie is great as scientist Linus Pauling. Hugh Laurie makes a brilliant leap from the small screen to the larger one as James Watson, and Gene Hackman gives a quite good rendition of American scientist Francis Crick. Even better than Hackman is Maya Rudolph as his first wife. Ms. Rudolph's performance, although brief, deserves recognition this award season. Although she was snubbed by the Golden Globes, could she be the most underrated actress of the year? With a perfect score brought by Hans Zimmer, it seems that Helix is unstoppable this awards season, as Hugh Laurie and Catherine Keener have already won the Golden Globes for Best Actor and Best Actress.

Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Actor- Hugh Laurie
Best Actor- Sam Lloyd
Best Actress- Catherine Keener
Best Supporting Actor- Colin Mochrie
Best Supporting Actress- Maya Rudolph
Best Original Screenplay
Best Director- Sofia Coppola
Best Costume Design
Best Film Editing
Best Cinematography

Hellfire

2008-06-22T12:30:00.001-07:00

Author: Jordan
Location: NY

"Hellfire"

Directed by: Terrence Malick
Written by: Terrence Malick
Produced by: Paul Haggis, Grant Hill
Music by: Hans Zimmer

Principal Cast:

George Clooney as Sergeant Major Lucas Ebbs
Hayden Christensen as Private First Class Ryan Morris
John C. Reilly as First Sergeant Wes Denkins
Shawn Ashmore as Private First Class Noah Bloom
Jim Caviezel as Staff Sergeant Michael Owens
Patrick Flueger as Private First Class Barry “Flash” Allen
Nick Cannon as Private First Class Levi Ogden
Brian Cox as General John Riis
Naveen Andrews as Lieutenant Omar Asiif
Shoreh Aghdashloo as Najiya
Kais Nashef as Asim

Tagline: "Friends. Brothers. Lovers. Soldiers"

Release Date: December 14, 2007

Synopsis: After completing basic training, a group of young Marines travel to Iraq, where they learn the hardships of war firsthand. Ryan Morris (Hayden Christensen), a former California surfer, always wanted to be a soldier. Noah Bloom (Shawn Ashmore) was forced into the Marines by his military family. Comic book geek Barry Allen (Patrick Flueger), whose name coincides with the Flash’s secret identity, joins up when he discovers he can’t make it in college. Levi Ogden (Nick Cannon), meanwhile, joined just for the heck of it. Led by Sergent Major Lucas Ebbs (George Clooney), a Gulf War veteran who has had enough of the Middle East, they are among the few selected to secure Baghdad from the Iraqi insurgency. However, they soon discover that war isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. They must learn to decipher good from evil and make choices they may someday regret. Furthermore, they must learn to live with the consequences of their actions and what they may have on their futures, family and friends. From acclaimed director Terrence Malick (The Thin Red Line, The New World), comes an epic masterpiece about brothers in arms and the wars they face- on the battlefield and in the heart.

What the press would say:

Films which question the morale of war have become quite common, considering the social effects of “Platoon,” “Apocalypse Now” and “The Deer Hunter” during Vietnam. Terrence Malick’s latest drama is perhaps the first film to lay question to the War in Iraq. A likeable ensemble cast, made up mostly by young actors, shines as they are forced to combat war face to face. Hayden Christensen plays the All-American boy, destined to fight for his country, and, in the words of Jim Caviezel’s Michael Owens, “someday become President.” He generates the most Oscar buzz for his character, Ryan Morris, who loses touch with reality and the American dream after an IED leaves him legless. Costar Shawn Ashmore also plays the “scarred soldier” bit quite nicely, sent into an emotional tailspin after he witnesses the deaths of his friends and is forced to trust an Iraqi couple (Kais Nashef, Shoreh Aghdashloo) to hide him during an ambush. Naveen Andrews (“Lost”) also has a respectable and haunting role as Iraqi Lieutenant Omar Asiif, who may or may not be supplying information to the insurgency, a role which features a devious twist which has had critics raving. Malick’s direction is top-notch, and his script is magnificent. The subtleties of the film- letters from home, long, blank stares into the horizon- are things only Malick would lay emphasis on. “Hellfire” is an important film which shouldn’t, and most likely won’t, go unnoticed by the Academy.

NOMINATIONS

Best Picture- Paul Haggis, Grant Hill
Best Actor- Hayden Christensen
Best Supporting Actor- Naveen Andrews
Best Supporting Actor- Shawn Ashmore
Best Director- Terrence Malick
Best Original Screenplay- Terrence Malick
Best Score- Hans Zimmer
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Sound Editing

I Heart London

2008-06-22T12:27:00.003-07:00

Author: Jeremy
Location: London

"I Heart London"

Director: Richard Curtis
Original Screenplay: Richard Curtis
Music by: Paul Newman

Principal Cast:

Judi Dench: Lydia Baker
Ian Mckellen: Harold Baker
Liam Neeson: Ron Baker
Catherine Keener: Diane Mercer-Baker
Clive Owen: Toby Baker
Sienna Miller: Clare Baker
Keira Knightley: Kathryn Baker
Jonathan Rhys Meyers: Andrew Baker
Scarlett Johansson: Camille
Don Cheadle: James

Tagline: "One city, one family, one story of love"

Synopsis: Follows the story of the Baker family and the love lives of its members. The Baker family is a middle-class family situated in the humble area of Notting Hill Gate. One hot summer bring the family altogether after living for 10 years apart from each other. Oldest son Ron Baker(Liam Neeson) is on a mid-life crisis. He recently got laid off from his job in America and decided to have a clean start in London. But who would hire a 40+ years old in a very competitive market. On top of all this, his marriage is on a crisis as american lawyer wife Diane(Catherine Keener) was left in America where she holds an executive job in a top company. Ron is working hard to save his marriage and try to accept that his wife is now the breadwinner of his household. Meanwhile, second oldest brother Toby is 35 and still single with a rocky on/off relationship with the younger american Camille(Scarlett Johansson). He enjoys the bachelor life but at the same time feel pressured by his family to marry. He thinks Camille is a marriage material and decided to spend the week in the house to introduce her to the family. 3rd oldest is Clare, a single female teacher. She's known to be the favorite in the family which angers her sister Kathryn. She recently found her boyfriend cheating with his secretary and decided to move out of their flat and move back in to the house.

She struggles to move on and with the help Kathryn and younger brother Andrew, she gets herself back into the dating market. Recently out of university Kathryn has no job and no money. She's in debt after incurring huge amount of money from her studies and years of partying. She moved out of the halls and straight to the house to save money to get her own place. However, all is not bad as Kathryn is in a stable relationship with James(Don Cheadle). Problem is, the family haven't got a clue about James and Kathryn struggles to follow the rules of the house after years of liberated living. The youngest son Andrew have a lifestyle that can shake the whole household: He's secretly gay. He still lives in the house and he's a university student. He finds it difficult to tell the whole family about his lifestyle and is afraid on the family's reaction. Last but not the least the head of the household Lydia (Judi Dench) and Harold(Ian Mckellen) Baker. They are in their late 60's and thinking of selling the house and moving to the countryside to retire peacefully. In addition, they reached the point of their marriage where they want to spice their sex life which will surely freak the whole family out. The whole family lives together under one roof in notting hill and surely finds out each and everybody else's secrets and love lives.

What the press would say:

A tour de force of cast. A dramatic and comedic family movie at its best. The unique inter-twinning story of the characters made the movie very unique with the help of british director Richard Curtis. Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian Mckellen delivered a very memorable comedic performance. Liam Neeson and Clive Owen portrayed the perfectly the average mid-aged guy, married or single, in their mid life crisis. The gorgeous Sienna Miller de-glam to prove that she's not just a beautiful face, she got great talents. Her performance as the emotionally wrecked single female struggling to be on the dating market again and is probably on the look for the rebound was amazing. At the same time, Keira Knightley delivered a memorable performance as the liberated, rebellious and secretive early twenties Kathryn. Lastly, Jonathan Rhys Meyers had the most memorable performance in the movie. He played the closeted homosexual Andrew most perfectly comedic. His performance truly broke the barriers of gay stereotype and to be honest, He's just so damn funny and naive which makes you want to like him. Scarlett Johansson and Don Cheadle's performance were exceptional. Scarlett Johansson s exceptional as although she only had a fair amount of screen time, she played it so well that you were disappointed to know that she's only there for a couple of minutes. She playd the "stranger in the house" perfectly well. Don Cheadle remained the romantic lover of Kathryn who stood by her after the rockiest times. The Screenplay is amazing. Richard Curtis wrote a screenplay in the same level with Woody Allen that its laugh-out-loud family but with a real message: Love.

Technically speaking, the director and the cinematographer captured London in the lens at its best.

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actress: Judi Dench
Best Actor: Johnathan Rhys Meyers
Best Supporting Actress: Sienna Miller
Best Supporting Actress: Keira Knightley
Best Supporting Actress: Scarlett Johansson
Best Supporting Actor: Liam Neeson
Best Cinematographer
Best Original Music
Best Editing

Of Mice and Men

2008-06-22T12:27:00.001-07:00

Author: Qasim Asif
Location: London, UK

"Of Mice and Men"

Directed by Ang Lee
Produced by Gary Sinise
Written By John Steinbeck

Principal Cast:

George Milton – Sean Penn
Lennie Small – Brad Garett
Slim – Jude Law
Curley’s Wife – Jennifer Connely
Curley – John Leguizamo
Candy – Patrick Stewart
Crooks – Jamie Foxx
Carlson – Albert Finney
The Boss - Anthony Hopkins
Whit – Jonathan Rhys Myers

Tagline: "Guy’s like us can be the loneliest guy’s in the world"

Synopsis: Based on John Steinbeck's 1937 classic tale of two traveling companions, George and Lennie, who wander the country during the Depression, dreaming of a better life for themselves. Then, just as heaven is within their grasp, it is inevitably yanked away. The film follows Steinbeck's novel closely, exploring questions of strength, weakness, usefulness, reality and utopia, bringing Steinbeck's California vividly to life. And the importance of Dreams, loneliness and death.

Lennie is a large, strong man with the mind of a child, and George is a smaller man with quick wit who cares for Lennie. Lennie's love of touching soft things results in an accusation of rape by a woman whose dress he felt in the town of Weed. A mob from the town vows to lynch Lennie, which forces George and Lennie to leave their current town and find new work at a ranch near Soledad, California. George and Lennie hope to escape the
repetitive, wandering fate of most ranch workers by saving up enough money to buy a
small farm of their own, and "live offa the fatta the lan'." Lennie is driven to this goal by the prospect of "tending the rabbits". However, this goal is only a dream until Candy, another worker on the farm, offers to contribute his savings for a place on the farm.

While subjected to the loneliness and mediocrity of the life they presently lead, George and Lennie's prospect of their own farm attracts yet another hopeful, Crooks, the "Negro" stable buck. Despite their best efforts, however, the dream begins to collapse, completely falling apart when Lennie accidentally kills the wife of Curley, a worker and son of the ranch boss.

After killing Curley's wife, Lennie escapes to the river where the story had begun, the place where George told him to go should he ever get into trouble (Note the circular ending: it suggests that the workers are trapped in the cycle for ever).

To spare Lennie from Curley's revenge, which would entail much pain on Lennie's part, George quickly kills Lennie with a Luger pistol, stolen from Carlson. He does this by coaxing Lennie with a description of the dream, and shoots him in the back of the head. Slim and George then go for a drink to settle George's nerves.

What the press would say:

Absolute brilliance
A true adaptation for a book
And the importance of a companionship which we should all.
10 out of 10 or 5 out of 5.

Oscar Predictions:

Best Picture
Best Director: And lee
Best Actor in a Leading role: Sean Penn
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Jennifer Connely
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Brad Garett
Best Screenplay
Best Score
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Costume
Best Art-Direction

Reflections and Shadows

2008-06-22T12:26:00.002-07:00

Author: Deepak
Location: Appleton

"Reflections and Shadows"

Directed by Sam Mendes
Produced by Paul Haggis and Chris Cooper
Screenplay by Emma Thompson
Music by Alan Silvestri

Principal Cast:

Anna Paquin as Jade Christen
Anne Hathaway as Lauren Cade
Catherine Keener as Mrs. Virginia
Ben Foster as Rob Reinhart
Rachel McAdams as Katy Reinhart
Chris Cooper as Mr. Tom Reinhart
Emma Thompson as Mrs. Bassett Reinhart

Tagline: "We all know the difference between ourselves and our reflections. But which one of us do others know?"

Synopsis: Some of us hate what we see in the mirror and the rest just walk through life in someone's shadow.This is a tale of two traumatized people leading two different life but face the same problem...

Jade Christen (Paquin) was an unshakable Christian, well atleast according to her. She was a straight A student but also was the ugly duckling at Sherwood High School. She hated being mocked at for her faith and her being a 'nerd' especially by Lauren (Hathaway), the most popular girl in school. She always cried because she hated what she saw in the mirror when she stood in front of it and wanted to know what everyone hated about her. She began to change and pushed everyone who truly loved her to a distance. She grew vices and started drinking more than her father who died of alcoholism. Soon she was the most popular person at school. She denounced God. Soon she found herself in a psychiatric hospital. Now, she hated even more what she saw in the mirror because somewhere deep inside she hated what she had become.

Rob Reinhart (Foster) had everything he needed, money, good grades and beauty except happiness. He loved in the shadow of his sister. After being sexually abused by his gay father (Cooper) at the age of 12, he approached his mother (Thompson), a very obvious adultress, but she shooed him off saying that he was lying. But there was this one secret he couldn't tell anyone... .He was gay but he couldn't admit it. Rob lived in an extreme anti-gay community. Rob's hurt accumulated in him. He loathed himself and his reflection. But in all this, he put on a mask and show anyone his sadness because he knew they wouldn't care. The only person he talked to was his sister, Katy (McAdams). But after a great tragedy in his family he knew it was over for him.

Jade and Rob were afraid that anyone would find out who they really were and put on a masquerade to cover it up. But is it too late for them to change?

What the press would say:

I assure you, this movie will change the way you look at yourself and your life. The movie alternates between the life of two teens. Anna Paquin and Ben Foster remarkably portray Jade and Rob. Anne Hathaway excels as Jade's adversary, Lauren. Chris Cooper and Emma Thompson make us hate them as Rob's parents and they do it effortlessly. Rachel McAdams is sure to become a sensation by the way she acts. This movie is a masterpiece, in every sense of the word and just one word summarizes the whole movie - life-changing! I've been convinced that this movie will be a major contender for Oscar gold.

Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Original Score
Best Film Editing
Best Actress - Anna Paquin
Best Actor - Ben Foster
Best Supporting Actress - Emma Thompson
Best Supporting Actress - Anne Hathaway
Best Supporting Actor - Chris Cooper

The Wilder Side of Life

2008-06-22T12:26:00.001-07:00

Author: Corey
Location: USA

"The Wilder Side of Life"

Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Written By: Paul Haggis
Produced By: Steven Spielberg
Music By: John Williams

Principal Cast:

Tom Hanks: Billy Wilder
Chris Lemmon: Jack Lemmon
Ian McKellen: I.A.L. Diamond
Jack Nicholson: Charles Brackett
Natalie Portman: Audrey Hepburn
Brad Pitt: William Holden
Scarlett Johansson: Marilyn Monroe
Meryl Streep: Gloria Swanson
George Clooney: Ray Milland
Gwen Stefani: Barbara Stanwyck
Steven Spielberg: Himself
Cameron Crowe: Himself

Tagline: "We all have dreams so that we can wake up in the morning"

Synopsis: A detailed film about the life of Billy Wilder, the director of countless classics. All his life, Wilder was able to make all kinds of films from noir to drama to comedy and even war films. The film chronicles his rise to stardom. His ability to constantly slip past the Hollywood rating system at the time with his movies that portrayed real, heartfelt, and often
controversial, situations is also examined. An all-star cast helps to tell this magnificent story of brilliance. Steven Spielberg, the director to replace Wilder in real life as director of 1993’s Schindler’s List will direct and produce.

What the press would say:

Another hit to add to the long list of Steven Spielberg victories. He tells the story of Billy Wilder with stunning power and perception. The cast is all great and will easily be in the running come Oscar time.

Oscar Nominations:

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor: Tom Hanks
Best Supporting Actress: Scarlett Johansson
Best Supporting Actress: Natalie Portman
Best Supporting Actress: Gwen Stefani
Best Supporting Actor: Chris Lemmon
Best Supporting Actor: Ian McKellen
Best Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Score
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Best Art/Set Direction
Best Film Editing
Best Makeup
Best Sound Mixing

Three Sisters

2008-06-22T12:25:00.004-07:00

Author: Jamie Madden
Location: Melbourne, Australia

"Three Sisters"

Directed by: Alexander Payne
Produced by: Alexander Payne, Robert Altman and Michael London
Written by: Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor
Edited by: Kevin Tent
Cinematography by: Rodrigo Prieto
Original Score by: Rolfe Kent

Principal Cast:

Natalie Wales as Keira Knightley
Haley Wales as Scarlet Johansson
Vanessa Wales as Alexis Bledel
Beverly Mitchell as Meryl Streep
Loreen Purdue as Felicity Huffman
Trish Lynn Thomas as Catherine O’Hara
Shirley Wilson as Vanessa Redgrave
Gloria Scott as Shirley MacLaine
Betty Adams as Maggie Smith

Tagline: "Three women. Three stories of love and hate. Three sisters"

Synopsis: Natalie, Haley and Vanessa star in the latest teen blockbuster film. It is rumored that the three don’t get along. All three young actresses vehemently denied the claims, and can’t see why the media just can’t leave them alone. But it is true. The young women can’t stand each other, and will do anything to get back at each other. Beverly, Loreen and Trish all work in a hairdressing salon in Texas. The three spend their time cutting hair, gossiping and fighting with each other. Shirley, Gloria and Betty are three elderly ladies living in a retirement village in Boca Raton. They spend their final days on earth fighting with each other over the minutest details. One thing they all have in common. They are sisters. “Three sisters” tells the universal story of feuding sisters. At all stages through their lives (birth, career, marriage, parenthood and death) sisters are there when they need each other and there when they can’t stand each other.

What the press would say:

In the styles of Robert Altman and Alejandro González Iñárritu, Alexander Payne weaves three universal stories of sisterhood into one triumphant piece of cinema”

“Not in recent times has there been such an established ensemble cast.”

“Two thumbs up”-Roger Ebert

“Alexander Payne returns with three stories right on the mark of human existence”

For Your Consideration: (in acting categories)

Keira Knightley
Scarlet Johnansson
Alexis Bledel
Meryl Streep
Felicity Huffman
Catherine O’Hara
Vanessa Redgrave
Shirley MacLaine
Maggie Smith
Best Picture (producers)
Best Director (Alexander Payne)
Best Cinematography (Rodrigo Prieto)
Best Editing (Kevin Tent)
Best Original Screenplay (Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor)
Best Score (Rolfe Kent)

La Vendetta di Carmel

2008-06-22T12:25:00.003-07:00

Author: Jamie Madden
Location: Melbourne, Australia

"La vendetta di Carmel (The Revenge of Carmel)"

Directed by: Joel Coen
Written and Produced by: Joel and Ethan Coen
Edited: Tricia Cooke and Roderick Jaynes
Cinematography: Roger Deakins
Original Score: T Bone Burnett

Principal Cast:

Susan Sarandon as Carmel
Jeff Goldblum as Greg
Anjelica Huston as la femmina
Jeff Bridges as Charlie

Tagline: "Karma is kids stuff. A Vendetta is Carmel’s way!"

Synopsis: Susan Sarandon stars as Carmel, a desperate, needy, divorcée who has lost hope in love, in a new black comedy by The Coen Brothers. On a lonely winters night, Carmel decides that her ex husband Charlie (Jeff Bridges) has darted karma long enough, and now she is going to play God with her shotgun. Carmel travels to Italy where Charlie is living with his new wife (Anjelica Huston) known as la femmina (the bitch.) However when Carmel meets Greg (Jeff Goldblum) she questions whether her moral compass has been shot off along with Charlie’s head. Carmel falls in love again, only to find that Greg has been cheating on her with la femmina. Now it’s no holds bar in a European revenge trip, which will have anyone in the firing range minus a limb.

What the press would say:

“A new twist on the ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’ saga, with Sarandon in her element, taking on a Peter Finch mad as hell style of acting”

“Great supporting roles from Anjelica Huston and Jeff Bridges”

“Fantastic cross country revenge trip”

“The best Coen brother’s movie since Fargo”

For Your Consideration:

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actress (Susan Sarandon)
Best Supporting Actor (Jeff Goldblum)
Best Supporting Actor (Jeff Bridges)
Best Supporting Actress (Anjelica Huston)
Best Original Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction
Best Original Score

2000

2008-06-22T12:25:00.001-07:00

Author: Alex
Location: Washington State

"2000"

Directed by Alan J. Pakula
Written by Alan J. Pakula & Oliver Stone
Music by John Williams

Principal Cast:

Chris Cooper (George W. Bush)
Jeff Bridges (Al Gore)
Catherine O’Hara (Laura Bush)
Kim Basinger (Tipper Gore)
Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Dick Cheney)
Wallace Shawn (Joe Lieberman)
Jeff Daniels (Jeb Bush)
Susan Sarandon (Katherine Harris)
Tommy Lee Jones (John McCain)
Forrest Whitaker (Alan Keyes)
Jean Smart (Hillary Clinton)
Timothy Hutton (Bill Clinton)

Tagline: "In a Presidential Election, EVERY vote counts"

Synopsis: A film about the 2000 Presidential Election, 2000 when Bush announces his candidacy and ends when Gore succeeds the election. Staring Academy Award Winner Chris Cooper (Adaptation) as George W. Bush and Jeff Bridges (The Contender) as Al Gore. Directed by, screenplay by Academy Award Winner Alan J. Pakula (All the Presidents Men) and Oliver Stone (JFK), and music by Academy Award Winner John Williams (Schindler’s List).

What the press would say:

The most anticipated blockbuster of the year is finally here! A film about the 2000 election that doesn’t call Bush a cheater or Gore a sore loser. This is a real turning point in Stone’s
career, for the reason that he doesn’t just display conspiracies (JFK). With this as well as World Trade Center, Stone is becoming more and more of a respectable. This film also has several Oscar winners including Chris Cooper, Kim Basinger, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Susan Sarandon, and Tommy Lee Jones, along with Wallace Shawn, Jeff Bridges, Catherine O’Hara, Jeff Daniels, Forrest Whitaker, Jean Smart, and Timothy Hutton. It’s no surprise that 2000 has won every Best Ensemble Cast, including the SAG Award! It’s bound to rack up big on Oscar night.

Best Picture
Best Director (Stone)
Best Actor (Cooper)
Best Actor (Bridges)
Best Actress (O’Hara)
Best Actress (Basinger)
Best Supporting Actor (Hoffman)
Best Supporting Actor (Shawn)
Best Supporting Actor (Daniels)
Best Supporting Actress (Sarandon)
Best Supporting Actor (Jones)
Best Supporting Actress (Smart)
Best Supporting Actor (Hutton)
Best Original Screenplay (Pakula & Stone)
Best Score (Williams)

The 37th President of the United States

2008-06-22T12:24:00.002-07:00

Author: Geoge Campbell
Location: N/A

"The 37th President of the United States"

Directed by Paul Haggis
Written by Paul Haggis
Score by Danny Elfman

Principal Cast:

Kelsey Grammar- Richard Nixon
Felicity Huffman- Pat Nixon
Bill Murray- Spiro Agnew
Craig T. Nelson- Gerald Ford
Tom Selleck- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Tagline: ""I'd rather use the nuclear bomb"-Richard Nixon on Vietnam Policy
Need we say more?"

Synopsis: This film is about the political life of Richard Nixon. It portrays his vice presidency, presidency, his decisions and all the horrible things he said. It explores the inner workings of his mind from his point of view.

What the press would say:

Kelsey Grammar delivers a chilling performance as the cold hearted Richard Nixon. This is the most accurate portrayal of Nixon in cinema history. Felicity Huffman is sure to pick up another Oscar nod for her excellent performance as Pat Nixon. Bill Murray & Craig T. Nelson as the Vice Presidents were better than I expected. They both deserve the Oscar.
Tom Selleck also does well, but Eisenhower doesn't play an important enough role in the film for him to pick up a nod for best supporting actor

NOMINATIONS
Best Picture
Best Director- Paul Haggis
Best Actor- Kelsey Grammar
Best Actress- Felicity Huffman
Best Supporting Actor- Bill Murray
Best Supporting Actor- Craig T. Nelson
Best Original Screenplay- Paul Haggis
Best Original Score- Danny Elfman
Best Film Editing

Articles

2008-06-22T12:24:00.001-07:00

Author: Daniel Crooke
Location: Ohio

"Articles"

Directed by Martin Scorsese
Screenplay by David Magee
Score by John Williams

Principal Cast:

Sir Ian McKellen as Abraham Lincoln
Philip Seymour Hoffman as John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Viggo Mortensen as John Wilkes Booth
Owen Wilson as Lee Harvey Oswald
Edward Norton as Thomas Adams
Mel Gibson as Francis Lightfoot Lee
Johnny Depp as John Penn
James Gandolfini as Daniel Carroll
Steve Buscemi as William Clingan
Kate Winslet as Dorothy Quinn
Joaquin Phoenix as James Harrison
Nicholas Cage as Michael Spurlock

Tagline: "Unearth the original American terrorist"

Synopsis: Historians have been puzzled for ages in the many strange coincidences between the assassinations of two of America's most beloved presidents, Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. The many coincidences' history goes back to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The truth between these two assassinations, and many other attempts of assassination on many of America's former presidents would shatter the history of America. The "Loyalist Confederates" were formed right before the Declaration was signed. This group of Americans did not believe in many of the new values that the Declaration followed. In fact, these groups of men were a few of the men to sign the Articles of Confederation, and one woman. Hidden throughout American History, five men and one woman vowed to change America back to the way they thought fit. These men and women were Thomas Adams, Francis Lightfoot Lee, John Penn, Daniel Carroll, William Clingan, and Dorothy Quincy (the wife of John Hancock). These men and women were dedicated to letting America know that their leaders were not safe and they were determined to exterminating America's leaders. With four successful assassinations and eight attempts, the Loyalist Confederates throughout the years made allies with people all over the world to let America know that they wanted America back to its original rules. "Articles" mainly focuses on the strange similarities between the assassinations of Lincoln and JFK. The film parallels between the two's lives and a few flashbacks to reveal the secrets of the society. The other parallel is used in the case of a modern historian, who is trying to track down the society and its secrets, seeing as his ancestors years ago, started the organization, and his father is currently a member. With the help of another historian, James Harrison and Michael Spurlock go out to discover America's best-kept secret. In history, JFK and Lincoln also discover about the society, exactly ten hours before their deaths. Thus explaining why Lincoln told his attendant to leave him at the theatre, Lincoln wanted to die for his country. In JFK's case, his death he did nothing to stop it. Revealed at the end, is that Lee Harvey Oswald was completely innocent. When finally finding the group, Harrison and Spurlock discover that there will be another attempt on a former president's life. The two of them unravel the mysteries and coincidences with the original American terrorists, the Loyalist Confederates.

What the press would say:

Scorsese's film, "The Articles" is the great American historical thriller. It plays to all of our emotions as Joaquin Phoenix's James Harrison says the "Confederate Loyalists" are "the original American terrorists". The controversy surrounding this film by the White House and Washington is all not needed, seeing as the film is not at all true. Many critics have said that it is similar to Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code". I agree. But I also say that "The Articles" is what the film adaptation of "The Da Vinci Code" could have been. This film has more depth, more background, more thrills, and more story than Ron Howard's film adaptation of Brown's novel. This film is so well made on so many different levels. The cast is great as a little over three fourths of them play historical figures, while Joaquin Phoenix and Nicholas Cage play their original parts very well. The reason I like this film so much is the fact that it is an adventure and political thriller, but it is still one of the best films I have seen in a very long time. One of the causes for that opinion is the genius in the screenplay, by David Magee, who wrote "Finding Neverland". Another is the great acting and directing. After years of being snubbed of his Oscar, Martin Scorsese will most likely win this year's highest honors for directing. The film is a surprising, but definite lock for one of this year's Best Picture slots. I cannot get over how brilliantly weaved the story line is and how great the acting is. The three standouts are Sir Ian McKellen as Abraham Lincoln, Philip Seymour Hoffman as JFK, a surprisingly good Owen Wilson as Lee Harvey Oswald and especially Kate Winslet as Dorothy Quincy. The reason Winslet is so good is that she plays to perfection, the sneaking wife of one of America's greatest patriots, John Hancock. The story is, of course, all fiction and has no evidence (and intended to be like that) for the reasons that are based around the entire film and there has never been a group of individuals named the "Loyalist Confederates". But in the three hours you are in the theatre, you believe that there was.

Nominations

Best Picture
Best Director- Martin Scorsese
Best Actor- Sir Ian McKellen
Best Actor- Philip Seymour Hoffman
Best Supporting Actor- Owen Wilson
Best Supporting Actress- Kate Winslet
Best Original Screenplay- David Magee
Best Film Editing
Best Score / Costumes / Make Up

The Bean Trees

2008-06-22T12:23:00.002-07:00

Author: Daryn Wiseman
Location: Lake Stevens, WA

"The Bean Trees"

Directed by: Niko Caro
Written by: Larry McMurtry and Diana Osanna
Music by: Gustavo Santaolalla

Principal Cast:

Winona Ryder (Taylor Greer)
Ashley Judd (Lou Ann)
Aaron Eckhart (Estevan)
Rachel Weisz (Alice Greer)
Meryl Streep (Mattie)

Tagline: "The shared burden of womanhood has been revealed"

Synopsis: Clear-eyed and spirited, Taylor Greer grew up poor in rural Kentucky with the goals of avoiding pregnancy and getting away. But when she heads west with high hopes and a barely functional car, she meets the human condition head-on. By the time Taylor arrives in Tucson, Arizona, she has acquired a completely unexpected child, a three-year-old American Indian girl named Turtle, and must somehow come to terms with both motherhood and the necessity for putting down roots. Hers is a story about love and friendship, abandonment and belonging, and the discovery of surprising resources in apparently empty places.

What the press would say:

This film follows the gritty, outspoken Taylor Greer, played by exceptional Winona Ryder, who leaves her native Kentucky to head west. The blue-collar setting, shown vibrantly, often turns violent, with baby beatings, street brawls, and drug busts. Despite the hurt and rage, themes of love and nurturing emerge. A refreshingly upbeat, presentable effort by everyone involved – BRAVO!

Potential Awards:
Best Picture
Best Director: Niko Caro
Best Adapted Screenplay: Larry McMurtry and Diana Osanna
Best Original Score: Gustavo Santaolalla
Best Actress: Winona Ryder
Best Supporting Actress: Ashley Judd
Best Supporting Actress: Rachel Weisz
Best Supporting Actress: Meryl Streep

Choosing Sides

2008-06-22T12:23:00.001-07:00

Author: Alex
Location: Washington State

"Choosing Sides"

Directed by Stephen Gaghan
Written by Stephen Gaghan & Aaron Sorkin
Music by John Williams
Best Original Song "I'm My Own President" by Billy Joel

Principal Cast:

Independents/First Family:
Bradley Whitford (President James Schumer)
Virginia Madsen (First Lady Lindsay Schumer)
Anna Devere Smith (Chief of Staff Catherine Scott)
Richard Schiff (Press Secretary Walter Brown)
Allison Janney (Senior Speech Writer Beverly Kendall)
Marlee Matlin (Vice-President Elizabeth Sheridan)
Morgan Freeman (David King, Presidents’ choice for Supreme Court seat)

Republicans:
Gene Hackman (Speaker of the House Roger Coddington)
Meryl Streep (Secretary of State Eleanor McAvoy)
Alan Alda (Congressman Leo Fisher)
Felicity Huffman (Congresswoman Esther Oberhofer)
Sigourney Weaver (Congresswoman Christine Flies)
Chris Cooper (Senator Arnold Ryan)
Ed Harris (Wendell Krotow, Republicans’ choice for Supreme Court seat)

Democrats:
Glenn Close (Senate Majority Leader Rachel Harper)
Tommy Lee Jones (Secretary of Defense Tom Pine)
Dustin Hoffman (Senator Jed Lavine)
Susan Sarandon (Senator Nancy Donner)
Donald Sutherland (Congressman Gregory Peterson)
Stockard Channing (Congresswoman Grace Thompson)
Tom Wilkinson (Stanley Carr, Democrats’ choice for Supreme Court seat)

Tagline: "There are two political parties always vying for control of our nation. President Schumer is caught in the crossfire."

Synopsis: Choosing Sides is about the first Jewish as well Independent president(Bradley Whitford). The two parties (led by Glenn Close & Alan Alda) constantly take advantage of his lack of support in Congress, and battle for their Supreme Court choice to be pushed forward by the President.

What the press would say:

A phenomenal story of how a president (played by Bradley Whitford) overcame the troubles of having no support as an Independent. There’s nothing more fun than evil politicians! An amazing cast with Meryl Streep and Gene Hackman expected to take home Oscars. A West Wing style film about both parties trying to get their Supreme Court choices (played by Tom Wilkinson and Ed Harris) nominated and confirmed. Choosing Sides is an overall great film that we're expecting to receive a many number of Oscars.

Best Picture
Best Director: Gaghan
Best Actor: Whitford
Best Actress: Madsen
Best Supporting Actor: Hackman
Best Supporting Actor: Jones
Best Supporting Actor: Sutherland
Best Supporting Actor: Hoffman
Best Supporting Actor: Schiff
Best Supporting Actress: Streep
Best Supporting Actress: Close
Best Supporting Actress: Sarandon
Best Supporting Actress: Weaver
Best Supporting Actress: Smith
Best Original Screenplay: Gaghan & Sorkin
Best Score: Williams
Best Original Song: Billy Joel

Dont' Cry for Me, Broadway

2008-06-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

Author: Alex
Location: Washington State

"Don't Cry for Me, Broadway"

Directed by Taylor Hackford
Written by James Mangold
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Principal Cast:

Catherine Zeta-Jones (Patti LuPone)
Patrick Wilson (Mandy Patinkin)
Michael Cerveris (Himself)
Glenn Close (Herself)
Jonathan Pryce (Bob Gunton)
Albert Finney (Andrew Lloyd Webber)
Sean Connery (Stephen Sondheim)
Timothy Hutton (Kevin Kline)

Guest Appearances by:
Patti LuPone (Patti’s Mother)
Mandy Patinkin (Patti’s Father)

Tagline: "Broadway’s greatest diva comes to the screen!"

Synopsis:Directed by Taylor Hackford, this biopic profiles the life of Broadway diva Patti LuPone. Despite humble beginnings, LuPone, depicted by Catherine Zeta-Jones, would nonetheless become an icon on Broadway. The film covers the highlights of her career with shows such as as “Evita“, “Sweeney Todd“, “Anything Goes“, “Sunset Boulevard“, “Les Misérables”, and “Oliver“. Also among the cast are Patrick Wilson as Mandy Patinkin, as well as Michael Cerveris, Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce, Albert Finney, Sean Connery, and Timothy Hutton, with special appearances by Mandy Patinkin and Patti
LuPone herself!

What the press would say:

The legendary Broadway diva and Tony winner Patti LuPone is brought from stage to screen. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays the role she was destined for, Patti LuPone! As for Patti’s colleagues, Patrick Wilson plays her Evita co-star Mandy Patinkin, Michael Cerveris (Sweeney Todd) and Glenn Close (Sunset Boulevard) play themselves, and Jonathan Pryce (after playing his role of Juan Peron in the Evita movie musical) plays Bob Gunton. Albert Finney plays Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sean Connery plays Stephen Sondheim, while Timothy Hutton plays her ex-boyfriend and fellow actor Kevin Kline. A note to the Academy: JUST GIVE HER THE OSCAR ALREADY!!!

Best Picture
Best Director: Hackford
Best Actress: Zeta-Jones
Best Supporting Actor: Wilson
Best Supporting Actor: Cerveris
Best Supporting Actress: Close
Best Supporting Actor: Finney
Best Supporting Actor: Connery
Best Supporting Actor: Hutton
Best Supporting Actress: LuPone
Best Original Screenplay: Mangold
Best Score: Webber

Emotions

2008-06-22T12:21:00.002-07:00

Author: John Savu
Location: Romania

"Emotions"

Directed by Stephen Daldry
Written by Stephen Daldry
Score provided by James Horner

Principal Cast:

Freddie Highmore(Henry "Emosie")
Maggie Smith (Susan Julian)
Julie Walters (Lily Julian)
Johnny Depp(Bagger Kramp)

Tagline: "You're life's at an edge.start feelingsomething"

Synopsis: Henry "Emosie" is an 12-year old english boy who must give an exam to go in the 5th grade.His been raised by his two old aunts since his parents died in a terrible plane crash. But Henry'sproblems do not stop here because he meets Bagger, an intelligent man who lives on the streets and who is going to die by blood-cancer in eight months and who tries to help Henry by giving him the "exam of life", an exam of maximum emotional importance, even including Jessica, a girl Henry likes.Stephen Daldry gives us more than feelings, he makes us relive the moment in our life when we grow up and discover sweet love, but even passing this "exam" Henry must take care of his older aunt who is, like Bagger, dying because ofblood cancer.

What the press would say:

In emotional state is this movie in. No one can match Daldry now, maybe just Steven Spielberg. Beautiful, delusional and magnificent is this movie and it's score created by James Horner. Note: "Emosie" means emotion in African language

Best Picture
Best Director(Stephen Daldry)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role(Maggie Smith)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role(Julie Walters)
Best Actor in a Leading Role(Freddie Highmore)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role(Johnny Depp)
Best Original Screenplay
Best Film Editing
Best Original Song:"L is more liked"
Best Original Score

Fresh Heir: Volume I

2008-06-22T12:21:00.001-07:00

Author: Brian
Location: Arizona

"Fresh Heir: Volume I"

Directed by Paul Greengrass
Written by Paul Greengrass and Akiva Goldsman
Produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks
Original Score by Howard Shore

Principal Cast:

Natalie Portman (Nina Wilson)
Elijah Wood (Todd Hall)
Al Pachino (Nathaniel Bennett)
Tom Hanks (William Sanders)
Terrence Howard (Chairman Michael Finn)
Katie Holmes (Miranda Hall)
Cate Blanchett (Linda Summers)
Laurence Fishburne (Rafael Grey)
[Unknown Young Actress] (Rebecca Hall)

Tagline: "Begin a Journey"

Synopsis: The completely original epic “Fresh Heir” begins in the near future when California receives a massive earthquake and a monumental part of it drifts off into the ocean. A few years later, three adventures, Todd and Miranda Hall and Nina Wilson find and claim the land, all of them being under 30. It is found that it is legally their land, birthing a new nation. This new country to be known as Dalena creates Nina as their leader. She is not an elected leader, but is instead manages the only country left with a monarch as an unconditional ruler. She is primarily assisted by Todd, Miranda, Michael Finn, Linda Summers and Rafael Grey. While the United States and its allies disapprove of this government, they cannot say it is not prosperous and growing. Nor can they say that Nina is not a brilliant world leader and politician, although she is unbelievably young.

As Dalena seems more and more perfect, an illegal underground alliance of unpopular potential leaders, lead by Germany’s Nathaniel Bennett and America’s William Sanders who want to overthrow Dalena. They begin by killing Miranda in an attempt to assassinate Nina. War bursts out soon enough, and Dalena results to have no one to help them in their revolution due to their rivaling political system which was only supposed to be temporary, but is now unchangeable. Miranda and Todd’s young daughter Rebecca is brutally killed in a nuclear bombing, leaving the country’s two most prominent political figures, Todd and Nina (who felt motherly love for Rebecca) terribly depressed and almost unable to carry on. This first chapter concludes with Bennett conquering the throne, making Dalena a nation controlled by corruption and cruelty. We find that Nina, while a stable politician and loveable person, is easily saddened and prone to enemies. Will evil truly triumph over good in the end?

What the press would say:

The character of Nina Wilson is a stunning one. One who, the more you think about it, is perfect for Natalie Portman. And that’s just what this movie is: perfect. It is an epic in every sense of the word, with a solid, intense and always fascinating and imaginative storyline. The first second into the movie, you can’t help finding yourself rooting for these characters. And you can forget your days of disliking any of the actors featured in the cast, because the performances they give are some of the best of the year. Bring on Volume II!

For your Consideration:

Best Picture (Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks)
Best Director (Paul Greengrass)
Best Actor (Elijah Wood)
Best Actress (Natalie Portman)
Best Supporting Actor (Al Pachino, Tom Hanks, Terrence Howard)
Best Supporting Actress (Katie Holmes, Cate Blanchett)
Best Original Screenplay (Paul Greengrass and Akiva Goldsman)
Best Original Score (Howard Shore)
Best Film Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Visual Effects
Best Sound Mixing
Best Sound Editing
Best Makeup
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design

Great Expectations

2008-06-22T12:20:00.004-07:00

Author: Phil
Location: Upstate New York

"Great Expectations"

Director: Sophia Coppola
Written by: Alan Ball
Original Score by: Gustavo Santaolalla

Principal Cast:

Leonardo DiCaprio: Pip
Scarlet Johansson: Estella
Judi Dench: Miss Havisham
John C. Reily: Joe Gargery
Annette Benning: Mrs. Gargery
Jean Reno: The Convict
Jude Law: Herbert Pocket
Morgan Freeman: Mr. Jaggers

Tagline: "Experience the Expectations"

Synopsis: At an early point in young Philip's life, he comes in contact with people who will change the course of his life forever. He's attacked by a convict, who threatens to kill him if he doesn't help further his escape. He meets an eccentric old woman and her beautiful daughter, Estella, who soon becomes the centerpiece of all Pip's dreams. He receives a large sum of money from an anonymous benefactor. It's not dull for Pip, but it may be too much too soon. Moving from his blacksmith home and into the refined city of London, he learns to be a gentleman, using the Beautiful Estella as his number one motive. But, as the story unravels, and Pip pieces together shards of his scattered life, he realizes that his great expectations may have been illusions. Finding himself closer to danger and farther from his dreams, "Great Expectations" shows Pip's journey as one of tragedy and desperation, with melancholy promise and hope. Expectations are often just illusions: something Pip realizes as he learns more about himself and the complex characters around him.

What the press would say:

Sophia Coppola, widely acclaimed director of Lost in Translation and Marie-Antoinette, is back with an entirely new project. In this adaptation of Charles Dickens moving, heartbreaking, and exciting classic novel, Coppola preserves story and ups style. Staying true to the text, Alan Ball delivers an unforgettable screenplay, while Coppola uses her unique direction to add dimension and humanism to the intimate characters. Set in the authentic time period in old London, the picture doesn't hold back as Coppola creates a beautiful, yet realistic world for a cast of outstanding actors. Among the marvelous performances include Leonardo DiCaprio as the boyish and coming of age Pip, Scarlet Johannson as the beautiful and mysterious Estella, Judi Dench as the eccentric and short tempered Miss Havisham, and Morgan Freeman as the hard, cruel Mr. Jaggers. Like Coppola's other films, "Great Expectations" includes a young character, namely Pip, who becomes lost to himself and to others, in a different culture and a different world. This smooth, stylish, true-to-form, heartbreaking, and moving film is what Hollywood has been looking for. Enter Sophia Coppola's lush, beautiful world of romance and suspense, with dialogue and scenes that you will never forget. Get your hopes up, and be sure to keep them up. You should have great expectations for "Great Expectations!"

Award Nominations:

Best Picture
Best Director: Sophia Coppola
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio
Best Supporting Actress: Scarlett Johansson
Best Supporting Actress: Judi Dench
Best Supporting Actor: Morgan Freeman
Best Original Score
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography

It

2008-06-22T12:20:00.003-07:00

Author: Chris Morristown
Location: New Jersey

"It"

Written and Directed by Christopher Nolan
Produced by Wes Craven
Music by Howard Shore

Principal Cast:

John Cusack - Bill Denbrough
Morgan Freeman - Mike Hanlon
Ray Liotta - Ben Hanscomb
Beverly Marsh- Diane Lane
Michael Keaton - Richie Tozier
Steve Buscemi - Eddie Kasprak
Albert Brooks - Stan Uris
Kate Winslet - Audra Denbrough
Nick Nolte - Henry Bowers
Malcolm McDowell - Pennywise

Tagline: "Relive the Nightmare 10/31/07"

Synopsis: Stephen King's frightening classic about a group of teenage outcasts is
helmed by Academy Award nominated writer Christopher Nolan. Nolan intertwines flashbacks brilliantly in his latest work. The film starts with Morgan Freeman's character Mike Hanlon informing his six friends that the evil entity IT is back. The film follows each main character on their trip back to their childhood town of Derry Maine and in flashbacks we see how IT affected each child, and how they became part of this group of outcasts. They must put their fears aside and destroy IT once and for all before it kills again.

What the press would say:

Very rarely does a horror movie work but Nolan's latest effort breaks the mold. John Cusack leads a brilliant ensemble in this Stephen King adaptation. Malcolm McDowell will keep you up at night with his frightening performance as the murdering clown Pennywise. Nolan took risks with this adaptation of the lengthy 1000 page book by cutting out many side plots, but the movie moves and intertwines all the main characters stories brilliantly. Not since the Silence of the Lambs has a horror movie looked so good. Prospects in the following categories are likely:

Best Picture
Best Director: Christopher Nolan
Best Actor: John Cussack
Best Supporting Actor: Malcom McDowell
Best Supporting Actor: Steve Buschemi
Best Supporting Actress: Diane Lane
Best Adapted Screenplay: Christopher Nolan
Best Original Score: Howard Shore
Best Film Editing
Best Makeup

Les Miserables: The Movie Musical

2008-06-22T12:20:00.001-07:00

Author: Alex
Location: Washington State

"Les Misérables: The Movie Musical"

Directed by Rob Marshall
Adapted from the Stage by Bill Condon & Alan Parker

Principal Cast:

Mandy Patinkin (Jean Valjean)
Jeremy Irons (Javert)
Patti LuPone (Fantine)
Idina Menzel (Cossette)
Nathan Lane & Kathy Bates (The Thénardiers)
Kristen Chenoweth (Eponine)
Ewan McGregor (Marius)
Hugh Jackman (Enjolras)
Patrick Wilson (Grantaire)

Tagline: "All this over a loaf of bread"

Synopsis: The story of the fall and redemption of Jean Valjean, arrested for stealing some bread for his starving family. In prison he's constantly bothered by the hard-nosed lawman Javert. Valjean is paroled, but runs away and becomes the mayor of a small town. He meets a dying woman named Fantine and swears to raise her daughter. Javert catches up to him, but Valjean escapes. The daughter, Cosette, grows up and falls in love with Marius, a student. An ill-fated, student-led revolution makes for the climax.

What the press would say:

You know, there's a reason why classics are classics. One is reminded of that when one watches Rob Marshall’s production of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, adapted for the screen by Bill Condon and Alan Parker. This famous novel, about the struggles of the downtrodden in early 19th-century France and the good that comes from evil, is a mammoth project to undertake, but the cast assembled by Marshall renders it admirably. Not only are his talents evident, but so are those of such names as Mandy Patinkin, Jeremy Irons, Patti LuPone, and Idina Menzel. With a group like this, and with Hugo's literature, who could lose?

Best Picture
Best Director: Marshall
Best Actor: Patinkin
Best Supporting Actor: Irons
Best Supporting Actress: LuPone
Best Supporting Actress: Menzel
Best Supporting Actor: Lane
Best Supporting Actress: Bates
Best Supporting Actress: Chenoweth
Best Supporting Actor: McGregor
Best Supporting Actor: Jackman
Best Supporting Actor: Wilson
Best Adapted Screenplay: Condon & Parker

Saints and Sinners

2008-06-22T12:19:00.004-07:00

Author: Jimmy Somerton
Location: Canada

"Saints and Sinners"

Directed By: Mike Newell
Written By: James Somerton
Editing By: Dody Dorn
Score By: Howard Shore

Principal Cast:

Evan Rachel Wood as Helen
Hillary Duff as Christina
Tyler Hoechlin as Alexander
Thora Birch as Victoria
Q'Orianka Kilcher as Hadelina
Tina Majorino as Felicia
Jeremy Sumpter as Gregory
Julianne Moore as Sister Katherine

Tagline: "The Last Day of School Could Be The Last Day of Their Lives"

Synopsis: It is the last day of school before Summer Vacation at St. James Catholic High School. It appears that only six students have shown up for their last day of school, but no one has noticed Helen. That is common however; Helen is never noticed. No one likes her and no one dislikes her. She is simply unknown. Sister Katherine, the only attending staff member, calls all of the students into the gym for the rest of the morning to play some sports.

Helen watches through the doors as the other six play basketball. Then she enters the gym with them... But she's holding a gun. Helen holds everyone hostage in an attempt to force them into knowing her. Blood is shed and lives are changed before it is all over and Helen is the last one to fall.

What the press would say:

"Saints & Sinners" is a showcase for young talent. Evan Rachel Wood brings the roll of Helen to life with both forboding and sympathy. Julianne Moore is spot on as Sister Katherine, the lone adult cast member. The whole cast is brilliant but this is Helen's story. From the moment the first shot is fired, the audience feels uneasy. School, the safest place for children, isn't safe anymore. And even more disturbing is that you find yourself sympathizing with Helen. Mike Newell directs this powerful film from a screenplay written by first time writer, James Somerton. He uses very little blood in a movie that could have been a blood bath. The use of tension instead of gore draws in the audience far more than blood-splattered walls would.

Best Picture
Best Director - Mike Newell
Best Original Screenplay - James Somerton
Best Actress - Evan Rachel Wood
Best Supporting Actress - Jullianne Moore
Best Supporting Actress - Thora Birch
Best Film Editing - Dody Dorn
Best Original Song - "Saints & Sinners" by Amy Lee
Best Original Score - Howard Shore

My Dear Suffragists and Suffragettes

2008-06-22T12:19:00.003-07:00

Author: Qasim Asif
Location: London, UK

"My Dear Suffragists and Suffragettes"

Directed by Bill Condon
Produced by Bill Condon
Music by Elton John

Principal Cast:

Sabiqa Kishwar Asif – Millicent Fawcett
Nicole Kidman – Emmeline Pankhurst
Naomi Watts – Christabel Pankhurst
Reese Witherspoon – Sylvia Pankhurst
Rachel Weisz – Emily Davison
Judi Dench – Edith New
Jim Broadbent – Asquith

Tagline: N/A

Synopsis: The story revolves around 2 groups who are fighting for the for women’s vote in Britain in the late 1900’s, the Suffragists and the Suffragettes. We follow the antics of each group and what they resorted to, to keep their cause in the public eye. From peaceful protests, the birth of the Suffragette’s and to the death of Emily Davison (Rachel Weisz).The film explores the attitudes of men and women during the 1900’s and the effect that the First world war had on the fellow Suffrages.

What the press would say:

An intriguing look at a dark time for women in the 1900’s. In my opinion an absolute masterpiece. Bill Condon has done it again, with a stunning cast and beautiful dialogue. A definite Oscar winner.

Oscar Predictions:

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Sabiqa Kishwar Asif / Nicole Kidman
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Naomi Watts / Reese Witherspoon / Rachel Weisz
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Jim Broadbent
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
Best Costume Design
Best Makeup

On My Husband's Ashes

2008-06-22T12:19:00.001-07:00

Author: Deepak
Location: London, UK

"On My Husband's Ashes"

Directed by Bennet Miller
Screenplay by Emma Thompson and Bennet Miller
Produced by Robert DeNiro and Bennet Miller
Music by Alan Silvestri

Principal Cast:

Baby Keerthana (Kumari)
Dakota Fanning (Lucy Jame)
Monica Bellucci (Shantini)
Naseerudin Shah (Patel Mehta)
Sally Field (Mrs. Jame)
Tom Hanks (Mr. Jame)

Tagline: "In her husband's fire, she is to be thrown and stop her seed from being sown"

Synopsis:India, in the 1800's when ruled by the British, was home to many inhuman practices which were practiced illegally like 'untouchability', child marriage, female infanticide and sati, to name a few, the most outrageous of them being sati. When a husband dies and is cremated, his wife, if alive, has to be thrown into the same fire, thus preventing her to marry again and have children, this is called sati. This movie takes place in the year of The Revolt of 1857 against the British rule.

Bennet Miller brings you this story of 10 year old Kumari (Keerthana), who is the adopted child of Mr. and Mrs. Jame (Hanks and Field), a Bristish family settled in India. Kumari was lucky beacuse if it were not for the James family she would be dead by now and would have been yet another victim of female infanticide. They treated her as their own child and she learns to love them especially their daughter, Lucy (Fanning). Unexpectedly, her mom. Shantini (Bellucci) comes and takes her back home to their remote village deep inside a forest. There, her mother gets her married to a 19 year old boy and then sells her as a slave to a rich Indian family. Kumari is oblivious about her marriage and her sale until her husband dies in the Revolt. Now, she realizes that she has to perform sati.

Kumari's mom, Shantini, was away as she was a prostitute to the British. She heard about her son-in-law's death and was on her way back to prepare her daughter for sati, when the head of the village, Patel (Shah) shot her as he had come to know about the disgraceful act she was doing.

Lucy and Mrs. Jame come to know about this and they head out to help Kumari, when Mr. Jame was away. They bail Kumari out to safety but unfortunately, Patel, who hates people who don't perform sati when they ought to, found out where they were hiding and shot Mrs. Jame. Kumari and Lucy runaway into the midst of the war with the village people not far behind them, wanting to burn them alive. Kumari left her brothers back at the village and fears they might be killed by the villagers.to add to this, Mr. Jame returns only to find himself kidnapped by the villagers.

Kumari and Lucy are trapped between the war and the villagers. Their lives and the lives of their loved ones are at stake. Just when they think nothing worse could happen something does...

What the press would say:

Bennet Miller shows the world that he is one of the best directors of this generation with this movie of how Indian girls led such miserable lives during the 1800's. Even the way they died was miserable. This movie focuses on the life of Kumari, who's prostitute mother sells her and gets her married at the age of 10. After the death of her husband she is forced to perform sati. She refuses and runs away with Lucy, the child of the family that adopted her. After a string of tragedies they are faced with the war on one hand and the villagers on the other. In the end the movie takes a phenomenal tragic turn which will not only break your heart but will enrage you to such an extent where you want to kill the person sitting beside you. This movie is mostly in English and partly is in Hindi. The performances are magnificent, in every sens of the word. Little known Indian actors Baby Keerthana and Naseerudin Shah are also part of this magnificent cast. Keerthana and Dakota remarkably portray Kumari and Lucy, reapectively. Shah plays the arogant and ignorant village head, Patel with great accuracy that he makes us loath him. Double Oscar winner Sally Field undertakes the role of Mrs. Lucy, who is set on protecting Kumari, with such divinity and Tom Hanks plays Mr. Jame. But it was Monica Bellucci who showed her real talents in this movie by playing Shantini, the prostitute mother of Kumari. With a complete transformation of her looks and shape, she does an amazing job in showing us how stupid and how steeped in superstitions the Indian mothers during that time were. A great screenplay from Emma Thompson and the magnificent performances make this movie a masterpiece and a sure contender for Oscar glory.

Awards Campaign:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Film Editing
Best Orginal Score
Best Costume Design
Best Song - 'Through the Fire and On the Ashes' by Kelly Clarkson
Best Actress - Baby Keerthana
Best Actress - Dakota Fanning
Best Supporting Actress - Sally Field
Best Supporting Actress - Monica Bellucci
Best Supporting Actor - Naseerudin Shah
Best Foreign Language Film

Selpouc

2008-06-22T12:18:00.001-07:00

Author: Harry
Location: Unknown

"Selpouc"

directed by Woody Allen
written by Woody Allen & Paul Haggis
music by John Legend, Gustavo Santaolalla, Yann Tiersen & Shigeru Umebayashi
song "Ordinary Couples" by John Legend
cinematography by Dion Beebe
editing by Hughes Winborne

Principal Cast:

Gerard Depardieu (François)
Scarlett Johansson (Tessa)
Gael Garcia Bernal (Juan)
Joaquin Phoenix (Jack)
Tony Leung (Chen)
Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria)
Audrey Tautou (Catherine)
Zhang Ziyi (Maggie)

Tagline: "4 couples, 4 cultures, 4 men, 4 women, 4 problems"

Synopsis: This is a story about couples just like the title. If you read Selpouc from right to left, you will read couples. François is a famous movie director that will soon mary his girlfriend Catherine, a famous author.

Juan is Catherine's fan and he is studing in the university in literature field. His girlfriend is Maria, a poor but sexy waitress of a famous restaurant. Chen is one of the best guests of the restaurant. He is a Chinese diplomat and is married to Maggie, another Chinese diplomat.

Maggie loves jazz and blues and often goes to a Jazz Bar were she hears her idol Jack, one of the singers of the bar. Jack is the boyfriend of Tessa, an american actress that will do anything to get the female role of the next movie of François.

As the story goes on, François marries Catherine. He gives the role to Tessa and has an affair with her.

Catherine meets Juan in a book fair and falls in love of him. Then, they have an affair. Chen falls in love of Maria and has an affair with her. Maggie meets Jack, falls in love of him and has an affair with him.

As the couples have affairs with others, they learn that their mate is having affairs with others. At the end of the film, the eight characters are murdered
by the mates of their mate.

What the press would say:

Woody Allen is at his best. Paul Haggis wrote next to Allen the best screenplay of his career. The music is wonderful. 4 different original scores by 4 of the most important composers of our times. The grammy winner John Legend composes all the jazz songs and scores. Santaolalla(The motorcycle Diaries) does the latin music. Tiersen (Amelie) does the french music and Umebayashi (House of Flying Daggers) does the chinese music. The acting is extraordinary. The eight actors recognized in the entire planet are at their best in this dramatic and romantic thriller. The cinematography is great. Dion Beebe made the jazz style again like in "Chicago" and the oriental style like in "Memoirs of a Geisha". As for the editing, Winborne dies a fantastic job just like in "Crash". Selpouc has already won various awards and the oscars are already thinking in the nominations it will get:

What the oscars have thinked:

BEST PICTURE
BEST DIRECTING
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR-Gerard Depardieu
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR-Tony Leung
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR-Gael Garcia Bernal
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR-Joaquin Phoenix
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS-Catalina Sandino Moreno
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS-Zhang Ziyi
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS-Audrey Tatou
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS-Scarlett Johansson
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
BEST ORIGINAL SONG-Ordinary Couples
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST EDITING

The Thousand Year Reich

2008-06-22T12:17:00.002-07:00

Author: Jimmy
Location: Nova Scotia

"The Thousand Year Reich"

Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written By James Somerton & Robert Rodat
Score By John Williams
Art Direction By Tom Brown

Principal Cast:

Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler
Viggo Mortensen as Hanze Bleich
Uma Thurman as Eva Braun
Anthony Hopkins as Winston Churchill
Adrien Brody as Eli Gold
Natalie Portman as Leslie Van Durren

Tagline: "What If"

Synopsis: The year is 1945. World War Two has been raging for almost six years and the Germans are winning. History has changed. Japan did not attack Pearl Harbor in 1941 and the United States did not join the war effort until 1944. Hitler now controls all of Europe with the exception of England, who's Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, has been working feverishly to come to some agreement with Hitler and his Nazis. There is a problem for the Nazis, however. Hitler is on his death bed after mysteriously falling ill. What he doesn't know is that Hanze Bleich, one of his most trusted advisors, is working against him and slowly poisoning him in hopes of taking control of the Third Reich; all the while spending his evening with a girl who he does not know is jewish. In Poland, the last of the Death Camps is being cleansed. Hitler has won his war against the Jewish people but some are
still fighting. A last ditch effort is made by a group of prisoners, lead by Eli Gold, and they fight back against the Gestapo. The United States is fighting as hard as they can against Germany and Japan but what they don't know is that Japan has "The Bomb".

What the press would say:

Steven Spielberg has completed a sort of trilogy that began with "Schindler’s List" and continued with "Saving Private Ryan". In those films he showed how good could triumph but in "The Thousand Year Reich" he shows us what could have happened if good had failed. The cast is brilliant with Bruno Ganz playing the dying fuhrer and Viggo Mortenson as his killer. Uma Thurman has little to say in the film but her eyes do most of the talking. Her silences are more powerful than Adolf Hitler's speeches. Anthony Hopkins and Adrien Brody portray the good side of the war as they fight back against the Nazi menis. And Natalie Portman plays the conflicted Leslie Van Durren, Hanse Bleich's lover who has a secret of her own. The film takes us from the end of the Second World War to the end of the Nazi Party when Hitler falls from power. The disturbing images of the death camps, which Steven Spielberg showed brilliantly in "Schindler’s List", are all but abcent here as the last remaining Jews fight for life against the SS. Massive war scenes are peppered throughout the film but do not overshadow the more important human drama behind them. "The Thousand Year Reich" is more terrifying than any horror film ever produced. It is a masterpiece that shows the world just how lucky we are.

For Your Consideration...

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Original Score
Best Cinematography
Best Supporting Actress - Uma Thurman
Best Supporting Actress - Natalie Portman
Best Supporting Actor - Anthony Hopkins
Best Film Editing
Best Art Direction
Best Sound

Time of Dying

2008-06-22T12:17:00.001-07:00

Author: Matthew LaRusso
Location: New Jersey

"Time of Dying"

Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by: Christopher Nolan
Music by: John Williams

Principal Cast:

Nick Stahl as Steven Willingham, Jr.
Vanessa Lengies as Lorie del Russo
Kevin Bacon as Steven Willingham, Sr.
Marisa Tomei as Maria Willingham
Justin Bartha as Mike O'Connor
Jessica Alba as Jennifer Novan
Jake Gyllenhaal as Matt Franzoni
Brandon Routh as Stephen Novan
Elisha Cuthbert as Jessica Zaches

Tagline: "We know man is not invincible, but the soul tells us different..."

Synopsis: Based on actual events, this is the story of the short and tumultuous life of a 24 year old New Jersey man named Steven Willingham, Jr. (Stahl). Being born to teenage, drug abusing parents Willingham's life starts out on the wrong foot. He ends up hating his parents for what they've done and resents his father for cheating on and abusing his mother while his father (Bacon) develops an equal hatred for his son. Willingham rises to meteoric fame through the motocross circuit but ultimately becomes dependent on drugs and alcohol to get through his life. He finds some solace in his girlfriend (Lengies) and his friends but ultimately his inner demons take control of him and he ends up taking his own life by plummeting off a highway overpass.

What the press would say:

Christopher Nolan brings the agonizing true story of a young man's tragic life to the big screen. Nolan shows no shyness in tackling major issues including drugs, alcohol and suicide and his direction in such scenes leaves the audience in a state of unrelenting pity and despair, especially the suicide scene which is quite graphic. Despite the overall themes, it is the tragic subtleties that bring this story to life.

It is a haunting look at a seemingly normal young man's life and his tragic end. With breakthrough performances throughout, especially Stahl and Lengies, this movie is not for the faint at heart, but it also is not to be missed.

Best Picture
Best Director- Christopher Nolan
Best Actor- Nick Stahl
Best S. Actress- Vanessa Lengie
Best Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Original Score

Tramps Like Us

2008-06-22T12:16:00.004-07:00

Author: Eric
Location: New Jersey

"Tramps Like Us"

Directed by: Steven Speilberg
Written by: Alan Ball
Original Score by: Bruce Springsteen

Principal Cast:

Mark Wahlberg as Bruce Springsteen
Michael Clarke Duncan as Clarence Clemons
Juilanne Moore as Patty Scialfa
Ryan Malgarini as Young Bruce
Mike Myers as Danny Federici
Steve Buschemi as Garry Tallent
Jeff Goldblum as Max Weinberg
Robert Downey Jr. as Nils Lofgren
Dominic Chianese as Roy Bittan
Edie Falco as Soozie Tyrell
Steve Van Zandt as himself
Judi Dench as Mary

Tagline: "Baby, We were Born to Run"

Synopsis: Tramps Like Us is the story of one of the most appreciated musicians and performers of all time, Bruce Springsteen. Directed by one of his biggest fans, Steven Spielberg. The film starts out with one of his performances in the summer of 1999 and flashbacks to his troublesome childhood living in Asbury Park exploring who this infamous Mary is that he writes about in all of his songs. As the film flashes back, it mentions on how the E Street Band was created and how he met his "Red Head Woman" that he love today. Touching on his career and reaching the point in which the film starts, it follows into his help to relieve victims of 9/11 and how he is just an idol for the state of New Jersey.

What the press would say:

Move over Ray and Walk the Line, the next big music hit is in. Tramps like Us will make you sing, dance, cry, laugh, and just is a good time in theatres. For all those who did not appreciate Bruce in the beginning...You will appreciate him now after seeing this phenomenal film.

Nominated for:

Best Picture
Best Original Score: Bruce Springsteen
Best Actor: Mark Wahlberg
Best Supporting Actress: Julianne Moore/Judi Dench
Best Supporting Actor: Michael Clarke Duncan/Robert Downey Jr.
Best Original Song: Devils and Dust by Bruce Springsteen

Turnabout

2008-06-22T12:16:00.003-07:00

Author: Matt
Location: Chicago, IL

"Turnabout"

Directed By: Robert Altman
Written By: Sofia Coppola
Produced By: Clint Eastwood
Edited By: Clint Eastwood

Principal Cast:

Lindsay Lohan as Evelyn Townsend
Haley Joel Osment as Mike Lostervy
Kevin Spacey as Tod Lostervy
Annette Bening as Linda Lostervy
Cate Blanchett as Laura Townsend

Tagline: "Two families. Two lovers. Three stories. One outcome"

Synopsis: The film revolves around a high school turnabout dance and a couple of teenagers. Their lives and the lives of their relatives are not always perfect. These lives unfold in three different stories, in which the characters as well as the plot, change. However, the themes and imagery remain constant. The two lovers (Lohan and Osment) must battle parents and other setbacks, in order to be together. In one story, a father (Spacey) objects to the romance. The man is bipolar, with many highs and lows. Through flashbacks, a secret is revealed about his wife (Bening). In another story, a mother (Blanchett) feels that her daughter is too good for the boy. On the other hand, the character can seem supportive in the other two stories. Each of the three stories take place during the same time slot, a week leading up to the turnabout. Personalities and lives are flipped and turned about.

What the press would say:

Lindsay Lohan and Haley Joel Osment give performances that go beyond their years. Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening reunite in another potential Best Picture winner, after American Beauty. All of the actors take on the challenge of playing the same character in multiple ways, and they succeed. Sophia Coppola continues her amazing streak of wonderful screenplays. The complicated story causes the audience to get involved and truly understand. Robert Altman does with the story what nobody else could have done. Love must be fought for, and this film has won our love.

Honors:
Best Picture
Best Director - Robert Altman
Best Original Screenplay - Sophia Coppola
Best Actor - Haley Joel Osment
Best Supporting Actor - Kevin Spacey
Best Supporting Actress - Cate Blanchett
Best Editing
Best Score

Unclean

2008-06-22T12:16:00.001-07:00

Author: Craig
Location: CA

"Unclean"

Directed by Anthony Minghella (Cold Mountain)
Written by Shawn Lawrence Otto (House of Sand and Fog)
Music by James Horner

Principal Cast:

Kate Hudson (Marie Crowell)
Joseph Fiennes (Bobby)
Natalie Portman (Millie)
Nicole Kidman (Isabelle Crowell)
Craig T. Nelson (Reverend Thomas)
Elle Fanning (Morgan Crowell)

Tagline: "You have to work for the things you want"

Synopsis: Fictional account of a homeless woman (Hudson) who takes on prostitution in order to make money. Supporting cast includes: Joseph Fiennes, who plays one of Hudson’s customers who eventually fal ls in love with her; Natalie Portman, who is Hudson’s onscreen best friend, and is not informed of what Hudson is doing with her life; Nicole Kidman, the rich woman who treats her sister, Hudson, as a leper, giving the film its title; Craig T. Nelson, who plays a preacher attempting to bring Hudson back to her regular life; and Elle Fanning, Kidman’s daughter who wants to see Hudson no matter what her mother says about her..

What the press would say:

Hudson gives one of her best serious roles in this gritty drama alongside an outstanding supporting cast. Hudson melts into her character and makes the plot extremely believable. She brings the audience to laughter, to awe, and to tears throughout the whole film. Fiennes is fabulous and will surely score a nomination as the customer who cares for the lead but cannot seem to stop taking advantage of her no matter how hard he tries. Portman steals the show as the friend who is oblivious to what is occurring. She is part of one of the best sequences in the film when she is informed and she snaps. She brings extreme emotion into the character and&nbs p; causes the audience to feel for her. And lastly, it looks like another nomination for one of the younger stars. Elle Fanning’s performance rivals that of Anna Paquin in The Piano. She plays a very mature young girl who learns about the bad qualities of the world much earlier than she should. Minghella has come up with another masterpiece that cannot be resisted.

Best Picture
Best Director: Anthony Minghella
Best Adapted Screenplay: Shawn Lawrence Otto
Best Actress: Kate Hudson
Best Supporting Actor: Joseph Fiennes
Best Supporting Actress: Natalie Portman
Best Supporting Actress: Elle Fanning

When It All Falls Apart

2008-06-22T12:15:00.000-07:00

Author: Jamie Madden
Location: Australia

"When It All Falls Apart"

Director: Sam Mendes
Writer: Alan Ball and Cameron Crowe
Producer: Mike Nichols
Original Score: Gustavo Santaolalla

Principal Cast:

Allison Janney - Sally
Anthony LaPaglia- Dustin
Evan Rachel Wood - Ingrid
Jamie Bell - Will
Jake Gyllenhaal - Michael

Tagline: "What do you do when it all falls apart?"

Synopsis: A dysfunctional American middle class family experiences utter agony and turmoil as their oldest son is sent off to war in the middle east and is tragically killed. The family then breaks down. The mother, Sally, suffers denial and enforces her political views by blaming the current administration. The father, Dustin, feels complete guilt in encouraging Michael (the dead son) to go to war, and questions his own political views. The younger sister, Ingrid, is at her own coming of age at 16, and it seems that she can’t cope with anything at all , when she is really the glue that holds the family together. The middle son, Will suffers from classic middle child syndrome, even more so after the tragic death of his beloved older brother, and argues continually with his parents, fighting about the deterioration of the family. When It All Falls Apart chronicles one family’s journey through the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance). But will the family find acceptance as a whole, individually, or even at all?

What the press would say:

An unlikely teaming by co-writers Alan Ball and Cameron Crowe and director Sam Mendes along with the reunion of Allison Janney and Anthony LaPaglia (last seen together Arthur Miller’s stage version of A View from the Bridge) comes a story that has not been told yet, of the grief a family shares from a death of a son at war. When it all falls apart tackles the tough themes of denial, anger, blame and politics seamlessly, with originality, humor and heartbreak. The best parts of the movie are the performances from an established cast, and the score from Oscar winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla.

For Your Consideration

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actress (Allison Janney)
Best Actor (Anthony LaPaglia, Jamie Bell)
Best Supporting Actress (Evan Rachel Wood)
Best Supporting Actor (Jake Gyllenhaal)
Best Original Screenplay
Best Original Score
Other technical awards

Winesburg, Ohio

2008-06-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

Author: Matthew LaRusso
Location: New Jersey

"Winesburg, Ohio"

Directed by: Lasse Hallstrom
Written by: Lasse Hallstrom and Sherwood Anderson
Music by: John Williams

Principal Cast:

Tom Hanks as Wing Biddlebaum
Toby Maguire as George Willard
Geoffrey Rush as Doctor Reefy
Meryl Streep as Elizabeth Willard
Ed Harris as Tom Willard
Harvel Keitel as Abner Groff
Christian Bale as Dr. Parcival

Tagline: "There is good wholesome small town values, then there is Winesburg, Ohio..."

Synopsis: Based on the novel by Sherwood Anderson this is the funny, morbid, grotesque and sometimes sad tales of several people living in a small Ohio town, and how their lives intermingle.

What the press would say:

Lasse Hallstrom directs an emotionally powerful cast in an emotionally powerful story. Each performance is crisp and loyal to the novel's characters. Tom Hanks and Toby Maguire are brilliant as the two main characters, while Christian Bale surprises many as the morbid Dr. Parcival. The costumes, Makeup and art direction give the story a classic air and help to deliver the authenticity of the story.

Best Picture
Best Director- Lasse Hallstrom
Best Actor- Tom Hanks
Best S. Actor- Christian Bale
Best Screenplay
Best Costume
Best Makeup
Best Art Direction
Best Score