The 2007 awards/lists/etc thread

[Boner M]

The Oscars deserve a separate thread, but let's keep the rest in one.

Starting with the National Board of Review winners:

Best Film: NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
Best Director: TIM BURTON, Sweeney Todd
Best Actor: GEORGE CLOONEY, Michael Clayton (?!)
Best Actress: JULIE CHRISTIE, Away From Her
Best Supporting Actor: CASEY AFFLECK, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Best Supporting Actress: AMY RYAN, Gone Baby Gone
Best Foreign Film: THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY
Best Documentary: BODY OF WAR
Best Animated Feature: RATATOUILLE
Best Ensemble Cast: NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
Breakthrough Performance by an Actor: EMILE HIRSCH, Into The Wild
Breakthrough Performance by an Actress: ELLEN PAGE, Juno
Best Directorial Debut: BEN AFFLECK, Gone Baby Gone
Best Original Screenplay (tie):
DIABLO CODY, Juno and NANCY OLIVER, Lars and the Real Girl
Best Adapted Screenplay: JOEL COEN and ETHAN COEN, No Country For Old Men

Top Ten Films:
(In alphabetical order)
THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD
ATONEMENT
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
THE BUCKET LIST
INTO THE WILD
JUNO
THE KITE RUNNER
LARS AND THE REAL GIRL
MICHAEL CLAYTON
SWEENEY TODD

Top Five Foreign Films:
(In alphabetical order)
4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS, 2 DAYS
THE BAND’S VISIT
THE COUNTERFEITERS
LA VIE EN ROSE
LUST, CAUTION


Top Five Documentary Films
(In alphabetical order)
DARFUR NOW
IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON
NANKING
TAXI TO THE DARKSIDE
TOOTS

Top Independent Films
(In alphabetical order)
AWAY FROM HER
GREAT WORLD OF SOUND
HONEYDRIPPER
IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH
A MIGHT HEART
THE NAMESAKE
ONCE
THE SAVAGES
STARTING OUT IN THE EVENING
WAITRESS

Career Achievement – MICHAEL DOUGLAS
William K. Everson Film History Award – ROBERT OSBORNE
Career Achievement in Cinematography – ROGER DEAKINS
The BVLGARI Award for NBR Freedom of Expression – THE GREAT DEBATERS and PERSEPOLIS

[Sycophant]

The Oscars deserve a separate thread, but let's keep the rest in one.

Good thinking.


Best Actor: GEORGE CLOONEY, Michael Clayton (?!)And just why not?

[Boner M]

And just why not?
A completely solid-if-unremarkable performance in a solid-if-unremarkable film, to my eyes - with the exception of that final shot. I dunno, he just never really conveyed the sort of deep inner conflict that the role required, and calling it the best performance of the year in that category is just silly.

[chrisnu]

Casey Affleck is not a supporting actor in that film, but I'll take what I can get.

The Bucket List?

[Silencio]

WTF @ The Bucket List...

Oh and, yay for Julie!

[Silencio]

A completely solid-if-unremarkable performance in a solid-if-unremarkable film, to my eyes - with the exception of that final shot. I dunno, he just never really conveyed the sort of deep inner conflict that the role required, and calling it the best performance of the year in that category is just silly.Swinton was clearly the standout in that film.

[Sycophant]

Swinton was clearly the standout in that film.
Okay, yeah, that I can agree with. That said, I don't really have any qualms with Clooney's performance. I think he pretty much nailed it. But I'll admit to walking out more impressed with both Wilkinson and especially Swinton.

[Rowland]

A completely solid-if-unremarkable performance in a solid-if-unremarkable film, to my eyes - with the exception of that final shot. I dunno, he just never really conveyed the sort of deep inner conflict that the role required, and calling it the best performance of the year in that category is just silly.Even the final shot doesn't strike me as particularly earned, even if I like the idea of it as a formal conceit. I agree that Michael Clayton is an all-around solid movie, and no more.

[Rowland]

Yay for the Afflecks!

[Watashi]

Yay for Bourne.

[Spinal]

Career Achievement – MICHAEL DOUGLAS


:rolleyes:

[kamran]

Top Ten Films:
THE BUCKET LIST

In the words of Sarah Silverman, "what the cock is that shit?"

Anyways, even though it's probably the worst case of category fraud I have seen in years, I am thrilled for Casey Affleck. Glad to know he hasn't been forgotten.

[Boner M]

Sight and Sound's top 10:

1. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (Cristian Mungiu)
2. Inland Empire (David Lynch)
3. Zodiac (David Fincher)
= 4. I'm Not There (Todd Haynes)
The Lives of Others (Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck)
6. Silent Light (Carlos Reygadas)
= 7. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Andrew Dominik)
Syndromes and a Century (Apichatpong Weerasethakul)
No Country for Old Men (Ethan and Joel Coen)
Eastern Promises (David Cronenberg)

...With a plethora of individual lists here (http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/pdf/films-of-the-year-2007.pdf). *geeks out*

[Spinal]

Kaleem Aftab (Critic, The Independent, UK)
1. Silent Light (Carlos Reygadas, Mexico). The opening and closing sunrise and sunset sequences can and should be looked at for hours.


Oh brother. :rolleyes:

[Derek]

Oh brother. :rolleyes:

Heh. I hated Battle in Heaven almost as much as you (it was in my 10 worst last year), but I actually have high hopes for this one.

[jesse]

Oh brother. :rolleyes: Overstatement yes, but it is so stark and simple and startling that you kind of reel back thinking "now why the hell hasn't that been done before?"

[MacGuffin]

Heh. I hated Battle in Heaven almost as much as you (it was in my 10 worst last year), but I actually have high hopes for this one.

Same with me. Did you see Japón?

[krazed]

I guess I should see I'm Not There, huh.

[Hugh_Grant]

Boston Film Critics:
http://www.thebsfc.org/CurrWin.html

Best Picture

No Country For Old Men

Best Actor

Frank Langella for Starting Out in the Evening

Best Actress

Marion Cotillard for La Vie en Rose

Best Supporting Actor

Javier Bardem for No Country for Old Men

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Ryan for Gone Baby Gone

Best Director

Julian Schnabel for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best Screenplay

Brad Bird for Ratatouille

Best Cinematography

Janusz Kaminski for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best Documentary

Crazy Love

Best Foreign-Language Film

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best New Filmmaker

Ben Affleck for Gone Baby Gone

Best Ensemble Cast

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead

[Sycophant]

Think we're going to see some love for Tommy Lee Jones this award season? Bardem was fantastic as well (as was really everyone in the cast), but Jones's performance was devastatingly good.

Also, I'd single out Bird's direction on Ratatouille before I'd single out his screenwriting.

[Mal]

Think we're going to see some love for Tommy Lee Jones this award season? Bardem was fantastic as well (as was really everyone in the cast), but Jones's performance was devastatingly good.


I don't think so. This awards season is... no country for old men with previous major award wins.

*rim shot*

[jesse]

Boston Film Critics:
http://www.thebsfc.org/CurrWin.html
Best Actor

Frank Langella for Starting Out in the Evening I had a feeling this was going to be the token "honoring an oldie but a goodie" performance this year...

It's a nice performance though.

[jesse]

And is this going to be another year where I'm not going to have seen the awards frontrunner?

*is completely uninterested in No Country, still hasn't seen The Departed*

[Ezee E]

And is this going to be another year where I'm not going to have seen the awards frontrunner?

*is completely uninterested in No Country, still hasn't seen The Departed*
But you'll willingly see Hitman? :crazy:

[jesse]

But you'll willingly see Hitman? :crazy: Nobody said anything about willing, did they? :lol:

Hitman is an exception to the rule--I saw it in the name of having a social life. (My friends would likely not want to see No Country, so I'd be making the effort to go by myself. Which I won't.)

[Rowland]

Think we're going to see some love for Tommy Lee Jones this award season? Bardem was fantastic as well (as was really everyone in the cast), but Jones's performance was devastatingly good.I suspect it may be too typical a Jones character/performance for him to receive much attention.

[Watashi]

Marion Cotillard pretty much has Best Actress in the bag.

[DSNT]

Marion Cotillard pretty much has Best Actress in the bag.
Way too early to say that. Julie Christie and Amy Adams are both getting a lot of buzz.

[eternity]

L.A. Film Critics

Best Picture: (tie)

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly & There Will Be Blood

Best Actor

Daniel Day Lewis for There Will Be Blood

Best Actress:

Julie Christie for Away from Her

Director

PT Anderson for There Will Be Blood

Supporting actress:

Amy Ryan for Gone Baby Gone and Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Supporting actor:

Vlad Ivanov, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days

Best Feature Animation: (a tie!)

Persepolis & Ratatouille

Documentary/Non-fiction film:

No End in Sight directed by Charles Ferguson

Production design:

Jack Fisk, There Will Be Blood

Music:

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, Once

Cinematography:

Janusz Kaminski, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Douglas Edwards Indie Award:

Colossal Youth directed by Pedro Costa

Career Achievement:

Sidney Lumet

[Hugh_Grant]

To build on the list posted by eternity, here are the winners and runners-up from the 2007 LAFCA Awards:

Best Picture: "There Will Be Blood"
Runner-up: "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, "There Will Be Blood"
Runner-up: Julian Schnabel, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"

Actress: Marion Cotillard, "La Vie En Rose"
Runner-up: Anamaria Marinca "4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days"

Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood"
Runner-up: Frank Langella, "Starting Out In The Evening"

Screenplay: Tamara Jenkins, "The Savages"
Runner-up: Paul Thomas Anderson for "There Will Be Blood"

Supporting actress: Amy Ryan for "Gone Baby Gone" and "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead"
Runner-up: Cate Blanchett, "I'm Not There"

Supporting actor: Vlad Ivanov, "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days"
Runner-up: Hal Holbrook, "Into the Wild"

Foreign language film: "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days"
Runner-up: "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"

Documentary/Non-fiction film: "No End in Sight" directed by Charles Ferguson
Runner-up: "Sicko" directed by Michael Moore

Production design:Jack Fisk, "There Will Be Blood"
Runner-up: Dante Ferretti, "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

Music: Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, "Once"
Runner-up: Jonny Greenwood, "There Will Be Blood"

Cinematography: Janusz Kaminski, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"
Runner-up: Robert Elswit, "There Will Be Blood"

[eternity]

I was just about to edit my original post with that.

[eternity]

New York Film Critics looks eerily similar to LA Film Critics. Does this mean that Diving Bell and There Will Be Blood are the two early frontrunners?

Best Picture: (tie)

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly & There Will Be Blood

Best Actor

Daniel Day Lewis for There Will Be Blood

Best Actress:

Julie Christie for Away from Her

Director

PT Anderson for There Will Be Blood

Supporting actress:

Cate Blanchett for I'm Not There

Supporting Actor
Javier Bardem
Breakthrough Performer
Ellen Page for Juno
Debut Director
Sarah Polley (Away from Her)
Ensemble Cast
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Screenplay
The Darjeeling Limited (Wes Anderson, Jason Schwartzman, Roman Coppola)
Documentary
Sicko
Foreign Language: (tie)
Lives of Others & Persepolis
Animated
Persepolis
Cinematography
Robert Elswitt for There Will Be Blood
Film Music
There Will Be Blood (Jonny Greenwood)

[Hugh_Grant]

New York Film Critics looks eerily similar to LA Film Critics. Does this mean that Diving Bell and There Will Be Blood are the two early frontrunners?


Strange that There Will Be Blood was shut out of the NBR's accolades. It will be interesting to see how it does with the other groups.


Amy Ryan's stock has risen (NBR, LAFCA and BSFC).

[Boner M]

Washington DC Critics:

EST PICTURE
Winner: No Country for Old Men

BEST DIRECTOR
Winner: Ethan and Joel Coen (No Country for Old Men)

BEST ACTOR
Winner: George Clooney (Michael Clayton)

BEST ACTRESS
Winner: Julie Christie (Away from Her)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Winner: Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Winner: Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone and Before the Devil Knows You're Dead)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Winner: Diablo Cody (Juno)

BEST ENSEMBLE
Winner: No Country for Old Men

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Winner: Ratatouille

BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM
Winner:

BEST ART DIRECTION
Winner: Sweeney Todd

BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Winner: Ellen Page (Juno)

[Hugh_Grant]

According to the Washington DC critics' site, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly won Best Foreign Language Film.

Edit: Sicko won Best Documentary.

[jesse]

Do all of these groups really release their lists on the same day? Odd.

[eternity]

Amy Ryan is a total lock. Funny thing is her name isn't even on the Gone Baby Gone DVD cover. Double dip? Almost certainly.

[Watashi]

Was Gone Baby Gone the only film critics saw this year? There are many better choices out there for best supporting actress.

Funny how Atonement is getting shut out in pretty much everything.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Surprised at the second Clooney win... really surprised.

[Silencio]

As much as I liked No Country for Old Men, I really don't want to see it sweep all the awards. These critics awards are pretty bad as well.

[Boner M]

As much as I liked No Country for Old Men, I really don't want to see it sweep all the awards. These critics awards are pretty bad as well.
The LA ones seem pretty respectable; love the mention of Vlad Ivanov for best supporting actor.

Or it could just be that I'm already mega-hyped for TWBB.

[Mysterious Dude]

Movie City News has started keeping track of the critics' lists. I'm sure they'll have the scoreboard up pretty soon.

http://www.moviecitynews.com/awards/2008/top_ten/critics_01.html

[Boner M]

Chicago film critics:

Best Picture
"Into the Wild"
"Michael Clayton"
"No Country for Old Men"
"Once"
"There Will Be Blood"

Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, "There Will Be Blood"
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, "No Country for Old Men"
Tony Gilroy, "Michael Clayton"
David Fincher, "Zodiac"
Jason Reitman, "Juno"

Best Actor
George Clooney, "Michael Clayton"
Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood"
Ryan Gosling, "Lars and the Real Girl"
Frank Langella, "Starting Out in the Evening"
Viggo Mortensen, "Eastern Promises"

Best Actress
Julie Christie, "Away from Her"
Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose"
Angelina Jolie, "A Mighty Heart"
Laura Linney, "The Savages"
Ellen Page, "Juno"

Best Supporting Actor
Casey Affleck, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, "Charlie Wilson's War"
Hal Holbrook, "Into the Wild"
Tom Wilkinson, "Michael Clayton"

Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchet, "I'm Not There"
Jennifer Jason Leigh, "Margot at the Wedding"
Leslie Mann, "Knocked Up"
Amy Ryan, "Gone Baby Gone"
Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton"

Best Adapted Screenplay
"Atonement"
"Into the Wild"
"No Country for Old Men"
"There Will Be Blood"
"Zodiac"

Best Original Screenplay
"Before the Devil Knows You're Dead"
"Juno"
"Michael Clayton"
"Ratatouille"
"The Savages"

Best Cinematography
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
"Atonement"
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"
"No Country for Old Men"
"There Will Be Blood"

Best Score
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
"Atonement"
"Lust, Caution"
"Once"
"There Will Be Blood"

Best Animated Feature
"Beowulf"
"Meet the Robinsons"
"Persepolis"
"Ratatouille"
"The Simpsons Movie"

Best Foreign Film
"4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days"
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"
"La Vie en Rose"
"Lust, Caution"
"The Orphanage"

Best Documentary
"Darfur Now"
"The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters"
"Lake of Fire"
"No End in Sight"
"Sicko"

Promising Director
Ben Affleck, "Gone Baby Gone"
John Carney, "Once"
Craig Gillespie, "Lars and the Real Girl"
Tony Gilroy, "Michael Clayton"
Sarah Polley, "Away from Her"

Promising Performer
Nikki Blonsky, "Hairspray"
Michael Cera, "Juno"/"Superbad"
Glen Hansard, "Once"
Carice van Houten, "Black Book"
Tang Wei, "Lust, Caution"

[Boner M]

New York film critics:

BEST PICTURE
No Country for Old Men

BEST DIRECTORS
Joel and Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men)

BEST ACTOR
Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood)

BEST ACTRESS
Julie Christie (Away From Her)

BEST SUPPRTING ACTOR
Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone)

BEST SCREENPLAY
Joel and Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Robert Elswit (There Will Be Blood)

BEST DOCUMENTARY
No End in Sight

BEST FOREIGN FILM
The Lives of Others

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Persepolis

BEST FIRST FILM
Sarah Polley (Away from Her)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Sidney Lumet

SPECIAL CRITICS' AWARD
Charles Burnett (Killer of Sheep)

[eternity]

Chicago:

Best Picture
"Into the Wild"
"Michael Clayton"
"No Country for Old Men"
"Once"
"There Will Be Blood"

Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, "There Will Be Blood"
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, "No Country for Old Men"
Tony Gilroy, "Michael Clayton"
David Fincher, "Zodiac"
Jason Reitman, "Juno"

Best Actor
George Clooney, "Michael Clayton"
Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood"
Ryan Gosling, "Lars and the Real Girl"
Frank Langella, "Starting Out in the Evening"
Viggo Mortensen, "Eastern Promises"

Best Actress
Julie Christie, "Away from Her"
Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose"
Angelina Jolie, "A Mighty Heart"
Laura Linney, "The Savages"
Ellen Page, "Juno"

Best Supporting Actor
Casey Affleck, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, "Charlie Wilson's War"
Hal Holbrook, "Into the Wild"
Tom Wilkinson, "Michael Clayton"

Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchet, "I'm Not There"
Jennifer Jason Leigh, "Margot at the Wedding"
Leslie Mann, "Knocked Up"
Amy Ryan, "Gone Baby Gone"
Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton"

Best Adapted Screenplay
"Atonement"
"Into the Wild"
"No Country for Old Men"
"There Will Be Blood"
"Zodiac"
Best Original Screenplay
"Before the Devil Knows You're Dead"
"Juno"
"Michael Clayton"
"Ratatouille"
"The Savages"

Best Cinematography
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
"Atonement"
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"
"No Country for Old Men"
"There Will Be Blood"

Best Score
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
"Atonement"
"Lust, Caution"
"Once"
"There Will Be Blood"

Best Animated Feature
"Beowulf"
"Meet the Robinsons"
"Persepolis"
"Ratatouille"
"The Simpsons Movie"

Best Foreign Film
"4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days"
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"
"La Vie en Rose"
"Lust, Caution"
"The Orphanage"

Best Documentary
"Darfur Now"
"The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters"
"Lake of Fire"
"No End in Sight"
"Sicko"

Promising Director
Ben Affleck, "Gone Baby Gone"
John Carney, "Once"
Craig Gillespie, "Lars and the Real Girl"
Tony Gilroy, "Michael Clayton"
Sarah Polley, "Away from Her"

Promising Performer
Nikki Blonsky, "Hairspray"
Michael Cera, "Juno"/"Superbad"
Glen Hansard, "Once"
Carice van Houten, "Black Book"
Tang Wei, "Lust, Caution"

[eternity]

Anyone who's doubted me when I said that Once was a legitimate contender, eat your hear t out.

[Hugh_Grant]

NOMINEES FOR THE 13TH ANNUAL CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS

PICTURE
"American Gangster
"Atonement"
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"
"Into the Wild"
"Juno"
"The Kite Runner"
"Michael Clayton"
"No Country for Old Men"
"Sweeney Todd"
"There Will Be Blood"

ACTOR
George Clooney - "Michael Clayton"
Daniel Day-Lewis - "There Will Be Blood"
Johnny Depp - "Sweeney Todd"
Ryan Gosling - "Lars and the Real Girl"
Emile Hirsch - "Into the Wild"
Viggo Mortensen - "Eastern Promises"

ACTRESS
Amy Adams - "Enchanted"
Cate Blanchett - "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"
Julie Christie - "Away From Her"
Marion Cotillard - "La Vie en Rose"
Angelina Jolie - "A Mighty Heart"
Ellen Page - "Juno"

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Casey Affleck - "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
Javier Bardem - "No Country for Old Men"
Philip Seymour Hoffman - "Charlie Wilson’s War"
Hal Holbrook - "Into the Wild"
Tom Wilkinson - "Michael Clayton"

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett - "I’m Not There"
Catherine Keener - "Into the Wild"
Vanessa Redgrave - "Atonement"
Amy Ryan - "Gone Baby Gone"
Tilda Swinton - "Michael Clayton"

ACTING ENSEMBLE
"Hairspray"
"Juno"
"No Country for Old Men"
"Sweeney Todd"
"Gone Baby Gone"
"Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead"

DIRECTOR
Tim Burton - "Sweeney Todd"
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen - "No Country for Old Men"
Sidney Lumet - "Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead"
Sean Penn - "Into the Wild"
Julian Schnabel - "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"
Joe Wright - "Atonement"

WRITER
Diablo Cody - "Juno"
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen - "No Country for Old Men"
Tony Gilroy - "Michael Clayton"
Nancy Oliver - "Lars and the Real Girl"
Sean Penn - "Into the Wild"
Aaron Sorkin - "Charlie Wilson’s War"

ANIMATED FEATURE
"Bee Movie"
"Beowulf"
"Persepolis"
"Ratatouille"
"The Simpsons Movie"

YOUNG ACTOR
Michael Cera - "Juno"
Michael Cera - "Superbad"
Freddie Highmore - "August Rush"
Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada - "The Kite Runner"
Edward Sanders - "Sweeney Todd"

YOUNG ACTRESS
Nikki Blonsky - "Hairspray"
Dakota Blue Richards - "The Golden Compass"
AnnaSophia Robb - "Bridge to Terabithia"
Saoirse Ronan - "Atonement"

COMEDY MOVIE
"Dan in Real Life"
"Hairspray"
"Juno"
"Knocked Up"
"Superbad"

FAMILY FILM (LIVE ACTION)
"August Rush"
"Enchanted"
"The Golden Compass"
"Hairspray"
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"

PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
"The Company"
"Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee"
"Tin Man"
"The War"

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"
"4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days"
"La Vie en Rose"
"Lust, Caution"
"The Orphanage"

SONG
"Come So Far" - Queen Latifah, Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley ("Hairspray")
"Do You Feel Me" - Anthony Hamilton ("American Gangster")
"Falling Slowly" - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova ("Once")
"Guaranteed" - Eddie Vedder ("Into the Wild")
"That’s How You Know" - Amy Adams ("Enchanted")

COMPOSER
Marco Beltrami - "3:10 to Yuma"
Alexandre Desplat - "Lust, Caution"
Clint Eastwood - "Grace Is Gone"
Jonny Greenwood - "There Will Be Blood"
Dario Marianelli - "Atonement"
Alan Menken - "Enchanted"

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
"Darfur Now"
"In the Shadow of the Moon"
"The King of Kong"
"No End in Sight"
"Sharkwater"
"Sicko"

[Ezee E]

Anyone who's doubted me when I said that Once was a legitimate contender, eat your hear t out.
Sounds good. It isn't unless you consider Best Song and Screenplay a "contender".

[Ezee E]

Sounds good. It isn't unless you consider Best Song and Screenplay a "contender".
Love the Cera nominations from the BFCA

[Bosco B Thug]

Finally Joe Wright with something!

[Rowland]

Nick Schager on five directors who have shifted gears for the better in 2007. (http://ifc.com/news/article?aId=21802)

[Rowland]

Slant's Year in Film:

http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/features/2007yearinfilm.asp

[Ezee E]

Golden Globe Predictions:

Drama:
Atonement
American Gangster
Into the Wild
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Comedy:
Charlie Wilson's War
Hairspray
Knocked Up
Juno
Sweeney Todd

Knocked Up is my reach I guess.

[Boner M]

Slant's Year in Film:

http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/features/2007yearinfilm.asp
Ed's list is mighty handsome. Nick's is a little more boring, but closer to mine.

Their awards made me laugh: "Worst Cameo by a Mariachi Band: Bratz and No Country for Old Men (tie)" :lol:

[Watashi]

Slant is asking for a password for entrance.

[Rowland]

Slant is asking for a password for entrance.They must be having technical difficulties. It wasn't doing that before.

[Spinal]

Rescue Dawn? Really? Only four films this year better than Rescue Dawn. Ooooookay.

[Winston*]

Killer of Sheep being on Best of 2007 lists is silly.

[Rowland]

Rescue Dawn? Really? Only four films this year better than Rescue Dawn. Ooooookay.Schager's review. (http://www.nickschager.com/nsfp/2007/05/rescue_dawn_200.html)

[Raiders]

Ed's mention of To's Exiled is awesome.

[Raiders]

Killer of Sheep being on Best of 2007 lists is silly.

It deserves the recognition, though.

[Spinal]

Killer of Sheep being on Best of 2007 lists is silly.

I'm kind of torn. Normally, I would agree with you that putting thirty-year-old films on your best of the year list is typically a smug, underhanded putdown of the state of contemporary film. But this one has been so hidden from public view over the years that I don't really mind it. Still haven't seen it myself.

[Raiders]

Plus, Burnett's film has never actually had distribution in the US until this year, so going by US release, which they do, it is actually technically correct.

[Watashi]

Yeah, like Army of Shadows last year, Killer of Sheep's placement is just silly.

Nick's list is better as usual.

[Spinal]

I've only seen Paprika and Rescue Dawn from those lists. I am so far behind this year. :sad:

[Rowland]

Nick's list is better as usual.Have you seen many of the movies on Ed's list?

[Watashi]

Have you seen many of the movies on Ed's list?
I've seen 3 compared to Nick's 5.

It doesn't matter. Nick's taste are more aligned to mine anyway.

[Rowland]

Ed's placements for Offside and Exiled are the most pleasant surprises for me. The former still resides near the top of my list as well.

[Raiders]

I have seen four of Ed's and five of Nick's, and I would give Nick the edge. Ed has Exiled, but Nick has Persepolis and Zodiac. I may think differently once I have seen them all, which will probably never happen.

[Raiders]

It is interesting that for once, they have two different reviews up (full reviews, mind you) for PTA's There Will Be Blood. Especially since they have quite different opinions.

[Sycophant]

Reading this list reminds me how harsh Slant grades and that their actual quantifications of opinion should be taken with a recognition of the fact that they each have three-star films on their top tens.

Good lists, though. I do love the call-out to Exiled, particularly in how it "shows up" The Departed. It's a little weird to see Killer of Sheep topping 2007 lists, but it was its first commercial theatrical release, right? That's usually the qualification utilized and explains why foreign and independent films produced in 2005 and '06 pop up in these lists and around award time.

[Rowland]

It is interesting that for once, they have two different reviews up (full reviews, mind you) for PTA's There Will Be Blood. Especially since they have quite different opinions.They should do that more often. It seems especially apt this year, given how different their lists turned out. Their taste seems to be diverging.

[Watashi]

Nick gave Ratatouille ***1/2 stars yet it only landed in his honorable mentions. :sad:

[Rowland]

they each have three-star films on their top tens. Only Ed has three-star movies in his top ten. He appears to be a lot more disenchanted with modern cinema than Nick.

[Sycophant]

Only Ed has three-star movies in his top ten. He appears to be a lot more disenchanted with modern cinema than Nick.
Whoops. You're right. I forgot that Nick didn't write the Paprika review.

[Ezee E]

Killer of Sheep being on Best of 2007 lists is silly.
I think they did that last year with Army of Shadows.

[Watashi]

I think they did that last year with Army of Shadows.
That's what I said, fool.

[Rowland]

For what it's worth, Gonzalez has said on the Slant blog that any of his honorable mentions could have easily been replaced with any of these: Descent, Youth Without Youth, The Darjeeling Limited, Colma: The Musical, Sweeney Todd, Dans Paris, In Between Days, Operation Homecoming, Private Property, The Host, Exterminating Angels, Love for Sale, The Boss of it All, Ratatouille, Blame It On Fidel, The Short Life of Jose Antonio Gutierrez, The Cats of Mirikitani, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters, Half Moon and Lake of Fire.

[jesse]

The hell?


With great wryness and mind-boggling shifts in tone, Emanuele Crialese's Golden Door absorbs us into a superstitious emigrant people's sojourn to the new world. A masterpiece of aesthetic and humane nerve, it confirms that Agnès Godard is the finest cinematographer alive and that Nina Simone's voice is the sweetest shortcut to ecstasy. This looked dreadful and so I skipped it without a thought. But Godard and Simone? Wha...?

*jumps to Greencine queue*

And I wanna see Forever, dammit. Somebody release it!

[monolith94]

I think they did that last year with Army of Shadows.
That was silly too.

[Raiders]

I don't see why it is silly. It is the film's US premiere. What does it matter if it was made in 1969 or 2005? They are listing the top 10 US theatrically released films of 2007.

[Bosco B Thug]

Atonement, Slant?!?!?!? :evil:

I'm sort of glad Gonzalez finally stepped in to take There Will Be Blood down a notch, and he hits on some of the same problems I had with the film. I don't agree with him on all of them, but I agree that the film lacks a solid and aggressive intellectual or philosophical groundwork, instead falling back on relatively empty technical mastery, hypnotic visuals, and character histrionics to cover for an overly simplistic and streamlined narrative.

Now that I've got this review, I'll go out on a limb and say I won't be alone on this here on these forums.

I'm kinda bummed about my December "trifecta of perfect awesomeness": TWBB, Sweeney Todd, and Atonement. I know I shouldn't let reviews influence me, but having now seen this, and having now read reviews of Sweeney Todd (saying it lacks the social commentary of the original play w/ the usual jabs at Burton's lack of sophistication), and a sense of negativity about the substance of Atonement, too, I think I'd better work harder keeping out notions of "perfection" from my head and let films just pop up and surprise me. I'm gonna try to keep this negativity out of my mind when I sit down to watch these upcoming two (both of which I'm still anticipating greatly).

[Mysterious Dude]

I don't see why it is silly. It is the film's US premiere. What does it matter if it was made in 1969 or 2005? They are listing the top 10 US theatrically released films of 2007.
Killer of Sheep is an old movie. Every other movie on those lists is a new movie. That is why Killer of Sheep looks slightly out of place.

[Sven]

I really like their inclusion of Rescue Dawn on their lists. Good ol' Herzog... even with a lesser film, you still manage to rock the house!

And I thought the mariachi bit in NCfOM was inspired.

And, um... oh yeah, I, too, think that Killer of Sheep being included is, like, totally silly. It is silly because it has been watched and loved many many many times within the last 30 years. 1 or 2 or maybe even 3 or 4 years, I can understand. But 30? Nah. That's pretty silly.

[Spinal]

Invincible > Rescue Dawn



^ pointless provocation ^

[Derek]

Invincible > Rescue Dawn



^ pointless provocation ^

I'm with ya.

[Spinal]

Evan Almighty (Shadyac, 2007) 0.5

Whoa. :)

[Derek]

Whoa. :)

It's shit. Let me put it another way - it makes me appreciate the skill and subtle craftsmanship behind Tom Shadyac's other films. Apparently God (and please read this if you're not planning on seeing the film just to see how absolutely fucking retarded it is) found it necessary for Evan to build a raft and bring two species of every animal in the world to him, which saves them from a flood caused by a local damn breaking and assures that some stupid land bill that only concerns the DC area doesn't pass. Oh oh, but you might be thinking that everyone is saved b/c Evan has the raft...and you'd be wrong. No, the only people who get aboard the raft are the people who were around it when he was building it - those people being reporters and fat housewives who were mocking him the entire time. By this logic, you might be thinking that all the innocent people on the street died, but again, NO. They're standing a block over watching the wave carry the raft towards the Capital Building. Apparently when a damn breaks it only covers the width of one city block. Oh yeah, and let's not forget why the animals are there even though it's only a local flood that ended up doing very little damage. Well, uh, it happened in the Bible and shots of monkeys laughing and bare baboon asses are good for cheap laughs? Oh yeah, then there's Wanda Sykes painfully lame one-liners, delivered so monotonously that they even included a scene of her making wisecracks to Evan through the television. Let's see, then there's his annoying kids who are angry b/c he can't go hiking with them b/c he has an unexpected meeting on his first day as a Congressmen and last but not least, the fact that film ended with the cast dancing to CC & FUCKING C MUSIC FACTORY'S "EVERYBODY DANCE NOW" OMGWTFKILLMENOW. Yeah, I think my scores a little high. ;)

[NickGlass]

The Globes nominated seven films for Best Drama (American Gangster, Atonement, The Great Debaters, Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men and There Will be Blood). That's just silly. I'm not against a slew of actors getting nominated in a category, but don't they have rules or tie-breakers for the really big awards? You know, like, ruling out "films that don't involve Denzel Washington being a blowhard."

Also, Charlie Wilson's War looks awful. I'm writing all those nominations of as "starfucking" nods.

[Ezee E]

The Globes nominated seven films for Best Drama (American Gangster, Atonement, The Great Debaters, Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men and There Will be Blood). That's just silly. I'm not against a slew of actors getting nominated in a category, but don't they have rules or tie-breakers for the really big awards? You know, like, ruling out "films that don't involve Denzel Washington being a blowhard."

Also, Charlie Wilson's War looks awful. I'm writing all those nominations of as "starfucking" nods.
Sometimes I think the Golden Globes nominate movies because they look like they should be nominated. They always pick out the "dud" of the season.

[Sven]

the fact that film ended with the cast dancing to CC & FUCKING C MUSIC FACTORY'S "EVERYBODY DANCE NOW" OMGWTFKILLMENOW.

I have to admit, I am a sucker for dancing at the end of movies to antiquated pop songs. It's what kept me from really hating Little Miss Sunshine.

[Sven]

Invincible > Rescue Dawn



^ pointless provocation ^

I agree, so consider your provocation otiose.

I actually think Invincible is quite great, whereas Rescue Dawn is pretty, and sometimes really, good.

[Spinal]

I agree, so consider your provocation otiose.

Word of the day!

[Watashi]

The Globes nominated seven films for Best Drama (American Gangster, Atonement, The Great Debaters, Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men and There Will be Blood). That's just silly. I'm not against a slew of actors getting nominated in a category, but don't they have rules or tie-breakers for the really big awards? You know, like, ruling out "films that don't involve Denzel Washington being a blowhard."

Also, Charlie Wilson's War looks awful. I'm writing all those nominations of as "starfucking" nods.
Did you actually think the Globes were going to nominate 12:08 East to Bucharest? C'mon, Nick.

[Watashi]

Can someone post the full nominations?

[Silencio]

Golden Globe Nominations

Cecil B. DeMille Award
Steven Spielberg

Best Motion Picture - Drama

American Gangster
Atonement
Eastern Promises
The Great Debaters
Michael Clayton
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

Cate Blanchett – Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie – Away From Her
Jodie Foster – The Brave One
Angelina Jolie – A Mighty Heart
Keira Knightley – Atonement

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama

George Clooney – Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis – There Will Be Blood
James McAvoy – Atonement
Viggo Mortensen – Eastern Promises
Denzel Washington – American Gangster

Best Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy

Across The Universe
Charlie Wilson's War
Hairspray
Juno
Sweeney Todd

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Amy Adams – Enchanted
Nikki Blonsky – Hairspray
Helena Bonham Carter – Sweeney Todd
Marion Cotillard – La Vie En Rose
Ellen Page – Juno

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy

Johnny Depp – Sweeney Todd
Ryan Gosling – Lars and the Real Girl
Tom Hanks – Charlie Wilson's War
Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Savages
John C. Reilly – Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Cate Blanchett – I'm Not There
Julia Roberts – Charlie Wilson's War
Saoirse Ronan – Atonement
Amy Ryan – Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton – Michael Clayton

Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Casey Affleck – The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem – No Country For Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Charlie Wilson's War
John Travolta – Hairspray
Tom Wilkinson – Michael Clayton

Best Animated Feature Film

Bee Movie
Ratatouille
The Simpsons Movie

Best Foreign Languge Film

4 Months, 3 Weeks And 2 Days (Romania)
The Diving Bell And The Butterfly (France, United States)
The Kite Runner (United States)
Lust, Caution (Taiwan)
Persepolis (France)

Best Director - Motion Picture

Tim Burton – Sweeney Todd
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen – No Country For Old Men
Julian Schnabel – The Diving Bell And The Butterfly
Ridley Scott – American Gangster
Joe Wright – Atonement

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture

Atonement
Charlie Wilson's War
The Diving Bell And The Butterfly
Juno
No Country For Old Men

Best Original Score - Motion Picture

Grace Is Gone (Eastwood)
The Kite Runner (Iglesias)
Atonement (Marianelli)
Eastern Promises (Shore)
Into The Wild (Vedder, Brook, King)

Best Original Song - Motion Picture

"Despedida" – Love In The Time Of Cholera
Music By: Shakira and Antonio Pinto
Lyrics By: Shakira

"Grace Is Gone" – Grace Is Gone
Music By: Clint Eastwood
Lyrics By: Carole Bayer Sager

"Guaranteed" – Into The Wild
Music & Lyrics By: Eddie Vedder

"That's How You Know" – Enchanted
Music & Lyrics By: Alan Menken

"Walk Hard" – Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Music & Lyrics By: Judd Apatow, Kasdan, John C. Reilly and Marshall Crenshaw

[Watashi]

My God, their original score nominations are horrendous. Is it that hard to get that category right?

[Silencio]

I'm disappointed with the lack of Once in the song category. Hopefully the Academy won't be as retarded.

[Silencio]

Reactions from the nominees. (http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117977636.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1)

[Sycophant]

I'm disappointed with the lack of Once in the song category. Hopefully the Academy won't be as retarded.Perhaps I'm wrong, but didn't a lot/most/all of the songs in Once come from previously released albums?

[Silencio]

Perhaps I'm wrong, but didn't a lot/most/all of the songs in Once come from previously released albums?Nope. Written, composed, and performed for the film. Two of its songs are in official running for the Academy Award.

[origami_mustache]

I'm disappointed with the lack of Once in the song category. Hopefully the Academy won't be as retarded.

Doubtful...these award shows have such bad music taste.

[Ezee E]

Oh yeah, and huzzah for John C. Reilly.

[eternity]

-American Gangster got life breathed back into it. It went from frontrunner, to almost dead, to now back in. God. Fucking. Dammit.
-Walk Hard's two nominations, including best actor and best song, are hilarious. Too many people got shafted for this to happen, but it proved every reason why this movie exists. Good for them
-John Travolta for Hairspray. Typical Globes. Suicide
-That Best Actress nominations are hilarious. Cate Blanchett, Jodie Foster and Angelina Jolie have no business there.
-Seven nominees, all of which are above average films. Show some backbone and nominate some really good stuff, Globes.
-The best foreign film nominees are better than the best picture nominees, and one of them might get nominated for the BP Oscar.
-Bonham Carter sucks in Sweeney Todd. If they had the backbone to nominate AtU for BP, they should have nominated Evan Rachel Wood.
-Don Cheadle for Talk to Me or Richard Gere for The Hoax needed to be nominated over John. C Reilly. Total. Fucking. Bullshit.
-Again, WHERE THE FUCK IS ONCE?

[Ezee E]

-American Gangster got life breathed back into it. It went from frontrunner, to almost dead, to now back in. God. Fucking. Dammit.
-Walk Hard's two nominations, including best actor and best song, are hilarious. Too many people got shafted for this to happen, but it proved every reason why this movie exists. Good for them
-John Travolta for Hairspray. Typical Globes. Suicide
-That Best Actress nominations are hilarious. Cate Blanchett, Jodie Foster and Angelina Jolie have no business there.
-Seven nominees, all of which are above average films. Show some backbone and nominate some really good stuff, Globes.
-The best foreign film nominees are better than the best picture nominees, and one of them might get nominated for the BP Oscar.
-Bonham Carter sucks in Sweeney Todd. If they had the backbone to nominate AtU for BP, they should have nominated Evan Rachel Wood.
-Don Cheadle for Talk to Me or Richard Gere for The Hoax needed to be nominated over John. C Reilly. Total. Fucking. Bullshit.
-Again, WHERE THE FUCK IS ONCE?
American Gangster never really died.

I think Jolie will win the Globe, but lose out to Cotillard or Page for the Oscar.

You've seen There Will Be Blood? No Country is pretty damn good, not just over average.

John Travolta is the typical Globe pick. You got that right.

The Kite Runner or Diving Bell, which do you think has the BP Nom? I stick with The Kite Runner.

Once is dead. If the Indie Awards can't even recognize it, then who'd expect it to be here? At least it'll get nominated for Song at the Oscars. Take that for what you will. Too bad Pearl Jam is going to win it.

[eternity]

Haven't seen TWBB. If any Coen film has deserved this much award contention, No Country is definitely not it. Lower-tier, but I know I'm in the minority. Diving Bell is looking to be a dark horse, since it's been getting a whole lot of love plus a best director nomination. If it wasn't foreign, it would have probably gotten the best drama nod.

[Ezee E]

Haven't seen TWBB. If any Coen film has deserved this much award contention, No Country is definitely not it. Lower-tier, but I know I'm in the minority. Diving Bell is looking to be a dark horse, since it's been getting a whole lot of love plus a best director nomination. If it wasn't foreign, it would have probably gotten the best drama nod.
I'd have assumed that The Kite Runner would have too. Why not rack up 10 Drama movies this year? Heh.

[Sven]

-Bonham Carter sucks in Sweeney Todd. If they had the backbone to nominate AtU for BP, they should have nominated Evan Rachel Wood.

I did not at all care for Across the Universe, and one of the primary reasons was how much its leads were drained of credible force and believability. Say what you will about a bad screenplay, I didn't see any passion from either of its leads.

[Hugh_Grant]

-
-Again, WHERE THE FUCK IS ONCE?
Damn skippy.
Shakira?!? Seriously?!?!

[Derek]

I have to admit, I am a sucker for dancing at the end of movies to antiquated pop songs. It's what kept me from really hating Little Miss Sunshine.

But it was over the credits after the movie ended, as if trying to convince me that b/c the cast was having so much fun making it, I must've had a good time watching it. At least LMS's was integrated into the plot and, you know, part of the actual film.

[Sven]

But it was over the credits after the movie ended, as if trying to convince me that b/c the cast was having so much fun making it, I must've had a good time watching it. At least LMS's was integrated into the plot and, you know, part of the actual film.

I hear ya. It's a fine line, for sure, as I wasn't too fond of the sequence in 40 Year Old Virgin.

Thoughts on The Exorcist?

[NickGlass]

-Bonham Carter sucks in Sweeney Todd. If they had the backbone to nominate AtU for BP, they should have nominated Evan Rachel Wood.

Have you seen Sweeney Todd? At least Carter is much less monotonous than Depp.

I'm not a big fan of The Savages, but I'm still a bit disappointed that Laura Linney wasn't included in the lineup. Cotillard being in that category is still beyond ridiculous.

[Derek]

I hear ya. It's a fine line, for sure, as I wasn't too fond of the sequence in 40 Year Old Virgin.

Thoughts on The Exorcist?

I don't think you understand - it happened after the film was over and was just the cast/crew dancing like morons to a terrible song. It just felt incredibly forced, annoying and tacked on. I thought it worked in 40 Year Old Virgin and Kitano's Zatoichi because both were in many ways a part of the film. Inland Empire's was bizarre and tongue-in-cheek enough to work and at least used an amazing song.

Don't really have much to say about The Exorcist aside from it being underwhelming given the reputation. It was well directed, had some nice performances, but I couldn't shake the feeling of "that's it?".

[kamran]

Cotillard being in that category is still beyond ridiculous.

It's not really a surprise though, considering that Jamie Foxx won in the same category when a) he also didn't do any of his own singing and b) "comedy" is not the first thing that jumps to mind when watching Ray. Cotillard is a lock.

Anyways... these nominations are pretty dull, but I'm happy for Viggo getting his first big mention.

[Sven]

I don't think you understand - it happened after the film was over and was just the cast/crew dancing like morons to a terrible song. It just felt incredibly forced, annoying and tacked on. I thought it worked in 40 Year Old Virgin and Kitano's Zatoichi because both were in many ways a part of the film. Inland Empire's was bizarre and tongue-in-cheek enough to work and at least used an amazing song.

The crew is dancing along with the cast? Like, the director and gaffers and stuff?

Good call on Zatoichi. Now THAT'S the way you end a movie with a dance number.


Don't really have much to say about The Exorcist aside from it being underwhelming given the reputation. It was well directed, had some nice performances, but I couldn't shake the feeling of "that's it?".

Yeah, my appreciation of that one more or less begins and ends with Friedkin being a good, tight director. Its depiction of Catholicism and humanity is borderline negligent, I think. There's no relish. Its all so cold and distant and uninvolving. I much prefer the crazy-ass sequel. I can feel the sweat in that one.

[Derek]

The crew is dancing along with the cast? Like, the director and gaffers and stuff?

Good call on Zatoichi. Now THAT'S the way you end a movie with a dance number.

Yep, it's just staged behind-the-scenes footage, not a part of the movie or anything.


Yeah, my appreciation of that one more or less begins and ends with Friedkin being a good, tight director. Its depiction of Catholicism and humanity is borderline negligent, I think. There's no relish. Its all so cold and distant and uninvolving. I much prefer the crazy-ass sequel. I can feel the sweat in that one.

I'm with you - there just wasn't much that drew me in. I've seen the second one a long time ago and remember disliking it, but maybe I'll give it another shot. Boorman knows how to make a crazy-ass movie, and if it's half as nuts as Zardoz, it's worth a second look.

[Sven]

Yep, it's just staged behind-the-scenes footage, not a part of the movie or anything.

Yeesh.


I'm with you - there just wasn't much that drew me in. I've seen the second one a long time ago and remember disliking it, but maybe I'll give it another shot. Boorman knows how to make a crazy-ass movie, and if it's half as nuts as Zardoz, it's worth a second look.

It's pretty freakin' nuts, but I think it's great. I wouldn't be surprised if you don't like it, but I think it's a quite awesome exemplification of cinematic expression, even while Richard Burton is insanely mumbling incoherencies about "Pazuzu" and James Earl Jones is spitting out ping pong balls.

[eternity]

Why do music biopics belong in the Musical/Comedy category? Cotillard shouldn't have been nominated in the Musical/Comedy category, especially because of the amount of room in the Best Actress in a Drama category as opposed to the incredibly competitive Best Actress in a Comedy lineup. Linney or Russell should have been the fifth nominee, and if Cotillard wins over Page, I will be furious. Not at Cotillard's performance, I've heard it's amazing, but the fact that they were against each other when they shouldn't have been.

[Bosco B Thug]

Don't really have much to say about The Exorcist aside from it being underwhelming given the reputation. It was well directed, had some nice performances, but I couldn't shake the feeling of "that's it?". Yeah, agreed. The Exorcist pretty much exemplifies the "That's it?" movie for me. Which is a shame, I'd have loved to defend it since it's Friedkin and, like, the dramatic horror film of American cinema.

I'm hoping for huge things when I finally get around to seeing Exorcist II, though. :twisted:

I haven't followed awards in previous years (this is the first year in a long time I've been quite anxious about them, what with all these movies I'm fanboying over leading the awards pack), but are these GG noms not very, well, credible, or is it just me? Are they as "wtf?" as in any year? (Walk Hard? American Gangster?) Glad to see Eastern Promises wasn't totally forgotten, though.

[Ezee E]

Cotiallard is pretty amazing in a very mediocre movie. When was the last time a foreign performance won an Oscar or Globe?

[Spinal]

-Bonham Carter sucks in Sweeney Todd.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Ezee E]

I'll believe it when I see it.
I think Eternity is just crying over Once and took it out on every other movie.

[Silencio]

-That Best Actress nominations are hilarious. Cate Blanchett, Jodie Foster and Angelina Jolie have no business there.I hope you're speaking in terms of box-office revenue and overall reception rather than the individual performances here. Especially for Jolie.

[Spinal]

No crying over awards shows. That should be a Match Cut rule.

[Winston*]

I'll believe it when I see it.

I don't believe eternity's seen it.

[kamran]

Cotiallard is pretty amazing in a very mediocre movie. When was the last time a foreign performance won an Oscar or Globe?

Roberto Benigni for Life is Beautiful.

And depending on how you look at it, Benicio del Toro for Traffic (the majority of the performance is delivered in Spanish, although the film isn't foreign-language overall.)

[Ezee E]

Roberto Benigni for Life is Beautiful.

And depending on how you look at it, Benicio del Toro for Traffic (the majority of the performance is delivered in Spanish, although the film isn't foreign-language overall.)
Good call.

Now, how about actresses?

[kamran]

Good call.

Now, how about actresses?

Sophia Loren in Two Women.

As for Supporting Actress, I had to scan all the way back to 1958, when Miyoshi Umeki won for the American-made Sayonara. However, I haven't seen the film, so I don't know how much Japanese is featured...

[eternity]

I don't believe eternity's seen it.I haven't even seen Once. I'm just going off what I've heard, that Bonham Carter is horrible in it. And I LOVE most of her performances. I'm just taking other people's word for it until I see it myself.

[Ezee E]

I haven't even seen Once. I'm just going off what I've heard, that Bonham Carter is horrible in it. And I LOVE most of her performances. I'm just taking other people's word for it until I see it myself.
:crazy:

[kamran]

I'm just taking other people's word for it until I see it myself.

:|

...why?

[eternity]

I hope you're speaking in terms of box-office revenue and overall reception rather than the individual performances here. Especially for Jolie.Blanchett is playing the same character she did in a film in the same series, nothing changed. I don't think you should get two nods for the same damn performance. Foster was good, not great, in the otherwise crappy The Brave One. Jolie was the same as the rest of A Mighty Heart, average.

[eternity]

:|

...why?
Because you have to compare to something, and when a performance you have seen is a lot better than a performance you've only heard about, you still can acknowledge it as a snub.

[Boner M]

HBC's reviews have been good, at least the ones I've read.

[Winston*]

Because you have to compare to something, and when a performance you have seen is a lot better than a performance you've only heard about, you still can acknowledge it as a snub.

Your logic hurt my mind.

[eternity]

HBC's reviews have been good, at least the ones I've read.We'll see on December 21st.

[Sycophant]

Oh, you guy... :lol:

[DSNT]

I'm surprised nobody is talking about Into The Wild. I can understand why it was mostly forgotten, and think the same will happen with the Oscars. But if anyone deserved mention, it would be Hal Holbrook. They could have left Travolta to his body thetan excising.

[jesse]

Agh, it's already that time again? I swear, awards and the internet frenzy it feeds seems to come earlier and earlier every year.

*sigh*

[kamran]

Agh, it's already that time again? I swear, awards and the internet frenzy it feeds seems to come earlier and earlier every year.

*sigh*

Actually, you're relatively late to the party. :)

[Rowland]

I'm surprised nobody is talking about Into The Wild. I can understand why it was mostly forgotten, and think the same will happen with the Oscars. But if anyone deserved mention, it would be Hal Holbrook. They could have left Travolta to his body thetan excising.I think it's one of the year's best movies. But yeah, Holbrook is great in it. That's a real supporting actor... *mumbles about Casey Affleck*

[jesse]

Actually, you're relatively late to the party. :) I've been able to shake off all the critics awards, but once the GG's are announced there's no denying it's here.

And hey, I'm still waiting for Darjeeling thoughts from you!

[kamran]

And hey, I'm still waiting for Darjeeling thoughts from you!

Actual words? About movies? In a review format?

Surely you know better than to ask that of me nowadays...

....

(Soon. Hopefully.)

EDIT: Just read your review of Darjeeling - nicely done. Will respond/comment soon.

[NickGlass]

We'll see on December 21st.

I saw it and, with the exception of the boy, she's turns in the best performance. Johnny Depp, however...

[Sven]

Just realized...

... WHA--?! No Black Book?!! An outrage, I say!

And with that, my friends, I have entertained my yearly quota on frustration with prestigious Hollywood awards.

[Ezee E]

Just realized...

... WHA--?! No Black Book?!! An outrage, I say!

And with that, my friends, I have entertained my yearly quota on frustration with prestigious Hollywood awards.
I think Black Book was eligible for last year, and even want to say that it was nominated for the Golden Globe.

::checks::

It wasn't.

D'oh.

::shakes fist::

I still think Holbrook will be nominated for an Oscar.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I think Black Book was eligible for last year, and even want to say that it was nominated for the Golden Globe.

::checks::

It wasn't.

D'oh.

::shakes fist::

I still think Holbrook will be nominated for an Oscar.
I think it was eligible though, it was a contender for the foreign film award at the Oscars (deserved being nominated more than at least two of the nominees... *grumble*) ... so I imagine it also was qualifying for the Golden Globes

[kamran]

Jason Reitman's "Juno" is just about the best movie of the year.

I guess we now know which film will figure largely on his top ten list.

And you can consider Ellen Page a definite go now, since Ebert's celebrated actresses of a particular year always go on to get Oscar love (Berry, Theron, Swank.)

[DavidSeven]

Well, score one Oscar BP nomination for Juno. A large portion of the Academy appears to let Ebert do their thinking for them.

[Rowland]

MSN Top Ten (http://movies.msn.com/movies/2007review/top10movies?photoidx=2)

MSN Individual Critics' Top Tens (http://movies.msn.com/movies/2007review/top10movieslists)

How long until the No Country For Old Men backlash? Hell, Jim Emerson damn-near calls it the best movie ever in his blurb. I liked it, but come on!

[origami_mustache]

MSN Top Ten (http://movies.msn.com/movies/2007review/top10movies?photoidx=2)

MSN Individual Critics' Top Tens (http://movies.msn.com/movies/2007review/top10movieslists)


I'm sick of seeing Zodiac on everyone's list...I just don't see it as a top ten film, I guess I'm missing something.

(ducks in anticipation of incoming backlash)

[Spinal]

I'm annoyed by lists where I have to click each individual entry.

[Rowland]

I'm annoyed by lists where I have to click each individual entry.Yeah, it's probably better just to look at their individual lists. I like Sean Axmaker, Kim Morgan, and David Fear a lot, so those were the lists I was most interested in.

[DavidSeven]

Shot by shot, cut by cut, sequence by sequence, no movie this year (or any other year) was more grippingly, cinematically exhilarating than "No Country for Old Men."

Yeesh.

[Raiders]

Yeesh.

Emerson has written extensively about this film. I really don't understand hating on somebody placing it among his favorite films, at least from a technical standpoint.

[DavidSeven]

Emerson has written extensively about this film. I really don't understand hating on somebody placing it among his favorite films, at least from a technical standpoint.

He explicitly states that he feels it's the most cinematically exhilarating film ever made. He goes further by implying that every cut, shot, and sequence is more exhilarating than anything that's ever been made. I doubt this is how he really feels, but if he's going to write with that kind of silly hyperbole, he deserves to be called out on it.

[Raiders]

He explicitly states that he feels it's the most cinematically exhilarating film ever made. He goes further by implying that every cut, shot, and sequence is more exhilarating than anything that's ever been made. I doubt this is how he really feels, but if he's going to write with that kind of silly hyperbole, he deserves to be called out on it.

Why is it silly hyperbole? Maybe he really feels that way. It seems silly to call someone out on something that subjective, particularly when he has gone to great lengths to discuss his feelings on the film.

[DavidSeven]

Why is it silly hyperbole? Maybe he really feels that way. It seems silly to call someone out on something that subjective, particularly when he has gone to great lengths to discuss his feels on the film.

I hope for Emerson's sake that it is silly hyperbole. To actually believe that every cut, shot, and sequence of one specific movie transcends anything that's been done in any other movie is just plain lunacy.

[Watashi]

I could take Emerson's high praise and use it on Ratatouille.

[DavidSeven]

I could take Emerson's high praise and use it on Ratatouille.

Good thing we already know of your lunacy.

[Raiders]

I hope for Emerson's sake that it is silly hyperbole. To actually believe that every cut, shot, and sequence of one specific movie transcends anything that's been done in any other movie is just plain lunacy.

He never says "transcends." I don't think we're playing semantics here since I think his intention was to call it the most exhilarating movie he has ever seen. There is a difference between saying that and saying it is the best film he has ever seen. I could say shot for shot, sequence for sequence, Days of Heaven is the most visually pleasurable, gorgeous film I have ever seen. That doesn't make it my favorite film nor that I think it transcends all other cinema in an overall sense.

Granted, he does say "cinematically exhilarating," but nonetheless, I don't think we have to chalk it up to lunacy or hyperbole, at least of the silly kind. It seems pretty obvious that it is a stretch since I doubt he recalls every shot and sequence of every film he has ever seen. But, if you couldn't tell he is merely trying to make a point, then I say it is not Emerson who is being the silly one.

[DavidSeven]

But, if you couldn't tell he is merely trying to make a point, then I say it is not Emerson who is being the silly one.

Uh, I know he's just trying to make a point. That's why I called it a hyperbole, and if you don't think his statement about No Country for Old Men is ridiculous on any level then I can't reasonably discuss this with you.

[Raiders]

Uh, I know he's just trying to make a point. That's why I called it a hyperbole, and if you don't think his statement about No Country for Old Men is ridiculous on any level then I can't reasonably discuss this with you.

Well, I guess it is simply that I would probably lob a similar statement towards Bergman's Persona without much hesitation (maybe not "exhilarating," but you get the idea). Yes, I realize it is likely hyperbole, but I genuinely feel that no other film can compete with it based on my memory shot for shot and sequence for sequence. Why must Emerson's statement be so ridiculous? Because it is a 2007 film? Therefore, after my initial viewing of Persona I could not make such a claim?

This seems more like your personal disagreement with Emerson rather than him saying something all that preposterous.

[Watashi]

It's the Top Ten list you've all been waiting for!

Peter Travers' Top Ten of 2007:

1. No Country for Old Men
2. Atonement
3. Into the Wild
4. Eastern Promises
5. Sweeney Todd
6. American Gangster
7. There Will Be Blood
8. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
9. I'm Not There
10. Knocked Up/ Juno

Did Travers just start watching movies in October?

[Spinal]

Argh. Stop putting more than ten films in a top ten list.

[Rowland]

It's the Top Ten list you've all been waiting for!

Peter Travers' Top Ten of 2007:

1. No Country for Old Men
2. Atonement
3. Into the Wild
4. Eastern Promises
5. Sweeney Todd
6. American Gangster
7. There Will Be Blood
8. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
9. I'm Not There
10. Knocked Up/ Juno

Did Travers just start watching movies in October?So safe and obvious. I want to see more lists like Ed Gonzalez's. At least it was different, and highlighted assorted movies that many people have likely forgotten or not even heard of.

[Boner M]

Astute observations on the thematic dovetailing of Juno and Knocked Up, Pete!

[DSNT]

London Film Critics Nominations

FILM OF THE YEAR

“No Country for Old Men”
“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”
“There Will Be Blood”
“Zodiac”
“The Bourne Ultimatum”

ATTENBOROUGH AWARD FOR BRITISH FILM OF THE YEAR

“Once”
“Control”
“Atonement”
“Eastern Promises”
“This Is England”

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck — “The Lives of Others”
Paul Thomas Anderson — “There Will Be Blood”
Joel and Ethan Coen — “No Country for Old Men”
David Fincher — “Zodiac”
Cristian Mungui — “4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days”

BRITISH DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Anton Corbijn — “Control”
Paul Greengrass — “The Bourne Ultimatum”
Shane Meadows — “This Is England”
Joe Wright — “Atonement”
Danny Boyle — “Sunshine”

ACTOR OF THE YEAR

Ulrich Muhe — “The Lives of Others”
Casey Affleck — “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”
George Clooney — “Michael Clayton”
Tommy Lee Jones — “In the Valley of Elah”
Daniel Day Lewis — “There Will Be Blood”

ACTRESS OF THE YEAR

Laura Linney — “The Savages”
Marion Cotillard — “La Vie en rose”
Maggie Gyllenhaal — “Sherry Baby”
Angelina Jolie — “A Mighty Heart”
Anamaria Marinca — “4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days”

BRITISH ACTOR OF THE YEAR

Sam Riley — “Control”
James McAvoy — “Atonement”
Christian Bale — “3:10 to Yuma”
Jim Broadbent — “And When Did You Last See Your Father”
Jonny Lee Miller — “The Flying Scotsman”

BRITISH ACTRESS OF THE YEAR

Samantha Morton — “Control”
Julie Christie — “Away From Her”
Keira Knightley — “Atonement”
Helena Bonham Carter — “Sweeney Todd”
Sienna Miller — “Interview”

BRITISH ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Tom Wilkinson — “Michael Clayton”
Toby Jones — “The Painted Veil”
Alfred Molina — “The Hoax”
Tobey Kebell — “Control”
Albert Finney — “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”

BRITISH ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Saoirse Ronan — “Atonement”
Imelda Staunton — “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
Tilda Swinton — “Michael Clayton”
Kelly Macdonald — “No Country for Old Men”
Vanessa Redgrave — “Atonement”

SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck — “The Lives of Others”
Joel and Ethan Coen — “No Country for Old Men”
Paul Thomas Anderson — “There Will Be Blood”
Ronald Harwood — “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
Christopher Hampton — “Atonement”

BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH — ACTING

Saoirse Ronan — “Atonement”
Sam Riley — “Control”
Thomas Turgoose — “This Is England”
Benedict Cumberbatch — “Amazing Grace”
Dakota Blue Richards — “The Golden Compass”

BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH — FILMMAKING

John Carney, writer and director — “Once”
Sarah Gavron, director — “Brick Lane”
Anton Corbijn, director — “Control
Matt Greenhalgh, writer — “Control
Stevan Riley, writer, director, producer – “Blue Blood”

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR

“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
“4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days”
“The Lives of Others
“Letters From Iwo Jima”
“Tell No One”

[Hugh_Grant]

AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR-OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

* BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD
* THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY
* INTO THE WILD
* JUNO
* KNOCKED UP
* MICHAEL CLAYTON
* NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
* RATATOUILLE
* THE SAVAGES
* THERE WILL BE BLOOD

[transmogrifier]

I'm sick of seeing Zodiac on everyone's list...I just don't see it as a top ten film, I guess I'm missing something.

(ducks in anticipation of incoming backlash)


Why? It's still the best film of the year for me, though I'm yet to see 96.7% of the rest of the output.

[transmogrifier]

I could take Emerson's high praise and use it on Ratatouille.

*bites his tongue*

Damn this new mission statement.

[Mysterious Dude]

Movie City News has put up the big chart of critics list. It hasn't settled yet, I'm sure, but I bet No Country for Old Men will stay at the top.

http://www.moviecitynews.com/awards/2008/top_ten/071215.html

[transmogrifier]

Movie City News has put up the big chart of critics list. It hasn't settled yet, I'm sure, but I bet No Country for Old Men will stay at the top.

http://www.moviecitynews.com/awards/2008/top_ten/071215.html


It's weird that it is ordered by number of list mentions rather than total score. Probably to keep Zodiac out of #2 spot, as Poland doesn't like it.

[Boner M]

Whoa, Syndromes and a Century is kicking ass on that poll. And rightly so.

[Rowland]

Not a single mention of Redacted yet. Good.

[Derek]

Not a single mention of Redacted yet. Good.

Sweet. Now people can praise my list for not being safe and obvious. ;)

[Rowland]

Sweet. Now people can praise my list for not being safe and obvious. ;)Some of the movies that will be on my list are hardly being mentioned either, which I like.

I don't take bait, bitch. :twisted:

[Derek]

Some of the movies that will be on my list are hardly being mentioned either, which I like.

I don't take bait, bitch. :twisted:

I would expect nothing less from MatchCut's foremost Devil's advocate! :)

[Ivan Drago]

Uhhhh....why are there seven movies nominated for Best Picture - Drama at the Golden Globes this year? Does the Hollywood Foreign Press even know what they're doing anymore?

[Raiders]

Uhhhh....why are there seven movies nominated for Best Picture - Drama at the Golden Globes this year? Does the Hollywood Foreign Press even know what they're doing anymore?

They were probably at five nominees and then realized they needed an uplifting Denzel Washington film and a film starring George Clooney.

[number8]

I have my rough top ten, but I'm seeing Sweeney tomorrow. I don't know if I should hold off on it first.

[DSNT]

Uhhhh....why are there seven movies nominated for Best Picture - Drama at the Golden Globes this year? Does the Hollywood Foreign Press even know what they're doing anymore?
These are the same people that nominated Bobby, the only movie to ever cast the entire Screen Actors Guild.

[eternity]

Considering how the Globes are one big auction, the Weinsteins pay their way into it. Bobby last year, The Great Debaters this year. Oscar baity films that aren't very good in any capacity (critics are tearing TGD a new one), get in because the Weinsteins want them to. They should have got I'm Not There or Control in, because surprise, they're actually good. But that wouldn't fly with the Globes.

[Ezee E]

Considering how the Globes are one big auction, the Weinsteins pay their way into it. Bobby last year, The Great Debaters this year. Oscar baity films that aren't very good in any capacity (critics are tearing TGD a new one), get in because the Weinsteins want them to. They should have got I'm Not There or Control in, because surprise, they're actually good. But that wouldn't fly with the Globes.
Or, you know, only have 5 movies.

[eternity]

Or, you know, only have 5 movies.
That works too.

[Hugh_Grant]

SAG Awards nominations:


THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
GEORGE CLOONEY / Michael Clayton – “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS / Daniel Plainview – “There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage)
RYAN GOSLING / Lars Lindstrom – “Lars And The Real Girl” (Sidney Kimmel Entertainment)
EMILE HIRSCH / Christopher McCandless– “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage)
VIGGO MORTENSEN / Nikolai – “Eastern Promises” (Focus Features)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
CATE BLANCHETT / Queen Elizabeth I – “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” (Universal Pictures)
JULIE CHRISTIE / Fiona – “Away From Her” (Lionsgate)
MARION COTILLARD / Edith Piaf – “La Vie En Rose” (Picturehouse)
ANGELINA JOLIE / Mariane Pearl – “A Mighty Heart” (Paramount Vantage)
ELLEN PAGE / Juno MacGuff – “Juno” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
CASEY AFFLECK / Robert Ford – “The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
JAVIER BARDEM / Anton Chigurh – “No Country For Old Men” (Miramax Films)
HAL HOLBROOK / Ron Franz – “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage)
TOMMY LEE JONES / Ed Tom Bell – “No Country For Old Men” (Miramax Films)
TOM WILKINSON / Arthur Edens – “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
CATE BLANCHETT / Jude – “I’m Not There” (The Weinstein Company)
RUBY DEE / Mama Lucas – “American Gangster” (Universal Pictures)
CATHERINE KEENER / Jan Burres – “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage)
AMY RYAN / Helene McCready – “Gone Baby Gone” (Miramax Films)
TILDA SWINTON / Karen Crowder – “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
3:10 TO YUMA (Lionsgate)
AMERICAN GANGSTER (Universal Pictures)
HAIRSPRAY (New Line Cinema)
INTO THE WILD (Paramount Vantage)
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (Miramax Films)

[kamran]

Re: SAG - I will duplicate my reactions from elsewhere...

This is quite a shake-up!

- Atonement is shut out completely, even in ensemble.
- Denzel can't manage a Lead Actor nod and yet Gangster gets in for Ensemble and Supporting Actress.
- Gosling again?
- No Juno ensemble!
- No Travolta (thankfully.)
- Swinton! Mortensen!
- Tommy Lee Jones (finally) gets thrown back into the race.
- And what the heck happened to Sweeney Todd? It seems weird that Depp is missing from the line-up. Did the movie screen too late for voters?

Aside from the painful Saoirse Ronan snub, I'm liking these.

[Watashi]

Clooney is now a lock to get nominated.

Thank god for Ryan Gosling. At least the actors can see that he gave one of the best performances of the year.

The biggest shock is 3:10 to Yuma coming out of NOWHERE to snag a best ensemble slot.

[DavidSeven]

How much screen time did Ruby Dee even have? 5 minutes?

[kamran]

How much screen time did Ruby Dee even have? 5 minutes?

***POTENTIAL American Gangster SPOILERS***

I think it's a little more than that, but granted, she's not given much to do until that scene-stealing ultimatum towards the end ("She'll leave you. I'll leave you.") And that's probably why voters remember her. I certainly do - she's the only memorable thing about that dull film, IMO.

If Blanchett gets nominated for Elizabeth 2, I'll be sick.

[Spinal]

I thought the acting in Atonement was solid, but none of the performances struck me as being exceptional

[Spinal]

Also, Bardem's role in No Country for Old Men is a lead performance. There are three leads in the film. Broslin, Jones and Bardem. None of those are supporting roles.

[Ivan Drago]

3:10 To Yuma?

[Boner M]

End of year Indiewire poll (essentially the Village Voice one at a new location), with lots of ballots and comments to plow through.

http://www.indiewire.com/critics2007/

1. There Will Be Blood
2. Zodiac
3. No Country for Old Men
4. Syndromes and a Century
5. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
6. I'm Not There
7. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
8. Colossal Youth
9. Killer of Sheep
10. Offside
11. Black Book
12. Once
13. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
14. Eastern Promises
15. I Don't Want to Sleep Alone
16. Regular Lovers
17. The Host
18. Southland Tales
19. Into the Wild
20. Ratatouille

[Boner M]

Armond's top ten:

1. The Darjeeling Limited
2. Private Fears in Public Places
3. Hot Fuzz
4. The Bubble
5. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
6. Amazing Grace
7. Rescue Dawn
8. The Brave One
9. Comedy of Power
10. Lions for Lambs

[Raiders]

8. Colossal Youth


I want to see this so bad.

[Spinal]

Armond's top ten:

9. Comedy of Power


:lol:

[chrisnu]

5. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
What the hell?

Oh, nevermind.

[DavidSeven]

Armond's top ten:

5. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry

Let's just stop all of this now. Please?

[Boner M]

Nathan Lee also listed it, and made a pretty convincing case for it's progressiveness in his review.

Even so, Rob Schneider's character pretty much cancels that out, as well as pushing humanity roughly 100 years backwards.

[DavidSeven]

Nathan Lee also listed it, and made a pretty convincing case for it's progressiveness in his review.

Even so, Rob Schneider's character pretty much cancels that out, as well as pushing humanity roughly 100 years backwards.

You're really trying too freakin' hard as a critic if you're listing this movie. Even if there was some deeply complex social message behind all of that superficial hate and misogyny, you're still talking about a movie that's poorly acted, isn't funny, and shot like a TV show. I officially have no use for either of these guys.

[Boner M]

You're really trying too freakin' hard as a critic if you're listing this movie. Even if there was some deeply complex social message behind all of that superficial hate and misogyny, you're still talking about a movie that's poorly acted, isn't funny, and shot like a TV show. I officially have no use for either of these guys.
Oh, I definitely agree that it's a terrible film. I didn't even add it to my sig in an effort to forget about it, but Lee's review (http://www.villagevoice.com/film/0729,lee,77246,20.html) was well-argued either way and almost made me see some value in it.

[jesse]

Nathan Lee also listed it, and made a pretty convincing case for it's progressiveness in his review. I didn't think so at the time, and looking at it again, I'm still unconvinced (granted I still haven't seen the film). I'm starting to get a bit irritated with Lee--on one hand it's nice to see a critic of growing prominence upfront about his sexuality and the biases that go along with that, but it's already getting tiresome how he seems to find progressive subversiveness in every gay stereotype in a mainstream film. His review of The Devil Wears Prada for Film Comment was when I first started noticing this tendancy.

And I don't know, that Chuck and Larry review comes off as unbelievably shrill in a "clever/bitchy gay at the cocktail party" kinda way to me, and unfortunately, I'm feeling the same way about more and more of his reviewing in general...

[Watashi]

8. The Brave One


I think this one is much, much worse than the Adam Sandler film.

[DavidSeven]

Oh, I definitely agree that it's a terrible film. I didn't even add it to my sig in an effort to forget about it, but Lee's review (http://www.villagevoice.com/film/0729,lee,77246,20.html) was well-argued either way and almost made me see some value in it.

I wasn't bursting out at you. That was completely directed at the two critics.

There might be some good insight in that review, but I had to stop reading after the first paragraph out of fear that I might jab this pen in my eye.

[Boner M]

I'd also rather not dwell on the film any longer.

[NickGlass]

End of year Indiewire poll (essentially the Village Voice one at a new location), with lots of ballots and comments to plow through.

http://www.indiewire.com/critics2007/


Great. I was wondering when this would be up.

Boston Phoenix represent! still...i can't believe Peter Keough's favorite film of the year was diving bell and the butterfly, though.

[transmogrifier]

End of year Indiewire poll (essentially the Village Voice one at a new location), with lots of ballots and comments to plow through.

http://www.indiewire.com/critics2007/

1. There Will Be Blood
2. Zodiac


Nice. My two favorite contemp directors doing the biz.

[Boner M]

Someone voted for Ben Foster in Alpha Dog for best supporting performance, awesome.

[Watashi]

Great. I was wondering when this would be up.

Boston Phoenix represent! still...i can't believe Peter Keough's favorite film of the year was diving bell and the butterfly, though.
Have you seen it?

[Rowland]

Regarding Nathan Lee, it's worth noting that he placed Chuck and Larry in his 10 spot, which is usually reserved for underdog picks. As such, I doubt he seriously believes it's the tenth best movie of the year, he was just looking to stir the shit a bit and shine some light on a movie he probably perceives as going unrecognized for whatever merit he believes it has.
Someone voted for Ben Foster in Alpha Dog for best supporting performance, awesome.:cool: :cool:

[Rowland]

Keith Uhlich has Revolver on his top ten. :eek: And Sweeney Todd... man, I can't wait.

[Silencio]

Ebert's Top 10:

1. Juno
2. No Country for Old Men
3. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
4. Atonement
5. The Kite Runner
6. Away from Her
7. Across the Universe
8. La Vie En Rose
9. The Great Debaters
10. Into the Wild

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071220/COMMENTARY/176124809

[transmogrifier]

Ebert's Top 10:

1. Juno
2. No Country for Old Men
3. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
4. Atonement
5. The Kite Runner
6. Away from Her
7. Across the Universe
8. La Vie En Rose
9. The Great Debaters
10. Into the Wild

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071220/COMMENTARY/176124809

Big, broad emotion for our Ebert.

[kamran]

1. Juno
2. No Country for Old Men
4. Atonement
5. The Kite Runner
10. Into the Wild

This could easily be the Best Picture line-up. Substitute Sweeney Todd or Michael Clayton in place of the Marc Forster film, and it looks even more likely.

[Sycophant]

When I finally get around to it, I'm going to really wish I knew nothing about Juno. Every time I see it pop up in one of these lists, I've got an irritated gut reaction to it. Ebert's love for it in particular makes me flinch.

[NickGlass]

Have you seen it?

No, but he hasn't mentioned the film to me at all (in comparison, we've talked about Across the Universe quite a bit). I'm not "disappointed" in his choice--just surprised. Also, from what I've seen and heard from people who've seen it (I had a final essay due, so I missed out on the Boston press screening), it doesn't sound like his type of film.

[Boner M]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the comments section for the Indiewire poll wasn't actually included... but part 1 has been published here (http://www.indiewire.com/movies/2007/12/critics_poll_20.html) and #2 and #3 will be soon.

[Rowland]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the comments section for the Indiewire poll wasn't actually included.Some of the critics did write their own comments sections at the bottom of their lists too, in case anybody didn't notice.

[Boner M]

Part 2 of the year end comments (http://www.indiewire.com/movies/2007/12/critics_poll_20_1.html).

Excerpts:

"What a relief, for once, to come to the end of the year and NOT hear critics bitching and moaning about how bad a year it was for film. Though surely, once awards season hits its real peak and Oscar nominations are announced, I'm sure all the various backlashes will really kick in." - Bilge Ebiri

"Wes Anderson's "The Darjeeling Limited" marked the greatest evolutionary leap forward by a major American filmmaker this year. He was so far ahead of everybody this year that almost nobody recognized what, exactly, he was doing. There are no epiphanies in the movie, only thwarted potential epiphanies and almost-epiphanies, experienced by brothers who narrate every feeling they have, add soundtrack music to their real world experiences and generally seem hell-bent on narrating their own autobiographies in real time.... They plan and execute their spiritual odyssey as if it were a shopping spree. They're metaphysical consumerists. That's America circa 2007. Anderson has evolved, yet his critics -- lovers and haters alike -- are still reviewing 'The Royal Tenenbaums.'" - Matt Zoller Seitz

"Tsai Ming-liang's 'The Wayward Cloud' is as wildly original as 'Blue Velvet' or 'Naked Lunch.' It's a Warholian verite psychodrama-cum-porno musical that's flooded--you should pardon the expression--with euphoria. It should play on as many screens as a cartoon about penguins or polar bears; it would fill audiences with a very similar joy." -- Matthew Wilder (WTF)

'"The Bubble,' featuring the year's best original screenplay, is one of the peaks of the gay cinema breakthroughs that critics pretended to welcome with the big-budget, name-star 'Brokeback Mountain' but then ignored as a matter of habit. Israeli filmmaker Eytan Fox's symbolic situations, recognizable characters and nuanced dialog surpasses even the superb (and unfairly maligned) 'I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry' in realistic details." -- Armond White (WT... oh wait, Armond)

"Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul's films go down easier than similarly challenging work by other filmmakers because they're sensual experiences first and foremost. On one level, 'Syndromes and a Century' is such a joy to watch that its meaning remains besides the point. Still, it expands the possibilities of love stories much the same way '2001: A Space Odyssey' rewrote science fiction's rules. -- Steve Erickson

[Sxottlan]

Jim Emerson edited his top ten list into a video of location shots from the films. It's here (http://blogs.suntimes.com/scanners/2007/12/my_10_best_list_movie_wga_stri .html).

That's a cool idea. I've always wanted to create a little montage of scenes from my top ten films of the year instead of doing a list. Don't have the capabilities though.

[eternity]

Jim Emerson edited his top ten list into a video of location shots from the films. It's here (http://blogs.suntimes.com/scanners/2007/12/my_10_best_list_movie_wga_stri .html).

That's a cool idea. I've always wanted to create a little montage of scenes from my top ten films of the year instead of doing a list. Don't have the capabilities though.Is it wrong I only recognized four of those?

[Ezee E]

Is it wrong I only recognized four of those?
I got six or seven.

What was the one with the subway, and the one with the Christmas tree?

[Silencio]

10. No End in Sight - not 100% sure
9. The Assassination of Jesse James
8. The Orphanage
7. Superbad
6. Breach
5. Persepolis
4. 12:08 East of Bucharest
3. Zodiac
2. I'm Not There
1. No Country for Old Men

[NickGlass]

I got six or seven.

What was the one with the Christmas tree?

12:08 East of Bucharest. Now please, please go rent it.

[Rowland]

Film Freak Central's Top Tens (http://filmfreakcentral.net/toptens/top102007.htm).

28 Weeks Later being so high up is a surprise. A pleasant one too. And I appreciate his reference to The Mist's apocalyptic vision as being muddy. I felt like I was alone in that complaint.

[Boner M]

Village Voice Poll (http://www.villagevoice.com/filmpoll/winners.php?category=1)

Pretty similar to the Indiewire one, only with the inclusion of 'worst film'. Here's the top ten:

1. Southland Tales
2. The Bucket List
3. 300
4. Hostel: Part II
5. Juno
6. Margot at the Wedding
7. Redacted
8. Trade
9. Norbit
10. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

[Watashi]

I thought that was there Top Ten Best list for a second. Though... it wouldn't surprise me...

[Rowland]

Though... it wouldn't surprise me...It wouldn't?

[Boner M]

Charles Taylor had No Country as his worst... wish he'd written on it somewhere, he was the best critic I nearly always disagreed with.

[Sven]

Charles Taylor had No Country as his worst... wish he'd written on it somewhere, he was the best critic I nearly always disagreed with.

Chucky said that?! Crazy. I love Chuck. Call me a regular Larry.

[Rowland]

Charles Taylor had No Country as his worst... wish he'd written on it somewhere, he was the best critic I nearly always disagreed with.He gave The Host a 1 out of 100. That's kinda awesome, if utterly ludicrous. I wish he still wrote too.

[MacGuffin]

So, is everybody considering Killer of Sheep a 2007 release?

[Sven]

He gave The Host a 1 out of 100. That's kinda awesome, if utterly ludicrous. I wish he still wrote too.

I love it!

[MacGuffin]

Also, will we ever get a DVD release for Go Go Tales?

[Watashi]

It wouldn't?
It was a joke...

[Rowland]

Reverse Shot Top Ten (http://www.indiewire.com/movies/2008/01/reverse_shots_b_1.html)

[Sycophant]

Film Freak Central's Top Tens (http://filmfreakcentral.net/toptens/top102007.htm).

28 Weeks Later being so high up is a surprise. A pleasant one too. And I appreciate his reference to The Mist's apocalyptic vision as being muddy. I felt like I was alone in that complaint.
That love for Time on both Chaw and Chambers's lists is surprising, and I wouldn't place it nearly so high, but I can certainly dig the mention.

[Sycophant]

Cahiers du cinema (http://www.cahiersducinema.com/article1469.html)'s top ten.

Well, someone liked Paranoid Park.

[jesse]

Cahiers du cinema (http://www.cahiersducinema.com/article1469.html)'s top ten.

Well, someone liked Paranoid Park. And hey, a mention (the first I've seen) for Avant que j'oublie (same for the new offering by Rohmer and Rivette). Nice.

[Mysterious Dude]

Movie City News has, I think, more or less finalized their chart. They might add a few more lists yet, but at this point, it'll be hard to significantly change the final list.

http://www.moviecitynews.com/awards/2008/top_ten/00index.html

[Sycophant]

Movie City News has, I think, more or less finalized their chart. They might add a few more lists yet, but at this point, it'll be hard to significantly change the final list.

http://www.moviecitynews.com/awards/2008/top_ten/00index.html
Nothing too terribly surprising. No Country For Old Men seems to be the film just about everyone can agree on, and considering I'm in with that everyone, I certainly don't mind. The only real surprise for me was seeing Into the Wild cracking the top ten. Haven't seen it yet, but I didn't think people liked it that much. Also, I should see this movie with the bell and the bug or whatever.

[Rowland]

Armond White's Better Than List (http://www.nypress.com/21/1/news&columns/feature.cfm)

[Spinal]

Armond White's Better Than List (http://www.nypress.com/21/1/news&columns/feature.cfm)

His list structure couldn't possibly be more obnoxious.

[NickGlass]

Armond White's Better Than List (http://www.nypress.com/21/1/news&columns/feature.cfm)

The headline forgot to add the word "Thou" after 'Than.'

[Derek]

His list structure couldn't possibly be more obnoxious.

Then I'm pretty sure he achieved his goal and it really does perfectly fit in with his M.O. of criticizing films in relation to how other critics respond to them rather than the films themselves. A job well done, Armond, for showing the rest of us that you can be even more condescending and patronizing than anyone gave you credit for. He might as well preclude his list with a "Na Na Na Na Nah Nah", stick his tongue out and run away.

[Rowland]

I'm watching War because of him (and Rob Humanick at Slant apparently liked it a lot as well). My expectations are low, so hopefully it'll deliver on some level.

[Sycophant]

I'm watching War because of him (and Rob Humanick at Slant apparently liked it a lot as well). My expectations are low, so hopefully it'll deliver on some level.
I must admit that his endorsement has kicked it up from "must-skip" to "should probably get around to one of these days."

[Derek]

I'm watching War because of him (and Rob Humanick at Slant apparently liked it a lot as well). My expectations are low, so hopefully it'll deliver on some level.

That's cool and I have no problem whatsoever with his endorsement of it, but his "everybody else missed the boat" condescension is simply unwarranted.

[Rowland]

That's cool and I have no problem whatsoever with his endorsement of it, but his "everybody else missed the boat" condescension is simply unwarranted.Natch. Noting his condescension is almost redundant these days. :P

He always has a pick like this, whether it be 2006's Running Scared (he also loved Crank), Transporter 2 the year before that, or Torque the year before that. This trend amuses me greatly.