The Films & Grades of 2008

Before I go ahead with my list of films and grades of 2008, I want to acknowledge Keira Knightley for her excellent performance in "The Duchess." If I could redo my Best Actress list, she would be #7, after Michelle Williams, knocking out Cate Blanchett.

Like I said before, I think 2008 was one of the best years on cinema of my life (c. 1985) and so, I tried to be harsh for the first 11 months, but I saw so many amazing movies in December and January that I can't help but give away A's like candy. Anyways, here are all the movies I've seen of '08 according to grade and in alphabetical order from there on out.


A+

Doubt
Let the Right One In
Slumdog Millionaire


A

The Dark Knight
Man on Wire
Milk
Rachel Getting Married
WALL-E
Wendy and Lucy
The Wrestler


A-

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frozen River
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Iron Man
The Reader
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
The Visitor


B+

The Counterfeiters
The Duchess
Funny Games
Paranoid Park
Pineapple Express
Revolutionary Road
Snow Angels
Transsiberian
The Wackness


B

Appaloosa
Australia
Changeling
The Fall
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Hamlet
Stop-Loss
Tropic Thunder
Zack and Miri Make a Porno


B-

Burn After Reading
Eagle Eye
Frost/Nixon
Get Smart
Hancock
Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The Strangers


C+

Bolt
Marley & Me
Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist
Quantum of Solace
The Ruins
Smart People
Wanted


C

The Happening
The Incredible Hulk
Mamma Mia!
The Other Boleyn Girl
Saw V
Untraceable


C-

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Step Brothers


D+

Role Models
The Tracey Fragments


D

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian


D-

The Love Guru
Yes Man


F

Speed Racer

Golden Globe Predictions - Who's Going to Win

On Sunday, the Golden Globes will be back after last year's "reading" of the winners due to the writer's strike. So, after watching the winners of the Critic's Choice Awards, and after viewing MOST of the films nominated, I think I have a pretty good shot of predicting the winners. Let's see how I do:

FILM
BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire
Prediction: Slumdog Millionaire
Correct!

BEST MOTION PICTURE, COMEDY
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Prediction: Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Correct!

ACTOR, DRAMA
Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Prediction: Sean Penn
Wrong... Rourke

ACTRESS, DRAMA
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
Prediction: Anne Hathaway
Wrong... Winslet

ACTOR, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Colin Farrell, In Bruges
James Franco, Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey
Prediction: Dustin Hoffman
Wrong... Farrell

ACTRESS, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey
Prediction: Sally Hawkins
Correct!

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Prediction: Heath Ledger
Correct!

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Kate Winslet, The Reader
Prediction: Kate Winslet
Correct!

DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road
Prediction: Danny Boyle
Correct!

SCREENPLAY
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
David Hare, The Reader
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley, Doubt
Prediction: Simon Beaufoy
Correct!

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany)
Everlasting Moments (Sweden)
Gomorrah (Italy)
I've Loved You So Long (France)
Waltz With Bashir (Israel)
Prediction: Waltz With Bashir
Correct!

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL-E
Prediction: WALL-E
Correct!

ORIGINAL SCORE
Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Clint Eastwood, Changeling
James Newton Howard, Defiance
A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
Hans Zimmer, Frost/Nixon
Prediction: A.R. Rahman
Correct!

ORIGINAL SONG
"Down to Earth," WALL-E; music by Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman; lyrics by Peter Gabriel
"Gran Torino," Gran Torino; music by Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens; lyrics by Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens
"I Thought I Lost You," Bolt; music & lyrics by Miley Cyrus, Jeffrey Steele
"Once in a Lifetime," Cadillac Records; music & lyrics by Beyoncé Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarnon, Ian Dench, James Dring, Jody Street
"The Wrestler," The Wrestler; music & lyrics by Bruce Springsteen
Prediction: Bruce Springsteen
Correct!

TELEVISION
TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
Dexter
House
In Treatment
Mad Men
True Blood
Prediction: True Blood
Wrong... Mad Men

ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
January Jones, Mad Men
Anna Paquin, True Blood
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Prediciton: January Jones
Wrong... Paquin

ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors
Prediction: Jon Hamm
Wrong... Byrne

TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
30 Rock
Californication
Entourage
The Office
Weeds
Prediction: 30 Rock
Correct!

ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Debra Messing, The Starter Wife
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Prediction: Tina Fey
Correct!

ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Kevin Connolly, Entourage
David Duchovny, Californication
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Prediction: David Duchovny
Wrong... Baldwin

MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
A Raisin in the Sun
Bernard and Doris
Cranford
John Adams
Recount
Prediction: John Adams
Correct!

ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Judi Dench, Cranford
Catherine Keener, An American Crime
Laura Linney, John Adams
Shirley MacLaine, Coco Chanel
Susan Sarandon, Bernard and Doris
Prediciton: Shirley MacLaine '
Wrong... Linney

ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Ralph Fiennes, Bernard and Doris
Paul Giamatti, John Adams
Kevin Spacey, Recount
Kiefer Sutherland, 24: Redemption
Tom Wilkinson, Recount
Prediction: Paul Giamatti
Correct!

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Eileen Atkins, Cranford
Laura Dern, Recount
Melissa George, In Treatment
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
Prediction: Dianne Wiest
Wrong... Dern

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Denis Leary, Recount
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Blair Underwood, In Treatment
Tom Wilkinson, John Adams
Prediction: Tom Wilkinson
Correct!

Final Grade: 16/25 = 64%

Golden Globe Nominations - The Rights & Wrongs of My Predictions

So, the Golden Globe nominations were released this morning. In the motion picture categories, "Doubt," "Frost/Nixon," and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" all lead the board with 5 nods a piece, "Doubt" being the only one NOT nominated in a Best Motion Picture category - BOO! Winslet & Streep both land 2 nominations a piece, "Milk" got shafted, James Franco ended up nominated for "Pineapple Express," Amy Adams proved that Sister James is the heart of "Doubt," and "Tropic Thunder" dominates the VERY tight Supporting Actor category. Yes, "Tropic Thunder."

Here's my predictions matched with who I got wrong and who should be added to the list. Complete list of nominations can be found at http://www.goldenglobes.org/.

BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
The Wrestler
Watch out for: Frost/Nixon, Revolutionary Road

Wrong: The Dark Knight, Milk, The Wrestler
Add: Frost/Nixon, The Reader, Revolutionary Road
Suprised? The Reader! Go read the book!!!
Grade: 2/5


BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Burn After Reading
Cadillac Records
Happy-Go-Lucky
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Watch out for: WALL-E, Tropic Thunder

Wrong: Cadillac Records
Add: In Bruges
Surprised? Nothing really... I'm happy for In Bruges.
Grade: 4/5


BEST ACTOR - DRAMA
Brad Pitt in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Frank Langhella in FROST/NIXON
Leonardo DiCaprio in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
Mickey Rourke in THE WRESTLER
Sean Penn in MILK
Watch out for: Clint Eastwood in GRAN TORINO, Richard Jenkins in THE VISITOR

PERFECT!
Surprised? Obviously not.
Grade: 5/5


BEST ACTOR - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Adrien Brody in CADILLAC RECORDS
Colin Farrell in IN BRUGES
Dustin Hoffman in LAST CHANCE HARVEY
George Clooney in BURN AFTER READING
Javier Bardem in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
Watch out for: Steve Coogan in HAMLET 2, Ben Stiller in TROPIC THUNDER

Wrong: Adrien Brody, George Clooney
Add: James Franco in PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, Brendan Gleeson in IN BRUGES
Surprised? James Franco - WOOOOO!!!
Grade: 3/5


BEST ACTRESS - DRAMA
Angelina Jolie in CHANGELING
Anne Hathaway in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
Kate Winslet in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
Kristin Scott Thomas in I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG
Meryl Streep in DOUBT
Watch out for: Cate Blanchett in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, Melissa Leo in FROZEN RIVER

PERFECT!
Surprised? No way!
Grade: 5/5


BEST ACTRESS - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Beyonce Knowles in CADILLAC RECORDS
Emma Thompson in LAST CHANCE HARVEY
Meryl Streep in MAMMA MIA!
Sarah Jessica Parker in SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE
Sally Hawkins in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Watch out for: Scarlet Johannsen in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, Frances McDormand in BURN AFTER READING

Wrong: Beyonce Knowles, Sarah Jessica Parker
Add: Rebecca Hall in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, Frances McDormand
Surprised? Yeah! I thought I was the only one who thought Hall stole the show from Scarlett! Guess I was wrong.
Grade: 3/5


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Heath Ledger in THE DARK KNIGHT
James Franco in MILK
Josh Brolin in MILK
Philip Seymour Hoffman in DOUBT
Robert Downey, Jr. in TROPIC THUNDER
Watch out for: Michael Shannon in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, Liev Schreiber in DEFIANCE

Wrong: James Franco, Josh Brolin
Add: Tom Cruise in TROPIC THUNDER, Ralph Finnes in THE DUCHESS
Surprised? Hell yeah! Tom Cruise?!?! That's f'n awesome. He was amazing in Tropic Thunder. And I was kind of ashamed of having him high in my best list. He might just get bumped up.
Grade: 3/5


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Kate Winslet in THE READER
Marisa Tomei in THE WRESTLER
Penelope Cruz in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
Taraji P. Henson in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Viola Davis in DOUBT
Watch out for: Rosemarie DeWitt in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED, Kathy Bates in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

Wrong: Taraji P. Henson
Add: Amy Adams in DOUBT
Surprised? I'm stoked Amy Adams is nominated; though everyone claims Viola has the "baitier" role, Sister James is crucial to the entire story of Doubt.
Grade: 4/5

TOTAL GRADE: 72.5% (at least I passed!)
Jennie's Grade: 57.5% (Sorry, Jennie, I win. lol)

Golden Globe Nominations - My Predictions

BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight

Milk

Slumdog Millionaire

The Wrestler

Watch out for: Frost/Nixon, Revolutionary Road

BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Burn After Reading

Cadillac Records

Happy-Go-Lucky

Mamma Mia!

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Watch out for: WALL-E, Tropic Thunder

BEST ACTOR - DRAMA

Brad Pitt in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Frank Langhella in FROST/NIXON

Leonardo DiCaprio in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

Mickey Rourke in THE WRESTLER

Sean Penn in MILK

Watch out for: Clint Eastwood in GRAN TORINO, Richard Jenkins in THE VISITOR

BEST ACTOR - COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Adrien Brody in CADILLAC RECORDS

Colin Farrell in IN BRUGES

Dustin Hoffman in LAST CHANCE HARVEY

George Clooney in BURN AFTER READING

Javier Bardem in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

Watch out for: Steve Coogan in HAMLET 2, Ben Stiller in TROPIC THUNDER

BEST ACTRESS - DRAMA

Angelina Jolie in CHANGELING

Anne Hathaway in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

Kate Winslet in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

Kristin Scott Thomas in I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG

Meryl Streep in DOUBT

Watch out for: Cate Blanchett in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, Melissa Leo in FROZEN RIVER

BEST ACTRESS - COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Beyonce Knowles in CADILLAC RECORDS

Emma Thompson in LAST CHANCE HARVEY

Meryl Streep in MAMMA MIA!

Sarah Jessica Parker in SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE

Sally Hawkins in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

Watch out for: Scarlet Johannsen in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, Frances McDormand in BURN AFTER READING

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Heath Ledger in THE DARK KNIGHT

James Franco in MILK

Josh Brolin in MILK

Philip Seymour Hoffman in DOUBT

Robert Downey, Jr. in TROPIC THUNDER

Watch out for: Michael Shannon in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, Liev Schreiber in DEFIANCE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Kate Winslet in THE READER

Marisa Tomei in THE WRESTLER

Penelope Cruz in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

Taraji P. Henson in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Viola Davis in DOUBT

Watch out for: Rosemarie DeWitt in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED, Kathy Bates in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

Before December & January - Top 10s of 2008 (Jan to Nov)

Top 10 Movies

1. The Dark Knight

2. Happy-Go-Lucky

3. WALL-E

4. Vicky Cristina Barcelona

5. Rachel Getting Married

6. Iron Man

7. In Bruges

8. Australia

9. Appaloosa

10. Funny Games

Top 10 Actors

1. Colin Farrell in IN BRUGES

2. Javier Bardem in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

3. Hugh Jackman in AUSTRALIA

4. Ed Harrs in APPALOOSA

5. Robert Downey, Jr. in IRON MAN

6. Lee Pace in THE FALL

7. Christian Bale in THE DARK KNIGHT
8. Steve Coogan in HAMLET 2

9. Daniel Craig in QUANTUM OF SOLACE

10. Ryan Phillipe in STOP-LOSS

Top 10 Actresses

1. Sally Hawkins in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

2. Anne Hathaway in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

3. Angelina Jolie in CHANGELING

4. Nicole Kidman in AUSTRALIA

5. Rebecca Hall in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

6. Naomi Watts in FUNNY GAMES

7. Scarlett Johansson in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

8. Meryl Streep in MAMMA MIA!

9. Catinca Untaru in THE FALL
10. Ellen Page in SMART PEOPLE

Top 10 Supporting Actors

1. Heath Ledger in THE DARK KNIGHT

2. Robert Downey, Jr. in TROPIC THUNDER

3. Eddie Marsan in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

4. Michael Pitt in FUNNY GAMES
5. Brandon Walters in AUSTRALIA

6. Viggo Mortensen in APPALOOSA

7. Jason Butler Harner in CHANGELING

8. Joseph Gordon-Levitt in STOP-LOSS

9. Tom Cruise in TROPIC THUNDER

10. John Malkovich in CHANGELING

Top 10 Supporting Actresses

1. Penelope Cruz in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

2. Rosemarie DeWitt in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

3. Amy Ryan in CHANGELING

4. Abbie Cornish in STOP-LOSS

5. Clemence Poesy in IN BRUGES

6. Ari Graynor in NICK & NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST

7. Debra Winger in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

8. Alexis Zegerman in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

9. Renee Zellweger in APPALOOSA

10. Olga Kurylenko in QUANTUM OF SOLACE

A Quick Overview of the Films I Never Reviewed

Mamma Mia!
Starring Meryl Streep and a bunch of lunatics

It's enjoyable, fun, and addicting, yet corny, unadaptable, and had the WORST choreography I have ever seen. But then, there's Meryl.

Grade: C+


Step Brothers
Starring Will Ferrel & John C. Reilly

Hilarious, ridiculous, and tried a bit too hard to accomplish both.

Grade: C-


Pineapple Express
Starring Seth Rogen & James Franco

Rogen and Franco are to die for in this film. They are sincere in their acting, so funny, and make getting stoned seem like a great idea and the worst idea of your life.

Grade: B+


Tropic Thunder
Starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black & Robert Downey, Jr.

Whether or not you've seen this movie, we all must campaign Downey for a Best Supporting Actor nod. I do not want him to win (Heath), but I will pee my pants if he's on the ballot.

Grade: B


Hamlet 2
Starrnig Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener & Elizabeth Shue

Yes, Keener is in the sequel to Shakespeare's masterpiece. No, it's not really a sequel, more like a demented attempt at a sequel but turns out to be a completely different idea but we're gonna keep the original title anyways. Plus Elizabeth Shue plays herself.

Grade: B

Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Starring Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem & Penelope Cruz

Woody Allen sets this delicious treat in the heart of Europe. It's sensual, seductive, and Cruz gives a performance of a lifetime. Hall surpasses Johansson in my book, and Bardem steps away from the crazy haircut but not stepping into the Oscar circle of bad movies after winning an award. I think I'm particular to Woody movies that don't involve Woody. His voice is much more poignant when someone else's mouth is moving.

Grade: A-


Eagle Eye
Starring Shia LeBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson & Billy Bob Thorton

Great action, nice punch to the government, but some parts were kind of crazy and the ending was cliched. Too bad.

Grade: B-


Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Starring Michael Cera, Kat Dennings & Ari Graynor

Right from the trailers on TV, I knew they were trying to sell this film like "Juno." And, in a way, it felt like a "Juno" wannabe, but it still had its ups - like the beligerant Graynor who stole the show.

Grade: C+


Appaloosa
Starring Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons & Renee Zellweger

Harris' take on the classic Western proves to be a hole in one that pops out of the hole and you have to shoot it again. It's a great movie appearing in the fall, and the performances were superb.

Grade: B+


Saw V
Starring who cares

Alright, we get it. You're trying to teach people to be good little boys and girls by nearly killing them - well, mostly just killing them. Here's my Saw List:
1. Saw III
2. Saw
3. Saw V
4. Saw IV
5. Saw II

Grade: C


Changeling
Starring Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jason Butler Harner & Amy Ryan

Eastwood did what he could with a screwy script that shed light on many problems with the LAPD in the 20s. Jolie took hold of this role and gave her character a determination and heart that no other actress could do. Time ran short - well, long - and the film served as a pleasing story of a great performance rather than a great movie.

Grade: B


Rachel Getting Married
Starring Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt & Debra Winger

I honestly enjoyed this movie. Not for it's cinematic qualities, but for it's nakedness as a film. It shed light on what we expect when we go to the theater and gave us the opposite, in a way. Hathaway really broke out of her Princess Diaries shell and DeWitt emerges as an upcoming star. I think I liked this movie more than I think I do. Huh.

Grade: A-


Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Starring a bunch of stupid stars voicing stupid animals

Thank God for penguins.

Grade: C-


Quantum of Solace
Starring Daniel Craig & Judi Dench

Title is cool, but I had to dicionary-dot-com it. The plotline sucked, but Craig is excellent as Bond and Olga was hot. Strawberry Fields? Not so much. "Quantum" lacked all the vital organs that "Casino" portrayed. It fell apart within the first half-hour.

Grade: C+


Bolt
Voiced by John Travolta & Miley Cyrus

I love dog movies, so "Bolt" is my kind of family flick, and the whole awakening/bildungsroman thing really got to me, however, the climax was totally predictable. I'm going to take a stand and demand that family films bring back the tragic and let go of unrealistic events. Mufasa died and everyone LOVES "The Lion King"! Come on now!

Grade: C+


Australia
Starring Nicole Kidman & Hugh Jackman

Baz Luhrman presents a beautiful take on war, love and death in a world fit for Bogart or Hepburn. It's a remarkable film with breath-taking scenes (like the stampede) and also very honest, genuine ones (i.e. Kidman trying to remember the words to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"). Yet, it's a bit narcissistic - like Luhrman was screaming out, "Hey, Hollywood! Look what I can do!" Settle down, Baz, we get it.

Grade: B