Oscar Predictions 2008

It's that time of year! With the writer's strike over, the Oscars are sure to go on this Sunday. But who will win? I've got a few predictions that I care about if you're interested...

Best motion picture of the year

"Atonement" (Focus Features)

"Juno" (A Mandate Pictures/Mr. Mudd Production)

"Michael Clayton" (Warner Bros.)

"No Country for Old Men" (Miramax and Paramount Vantage)

"There Will Be Blood" (Paramount Vantage and Miramax)

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... No Country for Old Men

I'D GIVE IT TO... There Will Be Blood

Performance by an actor in a leading role

George Clooney in "Michael Clayton"

Daniel Day-Lewis in "There Will Be Blood"

Johnny Depp in "Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

Tommy Lee Jones in "In the Valley of Elah"

Viggo Mortensen in "Eastern Promises"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Daniel Day-Lewis

I'D GIVE IT TO... Daniel Day-Lewis

Performance by an actress in a leading role

Cate Blanchett in "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"

Julie Christie in "Away from Her"

Marion Cotillard in "La Vie en Rose"

Laura Linney in "The Savages"

Ellen Page in "Juno"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Julie Christie
I'D GIVE IT TO... Marion Cotillard

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

Casey Affleck in "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"

Javier Bardem in "No Country for Old Men"

Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Charlie Wilson's War"

Hal Holbrook in "Into the Wild"

Tom Wilkinson in "Michael Clayton"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Javier Bardem
I'D GIVE IT TO... Javier Bardem

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

Cate Blanchett in "I'm Not There"

Ruby Dee in "American Gangster"

Saoirse Ronan in "Atonement"

Amy Ryan in "Gone Baby Gone"

Tilda Swinton in "Michael Clayton"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Tilda Swinton
I'D GIVE IT TO... Cate Blanchett

Achievement in directing

"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" Julian Schnabel

"Juno" Jason Reitman

"Michael Clayton" Tony Gilroy

"No Country for Old Men" Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

"There Will Be Blood" Paul Thomas Anderson

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Joel and Ethan Coen

I'D GIVE IT TO... Paul Thomas Anderson

Adapted screenplay

"Atonement" Screenplay by Christopher Hampton

"Away from Her" Written by Sarah Polley

"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" Screenplay by Ronald Harwood

"No Country for Old Men" Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

"There Will Be Blood" Written for the screen by Paul Thomas Anderson

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Paul Thomas Anderson
I'D GIVE IT TO... Joel and Ethan Coen

Original screenplay

"Juno" Written by Diablo Cody

"Lars and the Real Girl" Written by Nancy Oliver

"Michael Clayton" Written by Tony Gilroy

"Ratatouille" Screenplay by Brad Bird

"The Savages" Written by Tamara Jenkins

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Diablo Cody
I'D GIVE IT TO... Brad Bird

Best animated feature film of the year

"Persepolis"

"Ratatouille"

"Surf's Up"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Ratatouille
I'D GIVE IT TO... Ratatouille

Best documentary feature

"No End in Sight"

"Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience"

"Sicko"

"Taxi to the Dark Side"

"War/Dance"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... No End in Sight

I'D GIVE IT TO... Sicko

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

"Falling Slowly" from "Once"

"Happy Working Song" from "Enchanted"

"Raise It Up" from "August Rush"

"So Close" from "Enchanted"

"That's How You Know" from "Enchanted"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Once
I'D GIVE IT TO... Once!

I can't wait to see Glen & Marketa sing!

Cloverfield

Cloverfield

Staring Michael Stahl-David, Jessica Lucas, Mike Vogel, Lizzy Caplan & Odette Yustman

The question everyone wonders going into "Cloverfield" is: what the hell is it? Some aren't even sure if they should call "it" and it. However, it is... an it. In J.J. Abram's "Godzilla" meets "The Blair Witch Projects" kind of thriller movie, he unleashes a masterful monster unto the people of Manhattan. The key with the movie isn't the monster or the destruction; it's the characters and their finding humor in such a not-so-funny time.

The film we watch is the film we get. It's a videotape in the possession of he government now and we are important enough to view it. It follows a few happily young guys and gals through their surprise party for Rob who is moving to Japan. We are given some character insights (i.e. Rob is still in love with Beth who is now dating some other guy, and Jason, our filmographer, has an awkward crush on one random party-goer, Marlena).

Then Act II hits the island. Something is causing much havoc and chaos. People are screaming, dying, running. The ground is shaking. The head of The Statue of Liberty rolls down the street. Stuff like that. Throughout the rest of the film, we follow these poor souls on their journey to escape, except Rob, being all debonair, wants to rescue Beth. So they aren't trying to escape anymore and we get to see all the action from a civilian's point of view. It's great.

The home video cinematography is a bit nauseating at first, but most the audience adjusted - except the couple in front of me who left ten minutes into the film - and it adds to the effect of the reality of such an unrealistic event.

There were a few scenes in which I doubted reality, however. The building Beth was stuck in was next to another skyscraper that was leaning on her building. Did we not all see what happened on September 11th? Not possibly in my book, though I'm not physic pro. Also, when the few characters still alive are about to escape via helicopter, the monster, just as he's being destroyed, or we presume, by stealth bombers, decides to swap the damn chopper with his gigantic arm. This sends the craft in a spin and it crashes in Central Park, which we know from the government information that that is where they found the tape. You think anyone died? Hell no! They all survive a 75-foot plummet to the ground! Bull.

Anyways, if you're looking for a good time, aren't too squeamish, and don't care if we never find out where the monster came from (I think the ocean), then have fun with "Cloverfield."

Revised Top 10s of 2007

Top 10 Performances by a Supporting Actor

10. Heath Ledger in I'M NOT THERE

9. James Marsden in ENCHANTED

8. Ben Whishaw in I'M NOT THERE

7. Tommy Lee Jones in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

6. Marcus Carl Franklin in I'M NOT THERE

5. Hal Holbrook in INTO THE WILD

4. Tom Wilkinson in MICHAEL CLAYTON

3. Philip Seymour Hoffman in CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR

2. Paul Dano in THERE WILL BE BLOOD

BEST - Javier Bardem in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Top 10 Performances by a Actor

10. Glen Hansard in ONCE

9. Michael Shannon in BUG

8. Josh Brolin in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

7. Tommy Lee Jones in IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH

6. Ulrich Muhe in THE LIVES OF OTHERS

5. Johnny Depp in SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

4. James McAvoy in ATONEMENT

3. Emile Hirsch in INTO THE WILD

2. Viggo Mortensen in EASTERN PROMISES

BEST - Daniel Day-Lewis in THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Top 10 Movies of 2007

10. The Lives of Others

9. Ratatouille

8. Superbad

7. I'm Not There

6. Once

5. Atonement

4. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

3. Into the Wild

2. No Country for Old Men

BEST - THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Screen Actors Guild Awards Preditions

My picks are big and bold:

14th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD 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)

PRIMETIME TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

MICHAEL KEATON / James Jesus Angleton – “The Company (TNT)

KEVIN KLINE / Jacques – “As You Like It” (HBO)

OLIVER PLATT / George Steinbrenner – “The Bronx is Burning” (ESPN)

SAM SHEPARD / Frank Whiteley – “Ruffian” (ABC)

JOHN TURTURRO / Billy Martin – “The Bronx is Burning” (ESPN)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

ELLEN BURSTYN / Posey Benetto – “Mitch Albom’s For One More Day” (ABC)
DEBRA MESSING / Molly Kagan – “The Starter Wife” (USA)

ANNA PAQUIN / Elaine Goodale – “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” (HBO)

QUEEN LATIFAH / Ana – “Life Support “ (HBO)

VANESSA REDGRAVE / Woman – “The Fever” (HBO)

GENA ROWLANDS / Melissa Eisenbloom – “What If God Were the Sun?” (Lifetime)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

JAMES GANDOLFINI / Tony Soprano – “The Sopranos” (HBO)

MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan – “Dexter” (Showtime)

JON HAMM / Don Draper – “Mad Men” (AMC)

HUGH LAURIE / Dr. Gregory House – “House” (FOX)

JAMES SPADER / Alan Shore – “Boston Legal” (ABC)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

GLENN CLOSE / Patty Hewes – “Damages” (FX)

EDIE FALCO / Carmela Soprano – “The Sopranos” (HBO)

SALLY FIELD / Nora Walker – “Brothers & Sisters” (ABC)

HOLLY HUNTER / Grace Hanadarko – “Saving Grace” (TNT)

KYRA SEDGWICK / Deputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson – “The Closer” (TNT)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy – “30 Rock” (NBC)

STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott – “The Office” (NBC)

RICKY GERVAIS / Andy Millman – “Extras” (HBO)

JEREMY PIVEN / Ari Gold – “Entourage” (HBO)

TONY SHALHOUB / Adrian Monk – “Monk” (USA)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE / Samantha Newly – “Samantha Who?” (ABC)

AMERICA FERRERA / Betty Suarez – “Ugly Betty” (ABC)

TINA FEY / Liz Lemon – “30 Rock” (NBC)

MARY-LOUISE PARKER / Nancy Botwin – “Weeds” (Showtime)

VANESSA WILLIAMS / Wilhelmina Slater – “Ugly Betty” (ABC)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

BOSTON LEGAL (ABC)

THE CLOSER (TNT)

GREY’S ANATOMY (ABC)

MAD MEN (AMC)

THE SOPRANOS (HBO)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

30 ROCK (NBC)

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)

ENTOURAGE (HBO)

THE OFFICE (NBC)

UGLY BETTY (ABC)

SAG HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

300 (Warner Bros.)

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM (Universal)

I AM LEGEND (Warner Bros.)

THE KINGDOM (Universal)

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series

24 (FOX)

HEROES (NBC)

LOST (ABC)

ROME (HBO)

THE UNIT (CBS)

And Nominees Are...

Today the announcement for the 2008 Academy Awards delivered both expected nods and a few surprises - and snubs (**cough "Into the Wild" cough**).

Performance by an actor in a leading role
George Clooney in “Michael Clayton”
Daniel Day-Lewis in “There Will Be Blood”
Johnny Depp in “Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
Tommy Lee Jones in “In the Valley of Elah”
Viggo Mortensen in “Eastern Promises”

Surprises: Tommy Lee Jones! Though I though he was great and should get nominated, I'm not sure how I feel about his taking Emile Hirsch out of the picture.

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Casey Affleck in “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”
Javier Bardem in “No Country for Old Men”
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Charlie Wilson’s War”
Hal Holbrook in “Into the Wild”
Tom Wilkinson in “Michael Clayton”

Surprises: None! I predicted all five.

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Cate Blanchett in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”
Julie Christie in “Away from Her”
Marion Cotillard in “La Vie en Rose”
Laura Linney in “The Savages”
Ellen Page in “Juno”

Surprises: Laura Linney - holy crap! This is a great surprise because it took Angelina Jolie out of the running. Though I wish Amy Adams could've done the snubbing instead.

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Cate Blanchett in “I’m Not There”
Ruby Dee in “American Gangster”
Saoirse Ronan in “Atonement”
Amy Ryan in “Gone Baby Gone”
Tilda Swinton in “Michael Clayton”

Surprises: I guess you could say Ruby Dee, but it was between her, Ronan and Catherine Keener. Poor Keener got the snubber-rooskie.

Best animated feature film of the year
“Persepolis”
“Ratatouille”
“Surf's Up”

Surprises: What the hell? Surf's Up!? Oh well, Ratatouille will kick some rat ass.

Achievement in directing
“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” for Julian Schnabel
“Juno” for Jason Reitman
“Michael Clayton” for Tony Gilroy
“No Country for Old Men” for Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
“There Will Be Blood” for Paul Thomas Anderson

Surprises: Reitman didn't see the nomination coming because it should be Sean Penn's!

Best motion picture of the year
“Atonement” (Focus Features)
“Juno” (Fox Searchlight)
“Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros.)
“No Country for Old Men” (Miramax and Paramount Vantage)
“There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage and Miramax)

Surprises: There are no real surprises, but a big snub on "Into the Wild," of course. I would have rather "Michael Clayton" off the list.

Adapted screenplay
“Atonement” (Focus Features)Screenplay by Christopher Hampton
“Away from Her” (Lionsgate)Written by Sarah Polley
“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” (Miramax/Pathé Renn)Screenplay by Ronald Harwood
“No Country for Old Men” (Miramax and Paramount Vantage)Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
“There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage and Miramax)Written for the screen by Paul Thomas Anderson

Surprises: Repeat after me: No "Into the Wild"???

Original screenplay
“Juno” (Fox Searchlight)Written by Diablo Cody
“Lars and the Real Girl” (MGM) Written by Nancy Oliver
“Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros.)Written by Tony Gilroy
“Ratatouille” (Walt Disney)Screenplay by Brad BirdStory by Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco, Brad Bird
“The Savages” (Fox Searchlight) Written by Tamara Jenkins

Surprises: "Michael Clayton" seems to be a favorite to snub out other predictions.

Top 10 Movies of 2007

And now... the TOP TEN OF 2007!!! The List shows posters from 10 all the way to NUMBER ONE!

Oscar Nominations Predictions

BEST PICTURE 3/5
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - Wrong...
Into the Wild - Wrong...
Michael Clayton - Right!
No Country for Old Men -Right!
There Will Be Blood - Right!

BEST DIRECTOR 4/5
Paul Thomas Anderson for THERE WILL BE BLOOD - Right!
Joel & Ethan Coen for NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN - Right!
Tony Gilroy for MICHAEL CLAYTON - Right!
Sean Penn for INTO THE WILD - Wrong...
Julian Schnabel for THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY - Right!

BEST ACTOR 4/5
George Clooney in MICHAEL CLAYTON - Right!
Daniel Day-Lewis in THERE WILL BE BLOOD - Right!
Johnny Depp in SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET - Right!
Emile Hirsch in INTO THE WILD - Wrong...
Viggo Mortensen in EASTERN PROMISES - Right!

BEST ACTRESS 4/5
Cate Blanchett in ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE - Right!
Julie Christie in AWAY FROM HER - Right!
Marion Cotillard in LA VIE EN ROSE - Right!
Angelina Jolie in A MIGHTY HEART - Wrong...
Ellen Page in JUNO - Right!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR 5/5
Casey Affleck in THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD - Right!
Javier Barden in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN - Right!
Hal Holbrook in INTO THE WILD - Right!
Philip Seymour Hoffman in CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR - Right!
Tom Wilkinson in MICHAEL CLAYTON - Right!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS 4/5
Cate Blanchett in I'M NOT THERE - Right!
Catherine Keener in INTO THE WILD - Wrong...
Saoirse Ronan in ATONEMENT - Right!
Amy Ryan in GONE BABY GONE - Right!
Tilda Swinton in MICHAEL CLAYTON - Right!

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY 4/5
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead - Wrong...
Juno - Right!
Lars and the Real Girl - Right!
Ratatouille - Right!
The Savages - Right!

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY 4/5
Atonement - Right!
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - Right!
Into the Wild - Wrong...
No Country for Old Men - Right!
There Will Be Blood - Right!

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE 2/3
Persepolis - Right!
Ratatouille - Right!
The Simpsons Movie - Wrong...

Best Performanes of 2007

20 Best Movies of 2007 (Alphabetical order - Top 10 announced tomorrow)

• Alpha Dog
• Atonement
• Bug
• Charlie Wilson's War
• The Darjeeling Limited
• Eastern Promises
• Grindhouse
• I'm Not There
• In the Valley of Elah
• Into the Wild
• Juno
• Knocked Up
• The Lives of Others
• Michael Clayton
• No Country for Old Men
• Once
• Ratatouille
• Superbad
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
• Waitress

Top 10 Performances by a Supporting Actress
10. Vanessa Redgrave in ATONEMENT
9. Jennifer Gardner in JUNO
8. Romola Garai in ATONEMENT
7. Susan Surandon in IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH
6. Catherin Keener in INTO THE WILD
5. Marcia Gay Harden in THE MIST
4. Kelly McDonald in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
3. Tilda Swinton in MICHAEL CLAYTON
2. Saiorse Ronan in ATONEMENT

BEST - Cate Blanchett in I'M NOT THERE

Top 10 Performances by a Supporting Actor
10. Heath Ledger in I'M NOT THERE
9. James Marsden in ENCHANTED
8. Hugh Dancy in EVENING
7. Ben Whishaw in I'M NOT THERE
6. Tommy Lee Jones in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
5. Marcus Carl Franklin in I'M NOT THERE
4. Hal Holbrook in INT THE WILD
3. Tom Wilkinson in MICHAEL CLAYTON
2. Philip Seymour Hoffman in CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR

BEST - Javier Bardem in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Top 10 Performances by an Actress
10. Marketa Irglova in ONCE
9. Martina Gedeck in THE LIVES OF OTHERS
8. Keira Knighley in ATONEMENT
7. Keri Russell in WAITRESS
6. Ashley Judd in BUG
5. Helena Bonham Carter in SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
4. Julie Chistie in AWAY FROM HER
3. Amy Adams in ENCHANTED
2. Ellen Page in JUNO

BEST - Marion Cotillard in LA VIE EN ROSE

Top 10 Performances by a Actor
10. George Clooney in MICHAEL CLAYTON
9. Glen Hansard in ONCE
8. Michael Shannon in BUG
7. Josh Brolin in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
6. Tommy Lee Jones in IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH
5. Ulrich Muhe in THE LIVES OF OTHERS
4. Johnny Depp in SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
3. James McAvoy in ATONEMENT
2. Emile Hirsch in INTO THE WILD

BEST - Viggo Mortensen in EASTERN PROMISES

Juno, Atonement, The Bucket List

Juno

Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Gardner & Jason Bateman

It's quirky, trendy, fun and easy to spend and hour and a half with it's title character, "Juno." In a world of cliques, rules and judgements, Juno (Ellen Page) finds herself thrown into a world where none that matters when she becomes pregnant with Bleeker's (Michael Cera) baby. She decides to have the kid and give it away to a family in need of child - that would be Jennifer Gardner in her best performance to date as Vanessa Loring and Jason Bateman as her reluctant husband, Mark.

Ellen Page is phenomenal, bringing her amiable, wisecracking cynicism to the role, and with the popularity "Juno" has received from the public, Page will be expected to become a favorite, and hopefully not a sell-out (I trust her though). The reality of pregnancy mixed with the hilarious, though over-the-top dialogue, by newcomer Diablo Cody creates a world we know and love to watch.

Grade: A-

Atonement

Starring Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai & Vanessa Redgrave

Joe Wright, director of "Pride & Prejudice," enables himself to bring a story of longing to life with some of the most beautiful shots I've seen in years. The story is Briony's (Saoirse Ronan, age 13; Romola Garai, age 18; and Vanessa Redgrave), a girl who tragically mistakes (or lies) about an occurrence she didn't fully understand. The occurrence involves a number of people, but most particularly Cecilia (Keira Knightley), her sister, and Robbie, Cecilia's love interest and Briony's childhood crush. Briony's the only witness, but an unreliable one. As time goes by, Robbie is forced into the military and Cecilia exiles herself from her family, while Briony seeks atonement.

Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey ("World Trade Center" & "The Hours") deserves Oscar for his captivating shots, rich with color, angles and symmetry. There is a point in the film, when Robbie and a few army friends walk along a beach of other soldiers waiting to deport. The shot lasts for about five minutes and doesn't stop to blink. There is so much beauty in the filming that it's difficult to take in everything, just as it's difficult for the characters for forgive and forget and reconcile.

Grade: A

The Bucket List

Starring Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman

You would think that Mr. Freeman, a one-time Oscar winner, and Mr. Nicholson, a three-time Oscar winner, would know not to do a movie that involves Rob Reiner and the Seven Wonders of the World. They are obviously losing their minds. "The Bucket List" is the slowest, crappiest, piece of junk I've seen in a while. The only thing that brings the film up a few notches is the duo of caliber. The film was so low budget that they couldn't even spend the money to go to the pyramids or the Himalayas or anywhere else the script takes them - oh, and what a horrible script! The two characters don't even get off their asses for an hour of the movie. Then they fly around together and die. I hate this movie.

Grade: D

Golden Globe Picks 2008

Here are my picks to win at the 2008 Golden Globes - even though the goddamned thing isn't on. Predicted winners are large and bold!

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: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Amy Adams – Enchanted
Nikki Blonsky – Hairspray
Helena Bonham Carter – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
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: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
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 Language 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: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
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 Written by Christopher Hampton
Charlie Wilson's War Written by Aaron Sorkin
The Diving Bell And The Butterfly Written by Ronald Harwood
Juno Written by Diablo Cody
No Country For Old Men Written by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Grace Is Gone Composed by Clint Eastwood
The Kite Runner Composed by Alberto Iglesias
Atonement Composed by Dario Marianelli
Eastern Promises Composed by Howard Shore
Into The Wild

Composed by Michael Brook, Kaki King and Eddie Vedder

Best Original Song - Motion Picture
"Despedida" – Love In The Time Of Cholera
"Grace Is Gone" – Grace Is Gone
"Guaranteed" – Into The Wild
"That's How You Know" – Enchanted
"Walk Hard" – Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Best Television Series - Drama
Big Love (HBO)
Damages (FX NETWORK)
Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
House (FOX)
Mad Men (AMC)
The Tudors (SHOWTIME)

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama
Patricia Arquette – Medium (NBC)
Glenn Close – Damages (FX NETWORK)
Minnie Driver – The Riches (FX NETWORK)
Edie Falco – The Sopranos (HBO)
Sally Field – Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Holly Hunter – Saving Grace (TNT)
Kyra Sedgwick – The Closer (TNT)

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama
Michael C. Hall – Dexter (SHOWTIME)
Jon Hamm – Mad Men (AMC)
Hugh Laurie – House (FOX)
Bill Paxton – Big Love (HBO)
Jonathan Rhys Meyers – The Tudors (SHOWTIME)

Best Television Series - Musical Or Comedy
30 Rock (NBC)
Californication (SHOWTIME)

Entourage (HBO)

Extras (HBO)
Pushing Daisies (ABC)

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Musical Or Comedy
Christina Applegate – Samantha Who? (ABC)
America Ferrera – Ugly Betty (ABC)
Tina Fey – 30 Rock (NBC)
Anna Friel – Pushing Daisies (ABC)
Mary-Louise Parker – Weeds (SHOWTIME)

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Musical Or Comedy
Alec Baldwin – 30 Rock (NBC)
Steve Carell – The Office (NBC)
David Duchovny – Californication (SHOWTIME)
Ricky Gervais – Extras (HBO)
Lee Pace – Pushing Daisies (ABC)

Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for Television
Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee (HBO)
The Company (TNT)

Five Days (HBO)
Longford (HBO)

The State Within (BBC)

Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Bryce Dallas Howard – As You Like It (HBO)
Queen Latifah – Life Support (HBO)
Debra Messing – The Starter Wife (USA)
Sissy Spacek – Pictures Of Hollis Woods (CBS)
Ruth Wilson – Jane Eyre (PBS)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Adam Beach – Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee (HBO)
Ernest Borgnine – A Grandpa For Christmas
Jim Broadbent – Longford (HBO)
Jason Isaacs – The State Within (BBC)
James Nesbitt – Jekyll (BBC)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Rose Byrne – Damages (FX NETWORK)
Rachel Griffiths – Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Katherine Heigl – Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Samantha Morton – Longford (HBO)
Anna Paquin – Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee (HBO)
Jaime Pressly – My Name Is Earl (NBC)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Ted Danson – Damages (FX NETWORK)
Kevin Dillon – Entourage (HBO)
Jeremy Piven – Entourage (HBO)
Andy Serkis – Longford (HBO)
William Shatner – Boston Legal (ABC)
Donald Sutherland – Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)