Fairytales in Movies: A Hollywood Ever After

"Trends are undoubtedly a Hollywood affair, and recent productions make it clear that re-envisioned fairytales is one that has been plucked and embraced whole-heartedly. With two Snow White theatrical releases on the horizon — and one red-headed step-child going straight to video — two fairytale-rooted television shows, and the announcement of a pair of Beauty and the Beast projects, it’s evident that the time is ripe for the reign of princesses, the sweeping romanticism of happy endings. But the creative trend is not to satisfy the wistful child’s spirit in all of us, as instead a second pattern has formed: the ‘dark’ retelling...."

[ Read more at Picktainment.com ]

Movies: My Run To The Oscars, The Shortlist

This announcement is a bit overdue, but here it is:

A while back, after seeing an article in Entertainment Weekly about "25 Movies You Should See Before The Oscars", I then and there decided to make a Run To The Oscars (March 7th, 2010). In previous years, I was interested but not very invested in the Oscars because, after Return Of the King swept up, annihilated, chewed up, spit out, and then liberally mocked the competition during its year, I really didn't see many of the movies nominated. Most of what I had seen fell into the sci-fi/fantasy categories, meaning they'd be up for Sound Editing or Costumes, if that, and then were never spoken of again.

This year, though, I have a list. A list which is now narrowed in a bit more that the actual nominees have been announced. It runs as such:

The List as it appeared in the Entertainment Weekly article
I've gone ahead and added what they've been nominated for, if anything, so I can keep that in mind while watching.

Up in the Air (George Clooney for Best Actor, Vera Farmiga for Supporting Actress, Anna Kendrick for Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Motion Picture, Adapted Screenplay)
Avatar * (Art Direction, Cinematography, Best Director, Film Editing, Original Score, Best Motion Picture, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects)
The Hurt Locker * (Jeremy Renner for Best Actor, Cinematography, Best Director, Film Editing, Original Score, Best Motion Picture, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Original Screenplay)
Precious (Gabourey Sidibe for Best Actress, Mo'Nique for Supporting Actress, Best Director, Film Editing, Best Motion Picture, Adapted Screenplay)
Inglourious Basterds * (Christoph Waltz for Supporting Actor, Cinematography, Best Director, Film Editing, Best Motion Picture, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Original Screenplay)
Invictus (Morgan Freeman for Best Actor, Matt Damon for Supporting Actor)
An Education (Carey Mulligan for Best Actress, Best Motion Picture, Adapted Screenplay)
Up (Animated Feature, Original Score, Best Motion Picture, Sound Editing, Original Screenplay)
A Serious Man (Best Motion Picture, Original Screenplay)
The Messenger (Woody Harrelson for Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay)
Julie & Julia (Meryl Streep for Best Actress)
A Single Man (Colin Firth for Best Actor)
Crazy Heart (Jeff Bridges for Best Actor, Maggie Gyllenhaal for Supporting Actress, Original Song)
The Last Station (Christopher Plummer for Supporting Actor, Helen Mirren for Best Actress
Nine (Penelope Cruz for Supporting Actress, Art Direction, Costume Design, Original Song
Star Trek * (Makeup, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects)
District 9 * (Film Editing, Best Motion Picture, Visual Effects, Adapted Screenplay)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (Animated Feature, Original Score)
The Lovely Bones (Stanley Tucci for Supporting Actor
(500) Days of Summer
It's Complicated
The Young Victoria (Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup)
Bright Star
The Informant


Because some of these films are still in theaters, or not released on Netflix until later March, the list will likely remain incomplete, so I'm focusing in on the really important ones so far. Actually, I made the mistake of starting with all the ones I was interested in seeing outside of wanting to complete the list, so... the next few weeks might lack in inspiration unless I'm really surprised.

The ones I've currently watched have *s next to them, and their individual reviews will follow. Till then, here's a short, hopefully frequently updated Shortlist you can use for easy reference:

THE SHORTLIST

Avatar * B. A grade for pure visual effects, if anything else. The plot is tried, but no untrue, but the greatest criminal activity is the highly underused but potentially huge characters. B is really for beautiful, beautiful, Beautiful.

The Hurt Locker * B+. Gritty, intense, with a brilliant sense of pacing inside individual scenes that doesn't quite make it to the whole picture. Very real deliveries from all actors. I support Jeremy Renner's nomination in this.

Inglourious Basterds * B-. Inventive storytelling, gratuitous use of violence, humorous caricatures that somehow still fill the screen. Yeah, it's Tarantino. Very brutal in its uncut gore, unforgiving, but a good round of fun if you don't take things personally. Holy crap, Christoph Waltz for his role. You'll never love and hate to be creeped out by another bad guy more.

Star Trek * C+, B. Fantastically fun, full of action and gumption. Unfortunately, also full of a less charming and more pushy-brat Kirk. Between him and an equally angsty Spock, there's no time for anyone else. Also, death by lens flare.

District 9 * A. The set-up and documentary style pulls you into an every day story about illegal aliens, from space. Earthy yet otherworldly, meaningful and visual. A fresh cast of faces you won't have to recognize from other films.


"Up" is currently in the queue.


1 month and 7 days left.

Movie Poster Trends: I Think I've Seen This Somewhere Before

While I was browsing for movie trailers for that last post, I happened to notice a particular new one that caught my attention in its familiarity. It was called "Crazy On The Outside", and its poster looked like this:



Surely, I thought to myself, I have seen this before. It just feels so gosh-darned done.

A very small bit of Google searching later, I was proven right. I'm sure there's more, but these were the only ones I could recall off the top of my head ( which is scary enough, considering ). So, take a glimpse at this well-rode comedic poster style which henceforth will be titled Oh No, I Can't Contain The Hilarious Craziness That Is My Family. It requires that one person stand on a side of a door or structure of some kind, attempting to hold off what is a pack of surely hysterical and over-the-top characters known as the first person's family members who it would be simply disastrous for anyone else to meet so they'd better just stay on the other side of that door now.





Then there's this subversion, where the craziness of the single family member is such that the whole rest of the relatives have to block them off, instead.

Movie Previews: Coming Soon To A Theater Near You

Since it is a common practice at the office to visit Apple - Movie Trailers and pass around opinions, I thought I'd bring this interest to the internet for some sharing. So, without further adieu, the current movie trailers that get me all excited inside:

Clash Of The Titans aka The Movie Troy Should've Been



In theaters: March 26, 2010

Iron Man 2 aka RDJ's Still Got It Let's Hope Tony Does Too



In theaters: May 7, 2010

Prince of Persia aka Shucks He's Not Actually Middle-Eastern



In theaters: May 28, 2010

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus aka Tribute To Heath Ledger



In theaters: December 25, 2009 * technically in a theater, possibly not near you.

Legion aka More Wings Please



In theaters: January 22, 2010

Movie Review of Terminator 4 Salvation OR: How Robots Are Good With Kids

Review coming soon.