This is weak sauce, and I know that going in, but it looks like back-to-back weeks without an Off the Carpet column. Two screenings today, suddenly being pulled out of town tomorrow, computer issues, etc. — it tends to get in the way.
In the meantime, some sporadic thoughts:
• “An Education,” “Fish Tank” (which I finally saw this morning as we gear up for AFI Fest) and “Up in the Air” would make for a bizarrely appropriate triple feature.
• With that in mind, I’ve found myself, for better or worse, turning over what the year in film might actually mean this year. It’s folly, of course, and overly reductive, but I always enjoy turning over the year’s themes. Maturity seems to be a big constant. What say you?
• I think what has shaped up to be a handsome year in indie film was let down today by a dubious slate of Gotham nominees.
• Ennio Morricone at the Hollywood Bowl is SO going to rock this weekend. But probably not quite as much as U2 tomorrow night (my first time).
That’s all I’ve got. Predictions have been tweaked. The contenders are here. The floor is yours.
Comments
12 responses to “OFF THE CARPET FAIL”
Why the sudden faith in avatar?
And what are your two screening today?
You still have Tree of Life in your contenders section.
I saw Fish Tank this past weekend. It’s Billy Elliot gone awry.
And what a year for Michael Fassbender.
Jester: Thanks. Considering I was the only guy for the longest time screaming that this thing wasn’t going to hit in 2009, you’d think I’d have remembered to nix it when it was made official.
Loyal: Some might say “Billy Elliot” done right. To each his own, of course.
Look on the bright side of the Gothams, Kris. At least The Hurt Locker will (most likely) clean up there as well, and more awards for Bigelow is a very good thing.
It was a compliment Guy, and a comment on the situations presented to the dancer in the film, not the quality of the film itself.
I kinda loved Fish Tank and Billy Elliot for that matter.
Oh, I get your point now. A good one, too.
Glad to see you still have Matt Damon in as a frontrunner in lead actor. I really hope he doesnt get overlooked again this year. He was great in the Informant and he deserves a nomination. I hope he is remembered come nomination time.
yes kris, can we hear about the avatar switch?
I was looking at the year-in-advance predictions and was interested to see of this year’s 12 seemingly most-likely based on various pundits, most are mentioned in major categories; then a few are not mentioned at all (well, besides Avatar which maybe had to do with scheduling or oversight but it’s the follow-up to Titanic so…) which happen to be the two that I currently want most to do well: Bright Star & A Single Man. Also the only two not in the site’s current top 10, but I think it would be nice if films actually came from basically nowhere and hit it big. Of course, I’m biased.
I remember when reading the first predictions being excited about maybe one film but then I read Taking Woodstock soon afterward and it was boring except for the parts about the plight of the gay man at the time…which wasn’t the film’s focus. Luckily, that is A Single Man’s focus and they’re even set in the same time…The only unpredicted prospect that excites me besides those 2 films is Streep’s 3rd Oscar.
Loved Fish Tank. Katie Jarvis was pretty spectacular and Michael Fassbender should be really proud of the work he’s done this year.