Features
I had a Q&A to moderate this evening, so forgive the lateness here (though these and the Indie Spirits, for my money, stopped being about true independent cinema long ago, so there was really no haste to begin with). Anyway, predictably, “The Hurt Locker” came out on top at tonight’s Gotham Awards. The film won […]
Entries from November 2009
‘Hurt Locker’ tops at Gothams
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:59 pm · November 30th, 2009
Filed in: Daily
Listen to Overtone and Yollandi Nortjie’s ‘9,000 Days’ from ‘Invictus’
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 2:58 pm · November 30th, 2009
We reported Friday (and mentioned in this weekend’s Oscar Talk) that Clint Eastwood’s latest, “Invictus,” has two original songs from South Africa boy band Overtone. Today we’re happy to feature one of them. “9,000 Days” (credited as “Invictus 9,000 Days” in the film) also features vocalist Yollandi Nortjie. It’s used in the context of the […]
Filed in: Daily
Risk addiction
Posted by Guy Lodge · 1:18 pm · November 30th, 2009
After some initial resistance, I’m getting chattier on Twitter lately. Yesterday, in a “best of 2000s” frame of mind, an enjoyable back-and-forth with some of you started after I idly asked which actor or actress has had the greatest decade on film. The suggestions came in thick and fast, some mathematically going by awards stats, […]
Filed in: Daily
OFF THE CARPET: Let it all bleed out
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:57 am · November 30th, 2009
Every now and then this season, I’ve sat down and taken on the fool’s errand of deciphering what 2009, the year in film, has been “about.” It’s silly because a given film year is the result of years and years of preparation and development, so to think a collective thematic consciousness settles in is a […]
Filed in: Off the Carpet
Only connect
Posted by Guy Lodge · 10:26 am · November 30th, 2009
The team behind “Up in the Air” have done a very sly job of making the film alternately ubiquitous and invisible this season, as paradoxical as that sounds. For us bloggers, the film seems to have been around for ages — indeed, it’s nearly three months since its Telluride premiere, an eternity in awards-campaign terms. […]
Filed in: Daily
REVIEW: “Invictus” (**)
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:41 am · November 30th, 2009
There’s really no arguing the fact that South Africa’s victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup was an inspirational moment of collaborative triumph for a country healing the wounds of the past. The occasion was an against-all-odds statement of progress and togetherness. It announced to the world that a nation had chosen to look to […]
Filed in: Reviews
Vera Farmiga on ‘Up in the Air’
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:28 am · November 30th, 2009
(Courtesy: MakingOf)
Filed in: Daily
Holly Hunter, in praise of Abbie Cornish
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:23 am · November 30th, 2009
Probably the most insightful of these annual actor-on-actor blurbs at Variety this year is Holly Hunter’s take on Abbie Cornish in “Bright Star.” The Jane Campion connection is obviously interesting, but of all the blurbs (save maybe for Ben Affleck’s thoughts on Jeremy Renner, though he gets repetitive), it felt, to me, the most notable: […]
Filed in: Daily
11/30 Oscarweb Round-up
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:12 am · November 30th, 2009
• David Poland painstakingly seeks out assumed evidence to support his theory that “The Hurt Locker” will be this year’s Best Picture victor. [Movie City News] • John Horn sits down with “Precious” screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher. [Los Angeles Times] • Dave Karger chats up Viggo Mortensen and his “Road” co-star Kodi Smit-McPhee. [Oscar Watch]
Filed in: Daily
SUNDAY CENTS: New releases ‘Blind’ sided
Posted by Chad Hartigan · 5:55 pm · November 29th, 2009
*All historical figures cited are adjusted to today’s dollars. Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving? If you are Sandra Bullock or work for Warner Bros. then I think I already know the answer. The number one movie for the second weekend in a row is “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” with $42.5 million. This is a […]
Filed in: Box Office · Sunday Cents
WEEKLY WRAP: ‘Lovely Bones’ bows, ‘New Moon’ reigns
Posted by Guy Lodge · 4:25 pm · November 29th, 2009
• “The Lovely Bones” finally landed this week, to decidedly mixed reviews. • Kris and Anne offered their thoughts on the film (among others) in this week’s Oscar Talk. • In Off the Carpet, we combed through the Best Adapted Screenplay contenders (which now include “District 9”). • “New Moon” surprised nobody with a record-breaking […]
Filed in: Daily
‘Nine’ leads Golden Satellites with 11 nods
Posted by Guy Lodge · 6:59 am · November 29th, 2009
(UPDATE: Full list of categories and special awards added, including a random Best Ensemble prize for “Nine.” Also, a pointless Ten Best Films of 2009 list that leaves out some of their very own Best Picture nominees. Don’t even try to make sense of it. Thanks to Ziyad for the info.) It isn’t really worth […]
Filed in: Daily
That Federico neorealism?
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:47 am · November 29th, 2009
OK, forgive the idle question that follows, but it’s a Sunday. Something has been bothering me about the lyrics to Kate Hudson’s “Cinema Italiano” number from “Nine”: I feel my body chill Gives me a special thrill Each time I see that Guido neorealism I love the dark handsome guys With the skinny little ties […]
Filed in: Daily
OSCAR TALK: Ep. 12 — Holiday screeners, ‘Invictus’ and ‘The Lovely Bones’ land, thoughts on ‘Nine’ and more
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:29 pm · November 27th, 2009
Welcome to Oscar Talk, your weekly kudocast featuring yours truly and Anne Thompson of Thompson on Hollywood. On the docket today: • We lead off talking holiday screeners, including further talk of “Inglourious Basterds” slipping into the 10 in the wake of fading heavies. • Speaking of which, fresh off a screening of “The Lovely […]
Filed in: Oscar Talk
Two original songs from ‘Invictus’ join the race
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 5:11 pm · November 27th, 2009
Even though trade reviews have popped up and there are enough little dutch boys around to seal off the steadily breaking dam, certain parties are still not permitted to discuss “Invictus” in a review capacity. However, I would like to offer up some thoughts on two original songs from the film that should be added […]
Filed in: Daily
Listen to Kate Hudson’s ‘Cinema Italiano’ from ‘Nine’
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:26 am · November 27th, 2009
Wednesday we featured the original song “Take It All” from Rob Marshall’s “Nine.” Today we’re happy to feature the other tune conceived by Maury Yeston specifically for the film: “Cinema Italiano,” performed by Kate Hudson. Hudson’s Vogue journalist Stephanie was expanded considerably for the film, a lustful young thing who announces, “Style is the new […]
Filed in: Daily
FRIDAY FORECAST: ‘Old Dogs,’ new pics
Posted by Chad Hartigan · 9:53 am · November 27th, 2009
*All historical figures cited are adjusted to today’s dollars. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. If you are like most of America, then you vaguely had an idea that some movies opened on Wednesday, you stuffed your face on Thursday and you will flock to the multiplex today. This five-day period is extremely lucrative for the box office […]
Filed in: Box Office · Friday Forecast
The Great Performances: 2002
Posted by John Foote · 9:45 am · November 27th, 2009
2002 was probably one of the greatest years for performance excellence in film history, from leading actor right through all the supporting players. They could have easily nominated 10 actors in each of the four acting categories, and still missed some. Though Adrien Brody won the Oscar for “The Pianist,” which was a huge shock, […]
Filed in: Daily
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