Catch up with the idea behind these weekend posts here.
I totally just rolled out of bed. And yes, if you’re keeping score at home, it’s past noon. These last two weeks have owned my soul. That’s how I feel right now. —————————>
But it’s nice to have at least laid the foundations for wrapping 2010 up with yesterday’s top 10 list reveal. I’m happy that was a success and that everyone seems to have enjoyed the podcast. And thanks to Joe Rogan for the linkage.
I probably spend way too much time deliberating my list every year. I try to be as honest with myself as I possibly can but everything just turns to mush by December. The films that really spoke to me always find room and bubble up to the surface, though, and so the further I spin away from having settled on the collective, the better I feel about it and the more I think it represents my subjective interpretation of an interesting year of film product. But more on that Monday.
Speaking of which, I’m not out of the woods yet. There is the year-in-review column, the ballot column, the superlatives column, interviews with just about everyone involved in “True Grit” (going all the way up to the top), all in the pipeline. And that’s before we get to the two weeks of much-needed back-east vacationing on the way. (Though, of course, I’ll be working plenty from home — but at least out be out of the maelstrom).
Not to mention the upcoming week of critics’ awards announcements that will largely define the awards season’s early stages.
But for now, I can settle into some other things for a change, maybe dig back into the Kurosawa discs that have been resting, patiently, on my TV stand, waiting for me to watch movies for fun again. I can pull the ole’ Christmas movies off the shelf, curl up on the couch and try to soak up the other season that’s afoot: holiday season.
Operative word: try.
Anyway, you know the drill. Open thread. What’s on your mind?
[Photo: 20th Century Fox]
Comments
31 responses to “CINEJABBER: My dear, we’re still goodbying”
Will the top Western column happen?
Honestly? I doubt it. No time.
I just watched “Winter’s Bone” again after all the awards it has won and it finding a place on Anne Thompson’s Top 10 List. It’s actually a lot better than I thought after the initial viewing. Maybe it’s because the first time I had no idea what was going on, but it’s a really spectacularly made and thorough film experience. I still find it hard to believe that John Hawkes isn’t in serious consideration for Supporting Actor this year.
On my mind is the fact that Black Swan is going to be in the box office top ten this weekend despite only playing in 90 theaters. In fact, it’s per theater average in those 90 theaters is higher than The King’s Speech has in 19 theaters. Wow.
I know it came out a while ago, but Splice was one of the most disappointing movies of the year for me. It completely mismanages any attempts to have a message or coherent theme.
I’m always reminded ever year at this time ….. damn all these fantastic movies all having to be released within a matter of weeks of each other.
It’s the nature of the beast, but how can any quality movie get it’s proper audience with all this stacking in late Nov/Dec/early January? How can they make $$ and prosper? How? Grrr.
I always have so much difficulty with my top 10. Just nailing it down into an order that is properly representative. I’m not sure why I do it, it’s not like I have a blog to post to, but it’s fun. I’ve been watching a lot of movies that I missed this year lately, and I’ve started to realize that it hasn’t been too bad a year for movies. I can’t say it was a great year, but, as you said, it has been an interesting year.
Thanks again for doing this great site, and providing a space for interesting discussion not only on the awards season, but on movies in general.
I would love to see a top ten Western column. Maybe after the Oscars?
Please post a cinejabber at the end of december that allows us to post our own top 10 of the year lists. I for one am dying to see what the readership’s lists are – I expect I will see lots of films represented that I may have missed during the year.
The Tourist had one of the worst endings of a film I have seen in some time. A narrative decision that all but ruins the film.
I very much enjoyed The Fighter but as someone who owns the Ward/Gatti trilogy I pretty much knew going in I would at least appreciate it. Tree of Life trailer played before the film as well so it’s not just playing before Black Swan anymore.
Also if anyone wants to see that awesome 7th round left to the body by Ward against Sanchez here it is,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5cY-Fybq5E
The commentary during the round makes the result that much better.
We can all agree that the Thor trailer is a huge shit sandwich right?
Thor makes me confident that Natalie Portman’s gonna win the Oscar. Winners (especially for Best Actress) always seem to follow up with a really crappy movie, and Thor looks to fit that bill perfectly.
@Michael – a Cinejabber post where readers are invited to post their top 10’s would be an excellent idea – I’m all for it!
I just watched “Bronson” last night (strangely, the only DVD I actually own at the moment) and the cinematography, sound design, editing and of course, Tom Hardy’s breakout performance all really grabbed me.
I’m generally not a fan of Nicolas Winding Refn’s work (the “Pusher” films really turned me off) but I really responded to “Bronson”.
Graysmith, I completely agree with you; the exact same thought crossed my mind when I watched the trailer for the instant-classic “No Strings Attached” this morning.
The No Strings Attached trailer played after Tree of Life and True Grit, talk about which one does not belong huh?
Me and my friend we’re hoping Jeff Bridges would ride in on horseback, shoot Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher and then look at the audience and say “You’re welcome folks.”
Watched “Rabbit Hole” today, and I loved it. If Annette Benning didn’t have the “overdue” thing going on, Kidman would be taken more seriously in the race. I have not seen “Black Swan,” but I’m rooting for her right now.
I saw Narnia this weekend. Easily the weakest film of the series; the lower budget was very apparent as the film lacked the imaginative effects and art direction which were highlights of the other films. And considering the film was shot by Dante Spinotti I was pretty shocked that the cinematography seemed more made for tv movie quality at times.
It’s a good thing Fox had Avatar at the beginning of the year because otherwise 2010 has been horrendous for them. But when you produce stuff like Tooth Fairy, Marmaduke, Knight and Day, Narnia etc… what do you expect. They should invest everything into their saving grace, Searchlight.
Also, while I wouldn’t bet on either Portman or Franco to win, if we want to talk about poor follow-ups for potential winners, both are in Your Highness next spring (which will also be Franco’s next picture released). The film was delayed from Summer 2010 and from what I’ve seen and heard about it the humor seems really juvenile, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that gets slammed by critics.
Everyone is being way to judmental. Knight and Day was a good film.
And Your Highness looks refreshingly funny. Juvinile? Maybe but I also sensed a lot of wit in that trailer.
And had everyone already forgotten who David Gordon Green was, just a movie ago? The man is a real talent and knows what he is doing.
For a film so beloved by critics, The Kids Are All Right is making a really poor showing with critics awards. Not a single top ten mention nor best picture mention outside of the Gotham Awards and Satellite Awards. I’m really starting to wonder about the film’s potential in the race. I just don’t think it can compete with juggernauts like 127 Hours, Black Swan, True Grit, Inception, The Social Network, and The King’s Speech, or even Winter’s Bone, which really seems to be taking TKAAR’s place as critical indie darling of the season. This isn’t good for the film’s chances. Just saying.
Reading too much into it.
The Kids Are All Right was on Anne Thompson’s top ten, was it not?
That said, I do agree that it’s not popping up as much as I would’ve expected it to, but on the other hand it’s early and I don’t think it’s in danger of missing any of its expected Oscar nominations either.
The critical darling spot once occupied by The Kids Are All Right is now home to Winter’s Bone.
“And had everyone already forgotten who David Gordon Green was, just a movie ago? The man is a real talent and knows what he is doing.”
I would agree with you if you had said four movies ago. I want the man’s early greatness back.
Just watched ‘Restrepo’. Wow. I thought the first half kinda dragged, but after the 45 minute mark? Fireworks — both literally, and of emotion. The documentary jumped from a 2.5/3 to a solid 3.5 our of 4 stars for me. War sucks, yo.
On Nicole Kidman, I agree with what someone said above. She’s getting such unbelievable notices, that, if Bening was not in the running, this could have been a Portman (not a sure thing for the win, but possible) versus Kidman horse race, and I think it would have been close.
Kidman’s been everywhere for this movie, it’s getting very good reviews, and I believe she’s well-liked by actors.
She gave a great Q+A in the NYT with JCM: http://carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/down-the-rabbit-hole-together/
She never makes a boring movie and rarely makes a bad movie. They might not be what you were expecting but they are always fascinating to watch (except Bewitched, Stepford Wives and Nine).
Houston Film Critics noms out.
Big for 127 Hours, Black Swan, Inception, Social Network, King’s Speech, True Grit, Winter’s Bone, The Kids are All Right.
Noms for Noomi Rapace, Moore in Supporting! No Lesley Manville; what’s going on, there!?
All I will say is that as of now, Winter’s Bone has the indie cred spot signed, sealed, delivered. I find myself disliking TKAAR the more distance I get from it, and I get the feeling the same thing might be happening. I don’t see Best Picture in the cards anymore.
127 Hours
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The King’s Speech
The Social Network
The Town
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter’s Bone
That’s how I see it right now. I’m not trying to read too much into it, but the noise I’ve been hearing around the film is not good lately. That’s all.
That list looks like it could be it. But I continue to trust Kris’ (and others) insider opinion on TKAAR’s love.