Edward Burns continues going successfully back to his indie roots with his latest film ‘Newlyweds’. Shot for over 12 days for merely 9 grand on a simple Canon camera with minimal crew, this is DIY filmmaking to be sure, but it fits this work perfectly. The thing is, despite the notion that he’s limited in what he can do here, Burns has got a solid script and good acting to work with, so this never comes off as amateur hour. Burns wanted to make the film this particular way, and it certainly works for him. I’ve always enjoyed his work as a writer and director, and while it’s not quite on the level of his very best work (‘The Brothers McMullen’ for me), this is still a very enjoyable relationship comedy that has something to say about marriage. Burns is at his best when the story is strong, and here he’s definitely got that going for him. His direction is simple and assured, while the actors fit their parts to a T. It’s a simple enough film, but it’s a quality one. There’s an easy routine that the film lulls you into (not unlike a relationship does to people), and by the time the film ends you’ll be glad that you committed to ‘Newlyweds’.
Subscribe
- This was a big week here at the Awards Circuit! The power of votes for the Awards Season 2011 shifted to the hands of our beloved readers. The Awards Circuit Community Awards launched and gave the readers a chance to cast their votes for the best of 2011. Remember, voting is still in process until January 15th, so if you have not already voted, what are you waiting for?!
Read more on Circuit Round-Up (Week Ending 01/08)…
Tags: Academy Idol Season 5, academy idol season 5 results, ACCA, ACCA 2011, acca voters, American Horror Story, anna belickis, awards circuit readers, Bellflower, charlie day, Circuit Round-Up, clayton davis, film reviews of the week, henry glodell, Joey Magidson, John H. Foote, Joseph Braverman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Ward, Pina, rampart sound mixers, Robert Hamer, The Awards Circuit readers, The Darkest Hour, We Bought a Zoo, Year-in-Review
So what could one possibly say about Best Costume Design that one couldn’t possibly infer from all of my previous installments? Even non-Oscar watchers could tell you that the most ornate and attention-grabbing costumes get the lion’s share of these prizes, meaning that period pieces and fantasy films almost always clean up here (but almost never science fiction…go figure). Unfortunately, that means a lot of more subtle, mood-specific costumes are passed over for films that look like either history museums or fashion shows. More interestingly, a film does not necessarily have to be a hit elsewhere to be recognized here. Indeed, sometimes an outright critical dud can make it to the winner’s circle on the strength of their costumes alone. I’ll just briefly go through what few contenders we have to keep our eye on here… Read more on Sizing Up the Costume Design Field…
Tags: Best Costume Design, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, Hugo, Immortals, Sizing Up series, the artist, The Help, tinker tailor soldier spy, W.E., war horse
Acclaimed German director Wim Wenders directs the first 3D art-house film, Pina, that pays homage and tribute to a recently deceased Ballet choreographer, the legendary Pina Bausch, who died two days prior to the initial shooting of the film. Despite Wim Wender’s apprehension and sadness over the loss of Pina Bausch, the Tanztheater Wuppertal theater dancers who performed in Pina’s Ballet routines convinced him to continue with the documentary. It is not surprising why the dancers made this decision, as Pina’s repeated mantra stated in the film is “Dance, dance…otherwise we are lost.” Had the documentary not continued, Pina’s message would have been for naught. The dancers that pay tribute dance not just to express themselves but also to keep a part of Pina alive in every free-flowing movement that she taught them. Instead of being an exposition of her famous ballet routines, the film becomes a kind of eulogy for Pina and the legacy she left behind that touched so many of her dancers, who were able to release themselves from the inner turmoil in their own lives and be free through dance. The problem with this film does not lie in Pina’s dance routines in and of themselves. The real problem with the film is Wender’s direction that relies on an exhibitionist style that makes us long for Pina and not continuous dance numbers where the students become the focus instead of the legend herself. Read more on Pina (**½)…
Tags: 3D movies, ballet, Best Documentary Feature, Best Foreign Language Film, dance films, Darren Aronofsky, german cinema, Pina, Tanztheater Wuppertal theater, wim wenders
The National Society of Film Critics is usually a rather unique precursor, and this year is no exception. Here’s what they chose to honor in 2011:
BEST ACTOR
*1. Brad Pitt – 35 (Moneyball, The Tree Of Life)
2. Gary Oldman – 22 (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
3. Jean Dujardin – 19 (The Artist)
Read more on ‘Melancholia’ takes Best Picture w/ National Society of Film Critics!…
Tags: 2011 releases, critics groups, National Society of Film Critics, Oscar hopefuls
Follow us on:
Visit the AC Merchandise Store!
Podcast Feeds
The Awards Circuit – By Clayton Davis – Academy Award Predictions, Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Golden Globes, SAG Predictions All Year Long- Haneke’s ‘Amour’ gets a trailer May 17, 2012The last time Michael Haneke brought a film to Cannes he walked away with the Palme d’Or for his startling film The White Ribbon. He returns to the Croisette this year with his new film Amour and the trailer for that film has just been released is is located after the jump. Synopsis: Georges and Anne are in their eighties. They are cultivated, retired music […]Terence Johnson
- Haneke’s ‘Amour’ gets a trailer May 17, 2012
 |
 |
© Copyright 2008-2012 AwardsCircuit.com - All rights reserved. |