Awards Buzz

Big Openings: June 6, 2008
By Myles Hughes

Is Kung Fu Panda, WALL-E's Oscar competition?

It appears that even 2-1/2 hour chick flicks can set the box office on fire these days (Sex And The City last week). So what will be on the top of viewers’ priority lists this week? Catching up on missed blockbusters? Checking out Adam Sandler’s latest fare? Taking the kids to the newest animated bonanza? Or hitting the nearest art-house for something a little more indie flavored? I won’t bother guessing, but I can offer some insight as to which option might be worth your buck.

YOU DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN

Starring: Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, John Turturro, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Nick Swardson

Synopsis: An elite Israeli counter-terrorist decides to give up his life of war in order to move to America and follow his dream of becoming a hair stylist.

Critics: So, the question of everybody’s mind is whether producer/co-writer Judd Apatow’s usually deft comic touch did anything for this film, or whether it’s a standard Adam Sandler vehicle with a plot too ridiculous to actually work. That may sound somewhat polarizingly biased, but many critics have been approaching the film with very much that approach, and the result seems to be resoundingly in the latter category. Sandler is having plenty of fun as the character, but the plot wears very thin by the midpoint, and all the potentially juicy Middle-east relation satire is used up in the first act.

Oscar Potential: Best Makeup? That’s probably being over-generous though…

Verdict: If you’re a diehard Adam Sandler fan, you probably don’t listen to critics, likely aren’t even reading this, and should go ahead and have a good time. But I can’t recommend it beyond that core group.

KUNG FU PANDA

Starring: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Ian McShane, and Jackie Chan

Synopsis: When evil threatens ancient China, a prophecy shows that an overweight, lazy, kung-fu obsessed panda will be the chosen one to fight it.

Critics: Given the initial observation that every animated film these days short of Pixar seems to feature animals voiced by celebrities and a predictable message, most initial reactions to this entry have been largely favorable. The appealing animation, energetic fight scenes, and talented voice cast makes for an evidently winning combination.

Oscar Potential: With this kind of praise, and a lack of major competition so far (aside from WALL-E, which is a shoe-in), it’s a decent prospect for a Best Animated Feature nomination.

Verdict: If you have kids, or if you’re simply into this kind of film, this film will make for an excellent choice.

MONGOL

Starring: Tadanobu Asano, Honglei Sun, Khulan Chuluun, and Odnyam Odsuren

Synopsis: A war biopic centering on the early years of conqueror Genghis Khan.

Critics: A nominee for last year’s Best Foreign Film category, American audiences are finally getting to see this film from Russian filmmaker Sergei Bodrov. Critics are calling it a raw, savagely beautiful hearkening back to old-fashioned moviemaking, like a sort of Asian variant on Braveheart. Japanese actor Asano is wonderful as Mongol warrior Temudgin, who would later become the feared and legendary Genghis Khan. The film also paints an alternate picture of the historic icon, showing him as noble, fearless, and inspiring as opposed to merely a bloodthirsty warlord as he is often portrayed.

Oscar Potential: Been there, done that. The film had its shot and lost out to The Counterfeiters.

Verdict: If you have an appreciation for foreign cinema and/or war epics, then make a point to seek this movie out.

Also worth checking out if you haven’t already:

FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL – If you’re looking for a more successful Apatow flick, this comic gem is still playing I’m sure.

HORTON HEARS A WHO – If martial arts and animals don’t strike your animated fancy, I’m sure you can still find Dr. Seuss’s classic story playing somewhere.

IRON MAN – If you haven’t seen it, it still reigns at the top summer blockbuster so far (by a mixture of critical and commercial consensus), so check it out.

Coming soon:

THE HAPPENING – M. Night Shyamalan may have a chance to atone for Lady In The Water, as well as replicate the quality of his Oscar-nominated The Sixth Sense. Can he pull it off?

WALL-E – Pixar’s latest makes its bid for Best Animated Feature. Can it be the first animated film to receive a standard Best Picture nomination? Or has the separate category been created for a reason?

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