A film that is already on Oscar’s radar before it even opens is Ryan Coogler’sFruitvale Station starring Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer. Terence gave positive feedback about the film out of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. While the buzz is high for the film’s chances during awards season, this is one of many films the Weinstein Company has on their plate in 2013. Other notable acquired films include August: Osage County, which had a trailer released recently, Lee Daniels’The Butler, and the Grace Kelly biopic, Grace of Monaco with Nicole Kidman. The film won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award back in January.
The first trailer has dropped exclusively from Yahoo! and it features what is sure to be a tension filled film full of emotion. Displayed prominently in the trailer is the talented and beautiful Melonie Diaz, an actress that garnered my attention in Dito Montiel’s classic film A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006). Michael B. Jordan, best known for his performance as Steve Montgomery in Chronicle (2012) has taken the lion’s share of citations from critics that have seen it. If he is as good as many say he is, perhaps the summer release will give him enough time to gain momentum until the Oscar nominations. Very early to tell but if I had a guess, I think he may result in the same manner of Derek Luke when he wowed critics, quietly I might add, for his performance in Phillip Noyce’s Catch a Fire (2006). Nevertheless, I’m on board for the film and can’t wait to see it.
After taking Sundance by storm and getting a name change, Fruitvale Station is all set to head to the Croisette as an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival. Today, the Weinstein Company debuted a beautiful new poster that highlights the movie’s unique location and one of the central relationships. While I liked the movie coming out of Sundance, it’ll be interesting to see how it plays with the Cannes crowd. At any rate, check out the wonderful poster after the jump! Read more on Sundance hit and Cannes Official Selection ‘Fruitvale Station’ gets a new poster…
The upcoming hopeful from Ryan Coogler and The Weinstein Company, which received high praise from the Sundance Film Festival, has officially changed its title. The film, originally called “Fruitvale,” will now be called Fruitvale Station.
The film that tells the story of the true story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008. The film stars Michael B. Jordan as Oscar and and also co-stars Academy Award Winner Octavia Spencer.
As April has completely come out of nowhere and become fully present, I’ve updated the new Oscar Tracker to keep in mind everything that has already been released this year so far or have screened at major festivals like Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca.
There’s no super-duper “out there” contender that looks like it can go all the way as of today with the exception of Richard Linklater’s Before Midnight. While the film is an absolute marvel, it won’t be determined until the autumn if it can sustain throughout the summer and become a leading contender like last year with Moonrise Kingdom and Beasts of the Southern Wild. Obviously, the latter was the only film to crack the Best Picture lineup but if we’re in store for a change like AMPAS going back to five Best Picture nominees, as some have speculated, a small indie film like Linklater’s could get lost throughout the summer and fall months. As of now, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy could show up with Linklater in Adapted Screenplay but on their performances alone, they will warrant some consideration. Both are superb in their roles and will have their champions throughout the year. Read more on First Quarter Round-Up – Are There Any Oscar Contenders?…
It’s March! We get started right away and over the past few weeks after the Oscar ceremony, I took some brief stabs at some categories. Those have been tinkered with and will be reflected on the actual Oscar Prediction pages in the next couple of days. The full listing of predicted nominees is on the sidebar with the list of contenders on the Oscar Prediction pages for Picture, Director, Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Original Screenplay, Adapted Screenplay, and Animated Feature.
Obviously categories like Original Song are merely speculation because we don’t know what film will have an eligible song attached. Disney and Pixar films are good for a song or two so that’s always a good place to start. Read more on Oscar Circuit – 2014 Films and Minority Contenders…
As is the case almost every Oscar ceremony that I can remember, the previous year’s Oscar winners in the four acting categories will return to present at the Academy Awards. This means Meryl Streep, Jean Dujardin, Octavia Spencer and Christopher Plummer will all be in attendance at the presentation. The four previous winners join Mark Wahlberg and his stuffed teddy bear, Ted, as the only presenters announced thus far. Have a look at the official statement after the jump.
Every so often as a critic you get the opportunity to witness a film that’s so ingrained in your experience that it becomes difficult to even comprehend how you feel about the film. On one hand, Fruitvale is a rich, if slightly problematic, retelling of the day in the life of Oscar Grant, the Oakland man who was shot by police officers on New Year’s Day 2009. On the other is innate sense of personal relevance. I can still tell you exactly where I was sitting when I heard about him getting shot, the worry on my parent’s (and to speak the truth, all Black parents) faces that something like this could happen to me (their children), and the anger, not just African Americans, but most Bay Area residents felt when the officer who shot him was only sentenced to two years jail time. There’s no way to divorce those experiences from watching a film like this. However the movie doesn’t ask you to, it just wants you to be in the moment as it tells it’s story. For those reasons, Fruitvale is a feat of movie making, something that operates well within the medium and invites you to bring your emotions along for the ride. Read more on SUNDANCE: Fruitvale (***)…
It’s the final countdown! In the penultimate episode of Park City Dispatch, Joey and I recount our final day at the fest including the morning snow and the films we screened: Blue Caprice, ACOD, The Spectacular Now and Fruitvale. Enjoy! Read more on Park City Dispatch – Episode 8: ACOD, Fruitvale and Blue Caprice…
The precursor award season is about to kick off on Monday with the New York Film Critics naming their best of the year. This is when all the speculation, hope, and despair is laid to rest for many contenders and films but as performances like Tommy Lee Jones in In the Valley of Elah or films like The Blind Side and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close will tell you, it’s not over until the President and guest read your name off the teleprompter.
This month brings the following announcement schedule:
Monday, 12/3 – New York Film Critics
Wednesday, 12/5 – National Board of Review
Friday, 12/7 – Los Angeles Film Critics
Sunday, 12/9 – New York Film Critics Online & Boston Film Critics
Tuesday, 12/11 – Broadcast Film Critics Association Announces Nominees!!!
This year we have several actors in contention for Oscar nominations from the same film. The Supporting Actress category is typically has no problem nominating two ladies from the film as we saw just recently with Jessica Chastain and eventual Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer from The Help (2011). This year, the following films have two or more possible Supporting Actor nominees from the same picture; Argo(Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston), Lincoln(Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader, David Strathairn), Quartet(Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay), Les Miserables (Russell Crowe, Eddie Redmayne), and Seven Psychopaths (Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken). You can also probably name Django Unchained, Promised Land, and Cloud Atlas as well.
The last time that Oscar nominated two male actors from the same film was Bugsy (Ben Kingsley, Harvey Keitel).
Any movie that touches on as deeply a personal experience as alcohol dependancy has to walk a very thin line in order to be successful. Too dark and moody a film will turn almost everyone off to the subject matter, while too light a tone will be insulting to those who have gone on the journey. ‘Smashed’ is a film that’s able to thread that needle very well, leading to a touching and oftentimes powerful motion picture. Of course, the main selling point and asset for James Ponsoldt’s flick is the nomination worthy lead performance by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Read more on Smashed (***)…
In every corner of James Ponsoldt’s Smashed, brilliance is hinted at but rarely espoused. However, Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s authentic portrayal of a woman whose life is at the mercy of her alcoholism is more than enough of a reason to give this independent drama (which is filmed in the vein of a documentary) an honest glance. Yes,indeed – Smashed is the first movie of 2012 that I’ve awarded less than three stars but am unashamed to recommend. Why? I’m unsure. Maybe it’s the screenplay’s zest for an “issue” film that works against the heavily dramatic norm, maybe it’s Winstead’s corporeal performance, or maybe it’s the need for people to see this film and demand Ponsoldt release or create an extended director’s cut. Rare is the film that you require more time with instead of less, but low and behold the abbreviated Smashed could have been something truly wonderful if it had just extended its characters’ arcs, its inspection of a heavy topic and its narrative imaginings a good thirty or forty minutes more. Instead, I felt rather cheated with Smashed’s sparse running time, and ultimately that feeling of “what could have been” wore too heavy on me to easily shake off. Read more on Smashed (**½)…
Directed by: James Ponsoldt Written by: James Ponsoldt and Susan Burke
Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer, Kyle Gallner, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Mary Kay Place, Patti Allison, Bree Turner, Richmond Arquette, Carol Avery, and Mackenzie Davis
Synopsis (courtesy of IMDb): A married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of alcohol gets their relationship put to the test when the wife decides to get sober.
Since winning a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, Octavia Spencer has been linked to many projects. She’s currently filming Diablo Cody’s directorial debut with Russell Brand, from there, she’ll film Snowpiercer and news is coming that she’s in negotiations to star in Fruitvale, an independent film about the controversial shooting of Oscar Grant. Written by debut writer/director Ryan Coogler, the movie will tell the story of 22 year old Oscar Grant, who after being detained by the police on New Year’s Day 2009 was shot in the back and killed. The event was captured on many cellphones and sparked an outcry for justice. The ensuing trial and verdict (the police officer was only convicted on involuntary manslaughter, and not second degree murder) set off riots and protests in the Bay Area. The movie takes its title from the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station where the shooting took place.
It’s that time of the month! It’s time to talk about the “Oscarettes”. If you missed the latest edition, here is a little recap of what this segment is all about.
We will travel back a year at a time and discuss those nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress of that year. I will recognize who was nominated and who won, and I will share my opinions about them, but I want yours. I want to know who you thought deserved to win and be nominated those particular years.
This week we will not be traveling back but focusing on the 84th Academy Awards. So, here we go.
It’s Friday. Oscars are on Sunday. I’ve rattled my brain for hours, days, weeks. It hurts. I can’t. I am fully ready to be wrong in many categories. I also chickened out in several categories.
I wanted to put Max Von Sydow instead of Christopher Plummer. Not happening. Can I get some type of credit if it happens? No? I thought so. I wanted to place “The Artist” winning Original Screenplay over Woody Allen and “Midnight in Paris.” Terrible. I’m usually good at taking the big stabs. I chose Amy Adams when everyone said it was Rachel Weisz. I acknowledged I was wrong but I still went for it. It happens. But I have called great things like “The Hurt Locker” in May or Alan Arkin over Eddie Murphy and when I was in high school and had no idea what I was talking about I said Marcia Gay Harden for “Pollock.” Maybe it’ll be a safe year, maybe it’ll be a complete mind-trip, but at least it’ll be over. And then we can start this painful process again on Monday morning with the Year-In-Advance predictions.
You can check out each category through the Oscar Prediction pages with commentary for each category and my Who Will Win/Should Win. If you read the Davis Awards 2011, then you know my dream nominations and winners. Collectively, they are after the jump.
Melissa Leo in "The Fighter", 2010's Best Supporting Actress…
The 2011 Nominees For Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role are…
• BÉRÉNICE BEJO • THE ARTIST
• JESSICA CHASTAIN • THE HELP
• MELISSA MCCARTHY • BRIDESMAIDS
• JANET MCTEER • ALBERT NOBBS
• OCTAVIA SPENCER • THE HELP
The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress carries a much storied and fascinating history and in an almost distinctive way stands apart from its other acting categories. This category often generates a surprise or two on nomination morning and has dropped jaws more than once on Oscar night.
The infamous 1997 scowl that Lauren Bacall embodied for losing the 1996 Supporting Actress award to Juliette Binoche and The English Patient is one notable example for the playfulness the Academy occasionally levies on this category’s nominees and the surprises that can befall even the most locked in frontrunner.
LOS ANGELES – Screenwriter-director Tate Taylor has been named recipient of the Writers Guild of America, West’s 2012 Paul Selvin Award for his adapted screenplay for the civil rights-era drama The Help.
The Guild’s Selvin Award recognizes written work which embodies the spirit of constitutional rights and civil liberties. Filmmaker Taylor will be honored at the 2012 Writers Guild Awards West Coast ceremony on Sunday, February 19, at the Hollywood Palladium.
Every year the Supporting Categories are the hardest to predict. And it makes me so damn frustrated. Grr. This year I am 100% positive two actresses will receive nominations; Octavia Spencer and Berenice Bejo.
Every year at these shindigs all the stars are judged not only on their performance but how they choose to dress. Now, I’m not above judging those who can afford to look good, so here is a list of the celebrities I chose as Best Dressed at The Critics’ Choice Awards!
LOS ANGELES, CA. – January 12, 2012 – The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) announced the winners of the 17th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards earlier this evening. Hosted by comedians Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel, the star-studded ceremony was held at the Hollywood Palladium and aired live on VH1. “The Artist” was named the year’s Best Picture and Michael Hazanavicius won Best Directorhonors for the film.
A film that is already on Oscar’s radar before it even opens is Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station starring Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer. Terence gave positive feedback about the film out of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. While the buzz is high for the film’s chances during awards season, this is one of many films the Weinstein Company has on their plate in 2013. Other notable acquired films include August: Osage County, which had a trailer released recently, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, and the Grace Kelly biopic, Grace of Monaco with Nicole Kidman. The film won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award back in January.
After taking Sundance by storm and getting a name change, Fruitvale Station is all set to head to the Croisette as an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival. Today, the Weinstein Company debuted a beautiful new poster that highlights the movie’s unique location and one of the central relationships. While 
Every so often as a critic you get the opportunity to witness a film that’s so ingrained in your experience that it becomes difficult to even comprehend how you feel about the film. On one hand, Fruitvale is a rich, if slightly problematic, retelling of the day in the life of Oscar Grant, the Oakland man who was shot by police officers on New Year’s Day 2009. On the other is innate sense of personal relevance. I can still tell you exactly where I was sitting when I heard about him getting shot, the worry on my parent’s (and to speak the truth, all Black parents) faces that something like this could happen to me (their children), and the anger, not just African Americans, but most Bay Area residents felt when the officer who shot him was only sentenced to two years jail time. There’s no way to divorce those experiences from watching a film like this. However the movie doesn’t ask you to, it just wants you to be in the moment as it tells it’s story. For those reasons, Fruitvale is a feat of movie making, something that operates well within the medium and invites you to bring your emotions along for the ride. 
It’s the final countdown! In the penultimate episode of Park City Dispatch, Joey and I recount our final day at the fest including the morning snow and the films we screened: Blue Caprice, ACOD, The Spectacular Now and Fruitvale. Enjoy! 
