I Had Myself A True Link...

My favourite post this week comes courtesy of Blake (Bitchin’ Film Reviews) puts forth a fine argument as to why superhero films are the new romantic comedies. I like his argument even more because he touches on two films Friends with Benefits and Captain America which I had issues with despite the positive reviews.
    
I don’t really love Polanski’s The Pianist but Stevee (Cinematic Paradox) LOVES it. No, I don’t think the film is poor – it’s rather good, but I never managed to appreciate it as vociferously as everyone did, and I always resented it because I felt the story behind it was more wholly loved than the film itself.
      
Nick is relentless at coming up with the strangest ideas for a post and this top ten is a winner. Has anyone seen the trailer for The Whistleblower (the film which will net Rachel Weisz her second Oscar nomination)? Over at Anomalous Material he imagines ten actors saying a line from the film. # 5 is the best. Seriously.

Luke (Journalistic Skepticism) doesn’t like Mulholland Drive. I don’t feel much for the film either way; although I know Castor loves it. It just sort of sits there for me...anyone care to make an argument for me to watch it again?

Eponymous The Flick Chick lists her five favourite body-switching films. She unfortunately doesn’t have the Lindsay/Jamie switch of Freaky Friday. But, she’s never seen it (and #1 and #2 are golden).

         
The summer movie season is coming to a close, and not fast enough for me. Maybe the rest of the year will be as underwhelming, but I’m hoping the string of disappointments this year is just because the fall season has reached. Ruth (FlixChatter) lists her five favourite summer blockubsters, so I guess her summer has been going better that mine

And to close, who isn’t anticipating Soderbergh’s Contagion. I haven’t keeping track of the behind-the-scenes rambling of most films, opting to be surprised so I didn’t realise Jude was in until Paolo started talking about the new posters over at The Film Experience. I’ve avoided the trailer, and the IMDB page. It’s like a Talented Mr. Ripley reunion...but for Cate. Sigh.

I don't usually watch trailers but could I honestly resist Vanessa Redgrave? No, I could not. Sure, the Shakespearean roots are not obvious but I never really did like Coriolanus much I'm just excited to see VANESSA REDGRAVE. And Ralph.

I’ll Link A Stairway to Paradise…

…but before the links, two relentless reminders for you... If you’re anything remotely close to a fan of current TV I’d love for you to participate in the blog-a-thon on Saturday where you devote a post to your favourite episode of any scripted show of the last television season (June 2010, to May 2011).

And, we’re into a new month of LAMB Casting and we’re taking on the Billy Wilder classic Sabrina – a film I’m actually not a major fan of, but one which I think boasts great potential for a recast. So, get going and send me your ideas.

Now, on with those links

CS (Big Thoughts from a Small Mind) looks at some cinematic accounts of musicians, and only last week Nicholas (Cinema Romantico) was talking about the very underrated Walk the Line. Regardless of who you were backing, Oscar wise, weren't Reese and Joaquin lovely in that?

Cameron Crowe has been running through my mind lately, especially when Guy got to talking about We Bought a Zoo and Hatter (The Dark of the Matinee)and Jess (Insight into Entertainment) talk about his eighties comedy Fast Times, which I've never seen. Incidentally, I'm not a fan of Crowe, but I keep thinking We Bought a Zoo is going to be great. Is the presence of Scarlett Johansson skewing my judgement?

I wasn't a fan of Last Night when I saw it, but Craig (Dark Eye Socket) loves it, and his review is excellent. I can't even say I disagree with him, he makes some good points in defense of it.

Fritz (Fritz and the Oscars) gives a massive send-up to Rita Moreno in West Side Story, who I like. Every time I think of this movie (a favourite of mine), though, I remember George Chakiris and I loathe that performance. Tsk.

Luke (Journalistic Skepticism) is doing a month long movie blog-a-thon. Here's what he's told us, thus far.

I trust that everyone's voting over at The Critical Condition where the ultimate pop song showdown is going on. Whitney Huston, Tina Turner and Paula Abdul got knocked out in round one, don't let the same thing happen to Heart. Don't let the same thing happen to Beyonce (or Beyonce). Head on over, and you'll see what I mean.

Maybe These (11) Links Are Magic

I love this post from the very smart Tim (Antagony & the Ecstasy) stepping back to look at the vastly underrated Peter Pan from 2003. Does anyone remember that film? Does anyone remember how good Sumpter was in the title role? So nice to see him shining a spotlight on it with his always excellently written prose.
         
I have massive love for Chocolat. You know, that sweet little Miramax film that popped up randomly at precursors then earned 5 Oscar nominations including Best Picture? Yup, that one. Jose (Movies Kick Ass) gives a fond review of it over at Pop Matters and I couldn't be happier.
       
Walter (The Silver Screening Room) is traveling back to 1964 for some Oscar retrospection, check out what he thought of the Best Director nominees. How random and ridiculous is it that George Cukor won his Oscar for My Fair Lady  of all things - from Holiday, to Little Women, to The Philadelphia Story to Adam's Rib and he wins his Oscar for the movie with the WRONG Hepburn!!!! Oh, Oscars.
       
I can't remember where I was saying it , but I miss Cate Blanchett desperately. Why is she so scarce? Fritz (Fritz and the Oscars) dedicates a post to her work in The Aviator as he counts down the Supporting Actress winners from worst to best. Cate is his #32.

And while we're on the Oscars' arc, anyone expecting Midnight in Paris to kill at the Oscars? Rumblings abound, but they are just rumblings and silly me I've yet to see it. Ugh. Mike (You Talking To Me) loves it.
     
I love when film bloggers talk about TV (a plug for my upcoming blog-a-thon) and CS (Big Thoughts From A Small Mind) is wondering who, if anyone, is winning the fight for supremacy between television and cinema.

Richard (Riku Writes) thinks we spend too much time thinking about "greatest" films forgetting those that might not be the best, but are a great deal of fun. He gives us a list of ten.

My two favourite film composers at the moment are Alexandre Desplat and Dario Marianelli, the two most ubiquitous are probably Hans Zimmer and James Horner, in a face-off I'd choose the latter and Luke (Journalistic Skepticism) devotes a write-up to some of his best work. Do you even have to ask which is my favourite...clue: lots of water...
            

I swear, I have no memory of Soderbergh's Out of Sight, probably because I saw it before I got all crazy and cinephile-ish. I need to watch again just to see if my hatred of George Clooney can be abated. Ed Howard (Only the Cinema) gives it a glowing review.

I didn't like Chloe very much when it was released, I still don't really like it even if it has some fairly good acting (and surprisingly well shot). The Mad Hatter (The Dark of the Matinee) writes up on it.
  
Why do we have so many film bloggers? James D. (Central Florida Film Critic) gives a great reason while trumpeting Tree of Life which I've yet to see. I'm so behind on 2011 viewing, it's ridiculous.

Here's Your Link

Harry Potter is ending, and though I've kept my fanboyish love for the series away from the blog I shall miss it - especially Rupert Grint who I hope gets a post-Potter career that we'll remember. Tom Lamont (The Observer) has a brilliant article and an interview with Grint on the end of Ron. (And I can't hate on Emma (All About Movies)for her crazy fanaticism.)

I command you all to go check out this inventive post from RC (Strange Culture) - half screenwriting, half comedy. He takes the titles of some summer blockbusters and turns them into romantic comedies.

Shakespearean adaptations aren't as cool as they once were and the 2004 production of The Merchant of Venice has its share of issues, but it's still a fine film. Yojimbo (Let's Not Talk About Movies) reviews.

Did you know that the original Doctor Doolittle was Oscar nominated? Tim (Antagony & the Ecstasy) offers up a great review, as always, of the Eddie Murphy version.

You can be assured that if you do a post on Katharine Hepburn I'll read it. Alex (Film Forager) reviews The African Queen. You really can't get more iconic than Bogey and Kate.

Everybody seems to be in love with Michael Fassbender, and sure I think he's fine (MVP in Jane Eyre, which I've yet to review) but I don't go crazy over him or his much feted turn in Fish Tank. Ruth (Flix Chatter) reviews the latter - and Cars 2, another film I need to review.

Meredith (M. Carter at the Movies) takes us back more than a decade to Pleasantville

Like any true cinephile, Joana (For Cinephiles by a Cinefille) is doing a movie marathon for her birthday. What do you think of the list?

...and to send you out on a high: first, Kristopher Tapley (In Contention) and The Dark Knight Rises poster - short and Jose (Movies Kick Ass) rips into the latest Transformers. I feel as if I'd seen it I'd enjoy the review more, but when is Jose's snark not a welcome treat?
      
(PS: Check out the blog-a-thon.)

An Old-Fashioned Link Story

I can't put my finger on why, but I love this post Rich (Wide Screen World) does on Woody's Manhattan. I really need to see that one again, of all the Woody films I've seen it's the only one I've seen once - I can hardly remember it. And in other news, I still haven't seen Midnight in Paris.Ugh.

                 

Emmy nominees are coming up soon (Emmy conversation continue with me and Ryan) and Kate Winslet is essentially a shoo-in for her work on Mildred Pierce (check out Jose's ten best moments from a few months back). Well Alex reviews the work of the original Mildred - Joan Crawford's Oscar winning performance.

                      

Nicholas (Anomalous Review) puts forth a rousing defense of Keira Knightley in Atonement, although the word defense suggests that there is something damning about the performance which needs to be defended. I love the film and Keira in it, but I know Keira is not loved by all, which is a shame. She was the MVP in Never Let Me Go only last year.

             

Nathaniel's (The Film Experience) poll on memorable Best Actress characters of the 90 gave Jodie Foster the edge for the 91-95 women. I'm not that fond of Clarice Starling or The Silence of the Lambs, but CS (Big Thoughts From A Small Mind) offers of a great write-up on its longevity. I re-watch is in order when I get some time, I suppose.

     

In just a few paragraphs Paolo (Okinawa Assault) manages to touch on some significant things in Notes on a Scandal. I just love Cate Blanchett as Sheba. And, on the topic of Cate being excellent Norma (The Flick Chicks) pays tribute to her work in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, another performance I adore. Where was her Oscar nomination? Heck, not even a Globe nod.

Ben (Runs Like A Gay) has some harrowing words about The Conspirator. I want to see this if only because Robin Wright Penn is delightful (she made The Private Lives of Pippa Lee so much better than it deserves) but he's not impressed with the film.

Every Day A Little Link...

I know I just said, I'm still on my break and I just broke the fast to talk about TV but I need to to do some link appreciation, even if to remind you that I'm not the only languishing in my own laziness....but moving on.
   
I didn't read this post, although I'm actually dying to - but Yojimbo reviews Midnight of Paris. I've been so, so terrible about 2011 films (plan on rectifying that this weekend) but I am anxious to see this one. Any of you seen it yet?
                                    
I swear, Cs is working for the devil. He forces us to choose between two great thespians once again - this time Patricia Clarkson and Catherine Keener. The thing is, although Keener has an Oscar nod, they're both woefully underrated. I love them both, even though Patty gets the edge for me.
                                
Max isn't a big fan of Minority Report. I've said it before, so I shall validate it by saying it again - this my favourite performance of Tom Cruise and on entertainment value is my favourite film of Spielberg's. I'm not a fan of his, but take that for what you will, I love this movie. (And how fabulous is Samantha Morton in it?)
                
Speaking of movies I love, sometimes alone, Fritz is counting down all the best picture winners and one of my favourites makes his top 20 - Shakespeare in Love. I'm so glad to see I'm not alone in loving that one.
            

The Emmy's are coming, and I know a few of you share my love for the small-screen - at least in parts (especially Ryan, Luke and Robert). This article from Hollywood Reporter really rubs me the wrong way. It's about the unfairness of shows like Nurse Jackie, The United States of Tara and The Big C getting nominated for Best Comedy. I was only recently talking about how dramatic Tara was getting, so it's not that I immediately disagree with the premise. There just seems to be a sort of flawed logic in suggesting that great shows like these should be ignored in place of other "truer" comedies. And in what world is Glee not a comedy? It's been a bit flawed as of late, yes, but - not a comedy?
         
Clara, Univarn and I participated in a discussion on movies (in particular the dreadful 3D phenom) spearheaded by Rich of Wide Screen World.
  
I shall be back to the world of the blogging soon with reviews, starting off with the following....

 

 Okay, as you were...

Let Me Link

So, June’s here already. I’ve been blogging, but I feel as if May just flew by and I did nothing some substantial. Not that I’m asking, though. Although, these posts are probably more substantial than anything I’ve been doing recently.

   

I love this post from Yojimbo covering The Usual Suspects. I’m not besotted with the film (although I do like it) but I am with his analysis of it. If you haven’t seen the movie, you really shouldn’t read it.

           

I always appreciate it when Nicholas goes crazy on the movies he loves, even if I don’t care for them. I can’t even remember Elizabethtown clearly (I should probably get on that) but he loves it. He really loves it.

          
Paolo might not love Malcolm X but he put forward a nice writeup on it.
          

Joana’s post reminds me how awful I’ve been about 2011 film-watching. I haven’t seen any of the three films she speaks of here (Bridesmaids, Meek’s Cutoffoff and Something Borrowed).

Luke, who started counting down his favourites after me, has reached his number one. I wholeheartedly approve of his choice. It stars cinema’s greatest actor. Guess who.

I was unable to participate on Nathaniel’s Hit Me With Your Best Shot on Moulin Rouge! (so sad, I couldn't find my DVD until Thursday. aaaaaaah.) but I was waiting to see what Jose would write. I know he loves it, and he celebrates it by celebrating Satine. Who can blame him?

It’s not a staple of his blog, but I do like this post from Walter covering the 1974 Best Actress nominees. Faye and Ellen would face off for the win in my book. What about you?

And I close with Tom’s interesting look at The Color Purple. I like the film with reticence, but I love this post of his questioning Speilberg’s sincerity.

It sure is a faceoff. We're recasting All About Eve this month on at the Large Association of Movie Blogs. More details here.

Links Fell Down

Yeah, I had a link post recently but more is always more and there are some more posts that have been quite interesting. This review of Ric's for example of The Social Network is quite perceptive.
    
 The Mad Hatter has a question for you. Which DVD’s do you own that you never watch? I actually have a number of extraneous DVDs, I should probably get rid of them, but I’m a hoarder.

Remember Being Julia? I’m a big fan of it, it has its issues but it’s much wittier than you’d anticipate and Bening is just phenomenal in it. It’s a short review, but Yojimbo points out some astute points of it.

I linked to CS’ last smackdown between Scarlett and Natalie but I find this one even more interesting (even if it’s easier to judge). He asks us to choose between Spielberg and Scorsese. You know who’s camp I’m in, but I sure would like to know what you think.

I love this post from Tom on Next to Normal. No, I haven’t been lucky enough to see it, but I do love the cast recording – the music is PHENOMENAL!!!!

and to close, Peter Bogandovich (yes, THE Peter Bogandovich) offers up an excellent look at one of the issues with The Philadelphia Story. Now, you know how much I love the Hepburn/Grant/Stewart flick but I will admit that the points are excellent.

I'll Be Seeing Links: 5 times

My favourite post this week is a two-way tie. The first comes courtesy of Yojimbo in celebration of Katharine Hepburn’s birthday last week Yojimbo takes a look at a scene from On Golden Pond (her fourth Oscar winning performance.)
           

The second is from Walter who’s spending May looking at the 1974 Oscar categories and takes a look at the supporting actress race. I’ve seen each of these films but my memory is vague on all the performance. I remember loving Ladd, but it’s really al foggy.
              
Anna continues her work on Counterfeit Casting deciding who she’d cast in a biopic on Errol Flynn. If you have to ask me who’s my pick you haven’t been reading this blog.
    
CS asks us to make an interesting choice: Natalie Portman or Scarlett Johansson. I don’t the choice is as simple as everyone is making it out to be…

Kai and Dylan have teamed up on a new joint-blog of theirs. Here’s Kai’s post on the 10 best cast comic book heroes.

I'll Be Linkin' You (six times)

I'm a sucker for Scorsese, so I love this post that Paolo did on The Last Temptation of Christ by default. Really, though, almost all of Scorsese's films beg you to analyse. I'm both surprised it got any Oscar love, and miffed that it only got one.
      
Stephanie lists her five favourite Sidney Lumet films. I'm still not sure what I'd pick as a favourite. And yet, even though Long Day's Journey Into Night is nowhere near my favourite it's always the film of his I remember first, and not even for Kate. I just think Dean Stockwell is phenomenal in it.

On the note of classics, though, Anna lists the best female classic performances, by her edict. Kate is on there - if she wasn't I wouldn't even have thought of linking this. I kid you not. (PS. Am I the only one who thinks Eva Marie Saint looks like a dead-ringer for Kristin Scott Thomas in that screenshot?)
                
And moving from the classics to the modern, Nicholas offers up a nice review of Kick-Ass. I say no more, it's a good one. I'm crossing fingers that Aaron Johnson comes off that great year last year to make a good career for himself.
            
The Mad Hatter is taking one for the team, watching truly horrendous films...or so he says. The thing is, I've seen only one on the list - so I can't be certain they're that awful, I've never even heard of them. Are they?
         
And to close, check out this fine retrospective of Redford's directing career that Yojimbo charted.

Linkin’ in Peace (7 times)

I haven’t linked in sometime, which is because I haven’t been reading in some time. I’m SO busy, and I keep adding new things to my schedule. On top of that I still haven’t seen any 2010 film – I feel like such a failure!!!! But, I digress on with the links, despite all the ramblings amidst the links - these links do come in peace...

It's been some time since Paolo posted this, but I have to single this post out because Sense & Sensibility is amazing. The end. (Image courtesy of Paolo, too.)

                   

I don't love Alicia Silverstone, but I do like her. Like so many actors she just hasn't been able to keep up that momentum that she started with. Nicholas takes a look at her trajectory.

Weird confession, I was interested in seeing Sucker Punch after seeing Bright Star five times last months (no lie) and I felt like seeing Abbie in something new. I knew I was barking up the wrong tree, I knew it wasn't going to be Campionesque, but the reviews have been abysmal. But of the ashes of Sucker Punch comes this great article from Univarn.

I always think of actors and their types. Sure, I think Kate is the greatest actor who ever lived, but she does have a type, which makes me often think of the word "typecast". Castor takes a look at 10 typecast actors...but I often wonder about the great actors, think of the other Kate. She's Little Children, Revolutionary Road, Mildred Pierce, The Reader - three of them mothers, each of them women with secrets to hide, some big some small, almost stifled by their deep emotions and misunderstood by their peers. Typecasted?

   

Isn't it nice to see that one of Luke's three favourite films is Beauty & the Beast? It's such a timeless piece of cinema, and definitely one of the strongest films from Disney, hell it's one of the strongest films in animation (the strongest if you ask me).

This is an interesting list from Candice featuring comedic actors who've done excellent dramatic work. I don't agree with all her choices (I'll never love a certain performance from 2004) but it's a fine list featuring some brilliant choices - especially Joel Barrish. Now, I want a list of dramatic actors who do brilliant comedic work.

    

I love Ryan's TV report, especially his words on The Good Wife because Archie Panjabi is AWESOME! The end. I've only recently caught up on the entire season, but GAH I love her, still don't really care for Julianna Marguiles, though but more on that tomorrow.

           

5 Links

My favourite post of this week is one that amuses me to no end, which is not to say that Nicholas isn't completely earnest in his proclamations. I'll always have his best interests at heart because he's as big a fan of Titanic as I (more so, even) and he returns to a decade long (and more) quest to Give Kate Winslet Back her Oscar (his words not mine).

Jose's finally getting down to his year-end awards and his list of Supporting Men and Supporting Women are both fine. As is expected, the list of full of some interesting surprises. Love his #1 on both counts, so I can't complain.

Tom gives an especially rousing look at The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, tying it to current (American) times. It's a particularly good read. 

Univarn loves to feign madness, but he's always ready to point out some astute things. Case in point this VERY pertinent entry on film criticism.

I couldn't help but notice two reviews of The Sting around hereabouts recently, one by the aforementioned Nicholas (here) and one by Paolo (here). Am I the only who loves this film without reservations?

        

Addendum

Hmmm, apparently I can't count...seven links. Whatever.

With A Link In My Heart

 My favourite post of the week is a no-contest, the fact that Nick gives Annette Bening such a great send-up means I can rest happy. I still think that the best actress race is undecided (mirroring a Cotillard vs Christie) race, and I'm still maintaining hope for the Bening. Sigh, me and my dreams.

So, apparently Jose loves The Social Network, which means we're back to being on the same page which makes me very happy. He's busy with grad school and whatnot, so I'm going on easy on him for the sporadic posting.

Luke is into his top ten films and takes a look at an Ang Lee one. My favourite Lee film is actually Sense & Sensibility, but the man is masterful. Enough said.

Walter is going on a rampage with recasting classics and decides on re-doing The Ten Commandments and Elmer Gantry. He replaces the delicious Anne Baxter with the delicious Salma Hayek in the former, which is a downgrade in performance but worthy, and then he replaces Burt Lancaster with Joaquin Phoenix in the latter which is a HUGE upgrade. I approve.

Paolo has some nice screencaps - oh, look Maggie the Cat, then Tracy Lords. Ah, movies...

Tom gives a lovely writeup on Shirley Booth in Come Back Little Sheba, I love William Inge's work but I've never seen this one. 

Univarn asks us to live out our favourite screen moments (that picture right below is mine, aaah Katherine Clifton). I don't know why everyone's avoiding the reality - you know you'd use that opportunity to have sex with the stars....hmmm, sounds like a reality show. Sexin'  with the Stars...

Robert is looking at his favourites of the past year and I love his nominees for Art Direction and Costume, both so personal (the way it should be), if somewhat surprising - the Colleen Atwood snub is hurtful, but I digress. Speaking of year-end love, Ryan counts down his top ten films. #1 is amazing, so I approve this list.

“Where Is the Link That Late I Read?”

Is it wrong that my post of the week is something the writer himself calls shallow, sexist  and dumb? Ah, well. Head on over to Paolo’s immediately and tell him which of these badass cinematic females you thought ruled 2010. My vote was fairly simple – Bellatrix, duh – but he has a wide foray of options. Get on that. 

Gentleman's Agreement and Rain Man - two Oscar Best Picture winners that aren't held in high estimation. I'm generally apathetic towards the former (a rarity for me and a Kazan flick) and I loathe the latter. Nathaniel, Mike and Nick discuss their demerits.

Almost everyone is offering up their "best-of" list for 2010. Kurt tells us what the Oscars would look like if her ran it. Sure he knocks Alan Arkin in Little Miss Sunshine, but other than the list is quite good.

You know I'm obssessed with Katharine Hepburn, same goes for Helena Bonham Carter and the third part of the trimester is Annette Bening who I think is awesome. John doesn't think the same. Sure, I'm backing Annette's bid for Oscar this year - but not because I think she's overdue, I'm backing her because I think she's deserving. This is quite a thought provoking piece, though. What do you think? Should Annette have been Oscar-ed by now? While we're on the topic, though, I love this somewhat old review of The Kids Are All Right - it considers so many facets I didn't before.

Will I be able to see The Way Back before I compile my list of year-end awards? It looks doubtful. Will the Academy deign to consider The Way Back for any awards? Even more doubtful. Ah well, Ben (of Runs Like A Gay) offers up a review. God knows, I want to see it terribly. 

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, look see Nicholas reviews Scott Pilgrim vs the World. It's so weird, every time I hear that movie name I get a goofy smile on my face. I'm in lesbians with it.

"Linkin' in the New Year" (5 Links)

2010 may be over, but I've not finished watching all the films I want to from the year. Still, more important news abounds. Patron Saint of Supporting Actresses StinkyLulu is coming out from hiding on the 9th of January just so we can celebrate all the lovely supporting women of 2010. It's the fifth year of this tradition, so be sure to make your pick(s) for which actress you'd like to profile. From Williams to Wiest to Washington to Hershey to Newton - it's been a good year, think outside the box.

Nick takes a look at the 25 films (non new-releases) that he enjoyed watching the most last year. This is the kind of best-of list I can get into, the overwhelming bulk of best-of 2010 lists is a bit maddening, truth me told.

That being said, though, I couldn't not link to Yojimbo's 2010 wrap-up (and he does have my favourite rating system for seeing movies), and here's what Tom thought of the year - it's not a top-ten list but a nice lucid essay on the films he saw that year.

I'm not as big a tennis enthusiast as Ryan (then again, who is) but it was a good year for the sport, no? And by good year - I mean, Nadal was on fire. Yes, I do.

Univarn has a challenge for himself, this year - 11 films to see. Three of them are actually on my top 100, so I say he should get started on them as soon as possible.

                  

So, HAPPY NEW YEAR....and I hope you all take part in the Supporting Actress Blogathon.

"The Links Are Gonna Have Their Way..." (A Vaguely Oscar-ish Edition)

I’m shining the spotlight on two pieces this week, the first an article Jose wrote over at the Film Experience. I still find it  amusing that he manages to write so much on something as ineffectual as an Academy Awards’ poster – but there’s creative writing for you. And while we’re on the note of Oscars’ Nick writes an especially profound ten points (part 1, part 2) on what could very well be the next Best Picture winner – The Social Network.

So, will True Grit be a heavy hitter at the Oscars? I say no, but Paolo offers up a nice review of it. I didn't like the John Wayne version, so I'm dubious of how much I'll like this one...we shall see...(speaking of the original Yojimbo offers up a scene-analysis from the original True Grit).

 

I had something close to love for Animal Kingdom when I saw it a few weeks back (people, get on that) and Jacki Weaver is getting effusive praise for her role, Walter doesn’t love the film as much, but I still love his review of it.

The Fighter sort of came out of no where and is now looking like a heavy frontrunner, Castor seems to be particularly fond of it, and Tim offers up a nice review of it too (I especially love what he has to say about Adams, though alas I can't say if he's right - I've yet to see it) and to make it a trinity check out Joe's insightful take on the supporting women in The Fighter who won't be remembered come Oscar night.

Remember The Town? Of course you do, it seems like it may build steam and lead Jeremy Renner to a second Oscar nod. It's not that I hated The Town - I just didn't care much for it. That's why I like CS' review of it so much.

"If I Linked You..." (time and again I would try to say...)

I'm shining the spotlight on Twister's performance review of Jennifer Grey's performance in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. (Sidenote: My mom has an exasperating appreciation for "Dancing With the Stars", and Grey seems really frosty but, eh. Whatever.)
 
The blogosphere was a buzz this past week with the news of James Franco and Anne Hathaway set to host the Oscars. The Mad Hatter and RC  were just two that weighed in, but I was particularly amused by Jose's thoughts. In case you don't know, he's obsessed with Anne. Only last week he was planning on abducting her to keep her as a memento in his pocket...(or something like that...)

   
I don't know if he has any open slots, but Castor's hosting Part II of his Fantasy Draft.
                     

Ben Stiller recently got good reviews for his work in Greenberg. His only good performance as far as I can recall, Darren recalls Meet the Parents - a movie I find painful to watch (except for the lovely Blythe Danner who is just as resplendent as her daughter, moreso even).
          
Jess thinks I'm going to love Burlesque. I have no idea if she's right or not, but I love this post.

Nicholas does an extensive writeup on Serendipity. I have weird thoughts about John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, they both seem nice enough but I'm really uncertain about their "talents".

Paolo recently saw Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? while reading the book, that movie's a winner and so is the play...only recently Alex gave a short review of it.
      
Speaking of great movies...how great is The Little Mermaid? Very great says Luke, I agree....and on the topic of animation check out Rob and Robert (two different people) and their takes on Tangled
        
Remember Scott Pilgrim vs the World? I still love it very much, CS reviews it. (I'm still not sure why everyone keeps saying it's one for a niche-audience though. Unless I'm weird, I have no interest in video-games and no knowledge of this one, but the movie just amazing.)
       
And kindly head on over and congratulate Nick on this three-year blog anniversary. 
       
(PS. This screen-shot via Twister made my day.)

Accio Links

I’ll be churning out my review of the latest instalment in the never ending (I wish) Harry Potter series. I have no shame in admitting that I’m absolutely smitten with the Potter World even if the films are only fractionally as an entertaining as their literary counterparts. I can’t remember the last time the blogosphere was flooded with so many reviews of a single film in a while: just in my neck of the woods I’ve gotten word from

              

I haven’t actually read most of these posts, I’m saving it for when my review’s done then I’ll sit down and read them all back to back (to back). I did that with An Education when I rewatched it, and it was fun. Here are thoughts from Yojimbo, Ruth, Marshall, Univarn, The Mad Hatter and Lady Hatter, Joana, Cris, Heather, Rachel and Simon (if I missed yours, it was probably an oversight)

           

Not that Harry Potter is the only film out at the opening. Any one plan on seeing Burlesque? I’ll probably catch that in the next month but Joe has 22 interesting thoughts on it. Look out for # 20; it’s a winner.

Walter reviews two “chick flicks” You, Again and Morning Glory. I’m not sure I’ll see any, but who knows?

Stephen Sondheim turned 80 this year. If you don’t who that is slap yourself. I’m sort of crazy for guy and he chats about the latest A Little Night Music revival, Glee, and upcoming projects. I love the little tidbit he has about Elaine Stritch. Hilarious.

        

Which five actors were snubbed their Oscars? I could go on for days, Anna mentions five.

I should have linked this over a week ago, I love this article by Tom on my favourite Woody Allen flick.

            

Okay, as you were.

PS. Still waiting on your entries for this month of LAMB Casting.

A Serving of Links (with a Side of Commentary)

I'm generally proud of myself, I promised increased posting in November - considering the dryness of October - and I've generally made good on that claim thus far.

I know it's not really kosher to read reviews for new films if you haven't seen them, but there are some films I just don't care. I either don't care about the reviews, or don't ever plan on seeing them. Due Date falls in the latter group, and I'm glad I caught Jose's review because it was hilarious.

I'm months overdue on giving you that review of my favourite film, which most of you may know by now. Bear with me. Rachel only recently listed her top three, two of which make my top 100. She says she has a type, can you spot the similarities between the three?

I just recently offered up my take on Winter's Bone and Rory gives a similarly positive - but more detailed - review of it. It's easily identifiable as a flick with the female interest at heart, speaking of which Walter offers up a nice review of Tyler Perry's latest For Colored Girls... I understand that some people just will not be fans of Perry's work generally but I can't help but feel that some of the critical slamming it's taken is just because people have a general aversion to him. Shame, I'm interested - Anika Noni Rose, Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington...need I go on?

I miss Parks & Recreation and I miss Amy Poehler. Luke ranks the women of SNL and of course Amy wins for me because she is just brilliant. Head on over and tell him he rigged the vote.

Yesterday was Leo D's birthday, I wrote up a little pseudo-retrospective and now for some reviews of some of his films. Aiden has good things to say about Catch Me If You Can, a film I feel is always unfairly remembered, and come on was Christopher Walken not brilliant in that? Chris Cooper stole his Oscar. Anna also offers up word on The Departed, one of my favourite BP wins of the last decade.

Yesterday happened to be Veteran's Day for you Americans, it's not till Sunday for us here in Guyana - Remembrance day by that name. The Mad Hatter offers up a nice perspective on the day.
   
Bring on the weekend review of Animal Kingdom coming soon...