Spider-Man 3

May I have your attention please: The summer movie season has just begun. In case you just crawled out from under a rock, Spider-Man is out again defending his beloved New York City. And this time around, he's got his hands full.

While it's no match to its predecessor Spider-Man 2, the third (and final?) installment does justice to the key characters while introducing a few new faces. Back for the third film are Tobey Maguire (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Kirsten Dunst (Mary Jane Watson), and James Franco (Harry Osborn/New Goblin). All are in full form as they try to come to terms with the events that have transpired over the course of the first two films.

The story begins with the webbed hero being at an all time high in popularity. Of course, that simply can't last as Spider-Man must face four - yes four- villains this time around. First up is a mysterious symbiote from outer space that attaches to a human host. The symbiote finds its way to Spidey, which generates a more bad boy personae for our hero.

Next up is Flint Marko/Sandman, played by the versatile Thomas Haden Church. Discovered to be the real murderer of Ben Parker, Marko stumbles upon an experiment that changes his DNA to sand. Needless to say, the special effects are spectacular. Not to be outdone, Eddie Brock/Venom, played surprisingly well by Topher Grace, takes revenge on Peter after some less than stellar occurrences at the Daily Bugle.

Last, but of course not least, is the revenge story we've all been waiting for. Finally, after stewing over the death of his father, Harry Osborn finally takes his revenge against Pete. It's hard to believe, but the story of Peter and Harry's friendship outshines the love story between Pete and Mary Jane.

A could be problem for the film is the enormous scope and story matter. There is a lot to cram into the 140 minute running time, but due to great direction and fine editing, it all works out in the end. Don't get me wrong, the film has some flaws, but its still amazing (pun completely intended). A-.

The Hoax

Richard Gere and Alfred Molina work wonders with this delightful film from Lasse Halstrom, the talented director who brought such films as Chocolat and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Set in the late 1960s-early 1970s, the film uncovers the events of Clifford Irving's fake autobiography of aviation legend Howard Hughes. Alone, however, Gere is not. Alfred Molina works as his co-author Dick Suskind. Together, they fabricate the book accounting Hughes' life.

Of course, they can't get away with it. Eventually, the two men are caught for their wrongful deeds. But the nice part of the film is that it doesn't focus on the payoff, rather it's all about the process. My favorite part of this film is of course the subject matter. If you've seen Martin Scorsese's The Aviator, then this film is even a bigger treat as it focuses on the life of Howard Hughes, as played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the aforementioned Aviator.

The film works wonders with the subject matter, and it all boils down to having too much fun and telling too many lies. A.

Hot Fuzz

When I first sat down to watch Shaun of the Dead, I wasn't expecting much. However, what I got was a great film about love - with zombies. Needless to say, the success of that film has propelled its creators to try bigger and better things. Hot Fuzz, starring the same guys from Shaun, shows us just how flashy and manly we like our action movies. With a blueprint from filmmakers like Michael Bay and James Cameron, Fuzz sets up one sweet film that will surely be remembered.

The film revolves around Nicholas Angel, a no-fun cop who gets a transfer to a small community. While in the community, he uncovers a mysterious commonality between murders and accidents. For years the town has registered a high number of accidents with an extremely low number of murders. But Angel feels differently. Filled to the brim with cheesy action scenes and witty quips, the film works on so many levels. If you are a fan of action films, and you're willing to admit that they can be at times cheesy, this film will not miss. A.

The Astronaut Farmer

Although this is not Billy Bob Thornton's finest hour, it's definitely not his worst, either. A combination of October Sky and Apollo 13, The Astronaut Farmer takes viewers to a small farm where one man's life long dream of going into space actually becomes reality. For the first hour of the film, it seems as though everything is right on track. However, it's the last third of the film that lets us down.

Sitting in the theatre, I couldn't help but think that one particular sequence was no more than a dream by the title character of the film. However, as the scene went on - and on - I realized that this was indeed an integral part of the film. While not spoiling the outcome, it seems as though this film sets one up for some disappointment. However, in the end it all works out. Don't expect greatness. C+.

The Sopranos Premiere

In the first of the nine remaining episodes of The Sopranos, we take a bit of a break from the mob scene and work our way up to the lakefront summer home of Bobby and Janice Bacalieri. The episode had very few of the main stars, and we only barely heard from Christopher as Tony slammed his phone shut when Chrissy wanted to wish him a happy birthday.

The episode was again perfect Soprano material as the show never wandered away from what it prizes most - the human drama involved. While Tony is facing an uncertain future within his ranks as boss, his enemies - and associates - seem to be a little disgruntled. In my opinion, look for Phil Leotardo to put pressure on Tony, but more importantly, look for an important development with Bobby. The last scene in the episode raises many questions as to the loyalty that Bobby has for Tony. After all, Bobby has treated Tony like crap for a lot of years. Could Bobby flip and go to the Feds? Could Bobby try to help put a hit on Tony? Or is Bobby still fine with his place in the ranks?

For the critics out there who like to complain about this show, I would like to remind them that it is still the best hour of television on each week. I'm sure some will complain that this first episode was slow, but if you look a little deeper into the characters, a lot happened. As an avid fan of the series, I can only wonder will Tony survive 8 more episodes? A.

Grindhouse

Just when we all thought Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino had pushed the limits of filmmaking, they go a little farther. In the new stylized film Grindhouse, the two directors each create films reminiscent of old style grind-house films. Planet Terror, the first film of the two, created by Rodriguez, revolves around zombies taking over the planet. In order to save the day, Six Feet Under alum Freddy Rodriguez and The Terminator star Michael Biehn must try and stop the zombies. The film is flimsy - but that's exactly what makes it so great.

Up next is Tarantino's Death Proof. At first it seems as though Tarantino is a bit heavy handed with all of the patented dialogue involving sex, guns, and music. But just when we get a little restless, Tarantino cranks up the action. Kurt Russel stars in one of his finest roles as a washed up stunt driver. While not giving anything away, this movie is a surefire highspeed adrenaline-charged racecar of a film that stops at nothing to keep us involved.

Put together, these two films showcase the journey that two filmmakers have made over the last decade and a half. While the films seem odd at times, they really aren't given the directors at the helm. To boot, there are a few trailers attached to the films that make the grind-house effect that much more potent. A.

The Race Is On

With Spider-Man 3 opening in just under a month, it's now clear as to what the big films are going to be when the summer season begins. Coming out of the gate right away in May are three of the biggest films of the year, Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third, and Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End. It's really anyone's guess as to which of the three films will do the best at the box office. However, I have some of my own thoughts.

It's been almost three years since we've seen Peter Parker and company on the big screen. That said, I think audiences are craving the web slinger, and with a Friday opening, this film could actually steal back the top spot on the all time opening weekend list, which by the way was broken last year when Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest stole the spot from the first Spider-Man. With Sam Raimi at the helm, Spider-Man 3 will surely receive critical praise, and with a cast including franchise newcomers Topher Grace, Thomas Haden Church, and Bryce Dallas Howard, the film could even bring in a few new fans.

The Shrek world could continue to thrive, but if there is any place for erosion this film will be the one. After two overly successful films in the franchise already, a third film seems like a lock. But the real question is whether or not audiences really feel the need for another go-around. After all, Shrek 2 was more of a rehashing than breaking new ground. Likewise, Shrek the Third is sandwiched in between Spidy and Pirates, which could cause some problems as people will still be getting over the Spider-Man hype and gearing up for that last chapter in...

The Pirates of the Caribbean series. Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End is a bit of a mystery as to how it will do at the box office. Will people be yearning for Jack after only a mere 10 month break, or will people come out in droves to see what happened to everyone's favorite pirate and his precious ship? My bet is that this film does quite well. However, as some people didn't like the second film, there could be some erosion.

All in all, it will be a banner year for movies, as these three are just starting off in the month of May. Look for other films, such as The Bourne Ultimatum, Live Free or Die Hard, and Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer to all do well.

The Lookout

Coupled with his astounding performances in Mysterious Skin and Brick, Third Rock from the Sun alum Joseph Gordon-Levitt is making a name for himself in Hollywood. Set against the backdrop of wintry Kansas, Levitt shines as Chris Pratt, a young man who succumbs to brain injury when he is involved in a car accident. Living his life day to day, Pratt learns to cope with his injury as he takes classes and cleans a bank at night. Little to his dismay, a group of thieves decide they want to rob the bank he cleans. There's just one catch - they need him to be the lookout.

From then on, the film spirals downward into betrayal, anger, and regret. Carefully acted, and even more carefully directed, the film takes the notion of classic film noir and blends it with modern-day character drama, culminating in a true tour de force.

In one of the finest roles of his career, Jeff Daniels stars as Levitt's blind friend. Daniels works well as a supporting character, and he shows his range as a great character actor. While some critics complain that the payoff for the film is not that great, I disagree. Directed by Scott Frank, the screenplay writer of The Interpreter and Minority Report, the film works wonders with a story that is rich with character devlopment and carefully calculated plot elements. The Lookout is one of the first great films of the year. A.

Blades of Glory

While I'm not a big fan of cheesy comedies, Blades of Glory works wonders with the headlined cast including Will Ferrell and Jon Heder. Set against the backdrop of the world skating competition, two skaters, Chaz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder), get disqualified for fighting during a skating competition. Banned from men's singles competition for life, the two men are coaxed into forming a pairs team.

What makes this movie really great is the combination of the good story and great villains played by the real life couple Will Arnett and Amy Poehler. Likewise, it's great to see that actual figure skaters, including the likes of Brian Boitano, Scott Hamilton, Nancy Kerrigan, and Sasha Cohen, are willing to show that the world of skating can be at times frivolous.

The onscreen chemistry of Ferrell and Heder is near that of Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci or Chris Farley and David Spade. The two work wonders both on the ice and off. While not the most serious film of the year, Blades does a good job of keeping one entertained for 90 minutes. B+.

Shooter

Coming off of his astounding performance in Martin Scorsese's The Departed, Mark Wahlberg shows why he is one of the finest actors in the business. In Shooter, Wahlberg plays an ex-military man who is brought back in to try to stop a possible assassination of the President. Or so we think. Along the way, Wahlberg gets setup by the villainous Danny Glover and the scheming Senator, played by Ned Beatty.

Aside from a story line that seems to wander at times, the film works well with Wahlberg in the lead. What really works well in the film is use of the camera to tell the story. Using a mixture of shots, director Antoine Fugua, known mainly for Training Day, creates a film that has sustained suspense. B+.

Reign Over Me

While many people have a deep affection toward Adam Sandler, he once again proves in this film that he is a single-dimensional bit player. Although Don Cheadle manages to salvage this debacle of a film - not to mention a boring film - Sandler just doesn't cut it as the disturbed widower. Sandler plays former dentist Charlie (and believe me, that name gets really annoying when you hear 878 times throughout the film), a man who loses his family during the 9/11 attacks.

What the film attempts to do is capture the essence that propelled Robert Redford's Ordinary People in 1980. However, the film falls flat. Unlike Timothy Hutton, who played the disturbed son in Ordinary People, Sandler can't make it work in Reign. While Hutton's performance is seamless and believable as he copes with the unfortunate death of his brother, Sandler comes off as someone not suffering from a deep depression, but someone who is severely schitzophrenic. It appears that Sandler doesn't need therapy; rather, he needs an exorcism.

All in all, Reign is a bad film. Moreover, it's boring. Don't waist your time with this one folks. D+.

Will the real Stan Grossman please stand up?

As I was bored out of my mind a couple weeks ago during a weekend blizzard, I decided to pop in one of my favorite films - Fargo. As I started watching it, I found that I had forgotten just how great it really was. What I also realized was that there was a blatant character similarity between Fargo and Little Miss Sunshine. A character who appears as a savvy businessman in Fargo, Stan Grossman, also appears in the film Little Miss Sunshine. Speaking to a film professor recently, I learned that the character reference in Little Miss Sunshine was probably more of an homage than an error in character. In Fargo, Larry Brandenburg plays the wealthy businessman Grossman. In Little Miss Sunshine, Bryan Cranston, notably from Malcom in the Middle, plays the character. Both characters are similar in that they are spoken of quite highly in each film, but they ultimately end up making the lead males angry.

Zodiac

Is it just me, or has Robert Downey, Jr. been cropping up in some great roles lately? In Zodiac, Downey steals the show as a journalist who struggles with substance abuse. But that's not really the story here. The film revolves around the Zodiac killer who killed numerous individuals in the late 60s and early 70s. Along with Downey, Jake Gyllenhal fits perfectly into his role as a comic artist for the local newspaper. However, when the Zodiac case breaks open, Gyllenhal's character, Robert Graysmith, becomes intrigued by the unfolding murders.

The film, directed by the ever talented David Fincher, shows us why Fincher is a great director. He is able to keep us intrigued for the whopping two hour and forty minute running time. Not many films today would risk being so long, but Fincher and company manage to pull it off. My only gripe with the film is that, like Hollywoodland, there isn't necessarily a major resolution. However, without spoiling the film for others, it plays as a great period piece that will surely stand highly next to Fincher's other works, including Fight Club, Seven, etc.

The supporting cast is also a force to be reckoned with. Anchored by Mark Ruffalo, the major players in the film all create a sense of mystery that works well within the given context. Moreover, the other supporters, including the likes of Brian Cox, Elias Koteas, and Philip Baker Hall fits squarely in the time period that the film is set. With all of the testosterone running rampant on screen, it's up to Chloe Sevigny to reign in. She does just that. The underrated actress shows why she is one of the finest in her generation as she plays the wife of the obsessed Graysmith. A.

Reno 911!: Miami

Although I am not a self-proclaimed fan of the series, Reno 911!: Miami provides a great dose of farcical comedy. With the Reno gang on a trip to Miami for a police convention, chaos ensues as the group is forced into action when a large hotel containing police officers becomes quarantined. The group then must manage the streets of Miami. It's a perfect example of great comedy with little point.

The film is able to go places that the show never could - expletives are bleaped out and the sexual inuendo is in full force. It's not a film to bring little kids to, but it sure is funny. With the success of Borat coupled with the success of this film, look for every screwball comedy to surface during the coming year. A-.

Wild Hogs

Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, and John Travolta do their best to entertain for an hour and a half. Although there are a few funny points to Wild Hogs, many of the laughs seem forced and predictable. It's really too bad the writers didn't try for more with this one, seeing as the cast was so great.

As four men venture out on a male bonding experience that takes them on a trip through the south, they accidentally blow up a biker roadhouse. Ray Liotta, in a role that seems to work well for him, leads the roadhouse gang to find and severely hurt the heroes. While the film has a good premise, it just falls flat. There are too many cliches along the way. It's a valiant effort, but it just doesn't work. C+.

Ghost Rider

Coming off of his tear jerking performance in Oliver Stone's World Trade Center, Nicholas Cage does little to show his Academy Award worthy-side as the title character in this latest comic book to film adaptation. While the film is not overly smart, it doesn't try to be either. Consider this to be another Fantastic Four style film - it's good but it's not Spiderman 2.

While the plot involves Cage battling Satan and his cronies, which might seem a bit over the top, the film does justice to a comic book hero that is not well known. The film's major accomplishment is the effects that are extremely well done. The lavish fight sequences, along with an even superior soundtrack, leaves the viewer believing that this might not be so bad after all.

The main problem with the film is that the story is weak at best. The whole idea of fighting Satan is a little too sacharine for the viewer seeking something smart. However, with the great box office receipts enjoyed on opening weekend, look for Ghost Rider 2 to hit theatres soon. B-.

Oscar Reactions

Well, I was right for the most part. Unlike all of those crazy people out there who had Babel and Little Miss Sunshine pegged to win Best Picture, I stuck to my guns and predicted that The Departed would win. The only thing I really messed up on what the incorrect choice of Eddie Murphy. It didn't surprise me, however, that Alan Arkin won.

Just so you know, here are the winners. There are stars (*) by the winners that I correctly predicted.

Best Picture: The Departed*
Best Director: Martin Scorsese*
Best Actor: Forest Whitaker*
Best Actress: Helen Mirren*
Best Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson*
Best Original Screenplay: Little Miss Sunshine*
Best Adapted Screenplay: The Departed*

Oscar Predictions

And the Oscar goes to...

With the Oscars only days away, I decided that I had best get my final predictions out there. This year, I added a "Dark Horse" category for a nominee that could possibly take Oscar gold. However, I copped out in the Best Picture category as I didn't really choose a dark horse winner. My predictions of who should win are somewhat different that who I think will win. If everything goes well, maybe my "Should Win" category will shine through.

Hannibal Rising

As my first film of 2007, Hannibal Rising did little to quench the thirst Hannibal the Cannibal. From the very beginning, the film explodes onto the screen with so much idiocity that it seems like it could not even belong to the same family that Anthony Hopkins made famous. The attitude of the film's star, Gaspard Ulliel, is enough to make me want to reconsider my love for the Lecter series.

Set around the upbrininging of Lecter, the film never really finds a rhythym. Likewise, the entire plot of the film is shotty at best. Written by series author Thomas Harris, I expected this film to fit nicely into the Hannibal series. However, the directing and acting were so incredibly bad that this film should have never been made. While there are a few redeeming qualities to the film, namely the cinematography and the performance by The Wire alum Dominic West, the film fails to capture the suspenseful horror that graced the presence of Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs, and of course the (subpar) Hannibal. C-.

Letters from Iwo Jima

Clint Eastwood's Oscar nominated film Letters from Iwo Jima lives up to all the hype as it follows the Japanese side of the war on the island of Iwo Jima. Made as a companion film to Flags of our Fathers, Letters is a better film than its other half. The film works on many levels, but it is the characters that stand out as the beacon.

The film revolves around the Japanese troops preparing for battle and the ultimate defeat. None of the cast from Flags appears in this film, which is a good thing. The general in command, played by Ken Watanabe, struggles to retain control of his troops in the ill-fated battle. Eastwood seems to perfect his craft with this film, and the screenplay, which again is given help by Paul Haggis, does not insult the viewer.

This film is one that will most likely stand the test of time (as far as war films go), and it shows the true ability that Eastwood has. Shown along with Flags of our Fathers, the two films create an uncompromising view of the triumph - and tragedy - that occurred on Iwo Jima. A+.

The Good German

Set in the style of the films of old, namely Casablanca, Steven Soderbergh's latest film The Good German falls flat. The story, which is a bit flimsy, is a story that has been done before. It's one thing to set a film in the style of earlier works, but it is quite another to actually copy the stories as well. The film revolves around a reporter, played by George Clooney, who attempts to help his old girlfriend, played by Cate Blanchett, and her husband get out of Berlin shortly after World War II ends. The story seems a lot like Casablanca, and the look of the film is clearly a copy.

There are, however, two redeeming aspects of this film. First, it is great to see Tobey Maguire play a different role for a change. He plays a young American who gets in over his head. He seems like a nice guy, but he shows an angry side as well. Second, the look of the film is a pure treat to see. Soderbergh goes after a new look for his film which turns out to be great. The black and white palate, coupled with the minimal sets create the notion that I really was watching an old movie. B.

Film Rankings for 2006

Here are the latest film rankings for 2006. I have yet to see a few films, namely Letters from Iwo Jima and The Good German.

The Departed (A+)
The Queen (A+)
Flags of our Fathers (A)
Blood Diamond (A)
Children of Men (A)
The Last King of Scotland (A)
World Trade Center (A)
Babel (A)
Casino Royale (A)
An Inconvenient Truth (A)
Bobby (A-)
Little Miss Sunshine (A-)
The Pursuit of Happyness (A-)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (A-)
United 93 (A-)
X-Men: The Last Stand (A-)
A Prairie Home Companion (A-)
Stranger than Fiction (B+)
Clerks II (B+)
The Good Shepherd (B+)
All the King's Men (B+)
The Illusionist (B+)
Dreamgirls (B)
Miami Vice (B)
Snakes on a Plane (B)
V for Vendetta (B)
Superman Returns (B)
Inside Man (B)
Hollywoodland (B)
MI: 3 (B)
Thank you for Smoking (B)
Strangers with Candy (B)
The DaVinci Code (B-)
Man of the Year (C+)
Poseidon (C)
Scary Movie 4 (C)
You, Me & Dupree (C-)
Night at the Museum (C-)
The Black Dahlia (F)

The Last King of Scotland

Forest Whitaker shows commanding force as the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland. The film follows the rise of Amin and the way he runs the country of Uganda. The story revolves around a young Dr. Garrigan, played by James McAvoy, who travels to Uganda to help the battered people. Along the way, Amin befriends Dr. Garrigan, and Amin uses him as a close advisor. However, after a while, Garrigan learns how Amin runs the country, and he tries to escape.

Whitaker is positively amazing as Amin, and he could easily secure an Oscar for his performance. McAvoy is also great, and thus far he has been somewhat ignored for his stellar performance. The film uses a good dose of closeups that really exemplify the feeling on Whitaker's face. While the film does seem a bit drawn out at times, the ferocious performance by Whitaker more than makes up for any shortcomings. A.

Oscar Nominee Breakdown

First things first. God bless the Academy. It is so wonderful to see that Mark Wahlberg got nominated in the Supporting Actor category, but it is even more amazing to see that Dreamgirls did not get nominated for Picture or Director. Personally, I didn't think it was that great of a film. Now, the breakdown.

Best Picture

1) Babel

2) The Departed

3) Letters from Iwo Jima

4) Little Miss Sunshine

5) The Queen

The only big surprise is the obvious omission of Dreamgirls. I really thought that either Letters or Little Miss Sunshine would be nominated - not both. However, I think the Academy made the right choice here.

Best Director

1) Allejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Babel)

2) Martin Scorsese (The Departed)

3) Clint Eastwood (Letters from Iwo Jima)

4) Paul Greengrass (United 93)

5) Stephen Frears (The Queen)

Again here, the surprise is that Bill Condon did not get nominated for Dreamgirls. This is going to be a tough race, but I think Scorsese is the early front-runner.

Best Actor

1) Leonardo DiCaprio (Blood Diamond)

2) Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson)

3) Peter O'Toole (Venus)

4) Will Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness)

5) Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland)

I was right on with my predictions for this category. Right now, Forest Whitaker has the early momentum.

Best Actress

1) Judi Dench (Notes on a Scandal)

2) Penelope Cruz (Volver)

3) Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada)

4) Helen Mirren (The Queen)

5) Kate Winslet (Little Children)

Again here, there were no surprises. Congratulations, Helen Mirren.

Best Supporting Actor

1) Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine)

2) Jackie Earl Haley (Little Children)

3) Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond)

4) Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)

5) Mark Wahlberg (The Departed)

My incorrection in this category was that I had Jack Nicholson getting a nomination for The Departed. Instead, Alan Arkin scored a nomination for Little Miss Sunshine. The bigger story is that Mark Wahlberg got nominated for The Departed. Right now, Eddie Murphy has the momentum, but stranger things have happened. I would just like to point out that this is the toughest category of all. All the performances, including those listed in my predictions, are deserving of an Oscar. It is too bad that Michael Sheen did not get nominated for his role as Tony Blair in The Queen.

Best Supporting Actress

1) Cate Blanchett (Notes on a Scandal)

2) Adrianna Barraza (Babel)

3) Rinko Kikuchi (Babel)
4) Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)
5) Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine)

I had no incorrect predictions in this category. Jennifer Hudson is the early leader, but it would be great to see someone else get the Oscar. Wait and see.

Oscar Nominee Predictions

Here are my Oscar nominee predictions for the 79th Annual Academy Awards that will take place on Sunday, February 25, 2007. The nominees will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2007.

Best Picture
1) The Departed
2) Babel
3) The Queen
4) Dreamgirls
5) Letters from Iwo Jima

Darkhorse candidates: Little Miss Sunshine, Flags of our Fathers

The top four choices as nominees for this category are almost for certain. My choice of Letters from Iwo Jima is sort of a risky choice, but I think Academy voters tend to like Eastwood, and they will probably go for this film. However, Little Miss Sunshine could just as easily secure the fifth spot.

Best Director
1) Martin Scorsese (The Departed)
2) Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Babel)
3) Stephen Frears (The Queen)
4) Bill Condon (Dreamgirls)
5) Clint Eastwood (Letters from Iwo Jima)

Darkhorse Candidates: Paul Greengrass (United 93), Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris (Little Miss Sunshine), Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men)

A very unlikely occurence may happen for the second year in a row. The Best Picture nominees may follow suit with the Best Director nominees. If there is one person who really does deserve a nomination, it is most definitely Alfonso Cuaron, as his film was one of the best of the year, but it never really got any help from critics. Both Clint Eastwood and Bill Condon are risky nominees, but I think they will ultimately beat out the other Darkhorse potentials.


Best Actor
1) Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland)
2) Peter O'Toole (Venus)
3) Leonardo DiCaprio (Blood Diamond)
4) Will Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness)
5) Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson)

Darkhorse Candidates: Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat), Leonardo DiCaprio (The Departed)

I think this category is pretty much set with the given nominees. Unlike the Golden Globes, I think it is unlikely that DiCaprio will score two nominations. It seems more likely that he would get a nomination for Blood Diamond. However, if the Academy decides to go wild for The Departed (and that very well could happen), he may just get nominated for that film instead. It also seems unlikely that Cohen would get nominated for Borat, but considering his success at the Golden Globes, he may just pull off a nomination.


Best Actress
1) Helen Mirren (The Queen)
2) Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada)
3) Judi Dench (Notes on a Scandal)
4) Penelope Cruz (Volver)
5) Kate Winslet (Little Children)

Darkhorse Candidates: Beyonce Knowles (Dreamgirls), Toni Collette (Little Miss Sunshine), Maggie Gyllenhal (Sherrybaby).

It really doesn't matter who gets nominated in this category, because this is a runaway for Helen Mirren. However, the outsider who could most likely get nominated would probably be Toni Collette, if and only if the Academy goes crazy for Little Miss Sunshine.

Best Supporting Actor
1) Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)
2) Jackie Earl Haley (Little Children)
3) Jack Nicholson (The Departed)
4) Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond)
5) Mark Wahlberg (The Departed)

Darkhorse Candidates: Michael Sheen (The Queen), Ben Affleck (Hollywoodland), Alan Arkin
(Little Miss Sunshine), Adam Beach (Flags of our Fathers), and Brad Pitt (Babel).

This is a really rough year to be in this category. Every single one of these actors deserves to take home Oscar gold. I'm going out on a limb for Wahlberg, but I think he may just get nominated due to his great performance in The Departed, coupled with the overall success of the film. It would be nice to see Michael Sheen sneak in somewhere, as his performance in The Queen was riveting.

Best Supporting Actress
1) Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)
2) Rinko Kikuchi (Babel)
3) Adrianna Barraza (Babel)
4) Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine)
5) Cate Blanchett (Notes on a Scandal)

Darkhorse Candidates: Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada), Catherine O'Hara (For Your Consideration)

This category also seems pretty well set with the top five listed here. Emily Blunt's performance in Devil was good but probably not good enough to get her a nomination.


Final Thoughts
There are a few variables that could take place with each of these categories. First, any of these films could be THE film that voters go gaga for. Second, I think that voters will probably make that film The Departed since it did well at the box office and the cast is so amazingly great. The riskiest choice by far is to give Letters from Iwo Jima a top nod. It could happen, and I think it might given Eastwood's success at the Oscars.

The Queen

Helen Mirren engages in the year's greatest tour de force as she plays Queen Elizabeth II in Stephen Frears' The Queen. The film, set around the aftermath of the death of Princess Diana, follows the royal family in what became a publicity nightmare. While British Prime Minister Tony Blair, played brilliantly by Michael Sheen, becomes the love of the people, the royal family becomes a target for criticism as the Queen refuses to make a public statement.

This film is a lot like Capote from last year. It is a small film that is ultimately driven by one character. Similar to Philip Seymour Hoffman's turn as the infamous writer Truman Capote, Mirren captures the very essence of Queen Elizabeth II, and she makes the viewer forget that she is really not the Queen. Like Capote, The Queen offers a wonderful supporting character of the opposite sex. Just as Catherine Keener (Harper Lee) was the yin to Hoffman's yang, Sheen functions in the same capacity forMirren, who is sure to be an Oscar shoo-in for Best Actress.

I've only given out one A+ this fall, and that was for The Departed. I'm happy to say that while this film is just a hair shy of the excellence achieved by The Departed, The Queen runs a close second. A+.

Golden Globe Breakdown

The Golden Globes solidified the chances of some Oscar front-runners, and created some confusion with others. With Martin Scorsese's win for Best Director, he can now be considered the front-runner for the Directing Oscar. However, Babel's Globe win for Best Drama only helps its chances of winning the Best Picture prize that has eluded Scorsese for years.

In the major acting acting, categories, all of my predictions were correct: Helen Mirren, Forest Whitaker, Meryl Streep, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jennifer Hudson, and Eddie Murphy. Likewise, my choice for Best Picture (Musical/Comedy) of Dreamgirls was also correct. I did choose The Departed, but it did not necessarily surprise me to see Babel win as it is a worldly film, and after all we are dealing with the Hollywood Foreign Press.

I think Clint Eastwood's win for Letters from Iwo Jima may help him get a Best Picture nod for that film. He may even pick up a directing nod by the Academy as well.

On the television side, I was not quite as correct with my predictions. Let me, however, be very frank about this. The television awards that have been given out, namely the Globes and the Emmys, are grossly incorrect in who they have chosen to honor over the last couple years. It is disappointing to see quality shows such as The Wire be denied the accolades they so richly deserve. When a show like Ugly Betty wins Best Comedy and Best Actress I just cringe and think that these people are losing their minds.

Overall, of the 25 categories in which awards were presented, I was correct 13 times, incorrect 10 times, and I had no idea about two categories. If one only includes the film categories, I was correct 11 times, incorrect once, and I had no idea about two categories. The one category that I got wrong was again the Best Picture (Drama) category. I chose The Departed while Babel was the winner.

Up next....Oscar nomination predicitions

Babel

Like his previous film 21 Grams, Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu's latest film Babel moves flawlessly through interconnecting story lines and tragic ends for many characters. Set in mostly in Morocco, the film follows the shooting of an American traveler, played by Cate Blanchett. The interwoven stories of a nanny, two young boys, two American travelers, and a Japanese girl create a scene true to the title of the film. Wherever one goes, there is sure to be some misunderstanding.

In a role much different from previous parts, Brad Pitt shines as the husband of his wounded wife. Unlike other films with Pitt, this one places him in a more supporting role. In effect, there is no dominating role within the film. What works so well in this film is that while there are different stories happening, no one story dominates. Moreover, the writing and directing work flawlessly in that the viewer must put the pieces of the puzzle together - it isn't spelled out completely.

While this film will most likely get nominated for Best Picture at this year's Oscars, it may have a more difficult time bringing home the top prize. However, given the uncanny surprise of Crash at last year's Oscars, this film could just sneek up and take Marty's prize. A.

Golden Globe Predictions

The Golden Globes will be held Monday, January 15th. Here are my predictions for who will take home the prize. The full list of nominees can be found at the Golden Globe Web site: http://www.hfpa.org/nominations/index.html.

* * * FILM * * *

Best Picture - Drama - The Departed

Best Picture - Musical/Comedy - Dreamgirls

Best Actress - Drama - Helen Mirren (The Queen)

Best Actor - Drama - Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland)

Best Actress - Musical/Comedy - Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada)

Best Actor - Musical/Comedy - Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat)

Best Supporting Actress - Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)

Best Supporting Actor - Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)

Best Animated Feature - Cars

Best Foreign Language Film - Letters from Iwo Jima

Best Director - Motion Picture - Martin Scorsese (The Departed)

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture - The Queen

Best Original Score - Motion Picture - NO IDEA

Best Original Song - Motion Picture - NO IDEA

* * * TELEVISION * * *

Best Television Series - Drama - 24

Best Television Series - Musical/Comedy - The Office

Best Actress - Drama - Edie Falco (The Sopranos)

Best Actor - Drama - Kiefer Sutherland (24)

Best Actress - Musical/Comedy - Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine)

Best Actor - Musical/Comedy - Steve Carell (The Office)

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television - Elizabeth I

Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television - Helen Mirren (Elizabeth I)

Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television - Andre Braugher (Thief)

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television - Toni Collette (Tsunami, The Aftermath)

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television - Jeremy Piven (Entourage)

Best Films of 2005

Here is just a look back at my favorite films of 2005

1) Capote
2) A History of Violence
3) good night, and good luck
4) Batman Begins
5) Walk the Line
6) Jarhead
7) Munich
8) Cinderella Man
9) Crash
10) The Squid & the Whale

Honorable Mention: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, King Kong, The Constant Gardener, Syriana, Lord of War, Brokeback Mountain

Dreamgirls

While Jennifer Hudson was a surefire hit with her amazing voice, Dreamgirls feels too saccharine to have any real chance at winning the Best Picture Oscar at this year's Academy Awards. The real showstopper here is by none other than Eddie Murphy, who shines after many years of playing the dumbed down comedian. Murphy shows that he is a fine actor - and he makes a good case for the Supporting Actor Oscar.

The film is set around a group of women who strive to become successful singers. Along the way, however, struggles ensue. What director Bill Condon does well with this film is show the audience just how flashy a production can be. However, the acting at times seems a bit laborious, and some of the singing numbers feel as though they may never end.

All in all, it's a good show that will most likely be nominated for an Oscar, but it just doesn't stand up to the year's other top films. Look for this to get a few nominations, with Hudson and Murphy most likely taking home Oscar gold. B.

Clerks II

I know this movie came out way back in August, but a friend of mine said that he was disappointed I hadn't reviewed it yet. Kevin Smith again delivers a hilarious romp in his latest film Clerks II. Beginning where the first film left off in black and white, the film again follows the lives of two lowly clerks, Dante (Brian O'Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson). Unfortunately for them, the old Quickstop has burned down and they are now forced to work at a fast food restaurant. Joining the cast for this film are Rosario Dawson and Trevor Fehrman. Of course, the film wouldn't be complete without Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith).

For fans who have come to love Kevin Smith films (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, etc.) this film is of course another treat along the way. Smith brings back the hilarious lines that made his earlier films so successful. Moreover, the characters simply do not sit back and laugh, there is a story unfolding as well. The big question remains: what will Dante and Randal do with their lives?

While the film is not the smartest film of the year, it is one of the funniest. Aside from Borat, this film is the funniest of the year. Likewise, the clever dialogue as well as the Lord of the Rings bashing (yippee!) make the film a must see for anyone desiring a good laugh. While some may find the film repulsing, Smith has a certain way with directing comedy that just plain works. And if you don't necessarily like the film, maybe you might want to try some interspecies erotica instead.... B+.

Children of Men

Alfonso Cuaron wowed audiences with his 2001 film Y Tu Mama Tambien. His follow-up film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, showed audiences that he was ready for bigger movies. Children of Men is nothing short of a masterpiece for the director from Mexico. Cuaron seemingly blends thrilling action with dramatic prose.

The film revolves around the world in 2027. Things have sped up, but the biggest difference is that humans are infertile. The film begins with the death of the youngest person on the planet. Clive Owen, brilliant as ever, goes on a journey to help a young woman who happens to be pregnant.

What works so well in this film is that we never really find out what happened to humans to make them infertile. Likewise, Cuaron uses a number of great shots to show the hopelessness in the society of the future. One of my favorite parts about this picture is that unlike works of Steven Spielberg, technology is secondary. Instead of the special effects being the main thrust of the picture, such as is in Spielberg's Minority Report, the special effects take a back seat to good old fashioned acting. All in all, this is another solid outing for Cuaron. Look for him to continue as a top director in the future. A.

The Good Shepherd

Robert De Niro's film about the origins of the CIA is both eye-opening and disappointing. Set in the aftermath of the Bay of Pigs debacle, the films looks at the life of Edward Wilson, played by Matt Damon in his second powerful performance of the year. The film clocks in at over two and a half hours, which should imply that one would not leave without getting his or her fill. However, after viewing it, I felt as though I never really got to know the real plight of Wilson, save for his uncanny love for his country.

Angelina Jolie stars as the troubled wife of Wilson. While the film has some strong points - namely the entire cast - it seems to fall flat. My suggestion is that De Niro should have either made the film a fullblown three hours, or else the film should have been trimmed down to two hours. The stellar cast included Michael Gambon, the ever-talented and multidimensional William Hurt, and of course De Niro's own Scorsese-film costar Joe Pesci. All in all, the film works, but it does leave the viewer asking more questions than should be asked. B+.

Night at the Museum

While this film has done quite well at the box office, Ben Stiller's latest is not a top-notch film by any means. Except for a few good lines (Owen Wilson's reference to Brokeback Mountain) and the well-crafted special effects, this film fails in a couple respects. First, the fear of the unknown is almost immediately taken away, as Stiller's character, Larry Daley, discovers almost immediately that the items in the museum do indeed come to life. Second, the plot of the film is flimsy at best.

While a good friend of mine said that I am too hard on this movie because it is a children's movie, I would have to disagree by noting that other children's films can be both entertaining and smart as well. My only other major qualm with this film is with Ben Stiller. It seems to me that in any of his recent films, he is always one degree away from his own personality. It's time to try something new, because I for one have seen enough of the inept, bumbling nice guy. C-.

The Pursuit of Happyness

Will Smith delivers another shining performance as he plays a rags-to-riches father in The Pursuit of Happyness. The based-on-true-events film would be one of the year's best if only it had a little more pop. Smith could receive an Oscar nomination, but it is his own son, Jaden, who steals the show.

The film revolves around a man who has nothing, save for a dream. He takes on an internship with no pay, and he strives to make ends meet. After his wife leaves him, all he has left in the world is his son. And apparently that is enough. While the film is good, there are moments that come off as almost a bit too saccharine. The film shines, however, as it blends clever splashes of humor along the difficult journey for Smith's character, Chris Gardner.

While the film certainly did leave me wanting to know a little more, it does a good job in regard to the cinematic style that has been lost today. The camerawork does not intrude on the performances. Rather, the actors are allowed to do their job - act. All in all, it's a solid outing for Smith and a pleasant surprise to see a child-actor perform well. A-.