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The Film of the Week

The WORD of the Week

Matthew 3:7-10

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Stupid Fact of the Week

There was only one civilian casualty during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg

27 February, 2011

For the Record...

Nothing too shocking... Social the predicted big winner with 5, then King's and Inception with 3, Fighter and Toy Story 3 with 2...

Lead Actor: Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, The Fighter
Lead Actress: Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Animated Feature: Toy Story 3
Art Direction: Eve Stewart and Judy Farr, The King's Speech
Cinematography: Roger Deakins, True Grit
Costume: Colleen Atwood, Alice in Wonderland
Directing: David Fincher, The Social Network
Documentary Feature: Inside Job
Documentary Short: Strangers No More
Film Editing: Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall, The Social Network
Foreign Film: Canada, Incendies
Makeup: Rick Baker and Dave Elsey, The Wolfman
Original Score: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Social Network
Original Song: Randy Newman, Toy Story 3 ("We Belong Together")
Short Film (Animated): Day & Night
Short Film (Live Action): Na Wewe
Sound Editing: Richard King, Inception
Sound Mixing: Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo, and Ed Novick, Inception
Visual Effects: Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley, Pete Bebb, and Paul J. Franklin, Inception
Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Writing (Original Screenplay): David Seidler, The King's Speech
Picture: The Social Network (Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, and Cean Chaffin)

posted by Rockel @ 5:15 PM 0 comments

24 May, 2009

'09 Top Tep Update: Trailers

So I meant to post this about a week ago when the first trailer for "Nine" was released... oh, well... busy... most have you have probably seen most (or all) of these by now, but in case you missed one, enjoy:

#8 - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

#7 - The Year One

#6 - Sherlock Holmes

#5 - Where the Wild Things Are

#3 - Public Enemies

#1 - Nine

posted by Rockel @ 1:50 PM 0 comments

03 April, 2009

On Poverty and Socialism, with a foreword on Iowa and a post script on Marijuana

Before I get into the main thrust of this post, a quick word on the news out of Iowa.

I haven't been terribly vocal on anything here lately, but I made no effort to hide my support of Prop 8 out here in California. I continue to support the "equality" argument of this divisive issue, and therefore applaud Iowa's supreme court, for the following reasons:

1. If I had to name one issue on which I most disagree with current American Christians and/or churches and church leaders, it is with the almost obsessive insistence of legislating morality. If we are to look to Christ as the example of how to live a Christian life (which I think goes without saying), then we ought to spend a bit less time erecting rules that make it easier to pick up stones, and a lot more time focusing on the plank in our own eyes so that we may reach out to those in need.

2. I believe in the separation of church and state. Not because of anything written or implied in the U.S. Constitution, but because of the distraction from real, meaningful work it offers Christians (see above comment), and because of the (real or perceived) wedge that it offers non-believers. I've spoken to the former, allow me to expound on the latter. We are called to love our neighbor. If our love for our neighbor is manifested in placing legislation within a man-made institution that allows this secular organization to treat one group of citizens one way and another group another, then what has this accomplished if not putting a sour taste in our neighbors mouth, driving a wedge between us. Christ did not seek to divide and then selectively apply his love, but rather loved and forgave - even those whom his followers (themselves unworthy of such love) may have considered unworthy (an adulterer springs to mind, though I choose to believe Christ's words and actions in that situation were not mutually exclusive to marital infidelity). Christ also did not seek to stamp His laws into the books of man because He knew that His Kingdom would last and those of man will change (depending on who's in control) and fall.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Poverty and Socialism...

The other day I was driving around town and, while stopped at a stoplight, I witnessed an event that got me thinking. A man, who looked every bit the part of a homeless man, stepped onto a bus. He stood at the front of the bus, as it remained stopped at the bus stop, for several seconds before the driver stood up from his seat and the man turned around and exited the bus.

Now, one can draw several conclusions from the above scenario, and I don't presume to know everything about what transpired, but it definitely made me reflect on the all-to-present - in this city and this world - poverty/homeless problem and the all-too-common story of the "unfortunate fellow" who steps outside the bounds of the law (to varying degrees) for the sole purpose of acquiring the essentials of life for themself (shelter, food/water, and perhaps even clothing). And this brought me to a realization that probably shouldn't have shocked me as much as it did:

I do not mind programs that many would label "socialist" (those that redistribute wealth) at a local/state level; in fact, I may even welcome them.

While there may be some disagreement over accommodations provided for prisoners in this country (cable television and etc.), I don't know of anyone who thinks that the basic essentials of life ought not be provided for these people (the terms "cruel and unusual" and "human rights" come to mind). If our society is one that is built on law & order, which is upheld and enforced by our governments, then there is no getting around that some (if not all) of the burden of maintaining these detention facilities and providing for these prisoners will fall to the citizens/taxpayers.

Then, if we are expected (and willing) to allow our tax dollars to go toward providing the basic essentials (and oftentimes more) for criminals, why should we not be willing to provide the same basic essentials, and perhaps go a bit further to provide some basic health services or, I don't know, a free ride on public transportation (again, I am only going off of an assumption, but it is a fact that - at least here in LA - public transportation, funded in great part by taxpayer dollars, charges by the ride), to those unfortunate few who's only crime is being too unhealthy or too unwise to currently fit within the societal norm.

(I will take a moment here to acknowledge the fact that I am taking great license here by perhaps implying that no homeless person has ever committed a crime. It is not my intent to paint the entire homeless community as blameless, but rather to suggest that while there may be those in the homeless community that belong in prison [as well as those in prison who ought be free], I think the difference is great enough to exploit for this arguments sake)

---------------------------------------------------------------

Post script:

I'll see if I can try to tie this whole thing together, pulling together the "legislating a perceived morality" and "those who ought not be in prison" arguments, by introducing a video I recently saw with the following:

If it's California politics, and it's not gay marriage, it's marijuana reform. Medical marijuana is currently legal in California, but illegal under federal law.

While the libertarian in me thinks that the war on drugs is absurd and the federal government should have little to say regarding private recreational use of any drug - be it caffeine, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, etc. etc. - (the "little to say" being safety factors such as operating moving vehicles and such) I fear that relaxing or abolishing current drug laws would only exacerbate the problems inherent with the main section of this post. However, the fact remains that the current battle in California is over medicinal marijuana and the following video is one that highlights the absurdity of the current situation quite well, albeit with a few moments of sympathetic indulgence.

If you have 10 minutes to sit and watch, please do.

posted by Rockel @ 9:37 PM 2 comments

22 February, 2009

Oscar Night 2009

STANDINGS:

"E" Mendenhall: 17.0
"Rock-el" Rockel: 15.0
"Da-Ego" Nazionale: 13.1
"The Catheter" Cathey: 13.1
"Last Stand" Custer: 13.0
"Tiger" B.A.L.M.: 11.0
"Turmoil" Turmel: 11.0
"General" Mills: 6.0

Blog-O-Matic:
Hugh's on stage. All bets are off. Let's go...
Self-deprecating humor, recession humor, "that's how I roll," and singing - so far, so good... nice to see Jackman hasn't seen "The Reader" either... Standing O already (this is going the way of the State of the Union Address)...
Technical difficulty #1... Standing O #2 (gracious, we're going to be here all night)... 5 presenters? really?... Alright, let's get this over with... I feel last place calling my name...
Cathey, Ego, and E-Mend score early...
Steve and Tina... effing brilliant.... and a scientology joke - good stuff... Rockel scores his first (as does Bother-Me) as Ego and E-Mend add to their lead... We also have our first political message as well as Thanks Mom #1 and Thanks God #'s 1 &2...
Rockel, Cathey, E-Mend, and B-Mend score with "Slumdog"'s first statue of (presumably) many... (E-Mend now a perfect 3/3... Mills, Custer, and Turmel a scoreless 0/3)...
First SOCIAL of the night - Wall-E... Eric now 4/4... is there any stopping that kid?
Time to start breaking some ties... give it to me Jack... Ego gets it win "something something something cube"...
wow... great set for the art awards... "Button" wins giving a lift to everyone save Turmel and Ego... E-Mend keeps rolling...
Costume is a volatile category, with any nominee awarding points except for Milk... Period takes it again... E-Mend continues to dominate...
Makeup... the last remaining social category... everybody wins or everybody loses... SOCIAL!!! Points all around, no position changes...
Hahahah... nicely done Mr. Stiller (and, may I say, Natalie is the perfect foil)... Slumdog get's it's second...
Tie breaks again... Will ego go 2/2 in this category? No! Cathey grabs a tenth of a point... Rockel, amongst many others, 0/2 in the tiebreaks...
Musical break - meh. At least we got to see Baz...
Joel Grey - what a guy... And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been expecting (except, maybe, Turmoil)... Heath Ledger.
Man on Wire wins as E-Mend goes a perfect 10/10 in major categories...
Social disappointment as the cute girl documentary short takes it, leaving very little room to break ties...
Rockel underestimates "Button" as E-Mend takes a lead that Rockel will not be able to surmount.
E-Mend finally drops one (as does Rockel) as "Knight" steals one from "Wall-E"
The Tech awards stump the majority, but Ego's mounting a comeback...
Slumdog's big night continues while Rockel gains some ground on Cathey...
Analysis time... Rockel can't do better than 2nd... E-Mend is obviously in the drivers seat, but Nazi and Cathey still have a shot at the top spot...
Jerry Lewis - class act.
Ego's comeback stalls as Slumdog's goldrush continues...
Legend singing Gabriel with Indian african-garb-wearing backup singers gently swaying... interesting to say the least... nice mashup at the end...
Rockel moves ahead of Cathey and Ego stays alive with Jai Ho...
E-Mend's only competition now is Ego, while Rockel is still alive for a 2nd place finish...
Mills pulls a HUGE upset as Japan takes the stage...
The next segment is the big one... E-Mend is taking big risks in both of the lead acting categories... if neither one pays off, we could be looking at an Ego upset when Director is announced...
...but first... we pause for In Memoriam... woof, another tough year... let's stop and take another pause in honor of Pinter...
Director first... uh-oh... Ego will need to take this to stay alive in the hunt for the top... Ego strikes out! as the rest pick up a point as Danny bounds about the stage (and gives credit where credit is due... well done, Danny)...
With only three categories left, E-Mend secures the victory... The fight will be for 2nd place, where Rockel currently has a target on his back...
Marion... what a babe... Here we go... actress... Hathaway gives Mills a last minute boost, Leo gives E-Mend a little extra distance from the pack, Streep gives B-Mend a tiny boost to a possible 3rd place... Winslet keeps the 2nd place pack deadlocked...
The Brit gets it... the second place pack takes a futile step forward toward the distant Mendenhall...
The second place battle dies with the Actor... If Rourke takes it, Ego and Cathey - with very precious tie break points in hand - vault past Rockel for a two-way tie for 2nd... if Penn takes it, Rockel secures the runner-up position...
If I knew Kingsley was going to intro Rourke I may have had to switch my prediction... and second place goes to ---- ROCKEL! Sean Penn! Sean Penn! Politics! Politics! Gay Pride!
Mendenhall and Rockel cash in on the stunner and sit comfortably atop the standings...
Well, with only picture left, you're looking at the final standings (though the points may change)... Mills could pick up another point with an upset, but it won't be enough to pull him out of the basement...
Slumdog finishes strong, as does the Academy - well done, terrific format (with very few exceptions, and... I miss Jon)...
Great year, everyone. Despite my personal best showing in this event, the male Mendenhall was far too much for anyone to handle, posting the highest score EVER in a Rockel Oscar contest...

Good Night, East Coast...

posted by Rockel @ 4:08 PM 2 comments

It's almost that time... Let's get this on the record...

Actor in a Leading Role

I saw all but one of the performances in this category. Unfortunately, the one I missed was Richard Jenkins in "The Visitor," who was supposedly magnificent. Fortunately (for me), Mr. Jenkins isn't getting much talk as a favorite in this category. I was somewhat disappointed with Langella's Nixon, although with so much build-up to the film it may have been inevitable. Some people are predicting him to do better than expected in the voting due to his status as a veteran and his performance in last year's (Oscar snubbed) "Starting Out in the Evening." As much as I enjoy most of David Fincher's work, I had a lot of issues with "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," not the least of which was Pitt's above-average, though far from brilliant and somewhat monotone, "ageless" performance. If I had to pick between the remaining two I would hand it over to Penn, who I thought did a more convincing job of truly embodying a more rounded character than did Rourke, however, the buzz seems to be pointing to Mickey. All that being said, my pick is for politics:

Sean Penn - "Milk"

Actor in a Supporting Role

Alright, I've seen all of the performances in this category, not that it really helps in this case. I truly admire Turmel's large round ones in picking PS Hoffman for this, and for Mr. Hoffman's sake I wouldn't mind seeing Turmel take this point. Not much else to say here other than the fact that I think Gary Oldman's supporting turn in "The Dark Knight" was the most overlooked performance this year and I would have no hesitation removing Shannon, or even Brolin, from the list to make space. Alright, there we have it. Easiest pick this year:

Heath Ledger - "The Dark Knight"

Actress in a Leading Role

Here's where I was really slacking... I've seen one of these performances - Meryl Streep in "Doubt," which was one of several excellent performances in the film (props to the Academy for recognizing them as such). Hathaway had the early buzz, Leo has the indy vote as well as Mr. Ebert's vote, "Changeling" didn't make enough of a splash to bump up the buzz on Jolie, and Winslet may be double-dipping with her performance in "Revolutionary Road."

Kate Winslet - "The Reader"

Actress in a Supporting Role

This category usually baffles me. I love Amy Adams and Marisa Tomei, but neither of their performances this year were strong enough to warrant a statue. I think we all know how I feel about Penelope Cruz (and, unfortunately [I suppose], this is the one performance I didn't see in this category). There is some worry that the dual nominations from "Doubt" may knock Viola Davis' brilliant performance out of the running due to split voting. Taraji P. Henson is picking up some late steam due to the fact that her performance was in the only film from this category to pick up a best picture nomination. However, Ms. Henson's racial-stereotype-fest performance (due in large part to the writing) was one of the more troubling aspects (in my opinion) of "Button." So with the same stubbornness that cost me a point in this category in the Jennifer Hudson incident (and because I don't want to see "Doubt" go away empty handed), I will ignore the cries of "Penelope" and go with:

Viola Davis - "Doubt"

Animated Feature Film

I didn't see "Bolt." "Panda" was a fun in a "hey, Jack Black is kooky" kind of way. Second easiest category:

"Wall-E"

Art Direction

I didn't see "Changeling" or "Duchess," and while the look of both (from trailers/tv spots) was impressive, I think the poor box office showings (and lack of buzz/other awards) will make this moot. "Revolutionary Road" was impressive in a quiet, orderly stereotype-of-surbia way along with some fun old-school boiler room/boys club stuff, but how do you compete with "epics" like "Button" and "Knight?" A big part of me wants to go with "Knight," but the other part says that this isn't the category to be stubborn with, so:

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Cinematography

Always a tough category, this year proves no exception for Cinematography. As previously stated, I haven't seen "Changeling," and I don't have too many reservations in eliminating that one from consideration in this category. "Button" was ambitious on many levels, photography not excluded, riding a wide range of looks from the sterile modern hospital, to the warmly colored flashbacks, to the flashbacks within flashbacks, to the harshness of the open sea, to the beautiful opening sequence. Not to be outdone, "The Dark Knight," arguably (as several critics have outright stated) the most impressively shot film of the year, ran the gamut from intense crime/interrogation scenes to soft, dramatic fare, to several larger-than-life action sequences (shot on IMAX cameras, no less). Still, if there was ever a case to be made for "most deserving" of an Oscar, based on nominations (now that both Randy Newman and Martin Scorcese have collected), it would be perennial Coen shooter, Roger Deacons, who co-shot "The Reader" with equally talented Chris Menges. And then there's the odds-on Best Picture candidate, "Slumdog Millionaire." Although it was shot entirely in India, I think the Dutch have equal claim to the photography... I felt like I needed to walk around with my head cocked to one side for several days after watching it. Even so, it cannot be ignored that it is the front runner for Best Picture and the photography was a major player in it's effectiveness as a story and as a film.

Anthony Dod Mantle - "Slumdog Millionaire"

Costume Design

We've got the 30's ("Australia"), the 50's ("Revolutionary Road"), the 70's ("Milk"), the better part of the 20th century ("Benjamin Button"), and then the always favored period piece ("The Duchess"). As I haven't taken too many risks thus far, and as I love Catherine Martin (not to take away from her incredible talent, as her costumes are always - this case no exception - brilliant), and as I'd hate to see Baz's latest walk away empty handed:

Catherine Martin - "Australia"

Directing

Unfortunately, I don't think "Button" nor "Frost/Nixon" display anything near the best work of their respective directors. Again, I have not seen "The Reader" (I'm saying this quite often, perhaps it will be my downfall), but "Milk" and "Slumdog" would most likely remain my top two, as they appear to be for many critics. At the outset of typing this post I had made up my mind on all 24 categories. To this point I have not changed my mind in any categories. However, that may change here as I am now no longer sure which name I will type below. ..... thinking .... I love Danny Boyle - an Irishman who tells bittersweet stories, what's not to love? And his film is exceptional. On the other hand, as much as "Oscar loves a comeback story," (every news organizations/critics justification for placing Rourke above Penn as the front runner for Actor) Oscar also loves politics, controversy, and real life stories. .... thinking ....:

Danny Boyle - "Slumdog Millionaire"

Documentary Feature

Here's another instance where politics/controversy may come into play, with the Katrina-centered "Trouble the Water," which, from all accounts, is a terrific documentary (and one I was hoping to watch before the ceremonies... oh well). I'm playing it safe and going with:

"Man on Wire"

Documentary Short

As with all shorts I'm basically going off of the trailers. "Witness" is historic, "Inch" is timely, "Pinki" just started getting a lot of press (unfortunately, "just started" isn't great when the majority of the voting happened a week - several weeks ago)...

"The Conscience of Nhem En"

Film Editing

As much as I think "The Dark Knight" is deserving for the incredible action sequences, I think "Slumdog" may take it here for the same reasons it'll grab cinematography - audiences love it (want to vote for it), and the story is told through engaging photography and editing.

Chris Dickens - "Slumdog Millionaire"

Foreign Language Film

All reports put "The Class" and "Baader Meinhoff" at the top of their game, and presumably this category. But I'm going to have to vote with the popular/most watched choice:

Israel - "Waltz With Bashir"

Makeup

If it weren't a first time nomination I might feel comfortable going with a supreme dark horse here ("Hellboy II"), however, this category really comes down to the Joker's face vs. the younger-and-younger Brad Pitt. If I had my way it would go to "Knight," but I won't:

Greg Cannom - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Music (Score)

How much would I love to see Newton Howard take this one for "Defiance?" A ton. How much confidence do I have that that will actually happen? None.

A.R. Rahman - "Slumdog Millionaire"

Music (Song)

I know this is usually the Disney/Animated category (in years where there's no strong Musical contender, anyway), but I just can't get excited about "Down to Earth." Even though it's inspirational (and in English), it doesn't move me in the way that both of the "Slumdog" tunes do. Perhaps it's because it is in English/is an "American" song and so it resonates less as it is more familiar (white noise)... Although I'm tempted to place my vote for "O... Saya" due to M.I.A.'s presence on the track (popular pull), I'm going with the tighter, stronger track:

"Jai Ho" - Music by A.R. Rahman; Lyric by Gulzar

Best Picture

Alright, here we go. I think I've done enough of a lead-up to this:

"Slumdog Millionaire"

Short Film (Animated)

This one's actually tougher than I'd expected. I was not too terribly impressed with the trailer for "Lavatory." I saw a lot of potential in the trailer for "La Maison." I actually saw the full versions of "Oktapodi" and "This Way Up," both of which were amazing in completely different ways. But then there's the other perennial favorite, Pixar, with "Presto." "This Way Up" is different, dark, and interesting (a la Tim Burton), "Oktapodi" is endearingly cute, fun, and has a terrific ending that is both completely appropriate and somewhat unexpected, and then there's Pixar. Although my heart says "Oktapodi," my prediction says:

"Presto"

Short Film (Live Action)

This one wasn't difficult at all. Not saying I got it right, but I'm going with:

"Auf Der Strecke (On The Line)"

Sound Editing

Although "The Dark Knight" may very well win this one, it doesn't deserve to. Who does?

Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood - "Wall-E"

Sound Mixing

You could make a very convincing argument that "Wall-E" deserves this as well, but I'll play for a point here:

Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo, and Ed Novick - "The Dark Knight"

Visual Effects

Everybody's talking "Button" here and I'm not exactly sure why. The compositing was definitely not Oscar-worthy, and outside of that what was there? Certainly nothing that compares with Two-Face's face in "Knight" (or, for that matter, the externals of the city of Gotham)... not to mention about half of the entire "Iron Man" film. Because I want to hear John Favreau mentioned in an acceptance speech:

John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick, and Shane Mahan - "Iron Man"

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

No surprises here:

Simon Beaufoy - "Slumdog Millionaire"

Writing (Original Screenplay)

This one's tough. Oscar sometimes goes small here (a la "Little Miss Sunshine"), however, I think "Frozen River" and "Happy-Go-Lucky" may be a bit too small, and although "In Bruges" has built up a bit of a cult following, it is a following made up mostly by those outside the voting members of the Academy. Although "Wall-E" was a great film, I don't think it'll be one of the few animated features to walk away with this award. That's right, another chance to go political:

Dustin Lance Black - "Milk"

posted by Rockel @ 12:09 AM 0 comments

18 February, 2009

THE ROCKEL OSCAR PREDICTION CONTEST EXTRAVAGANZATHON RETURNS

Made it back just in time...

Sincere apologies, once again, for my neglectful ways... and I really have no excuse as I've had nothing but time on my hands as work is slow here, hopefully this will change that.

I have been doing some writing (obviously not here) over the past month or so, which has been rewarding. I've revamped an old short script, nearly completed a feature length script, and have met a few times with a friend who wants to attempt to adapt an H. C. Anderson short story.

But looking to the future, the Oscars are almost upon us... Hollywood Blvd. between Orange and Highland has been closed all week long in preparation... and hopefully you will all take a moment or two to prepare some predictions in an attempt to dethrone me as I defend my title (I won last year, right? Not important, we shall assume I did).

So get your predictions in... same rules as last year, which were the same as the year before... you get one (1) point for every correct prediction except for the three (3) "short" categories, which are worth one-tenth (0.1) of one point each to serve as a tiebreaker... predictions must be in before the ceremony begins... and, unfortunately, the producers of this contest weren't able - in these tough economic times - to raise the funds needed to match last year's prize, so this year the prize will be slashed in half, all the way back to what it was at the first annual contest (from to years ago): just one helping of pride and bragging rights. Still, not too shabby.

I look forward to beating you all.

(nominees can be found here)

posted by Rockel @ 3:43 PM 8 comments

11 January, 2009

Awards, Take Two - Golden Globes

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
(( Slumdog Millionaire ))

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Meryl Streep, Doubt
(( Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road ))

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
(( Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler ))

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Happy-Go-Lucky
(( Vicky Cristina Barcelona ))

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
(( Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky ))

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
(( Colin Farrell, In Bruges ))

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
(( Wall-E ))

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
(( Waltz With Bashir (Israel) ))

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Amy Adams, Doubt
(( Kate Winslet - The Reader ))

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
(( Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight ))

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
(( Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire ))

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
(( Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire ))

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
(( A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire ))

BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE
(( “THE WRESTLER” — THE WRESTLER ))
(( Music & Lyrics by: Bruce Springsteen ))

###########

Result - 11/14... not bad, though I obviously don't know my actresses, and a major congrats to Ms. Winslet.

posted by Rockel @ 7:55 PM 2 comments

08 January, 2009

The Official Opening of Award Season (Grab Your Guns)

*Updated* with (( Winners ))

The BFCA hand out their Critics Choice awards tonight... I've been watching screeners from friends frantically this past week and have seen most (though unfortunately not all) of the major films in contention for top prizes at the early Awards shows...

Predictions for tonight...

BEST PICTURE
(( Slumdog Millionaire ))
runner-up: Milk

"Slumdog" is riding Heath-Ledger-esque momentum right now... as topical, political, and controversial as "Milk" is, I don't think it has enough to knock Boyle's piece out of the top spot.

BEST ACTOR
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler
(( runner-up: Sean Penn - Milk ))

Rourke has been the frontrunner in this one for a long while, and now that I've finally seen it, I can't say I wholeheartedly disagree, although, to be honest, I'm a little disappointed with this category this year. I still need to see "The Visitor," but I was not at all inspired to watch Eastwood in "Gran Torino" after viewing the trailer, Langella was well over-hyped as Nixon, and Pitt left quite a weak impression on me in "Button."

BEST ACTRESS
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
(( runner-up: Meryl Streep - Doubt ))
(( Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married ))

Anne Hathaway had the momentum in this category shortly before Jolie took it over, and now Streep appears to be the favorite. It may be the fact that I'm not a huge fan of Ms. Streep, but her performance in "Doubt," while strong, dominating, and a bit quirky, couldn't match the power of Leo's performance (sort of soberingly honest a la Amy Ryan/"Gone Baby Gone") in "River."

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
(( Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight ))
runner-up: Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt

Well, I have to say, this category didn't quite turn out to be the landslide everyone (including myself) sort of assumed in the wake of Ledger's death and stupendous opening of "The Dark Knight." Brolin and Franco were both equally incredible in "Milk," which, unfortunately, as is often the case, will cancel each other out, and Downey Jr., as much as I love him, should be grateful to have pulled in a nomination, as the BFCA rarely gives them out to off-the-wall patently comic performances in silly (albeit big budget), goof-ball comedies. Hoffman can do no wrong in my eyes, and his performance in "Doubt" was easily the strongest - high praise when looking at his co-stars.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Viola Davis - Doubt
runner-up: Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
(( Kate Winslet - The Reader ))

Alright, this is me basically picking the upset over someone I can't stand. Not to take anything away from Davis, as her performance in "Doubt" was remarkable and perhaps (taking into account her very brief time on screen) the most powerful and lasting one this year, but Cruz seems to have everyone assuming this one is locked up.

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
Doubt
(( runner-up: Milk ))

In much the same way that Viola Davis' dense (or, perhaps, "consolidated") performance should win out over Penelope Cruz, the very few masterful performances in "Doubt" should topple the larger cast with great performances, "Milk."

BEST DIRECTOR
(( Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire ))
runner-up: David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Nolan and Howard both made some excellent decisions which led to great films, but both made several choices I didn't take well to, and, as a result, should not be considered for this one. Van Sant's film was remarkable, and while I think it'll do better at the more political Oscars, I don't see it bringing home the critics. I love Danny Boyle. I love David Fincher. Both are well under-awarded, and as much as I would love to see that change for the latter, "Slumdog" is by far the superior film.

BEST WRITER (Original or Adapted Screenplay)
Dustin Lance Black - Milk
(( runner-up: Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire ))

This one was a tough one. Neither "Frost/Nixon" nor "Button" left me in awe of the writing. However, the other three are all very strong contenders. "Slumdog" is such an amazing film all around that although the writing didn't stick out as mindblowing, it was adequate to the purpose of the film, which, in such a terrific film, makes it great. However, you really have to appreciate the writing in films like "Milk" and "Doubt" that boast multiple Actor/Actress/Ensemble nominations. For me, great writing and great acting are so closely interlaced that it becomes the chicken-and-egg situation (Could that many strong performance come from a less worthy script? Could a less worthy script pull in that many strong actors/performances?). I don't know if "Doubt" will suffer because it is an "adaptation" (meaning the major speeches/dialogue were already "existing," even though the adaptation was done by the original writer), but I can't see "Milk" walking away from the evening empty handed.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
(( Wall-E ))
runner-up: Waltz With Bashir

This category would be a huge upset if anything other than Wall-E took it.

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS (Under 21)
(( Dev Patel - Slumdog Millionaire ))

No real contest here, I don't think. There still a lot of buzz over Dakota Fanning. Hopefully true talent will beat out name recognition.

BEST ACTION MOVIE
(( The Dark Knight ))

No real contest here, either. Too much press. Too much love. Too much Ledger. It can't be overthrown.

BEST COMEDY MOVIE
(( Tropic Thunder ))
runner-up: Burn After Reading

I guess you could call this an upset. "Burn" is the more "traditional" comedy winner, and "Barcelona" still has all that Penelope momentum, but "Thunder" is far and away the funniest (and the best) film on the list.

BEST PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
(( John Adams ))

No real contest. Again, I might look for "Recount" to do better at the Oscars, but I don't think "Adams" has anything to worry about tonight.

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Let the Right One In
(( runner-up: Waltz With Bashir ))

I'm ashamed to say that I have seen 0 of the 6 films nominated in this category. So I'll just have to go with the buzz.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
(( Man On Wire ))
runner-up: Young At Heart

I've seen a few in this category, including my favorite movie from last year, "Young@Heart," but for predicting purposes I'm going to have to go with the film I just rented last night but have yet to watch, which has impressed 100% of the critics over at rottentomatoes.com, "Man on Wire."

BEST SONG
"Another Way to Die" (performed by Jack White and Alicia Keys, written by Jack White) - Quantum of Solace
(( runner-up: "The Wrestler" (performed by Bruce Springsteen, written by Bruce Springsteen) - The Wrestler ))

The Boss is the frontrunner, but you've got to love the theme song to the new Bond film. Alright, maybe you don't have to, but I certainly do. Best song of the year. No doubt. Even though Bruce will win.

BEST COMPOSER
Hans Zimmer/James Newton Howard - The Dark Knight
runner-up: Danny Elfman - Milk
(( A. R. Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire ))

I contemplated removing the runner-up on this one, because there's pretty much no way Zimmer/Newton Howard lose this one. But if they do it'll be to Elfman.

The Rockel score = 9/17... that's gotta get better

posted by Rockel @ 10:48 AM 0 comments

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For the Record... '09 Top Tep Update: Trailers On Poverty and Socialism, with a foreword on Iowa and a post script on Marijuana I wonder if perhaps the problem is not what we expect (or are willing) for our taxes to go to, but what the government has the constitutional responsibility to carry out. Government is supposed to punish law-breakers, I'm not however sure (though I have my suspicions) where the idea came that the government is supposed to feed people, clothe people, give them places to live, educate them, send them to college, help them find a job, help them keep the job, help them get paid enough for the job, make sure they have digital television, healthcare, a ride to work, a long enough lunch break... the list could go on. At what point do people decide that enough is enough and maybe it's time to start taking the government out of things rather than finding new places that it can fit. I fear that those who feel really bad for all the poor starving people in America won't be satisfied that we've done enough until the country is quite literally bankrupt, then there'll be lots more poor starving Americans and no one left to pay for them.

I think that also perhaps the flaw in your argument is that everyone who would be against the socialist principles of the current administration are perfectly happy with the idea of giving prisoners cable television. Chuck... thanks as always for your thoughts. Allow me to respond, beginning with your second paragraph...

"I think... the flaw in your argument"I may have overstepped myself a bit as it was not necessarily my intention to put forth an argument in favor of the government shifting up a gear on their socialist transmission, but rather to express the disconnect (and my moderate outrage) that tax dollars can be used to provide life essentials to one group of society with no one so much as batting an eye, but the mere suggestion of doing the same for another (less criminal) group is strongly contested as "socialist" and harmful to society.

"everyone who would be against... socialist principles... are perfectly happy with... giving prisoners cable television."Forgive me for translating, but if I am reading you correctly, I believe you meant to say the opposite, as your current comment suggests that die-hard capitalists and/or social conservatives (who would oppose "socialist" measures redistributing wealth to the poorer member of society) would favor providing more luxurious accommodations for prisoners. Either way, I cannot comment for an entire group of people (especially since I don't necessarily agree with any particular side in a broad sense), but as for myself I don't see any disconnect between not offering free cable television to prisoners and also not offering free cable television to homeless/poor people (or, for that matter, home-ful/rich people).

As for your first paragraph:

"Government is supposed to punish law-breakers"I most certainly recognize this, however, my outrage stems from the fact that "government punishment" seems to entail (albeit it at the cost of confinement; loss of freedom) free food, shelter, clothing, television, work-out rooms, and etc., none of which is provided free of charge to poorer members of society who are not being "punished."

"maybe it's time to start taking the government out of things..."In principle I agree wholeheartedly, which is why I do not see a need for the federal government to ask me if I am married; to care about the gender of the person I spend my life with; to allow one type of medication that a doctor prescribes but not another. Where this falls apart for me on the issue of incarceration is that the government seems to be subsidizing (or, perhaps, "encouraging") crime by providing free care for criminals. You cannot refuse to feed, clothe, or shelter someone just because he/she is a criminal, because the law forbids it, but many who have committed no crime routinely go without food or shelter (and possibly even clothing) for prolonged periods of time. Perhaps, since we cannot remove the essentials from prisoners, if they were forced to labor for their accommodations (and I realize some programs are already in place for this) it would look a little less like we treat the criminals within society better than the poor in society, however, what leverage is there for this? Extend the sentences of those who refuse to labor? Then, for those who refuse, we are doing nothing more than extending the time during which they receive free "socialist" benefits. Oscar Night 2009 Very nice, very nice.

I'm proud to have been a part of such stiff (if not predictable) competition. Although, let's face it, if I really knew it would be so predictable... I would've scored more points.

We finally have some friends in Atlanta and were unable to be at the computer for this awards ceremony. However, we were thinking of all of you in our heart of hearts. I'm sure Eric will be making an acceptance speech soon.

Congrats on another year of celebrity/art celebration. Thank God Angelina Jolie does not have another Oscar. Amen. Fashion Post up. Not as good as last year, but up nonetheless. It's almost that time... Let's get this on the record... THE ROCKEL OSCAR PREDICTION CONTEST EXTRAVAGANZATHON RETURNS I havent been keeping up much and I will still whoop on you. Best Actor
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Best Supporting Actor
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Best Actress
Kate Winslet - The Reader

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Animated Film
Wall-E

Art Direction
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Cinematography
Slumdog Millionaire

Costume Design
The Dutchess

Best Director
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire

Best Documentary Feature
Man on Wire

Film Editing
The Dark Knight

Best Foreign Language Film
Waltz with Bashir

Best Makeup
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Original Score
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Original Song
"Down to Earth" - Wall-E

Sound Editing
Iron Man

Sound Mixing
The Dark Knight

Visual Effects
Iron Man

Best Adapted Screenplay
Slumdog Millionaire

Original Screenplay
Wall-E

Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Documentary Short Subject
The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306

Best Live Action Short
Spielzeugland

Best Animated Short
Presto Here ya Rockel
Oscar 81st Predicts:
Lead Actor: Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler
Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Leading Actress: Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Supporting Actress: Amy Adams - Doubt
Animated Feature: Tie : Wall-E & Kung Fu Panda
Art Direction: Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Cinematography: The Dark Knight
Costume Design: Revolutionary Road
Directing: Slumdog Millionaire
Feature Documentary: Encounters At The End Of The World
Short Documentary: The Final Inch
Film Editing: The Dark Knight
Foreign Language: Departures
Music (Score): Wall-E
Music (Song): “Down To Earth” Wall-E
Best Picture: The Reader
Short Animated: Presto
Short Live: Manon On The Asphalt
Sound Editing: Iron Man
Sound Mixing: The Dark Knight
Visual Effects: Iron Man
Writing (Adaptation): Doubt
Writing (Original): Wall-E

and you must tell me what HC Anderson piece you're looking at since, I've worked on and in current rewriting my old Anderson piece in a feature length musical now. Here are my predictions:

Leading Actor: Mickey Rourke

Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger

Leading Actress: Kate Winslet

Supporting Actress: Viola Davis

Animated Feature: Wall-E

Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire

Costume Design: The Duchess

Directing: Danny Boyle -Slumdog Millionaire

Documentary Feature: Man on Wire

Documentary Short: The Conscience of Nhem En

Film Editing: The Dark Knight

Foreign Language Film: Waltz With Bashir

Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Music (Score): Slumdog Millionaire

Music (Song): "Down to Earth" - Wall-E

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Short Film (Animated): Presto

Short Film (Live action): Auf Der Strecke (On the Line)

Sound Editing: The Dark Knight

Sound Mixing: Wall-E

Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Frost/Nixon

Writing (Original Screenplay): Milk

-Luke It'll be ugly this year for me, I didn't do nearly as much movie going as I should have to keep on top of things. As it stands:

Actor - Mickey Rourke

Supporting Actor- Philip Seymour Hoffman (I know I'm going against the grain here...)

Actress - Kate Winslet (cause she's a babe)

Supporting Actress - Amy Adams

Animated - Wall-E (of course)

Art Direction - The Dark Knight

Cinematography - Slumdog Millionaire

Costume Design - the duchess

Directing - Curious Case of B. Button

Doc Feature - Encounters at the end of the World

Doc Short - The final Inch

Film Editing - Slumdog Millionaire

Foreign Lang. - Waltz w/ Bashir

Makeup - The C. Case of B. Button

Orig. Score - Slumdog Millionaire

Best Picture - Slumdog Millionaire

Short Film, Animated: Presto

Short Film, Live action: New Boy

Sound Editing: Iron Man

Sound Mixing: the Dark Knight

Vis Effects: The C. Case of B Button

Screenplay, Adapted: The Reader

Screenplay, Original: In Bruges forgot makeup and need to break my tie line here.

Makeup: I could see this go either way Dark Knight or Curious Case, But Curious Case of Benjamin Button will probably get it so I pick it.

Now to de-tie the Animated Feature. Honestly both movies were great. But in sheer use of heart warming gooity Wall-E takes the win. Although foreseeing a tie would unprecedented but rather cool for that category. Leading Actor: Sean Penn (I didn't know he was gay)

Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger (Vegas odds are 45:1 ... not to be confused with 1 in 45)

Leading Actress: Melissa Leo (Here's to character actors all across this great land.)

Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz (Proving once again that if your parents name you Penelope it is possible to be both gorgeous and talented.)

Animated Feature: Wall-E (Mmmmmmm)

Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Yeah it was pretty)

Cinematography: Slumdog (Bollywood has begun their takeover)

Costume Design: The Duchess (Never bet against the period piece)

Directing: Danny Boyle (Think anyone ever sang his name to Danny Boy Danny Boy ... I can't get over my creativity)

Documentary Feature: Man on Wire (The soundtrack includes Man on the Run ... with the word run replaced with wire ... genius)

Documentary Short: The Witness (Here's to remembering the good Dr.)

Film Editing: Slumdog (I wonder if I can name my first child Slumdog)

Foreign Language Film: The Class (The only good thing to come out of France since fries)

Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (One of the only impressive things about this film ... 13 nominations ... seriously?)

Music (Score): Slumdog (Indians know how to jam)

Music (Song): "Jai Ho" - Slumdog (Because it never made dancing between subway cars look so good)

Best Picture: Slumdog (Is that my foot ... oh yeah ... it was just taken off by the Bollywood express)

Short Film (Animated): Presto (... Chango -- name that musical ... anyone?)

Short Film (Live action): Newboy (Much better than old boy ... this ridiculous film where a baby is born old and then ages backwards ... yeah ... ludicrous)

Sound Editing: Wall-E (Robots make sweet sounds)

Sound Mixing: Wall-E (Here's to Pixar saving the world)

Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Benji ... now that was a visually spectacular movie)

Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Slumdog (it's official ... Slumdog Mendenhall ... I hope he becomes a rapper in the vein of MIA)

Writing (Original Screenplay): Milk (Does a body good) Alright, here goes nothin':

Actor in a Leading Role:
~Mickey Rourke~
Part of me wants to say Penn will take it in this year of politics but I think this one might be in the bag.

Actor in a Supporting Role:
~Heath Ledger~
You almost have to feel sorry for the other guys coming up against this. Even if someone else does win, what will he say? Sorry?

Actress in a Leading Role
~Meryl Streep~
Oh the agony of this pick. I didn't see Frozen River, thought Angelina Jolie did a terrible job of attempting to carry the cinematic equivalent of a one woman show, love Kate Winslet but really didn't feel this was the best role for her(still she's favored for some reason), and thought Anne Hathaway was just delicious in Rachel Getting Married. I just think it's time for Streep to get another one and don't know that the Academy is ready to reward Miss Princess Dairies for a terrific turnaround.

Actress in a Supporting Role:
~Amy Adams~
I'm probably just digging myself deeper in the hole of no points.

Animated Feature Film:
~Wall-E~
I mean come on.

Art Direction:
~The Curious Case of Benjamin Button~
I suppose it's going to win something.

Cinematography:
~Slumdog Millionaire~
It's gonna win something too. But since I picked it, probably not this.

Costume Design:
~The Curious Case of Benjamin Button~
I have no idea.

Directing:
~Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire~
Because I think that this is probably gonna take best picture and therefore this prize with it but I'll decide when I get to that category.

Documentary Feature:
~Man on Wire~
It was my first instinct. After reading the descriptions Trouble the Water seemed like it would be the most popular topic but maybe not so well done?

Documentary Short:
~The Conscience of Nhem En~
Although Pinki looked pretty adorable. And her name is Pinki.

Film Editing:
~The Dark Knight~
Because I know nothing about this category but this so should've been nominated for best picture over The Reader.

Foreign Language Film:
~Waltz with Bashir~

Makeup:
~The Curious Case of Benjamin Button~
Notice Kate Winslet' makeup technicians did not get nominated for her aging in The Reader because it was terrible.

Music (Score):
~Slumdog Millionaire~

Music (Song):
~Down to Earth, Wall-E~
I fell asleep during the movie so I don't remember the song. I was really tired.

Best Picture:
~Slumdog Millionaire~
I said Milk, then erased it because I am a weenie. However, if Benjamin Button or The Reader (the only two in this category that I've seen) win, no one came out with a good film this year.

Short Film (Animated):
~This Way Up~

Short Film (Live Action):
~Auf Der Strecke~

Sound Editing:
~Wall-E~
All I know is that it was loud while I was trying to sleep.

Sound Mixing:
~The Dark Knight~

Visual Effects:
~Iron Man~
Eh? I guess it'll win something too?

Writing (Adapted Screenplay):
~Slumdog Millionaire~

Writing (Original Screenplay):
~Milk~ Awards, Take Two - Golden Globes R,
It is good to see you back.
I am sorry you did not win Best Actress.
I still think you are the best actress.
speaking of golden globes, there is a GIANT golden globe outside Leisure World. Alright Rockel, it's getting close to Oscar time. I'm preparing my ballot for the annual blogging festivities. It should be interesting. I'm looking forward to it as usual. The Official Opening of Award Season (Grab Your Guns)

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