The Oscar Hut

The 2nd Annual Oscar Hut Awards

2011-02-13T06:08:00.001-05:00

Coming Soon...

2011-01-28T09:30:00.003-05:00

A brand new, up to date Oscar Hut blog is on the way! I know, try to contain your excitement, there only hasn't really been a post since the summer so I know my millions of readers are dying for me to come back..hahaha it's not really a funny joke at all. I know ive been slacking as of late but as Captain Gene said in The Other Guys,: "I dont want no scrubs". Ive been a scrub as of late and I apologize for the lack of activity and over-abundunce of inactivity. Its definitely not chill, and on top of that I miss the game! I saw over 60 movies in theatres last year, more than half of which I have not written a word about, and it kills me a little bit inside that I've put my passion for prognosticating on the back burner. College life is sometimes a bit too much fun to go on the pc and be obsessing about Oscars and movies, but my love for the art of it overwhelms my desire to frat hard in the paint, and get smashed all the time.
Anywho, once again i apologize for the long hibernation this blog has been going through, and hope a few of you old readers out there choose to come back and read my rants and raves. Even a couple votes in any polls would suffice lol.
Groundhog Day, I hope to see a few some of you awsome human beings hitting up the site again, and most importantly, networking this shit for me if you like whjat you see.

Peace, love and good vibes,
Tyler Pratt
"The Oscar Hut"

2010 First Half of the Year Awards

2010-07-18T14:59:00.002-04:00

Its been a relatively mild year so far at the movies, with alot of solid efforts and only a few truly powerful films being released along with a slate of ok to middling works. Here now is my shot at laying down what I found to be the best of the best so far this year, cutting off after Inception as I viewed it as the summer release that pretty much ends the first half of the year.
So, here now, after a long absence on my part is my first half of the year awards, enjoy.

(*) denotates my choice for Best of each category

Best Picture
- The Ghost Writer
- Inception
- Shutter Island
- Solitary Man
- Toy Story 3 *

Best Director
- Andrea Arnold for Fish Tank
- Julian Jarrold for Red Riding: 1974
- Christopher Nolan for Inception *
- Roman Polanski for The Ghost Writer
- Martin Scorsese for Shutter Island

Best Actor
- Casey Affleck for The Killer Inside Me
- Leonardo DiCaprio for Inception
- Leonardo DiCaprio for Shutter Island *
- Michael Douglas for Solitary Man
- Andrew Garfield for Red Riding: 1974

Best Actress
- Greta Gerwig for Greenberg
- Rebecca Hall for Red Riding: 1974
- Katie Jarvis for Fish Tank *
- Julianna Margolis for City Island
- Julianne Moore for Chloe

Best supporting Actor
- Pierce Brosnan for The Ghost Writer
- Michael Fassbender for Fish Tank *
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt for Inception
- Cillian Murphy for Inception
- Mark Ruffalo for Shutter Island

Best Supporting Actress
- Marion Cottilard for Inception *
- Amanda Seyfried for Chloe
- Kierston Wareing for Fish Tank
- Olivia Williams for The Ghost Writer
- Michelle Williams for Shutter Island

Best Adapted Screenplay
- The Ghost Writer
- The Killer Inside Me
- Red Riding: 1974
- Shutter Island
- Toy Story 3 *

Best Original Screenplay
- Chloe
- Fish Tank
- Greenberg
- Inception *
- Solitary Man

Best Film Editing
- The Ghost Writer
- Inception *
- Red Riding: 1974
- Shutter Island
- Solitary Man

Best Cinematography
- The Ghost Writer
- Inception *
- The Killer Inside Me
- Red Riding: 1974
- Shutter Island

Best Art Direction
- Alice In Wonderland
- Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Inception *
- Red Riding: 1974
- Shutter Island

Best Costume Design
- Alice In Wonderland
- Avatar: The Last Airbender *
- Inception
- The Killer Inside Me
- Shutter Island

Best Make-Up
- Alice In Wonderland *
- Inception
- Shutter Island

Best Visual F/X
- Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Inception *
- Iron Man 2

Best Original Score
- Avatar: The Last Airbender
- The Ghost Writer
- Inception *
- Red Riding: 1974
- Toy Story 3

Best Sound Editing
- Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Inception *
- Iron Man 2
- Shutter Island
- Toy Story 3

Best Sound Mixing
- Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Inception *
- Iron Man 2
- Shutter Island
- Toy Story 3

So, basically as you can see movies like Inception, Toy Stor3, Shutter Island and The Ghost Writer have for me, been the best of the year so far. Will they go the distance come the end of the year, or fade away, forgotten amongst the pre Oscar season releases? For my money, I'd venture to say that Inception and Toy Story 3 are sure bets for a bevy of nominations, including Best Picture, but Shutter Island and The Ghost Writer could pop up spmewhere, though it will be a much harder road to the podium.
January 1st through July 17th in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
eligibility period

2010: A New Year, A New Decade of Cinematic Experiences

2010-03-17T18:09:00.002-04:00

There's a part of me that is glad to see this past Oscar season finished with. After witnessing a "crashing" upset, an overdue auteur recieving his due, two of the decades best squaring off, a rags to riches sweep and the theory of ten taking their places in the pantheon of Oscar history and film lore, the first decade of the aughts is finally over.
After these past 5 years of Oscar Watching, it feels refreshing to think that the cinematic slate has been wiped clean and is beginning afresh. This is mostly in due to the unusual circumstances of the last year. With the 2009-2010 Oscar season came, for myself, a vibe of exciting banality. There was a wealth if excellent films recognized, from Avatar and The Hurt Locker to Inglourious Basterds and A Serious Man and even District 9. While I have no doubt that 2010 featured the best Best Picture nominee class of the past decade, due to the expansion of the category. the past year gave little room for any suprises. Well, at least not any pleasant ones (ahem, The Blind Side). This year was all about Avatar vs. The Hurt Locker, a shame since I felt neither were even in my top 5 of the films that were nominated for Best Picture this year. It was a disapointment to see Up in The Air, District 9 and A Serious Man go home empty handed, and a letdown that Inglourious Basterds took home only one(albeit deserved) Oscar for Christoph Waltz..
However, that is ancient history as we are now at the forefront of a new decade, one filled with oppurtunity and excitement for film lovers. This year alone theatregoers will be able to see potential classics in the making such as Inception, Toy Story 3, Shutter Island and True Grit. And with progress being made in the developments of Martin Scorsese's upcoming Silence and Paul Thomas Anderson's next, The Master, along with efforts from Terrence Malik, The Coen Brothers, David Fincher and Alexander Payne, this decade could be one of the best in terms of film since the 70's.
With a new year comes, of course, year in advanced predictions along with new reviews, features and thoughts from myself on the state of cinema. I am open to any and all criticisms, encouragement and ideas from readers of The Oscar Hut, and you can reach me at tjpratt@bellsouth.net or in the comments section of each and every post. As my creative partner and collaborater Aaron Morales has decided to end his prognostication hobbies following his accident and it's subsequent injuries , I am once again hoping that a fellow film/oscar lover(s) will step up and become a part of The Oscar Hut! Once again, to contact me about joing TOH you can reach me at tjpratt@bellsouth.net.
The official start of this new year for The Oscar Hut will begin sometime in the next week, kicking off with year in adavance predictions, So, heres to a new year and decade of Cinema! May it continue to make our lives extraordinary in every way!

Tyler j. Pratt,
The Oscar Hut

Final Oscar Predictions

2010-03-07T15:14:00.002-05:00

Forgive me for the innactivity, I've been sick all winter and its left me with little enthusiasm or energy to put foward into the blog. However this being Oscar Night, the superbowl of movie awards I must admit that I am inclined to put forth my predictions.

Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side
Best Sup. Actor: Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds
Best Sup. Actress: Mo'Nique for Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire
Best Adapted Screenplay: Up in The Air by Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner
Best Original Screenplay: The Hurt Locker by Mark Boal

At this point I am guaranteed to be at least 8/24

Best Film Editing: The Hurt Locker
Best Cinematography: The Hurt Locker
Best Art Direction: Avatar
Best Costume Design: The Young Victoria
Best Make-Up: Star Trek
Best Visual F/X: Avatar
Best Sound Editing: Avatar
Best Sound Mixing: Avatar

At this point I'm 14/24 with the possibility of missing at least one of these

Best Original Score: Up by Michael Giacchino
Best Original Song: The Weary Kind from Crazy Heart by T-Bone Burnett & Ryan Bingham

16/24

Best Animated Film: Up
Best Foreign Laguage Film: A Prophet
Best Documentary: The Cove
Best Animated Short: A Matter of Loaf and Death
Best Live Action Short: The Door
Best Documentary Short: The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant

At this point I say I'll end up 21/24, I'll miss at least one tech award and Foreign Language is up in the air for me. Many insist that the Argentina selection will prevail but a Prophet was too amazing to be passed over. But, hey, what do I know?

The Oscar (Hut) 10: Worst Snubs

2010-02-02T20:58:00.003-05:00

Taking a page out of Kris Tapley's book, here's a rundown of the ten snubs from this morning's announcement that disappoints me most for this year.

10. Inglourious Basterds' Art Direction & Costumes Snubbed.
Despite the excellent work here put in here by David Wasco and IB's costume designer, the two were painfully snubbed despite the excellent work on both ends. What replaced them? In the Art Direction category, Basterds most likely lost it's spot to The Young Victoria, which I have yet to see. On the costume side of things Basterds probably was bested by Coco Avant Chanel or The Imaginarium of Docter Parnassus.

9. District 9 for Best Makeup.
It is almost too ridiculous to even imagine that the excellent makeup work on District 9 ended up snubbed, and snubbed in favor of The Young Victoria or Il Divo no less. The last time I checked, powdering faces doesnt qualify as a great achievement in makeup. But then again why honor a film that shocked audiences with the most realistic human to alien metamorphosis I've seen on the screen in my lifetime. Oh well, at least District 9 got a Best Picture.

8. The Informant!'s score by Marvin Hamlisch
Because I to be honest, I have no recollection of The Hurt Locker having a musical score, because to be honest The Informant!'s score was one of the most fun and playful series of compositions I have ever heard.

7. Up in The Air for Best Film Editing
I might be alone on this one but I thought Up in The Air's editing was fantastic. The film's pacing was seriously awsome, and the editing contributed to the overall feeling of the film. Precious had great editing, but I feel like Up in The Air's was way better, just my opinion but whatever.

6. Star Trek for Best Picture
There was a point where I thought Star Trek was really going to make it in. When The Blind Side was called followed by Invictus' not, I thought there was something interesting afoot, but I was wrong. Star Trek may have been an entertaining popcorn flick, it also happened to be one of the best and most exciting films of the year. Directed with intensity and just the right dose of mythology, J.J. Abrams' best film to date was the film that re-invigorated the sci-fi genre, it's succsess at the box office leading to simmilar results for District 9 and Avatar.

5. (500) Days of Summer for Best Original Screenplay
Though it was replaced by a deserving nominee, Oren Moverman's The Messenger, (500) Days of Summer's screenplay was one of a few of the year's seemingly locked nominees along with Waltz, Mo'Nique and The Hurt Locker. It was original, fun, whimsically romantic and inventive, but it wasnt good enough to make the cut for some reason.

4. Melanie Laurent & Diane Kruger for Best Supporting Actress
They were both fantastic and both had a decent to good chance of making the cut due to weak competition other than Mo'nique, farmiga or Kendrick. Cruz shouldnt have gotten the nod for mumbling through the best song of the musical and Gyllenhaal's nomination, while a pleasent suprise, should have went to Laurent.

3. Where The Wild Things Are for Best Cinematography
Lance accord's lensing was inventive, dynamic and wild, too bad the movie didnt catch on at all with anyone, it featured awsome direction, costumes, art direction and a great supporting turn from James Gandolfini. Spike Jonze is 3 for 3, in case you havent been counting.

2. Adam Sandler for Best Actor
I named Sandler's lead performance in Judd Apatow's Funny People as the best of the year and his career in the site's awards, and I did it for a reason. You have never seen Sandler like this before. Putting a spin on his image, Sandler revives his career with one of the year's rawest, most intimate portrayals of an artist. I know this hasn't been a possibility since the summer, but if Tommy Lee Jones could pull one out for a movie nobody saw two years ago, then I felt like Sandler's chances were about the same. Oh well...

1. Anthony Mackie for Best Supporting Actor
Anthony Mackie's performance in The Hurt Locker was one that didn't truly resonate with me. I saw the film when it was released nearly 8 months ago at my local theatre and I enjoyed it thouroughly, but Mackie wasnt the source of that enjoyment. Over time I began to realize what an acomplishment the performance was. Renner may have been the star of the movie, but Mackie's cautious war ravaged worrier was the driving power behind the film's ensemble. Watching it again last week confirmed this and I nervously hoped that he would be remembered but he wasnt, and in favor of Matt Damon and or Christopher Plummer.

2009-2010 Oscar Nominations!

2010-02-02T12:10:00.002-05:00

All in all I did pretty fair to decent in each category, only missing when it came to the true shockers like The Blind Side getting a best picture nomination and Maggi Gyllenhaal's surprise supporting actress nod. I'm fairly pleased with the nominees this year and I can see the race for an Oscar in each category getting heated over this month.

Here are the nominees:

Best Picture
“Avatar”
“The Blind Side”
“District 9”
“An Education”
“The Hurt Locker”
“Inglourious Basterds”
“Precious”
“A Serious Man”
“Up”
“Up in the Air”

I went 9 out of 10 for this one, predicting Star Trek to reap a well deserved nomination, but alas the box office power and populace favor for The Blind Side prevailed over a film that was better received and more of a cinematic achievement.

Best Director
James Cameron, “Avatar”
Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
“Quentin Tarantino, “Inglourious Basterds”
“Lee Daniels, “Precious”
Jason Reitman, “Up in the Air”

Foolishly, I predicted perennial nominee Lee Daniels to sit this one out in favor of District 9's helmer Neill Blomkamp, despite Daniels' DGA nod and the film's PGA, WGA, Globes and BAFTA's mentions. 4 out of 5 aint bad, but it's frustrating that I could have gotten perfect results on this one had I went with my gut rather than my heart.

Best Actor
Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
George Clooney, “Up in the Air”
Colin Firth, “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”
Jeremy Renner, “The Hurt Locker”

I scored a perfect 5/5 on this.

Best Actress
Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”
Helen Mirren, “The Last Station”
Carey Mulligan, “An Education”
Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious”
Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”

And this.

Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon, “Invictus”
Woody Harrelon, “The Messenger”
Christopher Plummer, “The Last Station”
Stanley Tucci, “The Lovely Bones”
Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”

While I'm disapointed I only scored 3/5 in this category, it is nice to see Matt Damon with a long time coming second nod, despite the fact that it comes for a minor performance in an underwhelming film. Anthony Mackie's snub stings, especially when the rather boring work from Christopher Plummer recieved a nod.

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz, “Nine”
Vera Farmiga, “Up in the Air”
Maggie Gyllenhaal, “Crazy Heart”
Anna Kendrick, “Up in the Air”
Mo’Nique, “Precious”

This was the real shocker for me. I never thought that Penelope Cruz could ride her goodwill to another nomination for her work in Nine, and I'm shocked that Maggie Gyllenhaal was able to break into the race displacing Julianne Moore, Samantha Morton and Diane Kruger. Good for her though as she scores her first nod for Crazy Heart. 3/5

Best Adapted Screenplay
“District 9”
“An Education”
“In the Loop”
“Precious”
“Up in the Air”

4/5

Best Original Screenplay
“The Hurt Locker”
“Inglourious Basterds”
“The Messenger”
“A Serious Man”
“Up”

4/5 Shocked that (500) Days of Summer was snubbed after making the rounds quite frequently throughout the season. The only reason that this isnt causing more of a fuss around the web is due to The Messenger being the screenplay to displace it, as Oren Moverman's work here truly shines.

Best Animated Feature Film
“Coraline”
“Fantastic Mr. Fox”
“The Princess and the Frog”
“The Secret of Kells”
“Up”

4/5 I never saw the secret of Kells coming, especially when it displaces Ponyo and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.

Best Foreign Language Film
“Ajami” (Israel)
“The Milk of Sorrow” (Peru)
“A Prophet” (France)
“The Secret in Their Eyes” (Argentina)
“The White Ribbon” (Germany)

3/5

Best Art Direction
“Avatar”
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”
“Nine”
“Sherlock Holmes”
“The Young Victoria”

2/5 Ouch, but good for the Imaginarium for keeping itself in the game.

Best Cinematography
“Avatar”
“Inglourious Basterds”
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”
“The Hurt Locker”
“The White Ribbon”

4/5 Sooo happy Half Blood Prince got a big nod like this, Delbono's work deserves it.

Best Costume Design
“Bright Star”
“Coco Before Chanel”
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”
“Nine”
“The Young Victoria”

3/5

Best Film Editing
“Avatar”
“District 9”
“The Hurt Locker”
“Inglourious Basterds”
“Precious”

4/5

Best Makeup
“Il Divo”
“Star Trek”
“The Young Victoria”

1/3

Best Music (Original Score)
“Avatar”
“Fantastic Mr. Fox”
“The Hurt Locker”
“Sherlock Holmes”
“Up”

4/5 Im suprised by The Hurt Locker's nod here, the last thing I can remember about watching The Hurt Locker was its music, I dont know how anyone could have noticed that yet not nominate Marvin hamlisch's score from The Informant!

Best Music (Original Song)
“Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog”
“Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog”
“Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36″
“Take it All” from “Nine”
“The Weary Kind” from “Crazy Heart”

2/5 The Academy's Music Branch is a rather strange group. I hate them, seriously that Bruce Springsteen snub has forever destroyed any respect I had for them.

Best Sound Editing
“Avatar”
“The Hurt Locker”
“Inglourious Basterds”
“Star Trek”
“Up”

4/5 I love that Basterds did so well with the techs despite missing a costumes and art direction notice. Strange.

Best Sound Mixing
“Avatar”
“The Hurt Locker”
“Inglourious Basterds”
“Star Trek”
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”

4/5

Best Visual Effects
“Avatar”
“District 9”
“Star Trek”

3/3

Best Documentary Feature
“Burma VJ: Reporting from a Closed Country”
“The Cove”
“Food, Inc.”
“The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers”
“Which Way Home”

3/5

Best Documentary Short
“China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province”
“The Last Campaign of Booth Gardener”
“The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant”
“Music by Prudence”
“Rabbit a la Berlin”

Best Short Film (Animated)
“French Roast”
“Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty”
“The Lady and the Reaper”
“Logorama”
“A Matter of Loaf and Death”

Best Short Film (Live Action)
“The Door”
“Instead of Abracadabra”
“Kavi”
“Miracle Fish”
“The New Tenants”

The Oscar Hut's Final Oscar Predictions 2/1/10

2010-02-01T20:04:00.005-05:00

Were finally here, after a year of cinema, constant Oscar buzz and baseless chatter, we've made it to the home stretch of the 2009-2010 Oscar season. Looking back , it's funny how much things have changed over the course of the past 12 months. Shutter Island went from being a surefire contender set for an October release to being a mid February release. The Lovely Bones, Nine and Public Enemies fell from their once golden sure lock statuses. And Avatar was still a mystery to most of the film-going public let alone bloggers and critics.

But that's the exciting thing about an Oscar race that proves to be unpredictable. It's always exhilarating to be kept in the dark guessing until the last moment, principally because it gives people like myself, Nathaniel Rogers, Sasha Stone and Kris Tapley things to write about. It also keeps my passion for writing about film strong, which in of itself is all the payment I need to satisfy my love for movies and the Oscars.

Before I move on to my final predictions, I want to make it clear that even now, the night before we find out who will be nominated, nobody knows anything. For all I know, Avatar could end up snubbed like The Dark Knight in favor of a safer film like The Blind Side (though to be honest, that may be stretching it a bit). any actor or actress could come out of nowhere to steal a previously thought to be locked performers nod. Anything can, and possibly will happen tomorrow morning when Anne Hathaway reads off the nominees. Which is another reason why I love years like this and any other.

I have come to think of myself as a respectable prognosticator. Am I on the level of a Ryan Adams or Sasha Stone? No, but I am proud of what I believe to be a honed talent. I love calculating with hopefully strong precision box office numbers and predictions.

Flat out, I love the Oscars, and nights like these are the prime reason for it. I extend out a wish of good luck to the more experienced bloggers and prognosticators, an extensive amount more so than I, and the same goes for people who write down their predictions on pads of paper at home for their own enjoyment.

Moments like this are ours for the taking, and with that, here are my final Oscar nominees predictions, with each category provided one alternate (because, I need some leverage room.)

Best Motion Picture

- Avatar

- District 9

- An Education

- The Hurt Locker

- Inglourious Basterds

- Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire

- A Serious Man

- Star Trek

- Up

- Up in The Air

Alt: Invictus

Best Director of a Motion Picture

- Katherine Bigelow for The Hurt locker

- Neill Blomkamp for District 9

- James Cameron for Avatar

- Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds

- Jason Reitman for Up in The Air

Alt: Lee Daniels for Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire

Best Actor in a Leading Role

- Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart

- George Clooney for Up in The Air

- Colin Firth for A Single Man

- Morgan Freeman for Invictus

- Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker

Alt: Tobey Maguire for Brothers

Best Actress in a Leading Role

-Sandra Bullock for The Blind side

- Helen Mirren for The last Station

- Carey Mulligan for An Education

- Gabourey Sidibe for Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire

- Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia

Alt: Nope, this is the 5.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

- Matt Damon for Invictus

- Woody Harrelson for The Messenger

- Christian McKay for Me and Orson Welles

- Stanley Tucci for The Lovely Bones

- Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds

Alt: Anthony Mackie for The Hurt Locker

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

- Vera Farmiga for Up in The Air

- Anna Kendrick for Up in The Air

- Diane Kruger for Inglourious Basterds

- Mo'Nique for Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire

- Julianne Moore for A Single Man

Alt: Penelope Cruz for Nine

Best Adapted Screenplay

- District 9 by Neill Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell

- An Education by Nick Hornby

- Fantastic Mr. Fox by Wes Anderson & Noah Baumbach

- Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire by Geoffrey Fletcher

- Up in The Air by Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner

Alt: Crazy Heart

Best Original Screenplay

- (500) Days of Summer by Scott Neustatder & Michael H. Weber

- The Hurt Locker by Mark Boal

- Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino

- A Serious Man by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

- Up by Pete Docter, Tom McCarthy and Bob Peterson

Alt: Avatar

Best Film Editing

- Avatar

- District 9

- The Hurt Locker

- Inglourious Basterds

- Up in The Air

Alt: Star Trek

Best Cinematography

-Avatar

- The Hurt Locker

- Inglourious Basterds

- Nine

- The White Ribbon

Alt: District 9

Best Art Directon

- Avatar

- District 9

- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

- Inglourious Basterds

- Sherlock Holmes

Alt: Public Enemies

Best Costume Design

- Bright Star

- Inglourious Basterds

- Nine

- Sherlock Holmes

- The Young Victoria

Alt: Coco Avant Chanel

Best Make-Up

- District 9

- The Imaginarium of Docter Parnassus

- Star Trek

Alt: Once again, nope, this is the 5.

Best Visual F/X

- Avatar

- District 9

- Star Trek

Alt: And yet again, this is the 5.

Best Original Score

- Avatar by James Horner

- Fantastic Mr. Fox by Alexandre Desplat

- The Informant! by Marvin Hamlisch

- Sherlock Holmes by Hans Zimmer

- Up by Michael Giacchino

Alt: Star Trek by Michael Giacchino

Best Original Song

- "I See You" from Avatar

- "The Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart

- "(I Want To) Come Home" from Everybody's Fine

- "Cinema Italiano" from Nine

- "Almost There" from The Princess and the Frog

Alt: "Down in New Orleans" from The Princess and the Frog

Best Sound Editing

- Avatar

- District 9

- The Hurt Locker

- Star Trek

- Up

Alt: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Best Sound Mixing

- Avatar

- District 9

- The Hurt Locker

- Star Trek

- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Alt: Up

Best Animated Feature

- Coraline

- Fantastic Mr. Fox

- Ponyo

- The Princess and the Frog

- Up

Alt: Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs

Best Foreign Language Film

- Ajami, Israel

- A Prophet, France

- Samson & Delilah, Australia

- The White Ribbon, Germany

- Winter in Wartime, Netherlands

Alt: The Secret in their Eyes, Argentina

Best Documentary Feature

- The Beaches of Agnes

- The Cove

- Every Little Step

- Food Inc.

- Mugabe and the White African

Alt: Burma VJ: Reporting from a closed country

And thats all folks. The Oscar's race for the nominations is over as of 5 AM tomorrow morning, or for those of us in Florida, 8 AM. It's been a great year, as I pointed out in my personal Oscar Hut Awards that happen to be available to read below! But now the ballots are in, the reviews have been read, precursors collected, and box office reciepts sent in. Theres nothing left to do but wait in eager anticipation for tomorrow morning;s announcement. Will I sleep soundly tonight? Probably not, the excitement already energinizes me. Yet I hope all of you can rest assured knowing that in the end, with luck, the right films will be acknowledged with nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts ans Sciences. See you tomorrow Oscar, bright and early.

- Tyler j. Pratt

The Oscar Hut

The 2nd Annual Oscar Hut Awards 2009-2010

2010-01-30T19:30:00.013-05:00

I saw over 60 movies in theatres over the last year of the last decade. There were some instant classics, films i loved, movies i enjoyed to an extent and of course cinema that can only be described as downright vile, putrid shit on celluloid. The Oscar Hut Awards, which as of yet have no official nickname (I'm taking suggestions!) are my way of honoring what i felt to be excellence in cinema from January 2009 to January 2010. There were a few titles that ended up passing me by over the year, some that I wish I could have seen in time, but alas, they ended up being ineligible.

So, without further pause, I now present to you, the 2ND Annual Oscar Hut Awards!

Top 10 Films of 2009-2010

10. The Lovely Bones

9. District 9

8. Adventureland

7. Up

6. Star Trek

5. Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire

4. Avatar

3. Up in The Air

2. Inglourious Basterds

1. A Serious Man

2009 was an great year for film, I only gave out a few grades for films that were lower than a C, because I truly enjoyed nearly every film I saw over the year in some way, unless that film was Transformers 2, New Moon or The Final Destination 3D. The best film I saw last year though was undoubtedly what I feel is the Coen Brother's masterpiece, A Serious Man. It left me stunned and with questions that plagued my mind for weeks until I came up with the ultimate solution to these queries: A Serious Man is THE BEST film of 2009.

Best Director

5. Jason Reitman for Up in The Air

4. Katherine Bigelow for The Hurt Locker

3. Joel Coen & Ethan Coen for A Serious Man

2. Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds

1. James Cameron for Avatar

Each and every director listed here undoubtedly left their mark on cinema in 2009. Jason Reitman made the year's most socially relevant movie. Katherine Bigelow handed down the most kinetically charged. The Coen Brothers gave us the year's most thought provoking work. Quentin Tarantino delivered the most intelligently playful film. The winner here is a man whose previous seminal work, Titanic, is a film I have never been overly into to. However, with Avatar, James Cameron cements himself as the world's greatest living showman. Avatar is the most visually fantastic film of 2009. It changed the landscape of cinematic technology and revolutionized motion captured performance art. All of this was due to the decades worth of effort layed onto the screen by James Cameron, a master of his craft.

Best Actor in a Leading Role

5. Johnny Depp for Public Enemies

4. Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker

3. Sharlto Copley for District 9

2. George Clooney for Up in The Air

1. Adam Sandler for Funny People

2009 was also a year for great leading men performances. I limit myself to the five best in my opinion, leaving off great work from people like Tobey Maguire, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Matt Damon. As for my top 5, it was extremely difficult to peg down my number one. In the end I went Adam Sandler's performance in Judd Apatow's Funny People, which happens to be his best yet. The best way express my feelings about Sandler's work here is to simply tell you to watch the bedroom breakdown scene halfway through the movie. It is angry, raw and painfully realistic to point that I feel uncomfortable just watching it. Sandler definitely left his mark on the screen in Funny People by shedding the shtick that made him a household name in favor of nuance and raw emotional honesty.

Best Actress in A Leading Role

5. Maya Rudolph for Away We Go

4. Meryl Streep for It's Complicated

3. Saoirse Ronan for The Lovely Bones

2. Gabourey Sidibe for Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire

1. Carey Mulligan for An Education

I must admit, I felt 2009 was a rather weak year for leading women. There were great performances, there can be no mistaking that, but those great performances were few and far between. I feel like my top 5, however, is a fantastic representation of 2009. We have the two big breakouts, A solid lead turn from a yong actress better known for her supporting roles, yet another fantastic piece of work from Meryl Streep as if thats suprising these days, and a suprising portrayal from Maya Rudolph, better known for her days spent as a minor cast member on SNL. The best performance by an actress this year was delivered by Carey Mulligan in a "star is born" type performance in An education. She perfectly captures the transformation of her character Jenny from being just another teenage girl into being a young woman. Mulligan is touching, souful and resonates throughout the entire picture. Heres hoping she has a healthy long career ahead of her.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

5. Stephen Lang for Avatar

4. Mark Ruffalo for The Brothers Blooom

3. Anthony Mackie for The Hurt Locker

2. Jackie Earl Haley for Watchmen

1. Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Christoph Waltz's performance in Inglourious Basterds was hands down the best performance by any actor in 2009, if one of the best of the entire decade. Waltz's embodiment of Quentin Tarantino's creation, Hans Landa, was charming, intense, profound, smart and downright terrifying. Waltz is so good in Inglourious Basterds that he wipes every other performer in the film off of the screen, sometimes with little more than a gesture. He is perfect in this film. His competitors, 4 men from 4 completely different movies represent my rundown of the other most unforgettable supporting performances of 2009. Jackie Earl Haley made Watchmen. Anthony Mackie was the soul behind The Hurt Locker. Mark Ruffalo played the perfect brother and con man in The Brothers Bloom. And finally, besides Waltz, Stephen Lang created 2009's other instantly iconic villain in Avatar. They were all great, yet none could measure up to Waltz.

Best Supporting Actress

5. Anna Kendrick for Up in The Air

4. Vera Farmiga for Up in The Air

3. Melanie Laurent for Inglourious Basterds

2. Marion Cottilard for Public Enemies

1. Mo'Nique for Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire

Like Christoph Waltz in the Supporting Actor category, one woman completely tore a hole in the screen in 2009, nearly decimating all of her competition in the Supporting Actress field. The suprising thing about this woman is that she is someone you would never expect to be able to accomplish such a feat of raw intensity, of such nuance and depth of such skill. Marion Cottilard was phenominal in Public Enemies, yet she is not the actress I speak of. Neither is Melanie Laurent whose breakthrough performance in Inglourious Basterds was excellent. The same goes for Up in The Air's one-two punch of Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick, both of whom in another year could have found themselves atop the pile. No, the woman I am talking about is an actress whose biggest credits thus far include Soul Plane, Phat Girlz and Beerfest. The lady I speak of is none other than Mo'Nique. Mo'Nique's performance in Precious speaks for itself. If you have seen the film, you already understand why she's my number one. If you havent, you need to go out right now and find a theatre where this is playing because it is a must see, principally because of Mo'Nique's work in the film.

Best Screenplay

5. Away We Go by Dave Eggars and Vendella Vida

4. The Hurt Locker by Mark Boal

3. Up in The Air by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

2. Inglorious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino

1. A Serious Man by Joel & Ethan Coen

Best Film Editing

5. The Hurt Locker

4. District 9

3. Star Trek

2. Inglourious Basterds

1. Avatar

Best Cinematography

5. Sherlock Holmes

4. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

3. Inglourious Basterds

2. Avatar

1. Where The Wild Things Are

Best Art Direction

5. Star Trek

4. Sherlock Holmes

3. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

2. The Imaginarium of Docter Parnassus

1. Inglourious Basterds

Best Costume Design

5. Bruno

4. Nine

3. Sherlock Holmes

2. The Imaginarium of Docter Parnassus

1. Inglourious Basterds

Best Original Score

5. Avatar by James Horner

4. The Informant! by Marvin Hamlisch

3. Star Trek by Michael Giacchino

2. Sherlock Holmes by Hans Zimmer

1. Up by Michael Giacchino

And Now For The Extras!

Best Acting Ensemble

5. A Serious Man

4. Star Trek

3. Away We Go

2. Up in The Air

1. Inglourious Basterds

Best Breakthrough Performance

5. Gabourey Sidibe for Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire

4. Mo'Nique for Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire

3. Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds

2. Carey Mulliagn for An Education

1. Sharlto Copley for District 9

Best Body of Work

5. Matt Damon for The Informant! and Invictus

4. Stephen Lang for Avatar, Men Who Stare At Goats and Public Enemies

3. Marion Cottilard for Nine and Public Enemies

2. George Clooney for fantastic Mr. Fox, Men Who Stare At Goats

1. Michael Fassbender for Hunger and Inglourious Basterds

BestActor in a Cameo/Limited Performance

5. Jeff Daniels for Away We Go

4. Jason Bateman for State of Play

3. Bill Murray for Zombieland

2. Richard Sammel for Inglourious Basterds

1. Eminem for Funny People

Best Actress in a Cameo/Limited Performance

5. Sarah Silverman for Funny People

4. Carla Gugino for Watchmen

3. Tina Fey for The Invention of Lying

2. Maggie Gylenhaal for Away We Go

1. Carrie Preston for Duplicity

Best Opening Scene

5. Up

4. Watchmen

3. Star Trek

2. A Serious Man

1. Inglourious Basterds

Best Ending

5. Duplicity

4. The Hurt Locker

3. Up in The Air

2. Inglourious Basterds

1. A Serious Man

Best Credits Sequence(Beginning or End)

5. An Education (Opening Credits)

4. Up in The Air (Opening & Closing Credits)

3. Zombieland (Opening Credits)

2. Sherlock Holmes (Closing Credits)

1. Watchmen (Opening Credits)

Film Maker of the Year

5. J.J. Abrams for Star Trek

4. Judd Apaptow, Jody Hill & Greg Mottola for Comedy on Film in 2009

3. Wes Anderson, Pete Docter, Henry Selick for Animation in 2009

2. Weta Technology for Technological advancements in Filmmaking

1. James Cameron for Avatar's box office, cultural impact and advancing cinematic technology

DGA Predictions

2010-01-29T17:57:00.003-05:00

With arguably the most important guild precursor coming up this Saturday, we could very well be seeing the wrapping up of Oscar's best Picture race. While most have been calling it a dead heat between James Cameron's Avatar and Katherine Bigelow's The Hurt Locker, we must remember that there are 8 other films vying for that number one spot. The strongest contenders against these top dogs are Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and Jason Reitman's Up in The Air, both of which are finding themselves squared up against Avatar and The Hurt Locker for the DGA. So when I say this is an important precursor, you will hopefully now understand what I meant.

The winner of the DGA has matched up with Oscar every year for the past seven, since Roman Polanski's upset of Chicago's song and dance man Rob Marshall, yet Chicago won the Best Picture Oscar after receiving the DGA. Other than that little slip up, the DGA has only mismatched with Oscar's Best director winner twice.

This year, I predict the DGA's winning trend to continue, with their winner going on to receive a Best Director Oscar, but the director's film will not also pick up Best Picture.

Before I reveal my prediction, I'm going to cater to my egotistical love of my own writing and give you a rundown of this year's nominees.

1. Katherine Bigelow, The Hurt Locker

2. James Cameron, Avatar

3. Lee Daniels, Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire

4. Jason Reitman, Up in The Air

5. Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

I want to start off by making it clear that I think this is one of the most interesting Best Director categories of the last decade. We have a woman, a gay African-American, an up and coming auteur, a veteran known for his by the numbers blockbusters and a veteran known for his distinct cinematic originality. And to make things even more exciting they all have a shot at winning. Ok..so maybe Lee Daniels doesn't but still, each one of these visionaries, ok once again, maybe not in Daniels' case (unless your Mo'Nique), brought their interesting and wonderful personalities to the table and delivered excellence.

1) Katherine Bigelow filled the screen with adrenaline fueled tension, delivering what in years to come could be called the definitive Iraq war film. She created a visually engaging work of art, pulled great performances from her cast and managed to keep her buzz going since last year's Independent Spirit Awards, and for that she is deserving of accolades.

2) James Cameron's Avatar is a phenomenon. It is currently the highest grossing film of all time(when not adjusted for inflation). It is perhaps the most visually exciting films of all time. It pushes the boundaries of cinematic technology and film itself with it's revolutionary production.

Say what you will about the weak screenplay, we get it, Cameron cant write. But once you move that aside and experience the picture for what it is, it is clear why Cameron is the king of the world yet again.

3) Lee Daniels' career has been uneven to say the least. He was involved in Monster's Ball, a decent good but not great film. Yet he also directed Shadow Boxer, yes, that shadow Boxer. However, Precious, his latest film sweeps all of that under the mat, and showcases his natural ability as a storyteller when using honest, raw emotion to drive his story forward. His film is affecting, as are the performances he got out of newcomer Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique, yes, Mo'Nique of Soul Plane fame. For transforming the longtime comedienne and historically bad actress into the terrifying mother from hell Mary Jones, he deserves his spot on the list.

4) Jason Reitman is the nominee here whose career excites me the most. He is a second generation filmmaker, the son of Ghostbuster's Ivan Reitman, and has carved a nice spot in the Hollywood community since his 2006 debut Thank You For Smoking. Many scoffed at his Director nod for 2007's Juno, but there is no doubt that Reitman balanced the comedy with the film's unfunny subject matter perfectly. His 2009 contribution, Up in The Air far surpasses anything he has done in his career so far. It was one of my favorite films of the year, and also the best serio-comedy to be released since 2004's Sideways. The guy's got talent and is incredibly deserving of his spot.

5) Quentin Tarantino. What do you say about the man's career that hasn't been analyzed from every angle already? He gave us Resevoir Dogs at a time when not showing the heist in a heist film was unheard of. He revolutionized the cinematic art form and independent film making when he released Pulp Fiction. He then did Jackie Brown, a decent effort if you ask me before moving on to his hyper stylized martial arts revenge novella Kill Bill. He honored his grindhouse influences with Death Proof, helping to make Grindhouse one of the most entertaining movies of 2007. And then he came up with his most accomplished, entertaining, polished and smartest effort yet with his latest film, Inglourious Basterds. His screenplay and direction are fabulously referential and downright fun. His cast is aces all around, despite having to direct most of them in a language or languages other than his own. The man is a genius, pure and simple.

So, who wins in this group of crowded artists? Will it be the war ravaged woman director? The larger than life showman? The breakout minority? The up and coming auteur? Or, the eccentric mad genius?

Who Will Win: Katherine Bigelow. She's got the buzz and the talent to live up to it.

Who Should Win: Katherine Bigelow or James Cameron. They are neck and neck in my opinion.

Who Wont Win: Lee Daniels. He's pure filler, but mighty good filler at that.

I say Bigelow takes it in an extremely tight race with Cameron. It really is the battle of the exes, despite the fact that I find that tag line a bit pedestrian. She's hot, she's talented, she's got the buzz, and her film is the kind that wont be ignored, the kind that will live on to be a modern classic (even though that could also be attributed to James Cameron and Avatar, minus the hot part).

Who Was Snubbed:

The Coen Brothers for their masterpiece, A Serious Man.

Neill Blomkamp and J.J. Abrams for re-invigorating the sci-fi genre along with Avatar and Moon

2010: Golden Globes Predictions

2010-01-17T17:59:00.004-05:00

Sorry i've been absent yet again, my good and blog contributor Aaron Morales thankfully has gotten home from the hospital after his accident last month, so ive been tied up in the details of that for the last week or two. Theres not much you can say about the Globes. The HFPA are star fuckers, as i've said the last two years, which means they will most likely award a-listers in every category except the supporting ones, Because of this im using a Will/Should win predictions set along with a contender that should have made the cut.

Tonight, if there is but one certainty, it is that Ricky Gervais should be flat out hillarious. Heres hoping he follows through on his promise and shows up inebriated, the show should be a good time for sure.

Best Picture (Drama)

Will Win: Avatar

Should Win: Up in The Air

Should have been nominated: District 9

Best Picture (Musical or Comedy)

Will Win & Should Win: (500) Days of Summer

Should have been nominated: Away We Go, Funny People & A Serious Man

Best Director:

Will Win: James Cameron for Avatar

Should Win: Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker

Should have been nominated: Joel Coen & Ethan Coen for A Serious Man

Best Actor (Drama)

Will Win & Should Win: George Clooney for Up in The Air

Should have been nominated: Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker & Sharlto Copley for D9

Best Actor (Musical or Comedy)

Will Win: Matt Damon for The Informant!

Should Win: Michael Stuhlbarg for A Serious Man

Should have been nominated: Adam Sandler for Funny People & John Krasinski fpr Away We...

Best Actress (Drama)

Will Win: Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side

Should Win: Carey Mulligan for An Education

Should have been nominated: Saoirse Ronan for The Lovely Bones

Best Actress (Musical or Comedy)

Will Win: Meryl Streep for Juli & Julia

Should Win: Marion Cottilard for Nine

Should have been nominated: Maya Rudolph for Away We Go

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Will Win & Should Win: Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds

Should have been nominated: Anthony Mackie for The Hurt Locker & Stephen Lang for Avatar

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Will Win & Should Win: Mo'Nique for Precious

Should have been nominated: Marion Cottilard for Public Enemies & Melanie Laurent for Ing...

Best Screenplay:

Will Win: Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino

Should Win: Up in The Air by Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner

Should have been nominated: A Serious Man by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

Best Animated Film

Will Win & Should Win: Up

Should have been nominated: I saw one animated film this year, Up. So thats my only point of reference in this category.

Best Foreign Language Film:

Will Win & Should Win: A Prophet

Should have been nominated:Police, Adjective

Best Original Score:

Will Win & Should Win: Up

Should have been nominated: Sherlock Holmes

Best Original Song:

Will Win & Should Win: The Weary Kind from Crazy Heart

Should have been nominated: Help Yourself from Up in The Air

2010: Most Anticipated

2010-01-01T17:17:00.003-05:00

2009 was a fairly decent movie going year for myself, I saw almost every movie I wanted to that was released between January 2009 up until last night, totalling with 58 titles, just four less than my 2007 record of 62 and 3 more than 2008's 55 films. But, alas, that decade is dead and gone and it's now time to focus on the films I am most heavily anticipating for this year. Some will live up to the hype, some will be consumed by it and a few of them might not even meet they're scheduled release date. That's pretty much the nature of the beast.

So, without further rambling on my end, here the the ten films I look towards as my most anticipated of 2010, the first year of a new decade of theatre going experiences.

10. Somewhere, dir. Sofia Coppola

9. The Green Hornet, dir. Michel Gondry

8. Cemetary Junction, dir. Gervais & Merchant

7. The American, dir. Anton Corbijn

6. Iron Man 2, dir. Jon Favreau

5. You're Highness, dir. David Gordon Green

4. The Fighter, dir. David O. Russell

3. Toy Story 3, dir. Lee Unkrich

2. Shutter Island, dir. Martin Scorsese

1. Inception, dir. Christopher Nolan

A word on the hiatus

2009-12-17T13:10:00.002-05:00

For those wondering why the blog has been down for the past ten days, contributor to the site and one of my best friends, Aaron Morales, has been in the hospital following a car accident. He is currently still in critical condition, so I've been taking a break from posting. I promise to get back as soon as possible, especially given the Golden Globes, SAG and precursor groups that were announced this week. I doubt I will be back before Christmas but I am doing my best. Any prayers and well wishes for Aaron are extremely appreciated, and I hope he gets well soon.

Thank You,

Tyler j. Pratt

The Oscar Hut

Catchin' up with The Oscar Hut

2009-12-06T09:53:00.006-05:00

A few things of importance have gone down in the last week since I posted my Golden Globes predictions, so I'm going to do a rundown of my thoughts on the big events of the last seven days.

The Independent Spirit Awards announced their nominees for this year's best in independent film, which apparently includes Precious, The Last Station, (500) Days of Summer, Sin Nombre and Amreeka. I was a bit disappointed that A Serious Man didn't make the best feature or screenplay cut, being one my favorite films of the year, but at least it received Director and Cinematography citations, both deserved. I was pleased with the acting nods for the most part, but snubs for Carey Mulligan, Zooey Deschanel, Ben Foster and Michael Stuhlbarg were disappointing. Overall, I doubt the spirit awards made that big of an impact on how the rest of awards season will look, but they no doubt helped (500) Days of Summer get back into the picture.

(500) Days of Summer was also greatly helped by the National Board of Review who named it one of the ten best films of the year.
Always kick starting the awards season, giving us the first real ideas about what and who will shape the upcoming Oscar race, The National Board of Review helped out a great many films to set out on the road to an Oscar nod, and perhaps a win.
Up in the Air undoubtedly received the largest boost out of the proceedings,taking home their Best Picture trophy along with a Best Actor award for George Clooney (tied with Morgan Freeman for Invictus), Best Supporting Actress for Anna Kendrick and a Best Adapted Screenplay award for the film's director, Jason Reitman and co-writer Sheldon Turner.
I think this is going to translate to a large success for the film at the Oscars where it'll probably take home the Best Picture, Director and Screenplay trophies.
Also making a big splash was Invictus, the Nelson Mandella biopic/sports drama that won Clint Eastwood yet another NBR Best Director citation, Morgan Freeman Best Actor and a spot on the NBR's top 10. While I'm sure these nomination will be echoed come Oscar time, I doubt the film will win Clint his third Best Director award, the NBR's just seem to have a hard on for the guy as evident in every film of his since Mystic River getting a spot in their top ten. I'm also pretty sure that Freeman wont be able to repeat his victory, especially when he's competing with Jeff Bridges, Colin Firth and even George Clooney.
This year's Best Actress award went to the well deserving Carey Mulligan for her career defining performance in An Education. A great choice, Mulligan seems poised for front runner status at the show, yet she still faces competition from the beloved Meryl Streep and Gabourey Sidibe who may be her biggest threat for the award.
The Messenger and A Serious Man also got boosts with top ten citations, along with both winning a second award. Joel Coen and Ethan Coen picked up the Best Original Screenplay award, hopefully signalling a sign of things to come. The Messenger's second award may have been one of the more suprising of the winners. Essentially shaking up the Best Supporting Actor race, the NBR awarded Woody Harrelson for his excellent performance in The Messenger. With Matt Damon pretty much out of the race the last spot up for grabs will be a hotly contested one. Christoph Waltz, Stanley Tucci, Alfred Molina and Christopher Plummer all seem pretty locked in, but who does that last spot go to? Woody's win places him squarely in the lead for it, but Alec Baldwin has been getting early raves for his turn in It's Complicated, and being one of the co-hosts helps his chances at getting a nod. We also need to keep an eye on Peter Sarsgaard for An Education, he's yet to receive a nod and his work in this buzzed about British indie was excellent.

A few new movies were released this week, the most notable of which was Brothers, the latest film from Academy Award nominated writer-director Jim Sheridan. While it's certainly not his best work, and at times a bit ridiculous and barely sensible, Brothers features some of the year's best performances. Jake Gylenhaal and Natalie Portman give decent work here, both doing their best work since 2007, but they seem limited by the film that surrounds them, giving their performances a muted effect. The same goes for Sam Shepard who was fantastic as a grizzled father, but he gets little to work with screenplay wise. The film does however give us two wonderful supporting performances by the young girls who play the children of Tobey Maguire and Portman. They play off their adult co-stars perfectly and emote in ways better than most actresses twice their age, and both are deserving of recognition for their work. If you've noticed the lack of any real mention of Tobey Maguire so far, it's because I'm trying to save the best for last. Maguire's work in Brothers is riveting, a career best piece of work for the man best known as Spiderman. Maguire completely becomes Sam Cahill, and during his performance his character arc is visible through his mental and physical transformation from a calm family man to a war ravaged POW survivor forced to return to domestic life. Maguire definitely delivers on the promise he showed in films like Wonder Boys with Brothers, and though his chances for an Oscar nomination this year are slim, he'll have to pull a Tommy Lee Jones, he can rest assured knowing that his performance is one of the years best.

And that's it for my catch up! Not much happened yet so much happened. Movies opened died while their performances thrived. Awards groups announced nominations and winners, some were snubbed, some should have been snubbed.
All in all it was a good week for lovers of film and the Oscars, so, here looking at next week!

T.O.H Predicts: The Golden Globes

2009-11-30T12:24:00.008-05:00

Just to make it clear from the get go, I love the Golden Globes. Yes, they aren't as respectable as the Oscars, and yes, the HFPA tend to be starfuckers, but the show itself is one of my favorites every awards season. The mood seems much lighter and more friendly, more of a cocktail party compared to the Oscars grand banquet, especially this year with Ricky Gervais hosting (supposedly while a bit tipsy).

It tends to be easier to predict the Globes compared to other awards bodies, simply because they like to honor stars in big event films. Take Leo DiCapri last year for Revolutionary Road for example. The Globes love stars.
So, without further rambling, here are my Golden Globe predictions.

Best Motion Picture- Drama
- An Education
- The Hurt Locker
- Invictus
- Precious
- Up in the Air
Alt: Inglourious Basterds or Brothers

Best Motion Picture- Musical or Comedy
- (500) Days of Summer
- In The Loop
- It's Complicated
- Nine
- A Serious Man
Alt: Julie & Julia

I'm having alot of trouble pegging down the main categories this year. There are only 6 or 7 true contenders for each of these Best Picture categories but those 6 0r 7 are really fighting for those spots. Brothers, Inglourious Basterds and The Lovely Bones could both potentially hit in a big bad way or completely bomb so those are my biggest question marks in the drama category. Musical and Comedy is a bit easier to nail down but I feel emotionally compromised due to my love of Funny People, a film which I find wonderful and awards worthy but I get the feeling it wont make the cut. All in all I think I'll do ok in these two categories, getting at least 75 percent of the five for each of these right.

Best Director of a Motion Picture
- Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
- Lee Daniels for Precious
- Clint Eastwood for Invictus
- Rob Marshall for Nine
- Jason Reitman for Up in the Air
Alt: Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds

The Best Director category at the Globes can also get a bit difficult to make sense of as well. I think I got it 100 percent right, but there is still the lurking potential for Inglourious Basterds or The Lovely Bones to do very well, and by extension Tarantino or Jackson could get a Directorial nod. However I think these five make sense, they'll want to honor a bad ass woman, and man giving Bigelow and Eastwood an in. Jason Reitman has a next big thing vibe abd Up in the Air could go all the way. Rob Marshall is a razzle dazzle showmanwho they love, and I believe they will like Precious enough to nominate Daniels but he's definitely the weak link of these five since he's not a name director. Yet.

Best Actor in a Drama
- Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart
- George Clooney for Up in the Air
- Colin Firth for A Single Man
- Morgan Freeman for Invictus
- Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker
Alt: Tobey Maguire for Brothers

Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy
- Peter Capaldi for In The Loop
- Matt Damon for The Informant!
- Daniel Day-Lewis for Nine
- Robert Downey Jr. for Sherlock Holmes
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt for (500) Days of Summer
Alt: Adam Sandler for Funny People

I like my picks for the Drama category, I'm thinking I'll be 5/5 with those, since all of those guys have buzz and are names, with the exception of Renner not really being that well known yet. However, watch out for Tobey Maguire in Brothers, his buzz is only growing louder. The Comedy/Musical actors are befuddling me though. I think Damon and Day-Lewis are locks, they were both excellent and they are internationally famouse movie stars. Peter Capaldi I think will be this year's Colin Farrell/Brendan Gleeson, meaning he is a respected European actor starring in a great European indie comedy that made some noise upon release. In The Loop is still being talked about so I say he's in. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is extremely deserving and he's in a well loved film, so he's in. The big question mark for me though is that last spot. Adam Sandler was phenominal in Funny People, and if anyone is deserving of a nod, it's him. Funny People gave us his best work to date and he's a star so he could make it, but I have a feeling the film will be completely and unfairly snubbed. So instead, I'm going with another beloved star, Downey to get a nod reminiscent of Johnny Depp's in Pirates of the Carribean.

Best Actress in a Drama
- Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side
- Helen Mirren for The Last Station
- Carey Mulligan for An Education
- Saoirse Ronan for The Lovely Bones
- Gabourey Sidibe for Precious
Alt: Abbie Cornish for Bright Star

Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy
- Sandra Bullock for The Proposal
- Marion Cottilard for Nine
- Zooey Descahnel for (500) Days of Summer
- Meryl Streep for It's Complicated
- Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia
Alt: Ellen Page for Whip It!

The Best Actress categories are pretty simple. On the drama side, Sandra Bullock is the only one who could be vulnerable and if so, Abbie Cornish gets in, simple. Comedy/Musical, take two Streeps, a Cottilard and Deschanel and you have four out of 5. Assume Bullock is going to make it at least into one of the categories and boom, there you go.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Alec Baldwin for It's Complicated
- Alfred Molina for An Education
- Christopher Plummer for The Last Station
- Stanley Tucci for The Lovely Bones
- Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds
Alt: Matt Damon for Invictus

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Penelope Cruz for Nine
- Vera Farmiga for Up in the Air
- Anna Kendrick for Up in the Air
- Mo'Nique for Precious
- Julianne Moore for A Single Man
Alt: Judi Dench for Nine

The Supporting Categories are simple enough as well. The Supporting Actor race has been sewn up for months with the only question being, will Damon make it in? I think not, and the last spot goes to Alec Baldwin who is on a role as of late. My Supporting Actor predictions are most likely to be the same for the rest of the season, or at least until the Oscar nominations are announced. The same can be said for Supporting Actress. These ladies are sitting pretty. Unless the Globes go apeshit for Nine and nominate more than one of the ladies for Supporting actress, this is your line up. Once again though, in both the supporting categories, watch out for Brothers cast members Jake Gylenhaal, Sam Shepard and Natalie Portman, they are all dark horses. Other than that though, pretty simple.

T.O.H Predicts: The National Board of Review

2009-11-29T21:36:00.004-05:00

Even though the Golden Satellite Awards present their nominees before nearly every other group, they are widely considered meaningless in the grand scheme of the awards season. I mean, they failed to nominate Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood two years ago, only one example of how ludicrous this group can be at times.
The opposite of the Golden Sattelites, as far as the first important awards group to present goes, is the National Board of Review, arguably the precursor that sets the scene for the rest of Oscar season. This year, given the 10 nominee template the Oscars have switched too, the National Board may have an even larger effect this year than usual. The Board will also play a huge role in the acting categories, having launched George Clooney towards on Oscar nod for Michael Clayton in 2007 andAnne Hathaway last year for Rachel Getting Married.
Unfortunately, the Board is also the easiest precursor to mis-predict. Movies you would think be a grandslam with them, like There Will Be Blood, can be shutout in favor of a movie like The Bucket List. Their Best Director award can also be spotty as well, recent winners including eventual snubs like Tim Burton, Michael Mann, Edward Zwick and Phillip Noyce, while also award winners like Ang Lee and Martin Scorsese.
Either way, the National Board of Review will be a major trend setter for this Oscar season, and all I can do is my best in predicting it, so here it goes...

Note- You can never tell whether or not the winner of their best film will be included in the top ten so for now I'm just going with a top ten, and if the winner happens to be in my prediction for the top ten, lets just say I got it right lol.

Top Ten Films
- (500) Days of Summer
- An Education
- The Hurt Locker
- Inglourious Basterds
- Invictus
- The Lovely Bones
- Precious
- A Serious Man
- Star Trek
- Up in the Air
Alt: A Single Man

Best Director: Joel Coen & Ethan Coen for A Serious Man - Just a hunch on this one, not sure why though. I just think the Coens are going to see a lot of love this year.
Alt: Jason Reitman for Up in the Air

Best Actor: George Clooney for Up in the Air- He won a few years ago but I think he'll do it again because quite frankly, this is the quintessential George Clooney role, and the industry loves him.
Alt: Michael Stuhlbarg for A Serious Man

Best Actress: Carey Mulligan for An Educaton- Just because she's given the best female performance of the year hands down. She's also young, beautiful and british.
Alt: Gabourey Sidibe for Precious

Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Waltz for Inglourious Basterds- The best performance of the year hands down in my oppinion, he owns this year.
Alt: Woody Harrelson for The Messenger

Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique for Precious- She's scary awsome and cast majorly against type, I think the board will eat this up.
Alt: Julianne Moore for A Single Man

Best Original Screenplay: A Serious Man by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
Alt: The Hurt Locker by Mark Boal

Best Adapted Screenplay: Up in the Air by Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner
Alt: Precious by Geoffrey Fletcher

Best Animated Film: Up
Alt: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Best Documentary Film: The Cove
Alt: Anvil! The Story of Anvil

Best Foreign Film: The White Ribbon
Alt: Mother

Best Cast: Nine
Alt: Inglourious Basterds

Best Breakthrough Actor: Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker
Alt: Michael Stuhlbarg for A Serious Man

Best Breakthrough Actress: Gabourey Sidibe for Precious
Alt: Carey Mulligan for An Education

The Oscar Hut will be returning...

2009-11-22T13:23:00.003-05:00

...at the end of this Thanksgiving Weekend! We've been on hiatus for about a month now due to an unforseen illness that had me layed up in a hospital bed for the last few weeks. I have new reviews waiting to be published for A Christmas Carol, An Education, The Men Who Stare At Goats, Nine, Paranormal Activity and a reprint for Precious. I have updated the site features, with a new poll, updated predictions and an updated contenders tracker.
Theres a new all category encompassing State of the Race on the way, and a full predictions article on the Golden Globes, BAFTAS and much more!

Predicting the Globes Part: One

2009-10-28T19:00:00.008-04:00

The Golden Globes, best known as the little sister awards show to the Oscar's has long been a semi-important awards prognosticator for how the Oscars could go. So given the recent announcement that a drunken, unrehearsed Ricky Gervais (creator and star of The Office, Extras, Ghost Town and The Invention of Lying) will host this year's Golden Globes, an excellent choice by the way, I figure that it is as good a time as any to release my current predictions for the film categories of this year's show. While category and genre placement are still up in the air at the moment, I feel confident that I can successfully predict the HFPA "starfucker" voting mentality, and put out predictions that will come to pass as true. So, here goes it...

Best Motion Picture: Comedy or Musical

- The Hangover

- It's Complicated

- Julie & Julia

- Nine

- Up in the Air

This category tends be fairly easy to predict. Nine is the big prestige musical of the year, so that's getting in, Julie & Julia and It's Complicated fill the Nancy Meyers' type rom-com slot, ironic given her movie will be nominated this year. Up in the Air is the Sideways type dramady film that is amazing and probably has the best shot of winning, and lastly, The Hangover is the big comedy success of the year, raking in cash along with great reviews, so I think that it has a great chance at a nod. Also in contention are...Judd Apatow's underrated Funny People, Everybody's Fine and depending on genre placement, Quentin Tarantino's fantastic Inglourious Basterds, which I thought was riotously funny, though many may not share that opinion.

Best Motion Picture: Drama
- An Education

- The Hurt Locker

- Invictus
- The Lovely Bones

- Precious: based on the novel by Sapphire

The best drama category is also usually easy to predict. Just take the most buzzed and acclaimed dramas that have come out during the fall and winter and place them in. An Education, which could qualify as a comedy perhaps, is an excellent critics darling, and the same could be said about The Hurt Locker, which despite it's apolitical story, gains extra cred for being the first successful Iraq war film. Invictus is the important, biopic drama, and also has Clint Eastwood as it's director which is a plus, and The Lovely Bones is the big prestige drama of the late winter, ala Benjamin Button. The one film on this list that doesn't fall into any cliched category is Precious, an excellent, but punishing small indie film. It has the reviews, endorsement from Oprah and Tyler Perry and the buzz it needs, and plainly, its just fucking amazing. Precious makes it. Also in contention are...period biopic, The Last Station, gay themed A Single Man, post apocalyptic thriller The Road and the Coen Brother's excellent A Serious Man, along with the mysterious enigma that is James Cameron's Avatar.

Best Director of a Motion Picture

- Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker

- Clint Eastwood for Invictus

- Peter Jackson for The Lovely Bones

- Rob Marshall for Nine

- Jason Reitman for Up in the Air

This year's best director slate at the Globes will most likely include three men who may not find themselves in Oscar contention later in the month. Despite excellent reviews for Lee Daniels; directorial debut, Precious, in the end he will most likely be snubbed by the globes in favor of Peter Jackson, a publicly known filmmaker who has this year's December prestige event movie, The Lovely Bones. Also riding on the coattails of their reputation could be Clint Eastwood, an automatic nominee for every one of his films, and Rob Marshall whose films Chicago and Memoirs of a Geisha took the globes by storm. Also likely to be nominated are Kathryn Bigelow, the respected female director of the incendiary Iraq war drama The Hurt Locker, and wunderkind Jason Reitman for his beautiful affecting dramady Up in the Air. Also in contention are...Lee Daniels for his amazing debut Precious, James Cameron for Avatar which remains a huge question mark for prognosticaters, Spike Jonze for Where The Wild Things Are, and Quentin Tarantino for his excellent film, Inglourious Basterds.

Invictus' Oscar Hopes?...

2009-10-28T18:54:00.002-04:00

...are looking pretty good to me right now. The tone of the trailer gives off a vibe of importance, while Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon and Eastwood's direction looks to be excellent. Despite my hesitation to predict the film before, this trailer has pushed me over to the side of the fence where I see Invictus as a major Oscar contender.

Recent Release Short Takes

2009-10-25T15:14:00.003-04:00

Amelia: A beautiful looking film, featuring amazing production design adn cinematography, yet featuring a flat unoriginal story and barely passable performances for Ewan MacGregor, Richard Gere and especially Hillary Swank. While it could still find itself in the hunt for technical nominations, anything else is a longshot, including a Best Actress nod for Swank. Just a boring film.

The Last Station: A period biopic drama like Amelia, yet completely engaging and interesting throughout, thanks mostly to the quadratic formula of performances for Helen Mirren (absolutely wonderful) James McAvoy (ditto) Paul Giamatti (Very good, reminding me slightly of his performance in The Illusionist) and Christopher Plummer (A career nod, shall he seek?). Like Amelia the film has great production values all around and could be a hit Oscar wise in the tech categories. However, I feel it's best chances lie on the performances of Helen Mirren, who just won a Best Actress prize in Rome for her lively work, Christopher Plummer, who will most likely get a career best supporting actor nod in this, and possibly James McAvoy, who continues to consantly impress and could be a darkhorse contender for Best Actor. The one problem I forsee for the film campaign wise is that Giamatti, McAvoy, Mirren and Plummer are all basically leads, and the decision over where to campaign may cause confusion and by result snubs.

A Serious Man: I saw the Coen's latest in Toronto and loved it then. Seeing it for the second time last night, I remain convinced that the film is their most brilliant work yet, featuring an amazing screenplay, great direction, editing, cinematography, costume design, ect., ect. The acting is top notch for stage vet Michael Stuhlbarg whose character Larry is run through the gamut, as well as supporting players Richard Kind, Fred Melamud, Aaron Wolff and the rest of the cast. The film's ending is one of the best I've seen all year, and I firmly believe that it will play great among Academy members despite being a very philosophical work with a great deal of Jewish themes. I loved it.

Where The Wild Things Are: A suprisingly poignant effort from Spike Jonze, Wild Things is one of the better films to be released this year. It treats it's audience with respect, giving us a mature, emotionally honest adaptation of a beloved childrens story. The cinematography and score are it's best attributes, but the performances from Max records, James Gandolfini and Catherine Keener are also fantastic. I feel it will probably make it into the Best Picture category as well as a few of the tech awards. Just a top notch film despite pacing issues at certain points.

State of The Race vol. 2 2009-2010: October - Best Supporting Actor

2009-10-12T16:45:00.015-04:00

With fall ariving and the Oscar season "officially" beginning with the releases of films such as Bright Star, An Education and Where The Wild Things Are, its time once again to take a look at the current prospective nominees, this time in the categoryof Supporting Actor, at the start of fall. Here are the top ten contenders for each category thus far. (In a countdown from the least likely of the top contenders to the most likely)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (TOP 10)

10. Peter Sarsgaard for An Education - The only reason Sarsgaard rests at the number ten spot is due to technicality alone. It is currently unknown whether or not he will push for the Supporting actor nod or a Leading actor nod. My gut tells me that the films producers will want to bolster his chances and campaign him alongside Molina. Either way he is great in the film and getting a nod shouldnt prove to be too difficult for Pete, though people have been saying that every year since the Shattered Glass snub.

9. Tobey Maguire for Brothers - Playing a great role in proven source material, Maguire seems to be intent on stretching his range as an actor. He looks great in the trailer but there has been little to no word on the film's quality itself, and at this stage in the game if his film doesnt recieve wide praise, no matter how acclaimed his performance may be, Maguire looks to miss the Oscar boat once again. That said his nomination rests on Brothers critical and box office performance.
8. Anthony Mackie for The Hurt Locker - Phenominal in one of the year's best films, Mackie's chances at a nod depends really on only two things. One, the film has been able to sustain its buzz so far but it may have a tough couple of months ahead of it. If the film can survive the glut of fall/winter prestige films and remain a viable contender, Mackie may be safe. However if Locker's star Jeremy Renner fails to make the cut, it seems doubtful that the Academy would still bring him in to the players field.

7. Alec Baldwin for It's Complicated - Given his status as a beloved figure of the television entertainment community as well as being a past nominee, one would assume he would contend for an Oscar this year for his turn opposite Meryl Streep in Nancy Meyer's It's Complicated. Meyers having already nabbed Diane Keaton a nod a few years ago, seems to make films that are enjoyed by the AMPAS if not always honored, and Baldwin could ride that into a nod. However the film is a comedy, and the C-word can be an offense punishable by snubbing in the Academy.

6. James McAvoy for The Last Station - Having come so close to a nod in both 2006 and 2007 for his turns in the Last King of Scottland and Atonement respectively, it is probable that the Oscars are itching to give him that first nod and welcome him into the club. He is also appearing in a prestige biopic, a huge plus, and playing a major role in a period piece can lead to a fast track nomination. While it may seem perfect circumstances to gain McAvoy a nomination, the AMAPAS may only wish to honor Christopher Plummer with a career nod and/or Helen Mirren who is beloved more within that community than McAvoy is presently.

5. Christian McKay for Me and Orson Welles -Recieving raves for his performance as Orson Welles in Richard Linklater's recently picked up indie, Christian McKay seems to be in prime condition to recieve that Supporting actor newbie nod. He's palying a film icon, in a period film, that happens to be a serio-comedy, and has already recieved best in show notices from critics. The only con to his chances is the fact that the film is a small and may not recieve the release necissary to place him in Oscar contention.

4. Matt Damon for Invictus - Matt Damon is another actor like Alec Baldwin and Geroge Clooney who seems to be very well liked within the industry. Afterhitting it out of the ballpark with The Informant! Damon seems to be a likely double nominee this year. He is another actor playing a real life figure, opposite Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandella in a biopic directed by perhaps the most beloved actor/director if the Oscars in the past decade, Clint Eastwood. Due to the lack of early word or buzz on the film, Damon and Invictus are stuck in the too good to be true category for now, lets wait and see on this one, there isnt even a trailer yet.

3. Stanley Tucci for The Lovely Bones - A well liked and respected character actor, Stanley Tucci has seemed to be on the cusp of a nod forever, always delivering the goods without ever being rewarded for doing such. However, this year could finally change all that. With the goodwill leftover from his fantastic performance in Julie and Julia, his role as a killer in Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones could be a homerun for an oscar nomination. The film has the pedigree to go all the way, and in the trailer he looked downright creepy, so lets hope he delivers the goods once again this December.

2. Alfred Molina for An Education -You can basically copy the first two sentences of my Stanley Tucci thoughts and apply them to Alfred Molina, a nomination-less veteran who is absolutely fantastic in An Education, one of this year's best films. He plays a loving but worried father which is always a plus within the ampas, and that afformentioned veteran status will play big time into his chances which at the moment are considerable. He's got the reviews so far, and all he really needs now is for the film to just do well going into the precursors, and if that happens, he is a lock for his first nomination.

1. Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds - Hands down the best Supporting Performance of the year, and point blank a lock for the win right now. He's already won in Cannes and looks to be this year's Javier Bardem as far as the precursors go. Along with that, Inglourious Basterds is a bonfied box office smash and a darkhorse contender for many Oscar categories this year including Best Picture. I would be shocked if he isn't nominated, and very suprised if he fails to win the Oscar this year.

The Oscar Hut is on Temporary Hiatus...

2009-10-12T16:32:00.002-04:00

...due to a sudden illness, ive been out with pnemonia for the last week and have been trying my best to get on the pc and pound out some stuff, unfortunately this is alot easier said than done, luckily this sick time has afforded me to see a few screeners ive recieved in the past few weeks, so when I finally am up and running I should have a review of The Invention of Lying, Zombieland, Antichrst, The Brothers Bloom (I know, but I just finally got around to seeing it), Paranormal Activity and a few other gems. I also have the State of the Race collumns on hold and will be revising them until I can put my full attention back on the site. In the meantime, Aaron Morales, a good friend of mine should be contributing a Golden Globes predictions article in the coming days.
Thanks for everything readers! Sorry for the inconvienience!

Tyler Pratt, The Oscar Hut

State of The Race...Returns tomorrow!

2009-09-30T19:32:00.001-04:00

It's been a month or two since i last wrote a state of the race update, so tomorrow comes a mega State of the Race article starting with the Acting races, part two will detail the screenplay and part 3 Best Picture and Director!

Up in The Air, in Review

2009-09-24T06:11:00.002-04:00

A smart and profound romantic dramedy, Up in the Air is the rare mainstream film that successfully balances comedy with poignancy, and in a way that beautifully incorporates important issues faced by today's America. Adapted for the screen and directed with maturity by Jason Reitman, Up in the Air is the kind of movie all others should strive to emulate, and on top of that it's one of the best films of the year.

Ryan Bingham is a professional down sizer, constantly flying across the United States, working for companies to fire their employees. A self professed loner uninterested in settling down, Ryan loves the wayfaring disposition of his work. However soon bedlam threatens his lifestyle when he falls for Alex, a beautiful fellow frequent-flyer & basically a female counterpart of himself. At the same time, Natalie, a young dynamo at his company, convinces the management that jobs like Ryan’s could be much more cost-effective if done via teleconferencing, as in i-chat, rather than doing it in person. The gathering storm of these events leads Ryan to begin questioning whats important in his life, and subsequently boards him on the flight to what could very well be his final destination.

With a wonderful screenplay adapted by Jason Reitman that deftly balances the film's humor with touching resonance, Up in the Air is anchored by a trio of fantastic performances by George Clooney, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick.

Giving a phenomenal performance in perhaps what is the role of his lifetime, George Clooney is perfect as Ryan Bingham, a man uninterested in the banality of settling down and having a family. Clooney's performance is extremely subtle and layered, yet plays off his costars with great chemistry and a smart handling of the film's lighter moments, an Oscar nomination seems assured. The perfect counterpart to Clooney's Bingham, Vera Farmiga is wonderful as the wry Alex, portraying her as a woman who is deeper than she appears at first. Her performance is the most touching of the supporting cast, and along with Clooney sees herself planted firmly in the awards race. Rounding out this trio is Anna Kendrick, who does great comedic work as the insecure upstart of a foil to Clooney brings the film some of it's better moment.

Although there might be a misstep or two in the film, Jason Reitman's Up in the Air is a clearly personal film with a lot to say about the culture of alienation and technology Americans face today, as well as the worth of a life unshared with others. The film is brilliant in its handling of comedy and drama in their different variations, thanks mostly to Reitman's direction and fantastic adaptation, by Sheldon Turner and himself. The acting featured in the film is excellent all around, from Clooney, Farmiga and Kendrick to the smaller turns from Jason Bateman and Danny McBride. The film is no doubt a top contender for many of this year's Academy Awards, and possibly the odds on favorite in the Best Picture, Actor and Adapted screenplay categories.

Ultimately, Up in the Air is a character study at heart, and a fantastic one at that. I strongly suggest that each and every person who reads this, find their way to a theatre come November, simply because this film is a masterpiece, and as such demands to be seen.

"Precious" In Review

2009-09-19T19:03:00.006-04:00

Undoubtedly the two best films at TIFF, and the most buzzed about Oscar wise , Precious and Up in The Air are probably bound to become major Oscar players simply for the fact that no better American films have been released this year...so far.

First up is Precious, which today became the first film to ever win both The Sundance Grand Jury Prize and the TIFF's People's Choice Award. A beautifully crafted, wonderfully acted, affecting piece of work, Precious is for lack of a better term the most "real" film I've seen in quite a while. I left the screening knowing I had seen a masterpiece, a film that looked, sounded and felt so raw and realistic that there was times during the showing that I felt physically uncomfortable at what was happening on screen. Precious is a brutal theatre going experience, it is a movie filled to the brim with hate yet in the ends leaves you filled with a shred of hope.

Telling the story of Precious Jones, Precious bears to the screen some of the most vile things I have ever seen in a movie. Precious, a 16 year old mother of two, the result of being raped by her father, lives her life in Harlem, a harsh reality compared to the fantasy life she escapes to, which improbably saves her from the hellish existence she suffers through.

As if bearing two children from her own father isn't bad enough, her mother is possibly the worst to ever be conceived on the silver screen, if not of all of forms of fiction. Her mother constantly abuses her physically, as well as mentally, never sparing her from her anger and making her life miserable in general. Making matters even worse, Precious is expelled from school and is forced to enroll in alternative classing, an event that changes her horrific existence for the better. Cared for by her loving teacher Precious begins on a journey that leads to the birth of another child and another potentially devastating incident in the form of the HIV virus.

While a definitely uncomfortable viewing experience, the movie soars, an shining example of the power of cinema when placed in the hands of a wonderful film making collaboration. The acting is simply awe inspiring. Gabourey Sidibe is a revelation, bringing joy, sorrow and pain to screen in a showcase of raw acting talent, a performance as fine as I've ever seen from an actress. If Sidibe is snubbed for an Oscar this year, it will be a travesty and a major letdown on the Academy's part. She gives the best lead female performance of the year, and speaking of which, her costar Mo'nique gives the best supporting female performance of the year if not the last 5. Bringing a shocking lack of vanity in any form to the role, Mo'nique gives herself completely to the film shedding any sense of her own personality in favor of becoming the character so completely. She brings a terrifying presence to the screen filled with hate, and i downright disgusting and horrific as a woman who lost any parental affection over the years spent married to her monster of a husband, taking out her frustration on Precious an easy target for herself. Mo'nique, just like Sidibe is as of now the undisputed front runner for Best Supporting Actress of the year. Rounding out the impressive ensemble is Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Paula Patton and Sherri Shephard all of whom are great in their respective roles, Carey in particular surprised me, though I have yet to decide whether or not this was due to her deglamming role or her actual talent.

Precious is a raw, affecting and daring masterpiece, directed wonderfully by Lee Daniels and beautifully translated to the screen. The editing is fantastic, I enjoyed the photography and the rest of it's technicals are great as well. This is a film that is tough to get through, yet ultimately is a winning experience and a testament to the power of cinema. It is one of the best film's of the year, and as such a expect it to play heavily in this year's Oscar race, assuming the Academy has the cajones to honor such a brutally realistic film. See it the second it comes out in theatres.

Up next(no pun intended) in Part 2 of this article is Up in The Air, the thrid film from Jason Reitman, the Oscar nominated director of Thank You For Smoking and Juno.

Contender Tracker Shakedown

2009-09-19T18:59:00.002-04:00

I've been thinking since I got home that the contender tracker feature here on the site has grown a bit too large, and I have decided that its time to eliminate some names from the list, which is why I am asking readers to comment on this post who they think should be removed, with the names recieving the most votes being taken off the tracker so please comment.
- Aaron Morales & Tyler j. Pratt
"The Oscar Hut"

"The Men Who Stare At Goats", "The Road" and "A Serious Man" Short Takes

2009-09-13T19:52:00.004-04:00

Since they're first big paring back in 2005 with the Academy Award nominated Good night, and Good luck, Grant Heslov and George Clooney have made an excellent pair. Though many did not, I thoroughly enjoyed they're last film Leatherheads and had been eagerly anticipating The Men Who Stare at Goats since I first caught wind of it last year. Today, I am pleased to say that once again the two failed to disappoint.

The Men who Stare at Goats is humorous, well acted by everyone involved, and just flat out fun to watch. The story is interesting and almost believable, and the characters all feel fully fleshed out by the cast who just seem to be having a good time. Ewan Mac Gregor hasn't been this fun in years, same goes for Kevin Spacey, as per usual I loved Jeff Bridges' role, and George Clooney continues effortlessly to seem like the most likable guy in the industry. The movie is not perfect, but it is well written, acted and directed, so even though it may not receive any Oscar nods, it is still a great watch, and one that I recommend highly.

It seems so long ago that The Road was once considered a future Oscar front runner, a film of importance, and that it potentially could be one of the best screen adaptations of all time. Unfortunately, the film failed to live up to any of these expectations. While The Road is no doubt a beautifully designed and photographed & also featuring two great performances from Viggo Mortensen and Robert Duvall , it just fell short for me in the end. The filmmakers seemed almost too concerned with the visual feel, it's amazing but I feel that Hillcoat gave up on the the story in favor of aesthetic and it definitely shows.

The performances are, for the most part, very good, the weak links being Kodi Smit-McPhee as the boy who I feel ruined the picture with his characterization, and Charlize Theron who could have been better despite a weakly written role. However, Robert Duvall and Viggo Mortensen are fantastic, providing wonderfully moving work in the film and are indeed its saving graces.

While Duvall, Mortensen and the look of the film are worth seeing, there is not much I else that I would pay to see again. The film adaptation will always be an incomplete one, and I am saddened that such a masterpiece in book form could not be translated as well to the silver screen.

The Coen brothers are geniuses. I have never been disappointed by any single film of theirs, all of which have inspired and fed my love for the art of film. After their bleak, Oscar winning success with No Country for Old Men and last year's fun, dark comedy Burn After Reading, the duo had left me wondering what they would do next, and with A Serious Man, The Coens have once again captured my fancy with their most thought provoking and personal film since Barton Fink.

Telling a tale of the moral trials beset upon Larry Gropnik, a mathmatics professor in the Minnesota of the 1960's, A Serious Man is about as good as it gets. Larry suffers relentlessly throughout the film; dealing with a divorce, an overneedy brother, and threats of law suits and losing his job, Larry begins to question the meaning of life, except his questions are presented in a flippant light hearted manner compared to the woeful issues beset on Barton Fink.

The film is smartly written ,as if it were directly ripped from the pages of the Coen's own upbringing, and superbly directed and acted, great performances coming from Michael Stuhlbarg who is deserving of awards attention for his brilliantly observed leading role, Fred Melamed as Larry's widdowed rival who steals his wife's affection, and Richard Kind who does the most he can with a role that was smaller than I had expected.
While it is unlikely the film will score in the acting and tech categories at this year's Oscars, it's brilliant screenplay is a shoo in, and the film could even find itself in the Best Picture race depending on how hard it is pushed.

Joel & Ethan Coen's A Serious Man, is a film that deserves to be seen by a wide audience. It is the kind of smart, thoughtful and mordant comedy that sinks in the more you think about it, and I feel that I may still be pondering the meaning of life, weeks from now. Pun aside, A Serious Man is one seriously good film.

"The Informant!" In Review

2009-09-13T19:09:00.003-04:00

For the past 20 years, Steven Soderbergh has proven himself to be a filmaking chameleon, rarely repeating himself with the exception of the Ocean films. After his two part Che Guevara biopic last year, and his indie curiosity The Girlfriend Experience earlier this year, Soderbergh is back, and once again teaming with longtime collaborator Matt Damon in the Scott Z. Burns penned adaptation of The Informant!

Adapted from Kurt Eichenwald's book of the same name(minus the exclamation), The Informant! tells the story of Mark Whitacre, effortlessly played by Matt Damon, a rising star at ADM, a corporation based out of Illinois, who turns informant for the FBI in regards to the companies' price-fixing activities. The movie deals with Whitacre's ordeal as he struggles with bi-polar disorder, his own misdeeds, and the stress caused by three years of wearing a wire.

While the film is not what I would call a lough out loud comedy, it is smartly written and quietly hilarious throughout, allowing for the comedy to come from the character's actions and reactions to the events that unfold. Soderbergh's direction serves the film well enough, and I have to agree with Variety's review which called the film "Soderbergh's Richard Lester" movie. Damon is wonderful as the increasingly out of it Whitacre, playing him confidently and sharply, never making light of Whitacre's convictions and belief that he is doing the right thing, even when he isn't. The rest of the cast does well enough, Melanie Lynskey does her best with her role as Whitacre's devoted wife Ginger, even though there relationship and her character is weak and underwritten.

In the end, The Informant! is just about as good as one would expect from Damon/Soderbergh corporate dark comedy. Its funny without being flash, smart without placing attention on it, with good direction, a great adaptation by Scott Z. Burns, and a fantastic star lead from Matt Damon in his best role since The Talented Mr. Ripley more than a decade ago. While the film may not set the box office afire, I feel assured that Matt Damon will certainly find himself in awards contention, along with Burn's for adapted screenplay and it's great score which feels like a character unto itself at time. I would definitely suggest seeing this film in theatres.

Post-Venice/ Telluride/ Toronto Articles, Reviews and Updates coming Friday

2009-09-13T15:17:00.002-04:00

Im sorry about the two week hiatus, things have been hectic with school and I am currently in Toronto attending the film festval, so i hopefully will soon be able to write about The Informant!, Men Who Stare At Goats, Up in the Air, Precious, The Road, A Serious Man and many of the other films I have seen so far at the festival. Regrettably this will not include Antichrist, Broken Embraces or Get Low all of which i missed.
Just to hold you guys over until friday here are 5 thoughts on how Toronto has affected the Oscar race so far..

1. Up in The Air is hands down the best film I've seen this year so far, and I feel confident in predicting it as the front runner for Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Best Actor and possibly 2 supporting actress nods. Just a beautiful effort from Jason Reitman, and suffice to say, my reaction was somewhat akin to Drew McWeeny's: utter disbelief.
2. A Serious Man is better than No Country for Old Men, and is possibly not only the Coen Brothers most personal work to date, but there best since Fargo. Stuhlbarg is excellent, possible a darkhorse best actor contender, Richard Kind however will not recieve a nod, his part is a bit too small.
3. Precious is a work of art. Mo'nique might as well have her speech written as well, and Gabourey Sidibe will get nominated for Best Actress. The direction is very good, the editing is great, Precious is just an all around fantastic movie.
4. The Road was a misfire. Viggo could still get into the best actor race, but it will be tight. Kodi Smit-McPhee was shrill and in my opinion miscast as the son. Robert Duvall's cameo was handsdown the best part of the film, he had me in tears, and from the buzz ive been hearing, he might have a best actor shot with Get Low which I missed.
5. Matt Damon lives up to the hype in The Informant! He is just wonderfully funny, and the movie itself is a great effort from Soderbergh who created a film that was funny without being laugh out loud, smart without being to obvious about it, and the best adaptation I've seen in a while. Scott Z. Burns could see an adapted screenplay nod for his work.

So..till Friday, have a great week!

"I think this just might be my masterpiece..." Inglourious Basterds, In Review

2009-08-23T19:59:00.012-04:00

"I think this just might be my masterpiece..." are the final words spoken by Lt. Aldo Raine in Inglourious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino's World War II opus, and possibly sum up how Tarantino himself may view his 7Th film to date. The long gestating project, which Tarantino reportedly began writing nearly a decade ago, had been repeatedly pushed off to the side in favor of the Kill Bill saga and the Death Proof segment of Grindhouse. However, in the end Basterds has proven itself to be Quentin's most engaging, fun and purely brilliant piece of filmaking since 1994's Pulp Fiction, and I would indeed describe it, flawed as it may be, the work of a master filmmaker.

Perhaps what is most impressive about Inglorious Basterds is the clearly evident display of ambition and appreciation for the period in Quentin Tarantino's direction and script. Freeing himself from historical restrictions, Tarantino manages to create a World War 2 film that is riveting, action packed and hilarious through a story that by all means could have happened. With a screenplay that could have been laborious and boring, QT's film is full of wonderful moments packed with fantastic dialogue, suspense and clever scene set ups, most prominently the opening scene, the tavern card game and the entire theatre sequence( which btw is one of the years best climaxes), and Quentin's direction in these scenes is fantastic. It's almost as if after Death Proof he looked at himself in the mirror and decided to really make something great again. He also made some great technical choices with the film, especially in the hiring of legendary DP Robert Richardson who gives Basterds a beautiful look and some really fantastic shots. The editing is also good, the pacing of the film is near perfect in my eyes despite the running time, and the art direction and costumes were sublimely created and designed to perfect effect.

However, where Inglourious Basterds succeeds most is without a doubt in its casting, featuring great performances from everyone involved, one of which is the current front runner for this year's Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Starring Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Melanie Laurent and Michael Fassbender among many others, Quentin Tarantino has organized one of this year's most impressive ensembles by casting actors who seem to genuinely become their characters. And no where else is this more clear than in the performance from Christoph Waltz as Colonel Hans Landa of the S.S., in a role that not so much steals the film as it dominates it. On screen possibly more than any other character, Waltz's Landa is a menacing presence who, given the scene, makes the audience's blood run cold as he does in the film's excellent opening scene, induce their laughter with his giddy use of American expression, "that's a bingo!", and just balls out impresses them with his effortlessly fluid language transitions, all the while being charming, menacing and hilarious. Waltz flat out gives the performance of his career and I guarantee that he will go down as one of the greatest screen villains in the history of cinema. The film's other star, and as the movies advertising campaign likes us to believe only star, Brad Pitt is also impressive in Basterds albeit in a much smaller role than you would expect. Although it at first seems that his southern brawler attitude is the basis of his character, Pitt's Aldo Raine proves to be one of the film's more light hearted crowd pleasers, providing plenty of laughs with his exaggerated country bumpkin accent, especially during the film's climax where he trys on an Italian accent to hilarious results. Melanie Laurent, the film's main female character, is wonderful, giving a complex performance as a woman hell bent on revenge. Always hiding beneath a calm, cool facade, Laurent is at her best in her scenes with Daniel Bruhle, also excellent German war hero, and in particular a scene in which she is confronted by Colonel Landa 4 years after he had her family executed. Rapped with fear, Laurent's Shosanna's terror is clearly evident behind her eyes, yet she keeps the facade until the moment she knows she is safe and breaks down. It is a powerful piece of work from a young and inexperienced actress. The rest of the cast is also fantastic, with the exception of Mike Myers who I could not take seriously as a British general. Michael Fassbender is riveting during his short time on screen as a doomed British film critic turned spy, as is the aforementioned Bruhle. The eponymous Basterds are also a source of great work in the film, with Eli Roth, B.J. Novak, Til Schweiger, and Omar Doom doing good work as well as August Diehl as a gestapo officer. Even the more over the top performances of Martin Wuttke as Hitler and Diane Kruger(miscast but alright) were passable. This cast was just unbelievably good, almost redifining what it means to do a strong ensemble piece of filmmaking, and Tarantino directs wonderfully.

While Inglourious Basterds may years from now age horribly, today in the now it is hands down my favorite film of the year and the best movie going experience I've had this year, and based on the 38 million $ opening, I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. Featuring an amazing cast, fantastic technical achievements, and great writing/directing from Tarantino to the tune of a great medley soundtrack, Inglourious Basterds is the must see film of the summer and perhaps one of this year's best cinematic offerings. Quentin Tarantino is back and better than he's been in the decade and a half since Pulp Fiction, here's hoping he can keep this momentum.

My Grade: A, definitely my favorite film of the year so far

Oscar Chances: I think Basterds will do relatively well awards wise this year. Besides Christoph Waltz's oscar lock on supporting actor, the film could pick up screenplay, editing, cinematography, art direction, costume design and possibly, given the ten nominee category this year, a Best Picture nomination. It truly is an excellent film.

In Review: Trailer Roundup Edition

2009-08-22T21:28:00.004-04:00

So my computer is still down and out which, as I have aformentioned, has kept me from posting as regularly as i wish these past couple of weeks. However, tonight I was lucky enough to borrow a freinds latop from which I am uploading all these thoughts from the past couple of weeks.

To start off here are some thoughts on a few of the trailers to have been released recently, all of which can be seen before most prints of the excellent Inglourious Basterds, but more on that later. So lets begin shall we?

First off and perhaps most significant to cinephiles, was the release of the first teaser for James Cameron's long gestating sci-fi adventure, Avatatar. Just as the general reaction has been divided on blogs and message boards over the teaser, my opinion on Avatar is also split between fascination and disapointment. On one hand there were shots in the teaser that truly excited me, the scenes with human beings and the fighting. It seemed as if Cameron could be operating on Aliens mode and that he would be delivering an out of this world fantasy. That was until the audience and myself saw the Avatars. Besides the immediate snickers from the majority of the packed theatre, I found myself let down. They looked horrible, ridiculous, silly you name it, my reaction was negative and the theatres was negative, and when the two Avatars embraced at the end of the trailer one moviegoer in the row behind made sure he was loud enough to hear and bellowed "No Thanks!", the following laughs from the rest of the audience signaled solidarity. Avatar it seems, at least right now, is not going to be the revolutionary film its been buzzed to be.

My Grade: C+

Oscar Potential: F/X and sound so far

Also seen before Tarantino's latest was Inception, the latest film from Christopher Nolan, which featured no dialogue and the tagline "Your mind is the crime scene". This teaser basically gave me chills, and it is safe to say that Inception is easily my most anticipated film of next year. The visuals looked fantastic, the action was vaguely reminiscent of The Matrix,and i stress vaguely, and even Leonardo DiCaprio looked fantastic. Audience reaction was also fantastic, the second that music started people perked up and payed attention, and when it was over there was a sort of stunned silence amongst the audience that had been loud and talkative before the teaser had begun

I think we might have a box office smash/oscar contender for next year.

My Grade:A

Oscar Potential: All categories as of right now

The Wolfman trailer was also released this week riding on the news that it had been pushed back by the studio until next spring. Featuring some spectacularly creepy visulas and effects, The Wolfman certainly looks to be a promising old fashioned horror genre picture that could be a crossover hit. Benicio DelToro hasnt had this expressive a role in years and it will be interesting to see how he fares, the rest of the cast shines as well in the trailer. Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving look great and Anthony Hopkins stole the trailer with his line reading: "Very bad things Laurence.." color me excited for this new release next year.

My Grade: B +

Oscar potential: Giving its early release, it'll be minimal but who knows?

Reviews for District 9 and Inglorious Basterds coming soon...

2009-08-20T16:06:00.003-04:00

...hopefully by Sunday along with my thoughts on the Avatar, Inception and Wolfman trailers, State of the race updates and more movie news.

As my computer is still out of commision I will have to post when I can so these updates may come slowly but I will do what I can to post in a timely manner.

On a side note we are still offering a position on the Oscar Hut team for anyone interested in covering general film and Oscar news, to apply for this assignment please e-mail me at tjpratt@bellsouth.net with a writing sample, and a brief essay on why you want to join the team!

Tyler j. Pratt & Aaron Morales

"The Oscar Hut Team"

Sorry for the lapse in posting...

2009-08-16T15:52:00.002-04:00

...but my computer completely died on me around monday and is currently in the shop, leaving me to use a library computer...but having seen District 9 yesterday I have a review coming soon and have updated the contender tracker so things should be up and running again shortly

The Oscar Hut's 1st Annual First 1/2 of the Year Awards: 2009 Edition vol. 1

2009-08-08T18:04:00.003-04:00

Best Picture of The Year...So far:
- (500) Days of Summer

- Adventureland

- An Education

- Duplicity

- Funny People

- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

- The Hurt Locker

- Public Enemies

- Star Trek

- Up

In honor of the Academy's decision to increase the Best Picture category to 10, we here at the Oscar Hut have followed suit and are now unveiling the ten best movies we have seen this year...so far. Much like how the Academy's long list will end up, ours showcases a variety of genres and styles of filmaking, but as the great Chris Lambert once famously said: There can only be one.

And The Oscar Hut Golden Pineapple goes to....

(500) Days of Summer

Best Director

- Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker

- Pete Docter for Up

- Michael Mann for Public Enemies

- Lone Scherfig for An Education

- Marc Webb for (500) Days of Summer

Each director on this list did an excellent job with their films, creating a world that serves the story, actors and film perfectly. The decision was a tough one, but in the end only one of these directors can take home the Golden Pineapple.

nd the winner is......

Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker

Best Actor

- Peter Capaldi for In The Loop

- Joseph Gordon Levitt for (500) Days of Summer

- Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker

- Seth Rogen for Observe and Report

- Adam Sandler for Funny People

I have a feeling that this short list will upset a few people, but the truth is, some of the year's best work has indeed come from comedies. While actors like Johnny Depp and Peter Sarsgaard did excellent jobs, they tied for 6ht by the way, they were just a bit too subtle I guess is the word I'm looking for. Either way, the men on this list did incredible work, and I guarantee that at least one of them will go on to receive an Oscar nomination.

And the winner is....

Joseph Gordon Levitt for (500) Days of Summer

Best Actress

- Amy Adams for Sunshine Cleaning

- Zooey Deschanel for (500) Days of Summer

- Carey Mulligan for An Education

- Gwyneth Paltrow for Two Lovers

- Julia Roberts for Duplicty

It's sad to say but 2009 has so far been a weak year for actresses, as I had to struggle to name 5 women worthy enough to be on this list, and as you can see in that respect I may have stretched it a bit. Only two of these women are true end of the year contenders, and the one who won did so in a complete landslide.

And the winner is....

Carey Mulligan for An Education

Best Supporting Actor

- Jason Bateman for State of Play

- Jim Broadbent for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

- Jackie Earl Haley for Watchmen

- Tom Hollander for In The Loop

- Anthony Mackie for The Hurt Locker

This was a tough one, the hardest by far to choose the five as there was so many great supporting turns so far this year. Alfred Molina missed the list by a hair, as did Seth Rogen and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. As far as the winner goes, that was the hardest decision of these awards, and my mind will probably change by tomorrow.

And the winner is....

Jackie Earl Haley for Watchmen

Best Supporting Actress

- Helena Bonham Carter for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

- Anna Chlumsky for In The Loop

- Patricia Clarkson for Whatever Works

- Marion Cottilard for Public Enemies

- Leslie Mann for Funny People

This was another tough one to choose a winner from. While the lead actresses may not have impressed me this year, the supporting actresses have, and my hope is that at least one of these ladies can hold on until Oscar time because the work here is really impressive.

And the winner is....

Marion Cottilard for Public Enemies

Best Original Screenplay goes to.....

Duplicity by Tony Gilroy

Best Adapted Screenplay goes to....

In The Loop by Armando Iannucci & Co.

Best Animated Film: UP

Best Editing: The Hurt Locker

Best Cinematography: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Best Special F/X: Star Trek

Best Score: UP

A note to readers of The Oscar Hut

2009-08-08T17:47:00.003-04:00

The Oscar Hut is coming upon it's 1 year Anniversary this October, and I feel like we have accomplished what we have set out to do by providing alternate commentary on the Oscar race, delivering film reviews and for the most part constantly updating at least the contender tracker. The ammount of readers have grown exponentially in the last year, and by next year we hope to have enough daily readers to accomodate perhaps a message board and a full site.
But we cannot do this alone, which is why if there is anyone interested in becoming a member on the team, we are excepting applications via e-mail at tjpratt@bellsouth.net.
We hope many of you are interested and we thank you for staying with the blog through slow times and hiatus'.

Thank You,
Tyler j. Pratt, and Aaron Morales
The Oscar Hut Team

In Review, A Threesome: (500) Days of Summer, Funny People & In The Loop

2009-08-08T16:21:00.005-04:00

For any readers wondering about the inactivity over the last week, I have been busy prepping for the fall semester of college starting in a bout two weeks. Thankfully, however, during this time period I was able to see three new films, as well as compile my First 1/2 of The Year Awards to be posted later. So here now, is my review(s) of three very different comedies coming in the form of a romantic comedy, behind the scenes dramady, and a political satire.

(500) Days of Summer:

I have never been a fan of romantic comedies, finding them to be generic, boring and having little if any substance based within our reality. With the exception of Woody Allen and very few other filmmakers, the romantic comedy has long been a cesspool for uncreative works, at least until now. (500) Days of Summer is a revelation, twisting and morphing the genre while revitalizing it from it's artistic slumber.

Directed by veteran music video auteur, Marc Webb, Summer is a fantastic movie featuring innovative direction, phenomenal writing and some of the best filmic story telling the genre has ever seen. Musical numbers, animation, split screen, narration and a non linear structure are all featured to great triumph, succeeding when the film could have ended up a huge failure. But like the saying goes, without risk there can be no reward.

The movie, which succeeds in nearly every department, however would have not done so had it been cast with the wrong actors. Thankfully, the stars of this film are indie sensations Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel who both give the best most heartfelt performances of their careers. Deschanel, whose Summer could have easily become the film's villain, provides us with a complex modern day woman unsure of what she really wants, besides knowing she just wants to have fun. You feel for her, despite watching her as she breaks the heart of the movie's protagonist Tom, which leads us to Joseph Gordon Levitt. As Tom, Levitt breathes life and warmth into the movie, giving a funny, touching and heartfelt performance that surely ranks as the best work of his career. Hopefully, come awards time, voters will remember his work in this film as it truly shines and is a testament to his talent and versatility.

In short, (500) Days of Summer is without a doubt one of the best, if not the best films I've seen this year. It is deserving of any awards and accolades it receives, as it is a phenomenal entry into a genre that had died long ago, and it is definitely the perfect date movie.

Grade: A

Oscar Potential: Actor, Actress, Screenplay

Funny People:

The 3rd film from Judd Apatow, the reigning king of Hollywood comedy, Funny People is a definite departure from his previous efforts The 40 Year Old Virgin, and Knocked Up, into a new territory of more mature filmaking for Mr. Apatow, and while he could have ended up with egg on his face, Mr. Apatow efforts have given us perhaps his most complete film of his career.

Telling the duel stories of George Simmons, a famous comedian and movie star, and Ira Wright, a young up and comer on the comedy club circuit, Funny People weaves a tale of redemption and what fame means if you have no one to share it with, as well as how experiences can change the way you live, or not.
Featuring one of the best ensemble casts of the year, Funny People not only delivers some of the best writing of 2009, but more surprisingly some of the best acting as well. Adam Sandler, who stars as George Simmons a dying comedian and movie star, long known for his portrayal of immature man-boys delivers one of the best performances of his career and the year, playing what is basically a bizarro world version of himself. He conveys a world weariness rarely seen in his previous works, and is at different points manic, touchingly funny and devastatingly sad. My hope is that this film will lead him to more mature works like Punch Drunk Love and Reign Over Me, in which he can really sink his teeth into. Other great performances come from Seth Rogen and Mrs. Apatow herself, Leslie Mann, who both give career best work as the two most important people in George's life: his assistant best friend, and the love who got away. On a side note, Eric Bana steals the scenes he is in as Leslie Mann's Australian husband, giving a rapturously funny performance that is as complex as one could hope. Bana should definitely return to comedy in the future.

While it may be a bit overlong at times, Funny People is a definite comedy classic in the vein of James L. Brooks and Cameron Crowe's work. Judd Apatow has now proven himself equally adept at drama as he is at comedy, and my wish is that he can continue in today's economy to make work as mature and touching and hilarious as Funny People.

Grade: B

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actor, Sup. Actor, Sup. Actress, Screenplay

In The Loop:

In The Loop is a film that I have been trying to wrap my head around for the past couple of weeks. It is at times increasingly outrageous and hilarious, while at other moments boring, putative and confusing. There are moments of comedic genius and others that feel like they are part of a bad BBC ripoff, ironic because it's director played a large role in the creation of The Thick of It from which In The Loop is adapted.

The screenplay is without a doubt excellent, written by Armando Iannucci and others, and features some of the wittiest lines and quotes in years, as is the acting from just about everyone involved. Peter Capaldi is phenomenal as Malcolm Tucker, a vile obscenity spewing spin doctor, and gives some of the year's best acting. Also impressive is Tom Hollander as a hapless government official who is a pawn in nearly everybodys political agenda except his own, and watching him as his career slowly destroys itself was a hilarious treat.
I will definitely be commenting further on this film once I can figure out exactly what the hell was going on, I am seeing it again tomorrow so this review will definitely be edited by next week.

Grade: As of now C+, but subject to change

Oscar Potential: Actor, Sup. Actor, Sup. Actress, Screenplay

"War is a Drug" The Hurt Locker, In Review

2009-07-31T22:08:00.003-04:00

"War is a Drug", at least according to the main character Staff Sergeant James, played by Jeremy Renner in Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq war set character study, The Hurt Locker, also starring Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty and Christian Camargo along with cameos from Guy Pierce, David Morse and Ralph Feinnes.

Told as an exquisite representation of the Soldier's experience, rather than political drama or morality tale, The Hurt Locker succeeds where most Iraq war themed films don't. Showing for the first time, the point of view of the soldiers rather than trying to make some grandiose statement about how politics have influenced every facet of the war, and certainly without manipulating the audience.

Set in Iraq in 2004, Locker takes an intense, edge of your seat look at soldiers who may just have the toughest job in Iraq: Disarming bombs and explosives in a land forever in combat. When their first squad leader is killed on the job, Bravo company's bomb squad is taken over Sargent James, a potentially crazy rogue soldier who shocks his team with his brazen disregard for his own safety and their own. As the disposal unit desperately trys to control their new team leader while disarming bombs, the city explodes with combat leading the three men on a journey that will ultimately change them forever, or will it?

Perhaps most shocking about The Hurt Locker is it's helmer, veteran director Kathryn Bigelow who was last seen a few years ago with the release of the horrendous K19: The Widow Maker. Exploding back on to the film scene like one of the bombs her characters deal with on a daily basis, Bigelow has crafted perhaps the best film set within the current Iraq War filling the screen with breathtaking images along with white knuckled tension, making for a future classic.
The direction is sublime, as is the cinematography, editing and sound design, all of which were top notch efforts.

However, the film best succeeds with it's performances, uniformly great with two standout actors who may be looking at Awards contention come next February. In his first "big" leading man role, Jeremy Renner dominates the screen giving one of the year's best male performances. Radiating attitude, confidence and danger, Renner captivates the audience creating in Sargent James a character who is at one instance a wild danger, death and war junkie, the next a relatable human being that you can sympathize with though it can be a bit of a stretch.

Also shining, in a supporting role, is Anthony Mackie as Sanborn an war weary cautious, by the book soldier who is forced to trust his team leader, even if his renegade ways do not mesh with his style. Mackie devastates in a role that in the wrong hands couldn't have been more annoying, giving Sanborn a tragic arc that was extremely well handled. Other good performances came from Brian Gerghty, an increasingly talented character actor, as Eldridge, Christian Camargo as Eldridge's sort of counselor, and Ralph Feinnes as a terrorist hunter in the film's best cameo.

The Hurt Locker is definitely a film to see, and I personally cannot wait to see what Ms. Bigelow brings us next.

Grade: B+

Oscar Potential: Pic., Dir., Actor, Sup. Actor, Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Sound

On the cold stone scale: Gotta have it

Sorry for the Inactivity...

2009-07-26T20:22:00.002-04:00

but i have not seen any new films since Half Blood Prince and with Funny People, (500) Days of Summer, The Hurt Locker and much more coming soon, things will be heating up in the coming weeks. Also, check out the polls and vote on the Oscar Hut's First Half of the Year Awards, then on August 3rd I will present the reader and editor's choice for the awards, so enjoy

How Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Reinvigorated my love for the series and fantasy cinema

2009-07-16T17:43:00.002-04:00

Like many others of my generation who were around and able to read the Harry Potter books from whence they were first released, J.K. Rowling's series played a large role in my childhood maturation. In short, I loved the books having read each one, besides the 7t, at least 3 or 4 times. However, unfortunately as time wore on and I grew older, with each new release I became more and more disenchanted with the series both in book and film form. And with the release of films 4 and 5 I had officially fell out of love with the series.
All of this changed last night at a 9:10 showing of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
I cannot recall ever enjoying a Harry Potter film this much, including The Prisoner of Azkaban. I just cannot explain the emotions that ran through me as I watched the movie. Despite possibly tampering with the first viewing experience by going with 6 Friends and my girlfriend, not the best way to see a film if you hate being distracted, I was instantly transported away back to Hogwarts and I was in bliss every moment.
First of all coming off a stylistically great, story lacking Order of the Phoenix two years ago, I was not expecting this movie to be as Good as it was. The cinematography by Bruce Delbono was excellent, using the same washed out color palettes of the last film to even better effect, and instantly had me connected to the aura of the screen if you will. The score was a fabulous depart from the familiar John Williams theme, and the Production/Costume design was the best of the series so far. I could also throw in David Yates excellent sophomore effort to boot, here's hoping he's back for the next two.
One must also mention how amazing the special f/x were, especially during the Quidditch matches.
Techs aside, I also feel like this latest installment featured some of the series's best acting so far, with nearly everybody but Daniel Radcliffe on their A game. Despite, what I felt was a lack of performance from Radcliffe, almost every single cast member impressed me with how amazing they were.
Helena Bonham Carter, despite a smaller role, mesmerized in every scene she was present. Capturing an ominously crazed persona that served the film's darker tone quite well. Alan Rickman and Michael Gambon were as good as they have ever been, and the casting of Jim Broadbent was top notch, in a weaker year he would be a shoo in for a Supporting Actor nomination and who knows, he might just get one. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson's talents have grown considerably with their age, as has, most surprisingly for me, Tom Felton's who was marvelous as Draco Malfoy almost out of nowhere, having merely been an annoying presence in the past.
What it comes down to is this: Harry Potter and the half Blood Prince is the best film of the Potter series so far, combining style and substance for sublime results and it will be a surefire Oscar contender that could even break into the Best Picture category now that it has been expanded.

Short Takes on Public Enemies, Whatever Works, Bruno and An Education

2009-07-13T10:18:00.003-04:00

Public Enemies is a troubling film for me, the cinematography, editing, production design and sound were phenominally well done, the acting from Depp is calculated and cold, you can see the gears working in his eyes yet he remained restrained which I quite liked. Bale was serviceable, much better than his work in Terminator Salvation, and Marion Cottilard was phenominal, perfectly capturing Billie's nerves of steel and unrequited love for Dillinger. Mann is back, and I think that his next movie will send him over the top. I expect a few Oscar nods from this film that I wished was great, yet can only call it good.

While Whatever Works may only feel the need to be another Woody Allen comedy, I greatly enjoyed the wit and banter of the script and acting, which would have felt right at home had Allen made this in 1979 starring himself and Mariel Hemingway. Larry David is definitely good, giving a promising performance that could, if he so chooses, lead to an acting career of Alan Arkin, Alan Alda type roles. Evan Rachel Wood is charming enough, but it's Patricia Clarkson who steals the show giving perhaps the funnest ( I know it's not a word) performance I've ever seen her in, and if this year turns out weak for supporting actresses, she could reap an Oscar nomination.

Bruno, was hands down one of the funniest movies I have seen this year. There were no boring patches of nothing going on and the laughter of the audience drowned out many potential jokes.
Despite the low ratings it has recieved compared to Borat, Bruno features an excellent turn from Sacha Baron Coen who is just fucking hilarious to the point of no return. I give him props for having the cajones to go to the middle east and not only acting flamboyantly gay, but insulting a known terrorist in his own home. If anything, you'd be hard pressed to find a movie like it this year.

And finally, An Education. Having just seen it last night, I can't say I'm fully prepared to speak on it, I promise that in the coming weeks a full review will follow, but I can say that it is hands down the best movie I have seen so far this year. The directing is great, the tech aspects sublime and boasts a fantastic adapted screenplay. But nothing had me revelling more than the revelation that is Carey Mulligans performance. She captivates the screen, giving a heartfelt, awkward, funny and emotional performance that stands head and shoulders above any other actress this year. To say that she will get an Oscar nod is not saying enough. I am saying right here and now that Carey Mulligan will be this year's Best Actress winner, she is that great. Other wonderful performances come from Alfred Molina as her worried father, Rosamund Pike as a trophy girlfriend, and Peter Sarsgaard as the older man that seduces Mulligan. Other great turns come from Dominic Cooper and Emma Thompson in a smaller role.
Best movie ive seen of the year, and on a list of ten, a surefire Best Picture nominee.

One a Week: The Puffy Chair

2009-07-08T09:57:00.005-04:00

An earlier product of the mumblecore movement, The Duplass Brother's The Puffy Chair is a refreshing, original take on the indie road trip movie genre, succeeding at being both a romantic comedy and a buddy movie as well as a dramady all at once.

Released in 2006, The Puffy Chair tells the story of a young couple played by writer Mark Duplass and Kathryn Aselton whose romance

isn't always a garden of roses. Constantly transitioning from lovely moments of bliss to annoyance with each other to huge arguments, the film at once sets up an ominous cloud that covers the story leaving the viewer to speculate their future. As the couple sets off on a road trip to pick up a present for Mark's father's birthday, the eponymous Puffy Chair, they encounter Mark's brother Rhett, who invites himself along for the ride, and a series of humorous events that pay off amazingly well due to the film's realistic approach.

If anything, The Puffy Chair is proof that you don't need money to make a great engaging comedy if you have good direction, a sharp intelligent script and actors who embrace the awkward realism and subtlety the film aims for.

The film's strongest aspect without a doubt is the acting. Despite the leads lack of experience or notoriety, Mark Duplass and Kathryn Aselton give great performances as the couple whose trip is crashed. As Josh, Mark Duplass captures the essence of a twenty something whose doubts and fear of commitment slowly destroy his relationship. Resorting to childish humor and baby talk as a defense mechanism, Duplass bravely embraces Josh's cowardice and repressed frustration. You can see in his eyes that he feels alone, the last sane man, despite the love he receives both his eccentric brother, another decent performance by Rhett Wilkins, and his girlfriend, played to great emotional bipolars by Kathryn Aselton.

In the end, The Puffy Chair is just a great movie, filled with great writing and direction from the Duplass brothers and acting that embraces realism while still being sharply intelligent and hilarious. It is a must see for any film lover.

The Oscar Hut Presents: One a Week!

2009-07-07T10:05:00.003-04:00

A new feature here on The Hut will be a sort of rip off of Aint It Cool News' feature from Quint in which I will be watching a movie a week starting tommorow, based on random selection for the first week, after which I hope to recieve suggestions in the comment section below so enjoy the feature starting tommorow with mumblecore's The Duplass Brother's The Puffy Chair.

State of The Race Vol. 2 - 2009: Best Director

2009-06-30T21:03:00.011-04:00

With the recent much publicized change within the Oscars, adding 5 more nominees to the Best Picture category, one has to wonder how this will affect the Best Director race. Will there ever again be a lone director nominee? Will this new development put more focus on the Directing nominees? How important will securing a directing nod be to a Best Picture contender now?

Given Oscar history there are plenty examples to be found that could prove or disprove any of these hypothesis, just look at Michael Curtiz, nominated for Angels with Dirty Faces back when ten nominees were the norm, despite the film itself not receiving a nod. In the end, while adding 5 nominees to the shortlist may devalue what it means to be a Best Picture nominee, it will no doubt increase the value of a Best Director nomination, especially if there is a lone director nominee this year. So, without further adieu, here are the ten most likely candidates for 2009's Best Director shortlist.

In Alphabetical Order:

Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker:

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last year or so, you are bound to have heard, read about or seen The Hurt Locker. The buzz on the movie has been deafening, as has the raves been for helmer Kathryn Bigelow, who has been getting props for injecting style and fierce veracity into her character study that just so happens to be set within the confines of the Iraq War. She has proven over the years to be adapt at genre filmaking, and with the Hurt Locker we are seeing the apex of her directorial powers. Whether or not she receives a nomination, it is very likely that the film will receive Picture, Actor, Editing and Cinematography nominations which in the end will only further amplify her buzz come time for critics and guild awards.

James Cameron (1 Nomination/1 Win) for Avatar:

For the past 20 years, James Cameron has been known as a technical genius and master of his craft, constantly pushing the envelope by creating new technology and visual f/x that has revolutionized the way we make films. Despite having not made a narrative feature film since 1997's landmark blockbuster Titanic, Cameron is an immediate threat for the Best Director race for Avatar, a science fiction adventure that takes him back to his roots in genre filmaking. While little is known about the actual story and what we will see on the big screen, there is no doubt that the technological advancements he has made in the filmaking process for this film will lead the Academy to want to honor him just for the sheer ambition and scope of his vision.

Jane Campion (1 Nomination) for Bright Star:

After receiving strong "comeback" reviews and a standing ovation at Cannes, Campion has forced herself back into the mix after last receiving a nomination for 1993's The Piano. Statistically speaking, being the only female director on this list with prior Oscar nominations and even a win for her screenplay, Campion has the best chance of becoming the first female director to receive 2 nominations. It also doesn't hurt that Bright Star, her film, is a period relationship drama and a biopic of sorts to boot. We will have a better idea of her chances once the reviews here in America start to roll out, but I have a feeling that Campion will secure a spot on the shortlist come next February.

Lee Daniels for Precious:

Lee Daniels is very likely a nominee this year for Precious, his Sundance award winning urban drama which received raves and rapturous applause upon it's debut at Cannes earlier this year. Due to the fact that besides The Hurt Locker, it is the most proven contender of the year having received raves at home and abroad it is likely that Daniels is carried along with it. It also doesn't hurt that Oprah has endorsed the movie, and the cast is phenomenal as well. Whether or not Precious is seen as an actors film, there is no doubt that Daniels is a top tier contender this year especially given that the Academy has the opportunity to be incredibly diverse by not only nominating a female director, but an African American director as well.

Clint Eastwood (4 Nominations/2 Wins) for Invictus:

This one is quite simple to explain. The Academy loves Clint, and thus have awarded him 4 Oscars in the past for Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby, plus another 4 nominations for Mystic River and Letters From Iwo Jima. It also doesn't hurt that he is directing another Oscar favorite Morgan Freeman, in a period biopic of Nelson Mandela an internationally beloved symbol of Freedom and peace. After getting the shaft last year for Changeling and Gran Torino, it is likely that the Academy will want to make it up to him, even if the movie is more Changeling than Million Dollar Baby. Clint is another extremely likely contender for this list.

Peter Jackson (2 Nominations/1 Win) for The Lovely Bones:

After bringing us the trilogy that dominated the Oscars three years in a row, and a special f/x marvel in his remake of King Kong, Peter Jackson is back with his adaptation of international best seller The Lovely Bones which is the kind of story the Oscars go gaga for. Lovely Bones is a familial relationship drama of sorts that is set around the death of a young girl, otherwise known as Oscar bait. Jackson has at his dispersal an amazing cast, and also has everyone waiting to see what his version of Heaven will look like. Either way, Jackson is by now an Academy favorite and in accordance to that is a definite contender for Best Director this year.

Michael Mann (1 Nomination) for Public Enemies:

While Mann definitely has some committed fans, the Oscars have not been one of them having only ever liked his work on The Insider, and to a lesser degree Collateral. However, with decent reviews on his side for his stretching the look and feel of a period drama to include a grittier more digital presentation Mann may have his first hit within the Academy in a long time. Armed with a great cast boasting Johnny Depp's best performance of his career, excellent cinematography and great production design, it is likely that Mann's Public Enemies could be an all around hit come February.

Rob Marshall (1 Nomination) for Nine:

After narrowly missing out on Best Director in 2002 with his Best Picture winning hit Chicago, and again three years later with multiple Oscar winner Memoirs of a Geisha, Rob Marshall is returning in a big bad way with the highly anticipated musical Nine. Boasting a strong cast and typically beautiful technical achievements in production design, costumes and cinematography, Nine looks to be a sure thing this year, and the strongest contender for the most nominations come Oscar night, but will Marshall be brought along for the ride? The man obviously knows style and grace as shown in his previous credits, but have the Oscars tired of musicals with Hairspray, High School Musical 3 and others proving to be duds? Based on the trailer and speculation alone, I think that Marshall has a good chance of making the short list, but taking home the little gold man is a horse of a different color all together. We will have to wait and see.

Lone Scherfig for An Education:

The third and most low profile of the three female directors on this list, yet no less impressive is Lone Scherfig for her breakout Sundance success, An Education. Despite not being as well known or proven as Ms. Bigelow and Campion, Scherfig does have a leg up on the two given a few different factors. 1. She is directing a small coming of age dramady, the kind that Oscar loves, compared to Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq war genre. 2. An Education has been proven here at Sundance with raves and awards, something Campion's Bright Star has not having only seen success in Europe so far. 3. An Education boasts a breakout role for a beautiful and talented young girl, much like Juno did with Ellen Page last year. If the Academy and audiences fall for Carey Mulligan the same way they did for Page in 07, then the film as well as the director and screenwriter will be pulled in with her. Much like Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody. (which I know is not the best example)

Martin Scorsese (6 Nominations/1 Win) for Shutter Island:

What can you say about Martin Scorsese that hasn't already been said for the last 30 years. The man is a master of his craft, and has been on a hot streak as of late, the man has batted 1.000 with Audiences and the Academy this decade. Now, this year, with Shutter Island, Scorsese is returning to the horror, mystery, and thriller genre for the first time since 1991's Cape Fear, and based on the amazing trailer, boy is he on the top of his friggin game. If anything it looks like the man is having fun playing around with special f/x, moody lighting, creepy sets and suspense driven editing like a kid on Christmas. If The Departed has proven us anything, Scorsese is an automatic contender even if the movie doesn't seem to be Oscar fare, just as The Departed seemed last year. Given the competition he's facing this year from old foes like Clint Eastwood, and Peter Jackson and Rob Marshall, Marty may have a steep climb ahead of him to garner a 7th nomination, but I have a feeling that even he doesn't make it this year, his movie will.

State of The Race Vol. 2- 2009: Best Picture Part 2

2009-06-25T20:50:00.005-04:00

- Nine: This is the last of three Oscar bait movies that I believe will make the top 10 list this year. The Academy likes Musicals enough, they love Rob Marshall, and it's clear they love the stars, I mean, look at that cast. Nine stars 2 time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis in a role that requires him to sing and dance, not to mention a bevy of Oscar winning actresses in Marion Cottilard, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench and Nicole Kidman, a 1 time nominee Kate Hudson and pop star Fergie. Also, based on it's trailer the movie looks like it will at the very least reap the most tech nods of the night, but that doesn't make it a sure thing, just look at Dreamgirls. Either way, Nine is one to watch out for this November.

- Precious: The one film on this list that has proven to be great besides The Hurt Locker, Precious has been receiving raves from the time it premiered at Sundance to it's international debut at Cannes where it received a standing ovation. Precious is the most likely nominee on the list on paper due to it's subject matter and the fact that it's looking to be this year's best indie film, it even has an endorsement from Oprah! Even if it doesn't score the nod, which is unlikely given that there are ten available, rest assured knowing that director Lee Daniels and stars Gabourney Sidibe and Mo'Nique will probably be reaping nods for their excellent work in this picture.

- Public Enemies: Is basically in the spot of being this year's Dark Knight, given that it is a serious film dressed up as a Summer blockbuster, and that it features an Oscar nominated Director at the top of his game. Michael Mann may not have hit it big with the Oscars since 99's The Insider, but with Public Enemies he directs an all around fantastic movie that has an awards friendly period story, stars the beloved Johnny Depp in his best performance yet along with the great Marion Cottilard, an entertaining Billy Crudup and Christian Bale who is solid enough but a bit subdued. I expect a great box office and a well timed January DVD release to boost this deserving film into a spot as a best Picture nominee.

- Shutter Island: Last week, Shutter Island probably wasn't a realistic contender for a Best Picture nomination. While I believed( and still believe) it would be my favorite and possibly one of the funnest movies of the year, Best Picture just seemed a bit unattainable for a Martin Scorsese genre flick. As of yesterday, the chickens are commin home to roost y'all. Shutter Island is now one of the most likely of the ten nominees because of Martin Scorsese's track record this decade, he's batting 1.000, it stars 3 time nominee Leonardo DiCaprio, and is shot, edited and designed by a stable of Oscar favorites. Plus, how fun does this movie look? I know I'm going to be first in line for this come October.

- Up: Finally we come to nominee # 10, and the film which has been talked about the most in regards to probably getting a Best Picture nod this year. After Wall-e and Ratatouille were talked up as possible contenders the last two years, it seems that Pixar could finally score that coveted nomination it has deserved about 6 or 7 times since Toy Story blew our minds away about 15 years ago. Despite the fact that it is inferior to Wall-e , Ratatouille, Finding Nemo and a few other Pixar classics, Up is definitely one of the more touchingly sweet Pixar films and surely one of the years best when it is all said and done. However, Up also has the most potential to be snubbed out of any film on this list. Despite adding 5 more nominations, one has to wonder if the Academy truly is biased against animated films, even if they are superior. If Wall-e couldn't do it, how could Up make it in? All of this will definitely become more clear in the coming months, so for now all we can do is wait and see.

Besides these ten there are almost more than 20 other films who will now be vying for Best Picture due to this new, wide open field of competition. I expect there to be more than a few suprises as we navigate our way through the rest of 2009's oscar season, and I know that I am not the only one excited by the future possibilities of the Academy Awards.

here is a list of other possible contenders for this year's Best Motion Picture category:
Amelia
An Education
Antichrist
Biutiful
Bright Star
Broken Embraces
Brothers
Cheri
Fish Tank
Green Zone
The Immaginarium of Dr. Parnassus
The Informant
Inglorious Basterds
Julie & Julia
The Last Station
Love Ranch
A Prophet
The Road
A Serious Man
Star Trek
The Tempest
Where The Wild Things Are
Within The Whirlwind

State of the Race No. 1 Vol. 2 - 2009 : Best Picture Part 1

2009-06-24T15:25:00.008-04:00

With the recent news that this year's Academy Awards Best Picture category will be featuring 10 nominees compared to the usual 5 nominee rule that has been in place since the first got rid of the 10 back during the 40's, the race has definitely been shooken up quite a bit. Critical and audience favorites like Up and Star Trek could see nods despite being an animated and action film respectively. Early releases like Katherine Bigelow's The Hurt Locker and Michael Mann's Public Enemies may no longer have to fight as hard to get a spot on the kudos short list(or now long list?. Even a comedy, Funny People, from Judd Apatow now stands a fighting chance at ultimately recieving a nod. While the inclusion of an extra 5 films may make things seem less competitive, in the long run the race will become even tighter as more films will now be fighting, especially in the case of animated, foreign and comedic films which never before were reasonable contenders. So, which 10 will be good enough to earn one these coveted 10 spots on the list?

My predictions are: (In Alphabetical Order)

- Avatar: This is on my longlist of predictions for a variety of reasons. 1. This is James Cameron's first movie in more than a decade since 1997's Titanic, and you can bet that the Academy is looking out for this one. 2. The amount of money and new technology that has gone into this movie is titanic in its ammount (pun intended), if anything at all I'm almost 100 percent sure that Avatar will be a game changing film that changes the state of cinema. And finally 3. Despite the fact that I am not a fan of Titanic, I have to give Cameron props for being one of the best action and technical directors of his generation, having never really made a bad film since before Terminator. Avatar is bringing him back to the Sci-Fi Action genre that made his career.

- Funny People: Before anyone starts to come down on me for including it, please let me state my case. Despite the fact that for some reason it is popular on message boards to bash Judd Apatow, just think about this: Has Judd ever made a film that wasnt well recieved by critics and audience's alike? The 40 Year Old Virgin launched his career with a great box office, awsome reviews and even award nominations from groups like the WGA. When Knocked Up was released it was met with the same great box office and audience support as well as raves from many critics who included it in more than a few top 10 lists for 2007. Now, with Funny People being released in a few weeks Apatow has the potential to threepeat his former successes. With an amazing script and comparisons to Oscar winner James L. Brooks, Apatow faces his best odds yet of finally making it into the Academy.

- The Hurt Locker: Katherine Bigelow's Iraq set War drama analyzing a reckless bomb disarmer is now, in my opinion, the pre september release with the best chances of making it into the top 10 this year. It's already been awarded in Venice and by the Independent Spirit Awards, and it's buzz around the internet is currently at a feverpoint. Besides the fact that Katherine Bigelow is making waves for her amazing high octain direction, the film has also recieved raves for the performances of Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie, the film's cinematography, and it's editing. I think that The Hurt Locker has all the elements in place to shatter the public's weariness towards Iraqi War themed movies as well as the Academy's reluctance to nominate female directors. If this film can make a decent ammount of money at the box office and recieve a well place december/january dvd release, it should have no problem making it in to the list.

- Invictus: This is one of the three obvious Fall prestige dramas that have oscar buzz written all over it. Clint Eastwood is an Academy favorite, having won 4 Oscars for directing and producing Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby along with nods for Mystic River and Letters From Iwo Jima. This year, with Invictus, Eastwood is a strong favorite for Best Picture and Director for his Morgan Freeman starring Biopic of Nelson Mandela. Could he make it any easier for himself? The Academy loves Clint, they love biopics, they love Morgan Freeman and with a December release date, Invictus is premiering in the heart of Oscar season. Unless the movie is a complete flop, expect Freeman and Clint to reap countless awards and nominations this year, including Best Picture. On paper, it's a slam dunk.

- The Lovely Bones: The same goes for The Lovely Bones which on paper is pure Oscar bait. Based on a best selling novel, Peter Jackson is directing a cast of Oscar nominees in a serious family drama that is both touching and tragic. Pairing Mark Whalberg, Rachel Weisz, Saoirse Ronan, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci, the film has an oscar pedigree of stars, especially in the case of Saoirse Ronan who Steven Spielberg believs will win an oscar for her performance as a murdered child in heaven. The movie has the potential to hit big with crowds and women especially if it's a tear jerker, and critics given Peter Jackson's blemish-less filmography and history with the Oscars.

A short note on The Taking of Pelham 123

2009-06-24T14:46:00.003-04:00

It was fun during the parts that took place beneath the ground, the action above ground was too Tony Scottsian if you ask me, his hyperkinetic style is starting to wear on my nerves. And there were some moments of ridiculous decisions on the characters parts, which I blame on Brian Helgeland, he is better than that usually.

The acting was ok, nothing special, it would have been more interesting to see the actors switch roles I think.

In the end, the original was better acted, better directed and had a much better ending.

Breaking News: This year's Best Picture category to feature 10 Nominees!

2009-06-24T14:37:00.002-04:00

I have to say that I am shocked but a little pleased as well. Perhaps this move will allow for movies like Up and Star Trek to become best picture nominees, and this move could also benefit the Studios as well, lessining the competitive edge. However this also means that if a beloved film is snubbed still, it will be clear that it just didnt agree with the Academy's taste. We could see Pixar, Judd Apatow, James Cameron, Clint Eastwood, JJ Abrams and Martin Scorsese's work face off against each other come february! All we need now is a great host.

Here is the full press release:

The 82nd Academy Awards, which will be presented on March 7, 2010, will have 10 feature films vying in the Best Picture category, Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis announced today (June 24) at a press conference in Beverly Hills.
“After more than six decades, the Academy is returning to some of its earlier roots, when a wider field competed for the top award of the year,” said Ganis. “The final outcome, of course, will be the same – one Best Picture winner – but the race to the finish line will feature 10, not just five, great movies from 2009.”
For more than a decade during the Academy’s earlier years, the Best Picture category welcomed more than five films; for nine years there were 10 nominees. The 16th Academy Awards (1943) was the last year to include a field of that size; “ Casablanca ” was named Best Picture. (In 1931/32, there were eight nominees and in 1934 and 1935 there were 12 nominees.)
Currently, the Academy is presenting a bicoastal screening series showcasing the 10 Best Picture nominees of 1939, arguably one of Hollywood ’s greatest film years. Best Picture nominees of that year include such diverse classics as “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “Stagecoach,” “The Wizard of Oz” and Best Picture winner “Gone with the Wind.”
“Having 10 Best Picture nominees is going allow Academy voters to recognize and include some of the fantastic movies that often show up in the other Oscar categories, but have been squeezed out of the race for the top prize,” commented Ganis. “I can’t wait to see what that list of ten looks like when the nominees are announced in February.”
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2. The Oscar® ceremony honoring films for 2009 will again take place at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood , and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network.

Sorry for the Inactivity

2009-06-20T10:11:00.002-04:00

Summer has so far been overly kind to me. For the first time in months, I woke up this morning not remembering what day it was and what date is was. After that I realized that today would be a good one to take a break, lay by the pool and just relax. So, updates will return to normal activity starting Monday with a review of The Taking of Pelham 123, My First Official Oscar Predictions List Article of the year, and my 5 most anticipated movies for the rest of the summer.
Enjoy the weekend guys and girls.

Tyler j. Pratt, The Oscar Hut

Trailer Park 2009 Presents Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island

2009-06-10T21:38:00.004-04:00

I'm just going to say that I already have my ticket purchased because this looks to be one hell of a movie.

State of the Race, Mid Year Review: The Support

2009-06-06T16:37:00.002-04:00

So far this year, believe it or not, audiences were treated to as many as three delightful candidates for nominations in the Supporting races for the 2010 Oscar, none of whom are female. However, with films like Whatever Works, Funny People and Nine on the way flaunting the talents of Patricia Clarkson, Leslie Mann and Judi Dench respectively, this could rapidly change. So lets take a look at how the last six months have treated the Best Supporting Races, shall we?

Best Supporting Actor:

Starting rather quickly in the year, the Best Supporting Actor race was treated with not one but two contenders for this year's shortlist. In March's Watchmen, audiences (Well, large groups of fanboys) were dazzled by the talents of former Oscar nominee Jackie Earl Haley, and the superb character actor, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, as Rorschach and the Comedian respectively. Haley, quickly leapfrogging the competition gained raves for his performance, essentially being compared to last year's oscar winning Joker played by Heath Ledger. While there are no assurances that he will be nominated this year, Haley without a doubt left his mark. While less praised, yet just as good, Jeffrey Dean Morgan gave a fantastic performance as the hideous human being the Comedian. He gave the movie a much needed sense of pathos and doubt with his role and while he may not get love anywhwere else, he's getting some from the Hut.

April brought movies like Duplicity and The Soloist, both bearing good supporting acting. Duplicity, the 2nd most fun I've had at a theatre all year, was indebted to the work of Paul Giamatti who was great in a comedic role as a sinister CEO, providing the movie with some great moments. Jamie Foxx, of The Soloist, also gave a great effort for his role as a schizophrenic, homeless, musical prodigy, While many cried out Oscar bait!, I just sat back enjoyed his layered performance. He may catch shit from time to time, but Jamie Foxx is definitely alot more dramatically talented then he recieves credit for. So we finally arrive at this year's top Supporting Actor contender, so far of course, and it's a name you may not expect( unless you didnt catch his picture above): Jason Bateman for State of Play. He's in the movie for only around 7 minutes, but when he arrives, boy does he make an entrance. When I saw Play in theatres, I admired it, the direction was good as was Crowe and Mirren, but to be honest I was drifting off a bit. All of this changed the second Bateman, as Dominic Foy, entered stage left. He was franticly obsessive compulsive and hilarious, injecting the film with a sense of energy and livlieness, causing the audience to erupt with laughter and even applause. And then his taped confession scene came up, immediately shutting the audience up as we silently hung on to every word. I remember his part of the movie but little else, Bateman was just excellent, and you wont here many complain if he earns a nomination, though as the film came out so early, its unfortunately not 100 percent likely.

As I mentioned before, the supporting actress's so far this year are sparse, a few good performances but none with any shot whatsoever of a nomination. But I guarantee this will be changing by August, as we have Patty Clarkson and Leslie Mann coming soon.

Congrats to Adrian and the new Oscar Bait site!

2009-06-06T16:11:00.002-04:00

The Oscar Bait Contest site is one that has probably been due since the great Oscar Igloo site was demoted to it's new and current form, the underwhelming Awards Circuit. The AC basically only retained some of the Igloo's greatness with it's forums and previously the Bait an Oscar competition which has been at a standstill for a while now. The predictions are ridiculous, and the blog is actually OK for the most part.
So for all of you readers who left AC shortly after the Igloo died, be sure to check out The Oscar Bait Contest site, while it may just be in the earliest of stages, I have high hopes that the bait an Oscar contest will live on through the efforts of Adrian James, Douglas Reese and other staples of the Bait an Oscar contest.

here's the URL. It is also posted in the links tab.
http://theoscarbaitcontest.weebly.com/index.html

Some brief thoughts on The Hangover

2009-06-05T17:10:00.006-04:00

It was an overall good film, nothing Oscar worthy, but the story was genius in it's simplicity, the acting was all great esepecially from Galifanakis who I expect to hit big with this the way Will Ferrell did with Old School. While there may have been a few too many musical cues, The Hangover has definitely cemented itself as one this summer's buzz films, and could end up as the funniest film of the summer. Assuming of course that Judd Apatow and Woody Allen fail to meet expectations with their latest efforts.

State of the Race 2009: Mid Year Review, actor and Actress

2009-06-04T15:38:00.003-04:00

In the past 6 months of stateside releases, it's suprising to say that only a few men and women have been truly exceptional in lead roles. The past few years have seen people like Richard Jenkins and Julie Christy reap Osar bids from pre June releases, but this year could change that.

On the Best Actor front the only notable males have been Robert Downey Jr. for The Soloist and, suprisingly, Seth Rogen for his career changing role in Observe and Report. Other notable performers like Russell Crowe and Jesse Eisenberg have fallen by the wayside due to underwhelming box office results, and Joaquin Phoenix who impressed in Two Lovers has apparently retired, diverting attention from the film. OPnly Clive Owen has been able to truly standout, however he will never be awarded for Duplicity.

The ladies meanwhile have seen even slimmer pickens. Amy Adams has given us the most notable female performance of the last six months in a movie that gained no traction.

Ditto for Paltrow in Two Lovers. And Julia Roberts, despite having excellent pressence and chemistry with Clive Owen, will never see an Oscar for Duplicity.

So, my prediction? No Lead Acting bids will come from a pre June 1st release.

Rest In Peace

2009-06-04T15:23:00.003-04:00

(1936-2009)

David Carradine will be missed, I myself will never forget his excellent portrayal of Bill in Kill Bill Vol. 2 as his best performance. It's a shame we will never see him grace the silver screen again.

10 Movies That...Made me Cry

2009-06-04T13:20:00.004-04:00

To kick off a new summer series, 10 Movies That..., I'm going to start with one that is very easy for me to define. For anyone that has read this blog in the past, you know how hard it is for a movie to make me cry, the only one so far this year that has gotten me close was Pixar's Up, so, after reading Entertainment Weekly's list, I've decided to get in touch with my sensitive side.......

1. Angels In America- Despite the cheat that this is a miniseries, Angels In America was one of the few times in my life that I actually cried during a movie that couldn't be farther, connections wise, from my own life. It was a movie set in New York of the 80's that dealt heavily with homosexuality, aids and the absence of god. Despite this alienation, I first felt the tears begin to form around 5 minutes in when Prior tells Louis about his AIDS. Then I felt it again and again throughout before finally letting loose. Angels remains a favorite of mine.

2. Bang The Drum Slowly- I first saw Bang The Drum Slowly at a time in my life when I went through the filmographies of my favorite directors and actors, this time being DeNiro. Much like Brian's Song, it is a movie that creeps up on you before slamming you into the ground with a heartbreaking climax or end. For me when DeNiro tells Michael Moriarty goodbye at the film's end, it's like a dam breaks and the tears flow freely, I cant even watch it with anyone else.

3. Finding Nemo- Like most of Pixar's movies, Up included, Finding Nemo was a fun joyous ride that combined elements of adventure, humor and surprise to make for a great viewing experience. The first time I saw it, with my first girlfriend about 6 years ago when it had just came out, I was loving it. Then came the ending when Marlon finally reconnects with Nemo. Tears of joy welled up in my eyes, but thankfully went unnoticed as the girl I was with was also tearing up.

4. Good Will Hunting- Definitely not a sad movie, but one that sucker punches you when you least expect it. The scene near the end, when Will and Sean are finishing up their last session was that punch to the gut. Williams repeats: "Will, its not your fault" over and over again until Damon finally breaks and starts to cry, as did I.

5. Million Dollar Baby- Only around three or four times in my life have I ever seen my father cry. Twice at funerals, and during Million Dollar Baby. The last hospital scene, is hands down one which probably can make any grown man tear up. Morgan Freeman's narration, Eastwood's score, and the exchange between Hilary Swank and Clint, when combined is devastating. My father and I cried like babies on cue with Eastwood's last words to Swanks before assisting her in suicide. Still one of the few repeat offenders for me, I cry every time.

6. Rudy- An underdog story about never giving up when the times get tough, and accomplishing what you set out to do in the end. This description can match any number of films, but for me Rudy is the penultimate under dog story. This is another one that makes men decades older than I cry, and I cant say that I'm not right there with them tearing up.

7. Saving Private Ryan- Giovanni Ribisi is the only reason that I have ever cried during this war film. It's graphically bloody and masculine, yet Ribisi is so unsettling in two of his scenes that every few times I see this, I weep. The first scene takes place in a church, and sees the men recalling their lives at home. When Ribisi talks about pretending to be sleeping when his mom just wants to talk to him, he sets up my tear ducts for the later scene in which he dies calling out for his mother. It is heart wrenching and tragic, and had me bawling the first time I saw it.

8. Schindler's List- Theres not much to say. If you've seen the movie you know why it's here, if you haven't then you need to see it. This is a movie that every human being should see once.

9. The Shawshank Redemption- Shawshank is one of my favorite movies of all time. The direction is wonderful, the acting is amazing, and the screenplay shines as one of the best adaptations ever. There are many reasons to cry during Shawshank, from Andy's escape to Red finally finding Andy to any other number of moments. But what brought about my tears was one scene revolving around one of the minor character's Brooks, superbly played by James Whitmore. Whitmore's narration of the series of events leading to Brooks' suicide has caused me to cry more than anything else from any other movie. It's not something I can explain.

10. Terms of Endearment- This one is simple to explain. When Debra Winger says goodbye to her son is the moment that brought tears to my eyes. I had an aunt who died of cancer, and I can only imagine the last private spoken words between her and my cousins. Just the thought of seeing someone say goodbye for the last time is devastating.

State of The Race 2009: Mid-Year Review, Best Picture

2009-06-02T14:10:00.002-04:00

It's seems like the last oscars only happened a few weeks ago, and here we are, 6 months of the year have flown by like dust in the wind. We've seen only a few Oscar-bait like contenders stick the landing while many of the year's pre-ordained popcorn flicks have impressed, some not so much (I'm looking at you wolverine). So in terms of themovies that have seen release stateside, here are the best of this half of the year so far.

Best Picture Contenders: Only two movies so far this year have qualified in the Hut's eyes as worthy of Best Picture nominations, the first of which is Pixar's 10th triumph in a row, UP (pictured right). It was a confidently handled poignant action/adventure comedy that succeeds on many different levels. Up brought to the screen great and memorable characters in the form of the cantankorous old coot Carl and a loyal, loveable dog named Doug, not to mention the amazing vocal performances delivered by Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer and UP writer Bob Peterson. The movie also features Pixar's characteristicaly beautiful animation, good direction by Monster's Inc. helmer Pete Docter and a decent screenplay by Bob Peterson who also voiced the aformentioned Doug. What qualifies this as a Best Picture contender in my eyes is the sum of its parts all of which are great, but what clinched it for me was the beautiful, poignant scene chroncicling Carl's relationship with his wife Ellie from childhood up until Ellie's death, which to tell you the truth had me on the verge of tears, a rarity for me. UP is hands down fantastic. In the end, despite Pixar's lack of ever making a movie that was not one of the year's best, UP probably will be denied everything but the Animated Feature award. And that folks is a shame.

The only other Best Picture contender I've seen so far this year is Star Trek, a movie which hands down was the funnest time I've had in a cineplex this year. J.J. Abrams took a tired franchise, rebooted it and added a shiny new look and feel that was a hit on every level. Abrams fun, fresh direction combined with great editing set up the best paced live ation film so far this year, Michael Giacchino's score(as well as his UP score) was phenominal, his opening number gave me chills. And best of all was the acting. Chris Pine, Zach Quinto, Simon Pegg and Bruce Greenwood were all fantastic. Pine bringing a brash arrogance, Quinto a hot headed calmness and Pegg some much needed humor. Leonard Nemoy's appearence brought the film the needed credibility and pathos to connect with the original series. It's technical achievements will no doubt net the film at least 3 to 5 nominations but as far as it's best picture chances go, things are looking slim. If The Dark Knight couldnt do it, Star Trek won't, but you'd be hard pressed to find a better live action movie so far this year.

2009-05-24T16:42:00.003-04:00

Cannes Festival Awards Haneke the Palm and stars of Tarantino & Von Trier Films

2009-05-24T16:03:00.007-04:00

This year's Palm d'Or was awarded to The White Ribbon and it's director, Michael Haneke, who has long been a bridesmaid but never a bride in regards to always leaving the fest with awards in hand, just having never won the fest's most prestigious prize. For examples, see Cache' and the original Funny Games. The film chronicles a small german village in the days before the beginning of World War I. The film was widely praised and could see itself in the Best Foreign Film race next year, and maybe in other categories.

The Best Actor Award this year in Cannes was awarded to Christoph Waltz, whose frighteningly calm turn as a sadistic Nazi "jew hunter" in Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds has given the film most of it's only raves. The otherwise unknown Austrian actor was able to outshine the likes of Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger and Mike Meyers(not exactly difficult to outdo), to win his best in show notices, and upon it's release stateside this summer, the notices look to continue. As of right now, depending on whether or not the Weinstein's campaign him for Supporting Actor, we could be looking at this year's first acting frontrunner.

The Best Actress laurel was handed over, perhaps shockingly, to Charlotte Gainsbourg,the star of this year's most talked about Cannes film, Lar's Von Trier's widely reviled Antichrist. Despite winning the first ever anti-award Cannes has ever given, for being "torture porn" and a smite against cinema, the film has gotten fantastic reviews for it's star. VonTrier is well known for pushing his actresses to the extreme's of their talents before, usually nabbing them phenominal reviews and awards in the process. While he hasen't gotten an Oscar nod for his actress's since Emily Watson in 1997, both Bjork and Nicole Kidman recieved countless critics prizes. The only question thatr remains is, will Charlotte be VonTrier's next Emily, or his next Bjork?

In Review: Star Trek: Boldly going where no Trek has gone before...

2009-05-21T08:08:00.003-04:00

From it’s exciting beginning to the fantastic end, J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek moves at break-neck speed, rejuvenating a tired franchise and creating a near-perfect summer action thrill ride that excels in all areas, making for what could possibly be the best movie so far this year.

Chris Pine stars as the famed Captain James T. Kirk, a brash hell-raiser who enlists in the federation. Kirk is born under chaotic circumstances and lives on the edge until his past calls him towards his destiny. Intertwined with Kirk’s story is the introduction of Spock who, as a result of being half-Vulcan, half-human, is seen as disadvantaged by a society that demands perfection. Zachary Quinto plays Spock, who enlists in the Federation as one of its top minds before meeting Kirk. The two develop a relationship that ultimately rests at the heart of the film. A distress signal from Vulcan sparks the plot as the planet is attacked by Romulans, an alien race headed by vengeance-seeking Nero.

The Federation sends out its flagship vessel, the Enterprise, bringing to the screen a time-bending, mind-blowing journey that results in one of the best Sci-fi movies ever.

With Star Trek, J.J. Abrams has likely made the best movie of the summer. Weaving an intriguing journey, Abrams has created a tale that creatively spans 40 years of story lines, making Trek accessible to an uninitiated generation of moviegoers. The film was even marketed with that sentiment in mind, the ads reading, “This isn’t your father’s Star Trek”. Along with some great action, the film brings an arsenal of entertainment to the big screen. Chris Pine deserves praise for both capturing Kirk’s trademark humor and making the Captain very much his own in the process. Quinto, meanwhile, becomes Spock with calm confidence, playing into his limited talent, and the rest of the cast also shines. Simon Pegg and Karl Urban provide welcome comic relief as Scotty and Bones, Eric Bana brings a sinister tension to the movie, and Leonard Nimoy, the original Spock, brings a wise calmness to the story, as well as providing a bridge to the original film and television series. However, where Trek really lights up is in its technical achievements. The visual effects are amazing, and Trek offers up one of the best movie soundscapes of all time.

“Star Trek” leaves a rather indelible mark for the year’s upcoming blockbusters, and that’s saying it lightly. It perfectly combines an sensible story with special f/x driven action and believable performances, all led by fantastic direction from Lost creator, J.J. Abrams. Fans old and new will find something to love, and not much more could be asked of from a movie as amazing as this one.

Precious Trailer Link

2009-05-14T10:35:00.003-04:00

http://www.oprah.com/media/20090506-tows-precious-trailer

This one looks to be amazing as well. I've always hated Mo'Nique in general, her loud abrasive sense of humor doesnt really gel with my sensibilities and I had written her off as an actress after Soul Plane wasted two hours of my life.

However, based on the trailer for Lee Daniel's new film Precious, the buzz from sundance has been confirmed. This ain't no hype folks. Mo'Nique looks to be bringing it with all she's got, I was floored at how unrecognizable she was. I'm officially predicting her to win the oscar as of now. She's having her Mickey Rourke moment. Gabourney, the girl who stars as Precious also looks like she could impress voters with a very real performance, and we know how the Academy loves a good debut story. Paula Patton also looks great, and I can't believe that we may finally see a Mariah Carey performance that won't be a razzie contender.

Overall, I'm expecting good things.

Nine Trailer Premiers

2009-05-14T10:18:00.002-04:00

I have to say that I am now 100 percent sure that we are looking at the film that will rack up the most nominations come Oscar night. The Art Direction looks amazing, as do the costumes. The Cinematography promises to be beautiful and the editing is sharp. Most of all Rob Marshall's direction looks wonderfully stylized, maybe this is his year, and all of the actors at least look like they were having a great time. This is not to say that Nine will be a triumph, but there is a distinct possibility based on the trailer that we could see 10+ nominations.

My Prediction:

Best Picture

Best Director

Best Actor-Daniel Day-Lewis

Best Actress-Marion Cottilard

Best Sup. Actress- Penelope Cruz, Judy Dench, Sophia Loren

Best Ad. Screenplay

Best Cinematography

Best Editing

Best Art Direction

Best Costume Design

Best Make-Up

Best Score

Best Original Song

The Stars of Nine

2009-05-14T10:15:00.004-04:00

Scenes from Nine

2009-05-14T10:09:00.004-04:00

Coppola Finally Reveals Tetro's Trailer...

2009-05-03T12:48:00.002-04:00

Could we be looking at another masterwork from the man who gave us The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now all within the same decade ? Or are we looking at the swan song of an artist past his prime ? Based on this trailer, it could tip either way, but I have a feeling, just a gut instinct..that we are on the verge of seeing something special.

I will do my best to post the trailer as soon as possible, but for now, visit incontention.com for the goods.

Film Review Catch-up

2009-04-24T19:38:00.005-04:00

As any reader of this blog will no doubt notice, i have been absent since spring break, a case of too much within too short of a time period. But now I am back and ready to carry on during what I call the dormant pre-oscar season. First of all here are some snipets of reviews for the film's I have seen recently:

State of Play: A strong, well made thriller led by solid turns from Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck and Helen Mirren as well as show-stealing performance from Jason Bateman. The script is sharp, the direction is good, and the movie carried enough momentum to keep me engaged and excited to see what would happen next.

An overall good film: ***

Awards Prospects: Screenplay, Supporting Actor: Jason Bateman

Observe and Report: A savagely dark and twisted comedy that shocked, disgusted and filled me with roarious laughter. Seth Rogen is no longer the same Seth Rogen we saw in Knocked Up and Pineapple Express, in this film he has shattered my image of him as an actor, replacing it with something I am not able to explain in words. The direction and screenplay are good, not great, but the performances and shock factor made me fall in love with this movie.

I loved it: ***

Awards Chances: Seth Rogen for Golden Globe Best actor in a Comedy or Musical

Sunshine Cleaning: A small, nice, little unobtrusive dramedy and nothing more. The story was a bit maudlin at times, and the direction was poor but Amy Adam's bubbly charm made me care for her character, and Alan Arkin does what I love best, basically play the same character he always does.

A nice movie, but nothing more: **

Awards Chances: Amy Adams for Best Actress

Fast and Furious: I got exactly what I expected from this film: A few good car chases, some good action, nostalgia value from the return of the original cast, and an ending that clearly sets up for a sequel. Vin and Paul were exactly what they needed to be, vessels for their characters to come back and presumably kick ass. It wasn't anything awards worthy but I enjoyed myself, even if the revenge story fell flat.

Awards chances: Special F/X and sound, if that.

Duplicity: Hands down my favorite movie I've seen so far this year. I enjoyed if not loved every aspect of this film. The direction was lively and fun, the screenplay from Tony Gilroy ( who also directed ) was superbly funny and thrilling and smart. Clive Owen and Julia Roberts have an excellent chemistry, playing off each other just as well as they did 5 years ago in Closer, albeit on the opposite side of the emotional spectrum. Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti, Tom McCarthy and Denis O'Hare deliver great supporting performances. The cinematography was beautiful, and the editing, just as fun and lively as the direction. I adore this film for all of that, and for an ending that knocked my socks off as far as how happy I was with it.

A++++: ****

Awards Chances: Director, Actor, Actress (Globes), Sup. Actor, Screenplay, Score, Editing and Cinematography.

Adventureland: I went in expecting Superbad set in the 80's, I left very happy knowing that my expectations were dead wrong. The film, written and directed by Geg Mottola was touching and funny, but thankfully funny in a real sort of way, not raunchy or sophmoric. The humor comes from the characters and dialogue rather than by situation. Jesse Eisenberg was painfully good, I havent felt so deep a personal connection to a character in quite a while, and Kristen Stewart was also well cast in a role much like her excellent turn in Into The Wild. The supporting cast was good, especially Ryan Reynods, Martin Starr and Matt Bush who delivered the best one liners in the film. Here's hopin that Mottola continues on this path ala Daytrippers rather than Superbad.

Funny, moving and personal: *** 1/4

Awards chances: Screenplay, Best Actor ( Globes)

Heres a preview of my spring break screenings to be reviewed soon

2009-04-12T10:58:00.003-04:00

"What happened to the American Dream ? It came true....your lookinging at it"

2009-03-10T18:30:00.005-04:00

Transforming Watchmen, one of the most celebrated graphic novels of all time, into a movie is as ambitious an undertaking as anyone in Hollywood is likely to ever attempt. For more than 20 years, a variety of filmmakers have been involved in the task of attempting to bring Watchmen to the big screen only to fail, and after seeing the movie it is easy to see why.
The man to finally bring it to the screen is Zack Snyder, the director of 2007’s smash hit “300”. Snyder may have replicated the story faithfully, with only one major plot point deviation, and re-created panel-by-panel the iconic look of the graphic novel, but the nuances are gone. The film seems too busy and too detailed for it to achieve the level of personal involvement that one can get from reading the books. Watchmen is a perfect example of how source material, no matter how faithfully adapted, often loses something critical in translation.
Watchmen takes place in an alternate universe during October 1985. Richard Nixon, unaffected by the Watergate scandal and adored by a skeptical population, is in his fifth term as president. The United States and Soviet Russia have never been more antagonistic toward each other and the threat of nuclear war is eminent. This is the reality in which the main characters find themselves. With two exceptions, they are ex-superheroes, individuals who have been forced by the government to remove their costumes and bury their secret identities. This law does not apply to Dr. Manhattan, the blue-skinned superman who is the United States' ultimate weapon. Rorschach has chosen to live outside of the law, acting as a vigilante with uncompromising determination, and still prowling the city at night. Laurie Jupiter, once called Silk Spectre, is Dr. Manhattan's girlfriend and assistant. Adrien Veidt, formerly known as Ozymandias, a billionaire businessman and the "smartest man in the world," is working with Dr. Manhattan on a plan to save humanity. And Dan Dreiberg, a.k.a. Night Owl, is at loose ends, trying to figure out how he fits in the new order. There are other, older "Watchmen" as well, those who were active in the '40s when the group was first formed. These include Laurie's mother, Sally Jupiter, and the crass, electrifying Comedian, whose death during the opening scene sets the events of the film in motion.
From a visual and stylistic standpoint, Watchmen develops a gloomy, paranoid atmosphere for the film, which perfectly suits it. One of the largest personal flourishes added by Snyder, being the excellent opening credit sequence that details the history of the world in which these heroes live. Set to Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are-A Changing”, this sequence is without a doubt the film’s shining moment.
Despite giving out detailed backgrounds of the protagonists, Watchmen’s stars, for the most part, fail to compel. The exceptions are Rorschach, brilliantly portrayed by Jackie Earle Haley, who brings Oscar caliber energy to his performance that makes the movie his own. And The Comedian, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who appears only in the start of the movie and in flashbacks, yet brings an intensity that lights up the screen every time he appears.
Aside from Haley and Morgan, none of the other heroes are memorable. Matthew Goode and Patrick Wilson occupy space as the subdued Night Owl and Ozymandias, but there's not much for the viewer to hook into. Malin Akerman is attractive and looks good with and without clothing as Silk Spectre, but there's nothing in her performance to suggest that she actually has talent or understands her role. Billy Crudup gives us a Dr. Manhattan who is a detached, emotionless enigma, where as in the novel, Dr. Manhattan is a tragic, tortured figure, but not much of that comes across in the performance which is at its best during the pre-Dr. Manhattan flashbacks.

In the end, while Watchmen is visually stunning to look at and a faithful adaptation of the

graphic novel, the movie only truly takes off during the opening credits and every time that The Comedian and Rorschach appear on screen. The task of bringing the book to theatres may just have been too big a task for Zack Snyder, caught between the pressure to satisfy the hardcore Watchmen fan base and creating a film accessible to the average filmgoer, all the while cramming a 12 part series into an under 3 hour running time. While the film may not have been the penultimate screen version of Watchmen, it is

definitely not a bad film. It is just one that reaches for greatness only to miss it narrowly in the end.

2009 Year In Advanced Preview Coming Soon..Heres A Look into 2009

2009-02-23T21:09:00.007-05:00

The Morning After...

2009-02-23T08:40:00.003-05:00

And on the 7th day...He relaxes

What a year, what a year, what a year....

I cant believe we went from Revolutionary Road and Australia being the frontrunners to Slumdog Millionaire sweeping the awards circuit... It just goes to show ya, its always

something.......

20/24 Slumdog Millionaire, Penelope Cruz, Heath Ledger, Kate Winslet and Sean Penn wins!!!

2009-02-22T20:55:00.040-05:00

1. Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz- Im so happy for her, a truly deserving win

2. Best Original Screenplay: Milk by Dustin Lance Black- What a beautiful speech, truly touching
3. Best Adapted Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire adapted by Simon Beaufoy- An ok speech

4. Best Animated Film: Wall-e-Andy Stanton !, congratulations again to Pixar!

5. Best Animated Short: La Maison en Petits Cubes- Sank you Oscars for not awarding the best these nominees, presto.

6. Best Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- Button is officially not shut out!

7. Best Costume Design: The Duchess- Duh

8. Best Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- Award # 2, so much for 0/13

9. Best Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire- 2/2 I think we may see a sweep here

I loved the Apatow short for 2008 comedies, it really was genuinely funny, Janusz Kaminski was hillarious as were Franco and Rogen. Cant wait for Funny People this summer.

10. Best Action Short: Toyland ! Yes ! My first ever correct short prediction.

The Musical number was decent, but what on earth happened to Beyonce ? She looked like Jessica Simpson at the Chilli cookoff, her legs are thicker than mine right now.

Alan Arkin flubs P.S.H's name...Cuba gives a hillarious intro to Robert Downey Jr....Kevin Kline gives a beautiful elogy to Heath

11. Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight- Words cannot express how emotional this must feel for Heath's freinds and family. Chris Nolan said it best when he remarked: A hole has been ripped from the future of cinema. R.I.P Heath we miss you

Bill Maer comes on and gives a slightly amusing intro that almost turned ointo an infomercial for Religiolus...

12. Best Documentary: Man On Wire- This one has been a long time coming, I love that Phillipe Petit came up on stage with Marsh and gave a lovely little speech, hes a charming little fucker

13. Best Documentary Short: Smile Pinki- I... whatever...

Decent action montage

14. Best Visual F/X: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- Award No. 3!

No Slumdog. No Slumdog. No Slumdog...

15. Best Sound Editing: The Dark Knight! Yes! Slumdog Millionaire aint gonna sweep!

No Slumdog. N0 Slumdog. No Slumdog.....

16. Best Sound Mixing: Slumdog Millionaire....totaly and completely undeserved. Award no. 3...

17. Best Film Editing: Slumdog Millionaire- Lets just change the name of the award to Most Editing this year, because The Dark Knight, Milk and Ben Button all had better editing.

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award To Jerry Lewis- Eddie Murphy gives a slightly insincere intro to Jerry before cutting a great montage of Jerry.
It's so great to see an Oscar in the hands of that genius. Jerry gives a lovely speech thanking the Academy and the film industry, he's done so much and for so little, bless that man.

An inventive score montage conducted by Michael Giacchino, i'm sorry to butcher the name, yields an unexpected lovely moment of music and cinema.

18. Best Original Score: Slumdog Millionaire- My least favorite score of the group wins but at least I got another correct prediction.

I really did not like this song medley they are doing, Its unfortunate that M.I.A. didnt show up and that John Legend is singing Peter Gabriel's beautiful song from Wall-e because he kind of butchered it in my oppinion. Jai Ho is going to win... Bruce's not being here ruined it from the start

19. Best Original Song: "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire- All I will say is that Bruce should have been nominated, had he been, we would have seen a much different person on stage

I'm thinking about switching my foreign language predix to Waltz With Bashir or Departures, but I will stay put...for now

I'm changing it to Departures at 11:06

20. Best Foreign Language Film: Departures!!! I CANT BELIEVE THAT PAID OFF!!!! My thanks to Nat Rogers for writing a convincing enough prediction thats been nagging at me all day.

In memorium....by way of Queen Latifah who sings beautifully
Ends with a beautiful tribute to Paul Newman which itself ends with my favorite shot ever of Paul Newman: a tip of the nose from The Sting, I actually started to tear up... everyone who died in 2008 will be missed terribly.

Thank god Sid Ganis is not making a speech tonight, thats the best parting gift I've ever seen. Hopefully with him gone. the Oscars will take a new direction by actually awarding phenominal films like The Dark Knight and Wall-e with Best Picture nods.

Hahaha David Fincher and Gus Van Sant got the most applause of the director nominees.

21. Best Director: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire! I cant believe I'm seeing Danny Boyle, the man who directed Shallow Grave and Trainspotting, with an Oscar.

On a side note, I love that Danny Boyle apologized to a choreographer that he left off the credits, that was a great moment.

Can Kate win tonight ? Sophia, Shirley, Halle, Nicole and Marion present...Kate looks stunning

22. Best Actress: KATE WINSLET!!! I cant believe she finally has that Oscar in her hands- A truly phenominal actress finally wins her first Oscar, hopefully the first of many more.

Kate gave a great speech...Best Actor coming right up
Robert DeNiro, Ben Kingsley, Anthony Hopkins, Adrien Brody, and Mike Douglas present, what a line up huh? God I hope Mickey wins.. Bob DeNiro delivers a great line

23. Best Actor: Sean Penn for Milk...a great performance no doubt, but I really thought Mickey had this sewn up, Sean gives a fantastic funny speech, and a powerful political message.

Steven Spielberg presents Best Picture, how fitting that the man who helmed the last Best Picture to sweep, Schindler's List presents this award to Slumdog Millionaire, we all know it's gonna happen.

24. Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire- We all knew it was coming, now we can take that much needed break...

20 out of 24 aint bad at all!
Good Night.

Meditations....On my final Oscar Predictions Part 1 & 2

2009-02-22T10:35:00.006-05:00

Well, they're finally here. Tonight, millions, well maybe not millions, of americans and foreign audiences will sit down on their couches and watch the Academy Awards which I believe are in their 8oth year. Though there may seem to be hardly any suspense in the categories which list Slumdog as a nominee, I think that we could indeed end up seeing a suprise or two tonight, and I'm not talking about the telecast's format either, which in itself is also creating some palpable excitement from Oscar watchers around the world. So without further adu here are my final Oscar predictions for each and every category. - Tyler j. Pratt "The Oscar Hut"

Live Action Short Film:

Auf der Strecke

Manon on the Asphalt

New Boy

The Pig

Toyland

I unfortunately have not seen any of these short films this year, so I have to go with what title looks most likely to called tonight. My Prediction: Toyland, What Could Win: The Pig

Best Animated Short:

La Maison en Petits...

Lavatory Lovestory

Oktapodi

Presto

This Way Up

Having seen Presto and This Way Up, I feel much more confident in predicting this award. For some reason many people are predicting La Maison en Petits... to the award which begs the question: Did you see Presto ? Hands down, the best animated short I think I've ever seen, Presto is nearly perfect, never hitting a false note. My Prediction: Presto, What Could Win: La Maison en Petits...

Best Documentary Short:

The Conscience of Nhem En

The Final Inch

Smile Pinki

The Witness From the Balcony of Room 306

I really have nothing to say about this category so...My prediction: The Witness From the Balcony of Room 306, What could win: The Final Inch

Best Documentary:

The Betrayal

Encounters at the End of the World

The Garden

Man on Wire

Trouble The Water

I've seen Encounters, Man on Wire and Trouble the water, which leads me to confidently say that the best of these nominees is Werner Herzog's Encounters at the End of The World which I loved. But it wont win, it wont even come in second in this vote. My Prediction: Man on Wire, What could win: Trouble the Water, What Should win: Encounters at the End of the World

Best Animated Feature aka: The Pixar Award:

Bolt

Kung Fu Panda

Wall-e

With a masterpiece in Wall-e this year and Up next year, I think we will be seeing a threepeat not seen since Michael Jordan led my hometown Chicago Bulls to two threepeats during their dynastic decade of the 90's. Wall-e is without a doubt, for me, Pixar's best work yet, and it will win this in a landslide. My Prediction: Wall-e, What Could Win: I'm sticking with Wall-e, What Should Win: Wall-e

Best Foreign Film:

Austria-Revanche

France-The Class

Germany-Der Baader Meinhof Komplex

Israel-Waltz With Bashir

Japan-Departures

This is the first year that I have ever seen all the nominees for this category, and with that said, The class should be the victor here but it faces some extreme competition with the also excellent Waltz With Bashir. There have been rumblings that Japan's Departures could take it but I highly doubt it. My Prediction: The Class, What Could Win: Waltz With Bashir, What Should Win: The Class

Best Makeup

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Dark Knight

Hellboy 2

This is a kind of tough category to call. Button features great aging makeup, The Dark Knight created an iconoclastic new version of the Joker, and Hellboy 2 was a makeup artists wet dream. So who wins here ? I'm gonna go with the movie that involves a ton of aging and de-aging. My Prediction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, What Could Win: The Dark Knight, What Should Win: Benjamin Button

Best Visual F/X:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Dark Knight

Iron Man

This is another tough one because any one of these could win, and deserves to win. Unfortunately for the super heroes, Button features the most innovative effects since Jurrasic Park scared the shit out of litttle kids everywhere *cough cough*. My Prediction: The Curious of Button, What Could Win: The dark Knight, What Should Win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Sound Editing:

The Dark Knight

Iron Man

Slumdog Millionaire

WALL-E

Wanted

Slumdog Millionaire's inclusion here is a joke, it does not deserve either award but I have a feeling that it could win if there is indeed a sweep, (Which I predicted back when the BAFTA nominees were announced so dibs) but I cannot in good conscience predict a film this undeserving so, My Prediction: The dark Knight, What Could Win: Slumdog "ughh" Millionaire, What Should Win: The Dark Knight or Wall-e

Best Sound Mixing:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Dark Knight

Slumdog Millionaire

WALL-E

Wanted

Read Sound Editing. My Prediction: The Dark Knight, What Could Win: Slumdog Millionaire, What Should Win: Wall-e

Best Original Song:

"Jai Ho"-Slumdog Millionaire"

"O Saya"-Slumdog Millionaire"

"Down to Earth"-WALL-E

I am disowning this category for its exclusion of The Boss, Slumdog will win. My Prediction: Jai Ho, What Could Win: O Saya, What Should Win: The Wrestler, I am pretending it was nominated

Best Original Score:

Curious Case-Desplat

Defiance-Howard

Milk-Elfman

Slumdog Millionaire-Rahman

WALL-E-Newman

This is another race full of deserving nominees that will ultimately be shut out by Slumdog Millionaire which was a good movie with good direction, nothing more. I hated that soon to be Oscar winning score. My Prediction: Slumdog Millionaire, What Could Win: Wall-e, What Should Win: Any nominee but Slumdog

Best Costume Design:

Australia

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Duchess

Milk

Revolutionary Rd

I can only go by what I thought looked good, I dont know much about costumes. My Prediction: The Duchess, What Could Win: Benjamin Button, What Should Win: Benjamin Button

Best Art Direction

Changeling

Benjamin Button

The Dark Knight

The Duchess

Revolutionary Road

All of these films had excellent Art Direction, but none measure up to the excellence in design showcased in Button. My Prediction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, What Could Win: The Duchess, What Should Win: Button

Best Cinematography:

Changeling

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Dark Knight

The Reader

Slumdog Millionaire

This year featured good cinematography, but nothing on par with last years excellent examples like There Will Be Blood and The Assassination of Jesse James. However, these nominees are all at least worthy of the prize and I could see any of them winning if it were not for Slumdog's inclusion. My Prediction: Slumdog Millionaire,What Could win: The Dark Knight, What Should Win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight or Changeling

Best Film Editing:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Dark Knight

Frost/Nixon

Milk

Slumdog Millionaire

Why waste time writing an intro to this, Slumdog wins. My Prediction: Slumdog Millionaire, What Could Win: The Dark Knight, What Should Win: The Dark Knight

Best Original Screenplay

Frozen River by Courtney Hunt

Happy-Go-Lucky by Mike Liegh

In Bruges by Martin McDonagh

Milk by Dustin Lance Black

Wall-e by Andrew Stanton & Others

This category is for me the hardest of the night to predict. While many blogs have chalked this one up to Milk, the frontrunner which won a screenplay award last night at the Spirit Awards, I feel that if there is to be an upset tonight it will come here. Wall- e is the closest competition to Milk, and a very popular film that is basically 100 % scene and action description. In Bruges, my favorite of the group and probably the best written of the screenplays as well has won many precursors but can it overcome the one-two powerouse of Milk and Wall-e? The same question goes for Frozen River, which has no shot, and Happy-Go-lucky, the darjhorse of the group.

My Prediction: Milk by Dustin Lance Black

What Could Win: Wall-e by Andrew Stanton

What Should Win: In Bruges by Martin McDonagh (PLEASE LET THIS HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Best Adapted Screenplay

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- Eric Roth & Robin Swicord

Doubt- John Patrick Shanley

Frost/Nixon- Peter Morgan

The Reader- David Hare

Slumdog Millionaire- Simon Beaufoy

This is the antithesis of the original screenplay race, Slumdog Millionaire is the frontrunner by a mile, and the only film with a shot to unseat it is Ben Button which we all know wont happen.

My Prediction: Slumdog Millionaire

What Could Win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

What Should Win: The Reader

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams forDoubt

Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Viola Davis for Doubt

Taraji P. Henson for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler

Many are describing this race a 5 women competition implying that anyone could win. I 100 percent agree, anyone of these gals could end up on stage tonight which makes this a hard to spot race. I think the weakest link is obviously Amy Adams, even though I prefered her to Viola Davis who is going head to head with Penelope Cruz for frontrunner status. Taraji benefits for being in a BP nominee and Marisa Tomei bared her soul (among other things) on screen in the truest supporting performance of the year.

My Prediction: Peneope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Who Could Win: Viola Davis for Doubt

Who Should Win: Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler

Best Supporting Actor:

Josh Brolin for Milk

Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder

Phillip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt

Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight

Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road

All I have to say is this: I feel sorry for the man who ends up beating Heath tonight, even though that wont happen, that would not be a good sitch to be in.

My Prediction: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight

Who Could Win: N/A

Who Should Win: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight

Best Actress:

My Prediction: Kate Winslet for The Reader

Who Could Win: Meryl Streeep for Doubt

Who Should Win: Kate Winslet for The Reader

Best Actor:

My Prediction: Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler

Who Could Win: Sean Penn for Milk

Who should Win: Mickey Rourke

I blazed through these because we have a mere 30 minutes until the redcarpet cut off, my rational for these two picks is basically, they deserve it and both were phenominal.

BEST PICTURE/BEST DIRECTOR:

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Why? Because the movie is decent and a deserving winner, and because who are the Academy to upset an awards season sweep not seen since Schindler's List stormed into the Oscars way back in 93'

The Oscar Hut Poll Results...

2009-02-21T19:31:00.002-05:00

In the Best Actor race, readers gave Mickey Rourke the win with 55 % of the vote compared to rival sean Penn's 33 %.
For Best actress, Kate Winslet won with 73 % of the vote.
Heath Ledger seems to in route to a posthumous oscar as 71 % percent of our readers believe that there is no chance in Hell that he can lose.
And the Best Supporting Actress race sees Penelope Cruz with 52 percent of the vote followed closely behind by Viola Davis.

how will these Oscar Hut winners fare at the Oscars tommorow night ?

We shall see

Final Oscar Predictions coming....

2009-02-20T11:17:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, right after the independent spirit awards.

Speaking of the Indie Spirits, those predix are soon coming as well, expect them by tommorow morning.

One week and counting....

2009-02-15T15:40:00.002-05:00

until the biggest movie event of the year!

Here is what we know for sure:

1. Slumdog Millionaire is guaranteed at least 3 Oscars
2. One of Slumdog's three oscars will be for Best Picture
3. Heath Ledger will win Best Supporting Actor
4. Wall-e will win Best Animated Film
5. Mickey Rourke will have to censored in some way at least once during the ceremony.

Here Is What We can be pretty sure about:

1. Either Sean Penn or Mickey Rourke will win Best Actor
2. The same goes for Kate Winslet and Meryl Streep in Best Actress
3.Slumdog Will Win more than 3 oscars

Here Is What is definitely up in the air:

1. Supporting Actress
2. Original Screenplay
3. Foreign Film
4. The Presenters
5. Will the show be good

Here is what we know for sure wont happen:

1. The Oscar telecast ratings will be up from last year

Polls...polls...and more polls

2009-02-10T19:32:00.002-05:00

5 new polls have been added to the Hut to better find out what the general consensus is among our readers as far as who will be winning come Oscar night goes. Everyone who visits the site will have until the night of the independent Spirit Awards to cast your votes, so you will have plenty of time to think about your answers.

Enjoy!

Tyler j. Pratt

BAFTA Winners... Part 1

2009-02-09T07:25:00.001-05:00

* = Correct Prediction

Best Film: Slumdog Millionaire *

Best British Film: Man on Wire, I predicted In Bruges

Best Director: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire *

Best Actor: Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler *

Best Actress: Kate Winslet for The Reader *

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight *

Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona, I Predicted Marisa Tomei

Best Ad. Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire *

Best O. Screenplay: In Bruges *

Meditations...On The BAFTAs: Part Deux

2009-02-08T09:52:00.003-05:00

Best Supporting Actor
Robert Downey, Jr. – Tropic Thunder
Brendan Gleeson – In Bruges
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt
Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
Brad Pitt – Burn After Reading
-

This is probably the 2nd easiest category to predict after Best Film for 2008. Heath Ledger won this award long before the nominations were announced. However, I would be remiss if I didn't at least say that I feel 2008 had a wealth of great supporting turns. Every nominee in this category did a great job, especially in the case of Brendan Gleeson.

Who Will Won: Heath Ledger for his dark, funny, scary and iconoclastic turn as the Joker.

Who Should Win: While Heath certainly did amazing work in The Dark Knight that deserves every single accolade he's received, I cant turn my back on Brendan Gleeson, who was the heart and soul of the wonderful In Bruges.

Who Was Snubbed: Since nobody else has this season, I want to bang the drum for Jason Butler Harner for his work in Changeling which has been stuck in my head since I saw the movie at Cannes. He was wonderful and the lack of attention being paid to his performance is criminal.

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams – Doubt
Penélope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Freida Pinto – Slumdog Millionaire
Tilda Swinton – Burn After Reading
Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler

Unlike the Supporting Actor race, this one is a bit tricky. Viola Davis is curiously absent from the race, while lightweight performances from Pinto and Swinton make it in. I doubt that Swinton wins two in a row, so she's out, and the same goes for Pinto simply because she wasn't that good in Slumdog. I have to believe that Amy Adams wont win, only because she has been overshadowed by Davis all season long, but she could upset in the end. So this leaves me with Cruz and Tomei. For some reason, I have a feeling that Tomei will pull this one off. She was excellent in The Wrestler and has been very consistent during this awards season, and I think that the Brits are really digging The Wrestler. Despite Cruz's early front runner status, there doesn't seem to be much love for Vicky Cristina Barcelona, so I'm inclined to believe that she will lose once again, at least Winslet's not here.

Wil Win: Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler, a true supporting role, and a good one at that.

Who Should Win: I loved Penelope Cruz in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, she was extremely funny and neurotically arrogant, not to mention sexy.

Who Was Snubbed: Viola Davis for the most explosive performance in Doubt. She did more in minutes of screen time than Pinto and Swinton did in two hour films.

Best Actor
Frank Langella – Frost/Nixon
Dev Patel – Slumdog Millionaire
Sean Penn – Milk
Brad Pitt – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler

I am just going to start by saying that this a two horse race between Sean Penn, the well bred front runner, and Mickey Rourke, the wily veteran underdog.

both men gave fantastic performances, and both could certainly pick up a mask tonight. Frank Langella and Brad Pitt are the "lucky to be nominated" spots as both seem to be just perennial nominees this season. And then there is Dev Patel. While youngsters have won in the past, Jamie Bell won in 2000 for Billy Elliott against all odds, I just cant see Patel going all the way. He honestly is out of his league here, his chances of beating Penn and Rourke are as likely as Slumdog Millionaire not winning Best Film.

Who Will Win: I'm going with Rourke, he has an incredible momentum going on right now having just won the London Critics Circle Awards, and his personal story is getting so much press right now.

Who Should Win: Mickey Rourke, he was just too good in The Wrestler. Penn was very good in Milk, but Rourke's performance hit many emotional chords within myself. He made me tear up at least twice in the movie.

Who Was Snubbed: Leonardo DiCaprio, this year's perennial snub also gave the best performance of any actor this year. Years from now, people will kick themselves in the head for not realizing how good he was in Revolutionary Road.

Best Actress
Angelina Jolie – Changeling
Kristin Scott Thomas – I've Loved You So Long (Il y a longtemps que je t'aime)
Meryl Streep – Doubt
Kate Winslet – The Reader
Kate Winslet – Revolutionary Road

This would have been a much easier category to predict had Winslet only recieved one nomination. Because of her dual nods, she runs the risk of vote splitting, but due to the muted reception to Revolutionary Road as a whole I don't think that will be a problem. Jolie seems to be the easiest to dispose of, yes her film was well liked here but I think she is just filler this year in the best actress category. Kristin Scott Thomas could benefit from being both British and performing in a foreign language, french just like last years winner Cottilard, but I don't think this is her year to win. That leaves us with Meryl Streep for Doubt and Kate Winslet for The Reader. Even though Meryl hasn't won a BAFTA since the 80's, Doubt was only just released in the UK which puts some doubt as to her chances. So in short, I think Kate wins because The Reader was well liked by the BAFTAs, she is an international superstar, and the overdue factor may carry over from the Oscars despite her supporting win more than a decade ago for Sense and Sensibility at the BAFTAs.

Who Will Win: Kate Winslet takes this one for The Reader, and makes her way to the Oscars.

Who Should Win: I think Kate should win, but for Revolutionary Road, not The Reader

Who Was Snubbed: Anne Hathaway for her fantastic job in Rachel Getting Married.

Meditations on...The BAFTAS

2009-02-07T17:00:00.004-05:00

With the BAFTAs airing tommorow night, it seemed more fitting to turn in my final predictions than to star with my ever-delayed Countdown to Oscar series. So, lets dive in, shall we ?

I've decided to place each category in order of relevance to the oscars.

The Orange Rising Star Award (voted for by the public)
Michael Cera
Noel Clarke
Michael Fassbender
Rebecca Hall
Toby Kebbell

Having only heard of Cera, Fassbender and Hall, this prediction should be taken with a grain of salt, even though I'm almost positive one of these three shall win.

Since it's voted upon by the public, I'm inclined to pick Cera, but I think that if Michael Fassbender wins anywhere, it'll be here.

Will/Should Win: Michael Fassbender

Snubbed: Dev Patel, and David Kross.

Carl Foreman award for special achievement by a Brit in their first feature film
Simon Chinn - Man on Wire (producer)
Judy Craymer - Mamma Mia! The Movie (producer}
Garth Jennings - Son of Rambow (writer)
Steve McQueen - Hunger (director/writer)
Roy Boulter and Solon Papadopoulos - Of Time and the City (producers)

Steve McQueen won this the day the nominations were announced.

Will/Should Win: Steve McQueen

Snubbed: Martin McDonagh for In Bruges, even though he already has an oscar for his excellent short, Six Shooter, how did he not get in for his feature length debut ?

Best Sound
Changeling – Walt Martin, Alan Robert Murray, John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff
The Dark Knight – Lora Hirschberg, Richard King, Ed Novick, Gary Rizzo
Quantum of Solace – Jimmy Boyle, Eddy Joseph, Chris Munro, Mike Prestwood Smith, Mark Taylor
Slumdog Millionaire – Glenn Freemantle, Resul Pookutty, Richard Pryke, Tom Sayers, Ian Tapp
WALL-E – Ben Burtt, Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Matthew Wood

I have no idea how Changeling made it in, I think it's safe to write that off immediately. The dark Knight, Quantum of Solace and Wall-e would all be deserving winners, and Slumdog, which I think has no buisness in this category. I think this will go to either Wall-e or The Dark Knight, but if pressed, batman picks this up.

Will Win: The Dark Knight

Should Win: The Dark Knight or Wall-e

Snubbed: Defiance. I adored the movie, and I still cant understand why it recieved so little love this year. It's a shame.

Best Visual Effects
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Eric Barba, Craig Barron, – Nathan McGuinness, Edson Williams
The Dark Knight – Chris Corbould, Nick Davis, Paul Franklin, Tim Webber
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – Pablo Helman
Iron Man – Shane Patrick Mahan, John Nelson, Ben Snow
Quantum of Solace – Chris Corbould, Kevin Tod Haug

This is easily between Button, The Dark Knight and Iron Man. Of the three, The dark Knight is probably the weakest due to the real effects used during the movie as far as the explosions go. Iron Man had great effects and probably would have won had Button not been nominated. I just cant see how any awards body could ignore the masterful technical prowess displayed in Ben Button

Will/Should Win: The Curious case of Benjamin Button

Snubbed: Nothing comes to mind.

Best Makeup and Hair
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Jean Black, Colleen Callaghan
The Dark Knight – Peter Robb-King
The Duchess – Daniel Phillips, Jan Archibald
Frost/Nixon – Edouard Henriques, Kim Santantonio
Milk – Steven E. Anderson, Michael White

It seems wierd to me that the brits include hair in this category but I think that the only film that stands a chance is The curious case of Benjamin Button. The actors are aged and de-aged marvelously in the movie. And that fact that it spans throughout decades only helps it's chances.

Will/Should Win: The Curious case of Benjamin button

Snubbed: Synecdoche, New York, despite featuring the best and most realistic aging make up I've ever seen, it has been shunned and snubbed by every awards group.

Best Costume Design
Changeling – Deborah Hopper
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Jacqueline West
The Dark Knight – Lindy Hemming
The Duchess – Michael O'Connor
Revolutionary Road – Albert Wolsky

The Duchess, Changeling, and Benjamin Button are the only realistic contenders for this award. All three movies feature great costumes which makes it difficult to predict a winner. Because of this, I have to go with my BAFTA montra: When in doubt, go with a British film". The Duchess wins.

Will Win: The Duchess

Should Win: Changeling

Snubbed: The Other Boleyn Girl had fantastic costumes.

Best Production Design
Changeling – James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo
The Dark Knight – Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando
Revolutionary Road – Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt
Slumdog Millionaire – Mark Digby, Michelle Day

This is a tough one. Changeling, Revolutionary Road and Butto all feature fantastic period design work. The Dark Knight was contemporary design marvel, and Slumdog Millionaire's Mumbai is brought to life through it production design. I think the weakest films are Slumdog and The Dark Knight so they're out. Revolutionary Road isnt getting anything so its out. Which leaves us with Button and Changeling. I prefere Changeling, but I think Button picks this one up.

Will Win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Should Win: Changeling

Snubbed: The great sets and art direction of Indianna Jones IV, which were the best part of an otherwise unsatisfying film.

Best Music (Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Alexandre Desplat
The Dark Knight – James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer
Mamma Mia! – Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
Slumdog Millionaire – A. R. Rahman
WALL-E – Thomas Newman

Mama Mia!'s inclusion is a joke, but otherwise anyone of these films would be derserving winners. I know that Slumdog Millionaire most likely takes this in a cake walk, but I would like to believe that a work as good as Howard and Zimmer's The Dark Knight score will win at least one major award. Alas, Slumdog wins this one as it has done all season long.

Will Win: Slumdog Millionaire

Should Win: The Dark Knight

Snubbed: I loved the scores for Che, Defiance and especially In Bruges. Carter Burwell's work was sublime and incredibly haunting, Albert Iglesias did great mood molding work in Che, and James Newton Howard's Defiance score was exactly the type of grand, eloquent work that I love when it comes to film scores.

Best Film Not in the English Language
The Baader Meinhof Complex (Der Baader Meinhof Komplex) • Germany
Gomorrah (Gomorra) • Italy
I've Loved You So Long (Il y a longtemps que je t'aime) • France
Persepolis • France
Waltz with Bashir (Vals im Bashir) • Israel

Take your pic here. I've seen all the nominees, but because of Persepolis inclusion I feel completely thrown off. I think that because of Persepolis, Waltz With Bashir and the other animated film will suffer a vote split type situation, knocking both of them out of the running.

Baader hasnt recieved the best of reviews and I disliked it so I'm crossing that one off, leaving two excellent films in Gommorah and I've Loved You So Long. I'm think they'll go with Gommorah to one up the Oscars and make them look foolish for the ridiculous snub.

Will/Should Win: Gommorah

Snubbed: The Class, one of the best films of the last three years and the most deserving Palm d'Or winner in a while.

Best Animated Film
Persepolis
WALL-E
Waltz with Bashir (Vals im Bashir)

Theres no reason to comment here.

Will Win/Should Win: Wall-e

Snubbed: Kung Fu Panda, what can I say ? I loved it.

Best Film - British (Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film)
Hunger
In Bruges
Mamma Mia! The Movie
Man on Wire
Slumdog Millionaire

I think that Slumdog has Best Film wrapped up with a bow, and I'm pretty sure that this award usually splits. I doubt that Mama mia! will win any best picture type award, if it couldnt win a globe, this is impossible. I'm not sure about Man on Wire's chances, despite being phenominal how often does a doc win this type of an award ? I just cant see it. This leaves Hunger and In Bruges. Both wonderful. Both Unique. Both auteur driven films. I think that McQueen's win earlier in the night is the films consolation prize, which leaves my personal fav In Bruges for the win.

Will/Should Win: In Bruges

Snubbed: I'm not sure, I guess The Reader is the most obvious snubee as it was directed, produced and written by brits.

Best Cinematography
Changeling – Tom Stern
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Claudio Miranda
The Dark Knight – Wally Pfister
The Reader – Chris Menges, Roger Deakins
Slumdog Millionaire – Anthony Dod Mantle

I hate this category this year as i am at a loss. Last year I felt I had a personal favorite to win which led me to correctly predict There Will be Blood, but this year no film had photography that just completely grabbed me and spoke to me. Hunger comes the closest, but it was snubbed.

I'm going to go with Slumdog Millionaire, but I prefer The Dark Knight and Changeling slightly more.

Will Win: Slumdog Millionaire

Should Win: The Dark Knight

Snubbed: Hunger's cinematography was a true technical achievement, and a testament to Bobbit's skill as a dp and McQueen's talent as a director.

Best Screenplay - Adapted
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Eric Roth
Frost/Nixon – Peter Morgan
The Reader – David Hare
Revolutionary Road – Justin Haythe
Slumdog Millionaire – Simon Beaufoy

Simon Beaufoy, a brit, wins this as easy as one, two, three.

Will Win: Slumdog Millionaire

Should Win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Snubbed: I think The Dark Knight had the most criminally passed over screenplay of 2008. It created a world that captured the minds of people all over the world, and featured some of the best dialogue ever written, especially in the case of The Joker's monologues throughout the film.

Best Screenplay - Original
Burn After Reading – Ethan and Joel Coen
Changeling – J. Michael Straczynski
I've Loved You So Long (Il y a longtemps que je t'aime) – Philippe Claudel
In Bruges – Martin McDonagh
Milk – Dustin Lance Black

The only movie I can see winning here is In Bruges.

Will Win/Should Win: In Bruges, heres hoping that Oscar is next !

Snubbed: Vicky Cristina Barcelona, just like at the oscars, for some reason Woody is being screwed this year despite seeing his best reviews in years.

I'm out for the night, part two comes tommorow morning, I promise.

Apologies...

2009-02-03T19:30:00.002-05:00

For the lack of posts lately, but things have been extremely hectic for me in my personal life.
Exams, illness, injury and relationships and The Oscars can be hard to balance on a day to day basis. On the brightside, during my time away I was fortunate enough to re watch all of the best picture nominees and films with acting and screenplay nods.
So... what that means is, with any luck I will be doing a category countdown to the oscars that should begin tonight or tommorow.

Enjoy !

Tyler j. Pratt

PGA Quick Pick

2009-01-24T20:49:00.001-05:00

Slumdog Millionaire wins. Duh...

Meditations...on the Oscar Nominees. Part II

2009-01-24T17:57:00.003-05:00

Best Actor
- Richard Jenkins for The Visitor
- Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon
- Sean Penn for Milk
- Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler

These nominees are not bad at all. In fact they are pretty decent, nearly great. Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn gave two of the top three performances of the year, with bith men giving career best performances in Milk and The Wrestler respectively. Either one of these two men should and will win the oscar. Brad Pitt was great in Button, giving the most internally complex performance of his career, and he deserved a nod. Frank Langella's Nixon was a shining example of wonderful mimicry mixed with actorly invention, and even though Michael Sheen was his equal performance wise, Langella provided Frost/Nixon with it's most poignant moment when he apologizes to the American People. Finally, Richard Jenkins. Jenkins wa absolutely wonderful and reserved in the Visitor. Giving his second best performnce ever, behind Nathaniel Fisher Sr. in Six Feet Under, Jenkins is overdue for a nomination.

Now for the negatives of this shortlist...

No Leo. In my oppinion, Leonardo DiCaprio gave the best male performance of the year and the best of his own career. He was raw, vulnerable and at times frighteningly explosive. His snub will be much more talked about in the coming years, as his performance was better than Jenkin's, Langella's and Pitt's. It's inexcusable that acting of this callibre can be so ridiculously ignored by an actors branch that loves actors movies above all else. I just don't get it.

Best Actress
- Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married
- Angelina Jolie for Changeling
- Melissa Leo for Frozen River
- Meryl Streep for Doubt
- Kate Winslet for The Reader

This is a list that is definitely weaker than the Best Actor race. Anne Hathaway was great, boldly daring to strip away all remnants of her squeaky clean persona and playing an ex drug addictwith a complex emotional history. Pretty much a stretch for her, and despite this, she was wonderful. Meryl Streep's performance is one that crept up on me. As I was watching Doubt, it struck me as odd that the only performance that was weak was coming from Ms. Streep. The next day, I had eased up on her, thinking that maybe she wasnt bad at all. Three weeks later, I was positive that she gave the second best female performance of the year. Jolie was good, really good in changeling. Probably the best I've seen her do since Girl, Interupted.

The negative thoughts...
Melissa Leo over Sally Hawkins. The fact that Leo got in pissess me off when Sally Hawkins who gave the superior performance was snubbed. I knew it was going to be one or the other, I went with Sally, why shouldn't I have, she did great on the precursor circuit, got raves and she young and beautiful. Leo is none of these things.
Also, Kate Winslet was nominated for the wrong film. She was good in the Reader, but I agree with the supporting campaign, Michael was the main character not hannah. Winslet turns in the best performance of the year for Rev Road and she is snubbed for it. I just dont understand why the academy is so fucking stupid.

Part III: Monday

Meditations...On the Oscar Nominees, Part I

2009-01-23T11:23:00.002-05:00

Well, after months of prognostication, wishes, and viewings, the Oscar finally announced their nominees yesterday morning. For the readers who know what happened, I am not extremely upset about the results. It could have been much worse, Mickey Rourke cold have been snubbed, Milk could have been completely shut out, Kate Winslet could have gone without any nominations. We should all be greatful that this year the Oscars are honoring films directed by Danny Boyle, David Fincher and Gus Van Sant, and whats more is that their films all received at least 8 nominations. Be greatful that actors like Richard Jenkins, Frank Langella and Mickey Rourke have finally recieved a nomination, and that Michael Shannon, Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis are being honored. The Oscars may not have rewarded The Dark Knight, but they were brave enough to give movies like In Bruges, Happy-Go-Lucky and Frozen River nominations.
Yes, The Dark Knight was snubbed, yes Woody Allen and Jenny Lumet were robbed, yes, Leonardo Dicaprio wasn't nominated for the best male performance of the year.
The only snub that angered me was the Boss' not being recognized for his genius.
But in the end, at least the Oscars once again gave us something to talk about, at least we can all now bitch until the next January. That's half the fun of the Oscars anyways isnt it.
Either way, here are my thoughts on this year's nominees.

Best Picture
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Frost/Nixon
- Milk
- The Reader
- Slumdog Millionaire

This is what we all expected isnt it. The entire year, bloggers battled over whether or not the Dark Knight was going to be nominated, and in the end it wasn't. Yes, I thought the Dark Knight was one of the superior films from 2008, but there is not one film on that shortlist that was completely undeserving. The Reader, was not a bad film. In fact, it was actually a pretty decent movie, one that was generally well liked by critics and awards bodies alike. Frost/Nixon & Milk were fantastic biopics, boasting great direction and performances. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was one of the most fascinating film going experiences of the year, and Slumdog Millionaire was universally acclaimed despite a now rising backlash.
This is not a bad short list at all.

Best Director
- Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
- Stephen Daldry for The Reader
- David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Ron Howard for Frost/Nixont
- Gus Van Sant for Milk
Once again, how can you complain when Danny Boyle, David Fincher and Gus Van Sant show up as nominees. They are three of the most beloved cult directors, and they all nailed their movies with phenominal direction. I feel ambivalent towards Ron Howard's nod, and while Stephen Daldry did his best directing yet in The Reader, I still think that Christopher Nolan was robbed. His direction was iconic, and any number of images in that movie can be remembered with staggering clarity.

Meditations...

2009-01-22T11:41:00.002-05:00

I dont know what to say about this morning's nominations right now...
Once I can contain my thoughts and gather them up, you readers will be hearing a diatribe against the AMPAS.

On a side note, I did not miss more than two nominees from any of the individual categories.

But...The Dark Knight snub....

I will be back later today

bet on it.

Tyler j. Pratt

Meditations on...The Innauguration andMy Final Oscar Predictions.

2009-01-20T15:41:00.004-05:00

Wow, what a day, what a day. First off, I am still freezing from the hours spent waiting for the innauguration which really only lasted about an hour and a half, maybe two hours plus. But, this morning was one for the history books. Despite my personal feeling that this man has yet to prove himself in any political arena, it was hard to not be caught up in the emotions, inthe history that was being made before the eyes of millions of americans.

Well, thats it for the political crap today, lets move on to my favorite topic...the Oscars !

My Final Predictions will be up 100 percent sometime tommorow, once i get home from D.C., I will try to get something done on the plane, but I doubt it.

Computer Problems..

2009-01-19T21:03:00.003-05:00

will delay my final predicitons until tommorow morning, noon at the latest, at least until I can get a new charger for my lap top. On a happier note, I am in D.C. for the innauguration ! Luckily I had the forsight to make the trip here on wednsday, and to make super early reservations at the hotel.
Either way I hope you oscar watchers are ready for tommorow...with a new era in american history and my final predix coming, you would be forgiven for being crazy with excitement.

-T.J.P