"Che: The Argentine" A Film By Steven Soderbergh

Austin Powers 4 ? No, baby, no....

Thanks to Nikki Finke for the scoop, it seems that Mike Meyers is currently penning the script for what is to be the fourth film of his smash hit series about austin Powers, though the new film may be focused on Dr. Evil.

I dont know about you readers, but to me it seems like Meyers is both out of touch with what is considered funny these days, as well as being clueless to the fact he may be fast becoming box office poison.

The Oscars From The Outside-In Vol. 2 : Costumes and Makeup and F/X oh my !

For some costumes, makeup and visual f/x categories may seem a tad boring. The general consensus is that costume and makeup awards are only anticipated by women and homosexuals, and that the award for Best Visual F/X is Oscar's attempt at giving back to the more mainstream films of each year.

Well, while those opinions may be true, any true lover of cinema knows that costuming, make up and special f/x all play an important part in the whole of every movie going experience.

So here are my top 10 for each of theses awards that are just as important as sound and other tech categories.

Best Costume Design

1. Revolutionary Road

2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

3. The Changeling

4. The Young Victoria

5. Australia

6. The Duchess

7. The Other Boleyn Girl

8. Brideshead Revisited

9. The Dark Knight

10. Defiance

The Costume categories pretty much always seem to go to the same types of films, which means means that pretty much any and every period film is up for a nod. Though i hope they get creative this year and acknowledge The Dark Knight, which could lead the nomination count this year if the academy likes it enough.

Best Makeup

1. The Dark Knight

2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

3. Synecdoche, New York

4. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

5. Frost/Nixon

6. Hellboy 2

7. The Reader

8. The Road

9. The Argentine/Guerrilla

10. Tropic Thunder

I for one would love to see Tropic thunder get a nod this year for the excellent makeup used to turn Robert Downey Jr. into a black man while elevating black face makeup in general at the same time. However my heart and brain are telling me to go with a combination of the top 5.

Best Visual F/X

1. Iron Man

2. The Dark Knight

3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

4. Hancock

5. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

6. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

7. The Incredible Hulk

8. Indianna Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull

9. The Day the Earth Stood Still

10. Quantum of Solace

Though I rarely see many of the movies for which F/X was created, I have to say that Iron Man was visually stunning and the Dark Knight had the best pratical effects I have seen in a very long time, with special props to the work that went into creating the look of Two-face

Reviewing Pineapple Express

Judd Apatow continues his reign of terror over the comedy genre with Pineapple Express, a fantastic reinvention of the buddy movie, action film and stoner comedy all roled into one of the greatest joints i've smoked in a while.

Directed by indie icon David Gordon Green(George Washington, All The Real Girls), and co-written by Judd Apatow, Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen, Pineapple Express continues the Apatow legacy of achieving the greatness of what an R rated comedy could and should be by combining great direction ,writing and performances to create a great film.

Centered upon two stoners, Dale a process server(Seth Rogen) and Saul his dealer (James Franco),Pineapple Express follows Dale as he buys Saul's prime product, a high-grade rare new strain of pot called Pineapple Express.
When Dale becomes the only witness to a murder by a crooked cop (Rosie Perez, in a bravura turn) and the city's dangerous drug lord (Gary Cole), he panics and carelessly dumps the dope at the scene. Rather quickly, the good stuff is traced back, which means that Saul and Dale have to run for their lives. Along with their friend Red (Danny McBride) the guys embark on a journey of male bonding, dope-smoking monologues and just plain hilariousness.

In Pineapple Express, James Franco is a revelation. Everything about his character's choices are spot on from the hair, to the way he dresses, talks and his little pot enhanced mannerisms are great. Watching Franco go for broke on that screen also began to remind of a star making turn from years back that turned Sean Penn into a movie star virtually overnight, and I predict the same to happen to Franco who looks to have a very bright future ahead of him. Danny McBride also gives a breakthrough preformance as Red, a buddy of Franco and Rogen, and combined with the upcoming Tropic Thunder and The Foot Fist Way, things are also looking up for McBride an unknown before this summer.

In the end, despite the drug use and some graphic violence ( one scene in particular is getting compared to the Resevoir Dog finale), Pineapple express features great direction from David Gordon Green in his mainstream debut, an excellent screenplay that could at least see a WGA nod, and superb preformances from a great ensemble especially in the case of Franco, McBride and Perez. This effective genre blending laugh riot is so far the second best film of the summer.

*** 3/4

Inglorious Bastards Lands A Distributor

Thanks to Nikki Finke over at Deadline Hollywood for the scoop, it seems that Quentin Tarantino's latest homage Inglorious Bastards has recently found a home at Universal Pictures, which I believe to be the first time that QT has ever ventured away from the dead like vice grip of the Weinsteins.
Suffice to say, I'm looking foward to this flick with great anticipation. Qt has yet to fully dissapoint me, but then again it gets annoying when he waits 5 years after every picture to make a new one.

1994-Pulp Fiction....1997-Jacky Brown.............2003/2004- Kill Bill vol. 1&2....2007- Grindhouse: Death Proof...2009/2010?- Inglorious Bastards.

Film Of The Week

Film Of The Week, or F.O.T.W, a new feature here at The Oscar Hut will be debuting next Sunday and will be a weekly look at an Oscar nominated film examing the film itself, it's reception at time of release, how the film stands up now and its awards/nominations or lack there of.
To start off the collumn We'll take a look back at The Best Picture Nominees of 2000 and you, the reader's of The Oscar Hut will decide which one it will be. To cast your votes, please write them either in the comments section or send me an e-mail at tjpratt@bellsouth.net.
Here are the nominees:

Reviewing The Wackness

The Wackness is a fairly enjoyable if not noble failure. In trying to recreate the summer of 1994, the film fails to truly focus on the character's enough to make them sympathetic. Star Josh Peck, of Nickelodeon semi-fame, is like able enough in his starring debut displaying slight range and depth throughout most of the film though at times it felt like he was just phoning it in, strange as one would expect him to really attempt to make a mark on the film community with this role. Ben Kingsley however, despite a strange choice of accent, impresses with his role as a pot smoking shrink who becomes a sort of father figure for Peck's Luke. Though he also seems muted in his preformance as well.
All in all, at least the film features a great soundtrack which can be downloaded for free, which is something i would suggest doing rather than dropping 10 bucks on the film. Wait until its on PPV.

**1/2

Great One Sheets 2008 # 3

I Think we are looking at this year's Best Picture and Actor lol

The Oscars From The Outside-In Vol. 1 : Sound

This year's crop of Sound Editing & Mixing hopefuls are once again, as was the case last year, a great mixture a genres ranging from Animated with Wall-E, to Epic with Australia and War featuring Miracle At St. Anna. As of now, which of these film that will break through to a nod is a mystery to me, but here are my top 10 for both categories Editing and Mixing.



Best Sound Editing
1. Iron Man
2. The Dark Knight
3. Wall-E
4. Defiance
5. Quantum of Solace
6. Miracle At St. Anna
7. Australia
8. Indianna Jones and the Kingdom of The Crystal Skull
9. Body of Lies
10.Hancock



Best Sound Mixing
1. Iron Man
2. Wall-E
3. The Dark Knight
4. Quantum of Solace
5. Miracle at St. Anna
6. Defiance
7. Body of Lies
8. Australia
9. Indiann Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull
10. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Both categories are looking to match up pretty evenly, with Iron Man being the early favorite to grab both awards. I have a feeling that The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Wall-E, and Quantum of Solace will all end up on both shortlists with either Defiance or Miracle at St. Anna vying for the last spot in each category.

Terry Gilliam and Johnny Depp are returning to La Mancha

Terry Gilliam, aka: The world's most unlucky man, is once again set to return to La Mancha with Johnny Depp to once and for all finish "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote", a film that seems to have been in and out of the works as long as Quentin Tarantino's "Inglorious Bastards".
With Depp on board I have no doubt that the film will find Financial backing, despite Gilliam's troubled record of having movies and/or actors dying on him, but I do doubt how much of a quality work it will be. I for one have never been a huge a fan of Gilliam's, he was the weakest member of the Monty Python troupe, and only a few of his films have even caught my fancy, i.e. Brazil & The Fisher King.
My final prediction: "The Man who killed Don Quixote" if it ever is made will bomb commercially and critically, sending his career into ruin once again, though I honestly hope I am wrong.
Tyler j. Pratt

Venice Line-Up Announced

Here is the In and Out of competition Lineup for 65th Venice Film Festival

In Competition

"The Wrestler," directed by Darren Aronofsky

"The Burning Plain," directed by Guillermo Arriaga

"Il papa di Giovanna," directed by Pupi Avati

"BirdWatchers," directed by Marco Bechis

"L'Autre," directed by Patrick Mario Bernard and Pierre Trividic

"Hurt Locker," directed by Kathryn Bigelow

"Il seme della discordia," directed by Pappi Corsicato

"Rachel Getting Married," directed by Jonathan Demme

"Teza," directed by Haile Gerima

"Paper Soldier," directed by Aleksey German Jr.

"Suet," directed by Semih Kaplanoglu - Turkey / France / Germany

"Achilles and the Tortoise, directed by Takeshi Kitano - Japan

"Ponyo on Cliff by the Sea," directed by Hayao Miyazaki - Japan (animated)

"Vegas: Based on a True Story," directed by Amir Naderi - USA

"The Sky Crawlers," directed by Mamoru Oshii - Japan

"Un giorno perfetto," directed by Ferzan Oezpetek - Italy

"Jerichow," directed by Christian Petzold - Germany

"Inju, la Bete dans l'ombre," directed by Barbet Schroeder - France

"Nuit de chien," directed by Werner Schroeter - France / Germany / Portugal

"Inland" (Inland), directed by Tariq Teguia - Algeria / France

"Plastic City," directed by YU Lik-wai - Brazil / China / Hong Kong/China / Japan


Out of Competition

"Puccini e la fanciulla," directed by Paolo Benvenuti - Italy

"Yuppi Du," directed by Adriano Celentano - Italy

"Burn After Reading," directed by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen - USA

"35 Rhums," directed by Claire Denis - France / Spain

"Cry me a river," directed by JIA Zhangke - China / Spain / France (short film)

"Shirin," directed by Abbas Kiarostami - Iran

"Tutto e musica," directed by Domenico Modugno (1963) - Italy

"Vicino al Colosseo... c'e," directed by MontiMario Monicelli (short film) - Italy (documentary)

"Do Visivel ao Invisivel," directed by Manoel de Oliveira - Brazil / Portugal (short film)

"Orfeo 9," (1973) directed by Tito Schipa Jr. - Italy

"Les Plages d'Agnes," directed by Agnes Varda - France (documentary)

"Vinyan," directed by Fabrice Du Welz - France / UK / Belgium

"Encarnacao do demonio," directed by Jose Mojica Marins - Brazil

"Nel blu dipinto di blu" (Volare), directed by Piero Tellini (1959) - Italy


Out of Competition Events

"Bajo el Signo de las Sombras," directed by Ferran Alberich (1984) - Spain (documentary)

"Gracia Vida en Sombras," directed by Lorenzo Llbobet (1947)- Spain, 90'
Fernando Fernan Gomez, Maria Dolores Pradera, Isabel de Pomes, Alfonso Estela

"Ketto Takadanobaba," directed by Masahiro Makino, Hiroshi Inagaki (1937) - Japan

"La rabbia," directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini (1963) (previously unreleased version) - Italy


The Films that I'm most excited about are The Coen Brother's out of competition "Burn After Reading", Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke and Guillermo Arriaga's directorial debut "The Burning Plain" which despite some bad word of mouth looks to at least feature a contender for a Screenplay nod.
More as it comes.
Tyler j. Pratt

Great One Sheets 2008 # 2

W. A Film by Oliver Stone

Great One Sheets 2008 # 1

Coming Soon To A Blog Near You

A new weekly feature will be launched on the oscar Hut by next friday in which i will go through each category and detail my top 10 contenders for the Oscars.

Another Feature will also premier next friday in which i will make box office predictions detailing the opening movies and their oscar schances.

I want all you readers to also send in some oppinions, suggestions and musings about the oscar hut so i can get a better idea of what you want to see and read about. You can reach me at tjpratt@bellsouth.net

Thanks and have a great weekend !

Tyler j. Pratt

The Dark Knight vs. Iron man

The Dark Knight has officially made, by friday's estimates, 266 Million Dollars smashing the 8 day record.
Iron Man also reached 266 million dollars...after 28 days.

So who's the most dominant hero of them all ?

My Top 10 Anticapated Comedies 2008 Edition

Every year, aside from most of the unfunny filth crammed out from the guys who wrote or did something for Scary Movie but now wish to be hacks, there are always a few movies that make me perk up a bit. Usually this has something to do with the Writer(s) or Director behind them that have previously impresses my comic sensibilities. These are the ten comedies of 2008 that look to strike mine and possibly Oscar's fancy.

10. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Starring Michael Cera who seriously impressed me in Juno and Superbad last year and Kat Dennings who was just barely amusing in the 40 Year Old Virgin. Looks Interesting, but so did Wild Hogs.

9. Happy Go Lucky

Starring Sally Hawkins in an Award Winning turn, and directed by Mike Leigh, the serious brit who previously helmed Vera Drake and Secrets and Lies as if you needed to be reminded.

8. Hamlet 2

Starring Steve Coogan as a desperate drama teacher, Hamlet 2 seems to be a fresh and original story disguised as an underdog triumphs type film. Extra points for Rock Me Sexy Jesus and having Elisabeth Shue play...wait for it...Elisabeth Shue.

7. Bruno

Bruno, which may or may not be out this year, stars Sacha Baron Coen the creator of Ali G and Borat thus completing his Ali G Show trilogy of characters. If Bruno is half as funy or outrageous as Borat, i will have no problem shelling out ten bucks for a ticket.

6. The Wackness

Opening to enthusiastic response from Sundance, The Wackness may be this year's little indie that could ala Little Miss Sunshine and Juno, the only thing holding this nostalgic dramady back is it's star Josh Peck, otherwise known as that fat kid from Nickelodeon. If Peck's preformance fails, not even Ben Kingsley will be able to save this flick from going up in smoke. (Pun intended)

5. Yes Man

Fun With Dick and Jane aside, I love Jim Carey. In my mind, Jim Carey in comedy mode + an interesting premise ( He has to say yes to everything for a year) = Gold. Heres hoping that this will bury 23, Dick and Jane and The Grinch.

4. Burn After Reading

On one hand you have The Coen Brothers making their first comedy since O' Brother Where art Thou ?. On the other you get George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich and Tilda Swinton starring, with J.K. Simmons and Richard Jenkins supporting. I think thats all there is to say.

3. Zach and Miri Make A Porno

Kevin Smith's latest film, recently smacked with an NC-17 rating stars Seth Rogen, who seems to be in everything these days, and Elizabeth Banks, having a breakthrough year with Definitely, Maybe and the upcomin W., as two freinds who...make a porno. Kevin Smith usually pleases me so im in line.

2. Tropic Thunder

I love the cast, the writers and seeing Ben Stiller directing again sounds promising. Robert Downey Jr. is continuing to ride his massive tidal wave of 2008 with this blockbuster to be, and him in black face singing the Jefferson's theme song was the funniest part of the trailer.

Jack Black needs a live action hit, as does Ben Stiller, and Steve Coogan.

1. Pineapple Express

I have been eagerly awaiting this film since the extra on the Superbad dvd last summer and time has only made my want stronger. With David Gordon Green directing I expect a fresh take on the pothead and action genres, and with Judd Apatow, Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen writing it should be no less than pretty good.

The Oscar Hut's First Official Predictions

Well seeing as Oscar season is just around the bend, it's about time for me to update some predictions for this year, so... enjoy ! Also, keep in mind that these are prelimiary predix.
-T.J.P

Best Picture
1. Australia
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
3. The Exchange(Changeling)
4. Frost/Nixon
5. Revolutionary Road

Best Director
1. Clint Eastwood for The Exchange(Changeling)
2. David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
3. Baz Luhrmann for Australia
4. Sam Mendes for Revolutionary Road
5. Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight

Best Actor
1. Leonardo DiCaprio for Revolutionary Road
2. Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon
3. Viggo Mortinsen for The Road
4. Sean Penn for Milk
5. Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Actress
1. Sally Hawkins for Happy Go Lucky
2. Angelina Jolie for The Exchange(Changeling)
3. Nicole Kidman for Australia
4. Meryl Streep for Doubt
5. Kate Winslet for Revolutionary Road

Best Sup. Actor
1. Robert Downey Jr. for The Soloist
2. Phillip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt
3. Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
4. John Malkovich for Burn after Reading
5. Liev Schreiber for Defiance

Best Sup. Actress
1. Cate Blanchett for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
3. Viola Davis for Doubt
4. Vera Farmiga for Nothing But The Truth
5. Taraji P. Henson for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button