tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39043177145472942012012-02-16T18:32:50.598-08:00Reporting as reporterChikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.comBlogger5001100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-2594918914540038542011-10-02T20:47:00.000-07:002012-01-15T06:15:16.998-08:00

If you've come here by way of an old link or a google search result and you're looking for news about the Oscar season, you'll want to head over to the new digs where pre-season has just begin. If you've ever linked to The Film Experience on your own webpage, please consider changing the link to...http://thefilmexperience.netIt'll only take 15 seconds. Easy! We're new and improved over there and 

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-51095565513014339132011-05-03T14:40:00.000-07:002012-01-15T06:15:17.019-08:00

Remember how awesome it was when these two won the Oscar for costume design in March 1995. Now they're nominated at the TONY AWARDSIf you're still hoping this old blog will be updated, it won't. We're feeling totally at home at the new place so please come and join the new site. It's 2011! Renovate. If you're late at making the switch get caught up with the best of  January, February, March and

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-54247770716427145392011-03-21T23:00:00.000-07:002012-01-15T06:15:17.041-08:00

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-78395894350051035732011-02-27T08:18:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.069-08:00

If you've come here and you're not a regular. we've moved to a beautiful new site.OSCAR CRAZINESS ALL WEEK and live blog / tweets tonight.

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-25275214649330790102011-01-24T13:36:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.091-08:00

Where am I going to....?To the new site silly. It's totally oscar season. Don't miss anything! Final Predictions, Film Bitch Awards and all of that.

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-22966732759410385072011-01-21T03:58:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.123-08:00

We were so attached to this ol' blog that we refused to leave it.So we uprooted it for a new adventure.So float over yourselves. There's room for everyone in the spacious new blog (now with Oscar charts, top ten lists, screening log, galleries and NEW FILM BITCH AWARDS all in the same spot. It's the whole works!

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-33417301547713551752011-01-12T05:22:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.149-08:00

We've moved over to a new site that's a combo of this blog you love and the old site, freshly renovated. Things are really picking up so check it out. We've started the Best of the Year countdown!Honorable Mentions (#24-14)Runners Up and Top Ten Pt. 1 (#13-08) All that plus awards news, Christian Bale's body, Michelle Pfeiffer's new project, Guild Awards, Natalie Portman discussion and much more.

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-15680138655957402322011-01-05T08:09:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.170-08:00

Where do you want these boxes?Come see the freshly renovated blog & site. Everything* in one place. Happy 2011!*still working on importing the archives and the contents of this blog but daily posting and Oscar charts and everything are over there.

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-4172509531572031712011-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.194-08:00

Previous Desplat Goodies: "Breakfast with... Desplat", "How to Watch Movies" and Random QuotablesAs promised here's the profile and interview I did for Tribeca Film...If you're a regular moviegoer, you're familiar with his work. Even if you only get to the movies on special occasions for an Oscar hopeful like The King's Speech or an event film like the latest Harry Potter, you’ve heard it.

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-54917823103282218472011-01-04T20:35:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.296-08:00

Two bits from ChicagoRoger Ebert the eclectic international and intergenerational cast list of the new Roger Ebert Presents At the Movies. Congratulations to all! This can only be a gazillion times smarter than the previous short run with the Bens. Wall Street Journal saddest movie news of the day: a classic cinema shut down in Chicago.General Linkage Cinematical Matt Damon's "abs double." A

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-53729166285739604032011-01-04T18:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.389-08:00

Why so glum Christina?"and you're in my mirror AGAIN?"Oh right, you suspect that a Razzie nomination is coming your way for Worst Actress for Burlesque? Happily the movie, though, is not on the longlist for a potential Worst Picture bid.Worst Picture Longlist:  The Bounty Hunter, Clash of the Titans, The Expendables, Grown Ups, Jonah Hex, Killers, The Last Airbender, Little Fockers, Sex and the

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-7098619679701092832011-01-04T16:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.486-08:00

Alexa from Pop Elegantiarum here with your weekly art break.Reading the opening to Nathaniel's interview with Kirsten Dunst ("one half expects her to flicker when one meets her, as if she's being projected still", lovely!) reminded me of this painting by Dawn Dudek.M escapes to dream.2007, acrylic on canvas Dawn creates magical split-frame paintings that go beyond merely imitating the atmosphere

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-43872555845181343202011-01-04T14:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.591-08:00

JA from MNPP here. Have you read this phenomenally odd and delightful interview with the actor Udo Kier at The AV Club? Odd and delightful are the two words I'd always use whenever mentioning Mr. Kier, but he really brings it this time around.Over at MNPP  I picked out my fifteen favorite quotes from the interview, but I'm so oddly delighted in this chat's wake I've got to just keep on thinking

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-23453230724638036742011-01-04T12:15:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.689-08:00

I'm riffing on a conversation from Facebook (sorry Matt & Erik!) here but since Mo'Nique will announce the Oscar nominees on January 25th with AMPAS president Tom Sherak, can she please do it in character as Mary Jones!!?!Frankly, no matter which wonderful film or actor gets a terribly unjust snub that morning (and I know a handful who are in danger), it'd still be the greatest Oscar morning of

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-57501316918464578722011-01-04T11:50:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.785-08:00

The Writers Guild members have spoken. Though their tongues were kinda bound by their rules which prohibit, as I understand it, non-members from receiving nominations (AMPAS members can vote for you even if you aren't affiliated with them or with an American guild). So for what it's worth, here are the nominations. "I heard you were an MTV girl"Alice in The FighterOriginal ScreenplayBlack Swan,

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-81612536140892313162011-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.884-08:00

The box office for New Year's weekend was little changed from Christmas weekend when Jeff Bridges double dipped and I had a creepy 90s flashback (that whole post still applies) so instead of sharing their grosses in that banal way you can get anywhere, let's share their gross minus their budget. This is an inexact science for sure. It doesn't include the $$$ of worldwide grosses but it also

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-72741868375416448122011-01-04T07:28:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:17.982-08:00

And for best Pro Golfer the nomin--- er, oh yes yes.The Producers Guild of America. Righty-o.Best Picture 127 Hours Danny Boyle, Christian ColsonBlack Swan Scott Franklin, Mike Medavoy, Brian OliverInception Christopher Nolan, Emma ThomasThe Fighter David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman, Mark WahlbergThe Kids Are All Right Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Celine RattrayThe King's Speech Iain Canning,

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-56490302311554850742011-01-03T22:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:18.088-08:00

.

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-39523577445864678732011-01-03T18:56:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:18.116-08:00

The Online Film Critics Society announced their winners this morning. It's the expected winners who've 'worn a groove' as Sasha has been known to say. So everyone votes for them and shall for the rest of the season. For the most part. Hopefully supporting actress will shift towards Leo, Adams or Weaver for the win... all of them actually supporting players, and amazing ones at that. It's been a

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-80162508967334099942011-01-03T11:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:18.144-08:00

Last night, I began what I thought would be a live-blog of True Grit. I scrapped it without posting as it was basically a series of line quotations; presumably you don't come to the blog to watch me take dictation.It's a testament to the Coen Bros singular voice and gift with language that they can launch a movie with a particularly evocative scriptural quotation "The wicked flee when none

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-67043757429399226512011-01-03T07:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:18.254-08:00

No, no not mine. Not Nathaniel's. my top ten list is coming. Patience. I was waiting for the new site to be available but it's still coming and going. It apparently fancies itself an online Brigadoon but on a much speedier rotation. But since we love it when people within the movie industry actually reveal their favorites, let's share Quentin Tarantino's.QT's Top Ten of '10Links go to blogposts

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-24317542565237230432011-01-03T05:25:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:18.352-08:00

The death of Pete Postlethwaite yesterday at 64 of cancer will undoubtedly be felt at the movies. He's been a regular key ensemble player for a solid two decades now. 2010 was another big year for him: He played the corpse in Inception -- the one causing all those daddy issues -- and he also appeared in Clash of the Titans. One more film is coming in 2011 (the British comedy Killing Bono) but for

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-12705497641871487192011-01-02T06:12:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:18.453-08:00

Jackie Beat superstar drag icon reviews The Stepford Wives (1975).Cinema Blend Katey's top 10 list. I forgot to link up at the time but I'm always curious what friends will choose. We're about to record a podcast. Wheeee.CineEuropa reviews the Macedonian Oscar entry Mothers.I read this book. Thought it could be really cinematic. But only if theybucked the trend of super faithful adaptations.

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-52688843810492524762011-01-01T13:22:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:18.553-08:00

"There can be only one..."...01 / 01 / 11How about that funky date today? Happy New Year.The New Year couldn't come soon enough because I was informed yesterday that this blog had run out of storage space! The renovated site should be up in the next 36 hours to rescue us. I'll let you know. Today's very special once in a hundred years date reminded me oof Highlander's Christopher Lambert.  On

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-85401625360805861532010-12-31T11:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:18.653-08:00

at the NYC premiereof All Good Things.It might sound silly to say, but seeing her in the flesh is something of a shock. Kirsten Dunst has been in the movies for many years, and she's made such indelible mark in them, whether as a child vampire, an unknowable teen dream, a disciplined cheerleader, a superhero's better half and so on; one half expects her to flicker when one meets her,as if she's

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-61365729873031956982010-12-31T05:39:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:18.754-08:00

year in review parts 1-7 tear-jerkers, music videos, worst films, gay characters and more...   Four LionsMichael C. from Serious Film here for a few good laughs.Any future film historians examining the tail end of 2010 will likely mark this year as dark days for screen comedy. Comedy icons Woody Allen and James L Brooks rolled twin gutter balls, while mainstream audiences lined up around the

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-1001418762747315902010-12-31T03:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:18.854-08:00

What's your biggest movie wish? (I haven't given 2011 that much thought yet but I'm hoping that the Pedro/Antonio reunion is worth the wait.)*

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-23114686303774327382010-12-30T20:59:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:18.950-08:00

year in reviewKurt here from Your Movie Buddy, getting honest about choking up. I live to cry at the movies, but it's so, so rare. It's like genuine belly laughs: they're great, but they just don't happen that much, especially for frequent, discerning filmgoers. My strongest recent memory of getting all sniffly would probably be during the candlelight vigil scene at the end of Milk. Such a

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-19872727550128237142010-12-30T18:42:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:19.058-08:00

A note for  impatient readers: My top ten list is coming (I'm aiming for January 1st / 2nd) but first there's a couple year in reviews things and an interview with Kirsten Dunst. The new site will be up soon, too. Hopefully everything will be running smoothly within the next week.Vulture Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu speaks out. Good read. I especially liked the Woody Allen bits./Film Remember when

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-50001527820359815482010-12-30T14:41:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:19.171-08:00

Robert here, with my series Distant Relatives, where we look at two films, (one classic, one modern) related through a common theme and ask what their similarities and differences can tell us about the evolution of cinema.  Since one of these films is still in theaters, I thought I'd mention that while certain plot elements are revealed I've done my best not to spoil any of the film's dramatic

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-3796264394043327582010-12-29T16:52:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:19.274-08:00

come see the new blogPatty and the NYC premiere this summerEarlier this month I met with Patricia Clarkson to discuss another fine year in one of the most pleasurable of modern character actor filmographies. Hers. I was waiting for the right opportunity to share it with you, and since Cairo Time is out on DVD, Academy voters are busy weighing the various Best Actress options, and today is Patty's

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-66680023720480350662010-12-29T12:39:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:19.380-08:00

Part 1 "How to Watch Movies... with Alexandre Desplat"Part 2 ExcerptsAlexandre Desplat is the busiest composer in film but he made time to talk a few weeks back. My profile will be up at Tribeca Film in January but for now I thought I'd share a few unused excerpts from our conversation whilst Academy voters are presumably scribbling down his name on their ballots for Best Original Score. But will

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-90571334477557958672010-12-29T09:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:19.480-08:00

I couldn't be happier that the music video has regained its cultural capital in the age of YouTube. There's something about the form that is just magical. Or maybe it's just that it's been the most reliable fix for movie-musical lovers during the past 30 years. You can pretend these 3 to 5 minute show stoppers are but one scene in a larger movie musical, can't you? At least that's what I do with

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-36561470497827153282010-12-29T05:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:19.577-08:00

It's a double dip for Yes No Maybe So as we're way behind. Can't the movie world just stop for a little bit during the holidays so that we can all enjoy the movies we have right in front of us? Too many things. Too many things. Here's a girlish double and we'll get more manly in the next installment.Let's start with The Other Woman which used to be called Love and Other Impossible Pursuits (

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-65627182951862262262010-12-28T17:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:19.676-08:00

"I don't need to see that."This week I accidentally binged on Lisa Kudrow.I've usually enjoyed her comic movie roles (especially in the Don Roos films The Opposite of Sex and Happy Endings) though I was a little unnerved by what seemed to be an encroaching bitterness in her comic persona the last time couple of times we visited (Kabluey and Easy A). I was starting to miss "Phoebe"'s sunniness on

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-71177353303288181162010-12-28T14:30:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:19.774-08:00

It's so cute that film critics circles are so interested in "their own" as it were. Boston is always accused of rallying behind Boston-set films (in their defense they often have many of them to choose from) and a few days back Utah, where 127 Hours takes place, really handed that film some water in its moment of need. Not that the Academy voters are actively debating Utah's choices before

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-17527860014716949842010-12-28T12:30:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:19.876-08:00

In Contention on another 'Year of the Woman.'Acidemic's wildly surprising top ten. Erich is his own man as a critic. Which is why I like reading him.BoingBoing life size wax figure of Patrick Swayze in Road House. No really. Playbill if you're in NYC for the holidays, a ton of good shows are closing. Here's your last chance to see them.Movie|Line Mike Ryan looks back at his year interviewing

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-65761063539925057482010-12-28T09:42:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:19.972-08:00

A weekly box office series, in beta, to see if we like. To remind you that you're here and not elsewhere and we can't just do things normally, we'll come at it from weird angles when we can.Jeff Bridges stars in TRON GRITLittle Fockers $30 NEW True Grit $24.8 NEWTron Legacy $19.5 (cumulative: $87.3)The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader $9.4 (cumulative: $62.5)Yogi Bear $7.8 (

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-7221651115750451912010-12-28T07:37:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:20.066-08:00

"Marty McFly" gouacheon hardboard, 5 x 7Alexa here with your weekly art appreciation.Nathaniel shared a link to this artist's work with me and I just had to blog it. Rich Pellegrino is a painter, RISD graduate, and child of the 80s. He paints in watercolor, acrylic, or gouache, straight out of the tube, creating richly textured portraits that are almost musical. ("I want a brush stroke to sound

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-40076025876950553642010-12-28T03:45:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:20.379-08:00

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-81588824712032828852010-12-27T18:18:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:20.489-08:00

[COME SEE THE NEW BLOG]Let's talk about the best FYC campaign of the year. The one where Pixar tries to build a case for Toy Story 3 as the Best Picture of the year, not just a nominee. Pixar won't be happy to just get the annual ghetto Oscar for Animated Feature, they want the big one. Do you believe this is possible? I can't say that I do...Or, rather, it's possible but not bloody likely. A

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-11822837473933314792010-12-27T11:25:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:20.592-08:00

By now you've probably heard the exciting news that Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millipeid, the Black Swan pair who've been our "crush of the moment" for too many moments now (see sidebar), are pregnant and engaged.a photoshopped imagining of their wedding caketop from The Film Experience.There's no exact word on when either of the blessed events (baby & wedding) are to occur though hundreds of

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-17496219326215155942010-12-27T09:12:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:20.694-08:00

Movie|Line celebrates a year of "The Verge," their great up-and-coming actor series.Cinema Blend goosing the sales of True Grit (the novel) Today One of the Fantastic Four will die in the comic's #587th issue. Does anyone still believe in these marketing ploys? I'm sure they'll come back to life within 3 years. That's how comics do.MUBI The great Michel Piccoli is 85 today. Has anyone seen La

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-44637582525626485242010-12-27T06:24:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:20.795-08:00

The day has arrived. Today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences mails out those mythical Oscar nomination ballots to their members. Each member gets to nominate for their branch category(or categories) and for Best Picture. The ballots are due back on Friday January 14th at the latest but supposedly the majority of voters are quick about mailing them back. On the morning of Tuesday,

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-48785523886103546002010-12-26T09:57:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:20.892-08:00

year in review part 5 of severalCOME SEE THE NEW BLOG FOR THE FINAL CELEBRATION OF 2010 I thought it would be tasteless to drop this lump of coal on Christmas so I saved it one day. It's naughty, not nice. But before we get to the unsatisfying trends, performances, and movies of the year, some caveats. I didn't see everything and am not, generally speaking, paid to attend terrible movies. Even

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-53155803780950631002010-12-24T21:17:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:20.990-08:00

[Thx to Jeffery for this fun image]Happy Holidays.Be back tomorrow!

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-39339233815639085072010-12-24T10:05:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:21.086-08:00

year in review - part 4 of severalAre you ever stumped as to what to put in your loved ones Christmas stockings? Here are some ideas culled from this year's movies. Gadgets, random junk or magical objects that lingered after the credits rolled. (If you don't have time to use these ideas for Christmas, there's always birthdays.)Let them inspire gift giving!Tiny things are wonderful. How about some

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-16232652633267848362010-12-24T05:49:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:21.183-08:00

Michael C. here from Serious Film to file a complaint.If I were to name the biggest problem currently facing the nation today that problem would be category fraud. Okay, maybe not, but it still irks the hell out of me. Not because, like some political press release, this Oscar-grubbing is treated completely legit despite everyone knowing it's total bull. That's no biggie. No, what bugs me is the

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-7225198080011315302010-12-23T21:38:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:21.283-08:00

year in review part 3 of severalWith 2010 about to wrap, let's do a top ten list albeit a very specific one. Let's make like Barbara Walters and choose The Most Fascinating (Fictional, LGBT) People. Barbara obviously uses a different criteria than "fascinating" in her annual roundup. Hers seems closer to "constantly in the news /has overworked publicist"  and our choices are also debatable.

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-11280141962697790462010-12-23T15:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:21.378-08:00

Robert here, with my series Distant Relatives, where we look at two films, (one classic, one modern) related through a common theme and ask what their similarities and differences can tell us about the evolution of cinema. Upstairs/DownstairsThey tell bird owners to avoid putting your new pet in one of those high hanging Tweety-bird cages.  See, if the bird spends most of his time positioned

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-76736164568368748922010-12-23T07:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:21.477-08:00

Year in ReviewNATHANIEL: Hey kids. So some time ago I was introduced to Mark Blankenship who writes The Critical Condition. I've been reading that blog ever since. Mark writes about everything pop culture -- I love his music posts especially -- and he's now officially a "talking head" having done a couple of Joy Behar Show gigs. We decided to have a little year in review convo. Part one is here

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-21941696133108039522010-12-23T05:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:21.581-08:00

If you'd like to discuss the latest round of critics awards, have at it.Three more groups have announced and so the usual suspects play the game of musical chairs. The most interesting note right off the bat is that the Women Film Critics Circle have bestowed an award on Black Swan that isn't a flattering one. They've given it "Worst Female Images in a Movie".I understand the impulse behind this

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-84377802051514404292010-12-22T17:05:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:21.681-08:00

Playbill Julie Andrews and Dolly Parton are both getting special Grammys this year.Pixar Blog another FYC ad for Toy Story 3 as Titanic. Hmmm. I gotta say, I am not sure about the taste level on this one. What'cha think?BBC Anne Hathaway discusses that Judy Garland biopic. There's some hesistancy about the singing. Here's a clue. If you can sing as well as Anne Hathaway (very well) star in a

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-34362106286760692142010-12-22T10:09:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:21.782-08:00

We've hit some roadblocks and posting may be light for the next few days. Or heavy. You never know. It's the holidays. So let this be an open thread. What's on your mind? To you readers who are starting your festive travels today, be safe. If any of you are offline this week have a great time. thanks for visiting and making this place so festive in the comments, just like it's the holiday season

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-25074670024443142242010-12-21T19:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:21.884-08:00

Year in Review Pt 1 of ManyIt's time to wrap up 2010. You'll have to have patience since The Film Experience likes to do this piecemeal... and often! Let's do it every day at 10 AM or 10 PM or both when we magically have free time. How about that? We'll start with the US box office.Box office hits get much coverage in the media so let's just dispense that basic "smash hit" list quick-like and

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-58262537483935098842010-12-21T16:11:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:21.982-08:00

Towleroad Far From Heaven being adapted into a stage musical. I've been burned on this sort of thing too many times but at least it's by the composer of Grey Gardens and that had a few lovely tunes. And would make a good stage-to-movie candidate actually... NYT the latest injury from the set of the Spider Man musical on Broadway. Wednesday matinee cancelled. I am 100% certain that someone will

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-14662027118632920562010-12-21T13:49:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:22.082-08:00

Beautifully constructed video essay for L Magazine on 2010 cinema. Worth your ten minutes. I'd embed it here but it's one of those videos that starts immediately without pressing a button. Hate that!

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-57001033900169992032010-12-21T11:56:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:22.183-08:00

Look it's Kathleen Turner attending a screening of The King's Speech. (The woman to her right is Jean Doumanian who produced many of Woody Allen's 90s pictures)Photo SrcKathleen has one of the most famous speaking voices in the entirety of cinematic history. How could she possibly relate to the king's predicament?I kid. Perhaps she loved it. How much would you love to see Ms. Turner's Oscar

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-33237084100155654932010-12-21T08:30:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:22.294-08:00

Alexa from Pop Elegantiarum here with your weekly arts and crafts.Every year I dutifully make up a wish list for Christmas, filled with things that I need (cozy socks, a blogging muumuu). But here is a wishlist of things to satisfy my filmic flights of fancy this year. In fact, I may have already bought one of these for myself. Merry shopping everyone! Inception spinning top totem. Available

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-10557297110946400222010-12-20T20:59:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:22.400-08:00

Please Note: The Film Experience has moved to a brand new home.As an addendum to last week's popular Tribeca Film article on the limited age range of Oscar's taste in Best Actresses and a footnote to the is this Hailee Steinfeld thing really happening (?) gripe,  I thought a few charts were in order to better illustrate the Academy's distinct age biases from category to category. Let's get this

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-6848097556642697712010-12-20T19:33:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:22.504-08:00

As you may have heard the Academy's music branch has made some rulings about this year's original score eligibility issues. Variety reports that Clint Mansell's Black Swan score (too much Tchaikovsky), Carter Burwell's True Grit score (too many Protestant hymns), and The Kids Are All Right and The Fighter scores (too many pop/rock songs) are officially out of the running.All of these rulings make

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-53719837588051610882010-12-20T15:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:22.599-08:00

The Chicago Film Critics are the latest critics association to announce their awards and they've gone, like virtually everyone else, with The Social Network. These 52 critics love Sorkin & Fincher's warring young entrepeneurs. They also like their actresses real young and their prizes spread out.Best Picture The Social NetworkBest Director David Fincher, The Social NetworkBest Actress Natalie

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-29742871022382543502010-12-20T13:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:22.701-08:00

My Life as a Blog "Why I Want a Golden Globe" satiric piece on the greatest awards show gong of all.Vulture I'm not sure how I missed this enjoyable interview with Stephen Dorff but...My New Plaid Pants quotes all the funny bits about working on Tarsem Singh's Immortals Movie "abs, abs, abs, abs, abs."Self Styled Siren another look back at Blake Edwards, and three personal favorites.Cinema Blend

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-63260788118714188082010-12-20T10:30:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:22.810-08:00

I'm just going to keep using this one photo I concocted below until people stop with the Hailee Steinfeld is a supporting actress in True Grit meme. I've even seen her so labelled IN REVIEWS that have nothing to do with Oscars. Oscar culture has truly distorted all concepts of narrative in our modern society. I realize that I'm the lone ornery voice of dissent but, so what? I'm demonstrating my

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-1618330847267807402010-12-20T07:54:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:22.918-08:00

Thoughts I had while watching... RED (2010)A few years ago I attended one of those New Yorker festival interviews that featured Mary-Louise Parker and the writer/moderator called her "a chameleon" after showing a clip of her from a movie I didn't recognize in which she wore a blond wig. It was the most ridiculous thing I heard that entire movie year.Mary-Louise Parker is not a chameleon.

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-19979186756120906002010-12-19T22:06:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:23.019-08:00

If you care about the Golden Satellite Awards -- and you'd probably care more if they had a televised ceremony. Television is magic -- you should know that they went for The Social Network for 3 big prizes (Pic, Dir, Screenplay) and Inception for 3 important craft citations (Art Direction, Cinematography, Score) indicating that they liked it. They really did.What would Mark Zuckerberg's totem

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-70584628144851425562010-12-19T16:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:23.122-08:00

Amy Adams familiar cheer seems ideally suited to the holidays. It makes perfect sense that's she's all ornamented and mistletoed for Parade magazine. She's even sharing a pumpkin pie recipe. Or her people are. Whichever. We like the celebrity "they're just like us!" illusion from time to time so we're totally willing to pretend that she bakes this exact pumpkin pie herself. Mmmmm pumpkin pie.We

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-74912481845284946712010-12-19T10:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:23.224-08:00

Craig here with a quick pre-Xmas wrap-up of season #1 of Take Three. If you have a very short memory, that'd be the Sunday Film Experience series which looked at three notable performances from a supporting or character actor's work. The Big Cs: Considine, Cartwright, CheadleLast week’s actor Paddy Considine was the last Take Three for a spell (it's seasonal shenanigans, then everything Oscar

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-9252625100395050442010-12-19T06:21:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:23.349-08:00

Michael C here trying to piece together some conclusions from this first wave of precursors.One thing we can say for certain. With all the support materializing for Black Swan this past week the message is unequivocal: no discussion of the year’s best work will be complete without Aronofsky’s dance phantasmagoria in the mix. Yet Swan’s place in the lineup isn't the sure thing it should be. Due to

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-32295308056788044172010-12-18T13:58:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:23.448-08:00

GQ Winona Ryder's Black Swan parallels. She's being replaced! "I'm at that age I've been warned my whole life about"Lisanti Quarterly a mysterious top ten list. Such fun. Try to guess the movies ... or even the film year for that matter.In Contention Can that late breaking Fighter overtake the Best Pic frontrunners? Interesting question.Indie Wire Film Comment's top 50 - the tippity top exactly

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-14927173399337803782010-12-18T11:24:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:23.544-08:00

Have you seen I Am Love yet? The Globe nominee is available for rental so get on that.Director Luca Guadagnino with Marisa Berenson & Tilda SwintonI read the following quote over at Hollywood Reporter and I found it both amusing, right-on and the kind of thing you shouldn't say out loud. Seems Luca Guadagnino, the man behind the brilliant Globe & BFCA nominated I Am Love is not happy with the

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-80718575619093852032010-12-18T09:27:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:23.643-08:00

Mrs & Mrs Blake Edwards (1974)Our heart goes out to the divine Julie Andrews in what is surely a difficult time as her husband the writer/director Blake Edwards passed away a few days ago. We apologize for the delay in honoring him. Edwards was long beloved and praised for his comic sensibilities as a writer and director, most famously within The Pink Panther series starring Peter Sellers.What

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-73008462782676369822010-12-17T20:45:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:23.749-08:00

Do share in the comments -- or maybe you're just Christmas shopping?Sorry I've been away: internet connectivity problems today. Have you already started your holiday break?I must see several movies this weekend and over the holiday week so as to finalize all the year in review goodies and listicles, the 11th annual Film Bitch Awards are right around the corner. The new website is on the way too

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-29076345702276177812010-12-17T15:17:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:23.847-08:00

..

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-85366833901612063742010-12-17T08:22:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:23.945-08:00

41 Songs were declared eligible for Oscar's least cinematically relevant prize a short while ago. Wheeee!We only didn't share them yesterday because every single damn thing happens in the same week. I'd be more excited about this category if recent years hadn't seen the big show trending away from original performers singing their original songs. If I can't see Cher doing her Burlesque number(s)

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-70964722851123463672010-12-16T16:16:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:24.056-08:00

Jose here.The brand new poster for the 83rd Academy Awards was released today.Here it is if you have yet to see it...The main poster (which seems to be yet another variation of the "Oscar as superhero" theme AMPAS always seems to recur to) is accompanied by three other posters which all include iconic images of Oscar night.He will leave someone speechless tonight.Reads the one accompanying the

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-92022667356085481062010-12-16T13:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:24.152-08:00

Robert here, with my series Distant Relatives, where we look at two films, (one classic, one modern) related through a common theme and ask what their similarities and differences can tell us about the evolution of cinema. Angry Old Men As a society we have such a strange relationship with celebrities.  We admire them and we despise them.  We love when they fail, embarrassing humiliation and then

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-17377853937383599192010-12-16T10:09:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:24.245-08:00

In the afterglow of the SAG nominations, when publicists, stars and pundits are all aglow with congratulatory messaging of every sort and critics are bemoaning the fate of talented but snubbed performances, one annual dismaying group of snubs always slips through the cracks. I'm talking about the people who contributed to the movies nominated as Best Ensemble but weren't actually included when

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-25440804007755747862010-12-16T09:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:24.343-08:00

Your wait is over (or nearly so depending on where you live). Due to its constantly packed houses -- it's been landing in the top ten US box office daily despite being on less than 100 screens -- Black Swan goes wide quite a bit earlier than expected. Tomorrow the one-of-a-kind movie flies into 800+ more theaters. Enjoy. Report back.

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-79615103354033582262010-12-16T05:42:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:24.442-08:00

JoBeth Williams welcomes you! "They're heeeeeeeee--eeeere"Giggly Rosario Dawson & Angie Harmon announced the SAG nominations at 9:00 AM EST after being introduced by JoBeth Williams. Though this is the last major clue as to where Oscar acting nominations will go, it is not the "this is it!" twin that many like to claim. Important Differences From SAG to Oscar: Contrary to what you often read on

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-84681497789056300372010-12-15T19:47:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:24.546-08:00

Please read the title in your best exasperated Nomi Malone voice. Plz and thx. I can't read the words "different places" without hearing Showgirls in my head.The big critics prizes (Los Angeles and New York) have come and gone but more cities are following suit declaring their bests. Now, by the magic of the expandable post, we can share them all without appearing to be as dull obsessive and

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-44061799195756904022010-12-15T17:18:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:24.649-08:00

Jose here.There are few things I enjoy more than "discovering" a new performance by an artist I adore. Such was the case last night when I screened The Harvey Girls for the very first time. I have always known Judy was adorable and could sing like nobody on the planet has since her. What I loved to see this time was her marvelous entrance performing the Oscar winning song "On the Atchison, Topeka

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-72097884804421852362010-12-15T16:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:24.746-08:00

Awards Daily "Women Unhinged" fun piece on all the bat-shit crazy lady characters fighting for Oscar recognition. We're glad to see Lesley Manville (Another Year) getting some attention in her week of snubs.Movies Kick Ass sees and loves Paprika Steen in Applaus. What a performance that is.Disney Blog I hadn't heard of this but apparently there's a union protest against Toy Story 3 outside of

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-39761020320650850712010-12-15T13:30:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:24.845-08:00

.JA from MNPP here. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times yesterday Jon Favreau opened up about why he's not doing the third Iron Man film (Nat mentioned it yesterday), and in so doing this tid-bit presented itself:"Favreau is set to direct “Magic Kingdom,” which the 44-year-old filmmaker described as a family fantasy adventure that will tap into the vintage Disney creations that “loomed so

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-23385452563463820142010-12-15T10:17:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:24.945-08:00

Glenn Close got back in front of movie cameras two days ago. Albert Nobbs has just started filming. She plays a cross dressing woman in 1890's Ireland.[photo src]Barring the movie going to cable (these things happen) of failing to get distribution (these things happen, too) will Glenn Close finally be back in the Oscar race next year at this time? She was last nominated for 1988's Dangerous

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-64018227421721792012010-12-15T09:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:25.044-08:00

Michael C. here with some trivia for you to mull over as you finish digesting the Globe line-up and ponder the influence of an organization that looks at The Tourist and Red and sees awards fodder. Maybe they were just eager to provide Ricky Gervais with some good material. It is all about the party, after all.The Golden Globes are to the Oscars what the Iowa caucuses are to the presidential race

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-58583752752651645182010-12-15T05:45:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:25.149-08:00

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone fame is being roasted again as the all time champ of shameless Blurb Whores but that's not the point of this post.While interviewing Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg for The Fighter, who seem to be in great moods (why wouldn't they be after the Globe & BFCA announcements?) Travers tries to entice Bale to serenade us with a little Newsies number. And why shouldn't he

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-28299604668816125742010-12-14T20:59:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:25.249-08:00

Guess what's the most common age to win Best Actress? 29. Guess who's 29 right now? I'll give you one guess.If Natalie Portman wins Best Actress in February she'll join the ranks of seven previous movie star beauties who won on the cusp of 30 including the immortal Elizabeth Taylor (who won for BUtterfield 8 at 29, pictured above with Portman's Black Swan turn).Guess which decade of life has the

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-76064590744690286272010-12-14T17:13:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:25.510-08:00

The FighterIn Contention Sports Illustrated names The Fighter "the best sports movie of the decade." I guess they're using that 2001-2010 definition. Hate that. I like to end with the 9s.Low Resolution Speaking of The Fighter. Check out Joe Reid's awesome post "The Art of the Skank"CartoonsMilo oh, this is lovely. Toy Story 3 by the numbers. Tons of infographic pleasure... if thinking about how

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-52299952725366905682010-12-14T13:51:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:25.616-08:00

I'll be sharing a two part interview with the three time Oscar nominated composer Alexandre Desplat soon but I thought I'd give you this off topic teaser during this week of heavy awardage. It's a handy salve.During our conversation, I broached the topic of Desplat's time on the Cannes jury this summer and I asked a rather awkward question about how he judged the films, implying that he has a

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-50238423686249661182010-12-14T13:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:25.712-08:00

Alexa from Pop Elegantiarum here with your weekly arts and crafts.The hubby and I had a very predictable night last week, sitting on the couch, crying during It's a Wonderful Life. (My excuse is I'm still recovering from an appendectomy, making me all soft around the edges. He has no excuse.) Aside from this obvious picture, the holidays are really all about the movies, what with all the award

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-44502096130302566812010-12-14T10:00:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:25.815-08:00

... no, no, no. It's NOT that hideous Comedy/Musical best picture lineup. It's even more absurdist than that.  The most hilarious thing about the Golden Globe noms is...[photos from: Return to Cranford and The Client List]Dame Judi Dench vs. Jennifer Love HewittOnly at the Globes, people, only at the Globes.This is the first and last circumstance in which they'll ever be mentioned in the same

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-37059466519620893462010-12-14T07:39:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:25.913-08:00

While the Hollywood Foreign Press Association does not have member overlap with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, their very high profile assures that their nominees get a large media platform with which to pursue more Oscar votes. Sometimes it helps sometimes it doesn't. But here's a list of major contenders shunned by the Globe voters this morning."I never thought they'd use my

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-73814513733182106102010-12-14T04:54:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:26.015-08:00

8:12 AM Nothing happening yet.8:13 Flashbulb tests! That's it.8:16 Okay Josh Duhamel and Katie Holmes and Blair Underwood are there.Blair, Josh and Katie for what it's worth.8:18 Guy Lodge cracks me up. On Twitter he says to me "The Holmes will not be hurried."8:19 Blair begins. Here we go.8:35 We've been on a short break. They start again in 4 minutes. I know I could wait to cut and paste press

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-26616561553494346632010-12-13T15:20:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:26.115-08:00

Because this week is about trying to keep up with screenings, interviews and endless precursor announcements, here are some very very short reviews.The IllusionistA magician in the twilight of his career, finds companionship in a young woman. 7WR: Slow but just sublimely rendered. Devastating finale. B+/A-?All Good ThingsUnsolved mystery from the 80s about a wealthy heir and his missing wife.7WR:

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-55620881286974041922010-12-13T13:28:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:26.216-08:00

We already know that Anne Hathaway and James Franco are hosting and the only thing we have to say about that going forward is that Hathaway better sing again! From here and out we'll hear names of presenters. Most of them will be globally famous because that's how they do. So far we've got:Halle Berry Oprah WinfreyJeff Bridges & Sandra Bullock -- last year's lead winners. We wonder if this means

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-19353756984223686402010-12-13T11:58:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:26.320-08:00

!!!I expect this won't stay on YouTube for long so watch it now. [hat tip]

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-39851661247212694712010-12-13T08:40:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:26.418-08:00

The New York Film Critics Circle forms, together with LAFCA (Los Angeles Film Critics Association) and the NSFC* (National Society of Film Critics), the holy trinity** of critics awards. LA & NY combined can be a potent influential mix... not that they often agree. But this year they did, further underlining the dominance of The Social Network this awards season. The other big boost went to The

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-42144240917345815572010-12-13T06:50:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:26.519-08:00

The BFCA have revealed their "Critics Choice" nominees and Black Swan looms like an evil tutu'ed shadow over the competition with a record breaking 12 nominations. True Grit and The King's Speech were second with 11 nominations each, indicating that the BFCA voters really do like the films they've just seen the most. The BFCA has long been known (and celebrated and reviled) as being obsessed with

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904317714547294201.post-8175413405043628542010-12-12T20:45:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:15:26.781-08:00

...but she's got places to be.*

Chikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16444226096095807853noreply@blogger.com0