Interview: The Return of Kirsten Dunst (A Very Good Thing)

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

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The Year In Funny

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

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Here Comes a New Year...

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.)*

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Crybaby Countdown: The Tearjerk-iest Moments of 2010

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

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Let's Do the Link Warp Again

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

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Distant Relatives: Repulsion and Black Swan

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

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Patty Clarkson's 2010 Triple: Cairo Time, Easy A and Shutter Island

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

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Alexandre Desplat Interview Part 2

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

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Year in Review: Music Videos a.k.a. Short Movie Musicals

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

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Yes, No, Maybe So Double: "Hanna" and "The Other Woman"

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 (

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A Lisa Kudrow Binge

"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

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Utah & Phoenix Film Critics: 127 Inceptions For the King

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

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Link House

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

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Box Office Blather: Jeff Bridges Double Dips

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 (

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Curio: Rich Pellegrino's Portraits

"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

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No Clue ... Gets It

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Toy Story 3's Brilliant Oscar Campaign

[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

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For Natalie & Benjamin: A Swan-Themed Wedding.

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

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Links: True Grit, Spidey, Gay Rugby, and "Original" Films

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

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The Ballots Are Coming. The Ballots Are Coming.

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,

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Cinematic Shame: Worst of the Year

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

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Seasons Greetings!

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

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Movie Thingamajigs. Put That In Your Stocking

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

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Make Room For Pearce

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

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Year in Review: Best LGBT Characters

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.

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Distant Relatives: Metropolis and District 9

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

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Anticipation... The Year in Film Promotion

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

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More Critics: Oklahoma, Austin, Women Film Critics...

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

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My Spider Links Are Tingling

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

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Merry Christmahanakwanzukkah. It's an Open Thread.

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

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Box Office Blather: Spectacles, Star Vehicles, Subtitles and Easy $

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

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This Link Roundup Will Soon Be Adapted Into a Stage Musical

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

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Never Let Them Go. A Video Essay by Matt Zoller Seitz

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!

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Kathleen Turner Checks Out "The King's Speech"

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

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Curio: My Holiday Wish List

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

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Charting Oscar's Age Preferences.

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

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Oscar's Music Branch Might Need Some Fine Tuning.

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

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Chicago Critics: Collegiate Men and Serious Little Girls Dominate.

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

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Links: Dorff, Franco, Hendricks, Robyn

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

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Houston, St. Louis & Florida Name Their Favorites

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

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Mary-Louise Parker Is... Mary Louise Parker!

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.

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Satellite Wins Favor Network, Inception and... Uh... Wonderland.

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

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Will Amy Adams Have a Happy (Oscar-Winning) New Year?

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

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Take Three: Season 1 Wrap

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

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Wimps?

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

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Link You. Link You. And Link You.

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

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I Am Love Sour Grapes

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

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Blake Edwards (RIP)

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

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What are you seeing this weekend?

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

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What are you doing in my closet, Jeffrey Beaumont?

..

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There Are 41 Songs (& Vids). There Is Only 1 CHER.

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)

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Oscar's Gonna Have His Way Toniiiiiight.

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

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Distant Relatives: The Entertainer and The Wrestler

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

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SAG Injustice: When a Nomination is Still a Snub

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

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Good News: Black Swan Spreads Its Wide Wings

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.

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Screen Actors Guild Nominations

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

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"Different Places" (Critics Awards & Dragon Tattoos)

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

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Here She Comes!

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

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Eight Links: Unhinged Women, Union Protests, Unctuous Celebrity

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

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Tackling the Magic Kingdom

.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

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Glenn Close as Albert Nobbs

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

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Can the Globes be Skipped?

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

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Christian Bale, Honorary Powerpuff Girl

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

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Age & (Best) Actressing

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

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Link Catches Us (As We Catch Up)

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

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How to Watch Movies (With Alexandre Desplat)

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

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Curio: Christmas Greetings

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

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The Most Hilarious Thing About The Globe Nominations Is...

... 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

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Globes Snubs From Ruff' to Gritty

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

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Golden Globe Nomination Announcement

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

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7 Word Reviews: True Grit, The Illusionist. Somewhere

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:

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Oscar Night. Featuring Appearances By...

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

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The Assassination of Yogi Bear By The Coward Boo Boo

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

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NYFCC's 2010 Wins: "The Social Kids That Are All Right Network"

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

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Broadcast Film Critics: Black Swan Shows True Grit

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

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Nicole would love to stay and chat...

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

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The Adorable Jacki Weaver, Sweetie (LAFCA Winner!)

Points to our friend Glenn for pointing this out. Here's Jacki Weaver's acceptance speech at the Australian Film Awards for Animal Kingdom -- introduced by her current co-star Cate Blanchett. The speech is so adorable we are just going to pretend that it was delivered to us in America via satellite for her Los Angeles Film Critics Association triumph and NBR win.How ya feeling about her Oscar

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Resist The Tide

Quick...  In this day overflowing with critics awards (Los Angeles finally wrapped up), share a movie thought that has NOTHING to do with this year's critics awards or Oscars.What's on your mind?(My brain was just in 1961 fantasyland with Natalie & Warren, left. This is one of my brain's favorite places.)*

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Los Angeles Critics (Social Network vs. Carlos)

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association, now in their 35th year, hosted a battle between Carlos the Jackal and Mark Zuckerberg the punk. genius. billionaire. The Social Network co-founder won. But not without some concessions... including a tie.Picture: The Social Network[Runner up: Carlos]Director: (tie) Olivier Assayas for Carlos and David Fincher for The Social NetworkActress: Kim Hye-Ja in

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NYFCO (Prizes and Top Ten List)

Need one more critics group for the day? No? Well then don't open up this window. The New York Film Critics Online, which is a fairly new organization as critics awards go, embraced most of the Oscar frontrunners with the exception of The King's Speech. Their awards went like so... I may have missed a few but I shall update again if I have.Picture: The Social NetworkTheir top ten list is (alpha

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"Meryl Streep on Ice!"

A delicious spoof of Meryl's 'who me?' tossed off perfection. Even the sweater made me giggle. Plus, it's blissfully short as all such jokes should be. Well done SNL. (But how did they keep it so brief? They usually overkill their good jokes.)*

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Boston Society of Film Critics. Juliette is a Rock Star

The Boston Society of Film Critics have been known to surprise in the past and this year, they've opted for Juliette Lewis as Best Supporting Actress in Conviction. Bet you didn't see that under five minute surprise coming! A good day for The Fighter, Black Swan and The Social Network. Less so for The Kids Are All Right which did manage two runner up citations but, alas, runner up citations

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You Were Saying...? (Extended Thoughts on Previous Topics)

I pray my occasional 'look at these comments!' posts don't come off as desperate. I'm just a very chatty person, what can I say? Since we are all becoming cyborgs, comments feel closer to conversation all the time. One day we will all forget how to speak. We will grow extra sets of fingers for more typing speed. Evolution will shrink our hands so that we can text with greater ease on our tiny

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What Kerry Washington Needs For Christmas

an iPhone.People still use blackberries? That's one gadget too many.update: Here's an interview with Kerry by friend of the film experience Kurtis. Also "The Pretentious Know It All" says forget an iPhone. What Kerry needs for Christmas is a role worthy of her gifts. That's SO true.*

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Critics Awards Cometh. Swan vs. Network?

Ballots were due today for the BFCA "Critics Choice Awards" so you can be sure I did my share of handwringing before I sent it in. My god, you think you know what you want to vote for and you stare at the ballot and it's just >gah< indecision! (It doesn't help that you can only vote for 3 items in each category, 5 for best picture). Those nominations will be announced on Monday.Tomorrow we'll be

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Take Three: Paddy Considine

Craig here with the last in the current series of Take Three. Today: Paddy ConsidineTake One: Dead-end England, twice "Phil" in My Summer...Colin Firth, Daniel Craig, Colin Farrell, Clive Owen. And so on. When I think of an actor who encapsulates exactly what is crucial, surprising and truly versatile about British male acting right now, none of the above quite pass muster, for me. Paddy

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You Sweet Link.

I Need My Fix Cameron Crowe and Nancy Wilson (of Heart fame) are divorcing. God, it feels like forever since Crowe made a movie, right? Maybe I've just forgotten something.Mr Hipp imagines Inception's dream team. So cute! I love the take on Joseph Gordon-Levitt.Boy Culture Isabella Rossellini finally addresses Madonna's "Sex" 18 years after the fact. To your left is one of my favorite photos from

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Oscars Visual FX Finalists: Love of Teal & Orange Light Shows Continues Unabated

The Academy's visual effects branch has released its list of finalists for the eventual nominations. For the first year the category will be five-wide. It had always been limited to three nominees in previous years. Given how much of modern cinema is f/x driven, the expansion makes sense. But their finalist-list only serve to remind us that the category, which is technically called Achievement in

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Distant Relatives: The Spirit of the Beehive and Pan's Labyrinth

Robert here, with my new 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. Érase una vez...There was a young girl in the civil war-torn Spainish country, very alone in the world, her mother hung up with a new lover, all she had was the flights of

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Comment Party. "We've Got Choreography!"

Which Academy Awards category that doesn't exist should?...Stunts? Ensemble? Casting? Which nonexistent category do you wish they'd invent?You know that if they still had Best Dance Direction (1935-1937 RIP) or some such choreography prize, that Benjamin Millipied who dances, acts, and choreographs Black Swan (as well as romancing Natalie Portman offscreen) would be in the running for an

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Jeremy Renner. Kirsten Dunst. It's "All Good..."

Here's some worthwhile reading today: a top ten list from Tom Shone. It's a performance list rather than a movie list and it's crowned by Jeremy Renner's dangerous ex-con in The Town. Shone goes so far as to compare Renner's gift to Steve McQueen's which is an interesting comparision but begs the question: Will Renner start getting major lead roles after his back to back successes with The Town

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Yes, No, Maybe So: "Real Steel"

Mackie say"Hey Hey Hey, Hugh Jackman is in the house!!!"Real Steel opens in October 2011. A weird time for a summer movie to open. Except that it's a parody of a summer movie and not an actual summer movie, right? Right. Thought so. What? It's not? ohno. LOLZIn Shawn Levy's Real Steel, Hugh Jackman builds giant boxing robots to carry on in his manly sweaty boxing footsteps. He now runs a boxing

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"I'm Awesome!"

A reminder._____love,  The BeningP.S. Or "Love The Bening." Both punctuations work, my fans.

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Unsung Heroes: The Editing of Exit Through the Gift Shop

Michael C. back again from Serious Film. It's time to wrap up the first season of Unsung Heroes and I thought what better way to do that than to focus on a film that's still in the 2010 conversation while there's a chance to upgrade its status from "unsung" to "frequently honored".The editing of Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop would be a long shot even if it didn’t come from a documentary.

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12 Hungry Films (Plus: Black Swan Geek-Out)

My Oscar charts are in terrible need of reassessment but I've been devoting all my hours to working on the new website. It's a hungry beast. So, in the interim, you should check out my new article at Tribeca Film where I wonder about the 12 pictures that seem to have the most heat going into balloting season. 8 films have looked to be fairly settled for Best Picture nods for a couple of months

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Today's Must Watch: 14 (Silent) Character Types

Oh to have the New York Times arts budget. They've asked 14 actors to recreate classic character types in 1 minute segments and the results are at turns breathtakingly gorgeous (Natalie Portman), funny (James Franco), exciting (Javier Bardem), questionable (Jesse Eisenberg?) and sometimes plain old garden variety awesome (Tilda Swinton's Falconetti?) Yes please.Tilda SwintonNoomi RapaceAnthony

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*Live Blog* The Hollywood Reporter's Actors Roundtable

Y'all remember when I did this for the ladies so I figure it's twin-time. You have to have both pieces of a matching set. Not that I'm looking forward to this one as much. Impress or surprise me fellas! You're not actresses so you have to work harder to provide Film Experience jollies. (If you have time to watch the full video it's at the bottom of the post.)1:00 Robert Duvall (Get Low) tells a

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It's Top Ten Time! (Not Here, But Elsewhere.)

Setting aside for a moment the personal view that people rush too quickly into naming their favorites every year (usually well before the annum is over) I do love reading a good top ten list. When those  lists are from magazines, they have a long lead excuse so let's enjoy them.The L Magazine, a local NYC offering ("the L"is a subway), has released their Best Films of 2010 and as usual there's a

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"Hoist My Spanks Up!" The Ever-Delightful Queen Helen Mirren Speaks Out.

Behold: Helen Mirren at the Women in Hollywood event. Once she's done re-revelling in Halle Berry's Oscar win (Berry must have preceded her onto the stage), she brings us to the now with this smackdown of Hollywood's relentless and innate sexism.You don't often hear celebrities getting pointed about the hand that feeds them. Like...I resent having witnessed in my life the survival of some very

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Box Office Blather: Unstoppable Potter and the 127 Tangled Swans

No, not that BOB.Box Office Blather. Let's call it "BOB".One should probably discuss it weekly (and not on Wednesday? Shut it. I'm late.) if only to be more "in the world" and less hermetically sealed in one's own bubble, he said to himself while gazing at his navel in his 360º mirror.In all seriousness this is a problem. I sometimes stare at box office charts and think "'The Warrior's Way'?  

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Five x Five

5 Funny ReadsThen fuck you, Jack Outlaw Vern on Animal Kingdom 'Australia's answer to Goodfellas'. Hilarious as always, that Vern.Tom & Lorenzo "Kristin Chenoweth had a gayer Saturday night than we did."The Onion "Oscar Contenders" It's all about the killer punchline.SteveMartinToGo every so often I forget how much I love Steve Martin and then I remember while laughing. Usually I have this weird

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The King's Weakness

Michael C here from Serious Film.That low hissing you may have heard coming from the Hollywood area over the last week is the sound of the air leaking out of Tom Hooper's The King’s Speech and its status as Oscar frontrunner. That’s the trouble with leading the pack. Any indication you’re not steamrolling the competition is instantly seized upon as proof that you are nothing but a lot of

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Curio: Paintings of a Tourist

Alexa from Pop Elegantiarum here with your weekly art break.The media machine just can't get enough of the dueling fabulosity of Jolie and Depp in The Tourist. (What was it like basking in each other's glow? Will they out-charisma each other?) Of course we all know about the impressive extracurriculars of St. Angelina, but Depp has a few of his own. Most people are aware that he came to acting

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My Favorite Thing About "The Fighter" Is...

I saw The Fighter last week and didn't even deliver a "this is all the time I have" 7 word review. I have more than 7 words on this one though what follows is not a traditional review. The first thing I tweeted was...It still applies. Yep, Christian Bale is doing his best work ever in the co-lead role of Dicky Eklund (Let's call it The Fighters) or at least his best since American Psycho (2000).

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Links. Episode #∞

Noupe interesting overview of current movie poster design trends.Black Book interviews the lovely Farran of 'Self Styled Siren' on classic movie blogging.Go Fug Yourself "Unfug or Fab" catches up with Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban-Kidman.Cinema Blend Emma Stone gone blonde for Spider-Man's "Gwen Stacy".Back Stage Blog Stage Rob Reiner wants to make the stage musical Next to Normal into a movie. He

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Monty the Film Critic

Despite being named for a movie star, my furry son rarely pays any heed to movies. The only thing he enjoys about DVDs is the reflected light they throw on the walls.But this morning his paws sifted through a stack of Fox Searchlight screeners and he was suddenly all opinionated. He immediately claimed Danny Boyle's 127 Hours for his own. Moments later -- my god how I wish I had been filming --

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The King's Acceptance Speeches Begin

King and Queen of the BIFAsThe British Independent Film Awards forced the reluctant king to the mic again when they gave Colin Firth the Best Actor prize for his stammering royal in The King's Speech. The BIFAs also gave the movie 4 additional prizes: Helena Bonham-Carter and Geoffrey Rush took their first wins of the season and the film won screenplay and the BIFA equivalent of Best Picture "

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Take Three: Emily Watson

Craig here with Take Three. Today: Emily WatsonTake One: Upstairs 0 - Downstairs 1The Academy often doubles up with their supporting ladies – i.e. Weaver and Cusack for Working Girl, Farmiga and Kendrick for Up in the Air, and so on. It was true also for 2001’s Gosford Park's Helen Mirren and Maggie Smith. I always thought a third should’ve been added. Watson delivered five-star service and, for

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"The Ghost Writer" Haunts Europe. Can it Win American Oscar Nods?

The European Film Awards were held yesterday in Estonia's capital Tallin (next year the ceremony will be in Malta). Roman Polanski and Ewan McGregor both appeared via the wonders of the internet (you may have heard Polanski doesn't travel much) to accept for The Ghost Writer. The mystery thriller about a politician under fire and the two sorry writers who attempt to ghost his memoirs is filled

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Day of Rest

shhhhhhhhhh. Daniel Craig needs his beauty sleep. (Aren't you excited that he's coming back for a third round at Bond, James Bond?)We'll be back tomorrow. Go see a movie! *

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I Love Like You Phillip Morris

Jim Carrey adds a little swish to his familiar physical dexterity as con-man Steven Russell in I Love You Phillip Morris. His rubber face sad-comic mask falls hard for mild-mannered Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), while both are in prison. Their affair prompts much elaborate scheming from Steven about how to bust them out.The film's strange and gleefully offensive comic tone comes courtesy of

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Julianne Moore @ 50

I couldn't let the day pass without an acknowledgement of the great Julianne Moore hitting the big 5-0 milestone.<--- This is what 50 looks like when you're Her. (Yes, that picture was taken this year.)Having celebrated Julianne Moore many times over the years (just click the label or read this summer's interview) I thought we shouldn't make too much of a fuss today. But bless bless. Isn't she

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Distant Relatives: Taxi Driver and One Hour Photo

Robert here, with my new 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. God's Lonely MenWhen they tell what drew them so passionately to Paul Schrader's Taxi Driver script, Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro often cite the line "I am God's

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Daryl Hannah is 50.

I've always had a thing for mermaids. I can't truly remember if it preceded Daryl Hannah or if she caused it but in my movie addled brain I have come to blame her. I remember our first magical meeting vividly: I was fully clothed, she was naked.Was it the allure of the fantastical?Was it the iamcurious shock of nudity in a family movie? (The 80s. Different times.)Was it that guileless smile?Was

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Interview: Javier Fuentes-León and the Oscar Submission "Undertow"

I meet first-time feature director, US based Javier Fuentes-León in a tasty Puerto Rican restaurant called Sazon. We're there to chat up his Peruvian/Colombian movie "Undertow" (also known as Contracorriente), a romantic gay drama which is also a portrait of a rural community and also a ghost story. But the 'where from?',  'what kind?' and 'why this?' of it are surface details. Javier

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Future Awards Dates & Unmentioned Actors (Thus Far)

Just a heads up to all of you who like to play along in the Oscar race. Here are the next big dates. And just for fun, I've illustrated with the pictures of 14 of the most prominent players who seemed like they might catch fire (at some recent point) but who have still not been mentioned at all in the first handful of acting citations... not even at the Satellites. I've updated the actor, actress

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Searching the Sundance Lineup

Michael C from Serious Film here.This Tuesday the Sundance Film Festival announced its 2011 Dramatic Competition lineup. It's ironic that a festival devoted to independence and originality has me looking over the list of films like the crassest studio boss ever to chomp down on a cigar behind a giant desk. You can't help but gravitate towards big stars and familiar concepts. "You've got fifty

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Anne Hathaway, 'Next' Cover Girl

This is a gay rag here in NYC. Anne was on the holiday weekend cover promoting Love and Other Drugs, and though the inside article is dependably slim, she once again proves herself not just a wonderful celeb but a cool person and major friend of the gays."I was at the Empire State Pride Agenda dinner a few years ago," she recalls. "And Margaret Cho put it perfectly. She said, 'I can't believe

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The Kick-Off! NBR Favors "The Social Network", Shuns "127 Hours"

God, they get us every time! The National Board of Review has haters all over the internet but despite endless attacks on their legitimacy claiming that their choices are nothing but studio banquet-table-buying driven ... we (collectively speaking) still always let them kick it off.Sometimes we get a kick out of it. Sometimes we just get kicked in the gut. It's totally an S&M relationship. But

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Randomness: Menacing Cologne, Chained Actress, Bloodied Benjamin

Oh hello there. You're back? I'm just basking in the beauty that is this new Rabbit Hole poster. I loved the first one, too. What is happening? Posters are supposed to be terrible and they keep doing right by this film. This one visually gets at the disconnect between two people who are still very much connected,  physically, legally, experientally and emotionally. I love it.We're down to the

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The Gluttonous Golden Satellites

You guys. I really can't be bothered to talk about the Golden Satellites (a.k.a. The International Press Academy, who can't even be bothered to update their own website) and here's why: When you nominate everyone* under the sun, it's hard to take you seriously. The Satellites have more categories than any of the important precursors and then, as if the orgy of categories weren't enough, they have

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Grammy Nominations and Film Star Nominees

Though I don't much care about the Grammys --even when I was a teenager when you're supposed to care a lot, I didn't as my favorites were rarely nominated -- I do always cast a curious eye over their choices in case a favorite of mine was accidentally nominated or in case I hear about a record that piques curiousity. The nomination I'm happiest about tonight is Best Dance Recording. That really

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Unsung Heroes: Kirk Douglas for Producing Paths of Glory

Hey everybody. Michael C. from Serious Film back again. This week is all about Kirk Douglas, and although his acting career has enough high points to fill this blog for a month, today we're here to honor the hand he had in launching one of the most important directorial careers of the last century. One fact everyone in the film business seems to agree on is that it is incredibly difficult to get

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Red Carpet Lineup: Swan Break

The New York premiere of Black Swan was held last night at the Ziegfeld which is the theater for premiere's here in Manhattan. I have so many fond memories of the place. All the stars were in attendance including Darren Aronofsky, Vincent Cassell and Barbara Hershey. Plus the deliciously dark rival ballerinas Mila, Natalie and Noni.I think it goes without saying but I'll say it: Winona Ryder is

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Spirit Awards. What They Do and Don't Say About Oscar.

Now that I've had a day to think over the Spirit Awards (nominee discussion) and what they reveal and obscure about the Oscar race, here's a deeper look for my Tribeca Film column.Eligible "Best Feature" SnubsBlue Valentine, Get Low, Somewhere, Rabbit HoleNot eligible for "Best Feature" or Acting Prizes The King's Speech, I Am Love, Another Year, Animal KingdomNot eligible for anything Toy Story

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Actors on Actors: SAG Buzz

Have you read the Variety feature where SAG card holders are essentially campaigning for other actors for awards season? Sometimes the admiration is surely talent-based and not about who they're friends with or have worked with and sometimes it's clearly a mixture of the two.Nicole Kidman, marvelous again in Rabbit Hole.Marion Cotillard worked with Nicole Kidman on Nine, for example, but her

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Woody Turns 75. Undoubtedly Writing 43rd Feature Film.

What you're looking at below is a screenshot from the new Film Experience site (opening in a couple of weeks) in the "top tens" section... which is more like a "top 1" for each year from 1920-1979 (until I see or revisit more films from those years).Woody Allen made my favorite films of 1977 (Annie Hall), 1979 (Manhattan) and 1985 (The Purple Rose of Cairo) and came very close to doing so in 1986

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November. It's a Wrap

2010 will soon be history. But it's not over until the fat lady sings. And by fat lady I mean critics and by sing I mean the mass publishing of top ten lists. Since I have screeners this year, I'll try to get started a bit earlier than usual and get my top ten list out to you in the final week of December. Until then, in case you missed anything... the best of November. Party Favor get your Oscar

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Off Screen Break. What's Going On?

Because sometimes, taking a wee break from the silver screen, helps you appreciate the movies more. EW Lady Gaga is insane. Promises "Born This Way" is 'best album of the decade'. So no sophomore slump then, Gaga?YouTube Madonna opening her Hard Candy gym in Mexico. I wish I could work out there. I obviously need some sort of dominatrix to push me if I'm ever going to get in shape. (sigh)AV Club

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Curio: Rachel the Replicant

Alexa from Pop Elegantiarum here with your weekly art break.Today is Ridley Scott's 73rd birthday, and 10 days ago Sean Young celebrated her 51st birthday (probably while rehearsing for Skating With the Stars). Their collaboration in Blade Runner put Metropolis, Edward Hopper and film noir into a blender to create a thing of beauty. Who can forget Rachel, the replicant heroine played with

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Spirit Awards: "Winter's Bone" and "The Kids Are All Right" Lead.

Historically the Spirit Awards tend to honor a few of the major Oscar players each year but a win at the Spirits can sometimesLe be the last hurrah, a consolation prize as some would say, if the work is too "edgy" for lack of a less exhaustively employed word. Last year's big winner was Precious (refresh your memory?) It took home Picture, Director, Actress, Supporting Actress and Adapted

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Oscar to Choose 3 to 5 of Ten Animated Short Finalists

"Let's Pollute"The Academy have revealed the finalist list for Oscar's Best Animated Short category. Depending on how voting goes we'll see anywhere from three to five nominees. But the lucky names will be drawn from this entertaining list.The Cow Who Wanted to Be a Hamburger (Bill Plympton Studio)Coyote Falls (Warner Bros)Day & Night (Pixar)The Gruffalo (Magic Light Pictures)Let's Pollute (

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Gotham Award Winners

If you'd like running commentary IndieWire provided. If you're short for time here are the winners.Best Documentary The OathBreakthrough Director Kevin Asch for Holy RollersBreakthrough Performance Ronald Bronstein from Daddy Longlegs Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You Littlerock (Mike Ott)Festival Genius Award Waiting For 'Superman'Best Ensemble Performance Winter's BoneBest Feature

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The Top Tens Cometh. Will "The Social Network" Reign?

If you read In Contention and Awards Daily as I'm assuming a good hefty percentage of Film Experience readers, being Oscar obsessed, do, then you already know that The Social Network has landed its first major top ten list and #1 placement. Presumable many more will follow. It's that type of movie, both highbrow and mainstream enough to capture a good cross section of critical hosannas."One Top

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Black Swan Raves

...not the review kind of "raves" so much as the dance-while-drugging kind.Come to think of it Black Swan is almost a perfect movie for remixes and mash-ups. While it's rather electric to watch (and hear as remix) I do worry if it's maybe a bit "thin" in some crucial ways for staying power. The narrative focus is as tight as Natalie Portman's neck, which means that in some ways it wouldn't lose

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Two Goodbyes: Leslie and Irvin.

Two sad farewells to octogenarians of cinematic note, director Irvin Kershner and actor Leslie Nielsen."Kersh" (by the camera) about to shoot Han, Leia and Lando.I will forever appreciate Irvin Kershner (1923-2010), who died today, for making the best of the Star Wars films The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Yes, long before George Lucas ruined his own classic franchise, he once entrusted the

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James & Annie, Good Sports & Oscar Hosts

Saturday Night Live, that dinosaur of pop culture, may be good for something we never really expected: producing Oscar hosts. Both James Franco and Anne Hathaway, just announced as February's Oscar hosts,  have hosted the ancient challenging live comedy program (Franco in 2009, Hathaway just recently) to fine results, so why not Hollywood's High Holy Night? I'm just glad that they didn't take the

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Which movie job...

...would you most like to be trudging off to this morning, instead of your actual job?What would a two-minute montage of your day job look like? Would it be this sparkly?*

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Take Three: Terence Stamp

Craig here with Take Three. Today: Terence StampTerence Stamp photographed by Terence Donovan, 1967Take One: A family of Stamp collectorsAnnounced only as "The Stranger", Stamp waltzed into the home and lives of Teorema’s (Theorem/1968) wealthy Italian family like a bolt from the blue: in turn he sexed them all up good and proper, irrespective of gender, or even order, then left them reeling

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Welcome to "Burlesque"

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Care for some turkey? Cher, XTina and gay filmmaker Steve Antin shall provide a succulent bird. If you’ve been looking forward to the new musical BURLESQUE, relax. I come not to disparage the movie, but to (mostly) praise it. Consider this a corrective protest. It will prove too easy a target for critics and haters, who often seem to despise girlie or flashy movies

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On Eligibility Requirements. Your Input Please

In the past only NYC theatrical releases have been eligible for this site's own Film Bitch Awards and I've also considered making "one week qualifiers" ineligible even if they open in NYC on account of "do they really belong to that year?"... but more and more I wonder if any of the old rules should apply -- how to even keep track of them if they do -- and whether I'm too strict? It can sometimes

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The 2010 Blue Dragons. (Plus: Korean Films on Netflix)

The news coming out of Korea these days is upsetting so... let's direct our focus on something beautiful from thereabouts: the movies. The 31st annual Blue Dragon Awards were held this weekend in Seoul. Here are the winners and a few comments. [photo and info sources]Picture: The Secret ReunionThis is an espionage thriller involving North and South Korean spies. It stars the seemingly ubiquitous

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Links

Low Resolution "22 Short Thoughts on Burlesque" #20 is an idea for a sequel that I would entirely fund myself were I a gazillionaire even if I knew I'd lo$e it all. That's how badly I want it to exist.Boing Boing Forged Disney Art on eBay. You really can't cheat with Ursula, the sea witch; people are way too obsessed with that bitch, you know?Cinema Blend Michelle Williams as Marilyn, again.Dear

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Distant Relatives: The Deer Hunter and The Hurt Locker

Robert here, with my new 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.  Two Best Picture winners for today.Addictive Personalities There are about as many themes and concepts explored by war films as there are war films.  Still, they can be

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Unsung Heroes: The Sound Design of Punch-Drunk Love

Michael C here from Serious Film.The opening moments of Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch-Drunk Love feature a prolonged stretch of silence broken by the crash of a truck doing flips down the street. In most movies this would be the cheapest trick in the book, giving the audience a jolt by hitting them with a loud noise out of nowhere. It doesn't feel that way here. The sound design in this scene,

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"Tangled" as 50th. A Disney List

At some point in the chronology of me dealing with Tangled, a complicated psychological rollercoaster for this lifelong Rapunzel lover, I had completely forgotten (or maybe never known?) that it was to be the 50th Disney animated feature.I think I wasn't counting the compilation films but Disney does. Here's a helpful reminder from Disney of that rich history (which I saw courtesy of All Things

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Eat up. Drive safe. Hug loved ones. And thanks for being so faithful to The Film Experience. We give thanks for your patronage. We'll be back when we're back at some point tomorrow and a bit over the weekend. Enjoy your holiday. Amen.See a movie. There's so much good stuff in movie theaters right now (links go to post collections): fun musicals like Burlesque & Tangled both of which I already

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FYC: Leonardo Island

One of the smartest FYC moves I've seen in terms of a screener making full use of its identity as an Oscar campaign is for Shutter Island. The disc didn't come with the typical eyebrow raising desperation of "please nominate us for every category that exists!", but narrowed its focus. The cover only suggests Picture, Director & Actor.In fact, one might say that the packaging squints so hard to

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7 Word Reviews: Black Swan, Rabbit Hole, The King's Speech

What I've been up to: Wrote up a piece for Tribeca Film on the avalanche of screeners and the insanity of the holiday season inbetween rush of screenings. Also was buried in avalanche of screeners and rushed 'tween screenings whilst fretting about the holiday. Symmetry! Posting will be light for the rest of the week (it can't be helped: holidays, off-blog duties, etcetera) but December will be

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Which movie weapon...

... would you want in a fight? And no, I won't tell you who your opponent is before the battle. Go.Just some examples. Don't feel like you have to wield them.*

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Ruffy the Werewolf Cuddler

.JA from MNPP here. Perhaps you heard the news of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot that was announced yesterday? Strangely it sounded just like a couple million geeks exploding. E! got a written statement from the man who made Buffy in the first place and has nothing to do with this reboot, Joss Whedon, and he made with the funny:"Obviously I have strong, mixed emotions about something like this

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Two Men We Love

Both of whom need better movies but whatever. Ewan at least is doing okay for himself this year. The Ghost Writer is excellent and I Love You Phillip Morris opens soon. (Finally)Hugh Jackman Ewan McGregor

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Social Network Typography (and Screenplay Structuring)

Saw this at Rope of Silicon and just loved it. The mind boggles at the complex architecture / spacial relation skills? required to pull this off......of course it wouldn't be that special if it didn't have the platform of Aaron Sorkin's amazing dialogue and/or Zuckerberg's wit (from transcripts presumably), now would it?Best Screenplay. Having recently rewatched both The Kids Are All Right and

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Game of Thrones

Quick show of hands. How many of you have read the fantasy classic GAME OF THRONES by George R.R. Martin? HBO is making it into a series now which comes as such a relief. Long novels are so much better suited to series format than movies and yet they're rarely adapted that way. You can follow the production diary here. I'm only 650 pages into the first novel -- god this is long -- but it's a page

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7 Word Reviews: From Rapunzel to Woody

Until I find more time... 7 words must suffice.Tangled Disney's animated Rapunzel musical (Skip the 3D, save money.)7WR: Gorgeously rendered central image / conflict. Tonal slips.  B+[More to come on this one soon. Sorry for wait.]You Will Meet a Tall Dark StrangerWoody Allen's annual comedy. This one focuses on a failed writer (Josh Brolin) whose new work just doesn't measure up to the old (

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Oscar Prediction Revisions. Plus: Screener Land.

The Oscar charts are now fully updated for November. Peruse and report back! For any of you leaving for the holiday early Happy Thanksgiving!Can The Way Back get a makeup nomfor all those wounds, sunburns and life-threatening health issues?So here's a momentary giving of thanks: I'm truly grateful for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences no matter how often I grouse about their choices

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Who Cares About Link?

God bless V Magazine for their latest issue, "Who Cares About Age". Usually when the media decides to celebrate older women, we're only allowed one. Like the recent Streep Mania... or 2006 when Helen Mirren was all the rage. I've always had a thing for actresses of a certain age so I applaud them for multiplying the enthusiasm. I mean check out these legendary cover girls: Jane Fonda, Susan

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Take Three: Melissa George

Craig here with Take Three. Today: Melissa George Take One: This is the GirlShe was indeed the girl. But which girl? Camilla Rhodes? Just another nameless blond wannabe actress lip-syncing for her life? A slinky id to further lead Betty down Hollywood’s hellish rabbit hole - or take Diane for a five-dollar fool? She embodied what Betty/Diane always wanted; she represented what killed Betty/

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Golden Horse Awards: Ethan's Little Buddy, Nicholas Absent Shirt

The Golden Horse Awards were held last night. They're often thought of as the Chinese Oscars because the tradition goes back the furthest and honors a wide pool of Chinese language films from multiple countries (China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, etcetera). Though neither Monga, Taiwan's submission for Oscar's Foreign Language Film competition, nor Aftershock (China's submission), 

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Juliette Lewis Interview: From "Cape Fear" to "Conviction"

In her music video "Uh Huh" Juliette Lewis sashays around with a bouquet of colorful balloons, smiling radiantly. Her mood seems lighter than air. It's an incongruous musical moment in her rock grrrl career -- in the newest video "Terra Incognito" she's back to her old in-your-face provocations -- but the softer side was lovely to see.And why shouldn't Juliette's mood be lighter these days? After

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Links With Benefits

Journalistic Skepticism Oooh, it's a must read listen. Luke has collected the film scores this year. Which is your favorite and who do you think is winning the Oscar for Best Score? Cinema Blend smart post about confusingly similar 2011 romantic comedies Friends With Benefits and No Strings Attached. One twin thing that isn't mentioned: Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman, the female leads from the

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Yes, No, Maybe So: "Source Code"

With Love and Other Drugs about to open we feel absolutely bombarded with Gyllenhaaliciousness. Which is fine by us... Especially when it comes with Hathawayish sparkle.But such is the nature of healthy physiques careers that before you even have a chance to see Movie A, you're already asked to think about Movie B and sometimes even movie C (given that roughly 89.4% of film writing on the web

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Black Swan Spreads Its Wings

Good news for those of you who are not so patiently awaiting the feathery pirouettes of Natalie Portman. Black Swan is opening wider than originally anticipated. The December 3rd bow, which was originally intended for just NYC & LA, will now include Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, DC, Toronto and Dallas/Ft Worth. That probably means expansion to smaller markets will come sooner too.Meanwhile,

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Which movie star's face...

...are you most fascinated by at this very moment? Tell us in the comments.There can be more than one of course but at this very moment I'd have to go with Julie Christie. I was bored of my desktop image a week or two ago so I switched it to this (from Don't Look Now, 1973) and I can't stop staring at the screen. I fear Julie herself will have to snap her fingers to wake me from this hypnotic

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Oscar Updates: Picture, Directors, Actresses, Animated Features

I'm guessing that the Best Picture category has 7 very solid bets now: The Social Network, The King's Speech, 127 Hours, The Kids Are All Right, Toy Story 3, The Fighter and Inception)  But those last 3 spots could be quite volatile considering so many of the films in question haven't properly opened and could be boosted or shunned by next month's avalanche of top ten lists & precursor prizes. So

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Sally "I Beat Meryl" Hawkins

This video is part of the See Africa Differently campaign. It devolves pretty quickly into sly inside showbiz comedy courtesy of Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky).My apologies if you've seen already but it was new to me. I was in Iceland. (Shhhh. That's my new excuse for every error I make for the next two weeks).I'm quite excited for more of you to get a look at Made in Dagenham soon. It's quite

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Distant Relatives: Citizen Kane and There Will Be Blood

Robert here, with the inaugural post of my new feature: 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.What has become of the American entrepreneur?There are many reasons why we're drawn to tales of industrialists, inventors and entrepreneurs.  For

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"Can We Talk?" The Documentary SnubFest... I Mean Shortlist.

It's inevitable that the Academy's documentary branch has to snub fine films every year. There are usually more than 5 terrific docs a year after all. But even when they narrow it to 15 for the finals, they're always dumping extraordinary movies.  We knew that the buzzy Catfish wouldn't be there but it's a pity that the funny/interesting/popular Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work couldn't place even in

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Unsung Heroes: Vladimir Tytla for Dumbo

Michael C here from Serious Film. It's going to be tough not to get carried away this week since the subject of this episode is one I feel very strongly about. If I had only been given the opportunity to write one episode of Unsung Heroes it probably would have been about this man.Even the most casual moviegoer can pinpoint a favorite animated moment, but I'd be surprised to find that one in a

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Julianne vs. Cate. Plus: What's Wrong With Hugo's Face?

Have you ever seen the movie Vanya on 42nd Street (1994)? It's really quite good. The movie plays something like a fly on the wall rehearsal documentary of a stage production of Anton Chekov's immortal "Uncle Vanya." It marked the first important clue that Julianne Moore was going to be a major screen goddess (unless you count Short Cuts as just that, which some do) and it also gave Brooke Smith

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Smoking Kills...

Delicious Carole Lombard [photo source]...with glamour. It's total glamourcide!Dangerous Lauren BacallDreamy Tony LeungSmokin' Daniel CraigToday is the annual Great American Smokeout... another encouragement to quit, if you're still breathing in those cancer sticks with abandon. I don't much relish or even condone the slow lobbying progress to end smoking in the movies --  those wispy tendrils

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Yes, No, Maybe So: "Green Lantern"

Another round of insta-judgments. Just add trailer. Suddenly we know if... yes) we're buying ticketsno) we're shunning the movie, or... maybe so) withholding the judgments until we have more info. Maybe so is usually the correct answer. Sometimes great trailers lead to disappointing movies. And sometimes virtually every piece of marketing for a movie will practically beg you not to see it when

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Continuing the Conversations...

Though I had a won-der-ful time on vacation, I do love the movie conversations. Some recent comments I wanted to respond to (for the patient and/or longwinded-like-me among you).Clint totally approves of the Jodie Foster casting of God of Carnage (I agree that it's interesting and I hope she pulls it off) but I'm sure he'll be relieved to hear that Matt Dillon is no longer with the film. Not

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Gleeful Gwyneth

Last night's Glee. Do we need to discuss? Stunt casting, so flagrantly used on television and stage to yield press & ratings dividends is a completley unreliable tool for producing quality entertainment. Last night was a happy example of the times when it works. "The Substitute" reminded us how joyful Comedic Gwyneth Paltrow can be.Somewhere after her Oscar for Shakespeare in Love, she started

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Takk Takk Link Link

Nathaniel + Layersin Frozen IcelandBelieve it or not -- but you should believe it! -- I made it a full week without the internet. Go Nathaniel! I didn't even use my iPhone but for texting to make sure the catsitting was going okay.I'm glad to be back online but a detox was in order. The last time I went a week without staring at computer screens was... well... um... I... errrrr.... unh let's see

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Oscar Bait Fading?

Michael C here from Serious Film enjoying one more post before I hand the reins back to Nathaniel. It's been a blast guest-blogging but if you're like me you want Nat back pronto. If for no other reason than I've nothing of interest to say about Burlesque, and I'm betting he's going to have some sharp commentary on the subject.It has been noted in just about every piece on this year's Oscar race

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RIP Baby Diego

Jose here with some sad news from the future.In exactly seventeen years from today, the youngest person on Earth will die in a gruesome murder, leaving humanity's fate in the hands of...It doesn't help that he has some issues to solve with Julianne Moore and thinks Baby Diego was a wanker...How do you feel about the possibility that in the future no new children will be born? Wasn't Children of

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Film Bitch Awards - Early FYC Ads

Michael C here.Now that the first Oscar ads of the season are upon us we dedicated Film Experience fans know what that means. Time to start getting excited about The Film Bitch Awards.I'm guessing I speak for a lot of you when I say I've found myself anticipating them as an essential part of the awards season because A) Nathaniel has taken the time to see the films in question unlike some voting

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Curio: Odes to Harry Dean Stanton

Alexa here with your weekly art appreciation.Craig's post about Harry Dean Stanton made me smile, something I usually do when I spot him on screen. There is something comforting about seeing that craggy face; like many character actors he has a changelessness about him. Maybe it's because he is usually just playing himself, something he has copped to many times in interviews. I soon wondered

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"I hope she'll be a fool..."

."... that's the best thing a girl can be in this world -a beautiful little fool." - Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby(pic by Baz Luhrmann) JA from MNPP here. Deadline reported a little earlier today that Carey Mulligan will presumably play Daisy Buchanan for Baz Luhrmann's Gatsby, you know, if he gets around to making a Gatsby. (Who knows with Baz?) But for now as the Magic Eight Ball says signs

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DVD Tuesday: Kids, Kitties, Benders and Bow Wow

Hey there. Kurt here from Your Movie Buddy. Today brings a fun batch of DVD releases. Or an eclectic one, anyway, especially catered to those whose brows are fairly high or exceedingly low. The first one has something to celebrate, seeing as it just made the Academy's shorlist of Animated Feature contenders. That's right: Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore has an outside shot at making it

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Who Toons

JA from MNPP here. While Nat's been away there's been a sad dearth of Oscar news reported on here at TFE and so when I saw this news earlier today I knew it might be a nice enough sized scrap to toss down until he's back and such things can be discussed proper-like. The Academy announced the fifteen candidates that are eligible for the Animated Feature prize this morning, and they are as follows:

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Monday Monologue: "We blew it, Caitlin"

Hello, all! Kurt Osenlund here from Your Movie Buddy, making my inaugural contribution to The Film Experience while Nathaniel explores the (very) wet and (sorta) wild country of Iceland (having paid a visit myself in March, I can safely say he is having one unique vacay).After scouring the countless monologues filed away in my memory, I settled on Peter Sarsgaard’s climactic outburst in Shattered

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Now Reaching Dangerous Levels Of Cuteness

.JA from MNPP here. How adorable are these pictures of Amy Adams on the set of the new Muppet Movie - for now being called The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made - with writer and Muppet-enthusiast (aren't we all?) Jason Segel, as well as the new Muppet called Walter that's making his debut in the film? (via)As if Muppets aren't adorable enough on their own, they go and add Amy Adams? That Cuteness

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Chicks of the Assimilated Animus

Jung talks of the anima and animus as the unconscious's ego--a dark figure of our dreams--for men it's an elusive princess, devouring witch, beautiful maiden asleep in a block of ice; for women a werewolf lover, a dark demon wolf with big eyes all the better to drink your essence with, like Twilight. The animus is best exemplified in the Beauty and the Beast myth. The unassimilated animus is a

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Take Three: Harry Dean Stanton

Craig here with this week's Take Three. Today: Harry Dean StantonTake One: One of the Lynch mobStanton has been on regular staff rotation for four David Lynch flicks. (Four-and-a-half, if you include TV oddity Hotel Room.) From 1990 to 2006 Stanton provided characteristic screen goodness for a quartet of Lynch's most enduring works. Chronologically he’s contributed to: Wild at Heart (1990),

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Whither Karen Silkwood?

Tim here again-"On November 13, 1974, Karen Silkwood, an employee of a nuclear facility, left to meet with a reporter from the New York Times. She never got there."And 34 years later, we still don't know exactly what happened to her, though anyone who has seen 1983's Silkwood probably has their suspicions. After all, the film brings the woman back to life in the form of Meryl Streep, at her most

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Whoops Now!

I haven't seen Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls, but my understanding is that, despite the sprawling cast of divine (and, in one case, Devine) actresses, they don't actually share many scenes together. That's a shame for actressexuals such as Nathaniel and myself, but whenever Janet Jackson and Whoopi Goldberg were in the same room together, do you think Ms Jackson-if-you're-Nasty herself

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First and Last: 5 Years Later

Glenn here again. Are we ready for more fun and games?Last line:No, I believe it's one of the Fettuccine's.

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On this day 55 years ago...

Robert here, with a special look at this very important date.On this day, 55 years ago...George McFly and Lorraine Baines kiss for the first time, sealing a lifetime of love that would produce three children.Also on this day, 55 years ago...The Hill Valley Clock Tower is hit by lightning and hasn't worked since.Yet still on this day 55 years ago...Having just witnessed his parents' first kiss, a

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The United States of Gosling

Craig here, with a brief birthday big-up.Ryan Gosling, dressed for birthday (and Oscar?) success Ryan is the big three-o today. It's a big birthday - I hope he's celebrating in style.With All Good Things and Blue Valentine both on the brink of release in the US (Dec 3rd and 31st respectively), it's never been a better time for Mr. Gosling. The year ahead, his 30th, could be his best. He's

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"Whatever you do..."

."... don't think about elephants.".

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First and Last: Crow

Glenn here. Apologies to the Americans who may be late getting to this, but hopefully the time difference over this side of the world will allow someone new to take correct guessing honours. Let's see how you do.First image:Last image:By the way, isn't that a great opening shot? Yowza!

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Unsung Heroes: The Direction of Duck Soup

Michael C. here from Serious Film. So far in this series we've most often covered the types of cinematic achievements that go unappreciated because they are so convincing that they render themselves invisible. Yet there is also the case of the artist who goes overlooked because they do their work in the shadow of personalities so big that they suck up all the attention. That is certainly the case

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RIP Dino De Laurentiis

.JA from MNPP here. When I think of the name Dino De Laurentiis my mind instantly flashes to a bunch of much beloved cheese-fests from the 70s and 80s - Barbarella, the two Conan movies, Flash Gordon. But the man did it all, from Nights of Cabiria to Army of Darkness.I don't know anything about his personal life but he's one of those legendary movie-men whose names become as big as the very big

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Cinematic Soldiers for Veteran's Day

Robert here. For many of us being a soldier is an experience we'll only get vicariously courtesy of the movies.  In honor of Veteran's Day, I thought I'd share some of my favorite portrayals of American soldiers.  They aren't always the most famous actors or the biggest roles, but they've made impressions.  If you've not seen any of the particular films listed and don't want to know who lives or

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First and Last: Tattoo Lady

Glenn here for more fun and games. Can you guess the movie from the first shot after the credits and the final line of dialogue?First shot:The last shot was of the film's lead actress so that was a no-no. Instead, we'll go with the final words spoken."...I'm a musician. Just a chick in a band. And you know what? It's f**king cool!"

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Birthday Wishes for the Dream King

Hi all, Tim here from Antagony & Ecstasy.Today, somewhere outside Minneapolis, fantasy writer Neil Gaiman celebrates his 50th birthday (or not; birthdays don't seem to fit the persona the author has created for himself. But I don't have to care). And while he's better known for his comic books and novels than for his work in movies, his short cinematic career is filled with enough highs that it

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The Eyre Above

.JA from MNPP here. If Nat were around he'd perhaps do one of his "Yes No Maybe So" posts for this, but I've got nothing but yes for this, the first trailer for Cary Fukunaga's adaptation of Jane Eyre, which isn't out until March. (via)..Fukunaga's Sin Nombre - and I know Nat agrees with me on this - is a wonderful film. Thrilling and moving and gorgeously shot. So no matter what he did next I'd

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Month of the Moustache

 The Sam ElliottErich Kuersten of Acidemic here, filling in for Nathan and telling you about "Movember" -- a worldwide charity event wherein men grow out their moustaches and people have parties and models sponsor them and profits go to fight prostate cancer. In other words, it's a men's health thing, cocaine and Cristal are optional. Women do walk-a-thons for breast cancer, men sit back and

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First and Last: Waiting Room

Glenn from Stale Popcorn here to provide some fun and games in Nathaniel's absence. We're going to start with an easy one. I think the longest ever F&L comment thread came from one I did so I hope I can come up with one as good while he's away!First image after the opening credits sequence:And the last image before the end credits sequence:Can you name the movie?

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Curio: Bridget Buys

Alexa here. Jose's post on birthday girl Bridget Jones brought back some memories for me. True story: as a 28-year-old singleton I went to see Bridget Jones's Diary, on opening night, all by myself no less. (Insert soundtrack here.) Upon seeing Renée, who had seemingly acquired my identical limp hair and puffiness for the role, I proceeded to sob through the opening credits. Although I'm a smug

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The Art of Good Acting, By Jessica Alba

.JA from MNPP here. Celebrated thespian Jessica Alba is getting some flack this week for sharing the following wisdom in an interview with Elle magazine:"Good actors never use the script unless it's amazing writing. All the good actors I've worked with, they all say whatever they want to say."I don't see what the problem is personally. If anyone knows about the craft of good acting it's Jessica

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Top Ten: Best in Show's Funniest Lines

Hey, folks. This is Michael C. here from Serious Film, thrilled to be helping fill in for Nathaniel this week while he takes his well-earned vacation.Now that I have free rein to spend a few days smudging my finger prints all over The Film Experience, item one on my to-do list is to make sure this year doesn't zip by without us commemorating a notable anniversary. 2010 year marks ten years since

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"Bridget Jones already a legend."

Jose here.Bridget Jones was born on a day like today. She's the chubby, British spinster we all love to watch but fear to become: neurotic, obsessive, insecure and very, very unlucky.Do you remember how she spent her birthday in 2001?Oh joy! I am broadcasting genius, celebrating by cooking birthday feast for close friends. I have a sneaking suspicion I'm also something of genius in the kitchen

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You Wrote Reese A Letter?

Okay, spill. What did it say? What was so important that you just had to write it down. Tell us in the comments*.*I had hoped to do big posts today but prep for my vacation is killing me. so I'm playing blog comment games instead.

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Love 'em and Leave 'em? A Brief Memory of Russell Crowe.

Have you ever loved a performance so much that your subsequent disinterest in the same actor is actually hard to wrap your head around? That's me when it comes to Russell Crowe.I love everything about him in L.A. Confidential... but in particular the way he looks at Kim Basinger. God, the way he looks at her. It's just riveting. He easily made my Best Actor shortlist in 1997. For the record it

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F&L: "Are we the first?"

The post title is the first line of dialogue. But here's the first image...and the last line... "Bye"It's not a lot to go on I admit, but the movie is very famous. Can you guess it? The last image would give it away but if no one can guess, I'll add another clue.*

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When Movie Campaigns Attack

Don't be alarmed ... even if I was.It's one thing to receive creepy "gifts" in the mail. It's quite another when they're completely unrelated and yet they thematically compliment each other ...and they arrive on the same day. First, a bird with a bomb attached (courtesy of Four Lions which I keep hearing great things about. Movies, wait for me. I'm back to screenings in one week's time!).And then

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127 Comments

Since I'm leaving on vacation Tuesday (you'll be in the good hands of TFE's regular weekly columnists and a few other returning guests as well) I wanted to thank everyone again for helping make The Film Experience the lively place it is. I know the posting has been a bit slower than usual but it will all pay off next month: new website! easier navigation! blog more integrated with site charts!

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Take Three: Kim Basinger

Craig here with Take Three. Today: Kim BasingerBay•sing•erI think it’s time again to give Kim Basinger (remember, it's Bay-singer, not Bah-sinjahr, folks) some major credit. The lady's due. She’s gone from supporting eighties female through a love-hate (but Oscar-nabbing) nineties to her current career bloom as a character actress of some depth. Ms Basinger has always quietly impressed me.

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EFA Noms: Of Gods and Ghost Writers with Secrets in Their Eyes

The European Film Award nominations have been announced and what we have this year is an interesting mix of two separate years of Oscar's Foreign Film contest alongside one English language feature: Roman Polanski's The Ghost Writer. Side note: I had thought that the film was simply called The Ghost in Europe (?) but perhaps I misremembered.The Ghost sizes up his competition at the European Film

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Jill Clayburgh (1944-2010)

Two time Oscar nominated actress Jill Clayburgh died yesterday after a long long struggle with leukemia. She was 66 years old.Clayburgh in Starting Over (1979) and  Running With Scissors (2006)Younger moviegoers may remember her as the rundown matriarch of that chaotic impossibly neurotic brood in Running With Scissors (2006) or the well heeled matriarch in television's Dirty Sexy Money. (2007-

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Quick...

...what's the last movie you watched and what did you think of it? (We have to live through you at the moment because we're too busy to see a movie *sniffle*. We hate when this happens.) *

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50 Appropriate Ways to Celebrate Tilda Swinton.

The fabulous Tilda Swinton is now a half century old young timeless -- old, young... these concepts are too limited when it comes to the greats. But fact: On November 5th, 1960 Tilda Swinton first came into the world. So a tribute is most definitely in order.50 Appropriate Ways to Celebrate Swintonian GreatnessBe a genius.Dye your hair white blonde... or bright red.Be colorful.Imagine you have

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Yes, No, Maybe So: "Sucker Punch"

This goes out to anyone who caught the Sucker Punch trailer and anyone who cares about women as action heroes. Which, as you know, The Film Experience does. Unfortunately caring about something and enjoying it in practice are two different things. In practice there are so many things that can go wrong...The trailer begins with an abused girl fights back set-up (a blouse ripped off and a  button

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Cher Hits a Brick Wall

Over at Towleroad, I've done a brief review of 127 Hours.  I enjoyed a lot even if I don't think it's the masterpiece many are claiming. I also talk about the new dvd set Cher: The Film Collection. More on that collection later here at the blog. (I can't wait to watch these movies again.)This is an actual cel phone snapshot from Soho here in NYC. They painted the Burlesque poster on a brick wall.

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Unsung Heroes: The Cinematography of In Bruges

Hi, everybody. This is Michael C here from Serious Film and this week I'm excited to be writing about one of my very favorite films of the last decade, one that improves dramatically which each repeated viewing. So lets get to the overlooked element of this largely overlooked gem.One could argue that a lot of work was done for Eigil Bryld when director Martin McDonagh decided to shoot on location

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Open Thread (and brief announcement)

What's on your (cinematic) mind? We're always curious.P.S. I'm working on behind the scenes stuff today. You may have noticed the "contributors" field expanding the past few days. I am taking my first ever real vacation starting next Tuesday. Nathaniel (c'est moi) will be offline actually (gasp!) for a week. I've never even tried that before. I'm so scared. A week without the internet? Aahhhh.

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Live Blog: The Hollywood Reporter Actress Roundtable 2010

The actual hour-long Hollywood Reporter video of the six actresses who grace their cover: Annette Bening, Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams, Hilary Swank, Natalie Portman and Helena Bonham-Carter. Here's how it breaks down if you don't have a full hour to watch (video at bottom of post). Unfortunately you can't "scroll" so the time stamps are useless as I type away.0:01 Helena talks about first day-i-tis.

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Posterized: Rabbit Hole & The King's Speech. What Are They Telling Us?

If you've been wondering what happened to the Posterized series, it comes down to this: A month or so back, I had been reading the book The Art of Drew Struzan -- he's the artist who used to do all those painted posters for Spielberg films and the first Harry Potter and so on -- and while reading it is I was preparing a "posterized: ben affleck" article. Ben Affleck movies, as it turns out, have

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Look at This Party Favor I Made For You

If you'd like, you can embed it on your own blogs or sites or wherever by hitting "get widget". If you just click on the image directly from wherever you put it, it'll take you to the Film Experience's most recent Oscar-flavored articles. How about that? Public service and self promotion.if (WIDGETBOX) WIDGETBOX.renderWidget('83852329-49ac-4063-a971-9e651d91b0e9');Get the Countdown Creator Pro

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Olivia Williams, The Ghost Actress

I was late to the party on The Ghost Writer but as with any good film, the party is still raging once you get there. It's already one of my favorites of 2010. But back in March I should have been out there championing it as a clever, well executed thriller (if that's the genre you'd like to define it as).  I think it was Pierce Brosnan who kept me away. Since when does he make good movies? And

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First and Last, "I'm Not a Bit Surprised"

the first image and the last line of dialogue from a motion picture."I'm not a bit surprised."Can you guess the movie?

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White Trash Cameo Hameos Forever!

Since America proved tonight at the polls (yay democracy!) that we are all just one tiny step away from being uneducated white trash who vote against our own interests and functioning society -- seriously if there's no government, who will pick up the garbage, who will protect us if someone breaks into our homes, who will make sure our children aren't as idiotic as we are? --  I thought this

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Six Actresses Walk Into a Room...

The Hollywood Reporter is proclaiming that "Awards Season Begins Now" but the cover is freaking me out. Did Nancy Meyers direct it? It's so beige. Do Amy Adams, Nicole Kidman, Hilary Swank and Natalie Portman all suddenly have the same hairstylist & colorist these days? They're interchangeable. And with women that special, that's a big no-no. Kidman's styling bugs me the most. It's so Blair on

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It's Election Day in the US. Which film director...

...did you vote for as Governor of Movies*? (Or Minister of Movies if you prefer)I hope you chose carefully. They'll be bossing your cinema around for the next four years! *Obviously, this is a write-in ballot situation only. I didn't see candidates listed anywhere in my voting guide.*

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TV @ The Movies: "Glee" and "The Walking Dead"

What is the ideal format for talking about tv? I'm beginning to think it's Twitter since even in the days of next day recaps and the 'watch it on your own time' DVR reality, people often watch it in great masses, round about the same time -- only staggered with everyone in their own slightly skewed time zones. I'm on NESST (Nathaniel's Eastern Stop & Start Time). TV has never been the all

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Curio: Election Edition

Alexa from Pop Elegantiarum here with your weekly arts and crafts. I hope all of you are voting today, if you haven't already. By the end of the day a significant number of us will be disappointed at the wackadoodles in office. Here are some bipartisan opinions you might want to sport instead of bitching about the results.Independence Day Bill Pullman or Deep Impact Morgan Freeman for president

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First and Last, England

The very first image and the last (pre closing credit sequence) image from a motion picture.Another clue. The first and last lines of dialoguefirst: "Come on boy."last: "And I knew it was bound to involve  _______  ."Can you guess the movie?*

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Annette Bening, Queen of Santa Barbara

My loyal subjects, Since I know each and every last one of you will want to stand and wave to our procession as we receive the "American Riviera Prize" for our invaluable contributions to the cinema, we wanted to give you ample warning. [We're told you don't have private jets (?) and will need to plan ahead?] The blessed event will happen on January 28th. It's a fitting prize since the American

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Take Three: David Warner

Craig here with Take Three.Today: David WarnerHeads, brains and faces, skewed or distorted, are the prominent concerns with today’s Take Three supporting actor David Warner: the lopping off, the removal of, and the obsessively creepy staring, respectively, are what it's all about. In The Omen, From Beyond the Grave and The Man with Two Brains Warner thrilled us in a delightful and devious manner.

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First and Last, 4.47

The first actual image in the movie. Something is about to move slowly across the screen from the upper right hand cornerThe first image after the credit sequence. Three people are in this room and there's a ton of noisy phone chatter.Can't give you the last image because it's an über famous movie star.Last lines of dialogue: "You'll make it."  "yeah."Can you guess the movie?*

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BIFA: The King's (Acceptance) Speech and Other Oscar Matters

You guys. I'm so not (quite) ready for this. It's only November 1st and in English language cinema we've already had at least three awards lineups outside of the film festivals: NY's Gotham Awards, Australia's AFI, and now BIFA... which translates to the British Independent Film Awards.BIFA considers Oscar-buzzing Lesley Manville as "Supporting"It will surprise virtually no one that the Oscar

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October. It's A Wrap.

Oh, 2010. We're just getting to know you and you're already approaching history's grave. Stay a little while longer please? Two months... give us two months. Here are a dozen Film Experience highlights from October in case you missed 'em.Claremont & Hammerstein's "The Sound of Mutants"Jake Gyllenhaal Speaks a revealing evening with the star. Quotes on his three key movies.BPFTOI The popular

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75th: "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Other the years I've been writing for The Film Experience I've realized I'm quite obsessed with chronologies and time. Stars that have been part of our rear view mirror of film history our whole lives were once fresh faces. It's a simple concept but intermittently hard to absorb. I mean, Olivia de Havilland and Mickey Rooney, two of the oldest living film stars, were once newbies! In fact,

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The Greatest Halloween Moment in the History of the Movies

"RAAAAACHELLL FLAAXXXX!!!"[img src]Cher, Christina Ricci, Mermaids (1990)If you dare to disagree, you'd better list an inspired trick or a whopper of a treat in the comments!Oh and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!*

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The Final Linkdown

My beloved bloglines -- where I subscribe to hundreds of blogs and websites in case something interesting pops up -- goes the way of the dodo tomorrow. This is the final link roundup as you've come to know (and love / be indifferent to). I'm taking this opportunity to rethink my web reading and start from scratch in terms of what I "follow" since I spend too much time surfing, skimming, reading,

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Halloween Top Ten: I ♥ Zombies; or, Up with Dead People

Craig here. It's Halloween and the new horror tv series The Walking Dead is nearly upon us. This is what I've been thinking about day-to-day for the last few weeks. So here's a Tuesday Top Ten Special (i.e. it's on the weekend instead... and it's Halloween themed) to get you thinking about all things zombified. Perfect for a day made for the dead. Alive or recently embalmed, all enter here.

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Streep Nom #15 & #16: Sister Aloysius Beauvier & Julia Child

In an off blog e-mail correspondence earlier this week, one of my fellow movie bloggers said to me "The best thing about this year's Best Actress race is that Streep isn't in it." That's funny. It's true that her ubiquity can be exhausting. It must especially feel like a relief for other Tinseltown goddesses in those rare years when she isn't in play. More room for them. But since Streep at 60, a

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What if "Australia" Had Ended Here?

On this very day in 1939, Australia's Northern Standard incorrectly assumed that The Lady Ashley (Nicole Kidman) and her Drover (Hugh Jackman) had both perished in the Kuraman Desert!Newspapers. They've always had it rough; The second you publish something it's ancient history.Just as soon as this news was making the rounds the lady and her cattle driving man, rode into town in a cloud of

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FYC Hell: Alice in Uglyland and the Art of Self Editing.

With screeners arriving and campaign parties starting, awards season is raring to go. The Oscar FYC ad pictured below, the first of the season, arrived today in my mailbox from the delightful Guy Lodge with the completely sensible command "Stop. This. Now." As many of you know, I loathe Tim Burton's Mia in Uglyland but I'm not dumb enough to think that it doesn't have a shot at a handful of Oscar

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Kiss The Girl, Win an Oscar?

random Oscar thought of the day If the Best Actress race really narrows down to The Bening (The Kids Are All Right) vs. Natalie Portman (Black Swan) than we have a seriously sapphic situation going on this year."♪ I Kissed a Girl just to try it, I know Oscar won't mind it. ♫ "Hey, it worked last year for the ladies in this category.P.S. Does this mean that The Oscars are basically like frat

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Linktivia

An endless series of links. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm seriously going to go cold turkey. But let's start with "Boba Fett's Invoice" designed by Brock Davis because it's just making me giggle. [Discovered via]Self Styled Siren great piece on being drawn to older movies and why it's incorrect to reductively label that "nostalgia."Guardian Snarky (but funny) "Can Nicole Kidman pull an

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LFF 2010: Zero Hours Remain

David from Victim of the Time with one last report from the 54th BFI London Film Festival.Craig gave you a packed wrap-up earlier today, but I couldn't let you go without getting in another word myself. I caught near to 50 films during the past month (give or take a couple I, er, nodded off during), and I'm happy to say there were an abundance of highs and a general lack of lows - maybe I just

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Unsung Heroes: The Production Design of The Descent

Michael C. here from Serious Film for another episode of Unsung Heroes. With Halloween fast approaching I thought now would be a great time to shine the spotlight on my pick for the best horror movie of the last decade.I was researching Neil Marshall's The Descent for a post I was writing about horror movies when I was surprised to stumble upon this trivia item:No real caves appear anywhere in

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Lunk. Subgenius. Monster.

awwww, poor Frankenstein Monster. Always so pathetically lonely. Hit refresh ya big lug! I'm sure someone will cozy up. If you're lucky she'll have a huge skunk inspired beehive. [Note: This illustration is brought to you from the wonderful imagination of Mr Hipp.... click over and see other illustrated wonders.]

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Captain America's Mighty Shield Pecs

Behold: Chris Evans as Steve Rogers (aka Captain America), post-serum obviously.Captain America: The First AvengerIn all seriousness now, I have to ask: How they gonna make him look scrawny and unfit before he drinks the drink that transforms him into a super soldier?  If you would like to reread this post for several minutes  (no one will blame you) here's a little musical accompaniment. Read my

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LFF 2010: five final festival films to wrap up with...

Craig here from Dark Eye Socket with my LFF wrap-up.As of tonight the BFI London Film Festival is done for another year. It's been a stellar year all told, if the surplus of reports are to be believed. And I'd willingly add a further approving nod to the list. I didn't manage to see everything I wanted (juggling festival times and dates with travel arrangements is an art – one that's open to

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Animal Kingdom To Rack Up Awards (...In Australia)

Remember that one year (2001) when the list-happy AFI (American Film Institute) decided to compete with the Globes and the Oscars in year end prizes? No, that didn't last long. But there's another AFI, The Australian Film Institute, that has been around for a long time and is in no such danger of being a one-off. This year, they're all about the amazing family crime drama Animal Kingdom which

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Hit Me With Your Best Shot: "Night of the Hunter" (1955)

"We've reached the Season 1 Finale of "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" I've had a lot of fun doing this shot-based series, wherein we choose our favorite images from films though sometimes, like tonight, when we're covering the great noir THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955) things haven't gone remotely as planned.<--- This is the disc as I received it in the mail this morning for this post.Obviously a

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The Dark Knight Rises: A Review Starter Kit.

Christopher Nolan has revealed the title of his third Batman film (Batman 8 if you're counting*) to Hero Complex and it's The Dark Knight Rises. We also know that the villain will not be The Riddler so stop that photoshopping of Tom Hardy in green tights even though his musculature is undoubtedly fun to move one's cursor around. What? Okay, you may leave the question mark upon his chest because

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Oscar's Collection: The Youngest Best Actress Nominees

Another Oscar Trivia Explosion. This time it's the Actresses. Jennifer Lawrence made quite a film-carrying impression in Winter's Bone this past summer. It was one of the leggiest arthouse hits in some time, playing for months, and wracking up $6+ million without a huge advertising budget or bankable stars and with grim subject matter. Well done. At Christmas Hailee Steinfeld will lead us on a

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"Every Ending... Has a Beginning."

The Birds (1963) gets the prequel we definitely needed...The Birds (The Prequel) from NYSUfilms on Vimeo.... because everyone hates movies without exposition / backstory. [/sarcasm] I love the gentle spoofing of our modern need for all mystery to be explained to us "We had no answer... until now". Ha!Apparently this prequel trailer for Alfred Hitchcock's classic The Birds is a year old. But I'm

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This Link Goes to 11

Live Feed Glee inspired political attack ad. Who knew an attack ad could be cute?Kenneth in the (212) my friend Kenneth will be seen briefly in the new Mindy Cohn gay flick Violet Tendencies. When was the last time you heard "new Mindy Cohn flick"... let alone a gay one?Pop Justice "Bad Romance" is one year old today. Kinda. Still love it.This Leonardo TotallyLooksLike double gotsaved on my

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Which movie...

...most reminds you of a happy night in your life? (It doesn't even have to be a happy movie to do so.)

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A Midwestern 80s Moment: Kathleen, Meryl, Terri, Lesley

I'm sure it was because I lived in Michigan in the 1980s and that's when John Hughes movies were always in theaters but it seemed (to young me) that the Midwest was Hollywood-Hot back then. So this one goes out to all the Midwestern readers and to four fine actresses who are often associated with the 1980s though one of them has clearly transcended our puny mortal concepts of time.So we'll start

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"NOW a warning?"

According to The Movie Timeline, which I like to visit on occasion,  Helen (Goldie Hawn) drank that potent boob &butt lifting potion in Death Becomes Her (1992) on this very day, October 26th, back in 1985! That scene isn't included onscreen but we do get to see Madeline (Meryl Streep) follow in her footsteps years later. And, anyway, I'm always up for an excuse to celebrate a 25th anniversary!"

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Curio: Wes Anderson's Bad Dads

Alexa from Pop Elegantiarum here with your weekly arts and crafts. There is a very cool exhibit coming up for those in San Francisco. As I've noted many times, Wes Anderson is a bottomless source of inspiration for visual artists. So Spoke Art, a transient art gallery and publishing house based in the Bay Area, is taking advantage of the bounty by putting on an art show tribute to Wes Anderson

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First and Last, "I'm in the Wrong Movie"

the first and last images in a motion picture (excluding opening/closing credits)Hmmmm. You may need another clue. The first and last lines:first: "Hey, what's this? One of ____'s tricks? I'm in the wrong movie!"last: [Can't share it. They're singing the title.]Can you guess the movie?Want to try more puzzles? Challenge your friends to guess. All solved puzzles have the answers in easy

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Linky Linky

Movie|Line offers up pre 1970s horror movie suggestions for Halloween/Film James Franco making another poetry film. From behind the camera this time.MCN Halle Berry's Frankie & Alice to get Oscar qualifying release. Have I ever told you how much I hate the one week qualifier rule?  "YES. SHUT UP," the readers shout in unison. I'm just sayin' movies should be eligible only if the year of their

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LFF 2010: Northern Lights, Black Swans

Dave from Victim of the Time, reporting from the 54th BFI London Film Festival.We're winding down now. Today's gala screening, the sparky, perceptive The Kids Are All Right, is old news on American shores, so it's a good thing that I've taken so long to ponder over today's films. Today's theme might be... don't expect too much. You'll only get hurt.Darren Aronofsky’s films consume. They consume

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7 Word Reviews: Made in Dagenham, Stone, 127 Hours, Etc...

Can you feel Oscar precursor season gearing up?Left: Aron Ralson as himself.Right: James Franco as Aron RalstonThe mountaintops are a-rumbling. To delude myself into thinking I've "caught up" before the avalanche, herewith seven word reviews on a bunch of movies I haven't got around to talking about just yet. More to come on three of them.127 HoursIn which James Franco plays Aron Ralston who is

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15 Directors Who Shaped My Movie Love

So there's this meme going around that Paolo tagged me with. So why not? The idea is that you list 15 directors, mainly off of the top of your head, that contributed to the way you experience and think about the movies. This is not a list of my all time favorites though half of the list would probably overlap. This is the list I come up with when I think briefly on the formative masterminds and/

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Para Normal Activity.

What did you see over the weekend? Care to share? The only movie I managed to catch, on a total whim, was the original Paranormal Activity on Instant Watch just as the new one was packing them in at the box office. Hey, I've never claimed to be current with horror. I am totally not that guy. So here I am talking about a year after its sell-by date! I'm not in the now. I am beyond time.See, even

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Take Three: Anna Faris

Craig here with Take Three. Today: Anna FarisTake One: Even cowgirls get the bluesI’m always up for a spot of Brokeback love. I know there's been plenty of attention around these parts in the past but let’s divert the love that-a-way. Let’s ride sidesaddle and gallop slightly away from Jake ‘n’ Heath. And Michelle 'n' Anne. And Ang. Hey, look, it’s Anna Faris as Lashawn Malone in Brokeback

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First and Last, Far Away

first and last puzzles. Can you guess the movie?first image: last line:"You'll see. You'll see how far away we'll be."This one took a while for people to guess. It's such a good movie. The answer is [highlight the invisible text] BURNT MONEY (2000) from Argentina. Really intense crime drama about "the twins" who aren't twins but gay lovers. You should rent it.*

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LFF 2010: What I Love the Most

Craig reporting from the London Film Festival. Argentinian film editor Delfina Castagnino makes her directorial feature debut with What I Love the Most / Lo que más quiero, a slight but thoughtfully quiet film full of long takes and extended pauses. The slim plot follows Pilar, who has recently lost her father, visiting her friend Maria, who is absconding from her boyfriend. The two spend their

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