The Nominees (Updated: Full List Included)

Here is a partial list of the nominees. The rest will be filled in later on:

Best motion picture of the year

• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• Frost/Nixon
• Milk
• The Reader
• Slumdog Millionaire

Performance by an actor in a leading role

• Richard Jenkins (The Visitor)
• Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon)
• Sean Penn (Milk)
• Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
• Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

• Josh Brolin (Milk)
• Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder)
• Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt)
• Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
• Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road)

Performance by an actress in a leading role

• Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married)
• Angelina Jolie (Changeling)
• Melissa Leo (Frozen River)
• Meryl Streep (Doubt)
• Kate Winslet (The Reader)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

• Amy Adams (Doubt)
• Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)
• Viola Davis (Doubt)
• Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
• Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler)

Best animated feature film of the year

• Bolt
• Kung Fu Panda
• WALL•E

Achievement in art direction

• “Changeling” (Universal), Art Direction: James J. Murakami, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt, Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando
• “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Art Direction: Michael Carlin, Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway
• “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Art Direction: Kristi Zea, Set Decoration: Debra Schutt
  

Achievement in cinematography

• “Changeling” (Universal), Tom Stern
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Claudio Miranda
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Wally Pfister
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Anthony Dod Mantle

Achievement in costume design

• “Australia” (20th Century Fox), Catherine Martin
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Jacqueline West
• “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Michael O’Connor
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Glicker
• “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Albert Wolsky
  

Achievement in directing

• David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
• Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon)
• Gus Van Sant (Milk)
• Stephen Daldry (The Reader)
• Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)

Best documentary feature

• “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)” (Cinema Guild), A Pandinlao Films Production, Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
• “Encounters at the End of the World” (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment), A Creative Differences Production, Werner Herzog and Henry Kaiser
• “The Garden” A Black Valley Films Production, Scott Hamilton Kennedy
• “Man on Wire” (Magnolia Pictures), A Wall to Wall Production, James Marsh and Simon Chinn
• “Trouble the Water” (Zeitgeist Films), An Elsewhere Films Production, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal
  

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT

• “The Conscience of Nhem En” A Farallon Films Production, Steven Okazaki
• “The Final Inch” A Vermilion Films Production, Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant
• “Smile Pinki” A Principe Production, Megan Mylan
• “The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306” A Rock Paper Scissors Production, Adam Pertofsky and Margaret Hyde
  

Achievement in makeup

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Greg Cannom
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O’Sullivan
• “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (Universal), Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz
  

Achievement in film editing

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lee Smith
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Elliot Graham
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Chris Dickens
  

Best foreign language film of the year

• The Baader Meinhof Complex
• The Class
• Departures
• Revanche
• Waltz With Bashir

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.),Alexandre Desplat
• “Defiance” (Paramount Vantage), James Newton Howard
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Elfman
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A.R. Rahman
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Thomas Newman
  

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

• “Down to Earth” from “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
• “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
• “O Saya” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman andMaya Arulpragasam
  

Achievement in sound editing

• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Richard King
• “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), Frank Eulner and Christopher Boyes
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Tom Sayers
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood
• “Wanted” (Universal),Wylie Stateman
  

Achievement in sound mixing

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Mark Weingarten
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney),Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt
• “Wanted” (Universal), Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño and Petr Forejt
  

Achievement in visual effects

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin
• “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick and Shane Mahan
  

Adapted screenplay

• Eric Roth & Robin Swicord (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
• John Patrick Shanley (Doubt)
• Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon)
• David Hare (The Reader)
• Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire)

Original screenplay

• Courtney Hunt (Frozen River)
• Mike Leigh (Happy-Go-Lucky)
• Martin McDonagh (In Bruges)
• Dustin Lance Black (Milk)
• Andrew Stanton and Jim Reardon (WALL•E)

Mark Harris's Oscar Predictions

Mark Harris, author of the excellent Oscar book "Pictures at a Revolution," has given his two cents on the Oscar nominations. He feels "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" are locks. Says "Frost/Nixon" and "Milk" aren't as locked as we might think, and he feels either "The Dark Knight" or "Wall-E" will take that final slot:

Only six more hours to go...

This May The 'Angles & Demons' Fight

Though Ron Howard is currently enjoying lots of pre-Oscar love for his latest film "Frost/Nixon," many are quick to forget that he directed last summers turkey "The Da Vinci Code." The movie was very poorly received with harsh reviews and public scorn (though it was still a box off success, so he wasn't hurt too much from the hate). Now that "Frost/Nixon" has restored his reputation, Howard is diligently working on the Da Vinci sequel "Angels & Demons." Now the book was actually released before "The Da Vinci Code," so it should be a prequel, but Howard has decided to make it a sequel instead. Makes sense I guess: If there are any connectign events in the books I can't see them. Now, I liked "The Da Vinci Code" book. Keep in mind I said liked and not loved. The movie was a dissapointment but, eh, oh well. It was a good but not great book anyway. "Angels & Demons" on the other hand IS a great book!

Full of suspense, intrique, and a conflict that actually does incourage debate that's worth talking about, "Angels & Demons" has the chance to be the compelling blockbuster "The Da Vinci Code" wasn't. And I'm talking about "The Dark Knight" compelling. Thing is, we won't know whether the film lives up to expectations until May, and I'm wondering how the public is going to react to this film. While 'Da Vinci' was easy to write off beause it was a silly adventure story in the first place, 'Angels' is a far more realistic tale, one that does ask some hard questions and purposfully doesn't answer them. The book was a thinking mans adventure, and I know Hollywood has trouble with that kind of thing. They'd rather the movie be easily disposible, and they hate controversy.

"The Da Vinci Code" had pre-release controversy that quickly faded when the film was released and people got to see that they were complaining about nothing. "Angels & Demons" is likely to have the opposite effect: It will be released to minor outcry that will likely grow with time. Once that happens time will tell whether that helps the films box office and awards potential. Right now though, I'm just hoping Howard does this adaptation justice.

WGA Nominations

And the Writers Guild of America have nominated their screenplays. Again, this is a big deal because the WGA are made of members of the Academy, and so the results come Oscar time could look similar to this list. For now though, the nominations are:

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Burn After Reading - Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, Focus Features
Milk - Written by Dustin Lance Black, Focus Features
Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Written by Woody Allen, The Weinstein Company
The Visitor - Written by Tom McCarthy, Overture Films
The Wrestler - Written by Robert Siegel, Fox Searchlight Pictures

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Screenplay by Eric Roth; Screen Story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord; Based on the Short Story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures

The Dark Knight - Screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan; Story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer; Based on Characters Appearing in Comic Books Published by DC Comics; Batman Created by Bob Kane, Warner Bros. Pictures

Doubt - Screenplay by John Patrick Shanley, Based on his Stage Play, Miramax Films

Frost/Nixon - Screenplay by Peter Morgan, Based on his Stage Play, Universal Pictures

Slumdog Millionaire - Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy, Based on the Novel Q and A by Vikas Swarup, Fox Searchlight Pictures


A pretty good list I must say (though the absence of "Rachael Getting Married" hurts, and the snub of "Wall-E's" great screenplay is just wrong). It looks like the adapted category is more competitive then the original category, but hey, that's how it goes sometimes. Oh, and "The Dark Knight" scores another one, and takes one more step towards Oscar glory.

"Do you wanna know how I got these scars?"

Online Film Critics Nominations

A bit late posting this one as well, but the Online Film Critics Nominations came in as well:

THE 2008 OFCS nominees (previous years’ nominees after the cut):

BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL*E
The Wrestler

BEST DIRECTOR
Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Andrew Stanton, WALL*E

BEST ACTOR
Benicio Del Toro, Che
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Michelle Williams, Wendy and Lucy
Kate Winslet , Revolutionary Road

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Eddie Marsan, Happy-Go-Lucky
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Kate Winslet, The Reader

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
In Bruges, Martin McDonagh
Milk, Dustin Lance Black
Synecdoche, New York, Charlie Kaufman
WALL*E, Andrew Stanton & Jim Reardon
The Wrestler, Robert D. Siegel

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Eric Roth
The Dark Knight, Jonathan Nolan & Christopher Nolan
Frost/Nixon, Peter Morgan
Let the Right One In, John Ajvide Lindqvist
Slumdog Millionaire, Simon Beaufoy

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Dear Zachary: a letter to a son about his father
Encounters at the End of the World
I.O.U.S.A.
Man On Wire
My Winnipeg

BEST FOREIGN FILM
A Christmas Tale
The Counterfeiters
I’ve Loved You So Long
Let the Right One In
Waltz with Bashir

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Bolt
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who
Kung Fu Panda
WALL*E
Waltz with Bashir

I noticed that "Wall-E" and "The Wrestler" crept in and wrestled out "Frost/Nixon" and "Milk" for nominations in Picture and Director. Is this a sign that those movies aren't as big of locks as some people think? Personally, I think if two films are in danger of being pushed out of favorism, it's "Frost/Nixon" and "Milk." Personally, I feel "The Dark Knight" is safe at this point, and "Wall-E" is gaining enough ground that it might safely (and comfortably) snuggle into the fifth slot. "Milk" though is a movie that opened to a lot of praise in light of the whole Proposition 8 thing, but since then I get this feeling people have cooled down on it (and I'm considering revising my Top Ten list to take "Milk" off and put another movie in it's place). "Frost/Nixon" has a double negative in that people fall into the "love it/hate it" category, but the movie is also getting attacked for being too liberal with the facts.

While this didn't hurt "A Beautiful Mind" too much, just ask films like "JFK," "The Hurricane," "The Passion of the Christ," "Pocahontas," and you start to see where that kind of critism can really hurt you. Now I don't think both of these films are in trouble, as I think it would be a stroke of pure luck if "The Wrestler" got into the top five at this point. But considering all the love for "Wall-E" going around, and I think the little robot that could will bump one of these two films off the list when the Academy announces their nominations. Either way, January 22nd can't come soon enough.

Producers Guild Nominations!

Here are the nominations from the PGN:


Best Picture (technically "Motion Picture Producer of the Year,"but it's basically the same thing)

Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Milk
Frost/Nixon
The Dark Knight

Animated:

Wall-E
Bolt
Kung-Fu Panda

Documentary:

Man on Wire
Trouble the Water
Standard Operating Procedure

Breath a sigh of relief geeks: "The Dark Knight" is in! This is far more important then the Golden Globes nominations, as the voters for the PGN tend to be actual members of the Academy, and they have just given a big shout out that they consider a superhero film to be one of the best films of the year. This is huge, and if the Directors Guild Nominations do the same then I think we can safely say "The Dark Knight" is in for the Oscars!

"It's all part of the plane."

My Top Ten Best Films of 2008 List

Now it's time for me Top Ten Best Films of 2008 list. These films will be counted down from 10 to 1, and please keep in mind these are MY picks and in no way represent any official movie institution. Feel free to disagree with my choices if you please. With that out of the way, onto the show.

10. W.
Director: Oliver Stone
Starring: Josh Brolin
Rated: PG-13 (For language including some sexual dialogue)

Seeped in controversy from people who wanted nothing more then to move Bush out of the White House and Obama in, Oliver Stone's "W." was protested, ignored, and shunned by many people. It was also surprisingly thoughtful and intelligent, giving us not a hack-job of someone who wanted to ridicule the sitting president, but a thoughtful film from someone who wanted to understand the president. Though the movie ends somewhat on a cliffhanger, "W." is never boring and is always engrossing.

9. Bolt
Director: Chris Williams, Byron Howard
Starring: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus
Rated: PG (For some mild action and peril)

It took a long time, but Disney finally made their best animated movie since "Lilo & Stitch." More importantly, they managed to make it without Pixar. Ironically, the idea that saved them for this film was from Chris Saunders, the same guy who came up with the idea for "Lilo & Stitch." When "Bolt" starts it works as an action film. It starts out fast, explosive, and exciting. When Bolt gets away from the set it turns into a laugh-a-minute comedy. In the final act the movie has become a drama, and it yanks at the heart in ways Disney movies used to. One of the better surprises of the year.

8. Milk
Director: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Sean Penn
Rated: R (For language, some sexual content and brief violence)

Though "Milk" overlooks many of the events of Harvey Milk's life that made his life (in my opinion) so interesting as a person, Gus Van Sant's very gay film is a fine bio-pic never-the-less. The message of this film is hope and love, which is what Milk encouraged more then anything else in his lifetime. Watching him in this film paints him as a very nice and fun guy, whose heart was in the right place at the wrong time. The fact that he accomplished so little is besides the point: The point is that this man, for all his flaws, gave people hope. And what a joy that is.

7. Young@Heart
Director: Stephen Walker
Rated: PG (For some mild language and thematic elements)

Though they may be old, the elders who make up the singing group Young@Heart sing songs with much energy and joy. It's hard not to fall in love with this touching film of friends, life, and music. A movie that is hard to express the joys of in words, so I guess you'll just have to watch it and feel the joy for yourself.

6. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett
Rated: PG-13 (For brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking)

David Fincher is known more for his slasher films with brains then for emotional dramas, but with "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Finch steps out of his comfort zone to direct one of the most emotional Hollywood films since "Forrest Gump." The story of a man who is born old and gets younger with age sounds like a gimmick, but it's actually a storytelling device that allows the characters to experience the world with a unique perspective. Seeing as how Benjamin can't experience things the same way as other people experience things, this leads to some very intriguing complications and storytelling aspects. Story aside, the film is also a visual wonder to behold, and colleges will be showing this movie in film classes to study the visual effects for years to come.

5. Frost/Nixon
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen
Rated: R (For some language)

Movies based off stage plays can be very hit or miss when they are translated to the big screen. Either the essence is captured on film or the movie shows off it's stage roots a little too much. In the case of "Frost/Nixon" it does feel like the stage it was adapted from, but that ends up working to the films benifit, as the movie is about two men in a one-on-one battle in front of the camera. To see these two intense actors playing off each other is to witness great actors at the top of their craft, helped by Ron Howard, whose direction knows when to move in closer and when to pull away. Subtle but not boring, "Frost/Nixon" is an example that great theater can make great for great film making.

4. Slumdog Millionaire
Director: Dannye Boyle
Rating: (For some violence, disturbing images and language)

If you miss the hit game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," then "Slumdog Millionaire" may be the movie for you to see. Taking place in India, the movie revolves around a teenage boy who is one question away from winning twenty million rubies on the hit game show, when he is captured and tortured on suspicions of cheating. Through his story we see his painful childhood, his struggles with his older brother, and the chase for the love of his life, a girl who always seems to be out of reach. And, of course, we discover how his life prepared him with the answers he would need to win the show.

3. Wall•E
Director: Andrew Stanton
Rating: G

You wouldn't think that a movie about a deserted robot on Earth finding true love would be a very convincing movie to begin with, nevermind one of the most touching love stories in years. But keep this in mind: "Wall•E" was birthed from the creative geniuses at Pixar, and if they can make a rat a credible chef, then they can certainly make a convincing love story out of two robotic machines. Although a lot of people choose to dislike the film over it's eco-friendly storyline, the movie is above all else a story about loniness and finding someone special, and it conveys these emotions through pure emotion (of all things). This is even more of a revelation when you realize the two lead characters barely speak a word, and simply rely on good old-fashioned body language most of the time. Like "Ratatouille," "Wall•E" is a great movie for adults. Oh, and bring the kids along, they'll like it too.

2. Rachel Getting Married
Director: Jonathan Demme
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Bill Irwin, Tunde Adebimpe, Mather Zickel, Anna Deavere Smith, Debra Winger
Rated: R (For language and brief sexuality)

Despite having a title that sounds like a bad romantic comedy that's been dumped in the lonely month of January, "Rachel Getting Married" is actually a sensitive and heartbreaking story about a family who is capible of sharing so much love, but falter because they can't forgive. Despite the fact that Rachel is in the title (and it is indeed her wedding), the movie revolves around Kym, a recovering drug addict who is out of rehab in time for her sisters wedding. Her family welcomes her with open arms, but there is a hesitation in that welcome, as well as a feeling of underlying hostility. Years ago she made a horrible mistake and they can't forgive her for it. Even worse, Kym can't forgive herself, and to watch this movie is to watch a family come to terms with a tragedy in their lives. We get to see people take a turning point that will change the way they live forever, and this movie makes you feel glad you got to know them. I also consider to be Oscar winning director Johnathan Demme's big comeback, returning to mainstream fare after being stuck in documentary land for years.

1. The Dark Knight
Director: Christopher Nolan
Staring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman
Rating: PG-13 (For intense sequences of violence and some menace)

Just when people were getting tired of superhero movies, mindless summer films, and movies with big budgets and no heart, "The Dark Knight" comes along and completely restored our faith in the Hollywood blockbuster. Rarely is a summer film so intense, so complex, and so emotional as this one. While Heath Ledgers death certainly raised the importance of the Joker to a higher level, I was shocked to find a well told tale of Good vs. Evil that I hadn't experienced since "The Lord of the Rings." Here is a movie about real people, in a real world, where everones past and personal morals shape who they are and what they will do. The debate of living in a world with or without rules goes to a new height in this film, as two men of extreme ideals clash off in a battle that effects everyone around them. On some level it's personal, on another it's not personal, it's just business. In the end, "The Dark Knight" is not only the best superhero film ever made, it's the best film of the year. It also raises the bar for not just future superhero films, but also future blockbuster films in general. A new era of Hollywood film making is upon us, and it starts with "The Dark Knight."

"Frost/Nixon" Review

Title: Frost/Nixon
Director: Ron Howard
Staring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Studio: Universal Pictures
Genre(s): Drama
Rated: R (For some language)


On August 9th, 1974 history was made in the political system. That was day President Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) resigned, and became the first president to resign from the presidency. He was succeeded by President John Ford, who pardoned Nixon on all charges of the Watergate scandal. As if the country hadn’t lost enough faith in the government, this act of pardon insured that Nixon would never stand trial for his crimes. Once pardoned he spent his days on his retirement beach in California, writing his memoir and doing fund-raising speeches for some extra money. Yet he was unhappy, still haunted by what his image had become, and how people seemed to ignore all the good things he’d done.

As we see in Ron Howard’s new film, “Frost/Nixon,” he would get his chance to try and clear the record when a TV talk show host named David Frost (Michael Sheen) would offer him half a million dollars to do a weeks worth of sit-down interviews. Though skeptical of the host who’s had several canceled shows, Nixon felt this would be easy work. Instead it turned into the trial Nixon never got from the courts, and what viewers were treated to was a one-on-one verbal duel on camera. Not that Frost was much of a political thinker. He proposed the situation to try and save his career more then to try and bring peace to the American public. The only reason he even approached the controversial subjects was because his sponsors, a couple of radical liberals, wouldn’t sponsor the show otherwise.

It was lucky for us things went down this way, and the American public for once got a sense of the true Richard Nixon. This is the key reason this movie works so well: Because Nixon is a sympathetic human in this film. History has taught us that Nixon was a terrible man, driven by greed and power. Chances are he was, but he was also human, and that many people tend to forget. We see that in this film. He’s not a completely sympathetic character, but we see that, even at his worst, he had America’s best interests at heart. Watching Langella play Nixon is like watching a man who’s morals are eating him up on the inside. He seems to lie so hard because he knows, more then anyone else, that he was wrong.

This is just the icing on the cake though, and all that happens in the middle of the movie is also great stuff. Frost gets lots of sympathy for backing such a risky project in the first place. When networks refuse to pick it up and sponsors leave the project, Frost finds all his shows canceled and funding the interviewing sessions himself. When the interviews do start the dialog is smart, fast, and tense. This is a text-book example of how to write good dialog and make it interesting, even when there is nothing else going in the film (the movie is, what the old-timers would call, a “talkie”). Ron Howard has been making some very miss films lately. After “The Da Vinci Code” I was ready to write him off.

Now we have “Frost/Nixon,” his best movie since “A Beautiful Mind,” and my personal favorite of his behind “Apollo 13.” While the movie revels it’s stage roots it’s never boring nor does it feel contrived. I know that some of the facts are stretched with a bit, and the Watergate interview is taped on the final day in this film when it was really filmed on the third day, but these are minor problems I can live with. Only a good director, with a good screenplay, with compelling actors can make a movie like this work. And when all the above are great, you’ve got something special.

Grade: **** and a half stars

Some Fun RT Numbers

I thought it would be interesting to see where, critically, the nominated Globe films stand on Rotten Tomatoes.com:

The Reader: 59% (Rotten: Based off 44 reviews)
The Curious Case of Benjiman Button: 90% (Fresh: Based off 10 reviews)
Revolutionary Road:100% (Fresh: Based off 10 reviews)
Slumdog Millionaire: 92% (Fresh: Based off 118 reviews)
Frost/Nixon: 92% (Fresh: Based off 85 reviews)

Well now, doesn't THAT change things a bit! There are some reveling things in these numbers. First of all, "The Reader" got a "rotten" certification, so chances are pretty good that that won't be nominated for Best Picture come Oscar time. The second is that while four of these films are certified as fresh, only two are legitimately so: "Frost/Nixon" and "Slumdog Millionaire." "Revolutionary Road" and "The Curious Case of Benjiman Button" haven't really been seriously weighed in on, and I don't have high hopes for Road seeing as how it's been snubbed at other critics award shows. This is more proof that the Globes nominate more on campaigns then good film making and critical reception. It will be interesting to see how these numbers morph once these movie open wider (and that includes "Frost/Nixon," which has only opened in two cities thus far).

Golden Globe Nominees

So here are the nominees for the Golden Globes:

Best Picture, Drama
Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Picture Comedy/Musical
Burn After Reading
Happy Go Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Director
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
David Fincher, Ben Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road

Actor, Drama
Leo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Actress, Drama
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Joie, Changeling
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas, I’ve Loved you So Long
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

Supporting Actor
Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr. Tropic Tunder
Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Kate Winslet, The Reader

Actor, Comedy
Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Colin Farrel, In Bruges
James Franco, Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleason, In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman Last Chance Harvey

Actress, Comedy
Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia
Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey

Foreign Language Film
The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany)
Everlasting Moments (Sweden)
Gomorrah (Italy)
I’ve Loved You So Long
Waltz with Bashir

Animated Feature
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E

Screenplay
Slumdog Millionaire
The Reader
Frost/Nixon
Benjamin Button
Doubt

Score
Benjamin Button
Changeling
Defiance
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon

Song
Down to Earth, Wall-E
Gran Torino
I thought I Lost You, Bolt
Once in a Lifetime, Cadillac Record
The Wrestler, The Wrestler

Interesting set of nominees I'd say. Looks like Benjiman Button and "Doubt" lead the nominees with five nominations each (though "Doubt" does so without a nomination for either Picture or Director). I know we're all surprised to see "The Dark Knight" and "Milk" get mostly shut out, but don't count these films out of the Oscar race. Keep in mind the last time the Globes and Oscars actually awarded the same film Best Picture was in 2003, when "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" walked home with the top prizes. And 2004's Best Picture winner, "Crash," wasn't even nominated at the Globes. Plus they have two picture categories, so sometimes the vote gets split on those movies that fall somewhere in the middle. So in short, don't count Nolan and Van Sant out yet, with the critics and public choice awards going mostly in their favor, I think one of them will have the last laugh come Oscar night.

It IS nice to see both Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr. get Best Supporting Actor nods for their work in "Tropic Thunder," and so my prediction that Tom Cruise may get a nomination in this category is looking more likely. Ultimately though the big push is going to come when the Director's Guild and Critics Choice give out their awards. They're the big ones, and they usually award the films that get nominated. So enjoy the Globes, and don't feel too bad about your favorite film not getting a nomination. It ain't over til it's over.

Nominees For The 14th Annual Critics Choice Awards Reveled

For your reading pleasure, here are the nominees for the Critics Choice Awards:

BEST PICTURE

Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E
The Wrestler

BEST ACTOR

Clint Eastwood - Gran Torino
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

BEST ACTRESS

Kate Beckinsale - Nothing But the Truth
Cate Blanchett - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Meryl Streep - Doubt

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Josh Brolin - Milk
Robert Downey, Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
James Franco - Milk

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Vera Farmiga - Nothing But the Truth
Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
Kate Winslet - The Reader

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Milk
Rachel Getting Married

BEST DIRECTOR

Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Christopher Nolan - The Dark Knight
Gus Van Sant - Milk

BEST WRITER (Original or Adapted Screenplay)

Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire
Dustin Lance Black - Milk
Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley - Doubt

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Wall-E
Waltz With Bashir

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS (Under 21)

Dakota Fanning - The Secret Life of Bees
David Kross - The Reader
Dev Petal - Slumdog Millionaire
Brandon Walters - Australia

BEST ACTION MOVIE

The Dark Knight
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
Quantum of Solace
Wanted

BEST COMEDY MOVIE

Burn After Reading
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Role Models
Tropic Thunder
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

BEST PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

John Adams
Recount
Coco Chanel

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

A Christmas Tale
Gomorrah
I’ve Loved You So Long
Let the Right One In
Mongol
Waltz With Bashir

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

I.O.U.S.A.
Man On Wire
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
Standard Operating Procedure
Young At Heart

BEST SONG

“Another Way to Die” (performed by Jack White and Alicia Keys, written by Jack White) - Quantum of Solace
“Down to Earth” (performed by Peter Gabriel, written by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman) - Wall-E
“I Thought I Lost You” (performed Miley Cyrus and John Travolta, written by Miley Cyrus and Jeffrey Steele) - Bolt
“Jaiho” (performed by Sukhwinder Singh, written by A.R. Rahman and Gulzar) - Slumdog Millionaire
“The Wrestler” (performed by Bruce Springsteen, written by Bruce Springsteen) - The Wrestler

BEST COMPOSER

Alexandre Desp lat - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Clint Eastwood - Changeling
Danny Elfman - Milk
Hans Zimmer/James Newton Howard - The Dark Knight
A.R. Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire

Right now here are the leaders of the pack:

Milk (Eight Nominations)

Best Picture
Best Actor
Two Best Supporting Actor Nominations
Best Acting Ensemble
Best Director
Best Writer
Best Composer

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Eight Nominations)

Best Picture
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actress
Best Acting Ensemble
Best Director
Best Writer
Best Composer

The Dark Knight (Six Nominations)

Best Picture
Best Supporting Actor
Best Acting Ensemble
Best Director
Best Action Movie
Best Composer

Doubt (Six Nominations)

Best Picture
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Acting Ensemble
Best Writer

Slumdog Millionaire (Six Nominations)

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Writer
Best Young Actor/Actress
Best Song
Best Composer

So what does this mean for Oscar season? Well, not too much, though we are starting to see a pattern emerge so that we have a slightly better idea of how the Oscar race is turning out. Here are some things we do know:

• "The Dark Knight" is more likely to get a Best Picture nomination if not outright become the favorite to win.
• "Revolutionary Road" may be trouble, based on it's total shut-out here.
• "The Curious Case of Benjiman Button" is looking to be more then just hype.
• "Slumdog Millionaire" could become this years "Little Film That Could" after all.

Other then that though we don't know much. The Golden Globes are going to be announcing their nominees soon, so once those are announced we may or may not have a good idea on how the Oscar noms will go. Remember, anything can happen and nothing is certain. I mean, just take a look at that song list: Miley Cyrus is a CCA nominee. Crickey!

"Frost/Nixon" Kicks Butt At The Box Office

"Frost/Nixon" continues to show that it is a contender this Oscar season. First there were great preview reviews. Then the full reviews came in and they were great. Now the film has opened to the public. Granted, it's in limited release, on a mere three screens in the entire country, but it's still making lots of money on those few screens. To be precise, it made around $180,000 this weekend on those three screens. That's average $60,00 per screen, which is more money then "A Beautiful Mind" made on those screens, and this is a good sign that the public will warm up to the film easily when it's released country wide.

Keeping Track of the Numbers

Just for fun, if we were to assume that all of the movies in my Best Picture predictions were to be nominated, this is what their total nominations would be (according to me):

• Changeling: 9
• The Dark Knight: 13
  
• Frost/Nixon: 6
  
• Milk: 9
  
• Rachel Getting Married: 5
• Wall-E: 7

Just thought you'd be interested to know.

Ron Howard In The Running?

They say anything can happen in the Oscar game, and we've been seeing that happen all year. The potential for a superhero film to get a Best Picture nomination? Check. A comeback nomination for an actor who destroyed his career by jumping on a couch? Check. An animated film being more impressive then many live action efforts? Check. And now, we're starting to see a potential winner in Ron Howard's "Frost/Nixon." Now even though I was looking forward to this film all year round, the Oscar potential seemed slim. At best a Best Actor nomination for Frank Langella and not much more. But early reviews are trickling in and the critics can't stop raving about the film. They are calling it one of Howard's best films since "Apollo 13." They love the performaces of Michael Sheen and Langella. Some people have claimed it to be superior to the Broadway play. If audiences respond well to the film we might have a front-runner on our hands. Nothing is certain as the reviews that have leaked are few and far between, and the critical reception can change by the end of the weekend, but for now, during a year when we're worried about filler nominations in the top category, this is certainly something to pay attention to.

This also comes off some early reviews for "Doubt," a movie that was singled out as being a sure Best Picture nominee, but thanks to some lukewarm early reviews...well, not to make a bad pun, but the nominations looking more doubtful now. This is actually a very good example of why no one knows anything with the Oscar race, and why making predictions before a films release is futile. Most of the early buzz is simply smart marketing from studio executives who want their films nominated anyway. Both "Doubt" and "Frost/Nixon" are remakes of stage plays. Earlier in the year "Doubt" looked like a sure bet while "Frost/Nixon" looked like a long shot. Now the situation has been reversed. It's been very likely that at least one of the stage movies would be nominated (there's too few slots for both), but it's very funny how we're singing a different tune as to which will be nominated now. I look forward to seeing both films, and I'll give my thoughts on them when I see them.

Bale For Best Actor?

Warner Bros. is pushing hard for "The Dark Knight" to get a Best Picture nomination. Heath Ldger's nomination is a lock, with Aaron Eckart as a dark horse for a potential additional Best Supporting Actor nominee. Warner has been printing lots of ads, but aside from from the ads that do that silly "For Your Consideration In All Categories" ads, Warner has been focusing on four specific categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Actor. Wait a minute? Best Actor? Who are they pimping for Best Actor? Could they be pushing for Ledger for bother categories? No, they aren't. Besides, with Ledger having a lock on a win for the supporting race, Warner Bros. wouldn't want to jeoperdize that win. No, they are pushing for Christian Bale to get a nomination in the lead slot. Which is interesting because Bale, up until now, has not been given much respect for this movie, constantly being overshadowed by Ledger.

Now it looks like Warner Bros. is realizing what a great performace this is, and so they are pushing hard for it. It would add more credability to the film if they got a lead actor nomination. However, I don't think this is going to happen, and not because the field is too crowded. No, the reason it's not going to happen is this: Bale is not the lead actor in this film. None of the actors are. "The Dark Knight," at heart, is an essamble film. No key characters gets more or less screen time as the other characters, and when they do it's minimal at best. Bale may play Batman, but Batman has as much screentime as Joker and Gordon. Single him out as a lead is playing favorites in a cast where no actor is more or less important then the other. The only actor to get a significant less amount of screentime was Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is the only character who truly comes off as a "supporting" character if there is one.

Still, since there is such a big push, and since "The Dark Knight" is likely to be one of the biggest Oscar contenders this year, I'm going to put Bales name on the sidebar. Don't expect this to last though. In the next few weeks we've got "Australia," "Milk," "Frost/Nixon," "The Wrestler," and all these other movies that will more then likely push Bale off the rader (if he was ever there). For now though, best of luck to Warner Bros. on their Oscar campaign.

Is "Dark Knight" Out of Reach To Elders?

Though the box office run of "The Dark Knight" is coming to a close (and not going to be topping "Titanic's" record) the praise for the movie keeps coming. Now that Oscar potentials such as "Appaloosa," "W," and other films have crashed in the critical department, the likely-hood of a Best Picture nomination seems more likely. However the argument has now come up that the movie won't get nominated because the academy voters are too old to "get it." Some people actually think that the academy voters and the general public live on two different planets. There's some merrit to this (and if you've ever looked at the history of the People's Choice Awards you'll know what I mean). Case in point, the Reel Geezers...

...these are two members of the academy who are old, worn, and represent a good portion of the academy. These two have shared their thoughts of this film on YouTube...



...though don't take this video as a sure sign that the old folks won't vote for "The Dark Knight." Keep in mind one of these geezers wrote for the original Adam West "Batman" show, so seeing an updated film likely felt like stomping on his legecy. As for the woman...well, I don't want to sound sexist, but older women tend to not like violent films anyway. Therefor I think this isn't a good representation of the average voter. Right now we don't know what's going to happen. All of our predictions could turn out to be wrong, and for all we know "Wall-E" could still sneak up behind us. What I want to remind people is this: Nothing is certain. "The Dark Knight" may be slowing down, but once the BluRay is released it will be back in the spotlight (or so I assume, seeing as how it's likely going to break some BluRay records).

Plus with the film being re-released in January in IMAX theaters it will be harder to ignore. Then there's the fact that movies like "Frost/Nixon," "Milk," and "Revolutionary Road" could be bombs. I want them to be good, but a good trailer does not garentee a good movie. Right now the only other film that looks like a sure nomination that we've seen is "Rachael Getting Married," which was a film that had little Oscar attention outside of Anne Hathaway, and now the movie is being called Johnathan Demme's big comeback. So just chill everyone: It isn't over till it's over.

Cases For and Against Potential Nominees

A new predictions chart has appeared over at Awards Daily.com showing that there are five films that are predicted to be nominated for Best Picture at the end of the year ("The Dark Knight" just missed the boat, appearing at number six). Now I obviously haven't seen all of these films, but let's look at the films and, based on the trailers and posters alone, pick up some of the pros and cons of the material:

Number 1

Frost/Nixon

Cases For Nomination

• Academy Award winner Ron Howard is directing it.



• Frank Langella and Michael Sheen are looking promising.



• It's a biopic. The Academy LOVES biopics!



• It's about a lousy Republican President. The voters tend to be very liberal and eat this stuff up.



• If John McCain wins election the voters will likely vote this film in just to make a point.

Cases Aginst Nomination

• Ron Howard hasn't directed anything of much critical acclaim in the last few years.



• The subject matter might not be compelling enough to make it great.



• If Barack Obama wins voting for this film could create a backlash for kicking the opposing party while their down

Final Verdict: Unless the movie isn't good I'd say this is a pretty good bet for a nomination.

Number 2

Milk

Cases For Nomination

• Love for Gus Van Sants "Good Will Hunting" could carry over to this film.



• It's a biopic. The Academy LOVES biopics!



• Sean Penn looks like a scene stealer, which could help seeing as he's in the lead role.



• With bills debating on whether or not gay marriage is to be legalized the subject matter will be difficult to ignore.



• If voters vote down legalizing gay marriage the voters will give this film a synpathy vote.

Cases Against Nomination

• Though the trailer looks promising the movie could be a one man show (AKA: "Capote").



• The gay facter could be offputting.

Final Verdict: I think this ones in.

Number 3

The Curious Case of Benjaman Button

Cases For Nomination

• Brad Pitt attracts a lot of Academy attention



• David Fincher has been racking up critical hit after critical hit, and he's sure to be honored somewhere along the line.



• The trailer looks so very intriguing.

Cases Against Nomination

• The book isn't as popular with the general audience



• Brad Pitt tends to get more acclaim in supporting roles then leading roles.



• The secrecy surrounding this movie could hurt it in the long run.



• May be too weird for the voters taste.

Final Verdict: I personally don't see this film getting nominated unless the reviews are really, really good.

Number 4

Slumdog Millionaire

Cases For Nomination

• Raves reviews coming from Sundance



• Would fill the "uplifting comedy" criteria.



• Witty screenplay could get a big push from the writers.



• Audience discovery could make this a surprise hit at the box office.

Cases Against Nomination

• Raves could cool down.



• Audiences might not connect to film, and thus not see it.

Final Verdict: This is one of those cases where we really won't know until it's released. On paper it sounds like a sure hit, but you never know.

Number 5

Revolutionary Road

Cases For Nomination

• Kate and Lwo reunite for the first time since "Titanic."



• Subject of marriage that traps freedom ressonates more today then ever before.



• Sam Mendes first major hit since "American Beauty?"

Cases Against Nomination

• Reuion has gotten relatively little attention.



• Sam Mendes isn't an Academy favorite.



• "American Beauty" has held up poorly.



• Movies about lovely marriages are a dime a dozen since "American Beauty" was released.



• Audience anticipation for this movie is lower then the rest of the potential nominees.

Final Verdict: I'm not convinced this is going to get nominated. It might, but I would not put any stock in it happening.

Hey this was fun. How about we do this in a few days with the next potential five?

"Frost/Nixon" Poster Reveled

The poster for Ron Howard's anticipated bio-pic "Frost/Nixon" has been released. Notice how the pressure is on Langella. This is looking better by the day.

"Frost/Nixon" Trailer

President Nixon is one of histories most hated presidents. Even people of the Republican Party don't like him much. Normally I would be cautious of a movie about a Republican President (seeing as how most directors are highly liberal), but "Frost/Nixon" looks very interesting. The fact that it's directed by Ron Howard gives me hope. I'm not sure if it will get Oscar nominations or not, but since it is a biopic I don't think we should rule it out at this point. I guess I'll put this on the "wait and see" list.