Roeper, Schwarzbaum, "Departed"

Richard Roeper is the latest addition to the Gold Derby Oscar panel, and aside from his expected Best Picture favorite being Flags of Our Fathers (which he may or may not have seen when he submitted his list), he's got The Departed in his #2 slot -- which is somewhat significant, I feel. On one level I feel like an idiot cheerleader yelling "Go, Departed!" but I'm sensing a real surge on behalf of this Martin Scorsese film.

A fellow journalist said, "Forget it...that 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating will drop after Wednesday night's all-media in Manhattan." Well, it's down to 95% now, partly due to Jim Hoberman's half-admiring pan.

A tastily-phrased review by Entertainment Weekly's Lisa Schwarzbaum is worth a run-through. Departed director Martin Scorsese has created "a movie built on the foundations of GoodFellas and Mean Streets but not chained to it," she says, "a picture that feels as effortless as The Aviator and Gangs of New York felt effortful. And that unclenching brings out the best in his instincts, which in turn allows him to bring out the best in his actors: Complicated, compelling Leonardo DiCaprio, for one, reaches a new career high in this, his third Scorsese picture."

Roeper, by the way, is joining Gold Derby panelists Claudia Puig (USA Today), Pete Hammond (HollywoodWiretap.com, Maxim), Gene Seymour (Newsday), Art Spiegelman (Reuters), Michael Phillips (Chicago Tribune), Michael Sragow (Baltimore Sun), myself, L.A. Times Oscar Beat columnist Steve Pond, Peter Travers (Rolling Stone), and Gold Derby honcho Tom O'Neil. Hey, that's only 11...it should be an even 12, no?


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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on October 4, 2006 at 4:52 PM

comment #1

Kristopher Tapley Author Profile Page says ...

I just want to know if us Gurus of Golders are the "Hatfields" or the "McCoys," because I'm makin' T-shirts.

Posted by Kristopher Tapley Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 5:35 PM

comment #2

Hopscotch Author Profile Page says ...

Almost two weeks out and no one has written much about Flags of our Fathers...hmmm. My guess is that is a good film in principle, but the performances are not up to layers of Eastwood's last two movies.

Posted by Hopscotch Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 5:41 PM

comment #3

Josh Massey Author Profile Page says ...

If "The Departed" were ever going to win, this might be the perfect year. The field is WIDE open, especially if "Flags of Our Fathers" even slightly disappoints.

Posted by Josh Massey Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 5:50 PM

comment #4

Sid Yobbo Author Profile Page says ...

::Almost two weeks out and no one has written much about Flags of our Fathers...hmmm. My guess is that is a good film in principle, but the performances are not up to layers of Eastwood's last two movies.

Well yesterday's press screening - some two and a bit weeks before Flags opens - hardly indicates a lack of confidence on Dreamamount's part. Over at The Envelope forums one of the regular posters who saw it yesterday calls it the best American film of the year (with The Departed, naturally), cites amazing craft/production values, career best performances from the ensemble cast with a likely acting nom for Adam Beach.

Posted by Sid Yobbo Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 6:06 PM

comment #5

Nick Rogers Author Profile Page says ...

Having seen "The Departed," there was much to like, but damn is the movie flabby. I don't think calling "Penn and Teller Get Killed" at the end was what Scorsese was going for. And Nicholson apparently could only stand restraining himself for so long before the coke orgy, porn-theater outburst and rat impersonation. DiCaprio's the best thing in it, and if anyone deserves a nod, it's him. Damon is bland. Wahlberg is great until he becomes a plot functionary. Just can't get behind the Best Picture movement.

Posted by Nick Rogers Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 6:21 PM

comment #6

Nick Rogers Author Profile Page says ...

"Penn and Teller Get Killed" to mind, that is. Sorry.

Posted by Nick Rogers Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 6:22 PM

comment #7

austin111 Author Profile Page says ...

Ha!! With all this Clint v. Marty B.S. flying around right and left, can we expect something to come along and grab that oscar from under both....like BABEL, perhaps, or maybe someone has some other film in mind....DREAMGIRLS anyone???

If they're both on an equal footing according to above hearsay from someone who supposedly saw Flags, well, maybe they'll just cancel each other out in the voting. But, seriously, another pundit somewhere suggested that if Marty does come up a winner this year, it would be wonderful if he didn't bother to show up at the KODAK.

Posted by austin111 Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 6:29 PM

comment #8

austin111 Author Profile Page says ...

Good for you EDouglas.

Posted by austin111 Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 6:31 PM

comment #9

Jay T. Author Profile Page says ...

The Departed has a HUGE advantage in that all of the people who thought Goodfellas should have won over Dances With Wolves will want to give Marty a make-up vote. They didn't with past movies, but this film definitely has more in common with Goodfellas.

Posted by Jay T. Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 8:22 PM

comment #10

Mike Ock Author Profile Page says ...

Saw Departed tonight at 7pm in Manhattan at Kip's Bay. This film is a classic. The only film that might be better than this, released in '06 is United 93.


Had Scorsese won for The Aviator or Gangs Of New York, it would have been out of sympathy from the Academy, if he wins for this win he earned it because he DIRECTED THE SHIT OUT OF THIS MOVIE!!!

He got excellent performances across the board from his cast, including Marky Mark and Matt Damon (if that feat itself doesn't merit him an Oscar, nothing will).

The script kicks ass. The audience ate up the dialogue, esp Jack's stuff.

During the third act, Scorsese puts on a clinic on how to build tension. This movie played extremely well, and I expect it to be Scorsese's biggest money maker, and the film that finally wins him his long overdue Oscar.

Posted by Mike Ock Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 8:36 PM

comment #11

Nick Rogers Author Profile Page says ...

One of Scorsese's best choices, which few might note, was the repeated use of "I'm Shipping Off to Boston" by the Dropkick Murphys. Classically trained to rock your fucking socks off.

Posted by Nick Rogers Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 9:28 PM

comment #12

Nick Rogers Author Profile Page says ...

One of Scorsese's best choices, which few might note, was the repeated use of "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" by the Dropkick Murphys. Classically trained to rock your fucking socks off.

Posted by Nick Rogers Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 9:28 PM

comment #13

berg Author Profile Page says ...

Notice how one of the songs that pops up during the ultra-violence is Land of 1000 Dances, the same song popped up the same way in Kill Bill Vol. 1. And the shot of Jack sitting at the opera was similar to the opera sequence in Bonfire of the Vanities

Posted by berg Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 10:14 PM

comment #14

Hallick Author Profile Page says ...

The Departed is looking more and more like the Oscar contender that is actually FUN to watch, god forbid such a thing. Babel, Flags of Our Fathers, The Queen, The Good German, and so on all may very well be top notch, but "damn, I'm going to love this!" probably isn't crossing the minds of most people buying tickets to the more austere hopefuls.

It should be about a week before The Departed becomes a virtual lock, depending on the profits. If it opens big or close enough, I think it's in.

Posted by Hallick Author Profile Page at October 4, 2006 11:51 PM

comment #15

Thrudvangar Author Profile Page says ...

I'm with EDouglas. And I never knew Leo was complicated.

Posted by Thrudvangar Author Profile Page at October 5, 2006 3:20 AM

comment #16

sardine Author Profile Page says ...

babel and world trade center will not make it. Dreary clint eastwood will.

Posted by sardine Author Profile Page at October 5, 2006 7:33 AM

comment #17

Krazy Eyes Author Profile Page says ...

Everytime I read about either of the opposing oscar groups I can't help but think this is all going to come down to a drag-out ANCHORMAN-style free for all.

Let's all hope the two gangs never meet up in a dark alley some night after a screening.

Posted by Krazy Eyes Author Profile Page at October 5, 2006 8:33 AM

comment #18

hatchetface Author Profile Page says ...

To Nick:
Actually the song in KILL BILL is "Nobody But Me" by the Human Beinz. And it is perfect.

All the same, I think the vibe of gritty violence contrasted against pop music is something Scorcese did long before Tarantino's day. Who cares though, I love 'em both for good reason.

Posted by hatchetface Author Profile Page at October 5, 2006 11:36 AM

comment #19

ArchiveGuy Author Profile Page says ...

Though the prospect of Scorsese's new movie finding favor with the Academy is an exciting one, it should be emphasized that NOTHING Richard Roeper ever does should ever be construed as "significant" (unless he cures cancer; I'd give him props for that).

Posted by ArchiveGuy Author Profile Page at October 5, 2006 11:39 AM

comment #20

L.B. Author Profile Page says ...

Excellent point, ArchiveGuy.

Posted by L.B. Author Profile Page at October 5, 2006 11:53 AM

comment #21

dixiedugan Author Profile Page says ...

Thank you ArchiveGuy. I find Roeper more annoying than anything else, and if the man was tied down in a chair made to watch Bunuel, Visconti, or Powell & Pressburger films his brain would melt.

Posted by dixiedugan Author Profile Page at October 6, 2006 7:16 AM

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