As far as I can foresee we’re looking at 16 possible Oscar-calibre films due in 2013. I can predict one thing for sure: between his lead roles in Saving Mr. Banks and Captain Phillips Tom Hanks is looking at an almost certain Best Actor nomination. The only other guarantee is that Lee Daniels’ The Butler … Read more
Coming Soon’s Ed Douglas is reporting that Oscar Isaac hinted to journos at a Ten Years brunch today that Inside Llewyn Davis, the Coen brothers film about the Greenwich Village folk scene that is not based on the life and times of Dave Van Ronk, will open later this year. Isaac “stars” in the film, … Read more
I need to get rolling on a list of movies that just “are.” Movies that never tip their hand. They stand their ground and make you come to them. Movies that don’t tell stories or “pay off” or build to third-act crescendos or any of the usual stuff. Movies that lay it on the table, … Read more
Drunken soccer fans stumbling around prior to today’s game between Dortmund BVB and Bayern Munchen. Dortmund was victorious, but I was too appalled by the alcoholic bellowing and carousing around to care. Actual sign on Berlin street — not a joke.
Over and over web journalists have been reporting that Inside Llewyn Davis, the currently-filming Coen Bros. film set against the backdrop of the early ’60s folk scene in Greenwich Village, is “loosely based on the life and times of ’60s folk singer Dave Van Ronk.” Well, I’ve just read Joel and Ethan Coen‘s screenplay, and … Read more
On January 1st I presented a list of the likeliest leading Best Picture contenders for 2012. Today Rope of Silicon‘s Brad Brevet came up with a list of 25 potential Best Picture contenders. I’m using his list to refine mine and to separate the highly favored or half-likelies from the outright kills. Art created by … Read more
Here’s a refreshed, add-on revision of a previously posted fall-holiday lineup piece that I ran on 12.25. The 2012 total is now 39 or 40, depending upon whether the Coen Bros.’ Inside Llewyn Davis opens this year or not. 2012 Sundance entries are sure to produce another four or five. Thanks to HE readers for … Read more
After arriving in Telluride around 4pm I checked into the Mountainside Inn — the only poor man’s hotel in this almost oppressively upscale resort community — and watched two or three hours of the coverage of the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. A deeply moving occasion in many ways. I was half-watching … Read more