Saturday, June 21, 2008

"Bat Out Of Hell"

Author(s): Pat
Location: NY

"Bat Out Of Hell"

Directed by Robert Rodriguez
Written by Robert Rodriguez and Andrea Berloff
Based upon the songs of Meat Loaf
Produced by Robert Rodriguez, Lawrence Bender

Main Cast

Jared Leto (Darius, The Bat)
Brittany Murphy (Marianne)
Jennifer Hudson (The Siren)
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (Eamonn)
Rosario Dawson (Simone)
Matthew Macfayden (Markus)
John Hurt (Satan)
Danny Trejo (Machete)

Tagline: "Love can’t stop a bat out of Hell"

Synopsis: From director Robert Rodriguez comes a new rock opera “Bat Out Of Hell”, which uses the music from Meat Loaf’s acclaimed trilogy. The film follows one demon and his journey in love and death. Darius (Jared Leto) is a tasked by Satan (John Hurt) to find a mortal to spawn with in order to bring destruction on the decaying human race. He arrives on Earth with his flaming motorcycle and searches for a suitable mate. But on his quest he encounters the Siren (Jennifer Hudson), a goddess from Heaven, who offers Darius a chance at salvation in exchange for the assassination of a fallen angel named Markus (Matthew Macfayden) and Darius must not impregnate a human. While weighing his possibilities, Satan learns of the deal and sends several of his henchmen to keep Darius on the right path. First is Simone (Rosario Dawson), a beautiful demon who seduces Darius into a disaterous sexual relationship that results in her banishment from Hell. Satan then sends Machete (Danny Trejo), a rival demon biker, but he fails to stop Darius. And then Darius meets Marianne (Brittany Murphy), a waitress with a fetish for motorcycles. Darius immediately falls in love with but is reluctant to get close for fear she will be killed in the spiritual war. Things get worse for Darius when a vampire called Eamonn (Johnathan Rhys-Meyers) shares his attraction for Marianne and goes to gruesome measures to get her. Darius saves Marianne and ends up getting her pregnant, which cause the Siren to send Darius back to Hell. But his love is too strong. Darius breaks out and battles with Markus, who wants to spawn with Marianne. The final showdown between Heaven and Hell begins and only tragedy ensues. “Bat Out Of Hell” is a heartbreaking tale about one demon’s wish for paradise that is blocked by his love for another.

Song List

“Bat Out Of Hell”- Darius, The Siren
“Paradise By The Dashboard Light”-Darius, Simone
“You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth”-Darius, Marianne
“I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)-Darius, Marianne
“All Revved Up With No Place To Go”-Eamonn, Marianne
“Heaven Can Wait”-Darius
“For Crying Out Loud”-Darius, Marianne
“Back Into Hell”-Darius, The Siren, Markus, Satan
“The Monster Is Loose”-Darius, Markus, Satan
“Seize The Night”-Darius, Marianne, Markus, The Siren
“Monstro/Alive”-Darius
“You Took The Words Right Out Of Mouth (Reprise)-Marianne
“Cry To Heaven”-Darius
“The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be”-Darius, The Siren

What the Press would say:

The director of “From Dusk Till Dawn” and “Desperado” brings to life the imfamous music of Marvin “Meat Loaf” Aday in the new rock opera “Bat Out Of Hell”, which follows a demon’s battle with both Heaven and Hell because of his love for a beautiful human. This film is quite different from Rodriguez’s previous work in that it is more emotional and serious, thanks to the help of “World Trade Center” scribe Andrea Berloff. In the beginning the film seems to be a pseudo-superhero flick but it quickly transforms into an epic romance full of deception and tragedy. Jared Leto stars as the Darius, the title character, and his performance could be hailed as one of the best musical performances ever. His sadness can be felt in every song he sings and every look that he gives. If you don’t believe him by the finale of the film, when he faces the choice of saving his love or stopping Satan from taking over, then something is definitely wrong with you. Brittany Murphy is the other lead character and excells in every way imaginable. She is at times a sex kitten with a ferocious attitude and then a feeble, love-struck human. It is her best career performance. Matthew Macfayaden and Rosario Dawson and also good in roles as people Hell-bent on stopping Darius from seeking salvation and Jennifer Hudson stuns again as the Siren, a Heaven-sent being who wants to see Darius get what he wants but can’t help but push her boss’s agenda. “Bat Out Of Hell” is one of the best movie musicals ever and amazes in every frame with its brutal power and emotional strengths.

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director-Robert Rodriguez
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Actor-Jared Leto
Best Actress-Brittany Murphy
Best Supporting Actor-Matthew Macfayden
Best Supporting Actress-Rosario Dawson
Best Supporting Actress-Jennifer Hudson

"Bee-Bee's Funhouse"

Author(s): Brian
Location: Arizona

"Bee-Bee's Funhouse"

Directed by Jonathan Demme
Written by Aaron Sorkin
Produced by Jonathan Demme and James Keach
Music by Terence Blanchard

Main Cast

Jeff Bridges (Maurice Verdun)
Amy Adams (Sally Bridges)
Mandy Patinkin (Michael Ward)
Gerard Butler (Lester Hartford)
Shareeka Epps (Melinda Solomon)
Laurence Fishburne (Jeffrey Solomon)
Frances McDormand (Amy Ward)

Tagline: "Racism. Controversy. Children"

Synopsis: The year is 1963, and the name on everybody’s lips is Maurice Verdun. Maurice is the creator, head writer, director and executive producer of the extremely popular children’s show “Bee-Bee’s Funhouse.” The show airs live at 1:00 every week day, and consists of a man dressed in a bear suit, teaching kids age 3-7 things like counting, reading and other wholesome lessons. While on the surface it seems odd that the man behind a juvenile television show would be a celebrity among adults, one must understand how charming Maurice is. He is a true ladies’ man, and his attempts at more “adult” projects, most notably his film “Natural Talent”, have been nothing but successful. The press has dubbed him as the man who had his big break at age 50. However, there is one thing that makes Maurice appear less lovable to some: he is, put lightly, a hardcore racist. Maurice refuses even being in the same room as a black person. But that was a fact that most were able to tiptoe around. That is, until the next year, when the Civil Rights Act was signed. The thought of desegregation infuriates Maurice. However, he soon realizes that he has an audience that no one else has: children. He knows that propaganda works best on the young, and so, he incorporates slightly racist suggestions. And over the next two years, those suggestions would cause a national uproar, and force everyone involved to examine their thoughts on race.

Sally Bridges is a young, drop-dead gorgeous young civil rights activist. She leads protests and rallies, and is known to hate anyone who disagrees with her. Ms. Bridges leads the protests against the show. However, when she starts to fall for Maurice, she is unsure what to do. She doesn’t want to have to give up on her goal of eliminating discrimination, but she also does not want to lose Maurice’s love.

Michael Ward is the actor that portrays Bee-Bee. He and his wife, Amy, are activists in the civil rights movement. In any other circumstance, he would not stand for Maurice’s brainwashing techniques. However, this is his first acting job in years, which he only got because he is friends with Maurice. Michael must choose between his beliefs and his paycheck.

Lester Hartford is the head of NBC, the network that airs “Bee-Bee’s Funhouse.” He is young and optimistic, but has no idea how to run a TV station. He gets hate mail, and praise, for letting the show remain on the air. He is unsure of what he should do about it, as his stance on black rights is undecided.

Melinda Solomon is a just-out-of-high school African-American girl who has been raised by Sally for the past few years, since her mother’s death. Melinda has grown up with the protestors, and she has never had any other friends. Thus, she is extremely shy. When her father, Jeffrey, is released from prison, he wants his daughter back. However, she wants to stay with Sally, and makes the excuse that she needs to protest the show. Because of this, Melinda secretly does not want the show to go off the air, as it would mean living with her father.

All of these characters get caught up in a web, based on a children’s television show. Sally discovers that Maurice has been lying about his feelings towards her; Melinda frames Jeffrey so that he will go back to prison; Lester is murdered; Amy leaves Michael and stirs him into depression; Maurice loses his reputation as a good guy and countless other things. And, after every few scenes, we see a clip of the show, which seems to mimic what his happening in reality. All of these things lead up to a shocking conclusion, in which the show is taken off the air, and it is the last episode. It seems normal, and incorporates no racial slurs, until the very end, where Maurice, dressed in black face, kills Bee-Bee. Audiences across America are stunned. “Bee-Bee’s Funhouse” becomes a pivotal movement in the civil rights movement, and in the future’s mindset.

What the Press would say:

Wow. Just…wow. I have just seen the most beautifully crafted, original, relevant films of the 21st century. Directed impeccably by Oscar winner Jonathan Demme and starring some of the finest talent of our time, “Bee-Bee’s Funhouse” is more than just the best movie of the year. In fact, it’s more than just a movie. The film elevates above the title of “movie”, and instead becomes a work of art that speaks an under-examined message about modern times, but never fails to be entertaining. While it would seem obvious to call a script penned by “West Wing” creator and head scribe Aaron Sorkin compelling, there is simply no better word to describe the film. There is not a second where the film does not entertain the viewer, but there is also not a second where the film does not make the viewer think. “Bee-Bee’s Funhouse” truly is a modern masterpiece.

One of the key things in making this film a masterpiece is the brilliant acting. Jeff Bridges plays Maurice Verdun, the protagonist, who runs the preschool-aimed show “Bee-Bee’s Funhouse” (hence the title). Bridges goes from ruthless to heroic, and everywhere in between, in one of the most challenging and fascinating roles this year. Bridges manages to win over our sympathy and hatred, and should also manage to win Best Actor at this year’s Oscars. The Oscar winning co-star of “Wackos” and “Junebug”, Amy Adams, also turns in fantastic work as Sally Bridges, the lead protester against the show. Like her co-star, she portrays a wide range of emotions; however Adams takes a different, but equally successful approach from that of her co-star, in that she never shows anger, just disappointment. Hopefully this exceptional and refreshingly different approach to a great character will be enough to carve Ms. Adams’ name on an Oscar. But, the real show-stealer here is Mandy Patinkin. Patinkin’s role is the most vital of the supporting cast. He plays Michael Ward, the lead actor on the show. However, he really plays two characters. The first is, as previously mentioned, Michael Ward. Michael is a struggling actor who is fiercely against discrimination. But, he has to continue starring in a blatantly racist show because he cannot find work elsewhere. The second is Bee-Bee, the “lovable” bear on the fictional children’s show. We see a clip of the increasingly appalling show every once in a while, and we entirely forget that it is Patinkin underneath the costume. The characters he plays are total opposites, and he plays each one as convincingly as possible. Giving the Best Supporting Actor statuette to anyone else would be a joke.

“Bee-Bee’s Funhosue” is, without question, the best film of the year. It is a life-changing, thoroughly engrossing experience that is bound to pick up lots of attention at this year’s Oscars, with a strong campaign in the following categories…

Best Picture
Best Director (Jonathan Demme)
Best Actor (Jeff Bridges)
Best Actress (Amy Adams)
Best Supporting Actor (Mandy Patinkin)
Best Original Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin)
Best Film Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Original Score (Terence Blanchard)

"Blackwater Park"


Author(s): Tony
Location: Pittsburgh

"Blackwater Park"

Directed by David Fincher
Written by Alejandro Amenábar
Produced by Marshall Herskovitz
Cinematography by Roger Deakins
Score by John Cale
Editing by Alex Rodríguez

Main Cast

Clive Owen as Daniel Etim
Robin Wright Penn as Holly Etim
Julian McMahon as Samuel Hallman
Debra Messing as Melinda Hallman
Ryan Kelly as Joey Hallman
Jeremy Renner as vick
Chris O'Neil as Young Daniel Etim

Tagline: "The poison of the park will run through his veins forever"

Synopsis: The flickering lights coming from the ceiling of cell #21 caused Daniel Etim an emotional distress as he would be sentenced to death in a matter of minutes, but Daniel was far beyond death at this point. The constant memories of the park, the fear and yet severe addiction makes his veins bulge and his fingers twitch when at that moment he remembered when it all began.

At a young age Daniel was a walking illness, a sickly individual, sleepwalker as well. Near his country side home was a dark and mysterious area that the locals called Blackwater Park. Some said you could see ruby eyes through the constant fog that surrounds it. It was the night that Daniel unwillingly ventured into the park that changed his mental state forever. Daniel woke up freezing from his breath as his body forced him to travel to the park. Once Daniel got his composure it was too late where it was only 20 yards from him he could see a shadowy figure with a shovel, a coffin like box, and a tied up woman next to him. Shocked to stillness, Daniel witnessed this man bury the young woman alive. The man vanished into the darkness while a frightened Daniel would run quickly back home. The day later Daniel pondered if what he saw was real or not, was a woman buried? Is a killer on the loose? Is the woman still alive? A frightened boy could never be brave enough to find out.

Now, years later a distraught Daniel lives with the same questions he never answered. His solutions to his mental illness include being a masochist and working as a file clerk at a hospital where he can see death all around him. His peers include an imprudent doctor (McMahon), a jaw flapping co-worker (Renner), and an insecure housewife (Penn). He lived in the same house as a child, and the park still remained. His countless nocturnal hours made visions in his haunted sleep about the park. The woman could still be buried there, he always thought. To the day Daniel never went back until his sanity finally reached an end. He knew his life was amounting to nothing and the only thing left was the park. Now Daniel is perilous and has a destiny, and it began with the kidnapping of Vick. He bounded the defenseless man and strolled into the park for the first time since and buried him alive in a wooden crate in the park, this action was the only time Daniel felt fearless, outside the park he was broken down. Next was the Hallman family. After an unsudden firing from Dr. Hallman, Daniel would decide to kidnap the Hallman family where he made Samuel witness the burying of his wife (Messing) and son (Kelly) alive. He followed by drowning Sam in the flowing black stream in the park. Daniel continued to be mortal outside the park, weeping about his evil doings, but at the same time he craved to do it again. His final doing was his wife, her fingernails bled from the struggle as Daniels halo of death hung above him, but she managed to escape from the fight of her life. Only one thing was left to do for Daniel, find the woman. Daniel went to the spot and nothing was found. Now turned in by Holly, Daniel confessed to everything, but was soon tormented and cursed by the police telling him they found more graves, ones he didn't take credit for. Daniel will never know what officially happened, but the sun sets forever over Blackwater Park.

What the Press would say:

David Finchers latest haunting thriller entitled "Blackwater Park" is a gothic, shocking, suspenseful, and disturbing piece of film that burrows deep under your skin and sores. Its quality puts it far beyond most of the "psychotic deranged killer" films today. What is it is art captured on film. The films mood is already set right from the beginning on, chilling, intense, and mysterious. Finchers sets are once again outstanding. His visual of the park itself is cold and dark without falling into some obvious cliches, it's not something you'd see out of an episode of "Goosebumps". The effect it makes is astounding and truly works. As far as his vision for his characters, well, as we've seen from Nicholas Van Orton, William Somerset, and the Narrator, Fincher has created a character that we can't take our eyes off of, a character full of negative emotions but deep down isn't as gritty as he may seem. Playing the "character" in this film is Clive Owen. Owen takes this role further than any other of Finchers leads, a good soul that is traumatized forever leading him to killing and death being his only reliever, thus making him more sorrowful, an uncontrollable force caused by the park. Owens masochistic scenes are at times rigid to watch but it only inhances the mood of the film, and Owens character in general. Supporting Daniel Etim is his wife, Holly, played by Robin Wright Penn. A very suited role for Penn, the down on herself housewife who feels she's letting her deeply agitated husband down which ultimately has her estranged more and more throughout the film, a performance that shouldn't be ignored. In conclusion, the ending of "Blackwater Park" may throw some viewers off, but in a good sense of being poetic. The numerous corpses found in the park can be an indication of many things, and it's our job as the viewers to contemplate what happened. Opinions differ, some say that the things Daniel saw at the beginning and end of the movie were only things he wanted to see. Were there more killings of this unusual torture method when Daniel was a child, or was it Daniel all along? What really happened in Blackwater Park? Don't miss out people, this film is as atmospheric and painfully compelling than any film you'll see this year.

FYC:

Best Picture - David Fincher, Alejandro Amenábar, and Marshall Herskovitz
Best Director - David Fincher
Best Actor - Clive Owen
Best Supporting Actress - Robin Wright Penn
Best Original Screenplay - Alejandro Amenábar
Best Cinematography - Roger Deakins
Best Original Score - John Cale
Best Editing - Alex Rodríguez
Best Art Direction

"Cartoon Wars!"

Author(s): Conrado Falco
Location: Peru

"Cartoon Wars!"

Directed by Bennet Miller (Capote)
Written by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing)
Cinematography by Adam Kimmel (Capote)
Music by Michael Giacchino (The Incredibles, Ratatouille)

Main Cast

Alec Baldwin...... Donald Fooley
Alan Alda......... Marvin Bray
TR Knight......... Noah Bloom
Scarlet Johanson.. Mary Bray
Steve Buscemi..... Frank Connelly
Jeff Daniels...... Michael
Gwen Stefani...... Betty/Lucy Loop's voice
Malcolm McDowell.. Mr. Rogers
David Strathairn.. Walt Disney (Cameo)

Tagline: "Whoever said cartoons were for children?"

Synopsis: "Cartoon Wars!" is a movie loosely based on the story of the Fleischer Animation studios, Disney's biggest competition back in the 1930s. The story begins when Donald Fooley, the president of Fooley Studio, is feeling victorious after managing to successfully make sound cartoons. One of his employees, Noah Bloom, creates a character named Lucy Loop (parody of Betty Boop) and becomes his right hand, Lucy a sexy woman who dances and sings to Swing music, but Donald is not happy with the voice they're giving her.

As he finally finds the voice in a young girl named Betty during a party, and Lucy Loop becomes the biggest animated star, Just in that moment appears a little character called Mickey Mouse. Donald enters into a crisis, as he starts having a relationship with Marvin's daughter, Mary. He's desperate to find a character as charming to shadow Disney's Mickey Mouse.

Donald has to face the members of the board of censor who think Lucy is inappropriate for the audience. Donald is doing anything he can to keep Lucy as the star of the studio but Marvin Bray, chief of Polopeak studios (the studios that finance Donald's cartoons) decides to cancel the Lucy series after so much controversy. That puts Donald in a much more stressful situation, for he has no other cartoon character. Then Noah saves the day again creating a character called Bernie the Beaver. Even if Bernie is popular enough, Donald infiltrates spies on Disney's studios to steal his ideas. And it's then when he finds out of Disney's big plan, a feature-length animated movie.

At first he doesn't care, thinking a feature-length animated film wouldn't work for the audience. He even tells this to Disney when they meet at the Academy Awards, where Disney beats Donald again for the animated short trophy, Disney also confesses to Donald that he was kind of an inspiration for Donald Duck.

But after Disney premieres "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", Donald learns that if he wants to stay in the business he must make a feature film too. There begins the production of "The Three Musketeers" which is only accepted by Marvin after a long talk with Donald to convince him of making future-length films. When "The Three Musketeers" opens, it doesn't become the hit everyone was expecting and Marvin decides to only produce animated shorts from ther on. But Donald won't surrender to Walt Disney and decides to make a new film, "Tom Sawyer".

Donald decides to make "Tom Sawyer" the best animated film ever, creating new techniques and a better quality for animation. But he soon runs out of money and starts begging Marvin to keep financing his film, Marvin is starting to get sick of Donald and his animated film that need more and more money every single day. But he starts to believe "Tom Sawyer" could really be a hit when he sees the first cut of the film. But right after Marvin has seen the film, Donald's animators go on strike just as Marvin discovers he is dating his daughter.

Marvin is angry at Donald, but Donald's art of conversation make him decide to finish the film before taking any decision and giving him even more money for the animators on strike.

"Tom Sawyer" is finally released, but the day after the release, a float of Japanese combat plains attacks Pearl Harbor, making Donald's ambitious project a complete flop and putting him in bankrupt.

What the Press would say:

"Cartoon Wars!" is Bennet Miller's latest work, and even if we thought it was going to be a long epic film like The Aviator, Bennet gives us a quick, smart written, movie that is so fresh it feels just like fun even when the lead character is dealing with an endless list of stressful problems. Aaron Sorkin's script is as smart as any of the great episodes of The West Wing, and Alec Baldwin's lead performance is flawless.

Of course you could not deny Alan Alda's supporting role as the responsible of Baldwin's constant dilemmas, and the great cameo of David Strathairn as Walt Disney.

With a delightful jazz and swing score, "Cartoon Wars!" will take you right to the time were cartoons were only shown on theatres and the competitive world of, in Donald Fooley's words, show Disney's who's the real big child.

Possible Oscar Nominations:

Best Picture
Best Director: Bennet Miller
Best Lead Actor: Alec Baldwin
Best Supporting Actor: Alan Alda
Best Original Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin
Best Cinematography: Adam Kimmel
Best Original Score: Michael Giacchino
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Deisgn

"Cocker Spanchovy"

Author(s): Kwame
Location: Florida

"Cocker Spanchovy"

Directed by Todd Solondz
Written by Todd Solondz
Music by Nathan Larson
Produced by: Ted Hope and Christine Vachon

Main Cast

Grace Zabriskie as Eileen Kwiasniewski
Eric Schweig as Elias "Bearclaw" Kwiasniewski
Dylan Baker as Steven Kwiasniewski
Tonya Pinkins as Sharona Tucker-Kwiasniewski

Tagline: "N/A"

Synopsis: OEileen Kwiasniewski is a 65 year-old recently retired children's book illustrator who lives with her adopted son Elias in a small townhouse in the small town of Fernandina Beach,Florida. Elias, who is 40 years old, and Native American, is sort of an Internet celebrity,(under the name of "Bearclaw"), with a series of videos in which he imitates a diverse array of animals having sex with each other. Eileen is proud of her otherwise unemployed son for having something to do. When she is not busy praising Elias, she devotes a lot of time fuming over how she was denied acceptance to the prestigious Nation Children's Book Illustrators Association of America, otherwise known as the "NCBIAA".

One day,after having been invited by her biological son Steven, also a children's book illustrator and local politician and his wife Sharona, Eileen and Elias take a roadtrip down to Jupiter, Florida to visit. Steven and Sharona are currently working hard for Steven's mayoral campaign, with the elections being held the day after Eileen and Elias arrive. To nobody's surprise, Steven wins, and his mother is ecstatic. That night, at his election celebration, Steven gets to talk to Elias, who he hadn't seen in a long while. Being very drunk, the new mayor tells his brother mid-conversation that it was he who denied his mother acceptance to the NCBIAA.Elias, being quite surprised, tells Eileen of this. Feeling completely betrayed, she and Elias try to come up with the ultimate revenge, and they do: They anonymously inform town officials of a "sex scandal" involving the new mayor.But would they buy it,and would it be enough to get him out of office?

What the Press would say:

"Cocker Spanchovy" is everything that one would expect from the mind of Todd Solondz-and more. It's hilarious,witty,sharp, original, and well-crafted. Solondz is a master at working with actors, and this movie proves this. As Eileen, Grace Zabriskie finally has her first leading role, and she is exceptional! Says Peter Travers "Never would I ever imagine that it would take a Todd Solondz comedy to give this extraordinary character actress her first leading role; what she does with her character is outstanding.She makes this character unique, and convincing." Eric Schweig has also generated raves, in his first major role.David Ansen of Newsweek cries "Eric Schweig is a riot! This guy has comedic ability to rival that of Steve Carrel, Will Ferrell, or any big comedian working today". Dylan Baker and Tonya Pinkins have also gotten notices for their brave and inspired supporting roles in Solondz's latest which is "already destined to become a classic!"

"The Courtroom"


Author(s): Bryce Marrero
Location: LA, CA

"The Courtroom"

Directed by: Ron Howard
Writer: Eric Roth and Grant Heslov
Producer: Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and Tim Bevan

Drama

Main Cast

David Strathairn as Tom Jane
Will Smith as Marcus Miller
Tom Wilkinson as Judge Carter Wilson
Patricia Arquette as Sarah Tona
Eddie Jemison as Phil Tona

Tagline: "The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence"

Synopsis: On, November 1, 2007 Sarah Tona was found dead at her house. Her husband, Phil Tona was found at the scene of the crime with blood on his hands. On November 14, 2007 the trial to determine whether Phil is innocent or guilty will take place.

Phil has acquired charismatic defense attorney Marcus Miller to defend him. Marcus is the type of guy to take his job very serious. Marcus has always defended guilty men, but he is ready for a change as he morally can't take the guilt anymore of defending guilty men. Marcus is convinced that Phil is innocent, and actually worth defending.

On the prosecution is famous attorney Tom Jane. Tom is no stranger to violence and the ugly side of what could happen in a household. Both his mother and father were killed when he was little. That is why Tom takes much pleasure in sending guilty men to jail, and he is certain Phil Tona is as guilty as they come.

In the courtroom of arrogant judge Carter Wilson, Marcus and Tom go neck to neck to fight for what they believe is right. With many surprise evidence, and on the feet revelations, the trial easily becomes one of the most challenging trial in the two lawyer's careers.

What the Press would say:

"The Courtroom" is one of the best thought driven, intelligent, engaging, and entertaining court drama to come out in years. The film challenges audiences to dive into the trial, as the lawyers do, and make decisions for themselves. This film will definitely have audiences talking after seeing it. There is a verdict at the end, however the ending could be seen as ambiguous and leaves room for the final verdict to be incorrect. It's the type of film to leave it up to the audience to make a final verdict of their own. This is accomplished with the strong use of evidence throughout the film. Some evidence is found, others are not even picked up, and will have audiences speculating and coming up with their own theories.

Will Smith and David Strathairn give career defining, and Oscar caliber performances. Both lawyers go through much stress and anxiety throughout the movie as they both thrive to win the case. It is a transforming and demanding performance, as audiences witness how the case is physically draining the life out of these two lawyers. Another great feature of these remarkable characters is how different there methods are in the courtroom scenes. Audiences will have to get into the minds of two very different people to try and guess what the lawyers may be thinking. Will Smith's character is more of a people's lawyer. He uses charm, humor, and persuasion to try and manipulate the jury (and audiences) to think what he wants them to think. While David Strathairn is the cobra of the courtroom. Silent but when he has something, it makes a huge impact on the trial and can easily turn the trial in a new direction. Another great performance come from Eddie Jemison, the person on trial who always has an ambiguous, and emotionless face on him. This is used to throw off audiences from reading his thoughts or making judgments based on how he is reacting. Tom Wilkinson also gives a grand performance as the smart mouth judge who can see through all the lawyers tricks, and eventually becomes the root of the lawyers stress.

Ron Howard does something very special with the film. He combines three different atmospheres to create something unique. He uses an "epic" atmosphere in some scenes to convey the impact of new evidence. He uses a "real" atmosphere in some scenes to show the pressure and tension that goes on in court. And he also uses a noir sense in some of the scenario and detective style scenes. These aspects combined creates an identity for the film that make it one of a kind.

"The Courtroom" is the most engaging film to come out in awhile, with many twist, suspense, and thrills to entertain audiences. It is a true cinematic achievement in film history, and an official frontrunner for the upcoming Oscars.

Best Picture
Best Director- Ron Howard
Best Actor- Will Smith
Best Actor- David Strathairn
Best Supporting Actor- Eddie Jemison
Best Supporting Actor- Tom Wilkinson
Best Original Screenplay- Eric Roth and Grant Heslov

"Deep Secret"

Author(s): Matt
Location: Illinois

"Deep Secret"

Directed By: Anthony Minghella
Written By: Anthony Minghella

Main Cast

Brian Cox as Mark Felt
Chloe Sevigny as Joan Felt
Ian Holm as Carl Bernstein
Robert Duvall as Bob Woodward
Ewan McGregor as Younger Mark Felt
Jason Schwartzman as Younger Carl Bernstein
Brendan Fehr as Younger Bob Woodward
Dakota Fanning as Younger Joan Felt
Robert Downey Jr. as Benjamin C. Bradley
Dermot Mulroney as John D. O’Connor

Tagline: "America’s greatest secret identity is about to be hidden to even the man himself"

Synopsis: The most infamous and secretive informant waits for two reporters in a darkened parking garage. The only light is coming from his cigarette. Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward approach and ask about the robbery of the Democratic Headquarters. The man in the shadows gives an alias, Deep Throat, as well as loads of information linking the President to the scandal.

For years after the incident, the American population and media have speculated and questioned the identity of Deep Throat. His actions went unknown by his co-workers in the FBI, and three decades after the Watergate break-in, the man’s family remained in the dark.

A couple of years ago, however, as Mark Felt’s memory began to deteriorate, he thought that it was his duty to come out and announce that he was not only a member of the FBI, but also the ominous character, Deep Throat. His daughter was unsure if she could trust her father, who had recently been diagnosed and overcome by Alzheimer’s. Deciding to be safe rather than sorry, she gets into contact with another investigator, John D. O’Connor and dives into her father’s past. O’Connor and the young woman meet with the famed reporters who brought the Watergate scandal to light. Joan Felt is extremely surprised at what she uncovers. Her father, Mark, had a reputation for speaking with reporters and a known friendship with Bob Woodward. He had leaked federal information more than once, but never to the extent of the Watergate. Joan, later, has to deal with being proud that her father had helped solve one of the most well-known Presidential controversies, while also being ashamed that her father had betrayed his fellow members of the FBI and his president. Joan must also overcome the backlash and the media storm on her own, as her father has continued to fall deeper into blankness. While coping with his disease, Mark has to manage the anxiety of never having been completely honest with his daughter, the rest of his family, and his country.

What the Press would say:

This film is unlike any historical or political film ever made. Anthony Minghella took a great news story and created a screenplay so focused on the characters, rather than the events, that the movie is less of a history lesson than a character study. Only Minghella could then translate his dialogue onto the screen with superb direction that tops earlier work, like The Talented Mr. Ripley. The film does show some of the necessary scenes, such as the parking garage, but these scenes are done in a stylized and exciting way. Such scenes contain terrific, yet small, appearances by Jason Schwatrzman and the little known Brendan Fehr. Ewan McGregor does a fantastic job in his scenes with the brilliant Dakota Fanning. Their relationship is all the more touching after watching the older versions of their characters relate on screen. Brian Cox, who plays the older Mark Felt, finally needs some recognition. After years of underrated performances, he deserves to be rewarded for this magnificent performance. Cox is fantastic at playing the Alzheimer’s patient, but he still has the edge to allow the audience to believe he was at one time a member of the FBI and Deep Throat. Chloe Sevigny as Felt’s daughter is just a tour de force. She expands her talent and shines in this lead role. Without her amazing portrayal of the confused, worried, loving daughter the film would not have been as memorable. However, other legendary actors also give respectable performances. Ian Holm, Robert Duvall, and Robert Downey Jr. are all amazing. Dermot Mulroney gives his first great performance as an investigator doing all that he can to figure out if Mark Felt truly is what he admitted to being. His interviews with two of the legendary actors mentioned above really make for interesting and profound scenes. All in all, the cast and Minghella really pull through, and make this a film that everyone can get invested in.

Possible Oscar Nominations

Best Picture
Best Director – Anthony Minghella
Best Original Screenplay – Anthony Minghella
Best Actor – Brian Cox
Best Actress – Chloe Sevigny
Best Supporting Actor – Ewan McGregor
Best Supporting Actor – Robert Duvall
Best Supporting Actor – Ian Holm

"Diary of an Adopted Child"

Author(s): André Marques
Location: Portugal

"Diary of an Adopted Child"

Director: Paul Haggis
Writer: Paul Haggis
Music: Philip Glass

Main Cast

Nicole Kidman (Julia)
Meryl Streep (Mrs. Crawford)
Abigail Breslin (Melanie)
Edward Norton (John)
Robert Redford (Mr. Crawford)

Tagline: "A grandmother’s love. A mother’s love. A child’s rejection"

Synopsis: As reading her own diary, a child named Melanie (Abigail Breslin) is going to tell you the experience of her life. Starting with her great love by her grandmother, Mrs. Crawford (Meryl Streep), Melanie will find that family has a lots of meanings. She doesn’t know why, but since she remembers being alive that she deals with this problem of her mother Julia (Nicole Kidman), cause she truly can’t love her the way she is supposed to.

And some day she will find out why. It’s because she is an adopted child. Oh ok, now she did understand and got mad with her, her mother and everybody, but never the grandmother, Mrs. Crawford. The whole family collapses by some different stuff. The father (Edward Norton) is an alcoholic and he doesn’t cares about anything, not even the grandfather (Robert Redford). Confronted with this, Julia sends Melanie to live with her grandmother, while she tries to find out who is Melanie’s family to stop the sadness of her adopted child. She will find this terrible thing: Mrs. Crawford is Melanie’s true grandmother. She then realizes that it isn’t only Melanie that is adopted, she also is. That’s when Mrs. Crawford dies before knowing that her beloved granddaughter is truly of her family. This family is then put in some darkest times, ending with Melanie living only with Mr. Crawford, finally in peace.

What the Press would say:

A magnificent well written script delivers us an astonishing drama that deals with different types of relationships, in different generations, with different feelings. Nicole Kidman is just terrific dealing with the sadness of her daughter and then confronted with her own situation similar to her daughters’. The rest of the cast is brilliant, with little Abigail Breslin in such a dramatic role, managing to overcome some of the others actors. A movie to not miss.

Categories:

Best Picture
Best Director: Paul Haggis
Best Original Screenplay: Paul Haggis
Best Original Score: Philip Glass
Best Actress: Nicole Kidman
Best Supporting Actress: Abigail Breslin
Best Supporting Actor: Edward Norton

"Equality"


Author(s): Ryan
Location: Portland

"Equality"

Directed by Stephen Frears
Written by Michael Hirst and Patrick Marber

Main Cast

Sigourney Weaver as Jeannette Rankin
Jessica Lange as Katherine Anthony
Timothy Hutton as Paul Rankin
Tom Wilkinson as Rep. George Wilson

Tagline: "In a State Run by Man, She Fought for Change"

Synopsis: On November 7, 1916, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman to gain election into the United States Congress. “Equality” is her story.

It was a beautiful day in Helena, Montana. Birds sat perched on tree branches singing songs into the wind. Cattle lay peacefully in the shadows cast over by the nearby hills and the blistering sun shined upon the congressmen as they trekked up the marble stairs into the capitol building. Accompanied by her best friend and fellow activist, Katherine Anthony (Lange), Jeannette Rankin (Weaver) sits patiently in a nearby office waiting to address the newly convened congress. As the congressmen settle into their desks, Rankin is called up to the podium to discuss women’s roles in society. Not a single member of congress plans to take this speech seriously, but as a graduate of the University of Washington, Rankin knows she will impress. Word for word, line for line, she subtly draws the attention of the group. Jeannette and Katherine walk out of the capitol building that day feeling good, but knowing there is still progress to be made.

After a visit to her brother Paul (Hutton), Jeannette decides to run for one of two available seats in the Montana State Congress. She is apprehensive to learn she must run against Rep. George Wilson (Wilkinson), one of the states most powerful and intolerant lawmakers. Rep. Wilson stands firm on his belief that women have no place in the democratic system.

As the campaign trail begins to heat up, Paul decides he’ll run Jeannette’s campaign allowing her to spend more time talking about women’s right along with other issues prevalent in Montana. Jeannette slowly begins to form a following, which worries formally arrogant George. Surely, a woman can’t beat him in the election. To ensure his victory, George commences running a smear-campaign; questioning Jeannette’s promiscuity and her love for the state of Montana. As Election Day becomes closer, increasingly more people begin to take Jeannette seriously and ignore Rep. Wilson’s dirty tactics. Katherine and Paul are in full force to win this election. The election is sure to be one of the closest races in Montana history. In the end, Jeannette Rankin becomes the first female ever elected to United States Congress with 54% of the vote. However, her first vote in Congress, against the entry into World War I, dooms her political career. She will only last two years in Congress, but her impact will last a lifetime.

What the Press would say:

Women hold a prominent role in society today. They are doctors, lawyers, and lawmakers, but have you ever thought whom it started with? Stephen Frears’ new film Equality delves into the life of women’s rights activist Jeannette Rankin. Frears’ direction is superb in this cunning tale of the strive towards equality. What makes it so brilliant is that Frears doesn’t over direct it and allows his outstanding veteran cast to be themselves. Sigourney Weaver gives an Oscar-caliber performance as the lead character. She completely incarnates herself inside this role of Jeannette and gives the performance of her life. Weaver said recently “This is the most important role I will ever take. I can only hope my performance does the life of Ms. Rankin justice.” Not only does she do Jeannette’s life justice, she exceeds expectations far and away from what myself thought she could do. Jessica Lange gives a tremendous performance as Katherine, Jeannette’s best friend. Katherine is always there for Jeannette and the chemistry between Weaver and Lange portrays that. In maybe the best role of the year, Tom Wilkinson gives an eerie, arrogant, egotistical, yet brilliant performance that makes me clench my fist whenever he’s onscreen. It’s amazing how Wilkinson portrays this bigoted congressman. The best scenes in the movies take place when Weaver and Wilkinson are at each other’s throat. Whether it be during debates or behind the scenes, the two actors shine in these moments. In all, “Equality” is easily one of the best films of the year and should lead many categories come awards time.

FYC:

Best Picture
Best Director: Stephen Frears
Best Actress: Sigourney Weaver
Best Supporting Actor: Tom Wilkinson
Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Lange
Best Adapted Screenplay

"Everyday"

Author(s): Pat
Location: NY

"Everyday"

Directed By Alan Ball
Written By Alan Ball
Produced By Tom Hanks and Colin Callender

Main Cast

Alec Baldwin (Daniel McPhearson)
Virginia Madsen (Helen McPhearson)
Bruce Willis (Sam Triscoe)
David Strathairn (Bernard Digiglio)
Edie Falco (Martha Digiglio)
David Morse (Walter Van Patten)
Trevor Morgan (Bryan Triscoe)
Michelle Tractenberg (Mary Digiglio)
Amanda Seyfried (Laura Catrand)
Shawn Pyfrom (Eric Brosckie)
Aimee Teegarden (Alicia McPhearson)
Brittany Snow (Sara Van Patten)
Ryan Kelley (Christopher Digiglio)

Tagline: "Death is something you cry about. Tragedy is what makes you scream"

Synopsis: On a stormy spring night, two cars full of teenagers drive down a winding highway on their way to a party. In one car, Sara Van Patten (Brittany Snow) is driving while her friends, Alicia (Aimee Teegarden) and Christopher (Ryan Kelley), talk in the backseat. In the other car are Bryan (Trevor Morgan), Mary (Michelle Tractenberg), and Laura (Amanda Seyfried). Sara wants to get to the party, so she speeds way past the limit and passes every car she sees. Then, she gets a text message from Bryan, saying that he wants to be with her and she should leave her boyfriend Eric (Shawn Pyfrom), and a semi hits them head on.

Four days later, the town of Briarshaw buries the three young people in the first car. Daniel (Alec Baldwin), Alicia’s father, remains adament on blaming someone for the death of his daughter and he convinces his wife (Virginia Madsen) to interrogate the other kids in order to determine what caused their car to swerve into a truck. But Daniel is all too quick to blame the father of the girl who was driving. Walter Van Patten (David Morse), a convicted sex offender refuses to acknowledge that his daughter was responsible and becomes violent towards Daniel whenever he is accused. In the meantime, Bryan comes forward to his father, Sam (Bruce Willis), that he may have distracted Sara enough for her to crash the car. But Sam wants to keep it quiet so he tells Bryan not to tell anybody after learning of Daniel’s search for answers. Things worsen when Christopher’s parents, Bernard (David Strathairn) and Martha (Edie Falco), decide they wish to sue Walter Van Patten even against the wishes of their daughter, Mary, who misses her brother but does not see revenge as the proper solution.

But somehow Sara’s boyfriend, Eric, finds out that Bryan sent his girlfriend the text that killed her and he tells the world, sending Daniel and the other parents on a tragic path with hopes that the death’s of their children could be reversed if they take revenge on the people involved.

What the Press would say:

“Everyday”, the new film from “American Beauty” scribe Alan Ball, is a heartbreaking tale about coping with tragic loss and making up for past mistakes. Loosely based upon actual events, the film follows the parents of three teenagers who were killed in a fiery car accident. The basic premise of the story is that the McPhearson’s (Alec Baldwin and Virginia Madsen) look for someone to blame for their daughter’s deaths while the father (Bruce Willis) of a boy in another car tries to hide the fact that his son may be at fault. Baldwin and Willis go throughout the movie as best friends but come detached in the final act when the truth comes out. Baldwin’s performance conveys his character’s constant anger so well that one begins to think that it is actually Baldwin’s daughter who has been killed. Bruce Willis takes on a subdued but powerful role as a man who is forced to battle inner demons about seeing his friend’s suffer at his son’s fault. Virginia Madsen shys away from the typical grieving mother to become a sort of villainess who follows the other kids involved and questions them about what really happened. Her cold looks and sinister voice send a shiver down the spine in every frame she is in. David Morse also stands out as the father of the girl driving the doomed car, who is initially blamed for the deaths and suffers the emotional punishment of the other parents while trying to cope with his own grief. Things are made worse for his character in Edie Falco, another grieving mother who wants to sue Morse’s character. She blows the audience away with her sheer voice of sadness and big emotional breakdown scene, which brings more tears than Hilary Swank’s reqeuest for death in “Million Dollar Baby”. Overall, “Everyday” is a tragedy is every form and proves to be one of the saddest and most complex films of all time.

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director-Alan Ball
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actor-Alec Baldwin
Best Actor-Bruce Willis
Best Actress-Virginia Madsen
Best Supporting Actor-David Morse
Best Supporting Actress-Edie Falco

"Fahrenheit 451"

Author(s): Joshua
Location: NY

"Fahrenheit 451"

Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written by Scott Frank
Based on a Novel by Ray Bradbury
Produced by Steven SpielbergMusic by John Williams
Cinematography by Janusz Kaminski

Main Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio - Guy Montag
Evangeline Lily - Melinda Montag
William Hurt - Captain Beatty
Hayden Panettiere - Clarisse McClellan
Peter O' Toole - Professor Faber
Michelle Pfeiffer - Mrs. Bowles
Marcia Gay Harden - Mrs. Phelps
Laurence Fishburne - Granger

Tagline: "Guy Montag started fires for a living , now he's fighting to put them out"

Synopsis: Set in the future society where all books are burned to ashes. Guy Montag is a fireman who's job is to start fires instead of putting them out. Happiness is what he likes to describe his life , but all that will change when he meets a young girl , Clarisse , who opens his eyes to what kind of world they are living in and how there was a time where people were really living in happiness. Now Guy starts questioning his whole way of life. Now he must battle with his own demons , that is including is suicidal wife Mildred who lives in denial and his strict boss Captain Beatty. Guy will soon start obeying the law by reading books, educating himself and thinking by himself. He soon track down a elderly english professor by the name of Faber. He too knows of a time were people lived in peace and were able to learn and think , and know what's going on in the world.

Guy now believes he can change the society in which he once was loyal too. He believes he can make it better if he only had followers. In come Mrs. Bowles and Mrs. Phelps who are very close friends to Mildred. In the ladies conversation , Guy comes out and starts reading poetry to them. Guy doesn't know he making the biggest mistake by doing this act. Mrs. Phelps became very emotional with the reading , sadly the same cannot be said for Mrs Bowles who becomes upset. Guy later finds himself in tragedy. His wife tells on him and he must commit actions he never thought he would, murdering his boss. He now must escape and in that doing he finds a man named Granger who also believes the society can be changed and are determined to go by their plan. But all is too late , Guy will soon meet his demise.

What the Press would say:

Steven Spielberg brings another great sci-fi thriller since "Minority Report". Leonardo DiCaprio is brilliant as Guy Montag , a role made for him. Evageline Lily brings a breakthrough performance in film as Melinda Montag , a woman who is not happy with herself and will even kill herself to stop her depression. she gives us a character we can care about. William Hurt is always great especially when he's palying a villianous character like Captain Beatty. The legendary Peter O' Toole gives us his great presence as Faber. Hayden Panettiere shines as Clarisse. Michelle Pffeifer and Marcia Gay Harden give memorable 10 minute performances. This film just doesn't have great acting but great cinematography by Janusz Kaminski , fantastic writing by Scott Frank. Fahrenheit 451 is definently one of the year's best.

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director - Steven Spielberg
Best Actor in a Leading Role - Leonardo DiCaprio
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Evangeline Lily
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - William Hurt
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Original Score - John Williams

"The Final Days"

Author(s): T.D.
Location: Killeen, TX

"The Final Days"

Distributed by Universal Pictures
Directed by Jim Sheridan
Produced by Jim Sheridan & Arthur Lappin
Written by Jim Sheridan & Terry George

Drama

Main Cast

Naomi Watts as Jenna Beasley
Hugh Grant as Allen Beasley
Harry Eden as Arden Beasley
Freddie Highmore as John Beasley
Emma Thompson as Christina Morton

Tagline: "Sometimes the last days of your life could be the best days of your life"

Synopsis: The Final Days tells the last days of Jenna Beasley, a stay-at-home mom who loves to cook, clean, and provide for her family. Everyday her two sons Arden and John would come home and appreciate everything she does, but her workaholic husband Allen is far too tired and busy to even notice her. After months of being ignored, she goes to his office and finds him kissing his secretary. Outraged and infuriated, she strangles the secretary to death and is arrested.

She was charged with murder and was sentenced to lethal injection at Holloway Prison. While being sent over, she was told that she will have one week to live before she is executed. During her last week she befriends an inmate named Christina Morton, a woman who was also sentence to be executed because she killed her husband, and the two began a friendship that was strong until Christina was executed on Jenna’s fourth day. As the days grow short, begins to cry in fear and pray to God for protection and for Christina to be in heaven.

On the next day, she is visited by her family in her cell. She was glad to see her sons, but wasn’t too happy to see her husband. When Allen asked the boys to leave them be, he apologizes for what he did and promised that he’ll take good care of the boys. Jenna accepts his apology and tells him to make sure that their sons grow up into good men and make good choices in their life. On the sixth day, she writes her will and leaves all of her belongings to her husband and sons, and on the last day, she is executed with the lethal injection, and her body was laid to rest.

What the Press would say:

From acclaimed director Jim Sheridan comes a film about believing in yourself and paying the price for your actions. “The Final Days” tells of how a mother kills a woman and is sentenced to death for her crime. While in prison she befriends a fellow inmate who is also on death row and was put to death on her fourth day. Then three days later, she is put to death and was laid to rest in the end. Naomi Watts gives a very powerful performance as Jenna and she brings emotion to her character that we feel her pain and suffering, and that is very Oscar worthy. Emma Thompson delivers yet another great performance, very worthy of an Oscar, and so does Hugh Grant. Overall, this is a masterpiece and will become an unforgettable film.

For Your Consideration

Best Picture
Best Director – Jim Sheridan
Best Actress in a Leading Role – Naomi Watts
Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Hugh Grant
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Emma Thompson
Best Original Screenplay – Terry George
Best Film Editing

"Foggy London Nights"

Author(s): Josh P.
Location: Chicago, IL

"Foggy London Nights"

Directed by Danny Boyle
Written by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Produced by Andrew Macdonald
Cinematography by Anthony Dod Mantle
Original Music by Paul Williams
“London Roads” Music by Paul Williams, Lyrics by Paul Williams and Bernie Taupin
Edited by Chris Gill

Main Cast

Andrew Simpson (Peter Braind)
Penelope Wilton (Margaret Braind)
Daniel Radcliffe (Johnny Ringers)
Paul Williams (Dr. Capricorn)
Jeremy Irons (Detective Carson)
Cillian Murphy (Robert Carrigan)
Gary Oldman (Peter’s Dad)

Tagline: "Home is wherever you make it, and London is just the place to start it all"

Synopsis: Peter Braind (Simpson) has never been satisfied with his life, particularly his over-bearing, overprotective mother (Wilton) constantly looking over his shoulder and shielding him from the world ever since his father (Oldman) died when Peter was seven years old. Her mothering annoyance has only increased when she begins to date a police detective (Irons) as almost a means to watch over him. Since then, he has only been able to talk with two people: his art history professor at school (Murphy) who gives him a sort of introductory philosophical lesson of the world, and his friend Johnny Ringers (Radcliffe), an overtly sexual teenager, not approved by Peter’s mother, who flaunts his sexuality to both male and females for both business and pleasure. Peter does find his world tolerable to an extent, but when he has an incident with a bully at school one day, his mother thinks it’s time to pull him out. Frustrated by this, Peter decides to run away. Johnny finds this a great idea, and he hotwires a car, and the two drive off.

Their road trip takes them to London where Johnny introduces Peter to the home he had lived in for a few years: a bar called “The Third Eye,” and its owner Dr. Capricorn (Williams). Capricorn is a strange man, but a knowledgeable and insightful one as well. He takes the two boys in, giving both of them the upstairs guestroom and Peter a job, and teaches Peter about the mysteries of life he never knew had existed. It is unclear where their new adventure might take them, or if Detective Carson will be tracking Peter with the greatest scrutiny, but one thing is certain: Peter’s life is on a wild new course that will lead him to grand discoveries.

What the Press would say:

Danny Boyle’s quirky, high spirited comedy-drama is a wild and fun ride, and it does provide more of a comedic edge than a dramatic one most of the time. Boyle’s trickery with the camera and the London locations set the audience up for a fun ride with these two characters. Andrew Simpson, of “Notes on a Scandal” fame, provides a quirky performance and brings a great sense of adolescent angst and teenage curiosity for exploration. His partner-in-crime for the film, Daniel Radcliffe, also provides a nice performance to the ensemble. While he is obviously known for his Harry Potter fame, Radcliffe shows us a different side. His playful energy goes well in hand with some striking emotional scenes he has with Simpson’s character, such as conversations about his troubled past and questioned sexuality. Radcliffe has even shown in the Potter films that his range as an actor is growing, and here he showcases it even more. Another supporting player that does well is Paul Williams. Williams does a magnificent job at creating the “wise old man” character. His insights into life are quirky and strange at the same time enlightening and thoughtful. Williams brings this out of the box character into the light and creates something that we won’t ever forget. Frank Cottrell Boyce gives us another sweet, bonding tale laced within the screenplay, and Williams also does a great job at the music: the upbeat score, reminiscent of his nostalgic 70s era, and a road trip song that he collaborated with Bernie Taupin to produce. The campaign consideration:

Best Picture
Best Director: Danny Boyle
Best Actor: Andrew Simpson
Best Supporting Actor: Daniel Radcliffe
Best Supporting Actor: Paul Williams
Best Original Screenplay: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Best Original Score
Best Original Song

"Fallout"

Author(s): Zgamer
Location: Eagle, ID

"Fallout"

Directed by: Jack Bender
Written by: Joss Whedon
Inspired by the video game created by Interplay Studios
Cinematography by: Emanuel Lubezki
Edited by: Dody Dorn
Music by: Hans Zimmer

Main Cast

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Ike
Zachary Quinto as Kor
Thomas Hayden Church as Carne
Hayden Panettiere as Lash
Piper Perabo as Farrah
Ron Perlman as Sir Odion
John Hurt as Dr. Joseph Sampson
Pam Ferris as Dr. Judith Altman

Tagline: "War. War never changes"

Synopsis: The date is April 1, 1992. Ike sits in his sardine-can-like bedroom sipping a cup of rationed water. He is tired, yet his mind is still buzzing about everything that has happened. He still finds it hard to believe that thirty years ago, mankind exterminated itself in seventeen short hours with the weapons that had promised to establish peace. He wasn’t alive then, but he has been told all about how the tensions of the Cold War erupted when the Soviets put the missiles in Cuba. Those who were wise enough retreated to the nuclear vaults that the “insane” folks spent years to build. These couple hundred people were saved as the rest of the world burned outside. Ike’s parents, who were young then, were among those saved. They lived, ate, bred and struggled in that metal tomb for the remainder of their short lives and that is exactly what Ike expected to become of him. Of course, that was before that afternoon.

For the past thirty years, the survivors have kept in contact with each other through a radio signal established two years prior to the conflict. This is the only connection that the twenty-six vaults have had all this time. Then something happened. One week ago, a distress signal was broadcasted from Vault 17, only to be silenced instantly. The next day, two more vaults had their transmissions fail, never to be heard from again. As of two days ago, connection had been lost with a total of seven vaults. It has been a mystery what has happened until only this afternoon. At that time, before connection with Vault 5 was lost, a strange audio message was broadcasted to all the remaining vaults. Everyone froze with fear as these words echoed across their metal walls:

My friends, a new era has begun. Too long has humanity cowered in the pretentious safety of their precious Vaults. It is now the duty of I, Sir Odion, Lord of The Brotherhood of Steel, to bring humanity back into the sunlight so that we may rise again. There has been resistance to this recruitment, which has been dealt with efficiently. While it grieves me to remove fellow men from this world, it is important for our grand mission. The Brotherhood now gives all those who remain a choice. You may join us and help reclaim our world, or you can refuse and expect swift consequences. We will not tolerate cowards and we will not stop until all the Vaults make this decision. But I promise you, this decision will decide whether humanity will survive or ensure its extinction. There is still a war to be fought. There is still an enemy left to be vanquished. We all must face this unfortunate and undeniable reality. Be ready when we come.

It is now 2:30 P.M. Dr. Sampson and Dr. Altman, the leaders of Vault 13 realize that if Vault 13 is to be saved from these invaders, they would need to find weapons and supplies. So they have assembled a team to travel to the nearest vault, Vault 15, and request these items. Among those in the team are Ike, the Vault’s tech professional Kor, it’s security chief Carne, Ike’s sister Lash and the Vault’s communications professional Farrah. As the team assembled to the entrance of the Vault, Ike took a second to think. This would be the first time anyone has ever left the Vault. They have never experienced or seen sunlight. They are ill equipped to face the nuclear-radiated atmosphere outside. And who knows what other dangers exist other than the Brotherhood? Still, as the Vault’s main door opened and the entrance flooded with bright sunlight, Ike knew that there is something bigger out there they would need to face. Something that would alter the course of human existence forever…

What the Press would say:

Imagine if the Cold War had really led to the end of the world. Now imagine if the end was not exactly the end, and you were forced to survive in the hell your fellow man had created for you. That was the crisis faced by the five protagonists of Fallout and it is one that you will not soon forget. Fallout is a movie so uniquely designed that you forget that it’s a re-imagining of an old video game. Maybe that is because unlike most video game adaptations, Fallout is not a mindless run and gun action movie. Sure, there are some great gunfights and action scenes (including an very well crafted battle near the climax that realistically pits the under equipped protagonists against their enemies), but the film is more about the exploration of this destroyed world rather than the fights in it. Through this radiated rubble and sand, director Jack Bender and his crew have created a new vision of mankind’s past/future.

There are enough twists and turns in the plot of Fallout that it would put anyone who thought they knew they could predict a movie’s progression to shame. From the untimely death of one of the group to their capture by the Brotherhood to the revelation of a new threat greater than these metal clad humans, Fallout’s script, expertly penned by “Firefly” creator Whedon, is one of the most intensely satisfying stories to be released to the mainstream audience. The characters are all given distinct and well-developed personalities, so that their progression and decision making feels all the more real. It also helps that Whedon adds a little satire to play off of the old time Cold War fears. To help the script reach its potential, Jack Bender, known for directing many acclaimed episodes of the show “Lost”, makes his movie-directing debut to create a stunningly atmospheric movie. You honestly believe that this is what post-apocalyptic 1992 would look like, with the debris of the old world piled upon the deserts of nuclear fallout and blended with the mix of old and new technology from different time periods. Bender also pulls a nifty trick on the audience by using the camera to act like their eyes, as it adjusts to different light settings and moves around just like a real person would. Thus, Bender puts you into the scene just like a video game, but keeps you at an appropriate distance like a movie. With these details and the help of a good budget and great scenery, Bender has achieved what many directors dream about: creating a credible and believable alternate reality.

If anything though, the cast should receive the most praise. To keep to the realism of the situation, none of the actors wear make-up so their appearance feels more natural. Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines as main character Ike, a young man sent to protect his people from forces beyond his understanding. This is an interesting role for Gordon-Levitt, as Ike is a very deep character whose thoughts and concerns becomes the narration for the audience. It is a subtle yet compelling performance that should give him the recognition he deserves. All the stars play their roles effectively, even people like John Hurt and Pam Ferris whose characters are minor but important. However, the real surprise is the incomparable Ron Perlman. His character, the zealot Odion, is such a complex yet sane and logical individual that it’s hard to tell if he’s truly the villain of the movie. Sure, he’s not a nice guy and the all-metal armor he wears is intimidating, but does he do his actions out of hate or because he has good intentions underneath? Whatever it is, Perlman’s hypnotic voice and great performance are nothing short of Oscar worthy. If you choose to miss this film because it is inspired by a video game, you are missing out on a truly cinematic experience.

Award Possibilities

Best Picture
Best Director (Jack Bender)
Best Actor (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)
Best Supporting Actor (Ron Perlman)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Joss Whedon)
Best Cinematography (Emanuel Lubezki)
Best Art Direction (Nathan Crowley and Julie Ochipinti)
Best Costume Design
Best Editing
Best Sound Design
Best Sound Editing
Best Original Score (Hans Zimmer)

"Grey Gardens"

Author(s): Alex
Location: Washington State

"Grey Gardens"

Directed by Alan Parker
Written by Doug Wright
Music by Scott Frankel
Lyrics by Michael Korie

Main Cast

1941:
Christine Ebersole (Edith Bouvier Beale)
Claire Danes (''Little'' Edie Beale)
Anthony Hopkins (J.V. "Major" Bouvier)
Jude Law (Joe Kennedy)
Mandy Patinkin (George Gould Strong)
Danny Glover (Brooks)
AnnaSophia Robb (Jacqueline Bouvier)
Elle Fanning (Lee Bouvier)

1973:
Christine Ebersole (''Little'' Edie Beale)
Jill Clayburgh (Edith Bouvier Beale)
Hugh Jackman (Jerry)
Gene Wilder (Norman Vincent Peale)
Danny Glover (Brooks)

Tagline: "N/A"

Synopsis: 1941:
The cream of the crop, a house sits in East Hampton, New York. That house is Grey Gardens. Inside, Edith Bouvier Beale and her accompanist George Gould Strong are preparing a recital for her daughter, Edie’s, engagement to Joe Kennedy. She gets everything set with Strong, her butler, Brooks, and her two nieces, Jacqueline and Lee. Everything is set for her husband’s arrival on the 5:15 train from New York City. Everything is going perfectly. Edie and Joe are madly in love and it seems nothing can stop them. They discuss what they wish to do with the rest of their lives. Edie wants to be a Broadway star while Joe wants to pursue a path in politics. Edie’s grandfather, J.V. “Major” Bouvier, hits his golf balls and tells his grandchildren what it means to be a proper Bouvier. He is very disappointed in his daughter and considers her a complete nutcase, which she may be.

Although everything is going as planned, everyone is gathered for a short song from Edith. She unwisely chooses the song “Hominy Grits”. In the song, she plays a black slave singing about cooking grits. The Major is outraged at what he hears. To cheer her mother up, Edie sings a duet called “Peas in a Pod” that they used to sing together; the very first song Edith ever taught Edie. When Edie goes upstairs to spend some time with her cousins, Edith decides to have a little talk with Joe. She reveals to him some instances of Edie’s lack of good judgment. This makes Joe reconsider their engagement. Edie explains that her mother is simply trying to hog the spotlight and that everything will be better when her father arrives. He agrees to have a chat with her father, but when Edie receives a telegram from her father saying that he won’t be returning and is leaving them for another woman, Joe realizes that he can’t stay. He breaks off the engagement and leaves. Edie is furious with her mother and bolts out the door to make a name for herself on Broadway. With the guests arriving, Edith’s world is falling apart.

1973:
Coming back to Grey Gardens to care for bedridden Edith, Edie is now in her forties. The house is nothing like what it used to be. In ruin, it’s now home to the two women and their 58 cats. The house has no plumbing and cobwebs are everywhere. Edie is terribly bitter and still vividly remembers the day when her mother crushed her dreams. She goes through the piling eviction notices while she dances in her somewhat interesting wardrobe.

Although she insists her mother ruined her, Edith has absolutely no regrets about the way she lived her life. Edie soon starts to have trouble telling the difference between the past and present as ghosts of the old house come back to haunt her. Because of the renovations requested by the government, a local kid by the name of Jerry comes by to help. Edith and Edie often vie for Jerry’s attention. Edie sings him an old fashioned WWII style number, but Edith cooks him some corn that he absolutely loves. Jealous, Edie goes away to her collection of memorabilia where she still has dreams of leaving the old house. She hears her mother singing for Jerry downstairs, but when she joins them and sings along her Edith demands that she leave, finding some peace in the daily preachings of radio-evangelist Norman Vincent Peale. Edie starts to once again pack her bags, not to the knowledge of her mother and Jerry, and begins to leave, but for some reason she can’t get past the garden’s gate. Brooks tries to help her, but Edie refuses. She goes back to her mother and they sing “Two Peas in a Pod” and realize that the only people they’ve ever truly loved were each other.

What the Press would say:

Alan Parker, who directed the film version of “Evita”, comes back to the genre to direct the Tony-Award winning musical, “Grey Gardens”. Although “Evita” scored big at the Golden Globes, it failed to catch on with the Oscars. This is something that “Grey Gardens” promises not to do. The story of two very different and interesting stars Tony-Award winner Christine Ebersole, who reprises her roles from the Broadway stage. Although most actors had more than one role in the show on Broadway, Ebersole is the only one playing more than one role playing both rebellious Edie and the stubborn Edith. She gives the best performance I’ve ever seen in a musical, beating out Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rita Moreno, Jennifer Hudson, etc. Her range is shown marvelously from her extremely hilarious rendition of “The Revolutionary Costume for Today” and the heartbreaking “Another Winter in a Summer Town”. She won the Tony, will surely win the Golden Globe, and is definitely on her way to an Oscar nomination. Jill Clayburgh plays Edith in the second half of the film, which takes place in 1973. Her wonderful performance is at it’s best during her song “Jerry Likes My Corn”. Only she could pull off a song like that. A hilarious performance that got Mary Louise Wilson a Tony will surely win Jill Clayburgh an Oscar. Claire Danes plays Edie in the first half of the film, set in 1941. She is also magnificent and presents us with a character that is absolutely electrifying. Her performance in the song “Daddy’s Girl”, in which she sings to her fiancée about her father and how he can save their engagement, is heartbreaking, especially when she learns that her father won’t be coming. Something especially fun about the film is watching

Ebersole first sing “Peas in a Pod” with Danes and then again with Clayburgh. “Grey Gardens”, the premiere musical of it’s time, could possibly see Oscar nominations in the following categories:

Best Picture
Best Director (Alan Parker)
Best Actress (Christine Ebersole)
Best Supporting Actress (Jill Clayburgh)
Best Supporting Actress (Claire Danes)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Doug Wright)

"Hard Candy: The Last Stand"

Author(s): Patrick D.
Location: Long Island, NY

"Hard Candy: The Last Stand"

Directed by: David Slade
Written by: Brian Nelson

Main Cast

Ellen Page as Hayley Stark
Paddy Considine as Simon Davis
Ashley Johnson as Tracey Wallace
Eric Bogosian as John Robbins
Willem Dafoe as Eric Stark
Patrick Wilson as Jeff Kohlver

Tagline: "Last summer, she was the predator. This summer, she's the pray"

Synopsis: Taking place three years after Hard Candy, Hayley Stark (Page) has just been released from prison after being convicted of Manslaughter, after a exhausting police investigation headed by Detective John Robbins (Bogosian). She must deal with her personal demons, and be accepted by her father, Eric (Dafoe), who can't find it in himself to forgive her for what she did. She also must keep herself in line, as she's under surveillance by the police. Mostly Detective Robbins, who's not convinced that she's given up her vigilante ways.

But when her friend Tracey (Johnson) confesses to Hayley that she was raped by Simon Davis (Considine), her boss at a convenience store. Hayley begins to forget her goals and plans a revenge for Simon. When she attempts the attack, she quickly realizes that Detective Robbins has placed her under 24-hour watch, and that nothing she does goes un-noticed. She decides to work at the store, and learn more about Davis, trying to think of a way she could get revenge for her friend without being seen. When Simon attempts to rape Hayley, she fights him off and alerts the police. Not only do they not believe her, but they can't find any "probable cause." But she doesn't quit there.

Taking a complete 180 degree turn from the original, this sequel to Hard Candy changes everything from the first. Following a new formula, new structure, and new story. With a heart-pounding climax and startling conclusion, Hard Candy: The Last Stand can be compared the the Godfather Part II's of it's generation, one of the rare sequels as good as the original.

What the Press would say:

"Spellbinding!" - Chicago Sun-Times

"Two Thumbs up!" - Ebert and Roeper at the Movies.

"F! This movie made me force my daughters to quit acting!" - Rolling Stone.

There have been sequels I've seen that have been needless cash-ins. They have plots that sound like they were put together in minutes, and scripts that sould like they were written by eighth graders. But this one was made for substance, not cash (which isn't surprising since the original only made one million dollars). Ellen Page takes her preformance from the original film and makes it 10x better, 10x more complicated, and 10x more compelling. She's not just a girl on the edge anymore, she has something to lose. Paddy Considine takes his role and has fun with it, as sinister and evil as it is, he does his best to steal the show. Ashley Johnson runs with it, mixing sympathy and sadness, and coming out tear-jerking. Willem Dafoe and Eric Bogosian round out the talented cast, Dafoe playing the estranged father to a T, and Bogosian playing the obsessed officer with genuine emotion. Packed with crackling dialogue, heart wretching plot turns, and beautiful direction, Hard Candy: The Last Stand is a winner.

"House Of A Shattered Soul"

Author(s): Bryce Marrero
Location: LA, CA

"House Of A Shattered Soul"

Directed by: Frank Darabont
Written by: Frank Darabont
Produced by: Frank Darabont, David V. Lester, and Frank Marshall

Supernatural / Drama

Main Cast

Tim Roth as Jeremy Donald
Catherine Keener as Kathy Donald
Miriam McDonald as Katie Donald
James Earl Jones as The Figure
Eddie Izzard as Cameron White
Gary Sinise as Richard Blake
Timothy Olyphant as Michael Dotson

Tagline: "Can nightmares become miracles?"

Synopsis: Jeremy Donald, his wife Kathy Donald, and his daughter Katie Donald have been searching for a suitable home for quite some time. They are finally able to find a house that meets their needs, but after spending some nights at the house they start to realize just how special their house is.

At nights, Jeremy would be haunted by a blurry outline of a ghastly person he names, "The Figure". Nights become more and more intense for the family as they are given many freights. The family finally has enough, and tells others about their haunted house, in hopes of getting some answers.

However, word spreads quickly of the haunted house, and the world ends up viewing the house as a miracle. They view the house as a proclamation of proof that there is life after death, a revelation that the end may be near, and a phenomenon sent directly from the afterlife. Many people come from around the world to visit the Donald's haunted house. They hope to find answers to questions that can inspire hope.

Among these people are Cameron White, a rich entrepreneur who is losing everything to pay for the medical bills of his dying wife, Richard Blake, a father who has lost a reason to live after he witness the death of his son, and Michael Dotson, a criminal who has murdered many but wants redemption in his life. They all travel to the Donald's house in hopes of answers and reasons, but they are treated to frightening situations with divine meanings.

The world starts proclaiming Jeremy as the new Shepard, the new leader that will help lead the way to a better life, and the gate keeper to the afterlife. Jeremy asks himself, "why me? why me out of all people?", and finds the answer after many conversations with The Figure. The more he believes that this haunting is a miracle the more he becomes distant with his family.

While the rest of the world is amazed by the haunting they label as a miracle, Kathy and Katie Donald are still frighten. It seems to them that the more praise the house gets the more dangerous it becomes to live in.

Jeremy must soon choose between his religious faith and his family, before all is lost...

What the Press would say:

The typical haunted house story has always been attached to cliche horror films, but "House of a Shattered Soul" proves that not all haunted stories have to be scary. This amazing film is about a haunted house looked at as a miracle by the world. But while the world looks at it as a miracle, the family living in the house looks at it as a nightmare. Conflicts of family versus religious faith, real versus fake, and dreams versus hopes are brought up through out the film that are sure to strike a nerve with audiences. The film isn't a horror flick, but rather a drama that deals with supernatural situations and the paranormal. Darabont is successfully able to combine an eerie religious feel, along with an epic atmosphere to give us one of the most compelling movies of the year.

Tim Roth plays the lead as the man who is seen as the connector or "gatekeeper" between the living and the supernatural. The role demands him to become more and more delusional as he starts believing in all the hype that is created. His character is slowly being torn apart and transformed into a disaster while the supernatural events in his house leads him into an intense level of confusion of who he really is or suppose to become, a question that many of us sometimes ask ourselves. Catherine Keener, who plays the wife of the haunted household, plays a mirror image of Tim Roth's character. Instead of embracing the hype and supernatural events, she instead turns away from it, which result in the emotional destruction of her character as she appears to be reacting to the supernatural events more hostile than her husband. This results in Tim giving the most intense performance of man versus self, as he must fight his own delusions in order to save his wife and his daughter, played by Miriam McDonald, before the house harms them.

The movie also treats audiences to many great supporting performances as well. From the inspiring but spooky performance of The Figure, played by James Earl Jones, to the heart warming performance of a father, played by Gary Sinise, who has lost the will to live, but finds it again after an experience with the haunted house.

"House of a Shattered Soul" is a spiritual, and epic mind teaser with lots of great performances and deep themes that are sure to rattle audiences. It is very refreshing to see an entertaining twist on an out of genre, played out subject. It is the best movie of the year, and worth seeing in a theater near you.

Best Picture
Best Director- Frank Darabont
Best Actor- Tim Roth
Best Actress- Catherine Keener
Best Supporting Actor- Gary Sinise
Best Supporting Actor- James Earl Jones
Best Supporting Actor- Eddie Izzard
Best Original Screenplay- Frank Darabont

"In Between"

Author(s): George
Location: Atlanta

"In Between"

Directed by: Billy Ray
Written by: Billy Ray
Music by: Klaus Badlet

Main Cast

Thomas Kretschmann as Wilhelm
Tim Roth as Andrew
Kate Beckinsale as Anna
Jason Isaacs as Gustav

Tagline: "N/A"

Synopsis: It’s December in 1938 Germany. Wilhelm is an average German who feels as if he does not belong to his country. He has been a failure at every job he has done since he ran away from home when he was sixteen. He is completely oblivious to Germany ’s rise to power because of his own self-pity. He decides to end his life, but is saved by a military officer named Gustav. He shows Wilhelm the glory and power of the Third Reich and Wilhelm finally sees a place where he belongs, and is swept off his feet by the new way Germany is taking over the world. He is finally happy.

It’s December in 1939 Germany, a year after Gustav showed Wilhelm the greatness of the Nazi party. He has fallen in love with Gustav’s friend, Anna, and they are living happily while Gustav is on duty in eastern Berlin . Wilhelm has now learned how terrible every other country in Europe is, and how they must be killed quickly along with America and the pesty Jews. Gustav has not gone into details about where the Jews go, but Wilhelm does not care as long as he is happy. While at a Nazi parade, Wilhelm is pulled aside by a well-cultured Englishman. He learns that he is a journalist named Andrew, trying to do a story on the average Nazi German. Wilhelm is happy to tell him about the greatness of the Party and how inferior the other European countries are. Andrew probes him about how he feels about Jews and America . Wilhelm feels insulted and his temper runs high. Andrew tries to make amends, but to no avail.

The next day he bumps into Andrew again after a row with Anna. Andrew says he is sorry and he has to show him something. He shows him information about where the Jewish people go. Into camps where they die and are starved. That is why so many are migrating to England and America . Wilhelm is repulsed and accuses Andrew of being evil. He then goes to the local pub and embraces himself in beer, trying to forget what he saw. When goes home he sees Anna has moved her family into the apartment. Wilhelm is very stressed about how much food he needs, and starts to yell about how he has to do everything, but gets quiet once he starts to get dizzy. Andrew appears at the place, having tailed Wilhelm home, and gives some money to him. He then invites Andrew to spend the night. They both have a mutual understanding that they are enemies, but Wilhelm can find no evil in this man. Over the week he talks more and more with Andrew and sees that he has been blind by his own happiness. Germany has been evil to many people and places. Wilhelm still does not want to believe it. How can this happen? How did his perfect life get turned upside down so quickly? Wilhelm is in a place where he cannot turn back, and now realizes the winning side is not always the right one.

Wilhelm cannot see sense and goes home to collect his thoughts and try to see where his life is going. Gustav has been visiting and is living in the apartment next to him. When he goes home, he sees Anna and her family climbing out of the window. Anna explains that her family is Jewish, and she can’t just leave them. Wilhelm is shocked and horrified. He starts for the door to get Gustav, and Anna and her family are crying for him not to. What should he do? He is caught in between. Between his love for his wife and his love for his country. He yells for Gustav, and he comes crashing in with more guards. He says he has been suspicious of Anna for a while, and orders Wilhelm to stand away, but Wilhelm does not move. He is still stunned. All of a sudden Andrew breaks into the apartment. He tries to fight the guards off, but is held back and shot. Wilhelm yells and is clubbed to the floor. Anna and her family are taken away, as Wilhelm lies on the floor dazed. He goes over to Andrew and starts to cry for the first time in his life. He asks why Andrew told him that information about Germany . Andrew smiles and says because Wilhelm was good man, and dies. Wilhelm cries over the body, knowing he has killed everyone he loved because he was in servitude of the wrong side. He was the real villain, and he would have to live with that for the rest of his life…

What the Press would say:

Billy Ray is a semi-unknown, but amazing director, best known for his very interesting films including SHATTERED GLASS, and BREACH. Both of these films have main characters that aren’t very hero-like at all, and IN BETWEEN is no exception. Its main anti-hero being a Nazi himself provides lots of room for Ray to use his mastery over camera and script. Thomas Kretschmann gives an amazing and smart performance as Wilhelm, a Nazi caught in between. He is a joy to watch as you go through highs and incredible lows with him and see something freshly different about a Nazi man simply swept off his feet. The film itself is a character study of one man and his desperate attempt at happiness, which gives the viewer a sense of claustrophobia and makes the film even more real. The rest of the cast does their job well, Beckinsale showing good range, Roth having amazing chemistry with Kretschmann, and Isaacs looking as evil as ever. The film moves at a pace some would consider to slowly, but the pacing really makes an unforgettable mood to the picture. This film really should be seen by regular people and historians alike to see how each will respond to its main character. This film leaves an impression on you long after it’s over, and will not be forgotten soon.

Awards:

Best Picture
Best Actor (Kretschmann)
Best Director (Ray)
Best Screenplay (Ray)
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Best Make-Up

"Indigo Prophecy"

Author(s): Zgamer
Location: Eagle, ID

"Indigo Prophecy"

Directed by: James McTeigue
Written by: Josh Olsen and David Cage
Produced by: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski and Joel Silver
Based on the video game created by David Cage and Quantic Dreams
Cinematography by: Bill Pope
Edited by: Zach Staenberg
Re-Orchestrated Score by: Dario Marianelli

Main Cast

Ryan Gosling as Lucas Kane
Rosario Dawson as Carla Valenti
Craig Robinson as Tyler Miles
Mark Wahlberg as Markus Kane
Rudy Youngblood as The Oracle
Rose McGowan as Samantha Malone
Tagline: Guilt is a chilling feeling

Tagline: "Guilt is a chilling feeling"

Synopsis: Manhattan is paralyzed with snow. A mysterious cold front has enveloped the city and is gradually dropping the temperature each day. As the sky continues to darken from the unceasing clouds, something peculiar has occurred in the city. In a small restaurant called Doc’s Diner, a bizarre murder has just taken place. The victim was killed in the diner’s bathroom by repeated stabs to the chest. There seems to be no motivation for this attack. He has no known enemies or connections with mobs or drug dealers. However, a suspect has been named and the events that will follow will change the lives of those involved forever.

The key player among these people is Lucas Kane, a technical expert for a small bank. He has no criminal past or known compulsions for murder, yet he knows he was the one who killed the man at the diner. But it wasn’t his choice. One minute he was sitting at one of the diner’s booths alone, the next his body begins moving on its own accord like a marionette. He could see his body move into the bathroom, cut weird symbols into his arm with a knife he was using and proceed to stab some man washing his hands, but he could do nothing to stop it. Lucas knows some outside source possessed him to do the act, but he has no logical way to explain it. There is hope though. Reports soon emerge of similar bizarre murders being committed in the city, each with the same symbol cut into the murderer’s arm. Along with this, Lucas begins seeing visions of a Mayan Oracle who is plaguing his mind with images of death and horror. Lucas’s only hope now is to find the link between these events and clear the names of all involved.

However, many obstacles stand in Lucas’s way. Among them are detectives Carla Valenti and Tyler Miles, who have been ordered to bring Lucas into custody by any means necessary. These two both have there own problems to deal with though. Carla is a smart but overconfident perfectionist who couldn’t be more convinced Lucas is a psychotic lunatic while Tyler is a pessimistic but kind hearted man who would prefer to finish the case fast so he can save his relationship with his girlfriend Samantha. There’s also Lucas’s older brother Markus, a catholic priest whose beliefs cause him to be torn with the decision of whether to turn Lucas in or not. And unknown to Lucas, The Oracle from his visions lurks in the shadows, using his supernatural power to plot Lucas’s demise.

But as the day progresses and new details begin to emerge, Lucas, his brother and the two detectives become drawn into a new dilemma that goes beyond a few murders. Rumors begin to circulate the city, which speak of a child of destiny. This Indigo Child, as she’s called, is said to be the one who holds the true knowledge of the meaning of life. For thousands of years, two ancient clans have fought to find this child. The Orange Clan, whose harbinger is The Oracle, wish to use the child to maintain their control of the world’s governments. The Purple Clan, led by a race of artificial intelligences, want to use her secret to exterminate all human life and rule Earth. But whoever it is that eventually finds the child, her secret eventually must be told. If it does not reach the ears of another person, the continually expanding cold front will engulf the planet. So it is now up to those four people to make a choice. Will they go the lengths to save the child from the wrong people or will they simply wait for the cold to freeze over their corpses?

What the Press would say:

Suspense, surrealism, mystery and a bit of gravity defying action. That’s what you should prepare yourself for this stunning atmospheric wonder from the director of V For Vendetta. This by far one of James McTeigue most ambitious films yet. Not only is it an adaptation of an acclaimed but low selling video game, but it is also one of the most bizarre stories he has done yet (which is saying a lot given his and the Wachowski brothers’ track record). Fortunately for us, McTeigue succeeds on all fronts. With an engaging but thoughtfully paced story, sympathetic characters and a wonderful understanding of atmosphere and mood, McTeigue has created another triumph that will sure earn him critical and commercial success.

So what is the film’s secret? Bill Pope’s stunning cinematography? Dario Marianelli’s beautiful score? The snappy split screen segments that show how the focus is not just on one person (a nice homage to the original game)? Well, if there’s anything that gives this movie a big benefit, it’s the style to which McTeigue approaches the film. The colors have a beautiful yet grainy quality, mystery surrounds the city like the snow that continually falls on the streets and each scene is approached with quality and energy (a particularly memorable scene involves a getaway in which Lucas tries to escape the cops on foot through a traffic filled street). McTeigue’s handling of the film’s surreal feel with the intense action really creates a great atmosphere that puts the audience into this extreme situation. However, he knows how to handle things when the action slows and the drama begins, as the relationship and interactions between the characters feel credible and real. The script, written by Josh Olsen and the game’s original director/writer David Cage, is a thing of beauty. The characters are all well defined, the dialogue feels natural and the film flows at a well thought out pace similar to V For Vendetta’s, never too fast or too slow. Every moment of the film, from the beautiful opening sequence to the intense finale (an improvement from the original game’s ok ending), is visually arresting and done with quality.

What will stun people the most though is the quality of the acting in Indigo Prophecy. All the cast compliment the expertly written characters perfectly. Gosling excels as main character Lucas, a loner inevitably drawn into a conspiracy beyond his control. He hits all the right notes in his portrayal, underplaying his character effectively so he is still the center of focus, but doesn’t distract the audience from the actions going on behind him. On a side note, Gosling can really kick butt (he obviously did quite a bit of training for his hand-to-hand combat scenes). But where is a strong man without an equally strong woman? Dawson is Gosling’s match as the over-dedicated detective Carla Valenti, with all the charisma and inner strength that makes her character a role model to women cops everywhere. Dawson surprises everyone by creating a very deep character, who has her own personality, desires and fears (the scene where Carla tries to fight her claustrophobia is intense!) The other main characters all play their parts well, from Mark Wahlberg’s mature take on priest Markus to the surprisingly deep dramatic turn by “The Office’s” Craig Robinson as the street wise pessimist Tyler. Even Youngblood, whose part is minor in comparison to the others, is effectively foreboding as the mysterious and powerful Oracle.

Indigo Prophecy is a film that needs to be seen. It has such a sense of wonder, mystery and suspense that all who watch it will easily be drawn into this alternate world.

Awards Possibilities

Best Picture
Best Director (James McTeigue)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Josh Olsen and David Cage)
Best Actor (Ryan Gosling)
Best Actress (Rosario Dawon)
Best Supporting Actor (Craig Robinson)
Best Supporting Actor (Mark Wahlberg)
Best Cinematography
Best Art/Set Direction
Best Editing
Best Sound Editing
Best Original Score