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
Saturday, June 21, 2008
"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
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
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
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
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)
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)
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