Tuesday, December 24, 2013

2012 National Film Registry - Complete List

[Forgot to post this last year, but the release of the 2013 list was a reminder, of course.]

Films Selected to the 2012 National Film Registry

3:10 to Yuma (1957)
Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
The Augustas (1930s-1950s)
Born Yesterday (1950)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
A Christmas Story (1983)
The Corbett-Fitzsimmons Title Fight (1897)
Dirty Harry (1971)
Hours for Jerome: Parts 1 and 2 (1980-82)
The Kidnappers Foil (1930s-1950s)
Kodachrome Color Motion Picture Tests (1922)
A League of Their Own (1992)
The Matrix (1999)
The Middleton Family at the New York World’s Fair (1939)
One Survivor Remembers (1995)
Parable (1964)
Samsara: Death and Rebirth in Cambodia (1990)
Slacker (1991)
Sons of the Desert (1933)
The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973)
They Call It Pro Football (1966)
The Times of Harvey Milk (1984)
Two-Lane Blacktop (1971)
Uncle Tom's Cabin (1914)
The Wishing Ring; An Idyll of Old England (1914)


Monday, December 23, 2013

Kansas City Film Critics Choose "12 Years a Slave" 2013's Best Film

by Amos Semien

The Kansas City Film Critics Circle named director Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave the "Best Film" of 2013.  McQueen shared the "Robert Altman Award for Best Director" with Alfonso Cuaron (for the film Gravity).  Cuaron has been a favorite of many critics groups this year.

Founded in 1967, The Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) says that it is the "second oldest professional film critics" association in the United States" (behind the New York Film Critics Circle).  The organization is composed of media film critics in the Kansas City metropolitan area.  The KCFCC’s awards are named for the group’s founder, James Loutzenhiser, who died in November 2001.

On Sunday, December 15th, 2013, the Kansas City Film Critics Circle announced the winners of its 47th annual awards.

2013 Loutzenhiser Awards:

Best Film: 12 Years a Slave

Robert Altman Award for Best Director – Tie: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity & Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave

Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave

Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, Gravity

Best Supporting Actor: Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave

Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave

Best Original Screenplay: Spike Jonze, Her

Best Adapted Screenplay: John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave

Best Animated Film – Tie: Despicable Me 2 & Frozen

Best Foreign Film: Blue Is the Warmest Color (France)

Best Documentary: The Act of Killing

Vince Koehler Award for Best Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror Film: Her

http://www.kcfcc.org/

END


Sunday, December 22, 2013

Happy Birthday, Joey

Wow!  I can't believe it!  It seems like just yesterday!  11?!

Review: "The Heat" is Hot

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 83 (of 2013) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Heat (2013)
Running time:  117 minutes (1 hours, 57 minutes)
MPAA – R pervasive language, strong crude content and some violence
DIRECTOR:  Paul Feig
WRITER:  Katie Dippold
PRODUCERS:  Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Robert Yeoman (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Jay Deuby and Brent White
COMPOSER:  Mike Andrews

COMEDY/CRIME/ACTION

Starring:  Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Demian Bichir, Marlon Wayans, Michael Rapport, Jane Curtin, Spoken Reasons, Dan Bakkedahl, Taran Killam, Michael McDonald, Tom Wilson, Joey McIntyre, Michael Tucci, Bill Burr, and Nathan Corddry

The Heat is a 2013 crime comedy and buddy cop movie directed by Paul Feig.  The film stars Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy as (respectively) an uptight FBI Special Agent and a foul-mouthed Boston cop trying to take down a ruthless drug lord.

FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) works in the New York FBI field office, where she is very effective and skilled.  She is also arrogant and condescending, which may cost her a promotion.  Her boss, Hale (Demian Bichir), sends her to Boston to investigate a powerful drug kingpin named Larkin that few people have actually seen.  However, Ashburn’s investigation crashes into an ongoing investigation being conducted by Detective Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy) of the Boston Police Department.  Mullins is quite skilled, capable, and streetwise, but she is also crass, foulmouthed, and rebellious.  Ashburn and Mullins are forced to work together, but their clash of personalities threatens to derail both lives and careers.

What can I say?  The Heat is funny.  It is yet another comedy blockbuster starring the still-red-hot Melissa McCarthy.  She is good in this film, but her obnoxious-on-steroids turn as Shannon Mullins works best because she plays off Sandra Bullock’s turn as Ashburn.  Bullock, who practically always plays likable characters, makes even the anal and snobby Ashburn emphatically likable.

The best thing that director Paul Feig, who directed also McCarthy in Bridesmaids, did was just let these two lovable movie stars and talented actresses do what they do.  The result, of course, is fast food film product that goes does quick and easy like a “Big Mac” when you’re hungry.  Feig even gives some supporting actors a chance to shine.  As Levy, Marlon Wayans quietly shows that he can easily and convincingly perform a role that is nothing more than a generic white guy whose sole purpose is to assist the lead characters.  This simple part proves that Wayans can perform just about any role.

Somewhere in the middle of this film, I thought that it seemed familiar.  Then, I realized that The Heat is a 21st century, gender roles-reversed, version of producer Joel Silver’s 1980s and 1990s film franchise, Lethal Weapon.  I would indeed like The Heat to become a franchise.  In fact, The Heat could be the perfect replacement for Lethal Weapon.

7 of 10
B+

Saturday, December 07, 2013

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.



The Hobbit 2 Crosses $300 Million in Worldwide Box Office

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” Crosses $300 Million Worldwide

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On the heels of its #1 openings around the globe, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” has surpassed $300 million at the worldwide box office after seven days in release. The film, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), has taken in an estimated $104.6 million domestically and $213.6 million internationally, for a worldwide estimated total to date of $318.2 million, including $23 million from IMAX theatres worldwide.

“The phenomenal numbers we’re seeing across the globe prove the universal appeal of this story and the tremendous buzz surrounding the film. We’re expecting ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ to continue to build momentum as we move into the Holidays and the New Year.”

The joint announcement was made today by Gary Barber, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios; Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema; Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures; Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures; and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is the second film in Oscar®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson’s epic “The Hobbit” Trilogy, based on the timeless novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. The first film, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” was released on December 14, 2012, and went on to become a billion dollar success at the worldwide box office.

Opening day showings for “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” starting at midnight on December 12, were sold out, some weeks in advance, and thousands of fans waited in line to be among the first to see the movie. The film hit #1 in the U.S. and in nearly every one of the 49 territories in which it was released. Major markets yet to open include Japan and Australia.

In making the announcement, Barber said, “We are thrilled that the fans have responded to this film with such passion and I want to tip my hat to Peter, the cast, and the entire team behind the scenes as well as our partners at New Line and Warner Bros. Our congratulations to all involved for reaching this impressive benchmark so swiftly.”

Emmerich added, “We couldn’t be happier for our filmmakers and cast. ‘Smaug’ is a breathtaking expansion of Peter’s realization of Middle-earth. And we’re all extremely pleased that moviegoers are embracing the movie.”

Kroll stated, “Since the billion dollar success of the first movie, we’ve been building anticipation worldwide with events and screenings that reach out to fans across the globe, and it’s been tremendously exciting to see so much enthusiasm for this film. Peter Jackson and his remarkable cast and filmmaking team have been very much a part of this effort and we congratulate them on this tremendous opening.”

Fellman said, “Peter Jackson has created one of the most successful franchises in motion picture history and ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ continues this incredible 3D journey through Middle-earth that audiences love. It is a great film for the holidays and we’re confident that strong word-of-mouth will continue to draw the whole family into this theatrical adventure through the New Year.”

Kwan Vandenberg noted, “The phenomenal numbers we’re seeing across the globe prove the universal appeal of this story and the tremendous buzz surrounding the film. We’re expecting ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ to continue to build momentum as we move into the Holidays and the New Year.”

From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” the second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, with Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. The international ensemble cast is led by Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, and Orlando Bloom as Legolas. The film also stars Mikael Persbrandt, Sylvester McCoy, Aidan Turner, Dean O’Gorman, Graham McTavish, Adam Brown, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Stephen Hunter, Ryan Gage, John Bell, Manu Bennett and Lawrence Makoare.

The screenplay for “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. Jackson also produced the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Philippa Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers.

New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a WingNut Films Production, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” The film is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.

www.thehobbit.com


Austin Film Critics Dance with "Her" as 2013's Best Film

by Amos Semien

The Austin Film Critics Association named Spike Jonze's Her as the "Best Film" of 2013, one of three wins for the film.  12 Years a Slave also received three honors from the group and finished second on the group's top ten films of 2013 list.

The Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) describes itself as “a group dedicated to supporting the best in film, whether at the international, national, or local level.”  The group includes Austin-based members who write for such publications, television media, and websites as Ain't It Cool News, the Austin American-Statesman, the Austin Chronicle, CNN, Fandango, Film.com, Film School Rejects, Fox News, MSN Movies, Movies.com, among others.

2012 AFCA Awards:

Best Film: Her (Spike Jonze)

Best Director: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity

Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave

Best Actress: Brie Larson, Short Term 12

Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave

Best Original Screenplay: Spike Jonze, Her

Best Adapted Screenplay: John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave

Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki, Gravity

Best Score: Arcade Fire, Her

Best Foreign Language Film: Blue is the Warmest Color (Abdellatif Kechiche)

Best Documentary: The Act of Killing (Joshua Oppenheimer)

Best Animated Film: Frozen (Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee)

Best First Film: Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler)

Breakthrough Artist: Brie Larson, Short Term 12

Best Austin Film: Before Midnight (Richard Linklater)

Special Honorary Award: Scarlett Johansson, for her outstanding voice performance in Her

AFCA 2013 Top Ten Films:

1. Her
2. 12 Years a Slave
3. Gravity
4. The Wolf of Wall Street
5. Inside Llewyn Davis
6. Short Term 12
7. Mud
8. Before Midnight
9. Dallas Buyers Club
10. Captain Phillips

END

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Alliance of Women Film Journalists Chooses "12 Years a Slave"

by Amos Semien

The Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Inc. (AWFJ) present the annual EDA Awards “in recognition of outstanding accomplishments (the best and worst) by and about women in the movies.”

The AWFJ named director Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave the "Best Film" of 2013, for which McQueen also won "Best Director."  On the "women only" side of the awards, Nicole Holofcener won for directing and writing her film, Enough Said.

2013 EDA Award Winners
[ Statement from the AWFJ:  With sincerest appreciation for all the great work that’s been done in film this year, the Alliance of Women Film Journalists is pleased to announce the winners of the 2013 EDA Awards. Congrats to all!]

AWFJ EDA ‘BEST OF’ AWARDS

Best Film
•12 Years a Slave

Best Director (Female or Male)
•Steve McQueen - 12 Years a Slave

Best Screenplay, Original
•Her – Spike Jonze

Best Screenplay, Adapted
•John Ridley - 12 Years a Slave

Best Documentary
•Stories We Tell – Sarah Polley

Best Animated Film
•The Wind Rises - Hayao Miyazaki

Best Actress
•Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
•Lupita Nyong’o - 12 Years a Slave

Best Actor
•Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
•Jared Leto - Dallas Buyers Club

Best Ensemble Cast
•American Hustle

Best Editing
•Gravity - Alfonso Cuaron and Mark Sanger

Best Cinematography
•Gravity - Emmanuel Lubezki

Best Film Music Or Score
•Inside Llewyn Davis – T-Bone Burnett

Best Non-English-Language Film
•The Hunt – Thomas Vinterberg – Denmark

EDA FEMALE FOCUS AWARDS – These awards honor WOMEN only.

Best Woman Director
•Nicole Holofcener - Enough Said

Best Woman Screenwriter
•Nicole Holofcener - Enough Said

Kick Ass Award For Best Female Action Star
•Sandra Bullock – Gravity

Best Animated Female
•Anna (Kristen Bell) in Frozen

Best Breakthrough Performance
•Lupita Nyong’o - 12 Years A Slave

Actress Defying Age and Ageism
•Sandra Bullock – Gravity

AWFJ EDA Female Icon Award – (Presented to an actress for the portrayal of the most positive female role model, or for a role in which she takes personal and/or career risks to plumb the female psyche and therefore gives us courage to plumb our own, and/or for putting forth the image of a woman who is heroic, accomplished, persistent, demands her rights and/or the rights of others.)
•Angelina Jolie for continued commitments to humanitarian causes, and for promoting awareness about breast cancer.

This Year’s Outstanding Achievement By A Woman In The Film Industry – (Presented only when warranted to a female who has had a banner-making, record-breaking, industry-changing achievement during any given year.)
•Haaifa Al-Mansour for challenging the limitations placed on women within her culture by making the film Wadjda.

EDA SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS

AWFJ Hall Of Shame Award
•The Counselor – Ridley Scott

Actress Most in Need Of A New Agent
•Cameron Diaz for The Counselor

Movie You Wanted To Love But Just Couldn’t Award
•The Counselor

Unforgettable Moment Award
•12 Years A Slave – Solomon Northrup hanging

Best Depiction Of Nudity, Sexuality, or Seduction Award
•Her - Scarlett Johansson and Joaquin Phoenix for their digital lovemaking.

Sequel or Remake That Shouldn’t Have Been Made Award (Tie)
•Carrie
•Oz, Great and Powerful

Most Egregious Age Difference Between The Leading Man and The Love Interest Award
•Last Vegas – Michael Douglas and Bre Blair

END