Similar Name, Not The Same: Avatar

Writing about Avatar: The Last Airbender has got me thinking about all the movies coming out with similar titles.

I'm not talking about movies about the same thing, or even with the same character...no, just movies with similar tiles.

And so, I begin the "Similar Name, Not the Same Series" with...

Avatar & Avatar: The Last Airbender

Avatar (2009): A military man goes to a lush rain forest with ten foot tall blue people. The man lives in a body suit that allows him to breathe and he falls in love with a blue woman.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2010): Human civilization is divided into four kingdoms: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. The fire kingdom is bad, and only one human is left from the air kingdom can unite them all.

Common Theme: Even though they both have love stories, they still probably make bad date movies.

Not the same: James Cameron's Avatar will be viewed as a sci-fi success, M. Night Shymalan's The Last Airbender seems like it's positioned only to engage fans of the TV show.

Other movies in the Similar Name, Not the Same Series:
* 9 and Nine
* Up & Up in the Air
* A Single Man & A Serious Man

Similar Name, Not the Same: A Single/Serious Man

In connection with the "Similar Name, Not the Same" series...

I present...

A Single Man & A Serious Man

A Single Man: Fashion designer Tom Ford directorial debut is a book adaptation about a gay British college professor (Colin Firth) who after the death of his partner tries to go through a typical day in Los Angeles. The films technical staff involves many of the artist between the sets and props of AMC's Mad Men.

A Serious Man: The Coen Brothers is the black comedy set in 1967 Minnesota about a Jewish family, primarily Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg) a physics professor who's life is falling part and who is having a spiritual crisis of belief.

Common Theme: Both films take place in a similar era, both focusing on professors who feel isolated as they experience loss. Both will likely receive critical praise and awards attention, and both have relatively boring and generic titles.

Not the same: LA vs. Minnesota and gay vs. straight. Not to mention both films will undoubtably have a very strong style judging from reviews and previews, but those styles and artistry have their own flavors.

Other movies in the Similar Name, Not the Same Series:
* Avatar & Avatar the Last Airbender
* 9 & Nine
* Up & Up in the Air

Similar Name, Not the Same: Up (in the air)

In continuing the "Similar Name, Not the Same" series...

I present...

Up & Up In the Air

Up: An old man's true love dies, leaving him all alone, and cranky. He decides to fulfill him and his wife's dream by moving their house (with balloons) to their dream destination where there is a crazy bird, a boy scout hitchhiker, and Christopher Plummer with crazy talking dogs.

Up in the Air: A divorced 35 year old man (George Clooney) travels the country firing employees of his large corporation for a living, with hopes of getting one million frequent traveler miles before leaving or being fired himself. Inbetween alchol and relations with women in Las Vegas he fears someone might be stealing his frequent flier miles.

Common theme: Men sometimes don't get a chance to travel if they're tied down by women.

Not the Same: Somehow, the animated kid's film is sad, sentimental, and serious; the live-action film for adults is more whimsical and will be less likely to make you cry.

Other movies in the Similar Name, Not the Same Series:
* Avatar & Avatar the Last Airbender
* 9 & Nine
* A Single Man & A Serious Man

Similar Name, Not The Same: Nine

One's spelled out, and one's the numeric symbols. Hopefully Academy voters don't get confused when they are filling out their Oscar ballots.

In continuation of the series...I present:

9 & Nine

9: Animated cartoon produced by Tim Burton were a creepy looking puppet-thing, named 9 (voiced by Elijah wood) comes to life in a post-apocalyptic world, where he has to help other post-human creatures figure out to take on the machines that want to kill them.

Nine: In the style of a Chicago, Rob Marshall brings this musical to screen about a Director (Daniel Day-Lewis) has a midlife crisis and has to deal with all the complicated women in his life, including his wife, costume designer, protege, mistress, and muse.

Common theme: Life is hard, regardless of whether the world has ended and you're body is a zipped up zipper bag, or if you have to sing songs and deal with lots of women.

Not the same: 9 goes for cutesy with a 9/09/09 release date, while Nine goes for Awards-savy with a November 25, 2009 release date.

Other movies in the Similar Name, Not the Same Series:

* Avatar & Avatar the Last Airbender

* Up & Up in the Air

* A Single Man & A Serious Man

5 Reasons You'll Enjoy Iron Man

That's right...Robert Downey Jr.'s not saying Stop in The Name of Love...no he's give you the top 5 reasons to see Iron Man.

5. Expectations. Unless you're a super-geek, the Iron Man story is probably not as common to you as say Batman which has characters well ingrained in our collective culture. When ever there's talk about a new batman or a new spider-man people instantly have expectations about who will be cast, what part of the story will be told, and which super-villains will or will not be introduced into the story. Chances are you're plot expectations are low...that can only help.

4. Minimal Super-hero distractions. Sometimes I think many superheroes are lazy and easily distracted by the bad guys. I mean, honestly Superman can't be stopped by anything but Kryptonite, and yet, he gets so wrapped around his love-life struggle than sometimes I feel like his focus on Lois Lane really makes him a weak-in-the-mind hero. Tony Stark (Iron Man), especially as portrayed in the film is not built up to be so super or glamorous. But at the same time, he's focused. He uses his skills and brains to do things that will have long lasting impact. At one point in the film he saves some terrorized middle easterners, but saving them is not his end game, but only a side effect of his ultimate aim in destroying there over-arching terrorist efforts. Now that's a pretty cool and intelligent hero...and we get all the action with out a Kirsten Dunst character whining about how the hero missed her lame play.

3. Casting. What a superb cast. Robert Downey Jr. is perfectly cast to play the part of Iron Man. When I originally posted on Downey being cast both Darrell and Reel Fanatic both commented on how some Downey's past struggles and demons with substance abuse mirror similar struggles in Tony Stark's life. These similarities give strength and increased believability. Plus Downey's an incredibly gifted actor. In fact, the four leads all have previous academy award nominations or wins. Downey (1 nom), Jeff Bridges (4 noms), Terrance Howard (1 nom), and Gwyneth Patrow (1 win). Shaun Toub and Leslie Bibb also do well in there roles.

2. Your Brain. That's right, you'll probably use it a little. This film is not at all complicated, like Syriana. In fact you should have no problem following it all. But, while a 13-year old will love the power of Iron Man's suit, the flying, the weapons, the indestructibility, etc. The film will more than likely either sit well with you or disagree with you as you think of America's current defense strategy. The film deals with issues of government contracts with business, business corporate structure and ownership, public relations, and the effects of media on business. The 13 year old might care less, but you'll enjoy it. The comedy elements are all there, but they're quick, snappy and usually more based on word-play and irony than on slam stick or gross out body humor.

1. What If. At this point in your life you know that you probably do not have a genetic mutation, you're not going to be super-powered by any sort of electric shock from a secretive machine in your technology company, you don't anticipate being bitten by any super-animal, etc. But what if technology did advance in such a way to give you the opportunity to be Super, like Iron Man. Obviously, inside your head you know it won't happen, but for two hours you can ignore the realistic side of your brain and say "What if." The intrigue of Iron Man (or even Batman) is that they don't have any true super powers or super strengths. They're just people who have a lot of money, intuition, and a reckless attitude that means fast cars, big dreams, and a desire to have technology work for them at their fingertips to accomplish any and every thought imaginable. In this regard, Iron Man is an appropriate hero for this generation. Who knows where technology will take us, and who knows how we can use it with a global benefit in mind.

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo: The Book and Pre-Thoughts on the Film Adaptation

I recently read the book War Horse in preparation for the upcoming film adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg.

The book War Horse by Michael Morpurgo is a young adult fiction book. Told from the perspective of a horse just prior to and during WWI in Europe.

Now, to be fair, I'm one who normally doesn't find themselves liking "animal movies" and while there horse movies can have a different flavor, I don't know that I've ever read with a horse as a narrator. In the case, the narrating horses name is "Joey."

And so while the book generally bored me to tears and made me imagine a Black Beauty or National Velvet type of story might have the same feel, as the story got moving along my feelings began to change.

The first change in my feelings occurred, when I realized that what Morpurgo was doing was going to be moving this horse in the midst of a variety of characters, and the somewhat pathetic obsessive young boy who loves the horse in the early stage of the story (Albert) was not going to be in the book the whole time. And instead, through the changes that occur in the horses life.

In this way the book reminded me of the movie The Red Violin that follows the object (the violin) through time with various settings and characters. This film was similar in that regard, with the exception that the horse was a character with a name, thoughts, and an internal voice. But like an object it had little ability to impact it's own personal situation, had limited ideological allegiance, and like an object had the capacity to be owned (and trade hands among various owners).

The second thing I found myself appreciating in this story was that how an animal narrator, particularly in the harsh setting of war, could have a unique role in the way that Morpurgo wrote the character of the horse, Joey. Because the various owners and carers of Joey formed an emotional connection to the horse, the human characters in the book often speak openly with the horse as though he were a trusted confidant, giving the opportunity to really know the inner thoughts of all the other primary characters in the story. As they share and Joey relays to the readers what he has heard, this first person perspective truly is able to present a more omnipotent perspective into the various characters in the story.

So as this story unfolds, the simple perspective it presents of WWI, with some themes one might expect in a young adults fiction novel unfolds, you find that the story is still quite touching and enjoyable.

This book was written in 1982, and 25 years later this story made it's way to the London stage after Nick Stafford wrote a stage adaptation with some unique life size stage horses which can be seen in the YouTube video below. The play then came to the West End and Broadway.



After Kathleen Kennedy saw this play in London, she told Steven Spielberg who bought the rights to the book, which is being adapted independently for the film expected later this year.

Having read the book, it is clear that a film or stage adaptation will have a different flavor for a couple reasons. The first is that the element of horse narration will be lost. The second is that as a children's novel much of the brutality of war can be easily glossed over with simple lines that summarize briefly battles, death, and animal brutality. But in a film version, a picture is worth a 1000 words, and the pictures of these war sequences will have a different flavor in color than with simple words (from the perspective of a horse).

And so the final product will admittedly be different from the initial 1982 packaging, and I can imagine that being ruined in many ways, or hopefully under the hands of the respected director Steven Spielberg, and the Oscar nominated screenwriters Lee Hall (Billy Elliot) and Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral) the final project will be it's own masterpiece.

Film still from Dreamwork's War Horse via The Film Stage site.

Cautious to Write about the Aurora Shooting: An Index of Conversations

Century 16 movie theater in Aurora, CO. Crime scene July 20, 2012

I'm cautious to write about the Aurora shooting during the midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises. Although, there is part of me that feels like this blog space is the place where something should be added to the conversation. You can see how previous post could easily interplay with topics related to this event.

Believe me, I don't feel short of angles to discuss, and I've heard and seen some of those angles already discussed. With minimal editorializing, particularly with limited details being released, I'd prefer to catalog the topics that could be discussed here.

Topics like:

The Connection Between Film Content & Events. Believe me, I think this conversation will continue to come up. If the shooting occurred in a midnight showing of The Great Gatsby or The Exotic Marigold Hotel, that would be a different matter, but regardless of what the suspected perpetrator James Holmes had in mind, there was some related film connection. I feel like it's way to early to speculate much further, even with news reports and eye witness reports regarding Holmes referencing himself as the Joker, or his potentially red-dyed hair for the massacre. The conversation will undoubtedly continue to be connected to the film itself, as well as it's content. One of the things I have praised Christopher Nolan for doing in Batman was making his mentally deranged criminals believable, and had previously compared the Joker character to anthrax killer Bruce Ivans. It is truly tragic that there is even any room for comparison to criminals in these films and real life.

The Violation of Entertainment Space. People go to movies to escape, relax, and hide out for a couple hours in dark room surrounded by intentionally invasive sound and moving image. Yet, the element of fear in the public space is one that surely is part of the past decade since school shootings such as Columbine (1999) and fears of terrorist attacks associated with major sporting events. It's one thing to worry that a punk kid behind you will throw their sour patch kids or popcorn at you in the theater, it's another thing to feel like you need to be more aware of your surroundings for your safety. I have blogged at least twice on movie theater deaths, one a health related death with theater negligence in Fort Collins, Colorado earlier this year, the other a suicide during Watchman in 2009. Both these deaths previously were unsettling, but not enough to impact the way I felt in a movie theater environment. This type of event is different in that way.

The Impact of Dark Knight Rises Box-office & Theaters. Warner Brothers in the name of sensitivity is not announcing their box office statistics throughout the weekend. And it's hard to say how the shooting will impact the final numbers, and speculation and news stories are sure to try to figure out how to get at these types of details, particularly when numbers are revealed at the end of the weekend. No doubt, this film will still be a huge box office behemoth, but trying to determine the impact of this tragedy will be impossible. Not only that, it will be hard to tell if this might be for some just another reason to stay away from the pricey theaters who's product has become less and less differentiated from the viewing experience people get at home.

General Conversations About Violence/Gun Control. It took less than 24 hours after the event for me to notice in my personal Facebook feed a number of people writing defensive posts about their right to guns. Plenty of post saying "Guns don't kill people, people do" and then going on to support that position, or present a disagreement with that position.

Males in their Twenties. Whether it's national news magazines or personal experience, I feel like I've heard a number of people talk about the extension of adolescence for males going well into their twenties. I got my haircut yesterday and believe me, a lady there was ranting about how males in their twenties don't know how to have interpersonal relationships, talk to people on the phone, or have a worldview wider than their online social network. Agree, disagree, or find yourself somewhere in the middle, the conversation is coming.

Children and Violent Media. Regardless of the target audience for films like The Dark Knight Rises or other violent files (more or less violent), these films are often watched by children. I noticed this when my wife and I watched The Avengers in the theater earlier this year, and were shocked that a father had brought his three kids to the film, including his youngest, a four year old. With a limited victim list reported, the media has anchored to an age range of those who have been hurt or injured revealing a range of 3 months to 45 years old. The 3 month year old listed was hospitalized, but released, but different families have different values related to their media discernment, but an event like this will certainly ignite a conversation.

Film Studios Reactionary Sensitivity. As soon as an event like this happens questions arise to how will film makers respond (both Warner Brothers and Christopher Nolan did respond, both with statements and action, in this case, canceling the film premier in Paris). But to me what is even more interesting is that the period film Gangster Squad staring Sean Penn due later this year was a film preview for this movie at some sites. This film preview showed a mass shooting with automatic weapons at a theater, but has now been removed as a film preview associated with The Dark Knight Rises. Part of my interest in this is because it reminded me of a similar event earlier this year with the film Neighborhood Watch (since renamed The Watch) which found similar surprise bad press when it's promotional materials were released just prior to Treyvon Martin's death earlier this yaer at the hands of neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman in Florida.   

Politics - The Presidential Election : For whatever reason, whether logical or illogical, the media has seemed to grasp onto how Barack Obama and presumed Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney have responded to the events, either with their typical "our hearts and prayers are with the people of Aurora" statements, as well as there withdrawal from heavy handed politics for the day of the event. There seems to be hardly anything interesting here to discuss with this topic, all the same, the topic is in the air. It seems to be more a media conversation, than something part of the broader public's conversation. Although, depending on how it is played, that doesn't mean it can't shape political discussions at a later date.

The Aurora Shooting & Columbine. The events are over a decade apart, but both major mass shooting media events just under 20 miles apart from one another. The conversation will undoubtedly in some circles be on the similarities between these two events, or how these two events have nothing in common.

Quality 80s? Part V

In a search to find timeless, non-quirky 80s films (inspired by my viewing of The Accidental Tourist) I have begun my movie viewing. Here are some 1980s films I've just watched for the first time and my thoughts on whether they're any good 20-or-so years post-release.


Also check out: Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV.

The Color Purple (1985)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Recommended by Oscar (11 noms, 0 wins), Fox, Will, and jeremy.

This movie is good, yet very depressing. I found the adaptation of Alice Walkers story to make for a more interesting screenplay than Spielburg's Empire of the Sun. Yet, at the same time the story of Celie Johnson (Whoopi Goldberg) and the other characters who make up this story, are sad and depressing tales, especially at over 2 and a half hours long. The amount of sexual abuse and confusion that Celie goes through is incredibly horrific. This movie's dealing with rape, incest, domestic sexual, verbal, and physical abuse and same-gender sexual interest makes for a challenging film where you can definitely do with out the popcorn.

It's a lot of fun to see Oprah Winfrey play the role as the strong willed Sofia! She certainly was worthy of her Oscar nominations (as were Goldberg and Margaret Avery). This movie certainly stands apart from many of the "quirky" 80s films, but as discussed previously, as a period piece it has that advantage. Spielburg is great at making "important" films, but many of those "important" films, simply are the type that you only need watch once. This is one of those.

The Mosquito Coast (1986)
Directed by Peter Weir
Recommended by Jeremy R.

This film could have been good. The story of a Utopian dreamer-inventor who uproots his family to central America to rough it and carve out a new life is incredibly interesting. Combining elements of Swiss Family Robinson, Lord of the Flies, Apocolypse Now, and Nutty Professor, it all just doesn't collide together quiet right. I don't blame it on the premise, but I do blame it on the screenplay.

Harrison Ford does an exceptional job as the crazy father, and he has some great lines. But at the same time, the story to me lost a lot of believability in the over-emphasis of the father-son relationship between Harrison Ford and River Phoenix. Ford's film wife played by Helen Mirren, really gets one of the most under developed main character roles I've seen. When Ford decides on a whim to move the family to Honduras, Mirren simply looks at the pile of dishes in the sink, shrugs her shoulders and goes along for the ride. Yet, later in the film she is ready to leave the jungle, but in her devotion to her husband feel unable to, she has some cinematic weeping and screaming moments, but that come out of no development.

I wish this film were better, like many of Weir's films they lend themselves to discussion, and I wish this film was better so that I could recommend it, watch it and discuss it with others. It contains topics of Americanism, utopianism, world development, religion, freedom, family, world trade, and commercialism. Yet the film lacks a completeness that keeps it from being great, all the pieces are there...yet the film is not. It's a shame.


Raising Arizona (1987)
Directed by Joel (and Ethan) Coen
Recommended by Will, and Kat.

I'd seen so many clips from this film, but have failed to ever sit down and watch it from start to finish. Similar to Moonstruck, Nicolas Cage again is forced to have a bad 80s hair cut (all in the name of comedy...or perhaps this is a Coen brother secret that was again used on Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men). Like many other Coen films, the foiled kidnapping plot is perfect ground for comedy, fantastical scenes, and hilarious character monologues from various social classes. I think Holly Hunter is a great comic actress as well, and would love to see her reappear in another Coen film.

20 years later, Raising Arizona, quirky to the 'nth degree, managers to rises above the status of quirky-80s films, and becomes a part of the story of American cinema.

Me & Facebook: Part V - Controlling Transparency

Transparency Introduced
One of the things that was unique about Facebook from other social media before it's time was that Facebook seemed to encourage transparency more than any other social media had before it.

Even before Facebook it seemed more common for people to have cryptic e-mail addresses that hid their identity (it was pretty common it seemed in the 1990s for e-mails addresses to read like KoolKat15, TubaDude78, No1SoccerStar04, Racecar111111). Yet somehow Facebook seemed to help ease people into using their real name online and trusting Facebook's security controls...at least initially.

A real name, a real picture, and real information about yourself. But it was controlled because only your friends could see what you posted - and what others posted on your wall.

Of course, everyone holds their cards a little closer to their chest then others. Some people are pretty open all the time, but others seem to find new openness when it's written.

Generally, as Facebook developed people began posting on more topics more frequently. And now instead of just posting their political and religious affiliation people often post on these topics. We've seen Facebook in this past election and depending on your friend group you might have seen it get heated at times. Or how about when Sandy Hook Elementary shooting happened - it seemed that Facebook was filled with very open and revealing thoughts regarding people's thoughts towards gun control.

Facebook Rules
Yet, despite all the new found openness, it seems that most people have established their own rules for Facebook. The rules are written and inconsistent but they are there.

For me, one of the ways I have controlled my own transparency on Facebook is in who I ask and accept at friends. Ask me to be your friend and generally I will say "yes." I only have two conditions...one is that I know you, and the second is that you don't work with me.

For me the mix of work and Facebook seems awful. Work is a place where I like to keep my cards a little closer, and while I might enjoy your friendship at work and even have interest in remaining in touch if we split paths, Facebook is not the place for us. Who knows what I'll write (or someone else might write about me) that could jeopardize my job, work relationships, or opportunities.

The other impact of the expanding realm of Facebook is the increase of family presence in the medium. I don't feel like I have two versions of myself that I would present to my friend circles and family circles but I do know people who do. This obviously plays a role with kids who still live at home, but it continues to play a role with adults who are independent but might not share similar ideologies or positions as their families.

As a personal rule, I try to shy away from contentious topics on Facebook. Generally, it would seem that Facebook isn't the place for the dialogue. Although, I know some who think it's the perfect place for it - whether it's to discuss ideas with like minded friends or attempt to spread their ideologies and beliefs.

It seems to me that Facebook has given us a concept of transparency -- a concept that people have moved elsewhere. 

► LindenIn
I must not be alone in my feelings about not-friending work friends, because I think it's out of that unique relationship that many people find themselves a social home on LinkedIn, a social network specifically designed for professional relationships.

► Twitter
Similarly, where Facebook includes a wide range of connections, it seems that part of the reason some people have migrated to social network sites like twitter is because it provides the freedom to discuss, share, and post thoughts with a audience that want to discuss social, political, religious, or other topical interest. Twitter seems to be a safer and more appropriate place to discuss controversy.

► Pintrest
Like posting pictures about recipes, do-it yourself projects, furniture you like. Your Facebook network might care less about those cute cupcakes you want to make or the new project you have in mind using mason jars. And here is another place some people have found another second home.

► Other Sites and Applications (Like Google-Plus and Instagram)
Some other sites and applications have also sprung up with various degrees of popularity - one of the big ones seems to be Instagram. My wife and many of my friends use it regularly with great pleasure. I'm sure people have different reasons they use these other social networking sites, but often it seems to me that it's like they need a friend list reboot and instead of de-friending all of there facebook friends they find a new online home where the list is more controlled.

For Me...
In general, it seems that we have become not only comfortable in recent years with online transparency, but we desire it (of course with people who share our same book of unwritten rules).

For me, I'm coming to a place when I'd rather find ways to have transparency in three-dimensional real relationships as opposed to those in cyber-land. Yet, I also realize that this part of a new reality and I need to figure out how to reconcile both a new world order and how to get past a fear of missing out (FOMO) if I opt to stay away.

I see some of the functionality - in addition to blogging, I'm on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. And honestly, it feels like a lot of online persona's to monitor - but more than that, undestanding which parts of myself do I express in each of these worlds. Or even wondering, do I need to have a virtual presence in each of these places.

Other Posts in the Me & Facebook Series:
• Part I - My Reluctant Beginning

• Part II - Life Events Post-College
• Part III - Likes, iPhones, and Babies Become Kids
• Part IV - The Never Ending Reunion

Double Best Actor Win Potentials for 2010 Films

No male lead has ever won more than 2 best male lead actor nominations. The honor of having won 2 Oscars in the lead acting category is shared among 9 men, most recently as of the 2009 Academy Awards Sean Penn joined this group, winning for Milk and previously winning for Mystic River. The other male leads who share this honor are Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Gary Cooper, Marlon Brando, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, and Daniel Day-Lewis.

As I see it, looking towards the 2010 season there really seems like only one of these men who stands a chance of winning a 3rd Lead Actor Oscar, and that is Sean Penn who has a variety of upcoming projects including Terrance Mallick's Tree of Life and Fair Game opposite Naomi Watts. Jack Nicholson also has a James L. Brooks film that is too come out as well, and anything can happen with Brooks' films, the title of that film currently is called How Do You Know? alongside Reese Witherspoon.

And like Meryl Streep's challenge picking up a 3rd win, I imagine Penn and Nicholson will experience similar difficulties with a 3rd win.

Tom Hanks, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Dustin Hoffman do not seem to have eligible projects.

While I certainly don't think the winner's guaranteed to come from this list of five, but I don't think it's completely out the picture to think that a 10th actor could join this list.

Here are performances from previous winning actors that could potential lead to a second golden statue:

Jeff Bridges, True Grit

Previous Win: Crazy Heart, 2009

The Coen Brothers do their take on the classic John Wayne film, based on the Charles Portis novel with the same name. In this version a 14 year old girl persuades an alcoholic US Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to avenge her father's death. The film also stars Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, and Barry Pepper. Hailee Steinfeld plays the 14 year old girl Mattie Ross.

Forrest Whitaker, My Own Love Song

Previous Win: The Last King of Scotland, 2006

Whitaker plays Joey, a stuttering man who believes in angels. Joey befriends (but also scares) a former singer friend Jane who is wheel chair bound (played by Renee Zellweger). The film also stars Nick Nolte. It is written and directed by French film Oscar winner who led Marion Cottilard to her Oscar win for La Vie en Rose.

Phillip Seymore Hoffman, Jack Goes Boating

Previous Win: Capote, 2005
Hoffman makes his directorial debut by staring in this film, based on and adapted from the play Hoffman stared in in 2007. Jack Goes Boating is written by Bob Glaudini, who also wrote the play. The film is a romantic comedy about a limo driver who likes reggae who changes his life when he meets a Brooklyn funeral home worker (Amy Ryan).

Russel Crowe, Robin Hood
Previous Win: Gladiator, 2000

This performance seems not to far off from The Gladiator win 10 years earlier. So maybe if the field is friendly we could see a nomination, but can you see Crowe stacking a second win up for a repeat performance in a different costume running through the forest? Ridley Scott's retelling of a classic tale stars Mark Strong, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Danny Houston, and Max von Syndow.

Kevin Spacey, Casino Jack

Previous Win: American Beauty, 1999
[Supporting Actor Win: The Usual Suspects, 1995]
Kevin Spacey plays in a thriller version of the corruption and take down Washington DC lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The film is directed by George Hickenlooper. The film stars Kelly Preston as Spacey's wife. The film also stars Barry Peppers and Jon Lovitz.

Anthony Hopkins, Hemmingway and Fuentes or... You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger
Previous Win: The Silence of the Lambs, 1991

I feel like the Academy would love to give Hopkins another Oscar for the right film, and once of these could do the trick. In Hemmingway and Fuentes, Hopkins plays the biopic role of Ernest Hemmingway in a film alongside and directed by Andy Garcia. You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger is a Woody Allen romance Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin, Freida Pinto, and Antonio Banderas.

Michael Douglas, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Previous Win: Wall Street, 1987

Honestly, I have hard time believing that Douglas could win a second Oscar for a reprise performance, but playing the same character, Gordon Gekko, 23 years later might earn him a credibility. Although Hopkins wasn't so lucky repeating his reprise role as Hannibal Lecter. But somehow I'm optimistic about Oliver Stone's reprise and think the mix of old and new performers might create nostalgia and freshness all in one film. In addition to Douglas, the film features Carey Mulligan, Susan Sarandon, Shia LeBeouf, Charlie Sheen, Frank Langella, and Josh Brolin.

Robert Duvall, Get Low

Previous Win: Tender Mercies, 1983

Duvall performs in one my most anticipated films of the year, a film with a great Oscar pedigree of Duvall, Bill Murray, and Sissy Spacek. Duvall plays a 1930s hermit who throws his own funeral. Duvall is pictured above in this film.

Bee Season

I don't know if Bee Season was a good book, but the movie is pretty mediocre. Bee Season is based on the book (with the same title) by Myla Goldberg.

I'm sure the movie left a lot of stuff out from the book, because that's typical, and this movie seemed to be hinting at characters and storylines that were greater than what the film was able to offer.

The movie deals with a family's multi-faceted problems that begin spiraling out of control at the same time the youngest member of the family discovers an amazing ability to spell and succeeds in many levels of the national spelling bee. The film stars Richard Gere, Juliette Binoche as the parents.

The young girl who plays the spelling-bee-daughter is phenomonal. The actresses name is Flora Cross and could easily play the daughter of Juliette Binoche in any movie, they look very similar.
Spiritual searching plays a large part in this film, in fact, I would say that's the motif of this film, particularly grounded in Richard Gere's knowledge and fascination with Jewish mysticism and the Kabbalah. I was curious about Goldberg's faith and was curious if there was a purposeful agenda she was pushing, and really, I don't think she was, especially after reading some of the interview here. Although Goldberg grew up in a Jewish household she learned about Jewish mysticism in a college course and had very little background in eastern religions (which play a role midway through the film).

This film is worth skipping unless you are highly curious about films that explore religious topics, or if you've got nothing better to do.

Interesting fact: The Screenplay, while not that great was written by Naomi Foner, the mother of Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Related Tags: Bee Season, Movie, Myla Goldberg, Spelling Bee, Jewish Mysticism, Kabbalah, Religion, Richard Gere, Juliette Binoche, Flora Cross, Family, Faith, Words, Adapted from a Book, Contemporary Literature, Naomi Foner

Supporting Actress Blog-A-Thon: Dale Dickey as Mereb in Winter's Bone

In reflecting on the supporting female performances of 2010 a under-praised performance that has stuck with me is the harsh performance by Dale Dickey in the critically acclaimed indie-film Winter's Bone.

Dickey, who at 49 has relatively limited feature length credentials, does a bang up job as Merab in Debra Granik's adaption of the Daniel Woodrell's book with the same name.

Merab is a harsh gatekeeper of her home and family, who's husband (Trump Milton, played by Ronnie Hall) is in essence a small time crime lord in the Ozarks. While Dickey not only protects her husband in minor ways by screening people who might come to her house, as the action intensifies Dickey's performance is utterly chilling whenever she steps on screen.

Jennifer Lawrence as Ree Dolly and John Hawks as Teardrop Dolly have received a respectable amount of praise, including Screen Actor Guild nominations, and while I don't expect similar praise for Dickey's smaller role, I have to think that this performance will no go unnoticed.

Dale Dickey certainly as a supporting actress can fulfill a unique niche as an actress, and I would hope to see her in more roles, because if she can knock out other roles like she did here in Winter's Bone, I think she could really become a Hollywood actress, because in my assessment her role in this film is flawless.

It's not just that Dickey nails the role, but without her consistent performance, I don't think Jennifer Lawrence's star-turning performance would be nearly as powerful.

Thanks Dickey for being the creepiest female performance of 2010, it was great!

This post is my contribution to the 2010 5th annual Stinky Lulu Supporting Actress Blog-A-Thon.



Previous StrangeCulture entries include: Adriana Barazza (2006), Allison Janney (2007), Frances McDormand (2008), Rosamund Pike (2009).