The Family Stone Tagged Articles at Cinematical

The other day I watched My Life in Ruins out of curiosity and because I was bored. In the past, I've been quite cynical about the movie and Nia Vardalos's upcoming film I Hate Valentine's Day, but when all was said and done, I was a captive audience. And you know what? I like Nia Vardalos. I want to root for her. But it was in spite of myself that not only did I like it... I cried.

Yes, despite the hackneyed plot – woman uproots her life, is cranky and miserable and loveless, then gets her groove back, along with a hunky fellow; despite the use of every possible ethnic and sexual stereotype possible; despite a love interest whose name is Poupi Kakas; and despite the complete lack of innovation in terms of the romantic comedy genre.... I liked it. And I cried. And I was very embarrassed.

I cry at a lot of movies, which is awkward, since I see a lot of movies, often with colleagues, friends, and publicists. After seeing The Fall, which I adored, another viewer asked me if I was okay. I bawled during the excellent movie Bright Star, although I am 99 percent sure everyone else did too. I even cried during Seven Pounds, one of the most ludicrous and manipulative "feel-good" movies I've ever had the trauma of sitting through. And after seeing The Family Stone one Christmas, hoping for the light-hearted comedy that the trailers promised, I left the theater dazed and angry at how mean-spirited and sad it was.

There are certain things that set me off, but even the lamest Sunday afternoon guilty pleasure can get me sniffling.

Are you a movie crier? Which movies have you cried at? (No need to get gory with whys and wherefores.) Were you in a public theater? What do you do when you start tearing up (or sobbing)?

Because the Golden Globes split up (don't even get me started on why I think this is a stupid idea) their best actor and actress awards into two categories - drama and musical or comedy, I feel they're a bit easier to predict. This is a fun year for best actress seeing as the category is dominated by award virgins (talking film here), mixed with an indie veteran and an old timer. While the veterans have won the last two years (Annette Benning and Diane Keaton), I feel this is the year where some new blood will ultimately rise to the top. Let's check this out...

 The Nominees:

1. Judi Dench (Mrs. Henderson Presents) - With her performance as the widowed Mrs. Henderson, hell bent on doing something a bit more daring with her life, Judi Dench once again finds herself amongst the year's best. The old timer in this group of five, Dench has proved before she doesn't need a ton of screen time in order to scoop up an award. In 1992, she won the best supporting Oscar for Shakespeare in Love after only 8 minutes on screen. However, with a quiet film (Jette described it as "one of those "prestige" pictures that you can watch with your dear old Mom ... provided your Mom won't be offended by the unclothed young ladies.") and tough competition, will it be enough to score the Globe?
2. Keira Knightley (Pride & Prejudice) - This film is based on the Jane Austen novel; Knightley plays Elizabeth; one of five sisters whose lives are turned upside down when two gentlemen arrive in their neighborhood. According to Ryan, Elizabeth is "an 18th-century fox, with tucked hair as short as a witch and legs taut and soccer-trained to deliver a swift strike to the generous derriere of her doppelganger, Bridget Jones." After taking home a Hollywood Film Award for Best Breakthrough Actor in 2004, this is Knightley's first time playing with the big boys...and it's all but guaranteed that it will not be her last.
3. Laura Linney (The Squid and the Whale) - Known for taking on roles of women who seem completely wholesome on the outside, yet complex on the inside, I would consider Linney an A-list indie actress. She's been nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Oscar for her performances in You Can Count on Me and Kinsey, however she's never quite been able to acquire the recognition she deserves. In The Squid and the Whale, Linney once again plays a troubled woman whose passion for writing leads to the downfall of her marriage and an affair with a younger man. Though her performance is powerful, as usual, it's only worthy of a nomination...not a win.
4. Sarah Jessica Parker (The Family Stone) - Like me, you're probably wondering where in the world Sarah Jessica Parker came from this year. Well, we know where she came from but what the hell is she doing with a Golden Globe nomination for, of all films, The Family Stone? This is Parker's first time on the film side of the Globes after previously winning for Sex in the City on the television side. Here, she plays an uptight girlfriend brought home for the holidays to meet her man's large and extremely WASP-like family. Though the film is labeled a comedy in its previews, there are definitely deeper and more dramatic elements to it. For all we know, Parker could steal a surprise win this year, but I wouldn't go and put any money on it.
5. Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line) - Breaking away from the light and delicate romantic comedies, Witherspoon surprised us all with her portrayal of June Carter in Walk the Line. Playing Johnny Cash's road companion and eventual love interest, Witherspoon delivers a spoonful of southern charm with a mix of gritty "stand by your man" attitude. This is a whole new arena for the Legally Blonde actress and some feel she's a lock all the way through Oscar. Like her co-star, Joaquin Phoenix, she will have to win here in order to prove they're right.

My Prediction:

• Reese Witherspoon - If I were a gambling man, I'd go with Sarah Jessica Parker here. Because she sticks out and because the Globes are notoriously known for their wacky surprises, you'd think Parker was lined up perfectly to be one of those surprises. However, since the performances in Walk the Line cannot be ignored and because I feel Brokeback Mountain will take home the big awards, Witherspoon will join Phoenix in side-by-side best actor and actress wins.

As expected, the end of the holiday weekend brought major box office declines to last week's leaders: The Chronicles of Narnia dropped 40% to $15.4 million, enough to keep it in second place, and King Kong's take went down a full 50%, leaving it in the third spot with $12.5 million. Topping the box office, however, and making it clear that American movie-goers are frightening people, was Hostel, which took in $20.1 on its opening weekend. Based on the opening, it appears as if Lionsgate, the independent distributor that found a gold mine with the Saw movies, has yet another sneak hit on its hands.

As opposed to Hostel, the other two new films this weekend - BloodRayne and Grandma's Boy - both did horrible business and finished outside the top ten. Grandma's Boy took in just $2.9 million, more than $1.5 million behind The Family Stone, which held down the tenth spot. Meanwhile, BloodRayne's open was reportedly an unmitigated disaster: instead of the announced 1915 theaters, it ended up showing on less than 1000 screens and seems to have made barely $1 million. In addition, hundreds of theaters reported receiving prints of the film that they didn't order; needless to say, they refused to screen them. Yikes. Not exactly an illustrious start for Romar, the new indie company that is distributing the film. Full numbers after the jump.