UP Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Fan Made: Spoof Oscar Posters
Filed under: Fandom », Posters »
Warren Beatty once remarked that "the Golden Globes are fun, and the Oscars are business." Many of us -- myself included -- are guilty of taking the Oscars far too seriously, and these hilarious spoof posters -- found over at CollegeHumor.com -- offer some great perspective. It turns out that the Oscar nominees are not as gloriously untouchable as they might appear. All ten of last year's Best Picture nominees have been lampooned and advertised for what they really are, including orgasmic quotes from respected critics at the top of The Hurt Locker: "Oh God Oh God Oh God." Of course, Avatar has already seen its fair share of spoofing, but who has bothered to send up An Education with "who was the moron that gave this movie such a deceptively boring title?" Amen to that.
Will people be offended by the spoof of Precious? Is that movie just too serious and important to ridicule? The poster warns "don't bring a date. Seriously," which is, frankly, a pretty honest assessment. (I won't even tell you the spoof movie title.) Or what about trading A Serious Man for A Boring Man, "The Jew Film from Joel and Ethan Coen"? I don't know. I liked four of the ten real-life nominees a great deal, and the other six a little less, and I laughed at all these jokes. The funniest one, though, is for Up, and I'll let you see that one for yourselves in our gallery below ...
What Should an Oscar Winner Look Like?
Avatar won the Best Cinematography Oscar, which brings up an interesting question. As one of my movie friends so aptly put it: "C'mon, that is not cinematography. That is 3D visual effects." The movie is probably about one-third live action footage and about two-thirds computer generated imagery, so which are we counting? If we're just talking about the footage that was run through an actual camera -- the footage of actors sitting and chatting in rooms in front of scientific machines -- it's really not all that impressive. If we're talking about the much more impressive footage that was generated in a computer, then we've entered a strange new realm. And it's something that the Academy is going to have to address.
If computer-generated imagery counts, then movies like Up should also be considered for Best Cinematography, and taken shot-for-shot, that movie is much more beautiful and visually effective than Avatar. Computer artists use different tools from cinematographers to achieve the same ends. They use light, and control the way the light falls into the picture. The light can be strong or soft, originating from all different angles. It can be a harsh spotlight or deep shadows or a bright sky. Computer artists also arrange their frames in much the same way, placing a figure in an empty landscape to communicate isolation, or surrounding the figure with buildings or trees to convey something else.
What is Our 2010 Oscar Catch Phrase?
Filed under: Awards », Fandom », Oscar Watch »
There is a grand tradition of movie fans quoting their favorite flicks into the ground. Once you've throw in the rush of the Oscar season before you know it you are ready to choke your nearest and dearest if they turn to you one more time shouting "I drink your milkshake!", calling you 'friendo', or reminding you that "Life is like a box of chocolates"...or god forbid, incessantly asking if you are, in fact, "...talkin' to me?"
But, I've noticed a surprising lack of movie catch phrases in recent Oscar history, and maybe I missed something, but last year, it seemed like there wasn't one in the bunch -- unless you count the term 'Slumdog' being used in just about every 'edgy' comedy involving an Indian individual. But this year, I think things could change, and at the very least we've got one very strong contender for a 2010 Oscar catch phrase. Unfortunately, it's also kind of the most annoying one too, but I guess you can't have everything.
After the jump; and the Nominees for Oscar Catch Phrase 2010 are...
Movieman's Final Predictions For The 82nd Annual Academy Awards
Filed under: Awards », Oscar Watch »
Every year we think we all have it figured out. Even before the votes have been cast we figure to know where the waters have shifted and must sit back idly waiting for the inevitable to occur. Those on the Oscar beat writing about it day-in and day-out find ways to invent stories and controversies. Some even suck up to powerful studio heads and jump on the bandwagon of an underdog despite evidence that they are doing nothing but printing the ramblings of a one-man hype machine. Shame on them and may they all lose their Oscar pool to the Grim Reaper.
There are locks though and then there are LOCKS. And this year looks more than ever to be full of the latter. We probably said the same thing last year too while we see-sawed on Mickey Rourke over Sean Penn or bought into the suggestion that Viola Davis was going to steal the award in a now Winslet-less category. We don't know in what order the non-surprises will be revealed on Sunday, so we might as well just go down the list in order of confidence. Of my own prognostication prowess that is. But we will finish with Best Picture anyway, even if such confidence would rank it much higher on this particular inventory.
Watch This: 'Jersey Shore' Parodies 'The Hurt Locker'
Filed under: Comedy », Oscar Watch », War », Trailers and Clips »
Memo to the Academy: please, please, please get the cast of Jersey Shore to film parodies of all the Best Picture nominees. Sure, it may seem like something more fitting for the MTV Movie Awards, especially since the show actually airs on MTV, but I'd rather not wait the extra couple months. Besides, with ten nominees, that gives us more Jersey Shore movie parodies. And after you watch the short Hurt Locker parody featuring The Situation, D.J. Pauly D and Ron Ron, which was made as a promo for Lopez Tonight, you'll definitely agree.Picture Snooki as Precious. Imagine a sketch titled "A Serious Situation." Get Pixar to animate the gang for an Up gag. And, of course, we just don't have enough Avatar parodies, do we? Aside from the quantity of nominees with which to see mashed with Jersey Shore, the quality as well as the variety of these Best Picture contenders allow for some very odd possibilities. It's probable Sammi Sweetheart has never heard of let alone seen An Education, and that's part of why it'd be fun to see her do an English accent in a lampoon of the film.
Or would all that be overkill? Well, at least we have the great, short bit, which you can check out after the jump.
Discuss: What is the Saddest Kind of Movie?
Filed under: Animation », Documentary », Drama », Cinematical Indie »
I know, blogs (including this one) are always asking what movies make you cry. But I'm curious about what kinds of films make you cry, and whether a true story is more apt to have you reaching for the tissue box. And is it worse if the film is a documentary?
This weekend I finally got around to watching Cinematical favorite Dear Zachary, a personal documentary by Kurt Kuenne about the tragic murder of his childhood friend. It's a very heartbreaking story, and Kuenne was certainly intent on squeezing out as many tears as his audience is able to spill. My girlfriend, who tends to weep during movies both tragic and happy (though never as much as the infamous crying wife), was a mess by the end of Dear Zachary, admitting that it's the saddest movie she's ever seen. Possibly because it was so real.
I, on the other hand, was dry-eyed. Not that I'm a heartless or cold individual. I was plenty upset by the story in Dear Zachary. I just tend not to cry during documentaries, no matter how gut-wrenching they may be. Is it because I accept that people die and bad things happen in real life every day? Maybe. But then why do I cry occasionally during non-documentaries? Specifically, the only movie I recall bringing me to a bawling wreck is the Japanese animated film Grave of Fireflies. And the last time I really cried during a movie was in the first part of Pixar's Up.
BAFTA, The West German Judge, Goes For 'Hurt Locker'
Filed under: Awards », Oscar Watch »
We all know that one judge from the Olympics. The one deciding the medal fates on sports dependent not on actual time or scored points, who tends to lean towards their home country and lowball others. That is what BAFTA has been over the years. While many eyes are on them as some kind of barometer for how the American Academy is going to vote, the British Academy have given a little nudge to those a bit closer to their side of the pond. Since 1977, only 11 of their 32 selections for Best Picture have actually gone on to win the Oscar. Choices over the years have included Howard's End (1992), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Sense and Sensibility (1995), The Full Monty (1997), The Queen (2006) and Atonement (2007). 2008's Slumdog Millionaire was one of the 11 and by choosing Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker, the favorite to win this year, it is further evidence that they are getting better.As a precursor, of course. You can still judge the merits of the selections by BAFTA and Oscar all you want. But The Hurt Locker, like it or not, was the big winner across the pond winning five BAFTAs including Best Director, Original Screenplay, CInematography, Editing and Sound. Other multiple victors included Avatar (winning for Visual Effects and Production Design), Up (Animated Feature & Score) and The Young Victoria (Costume & Makeup).
Would 'Shutter Island' Have Been One of the Ten Best Picture Nominees?
Filed under: Awards », Oscar Watch »
Last year everyone was penciling in Shutter Island as one of the contenders for the expanded Best Picture slot. A safe bet, sight unseen, even as far back as May. It was pretty much a blank slate at that point with only Up and even Star Trek being considered amongst the already released. A funny thing happened though on the way towards October 2. Paramount yanked the film from its release schedule and pushed it into February of 2010. ""Our 2009 slate was greenlit in a very different economic climate and as a result we must remain flexible and willing to recalibrate and adapt to a changing environment." said Paramount chairman, Brad Grey.
Translation? Take your pick. The cynic sees a fancy statement that utilize the excuse flavor of the past year. Economy, economy, economy! Poor Paramount made the announcement after a year where they saw a share of the profits on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen ($397 million+ at the time), Star Trek ($256 million+), Monsters vs. Aliens ($198 million+) and G.I. Joe ($108 million+), not to mention early year hits Hotel For Dogs ($73 million+) and I Love You, Man ($71 million+).
Have The Film Editors Made 'Hurt Locker' The Leader?
Filed under: Awards », Oscar Watch »
In one corner you have Harvey Weinstein saying that "we're going to win Best Picture" in reference to Inglourious Basterds. In another you have Peter Guber on Fox making the argument that money could push Avatar over the top while being surprised that Robert Downey Jr. wasn't nominated for Sherlock Holmes. Fox's Oscar expert, ladies and gentlemen. Harvey and Peter might be in for a rude awakening on Oscar night though. At the time of their statements they didn't have the benefit of a magic award that might just hold the very key to predicting Best Picture on March 7. It's a vital category, one you can't create film without. The Guild that represents them handed out their awards Sunday evening. And they may have just handed The Hurt Locker the Oscar for Best Picture.The American Cinema Editors gave their award for Best Editing in the Dramatic category to Kathryn Bigelow's film. They split their primary award Globe-style into Comedy and Drama in 1999. The Hangover won on the Comedy side this year (presumably for successfully editing out any modicum of comic timing) while Up and The Cove won their Animated and Documentary categories. Since 1990 there have only been two times (Apollo 13, Traffic) when one of their victors has not gone on to win the Oscar for Best Film Editing. Oh, film editing poppycock you say - how does this figure into Best Picture?
AMC Best Picture Showcase Details
Filed under: Awards », Fandom », Exhibition », Oscar Watch »
We know a lot of our readers (and even some of our writers) like to partake in AMC's annual tradition of showing all of the best picture nominees on one day, which is why every year we like to give you the details on it when they become available. Of course, the whole 10 best picture nominees thing has thrown a small wrench in the usual one-day marathon, and, as such, this year AMC has decided to break it up into two days: February 27th and March 6th, both Saturdays.
The exact schedules haven't been announced yet, but AMC is currently asking you to vote on which four movies they should show alongside a 3D version of Avatar on February 27th. (If it was up to me, I'd vote District 9, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds and Up, this way you start out with fantasy, move toward sci-fi, and then back-to-back war films, capping it all off with a nice, sweet adventure story. The perfect program, in my opinion ... but what do you think?)
Details can be found over on the AMC website. The tickets for this event will run you about $60 for a two-day pass (if purchased online; $50 at the box office), and $30 for a one-day pass. That ticket gets you entry to the theater, as well as a free large popcorn and unlimited refills. Not a bad way to spend your Saturday, no?
So who's going this year?
Has Chris Evans Won Captain America's Shield?
When Netflix Isn't Enough
Full-Length 'Predators' Trailer Debuts
Frankenstein is 100 Years Old! Watch His First Movie Now!
Bryan Singer May Direct 'X-Men 4' and 'Wolverine 2'
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
