All's Fair in Love & War

Authors: Masnoraffis Masdil
Location: Singapore

“All's Fair in Love & War”

Directed by Joel Coen
Written by Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Original Score by Carter Burwell

Principal Cast:

Tom Hanks (Eddie)
Adam Sandler (Roger)
Cameron Diaz (Michelle)
Julia Louis-Dreyfuss (Jennifer)
Kevin James (Michael)
John Lithgow (Mr. Smith)
Joel McCrary (Mr. Schneider)
Shirley Knight (Mrs. Schneider)

Cameos:
Heather Graham
Brad Pitt
Jennifer Garner

Tagline: "There's only room for ONE in this war for love..."

Synopsis: Eddie (Tom Hanks) & Michael (Kevin James) are two small-time crooks fleeing from the small town to the big city. Eddie spots Michelle, a psychiatrist (Cameron Diaz), and decides he's falling in love with her. Pretending to be a rich man, Eddie brings Michael to Michelle proclaiming that Michael has problems that needs to be treated. In the meantime, Mr.Schneider (Joel McCrary) has brought his only son, Roger (Adam Sandler), to Michelle to be treated. Roger is scared of water, fire, running and dizzy heights. While being treated, he begins falling for Michelle.

Suddenly, Michelle has to go back to her hometown because his father (John Lithgow) proclaimed he's sick. Both began pursuing her in order to win her heart. And since neither "hero" is the sacrificial type, we begins a game of one-upmanship, where the winner gets the hand of the fair psychiatrist. Or so you would like to believe...

What the press would say:

What do you get when two losers are besotted by a gorgeous woman? The answer is... a Joel Coen comedy called "All's Fair in Love and War". Suspend your sense of logic for a couple of hours and enter the fun-and-frolic world of the Coen Brothers, nothing is impossible and laughter permeates the air.

The film's major advantages includes Coen's directorial skills, the performances and some wickedly funny dialogues. Roger's introductory scene alone is so amusing, that at first, you want to hand this year's Best Actor award to Adam Sandler. After a bit of thinking, you will decide that it is the dialogues in the scene which really make it outstanding. The care put into the direction is equally applause-worthy. One cannot really decide which deserves an award.

Adam Sandler's comedic talents here are indisputable. In this movie he shows us a partially Forrest Gump-inspired performance. Ironically, the star of that movie is his co-star here. Tom Hanks works hard on his comedic drive, matching Adam Sandler's impeccable timing and perfectly and consistently. Kevin James gives admirable support as Tom Hank's sidekick who usually end up the victim in the fight against the two men. And Julia Louis Dreyfuss as Cameron Diaz's elder sister shows excellent timing in the scenes she's in, although her screen time is limited.

The ending is novel, refreshing and somewhat realistic. After being sure he's the one that Michelle is going to marry, both were disappointed to find out that she's going to marry her long-relationship boyfriend, played by Brad Pitt. Could see this movie picking up some nominations in the Golden Globe award!

For Your Consideration

Best Picture
Best Director: Joel Coen
Best Screenplay: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Best Original Score: Carter Burwell
Best Actor: Tom Hanks
Best Actor: Adam Sandler
Best Actress: Cameron Diaz
Best Supporting Actor: Kevin James
Best Supporting Actress: Julia Louis-Dreyfuss

Anything Goes!

Authors: Al
Location: New York

“Anything Goes!”

Directed by Baz Luhrmann
Written by Bill Condon
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Additional Music by Danny Elfman

Principal Cast:

Reno Sweeney: Catherine Zeta-Jones
Billy Crocker: Harry Connick, Jr.
Moonface Martin: Billy Crystal
Bonnie: Kristin Chenoweth
Sir Evelyn Oakleigh: Tim Curry
Hope Harcourt: Rachel Weisz
Mrs. Wadsworth T. Harcourt: Carol Burnett
Elisha J. Whitney: Mel Brooks

Cameos:

Kelsey Grammer as The Captain
Hunter Foster as The Purser
Jon Stewart as The Cameraman
Jamie Foxx as The Reporter

Tagline: "The renowned Cole Porter creates a musical classic where anything goes!"

Synopsis: The classic Broadway musical by Cole Porter finally makes it to the silver screen in this fond look back at the extravagances of the early 1930’s.

Reno Sweeney is a famous nightclub singer/evangelist on a cruise across the Atlantic . Also on board is her friend, Billy, a stowaway dodging his cantankerous, senile boss Whitney and trying to win the heart of Hope Harcourt, who is also on the boat. Only one hitch: Evelyn Oakleigh, a stuffy British lord trapped in a loveless engagement with Hope orchestrated by her domineering, class-obsessed mother Mrs. Harcourt. Also, the bumbling Moonface Martin, Public Enemy #13 is on board with his ditzy moll Bonnie, posing as a preacher to escape the American authorities. Reno and Moonface help Billy to drive away Evelyn, while Reno might be falling in love with him. Anything Goes is a cornucopia of mistaken identities, romantic mishaps, and true love, creating a perfect replication of the classic movie musicals of old, supplemented by eye-popping musical numbers written by Cole Porter including classics like “Anything Goes”, “You’re the Top”, “I Get A Kick Out of You”, “It’s De-Lovely”, “Let’s Do It” and a special extra number written by Stephen Sondheim himself.

What the press would say:

“Outstanding. ‘Anything Goes’ provides plenty of good times on its musical roller-coaster ride of a movie. Baz Luhrmann is given an all-star, multi-talented cast and uses them to stir up the joy of peppy musical films like ‘Singing in the Rain’. Luhrmann has the perfect mixture of fantasy and reality, and his lavish song-and-dance numbers are almost perfect. Catherine Zeta-Jones is absolutely radiant, and so is Harry Connick Jr., in one of his first major motion picture roles. Billy Crystal, Tim Curry and Rachel Weisz are all terrific. Carol Burnett does a great job of replicating an over-protective mother. Mel Brooks is still hilarious after all these years, but special mention goes to Kristin Chenoweth, who proves herself as an extraordinary actress to movie audiences after winning 2 Tonys and Broadway acclaim. She turns a role that could have been clichéd into an absolute delight. Bill Condon’s script is one of his best yet, and the entire spectacle of the whole thing might even trump “Chicago” and “Moulin Rouge”.

For Your Consideration:

Best Picture
Best Director: Baz Luhrmann
Best Actress: Catherine Zeta-Jones
Best Actor: Harry Connick, Jr.
Best Supporting Actor: Tim Curry
Best Supporting Actress: Kristin Chenoweth
Best Supporting Actress: Carol Burnett
Best Adapted Screenplay: Bill Condon
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Makeup
Best Sound
Best Original Song: “I’ve Been There” Catherine Zeta-Jones and Kristin Chenoweth, written by Stephen Sondheim

Arriba

Authors: Tony
Location: Pittsburgh

“Arriba”

Directed by Marc Forster
Written by Eric Guggenheim
Produced by Tom Rosenberg
Music by Vangelis

Principal Cast:

Seu Jorge - Roberto Clemente
Don Cheadle - Willie Stargell
Tom Wilkinson - Danny Murtaugh
Noah Emmerich - Bob Robertson
Simon Baker - Richie Hebner
Djimon Hounsou - Al Oliver
Adam Rodriguez - Mike Cuellar
Isaiah Washington - Willie Mays
Vivica A. Fox - Vera Clemente
Clancy Brown - Mickey Mantle
C.J. Sanders - Young Roberto Clemente

Tagline: "He brought a championship to Pittsburgh, he brought hope to the world"

Synopsis: From the man that brought you "Monsters Ball", "Finding Neverland", and "Stay", Marc Forster is back with his highly acclaimed sports drama "Arriba", a remarkable story about the baseball legend Roberto Clemente. Born August 18,1934, Clemente was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico with 4 other children, at the time which was dealing with poverty. He exceeded in many sports but his one true love was baseball. He was nicknamed around his home "Arriba" with is latin for "on the shore". At age 18 Clemente first got the scouts attention by playing with the Santurce Crabbers (with hall of famer Willie Mays). He was ready to try the majors, but it was difficult times then when people of color werent treated fairly and considered the minority. However in 1955 he had his first break in the majors when the Pittsburgh Pirates brought him in as one of their own, and it was the only team Roberto would play for. The 18 seasons with the Pirates sealed his fate as to being one of the greatest players to ever play the game. From putting up a consistent batting average above .300 throughout his entire career (leading the National League 4 times) to climbing up ivory walls making miraculous catches in right field, Clemente was a force to be reckoned with. The city of Pittsburgh was hungry for a championship, and in 1960 the dream came true. Clemente and the Pirates defeated the high powered, Mickey Mantle led New York Yankees in an exciting 7 game series. It was then in 1971 when Clemente and fellow teammates Willie Stargell, Bob Robertson, Richie Hebner, Al Oliver, and manager Danny Murtaugh became World Series champs again, against a great Baltimore Orioles team. Again, this one went to 7 games, and it was none other than Roberto Clemente who sealed the victory with solo home run, hitting it off of highly ranked pitcher Mike Cuellar that made the score 2-1, after this he was named the World Series mvp. Roberto would rank in the top 20 for league MVP 12 times in his career, and winning league MVP once.

As usual there is always a downside towards a heroic figure. Clemente was always criticized for complaining and nagging about injuries he had, and he had quite a few in his day. The media thought he was weak and soft, but Clemente played through many injuries and still managed to carry his team along with his fellow long time teammate and good friend Willie Stargell, also a remarkable hall of famer player. Roberto was also hit with analysts claiming he was too small to play the game. Again Clemente rubbed it in their face by having a cannon for a throwing arm and by hitting home runs with one good arm, and the other being injured. If anything was underrated with Clemente, it was his power. Though more known for being a contact hitter and reaching base an abundance of times, Clemente had some bang in those arms.

Nicknamed "The Great One" at this time in his career, Roberto wasnt only known for being a great player, but outside the baseball world, Roberto helped thousands of other people around the world in different countries, using the money he made from baseball and invested that in food for charity all around the world for the poor. Unfortunately one year later from his second World Series win, in 1972 the baseball world would be victimed to one of the biggest sports tragedies of all time. On December 31 Roberto Clemente was killed in a fatal airplane crash shortly after it took off. Roberto was off to Nicaragua, chartering relief supplies for earthquake victims, which killed thousands and left many homeless. In 1973 Clemente was inducted into the baseball hall of fame, being the first hispanic inducted. Roberto Clemente fullfilled his life by being one of baseballs greatest heroes on and off the field, and marrying Vera Clemente, having four children. The end of this film shows the real footage of Roberto Clementes number, 21, being retired in front of thousands of Pittsburgh fans at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The statue of Clemente can be seen outside of the park.

What the press would say:

It's been some time since a sports biopic has caught my attention. "Ali" was a good story but highly flawed, "Cinderella Man" was well casted but wont go down as a classic. "Arriba" is an all around solid achievement that will go down as one of the greatest sports epics of all time. Truly a rollercoaster ride of emotions throughout the illustrious life of Roberto Clemente that was just meant to be a part of the big screen.

Marc Forster brings the true happiness to the film as he did with "Finding Neverland", and brings the true tragic realism to the film with the racism and death to the picture like he did in "Monsters Ball". If people didn't recognize Seu Jorge's talents in "City of God", Arriba will definitely sell his place in the acting community. From the weight loss to studying his character, Jorge put his soul into film and should definitely get his recognition. Tom Wilkinson gives a motivated, groundbreaking performance as the manager of the 1972 World Series champs Pittsburgh Pirates. If anyone has the look of a baseball player it would be Don Cheadle. Cheadle gets a good bit of time in this film as power hitting Willie Stargell, and long time friend of Clemente.

So get your popcorn, bring your date, bring your father, heck bring the whole family, because this 2 and 1/2 hour feature is one that will be remembered as one of the greatest sports stories told on screen. It truly makes you forget the difficult times the world has been through since its existence, and makes you remember the heroes and legends that did do something good for the world, and for you.

Recommendations:

Best Picture
Best Director - Marc Forster
Best Actor - Seu Jorge
Best Actor in Supporting - Tom Wilkinson
Best Actor in Supporting - Don Cheadle
Best Actor in Supporting - Clancy Brown
Best Actress in Supporting - Vivica A. Fox
Best Original Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Original Score

The Art of Being Here

Authors: Ian
Location: New Jersey

“The Art of Being Here"

Directed by: Robert Altman
Screenplay by: Noah Baumbach

Principal Cast:

Annette Bening – Lisa Davis
Jena Malone – Rachel Davis
Emile Hirsch – Ryan Johnson
Alec Baldwin – Sam Berenson
Cloris Leachman – Angela Harris
Jeff Daniels – Todd Davis

Tagline: "Dysfunction is their thing"

Synopsis: In this brutally honest, yet charmingly entertaining, story are Lisa (Annette Bening) and Rachel Davis (Jena Malone). A few years back, Lisa and Rachel’s father, Todd (Jeff Daniels), were separated (and never divorced), leaving Lisa heartbroken and Rachel torn between parents, though she clearly prefers her father to her mother. Lisa has now finally moved on, with a new house, a new job, and a new boyfriend, Sam (Alec Baldwin). In an effort to take her relationship with Sam to the next level and to repair her relationship with Rachel, they embark on a road trip to meet Sam’s family. Along for the ride is Ryan (Emile Hirsch), Rachel’s best guy friend who happens to be slowly falling in love with her. Rachel refused to go without him, so Lisa made room in the car. The fifth and final road tripper is Angela (Cloris Leachman), Rachel’s grandmother, who disagrees with almost everything in her daughter’s life.

What the press would say:

“The Art of Being Here” is, hands down, the sleeper film of the year. It started out as low-key, under the radar project with some big name actors, but once it hit the film festival circuit, they may as well cancel the Oscars this year. “Here” is the critics’ darling of the year, and rightfully so, too. What holds the film together is its bittersweet effect and its ability to make the viewer experience a melting pot of emotions every scene. Annette Bening is spectacular and I really do believe this is the film that’ll win her that Oscar she very much deserves. Surprisingly enough, it is Emile Hirsch that steals the show here. Hirsch’s performance as Malone’s wonderful best friend who is in love with her is heartbreaking. This kid has a remarkable career of himself. Leachman is pitch-perfect as Rachel’s scene-stealing grandmother. Baldwin and Daniels are marvelous as the men of Lisa’s life. I’m surprised Jena Malone didn’t drown in the sea of emotions she puts on display every time she’s on camera. The buzz also continues to grow for Noah Baumbach, who might get the Oscar he was robbed of for “The Squid & The Whale”. This, my friends, is going to clean up come Oscar time and I feel bad for any other Oscar hopeful that was released this year.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actress – Annette Bening
Best Supporting Actor – Emile Hirsch
Best Supporting Actor – Jeff Daniels
Best Supporting Actress – Cloris Leachman
Best Film Editing
Best Original Score

Bait an Oscar

Authors: Douglas Reese
Location: Clarksville, Ohio

“Bait an Oscar”

Directed by Johnny Alba
Written by Pat, Harry Jason Somerton, Daniel Crooke,Matt, Maia, Zgamer, Douglas Reese, &Johnny Alba

Principal Cast:

Pat
Harry
Daniel Crooke
Matt
Maia
Zgamer
James Somerton
Douglas Reese
Johnny Alba

Tagline: "A Fake Oscar Goes a LONG way!"

Synopsis: In this inventive, fresh, and wacky picture which confused hundreds of critics and amused a few number of people on a small website, ‘Bait an Oscar’ is surely a classic movie for its pointlessness and its wildly uncreative seriousness. Starring a number of people who hardly anybody knows and featuring spoofs of some movies that only exist in the wildly interesting minds of very creative people.

It is August 2006 and seven different film fanatics have the time of their lives as they make movie ideas and submit them to participate in Bait an Oscar contest on a website called The Oscar Igloo. The film unfolds in a ten-minute prologue as it instructs you and educates you about the contest, narrated by the website’s owner himself (director of film Johnny Alba).

As the film goes along, it introduces you to the seven title characters that all have their “baits” prepared for the contest. Pat, a forum favorite sent in the bait “Photograph”, an ensemble piece. Harry sent in a musical called “The B&W Show”, Daniel Crooke sent in “Steamboat Disney”, a biopic focusing on Walt Disney. Matt sent in “Internet Connection”, a bait that was “robbed” according to Douglas Reese, whose bait was the controversial conversation-starter “Bruised Boys”. Maia sent in “The Arabic Café”, the predicted winner. While James Somerton was booed and almost ignored of his thriller “The Apocalypse of Angela Reed”, he may turn out to be on top! And finally, the bait EVERYONE loved – “Wackos”, will make many people pissed if it doesn’t take the prize!

To it all up, the film shows how the baiters got their bait’s ideas, shows dangerous twisters of arguments on The Oscar Igloo’s forums, showing a fictionalized and blisteringly well-acted Oscar night showing from the red carpet to the winner for Best Picture, and topping it all off when it interrupts the program every once in a while to show you spoofs of baits, each one lasting less than a minute. The crowd favorite is when Harry spoofs “Bruised Boys” as he reenacts the “five-minute sex scene” and gives a speech of hilarious lust to a completely CGI man!

Laughs are only some of the major originality in “Bait an Oscar”, a film that only a few people will probably like. And if you don’t like it, Johnny doesn’t give a ----!

What the press would say:

“After I watched this film I found out that The Oscar Igloo was a real site and I am now an official member of judging the baits that the creative filmbuffs create. The website AND the movie are exciting.”

Richard Roeper said this on Ebert & Roeper last week…

…every other critic hated it!

For Your Consideration

PICTURE
DIRECTOR (Johnny Alba)
SCREENPLAY

What else could there be?

The Ballad of Mary King

Authors: James Somerton
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada

“The Ballad of Mary King”

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino
Written By: Quentin Tarantino

Principal Cast:

Uma Thurman as Mary King
Bruce Willis as Gary King
Alexander Michaeletos as Harry King
Samuel L. Jackson as Detective Brass
Michael Madsen as Detective Calus
Daryl Hannah as Sherry Brown

Tagline: "Crazy Mary Killed Her Kid / Crazy Mary Ran and Hid / Crazy Mary Got Put Away / But She’ll Be Back Again… Some Day"

Synopsis: Mary King is the perfect housewife. Her house is immaculate at all times, her meals are always perfect, her hair never greys, and her family makes the Brady’s look like the Mansons. She lives in the small town of West Beach, California (which is really nowhere near a beach. The town was named that so that it might attract more tourists). But there’s a problem in Mary’s small town. Some people have moved in and are cooking something in their basement.

It’s Meth and when Mary catches her sun doing it, she kills him. Then she kills her husband… just in case. She chops up the bodies and places them in bags which she then make airtight with one of her many as-seen-on-TV appliances. She hides the bodies in the basement freezer and goes along with her perfect life. But the police are suspicious and even Mary King can’t keep up the façade for too long before it drives her crazy.

What the press would say:

Quentin Tarantino hits another one out of the park with “The Ballad of Mary King”. The film opens just after Mary King has killed her son, and the film jumps back and forth in time, in typical Tarantino fashion, until all the pieces of the puzzle are laid in place. Uma Thurman is amazing as the demented housewife that would rather die than have anything bad said about her or her family. Her one redeeming quality is her relationship with her paraplegic sister Sherry (played to perfection by Daryl Hannah). Her husband, Gary, is played by Bruce Willis who makes the roll sympathetic enough to feel sorry for (know throughout the entire movie that he will die) but just macho enough to think that he might be a little too overbearing. Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Madsen play two detectives who are trying to find out what happened to Gary and Harry King, all the while fighting off the urge to sleep with the seductive housewife. Tarantino gives his usual crispy dialogue a suburban spin as the story jumps around. This isn’t his usual crime story fair but it’s still in the same vein as his other films. Critics are raving about the film, calling it a “Thriller Masterpiece” and saying “Don’t blink or you might miss the best ending in years”.

POSSIBLE NOMINATIONS:

Best Picture
Best Director – Quentin Tarantino
Best Screenplay – Quentin Tarantino
Best Actress – Uma Thurman
Best Supporting Actor – Bruce Willis
Best Supporting Actor – Samual L. Jackson
Best Supporting Actress – Daryl Hannah

Between Elephants and Mice

Authors: Harry
Location: Unknown

“Between Elephants and Mice”
A Focus Features release

Directed by Woody Allen
Written by Woody Allen and Noah Baumbach
Music by Hans Zimmer

Principal Cast:

Laura Linney as Heather
Djimon Hounsou as Ibrahim
Ralph Fiennes as Jack
Zack Efron as Alexander
Haley Joel Osment as Aaron
Freddie Highmore as Albert
Luke Spill as Alan
Aaron Eckhart as Victor

Tagline: "What would you choose between black & white, between more and less, between big and small, between elephants and mice?"

(November 2007)

Synopsis: Heather is a poor, miserable and unemployed mother that lives in the poorest neighborhood in Manhattan with his husband Victor and his four kids (Alexander, Aaron, Albert & Alan).

If this misery wasn’t enough, Heather founds out that his husband Victor turns out to be bisexual and runs away to Japan with his Japanese lover.

Everything seemed to go from bad to worse, until an important businessman called Jack casually meets Heather in the streets. Jack meets love at first sigh and decides to hire Heather as his secretary.

Jack’s desperate love grew as big as you can imagine, and did anything possible for Heather and her kids.

Heather’s life became a lot better than it used to and knows Jack’s in love with her but, it wouldn’t work.

Heather’s true love was Ibrahim, her old neighbor from her old neighborhood. Ibrahim is an African immigrant and a very talented painter but is as poor and miserable as Heather used to be. Ibrahim also loves Heather but hasn’t enough money to maintain her and her kids.

As the story goes on, Jack and Ibrahim offer marriage to Heather!

Heather must decide between a black and a white, between a lot and a little, between a rich and poor but most of all, between an elephant (Jack) and a mouse (Ibrahim)!

What the press would say:

“Between Elephants and mice” is an amazing, funny, touching and delicious independent hit. It blew away the critics with its clever screenplay, its solid acting and its wonderful directing.

“I never thought Woody Allen and Noah Baumbach could make such an effective team” hailed Peter Travers from Rolling Stone magazine.

“I had an enormous laugh at the beginning of the film when the husband left her for Japanese. And never have I seen a film were the most tragic events become the most hilarious events like when Heather chooses between Jack and Ibrahim” – hailed Joel Siegel from Good Morning America.

“I give two thumbs to the elephants and two thumbs to the mice. “Between elephants and mice is the greatest, funniest and most original independent film of the year.”
“Move aside The Squid and the Whale. Annie Hall, you’re second” hailed Brian and Deepak, two Oscar fans.

“Critics and audience agree. “Between elephants and mice” is the best independent film of the year proving it with tons of awards and nominations.

Here are some, and only some of the awards it had won:

• National Board of Review: Actress, Screenplay
• New York Film Critics Circle: Picture, Actress, Screenplay
• National Society of Film Critics: Picture, Directing, Actress, Screenplay
• Broadcast Film Critics Circle: Actress and Screenplay
• Golden Globes: Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Actress (Musical or Comedy), Screenplay
• Screen Actors Guild: Best Actress
• Screen Writers Guild: Original Screenplay
• Directors Guild: Best Director (nomination)
• Producers Guild: Best Picture (nomination)

Oscar nominations (6):

Best Motion Picture of the Year
Best Directing – Woody Allen
Best Actress – Laura Linney
Best Supporting Actor - Djimon Hounsou
Best Original Screenplay – Woody Allen and Noah Baumbach
Best Original Score

The Breadwinner

Authors: Connor Campbell
Location: Texas

“The Breadwinner”

Directed by Milos Forman
Written by Deborah Ellis

Principal Cast:

Parvana- Keisha Castle-Hughes
Parvana’s Older Sister- Marina Golbahari
Parvana’s Father- Naveen Andrews
Parvana’s Mother- Parminder Nagra
Parvana’s Little Sister- Unknown Iraqi Actress, age 10
Shauzira- Benaf Dadachandji

Tagline: "When happiness is a lifetime away anything can happen"

Synopsis: Parvana’s family used to be wealthy. They had a large home in a beautiful neighborhood in Kabul. That was until the Taliban took over and bombed their neighborhood. Her brother was killed and the rest of her family was forced to move into a tiny apartment in a different part of the city. Women were no longer allowed to go outside without a male companion and could not show their faces. Parvana’s father was forced to work at the market while Parvana, her mother & sisters stayed inside. But when her father was arrested after Taliban officials ransacked their home and found forbidden teaching materials. Without another man in the family, the family has no money. With nothing left to do, the dress Parvana in her dead brother’s clothes and go to the market to provide for her family. While working at the market, Parvana meets Shauzira, another woman dressed as a man. Together they protect each other from their true identities being discovered. After starting to dig graves for bones for money her father is released from prison and injured so Parvana still has to dress up as a man and her older sister is getting married in the “safe city” where the Taliban is not in power. But while her sisters and mother are there the Taliban invades and the fate of the rest of her family is unknown. Parvana must travel to the “safe city” to find her family.

What the press would say:

“The scene when Parvana & Shauzira go into the stadium to see what they thought was a soccer game that was actually an execution was beautifully done and really shows the whole experience through a child’s eyes”- Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

“The Breadwinner’s achievement is that it has integrated within a suspenseful story the brutal conditions in Afghanistan. Every detail in it’s account of Parvana's family is taken from first hand sources, and clandestine film footage smuggled out of Afghanistan. By focusing on one family whose day-to-day life engrosses us, The Breadwinner humanizes the experience of a nation.”- Gary Cogil- Dallas Morning News

“Keisha pulls you in and never lets you go. Her performance is one that makes you want to ball like a baby. Phenomenal, absolutely fabulous.” Good Morning America

NOMINATIONS

Best Picture
Best Director- Milos Forman
Best Actress- Keisha Castle-Hughes
Best Supporting Actress- Benaf Dadachandji
Best Adapted Screenplay- Deborah Ellis
Best Editing
Best Sound
Best Sound Editing

The Butcher of Hanover

Authors: Matthew LaRusso
Location: New Jersey

“The Butcher of Hanover”

Directed by: Roman Polanski
Written by: Roman Polanski
Score by: Hans Zimmer

Principal Cast:

Leonardo DiCaprio as Fritz Haarmann
Cillian Murphy as Hans Grans

Tagline: "The Story of Germany’s Greatest Serial Killer"

Synopsis: This is the story of Fritz Haarmann, a German serial killer responsible for nearly 50 killings in post World War I Germany. He would dress as a police officer and lure vagrants back to his home, where he would kill them with a bite to the throat after sexually molesting them. He would then butcher their bodies and sell their remains, hence “The Butcher of Hanover”. Murphy plays Haarmann’s counterpart and love interest Hans Grans. Haarmann was captured and was decapitated for his crimes.

What the press would say:

In this psychological thriller, Polanski pulls out all the stops and makes Silence of the Lambs look like a family picnic. DiCaprio is terrifying and brilliant as the psychological demented Haarmann. Murphy also gives a great performance as Haarmann’s henchman Grans. The art direction is breathtaking and Hans Zimmer’s score is by far his best.

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor- Leonardo DiCaprio
Best S. Actor- Cillian Murphy
Best Original Screenplay
Best Art Direction
Best Makeup
Best Costume Design
Best Original Score

Cielo Drive

Authors: Brett / Dpac
Location: Wisconsin / Wisconsin

“Cielo Drive”

Directed by Curtis Hanson
Written by Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland
Produced by Curtis Hanson and Brian Grazer
Music by James Horner

Principal Cast:

Charles Manson - Billy Crudup
Sharon Tate - Charlize Theron
Roman Polanski - Michael J. Fox
Jay Sebring - Christian Bale
Abigail Folger - Catherine Keener
Wojciech Frykowski -Steve Buscemi
Linda Kasabian - Jennifer Carpenter
Steven Parent - Jake Gyllenhaal
William Garretson - Haley Joel Osment
Tex Watson - Jim Caviezel
Patricia Krenwinkel - Anna Paquin
Susan Atkins - Holly Hunter
Terry Melcher - Johnny Depp
Winifred Chapman - Marcia Gay Harden
Joanna Pettet - Anna Faris
Barbara Lewis - Jennifer Hudson

Tagline: "The murder that shocked thousands. The facts that will shock millions"

Synopsis: All was quiet at 10050 Cielo Drive on that muggy August night in 1969. So quiet, in fact, that the neighbors said you could almost hear the ice rattling in the cocktails at the home of the lovely Sharon Tate. It was just an ordinary day for Tate which fate had decided to end a little differently. Her husband, Roman Polanski, was shooting a film in Europe. To get rid of her sense of loneliness, eight months pregnant Tate invited her close friends, coffee heiress Abigail Folger and her rich fiancée, Frykowski, and renowned hair stylist Jay Sebring for dinner at a restaurant and came back to Tate's place to have a chat. Impromptu gatherings like this one on a weekend night were not at all atypical, but she wanted to confide in someone her despair at Polanski's delay in returning from London. Hours came and went as they sat there taking and as the night got later, the silence thickened. But shortly after midnight, all that would change, for the worse…

What the press would say:

Few murders have shocked Hollywood and modern popular culture more than those committed by the notorious Manson Family in the 1960's, and in particular the slaying of LA "it" girl Sharon Tate and her fabulous friends. The wave of panic felt by southern California after these horrendous crimes was felt for months. Curtis Hanson's historical valentine "Cielo Drive" focuses on just that. Yes, it's a biopic. But it's goes so much farther. This film noir is, to say the least, a revealing and heartbreaking look at one of the United States most definitive periods in modern culture.

Its August 9th, 1965. We are first introduced to Roman Polanski, shooting a film in Europe, longing for his wife and expectant baby. We meet Sharon Tate, a Hollywood starlet searching for someone to confide in. We meet Sharon's guests, relaxed and quiet at the house on the hill. And then we meet the Manson Family, ready to do what fate intended. It's the climax of the cult-hippie movement, a period of crime and murder. it's a night that will never be forgotten. The scenes in the Tate home are some not quickly forgotten. Its a dark, saddening, and utterly violent period in the film. Some would say it makes your hair curl with sheer anger towards the Manson Clan. But Hanson's best skills lie in his level for taste and meaning, not just in his meticulous directing. And although the scenes may be hard to stomach, they will surely break your heart and leave you floored.

Overall Cielo Drive is more than just a film. It's a study of mortality and fate. These performances are some of the best scene in contemporary cinema, and the real star of the film is it's acclaimed director. When watching this film, you won't turn away. You cant turn away. Because the end result is something not easily put into words. You will be angered, you will cry, and surely, you will feel.

Possible Nominations:
Best Picture: Curtis Hanson and Brian Grazer
Best Director: Curtis Hanson
Best Original Screenplay: Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland
Best Actor: Billy Crudup, Christian Bale
Best Actress: Charlize Theron
Best Supp. Actor: Michael J. Fox, Steve Buscemi
Best Supp. Actress : Catherine Keener, Holly Hunter
And various other technical awards.......

Convalescence

Authors: Craig
Location: California

“Convalescence"

Directed by Rodrigo Garcia
Written by Alan Ball
Score by James Horner
Cinematography: Caleb Deschanel

Principal Cast:

Maria Bello: Sandra, the divorce attorney
Sean Bean: Michael, her soon-to-be ex-husband
Cate Blanchett: Madeleine, the infidel
John C. Reilly: Eric, her oblivious husband
Jennifer Connelly: Miriam, the abused wife
Robert Downey Jr: Nicolas, her violent husband
Nicole Kidman: Anna, the widow
Jennifer Jason Leigh: Ashley, the addict
Helen Mirren: Violet, the mother
Leonardo DiCaprio: Daniel, her son
Samantha Morton: Mia, the alcoholic
Anna Paquin: Valerie, the rape victim
Marisa Tomei: Lindsay, the gambler
Kate Winslet: Amanda, the mute photographer
Michelle Williams: Hannah, the girlfriend
Ben McKenzie: Tom, the drug dealer
and Emma Thompson: Dr. Ryan, the therapist

Tagline: "How do you live your life when nobody's looking?"

Synopsis: The story of eleven women, young and old, who attend the same group psychology sessions. The film follows each of them as they deal with their individual problems and rebuild their lives as they go. It consists of a varied bunch of characters: a teenage rape victim (Paquin), the mother of a violent ex-convict (Mirren), a domestically abused wife (Connelly), a heroin addict (Leigh), the girlfriend of an unsuccessful drug dealer (Williams), a recently widowed painter (Kidman), an aspiring author with an alcohol problem (Morton), a sorrowful adulteress (Blanchett), a divorce attorney dealing with her own split (Bello), a down-on-her-luck gambler (Tomei), and a suicidal photographer (Winslet). These remarkable women share stories and advice and strive to come out on top in one of the most powerful films of the year. Emma Thompson co-stars as the therapist.

What the press would say:

A step up from anything Garcia has ever done, filled with amazing realism and standout performances by all of the actresses. The film starts off with a therapy session, introducing all the characters and their stories. We are then shown clips of each of the women as they weave in and out of each other's lives. The entire cast has received unanimous praise, and they won the SAG award for best ensemble cast. Here is what the critics are saying about them:

Maria Bello- "Best performance of her career. This is sure to get her the nomination she deserves."

Cate Blanchett- "Another virtuoso performance by today's screen goddess. She shines in one of her most difficult roles to date."

Jennifer Connelly- "Quickly becoming today's dramatic actress, Connelly gives the best performance of the film as a quiet, yet vengeful wife."

Nicole Kidman- "Her best performance since Dogville, and her most emotional. She brings her character's grief to life."

Jennifer Jason Leigh- "A very impressive show, very different from anything she's done before. She has a demanding role and she plays it perfectly."

Helen Mirren- "She has an Emmy, and this may well give her an Oscar too."

Samantha Morton- "Definite Oscar bait. Samantha is becoming one of the best actresses of this generation. Her performance is astounding."

Anna Paquin- "I used to think she would never win another Oscar, but Ms. Paquin gives a stunning and demanding performance. It is her best since The Piano."

Marisa Tomei- "Fabulous. This may even be better than her performance in My Cousin Vinny."

Kate Winslet- "She is fantastic in her most daring role yet. The best performance by a lead actress in this decade."

Michelle Williams- "One of the most respected young actresses, Williams delivers in a bravado performance."

Emma Thompson- "Though she seems like more of a backup singer, Thompson's character holds the whole film together, and she did it perfectly."

Potential awards (* indicates win):
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Score
Best Film Editing
Best Actress- Winslet*
Best Actress-Connelly
Best Supporting Actress-Samantha Morton*
Best Supporting Actress-Marisa Tomei
Best Supporting Actress-Anna Paquin

Cooper

Authors: Chris Moffitt
Location: North Carolina

“Cooper”

Directed by Anthony Minghella
Written by Anthony Minghella
Music by James Horner

Principal Cast:

Jude Law (D.B. Cooper)
Drew Barrymore (Florence Schaffner)
Paul Giamatti (William Scott)

Tagline: "Terror wears a suit at 10,000 feet"

Synopsis: This film depicts the true story of the unsolved case of D.B.Cooper (Law), who hijacked a Boeing 727 with a bomb and escaping out the back of the plane with $200,000. The film shows the hijacking from the point of view of the unsuspecting travelers on the Boeing 727 as well as the point of view of flight attendant Florence Schaffner (Barrymore), who was one of the first to learn of the hijacking and pilot William Scott(Giamatti), who tries to keep the plane in the air.

What the press would say:

Anthony Minghella takes the terror and suspense filled events of the D.B. Cooper hijacking and has it seen through the eyes of the passengers on board the flight. Drew Barrymore gives an excellent performance as the flight attendant who learns of Cooper's hijacking first. Paul Giamatti also shines as pilot William Scott, a man who wants to be afraid but must continue his mission to fly the plane. And all though the other passengers on the plane are the film's leads, Jude Law is the show stealer as Cooper himself. Law delivers some bone-chilling lines in this film and has some excellent dialogue with Barrymore in this film. Law's chilling and calm performance almost makes you happy that Cooper escapes the plane in the end.

The film's excellent writing allows and camera work captures the emotions of each of the three main characters in the film.

Best Picture
Best Director- Anthony Minghella
Best Actor- Jude Law
Best Actress- Drew Barrymore
Best Supporting Actor- Paul Giamatti
Best Original Screenplay- Anthony Minghella
Best Original Score- James Horner
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Best Sound Editing
Best Sound ay
Best Costume Design

Courage

Authors: Jason
Location: New York

“Courage”

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Paul Haggis
Music By: Gustavo Santaolalla

Principal Cast:

Tom Hanks as Marshall Cade Winans
Kevin Costner as Terry Michael Helms
Geoffrey Rush as George Junior Hamner
Nicolas Cage as Jesse Logan Jones
Ed Harris as Fred Gay Ware Jr.
Bruce Willis as Martin Toler Jr.
John Travolta as Alva Martin Bennett
Richard Gere as Jerry Lee Groves
Harrison Ford as James Arden Bennett
Heath Ledger as Randal L. McCloy Jr.
Dennis Quaid as Jackie Lynn Weaver
Barry Pepper as Thomas Paul Anderson
Josh Hartnett as David William Lewis

Tagline: "Life's a constant battle between death and survival"

Synopsis: This movie will take you deep into the mines of West Virginia , where 13 miners fought for survival, as they were trapped underground with no way out. At first the media announced that most of the miners survived, but in the end, one one managed to come out alive. This film focuses on the lives and relationships of the miners leading up to the tragedy, and follows through with a powerful interpretation of what happened underground, as well as the aftermath of the catastrophe. The disaster greatly impacted the families and communities of the victims, but most of all, it taught a great life lesson. This movie concentrates on the courage, dreams, and effort of the miners, as well as their determination to come out from under the ground alive.

What the press would say:

Although this film deals with a sensitive topic, it could not have been handled and portrayed better. Steven Spielberg recreates the mining disaster, delivering the story as close to the truth as possible. His work is brilliant once again, and should be recognized by the Academy. One of the best things about this film is the all star cast. 13 incredible actors portray the 13 miners in a phenomenal way, since they all worked so hard to really become their particular character. Heath Ledger delivers his best performance to date, leading the cast as Randal L. McCloy Jr., the only miner to survive the tragedy. Although this is an emotional and extremely upsetting film, it is an outstanding movie and nobody should hesitate about seeing it.

Oscar Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director: Steven Spielberg
Best Actor: Heath Ledger
Best Supporting Actor: Tom Hanks
Best Supporting Actor: Kevin Costner
Best Supporting Actor: Geoffrey Rush
Best Supporting Actor: Nicolas Cage
Best Supporting Actor: Ed Harris
Best Supporting Actor: Bruce Willis
Best Supporting Actor: John Travolta
Best Supporting Actor: Richard Gere
Best Supporting Actor: Harrison Ford
Best Supporting Actor: Dennis Quaid
Best Supporting Actor: Barry Pepper
Best Supporting Actor: Josh Hartnett
Best Original Screenplay: Paul Haggis
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Original Song
Best Original Score
Best Visual Effects

The Curious Case of Phineas Gage

Authors: D.W. Dillon
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

“The Curious Case Of Phineas Gage”

Directed by Joel Coen
Written by Joel & Ethan Coen
Music by Carter Burwell
Produced by Ethan Coen

Principal Cast:

Paul Giamatti - Phineas P. Gage
Jean Smart - Jeanette Gage
William H. Macy - Dr. J.M. Harlow
Stellen Skarsgard - Dr. Henry Bigelow
Bernadette Peters - Sherri "Madame Ruby" Bedford
Steve Buscemi - Danny Dooley
Dan Hedaya - Bosco Issel
and
Robert Duvall as P.T. Barnum

Tagline: "The curious case of Phineas Gage. Took a tamping iron rod through the brain. It didn't take his life. He placed no blame, but Phineas Gage would never be the same”

Synopsis: Here's the story of Phineas P. Gage (Giamatti). An honest-hardworking man of age. Took a job on a railroad for a decent wage. He had many friends (Hedaya, Buscemi) and a doting wife (Smart) until a tamping iron rod sought to take is life. He packed the iron into the rock without sand, forgetting the most important part of the plan. The iron blasted back as forceful as could be. Straight through his cheek bone, out his brain we could see. Horror turned to amazement to everyone's surprise. Phineas Gage was curiously still alive! Rushed to his physician who could not believe, that Phineas could return to work without ease. But something happened to Phineas Gage. He began to swear and lie with hostile rage. To gain fame and acclaim for his own selfish needs, Harlow (Macy) his doctor was desperate to be. But not all were amazed, one man worried so, for the life of poor Phineas was Dr. Bigelow (Skarsgard). But to his disappointment, he would fall on deaf ears. Phineas lost his job, his wife and everything he held dear. Some saw a jerk or a bum, or just a plain freak, but Mr. P.T. Barnum (Duvall) saw a human being. Sickened with doctors and his old life left behind. He soon joined the circus to help take up some time. He fell in love with a psychic (Peters) who could not ease his pain. But she loved him anyways, through his last turbulent days. And so is the story of Phineas P. Gage. A man that could not help but to change.

What the press would say:

From the quirky minds of the the most creative duo in showbiz, the Coen Brothers strike gold again with The Curious Case Of Phineas Gage. Their take on one of the most extraordinary medical mysteries will leave you laughing and crying even after you've seen it a hundred times. Paul Giamatti tackles a role bread for Oscar gold. He definitely will not be ignored. And making her comeback is the vivacious Bernadette Peters, the "Queen of Broadway" returns to the big screen to offer a heartwarming performance as a bad psychic trying to tame a wild mind. The Coens pulled out all the stops here, bringing in perennial Oscar nominee William H. Macy who can spout Coen dialogue like no other. An unforgettable cameo sparks the movies climax when Robert Duvall graces our presence as the famous circus mogul P.T. Barnum. This film touches your heart without being sappy and makes you laugh without feeling shameful. Think strange. Think odd. Think Oscar.

Best Picture
Best Director - Joel Coen
Best Actor - Paul Giamatti
Best Actress - Bernadette Peters
Best Supporting Actor - William H. Macy
Best Supporting Actor - Robert Duvall
Best Supporting Actress - Jean Smart
Best Original Screenplay - Joel & Ethan Coen
Best Film Editing - Joel & Ethan Coen
Best Score - Carter Burwell (Fargo)
Best Cinematography - Roger Deakins (Shawshank Redemption, Fargo)
Best Visual Effects - Aaron Weintraub (A History Of Violence)
Best Make-Up - Grady Holder (Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

Deception Point

Authors: Dpac
Location: Appleton

“Deception Point”

Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Produced by Robert Zemeckis and Steve Starkey
Screenplay by Eric Roth
Music by Alan Silvestri
Adapted from the book 'Deception Point' by Dan Brown

Principal Cast:

Anne Hathaway as Rachel Sexton
Patrick Wilson as Michael Tolland
Jennifer Connelly as Norah Mangor
Paul Giamatti as Corky Marlinson
Ken Watanabe as Dr. Ming
Mark Harmon as President Herney
Dennis Quaid as Senator Sedgewick Sexton
Emma Thompson as Marjorie Tench
Naomie Harris as Gabrielle Ashe
Tommy Lee Jones as William Pickering
William Hurt as Lawrence Ekstorm
Patricia Clarkson as Yolanda
Vin Diesel, Jeremy Davies and Samuel L. Jackson as Delta-One , Two and Three

Tagline: "Sometimes, the truth can be the most shocking deception of all"

Synopsis: A NASA satellite detected a meteorite under the Arctic ice which had signs of extra-terrestrial life.The timing couldn't have been better as Senator Sedgewick Sexton's anti-NASA campaign was gaining ground and President Herney's campaign was falling, fast, in the impending election. Learning about this find, the President sent four civilian scientists, Michael, Norah, Ming and Corky to determine the authenticity of the find before he publicizes it. He also sent Senator Sexton's daughter Rachel, who worked with the NRO. They do their research and find that it is authentic. But then they find evidence of scientific trickery and realize that they all have been deceived. Possessing this knowledge poses a threat to their lives as someone doesn't want the truth let out. Without anyone for help, they realize that it is them that has to figure out the mastermind behind this ploy. But little do they do that they are in for the biggest deception ever....

What the press would say:

NASA detects an astonishingly rare object under the Arctic which turns out to be an ancient meteorite which had fossils of extra-terrestrial life. To address the question of this find, a few civilian scientists are sent. Before this find is announced to the public, the scientists discover that everything wasn't as it seemed to be. And after realising this truth, they set out find the truth and the person behind this bold deception...

The Oscar-winning director (Zemeckis) and screenwriter (Roth) of the Oscar-winning film 'Forrest Gump' brings you this movie adapted from the book of the same title by Dan Brown. With an ensemble cast and the well-known meticulous directing of Zemeckis, this movie is an amazing thriller. The performances add to the flavor of the movie.

Anne Hathaway (Brokeback Mountain) and Patrick Wilson (Little Children) shine in the lead roles as Rachel Sexton, an intelligence analyst for the NRO and as Michael Tolland, the charismatic oceanographer, who find themselves in dangerous situation and embark on journey to separate truth from deceit. Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) and Paul Giamatti (Sideways) having great chemistry between them, portray the humorous characters of Norah and Corky with great accuracy. Dennis Quaid (Postcards from the Edge) gives an almost perfect performance as the corrupt United States senator, Senator Sedgewick, running for office, who's anti-NASA campaign has just hit rock bottom with this so-called discovery snd is also trying to get himself back in the race with some dirty tricks he has stored up his sleeve. Tommy Lee Jones (Fugitive) also joins the cast and undertakes the role of William Pickering, the director of the NRO, the only person there to help Rachel and does a good job at it. But the stars of the show are Naomie Harris (After The Sunset) and Emma Thompson (Howard's End). Naomie plays Gabrielle Ashe, the Senator's personal aide. And Emma plays Marjorie Tench, the Senior Adviser of the President. Marjorie holds a few dangerous secrets of the Senator, that Gabrielle, being his campaign manager, didn't know of, and threatened to reveal them if she doesn't sign a statement saying that she had an affair with the Senator, which she did. Both of their performances are spot on and also they are my frontrunners in the Leading and Supporting Actress Categories along with the many contenders this movie has produced. Also starring are Mark Harmon (West Wing), Patricia Clarkson (Pieces of April), Ken Watanabe (Last Samurai) and William Hurt (A History of Violence).

Finally, I can see that this picture is one of the best this year and surely be awarded with Oscar nominations and may even end up winning especially in the acting categories...

Nominations-

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Actor - Dennis Quaid and Patrcik Wilson
Best Actress - Anne Hathaway and Naomie Harris
Best Supporting Actor - Paul Giamatti, William Hurt and Tommy Lee Jones
Best Supporting Actress - Emma Thompson and Jennifer Connelly
Best Set Design
Best Costume Design
Best Original Score
Best Film Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Sound Mixing.

The Devil's Contract

Authors: Pat
Location: New York

“The Devil's Contract”

Directed By Sam Mendes
Written By Andrew Nichol and Dan Futterman
Based Upon The Short Story "The Devil And Tom Walker" by Washington Irving
Music By James Horner
Produced By Steven Spielberg, Steven Soderbergh, Johnny Depp

Principal Cast:

Ben Affleck (Tom Walker)
Johnny Depp (The Devil)
Jennifer Aniston (Sara Walker)
Peter Gallagher (Barnie Maxwell)
Rob Lowe (Kendall Hubbert)
Brendan Gleeson (John York)
David Thewlis ( Quincy Burtwood)
Rachel Griffiths (Wendy)

Tagline: "Sell your soul, get rich, and die. That's the Devil's contract"

Synopsis: Sam Mendes' modern retelling of the classic Washington Irving short story, "The Devil's Contract" follows the life of a Boston financial advisor who makes a deal with the Devil to get rich. Tom Walker (Ben Affleck) is a disrespectful, cocky, unsuccessful H&R Block employee who steals from his clients and cheats on his wife (Jennifer Aniston) out of spite. His boss (Peter Gallagher) thinks that his presence in the company is leading to its demise and his best friend (Rob Lowe) has been sleeping with Tom's wife. One day Tom decides to drive into the backwoods of Massachusetts and crashes his car into a swamp. In that bog, Tom encounters a man (Johnny Depp), who claims to be the Devil, tells Tom that he will make him rich beyond his wildest dreams under one condition. Tom must give up his soul to the Devil and be ready to go to Hell whenever Satan sees fit. Tom agrees to the contract and is given the lost treasure of Captain Kidd, which makes Tom a billionaire and friend to some of the most upscale citizens of Boston (Brendan Gleeson, David Thewlis) while falling for a high-class hooker (Rachel Griffiths). But Tom soon learns that fortune isn't everything when greed pulls him into the darkest depths of humanity.

What the press would say:

Sam Mendes latest dark comedy "The Devil's Contract" is based upon a short story by Washington Irving , which tells the tale of a man who makes a deal with the Devil and has to pay for it. Ben Affleck plays Tom Walker, an H&R Block employee with a greedy disposition and disregard for his wife's (Jennifer Aniston) feelings. He meets the Devil (Johnny Depp) and agrees to sell his soul for Captain Kidd's treasure. What results is a struggle between morality and money that provides a stunning look at Tom Walker's life while giving numerous scenes to make you laugh. Affleck and Aniston are great as the feuding couple but Johnny Depp deserves best-in-show awards as the scheming Devil who makes Tom very happy and eventually takes him to Hell.

Awards
Best Picture
Best Director-Sam Mendes
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Actor-Ben Affleck
Best Supporting Actor-Johnny Depp
Best Supporting Actress-Jennifer Aniston
Best Supporting Actress-Rachel Griffiths
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction
Best Original Score
Best Original Song-"The Devil Went Up To Boston"

Foils

Authors: Daniel Crooke
Location: Ohio

“Foils"

Produced by: Steven Spielberg
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Screenplay by: Paul Bernbaum
Score by: Danny Elfman
Editing by: Pamela Martin

Principal Cast:

Jim Broadbent as Edgar Allen Poe/Theodore Seuss Geisel
Diane Lane as Helen Palmer Geisel
Scarlett Johansson as Virginia Eliza Poe
Julie Andrews as Audrey Stone Diamond
Ian McKellen as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Virginia Madsen as Sarah Helen Whitman
Reese Witherspoon as Margaretha Geisel
Rosemary Harris as Nettie Geisel

Tagline: "It is surprising how much two men with nothing in common have in common"

Synopsis: Edgar Allen Poe is often referred to as one of the forefathers of horror literature. Dr. Seuss is often referred to as one of the pioneers of children's literature. Edgar Allen Poe was born in Boston , Massachusetts in 1809 to a married pair of actors. After his father abandoned him and his mother died, he was sent to live with a tobacco merchant. He enlisted in the United States Army and there he wrote his first book. After his foster mother died, he moved to Baltimore , Maryland . To make ends meet, Poe wrote fiction. There he married Virginia Clemm. In 1842 Virginia began to show signs or tuberculosis and she soon became an invalid. Poe became an obsessive drinker over this matter and he soon began a loud and public fight with the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In 1845, Poe published "The Raven" and became an instant sensation. His other works to follow included "The Tell Tale Heart" and "The Pit and the Pendulum". In 1847, Virginia died. Poe began to become emotionally unstable. He was in a state of internal chaos. He attempted to start a relationship with poet Sarah Helen Whitman, but his drinking problems lead to his ultimate demise. He was declared dead on October 3, 1849. Historians were puzzled about his death. Could it be alcoholism, rabies, cholera, or something else? No one would ever know. One thing was for sure, a legend had died.

Theodore Seuss Geisel was born in 1904 in Springfield , Massachusetts . Growing up near the zoo helped shape Geisel's imagination. He had a very good family life, especially with his mother Nettie and sister Margaretha. In 1927 he married Helen Palmer, his colleague from Oxford . Geisel began to publish humorous articles and political cartoons under the pen names Theo LeSeing, Rosetta Stone and most importantly: Dr. Seuss. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army and there he began to write more cartoons. After the war he and Helen moved to La Jolla , California and there he wrote some of his first children's books which included "If I Ran the Zoo" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". Geisel began to take up challenges which included writing a book with only fifty words, the result was "Green Eggs and Ham". Geisel included his own beliefs into his novels such as "The Butter Battle Book" which was a parallel of the Cold War. Soon, his wife Helen committed suicide due to a very difficult mental illness. Geisel went through a small struggle but then remarried Audrey Stone Diamond. After several years of illness, in 1991 Theodore Seuss Geisel, or Dr. Seuss died. One thing was for sure, a legend had died.

What the press would say:

Jim Broadbent takes on dual roles in this year's "Foils". He plays two legendary writers: Edgar Allen Poe and Dr. Seuss. The main thing here is to not be confused. This film is a dual biopic that takes place between two people in two time periods. Broadbent plays both and he is phenomenal. The film goes from Poe's life to Seuss'. What is so interesting is that the writing will have it be that Poe will do one thing and then in the next scene Seuss is doing the same, only in a different time period. This is what makes the screenplay so unique. Although Broadbent is the real standout, Julie Andrews as Seuss' second wife is a nice quiet comeback for the actress. Another great addition to the film is Sir Ian McKellen's addition as Poe's rival Henry Longfellow. The smooth transitions add for an enjoyable film. Danny Elfman's score is just as diverse as the script. In Poe's story it is dark and haunting and in Seuss' it is light and cheerful.

This film is considered to be the first "dual biopic", a biopic that tells two stories. The two writers are so different, yet so alike. Jim Broadbent is more than excellent in an Oscar winning turn. The writing is superb as is the directing. Ian McKellen and Julie Andrews are both perfect supporting characters and the score is so great that you cannot wait to hear more of it. "Foils", which of course refers to the two as foil characters, is an excellent and innovative film. Broadbent does the best acting job I have seen in years. Bravo!

Nominations

Best Picture
Best Director- Robert Zemeckis
Best Actor- Jim Broadbend
Best Supporting Actor- Sir Ian McKellen
Best Supporting Actress- Julie Andrews
Best Original Screenplay- Paul Bernbaum
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Costume Design
Best Art/Set Direction
Best Score

Fred & Ethel

Authors: Connor Campbell
Location: Texas

“Fred & Ethel”

Produced by George Clooney, Sydney Pollack & Kelsey Grammar
Directed by Sydney Pollack
Written by George Clooney
Score by Gustavo Santaolalla
Edited by Michael Kahn
Sound by Kevin O’Connell & Paul Massey
Art Direction by James D. Bissell & Jan Pascale
Cinematography by Robert Elswit

Principal Cast:

Drew Barrymore- Vivian Vance
Philip Seymour Hoffman- William Frawley
Adam Beach- Desi Arnaz
Debra Messing- Lucille Ball
Greg Kinnear- Phil Ober
Thomas Haden Church- John Dodds
Courtney Cox Arquette- Mary Wickes
James Spader- Fred MacMurray

Tagline: "All they had in common were the Ricardos” September 2007

Synopsis: This is the story of the bitter relationship between Vivian Vance & William Frawley. It begins with Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz looking at casting options for the characters Ethel & Fred Mertz on their upcoming television show on CBS called, “I Love Lucy”. Since their original choices, Gale Gordon & Bea Benaderet were unavailable, they were clueless as to who would be playing the Mertzs. They decided to cast vaudevillian William Frawley as Fred Mertz. As for Ethel, Desi cast Vivian Vance as Ethel Mertz after seeing her in a Vaudeville act. Shortly after taping the pilot of I Love Lucy, Vivian said that it was an insult to be cast as the wife of a man 22 years her senior. Frawley caught word of this and never forgave her, & the bitching began. The bitterness only got worse & worse as the show was more & more watched. Frawley & Vance’s 3rd Husband, Phil Ober, who had guest starred on the show several times weren’t too fond of each other either. In the meantime, Lucille, Vivian & Mary Wickes had become the best of friends as well as Desi & William becoming close too. As the show went on, Vance would ask Desi for a raise on several occasions sighting that she should be making much more than Frawley. He would honor her requests, but secretly give the same raise to Frawley. In 1953, Vance & Frawley were among the very first “Best Supporting” Emmy nominees. It became a way to prove who was better between the two. Vivian won the Emmy; William did not. The relationship between the two worsened with Frawley making remarks like “I’d probably end up teaching fat ass the f**king thing”, in front of Vance’s face. Soon, Ball & Arnaz’s marriage was falling apart & the cast was barley speaking to each other. The series ended and William & Vivian were offered a spin-off series to be called Fred & Ethel. Surprisingly, Frawley agreed, but Vance did not. The two went on with their lives. Vivian got divorced from Phil Ober shortly there after while Frawley & Vance were making the Lucy & Desi Comedy Hour. That series ended, shortly followed by the finalization of Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz’s divorce. Vivian got married for a fourth time to John Dodds. Vance signed on to do “The Lucy Show”, while Frawley jumped around with small roles in films. Finally, Frawley landed a role in the Fred MacMurray series “My Three Sons” as Bub. It was during this time that while walking the streets of New York City after seeing a movie with his male nurse that William Frawley collapsed on the sidewalk. After being taken to the lobby of a near by building he died. Desi Arnaz upon hearing the news took out a full page ad in the trade papers with William Frawley’s picture that read, “Buenas noches, amigo!” as to Vance having said while eating dinner with her second husband “Champagne for everybody!” aloud in the restaurant. After her final television appearance on “Lucy Calls the President”, Vance began appearing in commercials for Maxwell House Coffee while spending her time with her good friends, Lucille Ball & Mary Wickes. Vivian Vance was diagnosed with breast cancer, & on her deathbed, Lucille & Mary came to visit. Lucille and Vivian reminisced on their favorite moments of the series. Vivian dies, the film ends with Lucille Ball and Mary Wickes walking the streets of Los Angeles remembering Vance and crying the whole way.

What the press would say:

I’ve seen a couple of Lucille Ball biographies in my day, and the whole time I’m thinking “hey, Vance & Frawley despise each other. I want to see more”. Thank God! This movie was my most anticipated film of the year and I’m overjoyed that it lived up to my expectations. Drew Barrymore is amazing as Vivian Vance & she can expect Oscar gold come February. Philip Seymour Hoffman as William Frawley concerned me at first since he is much to young to play Frawley, but then I remembered there’s a little thing called make up. Hoffman is great! Adam Beach is awesome as Desi Arnaz. Debra Messing as Lucille Ball, brilliant! Courtney Cox Arquette surprised me, because I didn’t even know she was in this until about 20 minutes before the movie & second, she has successfully thrown out any possibility of ever being stuck as “Monica Gellar” for the rest of her career. A fantastic screenplay & glorious direction with a superb ensemble, Fred & Ethel is my front-runner for Best Picture as of now.

Major Awards

Golden Palm- Cannes Film Festival
Best Picture- Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards
Best Picture Drama- Golden Globes
Best Ensemble- Screen Actors Guild Awards
Best Picture- BAFTAS

Nominations

Best Picture- George Clooney, Sydney Pollack & Kelsey Grammar
Best Director- Sydney Pollack
Best Actor- Philip Seymour Hoffman
Best Actress- Drew Barrymore
Best Supporting Actor- Adam Beach
Best Supporting Actress- Debra Messing
Best Supporting Actress- Courtney Cox Arquette
Best Original Screenplay- George Clooney
Best Original Score- Gustavo Santaolalla
Best Cinematography- Robert Elswit
Best Art Direction- James D. Bissell & Jan Pascale
Best Sound- Kevin O’Connell & Paul Massey
Best Editing- Michael Kahn

Half-Life

Authors: Zgamer
Location: Eagle, IO

“Half-Life"

Distributed by: Dreamworks Pictures
Produced by: Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Marc Laidlaw

Principal Cast:

Edward Norton as Gordon Freeman
Rosario Dawson as Alyx Vance
Danny Glover as Dr. Eli Vance
Colin Ferrell as Barney Calhoun
Dennis Hopper as Dr. Wallace Breen
Cate Blanchett as Dr. Judith Mossman
Hugo Weaving as The G-Man
Ed Harris as Dr. Issac Kleiner
Jean Reno as Father Gregory

Tagline: "The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world"

Release Date: October 21, 2008

Synopsis: Based on the game Half-Life 2.

The fires of Black Mesa have settled. Out of that catastrophe, a new force has come to power. In the tongue of the humans, they are called the Combine. This new power has taken control of Earth and has put the human race under its control, complete with a human puppet leader (Hopper) to play a sympathy card, a brutal law enforcement to keep them under control, and their own way of “relocating” those who pose a threat.

From this oppressiveness, a new resistance has risen. Under the leadership of Dr. Eli Vance (Glover), these brave humans have sworn to end the Combine’s control of their race. However, they know the odds are against them, as the Combine outmatches them in technology, resources, and manpower. As the months go by, the resistance is starting to get desperate. They know that unless a miracle came their way, their resistance would be futile.

Then one day, a train arrived with an extra passenger. A passenger who had disappeared years ago as if he didn’t exist. A passenger who had been to the edge of oblivion and back. A passenger who everyone seems to know even though they have never met him. This passenger is Gordon Freeman (Norton), the cause of Black Mesa. He has returned to accomplish a task, though he has no idea what it is. But as he dives deeper into this new, almost alien world, he discovers new allies, new foes, and a web of mysteries concerning the fate of humanity and the conspiracies of the Combine.

What the press would say:

Steven Spielberg newest entry in the sci-fi genre is one of his best yet. The eeriness and wonder of this disturbing futuristic world is brought to life by his artistic vision. The story, written by the game’s original writer, is great. It keeps you involved with the situation and has some of the best dialogue around. The technical features, provided by the usual Spielberg crew, are a phenomenal achievement to match the phenomenal game. Janusz Kaminski’s camera gives you the gritty feeling of a dystopian future, while the art direction and visual effects work their magic in creating wonderfully a settings and creatures.

The characters are all brought to life by an amazing cast, including Edward Norton as the quiet (but more verbal for the movie’s sake) Gordon Freeman. It is the supporting cast, however, that stands out the most. Rosario Dawson is amazing as the headstrong Alyx Vance, while Dennis Hopper truly makes his villain as despicable as he was in the game. Even Hugo Weaving’s small but pivotal role as the mysterious G-Man leaves you amazed with his emotionless, yet powerful glare. A recommend to any sci-fi, video game, and general movie fans anywhere.

Possible Nominations

Best Director (Steven Spielberg)
Best Cinematography (Janusz Kaminski)
Best Art/Set Direction (Alyx McDowell and Anne Kuljian)
Best Costumes (Deborah Lynn Scott)
Best Film Editing (Michael Kahn)
Best Sound Editing (Richard Hymns and Gary Rydstrom)
Best Visual Effects (Dennis Muren, Pablo Helman, Randy Dutra, and Daniel Sudick)
Best Make-Up (Michele Burke and Camille Calvet)

With long shot, but possible, nominations for:

Best Adapted Screenplay (Marc Laidlaw)
Best Supporting Actress (Rosario Dawson)

House of Fate

Authors: Marcus Dennis
Location: Ohio

“House of Fate”

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Written by Paul Thomas Anderson
Edited by Hughes Winborne
Score by James Newton Howard

Principal Cast:

Tom Cruise-Ron Slackins
Ben Foster-A.J. Slackins
Robert De Niro-Mario Nicci
Edward Norton-Nicholas Nicci
Leonardo DiCaprio-Jake Reynolds
Meryl Streep-Vickie Whitfield

Tagline: "No one is innocent"

Synopsis: Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film ‘House of Fate’ uses multiple storylines centered around relationships and corruption.

Ron Slackins (Tom Cruise) is a corrupt, obsessive-compulsive lawyer with a wife, Maria (Kerry Washington), and a son, AJ (Ben Foster). He has recently won an acquittal for a guilty criminal, Nicholas Nicci (Edward Norton). One day, he gets a parking ticket, and his day goes downhill from there. That same day, he finds out that his wife is cheating on him with a younger man, Jake Raymond (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his rebellious son is starting to look up to Nicholas, he snaps at how uncontrolled his life has become. He holds his son and wife hostage in their home. Maria manages to call the police, who quickly respond to the hostage situation. Ron demands that Nicholas and Raymond come to the house so he can kill them.

Mario Nicci (Robert De Niro) is the aging head of an organized crime family that deals with extortion and drug dealing. He is desperately seeking a younger man to pass down leadership of his business to. He is hesitant to give leadership to his son, Nicholas because of his quick temper and odd decision-making. After his son is acquitted of attempted murder, he decides not to give the family to him. He starts to take another young man, Jake Raymond, under his wing to become his heir. In an attempt to prove his loyalty Nicholas orders an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Vickie Whitfield (Meryl Streep), a rival drug dealer and crime boss. Mario, upset by this, disowns and refuses to talk to his son. After a long conservation with Vickie, Mario decides to find his son and deal with the problem head on Vickie is an aging drug dealer who is estranged from her son, Ron Slackins. After the death of her best friend from a drug overdose, she considers getting out of the business and retiring. After the attempted assassination on her she decides to put drug dealing behind her and proclaim her secret love for her business rival, Mario Nicci.

After Mario’s disowning of Nicholas, Nick sets out to kill Jake, determined that there could only be one heir to the Nicci dynasty. Nicholas heads to Ron’s house in order to kill Jake and protect AJ, who he has grown to love. Mario heads to the house to try reconcile with Nicholas and protect Jake. Jake has head to the Maria’s house to try to protect her. Vickie heads to the house to try to talk some sense into her son and tell Mario her true feelings. With everyone at the house, emotions flare, people die and lives are changed, at what will forever be known as the House of Fate.

What the press would say:

Boogie Nights. Magnolia. Punch-Drunk Love. Paul Thomas Anderson has an impressive resume of films, but none can compare to House of Fate. This brilliant screenplay puts so much heart in its flawed characters that you can’t help but see the character’s pains. His direction never shields viewers from the grittiness of the story. Robert De Niro and Tom Cruise give top-notch performances. This is easily Robert De Niro’s most emotional performance since ‘Raging Bull’. He shows a range a wide range of feelings here. Tom Cruise gives his best performance ever. Past ‘Collateral’ & ‘Interview with a Vampire’, he plays a sophisticated psycho brilliantly. Edward Norton gives a great performance as a weak man trying to be as strong as he can. Leonardo DiCaprio plays an arrogant man with everything going for him brilliantly, reminiscent of his performance in ‘The Man with the Iron Mask’. Meryl Streep gives one of her best performances as a female mobster looking for a way out. The Best Movie of the Year: House of Fate

Best Picture
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Best Original Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson
Best Actor: Robert De Niro
Best Actor: Tom Cruise
Best Supporting Actor: Edward Norton
Best Supporting Actress: Meryl Streep
Best Editing

Infatuation

Authors: Douglas Reese
Location: Clarksville, Ohio

“Infatuation”

Written and Directed by Alan Ball
Score by Thomas Newman

Principal Cast:

Liam Aiken – Jeffrey Hooke
Drew Barrymore – Ms. Waters
Maria Bello – Frances Lion
Annette Bening – Ms. Harpen
Thora Birch – Monica Clinton-Harpen
Emily Browning – Selena Vega
Sean Connery – Paul
Kevin Costner – Mr. Danny Lion
Jamie Lee Curtis – Veronica Peabody
Dakota Fanning – Sarah Lion
Anna Faris – Taylor Dickinson
Becca Gardner – Sarah Franklin
Philip Baker Hall – Ronald McCormick
Michael C. Hall – David Brown
Vanessa Anne Hudgens – Marcia Santiago
Josh Hutcherson – Derek Brown
Christopher Lloyd – Mr. Mathis
Jennifer Lopez – Grace Santiago
Virginia Madsen – Carol Brown
Jena Malone – Michelle Franklin
Trevor Morgan – Adam Carlton
Al Pacino – Mayor George Daniels
Wayne Malloy Payne – Zachariah Albertson
Christina Ricci – Elizabeth Lion
Jeremy Sumpter – Jerry London
Mena Suvari – Lizzy Albertson
Evan Rachel Wood – Sharon Quincy

Tagline: "N/A"

Synopsis: In this new ensemble drama written and directed by Academy Award winner Alan Ball comes “Infatuation”,one of the most powerful movies of the year.

The film focuses on many lives in a period of fourhours as troubled, easily angered young teenager DerekBrown (Josh Hutcherson) threatens to shoot himself in his private school, Redden, after he discovers his mother (Virginia Madsen) and father (Michael C. Hall) are getting a divorce. Although his father is on his son’s side 100%, the school counselor (Christopher Lloyd) considers Derek to be a criminal, not helping any with Derek’s self-esteem.

Redden Private School’s principal is Mr. Lion (Kevin Costner). Married to a caring and naïve wife (Maria Bello) and father of two daughters – an intelligent 12-year old spelling bee whiz (Dakota Fanning) and a troubled rock band groupie (Christina Ricci).

After three months of being unfaithful to his wife, Danny quits his affair with a suicidal senior student Monica (Thora Birch), but can’t help but keep trucking along with the flaming passion he shares with his secretary Veronica (Jamie Lee Curtis). Danny continuously tries to confess to his wife about the affairs but is afraid it might put an end to his happiness with his unsuspecting wife.

A sixth-grade teacher at Redden, Mrs. Harpen (Annette Bening) thinks nothing wrong of her daughter Monica. But during school, she is shocked with Monica’s confession that she is pregnant. Even though the baby belongs to Danny, she uses it as a weapon of revenge against the school jock who Monica used to love, Jerry London (Jeremy Sumpter).

Although he considers her a stalker, Jerry admittedly was in love with her at one time and a rumor of him having sex with her causes Jerry’s girlfriend of three years (Evan Rachel Wood) to turn down their relationship and going for Adam Carlton (Trevor Morgan), Jerry’s buddy and the quarterback of the football team.

Meanwhile, senior English teacher Ms. Waters (Drew Barrymore) has complications with her lesbian relationship with Taylor (Anna Faris). Taylor is obviously flirting with one of Waters’ students, Jeffrey Hooke (Liam Aiken). Although she is jealous, Waters is having an affair of her own with the 19-year old Michelle Franklin (Jena Malone).

Michelle’s parents died seven months ago, causing her to adopt her 15-year old sister Sarah (Becca Gardner). Michelle learns, unfortunately, that Sarah is having a sexual frenzy with the cocaine/heroin abusing Zachariah Albertson (Wayne Malloy Payne), a 32-year old who lives with his HIV-positive/bisexual/prostitute wife (Mena Suvari) in a crappy trailer a mile away from Redden.

Just moving into the city is sophomore Marcia Santiago (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) whose mother (Jennifer Lopez) is almost always on duty as a police officer for the county. Marcia is secretly wanting Jerry although she is building a hot-and-cold friendship with Jerry’s easily jealous ex-girlfriend (Emily Browning).

In the end, all of the people’s lives are put to the test when Derek threatens to shoot himself in the school video surveillance room. If Derek sees any of the school’s doors open, he will pull the trigger. The only way he’ll put down the gun is if his parents verbally say they will not go through with the divorce.

With the school on lockdown, all of the characters begin to become terrified as they sit in classrooms, bathrooms, or the library – not having the slightest clue what is going on behind locked doors or around the corner. This terror simply tests their minds as they learn to forgive, forget, love, and look into their true happiness.

Writer/director Alan Ball has surely put together an amazing picture that may go down as one of the great American movies in cinematic history!

What the press would say:

Hailed as a wonderful movie achievement, ‘Infatuation’ is a terrifying and realistic account on how terror can change a person’s emotions and feelings toward others, with writer/director Alan Ball still packaging his ingenious dark comedic trademark.

Josh Hutcherson is fantastic portraying the troubled young teen, not hitting a single false note. Richard Roeper hails, “Hutcherson is a young actor [who] can score a performance more powerful than any senior actor ever could!”

Virginia Madsen has a very small performance, but still packs depth and heart into her character.

Kevin Costner is moving as the principal who can’t help but break the rules that could possibly end his track of happiness. Rolling Stones’ Peter Travers says “his performance is deep enough to move even the strongest of hearts!”

Maria Bello is equally fascinating as Costner’s wife. Travers says, “Bello is surely more fascinating in this role than she ever was in every other Oscar-caliber role she’s been in, making us care for a character so real that we feel like she is family and we’ve known her for a very long time!” And it is rare to see a performance be pulled off like that!

The whole cast is flawless! Even the ‘Scary Movie’ series’ Anna Faris packs a strong dramatic punch of exceptional work as an actress! “The whole cast is up for gold!” hails Roger Ebert. “Even roles turned in by Philip Baker Hall, Sean Connery, and Al Pacino although they all could be considered under five minutes each!”

The wonderful ensemble flick takes its time to unfold, running 206 minutes and not missing a single plot point, this is the most complete and finished ensemble pieces in years, and surely a modern-day American classic!

Directed by a masterful director and featuring a mesmerizing and unbelievably star-studded cast, ‘Infatuation’ is a truly magnificent and unforgettably auspicious picture that will leave it viewer scarred at their very deepest!

So please award this greatly deserving treasure:

Best Picture
Best Director – Alan Ball
Best Original Screenplay – Alan Ball
Best Supporting Actor – Aiken, Connery, Costner, Philip Baker Hall, Michael C. Hall, Hutcherson, Lloyd, Morgan, Pacino, Payne, or Sumpter.
Best Supporting Actress – Barrymore, Bello, Bening, Birch, Browning, Curtis, Fanning, Faris, Gardner,
Hudgens, Lopez, Madsen, Malone, Ricci, Suvari, or Wood.
Best Original Score
Best Film Editing

The Iniquity Beyond

Authors: Tony
Location: Pittsburgh

“The Iniquity Beyond”

Directed by Milos Forman
Written by Paul Haggis and Brian Helgeland
Produced by Mary Sweeney
Music by James Horner

Principal Cast:

Eric Bana as Mark Burns/Paul Patterson
Hope Davis as Beth Burns/Lela Patterson
Billy Crudup as Mike Davern
Mira Sorvino as Katie Davern
Tommy Lee Jones as Marshal Samuel Brenner
Tim Roth as Deputy Andrew Moore
Jeremy Sumpter as Henry Burns/Nick Patterson
Freddy Highmore as Joseph Burns/Adam Patterson
Thomas Sangster as Eric Davern

Tagline: "Fight your demons...but don't always expect to win"

Synopsis: In western Pennsylvania, there's a small town an hour away from any city like environment. It's a busy town for being so small, the people act like city civilians, but all in all a down to earth town with nothing to hide. Two miles out of town, a house rests upon a hill. In this house lives a father (Crudup), mother (Sorvino), and their child (Highmore). Down the road from this house is the home of a late owner who has just passed away. After months of waiting to bring a new family in their life, the time has come. Something the town hasn't seen since the people have been around, an Amish family. Eric Bana plays Mark Burns, married to Beth Burns (Watts). and father of 6 children, (Sumpter, Highmore). The family brings joy, laughter to the community, even a small bakery shop they have opened in town with their arrival. But the family brings more than happiness, they bring secrets, particularly Mark Burns. The family lives all under aliases, Burns real name in his past life is Paul Patterson.

Before moving the family lived in Kentucky, where Patterson was had raped 73 teen-agers (boys and girls), most under 13, roaming the streets as a fake officer, getting kids in his car to fill his need. Patterson was caught, and was facing 20 years in prison after pleading guilty. On December 2001, Patterson was released on bail and disappeared the day he was supposed to be sentenced. The family knew, but Lela Patterson could not abandon her husband, and the boys couldn't abandon their father, even if knowing his ferocious crimes. The family disguised themselves as Amish folk, and moved out of the state. From here on out, Paul wanted to live a clean life.

Now, Paul's past is behind him...or is it? Due to the bakery business Paul has made some very close friends, especially his neighbor, Mike Davern. Throughout the 3 years the family hid away from their past, before lead Marshal Brenner (Jones), and Deputy Moore (Roth) catch up to the fugitive, it was eating Paul alive every day. Brutal flashbacks of the past arise in this gut wrenching drama in Paul's past life, so that asks the question, are the demons gone? Is the only solution to make Paul's pain go away, is do his evil deeds again? After Marks arrest, the town was astonished. especially the Davern family, who grew so close to him. It was Paul's wife herself, Lela Patterson, that turned him in, she herself could not live with the guilt. The Davern family would be forever haunted, knowing they took this man to work, had him watch over their kids, invited him into their home...and the question will remain, did Paul leave more dark secrets behind in those few years.

What the press would say:

Groundbreaking, "The Iniquity Beyond" is bone shattering, chilling, and truthfully frightful and disturbing. Foreman has redefined the elements of fear, something we haven't seen in a recent film. Yet dramatic enough to the point where you feel your heart pouncing, and fingers twitching. Not since Foreman's brilliant on screen look at Nurse Ratched have we seen a character so disgustingly horrific when we see Eric Bana. It's a new look and act for Bana, from the clean shaved look to the black, curly hair and beard, from the heroic lovable Hector...to the troubled, haunted Paul Patterson. Banas greatest perfomance on screen by far. The Davern family is the typical, laid back family we all know and love, and Crudup, Davis, and Sangster nail the roles to perfection. Lee Jones brings his old "Fugitive" antics back, as the Marshal chasing down his assignment, as Tim Roth looks to resurrect his career as his assistant in this fine performance. All amazing performances from this great cast, especially the child actors, who have a bright future, and this film right here will especially enhance their fortunes. Do not miss the film critics will say "Outstanding"..."Film making at best". and "One of the most chilling films you'll ever witness".

Recommendations:

Best Picture
Best Actor in Leading - Eric Bana
Best Actor in Supporting - Billy Crudup
Best Actor in Supporting - Jeremy Sumpter
Best Actress in Leading - Hope Davis
Best Actress in Supporting - Mira Sorvino
Best Original Screenplay - Paul Haggis and Brian Helgeland
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Score

Ironic Nonfiction

Authors: Daniel Crooke
Location: Ohio

“Ironic Nonfiction”

Directed by: Alexander Payne
Screenplay by: Larry David and Alexander Payne
Produced by: Larry David, Alexander Payne, and Charlie Kaufman

Principal Cast:

Tim Robbins as Augustus Gloop
David Bowie as Richard "Shooter" Gloop
Phyllis Diller as Alice "Shooter" Gloop
Felicity Huffman as Michelle Gloop
Edward Norton as James Stewart
Michael Caine as Brian McAdams
Greg Kinnear as Harrison Harman
Tim Curry as Dr. Christopher Aaron
Abigail Breslin as Rachel Smith

Tagline: "Meet Augustus. He has problems"

Synopsis: All of his life, Augustus had been under constant ridicule. It may have been that he was named after the obese boy from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" because one night his parents decided that it would be hilarious to name a child Augustus. Or, it could have been that he was abnormally skinny. Or, it may have been that his best friend was named James Stewart. Or, it may have been that James was possibly the worst actor to ever grace the stage. Whatever it was, Augustus hated two things the most in life: his parents and his life. He was married to a woman who he believed to have multiple personalities. His daughter, Rachel, had officially changed her last name. To make it worse, his parents had been kicked out of their retirement "village" in Florida and they decided to move in with him. Two months later, James showed up at his house after a nasty divorce. Augustus was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Three days later, he was over the verge. Checking himself into a mental institution, Augustus began to begin treatment with a Dr. Christopher Aaron, a psychiatrist who likes to think that his "new" and "exciting" methods will cure any man after just two weeks. After four months of extensive treatment, Augustus finished up his time with Dr. Aaron. On his way out of the institution, he was approached with an offer by a man named Brian McAdams. It was to become a spokesman for a major company that was in the middle of a lawsuit. That company was Nestle. Dr. Aaron insisted he do it, so he did. He becomes the nation's joke, as the lawsuit has been televised, and Augustus becomes a news world celebrity. Augustus hates the attention but uses it to his advantage. He fakes his own death, gets a new name (John Doe) and moves to Los Angeles where he became a famous Hollywood producer. Yes, life for the new Mr. John Doe was indeed strange.

What the press would say:

Quite possibly the most unique and unexpected and best film of the year. "Ironic Nonfiction" goes up in Hollywood's shelf of quirky and strange comedies. What a film. What to say? Well, the protagonist's name is Augustus Gloop. Enough said. The film shows how this eventually led to his midlife crisis, during and after. By the end of the film, Augustus is so fed up with his life that he fakes his own death and starts over. I will be frank: "Ironic Nonfiction" is one of the best acted films of the decade. The standouts of the cast are Tim Robbins who plays Augustus Gloop, Felicity Huffman as his sometimes schizophrenic wife, David Bowie and Phyllis Diller as his once drug addicted parents and Tim Curry as the Freude-wannabe who is Augustus' psychiatrist. This film is directed by Alexander Payne (who brought us "Sideways") and is written by him and Larry David (co-creator of "Seinfeld" and star of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm"). This film is so well written that you wonder how they thought of it. Don't worry, this comedy has no crotch jokes, it is all smart, subtle, and dark humor. Bowie and Diller have the perfect chemistry as Augustus' two parents. They are reminiscent of Alan Arkin's "Grandpa" from "Little Miss Sunshine". The two are by far the funniest characters who steal every scene they are in. Felicity Huffman is hysterical as Michelle Gloop, the hysterical wife of Augustus. Tim Robbins gives his best performance since "Mystic River" as the protagonist whose life is crumbling in front of his eyes. Last but not least, Tim Curry will win Best Supporting Actor this year. With some of his methods including the "Green Bean Method" and the "Lima Bean Method" and the "String Bean Method", he delivers perfect physical comedy as well as some hilarious one-liners. "Ironic Nonfiction" is the surprise hit of the year!

Nominations

Best Picture- Larry David, Alexander Payne, Charlie Kaufman
Best Director- Alexander Payne
Best Actor- Tim Robbins
Best Actress- Felicity Huffman
Best Supporting Actor- David Bowie
Best Supporting Actress- Phyllis Diller
Best Original Screenplay- Larry David and Alexander Payne
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Costume Design
Best Original Song- "Ironic Nonfiction" by Regina Spektor
Best Score- John Williams

Jewels in the Crown

Authors: Jack
Location: Connecticut

“Jewels in the Crown”

Directed by Nicholas Hytner
Written by Julian Fellowes
Music by Philip Glass

Principal Cast:

Keira Knightley- Queen Elizabeth II
Helena Bonham Carter- Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother
Joan Plowright- Queen Mary

Tagline: "I’m not dead yet"

Synopsis: A film about the time right before the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Told from three generations of queens, Mary (Joan Plowright), Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) and Elizabeth (Keira Knightley), the film focuses in on their individual thoughts at the time. Keira Knightley is the young queen coping with her father’s recent death and the epic responsibilities as a new monarch. Helena Bonham Carter is the Queen Mother, trying to adjust to life without her royal husband and not being queen anymore. Queen Mary is dying, and living just long enough to see her granddaughter become queen. While on her deathbed, her dying wish was that the coronation not be postponed. The three women show their thoughts and feelings after the death and before the coronation.

What the press would say:

A film that finally shows the thoughts of three queens from three generations. Keira Knightley is a young Elizabeth II. She is forceful, yet innocent, not yet adapted to life as queen. The queen mother (Helena Bonham Carter) is coping with the death of her husband, and she is guiding her young daughter as queen. Probably the best performance of the three is Joan Plowright as Queen Mary. Close to death, she still shows her power. In one scene, her doctor comes to see her. When he gets up to go, she says in a stern voice, “I’m not dead yet!”. He nods and backs away facing her. Fabulous performances.

Award potential:

Best Actress: Knightley
Best Supporting Actress: Bonham Carter, Plowright

Julian & Julie

Authors: Masnoraffis Masdil
Location: Singapore

“Julian & Julie”

Directed by Michael Mann
Written by Eric Roth & Michael Mann
Original Score by Gustavo Santaolalla

Principal Cast:

Clive Owen (Julian)
Brittany Murphy (Julie)
Keanu Reeves (Romeo)
Benicio Del Toro (Primero)
Kristin Kreuk (Michelle)
Brad Garrett (Peter)
Justin Long (Justin)

Tagline: "When your loved one likes the one you hate, all hell breaks loose.."

Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of Goa, "Julian & Julie" is a story about energy, youth, love and the zest for life. Julian (Clive Owen), the leader of the "Eagles" gang, is constantly up in arms with the new inhabitants of Vasco town, Primero (Benicio Del Toro) and his pack of the "Vikings" gang. This enmity is further complicated when Primero's city-bred brother, Romeo (Keanu Reeves) falls in love with Julian's younger sister, Julie (Brittany Murphy). Romeo, a sensible young boy, does not agree with the mindless violence the two gangs resort to. What follows is the battle for supremacy and the fight for love.

What the press would say:

Inspired by West Side Story, the film holds your attention from the very first sequence. The enmity between the two gangs is established at the very outset and the execution of these scenes proves director Michael Mann's command over the medium. The first half is exciting, it is laced with tense, humorous and sensitive moments, all handled with finesse that most gang-war films lack. The interval point is among the highlights of the film. The fight-to-finish battle for supremacy and Brittany getting unconscious when Clive tries to throttle Keanu is remarkbly shot.

Michael Mann's execution of sequences is remarkable. Notice the tense moments between Clive & Benicio or the light scenes involving Brittany & Keanu or the fight towards the pre-climax when Clive shoots Benicio, you have to accept the fact that the director knows his job well.

Clive Owen excels as Julian. He looks the character and performs it with utmost sincerity. This is undoubtedly one of the best performances of his career. Brittany Murphy looks stunning and delivers a great performance too. Benicio Del Toro is totally under control and plays his part to perfection, matching Clive Owen at every step. Keanu Reeves is first-rate too. He looks the character, which was so important, and his performance is sure to be appreciated.

On the whole, "Julian & Julie" is a well-made film with great performances and a hit musical score. It should do well to garner support in the upcoming awards season.

For Your Consideration

Best Picture
Best Director: Michael Mann
Best Screenplay: Eric Roth & Michael Mann
Best Original Score: Gustavo Santaolalla
Best Actor: Clive Owen
Best Actress: Brittany Murphy
Best Supporting Actor: Keanu Reeves
Best Supporting Actor: Benicio Del Toro
Best Costume Design: Graciela Mazon
Best Editing: Paul Rubell
Best Cinematography: Dion Beebe