Q4 '04: Oscar Season

[ZapRowsdower]

It's that time of year again. The holiday season is almost upon us. Perhaps the busiest time of year for cinemas across America, and the time of year filmmakers go fishing for "Oscars". A vast majority of all Oscar-nominated movies will be released between now and the end of the year, dubbing this time of year "Oscar Season". Just like I did with the Summer movies, here is my preview of things to come.

Alfie (October 22nd, 2004) - Another Jude Law movie. And it's a remake. Looks pretty good though... Maybe not great, but good.
OSCAR CHANCES: Probably not.

Friday Night Lights (October 8th, 2004) - Doesn't this look really powerful? I can't wait for this movie to come out. Billy Bob Thornton is one of my favorite actors of all time. The story has been done before, many times, but I look forward to a good character-driven tale.
OSCAR CHANCES: Maybe not for the movie itself, but Billy Bob Thornton might get nominated for it.

Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry (October 1st, 2004) - Good, a documentary that explains what John Kerry has done in the Senate, and what he plans to do in office. Finally, something that might give me a reason to vote for Kerry besides the obvious, "He's not Bush".
OSCAR CHANCES: Probably not, since this probably has more of an agenda than Fahrenheit 9/11... but then again, it might.

Grudge, The (October 22nd, 2004) - I'm sick and tired of seeing this trailer. Don't get me wrong, I know it's probaby going to be a good movie, but come on, give us a new trailer.
OSCAR CHANCES: Most likely not. It's a horror movie.

I Heart Huckabees (October 1st, 2004) - A trailer I never tire of seeing, even though it plays just before EVERY FRIGGIN' MOVIE I SEE. You just gotta love that song at the end. One of the many movies this season to feature Jude Law (he's in everything now), not to mention an ensemble cast. Don't you love ensemble comedies?
OSCAR CHANCES: Pretty good.

Ladder 49 (October 1st, 2004) - A trailer I am sick and tired of seeing, but it could still be very good. John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix are cool, and let's face it, there just aren't enough firefighter movies are there?
OSCAR CHANCES: Slight.

Raise Your Voice (October 8th, 2004) - Isn't this ironic, a movie where Hilary Duff learns how to sing... and even here, you can tell they're using audio synthesis. But I'm gonna see it anyway. It might still be good, just not great.
OSCAR CHANCES: None.

Ray (October 29th, 2004) - Really looking forward to this one. I like to consider myself an avid Ray Charles fan, and Jamie Foxx looks like he might have Ray's personality down... not to mention Ray Charles gave the filmmakers his blessing before he died.
OSCAR CHANCES: Probably not for the movie, but Jamie Foxx will most likely get a best actor nomination for this.

Saw (October 29th, 2004) - Wow, this looks really, really disturbing. I hope it doesn't end up being another House of 1000 Corpses, but this looks really good.
OSCAR CHANCES: Probably not.

Shall We Dance? (October 15th, 2004) - "From the company that brought you Chicago"... what, Miramax? Oscar bait! Not putting down on the movie though, I like Richard Gere, and I LOVE Susan Sarandon. I also refuse to jump on the bandwagon of Jennifer Lopez-haters, because I think she's a very good actress.
OSCAR CHANCES: Maybe.

Shark Tale (October 1st, 2004) - It may not be as good as Shrek, but it has Martin Scorsese in it. AND Robert De Niro. AND it slaps Disney in the face again. So this movie is going to be all kinds of awesome.
OSCAR CHANCES: Definitely for the Animated feature category... maybe not a win, but a most definite nomination.

Surviving Christmas (October 22nd, 2004) - I think Ben Affleck's best roles are his comedic ones. That's why I think this is going to be a very good movie. That and James Gandolfini. Looks really funny.
OSCAR CHANCES: Probably not.

Taxi (October 8th, 2004) - I'm tired of seeing this trailer, and the movie just doesn't look very good. Jimmy Fallon could be very funny when he's not breaking character, but let's face it, he ALWAYS breaks character. I'll go see this because I like Queen Latifah, but that's the only reason I'm going to see it.
OSCAR CHANCES: None.

Team America: World Police (October 15th, 2004) - Definitely looking forward to this one. The new trailer is really funny; this could very well be the Dr. Strangelove of our time.
OSCAR CHANCES: Best Animated feature category? It still counts as animation, right?

[ZapRowsdower]

After the Sunset (November 10th, 2004) - This looks great. And Salma Hayek's in it.
OSCAR CHANCES: Probably not.

Alexander (November 24th, 2004) - It's odd they release this the same year as Troy, that's going to subject it to a lot of ridicule. But it looks good though. Colin Farrell is a good actor, and oh yeah, it's Oliver Stone.
OSCAR CHANCES: Relatively high.

Beauty Shop (November 26th, 2004) - A spinoff of Barbershop 2... I have no idea how good this could be. It's got Queen Latifah in it, though, and I like her.
OSCAR CHANCES: Yeah, right.

Birth (November 5th, 2004) - I love Nicole Kidman, but let's face it, this looks like shit. The kid from Godsend in another movie that tries to be M. Night Shyamalan? No more.
OSCAR CHANCES: None.

Bridget Jones: The End of Reason (November 19th, 2004)
I still have to see the first one, but this looks really good. I like British comedies, especially the ones involving Richard Curtis.
OSCAR CHANCES: Maybe for screenplay.

Christmas With the Kranks (November 24th, 2004) - Um... I don't know. It looks funny, it really does, but... If you look at the ads, it looks like they're trying WAY too hard. I hope it's good.
OSCAR CHANCES: Pretty damn low.

Finding Neverland (November 12th, 2004) - Johnny Depp's gonna bring in the crowds for this one. This looks like it's going to be really good.
OSCAR CHANCES: Pretty high, and Johnny Depp might reel in a nomination for himself as well.

Incredibles, The (November 5th, 2004) - Yes, this looks very, very good. Pixar has yet to make a bad movie (although I found Finding Nemo to be a tad overrated). Besides that, it's got Samuel L. Jackson and Jason Lee in it. So it's gotta be good.
OSCAR CHANCES: It'll probably win the best animated feature category.

Kinsey (November 12th, 2004) - I love Liam Neeson, and I learned about Kinsey in my Sociology class. Honestly, it's about a doctor who studies sex. It's gotta be good.
OSCAR CHANCES: Maybe for Liam Neeson. Maybe.

National Treasure (November 19th, 2004) - I know a lot of people hate Bruckheimer. I like him. I loved Armageddon. I also like Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, and Sean Bean, all of who are in this movie. This is probably going to be a good no-brainer action flick.
OSCAR CHANCES: Probably not.

Polar Express, The (November 10th, 2004) - Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks. Hell yes.
OSCAR CHANCES: For the animated feature category, pretty high.

Ringer, The (November 12th, 2004) - I saw a teaser for this. The teaser was kinda funny... but I know nothing else of this movie. We'll just have to wait and see.
OSCAR CHANCES: Probably not.

Seed of Chucky (November 10th, 2004) - Uh... Uh... Why exactly must they make another one? And why is it a comedy now? And why is Billy Boyd in this? The fool of a Took!
OSCAR CHANCES: None.

SpongeBob Squarepants Movie, The (November 19th, 2004) - I never got the popularity of SpongeBob, but let's face it, that trailer is hilarious. I'm definitely going to see this one.
OSCAR CHANCES: Probably not... but maybe.

[ZapRowsdower]

Aviator, The (December 17th, 2004) - Martin Scorsese. 'Nuff said.
OSCAR CHANCES: Martin Scorsese. This means it'll get nominated for everything and win nothing.

Blade: Trinity (December 10th, 2004) - Hell yeah.
OSCAR CHANCES: No way.

Closer (December 3rd, 2004) - Natalie Portman is in it. You know I'm going to see it. Besides that, it looks really good.
OSCAR CHANCES: Perhaps in the acting categories, maybe best picture.

Fat Albert (Christmas 2004) - NOOOOOOOOOO!
OSCAR CHANCES: Never!

Flight of the Phoenix, The (December 22nd, 2004) - I don't know. Looks like it might be visually impressive, but the story looks weak.
OSCAR CHANCES: Probably not.

I Am David (December 3rd, 2004) - Jim Caviezel is in it. Of course I'm going to see it.
OSCAR CHANCES: Maybe.

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (December 17th, 2004) - I don't care if it's a Nickelodeon movie or not, this looks freakin' awesome!
OSCAR CHANCES: Possible. Not likely, but possible.

Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, The (Christmas 2004) - I haven't seen the Royal Tannenbaums yet, but God if this doesn't look all kinds of funny. Bill Murray's in it, so I must see it.
OSCAR CHANCES: Definitely screenplay.

Meet the Fockers (December 22nd, 2004) - I loved Meet the Parents. Wasn't too sure about the sequel until I learned of the cast. Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand are the Fockers! I must see this!
OSCAR CHANCES: Maybe screenplay, but probably not.

Ocean's Twelve (December 10th, 2004) - Haven't seen Eleven yet, but I am willing to see Eleven so I can see Twelve. That should say a lot.
OSCAR CHANCES: Screenplay... maybe.

Phantom of the Opera, The (Christmas 2004) - This looks really good. I can't wait for this movie to come out.
OSCAR CHANCES: Yes. Most definitely.

Spanglish (December 17th, 2004) - James L. Brooks is directing this? I'm so there.
OSCAR CHANCES: Who knows? Brooks' last movie got nominated for best picture.

[LivingDeadGirl]

Friday Night Lights (October 8th, 2004) - Doesn't this look really powerful? I can't wait for this movie to come out. Billy Bob Thornton is one of my favorite actors of all time. The story has been done before, many times, but I look forward to a good character-driven tale.
OSCAR CHANCES: Maybe not for the movie itself, but Billy Bob Thornton might get nominated for it.

I'm dying to see this one!! Love football movies & this looks to be great!!

[Bartwald]

The movies that I want to see and it will be difficult to persuade me not to, are:

The Grudge
Saw
Alexander
Seed Of Chucky (oh, you know me...)
Blade: Trinity
Ocean's Twelve
Meet The Fockers
The Incredibles

Shark Tale looks bad to me should I form my opinion just seeing the trailers (all these eye-hurting colours? the unfunny jokes?).

Some of the other movies on Smitty's list may turn out good too, of course, but they don't make me excited. Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason I'll probably see at the theatre but I feel it just can't be as good as the original (have seen the first trailer yesterday). Life Aquatic may be very good or may suck; I didn't like Rushmore at all, for instance, so if this one sports a similar kind of "magic" I'm not there.

[LivingDeadGirl]

They ones you mentioned that I'm really looking forward to...Blade:Trinity & Ocean's Twelve. I have hopes for Meet The Fockers...but Meet The Parents was so good, IMO, I don't wanna be let down w/ the sequel.

[Heineken Skywalker]

The ones that stand the most chance of me spending my hard earned cash on right now are:

ALEXANDER Oliver Stone directing a "Sword & Sandal" epic. Should be interesting.
BLADE: TRINITY Liked the first two.
OCEAN'S TWELVE Liked the first one, same cast, should be fun.
THE INCREDIBLES Pixar rules, though FINDING NEMO was overrated.
MEET THE FOCKERS The first one was pretty damn funny. I'm no big Streisand fan, but the casting of her & Hoffman as Stiller's parents is brilliant.
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA I've seen the musical twice and am curious to see how it transfers to the screen.
THE AVIATOR Two words: Martin Scorsese.
RAY Looks good, could be the role of a lifetime for Foxx.
LADDER 49 I'm on the fence about this one, but if the reviews are good, I'll probably check it out.

A couple of these I might wait and see what the reviews are like, but most I'll probably see. Everything else on the list I'm not sure about yet.

Shark Tale looks bad to me should I form my opinion just seeing the trailers (all these eye-hurting colours? the unfunny jokes?).

I agree. Just doesn't look that good. Too soon after FINDING NEMO maybe?

[ZapRowsdower]

Just saw Shark Tale, and am very disappointed.

It was funny, cute, clever, but let's face it. It's no Shrek. Nor is it Finding Nemo.

Jack Black's character was disturbingly underplayed, especially considering he was supposed to be one of the leads. They could have done much more with him.

What it looks like to me, the filmmakers were trying to match the grown-up wit of Shrek with the cuteness of Finding Nemo. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out as well as it should have.

But in no way is it a bad movie, just a real letdown.

5.5, maybe 6/10.

OSCAR CHANCES: Fuhgetaboutit.

[ZapRowsdower]

Just caught Ladder 49. My full review is in the Must See 2004 thread.

[ZapRowsdower]

New on Must See 2004: Friday Night Lights

[ZapRowsdower]

New on Must MISS 2004: Raise Your Voice

[ZapRowsdower]

New on Must-See 2004:

Team America: World Police

[ZapRowsdower]

New on Must-See 2004:

Shall We Dance?

[ZapRowsdower]

Final Cut, The (October 15th, 2004)

Let me start by saying this movie sports two of my favorite actors of all time: Robin Williams and Jim Caviezel. Also, let me say the concept was original and very interesting.

The reason I'm writing my review here is because I don't think it's necessarily a must-see. While the concept, the whole story was very, very good, the execution left something to be desired.

However, it was well worth it to see Williams and Caviezel on the same screen.

I actually spent money to go see this, because my chain of cinema (Regal) does not carry the film. It is exclusive to AMC. So I had to pay for it. On a positive note, I did not feel that I had wasted my money. It was a good movie, no doubt. I may even consider buying the DVD. It just leaves you with the knowledge of what could have been. We could have had something along the lines of a Philip K. Dick movie... but it just didn't work out the way it should have.

Would I recommend this? Of course. Is it a must see? No. It is not.

[ZapRowsdower]

New on Must-See 2004:

Surviving Christmas