Aida

Author(s): Alfredo

Location: NY

"Aida"

Directed by Alan Parker
Screenplay Written by Alan Parker
Produced by Walt Disney Studios
Cinematography by Allen Daviau
Film Edited by Michael Kahn
Costume Design by Aggie Guerard Rodgers
Art Direction by Bo Belch
Musical and Lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice

Main Cast

Sharon Leal - Aida
Jonathan Rhys Meyers - Radames
Carrie Underwood - Amneris
Daniel Craig - Zoser
Elijah Kelly - Mereb
Sanaa Lathan - Nehebka
Tyrees Allen - Amonasro
Daniel Oreskes - Pharaoh

Tagline: "Every Story is a Love Story"

Synopsis:

"Every story, tale or memoir
Every saga or romance
Whether true or fabricated
Whether planned or happenstance"


Our story takes place in ancient times. A time where Pharaohs and gods ruled the land. Egypt is one of the most powerful nations in the known world. Our story begins with Radames, captain of the Egyptian army, he is returning from an expedition through the land of Nubia, Egypt's long-time enemy. He is young, handsome and adventurous. His soldiers capture a group of Nubian women, he finds himself captivated by the fierce and majestic Aida, the only woman who makes any attempt to resist. After arriving in Egypt, Aida is saved from death in the copper mines by Radames, who sends her as a handmaiden to his betrothed, Princess Amneris. Amneris is a young, beautiful woman with a bubbly personality. She lives her days in the palace without a real care in the world dreaming of her wedding to Radames. When Aida is presented to Amneris by Radames' servant Mereb, a young man who has learned the tricks of survival in Egypt, she is liked instantly by the princess. Amneris could sense that there is more to Aida than meets the eye. The Princess couldn't have been more right for Aida was no regular Nubian women; she was the Nubian Princess. A fact that Mereb and Nehebka, another of the Princess' handmaidens, discover but promise Aida to keep secret for if the Egyptians find out they will kill her.

"Every story, new or ancient
Bagatelle or work of art
All are tales of human failing
All are tales of love at heart"

Meanwhile, Radames' father, Chief Minister Zoser, greets his son with news that the Pharaoh is dying, and Radames must prepare to become the next ruler of Egypt. Without Radames' knowledge, his father is poisoning the Pharaoh in order to accelerate Radames' ascension to the throne. With news of the Pharaohs illness the wedding between Radames and Amneris is moved up. In seven days Radames will be Pharaoh of all of Egypt which will give his father, Zoser, more power. Amneris is excited by this news but Radames is worried that this wedding will mean the end of his adventures. He shares his worries with Aida who in turn shares hers with him. There is a growing attraction between the two. Soon Amneris turns to Aida to confide her worries about her father's looming death. They begin to become friends. Radames no longer being able to hold his feelings for Aida in any longer confesses. Aida tells him that she is attracted to him as well. They share a passionate moment together. That moment is taken away from Aida when she getss word that her father, Amonasro, has been captured and will be put to death. Aida is taken by Mereb to the Nubian camp, where she her people plea for her help.

"This is the story
Of a LOVE that flourished
In a time of HATE
Of LOVERS no tyranny could separate
Love set into motion on the Nile's shore
Destiny ignited by an act of WAR"

Aida is torn between the love of her country and the love of a man that is the enemy to her country. Aida never expected for her love of Radames to ignite a revolution, betrayal, hurt feelings and ultimately death. Aida must be strong and fulfill her destiny. What happens in the rest of our story will be told for generations to come. It will be written in the stars. Our story of Aida will be forever known.

What the Press would say:

It is a gray, dreary day in New York City. There seems to be no colors except gray. In the Egyptian wing of a modern museum everything is gray. There is no color save for one statue. The statue is adorned with a bright red gown. It is the statue of Amneris, a female Pharaoh. The statue slowly comes to life. It steps down from the display and starts to walk through the Egyptian wing. As she walks she becomes more flesh. The walls start to become more brightly colored. She begins to sing. We soon realize that we are no longer in the Egyptian wing of a modern museum but we have been transported to Ancient Egypt. There are bright colors everywhere. Amneris (Underwood) goes into her song "Every Story is a Love Story".

This is the opening scene of Aida, the newly adapted screen version of a Broadway musical directed by Alan Parker and starring Jonathan Rhy Meyers, Sharon Leal and Carrie Underwood. Aida is one of the best Broadway Musical Adaptations that has been made since "Chicago". The opening scene of the film sets us up for what is about to happen. With this one scene we know that we are no longer in our world. We are in a world far away. A world where it is perfectly normal for people to break out into song and dance. And what a song and dance it is!

Sharon Leal ("Dreamgirls", TVs Boston Public) is a revelation as Aida. Leal steps out of the shadow of Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce and takes center stage. She brings all the power and emotion that is needed to successfully portray the character of Aida. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is fantastic as Radames. His rock n roll voice fits the character perfectly. Meyers brings all of his brooding charm to the role. Leal and Meyers will bring tears to your eyes as the two star crossed lovers.

Leal and Meyers are accompanied by one of the best supporting casts in any film this year. The standout is Carrie Underwood in her first acting role. She is marvelous as Princes Amneris. Underwood more than holds her own opposite more polished actors like Meyers and Craig (who is magnificent as Radames' scheming father, Zoser.) Underwood takes her singing to new heights in order to take on the vocal demands of Amneris.

Aida is a film that is visually stunning, beautifully acted and sung. It is sure to go down in film history. The film more than deserves every single nomination that is given to it. It is the one to beat this awards season.

Best Picture
Best Director - Alan Parker
Best Adapted Screenplay - Alan Parker
Best Actress - Sharon Leal
Best Actor - Jonathon Rhys Meyers
Best Supporting Actress - Carrie Underwood
Best Supporting Actor - Daniel Craig
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Original Song - "A Love Song for Eternity" Written by Elton John and Tim Rice

Booth

Author(s): Joshua

Location: NY

"Booth"

Written & Directed by Andrew Dominik
Produced by Dede Gardner & David Valdes
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Cinematography by Roger Deakins
Film Editing by Dylan Tichenor
Costume Design by Patricia Norris
Art Direction by John P. Goldsmith
Original Music by Carter Burwell
Rated PG-13: For Violence and Some Language

Main Cast

Ben Foster - John Wikes Booth
Paul Dano - Lewis Powell
Tate Donovan - George Atzerodt
Garret Dilahunt - Michael O'Laughlen
John Robinson - John Surratt
Justin Chatwin - David Herold
Damian Lewis - Samuel Arnold
Patricia Clarkson - Mary Surratt
Jackie Earle Haley - Dr. Samuel Mudd
John Terry - Abraham Lincoln
Bruce Davison - William H. Seward
Jon Don Baker - Andrew Johnson
Bonnie Johnson - Mary Todd Lincoln

Tagline: "Thus Always to Tyrants"

Synopsis: He was a member of the Booth family of actors. He too would grow up to become a talented stage actor. He would also grow up to become a confederate sympathizer during the Civil War that started in 1861. He would write in a journal. A journal that contained his deepest thoughts and determinations. This is the story of John Wilkes Booth. The man who would become the first person ever to assassinate a U.S. president.

By 1864, the war had shifted to the North. Booth was devising a plan by then. He needed the best men on his side to pull it off. Those men were George Atzerodt, Samuel Arnold, Michael O'Laughlin, David Herold, John Surratt, and Lewis Powell. Booth's plan was to kidnap president Abraham Lincoln and exchange him to the confederate army, but that will never happen. Lincoln never showed up to his destination, leaving Booth's confidence in a diffrent, more dark direction.

President Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson, and Secretary of State William Seward. Booth believed that if those three men were killed, the Confederates will have the war in the palm of their hands. April 14, 1865 will be the day. The day that John Wilkes Booth makes history.

What the Press would say:

Andrew Dominik, the genius who brought you "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" delivers another masterpiece with "Booth". The story of the last years of the famous assassin John Wilkes Booth is told perfectly in this film that will stay with you until the Oscars.

Ben Foster gives an massive performance as John Wilkes Booth. "What an excellent chance i had, if I wished, to kill the president on Inauguration day", are words Booth wrote in his journal after attending Lincoln's second inauguration. The hatred and anger of this character is delivered so perfectly by Foster. He is playing a man that supported the confederates all the way. He also supported slavery, and when Lincoln annouced voting rights for blacks, Booth felt he had to do something to end it all, and he did. On April 14, 1865, Booth walked into Ford's Theatre where the president was locationed. Watching a play next to his wife, Lincoln was shot in the back of the head by Booth. Booth is then on the run. He travels by horse to Virginia and stays in a farm, where the 26 year old will be killed two weeks after the assassination.

Paul Dano and Jackie Earle Haley deserve recognition for their performances. Dano playing Lewis Powell, the one that Booth trusted. Powell was giving the task to kill Secretary of State William Seward, but serious events will prevent that task from being accomplished and Powell will be one of the convicted of the assassination of Lincoln. Haley plays the famous Dr. Samuel Mudd. Till this day, it is a mystery if Mudd was really part of the plot to kill the president. Haley deserves lots of praise as we see his character get to know John Wilkes Booth and later arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. There are also some big names in great supporting roles, like Tate Donovan as George Atzerrodt, the man who was giving the task to kill VP Andrew Johnson, but later walked away from his mission. Patricia Clarkson, who jumps into the shoes of Mary Surratt. Mary opens her home for Booth and his clan. She never knew what they were planning in her own home. She is later arrested and sentenced the death penalty by hanging and pleads for her life all the way till the end. We also have respected near-cameos from John Terry as Lincoln, Bruce Davison as William Seward, and Jon Don Baker as Andrew Johnson.

Each scene delivers more than what we expected, it never dissatisfies, and the cinematography is beautifully delivered. The cast is great, but the true treasure is Ben Foster. Even when Foster's Booth is killed, we still get a few surprises. And in the end, with all of the convicted getting their verdicts, is even more of a satisfying shocker.

FYC
Best Picture
Best Director - Andrew Dominik
Best Actor - Ben Foster
Best Supporting Actor - Paul Dano
Best Supporting Actor - Jackie Earle Haley
Best Supporting Actress - Patricia Clarkson
Best Original Screenplay - Andrew Dominik
Best Crew
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Best Art Direction
Best Film Editing
Best Casting Choice - Ben Foster
Best Original Score

A Brother's Cry

Author(s): JG

Location: NY

"A Brother's Cry"

Directed by: Marc Forster
Written by: Paul Haggis
Music by: Alan Silvestri

Main Cast

Ryan Reynolds as Jimmy Coleman
Kevin Zegers as Thomas Coleman
Jennifer Garner as Linda Marren
Emmy Rossum as Helen Watson
Harrison Ford as Richard Coleman
Diane Wiest as Alice Coleman

Tagline: "Battle.Betrayal.Brothers."

Synopsis: Jimmy and Thomas Coleman belong to a middle-upper class family living in Connecticut during the start of the Vietnam War in 1965. Thomas is smart, talented, and well-respected, while his older brother Jimmy is more rebellious and is looked upon as a slacker. Their parents, Richard and Alice, favor and spoil Thomas and barely pay any attention to Jimmy. Jimmy was never really jealous of Thomas growing up, but as they got older, his feelings began to change. Jimmy secretly loves his best friend Linda and is crushed when he discovers that she is madly in love with Thomas and has only befriended him in order to move closer to his brother. Thomas, however, has a serious girlfriend of his own, Helen. Jimmy falls into a jealous craze and plots to get rid of Thomas. Several weeks later, the U.S. increases the number of young men to be drafted for the army. Jimmy is informed that he is needed for the war, but manages to get out of it by faking a terminal illness. He then volunteers his brother Thomas to serve as his replacement even though he did not have Thomas's consent. On the night Thomas is called to join the army, he accepts his fate but ends up proposing to Helen, promising her that he will return.

With Thomas away at war, Jimmy hoped to come out of his "perfect" brother's shadow and win over Linda. However, he realizes that Thomas's absence didn't really make his life that much better and Linda didn't give up on the idea that she and Thomas were meant to be together. Soon after, the Coleman family receives the tragic news that Thomas was killed in battle. Jimmy is furious at himself because he knows that this is all his fault and that it should have been him who was killed at war. He goes into a mild depression and feels completely responsible for his brother's death. He can't bear to remain at home with his heart-broken parents, so he decides to move away to re-start his life. Twenty-five years pass and Jimmy has turned himself into a successful social worker, using his experiences and feelings toward his brother Thomas as a form of helping others. Jimmy decides to move back to his hometown once his father Richard falls into a coma. Late one night, Jimmy is sitting beside his father's bed when he hears a knock on the front door. He gets up to open it and sees a familiar face. It's his brother Thomas standing before him, with eyes filled with hatred, wrath and vengeance.

What the Press would say:

Marc Forster beautifully directs this phenomenal story about brotherhood and life. "A Brother's Cry" takes us through the lives of the Coleman family during the beginning of the Vietnam War. Jimmy and Thomas are brothers who are complete opposites from each other. Most of the picture is from Jimmy's point of view, where we get to see his transformation as a man. The story evolves when Jimmy secretly gets Thomas drafted for the war as his replacement, after the girl he loves admits that she loves Thomas. After this point, viewers will be amazed at the twists and turns the plot takes you through. The last scenes are extremely climactic and will have you on the edge of your seat! Ryan Reynolds is the true star of the film and perfectly adapts to this dramatic role, playing the lead character Jimmy. He makes his character so real and relatable that it's hard not to sympathize for him with everything he goes through. Kevin Zegers is wonderful as the ideal brother Thomas, fully capturing every aspect of his character's confident and gentle manner. The film also includes strong supporting roles from Jennifer Garner, Emmy Rossum, Harrison Ford, and Diane Wiest. This film is definitely a must see and delivers a meaningful message about brothers and relationships.

For Your Consideration:

Best Picture
Best Director: Marc Forster
Best Actor: Ryan Reynolds
Best Supporting Actor: Kevin Zegers
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Garner, Emmy Rossum
Best Original Screenplay: Paul Haggis
Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Original Song
Best Original Score

Camp Destiny, Vermont

Author(s): Evan Dunbar

Location: NY

"Camp Destiny, Vermont"

Directed By: Julian Schnabel
Written By: Diablo Cody
Score: Marc Mancina
Cinematography: Janusz Kaminski
Distributed By: Miramax Pictures and Fox Searchlight

Main Cast

Young Bryce – Max Penraat
Young Kati – Eve Perchanok
Young Saharo – Gideon Olshansky
Young Olivine – Singha Hon
Older Bryce – Ben Foster
Older Kati – Emma Stone
Older Saharo – Michael Cera
Older Olivine – Lucy Liu

Tagline: "I Wouldn’t Be Better, I’d Just Be Better Now"

Synopsis: Four 14 year-olds who are basically from different universes, meet at a sleep away camp. Bryce is an artist from Montana, Kati, a valley girl from Beverly Hills, Saharo, a male model from Richmond, Virginia, and Olivine, a politically active emo girl from New York City. The four become close friends, forming bonds through their shared experiences. These range from conquering Olivine’s fear of water, to warding off a bear on an overnight. On the last night of camp, Saharo confesses his love for
olivine, and she says she loves him too. The next day sweet goodbyes among the four friends are exchanged, who must now return to the world of stereotypes, where they can’t be themselves without some kind of ridicule.

Over the next few months, the shy and reflective Bryce tries to connect again with Olivine, who basically pushes him away. Bryce recoils and asks Kati for advice. She in turn tries to talk to Saharo. Saharo is always busy with Olivine, and won’t answer her IM’s or calls. 4 years later, Kati and Bryce arrive at Dartmouth College. They are still as close as they were at camp. Upon seeing the much more mature Olivine and Saharo, and exchanging pleasant hellos, the two duos part ways. The next day Olivine invites Bryce to come to a party with her and Saharo. Bryce asks if Kati can go, but Olivine says that she wouldn’t fit in. Bryce walks away, and continues to ignore Saharo and Olivine. Kati joins him, and after Saharo and Olivine break up, they both come to them
seeking help. They are both refused it by the friends they thought they were close too. They didn’t realize that they had cut Bryce and Kati in half. Olivine then is caught doing cocaine, and is kicked out of the college. A month later, a story appears on the news of how Olivine was found dead in her parent’s bathtub. Saharo runs sobbing from the dorm rooms and throws himself at the feet of Kati and Bryce. They step on his hands and walk away, holding hands tightly. Bruce pulls out a gun and shoots himself
in the head. A piece of paper falls out of his clutched hand. Kati, sobbing, picks it up. Her and Bryce open it. It reads, “I’m sorry. I’m better now.”

What the Press would say:

With a relatively unknown cast, Director Julian Schnabel works wonders with his emotional and visual masterpiece “Camp Destiny Vermont.” The heart wrenching story of friendship, and the true powers of it, is written, in a way where it can make you laugh one second, and cry the next, by Diablo Cody. She also wrote “Juno.” Newcomer Max Penraat gives a stellar performance as the shy and quiet artist, Bryce, and is worthy of recognition. Eve Perchanok gives the one truly funny character that seems ditzy a heart of gold. She acts as if she has been in the bizz for years. Emma Stone, best known for her role in “Superbad,” breaks out of
her shell, and turns the formerly ditzy girl into a speculative student, reminiscent of Elle Woods. With some of the most beautiful and engaging cinematography in recent years, it is hard to look away from this highly intelligent piece. “Camp Destiny, Vermont” is not only the best picture of the year, but the best in the past few years. “Camp Destiny” is not only visually stunning, it also showcases some of the best rising talent in the business. “Camp Destiny, Vermont” will become a perennial, shared by the generation, and cherished by the Academy.

For Your Consideration

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Supporting Actor: Max Penraat
Best Supporting Actor: Gideon Olshansky
Best Supporting Actress: Eve Perchanok
Best Supporting Actress: Singha Hon
Best Actor: Ben Foster
Best Actress: Emma Stone
Best Actor: Michael Cera
Best Actress: Lucy Liu
Best Score
Best Cinematography
Best Costumes
Best Makeup
Best Art Direction

Day of the Jackal

Author(s): Adam

Location: TX

"Day of the Jackal"

Directed by MARTIN CAMPBELL
Written by TONY GILROY
Produced by FRANK MARSHALL & PAUL GREENGRASS
Based on the 1973 film
"THE DAY OF THE JACKAL"
Based on the novel by Frederick Forsyth

Main Cast

DANIEL CRAIG as The Jackal
MATT DAMON as Paul Landon
CATE BLANCHETT as Elise Rowan
SIDNEY POLLACK as President James Sullivan
ALBERT FINNEY as Prime Minister Michael Livingston
BRENDAN GLEESON as Vice President Jack Stanton
CHRIS COOPER as Stephen Lane
PADDY CONSIDINE as Gustov The Messenger

Tagline: "One man aims to kill the president. The other aims to stop him"

Synopsis: WASHINGTON: After a day of meeting at the White House, American President James Sullivan and British Prime Minister Michael Livingston have settled on an agreement to remove troops of their countries from and ongoing war in Iraq. In light of the historic event, the two men along with Vice President Jack Stanton, will be doing a week long tour of European cities to promote a new proposition for a joint American/European alliance to maintain peace in feuding nations.

LONDON: The Jackal, a professional assassin, walks out of Heathrow airport and enters a black vehicle. Inside, a man known simply as Gustov the Messenger hands him an envelope containing a picture of President Sullivan and gives him clear instructions. In eight days, during the final stop of the peace tour in Paris, he is to shoot and kill the president of the United States.

NEW YORK: Paul London, an agent in the FBI's counter-terrorism unit, has successfully busted a bomb plot on a large African-American church by a notorious white supremacist group. He has been informed that a lead was given to the bureau concerning a plot on the president's life during his peace tour.

Landon and his investigative team are determined to stop The Jackal in his motives. As they follow his route for days through cities such as Moscow, Berlin, Amsterdam, Prague, Milan, Dublin, Madrid and eventually Paris, they find themselves one step behind him and closer to learning the realities behind the shocking motive. Elsie Rowan, a woman The Jackal had a one night encounter with along the way, has described his looks and given Landon details of his characteristics, thus providing a clear image of who they are looking for. As their thrilling cat and mouse chase continues, Landon shockingly learns that the plot may actually be an inside job. One that involves Stephen Lane, a pro-war congressman who was benefiting greatly from the war, and even Vice President Stanton, who was not too intent on the war to end.

What the Press would say:

"In 1973, a film titled "The Day Of The Jackal" which was based on the outstanding novel by Frederick Forsyth turned an actor named Edward Fox into a star. This intelligent and entertaining remake, has not converted Craig into a star, but solidified his talents as a great actor. We've seen him play a gangster's son, a vengeful Isreali assassin and even James Bond. As The Jackal, he has crafted the villainous figure with such skill. His movement, his presence and his sheer personality as the character is fantastic. He is such a powerful figure with such intense motives, yet his mood and his movement is so unchaotic, that it creates such a different kind of villain. Matt Damon shines as Landon. A generally confident actor with admirable talents, his determination to complete the film's central motive as the character is perfect for an actor of his age and shape. Come nomination time, it may just be the battle of the leads between Mr. Craig and Mr. Damon."

"In the supporting department, Brendan Gleeson does superb as Vice President Stanton, a man who shows dedication in supporting his commander in chief, but at the same time holds very shady ways underneath everything. Playing the role with a dead-on East Coast accent, the Irish-born actor shows his talent for playing foreign characters."

"With a fine script from Mr. Gilroy and superb directing from Mr. Campbell, the creative team behind this ambitious recreation of a classic thriller holds true to the concept of its predecessor. It aims to create an entertaining and suspenseful edge of your seat thriller, and aims to minimize itself as an over the top action film. At that, it succeeds. You are never bored, and are always given something to follow along with throughout each scene of the film. When the moments of thrilling excitement arrive, they are done superbly."

FYC
BEST PICTURE (Drama)
BEST DIRECTOR- Martin Campbell
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY- Tony Gilroy
BEST ACTOR- Daniel Craig
BEST ACTOR- Matt Damon
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR- Brendan Gleeson
BEST FILM EDITING
ALL CREATIVITY AWARDS

The Devil in Austria

Author(s): James Somerton

Location: Canada

"The Devil in Austria"

Directed By Steven Speilberg
Written By Steven Zallian
Edited By Michael Kahn
Cinematography By Janusz Kaminski
Score By John Williams

Main Cast

Daniel Craig as Adolf Eichmann
Heino Ferch as Ernst Kaltenbrunner
Romola Garai as Veronica Liebl
Ben Kingsley as Gideon Hausner
Guy De Saint Cyr as Heinrich Himmler

Tagline: "The Final Solution Was Only The Beginning"

Synopsis: In 1932 a twenty-six year old man named Adolf Eichmann joined the Nazi Party in Austria. Quickly moved into the booming "Jewish Section" of the Nazi Party, Adolf was put in charge of creating solutions to "The Jewish Question". Deportation to Madagascar was one suggestion but it was quickly thrown out when a war began.

The next idea? Termination.

From the years of 1940 to 1945, Adolf Eichmann was in charge of systematically killing over five million European jews. But with the end of the war he was forced to flee to Argentina. Here, along with his wife and children, he began a new life working odd jobs under a new name Ricardo Klement. Any fear of retribution was forgotten after a few years in hiding. But the hunter had become the hunted.

Survivors of what was now being called The Holocaust were getting their revenge. Nazi hunters from Israel were hunting down all the remaining nazis in the world. After the Nuremberg Trials, they took it upon themselves to find any Nazi who had escaped justice. Adolf Eichmann was one of them. Caught in May of 1960, Eichmann was put on trial in Jerusalem for fifteen different charges.

Encased in a bullet proof booth for the duration of the trial, Eichmann rarely reacted to any of the charges made against him. Simply saying that he only followed orders.

Eichmann was sentenced to death, and executed on May 31, 1962.

What the Press would say:

Steven Speilberg returns to form with this magnificent, and horrifying, leap back into history. We're constantly reminded of the events of the holocaust, but rarely mentioned is the man behind it all. Adolf Eichmann engineered the holocaust; thinking up methods of transportation and extermination. Visiting the death camps far more often than any other of his colleagues, Eichmann is said to have even grown accustomed to the smell of the bodies burning or decomposing. A feeling that we are almost forced into reliving.

Daniel Craig's portrayal of Eichmann is terrifyingly real. He is so calm in the most tense situations that you sometimes wonder if he is even aware of his surroundings. However, we do see him fall into utter panic when he is fleeing Berlin. Only in this scene are we privy to glimpses of the war and his inner paranoia. When visiting the death camps he is so mechanical its scary. We are treated to a different side of Eichmann when with family though. His wife and children bring out a softer side in him, one that doesn't even think of his "great work" that is being performed. Craig really shines in the courtroom scenes though. We're so accustomed to seeing yelling and arguing in a courtroom that when we see the calm and poised Eichmann it is far more shocking than any flamboyant lawyer.

Eichmann's adversary in the courtroom is Gideon Hausner, played by Ben Kingsley. This is a strong willed prosecutor that has taken down many Nazis before Eichmann is beyond confident that Eichmann will be the next to fall. He is just as strong willed as Eichmann but finds it a bit harder to keep his emotions in check. The back and forths between these two characters are so well written. The impassioned Hausner going against the almost emotionless Eichmann gives such a contrast between the two characters.

The final moments of the film are truly emotional. As a viewer, we have grown to loathe Adolf Eichmann and seeing him in his final moments is just as meaningful now as it was then. This is not a hateful film, we do get to see Eichmann as a human; being with and loving his family. After watching the film though it becomes clear that Eichmann was a Nazi first and a family man second. Steven Speilberg gives us his best film since "Schindler's List". This film shares the same raw emotion as "List" but it is an emotion of hate, fear, and anger that drives this film. The fact that this man had a family and was not simply a monster almost made me angrier. Speilberg elicits so much from us with this film that its hard to walk away without feeling changed. Here we get to know the man who truly engineered the holocaust. A terrifying man that was all too normal. This film, however, is not normal. It transcends cinema and tackles the worst war crimes in history. In a time when torture and war crimes permeate our even news broadcast, this shows us what happens when people turn a blind eye.

POSSIBLE NOMINATIONS

Best Picture
Best Director - Steven Speilberg
Best Actor - Daniel Craig
Best Supporting Actor - Ben Kingsley
Best Original Screenplay

Fire of the Sun

Author(s): Ryne

Location: Portland

"Fire of the Sun"

Directed by Paul Haggis
Written by Eric Roth and Paul Haggis

Main Cast

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Solomon Tessema
David Anders as Lt. Mark Carwin
Senait Ashenafi as Hiwot Tessema
Rachel Weisz as Emily Carwin
Leo Gullotta as General Vito Costa
Sophie Okonedo as Kirsay Solgos
James Caviezel as Pvt. Aldo Mancini
Ralph Finnes as General Edward Ashmore

Tagline: "Under the fire of the sun, temptation brought a nation together"

Synopsis: As fascist Italy begins to expand the Axis Empire into the East African country of Ethiopia, the British government, who controls the surrounding nations, considers troop withdrawal. The government instead wants to focus efforts on the Western Front in Europe. Solomon Tessema (Akinnuoye-Agbaje) heads a group of Ethiopian resistance fighters known as Ethiopian Republic Coalition, or ERC, who are keen on stopping potential Axis influence. This group, however, relies heavily on British support to defend their nation. General Edward Ashmore (Finnes) feels that his army should not abandon their duty to the people of Ethiopia. He suggests to the government that they allow any soldier who wishes, to stay and fight along side the ERC. The British government agrees, but only a few actually stay. Lt. Mark Carwin (Anders) is one of the men who chose to stay. This came to a shock to his wife, Emily (Weisz), who works as a nurse for the British army. She has repeated voiced her displeasure with living in Ethiopia and her desire to return home. Mark understands his wife’s discomfort with the situation, but external forces are keeping him from leaving. The remaining British forces begin to assimilate with the ERC to fight fascist Italy. During the assimilation, Mark introduces Emily to Solomon and his pregnant wife, Hiwot (Ashenafi). Emily and Hiwot quickly become friends. Emily learns that Hiwot’s best friend, Kirsay (Okonedo), went missing several days earlier, but in Ethiopia, there is not much that can be done. The integration of forces seem to be going well, but with the Italian army mobilizing, they will soon be tested.

General Vito Costa (Gullotta) has been planning the invasion of Ethiopia for months now. The victory that looms directly in the future ensures Axis control of Africa within the coming months. Ethiopia has no chance. The British have withdrawn troops and the ERC cannot resist for long. Nothing stands in the way of victory. If somehow things do not going according to plans, a prisoner apprehended by Pvt. Aldo Mancini (Caviezel) may provide some sort of assistance. This prisoner, going by the name Kirsay, frequently says that she personally knows Solomon Tessema and the ERC will never give up. If she does indeed know Solomon, she could become very handy in the coming weeks.

The Italian army officially began its invasion of Ethiopia on January 20, 1941. The stories of the ERC resistance are intertwined with the birth of the Tessema’s baby that reveals the reason Mark stayed in Ethiopia, the events surrounding Kirsay’s capture, and General Costa’s struggle realizing that Ethiopia will fight to the bitter end.

What the Press would say:

Paul Haggis gets back to perfect form with the second part of his World War 2 trilogy. He does what he does best in directing this superbly put together ensemble. He bravely uses Amarigna, the native language of Ethiopia, and Italian to build tension that otherwise would not be there. Eric Roth, with help from director Paul Haggis, writes a screenplay that is once again brilliant. The script is one of the main reasons every actor shines in their role. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje gives a performance like I have never seen before as the charismatic Solomon. The audience can really feel the intensity in his eyes when he rallies the ERC and the heartbreak in his heart when he learns that Hiwot’s child isn’t his. It is by far one of the best performances of the year. In the supporting roles, the unknown Senait Ashenafi and David Anders, who the studio decided to push as supporting, give excellent performances in their respected roles. Ashenafi proves as the movies goes on, there is more behind Hiwot than just a pretty face. She captivates you from her very first scene and dominates the screen every time she appears. David Anders gives an exceptional tour de force as the troubled Mark. To often does a villain overshadow the “good guy” in this category now a day. Mark’s love for his wife is undeniable and the audience can tell with the torture he goes through knowing the effects of his affair. Anders portrays this troubled nature of Mark to perfection. I predict he gathers several precursor victories subsequently landing his first Oscar nomination. In a year that has brought us such masterpieces as “Jackrabbit”, “Lucky Clover”, “A New Agenda”, and “Cinematheque”, “Fire of the Sun” has become the film to beat come awards season.

FYC:

Best Picture
Best Director (Paul Haggis)
Best Actor (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje)
Best Supporting Actor (David Anders)
Best Supporting Actress (Senait Ashenafi)
Best Original Screenplay

Follies

Author(s): Dave

Location: Australia

"Follies"

Directed by Stephen Frears
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Goldman
Screenplay by Christopher Hampton

Main Cast

Phyllis Rogers Stone – Michelle Pfeiffer
Young Phyllis – Amanda Bynes
Sally Durant Plummer – Meryl Streep
Young Sally – Brittany Snow
Benjamin Stone – Victor Garber
Young Ben – Blake Bashoff
Buddy Plummer – Kevin Spacey
Young Buddy – Zac Efron
Carlotta Campion – Glenn Close
Hattie Walker – Angela Lansbury
Solange LaFitte – Catherine Deneuve
Dimitri Weissman – Anthony Hopkins
Emily Whitman – Lily Tomlin
Theodore Whitman – John McMartin
Stella Deems – Ann-Margret
Sam Deems – Len Cariou
Heidi Schiller – Christine Ebersole

Tagline: "Everything was possible and nothing made sense"

Synopsis: It’s 1970 and, after thirty years of standing derelict, Broadway’s mighty Weissman Theatre, home of the iconic Weissman Follies, is coming down to make way for a parking lot. The night before it’s demolition, reclusive producer Dimitri Weissman has called together his impressive cast of past performers for their first and final reunion on the ruined stage of the theatre.

Showgirls, Stars, and the Stage Door Johnnies who were there to cheer them on all reconvene on the site of so much former revelry only to find that the dilapidated theatre holds memories for them that might have been better left unexplored.

Phyllis Rogers Stone’s cold aloofness hides a bitter yearning to recapture the lost dreams and passions of her youth. She has long been estranged from her successful husband, renowned lawyer and diplomat Benjamin Stone, and blames his success directly for the hollow, materialistic figure she has become. For his part, Ben Stone feels deprived of the warmth and love of the relationship he might have enjoyed had he married Sally Durant Plummer, Phyllis’ best friend during her Showgirl days.

Sally, now a bored and frumpish housewife has flown all the way from Phoenix to remind Ben of their past feelings for one another, with her husband Buddy in hot pursuit. Buddy is an unsuccessful oil-rig salesman who introduced the studious Ben to the delights of the Follies girls in the 1940’s. His marriage to Sally has been a disaster and though she patently despises him Buddy still loves his wife.

As the two couples explore their emotions they are confronted with the harsh realities of their younger selves in the familiar but faded settings of the once glorious Weissman Theatre. Around them are other former members of the Follies whose lives have also been profoundly affected by their youthful stardom. Old song and dance numbers are revived and the theatre comes alive with the ghosts of so many unfulfilled hopes and dreams that are finally expressed after decades of suppression.

The night progresses swiftly into a glittering climax of explosive confrontations and painful realisations. Accompanied by the legendary score of Stephen Sondheim, Follies is a blinding insight into the excess, the hope and the vitality that was pre-World War Two America and dangers of living in the past.

What the Press would say:

Director Stephen Frears has managed the impossible! The Stephen Sondheim musical “Follies”, infamous for confusing and alienating audiences with its depressing subject matter, has converted to screen with a flawless majesty and grace that must be witnessed to be believed. Christopher Hampton has outdone himself with an adapted screenplay that serves to bring cohesion to a muddle of characters and songs that emerges onto the screen as a driving and powerful exposition of the loss of the American dream of the 1930’s and the effect this loss has had on modern American society.

A legendary ensemble cast powerfully portrays some of the most eccentric characters ever created – rendered all the more enticing by the similarities between character and actor. Michelle Pfieffer and Victor Garber give an excellent and unexpectedly skewering portrayal of the bitter society couple, while Meryl Streep has defied her own seemingly limitless limits with her heart-rending performance as the lovelorn, desperate Sally Durant Plummer. Kevin Spacey is a stand out as her pathetic husband Buddy.

Watch too for Grande Dame, Angela Lansbury who damn near steals the movie with her uncharacteristically acerbic Hattie Walker and her rendition of the show-stopping number “Broadway Baby”. Glenn Close’s performance as the faded film and stage star Carlotta Campione is also an ironic treat.

Much like the characters to be found within, “Follies” has taken over thirty years to grow and discover just exactly what its purpose is and how best to deliver it to a modern audience. Though it could have become (as with so many movie musicals today) little more than a fast paced set and costume extravaganza, a sensational cast and astonishingly insightful direction and attention to detail by Frears have created something Hollywood has not seen in many a year: a legend.

Best Picture
Best Director – Stephen Frears
Best Adapted Screenplay – Christopher Hampton
Best Actress – Meryl Streep
Best Actress – Michelle Pfeiffer
Best Actor – Victor Garber
Best Actor – Kevin Spacey
Best Supporting Actress – Angela Lansbury
Best Supporting Actress – Glenn Close
Best Supporting Actor – Anthony Hopkins
Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Best Film Editing
Best Make-up
Best Sound-Mixing

The Gift of Life

Author(s): Ryan

Location: N/A

"The Gift of Life"

Directed by Todd Field
Written by Todd Field
Music by Mark Isham and Craig Armstrong

Main Cast

Susan Sarandon (Carrie Blanchard)
James McAvoy (Kyle “Rusty” Blanchard)
Hilary Swank (Rae Conchord)
Nick Cannon (Aaron Brown)
Aaron Stanton (Mike Conchord)
Alfre Woodard (Sharon Brown)
Steve Zahn (Carson Dueler)
Jennifer Tilly (Chris “Bella” Haggerty)
Kelly Macdonald (Jodie Ganesmen)

Tagline: "If you could give the gift of life…would you take it away…?"

Synopsis: Inspired by the true stories of Organ donors, The Gift of Life is based off some incredible ones. Carrie Blanchard (Susan Sarandon) is a lonely widowed mother. Though she has plenty of money to retire, she works at Wal-Mart to pass the time and for some human interaction. It is December when her son Kyle “Rusty” Blanchard (James McAvoy) comes home from the Iraq war. Nicknamed Rusty for his red hair and full of personality it is one night when he and his mother go to a football game. But it is after the game when a brawl breaks out in the parking lot. A drunken fan, Carson Dueler (Steve Zahn) is about to beat-up his crying girlfriend Jodie Ganesman (Kelly Macdonald). By nature but to his mother’s disapproval Kyle is determined to break up the fight until Carson remorselessly punches Kyle in the head, hitting the hard cement pavement below all in front of Carrie’s eyes.

Brain-dead and his vital organs failing one by one after a few days on life support Kyle is declared dead.

Honoring Kyle’s final wishes Carrie reluctantly donates his organs. His lungs go to a woman Rae Conchord (Hilary Swank) who got into a car accident puncturing her left lung. Rae is recently married to Mike (Aaron Stanton). Mike has seemed to become distant after her accident and especially after the organ transplant. Carrie writes to Rae through a program offered to donators and Rae quickly responds with thanks. It is to her surprise though when Carrie shows up to her front door following the return to address. Awkward but grateful, Rae lets Carrie in and they slowly form a relationship. But Carrie’s frequent visits and phone calls anger Mike to threatening a divorce with Rae. Mike does this, regretting the marriage in the first place and feeling second-string and jealous from all of Rae’s congratulations for going through with the difficult surgery and car accident. Mike uses this as an excuse to get the divorce he wants or to at least feel know he has power of his wife.

A week later, Kyle’s liver gets donated to a college football player Aaron Brown (Nick Cannon) who hurt his liver, abdomen, and broke his spine in a horrendous football game accident. Meeting him the same way as Rae, Carrie forms an instant relationship with the bed-ridden Aaron who has spent the last month in a hospital bed. Aaron desperate for interaction, his friends and girlfriend seemingly abandoning him, he is happy for her daily visits. Carrie feels closer to Aaron, the same age as her son, feeling as if Kyle is inside Aaron by the liver. But when Aaron’s mother, Sharon (Alfre Woodard) has a heated argument with Carrie over her intrusions, Sharon slaps her and files a restraining order when Carrie refers to Aaron as her son.

Now relying more on Rae, who wants Carrie to do the opposite, Rae refuses to open the door.

With nowhere to turn Carrie focuses her efforts on putting Carson on death row.

It is later that Carrie receives information on the whereabouts of Kyle’s heart. It is going to a woman, Chris Haggerty (Jennifer Tilly), better known as ‘Bella’, a stripper and “escort”; dying from heart cancer with a small child in foster care.

It is two days before the operation when Carrie visits Chris in the hospital and finding out about her profession and lifestyle. Not having her son’s heart in a stripper Carrie is prepared to go to world’s end to stop the operation. Chris is quick to attack jabbing at her with an air-filled needle. Carrie escaping tells the tale and Chris is let out of the hospital and apprehended by the police for murder attempt. This leaves the local media, blow up the incident into a national scandal on who deserves and who needs transplants.

But when Jodie breaks into Carrie’s house with a knife, she threatens her to give Chris the heart. Not to ruin another family, like she did with Jodie. Jodie revealing that she is pregnant with Carson’s child. What makes Carrie better than Chris, putting a to-be-husband and father in jail?

In a drama where people realize the importance of family and friendship, with a heartbreaking climax and uplifting message The Gift of Life is definitely the gift of the movie season.

MEMORABLE SCENE: (closing voice-over by Carrie)

CARRIE (V.O.): Every time at the airport when Rusty was boarding his plane to go back to war I would say, ‘This is your time to leave and your mother’s time to cry’. It would be a segway to the next time we meet. It also turned out to be the last thing I said. But I realized it was a segway. A segway to a different world. It was his time to go, and my time to cry. But it will be a segway until the next time we meet….

What the Press would say:

“Two thumbs ALL THE WAY up!”-Ebert & Roeper

“An Emotional story that is sure to win and break the hearts of all.”- People

“A+! An original inspiration story with a message to be heard and an important cause to be learned about.”-Entertainment Weekly

“A holiday film that is sure to be a classic!”-Rolling Stone Magazine

The Gift of Life is an Oscar winner for sure. A heartbreaking yet heartwarming tale of an important cause.

Todd Field sets a perfect tone against his superb screenplay to Mark Isham and Craig Armstrong’s riveting score. Field has an eye for suburban-life cinematography and the dialogue of it too. Realistic and artistic at the same time add to the moving element of the film. Field’s consistency of greatness continues here for sure.

James McAvory creates a character that can be cared about in a sheer amount of minutes that you will cry when he dies early on. For acting Aaron Stanton is hated as Rae’s stone cold husband and Nick Cannon shines as a popular turned lonely football player that had it all going for him but shows how quickly life can change it. From Drumline to Bobby to Even Money to this Cannon has certainly proven himself as an actor.

Kelly Macdonald gets another fantastic role; from No Country for Old Men, she certainly has her acting chops in an amazing climatic scene. Alfre Woodard is unstoppable as the mother who feels as if another woman is taking her soon away from her. Hilary Swank too may get her third Academy Award in a silent yet heart-breaking scene where she will not open up the door that will not leave a dry eye in the house. However Jennifer Tilly makes a roaring comeback in an important role that will definitely leave something to talk about, whether the subject or her outstanding performance.

However the show stopper and Academy Award winner is Susan Sarandon. In a busy year Sarandon tops herself yet again as a lonely mother whose world comes crashing down. While she appears independent she is unwilling to face the harsh reality of her son’s death in many breakdown scenes that are more spellbinding than the next having the audience cry and care with her and smile and laugh when those times come too.

Heart-breaking yet uplifting The Gift of Life has the makings of a classic.

Best Picture
Best Director: Todd Field
Best Screenplay: Paul Haggis and Todd Field
Best Original Score: Mark Isham and Craig Armstrong
Best Supporting Actor: James McAvoy, Aaron Stanton, Nick Cannon
Best Actress: Susan Sarandon
Best Supporting Actress: Hilary Swank, Alfre Woodard, Jennifer Tilly

The Hunt and the Slaughter

Author(s): AJ Bell

Location: N/A

"The Hunt and the Slaughter"

Written and Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Cinematography by Ellen Kuras

Main Cast

Emile Hirsch – Pete Manch
Charlize Theron – Gwen Lovitz
Josh Brolin – Jack Lovitz
Paul Newman – Pops Manch
With
Edward Furlong – Sheriff Tull

Tagline: "Whether He Knows it or Not, the Hunt is On"

Synopsis: Pete Manch is a 23 year old man who works the long hours of his life on his father's farm. He tends the fields, herds the cattle, and pretty much runs the show on Pops Manch's Oklahoma ranch. But when a new couple comes to town, Gwen Lovitz, the 37-year-old wife of Jack Lovitz, a very large, very scary man that just moved here from the deep Southland of Louisiana, instantly infatuates Pete. When Jack is looking for a job, Pops sees he has a potential to be a good worker, because of his size and strength. Jack and Pete begin working together, and Gwen comes by often. She begins to notice Pete the way Pete had been noticing her. They talk for hours while Pops has Jack doing things that Pete can't. They begin to have an affair. Meeting anywhere they can to make love. Jack is starting to get suspicious. He confronts Gwen about it. He tells her that if she every talks to Pete again, he will slit his throat in front of her, and then do the same to her. Frightened, Gwen goes to Pete and tells him. Their decision is to escape to another place. When Jack finds out about this, he begins a one-man army to hunt down Pete and Gwen. Before he leaves, the town Sheriff confronts him to let him know that if he hears about anything happening to the two of them, he will know whom to arrest. Without flinching, Jack takes a hammer out and slays the Sheriff. He carries the hammer with him from now on like a gladiator carries a sword. The hunt is on.

After a few days, Pops gets worried. He goes over to Jack's house to find out if Jack knows anything about where Pete may have gone. He discovers the Sheriffs corpse. A map on the wall shows the path that Pete and Gwen took, and the path that Jack planned on taking. Pops rips the map off the wall, and runs to his pickup truck. He must save his son from the same fate as that of the Sheriff.

As the heated chase goes on, Jack cuts down anyone in his path. Whether it be a gun store clerk, a local police officer, or even a married couple who cuts him off in traffic. Gwen and Pete find a run down farm to hide out at for a while, not knowing that death is on their trail. One night, a truck pulls up outside. Pete wakes up and slowly goes to the window. He looks outside and sees Jack. Jack yells for him to come face him like a man. Pete grabs his gun. Gwen is still asleep. Right when Pete is about to go to the door, he hears footsteps outside the door. He raises his gun and steps closer to the door. Jack bursts in and knocks the gun out of Pete's hand with his hammer. He then cracks Pete over the skull with it. Pete falls out the window onto the cold desert sand below. Gwen screams for him but then Jack pulls out a knife and jams it into her chest. She falls back screaming.

Outside the house, Pops pulls up and sees his son sprawled out on the ground. He runs up to him, but from behind him Jack shoots him multiple times. Jack slowly walks up to the two bodies, both are squirming. He raises the gun to Pops head and fires. Pops is no longer squirming, but now Pete is screaming out at Jack. Jack looks Pete up and down is about to enjoy the pain he will bring him, but before he can multiple bullets fly through his own body from behind. He quickly turns around and sees Gwen standing there, a knife through her chest and Pete's gun in her hands. Jack just smiles at her. He gets up and runs toward her. She fires a couple more times, but they do nothing. He grabs the knife handle sticking out of her and twists it. She screams, but it is too late. She is dead. Jack turns around to finish Pete, but Pete is no longer there.

Jack and Pete now fight it out in the woods, ending with Jack dead and Pete continuing the live he could never have again. His father, his lover, and his life were all now gone.

What the Press would say:

The intensely dramatic thriller "The Hunt and the Slaughter" is definitely the best film this year. Every piece of this incredibly entertaining work of art is crafted to perfection with a sleek integrity that earns it the title of Best Picture of the Year. The Direction is flawless, and Darren Aronofsky's smart, exciting script is by far superior to any of his other works. His style clearly shows through the scenes in this wondrously haunting visual masterpiece.

The acting is possibly one of the best ensembles in recent years. The chemistry between Hirsch and Theron is comparable to DiCaprio and Winslet in Titanic or Beady and Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde. Josh Brolin's thick Louisiana accent is so authentic, I would believe him to be a New Orleans native. His presence on screen is so terrifying, he is one the most memorable movie villains of the last few decades. Paul Newman coming back to films pays off dearly as playing the wise, elderly father.

Roger Ebert – Two Thumbs Up! The Most Excitingly Beautiful Film of the Year

Entertainment Weekly – A Modern Masterpiece! Grade A

Rolling Stone – Horrifyingly Magnificent! Four Stars

POSSIBLE NOMINATIONS

Best Picture (Drama GG)
Best Director – Darren Aronofsky
Best Actor – Emile Hirsc
Best Supporting Actor – Josh Brolin
Best Supporting Actress – Charlize Theron
Best Original Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Original Score
Best Editing
Best Ensemble (SAG)

Into the Woods

Author(s): Michael

Location: Oklahoma

"Into the Woods"

Directed by Rob Marshall
Adapted by James Lapine
Costume Design by Sandy Powell
Art Direction by John Myhre and Nancy Haigh
Additional Music by Stephen Sondheim

Main Cast

Matthew Broderick- The Baker
Renee Zellweger- Baker’s Wife
Bernadette Peters- The Witch
Jaime Bower- Jack
Molly Shannon- Jack’s Mother
AnnaSophia Robb- Little Red Ridinghood
Amy Adams- Rapunzel
Patrick Wilson- Rapunzel’s Prince
Emmy Rossum- Cinderella
Hugh Jackman- Cinderella’s Prince/Voice of the Wolf
Victor Garber- The Narrator/Mysterious Man

Tagline: "This Christmas, Go To the Wood!"

Synopsis: Once upon a time, there lived a Baker and his wife who longed for a child. They soon come to find out that the only reason they don’t have a child is because the Witch from next door placed a spell on his family, because the Baker’s father had stolen things from the Witch while his wife was pregnant with the Baker’s sister, even though he had no idea he had a sister. That spell has left The Baker and his family barren forever. The Witch informs them that they may reverse the curse, but only by retrieving 4 things…

1. The Cow As White As Milk
2. The Cape As Red As Blood
3. The Hair As Yellow As Corn
4. The Slipper As Pure As Gold

They must go into the woods to find these things within 3 days, or they will be barren forever.

THE COW AS WHITE AS MILK: Jack is a sad young lad whose best friend is his cow Milky-White. So when his mother informs’s him that he must sell Milky-White at the market so that they can earn some money, Jack is deeply depressed. He starts off his journey into the woods and ends up trading Milky-White for 5 magical beans that take him on yet another expedition.

THE CAPE AS RED AS BLOOD: One day at her mother’s wishes, Little Red Ridinghood went to visit her Grandmother’s house because her poor old granny was sick in bed and needed a bit of company. In preparation for the visit she went to a Baker’s house and grabbed some bread and snacks for her sick old grandmother and headed off into the wood. While on the path, she encountered a Wolf who urged her to leave the path, but she kept on and headed to her Grandmothers house, where not everything was not quite right.

THE HAIR AS YELLOW AS CORN: Poor Rapunzel had been trapped in a big tower for as long as she could remember. She rarely had contact with the outside world and only had 1 visitor, The Witch, who was like a Mother to her. The Witch was nothing but nice to Rapunzel, but she always felt like there was something more. So when a handsome prince comes to the tower one day and see’s the beautiful maiden with the beautiful hair, he is determined to win her heart. However, love has a cost that may be to big for both of them to bear.

THE SLIPPER AS PURE AS GOLD: Cinderella parent’s died when she was a very young girl and she was forced to live with her Evil Stepmother and her two step-sisters, whom were not very kind to her. But, when all the maidens in the land are summoned to the King’s Festival to dance with the Prince, Cinderella is determined to fall in love with him during their brief time together. She soon escapes into the woods on her journey to the King’s journey.

They would all soon come to find, that getting what you want doesn’t always make you happy.

What the Press would say:

When Into the Woods opened on Broadway about 20 years ago; it was met with wide critical acclaim. So now it is no surprise that the film version directed by Rob Marshall is being hailed the Best Film of the Year. Filled with fun songs, exciting dances and a captivating story Into the Woods is the best movie musical to be released in a long time. Marshall has done a fantastic job directing the film and is his best directing to date. It is clear that he was extremely passionate about the movie and made every actor give everything that they had into the film. James Lapine who passed on directing the film wrote a delightful screenplay that is filled with wit, suspense, and entertainment. By far the best adapted screenplay of the year.

Matthew Broderick is delightful as The Baker and the center of the story. While, I don’t really find any of his previous works to be amazing, this really is and is a solid performance. Hugh Jackman is charming as prince charming and gives a first-rate performance as Cinderella’s cocky prince and as the devious Wolf. Straight from the original Broadway production, Bernadette Peters is breathtaking as the Witch. She is absolutely excellent as the character and even though the role is normally played younger, she really sells the change in the story. Her voice is as lovely as ever and the performance is Oscar worthy. Renee Zellweger shines as the Baker’s wife and gives her best performance since Marshall’s other musical film, Chicago. She is outstanding in the role and definitely a threat this awards season. Emmy Rossum does a superb job in the role of wishful Cinderella. She gives the best performance of career and keeps herself known in a cast of bigger names. Last and definitely not least, Amy Adams is absolutely brilliant as the childish Rapunzel and in her limited role steals the show. Her character matures so much throughout the film and she transforms so well. It really is a pleasure to watch her on screen and Sondheim even wrote a hilarious song to accommodate her beautiful voice.

The production aspects of the film are just as terrific as the performances given by the talented cast. The costumes are splendid and magnificently design by Sandy Powell. The sets are fabulous and really gorgeous. The additional music by Stephen Sondheim himself is exquisite and pleasing to the ear. In general everything about the film is first-rate and deserves a standing ovation. It truly is the best film of the year and so deserving of Best Picture this year at the Oscars.

FYC:

Best Picture
Best Director- Rob Marshall
Best Actor- Matthew Broderick
Best Actress- Renee Zellweger
Best Supporting Actor- Hugh Jackman
Best Supporting Actress- Amy Adams
Best Supporting Actress- Bernadette Peters
Best Supporting Actress- Emmy Rossum
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Original Song- “Happily Ever After” Performed by the Cast
Best Original Song- “My Own Tower” Performed by Amy Adams
Best Sound Mixing

The Killer Eagles

Author(s): Pat

Location: NY

"The Killer Eagles"

Directed By Clint Eastwood
Written By David Benioff

Main Cast

Clint Eastwood (Harris Whitmore)
Cate Blanchett (Helena Whitmore)
Jeff Bridges (Matthew Eagle)
Kevin Bacon (Garrett Eagle)
Martin Sheen (Quincy D’Arcy)
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (Wendy D’Arcy)
Sam Rockwell (Zeke Eagle)
Jared Leto (Joshua Eagle)
Ashton Holmes (Jonathan Whitmore)
Abigail Breslin (Lily Whitmore)

Tagline: "When faced with disaster, family is the only thing you stand by"

Synopsis: 1874 California. Helena Whitmore (Cate Blanchett) is a hard-working single mother of Jonathan (Ashton Holmes) and Lily (Abigail Breslin) who owns and runs a small motel in the little gold rush town of Reagan’s Point, California, which is located near the Oregon border. She quietly does her job and tries to butt out of the town’s affairs but cannot fend off the insistant hospitality of Sheriff D’Arcy (Martin Sheen) and his wife, Wendy (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). One cold morning in February, Helena finds that someone has broken into one of her rooms and investigates only to learn that it is her father, Harris (Clint Eastwood), who has made himself comfortable in her establishment without her knowledge. Harris is an old, rugged gunslinger who has seen more than his fair share of saloons and brothels. As Helena grew up, Harris would frequently leave the home for months on end to achieve some distant goal, whether it be a bounty or some treasure, which caused Helena to become enraged with him. Harris pleads for forgiveness and convinces his daughter that he wants to make amends for his past mistakes by helping her fix up the motel, which was creeping into decay.

Months past and the two finally began to get along…that was until the Eagle Brothers came into town. Known for their brash tactics against rebelling Indian tribes, the Eagles were comprised of four cowboy siblings. Matthew (Jeff Bridges), the eldest, used his degrading swagger to dull his opponents before engaging in his ruthless activties. Garrett (Kevin Bacon) was more subdued than his older brother but was unafraid to take someone down if he saw it fit. Zeke (Sam Rockwell) was the joker of the bunch who usually told some sort of perverted zinger before dispatching his enemies. And Joshua (Jared Leto), the youngest, seemed to be mentally ill, having tendencies to incite violent situations when it was inappropriate. The four Eagles took up in Helena’s establishment, claiming to be looking for a man named Edward, who stole their cash from a bank robbery. As time passed and Helena became more familiar with the Eagles, she began to learn that it was her father was the man they were looking for.

Helena confronts her father and demands that he leave town, but sure enough, the Eagles learn of Harris’ whereabouts and announce a full scale war on the town until Harris is brought to their hands. The Sheriff wants the town to be peaceful, Harris wants to leave without a bullet in him, and Helena cannot decide whether to protect the town or her family. But all she knows is that she must make a decision…soon. “The Killer Eagles” is a violent spectacle of cinema that makes the deepest roots of American society seem like a nightmare.

What the Press would say:

Clint Eastwood returns to the genre that made him famous in “The Killer Eagles”, a story about family issues, greed, and violence. At the center is Cate Blanchett in a stunning turn as Helena Whitmore, the owner of a motel who is forced to house her father while the men seeking to kill him also shack up there. She shows deception, sexuality, caring, and a stern disposition when she dominates all her scenes against her co-star. Clint Eastwood acts the best he has in years as an aging gunslinger who could face his last stand. His rugged demeanor and stunning ability to strike fear with just a blink of his eyes. Martin Sheen and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio play the sheriff and his wife in very quaint performances. Kevin Bacon and Jeff Bridges round out the cast as two of the Eagle brothers, with Bacon giving his best performance ever and Bridges becoming one of the coolest, most sadistic killers in the Western genre.

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director-Clint Eastwood
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actor-Clint Eastwood
Best Actress-Cate Blanchett
Best Supporting Actor-Kevin Bacon
Best Supporting Actor-Jeff Bridges
Best Supporting Actor-Martin Sheen
Best Supporting Actress-Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

The Lieutenant Of Inishmore

Author(s): Zayn

Location: N/A

"The Lieutenant Of Inishmore"

Based on the hit dark comedy Broadway production
Directed by MARTIN MCDONAGH
Written by MARTIN MCDONAGH

Main Cast

David Wilmot- Padraic
Kerry Condon- Mairead
Domhnall Gleeson- Davey
Peter Gerety- Donny

Tagline: "Blood. Bombs. Kittens"

Synopsis: Set in 1993 in County Galway on the rocky island of Inishmore, off the coast of Ireland. Padraic is a self proclaimed lieutenant of a one man terrorist group with no feeling for those he kills, yet has an obsessive attachment to Thomas, his beloved cat. His father, Donny and his friend Davey are cat-watching when they find out someone has murdered poor wee Thomas. Was it an accident or an execution? Either way, the death must be concealed before 'Mad Padraic' returns from a stint of torture and bombing. Otherwise the recriminations will be horrifying.

What the Press would say:

"This murderous merry-go-round effortlessly becomes one of the best movies of the year."

"Certain to be a leading contender among this year's film awards, "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" is already sure to be a winner with those who enjoy an extravagant story driven by dark, significant humor."

"The smartest, funniest new work to land on the silver screen."

"A gruesomely hilarious satire."

"The bloody mayhem that envelops Martin McDonagh's "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" explodes as effectively on film as it did on Broadway. In fact, McDonagh's dark, dangerous satire on Irish terrorism plays even sharper, surer and funnier"

"This allegorical comedy set in Northern Ireland demonstrates its writer's unique ability to create dark and disturbing material that somehow manages to be ruthlessly funny. It is a major contender for this year's Best Picture Oscar."

FYC
Best Picture
Best Director- Martin McDonagh
Best Adapted Screenplay- Martin McDonagh
Best Actor- David Wilmot
Best Supporting Actor- Domhnall Gleeson
Best Supporting Actor- Peter Gerety

Les Miserables

Author(s): Jeffrey

Location: Long Island

"Les Misérables"

Directed by Richard Eyre
Written by Patrick Marber

Main Cast

Bill Nighy as Jean Valjean
Russell Crowe as Javert
Keisha Castle-Hughes as Cosette
Daniel Radcliffe as Marius
Saoirse Ronan as Éponine
Kate Winslet as Fantine
James McAvoy as Enjolras
Tim Curry as Monsieur Thénardier
Imelda Staunton as Madame Thénardier
Freddie Highmore as Gavroche

Tagline: "The end of injustice is here"

Synopsis: 1815 - 1820

Jean Valjean was jailed for filching bread, and released five years later. A run in with a bishop forced him to change his ways and he meets a prostitute and mother named Fantine. An old prison guard named Javert who had been watching Valjean very intently starts to get suspicious of a new identity that Valjean has created for himself to devert attention. Fantine and Valjean, who have formed a close and cordial relationship, are torn apart when Fantine dies after a painful tuberculosis battle. Valjean makes one last promise to Fantine before she dies: he will care for Cosette, Fantine's daughter, who works for the Thénardier family (cruel thieves). Javert finds and convicts a man he incorrectly believes is Valjean. To fix this mistake, Valjean turns himself and manages to escape prison. He pays off the Thénardiers and flees with little Cosette to Paris.

Ten Years Later

Word gets out of General Lamarque's (the leader who lobbied for the rights of the poor) death, and a man named Enjolras sparks a revolution. The Thérnadiers' young son, Gavroche, is one of the boys joining in the revolution, along with Cosette's love interest Marius, an outspoken young man with a charming face. Marius is so charming that the Thérnadiers' daughter, Éponine, falls for him as well, thus creating a complicated love triangle. Éponine shows her love for Marius by protecting him (and Cosette and Valjean) from a planned robbery by the Thérnadiers. Marius, however, pities Éponine and finds her revolting.

As Enjolras, Marius, and Gavroche begin the revolution battle the next day, Valjean joins in an effort to aid Marius who he has learned is in love with Cosette. Éponine dresses as a boy and Cosette tells her to deliver a letter to Marius in the battlefield. Instead, Éponine ends up taking a bullet for Marius and dies in his arms, confessing both her love and selflessly handing over Cosette's letter. Marius kisses her on the forehead, a promise that she requested from him just before she dies. Meanwhile, Javert has gone undercover to gather information about the students' plans. His true alignment is discovered by Gavroche and the students decide to kill him, however Valjean secretly sets him free out of goodness. Enjolras is later executed, having been captured by soldiers. Gavroche is shot and killed not soon after this.

The Finale

Valjean flees the revolution through the sewers with an injured Marius. He encounters Javert, whom he convinces to let him pass without informing the authorities. Javert then finds himself struggling with his newfound ambivalence, and he drowns himself in a river. Reunited with Cosette, Marius weds his love having escaped the revolution alive. He learns of Valjean's past, however, about how he is an ex-convict. Marius forces Cosette away from Valjean, however the Thérnadiers attempt to blackmail Valjean and in this act they force Marius to realize that not only did Valjean save his life, but he also did countless good deeds. Unfortunately, when Marius and Cosette arrive to see Valjean again, he is on his death bed. The three reunite one last time before Valjean dies. For the first time, he tells Cosette about Fantine. He dies happily.

What the Press would say:

Les Misérables from Richard Eyre, the latest adaption of Victor Hugo's novel of the same name, is above and beyond its preceeding adaptations. With characters so realistic you might find yourself calling out to them to advise them on actions throughout the film, it's not hard to believe that every actor is going to be deemed Oscar worthy come awards time.

Bill Nighy is absolutely flawless as the huge-hearted protagonist, Jean Valjean. The emotion he portrays when dealing with both Kate Winslet and Keisha Castle-Hughes is hard to let pass without echoing the rest of the theater: "WOW". Winslet and Nighy, though their time is short together, have clear chemistry and can only be trumped by Nighy and Castle-Hughes, or perhaps the young actress and Daniel Radcliffe.

Radcliffe steers away from past caricatures and puts a unique spin on Marius, the love interest for Castle-Hughes in the film. Whereas some would deviate from the original Marius from the novel and stray more towards the less motivated and more kind musical version of the young man, Radcliffe is able to appear both arrogant and loveable. Not once can Cosette or Éponine's love for Marius be questioned. The only thing one might wonder about this love triangle is why no one fell in love with Valjean, because Bill Nighy will make anybody fall head over heels for the former criminal.

Winslet's small and tragic role as Fantine has a big impact on the audience that lasts throughout the entire film. She once again steps out of her comfort zone and delivers a fresh performance that only she could pull off. She bundles up all of Fantine's regret, pain, sorrow, and hatred in one. If anyone deserves an Oscar after this long, it is without a doubt Kate Winslet for her radiance in Les Misérables. Saoirse Ronan, on the other hand, could very well give any actress this year a run for their money. Ronan is able to do what hardly any adult actress can: she doesn't act; she just puts emotion into the role. Only a monster wouldn't shed a tear as she finally confesses her infatuation with the young man who has disregarded her emotions.

We finally must get to the heart of the revolution: Russell Crowe and James McAvoy. McAvoy flexes his muscles as the well-spoken and admireable leader. It's easy to see why people can Enjolras as convincing and strong: it's all to do with how McAvoy plays him. But Crowe is the brightest (or darkest, considering Javert's actions) star of the bunch in Les Misérables. Javert, who is as ambiguous as he is conflicted, seems to have been written specifically for Crowe. This tough guy will have to try NOT to attract any Oscar buzz for his ruthless yet redeeming portrayal of the prison guard. Crowe can be considered the heart of the film for making an antagonist that the audience will truly relate with.
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For Your Consideration:

Best Picture - Drama
Best Director - Richard Eyre
Best Actor - Bill Nighy
Best Actor - Russell Crowe
Bet Supporting Actor - Daniel Radcliffe
Best Supporting Actor - James McAvoy
Best Supporting Actress - Keisha Castle-Hughes
Best Supporting Actress - Saoirse Ronan
Best Supporting Actress - Kate Winslet
Best Adapted Screenplay - Patrick Marber

Modern Warfare

Author(s): Zgamer

Location: ID

"Modern Warfare"

Directed by Paul Greengrass
Written by Paul Greengrass and Tony Gilroy
Based on the game “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” created by Infinity Ward
Cinematography by Oliver Wood
Edited by Christopher Rouse
Music Composed by John Powell

Main Cast

Stephen Campbell Moore as Pvt. “Soap” MacTavish (SAS)
Ian Somerhalder as Sgt. Paul Jackson (1st Recon)
Daniel Craig as Captain Price (SAS)
Nick Stahl as Pvt. Ryan Patterson (1st Recon)
Andrew Divoff as Imran Zakhaev (Ultra-Nationalist)
Irfan Khan as Kahlad Al-Asad (Ultra-Nationalist)
Julia Stiles as Amanda Faron

Tagline: "The motive has changed. The war has evolved. The world will never be the same"

Synopsis: You’re watching Fox News.

::August 3, 2010:: Good morning. I’m Amanda Faron and this is Fox News. Tensions continue to rise as Day 2 of Operation Fox Hunter commences. President Walker ordered this police-action in response to the televised execution of Arabic President Yasir Al-Fulani by Kahlad Al-Asad and his Ultra-Nationalist sect in the Middle East. U.S. forces are attempting to capture Al-Asad and end this military coup to stop the reported random executions and ensure that the country’s oil supplies do not suffer collateral damage. Casualties have been reported for both sides, but as of now the U.S. Marine 1st Force Recon seems to have a control of the situation. Military officials refused to comment on what suspicions they have on why an insurrection would be held in such a small Middle Eastern country…

::August 4, 2010::…Reports have surfaced that the coup in the Middle East may in fact have been planned as a diversionary tactic. This began last night after a conflict within the borders of Russia. We bring you a clip from an earlier phone interview with British SAS Captain Price for details:

“…we have reasonable suspicion to accuse Russian Ultra-Nationalist leader Imran Zakhaev for funding and inciting Al-Asad’s coup in the Middle East. Last night, my team and I aided Russian Loyalists in liberating a small town from an overzealous Ultra-Nationalist garrison stationed here. Once the fight had subsided, evidence surfaced that led us to our accusation. As we found out, that bloke Zakhaev has been taking away rights from the folks here and has been increasing military patrols and executions to keep Russian citizens ‘in line’. However, Zakhaev is proving to be quite sneaky in concealing his movement across the country. The SAS will continue our investigation until we can find…”

::URGENT UPDATE:: This is a Fox News Alert. Reports of an explosion of great magnitude are coming out of the Middle East. The military is not announcing at this time what the casualty rating is, but we believe that many U.S. marines were stuck in the capital city where the explosion erupted. The most unsettling news, however, is that Ultra-Nationalist leaders Al-Asad and Zakhaev have made a televised threat that more missiles will be launched. No demands have been made. The U.S. military, aided by the British SAS, are now mobilizing to increase their search for Al-Asad and Zakaev. We will keep you updated with the details as often as we can…

What the Press would say:

Today’s wars are stronger, smarter and deadlier than they ever had been. We can’t fight gung-ho battles of World War II or unprepared wars like Vietnam. We have to be on our toes and one step ahead of our opponents at every moment. However, what if we don’t know who or what our enemy really is? This is one of the most relevant questions of our post 9-11 generation and it’s one explored in one of the most compelling and intense films of the year: Modern Warfare. Though based on a video game, people won’t think about that when they see what Paul Greengrass has done to the film.

Like “The Bourne Ultimatum”, Greengrass starts with a bang and never lets the tension stop. Set pieces are the name of the game in his direction, as he brings us moment after moment of amazing action sequences and cinematic moments. Some of them are awe-inspiring, some are frighteningly realistic, but all of them are expertly crafted and intelligently designed. The best example of this is the film’s first five minutes, in which British commandos infiltrate a cargo ship in the Atlantic to find a nuclear missile. Everything about it is so real that you feel like you are experiencing a live military operation, especially when the guns start shooting. And this is all before the main credits start, where the violent Middle Eastern coup takes place in the background. The rest of the film continues like this, as we are presented with many more intense sequences. We won’t spoil all the details, but we will say that you have not seen a nuclear explosion until you’ve seen the one presented here. It is moments like these Paul Greengrass lives for and it’s why he remains one of the best action/political thriller directors alive.

The story is presented in a very unique fashion that fits Greengrass’s style. All the scenes have a sense of immediacy, thanks to the superb editing throughout the film. The script is nicely written, with appropriate dialogue filled with military terms and soldier lingo. However, the most interesting aspect is the Fox News tie-ins that transition major scenes in the story. They appear in between moments of intense action, but are seamlessly edited so they never kill the tension. They are the most obvious moments of political commentary in the film, yet Greengrass does not take sides or use them for his own agenda. He presents a very real situation of a global conflict while showing how the media is used to not only communicate these events but also soften details so they can be more “digestible” for the public.

All of Greengrass’s technical details are top notch as usual, though the budget here is obviously much larger than he’s had before. It’s also apparent the U.S. army was very eager to loan props for the film, as the actors are appropriately equipped with the weapons you’d expect from the strongest militaries of the modern world. The cinematography and art direction are brilliant, as the subtle changes in lighting, backgrounds and colors really establish location as we travel across many spots around the world. The sound design is also astounding, with sound effects so real you feel like you are in the middle of the scene. And this all seamlessly blends with John Powell’s powerful and thrilling score, which, like The Bourne Supremacy, matches the intensity of the event going on at that moment.

While character development is not a dominant part of the film, this does not mean there isn’t a lot of great acting in this film. All the leads give competent performances throughout the film, proving that the training they went through in pre-production really paid off. From Moore’s naïve but courageous British soldier to Divoff and Khan’s malicious villains, everyone is very compelling. However, the strongest performer is the one with the least amount of screen time. Julia Stiles, playing Fox News anchor Faron, is superb in her pivotal role. She has a clean appearance, distinct mannerisms and a strong delivery of her lines. Yet you can sense she’s not always giving you the full story, and that’s what makes her so compelling.

Simply put, Modern Warfare is a must see. It’s compelling, exciting and thought provoking, which is exactly what a film should be.

Award Possibilties

Best Picture
Best Director (Paul Greengrass)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Paul Greengrass and Tony Gilroy)
Best Supporting Actress (Julia Stiles)
Best Cinematography (Oliver Wood)
Best Art Direction
Best Editing (Christopher Rouse)
Best Sound Design
Best Sound Editing
Best Original Score (John Powell)