Marion Cotillard's New Endorsement Gig

LOL

Forehead Tittaes w/ Marion Cotillard from Marion Cotillard

I absolutely love the musical score (so perfect) and that we get a cameo from Lesley Ann Warren at the end. And that her tittaes are less perky, haha. Surely you know how I feel about Lesley Ann Warren.

In semi-related news, here's another short film entry in her actual endorsement deal (for Dior) that we first told you about in last May. This time she's singing (yay!) and getting sahxy in a hot red dress. Yum. No, I'm not ready to consider my feelings about La Vie En Rose. Leave it be!

Yes, No, Maybe So: Spider-Man, Karate Kid, A-Team

Usually when I can remember that the general public doesn't go to the movies to see movies but to be a part of pop culture, I'm okay with the constant regurgitation at the cinema. When I don't remember... when I forget that people don't buy tickets to see CINEMA exactly... that's when the despair sets in and I wonder why they always want to see the same film over and over again. (I know, I know, that's the elitist side of cinephilia talking... but trust that I'm totally populist about the all access issue and I am generally angry with film geeks of any persuasion who automatically assume that the new difficult art film is worthier than the new accessible blockbuster or vice versa).

My friend Nick got angry about our heavily regurgitated culture with last month's Sherlock Holmes, giving it a savage beating in review form for all its shortcut identity theft. That Guy Ritchie flick is actually a perfect example. In order to fully enjoy it, you just have to remember that it's not a movie. Sherlock Holmes was a pop culture stocking suffer: Gobble it up, digest it without thinking, move on to other holiday prezzies. It already feels past tense, doesn't it?

But things are getting worse.

The recent cancellation of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man franchise -- they'll reboot it and go back to high school nerd Peter Parker -- is cause for alarm. I can see rebooting things when the originals are generations ago (Star Trek). But Peter Parker graduated from high school not 10 years ago! People don't start getting nostalgic about going back to high school that soon. That happens when they're in their 30s or 40s and then they go and see movies like Peggy Sue Got Married. Freaky Friday or 17 Again. If that yearning for high school starts in your 20s, you're doing your 20s wrong... sorry, Drew! Why do we need to see this again when we can pop in the DVDs any time and watch Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst work their pop culture magic? Rebooting it doesn't even make sense from a nostalgia perspective since it's not "old". There's no new generation to sell it, too. You kind of need a twenty year gap for that excuse.

Spider-Man thru the years: debuted in '62, his own comic by '63,
cartoon by '67, live action by '77, saturday morns in the '80s. The
blockbuster swings in the '00s. This decade might bring
a Broadway musical (long delayed) and a fourth "reboot" film.

There's no movie teaser for my usual "yes, no, maybe so" exercize but Spider-Man 4 breaks down like so in concept...

• yes: Marc Webb, the franchise's new director, is talented. (500) Days of Summer shows that he's got a playful streak (Spider-Man would be abysmal if it was trying to be Batman) and a real cinematic sensibility -- even those who dislike his breakout film would be hard pressed to say that it's a hack job: there are actual visual and thematic ideas at work. It's no point and shoot job.
  
• no: no cobwebs on the original trilogy. What's the point?
  
• maybe so: I guess we'll see who they cast as Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy before we decide whether we'll lineup... now that there's a real director on board.
  

It's too bad that the huge failure of Land of the Lost last summer didn't impede Hollywood's lust for all this recycling. In fact the remake/reboot craze makes no sense to me at all because of the dominance of three things: DVD, Cable and Blu-Ray. When movie culture was confined to actual movie theaters, remakes made sense. Now that everyone can watch the things they love over and over again... well, why stare at a xerox when you can look at the original?

What hath Star Trek (XI) wrought? More TV shows turned movies and more movies turned movie reboots. Not that The A-Team and Karate Kid are sacred entertainment vessels. Although don't tell that to my younger self who wanted to "wax on" and "wax off" until Elisabeth Shue materialised as my real life girlfriend.

The Karate Kid (2010)



The original mainstream 80s classic (of sorts) was so huge it even won an Oscar nomination: Best Supporting Actor for Mr. Miyagi himself, Pat Morita (RIP). Oscar always did love the teachers and mentors... it's a pretty common awards thread. This retread is not likely to win Jackie Chan similar prizes... there's no way a money grab can come across as sweetly likeable and innocent as the original film. The new version also stars genetic lottery winner Jaden Smith. Would you have any concept whatsoever of reality if you grew up with über famous shockingly wealthy parents and were headlining your own movie by the time you were 11 years old? That's like Liza Minnelli mental territory... only quicker like and with deeper pockets.

• yes: Taraji P. Henson (!) The P stands for "love" in Swahili. And I kinda do.
  
• no: Ugh. China as the setting. Even though the lead is black, we've still got to make every foreign or "other" story somehow subtextually about white American superiority. In mere weeks, little Jaden will become better at martial arts than any of the Asian boys who've been doing it their whole lives.
  
• maybe so: We already know that 'wax on/wax off' has become "take your jacket off". But what will painting the fence translate to? Remakes have to spin the famous parts and occasionally that's fun (yes... I'm grasping at straws)

The A-Team (2010)



I'm more okay with this one in concept because the original was such disposable entertainment. The Karate Kid (the original) sticks, you know? It's got heart and a fundamental kindness to it which is so not in vogue anymore that I'm scared to think of how comparatively soulless its remake will be. The A-Team is riper for a remake -- even though TV series don't make for great movie concepts -- it was always dumb junk food.

• yes: Liam Neeson as "Hannibal". Something about this totally works for me (at least in teaser form) but then I have a hard time resisting him every 4th movie or so for some reason.
  
• no: I can already tell this is one of those movies wherein the action doesn't make any sense. I hate that. This is why James Cameron deserves his unfathomable riches. Explosions and crazy ass cutting do not, in and of themselves, make for satisfying action.
  
• maybe so: Bradley Cooper as "Faceman". I'm still deciding about that one... Bradley Cooper, not "Faceman". You?
  

Do you feel like Hollywood ate too much and vomited its leftovers all over you?
*

Red Carpet Lineup (Taraji P Henson x 8)

Taraji ("hope and love") Henson seems to be everywhere this season.


She went form fitting sexy for the Director's Guild, "busy" for the Producers, and got all architectural, if you will, for the Art Directors. Suddenly she was shiny and sassy for the Editors (does this mean she understands how important they are to any actor's success?). But then dull and simple for the Writer's Guild -- writers get no respect! Then sleek for the Costume Designers. She's like Queen of the Guilds. Only maybe she's not so sure about her newfound royalty yet since she seems to be having trouble moving away from anything outside the grey/silver/black family. Her color palette elsewhere doesn't change much either: SAG white, Golden Globe black, BFCA silver.

Can we get her in some color for Oscar? She busted it out for two NAACP events (left). How about for the Kodak? Can you tell it's my pet peeve that so many people dress in black for the Oscars? With 50% of the attendees in tuxes it gets a little monotonous. The ladies need to bring the color! Cross your fingers that she does. Pull focus, Taraji P Henson. It's your big chance. And if you're truly married to that season long subdued palette we've been seeing, go with the silver.

Shiny! Shiny!
*
How about you Oscar watchers... do you love the sophistication of black and white gowns or do you regularly long for eye popping color?

Supporting Actress Lineup

If you combine all of this year's Best Supporting Actress nominees into one Imaginary Oscar Bait Woman -- why wouldn't you? All the crazy people (i.e. me) are doing it -- you get a 5'5" thirty-eight year old struggling single Catholic mother who moonlights as a stripper and occasionally engages in menage à trois with her ex-husband. And yes, my friends, she has a heart of gold.

They always do.


The Supporting Actress page is updated with info, statistics and "how'd they get nominated?" snark for these five lovely actresses: Taraji P Henson, Penélope Cruz, Viola Davis, Marisa Tomei and Amy Adams. Plus: You can vote in the poll to choose the reader favorite. Make sure to be right here Sunday night for the SAG Live Blogging when four of these women (minus Marisa + Kate) square off for that particular statue. Consider it a warm up to the big show.

Red Carpet Lineup

A random sampling of actresses from premieres, parties and events this past week...

[original images]

Amy Adams may be playing a nun currently but she still steps out looking like a cartoon princess. I think it's been much too long since we've seen Alfre Woodard, don't you? Have you seen Passion Fish (1992)? It's been on my mind lately for some reason. Cate Blanchett apparently just stepped out of a time machine direct from the set of Björk's "Who Is It?" video. But that's a compliment. Anything that reminds us of Björk is very welcome, indeed. I've been noticing that Marisa Tomei's red carpet wear is getting increasingly outre as the weather gets colder. If she keeps this up she might be in Tilda territory by the time the Oscars roll around in February. One can always dream. I can't wait for you all to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button because Taraji P Henson gives her character this one little physical gesture in a church healing scene that just made me grin from ear to ear. I'm so glad her career is taking off. Did Kim Basinger think she looked fat in The Door in the Floor or something? Is it wrong that every time I see Heather Graham I want to hand her a pair of rollerskates? I never want her to take them off.

BFCA Nominees

The Broadcast Film Critics Association have announced their 2008 Oscar Predictions nominees. Leading the field are Gus Van Sant's gay rights biopic Milk and David Fincher's backwards-aging curio Benjamin Button with eight nominations each.

<-- The other big story is a complete snub for Sam Mendes' Revolutionary Road and its titanic stars Kate & Leo.

Best Actress is particularly alarming with two acclaimed performances Winslet's and Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky) snubbed to make room for both Melissa Leo (Frozen River... that longshot Oscar bid looking less and less impossible if still not quite probable) and Kate Beckinsale (Nothing but the Truth). Otherwise it's your usual suspects: Blanchett, Hathaway, Jolie and Streep. Obviously it can't transfer to Oscar though since there are six women. Do the math.

Brad & Angie. His & Hers BFCA nominations.
Will the Globes and the Academy also court the world's most famous celebrity couple?

Best Actor -the only real surprise here: Brad Pitt underneath f/x instead of Leonardo DiCaprio's raging husband. Otherwise, the five men: Langella, Rourke, Eastwood, Penn, Jenkins are all in play for Oscar nods. Someone has to go... but who. Eastwood (I guess the media and not just the Academy wants him to have that fifth Oscar), Penn, Rourke and Langella all looking solid now but that fifth spot for Oscar. Ouch: DiCaprio, Pitt or Jenkins (who would be totally inked in by now but for the need to honor Eastwood again this year).

Best Supporting Actress - This Oscar category was always a little fuzzy and it got a shake up. Taraji P Henson (adorable in Benjamin Button) scores as does her competition Marisa Tomei and a somewhat surprise Vera Farmiga for the very buzz-less Nothing but the Truth. The major snub: No Rosemarie DeWitt for Rachel Getting Married. They also ignored that great movie for screenplay so the BFCA have dealt it kind of a painful blow today. Penélop Cruz and Viola Davis are probably battling it out for the actual Oscar. Unless of course Kate Winslet repeats her nod here for The Reader. And if she wins the Oscar for that film the famous Extras skit will become EVEN MORE BRILLIANT than it already was)

I don't think we really need another film about the Holocaust, do we? It's like. How many have there been, you know? 'We get it. It was grim. Move on.' No, I'm doing it because but I've noticed if you do a film about the Holocaust --guaranteed an Oscar. I've been nominated four times. Never won. The whole world is going "Why hasn't Kate won one?!?"

Best Supporting Actor is my Oscar prediction lineup minus Michael Shannon (remember that Rev Road shutout. It needs to have a comeback at the Globes and SAG or it could be DOA when it opens in theaters for Christmas) plus RDJ's hilarious Tropic Thunder star turn. Yay! This is the only category in which the Broadcast talking heads didn't allow themselves a hedge bet with a sixth nominee so maybe they're confident that it's the exact Oscar lineup.

oh yes and their "Best Pictures of December" nominees with the number of nominations they received.



Thank God for WALL•E & Batman proving that they do have hippocampi!


Complete nominee list here.
*

Happy-Go-Linky

Collider video interview with Taraji P Henson. She declares her Benjamin Button to be Best Pic material. But then she would (not that it's not. We shall see)
IMDB Joaquin Phoenix says he's quitting acting. Are you vexed?
The Playlist shouts "En Ra Ha" for Happy-Go-Lucky's Eddie Marsan. Have you seen the film yet? It's worth a look. I'll share my interview with Sally Hawkins right here soon
Banned in Hollywood Disney's new Tarzan toy is, uh, right handed
Reverse Shot remembers the classic Buffy episode "Hush" --perfect viewing for Halloween. I think I'll watch it tomorrow

We Can't Wait #7 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Directed by David Fincher (Zodiac)
Starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P Henson, Elle Fanning, Jason Flemyng, Julia Ormond and Tilda Swinton
Based on the book by F Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby) about a man (the title character) who ages backwards
Brought to you by Paramount and Warner Bros
Expected Release Date November 26th, 2008

Nathaniel: ? notice you will, backwards this type I if

Joe: First of all, I have to express my admiration for David Fincher, who brazenly cast Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett together, despite the fact that their movies end up either hopelessly delayed (The Fountain) or backlash-laden Oscar nominees (Babel). The latter might sound like a decent compromise for some, but I don't know if I could take David Fincher getting such harsh treatment. Anyway, I'll follow Fincher to the ends of the Earth, and Tilda Swinton and Taraji P. Henson in thesupporting cast don't hurt, and if this film somehow progresses from a crows-footed Brad Pitt getting shot in the back to him without a shirt, showing Geena Davis how to properly conduct a robbery, it could be the feel-good ending of the year. Fingers crossed!

Glenn: This movie was not on my list despite my admiration of David Fincher and the bizarre plot. I'm glad that David Fincher has somehow managed to get two movies released in the span of a year and a half (if all goes to plan) and that Benjamin Button is not at all what I would have expected from the man is most of the appeal this project does have for me. As is always the case though there is a "but..." and it is Brad Pitt. I'm sorry, but I do not see the appeal of this man. I just don't think he's a very good actor. As the years have gone by whenever he has been given the right material he can be serviceable, but more often than not I find myself just not interested. Long gone are the days of Fincher/Pitt's breakthrough Se7en. I hope I'm wrong on this count, but I can't help but wish Fincher had been a bit more left-of-centre like he was with the entire casting of Zodiac.


Gabriel: Watch yourself, Glenn. As a man who, in college, once had a life-size pinup poster of Brad Pitt on his dorm room wall, I am a bit protective of him. He will be mine. Oh yes. He will be mine.

As to Button ..my thought on this one is that Fincher is overdue -- way overdue, in fact -- for some Oscar attention and some statuettes. Zodiac was one of the more egregiously overlooked films from last year, and he's a consistently superb craftsman. (We'll just let Alien³ drift out of our memories.) Pitt and Blanchett will bring the notoriety and the big audiences that Oscar increasingly needs for its nominees. I hope this is a slam dunk.

MaryAnn: I'm always there for Fincher. Plus the science-fantasy aspect of the backward aging thing is right up my alley. The wizard Merlin did that too!

Nathaniel: Gabriel, don't be dissing on Alien³. Sure it's no Aliens but it's foul rap is undeserved I think.

While we're travelling backwards through time, I'm hoping Fincher can also pull off the neat trick of making me feel like I don't have Cate Blanchett's every line and curve and facial expression committed to memory because if she is going to be in every Oscar Bait movie for yet another five years, I'm going to need to feel that Elizabeth '98 revelation again.

And while we're aging this movie backwards, can we do that with Tilda Swinton too?! Imagine ending her supporting role with a nod to Derek Jarman! Lovely.

Glenn: The only flaw with that plan, Nat, is that Tilda Swinton does not age. And that's a fact! Is a movie about a man regressing through age the sort of thing to finally get Fincher some Academy Action?

Joe: Hey, if a serial killer movie can finally get the Coens some love...(fingers crossed)

Glenn: Touché, Joe. Touché. Although, to be honest, the Coens already had one Best Picture nominee (Fargo) to their name and a collection of their other movies had tech/acting noms. Unlike Fincher whose films have but two nominations to their name - a visual effects nod for Alien³ and an editing nomination for Se7en. But fingers crossed for Fincher - he deserves it.

Nathaniel: My word there was a lot of finger crossing in that discussion! Sounds like a whole bundle of raw nerves are mixed into the group excitement for Button. I trust Fincher but I am a little weirded out that so many different actors are playing Benjamin Button. I understand that Pitt can't play every age but one actor is listed as "Benjamin Button -age 36" and considering Pitt himself (who is 44) just played a 34 year-old in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford I wonder how much screen time he's actually going to have here.

Readers ...are you on pins and needles about whether David Fincher can pull this off? Yay or nay in the comments...


<-- Sister Aloysius prays for your wicked soul if you haven't been reading the "we can't wait" countdown #1 Synecdoche, New York / #2 Burn After Reading / #3 Australia / #4 Milk / #5 Blindness / # 6 Doubt / #7 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button / #8 Revolutionary Road / #9 The Dark Knight / #10 Sex & The City: The Movie / #11 The Lovely Bones / #12 Wall-E / #13 Stop-Loss / #14 The Women / #15 Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince / Introduction / Orphans
*

I Know Who Linked / Featured Me

Thompson on Hollywood reports from the Oscar Nominee Luncheon
Awards Daily The "Poscars" return. Love you Susan!
<-- StinkyLulu investigates Razzie nominee Julia Ormond's "performance" in I Know Who Killed Me
I Watch Stuff on the Jim Henson bio
Buzz Sugar starring in an artist biopic Big Eyes. See! biopics are a deadly epidemic. They continue to multiply... which is so weird since they're rarely truly successful. What motivates Hollywood to make them? Is it only the Oscar appeal?
Jew Eat Yet? remembers character actress extraordinaire, Thelma Ritter
Little Gold Men could Michael Clayton win the screenplay Oscar?
Low Resolution is also digging into Tony Gilroy's story
MTV Movies Blog Taraji P Henson is Brad Pitts mama!
Topless Robot Ten Star Wars toys that look like celebrities. Really fun (thx, Defamer)

and...
A couple of recent freelance gigs that I wrote are up at Television Without Pity -it's for their Oscar Special. The first is a piece on "Egregious Oversights" --hardly definitive, just a dozen things that I happen to deeply dig that Oscar kicked to the curb. Do you love them too? I really wanted to include Christian Bale in American Psycho and Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands but I ran out of space (and jokes).

The second is a surreal peak into the Oscar party planner's imagination, offering you three "theme party templates" for your big night. I hope you'll click on over and read them. And, god help us all, if you use any of the Oscar Party suggestions. PLEASE take photos and send them in right here. You'll have a wild night.