The very first pilot I watched on this job was for a CBS drama called "Ez Streets." Created by Paul Haggis — then best known for creating "Due South," but most commercially successful for having helped develop the "Walker, Texas Ranger" pilot — it was essentially an HBO drama before such a thing existed: dark, dense, ambitious, heartbreaking, and addictive. It even featured Joe Pantoliano playing a sociopath gangster years before he won an Emmy for it on "The Sopranos" (and was, to my mind, better as Jimmy Murtha than as Ralphie Ciffaretto). It was also the first time I got my heart broken in this job. Despite rave reviews from me and my more established colleagues across the country, "Ez Streets" was Doa: CBS pulled it off the air after only two episodes had aired, and though most of the remaining episodes would air the following winter, it was just running out the string.
- 8/11/2015
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Hitfix
Chicago – Two equally ignored Oscar bait contenders from 2010 centered on the same basic question: to what extent would you go to free your beloved from prison? Tony Goldwyn’s “Conviction” and Paul Haggis’s “The Next Three Days,” are less interested in the characters behind bars than they are about those on the outside looking (and breaking) in. While neither film is Best Picture material, both are certainly worth a look.
Goldwyn and Haggis collaborated on 2006’s “The Last Kiss,” and it’s interesting to note the similarities in their most recent projects. “Conviction” and “Days” center on protagonists who are absolutely convinced of their loved one’s innocence, despite evidence to the contrary. Almost no information is revealed about the crime itself, and very few scenes take place in a courtroom. The plot focuses solely on the protagonist’s single-minded, self-sacrificing pursuit of justice, regardless of the personal toll.
Goldwyn and Haggis collaborated on 2006’s “The Last Kiss,” and it’s interesting to note the similarities in their most recent projects. “Conviction” and “Days” center on protagonists who are absolutely convinced of their loved one’s innocence, despite evidence to the contrary. Almost no information is revealed about the crime itself, and very few scenes take place in a courtroom. The plot focuses solely on the protagonist’s single-minded, self-sacrificing pursuit of justice, regardless of the personal toll.
- 3/17/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Today's collection is a complete, eight-page look at all of the preliminary 2011 Oscar Contenders I've featured over the week in one complete post. There are a few I'll be adding, such as yesterday's Welcome to the RIleys suggestion and hopefully a few more documentaries, before the doors to the new "The Contenders" section opens up in April, but until then this is your one-stop-shop.
As we move along add any thoughts or films you think should be added in the comments below or send me an email directly if you have thoughts on additional contenders or news on any of those on this list. Your suggestions are welcomed and encouraged.
127 Hours Release Date: Release date not yet set Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures Directed By: Danny Boyle Cast: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara Quick Thoughts: Directed by Danny Boyle whose last film, Slumdog Millionaire, racked up eight Oscars including Best Picture,...
As we move along add any thoughts or films you think should be added in the comments below or send me an email directly if you have thoughts on additional contenders or news on any of those on this list. Your suggestions are welcomed and encouraged.
127 Hours Release Date: Release date not yet set Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures Directed By: Danny Boyle Cast: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara Quick Thoughts: Directed by Danny Boyle whose last film, Slumdog Millionaire, racked up eight Oscars including Best Picture,...
- 3/19/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Part three arrives and it comes with 20 more films to keep an eye on this year as potential Oscar candidates. If you missed parts one and two, the links for both of those can be found on the bottom of page two of this post.
With today's list of films it brings the total previewed thus far to 60 early Oscar contending films and already one reader has sent in a potential new candidate I am looking into further to see if the list again will grow from it's current total of 73 films to 74 and what may amount to a fifth film for Helen Mirren. With no films this year for Meryl Streep, it looks like Mirren is stacking the deck.
I will again remind you, this is merely a guide to potential nominees, not a guarantee, not a lock, but simply films that could potentially go on to be remembered at the year-end Oscar race.
With today's list of films it brings the total previewed thus far to 60 early Oscar contending films and already one reader has sent in a potential new candidate I am looking into further to see if the list again will grow from it's current total of 73 films to 74 and what may amount to a fifth film for Helen Mirren. With no films this year for Meryl Streep, it looks like Mirren is stacking the deck.
I will again remind you, this is merely a guide to potential nominees, not a guarantee, not a lock, but simply films that could potentially go on to be remembered at the year-end Oscar race.
- 3/17/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
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