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Top 7 Movies of the Decade (another opinion)
16 hours ago
We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.
I have always struggled with the notion that perhaps movies, as a whole, are getting worse. As anyone who has seen what’s been playing for the past ten years will notice, there’s plenty of evidence to indicate that the brightness from the moving pictures is getting darker. Screenwriters and directors are sticking to formulas when hesitant to experiment with their creative juices, and at the same time, big studios are playing it safe by adapting anything in sight. But while many movies crowd up the marquee like a group of regular students with satisfying GPAs, cinema has still been able to continue thanks to true poindexters of the art, those who craft experiences so fulfilling and basically perfect that the deconstruction of “the movies” seems to still be a myth. With films like Talk to Her, Superbad, and There Will Be Blood,
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- Nick Allen
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The Random Blog – 1st post … Let’s Enhance
22 hours ago
I’m being thinking about doing this for a while. Where do I (and the rest of the writers at The Scorecard Review) go to talk about things beyond Avatar, the Golden Globes, Robert Pattinson and everything else? How about a random blog? Perfect.
Tsr Blog will be a place for things that don’t quite fit into film reviews, news, articles or anything else we’ve already got.
Do I have something magical to kick start this new section? Nope. But now I finally have some place to talk about finally getting to the 1980s in Bill Simmons’ The Book of Basketball, realizing I’m stuck between being done with The Real World/Road Rules Challenge “The Ruins” and not wanting to commit to “Jersey Shore,” and of course feeling insanely dirty for giving Avatar a 7/10.
Most importantly, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” had it’s best episode
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- Jeff Bayer
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More things fans missed in ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’
19 December 2009 9:11 AM, PST
Yesterday Chris Weitz brought us four little nuggets of information about Edward (Robert Pattinson), Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and the rest of the flick The Twilight Saga: New Moon.
Thanks to Entertainment Weekly, we’re back with three more extra pieces of info from the director himself.
Vampire elevator music: When Edward, Bella, and Alice get into the elevator on their way to see the Volturi, the music playing in the elevator is the Strauss’ Die Fledermaus (a.k.a. The Bat).
When Bella is looking for the meadow where she and Edward are seen lying down together, she carries a golden compass clipped to her backpack–part of my baggage.
And last but not least: If you want to know what Jacob says before he almost kisses Bella, ask a Quileute! The address of the Quileute tribal council is quileutenation.org. I can tell you this much: He says,
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- Jeff Bayer
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Flicks on 6 – Avatar, Up in the Air, Did You Hear About the Morgans?
19 December 2009 8:44 AM, PST
Big. That’s the theme for this weekend’s movies. Avatar is enormous. Enough said. With Did You Hear About the Morgans? it’s got two of the biggest rom-com stars with Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. And Up in the Air … well, the sky is pretty, right? And that George Clooney fellow as well.
As always with my segments on “Keep it Local” on Koin Local 6, there are things that we didn’t get to. It’s impossible to know some of the twists and turns we will take on live TV.
Full reviews and news of this week’s releases
Avatar – Tsr – 7/10
The Many Questions of ‘Avatar’
Did You Hear About the Morgans? – by Nick Allen – Tsr – 2/10
Up in the Air – Tsr – 9/10
With Avatar, I think we covered everything. For Did You Hear About the Morgans? I just wanted to say to rent Doc Hollywood because it’s better in every way,
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- Jeff Bayer
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Things fans missed in ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’
18 December 2009 9:37 AM, PST
Let’s just see how big your fandom stretches for Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner. Director Chris Weitz has come up with ‘10 Things You Didn’t Know About The Twilight Saga: New Moon.
That’s right. Weitz hid some things in the film. We have a couple of the nuggets here for you. For the rest you’ll have to pick up a copy of Entertainment Weekly, or the Twilight Saga iPhone App. Plus, then you’ll have to see the movie again. I see I’m not really twisting your arm with that idea.
Again, these are straight from the director’s mouth.
On Friday, Entertainment Weekly will have 5 exclusive facts from Chris’ list. Two of the five include the following:
– Hidden wolves – Look for an upside-down engraving of a wolf in the shot of the bowl in which Carlisle burns his first aid equipment; on Jacob
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- Jeff Bayer
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Up in the Air
18 December 2009 7:00 AM, PST
Up in the Air
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Cast: George Clooney, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga, Jason Bateman, Danny McBride
Running Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
Rating: R
Release Date: December 18, 2009
Plot: Ryan (Clooney) is a man with the unenviable task of flying across the country to fire people … only he loves it. A new young worker bee (Kendrick) comes along and introduces technology that may make him irrelevant. Now Ryan must reexamine this life to see what his future holds.
Who’S It For? Adult comedy drama. This film speaks to the millions of college educated people out there who are being downsized, but also to those who think alone is better.
Expectations: I’ll admit it. With Reitman already having directed Thank You For Smoking and Juno … I was thinking this could be the greatest start a director has ever known.
Scorecard (0-10)
Actors:
George Clooney as Ryan Bingham: He’s smart,
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- Jeff Bayer
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Did You Hear About the Morgans?
18 December 2009 6:00 AM, PST
Did You Hear About the Morgans?
Directed by: Marc Lawrence
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Hugh Grant, Sam Elliot, Mary Steenburgen
Running Time: 1 hr 45 mins
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: December 18, 2009
Plot: After witnessing a murder, a recently separated couple (Grant and Parker) from New York City is sent to a small town in Wyoming and put under witness protection.
Who’S It For?: To get pulled into this disaster, it’s necessary to be a fan of the more tolerable work from either Hugh Grant or Sarah Jessica Parker. Still liking these actors after the movie can not be guaranteed as you leave the theatre. The happiest audience for this film might be Wilford Brimley’s groupies, or more directly, fans of big mustaches – Sam Elliot and Brimley seem to be competing on who can have the biggest face bush.
Expectations: Grant and Parker have been funny in roles before
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- Nick Allen
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The Many Questions of James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’
18 December 2009 5:00 AM, PST
For the full review of James Cameron’s Avatar, click here. In the scorecard review format there is a section called ‘Questions.’ No matter how beautiful this film was to look at, there are many questions I have left. And since it’s more than usual, a small paragraph just wouldn’t do. Plot spoilers will be discussed, so if you want to go in fresh … avoid this article.
Bayer’s Tsr of Avatar – 7/10
Why do we need Avatars?
This should be an obvious question. Apparently we need be able to get along with the Na’vi, and the humans decide the only way to do that is to look exactly like them. But, it’s obvious the Na’vi recognize that these blue things aren’t like the others. So, why not just be humans, and approach the Na’vi that way? The Na’vi embrace all living things.
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- Jeff Bayer
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Avatar – in 3D
18 December 2009 5:00 AM, PST
Avatar
Directed by: James Cameron
Cast: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi
Running Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: December 18, 2009
Plot: In 2154, A marine (Worthington) who is now a paraplegic, goes to the distant planet of Pandora. It’s inhabited by the Na’vi, a humanoid race with their own language and culture. The marine and scientists must gain their trust, otherwise it could mean war.
Who’S It For? Teenage boys, and those who love where 3D technology is going. This isn’t a film for old folks.
Expectations: I knew a little, and only saw a little of the previews heading into this film. Expectations are an odd thing here because I’ve been told this should be jaw-dropping and a huge advancement on 3D technology. So if it doesn’t accomplish that goal, is it a failure no matter what?
Scorecard (0-
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- Jeff Bayer
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Robin Hood – trailer
17 December 2009 9:42 PM, PST
Robin Hood
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchette, Mark Strong
Rating: R
Release Date: May 14, 2010
Trailer Score: 6/10
My Thoughts: Ever since Russell Crowe hefted a phone at a guy making minimum wage and then threw a momentous hissy-fit, he’s morphed, at warp speed, from a snarling gladiator to a pudgy infant prone to public tantrums. Should an actor’s private shenanigans influence the way we look at his art, especially when that actor is as undeniably fine-tuned as Crowe? I don’t know–let’s ask Mr. Cruise if anyone’s opinion of him changed after he bounced around on Oprah’s couch like a wild-eyed lunatic.
I understand that Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe are engaged in a bromance of epic proportions, but you don’t get the d*ck to play Robin Hood, no matter how good he is at Let’s Pretend. Robin
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- Morrow McLaughlin
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Clash of the Titans – trailer
17 December 2009 7:31 PM, PST
Clash of the Titans
Directed by: Louis Leterrier
Starring: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Sam Worthington
Rating: Nr
Release Date: March 26, 2010
Trailer Score: 5/10
My Thoughts: The original Harry Hamlin stinker is one of my most favoritist movies of all time ever dating back from my childhood (along with The Dark Crystal, Krull and The Last Unicorn). So I feel especially well prepared to critique the modernized, CGI stinker version of that god-awful, fantastic pile of crap from 1981. Now, here’s what the new, spiffy trailer does Right: A. The Giant Scorpions. Sure, they’re a wee large and it looks like the screenwriters took some liberties with how they actually fit into the plot, but the original movie is just one big liberty taken after another, so now I guess we’re taking liberties with liberties…which, I suppose is like taking a grain of salt with another grain of salt.
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- Morrow McLaughlin
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Sleepwalking Land
17 December 2009 4:06 PM, PST
Quickcard Review
Sleepwalking Land (Terra Sonambula)
Directed by: Teresa Prata
Cast: Nick Lauro Teresa, Aladino Jasse, Helio Fumo
Running Time: 1 hr 35 mins
Rating: Not Rated
Release Date: December 18, 2009
Plot: A boy with no memory, and the man who found him travel around Mozambique as refugees searching for food. Muidinga (Teresa) finds a journal belonging to Kindzu (Fumo) which he hopes will lead him to his forgotten family.
Who’S It For? Mature fans of international cinema. Though the film stars a child it definitely isn’t for kids.
Overall
Sleepwalking Land defies easy description. A unique film that blends magical realism with a gritty narrative, it’s the story of Muidinga, a child who lost his memory after a serious illness and Tuahir (Jasse), the man who found and saved him. The opening scenes resemble the recent film The Road as the two wander down a path, hiding from a
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- Megan Lehar
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Top 7 Films of the Decade
17 December 2009 9:46 AM, PST
We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.
Only picking seven films kills me. There are many that will miss this list. But I’m not here to talk about the almosts, the close calls, the could’ve beens. No. Here, we shall only talk about the top seven films of the aughts.
Click here for Top 7 Movies of the Decade (another opinion) – by Nick Allen
7. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Recap: A group of Jewish-American soldiers known as the “Inglourious Basterds” are making their way through Nazi occupied France, killing the Germans. But a German Colonel (Christoph Waltz) is out to get them, before they get him.
Reason: It’s really tough to pick a film from 2009 for this list. Have I given it the proper amount of time? Will I feel the same way? Here’s what I thought right after I saw Basterds … best Tarantino film since Pulp Fiction.
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- Jeff Bayer
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Sherlock Holmes – interviews with Robert Downey Jr. and Rachel McAdams
17 December 2009 9:40 AM, PST
There is another film coming out this holiday season besides Avatar. Seriously, I just looked it up. Sherlock Holmes hits screens December 25 with Robert Downey Jr. as Mr. Holmes, and Jude Law as Dr. Watson.
The plot … Holmes’ trusty sidekick, Dr. Watson is thinking about leaving, but the mysterious Lord Blackwood just won’t die. Can the genius Holmes take down the magic man, even when an old flame comes back into the picture?
And don’t think this will be the last time we see Downey as Holmes. This has sequel written all over it.
Interview with Robert Downey Jr.
1. On his character.
2. On Guy Ritchie.
3. On researching Sherlock Holmes.
4. On Jude Law’s Watson.
5. On Jude Law.
6. On the film.
Interview with Rachel McAdams, who plays Irene Adler in Sherlock Holmes.
1. On her character.
2. On the story.
3. On the relationship between Irene and Sherlock.
4. On Guy Ritchie.
5. On
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- Jeff Bayer
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Sherlock Holmes – interviews with Jude Law and Guy Ritchie
17 December 2009 9:35 AM, PST
There is another film coming out this holiday season besides Avatar. Seriously, I just looked it up. Sherlock Holmes hits screens December 25 with Robert Downey Jr. as Mr. Holmes, and Jude Law as Dr. Watson.
The plot … Holmes’ trusty sidekick, Dr. Watson is thinking about leaving, but the mysterious Lord Blackwood just won’t die. Can the genius Holmes take down the magic man, even when an old flame comes back into the picture?
Guy Ritchie (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) tackles his most mainstream film, which is clearly set to have sequels.
Interview with Jude Law, who plays Watson in Sherlock Holmes.
1. On his character.
2. On Guy Ritchie.
3. On his character.
4. On the chemistry between Watson and Sherlock.
5. On the story.
6. On the film. 7. On Watson and Sherlock.
Interview with Guy Ritchie
1. On the film.
2. On what attracted him to the project.
3. On the contemporary take on the material.
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- Jeff Bayer
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Iron Man 2 – Trailer
17 December 2009 9:24 AM, PST
Iron Man 2 – Trailer
Directed by: Jon Favreau
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell
Rating: Nr
Release Date: May 7, 2010
Trailer Score: 8/10
My Thoughts: Robert Downey Jr. is Mr. Blockbuster. On Christmas Day he’ll have another huge film on his hands with Sherlock Holmes co-starring Jude Law. But we all know Iron Man put him on the map. No, not the acting map, he’d been there for years. I’ll talking household name status. And now it’s his second go round as the man in iron. What do I want? I want an enemy that isn’t simply and over-sized version of Iron Man. I also want Downey to continue to be drinking and sarcastic as Mr. Stark. As for Don Cheadle replacing Terrence Howard. Yeah, I guess I don’t care. Um, good lord, I forget Scarlet Johansson is
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- Jeff Bayer
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Flicks on 6 – Golden Globes, Inglourious Basterds and The Hangover
16 December 2009 11:24 AM, PST
Golden Globes, Avatar, Inglourious Basterds, The Hangover … There was a lot to talk about this week on the Koin Local 6 show “Keep it Local.” I did my best to cram everything in with Priya David and Jenny Hansson. If you’re in the Portland area, I’m on every Tuesday and Friday at 4:00 talking movies. You can also follow me @KOIN_FlicksOn6. It’s live TV. No script, no prompter. I do have some notes scribbled in front of me. Otherwise, it’s just us talking movies. This is the fifth time I have been on with them now.
There’s always a couple of things we don’t get to. The other surprises worth mentioning with the Golden Globes … Julia Roberts in Duplicity and Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes. I question whether those are actual comedies. Plus, Tobey Maguire in Brothers. Was he even the lead of that film?
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- Jeff Bayer
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Thanks from Golden Globes nominees – Crazy Heart, Fantastic Mr. Fox, (500) Days of Summer
16 December 2009 10:06 AM, PST
It’s awards season and Jeff Bridges, Wes Anderson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt give thanks. The Golden Globes will air January 17, with Ricky Gervais hosting.
67th Annual Golden Globes nominees – the complete list
It’s not the nomination, but the thank you that matters, right?
Jeff Bridges, Actor, Crazy Heart
Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture – Drama
“The Hollywood Foreign Press has been mighty fine to me over the past 30 years, and this year is especially sweet. I’m happy to share this nom with my buddies T Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham for our Crazy Heart theme song, and with our writer-director Scott Cooper and co-stars Maggie, Bob and Colin who helped make Bad Blake such a genuine character. I would like to dedicate this recognition to the memory of the late, great Stephen Bruton who brought his musical touch to every part of the picture.”
“The Weary Kind,
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- Jeff Bayer
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Thanks from Golden Globe nominees – A Single Man, Up in the Air
15 December 2009 6:02 PM, PST
It’s awards season. The Golden Globes will air January 17, with Ricky Gervais hosting.
67th Annual Golden Globes nominees – the complete list
It’s not the nomination, but the thank you that matters, right?
A Single Man
“The Hollywood Foreign Press have just given me a time out from my 20 year midlife crisis. My heartfelt thanks to them.”
-Colin Firth
Golden Globe Nominee for Best Performance by An Actor in A Motion Picture – Drama, A Single Man
“I am so honored and thrilled to be among the Golden Globe nominees this year. I am happy for everybody – particularly my friend Colin Firth!”
-Julianne Moore
Golden Globe Nominee for Best Performance by An Actress in A Supporting Role in A Motion Picture, A Single Man
Up In The Air
“Not a bad way to start a Tuesday.”
-George Clooney
Golden Globe Nominee for Best Performance by An Actor in A Motion Picture – Drama,
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- Jeff Bayer
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Thanks from Golden Globes nominees – Nine, Inglourious Basterds
15 December 2009 5:59 PM, PST
It’s awards season. The Golden Globes will air January 17, with Ricky Gervais hosting.
67th Annual Golden Globes nominees – the complete list
It’s not the nomination, but the thank you that matters, right?
Nine
“A hearty thank you to the members of the Hfpa. I am delighted and very grateful to be included. Congratulations to all fellow nominees and eternal thanks to Rob Marshall.”
-Daniel Day-Lewis, Nine
“We’re so thrilled to be included in such a varied and exciting year
for film. I am incredibly proud of this extraordinary cast and the
amazing amount of dedication and passion they gave. Working with all
of them was pure joy for me.”
Rob Marshall
Director of the 5 time Golden Globe nominated film Nine
Inglourious Basterds
“Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press who have transported me from the unbelievable into the unimaginable.”
- Christoph Waltz
Golden Globe Nominee for
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- Jeff Bayer
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