Keeping an eye on Sundance - Updated.

Every year the Sundance film festival comes along and delivers what is sure to be a future Oscar nominated film/performance/documentary.

'The Cove', 'Precious', 'The Messenger', 'An Education', 'The Maid', '(500) Days of Summer' and a few more all were shown at the festival. Who could be the film or performance that gets the most buzz and awards traction this year?

Things of note (Performances, Films, blah-di-blah) that could translate into the 2010 Awards race.

Australian crime drama 'Animal Kingdom' is getting rather splendid reviews out of Sundance. From Variety's Todd McCarthy:

"An ambitious and powerful study of the disintegration of an Australian crime family, "Animal Kingdom" is orchestrated with a grandiosity that invokes operatic and Greek dimensions. Writer-director David Michod's unusually accomplished feature debut unfolds with a confident, almost antiquated sense of deliberation as the family incrementally implodes, taking others down with it."

And for the performers:

"Performances are rich, led by Jacki Weaver in the unusual role of the blond ringleader with iron under her pert veneer and Ben Mendelsohn as her unnerving, mentally ill-equipped eldest son. Joel Edgerton dominates the action in the early going, while Guy Pearce, wearing a mustache, takes up the baton in the latter stages."

Australian films do not usually make it to the Oscars, but with the right distribution and critical response this could be a surprise hit.


Shari Springer Berman directs 'The Extra Man' which has premiered at Sundance to very strong reviews, especially for its actors Paul Dano and Kevin Kline. The film is about a man who escorts wealthy widows in New York's Upper East Side takes a young aspiring playwright under his wing.
From Todd McCarthy at Variety:

"The same holds true for the viewer, given the mesmerizing allure of Kline's outsized but impeccably calibrated performance. Perhaps no contemporary American actor can carry off the sort of classical stage enunciation he can, and here he applies it to a character who uses it both for the effect he knows it creates but, even moreso, out of personal affinity. Henry has a tremendous sense of style, only it's a style of 80 years ago, which is what makes him so funny, an effect compounded by Kline's exceptional sense of timing.
By contrast, Dano soft-pedals his characterization to excellent effect; Louis seems like a rather calculated sort of misfit on paper, but Dano's underplaying and innate physical oddness make him not only palatable but oddly sympathetic. The actresses playing the women in the men's social orbit, including Marian Seldes, Celia Weston, Patti D'Arbanville and Lynn Cohen, are all delights."

This seems like a very particular film, but with Celia Weston in it I am so there.


'The Romantics' is an angsty film about college friends meeting right before a marriage. What is interesting is when Screen International says of it's star:

"As the deeply wounded Laura, Katie Holmes does some of her strongest acting in years. Her tabloid-friendly marriage to Tom Cruise may have obscured the fact that she was once considered an actress of some promise, but withThe Romantics she returns to the direct, honest performances of her early career."


Another film directed by a woman (was 2009 the start of a wave?) we have another buzz worthy film called 'The Kids Are All Right'.
It stars Julianne Moore and Annette Bening as lesbian moms who are thrown off kilter by the arrival of their hippie sperm donor (Mark Ruffalo) who their children (Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson) have sought out.
The performances are all supposed to be delightful.
From The Hollywood Reporter:

"Despite some key character-motivation omissions, Moore, Bening and Ruffalo all deliver endearingly quirky comic performances, with Wasikowska also particularly effective as the confused and resentful Joni. "

And from Screen International:

"Moore and Bening have been guilty in the past of producing overly studied performances, but they make Jules and Nic thoroughly convincing as an ordinary, devoted long-term couple. Ruffalo is superb as a free spirit who has gotten through life on his carnal appeal. And Wasikowska and Hutcherson do great work as siblings facing questions of identity and maturity, which, like the film’s final moments, are extremely touching without being heavy-handed."


Owen Gleiberman have given a rave for 'Blue Valentine'. The film is told in fractured timelines and follows the falling apart of a relationship.
It stars Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling who are supposed to give amazing performances.

"No one, including me, doubts that Blue Valentine will land a distributor. With stars like Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams giving performances that sear, delight, and break your heart, it would be sheer madness if this movie languished — and, frankly, it won’t happen. "

Would love to see Williams get some more recognition as she is one of the best young actresses working today.

'Buried'
The movies told entirely from the perspective of Ryan Reynolds buried underground has had a feeding frenzy of interest from distributors. The reviews have been good as have the notices for Reynolds, but not good enough for major awards talk (that could change if box office is great - ahem * Sandra Bullock * ahem)

'Exit Through the Gift Shop'
An art documentary focusing on Banksy but then turning itself around to look at the film makers. This doc is getting good notices, and as per usual, the biggest buzz and best reviews are focused on the documentaries. Variety loved it

'Sympathy for Delicious'

Mark Ruffalo directs this story about wheelchair bound DJ who discovers he has miraculous healing powers. The response is mixed, but there have been some rather good notices for Juliette Lewis who really needs to be cast in something she can really her her teeth around. She is supposed to be a scene stealer which can work, but the film needs critical support to carry her. From Variety:

"But it's a hilariously zonked-out Lewis who steals every scene she's in.."

As much as I love the woman, I do think that she is not really the taste of the Academy. The film also stars Laura Linney, Orlando Bloom (who is supposed to be a ton of fun), and Mark Ruffalo

'The Tillman Story'
When pro football star turned post-9/11 Army enlistee Pat Tillman was killed in the course of duty, the embarrassing actual circumstances were covered up and turned into a flag-waving story of heroism that the Bush administration happily -- and knowingly -- used for propaganda purposes. The documentary looks at this to apparently brilliant results.

'Countdown to Zero'
Nuclear security. That is the premise in a nut shell. This doc is supposed to be terrifying.

'Cyrus'

If the cast is not interesting enough (John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Marisa Tomei, Catherine Keener, Matt Walsh) or the premise (a woman and her unusual - read icky -relationship with her son) then the fact that it is directed by The Duplass Brothers and Variety just gave it a very positive review saying about on the of actors:

"Still, it's Hill's movie to steal. With his sad-sack posture and chilly glare, Cyrus looks like one of those Aardman creations whose every blink earns a chuckle. The film's semi-scripted approach may deprive the character of catchphrases, but auds won't be forgetting him anytime soon."

Should get you at least curious enough to watch it closely with the other critics. Never really loved Hill, but an slightly curious about how this performance will translate, especially if and when the film is picked up and distributed.


'Winters Bone'
Directed by Debra Granik whose first film, 'Down to the Bone' got Vera Farmiga a lot of buzz, is also getting rather shining notices, especially for star Jennifer Lawrence. From Variety's Justin Chang:

"The film's atmosphere of suspicion, foreboding and everyday misery would be too much to bear if not for the rich emotional anchor supplied by Lawrence. Emphasizing Ree's patience, maturity and love for her siblings as much as her tenacity and courage, Lawrence delivers a striking portrait of someone who, though looked down upon by many for her youth and gender, alone seems to possess the guts and smarts necessary to survive and possibly even escape her surroundings."

Not that this will translate to major awards, but perhaps a Spirit nom, and who know what can happen if handled correctly by whatever studio picks it up.


'The Company Men'

Another downsizing movie. After 'Up in the Air' will people even really notice this one, or want to see it? Regardless the film has gotten some good notices, especially from Owen Gleiberman over at Entertainment Weekly.

Although this seems like the type of film that could do well with critics, Variety was less kind in its review, which will likely be a hurdle.
Perhaps this is where some of the supporting actors can shine, especially since the cast is very '"Oscar" friendly.


'The Runaways'

I am so excited about this movie after reading this review.
Sure the film is called formulaic, but it is also called electrifying. We will have to wait to see what the more high brow critics think, but this made me nearly wet myself:

"Indeed, "The Runaways" is owned and just about swallowed up by Fanning's riveting portrayal of the singer (not too dissimilar from the way Currie overwhelmed the group). First glimpsed as a teen literally transforming into a woman, this is the performance that seems sure to launch Fanning into a new thrilling phase of her career. From a sulking broodish David Bowie enthusiast to a howling rock goddess Fanning sells sells sells.....Stewart as Joan Jett physically embodies the role and curses and growls as the part demands. It's Jett of course who first launches the band under the manic watchful eye of Michael Shannon's Kim Fowley. But the film find's its legs and central mesmerizing performance when Fanning's Cherie auditions for the band in a crappy trailer."

Now tell me you are not a little bit excited.


'Get Low'
But we all know about this one. Robert Duvall looks for get another Oscar nomination in 2011.

'Welcome to the Rileys'

The story of a couple (Melissa Leo, James Gandolfini) who adopt a stripper )Kristen Stewart). The film is bagged down with some narrative problems, but the performances are said to be extremely strong.
From Variety:

"Hiding behind raccoon-eye mascara and electrical-tape pasties, Stewart is the perfect wretch, utterly convincing as a lost girl leveraging her sexuality to compensate for her complete powerlessness.......(Gandolfini and Leo) are downright dynamite in the pic's more confrontational scenes, as well as quiet moments, such as Gandolfini sobbing alone in his garage, or Leo enjoying her first night in years under the stars."

More praise is heaped on the actresses over at the MTV review

'Teenage Paparazzo'
'Entourage' actor Adrian Grenier follows a 13 year old paparazzo for a year. The results apparently make for an excellent film.

'The Oath'
Another documentary which follows Osama bin Laden's former bodyguard. Sundance is always the festival where the documentaries come from, and this year looks like it could be an embarrassment of riches.

'Waiting for Superman'
A documentary on the US school system that Variety just gave a bloody rave to.


'HOWL'
The Allen Ginsberg film with James Franco. The film got slightly mixed reviews but there was praise for James Franco. Highly doubt it is translatable to awards, but you never know.

'Please Give'
Nicole Holofcener delivers another one of her gems, and again with the ever amazing Catherine Keener. However this time the praise falls on Rebecca Hall - From Variety:

"But it's the ever-winsome Hall whose fine-grained performance impresses the most, largely because her Rebecca is the one least defined by a set of traits as she moves from social withdrawal to a more open appreciation of life's unexpected little gifts."

'Catfish'
This documentary has gotten great reviews, even if the premise is a little hard to understand (facebook, 8 year old painting, yadda yadda).

'Sin Nombre' - trailer

This was one of the few critical hits of Sundance. The reviews have made this out to be visionary film making of the highest level. Whether or not it is an award magnet, it is bound to be one of the big critical hits of 2009.

Sin Nombre
Uploaded by azmovies

Music Tuesday Interrupted!

Lionsgate has stepped in and acquired distribution on 'Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire'.
Of course I am over the moon that the film has found distribution, but I am concerned a little bit when looking at it's filmography.

However they paid upwards of $5,000,000 for the film (the biggest buy from Sundance) and are planning to distribute it this year, which means they honestly believe they have something special.

Added to this it seems that Queen Oprah has stepped in and, along with Tyler Perry, have joined forces to promote the film through their respective companies.
You know this will get the promotion it deserves, and bigger than I am sure even Lee Daniels could have imagined.
Good on Oprah is all I have to say!

To quote Oprah:

"I've never seen anything like it. The moment I saw 'Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire,' I knew I wanted to do whatever I could to encourage other people to see this movie. The film is so raw and powerful -- it split me open,"

Thi film is going to be release and be seen. I am one happy little pumpkin. This added to the fact yesterday I had my first ever snow day in my life, makes it one hell of a week!

The Curious Link of Linkity Link

Yet another reason why I love Samantha Morton

Even though I was not a hug fan of Tin Tin, I cannot help but be pleased by the latest news concerning the project.

Philly.com takes a look at the big Sundance winner, and personal campaign subject "Push' and some 'hopefully' good news on distribution.

And talking about Sundance. Two fellow bloggers were there and took some time to write up some reviews. Nice to see some non-professional critics looking at these films. Give a brand new perspective. Check out some great reviews at feelingsoblahg and recycled film.

Living in Cinema has the trailer for 'Mary & Max' (pictured) a stop motion animated film that was well received at Sundance and features the voice work of my favourite actress: Toni Collette. Some other trailers from the festival are here: Blaxploitation pic 'Black Dynamite' and straight guys doing gay porn comedy 'Humpday'.

Sasha Baron Cohen's latest controversial film 'Bruno' may be delayed. could he be in talks come next awards season? Who knows.

The BF talks about the best advertising placement for a hair removal cream ever!

A blog next door celebrates that amazing actor Dustin Hoffman.

Jose at Movies Kick Ass takes a look at Waltz With Bashir' and likes it more than me and is so persuasive that I almost re-think my stance.

The Academy of Motion Pcture arts and Sciences really want viewers to tune in (ratings rating ratings) so they have enlisted some experts. The Carpetbagger has the news! (wouldn't it have been simpler for them to have just nominated the most popular movie of the year?)

The LA Times have the first official buzzmeter! Yay!

And Finally, the best thing about the SAG awards, aside from Meryl's speech is what those fug girls have to say. Firstly I thought I may pee myself over the Rosario/Teri take down until I read what they had to say about Nicolette Sheridan

The Curious Case of Distribution

Ok, so my promise not to talk about 'Push' is already broken. I said I was not going to talk about the big winner of Sundance until I had to.
However even though it won three awards, the film is still without distribution.
There has been talk that this is simply due to the economy.
Somehow I think this is not simply the case. Not only has the film already had 'awards talk' for its two actresses (Mo'Nique and Gabby Sidibe) but it won the Audience Dramatic award and the grand jury Dramatic award. Only one other film has ever done that in the festivals history and that was 'Quinceañera' in 2005 (also about a pregnant teenager - but that one got distribution).
I am pretty sure this film will eventually get seen, however I can also imagine white studio heads thinking "black obese illiterate pregnant teen pregnant by father and living in poverty? No thank you....how about a terrible but lucrative rom-com with Kate Hudson?"
Sure the film will be a marketing challenge, but enough people loved the book, and with those two high(ish) profile wins it should definitely boost interest. 'Maria Full of Grace' and 'Hustle & Flow' were Audience award winners and both did well in terms of gross and awards buzz. Perhaps they need to sell the "Mariah Carey is great in this" angel which sucks, but if it gets people to see it then great!
Perhaps if 'Push' featured pretty white people it would been bought very quickly.

Since I haven't seen the film, or read the book (it arrived today peeps so you know I will be glued - currently reading 'The Cement Garden', but may have to put that one down) people may ask why I care so much?
A gay black man has made a film about an incredibly overweight and sexually abused black teenage girl trying to better herself. He has made a film that he probably knew would be a struggle to get seen. So, regardless of quality, that courage and belief in the story needs to be celebrated.
You may say sexual orientation and race shouldn't matter, and you are right, it shouldn't. Sadly though, to many people, it does.

The Cove

For those of you who visit this blog from time to tie you will know that I am not only a nature lover, but am deeply concerned with the way the general public turn a blind eye to to what goes on. I understand that to take all this on board would cause major life style changes (where you buy food, what you eat, what you throw away) and lets face it, most people just do not want to be inconvenienced.

Sad but very very true. Even I, up here on my high horse, sometimes cannot be bothered and buy prawns knowing how destructive the methods in which they are caught are on the ocean simply because I want them.

I had posted on Sharkwater a while ago, as well as the extra Hero's activities of Hayden Panettiere trying to save the lives of trapped dolphins before they are butchered by Japanese fishermen, and now Sundance brings us another film. The Cove.
Variety reviewed it and had this to say:

"Eco-activist documentaries don't get much more compelling than "The Cove," an impassioned piece of advocacy filmmaking that follows "Flipper" trainer-turned-marine crusader Richard O'Barry in his efforts to end dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan. Casting a very wide net, this powerful polemic is simultaneously a love letter to a beloved species, an eye-opening primer on worldwide dolphin captivity, a playful paranoid thriller and a work of deep-seated (if sometimes hot-headed) moral outrage. The devastating final images demand to be seen on the bigscreen, though cable exposure won't blunt their impact."

Tackling dolphins and their slaughter in Japan, the film makers risk their lives to record footage to show the world. Of course this is going to be upsetting and no doubt I will be unable to watch a majority of the footage, but with enough people going to see this, maybe we will be on our way to stopping this cruelty. The sad thing is, unless they are cute and cuddly penguins, people do not really rate documentaries about nature. They are usually reserved to being viewed on PPS.
This is such a shame because as fascinating as walking on a high wire is, and how horrendous the holocaust was, the future of our planet is in critical condition now. Unless people are willing to wait a few years to go and see documentaries about all the creatures that are no longer with us.



Oscar Prospects:
Best Documentary

'Push' wins BIG

Lee Daniels’ 'Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire' earned the Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and the Dramatic Audience Award. Check out the video here.
In addition to those two awards...Mo'Nique picked up the acting award. Take that haters!

Here is the full list of winners:

2009 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners

Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary We Live in Public
Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Dramatic Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire
World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary Rough Aunties
World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic The Maid (La Nana)
Audience Award: U.S. Documentary The Cove
Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire
World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary Afghan Star
World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic An Education
Directing Award: U.S. Documentary El General, director Natalia Almada
Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic Sin Nombre, written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga
World Cinema Directing Award: Documentary Afghan Star, directed by Havana Marking
World Cinema Directing Award: Dramatic Five Minutes of Heaven, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel
Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award Nicholas Jasenovec and Charlyne Yi, Paper Heart
World Cinema Screenwriting Award Guy Hibbert, Five Minutes of Heaven
U.S. Documentary Editing Award Sergio
World Cinema Documentary Editing Award Burma VJ
Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary The September Issue, cinematographer Bob Richman
Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic Sin Nombre, cinematographer Adriano Goldman
World Cinema Cinematography Award: Documentary Big River Man, director/cinematographer John Maringouin
World Cinema Cinematography Award: Dramatic An Education, cinematographer John De Borman
World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Originality Louise-Michel
World Cinema Special Jury Prize: Documentary Tibet in Song
World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Acting Catalina Saavedra, The Maid (La Nana)
Special Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary Good Hair
Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Independence Humpday
Special Jury Prize for Acting Mo'Nique, Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire

'Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire'

""Push" has no bounds. It's a disturbing, overwhelming story of one Harlem girl's merciless degradations. An overwhelming, masterful dramatic competition entrant, this Lee Daniels film may have no bounds in the awards categories here at Sundance. It would not be surprising to see "Push" pull in both the Audience Award and Jury Award."

So say the Hollywood Reporter

I get the feeling I am ramming this down my few loyal readers throats. You all know that this is probably my numero uno most anticipated film of 2009.
When Nathaniel over at The Film Experience first mentioned this film last year I was immediately struck by the synopsis. So much so I looked up the book and the story of the lead actress.
Over the year I constantly checked up for any news and was always met with 'nothing'. My good friend Andra, after seeing me mention the film on here, told me I have to read the book, it is a modern day 'Color Purple'.
Well that sold me.

I still haven't read the book (it is on order through amazon.co.uk, but only second hand which sucks ass as it is taking forever), but that doesn't mean I am going to stop posting on this film.
The reviews from Sundance are stellar. Not only is the film getting standing ovations and raves, but lead actress (newcomer Gabourey Sidibe) and supporting actress (Mo'Nique - yes her!) are garnering serious awards buzz.

Do not believe me?

Check these out:

First here are the raves for Sibide:

".....played with astonishing rawness by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe.....Sidibe's performance as Precious is fantastic -- fully realized, perfectly authentic, and without a hint of contrivance. It's the sort of debut that will either be followed by a stellar career, or that she'll never be able to live up to...." Eric D. Snider - Cinematical

"As Precious, Sidibe is superb, allowing us to see the inner warmth and beauty of a young woman who, to her world's cruel eyes, might seem monstrous. " Duane Byrge - Hollywood Reporter

"A huge amount of the credit must go to newbie Gabourey Sidibe, who plays Precious. Her performance is so thorough, so all-encompassing, so natural, that a fantasy sequence where she's not talking like a mumbly ghetto girl is actually shocking. There's one scene at the end where a teary-eyed Precious gets a little too poetic and speechtastic for the character, but Sidibe makes it work. She sells every moment of pain and self-doubt and self-loathing with bottomless sincerity and truth. It's a stunning debut." Davin Fraci - chud.com

"Front and centre is newcomer Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe whose brave performance as the teenager Precious Jones is one of the most electrifying debuts in years." Mike Goodridge - Screendaily

"The director, Lee Daniels, shows us the awful circumstances that have caused Precious to be the way she is (she is pregnant -- for the second time -- by her drug-addict father), and the actress Gabourey Sidibe plays her without a flicker of sentimentality, but with barely visible tremors of emotion that cue us to everything this arrested girl is holding back. ......... it's a potent and moving experience, because by the end you feel you've witnessed nothing less than the birth of a soul" Owen Gleiberman - Entertainment Weekly

And for Mo'Nique:

"...there are eye-opening turns by Mo'Nique, who helps us understand Precious' mother's frame of mind without making her sympathetic;" Eric D. Snider - Cinematical

"As Precious' hideous mother, Mo'Nique is cruelty incarnate. It's an astonishingly powerful performance. " Duane Byrge - Hollywood Reporter

" 'Push' is a horror movie, of course, and Mary is a monster, whose one glimmer of humanity -- which Mo’Nique, who is utterly brilliant, reveals in a tour de force soliloquy at the finale -- only makes her more horrible." John Anderson - Variety

"What I really appreciated about Mo'Nique's performance was not only how rotten she was willing to go but how she maintained that even during a big emotional scene where we get to understand why she is the way she is. Mo'Nique lays the character bare for us but never begs for us to feel bad for her or to change our opinion of her. The actress - and the film - knows that understanding isn't the same as accepting. Were Mo'Nique (and Sidibe) to be nominated for Oscars in 2010 I wouldn't imagine raising a stink. I wouldn't imagine raising anything but a glass in their direction for two performances that shatter with their honesty." Davin Fraci - chud.com

"Comedienne Mo'Nique is sensational as the mother and her work in the confrontation scene at the film's finale is awards-worthy" - Mike Goodridge - Screendaily

Even Todd McCarthy has high praise for the two actresses.

The sad news is the film still has not found distribution. I do not think I can even imagine a studio brave enough to take this film on as it is going to be a tough sell.
I am sure it will be bought and distributed, and most importantly seen.
I would not be surprised in HBO tackled this for TV as getting people into theaters to see a film about a black, obese, illiterate teenager pregnant with her second child because of her fathers repeated rapes will be a tough sell admist the superhero films and rom coms.
I have been so happy with the coverage Entertainment Weekly has given the film, they are always there to shout out about the smaller things they believe in and kudos to them. They did a wonderful write up here on the women of the film.
Scott Foundas of 'OC Weekly' (?) did not love the film, even saying it was sloppy in places, but also has this to say:

"Not one for subtlety, Daniels puts black female lives destroyed by abuse and defeatism on the screen with a brute-force intensity and lack of sentimentality (The Color Purple this certainly isn’t). He also gathers a collection of startlingly effective performances from such unlikely players as Mo’Nique (whose monster mom is anything but a one-note villain), Mariah Carey (deglamorized as an empathetic social worker) and the magnanimous Sidibe, who carries this exhausting and strangely exhilarating film on her mighty shoulders. Push is far from perfect, but there isn’t much I’ve seen at Sundance this year that I wouldn’t trade for the sight of a hard-won smile finally making its way across Precious Jones’ stoic, beautiful, wounded face."

That is enough for me. The image and sentiment brings a tear to my eye.
I know a lot of you dear reader, like me, love stories with powerful performances from women. This film is said to be just that, except the packages the women come in are not your usual 'red carpet ready' size zeros which may make this film harder to be seem. I will see it, and I hope you all go and see it too when it comes your way.

I promise to remain silent for a while on this (until I find more news/film clips/trailers.

Looking Ahead to 2009/10 Awards race

I know this awards race is not over, but the Oscar nominations were ho hum, and boring and kind of yucky all around.
So with great pleasure I am looking towards the films (mainly the performances) that have shown at Sundance to positive word of mouth:

'Rudo y Cursi' - Diego Luna & Gael Garcia Bernal star in one of the biggest hit in Mexican cinema.
Both are said to be fantastic together.
Not sure of the acting prospects as ofyet, but this could be a strong contender for Best Foreign Film. The reviews say it is crowd pleasing (and you know how far that can go). Screen International said:

"this crowd-pleaser is bound to be one of the year's more successful foreign-language titles, if not necessarily a critical slamdunk."

'Push: Based on a Novel by Sapphire' has already garnered a lot of praise. If it gets distribution and is handled well, it could see itself making the round at various awards show. Praise for the direction and screenplay aside, a majority of the attention will be aimed at Gabourey 'Gabby' Sibide, Mo'Nique and perhaps Mariah Carey for their performances.
In reviewing it, Cinematical said:

"Sidibe's performance as Precious is fantastic -- fully realized, perfectly authentic, and without a hint of contrivance. It's the sort of debut that will either be followed by a stellar career, or that she'll never be able to live up to. I hope we get a chance to see what else she can do. Meanwhile, there are eye-opening turns by Mo'Nique, who helps us understand Precious' mother's frame of mind without making her sympathetic; and Mariah Carey, who's almost unrecognizably un-glamorous as a social worker. "

'Amreeka' - A Palestinian mother and son clash head-on with the American heartland in this tender and droll feature debut from Arab-American director Cherien Dabis. Nisreen Faour has been singled out by various reviews for her warm and focused performance. Warm doesn't usually cut it with Oscar, but you never know.
Variey says:

"From the West Bank to White Castle flips the resilient heroine of "Amreeka," a culture-clash dramedy whose background in Middle-East conflict is leavened with vibrant energy, balanced politics and droll humor by first-time feature director Cherien Dabis. Enormously appealing turn by earthy Nisreen Faour in the lead role of Muna, a Palestinian single mother who brings her teenage son to rural Illinois in pursuit of a brighter future, more than makes up for the film's familiarities."

'Five Minutes of Heaven' sees acclaimed director of 'Downfall' Oliver Hirschbiegel directing Liam Neeson, James Nesbitt and Anna Maria Marinca in a film about two men who struggle to come to terms with the murder of a fellow 19-year-old Catholic soldier years after the conflict that raged between Republican and Loyalist paramilitary groups, the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. The film has been raved by Cinematical, Screen International, and Variety's Dennis Harvey who says:

Powerhouse performances by Liam Neeson and James Nesbit make this an intense, ultimately moving tale...

'The Cove' - I will be talking about this later.

'The Greatest' - Pierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon, Carey Mulligan have been singled out in this film about a middle-aged couple coping with the loss of their 18-year-old son – not to mention the imminent and unexpected birth of his child. I had already spoken about this a few weeks ago when look out for the films Susan Sarandon had coming up, and it still could go either way, but early word is very positive, especially for Brosnan and newcomer Mulligan. Todd McCarthy of Variety says:

"Thesps do admirable, potent work, with Brosnan coping well with the sort of heavy dramatic lifting he only occasionally undertakes; Sarandon channeling a mother's distressed obsession with complete conviction; and Mulligan, a British newcomer who proves a revelation in another Sundance entry, "An Education," bringing a bracing resilience to a teenager for whom one night changed the rest of her life"

'An Education' - Varitey already gave you a preview of the buzz surrounding this film starring Peter Sarsgaard and Carey Mulligan based on well-known UK journalist Lynn Barber's childhood memoirs has been quite big, especially for it's leading lady. Todd McCarthy at Variety went ga ga:

"Sarsgaard, sporting a decent accent and an ever-present twinkle in his mischievous eyes, marvelously expresses the savoir faire that has such an impact on Jenny. Cooper and Pike suggest the last gasp of overly fussy high style that will soon be replaced by Carnaby Street trendiness, Molina and Seymour aptly fill out their traditional roles, Emma Thompson has a couple of key scenes as the school headmistress, and Matthew Beard is touchingly gawky as a smitten student who realizes Jenny's out of his reach the moment David appears on the scene.
But there's no question of who the star is here. Mulligan, 22 when the picture was shot, is completely convincing as 16 going on 17. Attractive without being a knockout, she tangibly communicates Jenny's thirst for knowledge, her attraction to culture and impatience atconservative ways of thinking and behaving. The way she tosses off little French phrases may be pretentious, but it adorably indicates where her head is. And when she finally gets to Paris and puts up her hair, you could almost swear you're watching Audrey Hepburn skipping through the same streets 50 years ago."

'The Messenger' - Ben Foster, Jena Malone, Samantha Morton and Woody Harrelson star in this film about an Iraq War hero assigned to work for the Casualty Notification Office -- those uniformed bearers of bad news who show up on the doorsteps of parents and wives with word of a soldier's death. The Reviews have been very good if wary about the commercial prospects of another Iraq film. Most of the praise is heaped on Foster. Variety said "Nobody plays angry like Ben Foster, but compassion is something new for the actor, who softens his crazy-man shtick to deliver a complex and moving performance..."
Screen International went further saying:

"Ben Foster is a revelation here, carrying the film and delivering his first true adult performance after a string of youthful turns in 3:10 To Yuma, X-Men: The Last Stand and Alpha Dog.........Harrelson gives one of his best performances as the army lifer Stone, a likeable sort behind the bravado, and Morton is excellent as always as the gentle widow...."

I am not saying these films are going to light up the Awards race in any way, but they could, and as Melissa Leo proves this year, never ever underestimate a buzzed about performance at Sundance.

Sundance Watch – ‘Prom Night in Mississippi’

Moving swiftly on from this morning debacle.
Can you imagine a segregated prom in this day and age? Well it happens.
Of course in America, and not shockingly in Mississippi in a town called Charlton.

Hometown celebrity Morgan freeman has offered to pay for the party is it is de-segregated, but the town elders refused.

The Documentary ‘Prom Night in Mississippi’ explores the first ever mixed prom.

Dennis Harvey of Variety summarised it this way:

“It may amaze many viewers that in this day and age -- particularly in this political moment -- an American high school would retain separate proms for black and white students. But such is the reality of "Prom Night in Mississippi," which scrutinizes a pint-sized town's travails when the school board finally consents to "try out" a first-ever colorblind fete. An upbeat portrait of youth anxious to shed their elders' prejudices, this inspirational Canadian-produced documentary is a perfectly timed crowdpleaser sure to score in broadcast and educational venues, with modest theatrical exposure possible.”

The reason this made me think, especially in terms of awards, is due to the timing. America’s first black president is in office. This is sure to be a popular documentary, and Oscar is nothing if not influenced by the times. Could we be looking at a Best Documentary nominee for 2010?

Oscar Prospects:
Best Documentary

Sundance Watch – ‘I Love You Philip Morris’

Although this film was on my radar (mainly due to Carrey's and *swoon* Ewan's involvement), the prospects of a gay centred film written by the ‘Bad Santa’ people filled me with dread.

I figured we would be getting another ‘laugh at the gays’ movie.

Apparently I may be a little wrong.

John Anderson from Variety has this to say:

“Less of a comedy than a hilarious tragedy, "I Love You Phillip Morris" stars Jim Carrey in his most complicated comedic role since "The Cable Guy" and as a character so criminal and gay it will leave auds both laughing and stunned. The rawness of the script by helmers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa and sexual bluntness of Carrey and Ewan McGregor's onscreen romance could limit the film's exposure, but curiosity about Carrey's "conversion" will be a big draw. And no one can say that all involved weren't swinging for the fences.”

So now I am VERY curious as I really like Carrey as an actor and I love Ewan….oh my Ewan I do love you.

And it is about time we had some sexual bluntness….you would think people were a bunch of nuns.

How big will this be though? I can smell a Golden Globe for Carrey, but what will the overall critical response be?

Oscar Prospects:
Best Screenplay

Variety reviews 'Push'

I am not going to stop 'Push'ing this film. So buying the book today!

An urban nightmare with a surfeit of soul, "Push: Based on a Novel by Sapphire" is like a diamond -- clear, bright, but oh so hard. To simply call it harrowing or unsparing doesn't quite cut it; "Push" is also courageous and uncompromising, a shaken cocktail of debasement and elation, despair and hope. Everyone involved deserves major credit for creating a movie so dangerous, problematic and ultimately elevating. Marketing will be a problem, because the shorthand description is so unpalatable. But this is, for all its scorched-earth emotion, a film to be loved.
Adapted by Damien Paul from the work by onetime Harlem teacher and poet Sapphire, "Push" is the story of Claireece "Precious" Jones (newcomer Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe), a character who might have sprung from the collective brain of Charles Dickens, Toni Morrison and whoever carved the heads on Easter Island. With a jutting jaw and barely visible eyes, Claireece's face is a monument to the racial crimes of the past 400 years (that this miserable child of 16 can look in the mirror and fantasize seeing a blonde white girl is pungent shorthand for a raft of evils).

Mute and mountainous, a stolid outsider who can barely read, Claireece is pregnant -- again -- by her father, and on the verge of being kicked out of school. She's also cruelly oppressed by her mother Mary (Mo'Nique), whose daily routine consists of watching daytime TV, smoking cigarettes and treating her daughter like a slave (any historical parallels are not an accident). The situation is so dire that you almost have to laugh -- the way you might laugh, nervously, during the darkest moments of a horror movie.

"Push" is a horror movie, of course, and Mary is a monster, whose one glimmer of humanity -- which Mo'Nique, who is utterly brilliant, reveals in a tour de force soliloquy at the finale -- only makes her more horrible. Along with Mary's cruelty, Claireece's sense of hopelessness, and the awareness there are more Claireeces out there, the alarming thing about "Push" its capacity to show us just about anything, much like the warped human nature it surveys.

What's also remarkable is the balletic ability of second-time helmer Daniels ("Shadowboxer") to juggle emotional extremes. Claireece has her fantasies, and their visualizations -- of the girl as satin-clad pop star, movie star or supermodel -- work as relief valves. They're never funny, but they do humanize a character who has been reduced, by those who are supposed to love her, to a piece of meat, and who presents herself to the world as a very different, far less attractive creature than the Claireece we hear in voiceover.

Daniels never allows the film, however gothic and nightmarish, to lose its footing in the real world, and that world includes a certain amount of hope: Despite her mother's hostility, Claireece enrolls in an alternative school where a teacher named Blu Rain (Paula Patton) prepares young women for their GEDs. Patton is terrific, beautiful but carrying the weight of the world in her eyes. And Claireece's classmates, with their street-smart banter, give the film some needed levity.

Among the many delightful surprises in the film is Mariah Carey, who is pitch-perfect as a welfare counselor and serves as this demi-tragedy's Greek chorus. It's possible that many viewers won't recognize her until the final credits, but like so many things about "Push," the performance is disarming.

Production values are tops.

Sundance Watch: 'Push' reviewed

This is a film that I was close to ramming down your throats last year. And it has to be said that, although I have not read the book yet, I am VERY excited about this film, and the prospects for its young brave star.

It screened last night to a standing ovation and a few people have singled out actress Mo'Nique as being amazing, as well as the lead actress Gabourey Sidibe who makes her film debut. Of course it is still early days and I am not going to even being to think about awards prospects for this....given the cast a subject matter it probably wouldn't get any anyway.

Of course this morning I was glued to the computer trying to find any information or reviews of the film. I found this from Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly:

Sometimes, a movie has to take you down -- and I mean down, really far -- in order to lift you up. Push (pictured), adapted from a novel by Sapphire (the film's full, rather awkward title is Push: Based on the Novel By Sapphire), does just that. The picture is utterly merciless in how it presents its heroine: a teenage girl from Harlem named Precious Jones who is a stunted, abused, childishly inarticulate, morbidly obese shell of a human being, with a face so inexpressive -- so utterly locked in -- that it might be a visor clamped down over her real features. The director, Lee Daniels, shows us the awful circumstances that have caused Precious to be the way she is (she is pregnant -- for the second time -- by her drug-addict father), and the actress Gabourey Sidibe plays her without a flicker of sentimentality, but with barely visible tremors of emotion that cue us to everything this arrested girl is holding back. Push shows us how a young woman who is nothing but a thick, bruised wall of walking scar tissue slowly emerges, pulling herself out of her living hell, and Daniels demonstrates unflinching daring as a filmmaker by going this deep, this far, this ruthlessly into the pathologies of rage and dependence that can still linger in the haunted closets of impoverished African-American life. Push is one of those films that make you think, "There but for the grace of God go I," but it's a potent and moving experience, because by the end you feel you've witnessed nothing less than the birth of a soul.

Be prepared for a lot of posts about 'Push'. It makes me happy that a gay film maker has gotten off to such a strong start, especially at one of the biggest festivals of the year.
For all my gay readers, please check out After Elton's breakdown of gay related films showing at Sundance. Here is to a happy queer 2009.

Oscar Prospects:
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actress