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I used to do monthly interviews with indie filmmakers. Dance Party, USA is the type of indie I would seek out — small, rough around the edges, poignant, and lacking pretense. That’s how I like my indies. But this review isn’t going to focus on Dance Party, USA, which is part of a two-disc DVD [...]
Archive for January, 2008
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Indie Interview – ’4th and Long’ Director Timothy Vandenberg
Posted by Dan Stasiewski on January 28th, 2008
Remember that guy who went to all the high school football games? Tim Vanderberg does. His mockumentary 4th and Long is an ode to the local football faithful, the gridiron groupies. It’s also an entertaining and oddly touching comedy. Here discussing his inspiration, his cast and his local appeal is Timothy Vandenberg in a special [...]
Vid Pick: Senator Obama Goes to Africa Clip
Posted by Dan Stasiewski on January 27th, 2008
A few weeks ago, the Gene Siskel Film Center in canceled its screenings of the documentary Senator Obama Goes to Africa. The reasoning is partly justified. In a murky political climate, no nonprofit wants to be seen as backing an political candidate, especially if it turns out to be the wrong horse. As a blogger, [...]
2008 Best Picture Nominee Box Office Totals
Posted by Dan Stasiewski on January 23rd, 2008
These totals are bound to change after this weekend’s re-release of Michael Clayton and re-expansion for No Country for Old Men, as well as an inevitable expansion for There Will Be Blood. Still, here’s the box office so far for this year’s Best Picture nominees. 2007/2008 Best Picture Box Office Picture (with release dates) Atonement [...]
Starz Originals: ‘Head Case’ & ‘Hollywood Residential’
Posted by Dan Stasiewski on January 22nd, 2008
Starz has a long way to go before it attains the quality of HBO or Showtime. The cable channel’s original shows just aren’t all that original. I guess that comment pertains more to the unfortunate airing of the home makeover parody Hollywood Residential than it does to Head Case. Both shows premiere on Wednesday, Jan. [...]
Tragedy: Heath Ledger Dead at 28
Posted by Dan Stasiewski on January 22nd, 2008
Like most people my age (25), I first remember Heath Ledger in the teen romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You. The modern day adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew featured one memorable, if cliche moment: Ledger singing You’re Just to Good to Be True to Julia Stiles with full marching band [...]
2007 – 2008 Oscar Nominees Announced
Posted by Dan Stasiewski on January 22nd, 2008
Well I took a chance on not predicting Atonement and There Will Be Blood. It didn’t pay off. Neither did the notion that the Academy was going to anoint new faves. Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett both got in for lead acting, with Ryan Gosling and Amy Adams snubbed. Points for a good showing [...]
Quickie: Cloverfield
Posted by Dan Stasiewski on January 20th, 2008
Cloverfield (2008)–*** Quickie Review On the eve of Rob’s departure from New York City, a giant creature attacks the city. As filmed by his best friend who was taking video testimonials at the good-bye party, Rob and other survivors trek across a devastated Manhattan to rescue Rob’s would-be girlfriend. A terrifying, if angsty monster movie, [...]
DGA reaches agreement with AMPTP, WGA releases statement
Posted by Dan Stasiewski on January 17th, 2008
Will the writers strike be over soon? Well, Warner Bros. did let the options for the current cast of its tent pole blockbuster Justice League lapse today, citing the strike (and Australia’s stingy tax breaks), so who knows. Still, the tentative agreement with the Director’s Guild of America is a sign that the talks between [...]
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Oscar 2007 – 2008: Final Academy Award Nomination Predictions
I’m taking a few risks with these predictions, namely being a complete Atonement shut out. Ten years ago, I don’t think I would have said the same thing, but the Academy landscape has changed since then. Best Picture Michael Clayton Juno Into the Wild The Diving Bell and the Butterfly No Country For Old Men [...]