Cate Blanchett

Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ Mesmerizes in Criterion Edition

BrianTT — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:36:53 -0600

CHICAGO – I have been writing about DVDs and now Blu-Ray titles for the better part of a decade and have literally worked my way through hundreds of them and the Criterion Blu-Ray release for the widely acclaimed and Oscar-nominated “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett is one of the best home releases I’ve ever seen.

Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0

If you somehow missed it during its critically-acclaimed theatrical run, director David Fincher’s shockingly ambitious film tells the story of a man born as an old man and aging in reverse. What would you learn about life if you lived it in the other direction? If you were born with the calm wisdom of an older gentleman, how would it affect the way you approach the world?

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was released on Blu-Ray on May 5th, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount/Criterion

After his mother dies in childbirth, Benjamin is taken in by a woman (Taraji P. Henson) who runs an elderly home. Because he looks old, Ben fits in with the elderly but still has the optimism of a child. At the home, Ben (Brad Pitt) meets Daisy (first played by Elle Fanning and later by Cate Blanchett) and the two form a bond that will serve as the through line for the entire film. Fincher and writer Eric Roth weave in and out of the love story and include a sailor (Jared Harris) and an affair with a married woman (Tilda Swinton).

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was released on Blu-Ray on May 5th, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount/Criterion

Pitt, Blanchett, and Henson are spectacular in this modern fairy tale that’s almost purposefully designed NOT to provoke an emotional response. Fincher is a director who likes to keep his audience at arm’s length. He’s the anti-Spielberg, far more interested in the recreation of something “Curious” than sentimental. It’s an expertly made film by one of the best directors alive and it’s a work that gets significantly better on repeat viewing.

Most DVD and Blu-Ray releases serve simple purposes. They bring a film home usually with a pretty standard video & audio transfer and special features that accompany the work. Every once in awhile, a home release does more than the standard and those are the ones that deserve your attention. The Criterion edition of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is one of those rare releases.

Why? To start, the film was practically made for Blu-Ray. The merging of the digital and the human at the very core of the film’s title character nearly demands that you see it in HD. Whatever you may say about the film itself, it’s design and effects can not be slighted and the movie looks and sounds as good as anything I’ve ever seen in the form. Honestly, the picture and audio quality nearly brings a tear to my eye and I look at HD Blu-Rays every single day. “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Godfather” are the two Blu-Rays I usually reach for first to show off the potential of HD. This is the new number one.

What truly separates the “Button” Criterion release is something that this company has been doing for years. They assemble special features that don’t just ‘accompany’ a film, they enhance it. There’s no filler on a Criterion release. You won’t see a “Button” gag reel.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was released on Blu-Ray on May 5th, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount/Criterion

What you will find is one of the best filmmaking documentaries in years - “The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button”. Running even longer than the film itself at 175 minutes, the documentary chronicles the entire process but not in a cold, EPK way, but through the words of the people who made it. It’s an oral history of an ambitious, complex film from early draft attempts through the complex post-production. If you’re interested in how a film gets made, even if you don’t like Fincher’s work, you must see this documentary. It’s a stunner.

The incredibly well-spoken and interesting David Fincher also sat down for an audio commentary and Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett came in for interviews, but the three-hour documentary is all you’ll really need. I can’t stress its quality level strongly enough.

And what about the film itself? Hearing Fincher discuss his intent with the film allowed a few of my initial flaws with the final product to fall away. Maybe it was the rush of expectation and the exhaustion of awards season, but I think I undervalued the film a few months ago and it’s a work that I look forward to watching multiple times over the years. The fact is that most of Fincher’s films have aged well (go watch “Zodiac” again if you don’t believe me) and I think “Button” will age better than most (pun only mildly intended).

There are very honest “must-owns” on the Blu-Ray market. Some have been surprised that the technology hasn’t taken off as quickly as they predicted. It’s because most of the HD releases aren’t significantly better than the standard DVD released at the same time. If there were more titles like “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” were released, that perception would change quickly. Even if you don’t own a Blu-Ray player, buy the Criterion version of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. It’s one of the first things that you’ll want to watch on it when you eventually do.

‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ is released by Paramount Home Video and stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Jared Harris, Jason Flemyng, and Tilda Swinton. It was written by Eric Roth and directed by David Fincher. The film was released on May 5th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Release Date, Cover Art For Criterion’s ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’

BrianTT — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:35:15 -0600

CHICAGO – Paramount/Criterion made a huge announcement today, revealing that David Fincher’s Oscar-winning “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” will be inducted into The Criterion Collection in its debut on DVD and Blu-Ray on May 5th, 2009. The Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett drama will arrive in a two-disc special edition DVD and two-disc Blu-Ray with over three hours of special features.

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was named by over 150 critics as one of the best films of 2008. The film marks Fincher’s first inclusion in the prestigious Criterion Collection. Cover art below.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on May 5th, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount Home Video

The official details:

“The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button two-disc DVD and two-disc Blu-ray boast over three hours of enthralling special features including interviews with stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett with behind-the-scenes footage of their astonishing on-screen transformations, an in-depth documentary revealing the unusual journey of the film itself including the secrets of its award-winning visual effects and an exploration of the groundbreaking computer wizardry that brought the magical world of Benjamin Button to life.”

“The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button two-disc and single-disc DVD are presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround and Spanish 5.1 Surround and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The two-disc Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio™, French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. The two-disc Criterion Edition DVD and two-disc Criterion Blu-ray include the following special features:

o The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button—four-part documentary:
o Academy Award-nominated director David Fincher introduces the surprising beginnings of what would become an epic masterpiece including the casting of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, the decision to change the location of the story to New Orleans and more.
o Follow the production from day one including the challenges of aging Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, designing over five thousand costumes and creating the animatronic baby.
o Explore the incredible visual effects techniques created specifically for the film that allowed Brad Pitt to play the title character at virtually every age. Also includes a visit to the scoring stage with composer Alexandre Desplat.
o Walk the red carpet at the film’s premiere in New Orleans, with final thoughts from cast and crew.
o Audio Commentary by director David Fincher

There is also a single-disc DVD presentation that includes the feature film.

‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ will be released by Paramount Home Video and stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Jason Flemyng, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond, and Jared Harris. It was written by Eric Roth and directed by David Fincher. It will be released on May 5th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: Taraji P. Henson of ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ on Playing Brad Pitt’s Mother

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:11:14 -0700

CHICAGO – It turns out that skipping a “blowout” garage sale she was planning paid off for up-and-coming actress Taraji P. Henson after all, she told HollywoodChicago.com’s Adam Fendelman in a Chicago interview. Not being there netted an even grander sale for her acting career: Henson was cast as Brad Pitt’s surrogate mother in the Oscar-buzzing film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” star Taraji P. Henson in Chicago on Dec. 5, 2008.
Photo credit: Adam Fendelman, HollywoodChicago.com

Rating: 4.0/5.0

The film, which was adapted for the screen by Eric Roth and is based on the 1920s short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, stars Brad Pitt opposite Cate Blanchett with Taraji P. Henson and Tilda Swinton. It’s a curious film indeed about Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) who ages backward. He’s born old and grows youthful.

For Henson, auditioning for the part of Queenie (Benjamin Button’s surrogate mother) was as long of a shot for her as the Earth is to Pluto. But prior to the audition, the film’s casting director already had her in mind based on Henson’s 2005 performance in “Hustle & Flow”. That film won her a Black Movie Award for her supporting role as well as a Black Reel Award for the same. She won a BET Award in 2006.

Even if the industry still hasn’t recognized Henson for her “Hustle & Flow” performance, her 18 episodes of “Boston Legal” from 2007 to 2008 as Whitney Rome or her role in 2007’s “Talk to Me” with Don Cheadle, Henson says after this press tour and upon release of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” “you will surely know me now” and know how to pronounce her Swahili name, too.

Matthew Henson, by the way, is the co-discoverer of the North Pole and is Taraji P. Henson’s great great cousin. She jested: “That’s where I got my survival skills.” Henson has been talked about as a potential nominee for the upcoming Academy Awards in a relatively weak category for actresses in a supporting role.

Once Henson overcame the incredulity of landing a role she viewed as a moon shot, she describes the adapted script from Eric Roth (who also wrote “Lucky You,” “The Good Shepherd,” “Munich,” “Ali,” “The Horse Whisperer” and “Forrest Gump”) and the direction from David Fincher (“Zodiac,” “Panic Room,” “Fight Club” and “Se7en”) as having come to fruition through “bold choices”.

“It was very bold for Eric Roth to choose to make Queenie an African-American woman who was the surrogate mother to Benjamin Button – a white character – which would have been very unusual at the time with what was happening in the country with race,” Henson said.

Taraji P. Henson (left) stars as Queenie with Brad Pitt (right front) in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.
Photo credit: Merrick Morton, Paramount Pictures

She added: “It was a bold choice for David Fincher, too, as it was something very different from what we’re used to seeing him direct. It was even a very bold choice for Brad Pitt in that it’s a not-so-glamorous role for him (even though some how he pulls it off).”

“That’s what intrigued me most,” Henson said. “I consider myself an artist who takes chances and risks in my work. I like to surround myself with people who do the same. I honestly didn’t think I had a chance to get this film.”

Taraji P. Henson stars as Queenie in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.
Photo credit: Merrick Morton, Paramount Pictures

Her “serious” garage sale had jewelry and racks of clothes with hangars she bought to hang up the garments. Henson even turned her tae bo kickboxing bag into a mannequin. While she initially was upset about having to stop what she was doing to audition for a role she thought she’d never get, after the audition Henson learned the film’s casting director had her in mind for this character from the beginning.

Still, she thought Fincher wouldn’t take her seriously, and even if he did, the studio certainly wouldn’t and would want a “bigger star”. Henson describes the all-too-common situation of a film and its studio seeking choices that’d most likely lead to financial gain for the picture rather than riskier choices that can help to assure a quality film.

“I’ve been in this game for a minute now. I’ve been down this road before. Big feature film. Big names. Big director. They want big names all across the name. They think I don’t have an audience because I haven’t been in a big blockbuster film. There are people in the industry who aren’t so creative. They’re number crunchers.”

She added: “You have not-so-creative people making creative decisions. I didn’t think I had a chance because I know the industry doesn’t consider me to be a name and I don’t have box-office draw.”

In describing the work ethic of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett and her conversations with them between takes, Henson said she didn’t talk much with them about work. She added: “We’re all parents and we live in between takes. We talked about normal stuff then like kids and life. We didn’t talk about our acting processes.”

In terms of Henson’s preparation for her role, she said she didn’t do much research.

“I already am a mother and have always been a nurturer. Even when I was a child, I never played with Barbie. I couldn’t stand Barbie because she had too much,” Henson said. “But I liked playing with the baby dolls and being the mother. The animatronic baby I’m acting with in the beginning of the film was right up my alley because I was doing that as a little girl. It took three puppeteers to operate it.”

RELATED SLIDESHOW
27-image slideshow for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.

RELATED READING
More writing from critic Adam Fendelman.

In terms of why we’re seeing so many adapted movie scripts these days based on beloved stories and fewer original screenplays, Henson again tags the reason as one that’s “safer” financially.

“They feel safer with best-selling books – like ‘Twilight’ and the Harry Potter films – because they already have an audience. They’re already seeing audience money. It’s harder for an original idea,” she said.

Henson added: “They don’t see money because it hasn’t been done before. You have to go in the back door and be the little engine that could to prove it – like ‘Hustle & Flow’.”

In retrospect, the opportunity cost of Henson’s audition paid off in spades. She concluded: “Thank god I canceled that garage sale.”

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” which is directed by David Fincher and was adapted for the screen by Eric Roth based on the 1920s short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson and Tilda Swinton. The film opens on Dec. 25, 2008.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 27-Image Gallery For ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ With Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett

BrianTT — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:22:56 -0700

CHICAGO – This 27-image slideshow contains official press images for Paramount’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” which stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Jared Harris, Elle Fanning, Jason Flemyng, Julia Ormond, and Taraji P. Henson from writer Eric Roth and director David Fincher. The film opens on Dec. 25, 2008.

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is a modern fable based loosely on the F. Scott Fitzgerald story of a man who ages in reverse. Brad Pitt plays the title character and Cate Blanchett the woman who most changes his unusual life. The already award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated film is rated PG-13 and opens on Thursday, December 25th, 2008.

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Paramount Pictures and photographer Merrick Morton unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

BenjaminButton01: Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Photo Credit: Digital Domain
BenjaminButton02:Jared Harris stars as Captain Mike in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Photo Credit: Claudio Miranda
BenjaminButton03: Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Photo Credit: Digital Domain/Asylum
BenjaminButton04: Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Photo Credit: Claudio Miranda
BenjaminButton05: Taraji P. Henson stars as Queenie in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton06: Taraji P. Henson (left) stars as Queenie and Brad Pitt (right) stars as Benjamin Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
BenjaminButton07: Taraji P. Henson (center right) stars as Queenie, who takes in the very young and very old infant Benjamin in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
BenjaminButton08: Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton09: Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton10: Cate Blanchett stars as Daisy in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton11: Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton12: Jason Flemyng stars as Thomas Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton13: Cate Blanchett (right) stars as Daisy in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton14: Cate Blanchett stars as Daisy in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton15: Brad Pitt (bottom left) stars as Benjamin Button and Cate Blanchett (center) stars as Daisy in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton16: Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton17: Director David Fincher on the set of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton18: Cate Blanchett (left) stars as Daisy and Joshua DesRoches stars as Vic Brody in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton19: Elizabeth Abbott (sitting, center), after attempting to swim the English Channel in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Photo Credit: Claudio Miranda
BenjaminButton20: Brad Pitt (left) stars as Benjamin Button and Cate Blanchett (right) stars as Daisy in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton21: Poster - Brad Pitt
BenjaminButton22: Cate Blanchett stars as Daisy in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton23: Poster - Cate Blanchett
BenjaminButton24: Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Photo Credit: Digital Domain
BenjaminButton25: Brad Pitt (left) stars as Benjamin Button and Tilda Swinton (right) stars as Elizabeth Abbott in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BenjaminButton26: (Left to right) Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) shows young Daisy (Madisen Beaty) Captain Mike’s tug boat in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Photo Credit: Digital Domain
BenjaminButton27: Captain Mike (Jared Harris, left) and Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt, right) during Benjamin’s years on the Captain’s tug in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Photo Credit: Digital Domain

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Heath Ledger Wins First ‘The Dark Knight’ Award From Australian Film Institute

HollywoodChicago.com — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:57:05 -0700

CHICAGO – With the 80th-annual Academy Awards set for Feb. 22, 2009 and Oscar nominations to be announced on Jan. 22, 2009, the late actor Heath Ledger on Saturday was awarded his first acting honor from the Australian Film Institute (AFI) for his supporting role as The Joker in “The Dark Knight”. Australia is his home country.

Heath Ledger as The Joker in “The Dark Knight”.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

The AFI awarded Ledger – who died at the age of 28 of an accidental painkiller overdose in New York on Jan. 22, 2008 – one of its most prestigious awards: the international award for best actor.

The award ceremony was held at Melbourne’s Princess Theater. The award for Heath Ledger was accepted by his sister, Kate Ledger, and his family. The AFI said at its 50th-annual awards ceremony that Ledger was a “groundbreaking actor trapped in the body of a leading man. He was the untamed spirit many of us wish we could be. May the legend live on.”

“It has been without a doubt the most difficult year – losing such a loved family member,” Kate Ledger said at the AFI ceremony. “We are so proud of him and humbly accept this award on behalf of his beautiful daughter, Matilda, who we will cherish forever.”

For a woman in a lead role, Cate Blanchett won the equivalent AFI award for her role in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”. In addition to his role in “The Dark Knight,” Ledger is also remembered for his Oscar-nominated role as a gay cowboy in 2005’s “Brokeback Mountain”.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

After 19 Years, ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ Exhumes Venerated Roots

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 21 May 2008 23:00:20 -0600

CHICAGO – After such a long respite from the beloved film progression, I was initially just as skittish about seeing Harrison Ford back in the Indy saddle as I was watching Sylvester Stallone back in the ring in “Rocky Balboa” in his 2006 comeback and then again in 2008 in his “Rambo” return.

Ultimately, though, I had faith in director Steven Spielberg not to royally torpedo the monolithically anticipated “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” which resurrects the Chicago-born, 65-year-old Harrison Ford as one of my favorite film characters of all time.

Spielberg delivers. Thank the heavens.

In grappling with Ford’s real-life age, David Koepp’s screenplay comically writes in subtle jabs to wrangle with the reality. Just like Stallone didn’t try to hide it in “Rocky Balboa” and he instead decided to honestly portray it, so did Ford’s character grow older.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” in our reviews section.

View our full “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” image gallery.

Of course, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is still a major Hollywood product and Indiana Jones is still Indiana Jones. He still flings through the air with bird-like grace, whips all obstacles in his way with laser-like precision and is imbued with the film’s classic and campy “kapow!” sound effects. I love ‘em to pieces.

While the character Indiana Jones has had an unfortunate television run by way of Sean Patrick Flanery in his young form from 1992 all the way through 2007, Harrison Ford as the real Indiana Jones we’ve all been enamored with last roughed it up in a major Spielberg production in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” in 1989.

Before that, it was five years earlier in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” in 1984 and three years earlier in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” in 1981. Yes, that’s three years between the first and second, five years between the second and third and 19 years between the third and the fourth.

Shia LaBeouf (left) and Harrison Ford in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”.
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

Harrison Ford in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”.
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

Read Adam Fendelman’s full “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” review.

HollywoodChicago.com Analyzes 10 Oscar Contenders For Best Supporting Actor, Actress

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:37:32 -0700

CHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com film critic Adam Fendelman has analyzed the 10 nominated contenders for best supporting actor and best supporting actress (five in each category) and reveals his selections for the top prize. Hosted by Jon Stewart, the 80th Academy Awards ceremony will be presented on Feb. 24, 2008.

Best Supporting Actor Nominees

Casey Affleck, “The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford”
Adam Fendelman says: Everyone remembers who assassinated Jesse James, but no one recalls who mowed down Robert Ford shortly thereafter. While Casey’s delivery of the spineless character might indeed embody Ford with authenticity, he ultimately shoots himself in his own back with a laissez-faire performance.

Ben Affleck (left) and brother Casey Affleck on Oct. 10, 2007 at the
Chicago International Film Festival premiere of “Gone Baby Gone”.
Photo credit: Adam Fendelman, HollywoodChicago.com

Javier Bardem, “No Country For Old Men”
Adam Fendelman says: No words necessary. The Oscar goes to Javier. (Disclosure: More words in this space only waste your time. We instead decided for no-nonsense brevity and award the haunting and brilliantly chilling villain with no contest. If the academy deviates from this path, something’s seriously gone awry.)

Javier Bardem in “No Country For Old Men”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Charlie Wilson’s War”
Adam Fendelman says: We empathize for him here. After devouring the best-actor cake for “Capote,” the reality is he’s always brilliant and doggedly steals the show whether or not he’s in a lead or supporting function. The only reason he falls short in this category for this year is because he’s ousted by Javier Bardem.

Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Charlie Wilson’s War”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Hal Holbrook, “Into the Wild”
Adam Fendelman says: As if he’s not actually acting, you absolutely feel his pain when denied a beautifully benevolent offer to father the family fearing Emile Hirsch. We wish two Oscars could be dished out here, and if the academy does side with him, it’ll be not only because of this performance but also his body of work.

Hal Holbrook on Jan. 26, 2008.
Photo credit: WireImage.com

Tom Wilkinson, “Michael Clayton”
Adam Fendelman says: We take back the reverie for two Oscars in this category. There should actually be three equally shared between Javier, Hal and Tom. Wilkinson’s spot-on performance as an insanely intelligent but nonetheless insane maniac is one of the year’s most memorable and clearly defined supporting men.

Tom Wilkinson in “Michael Clayton”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Best Supporting Actress Nominees

Cate Blanchett, “I’m Not There”
Adam Fendelman says: We know the rules. Of course an actress can score the winning nod both for best actress and best supporting actress. Because we so resiliently have Cate winning the best-actress statue for “Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” our chips are all in on the academy being distracted for awarding her doubly.

Cate Blanchett on Jan. 26, 2008.
Photo credit: WireImage.com

Ruby Dee, “American Gangster”
Adam Fendelman says: We have no shame confessing that we looked her up to see who the heck she was. Yes, she played Denzel Washington’s tough-loving mama, and we do grant props for her crack at slapping straight his gansta’ ways. You can’t take the chow outta the dog, of course, and this film’s entirely overshadowed by him.

Ruby Dee in “American Gangster”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Saoirse Ronan, “Atonement”
Adam Fendelman says: With two award wins and eight nominations, being recently born in 1994 is only a testament to Saorse’s burgeoning talent. She has a piercing way about her, and while her Oscar run will only go as far as a supporting-actress nomination, keep a vigilant eye on this one to take the big trophy in the future.

Saoirse Ronan in “Atonement”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Amy Ryan, “Gone Baby Gone”
Adam Fendelman says: Oh. My. God. We can only assume Wikipedia’s not in a joking mood in its entry for Amy Ryan, which is a third justifiably comprised of lines actualizing the fact that she is nominated for this award by eight societies and actually won – we repeat loudly: WON – from 19. We can’t argue here with the masses.

Amy Ryan on Feb. 3, 2008.
Photo credit: IMDb

Tilda Swinton, “Michael Clayton”
Adam Fendelman says: While she has cutthroat competition in this year’s category from Amy Ryan, her delightfully shady character and bona fide ways as a high-powered, high-paid corporate snake earn Tilda Swinton a well-deserved first Oscar nomination. She’s just one penny short, though, for the big ticket.

Tilda Swinton in “Michael Clayton”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Discuss this on our discussion boards here!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com Analyzes 10 Oscar Contenders For Best Actor, Actress

HollywoodChicago.com — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 17:15:41 -0700

CHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com film critic Adam Fendelman has analyzed the 10 nominated contenders (five men for best actor and five women for best actress) and reveals his selections for the top prize. Hosted by Jon Stewart, the 80th Academy Awards ceremony will be presented in one form or another on Feb. 24, 2008.

Best Actor Nominees

George Clooney for the character Michael Clayton in “Michael Clayton”
Adam Fendelman says: Clooney upgrades himself from the “A” list to an “A+” grade and his report card earns him a richly deserved fighting chance. Leading this masterful but underrated film the way a leading Hollywood man should, Clooney – led by first-time director Tony Gilroy – will fight for “blood” and come up short.

George Clooney in “Michael Clayton”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Daniel Day-Lewis for the character Daniel Plainview in “There Will Be Blood”
Adam Fendelman says: Like a bat, Daniel Day-Lewis goes into Hollywood hibernation and only comes out when the pickings are prime and perfect. “There Will Be Blood,” which is only his third film in the past decade, is a monster of an epic and he’s nothing short of brilliant in it. This best-actor shoo-in should fit snugly.

Daniel Day-Lewis in “There Will Be Blood”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Johnny Depp for the character Sweeney Todd in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
Adam Fendelman says: Watch closely and you’ll see Depp in “Sweeney Todd” superbly slip back into his haunted, quirky “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” mindset. His vengeance, though, is bittersweet, his melodies serve justice to Stephen Sondheim’s music and Depp’s creative license merits a formidable runner up.

Johnny Depp in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Tommy Lee Jones for the character Hank Deerfield in “In the Valley of Elah”
Adam Fendelman says: No. No. No. While Paul Haggis’ “In the Valley of Elah” pulls at your patriotic heartstrings on an important and niche topic, Tommy Lee Jones delivers an adroit but subdued lead performance that won’t compete with the memorable punch and power of the other gentleman in this year’s best-actor race.

Tommy Lee Jones in the film “In the Valley of Elah”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Viggo Mortensen for the character Nikolai Luzhin in “Eastern Promises”
Adam Fendelman says: Viggo Mortensen has clout and solid industry backing in his “Eastern Promises” performance and especially earns theatrical kudos for a particularly difficult and raw fight scene in the nude. Mortensen, though, deserves to stay among his mammoth peers on the best-actor nominee list.

Viggo Mortensen in “Eastern Promises”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Best Actress Nominees

Cate Blanchett for the character Queen Elizabeth I in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”
Adam Fendelman says: Yes. Yes. Yes. After winning best-supporting actress for “The Aviator” in 2005 and being recognized as not only one of the most successful actresses by Forbes but one of the most influential people in the world by Time, it’s Cate Blanchett’s time to shine in this year’s best-actress limelight.

Cate Blanchett in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Julie Christie for the character Fiona Anderson in “Away From Her”
Adam Fendelman says: Julie Christie in “Away From Her” authentically portrays the ghastly and evocative battle that is Alzheimer’s disease with conviction, reality and heart. She’s making lists across the U.S. as a best-actress nominee but has at least two adversaries who deserve the ultimate prize more.

Julie Christie in “Away From Her”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Marion Cotillard for the character Édith Piaf in “La Vie en Rose”
Adam Fendelman says: Chicago and Boston film critics along with various film festivals say she’s their best actress. She’s nominated by the Broadcast Film Critics Association and the British Academy of Film & TV Arts. Industry experts speak loudly: Marion Cotillard is this year’s top foreign-language selection.

Marion Cotillard in “La Vie en Rose”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Laura Linney for the character Wendy Savage in “The Savages”
Adam Fendelman says: Any daughter who deals with a dad who literally writes wall messages with poop is a fine sibling indeed. In “The Savages,” though, her somewhat memorable performance is trumped by the always dominating Philip Seymour Hoffman, which reminds you she’d more appropriately be up for a supporting role.

Laura Linney in “The Savages”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Ellen Page for the character Juno MacGuff in “Juno”
Adam Fendelman says: Though many haven’t heard of the meek Ellen Page until now and interpret her “Juno” performance as a breakout, she actually broke out in “Hard Candy” in 2005. In 2007’s “Little Miss Sunshine”-like film you can’t help but love, she’s the underdog with a shot at being recognized for coming full circle.

Ellen Page in “Juno”.
Photo credit: IMDb

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By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

New Behind-the-Scenes Photos, Comic Book Cover Surface For ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:32:53 -0700

Three new behind-the-scenes photos turned up on Wednesday for “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” in a comprehensive Vanity Fair article. In the third photo below, we see the first photo of Cate Blanchett as a Russian agent.

The article and photos have been picked up by /Film, Hollywood Elsewhere and other film sites across the Web. Some Vanity Fair quotes from director Steven Spielberg follow:

I’m in my second cut, which means I’ve put the movie together and I’ve seen it. I usually do about five cuts as a director.

The best news is that – when I saw the movie myself the first time – there was nothing I wanted to go back and shoot, nothing I wanted to reshoot and nothing I wanted to add.

I go for geography. I want the audience to know not only which side the good guy’s on and the bad guy’s on but which side of the screen they’re in.

I want the audience to be able to edit as quickly as they want in a shot. [That has] been my style with all four of these “Indiana Jones” pictures.

Quick-cutting is very effective in some movies – like the “Bourne” pictures – but you sacrifice geography when you go for quick-cutting.

[That] is fine because audiences get a huge adrenaline rush from a cut every second and a half [in] “The Bourne Ultimatum”.

There’s just enough geography for the audience never to be lost especially in the last “Bourne” film, which I thought was the best of the three.

By the same token, Indy is a little more old-fashioned than the modern-day action adventure.

You can read the full Vanity Fair piece here.

It doesn’t stop there with “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” unveilings. New comic book cover art for the film (warning: minor spoilers) just surfaced as well.

Also picked up by TheRaider.net and /Film, this comic cover premiered at Diamond Comics with this announcement:

The most anticipated movie event of the summer comes to comics in this adaptation of the fourth “Indiana Jones” film.

The intrepid doctor Henry Jones Jr. is back in his biggest adventure yet. This time, the world-renowned archaeologist finds himself caught in a series of events that all point to a discovery unlike any other.

But will his rivals in pursuit of this priceless treasure seize his quarry from right under his nose? Not if he – and a few unexpected companions – have anything to say about it.

The thrill and the humor, the action and the romance, the hat and the whip: everything you love about Indy is here. This is a tale sure to please longtime fans [and[ foster a whole generation of new ones.