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CAMERAS ROLL ON THE VINTNER'S LUCK!
2008-02-19 00:00:00
Filming has begun on director Niki Caro's new movie project, the much anticipated film adaptation of The Vintner's Luck (http://themovie-fanatic.com/film_focus/i ndies/vintners_luck/). - - - - - - New Zealand actress and Oscar-nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes, who came to worldwide attention in Niki Caro's Whale Rider, is re-uniting with Caro for the project. The film is based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by NZ author Elizabeth Knox. Niki Caro, whose two features Whale Rider and North Country have each earned Oscar nominations, teamed up with Joan Scheckel to write the screenplay. The Vintner's Luck is a story of love, wine and angels. It tells the tale of Sobran, a peasant winemaker in 19th Century France and his life-long relationship with an angel. It's really exciting to get the project underway, said Caro. It's a scary kind of honour to bring Elizabeth's book to the screen, she said. Caro is also looking forw...
More About: Roll , Cameras

IN THE PITT OF DESPAIR: Why is Michael Pitt making such a fuzz?
2008-02-19 00:00:00
There are stars who can act and there are those who can't. While Hayden Christensen is not an awesome actor, he has his share of critically acclaimed performances. If we're to rank the most boring young actors, it's not him or Orlando Bloom, it's this guy- Michael Pitt . (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0685856/) He was like a lifeless doll in Murder by Numbers (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0264935/). While co-star Ryan Gosling made waves onscreen and off, Pitt remains on the pit (literally). One of his more recent films, Silk (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0494834/), did not even register.... and he's saying some rather nasty things (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a8963 8/michael-pitt-hits-out-at-saw-fans.html? rss) of late. In an interview with Giant Magazine, Pitt said: I don’t even know what Saw or Hostel are. Are they like Texas Chainsaw Massacre? I guess I’m drawn to things like Lawrence of Arabia. The actor had harsh words for those who may not like his new fil...
More About: Despair

JUMPER: Jamie Bell doesn't need to be the lead to shine!
2008-02-18 00:00:00
People seem to hate Hayden Christensen, we don't. We simply don't like him as an actor. In Jumper (http://www.jumperthemovie.com/), the latest from Doug Liman, Christensen continued his acting tradition of mediocrity and blandness. He simply is one of the most boring young actors we have today. While Tom Sturridge (http://themovie-fanatic.com/hotlist/risi ng_stars/tom_sturridge/). It could have been a different story, or it could have been worse, but from previous performances, I know Mr. Sturridge (http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_ar ticles/star_news!/tom_sturridge_jumper/) could deliver a much better Davey. The same case when they selected Hayden instead of Michael Angarano (http://www.michaelangarano.net/) for the much-coveted role of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars pre-quels. Two big and stupid casting decisions. When will they learn? Others in the cast did not impressed me either. Rachel Bilson, as usual, is charming, yet there seems to be no real connection between her...
More About: Shine , Bell , Jamie , Lead

tMF Top Five - Best Zombie Movies
2008-02-18 00:00:00
...George A. Romero’s feature length debut revolutionized horror by taking if from a genre to an industry. - - - - - - George A. Romero may not have invented the zombie movie, but you cannot question the fact that he revolutionized it. The man has made a career out of terrorizing audiences with all things flesh-eating, and the like. My personal taste for zombie or horror in general is pedestrian at best. For every one really good one, there are a hundred knock offs that do nothing but embarrass the genre. Today marks the latest entry as George A. Romero’s Diary of the Dead hits theatres. What better way to celebrate the genre Romero perfected than to discuss the ones that stand head and shoulders above the rest? tMF Top Five – Best Zombie Movies By Jeremy Welsch

ROBERT PATTINSON wants to live forever!
2008-02-18 00:00:00
When the news was announced that Robert Pattinson will play Edward Cullen in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, I had mixed feelings. You see, Kat my partner at tMF have read the book (and all of Ms. Meyer's novels to date) and had been telling me how awesome Ms. Meyer's works are and that she has some idea of who should play Edward Cullen. We're very much into the modeling scene, operating a popular website for male models for the past 7 years [ Modelwatch (http://model-max.com): Male Modeling on a Global Scale ] and there are some great guys who could really play the role to perfection. There are also some awesome talents like Tom Sturridge and Gaspard Ulliel whom we feel can take the part and do justice to the role... We have not heard of Mr. Pattinson, till somebody told me that he's that guy from the Harry Potter film, the one who got killed, Cedric Diggory. Now that he's been cast, we @tMF think he'll be a fantastic Edward Cullen! AN...
More About: Live , Forever

On MICHAEL ANGARANO, Snow Angels and more!
2008-02-18 00:00:00
We've been hearing a lot of buzz on Michael Angarano (http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_ar ticles/spotlight_of_the_week/nov2007_mich ael_angarano/). His performance in Man in the Chair and Black Irish were nothing short of awesome and the young actor seems to be getting more and more good roles. One upcoming film for Michael is in David Gordon Green's Snow Angels (http://wip.warnerbros.com/snowangels/). - - - - - - Says actress Kate Beckinsale of Angarano: Michael has a freshness and an excitement and a kind of guilelessness that is really special that I don’t think every teenager has,” Beckinsale observes. “He has a wonderful little face that makes you wish you were sixteen again.” What's the Movie About: A story of love lost and found in a small town, SNOW ANGELS is a heartrending portrayal of three couples in various stages of life orbiting around each other in search of connection and meaning. An unexpected act of violence disrupts the lives of t...

Movies in 2007: Best performances from young actors: last part of a 4 part
2008-02-15 00:00:00
2007 is a good year for young talents. While the Oscars (and the BAFTA) favor the more matured, seasoned actors like Julie Christie, Daniel Day Lewis, Laura Linney, and George Clooney, there are a number of awesome performances from younger talents this year. Ellen Page leads the pack for her notable performance in Juno (http://themovie-fanatic.com/film_reviews /current/juno/). Keira Knightley, Soairse Ronan and Romola Garai did quite well (terrific actually!) in Atonement (http://themovie-fanatic.com/film_reviews /current/atonement_review/). Kristen Stewart is beginning to show why she is a big contender for the ‘awesome actress of the future’ award. Sophia Myles and Abbie Cornish did well in Hallam Foe (http://themovie-fanatic.com/film_focus/i ndies/hallam_foe/) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (http://themovie-fanatic.com/film_focus/h ollywood/golden_age/) respectively. For 2007, we considered 2 actors for their breakthrough performances: Andrew Garfield in Boy A (http://t...
More About: Movies , Performances , Actors , Young , Part

'Jumper' Director Doug Liman Talks About Upcoming 'Untitled Moon Project'
2008-02-14 00:00:00
While being interviewed to promote his just released film 'Jumper ', director Doug Liman at the end of the interview spoke a bit about his supposed next upcoming film starring Jake Gyllenhaal called Untitled Moon Project (http://imdb.com/title/tt1123441/). - - - - - - From ComingSoon (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews .php?id=41797): CS: What's next for you? The writers' strike is over, and while I assume you want to rest because this has been a long journey, do you think you'll jump right into Untitled Moon Project next and will you actually go to the moon to stay in line with how you made this movie? Liman: Yeah, I'm thinking very seriously about that film, and I basically have two approaches to it. The movie would cost about $100 million to make, so how much would it cost to actually go to the moon and make an IMAX documentary instead? Could I spend $99 million going to the moon and a million dollars shooting an IMAX movie or is it going to be a fictional story....
More About: Upcoming

DANIEL BRUEHL: News On Upcoming 'The Countess'
2008-02-14 00:00:00
With 5 new films this year, Daniel Brühl is definitely making waves in international cinema! He's also one of the most popular young actors in our poll (final results to be released this week!) Here's more news about the actor: From Cinematical (http://www.cinematical.com/2008/02/12/x- filme-gets-gad-beck-and-bathes-in-bloody- bathory/): There's an update about Julie Delpy's upcoming bloody project with X Filme, The Countess (http://imdb.com/title/tt0496634/). Principal photography is said to begin in one week, shooting in castles through Germany. (The original plan was Hungary, but production costs were found to be much less in Deutschland.) Delpy is tackling the role of Bathory, while also directing, and William Hurt and Daniel Bruehl will co-star as a father and son torn apart by their relationship with the countess. Hurt portrays a Machiavellian operator out to bring the countess down, while Bruehl's character falls for the woman and becomes her young paramour. The blo...
More About: News , Upcoming

JAMIE BELL: Hero Bell Rings True
2008-02-14 00:00:00
One of the most talented young actors we have today is Jamie Bell . While the critically-acclaimed Hallam Foe (http://themovie-fanatic.com/film_focus/i ndies/hallam_foe/) is yet to be released in the States, his other film (with Hayden Christensen) Jumper (http://themovie-fanatic.com/film_focus/h ollywood/jumper/)is now in theatres. He will be seen next in Edward Zwick's Defiance (http://imdb.com/title/tt1034303/), together with Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber. - - - - - - Here's an interesting scoop about the actor: Billy Elliot Star Jamie Got To Keep His Native North-East Accent After Talking Round The Director Of New Superhero Movie Jumper. HE won our hearts as a schoolboy when he pirouetted his way out of a tough mining town. Now Billy Elliot actor Jamie Bell has a new set of high kicks - as an action star. The 21-year-old is on the verge of cult status for his role as a comic book hero in new sci-fi movie Jumper - but he is still well in touch with his north-east roots. ...
More About: Rings , True , Hero

tMF launches Emile Hirsch profile writing contest!
2008-02-14 00:00:00
I started acting when I was 10, but I never had a total fascination with it. It was just kind of a fun thing I did. Then I saw A Streetcar Named Desire [1951] with Marion Brando and Vivien Leigh when I was 14, and it was like a slap in the face. It was a wake-up call. says actor Emile Hirsch . Hirsch (just like James McAvoy) failed to make the final list of Best Actor nominees for the Oscars. His fans are, of course, quite disappointed and annoyed for this shabby treatment. But his time will come, and it might be sooner than later. Milk, one of his next movies, is getting lots of buzz and we can't wait to see him in another challenging and meaty role. While we're at it, we might as well celebrate Mr. Hirsch and launch our first-ever DVD contest! yes, we're giving away 3 Emile Hirsch dvds to anyone who can submit an incredibly insightful and entertaining profile of the young actor! In partnership with amazon.com (http://amazon.com), tMF will award these amazing DVDs to the winn...
More About: Contest , Writing , Profile

BAFTA 2008 FILM AWARD WINNERS
2008-02-14 00:00:00
The BAFTA as predicted has chosen Atonement as its Best Film of the year. However, the award for Best Director went to the Coen Brothers for their latest feature, No Country for Old Men, considered one of the frontrunners in the Oscars. Shia LaBeouf won the Orange Rising Star awards, beating the likes of Ellen Page and Sam Riley. Complete winners follows: - - - - - - BEST FILM AMERICAN GANGSTER – Brian Grazer/Ridley Scott ATONEMENT – Tim Bevan/Eric Fellner/Paul Webster THE LIVES OF OTHERS – Quirin Berg/Max Wiedemann NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Scott Rudin/Joel Coen/Ethan Coen THERE WILL BE BLOOD – JoAnne Sellar/Paul Thomas Anderson/Daniel Lupi THE ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public) – nominees announced on Tuesday 8 January SHIA LABEOUF SIENNA MILLER ELLEN PAGE SAM RILEY TANG WEI
More About: Winners , Award , 2008

THE RACE FOR THE OSCAR BEST ACTOR: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
2008-02-09 00:00:00
Depending on one's perspective, the majority of the winners of the Oscar Best Actor award are either deserving or just plain hype. While I don't think it's relevant at this point to get into the politics of voting, it would seem alright to get into a bit of history, and then take a look at this year's nominees. - - - by Jed Medina (Article first appeared in The LAMB Devours the Oscars (http://largeassmovieblogs.blogspot.com/s earch/label/LAMB%20Devours%20the%20Oscars ) series) - - - How was it then? It was exactly 80 years since Emil Jannings won the best actor trophy for the film The Last Command. The Swiss born German actor actually won for 2 films, as it was possible in those days to receive multiple nominations in one category. When the talkies were later introduced, the actor eventually lost his job due to his thick German accent. He went back to Germany and became an ardent supporter of the Nazis. Since then more than 50 have...
More About: Race , Good , Ugly

tMF Top Five - Best Movie Robots
2008-02-09 00:00:00
... it is hard to deny the relevancy and appeal of a robotic character that is almost 25 years old. - - - - - - Fictionalized accounts of robots have been in film since the 1930’s so the idea itself of robots in movies isn’t really a novel concept, but we all love them just the same. Who hasn’t thought of having a robot version of themselves to do all their work for them? There is something very Frankenstein-esque about humans building a mechanized version of themselves to perform tasks they aren’t equipped or, more times than not, willing to do. Robots in movies come in all shapes and sizes. They can be depicted as cute and cuddly (Johnny 5 from Short Circuit), not so cute and cuddly (Agent Smith from The Matrix series), or just plain misunderstood (Robocop from, well, Robocop). Whatever they are, they have made for some interesting movie characters in the past. With that in mind, I present: tMF Top Five – Best Movie Robots by Jeremy Welsch

tMF's 50 Most Anticipated Book to Movie Adaptations
2008-02-07 00:00:00
Last year saw the tremendous success of some book to movie adaptations, among the big winners: Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood (from Sinclair Lewis' Oil!), Ian McEwan's Atonement, Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, Dennis Lehane's Gone Baby Gone and Jean-Dominique Bauby's memoir The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. - - - - - - After the popular Top 50 Hottest Young Actors (http://themovie-fanatic.com/tmf_top_50/v ersion_1/tmf_top50_version1/), we've decided to come up with a new top 50 list. This time we looked into some of the most exciting new movies for 2008 and beyond. For this year, we are already excited with some upcoming movies (also based on books)- Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl (http://themovie-fanatic.com/archive/nove mber_2007_articles/theotherboleyngirl/) and Steven Gould's Jumper (http://themovie-fanatic.com/film_focus/h ollywood/jumper/). But there are more, much more! AND we have them here, 50 of them! We have thrillers...
More About: Movie , Book

First Teaser Image From Terry Gilliam’s THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS
2008-02-07 00:00:00
Source: Quick Stop Entertainment (http://www.quickstopentertainment.com/20 08/02/06/quick-stop-exclusive-first-tease r-image-from-terry-gilliams-the-imaginari um-of-doctor-parnassus/) Yesterday, we reported (http://www.quickstopentertainment.com/20 08/02/05/doctor-parnassus-lives/) that Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was - contrary to various reports and erroneous information on IMDb - still moving forward, with Heath Ledger’s performance still intact. We also announced the launch of the official Doctor Parnassus website at http://www.doctorparnassus.com/ (http://www.doctorparnassus.com/). Unfortunately, we’ve been told that the massive influx of traffic crashed the site, so they’re moving it to a larger server. To hold fans over, Quick Stop has been given an exclusive teaser image from the film… Well, to be more accurate, we’ve been given half an image. If you’re interested to see what the rest of the image holds, be s...
More About: Teaser , Image , Terry Gilliam

Doctor Parnassus Lives & Official 'Imaginarium' Website Up Online
2008-02-07 00:00:00
Source: Quick Stop Entertainment (http://www.quickstopentertainment.com/20 08/02/05/doctor-parnassus-lives/) Quick Stop was contacted by a source within the production of Terry Gilliam’s upcoming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and they wanted to clarify the status of the film. It seems that Parnassus has been recently removed from Heath Ledger’s IMDB listing (http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0005132/) and Ledger has also been removed from the listing of Parnassus‘ cast (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt1054606/fullc redits). Also, the IMDB listing for Parnassus now shows the status of the film as being shut down. - - - - - - The source within the production wanted to make certain the word gets out that the production is not in fact shut down but is moving forward and will feature Heath Ledger in his last role. This decision to keep Heath’s performance and rework the film to accommodate it was made out of respect for that performance and in memory of Heath. This despi...
More About: Website , Online , Lives , Official

The Art House Powerhouse 100: tMF applauds Jake, Cillian and Ryan!
2008-02-06 00:00:00
Paste magazine (http://www.pastemagazine.com/action/arti cle/6198/feature/music/the_art_house_powe rhouse_100) recently released its Art House Powerhouse 100, and commented: Who are the power players in the world of quality cinema? What individuals and organizations make intelligent, well-crafted movies and have the profile, financial resources and/or critical esteem to attract discerning audiences? In short, we looked for those at the intersection of art and commerce who make independent film the viable and sustainable industry that we’ve come to enjoy. Such impressive list of actors- Blanchett, Juliette Binoche, Daniel Day-Lewis and Javier Bardem to name a few. But we're quite interested in three of our favorite actors making the list: Ryan Gosling (http://themovie-fanatic.com/spotlights/s tars/ryan_gosling/): While he was not nominated for the Oscar Best Actor this time (he was awesome in Lars and the Real Girl!), Gosling remains...
More About: Jake

Cassandra's Dream
2008-02-06 00:00:00
Starring: Hayley Atwell, Colin Farrell, Sally Hawkins, Ewan McGregor, Tom Wilkinson Director: Woody Allen Release Date: January 18, 2008 Running time: 110 min MPAA Rating: PG-13 Distributors: The Weinstein Company - - - Review by David DiMichele - - - Woody Allen only solidifies his place in the thriller genre with his newest London gripper Cassandra's Dream . After a couple of years dabbling in the upper-class society, he focuses on the lower-class and how desperate one can get for money. Match Point a few years back really gave him a new poison potion for filmmaking. After years of making quirky love tales and over-the-top comedies, he finds himself more at home with these dark and serious tales involving tightly-knit families. Although there were a few production delays, Allen's Cassandra's Dream is well worth the wait.

tMF TOP 50 HOTTEST YOUNG ACTORS
2008-02-03 00:00:00
Sheer acting talent and international appeal. That's what matters the most in our top 50 young actors list. But being popular doesn't hurt either, so we have that covered too! While you might think being cast in a huge hit will ensure a high ranking, think again - we believe you need to be more than just a box office star to be considered a successful actor. - - - Special report by Jed Medina ( also a featured article at the IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/) Hit List ) - - - How it all began. We started with more than 150 names, drawn from Hollywood and the best of world cinema - featuring young actors from the most acclaimed films of the past five years. If the movies you’ve watched are mainly mainstream Hollywood fare, then some of the names (perhaps a lot of them!) will sound unfamiliar to you. Unlike other top lists you might have seen, this one has a more international flavor. Hey, it’s about time you got to see what your friends from the UK, Canada, Germany, France h...
More About: Actors , Young

The Orphanage
2008-02-03 00:00:00
Starring: Belén Rueda, Geraldine Chaplin, Fernando Cayo Director: Juan Antonio Bayona Release Date: January 11, 2008 (wide) Running time: 100 min MPAA Rating: PG-13 Distributors: Picturehouse - - - Review by Jeremy Welsch - - - I'm pretty sure if you were a former foster child growing up in a creepy old house the last thing you'd want to do is buy it later in life and reopen it. I can't speak from experience but it does seems a bit off-putting. The Orphanage is presented by Guillermo del Toro and directed by first-timer Juan Antonio Bayona. Laura (Belén Rueda) returns to the orphanage where she grew up with her husband Carlos (Fernando Cayo) and their son Simón (Roger Príncep). She plans to reopen it as a home for sick and disabled children.
More About: The Orphanage

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK: Eddie Redmayne
2008-02-03 00:00:00
Right this minute, Eddie is one of the most exciting emerging actors and he's not keen on playing the usual boy-next-door roles. In fact, he prefers them dark and nasty. Reserve your sugary, no-brainers for someone else, Eddie Redmayne (http://themovie-fanatic.com/hotlist/risi ng_stars/eddie_redmayne/) wants something entirely different. Says the actor: ...Generally I play f*ck-ups, normally incestuous, but my range sporadically shifts to include Elizabethan and Tudor characters. In fact the two types aren't mutually exclusive as I've also gotten round to playing Elizabethan screw-ups. In Sundance I've got two films playing. They are hilariously different: SAVAGE GRACE (http://themovie-fanatic.com/film_focus/i ndies/savage_grace/) (me = tortured, sexually confused son) with Julianne Moore, and YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF (me = adopted native American randy pest) with William Hurt, Maria Bello and the legendary Kristen Stewart. These are just two of his upcoming features. The last w...
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tMF Top Five - Best Picture Losers
2008-02-03 00:00:00
E.T. has withstood the test of time. It is the science fiction movie for non science fiction fans. A fantastic story dealing with the simple theme of loss, this was the first film I remember seeing that moved me to tears. - - - - - - We're all list crazy in this business, aren’t we? They're simple to read and are not as arduous as a long-winded essay. That’s not to say that those types of articles don’t have their place, but there's something very satisfying about condensing a bunch of complex information into a simple list that appeals to all of us. Don’t think so? At tMF alone we had three separate Top Ten Best Movies of 2007 list and as recently as this week, we unveiled the Top 50 Hottest Young Actors. So today tMF is proud to introduce a new weekly section called – what else? – tMF Top Five. Each Friday we'll post a new tMF Top Five. Ever wondered who the Top Five Best Movie Villains are? What about Top Five Animated Movies? Top Five ...
More About: Picture , Best Picture , Losers

I'M NOT THERE: Video Highlights Of Cate Blanchett Performance As Dylan
2008-02-03 00:00:00
Source: The Weinstein Company (http://ca.youtube.com/profile_videos?use r=TheWeinsteinCompany search_query=I%27m%20Not%20There) Hollywood Elsewhere (http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/archives/ 2008/02/post_225.php) say's The Weinstein Company just posted 5 separate YouTube video footages of Cate Blanchett 's Dylan portrayal in I'm Not There. The 5 vids below, focus mainly on Cate Blanchett as Dylan, but they also include a few short highlighted performances from Michelle Williams as Coco, and Ben Whishaw as Arthur as well. A very artsy look and feel to these newly released vids, and also quite interesting to watch Cate, as a man! Considered as one of the most anticipated films of the year, I'm Not There is an unconventional journey into the life and times of Bob Dylan. Six actors portray Dylan as a series of shifting personae—from the public to the private to the fantastical—weaving together a rich and colorful portrait of this ever-elusive American icon. Poet, prophet, o...
More About: Video , Performance , Highlights

Heath Ledger: A Tribute
2008-01-25 00:00:00
tMF mourns the passing of actor Heath Ledger (http://themovie-fanatic.com/spotlights/s tars/heath_ledger/). Today and for the rest of the week, the media frenzy will continue - speculations, innuendoes, insults and intrigues. It’s sad that people seem to forget that a nice, good-natured and talented individual has died and they are now cashing in on his tragedy. Here at tMF and in solidarity with his true and dedicated site Heath Heathens (http://heathheathens.net), we celebrate the work of one of the industry’s most talented young actors. - - - - - - Playing the most diverse of roles of any actor of his generation, Heath Ledger is more than just a leading man, an evil villain, or a passionate lover. Equally talented in both comedic and dramatic roles, the Oscar nominated actor always offered something new to his captive audience.
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THE OSCAR RACE IS ON!
2008-01-25 00:00:00
The race for the 2008 Oscar s is on! While the glamorous awards night ceremony maybe in peril, the buzz remains who will win this year's Oscars. Here's the official announcement: - - - - - - Beverly Hills, CA — Nominations for the 80th Annual Academy Awards were announced today (Tuesday, January 22) by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis and Oscar® winner Kathy Bates. Ganis and Bates, who won an Academy Award® for her lead performance in “Misery” (1990), announced the nominees in 10 of the 24 categories at a 5:30 a.m. live news conference attended by over 400 international media representatives. Lists of nominations in all categories then were distributed via press kits to news media in attendance and via the Internet on the official Academy Awards Web site — www.oscar.com. Academy members selected the nominees in their respective branches, with the exception of the Animated Feature Film and Foreign Language Film ca...
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BREAKING NEWS: ACTOR HEATH LEDGER IS FOUND DEAD AT AGE 28
2008-01-25 00:00:00
tMF: We are all very saddened to have to report that the very talented Australian actor Heath Ledger was found dead this afternoon in an apartment building in SoHo, NY. Police continue to investigate his death, and you can read more details from the New York Times here. As news of Mr. Ledger’s death made its way across the Internet, the Police Department issued a fairly terse summary of the death: “ON TUESDAY, 01/22/08, AT APPROXIMATELY 1530 HOURS, IN THE CONFINES OF THE 5 PRECINCT, POLICE RESPONDED TO 421 BROOME STREET AND FOUND A M/W/28 UNCONSCIOUS. THE VICTIM WAS PRONOUNCED DOA AT THE SCENE. M.E.’S OFFICE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH. INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.”
More About: News , Breaking News , Dead , Breaking

Why THERE WILL BE BLOOD is the best picture of 2007
2008-01-25 00:00:00
A lot has been said about the movie There Will Be Blood . tMF featured two equally ecstatic reviews and both reviewers agreed on one thing - the movie is truly monumental. - - - - - - One of the most significant parallels between America and this film is history - both real and reel. Two of the factors that are often mentioned as making America great are capitalism and religion - and both factors are equally often cited as reasons why outsiders hate the USA. Says Jeremy in his review (http://themovie-fanatic.com/film_reviews /current/there-will-be-blood-jeremy/): The main contention in the film is the conflict between religion and capitalism. By showing that a complete and total devotion to either ideal would lead to a flawed conclusion, the movie does not take sides. It doesn’t need to. It’s almost as if both sides of the argument were presented and allowed to crucify each other. Had each man understood that they could have co-existed, things may have ended differentl...
More About: Picture , Best Picture , There Will Be Blood

There Will Be Blood: Jeremy
2008-01-25 00:00:00
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Release Date: December 26, 2007 Running time: 158 min MPAA Rating: R Distributors: Paramount Vintage - - - Review by Jeremy Welsch - - - “Ladies and gentlemen... I've traveled over half our state to be here tonight. I couldn't get away sooner because my new well was coming in at Coyote Hills and I had to see about it. That well is now flowing at two thousand barrels and it's paying me an income of five thousand dollars a week. I have two others drilling and I have sixteen producing at Antelope. So, ladies and gentlemen... if I say I'm an oil man you will agree. You have a great chance here, but bear in mind, you can lose it all if you're not careful. Out of all men that beg for a chance to drill your lots, maybe one in twenty will be oilmen; the rest will be speculators - men trying to get between you and the oilmen - to get some of the money that ought by rights come to you. Even if you find one t...
More About: Blood , There Will Be Blood

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK: Paul Dano
2008-01-16 00:00:00
Just like fellow young actors Jamie Bell, Lou Taylor Pucci, Emile Hirsch and Daniel Radcliffe, Paul Dano started young in acting. While his contemporaries may have starred in some rather pleasant, even comedic films, Dano's acting debut is a bit different. As Howie Blitzer in the indie film L.I.E (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0242587/)., Paul portrayed a 15-year-old boy who got involved in a sexual relationship with an older man (played by the brilliant Brian Cox). While there are no explicit sex scenes, the movie was still given a NC-17 rating by the MPAA. Says filmcritic.com (http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium. nsf/reviews/L.I.E.): Dano is quiet and at first glance seems so withdrawn as to be transparent. We’re so used to child actors whose dramatic choices are broad and obvious (calling Haley Joel!), it’s surprising to see one who actually listens throughout any given scene. The restraint is admirable. Dano went on to win 4 acting awards for his role. The i...
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