Runs like a Gay needs you!
Sometimes I have to make tough decisions, a couple of weeks ago I watched Ides of March and Tintin but at the time of writing I still haven't caught up The Help, hopefully I will - given the impact the film will probably make on the awards season - but maybe the choices about what I saw that weekend are now cast in stone. We can't go back.
But in 17 days time I have an even tougher decision. There are four films released which I have been following since the idea was first put together, or since before this blog was invented in one case, and I probably won't have the opportunity to see them all. So which ones do I prioritise, how do I make Ben's choice?
This is why I need you, dear reader, the trailers are presented in alphabetical order here, but in the comments I'd like you to rank the possibilities in order that I should see them. I'll go by the consensus opinion.
The Big Year
I suspect the least votes will go to this fairly inoffensive comedy starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson especially given it's atrocious opening over in the States (yet to pass $7m domestic), but I did list it in my top 20 for 2011 so maybe I owe it something.
Happy Feet Two
The trailers don't seem to be selling this animated sequel terribly well, but then expectations for the original were pretty low and it went on to win the Best Animated Oscar. I simply don't see enough animated films, which explains why I'm considering this.
Hugo
On paper Martin Scorsese's latest movie is easily the top choice, with it's elaborate production and central love story to early cinema and 1920's Paris it could be unmissable. That said it's a children's film and early word has been complimentary but hardly gushing.
Margaret
Finally we have Kenneth Lonergan's very long awaited follow-up to You Can Count on Me which has sat in post production since Matt Damon and Anna Paquin looked very young. This will almost certainly be the hardest to watch on this list with a suspected limited release pattern.
I'm fairly open minded so write in nominations for other films opening in the UK on 02 December 2011 may also be considered but they will need a lot of support.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Tuesday Trailers - Frantic Friday
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Matt Damon
Happy Birthday to
Matt Damon
41 today
Damon is one of the most exciting actors working in mainstream Hollywood from his preening lisping LaBoeuf in True Grit to the downbeat medium in Hereafter he is able to fit snugly in a variety of roles. Coming soon is a huge list of great looking movies including bird-flu thriller Contagion, animated cameos in Happy Feet 2, family friendly We Bought a Zoo and the long delayed Margaret (no sign of a UK release for that though). Looking even further in the future I'm really interested in seeing how he'll play lover and chauffeur Scott Thornson in Soderbergh's Liberace.
Monday, 1 November 2010
Jeannie Berlin
Happy Birthday to
Jeannie Berlin
61 today
It's not the most exhaustive back catalogue, after a very busy start to her career in 1970-2 - culminating in an Oscar nomination as the Charles Grodin's ghastly wife in The Heartbreak Kid (curiously directed by her mother so you have to wonder what their relationship is like) - Berlin has only occasionally returned to acting. Her latest role, should we ever get to see it, is in Kenneth Lonergan's long delayed Margaret.
Friday, 8 October 2010
Matt Damon
Happy Birthday to
Matt Damon
40 today
There are few actors today who are consistent and hard working as Bostonian Damon. Frankly he is a delight to watch even in the most stodgy of films. I'm currently looking forward to five films that he's signed up to. Eastwood's Hereafter as a retired medium, playing a cowboy in True Grit, as a dancing penguin (probably) in Happy Feet 2, reuniting with Steven Soderbergh for Contagion and - should it ever be seen - there's also a role in Kenneth Lonergan's much delayed Margaret.
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Anna Paquin
Happy Birthday to
Anna Paquin
28 today
For "True Blood" Anna has dyed her pitch black hair blonde and I can hardly recognise her as The X-Men's Rogue let alone her role in 1993's The Piano. Of course another birthday passing for Paquin means another year of asking where is Margaret, Kenneth Lonergan's You Can Count on Me follow up? It looks like there's still no sign of the Post Traumatic Stress related movie but Anne Thompson at Indiewire has hope.
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Anna Paquin
Happy Birthday to
Anna Paquin
26 today
The precocious speaking daughter from the Piano has now spent as much time of her life with an Oscar as without - it's been a long time in the wilderness. Coming out at some point (we hope) is Kenneth Lonergan's Margaret, where Anna witnesses an accident and suffers from guilt, but after 3 years in the editing suite and still no sign of a release perhaps it's best we don't see it.
