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Positively Previews - Movies Coming Soon in 2009

December 25, 2008

Instead of talking about the Harry Potter’s, 2012’s or The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’s of 2009 that are so far away from hitting theaters it seems like they won’t premiere until … well 2012, we’re going to look at five upcoming flicks that will be at a theater near you before the Obama’s have time to fully move in.

Bride Wars – Opening January 9, 2009. There’s nothing like sharing wedding plans with a best girlfriend, but when plans start to overlap, it’s likely to evoke more nightmares than Freddy Krueger. “Wars” seems to have a bouquet of comedic potential as well as girls in white dresses - fighting. But before all the guys zone out this movie does offer something for them too. Two of the prettiest actresses in Hollywood – Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson.

Taken – Opening January 30, 2009.  Staring Liam Neeson as an ex-Secret Agent who has to rescue his estranged daughter (former “Lost” star Maggie Grace) who was kiddnapped while in Paris.  As reviewer Mr. Green from CrimeCritics.com describes, “it’s a film in which you enjoy watching HOW he will succeed. And let me state, you will enjoy every punch Bryan (Neeson) delivers to every henchmen.”

Fanboys – Opening February 6, 2009. I think “Fanboys” will be the “Superbad” of 2009. Yes, it’s about a group of “Star Wars” fans set to break into George Lucas’ business headquarters, Skywalker Ranch, and steal a copy of “Star Wars Episode 1.” Before you groan at the sound of a Sci-Fi movie, know that it’s really a coming of age story about friends who take a huge risk for one of their own. To lend some credibility, Producers include Kevin Spacey and the Weinstein Company.

He’s Just Not That Into You – Opening February 9, 2009. This chick flick makes the list because: 1) it’s based on a NY Times Best Seller, Oprah endorsed book and 2) EVERYONE is in it. That’s no exaggeration. Here’s just some of the cast: Ginnifer Goodwin (Big Love), Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly (The Day The Earth Stood Still), Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore, Ben Affleck, Justin Long (Mac commercials), Bradley Cooper (Wedding Crashers), Sasha Alexander (Yes Man), Kevin Connolly (Entourage), and MANY others.

Push – Opening February 9, 2009. Dakota Fanning, Chris Evans and Djimon Hounsou star in this film about “psychic espionage.” A Government agency is genetically modifying people to have psychic abilities and “getting rid” of those who don’t want to participate. Fanning and Evans need to find an individual who could help end the dangerous agency. So, Government Misconduct + Exotic Location (Hong Kong) + Psychic, Telekinetic, Move Stuff With Your Mind Abilities + The Cinematographer Who Did “Donnie Brasco,” “Gangster No. 1,” “Wicker Park” & “Lucky Number Slevin” = A Must See Movie!

Written by Diana Richardson · Filed Under Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Djimon Hounsou, Drew Barrymore, George Lucas, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Justin Long, Kate Hudson, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Spacey, Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Movies, Oprah Winfrey, Sasha Alexander, Scarlett Johansson | Leave a Comment 

Award Show Season A – Z

December 25, 2008

There’s a running joke that there’s more award shows than there are days in a year. That is a lot. Plus, with that many it might be hard to keep track of what’s the difference between the Golden Globes and the Oscars.  What does SAG stand for? Or is the Oscars the only award show worth paying attention to?

If you don’t know the answer to these questions but love award shows, read on. Here’s Positively Celebrity’s A - Z guide to the awards show season.

Academy Awards aka. the Oscars:

Widely considered to be the most prestigious awards show, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selects winners in the film industry. Major categories include best director, actor and actress, supporting actor and actress, writers, and picture.

Hugh Jackman hosts the 81st annual show on Feb. 22, 2009 on ABC. The nominations will be announced on Jan. 22, 2009.

The Golden Globe Awards:

Unlike the Academy Awards, this show honors the best in movies and television. Whereas the Academy Awards honors just one best picture, actor, actress, etc., the Golden Globes honors the best picture, television show, actors, and actresses, etc., in both the drama and comedy categories. The winners are selected by The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which is made up of a group of 90 international journalists. 

This show is also unlike most other awards shows because there is no host. The nominations were announced Dec. 11, and the show airs Jan. 11, 2009 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Visit this site for the complete list of nominations.

The SAG (Screen Actors Guild Awards):

In this awards show, actors award other actors. This show is unique because only actors and actresses are honored. Like the Golden Globes, this show honors peformances in both movies and television. Besides individual awards, the SAG Awards also honor ensemble casts in a TV drama, TV comedy and movie. 

Nominations were announced Dec. 18, and the 15th annual show will air on TNT and TBS on January 25, 2009.

Visit this site for the complete list of nominations. 

Independent Spirit Awards:

This awards show differs from the others because It is generally laid back and only honors independent movies and performances in independent movies. The awards are presented by Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to independent film and independent filmmakers. 

It takes place in a tent on a Santa Monica, CA beach the day before the Academy Awards and airs on the Independent Film Channel. The nominations were announced Dec. 2, and the show will take place on Feb. 21 at 5 pm ET.

Visit this site for the complete list of nominations.

Broadcast Film Critics Awards aka Critics’ Choice Awards:

Like the Academy Awards, this show just honors the best in filmmaking. The winners are selected by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, which is the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada and is made up of 199 television, radio and online critics.

The nominations were announced Dec. 9, 2008, and the 14th annual show airs Jan. 8, 2009 on VH1 at 9 p.m. ET.

Visit this site for the complete list of nominations.

People’s Choice Awards:

This is your awards show because everyday people like you get to vote. So instead of films like “The Reader” and “Slumdog Millionaire” going at it for Best Picture, films like “The Dark Knight” and ”Iron Man” are the leading contenders. 

This year, Queen Latifah hosts the 35th annual show on Jan. 7 airing on CBS from 9-11 p.m., ET.

The People’s Choice don’t just honor movies or TV - they also award your favorite talk-show host, rock song and on-screen matchup. New categories include favorite movie cast, TV drama diva and superhero. Vote at PCAvote.com. The nominations were announced on Nov. 10. 

Visit this site for the complete list of nominations.

 

 

Written by Hilary Dickinson · Filed Under Hugh Jackman, Television, queen latifah | Leave a Comment 

“Doubt”: Good Story But Better Suited For Stage

December 22, 2008

Before “Doubt” came to the big screen, it was a Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway play. And it shows. 

 

Set in a 1964 Catholic school, it’s a morality tale about Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a priest who’s accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy. It’s aptly titled “Doubt” because we never know if he really did what Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) is so sure he did. 

The title isn’t the only obvious element of the film. It’s filled with so many not so subtle metaphors that it almost gets in the way. For example, Sister Aloysius pulls the blinds so the sunlight hits Father Flynn right in the eyes like an FBI interrogation light. The wind blows ominously while she skulks around trying to prove that he’s guilty. A cat catches a mouse. And so on.

One metaphor that’s effectiveness I won’t argue with, however, is the tilt of the camera during intense moments of questionability. When Sister Aloysius confronts Father Flynn, the camera slants so we’re seeing the characters from a diagonal view. We’re not looking at them straight on because we don’t see the situation straight on.

We don’t know who’s telling the truth, which makes the film compelling. We’re supposed to have doubt about what is the truth, which teaches us about the validity of certainty and asks us “Do we ever know something for sure?” and “How do we know?” 

While it’s fun watching Streep and Hoffman go at in their intense verbal exchanges, you can’t help but be reminded of their previous roles. The actors are so perfect for their roles, they almost come off as caricatures of themselves.

Sister Aloysius is basically “The Devil Wears Prada’s” Miranda Priestly in a nun’s getup. She struts though Sister James’ (Amy Adams) classroom complaining about her students using ballpoint pens and pitching her cough drops, or as she says “candy,” into the trash.

It’s all too reminiscent of Miranda, the overbearing editor, strutting through the halls of “Runway” magazine deriding and rattling off demands to Anne Hathaways’ scurrying, scared assistant.

Adams’ innocent, upbeat Sister James who gets caught in between Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn is also all too reminiscent of Adams herself and her previous roles in “Enchanted” and “Junebug.”

The movie revolves around the four principle characters of the two nuns, Father Flynn, and the mother of the boy in question. The mother played by Viola Davis is just in one scene, but she gives off a very real, emotional performance that’s so good it garnered her a Golden Globe nomination.

Since it originally was a play, it’s heavy on the dialogue. This story should not be action-packed by any means; yet, it’s a little disappointing that the verbal exchanges are so intense and the characters spout off such threatening and powerful words but action barely ensues. When the movie was over it left me wanting more.

It’s no surprise that John Patrick Shanley, the writer of the play, also directed the film. Besides extending the movie by 15 minutes and using actors to portray the students who were absent from the play, the movie was essentially a play just on the big screen. And it probably just should have stayed a play.

Written by Hilary Dickinson · Filed Under Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Movies, Phillip Seymour Hoffman | Leave a Comment 

Katie Holmes Gets Unexpected Birthday Surprise

December 22, 2008

Even though the actress had to work and was away from her hubby Tom Cruise on her 30th birthday, festivities weren’t far from her.

After a performance of her Broadway show, All My Sons, Katie got an unexpected surprise from her husband and scheming costars.

 When the curtain fell on the performance crew members rolled out a round, five-tiered cake.  Her costar John Lithgow announced to the audience that Cruise was “heartsick” not to be there “but wanted to make his presence felt,” reports E! News.

Holmes was definitely taken by surprise when she came on stage with daughter Suri and fellow play mates to the audience singing “Happy Birthday.”

“I planned it so that when she comes out for the standing ovation, John [would] get the whole audience to wish her a happy birthday,” Cruise told People magazine, confessing that the two already had a private celebration. “It’s going to be great. I’m waiting to talk to her now, to see her reaction.”

Written by Tiffany Wilbert · Filed Under Entertainment News, Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise, john lithgow | Comments Off 

Mindy McCready Hospitalized After Suicide Attempt

December 22, 2008

AP reports that Country singer Mindy McCready is in stable condition in a Nashville hospital after an apparent suicide attempt Wednesday.

Nashville police report that she cut her wrists and took several pills in an attempt to end her life yesterday. The report also states that McCready’s brother, Timothy McCready, discovered her in her bloody bed several hours after she returned Wednesday morning from a night out. He told police that his sister had been “very intoxicated.”

This isn’t the first time McCready has attempted suicide. She has a troubled history of drug problems and suicide attempts. I think I speak for everyone when I say: Best wishes in recovering from this incident and may God bless you with some happiness during the upcoming holidays.

McCready made headlines this summer for her relationship with baseball star Roger Clemens when she was just a teenager. Lets hope the next time she makes headlines it’s for a career highlight and not a personal lowlight. Best wishes, Mindy.

Written by Kris McKusick · Filed Under Mindy McCready, Music | Leave a Comment 

Golden Globe Nominations Are Announced

December 22, 2008

The Hollywood Foreign Press recently announced the nominees for this year’s Golden Globes airing on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. on NBC. This year’s Golden Globes has special significance because last year the winners were announced during a lackluster press conference due to the writer’s strike. 

Usually, the Golden Globe nominations and winners are a good indicator of who and what will be nominated for the Academy Awards. So if you haven’t seen these movies or TV shows yet, now is your time to start checking them out.

MOTION PICTURES

Drama

Best picture

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

“Frost/Nixon”

“The Reader”

“Revolutionary Road”

“Slumdog Millionaire”

Positively fact: Kate Winslet has two chances to be in a Best Picture winner. She stars in “The Reader” and “Revolutionary Road” where she is reunited with “Titanic” costar, Leonardo DiCaprio.

Best actress

Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married”

Angelina Jolie, “Changeling”

Meryl Streep, “Doubt”

Kristin Scott Thomas, “I’ve Loved You So Long”

Kate Winslet, “Revolutionary Road”

Positively fact: While all the other actresses are previous nominees, this is Hathaway’s first Golden Globe nomination.

Best actor

Leonardo DiCaprio, “Revolutionary Road”

Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”

Sean Penn, “Milk”

Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”

Positively fact: This is Rourke’s first Golden Globe nomination, and Langella’s first nomination since 1970’s “Diary of a Mad Housewife.”

Comedy or musical

Best picture

“Burn After Reading”

“Happy-Go-Lucky”

“In Bruges”

“Mamma Mia!”

“Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Positively fact: You may not have heard of some of these comedies. “Happy-Go-Lucky” came out in April and is about a woman who’s optimism has a less than cheerful effect on others. “In Bruges” was released in February and stars Colin Farrell as a hitman in Belgium.

Best actress

Rebecca Hall, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Sally Hawkins, “Happy-Go-Lucky”

Frances McDormand, “Burn After Reading”

Meryl Streep, “Mamma Mia!”

Emma Thompson, “Last Chance Harvey”

Positively fact (s): This is the first Golden Globe nomination for Hall and Hawkins. Also, McDormand is married to Joel Coen, one of the directors of “Burn After Reading.”

Best actor

Javier Bardem, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Colin Farrell, “In Bruges”

James Franco, “Pineapple Express”

Brendan Gleeson, “In Bruges”

Dustin Hoffman, “Last Chance Harvey”

Positively fact: Bardem won at last year’s Golden Globes for best actor in a drama for his performance in “No Country for Old Men.”

TELEVISION

Drama

Best television series

“Dexter” (Showtime)

“House” (Fox)

“In Treatment” (HBO)

“Mad Men” (AMC)

“True Blood” (HBO)

Positively fact: If “Mad Men” wins, it will the show’s second, consecutive win.

Best actress in a drama series

Sally Field, “Brothers and Sisters”

Mariska Hargitay, “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”

January Jones, “Mad Men”

Anna Paquin, “True Blood”

Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”

Positively fact: Jones didn’t earn a nomination last year, but the Hollywood Foreign Press must have warmed up to her portrayal of cold, isolated housewife, Betty Draper.

Best actor in a drama series

Gabriel Byrne, “In Treatment”

Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”

Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”

Hugh Laurie, “House”

Jonathan Rhys Meyers, “The Tudors”

Positively fact: Hamm won in this same category at last year’s awards.

Comedy or musical

Best television series

“30 Rock” (NBC)

“Californication” (Showtime)

“Entourage” (HBO)

“The Office” (NBC)

“Weeds” (Showtime)

Positively fact: All of these shows have been nominated before, but none have ever won. Past winners include “Extras,” “Ugly Betty,” and “Desperate Housewives.”

Best actress

America Ferrera, “Ugly Betty”

Tina Fey, “30 Rock”

Debra Messing, “The Starter Wife”

Mary-Louise Parker, “Weeds”

Positively fact: Fey won last year and could be on track to win two years in a row. Messing, who also was nominated last year for “The Starter Wife,” has never won in this category despite being nominated six times for “Will & Grace.”

Best actor

Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”

Steve Carell, “The Office”

Kevin Connolly, “Entourage”

David Duchovny, “Californication”

Tony Shalhoub, “Monk”

Positively fact: All of these actors have been nominated before, but Duchovny won last year.

Written by Hilary Dickinson · Filed Under Alec Baldwin, America Ferrera, Angelina Jolie, Anna Paquin, Anne Hathaway, Brad Pitt, Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, David Duchovny, Debra Messing, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Frances McDormand, Frank Langella, Hugh Laurie, James Franco, January Jones, Javier Bardem, Jon Hamm, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kate Winslet, Kevin Connolly, Kristin Scott Thomas, Kyra Sedgwick, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mariska Hargitay, Mary-Louise Parker, Meryl Streep, Michael C. Hall, Mickey Rourke, Sally Field, Sean Penn, Steve Carell, Television, Tina Fey, Tony Shalhoub, gabriel byrne | Leave a Comment 

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