Posts Tagged ‘George Clooney’
Trailer Exam | The Descendants
Some time ago I wrote an article expressing my love for the work of Alexander Payne and showcasing a clip from his newest film, The Descendants. Well, it turns out the clip is actually lifted directly from the trailer that debuted today. If you weren’t already sold based on the talent involved, this trailer should really do the trick. On display is Alexander Payne’s usual wry intelligent humor and his meditation on our place in this world. The film stars George Clooney as a dad who considers himself “the understudy” parent, who is forced to raise his daughters alone after his wife is injured. He then learns a secret kept from him, that changes everything. Simply put, it looks fantastic. Check it out below.
Film Clip | The Descendants
I am a huge fan of the work of Alexander Payne, plain and simple. Over the course of four films he has created a beautiful, dark, funny, and sardonic look at America. He is a master and his voice is original, while also paying homage to masters such as Federico Fellini and Hal Ashby. Unfortunately, Payne has been missing from the theaters since his 2004 masterpiece Sideways. He directed a segment of the 2006 film, Paris, Je t’aime, as well as the pilot for the HBO series Hung (which I highly recommend), but I still longed for his next project. Lucky for me (and fellow film fans), his newest film The Descendants, starring George Clooney, hits theaters December 16th. A trailer has yet to surface, but a humorous clip from the film has popped up. The clip shows next to nothing, but does offer Payne’s signature style and a good laugh. To check it out, click here.
Synopsis via IMDB
A land baron tries to re-connect with his two daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident.
Under the Radar | Steven Soderbergh
I have to admit, I was saddened by Steven Soderbergh’s recent (yet coy) announcement that he would be retiring from the filmmaking business. He has four remaining films (Haywire, Contagion, Liberace, and The Man From U.N.C.L.E), but after they are released he will bow out. This is a shame; Soderbergh is a true auteur and a versatile unique voice. Best known by mass audiences for the lavishly fun Ocean’s Trilogy, Soderbergh proves that one can be both an experimental artist and a Hollywood money maker. Continue on for a list of five films by Mr. Soderbergh that aren’t talked about nearly enough. Read the rest of this entry »
Once Upon a Time in Italy | Review of “The American”
The latest George Clooney movie The American is not a kick-ass Bourne style action flick as the trailer would have you believe. It is however a kick-ass modern western made with superior skill and filled with great performances. It’s a film that uses the clichés of the hitman genre with refreshing restraint while making them seem new again.
The movie was made by Ductchman Anton Corbijn, the same director of the best music biopic you never saw, 2007′s Control. A sleek black and white piece about Joy Division’s Ian Curtis, that makes Walk the Line look like an episode of American Idol. Corbijn uses more of his minimalist stylings and deliberately slow pacing present in that film here. While the general audience may dismiss this as boring, the rest of us will be entertained as the film slowly builds to it’s conclusion. Read the rest of this entry »
Scene Stealer | “Ocean’s Eleven” Planning the Score
Only part of the amazing cast for "Ocean's Eleven."
While my cinematic heart was being filled with the glory that was Inception last night (expect a review after a second viewing) it was pointed out to me by Ms. Mack that at times she felt like she were watching Ocean’s Eleven. Which makes sense given that Inception is basically a heist film at it’s core. This feeling was especially prevalent when Cobb’s (Leonardo DiCaprio’s character) crew were planning their score. Read the rest of this entry »
Trailer Exam | The American
Sometimes a trailer for a film can transcend the marketing media that it is and become something more. It can become, dare I say, art. It is a rare occasion, but I do believe it can be done. Anton Corbijn’s The American is a perfect example. Read the rest of this entry »
Dig the Life Fantastic: Rental Review of “Fantastic Mr. Fox”
Pop quiz..ready?…
#1: Name the film that was nominated for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score at the 82nd Academy Awards. Has been nominated for the 2010 Critics Choice Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Animated Feature and was nominated for the 2010 Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
Hint: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray.
Still don’t know? No it isn’t UP.
Answer: Fantastic Mr. Fox
#2: Have you heard of this film, let alone watched it?
Answer: Probably not.
The Filmdogs Podcast: Episode 6 – Podcast Balboa
The sixth episode of The Filmdogs Podcast is here and it’s our zaniest yet. We give our final thoughts on this years slightly underwhelming Oscars, and talk about the possibility of Bill and Ted 3 in the news. It’s a Grindhouse double feature in Vs. as we pit Planet Terror and Death Proof against one another. Our featured topic of the week…A@%hole directors and actors. Then we have an absolute classic one liner of the week from an old Bogart film. No animals were harmed in the making of this podcast, however we did tend to swear a little more than usual. It’s Michael Bay and Brett Ratner’s fault.
Email us with you podcast feedback or segment suggestions at filmdogspodcast@gmail.com. Subscribe to the podcast here, or listen in you browser. Also, you may download an enhanced AAC feed with chapter markers and artwork from iTunes on your computer or straight to your iPhone/iPod touches now!
Oscar Winners
Overall, this years awards went down as expected and were kind of bland. I kept hoping for an upset, but the biggest one I got was Geoffrey Fletcher winning Best Adapated Screeplay for Precious over Jason Reitman’s script for Up in the Air. It was cool seeing Kathryn Bigelow become the first woman to win in the directing category. Dito, as for seeing “The Dude” himself, Jeff Bridges, win for Crazy Heart. The Hurt Locker had a big night sweeping all the major awards including Best Picture. For me though the best part of the entire show was the cutting of the Best Original Song performances from the telecast. Here’s hoping that change is here to stay. See all the winners below in bold.
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The Pack’s Oscar Picks
Here are some of the Pack’s Oscar picks. Each individual writer’s choices for who they think will win are indicated by their name in Bold to the right of a nominee. See how our staff’s picks stand up against our own and leave your thoughts below in the comments. Also follow the sites official twitter for live updates during the show. Read the rest of this entry »
