At the time Brad brought the idea to me I had not yet seen Abrams' new flick, Super 8, but that was remedied last Saturday, a day that quickly turned into more than just research and a movie.

As I dutifully waited in line, who should walk up and get in line right behind me? Why none other than Mr. Tarantino himself. I glanced back to make sure I wasn't hallucinating, and then waited in line like any good Angeleno. We don't like to bug our celebrities in LA, it's considered gauche and in bad taste. Still, I couldn't help but mention to him the piece I was about to soon be working on.

"Well, happy comparing," he said in that unmistakable voice of his and then he leaned in and said, "As you can observe, we're fans of one another." It was then that I remembered Tarantino had a recurring role on Abrams' hit TV show "Alias" back in 2002 and 2004.

In some ways the mutual admiration society makes a lot of sense. For one thing, Abrams and Tarantino have a mutual love for strong, butt kicking women as evidenced in the aforementioned "Alias" TV show in Abrams' case and Jackie Brown and Kill Bill 1 and 2 in Tarantino's.

Both filmmakers also have an obvious love for the films and TV shows of their youths. In many ways, their combined films, up to this point, have been either remakes, sequels, reboots or homages to the movies and television they grew up watching. Tarantino's taste may be a bit more esoteric but that may well come from his time as a video jockey in the South Bay as much as anything else. J.J., on the other hand, is the consummate Hollywood insider. Yet, only one of them has been accused of plagiarism and stealing and that would be Tarantino.

The first time it happened was in the early '90s when several cinephiles started pointing out the similarities between Ringo Lam's City on Fire and Tarantino's first film Reservoir Dogs. A major article on the subject was featured in Empire Magazine over in the UK where Tarantino's freshmen film was a major hit. The mag would later name it "The Greatest Independent Film Ever Made".

Beyond Reservoir Dogs, plagiarism charges have dogged Tarantino so continuously that when he was roasted at the Friar's Club last December, comedian Sara Silverman told the crowd, "Tarantino is a Japanese word meaning film plagiarism." Ouch.

I have always felt this take on Tarantino's work was oddly misplaced because in my mind he is one of the only truly original voices to come along in cinema in the last 20 years. When you see a Tarantino film you know it is a Tarantino film, unlike the many pretenders who tried to ape the director's personal style in the late nineties. There is a decided difference between those dreaded "Tarantino rip-off" films like Suicide Kings or 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag and Tarantino masterpieces like Pulp Fiction or Jackie Brown.

Abrams, on the other hand, has met with few claims of stealing despite the fact almost all of his work is completely derivative of earlier works by other filmmakers, Super 8 being, perhaps, his most derivative work yet. I didn't get a chance to ask Quentin what he thought of the film on his way out, but I am personally stunned at the many positive reviews the film has received so far. I wanted to like it, especially after his wonderfully fun Star Trek from a couple of years back. Unfortunately, plot holes, ridiculous action sequences, cheap scares and bombastic music were the order of the day in this "homage" to '80s Spielberg films.

His Mission: Impossible III didn't distinguish itself as being that much different from the first two films in the franchise. His Star Trek reboot was fun and entertaining but it owed more to Gene Roddenberry than it did to J.J. Add in films that he has written and produced like Joy Ride and Cloverfield and you still don't really get a feel for what it means when a movie is labeled a "A film by J.J. Abrams", though you can rest assured it will most likely be shrouded in mystery and have plenty of viral websites associated with it.

That may be why Abrams is rarely accused of stealing in the way that Tarantino has been by so many people. Because his films so closely hew to the filmmakers he admires that there is no mistake about what he is doing. Plus, Abrams is considered to be a mainstream Hollywood director, and I get the sense critics and filmgoers are simply glad he isn't a complete hack like say, McG or Brett Ratner. Most fans also believe J.J. loves movies as much as they do and, at the very least, he wants to entertain us. That alone gives him a certain credibility.

Quentin, though, is someone many of us truly treasure. Maybe that's the reason he often takes more flack. He's the man who went from being our favorite video store clerk to our favorite film director. He's not just a director, he's an embodiment of all of us. That's why I wasn't afraid to say hello to him last Saturday. We don't want him to simply entertain us. We want him to wow us. That is why his occasional slips ups are that much more disappointing. We take it personal because he's one of us.

I'm curious how the audience feels about these two major filmmakers. Do you think Tarantino gets a fair shake regarding his originality? Does Abrams get too much of a free pass? Or does it matter who imitates whom if both men give us entertaining films?

On the horizon for the two filmmakers is a spaghetti western from Tarantino called Django Unchained and for Abrams it will likely be Star Trek 2, though that remains unconfirmed. Should things work out as they are to be expected, 2012 will be 2009 all over again. I, for one, can't wait.

FYI: One similarity I think should be mentioned before I leave, is that both men are notoriously nice guys. Quentin used his own money to save one of the few revival theaters in Los Angeles and J.J. has been known to help anyone who has ever worked for him move up the ladder in Hollywood. Beyond any talk of their films, this alone is commendable.]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/j-j-abrams-quentin-tarantino http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/5usUtrUeCm0/what-i-watched-what-you-watched-installment-60 First off, a film looks much better on my 17" Macbook than it does on a tiny screen on the headrest of the seat in front of me. Also, Netflix Instant Play doesn't work outside of the U.S. which means I didn't have access to that in Toronto, nor did I have access to it in Cannes earlier this year, which is when I got the idea to start transferring some of my digital copies over to my computer. I still don't know why anyone would put a feature length movie on something like an iPod or iPhone, but on a laptop it makes sense for a business traveler for sure.

That said, here are the two movies I watched...

	QUICK THOUGHTS: I just love this movie, it is pure entertainment, so much so, that it was approaching two in the morning in Toronto and I had to be up by 7:45 and I still made sure to finish watching it. Now that's entertainment.

	QUICK THOUGHTS: This was my viewing choice on the flight back to Seattle from Toronto when I wasn't reading "The Girl Who Played with Fire" (I finished "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" while in Toronto). Like Star Trek, this movie is a personal new favorite of mine, but it was occasionally awkward watching it on the plane when it got to some of the more violent scenes. I couldn't help but wonder if someone behind me was watching or if someone would say something, especially when Aldo does his work on "The Jew Hunter" at the end.

So that's all I have for you this week. Any of you check out the new films in theaters? I am particularly interested in what people have to say about Devil. It wasn't screened for critics in Seattle and I am mildly interested in checking it out. Is it worth it?]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/what-i-watched-what-you-watched-installment-60 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/O__w1XWHxWo/final-2010-oscar-predictions-for-all-24-categories

Last year I went 16 for 21 in my Oscar predictions. I nailed all the top categories (which pretty much everyone always does) and missed Best Makeup, Score, Sound Editing and Mixing and Foreign Language Film. However, looking back, I would have gotten both Score and Makeup correctly if I had gone more with what I thought the Academy would do based on knowledge of how they work and not due to what I thought to be the logical choice. This year, I am throwing logic out the window, reading the tea leaves and checking the Oscar winds. Outside of a few categories it looks like the majority of these races are all sewn up and while some last minute dirty tactics were employed to derail the current Best Picture front-runner, I still see it sticking it out.

What I have done below is listed my #1 pick in the top eight categories followed by the runners-up. On top of that I took a look at the current reader polling going on and as of right now there are four differences between reader predictions and my predictions. I have listed any time your picks differed from mine. And remember, polling is open until midnight on March 6, so if you haven't added your opinion yet, do so right here.

Let's get to it...

Best Picture

1. The Hurt Locker
2. Inglourious Basterds
3. Avatar
4. Precious
5. Up in the Air
6. An Education
7. Up
8. The Blind Side
9. District 9
10. A Serious Man

1. Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
2. Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker)
3. George Clooney (Up In the Air)
4. Colin Firth (A Single Man)
5. Morgan Freeman (Invictus)

1. Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)
2. Meryl Streep (Julie and#038; Julia)
3. Carey Mulligan (An Education)
4. Gabourey Sidibe (Precious)
5. Helen Mirren (The Last Station)

1. Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
2. Woody Harrelson (The Messenger)
3. Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones)
4. Matt Damon (Invictus)
5. Christopher Plummer (The Last Station)

1. Mo'Nique (Precious)
2. Anna Kendrick (Up In the Air)
3. Vera Farmiga (Up In the Air)
4. Penelope Cruz (Nine)
5. Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart)

1. Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
2. James Cameron (Avatar)
3. Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds)
4. Jason Reitman (Up In the Air)
5. Lee Daniels (Precious)

1. Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner (Up In the Air)
2. Geoffrey Fletcher (Precious)
3. Nick Hornby (An Education)
4. Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell (District 9)
5. Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche (In the Loop)

Reader Polling currently has Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds taking this by a large margin.

1. Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker)
2. Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds)
3. Joel and Ethan Coen (A Serious Man)
4. Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy (Up)
5. Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman (The Messenger)

• Best Animated Feature Film: Up
• Best Art Direction: Avatar
• Best Cinematography: Avatar
• Best Costumes: The Young Victoria
• Best Documentary (feature): The Cove
• Best Documentary (short subject): The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant
• Best Film Editing: Avatar
  Reader Polling: The Hurt Locker
• Best Foreign Language Film: El Secreto De Sus Ojos (The Secret in Their Eyes)
  Reader Polling: The White Ribbon
• Best Makeup: Star Trek
• Best Music (Original Score): Up
• Best Music (Original Song): "The Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart
• Best Sound Editing: Avatar
• Best Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker
  Reader Polling: Avatar
• Best Visual Effects: Avatar
• Best Short Film (Live-Action): The Door
  Reader Polling: Miracle Fish and The Door are tied
• Best Short Film (Animated): A Matter of Loaf and Death

Based on everything above my winner counts look like this:

1. Avatar - 5 Oscars
2. The Hurt Locker - 4 Oscars
3. Crazy Heart - 2 Oscars
4. Up - 2 Oscars
5. The Blind Side - 1 Oscar
6. The Cove - 1 Oscar
7. The Door - 1 Oscar
8. Inglourious Basterds - 1 Oscar
9. The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant - 1 Oscar
10. A Matter of Loaf and Death - 1 Oscar
11. Precious - 1 Oscar
12. El Secreto De Sus Ojos - 1 Oscar
13. Star Trek - 1 Oscar
14. Up in the Air - 1 Oscar
15. The Young Victoria - 1 Oscar

Also remember, reader polling to predict the Oscar winners will be open until midnight on March 6. If you haven't voted yet click here and let your voice be heard.]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/final-2010-oscar-predictions-for-all-24-categories http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/drTF8cCpIP4/visual-effects-and-cinema-audio-societies-offer-nominations Visual Effects Society (VES) and Cinema Audio Society (CAS) and both offer very little in terms of surprises. First let's take a look at those from CAS and I'll begin by offering a pair of audio features courtesy of the SoundWorks Collection.

I originally previewed the sound feature below for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen back on December 31 and it is quite fascinating if you haven't watched it yet, and the latest one for Star Trek is just as interesting.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen	Star Trek

I think the obvious name that many will also turn to is Avatar, but I would never count out The Hurt Locker in this category either as that is a film that takes supreme advantage of the use of sound. Below are the nominees for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing as named by the Cinema Audio Society.

• Avatar
  Re-recording mixers: Chris Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson
  Production mixer: Tony Johnson
• District 9
  Re-recording mixers: Michael Hedges, Gilbert Lake
  Production mixer: Ken Saville
• The Hurt Locker
  Re-recording mixer: Paul N.J. Ottosson
  Production mixer: Ray Beckett
• Star Trek
  Re-recording mixers: Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson
  Production mixer: Peter J. Devlin
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
  Re-recording mixers: Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers
  Production mixer: Geoffrey Patterson

Next we come to the VES Award, which Avatar led with 11 nominations followed by Coraline with four while Weta Digital was the most nominated company with nine noms. Avatar is the obvious choice here and for those of you that haven't done so yet, just below is the 22-minute behind-the-scenes featurette for Avatar that Yahoo debuted this week.

It's a long video, but if you were wondering how James Cameron and his effects team were able to finally get motion captured performances to emote while Robert Zemeckis has failed to do it three straight times, just fast forward to about the 11:30 mark and find out how they did. Also tell me if you now believe Zoe Saldana should be nominated for an Oscar or if it was all CGI.

With that said, here are the VES's nominees for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Feature Motion Picture:

• 2012
• Avatar
• District 9
• Star Trek
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

The Reuters article says DVD and Blu-ray sales including films, television shows, concert videos and other content declined about 10 percent to $13 billion in 2009, according to Adams Media. About $1.1 billion of the movie discs bought in 2009 were on Blu-ray, and the number of homes with Blu-ray players grew from 3 million to 8 million. Rentals in 2009 grew to $8.15 billion from $8.11 billion in 2008.

The studios love to talk about how much money they're loosing after they started counting on DVD sales as business peaked in 2004 with U.S. sales of $12.1 billion. And the latest argument is how companies such as Netflix and Redbox are cutting even deeper into their profit margins. Throughout all of last year I started to grow increasingly frustrated as some DVD news sites began reporting Blu-ray sales picking up the slack as a positive. As if consumers making up for an industry gap by purchasing overpriced Blu-rays was actually good news.

In my opinion it's both good and bad news, a good example being my recent review of the 10 Things I Hate about You Blu-ray, a film I like, but could never justify recommending readers spend an additional $7 on the Blu-ray version over the DVD version. At least Criterion, the undeniable leader in the home video market, prices their Blu-rays the same as their DVDs and at the same time offers content and supplementary materials making such purchases worthwhile. As for the bloated 2009 theatrical figures, tactics such as the increased cost of seeing films in 3-D and IMAX obviously helped things out, as if those options are worth the higher price on any film thus far other than The Dark Knight or similar films actually shot in IMAX.

Looking at all these numbers and thinking about how the studios complain piracy is hurting their numbers is ridiculous. Money is obviously being spent and at record rates. However, if we wanted to believe piracy was having any effect and if we wanted to figure out new ways for the studios to make more money in the DVD and Blu-ray realm, I am turning around my opinion, ever so slightly, on the idea of selling the DVD and Blu-ray of some theatrical releases after walking out of the theater.

I still don't think this is a model that works for major blockbusters or any film with a significant marketing campaign, but Devin Faraci's recommendation at CHUD saying the idea of selling the DVD or Blu-ray to audiences after seeing a smaller, indie film could be a goldmine for studios as well as bolster the appeal of indie features. How much more inclined would you be to buy the DVD or Blu-ray of films such as Antichrist or Moon after seeing them in theaters? As long as it was kept to patrons that had just paid to see the movie this could be a revolutionary idea that would keep blockbuster box-office intact and raise the awareness on smaller indie films as some people may be more interested to see them with the added incentive of owning it afterward if they liked it.

What do you think?

Thanks to SlashFilm for the heads up on the Reuters piece.]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/piracy-what-piracy-2009-box-office-overtakes-dvdblu-ray-sales http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/hqsozl1QepY/what-i-watched-what-you-watched-installment-24 10 Things I Hate about You and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. I also watched the last half of WALL-E on television, but didn't include it below, but man I love that film.

Now to this week's list...

	QUICK THOUGHTS: I had never seen this film from F.W. Murnau, and I have actually only seen Murnau's Nosferatu and Sunrise only once, despite the praise all three of these films receive. However, with all three I have had the same reaction... which is rather muted, but not necessarily as a result of the film, but more in terms of the fact the quality of the picture on all three was not particularly pleasant. As for this copy of Faust from Netflix, it was Kino's 2001 release and not their 2009 restored release. When I first saw Nosferatu it was on VHS and I while Sunrise is available on Blu-ray abroad we are still only left to order Fox's, now out of print, DVD edition. Faust, though, was a decent watch, and Murnau has always impressed me visually and this one is loaded with visual effects, which (while obvious in terms of today's CG standards) you will be stunned to know were filmed in the 1920s. Along with Nosferatu, Ebert calls Faust "of the greatest films of the supernatural." And while the film moved me more visually than it does in any other way, a scene of Gretchen in the snow and the film's final moments are sure to stick with anyone that watches it regardless of of your opinion to that point. There is a lot of striking imagery and it's extremely daring, which is certainly one of the main reason Murnau's films live on while modern horror directors have such a hard time remaining relevant longer than their Friday opening.

	QUICK THOUGHTS: For Christmas I received the Mission: Impossible trilogy on Blu-ray, which made me quite happy. My copy of Mission: Impossible on DVD was anamorphic and was therefore presented in a 4:3 thumbnail format on my widescreen television and my copy of Mission: Impossible III was on HD DVD. So, to have them all on Blu-ray now cleans up three discs in my collection. I also added the X-Men trilogy to my Blu-ray collection this Christmas, but still haven't explored it yet.

	QUICK THOUGHTS: As I am still trying to figure out how I am going to recap the past decade (2000-2009) I have been making sure to rewatch a few films here and there. I had only watched this film once way back in 2004 when I reviewed the DVD, but hadn't watched it since. Why? I don't know. I absolutely loved returning to this film and will be sure to return to it much sooner than another five years down the line. And if I do put something for the decade together this will most certainly be included in my commentary.

	QUICK THOUGHTS: I mentioned how I had just watched the Blu-ray version in my top ten so this should come as no surprise.

There you have it. Now share your weekly recaps and weigh in with any thoughts you may have on the films I saw. And remember to connect with my Netflix queue by clicking here, I have already added several titles from those that have already linked up.]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/what-i-watched-what-you-watched-installment-24 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/1amTbYGFM2k/top-25-movies-of-2009-movies-1-10

Here we are, time for all of us to reveal our top ten films of 2009. Many of you wondered why I only allowed you to pick five films in the nominations poll I started on Monday. Well, everything was in an effort to make sure you all held your lists until today as I reveal my top ten favorite films of 2009 and hope you will add your thoughts on my list as well as share your individual lists of 10, 15, 20 or however many films from the year that was. We have only a couple of days left before 2010 shuts the door on what I thought was a rather enjoyable year in film once you brush away a few of those lousy blockbusters that weren't.

Before I go any further, let me once again share the schedule as I promised I would include with each posting on Monday:

Now, let's get into it. First off, I have to admit, you guys flatter me as a few of you were trying to predict my top ten films in the comments of yesterday's rankings of films #11 - 20. Even more eerie is how closely you have been paying attention throughout the year as a combination of your predictions actually include eight of my top ten films, while the two that eluded you aren't exactly fair as I added my review for one of them only a few hours ago and the other was only mentioned at any real length a couple of weekends ago in one of my What I Watched columns. With that said I offer up my Top Ten Films of 2009 without any additional delay... I hope I don't disappoint...

Up

Photo: Walt Disney Pictures / Pixar

While it's not Pixar's best film to date, it's certainly their most mature and I'm anxious to see what tone Toy Story 3 touches on when it hits theaters on June 18, 2010. With that in mind, considering the enjoyment I get out of Up now, I can only wonder how it will affect me as I get up there in age and can begin to relate to Carl on that level. I have a feeling this is a film that will be with me for a long time.

An Education

Photo: Sony Pictures Classics

I have since acquired the soundtrack featuring the smoky vocals of Beth Rowley with her original track "You've Got Me Wrapped Around Your Little Finger" (hit play just above) and can't wait to own a copy of the Blu-ray to play over and over again, even if it's just serving as background noise. You can read my full review of the film from October right here.

Avatar

Photo: 20th Century Fox

I anticipate this is one of those films I'll fall back on every now and again when I'm in need of a no-brainer effects-driven effort. However, to simply label it as a visual feast is to ignore one of the major elements that allowed me to stay with it so long and a friend of mine sent me a text just the other day that pretty much summed it all up:

Dude, Avatar is awesome. Don't tell my wife, but I think I'm in love with a ten foot tall blue alien named Neytiri.

Bronson

Photo: Magnet Releasing

A couple of people disagreed with my "A" review back in October, one called it "boring" and the other called it "dull", but both recognized Hardy's performance. I tried showing it to a friend that also found it boring, but another I showed it to replied with a rave review. It's a case of different strokes I guess, but it is nice to know we can at least agree Hardy brought a real character to life. Perhaps it's not the real Charlie Bronson, but to deny he's one hell of an entertaining character is to fool yourself.

Now click the play button above and enjoy one of my favorite scenes. The dude in the blue polo has got the moves.

In the Loop

Photo: IFC Films

Where to place In the Loop on this list was an absolute conundrum. After first seeing it in mid-May prior to its opening the Seattle International Film Festival and probably losing a couple pounds from laughing so hard, I watched it one more time before writing my "A+" review calling it "one of the most smartly written and superbly executed political comedies I have ever seen, if not the absolute pinnacle of the genre." I stand by this statement, but as I have watched it several times since I have started to laugh less, but enjoy the satire more. This is something that will obviously happen the more you watch a comedy, but I think it also has something to do with some of the people I have watched it with.

While I'm convinced I could watch it with RopeofSilicon Box-Office Oracle Laremy Legel over and over again, both of us laughing our asses off as we watched, I have shown it to other people that simply stared at the screen without even cracking a smile. I don't know if they are dumfounded at Peter Capaldi's ability to spout off insults such as: "Allow me to pop a jaunty little bonnet on your purview and ram it up your sh*tter with a lubricated horse cock!" or if they just weren't into the commentary on hand, but I found myself trying to explain why things were funny more than actually being able to enjoy the film myself. To say it was frustrating would be an understatement.

As a result, the film lands here in the sixth spot, and considering the five films that ranked above it, I don't see this as anything other than its rightful place. The DVD just arrived for review and I can't wait to watch it again, but I would just as soon watch any of the next five films as well.

Star Trek

Photo: Paramount Pictures

Earlier I said Avatar is a film I can't wait to own on Blu-ray as a film to fall back on when no-brainer entertainment is needed... well, right now this film holds that slot and then some. Both films have one thing in common, however, which is a terrible storyline and Star Trek enjoys plot holes galore (something that will always come with time travel), but the characters and entertainment level of this film are off the charts. I can't wait to see the sequel (are we talking 2012 or '13 here?) if only to see Chris Pine as Captain Kirk and Karl Urban as Bones once again. I have always owned up to my love of the original "Star Trek" series and this film lived up to the characters created in the Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi classic. Now if the sequel can deliver on story the same way this one delivers on characters and spectacle we may have something truly special in store.

By the way, am I the only one that thinks the trailer for this film I included just above is the absolute best trailer of the year? Every time I see it I want to watch the film again. That's what trailers are supposed to do... right? And not give away the entire story as so many do nowadays?

The White Ribbon

Photo: Sony Pictures Classics

The White Ribbon is intimately chilling. It hides behind a veil of perceived innocence that will keep you guessing all while the stark black-and-white cinematography will have you marveling at its beauty. If there was ever a modern film to convince younger audiences black-and-white is a legitimate story-telling tool and the classics of such directors as Ingmar Bergman, Jean Renoir and Francois Truffaut are worth investing time in... this is that film.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures

However, I know this film isn't for everyone. Recently I was at a holiday dinner party and after being introduced to one couple I got the dreaded "So what's your favorite movie of the year?" question. This question always sucks when you're asked it because I have seen so many films and I know my "favorite" won't always line-up with other people's opinions so I try to think of the most widely accepted movies I liked. After bringing up Avatar and Star Trek and getting a blank stare when asking if they liked "political comedies" (In the Loop was ultimately never mentioned), I brought to the table Fantastic Mr. Fox. After describing a scene I found particularly funny, I was awarded with what appeared to be confusion and an "I like slapstick comedies" retort. I didn't have much to offer after that other than turning the conversation to The Hangover and watching their faces light up. Good times!

You can read my review of Fantastic Mr. Fox from November right here.

Inglourious Basterds

Photo: The Weinstein Co. / Universal Pictures

After not being entirely sure what I thought of the film after seeing it in what may actually be the stuffiest and smallest screen in Seattle (why the Weinstein's chose to show Seattle press this film on an inferior screen is baffling to me), I sought out a second screening and saw it on one of Seattle's largest screens at Pacific Place Cinemas. I had already written my review based on my previous viewing and at three-in-the-morning on August 21 I was home revising what I had already written, bumping this film from a possible "B" review to an "A-". I rely heavily on repeated viewings and this is just one more case where it served me well.

A Prophet

Photo: Sony Pictures Classics

The film stars newcomer Tahar Rahim as Malik El Djebena, a 19-year-old Arab sent to prison for 6 years in a French jail where his dealings with the leader of the Corsican gang on the inside prove to tell one hell of a story. Strangely enough, the way in which Rahim came to star in the film is a story all of its own.

A Prophet is the feature film debut for Rahim and it all came about as a result of him sharing a taxi with one of France's most celebrated directors, Jacques Audiard. Soon after that meeting Audiard cast Rahim in A Prophet and what he got out of him is one of the best performances I saw all year and the fact it's his feature debut means his uncredited role in the forthcoming The Eagle of the Ninth from director Kevin Macdonald will likely be the last time his name is not part of the billing.

Rahim was recognized at the European Film Awards as the Best European Actor of 2009, the film won the Grand Prize of the Jury at the Cannes Film Festival as well as recently winning the Louis Delluc prize from the fest. It won Best Foreign Language Film from the National Board of Review, won Best Film at the London Film Festival and was recently nominated for Best Foreign Language film at the upcoming Golden Globes where it will be competing with Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon and will most likely dual it out with Haneke's film at the Oscars. Personally I'm cheering for A Prophet if only be the slimmest of margins.

Audiard released the following statement following his Golden Globe nomination:

"This nomination is, first of all, very moving for me. It proves that a movie can travel, that we don't just make a film for one's own country, for our "home." For an American, that might seem obvious, less so for a Frenchman. Also, if I make films, it is because I've seen films and read film reviews. I belong to a generation of cinephiles for whom seeing films and reading about them went hand in hand. Filmmakers opened your eyes and film critics helped you think. I loved that. Now today, my film is nominated for a Golden Globe and I am naturally very proud."

A Prophet made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May of 2009 and has made its way around the globe ever since and will again be seen at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Sony Pictures Classics has already purchased distribution rights and will release the film in New York and Los Angeles on February 26, 2010 with it expanding throughout March. I will be posting a full review at that time as I can't wait to finally see it in theaters, but for now will leave with the trailer that begins with a quote from "The London Times" that I have a hard time arguing with. You can choose to watch it or go in blind as I did, either way I cannot wait until everyone gets a chance to see this film and I can't wait to own it on Blu-ray. It's an instant classic in my mind and one I think many will truly love once given the chance.

So there you have it... That's my list of top ten films of 2009. Add your own personal top tens in the comments below as I am sure your opinion differs from mine. Also, browse my other 15 picks using the following navigation and vote for your top ten of 2009 right here

QUICK NAV:

#21-25 | #11-20 | #1-10

Finally, just below are my top ten lists from previous years. The farther back you go, the more obvious it was how green I was at all of this.

Last year's #1 most viewed trailer was The Dark Knight, which is none-too-surprising. Again, this year's films aren't exactly all that surprising, but their places on the list may be. I laughed a little when I saw #8 and the trailer that took the #1 slot this year may surprise a few folks. According to Yahoo, the two most popular videos each nabbed over 20 million views. Can you guess which ones they were?

With that question in mind, all of the trailers on Yahoo's list have been included across the next four pages� Enjoy!

Up

Avatar

Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus

Star Trek

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Terminator Salvation

2012

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Terminator Salvation made $125 million domestically, $132 million less than Star Trek. However, if you compare their international numbers things quickly even out. Worldwide, Star Trek made $385 million while Terminator Salvation cut the domestic gap dramatically by pulling in $246 million for a total of $372 million worldwide. Even more curious is the fact Terminator Salvation doesn't even show up on TorrentFreak's numbers.

The top ten is as follows. (All numbers are estimates)

1. Star Trek - 10.9m downloads ($385.4m worldwide box-office)
2. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - 10.6m downloads ($834.9m worldwide box-office)
3. RocknRolla - 9.4m downloads ($25.7m worldwide box-office)
4. The Hangover - 9.1m downloads ($459.4m worldwide box-office)
5. Twilight - 8.7m downloads ($384.9m worldwide box-office)
6. District 9 - 8.2m downloads ($204.5m worldwide box-office)
7. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - 7.9m downloads ($929.3m worldwide box-office)
8. State of Play - 7.44m downloads ($87.7m worldwide box-office)
9. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - 7.2m downloads ($373.0m worldwide box-office)
10. Knowing - 6.9m downloads ($183.2m worldwide box-office)

I can only wonder how these numbers may have affected the foreign and/or box-office return for these films, but I have to assume it played some role.

The Hollywood Reporter's Eriq Gardner thinks the reason for piracy is due to the problematic release schedule:

If you don't want your stuff pirated, think of the CONSUMER, not your pocketbook. Not everyone is going to see this in theaters, NOT everyone lives in the U.S. and NOT everyone owns a Blu Ray Player.

Of course, they're going to try to pad your pocketbook, but the way releases are done now is horrific. Put the movie out on DVD/BR the same day it's in theaters, and release EVERYWHERE universally, not staggered out like most companies do.

If movies were released simultaneously at home and in theaters the theatrical market would dry up completely. Humans like things easy and cheap. It would obviously be easier and cheaper to rent/buy a movie rather than pack up the friends and family and head to the theater, but if anyone thinks they get the same experience at home as they did in the theater is lying to themselves. Just my two cents.]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/paramounts-star-trek-wins-the-award-no-film-wanted http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/uc-F0cW0Qes/what-i-watched-what-you-watched-installment-20 Inglourious Basterds on Blu-ray as well as a second helping of Public Enemies, but reviews of both of those will be just around the corner so no further mentions here.

	QUICK THOUGHTS: If you're any kind of fan of Italian cinema and/or Federico Fellini you know the names of Marcello Mastroianni and Giulietta Masina. If you don't you really should. Might I recommend picking up La Strada, 8 1/2, Nights of Cabiria and La Dolce Vita. That should be a good primer and should have you falling in love with these two. Once you've done that, pick up Ginger and Fred as this is a film to be watched only after enjoying these two charismatic actors in their younger years as they are both much older in this film, but those characteristics, most notably Giuletta's smile, all shine through here, but it is a little sad to see them so much older. I'm not positive what made me watch this film, but I believe it was in an attempt to see another Christmas film, which this is, but the fact it's a Fellini film with Mastroianni and his long-time wife Masina, makes it a must watch for that combination alone.

	QUICK THOUGHTS: I saw this film mentioned over at Hollywood Elsewhere a long while back and hadn't seen it, and the fact it was a Michelangelo Antonioni film was enough for me to give it a watch. I am still quite green when it comes to Antonioni's films having only seen L'avventura, Blowup and La notte prior to this film, but he always brings something to the table. This is probably my least favorite of those I have seen, but I did enjoy it, particularly a rather powerful finale you could see coming from a long way, but very much earned.

	QUICK THOUGHTS: I wasn't sent a review copy of Star Trek on Blu-ray or DVD, but Paramount did shoot over an awards consideration copy so I gave it another look. When Paramount asked me what I thought of this film I replied, "The best way for me to describe my thoughts on Star Trek is to say it is one of only three films I saw twice in the theater and the only film I paid to see that wasn't for reviewing purposes." Granted it didn't hold up as well the second time, but at home it is pure joy. I have already added the Blu-ray to my Christmas list so this DVD will most likely find its way into my mother's collection, but I am sure this is a film I will watch over and over again. As for awards consideration, I definitely see it getting nominated for sound mixing and editing, as well as effects. I don't, however, see it getting one of the ten Best Picture slots, the film just has WAY too many story problems. This is a movie for pure fun, but to say it doesn't have problems would be lying to yourself. However, one thing I will say it has, is the absolute best trailer of the year. Watching the trailer below makes me want to watch the movie every single time I see it. Just a perfect marriage of dialogue, effects and obviously music.

There you have it. Now share your weekly recaps and weigh in with any thoughts you may have on the films I saw. And remember to connect with my Netflix queue by clicking here, I have already added several titles from those that have already linked up.]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/what-i-watched-what-you-watched-installment-20 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/M-0bqN4zlgQ/road-poster-maguire-on-spider-man-4-shatner-in-star-trek-and-thor-casting First off, a new short arrives on the heels of the short for Up I posted earlier. This time it's the fifth in a series of Cars shorts directed by John Lasseter called "Unidentified Flying Mater."

Moving on, TrekMovie has the as scripted scene from Star Trek had William Shatner as Captain Kirk been included. Read that here.

Next, Natalie Portman tells MTV Kat Dennings has secured a role in Thor but no word on what her role will be. Idris Elba also recently joined the cast as Heimdall, guardian of the Bifrost Bridge.

Tobey Maguire was quoted by HitFix saying Spider-Man 4 will begin filming in February or March of 2010 and said audiences will be seeing a new side to Peter Parker in the third sequel of the comic book flick.

Finally, Rolling Stone gets top-billing on the latest poster for The Road.

Photo: The Weinstein Co.

I don't know if any of you took my advice on the 50% off Criterion sale at Barnes and Noble I mentioned two weeks ago, but you have one more week and I have already taken advantage of it by getting Battle of Algiers, the Fanny and Alexander box set and upgraded my single-disc version of Seven Samurai with the three-disc edition. I basically paid about $70 for the whole thing with my Barnes and Noble Membership card and it's about $160 worth of DVDs so that's a good deal in my book. Take advantage of it and use this coupon to save an extra $5.

Now, for this week's DVDs.

Gone With the Wind (70th Anniversary Ultimate Collection)
	I just reviewed the Blu-ray edition of this and was incredibly impressed. What's even more impressive is Amazon is charging only $45.49 for both the Blu-ray and DVD versions which means Blu-ray owners aren't being punished for adopting the new format with outrageous prices. I have included the video I made looking at the extra bonuses this set comes with, but to get the full review, which includes a quality comparison to the 2004 four-disc edition click here.

Star Trek
	I am sure most people will be adding this one to their cart this week, it's just a matter of which version? Once again, Amazon makes it INCREDIBLY easy to pick up the Blu-ray as they are charging $19.99 for both the Blu-ray and 2-disc DVD and if you don't want that you can pick up the single-disc DVD for only $9.99. Impressive!

Kevin Smith Blu-ray Collection / Chasing Amy / Clerks
	I reviewed this one also, which you can read right here. In short, I think the Blu-ray versions of Jay and Silent Bob and Chasing Amy are worth the pick up, but Clerks just did not look good in high definition and for $55.49 I'm not sure it's worth the price. If you already own the tenth anniversary edition of Clerks on DVD forget about this Blu-ray and buy the other two separately, or just Chasing Amy if you already own the Clerks tenth anniversary DVD.

Fight Club
	I received this Blu-ray just today so I can't tell you anything about it just yet, but DVD Beaver has some FANTASTIC screen captures that make prior editions look like they were presented with the same green tint we saw in The Matrix. The film now looks 100% color corrected, and on top of the improved picture it has a few new features including the ability to remix the sound design of four scenes from the film and some kind of other interactive feature that sounds too complicated to explain without trying it out first. Hopefully I will have further word for you soon, but this one already looks like it is worth it.

L�on - The Professional
	You know this movie. We know this movie, but come Wednesday we can talk about this movie a little further... Stay tuned.

Bruno
	I reviewed this one too (read it here) and in short, rent it from Netflix and be done with it. It has a couple of really good features that outshine the movie at every turn as this is a movie I can't imagine people wanting to watch more than once.

Scrubs - The Complete Eighth Season
	I thought this one had already come out, but apparently I was wrong. It showed up recently, but I'm not sure I am going to find the time to review it. I have reviewed several previous seasons, but sort of lost interest after the lackluster final episodes of the seventh season and what was overall a pretty lousy season.

Wild Child
	Ugh, nope.

My Sister's Keeper
	This one showed up and I simply can't bring myself to watch it. Obviously I am judging this book by its cover, but I'm just not interested.

The Open Road
	Now this one starring Justin Timberlake, Kate Mara and Jeff Bridges looked decent, gonna have to add it to the Netflix account for one of these days.

Franklyn
	I have no idea what's going on with this movie, but if the cover art has you interested click here to watch the trailer and see if it's for you.

The Limits of Control
	This movie bored me to the point I couldn't even bring myself to review it back in May. Every now and then that happens.

Thirst
	Ironically enough, I saw this one and didn't review it either. Primarily because I couldn't get my thoughts together on it. The first half is basically rubbish in my opinion, but it gets progressively better. Definitely worth a rental and perhaps you'll like it enough to add it to your collection.

Mamma Mia! - Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie! More Gift Set
	I am mentioning this here because Universal sent it to me and when you push a button on the box cover it plays a clip from the title song and lights begin flashing around the film's title. It's quite the production and it comes with the full soundtrack. I hated this movie, but I know it has several fans and they are sure to enjoy this new edition. Pick it up if you're a fan, avoid at all costs if you're not.

• It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Its A Very Sunny Christmas
• Galaxy Quest [Blu-ray]
• Rome: The Complete Series
• The Sopranos: The Complete Series ($158.99)
• Downhill Racer (The Criterion Collection)
• Sex, Lies, and Videotape [Blu-ray]
• Humpday

• The Burning Plain (buy now)
  Releasing on January 12, 2010
• Bright Star (buy now)
  Releasing on January 26, 2010
• Halloween II (Unrated)
  Releasing on January 12, 2010
• Halloween II
  Releasing on January 12, 2010
• Post Grad
  Releasing on January 12, 2010
• Pandorum
  Releasing on December 22, 2009
• Roberto Rossellini's War Trilogy (Criterion Collection) (buy now)
  Releasing on January 26, 2010
• Lola Montes (Criterion Collection)
  Releasing on February 16, 2010
• Revanche (Criterion Collection)
  Releasing on February 16, 2010
• Hunger (Criterion Collection)
  Releasing on February 16, 2010

• The Burning Plain (buy now)
  Releasing on January 12, 2010
• Halloween II (Unrated) (buy now)
  Releasing on January 12, 2010
• Post Grad (buy now)
  Releasing on January 12, 2010
• Pandorum
  Releasing on December 22, 2009
• Lola Montes (Criterion Collection)
  Releasing on February 16, 2010
• Revanche (Criterion Collection)
  Releasing on February 16, 2010
• Hunger (Criterion Collection)
  Releasing on February 16, 2010

Lionsgate let everyone know via Twitter that Kick-Ass will arrive on April 16, 2010 and Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables will hit theaters on August 20, 2010. Then we learn Star Trek will be heading back to IMAX this Friday for a two week run. And we also learn Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Micmacs a tire-larigot has been picked up by Sony Pictures Classics.

Just like Avatar, tickets for The Twilight Saga: New Moon are now on sale more than two months in advance.

Just to the right is the first look at the set of the unnecessary MacGruber adaptation from the annoying "Saturday Night Live" skit. You can get the full-sized image and four others, including a look at Ryan Phillippe, at Just Jared.

Word from Ain't It Cool News is there is a one-minute test reel of Iron Man 2 converted into high quality digital 3D. This has AICN's Harry Knowles wondering if Iron Man 2 will be entirely converted to 3D and whether or not the rest of Marvel's upcoming slate will go to the geek gimmick. Gawd... I hope not. [AICN]

Sam Worthington was recently talking to MTV about his upcoming feature Clash of the Titans and was quoted saying, "What these guys and Louis [Leterrier] have set out to do is raise the richter [scale] to 11, in the sense of, the scorpions are the size of dump trucks, Medusa is a lot quicker and a lot more scarier, and the whole world itself is� big and epic in scope." [MTV]

I'm not sure how many of you know this already, but on top of the September 29 release of The Wizard of Oz on Blu-ray (details here), the film will also head into theaters for special promotional screenings across the country in all its fully restored glory.

That said, Jeffrey Wells at Hollywood Elsewhere was wondering if this restoration would also involve digitally erasing the visible-wires from the film. Wells was able to confirm with WHV senior vp George Feltenstein that the wires have indeed been digitally erased. There is more to the story and it's a pretty good read, head here for the complete write-up.

Bloody Disgusting is reporting a rumor saying Steve Miner (Halloween:H20) may be the one to direct Halloween 3D, although the consider the rumor "highly unlikely." [Bloody Disgusting]

The Descent: Part 2
Photo: Celador Films

• The Invention of Lying (a look at the brand new poster)
• Astro Boy (the final poster is unveiled)
• Everybody's Fine (first three images from the potential Oscar contender)
• The Boys are Back (four pics and the poster for the Clive Owen starrer)

Photo: Amazon.com / Paramount Home Entertainment

Photo: via TwitchFilm.net

Quentin Tarantino did a little programming at Sky Movies and here are three reviews that came as a result. Thanks to Anne Thompson for the heads up.

]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/rmr-tarantino-reviews-movies-iron-man-2-in-3d-un-wired-oz-and-more http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/2JN3JnhoPMs/rmr-fake-avatar-trailer-dirty-dancing-remake-saw-vi-and-up-in-the-air-posters-and-more Production Weekly reports the following: "Lionsgate is developing a remake of the 1987 classic Dirty Dancing, from a new script by Julia Dahl." [Production Weekly]

International Transformers 2 and G.I. Joe sales sheets

Entertainment Weekly posted Quentin Tarantino's list of "20 Movies -- and Posters -- You've Got to See!" I have listed the films below, click here to browse the list one pain-in-the-ass page at a time.

• Coffy (1973)
• Rolling Thunder (1977)
• Where Eagles Dare (1968)
• Eyeball (1975)
• Dark of the Sun (1968)
• They Call Her One Eye (1974)
• The Inglorious Bastards (1978)
• The Savage Seven (1968)
• It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
• Vanishing Point (1971)
• The Blood Splattered Bride (1972)
• Twisted Nerve (1968)
• Policewomen (1974)
• The Girl from Starship Venus (1975)
• Autopsy (1975)
• Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971)
• Machine Gun McCain (1969)
• Chinese Hercules (1973)
• Revenge of the Cheerleaders (1976)
• The Sell-Out (1976)

ABC is teaming with "Friends" creator Marta Kauffman and Warner Bros. Television to adapt "The Time Traveler's Wife" as a weekly series. The news follows this weekend's successful opening of the motion-picture version of "Time Traveler's." Starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams, the New Line movie grossed nearly $20 million in its first three days and served as successful counterprogramming to more male-dominated fare. [The Wrap]

Entertainment Weekly reports "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" all-star James Marsters is joining the cast of the "Battlestar Galactica" prequel "Caprica" for a sizable role playing a dangerous terrorist leader by the name of Barnabus Greeley in a minimum of three episodes. Driven by desires both moralistic and carnal, Barnabus is as lethal as he is unpredictable. "Caprica" is set to make its Syfy debut on Jan. 22. [Entertainment Weekly]

Peter Berg discussed the rumored sequel to last year's Will Smith anti-superhero feature Hancock saying, "There might be another god out there... Might be another one." [SCI FI WIRE]

Diora Baird, whom I had never heard of until today, is apparently a beautiful, crude and witty C-level actress that likes to show off her breasts who told her Twitter followers she auditioned for Kenneth Branagh's Thor. Her message said, "Had an audition for the movie Thor today. Character description was 'pretty, but sturdy with muscle'. Damn type casting." You can find her on Twitter right here.

Next, I have a clip from next week's release of The Final Destination, which I just learned will not be screened for critics here in Seattle and I assume it will be the same everywhere else. Unlike My Bloody Valentine, this one I will probably head to the theater to check out.

Ryan Reynolds in Buried

The upcoming November 17 DVD and Blu-ray releases of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek will have 9 deleted scenes, here are the descriptions of said scenes:

• Spock Birth
• Klingons Take Over Narada
• Young Kirk, Johnny and Uncle Frank
• Amanda and Sarek Argue After Spock Fights
• Prison Interrogation and Breakout
• Sarek Gets Amanda
• Dorm Room and Kobayashi Maru (original version)
• Kirk Apologizes to the Green Girl
• Sarek Sees Spock

Photo: Paramount / Lionsgate

F. Gary Gray posted the following behind-the-scenes video of an explosion from the set of his upcoming movie Law Abiding Citizen.

The following is a fake Avatar trailer that made the rounds all day yesterday. It's sort of funny, but it really has me curious to see what the reaction to the upcoming trailer and this Friday's footage is going to be. People are already making parodies of this film and they haven't even seen a thing. This could get ugly.

Finally, there is a rumor I have no faith in whatsoever and will not even mention other than to say you can click here to read it if you like.]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/rmr-fake-avatar-trailer-dirty-dancing-remake-saw-vi-and-up-in-the-air-posters-and-more http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/prk57Y5Ki6k/top-ten-movies-midway-through-2009

Last year I did a mid-way top ten and only two of the films on that list (WALL-E and In Bruges) made my year end top ten. How many of this year's mid-way ten will make it? Judging by tomorrow's list of the 20 films I am anticipating over the next six months I wouldn't be surprised if the list changes drastically, but that is then... this is now.

Photo: 20th Century Fox / Focus Features / Sony Classics / Summit Entertainment / Miramax

Next up is Knowing, a film that would have probably made it into the top ten but I was disappointed in what I got out of it the second time around -- as I detailed in my Blu-ray review. I expected it to have a longer staying power, but it appears what I saw the first time just didn't move me as much as I thought it would the second time. I still think it's a solid film, but just not good enough.

I felt the same way about Taken when I recently revisited that one. However, I think Taken is a perfect example of a film meant to be seen in the theater. The sound of the gunfire and the kinetic energy behind it makes for a solid theatrical experience that just couldn't be matched at home. There is also a certain measure of surprise from some of the situations that just can't be duplicated the second time around.

Rian Johnson's The Brothers Bloom is a film I expect many will find on DVD and will become one of 2009's welcome memories. While I didn't necessarily think it was a perfect film it is a film I am anxious to revisit in hopes my issues with it will subside over time and additional viewings.

Finally, Woody Allen's Whatever Works misses the cut just by a hair. It's a solid Allen effort that just never seemed to entirely click. It's quite funny and a great watch, but the funny wasn't enough as it became a little redundant and oftentimes felt a little too scripted. Oh well, perfection is hard to attain and I would never say these next ten are perfect by any means, but the two that top the list are definitely competing for placement on the year end top ten.

Away We Go

Photo: Focus Features

Public Enemies

Photo: Universal Pictures

There is no doubt this film, at the very least, raised some interesting conversation as well as some curious scorn from Entertainment Weekly critics Owen Gleiberman and Lisa Schwarzbaum in this little video feature. Gleiberman even attacks the argument many have made saying it is an art film. He calls such an approach just an excuse and says, "I think this movie really does lack juice and I don't think anyone should make excuses for that." I have never been a fan of the approach both Gleiberman and Schwarzbaum take to movies, but it is nice to see them trying a little harder now as it appears EW realizes shilling for studios with first look pictures just isn't going to make the grade any longer.

Up

Photo: Disney / Pixar

Drag Me to Hell

Photo: Universal Pictures

Star Trek

Photo: Paramount Pictures

Tetro

Photo: American Zoetrope

Sunshine Cleaning

Photo: Overture Films

The Hangover

Photo: Warner Bros.

The Hurt Locker

Photo: Summit Entertainment

In the Loop

Photo: IFC Films

To describe it in a sentence I would say it's as if "The West Wing" was mashed up with "The Office" as a series of miscues between the American and British governments accelerate the march to a war in the Middle East. It's whip smart satire coupled with a boat load of extraordinarily inventive obscenities. You can get a taste for all that right here

So there it is. Nothing drastic, but hopefully there are a couple of films on there you may not have seen and will give a chance should any of them interest you.

Where do you stand on the year so far? I know I see more movies than most and making a list of ten is much easier, but hopefully you can share a list of five or so of your favorite films from the first half of the year.

On top of that what do you remember most about 2009 to this point? We have the Oscars going from five Best Picture nominees to ten. We have the massive success of films like Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Taken. My personal disappointment in Watchmen. The unfortunate deaths of Ricardo Montalban, James Whitmore, Ron Silver, Bea Arthur, Dom DeLuise, David Carradine, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and Karl Malden just to name a few.

What stands out for you?]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/top-ten-movies-midway-through-2009 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/GckStfj6D_g/why-should-filmmakers-try-to-make-good-movies Indiana Jones Part V b.s. story that sprouted up yesterday. The article was quoted as coming from The Insider when in fact The Insider is nothing more than a tabloid news aggregator that this time was spewing something submitted by UselessPlace.com, a site I am 100% certain none of the bloggers reporting the Indy story had ever heard of and most probably didn't even take the time to pay attention to. Fair enough, but what I find more interesting is the reaction many have toward the idea and most-of-all Nate's reaction from The Film Experience to Jessica Barnes's reaction at Cinematical:

Cinematical has guarded hope for Indiana Jones Part V. Ouch. Does anyone (anyone?) outside of those who would directly profit by the million$, really think in their heart of hearts that this is a good idea? Why does no one demand more of these people before showering them with money? I'm absolutely convinced that if George Lucas announced Star Wars Episode 7: The Journey of Jar Jar Binks people would still line up in droves. And then complain about it afterwards. Why should filmmakers even try to make good movies when we reward them for hurting us? Current Blockbuster Movie Culture = Stockholm Syndrome.

That comment was actually in defense of the film to someone saying, "You want a bad movie, and you're willing to reward films that aim for very little... and hit it. No harm in that, but let the rest of us who like progress have some room to breathe too." And this is something I believe is an important issue when it comes to the crop of films we have started to see hitting our multiplexes.

The problem people don't seem to be noticing is the fact Transformers 2 was made on a reported budget of $200 million and a worldwide marketing campaign at $150 million. When a piece of entertainment is made and sold for $350 million is it wrong to expect progress? Is it wrong to expect above-and-beyond quality? And is it wrong to speak up when you feel you were cheated as an audience member? Remember, this is your hard earned money and ticket prices aren't getting any cheaper.

Take this next comment from "Keith" which was posted on the site recently:

Money talks and the movie is making money cause they just enjoy watching the movie for what it is, majority of the people just want 2 enjoy, if your looking for movies that have good story and stuff they should just wait for the hurt locker, TRANSFORMERS IS NOT SUPOUSE TO WIN ANY OSCAR AWARDS, ITS JUST A MOVIE TO BE ENTERTAINMENT. Come on its transformers, people payed to watch robots fighting and things blowing up, what were you expecting?

No one is saying films like Terminator Salvation or Transformers 2 are expected to be Oscar winners, but remember 12 months ago when everyone was talking about how great The Dark Knight was and then only six months ago how it was cheated out of a Best Picture nomination? Just imagine if the same effort was put into making the rest of these blockbusters that are made for hundreds of millions of dollars. Hell, look what J.J. Abrams was able to do with the same screenwriters Michael Bay had on Revenge of the Fallen, and a little extra effort. Star Trek is hardly a story-telling marvel of a film, but at least he found a way to tap into what makes a film entertaining... a little something called character development for starters.

One final comment from around the site that was posted just yesterday read, "Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Number ONE 2nd week in a row. Poor critics must be crying their eyes out. LOL." If critics are "crying their eyes out" I wonder why everyone else isn't either.

Love it or hate it, I have a hard time believing there is anyone out there that doesn't believe Revenge of the Fallen could have been much, much better. So why is it we -- as paying audience members -- don't demand more from these films? The only reason critics would be "crying their eyes out" would be because they know the same lack of care will now be taken into making Transformers 3 because the studio knows audiences don't demand anything more than what they have already been offered as Revenge of the Fallen now aims to become the second fastest film to reach $600 million in worldwide receipts.

Don't get it twisted, critics want to see nothing but great films. They would love it if every film was five-star caliber and if films like Revenge of the Fallen lived up to the Benjamins put into them, but at the same time they are willing to stand up and speak their minds when something doesn't reach its potential and in this case falls well below it. As a matter of fact, I would wager if Revenge of the Fallen lived up to its budget it would easily become the highest grossing film of all-time and the critics would be the first ones praising its accomplishments. Wouldn't that be a sight to see?

You tell me, would you rather have a $350 million movie with some thought behind it or a movie that doesn't "have good story and stuff" and "NOT SUPOUSE TO WIN ANY OSCAR AWARDS"? That's a tough one... think on it for a minute... I went to see Star Trek a second time this past weekend, I have made my decision on what kind of entertainment to support.]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/why-should-filmmakers-try-to-make-good-movies http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/VJ0rrXHtqjc/box-office-oracle-jul-3-jul-5-2009

Any severe disagreements? Am I too high or low on Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs or Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen? Are my fears for Public Enemies misplaced? Here's your chance to work me like a speedbag, flex your predictive might. ]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/box-office-oracle-jul-3-jul-5-2009 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/92QyQj_zA2w/oscar-update-moon-transformers-2-and-still-talking-10-best-picture-noms

This past weekend I painted the doors on the soon-to-be unveiled "The Contenders" for the 2010 awards season and I filled the stables with 29 horses. I still need to tidy up around the edges and make a few adjustments here and there, but with six months to go in 2009 and the upcoming release of Public Enemies (an awards contender disguised as a summer tentpole) it is time to begin talking Oscars on a more regular basis.

Today I have a couple of film updates as well as additional talk of that pesky Academy change from 5-to-10 nominations for Best Picture to talk about. First, let's talk about the movies...

The 63rd Edinburgh Intl. Film Festival closed Sunday with Duncan Jones's Moon winning the Michael Powell Award for new British feature reports Adam Dawtrey at Variety who goes on to say the sci-fi thriller "was arguably the fest's biggest success" and "was the first film in the program to sell out, and also ended up second in the voting for the audience award." Tomm Moore's Irish animated film The Secret of Kells took the audience top prize.

I mention this because Moon is not one of my 29 top contenders at the moment, but it seems to continue to gain notoriety including a large number of positive reviews (86% at RottenTomatoes) with many praising the work of Sam Rockwell and the story-telling ability of Jones. It could become an awards season dark horse, as could Cary Joji Fukanaga's Sin Nombre, which took the Skillset new directors award at Edinburgh, but the boat seems to have already sailed on that pic, a film that is expertly told but I'll be damned if it doesn't wallow in darkness.

Next we have this past weekend's box-office behemoth, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, a film carrying only a 20% at RottenTomatoes, but one that will undoubtedly be earning Oscar nominations. The first Transformers was nominated for three Oscars in both Sound categories and for Best Achievement in Visual Effects. It didn't end up winning any, but I wouldn't be surprised if Revenge of the Fallen ended up with a similar three nods, but wins are going to be tricky with the likes of James Cameron's Avatar waiting in the wings and I would expect Star Trek to be a serious contender in the sound department.

Finally, we come to the continuing discussion regarding the move to ten Best Picture nominations. I already weighed in on this and many of you commented in that article and several of you in the original announcement, but yesterday a pair of award season regulars weighed in with their thoughts and bring up a few new issues some of you may be interested in.

First, David Carr at The New York Times comments saying, "The reporter in me that was bored to tears by last year's nonrace is inclined to be thrilled by the introduction of something, anything, to stir things up." However, he's hesitant to jump on board with the idea ten Best Picture nominations is the way to go.

He cites executives who "argue that the best-picture award continues to have resonance with consumers when used as a laurel in ads precisely because it is such a rare jewel" and how "niches could continue to rule, with smallish academy guilds like art directors, or special constituencies like British members of the academy, pushing through a particular movie crush that had left many others unmoved."

It's at this moment I should bring in Kris Tapley's column at In Contention and his addition to Carr's concern saying, "I imagine something will have to be done to address the concern that now one merely needs something like 600 people on board to get a film in the line-up... Block voting will surely thrive."

It's a shame, but as we saw the Weinstein Co. milk the system last year for The Reader, the change to ten nominations opens up so many more doors to roundabout ways of getting your name in that envelope. However, this brings up the issue of money.

Photo: Paramount Pictures

I'll finish that sentiment off with Carr's addition saying, "Who is going to be the one to tell J. J. Abrams that Star Trek is not worth more money and effort when there are 10 slots up for grabs?"

Personally I hold fast that if a film wasn't a contender before it won't be one now, but I can also see where one could argue the other side, but they'd be hard pressed to convince me Star Trek has a shot. Then again, we will all pretty much know what the top five nominees are in the Best Picture category by who is nominated in the Best Director category. The two don't always match up exactly but here's how they compared over the past ten years:

• 2009 - 5/5 of the director nominees were also nominated for picture
• 2008 - 4/5 of the director nominees were also nominated for picture
• 2007 - 4/5 of the director nominees were also nominated for picture
• 2006 - 5/5 of the director nominees were also nominated for picture
• 2005 - 4/5 of the director nominees were also nominated for picture
• 2004 - 4/5 of the director nominees were also nominated for picture
• 2003 - 4/5 of the director nominees were also nominated for picture
• 2002 - 3/5 of the director nominees were also nominated for picture
• 2001 - 4/5 of the director nominees were also nominated for picture
• 2000 - 4/5 of the director nominees were also nominated for picture

Stay tuned as more Oscar coverage is on the way and the doors to "The Contenders 2010" will open very, very soon. For a look at last year's "Contenders" section, for those that may not have followed the Oscar coverage at RopeofSilicon, click here.]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/oscar-update-moon-transformers-2-and-still-talking-10-best-picture-noms http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/aiRekzIBMKQ/box-office-wrap-up-jun-26-jun-28-2009

Can Public Enemies get in the $50s (the number probably needed to have a shot at knocking off Revenge of the Fallen)? And don't look now, but the last Ice Age made $68m opening weekend, which would definitely be enough to make Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen a one and done. Gonna to be interesting. What's your early call?

So where did I go wrong? Am I rating Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen too highly? Do you think it might be a reverse jinx on my part? Weigh in on the comments - let's get this party started! ]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/box-office-oracle-jun-26-jun-28-2009 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/kSqm_yGJ-qw/box-office-wrap-up-jun-19-jun-21-2009

How much is Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen going to bank? The first one opened at $70m against License to Wed, but it was also the second weekend of Live Free or Die Hard and Ratatouille. This version will open against My Sister's Keeper.

I could see $100m, I think everyone is ready for an action film and it's been six weeks since Star Trek was on the prowl. But my early prediction is $87m for the three-day, because I think Wednesday and Thursday will bleed it a little bit. How about you? Am I high? Or Low?

Your turn. Can Hangover three-peat? Am I underrating the rom-com and Sandra? Or can Up pull off a strange 4th weekend victory? Anyone want to stick their neck out to tout Year One? I leave it to you commenters, drop an egg of knowledge on me. ]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/box-office-oracle-jun-19-jun-21-2009 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/B37F109D13s/box-office-wrap-up-jun-12-jun-14-2009

Next week brings us the typical Proposal and the possibly funny Year One. No way The Hangover will take a third straight weekend, right?

Next weekend is a little sad, predicting-wise, with only Year One and The Proposal going wide. Can Year One hit $30m? Can The Proposal hit $20m? Who the hell is going to take the crown? I humbly await your input.

Also, here is a behind-the-scenes look at The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (official site) from our paid advertiser Columbia Pictures (ad blockers must be turned off if you want to watch it).

Who you got next weekend? The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 has to be the favorite, I'd put it somewhere in the $30s. We can expect Up and Hangover to remain strong. Gimme some intel, Lord knows I didn't see the Hangover domination coming.

The titles include such films as Braveheart, Gladiator and the Star Trek: The Next Generation Original Motion Picture Collection as a follow-up to the release of the most recent release of the Star Trek - Original Series BD Collection. All the new dates are titles from the Paramount / DreamWorks catalog and are listed in chronological order:

September 1st

• Braveheart

• Escape from L.A.
• Deep Impact
• 48 Hours

• Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 2
• Gladiator: Extended Edition
• Galaxy Quest

• Forrest Gump
• It's a Wonderful Life

• Star Trek: The Next Generation - Original Motion Picture Collection
  • Generations
  • First Contact
  • Insurrection
  • Nemesis
• Star Trek (2009)
• Single Blu-ray disc editions of the recently released original Star Trek films

So where did I go wrong? Does anyone have the stones to pick something else at the top? Are my dollars all off? You know the stakes. Pride, and the thanks of a grateful website. Maybe I'll come up with a trophy. See you Sunday. ]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/box-office-oracle-jun-5-jun-7-2009 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/XhuODMAjQB4/box-office-wrap-up-may-29-may-31-2009

Any early calls for next weekend? Why are they releasing two comedies against each other? On the other hand, with one being R and the other PG-13, will they hurt each other at all? And does anyone have My Life in Ruins hitting double digits? Because I sure don't. See you Thursday.

What do you think? Any glaring issues with my top ten? You know I'm always reading the comments, so weigh right in. ]]> http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/box-office-oracle-may-29-may-31-2009 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ropeofsilicon/startrek/~3/DAeRGJNJM64/blu-ray-review-star-trek-the-original-motion-picture-collection I had every intention of doing some kind of big feature for this new Blu-ray release and tying it in with the recent reboot. I was going to rank the original six films or rank all 11 Star Trek films, but timing killed it. The set arrived late and other things took priority. On top of that, my opinion of these six original films hasn't changed much since I first saw them so many years ago. Wrath of Khan and The Voyage Home remain my two favorite and the other four only hold a passing interest. If I were to rank the remaining four films I would probably say it would go as such: Undiscovered Country, The Search for Spock, The Motion Picture and finally The Final Frontier. However, my seemingly passing interest to this point is not indicative of this set, but simply due to my disappointment in not being able to do something bigger in celebration of this set's release. In short, I love this set and anyone interested in Trek should give it a once over.

Having already told you where the six films rank in terms of one another there isn't a whole lot more to say about the films without wasting a ton of your time, but on the whole I would say this set of six films includes four solid films, one that is nothing more than a two-hour episode of the original series and another that is almost unwatchable. The Blu-ray presentations are fantastic and each coming with a Dolby TrueHD audio track makes it all the more better. Of these six films I only owned the Wrath of Khan (only film in the set completely restored) and Voyage Home DVD editions and hadn't seen the other four films in a long, long time. As much as I have watched Khan and Voyage over the years I honestly don't think I had ever watched the other four more than once. I couldn't remember anything that happened in the original motion picture, my only knowledge of what goes on in Search for Spock came from the title and vague recollections of the other two existed simply because I had seen them more recently. Watching them all in order for the first time in a long time was certainly a joy and the supplemental material included on these discs is exhaustive.

This set contains seven discs made up of the six film, their supplemental material and a seventh disc containing what is called "The Captain's Summit" which is a three-part roundtable interview with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes and moderated by Whoopi Goldberg.

Beginning with the special features involving the films themselves, each disc contains all the material that was originally included on the two-disc collector's editions DVDs as well as new bonus material. Most impressive is a brand new commentary track for each film to go along with the original commentaries. This means The Motion Picture gets its first commentary while all five other films have two commentaries each.

Each disc also contains, at a minimum, one brand new featurette. Whether it be a great look at James Horner's work on Wrath of Khan or a look at the effects of ILM as they worked on the Star Trek films from the beginning, each is a great look at the franchise. However, I would not recommend delving into all of these features at once as I tried to do for this review. It is impossible. It becomes monotonous and I learned there is a point where you can actually get too much of William Shatner's ego, as comical as it may be. This isn't a knock against the supplemental material, actually it is nice to see how well all the features work together making this feel like it was all made at the exact same time, but it is just too much to digest all at once.

As for that "The Captain's Summit" disc, there's a lot of glad-handing and a lot of Shatner. Goldberg seems to be cool with Shatner's ego, but I just can't imagine Frakes and Stewart didn't want to get up and slap some sense into the egomaniac. Nimoy even occasionally has to hush him up as he obviously has more experience dealing with him. However, when Shatner admits to having never watched a single minute of "The Next Generation" it was impossible to tell exactly how Frakes and Stewart felt about the comment, but it was an unnecessary slap in the face, and speaks so loudly to Shatner's opinion on others taking over the "Trek" mantle that it was a little bit sad. Sort of like when he's talking about The Final Frontier, which he directed, and says it is his understanding all the films, over time, have earned the same amount of money. Do you want to be the one to tell him his film made $24 million less than Nimoy's Search for Spock and $57 million less (over half) than Nimoy's Voyage Home?

Obviously, everything I have mentioned so far is just part of what makes this package so great. It comes with the good and the bad, and I know I will even be watching The Final Frontier again in a Star Trek marathon one of these days, just something about this original crew entertains me to no end. So, yes, I will once again hear Captain Kirk ask the face proclaiming to be God, "What does God need with a starship?"

It seems as if "Star Trek" went from a three season campy sci-fi show, to a feature film that really was nothing more than a bloated episode of the show and finally to Wrath of Khan, which used a storyline directly from the original series and managed to turn Star Trek into a real entity, a franchise with a history that had a distinct turning point. This Blu-ray set makes watching the whole franchise a lot of fun and the supplemental material will engage you for weeks, if not months going on years.