This year seemed to have particularly strong animated films. They were visually mesmerizing (Coraline), provided a few tearful moments (Up), and most catered to our adult sense of humor, too (Fantastic Mr. Fox). No wonder several are being considered for an Oscar! Tell me, which did you enjoy most?
Don't forget to vote on all of my Best of 2009 polls!
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a press release today, announcing that 20 films have been submitted for Best Animated Film consideration at this year's Oscars. This means there could be five movies competing at the awards show in March. (In the history of the category, there have typically been only three.) So who is up for the honor?
Some are obvious choices. Up, for example, comes as no surprise thanks to its huge accolades. I also think Coraline stands a chance, as well as Fantastic Mr. Fox (look for my review on Friday!). But Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel seems like a long shot — even though it hasn't hit theaters yet, so I'm just making an early prediction. (Sorry, Alvin.)
With 10 movies in the Best Picture category, I wouldn't be surprised if some of these films end up with more than one nomination. Check out the full list of animated film contenders, and tell me which you think is most deserving of an Oscar when you read more
All of the new DVD releases hit stores (and Netflix) on Tuesdays. So each week in What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday, I sort through the best of the batch and tell you what to add to your queue. Also out this week: The Great Buck Howard, Monk: Season Seven, and Psych: Season Three.
Watchmen
Do you guys remember when it was all Watchmen hype, all the time? It seems like that went on forever and then finally the movie, based on the critically acclaimed comic book series by Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore, hit theaters. And it was fun, especially for those of us who had read the book. Director Zack Snyder made a faithful adaptation, which has its benefits and drawbacks. Visually it is a feast for the eyes, especially the opening sequence, and I think it's definitely worth taking home if you didn't catch it on the big screen. The cast is pretty cool, too, and includes Jackie Earle Haley, Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, and Patrick Wilson.
There are lots of DVD extras, like a director's cut of the film (186 minutes) on some versions, a featurette titled "The Phenomenon: The Comic That Changed Comics," and webisodes.
Two more DVDS to check out if you read more
It's no surprise that when Tyler Perry has a movie out, it's going to do well at the box office — but $41 million well? Dang! Madea Goes to Jail took the top spot over the weekend and is Perry's best debut to date.
Taken, Coraline, and He's Just Not That Into You continued to do good business, coming in second, third, and fourth respectively. Meanwhile, the fifth spot went to this year's "little film that could" and newly crowned Oscar-winning Best Picture. Variety reports:
Fox Searchlight reached Oscar Sunday with Slumdog Millionaire enjoying a ninth straight week in the top 10.
The weekend's other wide release debut, Fired Up, opened at No. 9.
Photo courtesy of Lionsgate
The economy may be on shaky ground but you wouldn't know it by looking at the box office totals from this weekend. The Friday the 13th remake actually set records and had "the best opening ever for a horror movie in grossing an estimated $42.2 million from 3,105 theaters through Sunday." Meanwhile He's Just Not That Into You exceeded expectations by snagging the No. 2 spot over the weekend, while Liam Neeson's Taken continued to do strong box office business and came in third place. Confessions of a Shopaholic had a disappointing debut at No. 4.
Coraline rounded out the top five while Paul Blart: Mall Cop, at No. 6, became the first original January release to reach $100 million. Dang!
Finally, Clive Owen and Naomi Watts weren't enough star power to save The International from a lackluster debut. The thriller managed seventh place.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Big name stars plus romantic self-help equals box office bucks this past weekend as He's Just Not That Into You took the No. 1 spot earning an estimated $27.5 million. The action flick Taken slipped to No. 2 though it still performed well, and was followed by Coraline, The Pink Panther 2, and Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
Variety notes how a weekend like this affects smaller, Oscar-nominated films: "The torrent of highly commercial new releases dinged the Oscar-nominated pics, which—outside of Slumdog Millionaire, The Wrestler and The Reader — saw virtually no bump. That's rare for kudos contenders in February."
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Dakota Fanning kept up her streak of looking like quite a little lady at the premiere of Coraline in Portland on Thursday night. She posed with her costar Teri Hatcher before taking her seat to enjoy the 3D movie. Buzz quite liked the visual spectacle, which will be all the more interesting to watch come to life in 3D. Dakota has another movie, Push, coming out this weekend that shows two very different sides of Dakota as she grows into herself as an actress.
To see more of the red carpet just read more
It's pretty darn hard not to be impressed by the miniature, handmade world brought to life in Coraline. The painstakingly careful process of making the movie is mind-boggling when you think about it and the end result is extremely cool to watch on a giant screen in 3-D. Stop-motion animation is an art form all its own, and it's truly a delight to watch this strange and sometimes very scary story told using this medium. Whether it's the real-life objects that are moving and talking or the 3-D experience, the fact is that it's remarkably easy to become absorbed into this world. Basically, Coraline is immensely entertaining.
The story, from Neil Gaiman's book, is more intriguing — and way darker — than most animated movies that are ostensibly geared toward children. The look and feel of the visuals only further darkens the tone. Coraline is a clever, no-nonsense girl who just moved into a new home with her parents. Both parents are writers who work from home — but that doesn't mean Coraline has constant companionship as they shoo her away at practically every turn. But one night, Coraline opens a small door in the living room, which leads her to a warm, colorful alternate world in which everything about her life is the same — only better. She has all the food and sweets she desires, her mother and father are engaging and attentive, and they create spectacular things for her. There's always a catch, though, so read more
A little while ago I received in the mail this seemingly cute little colorful box from an unfamiliar sender. Turns out it contains two buttons which, should I decide to cross over into my "Other Mother"'s world, would have to replace my real eyes. Creepy! Included in the package is also a typed-up note from my "Other Mother," explaining that she's made this box by hand, just like she hand-made a whole world for Coraline, the lead character in the freaky stop-motion movie Coraline which opens next Friday. Anyone who's ever wished for a better life has an Other Mother who will provide a lovely, perfect life — as long as you promise to stay with her forever.
It's a pretty neat gimmick, I gotta say. The stop-motion movie includes all kinds of amazing, miniature handmade things and having seen the film it's truly a breathtaking experience to watch it — particularly in 3-D. It's also creepy and sometimes downright frightening, so receiving this real-life little box from my "Other Mother" is appropriately spooky.
Apparently 50 different handmade Coraline packages were sent out to a bunch of bloggers and you can see a whole rundown of different mysterious-looking Coraline boxes here. Below you can peruse the photos of my particular gift from my Other Mother. Are you creeped out? Because I am.
If you haven't seen the amazing (and kinda creepy) movie trailer for Coraline, you're missing out. Made entirely of stop-animation (which I love), I'm pretty excited to see it when it hits theaters February 6.
And although there are many movie-based games that totally bomb, I think this one has a good chance of making an easy segway onto your consoles, mainly because the story has such great play value. In both the film and game, you're sent out to explore your new house and you find yourself in a totally surreal alternate life after crawling through a tiny door hidden behind some boxes. Creepy stuff ensues, and there you have it. Honestly, I can't wait to see both of these in action! Check out the trailer above and don't forget to add Coraline to your game shopping list — it's out now for your Wii, DS, and PS2 consoles for $30.
