BuzzSugar

What 2007 Oscar-Winning Movie Do You Want to See Next?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 10:22:29 -0800

Now that the 2007 Oscars have come and gone, I am anxious to catch up on my movie viewing! Though I've seen most of the winners, there are a few Oscar movies I missed.

What 2007 Oscar winner have you not seen that you really want to see next?

What to Netflix: 2007 Oscar Winners

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 06:00:08 -0800

Now that we know who won at the 2007 Oscars, a lot of you are probably looking to catch up on your Oscar-movie viewing. Well, you're in luck, because most of the winning movies that aren't still in theaters are out on DVD and just waiting to be added to your Netflix queue. Here's a look at all of the Oscar-winning films now available for home viewing.

The Departed
Oscars: Best Adapted Screenplay, Achievement in Film Editing, Best Director for Martin Scorsese, and Best Picture

Trust me: Just watch The Departed once, and you'll understand what all the fuss is about. The fast-paced drama isn't terribly deep: A good cop (Leonardo DiCaprio) goes undercover with a mobster (Jack Nicholson), who has his own man (Matt Damon) inside the force. But the intricately woven plot and masterful performances, particularly by supporting cast members like Mark Wahlberg and Alec Baldwin, prove that this movie deserves all of the Oscars it won.

Little Miss Sunshine
Oscars: Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Alan Arkin

Skillfully mixing pathos with absurd comedy, Little Miss Sunshine tells the story of one family's quest to get bespectacled Olive to the Little Miss Sunshine competition on time. In an astounding cast (Alan Arkin, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear), Steve Carrell is perhaps the most impressive as a suicidal Proust scholar forced to live with his sister's bizarre family. As a special bonus, the DVD features four alternate endings to the movie.

Four more, so read more

Babel
Oscars: Best Score

Though it didn't take home the Best Picture trophy, Babel has gotten a lot of buzz for its universal themes and good-looking cast. Set in three continents and featuring five languages, the film follows four different stories revolving around the aftermath of a shooting in the Moroccan desert. The strong performances, compelling story, and sharp cinematography make it a must-see. For a more in-depth look at Babel, check out my review.

An Inconvenient Truth
Oscar: Best Documentary and Best Song

He may have lost the presidential election, but Al Gore can now say he's the only candidate to have ever won an Oscar. Gore's pet project tackles the important issue of climate change with compelling facts and a great soundtrack. Like a great documentary should, An Inconvenient Truth will make you care about the film's concerns while also keeping you thoroughly entertained.

Marie Antoinette
Oscar: Best Costumes

The bright, beautiful period clothes featured in Sofia Coppola's stylized depiction of the young Marie Antoinette are impressive enough to warrant a viewing of the film. Kirsten Dunst stars as Marie, the naive Austrian princess who became the Queen of France at age 19. The film follows her betrothal to Louis XVI (Jason Schwartzman) at age 15, through her reign as Queen and the eventual fall of Versailles.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Oscar: Achievement in Visual Effects

While I can't recommend this movie for its compelling plot, the second film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has plenty of eye candy, including star Johnny Depp and astounding special effects. (It was also nominated for art direction.) In this well-conceptualized fantasy world, you get everything from regal, tall-masted ships to creepy sea monsters and nautical costumes, all of which help give the special-effects-heavy movie a unified look and feel.

Oscar Video: Martin Scorsese Accepts His Oscar

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:29:28 -0800

There were so many great moments at last night's Oscars that it's tough to choose a favorite. But after watching Martin Scorsese's acceptance speech again, I have to say, it's definitely one of the high points of the ceremony. He strikes such a perfect balance between self-deprecating humor and genuine excitement over his victory that it makes me even happier that he finally won. To watch the clip from his speech, read more

Source

All About the Oscars: My Rants and Raves

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 08:10:47 -0800

Were last night's Oscars some of the best in years or what? Not only were the winners a mix of deserving and surprising, but the ceremony was also one of the most entertaining - if still overlong - I've seen in a while. You can read my insta-commentary from last night, or if you prefer a more reflective look at the awards, here's a recap of some of the biggest shocker and more entertainment moments. (Or, check out the full list of 2007 Oscar winners.)

Biggest Surprises

After all the pre-Oscar hype, Babel won nothing but Best Score.
The on-stage banter was actually funny.
Happy Feet beat Cars, proving that the Academy likes penguins even more than it likes Pixar.
The Lives of Others took home the award for Best Foreign Film, renewing my hope that the Oscars aren’t just a popularity contest.
A good Melissa Etheridge number beat out all three of Dreamgirls' shameless attempts to score a Best Song Oscar.

For more highlight and tons of photos, read more

Totally Unsurprising But Totally Awesome

Forest Whitaker and Helen Mirren taking home the top acting honors. Their acceptance speeches alone proved what pros they are.
Martin Scorsese finally gets his directing due.

Best Quotes

"I think I see a few Americans as well. Of course, I'm talking about the seat fillers." - Ellen DeGeneres, in her opening monologue.
"Sound editing is like sex: It's usually done alone, at night, and surrounded by electronic gadgets." - Steve Carrell
"Wait, somebody dropped their rolling papers. Oh, here, it's the band." - Ellen DeGeneres, while vacuuming the theater floor.
"Scorsese calls it 'the first movie he has ever done with a plot.'" - Diane Keaton, as Martin Scorsese came to accept his Best Directing Oscar.
“To be standing here where the Queen just stood, and Idi Amin, is incredible.” - Graham King, accepting the Best Picture award for The Departed

View 40 Photos ›

Source

Oscar Roundup: Best Picture Breakdowns

BuzzSugar — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 07:45:16 -0800

This week I've been breaking down the good and bad qualities of each 2007 Best Picture nominee. Just in case you need a refresher, here is a recap of all five Best Picture breakdowns; hopefully they will help you make an educated guess on the Oscar ballot!

Letters From Iwo Jima
The Academy are suckers for these historical dramas - and for director Clint Eastwood - yet there are no other big names involved and not many people actually saw it.
Chances of winning: Moderate

The Queen
Having already won tons of critics' awards, the film may or may not be just a vehicle for Helen Mirren.
Chances of winning: Slim to Moderate

Three more, so read more

Little Miss Sunshine
Well-crafted and uplifting, the movie did wonderfully with both critics and viewers, if not in box office sales. However, it actually might be too uplifting for the Academy's often somber tastes.
Chances of winning: Slim

The Departed
All-star cast, esteemed director, good screenplay, and critical acclaim make for an impressive package, but it being a violent almost-action film (quite different from a bloody war film, mind you) reduces the movie's chances for the top award.
Chances of winning: Good

Babel
Some critics adore this film while others loathe it; it could go either way, but the Academy does like to reward these big theme dramas.
Chances of winning: Good

Letters and Departed photos courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source, Source, and Source

Oscar Poll: What Movie Should Win Best Picture?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:58:34 -0800

Well, after a week of Oscar-related polls, we've finally arrived at the big one. So tell me, what movie do you think deserves the best picture prize?

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 16:45:53 -0800

All of the new DVD releases hit stores (and Netflix) on Tuesdays. So each week in What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday, I'll sort through the best of the batch and tell you what to add to your queue.

The Departed
Every time I revisit the trailer for The Departed, with Jack Nicholson's narration over the opening notes of "Gimme Shelter," I get the chills - not because this movie was disturbing, but because it was such a fun ride. The drama isn't terribly deep: A good cop (Leonardo DiCaprio) goes undercover with a mobster (Jack Nicholson), who has his own man (Matt Damon) inside the force. But the intricately woven plot and masterful performances, particularly by supporting cast members like Mark Wahlberg and Alec Baldwin, prove that Scorsese really does deserve the directing Oscar for this one.

Also, I highly recommend seeing the Hong Kong film trilogy on which the The Departed was based. If you haven't yet, you're in luck, because one of those films also releases on DVD this week, so read more

Infernal Affairs 2

Though technically the second film in the trilogy by directors Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, Infernal Affairs 2 is a prequel whose plot provides most of the basis for The Departed, explaining how these two young men ended up in their respective undercover roles. I actually saw part two first, and it totally stands on its own even if you haven't seen the first Infernal Affairs. Like The Departed, this film oozes with intrigue, comic relief, and standout performances. And with its tendency toward melodrama, it pays homage to another example of great American cinema: The Godfather trilogy.

We Love the Writers Guild Awards

BuzzSugar — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 09:52:17 -0800

As a writer, I feel particularly passionate about Hollywood writing awards, and yesterday's 2007 Writers Guild Awards ceremony suggests that one of my favorite scripts this year, Little Miss Sunshine, might really be the little movie that could when it comes to screenwriting nods at the Oscars. Held in Los Angeles and attend by Tina Fey, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Mo Rocca, the awards honored achievements for movies, TV, and radio. Here's a look at the TV and movie winners.

SCREEN WINNERS

Original Screenplay:
Little Miss Sunshine, Michael Arndt

Adapted Screenplay:
The Departed, screenplay by William Monahan; based on the movie Infernal Affairs, written by Alan Mak and Felix Chong

Documentary Screenplay:
Deliver Us from Evil, written by Amy Berg

TELEVISION WINNERS

Dramatic Series:
"The Sopranos," written by Mitchell Burgess, David Chase, Diane Frolov, Robin Green, Andrew Schneider, Matthew Weiner, Terence Winter; HBO

Comedy Series:
"The Office," written by Steve Carell, Jennifer Celotta, Greg Daniels, Lee Eisenberg, Brent Forrester, Ricky Gervais, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Stephen Merchant, B.J. Novak, Michael Schur, Gene Stupnitsky; NBC

To see the rest, read more

New Series:
"Ugly Betty," written by Veronica Becker, Oliver Goldstick, Silvio Horta, Sarah Kucserka, Sheila Lawrence, Cameron Litvack, Myra Jo Martino, Jim Parriott, Marco Pennette, Dailyn Rodriguez, Don Todd; ABC

Episodic Drama, One Airing Time:
"Big Love" Pilot, witten by Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer; HBO

Episodic Comedy, one airing time:
"Casino Night" ("The Office"), Written by Steve Carell; NBC

Long-Form Original Program:
"Flight 93," written by Nevin Schreiner; A&E

Animation, one airing time:
"The Italian Bob" ("The Simpsons"), written by John Frink; Fox

Comedy/Variety Awards, Tributes, Specials:
The National Memorial Day Concert, Written by Joan Meyerson; PBS

Comedy/Variety (including talk) series:
"Saturday Night Live," Head Writers Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Andrew Steele; Writers Doug Abeles, James Anderson, Alex Baze, Liz Cackowski, Charlie Grandy, Steve Higgins, Colin Jost, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Lorne Michaels, Matt Murray, Paula Pell, Akiva Schaffer, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Robert Smigel, JB Smoove, Emily Spivey, Jorma Taccone, Bryan Tucker; Additional sketches by Mike Schwartz, Kristin Gore; NBC

Daytime Serials:
"As the World Turns," written by Jean Passanante, Leah Laiman, Christopher Whitesell, Courtney Simon, Anna Cascio, Lisa Connor, Paula Cwikly, Hogan Sheffer, Judy Tate, Bettina Bradbury, Richard Culliton, Susan Dansby, Judy Donato, Josh Griffith, Elizabeth Page, Melissa Salmons, Charlotte Gibson; CBS

Children's Episodic and Specials:
Premiere ("Just for Kicks"), written by Alana Sanko; Nickelodeon

Documentary, Current Events:
The Dark Side, written by Michael Kirk; PBS Frontline

Documentary, Other:
Marie Antoinette, written by David Grubin; PBS

News - Regularly Scheduled, Bulletin, or Breaking Report:
"Remembering Lou Rawls," written by Jonathan Kaplan; CBS News

News - Analysis, Feature, or Commentary:
"Crisis Mismanagement" (America's Investigative Reports), Written by Tom M. Jennings; PBS

Source

Scorcese Scores at the 2006 Directors Guild Awards

BuzzSugar — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:35:44 -0800

Last night, the Directors Guild of America announced the winners of its 2006 awards, which recognize everything from daytime dramas to TV commercials. The big news was a big win for Martin Scorsese, who earned the DGA's honor for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Feature Film for The Departed.

Not only do I think that honor is totally deserved, but it also bodes well for Scorsese's chances of finally taking home an Oscar this year. I was also glad to see some of my favorite TV shows recognized for their directing achievements. To see the rest of the 2006 DGA winners, read more

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television
Walter Hill, "Broken Trail" (AMC)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night
Jon Cassar, "24" episode "7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m." (Fox)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series
Richard Shepard, "Ugly Betty" Pilot (ABC)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety
Rob Marshall, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic" (NBC)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs
Tony Sacco, "Treasure Hunters" episode "Episode #101" (NBC)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials
Jill Mitwell, "One Life To Live" Episode #9779 (ABC)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary
Arunas Matelis, Before Flying Back to the Earth (Studio Nominum, Tag/Traum)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials
Dante Ariola, Production Company: MJZ

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs
Kenny Ortega, "High School Musical" (Disney Channel)

Who Would Win the Oscar for Best Villain?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 13:51:26 -0800

Ok, so there isn't really an Oscar category for Best Villain, but if there were, who would win this year?