Review: "Big Eyes" is an Intriguing Biopic on Artistic Ownership and Manufacturing

At its core, Big Eyes is very much a film that director Tim Burton cannot make. While he has played around in the real world before, he has always embraced the kitsch side of everything, choosing to illuminate visuals with sickly colorful landscapes. Ed Wood worked because it mixed this with a director with dreams outside of his talent. Big Eyes is a film predominantly rooted in the real world, which doesn't seem to interest Burton anymore. For those that are complaining that it lacks style because of this, look at it another way. This is Burton showing actual interest in his work. Why else would he tackle a biopic about Margaret Keane (Amy Adams), who is as far from eccentric as his catalog gets? It is a film that shouldn't work but kind of does, and that's the fascinating hat trick.

A Look at the Potential Oscar Nominees Opening on Christmas Day

Anna Kendrick in Into the Woods

Christmas is only a few days away. It is also a great time to remember all of the last minute Oscar films that will be opening on that day, whether it be in limited release or nationwide. It is also the four week countdown to the Oscars nominations release. How exactly do you keep track of the titles worth looking at, especially with several promising titles vying for your attention? Here is a quick rundown of the films opening and what their Oscar chances are likely to be. This isn't a prediction of who will win, but simply a speculation as to what will be worth keeping an eye out for.

Failed Oscar Campaigns: "The Alamo" (1960)

As awards seasons pick up, so do the campaigns to make your film have the best chances at the Best Picture race. However, like a drunken stupor, sometimes these efforts come off as trying too hard and leave behind a trailer of ridiculous flamboyance. Join me on every other Saturday for a highlight of the failed campaigns that make this season as much about prestige as it does about train wrecks. Come for the Harvey Weinstein comments and stay for the history. It's going to be a fun time as I explore cinema's rich history of attempting to matter.

A Look at the 9 Finalists for the Best Foreign Film Oscar

Scene from Force Majeure

A few months ago, the Academy released the finalist for the Best Foreign Film Oscars. The list featured a lot of the familiar favorites from fans of international cinema. As the race closes in on the big day, things are starting to look a lot clearer. For starters, the category has dwindled down even further to nine selections. While many will celebrate the surprises that are in store, there's also a sense of confusion of what was omitted. The following is a look at the films that made the cut as well as a few thoughts about how things can go from here.

A Look at the 114 Candidates for the Best Original Score Category

Matthew McConaughey in Interstellar

With the recent announcement of the Best Original Song shortlist, there is also room for the Best Original Score category to be explored as well. Between these two, there is a lot of unpredictable results that could happen (see: Thomas Newman's back-to-back nominations for Skyfall and Saving Mr. Banks). This year is no exception, as there is one particular name that is missing from this list that you'll likely be mad about. Follow after the jump to see what made the cut and a few thoughts on what I feel will be sticking around for the final five.

A Look at the 79 Candidates for the Best Original Song Category

Left to right: Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley in Begin Again

As stated a few weeks ago, I have been long overdue to talk about the Best Original Song category. With the Golden Globe nominations recently released, it was only time until the discussion would turn to one of Oscars' least predictable categories. Today marks the release of the 79 titles that will be eligible for the award. While they do not include the name of the artists, I will do my best to decipher which ones are worth noting and what exactly we should make of them all. More after the jump.

Review: "Foxcatcher" is a Dark Look at the American Dream, Greed and Family

Left to right: Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo

There have been few topics that have had as conflicting of a cinematic representation as that of American patriotism. For all of the freedoms that are given, there's those that abuse the power in favor of something more dastardly and disturbing. In director Bennett Miller's Foxcatcher, he doesn't so much destroy the myth surrounding patriotism as he explores its impact on our relationships, whether that be family or teammates. The story of Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) is a tragic one and the preceding text stating its factual history only makes it more bleak. As a whole, it is the perfect embodiment of a troubled culture and what happens when there isn't much to live for.

A Rundown of This Year's Golden Globe Nominations

Joaquin Phoenix in Inherent Vice

Following the release of the SAG Award nominations yesterday, today marks the release of the Golden Globe Award Nominations. As with every year, this is one of the most interesting/baffling award as it recognizes the best with a few films that shouldn't even be there. Thankfully, this year isn't an exception and while there isn't that many, they pop up here and there to remind you why you love this drunken cousin of an award is special. Who made the cut? Who didn't? Check out the nominations after the jump.

A Look at this Year's Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards Nominations

Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything

Awards season continues to roll along. After the Gotham Awards last week, the big ones are starting to roll out. While tomorrow brings the much hailed Golden Globe nominations, today brings the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nominations. What films made the cut in this year's race? For those putting money on Birdman, it may be shaping up to be your season. For those betting on Selma, you'll be disappointed with this year's nominees. After the jump, check out the films that made this year's cut as well as a few thoughts on the nominees and potential winners.

Check Out the First Trailer for "Still Alice"

Julianne Moore

I have already given my review for the amazing new film Still Alice. The film is a highly effective and powerful drama that will likely get Julianne Moore that Best Actress statue at the Oscars. While I don't plan to rehash my sentiments at length here, I want to simply share the news that there has finally been the release of a trailer for the film about a woman with early Alzheimer's disease. It is powerful and thankfully, the trailer does an excellent job depicting what you can expect to get, which is a very overwhelming amount of emotions.

Check This Out: A Short Documentary on the Making of "Boyhood"

Like most people, I consider director Richard Linklater's Boyhood to be one of the year's best films. It is more than a nostalgic look at adolescence. It is also definitive of the technology era in ways no other film has been able to achieve. With countless accolades already to its name, it has yet to be seen how it will play this awards season. Even then, its legacy is already being mapped out with the most ambitious shooting schedule in recent history. For those that can't wait for it to hit DVD and blu ray next month, Hulu has recent released a short making of EPK that is definitely worth checking out.

Review: "Still Alice" is a Heartbreaking Masterpiece on the Fragility of the Mind

Left to right: Kristen Stewart and Julianne Moore

There's nothing trickier to depict in cinema than neurological disorders. It is by nature not a very cinematic problem as mental problems are almost always invisible to those around the suffering victim. While extroverted diseases can be compelling, they're often brought into question on authenticity. With co-directors Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland's Still Alice,  they manage to do something profoundly simple: create a heart-wrenching drama about a young woman (Julianne Moore) suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. We know how the story ends, yet the ride along the way is a fascinating look into something so tragic that everyone around is deemed helpless at a point. In lesser words, it is a masterpiece of a neurological character study.

A Look at Lana Del Rey's Songs for "Big Eyes"

Okay, I will be upfront about something. I am a big fan of Lana Del Rey. As those who followed last year's race with me, I spoke highly of "Young and Beautiful" from The Great Gatsby. She simply has a cinematic quality to her music from the orchestration to the tortured voice. While this post should serve me as a reminder that soon and very soon I should actually look into the Best Original Song race, I want to focus for now on the two songs that were recently made available that will be featured in director Tim Burton's latest film Big Eyes. If nothing else, I would like to give them notice and hear what you think of them.

A Theory on Why "Selma" Could Win Best Picture

Scene from Selma

I know that I haven't necessarily been kind to director Ava Duvernay's Selma. After seeing an advanced screening awhile back, I was left with a middling reaction. In all honesty, the film was adequate, occasionally using violence to overtly dramatize situations. It also hurt that I wasn't necessarily invested in any supporting character despite the film's title (and impressive cast) suggesting that I should be. I came away feeling like Dear White People had a more invigorating take on race relations in America. I feel isolated now in having a humble opinion because everybody seems to love it. Even critics that I have considered to have defined tastes (David Ehrlich) have put it on the Best of 2014 lists. With all of this said, I want to put aside differences for one post and suggest something radical. It is only a theory right now, but I think that Selma can take Best Picture simply by good timing.

A Look at the 20 Finalists in the Best Documentary Running

As we get closer and closer to the final Oscar nominations next month, the lists dwindle down to the most likely targets. In the case of Best Documentary, the list has shrunk impressively from its initial 134 selections. Now sitting at a meager 20, we are getting a better look at what will likely make the cut. For those that have been wondering, there's a lot of familiar faces still among them and a few snubs as well.

"Birdman" Surprises Everyone By Beating "Boyhood" for Best Picture at the Gotham Awards

Michael Keaton

There were more than a few surprises that came out of tonight's Gotham Awards. Hosted by Uma Thurman, the show gave out awards to the best of independent cinema. While many were expecting Boyhood to come away with all of the top prizes, the film didn't do so well. Instead, a lot of surprising moments came and Boyhood only came away with one win. Following the jump is a list of all of the nominations as well as a few thoughts on the overall winners.

A Look at the Middling Early Reviews for "Unbroken"

Jack O'Connell

For a lot of Oscar pundits, director Angelina Jolie's Unbroken has long been considered the potential front runner. The most notable reason for this is its prime Christmas Day release sided alongside the fact that we have seen almost everything else, and nothing has really stood out. While The Spirit Awards likely give some insight into the potential nominees, there hasn't been one that is as blatant as last year's 12 Years a Slave. These are all valid reasons for thinking that this will be the one to beat, notably because the trailer is rather astounding. However, reports have come back and the film doesn't look as confident as it once did. Some people like it, but those expecting a masterpiece may be left disappointed.

Failed Oscar Campaigns: "Sling Blade" (1996)

Billy Bob Thornton

As awards seasons pick up, so do the campaigns to make your film have the best chances at the Best Picture race. However, like a drunken stupor, sometimes these efforts come off as trying too hard and leave behind a trailer of ridiculous flamboyance. Join me on every other Saturday for a highlight of the failed campaigns that make this season as much about prestige as it does about train wrecks. Come for the Harvey Weinstein comments and stay for the history. It's going to be a fun time as I explore cinema's rich history of attempting to matter.

A Look at the 2015 Spirit Award Nominations

Scene from Birdman

Coming off of the heels of the Gotham Awards a few weeks ago, the Independent Spirit Awards has officially released its nominations. Serving as the premiere award for independent cinema, the award has come to be just as much about recognizing smaller films as it is indicating potential Oscar nominees with last year's winners practically matching the Academy Awards. Still, it is another impressive year with a lot of great films in tow. What were some of the surprises and what are the chances that each film will have of winning? Read more after the jump.

The First "Pan" Trailer is a Beautiful Spectacle Promising Great Adventure

Hugh Jackman

With awards season in our midst, it isn't entirely wise to look forward to next year's potential selections. However, there are few names as reassuring a contender as that of director Joe Wright. Known for making definitive adaptations of some of the best literature with Pride & Prejudice and Atonement, there is reason to celebrate every time he comes around with a new film. After making the divisive Anna Karenina, he has been out of the limelight working on a new adaptation of a Peter Pan origin story known as Pan. The first trailer has dropped and it's time to get excited once again. Wright cannot make an ugly film. That's just fact.