Theory Thursday: "The Counselor" is Underrated

Left to right: Michael Fassbender and Javier Bardem in The Counselor

Welcome to a weekly column called Theory Thursdays, which will be released every Thursday and discuss my "controversial opinion" related to something relative to the week of release. Sometimes it will be birthdays while others is current events or a new film release. Whatever the case may be, this is a personal defense for why I disagree with the general opinion and hope to convince you of the same. While I don't expect you to be on my side, I do hope for a rational argument. After all, film is a subjective medium and this is merely just a theory that can be proven either way. 

Check This Out: A Video of Chris Farley's Version of "Shrek"

Scene from Shrek

Nowadays, Shrek is remembered as one of the most successful animated franchises in history. Its tale of an ogre who skewered fairy tale and pop culture became a cornerstone to the zeitgeist throughout the past 14 years with four films, one spin-off, and endless merchandise. It was also the first film to win Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. While Shrek has developed into its own metaphorical monster with Mike Myers turning in one of the most recognizable voice works of the decade, things would have looked a lot different with original choice Chris Farley. After 18 years, audio has been released for the version that could have been with Eddie Murphy reprising his role as Donkey. To say the least, it's an interesting look into alternative history.

Failed Oscar Campaigns: Gangs of New York (2003)

Daniel Day-Lewis

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.

Can "The Counselor" Bring Ridley Scott Back to the Oscars?

Javier Bardem

Up until this point, director Ridley Scott's The Counselor has being one of the more bizarre, intriguing films of the fall season. Its pedigree is chopped full of Academy Award-winning elite and features a script by Cormac McCarthy that only suggests that this film should be getting more recognition. Of course, my opinions of its possibility came back before competition was really heating up and films such as Gravity and 12 Years a Slave were taking over all of the momentum. Still, is there some off chance that this can sneak in a nomination or two?