The Fox and the Wolf are out of the race!

OK, so this headline may be a slight bit misleading. However, via Variety, Bennett Miller's Foxcatcher has been pushed into 2014, 'to allow for more time to finish the film'. I expect a spring 2014 release date.

Speaking of finishing films, Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street is no longer listed for a November release date. The film's workprint cut is allegedly 180 minutes long  and warranting an NC-17 rating, so cuts are necessary. Expect a Christmas release date or a 2014 one.

So my #1 and #2 anticipated films of the year require more waiting, so now what do I wait for? The Counselor? 12 Years a Slave?

Foxcatcher Trailer!

Wow. Can't wait. Worried a little on how Steve Carell's performance will be received.

Catching up with Foxcatcher!

I can say that Foxcatcher is one of my year's most anticipated films. I was disappointed to see it not listed at Toronto or Venice, but this week has been generous to Foxcatcher. The film is now getting a Sony Pictures Classics release on December 20th (YES!), and now an image has been released of Steve Carrell as schizophrenic John Du Pont.

Do you know what happens to 'nosey' fellas?

2014 Oscars: Best Director predictions (7/10/13)

In a perfect world, Richard Linklater would have this category locked up. Which is truly unfortuante, for his chances of winning anything for his work on Before Midnight are slim. Alas, we still have five contenders that I imagine will do well as nominees.

1. Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street
It is truly miraculous to see one of the best directors ever to still be working. Wolf of Wall Street looks hilarious and exciting, and has Scorsese written all over it.

2. George Clooney, The Monuments Men
When ex-nominee/ex-Batman is directing with an ensemble cast like this, he is bound to get a nomination, maybe a win.

3. Joel and Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis
The Coen Bros. received nominations for their work on True Grit. With their latest pic a film stronger than True Grit, they will probably also be nominees.

4. Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher
With Foxcatcher being my predicted Best Picture w
inner, I might as well predict the director as a nominee. Maybe he will win, maybe he won't.

5. Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Do I think Gravity will even receive a Best Picture nomination? No. But Cuaron has a visual style that has been well known due to his work with Children of Men. This time, he will receive that elusive nomination. With the film also opening the Venice fest, we will see soon enough how good his latest is.

Check back soon for more predictions!

Oscar Opinions: Moneyball (2011)

Another homerun by Bennett Miller.

QUICK OPINIONS:
The film itself is actually very basic. What it is is Billy Beane, manager of the Oakland A's, is trying to make a better team. Problem is, that the team is 'under 50 feet of crap'. Beane brings in Peter Brand, a newly graduated stats freak. Peter thinks that a cheap team is possible, and they just need to find the 'misfit toys'. It's as most critics put it, 'a baseball movie that is for people who don't like baseball'.

I found out about this movie almost a year ago, and I put it on the top of my Oscar predictions, next to The Tree of Life. I was very happy that the film got a nomination. I cannot wait for Miller's next film, with Steve Carrell, Foxcatcher. No it's not the best film of the year, but it's one of. 'B+'

National Society of Film Critics: How much is it worth?

With the NSFC announcing in a few hours, there's only a few things on my mind: playing well at my orchestra function, and The Tree of Life.

You see, if the film wins big here and at the DGA's, it would make the film a lock. NSFC has been giving love to Malick however, giving him Best Director in 1978, and choosing him as a runner-up in 1998.

In 2005, in fact, the NSFC was the only reason Bennet Miller's masterful Capote made the cut in the BP lineup. In fact, come January 20-something, most predicted Walk the Line as the 5th nominee. I'm happy the situation played out like so.