The Studio

There will be an Oscar event tomorrow night, Friday February 1 at 7pm, in the Radmacher room. Pioneer Press film critic Bruce Ingram will be there to share his thoughts about this year’s nominations and give us his predictions. If you’re struggling to decide what to pick for your staff contest ballot, you might want to attend this event.  He’ll be showing film clips!

And if that’s not enticing enough, here’s the best news…FREE FOOD will be available! Bring your friends and family!

The Oscar nominations were announced this morning. What does everyone think about the list? Any real surprises or snubs for you?

For me, I think the slate was notable in the sense that there’s no clear across-the-board front-runner. In sharp contrast to years when films like Titanic or The Return of the King sweeps awards across many categories, I think this means we’ll see accolades handed out to a number of different films. I might even argue that such a varied slate is an indicator of a particularly strong movie year.

This also means that a number of the races are wide open. I think any of the nominees in the Best Actress have a strong shot, as well as the races for Cinematography and Directing.

This isn’t to say that there aren’t some clear locks for a little golden guy. I think Daniel Day-Lewis and Javier Bardem may as well get their statues now, as they gave two of the most critically acclaimed, terrifying performances of the year.

Finally – if I can inject my own personal bias into the mix – I would love to see Roderick Jaynes take home the statue for Best Editing, simply because I’d love to see a fictional person giving the acceptance speech. Though that race will be close as well.

What do you think?

Click here to read the full list of nominees.

Does anyone besides me think that it’s a little bit funny that two recent major movies – receiving a lot of critical acclaim – use the minor classic by Velvet Underground “I’m Sticking with You” as part of the soundtrack? It’s included in Juno (get the soundtrack from the library) and The Savages. These two movies seem to have little in common. But think again. Way to go Lou!  Sure these are indie movies, but still – music once considered subversive is now entertaining the movie going masses.

While waiting for tea water to boil, I read a Bible verse on the staff-kitchen bulletin board. Which reminded me of another great ending.  That of the fine old film, Elmer Gantry, featuring a wonderful performance by Burt Lancaster and, right at the end, a well-delivered Bible verse.  There will a rush on this film now, right?

ALA’s Video Round Table has announced its 2008 Notable Videos list for adults. It’s usually a pretty good list and often includes films that don’t get a lot of attention elsewhere.

As I mentioned in my comments under the Film Noir post, there are a lot of SMALL-ish noir films that often go overlooked, compared to the biggies like Laura, The Maltese Falcon,  and Double Indemnity.  Not to say those do not have a reason for being well-known…they definitely deserve there place in noir history.  But, there are many more than SHOULD be a little bit more on the tips of people’s tongues when talking about classic film noir. 

Angel Face — Directed by Otto Preminger — I dare you to watch this movie and NOT be surprised at the ending.  DARE YOU!

The Big Clock — This one, directed by John Farrow (Mia’s father), was the basis for the 1987 spy thriller No Way Out.  And great performances by Ray Milland and Charles Laughton. 

Dark Passage — When people think Bogie and Bacall, they think To Have and Have Not or The Big Sleep.  But, this is my favorite from this great romantic duo.  A fabulous “noir” ending and an interesting beginning (you don’t see Bogie for about the first 20 minutes of the film…even though the opening scenes are from his POV). 

In a Lonely Place — Bogie is at his prime as a struggling writer who suddenly is suspected of murder.  A great, brooding noir directed by Nicholas Ray of Rebel Without A Cause fame. 

Mildred Pierce — Joan Crawford won her Oscar for this one, so that makes it not really undiscovered, right?  Well, as a film noir title, I think people often overlook this one.  And they shouldn’t!

Out of the Past — This one was remade as Against All Odds but I would still consider it undiscovered since it really doesn’t have a well-known actress in it…Jane Greer never became a household name.  But, it stars the King of the Noir, Robert Mitchum, who is perfect as the scorned lover. 

The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) — Yes, the 1946 version and not the awful Nicholson/Lange remake of the early 1980s.  This is a classic that is pretty well-known but again, people often don’t think of this when they hear noir…

Leave Her to Heaven — Last but surely not least is this wonderful movie that I would call noir but it is in COLOR.  In my opinion, film noir films do not HAVE to be in color.  Once you see what an evil femme fatale Gene Tierney is in this one, you just might have to agree.  But, please let me know if you disagree!  I get my claws out!!!!!

For noir and French – I recommend The Beat That My Heart Skipped and Read My Lips. Both these neo-noirs are directed by Jacques Audiard. They have intriguing plots and top notch performances. And there is a lot of violence, but I was engaged from beginning to end.

Find other French film noir (classic and neo) at the library.

More crime stories, dark themes, cynical characters, and shadowy cinematography …

Here are five suggestions:

Brick

Memento 

Pulp Fiction

Red Rock West

The Talented Mr. Ripley

For more titles, see our list of  contemporary noir. 

Did you all see the readers’ responses, in last Sunday’s Trib, to the Great Endings column?

The Great Escape was mentioned, which I agree with; also Field of Dreams which Maryann suggested; The Searchers, one of Cecilia’s; and Usual Suspects that Toby suggested.  I’m not clever enough to attach the link — it was called “No bitter endings when the readers chime in” — but maybe Toby can.