The Scorecard Review

The Tale of Despereaux Directed by: Sam Fell and Robert Stevenhagen Cast: (voices) Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Watson, Tracey Ullman Running Time: 1 hr 35 mins Rating: G

Plot: On Soup Day, the Kingdom of Dor loses its Queen in a terrible rat-related accident. Subsequently, the King of Dor forbids both rats and soup. This depresses the residents of Dor who love soup (they seem ok with the rats being banned), including Princess Pea (Watson). When a little mouse named Despereaux (Broderick) learns about Pea's sadness, he sets out to restore happiness to Dor with the help of a Roscuro (Hoffman), a rat looking to make amends.

Who’s It For? Children and their parents. It may be a little frightening to very young children, but not too bad. But again

Dec 18
Dec 18 Gran Torino

Gran Torino Directed by: Clint Eastwood Cast: Clint Eastwood, Sue Lor, Bee Vang Running Time: 2 hrs Rating: R

Plot: A retired and newly widowed Korean war veteran becomes a grand father-figure to two neighboring Hmong teenagers trying to escape the violence of a local gang.

Who’s It For? Fans of Eastwood's magnetism need to see this. The film's genuine quality is open to anyone, particularly those who want to feel refreshed by an award worthy experience that isn't adapted from some previous literary form.

Expectations: Less than a year ago, the title Gran Torino was rumored to be that of a new Dirty Harry sequel. But when a trailer for this film was finally released, it appeared this film would be something more important.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors: Clint Eastwood as Walt Kowalski: Is this character the penultimate of Eastwood?

Dec 18
Dec 18 Yes Man

Chris De Salvo

Yes Man Directed by: Peyton Reed Cast: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, Rhys Darby Running Time: 1 hr, 44 minutes Rating: PG-13

Plot: Carl Allen is a pensive, heartbroken nobody who avoids all contact with the outside world. Though his friends insist he burst out from a cocoon of stymieing depression, Allen doesn’t see the worth of “getting back out there.” When a free spirited friend from his past arrives, he introduces Carl to a world in which all questions are answered with “yes.”

Who’s It For?: Fans of an emerging genre of comedy that attempts to transcend all facets of human emotion. When Judd Apatow ushered in “raunchy, thinking man’s humor,” it was just the beginning. Now, each time a new director sets out to create something funny, he also tries to get his

Dec 18
Dec 18 Slumdog Millionaire

CLICK HERE to read the complete Scorecard Review by Nick Allen

Quickcard Review Slumdog Millionaire

Directed by: Danny Boyle Cast: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Irfan Khan Running Time: 1 hr 50 mins Rating: PG-13

Plot: It's the potential of rags to riches as a slumdog (poor Indian boy played by Patel) must answer questions while on India’s own “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.” Each question somehow relates to a moment in his past mainly involving his older brother (Mittal) and a girl (Pinto) who he believes is the love of his life.

Who’s It For? This is the most accessible, mainstream Indian film (yes, it's Indian even though a English man directed it) I have seen. The only thing Bollywood about it is all the vibrant colors and a slightly odd musical number at

Dec 18
Dec 18 Seven Pounds

Seven PoundsDirected by: Gabriele Muccino Cast: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper Running Time: 2 hours Rating: PG-13

Plot: An IRS agent named Ben Thomas (Smith) has a secret and embarks on a journey to change the lives of seven strangers, while looking for his own path of redemption.

Who’s It For? Smith won over audiences last year with The Pursuit of Happyness and it's the same type of powerful tale. There's a little mystery involved here but otherwise, it's pulling at the heart strings.

Expectations: Just like everyone else, I like Smith. It's hard not to. Though, it's funny, looking over his most recent films like I, Robot, Hitch, I Am Legend and Hancock ... Pursuit is the only good one in the bunch.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors: Will Smith as Ben Thomas: At first Ben almost

Dec 18
Dec 18 Beauty in Trouble (Kráska v nesnázích)

Megan Lehar

Beauty in Trouble (Kráska v nesnázích) Directed by: Jan Hrebejk Cast: Anna Geislerová, Roman Luknár, Josef Abrhám, Jana Brejchová Running Time: 1 hr 50 min Rating: Unrated Opens: Dec. 12 in Portland at The Living Room Theaters

Plot: After a flood ravages much of Prague, Jarda (Roman Luknar) starts running a chop shop to support his now destitute family. His wife, Marcela (Anna Geislerova), leaves Jarda after disagreeing about his illegal activities. She moves to her mother's apartment, bringing her children along. This upsets Marcela's stepfather, Richard, who does not appreciate the intrusion of this family into his already cramped apartment. Jarda is arrested after one of his accomplices steals a car belonging to Evzen Benes (Josef Abrham) that's equipped with satellite tracking. Benes offers to aid Marcela financially and get

Dec 14
Dec 14 Box Office Review - December, 14, 2008

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, DECEMBER 12-14, 2008 Rank. Movie Title - Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. The Day the Earth Stood Still - $31.0 million | 3,560 | $31.0 million | 1

2. Four Christmases - $13.3 million | 3,540 | $88.0 million | 3

3. Twilight - $8.0 million | 3,649 | $150.1 million | 4

4. Bolt - $7.5 million | 3,133 | $88.9 million | 4

5. Australia - $4.3 million | 2,703 | $37.9 million | 3

Source: boxofficemojo.com

The Day the Earth Stood Still was pretty much guaranteed the top spot this weekend. But $31 million is a disappointment. Two new releases of note here ... Nothing Like the Holidays failed to capture the spirit, landing at #7 with just $3.5 million. And completely forgotten is

Dec 12
Dec 12 Winslet, Bardem, Hawkins and more on Golden Globe Nominations

More quotes and reactions for actors nominated for the Golden Globes.The show will be on air January 11, 2009 live on NBC.

KATE WINSLET, nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, THE READER: “Playing April Wheeler and Hannah Schmitz, two strong and complex characters was a true gift. To be recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for both performances is a genuine honor and I am incredibly grateful. I am forever thankful to my husband Sam Mendes, Leo and fellow cast members and for Justin's beautiful script. I am equally proud to share this day with Stephen Daldry and David Hare.”

JAVIER BARDEM, nominee for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical - VICKY

Dec 11
Dec 11 The Day the Earth Stood Still

The Day the Earth Stood Still Directed by: Scott Derrickson Cast: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Jaden Smith, Kathy Bates, John Cleese Running Time: 1 hr 50 mins Rating: PG-13

Plot: Klaatu (Reeves) is an alien who visits Earth with his large robot counterpart. He is here on a mission and scientist Helen Benson (Connelly) is out to understand why, but so is the U.S. government led by the Secretary of Defense (Bates).

Who’s It For? I can't say teens, because it's kind of boring. And I can't say intelligent adults, because it's not really that thought provoking. I was hoping for a little humor with the fish (alien) out of water (outer space), but it just didn't happen.

Expectations: I never saw the original 1951 version of The Day the Earth Stood Still. But from what I

Dec 11
Dec 11 Doubt

Doubt Directed by: John Patrick Shanley Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Viola Davis Running Time: 95 minutes Rating: PG-13 Opens: Dec. 12th in Chicago at Landmark Century Cinema and AMC River East

Plot: Based on his own play, John Patrick Shanley writes and directs a film about a Bronx parish in the 1960's that faces inner turmoil when a respected priest's (Hoffman) good nature is questioned by two nuns (Streep and Adams).

Who’s It For? Those willing to experience a slowly paced, dramatic exploration into universal themes like leadership as told in a setting timely to the church's own problems in recent years.

Expectations: Very curious was the mixed reaction Doubt received when it first screened in New York. Where could this Oscar-baiting film have gone wrong?

Dec 11
Dec 11 How About You?

Morrow McLaughlin

How About You? Directed by: Anthony Byrne Cast: Brenda Fricker, Vanessa Redgrave, Hayley Atwell, Imelda Staunton, Joss Ackland Running Time: 1 hr 20 min Rating: R Opens: Dec. 12 in Portland at Hollywood Theatre

Plot: A young, irresponsible woman (Hayley Atwell) is left in charge of her sister’s retirement home, where she has to deal with the antics of four damaged and irascible seniors.

Who’s It For? Anyone who’s lost the will to continue looking for the remote control (it’s in the icebox—Doh!).

Expectations: I had zero ideas about this movie and sometimes that’s a very good thing (The Full Monty, The Fall, Below), and sometimes it leaves you feeling blindfolded and disoriented. Obviously, I hoped for the former.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Hayley Atwell as Ellie: She’s gorgeous and talented, but the character development feels like it didn’t even make it

Dec 11
Dec 11 Nothing Like the Holidays

Nothing Like The Holidays Directed by: Alfredo De Villa Cast: Freddy Rodriguez, Elisabeth Pena, John Leguizamo, Luis Guzman, Debra Messing Running Time: 1 hr 40 mins Rating: PG-13

Plot: An eccentric Latin-American family living in the Puerto Rican area of Chicago celebrates Christmas and various life lessons that enhance the holiday spirit.

Who’s It For?: Properly, this film isn't limited to an audience of a particular background. However, if you've already got a favorite family Christmas movie, (mine's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation) there are slim chances that this will be any type of a replacement.

Expectations: I always like to see how Chicago is captured in films. But would there be anything to truly Like about another holiday film that reminds me once again, in so many words, that "family is the best gift of all?"

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors:

Freddy

Dec 11
Dec 11 I Can't Think Straight

Megan Lehar

I Can't Think Straight Directed by: Shamim Sharif Cast: Lisa Ray, Sheetal Sheth, Antonia Frering, Rez Kempton Running Time: 1 hr 30 min Rating: PG-13 Opens: 12/12 in Portland at The Living Room Theaters

Plot: Tala (Lisa Ray), a Christian Jordanian from a wealthy family, becomes engaged and returns to London to meet with friends before her wedding. There she meets Leyla (Sheetal Sheth), the girlfriend of her best friend Ali. After a tenuous courtship, the two women end up involved in a secret romantic relationship. With Tala's impending nuptials, the women must make a choice, to live a lie or come out and be who they are, together.

Who’s It For? Do you ever watch romantic comedies and think, if only the two were both women and really hot? Then this is

Dec 11
Dec 11 Moving Midway

Morrow McLaughlin

Moving Midway Directed/Written by: Godfrey Cheshire Cast: Charles Hinton, Elizabeth Silver Cheshire, Al Hinton, Dena Williams Silver Running Time: 1 hr 38 min Rating: Unrated

Plot: New York filmmaker and critic Godfrey Cheshire juxtaposes the enduring myth and romance of the antebellum Southern plantation against his brother’s attempts to physically move the actual house, Midway, to a less urban location.

Who’s It For? Civil War buffs and anyone who feels connected to the Southern identity.

Expectations: I always expect to enjoy documentaries.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Cast: The people in the film are like people you've had a brief introduction to at a picnic. They are likable, but you forget their names immediately afterward and you spend the rest of the afternoon referring to them as "whathisname over there...no, the guy eating the pickle." Further convoluting the problem is that some

Dec 10
Dec 10 Hoffman, Fincher and others about Golden Globe Nominations

With the Golden Globe nominations out, that means people need to be happy and humble.Here's thoughts from Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, David Fincher and Eric Roth.

“It is so exciting to be nominated, but working with Emma was reward enough. Don’t get me wrong, I still want to win!” - Dustin Hoffman, LAST CHANCE HARVEY, nominee for Best Actor (Musical or Comedy)

"Dustin and I had the best time making this film. It seems insane to get an award nomination on top of that, but I'm thrilled." - Emma Thompson, LAST CHANCE HARVEY, nominee for Best Actress (Musical or Comedy)

"I would like to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Kathy Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Cean Chaffin, Paramount and Warner Bros. for allowing me to make this movie that I've wanted to make for

Dec 11
Dec 11 Golden Globe Film Nominations for 2008

The awards have started. Here are the nominations for the 2008 Golden Globes. You may remember last year's awards ceremony, it was the odd infomercial (due to the writers strike) with Queen Latifah. Well, my first thoughts are there is no love for Valkyrie and very little love for The Dark Knight.

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Frost/Nixon The Reader Revolutionary Road Slumdog Millionaire

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon Sean Penn, Milk Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married Angelina Jolie, Changeling Meryl Streep, Doubt Kristin Scott-Thomas, I've Loved You So Long Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

BEST MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY Burn After Reading Happy-Go-Lucky In Bruges Mamma Mia! Vicky Cristina Barcelona

BEST PERFORMANCE

Dec 11
Dec 11 The Visitor and Last Chance Harvey screenplays available for download

Overture Films is trying something new. Available now on their website, you can download The Visitor and Last Chance Harvey. Though they are really pushing the first.

Overture Films is proud to announce the screenplay of The Visitor is now available online. Please visit www.overturefilms.net/awards/downloads.html to download your copy.

The inspiring story, written and directed by Tom McCarthy (The Station Agent), reminds us of the beauty of human connection and the impact one person can make in the lives of others. In The Visitor, Richard Jenkins (“Six Feet Under,” Burn After Reading), a veteran actor for over 30 years, steps into the spotlight in his first leading role as Walter Vale, a Connecticut economics professor whose life is transformed by a chance encounter with a young immigrant couple in New York City. The

Dec 11
Dec 11 Alien Trespass starring Eric McCormack to debut in January

Maybe it's because I recently saw The Day the Earth Stood Still, and was completely underwhelmed, but Alien Trespass seems like a tough sell. Simply the names Urp and Ghota are going to be tough to work through. The one thing it does have going for it is the 1950's. The problem with recent alien invasion flicks is that we have to spend time with technology (cell phones and news casts) instead of focusing on characters. ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS TO RELEASE ALIEN TRESPASS

STARRING ERIC MCCORMACK

World Premiere at the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival

Los Angeles (December 5, 2008) - Roadside Attractions has acquired the U.S. theatrical rights to R.W. Goodwin’s (The X Files) colorful homage to 1950’s

Sci-fi alien invasion films, ALIEN TRESPASS. The film stars Will & Grace’s, Eric McCormack in his

Dec 9
Dec 9 Freddy Rodriguez, Elisabeth Pena and Luis Guzman - Nothing Like the Holidays