" What is "Go"? "

" Check this week's Go for an article about the inaccessibility of the Oscar front-runners - namely "There Will Be Blood" and "No Country For Old Men." These two films, along with "Juno," "Atonement" and "Michael Clayton," collectively grossed less than the 2003 Best Picture winner, "The Return of the King."

Of course, none of this year's nominees are well known properties - neither remakes nor comic book or popular literary adaptations (the key word being popular in the case of "No Country" and Sinclair's "Oil!").

That's why I find film business funny. "Meet the Spartans" just made $18 million at the box office in a single weekend. It tied with "Rambo." Who actually saw these movies? More importantly, why did those audiences see these movies?

It certainly wasn't critical response. We'll probably see the effect of that factor next week, when both films likely make less than half of this weekend's grosses.

Was it the allure of the previews? Probably not. Neither features the kind of material that really compels one to lay down money for more.

I'd guess most of the appeal was the comforting familiarity of the franchises. "Meet the Spartans" promises the same mindless laughs of "Scary Movie" and its several sequels. "Rambo" promises the same gory kills and explosions as its prequels. They feel like safe bets in contrast to the unknown selections on the other screens.

And until film-goers recognize this train of thought and get adventurous at the box office, we'll continue seeing endless remakes and rehashes of long-dead franchises.

Also, Mr. T, I wasn't knocking "Eastern Promises." It was certainly good, but not as great as I'd hoped for following "A History of Violence."

-David "

" Just watched the movie "Once". Def. one of my favorites now. It is a perfect example of how a modern musical can skip the cheesy intros and dancing, and be totally natural and moving. "

" Just saw "Micahel Clayton" a really classy film ... supspenseful enough. and really interesting. if it won Bets Picture i wouldn't mind... "

" Awe noe David, why do you have to go and knock Viggo & "Eastern Promises"? that movie rocked!

Just this morning ... 3 days or so after I saw "There will be Blood" am I starting to 'get it' that is a truly special movie.

I'm going to go see "Michael Clayton" tomorrow ... I'm really looking forward to seeing that one.

Be good David. Enjoy the popcorn!

Mr T "

" Better question ... why is that every time I ask a question ... the blog is updated?

Now I feel like a dope.

I just asked why the blog isn't updated. Sent that question in and scrolled up to the top to find ... a new entry by Big Dave.

I don't get it. "

"
Why is this blog updated so infrequently?

Check out this guys blog

http://www.variety.com/blog/890000489.html

Mr T "

" Mr. T,

Cronenberg is a favorite of mine. So much so that I took it as huge affront when "A History of Violence" not only didn't win the Oscar, but was beaten by a film that shares its title with another Cronenberg film, "Crash."

That 1996 film, about a group of people who derive sexual exhilaration from car crashes, was substantially better than that overwrought 2005 mosaic piece that made a lot of stylized noise and said next to nothing.

Now then, I was actually a little let down by "Eastern Promises." Viggo Mortensen is as great as ever at balancing calm and cut-throat intensity, but the film otherwise lacked focus and the suspense suffered.

-David "

" David,

What did you think of "Eastern Promises"?

That wsa my favorite film of 2007... and "A History of Violence" was my favorite film a few years ago.

Those are the only two Cronenberg films I've seen. But II really dig his work.

and yes, Phillip Seymour Hoffman rocks. He puts out so much great work.

I look forward to seeing him in John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt" ;ater this year. Little doubt that this will be one of Miramax's Award season contenders next year. "

" I'll comment on the Oscar nominations closer to the big night, when I hope to have seen just about all the films up for awards.

Sadly, the announcements seem to be overshadowed in entertainment news by the early death of Heath Ledger.

I've always enjoyed Ledger's acting. "Brokeback Mountain" will likely be remembered as his greatest turn, but Ledger left behind a solid body of work otherwise. He even made romantic comedies like "Casanova" and "10 Things I Hate About You" fun for guys like me.

Needless to say, the intrigue surrounding his upcoming role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" has ballooned immensely. As someone who has supported his casting since it was first announced, I'm confident he'll rival the great Jack Nicholson's performance with his own classic take on the character.

-David "

" David,

Have you abandoned your blog?

What are the 4 movies you saw this weekend and the 5 last week? plus one today ... that's 10 films my man. See anything good?

I saw 4 movies over the past 3 days

Into the Wild - OK but too long. Take out the part about his parents and we would have had an interested 2 hour or less film

Atonenemt - Very boring. But I like James McAvoy - he's very talented

Sweeny Todd - Very boring.

And finally i saw There will be Blood - a really good film. Good stuff.

Oscar noms tomorrow morning. I look forward to seeing what AMPAS members have to say. "

" My fellow Fairport native, actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, had another standout year in 2007. Aside from a scene-stealing turn alongside Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in "Charlie Wilson's War," Hoffman marked the year with a pair of weighty dramatic performances.

I've not yet been able to see the first, "The Savages." But I did have the pleasure of seeing "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead," in which Hoffman plays a cash-squeezed real estate suit who enlists his equally broke brother (Ethan Hawke) for a robbery. The target is their parents' jewelry store.

Director Sidney Lumet tells this story of desperation spiraling out of control somewhat out of sequence. In doing so, he aptly sketches the states of mind motivating his characters without protracting the suspense of the events pushing them along. It is not their callous actions but the circumstances that cause them that ask our attention, and we are all but forced to answer with a small degree of understanding.

And perhaps I'm biased, but Hoffman steals the show here, as he seems to have a habit of doing. In the early and middle portions of the film, he betrays a broiling resolve under his character's calm and calculating manner that snuffs out any notion of surprise when that resolve turns to sheer madness at the climax.

Also, Karl, "3:10" was indeed a well done Western. It should surprise no one that Bale and Crowe bring the goods in this gritty tale, as they are two of the most intense actors working today. The transformation of Crowe's character toward the end didn't come off as naturally as it could have, but it by no means felt unearned or forced.

-David "

" As noted, it was good to see 'Atonement' grab the best dramatic film prize at last night's Golden Globes. The win goes a long way toward strengthening its chances of competing with 'There Will Be Blood' and 'No Country For Old Men' for the best picture Oscar.

I'd predict 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' and 'Sweeney Todd' round out the contenders for that prize, although 'Juno' has an outside chance as well.

But I'm in no position to speculate on the outcome. And my full 'Best of 2007' list must wait a while to come to fruition - at least until 'There Will Be Blood' screens within 60 miles of Auburn. Whether I'll see 'Diving Bell' before March is another story.

So far, however, my top five consists of 'No Country,' 'Atonement,' 'Zodiac,' 'Once' and 'Juno.'

'Once' is probably the least known of the five, and it's by far the sweetest. It begins when a young Irish street musician meets a Czech woman enamored with his playing. Each is recovering from a romantic bump in the road. The next time they meet, they stroll into a nearby music store and perform one of his songs together in a powerful moment of instantaneous chemistry. As his affection for her grows, the two write and record an album together.

It's a musical, but the numbers arrive naturally, not in the 'Now I'm going to burst into song!' way. And the songs, which were written by the actors, are gorgeous works of acoustic rock anchored by the heart-wrenching singing of Glen Hansard (the guy - we don't learn his name). His charming exchanges with the girl (Marketa Irglova) sharpen the film's emotions and, in turn, position each song to pierce your heart. See this movie soon.

Also, Mr. T, I've yet to see 'The Great Debaters.' It's on the list though.

And karl, I've yet to see '3:10' either. I know, some movie blogger I am, right? But I will Netflix it by the end of the week, and dish my thoughts then.

- David "

" Atonement gets a much needed win last night at the Golden Globes.

And how about Julian Schnable leapfrogging over the Cohen Brothers for a BEst Director win?

Did anyone see the press conference on CNN? With Larry King chiming in with his comments like "Oh he's very popular out here" - no kidding Larry - he;s a movie star man - he's popular almost everywhere.

I actually did enjoy the brevity of the news conference. Oscar better watch out --- this could be the new trend for Award shows! "

" Just watched "3:10 to Yuma"--definitely a good rental. A little strange to see Russel Crowe in that role, but he carries it off well. The movie is a remake, and some of the themes in it are obviously dated--for instance, when at the end Crowe's character is kinda honorably following the Dad, you wonder why he didn't just jump through a window, off the roof or down the stairs and leave the guy vulnerable to the mob? I guess that was the "honorable" thing to do when it was first filmed? But the movie was a b good one. "

" David,

Your a good egg. I felt like a jerk being so nit picky.

Actually, I would say that Award Season starts at the Toronto Film Festival which is right after Labor Day.

But enough of that ... lets get down to what' really important.

What are you top 5 films of 2007?

Two of Mr T's are:

No Country For Old Men
Diving Bell & Butterfly


Have you seen TWC's "Great Debaters" yet?

"

" Mr. T,

You're partly right. It was foolish of me to say awards season is "starting soon." I was referring to ceremonial awards (e.g. Globes, SAG); the critics' awards had slipped my mind completely when I wrote that.

I think it would be more accurate to say movie awards season runs from mid-December - when the first critics make their best-of-year selections - through the Oscars in late February. Thanks for reading.

-David "

" Awards season started back in September. It's winding down now. "

" There's a Rotten Tomato forum???? WHERE?!?!? "

" January has a very clear role in my movie calendar. It's catch-up month.

With awards season starting soon and the holiday scramble at an end, I find both the time and the energy to track down all the quality movies I've so far missed.

This weekend, I saw "Juno," which recently came to the Fingerlakes Theater.

From its animated credit sequence to its quirk-ridden characters, the movie has "indy comedy" scribbled all over it.

In an attempt to depict Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) as the immensely likeable girl every guy wishes he befriended - or bedded - in high school, writer Diablo Cody arms her with wise-beyond-her-years witticisms sometimes sharpened to the point of unbelievability.

Her narration addresses her estranged mother, "Thanks a heap coyote ugly. This cactus-gram stinks even worse than your abandonment." What 16-year-old says that?

But when the script works, it works hilariously well. "I'd like to procure a hasty abortion," the 16-year-old tells the local clinic after discovering she's the mother of a timid high school track star's (Michael Cera, of "Superbad" and "Arrested Development") child.

Though the dialogue sometimes comes off a little too desperate to be adored and quoted ad nauseum, "Juno" otherwise succeeds at telling a sweet story of maturity transcending age. And I'm now all too happy to remember young Page for her earnest performance as Juno MacGuff: precocious and pregnant high school student, rather than the vengeful, castrating pre-teen she played in "Hard Candy." "