Last month, at this time, we asked you which four films you were most looking forward to seeing in the month of December. The results are in and it appears that December is going to be all about The Adventures of TinTin, Shame, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, and David Fincher’s remake of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Thank you to everyone who voted.
Here’s January’s poll. As always, you can vote for up to four films and write-ins are accepted. So, let us know — which films are you looking forward to seeing in January?
While I was off celebrating my birthday yesterday and my fellow editors were putting together Lisa Day here on the Shattered Lens (and I have to say — thank you and I love you all!), some really silly and stupid things were going on as far as next year’s Oscar ceremony is concerned. Basically, to recap, notoriously bad director Brett Ratner was hired to produce the upcoming Oscar telecast because — well, I’m not sure why. I mean, doesn’t Brett Ratner kinda represent everything about the film industry that the Academy usually tried to pretend doesn’t exist? Anyway, Ratner convinced Eddie Murphy to host the show. Ratner then apparently commented that “rehearsing is for fags.” Naturally, this led to a lot of people getting upset, even though none of them were apparently upset by all the sexist and homophobic comments Ratner made before he was hired to produce the ceremony. Ratner then stepped down as producer, which was expected. What wasn’t expected was that Eddie Murphy would follow by stepping down as host.
So, now, Brian Grazer (who is probably about as Hollywood establishment as you can get) is producing the show and looking for a new host. Now, there’s been some speculation that the job might go to Billy Crystal or maybe even Robin Williams (and all I can say to that is “Please God — no!”). Myself, I’m hoping that they surprise us by going with someone totally unexpected — like maybe Joel McHale or the nosy kittens waiting to be fed. Or maybe even me!
So, with all that in mind, who do you think would make the perfect Oscar host? Vote once, vote often.
Last month, at this time, we asked you which four films you were most looking forward to seeing in the month of November. The results are in and it appears that November is going to be all about A Dangerous Method, Twilight, Pirahna 3DD, Hugo, Melancholia, and J. Edgar. Thank you to everyone who voted.
Here’s December’s poll. As always, you can vote for up to four films and write-ins are accepted. So, let us know — which films are you looking forward to seeing in December?
Here’s November’s poll. As always, you can vote for up to four films and write-ins are accepted. So, let us know — which films are you looking forward to seeing in November?
Hi there and welcome to the latest, long-delayed edition of Let’s Second Guess The Academy. Previously, we second-guessed the Academy’s choice for best picture of 1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002. It seems only fitting that we now jump ahead another 4 years and reconsider the race for best picture of 2006.
The Academy nominated five films for best picture 0f 2006. Those films were Babel, The Departed, Letters from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Queen. They ultimately named The Departed the best film of 2006. Were they right?
And now, here’s my favorite part of second guessing the Academy. What if none of the five nominated films had been released in 2006? Which other films would you have nominated? Below is a list of some of 2006′s most acclaimed and memorable films. You can vote for up to 10 replacement nominees and write-in votes are allowed.
Below, you’ll find the poll for October. Let us know which October films you’re most looking forward to seeing. As always, please feel free to vote for up to four films.
(As for me, I voted for The Rum Diary, Footloose, In Time, and The Skin I Live In.)
Thank you to everyone who voted in my latest “Tell Lisa Marie What To Watch” poll. A total of 864 votes were cast. Up until this morning, it looked like Night of the Creeps was going to be an easy winner but a last-minute surge of votes gave Logan’s Run a come-from-behind victory. Interestingly enough, The Lion In Winter also got a lot of last-minute votes. It didn’t receive enough to beat Logan’s Run but it did manage to knock Night of the Creeps down to a third place finish.
I will be watching Logan’s Run later on today. Look for my review tomorrow. And again, thank you to everyone who voted!
So, guess what I did earlier today? That’s right — I put on a blindfold, a stumbled over to my ever-growing DVD, Blu-ray. and even VHS collection and I randomly selected 12 films!
Why did I do this?
I did it so you, the beloved readers of Through the Shattered Lens, could once again have a chance to tell me what to do. At the end of this post, you’ll find a poll. Hopefully, between now and next Sunday (that’s August 21st), a few of you will take the time to vote for which of these 12 films I should watch and review. I will then watch the winner on Sunday and post my review on Monday night. In short, I’m putting the power to dominate in your hands. Just remember: with great power comes great … well, you know how it goes.
Here are the 12 films that I randomly selected this afternoon:
Abduction — From 1975, this soft-core grindhouse film is based on the real-life abduction of Patty Hearst and was made while Hearst was still missing. Supposedly, the FBI ended up investigating director Joseph Zito to make sure he wasn’t involved in the actual kidnapping.
Aguirre, The Wrath of God — From director Werner Herzog and star Klaus Kinski comes this story about a Spanish conquistador who fights a losing battle against the Amazon.
Black Caesar — In one of the most succesful of the 70s blaxploitation films, Fred Williamson takes over the Harlem drug trade and battles the mafia.
Don’t Look Now — Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie are a married couple who attempt to deal with the death of their daughter by going to Venice, Italy. Christie quickly falls in with two blind psychics while Sutherland pursues a ghostly figure in a red raincoat through Venice. Directed by Nicolas Roeg.
The Lion In Winter — From 1968, this best picture nominee stars Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn as King Henry II and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Taking place on Christmas Eve, Henry and Eleanor debate which one of their useless sons will take over a king of England. This film is also the feature debut of both Anthony Hopkins and Timothy Dalton.
Logan’s Run— From 1976, this sci-fi film features Michael York and Jenny Agutter as two future hedonists seeking Sanctuary and instead finding Peter Ustinov and a bunch of cats. Filmed in my hometown of Dallas.
Lost Highway — From director David Lynch comes this 1997 film about … well, who knows for sure what it’s about? Bill Pullman may or may not have killed Patricia Arquette and he may or may not end up changing into Balthazar Getty.
Mystic River— From director Clint Eastwood comes this film about murder, guilt, redemption, and suspicion in working-class Boston. Starring Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, and Tim Robbins.
Naked Massacre — From 1976, this stark film is something a grindhouse art film. It takes the true life story of Chicago mass murderer Richard Speck and transfers the action to Belfast. Also known as Born for Hell.
Night of the Creeps— From 1986, this film features alien slugs that turn an entire college campus into a breeding ground for frat boy zombies. Tom Atkins gets to deliver the classic line: “Well don’t go out there…”
Petulia — Considered by many to be one of the best American films ever made and one of the definitive films of the 60s, Petulia tells the story of a divorced doctor (George C. Scott) who enters into an odd relationship with Julie Christie. Directed by Richard Lester, this film also stars Joseph Cotten, Richard Chamberlain, and the Grateful Dead.
What Have You Done To Solange? — From 1975, What Have You Done To Solange is a classic giallo that features dream-like murders, disturbing subtext, and one of the best musical scores of all time.
So, there’s your 12 films. Vote once, vote often, have fun, and I await your decision.
One month ago, we asked you which films you are most looking forward to seeing in August. The results of that poll can be found here but, in short, it would appear that, for the majority of our readers, August is going to be all about The Rise of the Planet of the Apes,Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Conan the Barbarian, and Fright Night.
(Though for me personally, August is all about One Day.)
So, what’s September going to be all about? Well, why not let us know by voting in our latest poll? As always, you can vote for up to four films and write-in votes are always allowed. Happy voting!
(Personally, I’ll be voting for 50/50, Drive, Contagion, and A Good, Old-Fashioned Orgy.)
Hi there and welcome to the latest edition of Let’s Second Guess The Academy. Previously, we second-guessed the Academy’s choice for best picture of 1990, 1994, and 1998. It seems only fitting that we now jump ahead another 4 years and reconsider the race for best picture of 2002.
In 2002, the Academy nominated five films for best picture. Those films were Chicago, Gangs of New York, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Pianist, and The Hours. They ultimately named Chicago the best film of 2002. Were they right?
And now, here’s my favorite part of second guessing the Academy. What if none of the five nominated films had been released in 2002? Which other films would you have nominated? Below is a list of some of 2002’s most acclaimed and memorable films. You can vote for up to 10 replacement nominees and write-in votes are allowed.
Through the Shattered Lens 