WALL-E Review!!

WALL-E is a film I have been waiting for a long time. I am usually a big fan of Pixar (the exception being Cars) and there was something about the teasers and trailers of this film. There was something immediately special about WALL-E himself, especially. I don't know what it is, but everyone falls in love with WALL-E as soon as they see him. Because of the affection the public grew to have for the lovable WALL-E, the film itself became extremely anticipated; maybe the most anticipated film of the year. I don't know that any film could live up to the hype that WALL-E generated...except this one.

WALL-E is the story of a robot. The last robot on Earth. What if everyone left Earth but forgot to turn off the last robot? That's the premise of the film. WALL-E was made for collecting garbage and packing that garbage into cubes. During the day this is exactly what he does, but while working he collects items he finds interesting for him to keep; WALL-E is very curious. One day the routine is changed when a sleek, female robot, comes to Earth. WALL-E is enchanted by her and follows her and watches her wherever she goes. WALL-E falls in love with her immediately and does everything he can to impress her, while she tries to complete her "directive" for being on Earth. But eventually, she must leave Earth and gets back on the spaceship home. But little does she know that WALL-E is attached to it. This is where the adventure begins.

And what an adventure it is. WALL-E is a film that touches upon love, loss, politics, and the way we live our lives. It touches all of your emotions and grabs hold of them. Most would never believe an animated film could touch you the way a "true-life" film can, but WALL-E proves them wrong. WALL-E isn't just a fantastic animated film, it's a fantastic film...period. When it comes down to it, WALL-E is exactly what every film should be and wants to be; hilarious, intimate, beautful, touching, insipiring, heartbreaking, imagnitive, thought-provoking...a masterpeice.

SCORE: 10

WALL-E Extended Clip!

Here's a clip from the new Pixar film WALL-E thanks to joblo.com. People are saying this may be the first animated film since Beauty and the Beast to be nominated for Best Picture. Others say there's no way since we now have a Best Animated Feature category. I say, this movie looks phenomenal.

Miracle at St. Anna Trailer

This is the trailer for the new Spike Lee film, Miracle at St. Anna. Spike Lee has sparked a lot of controversy over this film by challenging Clint Eastwood for not having Black soldiers in his WWII films. Regardless of who is right and who is wrong, saying negative things about Eastwood never sits well with the Academy. Luckily for Lee, this film looks fabulous, from the trailer, and may start to be on everyone's Oscar watch-list.

Early Best Screenplay Predictions

Original Screenplay:

1) Synecdoche, New York

Kauffman is beloved in the writer's circles. He is always in talks for an Oscar in this category.

2) Wall-E

This could be the ultimate Pixar film. Which definitely puts it in this category.

3) Burn After Reading

The Coen Bros. new film looks great, but not a Best Picture type. It may be better suited in this category.

4) Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Woody Allen's new film is getting a lot of praise. But he lately hasn't gotten past this category.

5) Milk

A dangerous story to tell, could lead to a lot of positive attention if done well.

Adapted Screenplay:

1) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The season's most buzzed film could get notice in all categories.

2) Revolutionary Road

A tough adaptation, but if done well, will surely be here.

3) Doubt

A great play doesn't usually translate to a great film. However, judging by the talent involved in this film, something must have been written well.

4) Defiance

A holocaust story that has never been told should get attention in this category.

5) Frost/Nixon

If the play translates well to film, it will most likely get a nomination in this category.

Burn After Reading Trailer

The premiere trailer of the new Coen Brothers' film Burn After Reading has been released. From the looks of it, the film is going to be great. It looks hysterical and off-beat, like many of the Coen Brothers films. However, the Best Picture talk may be inaccurate as it does not look like the Academy's cup-of-tea. In case you missed it, here is the trailer. (NOTE: FOR RESTRICTED AUDIENCES ONLY)

Early Directing Predictions

1) David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

A very overdue director that should finally get his due.

2) Clint Eastwood - The Exchange

Always near the top when it comes to the Oscars. Has he been nominated too much lately?

3) Edward Zwick - Defiance

The Academy has never really warmed up to his films. They did like Blood Diamond more than everyone thought however, maybe he'll take the next step forward.

4) Baz Luhrman - Australia

A very creative director some feel is due a nomination. Some also feel he is all style, no substance.

5) Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road

A tough adaptation to do. If it's great he'll be nominated for sure.

Early Supporting Acting Predictions

Actor:

1) Liev Schreiber - Defiance

Early word is he absolutely steals the film.

2) Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt

A great role for a phenomenal actor. But, will the film be well received by the Academy? And will he go lead?

3) Robert Downey Jr. - The Soloist

Getting hot as an actor and is very talented. Many consider his performance in Zodiac overlooked (along with the film) and with his kickass turn in Iron Man it may be his time.

4) Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Early word of mouth says he is amazing in the film, and I truly believe this could be his best performance. However, a superhero movie in July is tough to get nominated from.

5) Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road

A great character actor that has been slighty unnoticed. Will his part be big enough?

Actress:

1) Amy Adams - Doubt

I don't know if you can call her due, but she certainly has always been in Oscar talks lately. Part should be great.

2) Cate Blanchett - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

She's always great and always nominated. In what could be the leading film all year, she should stay in everyone's heads. Will she go lead?

3) Catherine Keener - The Soloist

Always great and overdue. She has to win an Oscar at some point. But is this the part?

4) Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Cannes says she is incredible in the film. Problem is, the film is loaded with talent, especially on the female side of things. Will she stand out from the pack?

5) Samantha Morton - Synecdoche, New York

Charlie Kaufman films usually have great acting. Samantha Morton has been nominated twice already; she's also beautiful, which helps.

Early Lead Acting Predictions

Lead Actor:

1) Leonardo DiCaprio - Revolutionary Road

He is in what should be a great character drama, and he's a fantastic actor. Plus many think he is overdue for an Oscar win, maybe this year it will finally happen.

2) Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon

See above.

3) Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

A very good actor who the Academy already nominated once (12 Monkeys). The lead part in the most talked about film so far this year should pave the way for a nomination. Problem is, it didn't happen in Babel where he was fantastic. Are the tabloid problems too much for the Academy to handle?

4) Benicio DelToro - Guerrilla

A great part for a great actor. On the flip-side, the film has been postponed many times, is it because it was no good?

5) Sean Penn - Milk

Again, a beloved actor in a great part. We're still not sold on how the Academy will embrace this film however.

Lead Actress:

1) Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road

We're picking two great actors, in a great film, to both finally get there due. We'll see I guess.

2) Meryl Streep - Doubt

The Academy can't NOT nominate her, and the part should be great.

3) Nicole Kidman - Australia

Hasn't been nominated in a while and should be a great film. Question is, is it an acting showcase?

4) Angelina Jolie - The Exchange

Word is the film is great and she is great. The Academy doesn't like her, but we think there is enough bad blood for not nominating her last year that the Academy won't do the same thing again.

5) Julianne Moore - Blindness

The film has not gotten very good buzz after Cannes. However, that doesn't mean she's not great in it.

Early Best Picture Predictions

Roads to Oscar's season opening Best Picture picks:

1) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

A film that is generating the most buzz to start the year. Many feel that David Fincher is long overdue (Se7en, Fight Club, Zodiac), especially when it comes to Zodiac which was the second most loved film by critics last year. Brad Pitt stars in the leading role, which the Academy like as an actor but dislikes his tabloid presence.

2) The Exchange (The Changeling)

Clint Eastwood's recently renamed drama about a mother who's child is kidnapped. The word from Cannes is that it's phenomenal and Eastwood hasn't lost his touch at all. The Academy loves Eastwood, but not Jolie lately, as she was severely snubbed a nomination last year for A Mighty Heart.

3) Australia

Baz Luhrmann's newest work. The trailer looks great and the buzz is strong. The real question is, we know it will be beautiful, but will it have depth?

4) Defiance

A holocaust story that never has been told hits right at the hearts of the Academy. Liv Schreiber is said to steal the show in this Edward Zwick film. The only issue is that Zwick is hit or miss a lot of the time. Blood Diamond was a good film, but this will need to be much better.

5) The Reader

We're taking a bit of a stab on this one, but Stephen Daldry (The Hours, Billy Elliot) is usually a hit with the Academy. With Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes it certainly has the star power to remain noticed.

Coming tomorrow...The Lead Acting categories

We're Back!

Roads to Oscar is back for the this year's film season. It's been a nice break ,but the season is beginning and the Oscar Predictions and Film Reviews are ready to roll out.