"Aspen Film has announced a preview of the program for the 19th annual Academy Screenings series, and among the films are the musical “Nine” starring Day-Lewis and Kidman; and “Brothers” starring Gyllenhaal.The 2009 Academy Screenings, running Dec. 23-Jan. 2 at Harris Hall, presents 19 films considered candidates for Academy Awards. The full schedule will be announced on Dec. 2, with tickets on sale starting Dec. 14".
Kerry Condon and James McAvoy in "The Last Station" (2009).Other titles revealed in the preview are “The Lovely Bones” and “The Last Station.” Source: www.aspentimes.com
"Brothers”Verdict: The rapturous reception at early screenings gave director Jim Sheridan’s film some genuine awards heat and prompted Lionsgate to launch an Oscar campaign. But “Brothers,” a remake of Danish director Susanne Bier’s 2005 original, is not a film that should be burdened with hype or high expectations; it’s an uneven, sometimes melodramatic, occasionally effective look at the way war leaves as much carnage on the home front as on the battlefield. Despite impressive moments of frayed-nerve intensity, there’s precious little subtlety here, and way too many clichés.
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Natalie Portman is steady as the wife left behind when her soldier husband goes missing and is presumed dead, but Tobey Maguire’s haunted, wild-eyed returning soldier is over-the-top. For my money, the strongest (and subtlest) performance comes from Jake Gyllenhaal as the ex-con who finds a quiet redemption of sorts in his brother’s absence.Oscar chances: Guild audiences have reportedly been welcoming, but early reviews are mixed and I’d be surprised if the film gets much traction in the awards race. Maguire and Gyllenhaal may have outside shots at nominations, though the strongest shot might rest with U2’s closing-credits song, “Winter,” which could probably use more of a hook and a chorus to survive the music branch’s nominating process.
“The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus”Verdict: Stylish, fun, as imaginative as you’d expect, but also something of a mess. It’s admirable that Terry Gilliam found an intriguing way to finish the film after the death of Heath Ledger, and the three actors who take over parts of Ledger’s role – Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell – all acquit themselves honorably, though it’s undeniably frustrating that the big, climactic emotional scenes all come when Farrell’s playing the part instead of Ledger. But while I loved the look and feel and mood of the movie, it just didn’t have the heart or the magic of the two previous Gilliam/Charles McKeown collaborations, “Brazil” and “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.”
Heath Ledger in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus shown at the opening ceremonies of Cannes Film Fest May 13, 2009
Oscar hopes: Art direction and costumes are a possibility if the movie manages to establish a presence in the minds of voters. Beyond that, there’s probably not much chance. Ledger’s role is flashy but feels too truncated for a second posthumous nod, unless voters really, really loved giving him the Oscar last year and are determined to do it again. Source: www.thewrap.com
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