STUDIO RUNDOWN 2007

Ladies and Gents, even if its only been a month since the end of the 2006-2007 Oscar season, it looks like we’re opening the doors wide open for the 2007 – 2008 Season. After a month of analogies, I’ve rendered the qualifiers by studio. Why? Because, separating them by camp makes it more easily to see which films will have sonority. Much like a general’s battleground, it is strategically planned name films “frontrunners” making them the main Eye Candy, where all pundits observe year round to see a slight triumph or critical failure. While all of this attention is fixated on the “frontrunners”, the surprise factor of the immense triumphant “low key” films, berried by studio exes, rings so loudly that it ends up being over hailed, making a bigger noise then expected (ex: The Departed). Here’s our first case study Columbia ….

COLUMBIA / SONY / SONY PICTURES CLASSICS

Columbia has awfully weak track Record. The Last Time that they got a Best Picture nom was in 2000 with Crouching Tiger (and co-distributing Erin Brockovich). Since then the studio has been dwindling what if failures like Running With Scissors, Spanglish, The White Countess, Closer (despite getting actings noms for Portman and Owen), etc. The failing studio has been, keeping in the game with the sole procession of Sony’s Classic Picture. The sub-division rose to fame in 2005, when it produced the Best Picture Nominee Capote (which ended up winning Philip Seymour Hoffman his Oscar).

The Big Dogs

The Other Boleyn Girl by Justin Chadwick (debut) Starring: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Krsiten Scott Thomas, Mark Pylance, Jim Sturgess [TBR: Late December] In the vein of the great period pieces such as Shakespeare In Love, The English Patient, etc, The Other Boleyn Girl seems to be more of the same, expecially since Golden Age, seems to be more promising. I’m kind of leaning towards a Goya’s Ghost redux here, don’t know why, but Columbia doesn’t have a good track record, and the fact it being the feature debut of director Chadwick, doesn’t reassure me. But here’s my biggest problem with the film, the match up of Portman and Johansson. See ever since The Island, Johansson went from best of generation to downright awful (ever he perf in Match Point was all over the place), I can’t stand her anymore, well I do love Portman, she’s (1) overrated and (2) I can see Scarlett stinking this up.

Vantage Point by Pete Travis (debut). Starring: Dennis Quaid, Sigourney Weaver, Matthew Fox, Forrest Whitaker, William Hurt, Zoe Saldana, [TBR: Otober] A smart looking political thriller that might considering the A list Cast become the heavy talking political drama of the season. Featuring 80’s Oscar heavyweights (Waver and Hurt), a newly Oscar crowned actor (Whitaker), up and comers (Fox and Saldana) and an actor in the wings (Quaid), the film is a roshomon esque tale that depicts the assassination tale. I’m really doubting, considering the fact that its writer and director are both making debuts and its from the producers of films like XXX2 and Not Another Teen Movie, it might becomes this years Capote or another bump in the road.

Wild Cards

Reign Over Me by Mike Binder (Upside of Anger) Starring: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jeda Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler, Saffron Barrows, Donald Sutherland, Robert Klein, Melinda Dillon and Mike Binder [TBR: Late March] Another 9/11 related studio offering, this time leaving the day off telling, and focusing on the aftermath affect. Directed by Mike Binder, the film faces the same obstacles as his previous film Upside of Anger. The March release date is very unfavorable, especially the since the reviews aren’t revolutionary, but strong notices for Sandler and Cheadle, might serve them well. But we’ve gotten no indication that the Academy would go for Adam The Sap Sandler doing drama.

And When did you Last See Your Father by Pete Travis (Hillary & Jackie). Starring: Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, Juliet Stevenson, Gina McKee [TBR: TBA] A Prestigious British piece, that revolves around the possibility of giving 2001 Supporting Actor winner Jim Broadbent a second coming. After making a name of himself, as one of the most consistent British actors, Colin Firth is looking at his first nomination playing Broadbent’s Son, if the role features great depth. This film is more of an acting film, then a dominant Best Picture contender.

Other films

Across the Universe Julie Taymor (Titus) 60’s Beatles themed Odyssey. [Oct]

The Waterhorse British Vet Watson stars, in a cute Irish Fantasy film. [Dec]

Perfect Strangers Willis & Berry Heat it up, in a sexy moneymaking thriller. [April]

21 Doesn’t sound that promising despite starring Spacey & Fishburn, but they haven’t been at the top of their game in years

Jane Austin Book Club An All star Cast worship the work of legendary author Jane Austin. Jindalbyne Gabriel Byrne and Laura Linney are getting raves for their work in this Aussie Indie. [April]

Spider – Man 3 The third chapter in Sony’s ever grossing top reigning comic book franchise. [May]