Tis the Season: The Academy Award Nominations

(Scroll over any film title for the full Black Sheep review.)

I know it's late but I just got in not too long ago from that meeting. I have now seen the nominations for the 83rd edition of the Academy Awards, which I recorded so I could pretend like I saw them live. This actually worked. I was tense as Mo'Nique called out the nominations and thrilled to hear that many of my secret hopefuls made the final cut. Shall we break it down then?

THE KING'S SPEECH leads the Oscar tally with 12 nominations, including nods for Best Picture and Best Direction of course, as well as one for each of the principal cast members. TRUE GRIT follows closely in second place with 10 nominations, thanks to an unexpected direction nod for Joel Coen and Ethan Coen. THE SOCIAL NETWORK and INCEPTION, then come in third place with 8 nominations between them. I was expecting a stronger showing for these two films and slightly less for the Coen Brothers picture to be honest, but in general, I am very happy with the direction the Academy went in this year with their nominees. There were a number of surprises and snubs, which is inevitable, but for the most part, I think Oscar got it right. Shall we break it down even further then?

Most of the Best Picture nominees were considered locks this year. Really, it seemed as though three films were fighting for the ninth and tenth slot when it came down to it. Those three films would be 127 HOURS, WINTER'S BONE and THE TOWN. Ultimately, it was THE TOWN, Ben Affleck's critically acclaimed dramatic thriller, that missed out. It actually only garnered one nomination, in the Supporting Actor category for Jeremy Renner, when it was considered a strong contender in the Best Picture race, as well as the Adapted Screenplay category. Both 127 HOURS and WINTER'S BONE fared much better than expected and will certainly benefit from these nominations. 127 HOURS, which scored nods for its screenplay as well as the lead performance by Oscar host, James Franco, rolls into 600 theatres this weekend and could use the boost at the box office. WINTER'S BONE meanwhile, is already available to rent or own. This fantastic indie picked up well deserved nominations for it's star, Jennifer Lawrence, and supporting actor, John Hawkes, as well as a nod for its screenplay.

The lead acting categories played out exactly as I wanted them to. The most triumphant success amongst them may be Javier Bardem's seemingly miraculous nomination for his incredible performance in BIUTIFUL, a Mexican film that has not been seen by many at this point. The Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu directed picture, also nabbed a Best Foreign Language spot. Michelle Williams scored her second career nod for her performance in BLUE VALENTINE. This was also not a lock so I am thrilled to see her get this well deserved accolade, as it will also drive more people to see this bleak film. Her co-star, Ryan Gosling, did not make the cut finally.

The supporting acting categories provided some of this morning's biggest surprises. The biggest of those would certainly have to be Jacki Weaver, nominated for her performance in the little seen, ANIMAL KINGDOM. She was always a contender but there was a great deal of confusion in this category this year. Ultimately, Hailee Steinfeld, scored her nomination for TRUE GRIT in the supporting category, when there was much debate over whether she would end up in the lead actress race. Lesley Manville, in ANOTHER YEAR, had a similar confusion and ended up not being recognized in either category, not that she was a shoe-in for either really. A notable absence here would have to be Mila Kunis, in BLACK SWAN. I never saw her performance as award worthy but it was certainly being talked up quite a bit in recent weeks and I thought she would end up on the list. On the men's side, it was the aforementioned nod for Hawkes in WINTER'S BONE that blocked out another young hopeful, Andrew Garfield, in THE SOCIAL NETWORK.

Perhaps the biggest snub amidst this morning's nominations is Christopher Nolan being locked out of the Best Director race once again. He did earn his second nomination for writing INCEPTION today but he was considered a sure thing is the directing category. He has been nominated three times by the Director's Guild of America, including this year, but is consistently shut out here. Instead, the fifth slot went to the Coen Brothers, as mentioned before. Aside from THE SOCIAL NETWORK director, David Fincherm and the Coens, the remaining three nominees are all here for the first time. They are Darren Aronofsky for BLACK SWAN, Tom Hooper for THE KING'S SPEECH and David O. Russell for THE FIGHTER.

The rest of my shocks and disappointments are as follows. While I am thrilled to see Mike Leigh score a nomination for the beautiful original screenplay, ANOTHER YEAR, I am surprised not to see BLACK SWAN there. In fact, I am a little surprised that BLACK SWAN only managed 5 nominations in total the way that film's momentum has been building. I didn't truly expect Daft Punk to score a Best Original Score nomination for TRON: LEGACY but it would have been a hoot if they did. I was very happy to see the progressive Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross score for THE SOCIAL NETWORK make the list though. Oh, and I know BURLESQUE was bad but you could have found at least one song from that the film to round up the Original Song nominees to five. There was another glaring INCEPTION snub in the editing category. I thought for sure that was a lock. I'm very pleased to see great films like Banksy documentary, EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP and Pixar animated short, DAY & NIGHT, earn their spots in their respective categories. Speaking of Pixar, TOY STORY 3, picked up five nominations of its own, including Best Picture and Original Screenplay. And finally, represent Canada! Denis Villeneuve's INCENDIES scored Canada a nomination in the Best Foreign Language race.

I've done the math and I was 87% accurate in my predictions. I got all the lead acting nods right (even Bardem!) and suffered one wrong answer in each of the other categories I made predictions for. Look for reviews of many of the nominated films to come in the weeks ahead on Black Sheep Reviews and I invite you to share your opinions on the Oscar nominations below.

The 83rd annual Academy Awards will be presented on February 27, and hosted by James Franco and Anne Hathaway. This is the full list of nominations:

BEST PICTURE

127 HOURS

BLACK SWAN

THE FIGHTER

INCEPTION

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

THE KING'S SPEECH

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

TOY STORY 3

TRUE GRIT

WINTER'S BONE

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Javier Bardem in BIUTIFUL

Jeff Bridges in TRUE GRIT

Jesse Eisenberg in THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Colin Firth in THE KING'S SPEECH

James Franco in 127 HOURS

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Annette Bening in THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

Nicole Kidman in RABBIT HOLE

Jennifer Lawrence in WINTER'S BONE

Natalie Portman in BLACK SWAN

Michelle Williams in BLUE VALENTINE

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Christian Bale in THE FIGHTER

John Hawkes in WINTER'S BONE

Jeremy Renner in THE TOWN

Mark Ruffalo in THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

Geoffrey Rush in THE KING'S SPEECH

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Amy Adams in THE FIGHTER

Helena Bonham Carter in THE KING'S SPEECH

Melissa Leo in THE FIGHTER

Hailee Steinfeld in TRUE GRIT

Jacki Weaver in ANIMAL KINGDOM

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING

Darren Aronofsky for BLACK SWAN

Ethan Coen, Joel Coen for TRUE GRIT

David Fincher for THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Tom Hooper for THE KING'S SPEECH

David O. Russell for THE FIGHTER

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

ANOTHER YEAR

THE FIGHTER

INCEPTION

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

THE KING'S SPEECH

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

127 HOURS

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

TOY STORY 3

TRUE GRIT

WINTER'S BONE

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

THE ILLUSIONIST

TOY STORY 3

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

BIUTIFUL

DOGTOOTH

IN A BETTER WORLD

INCENDIES

OUTSIDE THE LAW

CINEMATOGRAPHY

BLACK SWAN

INCEPTION

THE KING'S SPEECH

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

TRUE GRIT

EDITING

127 HOURS

BLACK SWAN

THE FIGHTER

THE KING'S SPEECH

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

ART DIRECTION

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1

INCEPTION

THE KING'S SPEECH

TRUE GRIT

COSTUME DESIGN

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

I AM LOVE

THE KING'S SPEECH

THE TEMPEST

TRUE GRIT

MAKEUP

BARNEY'S VERSION

THE WAY BACK

THE WOLFMAN

ORIGINAL SCORE

127 HOURS

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

INCEPTION

THE KING'S SPEECH

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

ORIGINAL SONG

"If I Rise" from 127 HOURS

"Coming Home" from COUNTRY STRONG

"I See the Light" from TANGLED

"We Belong Together" from TOY STORY 3

SOUND MIXING

INCEPTION

THE KING'S SPEECH

SALT

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

TRUE GRIT

SOUND EDITING

INCEPTION

TOY STORY 3

TRON: LEGACY

TRUE GRIT

UNSTOPPABLE

VISUAL EFFECTS

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1

HEREAFTER

INCEPTION

IRON MAN 2

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP

GASLAND

INSIDE JOB

RETREPO

WASTE LAND

DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT

KILLING IN THE NAME

POSTER GIRL

STRANGERS NO MORE

SUN COME UP

THE WARRIORS OF QUIGANG

ANIMATED SHORT FILM

DAY & NIGHT

THE GRUFFALO

LET'S POLLUTE

THE LOST THING

MADAGASCAR, A JOURNEY DIARY

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

THE CONFESSION

THE CRUSH

GOD WE LOVE

NA WEWE

WISH 143

For more information on the Academy Awards, please visit their website at Oscars.org.

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Tis the Season: The Golden Globes Winners

(Scroll over any film title for the full Black Sheep review.)

I spent last night on the couch with my good friend, Trista DeVries from The Toronto Film Scene, watching the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards. We were but a few feet away from each other but most of the evening was spent in silence, staring at our computer screens while we tweeted about our reactions to the show. On occasion, we actually communicated with each other via Tweet, which is just silly no matter how you spin it. By the end of the night, I had come up short with my predictions and Trista got 17 right, besting me by two. I owe her a night at the movies now. Even my prediction for Best Picture - Drama was wrong! I feel like THE KING'S SPEECH really needed the win here to position itself properly for the Oscars but instead, it looks THE SOCIAL NETWORK might really go all the way. Regardless, this is still the most exciting Best Picture race in years.

As for the Golden Globes, I think we can all agree that Ricky Gervais will likely not be asked back next year. While I did find him often hilarious and scandalous, I also often found him to be just plain scathing and I'm never a fan of just being mean because you can't get a laugh any other way. There were no surprises in any of the film categories for me. The biggest would be overlooking the higher profile Foreign Language film choices but outside of that, the chips fell exactly as I suspected they might. Paul Giamatti is the only exception, with his win as Best Actor - Comedy, for BARNEY'S VERSION, a well deserved win for a great Canadian film. My favorite wins of the night were Natalie Portman for Best Actress - Drama, in BLACK SWAN, and little Chris Colfer, for Best Supporting Actor - Television, for his role on "Glee". Portman's speech felt really genuine and Colfer looked so surprised by his win, I could not help but get a little teary.

It was a great night - great food, wine and company. Let the award shows continue! Now, here is the complete list of Golden Globe film winners ...

BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

BEST DIRECTOR

David Fincher - THE SOCIAL NETWORK

BEST DRAMATIC ACTOR

Colin Firth - THE KING'S SPEECH

BEST DRAMATIC ACTRESS

Natalie Portman - BLACK SWAN

BEST ACTOR - COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Paul Giamatti - BARNEY'S VERSION

BEST ACTRESS - COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Annette Bening - THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Christian Bale - THE FIGHTER

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Melissa Leo - THE FIGHTER

BEST ANIMATED FILM

TOY STORY 3

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE PICTURE

IN A BETTER WORLD

BEST SCREENPLAY

Aaron Sorkin - THE SOCIAL NETWORK

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - THE SOCIAL NETWORK

BEST SONG

"You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" - from BURLESQUE

For a complete list of winners, visit the Hollywood Foreign Press Association website.

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Black Sheep's Top 10 of 2010!

(Scroll over any film title to read the full length Black Sheep review.)

It is the first day day of the new year and I'm happy. I'm happy to put certain aspects of the last year behind me, happy to look ahead toward what waits for me and happy to look back at my most celebrated moments as a film critic in 2010 as well. There are three in particular that come to mind ...

I've been published before but never in high gloss colour. My interview with the Academy Award winning documentary filmmaker, Louis Psihoyos, about his first feature, THE COVE, was published in Movie Entertainment magazine, the magazine of The Movie Network in Canada. It was a thrill to see my name in print like that and to know that possibly tens of thousands of film lovers across Canada would be reading my work. Movie Entertainment still publishes my monthly column on their website, letting people know what to watch on TMN that month, and intends to publish my interview with Ryan Reynolds, for his film BURIED, this summer.

If you read Black Sheep at all regularly, you would know that this year I was a fully accredited member of the press at the 2010 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival for the first time. I saw 30 films, met tons of great people, interviewed a variety of filmmakers that I never dreamed I would ever meet and I even worked my first red carpet, for Woody Allen no less. My coverage of the festival on Black Sheep brought in the highest readership numbers I've seen in the five years the site has been around and led to my being published on other great sites, like Toronto Film Scene and The Mark News. I hope TIFF invites me back to the party again next year because I'm not sure I can go back after feeling the power of the press pass.

The third thing is perhaps the most important. I've only lived in Toronto for a year and a half now and I haven't had the easiest of times making friends. In January of this year, I took my first real steps towards changing that when I met a group of local film bloggers for their monthly meeting. It isn't so much a meeting though as it is a bunch of film geeks getting together, drinking and shooting the shit about movies really. And while it may not sound like much to some, it has allowed me the possibility to meet people that make me feel a lot more like I belong here. A big shout out to James McNally of Toronto Screen Shots for the original invite!

Like my personal life, 2010 was a bit of a rocky year for film as well ... or at least I thought it was at the time. I griped all year about how there were no good movies coming out but when it came time to actually narrow down the 120+ films I saw all year to a list of 10, I had a very difficult time doing so. Difficult is relative here as how hard is it really to sit down and think about movies you like? I managed to get her done though and I am ready to share this list with you today.

(insert drum roll here)

Here is Black Sheep Reviews' Top 10 of 2010 ...

(in alphabetical order)

BLACK SWAN

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

I love when I am truly excited for a film and it does not disappoint. BLACK SWAN is that experience for me. The moment it ended, I wanted to watch it again and again. I still do. It effects all who see it, regardless of how much they enjoyed the film. It just crawls under your skin and stays there until you start to sprout feathers of your own.

THE FIGHTER

Directed by David O. Russell

I knew after five minutes of watching THE FIGHTER that I was about to see one of the best pictures of the year. The film has an energy that really gets you in the mood for a good wallop. The entire ensemble knocks the movie out of the ring and Russell finishes by making the best film of his career.

I AM LOVE

Directed by Luca Guadagnino

Every once in a while, I go to the movies just to go. I don't take notes; I don't write about it afterward. I just sit back and enjoy the experience. I saw I AM LOVE like this and it was like heaven. It is beautiful in every regard it can be - from picture and sound to performance and dialog. I too was love when it was done.

INCEPTION

Directed by Christopher Nolan

When I saw INCEPTION in theatres, I was disappointed. I wanted it to be more emotional, to be more revealing about humanity and our collective subconscious. When I watched it again at home, I realized I wanted it to be something it just wasn't. And what it is, is pretty freaking awesome.

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

Directed by Lisa Cholodenko

Some will say that indie film director, Lisa Cholodenko, sold out when she made THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT but I commend her for making the marginalized, accessible. The incredibly talented cast is so earnest in their love for each other as a family that you can't help but feel it too. This is what a family looks like.

THE KING'S SPEECH

Directed by Tom Hooper

I am very happy to see that THE KING'S SPEECH family is the buzz of awards season this year. Director Tom Hooper's emerging career is so promising and his work here is seemingly effortless. And with Colin Firth on the throne, it wouldn't surprise me to see the film crowned king come Oscar time.

SHUTTER ISLAND

Directed by Martin Scorcese

Martin Scorcese's psychological thriller, SHUTTER ISLAND, was the first truly great picture of 2010. It is not without its flaws but it presents itself and its ambitious agenda with great confidence, so much so that you feel as if you too are thrown right onto the island with everybody else, at the center of an elaborate mind game that you may not survive.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Directed by David Fincher

THE SOCIAL NETWORK is something like a perfect picture. Every element comes together to provide both entertainment and insight in a way that is as astonishing as it is unexpected. People scoffed at the idea of a Facebook movie (I may have done some scoffing myself) but how could we ever have known that this is what they would do?

TOY STORY 3

Directed by Lee Unkrich

For the second year in a row, the Pixar people have made me cry like a baby at the movies. TOY STORY 3 seemed like unnecessary pandering in concept but its execution is so daring and delightful, that it is easily the best of the three. The fact that some of the most tense and emotional film moments of 2010 came from an animated feature is a great feat for many.

WINTER'S BONE

Directed by Debra Granik

Debra Granik's chilling thriller, WINTER'S BONE, was one of the year's most unexpected surprises for me. It is an incredible testament to the human spirit and it showed me a side of people in a little corner of the world that I had never imagined. Jennifer Lawrence gives the breakthrough performance of 2010 in this film.

There you have it, folks. My 10 favourite films of 2010. Stay tuned for some very big changes around here and, of course, the announcements of the 2010 Mouton d'Or Awards coming later this month. In the meantime, here are my 2010 honourable mentions:

BIUTIFUL

Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

CATFISH

Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman

EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP

Directed by Banksy

HEARTBEATS (Les Amours Imaginaires)

Directed by Xavier Dolan

A PROPHET

Directed by Jacques Audiard

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Tis the Season: The Film Independent Spirit Awards

(Scroll over film titles for the full Black Sheep review.)

Last week, I was in Montreal on non-movie related business. It was consuming to say the least. Not only did I miss the announcement that James Franco and Anne Hathaway will be hosting the Oscars, but I also missed the nominations for the Film Independent Spirit Awards. This ceremony is always held the evening before the Oscars and honours the best in American independent cinema, including shout-out's to foreign entries and documentaries as well.

The 2010 nominees are a fantastic bunch with a couple of notable exceptions that could cripple Oscar odds right from the start. Leading the pack with seven nominations, is WINTER'S BONE, the "chilling" tale of survival in the Ozarks, with nods for Best Feature, Director (Debra Granik) , Lead Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Screenplay (Granik and Anne Rosellini), Supporting Actress (Dale Dickey) and Supporting Actor (John Hawkes). The film is considered an underdog at the Oscars and this will certainly assist its Best Picture odds, as well as its actors' chances. Coming in next with 5 nods is the summer indie favorite, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, from director, Lisa Cholodenko. Cholodenko earns nods for writing and directing, while the film nabs a Best Feature nod and stars Annette Bening and Mark Ruffalo earn acting kudos in their respective categories. The film has a good shot at the Oscar Top 10 and Cholodenko might nab a screenplay nod as well, but no nomination for Julianne Moore in such a competitive year here, where she should have easily been rewarded, is a very bad start for her.

The Best Feature category is rounded out by 127 HOURS, BLACK SWAN and GREENBERG. Of the five nominees, GREENBERG is the only entry I don't believe in. I doubt the love shown here will translate elsewhere either. RABBIT HOLE would have been a much stronger choice. Still, the John Cameron Mitchell film was honoured with screenplay and direction nods, as well as one for lead actress, Nicole Kidman and lead actor, Aaron Eckhardt. Meanwhile, Oscar front runner, THE KING'S SPEECH earns a slot in the Foreign Film category, the only one it could have hoped for. This will certainly be the first amongst many accolades for the Tom Hooper hopeful. I was also disappointed not to see more love for the Nicole Holofcener gem PLEASE GIVE, which took just one nod for screenplay.

The Independent Spirit Awards will be held on February 26, 2011 and hosted by Joel McHale, the star of television's "Community". Here are the major category nominees:

BEST FEATURE

127 HOURS

BLACK SWAN

GREENBERG

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

WINTER'S BONE

BEST DIRECTOR

Darren Aronofsky, BLACK SWAN

Danny Boyle, 127 HOURS

Lisa Cholodenko, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

Debra Granik, WINTER'S BONE

John Cameron Mitchell, RABBIT HOLE

BEST SCREENPLAY

Lisa Cholodenko, Stuart Bloomberg, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

Debra Granik, Anne Rosellini, WINTER'S BONE

Nicole Holofcener, PLEASE GIVE
David Lindsay-Abair, RABBIT HOLE

Todd Solondz, LIFE DURING WARTIME

BEST FEMALE LEAD

Annete Bening, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

Greta Gerwig, GREENBERG

Nicole Kidman, RABBIT HOLE

Jennifer Lawrence, WINTER'S BONE

Natalie Portman, BLACK SWAN

BEST MALE LEAD

Ronald Bronstein, DADDY LONG LEGS

Aaron Eckhardt, RABBIT HOLE

James Franco, 127 HOURS

John C. Reilly, CYRUS

Ben Stiller, GREENBERG

For a full list of nominees and more information on the Film Independent Spirit Awards, visit their website, Spiritawards.com

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Couch Time with Sheldon

This will be the last COUCH TIME WITH SHELDON for 2010. Next week, I am away on business so I won't have much couch time at all. When I return in December, this space will be dedicated to SHOPPING WITH SHELDON - Holiday suggestions for all the film lovers on your list. In the meantime, let's see how Sheldon has been spending his couch time.

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

The indie film scene has been in love with this film since it debuted in Sundance at the beginning of the year. The buzz was that director, Lisa Cholodenko, had crafted a modern family comedy that was funny, touching and altogether human without being the least bit contrived or forced. And they were right. THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT should fit in perfectly in your living room given the film's family focus. Young Laser and Joni (Josh Hutcherson and Mia Wasikowska) seek out and find their sperm donor, Paul (Mark Ruffalo) without their mothers' (Annette Bening and Julianne Moore) knowledge. The ensemble shines and at least the three adult leads should find their names being dropped all over awards season this year. Moore and Bening feel like they've been together for ages and their chemistry is perfect. Cholodenko redefines family with this one. (Alliance) (Click here for full Black Sheep review.)

THE PACIFIC

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks reunite as producing partners with this 10-part HBO miniseries on the American marines' involvement in the Pacific ocean during the second World War. I must admit that I am only half way through the series myself and so far, I'm not as involved as I was when Spielberg and Hanks produced their first WWII mini-series, BAND OF BROTHERS. It is getting better though as the focus shifts more towards particular soldiers instead of the companies themselves. Still, I can't imagine too many fans of BROTHERS being too disappointed with this. It still features plenty of intense war footage and many a fraternal bonding moment between soldiers. There just aren't as many standout performances this time out so there are times when its just a lot of guys in green for me. (Warner Bros.)

If you've got some couch time this week, there are plenty of options just released on DVD and Blu-ray today. Maple Pictures puts out two pictures from this past summer, one a lot of people saw and one hardly any of you did. Now's your chance to catch Gemma Arterton in THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED, a sharp and gripping kidnapping thriller. For more insight into Arterton and the project, read Black Sheep's interview with Arterton here ... The second Maple picture is the Sylvester Stallone directed blockbuster, THE EXPENDABLES. This action throwback also stars Jason Statham, Jet Li and Dolph Lundgren, whom Black Sheep also interviewed this year. Click here for that ... Sony counterprograms on DVD just like they did in theatres with the Julia Roberts drama, EAT PRAY LOVE. Like in theatres, I feel THE EXPENDABLES will eat-pray-love her alive on DVD ... Lucy Walker offers her first of two 2010 documentaries through Alliance, COUNTDOWN TO ZERO (click title fore review), an intelligent and enlightening look at our current global nuclear situation ... This next one from Magnolia Pictures was a documentary to begin with but as it turns out, it is just pure insanity. If you like to watch train wrecks, don't miss Joaquin Phoenix in Casey Affleck's I'M STILL HERE (click title for review). I swear, it's a crazy trip that you've got to see to believe ... And cinephiles rejoice as Kino releases Fritz Lang's THE COMPLETE METROPOLIS for the first time on Blu-ray. Apparently the restoration is the film's most comprehensive and impressive incarnation in history.

Source: blu-ray.com

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Couch Time with Sheldon

This weekend in Toronto was one extreme to another. Saturday was gorgeous out and Sunday was anything but. I spent some of Saturday taking in the sunshine to alleviate a bad mood. I then spent Sunday in a much better mood but stuck inside with all the cold rain falling outside. Being stuck wasn't without its advantages though. I had the chance to catch up on my stack of films to review. Each film brought a new mood. The day went from confused to disgusted to downright jubilant. Here's how ...

BEING THERE

I got this movie from Zip.ca over two months ago. When I saw it still sitting at the bottom of my pile, I decided to cancel my Zip.ca account. I couldn't let the film go to waste though so I popped it in Sunday morning. Peter Sellers is Chance, a man who has lived his entire life within the confines of one home until he is forced into the real world. He knows nothing of life nor has he ever developed mentally and as he walks up and down the streets of Washington, past the other homeless people, I had no idea how to interpret his plight. I felt like this was meant to be amusing but all I felt was great fear for this individual. He has no tools to deal with society but yet somehow he not only manages but manages to convince everyone he encounters that he is practically prophetic. Sellers is sensational so subsequently I couldn't believe that no one could tell he was so special. (Warner Bros.)

ANTICHRIST

Lars von Trier is not for everyone. I am a big fan of DANCER IN THE DARK and DOGVILLE but I would never dream of recommending them to anyone who likes their movies light or easy. With ANTICHRIST, I can't think of anyone I would recommend the film to, except perhaps some of the contrarian film students I used to know. Within minutes of the film starting, you get to see the prologue of the piece. While Willem Dafoe is having passionate (and full on graphic) sex with Charlotte Gainsbourg on the bathroom floor, their young toddler gets out of his crib and falls out the window, plummeting to his death in some of the most glorious cinematography I've seen all year. I didn't want to be seeing what I was seeing but it still looked good. And thus begins the punishment of these two people for having sex. If the horrifying acts of torture the couple inflict upon each other don't make you ill, the appalling misogynist agenda will. If neither does, than perhaps you are the antichrist. (eOne)

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

I would have been happy to watch almost anything after that last disaster but boy am I glad it was Robert Wise's Best Picture Oscar winning musical, THE SOUND OF MUSIC. And do those hills ever come alive on blu-ray! This 45th anniversary edition is spectacularly transfered and completely addictive. You know the story and the songs already but they never cease to get old. I was slightly taken aback when they sang, "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" as she is about to get married, seemingly answering their own question with some good old fashioned sexism, but it's 45 years old! Maria's journey to find the best channel to express her great love for the planet and all of its beauty is infectious and timeless. There is a reason this one is a classic after all. And her name is Julie Andrews. (20th Century Fox)

Here's a run down of what else hits shelves today ... The AVATAR "Collector's Edition" is now available - it's bluer now ... I believe I said Jim Carrey's A CHRISTMAS CAROL was out last week. Wrong. It's out now ... M. Knight Shaymalan's THE LAST AIRBENDER hit shelves and that is exactly where I will be leaving it ... Right next to CATS AND DOGS 2 ... And my personal rental recommendation of the week is Lisa Cholodenko's fantastic family dramedy, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, featuring one of the best ensemble's of the year, Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson. I will be watching it on my couch tonight! (Click here to read the original KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT Black Sheep review.)

Source: Blu-ray.com

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Black Sheep @ The Box Office

It's August, people.  This makes the $35 million debut of THE OTHER GUYS commendable given it's solid size but what other choice did people have really?  STEP UP 3D! Is that even a choice?  This summer continues on its uneven path with a glut this weekend followed by overcrowding next weekend (more on that below).  Still, Will Ferrell should be pleased with THE OTHER GUYS opening, pulling in a near $10K per screen average and earning the honours of dethroning INCEPTION after three weeks at number one.  STEP UP 3D opened somewhat on par with the last film in the series but given that ticket prices for 3D pics are more expensive, the numbers would have had to have been higher to be considered a success.  Large second week declines for DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS and CHARLIE ST. CLOUD indicate very little good word of mouth circulating for the disappointments.  Outside the Top 10, the corruption drama, MIDDLE MEN sank to the bottom of a lake with a reported $300K on 252 screens for an average of $1200.  And even though it dropped off some in overall earnings this weekend, the delightful adult summer indie, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, finally cracked the Top 10 at number 10 this week, with a grand total of $14 million so far.

They don't get how this happened either.

NEXT WEEK: Hollywood goes wide with three major releases that play to three very different demographics.  The hotly anticipated return from director, Edgar Wright (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HOT FUZZ), SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD opens on 2600+ screens. Next up on 2800+ screens, Julia Roberts and director, Ryan Murphy ("Glee") take on the massive literary success, EAT PRAY LOVE.  And the action heroes of yore - from Sylverster Stallone to Black Sheep interviewee, Dolph Lundgren - explode big time on to 3000+ screens in THE EXPENDABLES. (The interview is coming this week.)

Source: BOX OFFICE MOJO

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Black Sheep @ The Box Office

Three weeks running now and INCEPTION is still number one at the box office, fending off three wide newcomers that all failed mostly in their own right.  The Christopher Nolan blockbuster just barely lost the number one spot on Friday to the Steve Carell/Paul Rudd comedy, DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS.  It was not able to hold on to its lead though and finishes the weekend as Carell's lowest summer opening weekend since he became a star in 2005 with THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN.  The widest release in the Top 10 on 3705 screens, CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE, manages to piddle that screen time away with a puny average of $3400.  Perhaps even more sad though is Zac Efron's attempt to prove himself as a bankable, serious actor with CHARLIE ST. CLOUD, actually opening beneath the doggy/feline disaster.  Despite losing nearly 50% of it's audience this weekend, SALT held up well during the week for a healthy $70 million gross after ten days in theatres.  And just below the Top 10 yet again, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT expands to almost 850 screens, brining in $3.5 million and a solid average of $4090.  A Top 10 slot would have been nice exposure for it but it's doing, uh, all right, all the same.  The big indie success this week though was the Robert Duvall black comedy, GET LOW, which pulled in an average of over $22K on just 4 screens.  

NEXT WEEK: Will Ferrell teams up with Mark Wahlberg and the director of STEP BROTHERS for cop comedy, THE OTHER GUYS on 3400+ screens.  Black Sheep will be catching the advance screening and getting back to you on STEP UP 3D, which opens on 2200 screens.  Paramount ensemble crime comedy, MIDDLE MEN, opens on a limited 200 screens.  And 2009 holdover, THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED rolls out slowly on to 12 screens.  Black Sheep Reviews had the chance to chat with Miss Creed herself, Gemma Arterton this week.  Look for the interview next weekend!

Source: Box Office Mojo

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Black Sheep @ The Box Office

There isn't much of excitement to report on at this week's box officer.  Friday essentially decided whether or not SALT and Angelina Jolie would have the muscle to take down Christopher Nolan's powerhouse, INCEPTION.  It did not.  Still, the start is a good $9 million more than THE BOURNE IDENTITY did in its first weekend.  Their averages were about the same as well and, seeing as SALT so clearly wants to be the female Bourne, the start is a good one.  Overseas dollars will make the decision but if they follow suit, a sequel will be made.  INCEPTION meanwhile had the second smallest second week dip all year.  (The record belongs to THE TOOTH FAIRY oddly enough).  At nearly $145 million in just two weeks, INCEPTION is poised to surpass BATMAN BEGINS as Nolan's second biggest hit behind THE DARK KNIGHT.  And finally, it could still change after final numbers are in Monday, but estimates have THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT bringing in almost $2.7 million on just 200 screens, placing it at number eleven.  Hopefully, the kids will be more than all right and find themselves in the Top 10 next week.  Oh, and RAMONA AND BEEZUS bombed in 8th place .. in case anyone cares.

NEXT WEEK: Pretty boy Zac Efron hopes to expand his acting chops and audience with CHARLIE ST. CLOUD on 2500 screens.  Also appearing on 2500 screens is the American remake of the French film, DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS with Steve Carrell.  And debuting on a whopping 3700 screens is the long awaited sequel, CATS AND DOGS 2: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE.  How does this happen?

Source: Box Office Mojo

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Black Sheep @ The Box Office

Box office experts were estimating a total weekend haul of somewhere between $50 and $60 million for Christopher Nolan's INCEPTION before the weekend started.  It came in at the high end of that estimate but I'm frankly surprised it didn't pull in more considering how everyone how everyone has seemingly been looking forward to this film all summer.  Good word of mouth, and it does have that, should ensure scant declines in the weeks to follow.  It may not have broken any records but Nolan will certainly see INCEPTION go on to become his biggest non-caped crusader earner.  And there is certainly credit due for proving that intelligent blockbusters can find a place in a season where we're all supposed to leave our brains at home.  Be sure to read the Black Sheep INCEPTION review now that you've certainly all seen it.

I know what none of you did see this weekend, THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE.  Thank goodness for Pixar's TOY STORY 3 picking up the weight this summer because, after coming up short last month with PRINCE OF PERSIA, Disney has done it again.  This Jerry Bruckheimer (read: supposedly easy summer sell) production is one of the lowest bows of his career.  It was pretty clear THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE was in trouble when Disney announced on the day of release that tickets would be 2 for 1 through opening weekend.  Anything to get them into the seats, I guess.  Imagine how low the figures would be if they didn't.

A few hot indie titles continued to claw at the Top 10, just barely missing out on the glory.  This week's big success in the touching, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT.  The Lisa Cholodenko modern family crowd pleaser added 31 screens and saw its gross increase by 108%, pulling in a stellar $27K per screen average in its second week.  The hilarious indie comedy, CYRUS, is losing a little traction as it expands wider but still pulled in close to $1.1 million, dropping off just 16%.  And THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE slipped by 27% in its second week, after adding 38 screens.  I guess no matter how popular the books are in North America, it is still a stretch to get an audience to a Swedish film.

NEXT WEEK: What is apparently supposed to be the best family film of all time, or so the trailers playing on TV tell me incessantly, RAMONA AND BEEZUS hits 2700 screens.  Am I supposed to know who these people are?  No matter really because I don't have a family to bring to the movies.  I will be taking my weekend with a little SALT instead.  The Angelina Jolie action flick will debut on over 3400 screens.

Source: Box Office Mojo

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