First Into the Woods Trailer

Well well well, just as I mentioned last night that Disney was being curiously aloof about not yet releasing a trailer for "Into the Woods", one pops up the next day, and boy does it do the job.

The trailer does a great job at not only introducing the scope of the film (which is seriously epic), but all of the principal players, with Streep at the forefront. It seems like she's going to be the film's main selling point... smart strategy.

Take a look below.

First Official Images from Disney's "Into the Woods"

The promotion for the upcoming musical adaptation "Into the Woods" has been strangely very quiet... though it's not due out until Christmas Day, you'd think there would be at least a teaser trailer out at this point (Angelina Jolie's "Unbroken", which also is opening on Christmas Day, has released 2 trailers thus far). The musical is increasingly popular, however, so I guess Disney is relying a lot on the core, die hard audience (in the same way "Les Miseerables" did back in 2012). I'm sure they're waiting to strike, and with such a starry cast, there's no doubt in my mind that box office success will elude the film.

That being said, Disney has released some really gorgeous looking stills from the film, never seen before featuring Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Christine Baranski and a glimpse of Johnny Depp as The Wolf.

Take a look below at the stills.

Interstellar Could Be Christopher Nolan's (Oscar) Breakthrough

"The Dark Knight snub" is a term that many Oscar pundits and fanboys alike have attributed to the expansion of the Best Picture field; when "The Reader" was nominated over The Dark Knight in 2008, many took it as a flat out snub. It was one of the most (if not the most critically acclaimed film of the year), and received 8 other nominations, including a win for Heath Ledger's now iconic performance as the Joker. Nolan himself was also left out of the Best Director lineup, even though he received a nomination from the Director's Guild, and other major critical precursors.

After the expansion of the Best Picture category (from 5 to 10 films), his follow up film "Inception" received a nomination, but Nolan was once again snubbed from the directors in the Academy, despite once again being recognized by his fellow directors at the DGA.

Based on the early reports and first trailer, it seems that Nolan is bringing a level of A-game we haven't yet seen from him; Interstellar looks to be Nolan's most visually, and thematically cohesive project yet, and a the new trailer confirms that this is going to be the film that may just finally get him that elusive Oscar nomination.

Begin Again is this Summer's Perfect Film

Every summer, there's that one movie that comes along that no one sees coming that's just a huge ball of, for lack of a better word, fun; it's sunny, breezy and just an all around delight, much like summer vacation.


"Begin Again" is from the director and writer John Carney who brought us the lovely musical "Once" (I'm sure you all know the song Falling Slowly, and if you don't make sure you know it, and watch the film), starring Academy Award nominees Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo as 2 people who meet at an unexpectedly sour crossroads in their lives, but help, and inspire one another to get back on the right track through creating an album no one believed they could make on their own. Carney obviously has a passion for music, and this film is his love letter to the medium; The film is a testament to the power of music, and how much of a labor of love it is, but ultimately how much of an impact it has on our lives.

Toronto Film Festival Lineup

TIFF (The Toronto International Film Festival) has announced its official lineup this morning. Running from September 4th to the 14th, several films will have their official world premiere here, while some holdovers from Cannes will also appear to build upon the buzz they got (or didn't get) there.

TIFF is an even more important, and influential Oscar precursor than Cannes; last year's winner of the People's Choice Award "12 Years A Slave" won the Oscar for Best Picture, with almost all of the other recipients following suit, or winning other Oscars including: "Silver Linings Playbook", "The King's Speech", "Precious", "Slumdog Millionaire", Whale Rider" and "American Beauty" have all been recognized in some way by the Academy Awards.

Take a look at the full list below (I've also included trailers for the films if they're available by making the film title a link).

The Rest of Our Acting Contenders: Old and New Faces

Emma Stone and Michael Keaton could receive their first Oscar nominations for "Birdman"

A few days ago, I ran through our long list of Best Actress contenders (a list that doesn't even really encompass all of the hopefuls this season has to offer, just those with the best chances at even being recognized). Though Best Actor is even more stacked than last year's massive pool, the Supporting categories are as weak as ever (at least they are right now), especially Supporting Actor.

"Birdman" has 3 contenders hoping for a nomination; leading man Michael Keaton, best known for his role in Tim Burton's "Batman" films, along with co-stars Ed Norton (a previous 2 time nominee) and Emma Stone (it would be her first Oscar nomination. She also will be seen in Woody Allen's "Magic in the Moonlight"), while the men of "Foxcatcher" all seem like safe bets in their respective categories; at this point, Leading Actor is between Steve Carrell and Channing Tatum, with Carrell having a slight edge (he has goodwill from being left out for "Little Miss Sunshine" a few years ago).

But enough yammering on, let's go through the rest of the acting categories. Take a look at my FULL list of nominations here

A Few Words on our Best Actress Contenders

At this point in the game, we have a rousing 17 contenders (that stand a good chance) at being nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role. As we all know, however, there can only be 5, and even though we're going purely on buzz at this point, it's pretty easy (based on Oscar's own predictability) to narrow it down to at least 2 or 3 nominees.

There really aren't a whole lot of contenders (particularly in this category) from films that have premiered thus far to compete against the women who are waiting in the wings. Sure, there's Shailene Woodley from "The Fault in Our Stars", and while critics are banging the drum for her now, will they still be banging when "Big Eyes" premieres? Or when Meryl Streep and the rest of the "Into the Woods" women show up onscreen? It's hard to say.

But as I said before, there's at least 2 or 3 that you can (probably) safely bet on seeing next year at the Oscar telecast.

Reese Witherspoon gets Wild

Trailers upon trailers upon trailers.

In the midst of a comeback of sorts, Reese Witherspoon has a busy year ahead of her. Teaming up with "Dallas Buyers Club" director Jean-Marc Vallée backed by Oscar heavyweight Fox Searchlight, "Wild" will certainly be one of the films in the Academy Award conversation this year.

The film is based on a true story, adapted from the popular best selling memoir written by Cheryl Strayed.

This looks to be Witherspoon's meatiest role in years (since her Oscar win for 2005's "Walk the Line"), certainly more so than her role in "The Good Lie". The film looks beautifully shot, and with the hot momentum of Dallas Buyers Club (those 3 Oscar wins and a nomination for Best Picture are nothing to ignore), this film could be even more financially successful, and rake in more awards. Partnered with her supporting turn in Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice", this should almost definitely land Witherspoon a nomination in Best Actress.

Take a look at the trailer below. Wild will be released December 5th.

Angelina Jolie's Unbroken Leaps Ahead to Become Our Oscar Frontrunner

Any project Angelina Jolie committed herself to as director would receive an instant laurel of prestige. Throw in WWII, sweeping music, epic cinematography and being based on a true story and you have a film that seems destined for Oscar glory.

We've already discussed why Jolie's adaptation of real life Olympic winner/WW II vet Louis Zamperini is as buzzy as it sounds. But with the recent passing of Mr. Zamperini, one can't deny there is a timeliness in telling this incredible true story, and while Jolie isn't the most seasoned director (this is only her second time behind the camera), the results look astounding in this new trailer.

Handsomely mounted, and (from the looks of it) acted masterfully by Skins alum Jack O'Connell, "Unbroken" is sure to be a hit, and Oscar heavyweight.

Watch the new trailer below. Unbroken will be released everywhere on Christmas Day.

New Gone Girl Trailer

"Gone Girl" is gearing up to be David Fincher's most intense effort yet. Following that effectively creepy first teaser, this new full length trailer is unrelentingly intense in its own right.

There's not much else I can say, just watch the trailer.

Academy Award Winner Mo'Nique is Back Everyone

It's been 5 years since Mo'Nique's titanic performance in "Precious: Based on the Novel by Sapphire" won her the Oscar and 500 other acting awards. In fact, it's also been 5 years since Mo'Nique has been in a movie; after winning her trophy, the actress has been shopping around for the right project to star in. The last time we heard from her, she informed us she had purchased the rights to fellow Best Supporting Actress winner Hattie McDaniel's life story, and that director Lee Daniels would direct her in the title role. No news on that particular, film, however, Mo'Nique is ready to break her acting hiatus with a film that looks like another huge opportunity.

Get Used to the Phrase: 'Oscar Nominee Channing Tatum' (Feat. New Trailer)

There are still so many people who aren't aware of actor Channing Tatum's unusually talented gifts as an actor. Mistakenly labeled as simply "a meathead", "pretty face", etc, Tatum receives a lot of unwarranted flack despite consistently turning in very nuanced and unshowy work; in "21 Jump Street" (and its sequel), Tatum delivers the laughs and intricate character work. He's proven time and again he's capable of carrying films, and who remembers the surprising quality of "Magic Mike" (which Tatum helped produce)? 

Given his healthy box office receipts and the position of his career, one could certainly agree that an Oscar nomination is on the way. Good thing "Foxcatcher" is on its way then. And what's better? Distributor Sony Pictures Classics is focusing much of the marketing campaign on Tatum.

Halfway Mark: Worthy Oscar Contenders from the first Half of the Year

Today officially marks the halfway point of 2014, if you can believe it. I don't know about the rest of you but I feel as if this year has been a blur, and I can say that about a lot of the movies that have come and gone through the last few months.

There has been only one movie from this year, thus far, that's challenged anything on my top 10 list from last year (a truly banner year in film unlike one we've had in awhile). That being said, there are truly some memorable performances, and even details about those films that were standouts, even if the overall product wasn't as great as its little pieces.

So read on, to see a few worthy contenders I feel deserve to remain in the conversation come awards season time.