In Contention

Tag: Bruno

  • Calling the longshots

    Sharlto Copley in District 9So this Steve Pond piece, titled “How Oscar Could Surprise — and Scare — Us,” is what we like to call hedging our bets.  It’s a chance to address some bubble matters so that we have something to point to and say, “Look, I toldja!”

    (Is that officially trademarked by Nikki Finke yet?)

    Anyway, I do like the guessing game fun, and Pond touches on a couple of things that I would likely mention if I were to do a similar piece.  One we can all understand is his #10, the potential snub of “Invictus” in the Best Picture category.  It has kind of been in the water for a few weeks now that the film just isn’t as strong as it could be, likely lacking passionate top tier votes.  It is, frankly, in the #10 spot on my list of final predictions.

    I do like Pond’s mention of Sharlto Copley as a potential Best Actor spoiler, but failing to even make the longlist with BAFTA (a group that wasn’t shy on the “District 9” love) makes the actor (who gave the year’s best lead actor performance in my book) the darkest of dark horses.

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  • Studio FYC sites on the march

    A Serious ManIt’s that time of year, when studios roll out their awards-centric websites for films in play.  You get screening info, news and notes, reminders of how AMAZING their films are (with critical quotes to back it up), goodies like screenplays and such, etc.  It’s a good way to see how wide the net is cast during the season (since any and everything gets a “For Your Consideration” blurb), but I’ve always found it’s a good way to revisit the year’s films.

    First up, Universal Pictures has put together its standard assemblage hawking “Public Enemies,” “Bruno,” “Funny People” and “It’s Complicated.” Skimming through the “Public Enemies” section I was instantly reminded that Elliot Goldenthal’s score was actually quite wonderful and could be a sleeper to watch in a field that is notorious for its insularity.  You can even skim through tracks in a dedicated section and download the screenplay.

    “Funny People” has a similar set-up, with score toggling, the script, etc., while “Bruno” has no script to offer.  But you can listen to the raved out score again if you wish.  The “It’s Complicated” section has material to come and only mentions “in all categories” as it pertains to FYC business.

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  • 7/21 Web Round-up

    Meryl Streep in Julie & Julia• The forthcoming release of “Julie & Julia” delays author Julie Powell’s follow-up book. [New York Observer]

    • Seth Rogen takes “Entourage” (which is slowly jumping the shark this season) and its creators to task. [Movieline]

    • Going to Comic-Con?  Download the official iPhone app. [Apple]

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  • WEEKLY WRAP: Toronto looming, ‘Education’ rising

    Carey Mulligan in An Education• Lots of buzz over “An Education” this week, with a new trailer and poster unveiled … and the talk isn’t only about Carey Mulligan.

    • We kicked off a new season of Tech Support with a look at the runners and riders for Best Cinematography.

    • Darwin biopic “Creation” will open this year’s Toronto fest, while “Bright Star” and “Precious” are also in the lineup.

    • Speaking of “Precious,” this week’s edition of Page to Screen examined the novel behind the Sundance sensation.

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  • 7/13 Web Round-up

    (from left) Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel in (500) Days of Summer• Gael Garcia Bernal: activist. [Daily Telegraph]

    • Phil de Semlyen chats it up with Bruno. [Empire]

    • Michael Powell goes deep on “Golden Age” survivor Andrew Sarris. [New York Times]

    • Mike Jones profiles the child actors of Harry Potter, wonders if their fame can last beyond Hogwarts. [The independent]

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  • SUNDAY CENTS: One fine gay

    Bruno*All historical figures cited are adjusted to today’s dollars.

    Sacha Baron Cohen’s full frontal assault on audiences took the top spot at the box office this weekend with an estimated $30.4 million from 2,756 screens. Considering that “Borat” made $29 million from 837 screens in its debut and then $31 million from 2,566 in its second weekend, I think it’s safe to say that lightning hasn’t struck twice in the same spot here.

    Universal can still be happy with its $40 million investment as the film has bright prospects overseas and on home video. But with almost 50% of the weekend figure coming from Friday alone, the signs are there for this to vanish from U.S. theaters pretty quickly. $65 or $70 million seems like the probable domestic total, or roughly half of what “Borat” finished with.

    If you’re looking for an explanation, I’ve got one for you: Gay Sexual Content = Box Office Poison in 60% of the country.

    “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” retains the runner-up position with a slim 33% drop from its somewhat disappointing debut. Another $28.5 million in the bank brings the running total to $120.6 million and sets the film on track to finish in the $175 million range, or exactly what was expected of it. Ray Romano may actually have himself quite the successful film career, as long as we never have to see his face again.

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  • Letterman and Brüno sell the movie

    “Don’t you want to see a crazy gay Austrian who isn’t the governor of California?” What can I add to that? Enjoy:

  • 10/7 Web Round-up

    Jodie Foster• How “Brüno” could forever change Hollywood’s depiction of homosexuality. [Slate]

    • Or should that be “Humpday?” [Time]

    • Jodie Foster goes back behind the the camera, directing and starring opposite Mel Gibson in “The Beaver.” Ahem. [Variety]

    • Given the ubiquity of the Harry Potter kids, Gill Pringle considers the rise of the well-behaved movie star. [The Independent]

    • Eternal maverick Isabelle Huppert on her “internal adventure” of her acting career. [indieWIRE]

    • Must-read of the day: Andrew O’Hehir takes a fresh look at “The Seventh Seal.” [Salon]

    • Inspired by the title of Michael Moore’s latest, Xan Brooks contemplates cinema’s least appropriate date movies. [The Guardian]

    • By the way, have you been playing Nat Roger’s fantastic “First & Last” game this month? Check it out. [The Film Experience]


  • 7/7 Web Round-up

    Mark Duplass and Joshua Leonard in Humpday• Good piece from David Poland about the age-old disconnect between audiences and critics. [The Hot Blog]

    • Marshall Fine implores you to see “Humpday” instead of “Bruno.” Why not see both, I say. [Hollywood & Fine]

    • While we’re on that subject, “Transformers” won the weekend box-office battle after all. Ew. [New York Times]

    • At the mid-year point, Peter Knegt reflects on the indie box-office winners and losers. [indieWIRE]

    • Cute feature, this — a rundown of the greatest credit sequences. Today: “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” [Cinematical]

    • On the web’s smartest new blog, a panel of critics re-evaluate Michael Mann’s “Miami Vice.” [The Auteurs’ Notebook]

    • Pamela McClintock contemplates the implication of the PG rating — after the franchise’s dip into PG-13 waters — for the latest “Harry Potter” effort. [Variety]

    • Speaking of which … my, how they’ve grown. [The Guardian]

  • SUNDAY CENTS: Photo finish on ‘Ice’

    Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs*Historical figures quoted are adjusted to today’s dollars.

    It was another close race at the box office this weekend with estimates calling it an exact tie between “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” but Monday actuals might tell a different story.

    The third entry in the animated series (only the second major animated franchise to reach three films) earned $42.5 million for the three-day weekend and $67.5 million since opening on Wednesday.  Independence Day falling on a Saturday was always going to hurt but given the fact that the first two “Ice Age” films opened with $57.2 million and $74.6 million respectively, this is a bit on the low side.

    There really wasn’t enough material with these characters for one movie, let alone three, so it’s not surprising that the shine is wearing off.  But Fox will still cross $400 million worldwide with this sucker so it’s no big deal to them.

    Hot on its heels was “Transformers.”  A 62% dip to $42.5 million gives Michael Bay’s magnum opus $293.5 million after 12 days.  Uptight movie nerds need not worry though because at 12 days “The Dark Knight” had already amassed $333.9 million, so there’s no chance of Shia rubbing elbows with the bat’s total gross.  It does have a great chance of becoming the 12th film from this decade to cross $400 million though, and that’s a damn shame.

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  • 6/30 Web Round-up

    Sacha Baron Cohen in Bruno• Paul Dergarabedian bangs the Oscar gong for…”Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?” [Hollywood.com]

    • Kim Voynar wraps up the LA Film Fest. [Movie City News]

    • Claudia Eller calls out Hollywood’s A-list for under-performing at the box office this summer while no-name productions have prevailed. [Los Angeles Times]

    • Brad Brevet kicks the tires on his Oscar coverage. [Rope of Silicon]

    • A whole bunch of words on Hollywood’s creative lull, this time concerning a slew of familiar characters. [USA Today]

    • ‘Brüno’ and Universal pull back the curtain. [The Big Picture]

    • David Poland, meanwhile, video reviews the flick. [The Hot Blog]

    • In honor of Stephen Frears’ “Chéri,” the top 10 “cougars” in films. [Spout Blog]

  • Bruno on Conan

    Here’s part one. Part two after the jump:

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  • ‘Bruno’ cut out of respect to Jackson

    LaToya JacksonWell, that was quick. The Guardian reports that, following the coinciding events of last night’s “Bruno” premiere and Michael Jackson’s tragic passing, a hasty — and possibly permanent — cut has been to the film. The scene in question pits Sacha Baron Cohen against Jackson’s sister LaToya:

    The offending scene features Cohen, in the guise of Brüno, attempting to find Michael Jackson’s phone number on LaToya’s BlackBerry. After Brüno reads aloud what he claims to be the singer’s number, an apparently enraged LaToya terminates the interview and storms off the set. Reports suggest that the scene will not be restored for its official release on 10 July.

    It would appear that the scene isn’t particularly derogatory about the late superstar, but the powers that be at Universal decided to remove it “out of respect to Jackson’s family.” Fair enough.

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  • 6/25 Web Round-up

    Princess Mononoke• Eugene Hernandez quotes the industry on Oscar’s move to 10. [indieWIRE]

    • Christy Lemire goes back to the 2008 Oscar season to point out the obvious films that might have been included in the Best Picture race were there 10 nominees last year. [Associated Press]

    • Michael Speier and Carolyn Giardnia write basically the same piece, angling to make a place for their outlet at the Oscar table. [The Wrap]

    • And are we really willing to call something a “lock” in June?  Regardless of the 10-nod news, this is crazy talk.  Also, an unsourced note about “Green Zone” being a 2010 release now, which we’ve been mentioning.  Nothing official yet though.  [HitFix]

    • Patrick Goldstein is elated at the Academy’s decision. [The Big Picture]

    • Jevon Phillips, meanwhile, is already spit-balling which “fanboy” film will benefit from the widened net. [Hero Complex]

    • Nathaniel Rogers responds with typical thoroughness, with Academy member reactions to boot. [The Film Experience]

    • A.O. Scott looks back at Hayao Miyazaki’s “Princess Mononoke.” [New York Times]

    • Kelley L. Carter talks to “Public Enemies” star Johnny Depp. [USA Today]

    • With “Brüno” on the way, here’s a list of the 10 most offensive movies.  Some silly choices. [The Times]

  • 6/16 Web Round-up

    Bengt Ekerot in The Seventh Seal• Tom O’Neil ponders the awards prospects of comedy box office hit “The Hangover.” [Gold Derby]

    • Eugene Hernandez talks to Dennis Hopper at CineVegas. [indieWIRE]

    • Joe Flint, meanwhile, chastises Heather Graham for again playing the girl with the heart of gold from the wrong side of the tracks. [Company Town]

    • Miki Turner talks “Whatever Works” (which doesn’t really work) with Larry David. [MSNBC]

    • Nathaniel Rogers runs an early screening review of “Brüno.” [The Film Experience]

    • A.O. Scott takes a look back at “Dog Day Afternoon.” [New York Times]

    • Detroit’s woes didn’t keep bad-ass muscle cars from the screen in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” [USA Today]

    • As the film makes its way to Blu-ray, Glenn Kenny dives back into “The Seventh Seal.” [Some Came Running]

  • 6/8 Web Round-up

    Cover of Batman and Robin #1• The “Oh yeah, what happened to her?” blurb of the week. [Associated Press]

    • Yours truly covers Grant Morrison’s latest monthly, “Batman and Robin.” [Batman on Film]

    • David Poland analyzes the brave new world of media ad buys. [The Hot Blog]

    • Tom O’Neil on Geoffrey Rush’s new acting triple crown with last night’s lead actor Tony. [Gold Derby]

    • Marcia Gay Harden won lead actress from “God of Carnage,” by the way, while the film won best play.  “Billy Elliot” cleaned up, though. [TonyAwards.com]

    • With “Brüno” on the way, Michael Deacon digs into the elusive Sacha Baron Cohen. [Daily Telegraph]

    • Mickey Rourke works “The Wrestler” across the pond. [The Guardian]

    • Out-of-the-blue story of the day: motorcycles big on the big screen have retailers hopeful. [Los Angeles Times]

    • Glenn Kenny sees no grain in the “Dr. Strangelove” Blu-ray release, thank you very much. [Some Came Running]

  • Put to bed?

    Though I’m sure there will be those who want to peg this as damage control.  From the AP:

    Eminem says he knew full well what he was about to face at the MTV Movie Awards — including Sacha Baron Cohen’s bare butt.

    Enimem told the Web site RapRadar.com that the much-talked about stunt was all rehearsed, right down to Eminem’s mock disgust. Says the rapper: “I’m thrilled that we pulled this off better than we rehearsed it.”

    Eminem says when he left the show, he went back to his hotel and laughed for three hours, including as he watched the playback.

    The rapper calls himself a “big fan” of Baron Cohen, who he said approached him about the gag while he was in Europe.

  • ‘Bruno’ poster

    Bruno