Essays

Twenty-three years in the making, DC is gearing up for the seven-issue mini-series Final Crisis spearheaded by Grant Morrison and bringing the DC Universe back full-circle.  Jack Kirby’s New Gods and the troublesome Anti-Life Equation will take center stage in the mini-series.  Since its announcement the forthcoming mini-series has teased readers with promises of changes in several key DC characters including Batman, and, even more shocking, the possible return of the Silver Age’s first super-hero.  Intrigued?  Check out the Full Diagnosis for more!

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“Heroes die.  Legends live forever.”

Ever since his death in issue #8 of Crisis on Infinite Earths DC has teased fans will the possible return of Barry Allen.  Marv Wolfman, who authored the twelve-issue maxi-series helped this along by hinting he had left a loophole which will allow Barry to be brought back.

In Flash issues #74-79 “The Return of Barry Allen” promised to bring back the Scarlet Speedster only to quickly pull the rug out from happy fans and have the returned Barry Allen not be Barry at all (instead a confused Professor Zoom from the future, sigh!).

DC has occasionally dropped in a time travel story to use the character like the recent issue of Booster Gold or taking on his deranged twin brother who had become the super-villain Cobalt Blue during his short stay in the 30th Century before his death.

DC teased us again, marking the 20th anniversary of his death Barry would be given an appearance in issue #3 of Infinite Crisis momentarily reaching out of the Speed Force to help subdue Superboy Prime.

Where many fans, and comic writers themselves, weren’t happy with the death of Supergirl in Crisis, they saw the need in relaunching the character of Superman as the sole survivor of Krypton.  The death of Barry Allen would be a much more divisive issue, still to this day.

DC has teased us for years about a possible return; so why should this time be different?  In the recent marketing of the series DC announced issue #3 of Final Crisis will include the Flash trying to outrun Death himself (hint?).  After announcing in February edition of DC Nation (#100) that the third issue of Final Crisis is “a comic so important it will be gone in a flash,” in the April edition of DC Nation (#108) Dan DiDio addressed many of the rumors about Final Crisis.  Here’s what he wrote:

 

“Only problem, since I hate mentioning rumors, I will just give the answers to the top five…

Number 5. Yes, it’s true: he is returning and sooner than you think.

Number 4. Nope, didn’t do it then and have no plans to try to do it again.

Number 3. Don’t worry, he’ll be back in Final Crisis in all his glory.

Number 2. Wrong.  This time final means final.  Seriously.

Number 1. Last one is a tough one.  The change is coming, it’s just not the way everyone thinks.”

 

Is Barry returning, and if so will it be a simple cameo like in Infinite Crisis, or is the Silver Age Flash coming back for good?  And, the more important question, should he?

For the better part of two decades I wanted Barry to return and each time DC would tease me I became more and more disappointed.  Finally I accepted Barry’s death, perhaps the most heroic death in the history of comic books (unlike Hal Jordan’s ill-conceived misadventures known as the Ron Marz years).  I warmed up to Wally West due mainly to his constant mission to live-up to Barry’s example.  DC never forgot the hero; they made him a legend.  DC seems to have waited too long and missed the right moment to bring Barry back.

Where does Barry Allen fit in the current DC Universe?  What does that mean for Wally?  Is this simply a stunt to momentarily satisfy fans (like the brief glimpse of him in Infinite Crisis) or is he returning for good?  If it’s the former I’m disappointed, and if it’s the later I’m confused.  Don’t get me wrong, I’d be happy to get Barry back, but unless he’s going to become a vital part of the DCU once again I’d rather they leave well-enough alone.

It’s Oscar time, baby!  Here’s your breakdown at most of the major categories and our takes on who should win, who will win, and who was unfairly left out.  Odds and momentum have No Coutnry for Old Men prepapared to sweep most of the major awards, except for best actor…  Oh, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves.  Check out the Full Diagnosis.

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Best Picture

Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Deserves a spot on the list – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Across the Universe

Doesn’t belong – Atonement‘s inclusion here is a real head-scratcher.

Alan’s Take – From this list I’d push for Juno, but would be okay with either Michael Clayton or There Will Be Blood.  I know No Country is a heavy favorite, but despite all the things it does well it has a few too many flaws for me to be okay with calling it the best of the year.

Ian’s Take – No Country has been so firmly at the top of this list for so long, I could see the momentum finally giving in for this picture by the award actually gets awarded.  That could yield the prize to the second most loved movie of the year, There Will Be Blood, or if both of those movies split the votes like a lot of folk are predicting, we could see a big surprise win with of Michael Clayton emerging out of a no-clear winner situation.  Scoff if you will but the thriller’s been picking up a lot of steam in the past two weeks.

Who will win – No Country has all the momentum and the Academy, with possibly only the slow building support of There Will Be Blood getting in its way.

 

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson – There Will Be Blood
Joel and Ethan Coen – No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy –Michael Clayton
Jason Reitman – Juno
Julian Schnabel –The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Deserves a spot on the list – Tim Burton – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Julie Taymor – Across the Universe

Doesn’t belong – That’s a nice list.

Alan’s Take –  For my money Burton, oh wait he’s not nomiated.  Schnabel probably won’t get the nod since other this this nomination his film was completely ignored (it didn’t even make the Foreign Language Film category) and although many people like Michael Clayton most of the love has gone to Clooney rather than Gilroy.  So in a three-way race between Reitman, the Coen’s, and Anderson I’ll take Reitman for resurrecting the careers of Bateman and Garner and providing the best comedy of the year two years in a row.

Ian’s Take – I could see the fatigued buzz for the Coens in No Country dying out at the last minute for this category too – in which case the winner is definitely my boy Paul Thomas Anderson.

Who will win – The Coen Brothers pulled down the Director’s Guild Award and are the odds on favorite here.

 

Best Actor

George Clooney – Michael Clayton
Daniel Day Lewis – There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tommy Lee Jones – In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen – Eastern Promises

Deserves a spot on the list – Ryan Gosling – Lars and the Real Girl, Christian Bale – Rescue Dawn

Doesn’t belong – Tommy Lee Jones gave a very good performance in an average film.

Alan’s Take – I would love for Depp to win for what is a terrific performance in an under-appreciated film and I can certainly argue that he’s deserving, but there’s that guy from Last of the Mohicans which turned a frightful bore of a film into something truly remarkable.

Ian’s Take – Why even waste valuable syllables discussing this one?  The deserved winner is Daniel Day-Lewis.

Who will win – In the surest bet of the night Daniel Day Lewis takes home the Oscar.

 

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett – Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie – Away From Her
Marion Cotillard – La Vie En Rose
Laura Linney – The Savages
Ellen Page – Juno

Deserves a spot on the list – Wei Tang – Lust, Caution, Keri Russell – Waitress, Evan Rachel Wood – Across the Universe, Hilary Swank – Freedom Writers

Doesn’t belong – Sorry but a vanity project like Elizabeth 2 just doesn’t warrant a slot.

Alan’s Take – You know if this same selection was in the Best Supporting Actress category I’d call Page a shoe-in.  Here though I don’t believe she’s got enough to pull away from the likes of Cotillard and Christie.  Linney’s nomiation is one of the few for The Savages which I thought was the type of film the Academy might more strongly embrace.

Ian’s Take – This one’s tricky.  Julie Christie or Marion Coitllard might seem like favorites, but I think the fact that they’re both low-profile foreign pics is going to really hurt them.  But hey, people love Juno, and Ellen Page is the it-person of the moment.  Don’t be surprised if this girl gets her first Oscar the same week she turns legal.

Who will win – Marion Coitllard

 

Supporting Actor

Casey Affleck – The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem – No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Charlie Wilson’s War
Hal Holbrook – Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson – Michael Clayton

Deserves a spot on the list – Michael Sheen – Music Within, Andy Griffith – Waitress, Ed Sanders – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Steve Zahn and Jeremy Davies – Rescue Dawn

Doesn’t belong – In a deep category bump both the sentimental favorite of Holbrook and the talented Wilkinson.

Alan’s Take – Michael Sheen gave the best performance of the year in a film almost no one saw, and both Zahn and Davies deserve recognition for their roles as POW’s.  They nominated the better film of Casey Affleck’s but not his best performance of the year, that came in Gone Baby Gone.  Of those nominated I’d like to see Hoffman win just for the year he’s had (Charlie Wilson’s War, The Savages, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead).  Last year the Academy went with the sentimental favorite of Alan Arkin, but, sorry Mr. Holbrook, I don’t seem them doing that for a second year in a row.

Ian’s Take – We all know Javier Bardem is going to win this one – and if he doesn’t, may Anton Chigurh have mercy on the Academy’s souls.

Who will win – Javier Bardem

 

Supporting Actress

Cate Blanchett – I’m Not There
Ruby Dee – American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan – Atonement
Amy Ryan – Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton – Michael Clayton

Deserves a spot on the list – Emily Mortimer – Lars and the Real Girl, Adrienne Shelly – Waitress, Kelly Macdonald – No Country for Old Men

Doesn’t belong – It’s a nice gesture to give Ruby Dee a nod here, but we had a hard time even remembering her performance.  And seriously, where’s all this support for Tilda Swinton coming from?

Alan’s Take – I’ve seen all the nominated perfomances except for Blanchett’s take on Dylan, and Amy Ryan’s perforance is a cut above the rest.  The only question is whether the Academy would prefer to give the award to a better known actress in a higher profile film.

Ian’s Take – The Academy folk love Cate Blanchett, but I doubt many of them can get very excited about something as different (though awesome) as the mish-mash Bob Dylan biopic I’m Not There.  And though Amy Ryan was an early favorite, the lack of a front-runner in this category is going to give way to the universally lovable Ruby Dee for a role that would be hard not to fall for, even if it’s not that important of one.

Who will win – This is the cateogry where anything can happen.

 

Animated Film

Persepolis
Ratatouille
Surf’s Up

Deserves a spot on the list – TMNT

Doesn’t belong – Well, it was a pretty weak year for animation.

Alan’s Take – Rats and peguins but no turtles?  Sigh.  All three of these are fine films, Ratatouille being the most entertaining and Persepolis the most thought provoking.  But what are the chances of a philisophical foreign language film winning best animated film?

Ian’s Take – Persepolis could pop up out of nowhere as the hipper choice than either of the kids movies, but Ratatouille is one of the very best reviewed films of the year – and I doubt the Academy has the balls to deprive Pixar of an Oscar two years straight.

Who will win – No way the Academy gives it to a peguin film which isn’t the best of the nominees two years in a row.  This one goes to the rat.

 

Documentary

No End in Sight
Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience
Sicko
Taxi to the Dark Side
War/Dance

Deserves a spot on the list – The King of Kong: A Fistfull of Quarters, Air Guitar Nation

Doesn’t belong – Did we really need three Iraq films?

Alan’s Take – That King of Kong: A Fistfull of Quarters isn’t up for nomination is a travsesty.  Not only one of the best documentaries it’s also one of the best flms of the year.  I would also have liked to see Air Guitar Nation get a little love as well.  The Academy really does need a sense of whimsy!

Ian’s Take – I can see the Academy giving this to Moore as an apology for booing him five years ago when he criticized the war during his Bowling for Columbine acceptance speech; but I wonder how Mikey will feel about stealing The King of Kong‘s crown.

Who will win – With the vote splitting the three Iraq themed films it looks like a cake walk for Michael Moore (unless the Academy gets afraid of his acceptance speech).

 

Foreign Language Film

Beaufort
The Counterfeiters
Katyn
Mongol
12

Deserves a spot on the list – Lust, Caution, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Doesn’t belong – Hard to say as none of these films have made it out our way.

Alan’s Take – Wait a minute.  Shnobel gets a nod for Best Director but his film isn’t even nominated in the Foreign Language category???  And where’s the love for Lust, Caution, which is one of the best, if not the best, film of Ang Lee‘s career?  For more on the “reasoning” behind these snubs read this.

Ian’s Take – Because of the sheer idiocy of Oscar rules, neither Diving Bell, Lust, Caution or the universally praised and then forgotten The Host were even eligible for this award.  And thanks to the genius policy, I’ve seen not one of these films.  So . . . uh . . . whatever.

Who will win – ???

Go here for the full list of nominees

We’re introducing a new feature today.  Every now and again the RF staff, with the help of some friends, will be giving short (but sweet) lists on all kinds of movie goodness (and badness).  Everybody’s got a DVD collection, though some are better than others.  But what are those handful of DVD’s everyone should have on their shelf?  I’m glad you asked!  Today, with the help of one of our Kansas City Film Critic pals, we’ll take a look and give you some recommendations for DVD’s everyone should own.

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A few notes about today’s list.  The list includes single movies (that’s why you won’t see the original Star Wars Trilogy showing up on my list) available on DVD.  These are not necessarily a list of our favorite films nor a list of what we believe to be the greatest films of all time.  This is a list of movies we just can’t seem to stop watching, and think you should be watching too!

Phil Boatwright is our guest-reviewer for today’s list.  Phil has been writing film reviews from a Christian perspective for thirteen years, and is a fellow member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle.  He is a syndicated film reviewer for such publications as The Christian Single, Living with Teenagers, St. Louis Metro Voice and other periodicals across the country.  You can currently read Phil’s reviews and articles here.

For simplicity, and to give you a wider sampling, we haven’t duplicated any film (for example two of Phil’s 5 could fit easily on my list).  All the films are arranged alphabetically below.  Enjoy!

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Phil Boatwright’s Top 5

Casablanca – I have always considered Citizen Kane the one flawless film, but after a recent viewing of Rick & Elsa’s great love story, I’ve capitulated – Casablanca truly reigns as the greatest motion picture of all time.  I cannot find a false or ineffective camera angle, line or performance in the entire production.  Love, honor and patriotism prevail.  It’s a film I never get tired of viewing.

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World – All-star cast includes Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney…oh, heck, it stars every major comic from the ‘30s to the ‘60s!  A non-stop laugh-a-thon as a group of motorists learn of a fortune buried 200 miles away.

The Magnificent Seven – Derived from the Kurosawa “Eastern,” The Seven Samurai, about gunmen defending a poor Mexican village from bandits is perfectly cast, and contains great shootouts.  Elmer Bernstein’s music is outstanding.  (I’m actually getting a little tired of the film, but it’s taken me near eighty showings to do it.)

The Quiet Man – Most film historians grudgingly accept John Wayne as one of the grandest personas ever to appear on celluloid.  Some even take umbrage to the pronouncement that he could not act.  From my research over the years, I’ve discovered John Wayne was John Wayne.  Bigger than life with a Mount Rushmore identity, Wayne was brave, tough, generous and patriotic, just like the man in played in a 150 movies.  Even political foes like Lauren Bacall and Kirk Douglas stand in awe of what he was and what he stood for.  True, no one has made more dreadful films (Rio Lobo, The Conqueror, Jet Pilot), but on the other hand, few have given us any more entertaining pictures than The Quiet Man.  In it Wayne is indomitable in dealing with Victor McLaglen, humorous with Barry Fitzgerald, and tender with one of the most beautiful women on the movie screen, Maureen O’Hara.  John Ford won a deserving Best Director Oscar for this production of a man returning to his roots and discovering that love with an Irish redhead can be as rocky and beautiful as Ireland itself.  A loving, sentimental look at the Ireland we all wish existed.  Great music, cinematography and story make this one of the Duke’s best.  Romance, humor and one of the longest fight scenes ever filmed!

Singin’ in the Rain – There are some very funny lines and sequences in this movie, but it’s the dance numbers that truly stand out.  Donald O’Connor’s Make ‘Em Laugh does just that.  And I defy you to not feel the joy of found love as Gene Kelly does the classic title song.

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Alan’s Top 5

2001: A Space Odyssey – I needed a sci-fi flick and for reasons mentioned above took Star Wars out of the equation.  That left me with a quandary.  I also needed a Stanley Kubrick film (everybody should own at least one) and although this isn’t my favorite film of his it does fill both categories nicely.  It’s influence can still be felt today (remember 2006’s The Fountain, or the look of last year’s Sunshine), and it remains one of the most ambitious projects any director attempted.  This space opera of a black monolith, a crazy computer, and an ending I’m still not sure I completely understand, pushed the envelope in every way.  It’s one of the few films that you can watch over and over and leave with a slightly different experience each time.

All The President’s Men – Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, who have rarely been better, bring the true story of Watergate to the big screen.  The film is based off the book by Woodward and Bernstein which chronicled their investigation into the Watergate scandal and led to the eventual resignation of President Nixon.  From production, to acting, to directing, to storytelling, the film works on every conceivable level and presents an important message about journalism which only Good Night and Good Luck (30 years later!, read that review) has come close to.  The two-disc special edition includes featurettes on time period, the reporters, journalism, the impact of the film, the real life Deep Throat, and commentary from Redford.

Garden State – This might seem to stand out against the other films on the list, but it’s meant to.  We all have movies like this in our collection.  Sure there are better films on the shelf but somehow this one keeps finding itself in the DVD player.  I’m a big fan of Zach Braff’s (who wrote and directed as well as starred in the film) off-beat love story, and have lost track of the number of times I’ve watched it.  This is the film which finally made me like Natalie Portman, and think maybe that Scrubs guy has something afterall (though everything he’s done since has made a strong argument for this being an anomoly rather than a breakthrough).  And that soundtrack!  Garden State is a supremely watchable, and enjoyable, film.  Check out the full review.

Rear Window – James Stewart, Grace Kelly and Alfred Hitchcock.  What more could you possibly want.  This film has many imitators but no true successor.  For more on the beautifully remastered DVD read my full review.

The Third Man – Orson Welles.  It was hard to choose a film for this list.  I also considered Citizen Kane and A Touch of Evil, but in the end chose this noir thriller about a fool (Joseph Cotten) who stumbles into murder and mayhem in post-WWII Vienna, and solves the murder of his friend Harry Lime (Welles).  Aside from having the best reveal of all time, and one of the greatest speeches (about cuckoo clocks, of all things) the film also sports one of the most unique film scores, and a style and atmosphere perfectly suited to the story.  The two-disc Criterion Edition is filled to the brim with extras and features including multiple audio commentaries, a Graham Green radio recording, documentaries, featurettes, and more.  Like all Criterion discs it’s a bit pricey ($39.99) and almost impossible to find on sale, anywhere, but this one is worth it.  There are few films as memorable, and fans of cinema could, and have, spent years dissecting the camera angles, the lighting, and Anton Karas and his zither.  Just how good is this film?  Both the AFI (American Film Institute) and the BFI (British Film Institute), both claiming ownership to it, rank it among the best films of all time!

What would be better than getting this totally rad retro toy robot? That would be seeing my top picks for 2007.

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Few films stood out in 2007, but ones who did shined awfully bright. To follow are my top 5 films that are a must experience. Yes only 5, I’ve decided one of my New Year’s resolutions is to keep things simple and easy. How easy is it to accomplish viewing 5 great films? Pretty damn easy, that’s how easy. Others that didn’t make top 5, but worth a watch are No Country for Old Men, The Bourne Ultimatum, 3:10 to Yuma, Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and Eagle vs Shark.

Here are the top 5 “TOTALLY RAD” films of the year.

1. Into the Wild: Let’s give another one up to Sean Penn; not only can that boy act, but has a hell of a set of directing chops. Brilliant cast, beautiful cinematography, jam’n soundtrack and a story that takes the whole audience on an epic adventure, how could anyone go wrong with Into the Wild? Based on the bestselling book by Jon Krakauer, this film reaches past the boundaries of everyday existence and delivers us into a world of thought, reasoning and love for life. Here is a young man who is tired of being what society and his parents expect and wants his freedom from the drudges of everyday life. He takes a long journey towards his goal of living in the wilderness in the cold depths of Alaska. Along his trip he runs into so many characters that shows him what true family is all about and how accepting your love and forgiving, you can accomplish anything.(read the full review)

2. Juno: Juno is a fresh twist to a teenage accident. Interesting how she originally chose to abort, but simply couldn’t bring herself to the task. Instead Juno and her buddy gathered up a PennySaver and found the want ads for babies. Cute white couple, looking to adopt beautiful newborn, will pay big dollars or something like that; Juno wanted the perfect couple to take care of what she new in her heart she couldn’t. The family dynamic and the humor that comes from everyday life makes Juno a pleasant surprise and a joy to watch. (read the full review)

3. Once: Once is an unpretentious film that has all the makings of a huge hit, between the music and chemistry amongst the leads there is no escaping the compassion that overwhelms. Humorous and poignant, this independent Irish driven musical doesn’t get caught up in the mundane, but rather keeps in tune with an inspiring romance. Once showcases the talents of Glen Hansard, singer/songwriter for the popular Irish band The Frames, and the delicate voice of Markéta Irglová, a new and refreshing face to the big screen. No worries if you are not a big musical fan, Once doesn’t pound you over the head with one song after another, but adds a perfect mix of dialogue and character interaction to accompany the music.(read the full review)

4. In the Valley of Elah: This film scared the shit out of me. To think the youth we have across seas right now and what type of mental capacity they have to handle everything being thrown at them. We have school shootings by teenagers not much younger than the ones we are intrusting with death and devastation in a third world country. The point of the this film should certainly make people set up and take notice, there is something so wrong with murder and to take it so lightly to commit it and cover it up and have absolutely no remorse for the crime, unbelievable. Tommy Lee Jones put on one of the best performances of his career and the way he and Charlize Theron worked together mesmerized the audience. She could have used a little more finesse and pizzazz behind her character and Susan Sarandon has played the grieving mother before. Interesting to see so much talent in one film and not expecting it, Jason Patric, James Franco and Josh Brolin, I didn’t see them coming. In the Valley of Elah is a must see with 4 razors.

5. Hairspray: Hairspray is a delightful toe tapping head bobbing experience. A remake of a musical of a remake of a…whatever, it fits perfect with today’s generation and what we would expect of a musical. Superstars like John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken and Queen Latifah grace the screen and the younger cast, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley and newbie Nikki Blonsky really add that special spark. Hairspray was a load of fun and a very unexpected and pleasant experience to watch. (read the full review)