Endless Summer

Author: Pat
Location: New York

"Endless Summer"

Directed By Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Written By Guillermo Arriaga and Paul Haggis
Music By James Newton Hall
Produced By Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Paul Haggis, Oliver Stone

Principal Cast:

Tom Arnold (Eddie Morgan)
Lucas Black (Sam Garmun)
Nicolas Cage (Vinnie Reeder)
Jamie Foxx (Damien)
Topher Grace (Louis Kozlowski)
Dule Hill (Richie)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Freddie Mitchell)
Ernie Hudson (Officer Dansfield)
Michael Imperioli (Jon Mattzeratti)
Michael Keaton (Ted Johnson)
Catherine Keener (Felicia Burns)
Kristin Kreuk (Ana Johnson)
Ryan Merriman (Aaron Westmore)
Kim Raver (Sara Mitchell)
Sam Rockwell (Wally Smith)
Jamie-Lynn Sigler (Danielle Bernarna)
Evan Rachel Wood (Caroline Reeder)

Tagline: "When the sun shines bright and the trees are green you wish you had an endless summer"

Synopsis: From the acclaimed team that brought "21 Grams", "Amores Perros", and "The Thre Burials Of Melquiades Estrada" comes a new ensemble drama with a massive cast of fantastic actors. The story centers on 17 individuals living in intertwining lives that are suddenly thrown together in a deadly traffic accident on a highway in Southern Florida. Eddie Morgan (Tom Arnold) is a truck driver who is under investigation for suppossedly transporting illegal immigrants to Northern states. Sam Garmun (Lucas Black) is a young college baseball player who is dating Ana (Kristin Kreuk) while falling for the beauty of a stripper (Jamie-Lynn Sigler). Vinnie Reeder (Nicolas Cage) is the CEO of a multi-million dollar business that has seen better days and is trying to reconnect with his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) after the sudden death of his wife at the hands of a drug dealer. Damien (Jamie Foxx) and Richie (Dule Hill) are two brothers who are trying to break into the house of a wealthy lawyer (Michael Keaton) so they can find something to blackmail him into representing them in an upcoming court case. Louis Kozlowski (Topher Grace) is the jealous friend of Sam Garmun's who claims that Sam ruined his chances of playing baseball in a ATV accident in high school. Freddie (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is an unfaithful husband to his wife Sara (Kim Raver) and wants to divorce her but does not want to lose custody of their two children. Officer Dansfield (Ernie Hudson) is an aging traffic cop who is harassed by other officers because he is getting too old to do his job. Jon Mattzeratti (Michael Imperioli) is a car dealer who is trying to compete with his rival, Felicia Burns (Catherine Keener), when the demand for his cars begins to fade. Aaron Westmore (Ryan Merriman) is stripper Danielle's ex-boyfriend who does not want to let her go. Wally Smith (Sam Rockwell) is a high school teacher who is accused of having sex with one of his students. All of these lives will come together in one spectacular and tragic moment where people live and people die on one beautiful summer day.

What the press would say:

"Endless Summer" is an epic, masterful drama that grips the viewer's heart and captures their minds. Inarritu has made the best movie of his career with the help of the always exceptional Guillermo Arriaga. In the film, 17 seemingly unrelated characters are brought together by a huge pileup on a Floridian highway where some characters die, some are injured, and some are miraculously unharmed. If there was an award at the Oscar for best ensemble then these actors would have absolutely no problem winning that one. Every actor seems worthy of individual recognition, although there are some standouts. Tom Arnold is surprisingly good in a very dramatic role as a hick truck driver who is hiding a lot from the police. Jamie Foxx is amazing as a thief and blackmailer who has a short temper and a lot to say. Ernie Hudson is phenomenal as the tragic victim of degrading pranks from the people he thought were his friends. Kim Raver deserves best-in-show kudos as a housewife who learns that her husband is cheating on her and becomes very adament about not letting him have contact with their children. All in all, "Endless Summer" is perfect from the acting to the writing to the music. It will blow you away with its sheer emotion and power.

Awards
Best Picture
Best Director-Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Best Original Screenplay
Best Supporting Actor-Tom Arnold
Best Supporting Actor-Lucas Black
Best Supporting Actor-Philip Seyour Hoffman
Best Supporting Actor-Ernie Hudson
Best Supporting Actress-Catherine Keener
Best Supporting Actress-Kim Raver
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Original Score
Best Sound
Best Sound Editing

Friendship: The Innocent Years

Author: Ashley
Location: Tulsa, OK

"Friendship: The Innocent Years"

Directed by Ron Howard
Written by Paul Haggis
Music by John Williams

Principal Cast:

Ridge Canipe (Kyle Andrews)
Morgan York (Emma Parks)
Joaquin Phoenix (Bruce Andrews)
Jenna Fischer (Pam Andrews)
Rachel McAdams (Megan Parks)
Eric McCormack (Michael Parks)

Tagline: "Remember the innocent years?"

Synopsis: When Kyle’s parents are always fighting he chooses to turn to his best friend, Emma, for comfort. Emma on the other hand has the perfect parents making it hard for her to understand Kyle’s situation. Once Pam, Kyle’s mom, sees that Bruce’s verbal abuse might turn physical she decides to get a divorce. As Pam’s rock Megan, Emma’s mother, helps her through the situation. During the time Pam and Megan are talking Kyle and Emma have the time of their lives together even through their troubles.

What the press would say:

This film takes an unlikely cast and makes it seem as if it were a cast made in heaven. Especially the two children as their performances make you feel for them and cheer for them throughout it all. This is hands down the best picture of the year. Two thumbs up! Likely awards it will be nominated for include:

Best Picture
Best Director: Ron Howard
Best Original Screenplay: Paul Haggis
Best Original Score: John Williams
Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix
Best Actress: Jenna Fischer
Best Supporting Actor: Eric McCormack
Best Supporting Actor: Ridge Canipe
Best Supporting Actress: Rachel McAdams
Best Supporting Actress: Morgan York
Best Original Song: “Remember When”- Katharine McPhee and Carrie Underwood
And other technical awards!

Greater Tuna

Author: Connor Campbell
Location: Carrollton, TX

"Greater Tuna"

Directed by Ed Howard
Written by Ed Howard, Joe Sears & Jaston Williams
Film editing- Ed Howard

Principal Cast:

Joe Sears- Thurston Wheelis, Elmer Watkins, Bertha Bumiller, Yippy, Leonard Childers, Aunt Pearl Burras, RR Snavely, The Reverend Spikes, Sheriff Givens, Hank Bumiller & Himself
Jaston Williams- Arles Struvie,Didi Snavely, Harold Dean Lattimer, Petey Fisk, Little Jody Bumiller, Stanley Bumiller, Charlene Bumiller, Chad Hartford, Phinas Blye, Vera Carp
& Himself
Ed Howard- Himself

Tagline: "Welcome to Tuna,Texas, where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies"

Synopsis: Greater Tuna is a play that tells a story about Tuna, Texas' third smallest town. It follows all the citizens of Tuna, all of which are hilariously portrayed by two very talented actors, Joe Sears & Jaston Williams. This film shows both the play & behind the scenes of their first ever performance outside of the US at the Edinburgh Festival in 1988

What the press would say:

"I have seen Greater Tuna in New York several times and it's even better on film. I love the whole "Prairie Home" element of it all with the backstage scenes. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. Jaston Williams & Joe Sears give phenomenal performances (as usual) and who knew that Ed Howard could act?"

Nominations:

Best Picture
Best Director- Ed Howard
Best Actor- Joe Sears
Best Supporting Actor- Jaston Williams
Best Adapted Screenplay- Ed Howard, Joe Sears
& Jaston Williams
Best Film Editing- Ed Howard

Honour

Author: Jamie Madden
Location: Melbourne, Australia

"Honour"

Director: Gillian Armstrong
Producer: Mike Nichols
Writer: Joanna Murray Smith, based on her play
Original Score: Paul Grabowsky
Cinematography: Donald McAlpine
Editor: Simon Whitington
Costumes: Ann Roth
Production Designer: Tony Cronin

Principal Cast:

Judy Davis as Honor
Colin Friels as Gus
Emily Blunt as Claudia
Abbie Cornish as Sophie

Tagline: "They promised to love, honour and obey, until she came along"

Synopsis: Gus and Honor have been happily married for thirty years. She is a successful writer, he is an admired columnist. They have a perfect understanding of each other. Until a pushy young female journalist-on assignment to profile Gus-quite deliberately seeks to undermine that understanding. The fallout is dreadful-but beautifully and convincingly portrayed in all its painful consequences. “Honour” is a story with four characters that have a universal as well as particular significance. Honor (without the u) is dignified and beautiful but has a sense of a life well lived, and of experience that has been rewarded with a fine sense of irony and humor. Gus is a man who is surprised by an ambush of youth and desire, and learns through the writing of his lover, and that of his wife, that wisdom and experience enrich and give value. Claudia is a sexy and beautiful young woman, whose sensuality is a lie beneath a vulnerability and emptiness that even a relationship with Gus cannot fill. Sophie is a hurt child that re-emerges from the angry young adult, still loving and needing the father she thinks has behaved so badly. The contrast between this daughter and the mother who has been rejected only emphasizes Honor's wisdom. “Honour” deals with the temptation of the male libido, opportunism, youth, betrayal, and family breakdown.

What the press would say:

With the release of “Candy” and “Jindabyne” earlier this year in cinemas, “Honour” adds to the list of accomplished films that are bringing back Australian cinema. Gillian Armstrong (“Little Women”, “My Brilliant Career”) teams up again with Judy Davis (current seen in “Marie Antoinette” famous for “Husbands and Wives”, and “A Passage to India”) in this exceptional adaptation of Joanna Murray Smith’s play about Gus (Colin Friels; “Dark City”) and Honor who long marriage ends after Gus has an affair with the indelibly beautiful Emily Blunt (“My Summer of Love”, and “The Devil Wears Prada”.) “Honour” follows the simple journey of four normal people, through the end of a marriage. The amazing performances in this film are first class and Oscar worthy, with Judy Davis and Colin Friels as husband and wife (on and off screen), Emily Blunt as a youthful temptress, and the incredible newcomer Abbie Cornish (“Candy”, 2003’s AFI winning performance in “Somersault”) as Sophie, the hurt daughter. Complete with a Oscar nominated and winning crew; with beautiful costumes by Ann Roth (The Hours, Angels in America), cinematography by Donald McAlpine (Moulin Rouge, Stepmom), and score by Paul Grabowsky (Empire Falls, Innocence.)

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Actress (Judy Davis)
Best Actor (Colin Friels)
Best Supporting Actress (Emily Blunt, Abbie Cornish)
Best Original Score
Best Costume Design
Best Editing
Best Production/Art Design

Intimate Portraits

Author: Brett
Location: Wisconsin

"Intimate Portraits"

Directed by Todd Field
Written by Dan Futterman
Music by Cameron Crowe
Distributed by Focus Features

Principal Cast:

Frances McDormand as Annie Leibovitz
Val Kilmer as Jann S. Wenner
Sally Field as Susan Sontag
Jude Law as John Lennon
Sandra Oh as Yoko Ono
Terry Chen as Ben Fong Torres
The Rolling Stones (archive footage)

Tagline: "They say a picture says a thousand words. Annie's pictures screamed them"

Synopsis: Intimate Portraits follows the life of famed Pop Culture photographer Annie Leibovitz, focusing on her early career living on an Israeli Kibbutz and her years as chief photographer of Rolling Stone Magazine. The main focus of the story, however, is of the fateful day in 1980 when Annie shot the last existing photograph of John Lennon, pictured with his then wife Yoko Ono, as well as their longtime friendship leading up to that point.

What the press would say:

A superb director, screenwriter, and leading cast highlight this inspiring and heartbreaking biopic of world renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz and the many artists she captured in her alluring photographs. Frances McDormand is superb as the genius revolutionary who defined popular culture in the 20th century. A never-better Val Kilmer plays her Rolling Stone Editor Jann Wenner, and a fantastic Sally Field plays her longtime companion Susan Sontag. A surprising casting choice also places Jude Law and Sandra Oh at the forefront of the saddening story in the heartbreaking subplot of Lennon's last days on earth. This beautifully written and shot feature film was crafted by the acclaimed director Todd Field, and Academy Award nominee Dan Futterman, and Leibovitz herself served as a supervising producer, providing exclusive and never before seen prints from her days at Rolling Stone, including archive footage of her tour with the international rock group The Rolling Stones.

The studio is pulling for a strong Oscar campaign in the following categories:

Best Picture
Best Director, Todd Field
Best Original Screenplay, Dan Futterman
Best Actress, Frances McDormand
Best Supporting Actor, Val Kilmer
Best Supporting Actor, Jude Law
Best Supporting Actress, Sandra Oh
As well as various technical awards.

Jaws and the Damage Done

Author: D.W. Dillon
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

"Jaws and the Damage Done"

Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written by Carl Gottlieb and John Milius
Music by John Williams
Produced by Steven Spielberg and Richard D. Zanuck

Principal Cast:

Roy Scheider - Martin Brody
Richard Dreyfuss - Matt Hooper
Casey Affleck - Petty Officer Quint
Lorraine Gary - Ellen Brody
Adrien Brody - Michael Brody
Joaquin Phoenix - Sheriff Deputy Sean Brody
Robert Shaw - Quint (Archive Footage)

Tagline: "Just when you felt it was ok to move on"

Synopsis: Set 15 years after the events in Jaws 2, the killer shark haunts the lives of it's killers in their dreams and in their psyche. Martin Brody, now retired police chief of Amity Island tries to shake the nightmares that constantly take over him and his life, even to a point where he's afraid of getting in the bath tub. His breakdown and ultimately his fateful heart attack change the lives of his youngest son Sean, and wife as their fear and hatred for the water becomes disturbing. Famed marine biologist Matt Hooper and apprentice Michael Brody try to uncover the mystery of The Bermuda Triangle. As their ship becomes lost at sea, and begins to leak, their past comes to haunt them as well and fear takes over. Mirrored in flashbacks of these events is the famous sinking of the U.S.S. Indianopolis where then timid petty officer Quint tries to fight off attacking sharks while watching his fellow crew members being eaten alive. The battle is over, but the damage is done.

What the press would say:

Spielberg's back and so is the shark! And once again, expect him to put the beaches and bathrooms out of business. This time the shark works, but don't expect to be oversaturated with attacks. He meshes the horror and pyschiological thriller well here. Instead of making a studio bloodfest, he dives deep into traumatic struggles his characters now face. Roy Scheider tops his underrated career with his best performance, after battling an illness and subpar movie choices, look for Scheider to capture our hearts and his own statue. Joaquin Phoenix's portrayel of the doting youngest son Sean is heartwarming, his bedside grief for his ailing father is what oscar moments are made of. Though one of the best on screen confrontations doesn't come with a shark but between two friends. When Dreyfuss' Hooper and Brody's Michael Brody begin to fight with eachother on a sinking ship, even though no sharks are a threat or in sight their fears take over and puts us on the edge of our seats. John Milius' takes over scriptwriting duties for the Quint story brilliantly, turning Quint's famous cocky and assured seasoned shark hunter into a fearful petty officer of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, showing you how he grew into the relentless man he would later become. Casey Affleck embarks on the most physical and demanding role taking on where Shaw left off, assuring him an oscar nod. John Williams tweaks his original Jaws theme at the perfect time. The minute Quint falls into the water and rises to the surface, he hits us hard with the terrifying notes. Finally, justice is brought to the Jaws franchise.

Best Picture
Best Director - Steven Spielberg
Best Actor - Roy Scheider
Best Actor - Richard Dreyfuss
Best Supporting Actor - Joaquin Phoenix
Best Supporting Actor - Casey Affleck
Best Original Screenplay - Carl Gottlieb & John Milius
Best Cinematography - Janusz Kaminski
Best Score - John Williams
Best Special Effects - John Frazier & John Dykstra
Best Editing

Jersey Boys

Author: Pat
Location: New York

"Jersey Boys"

Directed By: Rob Marshall
Written By: Bill Condon
Based Upon The Musical-Book By Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, Music And Lyrics By Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe

Principal Cast:

John Lloyd Young-Frankie Valli
Christian Hoff-Tommy DeVito
Daniel Reichard-Bob Gaudio
J. Robert Spencer-Nick Massi
Peter Gregus-Bob Crewe
Renee Zellweger-Mary Delgado
Alan Alda-Gyp DeCarlo
Taye Diggs-Hal Miller
Keri Russell-Lorraine
Paul Bettany-Norman Waxman
Max Minghella-Joey

Tagline: "To think, it all started with four guys singin' under a light post"

Synopsis: Rob Marshall directs the Tony-award winning musical that tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. John Lloyd young stars as Frankie Valli, a young Jersey Boy whose voice leads him to one of the biggest pop sensations in history. The band goes through good times and bad in one of the best musicals in recent history.

What the press would say:

In 2006, "Jersey Boys" won Best Musical at the Tonys and Rob Marshall's new film adaptation deserves to win Best Picture at the Oscars. The movie tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons from the beginning on a New Jersey street corner to an enormous stage in front of the whole world. It is at times hysterically comical while it can be heart wrenchingly dramatic. John Lloyd Young takes on his Tony-winning role of Frankie Valli in a performance that rivals to great musical actors of the Golden Age of cinema. The rest of the Four Seasons reprise their Broadway roles in this magnificent adaptation of a toe-tapping, tear-jearking musical sensation.

Awards:
Best Picture
Best Director-Rob Marshall
Best Adapted Screenplay-Bill Condon
Best Actor-John Lloyd Young
Best Supporting Actor-Christian Hoff
Best Supporting Actress-Renee Zellweger
Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Best Film Editing
Best Sound
Best Make Up