Not many people have seen “The Reader,” but a “friend” writes Anne Thompson and says that he/she has seen the film in “almost-complete” form (just missing final music) and says it was “terrific.” Does this mean it’s amazing with music or is this person a plant? One things for sure, movies become ten thousand times better with music, and without them they’re pretty intolerable (except for ’70s films that pulled it off). [Variety]
In news that effects the aforementioned film (and the Best Actor category), Ralph Fiennes has been moved from that category to the Best Supporting Actor field for his work in “The Reader.” [EW]
Awards Daily have the first look at the poster for Kelly Reichardt’s “Wendy & Lucy.” Michelle Williams definitely deserves a nomination for her amazingly interior performance in this film, but we’re a little skeptical that it’ll happen since the film is so tiny and working off a micro-budget as it is. Oscar campaigning takes dollars. [AwardsDaily]
Despite the supposed “embargo,” Variety has written their review of “Milk” (the Hollywood Reporter has followed suit). Some bloggers are bitching about this, but umm, didn’t they write “thoughts” that amounted to a review as well? [ed. yes] We complained this very thing when we initially adhered to the embargo and everyone else didnt (face it: these days if your ‘thoughts” say the film is good or bad, that basically your review). Whatever, it seems like embargoes are going to hell in a hand basket, though certain publicity firms will rake you over the coals for doing so. Apparently not Focus Features or the ones handling “Milk.” [InContention]
Two weeks ago, “Rachel Getting Married” looked like it was going to be the indie-darling heading to the Oscars, but now it’s total crickets surrounding the film and Anne Hathaway’s supposedly awesome (read: shrill) performance. However, as much as we’d like this overrated film to be overlooked personally, it’s way too early to tell yet. [In Contention]
Another Oscar hopeful that’s been pretty quiet is, “What Doesn’t Kill You” starring Ethan Hawke and Mark Ruffalo as ex-con brothers trying to make it on the outside. We saw it at TIFF and then hadn’t heard a peep since. Well, now it’s scheduled for a December 12, release, but we’d be very surprised if it made even the smallest Oscar dent (it likely won’t). It wasn’t fantastic. A YariFilm group flick that has a better shot is “Nothing But The Truth,” which comes out December 18 and features an excellent performance by Kate Beckinsale and Vera Farmiga, but we’re not yet convinced anyone is really going to pay much attention. [The Yari Film Group]
EW says, Sean Penn and Frank Langella are shoo-ins for Best Actor nominations for their work in “Milk” and “Frost/Nixon,” respectively. We ain’t mad at that and will go fully to bat for Penn. “Frost/Nixon” we havent’ seen (hint! hint!), but Langella is an awe-inspiring actor, so we don’t doubt it. In fact, we already included both of them in our Oscar Picks/Temperature piece from mid October. [EW]
Critical consensus for “The Dark Knight” is growing. If the nominees were to come out in two weeks, Christopher Nolan’s crime epic would probably score nominations for Best Picture and Best Director on top of Heath Ledger who’s already a lock for Best Supporting Actor. At this point, it wouldn’t surprise us if this is the case come February, but Oscar is still a ways away and the tide ebbs and flows each week. [TheEnvelope]