Joaquin Phoenix Page 5

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix Quick Links

News Pictures Video Film Music Footage Comments Quotes RSS

Is Joaquin Phoenix Set To Play Jesus In Mary Magdalene Film?


Joaquin Phoenix Rooney Mara

Joaquin Phoenix is said to be in consideration for the role of Jesus, in Garth Davis’ upcoming Mary Magdalene film opposite Rooney Mara, according to Deadline. The three time Oscar nominee is said to be in early talks for the role, with production on the film due to begin this summer.

Joaquin PhoenixJoaquin Phoenix is said to be in talks to play Jesus.

Phoenix is known for his versatility, having previously portrayed country legend Johnny Cash, for which he was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar. He also reviewed nominations for his roles in 2000’s Gladiator and The Master in 2012.

Continue reading: Is Joaquin Phoenix Set To Play Jesus In Mary Magdalene Film?

16 Times Actors Excelled As Onscreen Musical Legends


Zoe Saldana Michael Shannon Brian Wilson Chadwick Boseman Joaquin Phoenix

We love a good biopic about a musical legend and with a new movie about Nina Simone coming soon starring Zoe Saldana, let's reflect on some of the best incarnations of famous musicians. Of course, not all of them were thoroughly well-received by their subjects' family members or even the subjects themselves, but others are still mind-bogglingly accurate.

Not all of these movies were released theatrically, and some feature more than actor in a musical role, but these are a few of the most gripping musical biopics that have ever hit our screens:

O'Shea Jackson Jr. in Straight Outta ComptonO'Shea Jackson Jr. played his father Ice Cuba in Straight Outta Compton

Continue reading: 16 Times Actors Excelled As Onscreen Musical Legends

A Week In Movies: Cannes Kicks Off, Tomorrowland Premieres, Cameras Roll In Miami And Trailers Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Meryl Streep And Anne Hathaway


Cannes Film Festival George Clooney Miles Teller Jonah Hill Woody Allen Joaquin Phoenix Emma Stone Ed Helms Meryl Streep Robert De Niro Anne Hathaway

The 68th Cannes Film Festival kicked off on the French Riviera this week with acting icon Catherine Deneuve, who stars in the opening night film Standing Tall. She was joined on the red carpet by a glamorous line-up including Lupita Nyong'o, Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts, Sienna Miller and Jane Seymour.

Catherine Deneuve at Cannes Film FestivalCatherine Deneuve at Cannes Film Festival

More: See pictures from Cannes Film Festival

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Cannes Kicks Off, Tomorrowland Premieres, Cameras Roll In Miami And Trailers Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Meryl Streep And Anne Hathaway

Benedict Cumberbatch Set To Play 'Doctor Strange' As Gosling Talks Fail


Benedict Cumberbatch Joaquin Phoenix

Benedict Cumberbatch, the British actor in-line for a possible Oscar nomination for The Imitation Game, is in negotiations to play Marvel's Doctor Strange in a movie slated for July 8, 2016.

Benedict CumberbatchBenedict Cumberbatch could be going from playing Alan Turing to Doctor Strange

A couple of weeks ago we reported that Ryan Gosling had taken the usual step of opening talks to play the character - set to be one of the biggest new heroes in the Marvel movie canon. However, those talks appear to have failed, and rumors of Jared Leto, Tom Hardy, Justin Theroux, Ethan Hawke or Keanu Reeves taking the role appear to be just that.

Continue reading: Benedict Cumberbatch Set To Play 'Doctor Strange' As Gosling Talks Fail

A Week In Movies: Stars Turn Out In New York, Cruise Shoots In London And Trailers For Interstellar, Inherent Vice, Taken 3 And Blackhat


Ben Affleck Rosamund Pike Julianne Moore David Cronenberg Tom Cruise Christopher Nolan Joaquin Phoenix Josh Brolin Liam Neeson

Gone Girl

A week before it arrived in cinemas, the anxiously awaited thriller Gone Girl had its world premiere at the New York Film Festival, where Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry and more turned up to walk the red carpet.

Video - Neil Patrick Harris Photographed On The Red Carpet During 'Gone Girl' Premiere - Part 1

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Stars Turn Out In New York, Cruise Shoots In London And Trailers For Interstellar, Inherent Vice, Taken 3 And Blackhat

Joaquin Phoenix Plays A Crooked Cop In The Trailer For Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice"


Joaquin Phoenix Paul Thomas Anderson Reese Witherspoon Josh Brolin

Joaquin Phoenix and Paul Thomas Anderson are back with another team effort. The trailer for Inherent Vice dropped on Monday and, going on that alone, we’ll call this a must-see. It’s an adaptation of Thomas Pichon’s novel of the same name and follows stoner P.I. Larry “Doc” Sportello (Phoenix) as he investigates the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend’s (Katherine Waterston) wealthy boyfriend. Besides Phoenix himself, the film stars Josh Brolin as the stuffy LAPD detective Christian “Bigfoot” Bjornson, while Reese Witherspoon plays deputy DA Penny Kimball. Owen Wilson, Jena Malone, Joanna Newsom, and Benicio Del Toro round out an all-star cast.

Watch the full trailer here:


 

Continue reading: Joaquin Phoenix Plays A Crooked Cop In The Trailer For Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice"

'Maps To The Stars' For NY Film Festival, But It's All About 'Foxcatcher'


Steve Carell Robert Pattinson Channing Tatum Joaquin Phoenix Bennett Miller

David Cronenberg's Maps to the Stars is one of the more eye-catching movies announced for the 52nd New York Film Festival though the drama starring Robert Pattinson and Julianne Moore will not be involved when the Oscars are handed out come February 2015: other festival inclusions including Gone Girl, Mr Turner, Birdman, Inherent Vice and Foxcatcher could be.

Maps to the StarsRobert Pattinson in David Cronenberg's 'Maps to the Stars'

We already know that David Fincher's adaptation of Gillian Flynn's novel will earn its world premiere in New York and the mystery drama is joined by a host of hugely anticipated films on this year's bill.

Continue reading: 'Maps To The Stars' For NY Film Festival, But It's All About 'Foxcatcher'

With Emma Stone And Joaquin Phoenix, Woody Allen's New Movie Could Fly


Woody Allen Emma Stone Joaquin Phoenix

Emma Stone has joined Joaquin Phoenix in the cast for Woody Allen's next movie. The currently untitled project will be written, produced and directed by Allen, following the director's Oscar winning movie Blue Jasmine.

Emma StoneEmma Stone at the Met Gala 2014

Plot details are unknown but Variety report that the movie will shoot this July. It is also without a distributor, though Sony Pictures is the front-runner, given its allegiance with Allen on numerous of his previous projects.

Continue reading: With Emma Stone And Joaquin Phoenix, Woody Allen's New Movie Could Fly

10 Of The Best Musical Biopics: Will The Hendrix Movie Join The List?


Joaquin Phoenix

With Andre 3000's Jimi Hendrix film, 'All By My Side' being premiered next week at SXSW festival, we thought it was about time to dig out some of our favourite music biopics of all time. Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Jim Morrison have all got the big screen treatment, so let's predict how the Hendrix movie will rank against these 10 musical masters.

The DoorsOliver Stone Helmed 'The Doors'

1. The Doors

Continue reading: 10 Of The Best Musical Biopics: Will The Hendrix Movie Join The List?

Valentines Film Releases UK: What's Out And What You Should Avoid?


George Clooney Joaquin Phoenix Nick Frost

Valentines Day is one of the biggest days in the film calendar, proving that people would rather sit in a dark room, facing forward and taking in a story than actually spending real time together. Luckily, there are some great films to not spend the evening with your other half… with. Then again, there are some rubbish ones too.

Monuments MenAre you sure it isn't good?

Monuments Men

Continue reading: Valentines Film Releases UK: What's Out And What You Should Avoid?

Oscars Dark Horse 'Her' Is A Gorgeous, Heartbreaking Movie


Joaquin Phoenix Spike Jonze

Since its debut at the New York Film Festival last October, Spike Jonze's new film Her has become the dark horse of the awards season, gathering best film awards from the American Film Institute, National Board of Review and critics groups in Los Angeles, San Diego and Austin. 

Joaquin Phoenix HerSpike Jonze's 'Her' Stars Joaquin Phoenix

And Jonze's screenplay has racked up the prestigious Writers Guild award and the Golden Globe, plus prizes from both broadcast and online critics, as well as 10 regional critics groups. Of the film's five Oscar nominations, it's the favourite to win for Best Original Screenplay. Check out our 'Her' review.

Continue reading: Oscars Dark Horse 'Her' Is A Gorgeous, Heartbreaking Movie

Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Inherent Vice': Everything You Need To Know


Paul Thomas Anderson Joaquin Phoenix

'Inherent Vice' the lastest movie from director Paul Thomas Anderson, and starring Joaquin Phoenix, has just gained Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood as the composer. The film which is currently in post-production could end up being one of the year's most exciting releases. There's no release date yet but in preparation here's everything you need to know about 'Inherent Vice'.

Director Paul Thomas AndersonDirector Paul Thomas Anderson

What’s the plot?
Inherent Vice’ is based on the 2009 Thomas Pynchon novel of the same name. It's set in Los Angeles between 1969 and 1970 and uses the events of the Manson family trial as its backdrop. It’s a sort of comedy-crime-stoner story, focusing on private investigator Larry ‘Doc’ Sportello, a ‘pothead’ detective who whilst helping his ex-girlfriend becomes embroiled in the disappearance of her current boyfriend, a real estate mogul. Pynchon doesn't usually allow his works to be adapted for the screen, but he has reportedly given his blessing to this project.

Who’s behind 'Inherent Vice'?
Boogie Nights’ and ‘There Will Be Blood’ director Paul Thomas Anderson has taken the reins. This is kind of his pet project and could be what he needs after his last film, ‘The Master’ failed to have any commercial success, despite getting strong reviews. Anderson has also written the script and is serving as producer. It has just been announced that Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood will compose the score which will be  recorded this month with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London - this it will mark his third collaboration with Anderson. Also joining Anderson again is cinematographer Robert Elswit who also worked on 'Boogie Nights' and 'Punch Drunk Love'.

Continue reading: Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Inherent Vice': Everything You Need To Know

A Week In Movies: Awards Season Gathers Pace, Superhero Movie Rumours Abound, Expendables 3 Drops A Teaser


Mark Wahlberg Taylor Kitsch Idris Elba Naomie Harris Joaquin Phoenix Dwayne Johnson Denzel Washington Harrison Ford Antonio Banderas Mel Gibson

Lone Survivor

Things always go quiet in the film industry over the holidays as everyone takes one last break before the full onslaught of awards season campaigning. Nominations for both Oscars and Baftas come in the next two weeks, and there's also action for the influential writers, directors, producers and actors guilds. 

Awards-worthy movies expanding into cinemas this weekend include Mark Wahlberg's Lone Survivor, Spike Jonze's Her, the biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and the Cambodia documentary The Missing Picture. All have picked up attention from critics groups over the past month and are looking to catch the eye of Oscar voters. Read our review of 'Lone Survivor', watch the trailer for Spike Jonze's 'Her', read our review of 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' or our review of 'The Missing Picture'.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Awards Season Gathers Pace, Superhero Movie Rumours Abound, Expendables 3 Drops A Teaser

The Producers Guild Of America Nominate '12 Years A Slave,' 'Her,' 'Blue Jasmine' And More For Daryl F. Zanuck Award


Steve McQueen Chiwetel Ejiofor Tom Hanks Joaquin Phoenix Ryan Coogler Woody Allen Sandra Bullock George Clooney Martin Scorsese Will Forte

The members of The Producer's Guild of America have cast their vote and the list of nominee's for their annual Daryl F. Zanuck Awards - their Best Picture category - have been cast. Formerly known as the Golden Laurel Awards, the PGA's are usually pretty accurate at predicting which films will go on to be nominated in the Best Picture category at the Oscars, and their winners rarely differ too.

12 Years A Slave
Chiwetel Ejiofor's powerful performance in Steve McQueen's 12 Years A Slave has made it a favourite for the top honour

American Hustle, Blue Jasmine, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Her, Nebraska, Saving Mr. Banks, 12 Years a Slave, and The Wolf of Wall Street make up the full list of nominees up for awards this year, so don't be surprised to see these films still being discussed vigorously until the beginning of March.

Continue reading: The Producers Guild Of America Nominate '12 Years A Slave,' 'Her,' 'Blue Jasmine' And More For Daryl F. Zanuck Award

Video - Rooney Mara Dons Unusual White Dress For RIFF 'Her' Premiere - Part 2


'Don Jon' actress Scarlett Johansson is seen talking to the press as she hits the red carpet the Rome International Film Festival premiere of her new movie 'Her', in which she plays the voice of an advanced computer operating system.

Continue: Video - Rooney Mara Dons Unusual White Dress For RIFF 'Her' Premiere - Part 2

Video - Joaquin Phoenix And Scarlett Johansson Arrive At RIFF Premiere Of 'Her' - Part 1


'The Master' star Joaquin Phoenix and 'The Avengers' star Scarlett Johansson pose together on the red carpet at the Rome International Film Festival premiere of their new film 'Her'. They are then joined by co-star Rooney Mara, director and writer Spike Jonze and producers Megan Ellison and Vincent Landay.

Continue: Video - Joaquin Phoenix And Scarlett Johansson Arrive At RIFF Premiere Of 'Her' - Part 1

Michelle Pfeiffer Led Cult-Like Lifestyle As Young Actress In L.A.


Michelle Pfeiffer Robert De Niro Joaquin Phoenix River Phoenix John Travolta Leah Remini

Michelle Pfeiffer admitted to being in a cult when she was younger. The 55-year-old actress discussed her involvement with an unusual couple which led to her involvement into a cult called breatharianism. This involved abstaining from drinking or eating as they believe it food and drink are not necessary to live.

Michelle PfeifferMichelle Pfeiffer discussed her cult-like lifestyle in a magazine article promoting her latest film, The Family.

The Batman actress spoke to The Sunday Telegraph's Stella magazine (published on 3rd November) about her youthful involvement in the cult. Pfieffer described how, after leaving home at the age of 20, she became involved with a "very controlling" couple when she arrived in Los Angeles. She described the couple as "kind of personal trainers" who placed her on an extreme diet, breatharianism, which "nobody can adhere to."

Continue reading: Michelle Pfeiffer Led Cult-Like Lifestyle As Young Actress In L.A.

River Phoenix Has Been Dead For 20 Years


River Phoenix Joaquin Phoenix

Today, the 31st October 2013, marks twenty years to the day since River Phoenix died after taking Heroin and Valium in the West Hollywood nightclub, The Viper Room. Crowds gathered this morning outside the bar with tears in their eyes and sporting tributes to the actor who was 23 when he overdosed.

River Phoenix
River Phoenix In 1988's 'Little Nikita.'

The teen sensation, who had appeared in 1988's Running On Empty and Little Nikita, had been out celebrating his brother Joaquin's 19th birthday at Johnny Depp's club on that fateful night in 1993. Joaquin, who has since appeared in films such as Walk The Line and Gladiator, made the frantic call to 911 that has been immortalised in a recording.

Continue reading: River Phoenix Has Been Dead For 20 Years

Joaquin Phoenix Circling John Belushi Role


Joaquin Phoenix John Belushi

With the news that the John Belushi biopic is back on after a stagnant few years, thoughts have turned to who will play the mercurial talent who was there at the very beginnings of Saturday Night Live. Joaquin Phoenix’s name has emerged amongst a bunch of potential actors.

John BelushiJohn Belushi [L] and Dan Akroyd as The Blues Brothers

The fact that Phoenix’s name has been mentioned shouldn’t have much bearing on who actually plays the late star. So far, according to a quick trawl of the net, Zach Galifianakis, Jack Black, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Ethan Suplee, Tyler Labine and Emile Hirsch have all been suggested. (Digital Spy)

Continue reading: Joaquin Phoenix Circling John Belushi Role

The Worst Tasting Carrot: Michael Fassbender To Eschew Oscars Race


Michael Fassbender Joaquin Phoenix Steve McQueen

Michael Fassbender is following the lead set by Joaquin Phoenix and will not campaign for an Oscar at the Academy Awards in March, despite his movie 12 Years a Slave considered the strong favorite for awards glory.

Phoenix famously called the Oscars race "the worst-tasting carrot I've ever tasted in my whole life," though his outburst wasn't enough to stop him gaining a best actor nomination for Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master.

"I think it's bullshit," he told The Guardian at the time, "I think it's total, utter bullshit, and I don't want to be a part of it. I don't believe in it. It's a carrot, but it's the worst-tasting carrot I've ever tasted in my whole life. I don't want this carrot. It's totally subjective. Pitting people against each other. It's the stupidest thing in the whole world."

Continue reading: The Worst Tasting Carrot: Michael Fassbender To Eschew Oscars Race

NYFF 2013: Joaquin Phoenix Combines Sci-Fi With Romance In 'Her'


Joaquin Phoenix

The New York Film Festival screened for the first time, Spike Jonze's new science fictional romantic drama called 'Her' on Saturday (Oct 12th). The film is set in the not-so-distant and it attempts to depict how humans become too reliant on technological devices. Though the film carries a sci-fi label, it is an insightful story of romance and human emotion.

joaquin pheonix
Pheonix stars in the leaidng man role as 'Theodore Twombly' 

The leading man in 'Her' is 38 year-old Joaquin Phoenix as he plays 'Theodore Twombly'. A complex and passionate man, whose career consists of writing touching, heartfelt letters for other people. Phoenix is tasked with connecting love and technology to a human emotional level, after his character download's a new "operating system" named Samantha who has the power to evolve.

Continue reading: NYFF 2013: Joaquin Phoenix Combines Sci-Fi With Romance In 'Her'

Predicting The Oscars 2014: Is George Clooney Guaranteed An Academy Award?


George Clooney Michael Fassbender Idris Elba Brad Pitt Leonardo Dicaprio Meryl Streep Sandra Bullock Cate Blanchett Alfonso Cuaron Ridley Scott Joaquin Phoenix Penelope Cruz Cameron Diaz Tom Hanks Academy Of Motion Pictures And Sciences

Six months of anticipation for four hours of award giving: that’s what you signed up for. The Oscars 2014 has its host, and now it has its favorites. Which director will be hurtling through an acceptance speech at breakneck speed, and which actor will be practising their sad-yet-humble loser face?

George Clooney and Sandra BullockSandra Bullock [L] and George Clooney [R] In Gravity

It’s Oscars season.

Continue reading: Predicting The Oscars 2014: Is George Clooney Guaranteed An Academy Award?

Joaquin Phoenix Falls In Love With EWoman In 'Her' [Trailer + Pictures]


Joaquin Phoenix Scarlett Johansson Rooney Mara Olivia Wilde Spike Jonze

In Her, Spike Jonze’s highly anticipated new movie, Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodor – a recently divorced man living city life alone until a new piece of technology enters his life: Samantha (Scarlett Johansson).

Joaquin Phoenix in HerJoaquin Phoenix in Her

Samantha is a computer program: a Siri-like entity that accompanies Theodor in his professional and personal life. Their relationship soon turns from user/product to a more romantic one, as our protagonist falls in love with his new toy.

Continue reading: Joaquin Phoenix Falls In Love With EWoman In 'Her' [Trailer + Pictures]

Her Trailer


Theodore Twombley wasn't exactly having the best time in his life. He never socialised, seldom spoke to his family and he had just been through a distressing marriage separation. That was, until, he met Samantha; a computer operating system designed to fit his every need. With a voice more human than you could imagine from a machine and a witty, caring but slightly nosey personality, Theodore becomes more and more attached to her. However, soon the distinction between man and machine becomes evident when he begins to fall deeply in love with her, despite the fact that she knows little about how human relationships work. With her gradually reciprocating love, Theodore gets caught in a crisis when he is forced to come to terms with the fact that the only person he wants to spend the rest of his life with isn't even a physical entity.

This romantic sci-fi tells the heart-breaking but troubling story of the relationship between human beings and their beloved machines. With a thoroughly talented cast, it has been directed and written by Spike Jonze ('Where the Wild Things Are', 'Being John Malkovich', 'Adaptation.') and it set to feature in cinemas in the US on November 20th 2013.

Click here to read - Her Movie Review

Spike Jonze's 'Her' Leaves Us Intrigued [Trailer]


Spike Jonze Joaquin Phoenix Scarlett Johansson

Some directors demand attention for every project they work on, and Spike Jonze is one of them. This is even more impressive when you total up his films: they amount to three – Being John Malkovich, Adaptation and Where the Wild Things are.

Joaquin PhoenixPhoenix promoting The Master in Toronto last year

His latest – ‘Her’ – tells the story of Theodor (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely word-a-day man in the big city, which, from the trailer, seems to be in the not-so-distant future. When he encounters the "world's first artificially intelligent operating system” – named Samantha (Scarlett Johansson) – his life changes.

Continue reading: Spike Jonze's 'Her' Leaves Us Intrigued [Trailer]

Too Early For Best Actress Punts? Marion Cotillard Stuns In 'The Immigrant'


Marion Cotillard James Gray Joaquin Phoenix

Marion Cotillard is the talk of the Cannes Film Festival for her stirring performance in The Immigrant, James Gray's sensitive movie about the immigration experience in New York, circa 1920. The movie sees Gray re-team with Joaquin Phoenix - after We Own The Night and Two Lovers - though all talk focuses on the French actress' performance as a young Polish woman trying to get a foothold in modern America.

The Immigrant plays a major role in several of the 'Oscars 2014 tips' articles on the internet, though the reception to the movie was a mixed bag. As Todd McCarthy at the Hollywood Reporter points out, The Weinstein Company are now likely to focus the spotlight on Cotillard's performance alone in the search for silverware from The Immigrant during awards season. In his review of the film, McCarthy wrote, "Speaking in a completely convincing Polish accent with a slight hint of German due to her character's origins in Silesia and at times speaking in Polish, Cotillard makes the movie, creating a haunted figure who may one day be able to go on to a new phase but is certainly permanently marked by her multiple harrowing ordeals." The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw - who offered up a five-star review for Ryan Gosling's Only God Forgives earlier in the week - gave The Immigrant short shrift, though agreed on Cotillard's performance, writing, "Cotillard herself is incapable of giving a bad performance and she certainly carries the movie's opening act, lining up with her ailing sister in Ellis Island, having tensely endured the unspeakable boat journey from the old country."

The Immigrant is in competition for the Palme d'Or at Cannes though bookmakers Paddy Power has the movie at 10/1 to win the prize. The lesbian romance movie Blue is the Warmest Colour is the current frontrunner after a wave of strong reviews.

Continue reading: Too Early For Best Actress Punts? Marion Cotillard Stuns In 'The Immigrant'

'The Great Gatsby' Opening Cannes Doesn't Seem Like Such A Good Idea Anymore


Cannes Film Festival Steven Spielberg Leonardo Dicaprio Michael Douglas Coen Brothers James Gray Joaquin Phoenix Alexander Payne

The 2013 Cannes Film Festival will open on Wednesday (May 15, 2013) with Baz Luhrmann's 3-D version of The Great Gatsby, a throwback to the roaring twenties adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic book of the same name. The announcement caused unrest earlier in the year given that Gatsby would already have been released in the U.S by the time Cannes came round (it was released last week) though there's a couple of other things to worry about.

The Great Gatsby opened in the United States to fairly lacklustre reviews, dampening the buzz surrounding the start of the 12 day Cannes Film Festival. The critics have already seen it. The critics didn't like it very much. "This dreadful film even derogates the artistry of Fitzgerald, who wrote "The Great Gatsby" while living on Long Island and in Europe," said the Wall Street Journal. It holds a score of 48% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Nevertheless, champagne bottles will be popped, deals will be made and Harvey Weinstein will be wandering around deciding which movie to snap up as his next Oscar winner at this year's festival. Stars expected to attend include Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, Ryan Gosling, Emma Watson and the legendary Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachan. "This is the hardest 10 days of the year for me. There are always three or four movies that are exceptional and you have to find them so it is a detective job," said Tom Bernard, co-president and co-founder of Sony Pictures Classics.

Continue reading: 'The Great Gatsby' Opening Cannes Doesn't Seem Like Such A Good Idea Anymore

Cannes Line-up For 2013 Hints At Possible Oscars Race [Analysis]


Alexander Payne Joaquin Phoenix Coen Brothers

The line-up for the Cannes Film Festival 2013 has been announced and with it, a clearer picture of the possible contenders for the Oscars in February 2014. In a hugely American-heavy shortlist, Cannes will welcome the likes of Alexander Payne, Joel and Ethan Coen, Steven Soderbergh, James Gray, James Franco, Sofia Coppola, all opening up their latest efforts to the scrutiny of Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who sits at the head of the jury this time around. The selected movies - announced in a press conference and via Twitter on Thursday - look certain to make it an A-list affair, with the likes of Ryan Gosling, Mila Kunis, Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake and Robert Redford attached to some of the movies screening. There was no place for Woody Allen (Blue Jasmine) or Lee Daniels (The Butler) however, despite speculation as to possible entries.

Of course it's possible the Oscar winner for Best Picture in 2014 will not feature at Cannes - last year's entries included Moonrise Kingdom, On The Road, Cosmopolis, Rust & Bone, Killing Them Softly and The Paperboy, with the eventual Palme d'Or winner emerging in the shape of Michael Haneke's Amour - however, this time it looks likely that we may get a glimpse of the potential Oscar winner. 

The main competition includes Alexander Payne's hotly tipped Nebraska, a father-son road-trip movie that Paramount Pictures plans to release as Oscar-bait in the fall. According to the Los Angeles Times, many had expected the film, starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte, to wait for the late-summer festivals, though it will now premiere in France. Elsewhere, Soderbergh's HBO financed movie Behind the Candelabra about the flamboyant pianist Liberace stars Matt Damon and Michael Douglas. It appears to the director's last work for some time. 

Continue reading: Cannes Line-up For 2013 Hints At Possible Oscars Race [Analysis]

The Oscars Are Asinine: Ethan Hawke Slams Major Movie Awards Ceremony


Ethan Hawke Joaquin Phoenix Academy Of Motion Pictures And Sciences

“Look at how many forgettable, stupid movies have won Oscars and how many mediocre performers have Oscars above their fireplace.” This is just one of the derisory comments that actor Ethan Hawke made about The Oscars, which, if you weren’t already aware (and if not, where have you been hiding, exactly?) take place this Sunday, February 24, 2013.

The comments were made in an interview with Gotham magazine (and reported online by New York Post, echoing Joaquin Phoenix’s recent views that the Oscars are nothing more than a load of bull. Slamming the high profile ceremony as “asinine,” he explained that awards ceremonies in the movie industry simply breed unnecessary competition, rather than focusing on the artistry at hand. “Making a priority of chasing these fake carrots and money and dubious accolades, I think it’s really destructive, he vented. “People want to turn everything in this country into a competition [so] it’s clear who the winner is and who the loser is… It’s why they like to announce the grosses of movies, because it’s a way of saying ‘this one is number one.’

This year’s Oscars ceremony, should you take a different view of competition within the movie industry, will take place on February 24, 2013 and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane. Ethan Hawke is not nominated for any Oscars this year so at least he’ll avoid the hypocrisy that an acceptance speech may have brought him. 

Continue reading: The Oscars Are Asinine: Ethan Hawke Slams Major Movie Awards Ceremony

SAG Awards Tonight: Who'll Win What?


Daniel Day Lewis Hugh Jackman Joaquin Phoenix Jennifer Lawrence Tommy Lee Jones Bradley Cooper Robert De Niro Sally Field

The Screen Actors Guild Awards is tonight (Jan 27) and it looks like it could be a close one. What's more, the SAG Awards usually offer a good indication of who will win what at the 'big one' that is the Academy Awards in February. So who'll win what? Here's our prediction of who may emerge victorious at tonight's ceremony.

Best Actor: Ok, this is a bit of a no-brainer. With a Golden Globe and just about every other award under the sun already in his possession, Daniel Day-Lewis looks like the clear favourite to take home the top award. With Cannes winner Joaquin Phoenix not even on the shortlist, it looks like Golden Globe winner Hugh Jackman might be his only competition for the award, but it probably wont be much of a contest.

Best Actress: Again, this one might be a bit of a predetermination, but Jennifer Lawrence is looking like the favourite to take home the top acting prize for the ladies. Even though she's battling pneumonia at the moment, it is believed that she'll show up anyway and with that kind of determination then frankly she deserves the award.

Continue reading: SAG Awards Tonight: Who'll Win What?

Lincoln's Daniel-Day Lewis To Outdo Brando, Penn, Hanks With Oscar Win


Daniel Day Lewis Marlon Brando Hugh Jackman Denzel Washington Joaquin Phoenix Tom Hanks Nick Nolte Steven Spielberg

Daniel Day-Lewis will make Oscar history on February 26, 2013, when - as expected - he takes the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Steven Spielberg's critically acclaimed Lincoln. Should Hugh Jackman, Bradley Cooper, Joaquin Phoenix or even Denzel Washington steal away the gong, it would almost certainly represent the biggest Best Actor shock since Robert Benigni somehow usurped Tom Hanks and Nick Nolte to the award in 1999. Though Jack Nicholson was considered the favourite, Day-Lewis could have had another award in 2003, (Gangs Of New York) had Adrien Brody not upset the apple-cart for his role in The Pianist.

As 'Lincoln' prepares to hit screens in the UK, critics have seized the opportunity to laud Day-Lewis' performance - "legend", "genius" and "one of the greats" are words and phrases found in almost every review. Ian Nathan of Empire Magazine said, "As unexpected as it is intelligent, thanks to virtuoso work from Spielberg and Kushner, Lincoln is landmark filmmaking, while Day-Lewis is so authentic he pulls off that stovepipe." Matthew Turner of ViewLondon said, "Impressively directed and superbly written, this is an absorbing and enjoyable political drama with an Oscar-worthy central performance from Daniel Day-Lewis." Shaun Munro of What Culture agreed, writing, "Daniel Day-Lewis gives yet another performance for the ages in Steven Spielberg's admirably literate, thoroughly charming biopic."

Daniel Day Lewis, Oscars 2008Daniel Day Lewis, Nine Premiere

Continue reading: Lincoln's Daniel-Day Lewis To Outdo Brando, Penn, Hanks With Oscar Win

London Critics Circle Film Awards Choose Unexpected Winners


Toby Jones Joaquin Phoenix Tom Holland Philip Seymour Hoffman

Due to much of its tighter focus on British and/or Irish films and their actors, the London Critics Film Awards list of winners often differs greatly from the other big awards of the season. This year, however, they have gone even farther left field, rightly awarding some of the distinctly lesser known films and actors, triumphing over those better known.

Berberian Sound Studio, which came out last August, did very well, winning the Attenborough Award for the best British Film of the Year. Written and directed by Peter Strickland this is only his second feature. Having been described as 'seriously weird and seriously good' by Peter Bradshaw, Berberian Sound Studio is a psychological thriller set in an Italian horror movie studio of the 1970s. 

It stars Toby Jones who also won the award for Best British Actor of the year. 

Continue reading: London Critics Circle Film Awards Choose Unexpected Winners

Odds Are On For No One As Oscars Look To Be Close


Steven Spielberg Hugh Jackman Daniel Day Lewis Jennifer Lawrence Kathryn Bigelow James Cameron Joaquin Phoenix Sally Field

With the nominations for 2013's Academy Awards being revealed today, all the fields are open in the four major categories as there seems to be no real, clear cut contenders for the top prizes.

Lincoln has taken the brunt of the nominations, with twelve nominations in total, so it looks as though Steven Spielberg's historical epic might be favourite for some of the top awards too- Daniel Day-Lewis, Steven Spielberg and the film itself looking odds on favourite with Oddschecker.com. But still, are things really as clear cut as they seem? Maybe not, with the odds aside, the close(ish) ones at that, nothing really seems that clear really.

Avatar was the odds on winner back in 2010, but it was the former Mrs James Cameron, Katherine Bigelow, to see her film sweep the awards. Day-Lewis in particular has some competition in his field, with Cannes winner Joaquin Phoenix and first time nominees Bradley Cooper and Hugh Jackman biting at his heels. Both Argo and Zero Dark Thirty look as though they could take the top award of the night from under the president's nose, but with no Ben Affleck, it does look as though Ang Lee may be Spielberg's only competition to top director gong.

Continue reading: Odds Are On For No One As Oscars Look To Be Close

British Awards Season Begins With The Unsurprising Nominations At The Baftas


BAFTA Jennifer Lawrence Quentin Tarantino Ben Affleck Kathryn Bigelow Steven Spielberg Jessica Chastain Michael Haneke Hugh Jackman Joaquin Phoenix Daniel Day Lewis Bradley Cooper Ang Lee

As awards season kicks off, today with the BAFTA nominations and tomorrow with the Golden Globe award ceremony, actors, actresses, directors and producers everywhere will be biting their nails and praying for a win from at least one of the big three coming up, the aforementioned two, of the Oscars, nominations for which will also be released tomorrow. 

There are very few surprises in the BAFTA nominations as this year has some clear stand-out offerings to the trade, and as announced by Alice Eve and Jeremy Irvine, here's the low down on the biggest prizes. 

Nominations for best film are the big five: Argo, Les Miserables, Life of Pi, Lincoln and Zero Dark Thirty. Despite BAFTA being a British institution, there's not a British film in sight (except Les Mis, but the majority of leads aren't from the fair isle). Luckily, however, there's a whole separate award for Brits. In that list, the contenders are Anna Karenina, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (that was 2012? it seems so long ago), Les Miserables, Seven Psychopaths and a much deserved Skyfall

Continue reading: British Awards Season Begins With The Unsurprising Nominations At The Baftas

Three Reasons Why The Master Won't Dominate The Oscars


Joaquin Phoenix Paul Thomas Anderson Amy Adams Daniel Day Lewis Philip Seymour Hoffman

It was 'coming' for months; teasing us with enigmatic trailers, laced with a disconcertingly mistimed drum. It was the next big thing. With a directing CV representing no mistakes, this was going to be Paul Thomas Anderson's official entry into the pantheon of the greats.

And it still might be, but, as many are predicting, not via an instant hit of Oscar-narcotics. The 2013 Academy awards will recognise great films, no doubt, but it's likely The Master will be lucky to walk away with one.

So why is a film - which has been at the top or near the top of many critic's end of year lists - destined to 'underachieve' come Sunday, February 24th, only to spend years accumulating a cult status of its own? Here are three perfectly ridiculous reasons why not.

Continue reading: Three Reasons Why The Master Won't Dominate The Oscars

Could Marion Cotillard Win An Oscar For Rust And Bone?


Marion Cotillard Anthony Hopkins Joaquin Phoenix Jennifer Lawrence Sally Field Anne Hathaway Jessica Chastain

The race to the Academy Awards is beginning to hot up with movie executives beginning to hobnob with various industry people and drum up support for their respective films. Sir Anthony Hopkins recently explained how he refused to travel to New York just for the sake of speaking to the right people about his movie Hitchcock, and we all know what Joaquin Phoenix thinks of the whole charade. 

Though some people really want to win an Oscar. The people behind Denzel Washington's Flight have released a special trailer targeted at Academy voters, and the people over at Team Cloud Atlas would probably kill to just spend five minutes with one of the statuettes, any of them. One actress who would love to get her hands on the Best Actress gong for a second time (though she'd never admit it) is Marion Cotillard, whose turn in Rust and Bone has been winning quiet praise in the lead up to awards' season. The movie focuses on a man's bond with a killer whale trainer, which grows deeper after she suffers a horrible accident. Sounds pretty grisly huh? But the critics loved it, and lauded Cotillard's performance in particular. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone wrote, "As an orca trainer who loses her legs, Cotillard is astonishing, as is Schoenaerts as a boxer who helps restore her sexual identity. Audiard's hypnotic film means to shake you, and does." Tim Robey of The Telegraph said, "Cotillard, who's been waiting since La vie en rose for a role this substantial, is at her damaged, devastating best". 

For punters, Cotillard represents one of the best value for money bets of awards' season. She's currently available at 8/1 to win Best Actress at the Oscars - seen as a wide open race. Pretty much everyone knew Meryl Streep was going to win last year, though in 2013, Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook), Sally Field (Lincoln), Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables) Emannuelle Riva (Amour), Ouvenzhane Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild), Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty),  Helen Mirren (Hitchcock) or Cotillard could all scoop the prize.

Continue reading: Could Marion Cotillard Win An Oscar For Rust And Bone?

The Master's Joaquin Phoenix: Scientology Is No More Absurd Than Christianity


Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix recently discussed his new movie 'The Master' in an interview with The Mirror and believes leaders of Scientology type cults are 'very human' in that they can't see themselves becoming obsessed with power.

The Oscar winning actor hasn't worked on any movie project since 2010 when he did a comedy documentary called 'I'm Still Here' which featured his transition from famous actor to aspiring rapper and he admits that he was in danger of becoming 'bored' of his career. 'I just felt like I needed to change something drastically, so I wasn't bored', he told The Mirror. 'I wanted to have the feeling that I had when I was young when it was like, 'This is the most important thing to me, and I'm going to put everything that I have into this'.' 

He certainly seems to have put his all into 'The Master'; a movie, apparently based on Scientology, about a drunk and spiritually lost man finding solace in a religious cult led by a charismatic but dubious scholar. When asked his feelings on the subject matter he replied, 'I know people talk about it, and some of their beliefs are ridiculous, but I don't know how they sound any more absurd than Catholic or Christian beliefs - no offence to anyone who believes in those.' He was also struck by the authenticity of the movie and believes that leaders in that situation don't realise how much power is affecting them. 'I think it's easy for people to convince themselves that they are doing something altruistic and doing something with the group ultimately, and it is a selfish act', he said.

Denzel Washington Set For Oscar Success With ‘Flight’?


Denzel Washington Robert Zemeckis John Gatins Bruce Greenwood Daniel Day Lewis Joaquin Phoenix Bradley Cooper John Hawkes Ben Affleck Jamie Foxx Quentin Tarantino

Denzel Washington’s latest film, Flight, has garnered much praise already – and for all the right reasons too – with Washington already tipped for Oscar glory for his staring role.

The film itself, directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by John Gatins, tells the story of an airline pilot who saves a flight from crashing, however the post-flight investigation into the plane’s malfunctions reveals some worrying revelations. Washington stars as said pilot, Whip Whitaker, who on top of being a veteran of his trade is also a serious alcoholic. The film also stars Bruce Greenwood as the character Charlie Anderson.

Whilst still a newcomer to the box office, critics look as though they can’t get enough of Washington and his performance, and betting sites have already placed the double-Oscar winner among the top contenders to achieve Oscar glory at next years ceremony. 

Continue reading: Denzel Washington Set For Oscar Success With ‘Flight’?

The Master Review


Excellent

This jagged, meandering exploration of a Scientology-style movement is hauntingly mesmerising and packed with meaty performances. As he did in There Will Be Blood, writer-director Anderson is exploring how people control and influence each other, this time focussing on a twisted mentor-protege relationship that's strikingly well-played by Hoffman and Phoenix. 

The story takes place just after the war, as seaman Freddie Quells (Phoenix) struggles to overcome his physical and psychological injuries and fit back into society. After drifting across America, he stows away on a boat captained by Lancaster Dodd (Hoffman), who is known as the Master to followers of the Cause. He takes Freddie under his wing and coaches him to tap into his eternal soul by exploring who he was in past lives. So Freddie becomes part of the family with Dodd's strong-willed wife (Adams), doubtful son (Plemons) and more gung-ho daughter and son-in-law (Childers and Malek). And Freddie's stubbornness both annoys and challenges Dodd.

It's fascinating to watch these two men develop a tight connection while quietly jostling for power. The cycles of interaction make the film lurch in fits and starts as Freddie tries to elevate himself using Dodd's process, but continually finds another way all his own. In other words, both men are using each other to work out their own inner turmoil. While Hoffman gives a layered performance that bristles with quiet shadows and superficial bravado, Phoenix contorts his body and face into a man who has literally been crumpled up by his past. Meanwhile, the darkly intense Adams sneaks up and steals every scene she's in.

Continue reading: The Master Review

Oscar-Tipped Joaquin Phoenix: I'm Not Very Good And Need Lots Of Help


Joaquin Phoenix Paul Thomas Anderson Philip Seymour Hoffman

Joaquin Phoenix, the star of The Master and current second-favourite to scoop the Oscar for Best Actor in February, has played down his acting talents claiming to actually be "not very good." Phoenix - who was rumored to be quitting the movie business before signing on for Paul Thomas Anderson's movie - said he needs to be "very close" to directors in order to get through shoots.

In a nervy interview with The Independent, Phoenix explained his self-doubts and on-set needs, "I think the trouble is that I'm not very good and I need a lot of help; I need the entire set to be working to help me," he said, adding, "The only way I can work is to be very close to the director and the acting. At least people like Paul make you feel that is a priority." Since his superb turn in Gladiator, Phoenix has decided against appearing in further blockbusters, though noted, "If every single movie was The Master it would be a pretty boring world out there. I think it's fine to have those blockbusters. I'm not against those movies. I just don't want to experience them." He has a similar outlook on awards season, recently telling Interview magazine, "I think it's bullsh*t. I think it's total, utter bullsh*t, and I don't want to be a part of it. I don't believe in it. It's a carrot, but it's the worst-tasting carrot I've ever tasted in my whole life. I don't want this carrot." He may be forced to at least nibble on the carrot should he be - as expected - nominated for a slew of awards in the coming months. Though Daniel Day Lewis is the overwhelming favourite to win the Best Actor for Lincoln, Phoenix isn't far behind in the betting, at around 3/1. 

The Master's producer Harvey Weinstein - famous for his awards season nous - will at least have Oscar's mainstay Philip Seymour Hoffman around for the publicity push. In fact, the veteran is almost certain to win Best Supporting Actor for his L Ron Hubbard-like role.

Continue reading: Oscar-Tipped Joaquin Phoenix: I'm Not Very Good And Need Lots Of Help

Joaquin Phoenix On The Oscars: "I Don't Want To Be A Part Of It"


Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix would have been one of the favourites for an Oscar come January 2013, considering his fantastic work in The Master, but he may have blown it in a recent interview.

But it's not like he really cares. Phoenix offered his modicum of the truth when it comes to awards season, and more specifically The Oscars whilst having a candid chat with Interview Magazine. "I'm just saying that I think it's bulls---. I think it's total, utter bulls----, and I don't want to be a part of it," Phoenix told interviewer Elvis Mitchell when asked about the potential honor. "I don't believe in it. It's a carrot, but it's the worst-tasting carrot I've ever tasted in my whole life. I don't want this carrot. It's totally subjective. Pitting people against each other ... It's the stupidest thing in the whole world.

If Phoenix stopped being so damn good at acting, then he might not have to deal with being recognised for it, and given the amount of money he makes to pretend to be someone else for a while, and hang out with some of the biggest stars in the world for a living, we can think of worse things to be angry about.


Joaquin Phoenix Labels The Oscars As 'Bullsh*t'


Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix doesn't pander to the etiquette so frequently conveyed by the Hollywood A-listers. He'll no doubt be in the running for an Oscar for his role in The Master, but what does he really think of the awards?

"I think it's bullshit," Phoenix told Elvis Mitchell in Interview magazine. "I think it's total, utter bullshit, and I don't want to be a part of it. I don't believe in it. It's a carrot, but it's the worst-tasting carrot I've ever tasted in my whole life. I don't want this carrot. It's totally subjective. Pitting people against each other ... It's the stupidest thing in the whole world." Well there you go, Academy Awards, you've been told. We firmly believe that Phoenix deserves an Oscar, as his portrayal of erstwhile vet. Freddie Quell, but we also quite want him to win just to see what he says when he does. Phoenix, by all accounts, doesn't care about how he's portrayed, and his documentary experiment, which delved into the lack of humanity in Hollywood, was a great example of his forward thinking and candid approach to western attitudes.

"It was one of the most uncomfortable periods of my life when 'Walk the Line' was going through all the awards stuff and all that," Phoenix told Mitchell. "I never want to have that experience again. I don't know how to explain it -- and it's not like I'm in this place where I think I'm just above it -- but I just don't ever want to get comfortable with that part of things."

Reese Witherspoon Names Baby Tennessee James Toth


Reese Witherspoon Ryan Phillippe Melanie Griffith Don Johnson Joaquin Phoenix

Reese Witherspoon has named her new baby boy Tennessee James, reports The Huffington Post. He was born yesterday (September 27th).

The 36-year-old's third child is guaranteed a shot at acting with a name like that. Witherspoon already has two little ones from her previous marriage with Ryan Phillippe; Ava, 12, and Deacon, 8. Linda Rosenkrantz, co-founder of Nameberry.com, has some explanations behind naming techniques employed by parents. "It's a trend that had its roots starting in the late 1980s," she said," with several celebs picking names from the American West, like Austin, Dallas and Dakota, including Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, whose now grown daughter Dakota is the star of a new sitcom. But lately the trend seems to be heating up and much more widespread." Celebrities seem to be obsessed with choosing never-heard-before names for their offspring, and are looking far and wide for names that fit the bill: "The current trend seems to be really exotic-sounding spots, like Morocco, Egypt and Asia, and states rather than countries or cities -- Alabama, Arizona, Indiana and yes, Tennessee."

Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon made her name in 2001, with her breakout role as Elle Woods in the box office hit Legally Blonde, after bagging a Golden Globe nomination for the critically acclaimed Election. She also garnered critical praise for her performance in Walk The Line alongside Joaquin Phoenix.


River Phoenix’s Final Movie Set For Release As Brother Joaquin Eyes Oscar


River Phoenix Joaquin Phoenix Paul Thomas Anderson

River Phoenix’s final movie ‘Dark Blood’ will finally be released on September 27, 2012, almost 20 years after the aspiring star died outside The Viper Room in Los Angeles. Phoenix –who had ingested a lethal combination of cocaine and heroin – stars in George Sluizer’s thriller about a young widow living in the desert on a nuclear testing site.

Phoenix – who was considered one of the finest young actors in Hollywood – died as he and Sluizer were putting the finishing touches to the movie. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the director, now 80, said of Phoenix’s death, “I was devastated…It was a terrible sadness.” The movie had roughly 11 days of production to complete when the actor died, with an insurance company making the call to abandon the project and pay out to the original investors. As the firm became owners of the movie, it sat in storage until 1999, at which point they decided to destroy it. “That’s when I said, ‘No, no, I’m going to save it from destruction”, said Sluizer, without going into detail as to how he took ownership of ‘Dark Blood’ once again. After suffering an acute aortic dissection while holidaying in France and spending months recovering, the director decided he had to finish the film, “I said, I want to finish the film before whatever happens,” adding, “At least I will finish my job as best as I could.” The movie will premiere at the Netherlands Film Festival in Utrecht this week, and is competing for the festival’s Golden Calf award.

Meanwhile, River’s brother Joaquin Phoenix is tipped to receive an Oscar nomination for his turn in Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘The Master.


Video - Joaquin Phoenix And Philip Seymour Hoffman Arrive At The Venice Film Festival 'The Master' Premiere


Arrivals for the premiere of 'The Master' at Italy's 69th Venice Film Festival included the film's stars Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Madisen Beaty. Valentina Cervi of 'True Blood' also arrived at the event along with Claudia Gerini ('The Passion of the Christ'), actress and director Nadine Labaki ('Caramel'), Isabella Ferrari ('Quiet Chaos'), and models Catrinel Marlon and Liliana Matthaus.

Valentina Cervi was one the photographers by the red carpet couldn't get enough of as she elegantly posed for photos in a floor length, sheer white gown with long sleeves and glittering collar whilst holding a pink-tipped rose she had been given

Two Lovers Review


Excellent
Joaquin Phoenix has a reputation for diving heartily into roles, and his starring turn in James Gray's Two Lovers is no exception. In the film's first scene, Phoenix's dive is literal: A Brooklyn kid plunging into the bay in an arresting setup that rings of despair and confusion. It's an appropriate introduction to Phoenix's delicate character development, a performance that buoys an impressive romantic drama.

And that's a genre we don't see too often anymore: romantic drama. Today's cinematic romances are usually steeped in light comedy (even decent ones like Definitely, Maybe) or predictable form posing as drama. But Two Lovers is hardcore drama, with desire at its center. Or more accurately, two desires.

Continue reading: Two Lovers Review

We Own The Night Review


OK
James Gray has assembled what looks and sounds like a good, smart thriller with We Own the Night: a strong cast, serious aspirations, a specific time and place (Brooklyn, 1988). The story is shopworn, but not without dramatic potential: Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg play brothers on the opposite-ish sides of the law; Joseph (Wahlberg) has followed in the footsteps of their father (Robert Duvall) and joined the NYPD while Bobby (Phoenix) rebels by running a seedy nightclub. With a drug dealer inching into Bobby's territory, he's forced to reconsider his loyalties.

Meanwhile, the movie forces me to reconsider my own, because it spends a lot more time seeming like a good movie than actually being one. For a film with such an ominous, encompassing title, We Own the Night is content to skim the surface of the NYPD, lacking the obsessive attention to detail that distinguishes other crime-heavy glimpses into bygone American eras as diverse as Gangs of New York, Zodiac, or The Assassination of the Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Even Night's period details feel half-assed and incidental, like background songs that sound more like bits of '90s soundtracks to '80s-set movies instead of 1988 itself. In fact, though an early subtitle says so, the year doesn't even seem to be 1988 in particular but a vague, amorphous "eighties," Wedding Singer style.

Continue reading: We Own The Night Review

U Turn Review


Excellent
I can't imagine U Turn in any director's hands except Oliver Stone's. Breaking free from his political obsessions, Stone explores new territory, giving the material a stark edge, innovation, and a thick, memorable atmosphere. In one film he investigates adultery, incest, bad luck, Indian philosophy, gambling, paranoia, murder, deception, fraud, money, and the Russian Mafia. This is an original tale with a full plate, but surprisingly U Turn never feels crowded, contrived, or recycled. It's a feast for the senses, as long as you have a strong stomach.

Similar to Natural Born Killers in style, the film includes black & white inserts, frequent use of hand-held cameras, overexposed shots, vivid close-ups, zip-switches from smooth to grainy, unique camera angles, time-lapse sequences, and hallucinogenic effects. Stone rounded up some of his Nixon crew to establish the technical aspects of the film, including director of photography Robert Richardson, production designer Victor Kempster, and editors Hank Corwin and Thomas Nordberg. The crew shot U Turn in just 42 days, entirely on location in the actual town of Superior, Arizona, fully utilizing the vast landscape. According to the film's production information, the filmmakers revamped four blocks of Superior's main street, even creating new restaurants out of unused storefronts.

Continue reading: U Turn Review

Buffalo Soldiers Review


Essential
Delayed from release for two years due to the world political climate, Buffalo Soldiers is a movie that is categorically worth the wait.

A dark comedy on par with Pulp Fiction, Aussie director Gregor Jordan (in his second film) transports us to Germany in 1989, on an American Army base during the waning days of the Cold War. These enlisted troops aren't your Officer and a Gentleman go-getters. They're criminals, offered the option to serve their country in lieu of staying in jail. But since there's no war on, getting in to trouble is the only thing to do. As our protagonist says, "There was nothing to kill but time."

Continue reading: Buffalo Soldiers Review

Ladder 49 Review


Excellent
Firefighter movies resemble westerns in the singular fact that I can see one decent one every five years or so and be completely satisfied. Ladder 49 happens to be an excellent flame jockey adventure, a stirring audience-pleaser that accurately captures the fear, fearlessness, and physicality associated with entering a burning room and, possibly, not exiting. Relatives of firefighters will embrace it lovingly, while the rest of us will appreciate its unquestionable sincerity.

At the same time, Ladder and its creators make no bones about the fact that the film is pushing our emotional buttons. It manipulates our heart strings and tugs at our tear ducts in its quest for inspirational cinema. Admittedly, it's a bit slick and overdone, but it's difficult to fault a picture that wears its intentions on its soot-stained sleeve and holds the serviceman position of firefighter on such a lofty pedestal.

Continue reading: Ladder 49 Review

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix Quick Links

News Pictures Video Film Music Footage Comments Quotes RSS

Joaquin Phoenix

Date of birth

28th October, 1974

Occupation

Actor

Sex

Male


Advertisement
Advertisement

Joaquin Phoenix Movies

Irrational Man Trailer

Irrational Man Trailer

In a small town at the college campus, a normal man is having a terrible...

Inherent Vice Movie Review

Inherent Vice Movie Review

Like the Thomas Pynchon novel it's based on, this film remains infuriatingly evasive as its...

Inherent Vice Trailer

Inherent Vice Trailer

Larry "Doc" Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) is a simple man. When he's not abusing illicit substances,...

Inherent Vice Trailer

Inherent Vice Trailer

Doc Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) is a private investigator living in Los Angeles during the tail...

The Immigrant Trailer

The Immigrant Trailer

Ewa Cybulski and her sister Magda are Polish immigrants in search of new lives in...

Her Movie Review

Her Movie Review

With only a hint of a futuristic setting, Spike Jonze takes a remarkably honest look...

Her Trailer

Her Trailer

Theodore Twombley is a reserved man going through the hardest time of his life with...

Advertisement
Her Trailer

Her Trailer

Theodore Twombley wasn't exactly having the best time in his life. He never socialised, seldom...

The Master Movie Review

The Master Movie Review

This jagged, meandering exploration of a Scientology-style movement is hauntingly mesmerising and packed with meaty...

The Master Trailer

The Master Trailer

Freddie Quell is a violent and often drunk drifter who, whilst going through some of...

Two Lovers Movie Review

Two Lovers Movie Review

Joaquin Phoenix has a reputation for diving heartily into roles, and his starring turn in...

Advertisement
Artists
Actors
    Filmmakers
      Artists
      Bands
        Musicians
          Artists
          Celebrities
             
              Artists
              Interviews