Results tagged “MantzRantz” from Access Hollywood
I was disappointed to hear that George Clooney's upcoming film, "Up in the Air," was moved back from November 13 to December 4. The release date was changed so that it wouldn't conflict with Clooney's other film, "The Men Who Stare at Goats" - a quirky military satire that Clooney also produced (Overture Films is releasing it on November 6).But I was sad because it means that moviegoers will have to wait a little longer to see it. No question that it will be worth the wait, because it's a terrific film that, mark my words, will win the Oscar for Best Picture. A bold statement to be sure, but one that I stand by 100%. Here's why...
...The third film directed by Jason Reitman is a quantum leap of maturity over his previous efforts, 2005's well-crafted "Thank You for Smoking" and 2007's excellent "Juno." Clooney plays a jet-setting executive who travels around the country to fire people from corporations whose CEOs are too scared to do it themselves. It's a powerful, profound and very funny movie, and Clooney - a Best Supporting Actor Oscar-winner for 2005's "Syrianna" - has never been better.
Barring any unforeseen cinematic masterpieces that may be unleashed in November or December (which is when the real Oscar contenders usually come out), I think the Oscar race basically comes down to three movies: "The Hurt Locker," "Precious" and "Up in the Air."
"The Hurt Locker" is the first Iraq War movie to break through to the masses after a number of box office failures failed to connect with moviegoers - like "Stop-Loss," "The Lucky Ones," "In the Valley of Elah" and "Lions for Lambs," just to name a few. But "The Hurt Locker" isn't just a great Iraq War movie; it's a great movie period - a visceral and exceptionally well-directed movie that captures the perils of combat better than any film since 1987's "Platoon."
Access Hollywood movie critic Scott Mantz is in Rome, Italy, to cover the junket for "Angels & Demons." Read his first blog on his foreign adventures here.Today was supposed to be the easy day. Just three interviews with "Angels & Demons" director Ron Howard and supporting actors Ayelet Zurer and Pierfrancesco Favino. Get to the Sony Hospitality Suite at 3 PM, start
interviews at 3:30 PM, be done by 4:30 PM. Piece of cake. Or so we thought.
The interviews were supposed to take place on the roof, which makes
sense -- if you're gonna be in Rome, make it look like Rome. Otherwise,
what's the point of flying thousands of miles when you can just drive a
few miles to to get to the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills?
I'll never forget when I was asked the question..."Mantz, did you read 'Angels & Demons?'"
Little did I realize where this was leading: to Rome, where the junket for the film version of "A&D" was going to take place. Makes perfect sense, since most of it was filmed there. But since I was never there before, I was both excited and nervous about the prospect of traveling halfway around there world to a country where they literally didn't speak my language.
Turns out that getting there was the hardest part. Catch a flight to
Chicago, then run down three gates to catch my connection to Rome (with
just 20 minutes to spare -- fun!). Between the length of both flights
and the time change, I was gonna hit some serious jet lag. And as for
sleeping on the plane...well, fuggedaboudit.
By the time I landed, grabbed my bags and got to my hotel -- the Boscolo
Exedra in the heart of Rome -- I was way too excited to to take a nap (I
mean, really?). I also had just a couple hours to check in, get my
computer up and running and, of course, see the movie.
I've been working for Access Hollywood for almost 9 years. In that time, I've interviewed a lot of celebrities, and I learned very early on not to get star-struck. That would have been the kiss of death to my career as a producer and, later, as a film critic.
But then there was the new "Star Trek." And with that came Leonard Nimoy, who has been one of my lifelong heroes after playing Spock for 43 years. When I knew I was going to interview him, I got really excited. Then I got nervous, which is -- dare I say it -- logical, given how much "Star Trek" has meant to me for, well, all my life. (Without giving my age away, let's just say it rhymes with "shmorty!")
When I sat down for the interview, I showed Nimoy that I was wearing a "Star Trek" tee shirt, and I explained that I cannot remember a time in my life when I wasn't a huge "Star Trek" fan. I also explained that "Star Trek" changed my life, and if it wasn't for "Star Trek," I wouldn't be where I am now -- living in LA and reviewing movies for Access Hollywood. He then proceeded to call security, and I was dragged kicking and screaming from the Four Seasons.
Seriously, I told him that although I was really excited, I was also really nervous to see new actors playing the characters that I've loved all my life. But then I saw the movie, and I loved it -- it's a "Star Trek" movie for everyone. He's very happy that the new movie is appealing to so many people outside the fan base, but "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (which he directed, as I pointed out!) also appealed to non-Trekkers. I explained how important it was for "Star Trek" to appeal to everyone, and when I started to quote "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" by saying, "The needs of the many outweigh..." he finished the quote with "...the needs of the few or the one!" We had a moment.
I still have a few movies to see before I get to writing up my list of the Best Movies of 2008, but when I do, there's no question what's gonna be perched at the tippy-top: "WALL*E"!The fact is, not only is "WALL*E" my favorite movie of 2008, but I can honestly say that it's one of the best movies of this DECADE (so far, of course).
Talk about a movie that's loaded with subtext, it's far and away Disney/Pixar's most daring and imaginative film yet -- and that says a lot for the filmmakers behind "Finding Nemo," "Ratatouille" and the "Toy Story" features.
Sure kids will love it, since the "A" story -- about love story between two robots -- is hard to resist. But grown-ups will get more out of it, especially if they peel away the layers to absorb the existential, environmental and post-apocalyptic issues at hand.
That's why I was so very glad when the Los Angeles Film Critics Association named it Best Picture of 2008. That's the first time in the organization's 33-year history that an animated film won the top prize.
