Thursday, March 22, 2007

Is a spot reserved for Reservation Road?

Many of the front-runners people are already buzzing about seem logical, Sweeney Todd, Charlies Wilson's War, American Gangster, The Kite Runner, etc.

Yet obviously, certain "less-flashy" films play a role when it comes to critical prizes.

Everywhere there's people crazy enough to talk about this next years academy awards, people are buzzing about Reservation Road listing it as a 2007 front-runner.

Reservation Road is based off the novel by John Burnham Schwartz about two families whose lives interesect when a man is involved in a hit-and-run accident causing the death of a young boy.

Certainly not an uppity-feature film, but it does remind me of a film like In The Bedroom, with emotional acting opportunities for it's leads.

The film is written and directed by Terry George (two time oscar nominee for his co-writing of Hotel Rwanda and In The Name of The Father).

The film stars two-time Academy nominee Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator, Walk The Line), along side Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind), and Mark Ruffalo, and academy award nominee Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite).

It is certainly not a novice crew, but of the entire crew, only producer A. Kitman Ho has received an academy mention (Best Picture nods for JFK and Born on the Forth of July).

So why is this film receiving the buzz that is placing it in people's earliest top fives? I'm not sure.

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8 comments:

b13 said...

Even with that scowl, Jennifer is hot.

Phillip said...

In response to your comment: I agree. I just think that worship services in many churches are forgetting the heritage and great theology brought forth through hymns. I also think that older people are a little too anal sometimes when it comes to singing contemporary songs.

It would be nice to see an effort on the part of both generations to understand each other's heart languages when it comes to this issue. I think both would learn something and be blessed along the way.

Anonymous said...

It does seem a bit early to be getting Oscar buzz but then it's never too early to get the marking ball rolling.

It does sound like an interesting story and that's quite the cast so it'll be interesting to see what comes of it.

Glenn Dunks said...

Mae, that's Redemption Road or something like that. Different film and different book.

RC, as one of the people predicting it at this early stage (you linked to me, thanks) I'll explain my reasoning, which is twofold.

1. The four/five early frontrunners never make it. So I thought it was silly to predict them (they would include the four you mentioned). I think Sweeney Todd will faulter in the big categories (if they didn't like Dreamgirls what will they make of a musical with such a dark gothic theme as Sweeney?) and I'd have more faith in The Kite Runner if it weren't directed by Marc Forster (Monster's Ball, Stranger than Fiction, Stay).

2. Terry George, as you have said, has been popular with Oscar before and of the four major cast members it has two Oscar winners (Sorvino and Connolly) and another two-time Oscar nominee (Phoenix) plus a man destined to be an Oscar-nominee soon enough (Ruffalo).

It could easily become another Moonlight Mile, but at this stage who really knows?

F.J. Delgado said...

Does seem to be way too early to talk about next year's Oscars already, but I guess it's always fun to speculate.

And yes, Jennifer Connolly is a hottie.

maryt/theteach said...

I read Reservation Road years ago and found it a marvelous read. Can't wait for the movie and Joaquin Phoenix. Thanks for telling me. I teach literature, classic and contemporary, and like to have a good movie to show after teaching the book. This will go on my list!
Thanks again.
http://maryt.wordpress.com
http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com

ePastor James said...

I have mild hopes for this, with some, er--reservations. (Honestly, it was the best choice of words.)

Sorvino is the least likely to reap a nod, but having her in the cast certainly helps. From early screenings though, it doesn't seem like she leaves much impact. Connelly has more time to shine and might be the stock "previous winner" in the supporting actress category.

I think this will mainly be a man's show though. I think Phoenix may be overshadowed by Day-Lewis, Bale, and Cusack (and maybe that Kite Runner guy, Abdalla), but he'll most likely grab a Globe nod (unless it flops).

But Ruffalo seems like a smart choice to keep in mind, at least as a critics' favorite. He could be this year's Haley. (The screenplay could presumably make the cut as well.)

It's good to see not everyone is indulging themselves on the glitz of this year. (Another film that might surprise people and make the cut is The Savages. I continue to hear AMAZING things.)

Anonymous said...

Agreed. Jennifer is a hottie!
Matt