This is now the part of the year where we will get the contenders for Oscar 2006 Best Films of the year.

What this article will do is preview the films that you should or should not watch for this upcoming Oscar season.

For release in October 2006 (Us Dates, Korean dates unknown)

The Departed IMDB LINK The Departed

Plot Outline: Two men from opposite sides of the law are undercover within the Boston State Police department and the Irish Mafia, but violence and bloodshed boil when discoveries are made, and the moles are dispatched to find out their enemy's identities. This is a Remake of Infernal Affairs (Hong Kong: English title) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338564/ The film is directed by Martin Scorsese and has an all star cast such as Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima

Flags of Our Fathers
Letters from Iwo Jima

What we have here is 2 different looks at the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima in Flags of Our Fathers we have The life stories of the six men who raised the flag at The Battle of Iwo Jima, a turning point in WWII. In Letters from Iwo Jima we have, the story of the battle of Iwo Jima between the United States and Imperial Japan during World War II, as told from the perspective of the Japanese who fought it. With Clint Eastwood directing these 2 film, this should be a very interesting look at this battle.

Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette


Now I have already seen this film, I was given a Cannes copy of this film on DVD.

I have no idea what Sofia Coppola was going for in this film, It was horribly miscast as Kirsten Dunst as Marie and with the 2006 modern soundtrack in 1790 France, it just never worked. It was savagely attacked after its Cannes debut and should not be seen by anybody. Grade F

Volver

Volver


After her death, a mother (Maura) returns to her home town in order to fix the situations should couldn't resolve during her life. Of her family left in the town, her ghost slowly becomes a comfort to her daughters (Cruz, Dueñas), as well as her grandchild (Cobo).

Carmen Maura reunites with Pedro Almodóvar for the director's first comedy since, what, Kika? Not that we're complaining about his recent body of work, but it'll be nice to walk out of a theater after seeing this and not be totally bummed out. And we can't wait to see Penélope Cruz star in her first actual movie in years! Volver opened big in Almodóvar's native Spain, with nearly cross-the-board good reviews (the latter is a rare occurrence for the auteur), and scooped two prizes (Best Screenplay and Best Actress for the ensemble cast) at Cannes.

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

SC3


Santa (Allen), aka Scott Calvin, is faced with double-duty: how to keep his new family happy, and how to stop Jack Frost from taking over Christmas.

I have no idea why they are doing a #3. This has not been a good year for Tim Allen, with the failures of Zoom and The Shaggy D.A,.A return to this could only hurt his star until the rumored Toy Stoy 3 return in 2008, to even have a chance of a comeback.


Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Release Date in Korea 12/06

Borat


Kazakhstani TV talking head Borat (Cohen) is dispatched to the United States to report on the greatest country in the world. With a documentary crew in tow, Borat becomes more interested in locating and marrying Pamela Anderson


It had a small release at the 11th Pusan International Film Festival and has a very strong Buzz about it. I was told basically if you like Sacha Baron Cohen then go see if, if you do not, please give it a look.


Flushed Away

Flushed Away


The story of an uptown rat that gets flushed down the toilet from his penthouse apartment, ending in the sewers of London, where he has to learn a whole new and different way of life

Aardman Animations (the studio behind Wallace & Grommit) handles their first CGI film, which was born out of their inability to get the Tortoise vs. Hare project off the ground. Reports from the underground, where three directors (including Aardman vets Bowers and Fell) are toiling away, indicate the CGI looks like classic Aardman stuff. Fingers crossed the Brit-friendly cast doesn't result in a Valiant-like reception at the box office.

Have you ever just had a bad idea about a movie that looks like its going to bomb big time? Every time I look at the facts for this film, it just has a huge failure on it, from clay to CGI

News


When I read that article the warnings about this film looks like were confirmed.

A Good Year

A Good Year


Englishman Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) inherits Le Griffon, a crumbling Provençal vineyard owned by his Uncle Henry (Albert Finney). Settling into the property, Max's prospects are shaken up by the arrival of Henry's long-lost daughter, Christie Roberts (Abbie Cornish), a wine brat from California with a surprise or two tucked away.

Will this be a comeback or will this be another failure like the Cinderella Man was. Crowe lately has developed a pain-in-the-but to work with. This film will either help his star or we will slowly start to see it fail over a long period of time.


Harsh Times

Harsh Times


HARSH TIMES stars Christian Bale as an ex-Army Ranger who finds himself slipping back into his old life of petty crime after a job offer from the LAPD evaporates. Freddy Rodriguez (SIX FEET UNDER) plays his best friend and Eva Longoria (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) plays Rodriguez's girlfriend. It marks the film directing debut for Ayer who has written such box office hits as TRAINING DAY, U-571 and THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS

The preview looked interesting so we shall see about this film, the buzz is about Bale going psycho and everybody else dealing with it.

Casino Royale (Relaesed in Korea 12/06)

James Bond


After earning his license to kill, MI6 dispatches James Bond (Craig) to Madagascar to track a terrorist. The spy soon expands his search to include an entire terrorist cell, tipping off an adventure that leads him into a Montenegro casino, where his organization backs him in a marathon game against Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a banker to international terrorist organizations.

I saw the trailer and I was thinking, “Oh S&*^% they may have finally gotten it right.” The pick of Daniel Craig has met with some stiff complaints. To me, it ended, when Sean Connery gave his blessing to this selection. If the ultimate James Bond agrees with this pick then can anyone really argue about it.?

Fast Food Nation

FFN/


A marketing executive (Greg Kinnear) for a fast food giant travels to the Colorado town that's home to feedlots and packing plant that fuels his business. His goal: to quietly investigate whether cow manure has found its way into his product. The film played during the Pusan Film Festival.

Richard Linklater's much-anticipated take on Eric Schlosser's best-seller underwhelmed at Cannes, where audiences cited a lack of cohesion and emotional resonance. We shall see on this one.


Happy Feet

Happy Feet


Warner Bros. bets that their formula of Madagascar meets March of the Penguins meets boy band choreography will yield one of the biggest animated hits of the year. We have to imagine that George Miller, who hasn't directed a film since Babe: Pig in the City isn't sleeping much these days. Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman transmogrifies from a rat to a penguin in the same month. He's so versatile! Okay, we're going to get back to puzzling over the title, as to its utter lameness or complete and total awesomeness; a reminder: your best friend can't prevent you from calling him/her "Happy Feet".

The Preview looked great and I have a good feel about this one so I am looking forward to this one but remember, in Korea it might be dubbed into Korean so check with the movie place first before you go.

Déjà Vu

Deja Vu


An ATF agent travels back in time to save a woman from being murdered, falling in love with her during the process.

I know, Ok it sound like “Time Cop”

It also has Tony Scott and Denzel Washington.

We shall see about this one.


The Fountain

The Fountain


As a 16th-century conquistador, Tom (Hugh Jackman) discovers the Tree of Life. He spends the next 1,000 years searching for a way to save his love, Izzi (Rachel Weisz), as he begins to develop an understanding of the mysteries that have plagued him for centuries.

This production rose and crashed around writer-director Darren Aronofsky so many times, we still feel as though we'll never be sitting in a theater, moments from the flicker of the first reel. After months with only a teaser poster, a couple stills, and an information-less official site, Venice announced they'd host the world premiere (Aronfsky turned down a non-competition slot at Cannes, saying it was full-on Palme d'Or eligibility or nothing). And then came the boos ... Or the reports of people booing the film, which bloated into prognostications of critical and commercial failure.

Well this will be a hit or a bomb, no middle ground for this one.


For Your Consideration

FYC


Three actors (Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, and Harry Shearer) learn their respective performances in the film "Home for Purim," a drama set in the mid-1940s American South, are generating award-season buzz. A documentary crew captures all the excitement.

A Christopher Guest film? I am so there!


Bobby

Bobby


Part fact and part fiction, the story of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy's assassination is told via the intertwining lives of people who were present at Los Angeles' Ambassador Hotel in the hours leading up to the event.
THE BUZZ: Trying swishing this phrase around in your mouth: "Academy Award nominated director Emilio Estevez."

I have had this once picked as a contender for best picture of the year. Everything that I read and seen about it points to it. Hopefully the film will live up to the hype.

The History Boys

THB


Alan Bennett's play performed equally well in the UK and the US, and now a transatlantic coalition brings the screen version to the States with all the major talent aboard. Art house devotees love their tragedy with a little comedy, as does the Academy. Richard Griffiths as a Best Actor candidate? With this role, it could happen, please keep an eye on this one.

The Last King of Scotland

TLKS


Based on the events of the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin's regime as seen by his personal physician during the 1970s A freshly graduated young doctor Nicolas from Scotland went to Uganda in 1970s hoping that he could offer his helping hands to the Ugandan people. Instead of serving the poor and needed, he met the charismatic Uganda dictator Idi Amin and his life is forever changed.

Forest Whitaker nails the role of Amin and the buzz is about an Oscar nomination for his role in this one.

The Nativity Story

The Nativity Story


A drama that focuses on the period in Mary and Joseph's life where they journeyed to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.

Now this could be a very interesting selection for December 2006. I have not a clue how this one will play. I guess we're supposed to be shocked that the director of Thirteen is handling this take on Mary's life up until Jesus Christ's birth. Or that the talented, young Keisha Castle-Hughes was cast in the role. Initially none of this was any big deal, but now that Hughes is pregnant (and not yet 17), this could be one very interesting marketing campaign.

Apocalypto

Apocalypto


Imagine being Mel Gibson's publicist ... After flirting with the Antoine Fuqua project Under and Alone, Mel Gibson opted for another historical epic for his follow-up to The Passion of the Christ -- and he self-financed the project, too. Set in the pre-Hispanic era, Apocalypto will be in the Maya language (think back to Men with Guns) and it's not known whether Gibson will make more than a cameo in the film (he's in the teaser trailer for a second, sporting a huge beard, crazy eyes, and what looks to be a huge blunt). It's not hard to realize what Gibson's getting at, as he's been vocal about the dissolution of American society; it will be interesting, and obviously controversial, to see how he ties his film to his beliefs.

Will Mel Gibson’s legendary drunken outburst hurt this film? We will soon see.


The Good German

The Good German


An American journalist (Clooney) in post-war Berlin to find his former mistress (Blanchett) is lured into a mystery involving her missing husband and a soldier's washed-up body.


Easily one of the most hush hush A-list projects in years ... With no competition in the form of actors playing musical legends or literary geniuses, George Clooney might waltz off with the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of newsman Jake Geismar (though an African dictator does stand in his way). And Cate Blanchett could be this year's Rachel Weisz, unless her performance in Notes on a Scandal overshadows her work here. Actually, toss in a bye for Soderbergh and his screenwriter, the twice-nominated Paul Attanasio.

Well what’s next for George Clooney? Can he earn another Oscar nod for this one or will it be a pretender in a year of contenders.


The Pursuit of Happyness

The POH


Will Smith arrives for the holidays, just in time to bum you out (before lifting your spirits) with the true story of Christopher Gardener. Please note the mid-life drama did not work for Adam Sandler, though if anyone can shift genre and retain his audience, it's Smith. Italy's mass-appeal director Gabriele Muccino makes his English-language debut; Steve Conrad (The Weather Man) wrote the script.

Now this one I have no idea on, It has Will Smith in a non-Alien film. Will it be Spanglish or Hitch?

Eragon

Eragon


In his homeland of Alagaesia, a farm boy happens upon a dragon's egg -- a discovery that leads him on a predestined journey where he realized he's the one person who can defend his home against an evil king.

If you have seen posters of Eragon at the Daejeon CGV, this is the film.

As a 15-year-old boy, Christopher Paolini started working on a novel, fueled by his love of all things Tolkein. Eragon was published when Paolini was 17, and was a worldwide best-seller (Eldest, the second volume of his Inheritance Triology, was published in 2005, and as far as we know it has yet to be optioned). The novel was adapted by Lawrence Konner (Mighty Joe Young) and Peter Buchman (Jurassic Park III) and Stefen Fangmeier makes his directorial debut after serving as visual effects supervisor on such films as Saving Private Ryan, Twister, and Lemony Snicket


The film is worth a look but past that will it be compared farorably to Tolkein or will it be branded a rip-off?


Blood Diamond

BD


If anything else, Edward Zwick's latest film will be remembered as the movie that helped introduce the term "conflict diamond" into popular culture. This film feels more like “The Beach” than anything else. All this over a diamond?


Venus

Venus


A romance, of sorts, blooms between an aging actor (Peter O'Toole) and the grand-niece (Jodie Whittaker) of his best friend (Leslie Phillips).

I have been a fan of O’Toole’s for years and a chance to see him in action again is definitely worth a look.

Rocky Balboa (Rocky 6)

6


'Rocky Balboa' examines one of America's greatest icons at a vulnerable period in his life--middle age. A former heavyweight boxing champion, known and renown throughout the world for going the distance, Rocky finds a new venture: giving back to his community. This is where he, once more, finds himself at the opposing side of opportunity, not unlike the one he has seen decades ago. Heavyweight champ Mason Dixon and his representation offer Rocky a shot for the title. For Balboa, it'll be one last hurrah he'll never forget.....but with his glory days far behind him can he withstand the inevitabilities of what's to come? A look at going full circle and wanting more, when life turns out how you least expect it and then some.

If George Forman can win the title at age 46 why not Rocky Balboa? A long time ago Slyvester Stallone actually made some good movies, Those days have long sinced passed but maybe he had to hit bottom before he could return, wuth this and the return of Rambo maybe he will return to his roots and become what he last shows me in “Cop Land”

The preview looked awesome so we shall see on this one.


Charlotte's Web

CW


Wilbur the pig, fearful he'll end up the family dinner instead of the family pet, hatches a plan with resourceful spider Charlotte to save his bacon. Based on the acclaimed childrens' novel

Once again a remake of a childhood favorite film of mine and once again I wonder, why oh why are you remaking this film?

Night at the Museum

Museum


Ben Stiller in a Museum when the animals and wax figures come alive and with Robin Williams, this one will definitely be worth a look.

The Good Shepherd

The Good Sheppard/


Edward Wilson, the only witness to his father's suicide and member of the Skull and Bones Society while a student at Yale, is a morally upright young man who values honor and discretion, qualities that help him to be recruited for a career in the newly founded Central Intelligence Agency. While working there, his ideals gradually turn to suspicion influenced by the Cold War paranoia present within the office. Eventually, he becomes an influential veteran operative, while his distrust of everyone around him increases to no end. His dedication to his work does not come without a price though, leading him to sacrifice his ideals and eventually his family.

Matt Damon, Robert DeNiro and the return of Joe Pesci. I am so there for this one.

We Are Marshall

When a plane crash claims the lives of the Marshall University football team athletes and some of its fans, the team's new coach (Matthew McConaughey), his surviving players, and the school's dean (David Strathairn) try to keep the program alive.

THE BUZZ: Perhaps more personal than any inspirational sports picture that has come before it, Marshall is being closely watched by people who don't want it to be turned into anything different than what it was: a tragic event that brought a community together. That means no technical flash, and no trumped up romantic angle. Our interest was already piqued when the film was announced and fast-tracked for release in 2006; having Oscar nominee David Strathairn makes it a must-see for us. And so you know, the film's titled is derived from the school's primary cheer at athletic events. And if you care, it's not like director McG is looking to go legit with this film; looks like his next project will be Hot Wheels.

We Are Marshall


The University of Marshall’s Website about the airplane crash with other links to the newspaper and links to the movie.

Please click on to the fountain link and read the story behind it.



Children of Men

CM


"Children of Men" envisages a world one generation from now that has fallen into anarchy on the heels of an infertility defect in the population. The world's youngest citizen has just died at 18, and humankind is facing the likelihood of its own extinction. Set against a backdrop of London torn apart by violence and warring nationalistic sects, "Children of Men" follows an unlikely champion of Earth's survival: Theo (Owen), a disillusioned ex-activist turned bureaucrat, who is forced to face his own demons and protect the planet's last remaining hope.

I keep wondering about Clive Owen, Do I get the great role of him in Sin City or do I get the junk of Closer with him, either I like his movies or I hate them, I just have a bad feeling about this one.

Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls


All the drama you can shake your booty at! This long gestating, loosely veiled story of Diana Ross and the Supremes has attracted Hollywood's A-list and "American Idol" refugees alike. Like it or not, Beyoncé was born to play Deena Jones, just as "Idol"er Jennifer Hudson makes perfect sense as Effie White, the original lead singer who is replaced by Deena. Elsewhere, Usher was in talks to play songwriter C.C. White, but no deal could be reached, opening the door for the relatively unknown Keith Robinson. We think Robinson and Jamie Foxx, who plays manager Curtis Taylor Jr., are the ones to watch here, as their nuanced characters are the type of performances audiences and Oscar love. But who would have thought Eddie Murphy is emerging as the award hopeful? Broadway buffs, however, are holding their breath for JHud's cover of the showstopping ballad "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going.", which didn't make it on teaser trailers and has the potential to upstage Beyoncé. If that's possible.

This is one of the films that I have wanted to watch since it was announced. This could be a huge hit or a huge bomb, I would bet on the hit. It deserves to be seen.


Pan’s Labyrinth

PAN


The Plot: Relocated in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, young Ofelia (Baquero) discovers a stone labyrinth near her new home. Inside the structure, she encounters a mythical creature who tells her she's the princess who belongs to this underground world, but in order to return home, she must complete three dangerous tasks.

Guillermo Del Toro's Directing a film, need I say anymore, Hope it’s a good one.




Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

Perfume


Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born with no smell, develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world's finest perfumes. His work, however, takes a dark turn as he searches for the ultimate scent.

Most expensive German movie ever made (as of 2006)

Well, it has “sleeper” written all over it, will it deliver? Overseas Box office has been strong but how will it do in the US is the question?


Factory Girl

Factory Girl


A biopic of Warhol muse Edie Sedgwick has been in the pipeline since, well... forever. (Forever being as far back as the late 70s.) At one time, Katie Holmes was cast as the doomed party girl, but then she met this older guy named Tom and, well... you know how that went. Miller was actually cast twice, dropped the first time because she wasn't a big enough name, and then she had this relationship crisis with this hot British guy named Jude and, well... you know how that went. Now a tabloid name, this is Miller's opportunity to prove that she's more than just a pretty face, and advance word is she could make the Best Actress list alongside grande dames Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep

With a back story of just this, this film deserves a look.

The Queen

The Queen


The Queen is an intimate behind the scenes glimpse at the interaction between HM Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair during their struggle, following the death of Diana, to reach a compromise between what was a private tragedy for the Royal family and the public's demand for an overt display of mourning.

The reviews have been good and the film deserves a good look at with Helen Mirren getting serious talk of Oscar for her performance of Queen Elizabeth II.

Infamous

Why?


While researching his book In Cold Blood, writer Truman Capote (Jones) develops a close relationship with convicted murderers Dick Hickock and Perry Smith

If Capote had not been done last year and Phillip Thomas Semymore not won the Oscar for his acting then I might want to watch this film but twice in one year, didn’t WARNER Brothers learn form the Wyatt Earp mess 10 years earlier?

Deliver Us from Evil

Evil


The Plot: A documentary on Father Oliver O'Grady, a Northern California priest and admitted pedophile who was harbored by the Catholic Church for more than 30 years.

Lionsgate's looking to stir up some trouble by sending Amy Berg's documentary out without a rating. After the MPAA gave the film's trailer a redband rating (as in: good luck getting a theater to pick up your film), the distributor thought to try its chances with theater owners, who can opt to play either a film or its trailer. It might help you to know the general feeling here is Evil's an R-rated film, but if Lionsgate had submitted the film to the MPAA, they would have had to follow their advertising guidelines as well.

Man I hope this ones opens the hornets nest!




Babel

Babel


Three stories set in Morocco, Tunisia, Mexico and Japan. The story begins with a tragedy striking a married couple on vacation. Two children curious about just how far a bullet will travel set into a motion a tragedy that ripples across six families around the world

Huge Oscar Buzz for this one, I have not seen much about it but I will give it a look.


Catch a Fire

Catch A Fire


Arrested for a terrorist act he did not commit, Patrick Chamusso (Derek Luke) embraces the anti-Apartheid movement he has long ignored. As a new member of the African National Congress, he volunteers for a dangerous one-man mission - a plan that causes his old advocate in the police department, Nic Vos (Tim Robbins), to hunt him down

I have no idea why but it just sounds interesting so please check it out.

Death of a President

Hated It


Years after the assassination of President George W. Bush in Chicago, an investigative documentary examines that as-yet-unsolved crime.

Well I watched it and the only thought was, This is so wrong! I was never a fan of the last US President, Bill Clinton, But in my wildest dreams would I ever do this. Please pass on this one at all cost. I just can not believe that it is actually getting a release in the USA. I was glad to hear that major Cinema chains are passing on this one.

Grade F

The last one is the one that I wanted to see at the Pusan Film Festival but the times and dates just flat out would not work for me.

Indigènes or Days of Glory.

Days of Glory


In the liberation of France during WWII, North African men were recruited and enlisted in the French army in the fight against the Nazis. Why do they do it? One reason is to escape poverty, and the holding on to the glimmer of hope that they can be accepted, when the war is over, as equals based on their fight for the "motherland". These soldiers, mujahedeens, fought hard, often being in the frontline, but always overlooked when it comes to recognition of basic military welfare and promotions, not that these rewards will cost an arm or a leg, nor are the fighters so hard up for them. All they're asking for was fair treatment, but all they got was discrimination.

The film won the best Actor To the male ensemble cast at CANNES, I REALLY WANT TO SEE THIS ONE.

This is a small look of what Is coming out during the fall 2006 season.