I've been reading pretty everything I can on Walk the Line and I agree with the summary Shack has come up with. Reese looks like she steals the show. Here are a few pull quotes and links.

Sun-Sentinel


The AV Club


Nashville Scene


San Francisco Bay Guardian


Cleveland


IndieWire


New York Metro

Actually this was my one hesitation about music biopics. Are the fans of the musician going to be a bit dissappointed not to hear that musicians voice even once? And what about the soundtrack that gets released in stores? Its a real flipping coin right now, and something I noticed earlier on might backfire. Even when I saw the trailer I was a bit struck by it. Not because I'm worried about a poor performance, but because I know the singers' voices. The only reason it works for Reese better is because June Carter, for better or worse, is less known. So alot of Cash fans may not be as phased by the distinction between her's and Reese's voices. But I don't think it'll affect their performance reviews, since people that judge that want to see them rise to the challenge, and know they can't sound the same as whom they're depicting. But I do think it'll affect fans of the musicians.

I think it's been confirmed that Phoenix and Witherspoon will be singing on the soundtrack. Along with Tyler Hilton, Waylon Payne, Shooter Jennings and Johnathan Rice.

Thanks for posting those Moolah.

I don't agree that all of those say that the film is a mess by focusing primarily on the actors, but there are a few that pointedly say that it has flaws or it is mediocre.

Stir it all up in the pot.

Doesn't change my position on its chances.

Wow, we have our major front-runner for Best Actress looks like it. She was always a shoe in, but if reviews like these keep puring in then I think she's assured a win. Doesn't seem like there are any other really high profile actress roles this year!

Both of them are locks to win, as I've been saying, and the acting strength is going to garner many votes for the movie. It's a major player this year.

Reese is undeniablely the frontrunner and will continue in the foreseeable future, probably all the way to March. Charlie Theron received a lot of good reviews, but early reviews for the film isn't that impressive, and she won the first oscar for basically the same role. Judi Dench is like Meryl Streep, where Hollywood says we are very happy to nominate you each time, but that's it. Hard to imagine Diane Keaton can win; probably will receive similar attention as Something's Gotta Give: nomination but no win. Ziyi didn't blow anybody away during the early screening, and critics will be harsher. Overall, there isn't much competition.

Reese is almost a lock to win I think(yes Maverikk I said that.)

Phoenix is nowhere near. For one hes not even the main contender in my mind, and two Witherspoon's performance is grabbing absolutely all the attention. He can still win obviously but hes not up to Reese level right.

Heath Ledger is my guess for number 1 contender by the way. Sean Penn could shock the hell out of the academy though and take it as the 3rd contender.

I wouldn't discount Paltrow's chance at another nomination for Proof.

Even though I said in May that Proof and An Unfinished Life were better off dead.

Article on Memoirs of a Geisha, especially Michelle Yeoh:

http://michelleyeoh.info/Movie/Mg/Artic ... 50907.html

Celebrating geishas in Memoirs of a Geisha

Anticipation is running high among movie buffs over the upcoming release of Steven Spielberg's visually sumptuous movie version of the best-selling novel, Memoirs of a Geisha.

Excitement should be especially rife among Malaysians, with early Oscar buzz surrounding Malaysia's Datuk Michelle Yeoh. Sony Pictures sources claim that Michelle delivers a tour-de-force performance in her role as Mameha, one of the three geishas - all played by Chinese actresses - in Arthur Golden's captivating tale of intrigue, jealousy and love in the Floating World, as the geisha profession was called.

The Oscar hype, shouldn't come as a surprise, especially for those who have read the book, since the role of Mameha is a pivotal one.

Michelle plays a seasoned geisha who mentors Sayuri (Zhang Ziyi) in the niceties of the centuries-old craft, while fending off the ruthless machinations of Hatsumomo, the reigning star of Gion, the celebrated geisha quarter.

Gong Li, as the nemesis, senses that Sayuri's rising star will mean her own eclipse, and goes over the top to bring down her budding rival.

The plot resonates of Sunset Boulevard in kimono, or even Judy Garland's vintage A Star is Born, with painted faces.

Michelle's expected Best Supporting Actress nomination - hold the breath for a win - would mean a first for Malaysia in the history of Hollywood's Academy Awards. It could also mark the first time, in nearly 50 years, that an Asian actress joins the ranks of Oscar winners, since Miyoshi Umeki received a best Supporting Actress award in Sayonara.

Mainland China actress Zhang has also been quoted as pinning her hopes for a Best Actress nomination for her lead role as Sayuri, the poverty-stricken fishing village girl sold into slavery and reaches the pinnacle of her craft.

It could be a casting coup, an insider's joke or art imitating life. But the blockbuster, shot on a specially-built Japanese set in Los Angeles, and in Kyoto (Japan's ancient capital), pairs Zhang with Cannes award-winning actress Gong Li on-screen for the first time.

Both are protegees - and more, rumours have claimed - of Chinese director Zhang Yimou. In her early days, Zhang was referred to as "Little Gong Li".

Whether their alleged rivalry will be nuanced into the clash of characters in Geisha, will be closely watched by their fans.

The movie, based on Golden's interviews with a real-life geisha, also marks the second movie collaboration between Michelle and Zhang. The actresses first squared off in the epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and reprise their older sister/budding woman relationship, minus the dark side of Zhang's character in the Ang Lee movie.

Zhang, Michelle and Gong Li are formidable thespians whose mettle has been tested in a repertoire of demanding roles, and proven at notable events such as Cannes and the British film awards.

Geisha could put three Asian women together in contention, for the first time, for acting honours in the movie world's most famous awards - Hollywood's Oscars.

Well... that's not really buzz... it's written by a Michelle Yeoh fan site :/

Not really true. It's an article originally from a little more independent site (still from Malaysia though):

http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story ... sec=movies

My opinion on A History of Violence, and this is just my personal feeling of it's Oscar chances after seeing it, is that it's a little short as a film on story. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but it suffers from a short run time of 1 hour and 36 minutes, and the backstory and character motivations aren't explored enough to give the film the kind of depth it would need to compete.

Ed Harris and William Hurt are both great, but don't have enough screentime to qualify for anything like an Oscar for best supporting actor IMO.

Viggo Mortensen is great, but not enough meat on the bone compared to what others are sure to get in leading roles, and it's a shame, because he gives a good performance.

Maria Bello delivers what could be the only Oscar nom for the film in the big categories.

For those who have seen it, what are your thoughts?

Totally unrelated but Miyoshi Umeki did not deserve her Oscar. So did all the nominations Sayonara got.

Maria Bello should and probably will be a contender for her performance in A History of Violence.

Agreed completely. I think she has a very good shot at making the final 5 in the supporting actress category. Her performance was fun, serious, sexy, tough, and daring with the sexual things. If I didn't know better, I would have thought they were having sex and that Viggo was (cover your eyes, ladies)...using his tongue. I'd say it was the boldest performance I've seen from an actress so far this year.

The first campaign ads have surfaced. Junebug and Amy Adams are being pushed.

SPOILER MAYBE!

It's very, very subtle, the acting. Like the scene when Viggo goes from Tom to Joe ON CAMERA. With a subtle switch in his nature he goes from being Tom to Joe and there is never any doubt who he is at that particular moment. There's a lot of unspoken visual acting here, and it's absolutely marvelous. But not showy. Well... Harris and Hurt get a little showy. Bello will probably get a Supporting Actress nomination.

END SPOILER.

I love the film, a great deal, I think it's probably the best film I've seen thus far, but it's not showy enough for a Best Picture slot. Not enough melodrama for the Academy.

In a perfect world, Viggo would be recognized, but I don't think it's going to happen.

Catch Me If You Can was so full of great performances. It stands up over time really well. I mean even Jennifer Garner is good in it! Regardless, my favorite character in it was Amy Adams' Brenda in that film. I don't know what about her entire performance just broke my heart.

I KNEW I remembered her from somewhere.

She's amazing in Junebug.

Does she break my heart?!?!

I posted my reaction to the movie maybe a page ago on this thread. I had just about the same feelings. I liked the movie, and the reviews have been amazing, but it just doesn't seem like an Oscar contender. MArio Bello is the best chance!

I didn't keep repeating myself because I know few people would have believed me if they hadn't seen it and only look at the rating and reviews!

A History Of Violence might end up as this year's Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind with great reviews but only a couple of nominations. Or it could be this year's Sideways if critics rally behind it. Perhaps the first scenario is more likely.

Yes.

Adams' character Ashley is the heart and soul of that movie.

I would agree although it doesn't have the edgy indie sheen of Eternal Sunshine. I think A History of Violence might end up as this year's heavy domestic drama. Someone mentioned in a BO thread a few days ago that A History Of Violence is eerily similar to Mystic River in almost all aspects.