Back up to 81 on Metacritic.

Samething happened with BB, ended up fresh with COTC around 60%, but overall was at 84%

Then I'd say thats a good thing for Prestige. Actually its in line with the whole Fight Club vibe i get from it. Its a film that looks to be appreciated as a cult hit down the track more so than now on its release.

That's 4 100's at MC for Flags now, by the way.

Now it's 5, they added W Post. Pushed it to an 83.

Such a huge divide between big name critics and the rest and it hasn't changed since Monday, definitely one of the weirdest distributions I've ever seen.

Seattle Post with an A- http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/28 ... gs20q.html

The strangest thing I've seen was that COTC rating. All those 100's, only an 88 from Rolling Stone to bring it down. RT and MC Rolling Stone grades BOTH averaged 88. Why was the rating only 7.8?

The Queen got another 100 at MC, from Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

That's because a film about dueling magicians like The Prestige sounds hip and trendy and appeals to the net critics who are largely teenagers/ early-mid 20's males. Whereas Flags' themes and Eastwood's classical style appeal mostly to the established film critics. I'm positive that's one of the reasons for the divide we're seeing. Another is the usual Eastwood bashing from Scorsese fans, again mostly on the net, trying to dampen the buzz around Flags.

Will be seeing it's 6th 100 on Metacritic from USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/rev ... hers_x.htm

Could be good for 10+ when all is said and done.

I don't think it's that technical, though. When I think of reviews, I don't think "okay, the Academy members are going to look at this critic and this review and think their review is credible and be influenced by them, but look at this person and think it's not credible, therefore they definately are/are not going to support the film".

The reviews simply point to an overall feeling of the film that often can be generalized. It could be that many Academy members don't really care about the critics at all. The point of the overall reviews for me is that if a film is receiving the passion it needs from it's reviews to indicate that people are passionate and loving this film with such emotion, then you can usually bet most people will be emotionally effected. Critics may be "snobby critics", but they are human like everyone.

So far it seems to me, even with some of the greatest COTC critics, that most critics are impressed by the social commentary but not so much emotionally involved (some critics clearly are and loved it, not saying all of them). This is exemplified by the comparatively low average ratings on RT (plus rating on Metacritic) which show a lack of passion in the reviews, by the comments from many critics that the characters aren't developed enough to be emotional (because the narrative and flashbacks are the focus), and by the lack of perfect grades on RT (so far).

Lastly, you can tell the difference immediately by simply comparing these reviews to those of his two previous films: Million Dollar Baby and Mystic River. There is an obvious difference in the reviews. Both of those films had very high average ratings and a lot of the review quotes had hyperbolic comments that indicated passion beyond a critical mode (such as a critic simply stating "Remarkable").

Like xiayun and Lecter was saying, this was a case where the odds were against Eastwood simply because he has recently won and whatnot, but nobody totally discounted this film because ultimately any film can break through if it is perceived so passionately across the board. In fact, this is precisely what happened with Million Dollar Baby. The film had no obvious campaign, was largely ignored until it opened (which was very late and thought of as almost too late), and therefore developed hardly any pre-hype. That's a lot missing from the usual Oscar campaign which is deemed pretty important. But the film knocked out critics (and people everywhere) to such a passionate degree that it just overwhelmed everything, and come Oscar time, Eastwood totally trumped original heavily favoured Scorcese in both Best Director and Best Picture.

Simply speaking, it looks like xiayun is right. The film could very well get nominated, but it's chances of winning are zero now, at least in my opinion.

(This is making me want to go watch Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby again, since I haven't watched both in some time, heh.)

PEACE, Mike.

I guess I'm wondering why you're explaining that all to me (unless you weren't), Mike, when I've been saying it all along about Flags. I think I was the first to mention that Flags had two strikes against it from the start, actually. My comments were all in reference to a nomination, I've never considered Flags to be a winner.

Updated.

Catch a Fire received a positive review

A quite a few good ones for little children. Impressive COTC score.

Flags received a number of positives that raised the rating and score, didn't it? It also got it's 6th 100 at MC.

Marie Antoinette is almost a dead stick. It did get an 100 at MC, though.At this rate, it's not long for the list.

The Prestige has made an impressive comeback, but it realistically looks like it's days on the chart are numbered.

Running with Scissors has been removed from the chart, effectively ending the chances of Annette Benning this season.

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[row][col]Running with Scissors[col color=#D0D0D0]3[col color=#D0D0D0]18[col color=#D0D0D0]14%[col color=#D0D0D0]20%[col color=#D0D0D0]4.1[col color=#D0D0D0]4.5[col color=#FAEBD7][col]48[col]10[col]0[col color=#E6E6FA]49[/table]

I actually have Little Children in my nominations. Thing is that it had a lot of those negative reviews early, but from there it's been flawless sailing for a while. Subject matter is pretty Oscar-esque, director has been nominated before, it'll be a powerhouse in screenplay and actress, I don't see why not.

The Departed
Dreamgirls
The Queen
United 93
Little Children

For now. With the NSFC scores, I get the feeling Babel is going to fall out of the race once RT starts picking it up.

I still have Kate Winslet taking home the gold. Helen Mirren is setting herself up perfectly for that Best Supporting Actress award the next time she gives a good performance in that category. The academy won't worry about this being her last chance to win, as I'm sure they know her career won't be over after The Queen. Best Actress is not kind to senior performers. Kate Winslet is owed and fits into the "America's Sweetheart" mold.

Man, I hope you're right Mav. I really, really do.

PEACE, Mike.

Having seen The Prestige, I think that it could easily score some technicals, but BP/BD? Not a chance in hell. If you guys thought that The Departed's content wasn't Best Picture material, just wait until you see this.

I forgot, Mike, you're a VERY big Kate Winslet fan, too!

7th 100 from Tv Guide http://tvguide.com/detail/movie.aspx?tv ... oviereview

Two more 100's should be popping up

NY Post just gave it 4 stars
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10202006/en ... menick.htm

Portland Oregonian raved http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/oregon ... xml&coll=7

Film Threat was recently added to Metacritic: 2/5 stars

The Globe and Mail review is now up but not yet added to RT or Metacritc:
The Globe and Mail: 2.5/4 stars

And the correct link for the 4/4 star review from the New York Post. (Kill accidently posted the same link twice, heh)

PEACE, Mike.

Oops, yeah Globe and Mail dont really tend to throw around many high ratings. Rick Groen loves those 2.5/4 stars

Seems like more reviews are just coming in now since it's the films opening day.

Scott Tobias of the The Onion (A.V. Club): B-

PEACE, Mike.

Hey, looks like Roger Ebert has done some new reviews since The Queen!

He's given Marie Antoinette 4/4 stars:

Roger Ebert's Review of Marie Antoinette

Also 4/4 stars for Man Push Cart.
3.5/4 stars for Shortbus.
And 2.5/4 stars for Little Children.

PEACE, Mike.

On RT, The Prestige has leaped ahead of FOOF and Flicka has passed Marie Antoinette, which is now at 57%. What the hell?