Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz team up for the attempted summer blockbuster “Knight and Day.” After an exciting opening scene action sequence, the rest of the film is just a silly summer action flick, says Steve Neumann. It’s a decent escape for a hot summer day.
After working together on the Academy’s Inaugural Governors Ball, Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer have been tabbed to produce the 83rd Academy Awards telecast. Steve Neumann has worked on the Oscars before, and he examines the challenges faching Cohen and Mischer.
This weekend, the new Duplass brothers film “Cyrus” comes out starring Jonah Hill, former Oscar winner Marisa Tomei, and past nominees John C. Reilly and Catherine Keener. Steve Neumann went to an advanced screening of the movie and found it enjoyable and says it feels real.
The first Shrek movie won an Oscar and the second one received a nomination. But while the third film fell short, “Shrek Forever After” misses the mark in almost every fashion, says Steve Neumann. It’s a disappointing way to end an otherwise wonderful series.
Taking place in a small Bronx fish community, “City Island” is a terrific feel-good movie, says Steve Neumann. Andy Garcia and Julianna Margulies star in this dramedy about a family that keeps plenty of secrets. If the movie can get enough notice, then Garcia could get an Oscar nomination.
Russell Crowe teamed with director Ridley Scott in 2000 to make a Best Picture winner in “Gladiator.” But joining with another Oscar winner in Cate Blanchett isn’t enough to make “Robin Hood” a success. Steve Neumann reviews this latest film on the legendary figure.
Thirty years ago, Disney Animation was on the verge of collapse. A new documentary “Walking Sleeping Beauty” chronicles the revival of Disney’s fortunes with films such as “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin.” Steve Neumann reviews this Best Doc contender.
The Best Film Editing Oscar has a high correlation with the Best Picture winner, so it’s no surprise that the favorites are Best Picture contenders Avatar, The Hurt Locker, and Inglourious Basterds. While Avatar is favored in this category, Steve Neumann says an Inglourious upset is possible.
The nominees for Best Costume Design include two Victorian-era films, two films about designers, an “imaginarium,” and the sizzling “Nine.” Steve Neumann looks at this competitive category, dominated by Oscar veterans like Sandy Powell and Colleen Atwood, and sees a potential upset.
What is “The Men Who Stare At Goats” all about? Is it worth seeing at the theater? One thing it’s not is an Oscar winner, says Steve Neumann. But if you’re looking for a fun and enjoyable night at the movies, then this new film with George Clooney and an all-star cast might be for you.
