DVD Tuesday Sex lies and betrayal the ravishing heartbreaking Atonement comes to DVDI cant figure out why Atonement didnt get a little more love from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences but Im doing my bit to make up for it Its beautifully adapted by Christopher Hampton Dangerous Liaisons from Ian McEwans devastating novel -- which I highly recommend reading its just as gripping after youve seen the movie because its about so much more than what happens next and features top-notch performances Just dont expect the new Titanic which is the way its been marketed Its not a glossy period romance its a gorgeously photographed examination of the ugly things people do out of ignorance spite and ambition England 1935 The wealthy Tallis family is gathered at its vast country estate on a swelteringly hot summer day Eldest daughter Cecilia Keira Knightley and Robbie James McAvoy the housekeepers son Mr Tallis is beneficently putting thr
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Thanks primarily to good timing, this year's Academy Award contenders for best picture drew in an extra $111 million between the Jan. 22 announcement of the nominees and Sunday's telecast, E! reports.Unlike some past years when all of the nommed films were released before November, many of this year's nominees rolled out much closer to the nominations, taking advantage of the buzz. Juno was the biggest earner, adding about $43.3 mil to its previous earnings. There Will Be Blood made 75 percent of its $35 mil post-nominations, having been in limited release until late January.Even Michael Clayton, which had a disastrous box office debut last fall, tacked on nearly $10 mil with a re-release. Atonement earned an extra $16 mil, while big winner No Country for Old Men added a respectable $15 mil to its gross in the past month. — Adam Bryant
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If you haven't seen most (or any) of the Best Picture nominees, have no fear: Neither have most of your friends. So here's a quick primer — an Oscars cheat sheet, if you will, to Hollywood's top prize. —Steve PondAtonement• Themes: Love, guilt, war, memory, obligation... and, well, atonement.• Covers six decades, using three actresses (Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave) to play the lead character.• Adapted by Christopher Hampton from the novel by Ian McEwan, an award-winning British writer who, between writing acclaimed novels, also penned the screenplay for the 1993 Macaulay Culkin flop The Good Son.• Acting style inspired by British movies of the '30s and '40s, especially Brief Encounter.• Made use of all eight World War II vintage British ambulances still known to exist.• Includes a mammoth, uninterrupted five-and-a-half-minute tracking shot that covers the British evacuation of Dunkirk; director Joe Wright said he was forced...
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And now to the films that made out like banditsTheres Juno of course and Paul Thomas Andersons bleak There Will Be Blood based on Upton Sinclairs muckraking 1927 novel Oil was nominated for best picture best actor Daniel Day-Lewis best director and best adapted screenplay The quietly effective Paul Dano of last years indie favorite Little Miss Sunshine was passed over for best supporting actor Lewis was widely considered a shoo-in but the rest of the nominations were less than givens despite critical raves for this lengthy 158 minutes epic examination of greed false prophets and near-biblical retributionThinking-mans thriller Michael Clayton scored big with critics without exciting much attention among moviegoers Its nominated for best picture with star George Clooney recognized in the best-actor category Costars Tilda Swinton and Tom Wilkinson were both nominated in the supporting categories and first-time director Tony Gilroy got a nod both for direct
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Jeers to the Oscar voters for rewarding Atonement with a knee-jerk best-picture nomination. I took a holiday from TV so I could see it and be prepared for its onslaught of accolades. But I wasn't prepared for what an overwrought piece of kitsch this movie is. Keira Knightley does most of her acting with her shoulderblades, and James McAvoy is a nonentity. And I'm sorry, but did I miss the scene that explains why these two love each other so desperately — or at all? If Joe Wright's odd, silly Titanic wannabe beats Paul Thomas Anderson's genuine masterpiece on Oscar night, there will be blood!• Read and react to Bruce's opinions on Breaking Bad, Cashmere Mafia's Bonnie Somerville and more!• Share your own raves and rants about other shows on the Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board.• We may feature your Cheer or Jeer on TVGuide.com or in TV Guide magazine!
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