MoviesB.Com

halfway through the day, stop a movie halfway through. What do you see?

Getting way ahead of it all but my thoughts drifted off to 2010 this morning and what movies await. I’m mildly curious about what Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett will bring to the millionth version of Robin Hood (2010). What is there to add? What angle can feel fresh? So out of curiousity a quick peek back at Kevin Reynold’s 1991 blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves which I’ve always disliked, primarily for its lack of tonal cohesion and for its absurd length (155 minutes to tell a story everyone knows by heart already?) But I understand some people love it.

Speaking of quick peeks, 77 and ½ minutes in Maid Marian (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) gets one.

Offscreen Voice: “I told you you can’t go down there!”

What’s causing her astonishment down there? Why it’s Kevin Costner’s infamous butt double!!! Why any star would need a butt double for a scene filmed in long shot through a waterfall is a head scratcher. Eighteen years later it’s still a prudish mystery.

Will Cate’s mouth go similarly agape for Russell’s arse in the next version? We’ll find out in 159 days.
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Popularity: unranked [?]

Most fans of established actors believe that one day their favorite will be nominated for an Oscar. In 2009 campaigns hopes are particularly high for Sandra Bullock, Alfred Molina, Colin Firth and Christopher Plummer. Fans of James McAvoy and Sam Rockwell still hold out longshot hope. But guess what? The odds are, generally speaking, against them on February 2nd (two months hence!) when the lucky 20 are called.

Most actors aren’t ever nominated for the big prize. People seemed surprise to read in an old Oscar Mythbusting column I wrote years ago that the majority of nominated actors (approximately 67%) never receive a second nomination. But I did the research and it’s true. Even less likely than a second nomination: a first one. Consider this…

The following (living) legends have still never been nominated despite rich bodies of work and several classic films or exuberantly praised performances: Mia Farrow, Isabelle Huppert, Christopher Plummer and Donald Sutherland. Outrageous, right?

Movie stars and/or respected actors who’ve never been nominated: Christian Bale, Drew Barrymore, Maria Bello, Paul Bettany, Gabriel Byrne, Steve Buscemi, Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Cusack, Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, Cameron Diaz, Kirsten Dunst, Dakota Fanning, Colin Farrell, Bruno Ganz, Hugh Grant, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Judd, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Tobey Maguire, Catherine O’Hara, Mary Louise Parker, Robin Wright, Parker Posey, Charlotte Rampling, Christina Ricci, Mark Ruffalo, Kurt Russell, Meg Ryan, Peter Sarsgaard, Bruce Willis, Evan Rachel Wood and Jeffrey Wright.

And that’s just a sampling.

Moral of the Story: If you’re rooting for any particular favorite this season, cross your fingers but never hold your breath.
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Popularity: unranked [?]

Most fans of established actors believe that one day their favorite will be nominated for an Oscar. In 2009 campaigns hopes are particularly high for Sandra Bullock, Alfred Molina, Colin Firth and Christopher Plummer. Fans of James McAvoy and Sam Rockwell still hold out longshot hope. But guess what? The odds are, generally speaking, against them on February 2nd (two months hence!) when the lucky 20 are called.

Most actors aren’t ever nominated for the big prize. People seemed surprise to read in an old Oscar Mythbusting column I wrote years ago that the majority of nominated actors (approximately 67%) never receive a second nomination. But I did the research and it’s true. Even less likely than a second nomination: a first one. Consider this…

The following (living) legends have still never been nominated despite rich bodies of work and several classic films or exuberantly praised performances: Mia Farrow, Isabelle Huppert, Christopher Plummer and Donald Sutherland. Outrageous, right?

Movie stars and/or respected actors who’ve never been nominated: Christian Bale, Drew Barrymore, Maria Bello, Paul Bettany, Gabriel Byrne, Steve Buscemi, Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Cusack, Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, Cameron Diaz, Kirsten Dunst, Dakota Fanning, Colin Farrell, Bruno Ganz, Hugh Grant, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Judd, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Tobey Maguire, Catherine O’Hara, Mary Louise Parker, Robin Wright, Parker Posey, Charlotte Rampling, Christina Ricci, Mark Ruffalo, Kurt Russell, Meg Ryan, Peter Sarsgaard, Bruce Willis, Evan Rachel Wood and Jeffrey Wright.

And that’s just a sampling.

Moral of the Story: If you’re rooting for any particular favorite this season, cross your fingers but never hold your breath.
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Popularity: unranked [?]

R.I.P. ThanksKilling Season (Yes, I will indeed refer to it as that from now until the day I die.)

Welcome now angry mall Santas, sexually abusive snowmen, strangle happy jack-in-the-boxes, precariously placed menorahs, and all other hallmarks of December. I don’t have any set theme for the month just yet, but I’ll do my best to bring a few seasonal films to your attention, along with a new monthly installment of Mill Creek reviews (I hope; check tomorrow for Phase 1), the usual Friday column on Pop Syndicate , a possible premiere contest if I can summon the energy to get to a post office during open hours on a Saturday, and without doubt, a whole lot of talk about Silent Night, Deadly Night 2. Check back tomorrow for the new sidebar poll (sorry Saw: I was hoping for a tad more positivity) and the rest of the month for…well….more stuff.

As an early gift, I present to you 7 minutes of heaven, aka GARbage Day from the second entry in Santa Clause’s most ubiquitous horror franchise. Enjoy with joy in your heart and hot cocoa in your hand:

Popularity: unranked [?]

Showing off her fabulous figure, Juliana Didone was spotted enjoying a day on Pepe Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Friday (November 27).

The troubled Brazilian TV actress, who recently avoided the disclosure of an alleged homemade porn video, spent most of the afternoon sunbathing and swimming about in the ocean.

Best known for her role as Letícia Gomes da Silva, the main character of the 2004 season of the telenovela Malhação, the 25-year-old also headed off on a jog, read a book and drank a little coconut water for refreshment.

Meanwhile, Miss Didone currently finds herself hunting down the perfect project, having most recently starred in the summer campaign of Agilitá.

Popularity: unranked [?]