Volver

By Larry Anklewicz

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Oscar buzz has begun. As we approach the December holiday period, more and more prestige films are being released. These are the films the studios believe have a chance for Academy Award nominations and which they have been holding back for a December release so that they will be fresh in the minds of members of the Academy when they vote for the films that should be nominated this year.

One of the leading films this year should be Volver (Coming Back), a Spanish film directed by Pedro Almodovar. This film is certain to be nominated for Best Foreign Film and is sure to garner several other nominations, including Best Actress and maybe even Best Film.

This film is a mix of comedy and drama. It deals with a group of working class women and their familial and societal problems. The central character, Raimunda (Penelope Cruz) is married to an unemployed labourer and has a teenage daughter. When Raimunda's husband attacks her daughter, the girl grabs a knife and kills him. Then it turns out that the husband is not really the biological father, but had adopted the girl when he married Raimunda. Raimunda then undertakes the task of disposing of the evidence.

The plot also incorporates Raimunda's sister, her mother who returns from the dead, and a host of other characters and situations.

The cast is superb. People have been saying that Penelope Cruz is certain to receive an Academy Award nomination ever since this film was first shown at Cannes and at the Toronto International Film Festival. The other actresses are just as good. In fact, the entire female cast received an award at Cannes for their ensemble work.

If you appreciate good cinema and if you like foreign films, this film is for you. It is one of the finest films of the year and is just a joy to watch such wonderful actors work their magic.

STARRING: Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Duenas, Blanca Portillo, Yohanna Cobo, Chus Lampreave

For Your Consideration

Talking about Oscar buzz, this satirical comedy looks at how just a rumour of an Oscar nomination can change people's lives and make them do things they might otherwise not do.

In this case, the film focuses on the making of a film called Home for Purim. It starts out as a small independent film that no one in Hollywood really notices until someone mentions the possibility of an Oscar nomination for one of its stars. That gets the ball rolling.

Suddenly, all the entertainment media inundate the set, looking for interviews with the cast and increasing the hype. The actors themselves get swept up in the hoopla and begin to believe their own press clippings. The result, is a look at some of the less attractive sides of Hollywood. It's also a comedic romp using the same group of actors Christopher Guest has used before in such films as Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show and A Mighty Wind.

Unfortunately, this film is weaker than some of the others. It starts out alright but seems to wind down as the film moves along. It's almost as if the writers ran out of ideas towards the end.

All in all, it's a fun film, but it could have been funnier.

STARRING: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Harry Shearer, Parker Posey, Ricky Gervais, Jane Lynch, John Michael Higgins, Jennifer Coolidge, Larry Miller, Christopher Moynihan, Michael McKean, Fred Willard, Jim Piddock, Bob Balaban Rachel Harris, Ed Begley Jr.

Recent DVD’s

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This hit sequel to the original Ice Age became a huge hit on its own as it reunited the beloved characters from the original film and teamed them with a hilarious new group of friends. The film is perfect for the whole family and will absolutely delight the kids.

The DVD includes a cart load of special features, including commentaries by Director Carlos Saldanha, Producer Lori Forte and other members of the productions team. It also includes three short shorts, the animation Director’s chair, and in introduction to the new characters, Ellie, Crash and Eddie. Other extras include games, featurettes, and lots more fun for all.

Tales From The Crypt: The Complete Fifth Season

The cryptkeeper returns in 13 terrifying episodes on 3 discs. These stories will frighten all fans of this series and are full of horror and unexpected twists.

Starring: Martin Sheen, John Stamos, Brooke Shields, Lou Diamond Phillips, Anthony Michael Hall, John Kassir, Priscilla Presley, Ed Begley Jr., Adam West, Bill Paxton.

Home Alone: Family Fun Edition

This latest release of this hilarious holiday blockbuster comedy comes with lots and lots of bonus features, including all new on-camera interviews and audio commentary with Macaulay Culkin and Chris Columbus deleted scenes, blooper reel, games, multiple featurettes, etc.

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Catherine O’Hara.

A Fish Called Wanda

Classic comedy has been re-released in a special 2-disc Collector’s Edition that includes feature commentary by star John Cleese and a trivia track accompanying the film, as well as hilarious featurettes, deleted and alternate scenes, a special message from Cleese and a slew of Easter eggs. Starring: John Cleese, Michael Palin, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline.