Ryan McNeil
As we near the end of October, I can’t help but feel like Linus waiting in vain in that pumpkin patch.
I’ve long ago mentioned that since it begins with The Toronto International Film Festival, and signals a shift to heavier movies, I enjoy the autumn most for film-going. But here we are halfway home, and I can’t help but feel that this particular fall has been a letdown. By this point last year, I’d been wowed by EASTERN PROMISES, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES, INTO THE WILD, THE DARJEELING LIMITED, and MICHAEL CLAYTON. So far the “wow” factor this fall has been quite low reserved to only ROCKNROLLA and BLINDNESS.
Are we in an off year for movies? Are we finally seeing the ripple effect from the writers strike – which is a very scary thought since those ripples will only get worse going into ’09. Or am I just getting harder to impress? Checking rottentomatoes.com, it appears as though it isn’t just me – of the top ten box office hits at the moment, only two are getting scores above 60%.
What’s worse, is that it seems as though every day I read about another studio pushing a film into 2009 (HARRY POTTER, THE SOLOIST, THE ROAD, DEFIANCE, and THE SOLOIST lead the way thus far).
This state of dissatisfaction has led me to two conclusions as I reflect on it during this chilly morning…
One, is that with many heavy hitters still to come (read BENJAMIN BUTTON, RESERVATION ROAD, MILK, FROST/NIXON, etc), there is still hope yet – but you’ll forgive me if my optimism is tempered.
Two, is for all of those clammoring back in July about THE DARK KNIGHT’s Oscar chances – with the finish line in sight, I’ll now openly admit that if ever a movie like TDK stood a chance at an Oscar, this is the year.
You’ve got a good point about Dark Knight having some sort of chance at the Oscars. I could see nominations but I doubt many actual statues will get handed to Nolan and crew. Although, like you said, a lot of big movies are getting pushed into 2009 so this year’s ceremony may turn out to be unpredictable. At least more unpredictable than last year.
I agree with you 100%. Although there are tons of films I have loved this year the majority of them are Canadian, Limited, Foreign or Festival Films. Films in regular release have no where hit as high and looking ahead to Nov/Dec release I don’t think they will.
I was adamant that The Dark Knight wouldn’t have a chance at any (non-tech) awards. But, looking at the year overall – it may ver well get some love.