To continue on the Oscars,  Here are some of the top ten films that they missed when handing out the nominations about a month ago.

Here are the rules: If a film is nominated already for something I cannot use it.  Even if it’s that the film wasn’t nominated for the proper award. Therefore I can only nominate films that have completely omitted from the list at this year’s awards ceremony. Read the full story

The calm before the pending Oscar storm is trembling in front of us. Here at TFS we asked each writer to give their Top 20 so far. I then gave 1 point to their #20 pick and 20 points to their #1 pick and everything in between. I added up points for all the films and here is the order leading up to the film with the most points. Let’s take a look at some of the best films of the year so far.

In a rather standard weekend at the movies, Sacha Baron Cohen’s new mock-u-comedy Bruno brought in an estimated $30.5 million against Fox’s wide release, the broad Graduation Night comedy I Love You Beth Cooper, which fell head-over-heels with an estimated $5 million. For general box office projections, see the article in Variety. For a more detailed estimation of the full weekend, go Box Office Mojo.

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By Jack Giroux

Having established himself as a master of the seedy crime underworld, director Michael Mann has once again delivered an other prime example of the genre. In a summer that has been filled with an overwhelming amount of lackluster films, Public Enemies actually delivers.

The film revolves around bank robber John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) and the golden age of crime (the Depressed 1930s), which the man helped define. Dillinger and his crew are looked upon graciously by some while despised by others, most notably the FBI. While living the high life of bank robbing, Dillinger becomes infatuated by Billie Frechette (Marion Cotilliard).  Soon Dillinger is putting his life on the line for Frechette as the FBI gain on him and his crew, claiming him “public enemy number one.” Leading the investigation is Agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), the FBI’s best man.

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Here is the monthly rundown of what I’m looking forward to in July. Leave a comment and let me know what you are looking forward to!

10. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (Saldanha, July 1st)

Synopsis: When Sid gets into some trouble, it’s up to Manny, Ellie, Diego, and Scrat to save their friend. Their mission leads them to an underground world where encounter dinosaurs, flora, and fauna — as well as a one-eyed, dino-hunting weasel named Buck.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: Looks to be more of the same, but the 3-D component should be worth a view. The first two films were fun, and this one doesn’t look wildly different.

9. The Cove (Psihoyos, July 31st)

Synopsis: Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renown dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: Won the audience award at Sundance this year. Looks like a intense drama about the slaughter of dolphins in Japan.

Check out the rest of the list below >>

In honor of Michael Mann’s crime drama Public Enemies being released this week I have compiled a list of my top 10 crime movies of the last decade.

10. Enemy of the State
Though it may be your typical Hollywood action/thriller, Enemy of the State provides a hard look at the dangers that come with surveillance and the need to protect ourselves 24/7. Will Smith (I Am Legend) and Gene Hackman (Behind Enemy Lines) both give top notch performances and Hackman who did a similar movie in the 70’s (The Conversation) does this movie true justice.

9. Lord of War
Lord of War may have left just as quickly as it came at the box office but this war film starring Nicholas Cage (National Treasure) provides a very real look at the world of gun running and how it is an extremely grey area. After I saw this film I had a completely different perspective on war in general. It was amazing to think that my own government works with the same people that fuel wars that we try to prevent.

Check out the rest of the list below >>

Identity is defined as the individual characteristics by which a person or thing is recognized. In the films Collateral and Miami Vice Michael Mann explores how identity is always fluctuating and that the “individual characteristics” by which we define ourselves are always changing, but our core selves remain the same. Almost like a computer, the software may be constantly changing but the hardware running it never does. Through the characters, story, and cinematography Mann exemplifies this.

In the mini documentary Miami Vice: Undercover from the Miami Vice DVD Michael Mann states “the best fabricated identity is yourself.” This idea that identity, though always changing, has a central core can be seen both in Collateral and Miami Vice. Mann’s main tool to portray this to the audience is through his characters. In the case of Max and Vincent, Mann shows us that even though they have the capability to take on each other’s personalities; their central selves remain the same. In the scene where Max plays Vincent in order to get Vincent’s hit list back, Max takes on the anti-hero role. While changing his attitude and confidence level, Max is simply using what he learned as a cab driver in a different circumstance. In the beginning of the film we see Max’s gift of observation when he immediately identifies Annie as a lawyer due to her appearance and actions. Later in the restaurant Max immediately knows that the body guard is reaching for his gun and warns him to put it away before he attacks him, Improvising to the set of his surroundings, his identity changes accordingly.

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Editor’s Note: Hello Film Stagers! I will use this post as a platform for some recent news. I received an internship in NYC so I will be there the whole summer! Get in contact with me if you want to meet up. Meanwhile Dan Mecca is having a fun time at the Cannes Film Festival. Check out a new section dedicated to his updates. Without further ado, below is a round of this week’s film news I missed.

Monica Bellucci Joins Sorcerer’s Apprentice [Variety]

Mickey Rourke to Star in Mona Lisa Remake [Variety]

Sundance Hit Precious Trailer Debut [Oprah]

Kevin Smith Wants to Make Hockey Movie – Hit Somebody [MTV]

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By Jack Giroux

2008 was a great summer for the movies. Good entertainment was had, and not just dumb popcorn movies for once. We got The Dark Knight, Wall-E, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Iron Man, Tropic Thunder, and Pineapple Express. This summer is even going to be better. Although the start was a bit shaky with Wolverine, Star Trek kicks it off right this weekend. Here are the top 15 stand out films this summer:

15- Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen

Release Date- June 24th

Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen will inevitably offer no more then a lot of explosions and CGI, but with robots. While the first film wasn’t a landmark of any kind, and mostly dumb, it was fun none-the-less. The 147 minute running time for the new one is a bit bothersome, but long running times are fine when the story calls for it. My only question is do we really need to see robots fighting for that long? Its a Michael Bay movie, there will only be good action, nothing more. Even the length of the first movie was a problem, the last thirty minutes turned into nothing but repetitive action. Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen will without a doubt be a fun action movie, even if it extends its welcome.

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Variety is reporting that Michael Mann’s Public Enemies will be publicly screened for the first time at the Los Angeles Film Festival, taking place between June 18-28.

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