USA: HOLLYWOOD IS HOPING AN END OF YEAR CROP OF BIG BUDGET MOVIES WILL INFLUENCE BOTH BOX OFFICE AND OSCAR

Record ID: 389628

  • Title: USA: HOLLYWOOD IS HOPING AN END OF YEAR CROP OF BIG BUDGET MOVIES WILL INFLUENCE BOTH BOX OFFICE AND OSCAR
  • Date: 25th November 2004
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 21, 2004) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) SOUNDBITE (English) CLAY SMITH SAYING: "'Chicago' took the Oscar a couple of years ago, so maybe the audiences are a little bit more acclimated. The difference with "Phantom" is that the whole movie is sung, in the way that "Evita" was. So, you've got that obstacle, of 'Oh my gosh, are they
  • Embargoed: 10th December 2004 12:00
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  • Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVAEC4EUIOMK53V53B17M2BBG69Y
  • Story Text: With the advent of the North American Thanksgiving long weekend, Hollywood's race to shore up big box office and Oscar buzz has officially begun. At this time of year many top awards contenders and potential box office hits are released as the public begins the festive season.
    Clay Smith, movie critic for the television show Access Hollywood, says 2004 is unlikely to be a record-breaker in terms of ticket sales.
    "I think it's going to be a decent year, I don't have numbers. I don't think it's going to be a record-breaking year like years past certainly The Incredibles, Disney/Pixar's latest release which has been in theaters for 3 weeks. It was and still is a huge phenomenon so I think that's going to bode well for Disney at the end of the year," Smith says.
    So far The Incredibles has earned more than $180 million (USD) in the US alone making it another huge hit for animation giant, Pixar.
    "I believe 6 for 6 Pixar is now, Six releases and six box office blockbusters with no end in sight for the Incredibles I think the Incredibles is going to see big audiences right on through Christmas," Smith says.
    But there are reasons for some movie makers to be nervous as the holiday season begins. Oliver Stone's epic "Alexander" could struggle finding audiences willing to take on a three-hour history lesson.
    "Oliver stone has got to be very nervous a lot of people are interested in seeing this film, they're curious about this film. Certainly Colin Farrell and Angelina Jolie have never been hotter but the money that went into it, the time it took to make and the cast of thousands. It certainly has kind of Oscar epic written all over it but by the same token I don't think this has been a great year for the film epic," Smith says.
    The movie "Oceans 12" however is unlikely to have any problems attracting audiences eager to gaze upon the likes of George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
    "I think Oceans 12 is a slamdunk. I loved the first one. It's great to see this incredible cast back on screen again. It's not as good as the first one it's fun but I think a little bit of the charm has worn off because the whole fun of the first one was seeing how George Clooney brings this group together each character's own specialty as far as being involved in the heist in the caper in Las Vegas," Smith says.
    Jim Carrey is returning to his physical comedy roots with multiple characters in "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" which is based on the best-selling books by Daniel Handler. But Clay Smith is doubtful the extremely dark nature of the stories will work well at this time of year.
    "I found the movie very disappointing it's just cold and I don't, my prediction is I don't think the film is going to do very well. Certainly not the kind of numbers that the Incredibles or Shrek 2 earlier in the year have done. I don't think it's a very family friendly movie and it does put into perspective how wonderful the Harry Potter films are," Smith says.
    As Oscar buzz grows louder, Clay Smith says Johnny Depp looks set to find himself with another Best Actor nomination for "Finding Neverland."
    "Finding Neverland is probably one of my two or 3 favorite films I've seen this year. I think it will be nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture, I think Johnny Depp will be nominated it could very well prove to be the movie to beat," Smith says.
    "Closer" is a movie that looks like a winner at least on paper. Starring Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen and directed by Mike Nichols, the movie is set to attract a great deal of critical attention despite its explicitly sexual language and subject matter.
    "I found the script thrilling and mesmerizing although I will say I don't think Closer was Jude Law or Julia Roberts movie. I think that Natalie Portman and Clive Owen stole this movie away from these superstars and I've got to particularly point out Natalie Portman, just absolutely an amazing performance. Look for an Oscar nomination for her in the supporting category. gain Closer I would have to say one of my top 5 films I've seen so far this year," Smith says.
    "The Aviator", starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Martin Scorcese, is a highly anticipated opening and Smith says the film's leading man will attract considerable audience interest.
    "Once again it's Leonardo DiCaprio it's a good cast it's a story about a real life guy Howard Hughes and of course the master Martin Scorcese so you can never count it out. It's certainly Miramax's big push for Oscar this year.
    Miramax who sort of became the master of the Oscar campaign over the last many years sort of has slowed down this year you're looking at Finding Neverland and the Aviator as Miramax's big push for Oscar this year," Smith says.
    The movie version of the stage giant "The Phantom of the Opera" has started generating considerable enthusiasm among critics with some talking about it being a serious contender for Best Picture. At one time a musical would have struggled to attract even a nomination but with Chicago's win in 2002, Smith says the playing field has changed in the Best Picture category. But he admits "The Phantom of the Opera" still has to overcome some obstacles.
    "Chicago took the Oscar a couple of years ago, so maybe the audiences are a little bit more acclimated. The difference with Phantom is that the whole movie is sung, in the way that Evita was. So, you've got that obstacle, of 'Oh my gosh, are they just going to sing through the whole movie?' Yes they do, and they do it brilliantly. But again, is that going to be a turn off? I think it deserves a best picture Oscar nomination, I think it is so grand, beautiful, the production, the cinematography, the costumes, its all there, its all there. and that's what Oscar loves," Smith says.
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