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Oscar Isaac To Romance Maggie Gyllenhaal As 'Sexy, Ukulele-Playing Teacher' In 'Still I Rise'

By Oliver Lyttelton
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May 18, 2011 4:00 AM
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3 Comments

We're Pretty Sure 'Sexy, Ukulele-Playing Teacher' Is An OxymoronOscar Isaac is definitely about to have a moment. The 31-year-old Guatemalan-born actor has made a striking impression in the last few years in projects like "The Nativity Story," "Che" and "Body of Lies," before really grabbing people's attention last year as the sole highlight of Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood." Since then, he gave the only tolerable performance in "Sucker Punch," and landed key roles in "Drive" and "W.E." as well as allegedly being director Tony Gilroy's favorite of the contenders to star in "The Bourne Legacy," before Jeremy Renner took the role.

By Kevin Jagernauth
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May 10, 2011 3:48 AM
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2 Comments

The inspirational teacher/fighting the system movie isn't exactly a new one, but the genre could use a breath of fresh air. And while we'll have to wait and see how this one turns out, you couldn't ask for two better actresses. Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis are set to star in "Still I Rise" for Walden Media. The duo will play frustrated mothers who combine forces to transform an inner city public school. Sounds great, right? (ok, relatively so) Here's where our reservations on the project kick in.

By Oliver Lyttelton
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May 5, 2011 4:28 AM
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31 Comments

You’ll recall in 2008 we did, what we thought, was a very good job of casting Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” (some of us are still convinced our picks were better than Q.T.’s, but that’s another story). And unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that Tarantino has recently finished his latest script, one entitled “Django Unchained.” So yes, we’re at it again.

By Edward Davis
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April 18, 2011 12:45 PM
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4 Comments

There's sort of two ways to look at DreamWorks' upcoming civil rights drama, "The Help." Set in the 1960s during the civil rights movement, the picture is either (or probably) a) an Oscar contender, b) a literate-minded chick flick (this is a starved audience and Oprah will be endorsing this, you can be sure of it) or c) an interesting mix of the two that may have some worthwhile elements such as, say, "Julie & Julia." August isn't much of an Oscar month so we're leaning away from a), however, the respectable "Julie & Julia" came out in August of 2009 and it earned Meryl Streep a much-earned 16th Oscar nomination (she didn't win, but she's won Best Actress twice) so there is that.

By Danielle Johnsen
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April 1, 2011 1:47 AM
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2 Comments

In 2011, we are so used to relationships blossoming through the internet and various social channels that it takes awhile into "Trust" to foresee the danger lurking. Directed by David Schwimmer, the triggering thriller manages to avoid the easy pitfalls of what could resemble an afterschool special and brings depth to the uneasy subject matter of sexual predators, internet safety and parental protection.

By Oliver Lyttelton
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March 3, 2011 10:32 AM
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8 Comments

So, yes, you know the drill by now: we've done Best Picture for 2012 and we've done our Actor and Actress picks. Now, we're turning our hand to the ever-undervalued supporting players.

By Oliver Lyttelton
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January 21, 2011 2:23 AM
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2 Comments

After a superb debut a decade ago with "Billy Elliot," it looked like theatre director Stephen Daldry could become a real force in the cinema world. But while his films have undoubtedly become regular awards bait, the quality seems to slip with each picture: "The Hours" has a rich ensemble, but they're overshadowed by Nicole Kidman and her prosthetic nose, and the film as a whole is a little turgid, while "The Reader" is one of the worst Best Picture nominees in recent memory. Nevertheless, he's always been able to attract impressive casts, and the two new additions to his latest film are no exception.

By Edward Davis
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November 2, 2010 5:20 AM
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2 Comments

Yesterday you got a not-so-great looking first peek (bad photo scan) of a blonde Emma Stone in "The Help." Today, DreamWorks has released a batch of new photos and an official synopsis as well.

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Oscar Isaac To Romance Maggie Gyllenhaal As 'Sexy, Ukulele-Playing Teacher' In 'Still I Rise'

Maggie Gyllenhaal & Viola Davis Set To Star In 'Still I Rise'

We Read It: Casting Quentin Tarantino's Slavery/Spaghetti Western Epic 'Django Unchained'

New Trailer & Photos Of 'The Help' Starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis & Bryce Dallas Howard

Review: David Schwimmer's 'Trust' A Thoughtful Look At A Tricky Subject

The Playlist Foolishly, and Prematurely, Predicts Best Supporting Actor & Actress At The 2012 Oscars

Viola Davis & Jeffrey Wright Join 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close'

First Look Photos: Emma Stone, Viola Davis & The Cast of 'The Help'

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