The Paxton Log

Ladies and gentlemen, we're but a mere seven days from the official start of the 2008 summer movie season.  Hollywood is hoping the current box office slump will take a turn for the better and begin to rise with releases such as 'Speed Racer', the next trip to Narnia 'Prince Caspian' and Indiana Jones' highly anticipated adventure 'Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' all in the coming weeks.  This past week Entertainment Weekly put out their summer preview issue which includes projections for what they believe will be the top ten grossing films of the summer.  That list is as follows:

$355.9 mil    01 - 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'
$310.8 mil    02 - 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian'
$280.4 mil    03 - 'Hancock'
$280.3 mil    04 - 'Wall-E'
$267.7 mil    05 - 'Iron Man'
$255 mil       06 - 'The Dark Knight'
$244.6 mil    07 - 'Kung Fu Panda'
$176.5 mil    08 - 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor'
$147.2 mil    09 - 'The Incredible Hulk'
$146.6 mil    10 - 'Tropic Thunder'

Expectations are high all across the board.  The cumulative total of those estimates comes to $2.465 billion, just $20 million behind the overall top ten of last year.  I'm sorry to burst anyone's bubble, but there is no way in hell the box office is going to bring in those kind of numbers this year.  2007 was the biggest year in history and to say it'll be close here in 2008 is ignorant.

Even being the goldenboy at the moment won't generate $280 million for Will Smith in 'Hancock.'  While promotion online may be plentiful this is one film people aren't talking about.  As far as super heroes go this summer, it's all about Iron Man and Batman; not some medicore made-up comedian that can fly.  A projected total of $176 million for 'Tomb of the Dragon Emperor?'  Smack dab in the middle of the release weeks for 'X-Files: I Want to Believe' and 'Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D' (which also stars Fraser...) will no doubt put a crimp in it's style and overall revenue.  Also, most of the general public at the moment haven't a clue that this is even coming out in August.  (Yeah, that means start sending out the posters to the theaters now Universal.)  The fact is its been seven years too long since anyone cared about encino man fighting off a CGI monster.  Probably the most shocking of the predictions though is the amusingly ambitious $310 million for 'Narnia.'  This time the buzz isn't as loud and the idea this installment promises to be darker  will in my opinion deter many parents from flocking to see it.  'Wall-E'  will in fact be Disney's bread and butter this year.  

The following list is my take on what I assume the actual top ten films and their total grosses will be.

$350 mil    01 - 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'
$280 mil    02 - 'The Dark Knight'
$250 mil    03 - 'Wall-E'
$235 mil    04 - 'Iron Man'
$225 mil    05 - 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian'
$208 mil    06 - 'Kung Fu Panda'
$183 mil    07 - 'Hancock'
$145 mil    08 - 'Tropic Thunder'
$142 mil    09 - 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor'
$130 mil    10 - 'Get Smart'

The combined total of my list ends up as $2.127, which is far more plausible then Entertainment Weekly's hilarious estimates.  Now there are also a few films that could possibly prove to be surprisers when it's all said and done.  (I didn't include them in the above list because I find them each to be too big of a wildcard.)  Depending on just how many hardcore fans of the once popular show of the same name get out and see it, 'Sex and the City' could bring in anywhere from $95-$130 million.  The option to do two sequels wasn't included in the leading ladies' contracts for nothing.  Then of course there's the re-start to the Hulk series which is getting more and more attention as the weeks pass.  A sum of $130-$149 doesn't seem to impossible to me if all goes well for it.  Most importantly though is the quite colorful adaptation from the Wachowski brothers: 'Speed Racer.'  A hefty promotion deal with Mattel, McDonald's, Target, General Mills, Esurance, Lego and others could drive the film to finish as high as $185 million (no, I'm not kidding) depending how well audiences respond.  The only sure things about this summer are 'Indiana Jones' will not live up to it's hype, 'Dark Knight' will positively rock and 'Wall-E' will be Pixar's finest animated feature to date.

Hello, my name is JP Paxton and I love movies.  What began in mid 2004 has since became my uncontrollable obsession that can now be considered nothing less than an incurable sickness.  Seriously, I probably think of a movie or something movie-related once every ten seconds.  Because of this, I am propelled to constantly see, write & talk about movies.  Those of you who are my friends or at least know of me already know this.  For the ones that don't, now you know.  Here it is New Year's Eve which means that yet another year has passed.  Of course though that also means I'm here to let you all know what films I consider the best of 2007.  This year certainly had its share of disappointments including but not limited to 'Bee Movie', 'Underdog' & 'Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.'  I still can't recall what made me even think 'Underdog' might have possibly had a shot at being even half-decent.  With the bad though there's always some good.  For example 'Once'; the independent musical starring actual musical artists as the films two leads instead of actors resulting in real on-screen emotion.  Also this year featured the thrilling crime-drama 'Zodiac' depicting the merciless murderers that started in the 60's by the infamous serial killer of the same name.  Then there was the film that would inevitably become my favorite of 2007: 'Grindhouse.'  The throwback to the gritty, low-budget exploitation double features of the 70's caused confusion among audiences nationwide due to marketing that didn't quite reveal its true nature.  For those of that did understand it though we were able to appreciate it's kick-ass style and utter awesomeness.  However, not one of the films I just mentioned are included in the list that follows and neither are 'Michael Clayton', 'Away From Her', 'Before the Devil Knows You're Dead' or 'Gone Baby Gone.'  They all had some great qualities but just fell short in the end. With that, here they are in all their glory in no particular order, the ten films deemed by yours truly as the best of 2007.

The passionate and troubled life of Paris singer Edith Piaf features one of if not the most captivating performances of the year.  Written with her in mind by director Olivier Dahan, Marion Cotillard is flawless.  I imagine she'll be a shoe-in for a nomination of best actress at this years Oscars.

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's sixth collaboration together is a "bloody" good Gothic feast for the eyes.  It's true, it is repetitious of Burton's previous works in terms of  style but it's also a smooth and elegant telling of the macabre brought to life by its great music.

This was actually the final film I saw this year and how glad I am that ended up getting the chance to do so.  It is an immensely funny, clever & sweet comedy starring the fantastic Ellen Page.  Its greatest strength resides in the smart screenplay written by Diablo Codybest known for memoir titled "Candy Girl: A Year in The Life of an Unlikely Stripper."

One of three book adaptations featured in this best of list 'The Kite Runner' brings to the big screen Khaled Hossenini's gripping novel of friendship and betrayal.  While many will argue the exact opposite, I found it to be an amazing story that will touch your heart.

Take one ambitious rat named Remy, an array of astounding visuals that could only be created by Pixar studios and then mix them with the delightful storytelling and directing skills of Brad Bird.  Let it simmer for a few years and what do you get?  A delicious film that reinforces the fact that even after all these years magic has yet to leave the imaginative Walt Disney Pictures.

Oh, how patriotic Michael Moore is.  He returned this year with his documentary voicing the horrors of the healthcare system in America.  The surprisingly interesting and entertaining two hours and three minutes and will make you cringe and leave you in complete awe.

The opening film at this year's Venice Film Festival and adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel brought to the table a wondrous tale of longing which featured magnificent cinematography and an equally lovely score composed by Dario Marianelli.  It's such a shame it's not playing in more theaters here in the U.S.

Written by Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg when they were just thirteen years old 'Superbad' turned out to be super good.  The Judd Apatow produced comedy is hands down one the years funniest films that offers a truthful glimpse of teenage anxiety and has a groovy soundtrack to boot including cuts from composer Lyle Workman as well as tracks from The Bar-Kays and Rick James.

The bio-pic formed and executed in a way that resembled one of its subjects own songs 'I'm Not There' gave an interesting look at the life of Bob Dylan.  While it wasn't quite what I had envisioned beforehand it still is probably the best put together and creative film of 2007.

The most compelling film of the year is brought to us by The Coen brothers.  It gives us a front row seat to the violent game of cat and mouse portrayed by Josh Brolin and a extraordinarily crafty Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh from the bestseller by Cormac McCarthy.  There is no doubt in my mind a best picture nomination in store for this flick.


So there you have it.  You may agree or disagree with my choices, it doesn't really matter to me.  Just be aware that if you don't agree with me you are wrong.  DEAD WRONG.  Right now I'm typing this as my face sports a disturbingly angry expression...  Seriously though, I wish you all a safe and happy new year.  Thanks for reading.

"There's nothing you can know that can't be known.  There's nothing you can see that isn't shown".  Fantastic words originally sung by the Beatles back in 1967 and now being heard again in director Julie Taymor's original musical 'Across the Universe'.  Filled with more than thirty songs by the famous group from Liverpool, it tells the tale of two star crossed lovers living in the ever changing 1960's.  Of all the films to be released here in 2007 this was the one I was waiting for.  It was first brought to my attention at the very start of the year by an uncanny Mr. Scott Yuken.  I didn't invest much into his mentioning then seeing as how I hadn't heard of even seen a trailer for the film.  Then on January 19th right before my viewing of 'The Last King of Scotland' that all changed.  A guy on a beach appeared on the screen and began to sing 'Girl'.  Before it was over and the title was revealed I knew this was the film Scott had been talking about.  From that day on I'd been waiting and dieing to it see it.  After a three week release schedule delay due to a revenge motivated Revolution Studios it happened.  I finally got to see it this past Friday.

It's not done in the showy stage style like 'Chicago' and this year's 'Hairspray', nor is it any less entertaining.  It sort of feels like it mimics the essence of 'Moulin Rouge' but takes itself seriously and goes one step further creatively and visually.  From an interesting army induction number to a melodic underwater scene Taymor has brought to us one of the most stunningly illustrative films in years.  I can't even remember how many times I caught myself with my mouth wide open in total awe.  To boot, the music arrangements and new renditions of classic Beatles songs are just plain great.  Some of the tunes will sound pleasingly familiar as they have been kept true to the originals like 'Hold Me Tight' and 'All My Loving'.  Others like 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' have been transformed into completely new forms with equally different meanings.  Personally I loved how the actors had to sing most of the songs live during filming adding a realistic emotional tone instead of lip syncing.  Still, there's no doubt that some of the hardcore fans of the Beatles will voice their hatred of the re-workings to their beloved favorites even if deep down they can't admit even to themselves they love them.

Most surprising to me though were the stellar performances from this cast of mostly unknowns.  Jim Sturgees impresses as the young dock worker from Liverpool with his undeniable charm.  Evan Rachel Wood who many will remember from TV's 'Once and Again' where she played Jessie Sammler is superb as the idealist Lucy.  Together their romance is although highly cliqued, in my eyes on the best on-screen relationships to date.  Many of the other memorable actors are those who aren't seen but for a short amount of time such as Eddie Izzard as the fascinating ringmaster Mr. Kite.  Then of course T.V. Carpio as soul-seeking lesbian Prudence who is for sure someone who should have been included more in the film.  Her version of 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' is both haunting and moving.

Sadly enough, there are a few flaws in this wonderful spectacle of a film.  I wanted to give 'Across the Universe' five stars, I really did.  Nonetheless I can't escape the fact it didn't begin as extraordinary as the rest of it turned out to be.  Starting out as if it wasn't quite sure it was going to be a run of the mill musical or one of the greats, everything just didn't take off.  Maybe I seen the beach scene too many times in the trailer or I felt the switching back and forth between Lucy and Jude was a cheap way to cut the runtime.  Either way, worry did wash over me along with the newspaper waves seen at the start.  The only other thing I can see as a problem is something most people are going to hate me for saying.  Yes, the songs were redone great, but perhaps there was just a bit too many of them.  Thirty-one songs with vocals is awful lot you must admit.  (Most movies musicals have nowhere near that many.)  It pains me to stamp this review with but four stars.  However, it's still one of my favorite films and I still urge everyone to see it because there's also no escaping the fact that 'Across the Universe' is one of the few must-see films of 2007.