James Hughes's Blog
Posted by James Hughes
After a long lay off, due in large part to a number of writing assignments, Film Dramas is now back and raring to go.
A host of new articles and features are already in the pipeline for next year, to make the site even better for all your loyal readers.
The first part of 2007 will concentrate on:
- Oscar hopefuls
- The history of the Oscars
- Behind the scenes look at an upcoming film
- Box office predications for the year ahead
Posted by James Hughes
A steady release of films with one eye on the Oscar have dominated the box office during the Fall.
Some of the earlier favorites have fallen by the way side - the hype was not as good as the film. How often that has happened.
So with the nominations due next month, I will stick my neck out and name the golden five for Best Film.
These are by no means my favourite films of 2006, simply the films I believe Oscar feels it cannot ignore.
- The Departed
- Letters From Iwo Jima
- Dreamgirls
- The Queen
- Little Miss Sunshine
And the winner is.... Email me and let me know
Posted by James Hughes
The fall is upon us already which means two things; the end of summer, and the start of the Oscar contending films. So the latter will now influence the articles on here as we all wait for the former to return.
But here at Film Dramas the choice is being laid out for you to choose. So please make your selection from the following :
- The Expected Winners At Next Years Oscars
- Dramatic Films Hollywood Should Remake
- The Importance Of Visual Effects In Modern Movies
- What Makes A Great Film Score
- The Art Of The Short Film Medium
- A Duel Of Formats
- Podcasting
Posted by James Hughes
Last month Brian De Palma and his entire cast descended on the Venice Film Festival, with an eye on success.
However, the film received mixed reviews and has done ever since.
The usual De Palma touches are there with sweeping camera work and beautiful visuals. The problem is that underneath the style there is no substance.
As such the film has only crept into the number 2 slot at the box office this week, with a poor return on its big budget.
It is still early and the film may yet find a bigger audience. But the critics will never unite and award success is now highly unlikely.
Posted by James Hughes
There are an array of new articles being published over the next few weeks. Among them will be:
- How To Make A Film Dramatic Parts One, Two, and Three
- The Departed : The Front Runner For Oscar Success
- Two Great Movies But There Can Only Be One Winner
Posted by James Hughes
Recently we brought you an article about the new Brian De Palma film The Black Dahlia which is based on James Ellroy's literary masterpiece.
Well the film is set to be unveiled to the public at the 63rd Venice Film Festival. Staring Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Josh Hartnett, and Aaron Eckhart, high hopes are expected for the adaptation.
The cast and director are all expected to attend the international festival, and we'll be bringing you an update on the film's reception
Posted by James Hughes
A big thanks to all those who took the time to vote in the month long poll to find out which articles you would like to read here at film dramas.
It was a close call for several weeks, but on the very last day, you had one winner:
How To Make A Dramatic Low Budget Film
With this in mind, this column will be bringing you that very article over the next few weeks.
In the meantime if you have any suggested contributions to this article then please feel free to Email Me.
Posted by James Hughes
The film rights of The Traveller have just been sold to Universal in what could become one of the most intriguing trilogies to hit the box office.
Based on the best selling book by John Twelve Hawks, The Traveller is a mix of The Da Vinci Code and The Matrix. It spans continents and characters at break neck speed in a race to free mankind.
The trilogy itself said to be titled The Fourth Realm has all the markings of an epic blockbuster.
More news will follow as soon as the Cast and Crew are confirmed
Posted by James Hughes
For those that don't know Jeff Buckley is on par with Kurt Cobain, as one of the most tragic musical deaths of the last 20 years.
He only released one album during his lifetime, Grace but it's widely acknowledged as a masterpiece.
During the recording of his second album, My Sweetheart The Drunk Buckley stopped off on the way to relax with some swimming. A friend watched him from the bank as he swam in the fading light. But glancing back, the friend noticed Jeff had disappeared. His body was later discovered upshore after an extensive search by the authorities. He'd drowned at the tender age of 30. Out-takes of the unfinished album indicated another classic.
The film will be produced by Buckley's mother, Mary Guibert, who is determined to ensure the right story is told.
As such Brian Jun has been brought in to write and direct the biopic. Jun's film, Steel City, won praise at this years Sundance Film Festival.
Casting details are still to be confirmed. Although Buckley has a huge celebrity following, including Brad Pitt. Will Pitt be tempted to take up the iconic role? All will be revealed.
Posted by James Hughes
A huge thanks to all those that voted in the recent poll. You contribution is very much appreciated.
There was a runaway winner in what you deemed the most important element of a film drama:
Winner : One Classic Scene
In light of this, I'd love to hear your top three classic scenes by Email.
An article on the top five willl follow later.
Posted by James Hughes
Even before World Trade Centre comes to cinemas, Oliver Stone has already announced his next project.
Son Of The Morning Star is based on Evan Connell's best seller, and centres around the story of another great leader. That of George Armstrong Custer, whose last stand at the Little Big Horn in 1876 is now part of folklore.
The screenplay by Mark Wheaton has turned the infamous western story into a political thriller.
Perhaps spurred on by taking a more controlled approach to his 9/11 film, Stone is now back in the political waters where he swims best.
The film itself is due to be released in 2007. Check back later for confirmation of the cast and a release date.
Posted by James Hughes
Following on from the discussion on Edwin S.Porter being the first forefather of dramatic film, who else do you think should be on the monument?
Should Porter even be there?
Maybe you believe DW Griffith is the most important pioneer of film?
Or even Hitchcock?
Perhaps you think an Actor or Director Of Photography should be there?
I would love to hear all your thoughts for the coming article on The ForeFathers Of Dramatic Film.
Please Email Me. I await your insights and discussions.
Posted by James Hughes
A new drama from Germany has swept the awards at the Shanghai Film Festival.
Written & Directed by Chris Kraus, the film centres around a musical genius who tranforms into a deadly killer.
It faced stiff competition from films across the world, but the Jury were unanamious in naming Four Minutes Best Film.
They stated that it was "A difficult and emotional story on many levels." It was also praised for "Excellent performances from the lead actors and interesting secondary characters."
Do not be surprised if it becomes an early contender for Best Foreign Film at next year's Oscars.
You can judge it for yourself when it opens later in the year.
Posted by James Hughes
This week you can read about Edwin S.Porter's classic film but did you know the following intriguing trivia?
- Although classed as a Western, it was filmed in New Jersey.
- Instructions were distributed with the film stating that the famous gunshot could be placed at either the start of the film or the end. The majority chose the end. With cinema's demand for quick action, it may very well have been put at the start if filmed today.
- Edwin S.Porter was a former Thomas Edison cameraman.
- It was the first time guns were used to force someone to dance on film. Imitated for years afterwards in countless other movies
- In the real robbery Butch Cassiday's gang stole $5000.
- It was based on Scott Marble's story of 1896.
- The original negative has been preserved by the Library Of Congress. So prints can still be run from it even to this day.
Posted by James Hughes
Even before the much anticipated Superman Returns flies into cinemas,
Bryan Singer has already hinted at a host of sequels.
Speaking recently he stated : "I love it very much, I can't say that I'm officially attached yet, we've just begun those discussions, but there is certainly an interest in moving forward." He went even further to commit himself when he declared, "We all got along so wonderfully, that the logic says that it makes sense to move forward together on a sequel. Plus there are things that have been layered into the film that would lend themselves to a sequel."
All this depends on the box office takings of his first venture. But after recent praise from across the Hollywood media, Singer is confident of being at the helm of a new Superman era.
Posted by James Hughes
It is said every year, that the summer ushers in a new breed of cinema. That of the blockbuster rollercoaster ride devoid of dramatic storytelling. No brainers have exploded into the box office from May onwards in an attempt to keep students happy during school holidays. This was never more so that during the 1990's when cinemas were swamped with one action movie after another.
Thankfully, due to spiralling production costs, the action has lessened. Meaning the film studios have to depend on quality stories in their blockbusters because they no longer have explosions to hide behind.
Of course there will always be the action flicks, but their dominance is dwindling. This has come as a welcome relief to fans of dramatic films who no longer have to switch off their brains for 4 months while Hollywood feeds us junk movies. It may still be a milkshake of course, only now it tastes a lot better.
Posted by James Hughes
With the summer barely started, Hollywood is already lining up a slate of Oscar hopefuls for next year.
Leading the way are:
- Martin Scorsese's The Departed
- Steve Zaillian's All The King's Men
- Steven Soderbergh's Che.
- Sofia Coppola's Marie-Antoinette
- Clint Eastwood's Flags Of Our Fathers
Will it finally be Scorsese's year? Or can Soderbergh and Eastwood steal the show again?
We will be bringing you a full list of the contenders in the coming weeks so you can place your bets early!
Posted by James Hughes
Sony Pictures is already developing Dan Brown's "Angels & Demons" despite the critical mauling for The Da Vinci Code.
Will it be a case of second time lucky? They may actually be on to a winner, since they cannot possibly make a film worse than the current one.
The best selling book centres around a conspiracy in the Vatican, and for many readers is a more plausible story than it's famous sequel. So if the film sticks to the same route, critics may cover it with approving words. At least that's what Sony is hoping for.
The two main people responsible for making The Da Vinci Code so bad, Ron Howard, and Tom Hanks, have not confirmed their interest in Angels and Demons. Sony will be hoping that situation never changes.