August 18, 2004

Another day, another attempt to figure out what to write about…

The summer movie season is coming to an end, but that story is meant for the 15 Weeks of Summer column that will run at MCN tomorrow.

I'm seeing a lot of movies, but nothing that anyone wants me writing about yet.

My favorite trailer that I've seen recently is for a Japanese comedy named Swing Girls that doesn't even have subtitles.

And the bunnies are back, this time doing Jaws.

I know I'm failing you, but so it goes. I don't even have any particularly great mail to fill a column with… the dregs of summer drip on….

READER OF THE DAY: JOLIET JAKINA writes: "In a recent column you mention the many biopics that may be vying for Oscars this year. As an historian with a syndicated column on films ("History in the Movies"). I'm fascinated by how many films set in the past have gotten Oscar attention in recent years. About 60% of the Best Picture nominees in the last 7-8 years have been biopics, historical epics, or period pieces. 1998 was the most dramatic example, with all five nominees being historically based films. And if you look at the winners, the trend toward historically based films is even more dramatic. Beginning with 1981's Chariots of Fire, 17 of the last 23 BP winners have been films set primarily in the past. (and that's not including the Return of the King, which while fantasy, felt historical.) Oscar loves history. Which is great for me, since it gives me lots to write about!

E ME: Wanna take a nap?