1st Annual Citizen Television Awards

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in | Posted on 9:08 PM



Best Drama Series
Mad Men - WINNER
House, M.D.
Lost
Private Practice
Dexter

Best Comedy Series
The Office
30 Rock - WINNER
Weeds
Ugly Betty
It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia

Best Writing for a Television Series
Mad Men
30 Rock - WINNER
It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia
The Closer
The Office

Best Actor in a Television Series
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock - WINNER
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Hugh Laurie, House, M.D.
Steve Carell, The Office
Michael C. Hall, Dexter

Best Actress in a Television Series
Tina Fey, 30 Rock - WINNER
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Kyra Sedgewick, The Closer
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Anna Paquin, True Blood

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Video: John Krasinski & Amy Poehler Present at SAG Awards

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in | Posted on 2:33 PM

Sincerely,

The Citizen Review

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2009 Oscar Nominations (Oh, my)

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in | Posted on 4:28 PM

WHAT?!? WHAT?!? I couldn't beleive some of these nominations. I have lost pretty much all trust I once had in the Oscars.

Three things in this show I am truly sad for:
1. Sally Hawkins 
She really deserved a nomination. Oscars! How could you say no to that sweet Globes speech?
2. Kate Winslet
She really could have won with The Reader, if it was in the right category. This was going to be her year! But now, thanks to the academy, there's really a slim slim chance she'll win.
3. The Dark Knight
No Best Picture, Screenplay or Director. Makes me so mad! 

Oh, and The Reader for Best Picture? Really? The Oscars, even in a year of varried and rare gems of films, manages to pick out the same films like every year.

Here's the list:

BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant, Milk

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader

BEST ACTOR
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Dustin Lance Black, Milk
Courtney Hunt, Frozen River
Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky
Marttin McDonagh, In Bruges
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, WALL-E

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
David Hare, The Reader
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
John Patrick Shanley, Doubt
Eric Roth, Robin Swicord, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Here's the full list

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Some Close Calls and Upsets at Last Night's SAGs

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in | Posted on 3:55 PM


The evening started as usual with the "I am ____ and I'm an actor" monolouges (Steve Carell's was funniest).

With the TV, 30 Rock sweeped up clean for comedy as usual. It's no surprise, afterall it is the best show on television! Hugh Laurie, Sally Field and Mad Men also were deemed with the other television show awards. John Adams also did well.

In the Supporting Female Actor award, it was going to be a close call whoever won. But Kate Winslet in The Reader took home 'The Actor'. "It's really an honor to be included in what I think is such a remarkable year and be acknowledged by my peers in this way" Winslet said in her speech. Yes she won for The Reader in a SUPPORTING role (Oscars!!) Heath Ledger of course won for Supporting Male and Gary Oldman, his costar, accepted the award on his behalf.

An even closer call was the Leading Actor/ Female Actor awards. But, as you may have seen from the video, Meryl Streep took home the gold. It was a truly memorable moment (hopefully the Oscars will be half as fun). Streep's reaction was of complete and utter surprise. She literally sprinted to the stage (and then kissed Ralph Fiennes on the mouth!). She continued to be humble in her speech, "There is no such thing as 'Best Actress.'" she said and also commented on how unfair Hollywood treats Viola Davis, "My God, somebody give her a movie!". Then, Sean Penn came in to win Best Male Actor in a Leading Role, with a slightly controversial speech to follow (just YouTube it).

And then, of course, much to my dismay, Slumdog Millionaire won for Best Ensemble cast. I just have to say, "What about Doubt?" (no rhyme intended). I mean, preactically the whole ensemble was nominated for an award and one took it home. Oh well. If it wins the Oscar, then I will be really sad.



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Video: Meryl Streep SAG Acceptance

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in , , | Posted on 3:34 PM


This clip is so great. Mery Streep's sheer astonishment and unpretentiousness is priceless. GO MERYL!

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2009 Screen Actors Guild Awards

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in | Posted on 3:09 PM

Sorry that they are a little late, but here they are! =]

—- FILM —–
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
‘Doubt’
‘Frost/Nixon’
‘Milk’
‘Slumdog Millionaire’ — WINNER
‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Richard Jenkins - ‘The Visitor’
Frank Langella - ‘Frost/Nixon’
Sean Penn - ‘Milk’ — WINNER
Brad Pitt - ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
Mickey Rourke - ‘The Wrestler

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Anne Hathaway - ‘Rachel Getting Married’
Angelina Jolie - ‘Changeling’
Melissa Leo - ‘Frozen River’
Meryl Streep - ‘Doubt’ — WINNER
Kate Winslet - ‘Revolutionary Road’

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Josh Brolin - ‘Milk’
Robert Downey Jr. - ‘Tropic Thunder’
Philip Seymour Hoffman - ‘Doubt’
Heath Ledger - ‘The Dark Knight’ — WINNER
Dev Patel - ‘Slumdog Millionaire’

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams - ‘Doubt’
Penelope Cruz - ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’
Viola Davis - ‘Doubt’
Taraji P. Henson - ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
Kate Winslet - ‘The Reader’ — WINNER

—– TELEVISION —–

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
William Shatner, “Boston Legal”
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Hugh Laurie, “House” — WINNER
James Spader “Boston Legal”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Holly Hunter, “Saving Grace”
Sally Field, “Brothers & Sisters” — WINNER
Mariska Hargitay, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”
Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Steve Carell, “The Office”
Jeremy Piven, “Entourage”
Tony Shalhoub, “Monk”
David Duchovny, “Californication”
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock” — WINNER

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate, “Samantha Who?”
America Ferrera, “Ugly Betty”
Tina Fey, “30 Rock” — WINNER
Mary-Louise Parker, “Weeds”
Tracey Ullman, “Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union”

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
“Weeds”
“30 Rock” — WINNER
“Desperate Housewives”
“The Office”
“Entourage”

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
“Mad Men” — WINNER
“Dexter”
“House”
“The Closer”
“Boston Legal”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Paul Giamatti, “John Adams” — WINNER
Ralph Fiennes, “Bernard and Doris”
Kevin Spacey, “Recount”
Kiefer Sutherland “24: Redemption”
Tom Wilkinson “John Adams”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Shirley MacLaine, “Coco Chanel”
Laura Dern, “Recount”
Laura Linney, “John Adams” — WINNER
Phylicia Rashad “A Raisin in the Sun”
Susan Sarandon “Bernard and Doris”

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Horton Hears a Who! (2008)

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in | Posted on 10:51 AM



Average: A-

Matthew Say's: A-

'Horton Hears a Who!' is an inventive, witty, joyous eye-popping, and sensational movie-watching experience. I really wasn't expecting much. I thought about it as another lame attempt to make a good Dr. Seuss film. Well, as I was watching I was just dazzled! Not only is it a delight to watch, it captures the essence of Dr. Suess' book, and the character Horton.(Voiced by Jim carrey.)

The animation is one key thing about it. It has a very colorful, and warm look about it that gives you the Dr. Seuss feel. Also, it's funny. Actually funny! I hate animation humor, 90% percent of the time it's just not funny. It uses witty dialogue to be funny, instead of having people farting, or falling into trash cans.
One of my favorite scenes of the movie, is the last scene in which all of the characters sing a musical number. It's such a joyous moment. I've said this very, very rarely, but 'Horton Hears a Who!' is nothing short of Pixar quality. And that's a really good compliment.

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1st Annual Citizen Awards

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in | Posted on 9:19 PM

The results are in! Here are the nominees and winners for TCR's first EVER Citizen Awards....sorry the statuettes aren't in yet : ).


BEST PICTURE
*DOUBT*
The Dark Knight; The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Doubt; Slumdog Millionaire; Happy-Go-Lucky
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
*HAPPY-GO-LUCKY*

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
*DOUBT* & *THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON*

BEST DIRECTOR
*JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY - DOUBT*

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
*WALL-E*
Kong-Fu Panda; Horton Hears a Who; WALL-E

BEST LEAD ACTOR
*SEAN PENN - MILK* & *FRANK LANGELLA - FROST/NIXON*
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon; Clint Eastwood - Gran Torino; Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler; Sean Penn - Milk; Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

BEST LEAD ACTRESS
*MERYL STREEP - DOUBT*
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married; Meryl Streep - Doubt; Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road; Sally Hawkins - Happy Go Lucky; Melissa Leo- Frozen River

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
*HEATH LEDGER - THE DARK KNIGHT*
James Franco - Milk; Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder; Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight; Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt; James Brolin - Milk

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
*VIOLA DAVIS - DOUBT*
Amy Adams - Doubt; Viola Davis - Doubt; Kate Winslet - The Reader; Penelope Cruz - Vicky Christina Barcelona; Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

How well did we agree? Comment if you have some different winners in mind. 

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The Citizen Review Oscar Predictions 2008

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in | Posted on 2:15 PM

Here it is! Our Oscar precitions for the film release of 2008. The nominations will be released this Thursday.
BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
The Dark Knight
Milk
Frost/Nixon (M)
Doubt (J)
BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hatheway- Rachel Getting Married
Meryl Streep- Doubt
Kate Winslet- Revolutionary Road
Sally Hawkins- Happy-Go-Lucky
Mellisa Leo- Frozen River (M)
Kristin Scott Thomas- I've Loved You So Long (J)
BEST ACTOR
Sean Penn- Milk
Frank Langella- Frost/Nixon
Clint Eastwood- Gran Torino
Mickey Rourke- The Wrestler
Leonardo DiCaprio- Revolutionary Road (J)
Brad Pitt- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (M)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Viola Davis- Doubt
Amy Adams- Doubt
Kate Winslet- The Reader
Penelope Cruz- Vicky Christina Barcelona (M)
Taraji P. Henson- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (J)
Marisa Tomei- The Wrestler
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin- Milk
Philip Seymour Hoffman- Doubt
Heath Ledger- The Dark Knight
James Franco- Milk
Robert Downey Jr.- Tropic Thunder
Sincerely,
Jack and Matthew, The Citizen Review

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The Visitor (2007)

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in , , , | Posted on 1:42 PM

Average grade: A-
Jack says: A-


Thomas McCarthy's 'The Visitor' is about a man who is basically emotionally shut down and very few people in his life. He has his students, some colleagues and piano teacher (who he abrubtly cuts off lessons with in the first act of the film). This is a story about a man in need of something new and fresh in his life.

Let me just say that Richard Jenkins plays the stolid professor unerringly. Every move he makes as Walter Vale is perfect, and he truly creates a memorable hero.

Walter's colleague, Charles tell him that he needs to fill in for someone at a conference in New York. At the conference, Walter would demonstrate an essay he co-wrote. Walter tells Charles that he really only co-signed the essay with his colleague as a nice gesture, but he sends Walter to New York anyhow.

When Walter arrives at his New York appartment, he finds that is occupied by a young married couple, with mysterious alabis. I won't give away the secret but let's just say that the couple re-introduce Walter to his life, enriching him in thier culture and music and food. When the young man's mother visits, things progress even further.

'The Visitor' is testament to life, love and culture. It shows the importance of not letting your life pass before you and that it's never too late to start again. Also, that you may find inspiration in the craziest of places.

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Film Clip of the Week

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in | Posted on 9:01 PM

Three Scenes from 'Doubt'

Sincerely,
Jack and Matthew, The Citizen Review

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The Savages (2007)

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in , , , , | Posted on 8:04 PM

Average Rating:
A

Jack says: A


'The Savages' is such a satisfying film all around. When I watched it, I thought of it as the love child of 'Juno' and 'Away From Her' (both great films) The screenplay by Tamara Jenkins is dazzling. It is filled to the brim with quick wit, hilarious monolouges and touchingly poignant moments. I particularly loved the speech given by Hoffman about fancy nursing homes just being a lure to guilty sons and daughters of the elderly, it is a touching a hilarious moment.


The actors on the bill with this film, the fabulous Laura Linney and always-great Philip Seymour Hoffman) are so wonderful they could read the phone book and enthrall us (luckily they have that script I was talking about). The characters they portray are not your everyday middle-aged film characters. What with Wendy, the constantly-lying, pill-popping unsuccessful playwright and Jon, the rough and emotionally mixed theater professor. The picture they paint along with Philip Bosco is truely touching and is not just a movie about old age. It's a movie about deeply cut family wounds that need healing and how they still resonate years later.



Matthew says: A


"The Savages' opens up with a montage displaying the glossy fantastical look at nursing homes, and how society treats the elderly. But, as the movie unfolds, it shows how society really treats the elderly. The screenplay (written by Tamara Jenkins) is excellent. It has everything you could possibly want. It's witty, poignant, topical and features wonderful characters.


The acting is also excellent. Wendy Savage is played particulary well by Laura Linney. She is so meticulous in creating her character. Her character is a middle-aged women who is confused about finding the right guy and sticking to him (she's having an affair with a married man in his fifties.) She is trying to write a play, she is nearly addicted to pills. She feels guilty about not spending enough time with her father, and lies constantly to get her way. Philip Seymour Hoffman is also great in this movie. His character is a professor at a university in Buffalo, and is writing a book. He is sad that his girlfriend is moving to Poland, and a little envious of her sister. This movie is exhuberantly made, with a witty and poignant screenplay, and wonderful actors. It left me with a smile on my face.
Sincerely,
Jack and Matthew, The Citizen Review




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Our First Post

Posted by The Citizen Review | Posted in | Posted on 7:45 PM

Welcome to The Citizen Review!

This is our very first post.

This blog is run by me (Jack) & my brother, Matthew Meriwether. We both are die hard film lovers and that is why we created this blog. But that's not the only type of review you will find...

We review movies, television, books and music (all of which we LOVE!)Our ratings are based on a letter grade system.

Here's sort of how it works compared to a typical 4-star system:

F= 0 stars
D-= 1/2
D= 1
D+=1 1/2
C, C-= 2C+= 2 1/2
B, B-= 3
B+, A-= 3 1/2
A= 4 stars

(A+'s are rarely given and are only given as a special notation of true greatness in a movie, show book or album)

Considering this is 'OSCAR SEASON' we will be putting up lots of posts about the awards which will include our predictions for winners and nominees.

Any questions? E-mail us at thecitizenreview@yahoo.com We would LOVE to hear any personal questions about movies or whatnot or if you have an opinion about a movie you saw or anything like that.

THANKS SO MUCH!

-Jack, The Citizen Review

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