I learned over at Kris Tapley’s InContention blog that last night’s L.A. screening of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button had to be halted and canceled after 30 minutes due to a projection problem. That’s certainly not the best first impression for such an eagerly awaited film, and I can only imagine the heart attacks the Paramount people were having at the time. But having seen Button two weeks ago in New York (a city that clearly boasts better A/V equipment), I can say that they don’t need to worry. Button is an Oscar movie with a capital O, with jaw-dropping production values, a soaring romance, and terrific performances, particularly from supporting-actress candidate Taraji P. Henson as Benjamin’s de facto mother. Even if Brad Pitt doesn’t make it into the tough Best Actor race (the likes of Clint Eastwood and Leonardo DiCaprio may squeeze him out), I still can see Button racking up as many as 11 nominations, which could very well be the highest tally for any film this year. Once the film opens on Christmas day, I guarantee we’ll all be talking about one thing: whether or not Benjamin Button made you sob.
'Benjamin Button': A screening snafu
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Comments (1-15) of 15 Add your comment
Having the show go down 30 minutes in may be one of those good omens. The last time I remember this happening was when Borat screened at TIFF and went down about twenty minutes in.
I can’t see the movie being a big hit at the box office (at least not enough to recoup its huge budget). But if it’s good, there’s no reason for it to not clean up come Oscar time. I wish someone, anyone, would just see the damn thing already. I want to know if it’s actually any good. There’s been so much hype, yet no one’s seen it.
I beg to differ Vance. I bet this movie makes buckets of cash for 3 reasons. 1) Great story that all will love. 2) Brad Pitt and 3) Cate Blanchett. This one will be box office gold.
I can’t wait to see this one; the trailers are amazing! I wonder if Pitt will deliver a performance as stunning as he did in Jesse James last year. We’ll soon find out. It’s too early to say, but I would still be willing to put money on Benjamin Button as 2008’s best picture Oscar winner.
I’m terribly excited about this movie. I’m even more happy that one of my most anticipated movies has a chance at the Oscars.
I find it very surprising whenever someone talks about Taraji P. Henson getting nominated. The last thing I saw her in was Boston Legal, and there were no nominations headed her way for that role.
- izi
I wouldn’t see this movie, on x-mas day I read Marley&me and what a great book so can’t wait to see the movie..
i saw the movie… it will win several oscars !!!
I predict both Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt will be shut about but Taraji will get a nomination, and it will get a lot of technical nominations and a director for Fincher. Best picture is a possibility too unless it’s too artsy and different for the academy. They never liked Fincher before and it could be loved and original but so was Edward Scissorhands. Did that get any Oscar love? Bottom line I predict Taraji and technical nominations.
It’s about time a serious Oscar movie finally showed up. Is it me or is this year a little lacking?
At this rate, The Dark Knight is still the flick to beat. Is that sad? Or Awesome?
I already predicted that Taraji will be a big actress in the future with her strong performance in Hustle & Flow. Then she’s also stellar in Talk To Me. I’m sure she will get an Oscar this year..
LISTEN TO ME ACADEMY MEMBERS…You MUST include WALL-E to the list of CONTENDERS FOR BEST PICTURE!! you’ve just got to. It’s the best movie, animated or live action this year so far!
In a perfect world…I predict the nominations to be..
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
MILK
WALL-E
THE WRESTLER
I am sort of surprised this film is generating Oscar buzz because the trailer I saw made it seem sort of trite and cheesy! I’m the cynical type so this kind of film does not usually appeal to me. But it turns out I might have been wrong. Guess I’ll have to check it out for myself!
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is definately going to be a box-office film.
David Fincher’s other films “Se7en” and “Fight Club” are very popular. Not to mention Brad Pitt is a huge box-office name.
I’m gonna have to get my hands on some advance screening tickets! I can’t wait!
That’s funny; I saw the advance screening last night in San Diego, and the projector burned the film at the final ten minutes of the film!
The projectionist managed to salvage it, but it was a funny thing, and actually fit in with the theme of the film, believe it or not.
Caught a showing at the Ziegfeld in NYC, though there are a few major flaws, including the fact that there is not a moment where we see Benjamin writing in this supposed journal which the story is being told from, so i suppose it magically appears to tell the story. (screenwriting flaw), HOWEVER, regardless of this, the film was brilliant and enjoyable from the first minute to the 800th minute. Very moving ending, epic forest gumpesque scenes, top notch acting (though pitt more than blanchett, both played brilliantly). What a film! Best picture for sure.