Five Linky Pieces
Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 12:23PM 
But You're, Like, Really Pretty has fun reimaginings of all those actresses once rumored for the Lisbeth Salandar role like Evan Rachel Wood. Mia Wasikowska is actually the closest to a Rooney Mara look and Anne Hathaway is just so wrong. (My what big eyes she has!)
The Hollywood Reporter looks at the 'Contender Cast-Offs'. Those films we kept wanting to put into Oscar lists but which kept not having release dates like Wettest Country and On the Road
The Atlantic thinks A Better Life made a stunning case for immigration reform. (That movie sure is keeping itself in the spotlight well past its summer run!)
The New York Times has a fun piece on the personal angst of top ten lists by Dan Kois.
Empire grills celebrities on movies they enjoyed this year. Zac Efron likes "freaky" movies like The Skin I Live In and Shame (who knew?) and Emma Stone is a walking FYC for Bridesmaids which she calls a "game-changer". Patton Oswalt, who I can vouch for as a movie maniac since I've heard him gab about movies casually in person with fellow industry types loves The Tree of Life and Bellflower.
Reader Comments (4)
Efron like Almodovar, McQueen and working with Nicole and Michelle? It's like he's daring Nathaniel not to change his opinion of him!
And don't forget Arkaan, one of Efron's very first roles (maybe even the first?) is working with Joss Whedon in Firefly. Could never really hate him just for that.
is it me or... Scarlett Johansson looks like a "sexy punk-queen bitch" as Lisbeth Salander?
Anyone who said "this film by my friend (or someone I know) probably should have been disqualified automatically. (I'm looking at you, Scarlett.)
Two other things I found interesting about the Empire list: Zac Efron chose two very interesting, intelligent and challenging auteur films, but the only thing he has to say about them is "freaky"? Get thee to a thesaurus, young man.
Robin Williiams saying that he hasn't seen many film because "the screeners have just started to go out" is honest and so, so indicative of everything that is WRONG with the way awards are given out and movies are distributed today. And it confirms everything you've been saying, Nathaniel. Part of the experience of a film is living with it, seeing it on the big (or small screen) and letting it settle. The film that made you feel high coming out of it may leave absolutely no memories; the film that had you struggling to understand or even like it may be the one that lasts.