Much to my surprise, the best screener package I ever remember receiving arrived today. First, let me say that I got two packages, both from UPS and only one of them requiring a signature…weird. Before I get to the really cool one, the other package was from Fox Searchlight featuring Martha Marcy May Marlen and Shame in utterly nondescript containers.

This really nifty package I am referring to was from DreamWorks. Inside, along with two screeners (Kung Fu Panda 2 and Puss in Boots was a small Happy Holidays card along with a bag of DreamWorks-branded popcorn and two packages of Kung Fu Panda 2 and Puss in Boots wrapping paper. I know who’s getting some of that stuff on their gifts this year. But, the most important thing is the screeners and I’ve seen both films and written reviews already, so you don’t have to worry about my post-nifty influence.

Normally, I would organize these studio entries by alphabet, but since I’ve seen both DreamWorks titles, I’ll post the two Fox Searchlight titles first.

Fox Searchlight

Martha Marcy May Marlene

Genre: Drama
Stars: Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, Hugh Dancy, Sarah Paulson
Director: Sean Durkin
Premise: “Haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult.”
Oscar Chances: The film hasn’t exactly been tickling tongues like I expected, but Elizabeth Olsen is still talked about as a possible Best Actress nominee. The film could also arrive in any number of other categories with Original Screenplay one of the strongest chances.
Campaign-Proposed Categories:

• Best Picture (Josh Mond, Antonio Campos, Chris Maybach, Patrick Cunningham)
• Best Director (Sean Durkin)
• Best Original Screenplay (Sean Durkin)
• Best Actress (Elizabeth Olsen)
• Best Supporting Actor (John Hawkes, Hugh Dancy)
• Best Supporting Actress (Sarah Paulson)
• Best Film Editing (Zac Stuart-Pontier)
• Best Cinematography (Jody Lee Lipes)
• Best Art Direction (Chad Keith)
• Best Costume Design (David Tabbert)
• Best Original Score (Saunder Jurriaans, Danny Bensi)

Rotten Tomatoes:
89% (134 critics; as of 11/23/11)
Metacritic:
76 out of 100 (37 critics; as of 11/23/11)

Shame

Genre: Drama
Stars: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale
Director: Steve McQueen
Premise: “In New York City, Brandon’s carefully cultivated private life — which allows him to indulge his sexual addiction — is disrupted when his sister Cissy arrives unannounced for an indefinite stay.”
Oscar Chances: The film is slowly turning into one of the hot small features of the awards season. Fassbender and Mulligan are strong contenders for nominations and the film might get pulled along with some support from critics.
Campaign-Proposed Categories:

• Best Picture (Iain Canning, Emile Sherman)
• Best Director (Steve McQueen)
• Best Original Screenplay (Steve McQueen, Abi Morgan)
• Best Actor (Michael Fassbender)
• Best Supporting Actress (Carey Mulligan)
• Best Supporting Actor (James Badge Dale)
• Best Film Editing (Joe Walker)
• Best Cinematography (Sean Bobbitt)
• Best Art Direction (Judy Becker, Heather Loeffler)
• Best Costume Design (David Robinson)
• Best Original Score (Harry Escott)

Rotten Tomatoes:
82% (22 critics; as of 11/23/11)
Metacritic:
94 out of 100 (4 critics; as of 11/23/11)

DreamWorks

Kung Fu Panda 2

Genre: Animation
Stars: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Michelle Yeoh, Jackie Chan
Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Premise: “Po joins forces with a group of new kung-fu masters to take on an old enemy with a deadly new weapon.”
Oscar Chances: While the film didn’t exactly excite critics, as year-end animated films have tumbled, Kung Fu Panda‘s chance to represent DreamWorks in Best Animated Feature increases dramatically.
Campaign-Proposed Categories:

• Best Animated Feature (Jennifer Yuh Nelson)
• Best Picture (Melissa Cobb)
• Best Director (Jennifer Yuh Nelson)
• Best Adapted Screenplay (Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger)
• Best Film Editing (Clare Knight)
• Best Sound Editing (Ethan Van der Ryn, Erik Aadahl)
• Best Sound Mixing (Andy Nelson, Jim Bolt)
• Best Visual Effects (Alex Parkinson)
• Best Ensemble Cast (Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Michelle Yeoh, Jackie Chan)

Rotten Tomatoes:
82% (156 critics; as of 11/23/11)
Metacritic:
67 out of 100 (31 critics; as of 11/23/11)
My Review:

Puss in Boots

Genre: Animation
Stars: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton, Amy Sedaris
Director: Chris Miller
Premise: “A story about the events leading up to the sword fighting cat’s meeting with Shrek and his friends.”
Oscar Chances: With the weak showing from critics, the film’s chances at a nomination have dwindled, much like the Shrek franchise in general.
Campaign-Proposed Categories:

• Best Picture (Joe M. Aguilar, Latifa Ouaou)
• Best Animated Feature (Chris Miller)
• Best Director (Chris Miller)
• Best Adapted Screenplay (Tom Wheeler, Brian Lynch, Will Davies, Tom Wheeler)
• Best Art Direction (Guillaume Aretos, Christian Schellewald)
• Best Film Editing (Eric Dapkewicz)
• Best Original Score (Henry Jackman)
• Best Sound Editing (Richard King)
• Best Sound Mixing (Andy Nelson, Anna Behlmer, Jim Bolt)
• Best Visual Effects (Ken Bielenberg)
• Best Ensemble Cast (Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton, Amy Sedaris)

Rotten Tomatoes:
82% (94 critics; as of 11/23/11)
Metacritic:
65 out of 100 (23 critics; as of 11/23/11)
My Review: