The World's End
Release Date: August 23 Oscar Prospects: Bad The World's End is easily my most anticipated summer movie, as well as one my most anticipated movies of the year. From the television show Spaced, through their cinematic breakthrough Shaun of the Dead, to their last collaboration and my personal favorite of their works, Hot Fuzz, I have been in awe of the comedic output of the brilliant British trio of director Edgar Wright and actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Wright in particular, who also scored big time with his movie adaption of Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World, is an immense talent, and in this humble writer's opinion, the greatest film director to emerge in the post-2000 era. In fact, the work of Wright, Pegg, and Frost may be the greatest contemporary comedic work around. With the possible exceptions of comedians Ricky Gervais and Louis C.K., there hasn't been funnier material made in the last decade or so. What makes the films of Wright, Pegg, and Frost particularly well suited for the silver screen though is their obvious love for the medium, which is apparent through the relentless homages and nods to films that came before. Unlike some referential comedy though, these homages are not mere lazy aping or declarations of, "Look, remember that movie," but always work in the service of the films themselves and simply highlight Wright's unbridled passion for the medium. All this is to say that, if you can't tell by now, I really love the films of Wright, Pegg, and Frost, which is why August 23 can't come soon enough. You lucky blokes in Britain may have already had a chance to see the film (multiple times even), but in America, we are still anticipating the final film in the so-called "Cornetto Trilogy". The third act in the series which sends up famous historic film genres, The World's End, this time takes on the apocalypse genre. Specifically, the film chronicles the adventures of five old friends who decide to reenact an epic failed pub crawl they had attempted twenty years prior that would have culminated at a bar appropriately titled The World's End. As they relive they youth though, unsurprising, things start to get a little strange as the forthcoming apocalypse begins. Unfortunately, as much as it pains me to say it, the chances of The World's End being nominated for any Oscars is nonexistent. The Academy has always looked down their collective noses at comedy, particularly anything with the slightest scent of broad comedy, and the "Cornetto Trilogy" is no exception. I would have hoped maybe the Writers branch would be incisive enough to recognize the brilliance in the work, but that would just be wishful thinking. The World's End may not get any awards love, but in this case, I could giving a flying you-know-what about its awards prospects, because whether one person or a million recognized it, the work of Wright, Pegg, and Frost is some damn fine filmmaking! Possible nominations: Sadly, and possibly criminally, none.