I love FYC ads.

I even love this one, even if they are airbrushed and Gabby was photographed out of character, and Mo'Nique looks far too much like a loving acting teacher.

Still fantastic

National Board of Review announces

And to no surprise they do not like 'Precious' - they don't often go for gritty.

Best Film:
Up In The Air

Ten Best Films
(in alphabetical order)
AN EDUCATION
(500) DAYS OF SUMMER
THE HURT LOCKER
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
INVICTUS
THE MESSENGER
A SERIOUS MAN
STAR TREK
UP
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Best Director:
Clint Eastwood, Invictus

Best Actor:
Morgan Freeman, Invictus and George Clooney, Up In The Air (tie)

Best Actress:
Carey Mulligan, An Education

Best Supporting Actor:
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger

Best Supporting Actress:
Anna Kendrick, Up In The Air

Best Foreign Film:
A Prophet

Best Documentary:
The Cove

Best Animated Feature:
Up

Best Ensemble Cast:
It’s Complicated

Breakthrough Performance by an Actor:
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker

Breakthrough Performance by an Actress:
Gabourey Sidibe, Precious

Spotlight Award for Best Directorial Debut:
Duncan Jones, Moon, Oren Moverman, The Messenger and Marc Webb, 500 Days of Summer (tie)

Best Original Screenplay:
Joel & Ethan Coen, A Serious Man

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, Up In The Air

Special Filmmaking Achievement Award:
WES ANDERSON, The Fantastic Mr. Fox

William K. Everson Film History Award:
JEAN PICKER FIRSTENBERG

NBR Freedom of Expression:
BURMA VJ: REPORTING FROM A CLOSED COUNTRY
INVICTUS
THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: DANIEL ELLSEBERG AND THE PENTAGON PAPERS

Five Best Foreign-Language Films
(in alphabetical order)
THE MAID
REVANCHE
SONG OF SPARROWS
THREE MONKEYS
THE WHITE RIBBON

Five Best Documentaries
(in alphabetical order)
BURMA VJ: REPORTING FROM A CLOSED COUNTRY
CRUDE
FOOD, INC.
GOOD HAIR
THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: DANIEL ELLSBERG AND THE PENTAGON PAPERS

Top Ten Independent Films:
(in alphabetical order)
AMREEKA
DISTRICT 9
GOODBYE SOLO
HUMPDAY
IN THE LOOP
JULIA
ME AND ORSON WELLES
MOON
SUGAR
TWO LOVERS

Mini reviews - guns and ammo

'Zombieland'

This was an enjoyable little romp, although nothing earth shattering and it still did not rise to the heights of 'Shaun of the Dead'.
There seemed to be a funnier film in there somewhere, that never really materialised.
Woody Harrelson gave an oddly moving performance (he kind of broke my heart) for a film advertised as a comedy.
I guess tragedy and comedy do go hand in hand.
Other than that it didn't offend me, nor did it rock my world, but it was a solid effort in the zombie/comedy genre and better that 90% of the films that get released today.

Grade - B-


'Inglourious Basterds'

Wow. Not what I was expecting. Sure it had its' definite Tarantino signature, but it totally blew me away in the way he held back with the scenes he needed to let build (The horror educing opening, the brilliant tavern scene, the strudel).
There has been some complaints about the finger in the face of historical accuracy, but this is a fantasy film, and oh what a fantasy it would have been. I mean every person who has read in disgust the horrors faced by the Jewish people at the hands of the Nazis have wished they could go back in time and do something, and the 'Inglourious Basterds' do the next best thing. A revenge fantasy where the viewer cannot wait for the revenge to be acted out.
This is one of the best directed films of the year, and offers two fantastic supporting performances. Christopher Waltz was brilliant as the politely evil Col. Hans Landa and Mélanie Laurent played Soshanna brilliantly. Just watch her during the strudel scene and try not to be mesmerised by her complex and heart breaking performance.
A brilliant film (should also mention Diane Kruger who was also extremely good)

Grade - A-


'Public Enemies'

The film is beautiful to look at, the attention to period detail is magnificent.
Johnny Depp was reliably good as Dillinger and Marion Cotillard was wonderful as Billie Frechette (although the role was written with a definite lack of meat and juice).
Billy Crudup was very convincing as J. Edgar Hoover, but my word, when did Christian Bale get so boring as an actor? He put me to sleep (in all fairness so did the film).
Michael Man directed the film with a total lack of electricity. The tommy gun battles were dull, they lacked any excitement.
The only thing keeping me awake was playing spot the bit player.
LOOK - Carey Mulligan. LOOK - Leelee Sobieski. LOOK - Lili Taylor. LOOK - Diana Krall. LOOK - Giovanni Ribisi, LOOK - Emilie de Ravin. LOOK - David Wenham.
All in all a bit of a zzzzzzzzzzzz

Grade - C

Spirit Award nominations!!

Here they are people.
In all their perplexing, cheerable and tantrum starting glory.

This is (for me) the official season kick off (it is so important it is capitalised)
I love the beginning of Awards season!!!!
It keeps me going through the winter months after Christmas.

Heeeeeeeeeeeee


BEST FEATURE (Award given to the Producer)
(500) Days of Summer
Amreeka
Precious
Sin Nombre
The Last Station

BEST DIRECTOR
Joel & Ethan Coen - 'A Serious Man'
Lee Daniels - 'Precious'
Cary Fukanaga - 'Sin Nombre'
James Grey - 'Two Lovers'
Michael Hoffman - 'The Last Station'

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
A Single Man
Crazy Heart
Easier With Practice
The Messenger
Paranormal Activity

BEST SCREENPLAY
The Messenger
The Last Station
The Vicious Kind
Adventureland
(500) Days of Summer

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Cold Souls
Crazy Heart
Amreeka
Precious
A Single Man

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Maria Bello - 'Downloading Nancy'
Helen Mirren - 'The Last Station'
Gwentyth Paltrow - 'Two Lovers'
Gabby Sidibe - 'Precious'
Nisreen Faour - 'Amreeka'

BEST MALE LEAD
Jeff Bridges - 'Crazy Heart'
Colin Firth - 'A Single Man'
Joseph Gordon Levitt - '(500) Days of Summer'
Souleymane Sy Savane - 'Goodbye Solo'
Adam Scott - 'The Vicious Kind'

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Monique - 'Precious'
Samantha Morton - 'The Messenger'
Natahlie Press - 'Fifty Dean Men Walking'
Mia Wasikowska - 'That Evening Sun'
Dina Korzun - 'Cold Souls'

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Jemaine Clements - 'Gentlemen Broncos'
Woody Harrelson - 'The Messenger'
Cristian McKay - 'Me and Orson Welles'
Ramon McKinnon - 'The Evening Sun'
Christopher Plummer - 'The Last Station'

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
A Serious Man
Sin Nombre
Treeless Mountain
Cold Souls
Bad Lieutenant

BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director)
Anvil!
Food Inc
More Than a Game
October Country
Which Way Home

BEST FOREIGN FILM (Award given to the director)
A Prophet
An Education
Everlasting Moments
Mother
The Maid

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD
(Given to one film’s director, casting director, and its ensemble cast)
A Serious Man

PRODUCERS AWARD
Karen Chien
Larry Fessenden
Dia Sokol

TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD
Natalia Almada
Bill Ross and Turner Ross
Jessica Oreck


Some interesting inclusions here. What is surprising is who they have left off. Two acting nominations for 'That Evening Sun' and not one for Hal Holbrook. That was odd. Also considering the love for 'Two Lovers' they left out crazy ole Joaquin same for Ben Foster in 'The Messenger'. Seems the male lead category is a bit suspect.

I hate reviewing

I was looking at my grades for the films I have seen and I want to change them all. You should never write a review immediately after seeing a movie. Wait a week and then think back on it. I have seen 'Zombieland' 'Inglourious Basterds' and 'Public Enemies' but need some time to absorb.

Some need to come down, and some really need to go up. 'Precious will stay with an A+ as I am still thinking about that movie. For once I hyped myself up for a good one! Usually I am horribly disappointed ('Australia', 'Across the Universe' ect) so thanks Lee Daniels.

The week

This week is a big week.

Firstly, the Gotham Awards announced their winners. There was a bit of an uproar that 'Precious' was not in the nix, but the few negative reviews of the film come out of New York so that could explain it.

Anyway the big winner was 'The Hurt Locker' which is a very deserving film in any awards ceremony. This makes the film a near lock for a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Also Katherine Bigelow was awarded as well as the films ensemble. Catalina Saavedra was awarded for 'The Maid'. Great for her, but unlikely to translate to Oscar which is a shame.

Also this week we have the Independent Spirit Awards announce their nominations. 'The Hurt' locker was eligible last year so will not be in the mix. Expect showings from 'Precious', 'A Serious Man', 'A Single Man', 'Amreeka', 'Tucker' and '(500) Days of Summer' as well as some smaller, but no less well received films. It would be great to see films like 'That Evening Sun, 'The Messenger' and 'Me and Orson Wells' make an appearance as well.

Then lastly we have the National Board of Review give out their awards. For what they are worth (not much) here are my predictions:

Best Film: 'Up in the Air'

Rest of the top ten:

'The Hurt Locker'
'A Single Man'
'Up in the Air'
'The Last Station'
'Invictus'
'Nine'
'Where the Wild Things Are'
'An Education'
'Inglouroius Basterds'

Best Director: Katherine Bigelow - 'The Hurt Locker'
Alt: Jason Reitman - 'Up in the Air'

Best Actor: George Clooney - 'Up in the Air'
Alt: Jeff Bridges - 'Crazy Heart'

Best Actress: Meryl Streep - 'It's Complicated' and 'Julie & Julia'
Alt: Gabourey Sidibe - 'Precious'

Best Supporting Actor: Stanley Tucci - 'The Lovely Bones' and 'Julie & Julia'
Alt: Christopher Waltz - 'Inglourious Basterds'

Best Supporting Actress: Julianne Moore - 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee', 'Chloe' and 'A Single Man'
Alt: Mo'Nique - 'Precious'

Golden Satellite Nominations

For what they are worth (nothing in terms of Oscar, but I kind of like these anyway - I will put stars by my happy ones)

Motion Picture, Drama
The Hurt Locker, Summit Entertainment **
Bright Star, Apparition
An Education, Sony Pictures Classics
The Messenger, Oscilloscope Laboratories **
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, Lionsgate **
The Stoning of Soraya M., Roadside Attractions

Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
Julie & Julia, Columbia Pictures
The Informant! Warner Bros.
A Serious Man, Focus Features **
It’s Complicated, Universal Pictures
Up in the Air, Paramount Pictures
Nine, The Weinstein Company

10 BEST FILMS OF 2009 – [ listed alphabetically ]
- (500) Days of Summer **
- A Serious Man
- An Education
- Bright Star
- Inglourious Basterds
- Nine
- Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire **
- The Hurt Locker
- The Stoning of Soraya M.
- Up in the Air

Best Actress, Drama
Emily Blunt - The Young Victoria
Abbie Cornish - Bright Star
Carey Mulligan - An Education
Shohreh Aghdashloo - The Stoning of Soraya M.
Catalina Saavedra - The Maid **
Penélope Cruz - Broken Embraces

Actor In A Motion Picture, Drama
Johnny Depp - Public Enemies
Hugh Dancy - Adam **
Jeremy Renner - The Hurt Locker **
Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
Michael Sheen - The Damned United
Colin Firth - A Single Man

Actress In A Motion Picture, Comedy Or Musical
Meryl Streep - Julie & Julia
Zooey Deschanel - (500) Days of Summer
Katherine Heigl - The Ugly Truth
Sandra Bullock - The Proposal
Marion Cotillard - Nine **

Actor In A Motion Picture, Comedy Or Musical
Daniel Day-Lewis- Nine
Bradley Cooper - The Hangover
Matt Damon - The Informant!
Michael Stuhlbarg - A Serious Man **
George Clooney - Up in the Air

Actress In A Supporting Role
Emily Blunt - Sunshine Cleaning
Mozhan Marnò - The Stoning of Soraya M.
Mo’nique - Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire e **
Anna Kendrick - Up in the Air
Penélope Cruz - Nine

Actor In A Supporting Role
Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds
Alfred Molina - An Education
Woody Harrelson - The Messenger
James McAvoy - The Last Station
Timothy Spall - The Damned United

Motion Picture, Foreign Language Film
Red Cliff - China
The Maid - Chile
The White Ribbon - Germany
Broken Embraces - Spain
I Killed My Mother - Canada
Winter in Wartime - Netherlands

Motion Picture, Animated Or Mixed Media
Up, Disney – Pixar
Where the Wild Things Are, Warner Bros. Pictures
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Warner Bros. Pictures
The Princess and the Frog, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Fantastic Mr. Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Columbia Pictures

Motion Picture, Documentary
Every Little Step, Sony Pictures Classics
The Cove, Lionsgate
It Might Get Loud, Sony Pictures Classics
The September Issue, Roadside Attractions **
The Beaches of Agnès, Cinema Guild
Valentino: The Last Emperor, Truly Indie / Vitagraph Films

Director
Neill Blomkamp - District 9 **
Rob Marshall - Nine
Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker
Lee Daniels - Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire **
Jane Campion - Bright Star
Lone Scherfig - An Education

Screenplay, Original
Jane Campion - Bright Star
Mark Boal - The Hurt Locker
Bob Peterson, Pete Docter - Up
Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber - (500) Days of Summer
Joel & Ethan Coen A Serious Man

Screenplay, Adapted
Nora Ephron- Julie & Julia
Nick Hornby - An Education
Geoffrey Fletcher - Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Neill Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell - District 9
Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner - Up in the Air

Original Score
Elliot Goldenthal - Public Enemies
Rolfe Kent - Up in the Air
Michael Giacchino - Up
Carter Burwell, Karen O - Where the Wild Things Are
Marvin Hamlisch - The Informant!
Gabriel Yared - Amelia

ORIGINAL SONG
”Almost There”
Randy Newman - The Princess and the Frog
“I Can See in Color”
Mary J. Blige - Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
“Down in New Orleans”
Randy Newman - The Princess and the Frog
“Cinema Italiano”
Maury Yeston - Nine
“The Weary Kind”
Ryan Bingham & T Bone Burnett - Crazy Heart
“We are the Children of the World”
Terry Gilliam - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Cinematography
Dion Beebe - Nine
Dante Spinotti - Public Enemies
Guillermo Navarro, Erich Roland - It Might Get Loud
Lu Yue, Zhang Li - Red Cliff
Roger Deakins - A Serious Man
Robert Richardson - Inglourious Basterds

Visual Effects
Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Wayne Billheimer, John Frazier - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Craig Hayes - Red Cliff
John Paul Docherty, Richard Bain - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Tim Ledbury - Fantastic Mr. Fox
Robert Habros, Charlie Bradbury, Stephen Pepper, Winston Helgason - District 9 **
Volker Engel, Marc Weigert, Mike Vezina 2012

Film Editing
Greg Finton - It Might Get Loud
Angie Lam, Yang Hongyu, Robert A. Ferretti - Red Cliff
Julian Clarke - District 9
David Brenner, Peter S. Elliot - 2012
Chris Innis, Bob Murawski - The Hurt Locker
Claire Simpson, Wyatt Smith - Nine

Sound (Mixing & Editing)
Cameron Frankley, Mark Ulano, Richard Van Dyke, Ron Bartlett - Terminator Salvation
Ethan Van Der Ryn, Erik Aadahl, Geoffrey Patterson, Gary Summers, Greg P. Russell - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Joel Dougherty, Chuck Fitzpatrick - It Might Get Loud
Steve Burgess - Red Cliff
Paul N.J. Ottosson, Michael Mcgee, Rick Kline, Jeffrey J. Haboush, Michael Keller - 2012
Margit Pfeiffer, Jim Greenhorn - Nine

Art Direction & Production Design
Terry Gilliam, Dave Warren, Anastasia Masaro - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nathan Crowley, Patrick Lumb, William Ladd Skinner - Public Enemies
Eddy Wong - Red Cliff
Chris Kennedy - The Road
Barry Chusid, Elizabeth Wilcox - 2012
Ian Phillips, Dan Bishop - A Single Man

Costume Design
Tim Yip - Red Cliff
Consolata Boyle - Chéri
Monique Prudhomme - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Sandy Powell - The Young Victoria
Colleen Atwood - Nine

Tesla Award In Recognition Of Visionary Achievement In Filmmaking Technology
Roger Deakins
Auteur Award
Roger Corman

BEST ENSEMBLE, MOTION PICTURE
Nine

BEST ENSEMBLE, TELEVISION
True Blood

OUTSTANDING GUEST STAR
Kristin Chenoweth for Glee

OUTSTANDING NEW TALENT
Gabourey Sidibe for Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire

LOVE the girl power in the Director category!