More changes.

This time to Best Supporting Actor predictions.

Take a look at them here. A pretty big shift around. Nothing of course is set in stone, and there is always those last minute surprises that sneak up on you. I wonder what it will be this year.

Another rumor?

Well all the papers are saying that Madonna and Guy are divorcing.
Must be hard, especially in the middle of a tour, although I have to say after listening to some of the lyrics on Hard Candy, it seemed love was not in the air.
If it is true I feel bad for the kids (poor little David), especially since the press will be having a field day out of this.

Remember kids...other peoples misery is our entertainment.

Oscar Prediction Updates

Phew...took me long enough.

So many people have entered the field, and so many have dropped out.

Best Picture is still murky as all hell. I have done my best, but still not really convinced. I find it easier to know once reviews have come out.

Best Director is the same as Picture. I feel I have too many newbies in the top 5, but hey...the old gaffers need a shake up.

Best Actress has not changed much since my predictions back in the day.

Best Actor has changed a lot. Still not sure and so many of the films are opening late this year. This is an overly crowded race this year...as it is every year it seems.

The supporting and screenplay categories will be coming later! It is hard work!

Unlike the Greek, The Oscars has no true mythology. All we have are witches and fairies.

Well f*ck-a-doodle-dee. My poll has disappeared. That bloody well suck ass, as I had not made of note of what each of the actresses got.
All I know is that the eventual winner was miles ahead of the pack.

With a disappointing fifth place finish was dear ole Susan Sarandon for ‘Lorenzo’s Oil’. This is a film I recently watched and really do not get this nomination.

In forth place Michelle Pfeiffer in ‘Love Field’. This may be my favourite performance of Michelle’s so kind of sad to have seen it so low.

Third place finds the lovely Catherine Deneuve for ‘Indochine’. I was convinced she would walk away with this. Either her or

Our second place finisher, Mary McDonnell in ‘Passion Fish’. President Roslin could not even come close to beating the eventual winner, and the winner of the Oscar

Emma Thompson in ‘Howards End’.

I do love my Emma. She is just one of those instantly likeable actresses that seems to be free of vanity.
However I have not seen this film, so I cannot judge. I have seen all the other nominees, hence my voting for Mary. I had gotten confused and rented ‘The Remains of the Day’ thinking she won for that, and greatly enjoyed the film, but that was really Anthony Hopkins movie (no Tom Hanks…you were not better!).

So now I have to see ‘Howards End’, But I hear it is a good ‘un.

Now for the next poll. It seems blogger does not like me posting in the side bare, so I will just have the poll in the post.

Who should have won the Oscar in 1992:

‘Sunshine Cleaning’ trailer

I am going to stick to my promise of not just posting trailers, and at least doing some personal commentary.
This little slice of irresistible is most probably going to be yet another movie that firmly cements the next big thing status for ‘Amy Adams’. Just from this trailer you can see that the films success will be largely in part to her performance. You just like her immediately and that can go a long way, not only with boxoffice, but also with awards. I for one am looking forward to ‘Doubt’ to see her break away from the perky and hopeful, yet somehow tragic roles she has played before (hope she does not get type cast)
Alan Alda is doing a ‘Little Miss Sunshine 2’ here, which should do well I guess.
As for Emily Blunt….well I was one of the very very few that really did not get the big deal made out of her performance in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. I actually just thought it was bad acting, but I will withhold judgement on her as I have only seen her in that film and ‘Charlie Wilsons War’. I have been told she was amazing in ‘My Summer of Love’, and apparently her and Adams are sensational in this…and you know what?......I do love my quirky little comedy dramas.

Sunshine Cleaning - Trailer
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Looking forward

I am really trying to get excited about movies this year. Nothing has happened yet. There was not that movie watching experience that blew my mind. As much as I loved both ‘Wall-E’ and ‘The Dark Knight’ I cannot say they rocked my world, although both films had aspects that shook me to the core (TDK – Heath Ledgers performance, and Wall-E’s sound design and cinematography), they both left me feeling that something more could have happened.
There are films I am very curious about seeing, even slightly excited to be, but I have to say there has been no ‘Atonement’ like excitement for me this year, except of course for ‘Australia’.
This is a trailer that got the goose bumps bumping, and the heart-a-racing. Baz is a master at filming beauty, and the trailer just was glorious. So far this is the only film that I am filled with an-tici------PAT-ion for. Nicole and that whip….Hugh….the war…Hugh….the Cinematography…Hugh.

That is it really. There are some films I am looking forward to but mainly to see the acting. ‘Milk’, ‘Frost/Nixon’, ‘Revolutionary Road’, ‘Doubt’ and ‘The Soloist’, but none of these are really getting the blood pumping. Perhaps this has a lot to do with the way they are being marketed with their trailers.

It is no coincidence that, for me, the years best trailers were ‘Wall-E’. ‘Cloverfield’, ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘Australia’. The first three were very clever and savy with how the film was marketed. The trailers were exciting, but gave nothing away, allowing the audience to have their pallets wetted, wanting more.
‘Australia’ is just grand. You know it is going to be beautiful and epic. It pushes your emotional buttons, it makes your hair stand on end.

‘Milk’ just came across as Bio Pic bait, but faired much better than the lacklustre ‘Frost/Nixon’ trailer which did nothing to highlight either tension or performance.
‘The Soloist’ looks affecting, but is also screaming for awards attention.
More sombre in tone is ‘Revolutionary Road’ which is effective but does bring to mind ‘Little Children’ and boy oh boy does it look like a downer.
As much as I was interested in ‘Doubt’ the trailer confused me as to the tone of the film. Is this a dark comedy? A comedy drama? A plain drama? As amazing as Meryl is in it, it seems she is edited for comedy, perhaps to attract viewers who may otherwise be turned off by a film about priests molesting black boys. Stick in a funny nun! NUNS ARE FUNNY!

So what films are you most looking forward to this year? My top ten thus far:

Curious about, but more for performance:

10 – ‘Milk’
9 – ‘I’ve Loved You So Long’
8 – ‘The Road’
7 – ‘Revolutionary Road’
6 – ‘Doubt’

Festival buzz has made me a little excited:

5 – ‘Slumdog Millionaire’
4 – ‘The Wrestler’

Kind of really excited:

3 – ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
2 - ‘Rachel Getting Married’

Oh please make the wait stop!!

1 - ‘Australia’

Sex and the Future

Last night I made my lovely other half sit down and watch the B-day pressie he gave me.
He was not overly impressed with ‘Sex and the City: The Movie’
And in watching it again I could see why. Sure I loved being in these womens company again, but it all just seemed so muddled. Many people/critics complained it felt like a stretched out episode, and this is simply not true, it felt like a season 5 of the series……a bridge to something better.

The thing that made the show so strong was not the sex, the fashion or even the city. It was the friendships of these women. They all fought with each other and loved each other, and when you take away the fantastic outfits, accessories and fornication, you are left with a show about friendship and how good friends can often outlast good lovers.

The movie kind of lost track of this insight into friendship, although it was a lot of fun. I was thinking how could they do other movies/sequels? How could it work better?

Perhaps they should do three more movies. The first one was focused on Carrie, so why not focus on the other women, a movie for Charlotte, a movie for Samantha and a movie for Miranda. Let them be in the lead for a change and let SJP be a supporting character.
I know Sex and the City is about Carrie mainly, but I think these three women deserve a story all their own. Tagging on Miranda and Steve’s marriage problems did kind of muddle things up a little, the constant focus shifts were not needed.

Charlotte has always been the Park Avenue Pollyanna. And hers has usually been a one note joke, that is until season 4. When faced with having to convey the sorrow of a failed marriage, the heart ache of not being able to have a child, and the pain of knowing you are mainly at fault in the failure of a relationship, Kristen Davis stepped up and showed great depth and range. This was all the more apparent in the film when she is both trying to comfort Carrie and let Big know just how she feels (that ‘NO’ she screams at him shook me!). In that one scene she showed such a range. The heartache for a heart broken friend, the anger at a person mixed with the disappointment in them. Her face curls with both fury and sadness. It really made me want to see more of this Charlotte.

In her movie I would have her face the excitement of getting pregnant again, but I would have her loose her baby ( a boy) and not only have to deal with her heart break, but Harry’s despair at loosing a son. This would allow us to see the strength of Charlotte, that was only hinted at in the film.
Added to this I would add the challenge of when Lily realises she is adopted and racially different from her ‘normal’ sister (Rose).
Miranda would of course be the person to comfort Charlotte the best and it would give a chance to really explore how these two very different women are friends. I would have Samantha be the one to comfort Harry and bring him out of his grief. As a subplot, it would be interesting to have Carrie care for Lily and Rose whilst Charlotte and Harry spend some time grieving so she and Big have to come to terms with the fact that they may not have children.


Cynthia Nixon was arguable the best actor in the show. She was one of those actresses that you make you crack up with a sharp line delivery one minute, and break your heart with their vulnerability the next. Miranda’s story would be the toughest to do as her character has already been through a lot.

I would love to have her facing the decision of how to balance her life.

The easiest way to do this is to have Magda die. She has been a mother figure to Miranda, even though she has fought against it. Plus Magda is the reason Miranda can remain partner at the firm and keep some of her independence.

What would she do? Care for Brady and cut back work, or hire another nanny?
This was always something that I found so interesting in the series, the fact that she was always a lawyer first and mother second. Even when she finally put her relationship with Brady at the top of the pile, she still worked hard and kept a nanny.
How would she deal with the only person she trusted to take care of her child, dying? Would she get Charlotte and Carrie to help?
What happens when you realize you cannot have it all on your terms?
She would try to convince Steve to become a house husband, but also having the girls pitch in and help for a while (including Samantha who I really would like to see have a real bonding moment with Miranda) while she figures out what to do.
In the end I would like to see Charlotte and Steve share caring for Brady after school. This would allow us to see how Steve and Charlotte interact and bond, but also Miranda and Charlotte. Out of all the girls on the show, these two have not had enough moments together.


Samantha.
Well you know Samantha would be the most light hearted of the movies, but with a real strong dose of realism.
Kim Cattrall only began to show real range in the final few seasons of the show. Before she was just pure, sexy, over the top, fun.
She was the main funny of the show. You could always count on Sam Jones being the thing to either shock you or make you laugh at loud.

Throughout the show Samantha Jones was always aware of getting older, and seemed prepared for it. She was always cool and confident and un-apologetic about her desire for sex no matter how old, or young her conquest were.

It would be interesting to see her facing how perceptions change once a woman hits the big five zero and how a woman in turn deals with it.
Samantha has always been independent and has never really needed the support of the girls in anyway other than just their friendship, but it would be good to see her deal with how the people deal with a woman once she is considered to be too old to be sexy. Of course this would then reflect how the girls see themselves. Miranda, always the most insecure in regards to her looks would try to vamp it up. Carrie would start experimenting with new looks and become even more neurotic and Charlotte would be the one to embrace the aging process.

I would personally love to see these women on the screen again. I do not think that just because they are in their latter 40’s/50’s that they have no stories of relevance to share. In fact they are needed more than ever. We live in a world were a force like Madonna is mocked because she is 50 and still dancing and performing and being provocative. Lets face it women over 50 are not considered a subject of interest for film or TV, so we need to see a 40 something Carrie Bradshaw looking fashionable and cute. We need to see 40 something Miranda Hobbs holding down a job and a family. We need to see 40 something Charlotte deal with motherhood and infertility and we definitely need to see 50 something Samantha Jones f*cking her way into her 60’s.

Try ‘em, you might like ‘em

So I have been very very bad when it comes to my movie watching this summer. Sorry, but I have been focusing a lot more on music as it is the soundtrack to my life. Spent most of the summer listening to pre ‘Hard Candy’ Madonna, Macy Gray’s first album and Nelly Furtado’s second. However new music to love has kind of eluded me this summer. Until now!

I was just given Emiliana Torrini’s latest album ‘Me and Armini’. I whole heartedly recommend it to you all (Andra – This one is for you!). True she sounds like Bjork, but they are both Icelandic so the accent is where the similarity ends. She is one of those talents that should really be a lot bigger than they are. I would give a nice long review of the album, but this is something you need to discover for yourself. For me it is like sitting on a beach at dusk, watching the waves turn the sand, and letting your mind wander. Someone did a fantastic album sampler on You Tube, so check it out.



I shouldn’t love The Streets as much as I do. This is simply because I have this shallow little thing about bad teeth. It really skivs me out. But I am able to look past this every time Mike Skinner comes out with a new album. I have already sung my praises over ‘The Escapist’ which so far could actually be my song of the year. Now you must check out his album. The lead single is below and it is called “Everything is Borrowed” (like the album). Buy it!! The album tackles religion, life and death with his trade mark simple poetry. I always find the simplest things so profound.



Andra always comments when I talk about new music turned me onto this little bit of fierceness. VV Brown describes her music as “do wop indie, whilst travelling on a rocket, all the way up into the deepest part of outer space.” And did I add she is just fierce. Santogold, Janae Monroe and VV Brown so refreshing to me, black female artists not getting trapped in the current popular but uninspired R-n-B box. I hope we see a lot more of these ARTISTS, because that is what these woman are, everything about them, music, performance and image is all art. Check out her upcoming single ‘Crying Blood’ and check out her myspace page



Add to that above list there is the enormous talent on Ebony Jones. As NME put it “"EBONY BONES! Writing, producing and standing over her show-tune electro, the anti-diva's potty-mouthed Notting Hill carnivore creations
are a mish-mash of punk and party. Quite simply, her records could cause X-rated strip-show races in a dusty morgue.."
Now that is some big praise indeed. Luckily her music lives up to the praise, just check out her myspace page.
She is also courtesy of Andra who saw her at a Grace Jones concert recently and in a state of shock and awe of not only seeing one of his idols live, to then see a new obsession, he left a very breathless and I swear, tear stained, voice mail message for me.



This is why I love movies and music, they can get this amazing reaction out of me. Please check out these artists and give them a chance. They all deserve to be huge.

Actress-sexuals

Stinky Lu Lu and Nathaniel are worshippers of the female actor. And today, on my Birthday I just realised that I am as well.

Not only did I get episode 2 of Buffy season 8, but I got on DVD ‘Sex in the City: The Movie’ (you gotta have the set) ‘Juno’, ‘Waitress’ and ‘A Mighty Heart’. There is a distinct lack of cock in my DVD collection it seems. Lets just face it, a powerful female performance out does a powerful male performance every time.

I do think it is time to finally say that women are better, even if the media constantly makes you think otherwise.

I am back (ish) !

Hello y’all. Sorry for the lack of postings. I have taken some time off to try and decide if I am going to keep on blogging.

I am sad to announce that I am.

Writing a blog is a difficult thing to do, especially since it seems everyone has one. How do you make yours a unique voice? How do you stop repetition? How often do you need to post to keep up interest?

Well all these are questions I have been milling over in me head. Lately I have suffered from lazy posting syndrome. Just chucking up movie posters and trailers with little dialogue, so my new focus is basically to get my voice across. I have my strong opinions, so why not voice them more often. I have an overly critical eye, so let me share it, even if it against the grain.

Also I have been struggling with the whole movies love versus music love. Should I concentrate on one and not the other? Well no. I will continue to talk about both as this past summer the films out were not my cup of tea (I have seen nothing!!!) but the music being released excited me to no end. So expect a lot more of me talking/sharing the music I love.

Tis my Birthday today, so I will be celebrating over the next few days (when you get as old as me you need to string it out a little) but will resume normal posting soon thereafter!

To my glorious readers: Thanks for sticking with me!

Janelle Monae - 'Many Moons'

Well. Arjan Writes has been singing her praises for months and months, and although I hate being late on the band wagon, I must jump on and say there is nothing like her out there - Thank God.

The 'Notorious' 'W'

Well as far as bio pics go, this is certainly the year from them. I mean there is enough fodder here to keep the bip pic happy Academy joyous for years!

This is the first time I have chatted about 'W'. There was so much negative press about this film, as early as the script phase that it almost seemed to have been killed dead right then and there. Reports that the dialogue was unbelievable made me chuckle. Have they never heard the President of the United States speak? You just can't make up that sh*t.
I am not thinking this is going to be a huge awards magnet, simply because in recent year Oliver Stone has lost his sparkle. This probably won’t be a bow at his foot career comeback, but I am sure it is going to be entertaining none the less.




As for the ‘Notorious’ trailer. Well all I need to hear are the words Angela Bassett in a Bio Pic and I am excited.

Trailers, trailers, trailers

3 in fact!

Firstly we have the highly praised ‘Balast’ which caused a huge splash at Sundance and won it’s director the top award.




Then we have Best Animated Feature hopeful ‘Waltzing With Bashir’ which does look amazing.

Waltz with Bashir - Kinotrailer



And lastly we have that movie you may have hear about. You know the one staring those two young things from that movie about the sinking boat? Yes it is the trailer for ‘Revolutionary Road’.

Here is your chance!

Keira Knightley has spent the last couple of movies tressed up in period costumes: 'King Lear' (2010), 'The Duchess' (2008), 'The Edge of Love' (2008), 'Silk' (2007), 'Atonement' (2007), 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' (2007), 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' (2006), 'Pride & Prejudice' (2005). Phew....that's a lot of period. (ew..sorry, that does sound off)


Anywho it seems she is being cast in 'Last Night' a MODERN day story about a married couple who are spending a night apart while hubby goes on a business trip with a woman that he’s attracted to. While hubby is deciding whether or not to sleep with his co-worker, the wife meets a past love and may be the one to cheat.

The rest of the cast includes Eva Mendes, Sam Worthington and Guilluame Canet (yum!). Before you get too excited, it seems the writer of the Keira starer 'The Jacket' will be making her directing debut with this film. Who know she may be able to pull it off, I am just one of those people who hears that Eve Mendes is in a film and assumes it will not be all that good.

Here is hoping Knightley can break out of her self a little and start really digging deep into her characters. What most people forget is the girl is young (23) and has plenty of time to find her place. Plus you all know she will be that beautiful for a long long time!

'Another Way to Die'

No, the producers of the 'Saw' franchise are not holding think sessions to keep their franchise alive. It is in fact the new Bond song!
Since Amy Winehouse is far too much up her own arse these days to actually work, Alicia Keys and Jack White stepped up with this ditty.

What you think?

'Synecdoche, New York' Trailer

Something tell me this is not going to light up the Academy as some have thought. I am sure the reviews will be a mixture of 'baffled', 'ok's' and 'genius' which hardly ever translate into Oscar, which is a shame as it looks like the actors get to have some fun with this (possible Hoffman, but 'Doubt' id more likely there). There is also this whole 'Woody Allen' vide coming off the trailer....then again it does involve a man surrounded by a bunch of women.
Still it has sparked my curiosity at least....any thing with Samantha Morton will spark my curiosity.

Synedoche, New York - Trailer
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