Mini Review - 'Iron Man'

Well now. This was a surprise. Not a big fan of the ole lug in the comics, but my word 'Iron Man 2' cannot come fast enough.
Although it didn't surpass 'The Dark Knight' in terms of my over all appreciation, this was definitely more enjoyable entertainment - if that even makes sense.
The main failing of 'The Dark Knight' is the simple fact the Bruce Wayne is rather dull.
Tony Stark is not.
Robert Downey, Jr. plays him with relish. Charismatic, charming, egotistical and realistic.

I have to say my favourite thing about the film was the whole building of Iron Man was not done in a montage. You know directors like to speed up the plot to get to the action by slipping in a montage.
Here the films takes it's time, allowing the viewer to understand that no, Rome was not built in a day.

Also have to say I loved Gwen as Pepper Potts. A smart performance.

All in all this was a highly entertaining film that I now have to go and buy. Credit crunch be damned.

Grade: B+

Lavatory Lovestory

Oscar nominated short. iTunes uk is not selling them this year. Bunch of Chunts!

Уборная история - любовная история (Lavatory-Lovestory)
Uploaded by alexeych

'Push' renamed

Well it was getting confused with the Dakota Fanning starer of the same title, and 'Push: Base don a Novel by Sapphire' was a mouthful and honestly hurt my little fingers given the amount of times I have typed it.

So now it is called 'Precious' which is a brilliant alternative. Those who have read the book will know the many different ways in which her name is used and ultimately, what the word ends up meaning to her.


All the definitions work brilliantly

However....there is this film with the same title opening this year that also look compelling (the cast is definitely eye opening).

Most Anticipated - Supporting Actress

Amanda Seyfried - 'Chloe'
She is playing a call girl opposite Julianne Moore in a fidelity drama. If she is gonna hit the big time, this will be it.

Catherine Keener - 'Please Give'
The reliable and great actress teams up with Nicole Holofcener again - I am there.

Helen Mirren - 'State of Play'
The original role was a doozy for Bill Nighy. Can Helen live up to it or will she fail?

Li Gong - 'Shanghai'
The woman burns up the screen. Perhaps a glossy 1940's war drama will finally bring her the awards she deserves.

Kirstie Alley - 'Nailed'
The woman has always made me laugh, could teaming up with David O. Russell spell a comeback?

Kristen Johnston - 'Whatever Works'
I really like this actress. I think she has brilliant comedy chops. Can Woody Allen strike gold here?

Ling Bai - 'Love Ranch'
Crazy I know, but remember when she was thought of as a good actress. I still see remember how effective she was in 'Anna and the King' to not give up.

Mary Louise Parker - 'Solitary Man'
Playing a trophy wife opposite Michael Douglas should be a fun attention getting walk in the park for her.

Minnie Driver - 'Betty Anne Waters'
She needs a comeback and I know she can deliver. In this Hillary Swank staring legal drama lets hope she is best in show.

Mo'Nique - 'Push'
I......CAN......NOT.....WAIT

Nicole Kidman - 'Nine'
Will another musical be another gift for this gifted actress seeing as how she has been recently passed over.

Samantha Morton - 'The Messenger'
She will deliver another wonderful overlooked performance here. I just know it.

My Oscar Predicitions

Or how I need to shake things up myself, other wise I will die of boredom. Can it really be this predictable?

Best Picture:
"Slumdog Millionaire."

I mean is there any doubt?

Best Actor:
Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler."



Penn won too recently and honestly Rourke is sensational in the role. Either way they made the right decision.

Best Actress:
Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"*; 



She is really the best in this category (IMHO) and I think she could sneak in. HA!

Best Supporting Actor:
Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"; 



If this doesn't happen, may God have mercy on their souls....all I am saying.

Best Supporting Actress:
Viola Davis, "Doubt";

Just a hunch...in the Obama light I have a hunch. A close call, but I do need some upsets*.

Best Director:
Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire."



I am not crazy. If I predict anyone else I will look ready for the white van.

Best Foreign Film:
"Waltz With Bashir," Israel.



The triple threat takes it.

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire."



I mean it won everything else.

Best Original Screenplay:
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon and Pete Docter, "WALL-E."



Here is where it breaks tradition.

Best Animated Feature Film:
"WALL-E."



YAY

Best Art Direction:
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," 



Meh.

Best Cinematography:
"Slumdog Millionaire."



Meh

Best Sound Mixing:
"The Dark Knight,"

Shot in the dark here

Best Sound Editing:
"WALL-E," 



See above.

Best Original Score:
"Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman; 



You know what....I kind of want Slumdog to win this one. yay for Bollywood

Best Original Song:
"Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar;



You know they wanna dance around to this on the night.

Best Costume:
"The Duchess,"

I mean they were scrumptious!

Best Documentary Feature:
"Trouble the Water."



I am going with the more loved.

Best Documentary (short subject):
"The Conscience of Nhem En,"

No I haven't seen it, but that part of history is just SHOCKING.

Best Film Editing:
"Slumdog Millionaire."



They convince so many it was a brilliant film, and you know that is thanks to the editors.

Best Makeup:
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army."

I mean come on!!!

Best Animated Short Film:
"Presto,"

Presto! all the way. Pixar gets another!!

Best Live Action Short Film:
"Spielzeugland (Toyland)."

Holocaust...never bet against it

Best Visual Effects:
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,"

Every single actor will want to look young again.

*If I go with my head every year I will be right 9 times out of 10 but it is oh so boring.
I know these are not who is going to win, but limbs are there for us to go out on, other wise what is the fun.
As Sasha would say "NO GUTS NO GLORY"
With a race as predictable as this I am looking forward to be wrong...on both levels.

How do you....

..either convince this man to do gay porn or leave his wife to be my houseboy?

Most Anticipated - Lead Actor

Ben Foster - 'The Messenger'
After chewing the scenery in 3:10 to Yuma, Foster apparently delivers a exceptional and quiet performance in this Iraq drama.

Brendan Gleeson - 'Into the Storm'
He Plays Winston Churchill. Enough said. After 'In Bruges' I am a convert and cannot wait to see what he does.

Christopher Plummer - 'The Last Station'
Captain Von Trapp has yet to be rewarded by Oscar, so playing Russian author Leo Tolstoy could o the trick.

Clive Owen - 'The Boys Are Back in Town'
He play a sports writer who becomes a single parent in tragic circumstances. I cannot wait to see what he does with this.

Daniel Day Lewis - 'Nine'
Of course he is going to be here. Can the man do it all?

Demetri Martin - 'Taking Woodstock'
This funny comic is in the lead role of the new Ang Lee movie. He is also playing gay so I am wondering if lighting can strike twice.

Djimon Hounsou - 'The Tempest'
Oscar seems to like him, but I am more curious to see how well he handles the Shakespearean dialogue.

Javier Bardem - 'Biutiful'
You know he is going to own this movie.

Liam Neeson - 'Five Minutes of Heaven'
The word from Cannes is that he is simply amazing in this film. It is time he revisited Oscar.

Mark Wahlberg - 'The Lovely Bones'
do not know if he will be lead or supporting (book makes me think lead) and he is an odd choice, so I am very curious to see if he can do this.

Morgan Freeman - 'The Human Factor'
He plays Nelson Mandella. Enough said.

Sasha Baron Cohen - 'Bruno'
He was so close to Oscar for 'Borat'. I cannot wait to see what he does this time around. I bet he will once again be brilliant.

Glorious 'Inglourious Basterds' One Sheets

Or rather, this is who posters should be. Graphic and powerful and representing the film. In this case blood and humor.

Women in Trouble

Saw the below poster and it got me very very excited to see the movie. If the poster wasn't enough the title definitely is. the IMDB synopsis is even more intriguing:

"A serpentine day in the life of ten seemingly disparate women: a porn star, a flight attendant, a psychiatrist, a masseuse, a bartender, a pair of call girls, etc. All of them with one crucial thing in common. Trouble."

Added to this the cast and you have one interesting sounding film. It is having its World Premiere at SXSW on March 15.

Most Anticipated - Supporting Actor

Alessandro Nivola - 'Coco avant Chanel'
He impressed with 'Junebug'. I wonder if a grand bio pic is going to show what his stuff is made of.

Alfred Molina - 'The Tempest'
Playing Stephano and being directed by Julie Taymor should help bring out something. He is a well respected thesp who is always reliable.

Colin Farrell - 'The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus'
he was brilliant in 'In Bruges' so I am thinking that playing against type in this will work wonders.

Emile Hirsch - 'Taking Woodstock'
He is becoming more and more impressive. As I will say many many times, being directed by Ang Lee can bring forth magic

Heath Ledger - 'The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus'
I think this is on everyones list, heartbreaking though it is.

James McAvoy - 'The Last Station'
I mean he is acting with Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer! He has to get a break after being so close so many times.

Jason Bateman - 'State of Play'
A great role in the BBC miniseries, and he is an actor that everyone seems to like. Will the film be any good though? The trailer was poor.

Mark Ruffalo - 'Shutter Island' or 'Margaret'
I mean, he is being directed by Scorsese doesn't make the Academy take notice, nothing will. Perhaps re-teaming with Lonergan will remind them...if it gets released.

Patrick Stewart - 'This Side of the Truth'
I mean, he is working with Ricky Gervais. I know he is only a narrator, but my is there another voice you would prefer to listen to?

Paul Dano - 'Taking Woodstock'
A respected young actor who was probably very close to a nomination in 2008. Being directed by Ang Lee never hurt anyone.

Stanley Tucci - 'The Lovely Bones'
I for one thought it perfect casting, especially after his much ignored turn in 'The Devil Wears Prada'. I think he is going to impress.

Woody Harrelson - 'The Messenger'
He is said to be brilliant. The early word from Sundance was that this was a film to watch for performances. It has been a while for him.

'Los Abrazos Rotos' - trailer

I hope Penelope Cruz does not win the Oscar this year so that she can win it for this next year.
I AM SALIVATING

Oscar Winners Leaked

High light below if you want to know.
Could be a hoax, could not, but just in case, do not want to ruin anything.

Actor in a leading role: Mickey Rourke
Actor in a supporting role: Heath Ledger
Actress in a leading role: Kate Winslet
Actress in a supporting role: Amy Adams
Animated Feature Film: Wall-E
Art Direction: The Dark Knight
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Costume Design: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Directing: Slumdog Millionaire
Documentary feature: Man on Wire
Documentary short: The Conscience of Nhem En
Film editing: Milk
Foreign language film: Departures
Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Music (Score): Defiance
Music (Song): Down to Earth (Wall-E)
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Short film (animated): Presto
Short film (live action): Auf Der Strecke (On The Line)
Sound editing: Wall-E
Sound mixing: The Dark Knight
Visual effects: Iron Man
Writing (Adapted screenplay): The Reader
Writing (Original screenplay): In Bruges

Clipperoos and Traileramas

'Phoebe in Wonderland'



The movie tells the fantastical tale of a little girl who won't - or can't - follow the rules.
What initially looked like another whimsical tale of childhood seems to be more of a drama with a little girl with mental problems as the centre. It has made me intrigued. Advance reviews from Screendaily, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter all suggest that Fanning is best in show.


You want 'Watchmen' clips.


You got 'em

The Life of Ang

Ang Lee is, I would honestly say, the most interesting director currently working. I say this because there is no genre he has not tackled.
Not only has he tackled each one and succeeded, but he has also been able to inject each one with something surprising. Whether that be mood, performance, emotion, or subtext he manages to take each genre he works on, somewhere new.

This is a director who’s resume reads like a genre jumping schizophrenic:
Gay wedding comedy, family dramedy, Jane Austen, 70’s sex drama, western, martial arts fantasy actioner, comic book adaptation, gay romance, WWII espionage thriller and an upcoming comedy about Woodstock.

And just when his unpredictability has become predictable he goes and sets his sights on a project that not only makes me want to scream with joy, excitement, anticipation…er..joy but is a PERFECT match. I mean every single positive emotion possible.

Ang Lee wants to direct ‘The Life of Pi’.

This is turning out to be the best movie news day EVER!!!!

Deep breaths Michael, deep breaths.

The novel about 16-year-old Pi Patel who is raised in Pondicherry, India, where he tries on various faiths for size to see how they fit.
Planning a move to Canada, his father packs up the family and their menagerie of animals from the family zoo and they hitch a ride on an enormous freighter.
After a storm, Pi finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean, trapped on a 26-foot lifeboat with a wounded zebra, a spotted hyena, a seasick orangutan, and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
It may sound like the set up to a spin off of the ‘Madagascar’ animated films, but these wild beasts don't tall jokes and dance to bad 90’s euro house.

There is a lot of gore and death and blood until Pi and Richard Parker remain the boat's sole passengers, drifting for 227 days through shark-infested waters while fighting hunger, the elements, and an overactive imagination.

I read the book and most of the story takes place on the life boat. So this is going to be a challenge to bring to the big screen, but if anyone can do it is Lee.

IF this goes into production it will be my most anticipated film, like, EVER! IT is going to be stunning!! Mark my word, just look at the artist renderings below.

My only concern is that I hope he does not cast Dev Patel.

Click to embiggen.

New BOOM!

I didn’t see ‘Twilight’ even though I read and enjoyed the book. I just couldn’t deal with the hype so I decided I would wait until DVD where I can sit and enjoy it with the gigantic hype machine safely in the past.
I am even less interested in it now because of the news the Chris Weitz the man who (imho) completely f*cked up ‘The Golden Compass’ would be directing the sequel ‘New Moon’.

Now just when I had written off the series there comes the news that my one and only may be contributing to the soundtrack. I mean I just talked about the fact Madonna has never been recognized by the Academy for her music and now this news comes along.

This with the news below is just too much for me to bear. Could the planets be aligning? Could Madonna be a multi Oscar nominee??? Could I be getting myself in too much of a tizzy?
At the moment this is just rumor, but Madonna’s long time manager, Guy Oseary, is a producer on the movie. So as rumors go, this is hardly far fetched.

I cannot even imagine what Madonna could come up with for a moody angsty vampire love story, but the idea is enough to send me into fits of hysteria.

I am glad the original rumor has no merit, that Madonna may appear in the film.
I mean that was far too much! My head would have exploded.

Madonna + Vampire = BOOM!

Obsession of a Socialite.

Wallis Simpson is an interesting story. She was an American socialite who married, as her third husband, Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom.

On 20 January 1936, Edward ascended the throne as Edward VIII. His relationship with Wallis made him unpopular with the Conservative-led British government.
It became clear that he wanted to Marry Wallis, but he could not do so and keep the throne.
On 10 December 1936 the King signed the Instrument of Abdication
The King signed the Instrument of Abdication on 10 December 1936.
On 11 December 1936, Edward made a broadcast to the people, saying of Wallis:

"I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility, and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do, without the help and support of the woman I love."

An epic gesture to the woman he loves. This will make an epic film, and guess what. Madonna herself has written to the Queen asking permission to make the film as a vehicle for her to star in (she certainly can look the part).

I have always thought Madonna could be a fantastic actress, she just needs to leave her ego at the door and find a director who is not afraid of her. Apparently she is obsessed with this story and passion can go a long way in delivering a great performance, as can a recent emotional upheaval.

Could this be the film to silence the nay-sayers? Or is she in over her head.