Supporting Actress - The Race

Supporting Actress - The Race

Supporting Actress - The Race

Supporting Actress - The Race

supporting Actress - The Race

'It's a Wonderful Afterlife' trailer

I am so excited. My friend Goldy is in a movie!!! What a wonderful pre Christmas present to see the trailer!!

Watch it here

Supporting Actress - The Race

Mini Reviews

‘Good Hair’

Funny and down right shocking documentary. Not only because it is sad that the ideal beauty is so unattainable and wrong, but that people will spend so much to look like this ideal.

A funny a Chris Rock is, he does know when to stand back and let the people in his film do the talking, and it does give a refreshing insight into black culture, however the climax of the hair show was not really needed.
The history and evolving of black hair is much more fascinating.

Grade – B+


‘Food, Inc’

Of course it is shocking and extremely disturbing and as an animal lover I had to look away a few times, however, it most probably will not change too many people into eating better.

When you go to a supermarket, after a gruelling day at work, you just want to get out of there as quickly as possible. Buying organic, and reading labels is sometimes the furthest thing from your mind.

It would have been nice to see that this film offered a convenient alternative, but maybe that is the point. Doing the right thing is never convenient.

Grade - B


‘The Blind Side’

The story of Michael Oher is a fascinating one, and one that deserves a film that does not turn it into a story mainly about the spunky Southern white woman who takes him in.
By focusing on Leigh Anne Tuohy this becomes less about the struggles of this poor and sensitive black teenage boy, and more about the kindly white woman.

Sandra Bullock gives a restrained performance, but somehow never fully fleshes this woman out. This could have been her ‘Erin Brockovich’ however is it just a good performance in a less than mediocre film about wealthy rednecks who take in a black kid.

Grade - C-


‘Cloudy With a Chance of Meatball’

Wow, this was a hell of a lot of fun. Silly, funny, lovely to look at it is what a non Pixar film should be.
Escapist entertainment that makes you feel like a little kid again.
Plus the voice cast was fantastic. I mean you get Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Mr. T, Neil Patrick Harris, Al Roker, Benjamin Bratt and Lauren Graham all in a film together.
I especially loved Al playing a white dude.

Grade – B+


‘A Serious Man’

I usually really like the Coen Brothers movies. I really do.

However, about 30 minutes into ‘A Serious Man’ I was wondering if I should leave. I was bored and not enjoying myself at all. I found the film slow, the characters annoyed me and I just felt so sorry for the lead character.

As the film progressed I began to enjoy it more and then by the end I was won over by this odd and very sad film.
We have those times where things pile up and we cannot cope, and question why it is happening. This films looks at this through the eyes of a very weak timid man (the wondrous Michael Stuhlbard) who towards the end realises that sometimes things just happen to prepare us for what is next.

Grace - B

Supporting Actress - The Race

R.I.P.

Such sad sad news. Whatever the reasons do not matter. So sad when someone who showed great talent is taken away so young

Supporting Actress - The Race

'The Runaways' Trailer

My word has Dakota Fanning grown up. Kind of looking forward to this one.

Please read

THIS

SAG Nominations

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

JEFF BRIDGES / Bad Blake - "CRAZY HEART"
GEORGE CLOONEY / Ryan Bingham - "UP IN THE AIR"
COLIN FIRTH / George Falconer - "A SINGLE MAN"
MORGAN FREEMAN / Nelson Mandela - "INVICTUS"
JEREMY RENNER / Staff Sgt. William James - "THE HURT LOCKER"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

SANDRA BULLOCK / Leigh Anne Tuohy - "THE BLIND SIDE"
HELEN MIRREN / Sofya - "THE LAST STATION"
CAREY MULLIGAN / Jenny - "AN EDUCATION"
GABOUREY SIDIBE / Precious - "PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE"
MERYL STREEP / Julia Child - "JULIE & JULIA"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

MATT DAMON / Francois Pienaar - "INVICTUS"
WOODY HARRELSON / Captain Tony Stone - "THE MESSENGER"
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER / Tolstoy - "THE LAST STATION"
STANLEY TUCCI / George Harvey - "THE LOVELY BONES"
CHRISTOPH WALTZ / Col. Hans Landa - "INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

PENÉLOPE CRUZ / Carla - "NINE"
VERA FARMIGA / Alex Goran - "UP IN THE AIR"
ANNA KENDRICK / Natalie Keener - "UP IN THE AIR"
DIANE KRUGER / Bridget Von Hammersmark - "INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS"
MO'NIQUE / Mary - "PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE"

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

AN EDUCATION (Sony Pictures Classics)
DOMINIC COOPER / Danny
ALFRED MOLINA / Jack
CAREY MULLIGAN / Jenny
ROSAMUND PIKE / Helen
PETER SARSGAARD / David
EMMA THOMPSON / Headmistress
OLIVIA WILLIAMS / Miss Stubbs

THE HURT LOCKER (Summit Entertainment)
CHRISTIAN CAMARGO / Col. John Cambridge
BRIAN GERAGHTY / Specialist Owen Eldridge
EVANGELINE LILLY / Connie James
ANTHONY MACKIE / Sgt. J.T. Sanborn
JEREMY RENNER / Staff Sgt. William James

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures)
DANIEL BRÜHL / Fredrick Zoller
AUGUST DIEHL / Major Hellstrom
JULIE DREYFUS / Francesca Mondino
MICHAEL FASSBENDER / Lt. Archie Hicox
SYLVESTER GROTH / Joseph Goebbels
JACKY IDO / Marcel
DIANE KRUGER / Bridget Von Hammersmark
MÉLANIE LAURENT / Shosanna
DENIS MENOCHET / Perrier LaPedite
MIKE MYERS / General Ed French
BRAD PITT / Lt. Aldo Raine
ELI ROTH / Sgt. Donny Donowitz
TIL SCHWEIGER / Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz
ROD TAYLOR / Winston Churchill
CHRISTOPH WALTZ / Col. Hans Landa
MARTIN WUTTKE / Hitler

NINE (The Weinstein Company)
MARION COTILLARD / Luisa Contini
PENÉLOPE CRUZ / Carla
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS / Guido Contini
JUDI DENCH / Lillian
FERGIE / Saraghina
KATE HUDSON / Stephanie
NICOLE KIDMAN / Claudia
SOPHIA LOREN / Mamma

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL "PUSH" BY SAPPHIRE (Lionsgate)
MARIAH CAREY / Ms. Weiss
LENNY KRAVITZ / Nurse John
MO'NIQUE / Mary
PAULA PATTON / Ms. Rain
SHERRI SHEPHERD / Cornrows
GABOUREY SIDIBE / Precious

PRIMETIME TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

KEVIN BACON / Lt. Col. Michael R. Strobl - "TAKING CHANCE"
CUBA GOODING, JR. / Ben Carson - "GIFTED HANDS: THE BEN CARSON STORY"
JEREMY IRONS / Alfred Stieglitz - "GEORGIA O'KEEFFE"
KEVIN KLINE / Cyrano de Bergerac - "GREAT PERFORMANCES: CYRANO de BERGERAC"
TOM WILKINSON / Salter - "A NUMBER"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

JOAN ALLEN / Georgia O'Keeffe - "GEORGIA O'KEEFFE"
DREW BARRYMORE / Little Edie - "GREY GARDENS"
RUBY DEE / Mrs. Harper - "AMERICA"
JESSICA LANGE / Big Edie - "GREY GARDENS"
SIGOURNEY WEAVER / Mary Griffith - "PRAYERS FOR BOBBY"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

SIMON BAKER / Patrick Jane - "THE MENTALIST"
BRYAN CRANSTON / Walter White - "BREAKING BAD"
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan - "DEXTER"
JON HAMM / Don Draper - "MAD MEN"
HUGH LAURIE / House - "HOUSE"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

PATRICIA ARQUETTE/ Allison Dubois - "MEDIUM"
GLENN CLOSE / Patty Hewes - "DAMAGES"
MARISKA HARGITAY / Det. Olivia Benson - "LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT"
HOLLY HUNTER / Grace Hanadarko - "SAVING GRACE"
JULIANNA MARGULIES / Alicia Florrick - "THE GOOD WIFE"
KYRA SEDGWICK / Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson - "THE CLOSER"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy - "30 ROCK"
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott - "THE OFFICE"
LARRY DAVID / Himself - "CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM"
TONY SHALHOUB / Adrian Monk - "MONK"
CHARLIE SHEEN / Charlie Harper - "TWO AND A HALF MEN"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE / Samantha Newly - "SAMANTHA WHO?"
TONI COLLETTE / Tara Gregor - "UNITED STATES OF TARA"
EDIE FALCO / Jackie Peyton - "NURSE JACKIE"
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon - "30 ROCK"
JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS / Christine Campbell - "THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE"

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

THE CLOSER
DEXTER
THE GOOD WIFE
MAD MEN
TRUE BLOOD

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

30 ROCK
CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM
GLEE
MODERN FAMILY
THE OFFICE

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

PUBLIC ENEMIES
STAR TREK
TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series

24
THE CLOSER
DEXTER
HEROES
THE UNIT

LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Screen Actors Guild Awards 46th Annual Life Achievement Award
Betty White

Globe Reactions.

I really do not have many. I guess the Sandra Bullock momentum is kind of hard to ignore right now, and how strange that Emily Blunt is nominated.... then again the Globes do seem to like her.
Sad to see Renner missing from the Actor line up, but it is kind of cool to have new names thrown in. I was terrified 'Precious' and Gabby would not be in the mix. I am so glad I was wrong about that snub.

However the most interesting thing is the TV categories. Yay to 'Modern Family' and 'Glee', but funny how the acting categories read like a who's who of Oscars past. Glenn Close, Anna Paquin, Toni Collette, Alec Baldwin, Joan Allen, Jessica Lange, Sigourney Weaver, Kenneth Branagh, Jeremy Irons, WIlliam Hurt, John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, and Chloe Sevigny.

Is TV where all the great actors are?

Golden Globe Nominations

Forget the movie nominations. It is all about......

Best Motion Picture -- Drama
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Precious
Up in the Air

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture -- Drama
Emily Blunt - The Young Victoria
Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side
Helen Mirren - The Last Station
Carey Mulligan - An Education
Gabourey Sadibe - Precious

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture -- Drama
Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
George Clooney - Up in the Air
Colin Firth - A Single Man
Morgan Freeman - Invictus
Tobey Maguire - Brothers

Best Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy
(500) Days of Summer
The Hangover
It's Complicated
Julie & Julia
Nine

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy
Sandra Bullock - The Proposal
Marion Cotillard - Nine
Meryl Streep - It's Complicated
Meryl Streep - Julie and Julia
Julia Roberts - Duplicity

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy
Matt Damon - The Informant
Daniel Day Lewis - Nine
Robert Downey Jr. - Sherlock Holmes
Joseph Gordon Levitt - (500) Days of Summer
Michael Stuhlbarg - A Serious Man

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Mo-Nique - Precious
Julianne Moore - A Single Man
Anna Kendrick - Up in the Air
Vera Farmiga - Up in the Air
Penelope Cruz - Nine

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Matt Damon - Invictus
Stanley Tucci - The Lovely Bones
Christopher Plummer - The Last Station
Christopher Waltz - Inglorious Basterds
Woody Harrelson - The Messenger

Best Animated Feature Film
Coraline
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
The Princess and the Frog
Up

Best Foreign Language Film
Barria
Broken Embraces
A Prophet
The White Ribbon
The Maid

Best Directore
Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker
James Cameron - Avatar
Clint Eastwood - Invictus
Jason Reitman - Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino - Inglorious Basterds

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Up in the Air
It's Complicated
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds

Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Michael Giacchino - Up
Marvin Hamlisch - The Informant
James Horner - Avatar
Abel Krozeniowski - A Single Man
Karen O. and Carter Burwell - Where the Wild Things Are

Best Original Song - Motion Picture
"I Will See You," Avatar
"The Weary Kind," The Crazy Heart
"Winter," Brothers
"Cinema Italiano," Nine
"I Want to Come Home," Everybody's Fine

Best Television Series - Drama
Big Love (HBO)
Dexter (Showtime)
House (Fox)
Mad Men (AMC)
True Blood (HBO)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
Simon Baker - The Mentalist
Michael C. Hall - Dexter
Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Hugh Laurie - House
Bill Paxton - Big Love

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Glenn Close - Damages
January Jones - Mad Men
Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife
Anna Paquin - True Blood
Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer

Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical
30 Rock (NBC)
Entourage (HBO)
Glee (FOX)
Modern Family (ABC)
The Office (NBC)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
Toni Collette -United States of Tara
Courteney Cox - Cougar Town
Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey - 30 Rock
Lea Michele - Glee

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
Steve Carell - The Office
David Duchovny - Californication
Thomas Jane - Hung
Matthew Morrison - Glee

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made For Television
Georgia O’Keefe
Grey Gardens
Into the Storm
Little Dorrit
Taking Chance

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made For Television
Joan Allen - Georgia O’Keefe
Drew Barrymore - Grey Gardens
Jessica Lange - Grey Gardens
Anna Paquin - The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler
Sigourney Weaver - Prayers for Bobby

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Kevin Bacon - Taking Chance
Kenneth Branagh - Wallander: One Step Behind
Chiewetel Ejiofor - Endgame
Brendan Gleeson - Into the Storm
Jeremy Irons - Georgia O’Keefe

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Jane Adams - Hung
Rose Byrne - Damages
Jane Lynch - Glee
Janet McTeer - Into the Storm
Chloe Sevigny - Big Love

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Michael Emerson - Lost
Neil Patrick Harris - How I Met Your Mother
William Hurt - Damages
John Lithgow - Dexter
Jeremy Piven- Entourage

'Robin Hood' trailer

Ladies and Gentlemen, here we find the trailer for Ridley Scotts 'Robin Hood' or as I now see it, 'Gladiator' set in England. At least it will get the ladies (and some gents) fodding themselves off over Russell again.

The Critics.

Well one thing is for sure. 'The Hurt Locker', 'Up in the Air', Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan, George Clooney, Mo'Nique, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Waltz and Katherine Bigelow are all locks for Oscar.

But with so many critically loved films like 'Inglourious Basterds', 'Precious', 'The Messenger' and 'A Serious Man' you would hope for there to be a little diversity.

But these are critics. They are not the Academy. Sweeping the critics does not mean winning an Oscar or even being nominated. Don't believe me, as Sally Hawkins.

The Golden Globes are announcing tomorrow and what should we expect? I am fully expecting a 'Precious' snub. Perhaps not in the acting categories, but definitely in Best Picture, Director and Screenplay. The Golden Globes want STARS and big names (they always do. So you could be looking at nominees like Mariah Carey, Robert Downey Jr, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Alec Baldwin, Matt Damon, Emma Thompson and a slew of the 'Nine' women.

Wait and see tomorrow.

New York Film Critics Circle

Best Film: “The Hurt Locker”
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow for “The Hurt Locker”
Best Screenplay: “In the Loop”
Best Actress: Meryl Streep for “Julie & Julia”
Best Actor: George Clooney for “Up In The Air” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox”
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique for “Precious”
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz for “Inglourious Basterds”
Best Cinematography: Christian Berger for “The White Ribbon”
Best Animated Film: “Fantastic Mr. Fox”
Best Non-fiction Film: “Of Time and the City”
Best Foreign Language Film: “Summer Hours”
Best First Feature: “Hunger,” director Steve McQueen
Special Award: To Andrew Sarris for his contribution to film criticism

Broadcast Film Critics Choice Nominations

BEST PICTURE
Avatar
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Invictus
Nine
Precious
A Serious Man
Up
Up In The Air

BEST ACTOR
Jeff Bridges – “Crazy Heart”
George Clooney – “Up In The Air”
Colin Firth – “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman – “Invictus”
Viggo Mortensen – “The Road”
Jeremy Renner – “The Hurt Locker”

BEST ACTRESS
Emily Blunt – “The Young Victoria”
Sandra Bullock – “The Blind Side”
Carey Mulligan – “An Education”
Saoirse Ronan – “The Lovely Bones”
Gabourey Sidibe – “Precious”
Meryl Streep – “Julie & Julia”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Matt Damon – “Invictus”
Woody Harrelson – “The Messenger”
Christian McKay – “Me And Orson Welles”
Alfred Molina – “An Education”
Stanley Tucci – “The Lovely Bones”
Christoph Waltz – “Inglourious Basterds”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Marion Cotillard – “Nine”
Vera Farmiga – “Up In The Air”
Anna Kendrick – “Up In The Air”
Mo’Nique – “Precious”
Julianne Moore – “A Single Man”
Samantha Morton – “The Messenger”

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
Jae Head – “The Blind Side”
Bailee Madison – “Brothers”
Max Records – “Where The Wild Things Are”
Saoirse Ronan – “The Lovely Bones”
Kodi Smit-McPhee – “The Road”

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
Inglourious Basterds
Nine
Precious
Star Trek
Up In The Air

BEST DIRECTING
Kathryn Bigelow – “The Hurt Locker”
James Cameron – “Avatar”
Lee Daniels – “Precious”
Clint Eastwood – “Invictus”
Jason Reitman – “Up In The Air”
Quentin Tarantino – “Inglourious Basterds”

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Mark Boal – “The Hurt Locker”
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen – “A Serious Man”
Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber – “(500) Days Of Summer”
Bob Peterson, Peter Docter – “Up”
Quentin Tarantino – “Inglourious Basterds”

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Wes Anderson, Noah Baumbach – “Fantastic Mr. Fox”
Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell – “District 9”
Geoffrey Fletcher – “Precious”
Tom Ford, David Scearce – “A Single Man”
Nick Hornby – “An Education”
Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner – “Up In The Air”

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Barry Ackroyd – “The Hurt Locker”
Dion Beebe – “Nine”
Mauro Fiore – “Avatar”
Andrew Lesnie – “The Lovely Bones”
Robert Richardson – “Inglourious Basterds”

BEST ART DIRECTION
Dan Bishop – “A Single Man”
Rick Carter, Robert Stromberg – “Avatar”
John Myhre, Gordon Sim – “Nine”
Naomi Shohan, George De Titta, Jr. – “The Lovely Bones”
David Wasco, Sandy Reynolds Wasco – “Inglourious Basterds”

BEST EDITING
Dana E. Glauberman – “Up In The Air”
Sally Menke – “Inglourious Basterds”
Bob Murawski, Chris Innis – “The Hurt Locker”
Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua, James Cameron – “Avatar”
Claire Simpson, Wyatt Smith – “Nine”

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Colleen Atwood – “Nine”
Janet Patterson – “Bright Star”
Sandy Powell – “The Young Victoria”
Anna Sheppard – “Inglourious Basterds”
Casey Storm – “Where The Wild Things Are”

BEST MAKEUP
Avatar
District 9
Nine
The Road
Star Trek

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Avatar
District 9
The Lovely Bones
Star Trek
2012

BEST SOUND
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Nine
Star Trek

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Princess And The Frog
Up

BEST ACTION MOVIE
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek

BEST COMEDY
(500) Days Of Summer
The Hangover
It’s Complicated
The Proposal
Zombieland

BEST PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Gifted Hands
Grey Gardens
Into The Storm
Taking Chance

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Broken Embraces
Coco Before Chanel
Red Cliff
Sin Nombre
The White Ribbon

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Anvil
Capitalism: A Love Story
The Cove
Food, Inc.
Michael Jackson’s This Is It

BEST SONG
“All Is Love” – Karen O, Nick Zinner – “Where The Wild Things Are”
“Almost There” – Randy Newman – “The Princess And The Frog”
“Cinema Italiano” – Maury Yeston – “Nine”
“(I Want To) Come Home” – Paul McCartney – “Everybody’s Fine”
“The Weary Kind” – T Bone Burnett, Ryan Bingham – “Crazy Heart”

BEST SCORE
Michael Giacchino – “Up”
Marvin Hamlisch – “The Informant!”
Randy Newman – “The Princess and the Frog”
Karen O, Carter Burwell – “Where The Wild Things Are”
Hans Zimmer – “Sherlock Holmes”

Los Angels Film Critics Association Awards

PICTURE: “The Hurt Locker”
Runner-up: “Up in the Air”

DIRECTOR: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
Runner-up: Michael Haneke, “The White Ribbon”

ACTRESS: Yolande Moreau, “Séraphine”
Runner-up: Carey Mulligan, “An Education”

ACTOR: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
Runner-up: Colin Firth, “A Single Man”

SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
Runner-up: Anna Kendrick, “Up in the Air”

SUPPORTING ACTOR: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
Runner-up: Peter Capaldi, “In the Loop”

SCREENPLAY: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, “Up in the Air”
Runner-up: Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci and Tony Roche, “In the Loop”

ANIMATION: “Fantastic Mr. Fox”
Runner-up: “Up”

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: “Summer Hours”
Runner-up: “The White Ribbon”

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Christian Berger, “The White Ribbon”
Runner-up: Barry Ackroyd, “The Hurt Locker”

MUSIC/SCORE: T-Bone Burnett and Stephen Bruton, “Crazy Heart”
Runner-up: Alexandre Desplat, “Fantastic Mr. Fox”

PRODUCTION DESIGN: Philip Ivey, “District 9″
Runner-up: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg, “Avatar”

DOCUMENTARY/NON-FICTION FILM: “The Beaches of Agnès” and “The Cove” (tie)

DOUGLAS E. EDWARDS INDEPENDENT/EXPERIMENTAL FILM/VIDEO: C.W. Winter and Anders Edstrom, “The Anchorage”

New York Film Critics Online

Best Film: Avatar
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Best Actress: Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, Precious
Breakthrough Performer: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
Best Ensemble: In the Loop
Best Foreign Film: The White Ribbon
Best Documentary: The Cove
Best Cinematography: Robert Richardson, Inglourious Basterds
Best Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
Best Directorial Debut: Marc Webb, (500) Days of Summer
Best Film Music or Score: Crazy Heart

NYFCO Top Ten Films of 2009:

Adventureland (Miramax Films)
Avatar (20th Century Fox)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (Fox Searchlight)
The Hurt Locker (Summit Entertainment)
Inglourious Basterds (The Weinstein Co.)
The Messenger (Oscilloscope)
Precious (Lionsgate)
A Serious Man (Focus Features
Two Lovers (Magnolia)
Up (Disney/Pixar)
Up in the Air (Paramount)

Boston Film Critics

Best Picture : The Hurt Locker
Best Actor : Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker
Best Actress : Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia
Best Supporting Actor : Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds
Best Supporting Actress ; Mo’Nique for Precious
Best Director : Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
Best Screenplay : Joel Coen and Ethan Coen for A Serious Man
Best Cinematography : Barry Ackroyd for The Hurt Locker
Best Documentary : The Cove
Best Foreign-Language Film : Summer Hours
Best Animated Film : Up
Best Film Editing : Bob Murawski and Chris Innis for The Hurt Locker
Best New Filmmaker : Neill Blomkamp for District 9
Best Ensemble Cast : Tie between Precious and Star Trek
Best Use of Music in a Film : Crazy Heart

Calm before the storm.

I have been taking a much needed breather. To be honest reading some of the articles online (Jeff Wells, Awards Daily commentators) have really put me in a funk.
I mean there is so much hate out there it is disheartening.
I am especially talking about the hate against 'Precious' and especially Mo'Nique. This slow burning back lash has more to racism than it does with the merits of the film. It has more to do with people thinking this one story represents the whole of black society that is has to do with this one story. It has everything to do with ignorance.
If we don't like it, burn it to the ground.

Fact: there are people out there who LOVE the film. I think it is the best film I have seen in some time, but I also do not believe it will come with Oscars. Hardly any film I love comes with Oscars. I am, at this point, but even convinced it will come with nominations.

When Mo'Nique asks why should she campaign it is a legitimate questions. The work IS up there to be judged. If you have to campaign to get the Academy to see the film then all that proves is the Academy is not taking their job seriously. They should be seeing every film and making a judgement.
However this is not how it works, and props to Mo'Nique for not wanting to rim the Academy's a**holes to get an award. Sure it will cost her and Oscar, but her pride will be intact.

From no on I am not going to slag any of the other contenders off like I usually do, because some one out there who reads this little space in cyber town may get offended. I will not be like some of those commentators on Awards Daily (Hunter, bambi, even Ryan Adams) who seem to take such joy in insulting someone's hard work. I will try and be more like Nat over at the film experience.
Constructive.

Ain't CGI wonderful

Smear campaigns

Are ridiculous, especially when they come from a source that looks like this:


And that is my bitchy quota for the year.

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!

The 'Precious' debate

If you scroll through any of the posts about 'Precious' over at 'Awards Daily' you will see some very serious debates, some of these come in the form of attacks. - and man can they be vicious.
I do not think there is a film so far this year to inspire such feeling. What people love about the film, others resent:The sucker punch the film delivers

The representation of people on welfare
The representation of the black community
Having an over average weight woman as the lead
The representation of the welfare system
The representation of the education system
The movie

Sadly what people are forgetting is that this is just one story. No single story can ever represent a community, a class or a people, but take every story ever told and you will find a fairly accurate representation of mankind.
Still some of the attacks on the film are extremely vicious and rampant (I swear the people froth at the mouth while writing the pieces they write). That is something that saddens me, that so much hate, confusion, anger and bitterness as stemmed from this film.
I left the cinema thankful for seeing film about a girl with no prospects, decide that she was worth fighting for a future. I guess growing up being exposed to domestic and other abuse allows for seeing a film like this in a different light.
I know Precious. Many of my friends do. Sadly, many of the people I have spoken to also know Mary. It does exist, this abuse, and I for one am happy there is a film getting a lot of attention and inspiring a lot of debate for shining a light on it.

Best Original Song

Sometimes, when you stop to think about it, the Oscars can be really bloody cool.

Nothing Really Matter but MOI

Mini Reviews

'Monsters vs Aliens'

I get it, I get it. Animated films are largely aimed at kids. But do they have to be so dumb and dull?
I mean really, I did not crack a smile watching this.
Not a one.
Am I asking too much for these studios to make a film that makes me feel something other than "when does this end?".
Last night I re-watched 'The Iron Giant'. Now that is how you do it.

Grade - D+

'Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen'

Someone please make Michael Bay watch all his films in a row, then sit him in front of 'Star Trek', 'District 9', 'The Dark Knight' and many other films that involve heros, CGI, explosions until he sees the difference with what he makes (a loud, ugly mess for people with ADD).
I actually think that man suffers with ADD and needs to get some serious help.
Here is what was wrong with the film:The plot. How can you follow it? Make it simple. Deceptions need a new home and do not want to share it. See Michael Bay - EASY! Please cut out a explosion that would only take up 5 minutes and pay a screenwriter.
Shia LaBeouf. He acts like he has ADD too. When you find yourself wish to see more of Megan Fox you know you lead is not very good.
What I love about the cartoon and the toys is seeing how they transform, and it making sense. Here they make no sense in terms of scale and transformability. And do not get me started on Devastator. He was the toy I always wanted and never got. Here they turned him into a giant hoover. The only reason this film does not get an 'F' grade is because of Soundwave. He was cool.

On second thought. Just retire Michael Bay, he is not worth keeping around. I only watched this because the child in me demanded it.

Grade - D-

'Invictus' reviewed

David Ansen over at Newsweek has chimed in:

"We witness a politician at the top of his game: Freeman's wily Mandela is a master of charm and soft-spoken gravitas. Anthony Peckham's sturdy, functional screenplay, based on John Carlin's book Playing the Enemy, can be a bit on the nose (and the message songs Eastwood adds are overkill). Yet the lapses fade in the face of such a soul-stirring story—one that would be hard to believe if it were fiction."

I could not really tell if the review was great or good.
I am very curious about this film. I normally find Clints films rather dull or lacking in something to make them great, but sometimes spotted with wonderful performances (Meryl Streep, Marcia Gay Harden to name a few) that lift the material up. I mean Meryl in 'Bridges' makes that film ten times better that it was.

Also on TMRzoo I read this review by Bruce Owens (no idea who the guy is or about the site, just came up in a Google search and I went to it):
In it he says the following (which made me smile a little):

"Invictus is a poem by British poet William Ernest Henley. The title is Latin for “unconquered”. This movie title has been chosen for the new Clint Eastwood film about South Africa’s triumph in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. He should have titled the movie “Somni” which is Latin for sleep. Clint’s 34th outing as a Director looks like he has gone down the Changeling and Bridges of Madison County road again. No one can bore an audience like Clint can."

Ouch. But obviously this review does not matter, what matters is that if one person feels it, then others will as well, just how many is beyond me.

The film will no doubt 'stir the soul' for some, but it will definitely have it's cracks. Will it make the final 10? More than likely. The question we have to ask, will the movie be a big enough hit to get nominations for its director and actors? I say this because the field is tightening up and you have to ask who you can drop to make room.

More 'The Wolfman' goodness

Wow. 'The Wolfman' poster are pretty things to behold. They evoke that old fashioned gothic horror that has sadly been replaced by puppets with saws.

The first new poster:

Showing the gigantic Wolfman and the small Emily Blunt is effective in conveying how she is completely overwhelmed by the man/beast. However it does make me laugh a little. The Wolfmans breath blends into the light which illuminates Blunt. However the effect looks more like he coughing his raw meat breath all over the poor woman.

The second new poster:

Much better.
Bloodied, ripped and howling (how sex should be ;). I am loving the use of perspective and angles in these posters. Job well done!

'The Last Station' trailer

Well after seeing it I seriously think Helen is in the race big time, and so is Christopher Plummer.

The person I am most excited to see though is Anne-Marie Duff who I think is a wonderful actress.

'The Princess and the Frog' screens

Well it seems the fate of the Best Animated Film category at the Oscars is going to be pretty much sewn up soonish.

With 'Up' as a lock, and 'Coraline' looking really good we can now most likely add 'The Princess and the Frog' to the lock/likely list.

Although Justin Change of Variety was not blown away:

"Disney goes back to the drawing board with results more diverting than captivating in "The Princess and the Frog." Conspicuously outfitted with an African-American heroine and a vibrant 1920s New Orleans setting, this cheeky update of a classic fairy tale boasts almost as many talking points as merchandising opportunities, and should enjoy jazzy holiday biz starting with its Thanksgiving weekend bicoastal engagement and extending well past its Dec. 11 wide release. But whatever it accomplishes for Disney's reputation or bottom line, this long-anticipated throwback to a venerable house style never comes within kissing distance of the studio's former glory."

This would usually usher in a whole bunch of people immediately dismissing the film (me included - for some reason I think of Variety as holy) but Kirk Honeycutt at The Hollywood Reporter loved the film saying:

"This is the best Disney animated film in years. Audiences -- who don't care whether it's cel animation, CGI, stop motion, claymation or motion capture as long as it's a good story -- will respond in large numbers. A joyous holiday season is about to begin for Disney."

And over at Entertainment Weekly, Lisa Schwarzbaum echos that statement in her grade 'A' review saying

"Young viewers of The Princess and the Frogwon't give a croak that the marvelous new 
 adventure from Walt Disney Animation Studios has been created using the same hand-drawn, 2-D techniques that entertained those viewers'Bambi-loving grandparents more than 65 years ago. But adults should: This old-fashioned charmer holds its own beside the motion-capture elegance of Disney's A Christmas Carol, the engrossing stop-motion universes ofCoraline and Fantastic Mr. Fox, the CG-enhanced genius of Up, the wonder of 3-D technology, and, indeed, the unique, hand-drawn Japanese artistry of Hayao Miyazaki's Ponyo as the year's deepest, most affecting, and most inventive movies"

Glad to see they are back. I for one cannot wait to see if it lives up for the gloriousness of its hey day. My childhood demands it.

New 'Nine' poster

Is it just me, or is this poster campaign all over the place?


First we had this poster:

I did like it even if the sun light soaked back drop does look a little bit like the Batman symbol. Plus the obsessive compulsive in me got really worried about shoes on a white sofa. I also was not overly happy with the red font. It looked tacked on and not thought out. However it worked very well in setting the mood for the central character.


Then this poster gets released:

I get it, a movie within a movie - poster within a poster.
Still it just does not work for me.
Penélope is caught at an awkward angle (she looks in the throws of ecstasy of arm pit shaving), Kate looks like she is practising her red carpet pose, Marion looks annoyed and bored, like she has been waiting at the Dr's office for a really long time. As for Nicole, well she looks like she need some allergy eye drops and an emergency room visit. She must be having an allergic reaction 'cause her head look HUGE!.


Then we get this photoshopped and jumbled mess:

Daniel must have something in his ear, Marion is fascinated. Penélope is celebrating her newly shaved arm pits. I can almost hear her - "Touch them...they are smmmmoooth"


And now this:

Let me break this down for you.

Daniel Day Lewis - 1 Oscars, 2 other nominations
Nicole Kidman - 1 Oscar, 1 other nomination
Sophia Loren - 1 Oscar, 1 honorary Oscar, 1 other nomination
Judi Dench - 1 Oscar, 5 other nominations
Marion Cotillard - 1 Oscar

None of them make the poster. Let's market this to the American Idol generation.
Fergie is on a potential Oscar Best Picture nominee poster people!!!