HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

'The Road' trailer 2

I am beginning to think that this film should not be dismissed so easily.
The reviews have ranged from "Masterpiece" to "Terrible" but the good reviews are gaining in numbers more than the bad.
It currently has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of:


Which is not to be sniffed at (higher than most of the films that end up getting nominated for Best Picture).
I am thinking that this could still score enough with a few Academy members to get nominations for Robert DuVall, Viggo Mortensen and art direction.
It certainly looks grim. I do not know how much more grim and gritty I can take this year.

For José (the obsession is officially out of control)

Jose apparently (so he says) comes here for all his Gabby news.


You gotta watch this. The more interviews I see, the more I want to see her up on that stage.
So genuine and real.

Oh and she is also going to me coming to Showtime in a series. WooooHooo!

Ram it down your throat time.

Since most bloggers are going on and on about 'An Education' I will continue going on and on about 'Precious' it you beg me to stop (and then I may ignore you).

Saw her on Ellen and she is just so much fun.



Also check out this interview wonderful and enlightening with Sapphire. It is 45 minutes but informative and sheds a lot of light on the book and film. Well worth it.

Trailer park girls

Cannes winner and CIFF winner, ‘Fish Tank’ shows, once again the plight of young poor teenage girls, this time in a council estate in London where Mia (Jarvis) lives with her promiscuous mother and younger sister.

When her mother brings home her new boyfriend (Fassbender) Mia’s life will be forever changed as she begins to forge a relationship with this new man.

Although extremely well reviewed, I doubt it will be enough to get the film on a major awards campaign, but enough word of mouth to perhaps be a small contender.

Both Jarvis and Fassbender have won awards for their performances, but as of yet it will not have a wide enough release to be eligible for this years awards.
It will next be showing at the AFI film festival on the 2nd of November.





The jury award at CIFF went to ‘Mississippi Damned’ (Audience Award went to ‘Precious’).

It tells the story of director Tina Mabry one of three children growing up in rural Mississippi in circumstances of violence and addiction.

There seems to be a theme this year for strong films revolving around teenage girls trying navigate the waters of their lives.

An Education is the most main stream film, however ‘Precious’, ‘Fish Tank’ and ‘Mississippi’ damned have all been doing very well on the festival circuit.

If this comes to a cinema near you, see it.
It is supposed to be absolutely amazing, however as of now it does not have a release date.

'Invictus' Trailer

Here is it.

Clint Eastwood takes on Mandela. The trailer has hit and all the speculation can now end.
The film looks rousing and uplifting whilst also tackling some very serious issues.
However I also found it rather boring – but I usually do with these types of trailers.
My biggest gripe is with Morgan Freeman.
There doesn’t seem to be much of an accent does there?
Now of course you do not have to mimic someone when you are cast in a bio pic, but at least try and get as close as you can.
Perhaps the lack of distinguishable accent means that Freeman will channel Mandela in other ways (spirit, physicality)

Here is hoping so. Watching the trailer I was completely distracted by the accents (Damon included) which is never a good sign for me.

Mother and Child

A wonderful article (and further proof Mo'Nique will do the press)

Mashed

I am totally mashed.
I am at work knackered after a wonderful night were me, my other and my good friend discussed Mo'Nique, women's relationships with men and each other, Oscars, Music, and a few confessions admitted by my other that left me and my friend speechless with disgust (he thinks Nicholson is the ultimate Joker....... I know, my head hangs low and shakes in disbelief).
While I plan some more in depth and hopefully insightful posts, here is one to represent my state of mind.

Music Tueday Mash-Ups.











I know, very pop/dance orientated, and there are probably many better ones. If you have any you think are genius please send them in the comments!

Gabbie x 5

She is just awesomeness! Taken from a Bruce Webber photo shoot with German Vogue co-starring Heidi Klum

Review - 'Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire'

I realized, after reading Nat's thoughts on 'Precious', that I had gotten myself into a predicament.
For over a year I had been hyping this film in my mind, and subsequent reviews and articles have not helped me find that objective state of mind to see this movie.
In the end I made up my mind that I wanted this film to be everything, but there was no way it was capable of living up to the exceedingly high expectations I had raised to in my mind.
I went in determined to pick the film apart, then sort the pieces out until I was able to separate the film I had put on a pedestal without seeing, and what was happening before my eyes.

What I didn't expect was to have those expectations met, and as the film progressed, have them raised.

To someone who loved the book and expected so much, there were no false notes played. Lee Daniels has managed to stir up feelings in me that have shaken my very soul.

To be honest this is probably not the best time to write this as I only left the cinema 3 hours ago, and it is still very much with me. I cannot remember the last time I had such a reaction to a movie (possibly 'Dancer in the Dark).

Gabourey Sidibe, was, well I cannot put it into words. It was so much more than a performance as it is something you never question. A total immersion into her character helps you understand people not being able to separate the real her from Precious. It is so real it is alarming.

Mo'Nique was everything you have heard. Her scene at the end is not what you expect it to be from the reviews thus far. It is terrifying. You see the realization come across her face when she admits out loud what she has done. She finally understands what she has done.

Was Mariah a surprise? She was. Forget the lack of make up or facial hair, she gave a depth and soul to a small role, and when she cracks, you feel her horror at having to listen to these confessions.
But every performance was pitch perfect. All the players made their respective characters lived in and real.

But at the end it is Lee Daniels who made this all happen. I could write forever but I won't. I will just say that for once, with a film I love, awards honestly mean nothing.

I never do this but:

Grace - A+

(note. I actually do not believe in giving anything higher than an 'A' grade. I got carried away by the films impact on me.)

Today I am seeing