My Stuff and Cr*p

Mini Review catch up

2011-01-07T12:35:00.016Z

So, another month long break from me which sucks I know. So many precursor awards have been announced and again it is a whole pile of organisations desperate to try and guess Oscar. With so many films out in one year, it seems strange that these apparently 'professional' groups only think 8 or 9 films are the best of the year. It is kind of like Oscar is the teet they most like to suck. Sad considering this would be their chance to actually stand up and declare themselves different from the pack.

Ho hum. Well as you will know the films that are doing the best are 'The Social Network', 'Inception', 'Winters Bone', 'The Kings Speech', 'Toy Story 3', '127 Hours', 'True Grit', 'The Fighter' and of course 'Black Swan'. These are apparently the best films of the year. I have only seen 5 of them, and aside from 'Inception' I would kind of agree.

Anyway, here is another slew of reviews.

'Black Swan'

One of the few films of the year that makes you cover your eyes in horror whilst still trying to see, for missing an single screen shot is to miss pure beauty.

Darren Aronofsky has made a film that is a bold and unflinching study of ambition and how it can consume.

Anchored by an astonishing performance by Natalie Portman, some of the finest acting, and most dedicated, seen in some time.

Grade - A-

'Despicable Me'

Wow, I wasn't expecting this to be quite so much fun.

Charming, funny, touching yet deliciously evil, just how a film about a super villain should be.

Sure the minions bordered on cutesy, but they were fun, and the voice acting was superb, especially by Steve Carell as Gru

This has been an incredibly strong year for animation and to see the big studios finally getting things right is a relief. As much as I love Pixar it is nice to see Dreamworks and Universal stepping up the game a little.

Grade - B+

'Easy A'

On the outside it is like any other teen comedy, in that it starts out strong and three quarters of the way through it kind of fall apart, but manages to pic itself right back up. However this is different thanks to three very important things:

Stanley Tucci as the father, Patricia Clarkson as the mother and most importantly, Emma Stone in the lead.

The film would not have worked as well as it did without her. A smart, hysterically funny and brave performance that Oscar will surely miss.

Grade - B+

'Get Him To The Greek'

It is kind of sad when you watch a movie and remember so little of it.
Something about Jonah Hill trying to get Russell Brand to a concert.

Oh

And Puff Daddy being unexpectedly funny.

Grade - C

'Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work'

Why this woman get no respect I do not know.
This film is a tribute to an exceptionally talented woman who refuses to give up, turns her back on the critics and works works works.

She is the butt of joke made by people who do not have 1/5 of her stamina and resilience, and she knows it.

Sure this film is full of humour, but it is the cracks of doubt, sorrow and regret that make this such an insight to one of the worlds biggest talents.

Grade - B+

'Scott Pilgrim vs The World'

Sure Michael Cera plays the same guy again (but who really cares, he is good at it) and the whole movie kind of plays like a A.D.D. sufferers dream, but man it is something to get caught up in.

So ridiculous and over the top get saved by going to far over by smart performances by Kieran Culkin, Ellen Wong, Aubrey Plaza and of course the fantastic Mae Whitman.

Grade- B

'Shrek Forever After'

It made me chuckle and had some really cute and smart references, but on a whole this series needs to be put to bed.

The longer it goes on, the more it makes me dislike the first film.

Grade - B-

'The Kids Are All Right'

A lovely little movie that is a breath of fresh air.
Any film depicting a gay marriage you expect to played as some sort of political drama. Made to prove a point.
In this the point is clear. Marriage is tough, no matter who it is between.

Julianne Moore and Annette Bening have amazing chemistry (who would have thought Bening would make such an amazing dyke), but it is Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson who make the film wonderful, both giving smart and realistic performances and two teenaged caught up in the middle of a little shit storm.

Grade - B

'The Social Network'

Seriously amazing.
A wordy talky drama that plays like a tight thriller.

The rapid fire dialogue filled with so many gems that you need many viewings to get all the insults and subtleties.

This is also a film that is very very now, yet somehow manages to feel like the type of film that will hold up in years to come - time will tell.

Here is hoping Aaron Sorkin, Jessie Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and yes, Justin Timberlake get the kudos they deserve!

Grade - A-

Top 30 songs of 2010

2010-12-07T21:29:00.009Z

Well, I know I have been very quiet of late, and that is mainly because work and life have once again taken over, but I have loads to post about. Firstly I wan tto go through what I consider to be the best songs of the year for 2010. Not all of these songs were officially released in 2010, but this was the year they came to my attention.

Let's get started.

30

Eminem - 'Love the Way You Lie' (Feat. Rihanna)

Sure, this is technically a song about a highly abusive boyfriend, in a highly dysfunctional relationship, but when Rihanna comes in with that sad and equally disturbing chorus, you can't help but get drawn in.

29

Saadi - 'Bad Seeds'

Facebook decided to recommend me this artist because I like M.I.A. (who is sadly absent from this list). You know what, facebook was correct. The breezy light island feeling makes me year for a colada - any type of colada.

28

Hurts - 'Better Than Love'

The 80's continued to be remixed for the year 2010 with this Depeche Mode-esque anthem of angst. It doesn't hurt that these guys are easy on the eyes, and can most certainly wear a suit.

27

Macy Grey - 'The Sellout'

The raspy voiced one came out with a new album this year. Most of you probably never even noticed, which is a shame as this was probably the best she has been in years.

26

I Blame Coco - 'Self Machine'

Sure, she is Stings daughter so her foot in the door was more a tank smashing through, but this is a corker of a tune, helped by the very androgynous voice and her scary lesbian styling

25

Marina and the Diamonds - 'Obsessions'

Poppy, boppy and totally addictive. Marina blasted on the scene and released some of the best singles no one really bought. A shame, since this, her first was so repeatable.

24

Janelle Monáe - 'Oh, Maker'

You begin to settle in to a lovely folksy ditty, then there is a three step transition into a groovy neo soul love song. That is the thing about this girl she is versatile and surprise whilst being her.

23

VV Brown - 'This Charming Man'

If you are going to cover a classic song, you had better be able to do it justice. Thankfully when VV Brown decided to cover The Smiths, she may have bettered it

22

Mumford and Sons - 'Little Lion Man

Christ this song was everywhere in 2010, and for good reason. It is a stomper, the type of song that crosses genres and excites. And this was a debut!

21

Beach House - 'Norway'

Imagine the sound a glacier would make if it was music. It would be both powerful, yet not imposing. You come close to understanding the brilliance that is Beach House

20

Kate Nash - 'Don't You Wanna Share the Guilt'

You gotta love the random ranting of a mad music. Through the rubbish there is great insight as to the nature of people, all to a building frantic beat

19

Robyn [Feat. Röyksopp] - 'None of Dem'

The deepest, darkest club anthem we all should have been dancing to all summer. Robyn is simply a genius and this should have been huge

18

Lissie - 'Stranger'

This is another great example (like Robyn) of an extremely talented woman who should be having much more success than she is. And this opinion is purely based on songs like this. Pure folk tinged sunny pop

17

Madonna - 'Pala Tute'

After the large disappointment that was Hard Candy, I was skeptical when a slew of unreleased Madonna tracks leaked online. To my surprise most of them were better than the album. This was my standout.

16

Robyn - 'Hang With Me'

One Grammy nomination. The woman should be showered with those damn trophies. This was the sweetest love song to be sung this year.

15

Florence and the Machine - 'Dog Days are Over [re-release]'

Sure, this song was released in 2009 first (or was it 2008) but my god this song spoke to me this year. I got married and yes, happiness hit me like a train on a track.

14

Rihanna - 'Only Girl (In The World)'

After last years emotional punch of her Rater R album, Rihanna came back just wanting to dance (sounds a little like Madonna in some aspects) and boy did she create the winter dance floor anthem!

13

Brandon Flowers - 'Only The Young'

Sure, he always sounds like he is straining to hit the notes, and sure this just sounds like The Killers, but is that ever a bad thing? This was transcendent.

12

Kelis - 'Acapella'

Kelis is awesome, and although there were times I felt songs on the fabulous Fleshtone were better, I always came back to this first single. Try not to love it.

11

Kanye West - 'Runaway (feat. Pusha T)'

You wanna hate the man, you really want to give his ego a huge cut down, but then you hear his music and realise - sometimes people have a right to their ego.

10

Lady Gaga (Feat. Beyoncé) - 'Telephone'

Everyone loves 'Bad Romance'. I love this one. The ridiculous nature of the song and lyrics, mixed with the cinematic over the top-ness of the video ensured this was on my iPod all year!.

9

The National - 'Anyone's Ghost'

He made a splash this year, and I was hesitant at first. He sounded too morose. Then I hit repeat. then I hit it again. And again

8

Janelle Monáe - 'Cold War'

An electrifying debut. This is the highlight on a album that is one pure highlight. The criitcs were behind her, where were the people? Further proof people are morons.

7

Rihanna - 'Complicated'

Why did I put this song on repeat for like 3 days straight? I have no idea. There is no reason for this being on the list other than I love it.

6

Lissie - 'Record Collector'

This album was on a loop, however it was its opener that spent the most time being repeated on the ole pod. Check her here as well..

5

Robyn - 'Indestructible'

From here on it got hard with the order. Each of these next 5 could be the top. This was the last single from Robyn in 2010, but my God was it ever bloody God Damn brilliant.

ROBYN 'INDESTRUCTIBLE' OFFICIAL VIDEO from Lucy McRae on Vimeo.

4

Miike Snow - 'The Rabbit'

WHAT A BRILLIANT TRACK. How is this group not huge right now. I am dumbfounded. And this is a 'B' side made single!!!

3

Robyn - 'Dancing on my Own'

In a year with dirt bags like Ke$ha (or whoever) ruling the charts, amazing artists like Robyn were kept in the side lines. Further proof there is something majorly wrong in the world.

2

Groove Armada - 'Paper Romance'

I share this with my husband. This song would always come on when at home, and we would sing along with glee - even after the 200th time. In the end, however, this song is pure brilliance.

And the Number one song is....

1

Adele - 'Someone Like You'

This has not even been officially released. She just sang it on Jools Holland and I heard it. I downloaded the live version and watched the video a total of 46 times. It is the perfect combination of performance, song and voice. It is so wonderful to see such pure talent. And she is only 21. Sit back - click play and make it full screen. Thank me later.

"You know how the time flies.
Only yesterday was the time of our lives.
We were born and raised in a summer haze.
Bound by the surprise of our glory days."

Breath taking

Things on my mind lately.

2010-10-21T15:30:00.012+01:00

‘For Colored Girls’

In a year lackluster with performances by the non white acting community, I am seriously hoping that this film will be an acting showcase. All of the women in this film are wonderful and gifted actresses and I would be happy to see any one of them up for an Oscar. The most recent ‘buzz’ (studio plant or whatever) has said that Thandie Newton, Kimberly Elise and surprisingly Macy Gray are the standouts in the film. As much as I would like to see the names Loretta Devine, Phylicia Rashad and Kerry Washington prefixed by “Oscar nominee” I would be happy for any of thee women to enter the race.
Say what you will about Tyler Perry, he always gives work to wonderful and gifted actresses.
_______________________________________________________________________

‘Best Actress’

With Annette Bening as the only real lock for a nomination at this point, we are really entering very unknown territory for the Lead Actress category.
There are seriously strong contenders, and if we were to look at reviews alone, each one of these women seem to have an equal shot at a nomination.

Annette Bening - The Kids Are All Right'
Hilary Swank - Conviction'
Jennifer Lawrence - Winter's Bone'
Julianne Moore - The Kids Are Alll Right'
Lesley Manville - Another Year'
Michelle Williams - Meeks Cutoff'
Michelle Williams - Blue Valentine'
Naomi Watts - Fair Game'
Natalie Portman - Black Swan'
Nicole Kidman - Rabbit Hole'
Sally Hawkins - Made in Dagenham'
Diane Lane - Secretariat'

In a weaker year you would also have to give these ladies serious consideration

Tilda Swinton - I Am Love'
Chloe Moretz - Let Me In'
Carey Mulligan - Never Let Me Go'

And do not get me started on these performances that are as of yet unseen.

Anne Hathaway - Love and Other Drugs'
Gwyneth Paltrow - Country Song'
Keira Knightley - London Boulevard'
Kirsten Dunst - All Good Things'
Reese Witherspoon - How Do You Know?

At this point it is anyone’s game. Here is hoping the precursors are all over the place so we have a real nail biter of a finish.
_______________________________________________________________________

Reality TV

I have been sucked into reality TV. ‘The Amazing Race’, ‘Top Model’ and especially ‘Project Runway’. It is taking place of my movies. I need an intervention.
I mean is there anyone as adorable as Mondo, evil as Ivy, or as self absorbed as Gretchen from PR?
Aren’t you rooting for gawky Anne (pictured) and lesbo Kayla on Top Model?
Do I need help?
I actually blame this recent obsession with reality TV on watching 'The Comeback' finally. Even though I know that neither PR or Top Model give a sh*t about actually finding 'the best' and are more interested in personalities over talent, I am still hooked. I love me fashion and I love me a fierce model - what can I say - I am a gay stereotype in more ways than one.
_______________________________________________________________________

Being Gay

There is a candle light vigil on Saturday in Trafalgar Square in London, starting at 7pm until 9pm (with a two minute silence for all those affected by hate crime at 8pm).
We will not only be remembering those people who have been the victim of homophobic attacks, but also think about the recent wave of suicides to hit the US as a direct result of anti LGBT bullying.

I was a victim of physical violence in May 2009, but luckily I only had a few cuts and bruises, thanks to being a speedy sprinter. Some people are not so lucky.
Even though I was scared for my life, I have gotten over it.
However whenever I go home and see the boys who made my life in school a living hell, the pain hits me again. It quickly goes away when I realize that not only am I skinnier and younger looking than all of them, but I am a much happier person.
Most of them of over weight alcoholics who look 50. Let’s hear it for shallow victories!

This is my long way of saying, to any questioning young person who happens to stumble upon this blog, things get better. No matter how hard it may seem now, in a few years you can go off and start your own life, exactly how you want it.
Although it may not be any comfort now, Karma does work. From what I have heard through the grapevine, those c*nts in school have paid for their cruelty, and now I am married to who makes me so happy I could burst, and we have all the love and support from our family and friends that we could ask for.

It does get better …..just wait and see.

Mini Review - 'The Wolfman'

2010-10-09T14:27:00.000+01:00

I liken this movie to watching a dog in a blackout chewing a plank of wood.

Aside from the set design - which is in itself far too gothic to be real - there is nothing in this film that makes you want to lavish any sort of praise. Anthony Hopkins leaves no scenery unchewed, Benicio del Toro is so brooding he is bore, and Emily Blunt is not believable to a damsel in distress or as a love interest.
Blood and gore does not make up for suspense and general fear.

Sad, because this could have been a really great film with a new cast, director and screenplay.
When you can honestly say that the best thing about the film was the poster designs, then you know you are in trouble. Which is sad as I really wanted to like this. Boo

Grade D-

Mini Review - 'Salt'

2010-10-08T14:15:00.000+01:00

Oh dear this was really not worth much of anyones time.
It is basic on the most basic level of basic.

See Angelina Blonde
See Angelina Run
See Angelina Jump
See Angelina Brunette
See Angelina bloody yet still sexy
See Angelina shoot
See Angelina hold back tears
See Angelina speak Russian
See Angelina Run
See Angelina Jump
See Angleina betrayed
See Angelina save the day
See Angelina run some more.

Grade C

Mini Review - 'Monsters'

2010-10-07T13:41:00.000+01:00

Wow.
For a film that only cost director Gareth Edwards $15,000 it is sensational.
He has turned his back on giant special effects and cheap jump-out-of-your-seat thrills for a story with a constant sense of uneasy dread.
The set up is - A NASA sample-collecting probe bringing back extraterrestrial organic matter has crashed upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere scattering its contents over lower North America.
Six years later, a vast area between Southern Mexico and the U.S. has been declared an infected zone as military from both countries wage a fruitless battle against the ginormous, rapidly reproducing creatures.
A photojournalist (Scoot McNairy) covering the ongoing "war" gets closer than anticipated when he escorts his boss' stranded daughter (Whitney Able) through the no-man's-land to the American border.
The effects, or what you see of them, are outstanding, and the art direction is considerably weather worn and go very far in setting up an established way of life.
And although the lead actors ultimately underplay the love story that develops, to the point of not caring, there is enough here to grab ahold of and spark your imagination.

Grade - B+

Mini Review - 'Inception'

2010-10-06T13:40:00.000+01:00

Technically amazing. Stylish, stunning, handsome - every positive descriptive word for great visuals you can think of could describe this movie, even the story is very interesting, however this is where it is left down.
Sure it is masterfully told as to be complex, yet not confusing, however unless you have fully realized characters in your film, they idea, no matter how brilliant, is going to suffer.
Every single actor in this works extremely hard to add depth and fullness to their roles but each one of them fails. No amount of visual pizzaz can hide the fact that 'Inception' has no beating heart.
However, it is technically amazing.

Grade - B

Mini Review - 'Winter's Bone'

2010-10-05T13:34:00.000+01:00

Easily one of the best films that I have seen this year, and looking at my roster I have not seen that many.
Expertly written and briliantly performed, the dark and bleak story glows with a unique beauty that not many films are able to capture.

Jennifer Lawrence deserve all the praise that is heaped upon her.
She litterally carries the film on her shoulders and never tries to make the character likable or sympathetic. She is just a young woman living in what are extraordinary circumstances to the viewer, yet they are everyday to her, and she conveys this - which is no easy feat.

Also outstanding are Dale Dickey are the frightening yet sympathetic Merad, and John Hawkes as Teardrop - a man full of contradiction and anger who is also surprisingly sensitive.

Grade - A-

'True Grit' trailer

2010-10-04T19:57:00.002+01:00

I think we can safely say that this is going to be a wee bit of an event. I mean I am not the biggest fan of the 'western' genre, but my word does this film look riveting.
If the trailer is anything to go by - we are all in for a treat.
2010 is shaping up to me an amazing movie year!

Mini Review - 'How to Train Your Dragon'

2010-10-04T13:31:00.001+01:00

This thinly disguised conservation film is a real family treat. Actually scrap that. It is a real adult treat.
The glorious animation aside, and the wonderful vocal work, this is a story that every animal lover can relate to.
This is also a reminder that all animals need protection, not just the cute fuzzy ones who look good on calendars.

The arial shots in this a mind blowing, they literally take you breath away, and the character animation on Toothless' is something to behold.
They have taken both cat and dog physicality's and expressions to make him fully relatable. And it works a treat.
I bet everyone who saw this film wants a pet dragon.

Grade - A-

Let's hear it for the girls

2010-09-28T13:10:00.004+01:00

Ok – sporadic posting resumes.

I just have to comment on how exciting this Oscar race is shaping up. Especially in terms of the Best Actress race – and I mean the race to a nomination.

We actually have a plethora of serious contenders to choose from for what has been already seen.

Annette Bening - The Kids Are All Right' *
Carey Mulligan - Never Let Me Go'
Hilary Swank - Conviction' *
Jennifer Lawrence - Winter's Bone' *
Julia Roberts - Eat Pray Love'
Julianne Moore - The Kids Are Alll Right' *
Lesley Manville - Another Year' *
Michelle Williams - Meeks Cutoff'
Michelle Williams - Blue Valentine' *
Naomi Watts - Fair Game' *
Natalie Portman - Black Swan' *
Nicole Kidman - Rabbit Hole' *
Rachel Weisz - The Whistleblower'
Robin Wright - The Conspirator' *
Sally Hawkins - Made in Dagenham' *
Tilda Swinton - I Am Love'
Chloe Moretz - Let Me In'

All of those actresses are contenders (the * depicts the more serious threats at this point – and even so, the ones without the mark have still gotten the types of reviews that would usually land them in the race as serious contenders in other years).

And looking on the horizon there are still films to come out that have buzz, but are not yet seen so these could also be seriously in the mix:

Anne Hathaway - Love and Other Drugs'
Diane Lane - Secretariat'
Gwyneth Paltrow - Country Song'
Keira Knightley - London Boulevard'
Kirsten Dunst - All Good Things'
Reese Witherspoon - How Do You Know?'

What a wonderful year for the ladies!

If anything, 2010 has proved that for film enjoyment of the average Joe who cannot afford to do the festivals, you need to save up and clear your calendar for the end of the year.

What started out as a flimsy year is shaping up to be wonderful. Phew!

'For Coloured Girls' - poster

2010-09-13T15:41:00.003+01:00

I cannot wait for this one - mainly for the actresses he is using.
For the rest of the posters go here.

The Toronto Factor.

2010-09-02T12:51:00.029+01:00

There are so many women up for contention for Best Actress this year, in films that have already been seen. I mean take a look at the list so far:

Annette Bening - 'The Kids Are All Right'
Julianne Moore - 'The Kids Are All Right
Jennifer Lawrence -' Winter's Bone'
Michelle Williams - 'Blue Valentine'
Naomi Watts - 'Fair Game'
Lesley Manville - 'Another Year'
Natalie Portman - 'Black Swan'
Juia Roberts - 'Eat, Pray, Love'
Tilda Swinton - 'I am Love'
Rinko Kikuchi - 'Norwegian Wood'
Noomi Rapace - 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'

And for Supporting:

Lesley Manville - 'Another Year' (could change to lead)
Ruth Sheen - 'Another Year'
Barbara Hershey - 'Black Swan'
Mila Kunis - 'Black Swan'
Jackie Weaver - 'Animal Kingdom'
Marion Cotillard - 'Inception'
Kristen Scott Thomas - 'Nowhere Boy'
Anne Marie Duff - 'Nowhere Boy'
Sissy Spacek - 'Get Low'

Now with Toronto on the horizon, there is a giant pool of possible contenders. This is cause for celebration as in most years, around this time there are only 7 or 8 real contenders for consideration in any one year.

Let's take a look at the women who could, with a good enough performance, could find themselves firmly in the mix for this years awards.

Lead:

Maria Bello - 'Beautiful Boy'
Uma Thurman - 'Ceremony'
Robin Wright - 'The Conspirator '
Hilary Swank - 'Conviction'
Kat Dennings - 'Daydream Nation'
Keira Knightley - 'Last Night'
Wei Tang - 'Late Autumn'
Chloe Moretz - 'Let Me In'
Marion Cotillard - 'Little White Lies'
AnaMaria Marinca - 'Look, Stranger'
Kristen Scott Thomas - 'Love Crime'
Sally Hawkins - 'Made In Dagenham'
Carey Mulligan - 'Never Let Me Go'
Catherine Deneuve - 'Potiche'
Nicole Kidman - 'Rabbit Hole'
Liana Liberato - 'Trust'
Jennifer Connelly - 'What's Wrong With Virginia'
Rachel Weisz - 'The Whistleblower'

Have you say!

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Supporting:

Minnie Driver - 'Barney's Version'
Rosamund Pike - 'Barney's Version'
Andrea Riseborough - 'Brighton Rock'
Helen Mirren - 'Brighton Rock'
Evan Rachel Wood - 'The Conspirator '
Minnie Driver - 'Conviction'
Melissa Leo - 'Conviction'
Juliette Lewis - 'Conviction'
Andie MacDowell - 'Daydream Nation'
Helen Mirren - 'Debt'
Cecile de France - 'Hereafter'
Ludivine Sagnier - 'Love Crime'
Hiam Abbass - 'Miral' (could be lead)
Frido Pinto - 'Miral' (could be lead)
Yasmine Elmasri - 'Miral'
Keira Knightley - 'Never Let Me Go'
Sally Hawkins - 'Never Let Me Go'
Charlotte Rampling - 'Never Let Me Go'
Megan Fox - 'Passion Play'
Lesley Ann Warren - 'Peep World'
Diane Wiest - 'Rabbit Hole'
Elle Fanning - 'Somewhere'
Rebecca Hall - 'The Town'
Viola Davis - 'Trust'
Catherine Keener - 'Trust'
Emma Roberts - 'What's Wrong With Virginia'

Have your say!

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Sure, most of these will not get the reviews needed, or buzz. A lot of them are very unlikely (Fox, Moretz, MacDowell), however with enough hype and buzz and passion there could be many women coming out of TIFF with a big smile on their face. If a handful make it through to be formidable contenders, then we will have an extremely exciting race for actresses.

And this does not include the films that are not showing at the festival. 'Love and Other Drugs', 'Tree of Life', 'The way Back', 'Rum Diary', 'The Tourist', 'The Tempest', 'All Good Things' and 'Secretariat'.

Such an exciting year for the ladies!

Who do you think will make the cut by year end? Also please let me know if there is anyone I should be adding to the list?

Meh

2010-08-31T13:14:00.001+01:00

The explanation for my lack of posting. Aside from the fact that I have been enjoying a nice summer with my husband as well as dealing with other personal bits and pieces - which leaves very little time to blogging. However another reason is this. It seems that there is a considerable lack of current excitement in the movie blogging world at the moment. How else can you explain the sudden surge in movie bloggers going EMMY crazy? I mean in terms of awards, the EMMY's are by far the worst in terms of lazy awarding.
How else do you explain Archie Panjabi beating out Elizabeth Moss for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama?
See even I have been interested in the EMMY's this year since I find the most engaging work to be on television, I have however tried my best not to blog about them - although the work they "award" ignites passion in me.

With wonderful dramas like 'Tremé' and 'Mad Men' to constantly engage me with wonderful writing and performances (the performances are so good, and so subtle that awards bodies usually fail to notice).
Then we have the comedies - that leave me joyous. '£0 Rock' even on a bad day is still oh so good. "Glee' is pure joy, even if slightly uneven, and 'Cougar Town' is such a wonderful guilty pleasure and a fantastic ensemble. And do not get me started on the amazing and delightful 'Modern Family', the getting better with each episode of 'Parks and Recreation' and the cancelled all too soon 'Party Down'. All brilliant comedies - and not a laugh track to be heard.

Then we have those shows that walk the fine line between the two. 'Nurse Jackie' is a comedy in time only (the half hour slot) but features some of the most moving, humorous and complex women seen on screen. Then we have 'United States of Tara' which manages to show the complexity of childhood trauma in a very real way. Then we have the pure soap opera of the fantastic 'True Blood' which features some of the most delicious campy acting, which never become pantomime.

Then I look at what is on offer in the cinemas, and I just cannot get excited - especially since we get the films so much later here in the UK. I am just going to wait and start getting back in the game once the Toronto Film Festival happens. That is when the electricity starts.

Until then, I will continue to read all the latest movie news with the same sort of apathy I reserve for the EMMY's.

Mini Review Catch Up

2010-08-15T11:03:00.010+01:00

Here is a little catch up of what I have been watching lately. It has not been the best cinematic year for me, hardly have the money for a movie ticket, sad but true. However I have managed to blag my way into seeing a few. Here are my very very, short but hopefully to the point reviews of the following:

'Clash of the Titans'

Did anyone responsible for this film both to open up a single book on Greek mythology?
It was over blown, CGI heavy and emotionless.
The acting was phoned in, and the only character that seemed to gain any sympathy from me was Medusa. And she was mainly CGI. I real waste of money.

Grade - D-

'Date Night'

Kind of cute.
Kind of funny.
Kind of pointless.
Tina Fey and Steve Carrell are much funnier on the small screen to be honest, unless they are just the support.

Grade - C

'I Love You Phillip Morris;

Sure Jim Carrey is doing his goofy schtick again in this, but the story is rather heart breaking and sweet.
Being gay is never the butt of any joke, which was always my fear.
For a comedy it actually never made the central relationship anything other than honest.
McGregor was very very good as well.

Grade - B

'Sex and the City 2'

What was up with critics? I really enjoyed this little romp. Sure the women bitched and moaned about trivial things, but that is what they have always done - and most women living that lifestyle would do.
And as for the accusations of being anti muslim, I did not see it. All I saw was a bunch of spoiled 'western' women going to a country with a different culture and not bothering to respect it - pretty accurate so far. Also props again to Kristen Davis - the best in the bunch.

Grade - B

'Shutter Island'

Marty does Hitchcock, and does it very well. Perfectly retro and deliciously suspenseful, with Di Caprio proving once again what a versatile actor he can be.
The whole film is grounded by the end realisation of why he is there.
Heartbreaking.

Grade - B+

'The Runaways'

Kristen Stewart proves again that outside of the 'Twilight' series she is a very good and very interesting actress. However she is not the lead. Dakota Fanning grows up and owns the movie. Her Cherie is naive, sexy and pure jail bait but with a constant sadness lurking. Despite how good she is, she cannot perform miracles with so little to work with. Had the film not been so repetitive and had focused more on character we could have perhaps had a serious awards contender here.

Grade - C+

'Toy Story 3'

Believe the hype.
Pixar does it again - and again they bring on the tears.
I mean I seriously want to go out now and buy every single Toy Story character and forever play with them - those manipulative.
bastards.
Damn bloody toys breaking your damn heart.

Grade - A-

'Monsters' trailer

2010-08-12T19:00:00.000+01:00

I WANT TO GO TO THERE!!!

Comic Con

2010-07-21T10:24:00.004+01:00

Or rather, a collection of super powered testosterone driven films get a preview and geeks everywhere celebrate.
There what is cool looking generally always outshine which story is good.
Yet another Hollywood hype machine that succeeds in driving the anticipation to a fever pitch for that all important opening weekend.

Money money money boys! That is what it is all about. We are even gearing up two of next years most anticipated films.

'Thor' and 'Captain America' whose posters have premiered below.

You cannot get me to the Toronto Film Festival soon enough.

'Made in Dagenham' trailer

2010-07-19T23:19:00.001+01:00

This looks like it could be a load of fun, and considering women are still paid less than men to this day, it will hopefully strike a chord. Plus it has the amazing Sally Hawkins, the wonderful Rosemund Pike and the brilliant Miranda Richardson.
Directed by Nigel Cole, the movie was originally called We Want Sex, named after one of the placards brandished by the protestors where the "equality" bit didn't unfurl properly. Perhaps it was a little too silly a movie title.

This could end up being a surprise hit, and with that cast, you never know where an Oscar nomination could come from. They do love the English!

Effectively cashing in

2010-07-16T15:53:00.002+01:00

Six years ago NASA discovered the possibility of alien life within our solar system. A probe was launched to collect samples, but crashed upon re-entry over Central America. Soon after, new life form began to appear and half of Mexico was quarantined as an INFECTED ZONE. Today, the American and Mexican military still struggle to contain "the creatures"...... Our story begins when a US journalist agrees to escort a shaken tourist through the infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the US border.

I smell a 'District 9' cash in, in terms of advertising, but we shall see how effective the actual film is. Word of mouth is strong, yet there is no official release date for 'Monsters'.

Trailers - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

2010-07-16T12:43:00.004+01:00

Wowee, these trailers are certainly dramatic (read Oscar baiting), however they all cannot make it in the end (or can they?)
Let's take a look at the very baity films that are being released in time for the big awards rush.

'Miral'

Julian Schabel's follow up to 'Le scaphandre et le papillon' ('The Diving Bell and the Butterly') find him going political with this extremely interesting story with a killer cast. The Premise goes:

Jerusalem, 1948. On her way to work, Hind Husseini (Hiam Abbass) comes across 55 orphaned children in the street. She takes them home to give them food and shelter. Within six months, 55 had grown to almost 2000, and the Dar Al-Tifel Institute was born.

At the age of 7, Miral (Frieda Pinto) was sent to the Institute by her father following her mothers death. Brought up safely inside the Institutes walls, she is naïve to the troubles that surround her. Then, at the age of 17, she is assigned to teach at a refugee camp where she is awakened to the reality of her peoples struggle. When she falls for political activist, Hani, she finds herself torn between the fight for the future of her people and Mama Hinds belief that education is the road to peace.

The Good - Nice to see Pinto get to stretch her chops in a film that will no doubt be important for a lot of people. The film looks amazing and I am sure it will be an strong emotional and political story. I think it will Abbass who garners the most attention, but Pinto could be a real surprise

The Bad - The wonderful and amazing Hiam Abbass is hardly seen in the trailer, and no sign of Vanessa Redgrave or Willem Dafoe. Odd eh?

The Ugly - Repression of people is never a good thing. In terms of the trailer though, I see nothing ugly in it at all and fully expect this to be a critically acclaimed film if not an awards contender (the Academy are reluctant to embrace other ethnicity's in the actress categories)

'The Town'

Now I was not a fan of 'Gone Baby Gone' but did find it atmospheric and showing promise in Ben Affleck as a director.

The Good - The cast look very impressive with John Hamm, Blake Lively, Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Chris Cooper and Rebecca Hall. I have a distinct feeling that we could be looking at a few contenders in this film, especially in the form of Hamm, Renner, Cooper, Lively and especially Hall.

The Bad - Kind of do not need to see the film now since the trailer has given away far too many plot devises. Not that I could not have guessed the twist, but it seems to take away from the excitement the film could have generated.

The Ugly - Trailers that feel the need to play out the entire movie for you, as though they feel there are no intelligent people out there anymore - here is hoping it has much more to offer.

'Biutiful'

Javier Bardem in his Cannes winning performance - he will be looking for replicate that at the Oscars.

The Good - It is Javier Bardem and Alejandro González Iñárritu who is always interesting to watch. Plus it looks like it will be a very dramatic and gripping story

The Bad - It also looks incredibly bleak and that voice over really upsets me for some reason. It sounds so 'wannabe'

The Ugly - Crime is never a pretty thing, neither is grime. I guess you could argue that rhyming can be ugly too.

'The Social Network'

The story of the beginning of Facebook.

The Good - David Fincher is a wonderful director of suspense, which by the looks of things he is going to wring out of this story. This looks to be his element so I am sure this will be a respected film. Plus the cast of up and comers looks intriguing.

The Bad - Whiny, back-stabbing, money grabbing white kids never really engross me - even if I do use Facebook a little too much.

The Ugly - Farmville, the Facebook game, literally sucked a lot of time away from me. Running home at the speed of light because my tomatoes were about to wither kind of makes you a sad twat.

More join 'The Help'

2010-07-14T17:42:00.000+01:00

The wonderful and brilliant character actress Allison Janney has joined what you will all know is one of my very anticipated films of 2011 'The Help'.

She has been cast as Skeeters interfering mother, Charlotte Phelan, and the role is one ripe for scene stealing.

She now joins Emma Stone as aspiring writer Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, Viola Davis as Aibileen. Octavia Spencer as Minnie, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Hilly, Skeeter’s childhood friend and adult nemesis.

I tis my belief that Janney is an actress that will one day be embraced by the Academy, she just constantly works so much and is always consistently good - besides, when it does happen, she will have the entire actors branch behind her - she has just worked with everyone.

Will 'The Hobbit' happen?

2010-07-14T13:23:00.001+01:00

Apparently yes.

So apparently 'The Hobbit' is in the casting phase right now. Apparently Peter Jackson has been in London 'meeting with actors'.

There is still no official word on if the man will direct the next two films (I would like to see the financial problems with MGM get fixed first) or if he will pass it on to someone else, however they appear to be going ahead as planned. This is good news for all the costume, set, make up, big-a-ture, and fx people who have no doubt been spending years prepping these films, however with such a troubled pre production once has to wonder just how good the film will have to be to make up for all these headaches.

'The Little Mermaid'

2010-07-10T10:45:00.002+01:00

Well it looks like Joe Wright is trying to make me fall in love with him?

After the 1, 2 double punch of 'Pride & Prejudice' and 'Atonement' (ignoring 'The Soloist' - although not half bad) he is making a teenage assassin movie called 'Hanna' due for release in 2011 (possibly 2010 if all goes well) and that same year he also has 'Indian Summer' with two actors I greatly admire.

Now it seem he is going ahead and adapting, based on the Little Angel Company production, the classic tale of 'The Little Mermaid'.
Now apparently this production was not based on the Disney film, but rather the original Hans Christian Anderson story which was much darker. How dark will he go is beyond me, but I kind of like the idea of going with the original version.

Because I am lazy and we are having a heat wave (even typing causes sweat) I will copy and past the original, and rather disturbing and bloody, version of the story from Wiki.

This has the potential to be amazing, depending on which was they go with it.

"The Little Mermaid lives in a utopian underwater kingdom with her father the sea king; her grandmother; and her six elder sisters, each born one year apart. When a mermaid turns 15, she is allowed to swim to the surface to watch the world above, and as the sisters become old enough, one of them visits the surface every year. As each of them returns, the Little Mermaid listens longingly to their various descriptions of the surface and of human beings.
When the Little Mermaid's turn comes, she ventures to the surface, sees a ship with a handsome prince, and falls in love with him from a distance. A great storm hits, and the Little Mermaid saves the prince from a near-drowning. She delivers him unconscious to the shore near a temple. Here she waits until a young girl from the temple finds him. The prince never sees the Little Mermaid.
The Little Mermaid asks her grandmother whether humans can live forever if they do not drown. The grandmother explains that humans have a much shorter lifespan than merfolk's 300 years, but that when mermaids die they turn to sea foam and cease to exist, while humans have an eternal soul that lives on in Heaven. The Little Mermaid, longing for the prince and an eternal soul, eventually visits the Sea Witch, who sells her a potion that gives her legs, in exchange for her tongue (as the Little Mermaid has the most intoxicating voice in the world). Drinking the potion will make her feel as if a sword is being passed through her, yet when she recovers she will have two beautiful legs, and will be able to dance like no human has ever danced before. However, it will constantly feel like she is walking on sharp swords, and her feet will bleed most terribly. In addition, she will only get a soul if the prince loves her and marries her, for then a part of his soul will flow into her. Otherwise, at dawn on the first day after he marries another woman, the Little Mermaid will die brokenhearted and disintegrate into sea foam.
The Little Mermaid drinks the potion and meets the prince, who is attracted to her beauty and grace even though she is mute. Most of all he likes to see her dance, and she dances for him despite her excruciating pain. When the prince's father orders his son to marry the neighboring king's daughter, the prince tells the Little Mermaid he will not, because he does not love the princess. He goes on to say he can only love the young woman from the temple, who he believes rescued him, but adds that the Little Mermaid is beginning to take the temple girl's place in his heart. It turns out that the princess is the temple girl, who had been sent to the temple to be educated. The prince loves her and the wedding is announced.

The prince and princess marry, and the Little Mermaid's heart breaks. She thinks of all that she has given up and of all the pain she has suffered. She despairs, thinking of the death that awaits her, but before dawn, her sisters bring her a knife that the Sea Witch has given them in exchange for their long hair. If the Little Mermaid slays the prince with the knife and lets his blood drip on her feet, she will become a mermaid again, all her suffering will end and she will live out her full life.
The Little Mermaid cannot bring herself to kill the sleeping prince lying with his bride and, as dawn breaks, throws herself into the sea. Her body dissolves into foam, but instead of ceasing to exist, she feels the warmth of the sun; she has turned into a spirit, a daughter of the air. The other daughters of the air tell her she has become like them because she strove with all her heart to gain an eternal soul. She will earn her own soul by doing good deeds, and she will eventually rise up into the kingdom of God."

'Hugo'

2010-07-09T14:38:00.000+01:00

So everyone has been buzzing about the new Scorsese film ‘Hugo Cabret’. Whilst everyone is geeking out about it mainly die to it being a film made by the beloved Marty, what gets me excited and slightly nervous is the cast.

With Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Jude Law, Ray Winstone, Christopher Lee, Helen McRory, Frances De La Tour, and Richard Griffiths all in this film, someone is bound to get lost along the way.

The film is about the orphaned Hugo, living in 1930s Paris in the roof of the Gare Montparnasse, where he tends the clock whilst trying to repair an automaton left him by his father. A tender and affecting relationship drama as well as a cracking adventure and mystery, it's also intricately tied up with the history of cinema, with Georges Melies playing a major role.

With a cast like this you have to wonder how the master will pull it off. Asa Butterfield (‘The Boy in the Striped Pajamas’) plays Hugo, so the rest of the cast are supporting players in what looks like a who’s who if American and Harry Potter films.

One of the problems with these big casts is that with all the “look! It’s so in so” you kind of loose a bit of the performance. Also with all these actors together there may some competition. When that happens you get some horrendous scene chewing.

Then again it is Scorsese. He has dealt with big casts like this many times, always with good results. Plus the illustrations for the book look so rich.

Yum!

'The Help' casting moves along.

2010-07-08T14:44:00.000+01:00

Publicity for ‘The Help’ (novel) is in full drive over here in the UK which is great as I loved the book and think more people need to go out and read it.

The book and the film are going to deal with mainly women and that is even better news as we all know how rare female orientated films are.

Well they have now added to the cast. The role of Celia Foote, an insecure Southerner trying to fit in with the high society crowd and generally not succeeding will be played by ‘Tree of Life’s’ Jessica Chastain (Pictured right). For me this role had Anne Faris written all over it, but oh well.
It is a devastating role that really needs someone to be both comedic, dumb and heart breaking all at the same time. Let’s hope she can nail it.

The rest of the cast is shaping out very nicely as well.

We all know Viola Davis is taking the role of Aibileen Clark who is co lead with two other roles (and she will kill this!), but the rest of cast is becoming interesting.
Bryce Dallas Howerd is playing local racist bitch Hilly Holbrook (I was routing For SMG – Buffy herself).

Emma Stone is Eugenia ‘Skeeter’ Phelan the naïve white girl and part of the three leads of the book and the fantastic Octavia Spencer (pictured left) is going to play Minny Jackson which could very well be the role that changes her career - for starters it is another co-lead, secondly the character is a doozy.
Minny is outspoken, funny, rude, and very complex and I have no doubt this gifted comedienne can pull it off.

Her resume may not have a lot of large roles but as they always say, when funny people take a more dramatic role, things usually pay off.
She was lauded for her small role in Will Smiths ‘Seven Pounds’ and was in Entertainment Weekly’s 25 Funniest Actresses in Hollywood in April 2009. Plus she is a native of Montgomery, Alabama so she knows the South.

However the main question is just how good a screenwriter and director is Tate Taylor? Sure he is a nice piece to look at, but can he pull off such a wonderful and subtle book?

His resume does not really leave you with hope, but then again many people said the same thing about Lee Daniels before ‘Precious’ was seen.

What does give me a little hope is that he is a very good friend of Kathryn Stockett who wrote the book (from her own experience) so the pressure will be on to get her vision across (one can only hope she is there on set to breathe down his neck).

I mean can you imagine directing the film of a friends critically lauded book and completely destroying it! Yikes.

Only time will tell, but please, for the love of Madonna Tate – do not f*ck this up.

‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ trailer

2010-07-05T12:29:00.001+01:00

Ohhhh, this looks like it may be very very good. Now I am not a huge fan of the ‘Potter’ franchise. I do think they are very strong films, but for some reason they have lacked the WOW factor. Perhaps this is because they came out at the same time as the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films which surpassed them for that.

However they do warrant a rewatch to see how the hold up.

Whatever is said about them, this certainly looks like a much darker more adult film which is what is needed for me to get excited!

Iron Lady

2010-07-04T16:07:00.000+01:00

File this under curious.
‘Mama Mia!’ director Phyllida Lloyd – who loves her ‘l’s’ – is planning on reuniting with her films co-star Meryl Streep.

Since ‘Mama Mia!’ could only be described as lite entertainment, the subject matter is rather ambitious for the newbie director.

Meryl is going to be British Conservative – and controversial - Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.

Although Thatcher was Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990 (Whopping time indeed!) the projected film would concentrate on the immediate build-up to the Falklands War in 1982, a time in which Britain was mired in recession and Thatcher's popularity was waning.
The 74 day war famously reversed her fortunes, causing a patriotic swell in the UK that sailed her through the 1983 elections.

Could this be the film that bags Meryl her 3rd Oscar?
Considering 1983 was also the year La Streep won the Oscar for ‘Sophie’s Choice’ it would be very fitting indeed.

However I honestly think that Streep is so damn good, she is going to have to really blow peoples socks off to get that 3rd (and actually I think after she gets the 3rd a 4th will not be so illusive). I mean we are going to have to see Meryl play something she has hardly ever done before. But what has she not done before?

'Rango' Trailer

2010-07-04T12:46:00.000+01:00

Is it just me, or does this look like what would happen if you merged ‘No Country for Old Men’ with Pixar?

Whatever you may think I think it looks rather amazing so far. Sure the gags are hot HYST – ER - IC – AL but this is just a teaser.

The story is about a chameleon with an identity crisis. Heis voiced by Johnny Depp with a supporting cast of greats. Timothy Olyphant, Abigail Breslin, Bill Nighy, Isla Fisher, Alfred Molina, Ray WInstone, Harry Dean Stanton and the wonderful Beth Grant. Plus this is directed by Gore Verbinski and written by John Logan! (the latter looks like he is going to have an amazing 2011)

Get me there now!!

‘Paranormal Activity 2’ trailer

2010-07-03T12:29:00.000+01:00

Ok, so I do not know what I am more freaked out about, the creepy swinging objects and strange woman showing up, or the baby. Both things are utterly scary to me.

Gay Twilight and ‘Stoker’

2010-07-02T13:41:00.001+01:00

Add an ‘r’ and that title could be so rude, considering what I am about to talk about.

So this weekend is gay pride in London, in which I will be marching of course, but it is also the weekend that ‘Twlight Saga: Eclipse’ goes wide, so there will be many many teenage girls, cradle snatching mums, and gay men of all ages flocking to the theatre to watch Taybert in all his glory (I predict £200 million for the weekend)

As for me, I will give it a miss and perhaps catch the DVD release. I like my vampires darker and sexier. Give me ‘True Blood’ any day (too many hot new cast members – it is like watching porn)

Whatever the out come of the weekend, one thing is sure, I am more excited about the return to the screen of The FOSTER.

Yes it seems that Jodie Foster may be starring with Carey Mulligan in the Wentworth Miller written film ‘Stoker’ (see the gay pride and vampire mentions does not seem so out of place now eh?)

The story is about an eccentric teenager and the estranged uncle who returns to the family after her father's death. There is the still the pivotal role of the uncle still to be decided, and this will have weight on whether Foster signs on.

However it would be nice to see her in a supporting role again, especially with Mulligan. I wonder how long Mulligan is going to be cast as a teenager for? Right now she is THE it girl appearing so many prestige films it is ridiculous.

However me thinks her title is seriously up for grabs with Mia Wasikowska and Jessica Chastain battling it out.

'Burlesque'

2010-07-02T11:11:00.003+01:00

Is looking rather promising, at least from an eye candy level.

‘Let Me In’ Trailer

2010-07-01T12:08:00.001+01:00

So here is the teaser for the ‘Let The Right One In’ remake called ‘Let Me In’ (the title being make simpler for American audiences leaves one with a slight fear for the movie).

I for one an excited about the movie, and honestly think it has the potential to be great, however whenever beloved non American films are remade one cannot help but have the feeling that they will be dumbed down. This is usually the case.

Today

2010-06-24T15:05:00.000+01:00

For those of you clicking on here, you are the first to know that me, yes me have gotten married (or civilised since it is called a 'Civil Partnership' - and politically correct or not, that is fine by me.)

Yep by the time this post crops up online I will no longer be legally single. I will have to tick a whole different box on official forms and documents. Sure it may not be legal in my home country, or my partners, but it is legal within the European Union and that ain't half bad.

So picture my running out into the street holding up my ring finger like Shug Avery and screaming "I's Married Now" at traffic - for that is what I will be doing.

Peacexx

P.S. If you wonder what type of bride I am - I am a "terrible" one.

'Green Hornet' trailer

2010-06-22T13:29:00.002+01:00

or how I couldn't care less, but am posting it because there is no other noteworthy news.

'Convicted' Trailer (previously 'Betty Ann Waters')

2010-06-18T11:41:00.009+01:00

So much unintentional laughter was gained from this trailer.
Whoever put this together has done the film a great disservice.
This has 'DRAMA' written all over it, but in a rather cheap 'this is a prestige film.....really......IT IS' way.
Even the snippets of acting leave me cold. Aside from Minnie Driver the rest of the cast really seem to be ACTING (badly) FOR AWARDS ATTENTION.
And do not even get me started on the fact that the ENTIRE PLOT is spelled out. This is obviously not aimed at people with intelligence. Sure it is a true story and we can wiki the outcome, but can we not enjoy and be surprised by the journey?

Does she get him released?
Umm
YA THINK!?!?!

Sad that such an uninspired trailer was made as this is an interesting story.
You all know I am not a fan of the Swank, but I was curious about this file due to the rest of the cast......until today. Maybe the reviews will win me over again, maybe cries of "Driver is BRILLIANT" can get me excited to see it, or maybe the trailer really does give us a preview of what to expect - sentimental, soul inspiring drek.

The faces and hair of Lawyer Hillary

Swank pays tribute to my other least favourite actress - Zellweger.

Pre-lawyer hair. Curly equals powerless (and poor)

She is getting there, but an emotional lawyer does not win cases.

Now that is case winning lawyer hair

Winning me over

2010-06-18T11:08:00.006+01:00

Sometimes there is an artist that you like, but who also annoys the crap out of you.
You want to dislike them, but at the same time you are constantly curious about them.
Kate Nash is one of those.
Her lyrics try to hard to be everyday and common, this with her accent makes you visualise her as a whiney brat who probably smells like vodka, cigarettes, hairspray and bubblegum. You imagine her with that "I don't care" messy hair that you know she spent 2 hours to get it like that. She wears clothes that do not flatter her at all, but they are all the rage so as long as she fits in it is ok.

And then, she goes and writes a song so random, so clever and subtle in its self mockery, and also rather insightful without trying, you forgive her and see her for the artist she is.

BBQ food is good
You invite me out to eat it, I should...go
But I'm feeling kind of nervous and not quite myself
So I'm running late on purpose and I know this wont help how things have become between us
But if I go you'll give me hell, and that I dont know how to fix
It is making me unwell
Well

I arrive at your house, but you've just got up
And you are wearing a towel, and your eyes look dark
I help to dry your body, and I see your cut
So I give you a plaster, and we cover it up
I say "Have you been crying?"
And you say "Shut Up"
So we sit in the garden, and touch the grass with our hands

The sun is going down now, and it's been okay
You tell me all the things you did while I was away
And this worries me somewhat
You say you're fine

Listen
Can you hear it?
Does it speak?
Will I feel it?
Will it hurt?
Am I near it?
I dont know

I dont know how more people havent got mental health problems
Thinking is one of the most stressful things I've ever come across
And not being able to articulate what I want to say drives me crazy
I think I should read some more books, learn some new words
My sister used to read the dictionary so I'm going to start with that
I'd like to travel
I want to see India and the pyramids, a whale and that race with all the bicycles in France
I'm not sure about rivers, they scare me, but I love swimming, I'm good at it
And when I swim I count the laps, and this helps me relax
When I was younger I saw a house burn down
I walked past it for the next six years, derelict, black, chalky and dangerous
I wondered if squatters lived there
I'm still not sure but I know there were never any parties cuz its a shit-hole
After a while the council got round to tidying the town
They decided it was an eyesore so they tore it down
Behind the house was a wall with a few bits of crappy graffiti and the word 'Cunt' written in giant letters
And now I walk past that

I like going to the park, and I like walking through it
I like taking my dogs there
And friends, and I like being alone
I like being able to shout, but I wish I could be quiet
When I'm quiet people just think I'm sad, and usually I am
Sometimes when I'm at a really noisy train station
Somewhere with the fast trains like Kings Cross
I feel like putting down my bags and shouting things out because I've got something to say

Don't you want to share the guilt?
Don't think, just try and sleep

Mini Review - 'Kick-Ass'

2010-06-16T13:19:00.005+01:00

Finally! Michael has seem a film in 2010!!!!
F*ck what everyone is saying about the movie being irresponsible for making horrific violence a laughing matter.
This is cartoon violence, and the whole film is seen from a completely f*cked up point of view.

But what a thrilling point of view it is:
Bad guys getting ripped apart by everyday people.
Just wonderful.

I for one was cheering from behind covered eyes as a 10 year old girl laid waste to a room full of revolting and evil drug dealers.
Heck a lot of pretty ugly and morally disgusting men were chopped up in this film and I for one loved it.
I also freely admit I have a very warped idea of justice and how to improve the world, and fully appreciate that some people should really be wiped from the face of the earth, or have an missile shot into their chests.

Grade A-

'Never Let Me Go' Trailer

2010-06-16T10:26:00.000+01:00

This trailer now elevates this film to my most anticipated list.
Reading the book was completely emotional. It begs to ask the question of what makes us human, even when we are not supposed to be.
Judging from the trailer it appears one of my pet peeves in film has been squashed, the casting of children to portray the younger version of the same character, who look nothing like their adult counterparts. They have managed to get it right without having to rely on having the same hairstyle.
This film looks like it will be a beautiful and completely emotional experience.
Can not wait.

'Somewhere' trailer

2010-06-15T13:54:00.002+01:00

Ohhhh!!! Emmmm!!! Geeeeee!!!!

Dakota is going to be so pissed off if Elle gets one first! Could Sophia be doing a Mickey Rourke with Stephen Dorff?

Summer Mix Tape 2010

2010-06-15T09:13:00.002+01:00

Well here is my annual Summer mix tape sponsored by Murphy - my little monster/darling kitty.
I am sure there will be a part II with late summer releases, but this is what I am listening to this summer. Yes, some of these songs are 2009, but they fit my 'now' so well that they have to be here. Enjoy! xxx

From left to right:

José Gonzalez – ‘Heartbeats’
Beach House – ‘Norway’
Mumford and Sons – ‘Little Lion Man’
Maccabees – ‘Dinosaurs’
Marina and the Diamonds – ‘Obsessions’

Jack Peñate – ‘Pull My Heart Away’
Kate Nash – ‘Don’t You Want to Share The Guilt’
Passion Pit – ‘Sleepyhead’
Keane – ‘Stop For a Minute’
VV Brown – ‘This Charming Man’

Plan B – ‘She Said’
Rihanna – ‘Te Amo’
Macy Grey – ‘Lately’
Nikki & Rich – ‘Next Best Thing’
Caro Emerald – ‘A Night Like This’

Janelle Monae – ‘Tightrope’
Florence and the Machine - ‘Dog Days are Over’
Miike Snow – ‘The Rabbit’
Hurts – ‘Better Than Love’
Kylie – ‘All the Lovers’

Groove Armada – ‘Paper Romance’
Robyn – ‘Dancing on my Own’
M.I.A. – ‘XXXO’
Faithless – ‘Not Going Home’
Kelis -‘4th of July’

'The Extra Man' trailer

2010-06-14T16:51:00.003+01:00

Where does Oscar love come from? Or more importantly which actors are actually loved?
I ask this because although they gave Kevin Kline an Oscar for 'A Fish Called Wanda' they have never invited him back, despite awards attention elsewhere. Is once more than enough for some actors?
He is apparently wonderful in this film - doubtful it will translate being 'lite'

Summer music preview

2010-05-25T11:09:00.003+01:00

Hungerford Bridge in London, UK

So it is the summer and the sun is shining and the trees are green again.
Time for long days full of friends, and drink, and laughter, all to a wonderful backdrop.

Yes it is nearly time for my summer mix tape. However before that happens I must take a look at the songs that may make it.

'None of Dem' (ft. Royksopp) - Robyn

Just so dark and club ready. This just oozes close dance floor sex.

'Tightrope' (ft. Big Boi) - Janelle Monáe

I have joined the band wagon with pride - genius.

'Acapella' - Kelis

Will most likely be the gay summer club anthem of 2010.

'Obsessions' - 'Marina and the Diamonds

Just makes me want to bop along all day.

'Skinny Genes' - Eliza Doolittle

The whistle - that damn whistle just makes this into something great.

'Your Love' - Keane

A grower.

'Dinosaurs' - The Maccabees

This just smells of summer evenings to me. No idea why.

'Paper Romance' - Groove Armada

Brilliant. One of those songs that gets better and better with each listen.

Toni comes back

2010-05-17T17:46:00.000+01:00

It has been 16 years since the world was introduced to PJ Hogan and Toni Collette.
That is a long time, and still “you’re terrible Muriel” and “Goodbye Porpoise Spit!” still make their way into daily conversation.

Also I have to thank them for introducing me to Toni Collette, who is now one of my favourite actors ever!

Well they are teaming up again for another Aussie comedy called ‘Mental’.
It will see Collette playing a crazy, charismatic woman who changes the life of a family after she becomes the nanny to five girls. And apparently it is based on reality.
Yes it is Hogans own experience:

“Like Muriel's Wedding, Mental is a comedy, but a comedy based on reality, laced with pain and brimming with flawed but lovable characters," Hogan tells Variety. Shaz (the central character) was hilarious, outrageous, dangerous, courageous, inspiring, heartbreaking and totally, totally mad. And she changed my life,"

It starts shooting next January and will hopefully see release near the end of the year.

The Review Rack

2010-05-17T10:56:00.000+01:00

Here are some of the reviews of note that have been coming up at various festivals recently.
These are mainly mentioned because they single out a performance or two, which I like to do as it makes the acting races not seen like they are from such a small pool (as the choices usually are).

'Another Year'

So far the new Mike Leigh film is by and far the best reviewed film coming out of Cannes at the moment.
He is already a Cannes legend, but still continues to make movies that people are passionate about, even if his films are always the simplest premise (at first thought that is).
The film features wonderful performances from Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen, David Bradley, Philip Davis and Imelda Staunton, however the person with the biggest buzz is Leigh regular Lesley Manville. People are going ga ga for her performance and she is already being buzzed for the Actress prize at Cannes.

'Frankie & Alice'

Halle Berry's multiple personality movie got a decent review from 'The Hollywood Reporter'. Duane Byrge called Berry "Spellbinding" and also singled out Phylicia Rashad as her enabling mother. But before you mark you ballots remember that this same magazine gave 'Amelia' a rave last year.

'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps'

Getting pretty decent reviews, but on an acting front, it seems to be the Michael Douglas show with great support from Frank Langella. However it seems the whole cast seems to do well in the film with Josh Brolin and Carey Mulligan getting some fine notices as well.

'Meet Monica Velour'

And finally a big ole surprise.
This comedy about a teenage boy meeting and becoming obsessed with a former 80's porn star got a lot of buzz from the Tribeca Film Festival. It is supposed to be a surprisingly warm and tender comedy that is extremely well written and acted.
The majority of the acting buzz goes to Kim Cattrall - Yes people, Samantha Jones is getting raves.

"The effectively deglamorized Cattrall is terrific, investing her portrayal with a complex mixture of vulnerability, toughness and still-powerful sexuality." - Frank Scheck - The Hollywood Reporter

"Of course, after thirty years of professional wear and tear and marital and substance abuse, Ms. Velour is nothing more than a decaying façade of the glimmering beauty she once was. Spiteful and world-weary, Cattrall shines through the runny make-up and cheap outfits her character has become accustomed to and delivers an authentic portrayal of a woman who walked on the wild side and came through a marvelous mess. Her performance, along with the nostalgic reminiscence of porno’s home-video heyday, offers a loving nod to the skin-flick industry while poking fun at its ludicrous, unnecessary plot lines and C-rate production values." - Daniel Hubschman - Hollywood.com

"Thesping is excellent throughout. Cattrall kills as the cynically foul-mouthed ex-sex queen desperately trying to keep her head above water" - Ronnie Scheib - Variety

It would be a wonderful miracle to see her as a major award contender, but stranger things have happened. I for one will be routing for her. Out of all the SATC women she is the one most people would have never thought of being called a thespian.

I was acting like another woman, yet I was more Oscar than ever before.

2010-05-15T19:38:00.002+01:00

So back here I asked you to vote in a poll to see who you thought should have been crowned Best Actress in 1995.
The results are long in:

Everyones favourite crazy snatch flasher, Sharon Stone, got ZERO votes for her performance in 'Casino' and she was second choice after Madonna.

The wonderful Emma Thompson could only manage 13% of the votes for her wonderful performance in 'Sense and Sensibility'.

Surprise nominee Elisabeth Shue only managed 17% of the votes, she has more adventures whilst babysitting than she did 'Leaving Las Vegas'.

Eventual winner for 'Dead Man Walking', Susan Sarandon was only 22% popular for her 'overdue' Oscar winning performance.

So with a mammoth 48% of the votes the wonderful Meryl Streep wins this for 'The Bridges of Madison County'

Well it is no surprise really.
This is one of those performances that was so brilliant, you hardly noticed.
It would have probably gotten more attention had she not been against Sarandon and been going through a quiet period in her career.

However, 3rd Oscar or not she is one of the greatest, and this is one of my favourite Meryl performances of all time. The way she is both mother, lover and wife for different people, playing each role amazingly, even if they do not all fit together.

Clint Eastwood did her a great service with this, and the performance has left a legacy.

Now onto Best Supporting Actress for 1995

The nominees were:

Joan Allen - 'Nixon'
Kathleen Quinlan - 'Apollo 13'
Mira Sorvino - 'Mighty Aphrodite'
Mare Winningham - 'Georgia'
Kate Winslet - 'Sense and Sensibility'

COME ON PEOPLE! VOTE!!!

Please note that I have had to delete the previous poll because some freakish Mira Sorvino fan voted for her over 500 times, as if this poll had any sort of importance. Unless it does and Mira and/or her people are thinking that the results of this poll will set in motion one of the biggest acting come backs ever - in which case I am flattered - but serious, whoever is going Mira crazy, get a life.

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'Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work' trailer

2010-05-15T10:39:00.000+01:00

You know what?
I love Joan Rivers.
I miss her on the red carpet. Never remembering names, being so incorrect and actually being the best thing at the Oscars.

She laughed with celebrities, even if she had no idea who they were, just as easily as she insulted them to their face.
She has been in the industry for years and has never stopped working.

I mean this is the woman who played a lesbian in the play ‘Seawood’ who had a crush on an unknown Barbra Streisand. This was in the 1950’ and she has bever stopped working.
She is also one of the most respected comics working – and this is according to other comics.

Now one of my most anticipated films has a trailer and I just cannot wait.
Looks to be funny, shocking and moving. Go Joan.

'Barney's Vision' trailer

2010-05-15T09:32:00.002+01:00

Rosamund Pike and Minnie Driver. I am so there.

'Love Ranch' Poster

2010-05-14T20:40:00.000+01:00

Looking pretty spiffy - judging by the poster I have no idea what to expect and that is kind of exciting.

Tiger rights

2010-05-14T16:27:00.001+01:00

Yet another opportunity for Brad Pitt to bail on a film directed by Darren Aronofsky. After walking out of ‘The Fountain’ and ‘The Fighter’ they are “apparently” going to join forces and make ‘The Tiger’.

The film is an action thriller and is based on the forthcoming nonfiction book by John Vaillant. The story is set in Siberia and human habitation is encroaching on the tigers territory, and one tiger sets off to start hunting down the towns people.
So far I am thinking the tiger is the hero of the story – well I am routing for it anyway.

Pitt will play a conservationalist game warden who must put aside his love for the animals to take down the man-eater.
I am still hoping the tiger wins this one. I personally hate the idea of an animal dying because it is trying to protect its land, however I am hoping against hope that this will be handled sensitively.
Actually Aronofsky is the man to do that. What is also interesting is that Guillermo Arriaga (‘Babel’) is adapting the story. The man is a talented writer, but is known for his fragmented stories. Perhaps focusing his ideas on this will make for fantastic results.
Arriaga has said to Variety:

“This is the first time I have adapted a screenplay, since I have previously only written original screenplays. I chose to adapt this story, first, because I have a profound love for the outdoors and the intense tension between man and nature which the book reflects; and, second, because of the great privilege of working with such accomplished filmmakers.”

I am concerned with the “tension between man and nature” part. For this animal lover it sounds more like a cat fighting for survival and man just wanting his way – the tension comes from us.
While we are all waiting for this film to come out, why not adopt a Siberian Tiger to ensure its survival.

'Easy A' trailer

2010-05-14T10:26:00.001+01:00

When Brandon (‘Cougar Towns’ Dan Byrd) asks his friend Olive (Emma Stone) to help him hide his gayness by pretending to date him and take his virginity, he has no idea what that would mean to his friend.

Olive now has a reputation and uses this rumour to advance her social and financial standing.
However nothing is as it seems, and the similarities she sees to Hester Prynne in ‘The Scarlet Letter’ (which she is reading for school) allow for some self discovery.

Sure it sounds like another teen rom-com, but judging by the trailers it has bite and perhaps a little heft.

First there is the HYSTERICAL teaser trailer which just makes me laugh out loud.

Then here is the full trailer which announces Stone as a star for tomorrow. It is also wonderful to see Clarkson, Tucci and Kudrow (all wonderful comic actors) in this, which adds to it to the ‘must see’ list immediately.

Stretching

2010-05-13T15:59:00.002+01:00

Why, you may ask, am I blogging about Jennifer Anniston doing yet another romantic comedy film?
For the simple reason that I like her.

Judd Apatow is producing the film ‘Wanderlust’ which co-stars Paul Rudd. The people behind ‘Role Models’ and ‘The State’ co-wrote the script with Rudd and it focuses on a couple who are tired on their modern lives and decide to join a commune to get back in touch with themselves and the world.

So far so “High-LARious” but for some reason I am very intrigued. This could be a rather insightful look at the modern age, and have a lot to say if handled less “slapstick” and more “biting satire”.

The fact that the writers did The State so many years ago leaves me with a slight hope that something wonderful could happen, that finally lets Anniston stretch a little bit.

On The Road - Again

2010-05-13T14:03:00.001+01:00

It seems that the Jack Kerouac’s long beloved novel ‘On The Road’ is finally being made despite the fact that both Francis Ford Coppola and Gus Van Sant have all tried and failed to get it made.

Coppola is still attached as producer, but he has offered up directing duties to ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ and ‘Central Station’ director Walter Salles.

And boy is he getting together an interesting cast in Garret Hedlund (‘Troy’ and ‘Tron Legacy’ – must have had a killer audition), the brilliant Sam Reily and now it seems Kristen Stewart has hopped on board.

Now a lot of people are bored of Stewart, mainly because of the ‘Twilight’ hype, but had that film have never happened, I am sure she would be thought of in a more positive light. If you go to her IMDB page and take out all ‘Twilight’ movies, you are left with a pretty strong filmography for someone so young.

Heck her obvious embarrassment at winning the “Rising Star” award at this years BAFTA (over these nominees) made me think of her in a new light – then in her acceptance speech, in which she goes and basically acknowledges she is up there because of the fans, endeared her to me.

Perhaps once this silly ‘Twilight’ obsession dies, we will be able to see her as something other than Bella – at least the choices she is making are setting her on the right track.

Cosmopolis

2010-05-13T03:16:00.000+01:00

Don DeLillo’s 2003 novel ‘Cosmopolis’ depicted a limo ride in the day in the life of multi billionaire. In this day he cheats on his wife, is stalked, deals with traffic jams and looses all of him money.
The book was praised for it’s prose, but mainly received negative reviews compared to his previous novels. However this never stops Hollywood.
I mean making a movie mainly from the inside of a limo would be a challenge, and for better or for worse Hollywood always wants to rise to a challenge (I say challenge, you say gimmick).

Colin Farrell has signed on in the lead role (hey, he starred in a movie set in a phone booth – a limo has more space) and Marion Cotillard has signed on to play his wife.
These are two actors who are having a very good run of things lately.
Whatever I may think of the plot is quickly forgiven when I find out who is on writing and directing duties.

David Cronenberg.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, expect this to be very dark indeed.
YAY!

'Adjustment Bureau' Trailer

2010-05-12T20:26:00.002+01:00

Although I am not the biggest fan of Matt Damon or Emily Blunt, I have to say I am a HUGE fan of these sci-fi style films. This one has gotten me a lot more excited than the 'Inception' trailer.
Take a look for yourself:

Rock me sexy composer

2010-05-12T16:41:00.003+01:00

Do films about composers work? Sure ‘Immortal Beloved’ and ‘Amadeus’ were all extremely well received (the latter winning 8 Oscars) but they also has a lot of artistic license to make it more dramatic.
Of course this works for the film, but historians get upset and to audiences really want to see a movie about a long dead classical musician? Not really. Intelligent audiences – yes, the large and overwhelming majority – no.

So how do you get it a film about Vivaldi made? Well for starters take romantic rumors from the mans life and make them fact, and actually go further, make them sexy fact.
Do this by taking the story of his close collaborators, Tessieri Giro (along with her sister) who became part of Vivaldi's entourage on his far-and-wide travels, and make it into a sex scandal (hey, go one further and introduce sister swapping).
Next cast sexy actors to play the roles.

I am sure Tessieri was a very lovely lady in her time, but do you think she really looked like Jessica Biel? How could Vivaldi have composed anything with her running around scantily clad like that?

Also if Vivaldi actually looked like Luke Evans, then I need to pay more attention to the classical musicians. I mean those pictures of the famous composer you, like me, have now realized just how those painters/printers back in ye old times did not do their subjects justice.

Send in the Clown.

2010-05-12T13:42:00.002+01:00

Since I do not get Saturday Night Live here in the UK, I have to watch snippets online, and week after week Kristen Wiig is by far the funniest thing (the opening number when Betty White hosted makes me crack up whenever I think of it).
She is a comedic goddess, and is able to translate that into some wonderful film roles. Her recent role in ‘Whip It’ made me sit up and notice her acting chop, and made me year to see her in a larger role in the near future.

Well it seems she is not going to wait to be cast. She is going to use her own money to option Monica Drake’s dark comic novel ‘Clown Girl’.

Now I hate clowns (like many people, they scare me) however girl clowns are not as scary. They actually seem very melancholy to me.
The story follows Nita, a lady clown whose life just isn’t living up to the dream. She’s eking out a living working street fairs, and spends her time pining after her dream man, who used her to help pay for his own education at clown college. And since he’s having money troubles, she’s tempted to sink into the murky world of prostitution, catering to clown fetishists.

Since she is planning to write and star in the film leaves me with a strange hope. This could be one of those films that ends up being bloody brilliant. All we need is a director to come on board who is able to be both funny, moving and dark.
May I suggest Alexander Payne, since he knows how to direct women extremely well.

If Music be the food of link

2010-05-11T16:37:00.000+01:00

Madonna. Not exactly movie news, but the lady has been busy. This week we get a stunning photo shoot and behind the scenes video.
First she gives a wonderful interview over at Interview Magazine before going off and doing a fabulous photo shoot for them (she is looking like the old Madonna again, photo shop or botox, I do not care) with behind the scenes video.
What with the new album and the movie I wonder where she finds the time.
Could it be time for another resurgence for her?

There is so much going on in the music world of late that I just cannot seem to control myself. This summer is looking to be very costly in music purchases.

If you have not watched the recently banned video from M.I.A. you need to head on over here to check it out. A shocking and thoughtful reminder that genocide still happens all over the world, as does ignorance - as proven by some of the comments.

Recently out and proud lead singer of Bloc Party, the sexy Kele Okereke shows us his solo single 'Teneroni' and boy is it a corker.
I loved the music of Bloc Party so I cannot wait to see where is solo career goes.
I am glad to live in the UK, where coming out in the entertainment industry does not have to be a media event, it is just accepted.
I count myself very very lucky.

The L.A. Times takes an interestesting look the return of the music video. I for one could not be more excited about this, since videos were getting very very boring. I guess we should thank Lady GaGa for that. They also have the fabulous new Beyonce video, 'Why Don't You Love Me?', embedded.

Head on over to The Scissor Sisters website to preview a few songs they have coming out from their third album 'Night Work'.
I am greatly looking forward to this album, as have been a huge fan of these guys for many many years, even if the last album was not as pleasing as the first (to me at least)
The sound is pure them, but sounding more mature and sexy. Kind of like having an orgy at Studio 54.

Also be sure and get as many free mp3 downloads as you can from Arjan Writes. Sam Sparro, Kelis, Tegan and Sara, V V Brown and more…

Goodbye Lena

2010-05-10T16:32:00.005+01:00

30 June, 1917 to 9 May, 2010

"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it."

Growing up I was very aware of Lena Horne. My father always thought she was one of the most beautiful women in the world, and my mother loved her sass.
I knew her mainly as a singer, having never seen one of her movies. She crept up on shows I watched (The Oscars, The Cosby Show, The Tony's and re runs of The Muppet Show and Sesame Street) and I remember always knowing exactly who she was.

It was only in later years, when I began to seek out her music and research her career, that I realised that this stunning woman had such a struggle within the Hollywood system. It is a sad and all to familiar story for many non white actors.
However as a child, when ever she graced the screen, I thought her the biggest and brightest star in the world.

Sometimes that is really what matters. A star that can shine on their own.

"You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way."

Pedro goes dark

2010-05-10T13:44:00.000+01:00

As you are all aware, Pedro Almodovar is once again teaming up with Antonio Banderas, twenty years on from their last collaboration,'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!', which followed 'Labyrinth of Passion', 'Matador', 'Law of Desire', and 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown'.

The new film is called 'La Piel Que Habito (The Skin I Live In)'and it is a lot darker than previous outings for the director.
The story follows a surgeon whose daughter was viciously raped, and the trauma has sent her to a mental institution. He decides to take revenge on the man who did it. It is apparently the harshest screenplay he has written and it is taken by the French novel 'Mygale' by Thierry Jonquet.

This is not something we would come to expect from the great Pedro, but sometimes going outside of your comfort zone will have miraculous results. Also it is nice to see Banderas back in a lead role. Like Cruz, Almodovar made him, and work he has done since these collaborations have not had nearly the same magic. Perhaps this too will be a revival. Lord knows he is still hot enough to be gracing the screen and causing loin quivers across the board.

I kind of always wonder what would have happened had he ended up with Madonna. I have always thought Melanie Griffith never made sense - although a 14 year marriage for Hollywood is amazing.

I never saw a trailer I didn't like

2010-05-09T11:44:00.003+01:00

Well not really true, but there is something exciting about getting the first glimpses of a movie, anticipated or not.
A trailer has the power to make a movie that people are dying to see, a non event, while giving high expectations to a film no-one has heard of,

'The American'

First we have this moody and stylish trailer for George Clooneys' new staring vehicle, directed by the always interesting Anton Corbijn. It looks moody, and intense, but not too action focused which is always good.
It has the appearance of on of those films that the critics will love, but it will have no awards traction, aside from Clooney. I for one am excited.

'Waiting for Superman'

The acclaimed doc that came out of Sundance looks at the education system. Looks very current, shocking, sad, joyous, triumph of the human spirit - ie, very Oscary.

'Four Lions'

This looks so silly and incorrect that it could be brilliant, or just plain dumb. Of course I am sad for the crow, but a terrorism comedy is a brave movie to make.

'Machete'

There is something just so damn cool about this trailer. So cheap and bad and just plain brilliant.
I am hoping Lindsey Lohan frikkin owns this movie.

'The Killer Inside Me'

This could be the most controversial film of the year if advanced buzz is anything to go by. Michael Winterbottom directs what looks like another brilliant role for Casey Affleck, and a chance for Kate Hudson and Jessica Alba to become really great.
This will not do well with box office, so critical hype and buzz is everything.

'You Again'

This could go either way, but Sigourney Weaver and Jamie Lee Curtis look like they are going to own this film. The last line spoken by Weaver is sheer comic brilliance. Could we have another Katherine Parker on our hands?

Trailers, Trailers, Trailers!

2010-05-02T09:43:00.003+01:00

I love me a good trailer park!

'Splice'

You know, I am kind of loving the premise, even if I al ready know that some of the reviews from Sundance were not the strongest. Sure there is the cheesy dialogue but this film does appear to have some intelligence behind it. Plus the buzz is that even though it borrows from many science fiction films, the end result is kind of original. Originality is something lacking from most of todays films.
Plus I do have a little crush on Adrian Brody and doesn't every one love Sarah Polley?

'Jonah Hex'

Totally not really buying this. Sure we all love Josh Brolin and Megan Fox looks bearable, I just do not understand what his power is. Guns?
Expect this to do moderate box office, even if the reviews are exceptionally strong.
Todays audiences like what they know, and a majority of them do not know this and it is not in 3D either.

'Buried'

Now Ryan Reynolds impressed me to no end in 'The Nines' and even though he has been doing a lot of pop he is a good actor. This looks like it will be a showcase for him since it is him, in a coffin for the entire film, buried under ground.
This film has done exceedingly well with reviewers since Sundance, so expect a strong showing for this indie.

'Secretariat'

I love horses, I just do not like the idea of hopping on ones back and making it run as fast as it can. This is who I have never really likes the horse racing sub genre in film.
However this looks like it could be a showcase for Diane Lane, John Malkovich and James Cromwell (he seems to do well with animals) however the whole "Disney" thing also makes it reek of sugar and honey and all things sickly.
It will be interesting to see what this one does.

And finally, those twats at Dimension will not allow for embedding for 'Piranha 3D'. Why, I do not know except that they are kunts,
Anywho follow the link to see what will surely bee the biggest trash fest of the summer. I for one cannot wait.

Yes, I still love her

2010-04-26T17:18:00.001+01:00

Woody's new gig

2010-04-23T14:39:00.000+01:00

Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Carla Bruni and Michael Sheen.

Sure it sounds like I am just spouting out the names of random gifted actors, but I am actually listing the cast of the latest Woody Allen film. Add to that the less known names of Nina Arianda, Tom Hiddleston, Corey Stoll, Kurt Fuller and the always brilliant Mimi Kennedy you have a cast that gets me kind of excited.

Now the ole Woodster is notoriously hush hush when it comes to plot details, but he is all blabber mouth lately issuing a statement:

"The film celebrates a young man's great love for Paris, and simultaneously explores the illusion people have that a life different from their own is better,".

What is even stranger than Allen giving plot details away is the fact that he has a title - 'Midnight in Paris'. No more 'Untitled Woody Allen Project' on Internet Movie Data Base searches then.

Reminder

2010-04-23T11:46:00.003+01:00

To vote in the poll.

One of these women will emerge victorious, but you all need to vote for her.

The Lost Art of 'Inglourious Basterds'

2010-04-23T11:13:00.004+01:00

Just when I thought I couldn't love the movie more

See there all here

3 Duh

2010-04-23T10:59:00.001+01:00

With every film being made in 3D these days, it is refreshing when you hear film makers being a bit dubious about it.
Although Christopher Nolan is very tight lipped on the third Batman film, and his brother who is writing the screenplay is playing the hush hush game as well, there is one people who is sneaking out tid bits.
Director of Photography, Wally Pfister has reported that it will not play in three dimensions, with IMAX as a possibility.

The Reasons:

"I did it [IMAX] for one shot of The Dark Knight because Chris said, 'You have to say you did it,' and literally I had this strapped to my shoulder and I was carrying it," he told Cinematical. "But I think he is game for doing something interesting like that. Lord knows that the 3D fad might pass by the time that summer comes around."

I hope the fad passes. Although it makes things very interesting to look at, it can also be distracting. As much as I enjoyed 'Avatar', had I seen it in 2D my appreciation may have been somewhat diminished - without so much spectacle you are left with the story, and that is a special effect no fancy camera can change.

'Kisses' trailer

2010-04-22T16:16:00.003+01:00

This little Irish film has been doing rather well on the festival circuit, being compared to 'Night of the Hunter' a few times as well.
This looks like the kid of movie that a small group of people will really love.
It has no real awards potential, subtitled films hardly ever do, especially when they are in English.
However in saying that, if handled correctly it could be a little surprise film that manages to be seen by more than a handful of people - that is if it find passionate support and is campaigned hard enough.
In that case anything can happen.
But to be realistic that scenario usually only happens with home grown (US) films.

Far From the Madding Link

2010-04-22T13:54:00.006+01:00

Nathaniel Rogers really needs to sue me. I am now stealing his 'Links' post title ideas. It is the highest form of flattery though (or so they say)

Anywho.... gaze on the lovely picture below:

That is a sneak peak pic from Stephen Frears’ comic book adaptation,'Tamara Drewe'. It is based on Posy Simmonds’ comic strip, which was inspired by 'Far From The Madding Crowd', and which ran in the Guardian Newspaper from 2005-2007, before being collected into a graphic novel.
In the story, Tamara Drewe is a newspaper columnist who "causes a stir with her flirtatious ways in a small English village". It stars Gemma Arterton who is due for a big year with both 'Clash of the Titans' and 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' due for release this year, as well as this smaller film and indie horror 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed'. I like how she is mixing it up, but she is in danger of being completely overshadowed by herself, especially if 'Prince' is a flop.

Empire is reporting a few interesting stories today. Firstly that Kate Bosworth is joining 'Goodnight Moon'. Most notable because it is a drama and co-stars Leslie Mann.
They are also reporting that 'The Lincoln Lawyer' is in full casting mode. Namely the extremely talented punch-line Marisa Tomei is joining the project which also stars Matthew McConaughey - who although is kind of hot, has never interested me as an actor.

NY Magazine is reporting that Jack may be back. The man makes me smile, but I have never been fully impressed by a performance of him. Call me strange, but as an actor he seems kind of samey - 'About Schmidt' was an exception.

Heat Vision Blog is reporting that Bryan Singer has another project looming. Just make X-Men films please. I miss them!

Arjan Writes reports some news that is making me jump up and down in joy. I am just so frikkin excited!

Entertainment Weekly is looking at the summer albums they cannot wait to hear. Just hearing the names Ladytron, Santigold and M.I.A, in conjunction with the new Christina Aguilera album has me foaming at the mouth.

My Territorial Bubble look at 'How to Train Your Dragon and gets me even more excited to see it. I just now need to drag myself to a movie theatre.

Madonnalicious has a GLEE recap. Go I love this show. Everything about it is so silly, moving, ridiculous and fun that you cannot help but get caught up in it, and even though they did Madonna, they did also kind of prove that no one can really do Madonna better than Madonna can.
I kind of wished she had agreed to come on board the show as a creative consultant, and really pushed the staging of the number out of the limited 'GLEE' box.
I guess you cannot have it all though and I am just thankful to have a celebration of the woman on a popular show, even if they did not dive too deeply into her catalogue.

Strange Culture embarrasses me by looking at the 'Oz' films much better that I did. Bastard.

I love Toni Collette. And I love 'United States of Tara' even if the new episodes are proving a little dull in comparison to last season (muff diving aside). This is probably due to the lack of Alice and Tee who certainly livened things up A LOT in the show, and showed Toni's comic timing and range. Until we see her again, enjoy Tee's blog which had me in hysterics. Sure they are just You Tube videos, but my word are they funny.

And finally Valley Dreaming looks at the craze that has slept my work place: Robot Unicorn

'Avatar 2 - I Sea You'

2010-04-21T16:15:00.001+01:00

From the lips of James Cameron to our ears:

"Part of my focus in the second film is in creating a different environment – a different setting within Pandora. And I’m going to be focusing on the ocean, which will be equally rich and diverse and crazy and imaginative, but it just won’t be a rainforest. I’m not saying we won’t see what we’ve already seen; we’ll see more of that as well."

Here is hoping that not only does he do away with a lot of the "tree of souls" mumbo jumbo (it is their God/Heaven - no need to translate it from their native language, we are not that stupid). Here is also hoping that the tyrant will relinquish control, at least where the screenplay is involved.
Already I am picturing many many Na'vi plugging their pony tails into the tentacles of giant sea horses and squid.
Do you think when they plug them in, they can be fed oxygen?
Do you think they refer to their planet as "Pandora", one would think it would have a name not in the English language with such obvious associations.

Waco gets stoned

2010-04-21T14:11:00.002+01:00

Well it was bound to happen. David Koresh and his Branch Davidians cult, and the FBI debacle that went with it was bound to get the big screen treatment eventually, I am just amazed it has taken this long to do.
Well the film is going ahead with Michael McNulty who made the documentary '
Waco: The Rules of Engagement' (trailer below) on hand for his experience. Also interesting is that investigative journalist, Lee Hibbard has written the script.
There is no director yet, but the most interesting thing is the cast.

Kurt Russell, Adrian Brody and:

Yes, that is Sharon Stone. They have all signed on to the film which starts shooting in the fall.

Could this be a comeback vehicle for all three, or will it end up being a respected, yet unrewarding film? The subject is a great one though and it has all the making of a very juicy (and accurate) bit of film making.

What is it with Oz.

2010-04-21T13:18:00.000+01:00

There is all this interest surrounding the land of Oz of late.
There seem to be a lot of movies being planned that have something to do with the place.
First there was Todd McFarlane's version based on the 'Twisted' range of dolls. Also there is John Boorman's version in the works called ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'.
There is also a New Line Version called 'Oz' being planned for 2013, plus versions of 'Wicked' (one base don the musical and one based on the book)

And now there is a prequel, or rather and origin story about the Wizard himself.
Not only is it being written, but it also tentatively has a star in the form of Robert Downey Jr. and a possible director in Sam Mendes (especially since 'Preacher' and the next 'Bond' film have fallen through). The only down side is it is being produced by Disney, so do not expect it to be truly dark.

I am still hoping that HBO pick up the rights to do a serial based on 'Wicked' (novel). I loved the politics of the book, and the world that was painted, and although I loved the musical, the book has been my all time favourite story in the Oz mythology (yes, that includes the original film, which I am not a fan of).

'Get Low' Trailer

2010-04-21T10:46:00.000+01:00

Well it looks already like Robert Duvall will be a 2011 Oscar nominee for Best Actor, perhaps along side Bill Murray for Best Supporting Actor (maybe we will even see Sissy Spacek)
Duvall was already being touted as a contender for the 2010 awards back in September 2009 after the premier of the film at the Toronto Film Festival.

I am not a big fan of the foregone conclusion this early in the year, so here is hoping we shall see a few surprises and a much closer race in all categories this year.

Faithless saves Dance Music

2010-04-20T19:05:00.003+01:00

Faithless have constantly defined the sound of clubbing since the first hit the airwaves in 1995. That is 15 years of recording, and although they have never strayed too far from their formula for amazing dance music, it constantly sounds like a breath of fresh yet familiar air.

You want to dance the night away to the dawn. Listening to them evokes images of beaches, the sun rising and people just happy to dance. Now they have a new song and my word it is as good as anything they have done. The new album is out May 16th, until then, watch and listen (the video is a little rude, but I LOVE it)

My New Dish Washer

2010-04-20T15:04:00.002+01:00

Cheap as shit, but doesn't scrub hard enough.

Jack Peñate

2010-04-20T12:26:00.004+01:00

So another artist that completely passed my radar last year was Jack Peñate.
Not only is he talented and kind of sexy is a strange way, he is the grandson of Mervyn Peake who wrote 'Gormenghast'.

Although this song was released in August 2009, I am just getting around to discovering him (thank you iTunes recommendations!).

Five him a listen and see what you think!

Passion Pit

2010-04-20T11:02:00.002+01:00

Ok, so they are not new, but a new discovery for me.
Passion Pit is an American electronic band from Cambridge, Massachusetts
On February 24, 2009, the American iTunes store released "Sleepyhead" as a discovery download song - so it is well old - and sadly I am just catching up. Their album 'Manners' is very good, with numerous tracks being used in various TV shows and advertisements, so it may all sound strangely familiar. But here it is in case anyone out there has not yet discovered them:

Raping the 80's

2010-04-19T12:24:00.003+01:00

I am a child of the 80's. As a decade I look back and cringe until I remember the music and sometimes the movies. To use a word that as a gay man and 'Sex and the City' fan, I use too much I would have to say that decade was fabulous.
However it seems that Hollywood is counting on the fact that most cinema attendees are either 90's children or love nostalgia far too much.
If it is the latter then I am sure they will be completely disappointed.

Not only are the mining 80's TV (cartoons and prime time) they are also going back and stealing all the movies. It is as if original thought has died.

We have coming out this year:

'The A Team', 'Nightmare on Elm Street', 'The Karate Kid', 'Clash of the Titans', 'Tron 2'

And that does not include the films that are being planned for remake duties:'

Police Academy', 'Short Circuit', 'Private Benjamin', 'Poltergeist', 'Escape from New York', ''Footloose', 'Red Dawn', 'Robocop', 'Fright Night', 'The Thing', 'He Man' and many many more.

What about those films that could really benefit from a remake? Most of these are just being rehashed for quick bucks. I would like to see a remake of a film that didn't quite succeed the first time around - or could really use a visual effects update (there are rumours of a planned remake of 'The Never Ending Story' which does kind of excite me - that is a movie that although captured the imagination as a child could really benefit from a grittier remake - ie make it for an audience of adults not for children)
Or perhaps what I have already discussed back here - now that is a movie that was creepy and effective if also very flawed (mainly in the screenplay).

What is sad, at least for me, about remaking these films is that there is no real point to it - aside from moola.
People will always go to the movies, but making a film with an pre set audience just seems lazy. What is even more worrying is that most of these are remakes of the original. In another 20 years are we going to have remakes of the remake of the remake of the original?
Are our lives nothing but rehashing the ideas of others with no care for making it at least sound original?
With all these remakes, re-hashes and plagiary, I couldn't help but wonder... where have all the stories gone?

'Sex and the City 2' poster

2010-04-16T16:25:00.003+01:00

Love it! No idea why you would need glasses on a stick in the desert, or how she is managing to walk in heels (unless they are wedges) in sand, or why, for the love of Madonna would she have so much flesh exposed in that heat (although it does look cloudy) but it just all works so well. It is as is she is some magic fairy coming towards you to grant shopping wishes.

Challenging Kiki

2010-04-16T11:02:00.004+01:00

Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlotte Rampling, Udo Kier and not one Skarsgaard, but two, in the shape of Stellan and Alexander and now Kiki Dunst has signed on for Lars Von Trier's 'Melancholia' which is his venture into science fiction. It is a disaster film about the death of the planet and with his tag line of "no more happy endings" you can expect therapy afterwards.

This is a very very brave choice for Dunst. I am not saying she does not have the chops, but Von Trier is notorious for being a bit of a whip master with his actresses. On the upside he does constantly get amazing performances out of them (Emily Watson, Bjork, Nicole Kidman, Charlotte Gainsbourg - who obviously did not get enough abuse the first time round).

With Dunst and Gainsbourg the additions of Rampling (yay!) Sutherland is a surprise, but a good one as well. And any film that has Alexander Skarsgaard (who got me all wet in 'Generation Kill) is a must see in my book.

This is good for Kiki though as it shows she is looking for a challenge and is about the art of acting and not her name in lights. I love it when actors challenge themselves.
As one work college said with a chuckle upon hearing this new: "He is going to break her".

Remembering Pocahontas

2010-04-16T08:49:00.000+01:00

It was 2005 and one of the most beautiful things to grace the screen came in the form of Q'orianka Kilcher. We have hardly seen her in films since, and the machine loves a great beauty. Strange.

Marvel considers Joss

2010-04-15T15:40:00.003+01:00

Joss Whedon is being talked about for the job of ‘The Avengers’ director for a while now, but it appears that Marvel was taking its time to think over its options before finally settling on the final choice.

Since he has written for Marvel (he penned some amazing issues of the Brian K Vaughn-created Runaways series, as well as working on an Astonishing X-Men run) he should be a good fit. Perhaps they are concerned that as a director he is not the most ‘bankable’ and has mainly worked in TV. To that I say – “f*ck you” as his TV work is so much better than most of the drivel that gets released into cinemas.
Whatever people may think, he has the right sort of character focus to hold interest when we are not gawking at the spectacle. That is something that is needed in the summer blockbuster. If the character work is not there, then repeat viewings tend to grate, or never happen.

It will also be interesting to see if he can get the line up of Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) or if turns out to include The Hulk, and whether Edward Norton is asked to sign on - or even agrees to do it.

The Avengers will see a line-up that includes Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) teaming up to fight a big threat. Whether that turns out to be The Hulk, and whether Edward Norton is asked to sign on or even agrees, is another matter.

Viola looks for 'Help'

2010-04-15T15:04:00.003+01:00

Well it seems that I was right all along. The lovely, talented and Oscarless Viola Davis is in talk to star in ‘The Help’ which I have blogged about before.

Now this is fantastic news (although the character Abeline is slightly older and wider) for the film as it lends some credibility.
My main worry is still the same. If they push the (white) character of Skeeter as the lead and the 2 other leads (Abeline and Minny) as supporting.

The book is written in various chapters, each chapter is following either Minny, Abeline or Skeeter, and sometimes they over lap.
The Skeeter story is probably the least interesting in terms of emotional depth, but it is still a very cinematic one. In fact the book could easily be made into 3 films, one for each character (but that will never happen).

Here is hoping that Viola gets signed. She has the gravitas that can totally pull this all together. It is the most heart breaking role, and one that she will nail even if they shove her into supporting.

In the mean time I will just have to get my Viola fix watching 'United States of Tara' where (so far) she is slightly wasted as a debt dodging hippy - however I think it is all a smoke screen for later depth.

Cannes Line Up

2010-04-15T14:13:00.002+01:00

And so it begins! Bolded those to look out for!

Opening film:
Ridley Scott – ROBIN HOOD (Out of Competition)

In Competition
Mathieu Amalric – TOURNÉE
Xavier Beauvois – DES HOMMES ET DES DIEUX
Rachid Bouchareb – HORS LA LOI
Alejandro González Iñárritu – BIUTIFUL
Mahamat-Saleh Haroun – UN HOMME QUI CRIE (A Screaming Man)
IM Sangsoo – HOUSEMAID
Abbas Kiarostami – COPIE CONFORME
Takeshi Kitano – OUTRAGE
Lee Chang-dong – POETRY
Mike Leigh – ANOTHER YEAR
Doug Liman – FAIR GAME
Sergei Loznitsa – YOU. MY JOY
Daniele Luchetti – LA NOSTRA VITA
Nikita Mikhalkov – UTOMLYONNYE SOLNTSEM 2
Bertrand Tavernier – LA PRINCESSE DE MONTPENSIER
Apichatpong Weerasethakul – LOONG BOONMEE RALEUK CHAAT
Derek Cianfrance – BLUE VALENTINE
Manoel De Oliveira – O ESTRANHO CASO DE ANGÉLICA (Angelica)
Xavier Dolan – LES AMOURS IMAGINAIRES (Heartbeats)
Ivan Fund, Santiago Loza – LOS LABIOS
Fabrice Gobert – SIMON WERNER A DISPARU… (1st film)
Jean-Luc Godard – FILM SOCIALISME
Christoph Hochhäusler – UNTER DIR DIE STADT (The City Below)
Lodge Kerrigan – REBECCA H. (RETURN TO THE DOGS)
Ágnes Kocsis – PÁL ADRIENN (Adrienn Pál)
Vikramaditya Motwane – UDAAN (1st film)
Radu Muntean – MARTI, DUPA CRACIUN (Tuesday, After Christmas)
Hideo Nakata – CHATROOM
Cristi Puiu – AURORA (Aurora)
Hong Sangsoo – HA HA HA
Oliver Schmitz – LIFE ABOVE ALL
Daniel Vega – OCTUBRE (1st film)
David Verbeek – R U THERE
Xiaoshuai Wang – RIZHAO CHONGQING (Chongqing Blues)

Out of Competition:
Woody Allen – YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER
Stephen Frears – TAMARA DREWE
Oliver Stone – WALL STREET - MONEY NEVER SLEEPS

Midnight Screenings:
Gregg Araki – KABOOM
Gilles Marchand – L'AUTRE MONDE (Blackhole)

Special Screenings:
Charles Ferguson – INSIDE JOB
Sophie Fiennes – OVER YOUR CITIES GRASS WILL GROW
Patricio Guzman – NOSTALGIA DE LA LUZ (Nostalgia For The Light)
Sabina Guzzanti – DRAQUILA – L'ITALIA CHE TREMA
Otar Iosseliani – CHANTRAPAS
Diego Luna – ABEL (1st film)

Jackie O

2010-04-15T14:11:00.003+01:00

So Darren Aronosfky is a friggin interesting director.
I have either loved ot greatly admired every one of his films, and they each fall into very different genres.
The fact his is taking on the story of Jackie O is kind of all sorts of exciting.

It will follow the days after the assassination of Kennedy in 1963 where she had to deal with not only the horrific circumstances of her husbands death, but al the immense public attention directed her way.

What is rather exciting is the casting. It seems he has cast his wife, Rachel Weisz in the role, and all I can say it is a wonderful fit.
Sure some people may be upset that an English actress is taking an American role, but how many Americans play foreign roles, taking chances from lesser known actors – and most of the time they do not even bother with an accent!

This sounds like it will be a very very intense and emotional piece. I for one cannot wait.

Muppets camera test.

2010-04-15T13:52:00.003+01:00

So bizarre and wonderful:

Work it Goldy

2010-04-14T16:29:00.007+01:00

So my dear friend had to walk the red carpet in Leicester Square for the premier of her movie 'It's a Wonderful Afterlife'. I was there cheering her on.

There is something magical about watching a red carpet event, especially in this case where you are watching someone you know, who has worked hard her whole career and then finally gets this moment in the spotlight.

Next up she has a small role in 'Sex and the City 2' and after that, who knows what excitement awaits. As for right now I am so proud to walk around London and see her (sadly rather photoshopped) face looking back at me from the posters which are placed all around the city.

I would like to take credit for her dress (I did say months ago that anything in the turquoise, purple and emerald families would look amazing on her) but it was all her and she rocked it.

You looked beautiful honey - this is your moment - enjoy it all up!

'Butter'

2010-04-14T14:05:00.001+01:00

In Bermuda we had the Agricultural Exhibition – or Ag Show as we called it – I was always excited to go into the special refrigerated rooms to look at the butter sculptures.
They were so impressive and delicious – Julia Childs would have been in heaven.

I was kind of excited to see that there is a film all about butter sculptures being made. Jim Field Smith is directing and the story revolves around Jennifer Garner as an ambitious butter-carving who tries to take over the mantle from her retiring champion husband ('Modern Family's' try-hard Dad - Ty Burrell).
But there’s the small matter of the young girl (Yara Shahidi) who is proving to be a major player in the world of dairy art, spurred on by her foster mother (Alicia Silverstone). Also in the cast are Olivia Wilde and Ashley Green. Now it seems that the one and only Hugh Jackman has signed on playing the boyfriend.
As if the cast was not intriguing enough.
I actually sometimes play pretend that Hugh Jackman is my boyfriend and we live in a huge house and BBQ every night. My real boyfriend/hubby-to-be does not really like this.

Toni 'Foster'

2010-04-14T13:41:00.003+01:00

Oh praise be. As much as I love the Goddess Collette in ‘The United States of Tara’ she does belong on the big screen where we can all bask in the subtlety of her emotional range.

Well now she is joining writer/director Jonathan Newman in the indie drama ‘Foster’ which is about a couple who are still struggling to deal with the death of their son who passed years earlier.

Now Collette can do anything, but she is a master with grief. Any one who has seen ‘The Sixth Sense’ or ‘Japanese Story’ will know. She of course will play the mother, opposite Ioan Gruffudd (yum).

Also joining the castare Richard E. Grant, the amazing Anne Reid and (be still my heart) my childhood crush Hayley Mills.

The film starts shooting in London this week. Time for me to start stalking the neighbourhood they are filming in so I can find my Goddess.

'Sex and the City' trailer 2

2010-04-10T12:04:00.003+01:00

Ok, ok, ok. I am excited about this.
I really am
I know I should not be, the whole Carrie/Aiden/Big thing is all played out. But I am excited because these women mean a lot to me and they all look so amazing whilst ageing. Also my friend Goldy has a small role, so doubly excited about that.

'The Kids Are Alright' trailer and poster

2010-04-10T11:57:00.003+01:00

Now this is more like it.

So far I am loving this film. Annette Bening appears to be getting better and better each year, and hopefully 2010 will see her with two Oscar calibre performances and finally a win.
Here is hoping this movie can also see a possible win for Julianne Moore, and first nomination for Mark Ruffalo and the continued rise of Mia Wasikowska (who looks to be having a stellar year of mixed genres).

Watch the trailer here

Another 'Chanel' movie

2010-04-10T11:47:00.002+01:00

Wow, this looks so ......... ..........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz * snort * zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz * fart * zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Even in the poster she looks a little bored.
It will be all about the costumes and set decoration. When there are two movies being made about the same subject, you never want to be the second one coming out.

'I Am Love'

2010-04-10T11:34:00.005+01:00

And I am in love with this poster. So far my absolute favourite of the year.

The film has been getting all sorts of really good reviews over here in the UK, so much so that even people at work are talking about it. So I guess I need to get over to a cinema to see it and pronto.

Plus it stars Tilda Swinton who, although is an Oscar winner, should really have been a Best Actress nominee at least 3 times ('Orlando', 'The Deep End', 'Julia'). Perhaps this film can do it?

In the mean time here is the stunning trailer:

More Characters for the Toy Box!

2010-04-07T11:38:00.007+01:00

I have to say these 'Toy Story 3' characters are getting me a little excited for the film.

Knowing Pixar there are going to be some rather funny character quirks that go along with these new fellas.
My main concern is there may be too many.

There are 14 new characters in addition to the 16 plus characters from before. We have "Peas-in-a-Pod”, “Twitch”, “Stretch”, “Sparks”, “Mr. Pricklepants”, "Ken”, "Chunk”, "Chatter Telephone”, “Dolly”, “Buttercup”, “Lot’s-O-Huggin Bear”, and “Trixie the Triceratops.” Today the last two additions have been revealed and their names are “Bookworm” and “Big Baby.”

How will they make them all unique and not seem too "afterthought for easy laughs sake"? Will they be developed enough to add to the story line or will they just concentrate on the core characters like Buzz, Woody, Mr. Potato Head, Jessie, Slinky Dog, Rex and Hamm?

Then again this is Pixar and they hardly ever steer you wrong - except their decision to do 'Cars 2'.
True I have never seen the first one, but it so does not appeal to me at all - I was never one of those little boys who were excited about vroom vrooms.

Sadly it looks like their 2011 outing 'Newt' may not come to pass.
That is sad. I was rather looking forward to seeing this story about the two last species of newts forced together for a scientific breeding experiment.
Now, with the possibility of 'Monsters Inc. 2' as filler, we may have three consecutive years of sequels - let's hope not.

_____________________________________________________

Comeback Special

2010-04-07T11:10:00.002+01:00

So Winona Ryder is joining a Ron Howard comedy (apparently beating out Uma Thurman and Kate Beckinsale for the role) called 'Your Cheating Heart' (or 'Cheaters') in which she plays wife to Kevin James. Vince Vaughn plays the best friend to James who discovers that Ryder is cheating on her husband.
With this news, and Ryder just wrapped filming on Darren Aronofsky's 'Black Swan' people are shouting the words "COME BACK" all over the place. Talk about pressure.

Imagine if both films flop, the spin will be it was her fault. Build 'em up, knock 'em down - an all too familiar and disgusting human characteristic.
Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE casting news. I like to project awards potential, imagine my enthusiastic reaction to the film when I see it, picture the rave reviews and finally day dream about the name - fresh from the envelope - being read out.

I do all this in my head, but try not to get carried away on here too often (I know, I know I was a 'Precious' Nazi last year before I saw it - but in defence it did combine so many great loves of mine).
Well I sometimes get carried away, but not often by news like "Pretty white lady gets lead role in film". I start getting excited once a rave review comes out - or trailer.

Back to Ryder though. This latest casting tid bit is kind of cool though. I much prefer dark modern day Ryder over period piece Ryder.
Here is hoping she does good, but for me, I prefer a comeback when the downfall is not self inflicted.
There are far too many great women not getting chances out there. Expand the pool Hollywood.

_____________________________________________________

The MAFFE Awards - WINNERS!!!

2010-03-31T20:33:00.005+01:00

They are completed. If you are wondering why there is a picture of a beautiful kitty there, it is because these awards are dedicated to my little Merlot who died suddenly and unexpectedly last night. Love you Merl.

Back to the awards.
The medals have been handed out in what I can only say was a night of shocks, laughter and Tilda Swinton acting up something terrible (who knew she could do that with a shot glass??)

Sure there are some surprises, and I expect to hear your thoughts in the comments.

These have been fun, but at the same time extremely stressful. This is the most obvious in the Best Actor category when the three medalists (and 1 non) swapped places at least 10 times before I just said "fuck it, let's draw names from a hat". Sometimes it just comes down to that. There were 4 award worthy performances there.

Also there is a sneaky 3rd place tie in Best Picture. Sometimes you have to do it because you simply cannot decide and it pains you too much to leave one off.

The links are on the right or here.

HOPE YOU ENJOY!!

Best Poster
Best Trailer
The Technicals
The Music
The Artistic
Best Original Screenplay
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Voice Performance
Best Limited Performance Male
Best Limited Performance Female
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Ensemble
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Director
Best Picture

Banner

2010-03-30T19:29:00.004+01:00

THAT BANNER UP THERE TOOK FOREVER!

As you can guess it is 31 of my favourite actress (and 1 actor). Women who has moved me, even if by a single performance, to the point of near obsession.
In doing this I was so surprised that there were only 10 Oscar winners.

It also made me realize just how few good roles are written for women. Perhaps with more and more female screen writers and directors getting chances, we will see a lot more great roles for women of all races.

While you are here, take a chance and try and name all these "women" in the comments. I will be very impressed to whoever gets them all (or at least 90%)

'Animal Kingdom' trailer

2010-03-30T16:46:00.001+01:00

Now it is not often that overseas (non American) films that generate a lot of buzz and great reviews from Sundance end up making it into the Oscar race.

In fact this hardly ever happens.

However this film has gotten some great notices, perhaps enough to raise its profile for some acting or screenplay attention (Actress Jackie Weaver is supposed to be all sorts of good as the matriarch and you know me, anytime a new, almost unheard of Actress gets any sort of rave, I am all there.) if it is handled correctly.

It is worth noting that the calibre in film that is coming out of Australia is all sorts of brilliant. Sooner or later something is going to cross over in a big way, aside from its actors.

What is it about that place? The Actresses are all sorts of brilliant, and the actors are all sorts of *swoon*.

Must be in the water.

(get me some damn Australian water!!!)

Bored

2010-03-29T16:25:00.002+01:00

It seems the majority of movie news coming through is not very interesting. Sure some interesting casting choices are being made, and there are some minor 'hmmmmmm's' going around, but nothing that makes you go "OMG THAT IS AMAZING NEWS!!!!". Sure critics are getting laid off and 'The Hobbit' shooting schedule is delayed yet again, and Angelina Jolie is now up for the lead in Maleficent (so should have been Sigourney) but where is the news that makes you leap for joy?
All we are getting is that 'Alice In Wonderland' is cleaning up at the Box Office and more and more franchises are getting re-booted or started in Hollywoods scramble to 3D almost everything. I for one couldn't care less about 3D. It is distracting from the films quality.

What I want is Cannes.
I love Cannes.
The line up is the first clue, then one by one anticipated films are shown and reviewed and one by one film makers chances of glory are either squashed or raised. This year seems so dull. At least last year we had 'Precious', 'An Education', 'The Hurt Locker' and 'The Messenger' already screened to give us all some excitement about the year to come.
Or perhaps it is just me.
The scramble to see as many films as I could near the end of last year, and the beginning of this year, completely wiped me out.
I can barely sit through a full length film right now.

My recent viewing are as follows:

'The Simpsons' seasons 1 to 10
'Sex and the City' seasons 1 to 3 (still going)
'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs'
'Futurama' seasons 1 to 4

Do you notice a pattern? Focusing on some major light entertainment for a spell - debating stopping 'City' when it comes to cheating, cancer, childless couples because that is just far too heavy.
It is March I have not gone to see one single 2010 release. Not a one. Oscar season doesn't usually take it out of me so. Even 'How To Train Your Dragon' cannot tempt me (although it looks wondering - in 2D)

I will go and see 'Kick Ass' as it has gotten nothing but fantastic reviews over here and looks to be a hell of a lot of fun.

What this lag has done is allowed me to finished up my MAFFE Awards which were time consuming to do considering this was the year I wanted to do clips (doh!). What I found really interesting is after leaving the films for a while, deciding on categories then looking at all the films I had seen in 2009, certain films has dulled while others seemed so much better over a little time.

Sure 'Precious' featured heavily as expected but 'Avatar' didn't. I guess a little time gave me perspective over the biggest film of all time (i you do not adjust for inflation). When you have over $500,000,000.00 to play with and 12 years, one would hope all that money and time would create something fairly decent. I guess in these times of recession and redundancies I was more impressed with doing more for less. Sure 'Up' cost £175 million but it was sure worth it. I actually think the twelve films I consider the best, as a total, cost less than 'Avatar'.
Makes me feel kind of good.

Sorry for this rambling (filler) post. Let me leave you know with a question.

If the Academy sent out their nomination ballots in March, to give out their awards in May (pre Cannes) do you think the outcome would be considerably different?

Best Picture

2010-03-28T19:04:00.006+01:00

I suggest everyone sign up for an account with movieclips.com so you can best experience the awards

The indelible films are:

'Los Abrazos Rotos'
Almodovar and Cruz again cause for delight in this ravishing and melodramatic tale of love and obsession. It is as if Douglas Sirk and Alfred Hitchcock helped co-direct it. Rapturous entertainment at the highest order.
Trailer

'District 9'
In this crazily original, bravely political film, you forget you are watching sci-fi and get sucked into the humanity of the film. Sometimes difficult stories need some separation in order to reach more people. Bonus points for not being like other sci-fi films - predictable.
Trailer

'The Hurt Locker'
Forget the conventional narrative hook and just watch the tensions between these people and the situations they are in. An exhilarating action war film by a film maker who understands what a war film needs to work.
Trailer

'Inglourious Basterds'
As with most Tarantino films, this has a cocky swagger. This could be the World War II film to end them all. A crazy and grand film that will linger long after the final gruesome chuckle.
Trailer

'Mary & Max'
This is like no other animated film I have seen. Sure the production is not amazing, but this film soars above the rest because if tells a story that that little lonely person in us all can relate to.
Trailer

'La Nana'
One of those darkly comic films about the humanity in us all that leave you a little off kilter - bordering on psychotic. The voice of a striking new talent in cinema and an actress we will all be on the look out for.
Trailer

'Precious'
We get so deeply immersed in the depth of human suffering and mental illness that when we come out we feel exhausted. This is dark social commentary at its best. No wonder so many people cannot take it.
Trailer

'The September Issue'
Sure there were more 'important' documentaries out this year, but none that had so much humor, charm, vivacity and delight as this. You went in excited for Wintour and came out shouting "Coddington"!
Trailer

'A Single Man'
It may not seem original, but every time you see something that burrows so deeply into the emotional truths of love, grief, loss and desire that they touch something in all of us that seems so shiny and new.
Trailer

'Up'
Pixar have the best batting average as a studio. Here they are winsome, touching and so so funny. A totally captivating odd-couple adventure. Bonus points for those incredibly moving first 10 minutes.
Trailer

'Das Weisse Band'
Intensely detailed yet oh so askew, slow but riveting. This film is so seductive, that even after the ending, with its lack of closure, you still experience something deeply disturbing. I am still experiencing it months later.
Trailer

'Whip it!'
This film is like its director. Sweet but not sickly, funny, but not stupid. Sometimes when you go to the cinema, all you really want to do is have a good ole time. This film reintroduces that notion whilst also being so real.
Trailer

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Best Director

2010-03-28T15:56:00.002+01:00

I suggest everyone sign up for an account with movieclips.com so you can best experience the awards

The Maestros are:

Drew Barrymoore - 'Whip It!'
Drew is one of the most likable people in Hollywood. The fact that managed to get across her sense of fun and energy is no small feat. If only ever film bubbled with such joyous feeling. Behind the scenes clip

Katherine Bigelow - 'The Hurt Locker'
It has been a great year for female directors. Katherine showed that she can make a better war film than most boys, not that it is a genre competition or anything.Behind the scenes clip

Neill Blomlamp - 'District 9'
What a shocker. This film was not supposed to do much (made in a small amount of time for not a lot of money), but because of his vision you get one of the most emotional/action filled/political films of the year. Unlike anything else. Behind the scenes clip

Lee Daniels - 'Precious'
You can see his love sweat and tears in every frame. A deeply personal project, You also see his mastery with actors continue here as he evokes 100% truthful performances from even the tiniest player.Behind the scenes clip

Michael Haneke ' The White Ribbon'
He slowly crafted a slow burner of a paranoia film. The mood, the focus, the performances all had to be just right to pull this off, and he was the master in control. Clip

Quentin Tarantino - 'Inglourious Basterds'
He is a master of directing. His love for movies is unlike any other director out there. A true fan that poured his love into one of the most entertaining fantasy films of the year. Behind the scenes clip

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