OSCAR SELECTIONS

And we are finally here... Thanks to all who are participating in my OSCAR Challenge. And a very special thank you to the Awesome Scott Weinberg from Cinematical! Enough with the pleasantries, here are my picks.


Best Actor - Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

Best Supporting Actor - Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

Best Actress - Kate Winslet (The Reader)

Best Supporting Actress - Viola Davis (Doubt)

Best Animated Feature - WALL-E

Best Art Direction - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Cinematography - Slumdog Millionaire

Best Costume Design - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Director - Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)

Best Documentary Feature - Man on Wire

Best Documentary Short - The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306

Best Editing - The Dark Knight

Best Foreign Language Film - Waltz with Bashir

Best Makeup - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Score - Slumdog Millionaire (A.R. Rahman)

Best Song - "Jai Ho" (Slumdog Millionaire)

Best Picture - Slumdog Millionaire

Best Animated Short Film - Presto

Best Live Action Short Film - Auf Der Strecke (On the Line)

Best Sound Editing - WALL-E

Best Sound Mixing - WALL-E

Best Visual Effects - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Adapted Screenplay - Slumdog Millionaire (Simon Beaufoy)

Best Original Screenplay - Milk (Dustin Lance Black)

Quantum of Solace (movie review)

My IMDB Rating - 5/10

Average IMDB Rating - 7.2/10

(My Other IMDB Ratings:http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=6073366)

Well, well, well...how should I even begin. After "Casino Royale", I raved about the script and how well executed the film was. I also said that along with being my favorite of the Bond films, that it was the BEST of the Bond films. So to great expectations I awaited "Quantum of Solace", figuring that it would be just as good if not better than 'Royale'. Could I have been more wrong?

*Sigh* So many people are blaming the wrong person for this disaster of a James Bond film. It is not Director Marc Forster's fault that this jumbled and shallow mess is incoherent and drab, but the writing team comprised of Paul Haggis, Robert Wade and Neal Purvis (the same writers of Casino Royale). Now I think Paul Haggis is one of the best screenplay writers today and it can be seen in "Crash" and "Million Dollar Baby". However, the ball was definitely dropped on this film, as if it were an afterthought. The character of James Bond does not go through any type of emotional drama deeper than that of 2 inches of water. Not only that but they try to parallel the same type of "revenge motive" that supposedly dominates Bond's character with the character of Camille, played by Olga Kurylenko, in a failed attempt to give this story more depth.

Now, yes, I am ripping this film, but it is only because the bar was set so high with the prior film. If you watch "Casino Royale" and then watch "Quantum of Solace" directly after it (which is exactly the time it takes place in the film) then you can actually make sense of the film, because it is for all intents and purposes an addendum to 'Royale' to give closure to Bond over the death of Vespa. Otherwise, "Solace" is a jumbled film, full of useless action sequences that give no exposition. Oh wait, there is no exposition to be given. Bond wants revenge and there is nothing else to it other than that. It would seem that the aforementioned writers wrote themselves into a corner because they had to give closure to Bond before they could move on with him.

Wait! I haven't even gotten to the villain yet. Well it doesn't matter because he is more forgettable than that guy in "The World Is Not Enough". It is a very weak plot line for the villain that basically gets no attention.

So all in all, if you are a Bond fan and/or like action films than definitely see this film, but you don't have to rush to the theatre. Daniel Craig gives another good performance as the British Super Spy. It just ends up being the writing that dooms this film.

Another Quick Three Movie Review

Changeling 7/10
Clint Eastwood's period drama about a mother whose son goes missing is based on a true story and captures the essence of the story completely. Angelina Jolie stars as Christine Collins, the mother of Walter. When Walter goes missing, the LAPD, which has been corrupted from the top down, tries to force Ms. Collins to accept another boy as Walter. What ensues is the fight for what is right and the discovery of what may have happened to the real Walter.

The movie is set in the late 1920's and is beautifully made. The production design elements are very true to the time. Angelina Jolie should get nominated for Best Actress in a leading role, but I'm not sure much more from this film will be nominated.

Appaloosa 6/10
This western directed by Ed Harris, is a fairly slow moving period piece that is really more of a character examination film. Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen star together as the "good guys" that come to the town of Appaloosa to free it from the Tyranny of a character named Bragg (Jeremy Irons). The film is a fairly classic western complete with the protagonist riding off into the sunset. Though interesting in look, the film is mostly forgettable as the depth that could be portrayed is never really reached.

What Just Happened? 7/10
Barry Levinson directs this tongue-in-cheek film written by Art Linson that is all about Hollywood. It is a hysterical film, that may seem exaggerated, but really isn't. Robert De Niro stars as a Hollywood Producer that has more on his plate in one day than most people have in a year. If it isn't one of his two ex-wives, it is a disgruntled director or a very stubborn actor that De Niro has to deal with. The film dwelves into the the life of a Hollywood producer and the stresses and crazy lifestyle that they live. In a way it seems like a Robert Altman movie considering all the celebrities that are in this film. Very interesting to watch, but more of a personal project than a project designed for awards.

A long while...

I know it has been forever since I have updated my blog, but I will be doing so more often in the future. School and work has impaired my ability to sit down and write reviews as I would have normally. However, as we become more immersed in OSCAR season, I will make sure to have some good insight here for you.

The Dark Knight (movie review)

My IMDB Rating - 9/10

Average IMDB Rating - 9.2/10 (#1)

(My Other IMDB Ratings:http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=6073366)

Just a few weeks ago, I mentioned that "WALL-E" was the best movie I had seen this year. Well, "The Dark Knight" is the best film I have seen in 4 years (barring "WALL-E" it was "Million Dollar Baby")! A sentiment that, as far as this year goes, is shared by Peter Sciretta over at slashfilm.com. Though it is possible that I am somewhat biased considering the fact that my favorite films are dark, emotional journeys that test human will and mind, while trying to find the good amongst the most evil of circumstances; and that is what "The Dark Knight" is. But there is no doubt that this film is better than any other comic book adaption, and far better than the majority of films out there.

"The Dark Knight" is the ultimate movie about duality and moral ambiguity. In fact, these two motifs can be seen in every character as they deal with extremely tough decisions of honorability. Tensions rise as the characters in the film continue to find the truth behind lies, who is just and who is unjust, what is right and what is wrong, and whether love or logic is the correct answer.

I won't go into plot details because this is a film that needs to be viewed. What I will touch on is the production value of this film is off the charts. Wally Pfister (director of photography), Nathan Crowley (production designer), and Lee Smith (editor) have done amazingly remarkable jobs of aiding Nolan in the creation of this film. From the using of an IMAX camera, to the blowing up of an actual building, to the cutting between 4 different storylines, the viewer is literally dropped into the seemingly real Gotham City to be at once taken on a ride that at no point lags or seems out of place. On top of that, the acting is spot on! Heath Ledger is everything he has been hyped up to being as the Joker. Christian Bale takes the true form of Batman and Bruce Wayne, respectively again. Aaron Eckhart takes his tragic character, Harvey Dent, to Shakespearean heights.

Though the film is an adaption of a comic, through the direction of Christopher Nolan this film exceeds beyond the boundaries of sci-fi, comic geekdom. The movie teaches lessons of faith, hope, honor and love and their effect on the human psyche. This is a film that should not be missed. It is to well made to not be viewed by even the most novice of movie goers. Even in this year of great films, expect "The Dark Knight" to get at least a couple of OSCAR nominations come January.

This is film noir. This is a film.

Hancock (movie review)

My IMDB Rating - 6/10

Average IMDB Rating - 6.8/10

(My Other IMDB Ratings:http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=6073366)

"Hancock" is a good summer movie that is very refreshing considering the number of super hero movies that are being released this year alone.  It is considerably toungue-in-cheek and fairly funny. 

The story is simply about a guy, with super powers, named John Hancock (Will Smith), who being an alcoholic, is very unorthodox in the way he saves people and rights wrongs.  After saving Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), his life takes a turn for the better as Ray decides to do a little PR work for him.  It is only later we find out the secret of his powers and the secret that Mary Embrey (Charlize Theron) is hiding as well.

Peter Berg does a good job at offering a fairly fresh movie that is entertaining.  It is hard to craft a film about a super hero from scratch given the amount of films nowadays from the likes of Marvel and DC Comics.  But this film flies in the face of the conventional "super hero" movie and still gives us a character we really care about while giving us a plot that is somewhat believable (there are still holes, but most are forgivable).  

The acting is fantastic in the film. Smith (especially), Bateman, and Theron really drive this movie with unique characters that have decent depth and purpose. The acting makes the characters feel very real and invites the viewer in to understand the characters better. And quite honestly saves this movie from utter collapse.

As I said before, this film is fresh and fun and even with all the pre- and post-production issues, still is a movie that audiences will enjoy.  Get ya' popcorn ready!

Moulin Rouge! (Promo Tracks)

Hey Guys!! I have posted the promo CD for Craig Armstrong's work on "Moulin Rouge!".  The download, however, only consists of the tracks that are not available for commercial sale. The remaining five tracks missing from this download can be bought on either the 1st or 2nd "Moulin Rouge!" soundtrack CD. This is still a must have for any fan of Craig Armstrong or "Moulin Rouge!".

http://rapidshare.com/files/127107481/CA-Moulin_Promo_.zip