Predictions based on all films
Best Picture: Argo
Director: Steven Spielberg
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence
Best Supporting Actor: Tommy Lee Jones
Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway
Best Writing - Original Screenplay: Django Unchained
Best Writing - Adapted Screenplay: Silver Linings Playbook
Best Animated Feature: Wreck-it Ralph
Best Foreign Language Film: Amour
Best Documentary - Feature: Searching for Sugar Man
Best Documentary - Short Subject: Innocente
Best Live Action Short Film: Curfew
Best Animated Short Film: Paperman
Best Original Score: Lincoln
Best Original Song: "Skyfall" - Adele
Best Sound Editing: Django Unchained
Best Sound Mixing: Les Miserables
Best Production Design: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Best Cinematography: Lincoln
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Best Costume Design: Anna Karenina
Best Film Editing: Zero Dark Thirty
Best Visual Effects: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Sunday 24 February 2013
Thursday 24 January 2013
Les Misérables: Should I see it?
Do you enjoy Musicals?
YES - You should see the film. Even if you don't like it, you'll be glad you saw it because it lets you debate the film with other people.
NO - You should see the film because you probably don't yet know the story (unless you enjoy reading MASSIVE books translated from French), and of all the musicals I've seen, Les Misérables probably has the best plot.
Do you enjoy protesting against things without even know what you're protesting about?
YES - You should see the film because this is exactly what happens in the second half of the film.
NO - You should see the film so you can mock the ill-advised idealism of the youth portrayed in the film.
Do you enjoy films with Hugh Jackman?
YES - You've probably already seen it.
NO - You should see the film because he isn't anywhere near as flamboyant as he normally is, and he isn't just relying on his voice. He doesn't even dance.
Do you think the film will be let down by Russell Crowe's lack of an amazing singing voice?
YES - You will be proven wrong. His voice isn't too distracting, and he does fit the mold of Javert.
NO - You should see the film
Do you enjoy watching a film which consists largely of close ups on the faces of people singing?
YES - You should see the film. Although, I don't know of any other movie with such intense close up shots.
NO - You should see the film because they somehow manage to get away with it.
Do you think Borat and Bellatrix Lestrange would make an interesting couple?
YES - You should see the film. They do a great job providing some comic relief to a dark tale
NO - You shouldn't see the film because you clearly wouldn't enjoy anything
Do you want to see someones life fall apart and spiral out of control in twelve minutes?
YES - You should see the film...although I'd be a bit concerned
NO - You should see it. But bring tissues.
Les Misérables: 8/10
YES - You should see the film. Even if you don't like it, you'll be glad you saw it because it lets you debate the film with other people.
NO - You should see the film because you probably don't yet know the story (unless you enjoy reading MASSIVE books translated from French), and of all the musicals I've seen, Les Misérables probably has the best plot.
Do you enjoy protesting against things without even know what you're protesting about?
YES - You should see the film because this is exactly what happens in the second half of the film.
NO - You should see the film so you can mock the ill-advised idealism of the youth portrayed in the film.
Do you enjoy films with Hugh Jackman?
YES - You've probably already seen it.
NO - You should see the film because he isn't anywhere near as flamboyant as he normally is, and he isn't just relying on his voice. He doesn't even dance.
Do you think the film will be let down by Russell Crowe's lack of an amazing singing voice?
YES - You will be proven wrong. His voice isn't too distracting, and he does fit the mold of Javert.
NO - You should see the film
Do you enjoy watching a film which consists largely of close ups on the faces of people singing?
YES - You should see the film. Although, I don't know of any other movie with such intense close up shots.
NO - You should see the film because they somehow manage to get away with it.
Do you think Borat and Bellatrix Lestrange would make an interesting couple?
YES - You should see the film. They do a great job providing some comic relief to a dark tale
NO - You shouldn't see the film because you clearly wouldn't enjoy anything
Do you want to see someones life fall apart and spiral out of control in twelve minutes?
YES - You should see the film...although I'd be a bit concerned
NO - You should see it. But bring tissues.
Les Misérables: 8/10
Tuesday 22 January 2013
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The Hobbit is the only one of J.R.R Tolkien's books that I have read more than once. In fact I've read the book at least four times. Unlike the Lord of the Rings books, I found The Hobbit shorter, simpler, and much easier to enjoy. I liked how you could see events in the book shaping what was to take place in The Lord of The Rings. I liked the lighter tone of the book and the changes that took place to Bilbo Baggins as the journey went on, changes incredibly similar, but still remarkably different, to those that Frodo Baggins experiences.
It doesn't take long to realise how Peter Jackson has managed to turn The Hobbit into a trilogy. Jackson is drawing in material from The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings that make mention of happening that take place at the time of Bilbo's journey. Jackson has made some changes to the books plot, while still staying true to the books tone and particular moments from the book. No better moment stands out of this than the first encounter Bilbo has with the Dwarves at The Burrow. The Dwarves clean up after themselves in a way too thoroughly absurd to imagine taking place in The Lord of the Rings. As the Dwarves kicked around the dishes, coupled with blind behind the back passes, I was worried that An Unexpected Journey would be a massive disappointment. That maybe Jackson should have turned the films over to someone else.
I'd ask that everyone who can handle 3D films should ensure they experience the movie in all its 3D High Frame Rate (HFR) glory. I was shocked by the clarity HFR allowed, and was amazed by how the HFR boosted the CGI. Some have said that they have found the HFR distracting, taking away the polished Hollywood look and making the backgrounds look more like the CGI they are. I didn't for a second think this was the case. You have to give yourself a moment to adjust to the effects, but they certainly pay off. it's no surprise that James Cameron will be shooting his sequels to Avatar using the same HFR cameras that Jackson has embraced.
Martin Freedman does a great job in capturing the character of Bilbo Baggins. Freedman portrays every bit of the quiet, unsuspecting Hobbit that I remember from by reading of the book. It was great to see actors from The Lord of the Rings, such as Ian McKellan, reprise their roles. Andy Serkis is as good as ever in again portraying Gollum. The riddles game between Bilbo and Gollum is true to the book and perhaps the best scene in the film. Tolkien's dwarves provided a mix of frivolity and seriousness, and Jackson's are no different. The majority provide comic relief, while Richard Armitage's Thorin is as serious and intense as I remember.
My doubts about whether the film would do the book justice grew immensely as the plot of the film seemingly expanded to include the material from The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings. But Jackson does a tremendous job in fitting this in while still maintaining the original tone of the book. It took until the scene with Gollum for my doubts to be put at rest, but by then I'd also realised that I had seen one of my favourite childhood books portrayed on the big screen. Jackson does more than do the book justice, he works to help explain how Middle Earth became what it was at the start of The Fellowship of the Ring. Jackson's ambition could still be his downfall, but if the next films are as good as this, Tolkien fans will not be left disappointed.
9/10
It doesn't take long to realise how Peter Jackson has managed to turn The Hobbit into a trilogy. Jackson is drawing in material from The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings that make mention of happening that take place at the time of Bilbo's journey. Jackson has made some changes to the books plot, while still staying true to the books tone and particular moments from the book. No better moment stands out of this than the first encounter Bilbo has with the Dwarves at The Burrow. The Dwarves clean up after themselves in a way too thoroughly absurd to imagine taking place in The Lord of the Rings. As the Dwarves kicked around the dishes, coupled with blind behind the back passes, I was worried that An Unexpected Journey would be a massive disappointment. That maybe Jackson should have turned the films over to someone else.
I'd ask that everyone who can handle 3D films should ensure they experience the movie in all its 3D High Frame Rate (HFR) glory. I was shocked by the clarity HFR allowed, and was amazed by how the HFR boosted the CGI. Some have said that they have found the HFR distracting, taking away the polished Hollywood look and making the backgrounds look more like the CGI they are. I didn't for a second think this was the case. You have to give yourself a moment to adjust to the effects, but they certainly pay off. it's no surprise that James Cameron will be shooting his sequels to Avatar using the same HFR cameras that Jackson has embraced.
Martin Freedman does a great job in capturing the character of Bilbo Baggins. Freedman portrays every bit of the quiet, unsuspecting Hobbit that I remember from by reading of the book. It was great to see actors from The Lord of the Rings, such as Ian McKellan, reprise their roles. Andy Serkis is as good as ever in again portraying Gollum. The riddles game between Bilbo and Gollum is true to the book and perhaps the best scene in the film. Tolkien's dwarves provided a mix of frivolity and seriousness, and Jackson's are no different. The majority provide comic relief, while Richard Armitage's Thorin is as serious and intense as I remember.
My doubts about whether the film would do the book justice grew immensely as the plot of the film seemingly expanded to include the material from The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings. But Jackson does a tremendous job in fitting this in while still maintaining the original tone of the book. It took until the scene with Gollum for my doubts to be put at rest, but by then I'd also realised that I had seen one of my favourite childhood books portrayed on the big screen. Jackson does more than do the book justice, he works to help explain how Middle Earth became what it was at the start of The Fellowship of the Ring. Jackson's ambition could still be his downfall, but if the next films are as good as this, Tolkien fans will not be left disappointed.
9/10
Monday 21 January 2013
Pitch Perfect
I wasn't exactly going to see Pitch Perfect with anything resembling excitement. My mood would best be described as curious. At the time I thought Pitch Perfect was another wedding movie like Bridesmaids, due to the only actor I'd heard was in it was Rebel Wilson, someone I didn't exactly find hilarious. Turns out I had mixed up Pitch Perfect with Bachelorette. The movie ended up being a pleasant surprise.
It was a fluke that the first post-boxing day movie I was going to see was Pitch Perfect. I was more interested in seeing The Hobbit, or the yet-to-be-released Django Unchained. I wasn't disappointed to discover that Pitch Perfect is actually another College movie set around an a capella group. I had, once upon a time, enjoyed the TV show Glee, and found Pitch Perfect to be a funnier, more mature version of Glee, set at a typical American College.
The movie basically follows a few characters who all join the College's various a capella groups, with a strong focus on Becca (played by Anna Kendrick), who is more focused on getting out of College and becoming a record producer and DJ in Los Angeles. Skylar Astin plays Jesse, Becca's inevitable love interest who joins a rival a capella group. Becca begrudgingly joins the Bellas', and is joined by a group of other misfits, including Rebel Wilson, who challenge the groups image much to the frustration of the Bellas' leaders.
Pitch Perfect is full of musical numbers, but doesn't allow itself to be as dominated by the music as Glee was. The characters in the film all appear slightly stereotypical, but are real and genuine enough to stop the movie from becoming just another College film. In saying that, Rebel Wilson is hilarious playing probably the least realistic of all the characters. Her lines are perfectly timed and it is inevitable that Rebel Wilson will start appearing in more and more comedies as she more than backs up her performance from Bridesmaids.
Pitch Perfect was a pleasant surprise, and though it isn't in the same class as 21 Jump Street or SuperBad, was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining film.
7/10
It was a fluke that the first post-boxing day movie I was going to see was Pitch Perfect. I was more interested in seeing The Hobbit, or the yet-to-be-released Django Unchained. I wasn't disappointed to discover that Pitch Perfect is actually another College movie set around an a capella group. I had, once upon a time, enjoyed the TV show Glee, and found Pitch Perfect to be a funnier, more mature version of Glee, set at a typical American College.
The movie basically follows a few characters who all join the College's various a capella groups, with a strong focus on Becca (played by Anna Kendrick), who is more focused on getting out of College and becoming a record producer and DJ in Los Angeles. Skylar Astin plays Jesse, Becca's inevitable love interest who joins a rival a capella group. Becca begrudgingly joins the Bellas', and is joined by a group of other misfits, including Rebel Wilson, who challenge the groups image much to the frustration of the Bellas' leaders.
Pitch Perfect is full of musical numbers, but doesn't allow itself to be as dominated by the music as Glee was. The characters in the film all appear slightly stereotypical, but are real and genuine enough to stop the movie from becoming just another College film. In saying that, Rebel Wilson is hilarious playing probably the least realistic of all the characters. Her lines are perfectly timed and it is inevitable that Rebel Wilson will start appearing in more and more comedies as she more than backs up her performance from Bridesmaids.
Pitch Perfect was a pleasant surprise, and though it isn't in the same class as 21 Jump Street or SuperBad, was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining film.
7/10
Tuesday 15 January 2013
2012 Movies: Top 5
2012 produced a wide variety of films that I'll continue to watch again and again into the future. Five movies managed to stand out above all others.
1. The Dark Knight Rises
This film perfectly brought to an end the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy. It worked on every level, creating a movie that was both thrilling and thought provoking.
2. James Bond: Skyfall
Skyfall brought James Bond back to its best. It was perhaps the first James Bond film to truly question the role and purpose of Bond while also continuing to give Bond fans everything they want; strong villains, thrilling locations, and just the right amount of laughs.
3. My Week with Marilyn
My Week with Marilyn was a pleasant surprise that ended up being a beautiful film. The film was dominated by the performances of Eddie Redmayne and Michelle Williams who created engaging characters and a thoughtful film. A strong supporting cast didn't hurt either.
4. The Descendants
The Descendants was perhaps the most beautifully shot film of 2012. George Clooney dominates in a movie that worked to both show off just how beautiful Hawaii is, and provided a great drama that moved at a slow, thoughtful pace.
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
I didn't know what to expect when I went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Ultimately it proved to be dark thriller set throughout a bleak Winter landscape. Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig provide great performances and have left me constantly checking online to see when the next instalment will be released.
Also worth a mention is the high calibre of the movies released in 2012 adopted from Comic books. The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, and The Amazing Spiderman all proved to be high quality films, with Spiderman proving a real surprise and providing a perfect excuse to keep the Spiderman film franchise alive. The Avengers is also the only movie of 2012 that I went back and watched again.
1. The Dark Knight Rises
This film perfectly brought to an end the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy. It worked on every level, creating a movie that was both thrilling and thought provoking.
2. James Bond: Skyfall
Skyfall brought James Bond back to its best. It was perhaps the first James Bond film to truly question the role and purpose of Bond while also continuing to give Bond fans everything they want; strong villains, thrilling locations, and just the right amount of laughs.
3. My Week with Marilyn
My Week with Marilyn was a pleasant surprise that ended up being a beautiful film. The film was dominated by the performances of Eddie Redmayne and Michelle Williams who created engaging characters and a thoughtful film. A strong supporting cast didn't hurt either.
4. The Descendants
The Descendants was perhaps the most beautifully shot film of 2012. George Clooney dominates in a movie that worked to both show off just how beautiful Hawaii is, and provided a great drama that moved at a slow, thoughtful pace.
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
I didn't know what to expect when I went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Ultimately it proved to be dark thriller set throughout a bleak Winter landscape. Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig provide great performances and have left me constantly checking online to see when the next instalment will be released.
Also worth a mention is the high calibre of the movies released in 2012 adopted from Comic books. The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, and The Amazing Spiderman all proved to be high quality films, with Spiderman proving a real surprise and providing a perfect excuse to keep the Spiderman film franchise alive. The Avengers is also the only movie of 2012 that I went back and watched again.
Skyfall
Skyfall is perhaps the most introspective of all James Bond films. It raises questions over the role of spies in a post-Cold War world. Unlike Casino Royale and Quantam of Solace, much of Skyfall takes place within Britain. The film reintroduces characters such as Q and at times feels like as much of a story about M as it is about Bond himself.
Skyfall opens with the frantic pace Bond films are renowned for. The opening chase scene through and across the markets of Istanbul is as thrilling as ever. The movie shifts from London to Macau before coming back to Britain. The movie maintains a consistent tone, with a gray colour palate dominating throughout the length of the film. It feels appropriate as the movies themes focus on the ageing Bond and his growing vulnerabilities. Skyfall feels as serious as Quantam of Solace but flows at a much slower pace.
The main villain in the film, played by Javier Bardem, isn't even introduced until the halfway mark of the film. Bardem plays an intense villain, dominating the screen as he interrogates Bond on a deserted island off the coast of Macau. A villain of Bardem's stature was lacking in the last two Bond films, and Bardem more than compensates for the long absence.
The domestic focus of the film works to introduce Mallory, played by Ralph Fiennes, who acts as Chair of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee. Ralph Fiennes provides intrigue and tension as he both challenges the role of MI6 and works to support its work.
Skyfall brings an appropriate amount of introspection to the Bond films, allowing time to reflect on Bond's past and future, while continuing to provide a provoking and thrilling experience.
9/10
Skyfall opens with the frantic pace Bond films are renowned for. The opening chase scene through and across the markets of Istanbul is as thrilling as ever. The movie shifts from London to Macau before coming back to Britain. The movie maintains a consistent tone, with a gray colour palate dominating throughout the length of the film. It feels appropriate as the movies themes focus on the ageing Bond and his growing vulnerabilities. Skyfall feels as serious as Quantam of Solace but flows at a much slower pace.
The main villain in the film, played by Javier Bardem, isn't even introduced until the halfway mark of the film. Bardem plays an intense villain, dominating the screen as he interrogates Bond on a deserted island off the coast of Macau. A villain of Bardem's stature was lacking in the last two Bond films, and Bardem more than compensates for the long absence.
The domestic focus of the film works to introduce Mallory, played by Ralph Fiennes, who acts as Chair of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee. Ralph Fiennes provides intrigue and tension as he both challenges the role of MI6 and works to support its work.
Skyfall brings an appropriate amount of introspection to the Bond films, allowing time to reflect on Bond's past and future, while continuing to provide a provoking and thrilling experience.
9/10
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