Starring: Adam Sandler, Lelise Mann, Seth Rogan, Jonah Hill, Eric Bana Directed by: Judd Apatow
They say that you should never judge a book by it's cover and in the case of Funny People the same can be said of the title of the film.
You would assume that if it has a word in the title then this is a clue of what to expect. Take recent cinematic releases; (500) Days of Summer - the lead female is called Summer, so that makes sense. Dance Flic - the film is about dancing and dance films. I could go on...
However Funny People is just lying, it is not all that funny, it provokes a couple of laughs here and there but to say that the "talent" involved in the film it should have you rolling in the aisles. Writer and director, Judd Apatow is responsible for some of the cleverest and funniest comedies of the last few years such as, Knocked Up, and The 40Year Old Virgin. Yet in this film he doesn't seem to have reached his full potential that we know he is capable of.
The film could even be described as life imitating art, in the sense that Adam Sandlers character, George Simmons is a bit of a washed up success story who has now gone back to his roots of stand up after discovering some life changing news and no longer claims as big a pay cheque. Sander himself has been off the radar for a while now and then rather than making his comeback with a box office smash he stars in more of a car (CASH) crash.
Some joy comes from Rogan's role as a clutching at straws, clueless and naive stand up is both believe able and endearing. Miles away from his usual type of role and he actually pulls it off as the sweet, sentimental schmuck convincingly.
Support comes from his side kick in life, Jonah Hill (fast becoming the Matt Damon/Ben Affleck partnership of their generation) as the more successful roommate and from Apatow's wife, Leslie Mann (wonder how she got the part ?) The highlight is a rare comedic turn from Eric Bana as the jealous husband with anger management issues.
The film has a heart and sadly at over 2 and half hours it slows down pretty rapidly. If like me you are intrigued about Sandler's more obscure and less obvious roles or just want to see Eric Bana punch Sandler in the face and Sandler punch Seth Rogan then this could be for you.
I am not a sci-fi fan (confession time) and I’ve never even seen the Star Wars saga. But I am a big Sam Rockwell fan. This one film has changed my opinion on the genre. Rockwell plays the man on the moon who is responsible for sending Helium 3 (the energy source that powers over 70% of the world’s population) back to Earth. Initially the film appears to be going down the path that 2001 Space Odyssey took but then the unexpected starts to occur.
He has no “live” connection to Earth, the only way he has to communicate is through delayed messages that he receives from his bosses and his wife, Tess. He isn’t insane or crazy and he has not lost his mind as he has GERTY (voiced by Kevin Spacey) to take care of him and to talk to. GERTY is a super human computer whose sole mission is to take care of Sam Bell. Even though Spacey’s physical presence is not actually present on screen, you feel as if it is.
Out on day on one of his routine drives, across the moon (as you do) Sam is distracted by what he is convinced is another person and crashes. He awakes in the infirmary of the ship with GERTY attending to him; however as is often the case in science fiction films everything is not what is appears to be...
A terrific and intricate performance is what Rockwell gives throughout this film; he is the only person on screen for the entire film and features in practically every scene. His past work has left a lasting impression; he never goes for the obvious roles and is fast becoming an indie film icon. Very few actors take on the challenge of being in a film solo, some are successful – Tom Hanks in Castaway and some, not so much – Nic Cage in Adaptation. Director, Duncan Jones hired the right man, made a film for $5m million and shot it over 33 “intense and incredibly exhausting” days. Not only that but he also personally posted on popular film site – IMDB a message of thanks to fans of the films and an apology to the people who didn’t like it all that much. What a guy!
Just wanted to send out a huge thank you to all of you who seem to be getting something out of this little, British, independent film. We made it for $5 million, over 33 intense days.
As soon as the credits rolled and I left the cinema confused and full of questions, I wanted to tell the world how beautiful the film was that I had just watched and how impressive and intimate it felt.
If you want to see a great film, sci-fi fan or not, give this a shot.
I’m a sucker for a rom-com and for Ryan Reynolds (who isn’t?), since his early days as Berg in Two Guys a Girl and A Pizza Place he has showed promise and he’s currently one of the few actors in Hollywood that can be said to be adaptable. His CV recently reads as, a psycho (Wade Wilson in Wolverine), a devoted to his daughter divorcee (Definitely Maybe) and he is recently reported to be launching into comic book capers playing the Green Lantern.
This man has nothing to complain about, a half of one of the hottest couples in Hollywood and he certainly cannot complain of being typecast, like so many of his peers.
Bullocks CV reads a tad differently, she’s never really experimented with her roles they usually always come back to her as the romantic lead in some shape or form even all those years ago when she was screaming on a bus/boat in Speed 1 and 2. Even when she’s playing a detective or a witch she still manages to find romance, or not as the case may be.
This time we’re in the world of book publishing, Margret (Bullock) is Andrews (Reynolds) boss and upon discovering that she is going to be deported comes up with the cover story that her and Andrew are engaged to be married and so ensues a trip to Sitka, Alaska where Andrews’s parents live.
A deal is struck that If Andrew lies to everyone and agrees to marry his bitch of a boss then she will give him the thing that he has wanted most in the world since working for her , a promotion to editor. So off they go on their long weekend only to b greeted by crazy Grandmas (Betty White) who like to chant in the woods, ex fiancés who blatantly never got over the heartache that they were left with (Malin Akerman) and awkward family histories to be rehashed. Problems lie with the bloke who is determined that they are lying Mr Gilbertson (Denis O'Hare), and wants to deport Margret and crazy chaos and embarrassment are caused by Ramón, (Oscar Nuñez) the local ....erm local.
It’s a fun film that yes, has been seen before but it is still enjoyable, the leads have genuine chemistry and great comedic timing and most importantly at the heart of it their situation is believable, therefore it is relatable for the audience. One of the better rom-coms of the year with some memorable scenes and guaranteed to cause a smile and possibly even a tear.
It’s not often that the title of a film sums it up perfectly, in this case its spot on...this film U-G-L-Y and it ain’t got no alibi (in the words of 90s teen pop stars Daphne and Celeste). It has two pretty big names in it who in the past have given not quite impressive performances but certainly watchable ones.
Abby (Katherine Heigl) is a very successful television producer and Mike (Gerard Butler) is her worst nightmare, an egotistical, anti-feminist bloke who tells it like it is, well how he thinks it is. Her problem is that everyone loves him, especially her boss. Expected to work alongside one another to up their networks ratings a strange relationship forms and a bet is placed. Mike will teach/coach Abby to snare her man by being completely the opposite of who she is.
From an entertainment point of view the film hardly causes a chuckle, nothing is very original and from a moral point of view what kind of message is it to send that women are as shallow and ridiculous as (some) men perceive them to be? (Shame on you Sony Pictures.)
The main problem is that it tries too hard, take another recent rom-com, The Proposal – granted it had a different target audience and it may have been predictable from the opening credits but it had what a rom-com needs, two believable leads with comedic timing and chemistry, this is where The Ugly Truth looses out. Interestingly it is written and executive produced by women, one of which is Heigl herself.
Credit where credits due Cheryl Hines and John Michael Higgins are uplifting and cringingly entertaining as the married anchors on the show.
The film is as flimsy and forgettable as Abby’s vibrating underwear.
To quote a film of an entirely different genre “a brother’s love ...is a brother’s love” (Gone in 60 Seconds) this film tells the story of a sister’s devotion and unequivocal love for her sister. Anna Fitzgerald (Breslin) is the younger sibling and Kate is her older sister who is dying of Cancer. Anna was genetically manufactured (as she calls it) with one sole purpose – to save Kate.
It transpires that she has been doing so involuntarily since the day she was born. Problems ensue when Kate weakens and her condition worsens. Anna decides to seek help to sue her parents (Diaz and Patric) for medical emancipation so that she can have the medical rights to her own body. Although, things aren’t as they appear and not everyone in the family is willing to look deep enough to uncover the truth. The film takes you on a journey, one that is difficult to watch, delivers a harsh reality but proves that life is not to be taken for granted.
Breslin is outstanding as usual and is tackling very different subject matter as with the rest of the cast she plays is competently and confidently. Considering that it was directed by the same man who brought us cinematic weepy, The Notebook you won’t be surprised to know that tissues are recommended.
It is a tough film to watch and it gets progressively more difficult as time ticks on and as Kate and her families tragic story is told via a series confusing flashbacks alongside present day action.
On first hearing about this film I was as excited as a mobster in a bank. Michel “Heat” Mann (we’ll not mention his more recent work.... such as Miami Vice), with Christian Bale AND Jonny Depp. I’m glad to report that it does not disappoint . . .entirely. The title itself is ironic as Dillinger was far from the number one enemy in America to its people who idolised him and his cocky nature and take- no-bullshit- attitude.
Suits, boots and cahoots is what the film offers and with abundance. The era is one of The Great Depression - 1933. Telling the story of modern day Robin Hood, John Dillinger, a guy who robbed from the poor and the rich alike yet they all still loved him and he was quite the celebrity of his day. Together with his associates, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd he managed to escape three jails and steal thousands, he could go through a bank in “1 minute, 40seconds FLAT”.
It can never be said that Depp takes the safe route and here is no exception, at times you still need a little more convincing that he is actually a gangster as he does not look all that comfortable carrying and firing a machine gun but as it’s Depp we’ll forgive him. Interestingly Dillinger was fifteen years younger than Depp (46) at the time of his death yet throughout the film there is pure confidence on his part.
Even without the slick new HD filming format the film would have a sharp feel about it due to its dialogue, but as gangster films of this era often do, it instantly has more class, charisma and character but the HD adds extra intimate detail.
The key basic element that the film lacks is that of character back-story and development, you never see Purvis (Bale) out of his work life, whereas Dillinger is summed up pretty well in his introduction to his love interest, Bille Frechette (Marion Cottillard) - "I like baseball, movies, good clothes, fast cars... and you. What else do you need to know?” and sadly Mann seems to take the same attitude towards the rest of the film, the constant and continuing game of cat and mouse between Dillinger and Purvis could have been so much more, it does not really become interesting until the final scenes when Dillinger makes a fool of Purvis who is then spurned to gain his revenge.
Anthony Yelchin reminds you of a young Tom cruise (Think Risky Business) crossed with Michael J Fox. The film pretty much carries on where Juno left off and has got indie cult hit written all over it and a lot of comparisons can be drawn with Ferris from cult 80’s film, Ferris Buellers Day Off.
Having been kicked out of his rather plush, posh private school for a fake ID scam, Charlie is sent to West Summit High, which could not be more of an opposite to what he is accustomed to, no uniform, calling teachers by their first names and finally, freedom.
Finding himself in unfamiliar and unfriendly surroundings, beaten up by the resident school bully and having a crush on the principals’ daughter played by the ever emerging star, Kat Dennigs. Charlie has certainly got his work cut out for himself. So seeing as his mums a tad kooky, (Hope Davis)and he’s not really what you would call normal, his family have a live in physiatrist and being the entrepreneur that he is, Charlie exploits this and sets up an office in the boys bathroom and with the help of Murphy he sets up a business selling prescription medication to his fellow schoolmates. What I loved about this film was its ability to deal with real issues that actually face adolescents and students alike, from, losing your virginity to attempted overdoses and suicide.
Where he learns a few lessons, falls in love and does what a lot of students would love to do, he even punches the principal.
There are some great performances in this film from the supporting cast; Tyler Hilton was last seen in Biopic of Johnny Cash, Walk the Line as the one and only Elvis. He originally came from hit American TV show, One Tree Hill and here he plays Murphey, the resident bad boy with a heart.
(Iron) Man of the moment Robert Downey Jr is absolutely brilliant as the psychotic principal with a drink dependency. I’m thinking that maybe since rehab and quitting alcohol that playing characters who like their drink is possibly his version of therapy? – Tony Stark, Paul Avery in Zodiac and now Nathan Gardener.
The American Dream meets the (great) American Depression. Strained silence, cruel conversations and crucial consequences sums up the state the Wheelers’ marriage and ultimately their existence.
Wheelers... meet the wheelers; they’re the typical suburban fam-ily! Frank (Di-Caprio) and Alice Wheeler (Kate Winslet) have it all, a nice house with the white picket fence in suburbia, pleasant neighbours and two gorgeous children. However this is not enough for either of them, both want more and both, for separate reasons cannot come to terms with the everyday monotonous mundane misery that has become their lives. Alice believes that a fresh start in Europe, Paris will be just what they need and naively decides that it will solve all of their problems. Frank is not convinced and both of them engage in their own elicit affairs and dalliances.
Lady of the moment, Kate Winslet proves that this really is her year, teary and over the top acceptance speeches aside... she has been Nominated and already gained glory for her somewhat harrowing performance in ‘The Reader’. This time she plays a woman who to an outsider appears to have it all, the complete ‘American Dream’. For director, Sam Mendes it is not the first time he has tackled such subject matter, 1998’s American Beauty follows the lives of people with the same issue(s) and not unlike the past Oscar winner, Revolutionary Road also has an unsavoury ending.
The film itself deals with two issues that are very much frowned upon within America and society in general in the present day, let alone in the 1950’s. Considering that ‘Brokeback Mountain’ also concerned itself with a controversial issue it draws interesting comparisons with regard to the shock factor. Another film with which similarities can be seen is ‘Vera Drake’. The first half of the film has a very slow pace and honestly it is quite boring, it is only later that you come to realise that this is deliberate and is intended to make you feel the way that Alice does; bored, tiresome and awkward.
Do not go and see this film expecting to leave in high spirits, there is some humour although, it is fleeting. It is depressing and dismal.
I have been waiting to see this film with built up anticipation for nearly a year and it did not disappoint! Set in New York State the film depicts a saga centred on a multi-generational family of NYPD officers. The family's moral codes are tested, their ethics are questions and an ultimate question is asked; what will they sacrifice? When Ray Tierney (An excellent Norton), investigates a case that reveals an incendiary police corruption scandal involving his own brother-in-law. For Ray, the truth is revelatory, a Pandora's Box that threatens to upend not only the Tierney legacy but the entire NYPD.
All the cast are on terrific form - particularly Ed Norton (Ray Tierney) and Colin Farrell (Jimmy Egan). There are essentially three brothers, two by blood and one by marriage. The age old story of corrupt cops and their culpability is at the centre of the film and at its heart are family values and loyalty that rival the ones in seen The Godfather trilogy.
Over the last year we have seen films such as Harsh Times, In The Valley of Elah, The Departed and more recently Street Kings and Righteous Kill, all of which concern the American Police Force in some way or other and have placed emphasis on down and out city areas. Pride and Glory does do all of this but with an original twist, it is not obvious from the outset who is involved in what and too what extent. Which is great as it keeps you guessing the majority of the way through the film, the climax is a bit of a shock.
What are you willing to give up and in the end who are you willing to fight for? One of the best scenes is what is supposed to be a showdown fight between two of the “brothers”. The setting is in a bar and the two go at it like school boys in a playground, the strange element of it is that in the background the jukebox is blaring Irish instrumental folk music.
My only criticism is the fact that the first thirty minutes is full of unessecary f-bombs and a lot of Spanish dialogue, strangely without subtitles. Other than that the film is homage to the great gangster films made in yester year. A muscular, old-school American film, with big themes splashed on a big canvas, it is both familiar and original at the same time. In an Age of Irony, these are the kinds of films that you rarely see anymore. An honest and gripping drama from start to climax, I can honestly say that I have not been this gripped in the cinema since seeing American Gangster.
Over recent years many terms have been coined within cinema to describe new genres. Such as the rom-com, the rom-zom com and now instead of a romance we have; “The Bro-mance”, which is the relationship between two blokes in a totally platonic relationship. (Apparently). However in interviews the male leads have said that “as research they dated for three months” prior to shooting.
The film is a mass mixture of guns blazing action, laugh out loud (and roll around) comedy with illegal substances thrown in, for good measure. Dale Denton (Rogan) is a civil servant in his late twenties, who is dating a senior in high school and who likes to engage in illegal hobbies, aka getting high. Saul Silver is his dealer (Franco) who just wants a friend. Dale witnesses Ted Jones “the don” played brilliantly by Gary Cole (A long way away from the Brady Bunch films I feel) murder someone and so ensues hilarious antics, the worst get away ever and a lot of intoxication.
How this film actually got past the censorship rules I honestly have no clue and the fact that the version I saw in the states is different to the one we get in the U.K is an interesting representation of the standards that the British cinematic association upholds. The trailer did not even include weed despite the fact that the entire film is about being stoned.
The latest from cinematic indie God, – Judd Apatow. In which we see a fantastic pairing, (re united from when they were in the American T.V. show – Freaks and Geeks.) James Franco and Seth Rogan.
This film actually had me on the floor in the isle laughing and my friend inhaled his popcorn, it really is that great. Think Superbad only . . . better. (Yes it is possible!)
Delightful, delicious and dynamic - definitely worth savouring.
Based on a lesser known play of Noel Coward’s , who said that “ ... It’s discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.” Director Stephan Elliot (The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) has tried to make the film more contemporary and very distinct from the Merchant-Ivory school of film. The film is about the revelation of secrets, which are hidden within the social class system in a wealthy family in the ravishing and roaring 1920’s, a somewhat seemingly stereotypical family with several secrets hidden behind the lavish artwork adorning their walls.
John Whittaker (Ben Barnes) meets Larita , a glamorous American race car driver, (an outstanding part played by Jessica Biel)whist abroad and proposes to her and brings her home to meet the family...who have mixed reactions towards her. So ensues a rather entertaining game of cat (or rather dog in this case) and mouse between Mrs Whittaker (Kirsten Scott Thomas) and her sons new spouse.
Colin Firth for once does not play (entirely) to type, this time he is a disillusioned man back from WW II with a commanding wife and an impossibly family. He is one of the few people who approves of his son’s choice and makes this quite apparent. One of Stephan Elliot's nice touches is an anachronistic use of such songs as Car Wash and Sex Bomb, done in a very twenties style. The addition of a hilarious "dog scene" is another nice touch. Fans of Noel Coward (and even Merchant-Ivory) won't be disappointed.
Shot in beautiful locations, very close to Nottingham, a key one being Flintham Hall. Stephan Elliot said that when he entered the house he knew it was perfect and that he had to use it, the only issue was that the owner insisted on clearing the place up before filming! Kris Marshal , famed from hit TV show My Family and more recently , the BT adverts. He takes on the role of Fuber – the unconventional butler who literally steals the scene every time with a mere few words.
The latest, and certainly not greatest from the creators of Scary Movie (1 -4), Epic Movie, Date Movie and the last one Meet the Spartans... the review is in the title! There is a reason (a very good one) why no-one else in the industry makes films like this, in this case it is because High School Musical, TV Show Gladiators and the epic Oscar winner of last year, No Country for Old Men were never ever intended to be associated with one another. Let alone on celluloid and certainly not with pop culture references thrown in like Amy Winehouse’s facebook and American radio love doctor sensation, Dr Phil.
Supposedly, according to its creators - Disaster Movie features every known natural disaster and catastrophic event -- asteroids, twisters, earthquakes, etc. The film is depicted as a "spoof" of trailers for films (mainly superhero movies) that were released this summer just gone. In fact, the title for the foreign release is Superheroes: The Injustice League. There are fleeting references to The Day After Tomorrow, Twister, Cloverfield and Armageddon.
Writers, Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer attempt to make fun of all of the recent summer blockbusters, pop culture (surprisingly both British and American) along with taking a stab at public and even a few public figures.
It follows a group of four “good looking twenty somethings into a lot of random and largely unnecessary situations, one of the most disturbing being Juno (from Juno) and Carrie of Sex and The City fame having a fight and the words... “Suck my placenta” being screamed – disturbing on many levels!
If you do not see this film then, honestly you will not be missing out at all. The only thing that held my attention was working out what and how many people, films, icons etc were being spoofed. (I counted 44)
Every review I have heard, seen or read about this film has infuriated me as they have all been told from the male perspective and pretty much everyone of them has said that “It’s a blokes film, and not for the fairer sex”. I‘m here to tell you that that is about as rubbish as saying that Sex and the City –The Movie did not appeal to any men, at all, which is blatantly untrue.
Yes the film is out and out pointless action, full of fast cars, dangerous situations and hot women. However are we forgetting that the star of the piece (a mainly shirtless) Jason Statham, who can do no wrong in these kinds of films (Crank, and the Transporter 1 and 2 anyone?) and are we forgetting that it is pure adrenalin.
As if you need to know the plot after that introduction but here it is anyway... In 2012, the United States economy collapses, Jensen Ames (Statham) was once a NASCAR champion. He hits rock bottom ends up in prisons, gets out and gets married and has a child. Life is finally looking good until he wakes up semi-conscious next to the body of his dead wife, without a clue of what happened. Turns out, he was framed in order to get him incarcerated in a prison where the warden , a bull-busting hard ass (Joan Allen) runs a pay-per-view event. The Death Race - a kill-or-be-killed car race where the inmates race to win their freedom. Every inmate driver is driving a monster car that they built which is loaded with machine guns, missiles, flamethrowers, napalm, and no rules. Can Jensen win his freedom?
Whether you are male or female, if you liked films like Gone in 60 Seconds (either version) Transformers or The Fast and The Furious then I would put my money on the fact that you’d enjoy this film.
I like many other girls and women worldwide have anticipated this film for four years and have followed the progress of it finally making it to the big screen and I am very happy to report that I was not (entirely) disappointed.
Sometimes I hate being a critic because you build up a film so much in your mind and no matter how much you want to fall head over heels (obviously , manolos in this case) I end up picking faults and being too easily disappointed. I went to see the film with a group of mates, (both sexes) and there were actually quite a few males in the cinema too, which was quite surprising. and I don’t think that they had all been dragged by their partners!
Ok, so to the plot. (Yes there is one!) It is four years on from when we left the girls in the big city. Mirada is married to Steve, and lives with their kid in Brooklyn. Charlotte-York-Goldenblatt is still living on the Upper East Side with her adopted daughter Lilly. Carrie is between apartments, a successful writer and with her lobster, John J Preston and last but not least, Sam is in L.A working as Smiths’ agent and living with him too. The usual suspects can be found, Anthony, Stanford, All the partners and even Magda. There are a couple of fresh faces in the form of Carries new P.A. played by a practically perfect, Jenifer Hudson.
Sex, Shoes and the Girls... Relationships, heartbreaks and make-ups and cosmos, clothes and cheeky one liners. The film has everything that the six fabulous seasons’ did and sadly no more than that. All the factors that are expected are there; it is slightly too long at two hours and twenty-five minutes, (so nearly four episodes) but still enjoyable and rarely drags. For some people the film has been fulfilling and everything that they wanted, for others, like myself it was missing something, Also SJP was a producer on the film and her influence is quite obvious... and not in a good way!
My only real actual valid criticism is the fact that it is a tad too predictable, which I was not anticipating and that the (new) ending does not add anything to the story, and how it ended back in 2004.
If you ever watched the show, then see it as otherwise you’ll feel left out. If you haven’t and like chic-flicks mixed with drama, you’ll probably enjoy it and if you hate fashion, flings and feisty women, then really don’t bother!
Starring: Nic Cage, Ed Harris, Helen Mirren, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha. Directed by: Jon Turteltaub Released: 08/02/2008
Excitement. Adrenalin and Tequila – what more could one want?
Being a huge fan of Nic Cage and the original film as well, I had my fingers crossed as I walked into the screening. Last time around Ben Gates and co stole; well technically borrowed The Declaration of Independence!
This time Benjamin Franklin Gates has got himself into trouble, again. In an attempt to clear the name of his ancestor from being involved in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln he winds up in Paris, London (the Queen’s personal study, no less) and even “kidnapping” the President of The U.S.A.
“Of course someone is after the treasure… it’s the axiom of treasure hunting!”
The good news: It’s smarter, sleeker and sexier. Fast paced action throughout, with smart-ass quips and banter along the way. (Dame) Helen Mirren is delightful addition to the original cast and would you believe that on the day she was invited to meet Queen Elizabeth II she declined due to filming this film! Kruger is a lot more involved and is not just the girl for the sake of having one, this time around and Riley (Bartha) is entertaining as ever with his sarcastic wit and admiration of Gates.
The bad news: There is a new bad guy, and he isn’t played by Sean Bean!
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Ludacris Directed by: John Moore Released: 14/11/2008
...is literally that . . . a pain! Walking out of the cinema, I was questioning whether I would rather break my leg and suffer excruciating physical pain or be forced to watch Max Payne again... I’d happily take the cast.
I think out of all of the reviews I have read about this film, two were positive towards this shambles of cinematic viewing. Mark “Marky-Mark” Wahlberg plays ex-homicide cop, Payne, whose wife and child were brutally murdered and ever since he has been seeking vengeance and knowledge. Everyone who seems to be a lead is either a liar or meets an unfortunate end. Be careful who you trust?
Based on a very popular selling video game, on paper this film had a lot of promise. A huge fan base already existed due to the game so a lot of great things could have happened – but didn’t. Firstly, the script is completely dire and the acting (particularly from Mila Kunis – last seen in Forgetting Sarah Marshall) is worthy of a Razzie. Move over Lindsay Lohan!
As for the plot, it should have stuck to the console. The film relies way too much on atmosphere and whilst attempting to copy the beautiful and clever style of Sin City it manages to overuse the one thing it has going for it – the cinematography. The entire film is set in dark and seedy areas with snow constantly falling. Sound familiar?
The actions sequences are average, it annoyed me that the film is nowhere near as exciting as it should have been. Granted, Payne is not a superhero; but nor is Batman and look how high The Dark Knight raised the bar for its genre this past summer! I wanted this to be good. I kept lying to myself and saying it would get better any minute… sadly, just like Payne’s predicament I was living in denial without a clue.
As soon as you see the trailer for this film, it is quite obvious how it is going to turn out. This aside, the film does keep you guessing a bit and somewhat surprisingly manages to hold your interest. Mainly due to an ok script and a pretty great cast.
The best way I can think to describe it is, as a twisted version of 1998 classic, “My Best Friend’s Wedding”. The key difference being that instead of a woman attempting to sabotage the impending nuptials, it is a man, disused as the MOH (Maid of honour).So guys, this time it’s your go, the story is told form the male perspective, so not your average “chick-flic”.
Starring the latest successful import from an American T.V. show, (Greys’ Anatomy) Patrick (Mc Dreamy) Dempsey, plays Tom, the man who designed the coffee cup collar (an invention that prevents you from burning your hand/fingers when touching a hot cardboard cup) He was last seen playing the love interest opposite the awesome Amy Adams, in Disney flick, Enchanted. Here he realises (a bit too late) that he is actually in love with his best friend, Hannah, played rather convincingly by Michelle Monaghan.
The problem being that they’ve known one another for ten years and nothing has ever blossomed. However when Hannah takes a work trip to Scotland ... and comes back with more than she bargained for, a fiancée. Well the gauntlet is thrown down, queue some rather obvious and very clichéd cinematic moments, including, a fight between the two men, several misunderstandings, including a running joke about a Grandma and some love beads mistaken for a necklace, and a massive culture shock or two.
The supporting cast are great, including Kevin McKidd as Hannah’s royal Scottish fiancée and Busy Phillips as her neurotic cousin, Melissa. The scenery of Scotland is truly breathtaking, even the soundtrack deserves a mention. Ultimately the film creates an interesting viewpoint of the two cultures.
If the sunshine does leave us anytime soon then a great way to pass a couple of hours, otherwise this is one for rental or the DVD collection.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, ,Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Leslie Bibb, Terrence Hardman Directed by: Jon Favreau
Released: 02/05/2008
Setting the scene, the first showing in Britain of IRON MAN the latest export from Marvel, a more random choice than the generic superheroes, such as, The Incredible Hulk and Spiderman among others. In a cinema full of men, (generally geeky comic book types) there I sat waiting, with bated breath and boy oh boy does it deliver!
Action packed from the outset in, the first few moments you get the hard hitting beat of AC/DC Back to Black across a desert and a huge explosion as Stark explodes a missile, walks off calm and collected grabs liquor on the rocks and off he goes... What more can you ask for in a superhero? Did i mention that he flies at super speeds to!
Rehabilitated Robert Downey Jr plays Tony Stark, a multi-millionaire who lives the playboy lifestyle, gadgets and gizmos a plenty who plays fast and hard and deals with the consequences later, or leaves his delightful assistant, Pepper Potts (Paltrow) to pick up the pieces, who does everything and anything for him including “taking out the trash” ... aka the woman he picked up the previous evening!
Stark is the main supplier of weapons in America and after a demo gone wrong he is forced to build an armored suit after a life-threatening incident; he ultimately decides to use its technology to fight against evil.There are the usual ingredients, with a bit of a twist to what you would usually expect in a comic book caper.
There are a few soppy moments (groan). If you like action films and car chases then check this out as it contains a seriously high speed and even higher adrenalin filled flight chase between Iron Man and two fighter jets.
There are the usual ingredients, with a bit of a twist to the usual expectations in comic book capers. There are a few soppy moments (groan) but they are manageable. Strangely enough it was Downey Jr that requested for there not to be too many generic soppy scenes, is someone afraid of man of the moment Chris Martin? Or did he just think that it would deter from the action?
So, sit back, suspend all your belief and enjoy all the explosions, excitement and (awesome) effects. Hollywood’s getting into the robotic theme at the moment, last year we had Transformers,( the sequel is out in 2009) and the latest Disney is set to hit cinemas in June; Wale-E.
Well I currently feel like a child who was enjoying a lovely fresh ice-cream and then dropped it on the floor... I have just returned from seeing the midnight press screening of probably the most anticipated film of the year; Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Unless you have been living on the planet Zod (Like Lucas and Spielberg have apparently) then you cannot have failed to notice all the hype around this film and the media circus that is created at Cannes 61st annual festival over the weekend. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, no scrap that terrible news, but it is not good. Yes there are still witty one liners, great comic moments and awesome stunts , mainly performed by the not so nimble man in his mid 60’s himself, Mr Harrison Ford.
However the plot is just so far fetched and suspending your belief is an understatement. Considering that the opening scene occurs in 1957 it is an absolutely preposterous plot, I don’t want to give it away as i know everyone will still go and see the film, purely out of their curiosity, but my advice would be to leave ten mins before the end, maybe even fiftteen mins to be on the safe side.
Grabbing the hat, rolling up the whip and pulling on that cracked leather jacket, Jones is off once again in search of...something, to find...someone. Hurrah! The first we see of our beloved her is him rolling out of a boot, and technically we see his hat and shadow before we even see him. I could go into it further, but any more details and i fear that i will receive and abundance of hate mail or get the sack for ruining the film that fans have waited almost 20 years for, was it worth it? I’ll leave you to answer that question yourself.
Ok, so to the cast. Obviously one of the main reasons most people will see this film is the fact that 19.. yes 19 years on Harrison Ford is still playing Henry Jones Jr, aka Indie. There are some familiar faces, in the shape of brash and bolshie Marion played by the original actress Karen Allen. Who sadly does not really do much bar the obvious aka fall into indies arms and reveal a few plot twists. Cate Blanchet shows yet another side to her superb acting ability playing Ukrainian baddie, and finally to the newcomer, one of Hollywood’s current golden boys, who it seems can do no wrong, he is excellent in this as Mutt, the kid from the wrong side of the tracks, he rocks up on a moped looking like the late , great James Dean.
The best of British also deserve a mention with cameo roles from Ray Winston as the double crossing Mac, John Hurt as the pretty loony Prof. Oxley and Jim Broadbent as one of Indie’s struggling colleagues.
Sadly this come back was not all that I expected, granted my expectations were high but that was largely based on Die Hard IV last year and the fact that Bruce Willis came back as working class hero, Cop, John McClane 14 years on. Indie 4... well Spielberg has already quite publicly stated that he will be keeping his ear to the ground and has said that he will make Indie V if it’s what the public wants...So make your choice public, make your choice!
The film is a spin off from award winning T.V. series ‘The Thick of It’, which was an intelligent satire based on British politics. Both the series and the film are written and directed by Armando Iannucci.
Political films are not usually all that interesting or enticing. When America has taken a stab at portraying the Iraq war and the decisions behind it, on screen it has tended to play it straight down the line - films like ‘Syriana’, ‘Lions for Lambs’ and ‘In the Valley of Elah’ are examples of this approach. We Brits tend not to conform to the solemn and miserable attitude; instead we insert insults and humour via said insults.
Simon Forester (Tom Hollander) plays The Minister of International Defence - the surprising thing is that he has a finding himself as a player in a game that he does not understand the rules of and discovering that he is in way above his head. He’s assisted by a not so able team who manage to make him late to meetings and “meat in the room” during important meetings. His bungling assistant Oliver (Chris Addison) adds chaos to every situation but with vast comical effect, whilst attempting to manage his own life, as well as Simon's, with disastrous consequences.
Director, Armando Iannucci, said that the reason he made the film was ‘due to what went on in the build up to the invasion in Iraq and all the petty power politics that went on in Washington’. This is exactly what the film portrays, constantly switching from Capital Hill and British Parliament informing the audience of the decisions made in each with a few eccentric Scots thrown in for good measure. Peter Capaldi as Malcolm Tucker deserves a mention in this category, being one of the only characters who came from the T.V. series and being stark raving mad and full of rather colourful language throughout the film. James Gandolfini, of Sopranos fame plays General Miller who sits on the fence and plays an entertaining game of cat and mouse throughout, with surprising results. The other two characters worth mentioning are key players on the American side of things, Assistant Secretary of Diplomacy (Mimi Kennedy) and her nemesis, Linton (David Rasche) who, like their assistants, are locked in battle and constantly trying to outdo one another.
The film is dialogue-driven rather than plot and the enjoyment comes from the characters and their interactions and relationships with each other. Satire, spin and sex provide an expected combination for politics. There is a lot of unnecessary content in the film and scenes that act as fillers but it manages to hold its head above water, unlike Simon. The cameo from Steve Coogan is well worth looking out for too.
Ice Age as a franchise has never been as clever or as funny as Shrek. Despite ripping off the buddy-buddy relationship of two creatures who would not usually knock around together it even creates offspring in the third, just like Shrek.
All the old (and loveable?) characters are back, Diego is suffering from a inferiority complex as he thinks he’s gone soft, Manny and Ellie are expecting and Manny is driving everyone crazy because of it, Sid is well being Sid and getting himself into trouble. This time he’s feeling left out due to the impending “baby” and so decides to become a mother,(as you do) and so he steals some eggs and manages to majorly piss off their mother... a dinosaur (Title makes sense now, right?)
It’s nothing new, the gang are reunited and off on a dangerous trek (again! show some originality in number four please writers) though this time there is one redeeming factor, although the comedy is not as clever as the two level style that Shrek and some more recent Disney films provide, to appeal to the kids but also entertain the parents they have added Simon Pegg. Hell it worked for Star Trek so why not animation? Pegg is the voice of Buck a clinically insane weasel who lives in the dinosaurs realm. He has some great one liners and is a joyful addition to the franchise.
The films creates a lot of laughs, some expected and others not and it’ll most likely bring a smile to your face upon leaving the cinema. You’ll be glad to know that Scrat and his one true love (a nut) are finally united ... with the addition of Scratete. Which is now told as more a part of the whole story rather than just at random interludes.
Soarin’ ... Flying... If you have managed to avoid these lyrics then you have evaded the Disney invasion that is High School Musical (HSM), congratulations I tried and found myself unable to resist. Since the first in the extremely successful franchise was released as a film for T.V. on the Disney channel it has been hard to ignore. With not only the films, but the merchandise, stage shows and even the fact that songs from the soundtrack(s) often feature on nights out. (It even has its own Singstars!)
Not only has it catapulted Disney into everyone’s conscious (not that it ever really left) it has created superstars and teen idols out of its cast. Zac Efron anyone? The third (and unfortunately not final, HSM 4 is scheduled for release in 2009 ) was the first to be on general release in cinema’s at the first week on both the USA and UK box office is took top spot.
Having been compared and subsequently criticised for being too similar to 1978’s classic, Grease, yes there are obvious comparisons and Grease was and still is amazing and actually groundbreaking. However all HSM has done is bring this to a younger generation. Disney being the clever people that they are have captured demographics, (Ahem! Sorry I mean audiences) across the spectrum and the world. Parents embrace HSM willingly; the story line is not over sexed or full of foul mouthed language like so many you see in cinemas these days, yes it involves a love story but they don’t even kiss till the end of the second film!
The third films itself follows the loveable characters through their final year (did the title give that away) and sees them creating a musical about their time at East High. Expect the usual singing, dancing and general cringeworthyness but this time its better (yes it is possible). Taking into account the fact that 11 songs from the soundtrack were considered for the Oscar shortlist, they must be doing something right. The dance routines are amazing and the extra features on the DVD attempt to teach you them, all I’ll say is, good luck, they are difficult.
Our sweethearts, Troy and Gabriella or struggling with facing the fact that their prospective colleges are miles away from one another, Sharpay is still trying to outdo the world, well East High but faces some opposition actually worthy of her and her schemes. Everyone else is just figuring out who they are and where their lives are going and what direction they should take, so nothing revolutionary in the plot then. At the end of the day it has never claimed to be ground breaking cinematic folly and it will never win awards other than the Teen choice kind but it is fun, frothy and frivolous.
A harmless 1hour 50mins for anyone to enjoy/endure.
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn, Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek Directed by: Seth Gordon
Presents under the tree? Check, Santa please stop here sign? Check, Turkey of a Christmas film? CHECK!
Tim Allen used to the king of the Christmas catastrophe and since he realised that the audience really was tired of him re-creating Santa year upon year... then Will Ferrell had a go and now Vince Vaughn has begun “delighting” us with his take on Christmas , last year we endured Fred Claus and this year we have Four Christmases, time to give up yet Vince?
An original concept for a plot, a couple who it turns out barely know one-another (despite having been in a relationship for three years) who always escape over the holiday season, are caught out this year and have to go and embrace family festivities in not one, but four separate houses. Kate’s (Reese Witherspoon) religious crazed mother, her Father (John Voight) and his new girlfriend and then Brad’s (Vaughn) Mother, who is now in a relationship with his childhood friend and finally his Father who lives with his two boisterous brothers. Cue madness and mayhem, just like any other family Christmas. Along the way surprising discoveries are uncovered and rash decisions are made within all aspects of Kate and Brad’s lives . . . and their family’s dynamics.
All in all it is a little bit heavy on the inspirational message and is not as funny as you hoped, heck I’d even choose to watch The Santa Clause 3 : The Escape Clause than see this again, at least that film has true Christmas spirit. It makes you feel as if you have sat down for the main event and only the trimmings have been served. I really wanted to like this film as I usually admire Witherspoons’ work and find Vaughn genuinely funny, but even with a fairly well known supporting cast, this film has resided itself to the ‘get it for £5 if you spend £30 in HMV’, next Christmas. I’ll just sit back and await the 17th December when White Christmas is on re-release on the big screen, instead.
Starring: Jason Segel, Kirsten Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand Directed by: Nicholas Stoller
This film comes form the same team who created and brought us, the awesome, Knocked Up and Superbad AND the 40 year old virgin. Yet again they deliver the gags, witty one liners and a story with real heart.
Starring a cast of relatively unknowns on the silver screen, Kirsten Bell (Seen in hit T.V. show Veronica Mars) plays the neurotic and slightly self-obsessed Sarah Marshall, Mila Kunis (Jackie from That 70’s Show and the voice of Meg in Family Guy) plays the slightly tomboy-like love interest of Sarah Marshall’s ex long term boyfriend, Peter Bretter (Jason Segel). Oh and Britain’s very own Russell Brand is Sarah’s new boyfriend, a rock star with interesting morals. As if that isn’t enough we also have Paul Rudd as a stoned surfer dude, Jonah Hill thrown in for good measure, as an obsessed fan and Bill Hader as Brian, the “helpful” friend!
The film is the ultimate break up comedy, forget the wishy washy “The Break-Up” and see this! It’s much funnier and does not take itself seriously at all! Which is great.
Expect embracing scenarios and outrageous gags plus excellent cameos, an ideal date movie as it’s told form the point of view of a bloke who is heartbroken.
Rather than just a moaning woman! It even teaches the audience a lesson or two.
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Directed by: Justin Lin
The tagline reads…” New Model, Original Parts”. Essentially the original cast has reemerged with a structurally (un)sound plot which is basically about women, fast cars and what makes their engines rev. So no changes there, though this one involves more emotion and a revenge plot. Then again do you actually expect anything different from the fourth in this franchise?
Ex-con, Dom (Vin Diesel) and F.B.I Agent, O’Conner (Paul Walker) find themselves attempting to take down a drug lord with a grudge. Both have their own agenda and will have to work together to achieve it. The film engages with a brief flirtation of asking its audience to take it seriously by using subtitles and exotic locations, it even requires you to use your brain in some scenes… (Shock Horror!)
The first film was like getting behind the wheel of a car when you first turn seventeen… a new and exciting feeling. The second recreated the emotion you feel upon passing your driving test (relief and anticipation) and the third...sadly the third is when you crash a car and it becomes a write off… the fourth, I am happy to inform you, is a mixture of the first two with a few new illegal mod cons built in.
Since I first saw Herbie as a child I have been fascinated by cars and what they can do… my secret dream is to be a street racer, a dream sadly hindered by the fact that I only possess a provisional driving licence! This film is not and never will be as good as classic car films such as The Italian Job (the original, not the remake), Gone in 60 Seconds (the remake, not the original) or even Pixars’ Cars. But, for a rough and ready high speed chase or two and an adrenalin injection or three, this ticks all the boxes.
So here it is, I asked everyone I knew for fear that the internet live link I had found would die half way through... if they had sky movies premiere, seeing as that is the only place in the U.K they were being broadcast in full. As luck would have it my auntie had it, so here I find myself with my bag of popcorn curled up on her sofa watching with anticipation The 81st Academy Awards.
1.41am - Hugh Jackman - Bloody legend, It now makes sense of why he is presenting... what an awesome opening! - Coy compliment to Winslet early on and Anne Hathaway assists in a song and dance opening number.... "I am Wolverine".
1.44am - Montage for Meryl
First award... Prediction - Cruz for Vicky Christina Barcelona!
1.51am - Supporting Actress goes to... Penelope Cruz ... Speech is fast and will be longer than 45 seconds... Walks off stage accompanied by 5 previous winners, who represent the 70 women who have won this award, five previous Best Supporting Actress winners including Tilda Swinton, Goldie Hawn and Sister Act star Whoopi Goldberg who got a laugh introducing Doubt nominee Amy Adams by saying, "It's not easy being a nun ..."
1.55am - Tina Fey and Steve Martin appear reading off a script to present the award “to write is to live forever" for Best Original Screenplay...
I want In Bruges!
2am -Winner is Milk... by Dustin Lance Black
2.02am - Obviously the credit crunch has even hit the Oscars, Fey and Martin also present the award or best Adapted Screenplay. . .
Please let it go to the highly deserved Slumdog Millionaire although I predict Benjamin Button will pick up the first of the 13 awards it is nominated for. . . will the Academy represent the brits?
2.04am - Goes to.. Simon Beaufoy (YES!) for Slumdog Millionaire :D
2.05am - An elegantly dressed Jenifer Aniston accompanied by a rather dashing Jack Black who makes a somewhat awkward joke about how he comes to the Oscars annually and bets all the money he made from Dreamworks... on Pixar to win! So commences the start of the 2009 animation story book. Ha love it how Black announces his own film as a nominee (Kung Fu Panda) and the winner is WALL-E! to Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt.
"Did you watch anything this year, that you were not in?" Aniston to Black. his response..."No but in my defense not a lot of other people did either"
Animated short film goes to... La Maison en petis cubes - No I’ve never head of it either!
2.15am - The latest Bond, Craig... Daniel Craig accompanies SJP in a Cinderella dress that only Miley Ciruses could rival to present the award for Art Direction... the first award that power couple of Hollywood - Pitt and Jolie are up against one another for... and Pitt's film takes it. This see's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (TCCOBB) take an award for the first time tonight, as it is nominated for 13 awards I am sure that this is not the last we will here from it tonight.
2.20am - Sticking with the same presenters the award for Costume Design goes to... The Duchess , Micheal O' Connner. (I didn't even realise that this was in the qualifiers!)
2.23am - The duo now present a third award... For make-up the much desvered award goes to ... surely it has to be TCCOBB? and yes it does indeed! Second award of the evening for the film.
2.26am - The youngsters of Hollywood take a turn at presenting, Mamma Mia's Amanda Seyfried and current heartthrob Robert Pattison of Twilight and Harry Potter fame... a montage of romance is shown .. featuring Australia... Vicky Christina Barcelona, Twilight, Seven Pounds, Wall-E and even High School Musical 3 ... among others.
2.32am - Award for Achievement in Cinematography is presented by Natalie Portman and a somewhat bizarre Ben Stiller. ( Sporting a large beard and dark glasses in homage to eccentric Joaquin Phoenix and his interesting interview the other week) The award goes to (the second time tonight... hopefully many more to come) Antony Dod Mantle for Slumdog Millionaire.
2.40am - Jessica Biel presents the scientific and technical award, which was presented earlier , so more an honorary mention to be honest... explains why she is presenting solo.
2.44am - It seems that The Oscars have been borrowing ideas from MTV and their music awards, A pre recorded skit of Seth Rogan and James Franco in their clothes and on the set from Pineapple Express is the way of introducing a montage of films that represent comedy of 2008.
Shortly followed by the two bro-mance stars and with the VP .... they give out the award for best short film to - Spielzeugland (Toyland) picking up the award is Jochen Alexander Freydank.
2.52am Jackman re-emerges and with another musical number, these musical interludes... are they just a way to keep us awake? Only kidding, they are highly enjoyable and in the days before Jackman played Wolverine he used to be in musical theatre. Beyonce's part in the festivities is finally revealed (after she refused to discuss it on the red carpet) revealed as she joins Jackman on stage in a stunning viva la viva red sequined bodice and the two launch into a musical montage including.... Grease, Chicago, Moulin Rouge, The Sound of Music and Hairspray among many more. Joined by teenage superstars, Zac Efron and Vanessa Ann Hudgens AND Amanda Synfried and Mamma Mia co-star Dominic Cooper... ending on versions of Mamma Mia and West Side Story and Jackman in a big fanfare finish announces that " The Musical is Back!"
WOW! what a change of pace, having an entertainer present the Oscars has boost a new lease of life into the proceedings, now not only am I awaiting to see the results of the main awards but to see what Jackman does next :D
3.04am - Next up is another biggie Best Supporting Actor, again , as we saw with the female equivalent of this award earlier out come five representatives. If this award does not go to the sadly deceased Ledger then the Academy are idiots, plain and simple. and yes yes YES it deservedly goes to the man who gave everything to this role, some would even say his life. Collected by his family, tears are shed around the auditorium, it is an emotional affair making Ledger only the second man to win an acting Oscar posthumously.
3.15am - The Oscar for the best documentary feature goes to Man on Wire, about Phillippe Petit's wire-walk between New York's twin towers in 1974.
3.19am - We are back to the business at hand, giving out awards The Oscar for best short documentary goes to Smile Pinki, which is concerned with a five-year-old Indian girl's surgery on a cleft lip.
3.23am- Jackman, sadly not singing, dancing or brandishing a cane whilst donning a top hat introduces a montage of 2008 Action films. Which is essentially a guns blazing out and out action following this out comes one of the kings of both action and comedy, Will Smith who is a member of the academy.
3.27am - Award for outstanding visual effects, presented by Smith goes to (I wish Iron Man but I predict TCCOBB) and yep it does indeed.
3.29am - Still with Big Willie, the award for sound editing goes to , The Dark knight - Richard King. Considering that this film, being of the action variety was pretty much snubbed by the Academy then to have won two awards already is bloody impressive!
We are now over half way through the awards, the coverage is scheduled to go on till 5am our time, which is another hour and a half. Stilll my interest is not waning.
3.32am - Slumdog Millionaire picks up it's third award, this time for post production, Outstanding sound mixing: Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty. Star of the film, Dev Patel watches from the audience mouth agape and Danny Boyle just cannot stop smiling.
So that would be Slumdog 3, TCCOBB 2.
3.35am - Slumdog picks up it's forth award of the night , this time for Film Editing - Chris Dickens.
Make that Slumdog 4!
N.B. Finally someone mentions the in-correct mention of the pronunciation of "Moet" on the champagne adverts.... Well done Winkleman. (Obviously not from the ceremony itself, it comes from the London studios.)
We're closing up to the final hour now; with only seven awards to go it is time for the big awards. Winslet, Rourke, Streep, Boyle, Pitt and Jolie are probably starting to get very nervous in their seats and can feel the tension rising, if the list that circulated the internet yesterday was true in the slightest then Kate certainly has nothing to worry about. Fingers Crossed :D
3.42am - Eddie Murphy makes an appearance to present he Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to veteran Jerry Lewis.
"A movie without music is like an airplane without fuel" according to Jackman, an orchestra strikes up as the nominations for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score are introduced rather beautifully. To present the award out come teenage heartthrob, Zac Efron and Alicia Keys, Slumdog takes it's 5th Oscar of the evening, collected by A.R Rahman.
3.50am - "If the score is a narrative of a movie, then a song is it's punctuation" Efron tells us, kind of a kick in the teeth that he is presenting this award as originally 11 of the 13 songs in HSM 3 were shortlisted for the award. Sticking with the song and dance theme... the songs up for the award are actually performed to the audience.
4.03am - ...and there goes the SIXTH award for Slumdog! Now i only hope that it can hold it's own in the big ones. Boyle for Director and of course best motion picture, as sadly Dev Patel was not nominated for Best Actor.
4.06am - Liam Neeson and Freida Pinto are out to present the award for best Foreign Film, (Come on The Class!) Sadly not, it goes to Japanese film, Departures. With the director simply announcing " I win, I am very Happy".
Ok so it is now game on! Four AWARDS TO GO....Best....
* Director
*Lead Actor
*Lead Actress
*FILM!
4.11Aam – Queen Latifa appears on stage, oddly in a different dress to the one that she walked the red carpet in and in tribute to all the people in the industry who have sadly passed away this year she launches into a song.
4.18am - Jackman announces that the current president of the Academy Steven is stepping down after four years.
4.19am - Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon presents solo in the most beautiful dress of the night the first of the top four, Best Director (Come on Boyle!!!)
4.21am - Winner Is: DANNY BOYLE ... and that my friends makes eight! Could not have gone to a nicer bloke!
Three to go....
4.26am - Best Actress: A montage of previous winners, including the tear jerking speeches etc and five previous winners; Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry, Sophia Lauren, Marion Cotillard and Shirley McClaine.
After being snubbed many times before is it FINALLY Winslets' year?
Marion Cotillard tells Kate Winslet: "With each new role you continue to push the boundaries of what is possible ... you have passion, vulnerability and extraordinary depth."
YES , yes yes it is! Wow! after 5 previous nominations and no wins and seeing as her tough competition included 15 times nominated Meryl Streep and the remarkable Angelina Jolie it is purely brilliant!
She gave the most interesting speech of the night and actually breathed correctly and did not cry. Well done Kate!
Two to go....
4.36am - The montage for male actors begins and to reprsent the nominees out come; Robert DeNiro, Sir Ben Kingsley, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Micheal Douglas and Adrian Brody.
So Rourke v Pitt?
4.45am - Crunch time, it goes to ... Sean Penn! For Milk.
Slightly surprising there, but well deserved, Rourke cold now be ready to punch something considering how the B.A.F.T.A.'s went and other various awards.... and as for Pitt well TCCOBB has won two awards all night after being nominated for a whopping 13! I highly doubt that it is going to take the final award either, best picture.
"You commy homo-loving sons of guns... I did not expect this, I am touched by the appreciation" says Sean Penn.
Penn also said he is proud to live in a country which elected "an elegant man" as president and adds that Mickey Rourke "rises again and he is my brother".
4.48am - Jackman introduces the big guns to present the final award, one of my personal idols. Steven Spielberg! A montage of the nominated films is played integrated with past winners.
Best Picture 2009, the nominees are:
Frost/Nixon - Hugely compelling and a great drama
Slumdog Millionaire - Best film of the year , hands down!
The Reader - Bitter yet realistic and hard hitting
Milk - A real triumph
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - A truly original film
THE OSCAR GOES TO.....
(FAN FARE)
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE!
YES. If my auntie, her partner, and my cousins were not fast asleep right now I would be running around screaming. A truly fantastic year at the awards for The Brits and a whopping NINE AWARDS out of a nominated 10 for Slumdog!
This now makes it all the more special that the child actors were all allowed to come over from India and be a part of all the glory.
Well folks that is it for another year. Time for bed me thinks as it is 4.58am!
