The first trailer, that being a teaser trailer has been released for ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ which is going to be Christopher Nolan’s last Batman film in his franchise. If the first two have been anything to go by, we are in for another fantastic journey. This trailer is a very good teaser to the film, as it hardly shows us anything but still makes us wonder what is to come next.
The latest blogathon event around the film-blogging world is ‘A Life in Movies’ this quite simply means I have picked a film from each since I was born. That year being 1987. The approach I have taken to this post is to document the films which have meant something to me. Mainly from that time (although the first couple of years will be that I watched them when old enough to remember).
I always enjoy doing blog posts like this one as it always lets you take a trip down memory lane when it comes to certain films. Also the thought of then posting them the same day as many other blogs and then having the chance to compare and see if they have chosen any of the same films in their list as well.
Most of the films in my list consist of my most watched films ever. Mainly because of over watching as a child and not being able to pass the film over if it is on TV now. So here goes my life in movies . . .
The Dark Knight is such a fantastic film, it really does have pretty much a bit of everything and is definitely one of my favorites. I even went to see it three times at the cinema! Yes it was really that great on the big screen. The return of the Joker in what was Heath Ledger’s final finished role and no-one could have ever expected him to be so sinister and brilliant. The action in this film is constant and at times does not allow you to take a breath. Such an incredible film!
The 10 films I found the best from the year 2010. I think overall it has been a pretty good year for film, so I probably could have had more than 10 on this list! I have managed to see 41 films from the year 2010, so picked my 10 best from those!
A couple of the films which have made the list managed to surprise me as I might not have been expecting very much from them before watching them.
The winners of the 2011 Academy Awards. The only big shock had to be Tom Hooper picking up the Best Direction Oscar for The King’s Speech ahead of big favorite David Fincher for The Social Network.
Best Picture: The King’s Speech Best Director: Tom Hooper, The King’s Speech Best Actor: Colin Firth, The King’s Speech Best Actress: Natalie Portman, Black Swan Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, The Fighter Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, The Fighter Best Original Song: We Belong Together, Toy Story 3 Best Editing: The Social Network Best Visual Effects: Inception Best Documentary: Inside Job Best Live Action Short Film: God of Love Best Documentary Short Subject: Strangers No More Best Costume Design: Alice in Wonderland Best Makeup: The Wolfman Best Sound Editing: Inception Best Sound Mixing: Inception Best Original Score: The Social Network Best Foreign Language Film: In A Better World Best Original Screenplay: The King’s Speech Best Adapted Screenplay: The Social Network Best Animated Feature Film: Toy Story 3 Best Animated Short Film: The Lost Thing Best Cinematography: Inception Best Art Direction: Alice in Wonderland
Well I made the decision to watch E! for the red carpet coverage, which I have no idea if it was a good thing or a bad thing. Ready for the Oscar ceremony to start on Sky Movies.
Alec Baldwin included in the opening scenes with James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Appearing in all the best picture nominees. Brilliant start!
Ahhh Morgan Freeman making a little appearance too!
Very clever editing Franco and Hathaway into the films!
Hugh Jackman looked like he wanted to be back on the stage!
Getting the parents and grandparents involved. Very funny! Especially Franco’s grandmother saying Marky Mark! Mark Wahlberg, love it!
A look back at ‘Gone with the Wind’ the ultimate classic <3
Tom Hanks presenting ART DIRECTION – WINNER - Alice in Wonderland
CINEMATOGRAPHY – WINNER – Inception
Credit given to Christopher Nolan!
Awww Kirk Douglas! Standing ovation for him. He’s just incredible for his age. Very funny with both Franco and Hathaway. Struggling to speak bless him!
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – WINNER – MELISSA LEO for The Fighter
Now for a very over the top speech . . . Or maybe not, she actually sounds very nervous. Just dropped the f-word too.
Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis presenting. Timberlake claiming to be Banksy!
BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM – WINNER – THE LOST THING
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE – WINNER – Toy Story 3
Hathaway talking about the very first Academy Awards
Presenters Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem . . . wearing old school white tux’s.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY – WINNER – The Social Network – Aaron Sorkin
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY – WINNER – The King’s Speech – David Seidler
Oldest person to win that award, he hopes its broken quickly and often.
Hathaway performing musical number, directed at Hugh Jackman . . . Using ‘On My Own’ from Les Mis. Franco comes on in a very pink dress. Charlie Sheen joke!
Helen Mirren and Russell Brand presenting
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM – WINNER - IN A BETTER WORLD (DENMARK)
Reese Witherspoon presenting. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – WINNER - CHRISTIAN BALE for The Fighter
He actually sounds rather nervous with his speech, Dicky Eklund is there too Very emotional in his speech, especially towards his wife and daughter.
One last look at the actors and the roles they were nominated for best supporting! I guess I am Team Bale for this one!
Christian Bale as Dicky Eklund in “The Fighter”
The has-been who believes that he is making his boxing comeback, while attempting to help his younger brother train and do something he never did. Become champion, whilst battling with drug addiction which has taken over his life. We see him fight his demons and eventually help his brother out. Larger than life and totally crazy, brilliant performance from Bale.
John Hawkes as Teardrop in “Winter’s Bone”
A very haunting performance in a very haunting film. At times very difficult to watch but Hawkes put in a very good performance, eventually helping out his niece.
Jeremy Renner as James Coughlin in “The Town”
Missed seeing this film, so cannot comment on the performance.
Mark Ruffalo as Paul in “The Kids Are All Right”
I have to admit that when I found out Ruffalo was nominated for an Oscar I was very shocked as seeing his previous performances didn’t think it would be something he would ever achieve. But in this he does put in a very honest performance as Paul, managing to make us feel sorry for him when we really shouldn’t.
Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Louge in “The King’s Speech”
Rush gives a fantastic performance and helps Firth bring out his character. They have fantastic chemistry and bring out the very best in each other. If anyone is a threat to Bale I really think it’s Rush!
Boxer “Irish” Micky Ward’s (Wahlberg) unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky (Bale), a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO’d by drugs and crime.
The London Film Critics’ Circle have seemed to wait until last to have their awards given out. It is kept very British with some awards just being for a Brits performance. Which in my opinion is fair enough really as gives us the chance to honour those who may not quite be up for the Oscar. (Just yet of course). This still did not stop the King reigning the best actor award again as Colin rightly picked that up at these awards too!
20 Days to go until the 2011 Oscar ceremony, so I thought it was about time that I made the effort to actually post the nominations and my predictions for the awards as well. Looking forward to it this year and will be making the effort to stay up late to watch all the drama unfold!
Best Picture
“Black Swan” Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver and Scott Franklin, Producers
“The Fighter” David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Mark Wahlberg, Producers
“Inception” Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan, Producers
“The Kids Are All Right” Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and Celine Rattray, Producers
“The King’s Speech” Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers
“127 Hours” Christian Colson, Danny Boyle and John Smithson, Producers
“The Social Network” Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
“Toy Story 3” Darla K. Anderson, Producer
“True Grit” Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, Producers
“Winter’s Bone” Anne Rosellini and Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Producers
Prediction: The King’s Speech
I think it has gained the most momentum leading up to the Oscars over the last few weeks. So I fancy it to pick up the big award.
Awards season really is in full swing, but it seems as though the same four actors are picking up the main awards for the films. Doesn’t even look close for the Oscars at all. I guess we could still get quite a surprise but not looking very likely. Quite a surprise for the SAG Awards has to be “The King’s Speech picking up the big award of the night for outstanding ensemble in a motion picture. Great to see a British film doing so well!
SAG Award Winner: Outstanding Ensemble In A Motion Picture
Outstanding Ensemble Motion Picture – Cast of “The King’s Speech”
A great thing about awards season is seeing the fashion on the red carpet. The men don’t really have much chance to really change what they are wearing but always look good in suits/tux’s. The dresses worn by the women often start trends off for everyone else!
Here are the nominations for this years BAFTA awards with my views and predictions. I really have a feeling that The King’s Speech will sweep the awards! My favorite two films within the nominations have to be “Inception” and “Black Swan” both incredible thought-provoking films. So I shall be rooting for them. Excellent to see “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” getting some recognition!
BEST FILM
BLACK SWAN - Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver, Scott Franklin
INCEPTION - Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan
THE KING’S SPEECH - Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin
THE SOCIAL NETWORK - Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, Céan Chaffin
TRUE GRIT - Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
If “The King’s Speech” does not take this award, which I think it will do. I would love to see Inception get some recognition in awards terms as it really has been one of the most talked about films in recent times.
I have grown to enjoy the Golden Globes over the past few years, possibly even more than Oscars. They seem to be more relaxed and fun. Everyone seems to have a good time. This year the big talking point fell around Ricky Gervais who was hosting, some of his jokes not going down very well with the audience. This then lead to him disappearing for more than an hour from the ceremony, leading to talk that he was stopped from coming on to deliver monologue.
So the talk surrounding the Globes is that Gervais will not be asked to host the show for the third time in a row. I personally found his jokes to be rather amusing and I am not usually a massive fan of his. But I guess for the American audience Gervais’ still was a bit extreme. Best moment had to be introducing Bruce Willis as Ashton Kutcher’s dad!
My favorite speech had to be from Robert De Niro when he picked up the Cecil B. DeMille Award (lifetime achievement). He managed to mix thanking people, talking about his career with a very heart warming feel and jokes put in to even it all out. He really is something else!
Colin Firth continued his collection of awards for his performance in “The King’s Speech” and looks almost certain to pick up the Oscar next month. His speech was also just fantastic, being very funny as well. It really is brilliant to see Colin getting the recognition that he so rightly deserves.
My favorite moment had to come from Michael Douglas appearing on stage to present the Best Film (Drama) award. He received a standing ovation from everyone in the room and responded with “there has to be an easier way to get a standing ovation”. It was brilliant to see him on a stage a few days after being given the all clear from his cancer battle. Definetly the most tear jerking moment in the whole ceremony. An icon to all!
The nominations are really coming out thick and fast for the up and coming awards seasons from the start of 2011. The Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations were announced yesterday! The King’s Speech is yet again leading the nominations! With The Fighter also widely nominated. First time True Grit has been nominated for a couple of awards too. A few different nominations to which we have seen in the other award noms so far!
The nominees are:
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
JEFF BRIDGES / Rooster Cogburn – “TRUE GRIT” (Paramount Pictures)
ROBERT DUVALL / Felix Bush – “GET LOW” (Sony Pictures Classics)
JESSE EISENBERG / Mark Zuckerberg – “THE SOCIAL NETWORK” (Columbia Pictures)
COLIN FIRTH / King George VI – “THE KING’S SPEECH” (The Weinstein Company)
JAMES FRANCO / Aron Ralston – “127 HOURS” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
ANNETTE BENING / Nic – “THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT” (Focus Features)
NICOLE KIDMAN / Becca – “RABBIT HOLE” (Lionsgate)
JENNIFER LAWRENCE / Ree Dolly – “WINTER’S BONE” (Roadside Attractions)
NATALIE PORTMAN / Nina Sayers – “BLACK SWAN” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
HILARY SWANK / Betty Anne Waters – “CONVICTION” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
CHRISTIAN BALE / Dicky Eklund – “THE FIGHTER” (Paramount Pictures)
JOHN HAWKES / Teardrop – “WINTER’S BONE” (Roadside Attractions)
JEREMY RENNER / James Coughlin – “THE TOWN” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
MARK RUFFALO / Paul – “THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT” (Focus Features)
GEOFFREY RUSH / Lionel Logue – “THE KING’S SPEECH” (The Weinstein Company)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
AMY ADAMS / Charlene Fleming – “THE FIGHTER” (Paramount Pictures)
HELENA BONHAM CARTER / Queen Elizabeth – “THE KING’S SPEECH” (The Weinstein Company)
MILA KUNIS / Lily – “BLACK SWAN” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
MELISSA LEO / Alice Ward – “THE FIGHTER” (Paramount Pictures)
HAILEE STEINFELD / Mattie Ross – “TRUE GRIT” (Paramount Pictures)
I love sport films, I love boxing films, so this just looks brilliant in my eyes . . . also the fact that the more and more I watch Mark Wahlberg the more I like him!
The third installment of Christopher Nolan’s Batman franchise really is going to have a massive following and build up after the success of Batman Begins and then The Dark Knight in recreating the Batman series the third installment which is currently slated for a 2012 release, has been creating press since The Dark Knight’s credits rolled. Heath Ledger’s death which occurred before the release of The Dark Knight, the ending which had us wondering The Joker’s fate, yet we knew we would never see the character in that form again. A sad moment for so many reasons, Ledger’s Joker gained an Oscar and so much critical acclaim and was definitely one of performances of the decade if not all time. This has then all raised the very good question of which villain shall be making an appearance in this third film in the series. Apparently the answer to that question is THE RIDDLER.
The Riddler was last seen in Batman Forever portrayed by Jim Carrey, in a fun crazy way. Very light and comic book like, seemed as though he came straight from the pages of the comics these films are based on. I can’t deny that I have always loved Jim Carrey’s Riddler for the age I was when Batman Forever was released and class that film as a very guilty pleasure now. But we have already witness that Nolan’s Batman films aren’t like anything we have ever seen before, they are darker and not going for obvious laughs in a fun way. They are more serious and after what he did with The Joker, we can only begin to imagine how sinister and evil he could make The Riddler.
After composing the list of top 10 young actors which I used 30 as the cut off age. I decided to make a list of in my opinion in the top 10 actors in their 30s. This actually proved rather difficult to come up with as quite a lot of current actors in their 30s are very talented and doing a lot of great work. I am sure there is still a lot to come from some of these actors as well.
The first thing you think before seeing this movie is . . . Johnny Depp . . . Christian Bale . . . Marion Cotillard. It really should be fantastic. I said should be, as I did not find it fantastic it was ok but not the best recent film I have seen. Johnny Depp as always put in a great performance, he really can be any type of character. Christian Bale was not in it enough to make a bigger impact (in my opinion) he did not really seem to have many lines and more just been on the screen. Marion Cotillard I thought was great, she was so believable and just seemed to real.
OMG yes please, Michelle was just fantastic as Catwoman in “Batman Returns” so to see her again as Catwoman in a Batman movie would just be amazing !!!
Michelle Pfeiffer is calling on Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan to let her reprise her role as Catwoman in the Caped Crusader’s next movie outing.
Pfeiffer played the feline superhero in 1992 movie Batman Returns.
She handed the role over to Halle Berry in time for a 2004 spin-off – but admits she’d love to reclaim the leather catsuit and join Christian Bale’s Batman in a future film.
Pfeiffer tells Moviefone, “It would be really fun. I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think they like to get a new face for the different characters, and I understand it. But yeah, that was really fun. I had a good time.”