The 7 Batman Films
Batman has always been my favorite superhero/comic book based film series. The older ones and then Nolan’s reboot was exactly what I wanted to see. I cannot really explain where, when and why my love for Batman started but it did and still exists. I still love the older films and bought the DVD box set years ago. Yes I do have a soft spot for Batman Forever and even slightly for Batman & Robin – yes I do realise that people are going to judge me for that but I remember seeing that film at the cinema just before my 10th birthday and let’s face it I probably hadn’t seen anything like that at the time. I know now it is so cheesy and just not in the same league as the other films but I cannot help but remember what it was like watching it for the first time in the cinema, it was exciting. I saw Batman Begins in the cinema on its release and the same with The Dark Knight, which I then saw another two times making that my record of three times for a film at the cinema. The Dark Knight Rises I attended a 5 am screening and will be heading back to the cinema this afternoon for a second viewing. It’s not only Batman that I find myself loving but the villains are always so interesting and brilliant as well. The actors who have been in the films always seem to be spot on with it and create something really special to watch from start to finish.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Review
The epic conclusion to the Legend of Batman . . . The Dark Knight Rises
Oscars 2011 – Live Blog
Live updates with my thoughts on the 2011 Oscars!
- 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. - Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman presenting . . . Aussie rules!
- BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – WINNER – THE SOCIAL NETWORK
- SOUND MIXING – WINNER – INCEPTION
- SOUND EDITING – WINNER – INCEPTION
BAFTA 2011 – Nominations & Predictions
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.
Golden Globes 2011 – Nominations
The nominations for the 2011 Golden Globe awards were announced today. The nominee’s are:
Best Picture: Drama
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The King’s Speech
The Social Network
Best Picture: Comedy or Musical
Alice in Wonderland
Burlesque
The Kids Are Alright
Red
The Tourist
Batman 3 – Return of the Riddler?
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.
Inception (2010) Trailer
With one week to go until the release of Inception, last night at the cinema I saw for the first time a second trailer for the film. Which I think is much better than the first trailer and makes me want to see the film even more. It really does look like such an interesting concept and some brilliant effects.
Inception (2010) Poster
The poster has been relased for Christopher Nolan and Leonardo DiCaprio’s up and coming film Inception. I actually really like this poster.
News: Pfeiffer Wants To Play Catwoman Again
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.”
2010 Releases
I guess I have nothing better to do but thought I would have a look into the future of film and pick out some movies that I am looking forward to being released in 2010. At this very moment in time, my list of what I really want to see only contains 10 movies. I am sure as time goes by this will increase to so many more . . .
Bale Hopes Director Nolan Accepts Third Batman Movie
I really hope Nolan signs up for the third movie as well.
Christian Bale is praying The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan signs up for a third Batman film – because nobody will be able to better the moviemaker’s previous efforts.
Bale was directed by Nolan in 2005′s Batman Begins and reprised his role as the caped crusader for last year’s box office smash, which grossed more than $1 billion (£69 million) worldwide.
The actor is contractually obliged to star in a third film – but he’s worried about the future of the franchise if Nolan refuses to take charge.
He tells Total Film magazine, “It’s got to be the right story. You can’t make something like The Dark Knight and then come out with something disappointing.
“The fact is, I have to (make a third movie). I’ve signed up! Chris doesn’t. So I’m in a bit of a fix if he says he doesn’t want to!”
Empire Magazine 2009 Awards
Best Newcomer: Gemma Arterton
I think thats a good choice of winner, she was very good in “St. Trinians” and was in QoS too.
Best Comedy: Son of Ranbow
I have not seen this, so have no idea what its like. But it beat “In Bruges” ?!?! I must give it a watch sometime then.
Best Horror: Eden Lake
I have not seen this, so I have no idea what to make of it winning. Watch it maybe?
Best Thriller: Quantum of Solace
YAY an awards ceremony which James Bond films pick up awards. Good times !!!
Actor of Our Lifetime: Russell Crowe
Yeah not a bad choice at all. Russell is a very good actor, has been in some fantastic films and usually performs no matter what the role is.
Best Director – Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight)
Empire loves Christopher Nolan and rightly so. The Dark Knight was so fantastic. Christopher totally deserved more recognition from other awards for this.
Best Sci-Fi/Superhero – Wanted
Quite suprised to see that Wanted won this over “The Dark Knight”. But I did enjoy “Wanted”. I suppose the awards were handed out to cover quite a lot of movies which came out over the year. But note to self . . . didnt the readers vote for there winner?
Best Soundtrack – Mamma Mia!
Yeah, it really had to be “Mamma Mia!” that picked up this award, it was such a huge film for last year. Such a feel good film and the soundtrack is feel good as well.
Best British Film – RocknRolla
I liked this and thought it was very good. But cannot believe “In Bruges” was beaten by it. (Yes I am a massive In Bruges fan if you hadn’t noticed already.)
Best Film – The Dark Knight
And rightly so !!! That makes more sense now why it did not win Best Sci-fi/Superhero . . . as it won Best Film. It really is something else and deserves so many awards and so much praise.
Best Actor – Christian Bale (The Dark Knight)
It really was a Dark Night at the Empire awards . . . yes that was a bad attempt at a pun/joke. But hey it won a lot of awards. Christian Bale I dont think got enough credit for how good he is in the Batman films especially the Dark Knight.
Best Actress – Helena Bonham Carter (Sweeney Todd)
Pleased Sweeney got an award as I really loved it a lot. Helena was very good in her version of Mrs Lovett (as I have seen a few different versions).
Empire Icon – Viggo Mortensen
I love Viggo and I love that Sean Bean presented him with the award. He is such a versitle actor and seems like a nice guy too (from seeing him in interviews and things like that). He seems rather shy with all the interview stuff but such a lovely man. Yes I did fall in love with Aragorn when I first saw Lord of the Rings thank you very much.
Oscars 2009 – Report
Ok, So I have wrote a big long report as I was watching the Oscars.
- Hugh Jackman, with a very clever opening in a song featuring all of the nominated films. He was getting involved talking to the actors, and Anne Hathaway joined him on the stage for the Frost/Nixon segment, which was just fantastic.
- Best Supporting Actress – 5 previous winners appeared on the stage to present the nominations. Goldie Hawn, Whoopi Goldberg, Anjelica Huston, Tilda Swinton and I cannot remember who the 5th was. Each of them talked about one of the nominees. This is the first time the awards have been done like this and was a very good touch. Winner – Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona).She began her speech by saying she thought she was going to faint. Share with fellow nominees and thanked a few people including Woody Allen for writing such good in depth female characters. *This wasn’t really a big shock as Penelope had been picking up awards at a lot of the other ceremonies.
- Steve Martin and Tina Fey are the presenters, for screenplay awards. Good graphics of a computer screen with the words appearing across as they spoke. Best Original Screenplay - Winner – Dustin Lance Black (Milk). Sean Penn looked really happy when this was announced. Dustin was rather emotional and in his speech told how the story of Harvey Milk really helped him in his life and realise that things can change for the gay community. *Not really a surprise, as this was his first screenplay on a very powerful story with a good movie out of it. I was hoping for a big shock win for my favorite ‘In Bruges’. Best Adapted Screenplay - Winner – Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire). Start of the Slumdog Sweep . . .
- Jennifer Aniston and Jack Black are the next presenters. An Animation year book is shown with all the animated films from 2008. Best Animation - Winner – WALL.E. Great reaction from Jack Black who screamed.
- Hugh Jackman is back to tell us what happens next in the moving making process. The next two presenters appear, these being Daniel Craig (YAY) and Sarah Jessica Parker (two of my favorites so I was happy!). Art Direction – Winner – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. *First win for Benjamin Button. Back to DC and SJP. Costume Design- Winner- The Duchess. *Possibly a little bit of a shock with Benjamin Button and Milk being in the category. Best Make Up – Winner – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. *Win number 2, I was kind of hoping for ‘The Dark Knight’ to get an award early on.
- Robert Pattinson aka Edward Cullen and Amanda Seyfried (from Mamma Mia!) introduced the Romance in 2008 yearbook.
- Presenters Natalie Portman and Ben Stiller (dressed and behaving like Joaquin Phoneix) which was extremely funny and I really do not know how Natalie managed to not laugh even a little bit at the way Ben was going on wandering around as she was reading the nominations. Cinematography – Winner – Slumdog Millionaire. *That’s number 2 now for Slumdog.
- Jessica Biel presented a recap of the Sci-tech awards.
- James Franco and Seth Rogan on video clip, being the characters from ‘Pineapple Express’. Watching some of the nominees which are the serious films at laughing at them which is just too funny. This is my favorite comedy moment so far.
- James Franco, Seth Rogan and some guy who’s name I did no write down come on to present an award. Best Live Action Short Film – Winner – Spielzugland (Toyland). *Which James couldn’t pronounce and Seth started laughing, which was also rather amusing
- Hugh!!! Starts talking about how Mamma Mia has now sold more tickets than Titanic in the UK. This is the beginning of a huge medley of songs from loads of musicals. The newer song was top hat and tails with stars names said in it. Singing in the Rain, Hey Big Spender, West Side Story, Beyonce then joins Hugh on stage. Grease, your the one that I want. Sound of Music, Chicago . . . All That Jazz . . . Moulin Rouge, Lady Marmalade. Enter Vanessa Hudson, Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper. One Night Only from Dreamgirls, Hairspray you can’t stop the beat. At last sung by Beyonce, High School Musical 3. Evita. Mamma Mia. I absolutely loved this segment, defiantly my favorite part. I am a total musical geek so this was just brilliant.
- Best Supporting Actor – 5 Previous winners take to the stage to present the nominees and the award. These were, Christopher Walken, Kevin Kline, Cuba Gooding Jr, Alan Arkin and Joel Grey. Winner- Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight).Collected by- His father, Mother and sister. So the rumours of them attending were true, I spied Christopher Nolan so figured he would collect it. But it was brilliant that Heath’s family collected it. His father said it was humbling and thanked the academy for recognising the talent in which Heath possesed. His mother said that tonight they would celebrate what Heath achieved. His sister said they often joked about appearing on the Oscars to collect an award and wishes he was here tonight, and they accepted the award on behalf of his beautiful Matilda. *Probably not a dry eye in the house after this one, it was very moving and so upsetting at the same time, but so well deserved for Heath as he is truly fantastic as the Joker. Many of the A List stars looked close to tears too.
- Hugh again, moving onto the post production of a film. The action of 2008 yearbook.
- Presenter Will Smith. Jokes that the best thing about action films, is the fans. Outstanding Visual Effects- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. *That’s number 3. Outstanding Sound Editing- The Dark Knight. *That’s number 2. Sound Mixing-Slumdog Millionaire. #3. Film Editing- Slumdog Millionaire. #4.
- Presenter Eddie Murphy for theJean Hersholt Award- Winner- Jerry Lewis.
- Back to the lovely Hugh Jackman again. Mentions how Audery Hepburn said ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ was much better with a score. That’s right onto the music awards. Original Score- Winner- Slumdog Millionaire. Then onto Original Song which were then sung. John Legend sung the song from Wall.e after Peter Gabriel would not perform as he was asked to not sing the whole song. Winner- Slumdog Millionaire. #6 now.
- Hughy! Presenters Liam Neeson and Freida Pinto. Foreign Language Film- Winner- Departures (Japan).
- Queen Latifah. Tribute to people who we have lost over the past year. She began to sing a song (I do not know if this was a new song for the show, or if it is an old song I haven’t checked yet.) “I’ll be seeing you all in the old familiar places. The pictures were shown on the screens and the last person to show was Paul Newman with a clip from one of his films.
- Back to Hugh, who introduces the president of the academy (who did not make a speech) and that there is going to be a new president next year. Presenter Reese Witherspoon for the best director award. Direction- Winner- Danny Boyle. While yes I do dislike, Slumdog Millionaire. I do really like Danny Boyle, he just seems so genuine and a nice guy. In his speech he first jumped up and down on the stage apparently being like tigger. He began by saying that the show is bloody wonderful from the theatre. Firstly thanked his family and even mentioned the social club, haha.
- Best Actress in a Leading Role- the 5 previous winners who were presenting, Sophia Loren, Shirley MacLaine, Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman and Marion Cotillard. I was hoping for Julia Roberts in all honesty. But loving Shirley MacLaine, shes just awesomeness. Winner- Kate Winslet. YAY for Kate . Its taken her to 6 nominations to get her first win and I am so pleased for her. I loved how she held Angelina Jolie’s hand as she walked to the stage, just too cute especially after the whole forgetting her from the Golden Globe speech. *Speech- that she probably had a version of this speech when she was 8 years old with a shampoo bottle, and it certainly wasn’t a shampoo bottle now. Thanked her family and friends, and asked her dad to whistle, which he did and she screamed was brilliant. Mentioned people she worked with from Peter Jackson, to Emma Thompson and then her Sam (Mendes). And that she couldn’t believe being in a caterogry with Meryl Streep.
- Best Actor in a Leading Role- the 5 previous winners were, Robert DeNiro, Sir Ben Kingsley, Adrien Brody, Michael Douglas (YAY) and Sir Anthony Hopkins. YAY for Michael Douglas! But were was Jack Nicholson ?!?! Why wasn’t he at the Oscars ?!?! And why did they say Sir for Ben and not for Anthony?!?!?! Winner- Sean Penn.Wow, I really must say that I thought Mickey was going to get it, and I am so sad that he didn’t get it, but Sean was still a very worthy winner. Dustin Lance Black, was shown a couple of times crying. *Speech- Thanked his friends, the support, Cleve Jones. Gus Van Sant the director. The people who do not support gay marriage to have a good hard think about it and that we have to have equal rights for everyone! but my favorite part and quote of the whole Oscars “Mickey Rourke rises again and he is my brother.” Mickey then blew him a kiss.
- Hugh introduces Steven Spielberg.
- Best Picture – A look back at the different films nominated for best picture in the past. Winner- Slumdog Millionaire. I was really hoping for an upset but it didnt happen.
- Hugh Jackman, ends the show.
Overall it was a very good show, and much better than last year. The only thing it really missed was Jack Nicholson sitting grinning in the front row. I mean how can you have an Oscars without Jack?!?! I think some of the surprises for the presenters for the acting awards were the best parts, although a few of them did walk the red carpet, but others did not. I also hope they bring back Hugh Jackman as host next year.
