I can't remember the last time a truly independent film being released in the cinema in recent times, films like Hard Candy for example which are made without any studio help, taken around film festivals and then bought by a major studio.
It just feels like that the major studios have far too much of a grip on the film market at this moment and the only way in is with their distribution companies all being in house and no one from the outside given a chance.
I mean the "small" films coming out are all backed by the major studios and come in house from the major studios and it doesn't help that festivals cater more for the big studios, but I can see why with big names being attached and it's guaranteed exposure for the festival which translates to more sponsorship money which is also making it harder for smaller films to get in.
It also doesn't help that getting funding for a small film is even harder with banks now requiring high deposits that are almost impossible to get if you are a first time filmmaker.
So at the moment in terms of creativity in films it's stuck in a limbo or a terrible black hole that's sinking everyone into which is far worse than when there was a writers strike a couple of years ago in America.
Hollywood are more interested in making franchises that in the long run make lots of money with very little space for new films to break through unless it's a comic book, get nominated for Oscars or a rom/com.
Just a very depressing time for a film fan at the moment with no real variation of films like before and little way to choose against the current crop of films coming out when there is little competition. Oh wow another Spiderman is coming out next year that looks the same as the first one which only came out 10 years ago...yay...
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Cineworld get your act together!!!
I had a bad experience recently with Cineworld which isn't the first time but went to a new level of low for me.
The new breed of projectionist's in Cineworld in Cardiff can't even click the mouse as the whole audience and me were waiting for a Cowboy's & Aliens (17:50 showing). I was waiting just for anything to come onto the screen for 15 minutes (not even the ads came on btw).
So I left the theatre and told someone and got the “Don't worry it will start soon" by the ticket bloke and another 10 mins went and still nothing. The ad's should have started 25 mins ago at this point now but then a couple of others complain and then finally after 35 mins I think we have light.
But they have the cheek to put the ads on which means the film will be finishing later and I'm going to have more of my time wasted. Never mind the next audience being messed around when the next film starts which did happen because as I left the theatre, there was a massive line of people waiting for our film to finish.
Thank God I enjoyed the film but this isn't the first time that Cineworld have seriously dropped the ball and it's getting worse if anything.
And they wonder why people download screeners instead...
It's been getting silly now for a while mind but it's mainly with sound they have problems in Cardiff, it has happend before but it never happend when cinema's were really cinemas.
The screen I was in was a digital one as well and not only that but they are making the staff do 3-4 jobs at the same time in some parts and times clearly from what I have seen and have very little training. When I went to get my tickets there was no one serving on the downstairs tills just signs everywhere "Go to floors 1-3 to get your tickets" and they have this poor fella serving food & drinks and doing tickets for all the films starting on the first floor. I went to the third floor as I know people in general are like sheep and it was dead on the third floor with one person cleaning up and two talking where they check the tickets. There is clearly zero comunications even though all of them have walkie talkies and act like the SAS over a toilet that needs cleaning when there are other serious things they should be doing.
Just madness and it's getting more frequeant now.
and just before I end this rant "Cineworld get your act together!!!"
The new breed of projectionist's in Cineworld in Cardiff can't even click the mouse as the whole audience and me were waiting for a Cowboy's & Aliens (17:50 showing). I was waiting just for anything to come onto the screen for 15 minutes (not even the ads came on btw).
So I left the theatre and told someone and got the “Don't worry it will start soon" by the ticket bloke and another 10 mins went and still nothing. The ad's should have started 25 mins ago at this point now but then a couple of others complain and then finally after 35 mins I think we have light.
But they have the cheek to put the ads on which means the film will be finishing later and I'm going to have more of my time wasted. Never mind the next audience being messed around when the next film starts which did happen because as I left the theatre, there was a massive line of people waiting for our film to finish.
Thank God I enjoyed the film but this isn't the first time that Cineworld have seriously dropped the ball and it's getting worse if anything.
And they wonder why people download screeners instead...
It's been getting silly now for a while mind but it's mainly with sound they have problems in Cardiff, it has happend before but it never happend when cinema's were really cinemas.
The screen I was in was a digital one as well and not only that but they are making the staff do 3-4 jobs at the same time in some parts and times clearly from what I have seen and have very little training. When I went to get my tickets there was no one serving on the downstairs tills just signs everywhere "Go to floors 1-3 to get your tickets" and they have this poor fella serving food & drinks and doing tickets for all the films starting on the first floor. I went to the third floor as I know people in general are like sheep and it was dead on the third floor with one person cleaning up and two talking where they check the tickets. There is clearly zero comunications even though all of them have walkie talkies and act like the SAS over a toilet that needs cleaning when there are other serious things they should be doing.
Just madness and it's getting more frequeant now.
and just before I end this rant "Cineworld get your act together!!!"
Friday, 2 September 2011
Booktracks
Now since the beginning of films there has been music in the background, yes even the silent films which has always been used as a device to create emotion or a mood in a scene of a film.
Now books are trying to do what films have been doing since they started which is taking something from films (sounds of punches and music for example) and incorporating this into books. Normally it's the other way round in terms of narrative and ideas but now books are trying to find a new audience as people don't read like they use to (from what I have been told anyway) and they are trying to make books more accessible to people new to books.
I have not tried one of these e-books as I don't have the device which allows this but I actually like this idea unlike recently with film companies pushing for 3D to make films better.
I think the idea of reading for example a Brett Easton Ellis book and listing to the songs in the backgrounds is a really good idea but on the other hand creating sounds for environments like a fictional alien world removing the part which makes books special, your very own imagination painting that world in your head.
Authors have done this in the past anyway with James Patterson on top of my head giving CD's away with his books to his readers, so it's something that authors could have possibly wanted as well as publishers.
But I can see it having legs as I can understand some people having problems getting into a book as it's hard to visualise an historical point of view where maybe the reader has little knowledge.
Also unlike 3D at the moment it's optional and I'm not drowned in it like I am in my local multiplex but it is early days. Also if they want it to work I think they will need the authors feedback or just let them take charge but that can be a problem...How do you do that with The Great Gatsby or Pride & Prejudice where the writers are no longer with us.
But I hope this is not used as a gimmick like 3D has been for films and will get people to read more either way, as there some gems out there to read like I Am Legend which is far better than the recent film adaptation and a completely different story, to The Time Travellers Wife.
Now books are trying to do what films have been doing since they started which is taking something from films (sounds of punches and music for example) and incorporating this into books. Normally it's the other way round in terms of narrative and ideas but now books are trying to find a new audience as people don't read like they use to (from what I have been told anyway) and they are trying to make books more accessible to people new to books.
I have not tried one of these e-books as I don't have the device which allows this but I actually like this idea unlike recently with film companies pushing for 3D to make films better.
I think the idea of reading for example a Brett Easton Ellis book and listing to the songs in the backgrounds is a really good idea but on the other hand creating sounds for environments like a fictional alien world removing the part which makes books special, your very own imagination painting that world in your head.
Authors have done this in the past anyway with James Patterson on top of my head giving CD's away with his books to his readers, so it's something that authors could have possibly wanted as well as publishers.
But I can see it having legs as I can understand some people having problems getting into a book as it's hard to visualise an historical point of view where maybe the reader has little knowledge.
Also unlike 3D at the moment it's optional and I'm not drowned in it like I am in my local multiplex but it is early days. Also if they want it to work I think they will need the authors feedback or just let them take charge but that can be a problem...How do you do that with The Great Gatsby or Pride & Prejudice where the writers are no longer with us.
But I hope this is not used as a gimmick like 3D has been for films and will get people to read more either way, as there some gems out there to read like I Am Legend which is far better than the recent film adaptation and a completely different story, to The Time Travellers Wife.
Saturday, 27 August 2011
I'm still here, don't panic!!!
Hello finally got off my bum and requested a new a password for the blog. Well since I have been away I have watched so many films with X-Men to my suprise being really really good when I was expecting it to be hit or miss.
Barely any indie films coming out which is depressing but my God, if you love superheroes this is a serious golden age for that genre of films. I think there have been four $150m+ superhero films just for this year!!!
I mean really??? Do we need all those superhero films. But at least one blockbuster has came out that I thought was good and wasn't a superhero film called Rise of the Planet of the Apes which I mentioned on here a while ago on this blog.
Just shows you don't need capes and tights but a good film and the film fans will follow.
But on a another note this is the end of the summer season which means it's the autumn season. Which translates to "award season" films that are made to win awards. So expect rubbish like from last year with The Tourist getting nominated for the Golden Globes.
God that award show is so rigged, I'm so glad when Ricky Gervais had the balls to shout it on their own show.
But luckily there are films coming out which do look good and are just not being made for awards. A great example is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy which stars Gary Oldman with a great supporting cast from Tom Hardy and Colin Firth to John Hurt and looks like a complete blast.
On the blockbuster front which maybe the stuido is 50/50 with but I'm not, is the film In Time starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried and is written/directed by Andrew Niccol.
It really does look fantastic and in my view will make up for a very simple concept as Niccol has a great knack with adding great political and social commentry in his blockbuster sci-fi films from Gattaca, The Truman Show to Lord of War.
If you are looking for comedy how about Johnny Depp and Hunter. S Thompson with The Rum Diary.
So already on top of my head three films to really look forward to and I'm sure there will be lots more to come with no sign of a superhero film which is really refreshing.
Barely any indie films coming out which is depressing but my God, if you love superheroes this is a serious golden age for that genre of films. I think there have been four $150m+ superhero films just for this year!!!
I mean really??? Do we need all those superhero films. But at least one blockbuster has came out that I thought was good and wasn't a superhero film called Rise of the Planet of the Apes which I mentioned on here a while ago on this blog.
Just shows you don't need capes and tights but a good film and the film fans will follow.
But on a another note this is the end of the summer season which means it's the autumn season. Which translates to "award season" films that are made to win awards. So expect rubbish like from last year with The Tourist getting nominated for the Golden Globes.
God that award show is so rigged, I'm so glad when Ricky Gervais had the balls to shout it on their own show.
But luckily there are films coming out which do look good and are just not being made for awards. A great example is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy which stars Gary Oldman with a great supporting cast from Tom Hardy and Colin Firth to John Hurt and looks like a complete blast.
On the blockbuster front which maybe the stuido is 50/50 with but I'm not, is the film In Time starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried and is written/directed by Andrew Niccol.
It really does look fantastic and in my view will make up for a very simple concept as Niccol has a great knack with adding great political and social commentry in his blockbuster sci-fi films from Gattaca, The Truman Show to Lord of War.
If you are looking for comedy how about Johnny Depp and Hunter. S Thompson with The Rum Diary.
So already on top of my head three films to really look forward to and I'm sure there will be lots more to come with no sign of a superhero film which is really refreshing.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
What I have been watching lately.
Dead Space Aftermath
It was alright and thought it was a good tie in from the video game. Well written and with the different mixtures of animation come together very nicely un like Ghost in the Shell 2.
The voice talent was also very good unlike most of these spur of the moment straight to video anime designed to sell a game or a movie.
Wouldn't watch it again but a nice anime film in it's own right and it ties in well to Dead Space 2.
The Green Hornet
Well this has been a marmite film, as you either like it or hate it.
I liked it and the humor worked well with the Seth Rogen I loved from Pineapple Express in this with a great support cast of Wilkinson, Diaz, Chou and Waltz.
The biggest problem was the last hour with he writers trying to the usual "best friends fall out and then get back together to save the day" which dragged and did not work at all with everyone knowing they were gonna make up. The finale was also very Hollywood, so for me an alright film but I can see why some detested it.
The Dark Knight
Very good but Batman Begins is still better.
Well it's a very good film but it does have some problems and does drag.
My issue with The Dark Knight is how it'll cut away too often. I'm fine with all the suspense cross-cutting stuff (like the scene where the judge's car blows up, Loeb is killed, and Joker enters the party. And the scene where Batman has to go save Harvey/Rachel while Joker tries to escape from MCU). I'm referring to stuff like when Joker is crashing the party and it cuts away to Bruce entering his safe room and the couple getting dressed. Also the hospital discussion between Joker and Harvey really should have gone on undisturbed.
The ferry scene was also a big problem as we didn't need to see what was going on in the ferry and if anything spoiled the final fight with The Joker and Batman.
All in all good film but still very overrated and people who call this the greatest film ever are idiots to me, fair enough it's their fav but comparing it to The Godfather, Heat etc is insulting to the history of film.
Mr. Nice
OMG!!!!! Snore fest!!!!!
Turned it off after 40 mins and was pretensions, not very well made with corners clearly cut which could have been easily fixed and lacked the humor of the book it was adapting from.
How they made such a fascinating story so boring is beyond me, especially as it's so well cast and has the writer/director of Ivans XTC..
Huge disappointment from me.
The Mechanic
I really enjoyed this as the set pieces are either really well done or really funny. The quotes are hillarious as well and Statham is gold in this.
Not as good as The Transporter but better than anything Charles Bronson did in this genre. Ben Foster is also really good in this and is still greatly underrated in Hollywood. But all in all a good enjoyable film but pretty much watch once and thats it.
Blue Valentine
Good film but just not what I was looking for but both leads of Gosling and Williams were fantastic in this. Very grounded film unlike most films of today felt very real with a documentry tone to the way it's shot. It's told in two narratives with one half telling the down fall of the relationship with the other telling how they got together.
Great film but purely taste on my part that I didn't dig it but it's well worth a watch, esspecially for the acting in this.
It was alright and thought it was a good tie in from the video game. Well written and with the different mixtures of animation come together very nicely un like Ghost in the Shell 2.
The voice talent was also very good unlike most of these spur of the moment straight to video anime designed to sell a game or a movie.
Wouldn't watch it again but a nice anime film in it's own right and it ties in well to Dead Space 2.
The Green Hornet
Well this has been a marmite film, as you either like it or hate it.
I liked it and the humor worked well with the Seth Rogen I loved from Pineapple Express in this with a great support cast of Wilkinson, Diaz, Chou and Waltz.
The biggest problem was the last hour with he writers trying to the usual "best friends fall out and then get back together to save the day" which dragged and did not work at all with everyone knowing they were gonna make up. The finale was also very Hollywood, so for me an alright film but I can see why some detested it.
The Dark Knight
Very good but Batman Begins is still better.
Well it's a very good film but it does have some problems and does drag.
My issue with The Dark Knight is how it'll cut away too often. I'm fine with all the suspense cross-cutting stuff (like the scene where the judge's car blows up, Loeb is killed, and Joker enters the party. And the scene where Batman has to go save Harvey/Rachel while Joker tries to escape from MCU). I'm referring to stuff like when Joker is crashing the party and it cuts away to Bruce entering his safe room and the couple getting dressed. Also the hospital discussion between Joker and Harvey really should have gone on undisturbed.
The ferry scene was also a big problem as we didn't need to see what was going on in the ferry and if anything spoiled the final fight with The Joker and Batman.
All in all good film but still very overrated and people who call this the greatest film ever are idiots to me, fair enough it's their fav but comparing it to The Godfather, Heat etc is insulting to the history of film.
Mr. Nice
Turned it off after 40 mins and was pretensions, not very well made with corners clearly cut which could have been easily fixed and lacked the humor of the book it was adapting from.
How they made such a fascinating story so boring is beyond me, especially as it's so well cast and has the writer/director of Ivans XTC..
Huge disappointment from me.
The Mechanic
I really enjoyed this as the set pieces are either really well done or really funny. The quotes are hillarious as well and Statham is gold in this.
Not as good as The Transporter but better than anything Charles Bronson did in this genre. Ben Foster is also really good in this and is still greatly underrated in Hollywood. But all in all a good enjoyable film but pretty much watch once and thats it.
Blue Valentine
Good film but just not what I was looking for but both leads of Gosling and Williams were fantastic in this. Very grounded film unlike most films of today felt very real with a documentry tone to the way it's shot. It's told in two narratives with one half telling the down fall of the relationship with the other telling how they got together.
Great film but purely taste on my part that I didn't dig it but it's well worth a watch, esspecially for the acting in this.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Oscars and who I'm betting on
One of my favorite times of the year as it's one of two occasions where I bet money (the other being Ascot btw) at my local bookies.
So what are roughly the odds (Via Skybet http://www.skybet.com/betting/tv-and-film-specials/c10000039.html# ).
Best Supporting actress
Hailee Steinfeld is 10/3 and I think she's gonna win even though the favorite is Melisa Leo at 8/13
Best actor
It's between James Franco (12/1) but the clear favorite which I agree with is Colin Firth with 1/12 which is rubbish unless you plan to do an accumulator.
Best actress
Natalie Portman is going to win this I think and she's 1/6
Best director
It's quite open this one with David Fincher the fav with (1/12) according to skybet, Tom Cooper is (8/1) and Darren Aronofsky is (25/1).
So who do I think is going to win...I think Aronofsky as Fincher won it not long ago (yes things like this do matter in Oscars), Tom Cooper did a good job for The Queens Speech but not enough for a win to me. But Aronofsky's Black Swan is brilliant and fantastically executed by Aronofsky and with 25/1 is great odds.
Best film
Ok 127 Hours odds of 100/1 is shocking and I'm putting a quid on that. But I think it will be the King's Speech which is the second fav with odds of (11/8). The fav according to skybet is The Social Network with 8/15. But in all fairness best picture is very open this year with the four films 127 Hours, The Kings Speech, The Social Network and The Fighter having a really good chance of winning.
So thats my two cents anyway but my god 127 Hours 100/1 odds translates to Hull's odds of winning the premiership at the start of the season????
So what are roughly the odds (Via Skybet http://www.skybet.com/betting/tv-and-film-specials/c10000039.html# ).
Best Supporting actress
Hailee Steinfeld is 10/3 and I think she's gonna win even though the favorite is Melisa Leo at 8/13
Best actor
It's between James Franco (12/1) but the clear favorite which I agree with is Colin Firth with 1/12 which is rubbish unless you plan to do an accumulator.
Best actress
Natalie Portman is going to win this I think and she's 1/6
Best director
It's quite open this one with David Fincher the fav with (1/12) according to skybet, Tom Cooper is (8/1) and Darren Aronofsky is (25/1).
So who do I think is going to win...I think Aronofsky as Fincher won it not long ago (yes things like this do matter in Oscars), Tom Cooper did a good job for The Queens Speech but not enough for a win to me. But Aronofsky's Black Swan is brilliant and fantastically executed by Aronofsky and with 25/1 is great odds.
Best film
Ok 127 Hours odds of 100/1 is shocking and I'm putting a quid on that. But I think it will be the King's Speech which is the second fav with odds of (11/8). The fav according to skybet is The Social Network with 8/15. But in all fairness best picture is very open this year with the four films 127 Hours, The Kings Speech, The Social Network and The Fighter having a really good chance of winning.
So thats my two cents anyway but my god 127 Hours 100/1 odds translates to Hull's odds of winning the premiership at the start of the season????
Monday, 24 January 2011
What I have been watching lately.
Planet of the Apes (Original version)
Still a great film and still holds up todays blockbusters in terms of scale, action and story.
Charlton Heston gives a great performance as Taylor with a great supporting cast of other Oscar winners Roddy McDowell and Kim Hunter.
It's a shame most franchises of today don't look to films like the Planet of the Apes or inspiration. This film alone in my view saved 20th Century Fox from possible bankruptcy in the 60's, made two sequels, one prequel a cartoon series, a live action series, toys, comic books and a remake.
Oh and another remake on the way of Conquest of the Planet of The Apes called Rise of the Apes.
Learn from this franchise Hollywood.
The Fighter
Really good film that I was expecting to just be a fairly average flick. Boxing films have been done to death from from Rocky to Raging Bull but this film brought a nice freshness to the genre. I found it more of a drama film rather than a sports film like the other boxing films I have seen in the past, the amount of boxing in the film I felt was very little actually. They also filmed the fights as if you were watching it on TV and it worked brilliantly and nicely added more tension and threat in the fights as if it's really happening in front of you, great idea by the makers of the film.
I have no idea if they filmed it this way for budget reasons but either way, it really added to the scenes and made the film more unique.
The performances were fantastic from everyone, but the stand out performance without a doubt was Christian Bale who should get his first Oscar nomination for this film (No idea how he hasn't been nominated before). I really hope it does well in the Oscars as it's a film that Hollywood should make more of with great character's and heart all the way through.
The King's Speech
Brilliant film with a great cast and well executed. I can't think of any negatives with this one as it was great from the get go with Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush being the icing on the cake.
I'm convinced this will do well at the Oscars as it's perfect Oscar material and is a great film in it's own right.
I would recommend this to anyone of all film tastes from Citizen Kane to Star Wars.
Saw...Whatever...6 or is it 7 now?
Crap, just don't bother.
127 Hours
Really enjoyed this and was never bored, which is impressive considering that the film focuses on one man with his arm stuck in a rock for 127 hours.
So already to most peoples minds is that director Danny Boyle hasn't got much to work with. But luckily Aron Ralston (James Franco) has loads of issues that up until that point, just ignored or was essentially running away from.
Also the film like all of Danny Boyle's film's are very visual with plenty of flashbacks in Aron's life as well as trying to move the rocks in lots of different failed attempts.
The scene which I was warned about when going in where Aron cut's his arm off, wasn't as bad as some have made about to be and was really well done.
I think James Franco will get a Oscar nomination for his performance for this film. I have always felt he's a great actor and more than proves it for this film, especially the moment with him and a mini DV camera.
Danny Boyle will also get nominated for this film but I think nomination is all it will be as he won last year for Slumdog Millionaire.
The film it self is a great film but like with Slumdog Millionaire, I feel that his older films are still his best. It's only been until Slumdog Millionaire won at the Oscars that people finally caught up with Boyle but for me it was Train spotting and 28 Days Later that made me think he was a great director.
But I'm sure this is another one that I would personally add to Trainspotting and 28 Days Later that shows Boyle at his best.
Megamind
I was expecting this to be rubbish but was pleasantly surprised, thought the voice acting worked especially from Will Ferrell and it never dragged.
Not a classic like Toy Story, Snow White or Spirited Away for example when it comes to children's animated films but I liked it and it ticked all the boxes. Minor negatives would be it's scale as when there were scenes with huge crowds it felt like the makers cut a few corners and in Pixar films for example they never cut corners.
But it was funny and made me laugh a couple of times but I wouldn't really watch it again if the truth be told.
True Grit
I thought this was really good, never seen the the original as I just can't stand John Wayne.
The Coen brothers are on top form with this one as it's well paced with Bridges giving the film a great bit of humor when needed.
The girl in it Hailee Steinfeld is the true star though, who totally outshines Bridges, Brolin and Damon with ease. Reminded me a lot of Natalie Portman's screen debut performance with Leon, as it's very clear she has a bright future ahead of her.
Not quite the classic like No Country for Old Men or The Big Lebowski from the Coen's but still a good watch, but possibly after the Oscars will be forgotten about as in recent years there have been so many good westerns like Unforgiven and 3:10 To Yuma.
I don't think it will storm the Oscars but it will get a couple of nods and I hope Hailee Steinfeld wins something for this.
Still a great film and still holds up todays blockbusters in terms of scale, action and story.
Charlton Heston gives a great performance as Taylor with a great supporting cast of other Oscar winners Roddy McDowell and Kim Hunter.
It's a shame most franchises of today don't look to films like the Planet of the Apes or inspiration. This film alone in my view saved 20th Century Fox from possible bankruptcy in the 60's, made two sequels, one prequel a cartoon series, a live action series, toys, comic books and a remake.
Oh and another remake on the way of Conquest of the Planet of The Apes called Rise of the Apes.
Learn from this franchise Hollywood.
The Fighter
Really good film that I was expecting to just be a fairly average flick. Boxing films have been done to death from from Rocky to Raging Bull but this film brought a nice freshness to the genre. I found it more of a drama film rather than a sports film like the other boxing films I have seen in the past, the amount of boxing in the film I felt was very little actually. They also filmed the fights as if you were watching it on TV and it worked brilliantly and nicely added more tension and threat in the fights as if it's really happening in front of you, great idea by the makers of the film.
I have no idea if they filmed it this way for budget reasons but either way, it really added to the scenes and made the film more unique.
The performances were fantastic from everyone, but the stand out performance without a doubt was Christian Bale who should get his first Oscar nomination for this film (No idea how he hasn't been nominated before). I really hope it does well in the Oscars as it's a film that Hollywood should make more of with great character's and heart all the way through.
The King's Speech
Brilliant film with a great cast and well executed. I can't think of any negatives with this one as it was great from the get go with Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush being the icing on the cake.
I'm convinced this will do well at the Oscars as it's perfect Oscar material and is a great film in it's own right.
I would recommend this to anyone of all film tastes from Citizen Kane to Star Wars.
Saw...Whatever...6 or is it 7 now?
Crap, just don't bother.
127 Hours
Really enjoyed this and was never bored, which is impressive considering that the film focuses on one man with his arm stuck in a rock for 127 hours.
So already to most peoples minds is that director Danny Boyle hasn't got much to work with. But luckily Aron Ralston (James Franco) has loads of issues that up until that point, just ignored or was essentially running away from.
Also the film like all of Danny Boyle's film's are very visual with plenty of flashbacks in Aron's life as well as trying to move the rocks in lots of different failed attempts.
The scene which I was warned about when going in where Aron cut's his arm off, wasn't as bad as some have made about to be and was really well done.
I think James Franco will get a Oscar nomination for his performance for this film. I have always felt he's a great actor and more than proves it for this film, especially the moment with him and a mini DV camera.
Danny Boyle will also get nominated for this film but I think nomination is all it will be as he won last year for Slumdog Millionaire.
The film it self is a great film but like with Slumdog Millionaire, I feel that his older films are still his best. It's only been until Slumdog Millionaire won at the Oscars that people finally caught up with Boyle but for me it was Train spotting and 28 Days Later that made me think he was a great director.
But I'm sure this is another one that I would personally add to Trainspotting and 28 Days Later that shows Boyle at his best.
Megamind
I was expecting this to be rubbish but was pleasantly surprised, thought the voice acting worked especially from Will Ferrell and it never dragged.
Not a classic like Toy Story, Snow White or Spirited Away for example when it comes to children's animated films but I liked it and it ticked all the boxes. Minor negatives would be it's scale as when there were scenes with huge crowds it felt like the makers cut a few corners and in Pixar films for example they never cut corners.
But it was funny and made me laugh a couple of times but I wouldn't really watch it again if the truth be told.
True Grit
I thought this was really good, never seen the the original as I just can't stand John Wayne.
The Coen brothers are on top form with this one as it's well paced with Bridges giving the film a great bit of humor when needed.
The girl in it Hailee Steinfeld is the true star though, who totally outshines Bridges, Brolin and Damon with ease. Reminded me a lot of Natalie Portman's screen debut performance with Leon, as it's very clear she has a bright future ahead of her.
Not quite the classic like No Country for Old Men or The Big Lebowski from the Coen's but still a good watch, but possibly after the Oscars will be forgotten about as in recent years there have been so many good westerns like Unforgiven and 3:10 To Yuma.
I don't think it will storm the Oscars but it will get a couple of nods and I hope Hailee Steinfeld wins something for this.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
BAFTA'S 2011 Nominations
Will have to do a write up for this when the Oscar noms come out, but in the mean time and keeping with tradition
and the nominations are...
BEST FILM
Black Swan
Inception
The King's Speech (Win)
The Social Network
True Grit
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
127 Hours
Another Year
Four Lions
The King's Speech (Win)
Made in Dagenham
OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER
The Arbor - Director, Producer - Clio Barnard, Tracy O'Riordan
Exit Through the Gift Shop - Director, Producer – Banksy, Jaimie D'Cruz
Four Lions - Director/Writer - Chris Morris
Monsters - Director/Writer – Gareth Edwards (It has to be this guy, Monsters was one of my fav films of last year)
Skeletons - Director/Writer – Nick Whitfield
DIRECTOR
127 Hours - Danny Boyle
Black Swan - Darren Aronofsky (Win)
Inception - Christopher Nolan
The King's Speech - Tom Hooper
The Social Network - David Fincher
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Black Swan - Mark Heyman, Andrés Heinz, John McLaughlin
The Fighter - Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson
Inception - Christopher Nolan
The Kids Are All Right - Lisa Cholodenko, Stuart Blumberg
The King's Speech - David Seidler (Win)
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
127 Hours - Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy (But I want this to win)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Rasmus Heisterberg, Nikolaj Arcel
The Social Network - Aaron Sorkin (Win)
Toy Story 3- Michael Arndt
True Grit - Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Biutiful - Alejandro González Iñárritu, Jon Kilik, Fernando Bovaira
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Søren Stærmose, Niels Arden Oplev (I have no idea tbh, total guess)
I Am Love - Luca Guadagnino, Francesco Melzi D'Eril, Marco Morabito, Massimiliano Violante
Of Gods and Men - Xavier Beauvois
The Secret in their Eyes - Mariela Besuievsky, Juan José Campanella
ANIMATED FILM
Despicable Me
How to Train Your Dragons
Toy Story 3 (Win)
LEADING ACTOR
Jarvier Bardem - Biutiful
Jeff Bridges - True Grit
Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network
Colin Firth - The King's Speech (Win)
James Franco - 127 Hours (Brilliant in 127 hours and in other years would be the clear fav)
LEADING ACTRESS
Annette Bening - The Kids Are All Right
Julianne Moore - The Kids Are All Right
Natalie Portman - Black Swan (Win)
Noomi Rapace - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hailee Steinfeld - True Grit
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christian Bale - The Fighter (Win)
Andrew Garfield - The Social Network (I want him to win)
Pete Postlethwaite - The Town (Big outsider)
Mark Ruffalo - The Kids Are All Right
Geoffrey Rush - The King's Speech (Another big outsider :Personal note to self: don't put any money on this category)
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams - The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter - The King's Speech
Barbara Hershey - Black Swan (Win)
Lesley Manville - Another Year
Miranda Richardson - Made in Dagenham
ORIGINAL MUSIC
127 Hours - AR Rahman
Alice in Wonderland - Danny Elfman
How to Train Your Dragon - John Powell
Inception - Hans Zimmer (Win)
The King's Speech - Alexandre Desplat
CINEMATOGRAPHY
127 Hours - Anthony Dod Mantle, Enrique Chediak (But this should win)
Black Swan - Matthew Libatique
Inception - Wally Pfister (Win)
The King's Speech - Danny Cohen
True Grit - Roger Deakins
EDITING
127 Hours - Jon Harris
Black Swan - Andrew Weisblum
Inception - Lee Smith (Win)
The King's Speech - Tariq Anwar
The Social Network - Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Alice in Wonderland - Robert Stromberg, Karen O'Hara
Black Swan - Thérèse DePrez, Tora Peterson
Inception - Guy Hendrix Dyas, Larry Dias, Doug Mowat (Win)
The King's Speech - Eve Stewart, Judy Farr
True Grit - Jess Gonchor, Nancy Haigh
COSTUME DESIGN
Alice in Wonderland - Colleen Atwood
Black Swan - Amy Westcott
The King's Speech - Jenny Beavan (Win)
Made in Dagenham - Louise Stjernsward
True Grit - Mary Zophres
SOUND
127 HOURS - Glenn Freemantle, Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Steven C Laneri, Douglas Cameron
Black Swan - Ken Ishii, Craig Henighan, Dominick Tavella
Inception - Richard King, Lora Hirschberg, Gary A Rizzo, Ed Novick (Win)
The King's Speech - John Midgley, Lee Walpole, Paul Hamblin
True Grit - Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey, Greg Orloff, Peter F Kurland, Douglas Axtell
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Alice in Wonderland - Nominees TBC
Black Swan - Dan Schrecker
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 - Tim Burke, John Richardson, Nicolas Ait'Hadi, Christian Manz
Inception - Chris Corbould, Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Peter Bebb (Win)
Toy Story 3 - Nominees TBC
MAKE UP & HAIR
Alice in Wonderland - Nominees TBC
Black Swan - Judy Chin, Geordie Sheffer
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 - Amanda Knight, Lisa Tomblin
The King's Speech - Frances Hannon (Win)
Made in Dagenham - Lizzie Yianni Georgiou
SHORT ANIMATION
The Eagleman Stag - Michael Please
Matter Fisher - David Prosser
Thursday - Matthias Hoegg (I like Thursday so I will guess Thursday)
SHORT FILM
Connect - Samuel Abrahams, Beau Gordon (I have an Xbox 360 so Connect...well it sounds like Kinnect)
Lin - Piers Thompson, Simon Hessel
Rite - Michael Pearce, Ross McKenzie
Turning - Karni Arieli, Saul Freed, Alison Sterling, Kat Armour-Brown
Until the River Runs Red - Paul Wright, Poss Kondeatis
ORANGE WEDNESDAYS RISING AWARD
Gemma Arterton
Andrew Garfield
Tom Hardy (Win)
Aaron Johnson
Emma Stone
and the nominations are...
BEST FILM
Black Swan
Inception
The King's Speech (Win)
The Social Network
True Grit
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
127 Hours
Another Year
Four Lions
The King's Speech (Win)
Made in Dagenham
OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER
The Arbor - Director, Producer - Clio Barnard, Tracy O'Riordan
Exit Through the Gift Shop - Director, Producer – Banksy, Jaimie D'Cruz
Four Lions - Director/Writer - Chris Morris
Monsters - Director/Writer – Gareth Edwards (It has to be this guy, Monsters was one of my fav films of last year)
Skeletons - Director/Writer – Nick Whitfield
DIRECTOR
127 Hours - Danny Boyle
Black Swan - Darren Aronofsky (Win)
Inception - Christopher Nolan
The King's Speech - Tom Hooper
The Social Network - David Fincher
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Black Swan - Mark Heyman, Andrés Heinz, John McLaughlin
The Fighter - Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson
Inception - Christopher Nolan
The Kids Are All Right - Lisa Cholodenko, Stuart Blumberg
The King's Speech - David Seidler (Win)
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
127 Hours - Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy (But I want this to win)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Rasmus Heisterberg, Nikolaj Arcel
The Social Network - Aaron Sorkin (Win)
Toy Story 3- Michael Arndt
True Grit - Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Biutiful - Alejandro González Iñárritu, Jon Kilik, Fernando Bovaira
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Søren Stærmose, Niels Arden Oplev (I have no idea tbh, total guess)
I Am Love - Luca Guadagnino, Francesco Melzi D'Eril, Marco Morabito, Massimiliano Violante
Of Gods and Men - Xavier Beauvois
The Secret in their Eyes - Mariela Besuievsky, Juan José Campanella
ANIMATED FILM
Despicable Me
How to Train Your Dragons
Toy Story 3 (Win)
LEADING ACTOR
Jarvier Bardem - Biutiful
Jeff Bridges - True Grit
Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network
Colin Firth - The King's Speech (Win)
James Franco - 127 Hours (Brilliant in 127 hours and in other years would be the clear fav)
LEADING ACTRESS
Annette Bening - The Kids Are All Right
Julianne Moore - The Kids Are All Right
Natalie Portman - Black Swan (Win)
Noomi Rapace - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hailee Steinfeld - True Grit
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christian Bale - The Fighter (Win)
Andrew Garfield - The Social Network (I want him to win)
Pete Postlethwaite - The Town (Big outsider)
Mark Ruffalo - The Kids Are All Right
Geoffrey Rush - The King's Speech (Another big outsider :Personal note to self: don't put any money on this category)
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams - The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter - The King's Speech
Barbara Hershey - Black Swan (Win)
Lesley Manville - Another Year
Miranda Richardson - Made in Dagenham
ORIGINAL MUSIC
127 Hours - AR Rahman
Alice in Wonderland - Danny Elfman
How to Train Your Dragon - John Powell
Inception - Hans Zimmer (Win)
The King's Speech - Alexandre Desplat
CINEMATOGRAPHY
127 Hours - Anthony Dod Mantle, Enrique Chediak (But this should win)
Black Swan - Matthew Libatique
Inception - Wally Pfister (Win)
The King's Speech - Danny Cohen
True Grit - Roger Deakins
EDITING
127 Hours - Jon Harris
Black Swan - Andrew Weisblum
Inception - Lee Smith (Win)
The King's Speech - Tariq Anwar
The Social Network - Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Alice in Wonderland - Robert Stromberg, Karen O'Hara
Black Swan - Thérèse DePrez, Tora Peterson
Inception - Guy Hendrix Dyas, Larry Dias, Doug Mowat (Win)
The King's Speech - Eve Stewart, Judy Farr
True Grit - Jess Gonchor, Nancy Haigh
COSTUME DESIGN
Alice in Wonderland - Colleen Atwood
Black Swan - Amy Westcott
The King's Speech - Jenny Beavan (Win)
Made in Dagenham - Louise Stjernsward
True Grit - Mary Zophres
SOUND
127 HOURS - Glenn Freemantle, Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Steven C Laneri, Douglas Cameron
Black Swan - Ken Ishii, Craig Henighan, Dominick Tavella
Inception - Richard King, Lora Hirschberg, Gary A Rizzo, Ed Novick (Win)
The King's Speech - John Midgley, Lee Walpole, Paul Hamblin
True Grit - Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey, Greg Orloff, Peter F Kurland, Douglas Axtell
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Alice in Wonderland - Nominees TBC
Black Swan - Dan Schrecker
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 - Tim Burke, John Richardson, Nicolas Ait'Hadi, Christian Manz
Inception - Chris Corbould, Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Peter Bebb (Win)
Toy Story 3 - Nominees TBC
MAKE UP & HAIR
Alice in Wonderland - Nominees TBC
Black Swan - Judy Chin, Geordie Sheffer
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 - Amanda Knight, Lisa Tomblin
The King's Speech - Frances Hannon (Win)
Made in Dagenham - Lizzie Yianni Georgiou
SHORT ANIMATION
The Eagleman Stag - Michael Please
Matter Fisher - David Prosser
Thursday - Matthias Hoegg (I like Thursday so I will guess Thursday)
SHORT FILM
Connect - Samuel Abrahams, Beau Gordon (I have an Xbox 360 so Connect...well it sounds like Kinnect)
Lin - Piers Thompson, Simon Hessel
Rite - Michael Pearce, Ross McKenzie
Turning - Karni Arieli, Saul Freed, Alison Sterling, Kat Armour-Brown
Until the River Runs Red - Paul Wright, Poss Kondeatis
ORANGE WEDNESDAYS RISING AWARD
Gemma Arterton
Andrew Garfield
Tom Hardy (Win)
Aaron Johnson
Emma Stone
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Is the Planet of the Apes franchise coming back for good?
Now some of you may not be aware of this but there is a new Planet of the Apes film coming out...this year!!!!
Yes a new Planet of the Apes film is coming out in 2011 (June I have been told) and it will be called Rise of the Apes and it stars James Franco, Freida Pinto and Andy Serkis.
Here is the general jist of whats going on from Wikipedia
Proof!!!!!
It should also be noted that And Serkis plays a CGI Caesar (a bit obvious from the picture unless the make up guy was having a laugh).
But anyway this is isn't the first time that 20th Century Fox have tried rebooting the Planet of the Apes franchise as we all still remember the Tim Burton version with Marky Mark as the lead.
Yep still rubbish, I agree
As we all know that failed as it was all over the place and film fans are instantly gonna compare it to the original.
When watching it back in 2001 I think in the cinema, I could clearly the see rift between so many fractions of the people involved with the making of the film.
1. Tim Burton wanted to make it a Tim Burton film.
2. The studio wanted to create another franchise and sell toys, less effort was made in the film and only cared if the trailer looked good.
3. They didn't know if they wanted to make a copy of the first film or be more faithful to the original book. As quite clearly it started very similar to the Heston version and ended very similar to the book. I'm sorry but you can't do both as they are totally different approaches. It's like the problem with the Stepford Wives "Are they robots or brainwashed? as they can't be both"
4. Why remake a clear classic with possibly the greatest ending to a film ever.
So already from what I have gathered 20th Century Fox have learned from their mistakes with the Tim Burton version. The director is alright as well with his last film was well received by critics The Escapist but I thought it had a few problems, but the director Wyatt seemed capable of getting the best from his actors.
I'm sorry but the ending is a total copout and done to death in films numerous times
But anyway as you may have noticed I love the original Planet of the Apes franchise. I have the DVD boxset, watched all the documentaries and read the original book Monkey Planet by Pierre Boulle which is also really good but no where near as good as the film.
So I would love to see The Planet of the Apes franchise make a come back and I'm really looking forward (and a little nervous tbh) to Rise of the Apes.
Yes a new Planet of the Apes film is coming out in 2011 (June I have been told) and it will be called Rise of the Apes and it stars James Franco, Freida Pinto and Andy Serkis.
Here is the general jist of whats going on from Wikipedia
James Franco is set to play a scientist working on a cure for Alzheimer's by testing on apes. When test subject Caesar suddenly begins to mutate rapidly, the scientist takes him home to remove him from the cruel lab doctors.
Franco was cast after talks with Tobey Maguire broke down. Freida Pinto and John Lithgow joined the cast on June 22, 2010.Andy Serkis will play Caesar, the ape that leads the revolt. Tom Felton will also star as the human character Dodge.As of July 12, 2010,Brian Cox was in final negotiations to join the cast.According to his Twitter page, David Hewlett has also joined the cast, though he has not mentioned what his role in the film will be.Canadian actress Chelah Horsdal will also star as Irina.
It should also be noted that And Serkis plays a CGI Caesar (a bit obvious from the picture unless the make up guy was having a laugh).
But anyway this is isn't the first time that 20th Century Fox have tried rebooting the Planet of the Apes franchise as we all still remember the Tim Burton version with Marky Mark as the lead.
As we all know that failed as it was all over the place and film fans are instantly gonna compare it to the original.
When watching it back in 2001 I think in the cinema, I could clearly the see rift between so many fractions of the people involved with the making of the film.
1. Tim Burton wanted to make it a Tim Burton film.
2. The studio wanted to create another franchise and sell toys, less effort was made in the film and only cared if the trailer looked good.
3. They didn't know if they wanted to make a copy of the first film or be more faithful to the original book. As quite clearly it started very similar to the Heston version and ended very similar to the book. I'm sorry but you can't do both as they are totally different approaches. It's like the problem with the Stepford Wives "Are they robots or brainwashed? as they can't be both"
4. Why remake a clear classic with possibly the greatest ending to a film ever.
So already from what I have gathered 20th Century Fox have learned from their mistakes with the Tim Burton version. The director is alright as well with his last film was well received by critics The Escapist but I thought it had a few problems, but the director Wyatt seemed capable of getting the best from his actors.
But anyway as you may have noticed I love the original Planet of the Apes franchise. I have the DVD boxset, watched all the documentaries and read the original book Monkey Planet by Pierre Boulle which is also really good but no where near as good as the film.
So I would love to see The Planet of the Apes franchise make a come back and I'm really looking forward (and a little nervous tbh) to Rise of the Apes.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Cinema's get your act together!!!!!!
Cinemas at the moment are getting worse (Yes I know I can't believe they are getting worse either) with the film times getting worse, more Bollywood films (I'm sorry but Bollywood films are shit and no one watches them in Cardiff FACT) and 3D showings still dominating when quite clearly no one gives two shits about 3D.
I went into my Cineworld in Cardiff yesterday to watch 127 Hours and I got there about 8PM and noticing the next showing was 9:10...I'm sorry but 127 Hours has several things going for it.
1. It's this weeks big release
2. It's had a big marketing campaign in the UK as much as some of the blockbusters like Green Hornet for example which is the next big release.
3. It's Danny Boyle's first new film since Slumdog Millionaire!!!!!!!
4. It's an Oscar contender
5. It has a decent bankable star with James Franco (unlike Slumdog Millionaire and 28 Days Later which made a good amout of money)
6. Oh yes I nearly forgot and the most important point...The film looks good and people wanna watch it!!!!!!!!!
So why are there bugger all screenings for this film?
I looked at the monitor and the showings were 18:40 and 21:10???????
Yes there would have been earlier ones as well but lets be fair very few people are gonna watch a film at 11 in the morning.
It was the same thing for The Kings Speech but that was 17:50 and 20:30 but again massive gaps with showings.
It's just daft when they have films in there which no one watches like Harry Potter (Everyone have now seen it Cineworld and everyone else who hasn't wants to avoid it!!!!!!!! ) 3D showings for Guliver's Travel (Should be straight to DVD) and Narnia (Same as Harry Potter).
Also who the hell is gonna watch It's kind of funny Story (Yes I didn't forget the "a" as thats what it's called on the Cineworld site http://www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/8?film=3943) which looks rubbish and people will choose Love and other Drugs instead.
So already I have cleared plenty of screenings for 127 Hours and The Kings Speech and it took me 30 seconds to work that out last night in Cineworld (Yes I stood there for 30 seconds in rage and in my head pretended to be the Cineworld manager which I agree on my part is rather sad).
and to finally make myself feel better and end my childish rant in style
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I went into my Cineworld in Cardiff yesterday to watch 127 Hours and I got there about 8PM and noticing the next showing was 9:10...I'm sorry but 127 Hours has several things going for it.
1. It's this weeks big release
2. It's had a big marketing campaign in the UK as much as some of the blockbusters like Green Hornet for example which is the next big release.
3. It's Danny Boyle's first new film since Slumdog Millionaire!!!!!!!
4. It's an Oscar contender
5. It has a decent bankable star with James Franco (unlike Slumdog Millionaire and 28 Days Later which made a good amout of money)
6. Oh yes I nearly forgot and the most important point...The film looks good and people wanna watch it!!!!!!!!!
So why are there bugger all screenings for this film?
I looked at the monitor and the showings were 18:40 and 21:10???????
Yes there would have been earlier ones as well but lets be fair very few people are gonna watch a film at 11 in the morning.
It was the same thing for The Kings Speech but that was 17:50 and 20:30 but again massive gaps with showings.
It's just daft when they have films in there which no one watches like Harry Potter (Everyone have now seen it Cineworld and everyone else who hasn't wants to avoid it!!!!!!!! ) 3D showings for Guliver's Travel (Should be straight to DVD) and Narnia (Same as Harry Potter).
Also who the hell is gonna watch It's kind of funny Story (Yes I didn't forget the "a" as thats what it's called on the Cineworld site http://www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/8?film=3943) which looks rubbish and people will choose Love and other Drugs instead.
So already I have cleared plenty of screenings for 127 Hours and The Kings Speech and it took me 30 seconds to work that out last night in Cineworld (Yes I stood there for 30 seconds in rage and in my head pretended to be the Cineworld manager which I agree on my part is rather sad).
and to finally make myself feel better and end my childish rant in style
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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