Enough is enough.

Posted on February 26, 2009 by Michael

Prepare to fall more deeply in love with cinema (and Donna Summer…unfortunately not even this can convert me into a Streisand fan). When a homemade video makes Bring It On look good you’re onto a winner!

"I will sell this house today"

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Michael

10 thoughts on the 81st Academy Awards…

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Michael

Am I alone or did Oscar’s attempt at attracting a younger demographic fall decidedly flat? Minus the terrific presentations of the acting awards, the show consistently struggled to find its feet and left many of the presenters embarrassed (here’s looking at you Daniel Craig!).
Hugh Jackman is the new Rob Lowe. He just had Anne Hathaway instead of Snow White.
A surprising feeling of disappointment swept over me as Penelope Cruz was announced the supporting actress winner. It would have been lovely to see Viola Davis win. (Although all was forgetton when Cruz singled-out Pedro Almodovar for praise during her speech).
I loved the presentations of the acting awards! Look here, here, here and here. An inspired idea that brought me close to tears on a handful of occassions.
Baz Luhrmann got back at America and Oscar for snubbing his Australia with that awful musical number. I hope they learnt their lesson!
Has Sarah Jessica Parker turned into Carrie Bradshaw?!?
When will the Slumdog backlash begin?
Do you think Kate Winslet feels the whole Oscar thing is a little anti-climatic? Maybe her Oscar hunger won’t be satisfied just yet…
Nicole Kidman looked amazing, she did Australia proud (unlike Jackman and Luhrmann). I’m back in love with her. I think its time for a return to form!
Hopefully next year’s show will retain the deserving winners but with less predictability and no MTV-esque shananigans.

Meet the Inglourious Basterds.

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Michael

QT strikes again (?).

The 81st Academy Awards: The Predictions.

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Michael

Here is my complete list of my predictions for the 81st Academy Awards.

They are neither controversial or fresh as the winners have been pre-ordained for some time now; Slumdog Millionaire will dominate, Kate Winslet will mercily end her desperate Oscar hunt and everyone will drool over this year’s host, Hugh Jackman.

Here’s hoping that Best Actor (AKA Rourke vs. Penn), Best Original Screenplay and Penelope Cruz’s potentional win for Supporting Actress will make-up for the high predictability of the year. Still, it is nice to actually appreciate the eventual winners.

Enjoy!

Best Picture
Win: Slumdog Millionaire
Upset: None.
Wish: Milk

Best Director
Win: Danny Boyle
Upset: None.
Wish: Danny Boyle

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Win: Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler
Upset: Sean Penn for Milk
Wish: Mickey Rourke or Sean Penn

Best Actress in a Leading Role
Win: Kate Winslet for The Reader
Upset: Meryl Streep for Doubt (is this possible?)
Wish: Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Win: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
Upset: None.
Wish: Heath Ledger

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Win: Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Upset: Amy Adams for Doubt (Controversial)
Wish: Penelope Cruz

Best Adapted Screenplay
Win: Slumdog Millionaire
Upset: None.
Wish: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Original Screenplay
Win: Milk
Upset: Wall-E
Wish: In Bruges

Best Cinematography
Win: Slumdog Millionaire
Upset: The Reader
Wish: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Editing

Win: Slumdog Millionaire

Upset: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Wish: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Costume Design
Win: The Duchess
Upset: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Wish: The Duchess

Best Art Direction
Win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Upset: The Duchess
Wish: The Duchess

Best Make-Up
Win: The Dark Knight
Upset: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Wish: Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Best Score
Win: Slumdog Millionaire
Upset: Wall-E
Wish: Milk

Best Original Song
Win: “Jai Ho” – Slumdog Millionaire
Upset: “Down To Earth” – Wall-E
Wish: “Jai Ho”

Best Sound
Win: The Dark Knight
Upset: Slumdog Millionaire
Wish: Wall-E

Best Sound Editing
Win: Wall-E
Upset: Iron Man
Wish: Wall-E

Best Visual Effects
Win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Upset: The Dark Knight
Wish: The Dark Knight

Best Animated Film
Win: Wall-E
Upset: None.
Wish: Wall-E

Best Foreign Language Film
Win: The Class
Upset: Waltz With Bashir
Wish: Waltz With Bashir

Documentary Feature
Win: Man On Wire
Upset: Trouble the Water
Wish: Man On Wire

OMG! OMG!

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Michael

Kylie: The beginning of the end?

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Michael

When an icon turns to self-parody to entertain the masses, you know they’re in trouble. Just ask Al Pacino.

Kylie Minogue’s performance at last night’s Brit Awards was nothing less than shocking. Arriving onstage to the sound of Can’t Get You Out Of My Head, Minogue was all posture and smiles as she joined James Corden and Matthew Horne (the duo behind television’s Gavin & Stacey) in performing the song’s signature dance routine. The trio got their laughs, but at the expense of Minogue. Quiet similar to her recent recording of ABBA’s The Winner Takes It All with sister Dannii. Here’s hoping the parody ends here.