Summer is here!

Summer Releases 2011

June, July and August 2011 are set to be another year with a mixture of exciting sequels and brand new stories. So here’s a preview of a mere few of this summer’s releases that we are most looking forward too even if it means missing all the sunshine and sitting in the dark!

The Hangover 2

This sequel has a lot to live up to. The Hangover was one of 2009’s biggest success stories and the second film looks set to make some money pretty much regardless of its quality due to sheer excitement and high expectations. Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms once again end up in trouble, this time in Thailand, as Stu’s pre wedding brunch doesn’t go to plan. It comes out on the 26^th May.

X Men: First Class

Any X Men fans will be pleased to hear that the prequel, anticipated for a couple of years now, is not far off release. It follows James McAvoy as Charles Xavier as he decides to set up his school for humans with super human abilities. Lots of special effects and action scenes are expected! It is released on the 1^st June. 

Green Lantern

Another of the most anticipated comic book films of the year (although that’s not hard as there has been so many!). This one is a new comic to be seen on the big screen and starring Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively it’s got the looks, but has it got the goods? We’ll see on the 17^th June.

Captain America: The First Avenger

Another comic book related film but also hotly anticipated as Chris Evans (not the ginger one) suits up in a different hero guise for this blockbuster. It is released on the 29^th July.

The Beaver

This made it in here simply because of how bizarre it is. Jodie Foster directed and Mel Gibson stars in his apparent ‘come-back’ which is about a beaver puppet?! I will not be paying my money to see this but let us know after 17^th June if you do?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two

This is the big one. The last in the series for Harry and friends will mark the end of many of our childhoods (especially after Toy Story 3 and especially myself as it is released literally the day after my University graduation!) and therefore we will be expecting a lot. If the first part is anything to go by however, we will not be disappointed. I will be re-reading the novel in time as I’m sure many others will also. Harry is released for the final time on the 15^th July and here’s the positively spine tingling trailer to get you even more excited!

Super 8

This years alien film is from JJ. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg so will therefore have great expectations on its shoulders. It surrounds a group of friends in the summer of 1979 who witness a train crash swiftly followed by mysterious happenings in their town. It comes out on the 5^th of August.  

The Inbetweeners

Filmed in Malia and starring our favourite foursome this British film should be big this summer. I’m sure much of it will centre around them embarrassing themselves as usual and participating in some antics a lot of people in this country, who have visited Malia, will relate to. Cannot wait to hear the filth that comes out of Jay’s mouth this time! Unfortunately we have to wait till the 19^th August.

Emily x 

Film News!

This Week!

Seth Macfarlane, of Family Guy and American Dad fame is set to reboot The Flintstones. He has been reported to have said he’s a huge fan and will try to stick to the original premise, let us just hope it remains PG and doesn’t take away the child friendliness of the classic cartoons!

Warner Bros have found their new Harry Potter and it comes in the form of Merlin. They have bought the rights to T.A. Barron’s novel The Lost Years of Merlin.

One of the films I am most looking forward to, (despite the fact we still have to wait until February 2012!) is the all new The Muppets. A new poster came online this week and as the Empire website pointed out, how strange do they look with legs? Despite this, with Jason Segel in the writing seat and stars such as Jack Black, Billy Crystal, Zach Galifianakis, Kathy Griffin, Ricky Gervais and Emily Blunt queuing up to appear in the film, I have a feeling it’s going to be epic!

And lastly, The Adventures of Tin Tin has, as has been known for a while, been made into a feature length film. It has possibly the most exciting and talented team behind it not only does it have Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson but three of the most talented and a couple of my favourite writers / producers / directors in Britain; Joe Cornish, Edgar Wright and Steven Moffat. The trailer premiered online this week and here it is .... 

Emily x

'I suppose it's a bit of an affectation but I often wish there was a film crew following my every move...'

Submarine

Many of you may have heard of this film due it’s being the directorial debut of Richard Ayoade, more commonly known as Moss from the I.T Crowd. This British film features known actors such as Sally Hawkins and Paddy Considine as well as newcomers such as the particularly brilliant Craig Roberts and Yasmin Paige.

The film is set in Swansea, Wales and tells the story of Oliver Tate played by Craig Roberts. He offers a highly comedic and dead pan portrayal of life at school, home and the bizarre characters he meets in between. He believes his life should be followed by a film crew, catching his every move as he realises his unique and startling identity. 

Tate is funny, loveable and completely deluded with an overblown sense of self importance yet vulnerable and scared, as teenage boys can be. He falls for Jordana, the rebellious girl who enjoys the misfortune of others and burning leg air with a lighter. When she returns his affections all seems rosy for Oliver until his depressed father Lloyd, played by Noah Taylor, fails to notice the affair his wife Jill is having, played by Sally Hawkins, which threatens both Oliver’s relationship and his family life. The object of his mother’s affections is Graham, played by Paddy Considine whose ludicrous hair and hilarious motivational videos provide a lot of comedy.

The film deals with serious subjects such as brain tumours, adultery and depression but for every touching moment when the audience is on the verge of tears a line of dialogue is offered so blunt and shocking you cannot help but to laugh. It is honest about the perils of teenage life with bullying, first kisses and being stabbed with compasses! 

Despite being set in the seventies this film transcends eras for everyone who ever went to High school or eavesdropped on their parent’s conversations. I hope this spells many more films from Richard Ayoade who impresses with beautiful cinematography, unique editing and shooting skills to leave the images burned into your brain as you leave the cinema. British films such as this should receive more advertisement and exhibition and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys black humour and slightly odd but endearing films. The trailer alone I think is very persuasive...

Emily x

Oscars 2011: Promos

You're Invited!!

In the run up to the Oscars 2011 here are some of the promo's starring Anne Hathaway and James Franco, funny stuff!

Emily x

Bafta Award Winners 2011

Bafta Award Winners 2011

Best Film - The King's Speech

Outstanding British Film - The King's Speech

Best Director - David Fincher (The Social Network)

Best Actor - Colin Firth (The King's Speech)

Best Actress - Natalie Portman (Black Swan)

Best Original Screenplay - The King's Speech

Best Adapted Screenplay - The Social Network

Best Supporting Actress - Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech)

Best Supporting Actor - Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)

Orange Wednesdays Rising Star Award - Tom Hardy

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer - Chris Morris (Four Lions)

Best Animated Film - Toy Story 3

Best Editing - The Social Network 

Best Production Design – Inception

Best Cinematography - True Grit

Best Sound – Inception

Best Short Film - Until The River Runs Red

Best Short Animation- The Eagleman Stag

Best Make-Up and Hair - Alice In Wonderland

Best Costume Design - Alice In Wonderland

Best Original Music - The King's Speech

Best Special Visual Effects – Inception

Best Film Not In The English Language - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema - Harry Potter

 
Academy Fellowship - Sir Christopher Lee

Despite a slightly odd opening dance sequence, the Baftas were a very enjoyable couple of hours on BBC 1 last night. Jonathan Ross was funny as always, very well received and even his sarcasm went down well (despite the bad hair / facial hair!).

All of the acceptance speeches were very heartfelt and heart warming particularly Helena Bonham Carter who was as endearing and funny as always, I didn’t think it was at all too long! Colin Firth was modest as ever and Christopher Lee brought more than few tears to my eyes. It was a really lovely moment when he accepted his Academy Fellowship as well as the honour the Harry Potter series has received (I agree with Stephen Fry, franchise is an awful word!)

I was disappointed with how many winners were unable to attend the ceremony. In particular David Fincher whom I was incredibly pleased won Best Director and would have loved to see how he reacted. Geoffrey Rush was a much deserved winner of Best Supporting Actor also not there and Tom Hardy, particularly as all of the other nominees for the Rising Star Award were in attendance. Natalie Portman is forgiven however considering she is heavily pregnant!

Emma Watson looked stunning as always and definitely gets my vote for best dressed.

My favourite moment has to be without doubt when The Kings Speech won Best Film. The woop from the cast and crew proves just how much it means to them and many of their thanks went to the UK Film Council, proving how much it will be missed.

Emily x

Vintage Vault

A Classic Weekend

Last weekend, completely unintentionally, I viewed three classic films in three days. They were three films I was; A. Ashamed I had never seen and B. Had always wanted to see. So for the first of our film posts for the Vintage Vault here is a run down and recommendations for A Classic Weekend.

Friday – East of Eden

This film was originally released in 1955 and is part of my housemates James Dean box set. She is an avid Dean fan and had recommended his films for years. Apart from visiting the site of his tragic death in California whilst on a family holiday when I was eleven I didn’t know that much about his abilities, the films he starred in or why he was remembered so well. I had already seen Rebel without a Cause about a year ago so thought it was time for the next one!

Dean plays Cal Trask, an unhappy young man, black sheep of the family and generally misunderstood. He is always competing with brother Aron for the acceptance and love from his father he so needs. He had been told by his father that his mother died a long time ago but refused to accept this fact. Cal finds his mother and realises they are very similar. After his father loses a lot of money Cal sets out to help his father get it back and so earn his love.

The performance from Dean is very intelligent and unique. His behaviour contains aspects of what may be thought of as a cognitive condition in today’s society. He is likeable but unpredictable and at the end of the film I found he was the only character I still liked. His father is mean and unforgiving; his brother Aron jealous and Abra, his brothers’ girlfriend is quite the little hussy! Would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys classic, character based drama and needs educating in the phenomenal talents of James Dean.

Saturday – West Side Story

Shock, shock, horror, horror, I had not viewes this classic until now! I am ashamed but redeemed now that I have watched this brilliant musical. I had already seen a university production of the film in my first year so knew I would enjoy the story, songs and adaptation of a Shakespearean classic, Romeo and Juliet.

West Side Story was released in 1961 starring Natalie Wood as Maria and Richard Beymer as Tony. They live in different circles in Manhattan; Tony is white, polish and part of the gang the Jets. Maria is Puerto Rican and her brother head of the Sharks. They fall in love and the classic plays moral messages resonate in a modern setting.

The film is brilliant. I have often been known to say I wish we lived in a world of Technicolor where the reds pop as they dance on the roof and the whites shine as they walk through the streets. The songs are all classics, the dancing amazing to witness for the sheer fitness of the cast and it’s always good to watch a romance! For fans of musicals – it is a crime to not have seen this classic!

Sunday – An Affair to Remember

This classic starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr was released in 1957 and still holds one of the most memorable romantic promises. The two meet on a cruise, both with fiancés but proceed to swiftly fall in love. Amidst comedic farce, Grant’s witty lines and Deborah Carr’s beauty this film portrays the appeal of when the Hollywood ‘stars’ were born. The two agree that if they go home and still feel the same way in six months they will meet at the top of the empire state building.

Apart from the premise of Sleepless in Seattle being dependant on this film, I did not know that much about it. It was a nice surprise therefore when it wasn’t just a soppy romance but a funny and witty take on love at first sight. I think men as well as women can appreciate An Affair’s appeal with the every dashing Cary Grant typifying gentlemanly behaviour whilst being coy and suave. Despite the infuriating final half hour of the film when you will wish people are just honest about their feelings the film pays off. 

Three films in three days, not only enjoyable but I have added to my film education! Classic films are always good to look back on, see the inspiration for today's modern films and to appreciate when it wasn't all special FX and 3D! 

Emily x 

Oscar Nominations 2011

The Oscar Nominations are here! 

Lots of the nominations are as to be expected but some people are unexpectedly missing (such as Danny Boyle and Christopher Nolan for Directing) and some I can't help but be biased about (Go David Fincher, go!) but they are all exciting none the less. 

The awards this year will be hosted by possibly the best looking couple of people in Hollywood; James Franco and Anne Hathaway. They both have brilliant comic roles under their belts so the opening monologues will hopefully be an entertaining and amusing one!  

The ceremony will take place on Sunday 27th February 2011. It will be shown in the UK live from 1:30am on Sky Movies, HD and +1. They will also be showing a Red Carpet Live show at 11:30pm before the ceremony.   

So let us know what you make of the nominations! Here is the list in full;

Actor in a Leading Role

·         Javier Bardem in “Biutiful”

·         Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”

·         Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”

·         Colin Firth in “The King's Speech”

·         James Franco in “127 Hours”

Actor in a Supporting Role

·         Christian Bale in “The Fighter”

·         John Hawkes in “Winter's Bone”

·         Jeremy Renner in “The Town”

·         Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right”

·         Geoffrey Rush in “The King's Speech”

Actress in a Leading Role

·         Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”

·         Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”

·         Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter's Bone”

·         Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”

·         Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”

Actress in a Supporting Role

·         Amy Adams in “The Fighter”

·         Helena Bonham Carter in “The King's Speech”

·         Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”

·         Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit”

·         Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom”

Directing

·         “Black Swan” Darren Aronofsky

·         “The Fighter” David O. Russell

·         “The King's Speech” Tom Hooper

·         “The Social Network” David Fincher

·         “True Grit” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

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

Foreign Language Film

·         “Biutiful” Mexico

·         “Dogtooth” Greece

·         “In a Better World” Denmark

·         “Incendies” Canada

·         “Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi)” Algeria

Animated Feature Film

·         “How to Train Your Dragon” Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois

·         “The Illusionist” Sylvain Chomet

·         “Toy Story 3” Lee Unkrich

Art Direction

·         “Alice in Wonderland” 
Production Design: Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Karen O'Hara

·         “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” 
Production Design: Stuart Craig; Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan

·         “Inception” 
Production Design: Guy Hendrix Dyas; Set Decoration: Larry Dias and Doug Mowat

·         “The King's Speech” 
Production Design: Eve Stewart; Set Decoration: Judy Farr

·         “True Grit” 
Production Design: Jess Gonchor; Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh

Cinematography

·         “Black Swan” Matthew Libatique

·         “Inception” Wally Pfister

·         “The King's Speech” Danny Cohen

·         “The Social Network” Jeff Cronenweth

·         “True Grit” Roger Deakins

Costume Design

·         “Alice in Wonderland” Colleen Atwood

·         “I Am Love” Antonella Cannarozzi

·         “The King's Speech” Jenny Beavan

·         “The Tempest” Sandy Powell

·         “True Grit” Mary Zophres

Documentary (Feature)

·         “Exit through the Gift Shop” Banksy and Jaimie D'Cruz

·         “Gasland” Josh Fox and Trish Adlesic

·         “Inside Job” Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs

·         “Restrepo” Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger

·         “Waste Land” Lucy Walker and Angus Aynsley

Documentary (Short Subject)

·         “Killing in the Name” Nominees to be determined

·         “Poster Girl” Nominees to be determined

·         “Strangers No More” Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon

·         “Sun Come Up” Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger

·         “The Warriors of Qiugang” Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon

Film Editing

·         “Black Swan” Andrew Weisblum

·         “The Fighter” Pamela Martin

·         “The King's Speech” Tariq Anwar

·         “127 Hours” Jon Harris

·         “The Social Network” Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter

Make-Up

·         “Barney's Version” Adrien Morot

·         “The Way Back” Edouard F. Henriques, Gregory Funk and Yolanda Toussieng

·         “The Wolfman” Rick Baker and Dave Elsey

Music (Original Score)

·         “How to Train Your Dragon” John Powell

·         “Inception” Hans Zimmer

·         “The King's Speech” Alexandre Desplat

·         “127 Hours” A.R. Rahman

·         “The Social Network” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Music (Original Song)

·         “Coming Home” from “Country Strong” Music and Lyric by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey

·         “I See the Light” from “Tangled” Music by Alan Menken Lyric by Glenn Slater

·         “If I Rise” from “127 Hours” Music by A.R. Rahman Lyric by Dido and Rollo Armstrong

·         “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3" Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

Short Film (Animated)

·         “Day & Night” Teddy Newton

·         “The Gruffalo” Jakob Schuh and Max Lang

·         “Let's Pollute” Geefwee Boedoe

·         “The Lost Thing” Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann

·         “Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary)” Bastien Dubois

Short Film (Live Action)

·         “The Confession” Tanel Toom

·         “The Crush” Michael Creagh

·         “God of Love” Luke Matheny

·         “Na Wewe” Ivan Goldschmidt

·         “Wish 143” Ian Barnes and Samantha Waite

Sound Editing

·         “Inception” Richard King

·         “Toy Story 3” Tom Myers and Michael Silvers

·         “Tron: Legacy” Gwendolyn Yates Whittle and Addison Teague

·         “True Grit” Skip Lievsay and Craig Berkey

·         “Unstoppable” Mark P. Stoeckinger

Sound Mixing

·         “Inception” Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick

·         “The King's Speech” Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen and John Midgley

·         “Salt” Jeffrey J. Haboush, Greg P. Russell, Scott Millan and William Sarokin

·         “The Social Network” Ren Klyce, David Parker, Michael Semanick and Mark Weingarten

·         “True Grit” Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey, Greg Orloff and Peter F. Kurland

Visual Effects

·         “Alice in Wonderland” Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas and Sean Phillips

·         “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” Tim Burke, John Richardson, Christian Manz and Nicolas Aithadi

·         “Hereafter” Michael Owens, Bryan Grill, Stephan Trojanski and Joe Farrell

·         “Inception” Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb

·         “Iron Man 2” Janek Sirrs, Ben Snow, Ged Wright and Daniel Sudick

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

·         “127 Hours” Screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy

·         “The Social Network” Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin

·         “Toy Story 3” Screenplay by Michael Arndt; Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich

·         “True Grit” Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

·         “Winter's Bone” Adapted for the screen by Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini

Writing (Original Screenplay)

·         “Another Year” Written by Mike Leigh

·         “The Fighter” Screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson; 
Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson

·         “Inception” Written by Christopher Nolan

·         “The Kids Are All Right” Written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg

·         “The King's Speech” Screenplay by David Seidler

Emily x