Friday's Best Actor

Jake Gyllenhaal

The film Jarhead based on the memoir of Anthony Swofford,saw Jake Gyllenhaal playing the titular character.what so different about this film compared to other war film is that while most war film focuses on the war itself and some films focus on the mental state after the war ,Jarhead explores the mental state of the soldier waiting for the war and during the war itself.its more on the soldier worrying about their girlfriends at home might be cheating them,the dehydration,the frustration and many more.Jake Gyllenhaal was so good in the role and the audience can feel his character's wearing down by his convincing portrayal.My favourite scene would be when Anthony(Jake) tries to shoot his friend,fellow soldier due to a metal breakdown and his phone call to his girlfriend who confides to him that she has moved on and have a new boyfriends.Another scene that is so shocking would be the 'deer hunter tape 'scene where one of the soldier's wife sends him a sex tape of her and his neighbour in order to show her frustration as a army wife toward him .Seeing him yelling and crying and Jake who is now so fed up of life still sitting there wanting to watch the tape shows how affected are the soldiers even before the actual war.

Pure Talent-Emma Stone

Emma Stone

I first noticed Emma Stone in the film The House Bunny.She played the role of one students of the lame Greek sorority  which Anna Farris enters and teach them to be sexy and confident.After a series of films,she stared in Zombieland which became a critical and financial success.

However it was Easy which earned her a Golden Globe Best Actress nod which became her breakout role.In Easy A ,we see Emma Stone portraying the girl who becomes a victim of gossips and finally start to using it to her own advantage until realising this new person  which she created,who people assumed she is so different to her true self,Emma stone carried the whole film  by herself and was superb in all the comedic scene.she is really so hilarious in the film.I love when she spoke Spanish to the Indian boy who offered her the coupons and the scene with Dan Byrd.she excels in the emotional scene too,the scene when she thought she was taken for a date but only realising he too wants her for something else.

This year we saw her appearing in two films,Crazy Stupid Love and The Help which both achieved critical acclaim and box office success.While one is a romantic comedy the other is more of drama.

In The Help she played  Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan,a writer who starts writing the story of black maids and how they are treated by the bosses in southern Mississippi.To speak the truth,although playing the lead character,she was overshadowed by the other actress in the film which include Viola Davis,Bryce Dallas Howard,Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer(well that's a bunch of talented actress with lots of experience).In Crazy Stupid Love,she played Ryan Gosling love interest and as usual her comedic timing is great.

She will be seen in the upcoming Spider man reboot and again opposite Ryan Gosling in the Gangster Squad.She had proved  that she is good in comedy but dramatic films,intense plots...not sure yet.We saw some glimpses in Easy A  and it would nice if she takes on serious role where she doesn't need to use her comedy to charm us so that she doesn't falls into stereotypical roles.

Anyways ,all the best to Emma Stone and her future projects.



The Hunger Games(Novel) -review

 The Hunger Games  trilogy written by Suzannne Collins is of Adventure/Action genre.I took 9 days(2-4 hours per day) to finish all three novels and here is my take on the first novel.
The plot of The Hunger Games is a straight forward plot but with a strong message.It takes place in a nation called as Panem which consists of 13 districts and a Capitol.While the people of the capitol controls the thirteen districts, the thirteen districts are only used to produce Capitol respective needs.For instance District 12 produces coal,11 is agriculture,1 is stone and etc.The Hunger Games is carried out annually to remember  the rebellion of the thirteen districts 74 years ago against the Capitol as a punishment.The Capitol won against the rebellion and District 13 had been destroyed while the other remaining 12 is subjected to under their harsh control.

Katniss hunting in the woods

So back to the Hunger Games,as a punishment to the remaining districts,each districts need to send a boy and girl(called tributes) from the age12-18 to compete in the arena where only one will survive and is televised live throughout the nation as though a form of entertainment  for the capitol citizens.
The story begins on the day of the reaping of the 74th Hunger Games in the District 12 where it is the poorest district and least populated.Katniss Everdeen the protagonist,is the leader of her family now after a mine explosion killed her father.Her mother had fallen into depression,so in order to to support her mom and her sister Primrose(who she loves the most),she would hunt and sell the animals in the hob(black market) in exchange of grains,oils and other necessities.It is illegal to leave the district but Katniss would always sneak into the wood and hunt for the sake of her family.

Cinna ,Haymitch and Peeta

Effie Trinket and Katniss on the reaping day.

On the day of the reaping ,Primrose's name is pulled out as the tribute.In order to save a her young sister ,Katniss volunteered as tribute and promises her sister she would do everything she could to win and eventually return back to them.On the stage she realised that the male tribute is Peeta Mellark,a rich baker's son who once gave bread(hope) for Katniss to live when she was starving and nearly to doe.
Both Katniss and Peeta are brought to the Capitol  and treated,pampered as celebrities but both of them realise they were nothing but an piece of entertainment to the Capitol.Here they both meet their drunken mentor,Haymitch(which will be played by Woody Harrelson in the film adaptation) the only champion from District 12 for the past 73 years.Will Katniss survive the Hunger Games and  return  back to  her mother and sister or will she kill the boy with the bread who gave her hope to live is the rest of the story.However at the ending of The Hunger Games you realise it had expand into something more than survival in the Hunger Games and life debts.SPOILER  ALERT- rebellion,Katniss and Peeta's actions in the Hunger games unknowingly provokes rebellion as they both refuse to go along with the capitol rules.

Peeta injured in the arena

Katniss being brought to the arena



On the characters in the novel,my four favourite characters:

Katniss Everdeen-One of the bold female characters in  young adult genre.She has all the heroic qualities yet have the human feel to her.She is tough, brave and have a sheer determination and doesn't gives up easily .She also had some imperfect qualities  like stubborn and short tempered  which makes her easy to relate by anyone.She is the type of role model you want your sister or daughter to follow .

Peeta-the boy with the bread.I loved that the author never try to make him suddenly powerful or heroic just for the sake of the romance subplot.He is a rich boy,brought up in the rich section of the district,so unlike Katniss or Gale  he  doesn't  have ability to hunt or kill.However, he  is good in handling the most powerful and dangerous weapon God made,the  tongue(words).

Effie Trinket-After watching the trailer,I thought Effie is the antagonist of the story .I was thinking she is almost like Dolores Umbridge  but when I start reading ,she is one of the character that makes me smile whenever she appears on the page.No one could hate Effie!

Rue-the black girl from District 11.One of the youngest tribute which reminds how cruel the Capitol can be ,making a twelve year girl against other elder tributes.Spoiler Alert-her death scene is heart breaking,cant wait to see it onscreen

P.S.I didn't add Haymitch as I only start to like him after Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Like Stephen King said, The Hunger Games is definitely addictive. The plot of the novel never seem to lose its pace and the twists in the novel comes at a unexpected time.My first concern before reading the novel is  that it will be like the  novel where the girl couldn't chose between the wolf or the vampire but I was wrong. I can guarantee you  The Hunger Games is nothing like Twilight.It is absolutely different and it doesn't only appeals to girls only but boys too.The romance is just a subplot and is integrated well into the plot(a method for Peeta and Katniss to get sponsors as the star-crossed lovers with no happy ending).And when we get to the actual Hunger Games,the reader feels like one of the capitol audience watching the game.The novel also raises awareness among the young readers about politics that how  the government can misuse it power and its chain effect on the citizens.I love all the actions in the arena, the firewall and the mutts(mutated animals)
In conclusion, I would say read it before watching the movie which will be released on the 23/03/12 .The cast consisting Jennifer Lawrence ,Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harelson looks promising.Trust me it will be a great experience no matter what gender or age you're  in.I'm into fantasy genre and yet I enjoyed every bit of it.
And finally Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Some Amazing Trailers- for the holidays season

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Pure Talent -Sean Bean

Sean Bean

Although being in the business for quite a long time,Sean Bean is receiving more attention nowadays.Of course he starred in  the Lord of the Rings as  Boromir,but its now he is being seen as a lead that could carry a film.To be frank ,Sean Bean is probably the most underrated actor of the decade.He didn't give any Oscar worthy performance  throughout his career but no one can deny that the man cant act.So I would like to focus on two projects which utilises his capability to the maximum

The  historical horror Black Death was one of the film that surprised me of its quality.I was expecting a  bad film,but it turns out to be one of my favourite.Sean Bean played the knight Ulric who was commanded to capture the necromancer played by the radiant Carice Van Houten that could bring the dead back to alive.He played this knight  who never renounce  his faith no matter what and a knight with a golden heart.His performance was one of the reason why the film never feels boring.

Then we have the HBO Games of Thrones where Sean Bean plays another honourable Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell.Besides Peter Dinklage and Emilia Clarke ,it was Sean Bean most praises are directed to.His performance in the both the episode 'The Pointy End' and the 'Baelor' received critical acclaimed.Lord Eddard  execution  scene was one of the jaw dropping scene for those who haven't read the novels.They killed the main character!I loved the scenes in the dungeon where he was confronted by the eunuch.His performance definitely needs an Emmy nomination.

Why do you think Sean bean is underrated?I believe he had fallen in to the stereotypical roles.He had been playing lots of costume and knight/lord roles.It would  be great to see him in Albert Brook's role in Drive or even Woody Harrelson's role in Rampart.

London Critics Circle Film Awards-Nominees

The London Critics Circle Film Awards had just released their nomination list.Check it out.

#my predicted winner

FILM OF THE YEAR
The Artist
Drive
A Separation
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
The Tree of Life

-It's gonna be between The Artist and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

BRITISH FILM OF THE YEAR
The Guard
Kill List
Shame
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
We Need to Talk About Kevin

FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
Mysteries of Lisbon
Poetry
Le Quattro Volte
A Separation
The Skin I Live In

DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Dreams of a Life
Pina
Project Nim
Senna

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Asghar Farhadi – A Separation
Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist
Terrence Malick – The Tree of Life
Lynne Ramsay – We Need to Talk About Kevin
Nicolas Winding Refn – Drive

-Lynne Ramsay could be a surprise winner as she won the BIFA few weeks ago.

SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR
Asghar Farhadi – A Separation
Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist
Kenneth Lonergan – Margaret
Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon & Jim Rash – The Descendants

-I love the love Margaret is getting

BREAKTHROUGH BRITISH FILM-MAKER
Richard Ayoade – Submarine
Paddy Considine – Tyrannosaur
Joe Cornish – Attack the Block
Andrew Haigh – Weekend
John Michael McDonagh – The Guard

-I'm predicting Andrew Haigh for his  take of the gay love  which is different how the media usually portrays homosexual

ACTOR OF THE YEAR
George Clooney – The Descendants
Jean Dujardin – The Artist
Michael Fassbender – Shame
Ryan Gosling – Drive
Gary Oldman – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

-There are two person I feel deserving this award ,Jean Dujardin and Michael Fassbender.

ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Kirsten Dunst – Melancholia
Anna Paquin – Margaret
Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton – We Need to Talk About Kevin
Michelle Williams – My Week With Marilyn

-Happy for Kirsten Dunst and Anna Paquin which makes me wonder why Rooney Mara was nominated for the Golden Globes instead of these two.

SUPPORTING ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Simon Russell Beale – The Deep Blue Sea
Kenneth Branagh – My Week With Marilyn
Albert Brooks – Drive
Christopher Plummer – Beginners
Michael Smiley – Kill List

SUPPORTING ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Sareh Bayat – A Separation
Jessica Chastain – The Help
Vanessa Redgrave – Coriolanus
Octavia Spencer – The Help
Jacki Weaver – Animal Kingdom

-Vanessa buzz is disappearing,she needs few critics awards to make it into the Oscar nominations list

BRITISH ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Tom Cullen – Weekend
Michael Fassbender – A Dangerous Method , Shame
Brendan Gleeson – The Guard
Peter Mullan – Tyrannosaur , War Horse
Gary Oldman – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

-Tom Cullen for his superb performance in the weekend which is his first film.If not him ,it should be Michael Fassbender

BRITISH ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Olivia Colman – The Iron Lady, Tyrannosaur
Carey Mulligan – Drive , Shame
Vanessa Redgrave – Anonymous , Coriolanus
Tilda Swinton – We Need to Talk About Kevin
Rachel Weisz – The Deep Blue Sea

YOUNG BRITISH PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
John Boyega – Attack the Block
Jeremy Irvine – War Horse
Yasmin Paige – Submarine
Craig Roberts – Submarine
Saoirse Ronan – Hanna

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Manuel Alberto Claro, cinematography – Melancholia
Paul Davies, sound design – We Need to Talk About Kevin
Maria Djurkovic, production design – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Dante Ferretti, production design – Hugo
Alberto Iglesias, original score – The Skin I Live In
Chris King & Gregers Sall, editing – Senna
Joe Letteri, visual effects – Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Cliff Martinez, original score – Drive
Robert Richardson, cinematography – Hugo
Robbie Ryan, cinematography – Wuthering Heights

EXCELLENCE IN FILM
Nicolas Roeg

The Dark Knight Rises- trailer

Check out the new trailer of Christopher Nolan final film of the The Batman trilogy,The Dark Knight Rises.Staring Christian Bale,Gary Oldman,Tom Hardy,Anne Hathaway and Marion Cottilard.Anne Hathaway looks convincing as Selina Kyle but I'm still not sure about her as Catwoman.Marion Cottillard would be prefect as Selina Kyle/Catwoman but lets wait for the film until we can decide whether Anne is a miscast.Tom Hardy looks so different and crazy huge as Bane.After this film, I would like to see Christopher Nolan doing a biopic of The Joker from  his point of view and Joker's childhood.That would be great but I don't see anyone who could play The Joker as Heath Ledger.

Martha Marcy May Marlene-review

The film opens with some scenes of the of this so called peaceful cult where the women waits for the man to eat and then eat the food.Then we see Elisabeth Olsen quietly leaving the house and then start sprinting toward the woods.From there  the audience are brought to Martha trying to cope in the normal world as her sister and brother in law decides to take her in.So is she really safe?Not really.Its just the beginning for Martha to battle against her paranoia.

Martha Marlene is a totally different character Marcy May.We are only shown the Martha Marlene after the cult and was given hints of her childhood. After the cult Martha is very paranoid and solitary.She is seeing things and dreaming stuffs and she couldn't distinguish whether its nothing or real.She doesn't wants to share  what happened to her in the cult with her sister and brother in law.She is so damaged that she had forgotten how the normal world works.She walks in casually and sleep beside them when her sister and brother in law is having sex and swimming in the nude.the weird questions she asked them  and her weird behaviour keeps her more away from them.

It's through the flash back we get to see how damaged Martha is.Here  newly named Marcy May,Martha feels special as everyone  pays attention to her including the charismatic Patrick.She finally found a family and feels she belongs to this family.It was a while later we are shown the darker side of the cult as well Patrick.First Marcy may is drugged and was raped by Patrick.The other in the cult told her this was a gift and she is lucky.Then in the woods,Marcy May is forced to kill the kittens brutally.They carried out  group sex(which explains why Martha is not shy being naked in front others) and rob houses and stealing the things they need.When a innocent homeowner is killed as he discovered the group stealing in his house causes Marcy May to decide to run away from the cult.

Elizabeth Olsen gives a strong performance as both Martha Marlene and Marcy May.While as Martha she gives a believable performance of a girl who had some traumatic experience  and you get to see the innocent Marcy May getting brainwashed.You can feel the emotions from her and you realise she is a troubled soul.She does some bold scenes in her first film itself and that should be applauded.She excels playing the damaged Martha than Marcy May.The scene where she calls her sister,tearing up ,feeling awkward to ask her to get back home is superb.She nails the part conveying fear and paranoia throughout the film.The final scene when she realises she needs help,you can't help to wonder maybe it's too late for help and at the same time you hope the best for her until she opens her mouth to say to her sister 'You're gonna be a terrible mother'.that's where you realise she will be damaged for good.
Sarah Paulson as the sister who takes in Martha also gives a good performance.She wants to help Martha but Martha doesn't wants to open to her and always is shut down whenever she ask about the 2 years Martha was gone.John Hawkes gives a scary  performance  in the film.When you first see him he is so charming ,singing song to Marcy May and then you get to see  his darker side .He is creepy and you can feel why Martha is so afraid of him

The screenplay is one of the major pluses of the film .It is fresh and I like the way Sean Durkin shows us how damaged Marcy May is through the scene where  the brainwashed Marcy May uses the exact same words to brainwash another newbie into the cult.The lack of background score  in some scenes works  and manages to make the audience to feel  her loneliness.The ending is not that satisfying.Whether Martha overcomes her fear or not is not shown  and the film ends with Martha  flashback ,leaving after the man is killed during the invasion.

Oscar possibilities:
Best Actress-Elizabeth Olsen
Best Supporting Actor-John Hawkes
Best Original Screenplay-Sean Durkin(maybe)

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84th Academy Awards-Best Supporting Actress(predictions)

1.Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer as the outspoken Minny in the film The Help is my predicted winner.Minny is her breakout role and made people realising her talent in both comedy and dramatic acting.Plus her chocolate pie scene is hilarious!

2.Vanessa Redgrave

Her performance as the mother of the general Coriolanus in the film Coriolanus had been described as a masterpiece of acting and been described her best so far.Vanessa Redgrave had been nominated 6 times for the Oscars and won  for her performance for Julia.

3.Shailene Woodley

The AMPAS always love to nominate younger actor or actress every year they can and some even won .This year the joy is most likely to be given to Shailene Woodley who gave a brilliant performance in The Descendants.Her performance as the rebelion daughter of George Clooney who begins to change for the sake of her father and young brother was cited to outshone Clooney's performance in the film.She could be a surprise winner if get nominated as Vannesa Redgrave buzz is dying  while for Octavia Spencer,most attention is directed to Viola Davis

4.Berenice Bejo

Berenice Bejo for portraying an upcoming  actress in the silent film the artist.just like Jean dujardin she too had nothing but her facial expression and body language to convey emotions and she succeeded.

5.Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain for portraying the naive silly Celia in The Help.Jessica had a amazing year with not only appearing in back to back critically acclaimed films but playing very different  roles and award worthy   performances in each of them.

Friday's Best Actor

Michelle Pfeiffer

In the film adaptation of the novel Stardust by Neil Gaiman saw Michelle Pfeiffer as the eldest witch who craves for youth and immortality.Stardust is actually an underrated film.It is not like the LOTR films but it is not a bad film either .I loved the novel and the film did live up to the expectation and Michelle performance as Lamia was one of pluses in film.Another interesting actor/character in the film would be Robert De Niro as a effeminate captain  and a young Henry Cavill with a moustache.

69th Golden Globes Awards-nominees

Best Motion Picture-Drama
The Descendants
The Help
Hugo
The Ides Of March
Moneyball
War Horse

Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy
50/50
Bridesmaids
The Artist
Midnight In Paris
My Week With Marilyn

Best Director
Woody Allen-Midnight in Paris
George Clooney-The Ides of March
Michel Hazanavicius-The Artist
Alexander Payne-The Descendants
Martin Scorsese-Hugo

Best Actor-Motion Picture Drama
George Clooney-The Descendants
Michael Fassbender-Shame
Brad Pitt-Moneyball
Leonardo DiCaprio-J.Edgar
Ryan Gosling-The Ides Of March

Best Actor-Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Jean Dujardin -The Artist
Ryan Gosling-Crazy Stupid Love
Brendan Gleeson-The Guard
Joseph Gordon-Levitt-50/50
Owen Wilson-Midnight In Paris

Best Actress-Motion Picture Drama
Glenn Close-Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis-The Help
Rooney Mara-The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep-The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton-We Need to Talk About Kevin

Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Musical
Jodie Foster-Carnage
Charlize Theron-Young Adult
Kristen Wiig-Bridesmaids
Michelle Williams-My Week with Marilyn
Kate Winslet-Carnage

Best Supporting Actor-Motion Picture
Kenneth Branagh-My Week With Marilyn
Albert Brooks-Drive
Jonah Hill-Moneyball
Christopher Plummer- Beginners
Viggo Mortensen-A Dangerous Method

Best Supporting Actress-Motion Picture
Octavia Spencer-The Help
Jessica Chastain-The Help
Shailene Woodley-The Descendants
Janet McTeer-Albert Nobbs
Berenice Bejo-The Artist

Best Screenplay
Midnight in Paris
Ides of March
The Artist
The Descendants
Moneyball

Best Original Score
Howard Shore-Hugo
John Williams-War Horse
Trent Reznor&Atticus Ross-The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Ludovic Bource-The Artist
Abel Korzeniowski-W.E


Best Original Song
Lay Your Head Down-Albert Nobbs
Masterpiece-W.E
The Living Proof-The Help
Hello,Hello-Gnomeo & Juliet
The Keeper-The Machine Preacher

Best Foreign Film
The Kid With The Bike
A Separation
The Skin I Live In
The Flowers Of Wars
In The Land Of Blood And Honey

Best Animated Feature
Rango
The Adventures Of Tintin
Puss In The Boots
Winnie The Pooh
Arthur Christmas


Best TV Drama
American Horror Story
Boardwalk Empire
Boss
Game of Thrones
Homeland

Best TV Comedy or Musical
Enlightened
Episodes
Glee
Modern Family
New Girl

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture
Cinema Verite
Downton Abbey
The Hour
Mildred Pierce
Too Big To Fail

Best Actor in a TV Drama
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Damian Lewis, Homeland
Jeremy Irons, The Borgias
Kelsey Grammer, Boss

Best Actor in a TV Musical or Comedy
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
David Duchovny, Californication
Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory
Thomas Jane, Hung
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes

Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Made-for-TV Movie
Hugh Bonneville, Downton Abbey
Idris Elba, Luther
William Hurt, Too Big To Fail
Bill Nighy, Page Eight
Dominic West, The Hour

Best Supporting Actor in TV Series, Mini-Series, or Made-for-TV Movie
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Paul Giamatti, Too Big To Fail
Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
Tim Robbins, Cinema Verite
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Best Actress in a TV Drama
Claire Danes, Homeland
Mireille Enos, The Killing
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Madeleine Stowe, Revenge
Callie Thorne, Necessary Roughness

 Best Actress in a TV Musical or Comedy
Laura Dern, Enlightened
Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Laura Linney, The Big C
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Made-for-TV Movie
Romola Garai, The Hour
Diane Lane, Cinema Verite
Elizabeth McGovern, Downton Abbey
Emily Watson, Appropriate Adult
Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce

Best Supporting Actress in TV Series, Mini-Series, or Made-for-TV Movie
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred Pierce



Lots of love for Clooney today as he is nominated four times for four different category( Best Picture,Best Actor,Best Director,Best screenplay).Thankfully both Michael Fassbender and Leonardo DiCaprio made it for the Best Actor and Ryan  Gosling  finally got double nomination for his work in 2011 although I felt  he should have been nominated for Drive instead of TIM.I have guessed Elizabeth Olsen will not make it as there are many  young actors having buzz right now especially Shailene Woodley.Its quite rare more than one  young actors got nominated and this year will be Shailene Woodley instead of the others.Viggo Mortensen is a surprise nomination instead of  Armie Hammer who was more deserving in my eyes.Harry Potter was absent in all category and The Muppets did  not get nominated for original songs,that is quite sad. As for the television category,it is nice to see Dominic West and Jessica Lange getting  a nod.

18th Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG)- nominees

Here are the nominees of the SAG Awards  and there are some major snubs.Check it out.

#my predicted winner

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
DEMIÁN BICHIR – A BETTER LIFE
GEORGE CLOONEY  – THE DESCENDANTS
LEONARDO DiCAPRIO  – J. EDGAR
JEAN DUJARDIN – THE ARTIST
BRAD PITT  – MONEYBALL

-big snub for Michael Fassbender but I'm happy to see Leonardo DiCaprio getting nominated.Lets hope Fassbender gets into the Oscars nominations.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
GLENN CLOSE– ALBERT NOBBS
VIOLA DAVIS – THE HELP
MERYL STREEP – THE IRON LADY
TILDA SWINTON – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
MICHELLE WILLIAMS – MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

-I'm satisfied with this list...so does this mean Glenn close is in for the Oscars ,not really.I'm betting for either Kirsten Dunst or Rooney Mara instead of Close.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
KENNETH BRANAGH  – MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
ARMIE HAMMER– J. EDGAR
JONAH HILL – MONEYBALL
NICK NOLTE  – WARRIOR
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER– BEGINNERS

-Yeah for Armie Hammer....sad for Albert Brooks

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
BÉRÉNICE BEJO – THE ARTIST
JESSICA CHASTAIN– THE HELP
MELISSA McCARTHY – BRIDESMAIDS
JANET McTEER– ALBERT NOBBS
OCTAVIA SPENCER  –THE HELP

-Melissa McCarthy nominated  again...she is having a really good luck.Congratulations Jessica Chastain.


Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
THE ARTIST
BRIDESMAIDS
THE DESCENDANTS
THE HELP
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

-The Artist or Midnight in paris might win for this category.

PRIMETIME TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
LAURENCE FISHBURNE  – THURGOOD
PAUL GIAMATTI  –TOO BIG TO FAIL
GREG KINNEAR – THE KENNEDYS
GUY PEARCE  – MILDRED PIERCE
JAMES WOODS  –TOO BIG TO FAIL

- I'm seriously disappointed not to see Dominic West  for Appropriate Adult

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
DIANE LANE – CINEMA VERITE
MAGGIE SMITH – DOWNTON ABBEY
EMILY WATSON  – APPROPRIATE ADULT
BETTY WHITE  – HALLMARK HALL OF FAME: THE LOST VALENTINE
KATE WINSLET – MILDRED PIERCE

- Maggie Smith !!!

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
PATRICK J. ADAMS  – SUITS
STEVE BUSCEMI – BOARDWALK EMPIRE
KYLE CHANDLER– FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
BRYAN CRANSTON – BREAKING BAD
MICHAEL C. HALL – DEXTER

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
KATHY BATES  – HARRY’S LAW
GLENN CLOSE – DAMAGES
JESSICA LANGE – AMERICAN HORROR STORY
JULIANNA MARGULIES  – THE GOOD WIFEKYRA SEDGWICK  – THE CLOSER

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
ALEC BALDWIN  – 30 ROCK
TY BURRELL – MODERN FAMILY
STEVE CARELL – THE OFFICE
JON CRYER – TWO AND A HALF MEN
ERIC STONESTREET– MODERN FAMILY

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
JULIE BOWEN – MODERN FAMILY
EDIE FALCO  –NURSE JACKIE
TINA FEY  – 30 ROCK
SOFIA VERGARA  – MODERN FAMILY
BETTY WHITE – HOT IN CLEVELAND

-thankfully no Lea Michelle although seeing  Naya Rivera nominated wold have been nice...Lea screams the word desperate whenever she is in front of the camera and off-camera

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
BOARDWALK EMPIRE
BREAKING BAD
DEXTER
GAME OF THRONESTHE GOOD WIFE
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
30 ROCK
THE BIG BANG THEORY
GLEE
THE OFFICE
MODERN FAMILY

SAG HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU
COWBOYS & ALIENS
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2
TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
DEXTER
GAME OF THRONES
SOUTHLAND
SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA
TRUE BLOOD

So what do you think of the list?Leave some comments about the snubs and who you hoping to win !

84th Academy Awards-Best Aupporting Actor(predictions)

1.Christopher Plummer(winner)

Christopher Plummer for the heartwarming portrayal of a father who comes out to his son after the death of his wife  and start exploring the life he had missed inserted with humour and some sentimental scenes in the film the Beginners.In his long career ,Plummer had been only nominated once for the Oscars but something tells me he gonna win this time.

2.Albert Brooks

Albert Brooks  for giving a brilliant performance in role of a cold blooded  mafia in the film Drive.Albert who is well known to play good guy roles shockingly gives a convincing performance as a guy that would do anything to get what he wants.It can be said   for sure that its gonna be between Christopher Plummer and Albert Brooks to win the  golden statue.

3.Ben Kingsley

For bringing back Georges Milies alive onscreen in the Martin Scorsese film Hugo.He is well known for winning the Best Actor for portraying Mohandas Gandhi in the film Gandhi and had been nominated for his roles in Bugsy,Sexy Beast and House of Sand and Fog.

4.John Hawkes

John Hawkes for the playing the charming and disturbing cult leader Patrick in the Sean Durkin film Martha Marcy May Marlene.While at first he is shown charming and calm,as the film progresses,we learn more disturbing sides  to  the both Patrick and the cult.

5.Armie Hammer

Armie Hammer for his superb performance in the J.Edgar Hoover biopic film J.Edgar as Hoover go to man and secret lover Clyde Tolson.Armie hammer had some  emotional scenes in the film which is definitely award worthy and could land a nomination if campaigned well but as for now most campaigning are directed toward Leonardo DiCaprio.

So what do you think of my predictions?Do you wanna add anyone or did I miss anyone else ?

69th The Golden Globes(Predictions)

The Golden Globes(PREDICTIONS)

 #my predicted winner
Best Motion Picture-Drama
The Descendants
War Horse
Hugo
The Tree of Life
The Help

Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy
50/50
Bridesmaids
The Artist
Midnight in Paris
Carnage

Best Director
Michel Hazanavicius,The Artist
Alexander Payne,The Descendants
Martin Scorcese,Hugo
Terrence Malick,The Tree of Life
Woody Allen,Midnight in Paris

Best Actor-Motion Picture Drama
Michael Fassbender,Shame
George Clooney,The Descendants
Brad Pitt,Moneyball
Leonardo DiCaprio,J.Edgar
Michael Shannon,Take Shelter

Best Actor-Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Jean Dujardin,The Artist
Joseph Gordon-Levitt,50/50
Owen Wilson,Midnight in Paris
Colin Farrell,Fright Night
Ryan Gosling ,Crazy Stupid Love

Best Actress-Motion Picture Drama
Meryl Streep,The Iron Lady
Viola Davis,The Help
Tilda Swinton,We Need To Talk About,Kevin
Kirsten Dunst,Melancholia
Elizabeth Olsen,Martha Marcy May Marlene

Best Actress-Motion Picture Comedy or Musical
Michelle Williams,My Week With Marilyn
Charlize Theron,Young Adult
Jennifer Aniston,Horrible Bosses
Kate Winslet,Carnage
Amy Adams,The Muppets

Best Supporting Actor-Motion Picture
Armie Hammer,J.Edgar
Albert Brooks,Drive
Christopher Plummer,The Beginners
Kenneth Branagh,My Week With Marilyn
Ben Kingsley,Hugo

Best Supporting Actress-Motion Picture
Berenice Bejo,The Artist
Octavia Spencer,The Help
Jessica Chastain,The Help
Vanessa Redgrave,Coriolanus
Shailene Woodley,The Descendants

Best Screenplay
Woody Allen,Midnight In Paris
Alexander Payne ,The Descendants
Tate Taylor,The Help
Michel Hazanavicius,The Artist
John Logan,Hugo

Best Original Score
Ludovic Bource,The Artist
Alexandre Desplat,Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows
John Williams,War Horse
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Howard Shore ,Hugo

Best Original Song
Lay Your Head Down,Albert Nobbs
Pictures in My Head,The Muppets
Life's a Happy Song, The Muppets
So Long,Winnie The Pooh
The Living Proof,The Help
Best Foreign Film
A Separation
Incendies
The Skin I Live In
I Saw Devil
Pina

Best Animated Feature
Rango
The Adventures of Tintin
Rio
Winnie The Pooh
Kung Fu Panda 2

LA Film Critics Association Awards

BEST PICTURE, Winner:The Descendants,Runner-Up:The Tree Of Life

BEST DIRECTOR-Terrence Malick for The Tree of Life,.Runner-Up:Martin Scorsesse
-wow.. Congratulations

BEST ACTOR, Winner: Michael Fassbender for A Dangerous Method,Jane Eyre,Shame,X-Men: First Class. Runner-Up: Michael Shannon for Take Shelter.
-Michael won!!His bold performance definitely deserves recognition.

BEST ACTRESS, Winner: Yun Jung-hee for Poetry. Runner-Up: Kirsten Dunst for Melancholia.
-haven't watch The Poetry but Kirsten Dunst  was amazing Melancholia.I just hope she steer away from romantic comedies and move to serious roles.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, Winner: Jessica Chastain for Coriolanus,The Debt,The Help,Take
Shelter,Texas Killing Fields,Tree of Life, Runner-Up: Janet McTeer for Albert Nobbs.
-again  well deserving for the breakout star of 2011.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, Winner: Christopher Plummer for Beginners.Runner-Up: Patton Oswalt, Young Adult.
- first award for Young Adult!

BEST SCREENPLAY, Winner: Asghar Farhadi for A Separation.

BEST MUSIC/SCORE:  Winner: The Chemical Brothers for Hanna.Runner-Up: Cliff Martinez for Drive.
-cheers for Hanna,I loved the film!

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN: Winner: Dante Ferretti for Hugo.  Runner-Up: Maria Djurkovic for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Winner: Emmanuel Lubezki for The Tree of Life.
- not a surprise...Emmanuel is winning almost all the awards for this category!

BEST DOCUMENTARY/NONFICTION:Winner: Cave of Forgotten Dreams.

New York Critics Awards

BEST PICTURE: THE ARTIST
-The Artist is giving a tough competition for War Horse and Hugo.

BEST DIRECTOR – MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS for The Artist
-well deserving

BEST ACTOR- MICHAEL SHANNON for Take Shelter,(runner-up:Michael Fassbender and Gary Oldman)
-Michael Shannon was superb in Take Shelter and Fassbender to the Oscars!

BEST ACTRESS-MERYL STREEP for The Iron Lady(runner-up:Viola Davis)
-Meryl Streep!!!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – ALBERT BROOKS for Drive
-its gonna be  a tight race between Albert Brooks and Christopher Plummers for the Oscars

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: MELISSA MCCARTHY – Bridesmaids
-I don't see her winning the Oscars but  a Golden Globe,maybe.Anyways congratulations.

BEST ENSEMBLE: BRIDESMAID
-everyone in Bridesmaids were good and funny but I felt The Help or Margin Call should have win.just my opinion

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – EMMANUEL LUBEZKI for The Tree of Life
-Emmanuel ,better get your  Oscar speech ready!

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMER: JESSICA CHASTAIN – The Tree of Life, The Help, The Debt, Take Shelter, Texas Killing Fields, Coriolanus
-2011 is Jessica's year packed with strong performances.Congratulations!

BEST SCREENPLAY – ALEXANDER PAYNE, NAT FAXON, JIM RASH for The Descendants. (runner-Up: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, “The Descendants.”)
-not a surprise,Payne had  won before for his screenplay.

BEST USE OF MUSIC – LUDOVIC BOURCE for The Artist
-again well deserving

BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR – JOE CORNISH for Attack the Block

BEST FOREIGN FILM- A SEPARATION

BEST DOCUMENTARY:CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN

Boston Film Critics Association Awards

Best Picture: The Artist,runner-up:Hugo and Margaret
-for bringing alive the silent film era...bravo!

Best Director: Martin Scorcese for Hugo,runner-up:Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist
-well deserving.

Best Actor: Brad Pitt for Moneyball,runner-up: Michael Fassbender for Shame and George Clooney for  The Descendants
-congratulations to the winners especially Michael Fassbender.I just hope this time would not be like Sandra Bullock for The Blindside.She was really good but not great.I'm supporting for Fassbender and Dujardin for the Oscars.

Best Actress:Michelle Williams for My Week With Marilyn,runner-up:Meryl Streep for Iron Lady
-could this be the year Michelle winning?She should if you ask me.

Best Supporting Actor: Albert Brooks for Drive
-well deserving!!

Best Supporting Actress:Melissa McCarthy for Bridesmaids,runner-up:Jeannie Berlin for Margaret
-an odd choice but Melissa was funny in the bridesmaids and Margaret seems to be a good movie.

Best Screenplay: Moneyball,runner-up:Margaret
-Margaret again!Congratulations to Moneyball

Best Esemble: Carnage,runner-up:Margaret

Best Use of Music: Drive and The Artist(tie),runner-up:The Descendants
-the music score was the major plus of the film Drive to make the actions scene realistic as possible whereas the music is the backbone for the film the artist.

Best Editing: The Clock,runner-up:Hugo

Best Cinematography:The Tree Of Life,runner-up:Hugo
-no surprise,no one can deny  the cinematography of  the four time Oscar nominee Emmanuel Lubenzki  is mind blowing and it is almost official that he is gonna win his first Oscar next year
.
Best New Filmaker: Sean Durkin for Martha Marcy May Marlene,runner-up: J.C. Chandor for Margin Call
-finally someone decides to reward Sean Durkin for his amazing work in his first feature film.

Best Documentary: Project Nim

Best Foreign Film: Incendies,runner-up:A Separation

             

84th Academy Awards-Best Actress(predictions)

1.Meryl Streep(winner)

My predicted winner is Meryl Streep as the first female British prime minister,Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.I haven't see the film yet but based on the trailer,Meryl Streep was superb.I loved her accent and she looked confident portraying the character .Since it's Meryl Streep ,who is the best actress of our time and with the AMPAS loving her,I feel its gonna be her third win.Meryl Streep had been nominated for 16 times and won twice for Kramer vs Kramer and Sophie Choice.

2.Michelle Williams

For capturing the soft,vulnerable and painful side of the sex symbol Marilyn Monroe in the film My Week With Marilyn.Externally Michelle Williams does not resemble Monroe but she manages to bring the icon alive on screen by the way she moves ,winks or smile.Michelle Williams had been nominated for the Oscars(Best Supporting Actress in Brokeback Mountain,Best Actress  for Blue Valentine) and could be winning her first gold statue this year if campaigned well.Besides My Week With Marilyn,Michelle Williams performance in this year Meek's Ccutoff and Take This Waltz also received critical acclaimed.

3.Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton for the portrayal of the mother who cant stand her child and later a struggling mother who is tormented by the nature of her son.She was brilliant playing both stages of mother in the film and which makes you feel both sympathetic and angry with her.Tilda  won her Best Supporting Actress statue for Michael Clayton and I need to mention her Oscar snub performances in Julia,I Am Love and The Deep End.

4.Viola Davis

Viola Davis for the heartwarming portrayal of Abileen,the maid with the big heart in the film The Help.Viola Davis who is well known for her very small role in Doubt for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress shows she can carry a film by herself.Her emotional performance of her maid who had just lost her child but still could give love to a child of a family that would never appreciate her  received critical acclaim.Viola Davis has a brighter chance of winning if campaigned as supporting actress.

5.Kirsten Dunst

For brilliantly  portraying a bride who falls  in depression on the first half of the film and a calm recovering women during the stressful apocalypse in the film Melancholia.Her role is almost a non-speaking role as she doesn't talk much at all but she delivers a superb performance in every scene.She's gonna face tough competition from the newbies Elizabeth Olsen,Felicity Jones and Rooney Mara but being a  very well known actress and in her first serious role,I feel Kirsten could beat them.

84th Academy Awards -Best Actor(predictions)

1.Jean Dujardin(predicted winner) 

For bringing alive the character George Valentin,a fading silent film star, a man who is wants love,who has lots of pride in him in the film The Artist.Jean Dujardin manages to showcase in his acting chops in both the sad scenes and the happy scenes with nothing but his facial expression and body language.Many praised Dujardin and said  his acting resembles both Gene Kelly and Charlie Chaplin.His is quite unknown outside France but he could be the next Marion Cotillard!

2.George Clooney

George Clooney for playing a husband who finds out his dying wife had an affair before the accident and a father who tries to reconnect with his daughters who are emotionally distant from  him.George is a favourite of the AMPAS and the critical acclaim he recieved definitely guarantees a nod.George  is a five time nominee(Best Actor for Up In The Air and Michael Clayton,Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Good Night,and Good Luck) and winning for Best Supporting Actor for Syriana in 2005 and could be winning his first Best Actor.

3.Michael Fassbender

For portraying the sex addict Brandon beautifully and conveying the his pain and torment just by  the stares.One of the breakout star of 2011,Michael Fassbender for sure here to stay.If nominated,this would be his first nomination but I can surely guarantee that there will more nominations and winnings in his in the future for the modern Daniel Day Lewis.His other notable films with  super performances were Hunger(another Oscar nod snub),Jane Eyre,Fish Tank and A Dangerous Method.

4.Brad Pitt

For the realistic portayal of Billy Beane the general manager of a baseball team in the film Moneyball.His subtle performance in the film recieved favourable responses and many appreciated the humor in Pitt's performance.The chemistry between Pitt and Jonah Hill was convincing and most of the scenes with his daughter was applauded.Being a well known star,Brad Pitt could easily slid in to the nomination list.Brad Pitt is definitely getting better in the choices of films he makes as he gets older and his preformance too gets better in every film.He was nominated twice for the Oscars(Best Supporting Actor for 12 Monkeys and Best Actor in the Curious Case Of Benjamin Button).

5.Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio for capturing both sides of Hoover brilliantly in the biopic film J.Edgar.his speech and body language conveys confidence and authority when he is at work or in front of his colleagues but very vulnerable,seeking for acceptance to those who are close to him.Leonardo is nothing but amazing in this film.he was nominated for the Oscars for three times (The Aviator,What's Eating Gilbert Grape,Blood Diamond) and of course I need to mention   the  Best Actor snub for The Departed.He was equally good in the big studio films like Inception and Shutter's Island

So what do you think of the list?Who are you rooting for?Leave some feedback on both who you feel deserved to get nominated and those you want to get nominated.

Friday's Best Actor

Michelle Williams

In the  film adaptation of the novel Shutter's Island by Dennis Lehane,the character Dolores Canal played by Michelle Williams appears in a visions , flashback and in a almost ghostly character.Although appearing  for a small time onscreen ,Michelle Williams does manage to leave impact playing the melancholic victim and make us wonder what really happened to her,and the scene where it was revealed that even though she's a victim,she herself  murdered her two child by drowning them was one of the  scene that gives goosebumps  in the movie.I also loved  the scene when Michelle Williams after murdering her children,almost having no regret and kissing her husband(Leonardo DiCaprio)

Pure Talent-Armie Hammer

Armie Hammer

Last week ,after watching J.Edgar ,I have decided to dedicate this post for Armie hammer(26 years old) who is well known for portraying the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network and Clyde Tolson in the Clint Eastwood's J.Edgar.

 After appearing in a series of TV series ,Armie was casted  in his breakout role as the Winkleloss twin in the Oscar nominated film The Social Network.He received rave reviews playing the twins who files  for a lawsuits against Mark Zuckerberg the founder Facebook that he stole their idea of forming the social network.Armie definitely shine playing both the twins  and showed variation playing the twins, the calm twin and the outspoken one(though a body double was used as for the body language ).

Then in  J.Edgar,Armie played Clyde Tolson,Hoover's alleged lover.Armie performance was one of the major plus in the film.His chemistry with Leonardo DiCaprio was so convincing  and he gave his best in every scenes.Almost all my favourite moments in the film involves him,whether him conveying his love to Hoover or him getting jealous when Hoover mentions his lady friends,Armie was nothing but great.Armie definitely deserves an Oscar nod for his work for J.Edgar,and I hope he gets the recognition he deserves.

He is set to appear in the Tarsem Singh Mirror Mirror playing the Prince Albert Alcott ,a different take from the traditional Prince Charming and opposite Johnny Depp in The Lone Ranger remake .
Memonisma would like to wish him good luck on his future projects as well hopefully an Oscar nod for his amazing work in J.Edgar.