MH Films

New Harry Potter Flick

2008-11-03T16:03:00.000-08:00

The new movie looks better than any of the others...really looking forward to this one.

The Readers

2008-11-03T15:44:00.001-08:00

What do you think...I feel that Kate Winslet may have better chances at attaining her first Oscar in the Supporting Actress category. Their is less competition than their is in the Leading Actress category...Maryl Streep will be harder to take down than Penelope Cruz.
The Readers

Best Actress

2008-10-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

My picks for Best Actress best on What I have seen and heard are as fallowed...

1. Maryl Streep....Doubt
2. Kate Winslet....Revolutionary Road
3. Kristin Scott Thomas....I've Loved You so Long
4. Sally Hawkins....Happy Go Lucky
5. Ann Hathaway....Rachel getting Married

These are the actresses that I see well poised in the Oscar Race. They seem to be garnering the most Buzz and I feel they will all certainly make it to most people's shortlist. The actual standing is not solid due to all the films not being released yet but Maryl Streep is poised to get her third Oscar. She has done consistently great work and this seems to be her best work in years. Definitely a nomination and very possibly a win. We will know whether she delivers or not by very early November...due to her film Doubt opening the AFI festival very soon.
As for Kate Winslet, I feel that this could be her year if the film gives a stronger showing than most people think right know(due to the lack of much buzz). She has been nominated five other times and their is no actress out their that is more deserving of the statue than her.
Kristen Scott Thomas seems mesmerizing in her new film...collecting more buzz recently than any of the other actresses at the moment. She could be a real threat for the statue if it weren't for Marion Cotillard winning this year. I don't think the academy will give the award to a performance in another language so soon.
Happy Go Lucky seems to be doing great in the UK and everyone is raving about Sally Hawkins performance in the film. She is said to be phenomenal and Hollywood is taking notice. She is often talked about in TV and magazines. She is also very well poised to collect her first nomination.
This Jonathan Demme film looks to be the material that Ann Hathaway needed to get into the most coveted recognition of an Actor career(Oscar's). All the critics rave of her ability to bring heart and compassion to this otherwise unlikeable character. She has done a great job and I am convinced that the Academy will take notice.

Others that may get a spot in the top 5 are... (in order)
6. Malissa Leo...Frozen River
7. Keira Knightly...The Duchess
8. Nicole Kidman...Australia
9. Angelina Jolie...Changeling
10. Kate Beckinsale...Nothing But the Truth

DVD Release

2008-10-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

Well this weeks DVD line up is not filled with something that would send me running to my video store but hey I'm sure that their is someone out their that may enjoy these films. Maybe not for themselves but to be honest this is a good list for those with kids...whether your a parent or your babysitting your nephew, niece or maybe just the neighbor kids.
So here you go...
1.Journey to the Center of the Earth(PG)- An overall goof film and my pick of the week...it's entertaining and something both kids and adults can get into and enjoy.
2.Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl(G)- Also a good film starring Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin as an aspiring journalist growing up during the great depression. This film is more than my little sentence can say...so I would really advise you to go check it out for your son or daughter.
3.Animal House The 30th Anniversary(R)- Well I was wrong...I wouldn't recommend putting this film on if your babysitting. It's more like something that you can check out after the kids are asleep. This is a great classic that never gets boring.
4. Mystery Science Theater 3000 The 20th Anniversary- Another classic that I don't know much about hey for those that do...new edition coming out, aren't you excited.

*Click on the Pic to check when your favorite pick will be released.

Weekend Update

2008-10-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Box Office Report…High School Musicals was a hit with the tweens, getting an amazing $42,000,000 their opening weekend. The fifth installment of the movie Saw came in a distant yet reasonable(R ratings tend to not do as well as G rated films) second place with $30,500,000. Slightly behind its predecessor but miraculously it seems to still have a grip of its fan base. Rounding out the top five were Max Payne, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and Pride & Glory with $7.6, $6.9, and $6.3 million respectively.

1. HSM… $42,000,000

2. Saw V…$30,500,000

3. Max Payne…$7,600,000

4. Beverly Hills Chihuahua…$6,916,000

5. Pride & Glory…$6,325,000

Early Word from Quatum of Solace is out and it doesn’t seem as promising as several previously thought. The film that had several people talking doesn’t seem to have inspired critics…citing that it is “unlikely to find a royale spot in Bond history or fans' hearts” (variety). It is said that this film picks up where the previous one had left off…making the first of the bond films to do so.

This surely brings its Oscar chances down significantly…It can be no more than help for Daniel Craig as he is gearing up to campaign for Defiance. This film is sure to disappoint several bond followers if this first look is true in other reviews.

As some of you might have already heard…Doubt seems to be set to open the AFI Film Festival after Paramount ousted The Soloist from its 2008 release line up, and moving it to March of 09. Taking away its Oscar chances at least for this year. It is said that Paramount made this move in efforts to focus on the other films that it will be campaigning for…come Oscar Season.

*For articles click on their respective movie poster...

Burn After Reading Trailer !

2008-05-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

Burn After Reading trailer

What do you think of the Coen Brothers latest work.

Movies Out This Weekend!

2008-05-09T19:25:00.000-07:00

Their are several good movie that are releasing this weekend and others that are already in theaters but deserve a second or third watch.
1st Speed Racer- The CGI Filled movie starring Emile Hirsch and Christina Ricci. The movie seems entertaining but not appealing. At least to me, their something about a movie that is nothing but CGI that doesn't have me running towards the theaters.
2nd What Happened in Vegas- A film with both Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher is their really more to say. Their seems to be some funny parts to the movie so hey you might enjoy it.
& in Limited Release their is The Fall- A movie that I don't know much about, all I know is that its from the same director of The Cell starring Jennifer Lopez.
But if you can only watch one movie this weekend I have to recommend watching Iron Man, it is definitely the best superhero movie that has been released in a while. Robert Downey Jr. is great as the man behind the armor. He's looking well poised to be nominated for The Soloist a film that comes out in mid November and is garnering a lot of buzz.
Also in Theaters

Man of Honor
Baby Mama
Herold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
The Forbidden Kingdom
88 min
Prom Night
Nim's Island
21

For More Info & Listings for these movies Click on the IMDB logo.

Mister Foe Review

2008-05-09T19:22:00.000-07:00

MISTER FOE

Director: David Mckenzie
Cast:
Jamie Bell… Hallam Foe
Sophia Myles… Kate Breck
Ciaran Hinds… Julius Foe
Clair Forlain… Varity Foe
Jamie Sives… Alasdair
Genre: Drama/Romance
MPAA Rating: N/A
Running Time: 95min
Studio: Magnolia Pictures

Mister Foe is the 9th film of Scottish Director David McKenzie, whom directed the film Young Adams, one of my personal favorites. Starring in the lead role of Hallam Foe is Jamie Bell that may be better recognized for his work in the recent blockbuster Jumper or in the old but famous Billy Elliot. The other roles are played with Sophia Myles, Ciara Hinds, Cliar Forlain and Jamie Sives playing Kate Breck, Julius Foe, Varity Foe, and Alasdair respectfully. Mister Foe is a great film but like other David Mckenzie films not for everybody, it’s for those viewers that don’t mind straying from the realms of normality.
the beginning of the film we find ourselves in the Scottish hills were Hallam’s family resides and the place of his mothers death. But for the most part the film takes place in Edinburgh an urban city in Scotland, home to large beautiful buildings in which one can easily get lost.
The story revolves around Hallam Foe, a troubled young man that seems to be infatuated with his dead mother. After his mothers death he begins to seclude himself in a tree-house build by his father when he was younger. But due to some problems that he faces with his stepmother (the person he thinks killed his mother) he runs away to the Edinburgh. In Edinburgh, he becomes infatuated with a female (Sophia Myles character) that resembles his mother. He gets a job where she works washing plates and spies on her through a pair of binoculars. As the movie continues he becomes sexually involved with Kate, and continues to search for self-identity and find the true cause of his mothers death. Towards the end of the novel Hallam looses it and searches for vengeance, going to the cops and telling them that he thinks that he thinks that his stepmother killed his mom. Through the entire film Hallam’s infatuation leads him to find true love as well as his true self although stumbling along the way.
Jamie Bell’s plays his role of Hallam role to perfection. As you watch the film you can really relate with his character in some way. Although you may not have the same problems, he portrays his character so normal that you connect to his other emotions and actions. Sophia Myles does a great job as the lonely business woman that lets herself be pushed around my men because of her inability to lover herself. But I must say that my favorite performance was Clair Forlain who played Hallam’s Stepmother. She is great as the bitchy step mom that will stop at nothing to rid herself of the pest that stop her from living the life she wants. Overall all the actors played their respected roles well with no lack of energy or want.
The technical aspects of this film are just as great as the rest of it. David Mackenzie’s directing was great, his use of color and camera angles through out the film added to the overall mood of the film. He is one director that does not underestimate the use of lighting to add to the scene ahead. I guess I have to give some of that credit to the cinematographer. The look of the film has a similar look to that of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, which was nominated for a best cinematographer Oscar. And like that film Mister Foe has a dark tone to it.
This film is definitely a must see, but like I said before it’s an acquired taste. But for those that have acquired that taste, they should really enjoy this film.

***½/****

Weekend Films

2008-05-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

Me again, wow two post in one day. You know what that means, no more post till two or three weeks from know.
Back to what I am here for, I just wanted people to know of two great films that are premiering this weekend. One is Fugitive Pieces and the other is the Son of Rambow, both these movie are great, I saw them a week or so ago at the Newport Beach Film Festival and they were both great.
Fugitive Pieces is the film that one several of the awards at the festival, Best Director, Cinematographer, Picture. The acting is great and has a great story behind it. I don't want to give it away, so that you can enjoy it to its full extent.
Son of Rambow is the other movie, that film is simply hysterical and well hearted. Its a great film that any one of any age can enjoy. The cast is great and they really pull you into the movie in their own way.
So go and enjoy these films, they are each great...I'll have my review on them on the next couple of days.
Till Next Time
MH!

Interesting Facts

2008-05-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

Hey People, I was just surfing a gnarly web page when I came across this interesting picture/graph. Thought you may get a kick out of it or at least find it intriguing. It shows you just who are the type of people that win Oscars. The Academy seems to prefer older men over young men and younger women over older women. Really tells you what type of world the film industry is.

Oh and by the way, the Newport Beach Film Festival just ended and I was lucky enough to catch 8 movies. Some where better than others, the best part though was that i got an early screening of a few films that have yet to released but will in the near future. You never know were these movie will go, three years ago Crash premiered from the Newport Beach Film Festival and went on to win Best Picture as well as other Oscars.
Till Next Time
MH!

Best actors

2008-04-12T13:28:00.000-07:00

Best Supporting Actor

2008-04-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

1. Michal Sheen (Frost/Nixon)- Its sure to be a powerful performance by a great actor that got real close with The Queen.

2. Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt)- This movie is one that the academy will just gravitate too. He seems to be a constant contender, and I can see why. He delivers great performances time and time again. This role seems to be very meaty and has great potential.

3. Josh Brolin (Milk)- He is in everyone’s mind from being in two acclaimed films last year (American Gangster and No Country for Old Men). This film should maximize on the buzz from last year. He plays a homophobic politician to Sean Penn’s Gay rights activist. If he plays that well, it should get him the nomination.

4. John Malkovich (Changeling)- Great actor, he seems to be due for something and what better film to get nominated for than a Clint Eastwood Film.

5. Leonardo DiCaprio (Body of Lies)- It’s still not clear on whether he is leading or supporting. But hey I’m putting him in, he is a great actor with several great performances. Plus I think that they will put him in the supporting, because they don’t want him to suffer the same thing that happen two years ago.

6. Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)- When I first heard that he was playing the Joker in the film The Dark Knight, I was really skeptical on whether he was going to able to pull it off. But when I saw the trailer for the first time, I saw that I was wrong. But at the same time, this is not a role that is usual Oscar bait. The studio is going to do a good job of promoting the film, in a way that they see him as worthy of a nomination.

7. Robert Downey Jr. (The Soloist)- He has several film this year (Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Tropic Thunder, and The Soloist) to keep him on the minds of people throughout the year. If Jamie Foxx doesn’t steal the show (which I don’t think he will), he has a great chance at his first nomination.

8.Gael Garcia Bernal (Blindness)- I feel that he is a great actor that is long overdue for a nomination. Early picture and word, seem to be good. Hears hoping.

9. Sacha Baron Cohen (The Trial of the Chicago 7)- He has been consistently great in everyone of his films. This film which is directed by Steven Spielberg seems to be a great film for him. That is if he doesn’t get over shined by one of the other actors (Will Smith, Kevin Spacey).

10. Benjamin Bratt (Guerilla)- Partnered with Oscar winner Benincio Del Toro and in Steven Soderbergh’s two part epic, he could get his first Oscar Nomination.
MH!

Newport Beach Film Festival

2008-04-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

Hey guys what's up, Yesterday I went to sign up to volunteer at the Newport Beach Film Festival, which should be exciting. The fistival is relatively new, but has gaining momentum as time passes. This year they are expecting to have several big names said attend the festival, some being: Ellen Page, Felicity Huffman, Tom Arnold, Sienna Miller, James Franco,Jessica Biel and many more. Its exciting because a volunteer I will be able to watch 4 of the movies that they will screen throughout the week. Which is great because, they will be showing many of the winner from this years Sundance Film Festival. They will also have several seminars with actor, producers, directors, cinematographers, composers, and many more, available to the volunteers and the public for free. So if you happen to be in Newport between Friday the 25th through Thursday May 1, you should go to the Islands or Big Newport theaters in Newport Beach and check them out. They will be showing 405 films throughout the week and they all look to seem interesting. They were the US premier of the movie Crash, which we all know went on to win the academy award for BEST PICTURE in 2006. I'm sure it will be great, I am really looking forward to watching some of the movies that will be showing. Later enjoy the rest of your week. MH!
-SOON ILL BE BACK WITH MY PREDICTIONS FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR-
For a Full list of the movies ans show times available check out the website below.

http://newportbeach.bside.com/2008/films

Best Supporting Actress

2008-04-01T17:50:00.000-07:00

Their are several actress's that are possible contenders for next years Academy Awards nominations. Here are my picks as of know 4/1/08.

1. Kathy Bates(Revolutionary Road)- She is a great actress that delivers a good performance no matter the film that she is in. Her last nomination was in 2002 for the film About Schmidt, she hasn't done anything good since but I think that this film will turn everything around.

2. Amy Adams (Doubt)- A great actress that has done some really good work recently. She got close with Enchanted and I think she might go all the way with this one, that is if Maryl Streep doesn't steal the show.

3. Catherine Keener (The Soloist)- I don't really know about this one, but my love of Catherine Keener has made me put her in. She is a great actress that shows a great level of skill and versatility. I think she should have been nominated for Into the Wild and should have won for one of her previous nominations.

4. Cate Blanchet (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)- What can you say about Cate Blanchet, she's Cate Blanchet and is in a movie I thinks that enough for the Academy. But not dishonor her great talent, I must say that she is great in every role and I wont be surprised if she's great in this one even if it bombs.

5. Any of the Ladies from Synecdoche New York- (Hope Davis, Catherine Keener, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Samantha Morton, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Michelle Williams) Any of these ladies could get it, they are all great actresses. Many of them past Oscar nominees and winners. I would lean more towards Ms. Morton, or Ms. Williams.

6.Amy Ryan (The Changeling)- Her buzz from last years amazing performance may rollover to the next Oscar season. Plus its a Clint Eastwood movie that means a lot in the eyes of the Academy.

7.Carice Van Houten (Body of Lies)- Not a really well known actress in the United States but theirs always room for a breakthrough performance, especially when you have three other films being release in 08(one of them being Tom Cruise's Valkyrie).

8.Sandra Oh (Blindness)- A film with a lot of buzz, thats both a good thing and bad thing for her. Hopefully the same thing that happened on Sideways wont happen here.

9. Kate Winslet (The Reader)- I dont really now if she is a leading or a supporting role, but I', going to put her here because I hope that they out her here, so she doesn't compete with herself in the Leading category. We all know that usually doesn't end well.

10. Renee Zellweger (Appaloosa)- She hasn't done anything really memorable since her win in Cold Mountain, Hopefully she can come back with this film.

SO IT BEGINS!

2008-04-01T14:31:00.001-07:00

It is officially a new year of predictions and movie talk. I hope you guys have had a great couple of weeks working, vacationing, etc. Well I wanted to start it off by giving a review of the resent movies that I have seen lately.
First the Movie 10,000 years BC This movie is your typical big budget movie. The main plot of the movie revolves around a tribe of mammoth hunters that are attempting to hunt for a "mammoth". The plot hits a climax when these men in black horses appear and trash the entire tribe killing some, and capturing others. One of the people that are captured is a young woman named D'Leh who is the sweet something of one of the mammoth hunters. The rest of the film fallows three men and a boy's journey to recover the people that were taken from the village.It is very entertaining, it has several chase scenes that make you feel that you are in the tea cup ride in the fair. The sets are very over the top, most of the movie is in CGI, as most of you might have guessed. The acting is ok, nothing really out of the ordinary their isn't much dialogue between characters, like I said before the movie is mostly people chasing mammoths, people chasing other people, and people killing each other.
It Has a 9% approval rating in Rotten Tomatoes
I Give it **/***** For the fact that it pretty much seems like every other movie of its genre. Plus they made it worst by trying to hide their unoriginal idea in an over the top movie.

Jack Nicholson for Hillary Rodham Clinton

2008-03-01T15:41:00.000-08:00

The three time Oscar winner is lending his time and money to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Look at this ad that has been released by Jack himself.

Best Acceptance Speech!

2008-02-25T14:48:00.000-08:00

Their were several great moments in the Academy Awards this year. The speeches are always great to hear, it allows you to see the Actors in their most vulnerable stage. It allows you to see and know what the winners really feel like when they receive their awards. My favorite speech came from one of the nights big winners and my favorite performer of the year, the Best Actress Winners Marion Cotillard.

Best Speech
1. Marion Cotillard-"I'm Speechless ... Thank you life. Thank you love. It is true there (are) some angels in this city"

2. Marketa Irglova- “Hi everyone. I just want to thank you so much. This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we’re standing here tonight, the fact that we’re able to hold this, it’s just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it’s possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don’t give up. And this song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are. And so thank you so much, who helped us along way. Thank you.”

3. Tilda Swinton-" George Clooney, you knowthe seriousness and the dedication to your art, seeing you climb into that rubber bat suit from "Batman & Robbin" - the one with the nipples, every morning under your costume, on the set, off the set, hanging upside-down at lunch - you rock man"

4. Javier Bardem- "Thank You to the Coen for being crazy enough to think that I could do that and put one od the most horrible haircuts (in) History over my head"

The Winners!!!!!

2008-02-25T14:24:00.000-08:00

Producers from No Country for Old Men WINNER BEST PICTURE!

Joel and Ethan Coen directors from No Country for Old Men WINNERS BEST DIRECTOR!

Marion Cotillard from La Vie En Rose/La Mome WINNER BEST ACTRESS!

Daniel Day-Lewis from Their Will be Blood WINNER BEST ACTOR!

Javier Bardem from No Country for Old Men WINNER BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR!

Tilda Swinton from Michael Clayton WINNER BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS!
Diablo Cody Writer of Juno WINNER BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY!

Joel and Ethan Coen writers of No Country for Old Men WINNERS BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY!
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova from Once WINNERS BEST SONG!

Brad Bird director of Ratatouille WINNER BEST ANIMATION!

Gold on the 1st Try

2008-02-24T20:50:00.000-08:00

Well I am glad that to say that all my predictions for all the major awards were correct. Unfortunately I wasn't able to cover this years Academy awards as I had wished due to a busy personal life. But hopefully I can have a better year this year that comes. Thank You to all that took a peak at my blog this year, I promise we'll have a better year next year. YEAH! 6/6 Congratulations to all the winners!

CONGRATULATIONS MARION COTILLARD!!!!!!!!

2008-02-24T19:16:00.000-08:00

YES SHE WON IT, SHE IS THE SECOND EVER ACADEMY AWARD WINNING ACTRESS FROM A FOREIGN FILM, I AM SO HAPPY THAT THE ACADEMY CHOSE THE RIGHT ACTRESS TO WIN THE AWARD. SHE WAS AMAZING IN HER PORTRAIT OF EDITH PIAF. GOOD JOB, VERY WELL DESERVED. SOON ILL BE BACK WITH MORE OSCAR WINNERS!

OH! ALSO CONGRATS TO TILDA SWINTON ONE OF THE GREAT ACTRESSES OF OUR TIME, SHE'S ON OF THOSE ACTRESSES THAT STAYS TRUE TO HERSELF AND ACTS FOR THE LOVE OF ACTING NOT THE MONEY. FOR I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT SHE IS THE WINNER!!!!!

Predictions

2008-02-22T17:26:00.000-08:00

Best Picture

Will Win: No Country for Old Men Although I do not see it winning, it seems unlikely that it will not get the award. It has win all the major guild awards, it would be a shock if the winner of the PGA, WGA, SAG, DGA and some technical guilds, won’t win. Plus it has the most nomination, the Academy must have seen something that they liked.

Should Win: There Will be Blood This was the best films of the bunch. Paul Thomas Anderson does a great job directing this epic film, and Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano give great performances each. The story is great and it’s the film that if I had an Oscar Ballot I would vote for.

Best Director

Will Win: Coen Brothers(No Country for Old Men) They won the DGA, that pretty much puts them as the frontrunners. The DGA winner usually goes forth to win the Oscar. They did a great job directing this film. Not my pick but it seems like the most likely to win.

Should Win: Julian Schnable(The Diving Bell & the Butterfly) The Diving Bell & the Butterfly was my favorite film of the year, it was great in every aspect. He did such a great job directing it, he made the film in such a creative artistic way. The film as a whole looks like a masterpiece painting. Definitely the best directing job of the bunch.

Best Actor

Will Win: Daniel Day-Lewis(There Will Be Blood)He has dominated the awards season, I cant see anyone else getting up to receive this award.

Should Win: Daniel Day- Lewis(There Will Be Blood) He did a great job in the film. No one else comes close to the level that Daniel Day-Lewis gets to.

Best Actress

Will Win: Marion Cotillard(La Vie En Rose/ La Mome) I have changes my mind, I do not think that Christie Will win anymore, Cotillard is getting momentum and Picture House is doing all that they can to make her the second foreign actress winner.

Should Win: Marion Cotillard(La Vie En Rose/La Mome) She was incredible in this performance. She transforms into the legendary singer Edith Piaf. And unlike Jamie Foxx in Ray, she is not just doing an imitation she is acting and doing beautifully. She shows great range going through emotion and every hardship that a person can go trough. She is definitely the best of the bunch.

Best Supporting Actor

Will Win: Javier Bardem(No Country for Old Men) He is great in the movie and the favorite to take it, come Sunday. He has won every awards and I don’t think his winning will stop at the Oscars.

Should Win: Javier Bardem( No Country for Old Men) He’s just unstable, he was great in this great film. He has made an iconic villain that is being placed in the same category and level as Anthony Hopkins Oscar Winning performance as Hannibal Lector in Silence of the Lambs.

Best Supporting Actress

Will Win: Tilda Swinton(Michael Clayton) Her performance was just recognized by the BAFTA’S recently and that momentum is going to take her straight to the Oscar Stage. I would like to see her win it just because I think that she is one of the best actresses of our time. She has been one of my favorite actresses since I saw her in Young Adam and then The Deep End. She is simply great and deserves it for her great accomplishment in Michael Clayton. The other awards don’t seem to mean anything, Cate Blanchett’s golden globe and Amy Ryan row of critic awards don’t seem to be stopping Swinton from going for gold.

Should Win: Amy Ryan(Gone Baby Gone) although I wouldn’t mind if Tilda Swinton won, I thought that Amy Ryan gave the best performance in the group and the second best female performance after Marion Cotillard. She is great and definitely receives the Oscar.

Best Actor

2008-02-18T22:20:00.000-08:00

WHO SHOULD WIN
Daniel Day-Lewis- Their Will Be Blood
Although some may say that he overacts in some of the scenes, I think he still gives a much better performance than any of the other nominees. He makes the film his own, taking away the spotlight from all the other actor of the film. His great dedication to his work pays of time and time again. Their nothing more to say then GOOD JOB DANIEL.

WHO WILL WIN
Daniel Day- Lewis- Their Will Be Blood
There is no one that can stand in his way, all the other nominees aren’t half as great as Daniel Day- Lewis. The one person that I see many people putting as close to Lewis is George Clooney, but Clooney’s role is not that amazing. He is playing himself, I don’t see him going really far outside his comfort scone or show much range. I think that Viggo Mortesen, may come closer, his accent is so believable, I don’t really know how it compares to other accents but it still seems pretty good. As well as the whole performance is just amazing. Finally, I thought I should give some recognition to Tommy Lee Jones for In the Valley of Elah, no one else wants to but the truth is that the nomination is very well reserved. But then again most people haven’t see this movie and that’s why they don’t form a valid opinion but the truth ids that he does a great job in the film, much better than George Clooney, and Johnny Depp.

1. Daniel Day-Lewis- Their Will Be Blood
2.Viggo Mortesen - Eastern Promises
3. Tommy Lee Jones- In the Valley of Elah
4. Johnny Depp- Sweeney Todd
5. George Clooney - Michael Clayton

BEST ACTRESS

2008-02-18T21:29:00.000-08:00

WHO SHOULD WIN
Marion Cotillard-La Vie En Rose
Marion Cotillard portrayal of the legendary French Singer Edith Piaf, is flawless. This is definitely the best performance of the year and maybe the best biopic performance ever. She is so great in this role, she gives you an ore of emotions that give you a look at her incredible abilities as an actress. She was born to play this role, every scene of the movie you forget that its an actress, you begin to believe that you are seeing the great Edith Piaf performing in each scene. She did something that should be recognized by the academy, she resurrected the great Edith Piaf for 2hrs.20min, she was alive! Hopefully the Oscars will see what the BAFTA’ saw.

WHO WILL WIN
Julie Christie- Away form Her/ Marion Cotillard-La Vie En Rose
I am going with Julie Christie because she is the definite frontrunner at the time, but something tell me that come Oscar night Christie will not be walking away with her second Academy Award. I saw the film, and she was great in it, but not flawless. She did not bring to her character what Marion Cotillard did to hers. The reason that she may not walk away with the Oscar are many. One, four of the last five winners have been first time recipients of the award. Two, three of them were for portraying real people(Helen Mirren-The Queen, Reese Witherspoon- Walk The Line, and Charlise Theron- Monster). Oh and the biggest is that the Acadamy likes to award younger people over old one. Helen Mirren has been the oldest one in the past 10 years. So with all that going against her, I strongly thik that Marion Cotillard will come out with the Oscar.

1. Marion Cotillard- La Vie en Rose/La Môme
2. Julie Christie- Away From Her
3. Ellen Page- Juno
4. Laura Linney- The Savages
5. Cate Blanchett- Elizabeth the Golden Age

Actors You Should Know: Marion Cotillard

2007-12-20T21:09:00.000-08:00

I have just gotten the grate honor of witnessing one of the best actresses walking the face of the earth. I just watched the film La Vie en Rose, and I was amazed at the amazing acting coming from Marion Cotillard. I was very skeptical of a foreign actress being nominated for the Oscar, bought after seeing this film, I must say that there is no better contender for the Oscar than the grate Marion Cotillard, she is simply amazing in her portrayal of grate French singer Edith Piaf. I do not think that there could have ever been anyone so perfect to play this role than she is. One of the best dramatic performance that i have ever witnessed. Sitting on my chair, I got chills in her breath taking performances. Even if the odds are against her,( being a foreigner and all) I wish her the best and hopefully the AMPAS will see the same thing that several of PRECURSOR have seen.

I'm Back Here are the SAG NOMS.

2007-12-20T20:55:00.000-08:00

I have been absent for a while due to a busy personal and professional life, but the SAG award nominations have brought me back. I couldn't believe just how much the Screen Actors Guild Awards embraced the film Into the Wild, It received the most nomination with 4 under its belt. The other film with multiple nominee's is Michael Clayton with 3 and No Country for old Men with 3 as well. I cant believe that they did not nominate films like Sweeny Todd, and Atonement. The Hollywood actors really like Sean Penn and Cate Blanchet, if I were the one choosing the nominees I would not have voted for that performance. I am gland for Ellen Page and Marion Cotillard's nominations though, both of them were amazing.
Here I'll let you see for yourself:

14th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS® NOMINATIONS

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

GEORGE CLOONEY / Michael Clayton – “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS / Daniel Plainview – “There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage)
RYAN GOSLING / Lars Lindstrom – “Lars And The Real Girl” (Sidney Kimmel Entertainment)
EMILE HIRSCH / Christopher McCandless– “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage)
VIGGO MORTENSEN / Nikolai – “Eastern Promises” (Focus Features)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

CATE BLANCHETT / Queen Elizabeth I – “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” (Universal Pictures)
JULIE CHRISTIE / Fiona – “Away From Her” (Lionsgate)
MARION COTILLARD / Edith Piaf – “La Vie En Rose” (Picturehouse)
ANGELINA JOLIE / Mariane Pearl – “A Mighty Heart” (Paramount Vantage)
ELLEN PAGE / Juno MacGuff – “Juno” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

CASEY AFFLECK / Robert Ford – “The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
JAVIER BARDEM / Anton Chigurh – “No Country For Old Men” (Miramax Films)
HAL HOLBROOK / Ron Franz – “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage)
TOMMY LEE JONES / Ed Tom Bell – “No Country For Old Men” (Miramax Films)
TOM WILKINSON / Arthur Edens – “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

CATE BLANCHETT / Jude – “I’m Not There” (The Weinstein Company)
RUBY DEE / Mama Lucas – “American Gangster” (Universal Pictures)
CATHERINE KEENER / Jan Burres – “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage)
AMY RYAN / Helene McCready – “Gone Baby Gone” (Miramax Films)
TILDA SWINTON / Karen Crowder – “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

3:10 TO YUMA (Lionsgate)

CHRISTIAN BALE / Dan Evans
RUSSELL CROWE / Ben Wade
PETER FONDA / Byron McElroy
GRETCHEN MOL / Alice Evans
DALLAS ROBERTS / Grayson Butterfield
VINESSA SHAW / Emmy Roberts
BEN FOSTER / Charlie Prince
ALAN TUDYK / Doc Potter
LOGAN LERMAN / Will Evans

AMERICAN GANGSTER (Universal Pictures)

ARMAND ASSANTE / Dominic Cattano
JOSH BROLIN / Detective Trupo
RUSSELL CROWE / Richie Roberts
RUBY DEE / Mama Lucas
CHIWETEL EJIOFOR / Huey Lucas
IDRIS ELBA / Tango
CUBA GOODING, JR. / Nicky Barnes
CARLA GUGINO / Laurie Roberts
JOHN HAWKES / Freddie Spearman
TED LEVINE / Lou Toback
JOE MORTON / Charlie Williams
LYMARI NADAL / Eva
JOHN ORTIZ / Javier J. Rivera
RZA / Moses Jones
YUL VAZQUEZ / Alfonse Abruzzo
DENZEL WASHINGTON / Frank Lucas

HAIRSPRAY (New Line Cinema)

NIKKI BLONSKY / Tracy Turnblad
AMANDA BYNES / Penny Pingleton
PAUL DOOLEY / Mr. Spritzer
ZAC EFRON / Link Larkin
ALLISON JANNEY / Prudy Pingleton
ELIJAH KELLEY / Seaweed
JAMES MARSDEN / Corny Collins
MICHELLE PFEIFFER / Velma Von Tussle
QUEEN LATIFAH / Motormouth Maybelle
BRITTANY SNOW / Amber Von Tussle
JERRY STILLER / Mr. French
JOHN TRAVOLTA / Edna Turnblad
CHRISTOPHER WALKEN / Wilbur Turnblad

INTO THE WILD (Paramount Vantage)

BRIAN DIERKER / Rainey
MARCIA GAY HARDEN / Billie McCandless
EMILE HIRSCH / Chris McCandless
HAL HOLBROOK / Ron Franz
WILLIAM HURT / Walt McCandless
CATHERINE KEENER / Jan Burres
JENA MALONE / Carine McCandless
KRISTEN STEWART / Tracy Tatro
VINCE VAUGHN / Wayne Westerberg

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (Miramax Films)

JAVIER BARDEM / Anton Chigurh
JOSH BROLIN / Llewelyn Moss
GARRET DILLAHUNT / Wendell
TESS HARPER / Loretta Bell
WOODY HARRELSON / Carson Wells
TOMMY LEE JONES / Ed Tom Bell
KELLY MACDONALD / Carla Jean Moss