GotchaMovies

2012 Oscar Winners & Live Blog!

Lee C. Jaster, GotchaMovies — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The Academy Awards announced nominees for the 84th annual awards show, and since, there's been nothing but anticipation until the big night.

It's here, and we've got Oscar coverage in full gear here at GotchaMovies.

This is your landing page for everything Oscar tonight. Below you can check out a live blog of our reaction from the event, as well as a list of the winners that will be updated in real time. Also, if you prefer, check out our coverage and announcement of the winners on Twitter and Facebook.

Without further adieu, it's Oscar time!

Live Blog!

5:00 CST

We'll get things started when the celebrities start hitting the red carpet. Until then, get caught up with our Best Movies of 2011 coverage below. Also, check out our Oscar snubs, and reviews for War Horse, The Descendants, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Artist, Midnight in Paris, Hugo, The Help, Moneyball, and Tree of Life.

6:15 CST

Jessica Chastain is going to be in more movies? 11 in two years?

6:23 CST

Just once, it'd be nice for Emma Stone to say something that isn't awesome. I'm honestly not sure if that's possible. #Winning

6:25 CST

Once again, it's great to see Rooney Mara get nominated for her performance in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Taking on a character like that as her first lead role—simply incredible.

7:06 CST

Well, I don't think it was meant to sound so obvious, but Jason Segel probably wasn't think Oscar when he was sitting down to write The Muppets. Just a guess. (It's the only argument I need, Kevin!)

7:09 CST

There's got to be a better way to run these celebrities through the ringer. Maybe a "speed interview" formula where each celebrity has to answer a series of questions thought about beforehand? (Just brainstorming here...)

1. How much time did you spend on your hair tonight.
2. How much time did you spend shaving? (More interersting for some people.)
3. How much time did you really spend looking at yourself in the mirror?
Bonus: HD: A good thing, or a serious issue affecting actors today. (Emphasis on serious.)

7:11 CST

Can I hire George Clooney to mingle at my next party? Seriously, the guy is simply a cocktail party waiting to happen.

7:12 CST

Hey Brad Pitt, when does that movie about you playing an actor who looks like Brad Pitt come out? Honestly man, that looked hilarious.

7:14 CST

Anyone else still having a hard time believing she won for The Blind Side? Did that really happen? It came out of nowhere...

7:16 CST

This is the point in the night where everyone needs to realize that unless some serious surprises are going to happen, expect The Descendants and The Artist (two movies the masses never really got the chance to see) start taking home the big awards. I'm rooting for Inception and The Dark Knight this year, personally.

7:19 CST

One could argue television is better than cinema right now. Then you see ABC's new series GCB or Missing, and that statement needs to go under some serious reconsideration. When does Mad Men start again?

7:20 CST

Natalie Portman = Unfair. C'mon Man! Harvard, actress, cool, and she's not hard on the eyes. I should have been born a French ballet instructor. That was the key.

7:21 CST

Whoa, Tom Hanks has facial hair. I was going to go over/under at 10% on the hipster glasses, should have taken the over on unexpected facial hair. Are there real lines on that in Vegas. If not, I expect a 10% cut for the idea.

7:23 CST

I love a British accent as much as anyone, but sometimes doesn't it feel like a barrage of posh that's hard to handle?

7:25 CST

Would someone tell Chris Rock that 1985 is gone for a reason?

7:27 CST

It's time for James Van Der Beek to make a serious comeback. Who else is ready? ("I don't want, yur life!")

7:31 CST

Just once I want Morgan Freeman to into my entrance in to a room... just once in life.

7:32 CST

Anyone else just realize Bieber will invade films just like Timberlake did soon?

7:35 CST

Movies have already been there Billy, for $10, overpriced snacks, and Hollywood stuffing gimmick after gimmick down our throats.

7:38 CST

Why did Hugh Jackman say no this year?

7:40 CST

Wait, I don't think Jonah Hill is aloud to be upset about a fat joke, is he?

7:42 CST

I thought seat filling was about fitting in. That leisure suit proves otherwise.

7:44 CST

Three films, Hugo, The Tree of Life, and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo were all worthy. Does this mean Hugo has a shot at Best Picture tonight? (David Fincher, you're a genius. You still won last year for The Social Network in my mind.)

7:46 CST

More Hugo love. Maybe it'll win everything except Picture and Director? If Scorsese wins for The Departed and Hugo at the Oscars, I'm not sure if the world will ever feel just again. (Probably an overstatement.)

7:55 CST

Costume Design: The Artist. Honestly, it was perfect. It felt like a film straight out of the '20s.

7:57 CST

Congratulations Meryl Streep. If make-up wins and you don't, that's a serious dig. It's gotta be you this year.

8:02 CST

Anyone else ready to throttle the sound guy? What's the deal with the feedback here?

8:03 CST

I'm old enough to remember when Adam Sandler was funny. #HappyGilmore

8:06 CST

It was a strong year for foreign films. Honestly, A Separation had this in the bad, but In Darkness and Bullhead had received a lot of acclaim as well. If you have an Alamo Drafthouse near you, Bullhead is around!

8:10 CST

Seriously, it sounds like there's a mic picking up a car alarm in the parking lot.

8:11 CST

This was a bit of a toss up category. It's great to see someone from The Help get an award, considering the amazing ensemble performance by everyone.

8:15 CST

Just when you were wondering what the Christopher Guest crew was doing...

8:20 CST

That's not a creepy 'stache or anything Bradley Cooper, keep up that look. (Every man in the world rejoices.)

8:23 CST

Film editing is always a tricky category. somtimes it's the category where what is noticed least, matters most. Per the point, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo wins.

8:26 CST

Once again, Sound Editing is a cateogry that is generaly difficult to really pick out. In all honesty, I think they are just chosen out of a hat by Billy Crystal at the beginning of the night. Same with Sound Mixing.

8:28 CST

Sound Editing: Hugo. Alright, so we now know why Harry Potter didn't get nominated for anything.

8:44 CST

Not a good gag Robert, not a good one.

8:47 CST

A race joke from Chris Rock... shocking. Note the time, Chris Rock is no longer funny or relevant.

8:57 CST

And this is why comedy should be honored more at the Oscars. Oh, and Emma Stone, once again, #Winning.

9:05 CST

Beginners is the best movie you haven't seen this year. It's remarkable, stunning. Plummer is truly magnificent, and this is much deserved. By the way, Albert Brooks still got snubbed. 2nd best performance of the year, and let's not forget Nick Nolte in Warrior either.

9:14 CST

No score was more important to a film than The Artist's this year. A deserved win.

9: 20 CST

Well, this year, The Muppets won an Oscar, and Drive didn't. Makes a whole lot of sense. Maybe Drive should have aimed for an original song win, instead of brilliant cinematography, writing, acting, and being the most badass movie in a decade.

9:35 CST

Woody Allen isn't there to accept his award. It's a good thing, because bets on who has thinner arms, Angelina Jolie or Woody Allen, were about to be realized after years of vehement debate on the subject.

9:50 CST

Well, Scorsese gets denied. It's all Hugo on the technical front, but The Arist gets rightfully awarded for it's ability to make something old cool again. It's so hipster right now.

10:19 CST

Well, we had to wait, but The Artist sweep is looking strong right now.

10:39 CST

The Artist finishes it off after a rough start. What do you think? Let us know!

Top Movies of 2011

Oscar (Academy Awards) Winners

FilmCrave

SAG Awards

Golden Globes

Oscars

GotchaMovies

Nominations
In Depth
Snubs
Winners

Best Picture
"The Artist" Thomas Langmann, Producer
"The Descendants" Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" Scott Rudin, Producer
"The Help" Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers
"Hugo" Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers
"Midnight in Paris" Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers
"Moneyball" Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers
"The Tree of Life" Nominees to be determined
"War Horse" Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers

Actor in a Leading Role
Demián Bichir in "A Better Life"
George Clooney in "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin in "The Artist"
Gary Oldman in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Brad Pitt in "Moneyball"

Actor in a Supporting Role
Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn"
Jonah Hill in "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte in "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer in "Beginners" ~ Winner
Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Actress in a Leading Role
Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis in "The Help"
Rooney Mara in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep in "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams in "My Week with Marilyn"

Actress in a Supporting Role
Bérénice Bejo in "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain in "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy in "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer in "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer in "The Help" ~ WInner

Animated Feature Film
"A Cat in Paris" Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli
"Chico & Rita" Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal
"Kung Fu Panda 2" Jennifer Yuh Nelson
"Puss in Boots" Chris Miller
"Rango" Gore Verbinski ~ Winner

Art Direction
"The Artist" Production Design: Laurence Bennett; Set Decoration: Robert Gould
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" Production Design: Stuart Craig; Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
"Hugo" Production Design: Dante Ferretti; Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo ~ Winner
"Midnight in Paris" Production Design: Anne Seibel; Set Decoration: Hélène Dubreuil
"War Horse" Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales

Cinematography
"The Artist" Guillaume Schiffman
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Jeff Cronenweth
"Hugo" Robert Richardson ~ Winner
"The Tree of Life" Emmanuel Lubezki
"War Horse" Janusz Kaminski

Costume Design
"Anonymous" Lisy Christl
"The Artist" Mark Bridges ~ Winner
"Hugo" Sandy Powell
"Jane Eyre" Michael O'Connor
"W.E." Arianne Phillips

Directing
"The Artist" Michel Hazanavicius
"The Descendants" Alexander Payne
"Hugo" Martin Scorsese
"Midnight in Paris" Woody Allen
"The Tree of Life" Terrence Malick

Documentary (Feature)
"Hell and Back Again" Danfung Dennis and Mike Lerner
"If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front" Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman
"Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory" Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs
"Pina" Wim Wenders and Gian-Piero Ringel
"Undefeated" TJ Martin, Dan Lindsay and Richard Middlemas ~ Winner

Documentary (Short Subject)
"The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement" Robin Fryday and Gail Dolgin
"God Is the Bigger Elvis" Rebecca Cammisa and Julie Anderson
"Incident in New Baghdad"James Spione
"Saving Face" Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy ~ Winner
"The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom" Lucy Walker and Kira Carstensen

Film Editing
"The Artist" Anne-Sophie Bion and Michel Hazanavicius
"The Descendants" Kevin Tent
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall ~ Winner
"Hugo" Thelma Schoonmaker
"Moneyball" Christopher Tellefsen

Foreign Language Film
"Bullhead" Belgium
"Footnote" Israel
"In Darkness" Poland
"Monsieur Lazhar" Canada
"A Separation" Iran ~ Winner

Makeup
"Albert Nobbs" Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnston and Matthew W. Mungle
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" Edouard F. Henriques, Gregory Funk and Yolanda Toussieng
"The Iron Lady" Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland ~ Winner

Music (Original Score)
"The Adventures of Tintin" John Williams
"The Artist" Ludovic Bource ~ Winner
"Hugo" Howard Shore
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" Alberto Iglesias
"War Horse" John Williams

Music (Original Song)
"Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets" Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie ~ Winner
"Real in Rio" from "Rio" Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Short Film (Animated)
"Dimanche/Sunday" Patrick Doyon
"The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg ~ Winner
"La Luna" Enrico Casarosa
"A Morning Stroll" Grant Orchard and Sue Goffe
"Wild Life" Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby

Short Film (Live Action)
"Pentecost" Peter McDonald and Eimear O'Kane
"Raju" Max Zähle and Stefan Gieren
"The Shore" Terry George and Oorlagh George ~ Winner
"Time Freak" Andrew Bowler and Gigi Causey
"Tuba Atlantic" Hallvar Witzø

Sound Editing
"Drive" Lon Bender and Victor Ray Ennis
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Ren Klyce
"Hugo" Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty ~ Winner
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" Ethan Van der Ryn and Erik Aadahl
"War Horse" Richard Hymns and Gary Rydstrom

Sound Mixing
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Bo Persson
"Hugo" Tom Fleischman and John Midgley ~ Winner
"Moneyball" Deb Adair, Ron Bochar, Dave Giammarco and Ed Novick
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Peter J. Devlin
"War Horse" Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson and Stuart Wilson

Visual Effects
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" Tim Burke, David Vickery, Greg Butler and John Richardson
"Hugo" Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossman and Alex Henning ~ Winner
"Real Steel" Erik Nash, John Rosengrant, Dan Taylor and Swen Gillberg
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White and Daniel Barrett
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew Butler and John Frazier

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
"The Descendants" Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash ~ Winner
"Hugo" Screenplay by John Logan
"The Ides of March" Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon
"Moneyball" Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin. Story by Stan Chervin
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" Screenplay by Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan

Writing (Original Screenplay)
"The Artist" Written by Michel Hazanavicius
"Bridesmaids" Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
"Margin Call" Written by J.C. Chandor
"Midnight in Paris" Written by Woody Allen ~ Winner
"A Separation" Written by Asghar Farhadi

How to Throw an Unforgettable Oscars Party

Nina Farro, Gotchamovies — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:13:00 -0600

The 84th Academy Awards are this Sunday and instead of going with the usual routine of snuggling up on the couch in pajamas to watch the big show, why not host an Oscar party and celebrate with all of your friends?

Here are a few tips to make your party Academy Award worthy:

1 | "Round up the usual suspects"

In this day and age, most everyone has a Facebook or other social networking profile. On Facebook, create your Oscar party event and send out invitations to your friends. The event site will allow you to add pictures, menus, and directions as well as the time your party starts. You can even include a theme for your party (Such as Red Carpet apparel only or Dress up as one of your favorite characters from a nominated film). Be sure to post the link for the Oscars website (www.oscars.com) so your guests can get clued in on all of the nominees, as well as create their own prediction ballots. My friends and I have started ours and are planning to discuss our top picks while watching the show.

2 | "I'll have what she's having"

Make sure to include on your event site whether or not the party is a Pot-luck style get together. If you'd rather treat your guests to a night off of cooking, here are a few suggestions. Finger foods are essential! No one wants to be preoccupied with utensils while the ceremony is in full swing so foods like popcorn (already divided into individual cups), chips and dip, and baked yummies, like cookies or cupcakes, are perfect. This could also be a chance to try out all of those recipes you've been pinning like a maniac on Pinterest. Some of my favorites include, Buffalo Chicken Dip, Spinach Balls, and Red Velvet Cake Balls.

3 | "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"

Encourage laughter! Whether or not you set up a specific theme, make sure that your guests are happy by keeping the dull moments hopping (there will be a superfluous amount of commercial breaks) . These are perfect oppurtunities to discuss your predictions or joking about the flops of 2011, which there are plenty to last for all of the breaks during the entire show. You can also design your own ballot box and have your guests participate during each commercial break or even have best/worst dressed of the red carpet analyses. Don't worry about entertainment during the show. Nine-time Academy Awards host, Billy Crystal is guaranteed to be a hit!

I hope everyone enjoys their Oscar parties! Remember to have your guests arrive in time to see the grand entrances of your favorite nominees and the sure-to-be sensational Opening Act! The 84th Academy Awards will be airing live this Sunday, February 26th at 7e/4p on ABC. Don't miss it!

Photos from Joe Wright's Anna Karenina | Starring Keira Knightley

Kerry Miller, GotchaMovies — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:55:00 -0600

Focus Features released a few photos from Joe Wright’s adaptation of the Leo Tolstoy novel, Anna Karenina, this week. Wright is known for his success in adapting literature to film, e.g. Pride & Prejudice and Atonement. Like both of these films, Anna Karenina will star actress Keira Knightley.

Knightley will play Anna—the novel’s female protagonist in the midst of an affair and struggling to reconcile her
decisions with that of the expectations of 19th century Russian society. Other actors in the movie include Jude Law, Kelly Macdonald, Ruth Wilson, Aaron Johnson, Olivia Williams, Matthew Macfayden, Emily Watson, Alicia Vikander, and Domhnall Gleeson.

Producers have announced the film’s U.K. release date as September 7, 2012, but no word yet on the exact date it can be seen in the U.S.

Via Collider.

Disney Releases New Trailer and Poster for Pixar's Brave

Kerry Miller, GotchaMovies — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:26:00 -0600

Yesterday, Disney Pixar released a new poster and trailer for Brave. The movie will enter theaters in 2D and 3D on June 22.

According to Comingsoon.net, the trailer was posted to iTunes Movie Trailers. The movie follows a young princess from the Scottish Highlands—Merida. The fearless archer shocks the kingdom by ignoring traditions and going against the expectations of her family. The trailer shows Merida watching as suitors attempt to win her heart in an archery contest, and then stepping up and outshooting them all.

Kelly Macdonald will voice princess Merida. Billy Connolly will voice the girl’s father, King Fergus, and Emma Thompson voices her mother, Queen Elinor. Other recognizable voices in Brave include Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Craig Ferguson, and Kevin McKidd.

Official Synopsis for Disney/Pixar's Brave

Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In “Brave,” a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts. Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson).

Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish.

The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late. Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, “Brave” is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and the signature Pixar humor enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The film takes aim at theaters on June 22, 2012, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

War Horse Available on Blu-Ray and DVD April 3rd

Amber Martin, GotchaMovies — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:49:00 -0600

On April 3rd, take home the critically acclaimed film War Horse on Blu-Ray as well as DVD, Digital, and On-Demand.

Set against the turbulent backdrop of World War I, War Horse follows the friendship between a colt and his trainer (Jeremy Irvine) and the paths they travel down after being faced with separation. Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg’s epic tale of hope and resilience in the time of war has garnered six Academy Award nominations.

The 4-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack will allow the viewer to step through their television sets and onto the set of War Horse, getting the chance to glimpse at the making, filming, and editing of the classic. The viewer will also be able to take a look at the costume and sound design processes and the work that went into composing the film’s music.

Contraband to Arrive on Blu-Ray and DVD April 24

Amber Martin, GotchaMovies — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:47:00 -0600

On April 24th, you will be able to take home Contraband on Blu-ray Combo Pack with UltraViolet, DVD, Digital Download, and On Demand, courtesy of Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

The suspenseful action-thriller follows former smuggler Chris Parraday (Mark Wahlberg) who abandons a life of crime to become a family man. When the lives of his wife (Kate Beckinsale) and kids are put at stake by a drug kingpin (Giovanni Ribisi), Parraday is dragged back into the underworld and forced to put his expertise to use.

Blu-ray special features will include deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes look at Contraband, feature commentary by director Baltasar Kormákur and producer Evan Hayes, and a look at the work put into the creation and execution of the film’s stunts.

Wanderlust | Movie Review

Lee C. Jaster, GotchaMovies — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

“Once again, Paul Rudd provides improvisational laughs that carry an entire film.”

What was next for Paul Rudd after playing a modern day slacker/hippie in Our Idiot Brother? Teaming up with Jennifer Aniston as a straight-laced New York couple who encounter the exact type of grass-loving individuals that Rudd just played, of course. Despite juxtaposing two spectrums of characters back to back on-screen, Rudd once again shines in David Wain's (Wet Hot American Summer) look at life gone astray.

Wanderlust, a German loanword meaning "a strong desire or impulse to travel the world", isn't exactly what George (Rudd) and his wife Linda (Aniston) had in mind when they purchased a "micro-loft" in New York's West Village. The couple, positioned as dedicated, devoted, and as trapped as they are comfortable with modernity's offerings of around-the-corner coffee and blackberries, get thrown for a loop when George gets sacked at work. With Linda consistently hopping between new career paths several times a year, the duo is forced to pack their bags and head to Atlanta, Georgia to live with George's brother (Ken Marino).

Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd in David Wain's Wanderlust

On the way down to Georgia, a pit stop at Elysium Bed and Breakfast turns into a chance for new beginnings, as Elysium is also an "intentional community" offering free love, grass, and accommodations. After a night filled with chemicals, skinny dipping, and a general reprieve from the high strung environment of the urban rat race, they finally arrive at brother Rick's expansive suburban home.

After George gets a taste of the nine to five grind under the thumb of his brother, the two decide to jump ship and head back to Elysium, this time for an extended stay. Once there, the adventure continues as the couple is slowly inundated with Elysium's many lifestyle quirks. As the two delve deeper into the alternative way of life Elysium has to offer, its shortcomings become more apparent. Along the way, Rudd shines as each scene of new hippie experiences are met with Rudd's characteristic bravado and sarcastic wit.

Aniston is generally Rachel, as she's been throughout her career in cinema—still unable to top her off-screen persona, but doesn't detract from Rudd's ability to steer Wanderlust into a capable and adult comedy with more between the ears. At it's heart, Wanderlust explores the deep searching we all have for meaning and purpose in life, while also exposing the realities of America's current recession. With the recession as a backdrop, the predicament becomes more believable, and relatable. With Rudd at the helm, America gets its chance to quip every bit of frustration right back at it. What's more fun than mocking a hipster or two?

Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, and Malin Akerman in Wanderlust

Overall

Wanderlust succeeds in providing another vehicle for Paul Rudd's genius improvisations and antics. Everything else is trimming to Rudd's main dish of comedy. It doesn't come together, or stay together along the way, but any fan of Rudd, or the Judd Apatow experience in general, should find Wanderlust comfortably in the wheelhouse of biting tone and a heartwarming message. Countless scenes of male nudity aside, Wanderlust provides more than enough genuine moments of sincerity for the working class to identify—and laugh—with.

Take 2
by Ru Porter, GotchaMovies

Having graduated college in 2008, I definitely feel some sort of personal connection to Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston’s characters in Wanderlust—years have gone by and I too, am still on a relentless quest to find my purpose in the world. (The only difference between the movie, and myself is I didn’t visit a commune desperately looking for some insight). With a positive attitude and a solid support system, one day, a change will come. Such is the premise of this David Wain, Judd Apatow, and Ken Marino produced comedy.

When a married New York couple finds themselves struggling to pay rent for a “micro-loft”, George and his wife Linda are forced to move in with his successful, but egotistical older brother in hopes of getting a new lease on life. But, when a quick detour to re-fuel and re-energize finds them in the back woods of a hippie community, the dynamic of their relationship changes instantly. There, the story unravels as audience members are introduced to quite a few zany individuals with free-loving spirits: Alan Alda (an elder hippie with dementia caused by copious amounts of acid), an alarmingly nudist-novelist-wine-maker Joe Truglio, Kathryn Hahn (as a damaged porn-star who’s way past her prime), and Malin Akerman (a resident nymphomaniac) all make the film worthwhile.

After the couple experiences a conflict of interest, the latter half of the narrative is spent working out George and Linda’s issues in an effort to make their marriage functional. Until then, it seems the entire storyline is more about managing a stressful relationship rather than being a comedic film—with a bit of wandering that barely showcases any lust.

Though Wanderlust wasn’t nearly as funny as it’s previews, I sincerely appreciated the picture’s under-lying message. Life doesn’t always go as planned and taking yourself too seriously will often result in failure and unhappiness. So instead of complaining about uncontrollable circumstances, live life in the present and look toward the future.

The verdict? If you’re looking for a scripted comedy, this film will disappoint. However, if you’re a fan of improvised skits revolving around drugs nudity and sexual content, Wanderlust is laugh-out-loud material.

Act of Valor | Movie Review

Ru Porter, GotchaMovies — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

“The directors should be credited for using actual firearms on set and risking their lives in an effort to create the most authentic operations viewers will ever see in theaters.”

When I was a kid, my mother would often ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My response had always been, “Mom, I want to be a cop, so I can shoot bad people on the street!”

She would then get quiet for a few minutes before suggesting that a desk job would be the safer thing to do. And, though I never questioned her reasoning, I could sense that my desired profession raised some concerns. Why she’d been so apprehensive wouldn’t make sense until years later however, when the good people at Relativity Media invited me to an advanced screening of the Bandito Brothers’ produced film, Act of Valor.

It takes a certain kind of individual with a particular mindset to protect and serve our country. One must not only be mentally prepared, but physically able to handle the life-threatening situations that occur both in real-life as well as in this 101-minute, on-the-edge-of-your-seat action thriller. Never in my life have I seen a movie in this capacity appear to be this realistic – equipped with active duty Navy SEALs, first person prospective camera shots (that make you feel like you’re part of the cast) and live ammunition—its elements like these that will keep your eyes glued to the screen without even blinking from beginning to end.

Act of Valor

While the main characters aren’t seasoned actors, and the storyline isn’t much different from many of the military-based blockbusters Hollywood has produced in the past, Act Of Valor is still worth watching. Aside from some obvious cliché scenarios: husbands leaving their families to defend their country, scary looking villains with scars on their faces, and black ops who rescue a damsel in distress, there’s an equally engaging and emotionally stressful narrative about what really goes on in the everyday lives of our soldiers.

This action thriller isn’t for everyone. The intense battle sequences met with massive explosions result in excessive blood spattering that’s enough to affect anyone with a weak stomach. Factor in the military dialogue, and the scenes can be difficult to follow at times. But much of Act of Valor’s weakness stems from its choppy plot. Before the screening, director Scott Waugh told audience members we’d be seeing five acts of valor, but by the end of the film, I could only remember the story being heavily focused on two of the five main characters.

Still, directors Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh deserve a ton of respect for wanting to assemble a motion picture of this caliber and then fund it independently without the muscle of a major studio. Instead of taking the easiest route by casting A-list actors, the brothers gave starring roles to underrated personalities such as Rosalyn Sanchez (who plays an undercover CIA agent).

Mike and Scott should also be credited for using actual firearms on set and risking their lives in an effort to create the most authentic operations viewers will ever see in theaters. Moreover, I commend them for being unrelenting about working with government officials to make this project promising. The fact that the brothers were able to form a script around modern counter-terrorism acts (without referencing Pearl Harbor, WWI, II and Vietnam) is quite impressive; showcasing how creative writer Kurt Johnstad truly is.

Act of Valor

Overall

Johnstad excelled at making Act of Valor’s story extremely interesting with the use of different locales in Africa, The Caribbean, Mexico, Philippines and Ukraine—where the main characters travel far and wide through deserts and swamps to hunt down ruthless criminals—adding to the overall feeling of realism.

Unfortunately, because viewers are accustomed to seeing corrupt officers and informants shown in most major Hollywood motion pictures, Act Of Valor may slightly disappoint in that aspect, as none are present this time around. Since the Bandito Brothers’ objective was to accurately portray true acts of heroism, played by modern-day super-heroes, it safe to say they’ve accomplished that and then some.

William Fichtner to Play Villain in The Lone Ranger

Kerry Miller, GotchaMovies — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

This week, sources reported that William Fichtner (Armageddon, The Dark Knight) will be starring in The Lone Ranger. Fichtner will play the title character’s villain, Butch Cavendish. Singer Dwight Yoakam was previously rumored to be playing this character.

The Lone Ranger will be acted by Armie Hammer (The Social Network), and Johnny Depp will play his right-hand man, Tonto. Other actors signed on to be in the film include Helena Bonham Carter, Ruth Wilson, Barry Pepper, Tom Wilkinson, James Badge Dale, and James Frain.

Filming of the movie should begin soon; The Lone Ranger is set to be released on May 31, 2013.

Via ComingSoon.

The 2012 Writers Guild Winners | Midnight in Paris & The Descendants Honored

Kerry Miller, GotchaMovies — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:12:00 -0600

Sunday, the 2012 Writers Guild Awards ceremony was held at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The awards’ two biggest categories are Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Nominees for Best Original Screenplay included Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig for Bridesmaids, Diablo Cody for Young Adult, Tom McCarthy for Win Win, and Will Reiser for 50/50, but Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris came out on top.

The Descendants’s writers Alexander Payne, Jim Rash, and Nat Faxon won the Writers Guild award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Writers of the screenplays for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Help, Moneyball, and Hugo were also nominated for the award.

Other film winners included Katie Galloway & Kelly Duane de la Vega, who won the award for Best Documentary Screenplay for Better This World. The Writers Guild has more information on Sunday night's winners and nominees.

Australian Actors and Directors Team Up for Sydney Unplugged

Kerry Miller, GotchaMovies — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:06:00 -0600

A tribute to the city of Sydney, Australia, Sydney Unplugged will feature 12 short films from successful Australian actors and filmmakers. Reports on the film compare it to other short film montages that center around the love for one city, such as Paris, je t’aime and New York, I Love You.

The founder of Sydney’s Trofest short film festival, director John Polson, and Gary Hamilton from Archlight Films are producing Sydney Unplugged. The idea for the film was Polson’s, and he announced the 12 short films’ directors at the celebration of Tropfest’s 20^th anniversary this past Sunday.

Short films directed by actress Toni Collette, actor Anthony LaPaglia, actors/directors Russell Crowe and Liev Schreiber, and directors Alex Proyas, Rachel Ward, John Curran, Ivan Sen, Kieran Darcy-Smith, David Michôd, and Ray Lawrence will be included in Sydney Unplugged.

On Sunday, Polson said of his film, “It’s no secret some hugely talented directors, actors and others either live here or are from here. It’s about time this talent got together to tell stories that showcase one of the world’s most beautiful cities. The people that have stepped up to take part in this project are beyond our wildest dreams.”

Via The Hollywood Reporter.

Netflix Makes Multi-Year Streaming Deal with Weinstein Company

Lauren Marra, GotchaMovies — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:00:00 -0600

The streaming giant Netflix clinched a deal with the Weinstein Company to make their foreign language, documentary, and a select few other movies exclusively available to their Watch Instantly members.

Probably the biggest movie they scored off the bat is The Artist, as it will be making its pay TV debut on Netflix instead of cable. The Best Picture Nominee is just one of the many movies the Weinstein brothers will be making available to Netflix; Coriolanus, The Intouchables, W.E., and a host of documentary films will also be coming to the streaming service.

Harvey Weinstein made a statement congratulating Netflix on its “fantastic coup…in acquiring The Artist and the package of additional titles.” He also expressed his pleasure in providing “a supremely convenient way [for consumers] to see the kinds of movies that made us want to be in the business in the first place”.

The deal is obviously good news for Netflix’s streaming service, as it will be losing its biggest provider of new movies, Starz, at the end of February.

Antonio Banderas to be Pablo Picasso in 33 Days

Lauren Marra, GotchaMovies — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:55:00 -0600

Antonio Banderas has signed on to play the famous artist Pablo Picasso in a docudrama called 33 Days. The film will be set in 1937, when Picasso spent 33 days painting his iconic mural, “Guernica”.

The mural was painted by Picasso after the decimation for the Spanish town of the same name during the height of the Spanish Civil War, capturing the horror of conflict. In the film, the painting of the mural will be part of Banderas overcoming a “personal crisis…in his romantic relationship with French artist Dora Maar.” His love interest has yet to be cast.

Banderas has interesting links to the famed artist; he was born in Málaga, Spain, which is also the hometown of Picasso. Even more coincidental, Banderas was born four blocks from where Picasso was.

The film, which will be in both Spanish and French, will be directed by Carlos Saura, who has done a host of Spanish-language films. Shooting will be underway this summer in both Guernica and Paris on an $8 million budget. The crew will also include multiple Academy Award-winning cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, who won awards for his work on Apocalypse Now, Reds, and The Last Emperor.

Disney Releases Poster for Tim Burton's Frankenweenie

Kerry Miller, GotchaMovies — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:48:00 -0600

Disney and director Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Alice in Wonderland) have teamed up for an upcoming stop-motion, animated film called Frankenweenie. The movie is scheduled to open on October 5, 2012 and its first poster was released this week.

Frankenweenie is a follow-up on a short film that Burton created in 1984.

The short is a take on Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein tale with a young boy, Victor, trying to bring his deceased daschund, Sparky, back to life. Unfortunately, Victor’s experiment goes wrong when a re-born Sparky gets loose and wreaks havoc on their town.

Actors voicing the characters in Frankenweenie include Martin Short and Winona Ryder.

Via Collider.

Frankenweenie Movie Poster

The New Trailer for American Reunion Hits!

Zac Hornsey, GotchaMovies — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0600

Check out the brand new trailer for American Reunion, the fourth installment in the American Pie franchise.

In the comedy, all the "American Pie" characters we met a little more than a decade ago are returning to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. In one long-overdue weekend, they will discover what has changed, who hasn't and that time and distance can't break the bonds of friendship. It was summer 1999 when four small-town Michigan boys began a quest to lose their virginity. In the years that have passed, Jim and Michelle married while Kevin and Vicky said goodbye. Oz and Heather grew apart, but Finch still longs for Stifler's mom. Now these lifelong friends have come home as adults to reminisce about—and get inspired by—the hormonal teens who launched a comedy legend.

The film returns all the stars including Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Mena Suvari, Tara Reid, Seann William Scott, Chris Klein and Thomas Ian Nicholas.

Watch the trailer below:

American Pie: Reunion | Official Synopsis

In the comedy American Reunion, all the American Pie characters we met a little more than a decade ago are returning to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. In one long-overdue weekend, they will discover what has changed, who hasn’t and that time and distance can’t break the bonds of friendship. It was summer 1999 when four small-town Michigan boys began a quest to lose their virginity. In the years that have passed, Jim and Michelle married while Kevin and Vicky said goodbye. Oz and Heather grew apart, but Finch still longs for Stifler’s mom. Now these lifelong friends have come home as adults to reminisce about—and get inspired by—the hormonal teens who launched a comedy legend.