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Complete list of Winners for the 2012 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards

2012-02-13T09:23:00.000Z

BEST FILM

The Artist

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Tomas Alfredson, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Robyn Slovo, Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughan.

LEADING ACTOR
Jean Dujardin, The Artist

LEADING ACTRESS
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christopher Plummer, Beginners

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Octavia Spencer, The Help

DIRECTOR
The Artist, Michel Hazanavicius

OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER
Tyrannosaur - Paddy Considine (Director), Diarmid Scrimshaw (Producer)

ANIMATED FILM
Rango - Gore Verbinski

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Artist, Michel Hazanavicius

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughan

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
The Skin I Live In - Pedro Almodóvar, Agustin Almodóvar

DOCUMENTARY
Senna - Asif Kapadia

CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Artist - Guillaume Schiffman

PRODUCTION DESIGN
Hugo - Dante Ferretti, Francesca Lo Schiavo

COSTUME DESIGN
The Artist - Mark Bridges

MAKE UP & HAIR
The Iron Lady - Marese Langan

SOUND
Hugo - Philip Stockton, Eugene Gearty, Tom Fleischman, John Midgley

EDITING
Senna - Gregers Sall, Chris King

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2- Tim Burke, John Richardson, Greg Butler, David Vickery

SHORT FILM
Pitch Black Heist - John Maclean, Gerardine O'Flynn

SHORT ANIMATION
A Morning Stroll - Grant Orchard, Sue Goffe

ORIGINAL MUSIC
The Artist - Ludovic Bource

THE ORANGE WEDNESDAYS RISING STAR AWARD (Voted For By The Public)
Adam Deacon

PREVIEWS - February Movies (Limited)

2012-02-02T13:14:00.002Z

The Innkeepers

Set in the venerable Yankee Pedlar Inn, which is about to shut its doors for good after over a century of service. Believed by many to be one of New England's "most haunted hotels," the last remaining employees, Claire and Luke are determined to uncover proof before it shuts down for good. As the Inn's final days draw near, odd guests check in as the pair of minimum wage "ghost hunters" begin to experience strange and alarming events that may ultimately cause them to be mere footnotes in the hotel's long unexplained history.

Written and directed by Ti West, and starring Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, Kelly McGillis and Lena Dunham.

Opens: February 3, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min. Genre: Horror Rated: R

Rampart
Los Angeles, 1999. Officer Dave Brown is a Vietnam vet and a Rampart Precinct cop, who often blurs the lines between right and wrong to maintain his action-hero state of mind. When he gets caught on tape beating a suspect, he finds himself in a personal and emotional downward spiral as the consequences of his past sins and his refusal to change his ways in light of a department-wide corruption scandal seal his fate. Brown internalizes his fear, anguish and paranoia as his world, complete with two ex-wives who are sisters, two daughters, an aging mentor dispensing bad advice, investigators galore, and a series of seemingly random women, starts making less and less sense. In the end, what is left is a human being stripped of all his pretense, machismo, chauvinism, arrogance, sexism, homophobia, racism, aggression, misanthropy; but is it enough to redeem him as a man?

Directed by Oren Moverman and starring Woody Harrelson, Ned Beatty, Ben Foster, Anne Heche, Cynthia Nixon, Ice Cube, Sigourney Weaver, Robin Wright and Steve Buscemi.

Opens: February 10, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 45 min. Genre: Drama, Crime Rated: R

Thin Ice
Con-man insurance salesman Mickey, dangerously at the end of his rope after his wife throws him out of the house, learns that an elderly client named Gorvy has an extremely valuable violin in his possession and is not aware of its worth ($25,000). Desperate for money, Mickey builds a friendship with Gorvy based on the possibility of stealing the violin for money. Complications arise when Mickey hires a small time ex-con named Randy to steal the instrument, and realizes he has bitten off more than he can chew.

Directed by Jill Sprecher and starring Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin and Billy Crudup.

Opens: February 17, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 54 min. Genre: Thriller, Drama, Crime Rated: R

PREVIEWS - February Movies

2012-02-01T21:13:00.002Z

Big Miracle

Based on the 1989 book Freeing the Whales by Tom Rose, which covers Operation Breakthrough, the 1988 international effort to rescue gray whales trapped in ice near Point Barrow, Alaska. Big Miracle follows a non-profit aid worker and a government worker spark romantically as they work together in the effort to free three California gray whales who have become trapped in a hole in the ice of the Arctic Circle.

Directed by Ken Kwapis, and starring Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, Kristen Bell, Dermont Mulroney and Tim Blake Nelson.

Opens: February 3, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 47 min. Genre: Drama, Adventure Rated: PG

Chronicle
Three high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing superhuman abilities. As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control, and their darker sides begin to take over.

Starring Michael B. Jordan, Dane Dehaan, Michael Kelly and Ashley Hinshaw; Chronicle is directed by Joshua Trank.

Opens: February 3, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 23 min. Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Rated: PG

The Woman in Black

Arthur Kipps is widowed lawyer whose grief has endangered his career. When he is sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of recently deceased eccentric, it soon becomes clear that everyone in the town is keeping a terrible secret. Although the locals try to hide the town's tragic history from Kipps, he soon learns that his client's house is haunted by the ghost of a woman who is looking for someone and something she had lost, and until she does, no one is safe from her vengeance.

Based on Susan Hill's "The Woman in Black", directed by James Watkins and starring Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, Janet McTeer, Sophie Stuckey and Liz White.

Opens: February 3, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 35 min. Genre: Horror, Thriller Rated: PG-13

W.E.

In 1998, lonely New Yorker Winthrop is obsessed with what she perceives as the ultimate love story: King Edward VIII's abdication of the British throne for the woman he loved, American divorcee Wallis Simpson. But Winthrop's research, including several visits to the Sotheby's auction of the Windsor Estate, reveals that the couple's life together was not as perfect as she thought. As she learns more about the sacrifices Wallis made in choosing to be with Edward, Wally finds the courage to follow her own heart and create her own happiness. W.E. tells the story of two fragile but determined women – Wally Winthrop and Wallis Simpson – separated for more than six decades.

Co-written, produced and directed by Madonna, W.E. stars Abbie Cornish, James D'Arcy, Andrea Riseborough, Oscar Isaac and James Fox.

Opens: February 3, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 59 min. Genre: Romance, Drama Rated: R

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Intrepid young explorer Sean Anderson follows a mysterious distress signal to a remote island that's not on any map, and embarks on a daring rescue mission while encountering a vast array of mythological creatures in this follow-up to 2008's Journey to the Center of the Earth. Unable to stop him from going, Sean's new stepfather, Hank, joins the quest. Together with a helicopter pilot and his beautiful, strong-willed daughter, they set out to find the island, rescue its lone inhabitant and escape before seismic shockwaves force the island under the sea and bury its treasures forever.

Directed by Brad Peyton, and starring Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Michael Caine, Vanessa Hudgens, Luis Guzman and Kristin Davis.

Opens: February 10, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 34 min. Genre: Adventure, Action Rated: PG

Safe House

When a group of rebel soldiers from the neighboring region destroy a CIA-operated safe house, the facility's young house-sitter must work to move the criminal who is being hidden there to another secure location.

Directed by Daniel Espinosa, Safe House stars Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard, Vera Farmiga and Sebastian Roché.

Opens: February 10, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 55 min. Genre: Action, Thriller Rated: R

The Vow

Paige and Leo are a happy newlywed couple whose lives are changed by a car accident that puts Paige in a coma. Waking up with severe memory loss, Paige has no memory of Leo, a confusing relationship with her parents, and an ex-fiance she may still have feelings for. Despite these complications, Leo endeavors to win her heart again and rebuild their marriage.

Inspired by true events, The Vow is directed by Michael Sucsy and stars Channing Tatum, Rachel McAdams, Scott Speedman, Sam Neill and Jessica Lange.

Opens: February 10, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 44 min. Genre: Romance, Drama Rated: PG-13

This Means War

Two of the world's deadliest CIA operatives are inseparable partners and best friends - until they discover that they've fallen in love with the same woman. Deciding to keep their friendship a secret from her, they pull out their full arsenal of fighting skills and high-tech gadgetry to defeat their greatest enemy - each other.

Directed by McG, and starring Tom Hardy, Chris Pine, Reese Witherspoon and Chelsea Handler.

Opens: February 14, 2012 Runtime: 2 hr. 0 min. Genre: Comedy, Action Rated: PG-13

Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance

Former stuntman and bounty hunter of rogue demons Johnny Blaze has been living in self-imposed exile, believing that his powers are a curse. But when he is approached by a member of a monastic order who is looking for someone to protect a mother and her son, who are being pursued by the devil in the figure of a man named Roarke, the Ghost Rider takes the case.

Directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor; and starring Nicholas Cage, Ciarán Hinds, Idris Elba, Johnny Whitworth and Violante Placido.

Opens: February 17, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 35 min. Genre: Action, Adventure Rated: PG-13

The Secret World Of Arrietty

Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered. Arrietty, a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper. Like all little people, Arrietty remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to "borrow" scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts. But when 12-year-old Shawn, a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty's family from the home and straight into danger.

Based on Mary Norton's fantasy novel The Borrowers, The Secret World Of Arrietty is a United States - english dub of the Japanese animated movie "The Borrower Arrietty" written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa. With the voice cast that features Bridgit Mendler, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett and David Henrie.

Opens: February 17, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 20 min. Genre: Animated, Adventure, Fantasy Rated: G

Gone

When her sister disappears, Jill is convinced the serial killer who kidnapped her two years ago has returned, and she sets out to once again face her abductor.

Directed by Heitor Dhalia and starring Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Carpenter, Sebastian Stan and Michael Paré

Opens: February 24, 2012 Runtime: n/a Genre: Thriller Rated: PG-13

Good Deeds

A successful, wealthy businessman, Wesley Deeds has always done what's expected of him, whether it's assuming the helm of his father's company, tolerating his brother's misbehavior at the office or planning to marry his beautiful but restless fiancee, Natalie. But Wesley is jolted out of his predictable routine when he meets Lindsey, a down-on-her-luck single mother who works on the cleaning crew in his office building. When he offers to help her get back on her feet, the chance encounter with someone so far outside his usual circle ignites something in Wesley. This one good deed may finally spark his courage to exchange the life that's expected of him for the life he's always really wanted.

Written, produced, directed and starring Tyler Perry; Thandie Newton, Brian J. White, Rebecca Romijn, Ne-Yo, Jamie Kennedy and Gabrielle Union.

Opens: February 24, 2012 Runtime: 2 hr. 9 min. Genre: Drama, Romance Rated: PG-13

Wanderlust

After an urban couple purchases a place in New York, the husband loses his job. With no other options, the couple leaves for Georgia to live with family. Along the way, they stay at a bed and breakfast hotel that turns out to be a hippie commune.

Diurected by David Wain and starring Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, Justin Theroux, Malin Åkerman and Ray Liotta

Opens: February 24, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min. Genre: Comedy Rated: R

Complete list of Winners from the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

2012-01-30T10:49:00.002Z

MOVIE:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Viola Davis, "The Help"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture : "The Help"

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2"

TELEVISION:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie Or Miniseries: Paul Giamatti, "Too Big to Fail"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie Or Miniseries: Kate Winslet, "Mildred Pierce"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Betty White, "Hot in Cleveland"

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: "Boardwalk Empire"

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: "Modern Family"

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series: "Game of Thrones"

Screen Actors Guild Awards 48th Annual Life Achievement Award: Mary Tyler Moore

Day #66 - Breakfast at Tiffany's

2012-01-28T14:52:00.000Z

"Promise me one thing: don't take me home until I'm drunk - very drunk indeed."

Movie #66

Breakfast at Tiffany's
I first heard the song - "moon river" while watching the TV movie "The Audrey Hepburn Story" and frankly I was blown away; a couple of years later after seeing this movie, I was sold.

This is a fabulous romantic comedy which involves two damaged (a hopeless party girl and a gigolo) people finding love, with lots of smoking, drinking and an adorable cat named "Cat."
This is a stylish movie that views New York's high style through Audrey Hepburn's iconic performance as Holly Golightly, whose very presence and charm is delivered in a delightful manner.

This 1961 classic is still very much enjoyable, just as long as you fast forward Mickey Rooney's scenes.

FYI - The final scene in the movie with Holly and Paul looking for "Cat" together in the rain is truly an epic moment in cinema history.

Movie #65 - Casino

2012-01-27T15:48:00.000Z

"In the casino, the cardinal rule is to keep them playing and to keep them coming back. The longer they play, the more they lose, and in the end, we get it all" - Sam "Ace" Rothstein

Day #65

Casino
Another gangster epic from Martin Scorsese, that offers a stylish view on how the mob ran the casinos bask in the '70s. Casino feels like a documentary with its detailing, but you never fully get to understand the plot; instead you view it with awe.

With an arsenal of brilliant performances Casino delivers in a magnificent manner; from Robert De Niro's role as Ace Rothstein to Joe Pesci's Nicky Santoro, you get this invitation to experience how things were done back then and how much money was going to the mob bosses who were also represented in fine details. Then Sharon Stone, whose portrayal as Ginger, a true hustler in Vegas, was absolutely brilliant.

Intense, brilliantly directed, glamorous, detailed, well acted, intoxicating and violent! Now that's how you portray movies about gangsters.

A really good movie.

"No matter how big a guy might be, Nicky would take him on. You beat Nicky with fists, he comes back with a bat. You beat him with a knife, he comes back with a gun. And if you beat him with a gun, you better kill him, because he'll keep comin' back and back until one of you is dead."

Movie #64 - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2012-01-26T14:42:00.000Z

Day #64

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
It's dark, chilling, thrilling, captivating .. and it's got Rooney Mara!

This David Fincher remake is quite riveting as it explores some really awful details of sexual abuse. While the real star of the movie, Rooney Mara steals every scene with her wholesome commitment to her character, Lisbeth Salander, and her capacity to deliver a chilling and hypnotic performance, causing you to be glued to her through out the movie.

And Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist was the moral and rational center of a movie filled with really mysterious characters who seem to hold dark secrets.

Upon watching The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you'd definitely feel a bit violated yet asking for more, now that's fine movie-making.

A real suspense.

Movie #63 - Tropic Thunder

2012-01-25T16:14:00.000Z

Day #63

Tropic Thunder
If you so much as don't even smirk at the end of this movie ... then you must not have a sense of humor! Because this is one of the funniest movies of the past decade.

This movie relied heavily on the comic prowess of its actors who brought to screen some really twisted "prima donna actors". While Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Jay Baruchel, Brandon T. Jackson, Danny McBride and Reggie Lee were quite funny; these guys - Robert Downey Jr., Brandon Soo Hoo and Tom Cruise - made Tropic Thunder a comic hit. RDJ as Kirk Lazarus (the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude) and Cruise as Les Grossman are two really really really funny characters, their scenes instantly lightened the movie as both actors really stepped up their game.

Tom Cruise as Les Grossman

Tropic Thunder is a unique mockumentary in the way it introduces the characters and plays on the lengths an actor would go to portray a character, also including the serious insecurities these "stars" have. It also has some really wild special effects which complemented the movie well especially when it began to wear out.

A really funny movie.

Complete List of the Nominees for the 84th Academy Awards

2012-01-24T16:06:00.001Z

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

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

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

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

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

The Tree of Life Emmanuel Lubezki

War Horse Janusz Kaminski

Costume Design

Anonymous Lisy Christl

The Artist Mark Bridges

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

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

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

Hugo Thelma Schoonmaker

Moneyball Christopher Tellefsen

Foreign Language Film

Bullhead Belgium

Footnote Israel

In Darkness Poland

Monsieur Lazhar Canada

A Separation Iran

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

Music (Original Score)

The Adventures of Tintin John Williams

The Artist Ludovic Bource

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Separation Written by Asghar Farhadi

The 84th Academy Awards will air on Sunday, February 26, 2012.

Movie #62 - Inception

2012-01-24T14:01:00.000Z

Day #62

Inception
Smart, Intellectual, Emotional, Riveting, Thrilling and above all ... Genius! These are the words that best describe -- Inception,

Christopher Nolan (writer, co-producer and director) who has proved himself time and again with his brand of movies, once again presented the world with one of the most unusual movies of our time; a movie about dreams and ... thieves! He uses this movie to explore the labyrinth of the mind in an unconscious state and elaborates on its capabilities.

Then to the technical department, the guys that picked four Academy Awards for their efforts were astounding; the special effects literally invigorated the movie, coupled with the cinematography which certainly pulled us into a state where we begin to question reality.

Finally, the cast -- you've got Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine and Marion Cotillard -- who really brought this project to life with their performances; especially DiCaprio whose role as a deeply (emotionally) wounded hero was fantastic.

This 2010 blockbuster was both a critical and box office hit; But it's the final shot of the movie that shows Nolan's genius. A true intellectual Masterpiece.

FYI - Joseph Gordon-Levitt's outfits were sweet!

#Movie 61 - Riding in Cars with Boys

2012-01-23T21:33:00.000Z

"You want my permission to use a small amount of heroine forever?"

Day #61

Riding in Cars with Boys
Based on a true story by Beverly Donofrio, Riding in Cars with Boys is a really touching, sometimes funny and unbelievable movie.

The highest praise for this movie should and deservedly goes to Steve Zahn for his portrayal of Ray with his brilliant performance and sensational humour; this is a beautiful yet emotional movie that's closer to the truth than we'd like to admit.

"that which doesn't kill you makes you want to die"

Movie #60 - The Social Network

2012-01-22T15:12:00.000Z

"We lived on farms, then we lived in cities, and now we're going to live on the internet!"

Day #60

The Social Network
One word to explain this movie -- "Ambitious" (in a brilliant manner that is)

A Great Movie

I was blown away by the total awesomeness of this movie and the manner through which the story is told is really brilliant.

There are a few people to commend - First, Jesse Eisenberg portrayal of Zuckerberg is absolutely amazing, at first the not-so-likeable character; whom you end up sympathizing with. Then Andrew Garfield, who seems like a really nice guy, whose role as Eduardo Saverin was sympathy-inducing; also there's Armie Hammer whose swagger was undeniable as the Winklevoss twins.

Then on to the men that really made the movie work -- Aaron Sorkin (Writer) and David Fincher (Director) brought about a very intriguing story to life embedded with a very intellectual, sharp,dark and funny screenplay. The manner through which the story was told is the movie's strongest point.

NB - The part with the chicken eating chicken was really brilliant! Now that's some really funny stuff.

Day #59 - The Godfather Part II

2012-01-21T00:53:00.000Z

"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."

Movie #59

The Godfather Part II
Usually with sequels -- it's either bad or better than its predecessor. But that's not the case as The Godfather Part II is on par with Part I, most thanks to the brilliance of Robert De Niro who did a superb job playing a young up and coming Vito Corleone.

Also, Al Pacino was incredible, (although he was over shadowed by Marlon Brando in Part I), his character mature on-screen beautifully -- shame the Academy Awards had to pass on him for Best Actor.

Following in the theme of its predecessor, Part II is a bit dark when following Michael (Pacino)part of the story but it still resonates a Family/Mafia theme mixed with a little dash of survival, a really really brilliant movie.

One of the greatest movies ever made.

Movie #58 - War Horse

2012-01-20T00:50:00.000Z

Day #58

War Horse
Honestly the sole reason for me viewing this movie was its director -- Steven Spielberg!

For a movie about a horse (which am not a big fan of .. am more of a dog person), I am sure glad to experience such an amazing story. Fully old fashioned (down to the money -- guineas?), heart warming and above all its direction.

The mise-en-scène is quite brilliant as we get to experience the madness of war through a horse's ordeal. The detailing of this movie is quite unbelievable, and in true Spielberg fashion comic moments were carefully implanted -- especially where a British and German soldier work together and then decide on a coin toss who gets to take the horse.

In general, this is more than a story about a horse ... it's a Spielberg classic!

#57 - Spirited Away

2012-01-19T22:33:00.000Z

Movie #57, Day #57

Spirited Away
I have a piece of history with this wonderful experience.

The best way to describe Hayao Miyazaki's fantasy adventure is found on it's poster - Beauty, Power, Mystery and above all Heart, and that's just what Spirited Away leaves you with.

Spirited Away's power is in its story and the characters that shape it. And Chihiro is one of the bravest and strongest characters ever!

This 2003 Oscar winner caused me to miss a test (high school) and .... it was totally worth (or was it?)

This isn't just a great animated movie ... but one of the best movies ever made!

PS - The closing song - Always With Me (いつも何度でも Itsumo Nando demo) by Youmi Kimura - is absolutely fantastic.

Movie #56 - Zodiac

2012-01-18T23:00:00.000Z

Day #56

Zodiac
This is a movie about the hunt for a serial killer that focuses less on the killer and his victims; rather on the various characters that defined the investigation that ensued; which remains unsolved. Fantastic thriller.

This is one absorbing movie that sucks you in from the very beginning and it makes you think about the possibility of them actually catching the zodiac killer, making you forget that this one movie ends with the bad guy never being caught. And Harris Savides' cinematography is richly authentic deserves the most praise.

Finally director, David Fincher's mode of story telling here is quite wonderful especially where he used the construction of a skyscraper to explain time lapse. And as for the acting, Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo were really good, as Robert Downey Jr. was somewhat exhausting.

A fine mystery.

Movie #55 - Iron Man

2012-01-17T22:49:00.000Z

Day #55

Iron Man
One thing you'll learn after watching this movie is -- Robert Downey Jr. is friggin awesome!!! He totally is Tony Stark!

Then acting as his nemesis Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stain was really really amazing, he totally sold the whole retribution theme that his character was about. Plus the beard just made him look super cool and mature.

The Jon Favreau approach -- his modern and realistic approach was really absorbing. Then the effects ... Superb!

A really entertaining ride. Bravo!

One of the best super hero origin-story ever made, certainly the coolest.

Day #54 - The King's Speech

2012-01-16T20:43:00.000Z

Bertie - No matter how this turns out, I don’t know how to thank you for what you’ve done.
Lionel - Knighthood?

Movie #54

The King's Speech
"Rich, Excellent and Fantastic" these are the words that best describe the best movie of 2010 -- It's got four Academy Awards, seven BAFTAs, two SAGs and a Golden Globe to prove it.

The biggest praise goes to Colin Firth for a grand performance as King George VI aka Bertie. He nailed the stutter and posture perfectly. And Geoffrey Rush was absolutely amazing as Lionel Logue, his witty and clever remarks shed a metaphorical light on the entire movie; really impressive acting. Then Helena Bonham Carter as Elizabeth (Bertie's wife) is quite a change from her usual roles; her demeanour was filled with grace, charm, warmth and love.

Then, director, Tom Hooper was brilliant in shooting this movie, he carried his audience along literally -- cause it felt like I was in the room especially with scenes involving Firth and Rush. Then the mise-en-scène, the suits, locations and set design really followed the entire mood of the movie. Amazing stuff!

And finally, that script! Wow! This was a movie primarily about the words and the screenplay justified it. No surprise for it's Oscar win.

In all The King's Speech was a commercial and critical success -- which is as good as it gets.

A Great Movie

Complete list of Winners from the 69th Golden Globes Awards (Movies)

2012-01-16T18:28:00.000Z

Picture, Drama: "The Descendants."

Picture, Musical or Comedy: "The Artist."

Actor, Drama: George Clooney, "The Descendants."

Actress, Drama: Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady."

Director: Martin Scorsese, "Hugo."

Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jean Dujardin, "The Artist."

Actress, Musical or Comedy: Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn."

Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, "Beginners."

Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, "The Help."

Foreign Language: "A Separation."

Animated Film: "The Adventures of Tintin."

Screenplay: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris."

Original Score: Ludovic Bource, "The Artist."

Original Song: "Masterpiece" (music and lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry), "W.E."

Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award: Morgan Freeman.

Movie #53 - Unstoppable

2012-01-15T22:00:00.000Z

Connie: Excuse me, can u help me?
Frank: Connie?
Connie: I can't decided which one of you I have to kiss first.
Frank: Me.

Day #53

Unstopppable
It's tense, thrilling, invigorating, noisy, cool action scenes and above all totally awesome!

The cast - Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson and 777 (the TRAIN) - were amazing! Tony Scott's direction was really engaging and as 777 got faster, the tension just kept rising.

Though not a great movie, Unstoppable is simply entertaining and it does this remarkably well.

Movie #52 - Air Force One

2012-01-14T19:56:00.000Z

"Get off my plane"

Day #52

Air Force One
I was not planning on seeing this movie till I stumbled upon it and remembered how awesome it was -- c'mon Harrison Ford as the "Ass Kicking" President of the United States and Gary Oldman.

This Wolfgang Petersen directed thriller was fast paced and quite fun, with a few comic moments when the movie was beginning to become a drag; plus really cool special effects.

And then Gary Oldman, the real star of the movie - no offense to Ford's pivotal performance- but Oldman killed it as Egor Korshunov, in a calm yet ruthless manner.

Day #51 - Ratatouille

2012-01-13T13:47:00.000Z

"Anyone can cook"

Movie #51

Ratatouille
This a movie about food and ..... rats!

And beyond this, Ratatouille is a wonderful movie in every manner -- Story, Character Design, Music, Food Design, Script and Animation. But it's strongest points are it's characters, the story and Paris.

Characters like Remy (rat), Ego, Linguini, Skinner, Emile (rat), Gusteau and Django (Remy's father, also rat) were mind blowing and the story is just amazing. You have to see it to know it! (winner - Best Animated Feature 2007 Academy Awards)

Thank You Pixar for such a wonderful experience and for making rats cool!

The Perfect Movie.

#50 - The Hurt Locker

2012-01-12T13:46:00.000Z

“The Rush of Battle is often a potent and lethal addiction, for war is a drug”

- Chris Hedges

Movie #50, Day #50

The Hurt Locker
Everything about this movie is intense (especially its direction and acting), and that's just how it should be.

Kathryn Bigelow did an amazing job with her direction of this remarkable movie, her shots were suspense filled that really engaged the viewer. Little surprise in her winning the Academy Award for Best Director.
Then the acting - Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie were absolutely amazing, their interactions was invigorating. Renner especially was fantastic in the portrayal of his character, Sergeant James.

Then the script, which was well written by Mark Boal (also won an Academy Award for this), is compelling; accompanied by a really brilliant cinematographer whose shots were raw and intense making the movie very much realistic. And the special effects for the though minimal was absolutely perfect.

The best movie to describe the war in Iraq.

FYI: The Hurt Locker won a total of 98 awards, including 6 Academy Awards.

Movie #49 - The Dark Knight

2012-01-11T14:42:00.000Z

Day #49

The Dark Knight
This is not just the best comic/superhero movie ever made; but one of the best movies ever!

Everything about this movie was great:

Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker is out of the world - demented, psychotic, dark and bat-sh*t crazy! (no pun intended) Definitely one of the best villains in movie history.
Aaron Eckhart's portrayal of Harvey Dent/Two-Face was moving, as he was the backbone of the movie.
The Script is absolutely brilliant, as the words were designed for specific purposes and then later beautifully put together to tell a much more interesting story.
The Director - Chris Nolan really steeped up his game, his clever mix of the principal characters and their stories is genius. Impressive action scenes, plus those shots of the Hong Kong skyline were brilliant.

And finally, the Marketing -- "I Believe in Harvey Dent" is simply my favourite.

A truly impressive movie; "I believe whatever doesn't kill you only makes you strange." - The Joker.

Movie #48 - V for Vendetta

2012-01-10T13:41:00.000Z

Day #48

V for Vendetta
For a comic book adaptation, V for Vendetta is really artistic ( a factor that is usually forgone in such adaptations); and the principal character "V" is really brilliant.

For a movie about a guy with zero super powers and is not stupendously rich, taking on the big guy (government) is quite refreshing; and Hugo Weaving (whose face is not revealed for the entirety of the movie) really delivered with his voice, whose pitch was perfectly portrayed and charismatic; quite a brilliant performance.

Then, the bad guys -- The Government is a good portrayal of its acts and how the people (who they claim to represent) disagree; the manner through which its being run is somewhat similar to the Nazi, hence its takedown by V much more entertaining. Plus, John Hurt's role as the High Chancellor was

And Natalie Portman was fantastic, as she carries the audience through her character's, Evey Hammond, transformation remarkably well.

Warning: Do not attempt to fight your government in this manner, because you would definitely loose; instead protest -- the past year has proved its effectiveness.