Brothers

Tobey MaGuire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman turn in very very strong performances in this 2009 movie about a family that goes through a torrid time when Sam(Maguire) who is on his 4th Tour in Afghanistan goes missing and is presumed dead. Grace(Portman) tries to hold her family together and gets help from Tommy(Gyllenhaal), Sam's brother who is just out of jail.

When Sam is found alive and is brought back into their lives, but no one is the same again. Uncomfortable wouldn't start to describe it.

It was a strong story, with emotional performances by the 3 leads. One of the better movies of 2009 i'd say.

Verdict : very impressed

Invictus

a simple tale about a complicated phase of a nations history, wrapped around a global sporting event, in this case the IRB Rugby World Cup 2005. Clint Eastwood displays his usual strengths in portraying both Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon in the roles which portrayed the two protagonists of this journey.

A steady pace to the movie, very real feel to the occurrences on screen and stellar performances by the two leads (well worth the Academy Award nominations) give this vehicle enough mileage to keep you enthralled for the whole 2 hours. I found the dialogues simple yet meaningful, and in keep with the situation (meaning it wasn't too hollywood-ish). I also enjoyed the South African accents... a welcome from the basic LA fare.

One downside would be the finale game, which could have been more heightened in suspense, but it was good enough an attempt to keep you rooting for South Africa!.

Verdict : strong themed movie i'd probably enjoy again

and the winners are:

The full list of the 2010 Oscar winners from Oscar.com, the official site of the 82nd Academy Awards

Best Picture


The Hurt Locker

Directing

• 

  Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker

Actor in a Leading Role

• 

  Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart

Actor in a Supporting Role

• 

  Christoph Waltz -Inglourious Basterds

Actress in a Leading Role

• 

  Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

Actress in a Supporting Role

• 

  Mo'Nique -Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Animated Feature Film

• 

  Up -Pete Docter

Art Direction

• 

  Avatar

Cinematography

• 

  Avatar

Costume Design

• 

  The Young Victoria

Documentary Feature

• 

  The Cove

Documentary Short

• 

  Music by Prudence

Film Editing

• 

  The Hurt Locker

Foreign Language Film

• 

  The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)

  Argentina
  

Makeup

• 

  Star Trek

Music (Original Score)

• 

  Up -Michael Giacchino

Music (Original Song)

• 

  Crazy Heart -"The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)"
  

  Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Short Film (Animated)

• 

  Logorama

Short Film (Live Action)

• 

  The New Tenants

Sound Editing

• 

  The Hurt Locker

Sound Mixing

• 

  The Hurt Locker

Visual Effects

• 

  Avatar

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

• 

  Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Writing (Original Screenplay)

• 

  The Hurt Locker

  
  

Oscar fever is upon us!

It's tonight (if u're in the US) and tomorrow morning (here in Asia). So who'll it be? who are your favs? Will it be Cameron or Bigelow? Bullock or Streep? would the rumoured runaways winners be halted in mid-stride? who knows? Would Avatar take all 9 (non-acting) awards they're nominated for? Or Hurt Locker in their 10 categories? Precious (6) , Up(5), Up In The Air(6) all look to spoil the party for the earlier mentioned two.

You can use the ballot page above (obtained from the official Oscar.com page) to keep track!

For a full list of nominees : > see here.

Alice in 3D Wonderland

Well everyone knows the original story. Little gal falls down a rabbit hole, meets an odd assortment of personalities, has a grand adventure and so on so forth. Now take that story, and give it a master twist of a sequel, and you have Tim Burton's 2010 Alice in Wonderland!

Set 13 years after the original adventure, Alice goes back and boy what a journey. Only in Burton's imagination captured on screen gives this tale a colourful and wacky setting, and add to this mixture talents like Johhny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Crispin Glover, Anna Hathaway with the voices of Alan Rickman, Michael Sheen, and Stephen Fry to name a few, it worked superbly with newcomer Mia Wasikowska a good chance to shine.

Oh yes, Depp does an excellent job as he always does when he's with Burton.

Now GSC Gurney Plaza's 3D does give much concern for grief, what with the tiny hall and limited seating, i couldn't really enjoy the whole experience. But , i guess we beggars can't be choosers. In comparison to the other 3D experience, yes yes the all time biggest grossing hit so far, this one had more things flying at you (could be Disney's effort to ensure the kids stay entertained) and is a tad bit dark (mood, not lighting in the cinema). Would it be more fun in 2D? I suppose so, but i thoroughly enjoyed the 3D version. Now i can't wait to finish sampling the compilation soundtrack inspired by this tale (Almost Alice).

Verdict : Loved it!

Double header viewing

In view of the recent excitement of the Winter Olympics and the Hockey matches shown, I was in the mood for one of my more favorite hockey movies! So, as it was another off day, what better to do then to pop in the DVD !

This movie has loads of plus points. From the Aussie playing a sheriff of an Alaskan town, to the huge ensemble cast, to the build-up leading to the arrival of the NY Giants to play pond hockey, to a wonderful ending. This story of an underdog town is well made, with a good flow and injected at the right moments with comedy and drama, and ends up being a really good feel good movie.

From the director of the Austin Powers movies, this tale is sure to entertain.



This recent fare from Nicholas Cage had some rave reviews about his role, and it didn't disappoint.

Loosely (very) based on the 1992 Harvey Keitel starer, this one has Cage in the title role as a cop who end up injuring his back while saving a convict post-hurricane in New Orleans. He ends up with an addiction to the pain killers, and soon starts to spiral out of control, moving onto recreation drugs. Add to this mix, his gambling problem, his link to a prostitute (Eva Mendes) and a multiple homicide involving a local drug lord (Xzibit).

i was impressed, and have got to agree that this is surely one of Cage's best work. and upon checking, there are a lot of critics out there who have this movie listed in their top 10 of 09. Which makes me wonder, how did Cage not get nominated for the Oscars?

Verdict : good flick. very worthwhile!

From Paris With Love

a Luc Besson movie.. hhmm all action right? well it's pretty hilarious as well! a goody goody embassy staffer wants to get into the 'real'action, but when it comes calling in the form of maniacally impulsive secret agent Charlie Wax (Travolta) , well lets say the fun starts and hits the ground running at 100 miles per hour!

it's not that strong a story, predictable (nowadays which one isn't) but Travolta steals all the spotlight with his wacky antics and superb one-liners (Miyagi would be proud)!

thoroughly enjoyed it! action packed, good comedy, and scenic paris. good fun!

Verdict : enjoy it if your in the mood for fast action