Firstly, The Hurt Locker beat Avatar in every major category including best film and director. It just shows Britain knows that isn’t 3D and special effects that make excellent movies, but the overall craftsmanship. Katheryn Bigelow was incredibly humble accepting both awards, and they were thoroughly deserved!

It was obvious that the best actor/actress awards were going to go to British actors, BAFTA always tries to keep it as British as possible. Colin Firth’s was definitely well deserved and I think the only person that can pass Jeff Bridges for the Oscar gong, but that’s unlikely. His speech was great too, thank God for the fridge guy! Carey Mulligan… hm. I like her, and she was so grateful to have won but I think her strong supporting cast made her look better in An Education. Plus, no one else in the category could win it, I mean, Meryl Streep is too popular and successful, Gabourey Sidibe is unknown, Saoirse Ronan in unknown and the Lovely Bones has crashed and burned this awards season, and Audrey Tautou was a bit of a random choice. This aside, they both did deserve it.

The obvious and right people won the best supporting actor and actress awards. Christoph Waltz again, provided a wonderful speech that actually sounded intelligent as opposed to the classic “I’d like to thank…”. Mo’Nique of course would win for Precious, its a shame she wasn’t there, but I still feel loyalty to Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick who looked amazing tonight and were just as good as Clooney in Up in the Air. There would be no justice in the world if Mo’Nique didn’t get it though.

Kristen Stewart should not have won the BAFTA rising star award. It should’ve been any of the others, but these hardcore Twilight fans voted and voted and Kristen got the gong. I don’t say she shouldn’t have won because she isn’t a good actress, she isn’t that terrible, but she is truly is the most miserable, ungrateful person I think I’ve ever come across. She showed absolutely no appreciation for the award and only thanked the Twilight fans as opposed to the British public. It’ll be interesting to see her present the award next year! Hopefully she’ll be in brighter spirits! Although I doubt that very much.

I’m glad Up in the Air won best adapted screenplay, it deserves to win something as it is such a charming film. It seems as if BAFTA and the Golden Globes have picked up on this, but will Oscar agree? It was also good to see The Hurt Locker win best original screenplay. Notice that The Hurt Locker was nominated in practically every category, whereas Avatar hasn’t been nominated in acting or writing categories. More proof that The Hurt Locker is better.

Up won best animation and best score – hoorah! It would have been blasphemous to have it any other way, a truly remarkable piece of cinema and probably one of the best animated films ever made. To be fair though, the only film that could possibly top it is Coraline.

Finally, Vanessa Redgrave’s speech. It was lovely. She really did treasure her award, and she was so gracious and humble when accepting it. It did drag on a tad, but she’s old, she’s allowed to ramble; and I was expecting a mention of her daughters (especially Natasha) but I suppose that would’ve been too painful for her and tainted the happiness of her honorary award.

So all in all, the BAFTAs was a successful night, the worst part being Jonathan Ross, and I hate saying that because I love Jonathan Ross but he just shouldn’t try and be funny to serious people. ACTORS DON’T LAUGH AT AWARD SHOWS. Ricky Gervais had the same problem at the Golden Globes, actors don’t have a sense of humour when it comes to award shows, they have to be straight jacket serious and look important. They have damaged ego’s they can’t help it. Aside from that, the BAFTAs were an overall success and awards season is almost at its end, but not until the most important film night of the year hits us. March 7th, the 82nd Academy Awards hosted by Alec Baldwin and Steve Martins. Its going to be fabulous!

As the Best Picture category has been bumped up from 5 to 10 nominations this year, the competition is even more fierce for who will get the biggest award of the night. The obvious choice is Avatar as its the highest grossing movie of all time and has received insanely good reviews from critics. I personally think this should stop Avatar from winning best picture as its already achieved amazing success, and probably isn’t the best film of the year narrative wise. This however juxtaposes with The Hurt Locker, which paints a solid, realistic picture of the lives of soldiers in the Iraq war. An Education, A Serious Man, The Blind Side, District 9 & Up  have all gained the recognition they wouldn’t have last year, but none of them will win. It will be Avatar that will win, but I’m routing for A Serious Man, Up in the Air & The Hurt Locker.

The Best Director winner will determine the best picture winner, as it does every year. I think everyone knows that James Cameron will snap up this one for Avatar, and he does deserve to a degree as he knows the art to making the most successful movies of all time (I mean, remember that film Titanic?). Personally, I think Kathryn Bigelow, the former wife of James Cameron, should win for The Hurt Locker as its one of the most visually unsettling yet stunning pieces of cinema made in the last 10 years! Jason Reitman won’t win for Up in the Air, he’s far too indie to achieve that yet! Quentin Tarantino is too popular and Inglorious isn’t his best, and who is Lee Daniels?

Best Actor/Actress. I’m not surprised by the best actor nominations. They’re all fantastic actors, they all deserve it in one way or another; although Morgan Freeman should only win cos its blasphemy that he hasn’t won an Oscar for best actor. I think the award will either go to Jeff Bridges or Colin Firth, and to be honest, I don’t mind who wins it. They’re both amazing, especially in these roles, but I think Bridges will get it! THE DUDE ABIDES! Best actress wise I am slightly more surprised. Meryl Streep was an obvious choice, she’s amazing in every way. Sandra Bullock wasn’t a surprise and neither was Gabourey Sidibe, but Helen Mirren and Carey Mulligan? SERIOUSLY? Wasn’t expecting that at all! Its a toss up between Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock, and I’m routing for the Bullock! Yes, she was in the worst film ever, All About Steve, but she is the best and I love her! Plus, Meryl’s won before and this is her 16th Oscar nomination, she doesn’t need anymore!

Its obvious who’s gonna win the Best Supporting Actor/Actress awards, Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds, and Mo’nique for Precious. The best supporting actor one I’m routing for, Waltz was a badman in Inglorious! Also, none of the others are worthy of an Oscar gong. Even though from what I’ve seen Mo’nique is amazing in Precious, I’m routing for the Up in the Air girls! Vera Farmiga has so much emotional depth as Alex and I have just generally loved her since I saw her in The Departed, and Anna Kendrick is brilliant as the sharp, young souled Natalie. I’d love to see her win as its proves she’s not just human girl who isn’t the lead from Twilight. But yeah, it’ll be Mo’nique and Christoph Waltz that win these!

Adapted screenplay will go to either Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner for Up in the Air, or Geoffrey Fletcher for Precious. UP IN THE AIR, UP IN THE AIR, UP IN THE AIR! I want Jason Reitman to win at least one Oscar for this film, its too good! Original screenplay should go to Mark Boal or Joel & Ethan Coen for The Hurt Locker and A Serious Man. It’ll either be Mark Boal or Bob Peterson and Peter Docter for Up.

Finally, Best Animated Picture. Its obvious and it thoroughly deserves it… UP, UP, UP, UP, UP!!! The most heart breaking and beautiful Pixar film to date, with the best opening 10 minutes in film history (and thats not an exaggeration, its beautiful stuff not to mention emotional), Up is a masterpiece that deserves all recognition. If any films snags it, it’ll be Coraline. Up should also win Best Original Score!

So, there are my predictions for the main Oscar nominations. I don’t care so much about the technical stuff, even though I’m curious to see who will win! I’ll probably tweet throughout the night on March 7th, either in agreement or despair as the 82nd Academy Awards take place at the Kodak Theatre in LA; and I’ll post my reaction to the night’s winners on here after I get back from school – thats if I don’t fall asleep!

First of all, Avatar winning the biggest awards: best director and best motion picture; drama. Yes, it has done amazingly well, but the narrative isn’t exactly original and is purely gaining so much publicity and success due to its amazing 3D. I understand why James Cameron won best director, he’s worked ridiculously hard to make Avatar a success and has made the most successful movie all time, beating his previous box office sensation Titanic! The man knows how to create cinema history, and does deserve all recognition for it, but I don’t think the best picture; drama win was just, I think any of the other four were way more deserving – especially The Hurt Locker, Up in the Air and Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire.

Next, best actor and actress categories! I’m mildly pleased, Sandra Bullock deserved to win as she is BRILLIANT! I don’t think she gets enough recognition as she is a great actress, and her speech was lovely. As much as I love Robert Downey, Jr. I didn’t think he deserved the Golden Globe for Sherlock Holmes. He was fantastic as the detective, but Michael Stuhlbarg in A Serious Man was probably one of the best male performances of last year. He did such an amazing job considering he’s an unknown actor, although you wouldn’t be able to tell as his performance was stellar! It would’ve been great to see Joseph Gordon Levitt win for (500) Days of Summer as its established him as an all round good actor, plus (500) Days of Summer was my favourite movie of 2009 and I think deserves some recognition for its originality. I’m thrilled Jeff Bridges won for Crazy Heart purely for the fact that Jeff Bridges is an exceptional actor! I haven’t seen Crazy Heart, but I know Jeff Bridges will have been awesome in it, as he is the Dude! I think George Clooney would’ve been the next choice for the award, and rightfully so as he is wonderful in Up in the Air. Mo’Nique and Christopher Waltz also deserved their awards for Inglorious and Precious – and a brilliant speech by Mo’Nique!

It was obvious Up was gonna win the awards for best animation and score, it was the only the best animated film that came out last year! Up had such emotional depth, and is probably one of the best Pixar films ever made along with Toy Story, WALL-E and The Incredibles. The score is phenomenal, after i saw the film I had it constantly on repeat! Michael Giacchino is amazing!

Finally, the highlight of the night for me was Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio’s presentation of the Cecil B DeMille Award to Martin Scorsese. It was wonderful to see DeNiro honoring the man that established him as one of the best actors on the planet, with the classic films Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Mean Streets and GoodFellas! The montage of films that Scorsese has made over the past 40 years brought tears to my eyes, and just summed up why Scorsese is my favourite director of all time! I can’t wait for Shutter Island now! Roll on February!

So overall, the Golden Globes was a success… kinda. As the months go by, I will be routing for: Up in the Air, Crazy Heart, The Hurt Locker & Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire (and 500 Days of Summer if it gets nominated for anything, which I doubt it will). Acting wise it’ll have to be: Jeff Bridges, George Clooney, Sandra Bullock, Anna Kenrick, Vera Farmiga, & Colin Firth. Best director: Katherine Bigelow & Jason Reitman, and screenplay: Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner – Up in the Air, Michael  Weber &  Scott Neustadter – (500) Days of Summer, Joel & Ethan Coen – A Serious Man.

(500) Days of Summer – 4.5/5

A Serious Man – 5/5

Funny People – 4/5

Dorian Gray – 2/5

Twilight – 3/5

The Twilight Saga: New Moon – 3/5

My Sister’s Keeper – 2/5

Couples Retreat – 3/5

Public Enemies – 4/5

The Time Traveler’s Wife – 3.5/5

Slumdog Millionaire – 5/5

Milk – 5/5

Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince – 4/5

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – 3/5

Up (3D) – 4.5/5

Toy Story (3D) – 5/5

The Dark Knight (IMAX re-release) – 5/5

Last Chance Harvey – 3/5

Away We Go – 4.5/5

Taking Woodstock – 2.5/5

Fish Tank – 3.5/5

17 Again – 3/5

Sherlock Holmes – 3.5/5

Where the Wild Things Are – 4/5

Harry Brown – 4/5

Zombieland – 4/5

2009 has been a good year for movies, and 2010 also looks promising! The movies I’m looking forward to most in 2010 are:

Alice in Wonderland

Inception

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows part 1

Iron Man 2

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Up in the Air

The Lovely Bones

The Road

Toy Story 3

Shutter Island

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Salt (purely for Angelina Jolie)

The Green Hornet

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn

Robin Hood (only because my dad worked on it)

Arrested Development

Sin City 2

Sex and the City 2

Sucker Punch

No doubt there will be many more, but at the mo this is what I’m looking forward too!

A Serious Man is a 2009 dramedy written, directed and produced by the Coen Brothers. Set in 1967, the film focuses on Larry Gopnik, an ordinary man living in suburbia trying to find balance in his unbalanced life, and wondering why such chaos has erupted to such a good man.

The Coen brothers are known for creating cult comedies with melancholy twists like Fargo, The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou?; and A Serious Man is no exception, aside from the fact it sides more with drama than comedy. The premise of A Serious Man is hard to define as it is so simple, to a point that people may not give it the time of day, but those who know the Coen brothers and what they manage to conjour up will know that there’s more to this gem than meets the eye.

Like their previous successes, the Coen’s have created another lovable hero, this time its Larry Gopnick, a middle-aged Jewish man living in 60′s suburbia in Minneapolis. Similar to Burn After Reading heroine, Linda Litzke, Larry’s main want is simple, for life to return to normal. But Larry want doesn’t come easy leaving him to face numerous (useless) Rabbis, a divorce from his wife Judith and a South Korean student who won’t accept his F grade, causing him to bribe and even sue his own professor! So this seems like a story of an average man living an normal average life, yes. But thanks to its excellent, unknown cast; great cinematography and editing; and exceptional writing, the Coen Brothers have created one of the best movies of the decade, and their own personal best since Fargo and No Country for Old Men.

Micahel Stuhlbarg gives a stellar performance as Larry. Coming from a dominantly stage background, Stuhlbarg crafts the character beautifully, using every moment of screen time to hypnotise the audience to feel his pain, and to sympathise with him as he battles through day-to-day life. He’s gold, and the fact he is an unknown actor establishes him as “The Serious Man” and has opened the gateway to Hollywood; shame it was so late into his career. The rest of the cast were also fantastic and have also benchmarked themselves for Hollywood success.

Yes it may seem boring watching a Jewish man find out why his life is shit, but Joel and Ethan’s latest addition to their treasure chest of gold is their maturest yet and is relatable on all levels, whether it be a divorce, a search for a reliable rabbi or a son smoking marijuana on his Bar Mitzvah! Top notch stuff from the flawless Coen Brothers! Bring on the Oscar nominations!

Sherlock Holmes is a film adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional character of the same name, and is directed by Guy Ritchie. Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law and Rachel McAdams, the film follows Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they work out the resurrection of black magic criminal, Lord Blackwood.

For an update on the late nineteenth century character, the film successfully creates a new and exciting Holmes that the whole family will enjoy! Robert Downey, Jr. is on top form as the detective, with charisma that charms (and even swoons) the audience, even if he looks like a pile of rags and lacks in good hygiene! Jude Law also delivers a great performance as his partner in crime, Dr. Watson, a character we can all sympathise with as Holmes makes his engagement to Mary as difficult as possible. Law and Downey, Jr. have brilliant chemistry on screen, providing a lot of comic relief that everyone will enjoy. Rachel McAdams’ character of Irene Adler was good, but lacked background information about her relationship with the detective, although it was obvious that there was a romantic history. Despite this, her performance was on point as the femme fatal who will make teenage boys go dizzy in their sits, especially the scene when she’s undressing behind the blind!

The narrative is meaty, with lots of sub plots within the main plot. This does however cause confusion, with the whole concept of black magic and science being explained, but not to a degree that younger viewers will understand. This is also due to Downey, Jr.’s rather quick speech which at times is hard to pick up. There were also unnecessary parts in the story, like Holmes getting into fights that resemble one of Ritchie’s earlier pictures, Snatch. Although it wasn’t overly bloody, it seemed a bit too violent for a 12A noir drama story.

Overall, Sherlock Holmes provides a load of laughs and entertainment for the whole family, mainly due to Robert Downey, Jr.’s flawless performance as the lovable, disheveled detective. With breathtaking sets of nineteenth century England and a brilliant score by Hans Zimmer, Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes is perfect for the whole family, except maybe tiddlers!

Where the Wild Things Are is an American fantasy film based on Maurice Sendak’s book of the same name. Directed by Spike Jonze, the film tells the story of young Max (Max Records) who runs away from home after arguing with his mum and creating a fantasy world where he is king.

Seeing as the original source material is a short picture book, its hard to believe a 100 minute film came out of this adaptation, and worked! The narrative is superb, with moments that glorify childhood and how a child’s imagination runs wild in ways that adults don’t, making children the better storytellers of our time. Although much more of a darker nature than I was expecting or anyone was expecting, the film establishes itself as a film about childhood, as apposed to a children’s film. The melancholy of the Wild Things; Carol and KW especially; and the realisation that children don’t think of the long term effects of decisions truly subverts this ideology of Where the Wild Things Are being a conventional story of  happiness and fantasy.

Max Records shines as protagonist Max as he lets us enter his imagination. His naturalistic performs captivates the audience and dominates the screen at every moment, from his tantrum just before we enter the world of the Wild Things to his tears when his igloo is destroyed; we never lose a connection to him, just like a king!

The Wild Things themselves were perfect, with the return of big costumes, another thing only seen in kids shows! The voices of the Wild Things were also fantastic, especially James Gandolfini as Carol and Lauren Ambrose as KW. The variations in Wild Things and the fact they don’t look the same made it more effective, and their range in characters added more realism to this imaginary tale. Watching this film, the want to live with a Wild Thing increases dramatically, with a great longing to have a cuddle or dirt clod fight with at least one of them!

Spike Jonze was the perfect choice of director for this film, with his unique visions really shining in this picture. His use of handheld camera and speedy tracking shots, really represent the speed and agility of children and the stories they tell. Its a rollercoaster into the greatest adventure of all, and Jonze successfully leaves us craving for more and more! Even in sadder moments, Jonze never loses grip of the magic, with breathtaking scenery varying from forests to an open desert which can blow the minds of even the most cynical of viewers. Furthermore, the score by Yeah Yeah Yeahs leading lady Karen O adds a simplistic, animalistic tone and creates even more of an impact on what we see on screen.

Probably one of the hardest books to adapt, Spike Jonze yet again delivers a piece of cinema gold which, despite being a bit too dark and depressing for younger audiences, allows your inner child to run free, and leave you longing for more after the credits role.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon is a 2009 romance fantasy film directed by Chris Weitz, based on the best selling novel by Stephenie Meyer. Following the global success of the first film, New Moon see’s heroine Bella Swan fall into a great depression when her vampire boyfriend, the smoldering, sexy Edward Cullen leaves her after he realises that he and his family are too much a danger to her. Depressed and alone, Bella finds solace in family friend, Jacob Black and a friendship forms, but it turns out that its not only Edward who has a secret…

If you’re a Twilighter, Twi-hard fan, or whatever you call yourself; or simply someone who was impressed by the first installment in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga, the second installment will fulfill, and probably exceed your expectations. However, if you’re not, you’ll probably find yourself laughing and frowning at this second helping.

Chris Weitz takes over from Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke to direct this vampire sequel, and despite  a few flaws, successfully delivers the second chapter of this phenomenon with cool – though sometimes goofy – special effects and a range of camera shots and editing (like when the camera circles Bella as time is passing by during the start of her depression). Despite this, its evident Weitz isn’t as aware of the likes of teenage girls, unlike Hardwicke, you made Twilight sexier than it needed to be, making New Moon a rather sexually tame installment in the franchise. This being said, there are a lot of scenes with Taylor Lautner shirtless which will please 80% of the target audience, although more mature audiences will find it unnecessary.

The acting has improved greatly, especially from Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. Unlike Twilight, Kristen Stewart isn’t so wooden and convincingly plays a moping teenager experiencing their first break up. Robert Pattinson is much better this time around, not being so serious and playing Edward more accurately, although the man-pouts and (trying to be) sexy poses are still visible in every scene. He also looks like he wants to laugh or cry at some points, which was a bit off-putting. Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black is excellent, and his and Kristen’s chemistry is electric and very fun to watch, as apposed to hers and Rob’s, which is non existent – which is a problem as they’re meant to be passionately in love with and would die for one another – making people convert to Team Jacob. Saying that, a lot of teenage girls will convert just because of Jacob’s abs, which are constantly on display.

Alexandre Desplat takes over from Carter Burwell, providing a decent, but sometimes Tom and Jerry sounding score. Although lacking the edginess of Burwell’s score, Desplat’s elegant piano pieces amplify the lovefest theme of the series – especially The Meadow - which is more appropriate to the tone of the film. The sountrack itself is also better this time, with Death Cab for Cutie providing the upbeat tune “Meet me on the Equinox”,  and with Lykke Li and the Editors providing more melancholy tracks: “Possibility” and “No Sound But the Wind”. Thom Yorke‘s “Hearing Damage” makes a good use of electronics and fits surprisingly well in a tense chase scene between Victoria and the Wolfpack.

Overall, The Twilight Saga: New Moon will satisfy its hardcore fans and anyone who doesn’t take it seriously as it has more action, special effects and Taylor Lautner & Robert Pattinson shirtless; as well as staying faithful to the book. But for those who find these things cheesy will probably spend the whole time with their head in their hands, chanting “Why, why why?”  to themselves constantly.

I may just have to watch all the films tonight as I don’t have school tomorrow. Its a shame I haven’t watched them in order, but what can ya do? Things don’t always  go chronologically! I think it’ll be kinda mind blowing to have the films mixed up, like a Harry Potter acid trip! Oh my God, I sound like such a loser, I need to get a life. That is a typical nerdy comment! I must come across as one of these people who tries to sound witty and cool and knows all this shit about taking drugs and shit, but I’m actually not. I do know what its like – not to an acid degree though, but I am a nerd. I’m a nerd fighter in fact! I believe nerds should be celebrated, not discriminated! Unless they OVER love Dr. Who, then they can fuck off. Old skool Dr. Who is fine, but the new stuff is bare shit, although David Tennant is sexy and I have cried at an episode. But anyway, apologies for my nerd-esque comment earlier, I am cooler than that I promise (although not much).

I’ve completely gone off the subject of Harry Potter, how silly of me! HARRY POTTER IS FUCKING AMAZING AND IS BETTER THAN TWILIGHT! Yeah I said it! I went there! Now Twi-hards, don’t die and cry to your Edward/Jacob shrines; its just the truth. I have nothing majorly against Twilight and the rest of the saga, its not too dreadful. There was a point when I was truly obsessed with it and was insanely in love with Edward Cullen. I have two Twilight posters in my room for Christsake, I loved it that much. But then everyone made it ghey and bummed it rawly, and then tried to say it was BETTER than Harry Potter! Are you silly? No matter how much I loved Twilight, I knew it could never top Potter! Someone with half a brain cell could tell you that! Twilight is for wusses, Harry Potter is for the tough! Hahahahahaha, I sound like such a knob! Oh well, its fine, its the truth; sometimes it is cringey!

HOLY SHIT, CAN YOU IMAGINE IF HARRY POTTER WAS AN ACTUAL SUBJECT? LIKE YOU COULD TAKE IT AS A GCSE OR A-LEVEL! THAT WOULD ACTUALLY BE MIND BLOWING! I’D ACE THAT SHIT! THEY’D NEED TO GIVE ME MY OWN GRADE: A * * * * * * *.  Fuckin’ hell man! Why didn’t they introduce that into the curriculum! It would be such a hit! Stupid Government – FUCK MATHS, BRING IN THE POTTER!

Rah, I’m getting bare into this. I better stop. Have a good evening muggles and watch some Harry Potter, it’ll make your night better!

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