The Wrestler

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Craig M

Viewed – 13 April 2011 Blu-ray

Director Darren Aronofsky certainly grabbed my attention earlier in the year with the stunning Black Swan, even if I feel he was robbed at Awards time. Never the less, I was immediately intrigued as to what he had done previously, and naturally this much acclaimed sports drama caught my eye. An ageing professional wrestler Randy ‘the ram’ Johnson (Mickey Rourke) lives for the celebrity status and the persona granted to him in the ring, but when a near-death experience forces him into well-overdue retirement, he begins to re-evaluate what’s important in his life … starting with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood).

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Oscars results are in!

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Craig M

So being a common or garden Englishman without a subscription to Sky television, I did not get to watch the Academy Awards last night. However I was pleased to see that a few of my predictions were bang on the nail, namely Christian Bale getting Best Supporting Actor and Colin Firth getting Best Actor. I think 127 Hours’ James Franco, also the host for the evening, was robbed however as his performance in that film simply amazed me, but at least the academy made up for such a oversite with Natalie Portman getting Best Actress. Well deserved. I was hoping that Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky had got the nod rather than the guy who made The King’s Speech, but at least that particular movie got just four awards, for Best Picture and Original Screenplay also, rather than the gushing ridiculousness that was the Baftas.

Colin Firth wins best actor Oscar (alternet.org)
Oscars: The King’s Speech wins best picture; Colin Firth takes best actor while Natalie Portman is best actress! (pinkbananaworld.com)
Oscars 2011: Backstage with Natalie Portman, Colin Firth, Melissa Leo, Christian Bale, and more (insidemovies.ew.com)
The 83rd Academy Awards – The Oscars (thenewroyalty.wordpress.com)

Oscar predictions

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Craig M

With tonight being the big one, the 83rd The Academy Awards, I thought I’d offer my own predictions for what and who I think might take home the much coveted golden statue, limited to the biggest categories …

Best Picture

The Fighter

Best Director

Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)

Best Actor

Colin Firth (The king’s Speech)

Best Actress

Natalie Portman (Black Swan)

Best Animated Feature

The Illusionist

Actress In A Supporting Role

Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)

Actor In A Supporting Role

Christian Bale (The Fighter)

Visual Effects

Inception

Foreign Language Film

Biutiful

Will be interesting to see how many of those listed above, I guess correctly. I have my personal favourites I’d like to see get the nod, but what actually will is usually very different. Stay tuned.

Countdown to the Oscars: The Intrade predictions (hollywoodnews.com)
`King’s Speech’ poised for Oscar coronation? (omg.yahoo.com)
James Franco, Black Swan Win Big at the Independent Spirit Awards (omg.yahoo.com)
Oscars 2011: The Movies Blog Team Predicts Tonight’s Big Winners (moviesblog.mtv.com)

Black Swan

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Craig M

Viewed – 07 February 2011 Cinema

This has gained quite a lot of attention during the run up to the awards season, with star Natalie Portman tipped for a clean sweep. She stars as virginal ballet dancer Nina, desperate to land the lead role in a grand staging of Swan Lake. With aspirations to step into the recently vacated shoes of former star Beth (Winona Ryder) whilst all too aware of envious glances from young new comer Lilly (Mila Kunis). Yet she has to impress director Thomas (Vincent Cassel), whose methods to bring out the perfect performance from Nina border on sexual harassment.