Wah-wah! Here comes the sun.

Still think she’s unattractive? Well, think again!

// August 2nd, 2010 // No Comments » // movie talk

Photo from imagebam.com
Ms. Hilary Swank posed for unknown photo shoot. Click here for more.

Not as touching as Up, but still better than many animations out there

// July 29th, 2010 // 6 Comments » // movie talk

Walt Disney Pictures

Toy Story 3

TOY story 3 maybe is one of the movies I couldn’t wait to see this year (maybe second after Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows). I like part one and two, I like Tom Hanks and I like Pixar. So, that were probably the reasons why I didn’t want to miss this one.

Last year, I re-watched part one and two on the theater in 3D. That was great experience because I thought I have lost the chance to ever view those on big screen especially for part two, which for some reason I missed when it was played on theater. I didn’t know why I missed that because I remember enjoyed part one a lot. Maybe due to me having almost no money at that time (hey, I was only a jobless student after all).

I’ve been dreaming of seeing part three on imax. Well, I kept wondering when Pixar finally released something on imax. I always thought they’re going to be the first animation company to do so, but for some reason they didn’t.

When I saw Wall-E then later Up, I kept thinking how those movies will be looked great on imax 3D.

Last year, I was impressed with everything about Up. The movie was perfect. I even root for that to win the best picture for academy award. They didn’t win, but I wasn’t that disappointed, I still have a hope that one day soon they will definitely will win.

Unfortunately, I missed seeing Pixar first ever feature on imax due to my four months trip to Indonesia. I was disappointed because this should be a historic moment for a pixar fan like me.

Strangely, I declined to watch it 3D. It’s not like I agree with Roger Ebert view on that topic, but since I already missed that on the biggest screen on theater, I didn’t want to make this experience even smaller. The 3D technology seemed to make the screen looked smaller, so I thought that viewing that on regular screen was better than 3D.

Now, let’s talk about the movie. So, Andy is growing up and about to leave for college. What about the toys then? They’re still the same, they didn’t grow up, and they’re purpose were still the same, to be played by children. The problem is, Andy is no longer a children.

In part two, Jessie (the cowgirl toy) shared her sad story being abandoned by Emily, the owner who grew up. Now, it seemed like Emily situation all over again.

Without spoiling the story too much, Woody and the gang ended up at Sunnyside daycare. It seemed like this was probably the best ending for those toys, but we know it wouldn’t because then there would be no story.

So, yes just like the previous movies, there would be villains in this one. Unfortunately, the villain character on this movie seemed repetitive from the part two, again I won’t spoil that one because I still think this is a must movie see.

Was I disappointed? Not at all. I still enjoyed the movie and would not mind seeing it again. Of course there were some touchy moments (though ‘Up’ still tops the list on that subject).

Of course there were some funny moments a la Pixar that until now still couldn’t be beaten by Dreamworks and any other animation out there. Some of my favorite were the ones with Buzz Lightyear (though he’s never been my favorite character, or with Barbie and Ken (Michael Keaton did an awesome job).

Overall, the story quite predictable and there weren’t really surprising moment. However, the geniuses behind the movie knew how to please the audience, so you didn’t really care about the predictable plot and such and you still walk away of theater satisfy just like I did.

… And now some quick review from other movies…

Frost/Nixon

I thought this one going to be “heavy” movie, so I kept declined to watch it until I am ‘mentally’ read, then I decided to give it a chance anyway despite feeling worried I may be won’t be able to finish it. I was so dead wrong. This movie was actually very light, easy to understanding and very entertaining as well. It’s a must see movie for everyone, especially if you’re in media/journalism field. Frank Langela deserved his Oscar nod, but I think Michael Sheen should get nominated as well.

To Kill a Mockingbird

GREGORY Peck is exactly what I thought Atticus Finch would act/look like, but from what I hear the actor did like “Atticus Finch” to his own children. Maybe that’s why he could deliver his part so well. The credit also goes to Mary Badham who played the daughter, Scout (now I see why Bruce Willis and Demi Moore also named their daughter, Scout). Of course, the movie couldn’t catch up to the brilliance of the book, but I think they quite succeed.

The Vanishing (the remake)
The beginning was great because they were still faithful to the original. The cast was great, especially Sandra Bullock, who looked amazingly gorgeous and she got something on her that would make you sympathize and wondered on what happened to her after she went missing. My only (but the biggest) problem is how they changed their ending into typical Hollywood thriller. They basically change the essence of the original and that just simply wrong thing to do.

My thought on the Oscars

// March 8th, 2010 // No Comments » // movie talk

Summit Entertainment

Let’s started with the host, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. It seemed like a brilliant idea to combine two talented people. Was it worked?

I wouldn’t say they failed, but compare to past host such as Billy Crystal, Jon Stewart or Ellen, they didn’t do too much for me. Pretty good, but nothing special.

Maybe it’s Hugh Jackman’s fault for setting a high level of hosting Oscar last year? I MUST say, Hugh Jackman should win Oscar for hosting. Honestly, the part with him was the most memorable thing in that Oscar last year.

They should bring Jackman back next year or even Billy Crystal.

Well, since I started with not such a “positive” side of the Oscar, let’s continue then.

I think the Oscar SHOULD make it really clear about the time length for the speech, or did they, but the winners just ignored it? Too many uncomfortable moments where the winner tried to say something, but either the microphone has been ‘muted’ nor the orchestra had been played.

I was hoped for Up to win The Best Picture and The Best Original Screenplay, although I knew it didn’t really have a chance so I wasn’t that disappointed. In fact, I already predicted that they wouldn’t bring the Oscar on that categories.

What’s up with Twilight were shown in Horror tribute? I have never seen the movie, but I thought, even though it had werewolves and vampires, it mostly about teenage romance?

Like I said before, I like Sandra Bullock, but I’ve been hoping to see Meryl Streep wins the award. I thought she would win last year with Doubt. But, when she didn’t I was happy she got nominated again with her role in Julie and Julia (and she was VERY good in it). I thought this was finally is going to be her year.

I didn’t even realize that on ‘In Memoriam” section until Roger Ebert mentioned on his Twitter, that they didn’t show Farrah Fawcett. Academy would have lot of explanations to do. However, I like this year ‘In memoriam’ better than last year. If you remembered, it had Queen Latifah sung a song beautifully, but unfortunately the camera seemed show her too much and missed to zoom out the pictures of some stars that died that year.

What’s up with the dance during the Original Score category. I just didn’t think it fits. They should do that on Grammy instead or maybe on a show like ‘So You Think You Can Dance’?

Last, but not least (on my least like moments), this year’s Oscar less innovative and creative, at least compare to last year’s Oscar, which was the best one I’ve ever seen.

On to positive note, I like that The Hurt Locker and Kathryn Bigelow wins the award for best picture and director. I saw the movie and I LOVE it a lot (Istill like Up and The Road better though).

Tom Hanks presented the award. Well, it’s always great to see him anywhere, any time.

Michael Giacchino won for Best Original Score. This is probably the one that I root the most! I’d be EXTRA disappointed if he lost. Up’s score was the best of the best.

It’s great to see the voice behind Up at the audience.

I don’t really care that they didn’t show the live performance of the nominated songs. Usually, I used that time to take a break anyway.

What an introduction that

Lastly, I’d rate this year Oscar: C-.

My Oscar Prediction 2010

// February 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // movie talk

Rotten Tomatoes

Performance by an actor in a leading role

Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight)
George Clooney in “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
Colin Firth in “A Single Man” (The Weinstein Company)
Morgan Freeman in “Invictus” (Warner Bros.)
Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment)

The Oscar goes to: Jeff Bridges.
He had won several awards including Golden Globe.

My personal choice would be: Jeremy Renner
Among all the nominees for this category, I only saw The Hurt Locker and he impressed me so much.

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

Matt Damon in “Invictus” (Warner Bros.)
Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger” (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones” (DreamWorks in association with Film4, Distributed by Paramount)
Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company)

The Oscar goes to: Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”
This is quite hard because I HAVEN’T seen any of this movies, but I kept hearing how great Waltz performance was.

My personal choice would be: None.

Performance by an actress in a leading role

Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side” (Warner Bros.)
Helen Mirren in “The Last Station” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Carey Mulligan in “An Education” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate)
Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia” (Sony Pictures Releasing)

The Oscar goes to: Meryl Streep
I swear it’s about time this woman got her third Oscar. She should got it last year for her performance in Doubt.

My personal choice would be: Meryl Streep.

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Penélope Cruz in “Nine” (The Weinstein Company)
Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight)
Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate)

The Oscar goes to: Mo’Nique
She also already wins so many award for her performance already.

My personal choice would be: I like Vera Farmiga the most as an actress, but unfortunately I haven’t seen Up In The Air. I am glad that she’s nominated though. Ever since I saw her in Never Forever, I knew she was on her way to Oscar.

Best animated feature film of the year
“Coraline” (Focus Features) Henry Selick
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (20th Century Fox) Wes Anderson
“The Princess and the Frog” (Walt Disney) John Musker and Ron Clements
“The Secret of Kells” (GKIDS) Tomm Moore
“Up” (Walt Disney) Pete Docter

The Oscar goes to: Up
The EASIEST one to predict. I mean this movie also GOT nominated for BEST PICTURE while the others don’t. Not too mention it also got nominated for Original Score, Sound Editing and Original screenplay!

My personal choice would be: Up
The best movie of 2009, in my opinion.

Achievement in art direction

“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg
Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” (Sony Pictures Classics) Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro
Set Decoration: Caroline Smith
“Nine” (The Weinstein Company) Art Direction: John Myhre
Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
“Sherlock Holmes” (Warner Bros.) Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood
Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
“The Young Victoria” (Apparition) Art Direction: Patrice Vermette
Set Decoration: Maggie Gray

The Oscar goes to: Avatar
I think Avatar will easily wins all the “technical stuff” category.

My personal choice would be: Avatar
Because that’s the only one I saw, but I am sure many agree that Avatar really invented the “new” style in movie making that probably
gonna be inspiration of many movies in the future.

Achievement in cinematography
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Mauro Fiore
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (Warner Bros.) Bruno Delbonnel
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Barry Ackroyd
“Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) Robert Richardson
“The White Ribbon” (Sony Pictures Classics) Christian Berger

The Oscar goes to: The Hurt Locker
I am surprised how visually GREAT The Hurt Locker was. Before I watched it I thought it would be hard for them to compete
Avatar in this technical category, but I am willing to gamble here. I think the jury might pick this one instead of Avatar.

My personal choice would be: The Hurt Locker.
Same reason as above.

Achievement in costume design:
“Bright Star” (Apparition) Janet Patterson
“Coco before Chanel” (Sony Pictures Classics) Catherine Leterrier
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” (Sony Pictures Classics) Monique Prudhomme
“Nine” (The Weinstein Company) Colleen Atwood
“The Young Victoria” (Apparition) Sandy Powell

The Oscar goes to: Nine
It looked pretty good based on a trailer only (I know!)

My personal choice: None

Achievement in directing
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) James Cameron
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Kathryn Bigelow
“Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) Quentin Tarantino
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate) Lee Daniels
“Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios) Jason Reitman

The Oscar goes to: Kathryn Bigelow

I can’t deny that James Cameron did a great job in Avatar. It seemed like it’s probably one of the hardest movie to make and direct. But after viewing The Hurt Locker, I have to admit I LOVE Bigelow style of directing. Some people probably found that her “shaky”
camera movement could cause nausea, but I think the purpose was to make people experience the stressful situation the characters in
the movie were faced. The exposion scene was done very artistic and I like how she “created” it.

My personal choice would be: Kathryn Bigelow
It must be hard to compete with almost ‘perfect’ movie like Avatar but I swear she put herself in a same league with Cameron even
with “less budget” movie.

Best documentary feature
“Burma VJ” (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
A Magic Hour Films Production Anders Østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
“The Cove” (Roadside Attractions)
An Oceanic Preservation Society Production Nominees to be determined
“Food, Inc.” (Magnolia Pictures)
A Robert Kenner Films Production Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
“The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers”
A Kovno Communications Production Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
“Which Way Home”
A Mr. Mudd Production

The Oscar goes to: “Food, Inc.” (Magnolia Pictures)
Honestly I only ever heard this one and The Cove, so I guess between those two.

My personal choice: None.

Achievement in film editing
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
“District 9″ (Sony Pictures Releasing) Julian Clarke
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
“Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) Sally Menke
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate) Joe Klotz

The Oscar goes to: Avatar
Although, I wouldn’t surprise if The Hurt Locker wins. I swear this movie were great in every aspect.

My personal choice: The Hurt Locker
You could tell that I REALLY like this movie.

Best foreign language film of the year
“Ajami”(Kino International)
An Inosan Production Israel
“El Secreto de Sus Ojos” (Sony Pictures Classics)
A Haddock Films Production Argentina
“The Milk of Sorrow”
A Wanda Visión/Oberon Cinematogràfica/Vela Production Peru
“Un Prophète” (Sony Pictures Classics)
A Why Not/Page 114/Chic Films Production France
“The White Ribbon” (Sony Pictures Classics)
An X Filme Creative Pool/Wega Film/Les Films du Losange/Lucky Red Production Germany

The Oscar goes to: “The White Ribbon”
Another wild guess. I know nothing about movies above.

My personal choice: None.

Achievement in makeup
“Il Divo” (MPI Media Group through Music Box) Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
“Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
“The Young Victoria” (Apparition) Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore

The Oscar goes to: “Star Trek”
This movie is one of the best reviewed this year, so I assumed it will wins something at least.

My personal choice: None.

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) James Horner
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (20th Century Fox) Alexandre Desplat
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
“Sherlock Holmes” (Warner Bros.) Hans Zimmer
“Up” (Walt Disney) Michael Giacchino

The Oscar goes to: Up
I REALLY hope that this one will win. Ever since I saw the movie, the score really impressed me as much as the story itself. I was hoped it get nominated and now it did I HOPE it will wins as well.

My personal choice: Up
Same as above.

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
“Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” (Walt Disney) Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
“Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” (Walt Disney) Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
“Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36″ (Sony Pictures Classics) Music by Reinhardt Wagner
Lyric by Frank Thomas
“Take It All” from “Nine” (The Weinstein Company) Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight) Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T
Bone Burnett

The Oscar goes to: “The Weary Kind”
Well, it’s already won the Golden Globe, so I got influenced by it.

My personal choice: None

Best motion picture of the year
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox)
A Lightstorm Entertainment Production James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
“The Blind Side” (Warner Bros.)
An Alcon Entertainment Production Nominees to be determined
“District 9″ (Sony Pictures Releasing)
A Block/Hanson Production Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
“An Education” (Sony Pictures Classics)
A Finola Dwyer/Wildgaze Films Production Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment)
A Voltage Pictures Production Nominees to be determined
“Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company)
A Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures/A Band Apart/Zehnte Babelsberg Production Lawrence Bender, Producer
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate)
A Lee Daniels Entertainment/Smokewood Entertainment Production Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness,

Producers
“A Serious Man” (Focus Features)
A Working Title Films Production Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers
“Up” (Walt Disney)
A Pixar Production Jonas Rivera, Producer
“Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
A Montecito Picture Company Production Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers

The Oscar goes to: The Hurt Locker
It has what it takes in everything. I know Avatar seemed like “the best of all” with “all the amazing thing you’ve never seen before”, but let say it still have the same story but without such a “high tech” effects, then it’s just gonna be a “good” movie, NOT great.

My personal choice: Up
Even though I like The Hurt Locker so much but in my personal opinion, Up is the best movie of the year.

Achievement in sound editing
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Paul N.J. Ottosson
“Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) Wylie Stateman
“Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
“Up” (Walt Disney) Michael Silvers and Tom Myers

The Oscar goes to: The Hurt Locker
… or Avatar.

My personal choice: The Hurt Locker

Achievement in sound mixing
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
“Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano
“Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (DreamWorks and Paramount in association with Hasbro, Distributed by Paramount) Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson

The Oscar goes to: The Hurt Locker
… or Avatar.

My personal choice: The Hurt Locker

Achievement in visual effects
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
“District 9″ (Sony Pictures Releasing) Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
“Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton

The Oscar goes to: Avatar
In this one Avatar should and MUST win.

My personal choice: Avatar

Adapted screenplay
“District 9″ (Sony Pictures Releasing) Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
“An Education” (Sony Pictures Classics) Screenplay by Nick Hornby
“In the Loop” (IFC Films) Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate) Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
“Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios) Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

The Oscar goes to: Up in the Air
Just have a pretty good feeling about it

My personal choice: None

Original screenplay
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Written by Mark Boal
“Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) Written by Quentin Tarantino
“The Messenger” (Oscilloscope Laboratories) Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
“A Serious Man” (Focus Features) Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
“Up” (Walt Disney) Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter
Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy

The Oscar goes to: Up
It’s probably The Hurt Locker will win, but I am gonna go with Up anyway.

My personal choice: Up
Same as above