Oscar Season

Yay, It's my favorite time of the year again. Awards season. The Oscar noms were just announced yesterday and this girl is giddy with excitement. For me awards season means finally hearing about the movies that were yet unseen because they aren't for the general audience, and seeing my favorites go grab their awards (more or less) and lets not forget Red Carpet Fashion.

Awards season Officially begins when the Golden Globe nominations are announced, and reaches its Climax during the Academy Awards ceremony. I consider the Globes to be a tip of the Iceberg of all the major awards. Its like a Semi- Oscar. Its really all for the fan fair. Then there are major lesser known awards like, Critics Choice (stepping stone for oscar  winners, generally, if you win the TCA, you have like an 80% chance of getting the oscar too), BAFTA's (british), Screen Actors Guild awards, Directors Guild Awards, Producers Guild Awards, Spirit Awards and even the Raspberry aka Razzies (they choose the worst movies).

Anyway to the nominations. To the lay man (or leisure movie watcher), they would feel that their favorites weren't nominated. But what if they really didn't act that well. Some of the biggest stars have never even been nominated, not to talk of winning an oscar, because their talents are frankly not up to par. Meanwhile greats like Meryl Streep get nominated for every screen appearance. Anyway to this years nominees. for full list go http://www.imdb.com/oscars/nominations/

Anyway, for a critic like me the Nomination list was not surprising. Just a few snubs here and there but all-in-all, the academy nailed it this year. First we have to know what the Academy loves and what they don't. The academy Loves Biopics, Period Dramas, Controversial movies, Heart Warming movies, Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino and Meryl Streep. the best Picture nominees were not far from this Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, Django Unchained (Controversial), Les Miserables (Period), Lincoln (Biopic, Period and Spielberg , Amour, Life of Pie, Silver Linings Playbook, Beasts of the Southern Wild (Heartwarming).

Most were suprised that Leonardo DiCaprio wasnt nominated for his turn in Django, me included but I believe the Academy doesnt like Him, his day would come. Granted Dicaprio is super talented, he was snubbed for Titanic, J. Edgar, Inception, Shutter Island to name a few. Others were suprised Jamie Foxx wasnt nominated for Django, I was not. jamie foxx was the most boring part of that movie, with Cristoph Waltz (who got nominated), Dicaprio and Samuel L Jackson literally filling up the screen with their charisma, I forgot the movie was about Django for a minute.

All in all, the Academy was spot on this year. My predictions include Daniel Day Lewis for Best Actor, Jesscia Chastain or Jennifer Lawrence for Best Actress, Lincoln for best picture, Spielberg for best Director, Django for original Screenplay, Lincoln for adapted screenplay, Adele for original song.

from your friendly neighborhood, critic.

P.S. Dont ask why Dark Knight Rises and Avengers was not nominated, the reason you love them is because of the special effects and less of the acting or story.

Twilight... another END!

Hello,

Its usually very unusual for me to watch any twilight movie in a day other than opening night, but I saw the very last installment over a week after it came out. The movie didn't do as good as expected, it didn't even break any records which is very surprising for the last one ever.

I have been a twi-hard (as we over- zealous fans are referred to) since my freshman year five years ago. Coming from Nigeria, I did not experience the phenomenon the books created here even before talk of the movie, I was too engrossed in Harry Potter to even notice any new young adult book pop-up and the rave of twilight never got home till the release of the first movie.

Many would say that the Twilight movies are some of the worst movies ever written or done and even worse acting from the lead actress Kristen Stewart. I totally agree with them, But I found twilight before Hollywood decided to destroy it as they do with every major book, and how they will soon do to Fifty Shades of Grey (a distant daughter to the Twilight empire).

When I first picked up the first twilight (which was given to me by a friend who was coincidentally a white American) I was mesmerized. This was the love that teenage girls dreamt off, albeit forbidding, but nevertheless True love. Edward protected Bella, he was super rich, he was described as a demigod in the looks department, and he knew how to take care of his woman. He was surrounded by a wonderful adopted family and a secret, which made us want him more. Bella was a disappointment, I hated her from her first lines. We all hated Bella, we wanted to take her place. After  reading the first book, i went online and ordered a copy for my sister to join me in the new craze. To further prove my obsession, I read all four books in a weekend (plus I'm a really fast reader). I and my sister waited for the movie and we were there opening night and hated it.

Hollywood destroyed my book, made it a laughing stock, and made those of us that read and enjoyed the book look like complete gullible idiots. The movie sucked, Kristen Stewart sucked more, Robert Pattinson wasn't 'Our Edward". All in all, five years later, I still go watch the movies opening night, and then watch them later just to make fun of them.

I still despise hollywood for ruining one of my Favorite books and making it a laughing stock, the same way they almost destroyed Harry Potter (alas JK Rowling was too smart for them). Even though the movie significantly improved, I loved the little twist at the end, It made the whole movie worthwhile.


Bubu

Skyfall... and also what I've been up to!!!

It's been a while. I haven't blogged on my own website in a while. Haven't even logged in blogspot, almost forgot my password!!

A lot of things have happened in my life, I've graduated from college, Had a fun-filled summer, turned 21, babysat 3 little children, and lounged at home. Very fulfilling couple of months I must say. But I also watched a lot of movies, classics and new movies too.

But this weekend, something happened, I went and saw Skyfall, Possibly the best movie this year since The Dark Knight Rises or TDKR like we movie heads call it.

Let me start by saying, I entered the movie theater very skeptical since Daniel Craig and his 007 movies have been the worst I've seen in a while. I'm used to seeing the smooth, suave Martini drinking James Bond, not a highly emo falling in love and revenging Bond. Casino Royale wasn't bad at all, Bond was just very angry which upset me highly, Quantum of Solace was a bit of a blur, haven't seen it since the once I saw it at the movies. But Skyfall was different.

I would say Skyfall was a way of re-introducing the audience to James Bond that we all know and love, the Bond our father's used to tell us about and wish they were. the womanizing, martini drinking, looks-awesome-in-a-suit suave Bond.

The opening sequence to Adele smoothly delivering the lyrics to Skyfall was pure art. Her voice and the graphics were a good way to start the movie after the beginning fight scene, which made the rest of the movie a smooth transition. This movie was a work of art, the fight sequences were beautiful to watch with colors bouncing of your eyes and Daniel Craig delivering them with ease.

Acting was wonderful considering we had a lot of British greats (not counting the Harry Potter series with the highest amount of Great British Actors in a movie) including Dame Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, Naomi Harris, Ben Winshaw, Rory Kinnear and non British actors like Javier Bardem (who reprised his role as a scene stealing villain, case in point No Country for Old Men), Berenice Marlohe.

The story line was also very understandable, easy to understand and straight to the point, like Most Bond Movies. The main thing that stood out was that this is not just any Bond movie, this movie has redefined the spy genre, changed the way we look at Bond forever.

Personally, I give the movie an 8.5 (frankly because the only nines I give will probably be the Dark Knight, Tropic Thunder and the Avengers). Sam Mendes should definitely come back for Bond 25. Its amazing that after 50 years, James Bond can continue to excite us, and get younger.

I Should also remember to post soon!! :)

Movie Review: Man On A Ledge

Hello Again,

How has everyone's week been?? Mine has been going well, with school and what not. Best part 31 more days till graduation. I'm Super excited. Also I haven't had time to go and see the Wrath of The Titans yet. I should by the end of the week and give my own two cents on the movie.

Anyway back to the post of today. So I used to have a tradition of waking up every Saturday morning grab breakfast and then watch a chick flick or any other movie but of recent, I have been super busy, Saturday mornings never exist because I never get up till mid afternoon. So on this particular day I stumbled upon a little known movie-> Man on A Ledge.

The movie stars a lot of phenomenal actors which brings up the question why didn't a lot of people see it. The Cast includes Sam Worthington as the title Character, Jamie Bell, Genesis Rodriguez, Elizabeth Banks, Anthony Mackie, Edward Burns, Kyra Sedgewick (in a very small role) and Ed Harris.

Movie Plot:
As a police psychologist works to talk down an ex-con who is threatening to jump from a Manhattan hotel rooftop, the biggest diamond heist ever committed is in motion...




Let me know what you thought of the movie if you have seen it already! If not go find it and watch.
Awesome acting from all the actors. Sam Worthington is a really underrated actor, he should start looking for his oscar movie real soon.

p.s I should go watch a chick flick soon, they make me happy.

Coming Soon: The Avengers

Hello Again,

So I have been tempted to write about this movie for way too long, but I can hype a movie that I haven't seen right? Oh well I still would anyway, even if it sucks balls when it is released.

Anyway as an avid lover of Robert Downey Jnr. Since the first Iron Man movie, I have followed the progress of most Marvel movies. 

I saw all the Fantastic Four movies (as not-as-good as they were) and then they produced Captain America (Chris Evans in all fun and games). He was amazing as the Human Torch, made it very fun to watch despite all the movie's shortcomings. But Chris got lucky, after a lot of criticism from Americans on who to play Captain America he won the role, only after rejecting it 3 times.

Next was the Iron Man and the Rise of Robert Downey Jnr.'s career. I saw Iron Man as a college freshman, never heard of it and just stumbled upon it. It was the beginning of wisdom for me. I found my calling of watching movies after seeing this movie. Robert Downey Jr. was trying to get out of the hole he buried his career and then found this little movie. He said that this was the first movie her auditioned for after over 20 years because the studio executives could not trust him to make such a big budget movie work with his past. But dude charmed us with his charisma and we're expecting Iron Man 3 after 4 years and a lot of failed attempts to get back his career.

Next Up its Thor, played by the Beautiful and Strapping (in the words of Robert Downey) Chris Hemsworth. So I didnt really follow his career because he was very unknown before he got the role, the closest thing I knew about him was that he was Miley Cyrus' Boyfriends brother (whew). Thor as a movie wasn't the best even though it was directed by Kenneth Branagh who I adore. For a demi- god, he sure had very little to save. But I think things will get real heated up with Avengers.

Mark Rufallo is not your first choice when you think of the Hulk.The Hulk has been played by multiple actors in hollywood (and we thought only DC heroes did that). In modern day Hollywood, Eric Bana was the first Bruce Banner, I thought he was a snooze and then Edward Norton took the realms and did a better job. He was supposed to reprise his role in the Avengers but his agent and Marvel got into some hijincks and he was dropped from the movie. Lets see how good Mark Rufallo does in this one shall we.

The other stars are less controversial and provide an ample amount of finesse, screen charisma and as usual Avengers drama. You cannot have a group of six Superheroes and not expect some ego fighting especially from Iron Man and Thor. Below you can find all the clips that have been released by Marvel and Disney. 

Ill Post more as they release more. Hehe

oh and bdw, every other country in the world gets to see the Avengers before I do, not fair at all, not fair. At least we still get to see twilight first. :P

Movie Review: Reservoir Dogs

Hello again,

So me and my brother (who is a serious movie buff like me, a bit more technical tho) decided to start watching Quentin Tarantino Movies because we were supposed to watch pulp fiction and he watched it without me and loved it! Anyway he's like let's watch this movie and I'm like ok, sure thing.

A little history lesson about the movie:
1. It came out in 1992
2. It's director Quentin Tarantino's first major motion picture.
3. It stars Tim Roth in his first major American motion picture.
4. The film contains 272 uses of the word "fuck".
5. The film had critical acclaim, high ratings and awesome reviews but it wasn't nominated for any major awards except sundance!
6. George Clooney was turned down for a role (remember he was relatively unknown at the time)

I know most people would have seen this movie but it still is an awesome watch. Tarantino created his trademark dialogue and gore and continued using this theme throughout his career.

Plot summary:

Joe Cabot, a small-time crime boss, assembles five strangers with reputations as good thieves to steal a lot diamonds. When the police arrive at the scene before the burglars can even make their getaway, it becomes apparent that one of them is an undercover police officer.

The movie stars movie legends such as Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Tarantino, Chris Penn. Fun fact about this movie, there are no Women!!

Relatively simple story, awesome twist at the end. This movie was the beginning of Tarantino's career and his continuous rise.

Movie Review: 21 Jump Street

Funniest Movie this year- or so far anyway! ( except Hollywood does a second tropic thunder)

So I went to see this movie for 1 reason: Johnny Depp (the love of my life)! So there was a tv show in the late 80's and early 90's called 21 jump street which made the career of Mr Depp and transformed him into a household name before he became this famous!

This movie is a reboot of the tv show and has cameos from all of the stars from the tv show.
The movie stars a recently slim Jonah Hill and the ever good looking Channing Tatum in their funniest yet. The movie also stars Rob Riggle, Ellie Kenpner, Ice Cube, Dave Franco (yes he's James Franco's brother), Chris Parnell and a couple other people.

Plot Summary:
A pair of underachieving cops are sent back to a local high school to blend in and bring down a synthetic drug ring.

Fun trivia:
1. Jonah Hill is one of the writers of the movie.
2. Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence auditioned for parts in the movie.
3. Channing Tatum passed on the movie twice, Jonah Hill had to convince him to do it.

The movie was seriously funny, the movie plot was strong and the supporting characters were great! This might just be the best comedy of 2012 (maybe Ted from Seth Macfarlane might be funnier, we just have to wait).

Comments always welcome!! :D