It's nearly been a week since the Academy Awards, and yes, I was incorrect on my prediction for Best Actress (but got all the other ones right-score!). I can only blame it on emotion. I love Viola Davis' performance in The Help. If you haven't seen it, please check it out! I admit, I did not have the opportunity to see The Iron Lady (starring Meryl Streep)-yet. But when I do, I'll let you know my thoughts on Streep's performance. I'm sure it's excellent.
Anyway, today is Friday! TGIF! I was happily surprised to learn that the trailer for Tim Burton's latest effort, Frankenweenie (a stop motion remake of his 1984 beloved short film) was released! And so..without further ado, here's the trailer! Are you excited as much as I?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD6yNqOrnQQ
Showing posts with label academy awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label academy awards. Show all posts
Friday, March 2, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Oscar Week! Watch Some Past Nominees (Veda Rains)
It's Oscar week, yeah! Everything is building up to Sunday night. As you gear up to watch the awards to see the stars, the clothes and the showmanship of one Billy Crystal (and, oh yeah, to see who goes home with the bald guy!), why not watch one of Oscar's past contenders? Set the mood. Here are just a few past Oscar contenders to keep you going:For The Hardcore Cinephile:
Citizen Kane (1941)It's been named the greatest snub for Best Picture. Ever. Period. And after watching this film, you can see why. Everything falls into place in this masterfully executed film by Orson Welles.
IMDB Logline: Following the death of a publishing tycoon (Kane), news reporters scramble to discover the meaning of his final utterance.
For The Movie-Musical with Edge Fanatic:
Cabaret (1972)Bob Fosse's shocking, sexy, daring adaptation of this musical set in Germany won a slew of Academy Awards in 1973 and Liza Minnelli's pipes are not the only reason...
IMDB Logline: A female girlie club entertainer (Sally Bowles) in Weimar Republic era Berlin romances two men while the Nazi Party rises to power around them.
For The Unconventional:
Juno (2007)Another "coming of age" story it is not. If you're looking for clever writing and a story that will surprisingly touch your heart and make you laugh all at once, look no further than this Best Original Screenplay Winner.
IMDB Logline: Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child.
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Artist (2012) The Short of It Review- Veda Rains
Two weeks until the Oscars! A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of seeing this years' Best Picture front-runner: The Artist (do you see where this review is going? haha). It's new take on an old film form has captivated audiences across the globe and I was no exception.
I find that sometimes my favorite stories on film, are perhaps the most simple stories. It's the way the story is told and how each and every single element brings that seemingly ordinary story together to become an extraordinary story. The Artist is one of these stories.
Fans of Hollywood history and its transition from silent films to talkies immediately are transported back to that time where George Valentin, a silent film star who has it all, comes to terms with the harsh reality that silent films are on the outs. While George is on the way out, Peppy Miller is on her way in, having had a small role in one of Valentin's films, she never forgets Valentin, even as she becomes Hollywood's "it" girl. Both Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo play these roles exceptionally well. As this is a (for the most part) silent film, the actors have masterfully balanced the challenge/art of expressing their emotions in a way that is not over-the-top clown-like, but rather youthful, hopeful. I found myself immediately rooting for both characters.
Overall, this story is a (shall I say) magnificent piece of work! I think you, too, will be rooting for these characters. You'll share their joy, as well as their pain. And what makes this story/journey even better? It has a happy/uplifting ending! A rarity when it comes to films that gets such acclaim. So go see it! You may cry a little, but it just goes to show how heart-warming and spirited this film is. I can only compare it to Pixar films (that team is good!). You just come out of it feeling uplifted, happy, and almost better for watching the film. So go see it!
I find that sometimes my favorite stories on film, are perhaps the most simple stories. It's the way the story is told and how each and every single element brings that seemingly ordinary story together to become an extraordinary story. The Artist is one of these stories.Fans of Hollywood history and its transition from silent films to talkies immediately are transported back to that time where George Valentin, a silent film star who has it all, comes to terms with the harsh reality that silent films are on the outs. While George is on the way out, Peppy Miller is on her way in, having had a small role in one of Valentin's films, she never forgets Valentin, even as she becomes Hollywood's "it" girl. Both Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo play these roles exceptionally well. As this is a (for the most part) silent film, the actors have masterfully balanced the challenge/art of expressing their emotions in a way that is not over-the-top clown-like, but rather youthful, hopeful. I found myself immediately rooting for both characters.
Overall, this story is a (shall I say) magnificent piece of work! I think you, too, will be rooting for these characters. You'll share their joy, as well as their pain. And what makes this story/journey even better? It has a happy/uplifting ending! A rarity when it comes to films that gets such acclaim. So go see it! You may cry a little, but it just goes to show how heart-warming and spirited this film is. I can only compare it to Pixar films (that team is good!). You just come out of it feeling uplifted, happy, and almost better for watching the film. So go see it!
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