Iron Man 2 Poster!

Yahoo! Movies has debuted this first poster for Marvel Studios' Iron Man 2, which Paramount Pictures will release in theaters on May 7. The poster gives you a first official look at War Machine! Directed by Jon Favreau, the anticipated sequel stars Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Jon Favreau, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Garry Shandling, John Slattery, Kate Mara, Clark Gregg and Olivia Munn.

"I'll Never Let Go"

I'm really in the mood to see Titanic right now. You know, I know that right now it's the norm to hate this. The allegedly schmaltzy dialogue, those one note characters, the histrionics of the scenes and all that jazz. But screw that. Firstly, what the hell are they talking about? And two. Who cares? I'm sorry. I happen to like love this movie. A lot.

And isn't that picture just lovely?

The Supporting Actor Race

Everyone keeps thinking that this one’s all tied up. I don’t know about that. Sure, Inglourious Basterds seems to have thrilled but I just don’t think that it’s going to be that cut and dry. I mean, come one, where would the fun in that be? I suppose this always ends up being the weakest category by default and though I’ve seen some men who’ve impressed, I’m not quite ready to grovel at the feet of any of them as yet. Still, as I did with the last category I’m going to weigh in on what I’ve seen thus far, and what I’m anticipating in this category.
       
CURRENT TOP 5

 

Alan Arkin in The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
Jim Broadbent in Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince
Rupert Friend in The Young Victoria
Anthony Mackie in The Hurt Locker
Christopher Waltz in Inglourious Basterds
                                    

I could see two even three of these men making my ten, but then I remember that there are so many films you don’t expect the supporting actors to come out and grab because they’re not campaigned, but then they’re good. Take last year, two of my top performances had zero buzz.
           
ENSEMBLE FILMS TO LOOK OUT FOR
An Education: Pater Sarsgaard and Alfred Molina
So I’m not sure if Sarsgaard is lead or not, but I could see both these guys going far with these performances.
                
The Last Station: James McAvoy and Christopher Plummer
I heard that they’re going to campaign him in lead; which pisses me off. That’s going to just make this campaign crash and burn. I’ll see if it’s supporting or not when I see it.
           
A Single Man: Matthew Goode, Nicholas Hoult maybe Lee Pace
I don’t what I’m going to expect, or if the performances are going to be any good. I’ll see.
           
The Men Who Stare At Goats: Jeff Bridges, George Clooney, Ewan McGregor
Are any of these guys lead? I heard Bridges is good, but my anxiety for this is waning…
             
It's Complicated: Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin
I’m not really looking forward to this movie, but who knows?
            
PERFORMANCES I’M AWAITING
Stanley Tucci in The Lovely Bones: I’m awaiting everything that this movie’s about. He could definitely land here, but I hope he can pull it off.
         
Paul Schneider in Bright Star: I’m yet to see this [obviously]. I’m a fan of his, but I’m wondering if I’m going to be a fan of this performance. I hope so. But something tells me…
              
Jude Law in Sherlock Holmes: Do I really have to explain this? I want to be this guy. Enough said. I’m biased, sue me.
            
Matt Damon in Invictus: Who knows, maybe I’ll like it.
              
Christopher McKay in Me & Orson Welles: This looks nice, light and fun. But then there’s Efron . I’ll see how it turns out.
         
Should I put any other performances on my anticipated list? Anyone impressed you much thus far?
              

PREVIOUSLY: Supporting Actress; thus far

(500) Days of Summer: Review

In contrast to the last review, I. Love. This. Movie. 500 Days is my current favorite of 2009, that is until Avatar comes out of course. This film is just another reason why I love indie films so much. It hits everything with perfect charm and wit and they do it all with little to no budgets.

The film is a story about an offbeat romance of boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. But girl doesn't.They spend 500 days together and girl leaves boy heartbroken after that. He begins to tell the story of their 500 days in non-linear order to find out what went wrong.

Okay so first I gotta talk about the two leads of the movie. Zooey Deschanel really surprised me with her acting. Summer kinds reminds me of Annie Hall for some reason, not to mention she is mad beautiful. Though some parts through the movie I just wanted to hate her, I couldn't. Shes that girl that we guys just can't hate no matter what.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a character every guy can relate to. A nice boy just trying his best to impress the girl way out of his league and the frustration he feels when the feelings aren't mutual. I like Joseph Gordon-Levitt man. I root for this guy. You want him to get the girl. There was a scene where his character finally got Summer and he breaks into a fantasy dance sequence (which I bet all us guys feel like doing when they get the girl of their dreams) BTW, don't ya'll think he's the spitting image of Heath Ledger?!

If you liked the humour from indie gems like Little Miss Sunshine and Juno, 500 is perfect for you. It a sweet mix for warm comedy and drama. Prepare for lots of clever, witty one-liners and retorts. And wow, the supporting cast was phenomenal.

The method the story is told is incredibly genius to. The editing is incredibly innovative. There is one amazing scene where Gordon-Levitts character is going to a party in Summers place and the screen gets split in two. On the left side it shows how his character hopes thier date would turn out and the right side shows his cold brutal reality. Flawlessly beautiful. Something I bet we can all relate to.

Best damn show I've seen this year. I will announce that once more. You guys have got to check this out. It just leaves you with a big grin on your face and that fuzziness inside without compromising with it's serious message of heartbreak and commitment.

RATING: 9/10 (Someone please beg me for the DVD. This movie must be seen!)

The Other Jeff

Oscar Predictions are in the air and most everyone is talking about Crazy Heart. Some have called it the country version of The Wrestler. We’ll see how that goes. Still, more than a Picture contender everyone seems certain four time Oscar nominee Jeff Bridges is finally headed for Oscar success. I don’t know about that. We’ll see what happens. Still, whenever I think about Jeff Bridges I can’t help thinking about the other Jeff; the Jeff that no one cares to remember – Jeff Daniels.

                           

I’ve always felt that Daniels has gotten the royal shaft from the Oscars – I still don’t know how doesn’t even have an Oscar nomination. So, though this may turn out to be Jeff Bridges’ year [maybe] I’d like to take a few moments to remember the other Jeff and what’s he’s contributed to cinema.

                      

Harry Dune in Dumb & Dumber (1994)

 I couldn’t resist.

                                                                       

Bernard Berkman in The Squid & the Whale (2005)

He wouldn’t have made my top 5, but considering some of the competition it would have been nice to see him end up there. If it was the other Jeff you know they’d have been all up in that.

                                         

Flap Horton in Terms of Endearment (1983)

Terms of Endearment was nowhere near my favourite film of 1983, but it had its merits. And yet, for some inane reason John Lithgow earned an Oscar nomination for nonexistent role. And Jack wasn’t even that outstanding and won the damn Oscar. When they don’t like you, the really don’t like you.

                                                               

Tom Baxter/Gil Sherpherd in The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)

I know loads of people are obsessed with this. Me? Not so much. Still, I thought he was the best in show. And that’s saying something because Mia Farrow was good.

                                                   

Louis Waters in The Hours (2003)

In his one scene he sizzles alongside Meryl Streep. He’s playing the parallel to the role Miranda Richardson and Toni Collette play in the other time periods and he more than measures up. It’s nothing like we’ve seen him before and he pulls it off exceptionally.

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

I’ve always been a bit oblivious to Robin Wright Penn. I know she’s Sean Penn’s wife, and I vaguely remembered her from Forrest Gump. I was aware that The Private Lives of Pippa Lee was essentially a film about her and I was interested at the purported presence of Winona Ryder and especially Julianne Moore. Thus, I ventured to see it.

             

I suppose The Private Lives of Pippa Lee could be termed as an Indie film. Pippa Lee is a fifty year old woman with twins in their twenties. It's written and directed by Rebecca Miller who adapted the story from a novel she wrote. Pippa is married to a man thirty years old senior and currently living in a posh retirement home that her husband – an editor – can well afford. Essentially, she’s the perfect wife. The film chronicles Pippa’s past as she comes to deal with the growing distance between her and her husband. I’m sure I’m not the only one who remembers a few years ago when Evening was advertised as the film with a collection of some of the world’s best actresses together. That flopped, but I suppose we can look to Nine for a collection to beautiful and talented women. But on this note, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee should not be underestimated. Robin Wright Penn, Maria Bello, Winona Ryder, Julianne Moore, Monica Belucci, Shirley Knight, Blake Lively. Perhaps they’re not as glamorous as Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz nor as revered as Meryl Streep and Vanessa Redgrave; however each of these women; some working with five minutes, some working with fifty minutes; gives a great performance.

                

It seems that as far as critics are concerned The Private Lives of Pippa Lee is not an unbridled success. It’s yet to open in the US, but reviews if positive are never grossly so. And I suppose it’s not a perfect film, not by any means. Miller sometimes falters when she has scenes that don't move the plot forward. But the film is utterly charming. Of the aforementioned women I could not help but be most impressed with Winona Ryder. It’s not that she’s best in show – she isn’t. I don’t know if others will share my sentiment, but in a small role Ryder is bathetic and sympathetic all at once. But all the other women are great. Maria Bello’s psychotic mother is a great treasure, and Julianne Moore [who incidentally shot her scenes in two days] is a nice treat. All this is grounded by the performance of Wright Penn. She must play the good guy to all these atrocities; as must Blake Lively who plays her younger incarnation. I’ve never been impressed with Lively – but here she shines. With a maturity I’ve never noticed before she does a fine job.

                     

It’s a women’s picture but no one can put Alan Alda in a corner; and as Pippa’s husband he’s a treat. And Keanu Reeves [whom I loathe] didn’t destroy the film. Not one bit. The entire ensemble contribute to making a perfectly enjoyable little film. In a perfect world I suppose someone from the cast should be in contention for some awards – but I’m not even going to go there. Still, this is a nice film. I know it won’t be a huge success, but I sincerely hope it makes a profit. Imperfect, but no less enjoyable for its faults, Pippa Lee is a treat.

           

B

The Supporting Actress Race

American Thanksgiving has come and gone and as December begins and Christmas draws nearer a young movie blogger’s fancy turns to Oscar buzz. It seems the norm. as the year draws nearer, all the prestige pictures are released and we can’t help but contemplate who will win what – and we predict. But I don’t predict the Oscars. I just don’t have the heart. Sure when it’s a few days before I’ll get a list of who I think will we nominated. I’m actually quite good at that, but I don’t have the longevity like some for year round predictions. I suppose then you’re wondering what exactly the title of this post means.

               

I’ve seen a little over thirty films of 2009 so far – not outstanding, but considering it’s not that bad. I’m already wondering what my own personal awards will look like next February. There are a host of films I’ve yet to see. But that only makes it interesting. Still, with only a few important titles under my belt I’ve already taken a liking to a few of the Supporting Women in films I’ve seen thus far. So I’ll take a look at them whilst looking ahead at the women who’re likely to uproot them.

           

CURRENT TOP 5

Maria Bello in The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

Kristin Chenoweth in Into Temptation

Patricia Clarkson in Whatever Works

Marion Cotillard in Public Enemies

Diane Kruger in Inglourious Basterds

              

Each of these five women with their limited roles do much to improve their respective films. I’d have loved to have any of these women in my top 5 in any particular year, so I must pay tribute to them now since it’s likely that few if any will remain in my top ten by the time I’ve seen all the films I want to.

            

ENSEMBLE FILMS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Nine: Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench perhaps Nicole Kidman or Kate Hudson

I know Cotillard is being campaigned in lead, but she’ll probably be supporting for me. If Nine hold up it could easily take three spots in my end of year awards.

      

The Lovely Bones: Susan Sarandon and Rachel Weisz

It’s very possible to see both these women taking a spot in my top ten or even the top 5. I’m looking forward especially to Susan Sarandon who was probably my favourite actress of the nineties.

         

Precious: MoNique, Mariah Carey perhaps Paula Patton

I won’t try to escape the buzz for Precious. I wonder if MoNique will top my awards... Still I am a fan of hers and she could very well take a place, and if Mariah is as amazing as they say, who knows?

          

Up In the Air: Vera Farmiga or Anna Kendrick

Vera Farmiga is my biggest draw to this film, and if she’s good she could end up here. I’ve been hearing good things about Kendrick, so she too could make a play for it.

           

PERFORMANCES THAT COULD IMPRESS

Julianne Moore in A Single Man: With a little cameo she’s scintillating in The Private Lives of Pippa Lee in a nondescript role. I only wonder what she’ll do with a proper role here. I hope she doesn’t disappoint.

     

Natalie Portman in Brothers: I’m keeping my fingers crossed here. The trailer seemed promising enough.

                 

Drew Barymore in Everybody’s Fine: No one’s predicting this, but not being Oscar worthy doesn’t mean I won’t like it. Maybe I’ll like it, or maybe I won’t. But I’m looking out.

                  

Rosamund Pike in An Education: I was a fan of this young lady in Pride & Prejudice. I’ve never been a hater of a performance based on screen time, and regardless of how short this is, if I’m impressed so be it. we’ll see…

                

Marcia Gay Harden in Whip It: I should have seen this by now. Marcia has topped my Year End Supporting Actress list twice, will this be enough to land her there again? I doubt…but she could be in the running.

Antichrist: Part Deux

Previously: Part Une

Sometimes it seems that some films are just begging you to hate them. It’s not the typical horror of Blades of Glory or I Love You, Beth Cooper hatred. No one would anticipate those two horrors to be anything but. It’s when you watch a film that not exactly disappoints, but leaves you unmoved even though there are moments – fleeting perhaps – that make you sad it’s so horrible. It’s so with Antichrist for me. I didn’t plan on disliking Von Triers’ latest release. I’m no fan of his, but there’s no active dislike. What turns this movie into a conundrum is that there are scenes, like that ethereal opening that thwart your complete hatred. But even that sole scene, as beautiful as it is, seems so indulgent. Or that walk Gainsbourg has in the woods. Beautifully done – but not all too necessary. Or is it?

It’s silly things like the fact that Willem and Charlotte seem to be a poorly matched couple. And even sillier things like the fact that their accents don’t match. Obviously people have married with differing accents, but it’s even the smallest things like that. And you wonder, is that Von Triers’ intent? It would be too supercilious to lodge the complaint of him being gratuitous – for at the end of the day, what is gratuity? But you can’t shake that gimmicky feeling. Like that wordless first scene I referred to earlier with the now controversial shot of the penis in the shower. What exactly does that add to the tone of the film? It’s all about the director’s preference of course, but would Antichrist have been any worst of without those three seconds?

             

You can almost see Von Triers’ menacing visage imprinted on screen laughing at us all. The way that his titled in superimposed on the screen is definitely macabre and almost ridiculous. Filmmaking is all subjective when it comes down to the nitty gritty, but I haven’t changed my initial reaction. Certainly, I’ve let it mull over for  a day. I still don’t like it. That’s that.

The Twilight Saga- New Moon: Review

Sigh.........

And come to think I was looking forward to this after seeing the trailer. Sigh..... Why? Why would they do this? They had everything. An Oscar nominated director, a 50 million dollar budget, the greatness of Michael Sheen and a sex goddess named Taylor Lautner and they still managed to fuck it up.

No seriously girls.. you'd rather have the one on the left??

New Moon is kinda like Twilight only with werewolves this time. Edward (AHHHHHHHHHHH) decides he wants to leave Bella and Bella gets depressed. Bella hooks up with her bestfriend Jacob (AHHHHHHHHH) and then leaves him cause Edward wants to kill himself. End of movie.

Let me just start by saying that I officially hate Bella Swan. She is one of the most self centered, cock tease of a bitch I have ever had the misfortune to witness on a cinema screen. How is it that so many girls love her? In the real world, we call her type the psycho clingy girlfriend type. I mean she screams and cries, moaps and whines for a quarter of a year just cause she can't get what she wants. And just when there is someone who is stupid enough to like her, she goes and toy with his abs, rubs him, kisses him, tells him she loves him then leaves him for a 109 year old shiny vampire. God! Jesus Christ! And I love Kristen Stewart, she did some pretty nice movies pre-Twilight, but man she is really one note playing Bella.

One a more positive side.... er.. the production aspect of New Moon was nice. The effects and overall technical side of the movie were a huge improvement from the first movie. I loved the werewolves and the chase sequences in the film and the Vultori scene, but they were kinda brief. Chris Weitz did a nice job with the directing. But all that couldn't save this film.

I still can't see how Bella and Edward (AHHHH) like each other. Kristen Stewart and Rob Pattinson have absolutely no chemistry together.

Now Taylor Lautner on the other hand.. Hello, hunny you are one fine piece of wolf. The Bella/Jacob relationship is so much more believeable than with Cullen and it's safe for me to say that Lautner was the best performance in the movie aside from Billy Burke, Michael Sheen and Peter Facinelli. (That was not a complement okay, Taylor Lautner being the best actor in your movie is just saaad)

Melissa Rosenberg, she's the writer of both Twilight films and she was the writer of the last season of The O.C. God, she is one of the worst screen writers ever. New Moon had zero story, zero plot development and horrible horrible dialogue. Like:

Edward: "Bella, you breathing is my gift." (WTF)

I laughed so hard watching this movie. Even the fans were laughing at the embarrassing dialogue. The best was the final punchline of New Moon, the entire cinema just started laughing their asses of.

So to sum up New Moon.

1. To protect your bleeding girlfriend from your blood hungry vampire brother, knock her clean across the room and make her bleed more.
2. What happens when Bella haves her period?
3. Want your ex to come back to you? Jump off a cliff!
4. Native American kids are so poor they can't afford shirts.
5. Girls want pasty white boys who look like they are gonna cry or puke at any moment and have an aura of depression surrounding them over solid muscular tan dudes.

RATING: 2/10