MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Bridesmaids

Well, the critics were definitely right on this one. “Bridesmaids” is THAT good. The film is truly hilarious and had me laughing even after I left the theatre. What surprised me the most however, was the more dramatic 2nd half of the film, which was "pitch-perfect". I must single out Kristen Wiig who really gives a star-making performance and I would be surprised if she doesn’t pick up a Golden Globe nomination. My favourite film of the year so far.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Collateral

I decided to revisit this film as I only had a faint recollection of the ending. I am glad I did, as this is a fine piece of cinema. A true Michael Mann thriller. It has the appeal of a big action blockbuster, but with a subtle artistic flair that makes it almost seem like an indie. I love the whole jazzy, after-hours mood of it. The pacing is perfect, building up to a thrilling climax that had my heart pounding! It’s easy to see why this was nominated for Best Film Editing at the Oscars. Jamie Foxx got the Oscar nod for this, but this was also a good vehicle for Tom Cruise. Never mind all his real-life eccentricities, the man really is a great character actor.

OSCARS change their rules again!

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided to change the rules for Best Picture nominees AGAIN! We can now have anywhere between 5-10 nominees. I really don't get their reasoning behind it, especially with the stellar lineup of 10 movies last year (and it seems like another solid year ahead). This is gonna be particularly problematic for awards season followers like me, as predicting nominees for possible fields of 5 versus 10 is a completely different game altogether. Take last year for instance, would "127 Hours" or "Winter's Bone" have recieved the required 5% of 1st place votes? I don't think so. In other changes, it's now possible to have only 2 nominees for Best Animated Feature! Ugh, make up your minds already!

Full Press Release

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT: Peggy Sue Got Married

This week on Hit me with your best shot I was introduced to a wonderful film called "Peggy Sue Got Married" (thanks Nathaniel!). This film about a woman who is transported back in time really captured the spirit of high school. It brought back memories of the cliques, the naïve hopes and dreams, the puppy love, the gossip, the melodrama and the raging hormones! Nicolas Cage in particular gives a hilarious interpretation (although he sometimes sways to the cheesy side) of a teenage boy. This has to be one of the most quote-worthy films I have ever seen, as it was filled with so many snappy one-liners.

Click below for my favourite shot...

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Incendies

What a movie! This left me absolutely stunned at the end of it. One of the most engrossing films I have ever seen. The film tells the story of a pair of twins who travel to Lebanon to reconstruct their family, at the request of their mother’s will. Reminded me slightly of “The Kite Runner”, one of my favourite films ever. Throughout the film, the shocking mystery of their mother’s past slowly unfolds and you are kept on the edge of your seat. Fully deserving of its Oscar nomination for Foreign Language film.
 

All About Eve remake!

No, not really. But you can go vote for your favourite of the various dream casts in the new edition of "LAMB Casting" over at the LAMB (Large Association of Movie Blogs) website. One of those is my submission, but I won't tell you which one.

Click here to see the poll

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT: The Woman In The Window

This week on Hit me with your best shot, we looked at “The Woman in the Window”. This 1944 film is a film noir classic that keeps you in suspense all the way through. In addition, I was also tickled by the humour of it, particularly during the investigation scenes with the lead actor (Edward G. Robinson). The poor guy was ridden with guilt and made countless slip-ups. My favourite scene involves this character right at the end of the movie. A woman asks him if he has a cigarette lighter and he replies…

"No, oh no. Thank you indeed. Not for a million dollars!”

With the “woman in the window” right there reminding him of the nightmare he had been through, can you blame the guy for being rude? Lesson learned –beautiful women are nothing but trouble!

Click below for my favourite shot...

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: X-Men: First Class

"X-Men: First Class" is the most fun I've had at the movies all year. It is exactly what I wanted from an X-Men movie – good character development and wicked cool super powers! It was funny, action-packed and the retro 60's feel made it so stylish. A pretty good script too. This one really caters to the fanboys (like me) who care about the backstories of the various characters. If you're a fan of comic book/superhero movies, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT: Moulin Rouge

This week’s pick for Hit me with your best shot was Baz Luhrmann’s spectacular Moulin Rouge. This was my most difficult task for this series, as every frame is so beautifully composed. I struggled to balance my desire to sit back enjoy the film while snapping up all the amazing shots to choose from. I hadn’t watched this film since it was released in 2001 and it brought back fond memories. I was 13 at the time and recall being enthralled by the music and deeply saddened by the tragic story. The performances of Kidman and McGregor left their mark on my mind, but this time I also appreciated the vital contribution of the supporting cast – particularly Jim Broadbent and John Leguizamo.

Click below for my favourite shot...