New Movie Releases-Feb. 27

New Releases For The Weekend Of February 27, 2009 Include:

-Bruce Hendrick's Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience

-Wayne Kramer's Crossing Over

-Andrzej Bartkowiak's Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

-Greg Marcks' Echelon Conspiracy

Weekend Box Office Results

Winslet Finally Wins

(photos via celebutopia-StyleFrizz.com)

Kate Winslet finally received an Oscar for best actress in the 2008 film The Reader.  I haven't seen this film, but heard it was definitely one I must see.  

I remember when Winslet got nominated for Titanic.  I for sure thought she was going to win, but instead the old woman (who played the older version of Winslet in the movie Titanic) won.  I liked the old woman, but still felt Winslet should have one.  

After watching any of her films(Titanic, Little Children, Finding Neverland), I always felt she did a great job.  Yes, for the most part, she was almost always nominated, but she didn't win the roles I expected her to win in as much as I expected.  Oh well, no point in rehashing in the past--She finally one! :)

It was expected that Winslet would win and she did.  It was sweet how during her speech she called out for her father to whistle so that she could find him.  You could see how proud her parents are of all her accomplishments.  

Winslet looked stunning in an asymmetric Atelier Yves Saint Laurent evening gown.  She gave a great speech and looked classy and elegant while doing so.  Overall, Winslet has earned a total of six Academy Award nominations, seven Golden Globe nominations, and seven BAFTA nominations.  Winslet is the youngest actress to have received six Oscar nominations.

Side note: 

Kate Winslet claims to not be doing any more nude scenes in films.  "I don't want to become that actress who always gets her kit off," said Winslet to Time Magazine.  I love Kate Winslet and all, but isn't it a little too late for that.  Anyone remember Titanic?  Enough said.  

Brangelina Standoff-alina!

Lately, E! News has been talking about how standoffish Brad and Angelina have been towards the media--especially after the Oscars.

©Copyright 2009 Media News Group

Personally, I don't know what it's like to have media in your face 24/7-- I mean it doesn't sound so bad--people worshipping your every footstep.

As a non-famous person, I'll give Brangelina the benefit of the doubt, but will express my views on their recent standoffish attitude towards the press. I do want to make the point that it was the media that made them famous. If it wasn't for the constant coverage of the two, people wouldn't care to know what the Brangelina family is up to.

Who knows--maybe this is a publicity stunt to increase fans' curiosity of what the Brangelina family is up to--"You take a little away and people want more."

I was hoping to post the video of Ryan Seacrest's encounter with Angelina Jolie and her cold attitude towards him at the Golden Globes, but its been taken off "due to terms of use violation."  Actually, every time I try and find a video of the encounter, it is like it and the story has completely disappeared from the face of the earth.  I'm sure, however, a lot of you know what I am talking about.

E! News said that the couple had been standoffish at the Oscars too.  Maybe they just don't like Seacrest or maybe Angelina and the stress of having six kids to care for is catching up to her.  I do feel sympathy for her and Brad, but as any fan would still like to know what's going on with them.

OSCARS

GET READY FOR A RECAP OF THE OSCARS

81st Annual Academy Awards

-Winners in Bold

• Best Picture

-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

-Frost/Nixon

-Milk

-The Reader

-Slumdog Millionaire

Loved Slumdog Millionaire! 

• Best Director

-Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)

-Stephen Daldry (The Reader)

-David Fincher (The Curios Case of Benjamin Button)

-Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon)

-Gus Van Sant (Milk)

• Best Actor

-Richard Jenkins (The Visitor)

-Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon)

-Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of BEnjamin Button)

-Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

 -Sean Penn (Milk)

This was very surprising.  It was predicted that Mickey Rourke would win.  I am happy for Sean Penn, but felt bad the Rourke did not end up winning when most thought he would.

• Best Actress

-Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married)

-Angelina Jolie (Changeling)

-Melissa Leo (Frozen River)

-Meryl Streep (Doubt)

-Kate Winslet (The Reader)

I am so happy she won.  It was predicted she would win and she definitely deserves it.  It's about time!  She was so nervous, but gracefully gave her thanks to the many people who have helped her throughout her career.  Her dad also whistled, by her request, so she could locate him in the crowd.  Much deserved!

• Best Supporting Actor

-Josh Brolin (Milk)

-Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder)

-Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt)

-Heath Ledger (The Dark Night)

-Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road)

The most touching moment was when Heath Ledger was announced the winner for best supporting actor.  His parents and sister accepted the award on Heath's behalf and each gave their own beautiful speeches of how they wished he was here to collect this honorable award and how "they had talked about this day." 

• Best Supporting Actress

-Amy Adams (Doubt)

-Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)

-Viola Davis (Doubt)

-Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)

-Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler)

I wasn't surprised by this considering Penelope Cruz was predicted to win.  I am very happy for her and like her a lot, however, I was hoping Taraji P. Henson would win.  I felt like she deserved the award the most.  

• Best Animated Feature Film

-Bolt

-Kung Fu Panda

-WALL-E

I didn't really care who won in this category.  I had only seen Kung Fu Panda so I was impartial. 

• Best Foreign Film

-The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany)

-The Class (France)

-Departures (Japan)

-Revanche (Austria)

-Waltz With Bashir (Israel)

• Best Original Screenplay

-Milk (Dustin Lance Black)

-Frozen River (Courtney Hunt)

-Happy Go Lucky (Mike Leigh)

-In Bruges (Martin McDonagh)

-WALL-E  (Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter)

Impartial to this category as well.  I was not fortunate enough to see any of these films.

• Best Adapted Screenplay

-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Eric Roth, Robin Swicord)

-Doubt (John Patrick Shanley)

-Frost/Nixon (Peter Morgan)

-The Reader (David Hare)

-Slumdog Millionaire (Simon Beaufoy)

LOVED this movie! So glad they won.  My favorite film of 2009!  Everyone should see this film!

• Best Documentary Feature

-The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)

-Encounters at the End of the World

-The Garden

-Man On Wire

-Trouble the Water

• Best Original Score

-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

-Defiance

-Milk

-Slumdog Millionaire

-WALL-E

• Best Original Song

-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

-Defiance

-Milk

-Slumdog Millionaire

-WALL-E

Love the music and dancing throughout this film.  I am semi-tempted to buy the soundtrack!

• Best Film Editing

-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall)

-The Dark Knight (Lee Smith)

-Frost/Nixon (Mike Hill, Dan Hanley)

-Milk (Elliot Graham)

-Slumdog Millionaire (Chris Dickens)

• Best Documentary-Short Subject

-The Conscience of Nhem En'

-The Final Inch

-Smile Pinki

-The Witness-From the Balcony of Room 306

• Best Cinematography

-Changeling (Tom Stern)

-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Claudio Miranda)

-The Dark Knight (Wally Pfister)

-The Reader (Chris Menges, Roger Deakins)

-Slumdog Millionaire (Anthony Dod Mantle)

• Best Costume Design

-Australia

-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

-The Duchess

-Milk

-Revolutionary Road

I am so glad The Duchess won.  Costumes were amazing, especially out of the other choices in the category.  

• Best Sound Mixing

-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

-The Dark Knight

-Slumdog Millionaire

-WALL-E

-Wanted

• Best Sound Editing

-The Dark Knight

-Iron Man

-Slumdog Millionaire

-WALL-E

-Wanted

• Best Live Action Short Film

-Auf der Strecke (On The Line)

-Manon on the Asphalt

-New Boy

-The Pig

-Spielzeugland (Toyland)

• Best Animated Short Film

-La Maison de Petits Cubes

-Lavatory (Lovestory)

-Oktapodi

-Presto

-This Way Up

• Best Makeup

-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

-The Dark Knight

-Hellboy II: The Golden Army

I felt that either The Curious Case of Benjamin Button or The Dark Knight should have fun.  I almost felt like it should've been a tie between the two because the use of makeup in The Dark Knight was remarkable and so realistic.  Not to say that in The Curious Benjamin Button the use of makeup wasn't great, but it is not the first time that makeup is used in a full to make someone look younger/older.

• Best Art Direction

-Changeling

-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

-The Dark Knight

-The Duchess

-Revolutionary Road

Good choice.  Impartial to this category as well. 

• Best Visual Effects

-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

-The Dark Knight

-Iron Man

The opening number, with Hugh Jackman, was definitely entertaining and brought something different to the OSCARS.  He stated that due to the economy and cutbacks there was not going to be an extravagant opening number, so he saluted each of the nominated films with a flair and a unique take.  He carried Anne Hathaway out of the audience in a salute to the Frost/Nixon film.

The dresses on the red carpet were amazingly beautiful.  Lots of one-shoulder strapped dresses.  Penelope Cruz looked like the bell of the ball in a vintage full-skirt gown thats about 60 years old.  Kate Winslet looked classy in black and full of excitement over her nomination for best actress.  

I really enjoyed the OSCARS this year.  I felt that this one was the best one yet and can't wait till next years.  

SIDE NOTE:  I am kinda getting sick of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's standoff-ish attitude.  Anyone else agree with me??

For this weekend, February 20, 2009, new releases include:

-Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail

-Will Gluck's Fired Up!

-Michael Selditch and Robert Tate's Eleven Minutes

What Movie Is Right For You This Weekend???

• Anyone miss Madea? Well, she's back.  Madea, played by Tyler Perry, is landed in prison after issues with anger management and high-speed freeway chase.  Joe, played by Tyler Perry as well, is pleased by this, but Madea's family members support her in her misfortune.  While in prison Madea befriends a young woman who is a prostitute and former drug addict and protects her the best way she can.  Starring in Madea Goes To Jail include Tyler Perry (The Family That Preys), Derek Luke (Notorious), Keshia Knight Pulliam (Death Toll).

Madea Goes To Jail-What Top Critics Say

Madea Goes To Jail-Roger Ebert Reviews

• In the mood for a cheer?? Two, Four, Six, Eight--Who do we appreciate--Go Fired Up!  This film is about two stars of the football team who decide they are just not in the mood for football camp this summer.  When one of them comes up with an idea to join their school's cheerleading squad and go to cheer camp instead, they are surrounded by beautiful girls!  Starring in the film include Nicholas D'Agosto (Mardi Gras), Eric Christian Olsen (Eagle Eye), Sarah Roemer (Asylum).

Fired Up!-What Top Critics Say

Fired Up!-Roger Ebert Reviews

• In the mood for a documentary?  Anyone remember winner Jay McCarroll from the first season of Project Runway? Eleven Minutes is about his year-long journey in preparing for his first independent runway for New York's Fashion Week.  It also covers the process taken in selling his line to stores.  I'm sure you all know that Jay McCarroll will be starring in his own film as himself considering it is a documentary.  Other members in the film include Kelly Cutrone and Nancy Kane.  

Eleven Minutes-What Top Critics Say

Eleven Minutes-Review

IMPORTANT: Also don't forget that the OSCARS are this Sunday, February 22, 2009.  It starts live at 5pm!

For the next post, I've decided to cover the OSCARS, and let you know who was predicted to win in a specific category and who actually won.  For those of you who don't have time to watch some of it or all of it, I will have all the updates so don't worry!  For those of you who end up watching all of it, please feel free to comment!

Weekend Box Office Results 3

MOVIE REVIEW-TAKEN

I ended up seeing Pierre's Morel Taken (which came out on January 30) instead of Confessions Of A Shopaholic.  

It seems that whenever I announce a movie I plan on seeing it doesn't seem to happen accordingly.  I apologize for this, and in the future plan on seeing the movie I tell you all I would.  I was out of town this weekend and was hanging out with my cousins and the majority ruled on Taken.  

Action, Crime, Drama, and Thriller!  I really liked the movie Taken and would recommend it to all of you.  I definitely felt like my money was well-spent.  Taken is about a 17-year-old girl who gets kidnapped while vacationing in Paris.  Throughout the movie, her father, an ex-secret service agent, tries to find his daughter and kill the criminals who took her.

Although, I felt like it was pretty predictable, I still enjoyed the movie very much.  Liam Neeson, who played the father, Bryan Mills, did a great job!  He was a really good actor in the movie!  

I give it a 3.5 out of 5!  If you have some time, GO FOR IT!

If anyone else has seen this movie, please comment and let us all know whether you agree or disagree with me :)

For this weekend, February 13, 2009, new releases include:

-P.J. Hogan's Confessions Of A Shopaholic

-Marcus Nispel's Friday The 13th

-Tom Tykwer's The International

Additional Movies Opening in Select Theatres Include:

-Matteo Garrone's Gomorrah

-James Gray's Two Lovers

-Howard Hall's Under The Sea 3D

What Movie(s) Is Right For You This Weekend???

• Are you a shopaholic? If so, then you can find comfort in knowing you are not the only one! Join a New York City girl, who is addicted to shopping in the film Confessions Of A Shopaholic, as she realizes what's truly important in life. Starring in the film include Isla Fisher (Definitely, Maybe), Hugh Dancy (Savage Grace), and Joan Cusack (My Sister's Keeper).

Confessions Of A Shopaholic-What Top Critics Say

Confessions Of A Shopaholic-Roger Ebert Reviews

• Friday The 13th--Enough Said! This is a remake of the oringinal 1980 film, in which people who go near Camp Crystal Lake seem to never end up coming back. After his sister goes missing and police have no luck locating her, Clay begins searching for her with the help of Jenna, when they realize they're in for quite a horrifying surprise--a killer with a razor-sharp machete. Starring in the film include Julianna Guill, America Olivo, and Jared Padalecki (Cry Wolf).

Friday The 13th-What Top Critics Say

Friday The 13th-Roger Ebert Reviews

• Action, Adventure, Drama, and Illegal Activities??? If these terms describe your kind of movie, then The International is the one for you! When multiple illegal activities are discovered at one of the world's most powerful banks, an Interpol Agent and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney are intent on bringing it to justice--while putting their own lives at risk! Starring in the film include Clive Owen (Elizabeth: The Golden Age), Naomi Watts (Fay Wray: A Life), Armin Mueller-Stahl (Eastern Promises).

The International-What Top Critics Say

The International-Roger Ebert Reviews

I hope to see Confessions Of A Shopaholic this weekend and will let you all know if it's going to be money well-spent or money well-wasted! Don't forget, please keep me posted on what films you have seen--either if they are worth it or not so much!

Weekend Box Office Results 2

Movie Review-Push

Long lines and sold out tickets meant He's Just Not That Into You was a no go!  I ended up seeing Push with Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning.  

Sitting in the film, I thought--wow this isn't so bad--but as the ending came along I was definitely thrown off.  Push is about a group of people with special abilities who are hiding from a U.S. Government Agency, fighting in order to obtain a suitcase, and trying to stay alive in the process.  

The film sequence flowed very well.  The ending, on the other hand, ended abruptly.  Throughout the film, my understanding was that at the end we would either find the girl's mother or she would be killed.  This scenario, only made sense to me, considering that seemed to be the focus of the film.  However, that was apparently not the case.  It seemed that when the film hit its two hour mark, the director said 'okay let's cut, we're finished.'

I sure hope everyone felt the same way as me because, if not, then I definitely missed the point of the movie!  I did, however, come to the conclusion that the abrupted ending signalized a sequel to come!

Now, don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the film, but I would've much rather seen He's Just Not That Into You.

If you like the television series Heroes, then this should be a pleasant one for you!  For me, however, this would be considered a Blockbuster hit.

1.5 stars-save your money people!

Anyone agree or disagree?

If you LOVE movies, this is the blog for you!

What movies you MUST SEE and other's NOT SO MUCH!

I hope to provide constant updates of new movie releases for the upcoming weekend, commentary, and give my take on whether it'll be a success or a flop. I will be viewing one to two of the newly released movies and letting you know whether it will be money well spent or money well wasted!

For this weekend, February 6, 2009, new releases include:

-Henry Selick's Coraline

-Paul McGuigan's Push

-Ken Kwapis' He's Just Not That Into You

-Harald Zwart's The Pink Panther 2

What Movie(s) Is Right For You This Weekend???

• If you're looking for a film to take your fearless child, sibling, niece/nephew to or you and your friends just want to bring out that inner child in yourselves, Coraline is the one for you! Watch out though, according to Rotten Tomatoes, the scribes say the movie may be too scary for small children. Coraline is an animated film about a 12-year-old girl, who loves to explore, and one day discovers another world on the other side of her wall. Starring in the film include Dakota Fanning (The Secret Life Of Bees), Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives), and Jennifer Saunders (Jam and Jerusalem).

Coraline-What Top Critics Say

Personally, I like the Roger Ebert Reviews, so I have included their full review.

• Want to see a sci-fi thriller? Push is a film about a group of people with special abilities, who are hiding from a U.S. Government Agency! Stars of the film include Camille Belle (10,000 B.C.), Dakota Fanning (Winged Creatures), and Chris Evans (Street Kings). Fanning is two for one this weekend!

Push-What Top Critics Say

Push-Roger Ebert Review

• The woes of romance anyone? If you're looking for a film dealing with the difficulties associated with dating, love, and romance then He's Just Not That Into You is the movie to check out first! You will see many well-known actors including Drew Barrymore (Beverly HIlls Chihuahua), Jennifer Aniston (Marley & Me), Scarlett Johansson (The Spirit), Ben Affleck (Smokin' Aces), and Ginnifer Goodwin (Birds Of America).

He's Just Not That Into You-What Top Critics Say

He's Just Not That Into You-Roger Ebert Review

• Pink Panther---Again!? If you loved the first one, hopefully you'll love the second one. Another choice of a movie for the inner child in us all! Personally, I haven't seen the first one so I can't comment much on what to expect, but I can give you an overview of what the second one will be like---basically another mission, but this time a thief whose focus is on stealing historical artifacts! Steve Martin (Traitor), Jean Reno (The Davinci Code), and Emily Mortimer (Redbelt) star in this film.

Pink Panther 2-What Top Critics Say 

Pink Panther 2-Roger Ebert Review

I plan on seeing He's Just Not That Into You this weekend (despite the reviews) and giving you guys my take on it. If anyone sees this movie as well, or any other ones, please feel free to comment and let us all know what you thought! If we work together, we can spend our money on the right movies! :)

Weekend Box Office Results 1