It's An Oscar Jamboree!

The end of the film year is nigh (though my patriotic inner-self tells me that the year ended on the night of the BAFTAs). This Sunday, the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences wraps up a splendid year for world cinema. Many new and unexpected twists are expected at the Kodak Theatre this year, not least the producers attempting to shave a whole hour off the ceremony's bloated girth.

What won't be as surprising are the winners on the night, many of which could have been settled as locks several moons ago...

So predictions are as predictions will always be, pointless and ultimately fruitless apart from those categories which still have some sort of lottery attached;


Rourke Vs Penn

A monolithic acting face off. Probably the most exciting category of the night and to be honest either winning would greatly ameliorate what is certain to be a dour night in award terms. Many pundits would claim that Rourke is the sentimental choice, Penn the actors' choice. But that is a disservice to both men, who will have a much larger voting base and could conceivably cancel each other out. I love both performances (the Leading Actor category is arguably the strongest category in the field) but I just feel Penn will edge the voting.

Winslet Vs Hathaway Vs Streep

Not as uncertain as Rourke/Penn but another category which won't necessarily mean victory for Winslet. As with the Leading Actor race, Streep won the SAG award (voted for by actors, the largest group in the Academy) and Hathaway has picked up a few critics awards during the award season. But with Winslet having won the Golden Globe and BAFTA I won't be the one to back another actress!

Cruz Vs Tomei Vs Davis

Davis winning would not be the biggest surprise to be honest. Cruz still remains favourite in my view though Tomei could also nick the prize.

I think the other races are pretty much signed, sealed and delivered. Slumdog will win at least six prizes including Best Picture (the most boring line-up since Chicago won a few years back). The Curious Case of Benjamin Button should win two or three techies including visual effects and make-up. Wall-E for animated film, Waltz with Bashir for foreign language film and Man on Wire for documentary.

Another indicator for the night will be the two sound categories (mixing and editing). If Slumdog wins both then we're looking at the first clean sweep since Return Of The King in 2003.

Loved-up Lusciousness

With Valentine's Day just a night away, here is a selection of five films to add to the gleeful romance, love and fun you may have planned.


When Harry Met Sally
Starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan.
This has got to be the ultimate in romantic movies. What makes it so great? The fact that it is oh so real and definitely believable! The story revolves around a couple who ultimately end up together after a series of bad relationships and chance encounters.



The film is set over a period of around 12 years and sees the pair hate, tolerate, respect and eventually...love one another.

If it’s to listen Harry’s many insightful quotes on women and relationships, or to laugh at Sally’s fake orgasm, this is definitely one to watch. It appeals to both men and women of all ages and rings true in its depiction of love and relationships. Snuggle up close to your loved one and laugh the night away at this ever so cool rom-com. Then watch... (RM)


Titanic
Starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio
It may be over a decade old, but this film will live on to be one of the biggest romantic films of all time. The film may be based on the story of the unsinkable ship, but it’s the story of this couple love that melts our hearts.

We all know the story of frustrated damsel Rose (Winslet) who is from an upper-class family whose whole life has centred around money, stature and reputation. Her unfulfilling life is turned upside down when she meets Jack (Di Caprio), a lower-class drifter who shows her that there is more to life than tea parties and social engagements.

Their story gives us hope, it gives us faith, that we can be who we want to be and still be loved. Though historically ridiculous, it conveys the message that there is someone out there for everyone and that even the shortest of love stories can be carried with you throughout the rest of your life. It will make you cry, thats for sure, but its a film that will never die in the hearts of the millions around the world caught in its spell. Pass me the tissues! (RM)

Moulin Rouge
Starring Nicole Kidman & Ewan McGregor
Moulin Rouge is an exuberant red-currant rich sorbet of ideas, performances, extravagance and showiness. Pop culture in two hours. What a film! How to describe it with such limitations. You don't want a thesis...

Baz Luhrmann creates such amazing images and his extensive palette of song and colour just creates a gorgeous meringue which is too sweet and heavenly to dismiss. Kidman and McGregor are terrific but this is all about the overall show. Watch it in high definition and you'll be blown away further...from Bastille to Battersea and everyone in between, it's a film to be adored. (NG)



Before Sunrise/Sunset
Starring Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy
This double bill is the strongest and most resonant love parable of recent times. It triumphs Hollywood blockbusters and other BIG movie events in its intimacy and tenderness.

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are simply fabulous and share such great chemistry they put the likes of Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio to shame. The first film, Before Sunrise, is youthful and elegaic whereas Before Sunset, shadows the maturity of its mid-aged and world worn protagonists (almost completely viewed in real time). The revelations lie in the screenplays which hop through family tales, politics, war, the environment and the unpredictable meandering streams of life.



On top of this, Before Sunset ends with what is possibly the greatest ending to a romantic drama EVVVVEEEER. It will stay with you through every positive and negative amoral experience in life. (NG)

And an indulgent 6th film...

Breakfast at Tiffany's
Starring Audrey Hepburn & George Peppard
She's the most beautiful of brats, a feline carousel and yet even the toughest cat can be tamed!

Boyle-In-Show

Last night's BAFTAs threw up nothing with regards to major surprises so i'll keep my grating short and rough!

Key Points:

1. Slumdog looks set for a sweep come the Oscars claiming 7 BAFTAs. Arguably it was a lock in for 4 awards (Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay & Music). On top of this it picked up the awards for editing, sound and cinematography. Best Sound?!! Bizarre...but definately signs of a sweep.

2. Mickey Rourke knows how to give a speech! Even though he didn't know what he was saying, it delivered a little menthol cool into the night. His remark about enjoying seeing Marisa Tomei naked brought the house down! He's probably the favourite for the Leading Actor Oscar now.

3. Winslet & Cruz both solidified their positions as the favourites for their respective Oscar categories (although not locks) and they both seemed genuinely rapturous with each other's victories.

4. Brangelina sulked...until Jagger stole the show!

5. Amy Adams and Marisa Tomei. Just divine.

6. Sharon Stone presenting the award for 'Best British Film'. I won't say more...

7. Finally, placing the In Memoriam segment directly after Heath Ledger's posthumous victory smacks of insensitivity. His performance should be honoured on its own merits and not as a token gesture as a result of his death.

Thats my lot!

Stay tuned for; my Top 20 Anticipated of 2009, Discs to Spin and the week's new releases all in the next few days!

Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution

Over a decade has passed since that film about a sinking boat swept the world OVER and OVER and OVER (and over and over again...and...you get the picture).

Since those most dizzying times, the starlets who graced that film have gone on to acheive critical acclaim on their ascent to the A-List (BILLY ZANE I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU!!). Amazingly, Revolutionary Road is the first time 'Our Kate(TM)' and Leonardo Di Caprio have shared a scene together since 1997.

Revolutionary Road, adapted from the Richard Yates novel of the same name, tells the tale of Frank and April Wheeler (DiCaprio and Winslet) and their entrapment in suburban dystopia in post-war America. Frozen socially (and spiritually!), the couple set up to move to Paris with their two children. However, unplanned events pullulate awkwardly creating the rumblings which precede an EMOTIONAL AVALANCHE.

Without giving too much away, the film succeeds as a good adaptation of a classic work. Admittedly the screenplay lacks the boldness or depth of characterization developed in the novel but it still delivers a gut punch mainly due to the strong performances of the ensemble cast. Kate Winslet is terrific as April Wheeler. Open and stubborn, loving yet aggressive. Ultimately its the fragility of the woman she is portraying that gives the performance that extra dimension. It was a toss up as to which performance she would be nominated for come Oscar night. I actually prefer this performance to The Reader (I guess Ricky Gervais was depressingly right. NAZIS! WINSLET! HOLOCAUST! WEINSTEIN! OSCAR! OSCAR! OSCAR!).
Thankfully, Michael Shannon's scene stealing performance was recognised in the supporting actor category.

Finally I must insessantly clamor for recognition of the work done by Roger Deakins, cinematographer of classics such as No Country For Old Men, Fargo and Shawshank Redemption. His work is what elevates the film into much more than the sum of its individual performances.

Grade: B (7/10)

Revolutionary Road (Dir. Sam Mendes) is released on Friday 30th January.