I recently had a chance to see the Oscar nominated Western "True Grit" starring Jeff Bridges. I fully admit that it is normally out of my usual style of movies.
I didnt expect to enjoy the movie as much as I did. I mean, let's face it. The closest movie I have to a western in my DVD collection is Back To The Future 3. There was really 3 major performances in this movie.
First let me speak of Matt Damon. For a guy from Boston his texas accent is pretty good. It's much better then James "I Don't Want Your Life" Vanderbeek. He is as close to the comic relief in this movie as there will be, however everyone had some good lines.
New comer Hallie Steinfield played the role of Mattie, the girl seeking revenge on her father's murder. She kind of scared me for a 14 year old girl. She definitely deserved the Oscar Nomination that she got, especially considering this is her first major role. To share the screen with Matt Damon and Jeff Bridges and go toe to toe with them is nothing short of phenomenonal. I wouldnt want to mess with Mattie. She was total no nonsense.
And of course then there is Jeff Bridges who late in his career is reinvented himself from just a solid actor to appearing in blockbusters that you would never expect him to be in. In the role for this movie, he seemed to mumble more then he talked. But some of the looks he gave could scare the rust off of a bumper. Alot of times his character was drunk and rambling, which was pretty funny.
I would give the movie a 8 out of 10 stars and highly reccomend it. I am hoping to catch more of the Oscar nominees before the awards are given out
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The Oscars 2011 Announcement Edition
Every year there is always atleast one or two noticeable person or movie that gets snubbed for the Oscar. I think it's safe to say the person that most people are surprised didnt get a nomination is Christopher Nolan for his movie "Weird Acid Trip" I mean "Inception". Speaking of "Inception", no one got acting nominations for it either. No Leonardo DiCaprio or Bane, I mean Tom Hardy. Most people expected alot of nominations for the movie.
Another movie that alot of people expected alot of Acting nominations for was "The Social Network". But only one acting nomination was had and that was for the kid chasing Zombies, Jesse Eisenberg. There was even talk of Justin Timberlake getting a nomination, which would put him in serious EGOT contention. But unfortunately for him it just didnt happen this year.
The movie with the most nominations this year was "The King's Speech". It garnered 12nominations including pretty much all the major categories like 3 for acting, directing, best picture etc etc.
I am not sure how I still feel about Best Picture having 10 films nominated. I do think this year alone though most of the nominees atleast have a chance at it. I would like to see an upset this year though I could really see 8 of the 10 films winning.
I think I will make my picks as we get closer to actual awards. I did pretty good in my picks last year. So hopefully I will continue that trend. Check back later!
In non oscar news, rumor is that after Kevin Smith's next film "Red State" he will direct just one more movie and then step out of Hollywood. Many people know what a huge Kevin Smith nerd so that is very sad news if it's true. He has become disenchanted with the Hollywood way, and quite frankly I can't say I blame him. So the last picture will be "Hit Somebody" apparently :(
If you enjoy reading Entertainment Guru News and Views you might also make your way to The Peverett Phile
Another movie that alot of people expected alot of Acting nominations for was "The Social Network". But only one acting nomination was had and that was for the kid chasing Zombies, Jesse Eisenberg. There was even talk of Justin Timberlake getting a nomination, which would put him in serious EGOT contention. But unfortunately for him it just didnt happen this year.
The movie with the most nominations this year was "The King's Speech". It garnered 12nominations including pretty much all the major categories like 3 for acting, directing, best picture etc etc.
I am not sure how I still feel about Best Picture having 10 films nominated. I do think this year alone though most of the nominees atleast have a chance at it. I would like to see an upset this year though I could really see 8 of the 10 films winning.
I think I will make my picks as we get closer to actual awards. I did pretty good in my picks last year. So hopefully I will continue that trend. Check back later!
In non oscar news, rumor is that after Kevin Smith's next film "Red State" he will direct just one more movie and then step out of Hollywood. Many people know what a huge Kevin Smith nerd so that is very sad news if it's true. He has become disenchanted with the Hollywood way, and quite frankly I can't say I blame him. So the last picture will be "Hit Somebody" apparently :(
If you enjoy reading Entertainment Guru News and Views you might also make your way to The Peverett Phile
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Natalie Portman Edition!
Every year, Entertainment Weekly in mid December releases their Entertainer of The Year. I know it's only mid January, but I am going on record to say who 2011 Entertainer of the Year will be. It will be none other then Queen Amidala herself, Natalie Portman.
Why do I say that? Well, for starters she has not one, not two, not three, but FOUR movies coming out in 2011. Plus, I think she has something else going on, but we will get to that a little bit later.
Her first movie of the year comes out this month. It's a comedy called "No Strings Attached" co-starring Mr. Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher. Even better, it's a sex comedy starring Natalie Portman. It does look pretty funny. Ashton Kutcher plays the same character he plays in pretty much every movie, TV show and even camera commerical.
Next up is "Your Highness" co-starring James Franco, Danny McBride and Zoey Deschanel. James Franco as a brave knight? Oh yeah, I can see that. Danny Mcbride as a goofy knight? Goofy? Of course... a knight? Well, If Martin Lawrence can play a knight I dont see why.
Then in Early May a little movie called "Thor". It's the next in the Pre-Avenger Marvel comic movies also starring Anthony Hopkins and Chris Hemsworth. The first trailer didnt make me want to see the movie, but after the trailer I saw last night makes me excited for the movie.
At some point later in the year or early 2012 (if we as a society make it that far) she has a movie in pre-production called Cloud Atlas as well.
There is more that will add to her year. She has been nominated for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actor's Guild award for her performance in "Black Swan". There is serious Oscar buzz for her as well for the first time in her career as well.
As if that wasnt enough for her year, she is also currently pregnant and engaged so I think that alone should make it the year of Portman!
Why do I say that? Well, for starters she has not one, not two, not three, but FOUR movies coming out in 2011. Plus, I think she has something else going on, but we will get to that a little bit later.
Her first movie of the year comes out this month. It's a comedy called "No Strings Attached" co-starring Mr. Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher. Even better, it's a sex comedy starring Natalie Portman. It does look pretty funny. Ashton Kutcher plays the same character he plays in pretty much every movie, TV show and even camera commerical.
Next up is "Your Highness" co-starring James Franco, Danny McBride and Zoey Deschanel. James Franco as a brave knight? Oh yeah, I can see that. Danny Mcbride as a goofy knight? Goofy? Of course... a knight? Well, If Martin Lawrence can play a knight I dont see why.
Then in Early May a little movie called "Thor". It's the next in the Pre-Avenger Marvel comic movies also starring Anthony Hopkins and Chris Hemsworth. The first trailer didnt make me want to see the movie, but after the trailer I saw last night makes me excited for the movie.
At some point later in the year or early 2012 (if we as a society make it that far) she has a movie in pre-production called Cloud Atlas as well.
There is more that will add to her year. She has been nominated for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actor's Guild award for her performance in "Black Swan". There is serious Oscar buzz for her as well for the first time in her career as well.
As if that wasnt enough for her year, she is also currently pregnant and engaged so I think that alone should make it the year of Portman!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
In Defense Of the "Special Sitcom" Episode Edition
Recently one of my favorite Sitcoms did an episode that was funny up until the last minute of the show and then did a tragic ending. Upon going online that night and I saw one of my friends rip the episode. The quote was something along the lines of "This show has lost it's edge lately and this just pushed it too far". He went on to say "If I wanted to watch drama, I'd turn on my real life. I turn to sitcoms for laughs, not for a reminder of real world"
First off the show in question has been pretty sharp this year, so it hasn't lost any edge. It is just as funny and witty as it always has been.
Secondly, the special episode of a sitcom has been a staple of sitcoms from as far back as I remember watching TV. Every single Sitcom has done a show or many that went from just being funny to being serious. For example, Family Ties did an episode where the Mr. Keaton's brother comes into town. Doesn't sound bad does it? Oh, did I mention he is an alcoholic? Or that he was played by Uber-Oscar winner Tom Hanks? Growing Pains did an episode where Carol's friend was in a car accident because he was drunk driving. She went to visit him in the hospital and he was fine! Yeah! But by the time she got home, Mike had to give her the bad news that he had just died. The Friend was played by Uber-Never Going to be Nominated for an Oscar Matthew Perry.Does that sound like a sitcom to you?
Sitcoms are about life. Life isn't always funny, no matter how much we try to make it. And I am sure the next episode of the show in question will be more drama then comedy. It's just a way for the actors to give their characters a little more depth and try to win an Emmy! There is nothing wrong with that, now is there?
First off the show in question has been pretty sharp this year, so it hasn't lost any edge. It is just as funny and witty as it always has been.
Secondly, the special episode of a sitcom has been a staple of sitcoms from as far back as I remember watching TV. Every single Sitcom has done a show or many that went from just being funny to being serious. For example, Family Ties did an episode where the Mr. Keaton's brother comes into town. Doesn't sound bad does it? Oh, did I mention he is an alcoholic? Or that he was played by Uber-Oscar winner Tom Hanks? Growing Pains did an episode where Carol's friend was in a car accident because he was drunk driving. She went to visit him in the hospital and he was fine! Yeah! But by the time she got home, Mike had to give her the bad news that he had just died. The Friend was played by Uber-Never Going to be Nominated for an Oscar Matthew Perry.Does that sound like a sitcom to you?
Sitcoms are about life. Life isn't always funny, no matter how much we try to make it. And I am sure the next episode of the show in question will be more drama then comedy. It's just a way for the actors to give their characters a little more depth and try to win an Emmy! There is nothing wrong with that, now is there?
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