Yenory's Movie Buzz

2008 MTV Movie Awards Hosted by Mike Myers

2008-04-09T14:15:00.002-04:00

The star of the Wayne's World, Austin Powers and Shrek films will host the 2008 MTV Movie Awards, announced the Associated Press.

The 17th annual show will air live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif., on June 1.

The celeb-filled event is the network's irreverent nod to the typical awards shows. Categories for Golden Popcorn trophies include best kiss, best villain and best comedic performance.

Myers, star of the upcoming film "The Love Guru," previously hosted the show in 1997.

Mike Myers blew us away last time he hosted the MTV Movie Awards with his `Lord of the Dance' and over-the-top musical productions," Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music, Logo and Films Group, said in a statement Wednesday.

"He keeps creating iconic film characters that have been etched in the minds of MTV's audiences forever," Toffler said. "`The Love Guru' is sure to spur yet another cultural movement, so we're elated to have Mike back as our host."

"Hosting the MTV Movie Awards is like a party, but without having to do beer runs in your mom's minivan; we do beer runs in Will Smith's four-story motorhome," Myers, 44, said in a statement.

Nominees will be announced in May.

Palm Beach International Film Festival

2008-04-09T13:55:00.004-04:00

The 13th annual Palm Beach International Film Festival will screen 141 films from Thursday, April 6, through April 17.

The films — which hail from the United States, Canada, China, England, Germany, Israel, Japan and Morocco — will include 12 world premieres and 10 American premieres.

"We're offering the best in independent and international film, and we're trying to reach as much of the community as possible," said Randi Emerman, the festival's executive director.

The opening-night film is The Grand, a mockumentary that follows six poker players as they make their way to the final table of a high-stakes tournament. The film stars Woody Harrelson, Cheryl Hines, Ray Romano, Jason Alexander, actor/poker pro Gabe Kaplan and Shannon Elizabeth.

The reason the film sounds familiar is because it opened Fort Lauderdale's International Film Festival in October.

The festival will close with Young@Heart, a comedy about a chorus of senior citizens that specializes in reinterpreting Top 40 music. The movie won the Audience Award for Best International Feature at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

Unlike most years, when screenings were spread throughout the county, this year's events will be centralized mainly at the Sunrise Cinemas at Mizner Park in Boca Raton.

Additional venues will include Cobb Jupiter 18, Cobb Downtown at The Gardens 16 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Atlantic University's DeSantis Center and Advent Lutheran Church in Boca Raton.

http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/arts/content/arts/film0320.html

Legendary Charlton Heston

2008-04-09T12:51:00.002-04:00

Oscar-winning Charlton Heston, best known as the lone human survivor in Planet of the Apes and the Biblical epic The 10 Commandments, passed away on Saturday, April 5.

He was 84-years-old and had been battling Alzheimer's for years, said his family to the Associated Press.

In a statement made by Heston's family, agreed of his larger than life persona on the screen, as well as off.

"We knew him as an adoring husband, a kind and devoted father, and a gentle grandfather, with an infectious sense of humor," the statement said. "He served these far greater roles with tremendous faith, courage and dignity. He loved deeply, and he was deeply loved."

In all, Heston worked on screen for more than 50 years, in more than 100 films and TV productions, including The Ten Commandments, in which he played the lawgiver Moses; Ben-Hur, in which he commanded the epic production as the title's chariot-racing prince; and the original Planet of the Apes, in which he was, simply, the last real man on Earth.

Heston was nominated once for an Oscar—and he won once, claiming the 1959 Best Actor Academy Award trophy for Ben-Hur.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/eonline/20080406/en_movies_eo/df20a83d9bfb_4b27_aee6_dcf447d8b3b9;_ylt=AnqmQLzKj1T52mHhlslOgOswFxkF

Star Wars vs. The Lord Of The Rings

2008-04-09T12:24:00.004-04:00

Gollum was no match for Jedi Knight Yoda.

In a cable battle of the trilogies, the Star Wars prequels lead over the Lord of the Rings movies, averaging on the whole nearly 1 million more viewers, according to the latest Nielsen Media Research stats announced on the Associated Press.

The challenge was the first time Spike TV's Episode I-III films ran up against TNT's LOTR films in a chapter-for-chapter, night-for-night competition for bragging rights.

Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge of the Sith, which aired on Sunday night, was the main winner, averaging 4.2 million viewers, the most for a movie in all of cable TV. TNT's Sunday night showing of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was also a big success, averaging 4 million viewers.

However, there was no competition when it came to the other films.

On Saturday, it was Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones (3.4 million) massacringThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2 million). On Friday, it was Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace (2.8 million) bypassing The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (1.9 million).

Though Stars Wars won the battle of the cable networks, fans of LOTR shouldn't fret over too much. LOTR won 17 Oscars to the Star Wars prequels' zero.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/eonline/20080408/en_movies_eo/0f54ca0e52de_44e1_b6c2_1c4595b1c830;_ylt=AhBZG2NusGm_uoP6vlj98dQwFxkF

ACTION! At the Sun-Sentinal

2008-04-01T12:17:00.004-04:00

On March 27, the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale was the set of Hollywood. Marley and Me, a new movie based on John Grogan's book starring Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson, and Eric Dane. Grogan was a reporter and columnist at the Sun-Sentinel in Delray Beach, Fla.

When I went down to the Florida Atlantic University's downtown campus in Fort Lauderdale, there were movie trucks, trailers, added security, and a buzz of who we would get to see. Down the street from Sun-Sentinel, Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson were shooting a walk through on the street, according to one of the crewmen.

Bonnie Gross, a professor at FAU and product development manager for the online division of the Sun-Sentinel, stated in class that the whole atmosphere at the building is one of awe.

She said that she would let some of her interns go down to the set, which were a few floors below her, to get a look at the whole movie production.

Some employees, according to the Sun-Sentinel, were asked to be extras on the movie, and they jumped at the chance.

When asked what their experience so far on the set is like, here is what they had to say:

"I still think Eric Dane looks sexier on TV." - -Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub, home and garden editor

"I haven't seen so many people sitting around doing nothing since the O.J. trial." -- Joe Demma, investigations editor

"I feel like I'm so much in the way. I was afraid to put my lunch in the fridge." -- Debra R. Gibbs, Help Team assistant editor

"Thank God I've lost 10 pounds because my desk is wedged in between two carts of stuff." -- Gail Gedan, The Skinny blogger and copy editor

"Alan Arkin needs to sound angrier. He's shouting too nicely to be an editor." -- Kathy Bushouse, education reporter

"First let me say, I never even knew that Josh Groban worked here. And to think, a few columns about his dog has turned into...huh? Oh, I'm sorry. Not Josh Groban. John Grogan. John Grogan? That was the funny little guy from the Palm Beach office, right? Well, until I see Halle Barry in here to play me, I'm not that invested. However, let it be known, the camera loves me!" -- Sherri Winston, lifestyle columnist

I for one would have loved to have been there. All the excitement, and meeting Jennifer Aniston, what a rush that would be.

Unfortunately, however, I was there for school and so was unable to skip school. Perhaps work?

Picture by Lou Toman/Sun-Sentinel / March 24, 2008

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/sf-0324marley-me-extras,0,1176568.story

Women's International Film Festival

2008-03-26T11:54:00.005-04:00

This years' Women's International Film Festival is not a small event. The festival, which starts Friday, March 28 and will run through April 6, will have more then 100 films from 15 countries, including features, documentaries and shorts culled from more than 350 submissions, reports the Sun-Sentinel.

The festivals opening film is Steam which stars former Brat Packer Ally Sheedy, Ruby Dee (American Gangster), Kate Siegel and Chelsea Handler (Chelsea Lately). The story, as described by Dan Hudak from the Sun-Sentinel, is about three women of different ages as they deal with adversity.

Sheedy and Siegel are to walk a pink carpet before the 8 p.m. world premiere at the Gusman Center in downtown Miami.

Though the films feature women in major creative roles, by no means are they all stereotypical "chick flicks."

The Run is an action movie about a young British couple on vacation in Costa Rica who are asked to carry drugs back to the U.K.

Sublet follows a lonely old man who relishes the attention he receives upon running an ad to sublet his apartment.

The Toxic Clouds of 9/ 11: A Looming Health Disaster chronicles health issues in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

In addition to the films, the festival will offer workshops and seminars for aspiring filmmakers, a "Family Fun Fest" in Peacock Park in Coconut Grove, and "WIFF Around the Globe," a weeklong series that spotlights women's films and cultures throughout the world.

If you do decide to go, the Women's International Film Festival runs from Friday, March 28 through April 6, with screenings and events at 10 venues in South Florida. Screenings are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, $7 for WIFF members, and $8 for seniors/students; special event prices vary. Call 305-653-9700 or go to womensfilmfest.com.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/movies/sfl-mvwiffpnmar24,0,5929797.story

Risqué Jamie Lee Curtis on AARP

2008-03-24T14:08:00.004-04:00

Jamie Lee Curtis went shirtless to pose for AARP The Magazine.

Curtis appears with gray hair and wading in water up to her chest on the cover of the magazine's May/June issue, which will be available Monday, reports the Associated Press.

The star of such movies as "True Lies," "A Fish Called Wanda" will be eligible for membership in AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and over, when she celebrates her birthday on November 22.

"I want to be older," she tells the magazine, reported the Associated Press. "I actually think there's an incredible amount of self-knowledge that comes with getting older. I feel way better now than I did when I was 20. I'm stronger, I'm smarter in every way, I'm so much less crazy than I was then."

Curtis, who is married to Christopher Guest and the mother of two children, says she reached a turning point two years ago when a tabloid published a photo of her and gave her weight as 161 pounds.

"I was like, `How dare you — I'm not 161 pounds!' I was indignant. I got home and I went on a scale and I was 161 pounds. I was in denial about it," she says.

"So I started a really healthy way of eating, just avoiding things that I had been shoving in my mouth. Over the course of a year, I dropped about 20 pounds," Curtis says.

"Now, I get up at 5 a.m. every day, filled with energy. I play tennis three times a week, and I do yoga."

Curtis says that growing older means stripping down to a bare essential of yourself.

"I've let my hair go gray. I wear only black and white. Every year I buy three or four black dresses that I just keep in rotation. I own one pair of blue jeans. I've given away all my jewelry, because I don't wear it," she says.

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/inprint.html

Denzel Washington: Favorite Movie Star

2008-03-24T12:18:00.004-04:00

According to January's Harris Poll, Denzel Washington is America's favorite movie star, moving Tom Hanks to second place.

Washington, who had disappeared from the top 10 list in 2005, returns to the list in a dramatic fashion. Remaining in third place is legendary actor John Wayne while Clint Eastwood takes the fourth spot.

These are the results of a nationwide Harris Poll of 1,147 U.S. adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive between December 12 and 18, 2006.

Will Smith also joins the list, mostly due to the success of last years "The Pursuit of Happyness". Smith enters the list for the first time tied for fifth with Julia Roberts.

Appearing again on the list, if in different orders, are:

Harrison Ford in the tenth spot, down seven spots from being in third. The last time he was out of the top five was in 1997.

Julia Roberts is tied with Will Smith for the number five spot, which she had held alone in 2005. However, she is still the only woman to be among the top 10.

Johnny Depp drops five spots on the list. In 2005, he was number two and this time out he is tied for number seven. Also tied for number seven is Mel Gibson, who previously held the spot alone.

George Clooney drops one spot, from number eight to number nine.

Gender and age appear to play a role in deciding a favorite. Clint Eastwood is number one among men, while women choose Julia Roberts.

Despite dropping overall, Johnny Depp is the favorite among Echo Boomers (ages 18 to 29). Gen Xers (ages 30 to 41) cite Tom Hanks as their favorite, while Baby Boomers (ages 42 to 60) go for someone who is no longer with us – John Wayne. Matures (ages 61 and over) choose Julia Roberts as their favorite.

Political ideology also appears to be a factor in choosing a favorite movie star. Conservatives pick Tom Hanks and John Wayne as their favorites, while liberals and moderates both choose Denzel Washington.

Additionally, region is another factor in picking a favorite. Easterners pick Clint Eastwood as their favorite, while those in the West choose Will Smith. Southerners go with the number one choice overall and cite Denzel Washington as their favorite actor, while Mid-Westerners think outside the box and choose Brad Pitt, who comes in at #14 overall.

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=720

The A-Team Back In Action!

2008-03-24T12:14:00.002-04:00

If you've been anxiously awaiting for the new "A-Team" movie, well, keep waiting. For one more year at least.

The expected release date is for June 12. Of 2009. Hope this helps to alleviate your anxiety. If not, so sorry.

The release date, as reported by Variety, is the first for the long-discussed, long-suffering project, announced the Associated Press.

John Singleton ("Four Brothers") is set to direct the movie. Michael Bandt and Derek Haas, who both worked on "3:10 to Yuma" are writing the screenplay.

The movie will follow the series as shown from 1983-1987: four ex-military men, one war crime they didn't commit, add in chases, pursuits and more chases.

Given the material, director Singleton has promised an action movie, a very serious action movie—"wall to wall kicking ass and talking shit," as he put it to Collider.com. The film presently doesn't have actors, A-list, B-team or otherwise, as Singleton himself has made very clear.

"I don't know who is in the cast yet, so all this bullshit of who is saying who is this person and who is [this person]," Singleton told Collider.com.

Some candidates, however, are Woody Harrelson to play "Howling Mad" Murdoch, the crazy pilot played on the TV series by Dwight Schultz.

As for B.A. Baracus, made famous by Mr. T., one option could be Ice Cube.

"Hell yeah," the Barbershop multi-tasker recently told blackfilm.com when asked if he'd consider copping a "Bad Attitude," as it were, "especially with John Singleton directing!"

Even with the cast undetermined, an announced director and a release date marks the furthest along the movie has gotten since the project started raising hopes nearly 10 years ago amid a wave TV-to-film conversions, such as "Charlie's Angels", "The Mod Squad" and "Wild Wild West".

Semi-Pro

2008-03-24T09:29:00.008-04:00

Though I saw this movie on the weekend it came out, March 8, I am finally writing about it. However it is late, I do hope that not too many of you wasted your money.

Semi-Pro star Will Ferrell, who has run his “lanky, inappropriate egotist excels at a sport” routine perilously close to the ground, stars as singer Jackie Moon, who manages his only chart hit, “Love Me Sexy,” into the ownership of the Flint Tropics, a Michigan-based team in basketball’s old ABA.

As the film begins, the NBA is about to integrate the ABA — but only its top four teams. Although the teams have already been selected, the ever-hopeful Jackie (who’s also the Tropics’ coach and player) convinces the league commissioner to let the league’s teams compete for the top four slots.

Jackie trades the team’s washing machine for past-his-prime player Ed Monix (Woody Harrelson), whose main claim to fame is riding the bench during the Knicks’ championship season. Ed accepted the deal mainly to get close to ex-girlfriend Lynn (the sorely underutilized Maura Tierney) but finds himself compelled to help the Tropics make it to the ABA Final Four, and thus the NBA as well.

This is a Ferrell vehicle we have seen a million times, only it was much funnier when it was called Talladega Nights or even Blades of Glory. Ferrell’s a brilliant performer — and he’s making the effort to shake his career up with smarter films like Stranger than Fiction and Elf — but he’s running a real risk of becoming the new Ben Stiller by making the same damn movie over and over again.

It’s one thing to sacrifice a compelling story in the service of a barrage of jokes. But it’s something else to try to bring characters to life when they’re at the service of the gags. And when those gags are consistently unfunny, there’s no reason to be in the theater at all.
Put Semi-Pro in TiVo and check out the random amusing bits involving a wrestling bear and a surprise appearance by Jackie’s mom; otherwise, send this movie to the showers, as Alonso Duradle would say.

As for me, these are two hours of my life that I will never get back. I've thanked my boyfriend profusely for choosing this movie.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23389466/

'Horton' On Top Again

2008-03-24T09:27:00.003-04:00

It looks like people are still listening to the Who's. For the second weekend in a row, "Horton Hears A Who" is still on top making $25.1 million, according to studio estimates on Sunday as reported by the Associated Press.

Though this movie goer hasn't seen this movie yet, and I stress yet, this new adaption of Dr. Suess' classic has been received with much enthusiasm.

Featuring the voices of Jim Carrey and Steve Carell, the movie raised its 10-day total to $85.5 million, announced Associated Press.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released today.

1. "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who," $25.1 million.
2. "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns," $20 million.
3. "Shutter," $10.7 million.
4. "Drillbit Taylor," $10.2 million.
5. "10,000 B.C.," $8.7 million.
6. "Never Back Down," $4.9 million.
7. "College Road Trip," $4.6 million.
8. "The Bank Job," $4.1 million.
9. "Vantage Point," $3.8 million.
10. "Under the Same Moon," $2.6 million.

New Star on Hollywood

2008-03-21T10:08:00.002-04:00

On Thursday, March 20, Angela Bassett became the 2,358 star on Hollywood Boulevard. Attending the ceremony were husband Courtney B. Vance, their children and guests Forest Whitaker and Laurence Fishburne, according to the Associated Press.

"Do you ever have one of those days? I woke up and the sun wasn't really shining but then it burst through the clouds and it was glorious. Hallelujah!" Bassett exclaimed to the crowd at the ceremony, reported the Associated Press.

Bassett credits include "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and "What's Love Got To Do With It" which earned her an Oscar nomination for her portrayel of Tina Turner.

(AP Photo/Nick Ut)

New Indiana Jones Coming Soon

2008-03-05T08:52:00.011-05:00

If you are anything like me, this announcement is one of great antipication.

After 25 years since the first Indiana Jones movie came to the big screen cracking whips and brushing off his fedora after another dare-devil stunt, Harrison Ford, 65, is coming back for a new adventure.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is the fourth in the series that started in 1981 with "Raiders of the Lost Ark". "Crystal Skull" comes to theaters on May 22.

The trailer, which came out on February 14, has made "Crystal Skull" one of the most anticipated films of this year, in my humble opinion.

Teaming again are director Steven Spielberg and producer George Lucas. Also returning to "Jones'" world is Karen Allen, who played Marion Ravenwood, Jones' love interest in the first film. Cate Blanchett also joins the archaeologist.

If you think that age is stopping Ford, think again. Performing his own stunts, Ford is not slowing down one bit.

"I'm still recovering from the stunts, most of which I did myself, on the new Indiana Jones film", Ford said.

And the few extra grey hairs and wrinkles on his grizzled features won't pass unnoticed. "There will ... be references that my character has definitely aged since the last movie," he said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=112447

Miami International Film Festival Begins

2008-02-28T08:55:00.005-05:00

The Miami International Film Festival begins today and runs through March 9. The festival, celebrating its 25 anniversary, has a lineup of about 120 movies from 50 countries to screen.

"We have in Miami a unique audience," said Patrick de Bokay, 52, the new director of the festival, to the Sun-Sentinel. "Miami is multicultural. Miami could have a world passport. You can show in Miami any type of film, because you have somebody, somewhere that would be interested in it."

The films will be showing in theaters from Coral Gables to North Miami Beach.

Along with the films, the talent expected at this year’s festival are Colin Firth, Juliette Binoche, Kate del Castillo, Carlos Santana, David Schwimmer, Harvey Keitel, the Coen Brothers, Carlos Saura, Tony Shalhoub, Alfred Molina, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Kate Beckensale, Heather Graham, Christopher Cooper, Demi Moore, Fito Paez, Gael Garcia Bernal and Andrzej Wajda.

Prices include: $12, $11 seniors, $10 members, $7 students with ID. For more information go to http://www.miamifilmfestival.com/

Vantage Point

2008-02-27T21:50:00.006-05:00

The action thriller "Vantage Point" is one of the most exciting and original gut-wrenching movies that Hollywood has produced in many a month. It's virtually all action, but the action is never mindless and it is full of marvelous surprises every step of the way.

Dennis Quaid plays U.S. Secret Service agent Thomas Barnes, who dived in front of a bullet aimed at President Ashton, played by William Hurt. One year later and Agent Barnes is back, although still shaken over his near death experience.

He returns on what is to be the presidents biggest day in office, appearing at a landmark anti-terrorism summit conference in Salamanca, Spain. Twenty minutes into the summit, disaster strikes.

"Vantage Point" is a very intense movie featuring different points of view of what happens from noon to 12:20 p.m. Although the movie is filled with incredible action and definitely not a dull moment throughout, writer Barry Levy and director Pete Travis didn't seem to know how to fully explain the circumstances surrounding the characters.

Why do the terrorists attack? Though I am intrigued to fully understand the terrorists motives for doing what they did, the movie is full enough of action that I'm not given too much time to fully question why, not until the end of the movie at least.

Another aspect of the movie that does tend to annoy is the continuation of so many different vantage points. By the fourth point of view I, along with my boyfriend, started getting a little annoyed. And according to my favorite movie critic, Willie Waffle, I was not alone in this.

It’s cool to see the different perspectives the first couple of times as we
witness the events of the day play out starting at 12 Noon for each character,
which brings us closer and closer to the truth each character, as well as the
audience, is seeking, but it feels like overkill by vantage point #4.

This is the summer block bluster shown in late winter. This movie is a must summer watch, on a cold winter night.

http://www.wafflemovies.com/vantagepoint.html

Bourne, Again

2008-02-27T14:12:00.005-05:00

Still high from winning three Oscars this past weekend, actor Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass are set to commit to a fourth Bourne film, reports the Associated Press.

According to the Daily Variety, Damon and Greengrass are in to do the fourth installment but due to prior commitments it will be a few years until filming begins.

This time should give producers time to plan Bourne's next step, reports the Associated Press. Author Robert Ludlum only wrote the three bestselling novels about the amnesiac secret agent.

"I just don't see what story you could do that would feel right,'' Damon told Entertainment Weekly in August just after the film hit theaters, as per Associated Press. ''It's not like you can bump him on the head again and give him amnesia. Someone suggested we could do one where Bourne loses his car keys...If that's what they're coming up with, maybe a break isn't a bad idea."

Let's just hope that the producers create an adventure that is more captivating that losing your keys.

And the Razzie Goes To...

2008-02-25T14:14:00.018-05:00

The Golden Raspberry Award Foundation, better known as the Razzies, also had there ceremony this past weekend.

The antithesis of the Academy Awards and its golden statue, the Razzies recognize the worst in the movie industry. The prize is a spray-painted raspberry.

The 28 Anuual Golden Raspberry awarded worst picture to "I Know Who Killed Me". Along with winning the worst picture, it also "won" eight categories, including Worst Actress to Lindsey Lohan.
Along with "I Know Who Killed Me", vying for awards was Eddie Murphy's "Norbit", winning him a Worst Actor raspberry.

The other film names was "Daddy Day Camp" in the Worst Prequel or Sequel category.

For the complete list of Razzie winners, go to

http://www.razzies.com/

And the Winner is...

2008-02-25T13:43:00.009-05:00

As Oscar celebrated its 80th birthday, throughout the Academy Awards ceremony, a montage of past winners were shown; from actors to screen writers to agents to the movies themselves; the Oscars last night was an homage to past winners and a celebration of this years' winners.

Before we get to who walked away with a statue let me comment on the ceremony itself.

Jon Stewart hosted this years Academy Awards and did a great job I would say, considering that the writers' strike had ended just two weeks before.

His jokes were well played and some even stumped me. My boyfriend had to explain the pregnant women and Jack Nickelson.

The songs preformed, well, to be honest, I didn't see them. The boyfriend would make me change the channel. He hates musicals.

All in all, I would say that had the writers' strike not ended, the writing still would have been good. It wasn't easy seeing the difference between the "A" script and the "B" one. I guess that is what makes good writing powerful.

And now, on to the winners...

"No Country for Old Men" came out the top winner last night, winning not only Best Motion Picture, but also Best Supporting Actor for Javier Bardem, Best Director and Adapted Screenplay for director brothers Joel and Ethan Coen. By far, "No Country for Old Men" came out the winner, winning the most Oscar's than any other movie this year.

As was expected Daniel Day-Lewis won Best Actor for his character of Daniel Plainview in "There Will Be Blood".

However, there were some surprises in the winners. Tilda Swinton won Best Supporting Actress in "Michael Clayton". French star Marion Cotillard won for Best Actress for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in "La Vie En Rose". Both of these ladies won over the pre-award favorite Cate Blanchett.

For the complete list of winners check out the link below.

http://www.oscars.org/80academyawards/nominees/index.html
(photo by AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

War Movies Top With Viewers

2008-02-22T16:32:00.006-05:00

As the Oscars prepare to show all the glam and sparkle of Hollywood and announce this years winners', Americans are asked, "What is your favorite movie of all time?" Coming in at number one is the classic Civil War epic "Gone With the Wind", followed by "Star Wars" at number two and "Casablanca" at number three.

These are the results of a nationwide Harris Poll of 2,279 U.S. adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive between January 15 and 22, 2008.

"Gone With The Wind" won eight Oscars in 1939, including best picture and best actress for Vivien Leigh. In 1977 "Star Wars" failed to win a best picture Oscar, losing out to Woody Allen's "Annie Hall", reports Reuters/Nielsen on Yahoo.News.

Too see the full list of favorite movies click on the link below.

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=874

Lindsay Lohan New Marilyn Monroe?

2008-02-19T16:05:00.018-05:00

In what clearly looks to be an attempt to re-vitalize her career, Lindsay Lohan poses nude for Bert Stern in the same way that Marilyn Monroe did in 1962.

Stern had photographed Monroe at the Hotel Bel-Air in California just six weeks before her suicide by an overdose of barbiturates.

The images were shown in Vogue, making it one of Monroe's most famous shoots, reports the Associated Press.

Stern photographed Monroe nude, using only scarves and jewelry as accessories and sipping champagne.

Lohan, wearing nothing but a blond wig, poses for Stern in the same hotel that Monroe did. For Lohan, doing the shoot was not a hard decision to make.

"I didn't have to put much thought into it. I mean, Bert Stern? Doing a Marilyn shoot? When is that ever going to come up? It's really an honor," she told the New York magazine.

Lohan says of Monroe's suicide as "tragic" and that, along with the Jan. 22 death of actor Heath Ledger from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, "are both prime examples of what this industry can do to someone."

Ironically, Lohan states, "I sure as hell wouldn't let it happen to me."

The actress has been in and out of rehab after two arrests last year on drunken driving and cocaine charges, said she didn't know why the industry wreaked such havoc on some stars, reports the Associated Press.

This issue of New York will be out on sale on Monday.

Check out the full article on http://nymag.com/fashion/08/spring/

Oscars Goes On Thanks to End of Writers' Strike

2008-02-15T13:54:00.006-05:00

With the end of the writers' strike, the Oscars show will go on, along with all the glitter and pizzaz.

The 80th annual awards show will be held Feb. 24 at the Kodak Theatre and will feature a host of Hollywood stars, announced the Associated Press.

Forest Whitaker, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus, George Clooney and Nicole Kidman are among some of the presenters. Others include Denzel Washington, Martin Scorsese, Cate Blanchett, Cameron Diaz, Harrison Ford and Tom Hanks.

The Academy was preparing itself to show a "B" style show, had the writers 3-month strike not ended on Tuesday. The show would have been without all the usual glitter of the actors, whom most had said would not cross a picket line.

"The 'B Show' was going to have the musical numbers, and there was going to be a lot of energy to that," telecast producer Gil Cates told AP Television, as reported on the Associated Press. "But it was going to rely mostly on film clips, mostly on historical clips, because it is the 80th year of the Oscars."

The "A" show now will feature performances of this year's five nominated songs, such as "Happy Working Song" from the movie Enchanted, one the movie's three nominated songs.

Along with "A" style elements, there will also be some of the "B" elements that were going to be on the show. Though, it seems that working both elements is creating a bit of a crunch time, reports the Associated Press.

"We're rushing," Sid Ganis, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said Thursday to the Associated Press.

"Instead of working 12-hour days, we'll be working 13-, 14-hour days," Ganis said. "That's OK for the next 10 days."

Heath Ledger Killed by Drug Overdose

2008-02-07T11:04:00.001-05:00

Actor Heath Ledger's death was caused by an accidental overdose of six prescription drugs which were a mix of painkillers, tranquilizers and sleeping drugs found in his system, officials said on Wednesday to the Associated Press and the New York Times.

The painkillers found in his system were oxycodone and hydrocodone, opiates, which are dangerous when combined with anti-anxiety medicines like diazepam, alprazolam and temazepam, potentially causing respiratory arrest, doctors said.

Diazepam is sold under the brand name Valium and alprazolam is sold under the name Xanax. Temazepam can also be used as a sleep aid and sold under the name Restoril. Doxylamine, a sleep aid and antihistamine, is an active ingredient in a number of over-the-counter medications, such as NyQuil.

"We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications," the New York City Medical Examiner's Office said in a statement to the Associated Press.

"Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine," the statement continues to say.

Medical experts said it was highly unlikely a single doctor would have prescribed such a mix. "If someone has an overdose death with that kind of toxicology report, it's usually an indication that they were either doctor-shopping or purchasing medications either on the street or on the Internet," said Andrew Kolodny, a psychiatrist at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn.

There Will Be Blood

2008-02-07T09:46:00.001-05:00

A++

"There Will Be Blood" is a brilliant, unflinching examination of a thoroughly evil man, Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis); directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Loosely based from Upton Sinclair's book "Oil!", this movie is Anderson's attempt at creating the All-American-Movie, which he beautifully accomplishes.

The film’s opener is riveting, spooky and strange, blanketed in shadows and completely wordless. Inside a deep, dark hole, a man pickaxes the hard-packed soil like a bug gnawing through dirt. This is the earth mover, the ground shaker: Plainview.

From here on we see Plainview become a successful oil man, with his son, H.W. (Dillon Freasier) by his side, showing the prospective clients that he is a "family man". During the 1900s oil booming California, Plainview sets out to Little Boston, Calif from a tip received by Paul Sunday (Paul Dano).

"There Will Be Blood" is about a tangle of relationships, mainly between sets of fathers and sons and pairs of brothers. But it is Plainview’s intense bond with H. W. that raises the stakes and gives enormous emotional force to this lavishly imagined period story with its pictorial and historical imagery, its raging fires, geysers of oil and inevitable blood.

The film is visually impressive, and alternates between lush widescreen shots of the desert and flawlessly composed, darkly lit close-up of the actors, presenting complicated images of the American landscape and the people in it.

It’s difficult to determine exactly what Anderson wants us to take from the film. It is, in the end, appropriately complex and ambiguous.

"There Will Be Blood "forces us to confront Plainview, who seems to be a larger-than-life personification of evil; that we don’t entirely understand him at the film’s conclusion is not a shortcoming, but rather a tribute to the depths of this most vile creature and this most brilliant film.

Untraceable

2008-02-05T10:12:00.001-05:00

C-

"Untraceable" is a thriller film which stars Diane Lane, Joseph Cross, Billy Burke, and Colin Hanks. Set in Portland, Oregon, "Untraceable" involves a serial killer who designs contraptions that kill his victims based on the number of hits received by on a website ("www.killwithme.com") that features a live streaming video of the victim. Naturally, millions of people log on, speeding the victims' violent deaths.

Diane Lane plays the protagonist, an FBI agent named Jennifer Marsh, who pieces the mystery together, at great risk to the personal well-being of herself and her family.

"Untraceable" is pretty good, up until the point where director Gregory Hoblit and writers Robert Fyvolent, Mark Brinker and Allison Burnett drag out the ending and jettison any semblance of logic to deliver one of the most cliched scenarios in the history of movies. Although we see the killer too early in the movie, Hoblit generally does a decent job drawing in the audience and making us wonder who this person might be and why he is committing such horrific crimes.

Hoblit also doesn’t overplay the whole internet angle too much. We get to play some detective, but the mystery comes together too fast and somewhat out of nowhere, leaving Hoblit to rely too long on our natural curiosity about why and how this is all happening. However, once everything is solved, Hoblit and crew don’t seem to want to let go.

The killer goes after victims who do not fit into the original motivation for why he set up the site in the first place, which only makes it all drag on forever, towards a climax we can easily predict, and presents an ending that is cheap and stupid. We don’t need the typical woman-in-peril scenario played out over and over and over again, especially when this movie is about a tough as nails female FBI agent, even if she does cry too much.

Lane does her best to save this film, and it's only her presence in it that makes this movie worth while. Lane is solid as the investigator, but I wish Hoblit and the writers didn’t throw in a bunch of unnecessary scenes designed to show her “vulnerability”. Can’t she just be a tough investigator without all of the girlie stuff?

The SAG Awards

2008-01-28T00:27:00.004-05:00

Tonight the Screen Actor Guild's awards celebrated its 75th anniversary and so far the only ceremony that was not picketed by the Writers' Guild strike. With a waiver given to them by the Writers' Guild, the awards were presented in a fashion that all viewers of awards have dreamed of. Short, sweet, and to the point.

The presenters were quick to name the nominations, the winner was said, he/she came up and received their award. The only long part during the ceremony were some of the speeches. But, it is nothing compared to past ceremonies that can last for more than four hours.

Now, without further delay, the winners of the this years' SAG awards are:

Movies
Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood."
Actress: Julie Christie, "Away From Her."
Supporting actor: Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men."
Supporting actress: Ruby Dee, "American Gangster."
Cast: "No Country for Old Men."
Stunt ensemble: "The Bourne Ultimatum."

Television
Actor in a movie or miniseries: Kevin Kline, "As You Like It."
Actress in a movie or miniseries: Queen Latifah, "Life Support."
Actor in a drama series: James Gandolfini, "The Sopranos."
Actress in a drama series: Edie Falco, "The Sopranos."
Actor in a comedy series: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock."
Actress in a comedy series: Tina Fey, "30 Rock."
Drama series cast: "The Sopranos."
Comedy series cast: "The Office."
Stunt ensemble: "24."

Lifetime Achievement: Charles Durnin

http://www.sagawards.org/

Oscar Nominations

2008-01-27T23:37:00.000-05:00

Below is the link for this years Oscar nominations. If it were up to me, the winner for best movie would be There Will Be Blood and the Best Actor Oscar would go to Daniel Day-Lewis. But again, that's just me. As for best Actress, my money is on Cate Blanchett. For the results, though, check the Oscars on Feb. 24. Hopefully the ceremony will be on and the writers' strike will be over.

http://www.oscars.com/

Cloverfield

2008-01-27T23:17:00.001-05:00

A+

"Cloverfield" is a documentary-type film about a group of friends trying to survive and save another friend from a monster attacking New York City.

The very well advertised movie would give little teasers, never showing what was really happening in this great city. When going to see this movie, I wasn't really sure of what to expect. Was I going to be subjected to another "Blair Witch Project" and be disappointed or was I going to be amazed? Well, let's just say I didn't come out of the theater wanting.

"Cloverfield", directed by Matt Reeves and written by Drew Goddard, is a fantastic story, not of a monster but of a group of friends trying to survive. The group of relatively unknowns (I only recognized Marlena (Lizzy Caplan) from "Mean Girls") make it seem more like a true documentary than an actual movie.

The movie opens up as film found by the U.S. Department of Defense as a way to study what happened at the site formerly known as Central Park (what a great tease). The movie moves from a past event that happened between Rob (Michael Stahl-David) and Beth (Odette Yustman) to the party being thrown for Rob by his brother Jason (Mike Vogel), Lily (Jessica Lucas), and Hud (T.J. Miller).

During the party a commotion ensues outside and the head of the Statue of Liberty comes flying down their street. From here, the movie never misses a beat with heart stopping obstacles trying to get to Beth. Some of the scenes are reminiscent of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, with buildings collapsing and people running into stores to get away from the dust.

Now, if you do start to think that this is real, please seek immediate assistance. We would all know if NYC had been attacked by a monster. All in all, this movie is a great one that will be remembered, especially for leaving us wanting more.

Heath Ledger, the day after

2008-01-23T09:33:00.000-05:00

Fans leave flowers and candles outside Heath Ledger's Manhattan apartment as a vigil to the promise that ended yesterday afternoon.

Drugs seem to have been a factor in Ledge's death, but what kind of drugs? As with everything that happens in Hollywood, rumors soon abound when the answers are slow coming. Though sleeping pills were found near his body, the pills "were not "scattered around, but police spokesman Paul Browne stressed police have made no determination of the cause of Ledger's death.

An autopsy is scheduled to be performed today. The investigation will take approxiamtely 10 days to complete said Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/23/heath.ledger.dead/index.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080123/ap_en_ot/obit_ledger;_ylt=Am4WPyfKxsLqNQe0fm3zXDpxFb8C

Heath Ledger; 1979 - 2008

2008-01-22T23:43:00.000-05:00

At 3:30 p.m. today actor Heath Ledger, 28, was found dead in his Manhattan apartment.

According to police, sleeping pills were found next to his body, though there is no obvious indication of a suicide attempt.

Ledger, known for his more brooding roles in film, is also best known for his Oscar-nominated role of a gay cowboy in "Brokeback Mountain".

Though he hadn't been known as a leading man in film, his presence on screen made you notice his charisma and undeniable charm. With roles in such movies as "10 Things I Hate About You" to "A Knight's Tale", Ledger implanted himself into the hearts of many and was thought of as a Hollywood heart-throb. In 2001 his career took him to more brooding roles with the film "Monster's Ball".

"I had such great hope for him," said Mel Gibson, who played Ledger's vengeful father in "The Patriot," in a statement. "He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss."

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1705928,00.html?xid=rss-topstories

27 Dresses

2008-01-22T23:24:00.001-05:00

B-

"27 Dresses" is a romantic comedy and the first movie to be discussed on my blog.

Katherine Heigl stars as Jane, the perpetual bridesmaid but never the bride. The movie is a total "chick-flick", so girls, please don't torture your men into coming. Instead, come with your favorite girlfriends and enjoy a movie that is filled with cliches that still win you over with its charm.

The dresses are horrible, the sister is the epitome of a "bride-zilla", and the love interest Kevin (James Marsden better known as Cyclops from the X-men trilogy) is the best eye candy on the screen. There is great chemistry between Heigl and Marsden and the two of them pull off this movie magically. All in all, a great afternoon watch on a rainy day.

"27 Dresses" somehow retains some charm and wins your attention even though it is a catalogue of every cliché known to moviegoers. Writer Aline Brosh McKenna and director Anne Fletcher give us the montage of Jane trying on all 27 bridesmaid’s dresses; two people fussing, feuding and fighting so much we know they are destined to fall in love before the final credits roll; unrequited love drivingour hero insane; the big misunderstanding that puts true love in jeopardy; singing along to a classic rock song; the sassy friend (played by the always awesome Judy Greer) and more. However, the acting ensemble makes it all palatable.
http://www.wafflemovies.com/27dresses.html