BAFTA Film Awards 2012: Nominations

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The nominations for the 2012 Orange British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA’s) were revealed earlier this morning by Daniel Radcliffe and Holliday Grainger.

The Artist lead the way with a whopping twelve nominations, with Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy following closely behind with a still impressive ten.

Meanwhile, The Descendants, We Need To Talk About Kevin, Hugo and The Help all picked up several nominations in key categories, while Paddy Considine, Continue reading “BAFTA Film Awards 2012: Nominations” →

Review: The Artist (2011)

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Made through his lifelong adoration of the silent era, Michel Hazanavicius’ The Artist is imbued with classicism, wit, passion, love and abundant heart that makes it such a rare yet enjoyable and profound cinematic treat.

In 1927, George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is an extremely popular actor, packing out picture houses and charming the socks off anyone who takes an interest. When the mysterious Peppy (Bérénice Bejo), who he stumbles upon at a crossroads in both their lives, rises to stardom, he begins to lose his way and Continue reading “Review: The Artist (2011)” →

Blast From The Past #1: Purely Belter (2000)

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Adapted from Jonathan Tulloch’s novel by award-winning writer and director Mark Herman (Brassed off, Little Voice), Purely Belter centres on two best friends, Gerry (Chris Beattie) and Sewell (Greg McLane). The two teenagers, inspired by their love of Newcastle United, do everything in their power to save the £1000 needed to buy themselves season tickets.

It would be easy to dismiss this upon first glance, but Herman is able to construct a screenplay that defies initial expectations. He deftly mixes hard-hitting social Continue reading “Blast From The Past #1: Purely Belter (2000)” →

DVD Releases: January 16, 2011

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The Guard (Review)

Director: John Michael McDonagh

Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle and Mark Strong

An unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is teamed up with an uptight FBI agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring. Continue reading “DVD Releases: January 16, 2011” →

US Box Office: January 13 – 15, 2011

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Universal Pictures’ Contraband reigned supreme at the US box office this weekend. The modestly budgeted action-thriller starring Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale raked in an impressive $28.8M to nab the top stop.

A re-issued, 3D conversion of Beauty And The Beast proved popular with audiences, to the tune of $23.5M, while other new entry, the musical-comedy Joyful Noise, landed at four with a more than solid $13.8M.

Elsewhere, last week’s winner The Devil Inside ($9.2M) failed to entice audiences Continue reading “US Box Office: January 13 – 15, 2011” →

Golden Globes 2012: Winners

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At a glitzy awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, the winners of the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards were announced, with The Descendants, The Artist and Martin Scorsese winning the night’s top prizes.

In terms of acting, George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jean Dujardin and Michelle Williams walked away winners for their performances in The Descendants, The Iron Lady, The Artist and My Week With Marilyn, respectively.

The full list of winners: Continue reading “Golden Globes 2012: Winners” →

Review: Shame (2011)

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Brandon (Michael Fassbender), a highly successful businessman living in New York, is unable to manage his uncontrollable sex life. When his wayward sibling, Sissy (Carey Mulligan), abruptly invades his personal space, Brandon’s carefully constructed world slowly spirals out of control.

Unflinching and relentless, Steve McQueen and Abi Morgan tackle the controversial subject matter head-on, invading every aspect of Brandon’s seedy life through meditative moments – such as a hypnotising rendition of New York, New York from Sissy, which will forever be referenced – and increasingly brazen sexual encounters, rather than unnecessary plot devices and diverting side-stories. Instead of weighing down the narrative by spending time exploring the past that resulted in Brandon and – to an almost equal extent – Continue reading “Review: Shame (2011)” →

Emma Stone: Hollywood’s New ‘It’ Girl

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Who is Emma Stone?

It’s a question that has an array of different answers. Asked a mere five years ago, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who had a clue. Aside from a few brief appearances in Malcolm in the Middle and the Medium, she was an unknown, studying away at acting school, doing whatever she could to get herself noticed. Asked today, however, and most people would probably reply with something along the lines of “OLIVE PENDERGHAST FROM EASY A”. Okay, maybe not Continue reading “Emma Stone: Hollywood’s New ‘It’ Girl” →

The Trouble With Scottish Press Screenings

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While I always knew that press screenings would be few and far between in Scotland, my hopes were raised a few months ago when I discovered that two local cinemas held them. I was told they’d be rare. But, hey, who was I to complain?

Six months and a mere ten screenings later and I’m left asking myself why are we left so shortchanged? Sure, we may not have as many film publications, critics or bloggers as somewhere like London, but we do have two globally recognised film Continue reading “The Trouble With Scottish Press Screenings” →

Cinema Releases: January 13, 2011

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War Horse

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson and David Thewlis

Young Albert enlists to service in WWI after his beloved horse, Joey, is sold to the cavalry. Albert’s hopeful journey takes him out of England and across Europe as the war rages on. Continue reading “Cinema Releases: January 13, 2011” →