Tag: The Descendants

Review: Nebraska (2013)

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Nebraska

American writer and director Alexander Payne has carved a successful career from exploring the comedy and drama of life through the world-weary eyes of ordinary individuals, from Jack Nicholson’s Warren Schmidt in About Schmidt to George Clooney’s Matt King in The Descendants. His latest, the poetic and bittersweet Nebraska, is no different, and has already cemented itself as a strong awards contender after receiving plaudits upon its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. Continue reading “Review: Nebraska (2013)” →

Review: The Way Way Back (2013)

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The Way Way Back

There’s nothing more re-done than a coming-of-age comedy. Yet The Way Way Back, like Little Miss Sunshine and Ruby Sparks before it, is one of the rare ones that, despite treading familiar territory (it can’t help but feel like a younger version of Adventureland, particularly in relation to its amusement park setting), boasts such a tender, acute script and well-rounded characters that it’s impossible not to succumb to its charms and harsh-but-true honesty. Continue reading “Review: The Way Way Back (2013)” →

Academy Awards 2012: Winners

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At a glitzy awards ceremony in Hollywood, California this evening, the winners of the 84th Academy Awards were announced.

Hosted by Billy Crystal, with presenters including Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks and Melissa Leo, the ceremony delivered on big-named guests, subtle jibes, welcomed surprises and plenty of comedy.

The Artist and Hugo tied with five awards a piece, with The Artist claiming Best Picture.

The full list of winners are included below: Continue reading “Academy Awards 2012: Winners” →

US Box Office: February 3 – 5, 2012

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Chronicle soared to victory at the US box office this weekend, fending off competition from The Woman In Black and Big Miracle. Josh Trank’s low-budget superhero-come-found-footage film reaped the rewards of its terrific reviews to a very impressive £22M haul, edging out horror remake The Woman In Black ($21M) by the skin of its teeth.

Last week’s big hitter The Grey fell two places to three with $9.5M, while The Big Miracle, Universal’s whale weepy starring Drew Barrymore, drew a more than Continue reading “US Box Office: February 3 – 5, 2012” →

Cinema Profile: Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA)

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Dundee Contemporary Arts, DCA for short, is Dundee’s leading multi-purpose arts venue. Located in the heart of the city, avoiding competition from the two multiplexes (Cineworld and Odeon) set up at either end of the city’s Kingsway bypass, DCA comprises of an exhibition gallery, print studio, restaurant and relaxing cafe/bar area. What makes DCA so special, though, is its two-screen cinema.

Dedicated to showcasing a mix of films, from old to new and blockbusters to independent features, DCA do what they do with passion, determination and a Continue reading “Cinema Profile: Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA)” →

Review: The Descendants (2011)

Jamie Neish6 Comments

Best known for writing and directing films featuring strong yet confounded male figures embarking upon life-changing journeys – think Jack Nicholson’s retired soul-searcher in About Schmidt, or Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church’s middle-aged hopeless romantics in Sideways – Alexander Payne makes a long awaited return with family drama The Descendants, admiringly carrying on that theme.

Here, George Clooney plays Matt King, an established Hawaiian land baron. After his wife (Patricia Hastie) suffers a horrific water-skiing accident, he’s forced Continue reading “Review: The Descendants (2011)” →

Academy Awards 2012: Nominations

Jamie Neish3 Comments

The nominations for the 84th Academy Awards were announced earlier today by Academy president Tom Sherak and Winter’s Bone actress, and previous Best Actress nominee, Jennifer Lawrence.

Leading the way is Hugo with eleven nominations, closely followed by The Artist, which nabbed an equally impressive ten.

As well as the aforementioned two, Moneyball, Midnight In Paris, The Help, Continue reading “Academy Awards 2012: Nominations” →

London Critics’ Circle Film Awards 2012: Winners

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Actors, actresses, critics and industry types gathered at the BFI Southbank, London earlier this evening to reveal the 32nd annual London Critics’ Circle Film Award winners.

Emerging on top were The Artist, which scooped three awards; A Separation, which won two prizes; and We Need To Talk About Kevin, which – deservedly so – won British Film Of Year .

Anna Paquin (!!!) tied with Meryl Streep for Actress Of The Year, while Olivia Continue reading “London Critics’ Circle Film Awards 2012: Winners” →

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” →

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” →