2013 was a fantastic year for film. It’s as simple as that. Technological boundaries were broken, Disney made a triumphant comeback with not one but two wonderful animated releases, Noah Baumbach proved what could happen when you make a film on a shoestring budget and in black-and-white, and Steven Soderbergh bid a fond farewell to the cinematic world with the fantastic one-two punch of pharmaceutical drama Side Effects and outlandish Liberace biopic Behind The Candelabra. Continue reading “2013 In Review: Top Ten Films”
Tag: Toy Story 3
83rd Academy Awards: Winners
Best Picture
- The Social Network
- Winter’s Bone
- The King’s Speech – WINNER
- Black Swan
- The Fighter
- True Grit
- Toy Story 3
- The Kids Are All Right
- 127 Hours
- Inception
Best Director
- Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
- Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) – WINNER
- David Fincher (The Social Network)
- Joel & Ethan Coen (True Grit)
- David O. Russell (The Fighter)
Best Actor
- James Franco (127 Hours)
- Colin Firth (The King’s Speech) – WINNER
- Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
- Javier Bardem (Biutiful)
- Jeff Bridges (True Grit)
Best Actress
- Natalie Portman (Black Swan) – WINNER
- Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right)
- Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone)
- Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)
- Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
Best Supporting Actor
- John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone)
- Christian Bale (The Fighter) – WINNER
- Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right)
- Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech)
- Jeremy Renner (The Town)
Best Supporting Actress
- Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
- Melissa Leo (The Fighter) – WINNER
- Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)
- Amy Adams (The Fighter)
- Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech)
Best Original Screenplay
- Mike Leigh (Another Year)
- Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg (The Kids Are All Right)
- David Seidler (The King’s Speech) – WINNER
- Christopher Nolan (Inception)
- Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington (The Fighter)
Best Adapted Screenplay
- Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) – WINNER
- Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy (127 Hours)
- Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton & Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3)
- Joel Coen & Ethan Coen (True Grit)
- Debra Granik & Anne Rosellin (Winter’s Bone)
Best Animated Film
- The Illusionist
- Toy Story 3 – WINNER
- How To Train Your Dragon
Best Foreign Language Film
- Dogtooth
- In A Better World – WINNER
- Biutiful
- Incendies
- Outside The Law
Best Documentary
- Inside Job – WINNER
- Exit Through The Gift Shop
- GasLand
- Restrepo
- Waste Land
Best Art Direction
- Inception
- Alice In Wonderland – WINNER
- The King’s Speech
- Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1
- True Grit
Best Cinematography
- Black Swan
- The Social Network
- Inception – WINNER
- True Grit
- The King’s Speech
Best Visual Effects
- Hereafter
- Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1
- Iron Man 2
- Inception – WINNER
- Alice In Wonderland
Best Costume Design
- I Am Love
- Alice In Wonderland – WINNER
- The King’s Speech
- True Grit
- The Tempest
Best Editing
- The Fighter
- Black Swan
- The Social Network – WINNER
- 127 Hours
- The King’s Speech
Best Makeup
- The Wolfman – WINNER
- Barney’s Version
- The Way Back
Best Short Film (Live Action)
- Na Wewe
- The Confession
- Wish 143
- The Crush
- God Of Love – WINNER
Best Short Film (Animated)
- Let’s Pollute
- The Gruffalo
- Day & Night
- The Lost Thing – WINNER
- Madagascar, A Journey Diary
Best Short Film (Documentary)
- Killing In The Name
- Poster Girl
- Strangers No More – WINNER
- Sun Come Up
- The Warriors Of Quigang
Best Original Score
- How To Train Your Dragon (John Powell)
- Inception (Hans Zimmer)
- The King’s Speech (Alexandre Desplat)
- 127 Hours (A.R. Rahman)
- The Social Network (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) – WINNER
Best Original Song
- Coming Home (Country Strong)
- I See The Light (Tangled)
- If I Rise (127 Hours)
- We Belong Together (Toy Story 3) – WINNER
Best Sound Mixing
- Inception – WINNER
- Salt
- The Social Network
- True Grit
- The King’s Speech
Best Sound Editing
- Toy Story 3
- Inception – WINNER
- True Grit
- Unstoppable
- Tron: Legacy
64th BAFTA Film Awards: Winners
Best Film
- The King’s Speech
Outstanding British Film
- The King’s Speech
Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer
- Chris Morris (Four Lions)
Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema
- Harry Potter
Director
- David Fincher (The Social Network)
Fellowship
- Christopher Lee
Original Screenplay
- David Seidler (The King’s Speech)
Adapted Screenplay
- Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network)
Foreign Film
- The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Animated Film
- Toy Story 3
Leading Actor
- Colin Firth (The King’s Speech)
Leading Actress
- Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Supporting Actor
- Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech)
Supporting Actress
- Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech)
Original Music
- The King’s Speech (Alexandre Desplat)
Cinematography
- True Grit
Editing
- The Social Network
Production Design
- Inception
Costume Design
- Alice In Wonderland
Special Visual Effects
- Inception
Sound
- Inception
Make Up & Hair
- Alice In Wonderland
Short Film
- Until The River Runs Red
Short Animation
- The Eagleman Stag
Orange Wednesday Rising Star
- Tom Hardy
83rd Academy Awards: Nominations
Best Picture
- The Social Network
- Winter’s Bone
- True Grit
- Black Swan
- The King’s Speech
- 127 Hours
- The Fighter
- Toy Story 3
- Inception
- The Kids Are All Right
Best Director
- Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
- David Fincher (The Social Network)
- Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech)
- Joel & Ethan Coen (True Grit)
- David O. Russell (The Fighter)
Best Actor
- Colin Firth (The King’s Speech)
- Javier Bardem (Biutiful)
- Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
- James Franco (127 Hours)
- Jeff Bridges (True Grit)
Best Actress
- Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
- Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone)
- Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
- Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)
- Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right)
Best Supporting Actor
- John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone)
- Christian Bale (The Fighter)
- Jeremy Renner (The Town)
- Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right)
- Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech)
Best Supporting Actress
- Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)
- Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
- Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
- Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech)
- Amy Adams (The Fighter)
Best Original Screenplay
- Another Year (Mike Leigh)
- The Kids Are All Right (Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg)
- The King’s Speech (David Seidler)
- Inception (Christopher Nolan)
- The Fighter (Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington)
Best Adapted Screenplay
- 127 Hours (Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy)
- The Social Network (Aaron Sorkin)
- Toy Story 3 (Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton & Lee Unkrich)
- True Grit (Joel & Ethan Coen)
- Winter’s Bone (Debra Granik & Anne Rosellin)
Best Animated Film
- Toy Story 3
- How To Train Your Dragon
- The Illusionist
Best Foreign Language Film
- Biutiful
- Dogtooth
- In A Better World
- Incendies
- Outside The Law
Best Documentary
- GasLand
- Inside Job
- Exit Through The Gift Shop
- Restrepo
- Waste Land
Best Art Direction
- Inception
- Alice In Wonderland
- Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1
- The King’s Speech
- True Grit
Best Cinematography
- Black Swan
- Inception
- The King’s Speech
- True Grit
- The Social Network
Best Costume Design
- The Tempest
- I Am Love
- Alice In Wonderland
- The King’s Speech
- True Grit
Best Editing
- The King’s Speech
- Black Swan
- The Fighter
- 127 Hours
- The Social Network
Best Short Film (Live Action)
- The Crush
- Wish 143
- Na Wewe
- The Confession
- God Of Love
Best Short Film (Animated)
- The Gruffalo
- Day & Night
- Let’s Pollute
- The Lost Thing
- Madagascar, A Journey Diary
Best Makeup
- The Wolfman
- Barney’s Version
- The Way Back
Best Original Score
- Inception (Hanz Zimmer)
- How To Train Your Dragon (John Powell)
- The King’s Speech (Alexandre Desplat)
- 127 Hours (A.R. Rahman)
- The Social Network (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross)
Best Original Song
- Coming Home (Country Strong)
- I See The Light (Tangled)
- If I Rise (127 Hours)
- We Belong Together (Toy Story 3)
Best Sound Mixing
- Salt
- Inception
- The King’s Speech
- True Grit
- The Social Network
Best Sound Editing
- Toy Story 3
- Inception
- Unstoppable
- True Grit
- Tron: Legacy
Best Visual Effects
- Hereafter
- Alice In Wonderland
- Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1
- Iron Man 2
- Inception
64th BAFTA Film Awards: Nominations
Best Film
- Black Swan
- Inception
- The King’s Speech
- True Grit
- The Social Network
Outstanding British Film
- 127 Hours
- Another Year
- Four Lions
- Made In Dagenham
- The King’s Speech
Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer
- The Arbor – Clio Barnard (Writer), Tracy O’Riordan (Producer)
- Exit Through The Gift Shop – Banksy (Director), Jaimie D’Cruz (Producer)
- Four Lions – Chris Morris (Writer/Director)
- Monsters – Gareth Edwards (Writer/Director)
- Skeletons – Nick Whitfield (Writer/Director)
Director
- Danny Boyle – (127 Hours)
- Black Swan – (Darren Aronofksy)
- Christopher – Nolan (Inception)
- Tom Hooper – (The King’s Speech)
- David Fincher – (The Social Network)
Original Screenplay
- Black Swan – (Mark Heyman, Andrés Heinz & John McLaughlin)
- The Fighter – (Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson)
- Inception – (Christopher Nolan)
- The Kids Are All Right – (Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg)
- The King’s Speech – (David Seidler)
Adapted Screenplay
- 127 Hours – (Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy)
- The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – (Rasmus Heisterberg, Nikolaj Arcel)
- The Social Network – (Aaron Sorkin)
- Toy Story 3 – (Michael Arndt)
- True Grit – (Joel Coen & Ethan Coen)
Foreign Film
- Biutiful
- I Am Love
- Of Gods And Men
- The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
- The Secret In Their Eyes
Animated Film
- Despicable Me
- Toy Story 3
- How To Train Your Dragon
Leading Actor
- Javier Bardem – (Biutiful)
- Colin Firth – (The King’s Speech)
- Jeff Bridges – (True Grit)
- Jesse Eisenberg – (The Social Network)
- James Franco – (127 Hours)
Leading Actress
- Natalie Portman – (Black Swan)
- Julianne Moore – (The Kids Are All Right)
- Noomi Rapace – (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
- Hailee Steinfeld – (True Grit)
- Annette Bening – (The Kids Are All Right)
Supporting Actor
- Christian Bale – (The Fighter)
- Andrew Garfield – (The Social Network)
- Mark Ruffalo – (The Kids Are All Right)
- Geoffrey Rush – (The King’s Speech)
- Pete Postlethwaite – (Inception)
Supporting Actress
- Amy Adams – (The Fighter)
- Lesley Manville – (Another Year)
- Barbara Hershey – (Black Swan)
- Miranda Richardson – (Made In Dagenham)
- Helena Bonham Carter – (The King’s Speech)
Original Music
- A. R. Rahman – (127 Hours)
- Danny Elfman – (Alice In Wonderland)
- Wally Pfister – (Inception)
- Danny Cohen – (The King’s Speech)
- Roger Deakins – (True Grit)
Cinematography
- 127 Hours – (Anthony Dod Mantle, Enrique Chediak)
- Black Swan – (Matthew Libatique)
- Inception – (Wally Pfister)
- The King’s Speech – (Danny Cohen)
- True Grit – (Roger Deakins)
Editing
- 127 Hours – (Jon Harris)
- Black Swan – (Andrew Weisblum)
- Inception – (Lee Smith)
- The King’s Speech – (Tariq Anwar)
- The Social Network – (Kirk Baxter & Angus Wall)
Production Design
- Alice In Wonderland – (Robert Stromberg & Karen O’Hara)
- Black Swan – (Therese Deprez & Tora Peterson)
- Inception – (Guy Hendrix Dyas, Larry Dias & Doug Mowat)
- The King’s Speech – (Eve Stewart & Judy Farr)
- True Grit – (Jess Gonchor & Nancy Haigh)
Costume Design
- Alice In Wonderland – (Colleen Atwood)
- Black Swan – (Amy Westcott)
- The King’s Speech – (Jenny Beavan)
- Made In Dagenham – (Louise Stjernsward)
- True Grit – (Mary Zophres)
Special Visual Effects
- Alice In Wonderland – (TBC)
- Black Swan – (Dan Schrecker)
- Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 – (Tim Burke, John Richardson, Nicolas Ait’hadi & Christian Manz)
- Inception – (Chris Corbould, Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley & Peter Bebb)
- Toy Story 3 – (TBC)
Sound
- 127 Hours – (Glenn Freemantle, Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Steven C Laneri & Douglas Cameron)
- Black Swan – (Ken Ishii, Craig Henighan & Dominick Tavella)
- Inception – (Richard King, Lora Hirschberg, Gary A Rizzo & Ed Novick)
- The King’s Speech – (John Midgley, Lee Walpole & Paul Hamblin)
- True Grit – (Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey, Greg Orloff, Peter F Kurland & Douglas Axtell)
Make Up & Hair
- Alice In Wonderland – (TBC)
- Black Swan – (Judy Chin & Geordie Sheffer)
- Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 – (Amanda Knight & Lisa Tomblin)
- The King’s Speech – (Frances Hannon)
- Made In Dagenham – (Lizzie Yianni Georgiou)
Short Animation
- The Eagleman Stag
- Matter Fisher
- Thursday
Short Film
- Connect
- Lin
- Rite
- Turning
- Until The River Runs Red
Orange Wednesday Rising Star
- Gemma Arterton
- Emma Stone
- Tom Hardy
- Andrew Garfield
- Aaron Johnson
68th Annual Golden Globe Awards: Winners
Best Motion Picture – Drama
- The Social Network
Best Performance By An Actress In A Motion Picture – Drama
- Natalie Portman – (Black Swan)
Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture – Drama
- Colin Firth – (The King’s Speech)
Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- The Kids Are All Right
Best Performance By An Actress In A Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy
- Annette Bening – (The Kids Are All Right)
Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy
- Paul Giamatti – (Barney’s Version)
Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role – Motion Picture
- Melissa Leo – (The Fighter)
Best Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role – Motion Picture
- Christian Bale – (The Fighter)
Best Animated Feature Film
- Toy Story 3
Best Foreign Language Film
- In A Better World
Best Director – Motion Picture
- David Fincher – (The Social Network)
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
- The Social Network – (Aaron Sorkin)
Best Original Score – Motion Picture
- The Social Network – (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross)
Best Original Song – Motion Picture
- You Haven’t Seen The Last Of Me – (Burlesque)
16th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards: Winners
Best Film
- The Social Network
Best Director
- David Fincher – (The Social Network)
Best Actor
- Colin Firth – (The King’s Speech)
Best Actress
- Natalie Portman – (Black Swan)
Best Supporting Actor
- Christian Bale – (The Fighter)
Best Supporting Actress
- Melissa Leo – (The Fighter)
Best Young Actor/Actress
- Hailee Steinfeld – (True Grit)
Best Acting Ensemble
- The Fighter
Best Original Screenplay
- The King’s Speech – (David Seidler)
Best Adapted Screenplay
- The Social Network – (Aaron Sorkin)
Best Cinematography
- Inception
Best Art Direction
- Inception
Best Editing
- Inception
Best Costume Design
- Alice In Wonderland
Best Makeup
- Alice In Wonderland
Best Visual Effects
- Inception
Best Sound
- Inception
Best Animated Film
- Toy Story 3
Best Action Film
- Inception
Best Comedy Film
- Easy A
Best Film Made For Television
- The Pacific
Best Foreign Language Film
- The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Best Documentary Film
- Waiting For Superman
Best Score
- The Social Network – (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross)
Best Song
- If I Rise – (127 Hours)
Review: Toy Story 3 (2010)
After 10 critically and commercially successful animated films, Pixar have established themselves as one of the foremost animation studios in the world, only to be rivalled by the likes of Studio Ghibli and Dreamworks Animation. Not only do Pixar distribute world-renowned films, but they’re also able to find the perfect mix of adult and child humour to entertain all demographics, something which some live-action films fail to achieve.
Toy Story 3’s release comes 11 years after Toy Story 2 hit cinema screens back in 1999, and finds Andy, now 17-years-old, departing for college, with his toys finding themsevles shipped off to a daycare centre known as Sunnyside. Old favourites Woody, Buzz, et al return for the final film, with new character in the form of the play-things found at the Sunnyside daycare centre, headed up by Lots-o’-Huggin’-Bear. The new toys are a perfect addition to an already wondrous line-up of toys. How Pixar keep coming up with new and inventive ideas is beyond me, but they never fail to capture, as well as dazzle, audiences around the world with their imaginative creations.
Sunnyside, despite the utopian facade, isn’t the safe haven the toys had hoped for, and it’s up to Woody to devise a cunning plan to help them escape and return to Andy before he departs for college. What ensues it a perfect quick-beat escape montage, mad-cap action sequences and hilarious setups, one in particular featuring Mr Potato Head.
Despite the heavy marketing surrounding the new Ken toy, with Michael Keaton providing excellent comic-timing, stealing the film, all characters are given ample screen-time, with a send-off that will have you wishing you’d brought tissues. It’s another example of how cutting-edge Pixar is as an animation studio, pushing the boundaries of the genre, whilst making their films funny and appealing to people of all demographics. It’s especially important with Toy Story 3, which comes 15 years after these incredible characters were first introduced to audiences. That audience, as well as the film, have moved on, so it’s wonderful to be able to see that change and growth reflected in the films tone, plot, attention-to-detail and character relations.
I was a little worried when I first read they were going to make Toy Story 3, mainly because I wasn’t entirely sure if they’d be able to match the success of the first two but, it’s with wondrous delight to say it’s honestly everything I hoped for, and more. From the ingenious opening sequences, to the final send-off, Toy Story 3 is a fitting, touching, funny and honest way to end one of the most beloved, and inspiring, franchises of all time. To this day, with 11 feature films in the bag, I marvel at everything Pixar has ever produced. Even the short, Night & Day, shown before before the feature film, displays how far animation has come in the past 15 years, and takes a nod at both 2D, the technology of the past, as well as 3D, the technology that will push directors to achieve greater things in the days and years to come. Pixar, I salute you.
Toy Story 3 was everything I wanted, and more. Funny, touching and assuring; the perfect ending to a marvellous trilogy.
Feature: Top Ten Films Of 2010
In total I’ve seen a lot of films in 2010, but here are the ten I consider my favourite:
1. The King’s Speech
The King’s Speech is an altogether clever, humorous and emotional film, supported by tremendous performances from it’s central cast. A must see, by all accounts.
2. The Kids Are All Right
The Kids Are All Right a fantastic film, exuding charm, wit, love, insecurity and anguish at every appropriate corner. In essence, it’s a film about the struggles of human relationships, and shows a family’s love has the potential to overcome any obstacle.
3. The Social Network
The Social Network is a film that deserves your attention. It’s not only a film about Mark Zuckerberg and the creation of Facebook, but also one of morality. One that requires your full attention and questions your beliefs and values; but also one that rewards you with its passion, attention-to-detail and humourous nature.
4. Another Year
Mike Leigh’s measured, and scarily realistic human nature drama is impossible to dismiss. Leigh’s laid-back approach let’s the characters and on-screen drama speak for itself. The central leads invite you into their lives and take you on a emotionally and wholly real journey through old-age. Lesley Manville, in particular, is breathtaking.
5. Winter’s Bone
Winter’s Bone is a film of true craftsmanship. Haunting, gritty, yet oddly inspiring, featuring a nuanced and captivating performance from newcomer Jennifer Lawrence.
6. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
Edgar Wright stepped up his game with this genre-crossing comedy film. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is a zany, mis-construed film that explores deep, poignant ideas, inter-cut with lots of crazy, heart-pounding action scenes, hundred of popular culture nods and hilariously odd performances from its central cast.
7. Toy Story 3
Defying expectations, Toy Story 3 proved sequels can be successful. Directed by the incredibly talented Lee Unkrich, the film manages to be a fitting, touching and honest conclusion to one of the most beloved, and inspiring, franchises of all time.
8. Inception
Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending science fiction, Inception is a singular accomplishment from an extraordinarily talented and game-changing director. It’s a visually stunning, intellectually challenging and emotionally engaging triumph, one that truly exemplifies modern filmmaking.
9. Monsters
Monsters is an incredible achievement in more ways than one, showcasing fine performances, an afflicting narrative, wholly real character interactions and special effects that rival those used on Blockbusters
10. I Am Love
Possibly one of the most overlooked films of the year, I Am Love is an incredibly well shot, acted, portrayed and directed. Tilda Swinton provided a flawless, and incredibly raw performance. One to seek out.
Honourable Mentions:
Easy A, How To Train Your Dragon, Four Lions, Kick-Ass, Piranha, Lebanon, Despicable Me, Bad Lieutenant – Port Of Call: New Orleans, The Runaways, Please Give, Cyrus, Splice, Mary & Max, The Hole, Exit Through The Gift Shop, The Killer Inside Me, The Illusionist, Whip It, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, Somewhere, Dogtooth and Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1.