I got an early Christmas present this year when I, a self-proclaimed movie addict, won a contest from Canadian film distributor eOne Entertainment, that to be honest, I can't even remember entering. What I won is one free DVD a week, for a year, so basically, 52 DVDs. To say that I was excited was an understatement. Those of you who know me are aware of my constantly-growing collection of DVDs and Blu-Rays, and that I relish the thought of filling more and more shelves (even if the same people taunt me about my collection eventually becoming obsolete!).
What I've decided to do, is to watch all 52 of these movies as I receive them and take you along for the journey. So stay tuned for my posts.
Week 1: Shark Night
Week 2: Killer Elite
Week 3: Tree of Life
Week 4: 50/50
Week 5: Dream House
Week 6: R.E.D.
Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The Artist Formerly Known As (James Franco)
Tomorrow, the highly anticipated movie Eat Pray Love opens in theatres, starring Pretty Woman herself, Julia Roberts. But to be honest, the only thing making me take notice is the presence of the elusive James Franco, who I am so fascinated with right now. (and not just because he’s hot, which he is, obviously.) I’m convinced we should all pay attention to what he’s doing, which seems so scattered and unintentional, but I can’t seem to write him off as another crazy (Joaquin Phoenix-style) attention-whore that Hollywood is famous for. Why is he all over the place? Can he not decide on a career? Or is he just re-defining the boundaries of art and life. Before I get too philosophical, let me highlight why I can’t get enough of James Franco.
On Freaks and Geeks, James played Daniel Desario, the bad boy who won the hearts of teenage misfits everywhere with his Dylan McKay-like persona, rebelling against everyone in his life, full of angst, and damaged to the point where all you wanted to do was save him from himself. He was so rock’n’roll. That show was kick-ass by the way and it’s a shame that it only lasted one season. Judd Apatow directed it before his hit comedies (40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up). You can see similarities in both his casting choices and a hint of comedy beneath the over-dramatic-ness of it all. Love it.
He’s smart as hell. If you are even remotely interested in him, make sure you check out this amazing article from New York Magazine (The James Franco Project), on how he’s got this insatiable thirst for learning and only sleeps like three hours a night. Not because he’s busy partying or drinking himself into rehab a-la-Lohan, but because he’s concurrently completing three masters programs. Who does that?! He makes everyone else look like under-achievers.
His stint on General Hospital right now is so random. Critics are wondering why someone with an already-successful film career would choose to work on a soap opera, where most actors start their careers. I may be biased since I’m a crazy General Hospital fan but, isn’t he just expressing various art forms. Acting in itself is still an art-form, no matter where you do it. I guess the point is, no one knows why he’s choosing to do what he’s doing. His ambiguity makes him a topic for discussion, and whether his actions are intentional or not, he’s still a mystery that remains unsolved.
Just for fun, check out the Freaks and Geeks intro, featuring my wake-up song, Bad Reputation, by the lovely Joan Jett!
On Freaks and Geeks, James played Daniel Desario, the bad boy who won the hearts of teenage misfits everywhere with his Dylan McKay-like persona, rebelling against everyone in his life, full of angst, and damaged to the point where all you wanted to do was save him from himself. He was so rock’n’roll. That show was kick-ass by the way and it’s a shame that it only lasted one season. Judd Apatow directed it before his hit comedies (40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up). You can see similarities in both his casting choices and a hint of comedy beneath the over-dramatic-ness of it all. Love it.
He’s smart as hell. If you are even remotely interested in him, make sure you check out this amazing article from New York Magazine (The James Franco Project), on how he’s got this insatiable thirst for learning and only sleeps like three hours a night. Not because he’s busy partying or drinking himself into rehab a-la-Lohan, but because he’s concurrently completing three masters programs. Who does that?! He makes everyone else look like under-achievers.
His stint on General Hospital right now is so random. Critics are wondering why someone with an already-successful film career would choose to work on a soap opera, where most actors start their careers. I may be biased since I’m a crazy General Hospital fan but, isn’t he just expressing various art forms. Acting in itself is still an art-form, no matter where you do it. I guess the point is, no one knows why he’s choosing to do what he’s doing. His ambiguity makes him a topic for discussion, and whether his actions are intentional or not, he’s still a mystery that remains unsolved.
Just for fun, check out the Freaks and Geeks intro, featuring my wake-up song, Bad Reputation, by the lovely Joan Jett!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Total ECLIPSE of the Heart
I’ve got some big news for all the open (and closeted) Twi-hards out there. I’m going to the premiere for Eclipse on Monday with a dear, dear friend of mine (Shout out to K-Jo for the awesome hook-up!) So excited, although the movie definitely doesn’t look as good as the books are addictive, there’s a special place in my heart for Twilight (swoon for Edward) and I’m excited to be one of the first people in Toronto to see the movie!
Will definitely post about it next week!
On another note, I can't seem to stop listening to the Temper Trap album literally on repeat, periodically throughout the day. That's all.Love Lost by The Temper Trap
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Till Death Do Us Part?
This week, we were once again shocked by the dissolution of two seemingly sound Hollywood marriages and recent Oscar Winners. According to reports, Kate Winslet, and her husband of 7 years (Sam Mendes), are calling it quits, just two days before reports of Jesse James’ infidelity leading to Sandra Bullock moving out. What’s going on in the world when two gorgeous and talented women can’t seem to keep a man? What causes a man to cheat? I mean, with the coming out of Tiger Woods as a cheater, we can never really tell what goes on beneath the surface of the ‘Hollywood marriage’. As characters we see every day in movies and TV, we assume that we know these actors, but we really have no idea what’s going on behind the illusion.
And the question is, why are so many men cheating on their wives? Are women just not doing the cheating, or are their infidelities just better at keeping secrets? Is it the lengthy on-location movie shoots away from each other? Or the thrill of the chase? Or are humans simply not monogamous anymore?
And what I don’t get is how people so much in the public eye, think that in this age of the TMZs and Perez Hiltons, that they can get away with the cheating – and that their mistresses would be so willing to keep quiet when they have an opportunity at fifteen minutes of fame.
And do the couples that don’t officially marry have it right? Look at Kurt Russel and Goldie Hawn, who’ve been together for over 20 years, and Brad and Angie? Do they have it right by pledging themselves to each other without the official piece of paper? Then again, after over 20 years of non-marriage, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins officially broke it off this year.
And the question is, why are so many men cheating on their wives? Are women just not doing the cheating, or are their infidelities just better at keeping secrets? Is it the lengthy on-location movie shoots away from each other? Or the thrill of the chase? Or are humans simply not monogamous anymore?
And what I don’t get is how people so much in the public eye, think that in this age of the TMZs and Perez Hiltons, that they can get away with the cheating – and that their mistresses would be so willing to keep quiet when they have an opportunity at fifteen minutes of fame.
And do the couples that don’t officially marry have it right? Look at Kurt Russel and Goldie Hawn, who’ve been together for over 20 years, and Brad and Angie? Do they have it right by pledging themselves to each other without the official piece of paper? Then again, after over 20 years of non-marriage, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins officially broke it off this year.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Fashion Smashion
The Oscars are always a great excuse for the leading ladies we love to come out and surprise us, awe us, and make us jealous. Check out the link for pics of Oscar night’s best and worst looks!
http://www.refinery29.com/the-best-worst-and-meh-looks-at-the-oscars.php
My personal favourite gown of the night was hands down, Rachel McAdams’ pastel-printed number. The cut and colour complemented her so beautifully, I fell in love and would buy it in a minute if I could afford it.
Sandra Bullock, in her form fitting and dazzling gold, with the bright lip and slick hair was perfect for her. She didn’t over do it, and ended up looking kind of like the Oscar she won. Way to dress for success!
My least favourite look of the night went to Charlize Theron, who’s gown looked like it had two strategically places cinnamon buns on the corset, although the idea of that particular placing going down into the train was fresh.
Best looking guy of the evening. Goodness gracious, I must say Jake Gyllenhaal was looking very yummy, fresh from his breakup with Reese. She better get this boy back quickly because he won’t last much longer on the market!
All in all, the biggest trends of the night were very frilly and flowy, braided up and detailed fabric at the corsets, which I LOVED! And, way too much blue.
Lastly, shout out to the Academy for putting on a fantastic special tribute to the late John Hughes – way to bring back the 80s cast favourites! Do we sense remakes on the horizon? Although, who could replicate the Molly Ringwald we loved?
http://www.refinery29.com/the-best-worst-and-meh-looks-at-the-oscars.php
My personal favourite gown of the night was hands down, Rachel McAdams’ pastel-printed number. The cut and colour complemented her so beautifully, I fell in love and would buy it in a minute if I could afford it.
Sandra Bullock, in her form fitting and dazzling gold, with the bright lip and slick hair was perfect for her. She didn’t over do it, and ended up looking kind of like the Oscar she won. Way to dress for success!
My least favourite look of the night went to Charlize Theron, who’s gown looked like it had two strategically places cinnamon buns on the corset, although the idea of that particular placing going down into the train was fresh.
Best looking guy of the evening. Goodness gracious, I must say Jake Gyllenhaal was looking very yummy, fresh from his breakup with Reese. She better get this boy back quickly because he won’t last much longer on the market!
All in all, the biggest trends of the night were very frilly and flowy, braided up and detailed fabric at the corsets, which I LOVED! And, way too much blue.
Lastly, shout out to the Academy for putting on a fantastic special tribute to the late John Hughes – way to bring back the 80s cast favourites! Do we sense remakes on the horizon? Although, who could replicate the Molly Ringwald we loved?
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Post-Oscars Cool Down!
Wow Wow Wow, what a great Oscar Night! Some fantastic surprises that I was hoping for like when Sandra Bullock won Best Actress! How unexpected, and what a genuine speech and she still sounded like herself, making comments about kissing Meryl Streep and hating Carey Mulligan for being so young and pretty. Way to keep it funny with your quick wit!
And, we made history tonight after 82 years of the Academy Awards - a WOMAN wins Best Director. Amazing, although kind of sad for Directors that work their bums off for years, like the genius (and my personal favourite) that is Scorcese, who put out groundbreaking movies for 40 years before getting Best Director.
And the ONLY actual shock of the night, Best Picture goes to THE HURT LOCKER! So well deserved, since AVATAR was a little over-rated! I love this David vs. Goliath tale of the under-dog and am so happy and proud to not only be a woman today but also that the ego-centric control freak who created his own language – (I mean really?), ahem James Cameron, didn’t win. Sorry about that.
Stay tuned for my own little Fashion Critique tomorrow!
And, we made history tonight after 82 years of the Academy Awards - a WOMAN wins Best Director. Amazing, although kind of sad for Directors that work their bums off for years, like the genius (and my personal favourite) that is Scorcese, who put out groundbreaking movies for 40 years before getting Best Director.
And the ONLY actual shock of the night, Best Picture goes to THE HURT LOCKER! So well deserved, since AVATAR was a little over-rated! I love this David vs. Goliath tale of the under-dog and am so happy and proud to not only be a woman today but also that the ego-centric control freak who created his own language – (I mean really?), ahem James Cameron, didn’t win. Sorry about that.
Stay tuned for my own little Fashion Critique tomorrow!
Friday, March 5, 2010
OSCAR NIGHT .. my picks
The Oscars are on Sunday, so get your party dresses on for my second favourite awards night of the year (I’m partial to the Globes, due to my TV obsession).
Here are my choices for the main categories this weekend:
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges. He won the Globe so he's more likely already. Also, he's one of those, "always a bridesmaid, never a bride", guys. He's been nominated a few times and never won, and critics are saying this year my be his year to win.
Best Actress: Now, I’m going mainstream with my choice this year because I’m following my heart! I want Sandra Bullock to win for her hard-ass Mom role in THE BLINDSIDE, my guilty-pleasure movie of the year.
Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz. Without a doubt, the most memorable male role of the year. With such grace, style and so much passion that you can’t help but love to hate him.
Supporting Actress: Although Anna Kendrick killed her performance in UP IN THE AIR, as a neurotic over-achiever, the statue is definitely going to Mo’Nique hands down. Her performance was so convincing in PRECIOUS that she left me speechless.
Best Original Screenplay: INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS all the way! Tarantino, the talented Writer-Director, has once again written a fantastic story. I loved his choice of words, especially with Brad attempting to speak Italian with his Heavy Southern accent. Tarantino has a way of taking a serious issue, be it revenge or a bank robbery, or even a near-death drug overdose, and making it darkly comedic. And of course, a shout out to B.J. Novak from THE OFFICE (Ryan the Temp!) for his small but memorable role.
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow or James Cameron, Talk about the ultimate battle of the exes. The two, who were married for a couple of years in the 80s are going head-to-head with the two most talked-about films of the year. Vastly different and hard to compare, will the Oscar go to Cameron's technologically inspiring Blockbuster or to the much smaller in terms of budget and the box office. I think, with Direction being what it is, directing the actors and frames to be as effective as possible, it’s a toss up. The Hurt Locker was frame-by-frame intensity, and extremely focused on the characters and their conflicting emotions. Avatar was visually breathtaking, but it WAS in 3D so that added to its beauty. Not sure what an effect 3D would have had on The Hurt Locker. Probably a traumatizing one. I guess I vote Kathryn Bigelow.
Best Pictures: 10 Nominations??? Now, although daunting, most of these are just here to fill out the top 10 for the year, and to keep the public happy. Now, looking at history, an animated feature’s never won Best Picture so its unlikely that UP will take the award home. And THE BLINDSIDE, although extremely good commercially (not gonna lie, I did cry), it probably won’t win this one. I want to say AVATAR, just because it’s almost obvious, but this year’s BAFTA Best Picture winner (THE HURT LOCKER) shows that it may not be as easy as AVATAR. I think though, just to be safe, I’ll put my vote on AVATAR.
We'll just have to wait for Monday to see what the real outcome is and how well I guessed.
Here are my choices for the main categories this weekend:
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges. He won the Globe so he's more likely already. Also, he's one of those, "always a bridesmaid, never a bride", guys. He's been nominated a few times and never won, and critics are saying this year my be his year to win.
Best Actress: Now, I’m going mainstream with my choice this year because I’m following my heart! I want Sandra Bullock to win for her hard-ass Mom role in THE BLINDSIDE, my guilty-pleasure movie of the year.
Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz. Without a doubt, the most memorable male role of the year. With such grace, style and so much passion that you can’t help but love to hate him.
Supporting Actress: Although Anna Kendrick killed her performance in UP IN THE AIR, as a neurotic over-achiever, the statue is definitely going to Mo’Nique hands down. Her performance was so convincing in PRECIOUS that she left me speechless.
Best Original Screenplay: INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS all the way! Tarantino, the talented Writer-Director, has once again written a fantastic story. I loved his choice of words, especially with Brad attempting to speak Italian with his Heavy Southern accent. Tarantino has a way of taking a serious issue, be it revenge or a bank robbery, or even a near-death drug overdose, and making it darkly comedic. And of course, a shout out to B.J. Novak from THE OFFICE (Ryan the Temp!) for his small but memorable role.
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow or James Cameron, Talk about the ultimate battle of the exes. The two, who were married for a couple of years in the 80s are going head-to-head with the two most talked-about films of the year. Vastly different and hard to compare, will the Oscar go to Cameron's technologically inspiring Blockbuster or to the much smaller in terms of budget and the box office. I think, with Direction being what it is, directing the actors and frames to be as effective as possible, it’s a toss up. The Hurt Locker was frame-by-frame intensity, and extremely focused on the characters and their conflicting emotions. Avatar was visually breathtaking, but it WAS in 3D so that added to its beauty. Not sure what an effect 3D would have had on The Hurt Locker. Probably a traumatizing one. I guess I vote Kathryn Bigelow.
Best Pictures: 10 Nominations??? Now, although daunting, most of these are just here to fill out the top 10 for the year, and to keep the public happy. Now, looking at history, an animated feature’s never won Best Picture so its unlikely that UP will take the award home. And THE BLINDSIDE, although extremely good commercially (not gonna lie, I did cry), it probably won’t win this one. I want to say AVATAR, just because it’s almost obvious, but this year’s BAFTA Best Picture winner (THE HURT LOCKER) shows that it may not be as easy as AVATAR. I think though, just to be safe, I’ll put my vote on AVATAR.
We'll just have to wait for Monday to see what the real outcome is and how well I guessed.
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