Tag: clooney

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Kazed reviews: The American (2010)

Synopsis: one among assassins, Jack is a master craftsman. When a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, he vows to his contact Pavel that his next assignment will be his last. Jack reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell. The assignment, as specified by a Belgian woman, Mathilde, is in the offing as a weapon is constructed. Surprising himself, Jack seeks out the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto and pursues romance with local woman Clara. But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate. Here's a film which is a tad different to your average Action/Thriller. It's more of a subtle action more than anything else. Clooney, who plays Jack (No connection to Bauer), is quite a reclusive character, one that doesn't really associate with the world, or tries to, but in doing so, finds out why he shouldn't. The film itself tends to move a little slow following the first scene, and continues to keep this steady pace up until around midway through, where business picks up - Then it slows down again. This wasn't a negative, but the trailer made the film more than it is, which I didn't appreciate. How rude. How rude of the trailer making people. As if I have the time to watch something I think it's going to be but isn't. What nonsense. What monstrosity. Seriously though, for what it was, it was an enjoyable semi-thriller-subtle-action type deal. The performances were nothing short of good, except that of Clooney's. The cinematography was really impressive at parts, really easy on the eyes, and frankly was more interesting than the film. No I kid. LOL. Here's a new one - The location. The combination of this along with the tone of the rest of the film worked perfectly, to spawn something which looked like it came out of Pre-Daniel Craig James Bond's uterus. How disgusting. I should stop writing stuff like that. Ha. Not. I'll leave it in. Good film, a little slow, don't be fooled by the trailer, which makes it look frickin' awesome. But then, I guess that's what trailers are meant to do. 7/10 anyway, well deserved. Here's the trailer anyways:

Kazed

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Academy Award winners list

A few weeks ago, I posted my 'picks' for the Academy Award Nominees. Let's see how the Nominees(and myself) did. Let's get straight into this. So it'll go like this: Award: Winner My Pick: *Film* Best Picture: The Hurt Locker (Katheryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro) My pick: Avatar Actor in a Leading Role: Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart) My pick: George Clooney (Up in the Air) Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds) My pick: Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds) Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side) My pick: Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) Actress in a Supporting Role: Mo-Nique (Precious) My pick: Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air) Animated Feature Film: Up (Pete Docter) My pick: Up Art Direction: Avatar (James Cameron) My pick: Avatar Cinematography: Avatar (James Cameron) My pick: Avatar Directing: The Hurt Locker (Kathryn Bigelow) My pick: Up in the Air Film Editing: The Hurt Locker (Bob Murawski and Chris Innis) My pick: Inglorious Basterds Foreign Language film: The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos) - Argentina, Directed by Juan Jose Campanella My pick: Un Prophète (A Prophet) Makeup: Star Trek (Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow) My pick: Star Trek Music (Original Score): Up (Michael Giacchino) My pick: Avatar Music (Original Song): Crazy Heart - "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett My pick: Down in New Orleans Sound Editing: The Hurt Locker (Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett) My pick: Up Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker (Paul N.J. Ottosson) My pick: Star Trek Visual Effects: Avatar (Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones) My pick: Avatar Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push', by Sapphire (Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher) My pick: Up in the Air Writing (Original Screenplay): The Hurt Locker (Mark Boal) My pick: Up So there we have it. Movieville.org's first Academy Award picks. So it wasn't THAT bad, I got 6 correct of the 19 listed. Ahem. never mind, to be completely honest though, some of them I felt I should change after I wrote the post, but it wouldn't have seemed fair. Not so bad. To see the rest of the winners I haven't listed here, clicky. The Hurt Locker deservedly took away the Best Picture award, although Avatar had its 'prime rib' moments, there were too many elements that were stacked against Cameron & Avatar. Like his past with Bigelow. Zing. Seriously though, whether any of the films won or not, each film has the power to capture an individual's attention, and these awards are merely an ego booster. I kid. Until next time, Kazed

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Academy Award 2010 picks

So this'll be a first for Movieville.org, seeing as we started up before the Oscars season last year, we missed the chance to mention this. Well, we have the chance now. I'm going to pick the ones which I have a connection with, with the exception of 5 Nomination categories(Documentary- Feature and Short Subject, Short Film- Animated and Live Action, Costume Design). Let's get this started. I'll justify the ones I feel need justifying, otherwise it'll just be the nomination. Best Picture: Avatar The first time watching Avatar in 3D, I said it was the best film I had ever seen. In many ways, it was, but there were minor flaws brining this film down. But based solely on the recognition this film has been getting since it's release, it seems to be a clear pick for best picture. Actor in a Leading Role: George Clooney (Up in the Air) After watching Up in the Air, it hadn't occurred to me that Clooney would be in the running for an Oscar. Watching it a second time, it's quite clear as to why he was considered to be in the running for an Academy Award. Clooney in Up in the Air was as refreshing as the film itself. Definitely not his best, but definitely Oscar-worthy. Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds) His sinister presence was noticed in every scene he was present in, and his performance as an antagonist in Inglorious was as noteworthy as the rest of the cast, if not better. Having already received a number of awards for his supporting role, this one should be in the bag. Actress in a Leading Role: Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) I couldn't see another actress on the list who deserved it more than Sidibe did. Actress in a Supporting Role: Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air) Anna Kendrick in Up in the Air was such an excellent addition, after her minor role in the 'Twilight' films, it was definitely a step up seeing her in a more 'involved' role. Animated Feature Film: Up Every time Disney/Pixar release a film, they never cease to impress. Up most definitely wasn't an exception. Each film is a step up from the last, and Up exhibits this perfectly. Definitely the best animated feature of the year. Art Direction: Avatar Nuff' said. Cinematography: Avatar There were too many shots in Avatar to count. But each shot was as beautiful as the last. The shot from the top of Hometree, from the Hallelujah Mountains, the trademark shot of Sully's feet 'tasting' the fresh soil for the first time- All shots which will forever remind me of Avatar. Directing: Up in the Air Film Editing: Inglorious Basterds Foreign Language film: Un Prophète (A Prophet) Makeup: Star Trek Music (Original Score): Avatar I've never listen to a movie score more than I've listened to Avatar's. I said this when I reviewed it, how each track equally matches it's visual counterpart, in both intensity and emotion. Whether Avatar gets the award for this nomination or not, it'll still be one of the best movie scores I've heard. Music (Original Song): Down in New Orleans Sound Editing: Up Sound Mixing: Star Trek Visual Effects: Avatar Again, nuff' said. Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Up in the Air Having already won an award for the same nomination at the BAFTA's, it won't surprise me if Up in the Air grabs an Oscar. Writing (Original Screenplay): Up There we have it, my picks. Kazed. FYI, The reason for me not doing the BAFTA's was it was too close to the time.

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Up in the Air review

Synopsis: The opening scene is pure hilarity, something I definitely enjoyed, and were people who have actually been fired recently in real life. The scene was organic, a word I use quite a lot, but this scene was just that- real, with real people. At any point during that establishing scene did it seem scripted to me, it was obvious they were being directed, but not so obvious that it was harmful to the overall polished-ness of the film. George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a man who travels from state to state firing people from their jobs because their bosses are too afraid to do so. So up until a little while into the film, he's leading a sheltered life of solitude and emptiness, but he doesn't realise this until he meets someone who complements him perfectly. What I found to be brilliantly astute was the way the air miles were portrayed within this film, as some sort of status symbol. Another thing I admired was how Clooney's character had a goal that he wanted to reach, it was as if he lived his life simply to achieve this. The way he spent every aspect of his life so sparingly was admirable, how he was organised, almost as if his life was choreographed. Brilliance, would be the best word to use here, how each scene was crafted with such precision. What do I mean? I'm referring mainly to the scenes where Ryan and Natalie(Anna Kendrick) are together, especially the scene where they both set out for the first time, the flow of that particular scene was clean, it was brilliantly edited, and was when I began to get a good insight into Clooney's character. Kendrick was great in this, her character was sheer brilliance, definitely her best role I've seen her in. Her cockiness-turned-understanding attitude was a good change of pace, I think she was portrayed as a cocky graduate quite well, and when she found out how damaging life can be, it was heartwarming, when she understood what she was doing was a little unethical and belittling. Theres not much else I can say without ruining the story, but it was such a good watch, another great from Jason Reitman, the ending was a bittersweet moment for both the audience and Clooney's character I think, but it was a stirring moment when he had returned to assist with the problems. Good film, good plot, good acting, witty, quirky dialogue, great cast, great film. 9/10

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The Men Who Stare At Goats trailer

A funny title for what looks to be a funny film. Great cast with George Clooney, Kevin Spacey, Ewan McGregor (Dodgy accent), Jeff Bridges. I'm a fan of dark comedies and I am liking the look of this. I just hope the best bits weren't all shown in the trailer. Daniel Hall likes this *thumbs up.

Dan