Underworld:Rise of the Lycans Review

Director Patrick Tatopoulos has made an amazing film; this film was truly worth watching, and I have seen it many times. The film is actually the first in the Underworld trilogy although it was made after Underworld (2003) and Underworld Evolution (2006) which starred Kate Beckinsale, similar to how the Star Wars movies were made. With Star Wars episode 4, 5 and 6 were made first around 1977 by Lucas films and then 1, 2 and 3 followed in 1999 by Lucas films again. The reason why I appreciate these types of movies is because, they do not follow a conventional sequence.
The film explains how the war between Vampires and Lycans had originally started, even though I missed the fact that Kate Beckinsale was not in the film, but the stunning Rhona Mitra is just as amazing and gorgeous as Kate Beckinsale, and they both delivered great performances as female lead vampires.
If you have not yet seen any of the Underworld trilogies I suggest you watch The Rise of Lycans first and the rest of the Underworld movie will make more sense.
But overall a great movie my second best movie of 2009, first being Australia.

Bafta Film Nominations 2009

BEST FILM
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Ceán Chaffin
FROST/NIXON – Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard
MILK – Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen
THE READER – Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Donna Gigliotti, Redmond Morris
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE – Christian Colson

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
HUNGER – Laura Hastings-Smith, Robin Gutch, Steve McQueen, Enda Walsh
IN BRUGES – Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Martin McDonagh
MAMMA MIA! – Judy Craymer, Gary Goetzman, Phyllida Lloyd, Catherine Johnson
MAN ON WIRE – Simon Chinn, James Marsh
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE – Christian Colson, Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy

THE CARL FOREMAN AWARD
for Special Achievement by a British Director, Writer or Producer for their First Feature Film
SIMON CHINN (Producer) – Man On Wire
JUDY CRAYMER (Producer) – Mamma Mia!
GARTH JENNINGS (Writer) – Son of Rambow
STEVE McQUEEN (Director/Writer) – Hunger
SOLON PAPADOPOULOS, ROY BOULTER (Producers) – Of Time And The City

DIRECTOR
CHANGELING – Clint Eastwood
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – David Fincher
FROST/NIXON – Ron Howard
THE READER – Stephen Daldry
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE – Danny Boyle

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
BURN AFTER READING – Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
CHANGELING – J. Michael Straczynski
I’VE LOVED YOU SO LONG – Philippe Claudel
IN BRUGES – Martin McDonagh
MILK – Dustin Lance Black

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Eric Roth
FROST/NIXON – Peter Morgan
THE READER – David Hare
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD – Justin Haythe
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE – Simon Beaufoy
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX – Bernd Eichinger, Uli Edel
GOMORRAH – Domenico Procacci, Matteo Garrone
I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG – Yves Marmion, Philippe Claudel
PERSEPOLIS – Marc-Antoine Robert, Xavier Rigault, Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud
WALTZ WITH BASHIR – Serge Lalou, Gerhard Meixner, Yael Nahlieli, Ari Folman

ANIMATED FILM
PERSEPOLIS – Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud
WALL•E – Andrew Stanton
WALTZ WITH BASHIR – Ari Folman

LEADING ACTOR
FRANK LANGELLA – Frost/Nixon
DEV PATEL – Slumdog Millionaire
SEAN PENN – Milk
BRAD PITT – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
MICKEY ROURKE – The Wrestler

LEADING ACTRESS
ANGELINA JOLIE – Changeling
KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS – I’ve Loved You So Long
MERYL STREEP – Doubt
KATE WINSLET – The Reader
KATE WINSLET – Revolutionary Road

SUPPORTING ACTOR
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. – Tropic Thunder
BRENDAN GLEESON – In Bruges
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN – Doubt
HEATH LEDGER – The Dark Knight
BRAD PITT – Burn After Reading

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
AMY ADAMS – Doubt
PENÉLOPE CRUZ – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
FREIDA PINTO – Slumdog Millionaire
TILDA SWINTON – Burn After Reading
MARISA TOMEI – The Wrestler

MUSIC
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Alexandre Desplat
THE DARK KNIGHT – Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard
MAMMA MIA! – Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE – A. R. Rahman
WALL•E – Thomas Newman

CINEMATOGRAPHY
CHANGELING – Tom Stern
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Claudio Miranda
THE DARK KNIGHT – Wally Pfister
THE READER – Chris Menges, Roger Deakins
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE – Anthony Dod Mantle

EDITING **
CHANGELING – Joel Cox, Gary D. Roach
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall
THE DARK KNIGHT – Lee Smith
FROST/NIXON – Mike Hill, Dan Hanley
IN BRUGES – Jon Gregory
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE – Chris Dickens
**As there was a tie in this category there are six nominations

PRODUCTION DESIGN
CHANGELING – James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo
THE DARK KNIGHT – Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD – Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE – Mark Digby, Michelle Day

COSTUME DESIGN
CHANGELING – Deborah Hopper
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Jacqueline West
THE DARK KNIGHT – Lindy Hemming
THE DUCHESS – Michael O'Connor
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD – Albert Wolsky

SOUND
CHANGELING – Walt Martin, Alan Robert Murray, John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff
THE DARK KNIGHT – Lora Hirschberg, Richard King, Ed Novick, Gary Rizzo
QUANTUM OF SOLACE – Jimmy Boyle, Eddy Joseph, Chris Munro, Mike Prestwood Smith, Mark Taylor
SLUMDOG MILLIONARE – Glenn Freemantle, Resul Pookutty, Richard Pryke, Tom Sayers, Ian Tapp
WALL•E – Ben Burtt, Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Matthew Wood

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Eric Barba, Craig Barron, – Nathan McGuinness, Edson Williams
THE DARK KNIGHT – Chris Corbould, Nick Davis, Paul Franklin, Tim Webber
INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL – Pablo Helman, Marshall Krasser, Steve Rawlins
IRON MAN – Hal Hickel, Shane Patrick Mahan, John Nelson, Ben Snow
QUANTUM OF SOLACE – Chris Corbould, Kevin Tod Haug

MAKE UP & HAIR
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Jean Black, Colleen Callaghan
THE DARK KNIGHT – Peter Robb-King
THE DUCHESS – Daniel Phillips, Jan Archibald
FROST/NIXON – Edouard Henriques, Kim Santantonio
MILK – Steven E. Anderson, Michael White

SHORT ANIMATION
CODSWALLOP – Greg McLeod, Myles McLeod
VARMINTS – Sue Goffe, Marc Craste
WALLACE AND GROMIT: A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH – Steve Pegram, Nick Park, Bob Baker

SHORT FILM
KINGSLAND #1 THE DREAMER – Kate Ogborn, Tony Grisoni
LOVE YOU MORE – Caroline Harvey, Anthony Minghella, Sam Taylor-Wood, Patrick Marber
RALPH – Olivier Kaempfer, Alex Winckler
SEPTEMBER – Stewart le Maréchal, Esther May Campbell
VOYAGE D’AFFAIRES (THE BUSINESS TRIP) – Celine Quideau, Sean Ellis

(Nominations taken from www.bafta.org)

Valkyrie Movie Review

Tom Cruise is back once again with a truly outstanding performance in this true historical-based movie, Valkyrie. The movie shows the desperate plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler during World War II. Tom Cruise plays a devoted officer who is set out to stop Adolf Hitler before the whole of Europe is destroyed; in this quest he puts himself and family life in danger. Tom Cruise is also supported by other outstanding performance by Terence Stamp, Eddie Izzard, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and Carice van Houten.
The action scenes are truly spectacular and make you jump, with the sound of bomb blasts you almost feel you on the film set.
The movie also shows the moral behind unfaithful solders during the WW2. As I watched this film, I felt I had learnt more in watching this 2-hour movie then I did by sitting in history class for 2 years.
*This is a must see film*

Bride Wars Movie Review

With actresses like Anna Hathaway and Kate Hudson you are sure to get the best comedy and entertainment. Bride Wars definitely delivers that. The movie is unquestionably a warm feel-great film, which shows the meaning of friendship among anything else. Even though it is a predictable movie, the scenes still make you laugh out loud.
The main story starts with 2 friends, both getting married but the surprise element of the movie is they are both getting married on the same day. As both girls show their true bride attitudes and refuse to change there date, they find themselves bringing the most evil side out of each other by making sure each of their plans ends up in a total disaster.
But overall this movie holds plenty of laughter and excitement and makes you truly value the friends in you life.

Twilight Movie Review

This movie is a very girl-meets-boy-and-falls-in-love type, quicker then you can say vampires. Based on the best-selling novel series, I felt that Twilight-the movie was a disappointment. Many scenes throughout the film I felt were dragged. I can understand teen love, but I personally do not wish to watch a couple looking at each other for 20 minutes or so.
I thought there would be some great actions and gory blood scenes; instead I got enemies looking at each other, growling for 10 minutes and then running off. The film was not a total loss; there were one or two scenes that are seriously worth watching due to the amazing special effects that have been used.
Both Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson demonstrate remarkable performances no doubt, I feel it is because of them I would watch future Twilight films. I feel Twilight is definitely a popular movie with teenagers, with gorgeous actors such Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, I can see many school lockers with their faces on them. I have to be honest and say i definitely enjoy the books then the film.I do think the next Twilight saga instalment will be the one worth watching.

Why Is Shahrukh Khan Always picked on?

I wish people would leave Mr Shahrukh Khan alone, after attending the 66th annual Golden Globe awards, the debate currently in air is, was Mr Khan really needed at the Golden Globe awards. Times of India stated in an article that actors Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan are also brilliant actors yet it took a ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ for the Indian and international press to acknowledge their brilliance. The article also mentioned the fact of why was it essential for Mr SRK to introduce ‘Slumdog’ at the Golden Globes and thank the west for recognizing the Bollywood fraternity when he was actually presenting to them a British film with Indian actors.
I think people are just jealous that Mr Khan was invited to the Golden Globe as I feel he is going to represent Bollywood; and I can not think of any other suitable superstar to represent Bollywood then him.
To be honest I feel like Mr Shahrukh Khan gets picked on by the media and critics as he is a superstar and always will be. Other actors such as Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Salman and Amir Khan are also brilliant actors there’s no doubt about that, but they are not on the scale of Mr Khan. What makes Mr Khan; King Khan is hits of making amazing films year after year. From 2006 he has been making hits for us, and years before that. So for people like Akshay Kumar that have made less blockbuster movies in his career, then King Khan I feel the media should not focus on the present but remember the past when we had movies such as DDLJ, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Dil Tu Pagal Hai etc. I find it weirder how Akshay Kumar has made approx 87 movies whereas Shahrukh has made 71 yet he has more blockbusters.
I have nothing against Akshay in fact I think he is a brilliant actor but my one regret in his career is that I wish he has stuck to his marital arts on movies as I felt that is what made his so unique as an actor as not even Shahrukh Khan was as good as Akshay when it came to marital arts.
I think the media need to leave Shahrukh alone as I feel they take him for granted as he is always in the media eye and is always pleasant, with other co-stars and fans.

Slumdog Millionaire Movie Review

With 4 golden glob awards 26 other awards and 23 nominations (11 BAFTA nominations), Slumdog Millionaire is proving to be the best film of the year. After watching Slumdog Millionaire several times, I have truly become in love with this movie. With great music by the Bollywood legend A.R.Rahman and brilliant direction work from Danny Boyle.
With great performances from Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, this movie allows viewers to see the real Mumbai and what the country itself holds in terms of value and culture. Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan also star in the movie.
Jamal Malik who is played by Dev Patel is one question away form winning 20million Rupees in the popular TV show “Who wants to be a millionaire”. Everyone is surprised how could of reached that amount and how he knew all the answers, he gets accused of cheating, and then explains how he actually knew the answers. Latika who is played by Freida Pinto is a friend of Jamal and who there romantic journey starts and ends up, well you will have to go and watch film for that.

66th Annual Golden Globe Results

Slumdog Millionaire – Best Motion Picture

Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road) – Best Performance by an actress in a Motion Picture

Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) – Best Performance by an actor in a Motion Picture

Kate Winslet (The Reader) – Best Performance by an actress in a supporting role

Heath Ledger (Dark Night) – Best Performance by an actor in a supporting role

Wall-E - Best Animated feature film

Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) – Best Director

Slumdog Millionaire – Best Screenplay

Slumdog Millionaire – Best Original Score

A.R Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire) - Best Music

Shahrukh Khan At 66th Annual Golden Goble Awards

Mr Shahrukh Khan was invited to the Golden Globe on Sunday the 11th of January. King Khan was presenting an award with actress Freida Pinto, who is the leading lady in the most talked about movie “Slumdog Millionaire”. Mr Khan is also among the 50 most powerful men in the world stated by Newsweek. He is also the first Bollywood actor to have been invited to the Golden Globe and all I can say is there is a reason why he is King Khan!

Australia 2008 Movie Review

After seeing this movie twice in cinema I have truly become a fan, this romantic epic staring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman holds greats scenes of romance and courage. Set in 1939 in Australia the movie shows us the history of Australia and how black and white people where treated during the war when Japan had attacked Australia.
Performances from both Nicole and Hugh were outstanding, Nicole Kidman showing her remarkable talent as well as her humorous side, which was very well portrayed in the movie. Hugh Jackman’s performance was also exceptional, and it was nice to see him in a change of character from his pervious films such as X-men and Van Helsing.
I can understand people’s perception of this movie being long and boring as I have several friends who think so too, but once dragging them to watch the movie they truly enjoyed it as much as I did. So if you have not yet watched this movie, why not give it a try because you will be surprised how excellent it is.
This movie truly is exceptional and I must say would only be appreciated my people of high cinematic standards, with great scenery captured and an amazing script you forgot that you have sat in the cinema for almost 3hrs. With each scene more adventurous and spectacular this movie is a must see movie of 2008.

X-Men Movie Is Back 2009

Even though X-men 3 “The Last Stand” ended in a way in which we thought that we would not get to see another X-men movie, well how wrong was I, X-Men 4 is releasing on May the 1st titled “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” based on Wolverine who is played by the most talented actor in Hollywood at present Hugh Jackman. In the X-Men comics Wolverine is his mutant name and Logan his human name. This 4Th instalment holds even more adventure and excitement.
The plot for X-Men: Origins will be based on Wolverine, where he goes to seek revenge against the man who killed his girlfriend, but if that’s not enough to make you watch this fourth instalment, wolverine also has to go through the mutant program in order for him to defeat the person who killed her.
In X-Men: Origin Wolverine is even more vicious and dangerous, even thou we do not see the other X-men characters such as Storm, i feel this film will truly by the one to watch this year. After viewing the trailer, all i can say "i wish i didn't have to wait 4 months to watch it.
Please view the official trailer on YouTube, located on my blog.

SRK at Zee Carnival 2009

Zee Carnival has confirmed that Mr Shahrukh Khan will be the guest star at the carnival taking place on the 13th of February till 15th February 2009. I have had the lovely pleasure of meeting Mr SRK twice last year at the Zee Carnival and after queuing for almost 4hrs it was well worth the wait. For all 3 days last year he had approx 500-1000 people queuing to meet him in the afternoon and evening session, barring in mind he only comes for a total of 30mins in both sessions.

For his fan its must be very hard as Shahrukh’s films are down to 1 a year but when he does the one film a year it becomes the blockbuster of the year such as this years “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” also intruding the talented Anushka Sharma who was the actress that fortunately got to make her debut film with SRK. The film is unusual yet realistic and I can see how that may not appeal to some of the audience out there, as Bollywood is famous for making none realistic movies.

But for SRK fans we will not have to wait very long this year as his new film “Billo Barbar” will be releasing on the 13th of February, the film shows Mr SRK in top form, looking sexy as every, and he is also not alone with a star cast of beautiful actresses such as Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra also in the film is Lara Dutta and her husband in the film played by Irrfan Khan who is called Billo Barber.

Celebrity Big Brother Housemates

As the launch of the 9Th Celebrity Big Brother begins here is a look at who are the housemates and there profession:

Mutya Buena age 23 – Singer and song writer, she was a member of the group Sugababes until she decided to take a solo career
Lucy Pinder age 25 – Model, she has appeared on the cover of FHM, Zoo and Nuts magazines
Ben Adams age 27 – Singer and song writer used to be in boy band called A1
Michelle Heaton age 28 – Singer and presenter, used to be in a band called Liberty X
Verne Troyer age 40 – Actor and stunt man, this famous face we all knew as mini me from Austin Powers movie
Ulrika Jonsson age 41 – Writer and broadcaster, will remember her form presenting Gladiators many years back.
Tommy Sheridan age 44 – Politician, he is also a gym instructor
Terry Christian age 45 – Broadcaster and used to present The Word back in the days
Coolio age 45 – Rapper and actor, probably remember him from the film Dangerous Minds, with his sound track Gangsta’s Paradise.
Tina Malone age 46 – Actress and appears on the TV show Shameless
La Toya Jackson age 52 – Michael Jackson sister and also a song writer and recording artist

Also stated on Big Brother's Big mouth there will be another housemate entering the house, but as of yet who it is we are not sure.

Smallville Season 8 returning to air 15.01.09

For all you Smallville lovers get ready the break is almost over for season 8 episode 11 – Legion, this will be aired on the 15th of January, and for all you Smallville followers you will truly agree that this episode will be the one to watch. The story will continue from episode 10 –bride aired 20th November where Chloe is kidnapped on her wedding day by Brainiac and taken to superman’s forterous where Brainiac will take over her body, also back in the equation is the lovely Lana Lang making her entrance after leaving Clark a video tape in season 7 saying she was leaving him, she makes her entrance when Clark and Lois go to kiss, talk about good timing. Also at the end of episode 10 we see Lex Luthor attached to wires and watching what is going on at Chloe and Jimmy’s wedding. Episode 11 will hold the amazing battle against Brainiac and also an edition to the episode will be three new superheroes to help Clark fight Brainiac. Season 8 will truly be the transformation from Clark Kent to Superman. Let’s just hope he looks good in a cape!!!

Four Christmases Movie Review

Running in its 7Th week in cinema, if you have not yet seen this film I suggest you do so, staring two great comedy actors, Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, this film truly makes you think about family during Christmas time. Some scenes are very predictable but yet still hold that extra spark which makes you laugh. Four Christmases is a movie in which I found a lot of family values behind the comedy and also the film describes the relationship between two people who are together but not married and want different things in there relationship.

This movie is definitively a must see movie with a great cast and a great script.(viewing in selected cinema's across UK) *****

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY READERS HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT 2009