Didier Baussy - Pierre Bonnard: In Search of Pure Colour (1984)

The French painter Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) was one of the greatest colourists of modern art. In following Bonnard's lifelong search for 'pure colour', this film develops several themes. Taking a cue from a small collection of paintings and photographs that Bonnard had pinned to the wall of his attic studio, it examines the friendship and influence of fellow artists Gauguin, Cézanne, Seurat, Renoir and Matisse. Other sources of inspiration, in particular Japanese art and the intense light and colours of the Mediterranean, are also explored, while the personal and intimate side of the artist's life is reflected in his self-portraits, in his correspondence with Matisse, and in his private sketchbooks. Shot largely on location in the South of France in the houses and landscape that are represented in his paintings, this film shows the way in which these elements are reflected in Bonnard's art, and charts the development of Bonnard's painting towards an almost abstract tribute to colour itself.

http://www.filesonic.com/file/30085747/Pierre Bonnard, In Search of Color-1984-Didier Baussy.avi

Or

http://www.fileserve.com/file/V9MHcD2/Pierre Bonnard, In Search of Color-1984-Didier Baussy.avi

And

http://www.filesonic.com/file/36354037/Pierre Bonnard, In Search of Color-1984-Didier Baussy.part1.rar
http://www.filesonic.com/file/36351821/Pierre Bonnard, In Search of Color-1984-Didier Baussy.part2.rar

Or

http://www.fileserve.com/file/U7fnY6b/Pierre Bonnard, In Search of Color-1984-Didier Baussy.part1.rar
http://www.fileserve.com/file/3upehMj/Pierre Bonnard, In Search of Color-1984-Didier Baussy.part2.rar


No Pass

54th BFI London Film Festival

I was looking forward to be able to go this year to the fest but well, maybe next year; today is the opening of the fest with the Opening Night Gala of Never Let Me Go by Mark Romanek and starring well-known actresses like Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, Charlotte Rampling, and Sally Hawkins which obviously make the film must be seen for me. Film has three screenings and all are fully booked. The other film I’m dying to see has four screenings and yes, all are fully booked so I should be glad for not going afterall. The ‘other’ film is The Kids Are All Right.

I’ve been checking the 200+ films in this fest since they were announced and most are known to the blog as this yearly festival is the unique opportunity that Londoners have to watch the best films from around the world. Nevertheless if you want to check the films in each of the nine (9) sections here are the links to each one.

Galas & Special Screenings
Film on the Square
New British Cinema
French Revolutions
Cinema Europa
World Cinema
Experimenta
Treasures from the Archives
Short Cuts & Animation

The fest in the past gave a limited number of awards but since 2009 a new annual standalone Awards ceremony was launched to reflect the work of imaginative and original filmmakers plus to reward distinctive and intriguing work. This year Awards ceremony will be on October 27.

For the Best Film Award these are the films that will compete for the Star of London trophy.

127 Hours, Danny Boyle
Another Year, Mmike Leigh
Archipelago, Joanna Hogg
Black Swan, Darren Aronofsky
How I Ended This Summer, Alexei Popogrebsky
The King’s Speech, Tom Hooper
Meek’s Cutoff, Kelly Reichardt
Never Let Me Go, Mark Romanek
The Sleeping Beauty, Catherine Breillat
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Of Gods and Men, Xavier Beauvois

To check films short list for the Sutherland Award go here, shortlist for Best British Newcomer go here and shortlist for Grierson Award go here.

Cheers!

4.3.2.1

A Brit teen movie about 4 (girls), 3 (days), 2 (cities), 1 (chance) that basically looks and feels like four short stories about 3 days in the life of 4 girls even when filmmakers went (unsuccessfully) into great lengths to make the story one.

Film starts with the end but goes back to when the four girls meet at a coffee shop and when they part ways (point one), film proceeds to tell one by one what each girl did in the following three days. After telling first story, film fast-rewinds to ‘point-one’ and tells second girl story, and so on and so forth until after the last girl story rewinds to the beginning and concludes. Have to say that’s a good idea but was badly executed as not only story used a not-so-credible unifying storyline about stolen diamonds but also segments were uneven.

Opens with the story of Shannon that urgently needs the help of her friends but is unable to get their attention; she’s troubled because her mother left her and her father. This story is acceptable. Second tells the story of Cassandra who travels to New York City to meet a guy she fall in love via Internet. Not credible and uninteresting story but Tamsin Egerton is eye-candy. Third is Kerrys story which is the true reason I watched this film as she’s lesbian and (tries to) spend the three days with her girlfriend at Cassandra’s flat. Even when story is silly, in general, is acceptable for those that enjoy the lesbian interest genre as has all the necessary elements that genre audience enjoys. Last is Joanne story which is the worst of all, not only because is really non-interesting but also because actress performance is the worst of all four.

Labeled as crime and thriller be sure that this is No crime and nothing is thrilling in this hard to classify movie as Shannon segment is drama, Cassandra’s is silly drama, Kerrys is more comedy and Joanne’s is boring! Also I'm still wondering about the 1 chance (in the title) the girls had as unless is traveling abroad at the end, I have no idea.

I don’t recommend the movie as is a little bit more than a huge mess, but I know that Kerrys segment is must be seen for many that read the blog.

Enjoy.

Watch trailer @MOC

The Special Relationship

A quite interesting film about the relationship of two powerful men, Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, that if is accurate or not is not relevant; what is relevant for me is how their friendship aligns with what I can call “English-speaking” foreign policies that probably opened the door to more incidents that we can imagine. I’m very political but promised myself to not write anything political in this blog, so won’t do more than the above comment that perhaps some of you will notice my (not so) hidden sarcasm.

Anyway the film tells about Tony Blair going to Washington D.C. before getting elected and gets some smart advice on how to take the Labor party on top again. While on campaign Blair calls Clinton attention, gets an invitation to visit him and when Blair arrives in DC gets the VIP treatment. Blair gets elected and the so-called “special relationship” between UK and USA becomes more real as both leaders form a complex personal friendship. Just for the relationship story the movie is interesting but I believe is sprinkled with some very important words that I’m sure will make many think a lot about how world leaders handle world situations.

Performances are very good with Michael Sheen doing an extraordinary representation of Tony Blair as he has done in Stephen Frear’s The Deal and The Queen, so good are his performances than in my mind the imagine of real Blair is absolutely blurred by Sheen’s interpretation. But this made-for-TV movie reminded me of the real Tony Blair with the last real-life scenes with Bush and I’m really glad that director Richard Loncraine decided to skip the Bush-Blair relationship from the final cut as would have change the movie tone and manner to the not positive. Totally agree that the Blair-Clinton relationship not only is more colorful but also is more entertaining.

As a movie is acceptable for a made-for-TV film and at the end what makes it entertaining are actors’ performances and the story being told that even when we know it still can surprise us in many aspects when we’re watching a dramatization of true events.

If you enjoyed The Deal and The Queen I’m positive that you’ll enjoy this film and if you didn’t, you can also enjoy the film as a portrait of two powerful world leaders’ relationship as I believe this is the most interesting ‘political-wise’ story of the three. Can’t help to say that I strongly recommend this movie to everyone that does NOT live in UK or USA as maybe will make you think about issues that most people (and media) avoid to think (or talk) about.

Enjoy!!

Watch trailer @Movie On Companion

Robin Hood

I came to this film with no expectations as even when was the opening film of 2010 Cannes I wasn't really interested in watching 'another' Robin Hood tale, now with 'old' actors performing the audacious hero and his followers. How wrong I was!

My second 2010 Cannes film became a huge surprise to me and even when is only the second I'm able to watch I say: It was a great classic, epic, history based (even if is more fiction than fact) and highly entertaining film that slowly, very slowly grabs your attention, gets you inside the story until without you really realizing it, you're absolutely absorbed by it; excellent storytelling, the best I have seen from Cannes 2010 up-to-date.

No, is not 'another' Robin Hood tale as ends when all the other tales begin and if you want to find 'connections' between previous Robin Hood stories and the one told here, you'll probably not find many.

Film tells about how Robin Longstride, an archer with King Richard Lionheart Crusades army, becomes the man that many followed before and after he was declared an outlaw by King John. Set in times when King Richard is coming back to England from his not-so-glorious crusades, ransacking towns to get some riches for his almost broke kingdom and how King Philip of France plots to kill King Richard, turn English barons against King John to easily invade/conquer England.

So what's so great about this movie? First, the story that's engaging. Second, the recreation of the period is excellent. Third, Ridley Scott's extraordinary storytelling style. Fourth, amazing -truly amazing- cast. Fifth, excellent balance between drama, romance and yes, battles. Sixth, some awesome natural scenarios that totally add to the drama before the battle. Last, is a very complete and well-crafted cinematic experience.

Not long ago a friend asked me what was my Cate Blanchett favorite movie and I said, Elizabeth I; but after watching her outstanding performance here, I change and say it's Robin Hood. She had such an interesting character that with her amazing histrionic abilities she made a Marion like no other you have seen and probably will never do in the future. That's how great she's in this movie that you'll not be able to take your eyes from her when she's on a scene and some are gloriously slow allowing time to pay attention to her facial expressions that tell more than words could. Fantastic! To me she absolutely stole the movie.

But that doesn't mean that other actors were not good as all lead and supporting actors had great performances, including Russell Crowe, Max von Sydow, William Hurt, and Danny Huston to name a few.

When the movie was over I couldn't helped but wanted MORE , wanted the story to continue, wanted to go on watching such an amazing assembled cast. But most of all, I was surprised by how good the movie was, I even applauded!

I strongly recommend this movie as great epic Hollywood cinema, like maybe Scott's Gladiator was in his time - but this is nothing like Gladiator is a different 'beast'. If you were thinking about skipping the movie because you think that's another Robin Hood tale (like me) be assured that is not and is so different that some naive viewers ask: why this movie is called Robin Hood, if is not Robin Hood? Lol!

Absolutely enjoyed the film, but I know that has to not be what the majority expect from a Hollywood movie, which as you probably guessed, is exactly what makes it more appealing to me and definitively the dvd will go into my collection.

Big Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @Movie On Companion

The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister

Rules have always exceptions and for me the exception in the world of made-for-TV films are British productions. No matter the genre they are excellent and complete-experience productions. But up-to-date the best made-for-TV productions in the lesbian interest genre absolutely are from the BBC and with their latest production based on real people and recently decoded diaries just makes it more evident, if possible. The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister not only is an excellent production but has a compelling story that looks and feels absolutely real, like real life -against fiction or a romanticized version of real events.

Real is the key word for this story that is not really a happy story as you'll see the suffering Miss Lister lives and maybe many will know -or guess- the outcome to similar painful situations and well, that's exactly what happens here! So you can say the story will be predictable for many, but the ride is simply magnificent with excellent performances, so much caring for period details and good production values.

The story is set in nineteenth century Yorkshire were wealthy orphan Anne Lister lives with her unmarried aunt and uncle who are anxious for her to marry well; but Anne is in love with her lover Mariana Belcombe. Love is real between them but Marianna doesn't approve the "public" displays more liberated Anne does among the close provincial society of those days and makes a marriage of convenience to a rich old man hoping that their relationship will continue as always, as they are considered best friends to everyone. But Anne feels betrayed and asks Mariana to stop writing and visiting her. What follows you have to see it, but let me just finish by saying that Anne Lister was really open about her sexuality, well open in closed doors; still, my impression is that many knew she was lesbian as she was the object of gossip behind her back.

Not only the story is about the romantic life of Miss Lister but also is about what probably was the first woman in the region to become an industrialist which to me is like the icing on the cake, as definitively is not another biopic about a lesbian in older times, is about a woman that had to take hard life decisions to fight (and win) men who thought she could not handle the hard coal exploitation business.

Yes I find the story fascinating as a woman story but also as a real-life lesbian interest story. Not often we have the opportunity to learn about interesting women struggles in the past and much less in this genre.

I strongly recommend this film to women and to those that enjoy excellent productions in the lesbian interest genre. This is one film that goes to my collection along excellent productions like Fingersmith, Tipping the Velvet and more.

Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion

If you want to learn more about Anne Lister I suggest you go to From History to Her Story site that's here.

Ken Loach Films

Not very often an excellent filmmaker offers his films for free but for a while (I assume) you will be able to watch some Ken Loach films FREE at his Youtube channel. Unfortunately I have seen all, but if I find time I'll revisit one or two.

Watch films here.

Enjoy this very rare opportunity!

Afghan Star

In my insurmountable quest to watch all the foreign films submitted to the 2010 Oscars recently I took a small step and decided to watch the UK official submission, a documentary by Havana Marking that troubled me more than I was prepared for.

The documentary film tells the story of a contestants musical show very similar to American Idol -that I have to remind readers that the show format is an import from UK and not an American original idea- that happens in contemporary Afghanistan. But that's the excuse to show how Afghan society has changed since the Taliban rule and my impression is that what we see is not so impartial and has a not so hidden intention.

I'm really torn with the way the documentary was edited as somehow I got the feeling that I was seeing propaganda. I will not get into explaining why, suffice to tell that it should have been a lot better if the story was told objectively. What I really appreciate is the story of the two women contestants as an example of cultural/religious rules that totally make women less than second class citizens and human beings. Watching both being and behaving so different impressed me and the reactions to disobeying the rules were absolute appalling. But then I'm torn here too, as I know that what is 'normal' for many, is not 'normal' for others and only us that live in a society where people are allowed to have choices will find appalling not being able to choose who we are or want to be. So I'm really troubled with this film that not unintentionally tried to show how an Occidental culture contestants format brought back "life" to a country where our concept of "joy" is restricted, the terrible consequences (including death threats) for disobeying rules, and the 'silly' government actions trying to control and punish contestants and people participation.

One positive thing the film did to me, made me think about politics, religion, Occidental recent popular culture and it's not-so-good penetration in cultures with thousands of years, and many other subjects that definitively will not discuss in this blog.

So, do I recommend the film? No if you're looking forward to an entertaining escape moment. No, if you want to have an 'objective' document of reality. Yes, if you have to watch all the foreign films submitted to the 2010 Oscar, but be prepared to see and hear a lot more than a simply Pop Idol contestants story.

Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion

Boogie Woogie

A movie that's not for all tastes as you really have to enjoy British satire to laugh with all the crazy situations, crazy acting and crazy story, and if you doubt me just check the awful movie poster that's a ridicule satiric representation of what the story is all about. But boy, did I laugh with this crazy movie.

Described as 'comedy of manners' this Duncan Ward film is set in the contemporary London art world and is based on the book by Danny Moynihan -with the same name- with an excellent cast playing characters devouring each other in a very small world awash with big money. The cast includes Gillian Anderson, Alan Cumming, Christopher Lee, Charlotte Rampling, Stellan Skarsgård, Heather Graham, Danny Huston, Jack Huston, and (again) Amanda Seyfried, plus many more like Gemma Atkinson that plays a lesbian artist that will do anything to be discovered and promoted.

Very fast paced film with many stories (as many as the large amount of characters) but basically revolves around the desire to acquire Piet Mondrian's painting that belongs to an old man who doesn't want to sell as he bought it directly from the famous painter and is his most precious collection piece. But that's the excuse to show us the (real) ridiculous side of art commercialism that is very similar (if not the same) all over the world.

If you have ever been close to the Art Marché in wherever you live then you have to watch this film to uncover people you probably know and if you appreciate Brit humor then the pleasure will be double. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this film to some of my loyal readers as is not the regular lesbian interest movie, but has all the ingredients including the sex scene.

Is so hard for me to find films that understand my humor (lol!) but this one definitively did, plus was a true delight to watch all the paintings, sculptures, etc that parade through out the entire film.

Enjoy!!

Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion

24th BFI London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

Running from March 17 to 31, the fest has many interesting films but maybe the most interesting is the film that opened the festival, The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister by James Kent that had the world premiere at the fest but will be broadcast this winter by BBC Two.

The fest has (as usual) lots of gay and not much lesbian interest films. If you want to browse the site to check the films please go here.

New films that have become must be seen are Quanto dura o Amor? (Paulista) from Brazil and Warriors of Love from Sweden/Denmark.

Cracks

As Sheila Kohler says at her official web site "she was driven to explore the reasons for violence within intimate relationships, in particular, the abuse of power and privilege" and that's exactly what this movie is all about as is based on Kohler's book with the same name. The only problem I have with the quote is that I found no real reasons for the film main character, Miss G (Eva Green), to abuse her power and privilege. But honestly it really does not matter much as Jordan Scott's (yes, Ridley's daughter) debut is interesting as a filmmaker and storyteller that makes us almost all the film wonder what was going on (besides the obvious) and does it with great cinematography, very nice takes and great period costumes worn by young girls at an English boarding school in the 1930's.

The story on the surface is about jealousy and free-spirit behavior in an era where the second was not an acceptable behavior for women. But there are hints to a deeper layer that's only uncover in the abrupt finale, that I didn't particularly enjoyed.

I believe the film is worth watching if you let it go and enjoy all that happens in three quarters of the film and you don't get much upset or taken back with the finale that the only clue I'm giving is that has the style of lesbian interest movies of another long go era.

I got real curious with story and probably will read the book to hopefully fill the gaps that I can fill with a little fantasy but most "reasons" are unsatisfying to me. I suggest to some of my loyal readers to watch the film, especially to Chaos, and please share your vision of the story.

Enjoy!!

Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion

2010 BAFTA Award Winners

As some of us know the award ceremony is happening right now and as soon as the major awards are announced I will post them in *RED. (I"m following the ceremony in twitter, as there is NO live stream of the show, unless you live in UK, which is kind of silly as better watch it on TV). Gee this totally looks like my Oscar predictions at The Auteurs... (except for the British actors). It's over until next year. Cheers!

While we wait and if you wish to watch Red Carpet clips and other go here.

Here are the nominations that to my eyes look like what Oscar nods could be. The winners of the awards will be announced at the Orange British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 21, 2010.

Best Film
Avatar
An Education
*The Hurt Locker
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Up In The Air

Outstanding British Film
An Education
*Fish Tank
In The Loop
Moon
Nowhere Boy

Director
James Cameron, Avatar
Neill Blomkamp, District 9
Lone Schefig, An Education
*Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker (Bravo!!!!)
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

Leading Actor
Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
George Clooney, Up In The Air
*Colin Firth, A Single Man (Wow! Excellent!)
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker
Andy Serkis Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll

Leading Actress
*Carey Mulligan, An Education (Great!)
Saoirse Ronan, The Lovely Bones
Gabourey Sidibe, Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire
Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
Audrey Tautou, Coco Before Chanel

Supporting Actor
Alec Baldwin, It’s Complicated
Christian Mckay, Me And Orson Welles
Alfred Molina, An Education
Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
*Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

Supporting Actress
Anne-Marie Duff, Nowhere Boy
Vera Farmiga, Up In The Air
Anna Kendrick, Up In The Air
*Mo’nique, Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire
Kristin Scott Thomas, Nowhere Boy

Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer
Lucy Bailey, Andrew Thompson, Elizabeth Morgan Hemlock, David Pearson Directors, Producers - Mugabe And The White African
Eran Creevy Writer/Director - Shifty Stuart
Hazeldine Writer/Director - Exam
*Duncan Jones Director - Moon
Sam Taylor-Wood Director - Nowhere Boy

Film Not In The English Language
Broken Embraces
Coco Before Chanel
Let The Right One In
*A Prophet (Good and surprising!)
The White Ribbon

Animated Film
Coraline
Fantastic Mr Fox
*Up

*Original Screenplay: Mark Boal for The Hurt Locker
*Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner for Up in the Air

*The Orange Rising Star Award: Kristen Stewart - (LOVE her... long before Twilight)

To check nominees in all categories please go here and to check winners in all categories go here. FYI BAFTA'S fifth president will be Prince William, succeeding Richard Attenborough.

What's outstanding is that the two major awards for feature films, Best Film and Outstanding British Film this year belong to female directors as well as the other major award, Best Director. Think this is a first and I'll be checking to confirm it, so if I do not post more is because is a fact. Let's hope the Oscars are similar to the BAFTA's, with the exception of actors that we know will be different.

The award ceremony closed with Prince William and Uma Thurman presenting the Academy Fellowship to none other than Vanessa Redgrave!

If you're interested in watching clips of the winners go to BAFTAonline's Channel at Youtube.

Avatar

I’m sorry but I can’t make a serious post about this movie that according to the World box office is most likely to become the number one Money Maker of all times but still has a long run to reach the number one spot as the most watched film of all times, that spot belongs still safely to Gone With the Wind. Hmm, still I’ll try to be serious.

The movie has the most amazing special effects in 3D that I have ever seen. Watched in IMAX 3D and was impressive as I really felt inside the movie and totally got the sensation that if I turned backwards I was going to see whatever was on the back. Awesome!

I truly believe the film deserves the top Academy Special Effects award and the same from all FX awards given in the world. Also I believe that this film should be considered as an Animated Feature Film and if some members of the film industry have little conscience they will admit that the film is more animated than anything else. If they accept it, then Avatar should win the Academy Best Animated Feature Film as the “animation” is surely superior to Up. Yes, I think digital animation has leaped forward with this film and the new technology that was invented will become the industry standard for the near future (near because technology moves really fast). If you think I’m speaking nonsense just think that two-thirds of Avatar was created by a “bank” of computers and the “animation” was done LIVE (i.e. real time) with actors against a green screen. By the way the Live part is one of the few things that was invented and the effect was created to allow expressions and emotions in the “animated” characters.

With this said, I think that the movie in general is just awful. A movie should be the sum of all its parts and this movie lacks a breakthrough story; a story that could be as outstanding as all the excellent technology that was invented for the storytelling. Huge Shame. To stay with James Cameron let’s use an example, Titanic. Titanic had a great story and actor’s performance plus excellent production values and some acceptable special effects made the story and the film a great (and very emotional) cinematic experience. Avatar does not. Cameron totally missed an excellent opportunity to make a great cinematic experience again. He forgot two very important things, the role of human actors in favor of “avatars” of actors and he forgot the importance of a great story. Huge Shame!

Do I recommend the movie? Yes I do. You have to watch it in 3D just for the awesome special effects but do not expect much more and you will exit satisfied. Do I think deserves the top honors that started to collect? No I don’t. Honors should be given to COMPLETE experiences, the total sum of ALL parts and Avatar does not rate well as a total experience.

Still, if your LOVE cinema -in all its components- maybe you should NOT watch this very disappointing film that leaves you wishing you could get back the money you paid for the admission ticket. That’s exactly what happened to me and I knew the story was not good but never imagined that was THAT bad.

Sigh.

Avatar

2010 BAFTA Rising Star Award

If you live in UK this is your chance to vote for your favorite Rising Star. Here are the nominees.

Jesse Eisenberg
Nicholas Hoult
Carey Mulligan
Tahar Rahim
Kristen Stewart

I really LOVED Tahar Rahim in A Prophet, amazing performance and I really liked Carey Mulligan in An Education, but if I could vote my totally biased vote goes to Kristen Stewart that I LOVE before she became so famous with the Twilight saga.

To learn how to vote and/or read a brief bio of each nominee go here.

Movie Bits

Strongly suggest you do not miss the following movies.

Invictus - Very Emotional, Clint Eastwood definitively it's a master filmmaker and storyteller! Morgan Freeman as Mandela is Outstanding!

It's Complicated - If you're a woman or men of certain age you have to watch this comedy with stellar Meryl Streep that definitively is greater (if possible) in a comedy. The story is entertaining, only at the end is sort of rushed into the climax in a not so great way.

The Blind Side - Nice real life story and Sandra Bullock delivers a great performance that will mesmerize you.

An Education - Excellent performance by Carey Mulligan, she totally steals the movie. Great period representation and costumes. Story is predictable, but who cares when Mulligan delivers a remarkable performance.

Didn't enjoy it much, but is entertaining

Up in the Air - Found nothing outstanding, but the story is relevant for current times.

2010 BAFTA Awards Long List

Before announcing the long list (the results of Round One of three) the Academy announced the nominations for the following category.

Film Not in the English Language
Abrazos Rotos (Broken Embrances)
Coco Avant Chanel (Coco Before Chanel)
Let the Right One In
A Prophet
The White Ribbon

To read the official announcement please go here. Have seen the five and truly love the Swedish vampire movie, but my vote is split between A Prophet and The White Ribbon.

So here is the long list for some categories. Remember that over 6000 members of the Academy vote in three rounds and this is the result of Round One that distilled 220 films down to fifteen in each category, Round Two will reduce the fifteen to the five nominations in each category. The full list of nominations will be announced Thursday January 21.

Best Film
Avatar
District 9
An Education
Gran Torino
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Invictus
Moon
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
The Road
A Serious Man
A Single Man
Star Trek
Up
Up in the Air

Best Director
Avatar *
Bright Star
District 9 *
An Education *
Fish Tank
Gran Torino
The Hurt Locker *
Inglourious Basterds
Invictus
Moon
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
A Prophet *
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

Animated Film
Coraline
A Christmas Carol
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Up

Leading Actress
Abbie Cornish (Fanny Brawne) – Bright Star *
Amy Adams (Julie Powell) – Julie & Julia
Audrey Tautou (Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel) – Coco Before Chanel
Carey Mulligan (Jenny) – An Education *
Emily Blunt (Queen Victoria) – The Young Victoria
Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) – Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire *
Helen Mirren (Sofya Tolstoy) – The Last Station
Katie Jarvis (Mia) – Fish Tank
Maggie Gyllenhaal (Jean Craddock) – Crazy Heart
Marion Cotillard (Luisa Contini) – Nine
Melanie Laurent (Shosanna Dreyfus) – Inglourious Basterds
Meryl Streep (Jane) – It’s Complicated
Meryl Streep (Julia Child) – Julie & Julia *
Penelope Cruz (Lena) – Broken Embraces
Saoirse Ronan (Susie Salmon) – The Lovely Bones

Leading Actor
Aaron Johnson (John Lennon) – Nowhere Boy
Andy Serkis (Ian Dury) – Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll *
Ben Whishaw (John Keats) – Bright Star
Brad Pitt (Lt. Aldo Raine) – Inglourious Basterds
Clint Eastwood (Walt Kowalski) – Gran Torino
Colin Firth (George) – A Single Man *
George Clooney (Ryan Bingham) – Up in the Air *
Jeff Bridges (Bad Blake) – Crazy Heart
Jeremy Renner (SSgt. William James) – The Hurt Locker *
Michael Sheen (Brian Clough) – The Damned United
Morgan Freeman (Nelson Mandela) – Invictus *
Peter Capaldi (Malcolm Tucker) – In the Loop
Peter Sarsgaard (David) – An Education
Sam Rockwell (Sam Bell) – Moon
Viggo Mortensen (Man) – The Road

Supporting Actress
Anna Kendrick (Natalie Keener) – Up in the Air
Anne-Marie Duff (Julia) – Nowhere Boy *
Claire Danes (Sonja Jones) – Me and Orson Welles
Diane Kruger (Bridget von Hammersmark) – Inglourious Basterds
Emma Thompson (Headmistress) – An Education
Julianne Moore (Charley) – A Single Man *
Kristin Scott Thomas (Mimi) – Nowhere Boy *
Mariah Carey (Mrs Weiss) – Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Mo’Nique (Mary) – Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire *
Olivia Williams (Miss Stubbs) – An Education
Penelope Cruz (Carla) – Nine
Rachel Weisz (Abigail Salmon) – The Lovely Bones
Rosamund Pike (Helen) – An Education *
Susan Sarandon (Grandma Lynn) – The Lovely Bones
Vera Farmiga (Alex Goran) – Up in the Air

Supporting Actor
Aaron Wolff (Danny Gopnik) – A Serious Man
Alan Rickman (Professor Severus Snape) – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Alec Baldwin (Jake) – It’s Complicated
Alfred Molina (Jack) – An Education *
Anthony Mackie (Sgt. JT Sanborn) – The Hurt Locker
Brian Geraghty (Specialist Owen Eldridge) – The Hurt Locker
Christian McKay (Orson Welles) – Me and Orson Welles *
Christoph Waltz (Col. Landa) – Inglourious Basterds *
Christopher Plummer (Leo Tolstoy) – The Last Station *
Dominic Cooper (Danny) – An Education
Matt Damon (Francois Pienaar) – Invictus
Stanley Tucci (Mr Harvey) – The Lovely Bones *
Stanley Tucci (Paul Child) – Julie & Julia
Timothy Spall (Peter Taylor) – The Damned United
Zachary Quinto (Spock) – Star Trek

*Denotes one of the top five or six vote-getters from Round One

I do not know about you but for to me this long list seems very similar to what I imagine could look the Oscar long list if existed. To check all the categories please go here.

2010 BAFTA’s News – Foreign-language Films

Can’t find the news at the official site but Variety is saying that only four (4) films from this year’s 65 Oscar entries have qualified for the BAFTA’s. That’s too little but take a look at the films: A Prophet from France, The White Ribbon from Germany, Harishchandrachi Factory from India and UK’s own Afghan Star. Great films even if I haven’t seen two.

Those films are among 40 eligible contenders that include movies like Almodovar’s Broken Embrances, Coco Before Chanel, Sweden’s Let the Right One In, Mesrine, The Class and Departures. Remember that to qualify the film has to have a UK release during 2009, so that’s why there are some “older” movies and just having a UK release qualifies them.

I’m very interested in finding the complete list of 40 films, so if any of you can help please feel free to leave the link as a comment. If you want to check the article at Variety go here.

12th British Independent Film Award Winners

Award Winners are in *RED.
Yesterday BIFA directors' announced the nominations and here they are.

Best British Independent Film
An Education, Lone Scherfig
Fish Tank, Andrea Arnold
In The Loop, Armando Iannucci
*Moon, Duncan Jones
Nowhere Boy, Sam Taylor Wood

Best Director
*Andrea Arnold for Fish Tank
Armando Iannucci for In The Loop
Duncan Jones for Moon
Jane Campion for Bright Star
Lone Scherfig for An Education

Best Debut Director
Armando Iannucci for In The Loop
*Duncan Jones for Moon
Peter Strickland for Katalin Varga
Sam Taylor Wood for Nowhere Boy
Samantha Morton for The Unloved

Best Actress
Abbie Cornish in Bright Star
*Carey Mulligan in An Education
Emily Blunt in The Young Victoria
Katie Jarvis in Fish Tank
Sophie Okonedo in Skin

Best Actor
Aaron Johnson in Nowhere Boy
Andy Serkis in Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
Peter Capaldi in In The Loop
Sam Rockwell in Moon
*Tom Hardy in Bronson

Best Supporting Actress
*Anne-Marie Duff in Nowhere Boy
Kerry Fox in Bright Star
Kierston Wareing in Fish Tank
Kristin Scott Thomas in Nowhere Boy
Rosamund Pike in An Education

Best Supporting Actor
Alfred Molina in An Education
Jim Broadbent in The Damned United
*John Henshaw in Looking for Eric
Michael Fassbender in Fish Tank
Tom Hollander in In The Loop

Most Promising Newcomer
Christian McKay in Me & Orson Welles
Edward Hogg in White Lightnin’
George MacKay in The Boys Are Back
Hilda Péter in Katalin Varga
*Katie Jarvis in Fish Tank

Best Foreign Film
Il Divo
The Hurt Locker
*Let The Right One In
Sin Nombre
The Wrestler

The Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution to British Film: Daniel Day Lewis

To check nominees in all the categories go here. The awards ceremony will be held December 6th at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, in London and will be hosted by James Nesbitt.

Calls my attention that Bright Star didn't make it to best film, still Jane Campion has a nod for Best Director... hmm, seems the movie will not be as I imagined. Fish Tank has the most nominations and definitively now I'm very curious about An Education.

Harry Brown

If you enjoy Michael Caine performances then this film is definitively for you. With an extraordinary performance like he has not really given lately, Caine does not only save the film but he becomes the film as even when the story is full of violence and is depicted with crude realism you will not be able to take your eyes from the screen until the very end. Not often I’m able to stand watching violent and realistic films, but I watched the film in one very long sigh from the moment the action starts until ends. Amazing! But it was only because Michael Caine.

The film is set on a South London Council estate where tenants are being disturbed and harassed by a young men gang that brutally destroy, hit, shot, etc everything that comes in their way. Two friends Harry (Caine) and Leonard are elderly, living alone in their own flats and share a chess game at the local pub often. Leonard has been harassed and is fed up; Harry tells him to keep calm. But Leonard decides to carry a knife and in the last harassment he reacts. From this moment on you will see how Harry transforms from the disciplined, pacific and law-obeying person into the man that takes the law into his hands. What follows is not Hollywood (thanks!) but a quite realistic portrait of a man than in his youth used to be a marine.

Gosh, I really liked the movie but I know is not for everyone as is really disturbing, violent and with some graphic scenes of very low-lives. So please be advised that only if you really enjoy Great Performances by Michael Caine dare to watch this very realistic UK production that by-the-way has a good/happy end.

Watch it at your own risk and surely you will not be disappointed with Caine’s excellent performance.

Enjoy!!

Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion

53rd London Film Festival Award Winners

Last night the fest had the awards ceremony and here are the winners.

Star of London for Best Film: Un Prophète (A Prophet), Jacques Audiard, France
A Prophet has the ambition, purity of vision and clarity of purpose to make it an instant classic,” Angelica Huston, jury President said on behalf of the jury. “With seamless and imaginative story-telling, superb performances and universal themes, Jacques Audiard has made a perfect film.

Special Mention: The Road, John Hillcoat, USA
For breathtaking vision, extraordinary performances and profound political statement.

Star of London for Best British Newcomer: Jack Thorne screenwriter of The Scouting Book for Boys, Tom Harper, UK
Jack Thorne is a poetic writer with an end-of-the-world imagination and a real gift for story-telling. Thorne's substantial authorship is revealed in the unique voices of the film’s characters and the rich, soulful and playful layering of the story.

Southerland Award: Ajami, Yaron Shani ans Scandar Copti, Israel
A bold and original piece of filmmaking, Ajami tells an important story in a thoroughly engrossing and cinematic way. A fantastic achievement, Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani have made a film with a heart and a vision that speaks for a common humanity.

Grierson Award: Defamation, Yoav Shamir, Israel, Austira, USA and Denmark (documentary)

BFI Fellowships: John Hurt and Soulemane Cissé for “their significant achievements in the fields of acting and directing”.

To read the official announcement go here.