Film Review: The Blind Side (2009)

The Blind Side is a 2009 American drama–sports film written and directed by John Lee Hancock, and based on the 2006 book ‘The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game‘ by Michael Lewis. The story follows Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), an offensive lineman who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL. It follows Oher from his impoverished upbringing through to being a multi-million dollar athlete. For her performance as Michael’s adoptive mother Leigh Anne Tuohy, Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for Best Actress and the film itself received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

Film Review: Legion (2010)

Legion is a 2010 American apocalyptic Fantasy-Horror film, with a directorial debut from visual effects specialist, Scott Stewart. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Paul Bettany, Lucas Black, Adrianne Palicki and Dennis Quaid and explores themes of biblical world ending. Michael (Bettany) is a former Angel who has arrived to protect the unborn child of a poor waitress (Palicki) in the middle of nowhere. God has grown tired of mankind and has sent an army to destroy them all and kill the unborn  child, which remains mankind’s only hope.

Film Review: The Bounty Hunter (2010)

The Bounty Hunter is the story of Milo Boyd (Gerard Butler), a bounty hunter with a serious gambling addiction, who is offered $5,000 to bring in his ex-wife, Nicole Hurly (Jennifer Aniston). Unfortunately, journalist Nicole has no intention of going to jail as she is in the middle of investigating the mysterious events surrounding an NYPD suicide. Directed by Andy Tennant, who previously guided Hitch and Sweet Home Alabama.

Film Review: I Love You, Phillip Morris (2010)

Based on the unbelievably true story of con-man Stephen Russell (Jim Carrey), ‘I Love You, Phillip Morris’ tells the story of a man desperately trying to understand himself in a world where he is only a figment of his own lies. He is everything and anything he wants to be apart from himself. This begins to change when he meets Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor) who he falls madly in love with, and will do anything to please.

Film Review: Shutter Island (2010)

Shutter Island is the eagerly anticipated Thriller Directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese and stars Leonardo Di Caprio, who has seemingly become Scorsese’s modern day Robert De Niro over the past few years with this being the fourth collaboration between the two.

Film Review: Green Zone (2010)

Green Zone is an action thriller war film directed by Paul Greengrass. The film is credited as having been ‘inspired’ by the non-fiction 2006 book ‘Imperial Life in the Emerald City’ by journalist Rajiv Chandrasekaran (say that 10 times quick), which documented life in the Green Zone, Baghdad during the Iraq Invasion. The film stars Matt Damon, Amy Ryan, Greg Kinnear, and Brendan Gleeson.

82nd Academy Award Results

So, last night’s Oscars ceremony was a testament to great movie production over commercial success. It was also the story of an ex-wife getting, not one, but two over her ridiculously successful ex-husband –  in his very field of expertise. Aside from the fashion and Ben Stiller’s ‘Avatar’ inspired costume, it was a night of little to report detracting from the ultimate purpose. And, boy did this focus help to re-establish the Academy’s image as a representative of quality.

We all know that Avatar’s was an excellent film, but those who say it deserved to win the Oscar for ‘Best Picture’ clearly don’t understand what it takes to create a truly excellent film. The visuals were undeniable, hence why it has won Oscars in the areas of Cinematography and Special Effects. However, Best Picture needs to be all that and more and had Avatar beat The Hurt Locker purely down to its commercial success then the Academy would have undoubtedly suffered a fall from grace with regards to respect from the members of the film production industry.

Film Review: Crazy Heart

Crazy Heart is a music based drama about a washed up old country and western singer Bad Blake played by Jeff Bridges. With Bad’s headlining days behind him and his tendency to puke in between songs he is consigned to singing in small town bars just so he can get by and you sense that his heart is no longer in making music and he’s more just still in the business so he can put a roof over his head and continue to fund his dangerous alcohol problem.

Film Review: The Crazies (2010)

The Crazies is a 2010 American horror film and remake of the 1973 film of the same name. It was directed by the relatively unknown Breck Eisner, who’s only film of note is 2005 mis-hit Sahara. The Crazies stars Timothy Olyphant (and his ridiculously small and distracting waist), Radha Mitchell, Joe Anderson, Danielle Panabaker. The story revolves around a town whose water supply has been poisoned by an unknown toxin that is causing the locals to be driven to insanity.

82nd Annual Academy Award Predictions

On Sunday 7th March, some of the biggest names in the film industry will gather for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, known as The Oscars’. Arguably, the biggest event in the awards circuit, The Oscars can make or break a reputation and provide a nice boost to DVD sales. Since May 16, 1929 they have been developing into the best indicator of an internationally recognised performance of excellence, and it comes with the highest prestige.

Around 6,000 members of ‘The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ (AMPAS) will vote from the chosen nominees to decide the best in each category to receive 24 different awards.