New Posters: 'Up', 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'

I love the new Up one-sheets. Very nice.




French Wolverine poster. Very nice too.


Feel free to share and download them.

Slumdog Sweeps Oscars

First off, what a brilliant, magnificent show! Didn't catch the name of the guy who directed the Oscars this year but he did a great job. And Hugh Jackman, whaaat?? He did an outstanding job hosting the show. I had no idea before this that he could sing no less perform a hilarious, exhausting number at the start of the show. I'm glad they went with him this year instead of the typical comic. It was good to see the first 10 minutes of the Oscars look more like the Tony Awards. Well done Hugh!

I'm kind of busy right now so I'll keep this post short. Maybe I'll do another Oscars post some time soon. But for now, here are the winners of the 81st Annual Academy Awards.

Best Picture
My prediction: Slumdog Millionaire
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Director
My prediction: Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)
Winner: Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)

Best Actor
My prediction: Sean Penn (Milk)
Winner: Sean Penn (Milk)

Best Actress
My prediction: Kate Winslet (The Reader)
Winner: Kate Winslet (The Reader)

Best Supporting Actor
My prediction: Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
Winner: Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

Best Supporting Actress
My prediction: Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)
Winner: Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)

Best Adapted Screenplay
My prediction: Slumdog Millionaire
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Original Screenplay
My prediction: Milk
Winner: Milk

Best Cinematography
My prediction: Slumdog Millionaire
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Visual Effects
My prediction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Winner: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Animated Feature Film
My prediction: WALL-E Winner: WALL-E

Best Art Direction
Winner: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Costume Design
Winner: The Duchess

Best Film Editing
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Makeup
Winner: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Original Score
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Original Song
Winner: “Jai Ho” (Slumdog Millionaire)

Best Sound Editing
Winner: The Dark Knight
Best Sound Mixing
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Foreign Language Film
Winner: Departures

Best Documentary Feature
Winner: Man on Wire

Best Documentary Short
Winner: Smile Pinki

Best Animated Short Film
Winner: La Maison en Petits Cubes

Best Live Action Short Film
Winner: Toyland

Big Winners
Slumdog Millionaire — 8
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button — 3
The Dark Knight, Milk — 2
Departures, The Duchess, Man on Wire, The Reader, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, WALL-E — 1

Congratulations to Slumdog Millionaire on the impressive 8 wins out of 10 categories nominated. The film truly deserved this glorious recognition.

Having gone 11 for 11 for my predictions, I really should've predicted for more categories than 11. Hopefully next year I will. Are you happy with the results? Sound out in the comments.

Opening This Week: Seven Pounds of Sex Driven Street Fighter Role Models

This week is pretty busy with four decent movies coming out. Seven Pounds, Sex Drive, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li and Role Models. Seven Pounds I have seen and I didn't like it. To be honest I don't not like Will Smith flicks very often. Sex Drive seems to be a typical teen flick ala American Pie. Street Fighter I personally do not want to watch. I loved the Van Damme one back in '94 when I was a kid. But this, nah I'll pass. Finally, Role Models should be some good fun to watch.

On a separate note, GSC is re-screening a couple Oscar nominated films like The Dark Knight, Slumdog Millionaire and Tropic Thunder. The special offer only lasts until March 4th. Check out the GSC website for more details.

One more thing, check out this review on Slumdog Millionaire written by my friend, Louis Yap.

Now lets jump straight into things.

Seven Pounds (2008)
Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson
Director: Gabriele Muccino
USA release: 19 December 2008
Msia release: 26 February 2009
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 123 mins
Rated in USA: PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality
Rated in Msia: U

As a man who's haunted by guilt, Ben Thomas (Will Smith) sets out on a journey to find 7 strangers to help. Unbeknown to the 7 people Ben decides to help, he is not the person he says he is. Who is he? Why is he willing to change the lives of 7 people he has never met in his life?




Sex Drive (2008)
Starring: Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, Seth Green
Director: Sean Anders
USA release: 17 October 2008
Msia release: 26 February 2009
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 109 mins
Rated in USA: R for strong crude and sexual content, nudity, language, some drug and alcohol use - all involving teens
Rated in Msia: 18SX

18 year-old Ian (Josh Zuckerman) goes on a road trip with his friends Felicia (Amanda Crew) and Lance (Clark Duke) halfway across the country to Knoxville, Tennessee just to lose his virginity to a girl who he met online. Expect a Road Trip kind of movie.




Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009)
Starring: Kristin Kreuk, Chris Klein, Neal McDonough, Michael Clarke Duncan
Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak
USA release: 27 February 2009
Msia release: 26 February 2009
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Runtime: 126 mins
Rated in USA: PG-13 for sequences of violence and martial arts action, and some sensuality
Rated in Msia: 18PL

Based on the ever so popular video game (incidentally Street Fighter 4 was released just days ago), The Legend of Chun-Li focuses on Interpol agent Chun-Li (Kristin Kreuk) as she goes on a hunt for justice after the murder of her father. I expect a crappy plot, crappy effects but awesome fight scenes.




Role Models (2008)
Starring: Sean William Scott, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks
Director: David Wain
USA release: 7 November 2008
Msia release: 26 February 2009
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 99 mins
Rated in USA: R for crude and sexual content, strong language and nudity
Rated in Msia: U

Danny (Sean William Scott) and Wheeler (Paul Rudd) are two salesmen who trash a company truck on an energy drink binge. When tried, the court gives them 2 options- prison or community service. Opting for the latter, Danny and Wheeler wish they had chosen prison instead of spending 150 hours in a child mentoring program called 'Sturdy Wings'. This should be a good movie. I've always been fans of Sean William Scott and Paul Rudd.

My Oscar Predictions

Its finally that time again. Oscar time. And what better way to celebrate the Oscars than making predictions on who's going to win. Before reading my predictions, you can check out the list of nominations here.

The way I'll do it is who I think will win and who I would want to win. I hope you enjoy my list. Here we go!


BEST PICTURE
Who will win: Slumdog Millionaire
Who should win: Slumdog Millionaire
Really? Are we doing this? Slumdog is undoubtedly the runaway favorite and deservedly so. A loss would be the biggest upset you could possibly imagine. Also, the runaway winner in the Best Picture poll in the sidebar.


BEST ACTOR
Who will win: Sean Penn (Milk)
Who should win: Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)
This is a tough one. Sean Penn is more likely to win for his portrayal of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician in California. But Mickey Rourke could definitely win this one after such an amazing, personal, committed performance as Randy the Ram, the title character in Darren Aronofsky's brilliant The Wrestler. Or you could look at it the other way- Penn taking it from under the nose of Rourke. In any case, only these two have a chance.


BEST ACTRESS
Who will win: Kate Winslet (The Reader)
Who should win: Kate Winslet (The Reader)
This is another no-brainer. Winslet to take it for her role in Stephen Daldry's holocaust drama The Reader.


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Who will win: Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
Who should win: Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
Once again, really? Is there any question? Not only should Ledger win this award just because he's dead, but also because of his out-of-this-world performance as the maniacal Joker in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. Anyone who's willing to get into a nurse costume before blowing up a hospital deserves an Oscar.


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Who will win: Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)
Who should win: Amy Adams (Doubt)
Okay this one is a tricky one, trickiest so far. Penelope Cruz has generating tons of buzz as of late with her performance in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Having said that, underrated Amy Adams could easily take it away from Cruz as her depiction as a naive nun in John Patrick Shanley's highly-rated Doubt opposite Meryl Streep (nominated for Best Actress, stands no chance) and Phillip Seymour Hoffman (nominated for Best Supporting Actor, even less of a chance). And then theres always Taraji P. Henson. Who you say? Taraji played Queenie, adoptive mother to Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt, also no chance for Best Actor).


BEST DIRECTOR
Who will win: Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)
Who should win: Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)
This year is Danny Boyle's year. Simple as that. Nobody's gonna break the stranglehold Boyle's got on that little golden statuette.


BEST ANIMATED FILM
Who will win: WALL-E
Who should win: WALL-E
Kungfu Panda and Bolt never had a chance this whole year. WALL-E was simply in a league of its own.


BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Who will win: Slumdog Millionaire
Who should win: The Dark Knight
I can definitely see why Slumdog will win. But The Dark Knight should win just for its pure awesome-ness.


BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Who will win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Who should win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Strangely enough, the only thing I loved about Ben Button was how Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett's appearances were digitally altered. Amazing work.


BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Who will win: Milk
Who should win: WALL-E
Gus van Sant's Milk should have no problem taking this. But the just the possibility of WALL-E winning it makes me feel all fuzzy inside.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Who will win: Slumdog Millionaire
Who should win: Slumdog Millionaire
Simon Beaufoy gets all the credit for transforming the novel Q & A into such a wonderful story on the big screen.


Well that's all from me now. What did you think of my predictions? Agreed whole-heartedly? Or think I'm full of horse shit? Either way, sound out and comment. Do share these predictions too. Check back Monday night for all the winners from the 81st Annual Academy Awards.

Trailer: Funny People

Here's a trailer from another Apatow-Rogen film, Funny People, this time with Adam Sandler. Watching the trailer, it feels like this is gonna be more of a serious movie and less of a typical Judd Apatow comedy. Weird huh?

Apatow+Rogen+Sandler=Not so funny movie??

Ridiculous.

I hope I'm wrong. We'll see when it hits the big screens July 31. For now, enjoy the trailer. Feel free to comment and share.

New 'Inglorious Basterds' Posters

Its probably kind of obvious by now that I'm really psyched about Inglourious Basterds, so needless to say, I'm really digging these new posters. Here they are. Do share them.

'TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN' TRAILER IN HD!!!

Last week I put up the bootleg trailer of Tranformers 2 that was shown only in cinemas before Friday The 13th. Now, finally, the official trailer is on the internet. So you don't have to drool to a blurry and shaky trailer anymore. Not only is it a clear trailer now, but it is in perfect, flawless HIGH DEFINITION!!!

I definitely know you will enjoy this one! Savor it!

New 'Fast & Furious' Poster

A new one-sheeter for F&F. Nothing really special though. No big difference from the first one. Just their big heads in the background.


Found on ComingSoon.net

Opening This Week: Burn After Punishing

Burn After Reading (2008)
Starring: John Malkovich, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton
Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Writers: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Producers: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
USA release: 12 September 2008
Msia release: 19 February 2009
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Runtime: 96 mins
Rated in USA: R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence
Rated in Msia: N/A

When fired by the CIA, Osbourne Cox (John Malkovich) decides to write his memoirs. The CD that contains all his memoirs is found in the locker room of a gym where it is found by the ignorant janitor Manolo. Bumbling Chad (Brad Pitt) and self absorbed Linda (Frances McDormand) then look to sell the CD back to Cox for personal gain.

Another excellent, witty piece of work from the Coen brothers, Burn After Reading is definitely a must-see. I rate it as one of the best comedies of last year. If you liked George and Brad in Ocean's or if you're fans of the Coen brothers (The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, No Country For Old Men) then this is a film you cannot miss.
























Punisher: War Zone
Starring: Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Julie Benz
Director: Lexi Anderson
USA release: 5 December 2008
Msia release: 19 February 2009
Genre: Crime, Action
Runtime: 103 mins
Rated in USA: R for pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use
Rated in Msia: 18SG

For plot and review, check out this post on Louis' blog.

'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' Bootleg Official Trailer

Here's a fuzzy look at the official trailer for Transformers 2 only available in theaters. Hope you enjoy. Will have the non-bootleg one up once its available on the internet.



Also, Devastator has been said to be 120-feet tall.

I'm speechless. Crazy.

Check this picture out for some perspective.

Inglourious Basterds Teaser Trailer

Holy hell I cannot stop watching this trailer. It is so high octane and brutal. Well it is Quentin Tarantino. But Brad Pitt's speech was just awesome.

"I want my scalps!"

You are sure to enjoy this one.

Review: Slumdog Millionaire

Jamal Malik is one question away from winning 20 million rupees.
How did he do it?

A: He cheated
B: He's lucky
C: He's a genius
D: It is written

From brilliant screenwriter Simon Beaufoy and genius British filmmaker Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Sunshine) comes Slumdog Millionaire, the story of an 18 year-old Mumbai orphan who is in the hot seat having already won 10 million rupees on the local version of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire'. Suspected of cheating on the show, Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) is tortured and interrogated by police. Forced into explaining how he answered all the questions, he tells the police that the experiences he had while living his life in the slums of Mumbai were a clue to the questions.

The one thing that truly makes this whole film is how its told in a non-linear form, switching between the depressing and difficult times during Jamal's time in the slums and his curious and uncertain experience on the game show. It was amazing to see how the storyline flashed back whenever the next question was asked, incorporating his past experiences with the question being asked. The clues were discrete yet it stood out and gave a sense of understanding and made me feel that every chapter of his life was being told for a reason. The film is so brilliantly structured it leaves a very deep imprint. Where a typical movie starts off high, dips low then comes up again for the climax, 'Slumdog' starts off amazingly dismal and gloomy then climbs up to a brief period of comic relief and glee before dipping again and finally ending. On a high or low note, you find that out for yourself. not going to spoil it.

Shot on site in India, 'Slumdog' so beautifully illustrates the dirty, compact, upsetting slums of old Bombay as well as the developing, 21st century Mumbai. The slums were depicted so strongly I don't think the film did any favors to Mumbai in the way of tourism. But I think this film puts India in a bad light, highlighting the negative stereotype that is poverty in India. Nevertheless, the cinematography and lighting was simply breathtaking. Half of the film was shot with a handheld which was very obvious in the opening sequences of the movie where the guards are chasing the kids through the slums. The film should win an Oscar for Best Cinematography purely for shooting half of it with a handheld and not screwing it up, let alone making it work beautifully.

Believe you me, you want to be Dev Patel right now. Before this, he was a relatively unknown actor on the British TV show 'Skins'. To sum up his entire performance, he was very passive and laidback, looking extremely comfortable on the big screen like he's been doing this for awhile. Sometimes a performance like this can potentially mess the film up but Patel pulled off the 'less is more' swagger pretty well. Although the lead actor in the film I felt more of an impact from little Jamal (Azharuddin Ismail). While watching him and Salim begging for money running from gangsters, I was thinking where in the world did they find these kids. Their acting was flawless. Even more important, the acting from the kids felt genuine and innocent. They were so cute and at times funny. After reading a little bit, I learned that the kids were from the real slums of Mumbai and were terribly underpaid. They still reside in the slums today. Terrible ain't it? Well Danny Boyle said they were paid three times the salary of the average adult living in their neighborhood. Well thats not saying much considering their neighborhood is a collection of makeshift shacks. Veering off topic here. Enough of that.

Already won a Golden Globe and a BAFTA, the soundtrack for 'Slumdog' is so so so good. Very good. So good I'm listening to it right now. My personal favorite is 'O...Saya' which plays in the sequence where the guards chase the kids through the slums. Composed by A. R. Rahman with contributions from M.I.A., the soundtrack boosts the film and brings out the culture and color of India that much more. Soundtrack- Ah-mazing!

This film proves that a simple story and simple concept can be a great success just as long as its shot in a unique way with a great crew and cast. By far, Slumdog Millionaire is my new favorite film of 2008. Also my pick for best movie of the year. It wholly deserves all its wins so far especially at the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs. I'm very sure it will sweep the Oscars as well.

I urge everyone to watch this if you have not. If you have, please do drop me a comment.

D: It is written

Doctor's prognosis: 9 out of 10 popcorns!

*Check out my preview post with more details and trailer here.

'Slumdog' Sweeps 2009 BAFTAs

Taking 7 BAFTAs home including Best Film and Best Director, 'Slumdog Millionaire' continued their hot streak of sweeping Awards as the Oscars draw nearer.

Check out some of the winners from last the biggest film awards event on the British calendar after the jump.



Best Film

Slumdog Millionaire

Director

Slumdog Millionaire - Danny Boyle

Leading Actor

Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Leading Actress

Kate Winslet - The Reader

Supporting Actor

Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Supporting Actress

Penélope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Original Screenplay

In Bruges - Martin McDonagh

Adapted Screenplay

Slumdog Millionaire - Simon Beaufoy

Outstanding British Film

Man on Wire

Animated Film

WALL•E

Music

Slumdog Millionaire - A. R. Rahman

Cinematography

Slumdog Millionaire - Anthony Dod Mantle

Sound

Slumdog Millionaire - Glenn Freemantle / Resul Pookutty / Richard Pryke / Tom Sayers / Ian Tapp

Special Visual Effects

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Eric Barba / Craig Barron / Nathan McGuinness / Edson Williams

For the full list of winners, check my source out. And for more videos of the BAFTAs by the BBC, check out their YouTube channel.

Opening This Week: Oscar Double Dose

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Check out the details of the film, the review and the trailer all HERE.
























Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto
Directors: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan (India)
Writers: Simon Beaufoy (screenplay), Vikas Swarup (novel)
USA release: 12 November 2008 (limited), 23 January 2008 (wide)
Msian release: 12 February 2008
Genre: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, UK
Languages: English, Hindi
Runtime: 120 mins
Rated in USA: R for some violence, disturbing images and language
Rated in Msia: PG-13

Set and shot in India, Slumdog Millionaire tells the story of a Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), who is one correct answer away from winning 20 million rupees on the Indian 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire'. When the show breaks for the night, Jamal is taken by the police on suspicion of cheating. He then explains to the Inspector his life's story. Every significant experience in his life had provided him with the answers to all the questions on the game show. Obviously not after the money, what is Jamal's motive to be on the show?



























Valkyrie (2008)
Starring: Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Kenneth Branagh, Terence Stamp
Director: Bryan Singer
Writers: Christopher McQuarrie, Nathan Alexander
USA release: 25 December 2008
Msia release: 12 February 2009
Genre: War, History, Drama
Runtime: 120 mins
Rated in USA: PG-13 for violence and brief strong language
Rated in Msia: PG-13

Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg sets up an elaborate ploy to end the Nazi regime and World War II and form a new government. Operation Valkyrie was supposed to include the killing of Adolf Hitler that was never successful.



Is it just me or does the guy called Claus von Stauffenberg have an American accent? Hmm. Lol.

New Half-Blood Prince Posters

I don't know about the rest of you guys but I personally love movie posters. Maybe even better than trailers. Okay, maybe not. But I do love them very much. Check out three of the new HP6 posters. I like the first one the best.



Also you can check out the teaser trailer, international trailer and Japanese trailer for Half-Blood Prince.

Trailer: Land of the Lost

A couple posts ago I showed you the Land of the Lost teaser. Here's the full official trailer of Will Ferrell's latest comedy. Check it out and enjoy!

Opening This Week

Pink Panther 2 (2009)
Starring: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Andy Garcia, John Cleese, Alfred Molina, Jeremy Irons, Aishwarya Rai
Director: Harald Zwart
Writers: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
USA release: 6 February 2009
Msia release: 5 February 2009
Genre: Comedy, Mystery, Crime
Runtime: 92 mins
Rated in USA: PG for some suggestive humor, brief mild language and action
Rated in Msia: N/A

When some of the worlds most precious items are stolen, Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin) is assigned to an international crime-solving team including a British Inspector, an Italian business man, a Japanese electronics whiz and an Indian crime expert to retrieve the treasured items.




























Changeling (2008)
Starring: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich
Director: Clint Eastwood
Producers: Brian Grazer, Ron Howard
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
USA release: 31 October 2008
Msian release: 5 February 2009
Genre: Mystery, Drama, Crime
Runtime: 141 mins
Rated in USA: R for some violent and disturbing content, and language
Rated in Msia: PG-13

Soon after Christine Collins' (Angelina Jolie) kidnapped son is returned to her, she realizes that the boy isn't the child she gave birth to. She then takes on the corrupt LAPD in the fight against the injustice served to her. She pushes so far that she is deemed an unfit mother. Changeling is inspired by true events that occurred in the late 1920's in Los Angeles.

More Super Bowl TV Spots

Year One


Angels & Demons


Duplicity

Super Bowl XLIII TV Spots

Super Bowl XLIII will air at 7.00AM, Feb 2, Malaysian time. Don't miss it!

I've already shown you the incredible, amazing, awesome, fantastic, insane, sweet, mind-blowing Transformers 2 teaser. Now check out the rest of the teasers that are going to air during Super Bowl XLIII tomorrow in the US. Since they will not be aired on Malaysian TV, here they are.

Star Trek

Up


Land of the Lost


G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra



Year One



Race To Witch Mountain



Fast & Furious

OMG! 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' Teaser Trailer

Its finally been released! And its friggin' insane! This teaser trailer was released on the internet today and will premiere on TV in the third quarter of the Super Bowl XLIII. I'm watching this over and over and over again. The effects are just incredible!