2009 MTV Movie Awards Winners

The MTV Movie Awards must be one of the silliest and most pointless awards show there is, but as always, it’s fun to watch and fun to talk about. A show in which Twilight is nominated seven times and win five of those, cannot be taken seriously. But, again, it’s good fun.

So the awards show wasn’t shown live in Malaysia. How many of you caught it live on the Internet though? I couldn’t because I was in college. I guess I’ll just wait to watch the awards show on June 12 when they air it here in Malaysia on MTV. Here is the complete list of nominees and winners of the recent 2009 MTV Movie Awards. As I thought, Twilight pretty much swept the awards. Check it.

BEST MOVIE

• Twilight
• The Dark Knight
• High School Musical 3: Senior Year
• Iron Man
• Slumdog Millionaire

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE

• Angelina Jolie - Wanted
• Anne Hathaway - Bride Wars
• Kate Winslet - The Reader
• Kristen Stewart - Twilight
• Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE

• Christian Bale - The Dark Knight
• Robert Downey Jr. - Iron Man
• Shia LaBeouf - Eagle Eye
• Vin Diesel - Fast & Furious
• Zac Efron - High School Musical 3: Senior Year

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE FEMALE

• Amanda Seyfried - Mamma Mia!
• Ashley Tisdale - High School Musical 3: Senior Year
• Freida Pinto - Slumdog Millionaire
• Miley Cyrus - Hannah Montana: The Movie
• Vanessa Hudgens - High School Musical 3: Senior Year
• Kat Dennings - Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE MALE

• Robert Pattinson - Twilight
• Taylor Lautner - Twilight
• Ben Barnes - The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
• Dev Patel - Slumdog Millionaire
• Bobb’e J. Thompson - Role Models

BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE

• Amy Poehler - Baby Mama
• Anna Faris - The House Bunny
• James Franco - Pineapple Express
• Jim Carrey - Yes Man
• Steve Carell - Get Smart

BEST VILLAIN

• Derek Mears - Friday The 13^th
• Dwayne Johnson - Get Smart
• Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
• Johnathon Schaech - Prom Night
• Luke Goss - Hellboy II: The Golden Army

BEST FIGHT

• Anne Hathaway vs. Kate Hudson - Bride Wars
• Christian Bale vs. Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
• Ron Perlman vs. Luke Goss - Hellboy II: The Golden Army
• Robert Pattinson vs. Cam Gigandet - Twilight
• Seth Rogen and James Franco vs. Danny McBride - Pineapple Express

BEST KISS

• Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy - Wanted
• Freida Pinto and Dev Patel - Slumdog Millionaire
• James Franco and Sean Penn - Milk
• Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson - Twilight
• Paul Rudd and Thomas Lennon - I Love You, Man
• Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron - High School Musical 3: Senior Year

BEST WTF MOMENT

• Amy Poehler - Baby Mama, Peeing In the Sink
• Angelina Jolie - Wanted, Curved Bullet Kill
• Ayush Mahesh Khedekar - Slumdog Millionaire, Jumping in the Poop Shed
• Ben Stiller - Tropic Thunder, Tasting the Decapitated Head
• Jason Segel and Kristen Bell - Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Naked Break-Up

BEST SONG FROM A MOVIE

• “Jai Ho” - AR Raham, Slumdog Millionaire
• “The Wrestler” - Bruce Springsteen, The Wrestler
• “The Climb” - Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana: The Movie
• “Decode” - Paramore, Twilight

So what do you think? Are you outraged by the fact that Twilight beat Slumdog for Best Movie? Astonished that Zac Efron pipped Robert Downey Jr. for Best Male? Pissed that Kristen Stewart was thought to be better than Kate Winslet? Annoyed that Ashley Tisdale was more of a breakthrough female than Freida Pinto? Devastated that Robert Pattinson was voted as Breakthrough Male ahead of Dev Patel? Gobsmacked that the Twilight fight was better than The Dark Knight fight? Or even the Pineapple Express fight? Well if you are all of the above, tell me about it.

Wow. Most of the people who voted for these winners suck.

Opening This Week: Marley Reading Watchmen At A Jo Bros Concert

Just as the title suggests, this week will be another jam-packed week of movie releases. Marley & Me, about a dog, The Reader, about the holocaust, Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience, about tween girls screaming and finally the long-awaited, much-anticipated Watchmen about superheroes in 1985 starring a Robert Downey Jr. lookalike.

In my opinion, all the movies except the Jo Bros movie is worth watching. Unless you are female and between the ages 8 and 16. But if you're male and 45 years old and you wanna see the Jo Bros movie, go ahead. If that's what you're into, I won't judge.

Enough talk, lets get straight into things.

Marley & Me (2008)
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson
Director: David Fankel
USA release: 25 December 2008
Msia release: 5 March 2009
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance
Runtime: 111 mins
Rated in USA: PG for thematic material, some suggestive content and language
Rated in Msia: U

Based on a best-selling book by John Grogan, Marley & Me tells the true story of a badly behaved Labrador Retriever that brings love and the true meaning of life home to John (Owen Wilson) and his wife Jennifer Grogan (Jennifer Aniston).

Definitely a film for dog lovers. This may be a funny comedy but it is also heart-wrenching so be prepared for waterworks. Tissues at the ready!

The Reader (2008)
Starring: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross
Director: Stephen Daldry
USA release: 10 December 2008 (limited), 9 January 2009 (wide)
Msia release: 5 March 2009
Genre: Drama, Romance
Runtime: 124 mins
Rated in USA: R for some scenes of sexuality and nudity
Rated in Msia: N/A

After a young Michael Berg (David Kross) is cared for by a stranger, Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet), they fall into a passionate love affair. One day, Hanna disappears with no explanation or goodbye leaving Michael confused and heartbroken. Eight years later when Michael is observing the Nazi war crimes trial, he is reunited with Hanna who is a defendant at the trial. He finally learns of her secret past.

Regardless of its interesting premise, this is a must-see film just for the fact it got nominated for Best Film at the Oscars. It didn't win though but Kate Winslet did bag the Best Actress award for her performance in this film.

Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience (2009)
Starring: Kevin Jonas, Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, Taylor Swift
Director: Bruce Hendricks
USA release: 27 February 2009
Msia release: 5 March
Genre: Music, Documentary
Rated in USA: G
Rated in Msia: U

Jo Bros equivalent to Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour.

Watchmen (2009)
Starring: Billy Crudup, Carla Gugino, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman
Director: Zack Snyder
USA release: 6 March 2009
Msia release: 6 March 2009
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Superhero
Runtime: 163 mins
Rated in USA: R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language
Rated in Msia: N/A

After the Watchmen are shut down by the government, one of the masked vigilante is mercilessly murdered. Set in 1985 in an America different from the one we know, the Watchmen reunite to bring the murderer of their fallen colleague to justice. In the process of saving themselves and investigating the murder, they uncover a deeper and darker plot.

Easily one of the most anticipated movie of 2009, Watchmen may live up to everyone's expectations or it may falter. The Hollywood Reporter definitely thinks so in this painful review, calling it "the first real flop of 2009". Regardless of bad reviews, this comic book-adapted movie should be watched just because of the anticipation leading up to its release. You be the judge of its quality after you've seen it. Watch this if you liked Hellboy and 300.




That's it for this week's 'Opening This Week' post. Be sure to share and comment. Oh and if there are 45 year-old guy who wants to see the Jo Bros movie, no offense intended. I was only joking. =)

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.

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.

'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.