Quote of the Day #29

Broadway Lady: [sees Riggan on the roof]  Hey, is this for real, or are you shooting a film?

Riggan: A film!

Broadway Lady: You people are full of shit!

Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

Image: simbio.com

Congratulations to Birdman winning Best Film at the Oscars!

What do you think of the critically acclaimed film?

A worthy winner for the top Oscar prize?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog with your thoughts

Oscars 2015 - The Winners

The biggest awards event took place last night in Los Angeles whilst the rest of us were sleeping here in the UK. Yes, the Academy Award winners have been announced and in case you’ve somehow missed it, here is the full list of winners and some of the speeches from the glitzy ceremony.

Best Picture - Birdman

Image: indyweek.com

Best Director - Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman

Image: variety.com

Best Actor - Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

Best Actress - Julianne Moore, Still Alice

Best Supporting Actor - J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

Best Supporting Actress - Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

Costume Design - Milena Canonero, The Grand Budapest Hotel

Image: prettycleverfilms.com

Hair and Make Up - Frances Hannon, Mark Coulier, 
The Grand Budapest Hotel

Image: hollywoodreporter.com

Best Foreign Language Film - Ida

Image: idigitaltimes.com

Best Live Action Short - The Phone Call

Image: lizzygraham.com

Best Documentary Short Subject - 
Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1

Image: hbo.com

Sound Mixing - Whiplash

Image: awardscircuit.com

Sound Editing - American Sniper

Image: breitbart.com

Best Visual Effects - Interstellar

Image: avforums.com

Best Animated Short - Feast

Image: bowwowtimes.com

Best Animated Film - Big Hero 6

variety.com

Best Production Design - The Grand Budapest Hotel

Image: architecturaldigest.com

Best Cinematography - Emmanuel Lubezki, Birdman

Image: thecreatorsproject.vice.com

Film Editing - Tom Cross, Whiplash

Image: nytimes.com

Best Documentary - Citizenfour

Image: hollywoodreporter.com

Best Original Song - Glory by Lonnie Lynn (Common) and John Stephens (John Legend), Selma



Best Original Score - Alexandre Desplat, 
The Grand Budapest Hotel

Image: hollywoodreporter.com

Best Original Screenplay - Alejandro González Iñárritu, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo, Birdman

Image: fact.co.uk

Best Adapted Screenplay - Graham Moore, The Imitation Game





What do make of the 2015 winners?

Who missed out on the top prizes?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog with your thoughts on the 2015 Oscars.

Quote of the Day #27

"I will practice believing my husband loves me but I could be wrong"

Gone Girl (2014)

Image: insidemovies.ew.com

Happy Birthday to the Oscar-nominated actress

Rosamund Pike!

Who do you think should win Best Actress at this year's Academy Awards? 

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Throwback Thursday Trivia: Hollywood Walk of Fame

Image: reeseypeasy.com

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of the most visited attractions in the world. Over 10 million people visit it annually along the famous Hollywood Boulevard. As well as actors, the Walk of Fame celebrates the achievements of musicians, directors, producers and musical and theatrical groups. Rather charmingly, fictional characters are also paved in the stars, including: Mickey Mouse, Kermit the Frog and Bugs Bunny.

So why is there a Hollywood Walk of Fame? What is the point? Who came up with the idea?

The beginnings of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  Image: walkoffame.com

E. M. Stuart has been credited with the concept. He served as the volunteer president of the

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. In 1953, he proposed the Walk as a means to "maintain the glory of a community whose name means glamour and excitement in the four corners of the world".

It's not entirely certain where the original idea came from, however it is said that the inspiration is down to the Hollywood Hotel's dining room ceiling which featured stars and the names celebrities painted on them. Initially though, the stars were to have caricatures of each individual but was deemed too difficult to create so the idea was dropped.

Between 1956-1957, the committee chose from the four industries at the time: motion picture, television. audio recording and radio. They selected 1,558 honorees for the sidewalk. These included big names such as Walt Disney, Cecil B. DeMille and Samuel Goldwyn. However, there was controversy when one of the most famous film stars was not selected - Mr Charles Chaplin.

Charlie Chaplin's controversial star. Image: boyculture.com

Although chosen in the original 1956 line up, Charlie Chaplin's name was omitted as the selection committee objected to his questionable morals and left-leaning political views. It wasn't until 1972 that Chaplin had his star firmly on the Hollywood sidewalk - the same year he won his Honorary Academy Award.

As of March 2014, there are 2,518 stars across the 1.3 mile Boulevard. On average, two stars are added each month and include the individual ceremonies for the recipients. Announced two days ago, Peter Jackson will have his star placed outside the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars is held, on December 8th.

Sheffield's imitation of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 
Sean Bean being presented with his Sheffield Legends plaque.
Image: themightybean.com

Imitations of the Hollywood Walk of Fame include one in Sheffield outside the Town Hall. Aptly named Sheffield Legends, the plaques celebrate the South Yorkshire city's talent - including the likes of Sean Bean and Michael Palin. The picture on the right doesn't quite have the same glamour as Hollywood though, does it?! 

To find out more about the Hollywood Walk of Fame, click the link to go to the official site.

Don't forget to follow Ticket Stub Film Club on Twitter. 

Join in the conversation and keep up to date on all things film.

Trailer Tuesday: The Theory of Everything (2014)

Image: focusfeatures.com

The first Trailer Tuesday of October is here!
This week's pick is the widely anticipated The Theory of Everything.

The bio-pic centres on physicist Stephen Hawking and his relationship with his wife, Jane. The film is based on Jane Hawking's memoir Travelling to Infinity: My life with Stephen. It sees the beginnings of their relationship at Cambridge University, the impact of his success and the challenges of his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease at the age of 21.

Eddie Redmayne stars as Stephen and there is already Oscar talk of him winning Best Actor. Felicity Jones plays Jane and they are also joined by Emily Watson, David Thewlis and Charlie Cox. The world premiere, at the recent Toronto International Film Festival, was well received by critics:

Tremendously moving and inspirational - NEW YORK POST

To say the response here was rapturous would not be understating the enthusiasm I heard - not just from pundits but also Academy voters with whom I spoke. One told me he came in with high expectations for a quality movie and this one exceeded them. - DEADLINE, Pete Hammond

UK audiences will have to wait until January next year to see the film and will be released in the States on November 7th.

Check out the trailer here:

Have you seen any recent trailers worth sharing?

Tweet @TicketStubBlog or comment with your suggestions below.

Top Ten Film Documentaries

Clockwise from top: Senna (2010), Man on Wire (2008), Searching for Sugar Man (2012), Grizzly Man (2005), Marina Abromović: The Artist is Present (2012), Super Size Me (2004) and centre Blackfish (2013)

Sheffield Documentary Festival is in full swing - a fantastic film festival which I highly recommend going to. I worked at the festival in 2012 and attended it last year, seeing an array of brand new documentaries and fascinating talks with the likes of Michael Palin, critic Mark Kermode and the legendary editor Walter Murch. Here are a few photos I took last year:

From left: Michael Palin talks about his documentary film-making, watching docs on the free outdoor screen, Sue Perkins and I after a talk at the Crucible Theatre with Janice Hadlow, controller of BBC2

Going to Sheff Doc Fest sparked my love for documentaries. They engage, inform but also open up debates. As well as learning about new topics and people, it is intriguing to question the way in which this information is presented. Can we believe everything we see? What is constructed and what isn't?

To mark the return of the festival, I have picked my Top Ten Film Documentaries.

My lists have no particular ranking, but is there one that is your favourite? 

Or did I miss any crucial docs that should have made the list? 

Let me know in the comments below, or tweet @TicketStubBlog.

1. Super Size Me (2004)

This may have been one of the first documentaries I watched. I remember it being on TV and seeing the shocking effects of Morgan Spurlock eating Maccy D's every single day. We used to have McDonald's nearly every week - this quickly changed after watching this documentary.

2. Marina Abromović: The Artist is Present (2012)

I saw this film at Sheff Doc Fest in 2012, which won the Special Jury Winner prize. It stayed with me, hence it being on the list. The documentary follows artist Marina Abromović in the development and staging of her show, The Artist is Present, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Sitting for many hours at a time, with no food or drink, she invited members of the public to sit opposite her and share their gaze. Although this sounds like a glorified staring contest, the film is compelling and moving.
It is currently available on Netflix.

3. Senna (2010)

I enjoy Formula 1 but I didn't know much about Ayrton Senna at all. Through archive footage, the film plays out the life and death of the Brazilian driver in an captivating manner. Even if you don't like or know anything about F1, this critically acclaimed doc is one you should definitely see.

4. Grizzly Man (2005)

One of my favourites. Werner Herzog brings together footage of Timothy Treadwell who lived and risked his life with bears in Alaska. Treadwell and his girlfriend, Amie Huguenard, were both killed and eaten by one of the bears in 2003. Herzog uses the footage Treadwell filmed himself over the 13 summers he spent at the Katmai National Park and Preserve to tell his story. You see the immense joy yet remarkable risks Timothy had living with these dangerous animals. Highly recommended.

5. Blackfish (2013)

I saw Blackfish relatively recently and it has completely changed my opinion of SeaWorld and the treatment of the killer whales. The film looks at the killer whale, Tilikum, and his captivity at SeaWorld which has lead to deaths of three highly skilled trainers. The doc looks at the controversy surrounding these cases and the dangers of keeping orcas captive. It is incredibly sad and totally gripping. If a documentary can change the way you look at something for the rest of your life, then that is the ultimate accolade. 

6. Catfish (2010)

Can we trust the people we talk to online? Nev believes he has a genuine romantic online relationship but suspicions creep in and he seeks to find the truth. There is some controversy that the film is faked yet the gripping story keeps you guessing at what will happen next. The documentary spawned off a TV show on MTV, where Nev and the filmmakers help those who have similar suspicions about their 'close' contacts and are ready to confront the person behind the pixels. Catfish is available on Netflix.

7. The Bridge (2006)

I came across this documentary whilst looking for a film to watch on Netflix. The Bridge looks at San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and the people who wish to end their lives there. The filmmaker, Eric Steel, filmed the bridge over the course of the year which captured footage of individual suicides. Steel interviewed family and friends of those who jumped, never revealing that he caught their last moments on camera. A very moving documentary which is tough yet intriguing to watch.

8. Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

Sixto Rodriguez was a dead man. Until two South Africans tracked the musician down to find that he was still alive. Unknown to him, Rodriguez's music has a huge following in South Africa. This Academy Award winning film is about the story of tracking him down and what happened after. The American musician's songs are the soundtrack to the film and it will no doubt be a Soundtrack Saturday on Ticket Stub in the near future.
The film is still available on iPlayer until the end of today so be quick!

9. Man on Wire (2008)

I saw this on Netflix a few months back and couldn't believe my eyes. The film follows the story of the French performer, Philippe Petit, who walked between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. Tense, unbelievable and beautiful, this is one of the all time best documentaries - with a certified 'fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes of 100%. Can't get better than that.

10. 20 Feet from Stardom (2013)

I'm being a little bit cheeky with this one, as it is a film I haven't personally seen but has been recommended not only by one of my friends but the Academy Awards. Yes, this won the Oscar for Best Documentary this year - beating the highly acclaimed The Act of Killing (another key doc on my list to see). 20 Feet from Stardom looks at the stories of the unsung background singers of some of the greatest musical legends, from Mick Jagger to Stevie Wonder. It is currently available on Netflix in the USA and will be released on DVD in the UK on 21st July 2014.

Do you agree with my list?

What makes a good documentary?

Let me know in the comments or tweet @TicketStubBlog on Twitter

Oscars 2014: Favourite Moments

Highlights from this year's awards, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres

There were some pretty memorable moments from Sunday's Oscars ceremony where 12 Years A Slave won Best Picture and there was a rather popular selfie posted on Twitter too.

What did you make of it this year?

I have picked my favourite moments from the awards.

1. Benedict Cumberbatch's Epic Photobomb on U2

As if Benedict Cumberbatch couldn't get any better, he only went and did the best photo-bomb EVER!

Image: abcnews.go.com

Actually there were quite a few on the night:

Jared Leto photo-bombs Anne Hathaway.

Image: dailymail.co.uk

Leto gets a taste of his own medicine from Lupita Nyong'o.

Image: eonline.com

2. Jennifer Lawrence Falling...Again

Just as she got out of the car, Jennifer Lawrence tripped and fell on the red carpet. She didn't think anyone saw - Jennifer there are a gazillion cameras, how could we not notice?!

3. John Travolta's Pronunciation of Idina Menzel

How on earth did he get this so wrong?

There is now a website where you can have your own name 'Travoltified'.
Please now call me "Harrison Smurphy".

4. Ellen Ordering Pizza for A List Guests

The pizza delivery guy got a $1000 tip for dishing out pizza to the likes of Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt.

Here's a follow up video on The Ellen Show with Edgar and Ellen explaining how it all happened. Ellen also presented him his well deserved tip. She collected the money, along with Lupita Nyong'o's lip balm, in Pharrell Williams' hat on the night.

5. Pharrell dancing with Lupita, Meryl and Amy

Speaking of Pharrell, he performed his hit single, featured in Despicable Me 2, Happy. Some of the nominated actresses joined in with Pharrell's performance. Meryl's shimmy wins it for me.

6. Steve McQueen Jumping for Joy

After winning the Best Picture Oscar for 12 Years A Slave, Steve McQueen displayed his true delight and celebrated with a bouncy jump after his acceptance speech.

Image: standard.co.uk

7. Ellen's Oscar Selfie

The most talked about and certainly the most tweeted moment of the night. I predicted in my Top Ten Film Award Moments that Ellen would do a selfie with at least one of the famous faces. In fact, loads of them jumped in on it - including Nyong'o's brother.

Unfortunately for Liza Minnelli, she was too short to get in on the most retweeted picture of all time.

Image: businessinsider.com

 Though she did have an opportunity later with Ellen.

What were your favourite moments from the awards?

Did the Academy get it right or wrong?

Tweet @TicketStubBlog or comment below

Sunday Classics: Annie Hall (1977)

Image: cracked.com

Arguably Woody Allen's best film, Annie Hall is this week's Sunday Classic.

Annie Hall is a romantic comedy starring Allen as Alvy, a New York comedian who examines why his relationship with Annie, played by Diane Keaton, had to end. The film is often seen as autobiographical though Allen has been quick to dismiss this suggestion.

Allen's filming techniques and collaboration with cinematographer Gordon Willis was certainly groundbreaking. Particularly after his slapstick comedy films, such as Sleeper (1973) and Love and Death (1975), Annie Hall was and still is completely refreshing. 

Some of the best moments include a scene based on Snow White - where Annie becomes the evil queen...

 Or where both Alvy and Annie talk on the balcony, but the subtitles tell us what they are truly trying thinking... 

There are also many instances where Alvy breaks the fourth wall, talking to the audience directly:

All of these examples, and many more, show the beginnings of the filmmaker we all know Woody Allen to be today.

Keaton is adorable in this film and I love her wardrobe. In fact, nearly all of Annie's costumes are Keaton's own clothes. She won an Oscar for her performance along with the film's Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay. Also, keep an eye out for a wonderful cameo with Christopher Walken as Annie's psychotic brother.

Many films since have been heavily influenced by Annie Hall, especially romantic comedies. Most recently with Frances Ha (2012), (500) Days of Summer (2009) and When Harry Met Sally (1989). 

Later this week, I shall be looking at When Harry Met Sally and Annie Hall a little more closely. To keep updated on all future posts, follow @TicketStubBlog on Twitter.

Want to share your Sunday Classic?

Tweet @TicketStubBlog