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
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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
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Best Foreign Language Film - Ida
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Best Live Action Short - The Phone Call
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Best Documentary Short Subject - Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1
Image: hbo.com
Sound Mixing - Whiplash
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Sound Editing - American Sniper
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Best Visual Effects - Interstellar
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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
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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.
A new year, a new bunch of reviews! It has been a bumper month of films this January as all the big dramas are released for the awards season. I'll be seeing more of the nominated pictures in February, but let's crack on with the movies opening 2015.
Here is the all important rating system:
* = Poor. Why did I even bother?!
** = OK. Could have done better.
*** = Good. Recommended though don’t feel bad you don’t get to see this one.
**** = Excellent. Not quite perfect but highly recommended.
***** = Masterpiece. You’d be a fool not to see this film.
All movie titles link to their relevant IMDB pages so you can find out more about plot, cast and crew.
Eddie Redmayne's performance is unbelievably good. Especially after Stephen's diagnosis of motor neurone disease, Redmayne convincingly embodies the Hawking we are all so familiar with. It got to the point where I forgot that Redmayne was acting. His change in physicality is remarkable. What an achievement. Redmayne certainly deserves the Oscar nod and all the award wins and nominations so far. Felicity Jones, who plays wife Jane, is equally as good, though her aging on screen isn't quite effective.
If you are going in expecting a science film, it isn't. Although there are many comparisons to this and The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything is more of a love story. It is therefore rather sentimental and is a bit of a safe movie. We all know that Stephen has exceeded the expectations of doctors who gave him only 2 years to live. It then makes the film less dramatic as we know the outcome and his story. Mind you, it is more to do with Jane's story. It is adapted from her autobiography and deals with the struggles of looking after the physicist and how they met.
A beautifully shot film and a stellar performance from Eddie Redmayne gives this a high recommendation. Not quite perfect though.
Being an avid theatre goer and performer, I loved the dynamic between the outside world of New York and underground feel backstage at the theatre in Birdman. The cinematography is so clever and a huge technical feat. The film flows as one continuous take, which fits the setting of theatre perfectly, and never drops the momentum. It reminded me of Hitchcock's Rope (1948), but the achievement here is miles better than Hitchcock's attempt ever was - mainly because Rope was contained in just one room for the entire film. Here, we weave through the depths of the dressing rooms and venture out into a busy Times Square, in a fantastic sequence involving Michael Keaton dodging the crowd in his underwear. Keaton delivers a terrific and hilarious performance as Riggan. I wouldn't be surprised if he pips Redmayne to the post for the Best Actor as this year's Academy Awards. Emma Stone is a delight as his daughter and Edward Norton equally puts in a cracking performance. The soundtrack is tremendous too - a drumming jazz heartbeat throughout the film, adding to the chaos of the stage and Riggan's wild imagination.
This off beat black comedy is definitely worth a second viewing. An astonishing, unique and surprising film - a must see for this year.
I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan, but I have been bitterly disappointed by The Hobbit series. Firstly, why does it need to be three films? The Hobbit is a super short book, especially when comparing it to the LOTR trilogy. They managed to put each book into one film each, why not one or just two films for The Hobbit? Splitting it into three was clearly decided so the studio could make more money. Indeed, it was #1 at the Christmas box office but I don't think it has paid off in making a quality film.
Compared to the second film it didn't drag as much but the ending could have been edited down greatly. What did I like the most? The fact that the movie went into Lord of the Rings:Fellowship of the Ring (2001). We see Ian Holm return as old Bilbo with Gandalf knocking on the door to greet Bilbo on his 111th birthday. Maybe I only liked that moment because it was the end of The Hobbit and we can all have a wave of nostalgia watching LOTR again.
An OK film which could have been a lot better with less CGI and a shorter running time. A disappointing series overall.
I am a big musical fan so this is right up my street. I also love Stephen Sondheim's quirky lyrics and scores but had never encountered Into the Woods before. Emily Blunt is the best piece of casting in the film. She puts in a wonderful performance as the Baker's wife. Her on screen husband, the Baker, played by James Corden, equally brings charisma and warmth to the story. I loved the cheeky cameo from Simon Russel Beale - a musical star and Sondheim actor - as the Baker's father. Meryl Streep gives it plenty of welly playing the Witch, however I found it a little too over the top. Chris Pine is utterly charming as the Prince. He and Rapunzel's prince have the best scene in a song called Agony - which has them despairing over the effort they have to go through to win their loves.
Johnny Depp's cameo is brief but very enjoyable as the Wolf. However, you can tell that Sondheim's dark musical has been slightly Disney-fied. Deaths of characters are hinted at and it is no where near as brutal as the stage version. There are only slight suggestions to the dark nature of the film which will probably skim over children's heads. If Disney had not been tied to the film, I am sure it would be darker, and arguably a better movie.
A great entertaining film for musical and fairytale fans. Not a technical masterpiece but with a brilliant cast and exciting plot, it comes with a good recommendation.
I had high expectations for Foxcatcher having featured it on Trailer Tuesday on Ticket Stub. It is a story worth being told and the performances are very good indeed. I found Steve Carrell really creepy as John Du Pont, and that is not just down to his phenomenal hair and make up. His voice and mannerisms are very well executed - a far cry from the comical performances we are so familiar with. However, Mark Ruffalo deserves more praise for playing David Schultz. Particularly in the scene where he is being interviewed and, through gritted teeth, has to say that Du Pont is a mentor to him. The brotherly relationship between Ruffalo and Channing Tatum, as Mark Schultz, was very convincing too.
This is a slow paced film. I mean really slow. I understand that it builds up the drama, especially towards the end, but it got to the point where I actually got slightly bored. However, maybe it is meant to be like this? Cold, dark and slow to reveal a quick shock and dramatic ending?
A recommended film and story but I probably wouldn't choose to sit through it again.
Reese Witherspoon is great as Cheryl Strayed. She gives a stripped back, realistic performance which is instantly likeable, despite her character flaws. Nick Hornby's screenplay works cleverly with flashbacks throughout Cheryl's hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. We learn more about why she is walking and how she is coming to terms with the loss of her mother and break down of her marriage.
Surprisingly, Wild is very funny - especially with tiny Witherspoon attempting to put on the biggest backpack ever! Witherspoon has earned a Best Actress nomination for her performance and it looks like she has a good chance of winning. A very enjoyable film of self discovery and coming to terms with loss. Recommended.
Rating: ***
A brilliant bunch of films from this month. Who will come out on top?
January Film of the Month is....
Birdman or
(The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Do you agree?
Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog with your favourite film this month.
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.
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.
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.
2 weeks ago the Golden Globes kicked off the film awards season. There were plenty of brilliant moments on the night, mostly from the hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler with their hilarious monologue and a drunk Emma Thomspon throwing her shoes. I'm sure there will be plenty more memorable moments to come over the next month or so, but in the meantime I've chosen my Top Ten Film Award Moments.
What are yours? Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog and you could be featured in the next post.
1. Colin Firth aka Prince Charming
As if he wasn't charming enough, when Meryl Streep went up to accept her BAFTA award for The Iron Lady, Colin Firth ran to her rescue.Streep's shoe came off as she walked up the stairs but, ever the gentlemen and as if from a fairytale, Firth saved the high heel placing it back on Streep's foot.
2. Hugh Jackman Oscar Medley
Hugh Jackman features prominently in this list, and this is one of the best moments ever at the Oscars. Hosting in 2009, Jackman sang a whole medley, with a little help from Anne Hathaway, bringing together all the films nominated for Best Picture. Just pure brilliance.
3. Billy Crystal's 2012 Oscar Monologue
Hosting 9 times, I had to pick at least one of Billy Crystal's opening monologues with his wonderful trademark 'Oscar Oscar' song! Click here to see the video of his 2012 monologue (for some silly reason it is not on YouTube).
Image: nydailynews.com
4. Jennifer Lawrence wins Best Actress, Oscars 2013
Jennifer Lawrence was certainly shocked when she won the Best Actress Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook. And as she walked up the stairs, she fell up them. Come to the rescue - Hugh Jackman! Another Prince Charming moment. The rest of the audience stood up for the actress whilst she said 'you guys are just standing up 'cause you feel bad that I fell and that's really embarrassing'.
5. Ricky Gervais's 2011 Golden Globes Monologue
A controversial host for the Golden Globes, presenting from 2010 to 2013. I've chosen Ricky Gervais's 2011 opening monologue. His comments on The Tourist may have left us giggling but he certainly did not impress Johnny Depp. Awkward and hilarious.
6. 'You're Boring' Song
You know the bit where an actor/actress/director etc is accepting their award, gushing in their speech and THAT music comes on beckoning the person to shut up and get off stage? Did you know there are apparently lyrics to this song? Jack Black and Will Ferrell have the answers.
7. Ellen's Picture with Clint Eastwood, by Steven Spielberg
Hosting in 2007, Ellen DeGeneres takes the opportunity to have a picture with Clint Eastwood. Who better to take it than Steven Spielberg? Just get that framing right, Steve. Also - is it weird that hearing that it's 'for my MySpace' sounds dated now? Ellen is hosting the 2014 Oscars and I'm hoping she will get a selfie with another famous face.
8. Sandra Bullock: From Worst Actress to Best Actress
The Razzies look at the year's worst Hollywood films and performances. Sandra Bullock was one of the rare actors to accept their Razzie award in person. The day after the awards, Bullock won her first Oscar. The accolades were for two different films - the Razzie was for her performance in All About Steve whilst her Best Actress Oscar was for The Blind Side in 2010. Her Golden Rasberry and Academy Award now sit side by side. Here's her acceptance speech at the Razzies.
9. Gollum accepts MTV Movie Award
Back in 2003, Gollum won the MTV Movie Award for Best Virtual Performance. As Andy Serkis accepts the award, who comes along to eff and jeff about Dobby from Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson? It's only Gollum himself!
10. Ensemble of Les Miserables Sing at the Oscars
The final Hugh Jackman mention in the list. Last year the cast of Les Mis all sang together for a showstopping performance of One Day More. A rare moment as the cast had never sung altogether before.
What are your favourite film award moments? What are your predictions for this year's Oscars? Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog with your suggestions
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.
I have wonderful memories from watching Mary Poppins when I was growing up. Especially with the opening
overture up in the clouds as the credits begin and the unforgettable chimney
sweep scene on the rooftops of London. (We’ll ignore Dick Van Dyke’s infamous “cockney”
accent though). So why is this relevant to Trailer Tuesday? Is there going to
be a sequel to this classic?
Thank God, no there isn’t a sequel. Saving Mr. Banks stars Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers (the author of
the magical nanny) and Tom Hanks as Walt Disney. The film is the back story to
how Mary Poppins was made or how it
nearly wasn’t, since Travers objected to nearly everything that Disney
suggested as he tried desperately to get the rights. But there is a reason why
Travers is so protective over her character and Walt has to seek out what it is to
understand her story and make one of the most treasured films in history.
This trailer is charming and hearing the songs on the piano
instantly makes me want to reach for the DVD and watch Mary Poppins all over again. Tom Hanks is a genius piece of casting
and I am a massive fan of Emma Thompson’s work. I expect it will be rather
cheesy – hey, that’s Disney – but if the film is as delightful as the trailer
then I’m sure it will be thoroughly enjoyable.
There’s certainly a positive buzz and the word ‘Oscar’ has
been associated with this movie – I suspect for Tom Hank’s performance. Saving Mr. Banks will be closing the
London Film Festival in October but won’t be released in the UK until 17th
January 2014.
Seen any exciting trailers that you think I should check out?
As you will soon come to discover on this blog, I love Woody
Allen films. After studying his work at university, I am forever interested in
what his next film will be, who will star and where it will be set. So, for the
first edition of Trailer Tuesday, I have selected Blue Jasmine.
The film sees upper class Jasmine (Cate Blanchett) as her
marriage and life is falling apart. The New York socialite travels to San
Francisco to stay with her working class sister in a not-so-elegant abode to
try and piece her life back together again.
The film has won rave reviews in America since its release
on 26th July, with David Denby from The New Yorker claiming that it
is the ‘strongest, most resonant movie Woody Allen has made in years’ and
Rotten Tomatoes giving the film a certified ‘Fresh’ rating of 87%. There’s
already an Oscar buzz around Blue Jasmine
for Cate Blanchett’s performance which looks tremendous in this trailer.
After I was left rather disappointed with Allen’s last film,
To Rome with Love (2012), I’m looking
forward to seeing this new film. Hopefully I’ll be raving about it when it’s
released in the UK on 27th September.
Seen any exciting trailers that you think I should check out?
