Welcome to this week’s edition of “Movie News Monday!” (“MNM!”)!!

What is ‘MNM’all about?

In case this is your first time here, “Movie News Monday!” (MNM) is the place to visit every Monday for a quick recap of trending entertainment news! I’ve collected info, rumors, etc from all over just for you to keep you updated on movies being released, actors/actresses in roles, dvd releases to keep a lookout for, which movie won in the box office over the weekend, etc! Are you ready for your weekly update? Here it is!

This Just In!!…

#1- “The Weekend Winner.”  This past weekend, #1 spot in the box office again went to 1 of 3 new releases that hit the theaters! The Grey, One for the Money, and Man on a Ledge entered the entertainment arena. Would Katherine Heigl’s bounty hunting skills find and capture the top spot over Liam Neeson’s wolf fighting skills? Or would most people just end up falling for the Man on a Ledge?

Here are the weekend’s estimated results for Fri, Jan 27-Sun, Jan 29:

1. The Grey ~$20M
2. Underworld: Awakening ~$12.5M
3. One for the Money ~$11.8M
4. Red Tails ~$10.4M
5. Man on a Ledge ~$8.3M
6. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close ~$7.1M
7. The Descendants ~$6.55M
8. Contraband ~$6.5M
9. Beauty & the Beast (3D) ~$5.3M
10. Haywire ~$4M

Congrats to The Grey! 

#2- “Happy for the SAG!” Last night, the SAG (Screen Actor’s Guild) award winners were announced. This award not only covers motion picture performances, but also television performances. Out of the 5 motion picture categories, 2011′s The Help earned 3!!

1. Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture – The Help
2. Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role- Octavia Spencer
3. Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role- Viola Davis

Congratulations to The Help, but, oh, I wish the biggest congratulations to Viola Davis! Nominated for a Golden Globe (awarded to Meryl Streep), and for an Oscar (which may also go to Meryl Streep), I am very happy to see her edge out a deserved win here. The Academy Awards air live on Feb. 26th.

…also, congratulations to winners Christopher Plummer (Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role), and Jean Dujardin (Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role).

#3- “New Trailer: Lock-Out.” Guy Pearce stars in this upcoming sci-fi thriller, entitled Lock-Out, as a man wrongly accused as a spy that now must go to an outerspace prison and rescue the President’s daughter. Reminds me just a little of Escape from NY, but looks to be rather intriguing.

Check out the trailer for Lock-Out!

Lock-Out lets loose on theaters on April 20, 2012.

#4- ”New Set Photo for Riddick” The sequel to Chronicles of Riddick is on the way, starring Vin Diesel who reprises the role of Riddick for the 3rd time. I am quite interested in seeing this film (being a big fan of Pitch Black). Courtesy Collider, here is the synopsis for the upcoming 3rd installment of the series:

Betrayed by his own kind and left for dead on a desolate planet, Riddick (Diesel) fights for survival against alien predators and becomes more powerful and dangerous than ever before. Soon bounty hunters from throughout the galaxy descend on Riddick only to find themselves pawns in his greater scheme for revenge. With his enemies right where he wants them, Riddick unleashes a vicious attack of vengeance before returning to his home planet of Furya to save it from destruction.

A couple of set photos have surfaced in the past month. Here are the latest (courtesy Vin Diesel’s Facebook Page)!

Look for this to release in 2013.

#5- “This Week’s Blu-ray release.” This week, look for the following films on Blu-ray to possibly add to your collection:

Drive- Snubbed by the majority of this year’s award ceremonies, director Nicholas Winding Refn’s Drive packs tons of octane, adrenaline, emotion, and film nostalgia into this surprising action film! Starring Ryan Gosling (“Mr. 2011″), Christina Hendricks, Albert Brooks, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, and more, check out Drive (Read my REVIEW).

Also releasing: In Time (Read My REVIEW), Transformers 3 in 3D (Read My REVIEW), and The Big Year

Well, that’s it for this round of “Movie News Monday!”

Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!

-T, The Focused Filmographer

up next: “Time to Vote Tuesday!”

The Grey

• Starring: Liam Neeson (Taken), Dermot Mulroney, (Zodiac), Frank Grillo (Warrior)
• Directed by: Joe Carnahan
• Synopsis: “A group of oil-rig roughnecks are left stranded on the sub-arctic tundra after their plane experiences a complete mechanical failure and crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness. The survivors, battling mortal injuries, biting cold and ravenous hunger, are relentlessly hunted and pursued by a vicious pack of rogue wolves.” (collider)
• Rated: R for strong language, strong violence (bloody images and disturbing content).
• Trailer:

“From Qui-Gon Jinn (Star Wars) to Ra’s Al Ghul (Batman Begins) to Brian Mills (Taken) to Zeus (Wrath of the Titans) to Ottway (The Grey), Liam Neeson is a BAD man! 

After surviving a horrendous plane crash, Neeson and 6 others in this chilly thriller must work together and persevere in the harshest of conditions in order to stay alive. Aside from the elements, hunger, disorientation, and paranoia, the men must also contend with a pack of ravenous wolves that are intent on taking them down one by one.

The Grey is full of suspense, thrill, excitement, and fear. It has several of the -what I call- “Shock and Scare” moments! (I could not help but laugh quietly to myself every time the 3 women sitting next to me in the theaters would jump and let out a slight shriek whenever they got scared!) Without a doubt, The Grey brings with it several levels of excitement and adventure. Liam Neeson portrays the gritty outdoorsman with a good sense for survival quite well. A gritty exterior but yet allows us to see the man underneath from time to time which allows for better relation to his character.

His character, however, remained the only character that really was of any meaning. Immediately after the first wolf claims his first victim it is understood exactly what the rest of the characters are there for. With some mediocre attempts to create quick meaning to each of the characters before their “exit,” The Grey lacks in keeping you interested in any of the other men short of Neeson. So, when it is time for the next victim it is more of a guessing game as to who it will be and who will survive.

…and that’s okay, I suppose.

Plenty of suspense with the wolves and the harsh environment makes up for that.

However, it is the built up anticipation of the wolves that left me with probably the biggest disappointment of all. This film promised so much more in teases with the trailer, the poster, the promo material, etc…and does not keep up its end of the bargain. I could deal with the lack of character development. I could deal with the stereotypical self-sacrificing suicides and expected exits of characters that we see in survival movies (Vertical Limit, Day After Tomorrow, etc). I could even deal with the disbelief that none of these men except Neeson ever watch episodes of ‘Man vs. Wild’! But what disappointed me most is what I went to see the movie for most of all never happened!

For fear of that being too close to a spoiler I will just end this review now with this final word:

The Grey- not bad. Not great. Great cinematic work and fantastic suspense accompanies this chilly adventure that packs a ton of grit and fear. It promised to be full of so much more, but in the end, left me feeling quite gray.

Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!

Score:  3 out of 5 stars for The Grey

-T, The Focused Filmographer

up next: “Movie News Monday!”

Hooray!! You already know that a fun guilty pleasure of mine is collecting movie posters! If you love movie posters like I do, then you are likely to enjoy the latest ones of the week!

Take a look:

Well, what do you think? Which ones are your favorites in this week’s spotlight? I personally like The Raven, The Hunter, and the international poster for Red Lights.

Leave a comment!

To see past editions of this post (Spotlight on New Posters of the Week), click HERE. (posters courtesy ImpAwards)

Have a great day!

-T, The Focused Filmographer

up next: Reviews for The Descendants and The Grey

Have you ever played the television game of watching a program with the volume muted and then coming up with your own silly dialogue for the people in the scene at that moment? Well, the CinematiCaptions segments enable you to take part in a fun similar game of sorts. Only, with pictures and captions.

For example:

So! F.Y.E. (For Your Entertainment), below are 2 pictures from 2 movies you may recognize. What the picture is about now is completely up to you and your remix mastery!

• Create a CinematiCaption of dialogue or a general statement about the scene, actor, film, etc. for each picture.
• Leave your captions in the comment section.

Please keep the CinematiCaptions you create clean and respectful, yet fun, inventive, and unexpectedly hilarious!  As the comments come in, I will update this post and place them under the picture in the order which they are received.

(I will start it off with the first CinematiCaptions for the pictures.)

Picture #1-

CinematiCaption 1: ”You said you wanted ‘a little off the top,’ right?” (-T)

CinematiCaption 2: ”Hmmm, let me look from this side. There’s something different about you, but just can’t put my finger on it.”(-Nostra)

CinematiCaption 3: ”CRAP. I left the oven on.” (-Jaina)

CinematiCaption 4: Him: “Are u saying u dont like it? I gave u exactly what u asked for.” Her: “I came in here to have my wisdom teeth pulled u fool!” (-Taj)

CinematiCaption 5: “Now this surgery is no guarantee that you’ll look like everyone else..ugly is the new beautiful…” (-Catwoman)

CinematiCaption 6: “And now all you need to look like Lord Voldemort is a nose removal.” (-Castor)

CinematiCaption 7: ”Ladies love the bald look, trust me.” (-Julian)

CinematiCaption 8: (Put yours in the comment section)

CinematiCaption 9: (Put yours in the comment section)

CinematiCaption 10: (Put yours in the comment section)

Picture #2-

CinematiCaption 1: ”It was BOB who let them go, not me! Don’t force-choke me! I’m STEVE!” (-T)

CinematiCaption 2: ”Hahaha, they gave you the black suit? You know what that means right?” (-Nostra)

CinematiCaption 3: ”(Trooper second from left) I am so completely stoned right now. What the h*** is this? Where am I? Who the $#^@ is that guy in the black suit!?” (-Jaina)

CinematiCaption 4: ”Sorry Sir, is it ok if I run home. I seem to have forgotten my gun.”  (-Taj)

CinematiCaption 5: ”…plus, that Storm Trooper is annoying, he hasn’t showered in like..forever, and his aim is… Wait, he’s standing behind me, isn’t he?” (-Cameron)

CinematiCaption 6: “So I have a question, if we’re bad guys, why do we wear the white suits and why does your son wear black all the time??” (-Catwoman)

CinematiCaption 7: “Are you the one who just released noxious methane gas in my vicinity?” (-Castor)

CinematiCaption 8: ” Ummm, you don’t want to go in there.” (-Julian)

CinematiCaption 9: (Put yours in the comment section)

CinematiCaption 10: (Put yours in the comment section)

Alright, now. Put on your imagination caps and get to typing. Enjoy!

Thanks for playing. Happy “CinematiCaptioning“!

You can visit the previous installments and still submit yours if you want by clicking HERE.

-T, The Focused Filmographer

Finally, your weekly fix of “Triple-T” (aka: “Trailer Time Thursday!”) has arrived!!

In case this is your first visit to “Triple-T,”here’s what it’s all about:

Seeing as how everyone loves movie previews, “Trailer Time Thursday!” was created to bring all of the trending trailers that you may have missed in theaters, or just need to see, all in one convenient place! It makes Thursdays so great! Get ready! Your Preview Pandemonium awaits!

ENJOY!!! 

Project X. Being called the “Superbad on crack” party movie, Project X shows what happens when unsupervised parties get out of control…and I mean OUT of control. Some of you will wish you were there, while others of you will be glad these aren’t YOUR kids! ha! The project gets underway on March 2, 2012.

Darling Companion. Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, and other team up in this delightful “dramedy” (Drama+Comedy) of a somewhat dysfunctional family where the husband loves his job more than his wife, the wife loves the dog more than the husband…and the husband loses the dog! The search for a darling companion begins in theaters later this year with Film Festival showing beginning today.

Finding Nemo 3D. Coming to theaters in 3D…the third 3D theatrical re-release of Disney’s following The Lion King and Beauty & the Beast. This trailer for Finding Nemo 3D invites you to “sea it” on September 14, 2012. Looks like it will be stunning! (Rumored plans state that Disney’s Aladdin is up next after Finding Nemo for a 3D release). 

Jeff Who Lives At Home. Forced on an errand, Jeff (Jason Segel) must leave his mother’s basement of solitude and venture out into the world with his brother (Ed Helms). His excursion leads him on an adventure of discovery while tracking his brother’s adulterous wife! Be prepared to leave your home to see this comedy when it releases in theaters on March 16, 2012.

Brake. Stephen Dorff hasn’t been in too much that I’ve liked since playing Deacon Frost in Blade, but I really feel the need to see this one. Dorff plays a Secret Service agent that wakes up captured and locked in the trunk of a car…with a ticking clock in it! Events unfold quickly with reveals, suspense, torture, and action that reminds me a little bit of Buried. I. need.to.see.this. Check out the trailer for Brake that releases on March 23, 2012.

Seeking Justice. What would you do if someone offered to provide you with a means of revenge without having to get your hands dirty, only to require an undeclared favor in return at some point in the future? Husband Will Gerard (Nicolas Cage) is faced with that proposition when his wife (January Jones) is hospitalized after an assault. But when it is time to pay the piper, did he get in too deep over his head? Look for Seeking Justice on March 16, 2012.

This Week’s “Special Trailer Spotlight”:

The Lion King RISES - Amazing Mashup Trailer

The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters in a few months! One of the most anticipated films of 2012 (dare I say “of all time”?). Several trailers have hit the web called “Mashup trailers” that do exactly that -mashup 2 movies in one trailer. When I saw this one I KNEW I had to share it. Enjoy this very well-done trailer mashing The Lion King and The Dark Knight Rises together. An impressive “must-watch!”

Well, that’s it for this round of ‘Triple-T’!

My favorite trailers from today: Brake, Darling Companion, and Project X . Which ones are your favorites??

Are you ready for the weekend in theaters? Here’s what releases this weekend, January 27, 2012:

• Wide Release: One for the Money, Man on a Ledge, and The Grey
• Limited Release: Albert Nobbs, In Darkness, and Declaration of War

Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!

-T, The Focused Filmographer

Haywire

• Starring: Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor (Star Wars: Episode III), and Michael Fassbender (300)
• Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
• Synopsis: “Mallory Kane is a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor in the dirtiest, most dangerous corners of the world. After successfully freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, she is double crossed and left for dead by someone close to her in her own agency. Suddenly the target of skilled assassins who know her every move, Mallory must find the truth in order to stay alive.” (haywiremovie.com)
• Rated: R for some violence
• Trailer:

“Dear, Gina Carano, where were you at the casting call for SALT?”

Okay, let me come at this review in a different way than usual.

For those of you who do not know, I live in southern New Mexico in the United States (Yes, New Mexico is part of the United States…not to be confused with the nation of Mexico). My particular city of residence, though, lies approximately 50 miles away from the U.S.-Mexico border. As with every area of the world, there are several little characteristics that display and/or define the cultural environment of where I live.

One of those characteristics is food. (And boy, do I love the food in my area.) Mmmm!

Something that I never quite understood in my area are these little lollipops with bugs inside. Have you seen them?

I’ve never tried one before (don’t fancy having a scorpion in my house, let alone my mouth)! The disturbing fact is: no matter how much sweet candy surrounds the bug, at it’s core still lies…you guessed it…a nasty bug!

Does this have a point? Yes. Yes it does.

Haywire is nothing more than a bug wrapped in a lollipop. The movie may look good, but at its core, beneath the layers, it is BAD!

Like this lollipop, Haywire may appear somewhat tasty to the moviegoers’ “film tastebuds.” Look at what it has to offer:

-Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, the Ocean’s trilogy, Contagion) films in his very recognizable style with limited use of music.

-Veteran cast: Michael Douglas, Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas, and Michael Fassbender all bring with them some experience that shows onscreen.

-And even, (*WARNING* Possible heretical statement about to be made!) even Channing Tatum acted in a believable manner that I could buy in to. (Can’t believe I just said that. If some of you readers unsubscribe because of that statement, I understand…sorry.)

-Gina Carano looks amazing and is the epitome of what a female action star should be. (Take notes, Angelina Jolie.)

-ACTION! The action is superb and appears so realistic without the embellishments of additional pulsing music, talking/joking between the fighters, and extra amplified sound effects that have become staples in just about every spy/action flick.

But, here’s the scorpion that stings underneath those great-looking candycoated layers: the movie’s plot, acting, lack of character development/connection, and order of events make it a highly boring, and often confusing, string of scenes connected by some fantastically choreographed fight sequences and a few believable moments of dialogue.

Yes, Gina Carano can fight. and oh boy can she fight! But her acting does need work. The real acting came from the veterans in this one. But, in her defense, she did not have much to work with from the script, even as the lead. Writer, Lem Dobbs, whose last full-motion picture screenplay was 2001′s The Score, seemingly borrowed parts of the Bourne series, Salt, and The Long Kiss Goodnight, and decided to make it all one. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work well.

There is NO connection with the characters at all. True, it attempts to drum up some feelings between characters here and there. But ultimately, you will find yourself caring nothing for ANY of the characters and only caring about 3 things:

1- when the next fight scene comes,

2- when the end credits will roll, and

3- when you get to see Michael Fassbender or Gina Carano again.

Haywire suffers from so much going on and no development of any of it.

You will end up asking the following questions during the film: Is this in the past? Are we in present time? Wait, which guy? What was that guy’s name again? Where did Gina Carano come from? (she looks amazing) What company did what to who? How did she do that? Is that even possible? Wasn’t that the guy from that one movie? Wait, where are they now? How did we end up in Barcelona? Who was that dead guy again, and what did he do?

No, seriously. You will.

Mr. Soderbergh, while you successfully filmed this in a style all your own that allows the viewer to practically be a silent observer in the scene, your editing crew did a disservice to Gina Carano, Michael Douglas, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas, and, yes, even Channing Tatum with this one. There’s a better story told in the trailer than there is in the movie itself.

Much like that lollipop, it was fun at the beginning and the possibility of it being great tempted me to give it a shot and stick with it. I almost left…and should have because, once I worked my way past those attractive layers, the sting of disappointment still arose.

Be warned. You may just go haywire sitting through this film. Especially if you are expecting it to be a Bourne replacement.

Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!

Score:  2 out of 5 stars for Haywire

-T, The Focused Filmographer

up next: “Trailer Time Thursday!”

-Presented by Red Web Productions

T. Faulkner (The Focused Filmographer) reporting to you LIVE from the red carpet:

All of the films of 2011, all of the movie-watching, all of the nominations, all of the voting, and all of the blood, sweat, and tears in Hollywood have led up to this glorious moment! Arriving on the red carpet in full glitz and glamour are all of the members of cinematic royalty! Oh wow! Everyone looks absolutely stunning!

(none of this year's RWA nominees!)

Please join me in a warm welcome for your host of this year’s Red Web Award Ceremony:

The one and only, Stan Lee!

..and without further ado, on to the awards!

Last week, the RWAs launched with the nominees in 6 different categories! (click HERE to see the nomination post). You all placed your votes and the results are in! <drumroll please>

Stan, would you please read the winners!

In the category of 2011′s WORST Motion Picture, the Red Web Award Goes To…Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star.

Click Picture to see overall results

In the category of 2011′s Best Animated Feature, the Red Web Award Goes To…Rango.

Click Picture to see overall results

In the category of 2011′s Best Performance by ANY Actor, the Red Web Award Goes To…Michael Fassbender (Shame).

Click Picture to see overall results

In the category of 2011′s Best Performance by ANY Actress, the Red Web Award Goes To…Rooney Mara (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo).

Click Picture to see overall results

In the category of 2011′s Best Director of a Motion Picture, the Red Web Award Goes To…Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive).

Click Picture to see overall results

In the category of 2011′s Best Motion Picture, the Red Web Award Goes To…Drive.

Click Picture to see overall results

This year’s members of the “Solo Voto” club:

• The Muppets
• Jonah Hill (Moneyball)
• Cars 2
• Steve McQueen (Shame)
• Amanda Seyfried (In Time)

Honorable Mentions (not in the polls):

• Best Actress: Michelle Williams; Meryl Streep
• Best Picture: Rise of the Planet of the Apes; Hugo
• Worst Picture: I Am Number Four

Did your favorite nominee win?

I’d like to thank Stan Lee, and all of YOU who helped make this year’s 2nd Annual Red Web Awards such a major success! Those of you who voted; who shared the polls on Facebook, WordPress, Twitter, etc.; and special bit of gratitude to all of this year’s panel judges.

Thank you!

Until next year’s annual Red Web Awards, this is T. Faulkner!

-The Focused Filmographer

Today, the 84th Academy Award nominations were announced. Click here to see them and my thoughts!

Watch the announcement here:

Below are ALL of the nominees for each category (followed by MY thoughts):

Actor in a Leading Role
Demián Bichir in A Better Life
George Clooney in The Descendants
Jean Dujardin in The Artist
Gary Oldman in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt in Moneyball

Actor in a Supporting Role
Kenneth Branagh in My Week with Marilyn
Jonah Hill in Moneyball
Nick Nolte in Warrior
Christopher Plummer in Beginners
Max von Sydow in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Actress in a Leading Role
Glenn Close in Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis in The Help
Rooney Mara in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams in My Week with Marilyn

Actress in a Supporting Role
Bérénice Bejo in The Artist
Jessica Chastain in The Help
Melissa McCarthy in Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer in Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer in The Help

Animated Feature Film
A Cat in Paris Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli
Chico & Rita Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal
Kung Fu Panda 2 Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Puss in Boots Chris Miller
Rango Gore Verbinski

Art Direction
The Artist Production Design: Laurence Bennett; Set Decoration: Robert Gould
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2) Production Design: Stuart Craig; Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
Hugo Production Design: Dante Ferretti; Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo
Midnight in Paris Production Design: Anne Seibel; Set Decoration: Hélène Dubreuil
War Horse Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales

Cinematography
The Artist Guillaume Schiffman
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Jeff Cronenweth
Hugo Robert Richardson
The Tree of Life Emmanuel Lubezki
War Horse Janusz Kaminski

Costume Design
Anonymous Lisy Christl
The Artist Mark Bridges
Hugo Sandy Powell
Jane Eyre Michael O’Connor
W.E. Arianne Phillips

Directing
The Artist Michel Hazanavicius
The Descendants Alexander Payne
Hugo Martin Scorsese
Midnight in Paris Woody Allen
The Tree of Life Terrence Malick

Documentary (Feature)
Hell and Back Again Danfung Dennis and Mike Lerner
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs
Pina Wim Wenders and Gian-Piero Ringel
Undefeated TJ Martin, Dan Lindsay and Richard Middlemas

Documentary (Short Subject)
The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement Robin Fryday and Gail Dolgin
God Is the Bigger Elvis Rebecca Cammisa and Julie Anderson
Incident in New BaghdadJames Spione
Saving Face Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom Lucy Walker and Kira Carstensen

Film Editing
The Artist Anne-Sophie Bion and Michel Hazanavicius
The Descendants Kevin Tent
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
Hugo Thelma Schoonmaker
Moneyball Christopher Tellefsen

Foreign Language Film
Bullhead Belgium
Footnote Israel
In Darkness Poland
Monsieur Lazhar Canada
A Separation Iran

Makeup
Albert Nobbs Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnston and Matthew W. Mungle
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2) Edouard F. Henriques, Gregory Funk and Yolanda Toussieng
The Iron Lady Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland

Music (Original Score)
The Adventures of Tintin John Williams
The Artist Ludovic Bource
Hugo Howard Shore
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Alberto Iglesias
War Horse John Williams

Music (Original Song)
“Man or Muppet” from The Muppets Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
“Real in Rio” from Rio Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Best Picture
The Artist Thomas Langmann, Producer
The Descendants Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Scott Rudin, Producer
The Help Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers
Hugo Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers
Midnight in Paris Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers
Moneyball Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers
The Tree of Life Nominees to be determined
War Horse Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers

Short Film (Animated)
Dimanche/Sunday Patrick Doyon
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg
La Luna Enrico Casarosa
A Morning Stroll Grant Orchard and Sue Goffe
Wild Life Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby

Short Film (Live Action)
Pentecost Peter McDonald and Eimear O’Kane
Raju Max Zähle and Stefan Gieren
The Shore Terry George and Oorlagh George
Time Freak Andrew Bowler and Gigi Causey
Tuba Atlantic Hallvar Witzø

Sound Editing
Drive Lon Bender and Victor Ray Ennis
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Ren Klyce
Hugo Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty
Transformers: Dark of the Moon Ethan Van der Ryn and Erik Aadahl
War Horse Richard Hymns and Gary Rydstrom

Sound Mixing
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Bo Persson
Hugo Tom Fleischman and John Midgley
Moneyball Deb Adair, Ron Bochar, Dave Giammarco and Ed Novick
Transformers: Dark of the Moon Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Peter J. Devlin
War Horse Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson and Stuart Wilson

Visual Effects
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2) Tim Burke, David Vickery, Greg Butler and John Richardson
Hugo Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossman and Alex Henning
Real Steel Erik Nash, John Rosengrant, Dan Taylor and Swen Gillberg
Rise of the Planet of the Apes Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White and Daniel Barrett
Transformers: Dark of the Moon Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew Butler and John Frazier

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
The Descendants Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash
Hugo Screenplay by John Logan
The Ides of March Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon
Moneyball Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin. Story by Stan Chervin
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Screenplay by Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan

Writing (Original Screenplay)
The Artist Written by Michel Hazanavicius
Bridesmaids Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
Margin Call Written by J.C. Chandor
Midnight in Paris Written by Woody Allen
A Separation Written by Asghar Farhadi

—————————————————————————————————–

Several of the nominations were expected.

I was glad to see:

1. Gary Oldman receive his first (and long overdue) Academy Award nomination for his role in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
2. Midnight in Paris nominated for 4 Oscars
3. Nick Nolte nominated for his supporting role in Warrior
4. Viola Davis nominated for her leading role in The Help
5. Kenneth Branagh nominated for his supporting role in My Week With Marilyn
6. Moneyball receive 6 nominations, including Best Picture
7. The Artist receive 10 nominations, including Best Picture
8. The Help receive 4 nominations, including Best Picture
9. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Closereceive 2 nominations, including Best Picture (a surprise for me)
10. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo receive 5 nominations
11. John Williams nominated twice for Original Score category (War Horse and The Adventures of Tintin)
12. The Muppets receive a nomination for Original Song
13. Jane Eyre receive a nomination for Costume Design
14. Pina receive a nomination for Documentary
15. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 receive 3 nominations

I was surprised to see:

1. No Original Score nomination for Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
2. 3 separate nominations for Transformers: Dark of the Moon!
3. No Disney or Pixar nomination
4. Only 1 nomination for Rise of the Planet of the Apes
5. Albert Nobbs receive 3 nominations

Tell me, what were you surprised by? Excited for? or Disappointed about? Any bold predictions at this point in time? Leave a comment!

Be ready to watch the Academy Awards, hosted by Billy Crystal on February 26th!

Thanks for reading!

-T, The Focused Filmographer

up next: The results of THE RED WEB AWARDS!!!

Welcome to this week’s edition of “Movie News Monday!” (“MNM!”)!!

What is ‘MNM’all about?

In case this is your first time here, “Movie News Monday!” (MNM) is the place to visit every Monday for a quick recap of trending entertainment news! I’ve collected info, rumors, etc from all over just for you to keep you updated on movies being released, actors/actresses in roles, dvd releases to keep a lookout for, which movie won in the box office over the weekend, etc! Are you ready for your weekly update? Here it is!

This Just In!!…

#1- “The Weekend Winner.”  This past weekend, #1 spot in the box office again went to 1 of 3 new releases that hit the theaters! Underworld Awakening, Red Tails, and Haywire entered the arena to compete against other January/December releases. One thing of note about 1 of the new releases (Red Tails), according to boxofficemojo, “Red Tails marks distributor 20th Century Fox’s best opening for a non-franchise title since last April’s Rio.”

Here are the weekend’s estimated results for Fri, Jan 20-Sun, Jan 22:

1. Underworld: Awakening ~$25.4M
2. Red Tails ~$19.1M
3. Contraband ~$12.2M
4. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close ~$10.5M
5. Haywire ~$9M
6. Beauty & the Beast (3D) ~$8.6M
7. Joyful Noise ~$6.1M
8. Mission: Impossible -Ghost Protocol ~$5.5M
9. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows ~$4.8M
10. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo ~$3.8M

Congrats to Underworld: Awakening! Taking out the competition!

#2- “Betty White to join Star Wars!” Okay, so that’s not really true, but I found this picture of Betty White online and just HAD to share it! There’s not really any news attached to it, except maybe for the fact that this amazing Golden Girl just celebrated her 90th birthday in a big way last week! Happy Birthday, Betty! The force truly is with you!

Thanks for indulging me! I just thought this was pretty sweet!! She could totally pull off being a Jedi! Leave a comment as to what you think her Star Wars Jedi name should be!

#3- “Who’s Hosting?” Author Stephanie Meyer, most famous for penning The Twilight Saga, has another novel coming to film soon. Casting is currently underway for the film adaptation of her novel “The Host.” With Saoirse Ronan (Hanna) already on board, it looks as if Diane Kruger may soon be confirmed to play one of the leads!

Here’s what Deadline reported this past week in regards to this story:

Diane Kruger is negotiating to star alongside Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons and Jake Abel in The Host, the Andrew Niccol-directed adaptation of the Stephenie Meyer science fiction novel. The film takes place at a time when a parasitic alien species called The Souls has just about wiped out the human population. The Inglourious Basterds star will play The Seeker, who is charged with overseeing the conversion of a young rebel soldier (Ronan) whose consciousness has been infiltrated by Wanderer, a soul that has taken control of bodies and minds but who is daunted by the young human’s spirit — and obsessed with the memories of her boyfriend and her brother — and sets out to track them down. The Seeker pursues her, knowing that the conversion of the rebel will lead to the discovery and eradication of the rebel movement.

-The Host is slated for a 2013 release under the direction of Andrew Niccol who also wrote the screenplays and/or directed Lord of War, In Time, and The Truman Show.

So far, the plot gets no points from me for originality (nor from the previous work of the author), however the involvement of Soairse Ronan (Hanna) and possibly, Diane Kruger (National Treasure, Inglourious Basterds, Troy) gives me pause to keep this one on my radar. How about you?

#4- ”An ‘R’ rating is Expendable” The sequel to 2010 action-packed thriller The Expendables is set to release this upcoming August.

When The Expendables 2 releases, a couple of changes will be readily noticed by moviegoers:

1. Tons more action stars, including Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris
2. Hopefully better CGI and acting
3. Oh, and the rating!

That’s right. Stepping down from an “R” rating to PG-13. It was reported last week, and then later confirmed by Sylvester Stallone himself that THE Chuck Norris agreed to appear in the sequel, but ONLY if the ‘vulgar dialogue’ was dropped in order to grant a younger audience access to the film by avoiding an “R” rating. Stallone stated in the aforementioned confirmation:

…before your readers pass judgement, trust me when I say this film is LARGE in every way and delivers on every level. This movie touches on many emotions which we want to share with the broadest audience possible, BUT, fear not, this Barbeque of Grand scale … Bashing will not leave anyone hungry.

This may actually make the film even better than the original as it forces the actors to actually have conversations that consists of more than 1 syllable words like “HEY!” or “SHOOT, EM!”, etc!

So…what did you learn? You learned that Chuck Norris really is the strongest man on the face of the earth (outmuscling all of those super-steroid stars!)…and he approves this message!!

#5- “This Week’s Blu-ray release.” This week, look for the following films on Blu-ray to possibly add to your collection:

50/50- A cancer comedy that is definitely worth a watch. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendricks, and Bryce Dallas Howard team up to tell this tale inspired by true events in the life of the screenplay writer Will Reiser. Don’t miss this one. (Read my REVIEW)

Also releasing: Real Steel (Read My REVIEW), Paranormal Activity 3, and The Whistleblower

Well, that’s it for this round of “Movie News Monday!”

Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!

-T, The Focused Filmographer

up next: “Time to Vote Tuesday!” featuring the AWARD CEREMONY with the results of The Red Web Awards!!!!!

Red Tails

• Starring: Terrence Howard (Iron Man 2), Cuba Gooding, Jr. (Men of Honour), David Oyelowo (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)
• Directed by: Anthony Hemingway
• Synopsis: “1944. As the war in Europe continues to take its toll on Allied forces, the Pentagon brass has no recourse but to consider unorthodox options – including the untried and untested African-American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program. Just as the young Tuskegee men are on the brink of being shut down and shipped back home, they are given the ultimate chance to show their courage. Against all the odds, with something to prove and everything to lose, these intrepid young airmen take to the skies to fight for their country – and the fate of the free world.”
• Rated: PG-13 for war violence and language.
• Trailer:

“Nothing is difficult, everything’s a challenge.” -Dr. Roscoe Brown of the original Tuskegee Airmen

20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm productions present Red Tails: One of my most anticipated films of January!

I spotlighted this film back in July 2011 (HERE), and with each subsequently released trailer and tv spot, my excitement grew! A fan of history, war movies, and the account of the Tuskegee Airmen, I could not wait for January 20th! As fast as I could, I flew into the theater to see this high-flying tribute to one of the most successful fighter squadrons of the entire second World War.

Red Tails did not disappoint.

Despite several critics bashing this film as a “nice, but ultimately lacking attempt at a convincing war movie,” Red Tails brings with it a lot of emotion, excitement, history, and strife. George Lucas actually worked on this project for over 20 years (since 1988) in order to collect the appropriate talent in cast and crew to bring a worthy film focusing on the determined dogfighters to the big screen. Take a moment to watch this video about Lucas’ making of Red Tails.

The two biggest successes of this film: The cast and the action. The time spent assembling this film together paid off. With an amazing cast that portrays each individual in such a passionate and powerful way, each of the characters in the film (regardless of screentime) showcase their individual personality and add great depth to the otherwise possibly stereotypical characters in a war flick.

(I actually found myself identifying with one of the characters and relating to the other characters with real-life friends of mine own. I’d argue that that is a big testament to the strength of the characters and realism of their relationships when each of them reminded me of the bond I have with real-life friends.)

The relationship among the soldiers was real and, because of this, when casualties occurred (as they do in war), audience members may, themselves, feel a slight sense of loss after having made a connection with the characters themselves.

The struggles that the Tuskegee Airmen faced are genuinely told and are not avoided in this film. I appreciated Lucas and Hemingway showing not only the global struggles of World War II, but also the struggles that America faced within itself in terms of racial segregation. To avoid these issues would have been a gross misrepresentation of the events that transpired, but including them added a greater sense of reality and appreciation for all that these soldiers truly endured…on both fronts.

So much in this film seemed real! The rewarding heart-pulsing action, the thrill and excitement of the hunt, the high-flying aerial aerobics, the comradery, etc. Red Tails showcases almost every emotion possible and will cause most to shout and applaud at every victory, tear up at each loss, yet be determined to persevere to the last man and to the last minute. To fight…for all worth fighting for.

While some portions of the film appear to be nothing but fillers, when taken in with focus, each scene adds a peek into the character and soul of the entire unit and its constituents. Red Tails as a whole is nothing short of inspiring and exciting; proving that some of the best stories still come from real-life events!

Courage truly has no color, but if it did, I’d call it RED.

Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!

Score:  4 out of 5 stars for Red Tails (See this movie!)

-T, The Focused Filmographer

up next: “Movie News Monday!”