Hello to all my loyal followers. 

I have an announcement to make. I will no longer be posting on this blog. The reason is that I have created a website instead.

It would be really nice if you still came and checked in on a better platform.

Thanks, Luke.

http://www.wannagotothemovies.com

Boston bank robber Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) falls for a woman his gang had previously taken hostage after feigning a chance meeting with her to ensure that she can’t identify them in Affleck’s adaptation of author Chuck Hogan’s novel Prince of Thieves. 

One of the films I wanted to to see in that year but never got round to it. I wish I had because this was brilliant. Who knew Ben Affleck could direct something so solid, confident and intense. Everything was near perfect.

I do think my downfall with this film was watching the extended cut first which is a whopping 2 hours 30 mins. I would of benefited more with the cinematic version. Also on another side note I realise I don’t really like the Boston accent.

I saw this in the current issue of Empire Magazine and thought it was interesting, so i’m going to post it here. As you know I am not claiming this as my own work!

1. He runs a Moroccan restaurant Tagine in Beverly Hills. It’s closed on Mondays.
2. When he was eight years old, he hit a frozen cat against a tree.
3. He once lived in a place called Yogi Bear Park.
4. Peter O’Toole hit on his sister at the 2006 Oscars.
5. A Gangster Squad castmate claims he wears “funny socks”.
6. He’s in a small indie rock band called ‘Dead Man’s Bones.

All of these are all 100% true. Hope you enjoyed them.

Basically I think this year’s Oscars are pretty poor. Full of glaring omissions (Drive, 50/50, Senna, The Guard) and total what the fudge films (War Horse, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and Albert Nobbs).

But whats done is done. So out of the nominees i’m going to predict and also list who I would like to win.

My 2012 Oscar predictions

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Just a quick short post on what I have been watching overall this month. I’ve done reasonably well though considering how much time I get free. 

I finished the month of January watching 32 films, with 19 of them being first watches as well. I think i’ll feel satisfied if I at least watch 365 films for the year.

January films : 32 watched / 19 first watched

19 First watched films were:

• Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
• Goon
• Super
• Appaloosa
• Dan in real Life
• Limitless
• Chloe
• Mysterious Skin
• Flakes
• War Horse
• Shame
• Network
• The Artist
• Surrogates
• Crazy, Stupid, Love
• Beginners
• The Town
• The Descendants
• Dazed and Confused

What have you seen in the month?

People are living their lives remotely from the safety of their own homes via robotic surrogates — sexy, physically perfect mechanical representations of themselves. It’s an ideal world where crime, pain, fear and consequences don’t exist. When the first murder in years jolts this utopia, FBI agent Greer discovers a vast conspiracy behind the surrogate phenomenon and must abandon his own surrogate, risking his life to unravel the mystery.

A promising start and interesting premise but unfortunately this ends up being 2 hours of nothing in the end. Was nice to see Bruce Willis doing something a little different though.

The Artist is a French romantic film thats also silent and in black and white. The film stars Jean Dujardin (99 Francs), Bérénice Bejo (Modern Love) and Uggie the Dog (Water for Elephants). It’s directed by Michel Hazanavicius (Mes Amis).

Hollywood 1927. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a silent movie superstar. The advent of the talkies will sound the death knell for his career and see him fall into oblivion. For young extra Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), it seems the sky’s the limit - major movie stardom awaits. The Artist tells the story of their interlinked destinies.

The Artist. A film that has gained near universal critical acclaim. It is rather special as well. Why’s that? Well, the reason is because its a modern made silent and black & white film. But this is very in keeping with the story because its about a silent film star struggling with the demand of modern talkies. 

Jean Dujardin who plays silent actor George Valentine. He’s the lead and main star in every aspect of the film. He his Hollywood royalty and is the superstar. Dujardin gives a pretty magnetic performance as its must be challenging to act silently. His face is very expressive which helps what the mood is and looks every bit a 1920’s star should.

Berenice Bejo plays spiffy upcoming actress Peppy Miller. A woman who admires and is infatuated with George Valentine. She literally stumbles into the beginning of her fledgling acting career with the invention of the talkies. This causes mixed emotions as the two stars clash professionally as one career rises as another diminishes. 

The Artist also stars a little four legged friend that is equally as amazing and stands his own grand with the other cast. Uggie the Dog, who is wonderful. For an animal he has impeccable timing and training. The scenes with him and George Valentine are some of the best in the film. We also have a great support cast of John Goodman, James Cromwell and Malcolm McDowell. 

The Artist indeed a wonderful and charming film. It’s hard not to dislike it and get swapped away. It’s a bold film as well that people clearly wanted to see. Especially in climate of high CGI sequels in 3D that have as much depth as the shallow end of a kids pool. The music is dazzling and emotive since it plays a huge part for a silent film. Will it sweep the board with awards? Yes. Does it deserve to? My honest opinion is no compared with some other films, but that’s a different issue. The Artist is a must see.

★★★★☆