Review: The Hurt Locker

The Hurt Locker is, as most of you may know, a hot favourite for awards season. It comes from Katheryn Bigelow (Point Break) and is set during the on going wars in Iraq.

I enjoyed The Hurt Locker. I thought Jeremy Renner gave a very strong performance and the film was a all round solid take on the Iraqi wars.

The direction and cinematography were fantastic and I really enjoyed Guy Pearce & Ralph Fiennes' small roles. Although for me personally the middle of the film sank a little, Bigelow really made the film sell in the tense moments.

The Hurt Locker for me, is a more suitable awards choice than Avatar. Call Of Duty fans will be pleased.

****

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Review: Up In The Air

"Isolated? I'm Surrounded!"

Up In The Air is Juno director Jason Reitman's latest attempt at seizing the award season.

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) flys from city to city firing people for other companies. That's his job. Also mixing in public speaking here and there, Ryan's life is simple. He enjoys being on the road most of the year and doesn't enjoy the normal lives we all lead.

Without spoiling anything Up In The Air takes two stories in Ryan's life and merges them in the end. He has his goals (Namely his frequent flyer miles) and it's only till he meets Alex (Vera Farminga) that he gets the sense of company.

The films main sterling performance comes from Twilight's Anna Kendrick. Kendrick plays Natalie, one of Ryans newest work colleagues and I gotta say, in the race for Best Supporting Actress, Kendrick wins it by a mile. (Or 10 Million)

Up In The Air is funny, dramatic and charming. It's a truly solid film and I recommend you go and see it.

*****

Vera Farminga definatly set a bench mark for "Most Innovative Way To Wear A Tie"

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2010 Oscar Nomination Predictions.

Ok, Lets try it again. I'm gonna (once again) do my best to keep this blog up to date with Cinema & DVD reviews and odd bits here and there.

So in order to start fresh here are my 2010 Oscar Nomination Predictions. I won't say who I think will win in each category because I'll leave that till when the official nominations are released. Just take this as "If the Oscars where up to me" These are based on other award nominations and personal preference.

Best Animated Feature
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Monsters Vs Aliens
The Princess & The Frog
Up

Best Original Screenplay
(500) Days Of Summer
District 9
Inglourious Basterds
The Hurt Locker
Up

Best Adapted Screenplay
Precious
The Lovely Bones
The Road
Up In The Air
Where The Wild Things Are

Best Supporting Actress
Anna Kendrick - Up In The Air
Mo'Nique - Precious
Penelope Cruz - Nine
Vera Farmiga - Up In The Air
Zooey Deschanel - (500) Days Of Summer

Best Supporting Actor
Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds
Matt Damon - Invictus
Stanley Tucci - The Lovely Bones
Zach Galifianakis - The Hangover
Zachary Quinto - Star Trek

Best Actress
Carey Mulligan - An Education
Gabourey Sidibe - Precious
Marion Coutillard - Nine
Meryl Streep - Julie & Julia
Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

Best Actor
George Clooney - Up In The Air
Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
Joseph Gordon-Levitt - (500) Days Of Summer
Morgan Freeman - Invictus
Woody Harrelson - Zombieland

Best Director
James Cameron - Avatar
Jason Reitman - Up In The Air
Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker
Lee Daniels - Precious
Quentin Tarantino - Inglourious Basterds

Best Picture
(500) Days Of Summer
Avatar
Inglourious Basterds
Invictus
Nine
Precious
The Hangover
The Hurt Locker
Up
Up In The Air

I would say that the Best Supporting Actor category is my main fantasy section but I think each deserves it.