Review: Taken Not Exceptional But Works

Eh, not bad. That's all I can muster for this decent Liam Neeson thriller. I was worried it was going to be atrocious -- hasn't this movie been delayed forever? -- but I didn't dislike it. Part of the reason why is that I like Liam Neeson a lot. I think most of us are on board the Neeson Express, no? Why doesn't he get more (and better) parts?

This is a fairly absorbing thriller at times. Much of that can be attributed to the Neeson factor -- he gives the movie credibility. There's just enough solid work by the filmmakers and other actors as well.

Plot? Liam Neeson is Bryan Mills, a retired CIA "preventer." We know he's taken part in operations in South America, the Middle East and, oh yeah, Alaska. His old CIA buddies wax nostalgic about his antics. We know the drill. The movie is setting up what a badass he used to be. We've seen the trailers. We know what's coming. His daughter gets kidnapped. Mills has 96 hours to save her. He's going to walk over more than a few dead bodies to get to her. He may live. He may die. But damn it, he's going to save his daughter.

Director Pierre Morel deserves some credit. We've seen movies like Taken before. Yet, I still went "Oh!" a couple times and "Ow!" a few others. There's violence in this film but it isn't overly gruesome.

In its own way, this is a satisfying picture. It has just enough edge and semblance of quality to make it a passable time at the movies. There is at least one really shocking (and welcomed) scene where Mills ruthlessly shoots an innocent person. And here's the thing: I believed it. It worked. It made sense. There's another good scene where Mills impersonates a corrupt official. This act goes on longer than I expected, to the point where I was surprised when he finally takes off his mask.

The performances aren't bad either. I already mentioned Neeson, but there's also Maggie Grace as his daughter. I was struck by how young she looks and acts in this film, particularly after watching her play the older, bitchier Shannon on Lost. Then I realized, Oh yeah, she's an actress! Here she plays a very naive, overly sweet 17-year-old and it's totally believable.

Should you see this movie? Look, these days there aren't many good options out there as far as new movies go. What do you have to lose? I'll put it this way: If you're debating between Paul Blart and this, see Taken.

Source: http://www.film.com/movies/taken/story/review-taken-not-exceptional-works/25805797

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12 (2009)

Theatrical Release:Mar 4, 2009 Limited
Starring: Sergei Makovetsky, Sergei Garmash, Aleksei Petrenko, Yuri Stoyanov

Synopsis
After winning the Foreign Language Film Oscar for 1995's BURNT BY THE SUN, Russian helmer Nikita Mikhalkov added another nod to his résumé with this Academy Award-nominated film. In 12, an... After winning the Foreign Language Film Oscar for 1995's BURNT BY THE SUN, Russian helmer Nikita Mikhalkov added another nod to his résumé with this Academy Award-nominated film. In 12, an 18-year-old boy is on trial for murder, and it's up to a dozen jurors to decide his fate. This Russian drama might bear passing resemblance to the American classic 12 ANGRY MEN, but it's a story deeply rooted in contemporary Russian culture.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1194846-12/

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Dog Eat Dog (2009)

Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Feb 27, 2009 Limited
Starring: Eusebio Benitez, Oscar Borda
Director: Carlos Moreno

Synopsis
Dog Eat Dog, a tale of double-crosses and retribution that's Colombia's official entry to the Academy Awards for Best Foreign-Language Film, plays midnights at IFC Center Friday, January 23 and... Dog Eat Dog, a tale of double-crosses and retribution that's Colombia's official entry to the Academy Awards for Best Foreign-Language Film, plays midnights at IFC Center Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24.

El Orejon is an agoraphobic crime boss who lives surrounded by telescopes in a luxury high-rise apartment in the center of Cali, Colombia. When his godson is killed he asks a voodoo priestess to avenge the murder by casting a deadly spell on the shooter, Eusebio. Miles away, Victor is hired by the boss to carry out a job to collect money from a slippery pair of twins. He makes a disastrous decision to break the sacred law of the crime world and keeps the cash for himself. Under suspicion by El Orejon he hides the money in a downtown hotel room which he shares with Eusebio, where they try everything in their power to outsmart the boss and escape the underworld's thick tangle of unpredictable, dangerous alliances. As the stash of money passes from hand to hand, who will have the wits to be the last one standing?

Dog Eat Dog is the first feature from Carlos Moreno, an award-winning television and video director whose work has been featured at festivals around the world.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/perro_come_perro/

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Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li (2009)

Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theatrical Release:Feb 27, 2009 Wide
Starring: Kristin Kreuk, Neal McDonough, Chris Klein, Michael Clarke Duncan, Robin Shou, Moon Bloodgood, Edmund Chen, Josie Ho, Taboo, Pei Pei Cheng
Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak

Synopsis
Capcom's STREET FIGHTER vaults back onto the screen with this film from director Andrzej Bartkowiak (ROMEO MUST DIE). Fanboys can start drooling now over SMALLVILLE's Kristin Kreuk in the role of... Capcom's STREET FIGHTER vaults back onto the screen with this film from director Andrzej Bartkowiak (ROMEO MUST DIE). Fanboys can start drooling now over SMALLVILLE's Kristin Kreuk in the role of high-kicking heroine Chun Li, while Neal McDonough, Chris Klein, Michael Clarke Duncan, and a number of impressive actors round out the rest of the cast.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/street_fighter_the_legend_of_chun_li/

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Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail

Rated: PG-13 for mature thematic material, drug content, some violence and sexual situations
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Feb 20, 2009 Wide
Starring: Tyler Perry, Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Ronreaco Lee, Ion Overman, Vanessa Ferlito, Viola Davis, Sofia Vergara
Director: Tyler Perry

Synopsis
Tyler Perry dons Madea's floral dress--and prison garb--in this comedy that finds the wisecracking woman behind bars. Fans who saw Perry's last film, MEET THE BROWNS, won't be surprised that this... Tyler Perry dons Madea's floral dress--and prison garb--in this comedy that finds the wisecracking woman behind bars. Fans who saw Perry's last film, MEET THE BROWNS, won't be surprised that this is Madea's destination since she spent that film on the lam.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tyler_perrys_madea_goes_to_jail/

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Gomorrah (2009)

Rated: Not Rated
Runtime: 2 hrs 15 mins
Genre: Foreign Films
Theatrical Release:Feb 13, 2009 Limited
Starring: Salvatore Abruzzese, Gianfelice Imparato, Maria Nazionale, Toni Servillo, Carmine Paternoster, Salvatore Cantalupo, Marco Macor, Ciro Petrone, Italo Celoro
Director: Matteo Garrone

Synopsis
Matteo Garrone's Gomorrah is a dense, sprawling exposé of the corruption plaguing the communities of Naples and Caserta in modern-day Italy. The all-powerful Camorra syndicate influences the lives... Matteo Garrone's Gomorrah is a dense, sprawling exposé of the corruption plaguing the communities of Naples and Caserta in modern-day Italy. The all-powerful Camorra syndicate influences the lives of even the most innocent citizens. In a manner similar to The Wire, Garrone tells his story from many different angles, resulting in a complicated narrative that often feels novelistic. In many cases, the revolving stories never overlap or intersect. While that may be jarring to those viewers who are used to having their strings tied neatly for them by a film's conclusion, Garrone's decision results in an experience that feels much more honest and true. We witness the syndicate's impact from the top down and from the inside out, following a cavalcade of characters who are all trying in their own ways to escape the deadly world in which they live.

Based on the book by Roberto Saviano, Garrone's crime epic is a powerful indictment of the corruption that is running rampant in Italy. His decision to present such a wide spectrum of characters enables him to show just how deeply everyone is impacted by this terrifying, unchecked display of criminal power. Cinematically, he employs a dizzying array of styles in order to further establish the frighteningly ungoverned atmosphere that pervades this community. Gomorrah succeeds as both visceral entertainment and thoughtful social commentary.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gomorrah/

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Harry Potter stuntman badly injured

Reuters Life! | LONDON - Harry Potter’s stunt double has been injured during a flying scene for the series’ last movie, British newspapers reported on Thursday.
The 25-year-old double for actor Daniel Radcliffe was rehearsing at the Leavesden Studios near Watford northwest of London on Wednesday when he crashed to the ground.
“A man with back injuries was brought to the hospital yesterday, but was transferred to another hospital in the evening,” said a spokeswoman at Watford General Hospital, without elaborating.

No further details were immediately available.
The movie, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” is the seventh and final adaptation of the hugely popular novels by author J. K. Rowling.
It is expected to be released in the UK in November 2010.

Source: http://www.ikuwaderno.com/2009/01/harry-potter-stuntman-badly-injured/

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'WALL-E,' 'Man on Wire' top Golden Tomato Awards

NEW YORK — Critics loved a love-struck robot and a tightrope-walking Frenchman in 2008. The sci-fi romance "WALL-E" and the documentary "Man on Wire" took top honors from the 10th annual Golden Tomato Awards.

The awards honor the best-reviewed films of the year as determined by the Web site RottenTomatoes.com, which compiles reviews from critics to measure the percentage of favorable critiques.

"WALL-E" won the Golden Tomato for wide-release with a "Tomatometer" score of 96 percent. "Man on Wire," a film that recalls Philippe Petit's tightrope feat between the World Trade Center towers in 1974, scored 100 percent and won the Golden Tomato for limited-release films.

"Man on Wire" is only the second film in the first decade of the Golden Tomatoes to earn a perfect score. Pixar's "Toy Story 2" is the other.

"WALL-E" is the fifth Pixar film to rank above all others. "Ratatouille" was the best-reviewed film of 2007, along with the lauded Irish romance "Once." ''Toy Story 2," ''Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles" are Pixar's other Golden Tomato winners.

"Pixar has won more Golden Tomatoes than anyone else," said Rotten Tomatoes Editor-in-Chief Matt Atchity. "They're not quite batting a thousand, but they're pretty close. Ever since 'Toy Story 2' came out — which is still one of the highest-rated films of all time on Rotten Tomatoes — they've just had this series of really critically loved films."

The Moldy Tomato — given to the worst-reviewed film of the year — was awarded to the horror film "One Missed Call." That movie had the unfortunate distinction of not finding a single positive review, earning a goose egg on the Tomatometer. - AP

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/144150/WALL-E-Man-on-Wire-top-Golden-Tomato-Awards

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Oscars 2009 Nominees Announced

The nominations for the 81st Academy Awards, otherwise known as the Oscars, were revealed on Thursday.

Here is the complete list for the 2009 Oscar Awards, happening at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on February 22, 2009:

Best picture

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

Best director

Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry - The Reader
David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant - Milk

Best actor

Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Best actress

Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - The Reader

Best supporting actress

Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Taraji P Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler

Best supporting actor

Josh Brolin - Milk
Robert Downey Jr - Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road

Best foreign language film

Revanche - Austria
The Class - France
The Baader Meinhof Complex - Germany
Departures - Japan
Waltz With Bashir - Israel

Best animated feature film

Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E

Best adapted screenplay

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

Best original screenplay

Happy-Go-Lucky
Milk
Wall-E
In Bruges
Frozen River

Best original score

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Defiance
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E

Best original song

Down To Earth - Wall-E
Jai Ho - Slumdog Millionaire
O Saya - Slumdog Millionaire

Art direction

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Changeling
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road

Cinematography

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Changeling
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
The Reader

Costume design

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Australia
Milk
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road

Best documentary feature

The Betrayal
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire
Trouble The Water

Best documentary short subject

The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki
The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306

Film editing

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire

Make-up

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Best live action short film

Auf der Strecke (On The Line)
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy
The Pig
Spielzeugland (Toyland)

Best animated short film

La Maison en Petits Cubes
Lavatory - Lovestory
Oktapodi
Presto
This Way Up

Sound editing

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Iron Man
Wanted
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E

Sound mixing

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Wanted
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E

Visual effects

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Iron Man

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/23/oscars-2009-nominees-announced/

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10th Golden Tomato Awards - 2009 Winners

Rotten Tomatoes once again honors the best reviewed films of 2008 from various genres.

Here is the list of winners for the 10th Golden Tomato Awards:

Wide Release Top 10

1. Wall-E - 96%
2. The Dark Knight - 94%
3. Iron Man - 93%
4. U2 3D - 92%
5. Hellboy II: The Golden Army - 88%
6. Kung Fu Panda - 88%
7. Forgetting Sarah Marshall - 88%
8. Bolt - 85%
9. Tropic Thunder - 83%
10. Ghost Town - 83%

Limited Release Top 10

1. Man on Wire - 100%
2. Taxi to the Dark Side - 100%
3. The Wrestler - 98%
4. The Band’s Visit - 98%
5. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days - 97%
6. Let the Right One In - 97%
7. Bigger, Stronger, Faster - 97%
8. Trouble the Water - 97%
9. Slumdog Millionaire - 94%
10. My Winnipeg - 95%

Top UK:
Man on Wire

Top AU:
The Black Balloon

Moldy (Worst Film):
One Missed Call

Action Adventure:
The Dark Knight

Animation:
Wall-E

Comedy:
Happy Go Lucky

Documentary:
Man on Wire

Drama:
The Wrestler

Foreign:
The Band’s Visit

Horror:
Teeth

Kids/Family:
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

Musical:
High School Musical 3 - Senior Year

Romance:
Ghost Town

Sci-fi/Fantasy:
Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Thriller:
Transsiberian

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/19/10th-golden-tomato-awards-2009-winners/

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O'Horten 2009

Rated: PG-13 for brief nudity
Runtime: 90 mins
Genre: Foreign Films
Starring: Baard Owe, Espen Skjonberg, Ghita Norby, Bjorn Floberg, Kai Remlov, Henny Moan, Bjarte Hjelmeland, Per Jansen
Director: Bent Hamer

Synopsis
The moment the train leaves the station without engineer ODD HORTEN (Bard Owe) aboard, he realizes that the path ahead is a journey without printed timetables and well-known stations. Horten has... The moment the train leaves the station without engineer ODD HORTEN (Bard Owe) aboard, he realizes that the path ahead is a journey without printed timetables and well-known stations. Horten has been forced to retire after 40 years of traveling a very stable rail, and the platform does not feel like a safe place anymore. His orderly, solitary existence is about to give way to a future of unlikely adventures and puzzling dilemmas: will Horten ever travel by plane? Will he finally sell his prized boat? How does Horten end up in a pair of women's red high-heeled shoes? Will he survive a nighttime drive with a blindfolded man at the wheel? Proof positive that there is humor to be found in aging, and we don't have to be elderly Norwegians to identify, laugh and embrace life in all its idiosyncratic splendor. O’HORTEN is Bent Hammer's wonderfully skewed view of the human condition and gives us that somewhat absurdist vision with great warmth, a little melancholy and universal appeal. In memory of my mother and all other female ski jumpers

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/o_horten/

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Fanboys (2009)

Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release: Feb 6, 2009 Wide
Starring: Sam Huntington, Jay Baruchel, Dan Fogler, Kristen Bell, Pell James, Thom Bishops, William Shatner, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Ray Park, Christopher McDonald, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Jaime King
Director: Kyle Newman

Synopsis
In this riotous new road movie from producer Kevin Spacey, a group of friends who are avid Star Wars fans travel west to see the Holly Grail of all sci-fi movies, Star Wars: Episode I. The year is... In this riotous new road movie from producer Kevin Spacey, a group of friends who are avid Star Wars fans travel west to see the Holly Grail of all sci-fi movies, Star Wars: Episode I. The year is 1999 and for these death star dorks, the Star Wars films are more than just movies; they are a way of life. So, after one of the group takes sick it is nothing short of a moral imperative that the friends break into George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranchi to watch the seminal sci-fi picture together before its release. Enlisting the help of an estranged friend, who has traded in his Darth Vader mask for a proper day job, the adventure lays way to some extremely funny situations, including an outrageous brawl with some hard-core Trekkies.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fanboys/

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Pink Panther 2

Rated: PG for some suggestive humor, brief mild language and action
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release: Feb 6, 2009 Wide
Starring: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Emily Mortimer, Aishwarya Rai, Rai Bachchan, Andy Garcia, John Cleese, Lily Tomlin
Director: Harald Zwart

Synopsis
In this sequel to the 2006 hit THE PINK PANTHER, Steve Martin is back as the less-than-smooth Inspector Clouseau. This time around, he matches wits with Chief Inspector Dreyfus, played by fellow... In this sequel to the 2006 hit THE PINK PANTHER, Steve Martin is back as the less-than-smooth Inspector Clouseau. This time around, he matches wits with Chief Inspector Dreyfus, played by fellow comedic genius John Cleese. THE PINK PANTHER 2 also features returning stars Jean Reno and Emily Mortimer, as well as newcomers to the series Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina, and Aishwarya Rai.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pink_panther_2/

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He's Just Not That Into You

Rated: PG-13 for sexual content and brief strong language.
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release: Feb 6, 2009 Wide
Starring: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long, Kris Kristofferson
Director: Ken Kwapis

Synopsis
Based on the wildly popular bestseller from Sex and the City scribes Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo, He's Just Not That Into You tells the stories of a group of interconnected, Baltimore-based... Based on the wildly popular bestseller from Sex and the City scribes Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo, He's Just Not That Into You tells the stories of a group of interconnected, Baltimore-based twenty- and thirtysomethings as they navigate their various relationships from the shallow end of the dating pool through the deep, murky waters of married life, trying to read the signs of the opposite sex... and hoping to be the exceptions to the "no-exceptions" rule.

Gigi just wants a man who says he'll call--and does--while Alex advises her to stop sitting by the phone. Beth wonders if she should call it off after years of committed singlehood with her boyfriend, Neil, but he doesn't think there's a single thing wrong with their unmarried life. Janine's not sure if she can trust her husband, Ben, who can't quite trust himself around Anna. Anna can't decide between the sexy married guy, or her straightforward, no-sparks standby, Conor, who can't get over the fact that he can't have her. And Mary, who's found an entire network of loving, supportive men, just needs to find one who's straight.

If you've ever sat by the phone wondering why he said he would call, but didn't, or if you can't figure out why she doesn't want to sleep with you anymore, or why your relationship just isn't going to the next level... he (or she) is just not that into you.

The film boasts an all-star cast, including Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck (Good Will Hunting, Hollywoodland) as Neil; Jennifer Aniston (Marley & Me) as Beth; Drew Barrymore (Music and Lyrics) as Mary; Academy Award® winner Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind, The Day the Earth Stood Still) as Janine; Kevin Connolly (HBO's Entourage) as Conor; Bradley Cooper (Yes Man) as Ben; Ginnifer Goodwin (Walk the Line, HBO's Big Love) as Gigi; Scarlett Johansson (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) as Anna; Kris Kristofferson (Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story) as Ken; and Justin Long (Live Free or Die Hard) as Alex.

A New Line Cinema Presentation, a Flower Films Production, He's Just Not That Into You is directed by Ken Kwapis (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, NBC's The Office) from a screenplay by Abby Kohn & Marc Silverstein (Never Been Kissed), based on the book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo. Nancy Juvonen produced the film, with Drew Barrymore, Toby Emmerich, Michele Weiss and Michael Beugg serving as executive producers and Michael Disco and Gwenn Stroman co-producing.

The behind-the-scenes creative team is led by director of photography John Bailey (Must Love Dogs), production designer Gae Buckley (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2), editor Cara Silverman (Keith), costume designer Shay Cunliffe (The Bourne Ultimatum), composer Cliff Eidelman (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), and Grammy Award-winning music supervisor Danny Bramson (Mission: Impossible III, Almost Famous).

He's Just Not That Into You will be distributed domestically by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hes_just_not_that_into_you/

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Coraline 2009

Rated: PG for thematic elements, scary images, some language and suggestive humor
Genre: Childrens
Theatrical Release: Feb 6, 2009 Wide
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ian McShane
Director: Henry Selick

Synopsis
A high-definition stop-motion animated feature – the first to be originally filmed in 3-D – with spectacular CG effects, based on Neil Gaiman’s international best-selling book. A young girl (Dakota... A high-definition stop-motion animated feature – the first to be originally filmed in 3-D – with spectacular CG effects, based on Neil Gaiman’s international best-selling book. A young girl (Dakota Fanning) walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life – only much better. But when this wondrously off-kilter, fantastical adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents (including Other Mother [Teri Hatcher]) try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home – and save her family.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/coraline/

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Push (2009)

Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, brief strong language, smoking and a scene of teen drinking
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Theatrical Release: Feb 6, 2009 Wide
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Chris Evans, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou
Director: Paul McGuigan

Synopsis
A riveting action-thriller, Push burrows deep into the deadly world of psychic espionage where artificially enhanced paranormal operatives have the ability to move objects with their minds, see the... A riveting action-thriller, Push burrows deep into the deadly world of psychic espionage where artificially enhanced paranormal operatives have the ability to move objects with their minds, see the future, create new realities and kill without ever touching their victims. Against this setting, a young man and a teenage girl take on a clandestine agency in a race against time that will determine the future of civilization.

The Division, a shadowy government agency, is genetically transforming citizens into an army of psychic warriors—and brutally disposing of those unwilling to participate. Nick Gant (Chris Evans), a second-generation telekinetic or “mover,” has been in hiding since the Division murdered his father more than a decade earlier. He has found sanctuary in densely populated Hong Kong—the last safe place on earth for fugitive psychics like him—but only if he can keep his gift a secret.

Nick is forced out of hiding when Cassie Holmes (Dakota Fanning), a 13-year-old clairvoyant or “watcher,” seeks his help in finding Kira, (Camilla Belle), an escaped “pusher” who may hold the key to ending the Division’s program. Pushers possess the most dangerous of all psychic powers: the ability to influence others’ actions by implanting thoughts in their minds. But Cassie’s presence soon attracts the attention of the Division’s human bloodhounds, forcing Nick and Cassie to flee for their lives.

With the help of a team of rogue psychics, the unlikely duo traverses the seedy underbelly of the city, trying to stay one step ahead of the authorities as they search for Kira. But they find themselves square in the crosshairs of Division Agent Henry Carver (Djimon Hounsou), a pusher who will stop at nothing to keep them from achieving their goal.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/push/

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Eleven Minutes (2009)

Rated: Not Rated
Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins
Genre: Education/General Interest
Theatrical Release: Feb 6, 2009 Limited
Starring: Jay McCarroll
Director: Michael Selditch, Robert Tate

Synopsis
It's been two long years since the sharp-witted Jay McCarroll was dubbed "the next great American designer" on season one of reality television's Project Runway, and he's anxious to finally show... It's been two long years since the sharp-witted Jay McCarroll was dubbed "the next great American designer" on season one of reality television's Project Runway, and he's anxious to finally show his first line of clothing. The feature documentary, Eleven Minutes, chronicles his year-long journey designing and preparing his first independent runway show for New York's Fashion Week in Bryant Park and the subsequent selling of his line to stores. The result is an in-depth, painfully raw and humorous exploration of the creative process and the constant conflict of balancing commerce with art, fame with talent, and reality-TV with actual reality.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eleven_minutes/

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66th Golden Globe Awards - 2009 Winners

Check out the winners (in red font) and nominees for the just concluded 66th Golden Globe Awards.

Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Kate Winslet – The Reader
Amy Adams – Doubt
Penélope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis – Doubt
Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler

Best Original Song - Motion Picture

“The Wrestler” – The Wrestler (Music & Lyrics By: Bruce Springsteen)
“Down To Earth” – Wall-E (Music By: Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman)
“Gran Torino” – Gran Torino (Music By: Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood and Michael Stevens)
“I Thought I Lost You” – Bolt (Music & Lyrics By: Miley Cyrus and Jeffrey Steele)
“Once In A Lifetime” – Cadillac Records (Music & Lyrics By: Beyoncé Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarmon, Ian Dench, James Dring and Jody Street)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Tom Wilkinson – John Adams
Neil Patrick Harris – How I Met Your Mother
Denis Leary – Recount
Jeremy Piven – Entourage
Blair Underwood – In Treatment

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Laura Dern – Recount
Eileen Atkins – Cranford
Melissa George – In Treatment
Rachel Griffiths – Brothers & Sisters
Dianne Wiest – In Treatment

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama

Gabriel Byrne – In Treatment
Michael C. Hall – Dexter
Jon Hamm – Mad Men
Hugh Laurie – House
Jonathan Rhys Meyers – The Tudors

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama

Anna Paquin – True Blood
Sally Field – Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay – Law & Order
January Jones – Mad Men
Kyra Sedgwick – The Closer

Best Animated Feature Film

Wall-E
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Sally Hawkins – Happy-Go-Lucky
Rebecca Hall – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Frances McDormand – Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep – Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson – Last Chance Harvey

Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for Television

John Adams
A Raisin In The Sun
Bernard And Dori
Cranford
Recount

Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
Tom Cruise – Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr. – Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes – The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt

Best Foreign Language Film

Waltz With Bashir (Israel)
The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany)
Everlasting Moments (Sweden, Denmark)
Gomorrah (Italy)
I’ve Loved You So Long (France)

Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Laura Linney – John Adams
Judi Dench – Cranford
Catherine Keener – An American Crime
Shirley MacLaine – Coco Chanel
Susan Sarandon – Bernard And Doris

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture

Slumdog Millionaire - Simon Beaufoy
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - Eric Roth
Doubt - John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon - Peter Morgan
The Reader - David Hare

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Musical Or Comedy

Alec Baldwin – 30 Rock
Steve Carell – The Office
Kevin Connolly – Entourage
David Duchovny – Californication
Tony Shalhoub – Monk

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Paul Giamatti – John Adams
Ralph Fiennes – Bernard And Doris
Kevin Spacey – Recount
Kiefer Sutherland – 24
Tom Wilkinson – Recount

Best Television Series - Musical Or Comedy

30 Rock
Californication
Entourage
The Office
Weeds

Best Original Score - Motion Picture

Slumdog Millionaire - Composed by A. R. Rahman
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - Composed by Alexandre Desplat
Changeling - Composed by Clint Eastwood
Defiance - Composed by James Newton Howard
Frost/Nixon - Composed by Hans Zimmer

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Musical Or Comedy

Tina Fey – 30 Rock
Christina Applegate – Samantha Who?
America Ferrera – Ugly Betty
Debra Messing – The Starter Wife
Mary-Louise Parker – Weeds

Cecil B. DeMille Award
Steven Spielberg

Best Director - Motion Picture

Danny Boyle – Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry – The Reader
David Fincher – The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard – Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes – Revolutionary Road

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy

Colin Farrell – In Bruges
Javier Bardem – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
James Franco – Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson – In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman – Last Chance Harvey

Best Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy

Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

Kate Winslet – Revolutionary Road
Anne Hathaway – Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie – Changeling
Meryl Streep – Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas – I’ve Loved You So Long

Best Television Series - Drama

Mad Men
Dexter
House
In Treatment
True Blood

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama

Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler
Leonardo DiCaprio – Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella – Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn – Milk
Brad Pitt – The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

Best Motion Picture - Drama

Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road

The Globes are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a group of about 90 reporters covering show business for overseas outlets.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/12/66th-golden-globe-awards-2009-winners/

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2009 Directors’ Guild, Writers Guild & Cinematographer Society Awards

The Dark Knight has strengthened it’s bid for Best Picture Oscar as it received nominations from the Directors’ Guild of America Awards, the Writers’ Guild of America Awards and the Cinematographer Society Awards for 2009.

The Nominees for the DIRECTORS’ GUILD OF AMERICA AWARDS:

David Fincher, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Christopher Nolan, “The Dark Knight”
Ron Howard, “Frost/Nixon”
Gus Van Sant, “Milk”
Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire”

The Nominees for the WRITERS’ GUILD OF AMERICA AWARDS:

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Burn After Reading - Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
Milk - Written by Dustin Lance Black
Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Written by Woody Allen
The Visitor - Written by Tom McCarthy
The Wrestler - Written by Robert Siegel

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Screenplay by Eric Roth
The Dark Knight - Screenplay by Jonathan Nolan & Christopher Nolan
Doubt - Screenplay by John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon - Screenplay by Peter Morgan
Slumdog Millionaire - Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY
Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story - Written by Stefan Forbes & Noland Walker
Chicago 10 - Written by Brett Morgen
Fuel - Written by Johnny O’Hara
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson - Screenplay by Alex Gibney
Waltz with Bashir - Written by Ari Folman

The Nominees for the 23rd CINEMATOGRAPHER SOCIETY AWARDS:

Roger Deakins for Revolutionary Road and The Reader
Chris Menges also for The Reader
Claudio Miranda for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Wally Pfister for The Dark Knight
and Anthony Dod Mantle for Slumdog Millionaire

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/09/2009-directors-guild-writers-guild-cinematographer-society-awards/

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‘The Dark Knight’ Tops 35th People’s Choice Awards

The Dark Knight took home five trophies in the 35th Annual People’s Choice Awards held Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.

The critically-acclaimed Batman movie won in all 5 categories it was nominated for.

“Here’s to Heath,” Christian Bale said after accepting the favorite on screen match-up award, referring to his co-star Ledger, who died in January 2008.

The Dark Knight also won Favorite Action Movie, Favorite Favorite Superhero, Favorite Cast and much-coveted Favorite Movie of the Year.

The 35th People’s Choice Awards was hosted by Queen Latifah for the third consecutive year.

Here’s the complete list of winners in the 2009 People’s Choice Awards:

Favorite MOVIE
The Dark Knight

Favorite COMEDY MOVIE
27 Dresses

Favorite MOVIE DRAMA
The Secret Life of Bees

Favorite FAMILY MOVIE
Wall-E

Favorite INDEPENDENT MOVIE
The Secret Life of Bees

Favorite ACTION MOVIE
The Dark Knight

Favorite CAST
The Dark Knight

Favorite ON SCREEN MATCH UP
Christian Bale & Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

Favorite MALE MOVIE STAR
Will Smith

Favorite FEMALE MOVIE STAR
Reese Witherspoon

Favorite MALE ACTION STAR
Will Smith

Favorite FEMALE ACTION STAR
Angelina Jolie

Favorite LEADING MAN
Brad Pitt

Favorite LEADING LADY
Kate Hudson

Favorite SUPERHERO
Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman

Favorite TV DRAMA
House

Favorite TV COMEDY
Two and a Half Men

Favorite NEW TV DRAMA
The Mentalist

Favorite NEW TV COMEDY
Gary Unmarried

Favorite ANIMATED COMEDY
The Simpsons

Favorite SCI FI/FANTASY SHOW
Heroes

Favorite COMPETITION/REALITY SHOW
Dancing with the Stars

Favorite GAME SHOW
Deal or No Deal

Favorite MALE TV STAR
Hugh Laurie

Favorite FEMALE TV STAR
Christina Applegate

Favorite TALK SHOW HOST
Ellen DeGeneres

Favorite SCENE STEALING GUEST STAR
Robin Williams on Law & Order: SVU

Favorite TV DRAMA DIVA
Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)

Favorite MALE SINGER
Chris Brown

Favorite FEMALE SINGER
Carrie Underwood

Favorite GROUP
Rascal Flatts

Favorite COMBINED FORCES
“No Air” by Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown

Favorite HIP-HOP SONG
“Low” by Flo Rida featuring T-Pain

Favorite ROCK SONG
“All Summer Long” by Kid Rock

Favorite COUNTRY SONG
“Last Name” by Carrie Underwood

Favorite R & B SONG
“No One” by Alicia Keys

Favorite POP SONG
“I Kissed A Girl” by Katy Perry

Favorite SONG FROM A SOUNDTRACK
“Mamma Mia” by Meryl Streep from Mamma Mia!

Favorite FUNNY MALE STAR
Adam Sandler

Favorite FUNNY FEMALE STAR
Tina Fey

Favorite USER GENERATED VIDEO
Barack Roll

Favorite ONLINE SENSATION
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/09/the-dark-knight-tops-35th-peoples-choice-awards/

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