2011 83rd Annual Academy Awards, is short, simple and fun (considerably)

The Oscar is announced. And the biggest night for the movies is done.

Who’s the Biggest winner? The King’s Speech. No Surprises.

Just like I said in earlier post. Colin Firth taking home best actor, The Director Tom Hooper taking home Best Director, the best original screenplay

It’s a fight between one movie that emphasis on actors performance and the other, all the other stuff in a movie. Inception.

Inception. Taking home 4 awards itself, all the Best technical “Stuff”. Visual Effects, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Cinematography, but loses on the Script and actor is a big No, No, for Best Picture fight.

But, The Social Network did give a good fight, nabbing one almost uncontested category, Adapted Screenplay and Film Editing.

As Predicted the best supporting goes to the Fighters peep, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo.

Best Actress goes to Natalie Portman. No doubt there.

The only upset we got is from Foreign Movie. We said, Havier’s Biutiful will take it home. Well, the virtually unknown In A Better World takes it home.

Best Costume and Art direction goes to Alice in Wonderland. And Make up goes to Wolfman, undenied.

So, the night is a balance night of humor and honor. Most of the mom got mention, and one in particular makes more meaningful gratitude for the Best Director to thank his mom for finding him King’s Speech to direct.

James and Anne did a good job, I mean to be a comic relief for a show that lasted 3 hours it’s both an honor and a dread for everyone. There’s a reason why comedy only last 30 mins per episode. You know.

Everyone is talking about Mellisa F-Bomb. and Jennifer Lawrence red dress(which reminded me of a dress that Scarlett Jo wears a few years back.) and of course Jennifer Hudson fine figure these days.

It’s great to see Kurt Douglas back on the wagon for a wild after the ordeal the family went through last year. With Kurt doing recovery from a Stroke and Michael Douglas from a Cancer. Both seem to be doing really well.

Love it when Billy Crystal come out for a comedic relief half way through the show. And so do from Sandra Bullock when presenting Best Actor.

All in all, it doesn’t feel like a really long show like the old days. It finishes well before midnight, which is a great relief, and the performance is really good.

1994 Three Tenors Concert, the Gem of all Musical Concert. We Dun listen to music that way anymore.

Yesterday I was watching an old Concert DVD the 1994 3 Tenors concert. Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, José Carreras.

It was the time when the Great are still among us. When the 3 pay tribute to Frank Sinatra, Donald O’Connor on stage with the pop stars watching on the Ground, together with former President Bush Sr. and Tom Cruise’s family.

You can feel the ruggedness of a true Spanish tenor in Carreras voice. He is powerful and genuine. As for Domingo, the ever graceful gentlemen in the world of good voice, he is the angel to look at with ever movement of his hand, the taking in of breath and the belting of the note flowing out of his voice. He is the representation of a humanoid music instrument that sang the angel’s song. Pavarotti, oh, Pavarotti, what a fantastic voice he had. People truly are mesmerizes when u truly heard his voice. There is really no compare. Rumor has it, a Diva?!, well if anyone in the world deserves to be one, he deserves to be. That voice should be preserved in any way you can. The softness, the tenderness, the powerful highs and penetrating lows of every notes, it could be felt through your bones. Nessun Dorma, O Sole Mio, Ave Maria, all of which the voice touch, have literally turn to gold now (literally, into gold and platinum Disc. HAHA!) and many singer of our time. What they heard, the version of Nessun Dorma, O Sole Mio, Ave Maria and Caruso are all originated from his version.

After the war, the depression and the evolution of alternative rock into angst filled pop culture. People don’t really listen to any music like this anymore. Sitting in the park really taking in the great improvisation of an artist and the orchestra on a great stage. Every song is the familiar melody, yet every performance is different.

With internet and recorded format, the art have been lost to the fast food pace of divulging new music. The new generation now listen to music for 5 weeks tops and then they all got old and a new one would emerge to takes over. Of course, the recording is the same, the song is the same, and the person performing is the same. The “Song” never even get a chance to evolve or presented in a different light, it’s already dump into a hole called “the out-dated song grave” and there goes another artwork.

I must say, though the condition of our time may not be as innocence than before. That doesn’t mean the art have ever changed. We still can enjoy such small things with the purest pleasure of the beauty, if we all could just quiet down our mind and soul a little bit. Something I find that people today have really lost that patience.

The Summer Block Buster Season have already Started before the Spring is here.

As We goes in deeper into the year, all movie schedule for summer release are creeping out earlier and earlier. Even before the spring comes, the first fire that signifies the run of the summer block buster have already fired up now to escape the scorn of all the Super Heros, and Spit fire from the Showdown Between 2 Ending big Saga, Harry Porter and Twilight.

The First contender is actually from last year US Screening, Burlesque.

I mean it is a semi musical with a 2 Legends, Cher and Stanley Tucci, comparing with the new pair of Christina Arguilera and Cam Gigandet. I’m sure that Christina will have far less a crazy life like Cher. But to watch them both strut their stuff on screen with the super seasoned humorist in the business and the hottest young star. The Chemistry that play around the four is just explosive. Cher with Stanley are like old husband and wife, the fights just never stop, and the Gay just charmed his way through to the Queen. Christina and Cher, can you find a finer singer to pass the torch? And the hormone between Christina and Cam can ignite a whole clan of animal feasting right on the spot.

Anyway, the one most unanticipated-most anticipated film of the year. The Sanctum. This movie you gotta watch it in truly 3D fashion, James Cameron Style, bring us from his documentary. This is the contrast to the Extravagant of Avatar. The effect of 3D is subtle as Avatar, with depth and heights spell out on the spectacle. But close to everything is shot on film and not CGI(who use this word anymore?). and the underwater cinematography is just breathtaking, without any strange creature of a documentary, it’s just pure effects test that the 3D works. And guys there’s a new young guy to look out for, Rhys Wakefield. He is so hot in the movie, it felt like the cave is the boiling center of the volcano. Future Sexiest Guy on earth everyone?! He really has grown fast since the Home and Away days. Far faster than I have expect. How tall has he grown since the last 6 months? 3 feet?! Seems like all the most famous Aussie these days are from the same TV show.

The Movie Run Down for January to Feb

While we are soaking in some last year’s movie that’s hitting the award season, do not forget that the race to a new year has already begun. January alone we have seen, Season of the Witch, The Tourist, Little Fockers and The Green Hornet. And Burlesque and Sanctum for the Asian audience. Need me to Remind everyone of the Concert in the Movie of the Year, from a little guy named JB?

Let see, Season of The Witch, it’s a scary movie that’s not too scary, and an action movie that’s doesn’t really blow up anything. I think these movies have set a new standard for B grade movies nowadays. The new Grading for the 21^st Century will send the B-Graded movie from the 90’s to D-Grade. Terminator is C-Grade and anything by Van Damme will be D-Grade now. Because it’s not a good production, the setup, the visual effects are pretty great. But the story line just not really that interesting. Better than some D-Grade Action movies. But really not that deep, given the Knight story, and the Witch Mistery. Let’s just give this one an OK.

The Tourist, we see 2 Professional Player just playing with each other and the audience. The Spy Story, it’s a good twist if you haven’t seen the old version. It is fun to watch 2 of the sexiest person on earth acting against each other. Both try to be cold and jumpy. The chemistry is there. Just that the adult feel to it. Just too adult, both of them are acting too serious in it. That it takes some of the humor out. If there’s more action humor that sexy humor in it then I’ll take it a great movie to watch. Now, it’s just another just alright for me.

Little Focker?! Now Get Crazy. And a little bit old already. Better than Gulliver’s travel though. That said, a better comedy for the year then. For the time being.

Green Hornet, well, seeing that it’s a movie from turning from a more famous TV show than movie. the Green Hornet is a pretty fun games to watch with a Comedic Seth Rogan dancing around Jay Chow. Though Jay is not that much of a name in USA, no one would know that he is much too Big for everyone in Asian market. One for the few that earn close to Billion Taiwan Yuan a year. He is one of the most unmatched entertainer of our time in Asia. Yet, his movie career besides the one that he Directed himself (The Unspoken Secret), all are more flop to present him as a great actor even if they are good in Box office. Green Hornet, are more close to his humor though. Because of the promotion in Asia, many thought that he is going to be like Bruce Lee, a more main Kick than a Side Kick. Sorry to say, this is more of a Seth Rogen movie, Jay is really just a Side Kick with almost the same amount of screen time with Seth. Seth is the humor, Jay is the Action. The classic Green Hornet setup, and a good marriage actually, if people don’t have a preconceive idea of what it is.

OSCAR Night Glory in 5 days. Here's the Prediction from a person who have watch them all

As the Oscars is arriving in 5 days, I just got a glimpse of the rarely seen, freshly screen nominated movies. Watching 8 movies in 2 days is a bit of a stretch for me too. But it’s all great fun

This year the fight will be between the newbies and the seasoned players.

Oh, how I wish to see Jesse Eisenberg would win the Best Actor honor, then I can see the ever so composed, nervous act (on-screen) Jesse react or even cried in disbelieve like those miss America winner. Though I think that the King’s Speech is gonna take home the Trophy. Colin Firth has gotten the nominee last year, a great portrayal and the momentum of that nomination is pretty thick in the air now. Who knows, Oscar always got some surprises, it maybe even James Franco. 127 hours basically is the hardest movie to act in. the whole *127 minutes of it you only see one actor on screen, sometimes his face is 20 times larger than his ass. But, James, has really done fantastic on the brutal truth of the tragic but brave act of saving his own life. Bravo and good luck. As for Jeff Bridges, he got one already, does he need one more. And this time compare with last year’s performance, it’s just a bit too bland. Though, 2 win in a row I think is a first for the Oscar. Javier, oh Javier, how beutiful u r. I’m sure if u have seen the movie u’d love him more, but I dun think the American movie community actually heard any buzz about the acting though.

However for best movie and best screen play there are some movie that is less personal, more structured and twisted that King’s Speech. Black Swan itself is a personal story that’s far better than constructed than King’s Speech. The 10 movies nomination really is a problem. The range is just far too wide for people to vote in. Social Network is an ensemble act. And the story is the best constructed story of them all, taking on equally well scripted Inception, True Grit, and Winter’s Bone. So it’s the movie about the whole cast with the smaller, more concentrated treatment format of, 127 hours one person show, Black Swan – a one person show with some good supporting, The Fighters – the 2 persons show. The anomaly in the roaster is The Kids are All Right, the single unusual family drama? And please I know it’s compelling to add an animated films to the nomination, but Toy Story 3? No disrespect, but really is there any chance at all that it’d win. So there’s no surprises which movies is gonna win the best animation now then. I find that True Grit and Winter’s Bone are the kind of movies that the academy really love to hold on to. Those old style, Clint Eastwood-esque movie. Wait til u see what Clint have in-store for u guys next year. You’d be blown away.

Adapted Screen Play?! Are there any doubt the Social Network is taking that? Maybe 127 hours would bring Boyle another golden man. Original:- well, I do hope that The Kids are All right or Inception would get it, they are for more creative than King’s Speech, which many thinks should win. Strange though that I didn’t see Black Swan nominated. Cause I must say an actress must have a pretty damn good Script to go with in a movie tat take human dark nature into such Depth.

As for the supporting role the guys is set, who else can balloon his muscle up for Batman and flatten them right after like Christian Bale? The Machinist? Rescue Dawn? There’s no one that’s more versatile with his body ever. He’s been a gem since Empire of the Sun. (I bet you have all forgotten that kid that move us all then.). but really Christian, u gotta takes care of yourself better man, all the ballooning and flattening would takes a toll on the liver and kidney later on. So Please Oscar will u just follow him home this year and takes him off the roller coaster ride? I admit that the rest of the guy is great too.

The Best Actress though is another story, All of them are great performance, but one stands out, Natalie Portman, I do hope she wins this one too. She’s just worked too hard for this. Annette, love the acting and the heart to actually makes the movie got distributed. I’m sure many are grateful. Jennifer, to carry her own at such a young age in a movie that full of great names, she is the Carrie Mulligan of 2010.

As for the Supporting Gal, it’s everyone’s game. I love Mellissa Leo, and Helena Bonham Carter, both out of their regular character, totally amazes me. Then there’s the return of Jacki Weaver and the arrival of young Hailee Steinfeld. I do hope that Hailee Steinfeld would take home the man, because she is so totally far out mature there in the old wild wild west.

Alright, let’s move on the to fight of the dead things…… Art Direction, I bet it’s a fight between King’s Speech, Harry Porter and Alice in Wonderland in this reverse order. Inception is too recent, though the technical difficulty of rigging such a set is enormous. If you prefer realism, then King’s Speech will be first. But if you like artsy creativity, then Alice in wonderland is the one to take the trophy. Harry, Creative but u already got 6 movie before this, nothing seem new now, but all the nomination haven’t really lead to a win yet. Maybe….. Next year?

Effects :- Visual will be Inception, no second choice. Sound Mixing:- Inception. But sound Editing, I’d love a surprise for Tron:Legacy or Unstoppable, but follow the traditional history it’d always goes to the same movie, Inception. In any case, inception gets non and each given to different movie HAHA!!

Cinematography, a lot of people think a story is great then the cinematography is great. But the techniques in captivating movement is a beauty on it’s own regardless of the storyline. And the best Camera work that I’ve ever seen in a movie is Inception and Black Swan, one create the total movement against the backdrop and bring the audience feeling the gravity of the movie itself, the latter float the audience into the dancing with the character. Sorry to some of the best movie sure contender I must say, there’s just no compare with this 2.

As for the partner in crime for Film Editing, I must say it’s a close fight between Black Swan and 127 Hours. But I’m pretty sure the ladies would be much more easier to charmed than out tragic gentleman. Both editing brings the audience so close to the tragedy that the audience can almost hear the character breathing in every scene and flow with them in it through each cut. I thought the Inception is going to come in this category and nail it. I guess they think that a Sci-fi Editing is not as hard as some personal story line. Surprise would be the much hype Social Network or King’s Speech would take this home and create another Titanic.

Oh Director…… Christopher Nolan…… Damn not in. how can that be happening?! Well, I’m betting on Fincher for Social Network anyway. Talking about making a bunch of youngster and make them look completely serious. That’s no small feat. It’s a close shot from Tom Hooper of King’s Speech and Black Swan Darren Aronofsky though. First to create a character with all the out experience talent in it. A director have to master a skill enough to makes those talent blend well. And Black Swan is just a movie that’s just too hard to shoot. All the training and the camera movement, how far an imagination a director had to have to create such scene that’s just one line on the paper and turn them into a movement that brings audience dancing with the swan.