Friday, December 18, 2009

Movie Review: A Young Victoria

A Young Victoria stars Emily Blunt as Queen Victoria, England's longest reigning monarch. The film follows the young Queen in the very early years of her reign as she takes the throne, faces much adversity due to her youth, and also learns many hard lessons from those trying to manipulate her and her power. The film also stars Rupert Friend as Prince Albert and Paul Bettany as Lord Melbourne. The film which was written by Julian Fellowes, writer of Gosford Park and Vanity Fair, is as well done as any period piece. Save for a few awkward cut away scenes, the film carries the audience with it at a nice pace. The short fall of it all is a lack of a major occurrance. The swells and breaks are minor, with no significant shocks, common in many films that pride themselves in historical accuracy.

The reasons to see this film are to take in the magnificent costumes done by Sandy Powell, oscar winning costume designer of Shakespeare in Love and Gangs of New York. Also Emily Blunt's performance is captivating and landed her the Golden Globe nomination, although I do not think it strong enough to take the win amongst her other contenders.

The film is out today in limited release throughout the United States. Checkout the trailer below as well as an interview with Emily Blunt & Rupert Friend by CBCtv:


Thursday, December 17, 2009

2010 Screen Actors Guild Nominations
The winners will be announced on January 23, 2010.
My choices once again italicized.

For a full list visit Variety.

MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"
George Clooney, "Up in the Air"
Colin Firth, "A Single Man"
Morgan Freeman, "Invictus"
Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker"

FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"
Helen Mirren, "The Last Station"
Carey Mulligan, "An Education"
Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Meryl Streep, "Julie and Julia"

MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Matt Damon, "Invictus"
Woody Harrelson, "The Messenger"
Christopher Plummer, "The Last Station"
Stanley Tucci, "The Lovely Bones"
Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"

FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Penelope Cruz, "Nine"
Vera Farmiga, "Up in the Air"
Anna Kendrick, "Up in the Air"
Diane Kruger, "Inglourious Basterds"
Mo'nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"

CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE
"An Education"
"The Hurt Locker"
"Inglourious Basterds"
"Nine"
"Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

2010 Golden Globe Nominations

Below is the list from Moviefone with my picks in italics

Golden Globe Nominations: 2010 List

Golden Globes 2010 Awards Air Date: Sunday, January 17

Best Televison Series, Comedy or Musical

Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television