Tag: Skyfall

Top 15 Oscar Hopefuls

SETH MACFARLANE

Contributed by Michelle McCue, Melissa Thompson and Ken Parker.

The Clock is Ticking…tick tock, tick tock Oscar voters. The ballots are due today at 5 p.m. PT so not much can happen now. It’s all up in the air, but we’re definitely rooting for the dark horses. As we begin what’s annually known as Oscar Week, we’ve compiled a list of Oscar hopefuls. Some of our choices are undoubtedly the frontrunners, while others we wanted you to have a second look at.

We kick off the list with Best Song from this year’s Oscar Host and Nominee, Seth MacFarlane. Here’s “Everybody Needs A Best Friend” from TED.

PARANORMAN – Animated Feature Film Nominee

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This is the first nomination for both Sam Fell and Chris Butler. Like Burton and the geniuses at Aardman Animations, this latest production from the studio behind the wonderful CORALINE employs stop-motion animation to provide hand-crafted appeal to the clever and surprisingly scary story of a Massachusetts town whose witch-hunting past catches up with it on its 300th anniversary. PARANORMAN is probably the year’s most visually dazzling movie and the stunning climax centering on an 11-year-old witch is too good to spoil.

LINCOLN – Best Actor Nominee Daniel Day Lewis

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Daniel Day-Lewis is extraordinary as the president, capturing his wit and generosity but also the iron will that made him the country’s greatest hero. Day-Lewis’ voice is thin and reedy, which jibes with historical accounts but subverts our expectations. His attitude makes listeners lean in, and so do we, magnetized by his kindly reserve. LINCOLN provides Daniel Day-Lewis with an opportunity for his latest extraordinary performance, one filled with kindness and strength in equal measure.

This is his fifth nomination in this category. He won Oscars for his performances in My Left Foot (1989) and There Will Be Blood (2007). He was also nominated for his leading roles in In the Name of the Father (1993) and Gangs of New York (2002).

LIFE OF PI – Director Nominee Ang Lee

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No one ever thought author Yann Martel’s LIFE OF PI could successfully be translated to the big screen… until the Oscar-winning filmmaker masterfully took charge of the material. With Lee’s visionary use of 3D, we are there with Pi and Richard Parker, experiencing these extraordinary and visually stunning moments, immersed like never before in an epic movie adventure interwoven with an emotional and spiritual journey. The film is a triumph.

This is the third nomination in this category for Ang Lee, who won the award for Brokeback Mountain (2005). He received Directing and Best Picture nominations for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and is also nominated for Best Picture this year.

LES MISERABLES – Hair and Makeup Nominees Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell

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Jackman embraced the physical challenges and the changes required of the character as he goes from convict to outcast to mayor over several years. It was decided to shoot the scenes of the convict Valjean at the start of principal photography to allow Jackman to not only lose weight, but also to grow his own beard. “It was important to tell the story that he had been in prison for 19 years,” notes Jackman. “I was surviving on very limited food, but Valjean was also known for his strength, so I was spending three hours in the gym. It was a tough beginning.” So committed was Jackman to the part, for 36 hours before he shot the opening sequences of the film, the performer also decided to go without water. This gave him the hollowness and gauntness befitting a convict of the era.

Hathaway’s dedication to the role was by all accounts extraordinary, and her physical journey, as well as the emotional one, was just as intense as Jackman’s. Not only did she choose to have her own hair cut in the scene where Fantine sells her tresses, the already slim actress lost a great deal of weight to make completely believable Fantine’s physical decline from, and ultimately her death because of, consumption.

“Over the course of five weeks, I lost 25 pounds,” relays Hathaway. “It was very intense and very extreme and to be honest, if I had stopped and really thought about what I was doing, it probably would have felt too hard. I knew that I had an end moment, and all I needed to do was keep my spirits up and keep my focus on that point.

Listen in as nominees Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell describe the process of taking these beautiful actors and turning them into “bloody messes.”

SKYFALL – Cinematography Nominee Roger Deakins

Daniel Craig;Berenice Marlohe

Nominated nine times and winner of the 2013 American Society of Cinematographers award, SKYFALL was Deakins third collaboration with Sam Mendes having worked on Jarhead and Revolutionary Road. To accommodate Deakins’ brilliant lighting there was a lot of thought that went into the juxtaposition between a location environment, such as the Old Vic Tunnels, and sets built on sound stages, including the underground MI6 bunker.

This clip includes Adele’s Oscar nominated song “Skyfall.”

ZERO DARK THIRTY – Editing Nominees Dylan Tichenor and William Goldenberg

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After photography completed on ZERO DARK THIRTY, Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow headed for the editing room. There she worked with Oscar-nominated editors Dylan Tichenor and William Goldenberg, poring through the footage to construct the final story – she had shot nearly two million feet of digital footage. “It was a mountain of material,” Bigelow notes, “We could have had a cut more than three hours long. But Billy and Dylan were great at helping me cut it down to size.”

DJANGO UNCHAINED – Supporting Actor Nominee Christoph Waltz

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Golden Globe & BAFTA winner, Waltz plays Dr. King Schultz. Shortly following the release of INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, Tarantino worked feverishly on the screenplay for DJANGO UNCHAINED. Christoph Waltz, an Academy Award-winner for BASTERDS, was present for much of the creative process. “I read the script as it was in the making,” Waltz remembers.

“It unfolded in front of me, more or less. I went up to Quentin’s house and he sat me at his table and put the pages in front of me and then watched me read it. It was a wonderful ritual. I was very touched that he would actually let me participate not in the genesis of the script, but in his train of thought.”

ARGO – Best Picture Nominee

Argo

“It’s thrilling and suspenseful and scary, but it’s also funny and, I hope, entertaining. On a deeper level, it’s about the power of storytelling because for so long this story could not be told. But this is a moment when we can all be proud of what these people did.” – Ben Affleck.

Directors Guild winner, Producers Guild winner, BAFTA winner, Screen Actors Guild winner, ARGO is produced by Grant Heslov, Ben Affleck and George Clooney.

This is the second nomination for Grant Heslov in this category. He received Best Picture and Original Screenplay nominations for Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005) and an Adapted Screenplay nomination for The Ides of March (2011).

This is the first nomination for Ben Affleck in this category. He won an Oscar for the original screenplay for Good Will Hunting (1997).

This is the first nomination for George Clooney in this category. He won an Oscar for his supporting role in Syriana (2005) and was also nominated for his leading roles in Michael Clayton (2007), Up in the Air (2009) and The Descendants (2011). He also received Directing and Original Screenplay nominations for Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005) and an Adapted Screenplay nomination for The Ides of March (2011). With his Best Picture nomination for Argo, George Clooney joins Warren Beatty as the only individuals to have competitive nominations for Best Picture, directing, writing and acting.

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK – Adapted Screenplay Nominee David O. Russell

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I was shown the book by Sidney Pollack who had acquired it with Harvey Weinstein. This was before THE FIGHTER. Although SILVER LININGS was fiction, it was likewise filled with very intense authentic people in a very specific local world the author knew well: emotional homes, people under great pressure, surprising drama, and unintended comedy. I am very drawn to these worlds, I find them fascinating. A certain place, a certain time, certain foods, certain rituals, unlike anything else, yet all the emotions and yearnings for love and respect and livelihood are deeply universal. I found that Bradley Cooper had, as we spoke, so much of the perceptive directness, fierceness, and vulnerability the Pat Solatano character has; and he was very hungry to play an intense unexpected character for him, which is the best timing for a director. Jennifer Lawrence and I had not met, but she knocked me out on her Skyped audition, and Harvey’s “Oh my God” upon viewing expressed his complete agreement. I love romance as much as I love authentic neighborhood worlds; the chemistry of Bradley and Jennifer was palpably combustible as the two very particular people, a gift. In another gift, I was fortunate to find Mr. De Niro with his own strong desire to be authentic in an emotional role of the kind we had discussed over the years that had personal ties for both of us as fathers. The rest of the neighborhood family constellated around the remarkable Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher, John Ortiz, Julia Stiles, Shea Whigham, Paulie Herman, and Dash Mihok. At the end of the day I love to peer into the lives of these people trying to overcome what they face, often themselves, in their own particular house on their own particular block, in ways that are heartbreaking and unbearable before somehow they pull through. For now.

-David O. Russell

MOONRISE KINGDOM – Original Screenplay Nominee Wes Anderson

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“What’s universal and relatable about Moonrise Kingdom is that this is a story about first love and a magical summer,” comments producer Jeremy Dawson. “It’s about a young boy and girl (Youngsters Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) who run away to be together. There is a sweetness and charm to this movie, and it’s also funny.

“The title references the cove that the two kids run away to. It has the technical name of Mile 3.25 Tidal Inlet on the map – but for them it’s a secret, magical place, so they re-name it: Moonrise Kingdom.”

Both the technical name and the more meaningful one represent the creative attention to detail that moviegoers have come to expect from a Wes Anderson picture. Anderson collaborated with his fellow filmmaker Roman Coppola in writing the script for Moonrise Kingdom, marking the second time that the two have scripted Anderson’s ideas into the road map of a movie, following The Darjeeling Limited (2007).

Actor Bob Balaban notes that he was struck by how “Wes makes movies according to his own particular sensibilities. His is not just a talented mind; it is an organized and kind one. He makes movies like nobody else, and he’s not trying to do it to be different; he’s doing it because that’s who he is.”

Gilman enthuses, “It’s got action. It’s got comedy. It’s got drama. It’s got romance. It really packs a punch!”

ANNA KARENINA – Costume Design Nominee Jacqueline Durran

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In her third nomination, as well as collaboration with director Joe Wright and actress Keira Knightley, Oscar nominee Jacqueline Durran rose to the challenge in creating the massive amount of costumes needed for the film. As she did with her work on previous films ATONEMENT and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, the British costume designer breathed richness and elegance into Tolstoy’s tale of tragedy, passion and love.

THE SESSIONS – Supporting Actress Nominee Helen Hunt

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This is Hunt’s second nomination and the first in this category. She won an Oscar for her leading role in As Good as It Gets (1997).

Of his rapport with his co-star, actor John Hawkes remarked, “She was very daring to accept the role in the first place and then she just stepped up and embodied it, physically and emotionally.”

THE GATEKEEPERS – Documentary Nominee

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For the first time ever, six former heads of Israel’s domestic secret service agency, the Shin Bet, share their insights and reflect publicly on their actions and decisions. Since the Six Day War in 1967, Israel has failed to transform its crushing military victory into a lasting peace. Throughout that entire period, these heads of the Shin Bet stood at the center of Israel’s decision-making process in all matters pertaining to security. They worked closely with every Israeli prime minister, and their assessments and insights had—and continue to have—a profound impact on Israeli policy.

THE GATEKEEPERS offers an exclusive account of the sum of their successes and failures. In the process it sheds light on the controversy surrounding the Occupation in the aftermath of the Six Day War.

Director Dror Moreh adds, “I was startled but thrilled when six former heads of the Shin Bet (“The Gatekeepers”) agreed to discuss their careers openly on camera for the very first time. This gave me a unique and intimate opportunity to enter the inner sanctum of Israel’s security decisionmakers for almost half a century. Numerous times during the making of this film, I found myself overwhelmed by their stories and testimonies. I kept asking myself how far I would have gone when confronting the same life or death dilemmas. I still do.”

AMOUR – Foreign Language Nominee

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In his review of director Michael Haneke’s film, Jim Batts wrote, “AMOUR is a truthful examination of the part of love that’s not the subject of countless ballads and pop tunes. It’s emotionally brutal and unforgettable. Tough to watch, but it’s a subject which will touch every viewer.”

From Austria, AMOUR is the fifth film to be nominated for both Best Picture and Best Foreign Language Film. The others were Z, which won the Foreign Language Film award in 1969; The Emigrants, a Foreign Language Film nominee in 1971 and a Best Picture nominee in 1972; Life Is Beautiful, which won the Foreign Language Film award in 1998; and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the Foreign Language Film winner in 2000.

In addition, the film’s co-star, Emmanuelle Riva, becomes the oldest Best Actress nominee at 85 years old.

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD – Best Actress Nominee Quvenzhané Wallis

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With her first nomination, Nine-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis becomes the youngest Best Actress nominee. The youngest acting nominee overall is Justin Henry, who was eight years old when he received a Supporting Actor nomination for Kramer vs. Kramer (1979). No one will ever forget this fearless little five-year-old saying,”Once there was a Hush puppy and she lived with her Daddy in the Bathtub.”

Honorable Mention – MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS – Visual Effects Nominees Janek Sirrs, Jeff White, Guy Williams and Dan Sudick

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For the visual effects nominess to pull off the destruction of a New York City street, special effects supervisor Dan Sudick involved precision pyrotechnics and well-timed car gags so that the production’s stunt people could safely maneuver through the explosions and flipping cars. To pull off the large pyrotechnic event, Sudick and his team rigged 28 explosions, which went off in a wave fashion down the street to simulate an air attack. The sequence also included setting up 14 cars down the middle of the street, which included ‘cannon cars,’ ‘flipper cars,’ ‘pyro’ cars as well as a big semi truck that exploded. Sudick and his team pulled off the impressive sequence without a hitch and even though it was shot on East 9th Street in downtown Cleveland, it still made the cover of the New York Post with the headline: “Save us, Thor!”

So now that you’ve seen our list,  here’s how things stand from our point of view.

For Best Actor, the sure bet is Daniel Day-Lewis, but Hugh Jackman has been everywhere. BAFTAs were Sunday, February 10th and Hugh was all over the red carpet. He was on The Tonight Show right after the Oscar Nominees Luncheon trying to promote Movie 43, but all Jackman and Leno could talk about was LES MISERABLES. Jackman could definitely finish with the statuette in hand and here’s why. Hollywood loves him and voters would relish in being a part of awarding him his first Oscar. Day-Lewis has 2 already. Even with his Screen Actor Guild and BAFTA wins, are Academy voters ready to put him in the small group (4) that has won 3 acting Oscars? (Katherine Hepburn has won 4).

In the Best Picture race, ARGO has the momentum…and the pity votes for Affleck. Winning best picture would more than make up for the snub in Best Director category. We like Affleck and his films, but it just feels like there’s an underlying agenda…oh let’s make a movie about Hollywood inside stuff so we’ll win awards. They can deny it all they want, but they’re betting on the industry’s ego. Hollywood loves to pat itself on the back.

But don’t count out Les Miz just yet. The screen adaptation of the record-breaking musical plays mostly to the older Academy voting crowd who go to the theater and love Les Miz. Having already been shut out of the other big awards this season, Les Miz is truly a long-shot. But so was Braveheart. It also had no momentum and was released in May – nowhere near awards season. Whichever film wins, the votes for it won’t be by much as this year will be nail-biter down to the very end.

Best Director will be Steven Spielberg. With Affleck not in play, they’ve clearly stacked the deck in his favor for the win. And if Jackman and Les Miz edge out Day-Lewis and Lincoln, at least Lincoln won’t go home empty handed.

LINCOLN

And while we’re wishing for things, how about one more.

With the James Bond salute and the possibility of all the actors who’ve embodied the role of 007 coming on the stage, we’ve wondered why Shirley Bassey was given the single honor of performing alone at the ceremony. Why not have all the performing artists in a medley of the songs, Bassey included… with her handing over the Bond baton to Adele as she goes into her previously announced performance of her Oscar nominated SKYFALL. Goldfinger is iconic Bond to be sure, but having Duran Duran, Sheena Easton and Paul McCartney walk on stage – in a Big Hollywood surprise – would’ve been water cooler talk for weeks.

Just the thought of Bassey passing the mic to Adele would’ve reduced us to sobbing.

“We are thrilled to welcome the legendary Dame Shirley Bassey to our Oscar show,” said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. “Her association with film music is world renowned and we are proud that she will be making her first Oscar appearance on our telecast.”

If Bassey’s solo performance is ultimately the plan for the telecast, we’re hoping show director Don Mischer doesn’t plan for too many shots of the audience – they’ll look like they’ve just had a shot of novocaine. You’ll already have the seniors wondering who Seth MacFarlane is and the below 30 crowd won’t know Shirley Bassey.

But seeing as the Geeks are big Oscar fans, the Academy has invited us into the pressroom on Sunday where we’ll bring you all the results and reactions firsthand.

Watch the 85th Academy Awards on Oscar Sunday, February 24th on ABC. Download the new app at oscar.com.

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Adele To Perform Theme To SKYFALL At 85th Academy Awards

adele

Multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter Adele will perform the Oscar®-nominated theme song from the latest James Bond movie at the 85th Academy Awards®, the show’s producers announced today.  “Skyfall,” from the film of the same name, was announced as a nominee for Original Song at the Academy’s Nominations Announcement on January 10.   The song, written by Adele and Paul Epworth, is the first Bond theme ever to debut in Billboard’s Top 10 and the first to be nominated for an Oscar since “For Your Eyes Only” in 1981.

Adele’s exclusive Oscar show performance will be the first time she will have performed “Skyfall” anywhere live and will also mark her first U.S. television performance since the Grammys® last year.

“It’s an honour to be nominated and terrifyingly wonderful to be singing in front of people who have captured my imagination over and over again,” said Adele. “It’s something I’ve never experienced and probably only ever will once!”

“We have enormous respect for Adele’s unique artistry as a songwriter and a singer,” said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the producers of this year’s Academy Awards show.  “She is currently one of the most successful recording artists in the world, and we believe that her performance of ‘Skyfall’ will be an exciting Oscar moment for audiences watching at the Dolby Theatre™ and on television screens around the world.”

Oscar.com celebrates Adele’s performance with a special gallery of some of the most memorable James Bond theme songs through the years:
http://oscar.go.com/photos/themed-galleries/movies/bond-theme-songs

Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network.  The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

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15 Memorable Movie Moments of 2012

Guest Article By Vance Brawley

2012 was full of memorable movie moments. Moments that moved us, made us think, inspired laughter & tears and moments that surprised. When was the last time Christopher Walken really moved you? When has a Bond film looked so amazing? Were you also concerned when you heard about the casting of Anne Hathaway in both the new Batman movie and LES MISÉRABLES, one of the most beloved musicals of all time? And when was the last time you knew the outcome of a fact-based film but were on the edge of your seat during the climactic scene nonetheless? And what movie moments charmed you the most from 2012 and which ones will you remember for years to come?

In a countdown to 2013, here are some of my memorable moments and I believe at least a couple of yours:

Jack Black’s Music Man bit in BERNIE.

Tommy Lee Jones’ words on the Senate floor in LINCOLN.

Two stellar supporting turns from an actor that I don’t like: Matthew McConaughey (BERNIE/MAGIC MIKE).

Christopher Walken’s understated and touching performance in SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s dinner scene monologue in DJANGO UNCHAINED.

Roger Deakins’ cinematography in SKYFALL.

Anne Hathaway exceeding (low) expectations as Catwoman/Fantine (THE DARK KNIGHT RISES/LES MISÉRABLES).

Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper’s attic scene in SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK.

The re-enactment & last 20 mins. of ARGO.

The re-enactment & last 45 mins. of ZERO DARK THIRTY.

The return of Sam Jones as Flash Gordon in TED.

Norman getting ready for school in PARANORMAN.

Undeniable chemistry between cinematic pairings of Andrew Garfield/Emma Stone (THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN), Daniel Craig/Judi Dench (SKYFALL), Jennifer Lawrence/Bradley Cooper (SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK) and Jamie Foxx/Christoph Waltz (DJANGO UNCHAINED).

Ang Lee’s masterful use of a cgi tiger in LIFE OF PI.

And I will always remember that Hushpuppy lived with her father in the Bathtub.

 

The Best Trailers Of 2012

THEATRICAL TRAILER: the official theatrical piece, usually cut from the first (very long) cut of the picture or sometimes (if there is no first cut yet) from dailies (all the shot footage, including all the different takes and angles), maximum length of a trailer is two and a half minutes.

TEASER TRAILER: A first, short theatrical preview piece (usually not longer than a minute and a half), cut from a few selected takes and scenes while the picture is still being shot.

For those of you who think it’s okay to show up to a film after the coming attractions – move along. No self-respecting movie geek would dare miss the previews. And don’t get us started on the individuals who arrive during the trailer you’ve been dying to see only to move through your line of sight during the all-important money shot.

In most cases, trailers are the first thing the casual moviegoer sees of an upcoming release – be it next month or next year. But sometimes that’s all it takes to plant the enthusiastic seed of “I have to see that!” There’s no denying it. Trailers are visual forces of nature. They are emotional magnets. They are harbingers of things to come and herald what might be.

While not all of them turned out to be everyone’s cup of tea, the unsung heroes in the editing room behind these previews are what had us going to the theaters in 2012 in record numbers. Along with the official synopsis of each movie, below is a compilation of some of the best trailers from this past year. So get your drink & munchies, have the volume up & the lights down low and find your favorite seat – the coming attractions are about to start.

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions. “Welcome to the Bathtub!”

THE RAID: REDEMPTION

Deep in the heart of Jakarta’s slums lies an impenetrable safe house for the world’s most dangerous killers and gangsters. Until now, the rundown apartment block has been considered untouchable. Cloaked under the cover of pre-dawn darkness and silence, an elite swat team is tasked with raiding the safe house in order to take down the notorious drug lord that runs it. But when a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover and news of their assault reaches the drug lord, they find themselves stranded on the 6th floor with no way out. The unit must fight their way through the city’s worst to survive their mission

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises” is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. It has been eight years since Batman vanished into the night, turning, in that instant, from hero to fugitive. Assuming the blame for the death of D.A. Harvey Dent, the Dark Knight sacrificed everything for what he and Commissioner Gordon both hoped was the greater good. For a time the lie worked, as criminal activity in Gotham City was crushed under the weight of the anti-crime Dent Act. But everything will change with the arrival of a cunning cat burglar with a mysterious agenda. Far more dangerous, however, is the emergence of Bane, a masked terrorist whose ruthless plans for Gotham drive Bruce out of his self-imposed exile. But even if he dons the cape and cowl again, Batman may be no match for Bane.

MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS

When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgard and Samuel L. Jackson, and written and directed by Joss Whedon, “Marvel Avengers Assemble” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since.

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS

We were doing fine until Alec Baldwin, along with his Russian accent, proclaimed “it is our job to protect the children of the world – for as long as they believe in us, we will guard them with our lives.” Waterworks were pouring out. RISE OF THE GUARDIANS is an epic adventure that tells the story of a group of heroes – each with extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world.

LES MISÉRABLES

Les Misérables is the motion-picture adaptation of the beloved global stage sensation seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages around the globe and still breaking box-office records everywhere in its 27th year. Helmed by The King’s Speech’s Academy Award®-winning director, Tom Hooper, the Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh production stars Hugh Jackman, Oscar® winner Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, with Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. Les Misérables, the show of shows, was reborn as the cinematic musical experience of a lifetime.

CLOUD ATLAS

CLOUD ATLAS explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave dramatically through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future. A lofty, gorgeous, trailer that boldly tugged at the heart-strings.

MEN IN BLACK 3

Agent Jay traveled back in time to 1969, where he teams up with a younger version of Agent Kay to stop an evil alien from destroying the future. The time-traveling, third installment of the Men in Black franchise reunited Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. The trailer was jam-packed with car chases and monocycle pursuits, as the famous, black-suited duo employed a brand-new collection of galactic gadgets to fight off retro aliens. Proves a successful and fun 3rd chapter to a franchise can be accomplished.

THE MASTER

Paul Thomas Anderson’s sixth feature film, THE MASTER, unfolds a vibrantly human story inside this atmosphere of spiritual yearning on the cusp of 1950. The film follows the shifting fortunes of Freddie, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, a volatile former Naval seaman unable to settle down into everyday life, and the unpredictable journey he takes when he stumbles upon a fledgling movement known as The Cause. Coming to The Cause as an itinerant and outsider, Freddie will ultimately become a surrogate heir to its flamboyant leader: Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Lancaster Dodd. And yet, even as The Cause probes the mastery of human emotions, the camaraderie between Freddie and Dodd will mount into a fierce and intimate struggle of wills. The first feature film shot using 65mm film stock in several decades, THE MASTER is brought to life by a devoted cast and crew who have crafted a visually alluring and emotionally provocative portrait of three people pursuing a vision of betterment.

PROMETHEUS

Director Ridley Scott takes fans on a gripping sci-fi adventure that “kicks ass so hard and often that it’s impossible not to be thrilled by it.” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone).Archeologist couple Elizabeth Shaw (Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Marshall-Green) discover a star map that they interpret as an invitation from humanity’s forerunners, the “Engineers.” Determined to find out more about them, the couple boards the scientific vessel Prometheus, created and funded by Peter Weyland (Pearce), CEO of Weyland Corporation. Lead by mission director Meredith Vickers (Theron) and monitored by Weyland’s android David (Fassbender), the team of explorers find a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth and embark on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe where they fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

A LOOPER GLOSSARY

Looper: A low level assassin who works for a mob in the future, killing targets they send back and disposing of the bodies.

Gat Man: A higher level gangster, the Gat men work locally with more typical thug responsibilities. They tend to look down on Loopers as a lot of untrained dandies.

Blunderbuss: A short stout hand cannon used by Loopers. Powerful but with a wide spread – impossible to hit anything more than 10 yards away, impossible to miss anything closer.

Gat: Generic term for a gun, but colloquial name for the Gat Men’s high caliber revolver. Powerful, accurate and reliable.

TK: Short for “telekinetic.” By 2040 a very low grade telekenetic power has developed in about 15% of the general population. Far from being a superpower, it’s weak and short range, and mostly used for bar tricks.

Closing Your Loop: A stipulation in every Looper’s contract that he may some day be required to kill his future self, thus closing his contract, getting a huge pay-off and erasing any trace of the very illegal arrangement with his future employer.

THE EXPENDABLES 2

The Expendables are back and this time it’s personal… Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), Yin Yang (Jet Li), Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), Toll Road (Randy Couture) and Hale Caesar (Terry Crews) — with newest members Billy the Kid (Liam Hemsworth) and Maggie (Yu Nan) aboard — are reunited when Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) enlists the Expendables to take on a seemingly simple job. The task looks like an easy paycheck for Barney and his band of old-school mercenaries. But when things go wrong and one of their own is viciously killed, the Expendables are compelled to seek revenge in hostile territory where the odds are stacked against them. Hell-bent on payback, the crew cuts a swath of destruction through opposing forces, wreaking havoc and shutting down an unexpected threat in the nick of time - five tons of weapons-grade plutonium, far more than enough to change the balance of power in the world. But that’s nothing compared to the justice they serve against the villainous adversary who savagely murdered their brother. That is done the Expendables way..

THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS

Quentin Tarantino presents THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS, an action-adventure inspired by kung-fu classics as interpreted by his longtime collaborators RZA and Eli Roth. Making his debut as a big-screen director, co-writer and leading man, RZA – alongside an exciting international cast led by Russell Crowe and Lucy Liu – tells the epic story of warriors, assassins and a lone outsider hero who all descend on one fabled village in China for a winner-takes-all battle for a fortune in gold. Blending astonishing martial-arts sequences from some of the masters of this world with the signature vision he brings as the leader of the Wu-Tang Clan and as one of hip-hop’s most dominant figures of the past two decades, RZA embarks upon his most ambitious, stylized and thrilling project to date.

Joining Crowe, RZA and Liu in the cast are Rick Yune, Jamie Chung, Cung Le, Dave Bautista, Byron Mann, Daniel Wu and Pam Grier.

THE GREY

Liam Neeson (Schindler’s List, Taken, Taken 2) stars as the unlikely hero Ottway in this undeniably suspenseful and powerful survival adventure. After their plane crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness, a roughneck group of oil drillers are forced to find a way back to civilization. As Ottway leads the injured survivors through the brutal snow and ice, they are relentlessly tracked by a vicious pack of rogue wolves that will do anything to defend their territory. Adrenaline-fueled, action-packed and loaded with some of the most intense and brutally realistic attack scenes ever filmed, The Grey is being hailed as “a thriller you can sink your teeth into!” (The Washington Post)

SKYFALL

Stunts always play a large role in Bond films and SKYFALL is no exception. Director Sam Mendes, Second Unit Director Alexander Witt and Stunt Coordinator Gary Powell worked closely together to create a physical and believable journey for Bond. It was important for both Mendes and Powell to approach the film from a more realistic point of view. The action started on the pages. “Writing action sequences is one of the great challenges and the great joys of being a screenwriter,” says screenwriter John Logan. “The challenge as a writer on Skyfall was to find ways to make the action as ‘Bondian’ as possible – which to me means it’s tough, it’s real and it’s heightened.”

As you can see in this trailer, no actor had more stunts than Craig. Javier Bardem describes watching Craig take on the role: “There is some physicality to the role that you have to be prepared to do, but of course mine compared to Daniel’s was nothing. And he does the action scenes so easily “From the outside, watching him, I was thinking, If I were you, I wouldn’t be doing that!” Bardem laughs. “I mean, I did a little bit, but nothing in comparison to with what Daniel did.”

HYDE PARK ON HUDSON

Not quite the lofty follow up to THE KING”S SPEECH as we had hoped, this preview had all the makings of finally giving Bill Murray that long-awaited Oscar. The end result was a stark look into the all-too-human side of one of history’s iconic leaders.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA

“Hotel Transylvania is a story about a father and a daughter… it’s just that the father happens to be Dracula,” says Genndy Tartakovsky, director of the Sony Pictures Animation film, Hotel Transylvania. “Like all fathers, he’s an overprotective, psychotic, and endearing guy who’d do anything for his daughter, but unlike other fathers, he’s the Prince of Darkness.”

In Hotel Transylvania, it turns out that the world’s most famous monsters (including Dracula, Frankenstein, the Werewolf, the Invisible Man, and the Mummy) are just like regular people, with families and problems and a need to get away from it all –  but unlike humans, they have to live in hiding from a world that thinks they’re, well, monsters. What better place to hide than Hotel Transylvania, which Dracula himself operates as a sanctuary from the rest of the world and has been human-free since 1898? But Dracula has issues of his own – his daughter, Mavis, is a teenager – in fact, she’s about to turn 118 – and as she becomes a woman, the vampire’s greatest fear is losing his relationship with her. Well, his two greatest fears are losing his relationship with his daughter and garlic, but that’s another story.

DJANGO UNCHAINED

We were ready to go on another wild and wily trek with Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece DJANGO UNCHAINED. The trailer had us hooked right from the start – almost made us forget Franco Nero in Corbucci’s DJANGO (1966). “I like evoking the Django title for what it means to Spaghetti Westerns and that mythology,” Tarantino says. “At the same time, there’s a 40-film series of nonrelated DJANGO rip-off sequels that are their own spot of Spaghetti Western history. I’m proud to say that we are a new edition to the unrelated DJANGO rip-off sequels.”

THE RAVEN

The macabre and lurid tales of Edgar Allan Poe are vividly brought to life – and death — in this stylish, gothic thriller starring John Cusack as the infamous author. Boy were they ever. When a madman begins committing horrific murders inspired by Poe’s darkest works, a young Baltimore detective (Luke Evans) joins forces with Poe in a quest to get inside the killer’s mind in order to stop him from making every one of Poe’s brutal stories a blood chilling reality. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues, which escalates when Poe’s love (Alice Eve, She’s Out of My League) becomes the next target. Intrepid Pictures’ The Raven also stars Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges) and Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Faster).

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

Boy we couldn’t wait to return to the Shire. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY follows title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD

SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD stars Golden Globe Award winner Steve Carell and Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley. Set in a too-near future, the movie explores what people will do when humanity’s last days are at hand. As the respective journeys of Dodge (Carell) and Penny (Knightley) converge, the two spark to each other and their outlooks – if not the world’s – brighten. Director Lorene Scafaria had us in tears when the end finally came.

PARANORMAN

This is how you do a teaser! In August Laika, the makers of Coraline, brought us PARANORMAN, a stop motion, ghost-filled zombie comedy in 3D. The delightful movie starred the voices of Kodi Smit-McPhee, John Goodman, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Elaine Stritch, Leslie Mann, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Jeff Garlin. “You don’t become a hero by being normal.” Amen to that brother!

TED

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane (as well as this year’s Oscar host) brings his boundary-pushing brand of humor to the big screen for the first time as writer, director and voice star of TED. In the live action/CG-animated comedy, he tells the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a grown man who must deal with the cherished teddy bear who came to life as the result of a childhood wish…and has refused to leave his side ever since. The trailer has us skeptical until we saw the hilarious final product!

HITCHCOCK

HITCHCOCK is a love story about one of the most influential filmmakers of the last century, Alfred (Anthony Hopkins) Hitchcock and his wife and partner Alma Reville (Helen Mirren). The film takes place during the making of Hitchcock’s seminal movie PSYCHO. The trailer had us fascinated and left us wanting to see more once the film finally arrived in November.

MOONRISE KINGDOM

In a return to the world of Wes Anderson, MOONRISE KINGDOM was thought by some to be one of the best films this year. Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, MOONRISE KINGDOM tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore — and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can handle. Bruce Willis plays the local sheriff. Edward Norton is a Khaki Scout troop leader. Bill Murray and Frances McDormand portray the young girl’s parents. The cast also includes Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as the boy and girl.

MAGIC MIKE

A dramatic comedy set in the world of male strippers, “Magic Mike” is directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Soderbergh (“Traffic”) and stars Channing Tatum in the title role. The film follows Mike as he takes a young dancer called The Kid (Alex Pettyfer) under his wing and schools him in the fine arts of partying, picking up women, and making easy money. Also starring Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer, Joe Mangianello, Olivia Munn, Riley Keough, Cody Horn and Adam Rodriguez.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER

Not to be confused with the Spielberg-ized version of the 16th President, filmmakers Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (Director of Wanted) brought audiences this edgy thriller about the untold story that shaped our nation. Abraham Lincoln, history’s greatest hunter of the undead, must risk the presidency, his family and his life to protect America from bloodthirsty vampires. Thrust into an epic fight against the ruthless killers, Lincoln must rely on those around him. But it’s unclear who he can trust in this intense and violent thriller that’s ablaze with plot twists, blood-pumping action and spectacular special effects!

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PT. 2

Okay so maybe it wasn’t anything you’d ever venture out to see – even on a dare – but you knew we had to show the trailer for the final TWILIGHT movie. The conclusion to the series, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN — PART 2, illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions of teenage girls – and sometimes their Moms.

KILLING THEM SOFTLY

This wicked trailer was one of the best of 2012. Three dumb guys who think they’re smart rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse. Brad Pitt plays the enforcer hired to track them down and restore order. KILLING THEM SOFTLY also features Richard Jenkins (THE VISITOR), James Gandolfini (“The Sopranos”), Ray Liotta (NARC), Scoot McNairy (MONSTERS), Ben Mendelsohn (ANIMAL KINGDOM), and Vincent Curatola (“The Sopranos”). Max Casella, Trevor Long, Slaine and Sam Shepard also make appearances.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

The Amazing Spider-Man focused on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story and starred Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. The film is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father’s former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors’ alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

THE SAPPHIRES

Inspired by a true story, THE SAPPHIRES follows four vivacious, young and talented Australian Aboriginal girls from a remote mission as they learn about love, friendship and war when their all girl group The Sapphires entertains the U.S. troops in Vietnam in 1968. Cynthia (Tapsell), Gail (Mailman), Julie (Mauboy) and Kay (Sebbens) are discovered by Dave (O’Dowd), a good-humored talent scout with a kind heart, very little rhythm but a great knowledge of soul music. As their manager, Dave books the sisters their first true gig giving them their first taste of stardom, and travels them to Vietnam to sing for the American troops. The film was shown at the St. Louis International Film Festival in November and was met by a cheering audience as the credits rolled. See this charming film!

MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED

Finally we leave you with Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe. Over the summer this fearless foursome were fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple and of course, King Julien, Maurice and the Penguins were all along for the comedic adventure. Their journey took them through Europe where they found the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvented – Madagascar style.

Contributors: Michelle McCue and Melissa Thompson

Top 10 Films of 2012

From great documentaries to sweet indies to big studio movies, 2012 was one of the biggest years ever. It will be remembered for the reinvention of musicals with Tom Hooper’s LES MISERABLES, the meet-and-greet of horrifying engineers in Ridley Scott’s PROMETHEUS and the toppling of an empire in Lauren Greenfield’s QUEEN OF VERSAILLES.

There was no shortage from which to choose from at your local cinemas where superheroes reigned supreme at the box office, animated adventures were welcomed by young and old alike, and favorite characters from the various prequels and sequels were embraced like old friends.

As we head into the new year, some of the most anticipated films of 2013 are Zack Snyder’s MAN OF STEEL, J.J. Abrams’ STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, Shane Black’s IRON MAN 3, Marc Forster’s WORLD WAR Z, Dan Scanlon’s MONSTERS UNIVERSITY, Gore Verbinski’s THE LONE RANGER, Joseph Kosinski’s OBLIVION, M. Night Shyamalan’s AFTER EARTH, Guillermo del Toro’s PACIFIC RIM, James Mangold’s THE WOLVERINE, Neill Blomkamp’s ELYSIUM, Sam Raimi’s OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, Baz Luhrmann’s THE GREAT GATSBY, Kenneth Branagh’s JACK RYAN, Alfonso Cuarón’s GRAVITY and George Clooney’s THE MONUMENTS MEN.

In our look back at the year that was, WAMG has compiled our list of the ten best films of 2012.

Honorable Mention – SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS

SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS is the second feature film from writer/director Martin McDonogh and the second to show his prowess with smart, dark comedic material. Once again enlisting Colin Farrell, McDonogh throws Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken into his alchemy and creates an unexpected yet very satisfying reaction. Much like Charlie Kaufman’s ADAPTATION, SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS blurs the lines of reality and fiction, art as life and vice-versa. The main character, a screenwriter suffering a creative block embarks on a dangerous journey into the mind of psychotic killers to research ideas, unaware that he’s living his next film.

10. SKYFALL

It turns out that it’s always possible to reinvigorate a movie series, even after fifty years and twenty-three installments. Sam Mendes, seemingly the most ill-fitting director for the job, ended up making the newest James Bond the best in years, even decades. With a smart script, terrific cast, and astonishing cinematography from Roger Deakins, SKYFALL mixes the best of traditional Bond elements with a fresh sensibility to make a great statement on what James Bond is, and what he could be moving forward.

9. PARANORMAN

PARANORMAN paid homage to some of the best known horror movies. The creative filmmakers behind the lovable CORALINE brought audiences their second stop-motion animated feature. Nominated for 8 Annie Awards, all the films’ tiny food, sets and characters were given great care down to the minutest detail. Directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler, PARANORMAN is the story of an outcast boy who can see dead people and talk to zombies – all the while being bullied by the kids at school. We loved that Norman found a loyal pal in the energetic Neil. The movie grabbed us emotionally and we cheered Norman on as he became the hero of the town. A pleasant mix of scares for both the kiddos and their parents, PARANORMAN easily found a place in our hearts and on WAMG’s best of the year list.

8. MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS

2012’s biggest box office earner may also be the most fun popcorn flick of the year. After laying the ground work for this team-up flick since IRON MAN in 2008, Marvel Studios did the unexpected. They handed the reins of this new potential franchise (combining four film franchises) over to relative movie director newcomer and TV wunderkind (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) Joss Whedon (who also had a hand in this year’s delightful fright flick CABIN IN THE WOODS). And did he deliver! Of course there are the big action set pieces (like in the classic comics, the Marvel Superheroes battle when they first meet), but the biggest surprise may be the witty, multi-layered screenplay. Unlike many films that feature a large core cast (X-MEN, STAR TREK), each character truly got a chance to shine, even screen newbie Hawkeye. Perhaps Joss’s biggest coup was finally turning the Hulk into a real movie star after two solo features. Let’s hope we hear the rallying cry of “Avengers Assemble” again at the multiplexes very soon!

7. LIFE OF PI

Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, Ang Lee’s fantastic adventure film centers on a young Indian boy named Pi, who survives a disaster at sea and has to fight for survival aboard a lifeboat for weeks on end with another survivor – a Bengal tiger. This is not the story of a boy and his tiger becoming buddies. This is about a boy fighting to stay alive without starving, becoming dehydrated, and most importantly – being EATEN BY A TIGER. Ultimately, LIFE OF PI also the story of a boy finding faith in God. It is a rousing adventure film with breathtaking visuals and spectacular 3D imagery.

6. ZERO DARK THIRTY

ZERO DARK THIRTY tackles one of the biggest man-hunts in history as its subject… The search for Osama bin Laden. The film follows the search following the unspeakable events of September 11th, 2001 and gives Americans a glimpse into how Navy S.E.A.L. Team 6 ultimately found, and killed the most wanted man in the world. Although graphic at times, the film offers suspense, intensity, and fantastic writing. It’s a must see for 2012.

5. DJANGO UNCHAINED

Quentin Tarantino often talks of quitting as a filmmaker, but when he continues to turn out work as vital and alive as DJANGO UNCHAINED, I hope that remains the idle chatter between each recharge of his battery, because his voice is one of the true treasures of modern movies, with this newest, the melding of Blaxploitation and classic Westerns, simply the latest entry in one of the most interesting filmographies today.

4. AMOUR

AMOUR is, as promised by its title, a movie about love. It’s hard to watch, not least because Austrian director Michael Haneke does not intend for the audience to be passive spectators. Rather, he wants us to feel uncomfortable as uninvited guests to the private intimacy shared by long-married couple Georges and Anne. Before we have a chance to feel familiar with them, Anne suffers a stroke that begins the unraveling of her mortal coil. Haneke shows her and Georges’ loss of dignity with dignity. This movie is not an auteur’s opinion of love; it is the offering of an artist who asks us to contemplate what love means to us so that our lives may be enriched.

3. LOOPER

LOOPER is an entertaining science fiction thriller that neatly blurs the line between suicide and murder, it’s a narrowly conceived yarn about victims sent back in time to be bumped off by assassins called loopers. Rian Johnson, in his third feature, keeps the action going while trying to maintain interest in the long arc of a story about Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a man assigned to kill his 30-years-older self (Bruce Willis). LOOPER is mostly set in a seedy metropolis that doesn’t look all that different from sketchy neighborhoods in some big cities today; there are derelicts, bombed-out buildings, ruined cars and enough other signs of urban ills to suggest that, in Johnson’s view, things will just gradually decline over the next three decades. There really is no sense in the time-travel in LOOPER, but no less sense than in any other film in this genre. Johnson makes up for it with narrative force, mesmeric fascination and a sense of a profound taboo being broken.

2. LINCOLN

LINCOLN is a stupendous film. It will later be considered an important film in Spielberg’s career. As a film about a beloved president, it is subtle and power. After reading many books on Lincoln, including ‘Team of Rivals, which this film is partially based on, I think that there has never been a more authentic and realistic portrayal of the president seen in a motion picture. Steven Spielberg’s direction is first-rate and very restrained here. I love his skill with the camera and cinematic visuals, but here he allows the history to shine through! The screenplay stays true and authentic to the period—the 1860’s. I didn’t catch any dialogue that seemed wrong…or a piece of set design, which was glaringly unreal. Historically, nothing egregious appeared in the film that took me out of the story. Daniel Day Lewis is almost supernatural in his ability to transform into a character. He brings the word ‘Art’ into the realm of acting once again, which is cool in a world in which ‘Stars’ without talent who denigrate the craft. As for the subject of the film: Lincoln was a genius, in my opinion, able to show great compassion, but also leadership powers akin to a tightrope walker, able to contain a ‘Team of Rivals’ within his own cabinet; he was very rational, able to tell a witty story one minute and give a beautifully written speech the next. On all these levels, Daniel Day Lewis is able to bring out the most accurate Lincoln I have ever seen. And, from what I’ve read, the voice Daniel came up with for Abe is spot-on and as accurate as it is possible to be. Whether it was Daniel’s role in the brilliant, ‘There Will Be Blood’ or his early performance in ‘A Room With a View,’ this is one hell of an excellent actor. It isn’t just the performance of Abe, either. All the actors, including Sally Field as Mary Lincoln, are perfect. As far as history goes, no piece of dialogue, no part of a set, no performance seemed to betray the 21st Century. This film is almost a time capsule of one of the most glorious, terrible and revolutionary times (The Civil War and the final eradication of slavery) in our country. As a motion picture, I cannot think of a more worthy film deserving of the ‘Best Picture.’ It is super that there are films out there that break the limits of censorship, that entertain us with often-entertaining, weird and offensive subject matter, BUT I also demand that there be ART in motion pictures. I want to know that my interest isn’t just made up of bilious, though fun, garbage. It is wonderful that a serious movie was made so skillfully about a man and subject so important, poignant, brave and vital.

And our number one film of the year…

1. ARGO

ARGO tells the recently-declassified true story of a CIA agent named Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) who concocted and led a scheme involving a fake movie production to get six U.S. embassy workers out of Iran during the Iranian Revolution and the resulting hostage crisis. Mendez is brought on as an advisor and when he learns how bad the CIA’s plan is to extract them, he comes up with an outlandish plan: pass the workers off as members of a Canadian film crew on a location scout for a sci-fi Star Wars ripoff called Argo. Look for solid, funny performances by Alan Arkin and John Goodman. Also directed by Affleck, ARGO is intense with it’s nailbiting ending and hilarious as it pokes fun at Hollywood.

SKYFALL Becomes Biggest Grossing Film In UK – Smashes Record In 40 Days

Britain loves their Bond. It was announced today that SKYFALL has made history in the UK and become the highest grossing film of all time.

SKYFALL has now taken a staggering £94,277,612 at the UK box office in just 40 days on release, making box office history. According to Eon Productions, MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment 007 squashed the record previously held by AVATAR which had a lifetime gross of £94,025,632 million during 11 months on release in UK cinemas.

SKYFALL, the 23rd James Bond adventure, continuing the longest running and most successful franchise in film history, opened in 587 cinemas across the UK and Ireland on Friday 26th October, and is still on general release.

In response to this fantastic news, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said “We’re overwhelmed with gratitude to the cinema-going audiences in the UK who have made Skyfall the highest grossing film of all time. We are very proud of this film and thank everybody, especially Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes, who have contributed to its success.”

Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in SKYFALL, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. The film is from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Directed by Sam Mendes. Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan.

Win A Pass To The Advance Screening Of SKYFALL In St. Louis

SKYFALL made history this weekend as it opened to an incredible £20.1 million at the UK box office, making it the biggest Bond opening weekend of all time. SKYFALL opened in 587 cinemas across the UK and Ireland on Friday October 26th. It will release in the US on November 9th. In response to the #1 UK opening, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said, “We are absolutely overwhelmed with the reaction to SKYFALL this weekend. It is particularly thrilling as the UK is home to James Bond and it being the 50th anniversary year.”

Before you see SKYFALL on November 09, live like 007 at Jumpin’ Jupiter’s BOND Event on Nov. 1st & 2nd.

In the meantime, Columbia Pictures, MGM and WAMG invite you to enter to win a pass (good for two) to the advance screening of SKYFALL.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. FILL OUT YOUR NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS BELOW. REAL FIRST AND LAST NAMES REQUIRED.

2. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: The James Bond films have had numerous signature tracks over the years, many of which are now considered classic pieces of cinematic music. The new SKYFALL song is performed by Adele.

Tell us the artists whose iconic songs accompanied the opening sequences to these 007 movies…

  • LIVE AND LET DIE –
  • GOLDFINGER –
  • FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – 
  • NOBODY DOES IT BETTER – 
  • VIEW TO A KILL – 
  • DIE ANOTHER DAY – 
  • YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE – 
  • THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS – 
  • THUNDERBALL – 

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PASSES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED. DUPLICATES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

This film has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for INTENSE VIOLENT SEQUENCES THROUGHOUT, SOME SEXUALITY, LANGUAGE AND SMOKING.

Daniel Craig is back as James Bond 007 in SKYFALL, the 23rd installment of the longest-running film franchise in history. In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M (JUDI DENCH) is tested as her past returns to haunt her. 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. The film is from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

When Bond’s latest assignment goes gravely wrong and several undercover agents around the world are exposed, MI6 is attacked, forcing M to relocate the agency. These events cause her authority and position to be challenged by Mallory (RALPH FIENNES), the new Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee. With MI6 now compromised from both inside and out, M is left with one ally she can trust: Bond. 007 takes to the shadows – aided only by field agent, Eve (NAOMIE HARRIS) – following a trail to the mysterious Silva (JAVIER BARDEM), whose lethal and hidden motives have yet to reveal themselves.

Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions presents Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s James Bond in SKYFALL. The film also stars Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, Ben Whishaw, with Albert Finney and Judi Dench as ‘M.’ Directed by Sam Mendes. Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. Executive Producer is Callum McDougall. Director of Photography is Roger Deakins, ASC BSC. Production Designer is Dennis Gassner. Editor is Stuart Baird, A. C. E. Costume Designer is Jany Temime. Music by Thomas Newman. Co-Producers are Andrew Noakes and David Pope. Featuring “Skyfall” performed by Adele. Sony Pictures Releasing is distributing with MGM handling select territories.

007 fans can learn more about SKYFALL at the James Bond franchise:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JamesBond007

Twitter:  @007  #Skyfall

Visit the official site:  http://www.007.com/

Daniel Craig, Bérénice Marlohe, Naomie Harris, Javier Bardem Light Up The Red Carpet At 007 SKYFALL London Premiere

It was a black-tie affair as the eyes of the world fell on the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London when the stars of SKYFALL walked the red carpet at the Royal World Premiere of the 23rd James Bond film.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attended and at the request of Prince Charles the premiere benefited the charities that support former and serving members of the three intelligence agencies (the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service and GCHQ). Prince Charles is Royal Patron of the Intelligence Services.

Producer Michael G. Wilson, Prince of Wales Charles and Duchess of Cornwall Camilla at the SKYFALL London Premiere at Royal Albert Hall.

Daniel Craig and Prince of Wales Charles (Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and Duchess of Cornwall Camilla in background) at the SKYFALL London Premiere at Royal Albert Hall.

London, UK: Ben Whishaw, Ralph Fiennes, Bérénice Marlohe, Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris, Director Sam Mendes, Judi Dench and Javier Bardem at the SKYFALL London Premiere at Royal Albert Hall.

Daniel Craig seen sporting a Tom Ford tux.

Bérénice Marlohe at the SKYFALL London Premiere.

Bérénice Marlohe in a Vivienne Westwood gown.

Naomie Harris at the SKYFALL London Premiere.

Naomie Harris in Marios Schwab.

Dame Judi Dench wore a Lindy Hemming dress.

Javier Bardem in Gucci

Ralph Fiennes in a Timothy Everest tux at the SKYFALL London Premiere at Royal Albert Hall.

Helen McCrory in Marchesa.

“Q’s” Ben Whishaw wearing Alexander McQueen.

Director Sam Mendes, (background from left to right) Producer Michael G. Wilson, Producer Barbara Broccoli, Ben Whishaw, Bérénice Marlohe, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench and Daniel Craig at the SKYFALL London Premiere at Royal Albert Hall.

Director Sam Mendes, Javier Bardem and Daniel Craig at the SKYFALL London Premiere at Royal Albert Hall.

Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in SKYFALL, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. The film is from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Directed by Sam Mendes. Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.  Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan.

SKYFALL is in UK cinemas this Friday, October 26th and in US theaters November 9th.

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This film has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for INTENSE VIOLENT SEQUENCES THROUGHOUT, SOME SEXUALITY, LANGUAGE AND SMOKING.

Photos: © 2012 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

See 007 In SKYFALL In IMAX Theatres Across North America On Nov. 8, 2012

IMAX Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that the long-awaited next chapter in the famed James Bond franchise, SKYFALL™, will be released in IMAX® theatres across North America on Nov. 8, 2012, one day ahead of its wide release on November 9. This is the first IMAX installment of the iconic Bond film franchise.

The IMAX presentation of SKYFALL will be specially formatted to feature a larger aspect ratio than the conventional release for the entirety of the film. This aspect ratio, which is optimized to take advantage of the IMAX screen, will allow audiences to see more of the image and result in a full panorama of the action – further immersing them into the vast scale and scope of the film.

Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in SKYFALL™, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time.  In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.  As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.  The film is from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.  Directed by Sam Mendes.  Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.  Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan.

Commenting on the announcement, Rory Bruer, president of Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures said, “We think IMAX audiences are in for a special treat – we think the larger aspect ratio takes great advantage of the IMAX format. But what’s most exciting is that our filmmakers are making a movie that delivers everything James Bond fans could ask for.”

“We’re excited that fans of both James Bond and IMAX will be able to preview this film one day early,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “Through the use of the expanded aspect ratio, director Sam Mendes’ vision is bringing the iconic 007 character to life as never before, providing audiences everywhere an up-close, you-are-there experience that can’t be missed.”

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Win The BEST OF BOND… JAMES BOND – New Collection Of Iconic Music From 50 years Of 007

2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic James Bond film franchise, and in conjunction with EON Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Capitol/EMI is proud to join the world’s celebration of 007. Best Of Bond… James Bond, a new commemorative collection of the legendary films’ digitally remastered music, will be released in two configurations on October 9th (October 8th outside of North America). Best Of Bond… James Bond features the memorable theme songs from all 22 official Bond films and will be available on CD and digitally, and as a deluxe, “50 Years – 50 Tracks” 2CD and digital collection. On October 5th, the 50th anniversary of the release of the first Bond film, Dr. No, James Bond Day was celebrated around the world.

The 23-track single-disc edition and deluxe edition of Best Of Bond… James Bond both feature the themes from all 22 Bond films released since 1962, including The John Barry Orchestra’s seminal “James Bond Theme” from Dr. No, with striking cover art depicting Bond’s “Golden Girl” and the official 50th anniversary logo. The John Barry Orchestra’s orchestral main theme and Louis Armstrong’s love theme from 1969′s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service are both included, and the expanded edition adds several integral score pieces by The John Barry Orchestra and other original songs heard in the films by Dame Shirley Bassey, Marvin Hamlisch, The Pretenders, Moby, k.d. lang, David Arnold, and others.

For 50 years, a significant part of the excitement leading up to each new James Bond adventure in espionage has been the reveal of each film’s theme song and its recording artist. Many of music’s top stars have been honored to write and record new songs for 007, to see and hear their music brought to life in the films’ sultry opening credits and reprised in score pieces within the film. Many Bond themes have been major hits around the world. Dame Shirley Bassey’s “Goldfinger,” Tom Jones’ “Thunderball,” Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Live And Let Die,” Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does It Better,” Sheena Easton’s “For Your Eyes Only,” Rita Coolidge’s “All Time High,” Duran Duran’s “A View To A Kill,” Garbage’s “The World Is Not Enough,” Madonna’s “Die Another Day,” and Jack White and Alicia Keys’ “Another Way To Die” are just some of the evocative Bond themes featured on Best Of Bond… James Bond.

Capitol/EMI and WAMG invite you to enter to win the Best Of Bond… James Bond CD!

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT. PRIZE WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO US ADDRESSES. NO P.O. BOXES.

2. FILL OUT YOUR FULL NAME (first and last) AND EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW.

3. What was the first James Bond movie?

Choose Your Answer: A: Casino Royale, B: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, C: For Your Eyes Only, D: Dr. No

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ALL QUALIFYING ENTRIES. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PRIZES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED.

On November 9th, Bond Is Back in SKYFALL.

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Best Of Bond… James Bond  [CD, digital]

  1. James Bond Theme – The John Barry Orchestra [from Dr. No, 1962]
  2. From Russia With Love – Matt Monro [from From Russia With Love, 1963]
  3. Goldfinger – Shirley Bassey [from Goldfinger, 1964]
  4. Thunderball – Tom Jones [from Thunderball, 1965]
  5. You Only Live Twice – Nancy Sinatra [from You Only Live Twice, 1967]
  6. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – The John Barry Orchestra [from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969]
  7. We Have All The Time In The World – Louis Armstrong [from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969]
  8. Diamonds Are Forever – Shirley Bassey [from Diamonds Are Forever, 1971]
  9. Live And Let Die – Paul McCartney & Wings [from Live And Let Die, 1973]10. The Man With The
  10. Golden Gun – Lulu [from The Man With The Golden Gun, 1974]
  11. Nobody Does It Better – Carly Simon [from The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977]
  12. Moonraker – Shirley Bassey [from Moonraker, 1979]
  13. For Your Eyes Only – Sheena Easton [from For Your Eyes Only, 1981]
  14. All Time High – Rita Coolidge [from Octopussy, 1983]
  15. A View To A Kill – Duran Duran [from A View To A Kill, 1985]
  16. The Living Daylights – A-Ha [from The Living Daylights, 1987]
  17. Licence To Kill – Gladys Knight [from Licence To Kill, 1989]
  18. GoldenEye (Single Edit) – Tina Turner [from GoldenEye, 1995]
  19. Tomorrow Never Dies – Sheryl Crow [from Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997]
  20. The World Is Not Enough – Garbage [from The World Is Not Enough, 1999]
  21. Die Another Day – Madonna [from Die Another Day, 2002]
  22. You Know My Name – Chris Cornell [from Casino Royale, 2006]
  23. Another Way To Die – Jack White & Alicia Keys [from Quantum Of Solace, 2008]

Best Of Bond… James Bond (50 Years – 50 Tracks) [2CD, digital]

DISC ONE
(same as above)

DISC TWO

  1. Dr. No’s Fantasy – The Monty Norman Orchestra [from Dr. No, 1962]
  2. Under The Mango Tree – Diana Coupland [from Dr. No, 1962]
  3. 007 – The John Barry Orchestra [from From Russia With Love, 1963]
  4. Opening Titles (Medley): James Bond Is Back/From Russia With Love/James Bond Theme – The John Barry Orchestra [from From Russia With Love, 1963]
  5. Into Miami – The John Barry Orchestra [from Goldfinger, 1964]
  6. The Laser Beam – The John Barry Orchestra [from Goldfinger, 1964]
  7. Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang – Shirley Bassey [submitted for Thunderball but not included in film, 1965]
  8. Switching The Body – The John Barry Orchestra [from Thunderball, 1965]
  9. Capsule in Space – The John Barry Orchestra [from You Only Live Twice, 1967]
  10. Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown – Nina [from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969]
  11. Bond Smells a Rat – The John Barry Orchestra [from Diamonds Are Forever, 1971]
  12. Fillet Of Soul-New Orleans/Live And Let Die/Fillet Of Soul-Harlem (Medley) – The George Martin Orchestra featuring B.J. Arnau [from Live And Let Die, 1973]
  13. Underground Lair – The John Barry Orchestra [from Live And Let Die, 1973]
  14. Hip’s Trip – The John Barry Orchestra [from The Man With The Golden Gun, 1974]
  15. The Pyramids – Marvin Hamlisch [from The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977]
  16. Cable Car And Snake Fight – The John Barry Orchestra [from Moonraker, 1979]
  17. Make It Last All Night – Bill Conti featuring Rage [from For Your Eyes Only, 1981]
  18. The Chase Bomb Theme – The John Barry Orchestra [from Octopussy, 1983]
  19. Snow Job – The John Barry Orchestra [from A View To A Kill, 1985]
  20. Where Has Everybody Gone – The Pretenders [from The Living Daylights, 1987]
  21. If There Was a Man – The Pretenders [closing credits song from The Living Daylights, 1987]
  22. The Experience Of Love – Eric Serra [from GoldenEye, 1995]
  23. James Bond Theme – Moby (Moby’s Re-Version) [inspired by the UA motion picture Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997]
  24. Surrender – k.d. lang [closing credits song from Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997]
  25. Only Myself To Blame – Scott Walker [from The World Is Not Enough, 1999]
  26. Vesper – David Arnold [from Casino Royale, 2006]
  27. Time To Get Out – David Arnold [from Quantum Of Solace, 2008]
BEST OF BOND… JAMES BOND – Available on October 9th!