Films: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

I am getting pretty excited about the release of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy in the UK on September 16th. And I'll tell you why...

Cast:
Gary Oldman
Mark Strong
Tom Hardy
Benedict Cumberbatch
Colin Firth
Ciaran Hinds
John Hurt

THAT'S why! Great big British acting brilliance! There is quite literally nothing wrong with that cast. And if you don't know who they are, shame on you. Google them all this instant!

Here's the trailer for you to enjoy...
TinkerTailerSoldierSpy (YouTube link)

King Colin reigns!

Well, what a fantastic night for British cinema. I am over the moon to see Colin Firth walk away with Best Actor, and The King's Speech to have won 3 other awards. Very very well deserved. Damn good bloody good job!

For those of you living in some kind of bubble, here's how it went down at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards:

Best picture - The King's Speech
Best actor - Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Best actress - Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Best supporting actor - Christian Bale, The Fighter
Best supporting actress - Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Best director - Tom Hooper, The King's Speech
Best Original Screenplay - David Seidler, The King's Speech
Best Adapted Screenplay - Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network

Well those are the biggies (as it were) although I should mention Inception which walked away with 4 awards, and The Social Network which picked up two others. Toy Story 3 (which I found a little disappointing) won Best Animation. I suppose there wasn't any real competition, but I would have literally jumped for joy if How to Train Your Dragon could have pipped Pixar!

I was a little surprised not to see the Coen's True Grit there. Maybe they didn't understand Jeff Bridges either!

All of that aside, the most important thing is that it would seem that Britain, the Monarchy and speech impediments are still cool. Kate and Wills: The Movie, anyone?...

http://www.oscar.com/

OSCAR SEASON: Films: The King's Speech (2010)

Dir: Tom Hooper
Cast: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush

Dang it. I could discuss this film for a whole day, never mind 60 seconds. Still...

There is a very good reason why almost every single person involved in the making of this movie is up for an Oscar this year. It is quite simply an exquisite piece of cinema. From the script, to the music, to the beautiful acting performances and the evocative score, this is a wonderful film.

Following King George 'Bertie' VI whirlwind journey to the throne, the films gives us the story of his struggle to overcome a speech impediment at the time of wireless and World War 2. The country needed a King who could speak with strength, conviction and eloquence. Through the surprisingly funny, tender and normal relationship which Bertie struck up with his charistmatic Antipodean speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Rush), this is just what the country got.

My Rating: ***** 5/5 stars. This will win big at the Oscars. Or I'll eat my stopwatch.
Recommendation: Incredibly moving, witty and sensitive. Even Queen Elizabeth II is rumored to have enjoyed it. We are most definitely amused.