[Top Ten] Highest Grossing Films

True On - 10th Of March 2011

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10 - Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part One - $951,000,000

Following an effective advertising campaign and a series of delayed release dates, this film generated enough anticipation to reward it with a top ten spot. earning $951,000,000 in world wide gross, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part One was the most anticipated films from J. K. Rowlings magical series.

9 - Pirates Of The Caribbean: At Worlds End - $960,000,000

At number nine is the third part in the 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' saga. A very unique and popular series of films that each have a high amount of anticipation prior to release. After the popularity of the first instalment; 'Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl', any sequels were destined to earn high profits. 'At Worlds End' is an example of how effective cliffhangers, and expensive advertising campaigns can be.    

8 - Harry Potter & The Philosophers Stone - $974,000,000

No real surprise here, the first film based on one of the most popular series of novels in history. Harry Potter & The Philosophers Stone reached $974,000,000 in worldwide gross off the back of a huge advertising campaign and the reputation of a great book.   

7 - The Dark Knight - $1,001,000,000

The Dark Knight hits at 7th place, and once again, there is no real surprise here. Several things contributed to this film's financial success, owing a lot of its rewards to the prequel 'Batman Begins' - which set up the narrative, characters and anticipation for a film that became one of the best comic book conversions ever made. This film's fan base grew from standard comic book fanatics to a world wide favourite when a international advertising campaign was launched, and the word of Health Ledgers excellent performance started to spread.    

6 - Alice In Wonderland - $1,024,000,000

A remake of an animation classic, Alice In Wonderland takes 6th spot with $1,024,000,000. Wide spread anticipation for this film was inevitable, and people of all generations flocked to see the 3D experience. The live action version of Alice In Wonderland struck success from Tim Burton's unique abstract style, fantastic costumes, sets and of course those obscure performances from Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. 

5 - Toy Story 3 - $1,063,000,000

Arguably the best modern day animation series, Toy Story 3 was long awaited after the first and second films proved so popular. A large advertising campaign turned out unnecessary as a committed and loyal generation of Toy Story lovers swarmed to see the final chapter.    

4 - Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest - $1,066,000,000

No surprise that this sequel struck gold when its prequel developed such a huge fan base. Promises of new characters, high action spectacles and stunning special effects resulted in this film becoming incredibly anticipated - The 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' series are true examples of how to generate money off the back of unique idea. 

3 - Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King - $1,129,000,000

Currently the worlds most popular trilogy, the final chapter from the 'Lord Of The Rings' masterpieces proved to be an all round blockbuster - not only becoming one of the highest award winning films of all time, but generating a massive gross of $1,129,000,000 putting it as the 3rd most financially successful film. 

2 - Titanic - $1,843,000,000

James Cameron's masterpiece is in at 2nd, A film that advertised itself with stars like Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio - Titanic combined a disastrous true story with a classic Hollywood romance, threw some special effects in and a recognisable original song and out popped $1,843,000,000.   

1 - Avatar - $2,782,000,000

1st place goes to James Cameron's Avatar, grossing a colossal $2,782,000,000. Utilising arguably the best advertising campaign for any film, Avatar produced a mystical anticipation prior to its release, daring you to 'Enter The World'. Though slated for its narrative, Avatar was and remains the most visually advanced film ever made, generating massive fan based around the world, particularly in east Asia.

[New Trailers] 12th March 2011

New Trailers:


The Hangover: Part II
Scream 4
X-Men: First Class
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part II - Unofficial, but defiantly has scenes from the film
Transformers: Dark Of The Moon
The Smurfs
Conan The Barbarian
Limitless

[Review] Hall Pass - 9th March 2011

★★★★★ - Average [For rating system, see information tab at top of blog] 

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Release Date: 11th March 2011
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Directors: Bobby Farrelly & Peter Farrelly
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Writers: Pete Jones - Kevin Barnett - Bobby Farrelly - Peter Farrelly
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Cast: Owen Wilson - Jason Sudeikis - Christina Applegate - Jenna Fischer

Review

When you see, in trailers, that the directors of 'There's Something About Mary' are releasing a new comedy, you instantly have high expectations - the burden that comes with being responsible for a comedy classic.

It is very doubtful, however, that ‘Hall Pass’ will be in the same league as 'There's Something About Mary'. It is not that it is a bad film, but, viewed as a whole, just leaves you feeling slightly deflated.

The story is fairly unique, but not unheard of.  The narrative plays out as standard for a comedy - an event, in this case two married men being given a week off marriage, who find themselves thrown into a situation of comic possibilities, resulting in them receiving an education they did not foresee.

The performances in this film are average - the cast generate the adequate amount of screen chemistry needed for this type of comedy, but individually perform weekly. Owen Wilson shows, again, that he can only play one type of role, making the character of 'Rick' slightly more 'pompous' than his other roles, but this does not mask his one dimensional style. 

However, the key factor in the demise of this film is the comedy. Though in parts you do find yourself laughing, there is simply nothing new or unique. The comic scenes throughout are based on ideas that have been used so many times in the past, changed only by the new characters that perform them - this is not to say its not enjoyable, but do not expect a memorable experience that is going to have you rolling in the isles.

'Hall Pass' - an average film that is, simply, nothing special on the comedy spectrum. A good film for an awkward first date if you want something running in the background to break the silence.

The Oscars - The Winners

If you do not know the winners, watch this video: 

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The 2011, 83rd Annual Academy Awards

When we look back over the last decade of the Oscars, we can see a rough pattern has started to develop; One film seems to dominate.

At the start, in 2000, we saw Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator' sweep up five of the major prizes, setting the high standard for the new millennium. In 2002, 'Chicago' won Six, and was followed by 2003's 'Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King', winning a total of eleven Oscars, tying it as the highest Oscar winning film of all time.

In 2007, the major prizes where won by the Coen Brothers, for their epic 'No Country For Old Men', one of the few western based films to win several academy awards - Danny Boyle's 'Slumdog Millionaire' followed in 2008, winning at total of ten Oscars, just one shy of that top spot alongside 'Titanic', 'Ben-Hur' and 'Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King'.

Finally, last year we saw Kathryn Bigelow make history as the first female director to win an oscar with 'The Hurt Locker', following in the footsteps of 'Chicago' by winning six.

So why have this years Oscars' been so evenly distributed?

There is no doubt that this year was very successful for English film, 'The King's Speech' winning four of the biggest awards: best picture, director, actor and original writing seals its place as one of the best British period dramas of all time - but why, when ordinarily a film of this calibre would go on to sweep the majority of the awards, has 'The Kings Speech' failed to do so? The answer is simple, the competition was too high.

Two films this year won four Oscars; 'The King's Speech' and 'Inception', followed closely by 'The Social Network' that won three, a spread of awards between three films of completely different genres. Other films like 'Toy Story 3', 'The Fighter' and 'Alice In Wonderland' won two Oscars, whilst all others remained at one or none. Taking these films alone into account, we have an animation, a fantasy, a period drama, a life story, a mystery sci-fi and a biographical drama, genres that require experts in different fields of film making - and that is why the 2011 Oscars were not dominated by one film.

'Inception' for example could not compete with directional style of Tom Hooper for 'The Kings Speech', but equally, 'The King's Speech' had no contest with 'Inception' in terms of visual effects and sound - the films this year had specific areas of excellence, unchallenged by others, but restricting them to fewer awards.

Not all of the winners were correct however. In my opinion, 'True Grit' was a film worthy of academy awards; if not best picture, certainly best supporting actress and costume design, and though 'Inception' was a film accurately constructed, best cinematography I feel was stolen from 'Black Swan'. Finally, as one of 'The Social Networks' Oscar, best editing seemed to stray to the wrong winner. '127 Hours' or 'The Fighter' were more deserving of the award.

All in all, in terms of the major awards (Picture, Director, Writing, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress) these seem to go to the most deserving, with the possible exception of supporting actress. A good year for English film, but a strange competitive year for overall winners. 

The Other Nominees: 

Best Picture:

Black Swan  -  The Fighter  -  The Kids Are Alright  -  Winters Bone  -  Inception  -  127 Hours  -  The Social Network  -  Toy Story 3  -  True Grit (2011)

Best Actor

Javier Bardem  -  James Franco  -  Jeff Bridges  -  Jesse Eisenberg

Best Actress:

Annette Bening  -  Nicole Kidman  -  Jennifer Lawrence  -  Michelle Williams

Best Supporting Actor:

Jeremy Renner  -  John Hawkes  -  Mark Ruffalo  -  Geoffrey Rush

Best Supporting Actress:

Helena Bohnam Carter  -  Amy Adams  -  Jacki Weaver  -  Hailee Steinfeld

Best Animated Film:

How To Train A Dragon  -  The Illusionist

Best Original Screenplay:

Another Year  -  The Fighter  -  The Kids Are All Right  -  Inception

Best Writing Adapted:

True Grit (2011)  -  127 Hours  -  Winters Bone  -  Toy Story 3

Best Foreign Language:

Biutiful  -  Outside the Law  -  Dogtooth  -  Incendies

Best Art Direction:

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part One  -  Inception  -  True Grit (2011)  -  The King's Speech

Best Cinematography:

Black Swan  -  The King's Speech  -  The Social Network  -  True Grit (2011)

Costume Design:

True Grit (2011)  -  I Am Love  -  The Tempest  -  The King's Speech

Documentary Feature: 

Exit Through The Gift Shop  -  Gasland  -  Restrepo  -  Waste Land

Best Editing:

Black Swan  -  The Fighter  -  The Kings Speech  -  127 Hours

Best Makeup:

Barney's Version  -  The Way Back

Best Original Score: 

How To Train A Dragon  -  Inception  -  The King's Speech  -  127 Hours

Best Original Song:

'If I Rise' - 127 Hours  --  'I See The Light' - Tangled  --  'Coming Home' - Country Strong

Best Animated Short:

Let's Pollute  -  Day & Night  -  The Gruffalo  -  Madagascar, A Journey Diary

Best Sound Editing:

Toy Story 3  -  True Grit (2011)  -  Tron: Legacy  -  Unstoppable

Best Sound Mixing:

Salt  -  The King's Speech  -  The Social Network  -  True Grit (2011)

Best Visual Effects:

Hereafter  -  Iron Man 2  -  Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part One  -  Alice In Wonderland

[Review] Black Swan - 28th January 2011

★★★★★★ - Worth Watching [For rating system, see information tab at top of blog] 
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Release Date: 21st January 2011
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Director: Darren Aronofsky
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Writers: Mark Heyman & John J McLaughlin (Screenplay) Andres Heinz (Story & Screenplay)
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Cast: Natalie Portman - Vincent Cassel - Mila Kunis

Review

For me, ‘Black Swan’ was one of the most anticipated films of the year. The trailer did its job perfectly, grabbing my attention instantly and persuading me to see the film.

I did just that! and sat, completely consumed by Darren Aronofsky’s masterpiece to date. With films like ‘The Wrestler’, ‘Requiem for a Dream’ and ‘The Fountain’ under his belt, it was hard to see how he could improve – until you watch ‘Black Swan’.

Written as a collaboration by three people (Mark Heyman, John J Mclaughlin and Andres Heinz) the film explores the deeper aspects of the beautiful art of Ballet. The sinister undertones touch on how method acting can consume someone’s life, and ultimately change a person.

‘Black Swan’ - based on a famous ballet performance - was written in a unique way in which the writers incorporate internal human emotion where the characters mind is explored, and also externally, with their actions. Darren Aronofsky managed to take this story and script to another level, utilizing a highly artist style in combination with the exceptional cinematography from Mattew Libatique to make the film both angelic and powerful, but with sinister, dark undertones.

It is however, the performances in this film that make it an exceptional experience to watch – Natalie Portman plays Nina Sayers to perfection, showing her true commitment and talent in the role as she draws you into the narrative of the film, and forces you to relate to her every emotion - even the darker ones.

Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel also support Natalie in her leading role with very strong performances. They create a dynamic screen chemistry in an exceptionally performed film.

‘Black Swan’ – a fantastic film, thoroughly deserving of its widely acclaimed award nominations.

[Review] 127 Hours - 28th January 2011

★★★★★★ - Worth Watching [For rating system, see information tab at top of blog]
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Release Date: 7th January 2011
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Director: Danny Boyle
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Writers: Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy (Screenplay) Aron Ralston (Novel)
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Cast: James Franco 

Review

‘127 Hours’ has been one of the most anticipated films of the year. After ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ in 2008, it was difficult to imagine what Danny Boyle was going to produce that wouldn’t be considered a huge disappointment – he came up with ‘127 Hours’, and once more he has proven himself a diverse, imaginative director.

‘127 Hours’ is a film focused on a character driven narrative based on a startling true story. Aaron Ralston, the subject of the film was an extreme sports fanatic who became a motivational speaker after a startling rock climbing incident that forced him to amputate his own arm. Ralston, played by James Franco in the motion picture, wrote a novel about his accident entitled ‘Caught between a rock and a hard place’  - on which the screenplay of the film was based.

Though Ralston himself had a large input in the film, it is obvious that Danny Boyle is in creative control. His unique directional style shows throughout the film – various flashbacks, obscure close ups, unique camera positioning and connective ‘scientific’ sequences are viewed throughout the film; Danny Boyle’s unique style of direction was excellent, and perfectly chosen for this type of film.

The film adheres very closely to the reality of Aaron Ralston’s experience, much of it being told via a hand held camera as Ralston narrates his feelings, emotions and thoughts. This, in combination with Boyle’s unique directional styles gives the film a much more three dimensional perspective, and allows the audience to directly connect with the character, something that is very important with this genre.

In addition as the film is primarily based on one character, the casting of that role was vitally important. In ‘127 Hours’ James Franco was chosen, and he produced a fantastic performance that earned him his first academy award nomination. His portrayal of Aaron Ralston, explored the deep emotions of  panic, desperation and delirium resulting in, as Ralston himself stated, a very accurate portrayal of his actions and behaviour.

‘127 Hours’ – an inspirational, moving and entertaining film that will be remembered as one of the best single character driven film in recent years. 

[Review] True Grit (2011) - 28th February 2011

★★★★★★★ - Good [For rating system, see information tab at the top of blog]
- Release Date: 11th Of February (UK)

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Director: Ethan & Joel Coen
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Writers: Ethan & Joel Coen (Screenplay) Charles Portis (Novel) 
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Cast: Jeff Bridges - Matt Damon - Josh Brolin - Hailee Stienfeld - Barry Pepper

Review

The original ‘True Grit’, released in 1969 saw John Wayne win his only Academy Award, and resulted in the release of one of the most famous western films in history. Consequently, I was apprehensive about how the remake was to be constructed. However, my mind was set at ease with the realization that the Coen brothers did what they do best, and created yet another excellent film in this genre.

‘True Grit’ is one of the few remakes that could be considered better than the original. Its casting, performances, direction, script, costumes and cinematography contribute to a film that is gripping, entertaining and moving.

Performances from Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld are of the highest quality, while supporting roles from Matt Damon and Josh Brolin create excellent screen chemistry. The cast as a whole generates a feeling of acceptance for the audience to relate to, even though most modern day audiences would find it hard to truly relate to a life in the West.

The Coen brothers have always been praised on making simplistic films that are true to reality; ‘A Serious Man’ and Oscar winning ‘No Country For Old Men’ are examples of this, and ‘True Grit’ is no exception: The brothers wrote the screenplay to reflect the original novel by Charles Portis as closely as possible; many of the sets and much of the dialogue used in the 2011 version are the same as the first film, and subsequently the book, changed only by the Coen brother’s unique style of direction – From the opening scene, an anchoring shot of a traditional western saloon accompanied by a voice over instantly re-engages you to the Coen brothers comfortable directional conventions, always putting substance before style. 

True Grit, the original in 1969 was an excellent film, and the Coen brothers knew this – so they remade it with their own twist, an input that has bettered the film and re awoken modern day cinema to the world of Westerns.

True Grit, another film thoroughly deserving of its awards and nominations.