Cinema and Popcorn

Sean: So if I asked you about art, you'd probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo, you know a lot about him. Life's work, political aspirations, him and the pope, sexual orientations, the whole works, right? But I'll bet you can't tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel. You've never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling; seen that. If I ask you about women, you'd probably give me a syllabus about your personal favorites. You may have even been laid a few times. But you can't tell me what it feels like to wake up next to a woman and feel truly happy. You're a tough kid. And I'd ask you about war, you'd probably throw Shakespeare at me, right, "once more unto the breach dear friends." But you've never been near one. You've never held your best friend's head in your lap, watch him gasp his last breath looking to you for help. I'd ask you about love, you...

Period of eligibility (January 1, 2014 - July 25, 2014) 1.  Under the Skin Director: Jonathan Glazer Starring: Scarlett Johansson COMMENT : One of the most intriguing cinematic experiences ever, Glazer proves he's one of the most interesting directors working today. Beautiful and strange visuals, one of the best recent cinematography works and a score that elevates the most thrilling moments in the way you can only hold your breath. And then, we have Scarlett Johansson delivering what might be her most impressive performance: she's exceptional in a very physical and wordless acting turn with a lot of subtle details as a non-human being. The performance alone is amazing, but it only works so beautifully thanks to the movie's tone: Under the Skin is all about its director and leading actress in perfect synchronicity. 2. The Grand Budapest Hotel Director: Wes Anderson Starring: Ralph Fiennes,  F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Br...

Hey! I'm back! I know it has been a big while since the last time I came here, but now I'm back at least during the Summer-Awards season. College student's life isn't easy, specially when you are trying to show your best. Prepare yourself for my next posts:  5 Best Movies of the Year (So Far) ;  Academy Awards 2015 nominees predictions (1st ROUND);  TOP 50 Performances of the 21st Century;  " Who Are the Most Promising Directors Working Today? " (a small article);  " Jessica Chastain, the new Streep " (small article);  TOP 35 Actors and Actresses under 35 Working Today: 2014 (my anual list);  and "SHOT OF THE WEEK"! Waiting for your comments and suggestions ;) Ed

1. Matthew McConaughey Born:  November 4, 1969 in Uvalde, Texas, USA Most remarkable performances in 2013: Mud | Dallas Buyers Club | The Wolf of Wall Street Not considered the most talented actor of these days, but McConaughey is building a solid "a serious actor" reputation, far from his rom-com leading man previous status. Things started changing with The Lincoln Lawyer (2011), things got serious with 2012's Magic Mike and Bernie and things got real this year thanks to his trio of critical acclaimed turns in Mud , The Wolf of Wall Street and Dallas Buyers Club , getting serious Oscar buzz for the late. Today, I don't see him as the guy from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days , but I see him as one of the most versatile recent actors. While Mud and Dallas would be enough for having McConaughey at the top of this list thanks to the high-caliber acting he delivers in every scene he's in, Wolf only adds something extra thanks to the Best Picture buzz a...

1. Jennifer Lawrence Born:  August 15, 1990 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA Distinguished performances in 2013: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire  | American Hustle "Jennifer Lawrence"... She's everywhere (9gag, Tumblr, magazines, etc), she's the girl everyone talks, she's the actress of the moment and it is not only because of her celebrity persona, but also because of her acting talent and impressive (yet short) body of work. With critically acclaimed and awarded performances in independent productions like Winter's Bone and Silver Linings Playbook (both gave her 2 Oscar nominations and the last one gave her a golden man to bring some "golden shine" to her fireplace) and as the leading actress of The Hunger Games franchise and a supporting actress in X-Men: First Class (and in the upcoming X-Men: Days of the Future Past ), Lawrence is also (one of) the biggest money-making actresses working in Hollywood. The balance between her turns in box...

Marion: [after Harry tells her she's beautiful] That's nice, Harry. Other people have told me that before, and it was meaningless.

The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures American Hustle (Columbia Pictures) Producers : Megan Ellison, Jon Gordon, Charles Roven, Richard Suckle Blue Jasmine (Sony Pictures Classics) Producers : Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum Captain Phillips (Columbia Pictures) Producers : Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, Scott Rudin Dallas Buyers Club (Focus Features) Producers : Robbie Brenner, Rachel Winter Gravity (Warner Bros. Pictures) Producers : Alfonso Cuarón, David Heyman Her (Warner Bros. Pictures) Producers : Megan Ellison, Spike Jonze, Vincent Landay Nebraska (Paramount Pictures) Producers : Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa Saving Mr. Banks (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) Producers : Ian Collie, Alison Owen, Philip Steuer 12 Years a Slave (Fox Searchlight Pictures) Producers :  Anthony Katagas, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen, Brad Pitt & Dede Gardner The Wolf of Wall Street (Paramount Pictures) Producers : Riza Aziz, E...