Oscars Predictions 2013

Best picture - Argo
Best director - Ang Lee (Life of Pi)
Best actor - Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)
Best actress - Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)
Best supporting actor - Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained)
Best supporting actress - Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables)
Best adapted screenplay - David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook)
Best original screenplay - Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained)

Best animated feature film - Wreck-It Ralph
Best documentary feature - Searching for Sugar Man
Best foreign language film - Amour

Best cinematography - Claudio Miranda (Life of Pi)
Best costume design - Jacqueline Durran (Anna Karenina)
Best film editing - Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers (Silver Linings Playbook)
Best makeup and hairstyling - Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell (Les Miserables)
Best production design - Eve Stewart (Production Design); Anna Lynch-Robinson (Set Decoration) (Les Miserables)
Best visual effects - Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R. Elliott (Life of Pi)
Best sound editing - Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn (Argo)
Best sound mixing - Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes (Les Miserables)

Best original score - Mychael Danna (Life of Pi)
Best original song - "Skyfall" by Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth (Skyfall)

Best documentary short - Mondays at Racine
Best animated short film - Paperman
Best live action short - Death of a Shadow

What do you reckon, will Argo triumph on the night after all of its awards success thus far? Will Jennifer Lawrence take home best actress after being snubbed at the BAFTAs?
Comment below as to how you think it will turn out at the ceremony on 24th February.

Ultraviolet Digital Copies

Is anyone in the UK able to help me?

I've been trying to figure out how to claim these Ultraviolet digital copies for months now with no luck. I must have about 15 movies to claim now and every time I get up to a certain point and the Flixster website either comes up saying there's an error or rejects my account details (I've managed to create accounts for both Ultraviolet and Flixster but it won't let me link them... Frustrating!!)

Has anyone else had the same problem?
Please let me know below or tweet me @eyesotscreen. 

Cinema Review - Wreck-It Ralph (PG, 108 Mins.)

Synopsis: Ralph longs to be a beloved good guy in his game like Fix-It Felix Jr. Only problem is, nobody loves a bad guy. But they do love heroes... So when a modern first person shooter game arrives, Ralph sees it as his ticket to heroism and happiness but soon wrecks everything by unleashing a deadly enemy - threatening every game in the arcade. Vanellope Von Schweetz, a "glitch" in a go-karting game is his only hope. But will he realise he's good enough before it's "Game Over" for the entire arcade?

Verdict: The short film "The Paperman" featured at the start of the screening of this film gives you a good clue as to what to expect from Wreck-It Ralph. Both are charming, sweet stories that have you routing for the main protagonists in almost an instance without being overbearing and out staying their welcome. However whilst the animated short is presented in a simple black and white format, Wreck-It Ralph is the polar opposite with eye catching 3D visuals. The director (Rich Moore) manages to put the format to great use, which is no mean feat, with it not being a distracting nuisance nor making the vibrant colours look washed out.

The script manages to strike the perfect balance between the heart-warming human aspects and video game action and in-jokes (some of which I have a feeling I missed, not being a particularly avid gamer myself). This is the reason for the film's mass appeal, given that there's something for everyone. Some of my highlights were definitely the first 'Bad Anon' meeting and watch out for the Oreo cookie guards at the castle.

Another point by which this film strikes a high note is its stunning voice cast. I can't imagine anyone other than Sarah Silverman voicing Vanellope Von Schweetz, she brings such charm and innocence to a character that may otherwise have come across as quite brash and annoying. John C. Reilly's voice is also perfectly suited to Ralph.

Personally I think that this film deserves the Oscar for best animated picture, the story feels much more innovative even if Brave's visuals were mightily impressive. If this is what we can come to expect from Disney then I'm looking forward to returning to Litwak's arcade to see what they do next in the inevitable sequel. Pixar may have some serious competition on their hands now at this rate.

Rating: 4/5

My Top 10 Films of 2012

Okay... So I know I'm a bit slow on the uptake with this, considering every other film blog made these lists about two months ago, but it's still awards season so why not? One or two of these films may have been up for awards last year because of their US release dates but I'm purely basing this on UK releases in 2012.

10. Chronicle

Synopsis: Whilst attending a party, three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery underground. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.
Verdict: For me this was probably one of the best action films released in 2012. The ingenious use of the shaky-cam, which in my opinion is getting slightly tired again after umpteen films have adopted the format, brought a new dimension of gritty realism.

9. Moonrise Kingdom

Synopsis: A pair of young lovers flee their New England town, which causes a local search party to fan out and find them.
Verdict: This hands down must be the most bonkers, kooky movie released last year with a stunning set and costume design along with a brilliant script which took the story in a direction that I wasn't initially expecting. The lead pair were outstanding and surrounded by a strong supporting cast with the likes of Bruce Willis and Tilda Swinton. If only they'd released it a bit nearer to the awards season so it would've had a greater chance at receiving the recognition it deserves.

8. Skyfall

Synopsis: Bond's loyalty to M is tested when her past comes back to haunt her. Whilst MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
Verdict: This film may have its share of detractors, who point out the plot holes and whatever else, but as with any other James Bond film you just have to take it at face value - a brilliant action film. It cannot be denied that this is a significant improvement over the previous entry "Quantum of Solace" and was definitely worth the wait. The highlight for me was Havier Bardem, who in my opinion plays one of the best on screen villains since The Joker in The Dark Knight.

7. Ted

Synopsis: As the result of a childhood wish, John Bennett's teddy bear, Ted, came to life and has been by John's side ever since - a friendship that's tested when Lori, John's girlfriend of four years, wants more from their relationship.
Verdict: This is definitely one of the highlights of the comedies released last year, which compared to 2011 (which had the likes of Bridesmaids, Horrible Bosses and The Inbetweeners Movie just in the summer season) were few and far between. If in anyone else's hands other that Seth Macfarlane, Ted could've been a disaster - but he manages to bring enough charm to this outrageously funny bro-mance to make it work. Plus Mila Kunis is in it... What's not to like?!

6. War Horse

Synopsis: Young Albert enlists to serve in World War I after his beloved horse is sold to the cavalry. Albert's hopeful journey takes him out of England and to the front lines as the war rages on.
Verdict: Probably my favourite film of January 2012, this epic, heart-breaking story is the epitome of what should be a classic Spielberg movie. Some may say it is over-sentimental but I think it is a near perfect adaptation of the Michael Morpurgo novel (which was one of my favourites when I was younger) - even if it is ever so slightly too long. If this doesn't have you at least near to tears by the end then I don't know what will!

5. Life of Pi

Synopsis: A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.
Verdict: Who said this book was un-filmable? This stunning adaptation certainly proves them otherwise. Ang Lee has managed to direct a visually arresting film with a cast that doesn't rely upon big name stars to hold it afloat and utilises 3D to its ultimate potential, almost rivalling the film that started it all "Avatar". On top of that it has an ending that will leave you thinking for days afterwards, very rare in such effects heavy films. A true masterpiece.

4. The Dark Knight Rises

Synopsis: Eight years on, The Dark Knight, Gordon and newcomer John Blake are pushed to their breaking points whilst desperately trying to handle Gotham's biggest ever threat: a legendary masked terrorist mastermind known only as Bane.
Verdict: I know, I know... Another franchise movie but in my defence this trilogy of Batman films are probably the best superhero flicks of all time. The final chapter in this trilogy may not reach the heady heights of "The Dark Knight", which it was always bound to draw comparisons to. However when based upon its own merit, Christopher Nolan has managed to make an epic film with some brilliant acting from the likes of Joseph Gordon-Levitt alongside Michael Caine and Christian Bale doing their usual Schticks.

 3. Silver Linings Playbook

Synopsis: After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.
Verdict: Despite the fact it contained a few American sports references I didn't quite fully understand, this is my favourite drama of 2012. With some of the best performances of the year from Jennifer Lawrence (who was snubbed at the BAFTAs!) and Bradley Cooper (a very pleasant surprise), this felt very real and drew you into Pat and Tiffany's lives with the perfect balance of comedy, drama and romance. So much so, in fact, that I almost didn't want it to end.

2. 21 Jump Street

Synopsis: A pair of underachieving cops are sent back to a local high school to blend in and bring down a synthetic drug ring.
Verdict: I know I said that "Ted" was hilarious but for me this film was on a whole other level. Channing Tatum was deservedly the breakout star of this riotously funny movie, who'd have thought he'd be so good at comedy?

1. The Hunger Games

Synopsis: Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to compete.
Verdict: I LOVED THIS FILM! Jennifer Lawrence, in my opinion the best actress in Hollywood at the moment - especially after her stellar year in 2012, was the perfect casting as Katniss. She really embodies the role. Another genius move made by the director Gary Ross was to include some of the action outside of the arena which isn't included in the novel. MINOR SPOILER ALERT - scenes such as riots against the Capitol in District 11 and children in the Capitol pretending to be in the Hunger Games are really emotive and encourage the audience to be more against the dictatorship than they may otherwise have been. It's a shame that Gary Ross isn't returning for the sequel after doing such a good job here. It just goes to show how thrilling it is by the fact that every time the mutants jump out the darkness I still jump out of my seat - and I've seen it five times now! Catching Fire certainly has a lot to live up to.

Honourable mentions:
The Angels' Share
The Muppets
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Woman in Black