Showing posts with label Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Show all posts
Feb 12, 2012
The BAFTAs 2012
For me, the BAFTAs are better than the Oscars. Why?
The reasons, in no particular order are
- the show is in London ( although I am not at the Covent Gardem Royal Opera, I'm still technically within an 50 mile radius from the stars )
- everything involving this particular ceremony is stylish, with a lot of class and elegance and gratitude. People don't show up for the glamour or the gossip, they are trully honouring the work- well, most of them anyway
- the BAFTAs usually get it right when it comes to nominations, and the winners are much more appreciated and agreed upon than the Oscars in most cases- LATER EDIT: no, they don't, this year they drooled at the feet of Artist!
- The ceremony is short and very well timed (short speeches, no breaks?)
- I simply love the British accent and 99% of the people, plus the British actors are not only immensly talented, but also very attractive.
LATER EDIT: I maybe be wrong! But it's still one spot ahead of the Oscars in my book, just for sentimental value! :)
Of course the Oscars have their charm, but it's not 26th of February yet, so let's focus on tonight, shall we?
WINNERS:
Special Visual Effects – Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows II Well deserved and a nice way to pay tribute to one of the best and most loved films&franchise out there
Short Film – Pitch Black Heist It apparently features Michael Fassbender, so I guess I am happy?!
Short Animation – A Morning Stroll No idea what so ever here, sorry!
Original Music – The Artist (Ludovic Bource) No surprise here!
Sound – Hugo
Editing – Senna (Gregers Sall, Chris King) Some say it is a surprise, but maybe it's because they haven't seen Senna! If they had, they would have known it is deserving of its award.
Cinematography – The Artist (Guillaume Schiffman) A little bit dissapointed, there were better options there, but still a good choice!
Costume Design – The Artist (Mark Bridges) why would you give an award to a Black&White movie set in the 1920s, an era from which you can easily get costumes in every thrift store? I would have given this to superhero movies, or Harry Potter or period movies, someone who created and innovated, not to the Artist!
Make Up & Hair – The Iron Lady (Mark Coulier, J. Roy Helland, Marese Langan) Again, seriously? for putting on make up on one woman? what about the other nominees, surely we can find better? They are starting to piss me off!
Film Not in the English Language – The Skin I Live In And with that, my faith is restored! I know it's a snub for A Separation and most will be shocked, but I am pleasantly surprised!
Outstanding Debut – Tyrannosaur Very happy with this one, as well, the movie is fantastic and it features the best performances I have seen in a while! See it if you have a chance!
Production Design – Hugo (Dante Ferretti, Francesca Lo Schiavo) Another rightful winner, Hugo was visually beautiful
Supporting Actor – Christopher Plummer (Beginners) That was, probably, the most predictable award of the night, and I am glad he won, although I haven't seen the film! He is such a charming, elegant, nice man!
Outstanding British Film – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Good choice- I would liked to see Shame get something, but TTSS is a fantastic movie, with great performances, so I approve! :)
Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer (The Help) I would have loved a surprise here, but no, still Octavia Spencer!
Original Screenplay – The Artist Are you fucking kidding me? Best Original Screenplay? For a classic romantic comedy, but set in the 1920s, without words or serious plot or character development???? seriously? This is just crazy, I cannot understand it! Yes, The Artist is original in music, or production design, or for the fact it is black and white and silent, but for screenplay? Come on!
Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema- John Hurt Congratulations Mister Hunt and thank you for everything!
Orange Rising Star – Adam Deacon Ok,so I have never seen Adam Deacon act, so maybe I am wrong and he is brilliant, but how dare you snub Loki, the wonderful Tom Hiddleston? Aghh...this is getting frustrating! Who is this guy and how many fans can he possibly have?
Documentary – Senna This ceremony is going up and down, I feel worn out! Now it's up for Senna and special mention to Paul Bettany presenting!
Adapted Screenplay – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Interesting choice, but I have to agree!
Animated Film – Rango
Director – Michel Hazanavicius Tom Hooper all over again! His directing wasn't nearly as exciting as Hugo or Shame or Drive, but hey, it's The Artist!
Leading Actress – Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady) Love the Cinderella moment, and she is always was funny and sweet!
Leading Actor – Jean Dujardin (The Artist) Wow, I really thought a Brit will get this! I'm so sorry for Fassbender and Oldman! That kinda means he is getting the Oscar, which I am not happy about!
Best Film – The Artist That was a shocker...not! AM I THE ONLY ONE SICK OF THE ARTIST?
Academy Fellowship- Martin Scorsese Deserved, indeed, very happy for him!
Best line of the night: "I would just like to thank the Artist for not being adapted from a book!"-Peter Straughan receiving the award for Best Adapted Screenplay---you and me, both, Peter!
Most overused, overappreciated, cocky bastard of the night: Michel Hazanavicius! These awards are getting to his head, I think I saw him on stage 4 or 5 times, if not more, and always with a slightly cocky attitude!
Overall, I am dissapointed in most of the winners, as Artist easily wins the big categories (I am already getting sick of it and all that involves or mentions the word Artist), so should I be even watching the Oscars? We all know what will happen!
It was a nice evening, rather boring, but interesting! Stephen Fry was very reserved and gratious, the opposite of Ricky Gervais, but I liked him!
What do you guys think of the winners?
Jan 10, 2012
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy [2011]
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (from now on called TTSS) is a classic British spy thriller set in the 1970s. It has all the right elements: bleak atmosphere, silent, monotonous characters, grey colours, cigarettes and secrets. A lot of secrets, well-hidden and carefully guarded.
George Smiley, played by Gary Oldman, is forced back from his retirement, to find out who the mole in the Circus is. Alongside Peter (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Mendel (Roger Lloyd-Pack, who I immediately recognized from Harry Potter), they start the search inside the "company", rulling out one by one.
Now, as I said, it can be a rather dull movie for some- for me, it was the first part, but right around the middle, or even before that, when Tom Hardy comes back into the picture and talks about his long lost Russian love and Cumberbatch steals information, I am sucked into the story and guess what? I am starting to enjoy myself- the plot thickens, the characters get more shadier, the secrets start pouring over, the music ascends....and in the end, we get our mole, all wrapped up with a bow. I have to admit it wasn't perfect and there are some loose ends, but overall, for a spy thriller, it was pretty damn good- well executed, great performances, fantastic sets and costumes and an interesting premise.
Acting-wise, you can never go wrong with Brits- they always seem to be on point. Colin Firth offers a swift change and a shocking turn in actions, Tom Hardy is convincing as a spy who falls in love with a Russian diplomate and tries to save her (I am starting to like him, I didn't before) and Toby Jones got my attention, he always surprises me. As for Benedict Cumberbatch- what can I say? This is was the first time I have ever seen him in a movie, and I actually loved him- although he has such a weird appeareance, not very attractive to say so, he is still very charming and has an appeal some work on for years; it's effortless, just like his performance.
Last, but not least, Gary Oldman- the man, the legend. I usually consider the wild, unpredictable, maniac performances to be the best, as they are rare to find in the real world, but mister Oldman proved me wrong tonight. He showed not only me, but everyone, that control is sometimes ten times harder to perform then a wild act. He played Smiley with such restraint and calm, that I do believe he deserves a lot more attention for this part that he is given now.
Overall, I think TTSS is a good movie and you should see it, if you have the chance! Brits rarely mess up and they didn't this time, either! Enjoy!
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