GUILD AWARDS 2: Director's Guild (DGA)

Best Director
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Gus Van Sant, Milk

The End of Summer

Yasujiro Ozu always managed to tell compelling and universal tales which is no different in this slice of life film. The story of a family at the crossroads between the past and the future. A widowed father rekindles an old romance despite his family's wishes while he hopes that his two adult daughters get settled before his death. The two daughters facing the choices of marrying for love or the tradition. The elder one is widowed and with a son but feels pressured by her family to remarry while the younger is expected to marry for the sake of the family instead the one she loves. The cast and crew deliver as usual in another classic Ozu film. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Equinox Flower

Yasujiro Ozu's first color film is another timeless and meticulous masterpiece. His intimate yet universal themes have not diminished a bit considering this film is about a Japanese family set in a bygone era. The story about a traditional business man who's forced to accept that his daughter wants to marry a man of her choice instead of the traditional arranged marriage. The transitional generation gap is ancient yet still happening in many places around the world where the old have to make way for the new. As with any Ozu film, you can expect pitch perfect performances and stunning cinematography. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Café Lumiére

Chinese director Hou Hsiao-Hsien's homage to the Japanese master Yasujiro Ozu has the themes of Ozu but the style is his alone. The story of young woman and her relationship with her environment is the focus of the film. Hsien pays as much attention to the characters as he does to the city of Tokyo with one of the most intimate looks on the city ever captured in a feature film. Flawless cinematography, editing and sound design make this film quite exceptional and refreshingly real. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Samurai III: Duel on Ganryu Island

Writer and director Hiroshi Inagaki brings his epic to a satisfying conclusion in the third film. Musashi moves past his fame as a warrior and becomes a wise man. His reputation reaches the royal courts and is called for a final duel before he reunites with Otsu, the love of his life. Perfect performances and stunning cinematography are a stand out in this final film. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple

In the second part of the epic trilogy, Takezo (Toshirô Mifune) becomes a renowned samurai, Musashi, that makes him loved and hated. While he achieves his goal of becoming a fearsome samurai, the beautiful Otsu still eludes him despite their mutual love for each other. While the first film focused on the village life, this one goes broader in the samurai society and warfare in feudal Japan. Writer and director Hiroshi Inagaki makes another stunning classic with the second part. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

GUILD AWARDS 1: Screen Actors Guild (SAG)

ENSEMBLE CAST
DOUBT
FROST/NIXON
MILK
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON


ACTOR
RICHARD JENKINS - “THE VISITOR”
FRANK LANGELLA - “FROST/NIXON”
SEAN PENN - “MILK”
BRAD PITT - “THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON”
MICKEY ROURKE - “THE WRESTLER”


ACTRESS
ANNE HATHAWAY - “RACHEL GETTING MARRIED”
ANGELINA JOLIE - “CHANGELING”
MELISSA LEO - “FROZEN RIVER”
MERYL STREEP - “DOUBT”
KATE WINSLET - “REVOLUTIONARY ROAD”


SUPPORTING ACTOR
JOSH BROLIN - “MILK”
ROBERT DOWNEY, JR. - “TROPIC THUNDER”
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN - “DOUBT”
HEATH LEDGER - “THE DARK KNIGHT”
DEV PATEL - “SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE”


SUPPORTING ACTRESS
AMY ADAMS - “DOUBT”
PENELOPE CRUZ - “VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA”
VIOLA DAVIS - “DOUBT”
TARAJI P. HENSON - “THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON”
KATE WINSLET - “THE READER”

FESTIVALS 1: SUNDANCE, USA

The first important festival of the year is the most important one in the US that has a competition and world premieres. The festival started to support the independent films and filmmaker but is now an integrated part of Hollywood.

2009 Winners:

GRAND JURY PRIZE: U.S. DOCUMENTARY
"We Live in Public," directed by Ondi Timoner

GRAND JURY PRIZE: U.S. DRAMATIC
"Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire," directed by Lee Daniels and written by Damien Paul

WORLD CINEMA JURY PRIZE: DOCUMENTARY
"Rough Aunties," directed by Kim Longinotto

WORLD CINEMA JURY PRIZE: DRAMATIC
"The Maid" ("La Nana"), directed by Sebastián Silva

AUDIENCE AWARD: U.S. DOCUMENTARY
"The Cove," directed by Louie Psihoyos

AUDIENCE AWARD: U.S. DRAMATIC
"Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire," directed by Lee Daniels and written by Damien Paul

THE WORLD CINEMA AUDIENCE AWARD: DOCUMENTARY
"Afghan Star," directed by Havana Marking

THE WORLD CINEMA AUDIENCE AWARD: DRAMATIC
"An Education," directed by Lone Scherfig from a screenplay by Nick Hornby

DIRECTING AWARD: U.S. DOCUMENTARY
"El General director," Natalia Almada

DIRECTING AWARD: U.S. DRAMATIC
"Sin Nombre," written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga

THE WORLD CINEMA DIRECTING AWARD: DOCUMENTARY
"Afghan Star," directed by Havana Marking

WORLD CINEMA DIRECTING AWARD: DRAMATIC
"Five Minutes of Heaven," directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel from a screenplay by Guy Hibbert

WALDO SALT SCREENWRITING AWARD
Nicholas Jasenovec and Charlyne Yi for "Paper Heart"

WORLD CINEMA SCREENWRITING AWARD
"Five Minutes of Heaven," directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel from a screenplay by Guy Hibbert

The Matrix

The first and best film in the trilogy was also the best Sci-Fi film since "Blade Runner" with some of the best action and visuals to hit the screen. The brothers Andy & Larry Wachowski wrote and directed this smashing film that kicked ass across the board and put new standard on the genre. The clever and complex story with mind blowing visuals and a pitch perfect cast including Keanu Reeves in his best role. The sequels were a huge disappointment given the complexity and richness of the first film that still holds up the test of time. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

9 1/2 Weeks

This erotic tale that's all style with no substance was a huge hit when it was released and established the lead actors Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger as sex symbols for many years. The affair between a rich broker and a beautiful art dealer that test the limits of love, sex and trust before its destruction. The film has the trademarks of the 80's decadence and greed set at its epicenter, New York. The film fulfilled the fantasy of males around the world who wanted be cool, rich and have sex with a beautiful woman. It shows the arrogance of Mickey Rourke at the height of his career when he had the good looks and attitude that eventually lead to the destruction of his career. It still works as symbol of a bygone era but the taste remains questionable if not sleazy. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Cyclist

There's no doubt that Iranian film maker Mohsen Makhmalbaf has gift for striking imagery but what's troubling in his and his daughter's work is the exploitative nature as a film maker that lacks sincerity and accuracy. This film clearly inspired by the Sydney Pollack's classic "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" about a desperate Afghan refugee who needs money for his wife medical treatment takes on a week long marathon on a bicycle. His manipulative use of sentimental music is shameless to say the least. As he has done with this film and later with "Kandahar," he exploited the Afghan tragedies without giving an accurate picture again and again which is disturbing given that his work gets critical approval at prestigious festivals around the world. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Lucky You

There's nothing that indicates why this formula driven film got made except maybe that the poker game was popular on TV at the time. The story of a charming gambler who has lost his way in the game until he meets a woman who teaches him that there's more to life. The only surprising thing is the chemistry of the leads played by Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore in the otherwise contrived film. Another film that fails to deliver given the talent involved and wasted. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

No Reservations

This remake of the German film "Bella Martha" is not the disaster it could have been but never-the-less a shame given the talent and pedigree involved. Almost a scene by scene remake about a female chef who's forced to take care of her niece that shakes up her life. One of the key elements that got lost in translation is the offbeat Italian cook played in the original by Sergio Castellitto and replaced by the hunky Aaron Eckhart who loves Italian food and opera that makes no sense whatsoever. Director Scott Hicks (Shine) seems lost in Hollywood like so many other imported talents before him. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Vantage Point

A poorly written and executed thriller that should have been real and relevant in the post 9/11 world but instead we get messy one that's full of loopholes and ultimately disappointing. The story is told through the point of view of several people who witness a terrorist attack in Salamanca, Spain when an unpopular US president is about to make a speech. Of course nothing is as it seems as we find out with too many twists and turns that are more gimmick than plausible. A talented cast is wasted in this film by Pete Travis who makes his feature debut. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Eyes Wide Shut

Stanley Kubrick's enigmatic last film is a psychological study on the fragility of marriage and the constant dangers that can destroy it including temptation and infidelity. When the wife of a prominent doctor confesses that she might have been unfaithful one night, it sends him on a downward spiral where he faces dangerous temptations among them HIV infected prostitutes and mysterious sexual orgies. The result is an uneven film that's fascinating at the least but ultimately disappointing. The making of the film was notorious for its long shooting and casting of superstar couple of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. While Cruise and Kidman risked everything to be part of this film, it remains questionable whether they were the right choices for the film specially Cruise. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Youth Without Youth

A poorly written, cast and executed film that's hard to believe to be the work of Francis Ford Coppola, one of cinema's great masters. There's hardly anything that reminds of his masterpieces neither anything that indicates of breaking new ground. What might have worked as a novel does not translate well in a two hour film instead you get a convoluted and heavy film. The story of an old man who through a lightning accident finds new youth and life during and after the second WWII Europe. There's some parallels to the much superior "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Gladiator

Ridley Scott's epic remains a milestone that has not been equalled or surpassed by anybody, even the master himself. Scott updated a genre to a glorious new heights that was considered dead for decades. At its core a career defining performance by Russel Crowe that no other actor could have pulled off. The excellent cast also featured superb performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielsen among others. The stunning cinematography, editing, visual effects and score were often imitated by countless other films. All the elements came together for this classic that still holds every bit of its power. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

RIP: Claude Berri 1934 - 2008

CRITICS AWARDS 6: Golden Globes

Best Motion Picture - Drama:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Actor in a Drama:
Leonardo DiCaprio for Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn for Milk
Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler

Best Actress in a Drama:
Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie for Changeling
Meryl Streep for Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas for Il y a longtemps que je t'aime
Kate Winslet for Revolutionary Road

Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy:
Javier Bardem for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Colin Farrell for In Bruges
James Franco for Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson for In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman for Last Chance Harvey

Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy:
Rebecca Hall for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky
Frances McDormand for Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep for Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson for Last Chance Harvey

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:
Tom Cruise for Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes for The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt
Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:
Amy Adams for Doubt
Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis for Doubt
Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler
Kate Winslet for The Reader

Best Director - Motion Picture:
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry for The Reader
David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes for Revolutionary Road

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Eric Roth, Robin Swicord
Doubt: John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon: Peter Morgan
The Reader: David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire: Simon Beaufoy

Best Original Score - Motion Picture:
Changeling: Clint Eastwood
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Alexandre Desplat
Defiance: James Newton Howard
Frost/Nixon: Hans Zimmer
Slumdog Millionaire: A.R. Rahman

Best Animated Film:
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL·E

Best Foreign Language Film:
Der Baader Meinhof Komplex
Maria Larssons eviga ögonblick
Gomorra
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime
Waltz with Bashir

Gran Torino

No nonsense master filmmaker Clint Eastwood delivers two award worthy films in one year where most manage to do one. After the period drama "Changeling," he made this film in a month or two which is one of his most entertaining film in years. In this film he addresses the issue of racism and never misses a beat. Besides directing and producing, he stars in this one which vintage Eastwood at his best. Eastwood delivers a nuanced performance that builds on his previous efforts from "Million Dollar Baby" to the Dirty Harry films. Eastwood never pretended to be a method actor with a range but the guys he played were second to none. He's still the king of cool looking for a redemption. YRCinema's coverage of current releases.

Summer of Sam

Spike Lee first film where he left race behind to tell the story of the summer 1977 when serial killer Son of Sam was terrorizing New York. Lee fails to bring the energy that his previous films had and should have stayed telling stories he feels passionate about. The problem with this films is the flat screenplay that fails on almost every level. Even though the cast and crew try their best to capture the period, it feels forced and lacks the authenticity of the films of that period. A great potential and talented cast is wasted. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Savages

Tamara Jenkins wrote and directed this powerful drama about a brother and sister who are forced to take care of their elderly father while both are facing mid-life crises. Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman give powerful performances that cuts to the bone that will resonate with everybody who cares about their parents. Jenkins keeps the story real and honest without sacrificing anything that makes the film outstanding in every aspect. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Duchess

Writer and director Saul Dibb adapts the tragic story of the Duchess of Devonshire who was an ancestor to Princess Diana and suffered similar fate besides being an influential celebrity of her time. Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes shine as the unhappy couple and give the necessary insight to the politics of marriage among the aristocracy. Dibb makes all the right choices in the lavish film that's first rate and includes an excellent supporting cast includes Charlotte Rampling, Hayley Atwell and Dominic Cooper. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Mamma Mia!

A winning formula film based on a hit musical, classic soundtrack, exotic location and a fresh cast with some serious pedigree. There's something for everybody in this film. The filmmakers made the right choices along with luring one of the best actresses who proves she can do no wrong. Casting the divine Meryl Streep must have been a first sign for the filmmakers that they were onto something. As with the musical, the star of the film is the classic music of ABBA which makes it foolproof. Who can resist the music and the stunning Greece travelogue? YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

WALL·E

Writer and director Andrew Stanton delivers another classic for Pixar and takes animation to new heights with this stunning film. This time he aims high beyond the children to address the issue of saving planet and humankind along paying homage to classic films such as 2001 and Star Wars. The title character is inspired by the film "Short Circuit" where a robot lives and has human traits and feelings. The love story is cute but not the only thing that drives the film. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

CRITICS AWARDS 5: National Society of Film Critics

Best Film: WALTZ WITH BASHIR
Best Documentary: MAN ON WIRE
Best Director: MIKE LEIGH, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Best Actor: SEAN PENN, MILK
Best Actress: SALLY HAWKINS, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Best Screenplay: MIKE LEIGH, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

Wristcutters: A Love Story

It's not easy to make a comedy about suicide as this film proves. An interesting premise that misfires in the hands of writer and director Goran Dukic. The story about a young who commits suicide and wakes up in a wasteland where all the people who commit suicide live. There among the misfits he finds love and friendship. This kind of film needed the sensibility of someone like Emir Kusturica because Dukic never finds the right tone or balance for the material. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

Writer Dito Montiel adapted and directed this film based on his autobiographical novel. While he makes an impressive debut, it's a double-edged sword by being too close to the material that he leaves off some crucial information that might have made a big difference. The coming of age story deals with teenager feeling trapped by his family and friends in Queens, NY in the late 80's. After a foreign friend inspires him to leave everything behind by going to Los Angeles, he finally manages to escape only to return years later to face the demons of his violent youths. A superb cast of veteran and young cast makes the film worthwhile along with the beautiful cinematography by Eric Gautier (Un Conte de Noel, Into the Wild and Motorcycle Diaries). YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Tropic Thunder

This comedy from Ben Stiller who wears many hats is a parody of Hollywood from on set nightmares to agents and studio heads to super stars and serious actors. Clearly inspired by notorious shooting of "Apocalypse Now", it takes several action and Oscar winning stars through the mud literally thanks to the skills of the leads and superb supporting cast. The film has some hilarious moments but does not deliver a home run as the trailer indicated. Besides some of well publicized events the film refers, there's many invented ones and insider jokes. Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise steal every scene they are in. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Black Book

Director Paul Verhoeven tries somewhat to go back to his roots with WW II thriller, his first film in his native country after two decades in Hollywood. I guess you can take a man out of Hollywood but can't take Hollywood out of a man in his case. Verhoeven shamelessly uses elements of WW II for this entertaining film where facts and fiction mix beyond recognition. However he gets compelling performances from Carice van Houten and Sebastian Koch that makes this film enjoyable. There's nothing new added to genre but pure entertainment. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.