The Unborn

Writer and director David S. Goyer recycles several horror film ingredients that makes for an effective ride that's best enjoyed without further analysis. The story about a girl who's haunted by a demon that has haunted her family for several generations. Goyer mixes nightmares, ghosts, Nazis, demons, insanity, genetic abnormality and religion into a creepy cocktail that's gets going from the first scene with a swift pace that prevents you to analyze anything till its climax that makes for thrilling ride if you are into the horror genre. The beautiful Odette Yustman is rightly cast as the lead with a strong supporting cast that includes Gary Oldman and Jane Alexander amongst others. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

New Moon

This dreadful sequel to "Twilight" makes the first film look like a masterpiece. Nothing makes sense except for creating room for a bogus love triangle. The replacement of the original director Catherine Hardwicke by Chris Weitz proves another misstep in the wrong direction. The look and feel of the first film that seemed more appropriate has been abandoned for whatever reason that doesn't makes sense like the rest of the film. Even the performances of the Kristin Stewart and Robert Pattinson suffer in the sequel that saved the first film. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Miracle at St. Anna

Spike Lee's follow up to his brilliant "Inside Man" is a major disappointment. Unlike Rachid Bouchareb who successfully shed a light on the French-Arabs involvement in the WW II in his "Days of Glory", Lee fails to do the same for the African-American. The film starts right with an act of a senseless murder in New York and a stolen sculpture by a veteran with a secret. The problem is with the script that looses focus with too many characters. It should have stayed with characters introduced at the beginning but shifts to different character in the flash backs. The talented cast is at the mercy of the poor script which limits them to make an impression, even though Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso and Omar Benson Miller try their best. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

You Kill Me

Another misfire from director John Dahl who has found a second career on TV. In this comedy of sorts Ben Kingsley plays an alcoholic hit man who finds love while on the road to recovery in San Francisco. The whole hit man stories have become tiresome and severely over used. The always reliable Kingsley can't save the uninspired and predictable script and direction but tries his best along with Téa Leoni. The supporting cast includes Bill Pullman, the star of Dahl's best film "The Last Seduction." YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Religulous

Between Borat and Brüno, director Larry Charles took on religion with the help of Bill Maher. Since religion is faith based, it's an easy target and Charles and Maher find enough candidates to attack it in very effective ways that's always intriguing and sometimes hilarious. No religion gets away but the main focus and attack is on Christianity. Maher is the perfect match for Charles in this endeavor which makes its case against religion by taking on the right people who have or using religion for their benefits. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Ten Canoes

An interesting but ultimately disappointing film by Australian writer and director Rolf de Heer that explores the Aboriginal experience. The story of a man who falls for the third wife of his brother only to be warned of a similar incident happening generations earlier. The story within story structure brings some humor and allows for some striking visuals but the narration gets in the way of the story that's poorly written and executed with the use of non professional actors. The best performance is by veteran actor David Gulpilil (Walkabout, Rabbit-Proof Fence) as the narrator whose input is severely limited. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Dead Girl

Writer and director Karen Moncrieff made a compelling drama with her sophomore film that features an outstanding cast. The events before and after the death of a young girl are explored through several woman who are connected to the dead girl that includes her friend, her mother, the wife of her murderer, her sister and the woman who finds her body. Well written story with fully developed characters makes this ensemble drama a delight. The superb cast includes Toni Collette, Brittany Murphy, Rose Byrne, Marcia Gay Harden, Kerry Washington amongst others. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Spellbinders

An effective tale of modern day witches finds its perfect location in Los Angeles that adds credibility to the story. A young lawyer finds the woman of his dreams when he rescues a beautiful woman who has run away from a coven of witches. Well written and cleverly plotted stories makes this obscure film immensely entertaining directed by veteran TV director Janet Greek. Kelly Preston stars along with Tim Daly as the leads. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Clear and Present Danger

Director Phillip Noyce and Harrison Ford reunited for another chapter of the Jack Ryan novels by Tom Clancy. In this film Jack Ryan finds out the president of the US has misused his powers in order to seek a personal revenge against Colombian drug cartels. The film takes a while to get going but pays off well at the end. Willem Dafoe joins Ford as he sets out to rescue abandoned US soldiers in the jungle. Joaquim de Almeida and Henry Czerny are very effective as the villains that makes this action film worthwhile. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Clash of the Titans

This remake was bound to happen and it succeeds on some levels but falls short on the potential of what could have been with a better director than the French director Louis Leterrier. Leterrier's major flaw is that he focuses too much on the action than the drama behind mythic stories of the Greek mythology. The story of Perseus who finds out that he's son of Zeus while seeking revenge against his uncle Hades responsible for the death of his human parents. In order to defeat Hades and his monster, the Kraken, Perseus has overcome several challenges. Sam Worthington is the right choice as Perseus but doesn't get show his acting skills which he still has to prove. The rest of the cast doesn't fare any better except for Ralph Fiennes who gives a glimpse of the darkness that plagues Hades from the betrayal by his brother Zeus. There's a parallel between Perseus and Jesus that could have been explored and played upon but in this film which is mainly an action film which showcases the latest special effects. YRCinema's coverage of current releases.

W.

Oliver Stone's third film about US presidents after "JFK" and "Nixon" deals with what drove George W. Bush to become the president. According to Stone and writer Stanley Weiser he was the never well to do son of a former president who refused to be passed on by his father who favored his brother to become next president in the family which lead George W. to be blind sided by obsession and ambition to please his father more than serve the people of his country. Stone surprisingly makes George W. more likable than initially anticipated. Since the focus is the on the father and son relationship, the other issues come short including key players of the Bush administration. Josh Brolin is perfectly cast Goerge W. with the strongest performance in the film. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Interiors

Woody Allen in Ingmar Bergman mode after the success of "Annie Hall" and before "Manhattan" wrote and directed this chamber drama about three sisters dealing with the separation of their parents due to their mother's cold and distant nature is the root of their success but internal turmoil. It's a quiet and devastating film about the intricate bond between parents and their adult children. As always Allen attracts the best actors which includes Geraldine Page, Maureen Stapleton and Diane Keaton amongst others. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

2012

What could have been a paranoia thriller that taps into the several theories that indicates the end of the world scenario becomes a trashy and silly film thanks to director Roland Emmerich who's more interested in the progress of CGI effects than story telling. A poor script and use of great special effects does not make a good film even if you enlist good actors such as John Cusack and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The story about how the earth's core heats up from neutrinos released by the sun which leads to melt the crust that will end the world as we know it by 2012. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Patriot Games

Australian director Phillip Noyce (Dead Calm) made his Hollywood debut with this smashing thriller which is also the best of the Tom Clancy novel adaptations. Harrison Ford stars as Jack Ryan who on a leave from his CIA duties in London runs into IRA terrorists by saving a member of the Royal family that puts him and his family as a target for the feared terrorists before Al Qaeda replaced them. Noyce keeps the pace going with breath taking action sequences where Ryan and his nemesis played by Sean Bean wage war on each other. The excellent supporting cast includes Anne Archer, James Earl Jones, Richard Harris, Polly Walker and Samuel L. Jackson amongst others. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Julia

French writer and director's first film in a decade in the US after his smashing hit "The Dreamlife of Angels." As he has done with his previous film, he stays with characters on the margins of society which makes for another compelling character study in this riveting thriller thanks to the tour-de-force performance by Tilda Swinton. The story about an alcoholic woman who's lured to kidnap the son of a neighbor from his millionaire grandfather for ransom which leads her to discover her lost humanity in the process. Swinton delivers her best performance to date and unleashes her raw talent as the title character that makes the film a must for her fans and admirers. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Passengers

Colombian writer and director Rodrigo García's first gun for hire on a project he hasn't written is misfire despite a talented cast. The story about a young therapist who's assigned the five survivors of a plane crash which leads her to a shocking discovery about herself while she falls for one of her patients. The story is clearly inspired by M. Night Shyamalan's "The Sixth Sense", however less effective due to the writing. Anne Hathaway is miscast while Patrick Wilson makes the most out of his under written character. The supporting cast is utterly wasted in the forgettable yarn. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Ponyo

Another masterpiece by Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki who also wrote and directed it. As always utterly original and captivating with a compelling message that works on many levels. The story of a goldfish girl who falls in love with a human boy and her journey to become human. Light years ahead from anything Disney or Pixar can dream up, Miyazaki's films are treasures to be cherished regardless of age with something for everybody where the natural and supernatural merge seamlessly. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Deep Crimson

Mexican director Arturo Ripstein made this disturbing dark comedy about a murderous couple who target lonely and wealthy widows for their money. When the sex starved and overweight Coral meets Nicolas who robs unsuspecting widows, she abandons her children and clings herself to him as they start their murderous spree. Unlike most other films of the genre, there's nothing likable or good about the murderers and makes you root for the poor victims. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Taking of Pelham 123

Denzel Washington reunites again with director Tony Scott for this remake of the 1974 film of the same title. Terrorist hijack a subway train and take hostages in order to ask ransom from the city of New York. Except for one spectacular action scene and the focus on the average guy as the hero, there's hardly anything new in this predictable yarn. Washington is always reliable and too good for this kind of fare while John Travolta tries too hard to impress as the villain. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Australian director (Muriel's Wedding) returns to comedy with this old fashioned comedy is tailor made to the charms of its star Isla Fisher and its success depends on whether you like or dislike her. A young woman who's lives beyond her means finds love in the most unlikely place which changes her life. It's a light and fun film with a strong supporting cast that makes it work. The cast includes Hugh Dancy, Kristin Scott-Thomas and Julie Hagerty amongst others. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Holy Girl

Argentinian writer and director Lucrecia Martel's meticulous film about a mother and daughter who fall for a doctor who stays at their hotel. Martel builds an interesting structure where her characters fall in orbit of their destiny with devastating consequences. At the core of the story is the 16-year-old Amalia who's dealing with her sexuality. Martel along with her excellent cast and crew created a rich and complex film that's a refreshing alternative to mainstream cinema. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Afghan Star

In this effective documentary, British director Havana Marking shows the effects of a popular reality TV show on the people through the final four contestants. The show which is similar to "American Idol" is also as popular in Afghanistan which proves the power of music on people regardless of their location. Marking shows a different side of Afghanistan that's rarely seen in the Western media where a young generation embraces their freedom and risking their lives for it. At the core of the film is the cultural and generational clash when a young woman dares to dance on national TV in a conservative Islamic nation. The film provides those who are interested a glimpse inside Afghanistan. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Ikiru

Japanese master Akira Kurosawa is one of the definitive and undisputed masters of cinema who's also one of the few with several masterpieces in various genres. This masterpiece is one of his most humane and profound films about life. A public civil servant finds out he has cancer that rekindles his passion for a last mission. Kurosawa delivers another knockout from the first frame till the last without missing a beat, holding you captivated along the way. It's a heartbreaking film that works on many levels as it is universal and timeless. Kurosawa regular Takashi Shimura in his greatest role as a man who realizes too late that he wasted most his short life but not too late to do something about it. Kurosawa's film remains a towering achievement to his genius as he proved again and again over five decades. Everybody dies but not everybody lives. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Encounters at the End of the World

The prolific German writer and director Werner Herzog makes an outstanding documentary about Antarctica with its breathtaking scenery and interesting characters. Herzog takes a journey to the end of the world that's as much revealing to him as it is to the audience about one of the most remote places on the planet. It's a worthy journey to take since most people will never be able to make it. The haunting and beautiful images will linger long after the film is finished but the people living there are interesting and eloquent people coming from different backgrounds keep the attention as each of them as a different story to tell. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Lakeview Terrace

Director Neil LaBute's thriller about racial tensions in LA with the reversal of the races. Instead of a racist white cop, we get a black one in the form of Samuel L. Jackson who makes it work as he sets out to destroy the marriage of his new interracial neighbors played by Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington. While the film is a formula thriller that Hollywood keeps recycling, LaBute and the talented cast make the ride entertaining for current times. The actual wild fires add for a nice back drop to the story. The talented Wilson and Washington have an authentic chemistry that also works in favor of the otherwise predictable thriller. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The September Issue

Director R.J. Cutler goes behind the scenes to Vogue, one of the most powerful magazines in the fashion world as it prepares its most important issue and the women behind it. While most people will know the editor, Anna Wintour as the devil who wears Prada, not many outside the fashion world may know that beside the devil, there's also an angel at work too in the form of Grace Coddington who's the creative director. The film focuses on the two women behind the successful magazine that can make or break any brand from inclusion or exclusion. Wintour is not the devil everybody expects, just a successful woman who knows what she does. She and Coddington might not always get along but they have a mutual respect for each other. As much as Wintour is mysterious and enigmatic, Coddington is accessible and down to earth in a shallow and cutthroat industry. Cutler gets it right to make a revealing documentary that will appeal to everybody. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Felon

Stuntman turned writer and director Ric Roman Waugh made a riveting prison drama with this effective thriller. Stephen Dorff gives a solid performance as a family and business man who ends up in prison after killing an intruder in his home. Once in the prison, he's forced to change to survive the violent guards and inmates that also threatens his relationship with his wife and child. Waugh hits the right notes with the right pace about a man's journey into hell that's the US penal system. The strong supporting cast includes Val Kilmer, Sam Shepard and Harold Perrineau. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Stripped

Director David Palmer followed photographer Greg Friedler on his latest book about naked people in Las Vegas. While Friedler's books may not be every body's cup of tea, Palmer makes a revealing film about human nudity without being sexual or exploitative. The film starts as Friedler wants to make a fourth Naked book and sets finding people willing to expose themselves. The people are the real attraction of the film and their reasons which ranges from sheer exhibitionists to reclusive personalities who have to be persuaded to make the book as colorful as the infamous city. While the book and film reveal the nudity, it also reveals a different side of Las Vegas. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Mist

It seems something out of a Stephen King novel that writer and director Frank Darabont so far only succeeds with the material by the horror master. While not entirely successful as his previous efforts, he makes an effective thriller with this adaptation. A group of people get trapped into a supermarket after a mysterious mist unleashes otherworldly creatures. Darabont wisely focuses on the humans instead of the creatures and shows how racial and religious tensions tears them apart. The excellent cast includes Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden and Toby Jones. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Mondovino

Writer and director Jonathan Nossiter reveals the heroes and villains in the world of wine making that has been impacted by the globalization. Of course there's no surprise that Americans are the villains such as the Mondavis, wine critic Robert Parker and consultant Michel Rolland who's the link between the Americans and wineries across the globe. The heroes or victims are small wineries who have to fight hard to keep their individuality by not selling out which is an uphill battle if you want to make money. Nossiter shows what's going on without taking sides, leaving the audience to decide for themselves as there's two sides to every coin. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Paris

French writer and director Cédric Klapisch successfully pays homage to the city of dreams with an outstanding cast and crew. Klapisch digs deeper beneath the dazzling scenery of the world famous city of lights to show the real people that exist everywhere. The always superb Juliette Binoche plays a single mother who takes care of her dying brother played by Romain Duris who's secretly in love with a beautiful neighbor played by Mélanie Laurent who's also the object of affection of her professor played by Fabrice Luchini who has mid-life crisis while his brother played by François Cluzet is expecting his first child and so on with many other character who are unaware living in a the eternal city that has captivated the imagination of world for over a millennium. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Lola Montès

Director Max Ophüls' follow up to his masterpiece "Madame de..." was also his last. While not entirely successful as the former, it's a visually striking film about a fallen courtesan who performs at a circus while her infamous stories are told to the audience. Ophüls is the right man for the role of the ringmaster for the story which is one of the strengths of the film. The biggest problem with the film is the lead actress Martine Carol while beautiful she fails get any emotion a better actress would have as the tragic lead character. The supporting cast of Peter Ustinov, Anton Walbrook and Oskar Werner save the film. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Go-Between

Director Joseph Losey made of the most authentic period films with this tale about a forbidden love in the English countryside where a young boy looses his innocence as he learns the value of friendship when he's caught between the class system that keeps two lovers apart. Losey and writer Harold Pinter let the film breath from the restraints of theater that plagues most period films where everything feels forced. The excellent cast includes Julie Christie and Alan Bates in the lead roles along with Dominic Guard as the young boy who holds himself well against the stellar pros. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

What Just Happened

Veteran producer Art Linson enlisted Barry Levinson to direct and Robert De Niro to star in his exposé on Hollywood. The story about a veteran producer who has to juggle between the high demands of his private and professional life as he tries to hang on to both. While it's not entirely original with many known clichés about Hollywood, Linson gives enough insight into the behind the scenes drama. Levinson and De Niro are more than capable to deliver an authentic look at Hollywood and take stabs at the powers to be. The talented cast includes Catherine Keener, Stanley Tucci, John Turturro, Robin Wright Penn, Kristin Stewart, Bruce Willis and Sean Penn. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Whatever Works

Between his stints in Europe, writer and director Woody Allen returned to New York for this comedy to let us know what's on his mind. Allen is one of few writers who gets to channel his thoughts to his audience directly on the screen. In this comedy David channels Allen as an obnoxious and of course neurotic old man who falls for a young girl who could be his grand daughter that causes her narrow minded parents to find their true selves in New York. This is vintage Allen and he doesn't shy away for laying his cards on the table as far as where he's standing on different issues. Not his best work by any means but fulfill his annual quota of a making a film. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

Writer and director Rebecca Miller adapts her own novel with a stellar cast about a woman's awakening. Robin Wright Penn stars as Pippa Lee who reflects on her life and the people who influenced her to become who she's before embarking on a new future as an independent woman. Miller cleverly uses her main character as an icon of a generation of women with similar psychological pressures that should resonate with many. The ensemble cast includes many talented actors in small but crucial roles. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

In Dreams

It's hard to imagine what attracted the talented cast and crew to this silly thriller about a psychic woman who shares visions with a serial killer. Director Neil Jordan brings his visual finesse which gives it enough style and depth to the otherwise poor material. Annette Bening and Robert Downey Jr. chew through the scenery with their talents which shows how they can raise the quality level by a degree or two but not save it. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Departures

Director Yôjirô Takita provides another fascinating look at the Japanese culture with this film about the ritual of preparing the dead before their cremation. The story about an unemployed young cellist who moves back to his hometown where he finds his calling into preparing the dead for their coffin. What starts as an odd job becomes a profound journey of accepting the reality of life and death. Takita manages tactfully to address a delicate but universal issue with a lot of heart and humor thanks to his excellent cast and crew. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Cold Souls

Writer and director Sophie Barthes makes her feature debut with this comedy that has Charlie Kaufman written all over it. It has elements from Kaufman's "Being John Malkovich," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," and "Synecdoche, New York." The story of actor Paul Giamatti who struggles with the lead role in Chekov's "Uncle Vanya" which leads him to extract his soul temporary with unexpected consequences. What should have been much lighter in tone gets more serious that takes some steam out of what could have been an outrageous comedy. The secondary plot and characters that includes a Russian soul smuggler takes the story to an unnecessary direction. Paul Giamatti stars and does well with the material while David Strathairn and Emily Watson are wasted. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Willow Tree

Iranian writer and director Majid Majidi has made better films (Color of Paradise, Baran) than this one which has an interesting concept but poor execution. The story about a blind professor who has everything until he regains his eye sight which causes him to loose everything when he falls in love with a beautiful student. Instead of focusing on the irony sight and insight, Majidi is more concerned about physical beauty which seems uncharacteristic for the professor since his life is not that terrible including his wife. It's a rather cynical film from Majidi which leaves a bitter aftertaste. Besides the script, there's also a problem with the main character and over use of the melodramatic music that doesn't allow the film to breath. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Sword of the Beast

Japanese writer and director Hideo Gosha made a breath taking action thriller with film that's also one of the most entertaining. The film starts with a jolt as a samurai is hunted by the daughter of the man he has killed along with her fiancee and loyal followers. The samurai is clearly guilty but he seems a good man whose motives are explained later when he runs into a couple like himself who are on the run from the authorities. Gosha highlights the action while keeping his story and characters in order that makes for an entertaining film full of humor and drama. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

GUILD AWARDS 10: 82nd Academy Awards (Oscar)

Best picture
"Avatar"
"The Blind Side"
"District 9"
"An Education"
"The Hurt Locker"
"Inglourious Basterds"
"Precious"
"A Serious Man"
"Up"
"Up in the Air"

Best actor
Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"
George Clooney, "Up in the Air"
Colin Firth, "A Single Man"
Morgan Freeman, "Invictus"
Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker"

Best actress
Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"
Helen Mirren, "The Last Station"
Carey Mulligan, "An Education"
Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious"
Meryl Streep, "Julie & Julia"

Best supporting actor
Matt Damon, "Invictus"
Woody Harrelson, "The Messenger"
Christopher Plummer, "The Last Station"
Stanley Tucci, "The Lovely Bones"
Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"

Best supporting actress
Penelope Cruz, "Nine"
Vera Farmiga, "Up in the Air"
Maggie Gyllenhaal, "Crazy Heart"
Anna Kendrick, "Up in the Air"
Mo'Nique, "Precious "

Best director
James Cameron, "Avatar"
Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"
Lee Daniels, "Precious"
Jason Reitman, "Up in the Air"

Best foreign-language film
"Ajami" Israel
"El Secreto de Sus Ojos" Argentina
"The Milk of Sorrow" Peru
"Un Prophete" France
"The White Ribbon" Germany

Best adapted screenplay
Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, "District 9"
Nick Hornby, "An Education"
Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche, "In the Loop"
Geoffrey Fletcher, "Precious"
Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, "Up in the Air"

Best original screenplay
Mark Boal, "The Hurt Locker"
Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"
Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman, "The Messenger"
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "A Serious Man"
Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Tom McCarthy, "Up"

Best animated feature film
"Coraline"
"Fantastic Mr. Fox"
"The Princess and the Frog"
"The Secret of Kells"
"Up"

Best art direction
"Avatar"
"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"
"Nine"
"Sherlock Holmes"
"The Young Victoria"

Best cinematography
"Avatar"
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
"The Hurt Locker"
"Inglourious Basterds"
"The White Ribbon"

Best sound mixing
"Avatar"
"The Hurt Locker"
"Inglourious Basterds"
"Star Trek"
"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"

Best sound editing
"Avatar"
"The Hurt Locker"
"Inglourious Basterds"
"Star Trek"
"Up"

Best original score
"Avatar," James Horner
"Fantastic Mr. Fox," Alexandre Desplat
"The Hurt Locker," Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
"Sherlock Holmes," Hans Zimmer
"Up," Michael Giacchino

Best original song
"Almost There" from "The Princess and the Frog," Randy Newman
"Down in New Orleans" from "The Princess and the Frog," Randy Newman
"Loin de Paname" from "Paris 36," Reinhardt Wagner and Frank Thomas
"Take It All" from "Nine," Maury Yeston
"The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" from "Crazy Heart," Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Best costume design
"Bright Star"
"Coco Before Chanel"
"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"
"Nine"
"The Young Victoria"

Best documentary feature
"Burma VJ"
"The Cove"
"Food, Inc."
"The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers"
"Which Way Home"

Best documentary short
"China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province"
"The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner"
"The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant"
"Music by Prudence"
"Rabbit a la Berlin"

Best film editing
"Avatar"
"District 9"
"The Hurt Locker"
"Inglourious Basterds"
"Precious"

Best makeup
"Il Divo"
"Star Trek"
"The Young Victoria"

Best animated short film
"French Roast"
"Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty"
"The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)"
"Logorama"
"A Matter of Loaf and Death"

Best live-action short film
"The Door"
"Instead of Abracadabra"
"Kavi"
"Miracle Fish"
"The New Tenants"

Best visual effects
"Avatar"
"District 9"
"Star Trek"

25th INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

BEST FEATURE
500 Days Of Summer
Amreeka
Precious
Sin Nombre
The Last Station

BEST FIRST FEATURE
A Single Man
Crazy Heart
Easier With Practice
Paranormal Activity
The Messenger

BEST DIRECTOR
Ethan Coen & Joel Coen - A Serious Man
Lee Daniels - Precious
Cary Fukunaga - Sin Nombre
James Gray - Two Lovers
Michael Hoffman - The Last Station

BEST MALE LEAD
Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
Colin Firth - A Single Man
Joseph Gordon-Levitt - 500 Days Of Summer
Souléymane Sy Savané - Goodbye Solo
Adam Scott - The Vicious Kind

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Maria Bello - Downloading Nancy
Helen Mirren - The Last Station
Gwentyth Paltrow - Two Lovers
Gabourey Sidibe - Precious
Nisreen Faour - Amreeka

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Jemaine Clement - Gentleman Broncos
Woody Harrelson - The Messenger
Christian McKay - Me and Orson Welles
Raymond McKinnon - That Evening Sun
Christopher Plummer - The Last Station

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Dina Korzun - Cold Souls
Mo'Nique - Precious
Samantha Morton - The Messenger
Natalie Press - Fifty Dead Men Walking
Mia Wasikowska - That Evening Sun

BEST SCREENPLAY
Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman - The Messenger
Michael Hoffman - The Last Station
Lee Toland Krieger - The Vicious Kind
Greg Mottola - Adventureland
Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber - 500 Days Of Summer

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Sophie Barthes - Cold Souls
Scott Cooper - Crazy Heart
Cherien Dabis - Amreeka
Geoffrey Fletcher - Precious
Tom Ford & David Scearce - A Single Man

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Roger Deakins - A Serious Man
Adriano Goldman - Sin Nombre
Anne Misawa - Treeless Mountain
Andrij Parekh - Cold Souls
Peter Zeitlinger - Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Food, Inc.
More Than a Game
October Country
Which Way Home

BEST FOREIGN FILM
A Prophet (France)
An Education (UK/France)
Everlasting Moments (Sweden)
Mother (South Korea)
The Maid (Chile)

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
Big Fan
Humpday
The New Year Parade
Treeless Mountain
Zero Bridge

Kill!

Japanese writer and director Kihachi Okamoto continued to dissect the Samurai legend by exposing their dark in the comedy where an ex-samurai and an ex-farmer join forces to get rid of corrupt samurai leader in a remote region. Tatsuya Nakadai stars again and delivers a highly entertaining performance as the ex-samurai who has seen it all but can't help to fight evil. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Sword of Doom

Japanese superstar Tatsuya Nakadai stars as a ruthless killer in this classic film by Kihachi Okamoto set in feudal Japan. The story of a man without a conscience or moral who only obeys his sword that kills without any scruples. Okamoto takes a skeptical look at the violent Samurai culture that has idolized thanks to the Kurosawa films. He enlists two of his actors who made their careers in Samurai films, Nakadai and Toshirô Mifune in a crucial supporting role. Nakadai gives an outstanding performance as the anti-hero who's out to take revenge on humanity after being rejected by the society including his father. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Promise

Chinese writer and director Chen Kaige made his worst film with this love story. A tale of mistaken identity that leads to a love triangle had the elements for a great film that gets lost in its over the top production. Kaige and his award winning team are more eager to top their previous epics with more visual splendor than ever before thanks to CGI that it literally buries the story and its characters. Kaige should have known better that less is more. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Turandot Project

Documentary filmmaker Allan Miller was hired to film behind the scenes of one of the most ambitious cultural events in the world when the Chinese government allowed Puccini's opera "Turandot" to be performed at the Forbidden City in Beijing. Chinese director Zhang Yimou was hired to direct the event by conductor Zubin Mehta to bring authenticity to the famous opera based on a Chinese fable. Miller observes the East and West culture clash between the various talents who wants to stay true to their roots with the Europeans more focused on the music while the Chinese on proper display of their culture. It's all good and interesting but Miller fails to bring more of the Puccini music in the film except for brief excerpts here and there. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Half Moon

Kurdish-Iranian director Bahman Ghobadi made his weakest film with this absurd comedy about a famous musician who faces complications at the border between Iran and Iraq after he has been summoned to perform to celebrate Kurdish liberation in Iraq. Ghobadi who made better films depicting the Kurdish struggle delivers a half-baked film that lacks coherence as tries to cross fantasy with documentary. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

In Tranzit

Documentary filmmaker Tom Roberts makes his feature debut with this grim drama about German POW in Russia. After the end of WWII, some German prisoners are sent to a female prison in Leningrad, where a beautiful doctor has to expose a high level Nazi hiding amongst them.
Roberts' experience brings authenticity to the look of the film but can't save the weak screenplay in the otherwise interesting film with too many flaws to mention. The talented cast including Vera Farmiga, Thomas Kretschmann, Daniel Brühl and John Malkovich can't save the film either. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

La Bête Humaine

French master Jean Renoir made this classic based on the novel by Emile Zola between his masterpieces "La grande illusion" and "La règle du jeu." Jean Gabin stars in this pre-noir film about a train engineer who falls for the "femme fatale" wife of a train conductor whom she already persuaded to kill her former lover. Thanks to Zola, Renoir taps into the psyche of the working class and their struggles brought alive with stunning cinematography and flawless performances by Gabin and Simone Simon that make this classic timeless in the hand of a master at the peak of his career. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.