"I have an army." - MY FAVOURITE FIGHT SCENES OF 2012

       It's that time of the (next) year again- list making time!! Last year I made a special list of villains because they stood out to me. This year, while I was listing down my favourite scenes, I noticed that a list-worthy number of them are fight scenes and so here we are. I do love a great cinematic fight. For the record, my favourite cinematic fight of all time is probably Mark Darcy versus Daniel Cleaver in Bridget Jones's Diary.

Note: Needless to say really, but this is a very spoiler-filled post.

Honourable mentions- Merida and Elinor vs Mor'Du in Brave, People vs Zombies in Paranorman, Abraham Lincoln vs horse-throwing vampire in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

10.

Elizabeth Shaw vs Alien Baby in Prometheus

I admit that I watched this scene with my face half-covered, but god it was memorable. Fighting an enemy that is literally growing inside you and having a goddamn cesarean to get rid of that- kudos to Noomi Rapace's Elizabeth.

9.

Django versus Candie's minions in Django Unchained

This is the shooting scene right after two major characters have been killed and Django has to defend himself and protect Broomhilda. This film is full of shooting, but here it is both outrageous and scary and cool and the blood just explodes out of people. It bloody fun (yes, pun very much intended).

8.

Gollum versus Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

A battle of wits and riddles, this was probably my favourite bit in the book. And while the horrid 48 FPS technology managed to make many scenes unbearable to watch, it works here as Gollum becomes even more realistic. And Martin Freeman as always is amazing. I was really pleased with how it turned out.

7.

Cid versus Jesse in  Looper

Well, it isn't exactly a fight scene as much as it is really cool scene with someone actually getting disintegrated in slow mo. Poor Jesse did not know what he was getting into, and good lord Pierce Gagnon is terrifying and awesome. Total jaw-dropping scene.

6.

People versus Monsters in The Cabin in the Woods

Speaking of, how cool was this scene when it happened? This scene sort of unites the two threads of the story in one beautiful and unbelievable blood bath, quite literally. And man, that homicidal unicorn.

5.

The two brothers versus Mad Dog in The Raid: Redemption

Another film with a lot of really cool action scenes to choose from but it all culminates to this final battle between the deadliest of the foes and the two brothers teaming up against him. Keeps one completely rapt.

4.

Batman versus Bane in The Dark Knight Rises

Bane is shown as someone with absolute brute power and we can actually feel that everytime he lands a blow on Batman (YES, ON BATMAN PEOPLE!). It is very scary but also extremely believable seeing the badass caped crusader actually having his back broken by this beast of a man.

3.

Mallory Kane versus Paul in Haywire

Is it me or does this scene remind one of the elevator scene in Drive? Like that scene, this too is a mixture of sexiness and violence, with mood lighting. The fight between Gina Carano and Fassy feels almost like a choreographed dance with one very sensuously brutal end.

2.

Hulk versus Loki in The Avengers

I am right to assume that everyone has watched this film and loved this part and I'm not spoiling it with this gif, yes? Just look at it. It's hilarious. AND it's even better in the film. Genius.

1.

James Bond versus Patrice in Skyfall

If I had not made this list, this would be my favourite scene of the year. I have watched this movie thrice now and every time I can't stop myself from gaping when this sequence takes place. The neon lighting, the shadows, the firing of the gun, the fact that you do not know who is who until the very last moment- oh god it is beautiful. Roger Deakins deserves all the Oscars for this scene alone and action scenes have never looked more gorgeous.

More lists coming up shortly. What did you think of this one?

Thoughts

1) Trailers- So last week I completely forgot to put some of the v. important trailers because I'm stupid. First we have the two identical Man of Steel teasers, except for the voice overs- one has Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent and the second has Russell Crowe as Jor-El. They are, as many have said, extremely Terrence Malick-esque, with butterflies and whatnot, but I kind of like it- especially the flying bit at the end. Then we have, what might be the most anticipated film of the year for many, many film lovers, P.T. Anderson's The Master. It looks very intriguing and the cinematography is beautiful. Next is Brad pitt-starrer crime flick Killing Them Softly. I like Pitt in this avatar and love the trailer especially towards the end. Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplin and Isla Fisher star in Bachelorette, which is kind of like Bridesmaids (it even has Rebel Wilson), but perhaps meaner and less depressing. I really want to watch this- I love Kiki being a bitch, and gosh her clothes in the trailer! The best trailer of this week is obviously of Skyfall, the next James Bond movie. It looks absolutely badass and gorgeous. Love Judy Dench as M, love Ben Whishaw as Q, love eerie Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem, and love love love Daniel Craig and his suits. I am so stoked! Also, I must talk about the Doctor Who series 7 trailer. Though I liked the teaser more, this one is pretty awesome too, with River Song, aka the love of my life, making an appearance, and also all those blown Daleks, which is supremely cool. CANNOT WAIT!


2) Peter Jackson is making The Hobbit into a trilogy. I don't know how I feel about this. I mean, will we even get to hear Benedict Cumberbatch's awe-inspiring voice in the first one? Poor Jackson doesn't ever want to stop making these movies, understandably so. Also, he should definitely take some of Total Film's attempts to name the third film into consideration. My favourite :')


3) Emma Stone will star in the next Cameron Crowe film, Deep Tiki. It has a really weird plot about a disgraced military contractor finding himself when he is sent to some top-secret base in Hawaii. I am only writing about this because in Emma Stone's fantastic acceptance speech for the Trailblazer Award in MTV Awards, she talked about Crowe being one of her role models. And since she is one of my role models, and my fake BFF, I hope this is a great film for her sake.


4) The Olympics have started and no, I am not going to discuss the sports since I hate all sports; this is about the opening ceremony made by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle. I sort of liked it. I saw all of it, minus whatever was cut during the fucking commercial breaks and between the march of countries that begin with the letters J-P, because I fell asleep then. In my defence, it aired from 1:30 am to 5:30 am here. Here's what I did like- Kenneth Branagh coming out of nowhere, James Bond and the Queen jumping off a helicopter (though I don't know how much I like the idea of both of them um, together... Bond has quite a reputation with the ladies, you know), J.K. Rowling, who is my queen, reading Peter Pan, big bad Voldemort, Rowan Atkinson being awesome, the whole music bit (except that cellphone love business), especially The Sex Pistols playing with the Queen present there, head banging to Arctic Monkeys at 4:30 in the morning, that one hot torch runner, the lighting of Sauron's Eye Olympic torch, the pretty fireworks and just the fact that Paul McCartney was there. There was a lot of weirdness too, the weirdest being the creepy giant baby that obviously was from Boyle's very own Trainspotting.


5) It has to be spoken about- Vertigo has replaced the fifty-year champion of Sight and Sounds "Greatest Films" list, Citizen Kane. Now I haven't seen the latter in the longest time, but I remember being blown away by it. Vertigo, not so much. In the entire top 50 list, I have seen 21 movies, which is decent-ish. From this list itself, another Hitchcock giant, Psycho, would probably top for me, followed by Taxi Driver (or maybe the other way round...), and then In the Mood for Love. The director's list is slightly better, with Taxi Driver at least in its top 10. Also I have seen 8 of the films, so yaay! Also check out the choices of some of the best directors around.


6) The sequel to the prequel, X-Men: First Class is going to be called X-Men: Days of Future Past which is based on an 80s comic of the same name and it has alternate timelines, so it will affect the events of the first three X-Men films too, and that awful Wolverine one too. The first one was certified girl porn, so I am obviously really looking forward to the prequel sequel (I just like saying that).


7) Check out Eternity of Dream's New York City in Genres. Also, the LAMB Foreign Chops: Modern Bollywood. I contributed to both (shameless self-promotion etcetera).


8) Finally, you know what I said about Daniel Craig and his suits-

Please, please, please make him the next Bond.

Byee.

Hellooo 2012!

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS! 

So last year I made quite an extensive list of films releasing in 2011, and I was a bit off in my predictions. I will make a similar list this time round- of films I will watch, and then of my most anticipated films of 2012.

• 21 Jump Street- The trailer was funny. Johnny Depp cameo!
• Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter- Just because it has a cool name.
• Argo- Really liked The Town, and so I'm expecting great things from Ben Affleck's next project.
• Bin Laden film- I haven't seen any Katherine Bigelow films. Hopefully I will amend this by the time this releases.
• Cosmopolis- Cronenberg's next with Robert Pattinson as lead. Can RPatz show that he's more than a sparkly dead face?
• Dark Shadows- Tim Burton's next. I hope it brings us back to the good old Edward Scissorhands days.
• Dr. Seuss' The Lorax- It looks adorable, and I love Dr. Seuss stories!
• Frankenweenie- The other Tim Burton film. It looks adorable.
• Les Miserables- I hate Tom Hooper, but even that cannot stop my need to hear Hugh Jackman sing.
• Lincoln- So Daniel Day-Lewis is totally getting nominated for, and probably winning the Oscar for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in this. 
• On The Road- This was in my list last year as well, but it didn't release. I hope it's great.
• Perks of Being a Wallflower- I love me some teenage angst, and it has Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller.
• Skyfall- Bond 23. Not convinced about Sam Mendes but it really is one helluva cast.
• Snow White and the Huntsmen- Ugh, I am sooo on the Evil Queen's side. Charlize-liciousness is too much.
• The Amazing Spiderman- I am watching this for Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone only, unless they come up with some really mindblowing trailer.
• The Five-Year Engagement- Cute, funny and I love Emily Blunt.
• The Great Gatsby- The 3D aspect freaks me out, but it will be a Baz Luhrmann spectacular, and man Leo looks gorgeous!
• The Hunger Games- It looks cool enough, and it is said to be the next big franchise.
• The Wettest Country in the World- Really cool cast, including the lady of the hour- Jessica Chastain.
• This Means War- I'm sorry but I will let my hormones decide this.
• World War Z- A different take on the whole post-apocalyptic tale.

And now, my most anticipated films of 2012:

10) The Woman in Black

Daniel Radcliffe's first film role after Harry Potter (no HP film this year, or ever again *my creys*). The trailers have been fantastic, and it has the potential of being a really good scary movie. I hope it delivers.

9) Prometheus

After seeing Alien and Aliens recently, I am seriously hooked on to this series. Plus super-sexy cast with Fassy as an android.

8) The Avengers

The trailer looked like fun, and this will be the real clash of the titans as too many superheroes may spoil the broth. Love Loki though!

7) The Gangster Squad

The picture alone guarantees a spot here. But it does have a stellar cast and everyone is getting serious L.A. Confidential vibes from it. Oooh.

6) Gravity

Alfonso Cuarón's next is about two scientists played by Oscar-winners Sandra Bullock and George Clooney who are stuck in space together, and promises to be absolutely mindblowing with things we have never seen on the silver screen before *drool*.

5) Moonrise Kingdom
The most brilliant cast ever assembled in this- Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, Frances McDormand and Harvey Keitel. Can't wait for the next Wes Anderson modern classic.

4) Brave
I am in love with Princess Merida, and my devotion to Pixar is absolute. They will make a comeback with this, I am certain.

3) The Dark Knight Rises
Uh duh. I mean The Dark Knight has to be one of the best films ever made, and Christopher Nolan is a certified genius, and the trailer of this looks fantastic. Also Catwoman :D

2) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Oh look it's my husband there with Gollum! I am so excited for this. LoTR is one of the greatest trilogies ever made, if not the greatest, and The Hobbit is certainly on the right track with that amazing trailer.

1) Django Unchained
The wonderful and violent genius returns with a Western. After what he did with Inglorious Basterds, I can't even fathom (not that I can ever fathom anything in any of his movies) what sort of pure brilliance is going to be shown here. Plus, Leo as a villain seems too delicious a role to miss. Absolutely dying to see this.

* I completely forgot about Nero Fiddled (formerly known as Bop Decameron) which is Woody's next and stars Jesse Eisenberg, who was born to act in a Woody Allen film. 
** Also the Untitled Terence Malick project... though Ben Affleck makes me want to puke.
*** Martin McDonagh's Seven Psychopaths, because we love In Bruges, don't we?
**** P.T. Anderson's The Master, as anything following up to There Will Be Blood has to be a cinematic event.
***** The next Refn-Gosling venture- Only God Forgives.


It will be a great year, ouie?

Thoughts

A bit late, sorry. Here are the thoughts-


1) Let's start with trailers because it was THE BEST WEEK OF TRAILERS EVER!! I mean Wrath of the Titans people- Yaaaaayy!! No I'm kidding ofcourse, because that film is a joke. First up, we have the last part of Christopher Nolan's epic Batman trilogy The Dark Knight Rises. OMG it's awesome!! So I had been dying to get a glimpse of Catwoman because I am just the biggest fan of her portrayal by Michele Pfeiffer, and Anne Hathaway looks and sounds brilliant! Yes, it's a bit too much like Batman Returns, with the ball and all, but who cares? And I like Bane finally. People have issues with the voice, but I thought it was fine and like seriously, Nolan has toppled over cities in his films; he can handle voice issues pretty adeptly, I am sure. Then there is the trailer to Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey- OMFG it's awesomer!! Martin Freeman looks spot on fantastic as Bilbo Baggins, and it's great seeing old favourites like Gandalf, Galadriel, Gollum and the One Ring. I've missed Middle Earth, though it will take a whole year till we go there properly. These two are among my most anticipated films of next year. There were other trailers too- Bel Ami, which is Robert Pattinson's next. It looks okay-ish. I like onscreen playboys, so it will probably become a guilty pleasure. Lastly, there's the teaser to Ridley Scott's Prometheus. I've started watching the Alien films, and I do not think this film will be my cup of tea due to my wuss-nature. However, my Fassy fever knows no bounds and I'll probably still watch it.


2) Okay it's a bit late to have this outburst, but WHY THE FUCK WAS HARRY POTTER NOT NOMINATED FOR BEST ENSEMBLE IN SAG AWARDS?! There was Prof McBadass brilliance in this also :'( Stupid award voters and their low opinion of children movies. It is because they are all dead inside and their soul is as shriveled up as an ugly raisin.


3) Couple of days back I saw Juno and Scott Pilgrim Vs The World. Does anyone else miss Michael Cera? I dooo. I also want him to re-team with Edgar Wright. Can't there be more Scott Pilgrim films? I mean 2011 was a good year film-wise, but there was nothing like Scott Pilgrim, so that's a big fat fail.


4) Stevee Taylor of Cinematic Paradox got me on a Harry Potter high again, with her Harry Potter marathon. It'll be weird seeing all the films over the course of like a week. I cannot imagine it. I'm going to be doing a somewhat similar thing next year, when I see all the original Star Wars movies. I have a good feeling I'll hate them and not really understand them, but I look forward to be proven wrong (hopefully).


5) Are there other series like these that I need to watch? I'll be dabbling in Westerns also. And I have to see the 1939 films. Help all ye more knowledgeable folk!!


6) Finally- this is the best Christmas tree ever-

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Be good kids :D

Byeeee. Falalalala.

My Favourite and Least Favourite LoTR Characters

        In celebration of the release of the first The Hobbit trailer this morning, this list seems only apt. Also I recently finished watching the extended versions of The Lord of the Rings films. So basically I'm on a Middle Earth-high, and currently want to marry Martin Freeman. I mean seriously, move over Andrew Garfield! This man is a book-lover's wet dream (yes I know he's probably already married but I refuse to check). I'm Mrs. Dent Watson Baggins Freeman from now! Yaayy!!


         Anyways, this list is based on the films and not the books, which I read in 7th grade and that also only the first one and half of the second. I do so love the films, and I like almost all the characters in it save a few. These are my least favourite and favourite characters from The Lord of the Rings movies.


My least favourite characters-

5) Grima Wormtongue (played by Brad Dourif)-

Grima is just creepy. He takes over poor Theoden's mind and rules his kingdom following Saruman's orders, and fancies the pretty Eowyn. He just reminds me of tentacles. Ew.

4) Saruman (played by Christopher Lee)-

I didn't like Saruman because I felt nothing for him. He was not the least bit scary in the film. He was just there. This much indifference, for a character as powerful as him, is never a good thing.

3) Denethor (played by John Noble)-

He was just so repulsive a character. A man driven mad by power, and clearly one of the worst fictional fathers of all time. He is just horrible.

2) Orcs (played by men who don't mind looking like that)-

I saw my first LoTR film, The Two Towers, when I was in fourth grade and I was genuinely terrified of them (though I got more freaked out by the Aragorn-Arwen kisses then :P). Orcs are just the grossest, scariest, most inhumane race ever.

1) Frodo Baggins (played by Elijah Wood)-

I'm sorry, but Frodo just annoys the hell out of me. He's such a whiny little bitch. Okay yes he has the One Ring around his neck blah blah blah, but it's not my fault that his irritating and stupid side is the one I am subjected to. I really would fast-forward all his scenes were it not for Sam and Gollum and the others.

And now my favourite characters-


Honourable mentions- Theoden, Gimli, Elrond, Éomer, Treebeard.

10) Galadriel (played by Cate Blanchett)-

I just love her. I am probably as taken aback as Gimli is with her, The narration, the crazy power thing in The Fellowship of the Ring, the peaceful look on her face always... I would follow her everywhere, definitely.

9) Faramir (played by David Wenham)-

I absolutely adore Faramir. He was so unloved and unrewarded, but he went past all that and became a great soldier, and certainly a fantastic man.

8) The One Ring/ Sauron-
I so want one (minus the Dark Lord influences). I love the simplicity of the look of the ring, and all the darkness it just brings with it. Every scene with the ring in it, is always dominated by it.

7) Gandalf (played by Sexgod Sir Ian McKellen)-
Isn't he just the best?! He's brave and kind and funny and quirky, and so so powerful. He would be just the most brilliant mentor.

6) Samwise Gamgee (played by Sean Astin)-
The bestest friend of them all. Though there are theories of homosexuality here (and I do agree with them till an extent), the basic fact is that Sam is the kind of friend that one can only pray for. He will never leave your side, and always help you and make you laugh and protect you. Frodo was sooo lucky Sam put up with his shit.

5) Aragorn (played by Viggo Mortensen)-
He is one of my most favourite literary kings ever. A true underdog in the world of men, with all of the power and responsibility and possible doom thrust upon him, who really rose to the occasion when required. A mighty warrior and a fine friend. Thank god Mortensen was finally cast for this... noone can open doors quite like he does *wink*.

4) Gollum (played by Andy Serkis)-

Serkis and Peter Jackson together brought a revolution in modern cinema with Gollum. He was just so amazingly made. I think Gollum is one of the most tragic characters in literature and film. I do feel sorry for all that he endured, and he really tries to be saved. 

I will even go as for to say that this is the best performance of the entire series of the films.

3) Merry and Pippin (played Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd respectively)-
I love Merry and Pippin! I think of all the characters, I am most like Pippin. I cannot think of them separately, though they each bring something different to the stories. Merry is the more sensible one, who unfortunately always gets left behind but shows great valour on the battlefield. Pippin is the honest fool, as Gandalf said, and does get into a lot of trouble, but only because of his curiosity. He has a pure heart and always helps in his own way.
Both of them together have some of the best lines in the films.

2) Éowyn (played by Miranda Otto)-

With the whole series revolving around the bravery and the hunger for power of men, this one woman steals the show for me. She is beautiful and humble and kind and so very brave. Éowyn is a role model. She needs independence even at the time of battle and distress and hates that her gender comes in the way. Still, she does prove herself more than worthy on the battlefield.

The scene when she kills the Witch-King, with the whole "I am no man" is a huge favourite of mine, one which always results in me screaming "GIRL POWER YESSSS!" She really is the best of the human race.

1) Legolas (played by Orlando Bloom)-
I could not help this. I really wanted to give the top spot to Sam for his undying friendship or Aragorn for his bravery or Gollum for his tragedy or Éowyn for all the girl power, or anyone for any "proper" emotional impact, but Legolas is just so freaking coooool!! I go crazy in all of his scenes. I cheer. I clap. I scream.
Still, he is a great elf and an incredible archer. He is there in all the battles and really plays pivotal roles. He is  one part of  the Man-Elf-Dwarf trio. Also, that elephant scene in The Return of the King is my favouritest, because again, it's so freaking coooool!!
I even once wanted to name my future child Legolas. You cannot question my devotion... I am gaga for this elf.

Hope you liked it. Cannot wait for The Hobbit!

- Mrs. Dent Watson Baggins Freeman.

Thoughts

I might actually have a regular feature with this one. So thoughts:

1) Fincher on my Mind- The first leaked and then official teaser trailers for David Fincher's adaptation of Stieg Larsson's acclaimed thriller The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo came out this week. Needless to say, I went nuts. I saw the "apparently" leaked red band one non-stop, started hyperventilating when it got removed, and am now seeing the green band (?) one in similar fashion. And can you blame me? It's fucking Fincher making a thriller! The first time I saw the first trailer, I sat down and watched the Swedish version of the film. It was good, but Fincher and Fincher alone can make it great. I am already predicting falling in love with Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig within the end of this year. So Freaking Excited!

2) This is a continuation of the previous stream of thought- Fincher is apparently directing Cleopatra with Angelina Jolie as the title character. Um... I just can't... can't imagine what it will be like, look like, anything like. I don't know how long this has been in the works, but I just read the IMDb page for the film, and another internet article about it, and my brain has fuzzed over. I had been predicting that Fincher will be making more female-oriented films and dramatic ones, though he is mostly a guy-director. Yes there was Aliens 3 and Panic Room, and Marla Singer and Daisy...but Fincher seems like a guy's-guy. I think Jolie will be fine, as a cousin of mine pointed out- she is part of the Fincher-Pitt family, but still I cannot fathom what the film will be like. I was a bit skeptical about The Social Network too originally, and see how that turned out. Here's hoping it will be just as great.

3) Hungover...again?- I saw Hangover 2 this week. It was good, but honestly the same thing as the first one with a lot more violence involved. Apparently there might be a third one...in Amsterdam. Lots of questions popped into my head after this- Will Alan get married now? Because that will be weird. What will Stu do with the Red Light District hookers of Amsterdam? What animal will they use? How seriously will Phil get injured? And most importantly..WHY, OH WHY WOULD THEY DO IT AGAIN?? Seriously no one is stupid enough to get fucked over 3 times, no matter how funny or insane! (I'll do a quick review soon, after watching X-Men probably.)

4) Sequels- Peter Jackson-directed The Hobbit, will now be divided into two parts. I'm fine with it, but it does make me think that Deathly Hallows might have started some sort of a trend now. Sad names though- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. How does one compare something like Fellowship of the Ring to There and Back Again...it sounds like a Backstreet Boys song for crying out loud! Also a sequel that I have personally been waiting for is finally in works...or is it? Paramount has apparently set the release date of Star Trek 2 next year June...despite the fact that there is no script or director or actors. I thought Star Trek was brilliant, and as much as I want to see a sequel, I really don't want it to be crap due to limited time and rushed production.

ALSO-

Okay...personal thoughts over. How about yours?