Thoughts and FYCs

1) The LAMMYs are here, folks! Here is my banner-

If you would like, please do vote for me in these categories. You can see my blog's design and this is a Weekly Thoughts post. As for Funniest Writer- Q: What is red and smells like blue paint? A: Red paint. *drops the mic and walks away*

The entire Eligibility List is out and I would be checking them out soon. However, I already know that two blogs that I will be voting for a lot are And So It Begins... and Cinematic Corner. Alex Withrow is a shoo-in for the Most Knowledgeable Writer. Dude has watched every movie ever, seriously! And though Being Norma Jeane is in the Best Design category too, Sati's site is, and this is probably the highest praise I can give to anything, the Ryan Gosling of blogs. It's gorgeous! Also, I am conflicted between Alex's "In Character" thingies and Sati's "Visual Parallels" for Best Running Feature.

2) Anyways, getting back to film world, Steven Spielberg was in India recently and is thinking about making a film about the India-Pakistan-Kashmir conflict. Woah! A part of me thinks it will be brilliant and a part of me, i.e. the part that remembers Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom only far too well, is scared. That was one ridiculously inaccurate and racist film and was saved only because Harrison Ford is a god. One of the names being thrown about for the Bollywood cast of the Kashmir film is that of Anushka Sharma, which is awesome because she is a wonderfully charismatic and beautiful actress who can actually act- a rarity in Bollywood. I guess I do want this to happen. Also if Spielberg comes to Calcutta, I'm sooooooooo stalking him.

3) Jane's Got a Gun. I don't really have anything funny to say about that. I don't need to. *drops the mic and walks away*

4) Ryan Gosling is apparently taking a break from acting. RUBBISH, I TELL YA'! Yes, him directing How to Catch a Monster is the single-most awaited event of my life right now, but still. He's an amazing actor! He can't talk all this crap. In the meantime, some stills from his upcoming potential epic, Only God Forgives have been released.

5) Speaking of, my ovaries explode and go to heaven at 7:32 in this video-

This film will be the death of me. It's going to be really experimental though, so I am a tiny bit scared too.

6) TV talk- Season 3 of American Horror Story will be called American Horror Story: Coven. So witches it is, and glamorous ones at that. Can't wait! Bates Motel started this week and it wasn't half bad. Freddie Highmore's face is really weird and distracting, though not in a good way, but he was pretty creepy as Norman Bates. I thought Vera Farmiga's Mrs. Norma Bates was exactly like how I had imagined her to be, except she's obviously much prettier. Girls, thankfully, had a pretty great season finale. Was anyone else reminded of Manhattan's Isaac Davis when Adam ran across Brooklyn streets to Hannah? They are both completely insane romantic gestures if you think about it.

7) Trailers- Despicable Me 2 looks fun enough. You know, I would really like to have some minions. THE BEST STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS TRAILER YET! As much as I love Kirk and Spock, I am definitely going to end up siding with Benedict Cumberbatch's villain. I know it.

8) Oh and have you guys been listening to Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. It's absolutely fantastic. Everyone in it is doing a great job, with special props to Scottish king, James McAvoy and the angel of voices, Benedict Cumberbatch (yes, I did just write that. It's allowed because it's true).

9) New header and sidebar pictures. YAAY!

10) Finally, Matt Smith wants to be a Bond villain. I don't know if he's menacing enough to be a main villain, but he can be like a side-villain and fight Q. I would really, really, really like that. So would, it seems, Sir Ian McKellen-

Would not mind sharing Matt Smith with him one bit. Nope.

Please vote and adieu!

Thoughts

Hello people! Another week, another thoughts post.

1) MOST IMPORTANT NEWS EVER of the week- THE NEW SHERLOCK SERIES WILL START FILMING NEXT WEEK! ZOMG! I have been waiting for this so long that it almost feels unreal. The actual show will obviously air next year so our stars aren't *that* lucky. But man, o man, so effing excited! Benedict Cumberbatch has also let it leak that there will indeed be a fourth series, though when the hell that will happen is something I am almost frightened to speculate about. Also THIS. Idiots.

2) Michael Fassbender has dropped out of Lynn Ramsay's Jane's Got a Gun. This is unfortunate, but Jude Law is joining instead which is great because it will be a reunion with his Closer-costar, Natalie Portman. Law won't be actually replacing Fassy's character. Joel Edgerton, who was already in the cast, will be now playing the role intended for Fassy and Law will in turn play Edgerton's former character. Fassy on the other hand, has joined the Sin City sequel, which is the reason why I rewatched the movie last week despite my qualms against it, or rather the ickiness of it. The things I do for actors I worship.

3) Sequels everywhere- There are talks about a sequel to the Wizard of Oz prequel, Oz the Great and the Powerful (which you can hear me talking about in The Matineecast). I knew this will happen. But apparently Sam Raimi isn't going to be directing it. I liked Oz, but I really don't see a point of a sequel. Speaking of, Danny Boyle wants to make a sequel of Trainspotting with the original cast. WHY?! That film is perfect. Leave it be. And I know Ewan McGregor will definitely come back because as amazing as he is, he isn't the most discerning of actors when it comes to choosing good roles (I'm looking at you, Jack the Giant Slayer). A sequel I am actually excited about is the one to Tintin, which is a film I loved. Peter Jackson will be directing this one and it is said to release in 2015.

4) Christopher Nolan will be directing a huge sci-fi film next called Interstellar. Nolan's one of the few filmmakers who can make a massive blockbuster without insulting anyone's intelligence, and the synopsis thus far sounds really cool- "The film will depict a heroic interstellar voyage to the furthest reaches of our scientific understanding." Can't wait!

5) Trailers- A really good week. I already spoke in detail about The Bling Ring teaser, which has made me v. excited indeed. Another trailer that I have been watching on repeat is of Much Ado About Nothing. This too is one of my most anticipated films of the year and I think it looks excellent. The Hangover 3 just may not be awful. We'll see. Pedro Almodovar's I'm So Excited looks brilliant. Apparently this film has a more Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown vibe, so yaay! Look of Love has a really good cast and I absolutely adore Steve Coogan. Kick-Ass 2 has a red-band trailer out. This might be really terrible, but seeing how fun the first one was and the inclusion of Jim Carrey in this, I am still looking forward to it a lot. Finally, the latest teaser of Star Trek Into Darkness is the best one yet and Cumberbatch looks ahmazing!

6) Finally, Joaquin Phoenix in The Adventures of Superboy (1989)-

:') Bye.

Podcast Time!

       Yep, Ryan at The Matinee invited me to have a discussion on Sam Raimi's Oz the Great and the Powerful.

       It was a lot of fun and even though my mic is pretty bad, you can hear my giddying excitement coming through. Still I really need to learn to finish a sentence before starting a new one. Also say 'like' fewer times in every sentence. I was not aware I spoke like in that manner. New late year resolution for me to tackle!

       Anyways, you can hear some film-related things about me, about the directors that people want to go back to their roots, and then Ryan and I talk about Oz, Enchanted and Labyrinth.

      Do listen to it. I hope you like it. Sorry for all the 'likes' and 'yeahs' :S

"Let's go shopping."

A teaser is finally here! I have been going crazy ever since it was announced that Emma Watson is to star in the new Sofia Coppola film because I thought they were a match made in girly heaven, and now I am sure of it.

I am loving the whole vibe of The Bling Ring. As much as I loved Somewhere, I did think it was a bit too malaise and slow and this feels like more fun. With Sleigh Bells' "Crown On The Ground" playing in the background, we see a group of young thieves who robbed the homes of Hollywood personalities living the high life and the repercussions thereof. It looks gorgeous and playful and reminds me of my two most favourite Coppola films, Marie Antoinette and The Virgin Suicides. The former because of all the indulgence and the latter due to the crime aspect.

Also, I must mention Watson. Just one question- Hermione who?

Can't bloody wait for this now. It's going to be awesome!

Thoughts

1) 100 FOLLOWERS! YESSSS!


Thank you everyone who follows this blog. I really never expected this to happen. So happy. All of you guys rock!

2) Sam Mendes will not direct Bond 24. A part of me wants to boo this decision after his brilliant work in Skyfall, and a part of me is glad because in case he didn't deliver, it might have marred that very work. I can't really think of a director right now, but I do hope the producers decide to walk down a similar path and find a director who can continue exploiting the more dramatic and deeper side of James Bond.

3) The Harry Potter stars have got it going on! Daniel Radcliffe, aka my favourite person in the world, is in talks to star as Igor in the sci-fi retelling of Frankenstein that has been penned down by Chronicle's Max Landis. I think this sounds like all kinds of bizarre awesomeness, what with the Frankenstein character reportedly being "pathologically dirty and dressed in old clowns clothing." I am really looking forward to it and DanRad's work in it. Also speaking of re-imaginings, Emma Watson might star as the eponymous heroine in the live action version of Cinderella with Cate Blanchett as the Evil Stepmother and Kenneth Branagh at the helm as director. I think she will be a lovely Cinderella.

4) Anchorman 2 is one of my most anticipated films of this year and after news of Kristen Wiig and James Marsden joining the comic cast, the ultimate hero-actor, Harrison Ford, too will be seen in the film. It is becoming damn near impossible to wait for this film. It is going to be gold.

5) Posters- Iron Man 3 has a ton of posters out. I do like the Pepper Potts poster and (I'm guessing) the final poster but I absolutely lurve the Tony Stark character poster. I would actually like to own it. It's badass.  Also speaking of excellent posters, the latest Spring Breakers poster is super girly and violent and I adore it. The new Hangover 3 poster trying to mimic the final Harry Potter posters is just hilarious. Coming to TV shows (WHICH ARE GOING TO FINALLY START IN MARCH! WOO HOO!), Doctor Who has a new poster out with the Doctor, Clara and a whole lot of upcoming villains whose images are hidden in the shards of glass. Also Game of Thrones has character posters out and they are awesome. Even fucking Joffrey gets one, though I am pretty sure it's for people to throw things at.

6) Links- Mette is turning 18 soon. She's far too cool for someone so young and is celebrating this fact on her blog with a series of The Upcoming Adult lists. They are fantastic. Speaking of, Ryan at The Matinee has written nearly 2000 posts! 1999 to be exact with the 2000th one coming out later today. I'll probably be 70 by the time I reach that many posts, so a huge congratulations and also a pat on the back to him. Also, do check out Anna's musings on the ultimate cinephile question- "Why movies? Why not books, music, art? What elevates film above all else?" Excellent read and something I really understand and agree with.

7) Trailers- Frances Ha, which looks hilarious and weird and something I would seriously enjoy. I have been waiting for it since TIFF last year. Spring Breakers that is looks like a truly strange, alluring, crazy film and I am actually looking forward to it. The latest Iron Man 3 trailer is the best one yet, and I am finally fully pumped for this film. I was scared that this film will take too serious a tone, but I can see the glimpses of humour and one-liners in it, so I am a happy bunny now. In TV land, the new Hannibal show looks pretty intense and I think it will be great. Finally, the Game of Thrones, Season 3 extended trailer has made me hungry for this show again. It looks epic and god I love Tyrion and the dragons!

8) Finally, I am going to leave you with David Bowie's latest music video, starring his androgynous alien soulmate, Tilda Swinton. As I read somewhere, and agree whole-heartedly, Bowie probably started making new music again so that Swinton could star in his videos.

She HAS to star as Bowie in his biopic, yes?

Bye!

The Month that was- February

         This has been one of my worst movie-watching months in perhaps, years. 9 movies- whaat? It's kind of insane because last February, I watched 61 movies, which is one of highest month watches ever. Anyways, this was because of goddamned exams and all the free time was utilised in making my end of year lists. In case you missed them- my favourite films, performances, shots, scenes, fight scenes and everything else. February was also the month when I went slightly nutso about The Greatest Casting Decision Of All Time. 


Firsts:

1) The Impossible- I have a feeling this film was made to test the cynic in us. I, for one, thought it would be hilarious if the plane would have crashed at the end of everything. Anyways, I loved Tom Holland and it was a nice enough film.

2) The Master- Finally! I did not love all of it, but I really loved parts of it. And great cast led by Joaquin Phoenix.

3) Warm Bodies- Awwwww. As adorable and smart as I had expected it to be.

4) Sleuth (1972)- Genius, fun, scary; impeccably acted, directed and written and the set design was as perfect as they come. I totally saw a third person though!

5) My Left Foot- Finishing my Daniel Day-Lewis Best-Actor-Oscar trilogy. I didn't really like the film but he was excellent.

Rewatched: 

1) Cloud Atlas- My love for this film will grow everytime I rewatch it. Masterful.

2) Silver Linings Playbook- Ditto. Also, YAAY JENNIFER LAWRENCE!

3) Four Weddings and a Funeral- I was unable to follow my Valentine's Day tradition of watching Casablanca followed by Bridget Jones's Diary this year, but thankfully, I folded a couple of days before and watched this. I adore this film.

4) Hot Fuzz- Watching this film in parts is what kept me from going into complete zombie-mode during my exams. It is my #101st (ish) favourite film, I swear.

TV shows: 

1) Series 3 of The Mighty Boosh- The best series of the show- so funny and weird and awesome. Oh my Vince! Why did it have to end? :'(

2) Series 1 and 2 of Being Human UK- I generally like supernatural shows and have a huge crush Russell Tovey. I liked the show, though I prefer it when it is lighter and more absurd. The scene shown above is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I properly laughed till my insides ached. 

George: '"Mr. Sands Suck Cocks"? For God's sake! It's "Mr. Sands Sucks Cocks" - singular, not plural. Have I taught you nothing?'

Final tally:

                         Firsts- 23                           Rewatched- 14                    Shorts- 1

                                                                      Total- 38

       With March, hopefully I can bring things back on track.