[DVD] Tuesdays with Mell Apr 24, 2012

Pariah 2011 Sundance cinematography award winning drama Written & Directed by: Indie Spirit winner Dee Rees. Plot: A Brooklyn teenager (Adepero Oduye) juggles conflicting identities and risks friendship, heartbreak, and family in a desperate search for sexual expression. Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movieDetails/512938 Review: I'm interested in the movie because of its Indie Spirit win. Will update after I watch. Rating: TBD. Watch with: TBD.

The Innkeepers 2011 horror film Starring: Emmy nom Sara Paxton ("Darcy's Wild Life"), Kelly McGillis (At First Sight) & Nicholle Tom ("Criminal Minds"). Written & Directed by: Ti West (The House of the Devil). Plot: During the final days at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, two employees determined to reveal the hotel's haunted past begin to experience disturbing events as old guests check in for a stay. Trailer:  http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movie/trailer/514139 Review: I really liked The House of the Devil so I immediately knew I wanted to see The Innkeepers, which is in keeping with his old school 70s horror style. Looking forward to watching it. Rating: TBD. Watch with: TBD.

Cinema Verite (TV) 2011 Emmy winning HBO drama Starring: Oscar nom Diane Lane (Unfaithful), Oscar winner Tim Robbins (Mystic River), Thomas Dekker (A Nightmare on Elm Street), 3X Emmy winner James Gandolfini ("The Sopranos"), Patrick Fugit ("House M.D."), Oscar nom Kathleen Quinlan (Apollo 13) & Lolita Davidovich ("Criminal Minds"). Written by: David Seltzer (The Omen). Directed by: Oscar nom Shari Springer Berman (American Splendor) & Oscar nom Robert Pulcini. Plot: A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the first American family to be the subjects of a reality TV show. Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movieDetails/517898 Review: This seems like a really interesting movie. I didn't realize reality tv started that early. Be warned though that this movie is really depressing, or so I've heard. Rating: TBD. Watch with: TBD.

Titanic (mini-series) 2012 drama Starring: Toby Jones (The Hunger Games). Written by: Oscar winner Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park). Directed by: Jon Jones. Plot: The world's largest ship, the Titanic, meets with disaster when it strikes an iceberg on its maiden voyage. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcxYZqR7mJ4 Review: It's amazing how many versions of this story there are, yet I constantly have to remind myself that this is a true story. Unbelievably tragic. Rating: TBD. Watch with: TBD.

Return (2011) drama Starring: Linda Cardellini ("ER"), Oscar nom Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) & 4X Emmy nom John Slattery ("Mad Men"). Written & Directed by: Liza Johnson. Plot: A soldier (Cardellini) returns to her family, friends, and old job after a tour of duty, though she finds herself struggling to find her place in her everyday life. Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movie/trailer/523981 Review: I've never heard of this movie, but the trailer blew me away. It looks like Cardellini is finally getting a chance to shine in a film. Rating: TBD. Watch with: TBD.

The Roasted Cafe & Lounge commercial

I'm in this commercial. I play The Unicorn.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=444078652276195&set=vb.399455123405215&type=2&theater

[DVD] Tuesdays with Mell April 17th, 2012

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011) Spy Action Film Starring: Ethan Hunt, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Josh Holloway, Michelle Monaghan, Ving Rhames & Tom Wilkinson. Written by: Josh Appelbaum("Life on Mars") & Andre Nemec ("Alias") based on the tv series by 2X Emmy winner Bruce Geller. Directed by: 2X Oscar winner Brad Bird (Ratatouille). Plot: The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his new team (Patton, Pegg & Renner) to go rogue to clear their organization's name. Trailer:

http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movie/trailer/477916 Review: I went into this movie with low expectations given the 2nd and 3rd of the series. I was pleasantly surprised. This is what I had been waiting for, an actual spy movie with an actual team, not just Hunt doing everything by himself. What I liked particularly that was different from the other films was that this movie actually seemed to follow the laws of physics. The stunts weren't always perfect, and I liked that. Nice supporting cast as well. Too bad there wasn't more of Holloway. Rating: Noteworthy. Watch with: Mission Impossible

Shame 2011 Indie Spirit award nominated Drama Starring: Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class) & Oscar nom Carey Mulligan (An Education). Written by: Cannes winner Steve McQueen (Hunger) & Abi Morgan. Directed by: McQueen. Plot: In New York City, Brandon's (Fassbender) carefully cultivated private life -- which allows him to indulge his sexual addiction -- is disrupted when his sister Sissy (Mulligan) arrives unannounced for an indefinite stay. Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movie/trailer/531629 Review: I've heard amazing things about Fassbender's performance, and Mulligan sings. Those are reasons for watching. Hopefully this is prove to be a movie of substance and not just a peep show. Rating: TBD. Watch with: TBD.

The Divide 2011 Scifi thriller Starring: Milo Ventimiglia ("Heroes"), Indie Spirit nom Courtney B. Vance (Blind Faith), Ashton Holmes ("Lie to Me"), Indie Spirit award nom Rosanna Arquette (After Hours) & Jennifer Blanc ("Dark Angel"). Written by: Karl Mueller & Eron Sheean. Directed by: Xavier Gens. Plot: Survivors of a nuclear attack are grouped together for days in the basement of their apartment building, where fear and dwindling supplies wear away at their dynamic. Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movieDetails/515126 Review: I'm divided about this film. This movie seemed really interesting. I really like survival movies, but it became disturbing. It wasn't a horror film, but it ventured into exploitation territory quickly. There's only so much of that genre I can take. This movie crossed that line for me. Unfortunately, the actions that take place in this film represent the realistic way people can lose their humanity when their life is on the line. The technical aspects of this film were amazing, however. The money was put in the right places when it came to effects. The acting was outstanding with much of the dialogue improvised. If the movie had a soundtrack I would buy it. The score as well as the song during the credits were hauntingly beautiful. The cinematography was brilliant as was the ending. It was the graphic scenes in the film that bothered me on a human level as well as some unanswered questions.  If movies like Blindness or any of those exploitation films from the 1970's to now bother you, than steer clear of this movie. Rating: Noteworthy, but still made me want to stab a pen in my eye out of sheer disgust. Watch instead: The Killer Inside Me (2010) & Outbreak.

The Vintner's Luck 2009 Fantasy Drama Starring: Oscar nom Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider), Gaspard Ulliel (Hannibal Rising) & Oscar nom Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air). Written by: Indie Spirit nom Niki Caro (Whale Rider) & Joan Scheckel based on the novel A Heavenly Vintage by Elizabeth Knox. Directed by: Caro (North Country). Plot: In 19th century France, a peasant winemaker (Jérémie Renier) endeavors to create the perfect vintage. Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movie/trailer/433680 Review: I'm interested in this film because I like spiritual films, and I like wine. What a dichotomy! Rating: TBD. Watch with: TBD.

[DVD] Tuesdays with Mell Apr.10, 2012 The Iron Lady, Sleeping Beauty, The Darkest Hour & more

The Iron Lady 2011 2X Oscar winning (best actress & makeup) biopic Starring: 3X Oscar winner Meryl Streep (Sophie's Choice), Oscar winner Jim Broadbent (Iris) & Anthony Head ("Merlin"). Written by: Abi Morgan. Directed by: Phyllida Lloyd. Plot: An elderly Margaret Thatcher (Streep) talks to the imagined presence of her recently deceased husband (Broadbent) as she struggles to come to terms with his death while scenes from her past life, from girlhood to British prime minister, intervene. Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movie/trailer/520354 Review: I haven't seen this one, but I'm curious because of the fact Streep won her third Oscar for this, and I love Anthony Head. We'll see.

Sleeping Beauty 2011 Cannes Palme d'Or nominated drama Starring: Emily Browning. Written & Directed by: Julia Leigh. Plot: A haunting portrait of Lucy (Brown), a young university student drawn into a mysterious hidden world of unspoken desires. Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movieDetails/518390 Review: I was curious about this film because it's inspired by a Japanese novel called House of the Sleeping Beauties, but a little worried about the handling of the subject matter. I was right to be concerned. This movie was pretentious soft core porn. The plot was non-existent. The cinematography was pretty but so what? Oh, and beware of old balls. Full on frontal nudity of old guys. The only saving grace to this film was that it wasn't full prostitution like I thought it was going to be. I won't spoil it for anyone really curious though I'm warning you now. This movie is a huge waste of time. Poor Brown, going full frontal nude for this drivel. Review: I'd rather stab a pen in my eye than ever watch this again. Watch instead: Shrek the Third

The Darkest Hour 2011 scifi action film Starring: Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minghella, Rachael Taylor & Joel Kinnaman. Written by: Jon Spaihts. Directed by: Chris Gorak. Plot: In Moscow, five young people lead the charge against an alien race who have attacked Earth via our power supply. Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movieDetails/510002 Revuew: I'm interested in seeing this movie because you rarely see alien invasion films where the characters actually fight back, not merely survive. This film was wide released then seemed to disappear into obscurity. Hopefully that's not a bad sign.

Donald Glover: Weirdo - Live From New York (TV) 2012 stand up special Starring: Donald Glover ("Community"). Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SHjAmD3eWs Review: I've first became a fan of the Derrick Comedy site, "Community" is the best comedy on TV as far as I'm concerned, and I loved Mystery Team. I have high hopes.

The Terror Experiment 2010 action thriller Starring: C. Thomas Howell ("Criminal Minds"), Judd Nelson ("Two and a Half Men"), Jason London ("Saving Grace"), Robert Carradine ("Lizzie McGuire") & Lochlyn Munro ("Smallville"). Written by: D. Todd Deeken. Directed by: George Mendeluk. Plot: This is the story of a building that is part of a "terror experiment" where an explosion happens and then certain people get infected and become feral. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5fw5Q1eAAI Review: This movie looks terrible, but I'm a huge C. Thomas Howell fan so I have to watch lol. We'll see.

My acting website is up!!!

My acting website is finally up! Just the basics on there, but I'm adding more.

http://michelenichols.weebly.com/

DVD Tuesdays With Mell 02/14/13 Take Shelter & more

Take Shelter 2011 Indie Thriller Starring: Oscar nom Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road), Oscar nom Jessica Chastain (The Help), 3X Emmy winner Kathy Baker ("Picket Fences") & Lisa Gay Hamilton ("Law & Order: SVU"). Written & Directed by: 2X Cannes winner Jeff Nichols. Plot: Plagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, a young husband and father (Shannon) questions whether to shelter his family (Chastain) from a coming storm, or from himself. Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movieDetails/506649 Review: I've been looking forward to this movie for some time. It looks brilliant. If 2 Cannes wins mean anything, then it should be. Rating: TBD. Watch with: TBD.

The Dead 2011 British Horror Film Written & Directed by: Howard J. Ford & Jonathan Ford. Plot: After surviving a plane crash in sub-Saharan Africa, Lt. Brian Murphy (Rob Freeman) now finds himself battling hordes of ravenous zombies. But by teaming up with a local military man (Prince David Oseia), Murphy might just escape this nightmare. alive. Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movie/trailer/530414 Review: Haven't seen this yet, but it looks amazing. It seems to be a very original take on a zombie flick, and I love zombie movies. Rating: TBD. Watch with: TBD.

2012 Academy Award Winners

The winners say WINNER. My picks are in BOLD BLUE. I will update as I watch them. First though, some gripes. Where is the Andy Serkis nomination? How about Rise of the Planet of the Apes adapted screenplay & best picture nod? What about Limitless for screenplay, editing, & picture?

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Nominees:

The Artist (2011): Thomas Langmann-WINNER.

The Descendants (2011): Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011): Scott Rudin-My pick

The Help (2011): Brunson Green, Chris Columbus, Michael Barnathan

Hugo (2011/II): Graham King, Martin Scorsese

Midnight in Paris (2011): Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum

Moneyball (2011): Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz, Brad Pitt

The Tree of Life (2011): Nominees to be determined

War Horse (2011): Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Nominees:

Demián Bichir for A Better Life (2011)

George Clooney for The Descendants (2011)

Jean Dujardin for The Artist (2011)-WINNER.-My pick

Gary Oldman for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

Brad Pitt for Moneyball (2011)- not worthy of a nomination imo.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Nominees:

Glenn Close for Albert Nobbs (2011)

Viola Davis for The Help (2011)

Rooney Mara for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady (2011)-WINNER.- She is a 3X winner now

Michelle Williams for My Week with Marilyn (2011)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Nominees:

Kenneth Branagh for My Week with Marilyn (2011)

Jonah Hill for Moneyball (2011)

Nick Nolte for Warrior (2011)

Christopher Plummer for Beginners (2010)-WINNER.- The oldest actor to ever win

Max von Sydow for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Nominees:

Bérénice Bejo for The Artist (2011)

Jessica Chastain for The Help (2011)

Melissa McCarthy for Bridesmaids (2011)

Janet McTeer for Albert Nobbs (2011)

Octavia Spencer for The Help (2011)-WINNER- she was good but not Oscar worthy imo.

Best Achievement in Directing

Nominees:

Woody Allen for Midnight in Paris (2011)

Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist (2011)-WINNER

Terrence Malick for The Tree of Life (2011)

Alexander Payne for The Descendants (2011)

Martin Scorsese for Hugo (2011/II)

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Nominees:

The Artist (2011): Michel Hazanavicius

Bridesmaids (2011): Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo

Margin Call (2011): J.C. Chandor

Midnight in Paris (2011): Woody Allen-WINNER

A Separation (2011): Asghar Farhadi

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Nominees:

The Descendants (2011): Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash-WINNER

Hugo (2011/II): John Logan

The Ides of March (2011): George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon

Moneyball (2011): Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin, Stan Chervin

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011): Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughan

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

Nominees:

A Cat in Paris (2010): Alain Gagnol, Jean-Loup Felicioli

Chico & Rita (2010): Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011): Jennifer Yuh

Puss in Boots (2011): Chris Miller

Rango (2011): Gore Verbinski-WINNER

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

Nominees:

Bullhead (2011): Michael R. Roskam(Belgium)

Footnote (2011): Joseph Cedar(Israel)

In Darkness (2011): Agnieszka Holland(Poland)

Monsieur Lazhar (2011): Philippe Falardeau(Canada)

A Separation (2011): Asghar Farhadi(Iran)-WINNER

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Nominees:

The Artist (2011): Guillaume Schiffman

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011): Jeff Cronenweth

Hugo (2011/II): Robert Richardson-WINNER

The Tree of Life (2011): Emmanuel Lubezki-my pick

War Horse (2011): Janusz Kaminski

Best Achievement in Editing

Nominees:

The Artist (2011): Anne-Sophie Bion, Michel Hazanavicius

The Descendants (2011): Kevin Tent

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011): Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter-WINNER

Hugo (2011/II): Thelma Schoonmaker

Moneyball (2011): Christopher Tellefsen

Best Achievement in Art Direction

Nominees:

The Artist (2011): Laurence Bennett, Robert Gould

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011): Stuart Craig, Stephenie McMillan

Hugo (2011/II): Dante Ferretti, Francesca Lo Schiavo-WINNER

Midnight in Paris (2011): Anne Seibel, Hélène Dubreuil-my pick

War Horse (2011): Rick Carter, Lee Sandales

Best Achievement in Costume Design

Nominees:

Anonymous (2011/I): Lisy Christl

The Artist (2011): Mark Bridges-WINNER

Hugo (2011/II): Sandy Powell

Jane Eyre (2011): Michael O'Connor

W.E. (2011): Arianne Phillips

Best Achievement in Makeup

Nominees:

Albert Nobbs (2011): Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnson, Matthew W. Mungle

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011): Nick Dudman, Amanda Knight,Lisa Tomblin

The Iron Lady (2011): Mark Coulier, J. Roy Helland-WINNER

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score

Nominees:

The Adventures of Tintin (2011): John Williams

The Artist (2011): Ludovic Bource-WINNER

Hugo (2011/II): Howard Shore

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011): Alberto Iglesias

War Horse (2011): John Williams

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song

Nominees:

The Muppets (2011): Bret McKenzie("Man or Muppet")-WINNER

Rio (2011): Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown, Siedah Garrett("Real in Rio")

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing

Nominees:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011): David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Bo Persson

Hugo (2011/II): Tom Fleischman, John Midgley-WINNER

Moneyball (2011): Deb Adair, Ron Bochar, David Giammarco, Ed Novick

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011): Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush, Peter J. Devlin

War Horse (2011): Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson, Stuart Wilson

Best Achievement in Sound Editing

Nominees:

Drive (2011): Lon Bender, Victor Ray Ennis

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011): Ren Klyce

Hugo (2011/II): Philip Stockton, Eugene Gearty-WINNER

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011): Ethan Van der Ryn, Erik Aadahl

War Horse (2011): Richard Hymns, Gary Rydstrom

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Nominees:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011): Tim Burke, David Vickery, Greg Butler, John Richardson

Hugo (2011/II): Robert Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossmann, Alex Henning-WINNER

Real Steel (2011): Erik Nash, John Rosengrant, Danny Gordon Taylor, Swen Gillberg

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White,Daniel Barrett-

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011): Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew E. Butler,John Frazier

Best Short Film, Animated

Nominees:

Dimanche (2011): Patrick Doyon

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2011): William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg-WINNER

La Luna (2011): Enrico Casarosa

A Morning Stroll (2011): Grant Orchard, Sue Goffe

Wild Life (2011): Amanda Forbis, Wendy Tilby

Best Short Film, Live Action

Nominees:

Pentecost (2011): Peter McDonald

Raju (2011): Max Zähle, Stefan Gieren

The Shore: Terry George, Oorlagh George-WINNER

Time Freak (2011): Andrew Bowler, Gigi Causey

Tuba Atlantic (2010): Hallvar Witzø

Totals:

The Artist-5

Hugo-4

The Iron Lady-2

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo-1

The Descendants-1

The Help -1

Midnight in Paris-1

A Separation-1

The Muppets-1

Rango-1

Beginners-1

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore -1

The Shore-1