I’ve been following James Cameron’s new film, Avatar for quite awhile. James Cameron have directed some of best 7th art in the late 80′s early 90′s. Aliens and Terminator 2 comes to mind. I’m not a big fan of Titanic, not a bad movie but had so much wipe surrounding it that kinda killed it for me.

Anyway Avatar its his most recent big hit. This movie started a wave of interested throughout ze Interwebs because it’s a James Cameron movie in the first place, a game is being developed by Ubisoft at the same time and I think it will raise the CGI WoW factor by a few levels. It has everything to be an epic movie and judging from the new trailer I think it will be a major hit. Looking forward for December!

IMDB: Avatar

Avatar Trailer

You can check the Official Trailer here.

Saw the trailer of this movie today. From the trailer it seems a completely different approach of the typical Sherlock Holmes, maybe it’s good, maybe it’s not. It can be seen by some like a way to corrupt the famous character, but in the other way can be a fresh start of the story (a bit like it’s being done with a lot “classic” story’s and movies). Anyway I liked the trailer and might be a strong candidate to see at the cinemas.

Movie Info

Genre: Action – Adventure – Crime – Drama – Mystery – Thriller

Plot: Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.

Director: Guy Ritchie.

Writers: Mike Johnson, Anthony Peckham.

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong.

IMBD Rating: NA

Year: 2009

Links: IMDB

Teaser Trailer

Went to see Star Trek the other day. While I don’t think it’s the best movie ever I really enjoyed it. Couldn’t step out of the cinema with the feeling the major inflated ratings it had upon release were a bit consequence of the big hype the movie had. It’s an old franchising so one can understand that are millions of fans enthusiastics about this new Star Trek Generation.

I won’t go into spoilers because I hate it myself when someone spoil it for me, but would suffice to say that this movie will surely please the old fans and the ones born after the Series or movies were starring. The authors found a clever way to bend the story enough so they can take their own path regarding characters personality and create different synergies between them. Although one might say the choice to how they did it might be the new cliché of seventh art in our century but despite that I think it was a good choice (you will surely understand what I’m saying after seeing the movie).

The cast was very well picked up. It’s strange to see Zachary Quinto the actor that plays Silar in the TV Series Heroes being Spock but to be honest worked really well. The way they introduced each character to the story was very clever, although at times might seem a bit rushed. James T. Kirk actor choice on the other hand might be more controversy because the “old” James T. Kirk was more of a gentleman, this one on his young age is a total rebel. Anyway the authors said that they didn’t intended to simply retell the story so some twists to some characters were expected and it kinda gave a new fresh air to the them.

The action is almost non-stop on this movie sometimes you don’t even have time to blink. The CGI are breathtaking, one of the best I’ve seen in recent years without a doubt. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was nominated for next years Oscars on Computer Special Effects.

In the end J.J Abrams confirms (with his partners Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman) once more that Lost success was not a coincidence.

Overall I think this movie deserves a good 7.5 / 10.

Movie Info

Genre: Action – Adventure – Sci-Fi

Plot: A chronicle of the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members.

Director: J.J. Abrams.

Writers: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman…

Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, John Cho…

IMBD Rating: 8.6

My Rating: 7.5

Year: 2009

Links: IMDB

Teaser Trailer

Watchmen, YACNGM (Yet Another Comic Novel Gone Money Maker Movie), the Novel of the much acclaimed Comic Book Writer Alan Moore. Moore wrote one of my favorite Graphic Novels and movie adapations, V for Vendetta.

The movie is about to premiere here in Portugal, but it’s not the movie that I’m here to talk about, it’s the special website they released for it. It’s called 6 minutes to midnight and it’s kinda of an interactive game. You should see for yourself because it’s really well done.

Link: 6 Minutes to Midnight

Official Website: Watchmen Movie

Trailer: Watchmen Trailer

Inglorious Bastards Basterds is Quentin Tarantino new project. I don’t know much about it other than what I saw in the trailer. It has Brad Pitt in it, it’s a Quentin Tarantino movie so not much more to say than I look forward to it.

Movie Info

Genre: Action – Adventure – War

Plot: In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds” are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers.

Director: Quentin Tarantino.

Writers: Quentin Tarantino.

Cast: Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Samuel L. Jackson, Mike Myers…

IMBD Rating: Not Released

Year: 2009

Links: IMDB

Teaser Trailer

Bigger Version: Link

Seen this trailer the other day and got intrigued by the movie. Considering the Director (The Silence of the Lambs) and the fact I like the actress a lot… I think I’m seeing this movie when it stars here in Portugal (and that is… let me see… TODAY! Cool!). Normally one would think a movie about a Marriage would be something very boring… Although the movie isn’t exactly about the Wedding or the bride but more about her sister, Kim. Kym (Anne Hathaway) was in rehab for a long time and is back for her sisters wedding. Judging by the trailer the film has some really heavy scenes. It was time already to give Anne Hathaway a decent role outside the normal bleach comedy.

Movie Info

Genre: Drama – Romance

Plot: A young woman who has been in and out from rehab for the past 10 years returns home for the weekend for her sister’s wedding.

Director: Jonathan Demme.

Writers: Jenny Lumet.

Cast: Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt…

IMBD Rating: 7.5

Year: 2008

Links: IMDB | Official Website: Rachel Getting Married

Teaser Trailer

I gotta tell ya folks, I’ve gotta tell ya… When it comes to religion and faith I’m as logical as I can be, maybe that’s why half the world seem illogical to me. But well.. I’m not preaching this today… This is a great documentary movie if you haven’t seen it yet. It talks about religion and wanting or not showcases how crazy humankind is. Be it religious or not, this is a must see movie by everyone. I’ve seen it twice now and I just can’t stop laughing…

Movie Info

Genre: Documentary

Plot: Bill Maher’s take on the current state of world religion.

Director: Larry Charles.

Writers: Bill Maher.

Cast: Bill Maher…

IMBD Rating: 7.8

Year: 2008

Links: IMDB

Teaser Trailer

81st Annual Academy Awards

Winners to be announced on Sunday, February 22nd.

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Nominees:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall

Frost/Nixon (2008): Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Eric Fellner

Milk (2008): Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks

The Reader (2008): Nominees to be determined

Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Christian Colson

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Nominees:

Richard Jenkins for The Visitor (2007/I)

Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon (2008)

Sean Penn for Milk (2008)

Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Nominees:

Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married (2008)

Angelina Jolie for Changeling (2008)

Melissa Leo for Frozen River (2008)

Meryl Streep for Doubt (2008/I)

Kate Winslet for The Reader (2008)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Nominees:

Josh Brolin for Milk (2008)

Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder (2008)

Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt (2008/I)

Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight (2008)

Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Nominees:

Amy Adams for Doubt (2008/I)

Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Viola Davis for Doubt (2008/I)

Taraji P. Henson for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler (2008)

Best Achievement in Directing

Nominees:

Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Stephen Daldry for The Reader (2008)

David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon (2008)

Gus Van Sant for Milk (2008)

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Nominees:

Frozen River (2008): Courtney Hunt

Happy-Go-Lucky (2008): Mike Leigh

In Bruges (2008): Martin McDonagh

Milk (2008): Dustin Lance Black

WALL·E (2008): Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim Reardon

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Nominees:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Roth, Robin Swicord

Doubt (2008/I): John Patrick Shanley

Frost/Nixon (2008): Peter Morgan

The Reader (2008): David Hare

Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Simon Beaufoy

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Nominees:

Changeling (2008): Tom Stern

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Claudio Miranda

The Dark Knight (2008): Wally Pfister

The Reader (2008): Roger Deakins, Chris Menges

Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Anthony Dod Mantle

Best Achievement in Editing

Nominees:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter

The Dark Knight (2008): Lee Smith

Frost/Nixon (2008): Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill

Milk (2008): Elliot Graham

Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Chris Dickens

Best Achievement in Art Direction

Nominees:

Changeling (2008): James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo

The Dark Knight (2008): Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando

The Duchess (2008): Michael Carlin, Rebecca Alleway

Revolutionary Road (2008): Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt

Best Achievement in Costume Design

Nominees:

Australia (2008): Catherine Martin

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Jacqueline West

The Duchess (2008): Michael O’Connor

Milk (2008): Danny Glicker

Revolutionary Road (2008): Albert Wolsky

Best Achievement in Makeup

Nominees:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Greg Cannom

The Dark Knight (2008): John Caglione Jr., Conor O’Sullivan

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008): Mike Elizalde, Thomas Floutz

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score

Nominees:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Alexandre Desplat

Defiance (2008): James Newton Howard

Milk (2008): Danny Elfman

Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman

WALL·E (2008): Thomas Newman

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song

Nominees:

Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman, Gulzar(“Jai Ho”)

Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman, Maya Arulpragasam(“O Saya”)

WALL·E (2008): Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman(“Down to Earth”)

Best Achievement in Sound

Nominees:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Mark Weingarten

The Dark Knight (2008): Ed Novick, Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo

Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty

WALL·E (2008): Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Ben Burtt

Wanted (2008): Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño, Petr Forejt

Best Achievement in Sound Editing

Nominees:

The Dark Knight (2008): Richard King

Iron Man (2008): Frank E. Eulner, Christopher Boyes

Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Tom Sayers

WALL·E (2008): Ben Burtt, Matthew Wood

Wanted (2008): Wylie Stateman

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Nominees:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron

The Dark Knight (2008): Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Timothy Webber, Paul J. Franklin

Iron Man (2008): John Nelson, Ben Snow, Daniel Sudick, Shane Mahan

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

Nominees:

Bolt (2008): Chris Williams, Byron Howard

Kung Fu Panda (2008): John Stevenson, Mark Osborne

WALL·E (2008): Andrew Stanton

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

Nominees:

Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (2008)(Germany)

Entre les murs (2008)(France)

Revanche (2008)(Austria)

Okuribito (2008)(Japan)

Vals Im Bashir (2008)(Israel)

Best Documentary, Features

Nominees:

The Betrayal – Nerakhoon (2008): Ellen Kuras, Thavisouk Phrasavath

Encounters at the End of the World (2007): Werner Herzog, Henry Kaiser

The Garden (2008/I): Scott Hamilton Kennedy

Man on Wire (2008): James Marsh, Simon Chinn

Trouble the Water (2008): Tia Lessin, Carl Deal

Best Documentary, Short Subjects

Nominees:

The Conscience of Nhem En: Steven Okazaki

The Final Inch: Irene Taylor Brodsky, Tom Grant

Smile Pinki: Megan Mylan

The Witness from the Balcony of Room 306: Adam Pertofsky, Margaret Hyde

Best Short Film, Animated

Nominees:

La Maison en Petits Cubes: Kunio Kato

Ubornaya istoriya – lyubovnaya istoriya (2007): Konstantin Bronzit

Oktapodi (2007): Emud Mokhberi, Thierry Marchand

Presto (2008): Doug Sweetland

This Way Up (2008): Alan Smith, Adam Foulkes

Best Short Film, Live Action

Nominees:

Auf der Strecke (2007): Reto Caffi

Manon sur le bitume (2007): Elizabeth Marre, Olivier Pont

New Boy (2007): Steph Green, Tamara Anghie

Grisen (2008): Tivi Magnusson, Dorthe Warnø Høgh

Spielzeugland (2007): Jochen Alexander Freydank

Still it’s really good to look at the this Top 100 and feel the nostalgia in some of its pages…

Link: IGN’s Top 100 TV Animated Series