Eclipse Trailer Spoof - David Slade Approved

Natalie Portman | 13 Child Stars Who Made It | EW.com

Glad to see that some do survive the Hollywood machine and are successful as adult actors. Click on the picture of Natalie Portman below to see all 13 child stars who made it.

'Breaking Dawn' Director News

I may be psychic or just in-tune with everything 'Twilight', probably the latter. Just over a week ago, I commented on someone else's blog regarding my choice as to who should direct the fourth, and final installment, of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn:



Pardon the misspelling of Sofia Coppola's name, now today the following story was published:
High-profile directors approached for Breaking Dawn - The Ampersand which states that Ms. Coppola ('Lost in Translation'), along with Gus Van Sant ('Good Will Hunting') and Bill Condon ('Dreamgirls') are said to be in the running to direct 'Breaking Dawn'.




Any of the above candidates would be great, however, I do favour Sofia. Loved 'Lost in Translation' one of my favourite movies, for which she won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar in 2004. Plus her dad, Francis Ford Coppola directed 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' so it just follows that she should direct 'Breaking Dawn' :-)

Can't wait to hear who will be directing 'Breaking Dawn'

Eclipse Trailer

The wait is over, the Eclipse trailer is finally here! As they say, good things come to those who wait, and wait we did. It's worth it, looks great. This is my favourite of the 4 books and will see the movie a few times ;) Just a short 3-1/2 months from now.

‘The Hurt Locker,’ Kathryn Bigelow Top Oscar Winners | Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos

Historic night at the 82nd Academy Awards as Kathryn Bigelow is the first female director to win Best Director and The Hurt Locker wins Best Picture. As those who read this blog may know that I have loved The Hurt Locker since I first saw it in December. It's an amazing film and deserves this recognition. It was very fitting that Barbra Streisand presented the award to Kathryn, Barbra herself having directed movies and having been nominated in the past. This must have been very special for both of them.

‘The Hurt Locker,’ Kathryn Bigelow Top Oscar Winners Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos & Videos

The Twilight Bump Effect

This has been rattling around in my head for a few weeks...is there such a thing as the Twilight Bump Effect? Having Googled this phrase to ensure that these thought are indeed original, I do wonder whether the legions of fans who follow the goings-ons of anything Twilight related not only support the non-Twilight projects of its stars but also influence the box office.

Some may say this is a no-brainer. Would I be going to see 'Remember Me' if it didn't star RPattz (Robert Pattinson)? Would I see 'The Runaways' with KStew (Kristen Stewart) and Dakota Fanning initially thinking this was a movie about runaways instead of Joan Jett? 'Alice in Wonderland' to see Michael Sheen as the White Rabbit...actually, yes because I'm a huge Tim Burton fan.

Studios are starting to tap into the power of the established fan base for certain actors. Social networking has provided the studios with a media to communicate directly with the fans and are providing them a platform to share their thoughts, enthusiasm for the actors and their projects. A twitter account for 'Welcome to the Rileys', a new movie starring Kristen Stewart which debuted at Sundance in January, has generated enthusiasm and support for the film and even credited its followers with getting a distribution deal this week.

Is this the wave of the future? Regardless of the 'Twilight Effect' could other projects benefit from marketing to the same fanbase for other projects by the actors - chances are very good. Hollywood likes predictability/bankability so when there is a proven product (read actor) why reinvent the wheel. Could this be a new version of the studio system of the 1920's to 1950's Hollywood? Although actors may not be contractually bound to one studio for a set amount of years; some do sign deals for more than one movie with the same studio; and although the studios no longer own the theatres where their movies are shown-they still have the power to select which theatres the movies will be shown.

82nd Academy Awards - Winners

One of the highlights of my year are the Academy Awards. It is like the Superbowl/Grey Cup and Stanley Cup all rolled into one. This year, it will be a more low-key affair as I have spent the past 17 or so days partying.

This year my predictions are as follows, some I support (read Hurt Locker, Jeff Bridges) some I don't (read Sandra Bullock-I like her but she does not deserve to win for this part):

Best Picture

The Hurt Locker - Winner

Best Director

Kathryn Bigelow "The Hurt Locker" - Winner

Best Actor

Jeff Bridges "Crazy Heart" - Winner

Best Supporting Actor

Christoph Walz "Inglorious Basterds" - Winner

Best Actress

Sandra Bullock "The Blind Side" - Winner

Best Supporting Actress

Mo'Nique "Precious" - Winner

Best Animated Feature

Up - Winner

Cinematography

Avatar - Winner

Costume Design

The Young Victoria - Winner

Best Documentary Feature

Food, Inc. (X) - Winner: The Cove

Documentary Short

The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant (X) - Winner: Music by Prudence

Art Direction

The Young Victoria (X) - Winner: Avatar

Foreign Language

The White Ribbon (X) - Winner: El Secreto de Sus Ojos

Original Score

Up - Winner

Original Song

"The Weary Kind" from "Crazy Heart" - Winner

Short Film Animated

The Lady & the Reaper (X) - Winner: Logorama

Film Editing

Avatar (X) Winner: The Hurt Locker

Sound Editing

The Hurt Locker - Winner

Sound Mixing

The Hurt Locker - Winner

Visual Effects

Avatar - Winner

Adapted Screenplay

Up in the Air (X) - Winner: Precious

Original Screenplay

The Hurt Locker - Winner

Short Film Live Action

Instead of Abracadabra (X) - Winner: The New Tenants

Reminiscences of February 2010

February 2010 will be remembered for a long time, especially in Vancouver & Canada as we invited the world to celebrate with us for 17 glorious days. Since pictures speak louder than words, I have posted some of my favourite memories below. These are my personal photos.

Burton Cummings - February 25 Victory Ceremony

Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse - bobsleigh gold

Victory Ceremony - February 24

Clara Hughes, only Olympian to have medalled in both Winter & Summer Olympics.

Inside BC Place Stadium

Richmond City Hall - cranberries in the water

feature around the building.

One panel of the design of the fence covering -
it must have taken literally kilometres of material
to cover all the fences.

Short-track speedskating competition - February 20

Italian team warming up before race.

Medals on display at Royal Canadian Mint Pavilion

On the floor of the Royal Canadian Mint Pavilion

The crowds were an everyday occurrence. Everyone

was very pleasant and had a great party atmosphere.

Inukshuk by the water alongside False Creek

The Australian team was asked to take down this

flag as it wasn't IOC-approved-however, they relented

when Vancouver City Mayor said it was fine.

Huge billboards posted on wall of The Bay department

store in downtown Vancouver.

Vancouver Art Gallery wrapped up like a present

The cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza beside

Convention Centre

Winter Games Are Over

As the saying goes "all good things must come to an end" and shortly after 8pm Pacific on February 28, the 21st Winter Games came to a very successful close.

For years we (when I say 'we' I really mean the organizers, etc.) have been preparing for the 2010 Games. Now 19 days later, it's all over - and we are left to wander the streets by ourselves. Already, I miss seeing the sea of red & white and flags waving everywhere...it is interesting how quickly one gets used to seeing strangers all hang out together in merriment. This is how it must be if we lived on the Vegas Strip 24/7.

The Games were very successful and if parting is such sweet sorrow, reading the many nice things being said and written about us (when I say 'us' I mean Canadians) eases the post-party funk somewhat. Such as Brian Williams, the CNBC's anchor, wrote Canada a thank you note.