tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61762316194260248732024-02-18T19:02:09.228-08:00The Big Fairbanski BlogThe Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-36496515275020645802012-12-31T07:28:00.005-08:002012-12-31T07:29:27.009-08:00My Top Five Films of 2012<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2012 was destined to be the best year of cinema since 1999. And we needed a good year, especially after the trainwreck that was 2011.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: white;">In many ways, 2012 was the Year of the Franchise. Franchises ended (</span><em style="color: white;">Twilight</em><span style="color: white;">,</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><em style="color: white;">The Dark Knight</em><span style="color: white;">), franchises were launched (</span><em style="color: white;">Hunger Games</em><span style="color: white;">,</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><em style="color: white;">Jack Reacher</em><span style="color: white;">), franchises were re-launched (</span><em style="color: white;">The Amazing Spider-Man</em><span style="color: white;">,</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><em style="color: white;">Dredd</em><span style="color: white;">), franchises continued (</span><em style="color: white;">The Hobbit</em><span style="color: white;">,</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><em style="color: white;">Skyfall</em><span style="color: white;">) and Marvel's five-film uber-franchise finally culminated in</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><em style="color: white;">Marvel Avengers Assemble</em><span style="color: white;">. Plus, no franchise news was bigger than the announcement of a new</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><em style="color: white;">Star Wars</em><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white;">trilogy. Thank you Lucasfilm and Disney!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So did 2012 live up to expectations? Well... mostly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We had a solid Oscar season with <em>The Artist</em>, <em>The Descendants</em>, <em>War Horse</em>, <em>Shame</em>, <em>The Iron Lady</em> and the rest dividing the judges.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There were plenty of unexpected hits, with the indie circuit offering us <em>Silver Linings Playbook</em>, <em>The Perks of Being a Wallflower</em> and <em>Chronicle</em>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And even the expected hits managed to win the crowds over despite the burden of incredibly high-anticipation. <em>The Hobbit</em>, <em>The Dark Knight Rises</em> and <em>Marvel Avengers Assemble</em> all deserve a round of applause.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Spider-Man</em> and <em>Dredd </em>were given stylish reboots, Channing Tatum reinvented himself as a comedy genius in <em>21 Jump Street </em>and <em>The Muppets</em> won an Oscar for Best Song. Best of all, the <em>Twilight </em>saga has finally come to an end!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sadly, 2012 was not without its share of disappointments, none more devastating than <em>Prometheus</em>and <em>John Carter</em>. <em>Young Adult</em> marked the first misfire for director Jason Reitman and Aardman's <em>Pirate Adventure</em> lacked their usual spark.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Even some of the better films fell slightly short of classic status. <em>Skyfall </em>slowly edged back towards the camp days of Bond, <em>Brave </em>was far from Pixar's best and the much-hyped <em>The Raid </em>grew tiresome after the first hour of ass-kicking.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But this is being picky. 2012 will be remembered fondly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So, like many cinephiles, I write a Top Five every year. I have only included films that were released in 2012. There are also plenty of big films that I have not seen. For instance, I cannot give an opinion on<em>Beasts of the Southern Wild</em>, <em>L'Amore</em>, <em>Moonrise Kingdom</em> and <em>Bourne Legacy</em>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There are lots of great five-star films and guilty pleasures that didn't make the top five. The two closest reserves were <em>The Artist</em> and the brilliantly-clever, meta-horror <em>Cabin in the Woods</em>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anyway, here are my Top Five Films of 2012:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">5) THE DESCENDANTS</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Alexander Payne returns to the director's chair with another Oscar-standard indie, although it was criminally overlooked by the Academy. George Clooney delivers another world-class performance (dramatic, heart-breaking, hilarious), whilst newcomer Shailene Woodley steals several scenes as his daughter. <em>The Descendants </em>tackles big issues with a light-hearted approach and offers great acting, original writing and a life-affirming sense of humour.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">4) CHRONICLE</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This sleeper hit of 2012 was a mash-up between <em>Cloverfield </em>and <em>X-Men</em>... or possibly <em>Carrie </em>for the YouTube generation. Debut director Josh Trank gives superheroes the found-footage treatment, casting a talented group of unknown actors and capturing the super-powered antics through home videos, CCTV footage and any available Smartphone. <em>Chronicle </em>is refreshing, captivating, edge-of-your-seat film-making.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3) THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A welcome return to Middle-Earth packed with the humour, horror and heart that we now expect from Jackson's Oscar-winning team. <em>The Hobbit</em> seamlessly embodies everything that was great about<em>LOTR</em>, whether it be grotesque monsters, over-the-top action or stunning scenery. And Martin Freeman is perfect as Bilbo. Bring on the dragon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2) THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">a beautifully-presented coming-of-age drama based on director Stephen Chbosky's own critically-acclaimed novel and driven by a talented trio of young actors. Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller each reinvent themselves, crafting unforgettable characters and deserving of award recognition. This is <em>Lost in Translation</em> for teenagers. Feel-good, magical cinema.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1) MARVEL AVENGERS ASSEMBLE</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After years of franchise-building, <em>Avengers </em>finally happened. Josh Whedon assembled the greatest superhero film to date and certainly the most fun. This is perfectly-balanced, laugh-out-loud, dream-come-true Friday night entertainment and proof that crossover comic book franchises <em>can</em> work on the big-screen. Marvel's faith in both the <em>Avengers </em>and in Whedon has paid off. Anyone for shawarma?</span></span></div>
The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-15787439724891494842012-11-11T12:04:00.001-08:002012-11-11T12:04:31.138-08:00Looking Back... October 2012<br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>October in a Tweet:</b> the festival hits arrive in cinemas alongside
numerous Halloween animations and Bond proves he is still nifty at fifty. Happy
Birthday 007!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: black;"><b>Everyone was talking about...</b> Disney purchasing Lucasfilm and
announcing Episode VII for 2015! A game-changing bombshell dropped at the end
of the month.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Film:</b> <i>The Perks of Being a Wallflower</i> - a sweet,
perfectly-acted, feel-good, coming-of-age drama. <i>Lost in Translation</i> for
teenagers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Actor: </b>Javier Bardem as the literally jaw-dropping villain,
Raoul Silva, in <i>Skyfall</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Director:</b> novelist Stephen Chbosky makes a strong
directorial debut with <i>Wallflower</i>, adapting his own novel and crafting a
beautiful-looking film.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Twist:</b> M (Judi Dench) dying in Bond's arms in <i>Skyfall</i>. A bold
move but understandable and a necessary kick for the fifty-year old franchise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Scene: </b>the tunnel scene from <i>Wallflower </i>to the tune of
David Bowie's <i>Heroes</i>. Wonderful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Other Best Scene:</b> Silva's rat monologue as he strolls towards the
camera. A spectacular entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Worst Scene: </b>CGI komodo dragons dragging off henchmen in <i>Skyfall</i>.
There goes the gritty, realistic Bond era.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Line:</b> "<o:p></o:p></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'll hazard I can do more damage on my laptop sitting in my pyjamas before my first cup of Earl Grey than you can do in a year in the field." - Q (Ben Whishaw) arrives with some snappy dialogue.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Missed Opportunity:</b> killing Javier Bardem's Raoul Silva was a
waste. Bond needs a new Blofeld and Silva was the best Bond villain in years. A
shame he won't be returning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>RIP:</b> Harris Savides, the award-winning cinematographer, died of
brain cancer. Savides had worked with Gus Van Sant, David Fincher, Sofia
Coppola, Woody Allen and Ridley Scott during his long career. Notable films
include <i>Elephant</i>, <i>Milk</i>, <i>Zodiac </i>and <i>American Gangster</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Films Seen: </b><i>The Perks of Being a Wallflower</i>, <i>Skyfall</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Average The Big Fairbanski Star Rating:</b> 4.5</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-12967981788697152272012-11-01T13:51:00.000-07:002012-11-01T13:51:40.998-07:00The Disney Star Wars Merger<br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This week, Walt Disney bought the rights to Lucasfilm for a cool $4 billion.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So, yes: Disney now own <i>Star Wars</i>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJPS1HRW8V1gFzZffYevQnqaYApsVVXaK1dzJJyNVHFXoEcoHizVhSgcWuLOwUuZqcUe8otErRGH6qF4TZPnS_Mph_KBOcd6CgssuJIArWgAA7-9m87S7XJq7dOloCD4mRhrWf4HbFJg/s1600/George-Lucas-Disney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJPS1HRW8V1gFzZffYevQnqaYApsVVXaK1dzJJyNVHFXoEcoHizVhSgcWuLOwUuZqcUe8otErRGH6qF4TZPnS_Mph_KBOcd6CgssuJIArWgAA7-9m87S7XJq7dOloCD4mRhrWf4HbFJg/s400/George-Lucas-Disney.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The decision is understandable. George Lucas, CEO of Lucasfilm and creator of <i>Star Wars</i>, explained: “It’s now time for me to pass <i>Star Wars</i> on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that <i>Star Wars</i> could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This is a big deal. Lucas has handed over his legacy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Naturally, this has caused some outrage amongst <i>Star Wars</i> fans but most of these complaints are unfounded. A common fear is that Disney will tarnish the franchise, delivering films aimed at Disney’s trademark younger audience. But Lucas himself did that with <i>Episode I </i>and if the franchise can survive Jar Jar Binks then it can survive anything.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Some <i>Star Wars</i> fans have voiced their concern that Disney will milk the franchise for every last penny with huge amounts of spin-offs and cash-ins. But those people should be asked: <i>where have you been living for the past 45 years?</i> This is <i>Star Wars</i>. It practically <i>invented </i>movie merchandise. Lucas himself has happily expanded his universe into a TV series, re-releases, novels, comics, toys, computer games, fancy dress, Lego, Pez dispensers and everything in between. And why not? <i>Star Wars</i> would not have achieved such immortality on the basis of six movies alone. There is not much left for Disney to add, except possibly a theme park, and which self-respecting <i>Star Wars</i> fan could resist riding a Millennium Falcon rollercoaster?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The truth is there is no-one better suited than Disney to inherit <i>Star Wars</i>. Arguably, there is no-one <i>other </i>than Disney to inherit <i>Star Wars</i>. The House of Mouse has the far-reaching infrastructure to handle the acquisition, both logistically and creatively. Other studios would crumble with the magnitude of the task.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So where do we go from here?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Well, without wasting any time, Disney has announced that <i>Star Wars Episode VII</i> is due out in 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And so we arrive at the truly controversial point of the handover. Presumably, <i>Episode VII</i> will be a sequel but what else is left to explore? Following <i>Return of the Jedi</i>, the Empire had crumbled, Palpatine had been chucked into the heart of the second Death Star and Vader found redemption. Plus, any sequel is likely to override the Expanded Universe, laid out in the novels. After all, the novels have chronicled the <i>Star Wars</i> universe for thousands of years after <i>Return of the Jedi</i> (Han and Leia have grandchildren, Chewbacca has died and so on) and this history is now accepted as canon. To suddenly dismiss this Universe will upset a lot of fans (and novelists).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But <i>Star Wars</i> began with films and that is where it must return in order to guarantee another 45 years of lightsabres and droids.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And think of the possibilities. Disney also own Pixar and Marvel. Obviously, don’t expect to see the Avengers flying around in X-Wings any time soon or WALL.E making a cameo alongside R2, as fan-pleasing as those big-screen mash-ups would be. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">However, the real opportunity here lies in the <i>creative </i>mash-up.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Disney now has an arsenal of top creative talent amassed through their collaborations with Pixar and Marvel. Imagine an <i>Episode VII</i> directed by John Lasseter and written by Joss Whedon with a story provided by Lucas. It is an exciting possibility.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But regardless of your feelings, there is one important thing to focus on: <i>Star Wars</i> will live on.</span></div>
The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-650158968281162962012-10-06T12:31:00.003-07:002012-10-06T12:31:47.167-07:00Looking Back... September 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>September in a Tweet:</b> the mainstream goes up against the festival circuit, as the likes of <i>Dredd </i>and <i>Looper </i>take on <i>Holy Motors</i> and <i>The Intouchables</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Everyone was talking about...</b> the Paralympics! But also the highly-anticipated <i>Skyfall </i>song, leaked one week early.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Film:</b> <i>Looper </i>- Rian Johnson delivers his third film and confidently blends the action, science-fiction and indie genres.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Newcomer: </b>young Pierce Gagnon managing to be both cute and terrifying in <i>Looper</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Biggest Surprise:</b> <i>Dredd </i>- it won over the <i>2000 AD</i> fans and left audiences wanting more.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Scene:</b> the various drug sequences in <i>Dredd </i>- beautifully-rendered and a great use of 3-D.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Other Best Scene: </b>a future looper rapidly loses his limbs as his past self is chopped up by henchmen. Utterly horrific.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Cameo:</b> Jeff Daniels acting against type as a time-travelling mobster in <i>Looper</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Line:</b> 'Ma-Ma is not the law... I am the law!' - Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) in <i>Dredd</i>. We knew it was coming but it sounded good coming from under that helmet.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>RIP: </b>Michael Clarke Duncan - suffered a heart attack at the age of 54. Duncan will be immortalised by his Oscar-nominated performance as John Coffey in <i>The Green Mile</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Films Seen:</b> <i>Dredd</i>, <i>Looper.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Average The Big Fairbanski Star Rating:</b> 4.5</span></div>
The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-90631525901454062292012-09-13T00:02:00.002-07:002012-09-13T00:03:13.866-07:00Looking Back... August 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>August in a Tweet:</b> <span style="line-height: 115%;">Hollywood
loses Tony Scott, whilst cinema gains plenty of unlikely heroes: talking bears,
Scottish princesses and gun-toting OAPs.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Everyone was talking about...</b> the Olympics! But also the apparent suicide of British director Tony Scott, who died after jumping off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Los Angeles.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Scene:</b> <i>Flash Gordon</i> actor Sam Jones hilariously riffing himself at a house party in <i>Ted</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Cameo:</b> Chuck Norris tells a Chuck Norris joke in <i>Expendables 2</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Line:</b> 'Chris Brown can do no wrong!' John (Mark Wahlberg) in <i>Ted</i>, during a flashback to 2008.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Other Best Line:</b> 'I'm back!' Trench (Arnold Schwarzenegger) saves the day in <i>The Expendables</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Missed Opportunity:</b> instead of casting Jean-Claude van Damme as the villain, they should have recruited some young action heroes like Taylor Lautner to play the bad guys. That way, we would cheer even louder when the crusty old veterans win.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>RIP: </b>Tony Scott - the world paid their respects to the director of <i>Top Gun</i> and<i> True Romance</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Films Seen:</b> <i>Ted</i>, <i>Brave</i>, <i>Expendables 2</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Average The Big Fairbanski Star Rating: </b>3.33 stars</span></div>
The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-13139786200124946392012-07-31T12:58:00.002-07:002012-07-31T12:59:08.111-07:00Looking Back... July 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>July in a Tweet:</b> <span style="line-height: 115%;">summer blockbusters reign supreme as Scrat breaks the continents, Bane
breaks Batman and Spider-Man breaks in his web-slingers once more.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Everyone was talking about...</b> Bane's voice! I can't understand him! He sounds like Ian McKellen! And so on.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Film:</b> <i>The Dark Knight Rises</i> - a darker, superbly-cast, masterfully-executed swansong to Nolan's Bat trilogy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Actor:</b> Andrew Garfield, <i>The Amazing Spider-Man -</i> Garfield's Peter Parker is much more charismatic, engaging and believable than Tobey Maguire's interpretation. Finally, we have a Peter Parker every bit as watchable as his web-slinging alter-ego.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Actress:</b> Anne Hathaway, <i>The Dark Knight Rises - </i>those hoping Bane would be another Joker-esque villain were disappointed but Hathaway's Catwoman is the next best thing: crowd-pleasing, wise-cracking, ass-kicking and she looks stunning in a catsuit.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Director:</b> Marc Webb did a terrific job reinventing Spider-Man but this accolade could only go to Christopher Nolan who has crafted a satisfying conclusion his Bat trilogy against insurmountable expectation.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Scene:</b> Bane versus Batman in Gotham's sewers. Brutal.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Other Best Scene: </b>the revelation regarding Ras Al Ghul's child. A brilliant twist, well-delivered.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Line:</b> "So <i>that's </i>what that feels like." - Batman turns around to find Catwoman has vanished without saying goodbye.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Missed Opportunity:</b> Martin Sheen's Uncle Ben and Denis Leary's Captain Stacy were the best supporting cast members in <i>The Amazing Spider-Man</i>. And both were killed off. We knew their deaths were coming but why not save them for a sequel?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>RIP:</b> Oscar-winning Hollywood veteran Ernest Borgnine passed away at the age of 95.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Films Seen:</b> <i>Ice Age 4</i>, <i>The Amazing Spider-Man</i>, <i>The Dark Knight Rises</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Average The Big Fairbanski Star Rating: </b>4.33</span></span></span></div>The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-11044553509869191602012-07-15T04:40:00.001-07:002012-07-30T11:56:51.007-07:00Looking Back... June 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>June in a Tweet: </b>Tom Cruise rocked out and Ridley Scott sold out (<i>Prometheus </i>is the new marmite) against a backdrop of forgettable horrors and comedies.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Everyone was talking about...</b> <i>Prometheus</i>. The Facebook newsfeed was divided into lovers and haters.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Film:</b> <i>The Raid</i> - rightfully-dubbed the Indonesian <i>Die Hard</i>. Thankfully I saw this in June or I would have little to choose from.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qyHVI2I6tVZneI8i6_hgQH_G0W_uRdtgZ8Ci4a1ovWutfiSejWNMsP5eWjZMYWqT-zEz8G8TiMrLp0icNl4sZVF0slxTqhXpZogPq4WyUguNA6aLJ8BODILb2KLofFcGetX_qGpB568/s1600/prometheus_spacesuit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qyHVI2I6tVZneI8i6_hgQH_G0W_uRdtgZ8Ci4a1ovWutfiSejWNMsP5eWjZMYWqT-zEz8G8TiMrLp0icNl4sZVF0slxTqhXpZogPq4WyUguNA6aLJ8BODILb2KLofFcGetX_qGpB568/s400/prometheus_spacesuit.jpg" width="307" /></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Biggest Disappointment: </b><i>Prometheus </i>- barely recognisable as a relation to Scott's superior 1979 <i>Alien</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Actor:</b> Michael Fassbender, <i>Prometheus -</i> Fassbender's android David was the saving grace in a film loaded with two-dimensional, uninteresting characters.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Director:</b> Gareth Evans, <i>The Raid</i> - Evan's stylish direction of Iko Uwais' hectic Pencak Silat deservedly earns him the reputation as a rising maestro of action scenes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Scene:</b> David killing time whilst Prometheus' crew are in hyper-sleep: basketball, cycling and impersonating Peter O'Toole in <i>Lawrence of Arabia</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Other Best Scene:</b> Rama and Andi take on Mad Dog in <i>The Raid</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Missed Opportunity:</b> <i>Prometheus </i>needed some twists: Vickers should have been an android, David should have been human and the classic alien should have appeared much sooner or not at all.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Cinema Anecdote:</b> upon walking out of the cinema after watching <i>Prometheus</i>, I overheard a guy saying: "I bet they make a sequel." Mate, they made the sequel thirty years ago. It's called <i>Alien </i>and it is way better.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Films Seen:</b> <i>The Raid</i>, <i>Prometheus</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Average The Big Fairbanski Star Rating:</b> 2.5</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Excuse for not going to the Cinema:</b> my honeymoon.</span></div>
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<br />The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-23245517079961513402012-06-15T14:16:00.003-07:002012-07-15T04:07:09.634-07:00Looking Back... May 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>May in a Tweet: </b>Cinemas are full of franchise revivals (<i>American Pie
Reunion</i>, <i>MiB 3</i>) and other non-essential films. I stayed away and got married
instead.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: x-small;"><b style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best Excuse for Not Going to the Cinema:</b><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> getting married.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Thing About Getting Married: </b>our WALL.E and EVE wedding toppers!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Everyone was Talking About: </b><i>Avengers </i>becoming the fastest film to reach $1 billion worldwide box office.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>My One Film Trip:</b> technically I did go to the cinema but it was to see <i>Avengers </i>again. Still awesome.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Biggest Regret: </b>missing out on <i>Moonrise Kingdom</i>. Wes Anderson films are always a treat.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Films That Can Wait Until DVD:</b> <i>The Dictator</i>, <i>2 Days in New York</i>, <i>Snow White & The Huntsman</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Films That Can Wait Until TV: </b><i>Men in Black III</i>, <i>American Pie Reunion</i>, <i>Get The Gringo</i>, <i>Dark Shadows</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Films That Can Wait Until Hell Freezes Over:</b> <i>What to Expect When You're Expecting</i>, <i>Safe</i>.</span></div>The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-88183940790501124672012-05-05T02:53:00.001-07:002012-05-05T02:54:05.914-07:00Looking Back... April 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>April in a Tweet:</b> Joss Whedon month! <i>Cabin in the Woods </i>and <i>Avengers </i>both assembled icons from their respective genres. Plus, we got our first Jo Nesbo film.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXIxVfAWNKwhGdFYbMJx9B6QJ-lwIQC4vTFt1krnOfKyO7YY7z_nNg9d3xxPKkiE1f0Hi9OgNCRqOgwkzJupOD9j-9vVZniaUm3mtZV4zZ4l2ZMWnjNwbsFemq1mQiXUORIQWa9S5868/s1600/cabinboard__span.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXIxVfAWNKwhGdFYbMJx9B6QJ-lwIQC4vTFt1krnOfKyO7YY7z_nNg9d3xxPKkiE1f0Hi9OgNCRqOgwkzJupOD9j-9vVZniaUm3mtZV4zZ4l2ZMWnjNwbsFemq1mQiXUORIQWa9S5868/s320/cabinboard__span.jpg" width="274" /></span></a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Everyone was talking about...</b> the Joss Whedon double-bill! <i>Cabin in the Woods</i> and <i>Avengers </i>prove that Whedon can deliver big screen scripts every bit as sharp as his TV work. And his triumphant turn as director of <i>Avengers </i>has just elevated Whedon to a serious contender in Hollywood.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Film:</b> <i>Marvel Avengers Assemble</i> - crowd-pleasing, fan-pleasing and well worth the wait. Marvel Studio's long-running commitment to this franchise really paid off.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Actor:</b> it's hard to pick a winner from a month of ensemble films but Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson in <i>Avengers </i>almost stole the show with his straight-talking, nonchalant reactions to the superhero antics.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Actress:</b> Scarlett Johanssen was a sure-fire hit as Black Widow and made the character far more interesting than her <i>Iron Man 2</i> appearance, utilising her dark back story to hit the emotional notes but equally happy kicking-ass. Bring on a Black Widow spin-off prequel.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Line: </b>with two Whedon scripts to choose from, this is a hard call. But let's go with one of Tony Stark's zingers. "<span style="line-height: 18px;">Dr. Banner, your work is unparalleled. And I'm a huge fan of the way you lose control and turn into an enormous green rage monster."</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Other Best Line:</b> "I'm sorry I let you get attacked by a werewolf and then ended the world." Marty (Fran Kranz) in <i>Cabin in the Woods</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Scene:</b> the <i>Cabin in the Woods </i>system purge. Bad luck for the SWAT team.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Other Best Scene:</b> Loki meets the Hulk in <i>Avengers</i>. It doesn't go too well for one of them.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Newcomer:</b> TV screenwriter Drew Goddard makes his directorial debut with meta-horror <i>Cabin in the Woods</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Films Seen:</b> <i>Headhunters</i>, <i>The Cabin in the Woods</i>, <i>Marvel Avengers Assemble</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Average The Big Fairbanski Star Rating: </b>4.67</span></div>
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</div>The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-57238923834578970032012-04-09T00:36:00.001-07:002012-04-09T00:36:54.242-07:00Niche Genres: Dystopian Death Games<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In celebration of <i>The Hunger Games</i>' continuing box office success, it is time to look at another of cinema's niche genres: this time, Dystopian Death Games.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>What is a Dystopian Death Game?</b> a film set in a deteriorating society whereby random characters are enrolled as contestants in violent games with high stakes: you win or you die.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlG7x8m-ZXYl0mHM9SzuqHuj_bDfGeF1pdDPDF3Wo6bsoc0F-2O2AfxgM4Ffb66LRuezwiXjOXqDLhhS1odZwvydm6gsThAjfLjfPrueWFNk1UF3lP3iRWuGLqbFbc93XUUCaaqIJYsk/s1600/battleroyale20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlG7x8m-ZXYl0mHM9SzuqHuj_bDfGeF1pdDPDF3Wo6bsoc0F-2O2AfxgM4Ffb66LRuezwiXjOXqDLhhS1odZwvydm6gsThAjfLjfPrueWFNk1UF3lP3iRWuGLqbFbc93XUUCaaqIJYsk/s400/battleroyale20.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Not to be confused with... </b>Sporting Movies, which share many of the same motifs (underdogs prevailing, training montages, Machiavellian sporting officials) but have a much lower body count. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Trademarks of the Genre: </b>a perverse and bleak alternative future; a corrupt government with bizarrely elaborate and expensive ways to keep society in check; </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">an eclectic mix of character types thrown together against their will; </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ridiculous costumes; ridiculous rules; lots of weapons; underdogs beating the system and prevailing, thus bringing an end to their respective Death Game for good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Examples: </b><i>The Hunger Games</i>, <i>Battle Royale</i>, <i>The Running Man</i>, <i>Death Race 2000</i>, <i>Rollerball</i>, <i>Gamer</i>, <i>Death Sport</i>, <i>Tron</i>, <i>Game of Death</i>, <i>Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire</i> (the Triwizard Tournament is mental).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Highlights of the Genre: </b>cool and unusual concepts; the games provide an excellent excuse for highly original and gruesome death scenes; opportunity for great satire of competitive sport and reality TV if handled by the right screenwriter; random characters thrown together in a desperate situation always makes for interesting consequences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Limitations of the Genre: </b>film-makers often rush into the games and throw character development out of the window; the wardrobe department</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> often feel the need to give their characters stupid costumes</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> in an attempt to show that the film is set in an alternative time; the heroes usually beat the system and put an end to the game, which means ideas for sequels are forced and nonsensical.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Example:</b> <i>Battle Royale</i> - directed by Kinji Fukasaku and based on the novel by Koushun Takami, this is the benchmark for Dystopian Death Games films. Gritty, violent and with a dark sense of humour, this is entirely believable, addictive viewing. Following the chilling opening classroom scene, the contestants are set loose across the island, which both provides a stunning backdrop for the violence and emphasises the isolation of its characters. The young and talented cast is superb, launching Shuya Nanahara's career, and Japanese veteran Takeshi Kitano (yes, from <i>Takeshi's Castle</i>) is ever-watchable as the villainous official overseeing the games. Crucially, the pace never slows and the audience's attention will never waver, as the film is told from multiple perspectives, allowing for a rich variety of characters and, of course, violent deaths. This is captivating film-making and in a different league to the usual Death Game film fodder.</span></div>The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-2373189737602702232012-04-06T09:21:00.001-07:002012-04-06T09:21:35.556-07:00Looking Back... March 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>March in a Tweet:</b> <span style="line-height: 115%;">the
studios reveal their unlikely blockbuster gambles with varying success and the Jameson
Empire Awards right the wrongs of Oscar Season. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Everyone was talking about:</b> ...the long-awaited Empire Magazine podcast! Available from iTunes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Film: </b><i>21 Jump Street</i> - there's nothing quite so satisfying as a laugh-out-loud surprise comedy. You'll want to watch it again as soon as it ends.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpQtV21O7-leMe95qn0-UW4Pg-PVE9rGCiejciGnG_GQkWVU0sJ0TZwU6NO8oZz6d47ZiVtfmNqmoV-sxcAWgNXs1Y3fzDvrrvXhBDbG3rq13vSgqEMnjBlp-ahus5t5LKoj5Vd0GF6s/s1600/Channing-Tatum-and-Jonah-Hill-in-21-Jump-Street-2012-Movie-Image-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpQtV21O7-leMe95qn0-UW4Pg-PVE9rGCiejciGnG_GQkWVU0sJ0TZwU6NO8oZz6d47ZiVtfmNqmoV-sxcAWgNXs1Y3fzDvrrvXhBDbG3rq13vSgqEMnjBlp-ahus5t5LKoj5Vd0GF6s/s400/Channing-Tatum-and-Jonah-Hill-in-21-Jump-Street-2012-Movie-Image-2.jpg" width="400" /></span></span></a><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Biggest Disappointment:</b> <i>John Carter</i> - with Andrew Stanton at the helm, we all hoped he would work his <i>WALL.E</i> and <i>Finding Nemo</i> magic. Unfortunately, it bombed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Actor: </b>Channing Tatum, <i>21 Jump Street</i> - I never thought I'd name Channing Tatum as Best Actor of anything but his comedic turn as Jenko stole the show. Give the man more comedies.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Actress: </b>Jennifer Lawrence, <i>The Hunger Games</i> - Lawrence brought Katniss Everdeen to life in the bigscreen adaptation of the popular teen book.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Line: </b>"Fuck you, Glee!" - Jenko (Channing Tatum) in <i>21 Jump Street</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Scene:</b> the Peter Pan fight in <i>21 Jump Street</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Other Best Scene:</b> Katniss Everdeen's 'William Tell' moment in <i>The Hunger Games</i>. Bullseye!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Missed Opportunity:</b> <i>The Hunger Games </i>should have ended when the game started. It would have provided an awesome cliffhanger and the game itself could have been explored in further detail in the sequel. Judging by the box office takings, the studio is probably kicking themselves that they missed this opportunity to milk the trilogy for extra films.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>RIP:</b> Ralph McQuarrie, concept designer on the original<i> Star Wars</i> trilogy, died at the age of 82 due to complications with Parkinson's disease. <span style="line-height: 19px;">Lucas commented after McQuarrie's death: "His genial contribution, in the form of unequalled production paintings, propelled and inspired all of the cast and crew of the original </span><i style="line-height: 19px;">Star Wars </i><span style="line-height: 19px;">trilogy." McQuarrie also worked on <i>Raiders of the Lost Ark</i>, <i>E.T.</i> and <i>Cocoon</i>, for which he won an Oscar.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Films Seen:</b> <i>John Carter</i>, <i>21 Jump Street</i>, <i>The Hunger Games</i>, <i>The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! 3D</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Average The Big Fairbanski Star Rating:</b> 2.75</span></div>
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<br /></div>The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-10076347127384113192012-03-15T15:17:00.004-07:002012-03-17T12:26:30.415-07:00Niche Genres: The Buddy Cop Comedy<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Continuing with our tour of cinema's more niche genres, here is a look at the Buddy Cop Comedy in honour of <i>21 Jump Street</i> released this week.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>What is a Buddy Cop Comedy? </b>A pair of hilariously-mismatched cops - or other law enforcement types - tackle crime and experience plenty of comedy escapades along the way.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZaB94sAIYRg93xxFeJqJghBYSyaujur5IcwQMAPFl7z2OIMcjduHr79Pf6JkT1Wc6TVCyiO631YxYD41l3rGocOjR9fKt1iSs264gwI30hh0PSRHXLB1Jkao3B2jjgOURt_0d3XaICE/s1600/hot-fuzz-poster-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZaB94sAIYRg93xxFeJqJghBYSyaujur5IcwQMAPFl7z2OIMcjduHr79Pf6JkT1Wc6TVCyiO631YxYD41l3rGocOjR9fKt1iSs264gwI30hh0PSRHXLB1Jkao3B2jjgOURt_0d3XaICE/s400/hot-fuzz-poster-1.jpg" width="270" /></span></span></a><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Not to be confused with...</b> Buddy Cop Action films which may contain moments of comedic banter </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(</span><i>Lethal Weapon</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">, </span><i>Rush Hour</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">) </span><b>or</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Buddy Cop </span>Animal<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Comedies which is a niche genre of the niche genre (</span><i>Turner & Hooch</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">, </span><i>K-9</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Trademarks of the Genre:</b> two cops with different appearances or personalities (or both) will be thrown together against their wishes; a flimsy criminal plot given no thought at all by the writer; token scenes with the criminals which are soon put aside so we can cut back to the comedy antics of the leads; a climatic chase scene; important clues or information arising from entirely random sub-plots; and a really hot female character who is always interested in the more unlikely of the two cops.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Examples:</b> <i>Starsky & Hutch</i>, <i>Rush Hour</i>, <i>Hot Fuzz</i>, <i>Blue Streak</i>, <i>The Other Guys</i>, <i>Men in Black</i>, <i>Wild Wild West</i>, <i>Pineapple Express</i> and multiple occurrences within <i>The Police Academy</i> series.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Highlights of the Genre: </b>all the perks of a comedy but with added guns and explosions! Plus, opposite types being forced to work together is always a good recipe for comedy. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Limitations of the Genre:</b> Buddy Cop Comedies are primarily comedies rather than an equal mash-up of two genres. This means they are typically low on plot and any crime fans will be sorely disappointed. There is also an absence of female characters. Why are there no Buddy Female Cop Comedies? Get Kirsten Wiig on the case.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Example:</b> <i>Hot Fuzz </i>- the only British example that springs to mind with a great double-act from the well-established duo of Pegg and Frost. Although, what makes this really stand-out, is the huge amount of referencing to Hollywood action films and so a lot of the comedy is generated from parodies and in-jokes, rather than the usual tired mix of slapstick and bickering. Repeat viewings are essential.</span></div>The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-40139985211539860892012-03-11T09:26:00.005-07:002012-03-11T09:26:56.533-07:00Angry Birds: The Movie<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Just discovered this brilliant trailer for <i>Angry Birds: The Movie</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Obviously, this is a spook trailer but an <i>Angry Birds</i> movie might not be as far-fetched as you think. Mikael Hed, creator of <i>Angry Birds</i>, purchased a Helsinki animation studio to create <i>Angry Birds</i> cartoons and the first of these aired on Nickelodeon over Christmas, titled 'Wreck the Halls'.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Meanwhile, David Maisel, executive producer of <i>Thor </i>and <i>Iron Man</i>, has been hired by Hed to get production started on a feature film. Therefore, <i>Angry Birds</i> may actually be hitting your screens a few years from now.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But for now, just enjoy the live-action silliness below.</span></div>
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<br />The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-24179969062998244352012-03-04T11:56:00.001-08:002012-03-05T14:01:27.943-08:00Niche Genres: The British Dramedy<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Continuing with our tour of cinema's more niche genres, here is a look at the British Dramedy in honour of <i>The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel</i>, released last week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>What is a British Dramedy film?</b> A British film with both comedic and dramatic elements.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Not to be confused with...</b> British comedies (<i>Shaun of the Dead</i>, <i>Johnny English</i>) or British romantic comedies (<i>Love, Actually</i>, <i>Notting Hill</i>) or British dramas (<i>Harry Brown</i>, <i>This Is England</i>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Trademarks of the genre:</b> British Dramedies are typically feel-good films with catchy soundtracks and big British names on the cast list. There will be family-friendly laughs, although the overall gag-rate will be low. The light-hearted moments will be punctuated with scenes that deal with Serious Issues (growing old, unemployment, suicide, death), which is usually how the aforementioned big British names were attracted to the film in the first place. Also, expect lots of stereotypical Britishness to amuse an international audience: mainly teabags, a Brit-pop soundtrack and use of the word 'bugger'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Examples: </b><i>The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel</i> (reviewed <a href="http://bigfairbanskireviews.blogspot.com/2012/02/best-exotic-marigold-hotel.html">here</a>), <i>The Full Monty</i>, <i>Billy Elliott</i>, <i>Calendar Girls</i>, <i>Cemetery Junction</i>, <i>The Boat That Rocked</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Highlights of the Genre:</b> if done right, a mixture of comedy and drama will guarantee you both laughs and tears: a rewarding experience for cinema-goers. The overall Britishness can be very refreshing, especially considering most films on the big screen are imported from America.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Limitations of the Genre:</b> if done badly, rather than get the best of both worlds, you get an mediocre delivery of each genre. As such, the comedy isn't that funny and the drama isn't that moving. Also, the trailers for British dramadies usually market them as a comedy to attract a wider audience. This means that most - if not all - of the gags are crammed into the trailer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Example:</b> <i>About A Boy</i> - Hugh Grant delivers a career-best as proud lone-wolf Will, providing hilarious cathartic moments to counterbalance the dramatic story-lines: namely Nicholas Hoult's Marcus getting bullied and Toni Collette as his mother battling depression. Add to that an Oscar-nominated screenplay and a purpose-built soundtrack from Badly Drawn Boy and you have the perfect example of a British Dramedy.</span></div>
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<br />The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-18815215180166075562012-03-02T14:42:00.000-08:002012-03-02T14:43:06.141-08:00Looking Back... February 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>February in a Tweet:</b> <span style="line-height: 115%;">Award Season ends with <i>The Artist</i> sweeping both BAFTAs & Oscars
whilst green frogs, black ghosts and golden marigolds hit the cinemas.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Everyone was talking about: </b>...Angelina Jolie flaunting most of her right leg at the Oscars. That's one way to steal the headlines from the winners.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDsgHnGb96DukfFJbRCx4NJVAf0C4TfOf4GA2nt9zv9ccapDbfnSpsBDm2jo9UcOxmsLCjb8GJ3o4GvzRfozPu2vrcSyKGvMmWUmNJOpSWThp2_x5eH6L9eANEUVjfVRttEHnAVi88hg/s1600/angelina-jolie-2012-oscars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDsgHnGb96DukfFJbRCx4NJVAf0C4TfOf4GA2nt9zv9ccapDbfnSpsBDm2jo9UcOxmsLCjb8GJ3o4GvzRfozPu2vrcSyKGvMmWUmNJOpSWThp2_x5eH6L9eANEUVjfVRttEHnAVi88hg/s400/angelina-jolie-2012-oscars.jpg" width="296" /></span></span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Film:</b> <i>Chronicle </i>- elements of <i>Carrie</i>, <i>Cloverfield </i>and <i>X-Men</i> in one big 'found footage' mash-up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Biggest Disappointment: </b><i>Young Adult</i> - Ivan Reitman finally stumbles with his underwhelming fourth feature.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Actor:</b> Dev Patel, <i>The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel</i> - perfect casting. Patel plays Sonny, the lovable, hilarious, glass-half-full hotel manager.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Actress:</b> Charlize Theron, <i>Young Adult </i>- the film might have been disappointing but Theron was on top form as the mentally-unstable, ageing prom queen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Best Line: </b>whilst struggling with his identity in <i>The Muppets</i>, Walter sings: "</span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Am I a Muppet, or am I a man? If I'm a man, I'm a Muppet of a man!"</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Scene:</b> the three teenagers in <i>Chronicle </i>decide to test their powers by pulling pranks in a toy shop and scaring a poor girl with a floating teddy bear. Awesome!</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Other Best Scene:</b> the entire Oscar-winning 'Man or Muppet' song from <i>The Muppets</i>. Especially, the cameo from <i>The Big Bang Theory</i>'s Sheldon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Tearjerker Moment:</b> Kermit the Frog looking upon portraits of his old friends. I swear I could see tears glistening in those ping pong ball eyes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20px;"><b>Best Newcomer:</b> director Josh Trank for his debut, <i>Chronicle</i>. It is no surprise that he is already the hot favourite for the<i> Fantastic Four</i> reboot.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20px;"><b>RIP:</b> Whitney Houston (star of <i>The Bodyguard</i>) was found submerged in the bathtub of suite 434 of the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Also, David Kelly (<i>Waking Ned</i>, <i>Charlie and The Chocolate Factory</i>) died at the age of 82. The Irish Times referred to him as "the grand old man of Irish Acting."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20px;"><b>Films Seen:</b> <i>Chronicle</i>, <i>Young Adult</i>, <i>The Muppets</i>, <i>The Woman in Black</i>, <i>The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20px;"><b>Average The Big Fairbanski Star Rating:</b> 3.4</span></span></div>The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-66646663280628545912012-02-19T12:23:00.000-08:002012-03-14T15:20:40.887-07:00Niche Genres: The Found Footage Film<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This is a new Big Fairbanski feature which takes a look at some of the more obscure sub-genres hitting the screens today.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In celebration of <i><a href="http://bigfairbanskireviews.blogspot.com/2012/02/chronicle.html">Chronicle</a></i>, we will start by taking a look at Found Footage films...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIcj1BZ6Gex8yzMANlp_3vosScQsDE-2w-7M0n1hWA4mx26404g3Dj6yorgkzzttXvGVepMIxELY3y7DahT7S8aTnigd7sShyphenhyphenLIrl8QS3n5xHjtljLJAzA4TDGz_P7yOdn1cgefnamTU/s1600/Chronicle-2012-Movie-Poster2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIcj1BZ6Gex8yzMANlp_3vosScQsDE-2w-7M0n1hWA4mx26404g3Dj6yorgkzzttXvGVepMIxELY3y7DahT7S8aTnigd7sShyphenhyphenLIrl8QS3n5xHjtljLJAzA4TDGz_P7yOdn1cgefnamTU/s400/Chronicle-2012-Movie-Poster2.jpg" width="270" /></a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>What is a Found Footage Film?</b> A<span style="line-height: 19px;"> film consisting of amateur footage usually shot on home video camcorders supposedly left behind by missing or dead protagonists.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Not to be confused with... </b>mockumentaries. These are fake documentaries supposedly put-together by a professional production company. Examples include <i>Spinal Tap</i>, <i>Borat</i>, <i>Surf's Up</i> and TV's <i>The Office</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Trademarks of the genre: </b>unknown cast, low-budget, hand-held cameras (obviously), realism, usually a supernatural element, ambiguous ending.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Examples:</b> <i>The Blair Witch Project</i>, <i>Cloverfield</i>, <i>Paranormal Activity</i>, <i>REC</i>, <i>Troll Hunter</i>, <i>Chronicle</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Where did it all begin?</b> although it dates back to the 1980 Italian film, Cannibal Holocaust, it was really The Blair Witch Project in 1999 that has popularised the genre in the past decade. As such, this is still a new and developing genre. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Highlights of the genre:</b> none of the cast must be recognisable so this is a good excuse to cast a talented bunch of unknowns. They are also relatively low-budget because they shoot on location, use handheld lightweight camcorders and don't concern themselves over fancy lighting or make-up. As such, they are a great vehicle for first-time directors to make a splash.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Limitations of the genre: </b>often limited to the perspective of the person holding the camcorder. You therefore rarely see the face of the protagonist. Also, the scripts have to to wedge a camcorder into unlikely situations to maintain the continuity of the story, which can often compromise the realism which these films rely on. For instance, why would they keep filming the Blair Witch documentary when everything is going crazy in the woods? Surely it would be easier to run <i>without </i>a camcorder? The endings are usually quite rushed too.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Example: </b><i>Chronicle </i>- the recent and most effective use of the genre. It learns from its predecessors and manages to avoid the above limitations by cutting between multiple camcorders to show different perspectives and utilising CCTV/news footage so characters don't have to lug around camcorders during the epic showdown. It also brings in lots of home video YouTube-style larks which are great fun in the first half of the film. Also, <i>Chronicle </i>manages to deliver a proper ending and not another abrupt die-and-drop-the-camcorder moment.</span></div>
<br />The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-41566725408587462912012-02-16T12:30:00.000-08:002012-02-16T12:31:14.675-08:00Looking Back... January 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>January in a Tweet:</b> <span style="line-height: 115%;">Award
Season arrives with <i>The Artist</i> sweeping the nominations. Clooney bags a globe,
Spielberg plays with horses and Sundance hits Utah.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Everyone was talking about:</b> ...the dog from <i>The Artist</i>! Best Supporting Canine.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Film:</b> <i>The Artist</i> - a beautiful homage to silent cinema.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNUAfWuirXakFzL8X71sRGls60u6qZd52VlqpSiDfNwznIZ-tTTAgfNxtZyiTJ3rhyphenhyphenKr_LANH-y9kkIlfCJZKvOA4bu06qzGpwIStVIWs755c-xLAIGMmbx4SxcVWmjfnuO_L6V95zAs/s1600/dog_a_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNUAfWuirXakFzL8X71sRGls60u6qZd52VlqpSiDfNwznIZ-tTTAgfNxtZyiTJ3rhyphenhyphenKr_LANH-y9kkIlfCJZKvOA4bu06qzGpwIStVIWs755c-xLAIGMmbx4SxcVWmjfnuO_L6V95zAs/s400/dog_a_0.jpg" width="298" /></a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Biggest Disappointment:</b> <i>The Iron Lady </i>- a great performance with a lazy script and shoddy direction.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Actor:</b> Michael Fassbender, <i>Shame</i> - a brutal performance whereby Fassbender literally bares all. After an all-night binge, he collapses on his knees in tears by the docks where not even the rain will wash away his shame. Give the man an award.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Actress:</b> Berenice Bejo - she'll make you laugh, cry and fall in love all at once. She has been criminally overlooked by the award ceremonies.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Line:</b> "<span style="line-height: 18px;">Elizabeth is dying. Wait... Fuck you! And she's dying." Matt King (George Clooney) finally meets his comatose wife's secret lover in <i>The Descendants</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Scene:</b> George Valentin placing a glass upon a table in <i>The Artist</i>, hearing the thud and then doing a double-take. Cue hilarious dream sequence.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Other Best Scene:</b> George Clooney running in flip-flops!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Tearjerker Moment:</b> little Scottie King (Amara Miller) being told her mother won't be waking up from her coma in <i>The Descendants</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Best Newcomer:</b> Shailene Woodley as rebellious older daughter Alex King in <i>The Descendants</i>. Clooney may have bagged the globe but Woodley was the leading lady who fuelled his performance. Definitely a talent to watch out for.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>RIP:</b> <span style="line-height: 19px;">Theodoros Angelopoulos - the Palme d'Or-winning Greek director, screenwriter and producer. He was tragically killed after being hit by a motorbike driven by an off-duty police officer. He was 76.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 19px;"><b>Films Seen:</b> <i>The Artist</i>, <i>The Iron Lady</i>, <i>Shame</i>, <i>War Horse</i>, <i>The Descendants</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 19px;"><b>Average The Big Fairbanski Star Rating: </b>3.6</span></span></div>
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<br />The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-72334337785929330842012-01-23T13:58:00.000-08:002012-01-23T13:59:35.076-08:00Top Five... Oscar Fails<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Nothing divides film fans like the Academy Awards. The Academy is known for awarding Oscars to overly-political, message-heavy films whilst simultaneously making completely unexpected leftfield choices which nobody saw coming. Many cinephiles will argue that the Oscars are actually completely irrelevant. But that doesn’t stop us kicking up a fuss every year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="line-height: normal;">Anyway, below are five of the most outrageous Academy decisions. Some performances were undeserved. Other actors were robbed as a result. All of them can be considered Oscar Fails.</span></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: normal;">5. Best Director (1980)</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"></span>W<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">on: Robert Benton,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Kramer vs. Kramer</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Robbed: Francis Ford Coppola,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Apocalypse Now</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Nobody deserved an Oscar as much as Coppola for his infamously hellish experience directing</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Apocalypse Now</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">. Somehow he managed to cobble together one of the greatest war films of all time despite having to contend with heart attacks, civil war, typhoons and Marlon Brando’s tantrums. Meanwhile, Benton was directing a courtroom melodrama.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">4. Best Film (2006)</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Won:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Crash</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Robbed: <i style="line-height: 17px;">Brokeback Mountain</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">This lays out the classic Oscar battle between overstatement and understatement. Ang Lee’s film was a performance-driven tale of ‘forbidden’ love and features Ledger’s second-greatest performance as a bonus. Meanwhile,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Crash</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">is an issues-driven movie bellowing lots of important ideas in a short space of time. It might as well be named</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Ten Things I Hate About Racism</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">. But with the Academy’s fondness for rewarding Big Ideas and Oprah Winfrey’s very vocal backing,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Brokeback</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">never stood a chance.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">3. Best Actor (2009)</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Won: Sean Penn,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Milk</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Robbed: Mickey Rourke, <i style="line-height: 17px;">The Wrestler</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Once again, Penn steals the Oscar from a more deserving performance. Rourke delivered a tour-de-force Aronofsky’s film, submitting his heart and body to a very emotionally and physically demanding role. It is the definitive companion piece to the</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Black Swan</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">and it is a shame Rourke does not have the Oscar to match Portman’s win. But most importantly, Rourke made audiences question why he had been left out of the game for so long and now he is here to stay.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">2. Best Sound Editing (2009)</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Won: Richard King,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">The Dark Knight</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Robbed: Ben Burtt, <i style="line-height: 17px;">WALL.E</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">King did a solid job but there is one reason why he should not have won and his name is Ben Burtt. A legend of cinema history (he invented the lightsabre</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">zwiiiing </i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">and ‘voiced’ R2-D2), Burtt’s finest work is displayed throughout</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">WALL.E</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">– a film that could only have worked with such innovative and other-worldly sound effects. After all, Burtt is effectively playing</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">both</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">leads and most of the supporting cast. Furthermore, he was tasked with portraying the greatest love story of recent years through beeps, blips and whirring noises. The man is a genius.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">1. Best Director (1995)</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Won: Robert Zemeckis,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Forrest Gump</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Robbed: Quentin Tarantino, <i style="line-height: 17px;">Pulp Fiction</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">We all fondly remember</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Forrest Gump</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">but very little of that had to do with how it was directed. However,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Pulp Fiction</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">is every bit a director’s film. Tarantino delivered his film with such flair and style that had never been seen before. It was an homage to countless genres (French New Wave, noir, crime, gangster, Hitchcock) and cinema in general, with a killer soundtrack and innovative use of time. As such, it should have been awarded Best </span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Film too.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"></span></span></div>The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-37436957230628523642012-01-19T13:58:00.000-08:002012-01-19T13:58:30.631-08:00How To Make An Oscar-Winning Trailer<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You can never watch this too many times. And it <i>is</i> Oscar Season, after all...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-78525097450665503542012-01-14T13:06:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:16:19.645-08:00Your Oscar Season To Do List<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oscar Season is upon us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Golden Globes (tomorrow), the BAFTAs (12th February) and the Academy Awards (26th February) are just around the corner and if you want to commend, comment or just complain about the winners then you need to see the films. As such, you have a busy few weeks ahead of you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So here are the big films and their UK release dates:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">6th January - <i><a href="http://bigfairbanskireviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/artist.html">The Artist</a></i> and <i><a href="http://bigfairbanskireviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/iron-lady.html">The Iron Lady</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">13th January - <i><a href="http://bigfairbanskireviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/shame.html">Shame</a></i> and <i>War Horse</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">20th January - <i>J Edgar</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">27th January - <i>The Descendants</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The other big contenders were released before Christmas: <i>The Help</i>, <i>The Ides of March</i>, <i>We Need To Talk About Kevin</i> (all October), <i>My Week With Marilyn</i>, <i>Moneyball </i>(November) and <i>Hugo</i>, <i><a href="http://bigfairbanskireviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/girl-with-dragon-tattoo.html">The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</a></i> (December). Most won't be out on DVD until March so you might need to hunt out some smaller cinemas in order to find screenings for them before Oscar Season draws to an end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And it all kicks off tomorrow with the Golden Globes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Tune in for more of this:</span><br />
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<br />The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-63853328024845216192012-01-14T10:20:00.000-08:002012-01-14T10:20:09.784-08:00The Muppet with the Dragon Tattoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fincher's ace <i>The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo</i> remake (reviewed <a href="http://bigfairbanskireviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/girl-with-dragon-tattoo.html">here</a>) was promoted with this seriously cool trailer. Led Zeppelin's 'Immigrant Song' has never been put to better use:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But with 2012 set to see the revival of Muppet fever, the felt-tastic little guys couldn't help but put together their own parody trailer. Check it out:</span><br />
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<br />The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-35102694971017691522012-01-02T10:23:00.000-08:002012-01-23T14:00:03.101-08:00Top Five... Films of 2011<br />
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">I’ve started writing a Top Five every year.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">I only include films that have been released in 2011 (incidentally, the best film I have actually seen this year was 2004’s <i>Before Sunset</i>) and there are some big films that I haven’t seen so I cannot give an opinion on <i>Melancholia</i>, <i>Tree of Life</i>, <i>Arrietty</i>, <i>Submarine</i> and several others.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">Equally, there are lots of great films that didn’t make the cut, namely <i>Black Swan</i>, <i>Kill List</i>, <i>Tintin</i>,<i>Harry Potter VIII</i> and my controversial triple-bill of guilty pleasures: <i>Scream 4</i>, <i>Fright Night</i> and <i>Thor</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">So here are my Top Five films of 2011:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">5) SOURCE CODE</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIl9NJAr-ecbVteYAS_beGygtdZjz-kib2GL9RSKVAbH5CdJqYOhz6F9ATIQjXQc3ZhFA5HyhlXmNRKAEZeW_I07uK-Dn2DIpaKZNDV1ZwIMMj-quGhgkP6jggFhl8h7w862Xf8z2nmEi/s1600/hugo_poster_02__span.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691235477156948930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIl9NJAr-ecbVteYAS_beGygtdZjz-kib2GL9RSKVAbH5CdJqYOhz6F9ATIQjXQc3ZhFA5HyhlXmNRKAEZeW_I07uK-Dn2DIpaKZNDV1ZwIMMj-quGhgkP6jggFhl8h7w862Xf8z2nmEi/s400/hugo_poster_02__span.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; height: 400px; margin-top: 0pt; width: 270px;" /></span></a><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">Duncan Jones followed his smash debut <i>Moon</i> with another superb sci-fi flick. <i>Source Code</i> is essentially <i>Groundhog’s Day</i> on a train, whereby a marine (Jake Gyllenhaal) must keep re-living the final twelve minutes of a train bomb victim’s life until he discovers the bomber’s identity. A brilliant example of proper sci-fi and not just an excuse for an action film (see <i>Rise of the Planet of the Apes</i>, <i>I Robot</i>, etc), this is clever stuff and riddled with clues to reward repeat viewing. Meanwhile, it remains accessible sci-fi, never failing to hit the right emotional and entertaining notes to ensure mainstream popularity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">4) THE KING’S SPEECH</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">It is easy to forget Oscar season when reviewing 2011 but Tom Hooper’s award-storming masterpiece should not be overlooked. Amidst the hype lies a very good film, in equal parts well-directed, well-acted, well-scripted and well-designed. Colin Firth gives the performance of his career (and possibly the year) whilst Geoffrey Rush is on scene-stealing top form. And who would have thought a 1930s-era British film about speech therapy would be such a feel-good, laugh-out-loud success. This is the regal <i>Good Will Hunting</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">3) DRIVE</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">A modern-day <i>Taxi Driver</i>, <i>Drive</i> was the coolest film of the year. Director Nicolas Winding Refn was guilty of style-over-story with his 2008 <i>Bronson</i> but here he strikes the perfect balance of both. As such, we have beautifully-directed shots, well-crafted slow-motion and hyper-violence combined with an unpredictable plot and intriguing character arcs as Ryan Gosling’s getaway driver takes on gangsters. It is also boasts the best soundtrack of the year.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">2) MIDNIGHT IN PARIS</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">Woody Allen is still going strong at 75 and this year he returned with <i>Midnight in Paris</i>. It contains all the staples of a Woody Allen classic – romance, quick wit, lengthy focus on forming and deteriorating relationships – but it also introduces a new twist: fantasy. Owen Wilson’s Gil travels back in time to 1920s Paris at midnight each night and meets Hemingway, Dali, Picasso and the Fitzgeralds. Allen’s writing is as sharp as ever and he has a lot of fun playing with our expectations of these characters, <i>Extras</i>-style. It is charming, sweet, whimsical and thought-provoking with no small amount of magic. In short, it is a Woody Allen film.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">1) HUGO</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">In many ways, <i>Hugo</i> is the true Pixar film of 2011. <i>Hugo</i> shares all the trademarks of a Pixar classic: it looks beautiful, the 3-D is well-utilised (the best since <i>Avatar</i>), it doesn’t shy away from adult characters or content and for every laugh there is a tear. Most surprisingly, the director at the helm is none other than Martin Scorsese, who has put aside violent adult masterpieces for a child-friendly triumph. Scorsese’s influence is most evident in the lengthy tribute to silent cinema which occupies much of the film, specifically the work of Georges Méliès. Scorsese has used cutting-edge technology to educate a whole new generation of children about silent movies – a winning combination. <i>Hugo</i> is more than a great film – <i>Hugo</i> is<i>about</i> film. Add to that accomplished child actors, a triumphant Howard Shore score and an unrivalled supporting cast and you have the most enchanting film of 2011. And tragically, more people went to see <i>The Smurfs</i>.</span></span></div>
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</div>The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176231619426024873.post-51836861398637103712012-01-02T10:21:00.000-08:002012-01-02T13:56:54.745-08:00Film 2011. Worst. Year. Ever.<br />
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;">It has been widely-agreed that 2011 was a lacklustre year for film.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYDVWYlqCmKWN7nfWAXyKabriojuXS63Py-lqKHC9TGhOJjN8Mm5sSvKNxKT48eFf52ogE89VQf1T1lelJasYzVzbrObEXISiRGlK415BCYFWjSSslQYesLSifvbZZNf7zRwULOeUfog/s1600/Alvin_and_the_Chipmunks_3_Chipwrecked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYDVWYlqCmKWN7nfWAXyKabriojuXS63Py-lqKHC9TGhOJjN8Mm5sSvKNxKT48eFf52ogE89VQf1T1lelJasYzVzbrObEXISiRGlK415BCYFWjSSslQYesLSifvbZZNf7zRwULOeUfog/s320/Alvin_and_the_Chipmunks_3_Chipwrecked.jpg" width="216" /></a><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;">Many highly-anticipated films did not live up to their hype (<i>127 Hours</i>, <i>Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy</i>) and others were just plain awful (<i>Cowboys & Aliens</i>, <i>Sucker Punch</i>). It was a year of pointless sequels (<i>Hangover 2</i>, <i>Transformers 3</i>, <i>Pirates 4</i>), unnecessary remakes (<i>Conan</i>, <i>The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</i>) and filling-the-void superhero films (<i>The Green Lantern</i>, <i>The Green Hornet</i>, <i>Captain America</i>). The output of 3-D fodder reached an all-time high and children’s cinema reached an all-time low, often at the same time (<span style="font-style: italic;">The Smurfs</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Yogi the Bear</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Chipwrecked</span>). Oscar season was underwhelming with only <span style="font-style: italic;">The King’s Speech</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Black Swan</span> entering into five-star territory. Even Pixar misfired with<span style="font-style: italic;">Cars 2</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;">Nevertheless, it has been a great year to write about cinema. I have continued to write for <a href="http://www.intuition-online.co.uk/profile.php?profile=418" style="color: purple;">Intuition Online</a>, I attended my first film festival (Empire Magazine’s Big Screen) and I created my very own film website: <a href="http://www.thebigfairbanski.com/" style="color: purple;">The Big Fairbanski</a>. The content is coming in 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;">Also, coming in 2012, is probably the best year of cinema since 1999: <span style="font-style: italic;">The Dark Knight Rises</span>,<span style="font-style: italic;">Superman: Man of Steel</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Amazing Spiderman</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Avengers</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Brave</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Skyfall</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">John Carter</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Prometheus</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Muppets</span> and a little independent movie called <span style="font-style: italic;">The Hobbit</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;">As such, maybe 2011 was a necessary sacrifice to keep audiences occupied whilst the studios worked on the big dogs.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 12px;">In which case, bring on 2012.</span></div>The Big Fairbanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278865730793649241noreply@blogger.com0