Category: Special Features

Opinion Pieces that aren’t necessarily reviews or ‘Marvelous Monday,’ ‘Dagobah Day,’ or Awards posts.

Predicting the Nominees for the 88th Academy Awards – Motion Picture Thoughts #4

MOTION PICTURE THOUGHTS

By this time tomorrow we will know which films will battle for some of the biggest awards in western cinema. One of my favorite days of the year is when the Academy announces the nominees. Cinephiles always have opinions about award snubs, and I’m always excited to take part in that conversation. This year it’ll probably end up being The Revenant versus Spotlight for the big awards, but don’t be surprised if the Academy shows a lot of love for either Mad Max: Fury Road or The Martian. Let’s try to predict the nominees! Continue reading “Predicting the Nominees for the 88th Academy Awards – Motion Picture Thoughts #4” →

Golden Globe Awards: Predictions – Motion Picture Thoughts #3

MOTION PICTURE THOUGHTS

On the 10th of January 2016 Ricky Gervais hosts the 73rd Golden Globe Awards. In this Motion Picture Thoughts post I predict the winners in the film categories. Carol may have the most nominations, but I definitely think this is Spotlight‘s year. Keep in mind that these aren’t necessarily the films I want to see win, these are just who I think will.  Continue reading “Golden Globe Awards: Predictions – Motion Picture Thoughts #3” →

December Update: Marvelous Monday Hiatus & IJR Awards 2015

The following is an update in the form of bullet points on a the Marvelous Monday hiatus and the 2015 version of the IJR Awards list.

  • Box Office Predictions: Remains on hiatus until the end of the year.
  • Marvelous Monday: Goes on hiatus for the rest of the year to make room for coverage of Creed, Star Wars, and the IJR Awards.
  • 2016 Schedule: Expect an announcement in early 2016 on the changing schedule of Box Office Predictions, Motion Picture Thoughts, Dagobah Day, and Marvelous Monday.
  • IJR Awards 2015: As addressed in a previous post, all sports related and some game related awards have been discontinued. Instead the Rising Star (in film) & Television Episode of the Year awards have been created. Expect award winners to be announced as the month progresses.

– I’m Jeffrey Rex

The Next James Bond – Motion Picture Thoughts #2

MOTION PICTURE THOUGHTS

SPECTRE opens in North America this weekend having already broken a lot of records in Europe. But during some of the interviews for the film Daniel Craig seemed done with the franchise. Though SPECTRE is getting mixed reviews, it does work as a possible end to Daniel Craig’s time as James Bond. If Daniel Craig somehow gets out of his Bond-contract (at least one film left, I believe), then who should replace the actor? Continue reading “The Next James Bond – Motion Picture Thoughts #2” →

REVIEW: Attack The Block (2011)

Release Poster - Optimum Releasing
Release Poster – Optimum Releasing

The following is a review of ‘Attack the Block’, a Joe Cornish film.

I am going to level with you here: Yes, the only reason why I went back and watched this film was because of Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. John Boyega, one of the new stars of said Star Wars-film, had his feature film debut in 2011’s Attack the Block, and went on to win the Black Reel Award for ‘Best Actor’ for his performance in the film. I am so happy that I watched this film. It is so damn entertaining. Continue reading “REVIEW: Attack The Block (2011)” →

Should The Academy Go Back To 5 Nominations? – Motion Picture Thoughts #1

MOTION PICTURE THOUGHTS

Back in 2009 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that they would expand the total number of possible nominations for Best Picture from 5 to 10. Now, in 2015, let’s take a look at how that changed the way they approached well-received blockbusters, and answer whether or not they should just go back to 5. Continue reading “Should The Academy Go Back To 5 Nominations? – Motion Picture Thoughts #1” →

REVIEW: Crimson Peak (2015)

Universal Pictures – Theatrical Release Poster – Crimson Peak

The following is a review of ‘Crimson Peak’, a Guillermo Del Toro film.

Guillermo Del Toro is a fastidious filmmaker, and has been known to master the horrific and the gothic in both his writing and directing. Del Toro is also a visually focused director, and Del Toro is at his best when he is able to build his storytelling on the strength of a beautiful set. Why am I telling you this? Because it pleases me to say that Del Toro is back. Having now seen Crimson Peak, it pleases me to state that Guillermo Del Toro has not crafted a more beautiful world since his 2006 fantasy masterpiece, Pan’s Labyrinth. Continue reading “REVIEW: Crimson Peak (2015)” →

REVIEW: Sinister 2 (2015)

Focus Features and Blumhouse Productions Poster for Sinister 2

The following is a review of Sinister 2 (2015), directed by Ciaran Foy.

The original Sinister film was, without a doubt, one of the scariest films of 2012. I absolutely loved that film, and that is huge for me as I’m not a big fan of horror in general. So, as you can imagine, I was really excited about its sequel, Sinister 2. Here’s the thing though, unfortunately, Sinister 2 just isn’t good. Continue reading “REVIEW: Sinister 2 (2015)” →

REVIEW: Creep (2015)

Blumhouse Productions poster for Creep

*I attribute it to 2015 due to the fact that it was only released at festivals in 2014 – and had a wide release in 2015.

I’m not a horror fan – let me start by stating that. For me to be interested in a horror film it has to either: be a horror classic, feature an actor / a director I like, or, my very favorite, be an acclaimed low-budget horror film. This film checks two of the three boxes for me. Continue reading “REVIEW: Creep (2015)” →

REVIEW: It Follows (2015)

RADiUS-TWC poster for It Follows

To be honest, I wouldn’t really call myself a ‘horror fan’ or ‘horror aficionado,’ even though the rest of my family clearly adores the genre. It Follows, however, was a horror film that intrigued me, due to the fact that the story, in itself, actually resembled a nightmare I’ve had multiple times — one featuring an individual walking towards me ever so slowly with ill intent.

Unfortunately, I didn’t go to the CPH PIX Film festival. I didn’t find time to see it during its wide release in my home country either. Instead, I recently ordered it on Amazon. The Blu-Ray just arrived. When I pressed play, I don’t think I had ever been more excited to review a horror film. Continue reading “REVIEW: It Follows (2015)” →