Showing posts with label Skyfall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skyfall. Show all posts
Friday, January 11, 2013
Three discussions up tonight...
#1: OSCAR NOMINATIONS
Big day today, with Oscar noms first announced during my slumber. Going through the nominations I was a bit nonplussed about a few of the Best Picture finalists because they haven't come out in Australia yet (so I can only go on the hype).
Really interested to see Silver Linings Playbook now because of all the nods - go Jacki Weaver! She's hardly shown in the trailer and not even named as a major credit but she got nominated for Best Supporting Actress again. Woo!
I do agree with critics that are saying Skyfall missed out though. It got a few nominations but not in the 'bigger' categories where it would've been just as much deserving. I also
I don't like to pick what I think might win because I don't know enough about all the contenders. There doesn't seem to be an overwhelming standout for Best Picture but I'd love to see Argo win. Actor and actress I won't say - I haven't seen any of the Best Actress performances. How sad is that? I feel a bit pathetic.
Take a look and have a think. Let me know your Oscar picks!
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#2: AUSTRALIAN OPEN DRAW
Now to tennis and the draw for the Australian Open has come out... I'm excited about the Open any given year, but this year for extra special reason.
I'm going!
So I'm anxious to figure out who I can see but I have an idea.
I'm going on day 2, night 4 and day 5 right?
Because day 5's only a ground pass, I'm focusing on days 2 and 4 where I've got Rod Laver Arena access. The second half of the draw features Juan Martin Del Potro, what could be a cracker between Gail Monfils and Alexandr Dolgopolov if I see it on day 2, Tommy Haas, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and of the Aussies Bernard Tomic and Luke Saville.
And that's just the guys. The second part of the draw includes Sam Stosur, Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova (will bring the earplugs for that one), Venus Williams and Aussies Casey Dellacqua and newcomer Ashleigh Barty.
Not bad at all. Hopeful for Tomic to do well now he's made it to the Sydney International final, and just to see some great games. Shame Hewitt got 8th seed Janko Tipsarevic straight up, I think he's going to have a really tough task.
Tennis fans! Have a look at the full draws and share what you think!
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#3: EXPEDIA BLOGGER SEARCH
Winners were announced today. I wasn't one, but I'm fair sure I was a finalist in the Lifestyle category. So I'm pretty happy with that result. Thanks for the votes guys!
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Did you ever notice how difficult it is to argue with someone who's not obsessed with being right?Why?
Saturday, November 24, 2012
I forgot to copy my classic review so that will be posted in the next few days.
For now, we must all rejoice, for Bond is back. Bond is classic.
Skyfall (M)
THE ENGLISH have had plenty to be happy about in 2012. Their
national pride and resilience, shaken in recent years through bomb attacks and
civil riots, was restored with their stellar home performance at the Olympic
Games. From there a ball was set rolling, which found itself in the land of
fiction as the world’s smoothest spy turned 50. And haven’t they celebrated.
James Bond (Daniel Craig) is, like his martini, shaken when
the definitive list of MI6 agents in global terrorist operations is stolen
under their noses. He is pushed out of the chase to get it back by a misfire
from fellow agent Eve (Naomie Harris), and returns to action months later as a
near drunkard and unrecovered from the mission’s injuries.
It’s a Bond we rarely see, not only because he’s out of neat
dress. Brit Sam Mendes immediately draws the curtain to reveal uncertainty; not
just a man unsure of his standing, but an extension to a nation pleading for
mercy from villains in the shadows. You wouldn’t be wrong for thinking it was
akin to that of Bruce Wayne’s Gotham City.
Agents revealed from the list start to fall as Bond makes
his return to the field. The revelation that M (Judi Dench) is the target of
the man behind it brings sentimentality to the situation. Their relationship,
often represented with the potential for friendship and always containing
trust, is tested beyond their expectations.
This all derives from a villain who takes some time to
appear. But Mendes and director of photography Roger Deakins make no mistake in
estimating the importance of Silva’s (Javier Bardem) entrance. The film’s best
single shot sums up the bad guy as he introduces himself. The softly spoken
Bardem conjures a quietly maniacal being to put Bond into a spin.
This 007 story is one of an underdog with the villain
meticulous in remaining one step ahead. No doubt it will speak as symbolism for
many in a time where the average life contains financial uncertainty among
other dangers.
What Mendes and screenwriters Neal Purvis, Robert Wade (the
duo’s last Bond after five films) and John Logan set to achieve is a return to
the days of old. The characters are aware of time slipping away, as well as
impending change. But in restoring old King and country, their staunch belief
in an old-fashioned approach comes to work in their favour.
There is the return of some old favourites in the way of
gadgets, paying homage to Bond’s history with a bit of cheek. The return of Q
(Ben Whishaw) and introduction of intelligence and security chairman Gareth
Mallory (Ralph Fiennes) are welcome additions.
Mendes barely puts a foot wrong as he covers a lot of
ground. While completely separate to the arc of the last two features (although
Bond has never been one for continuity), this story still has much to reveal
about different weaknesses of a man most consider untouchable.
There are women Bond has loved, and those he protects. Skyfall is not about those he charms,
but saving those in need from peril. Harris and Berenice Marlohe as Severine
play second fiddle to the woman he realises is the only one who’s really stuck
around – to help him, and to help restore pride and security to their great
nation.
Rating: 4/5*Published in the Daily Liberal (Dubbo), Western Advocate (Bathurst), Parkes Champion Post and Midstate Observer (Orange) from Saturday 17/11/2012
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEWS? See what I thought of Breaking Dawn - Part 2.
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