A Quick List of Anticipated Movies

I'll be honest with you all - I've been a bad moviegoer this year. I've seen not more than ten films, and I've missed out on a lot of movies I've wanted to see. Plus, besides The Tree of Life, I've not been floored by any of the year's output (though almost everything has been pleasantly and surprisingly enjoyable).

However, there are quite a few upcoming releases that I just can't wait to get my hands on - so without further ado, a quick look at my top ten most anticipated releases for the rest of 2011.

10. Shame - This would be higher based on the Fassbender/Mulligan factor (both actors I love) if there was just a bit more information about it. For now though, I'm content with my curiosity.

9. A Dangerous Method - Cronenberg is a fascinating director, and with Fassbender as one of the leads, this is a must see. Also, after Keira Knightley's surprisingly powerful work last year in "Never Let Me Go", I'm looking forward to see what she can do with what looks like strong material.

8. Crazy, Stupid, Love - The cast is impeccable. Julianne Moore and Emma Stone? Ryan Gosling AND Marisa Tomei? It's coming out this weekend so thankfully the wait isn't that long!

7. The Artist - It looks so quirky and interesting - the silent film aspect is intriguing and I look forward to something so different and unique.

6. The Skin That I Inhabit - It seems like Almodovar has been trying to make something frightening for the past few years, what with "Volver" and "Broken Embraces" having dark elements. Thus, this all out horror film is extremely exciting - plus, remember what happened last year when an auteur made a shameless horror movie? Brilliance, that's what.

5. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - I love the book, and though I was underwhelmed by the original, the trailer looks like Fincher's going to blow us all away. I can guarantee that I'll be midnight screening this one.

4. We Need to Talk About Kevin - I read the source material, which was unbelievably dark and disturbing, and it's a perfect role for Tilda. Honestly, Tilda's one of those actresses who I would watch reading the phonebook.

3. Contagion - OH MY GOD THIS CAST. I love every single member of this cast and the trailer looks frightening and thrilling.

2. The Future - I've not seen Miranda July's debut feature, but I'm a big fan of her writing (if you haven't read her short story collection, "No One Belongs Here More Than You", you absolutely should), and the trailer showed a lot of promise.

1. Melancholia - Um, did you guys see the trailer? There is absolutely nothing about this that I don't want, right now.

Song of the Day, featuring Carey Mulligan!

Have you guys heard Belle and Sebastian's new album, "Write About Love"? I've been listening to a few tracks from it constantly, and one of them is the uber catchy title song, which actually features the amazing Carey Mulligan...SINGING! Yeah!

So the song is just awesome. Belle and Sebastian are a fantastic band, and I mean, Carey Mulligan. Everybody loves Carey Mulligan. :) And she can sing! Don't you love it when you find out that your favorite actors can sing? She should be in a musical. Yes.

Awwwww! I mean seriously. Who can resist this adorableness!

Here's the song for your listening pleasure...

Enjoy!

"Never Let Me Go" Trailer

Via Awards Daily!

I'm not quite sure how to interpret this (I've not read the novel or the plot synopsis yet). Is it a creepy tale of a distopian boarding school? An emotionally charged period romance? A quiet character study? I'm definitely not sure what it's about. BUT, what I am sure of, is that I want to see it. Carey Mulligan looks like she's going to be lovely, and Sally Hawkins! Yea Sally Hawkins! Her presence in this trailer alone would make me want to see it. Anyway, I'm quite intrigued. Time to read the book!

What are your thoughts on "Never Let Me Go"? I know a lot of you are anticipating it...did the trailer live up to your hopes? Comment below!

Fantasy Logline Challenge No. 1: THE WINNER!

So my friends and readers, we have come to the end of the first logline challenge! To read about the challenge, click AQUI. To read all the original pitches in full, click MOI.

Anyway, the votes were ridiculously close, and all the entries were great. Thanks so much to the two of you who entered, and for everyone who voted!

Here's just a quick recap on the entries.

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Pitch 1: Pint of Bitters by Marc Edward Heuck

Carey Mulligan plays the young version of Maggie Smith, who becomes young when her husband of many years, Michael Caine, goes into a coma. She must decide whether to keep her youth and leave Michael in a coma or to go back to normal. Ok-Bin Kim plays Caine's nurse.

I really liked this one, Mulligan playing a young Smith is pretty amazing. I also love the moral conflict that the Mulligan/Smith character has to deal with - verrrrry nice indeed.

Pitch 2: You Can't Love Her by Simon

Michael Caine, who is on the verge of dementia, and who is hallucinating of his dead wife Smith, enters a strange love affair with his nurse Ok-Bin Kim, who is searching for citizenship and has her own very strange motives. Caine's daughter is Carey Mulligan, whose boyfriend is Wild Card Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Mulligan is Kim's immigration officer, and circumstances elevate when they learn of their connection.

Another fantastic entry! I'm loving the coupling of JGL and Mulligan (Hollywood producers, make that happen, please?). If this were to be made into a movie, it has the potential for a really layered and compelling screenplay and if helmed by a director with good vision, it could be quite fantastic.


Pitch 3: Father's Girls by ME! (Yes, me. I entered my own contest, because I'm awesome like that, haha, and three is a good number)

Ok-Bin Kim plays the adopted daughter of the long-divorced couple of Caine and Smith. Kim is a bubbly florist who questions her own sexuality though she enters a relationship with the shy Ben Whishaw. Things get even crazier when she meets and falls in love with her father's new, young girlfriend, Carey Mulligan. Family drama ensues.

I'm not really entitled to comment upon my own piece...hehe. ;)

***

And the winner is...

"You Can't Love Her", by SIMON!

Congratulations Simon! You win my undying love, as well as the ability to pick the cast for the next Logline Challenge if you should accept.

As all of you know, the voting was horrendously close (there was a tie until like, the last two hours of voting), so thank you so much to all of you who entered and voted...I bet you can't wait until the next one! ;)

2009: The Ensembles

More retrospection! Hoorah!!! Anyway here are my favorite ensemble casts from last year. This was tough because there were some really, really great ones.

Runners Up: Adventureland, Nine

Yes, no, maybe so? Respond in comments!

2009: The Performances

Because I never did this, and because I like to hang on to the past. Haha!

So these are just my favorites...what about you? React down below!