Must See: "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"

That's right, I'm catching up on my Oscar films this holiday.  Just spent nearly three hours at the matinee show of "The Hobbit" and it was well worth it.  It was action packed and filled with little bursts of hobbit, wizard and dwarf humour.  I opted to see this flick at the nostalgic and iconic Vista Theater in Los Feliz.  It's a theater packed with the Old Hollywood Glamour feel to it, and even plays the old-school dancing refreshments promo before the film begins.  (This also means cheap matinee price as well as inexpensive concessions!) Now, my trick is to get a small popcorn and no drink.  The salt helps you retain your fluids, LOL.  Ummm, I did mention it was almost a three-hour film, right?

It is true, Martin Freeman (don't you recall him as part of the porn actor couple in "Love Actually"?) was made to play Bilbo Baggins.  He's perfect, magnificent, quirky and plays a noble hobbit.  The band of dwarfs that he teams up are led by the hunky actor, Richard Armitage, with whom I remember as the hunk who stole the Vicar's heart at the end of the series, "The Vicar of Dibley".  Love, love, love Sir Ian McKellan as Gandalf (there is no other who could play him so well), and we get to briefly see Elijah Wood as Frodo in the beginning and a short scene with Cate Blanchett as Galadriel.  I didn't see this in 3-D and don't feel it's necessary - 3-D films really don't do anything for me.

The special effects are spectacular and I'd give my left big toe to be on set to see how they capture the big dragon to the town of Dale and all of it's inhabitants. I could say Peter Jackson has really outdone himself this time, but he has two more bloody films to go so we'll just have to wait and see.  Pure genius, though. 

So, go see "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" this holiday week and have a very Merry Christmas!  Love and Peace to each and everyone of you! xx

Go See: Heleno

I went to The Wrap's screening last night of "Heleno" which starred Rodrigo Santoro.  (see blurry pic below) Now, I truly thought Rodrigo was just a pretty face and while he is, this guy can really act...well!  (Come on, ya'll remember him as "Karl" in "Love Actually", the hot guy that Laura Linney's character was obsessed with.)  He not only starred but produced this film which is about the life of the famed brazilian soccer player, Heleno de Freitas, who built up his career as a striker for the team, Botafogo.  He was a man with gorgeous looks and even a hotter temper - all with which Santoro did an amazing job depicting.  I truly hope this film gets an Oscar nomination for the foreign film category.  Well done! 

 

Check out the trailer...!

Another Fave Holiday Flick

Well, it will never take the place of "Love Actually", but I do really enjoy this amazingly casted film, "The Family Stone". I mean, where to begin? From Woody Allen's muse, Diane Keaton to "Coach's" Craig T. Nelson to SJP and Dermot Mulroney. Oh hell, the list goes on, allow me - Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson, Claire Danes, Brian J. White, Tyrone Giordano, and "New Moon's" Elizabeth Reaser. This is such a touching, lovely story directed by Thomas Bezucha. Once again...enjoy!

Holiday Films

I love the holidays and I love films. And what better marriage is the festive and fun - holiday film. One of my top 5 (and it's an ever-changing list) is the film "Love Actually". An amazing cast and more subplots than a Seinfeld episode, you will fall in love all over again with this film. Check it out, the trailer, that is:





For the remaining four seasonal, holiday flicks that I heart, I would say they are the following: "Home Alone", "A Christmas Story, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation", and "Elf".

Now tell me, what are your fave holiday flicks?