Are You Excited about Star Trek 3?

I'm excited to hear that third installment of new Star Trek generation will be released in 2016. The moment I watched Star Trek Into Darkness I could not wait to hear about the next movie. Director and writer Roberto Orci explained that the new film will take place in the deep space. 

This new adventure of Enterprise will take place five years after defeating Khan.

Bad news for me is that J.J. Abrams is not going to direct third part, which on the paper does not sound good. Orci, who's co-written previous two parts now takes the top chair and probably will try to do it better than his predecessor. I really hope he does, otherwise movie will suck and we all be disappointed. Especially, when you have to wait for more two years.

Good thing is that it will bring more new characters to the screen and gets closer to original TV Series of the same name.

Check out my reviews of: Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness

Source: MovieWeb

Movie Review: Flowers in the Attic [2014]

Flowers in the Attic is a TV adaptation of Virginia C. Andrews's book of the same name, also first installment of Dollanganger Series. On the paper - and I don't mean the book - the idea of first installment seems interesting, kind of catchy, dramatic and intrigue. Sadly, movie does not bring much to the table.

Christopher Sr and Corrine Dollangangers are happily married couple and parents of 4 children [pictured above], they live quiet and true american life on their own. Christopher does a lot business trips and is mostly away from family. On his birthday, while the rest family is arranging a big surprise party for him, he had a car accident and died. Since Chris was the only one working, they lose everything and Corrine is forced to move to her parents house, which seems to be a salvation for them, however everything turns out to the contrary.

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Top 10 TV Drama Episodes of 2013-2014

This TV season has ended. In fact, only Emmys are left to conclude 2013-2014 season of television to celebrate bests of this year. 

It's been an amazing year for my favorite series and we had some newcomers, like True Detective. I watched Shameless for the first time, finished long awaited Game of Thrones and House of Cards. Had some disappointment with The Following and Dexter and I did not expect that Hostages would only last for one season.

Finally, all comes down to these 10 TV Drama episodes as the most outstanding achievements this year, that I will remember quite long and quite well: [spoilers ahead]

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For Your Oscar Consideration: The Judge [2014] Trailer

I think I've seen a poster
like this before

Director David Dobkin has brought an amazing cast together for something, that looks quite cliche on the paper. The Judge is a story of very successful lawyer Henry Palmer [Robert Downey Jr.] who goes back to his hometown for his mother's funeral. However, soon he founds out that his estranged father town's Judge Joseph Palmer [Robert Duvall]  is convicted for her murder. Henry has to defend him in court. However this is not a battle against state prosecutor Dwight Dickham [Billy Bob Thornton], but he also has to settle differences with his own father.

The cast also includes Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga, Leighton Meester and Vincent D'Onofrio [Full Metal Jacket/Men in Black]. 

I labeled this film as Oscar consideration picture, because Robert Duvall can be a major contender in supporting actor race. I predict him to be nominated this year for portraying a troubled, stubborn and convicted father, who constantly refuses to rebond with his son.

As for random thoughts after first look:

There are a lot shots like this and it makes me think Henry Palmer's character is going to be one of those cliche, cool lawyers who tend to win ALL cases, just like Harvey Specter [Suits]. But in reality those people do not exist and I hate characters like this.

This is a look of kid-hating guy, who is not married and is not a father to anyone, but enjoys insulting nieces and nephews. I don't like it.

But later it gets more interesting. This father and son relationship complicates everything and redefines Downey Jr.'s character for me. Robert Duvall seems to be quite good to play a man who is justice to whole city and now has to defend himself.

As a verdict, I am not sure whether it's going to be a huge hit, however it can easily be one of those small, good movies that bring a late year nominations to its oldest cast member, for making a heartwarming, bad father portrait. Other than that, it first trailer does not suggest much to predict. It can still surprise in a good way, you know?!

Here you can watch trailer itself:

So, what do you think of it?

Emmy Drama Series: Which episodes should be included on The Good Wife Emmy DVD?

This year, The Good Wife had the best year. 5th season had been amazing in all aspect, but most importantly very interesting plot twists and complicated, engaging stories. In my [humble] opinion, it is this season's number 1 show. Two episodes, which I'll talk later - Hitting the Fan and Dramatics, Your Honor, is possibly the best episodes of entire TV year. 

Producers have made 20 submissions in major categories:

Writing for a drama series: [total: 1]

The Last Call

Directing for a drama series: [total: 3]

A Weird Year | Dramatics, Your Honor | The Decision Tree 

Lead Actress in a drama series: [total: 1]

Julianna Margulies

Supporting Actor/Actress in a drama series: [total: 6]

Josh Charles | Matt Czuchry | Matthew Goode | Zach Grenier | Christine Baranski | Archie Panjabi

Guest performers: [total: 8]

Dylan Baker | Michael Cerveris | John Benjamin Hickey | Nathan Lane | Jason O'Mara | Jeffrey Tambor | Malik Yoba | Carrie Preston

I think this year The Good Wife can score most nominations in its history either in acting or creative categories. So, here are my suggested episodes for lead/supporting cast members:

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Emmy Comedy Series: Which episodes should be included on Modern Family Emmy DVD?

Four times Emmy champ kicks off its fight for the fifth trophy with dozens of nomination submissions. If it wins for current season, it will tie for most wins with Frazier [5] and since it's been renewed for 6th season, this show can break another record, which will definitely make me happy.

Producers have made following submissions:

Writing for a Comedy Series [total 8]

A Jay's Night | Message Received | Suddenly, Last Summer | The Help | The Late Show | The Wedding Part II | Under Pressure | Las Vegas

Directing for a Comedy Series [total 9]

Australia | ClosetCon '13 | Larry's Wife | Suddenly, Last Summer | The Freud | The Late Show | The Old Man and The Tree | The Wedding Part II | Las Vegas

Supporting Actor/Actress in a Comedy Series [total 10]

Ty Burell | Jesse Tyler Ferguson | Nolan Gould | Ed O'Neill | Rico Rodriguez | Eric Stonestreet | Julie Bowen | Sarah Hyland | Sofia Vergara | Ariel Winter

Guest Performers [total 12]

Rhys Darby [ep: Australia] | Jesse Eisenberg [ep: Under Pressure] | John Benjamin Hickey [ep: Under Pressure] | Nathal Lane [ep: The Wedding Part II] | Stephen Merchant [ep: Las Vegas] | Chazz Palminteri [ep: Three Dinners] | Rob Riggle [ep: Under Pressure] | Fred Willard [ep: The Help] | Elizabeth Banks [ep: The Wedding Part II] | Jane Krakowski [ep: Under Pressure] | Jennifer Tilly [ep: Three Dinners] | Celia Weston [ep: The Wedding Part II]

According to rules, each supporting actor/actress shall submit one episode for voters consideration and producers shall select 6 episodes for Best Comedy Series nomination consideration. Here is what I think:

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Random Thoughts on Emmys, Oscars and Game of Thrones Finale

Game of Thrones is over and before we [the fans] miss it, we have many other things to worry about. For instance, upcoming Emmy season and whatever indifference we show, we all want that out favorite show wins. I've been rooting during all three previous seasons for GoT, even though I knew that Mad Men and Breaking Bad [at Golden Globes] were voters favorite. 

Before I move on awards, here are some words about Game of Thrones. It's been an amazing season, my favorite one after last year, The Red Wedding still remains as my most favorite scene on TV lately. To my opinion, the best episode of GoT this year was The Laws of Gods and Men, first of all because of Tyrion's speech and secondly, because of amazingly crafted story. I think that this episode can bring Peter Dinklage second win, unless voters don't stick to Aaron Paul again. 

Also, The Watchers on the Wall is best directed episode this year. I actually think that it is one of the best episodes of GoT in four years. Epic battle scenes always work for directors, these huge shots, massive attacks and lots of blood. 

I think it's time for Sophie Turner to be recognized for her amazing job in this show. Really people? She's been through everything person can be. I believe she's got best chances this year, because we all saw her transformation from victim to fighter and someone who can stand for her future. I think female voters will like it. I've always believed that Sansa is a good character, somehow interesting and she can be very important one, in fact [I don't know about book, but I feel so]. 

Now, let's talk about EMMYS:

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Top 10 Sports Movies of All Time

Inspired by this WorldCup hysteria,  here are my Top Ten sports movies of all time. Before I start, I should acknowledge that not big fan of any kind of sport, except Tennis, therefore I'm not into films that are related to any of these sports. However, some of them managed to grab my attention and I actually remember many of them. So, here is my list:

Story of Harvard student Matt Buckner (Elijah Wood), who was falsely convicted in drag abuse and is forced to move to London, where he falls in with West Ham football firm [aka the Green Street Elite].

It tells the story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, a discriminated Jew who runs to overcome prejudice he faces in University of Cambridge.

This is not another sports movie, it's a brilliant picture about what drives people to succeed, to be outstanding and to achieve something they've always dreamed. Though Chariots of Fire is best picture of 1981 it is often criticized for being chosen over  Raiders of the Lost Ark, which I actually agree.

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For Your Oscar Consideration: Birdman [2014] teaser

Two times Oscar nominee director Alejandro González Iñárritu returns with intrigue and well-casted movie Birdman. Yesterday, Fox Searchlight released its first teaser trailer.

Michael Keaton [pictured above] stars as Riggan Thomson - famous for portraying an iconic superhero. But it's been in past and now he struggles with himself, nonfunctional family and career, trying to recover his lost name by playing on Broadway. 

Rounding out the cast are Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis. The film is based off of the Raymond Carver short story What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.

I personally, did not like teaser very much. It did not make me wow, but I'm pretty intrigued, because I really want to know what's going on there. I expect more from first official trailer, it is supposed to tell more about the story. 

So, what do you think about its Oscar chances?

Check out my Academy Award predictions for Birdman.

Movie Review: The Grand Budapest Hotel [2014]

The Grand Budapest Hotel is Wes Anderson's look at a story of Gustav H [Ralph Fiennes] - a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel and a lobby boy Zero Moustafa, who found themselves in a huge scandal between wars. Movie starts in 1985, under a late-Communist town of cemeteries. An old writer [Tom Wilkinson] drives away his grandson and recalls the time in 1968 when his younger self (Jude Law) stayed Grand Budapest Hotel and became friend with its owner, Mr. Moustafa [F. Murray Abraham]. 

Moustafa on his behalf tells a story of him working at the Grand Budapest Hotel with its owner Mr. Gustav. He was a man of particular character, loved by rich old ladies who felt a lot younger in his company. This characteristic of him brought a lot loyal customers, I should say, mostly fake blond grannies. Among them was Madame D. who seemingly was in love with hotel owner. The story of Gustav starts with her departure from Grand Budapest willing to take late-lover with her. Shortly after that, he gets a notice about death of this extremely rich lady and Gustav decides to pay her a farewell visit.

look closer, it's Tilda Swinton

As it turns out, Madame D. has a huge family of sisters, brothers.and son, who all are fighting for her wealth. Among others, concierge gets some part of it - the most valuable painting A Boy with an Apple. Being disgraced by will of departed, her son Dmitri (Andrien Brody) questions validity of the will and accordingly, Gustav has to steal the painting. 

This is where the fun starts - heirs hunting over stolen piece of art. This is where Wes delivers haunting dark comedy and plenty of enjoyment.

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Emmy Drama Series: Which episodes should be included on Game of Thrones Emmy DVD?

2014 Primetime Emmys Nominating Ballots have already arrived. It shockingly omits some past champions and nominees, who could easily make this year's top 6. At least, I'd root for Michael J. Fox for The Good Wife as a guest performer, whose performance was not any less good as last year or before that. Another star from this show not competing this year is Stockard Channing - mother of Juliana Margulies in show. Her constant drunk and very entertaining character could pull of a place in ballot. 

Game of Thrones made number of submissions for performers, in particular:

Supporting actor in Drama series:

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau | Charles Dance | Peter Dinklage | Kit Harington

Supporting actress in Drama series:

Emilia Clarke | Natalie Dormer | Lena Heady | Sophie Turner | Maisie Williams

Guest actor in a Drama series:

Pedro Pascal

Guest actress in a Drama Series:

Diana Rigg

The show will also compete in writing category for upcoming episode The Children and in directing for The Laws of Gods and Men, The Watchers on the Wall and The Children.

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