Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Mike Leigh Oscar nomination, what about Sally Hawkins
Mike Leigh's oscar nomination for the screenplay for his 2008 movie Happy-Go-Lucky must have taken all but his most ardent fans by surprise.
The film didn't do big business at the box office (unlike his previous release Vera Drake), and was released on DVD very shortly after its initial cinematic run. It also could have been said to have covering some safe and well tested ground for Leigh (the character of Scott could be a less angry and articulate version of Johnny from Naked, and Poppy's deliberate positive attitude is reminiscent of previous Leigh characters. More remarkable still it failed to receive a BAFTA nomination at the normally jingoistic awards ceremony.
The film didn't do big business at the box office (unlike his previous release Vera Drake), and was released on DVD very shortly after its initial cinematic run. It also could have been said to have covering some safe and well tested ground for Leigh (the character of Scott could be a less angry and articulate version of Johnny from Naked, and Poppy's deliberate positive attitude is reminiscent of previous Leigh characters. More remarkable still it failed to receive a BAFTA nomination at the normally jingoistic awards ceremony.
However, perhaps the most surprising aspect of this is that Sally Hawkins did not receive an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Poppy in the lead role in the film. Hawkins scooped the best actress (in a comedy or musical) award at The Golden Globes, and it has to be said her extremely well judges performance was a highlight of the year.
It seems that leading lady Oscar nominations only go to heart rending and worthy
performances, but less dramatic but more skillful performances have always seemed to be overlooked in recent years in this particular category.
So for our money Sally Hawkins deserved to be included in the nominations.
If there is any justice on the night of 22nd February then at least we hope that Meryl Streep will win the Oscar for her masterful performance in Doubt.
Labels: Happy-Go-Lucky, Mike Leigh, Oscar nomination, Sally Hawkins
Monday, August 18, 2008
New DVD releases round up 18th / 19th August.
Sifting through this weeks crop of contemporary DVD releases we've come up with some recommendations to help put Stars Wars Clone Wars out of your mind temporarily.
In the UK, our pick of the DVD releases on 18th August 2008 are:
Happy-Go-Lucky. Fresh from his previous film (oscar nominated Vera Drake) Mike Leigh manages to sneak this film out without anyone noticing. Harping back to an attitude he explored in Life Is Sweet, we are served up a marvelous confection of widescreen optimism (to match the mood of the nation). Great film and a stunning lead performance by Leigh collaborator and star in the making Sally Hawkins.
Love is the Devil. This fantastic film from 1998 should have been huge. A biopic of Britain's most controversial painter Francis Bacon, charts his relationship with with his model George Dyer. An amazing script is carried off by a perfect cast Daniel Craig, Tilda Swinton and Derek Jacobi. Given a re-release on the very lovely BFI label.
Lonesome Jim . Steve Buscemi directs this excellent comedy drama about a failed novelist who returns home from New York to work in his families ladder factory. Strangely strange.
La Belle et la Bete. Jean Cocteau's 1946 retelling of the classic children's story Beauty And The Beast. One of the most beautifully made films ever.
In the USA, the pick of the DVD releases on 19th August 2008 are:
Twenty-Four Eyes. AKA Nijushi no hitomi. Revered in its homeland of Japan, but little known outside the country, Twenty-Four Eyes is an absolute classic of 1950s Japanese cinema. A masterpiece.
Orson Welles' Don Quixote. Welles unfinished 1961 film was a valiant attempt to bring the notoriously un-transferable tale to the silver screen. His lost masterpiece is lovingly refinished and reshaped by Jesús Franco. Certainly good enough until Terry Gilliam finally gets round to making his version of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote - the exploits of which were the subject of the excellent film Lost In La Mancha.
Recount.Providing a slight insight into the 2000 US elections and its farcical outcome, and posing the question what price democracy and where can you find some?
Primo Levi's Journey. A tale of a truly remarkable man and his 1000 mile journey from the Auschwitz concentration camp to his home in Berlin. His footsteps are retraced 60 years later for a new look at Europe.
Other recommended August 2008 new DVD releases can be found on our site at alt-flix.co.uk DVD releases.
In the UK, our pick of the DVD releases on 18th August 2008 are:
Happy-Go-Lucky. Fresh from his previous film (oscar nominated Vera Drake) Mike Leigh manages to sneak this film out without anyone noticing. Harping back to an attitude he explored in Life Is Sweet, we are served up a marvelous confection of widescreen optimism (to match the mood of the nation). Great film and a stunning lead performance by Leigh collaborator and star in the making Sally Hawkins. Love is the Devil. This fantastic film from 1998 should have been huge. A biopic of Britain's most controversial painter Francis Bacon, charts his relationship with with his model George Dyer. An amazing script is carried off by a perfect cast Daniel Craig, Tilda Swinton and Derek Jacobi. Given a re-release on the very lovely BFI label.
Lonesome Jim . Steve Buscemi directs this excellent comedy drama about a failed novelist who returns home from New York to work in his families ladder factory. Strangely strange.
La Belle et la Bete. Jean Cocteau's 1946 retelling of the classic children's story Beauty And The Beast. One of the most beautifully made films ever.
In the USA, the pick of the DVD releases on 19th August 2008 are:
Twenty-Four Eyes. AKA Nijushi no hitomi. Revered in its homeland of Japan, but little known outside the country, Twenty-Four Eyes is an absolute classic of 1950s Japanese cinema. A masterpiece.Orson Welles' Don Quixote. Welles unfinished 1961 film was a valiant attempt to bring the notoriously un-transferable tale to the silver screen. His lost masterpiece is lovingly refinished and reshaped by Jesús Franco. Certainly good enough until Terry Gilliam finally gets round to making his version of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote - the exploits of which were the subject of the excellent film Lost In La Mancha.
Recount.Providing a slight insight into the 2000 US elections and its farcical outcome, and posing the question what price democracy and where can you find some?
Primo Levi's Journey. A tale of a truly remarkable man and his 1000 mile journey from the Auschwitz concentration camp to his home in Berlin. His footsteps are retraced 60 years later for a new look at Europe.
Other recommended August 2008 new DVD releases can be found on our site at alt-flix.co.uk DVD releases.
Labels: Happy-Go-Lucky, New DVD releases
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Happy-Go-Lucky DVD release
To celebrate the UK DVD release of Mike Leigh's most recent film Happy-Go-Lucky on August 18th, the official site for the movie is holding a competition with prizes of Mike Leigh box sets, film posters and Happy-Go-Lucky DVDs all signed by Mike Leigh himself.
Go along to the Happy-Go-Lucky official site and enter for a chance to win.
More about Happy-Go-Lucky.
Happy-Go-Lucky was released in 2008, and was Mike Leigh's first film since the critically lauded Vera Drake. It is in our opinion one of the best films released in 2008 so far. Happy-Go-Lucky marked a return to a more light-hearted feel, reminiscent of some of Leigh's earlier work (most notably Life Is Sweet).
The films central character of Poppy (portrayed superbly by the wonderful Sally Hawkins) is an optimist who enjoys life, in spite of all those who are around her, be it her damaged driving instructor, or her family and friends.
The films feel good element was possibly at odds with the cynical movie press, which no doubt contributed to the cinematic release coming and going with little fanfare. Hopefully the release of Happy Go-Lucky on DVD will see the film gain the wider audience that this little gem of a film deserves.
Take a look at Happy-Go-Lucky trailer to see what you are missing out on.
Labels: Happy-Go-Lucky, Mike Leigh
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