Amour wins the Palme d'Or!

It's finally over. This year's Cannes film festival has been underwhelming, and the main films that left (that pique my interest) are the popular ones: Beasts of the Southern Wild, Amour, and Rust and Bone.

I was honestly surprised that Amour won, since Haneke won so recently with The White Ribbon. It also turns out that I got 0 of my predictions right. Depressing, but that's life.

Complete winners are on this link:

Could'a been a Cannes-tender: My award predictions...

Cannes Film Festival ends in two days, and it's been kind of a disappointment. The Paperboy, Lawless, and many others have been divisive disappointments, and other films have been middling and mediocre. The high points, though, have been Moonrise Kingdom, Love, Rust and Bone, Holy Motors, and maybe On the Road.

What will take home the Palme d'Or, however? I would change my old opinion of Cosmopolis to Love, but Haneke was already awarded two years ago. Cannes is like that, not rewarding the same director twice. I originally thought Moonrise Kingdom would be cute show, but now its an actual contender. I don't see it winning the Gold, but it might win the Jury Prize or even Grand Prix. This makes me want to give it to Rust and Bone. It probably won't go to Rust, but I think the lovely Cotillard might win Best Actress. I mean, it's French film with the main character being paralyzed! Last time a film like that was entered (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), it didn't go empty handed!

The Dark Knight Rises, two new TV spots.

Spot on!

'The Master' Trailer

This trailer is like an Adele music video. Dark, simple, and above average. Check it out.

The Great Gatsby Trailer

Just... Luhrmann meh...

The Weinstein Company invites you to view The Master, and Django Unchained!

Breaking news! Tomorrow night, Cannes and Weinstein Company is proud to present footage from The Master, Django Unchained, and The Silver Linings Playbook. All three films listed are from recent Academy-Award nominees PT Anderson, Tarantino, and David O'Russell.

Indepth at Cigs and Red Vines.

The Avengers (2012): A Marvel (B+)

I can rest in peace now. I don't have to live with stating The Hunger Games is the best of 2012.

A lot of this film reminded me of Akira Kurosawa's masterful Ran. In that film, the Lord Hidetora says alone a man is weak, but together is strong. This is the definition of the Avengers, Earth's mightiest heroes.

I have to praise Joss Whedon's script, chock-full of pop culture and one liners. In a scene, Tony Stark/Iron Man calls Thor Point Break. If you know the backstory, Thor does look like Patrick Swayze.
In another scene, the savvy Stark calls Hawkeye 'Legolas'. Captain America gets his chops in, telling Hulk at the end to 'SMASH'!

Masterpieces Classics: Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

After completing The Bridge on the River Kwai, David Lean completed his hefty and masterful Lawrence of Arabia. It is equally perfect as it is ambitious and long.

One main reason of its success is Peter O'Toole's killer debut. His performance is the greatest of all time according to Premiere Magazine. O'Toole has not one an Oscar yet, but the performance is so consistent and moody, it deserves two!

Masterpieces Classics: The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

They've been working on the railroad.

I think though the script for this film is excellent, the most reasonable, or even important line is the last. "Madness, madness!"

First and foremost, what is The Bridge on the River Kwai? It is the perfect description of madness, in each and every character.

The main character of madness is Col. Nicholson, played by Academy-Award winning Alec Guinness, who decides to stop slacking, and build a bridge for the Japanese. It's a confusing decision, and isn't considered the first act of madness for nothing.

The second character of madness is the Japanese officer himself, Col. Saito. He is the man, that believes the British would actually build them a bridge. Saito, on a deadline, needs to build a bridge or he'll be forced to commit suicide. But dependence on the enemy? Madness!

Malick's next wonder is titled and rated.

If people ask me my most anticipated film this year, it's a three-way tie between The Dark Knight Rises, The Master, and Untitled Terrence Malick Project. Until now.

Malick, a very enigmatic and quality-over-quantity filmmaker, is slamming and going in reverse. Last year he brought us the masterful The Tree of Life, and this year is bringing us To the Wonder.

Wonder is rated R, for sex/nudity. I won't be surprised if it's shopped around at Cannes, or makes a splash in Venice. If it comes out this year or next, I'm psyched either way.

The buzz from Cannes.

So I've been doing my homework on the best and most important of the year's festivals: Cannes.

Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom opened the festival today, to critical acclaim. Will it win the Palme d'Or? I highly doubt it, but as an opener, it has excelled. Praise (That I've read,) states excellent child acting. Cannot wait to see this at the end of May/Early June.

Keep your eyes peeled on a new Masterpieces Classics,  a rant about The Artist, and a review of the movie of the year (so far), Joss Whedon's The Avengers.

The Dark Knight Rises, Trailer 3.

This, without a doubt, might be the finest film this year.