Having an all-star cast featuring Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Judy Dench, Penelope Cruz, and Marion Cotillard teamed up with director Rob Marshall (Chicago), hopes were high for this movie-musical.  Though the story seems slightly distant at times, the wonderful musical numbers and excellent acting definitely make NINE a worthy candidate for its nominations.

The story follows director Guido Contini as he searches for inspiration for his ninth film.  Through the film, he is surrounded by many beautiful women including his mistress, his wife, his muse, and the memory of his mother.  The songs take place in Guido’s mind, but fit into the story very well.  Though they are well-performed, perhaps the only two which are particularly catchy are Be Italian (an astoundingly great performance by Fergie) and Cinema Italiano (performed by Kate Hudson and nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Original Song).

Overall, the razzle-dazzle of this sexy musical tale make it easy to overlook the NINE’s faults, and provide an enjoyable experience for anyone who enjoys musical films.

My rating: ✯✯✯✯1/2

The Cast of NINE

Perhaps small children would enjoy this film, but if you’re over the age of 13, I do not recommend it at all. While the characters are an improvement from the first film, the storyline is terrible and, quite honestly, boring.

I did enjoy hearing the Chipettes sing Hot N Cold (Katy Perry) and Single Ladies (Beyoncé), though the latter became boring after about three times.

I think perhaps a new antagonist would have made the film work a little better, but overall it was a disappointment, even when compared to the first film.

My Rating: ✯ 1/2

We’ve seen many expected and unexpected contenders already, and we’re still waiting for a few more possibilities.  Also popping up this year this year is the uncommonly strong possibility of sci-fi films being in this year’s running.

Some of the likely contenders include A Serious Man, Invictus, It’s Complicated, Nine, and Precious, but could this addition to the category make room for some unlikely nominees?  Buzz has been circulating about sci-fi hits District 9, Star Trek, and Avatar being strong possibilities in this category.  Speculation is even circulating around the possibility of Where the Wild Things Are being nominated for this prestigious category.

Of course, only time will tell, but these extra nomination spaces could open the doors to many films that wouldn’t even have had a chance in past years.

In the comments section: What films do you want to see nominated for the Academy Awards?

The Princess And The Frog Opened on December 11

Disney returned to 2D animation for its latest feature, The Princess and the Frog, and in doing so, created one of their best films in years.

This film has it all, memorable characters, good music, and even a great villain. The 2D style really give it a great nostalgic feeling reminiscent of the classic animated features so many of us grew up on.

The story is a classic tale with a New Orleans twist. A prince is turned into a frog by a Voodoo Villain, and must find the kiss of a princess to turn himself back. However, with a great cast of characters and a much more involved storyline than the original tale, Disney has truly achieved a triumph of a film.

Overall, if you have kids, or if you still hold onto a piece of your childhood somewhere inside, you’ll enjoy this film. It’s fun, well-crafted, and a Disney film that will be remembered for some time to come.