And The Oscar for Best Voice Acting Goes To...

...No one. So why don't they have an Oscar for Best Voice Acting? These days, a whole host of famous actors and actresses have lent their voices to animated films and for some, these characters have since become signature roles. Maybe it's just a lack of respect for animation in general from the Academy, although an Oscar was created for Best Animated Feature back in 2002.

So what gives Academy? Any fan of animation over the age of 6 knows that brilliant voice acting can make all the difference. Some of my favourite characters of all time have been voiced by legendary performers and they shouldn't have been penalised for their work just because they appeared in an animated film instead of live-action. But who do you think would have deserved to win such an award? Love them or hate them, here are my five best picks;

Oscars 2013: Best Song, Who Should Win?

Today I'm taking a look see at the songs nominated for this years Best Original Song. It's looking like it could be a very close race between Skyfall by some one called Adele, whoever she is, and the new song written for Les Miserables. Or will we be in for a surprise come Oscar night?

Tomb Raider II 1997 Retrospective

The huge worldwide commercial and critical success of 1996's Tomb Raider meant it was only a matter of time before a sequel would be released and I couldn't bloody wait. I remember being so excited, it was at the very top of my Christmas list and come Christmas morning, I wasn't disappointed. I loved the first Tomb Raider, and after recently replaying the original, which you can read more about right here, I decided to take a trip down memory lane once more and take a look at Tomb Raider II. 

  

She totally had a boob job since the last one, you can so tell.

Oscars 2013: Best Animated film, Who Should Win?

There hasn't been such a strong year for animated films at the Oscars since 2009 when Up won and this year it looks like Disney has this one in the bag again. But when doesn't it? But which one of its brilliant films will be picking up the Oscar? Today I'm taking a look at the films that are nominated to see who will win. Who should win? And who should have been nominated? 

Adele's Skyfall - Youtube Faceoff

BBCs Live Lounge is great and all but what I love most is trawling through Youtube to find the best cover versions of my favourite songs by unsigned artists. If you put the time in, you'll find so many different and innovative interpretations of the biggest hits right now... but who has the time for that I hear you say? Have no fear for that's what our Youtube Faceoff is all about.

Today we're going to take a look at the Oscar nominated 'Skyfall', which has become one of the most successful Bond themes in years, thanks to the enormously talented Adele. That girl can release a song with zero promotion and still end up with one of the biggest hits of the year. Adele doesn't even appear in the official video - errrrr....lazy! - but the production values make up for that. Check out the original song below and remind yourself of how a Bond theme should sound. No offence Madonna. Or Alicia Keys. Or Jack White. Or Chris Cornell. Or...

Taylor Swift Cover; I Knew You Were Trouble by Tom Odell

After becoming the first male to win the Brits Critics Choice Award in years, Tom Odell's future looks brighter than ever. As part of his set for Radio 1's Live Lounge, the up and coming artist has covered Taylor Swift's pop hit 'I Knew You Were Trouble'. I absolutely love this song but I think Odell has done a great job of making it his own, slowing it down just a little to fit his signature piano-based style. Listen to the original here to compare the two versions.

Bored of Les Miserables Yet? Try South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)

Hands up if you've seen the film version of 'Les Miserables' yet. Keep your hands up if you thought that it was pretty good but was ultimately far too long, with many songs blending into one another... wow that's a lot of you. Ok, hands down. 'Les Miserables' is a great film with a knockout performance from Anne Hathaway but it just wasn't consistent enough for me. 

Oscars: Best Animated Feature 2009 - Who Should Have Won?

The Academy Award for Best Animated Feature is surprisingly contentious. While some critics believe that the honour has helped increase the visibility of the animated industry since its creation in 2002, others believe that the award was devised as a kind of consolation prize, so that animated films wouldn't have to be nominated for Best Picture. 'Beauty and the Beast' was the first animated feature to be nominated for Best Picture back in 1991 and it remained the only film to receive this honour until 'Up' was nominated back in 2009.

Oscars: Best Actress 1950 - Who Should Have Won?

Can you believe that Gloria Swanson's timeless performance in  Sunset Boulevard didn't see her picking up an Oscar? Or that Anne Baxter's name wasn't called out on the night for her role as the ultimate social-climbing bitch Eve Harrington? Can you believe that Bette Davis' triumphant return as Margo Channing in the same film didn't earn her a third Oscar? And why didn't Eleanor Parker pick up her first Oscar for her star turn in Caged? Well, it's because they were all nominated in the same year. You know they always say "there just aren't enough good roles out there for women". Well in 1950, that just wasn't the case.

Oscars 2013: Best Supporting Actress, Who Should Win?

This year there is no race for Best Supporting Actress, because the Oscar already has Anne Hathaway's name on it. But lets take a look at who else is nominated this year anyway.

Whatever Happened To RnB? - Destiny's Child: No, No, No

Remember when TLC ruled the charts and Trevor Nelsons 'The Lick' was the best show on TV? In this weekly feature, I’m going to take a look back at some of the best RnB artists of yesteryear, sharing their signature videos and underrated hits, as well as looking at what they’re up to nowadays. Previous posts have focussed on Macy Gray, Tweet, Ashanti and the classic Mary J.Blige album My Life. Today, it’s Destiny's Child!

The legendary RnB girl group have reunited, over six years after they first announced their split. Whether this becomes permanent remains to be seen but in the meantime, the girls are about to release a compilation of their romantic hits, titled 'Love Songs'. The album contains a new track called 'Nuclear', which was produced by Pharrell Williams. Listen to it here. 

Oscars 2013: Best Supporting Actor, Who Should Win?

This years Best Supporting Actor category is, well very boring this year. All the wonderful men who are nominated are previous winners, and Christoph Waltz's win at the Globes has opened the door for anyone to win. But who could it be? Who can add another Oscar to their awards collection this year?

Oscars 2013: Best Adapted Screenplay, Who Should Win?

The films nominated for this years Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar is what I'm looking at today. For me, the best writing categories in the past have sometimes been given to the film that should have won best picture but wasn't necessarily the safest option, making this category a bit more interesting. The award had been previously won by The Social Network and The Descendants. But who will win this year? Who should win? And who should have been nominated?

Oscars 2013: Best Original Screenplay, Who Should Win?

 

Today I'm looking at who's been nominated for Best Original Screenplay this year. The award was won last year by the great Woody Allen, who holds the record for most wins in this category with three and the most nominations at fifteen. Pretty impressive. But what films this year have the chance to join Woody Allen as a winner for the 2013 Best Original Screenplay, shall we take a look?  

 

 

Oscars 2013: Best Actress, Who Should Win?

This years best actress category is as eclectic as the ages of the actresses that are nominated. The biggest surprise for me was nine year old Quvenzhane Wallis, the youngest to ever be nominated in this category. This one looks like it's a two way race to the finish between Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence.

Limbo (2010) - Computer Games Are Not Just For Kids!!!

If you think 'Limbo' is just a game with a pole then you'd be sorely mistaken. Originally released in 2010, it's one of the freakiest and most bizarre computer games that you'll ever play but it's also one of the best. If you haven't got one already then go out, buy an Xbox 360 and download 'Limbo' right now.

Oscars 2013: Best Actor, Who Should Win?

This years best actor category is the only one that I managed to predict correctly, well done me. For me this is possibly the most boring category because the winner seems to be already decided, but lets take a look at who has been nominated anyway shall we?

 

 

Oscars 2013: Best Picture, Who Should Win?

 

With the Oscar nominations now out for the world to see, it's time to start playing the guessing game of who will win? Who should win? And of course, who should have been nominated? This year the academy has outdone itself for surprises, most notably in the Best Directing field. No Kathryn Bigalow? Burn. But today we're taking a look at Best Picture, so what films made it on the list this year? Lets take a look.

 

 

Whatever Happened To RnB? - Ashanti

Remember when Lauryn Hill ruled the charts and Lil Kim was the Queen Bee of female rappers? In this weekly feature, I’m going to take a look back at some of the best RnB artists of yesteryear, sharing their signature videos and underrated hits, as well as looking at what they’re up to nowadays. Previous posts have focussed on Jamelia, Macy Gray, Tweet and the classic Mary J.Blige album My Life. Today, it’s Ashanti's turn!
  

Hey Ashanti!

Nuclear - The New Single From Destiny's Child

Beyonce Knowles. Kelly Rowland. Michelle Williams. I'm a huge fan of all their solo work but something special happens when this RnB supergroup come together as Destiny's Child. It's been over six years since the trio disbanded but now they're back with a new album called 'Love Songs', which will be released at the end of January.

Lana Del Rey: Paradise - Track By Track Review

Has there ever been an artist so divisive? Lana Del Rey was HUGE last year, with her incredible debut album 'Born To Die' selling millions worldwide. See where it placed in my list of the top ten albums of 2012 right here. In today's digital age, one album a year just ain't enough though so in November of 2012, Lana repackaged 'Born To Die' with an extra nine tracks. Re-titled as 'Paradise', this sophomore effort has divided both critics and fans once again but for me, the new songs compliment the first album brilliantly, while also providing a glimpse into where Lana's music may go next stylistically. But what does the new release sound like? It would be easy to compare the tone and atmosphere to the style of a classic David Lynch film and many critics do but there is much more to Lana's songwriting than that. Click below to read an in-depth track by track review where you can also listen to every new song on the album and make up your own mind. 

Be Careful! Your Hand! Top 10 Films of 2012: Sam's Picks

I was looking at some critics top ten list of the best films of the year and I realised, I haven't seen hardly any of these films. And this isn't because I chose not to go and see them but because most of them don't actually come out until late December or January, whats that about? Not to mention that my local cinema is about as likely to show Amour as they are to show a snuff film. But I have seen a lot of films this year, so this is my own personal top ten. Some may agree, most won't but I don't care. It was a hard job to pick ten from a year that's seen some amazing movies but here they are. 

One Direction 'Kiss You' Video Premiere

After releasing a number of tantalising teasers, the day has finally arrived for all you obsessive Directioners out there! (I'm one of you, it's ok!) One Direction have released the brand new music video for 'Kiss You', the boys third single release from 'Take Me Home'. 

Oscar Predictions 2013: Best Director.

 

Looking back over my previous Oscar predictions, I realised that I'd completely forgot to post Best Director, silly billy. Anyway, even though it's late now, here it is. Normally the Oscar for Best Director goes hand in hand with Best Picture and I can see why but more often than not, I believe these awards should go to two different films, like when Chicago won Best Picture and Roman Polanski won Best Director for the Pianist. Ok, maybe that's not the best example. Maybe a better one would be the Bafta's a few years ago when The Kings Speech won Best Picture and David Fincher won Best Director for the Social Network. Lets take a look at who will get nominated this year.

 

Whatever Happened To RnB? - My Life by Mary J.Blige

Remember when Boyz II Men ruled the charts and Diddy was called Puff Daddy? In this weekly feature, I’m going to take a look back at some of the best RnB artists of yesteryear, sharing their signature videos and underrated hits, as well as looking at what they’re up to nowadays. Previous posts have focussed on Amerie, Jamelia, Macy Gray and Tweet. Today, it’s Mary J.Blige's turn!

Hey Mary!

Silver Linings Playbook Review.

 

David O Russell has crafted a wonderful feel-good romantic comedy with a twist. This subverted version of the classic boy meets girl tale is an enjoyable insight, exploring the ways that two people can deal with their separate relationships ending in two very different ways; one caught cheating, the other the result of a tragic accident. But both result in them going a little bit do-lally in their own way.

 

Mama (2008) - The Scariest Short Film of All Time?

As a huge horror fan, I'm crazy excited about upcoming horror film 'Mama', which stars current industry fave Jessica Chastain in yet another unusual role choice. 'Mama' is about a young couple who adopt their two nieces after they were found lost in the woods after five years. It seems however that something wants them back and the girls believe that this ghostly force is their mother. Guillermo Del Toro serves as executive producer on the project and he's had a lot of success with similar films in the past, including 'The Orphanage' and 'Pan's Labyrinth'. The feature length version of 'Mama' is based upon a Spanish language short from 2008, both of which are directed by Andres Muschietti.