The Film Nest’s Platinum Nest Awards For 2012 Movie Year

In what has actually been a fairly decent movie year, at least as far as the top films of the year goes, I struggled to conclude what would win the overall big prize of Platinum Nest Best Picture. I continually, even as I write this list, flip flop between Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained and Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master. Both are wholly original works and both are completely different movies and thus difficult to compare. Ultimately, the primacy-recency theory is also at play with Django having been released half a year after The Master. Still, in the slightest of edges, as I write today, I am going with PTA’s completely genius opus. Top to bottom, from acting to originality, I give it the very slightest of edges. I can accept either as the award winner in any category though, essentially. Read on for the rest of the winners and losers of The Film Nest’s Platinum Nest 2012 Movie Awards.

Best Picture

The Master

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson – The Master

Best Actor

Joaquin Phoenix –The Master

Best Actress

Naomi Watts – The Impossible

Best Supporting Actor

Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Master

Best Supporting Actress

N/A

Worst Actor

Quentin Tarantino – Django Unchained

Worst Actress

Cody Horn – Magic Mike

Best Comedy

Ted

Best Action Movie

The Dark Knight Rises

Best Science Fiction Movie

Looper

Best Screenplay (Original or Adapted)

Quentin Tarantino – Django Unchained

Best Scene

“Processing Scene” – The Master

Runner-Up

“Bruce Wayne Climbs Out Of Hell” – The Dark Knight Rises

Funniest Moment

“Flash Gordon Party Scene” – Ted

Runner-Up

“Joaquin Phoenix Sex With Sand Figure” – The Master/”Tiger Woods” Extra Scene – The Dictator

Movie You Missed But Shouldn’t Have

Moonrise Kingdom

Most Underrated Movie

Looper

Most Overrated Movie

The Avengers

Runner-Up

Lincoln

Worst Movie

Tower Heist

Top 5 Movies

The Master

Django Unchained

Looper

The Silver Linings Playbook

The Dark Knight Rises

Star Trek Director To Helm New Star Wars Movie

J.J. Abrams, director of Star Trek, Cloverfield and TV’s “Lost” and “Alias” fame, has been tapped to helm the new Star Wars movie, Star Wars Episode VII. This theoretically would take place after the events of 1983′s Return of the Jedi. I am not sure how I feel about this choice of helmer. His track record is marginal, so in that sense, I would rather have someone who is more of an unknown quantity or someone with a shitload of success. The middle road aspect of his hire is uninspiring.

The fact that he has helmed two new Star Trek films and has said he wanted no part of Star Wars (in an interview with Empire) also leaves something to be desired. Overall though, most people seem to be on board with the hire, so we shall see. My biggest fear is that it will be heavily kid friendly which might take original fans of the age old franchise out of the mix (see Joss Whedon’s bumbling of The Avengers).

If I have one recommendation, it would be to contact Kevin Smith for some advice, at least regarding the storyline (although the writer is Toy Story 3‘s Michael Arndt, enough of a worry about my kids fear in and of itself). Yes, Smith is a poor director and a mega-nerd, but also a true Star Wars devotee whose insight would be valuable in a project reboot such as this. What do you think?

New ‘Man of Steel’ Trailer Tempts With Emotional Depth of DC’s Latest Superman Reboot

This new trailer for Zack Snyder’s upcoming Superman origin film Man of Steel, reveals more inner turmoil for the young unstoppable one. The emotional strife of dealing with his powers and wondering where he came from has rocked him to his core. I keep telling myself, time and again, especially after the poor The Avengers childish tone and Michael Bay’s ruining of Transformers that I will not indulge in any more superhero films. The Dark Knight Rises was supposed to be my farewell. But after seeing the first trailer and now this movie trailer – and knowing Christopher Nolan has attached himself to the project in some regard – I am opening myself up to the possibility of taking the plunge again next year. Time will tell, but enjoy Henry Cavill, Kevin Costner, Amy Adams and more in the new Man of Steel trailer. Are you going to see this?

George Lucas Discusses New Star Wars Movies and Sale Information In This Video

With yesterday’s news that Lucasfilm has been purchased by Disney, the more interesting and exciting news for film fans is that there will be another Star Wars film, story #7, which is currently slated to arrive in 2015. However, with that information comes additional news that George Lucas has treatments for Star Wars movies 7, 8 and 9, written and that he has handed that information over to Kathy Kennedy at Disney, along with tons of other Star Wars branch off possibilities, from theme parks, to figures, to branding, to what?

The most interesting thing that might come out of Disney’s purchase is the possibility that there will be feature films branched off for individual characters from the Star Wars universe. This theory could incorporate something similar to what Disney is doing with their Marvel owned brand and The Avengers. There are currently Iron Man, Thor, Captain America movies in addition to The Avengers movies that have come out and will continue to churn out. The same possibilities now exist for all of the Star Wars characters.

There could be Luke or Leia specific films, Han Solo origin stories, even Yoda character arcs that have not fully been realized on their own. This brings a wealth of possibility to the Star Wars universe. Lucas himself has stated that the Luke and Leia storylines essentially ended in Star Wars 6: Return of the Jedi, where they saved the universe. So, if Disney keeps extending the story through the treatments that Lucas has passed along, there will be a new direction for the actual Star Wars 7-9 films to head to.

Still, that doesn’t discount the now potentially lucrative and strong likelihood that there will be individual movies based on characters from the Star Wars universe. The only question is how it will all play out. Who would you like to see? Where do you want the Star Wars stories to do from here? Chime in with your thoughts as the possibilities are endless. You can watch Lucas’ breakdown of the sale and some Star Wars intrigue in the video below. May the force be with you. Thanks to THR for the video.

Marvel’s Thor 2 The Dark World Plot Details Emerge

Marvel’s Thor, which I didn’t see in the theater despite relatively strong reviews, ended up being a pretty decent movie. The story, which was a coming of age sort of beginning piece, had enough going for it that I would recommend genre fans consider it, something that I didn’t anticipate I would think. So, naturally, even though the film didn’t clean up at the box office, with The Avengers massive success, a Thor 2, titled Thor: The Dark World, is set to be released. There are details for the plot fo the film which have just surfaced. The details are not particularly engaging, but fall in line with typical Marvel film motifs, which are about the end of the world as we know it. Check the info out below. Thanks to THR for the heads up.

Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself.  In the aftermath of Marvel’s Thor and Marvel’s The Avengers, Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

Thor The Dark World Set Pic

Marvel’s Iron Man 3 One Sheet and Plot Details Arrive

Iron Man 3, which is due next year, is sure to be one of 2013′s biggest films. With Robert Downey Jr. returning as the most beloved of The Avengers crew, his Tony Stark/Iron Man will no doubt rake in bucks at the turnstiles and generate massive interest leading up to its release. As such, we have received the first movie poster, which teases the film, as well as the full marketing plot details, which have been revealed by Marvel. The third film may take on a darker tone, as seen in the initial trailer, and that would certainly be a welcome twist to the genre (Marvel’s movies specifically). We’ll see. For now, enjoy this info and movie poster.

Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 3 pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

And the poster…

Thanks to THR and IMPawards for the drops.

Marvel’s ‘The Avengers’ Gag Reel Video

The cast and crew of The Avengers apparently had some fun making a make-believe movie that would go on to set the box office ablaze. In this video, which is owned by Marvel, many of the stars of the cast are shown with laughs, gags, in-jokes and more. From villains to the heroes, from Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo to Liam Hemsworth, many of your favorite and least favorite castmates are here. You’ll also notice the use of green screen technology in most of these shots, which further emphasizes how little a big and audacious film like The Avengers can be. Check ou the video and enjoy. Thanks to THR for the shout out.

Avengers – Gag reel by rssAL

The Avengers Director and TV’s “Buffy The Vampire” creator, Joss Whedon has landed a three year deal with Marvel Entertainment. As part of the deal, Whedon, who helped bring The Avengers a cool $616 million in domestic box office and well over $1 billion worldwide, will direct The Avengers 2, a sequel to the mega hit.  Also as part of the agreement, Whedon will help cultivate a TV series for Marvel, in conjunction with ABC and assist in overseeing other Marvel properties development.

Whedon’s next picture, Much Ado About Nothing, will likely prove that he can’t sell a pic that is a difficult sell, and therefore, that Marvel’s money could have been questionably spent. I’m not hating on Whedon, I am telling the truth on how Hollywood works. Despite Whedon’s talent, it was the stars and concept that sold The Avengers, not Whedon’s creative vision (though I am not suggesting it hurt). Still, this is a great deal for Whedon and a potentially marginal one for Marvel, depending on the terms of the deal.

Christopher Nolan Will Not Direct A Justice League Movie

The Dark Knight Rises director will not helm a Justice League film for DC. That is the latest and most official word about the new Batman trilogy helmer potentially doing what Joss Whedon did by bringing together all of the superheroes from the DC Universe into one project.

“I’ve got no plans to do anything more, and certainly, no involvement with any Justice League project,” he told the Associated Press.

“We’re finished with all we’re doing with Batman,” he said. “This is the end of our take on this character.”

“Batman will outlive us all, and our interpretation was ours. Obviously, we consider it definitive and kind of finished. The great thing about Batman is he lives on for future generations to reinterpret, and obviously, Warners will have to decide in the future what they’re going to do with him. We’ve had our say on the character.”

With the smashing success of The Avengers, a Justice League project is a slam dunk to get done, sooner rather than later, but the news that Nolan is out actually sits well with me. He’s too talented to not expand his horizons. Now DC will hopefully not do something hokey like we saw with The Avengers but all bets are off. At least we will have Nolan’s trilogy to live in infamy and we get to look forward to more interesting work from the director. Inception still sits as the most satisfying film to be released in the last several years for me, so more, please.

Source: THR