"Avatar" The New Top Grossing Film Of All Time

After ten showings, my best friend's Greenback stamps and my hard earned money, I never thought any movie would beat Titanic. Well, here we are twelve years later and Avatar sits at the top. I don't see this movie as a movie that should be at the top. I didn't feel connected to the characters like I did in Titanic or The Dark Knight (which earned a right to top Titanic). The only beauty is the visuals and the 3D experience. According to Comingsoon.net:

"After just 39 days in theaters, James Cameron's Avatar surpassed Cameron's own Titanic on Monday, January 25th at the worldwide (U.S., Canada and international) box office to become the highest-grossing film of all time. Avatar has reached $1,858,866,889 while Titanic earned $1,843,201,268 total."

So what do you think of this historical moment in film history?

Will Burton Remake "Sleeping Beauty?"

With Alice in Wonderland almost a month away, rumors are circulating about Tim Burton directing a new version of Sleeping Beauty. The big difference will be the story will be told from Maleficent's point of view. Ain't It Cool News stated:

[That they] “heard” that Tim Burton may be taking on Sleeping Beauty next. But it won’t be a straight remake, apparently his semi-live-action version (like Alice on Wonderland) will be told from the point of view of Maleficent, the self-proclaimed “Mistress of All Evil” who curses Princess Aurora to “prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die” before the sun sets on her 16th birthday. In fact, it may even be called simply “Maleficent”.

If these rumors become facts I will be first in line for this film. Disney's original Sleeping Beauty is visually stunning and if Burton signs on I know it will be amazing. What do you think about Burton remaking Sleeping Beauty?

Golden Globe Winners!

Oh award season is here! So here is a list of last nights big winners and what I really think!

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Mo'Nique- Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. I haven't seen the film, but everyone says she's amazing.

Best Animated Feature Film: Up. Well deserved. Only Pixar can do it.

Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy/Musical: Meryl Streep- Julie and Julia. I loved this film and Meryl Streep did an amazing job. Well deserved.

Best Screenplay Motion Picture: Up in the Air. Now I haven't seen the film, but I would have like to see Inglourious Basterds win this one.

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Christoph Waltz- Inglourious Basterds. Very very well deserved.

Best Director Motion Picture: James Cameron- Avatar. If you read my Avatar review then you know how I feel about this. Long live Quentin Tarantino.

Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical: The Hangover. Finally a completely crazy and insane comedy gets recognition. Well deserved!

Best Actress Motion Picture Drama: Sandra Bullock- The Blind Side. I haven't seen it yet, but I always go for the underdog!

Best Actor Motion Picture Comedy/Musical: Robert Downey Jr.- Sherlock Holmes. I didn't think his performance was amazing, but considering the other nominees he was the best.

Best Actor Motion Picture Drama: Jeff Bridges-Crazy Heart. Another underdog winner!

Best Motion Picture Drama- Avatar. I still feel Inglourious Basterds deserved this one.

"The Book of Eli" Is Quite Insightful

Finally Denzel Washington made a good movie! Now, Denzel is an amazing actor, I just haven't liked most of his movies.

The Book of Eli takes place in the future after a nuclear war. Instead of money, payment is whatever one can find such as lighters, books and KFC wipes. The world is trying to recover the past world, a world that was once filled with material things. Washington plays Eli, a man who believes that he must travel West to protect the last Holy Bible on Earth. Of course, there's always a villain that will cross the hero's path and test his abilities. The ending is quite a shock and also reveals much about our world today.

Today, our world is filled with material things. These "things" that we can get everyday, but what if these "things" were gone? Eli's connection with The Bible helps him survive, grow and become powerful. He believes it's all he needs. Carnegie (Gary Oldman) and his crew believe The Bible will help his town, but he uses it for his own personal greed.

It all comes down to how you see the world, others and yourself.

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- "Rosemary's Baby" (1968)

I was extremely curious to see this film because of all the hype around it. Filmmakers have tried to recreate Roman Polanski's vision with an original twist, but have failed. Many critics argue that it is one of the best horror films ever made and I believe they are right.

The story centers around a young married couple Rosemary Woodhouse ( Mia Farrow) and Guy (John Cassavetes) who are trying to enjoy their new apartment and privacy, when they are quickly interrupted by their annoying neighbors. The film keeps you wondering, guessing and biting your nails as Rosemary learns that her husband, neighbors and baby are part of hell itself.

The film taps into our fears about trust. Can we really trust our families, husbands, wives, neighbors and most importantly ourselves? That's a scary question and that's what makes this film so terrifying.

Depp Named People's Choice Best Actor of the Decade

The people have spoken and they chose Johnny Depp as the People's Choice for Best Actor for the decade! Throughout this past decade, Depp earned three Best Actor Academy Award Nominations for Pirates of the Caribbean, Finding Neverland and Sweeney Todd. He won a Golden Globe for his performance in Sweeney Todd. He became People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive twice and he never once took his success for granted. He always took time to thank his fans.

Depp stated during his speech, "the only reason that any of us are up here is because of you. I sincerely thank you for bestowing on me all your great treasures."

Congrats to Johnny!

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1" Teaser Trailer

I hope this is better than "The Half-Blood Prince."

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die: "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953)

Before Legally Blonde, Sex and the City and Heartbreakers there was Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starring Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe. The film is a campy musical about two women trying to find love, whether it be a man or diamonds.

What I found interesting is how the film pokes fun of women being gold diggers, dumb blondes and having the power to manipulate men with their beauty. Some women may find this offensive, but the underlying meaning is these two women have confidence, power and use what they have to get by in life. Monroe's character, Lorelei, states at the end of the film that a woman wanting a rich man is like a man wanting a beautiful woman. She continues to say that a father would want his daughter to have a rich man. Some may agree and some may argue this point. Whatever one thinks, the film argues that women have enough independence to make their own decisions.

In films today we see the "dumb blonde" play dumb, but conqueror all. We see the gold diggers use their beauty and smarts to manipulate men. Yes, its not cool, but it's interesting to see a woman have the power to be able to pull it off. We see these stereotypes still in films today, why? Do women like the idea of being so beautiful that they can control anyone? It's a nice thought and every woman wants to walk into a room and have men stare at her. That is what Marylin Monroe did for women.

Monroe sings "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend," as she glides around in a hot pink gown. The number that inspired Madonna's "Material Girl" video and showed women around the world that it was okay to feel and look sexy.

"Avatar" Visually Wows Audiences

I finally saw James Cameron's Avatar and I thought it was good, but not amazing. The story is good, but contains themes from past films. For example, there are comparisons to Dances With Wolves, which I only saw through the love story and the love for nature. My boyfriend and I agreed that it had a Pocahontas feel more than Dances With Wolves.

The fact is this movie would only be good if it didn't have the astonishing special effects. This is a movie you have to see in the theater and especially in 3D to get the whole visual experience. The effects are so good that you actually feel like you are in the movie.

The film is nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Drama, which I don't understand because the acting isn't spectacular and the story isn't completely original. Yes, it has amazing effects and Cameron did an awesome job there, but I thought in order to get nominated for the best movie then all aspects of the film should be great. Just a thought.

Don't wait until DVD, unless you have an awesome TV.

Happy New Year and Happy New Changes for 2010!

With a new year comes new ideas. For 2010, The Movie Goddess will be adding some new content.

1) I received 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die and 1001 Horror Movies You Must See Before You Die, so I will write reviews as I see each film. The challenge is to see how many films I can get through this year.

2) I plan to get a podcast up and running.

3) I will cover local film events in Savannah GA. or the surrounding area called Scene in Savannah.

4) I plan to get more opinions other than my own. If you are interested in becoming a part of The Movie Goddess please leave me a comment.

5) I will continue to give up to date news, trailers and reviews!


Thank you to everyone who has read, commented and helped The Movie Goddess grow throughout the pass year.

Tara

The Evidence Is In: "Sherlock Holmes" Is Not Clueless

I enjoyed Sherlock Holmes. I thought the onscreen relationship or "bromance" between Sherlock (Robert Downey Jr.) and Watson (Jude Law) was perfectly played out. I never read any of the mysteries, but I found myself easily entertained trying to solve the mystery. It was like trying to figure out the killer in a horror film. Holmes uses early techniques of CSI that's interesting to see because we are so used to technology. I also found the martial arts and fighting styles that Holmes plans out before he attacks quite different.

The only thing I have to argue about is why did Robert Downey Jr. get nominated for a Golden Globe for this role? Yes, I think he is an excellent actor, but this role was not any different from some of his other roles. It was like watching Tony Stark mixed with his Tropic Thunder roles. He plays the sarcastic charmer very well.

Overall, Sherlock Holmes is a fun and enjoyable film. There's plenty of comedy and action for all.