100 Word Review - Gone

It's usually a fair assumption that with a handful of b-list actors on a cast list that a film is probably one to avoid, but with Amanda Seyfried leading the cast you might want to think otherwise. Well don't, Gone thrusts Seyfried into the role of a mentally unstable past kidnapping victim who after her sister's recent disappearance has gone mad attempting to find her. The concept is solid though mundane, but fueled by a cast of vapid, shallow characters the plot quickly fizzles out to the point of needing constant bursts of illogical actions to move the story forward.

84th annual Academy Awards: Winner Predictions

With the 84th issuance of the coveted golden statuettes less than four days away it is time that I finally quit my stalling and make my predictions for who will walk away with their heads held high. This year's nominations have been regarded as some of the most odd and predictable and though that is true on some fronts there is always the chance for some great upsets.

Will "The Descendants" dethrone the award favorite "The Artist?" Can Mara take the reigns away from Hollywood elite with her edgy performance? or can Payne or Allen in his prime split the director and best picture categories keeping "The Artist" from total domination?

Probably not, so after weeks of deliberating (procrastinating) and hours of sifting through the historical statistics here is my attempt at safe picks for the 84th annual Academy Awards this Sunday night.

• Best picture - "The Artist"
• Best actor in a leading role - Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”
• Best actress in a leading role - Viola Davis, “The Help”
• Best actor in a supporting role - Christopher Plummer, “Beginners”
• Best actress in a supporting role - Octavia Spencer, “The Help”
• Best director - Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”
• Writing (adapted screenplay) - Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, “The Descendants"
• Writing (original screenplay) - Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris”
• Animated feature film - “Rango”
• Art direction - "Hugo"
• Cinematography - "The Tree of Life"
• Visual effects - “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”
• Original score - Ludovic Bource, “The Artist”
• Sound mixing - “Hugo”
• Costume design - “Hugo”
• Film editing - “The Artist”

Do you agree with my choices, or have some different choices of your own? Let me know who you are putting your money on and why in the comments.

100 Word Review - Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

With Nicolas Cage reprising his role as the demonic Ghost Rider the directorial pair of Neveldine and Taylor take the helm for this hellish sequel. Still yearning for release from his deal with the devil Johnny Blaze is tempted into the task of protecting a child in return for a cure to his curse. A simple plot that plays into the director's act now, dialogue never style both casts Spirit of Vengeance ahead of and behind its predecessor. With the lean toward action we get a visually stunning film that despite its thin story still offers a marginally fun experience.

100 Word Review - The Woman in Black

In his first post Potter role Daniel Radcliffe teams up with director James Watkins for the ghastly thriller The Woman in Black. Pulling away from Hollywood horror The Woman in Black tells a more traditional ghost story in which the young lawyer Arthur Kipps is tasked with sorting out the eerie estate of a woman who's untimely passing has stirred up fear amongst the locals. By conjuring a constant cloud of suspense that will envelop viewers The Woman in Black leaves audiences in a truly fearful state. A fear that in these tired times feels both fresh, and inviting.

100 Word Review - Trick 'r Treat

In an era where modern horror couldn't be more predictable and redundant it is a rarity to find an interesting twist on the genre. 2007's Trick 'r Treat is the disorganized attempt at doing just that. Telling the story of the Halloween happenings of a town dedicated to the traditions of the once sinister holiday Trick 'r Treat plays out more like a collection of short stories woven together with a thinly strung theme. Once you get past the apparent structural flaws of the film the stories within bring out a campy, but ultimately fun and definitely unique horror film.