Christopher Lee 2011 Christmas Message

When I was watchin those two videos, which are kindly recorded by Christopher Lee, I smiled the whole time. He is a wonderful man, very talented actor and a kind person, whom I'd like to meet. In the next year he will celebrate his 90th (!) birthday, and I'm glad he still makes appearances in many films.

"When he asked me to do this [Hugo], I said, well it's about time. Isn't it?" - Christopher Lee about Scorsese

He talks about his upcoming films: "The Wicker Tree", "Hugo" and how much he enjoyed working with Martin Scorsese, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", "The Hobbit: There and Back Again", "Dark Shadows". I'm so exited to see all of the above, especially Peter Jackson's duology, where his Saruman will be the good wizard.

"I emphasize again, I don't play long parts. They must be short parts, but they've got to be parts that mean something, that matter. The people will notice when I'm on the screen and will remember the character after they've seen the film."

In the second video, he talks about an honor being a Fellow of BAFTA. He also discusses his second heavy metal album "Charlemagne: The Omens of Death", which will be out on his birthday.

I wish him to have a Happy New Year, strong health and remain being the Great. I hope he knows how much we love him and his work.

Part 1 of the message



Part 2 of the message

"John Carter" (2012) - First trailer, stills and thoughts

"You are ugly, but you are beautiful. You will fight for us."

There are some rumours that "John Carter" is going to be one of the next year's blockbusters. Let's see why (or why not).

Main character, John Carter, was created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and he is almost 100 years old, because appears in different stories since 1912. John comes to Mars and discovers there a whole new civilization. Wait a minute... Don't those aliens look familiar? I bet they do for everyone, who has ever seen George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace", because they are very much like the inhabitants of Tatooine, where Anakin Skywalker (aka Darth Vader) was raised.

Pixar's guy Andrew Stanton is a director of this film. He is famous for some great feature films, like "Finding Nemo", "Toy Story" series, "Monsters, Inc." and "WALL-E". But I'm not sure that it's a great idea for him to make an action story of such a kind.

Taylor Kitsch plays the main part and he looks like Jake Gyllenhaal in "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time". And isn't his costume borrowed from Jason Momoa, who starred in "Conan the Barbarian"?

Tons of special effects are used to create huge armies of funny and dangerous looking creatures. Landscapes sometimes look beautiful here, but after I saw "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" trailer, it's hard to impress me. And there will be 3D. I start liking this film less and less.

The only thing I surely like is the song from the trailer below. It's "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin.

First trailer




Future hero?

Meet the aliens

No story without a beautiful girl

Oh, Mark Strong is also here

The City and that beautiful view of Mars

Did they borrow something from "Cowboys & Aliens"?

Are you exited about "John Carter" or not interested in it?

"FRANKENWEENIE" (2012) - First pictures

Do you like "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Corpse Bride"? If yes, it's time to be very exited. Tim Burton is making a full-length remake of his old short film "Frankenweenie", made in 1984. It's a story about a very talented boy. His dog died, and this boy wants to bring him back. He makes it successfully, but all people around are freaked, though the dog still is a very nice and friendly pet.

Over 200 puppets are made for this remake, which sounds very impressive. Winona Ryder will voice one of the characters, along with Martin Landau, Martin Short and Catherine O’Hara. The score has to be created by Danny Elfman.

In the next year we will have a chance to watch this story on the big screen and in 3D.

A few stills and a picture of Mr.Burton on the set were released. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Follow me on Twitter to get fresh news about this upcoming film.

"The Hobbit": Fifth Video Blog from the Set

"The main reason for going on location for the project is to capture the scenic beauty of New Zealand."

Peter Jackson presents another video from the set of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey". As he promised in the previous one, he takes us on locations, where they are filming some interesting scenes. You can see the crew traveled a lot (and probably will travel more). I'm again impressed how many people are working on this story - they say there are over a five hundred workers and dozens of trucks were used to take all stuff out of the studio. Looks like everything has been packed (WC cabins; coffee makers; costumes; cameras; actors; fake hair for beards, feet and wigs; giant plants and trees; cows, pigs, ducks etc).

Elijah Wood said such touching words about coming back after 11 years. It must be a great feeling to film there again.

Even Prime Minister of New Zealand came to visit "The Hobbit" team. They say Hobbiton was built for real this time and it will be left untouched for those, who would like to visit this place. I'm first in that row. 

Now this video is my favourite among others, because I'd gave many things to have a chance to work on such a wonderful project and to film on those locations. New Zealand is very picturesque. And I'd like to retire in Hobbiton too, especially if Peter Jackson will settle there. What a neighbour he could be!

Next video from the set will be released early in the next year.

Watch previous videos from the set of upcoming duology "The Hobbit":
1st video,
2nd video,
3rd video,
4th video.

More about "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (2012)! (all pictures, stories, news, set videos, Peter Jackson's statements etc.)



And a few interesting pictures from the set (click on the image to enlarge it):

Peter The Great

Peter The Funny 

Floating dwarves

If some unreleased pictures will leak, guess whose fault it will be...

Andy Serkis is busy gathering flowers

Map of New Zealand magically turns into a map of the Middle-Earth 

Occupying the space of a football field

Sentimental Elijah Wood

Peaceful Hobbiton

Next movie star

Peter and his team are wishing us a "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Quote of the day

I don't usually dedicate the entire post to one quote, but this one is so great, I couldn't resist.

It was said by Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", when Ron was unconscious after a chess play and she told Harry that he is a great wizard and can save the stone:

"- Me! Books! And cleverness! There are more important things - friendship and bravery!"

P.S. Doesn't she look cute?

"The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993) - Favourite Christmas song

Merry Christmas Eve! I hope you are having a great time with your family and friends. If you have a bad mood I have something to cheer you up.

Henry Selick and Tim Burton made a wonderful scary and festive film "The Nightmare Before Christmas" long time ago. There are many good songs, including "This is Halloween", but these days we'd better listen to and sing "What's this?". It's written and sung by Danny Elfman as Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin king, when he discovers a snowy and happy town. Everyone prepares to Christmas there and the atmosphere is incredibly cheerful. Jack wonders why all those creatures are dressing their trees, baking pies and caroling, until he understands how beautiful all of this is.

My favorite part:

Oh, look
What's this?
They're hanging mistletoe, they kiss
Why that looks so unique, inspired

There is also a good version sung by Fall Out Boy.

If you like this song either, you can try to sing karaoke.



What is your favourite Christmas song from a film?

"The Woman in Black" (2012) - Another creepy poster

Upcoming British horror "The Woman in Black" gets a new poster, which features some scary moments from the trailer along with a half of Daniel Radcliffe's face. If you are wondering why this film has changed its tagline to "What did they see?", the answer is: it got another official website of the same name.

Directed by James Watkins ("Eden Lake", 2008).
Based on a thriller fiction novel by Susan Hill.
Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, Janet McTeer.

More about "The Woman in Black" (2012)!
Check out the latest trailer.

Poster - IMP awards

Oscar 2012 Original Song Playlist

39 original songs are included in the Oscar 2012 long list. The best chances to be nominated have songs from "DAM999", "The Muppets" and "Rio", with 3 songs each; "Gnomeo & Juliet", "Happy Feet Two" and "Winnie the Pooh" with 2 songs.

This list features famous musicians, like Robbie Williams, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Mary J. Blige; actors who starred in musicals, like Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway; and young artists.

Before the every song I wrote who performed it, so don't confuse it with its composers and lyrics writers.

You will know the 84th Academy Awards nominations on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. And winners will be announced on February 26, 2012. I'm so exited to watch this ceremony!

More about Oscar 2012!



1. Jordin Sparks - "The World I Knew" (from "African Cats")
2. Sinead O'Connor - "Lay Your Head Down" (from "Albert Nobbs")
3. The Star Spangled Singers - "Star Spangled Man" (from "Captain America: The First Avenger")
4. Robbie Williams - "Collision of Worlds" (from "Cars 2")
5. Shakti Shree, Suchith Suresan, Ouseppachan - "Dakkanaga Dugu Dugu" (from "DAM999")
6. Suchith Suresan, Suvi Suresh, Ouseppachan - "DAM999 Theme Song" (from "DAM999")
7. Hariharan, Shreya Goshal - "Mujhe Chod Ke" (from "DAM999")
8. Melissa Manchester - "Rainbird" (from "Dirty Girl")
9. Alex Heffes - "Keep On Walking" (from "The First Grader")
10. Zac Brown - "Where the River Goes" (from "Footloose")
11. Elton John and Lady Gaga - "Hello Hello" (from "Gnomeo & Juliet")
12. Elton John - "Love Builds a Garden" (from "Gnomeo & Juliet")
13. P!nk & the Happy Feet Two Chorus - "Bridge of Light" (from "Happy Feet Two")
14. Hank Azaria & the Happy Feet Two Chorus, featuring Robin Williams - "The Mighty Sven" (from "Happy Feet Two")
15. Jaymay - "Never Be Daunted" (from "happythankyoumoreplease")
16. J. Ralph, featuring Willie Nelson - "Hell and Back" (from "Hell and Back Again")
17. Mary J. Blige - "The Living Proof" (from "The Help")
18. Zaz - "Coeur Volant" (from "Hugo")
19. Holly Palmer - "It's How We Play" (from "I Don't Know How She Does It")
20. Natasa Mirkovic-De Ro - "When the Heart Dies" (from "In the Land of Blood and Honey")
21. Camané - "Já Não Estar" (from "José and Pilar")
22. Chris Cornell - "The Keeper" (from "Machine Gun Preacher")
23. Jason Segel, Amy Adams and Walter - "Life's a Happy Song" (from "The Muppets")
24. Jason Segel and Walter - "Man or Muppet" (from "The Muppets")
25. Kermit and the Muppets - "Pictures in My Head" (from "The Muppets")
26. Tulips - "Summer Song" (from "The Music Never Stopped")
27. Ben Lear - "Imaginary Friends" (from "Olive")
28. Elvis Costello - "Sparkling Day" (from "One Day")
29. Daniel Tashian - "Taking You with Me" (from "Our Idiot Brother")
30. OK Go - "The Greatest Song I Ever Heard" (from "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie
Ever Sold")
31. Will.i.am, Jamie Foxx, Anne Hathaway - "Hot Wings" (from "Rio")
32. Ester Dean, Carlinhos Brown - "Let Me Take You to Rio" (from "Rio")
33. Jesse Eisenberg, Jamie Foxx, Anne Hathaway, George Lopez, Will.i.am, and The Rio Singers with Hollywood - "Real in Rio" (from "Rio")
34. Ben Nichols - "Shelter" (from "Take Shelter")
35. Jónsi - "Gathering Stories" (from "We Bought a Zoo")
36. Shillaly Brothers - "Pop" (from "White Irish Drinkers")
37. The National - "Think You Can Wait" (from "Win Win")
38. Jim Cummings, Bud Luckey, Craig Ferguson, Travis Oates, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Wyatt Dean Hall, and Tom Kenny - "The Backson Song" (from "Winnie the Pooh")
39. Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward - "So Long" (from "Winnie the Pooh")

Source - Oscars.org

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" - First trailer, poster and many stills

"Bilbo Baggins, I'm looking for someone to share an adventure."

I can't tell you how exited I am that the first trailer has arrived! New and old characters of the Middle-earth promise us something huge, dangerous and breathtaking. Shire looks peaceful, but we know that all adventures begin there. I can go on, but you better watch it with your own eyes.

Directed by Peter Jackson.

See the list of all characters and actors below the trailer.

Release date - December 14, 2012.

Poster (click to enlarge) - iTunes movie trailers








Trailer #1



Let me introduce all main characters (click on the picture to enlarge it):

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman)

Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen)

Fili (Dean O'Gorman)

Kili (Aidan Turner)

Oin (John Callen)

Gloin (Peter Hambleton)

Dwalin (Graham McTavish)

Balin (Ken Stott)

Bifur (William Kircher)

Bofur (James Nesbitt)

Bombur (Stephen Hunter)

Dori (Mark Hadlow)

Nori (Jed Brophy)

Ori (Adam Brown)

Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage)

Galadriel (Cate Blanchett)

Gollum (Andy Serkis) (try to find him)

"The Hobbit" (2012) - New Bilbo and dwarves still

Warner Bros. Pictures released a new still for Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey". It has been a long time since we saw hobbits and dwarves, but they still look great in costumes and with a very complicated make-up. On this picture you can see Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins who is ready for a big adventure; James Nesbitt as Bofur, Stephen Hunter as Bombur, Graham McTavish as Dwalin, William Kircher as Bifur and Jed Brophy as Nori. I hope I'll learn how to tell them apart till I see this film.

More about "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (2012)!

Are you waiting for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"?

Top-15 Christmas film posters

Christmas is coming and I remembered that I haven't posted a single entry about this wonderful holiday, which is widely described in different kind of films. While I was making a new festive header for this blog (by the way, do you like it?) I saw a bunch of great posters for my favourite Christmas films. For this post I tried to choose best of them.

Click to enlarge the poster you like.

1."How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (2000)
Simple and very mysterious poster starring Jim Carrey's green fluffy hand. That broken decoration says more about its main character than the plot.

2."A Christmas Carol" (2009)
This version of Dickens' legendary novel has plenty of good posters, but the German one is my favourite. Dark with bright silhouette of Ebenezer Scrooge made from the Ghost of Christmas Past looks very Gothic and festive as the story itself.

3."Home Alone" (1990)
Screaming Kevin, toasted Harry and ironed Marv are my all time favourite characters. Better those burglars haven't messed with that kid, even if he is home alone.

4."Christmas Vacation" (1989)
Poor Chevy Chase...

5."Jingle All the Way" (1996)
Crazy poster for a crazy film.

6."Scrooged" (1988)
Modern adaptation got a very freaked out Bill Murray on its poster. I like that he gets a light from a ghost.

7."Bad Santa" (2003)
Very bad and very Santa. As its tagline says, "He doesn't care if you're naughty or nice." Lauren Graham definitely is naughty.

8."Elf" (2003)
This one made me laugh so hard. I know it's a bit rude to cut off the head of the main character, but it perfectly shows us what's wrong with him and why he is a very unique elf.

9."Home Alone 2" (1992)
What could be better than New York looking like a huge skating rink?

10."It's a Wonderful Life" (1946)
Happy family, Christmas tree and love - everything good you can find in this film, you can see on this poster.

11."A Garfield Christmas Special" (1987)
Everyone knows that you should keep your pets away from your Christmas tree, and this case isn't an exception.

12."Arthur Christmas" (2011)
They've made a Christmas tree from all main characters. Plus I like its green and red colours.

13."Love Actually" (2003)
All great actors and actresses wrapped together as a one big present for us.

14."Surviving Christmas" (2004)
We know it's a very stressful time of the year, but we love it still. This poster is about those unexpected (unwanted) presents, which can literally kick you off your feet.

15."The Polar Express" (2004)
A magnificent train and a young kid, who is delighted by his future Christmas trip. And the snow falls down slowly... Just perfect.

If I haven't included your favourite one, leave a comment, I'll consider it.