By T.S. Ross, tsross@modernfilmzine.com

Here are the nominations for the 81st annual Academy Awards. Along with the nominations I have also added my thoughts and personal choices on who should win, as well as a “Where is?” category for movies that I felt should have at least been recognized.

And the nominee’s are…

Best actor:

Richard Jenkins – “The Visitor”

Frank Langella – “Frost/Nixon”

Sean Penn – “Milk”

Brad Pitt – “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

Mickey Rourke – “The Wrestler”

All good choices, though I still need to see “The Visitor” and “Benjamin Button”. Personally for me, it’s a toss up between Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke. If I had to pick; Rourke.

Where is? Colin Farrell for “In Bruges.”

Best Actress

Anne Hathaway – “Rachel Getting Married”

Angelina Jolie – “Changeling”

Melissa Leo – “Frozen River”

Meryl Streep – “Doubt”

Kate Winslet – “The Reader” …continue reading Academy Award Nominations Announced

By T.S. Ross, tsross@modernfilmzine.com

Here is the complete list of winners at Sunday’s 66th annual Golden Globe awards. Have to admit, it’s a list I have no complaints about, and I am pleasantly surprised to see Colin Farrell win for “In Bruges” in the best actor for musical or comedy . Go Colin.

And the winners are…  …continue reading 66th Golden Globe winners announced

By TS Ross, tsross@modernfilmzine.com

For the last few nights now, I’ve been wondering, where did my movie taste come from? Does it start from a young age? Does it develop during puberty? From what you read of other critics? Or is it from a friend who takes a look at your collection and comments, “Dude, you need to see some Godard.” I really don’t know.

I loved ‘Wall-E’ but my grandparents hated it, on the flip side they enjoyed ‘Beverly Hills Chihuahua’ and though I haven’t seen it, cute singing dogs isn’t really my thing.

Yet without my grandparents, I doubt I would have such an enthusiastic love for film as I do now.  I remember when we finally got satellite television and my grandparents shared with me the films they loved as they grew up. Little did they know, this became the basis of my film education.  It was at the time that AMC still showed actual American movie classics without all the commercial interruptions, and TCM was being added to our channel list.

…continue reading Where does your film taste come from?

By T.S. Ross, tsross@modernfilmzine.com

Whether it was being totally enraptured by these little masterpieces listed below, or trashing an equal amount of crap, I can say 2008 satisfied me on both ends (Yes, even the crap, I have a cruel sense of fun). Sadly though, as like last year, I just didn’t have the time nor money to see absolutely EVERYTHING this year.

I can easily name three movies I was dying to see, including, “Let the Right One In,” “Man on Wire,” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” But like a music festival, you just can’t catch every show when all your favorite bands are playing at the same time.  So enough chit chat, here is my personal top ten of 2008, but first, a quick look at a couple stinkers. …continue reading Top 10 of 2008 by T.S. Ross