Friday, June 13, 2014

Movie Reviews: Maleficent (2014)

Evil has a beginning.

Director: Robert Stromberg

Writers: Linda Woolverton; Charles Perrault; Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm; Erdman Penner, Joe Rinaldi, Winston Hibler, Bill Peet, Ted Sears, Ralph Wright, Milt Banta (based from the motion picture "Sleeping Beauty")

Starring: Angelina Jolie; Elle Fanning; Sharlto Copley; Sam Riley; Brenton Thwaites; Imelda Staunton; Junto Temple; Lesley Manville

Synopsis: All the right elements are in place, particular Angelina Jolie. But something is missing. The cinematography is spectacular. The effects are impressive. The battle scenes are dramatic. But the script somehow fails to make all of this coalesce.

In this “untold story from the villain’s perspective” of Sleeping Beauty, Angelina Jolie is superb as the titular Maleficent, the fairy guardian made bitter by the human king when her wings are stolen.

And yet…

It’s challenging to try to articulate just went wrong. All the right elements are in place, particular Jolie who makes the titular character such a fascinating character study. But something is missing. The cinematography is spectacular. The effects are impressive. The battle scenes are dramatic. But the script somehow fails to make all of this coalesce.

The other cast members seem perfect for their roles – save for Sharlto Copley, who works as the villainous king by the film's end but simply cannot pull off looking like a dashing young knight earlier in the movie. Elle Fanning has a dewy innocence for the Princess Aurora. Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, and Leslie Manville are perfect as the hapless fairy godmothers. Brenton Thwaites as Prince Phillip is, well, charming. As Maleficent’s sidekick Diaval, Sam Riley is expressive and nuanced.

But all are overshadowed by Angelina Jolie, who is truly magnificent. And the writing, which succeeds in giving Maleficent’s character purpose and depth, fails to do the same for the other characters.

At the 2005 awards, Angelina Jolie made Cosmo history by being the first person to be nominated simultaneously for both heroic and villainous categories for the same film (Mr. & Mrs. Smith). I wouldn’t be surprised if the same thing happens with Maleficent.

Rating: 3 stars

Monday, June 2, 2014

Announcing the Winners of the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards

At long last, it's time to announce the winners of the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards.

There are two ways you can see who's won. We've created video presentations announcing the winners (just like watching the Oscars! Only ... not.) Or you can skip to the printed lists that announce the winners.

Here are the video presentations:

Here are lists of the winners and nominees:

"Winners" of the Worst of 2013

The "winners" in the Worst of 2013 categories for the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards.

Most Overrated Film of 2013

Nominees: Ender's Game; A Good Day to Die Hard; The Great Gatsby; The Hangover Part III; The Wolverine; and World War Z

Worst Performance in a 2013 Film

Nominees: Chris Brown - Battle of the Year; Johnny Depp - The Lone Ranger; Linday Lohan - Scary Movie V; Tyler Perry - A Madea Christmas; Adam Sandler - Grown Ups 2; and Will Smith - After Earth

Worst Film of 2013

Nominees: After Earth; The Frankenstein Theory; Grown Ups 2; The Lone Ranger; A Madea Christmas; and Movie 43

Presentation of the "Winners"

And the Cosmo goes to...


Cinematic Worsts of 2013 from Kevin Goebel on Vimeo.

Winners of the Sexiest Films of 2013

Winners for the sexiest (and funnest) categories for the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards.

Favorite Cinematic Guilty Pleasure of 2013

Nominees: Ender's Game; The Heat; The Hunger Games: Catching Fire; Jack the Giant Slayer; Rapture-Palooza; and Warm Bodies

Actress' Character from a 2013 Film You Would Most Like to be Intimate With

Nominees: Amy Acker - Much Ado About Nothing; Anna Kendrick - Drinking Buddies; Jennifer Lawrence - American Hustle; Carey Mulligan - The Great Gatsby; Teresa Palmer - Warm Bodies; and Emma Watson - This Is the End

Actor's Character from a 2013 Film You Would Most Like to be Intimate With

Nominees: Douglas Booth - Romeo and Juliet; Henry Cavill - Man of Steel; Sam Claflin - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire; Ansel Elgort - Carrie; Dave Franco - Now You See Me; and Chris Pine - Star Trek Into Darkness

Best Use of (Gratuitous?) Nudity in a 2013 Film

Nominees: The Canyons; The Hangover Part III; Triple Crossed; 21 & Over; We're the Millers; and The Wolf of Wall Street

Sexiest Ensemble Cast of a 2013 Film

Nominees: Adore; The Canyons; The Hunger Games: Catching Fire; Much Ado About Nothing; Star Trek Into Darkness; and The Wolf of Wall Street

Presentation of the Winners

And the Cosmo goes to...


Sexiest Cinematic Awards of 2013 from Kevin Goebel on Vimeo.

Best Action Films of 2013

Winners of the Cosmique Movie Awars' action-oriented categories for 2013.

Best Mystery, Suspense, Horror, or Thriller Film of 2013

Nominees: Carrie; Evil Dead; Gravity; The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones; Now You See Me; and World War Z

Best Female Villain of a 2013 Film

Nominees: Jodie Foster - Elysium; Famke Janssen - Hansel & Gretal: Witch Hunters; Mila Kunis - Oz the Great and Powerful; Julianne Moore - Carrie; Chloë Grace Moretz - Carrie; and Rachel Weisz - Oz the Great and Powerful

Best Male Villain of a 2013 Film

Nominees: Benedict Cumberbatch - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Benedict Cumberbatch - Star Trek Into Darkness; Sean Maher - Much Ado About Nothing; Michael Shannon - Man of Steel; Donald Sutherland - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire; and Stanley Tucci - Jack the Giant Slayer

Favorite Female Heroic Character of a 2013 Film

Nominees: Sandra Bullock - Gravity; Jennifer Lawrence - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire; Evangeline Lilly - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Chloë Grace Moretz - Kick-Ass 2; Sophie Nelisse - The Book Thief; and Zoe Saldana - Star Trek Into Darkness

Favorite Male Heroic Character of a 2013 Film

Nominees: Orlando Bloom - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Henry Cavill - Man of Steel; James Franco - Oz the Great and Powerful; Ian McKellen - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Chris Pine - Star Trek Into Darkness; and Paul Walker - Hours

Best Action/Adventure Film of 2013

Nominees: Captain Phillips; Elysium; The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Iron Man 3; Man of Steel; and Star Trek Into Darkness

Presentation of the Winners

And the Cosmo goes to...



Cinematic Action Awards for 2013 from Kevin Goebel on Vimeo.

Winners of the Best Performances of 2013

Here are the nominees and winners for the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards' top acting categories.

Best Performance by a Young Actor in a 2013 Film

Nominees: Asa Butterfield - Ender's Game; Liam James - The Way, Way Back; Jacob Lofland - Mud; Nick Robinson - The Kings of Summer; Tye Sheridan - Mud; and Cooper Timberline - Man of Steel

Best Performance by a Young Actress in a 2013 Film

Nominees: Onata Aprile - What Maisie Knew; Annie Rose Buckley - Saving Mr. Banks; Chloë Grace Moretz - Carrie; Chloë Grace Moretz - Kick-Ass 2; Sophie Nélisse - The Book Thief; and Sofia Oria - Blancanieves.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a 2013 Film

Nominees: Bradley Cooper - American Hustle; Dane DeHaan - Kill Your Darlings; Michael Fassbender - 12 Years a Slave; Jared Leto - Dallas Buyers Club; Matthew McConaughey - Mud; and Ian McKellen - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a 2013 Film

Nominees: Jennifer Lawrence - American Hustle; Adepero Oduye - 12 Years a Slave; Lupita Oyong'o - 12 Years a Slave; Sarah Paulson - 12 Years a Slave; Julia Roberts - August: Osage County; and Oprah Winfrey - Lee Daniels' The Butler

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a 2013 Film

Nominees: Christian Bale - American Hustle; Leonardo DiCaprio - The Wolf of Wall Street; Chiwetel Ejiofor - 12 Years a Slave; Tom Hanks - Captain Phillips; Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club; and Daniel Radcliffe - Kill Your Darlings

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a 2013 Film

Nominees: Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine; Sandra Bullock - Gravity; Judi Dench - Philomena; Brie Larson - Short Term 12; Meryl Streep - August: Osage County; and Emma Thompson - Saving Mr. Banks

Best Performance by an Ensemble Cast of a 2013 Film

Nominees: American Hustle; August: Osage County; Kill Your Darlings; Lee Daniels' The Butler; Much Ado About Nothing; and 12 Years a Slave

Video Presentation of the Winners

And the Cosmo goes to...


Best Cinematic Performances of 2013 from Kevin Goebel on Vimeo.

Best Films of 2013 by Genre, Part 2

Part two of the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards' Best Films by Genre categories.

Best Animated Film of 2013

Nominees: The Croods; Despicable Me 2; Ernest & Celestine; Frozen; Monsters University; and The Wind Rises

Best Queer Film of 2013

Nominees: Bridegroom; Dallas Buyers Club; I Am Divine; Kill Your Darlings; Stranger at the Lake; and Triple Crossed

Best Musical Film of 2013

Nominees: Frozen; Inside Llewyn Davis; Justin Bieber's Believe; One Direction: This Is Us; Saving Mr. Banks; and Sound City

Best Fantasy Film of 2013

Nominees: Carrie; The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Man of Steel; Oz the Great and Powerful; The Secret Life of Walter Mitty; and Warm Bodies

Best Science Fiction Film of 2013

Nominees: Europa Report; Gravity; The Hunger Games: Catching Fire; Iron Man 3; Man of Steel; and Star Trek Into Darkness

Presentation of the Winners

And the Cosmo goes to...




Best Films by Genre of 2013, Part 2 from Kevin Goebel on Vimeo.

Best Films of 2013 by Genre, Part 1

Winners of the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards' top genre categories include:

Best Documentary Film of 2013

Nominees: Blackfish; Bridegroom; Cutie and the Boxer; I Am Divine; Stories We Tell; and 20 Feet From Stardom

Best Historical Film of 2013

Nominees: Captain Phillips; Fruitvale Station; The Great Gatsby; Lee Daniels' The Butler; Saving Mr. Banks; and 12 Years a Slave

Best Comedic Film of 2013

Nominees: American Hustle; Enough Said; The Heat; Much Ado About Nothing; Nebraska; and The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Dramatic Film of 2013

Nominees: August: Osage County; Blue Jasmine; Dallas Buyers Club; Gravity; Mud; and 12 Years a Slave

Presentation of the Winners

And the Cosmo goes to...


Best Films of 2013 by Genre, Part 1 from Kevin Goebel on Vimeo.

Winners of the Best Films Overall for 2013

Here are the winners for the top overall categories for the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards.

Best Cinematography, Art Direction or Set Design for a 2013 Film

Nominees: American Hustle; Gravity; The Great Gatsby; The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Oz the Great and Powerful; and Star Trek Into Darkness

Best Costume Design Or Make-Up For A 2013 Film

Nominees: American Hustle; Dallas Buyers Club; The Great Gatsby; The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; The Hunger Games: Catching Fire; and Oz the Great and Powerful

Best Visual Effects for a 2013 Film

Nominees: Gravity; The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Iron Man 3; Man of Steel; Star Trek Into Darkness; and World War Z

Best Script of a 2013 Film

Nominees: American Hustle; August: Osage County; Much Ado About Nothing; Nebraska; Philomena; and The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Director of a 2013 Film

Nominees: Alfonso Cuaron - Gravity; Paul Greengrass - Captain Phillips; Peter Jackson - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Steve McQueen - 12 Years a Slave; David O. Russell - American Hustle; and Martin Scorsese - The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Film of 2013

Nominees: American Hustle; Dallas Buyers Club; Gravity; The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Kill Your Darlings; and 12 Years a Slave

Video Presentation of the Winners

And the Cosmo goes to...


Best Films Overall of 2013 from Kevin Goebel on Vimeo.

Winners of the Acting Halls of Fame

At the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards, four people were inducted into the various Acting Lifetime Achievement Halls of Fame categories.

Best Comedic Actor Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame

Current inductees: Peter Sellers; Charlie Chaplin; Gene Wilder; Steve Martin; Danny Kaye; Robin Williams; and Mel Brooks

2013 Nominees: Jim Carrey; W. C. Fields; Danny Kaye; Jack Lemmon; Jerry Lewis; and Bill Murray

Note: On the nomination ballots, we inadvertently omitted Danny Kaye as a previous winner and didn't catch the mistake until he was nominated again. Our apologies to the voters who cast their votes for him. 

Best Comedic Actress Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame

Current inductees: Madeline Kahn; Lucille Ball; Lily Tomlin; Gilda Radner; Rosalind Russell; Cloris Leachman; Whoopi Goldberg; and Goldie Hawn

2013 Nominees: Carol Burnett; Doris Day; Lisa Kudrow; Bette Midler; Mae West; and Betty White

Best Actor Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame

Current inductees: Dustin Hoffman; Cary Grant; James Stewart; Robert De Niro; Jack Lemmon; Marlon Brando; Jack Nicholson; Al Pacino; and Peter O'Toole

2013 Nominees: Morgan Freeman; John Gielgud; Philip Seymour Hoffman; Anthony Hopkins; Paul Newman; and Spencer Tracy

Best Actress Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame

Current inductees: Dustin Hoffman; Cary Grant; James Stewart; Robert De Niro; Jack Lemmon; Marlon Brando; Jack Nicholson; Al Pacino; and Peter O'Toole

2013 Nominees: Katharine Hepburn; Maggie Smith; Bette Davis; Meryl Streep; Audrey Hepburn; Ingrid Bergman; Judi Dench; Glenn Close; and Elizabeth Taylor

Video Presentation for the 2013 Winners

And the Cosmo goes to...


2013 Cosmique Movie Awards Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame from Kevin Goebel on Vimeo.

Winner of the Best Film of All Time Lifetime Achievement

Video presentation for the winner of the Best Films of All Time Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame.

Joining the previous winners already inducted into the Hall of Fame: The Wizard of Oz; All About Eve; Gone With the Wind; Citizen Kane; Casablanca; Harold and Maude; The Women; To Kill a Mockingbird; Auntie Mame; Apocalypse Now; The Godfather; and Dangerous Liaisons.

The nominees for induction at the 2013 Awards are: The Big Chill; Chinatown; The Godfather: Part II; A Letter to Three Wives; The Lion in Winter; and Titanic.

And the winner is...



2013 Cosmique Movie Awards' Best Films of All Time Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame from Kevin Goebel on Vimeo.

Cosmique Movie Awards Lifetime Achievements Hall of Fame

Here are the 2013 inductees into the Cosmique Movie Awards' Lifetime Achievements Halls of Fame for film and acting categories.

If you would like to watch a video presentation of these awards, check out:



Here in list format are this year's winners:


Best Films Overall of 2013

Here in list format are the Best Overall winners of the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards.

To see these presented in video format, check out:



Here, after the jump, are the winners.


Best Cinematic Performances of 2013

Here in list format are the Cosmique Movie Awards' Best Performances of 2013.

If you'd prefer to see them in a video presentation, check out:



Here, then, are the winners and other nominees:


Cinematic Bests by Genre of 2013

Here are the winners of the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards' Best by Genre categories in list format.

If you want, check out these three video presentations of the winners.



Here is the list of winners and other nominees by genre:


Cinematic Worst of 2013

Here in list form are the "winners" for the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards' negative categories (or check out our video presentation of the winners of these categories).

You can also check our website for a complete list of nominees and winners by category and by film.

Most Overrated Film of 2013

Winner


  • The Hangover Part III

Additional Nominees


  • Ender’s Game
  • A Good Day to Die Hard
  • The Great Gatsby
  • The Wolverine
  • World War Z

Worst Film of 2013

Winner


  • Grown Ups 2

Additional Nominees


  • After Earth
  • The Frankenstein Theory
  • The Lone Ranger
  • A Madea Christmas
  • Movie 43

Worst Performance in a 2013 Film

Winner


  • Adam Sandler - Grown Ups 2

Additional Nominees


  • Chris Brown - Battle of the Year
  • Johnny Depp - The Lone Ranger
  • Linday Lohan - Scary Movie V
  • Tyler Perry - A Madea Christmas
  • Will Smith - After Earth

Winners of the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards - Press Release

NOTE: This post announces some of the winners of the 2013 Cosmique Movie Awards. If you would prefer to watch video presentations of the results, please click here now.

Here are the video presentations of the winners:



Here are lists of the winners and nominees:



The remainder of this post includes spoilers.