Stars of the Second Hobbit Film Tribute Fans

The first trailer for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was released yesterday, gathering over a million and a half hits in the first twenty-four hours.  A cascade of reaction videos have followed, including this particular one in which fans of the forthcoming film capture their pure excitement.  Catching sight of it, Peter Jackson has treated his elven cast - Orlando Bloom, Lee Pace and Evangeline Lilly - to the video, capturing their reaction in turn!  This gracious gesture to two strangers is a unique moment, producing a precious bridge between the film and fans.

The 85th Academy Awards

ANNA KARENINA

Costume Design

AMOUR

Foreign Language Film

ARGO

Best Picture ● Film Editing ● Writing - Adapted Screenplay

BRAVE

Animated Feature Film

DJANGO UNCHAINED

Actor in a Supporting Role ● Writing - Original Screenplay

LES MISÉRABLES

Actress in a Supporting Role ● Makeup and Hairstyling

LIFE OF PI

Directing ● Cinematography ● Visual Effects ● Music - Original Score

LINCOLN

Actor in a Leading Role ● Production Design

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

Actress in a Leading Role

SKYFALL

Music - Original Song

The 66th British Academy Film Awards

This year's BAFTAs, led by the fabulously eloquent Stephen Fry at the beautiful Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, saw an array of stars acknowledged for their excellent work in film.  Life of Pi received great acclaim for its stunning visual achievement, while Ben Affleck's Argo won the awards for Best Director, Editing and the much coveted title of Best Film.  

The Award Winners:

AMOUR

Leading Actress ● Film Not in the English Language

ANNA KARENINA 

Costume Design

ARGO

Best Film ● Director ● Editing

BRAVE

Animated Film

DJANGO UNCHAINED

Supporting Actor ● Original Screenplay

LES MISÉRABLES

Supporting Actress ● Production Design ● Sound ● Make-Up & Hair

LIFE OF PI

Cinematography ● Special Visual Effects

LINCOLN

Leading Actor

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

Adapted Screenplay

SKYFALL

Outstanding British Film ● Original Music

The V&A's Hollywood Costume Exhibition

Amidst a dark and wintery South Kensington lay a mesmerising collection of iconic Hollywood costumes at the V&A.

The closing night of the phenomenally successful Hollywood Costume exhibition provided a perfect insight into the awe-inspiring world of film costumes.  Set across three galleries, the secrets behind the designs and the relationship between the costume, character and plot were delved into.  Around every corner was a new and beautiful piece to be examined.  Timeless dresses such as Audrey Hepburn's classic black dress and diamond necklace, from the opening of Breakfast at Tiffany's, stood across from Marilyn Monroe's floaty white dress in The Seven Year Itch.   Screens illuminated the walls and ceilings, bringing to life the costumes as they starred in the films.

The stunning collection also included Jack's Sparrow's rugged pirate attire; Anna Karenina's divine burgundy silk gown; Indiana Jones' iconic worn ensemble in Raiders of the Lost Ark; Satine's sparkling, feathered dress from Moulin Rouge; Keira Knightley's gorgeous green silk dress from Atonement and the famous gingham pinafore from The Wizard of Oz.  The open layout of the displays allowed each costume to be viewed up close and every exquisite detail to be treasured.  The exhibition furthermore featured precious costumes from Black Swan, The Matrix, Titanic, The Artist, Gone with the Wind, Sherlock Holmes, Marie Antoinette, Camelot and Star Wars, amongst many other great films.  The stunning ensemble of costumes produced a flawless gateway into each of the films: marking an amazing homage to the artistry of costume design.

The New Year's Most Anticipated Films

THE GREAT GATSBY  

17 May

Baz Luhrmann's magical and musical flair promises to produce a contemporary take of the classic novel.  The mysterious Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) throws glamorous parties, but he is haunted by the girl across the bay, played by Carey Mulligan, who he loves and has lost.  Told in the glitzy 1920s, The Great Gatsby is a story of love, lust and betrayal.

CATCHING FIRE  

22 November

The highly anticipated sequel to The Hunger Games returns to the dystopian districts in which Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) are confronted with the consequences of defying the Capitol.  Forced to compete in a second Hunger Games, they find themselves in a deadly game of revenge and rebellion.

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG  
13 December

The second part of The Hobbit trilogy continues Tolkien's timeless story, set in the depths of Middle-earth.  Led by the excellent Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage, the dwarves proceed on their quest to the Lonely Mountain to reclaim what has been lost.  With the return of the elves and a greater presence of the dragon Smaug, the second part is set to be a promising continuation.

MAN OF STEEL  

14 June

Zack Synder's new interpretation of Superman returns to the origins of the character; telling the story of a young man struggling with his identity.  Henry Cavill stars as the title hero, who is defined by his iconic cultural presence and eternal idealism.  Christopher Nolan is a producer, which perhaps promises to raise the film to a Dark Knight-esque caliber.  

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS 
17 May

The return of Star Trek by JJ Abrams delivered a film that perfectly balanced both the classic canon and a fresh originality that won over both new and old audiences.  This year's new film promises to be darker, with identifiable futuristic landscapes and deadlier politics.  Benedict Cumberbatch joins the returning cast of Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as the deadly and sophisticated villain, who turns on them from the inside.

The Man in the Scarlet Cloak

The newly released trailer for Man of Steel, starring Henry Cavill and Amy Adams.  In cinemas 14 June 2013.

There Is No Such Thing As Heroes

While Avengers Assemble may have been a somewhat superficial sequence of action and explosions that only skimmed the surface of it's iconic array of characters, the Iron Man films deliver the perfect blend of charm, character and conflict, set against a backdrop of contextual resonance.  The first look at Robert Downey Jr.'s latest adventure in the iron suit promises an exciting new chapter.  Iron Man 3 will be in cinemas 26th April.

Unlock Your Secret 007

Unsuspecting commuters are challenged to unleash their inner 007, within 70 tense seconds.  An exciting and excellent PR stunt for Skyfall by Coke Zero.

The New Hobbit Trailer

Eleven years ago audiences were taken to the lands of Middle-earth: an idealised past rich with elves, talking trees and enchanted rings.  This winter, audiences will have the chance to return as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey takes to cinema screens.  

The Hobbit is, undoubtedly, an ambitious undertaking.  The decision to split Tolkien's three hundred page novel into three separate films has spiralled into controversy, challenging the artistic and capitalistic intents of the filmmakers.  But this new trailer promises to vanquish some of those doubts.

In two and a half minutes an enthralling new story is introduced with a cast of engaging new characters, as well as the favourite classics.  Illustrating Martin Freeman's perfect casting, a series of incredible landscapes and the film's stunning visuals; the latest footage introduces a strong, new adventure.  Return to Middle-earth on December 14th.

The New Cloud Atlas Trailer

A daring film that breaks conventions, pushes boundaries, redefines narrative and challenges the very fabric of filmmaking.  An ambitious exploration of fate, consequence and civilization.  Cloud Atlas, released in the UK on March 22nd.

Casting Catching Fire

After months of speculation, wishing and dread, Lionsgate have finally officially announced the actor cast in this summer's most coveted role.  British actor Sam Claflin will be playing the role of the desirable and very dashing Finnick Odair in the highly-anticipated sequel to The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Finnick, a former victor of the games, will be thrown together with Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark as uncertainty and dissent falls across the districts, following the heroes' controversial actions in the last film.  Finnick is introduced as a popular young man, from the oceanic District 4, who is skilled and deadly with a trident.  Charismatic with a seductive reputation, he proves that impressions are not always what they seem.

The twenty-six year old actor is best known for his roles in the latest Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and the recent Snow White and the Huntsman.  Claflin has proven his talent at capturing courageous and stalwart characters in his previous roles, and will hopefully bring the perfect balance of charm, intelligence and vulernability to the role.

Catching Fire is scheduled for release next year on November 22nd.