"What am I thinking I almost walked past George Clooney without hugging him.  That's just... that's just stupid."

Anne Hathaway at the BAFTAs

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

"In the end, it’s only a passing thing; this shadow.  Even darkness must pass.  A new day will come.  And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.  Those were the stories that stayed with you.  That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why.  But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand.  I know now.  Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t.  They kept going.  Because they were holding on to something."

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Jack Reacher

"Look at the people. You tell me which ones are free?"

Based on the novel series by Lee Child, Jack Reacher is the story of an untraceable man who has no ties and knows no bounds.  When evidence indisputably pins James Barr as a serial-murderer, he calls upon the untraceable Reacher.  As Reacher is drawn into the investigation, he finds himself pulled deeply into a dangerous world of deceit.  The storyline plays out confidently by balancing action with conspiracy, which produces suspense and intrigue.  The use of altering flashbacks allow the plot, and our perceptions, to be continuously manipulated and twisted.  

Tom Cruise stars as the title character, who is ironically famous for his tall and imposing presence throughout the novels.  It is therefore difficult to overlook the incorrectness of Cruise's physicality for the role.  However, he delivers the character well: perfectly capturing the mannerisms and character of Reacher, so that by the end he has constructed a character whose presence is imposing, regardless of his stature.  Rosamund Pike co-stars alongside him as the female lead, Helen, whose character is flawed by inconsistencies.  Representing the contemporary strong woman, a beautiful and intelligent defence attorney striving to achieve success, she finds herself suddenly torn back into the archetype of a damsel in distress, who is helplessly lost the presence of Reacher and ineffective.  The other fleeting, yet perhaps more intriguing, female character is Sandy, who becomes an ironic symbol of fragility and manipulation within a corrupted world.

With a clever story, the film makes for a good action-thriller.  The undoubtable ambition of it spawning a new franchise of film, however, is a less than promising prospect.

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.

"We all want to be the hero of our own story, of our own great passion, but Anna thought love would allow her to break all the rules."

Keira Knightley on Anna Karenina