Best Actor in a Leading Role

"Into the Wild" - EMILE HIRSCH
Portraying Christopher McCandless (aka Alexander Supertramp) we are blessed with a wonderful performance in "Into the Wild" by Emile Hirsch. Believe me Hirsch has been under the radar of brilliance for a long time. His performance in "The Girl Next Door" is underrated, but finally he gets absolutely TRUE recognition for his work here. Escaping his life in the big city, McCandless decides to travel to Alaska with no money and no resources. After meeting dozens of people and rediscovering himself, he arrives at Alaska and starts living there. But as the days go by and he becomes more lonely. He realizes that happiness is only good when shared. Hirsch goes beyond "dialogue" acting, his emotions of loneliness and even his doings when he's eating something, killing something, catching something, taking a bath, thinking = its all remarkable. He makes the movie.

Last years winners: "The Last King of Scotland" - FOREST WHITAKER

Best Actress in a Leading Role

"La Vie en Rose" - MARION COTILLARD
Marion Cotillard in "La Vie en Rose" goes beyond the makeup. And she is by fat the BEST (as in BEST) performance of the entire year. Her portrayal of Edith Piaf is sensation, uncanny and over-the-top (just like Piaf actually is). Playing her from her early years from the 20s to her death at her late 40s, Cotillard portrays us her life as a street singer, her scandalous life in France, her Night Club days, her Broadway performances, the death of her love ones both named Marcel and her sickness. Without a doubt, Marion Cotillard is excellent. Her performance even excels pass the greatness of the movie itself. Who can forget that "Marcel scene" where Edith goes hysterical to the death of her boyfriend? Or the scene where she faints on stage but still wants to go out again to please her fans? Or the ending, oh the ending!-- That ending where she sings "No Regrets" is mighty amazing. Mighty true to Piaf. Mighty brilliant performance.

Last years winner: "The Queen" - HELEN MIRREN

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

"Across the Universe" - JOE ANDERSON
As a newcomer, British born actor Joe Anderson has made his mark as the carefree, happy Max in Julie Taymor's "Across the Universe". With not much acting experience (he was in a terrible film called "Becoming Jane" last year) Joe Anderson surely gives us a performance to remember. His good looks, damn good voice and phenomenal acting was perfect for Max's character. Playing a rebellious rich boy who moves to New York City to live a free life with his buddy Jude, Max gets the bitter taste when his dropping out of college leads to his drafting to the war in Vietnam. With much agony, when he arrives home, he is war-torn and shell-shoked. Singing unforgettable tunes to match his acting like "Hey Jude", "With a Little Help from My Friends" and "Happiness is a Warm Gun", Joe Anderson is a young talent on the rise. With few movies, he'll just get better and better. WOW...one was was so brilliant already!!!

Last years winner: "Dreamgirls" - EDDIE MURPHY

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

"Gone Baby Gone" - AMY RYAN
Amy Ryan's performance in "Gone Baby Gone" is just what it wants itself to be: annoying, self-righteous and arrogant. But that's what brings out the beauty of a new comer now turned gold. Even though Ryan's part wasn't so big, her performance as suffering mother Helene McCready blew off the roof and surpassed most of her co-stars. Portraying selfish and prima donna notions in lower-class Boston, Ryan's Helene is a complex character who only used her daughter's disappearance as a publicity stunt. At the end, when her daughter is retrieved, she goes back to her previous life of drugs and sex, without a care. Ryan gives us a woman to hate, despise and without a doubt the best female supporting performance of the year.

Last years winner: "Notes on a Scandal" - CATE BLANCHETT

Best Director

"Across the Universe" - JULIE TAYMOR
Best female direction I have ever seen is Julie Taymor's in "Across the Universe". Her angles and presentation of things are just absolutely brilliant. She took me into a world of pure madness but I enjoyed it because of the way it was made. Taymor IS "Across the Universe", without her the movie wouldn't have worked. She did a great, spectacular job. She goes beyond "amatuer" and beats many male directors out of the water. I really can't wait to see more of her work in the near future.

Last years winner: "The Departed" - MARTIN SCORSESE

Best Ensemble Cast

"Hairspray"
Just mentioning the names of the amazingly musically inclined cast makes you know what kind of talent pot you have to expect: Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta ("Grease", "Saturday Night Fever"), Michelle Pfeiffer ("Dangerous Liaisons", "The Fabulous Baker Boys"), Christopher Walken ("The Deer Hunter", "Pennies from Heaven"), Amanda Bynes ("She's the Man"), James Marsden ("Enchanted"), Queen Latifah ("Chicago"), Brittany Snow ("John Tucker must Die"), Zac Efron ("High School Musical" 1 & 2), Elijah Kelley ("Take the Lead") and Allison Janney ("Juno", "American Beauty")...Damn. Lets not forget the talented chorus dancers that make "Hairspray" a spectacle. Best Cast of the Year!

Last years winner: "The Departed"

Best Original Screenplay

"Juno" (by Diablo Cody)
Ex-exotic dancer Diablo Cody has written a comical masterpiece for all ages. What could be more original and funny than this? "Juno" tells us the story of a young high school student named Juno who gets pregnant and puts up her baby to adoption. During the 9 months of her pregnancy, she is taken on a roller coaster ride with adoptive parents who are so problematic, confusion about her love life and family oh and..."looking like a planet". The screenplay is just brilliant and heartwarming. It's a masterwork.

Last years winner: "Little Miss Sunshine"

Best Adapted Screenplay

"Into the Wild" (by Sean Penn)
Adapted from the book by Jon Krakauer, "Into the Wild" tells the story of Christopher Mckanilis (adapting the name Alexander Supertramp) who had everything in life, only to end up abandoning it to live in the wild. This is his story to Alaska, as he meets people, discovers himself and understands others. "Into the Wild" reads brilliance onto the screen as it did on paper. Sean Penn's adaptation is perfect, with sweet dialogue and story that does not bore.

Last years winner: "The Departed"

Best Original Score

"Atonement"
This is just really, really lovely. Once again, the score in Joe Wright's film is absolutely a hit and is amazing and smart. Not only is it haunting, but the unique way of using a typewriter as an instrument is delectable and unforgettable. The music hits the right notes in the right time. Great to listen to. Probably, the best part of the film too.

Last years winner: "The Painted Veil"

Best Cinematography

"Across the Universe"
I just have to say that the cinematography in this movie is utterly, utterly overlooked and underrated. I mean "its gorgeous", in Sadie's words. The bright stage lights of "Oh Darling and Helter Skelter" to the dimness of "Hey, Jude", "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Happiness is a Warm Gun", "Across" is purely charming to look at and watch in the same time. Very lovely indeed. Spectacular!

Last years winner: "The Prestige"

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration

"Across the Universe"
True - it does bring us back to the groovy 60s but its much more then that! From the dark Liverpool walls to the brick wallks of Princeton to the upbeat colorful New York City to The bombings of Viet Nam to a druggy's circus to stages and musical performances to subways stations and rallies to Suburban New Jersey to circulating hospitals to bleeding strawberries and underwater sex, the art direction of "Across the Universe" goes beyond normal...LITERALLY!!!

Last years winner: "Dreamgirls"

Best Costume Design

"Hairspray"
The amazing 60s is what is it: tight suits, poodle skirts, dancing muffins, beads and glitter, glamour and fur, sweaters and chucks...you name it, its all here. The costumes in "Hairspray" takes us back to a time which doesn't want to be anything but beautiful. The grand sowing and many colors are great and eye-candy. Who can forget such iconic clothes worn by John Travolta (The pink and red dresses), Nikki Blonsky (the cockroach dress and big hair!), Zac Efron (the tight blue, grey and black suits) and Queen Michelle Pfieffer (her wardrobe was phenomnal!)!!!

Last years winner: "Dreamgirls"

Best Makeup

"La Vie en Rose"
Transforming someone so, so, so, so BEAUTIFUL, into someone well, uh...not so beautiful is really hard. And that's what "La Vie en Rose" did for Marion Cotillard. It's not just the fact that they turned her completely like the french singer, but the fact that they transformed her face from her life in her early 20s till she dies from sickness at her late 40s is absolutely amazing. And absolutely believable too.

Last yers winner: "Pan's Labyrinth"

Best Sound Mixing

"Transformers"
Once more we are taken into the world of robots, explosions and transforming sounds. Here, the sounds are tricky...mixing together explosions, voices, bullets, fights, conversations and panicking people, "Transformers" introduces us into sound quality so fine, we feel that these events are actually happened right beside us.

Last years winner: "Letters from Iwo Jima"

Best Film Editing

"There Will Be Blood"
How can anyone forget such a masterwork when it comes to cinematography, music AND...FILM EDITING. The editing in "Blood" is spectacular. Enhancing the story little by little till we reach a phenomenal moment when oil springs from the ground and everyone is going crazy. The film editing is beyond perfect, making everything not only beautiful, but exciting too!

Last years winner: "The Departed"

Best Visual Effects

"Transformers"
Though it was a good year for visual effects, it wasn't hard to decide the winner when the action flick "Transformers" came along. The movie was funny, action-packed and the effects were the best anyone had seen. Mighty robots fighting each other, guns blasting off, car chases and off course: transforming and EXPLOSIONS! It was a feast for the eyes!

Last years winner: "Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest"

Best Original Song

"Enchanted" - "That's How You Know"
The Alan Menken /Stephen Swartz tune was hummed by everyone after leaving the theater. The choice of Amy Adams is perfect. The colors and sounds and people of New York City bring the song to life. "That's How You Know" isn't only one of the most sung movie songs of the year, it's the best one too.

Last years winner: "Dreamgirls" - "Listen"

Best Animated Feature

"Ratatouille"
Is is too obvious to be true? Well everyone can surely say that it was really, really the best animated feature of the year. Pixar has been doing a good job lately. The story of Remy the Rat, who goes to Paris to be chef is a little unconventional. But the movie is fun, hip, colorful and includes a brilliant monologue by Peter O'Toole at the end. Bravo! Let's not forget the fact that the animation is gorgeous...

Last years winner: "Cars"

4th Annual Chino Choice Awards nominees

This was quite a sad year for me since I missed out 3 major movies: "Away from Her", "Once" and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly". And since its getting quite late, I guess I have to post my awarding now. How annoying I didn't get to watch those 3. But I will surely update when I do. For now, here are the nominees for the 4th Annual Chino Choice Awards, the winners will be announced tomorrow:

*****

Best Motion Picture of the Year
"Across the Universe"
"Atonement"
"Hairspray"
"Into the Wild"
"Juno"

Best Actor in a Leading Role
"Across the Universe" - Jim Sturegess
"Gone Baby Gone" - Casey Affleck
"Into the Wild" - Emile Hirsch
"Lars and the Real Girl" - Ryan Gosling
"There Will Be Blood" - Daniel Day-Lewis

Best Actress in a Leading Role
"Elizabeth: The Golden Age" - Cate Blanchett
"Enchanted" - Amy Adams
"Juno" - Ellen Page
"La Vie en Rose" - Marion Cotillard
"Sweeney Todd" - Helena Bonham Carter

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
"Across the Universe" - Joe Anderson
"The Assassination of Jesse James" - Casey Affleck
"Hairspray" - John Travolta
"Into the Wid" - Hal Holbrook
"No Country for Old Men" - Javier Bardem

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
"Atonement" - Saorise Ronan
"Gone Baby Gone" - Amy Ryan
"Hairspray" - Michelle Pfieffer
"Juno" - Jennifer Garner
"Michael Clayton" - Tilda Swinton

Best Director
"Across the Universe" - Julie Taymor
"Atonement" - Joe Wright
"Into the Wild" - Sean Penn
"Sweeney Todd" - Tim Burton
"There Will Be Blood" - Paul Thomas Anderson

Best Ensemble Cast
"Atonement"
"Before the Devil Knows You're Dead"
"Hairspray"
"Into the Wild"
"Juno"

Best Original Screenplay
"Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" - Kelly Masterson
"Eastern Promises" - Steven Knight
"Juno" - Diable Cody
"Lars and the Real Girl" - Nancy Oliver
"Superbad" - Seth Rogan & Evan Goldberg

Best Adapted Screenplay
"Atonement" - Christopher Hampton
"The Assassination of Jesse James" - Andrew Dominik
"Gone Baby Gone" - Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard
"Into the Wild" - Sean Penn
"There Will Be Blood" - Paul Thomas Anderson

Best Original Score
"Atonement"
"Enchanted"
"Into the Wild"
"Micheal Clayton"
"There Will Be Blood"

Best Cinematography
"Across the Universe"
"The Assassination of Jesse James"
"Atonement"
"Into the Wild"
"There Will Be Blood"

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
"Across the Universe"
"Atonement"
"Hairspray"
"Sweeney Todd"
"There Will Be Blood"

Best Costume Design
"Across the Universe"
"Atonement"
"Elizabeth: The Golden Age"
"Hairspray"
"La Vie en Rose"

Best Makeup
"Hairspray"
"La Vie en Rose"
"Norbit"
"300"
"Sweeney Todd"

Best Sound Editing
"Hairspray"
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
"No Country for Old Men"
"300"
"Transformers"

Best Sound Mixing
"Across the Universe"
"Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End"
"Stardust"
"300"
"Transformers"

Best Film Editing
"American Gangster"
"Eastern Promises"
"I'm Not There"
"Into the Wild"
"There Will Be Blood"

Best Visual Effects
"Across the Universe"
"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End"
"Spider-man 3"
"300"
"Transformers"

Best Original Song
"Enchanted" - "That's How You Know"
"Enchanted" - "So Close"
"Hairspray" - "Come So Far (But We've Got So Far to Go)"
"Hairspray" - "Ladies Choice"
"Music and Lurics" - "Way Back Into Love"

Best Animated Feature
"Bee Movie"
"Ratatouille"
"The Simpsons Movie"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUDREY HEPBURN!!!

When you think of the name Audrey Hepburn you think of one of the most beautiful faces that ever graced the silver screen. Along with a face that matched angels, was a talent like no other. A talent that went beyond other actresses of the time. This was Audrey Hepburn, my 2nd favorite actress of all time! Happy Birthday Audrey Hepburn! Though she did pass away at 1993, Hepburn's films are immortal and she has created some of the best screen performances of all time. This is five of my favorites.

1. As Holly Gollightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961) - Audrey Hepburn's most iconic performance is really her best. No doubt about it. Not winning the 1961 Oscar is beyond me. She deserved it! Hepburn plays a vivacious, social climbing, outgoing and interesting free-spirit in director Blake Edwards adaptation of Truman Capote's "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Hepburn blew the screen away with scenes that broke the heart and a romance that will live forever. Her performance in the film went beyond the screen, after the movie, she became an fashion icon as well...

2. As Eliza Doolittle in "MY FAIR LADY" (1964) - When you put an Oscar winner into a role that's was really, really, really meant to be hers, beyond all the scandal of Hollywood...screen magic will surely be made at the end. Oh yeah...and a snub for an Oscar nomination and maybe even a win. Though I don't have a problem with Julie Andrews Oscar win for that year...she was not even in good comparison to Audrey Hepburn. Playing a poor English flower girl (who talks like white trash) transformed into a "duchess" with beautifully conducted vocabulary in George Cukor's musical co-staring Rex Harrison, Audrey Hepburn was "loverly".

3. As Princess Ann in "Roman Holiday" (1953) - Her Oscar win. Delectable, beautiful, subtle, lovely and charming, Hepburn's Princess Ann goes beyond other princesses. Showing human form and heart when she escapes her high life to join the poor and see how her country is in the eyes of the locals, Princess Ann discovers that she's meant to be in the seat of power and live loveless and a loner. With such performance with so much fun and heart, Hepburn gives a performance that is truly deserving.

4. As Sabrina Fairchild in "Sabrina" (1954) - "Sabrina!" the 1954 romantic comedy with a twist. Playing a poor girl who catches the eyes of two rich brothers, Sabrina is sweet and an amazing cinematic experience. Co-starring Humphrey Bogart and William Holden, and directed by the fantastic Billy Wilder, this crew brings out the best in Audrey Hepburn.

5. As Jo Stockton in "Funny Face" (1957) - Hepburn shows off her musical talents in "Funny Face" as librarian Jo turned model by Fred Astaire. As I watch this movie, I realized that this movie shows off what Audrey Hepburn can do best: dance, act and MODEL! Her dancing is soft and graceful, her acting in fun and zestful and her modeling...DAYM! She's too beautiful to be true!