The Croods (2013)

Ever wonder what life as a caveman would be like? Well you can keep wondering because I'm 100% positive The Croods is not an accurate representation of what went down billions of years ago. Keeping that in mind, it's still an incredibly silly and adorable movie.

Eep Crood voiced by Emma Stone. Source: Yahoo Movies

The Host (2013)

Another adaptation from Stephenie Meyer. But before you turn your head in disgust, you should know The Host has no vampires and half naked werewolves, only aliens. In a future world where aliens (or souls, as they are called in the film) have taken over humans bodies, Saoirse Ronan plays not one, but two characters. The soul Wanderer (Wanda for short) has been inserted into the human body of Melanie Stryder. In an attempt to discover the whereabouts of a small pocket of the human resistance, Wanda's job is to provide this information to The Seeker (Diane Kruger).

Max Irons and Saoirse Ronan in a flashback scene. Source: Cineplex

Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)

Take everything you know about this classic folktale and up the ante tenfold. Jack the Giant Slayer is a fantasy filled adventure that will keep everyone in the family entertained. Most of the basic themes of the original story are still apparent: a commoner vying for the affection of the princess, the princess who wants a life of adventure, a dark evil from the past, and, of course, the beans.

Nicholas Hoult as Jack. Source: Collider

Anna Karenina (2012)

Usually I'm a fan of Joe Wright's collaborations with Keira Knightley. Atonement and Pride & Prejudice were both beautifully directed and well thought out. This film, however, fell flat of high expectations. Adapted from Leo Tolstoy's novel of the same name, Anna Karenina was less of a theatrical feature as it was just plain theatrical.

Keira Knightley as Anna Karenina. Source: E Online

Hitchcock (2012)

Hitchcock is a quasi biopic of one of the most influential filmmakers of all time. More specifically, it follows his love life with his wife Alma during the filming the infamous Psycho. Throughout the film we see that the pressures of being a successful filmmaker is getting to Hitch (Anthony Hopkins), putting strains on his relationship. Although tensions rise, Alma (Helen Mirren) remains loyal to her husband and reminds him that she was once his boss, and thus his success is in part, heavily due to her.

Helen Mirren and Anthony Hopkins as Alma and Hitch. Source: Cinematoria

The Sessions (2012)

It's a rarity to see films center around a disabled person, let alone one in an iron lung. Some may be surprised to learn that The Sessions is actually based on the life of Mark O'Brien, a poet who was paralyzed from the neck down.

Helen Hunt and John Hawkes. Source: EW

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Quirky, odd, eccentric, witty, funny. All accurate words to describe Wes Anderson's latest film. Set in 1965, Sam Shakusky (Jared Gilman) and Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward) are two pen pals who have a secret pact to run away with each other. They camp and hike in order to find a secluded cove, which they have named Moonrise Kingdom. Their efforts are in vain, as Suzy's parents find her and refuse to let her see Sam again.

Kara Hayward as Suzy Bishop. Source: Collider

Flight (2012)

Let's all welcome back director and writer Robert Zemeckis. Flight is his return to live-action filmmaking. And what a triumphant return it is.

Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) is a respected pilot with a terrible alcohol and drug problem, although he never admits to it. Prior to take off, he uses cocaine to wake himself up and secretly mixes some vodka into his orange juice. The aircraft descends into a dive as a result of failure of the control systems. Whip has no other choice but to roll the plane upside down to stop the dive and the plane crashes into a field leaving him unconscious.

Denzel Washington as pilot Whip Whitaker. Source: Collider

Amour (2012)

Michael Haneke sheds light on the sad, bitter truth about love, life, and death, and does it in a way that is both endearing and chilling. Not unlike his other films, in Amour, the main characters are a couple named Anne (Emmanuelle Riva) and Georges Laurent (Jean-Louis Trintignant), who, in this film, are struggling with day to day living after Anne suffers from a stroke, leaving half her body paralyzed after undergoing surgery.

Emmanuelle Riva as Anne Laurent. Source: The Telegraph 

Safe Haven (2013)

Some might say Nicholas Sparks is running out of ideas. That's because he is. If you've read or seen any Sparks novel-turned-movie, then you've basically see this film as well.

Your typical Nicholas Sparks plot line, but with a CSI-esque thriller twist. Katie (Julianne Hough) is running away from her haunting past and finds refuge in the small tourist stopover town of Southport. Her sudden arrival catches the attention of the residents of the small town and raises suspicions about her true motives. Although she is closed off, she ultimately begins relationships with two other people: Alex (Josh Duhamel), the widowed owner of the local store, and her neighbour Jo (Colbie Smulders), who acts like a sister as well as a friend. Katie slowly, but surely, begins to fall in love with Alex and bonds with his two children. But her past still haunts her and prevents her from letting her guard down completely.

Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel. Source: Hollywood Reporter

Warm Bodies (2013)

It should come as no surprise that director Jonathan Levine's unique style is what makes this movie such a hit. Warm Bodies can only be described as a modern spin on Romeo and Juliet in zombie rom-com form. His directorial style seen previously in 50/50 carries over into this Isaac Marion adaptation where he cleverly weaves bits of comedy into the action based novel. 

Nicholas Hoult as "R". Source: Rolling Stones

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)

Benh Zeitlin's first feature is widely considered a cinematic work of art as he tackles this project with a sense of creativity and imagination that not many people have. In an tale of survival, hope, and innocence, Beasts of the Southern Wild takes you on a journey of enlightenment.

Quvenzhané Wallis and Dwight Henry. Source: Slate

A Late Quartet (2012)

Directed by: Yaron Zilberman
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener, Mark Ivanir, Imogen Poots, Wallace Shawn

The Quartet, Mark Ivanir, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener. Source: Filmofilia

Set in New York City, A Late Quartet follows 4 musicians as they celebrate their 25^th anniversary as a world class string quartet. When Peter (Christopher Walken) discovers he is in the early stages of Parkinson’s, he and the quartet must come to the reality that it may be time to find a replacement. The group begins to fall apart as jealousy arises between Robert (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Daniel (Mark Ivanir).  When Juliette (Catherine Keener) begins to support former flame Daniel over husband Robert, things begin to heat up for the married couple. Add in Alex (Imogen Poots), Juliette and Robert’s talented daughter, who develops an attraction to her violin instructor Daniel….we got us a juicy story line.

End of Watch (2012)

This is not your typical police drama. It's so much better. End of Watch is a smart drama with just the right amount of comedic moments to lighten up the mood and break the tension. It's one of the best police films I've seen in a while and with good reason.

Shot in the style of a documentary, this film follows two best friends who just so happen to be partners on the police force. Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Michael Pena) are more than just partners though, they are essentially each other's family. Taylor has been filming his police activities for a film project, hence the chosen style of filming. And nothing says fun film project like drugs, human trafficking  guns, and cartels right? I said earlier that this is not your typical police drama in that we see more into the personal lives of Taylor and Zavala, rather than having the movie focus solely on their roles in the LAPD. But don't worry, we still get our fair share of shoot outs.

Michael Pena and Jacke Gyllenhaal in End of Watch. Source: Hollywood Reporter

This is 40 (2012)

A sad final product of a movie that had quite a bit of potential, This is 40 was disappointing to say the least. Judd Apatow's "sort of prequel" Knocked Up was one of the funniest movies of its year, and it's a shame to see this film not live up to its predecessor.

When Debbie (Leslie Mann) turns 40, her husband Pete (Paul Rudd) does everything he can to console her, but his efforts are in vain as she always seems to see the negatives in everything in life. To put it simply, as soon as she hit the big four-oh, Debbie became a 'Debbie Downer'. Add in a hormonal daughter, problems with parents and in-laws, and two failing businesses into the mix and you've got yourself a bona fide mid life crisis. However, on typical comedy fashion, everything seems to work out at the end for the couple and they learn to pull themselves together.

Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd as problematic couple Debbie and Pete. Source: Screenit

Gangster Squad (2013)

Director: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Nick Nolte

Source: Filmofilia

Gangster Squad follows dominant mafia leader Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) who emerged as a powerhouse in post-WWII Los Angeles. Many politicians and police authorities live in fear of offending Cohen, who is powerful enough to destroy lives with the snap of a finger. The opening sequence perfectly instills the same fear in the audience as we see Cohen instruct a ruthless manslaughter by tying the man’s hands and feet to two cars they drive away, tearing the man in half. Insert Sergeant John O’Mara (Josh Brolin), the clichéd good and honest cop who strives for justice, is personally instructed by Chief Bill Parker (Nick Nolte) to put an end to Mickey Cohen in a secret underground mission. This unofficial mission is upsetting to John’s pregnant wife (Mireille Enos), who has been pushing him to resign from his dangerous day job for the sake of their new family. In the end, the wife is the one who personally selects the detectives that eventually form the dream team gangster squad.

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

A look into the haunting truth about the capture, and ultimately death, of Osama bin Laden, Zero Dark Thirty is a thrilling and captivating film about a 10 year man hunt. But more importantly, it's a film about staying grounded, and taking necessary risks in order to do what you set out to do.

Maya (Jessica Chastain) is a CIA officer who has spent her entire career searching for Osama bin Laden. At the beginning of her assignment, she works with her colleague Dan (Jason Clarke) who tortures and humilates a prisoner for more information about bin Laden's whereabouts. The film continues and shows events over the next 8 years that impact her life, which include surviving a bombing and losing one of her friends.

Jessica Chastain as CIA officer Maya. Source: EW

The Impossible (2012)

In what is one of the most frightening, yet beautiful films of the year, The Impossible is one those films that will give life a new meaning and move you profoundly. 

Based on a true story, The Impossible is a film with a simple plot, but a far from simple story. A powerful, and enduring movie about a family who, against all odds, survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Director J. A. Bayona brings new meaning to the word 'inspiring'. 

Tom Holland as Lucas Bennett. Source: Collider

When the tsunami hits the resort that Maria Bennett (Naomi Watts) and her family are staying at, it is a fight for survival. Separated from her three boys and her husband, she finds her self struggling to fight the currents and waves. Stuck in the water, her body is battered and beaten until she sees her oldest son, Lucas (Tom Holland). Civilians manage to carry Maria's body to a nearby hospital that has been treating the injured. 

Academy Awards 2013 Predictions

Ahhh. The smell of awards season is strong as ever. With Lincoln with 12 nods and Life of Pi followed closely with 11, this Oscar awards ceremony is going to be buzzing with excitement.

Best Picture
Amour
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Miserables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty

Best Actor
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
Denzel Washington, Flight

Best Actress
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Emmanuelle Riva, Amour
Quvenzhane Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Naomi Watts, The Impossible

Best Supporting Actor
Alan Arkin, Argo
Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln
Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, The Master
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Jacki Weaver, Silver Linings Playbook

Best Director
Michael Haneke, Amour
Ang Lee, Life of Pi
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Steven Spielberg, Lincoln
Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Best Original Screenplay
Amour, Michael Haneke
Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino
Flight, John Gatins
Moonrise Kingdom, Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola
Zero Dark Thirty, Mark Boal

Best Adapted Screenplay
Argo, Chris Terrio
Beasts of the Southern Wild, Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin, 
Life of Pi, David Magee
Lincoln, Tony Kushner
Silver Linings Playbook, David O. Russell

Best Animated Feature:
Brave
Frankenweenie
ParaNorman
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Wreck-It Ralph

Best Cinematography
Anna Karenina, Seamus McGarvey
Django Unchained, Robert Richardson
Life of Pi, Claudio Miranda
Lincoln, Janusz Kaminski
Skyfall, Roger Deakins

Best Costume Design
Anna Karenina, Jacqueline Durran
Les Misérables, Paco Delgado
Lincoln, Joanna Johnston
Mirror Mirror, Eiko Ishioka
Snow White and the Huntsman, Colleen Atwood

Best Documentary Feature
5 Broken Cameras
The Gatekeepers
How to Survive a Plague
The Invisible War
Searching for Sugar Man

Best Documentary Short - no opinion
Inocente
Kings Point
Mondays at Racine
Open Heart
Redemption

Best Film Editing
Argo, William Goldenberg
Life of Pi, Tim Squyres
Lincoln, Michael Kahn
Silver Linings Playbook, Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers
Zero Dark Thirty, Dylan Tichenor and William Goldenberg

Best Foreign Language Film
Amour, Austria
Kon-Tiki, Norway
No, Chile
A Royal Affair, Denmark
War Witch, Canada

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Hitchcock, Howard Berger, Peter Montagna and Martin Samuel
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Peter Swords King, Rick Findlater and Tami Lane
Les Misérables, Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell

Best Original Score
Anna Karenina, Dario Marianelli
Argo, Alexandre Desplat
Life of Pi, Mychael Danna
Lincoln, John Williams
Skyfall, Thomas Newman

Best Original Song
“Before My Time” from Chasing Ice, music and lyric by J. Ralph
“Everybody Needs A Best Friend” from Ted, music by Walter Murphy; lyric by Seth MacFarlane
“Pi’s Lullaby” from Life of Pi, music by Mychael Danna; lyric by Bombay Jayashri
“Skyfall” from Skyfall, music and lyric by Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth
“Suddenly” from Les Misérables, music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; lyric by Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boublil

Best Production Design
Anna Karenina, Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, production Design: Dan Hennah; Set Decoration: Ra Vincent and Simon Bright
Les Misérables, Production Design: Eve Stewart; Set Decoration: Anna Lynch-Robinson
Life of Pi, Production Design: David Gropman; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock
Lincoln, Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Jim Erickson

Best Animated Short
Adam and Dog
Fresh Guacamole
Head over Heels
Maggie Simpson in “The Longest Daycare”
Paperman

Best Live Action Short - no opinion
Asad
Buzkashi Boys
Curfew
Death of a Shadow 
Henry

Best Sound Editing
Argo, Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn
Django Unchained, Wylie Stateman
Life of Pi, Eugene Gearty and Philip Stockton
Skyfall, Per Hallberg and Karen Baker Landers
Zero Dark Thirty, Paul N.J. Ottosson

Best Sound Mixing
Argo, John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff and Jose Antonio Garcia
Les Misérables, Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes
Life of Pi, Ron Bartlett, D.M. Hemphill and Drew Kunin
Lincoln, Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom and Ronald Judkins
Skyfall, Scott Millan, Greg P. Russell and Stuart Wilson

Best Visual Effects
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton and R. Christopher White
Life of Pi, Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R. Elliott
The Avengers, Janek Sirrs, Jeff White, Guy Williams and Dan Sudick
Prometheus, Richard Stammers, Trevor Wood, Charley Henley and Martin Hill
Snow White and the Huntsman, Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, Philip Brennan, Neil Corbould and Michael Dawson

BAFTA 2013 Predictions

BEST FILM 
ARGO Grant Heslov, Ben Affleck, George Clooney
LES MISÉRABLES Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward, Cameron Mackintosh
LIFE OF PI Gil Netter, Ang Lee, David Womark
LINCOLN Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy
ZERO DARK THIRTY Mark Boal, Kathryn Bigelow, Megan Ellison

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM 
ANNA KARENINA Joe Wright, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Paul Webster, Tom Stoppard
THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL John Madden, Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Ol Parker
LES MISÉRABLES Tom Hooper, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward, Cameron Mackintosh, William Nicholson, Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg, Herbert Kretzmer
SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS Martin McDonagh, Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin
SKYFALL Sam Mendes, Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, John Logan

OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER - 
BART LAYTON (Director), DIMITRI DOGANIS (Producer) The Imposter 
DAVID MORRIS (Director), JACQUI MORRIS (Director/Producer) McCullin 
DEXTER FLETCHER (Director/Writer), DANNY KING (Writer) Wild Bill
JAMES BOBIN (Director) The Muppets 
TINA GHARAVI (Director/Writer) I Am Nasrine 

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE  
AMOUR Michael Haneke, Margaret Ménégoz
HEADHUNTERS Morten Tyldum, Marianne Gray, Asle Vatn
THE HUNT Thomas Vinterberg, Sisse Graum Jørgensen, Morten Kaufmann 
RUST AND BONE Jacques Audiard, Pascal Caucheteux
UNTOUCHABLE Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache, Nicolas Duval Adassovsky, Yann Zenou, Laurent Zeitoun

DOCUMENTARY 
THE IMPOSTER Bart Layton, Dimitri Doganis
MARLEY Kevin Macdonald, Steve Bing, Charles Steel
McCULLIN David Morris, Jacqui Morris
SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN Malik Bendjelloul, Simon Chinn
WEST OF MEMPHIS Amy Berg

ANIMATED FILM 
BRAVE Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
FRANKENWEENIE Tim Burton
PARANORMAN Sam Fell, Chris Butler

DIRECTOR 
AMOUR Michael Haneke
ARGO Ben Affleck
DJANGO UNCHAINED Quentin Tarantino
LIFE OF PI Ang Lee
ZERO DARK THIRTY Kathryn Bigelow

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY 
AMOUR Michael Haneke
DJANGO UNCHAINED Quentin Tarantino
THE MASTER Paul Thomas Anderson
MOONRISE KINGDOM Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola
ZERO DARK THIRTY Mark Boal

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY 
ARGO Chris Terrio 
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD Lucy Alibar, Benh Zeitlin
LIFE OF PI David Magee
LINCOLN Tony Kushner
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK David O. Russell

LEADING ACTOR 
BEN AFFLECK Argo
BRADLEY COOPER Silver Linings Playbook
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS Lincoln
HUGH JACKMAN Les Misérables
JOAQUIN PHOENIX The Master

LEADING ACTRESS 
EMMANUELLE RIVA Amour
HELEN MIRREN Hitchcock
JENNIFER LAWRENCE Silver Linings Playbook
JESSICA CHASTAIN Zero Dark Thirty
MARION COTILLARD Rust and Bone

SUPPORTING ACTOR 
ALAN ARKIN Argo
CHRISTOPH WALTZ Django Unchained
JAVIER BARDEM Skyfall
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN The Master
TOMMY LEE JONES Lincoln

SUPPORTING ACTRESS 
AMY ADAMS The Master
ANNE HATHAWAY Les Misérables
HELEN HUNT The Sessions
JUDI DENCH Skyfall 
SALLY FIELD Lincoln

ORIGINAL MUSIC 
ANNA KARENINA Dario Marianelli
ARGO Alexandre Desplat
LIFE OF PI Mychael Danna
LINCOLN John Williams
SKYFALL Thomas Newman 

CINEMATOGRAPHY 
ANNA KARENINA Seamus McGarvey
LES MISÉRABLES Danny Cohen
LIFE OF PI Claudio Miranda
LINCOLN Janusz Kaminski
SKYFALL Roger Deakins

EDITING  
ARGO William Goldenberg
DJANGO UNCHAINED Fred Raskin
LIFE OF PI Tim Squyres
SKYFALL Stuart Baird
ZERO DARK THIRTY Dylan Tichenor, William Goldenberg

PRODUCTION DESIGN 
ANNA KARENINA Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer
LES MISÉRABLES Eve Stewart, Anna Lynch-Robinson
LIFE OF PI David Gropman, Anna Pinnock
LINCOLN Rick Carter, Jim Erickson
SKYFALL Dennis Gassner, Anna Pinnock

COSTUME DESIGN 
ANNA KARENINA Jacqueline Durran
GREAT EXPECTATIONS Beatrix Aruna Pasztor
LES MISÉRABLES Paco Delgado
LINCOLN Joanna Johnston
SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN Colleen Atwood

MAKE UP & HAIR 
ANNA KARENINA Ivana Primorac
HITCHCOCK Julie Hewett, Martin Samuel, Howard Berger
THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY Peter Swords King, Richard Taylor, Rick Findlater
LES MISÉRABLES Lisa Westcott
LINCOLN Lois Burwell, Kay Georgiou

SOUND 
DJANGO UNCHAINED Mark Ulano, Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti, Wylie Stateman
THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY Tony Johnson, Christopher Boyes, Michael Hedges, Michael Semanick, Brent Burge, Chris Ward
LES MISÉRABLES Simon Hayes, Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson, Jonathan Allen, Lee Walpole, John Warhurst
LIFE OF PI Drew Kunin, Eugene Gearty, Philip Stockton, Ron Bartlett, D. M. Hemphill
SKYFALL Stuart Wilson, Scott Millan, Greg P. Russell, Per Hallberg, Karen Baker Landers

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS 
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Peter Bebb, Andrew Lockley
THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton, R. Christopher White
LIFE OF PI Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer 
MARVEL AVENGERS ASSEMBLE Nominees TBC 
PROMETHEUS Richard Stammers, Charley Henley, Trevor Wood, Paul Butterworth

SHORT ANIMATION  - no opinion
HERE TO FALL Kris Kelly, Evelyn McGrath
I’M FINE THANKS Eamonn O'Neill
THE MAKING OF LONGBIRD Will Anderson, Ainslie Henderson

SHORT FILM  - no opinion
THE CURSE Fyzal Boulifa, Gavin Humphries
GOOD NIGHT Muriel d'Ansembourg, Eva Sigurdardottir
SWIMMER Lynne Ramsay, Peter Carlton, Diarmid Scrimshaw 
TUMULT Johnny Barrington, Rhianna Andrews
THE VOORMAN PROBLEM Mark Gill, Baldwin Li

THE EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public) 
ELIZABETH OLSEN 
ANDREA RISEBOROUGH 
SURAJ SHARMA 
JUNO TEMPLE 
ALICIA VIKANDER 

Django Unchained (2012)

Tarantino, known for mixing and matching different genres and music, comes back again strong as ever with all the elements would you except from him. Django Unchained is yet another graphic film that depicts slavery in the South.

Django (Jamie Foxx) is freed during transport when a German dentist, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), whom in actuality is a bounty hunter, saves him from the two men who are transporting the slaves by killing one and leaving the other to be killed by the remaining, now free, slaves. Schultz informs Django that he has sought him out to identify the Brittle brothers. In exchange for his help, Schultz will give him his freedom, some cash, and a horse to help him get back on his feet.

Christoph Waltz and Jamie Foxx. Source: Business Insider

Soon after, the good doctor and Django come to an agreement to continue seeking out bounties. Although at first a bit uneasy, Django learns that he has a natural talent for killing white men for money. Go figure. As winter nears it end, both bounty hunters go in search of finding Django's wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) learn that Broomhilda is working for Monsieur Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio) at his plantation, Candyland.