Razzies are back in town

The Golden Raspberry Award, aka "Razzies" are what actors and filmmakers usually dread the most. It is the most unwelcome award that there is, but some, as for instance Sandra Bullock, show a lot of sense of humor and distance to her roles, by appearing at the Razzie ceremony. There are the obvious winners like Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Nicolas Cage or Ben Affleck, but lately, since there were so many movies in the saga, the fab duo Robert Pattinson - Kristen Stewart and their "movie" Twilight tend to get every Razzie there is. Interestingly enough, this year the movie has been nominated in every Razzie category, which makes chances of winning a few actual Razzies pretty high. Since I haven't seen the movie (in fact, just 20 minutes of the very first part), it is hard for me to judge. I think I'll take the Razzie Academy's word for the quality of performances. More from Indiewire.

BAFTA nominations 2013 announced

Today, on January 9th 2013, at "the ungodly hour" of 7.30 as "Empire" magazine calls it, the BAFTA nominations were announced. BAFTAs are one of my favorite awards, not only because they are British, but also, as I recently found out, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts is actually a charity that hosts annual  awards. BAFTA as the British Film Academy was founded in 1947 by David Lean, Alexander Korda, Carol Reed and others.
Usually the award ceremony takes place somewhere around the beginning of February, when the Berlinale also takes place. This year it will be February 10th at the Royal Opera House in London.
More from The Telegraph, The Guardian and full list here from the BAFTA's website.
Beside each nominated person or movie I put a mark to underline my own favorites for the awards. Some of the nominated films I have not yet seen, but they might be the most possible winners.

Bakery: Christmas Poppy Cake

Creme-de-la creme of all typical Polish Christmas cakes that includes yeast cake and ground poppy seed. It takes time and patience to wait for it to grow in a warm kitchen, under a linen cloth. It is not easy to make, but the flavor of success makes up for it. Try to follow the recipe, especially with the times that the cake has to be left aside and grow, and breathe. After baking, decorate it with a topping of your choice, mine are always with orange peel and icing. The cake stays fresh for a long time, as the poppy seed filling is moist and delicious, but frankly, it's so tasty that it wouldn't last more than three days, I grant that. And there are three medium-sized separate cakes out of this first recipe in Polish, available here and in English (for two rolls) here.

"Argo" - unexpectedly well directed political thriller

When the name "Ben Affleck" appear on the screen, one usually knows what to expect. Affleck as an actor does not really get many compliments. But when he decides to direct others - ah - that's a different story. His several other projects have brought him exactly to the place he is at right now. Praised and awarded, established, well-to-do, influential director - that's what he is, when promoting "Argo." The movie itself is a wonderful political thriller with solid background actors: magnificent John Goodman and Alan Arkin, along with Bryan Cranston, Tate Donovan and Scoot McNairy. Affleck plays the main character, but although his acting lacks passion and vigour, he doesn't spoil everything.
"Argo" is about a very imaginative covert operation led by the CIA in the beginning of 1980 in Tehran (Iran). Historians will remember that it was an extremely difficult time to be American and be there personally, as Shah Reza Pahlavi, supported by the US had to flee Iran and leave the spot for Ajatollah Khomeini - a religious and political leader. The hostage situation in an American embassy requires certain controversial actions from the CIA, and exfil agent Tony Mendez (Affleck) thinks of an ingenious plan to get the six escapees currently living in the house of Canadian ambassador out of Tehran safely. In order to do that, he establishes a hoax production of a B-class sci-fi movie called "Argo," that is supposed to be shot in locations around Tehran.
The movie is very enjoyable and thrilling to watch, although critics say it's rather nationalistic and one-sided. Of course it doesn't tell the whole story, it's just inspired by real events, but nevertheless one can sense the echoing of "All the President's Men" and "Munich," and that actually is the best recommendation there is.
My review here.

"After Lucia" - so close yet so far away

A very intimate, but brutal deconstruction of grief. After a tragedy consolation never really comes. It's just the way one wants to deal with the reality. Alejandra and her father Roberto can't really find things in common after the mother and wife is gone forever. They grow farther apart, leading separate lives. The new film directed by Michel Franco irritates because it shows that in times of trouble everyone is on their own. It irritates, because even being close to one another, it is impossible sometimes to notice there is something very much wrong.
"After Lucia" is a very powerful image of how one can actually deal with loss, but most importantly it's about how people hurt and get hurt. It's about the fault of the whole society that makes everyone very distant and cold, even  if a great tragedy is around the corner.
"After Lucia" is very difficult to grade. It's difficult to say whether it is a good or a bad film. It's shocking and very real at the same time. but extremely powerful.
One is for sure, you' ll feel bad after seeing it, but who knows, maybe also cleansed.
My review from filmnews.com.pl can be found here and below, in Polish.

Movies you wait for in 2013

There surely is a lot to wish for in the upcoming 2013, but certainly one of the most important things to wish is a bunch of great films. Stop wishing then and have a look at the list of movies that will have their premieres quite soon, presented by Total Film.

1. "Gangster Squad"
with Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Josh Brolin, Sean Penn

Best dressed in 2012

It comes as no surprise that the Brits are called most fashionable in the world. It is really extremely difficult to find so stylish yet not over-dressed men anywhere else in the world. The trends of the season come from the Isles, and this is just a statement of facts. The 50 best dressed males are the essence of fashion, style and well-being. Best dressed, but also best groomed, and effortlessly. Below my favourite looks from Britain, there are some from the rest of the world, but admit it - they're anyway rather average. The list was prepared by GQ British Edition, one of the busiest magazine editions ever. Anywhere they turn, a new style is born.
The Top50 can be found here, but I've only chosen a few looks that I find particularly interesting. Not to mention the presenters.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson
A part of the year was his, due to his interpretation of Wronsky in "Anna Karenina." There, sporting a uniform, here, a smart suit. Both versions worth a nod.