Reviews

The Secret of Kells is one of the most unique, beautiful, and eye- popping animated films I have ever seen. Before watching this film, I was convinced that nothing could give Up a run for its money and that it was a shoo-in to win in this category, but I found in Kells a serious contender.

The Secret of Kells tell the story of a young orphan named Brendan, who lives with his uncle, the Abbot of Kell. The Abbot is a loving guardian, but perhaps a bit too strict and much more concerned with fortifying the wall around the town from a coming attack by vikings than he is at nurturing the boy's imagination. When the legendary Brother Aidan (who looks surprisingly like Willie Nelson) shows up and takes the boy under his wing, Brendan goes on a journey into the woods and meets a lovely forest nymph named Aisling who takes a liking to him (and saves his life more than once). With Aisling's help, he attempts to save the town and help Brother Aidan complete the mystical book which—legend has it—can turn dark into light.

See my full review of The Secret of Kells at: http://theoscarsblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/movie-review-secret-of- kells.html

I have to admit I was a little worried at first. Chicago is one of my all-time favorite Broadway musicals and there are a lot of ways to mess it up, but the entire cast and crew did an astonishing job. Catherine Zeta-Jones was an amazing Velma (though I would have rather seen Bebe Neuwirth reprise her Tony award winning role), Rene Zellweger never fails to amaze me (remember Bridget Jones Diary and White Oleander?), and what can be said about Richard Gere? He give his best performance in...well...ever as far as I'm concerned. I was a little upset that some of the songs from the play got cut, but I hear we're gonna get to see at least some of those on the DVD, so I'm all set to order my copy. All in all it was very well done and I think it has a chance of being the first musical since 1968's Oliver! to win the Best Picture Oscar. In fact I predict a whole host of Oscar nominations will be garnered by the cast as well as Rob Marshall and the rest of the crew.

I thought this movie was amazing, though disturbing at times. Halle Berry gave the performance of a lifetime, definitely deserving of the Oscar nomination. I'm shocked that Billy Bob Thornton didn't get nominated. I was a little worried going into this movie because I had heard mixed reviews, but I was amazed by the emotion all the characters portrayed. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that Sean Combs has some acting talent, playing the brief role of Berry's condemned husband. I left the movie feeling sad but hopeful for it's characters.