Begin Again is this Summer's Perfect Film

Every summer, there's that one movie that comes along that no one sees coming that's just a huge ball of, for lack of a better word, fun; it's sunny, breezy and just an all around delight, much like summer vacation.


"Begin Again" is from the director and writer John Carney who brought us the lovely musical "Once" (I'm sure you all know the song Falling Slowly, and if you don't make sure you know it, and watch the film), starring Academy Award nominees Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo as 2 people who meet at an unexpectedly sour crossroads in their lives, but help, and inspire one another to get back on the right track through creating an album no one believed they could make on their own. Carney obviously has a passion for music, and this film is his love letter to the medium; The film is a testament to the power of music, and how much of a labor of love it is, but ultimately how much of an impact it has on our lives.

Get Used to the Phrase: 'Oscar Nominee Channing Tatum' (Feat. New Trailer)

There are still so many people who aren't aware of actor Channing Tatum's unusually talented gifts as an actor. Mistakenly labeled as simply "a meathead", "pretty face", etc, Tatum receives a lot of unwarranted flack despite consistently turning in very nuanced and unshowy work; in "21 Jump Street" (and its sequel), Tatum delivers the laughs and intricate character work. He's proven time and again he's capable of carrying films, and who remembers the surprising quality of "Magic Mike" (which Tatum helped produce)? 

Given his healthy box office receipts and the position of his career, one could certainly agree that an Oscar nomination is on the way. Good thing "Foxcatcher" is on its way then. And what's better? Distributor Sony Pictures Classics is focusing much of the marketing campaign on Tatum.

2014 Cannes Line-up Announced; Watch Trailers

The Cannes Film Festival is (arguably) the start to Oscar season. Some will argue that it's Sundance that kicks the conversation off. However, many of the titles from Sundance do find their way to Cannes, which is recognized as the kick start for many Oscar prognosticators.

Cannes (especially in the last few years) has planted the seeds of Oscar dreams for many films. It was the first time 2011 Best Picture winner The Artist was seen, where Lead Actor Jean Dujardin won the festival's Best Actor award. That same year, Palm d'Or (the festival's Best Picture award) went to Terrence Malick's "Tree of Life" which not only nabbed a Best Picture nomination from the Academy, but 4 other nominations as well. Other films like Amour, The Piano and Pulp Fiction have found their footing at Cannes and went on to Oscar glory.

This year's lineup is one of the starriest in recent memory. Julianne Moore, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Channing Tatum, Steve Carrell, Hillary Swank, Nicole Kidman and many others all have at least one high-profile film that will be seen for the first time here

The festival takes place starting on May 14th till the 25th, which will yield to the festival's annual awards ceremony.

Below is the festival line-up. I've also put a * next to the films that many are paying close attention too. Their reception at Cannes could affect their footing in the coming Oscar race.