Jesse Eisenberg and Jeremy Irons Cast in the New Batman vs Superman

After it was announced Ben Affleck would be playing Batman/Bruce Wayne in the upcoming sequel to Man of Steel, today Warner Bros. announced that Academy Award Nominee Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) and Academy Award Winner Jeremy Irons would be joining Affleck, and veterans Henry Cavill and Amy Adams.

Scarlett Johansson Makes Men Disappear in Under the Skin

Johansson follows up Don Jon and Her with a completely different performance as a man-eating alien. 

Scarlett Johansson is having something of a career renaissance lately, and I couldn't be happier about it. After a "better than advertised" performance in Joss Whedon's "The Avengers" in 2012, Johansson followed up with back to back great turns in Joe Levitt's "Don Jon" and Spike Jonze's "Her'. In both films, Johansson acted with ferocious energy that hasn't been seen since before her career slump, post- Lost in Translation Oscar buzz (remember when she won a BAFTA for Leading Actress that year?).

Fact of the matter is, after uninspired choices like "The Nanny Diaries" or "The Island", Johansson is back to making very inspired and brave acting choices, and overall seems very excited about the performances she's giving (unlike sleepwalking through roles like "The Black Dahlia" or "The Other Boelyn Girl").

She was (unfairly) overlooked for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar (an award she should have won) this year for her voice-work (yes, she's that good as just a voice) in Her, but that doesn't seem to be stopping her from choosing tricky roles and delivering energetic performances.

So that's why I (and others) are thoroughly excited about her next film; Johansson will appear as the lead in Jonathan Glazer's "Under the Skin", distributed by A24 (the same company who distributed Spring Breakers and The Bling Ring). In the film, Johansson plays a beautiful alien searching for men, or rather their flesh.

All New Maleficent Trailer Featuring Lana Del Rey's Cover of "Once Upon A Dream"

Hot off of her contribution to The Great Gatsby's soundtrack with her song "Young and Beautiful", singer Lana Del Rey has returned with another soundtrack credit. Actress Angelina Jolie has reportedly handpicked the singer to perform a cover of the song "Once Upon A Dream" for the new Disney movie "Maleficent"

A new trailer featuring the song (which is quite great) has been released, which you can watch below. You can also find a link to download the track for free! (only for a limited time only).

Alfonso Cuaron Wins at the DGA: What Does This Mean for Oscar?

Affleck passes the torch to the director of Gravity.

In a not so surprising announcement (unlike last week's tie at the Producers Guild), Alfonso Cuaron was awarded at the Directors Guild Awards last night. It comes as no surprise, because Cuaron has been the frontrunner in this category since Gravity had been seen. Not to mention, he's won the most awards (the only major award he lost was at the NYFCC to Steve McQueen) out of every director in the category.

With the DGA behind him, it's clear to say that he will win the Oscar. But can Gravity win Best Picture?

It very well could. However, while most people will be quick to say that Gravity will win Best Picture and Director (and a shit ton of tech awards), I think that there will be a split between Picture and Director. It doesn't happen very often, but it can happen.

There is an argument that if you're voting for Cuaron, you recognize that Gravity succeeds because it's his masterpiece, and that's true. Without Cuaron, Gravity would not be the amazing experience we all know it is. But to think 12 Years A Slave is only going home with 1 Oscar (Lupita Nyong'o for Supporting Actress) just doesn't seem right to me. It would be the first predominantly black film to win Best Picture, not to mention it's a masterpiece in its own right. I would be happy if Gravity won, but I think this award belongs to 12 Years A Slave; films like this do not come around that often, and should be rewarded.

It'll be interesting to see where BAFTA goes with their Picture choice. Gravity was the film with the most nominations, so if it cleans up, that's how we'll know it's over for 12 YAS.

Full list of winners below.

Worst Oscar Winners: Best Actress In A Leading Role

Hey everyone! So I was brainstorming for a new post series to keep me busy and to keep content flowin (I've gotta keep you all interested right?). Since we're coming towards the end of Oscar season, and we pretty much know who's going to win in the major categories, why not revisit some past years? In particular, the years in which we had some pretty terrible nominees and even worse winners.

The series will cover the acting categories and Best Picture. My favorite category, Best Actress, will kick it off. I'll be posting Supporting Actress sometime next month, but in the mean time, send me some winners you feel shouldn't have won and explain why! Maybe you'll find your choices on this list.

Without further adieu, I give you, the worst Best Actress winners.

Memorable Movie Moments in 2013: 10 Favorite Shots

I've decided that in addition to compiling a top 10 list of my favorite films of the year, I'd also do a top 10 list of my favorite images/scenes/shots from films, because what's more fun than doing a top 10 list?? 

No, but really, it was a lot of fun sifting through and thinking about memorable moments from movies, especially this year. I had a lot of favorites I wish I could have included; choosing 10 is painstaking and I'm sure after I publish this I'll think of 10, or even 20 more I want to discuss/analyze. 

I guess I've just started a bit of a tradition now, but I'm okay with that. Let me know what you think! If you thought a scene/image/shot deserved to be considered, comment. I'm always up for feedback. The titles of the scenes have links (if I could get them) to take you to said scene/shot in the respective movie.

Anyway, here we go! Enjoy!

Where Are We in the Oscar Race?

Gravity, American Hustle and 12 Years A Slave are duking it out for the title of Best Picture of the Year. Who will the DGA pick? 

In the last month, we've heard from numerous critic's groups (including the BFCA), the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and Producers Guild. The Directors Guild will announce their winner on Sunday, and ultimately decide the new frontrunner.

But throughout the announcements and the seemingly endless awards shows, there are 3 films that have consistently come out on top each time. These are the 3 films that are currently duking it out for the win, the big prize.

Each film has its own band of supporters, its own narrative and reason for winning; it's going to be a photo finish.

American Hustle, Gravity and 12 Years A Slave have built and maintained substantial heat in the past few months, but which film has enough gas in the tank to make it to the finish line?