PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Pirates of the Caribbean:
On Stranger Tides

Did another instalment really need to be made? And did it need really to be in 3-D? No, not really. How does one deny though the worldwide success of the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise, having grossed over $2.6 billion since 2003? Its Legacy is something to be respected and its legions of Followers should have no problems appreciating this latest Chapter also.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the fourth film in the series from A Jerry Bruckheimer Production and Walt Disney Motion Pictures. Here we follow free-spirited Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he reunites with a mysterious Woman from his past named Angelica (Penélope Cruz) whom he has scorned. The fiery Daughter of tyrannical Blackbeard (Ian McShane) is on a quest with her Father aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge to locate the illusive Fountain of Youth and the two chalices one must drink from in order to live forever.

We never are sure whether Angelica’s feelings towards Jack are genuine or whether she simply wants to use him – with the help of Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and Gibbs (Kevin McNally) - for the benefit of her Father in his conquest. Before Jack and Co. can make their way to the Fountain of Youth, they must survive some internal strife aboard the Ship and also, the dangerous Waters they charter.

DVD REVIEW: NINE

Just shy of five months since its theatrical release, Rob Marshall's NINE finally surfaces on DVD. The musical, nominated for five Golden Globes and four Oscars, unjustly was panned overall by critics and above this was released on a very competitive Christmas Day which saw the monster known as Sherlock Holmes steal just about everyone's thunder. Unfortunately, it performed well under its $80 million budget domestically earning $19 million only. Overseas it has fared much better, bringing its worldwide gross to $52 million. That's still a loss of over $30 million for its backers, The Weinstein Co. And this is hopefully where it will recoup more of its losses. I hope my one DVD sale helps.  Read my original review of the film here.

For fans of the film, the DVD offers a very generous helping of Special Features. In addition to a Commentary by Marshall and his romantic partner/Producer John DeLuca, there are a total eight Featurettes. You can learn about the recording of some of the film's key musical numbers and the filming of the scenes they are associated with, plus all about the Costumes and Choreography too. You also learn about the casting of the film's seven female stars and apparently during the casting stages of the film, Marshall saw just about every leading actress in Hollywood - actresses who normally don't have to audition.  He made his choices based on who he felt he would be able to work best with after getting to know them personally. The chosen actresses all attended eachother's rehearsals during filming, offering moral support to one another and became like a family.   They would work together, eat together and party together.  To this day, Sophia Loren claims they all exchanged numbers and still keep in touch with one another.

ROB MARSHALL'S CHICAGO - THE GREATEST FILM OF THE PAST DECADE

With all the building Oscars frenzy of late, I've been re-inspired by the greatness that is Rob Marshall's 2002 directorial debut, CHICAGO.  The film which won a total six Academy Awards, including Best Picture at the 75th edition of the ceremony, really does stand the test of time as an outstanding work, topping my list of Best Films of the Past Decade.  And above this, it was filmed in my hometown of Toronto, in our historic Distillery district. Although Marshall doesn't stand a chance in hell at winning Best Picture again in the forthcoming 82nd edition of the ceremony, NINE just might squeak in a nomination since the voting format for Academy members now allows them to select ten finalists versus just five in that category.  We'll know Tuesday, February 2, 2010 when nominees are announced.

In addition to amazing choreography, art direction, costumes, music and direction, CHICAGO  is held together by an outstanding ensemble cast.  After looking into how the eventual cast was chosen, I am now in complete awe at the A-list contenders who got turned down for the principal roles.  Take a look:

For the role of Billy Flynn : Rupert Everett, Kevin Spacey, John Travolta and Hugh Jackman.  Richard Gere was chosen despite Miramax feeling he was too old for the role.  Gere went on to win a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy Motion Picture, but failed to get any respect in the Oscars race.

For the role of Roxie Hart : Jodie Foster, Nicole Kidman, Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Aniston, Juliette Binoche, Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rachel Weisz, Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Téa Leoni, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Debra Winger, Marisa Tomei, Melanie Griffith, Ashley Judd, Mira Sorvino, Anne Heche, Toni Collette, Jamie Lee Curtis, Charlize Theron, Milla Jovovich, Kate Winslet, Bridget Moynahan, Heather Graham, Alicia Silverstone, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lopez, Sandra Bullock, Hilary Swank, Monica Potter, Drew Barrymore, Mía Maestro, Rhona Mitra, Katie Holmes, Denise Richards, Christina Applegate, Vinessa Shaw, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cate Blanchett, Rachel Griffiths, Winona Ryder, Lucy Lawless, Claire Forlani, Angie Harmon and Kristin Chenoweth.  Renée Zellwegger was chosen and garnered a nomination for Best Actress.