Julianne Moore: 'Still' going strong as she is named Best Actress

I'm going to be dead honest, I really kind of wanted Felicity Jones to win this award. However, at that time, I hadn't seen 'Still Alice', okay, I still haven't seen it but I have spent the morning researching and watching clips and trailers and interviews and my god, I hold my hands up, she deserved it. I cannot wait to watch this film! 

On accepting her award for best actress at the 87th Oscars, Moore, 54, who plays the role of an Alzheimers sufferer, spoke of the struggle that so many face today 'I'm thrilled that we were able to shine a light on Alzheimers disease, so many people with this disease feel isolated' she then continued to thank her friends and family and said 'one of the wonderful thing about movies is that it makes us feel seen and not alone and people with Alzheimers deserve to be seen so that we can find a cure'

She also praised her fellow nominees who looked on from the crowd which included Felicity Jones, Marion Cotillard, Reese Witherspoon and Rosamund Pike, 'There's no such thing as best actress, I've been honoured to be among you every step of the way'.

The emotional winner ended by thanking the film makers, Wash Westmoreland and Richard Glatzer '(they) had hoped to be here tonight but they can't because of Richard's health' She then continued to address the subject already touched on by winner, Eddie Redmayne 'When Richard was diagnosed with ALS, Wash asked him what he wanted to do (in life)....and he said he wanted to make movies and that is what he did'
 The crowd began to applause as she tearfully thanked her husband and children, 'Thank you for my life, thank you for giving me a home' and on that note, she exited the stage, clutching her award proudly.

With both speeches from Julianne Moore and Eddie Redmayne, it soon became a night of awareness of both mental and physical diseases and from what I saw, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Congratulations to them both on their well deserved achievements. I promise to soon watch 'Still Alice' in full and review it.

- Zoe x

The Theory of Everything: The Definition of Incredible.

When I say incredible, I mean incredible. First of all, let us just praise the extraordinary acting of Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, who play Professor Stephen Hawking and his wife, Jane Wilde in this brand new, inspiring biopic directed by James Marsh and based on book written by Jane Wilde herself, 'Travelling to infinity: My life with Stephen Hawking'which I have to say I would now love to read! 

Anyway, back to the acting. Obviously, like everybody else, on discovering this had been made into a movie,it sounded fantastic but  I was sat asking myself the question '...but how?'

The story in itself was obviously going to be powerful and emotional, but the acting, for Eddie Redmayne especially must have proven a challenge, especially knowing full well Professor Hawking would be watching it when all is said and done. But I have to say, he didn't fail him, I can't imagine it being performed any better.Having to perform the deteriorating physical health, the emotional struggle and the heartbreak, Mr Redmayne you have out done yourself, you have touched people's hearts with your performance and  I am sure you will forever be remembered for it. Not to mention, you're drop dead gorgeous and irresistibly charming (had to be said)

Naturally, I entered the cinema expecting to be flooding the place with tears before the opening line but I didn't, I honestly didn't cry much at all, if at all. That might make me sound heartless but I was in shock, I sat there for the whole two hours, in absolute fascination, I had a lump in the throat through most of it and the amount of times I must have gasped and 'aww'-ed out loud are probably uncountable. I remember welling up towards the end and it was a relief otherwise I would have felt completely cold hearted! I'm sure if I had stopped and just looked around me for a second, the whole cinema would be there, jaws dropped and eyes glistening with tears.

The beautiful Felicity Jones, who plays Jane Wilde Hawking, well and truly out did herself, she really portrayed the love and strength towards Stephen, even in the darkest times and when things got too much, her acting was phenomenal, really pulled at the heart strings. And the likeness of her and the real Jane Wilde, well, it's like it was meant to be!

Despite the drama and the sad aspect of this movie, it's about a man, despite all odds being against him, fulfilling his dream, finding the love of his life and having a family. Also, it's funny, yes, funny. As in the whole cinema would erupt in laughter at some of the comments and jokes quite often in the movie, showing that despite the struggle, the young couple could still make each other smile and laugh. So if you're worried about seeing it because you don't want to be sat there sobbing all night and going home depressed, don't. This movie really makes you appreciate life, really makes you count your blessings and makes you realise, to quote Professor Hawking himself 'However bad life may seem,while there is life, there is hope'

The film ended with a round of applause and cheering from the small cinema crowd I was sat with, a very well deserved round of applause at that. Seriously, if you haven't seen this film yet, go see it, you're missing out on one of the most incredible tales ever to be told.

- Zoe x

Ecstatic Eddie Redmayne scoops Oscar for Best Actor at 84th Academy Awards!

Last night in Hollywood, a dream came true for budding actor, Eddie Redmayne as he was presented with the Best Actor award for his portrayal as Professor Stephen Hawking in new biopic, ‘The Theory of Everything’. The movie focuses on the life of world famous scientist, Professor Stephen Hawking and his family as he battles motor neurone disease from the early age of twenty-one. 

The film also stars the beautiful Felicity Jones as Hawking’s dedicated (now-ex) wife, Jane Wilde. Jones, 31, was also up for best actress but lost out to Julianne Moore for her role in Still Alice.

Shocked and overwhelmed, Redmayne dedicated his award to the Hawking family and promised to ‘polish him and be at his beck and call’ referring to his miniature statue. He also praised his ‘partner in crime’ Felicity, for her role in the movie, which has received outstanding reviews and was up against Birdman and The Imitation Game for best picture.

This award will join Eddie’s Bafta which he was awarded just last week for his performance. Touching the audience’s hearts, Redmayne, 33, dedicated his award to those suffering from the frightful disease of ALS (Motor neurone disease) the terminal illness which results in the muscles wasting away, ‘This Oscar belongs to all of those people around the world battling ALS. It belongs to one exceptional family – Stephen, Jane and the Hawking children’.

And finally he bowed and thanked his new wife, Hannah Bagshawe for her support and joked ‘we have a new fella coming to share our apartment’ before exiting the stage to a roaring applause. 

Congratulations Eddie, we were rooting for you!

- Zoe x