Oscar Photos

The Best Actor Nominees: Gary Oldman, Jean Dujardin,

Demian Bichir, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney, 2012

Brit of the Week

Benedict Cumberbatch (July 19, 1976) was born in London to actors Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton. He attended Brambletye School and then Harrow School. Before studying drama at the University of Manchester, he took a year off to teach English in a Tibetan monastery. After graduating from U of M, he trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Benedict began his career on the stage, even being nominated for an Olivier Award. From there he did a lot of television ("Heartbeat", "Tipping the Velvet", and "The Ends of the Earth") and several films ("Amazing Grace", "Atonement", "The Other Boleyn Girl", and "Creation"). In 2010, it was his performance in the mini-series "Sherlock" that really put him on the map. Up next: Steven Spielberg's "War Horse" (with Emily Watson and David Thewlis), "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" (with Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, and Mark Strong), and the highly anticipated "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (with Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, and his "Sherlock" costar Martin Freeman).

Skip It

Film: RED RIDING HOOD

Director: Catherine Hardwicke

Actors: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Virginia Madsen, Julie Christie, Shiloh Fernandez, Max Irons, Lukas Haas, Billy Burke

Year: 2011

I was really excited when this arrived from Netflix. I thought, it's Catherine Hardwicke (who I like from "Thirteen" and "Twilight") and how can you go wrong with Gary Oldman and Julie Christie? Boy was I wrong. I was bored out of my mind. I split the viewing up into two sections because I found myself flipping through a magazine. This had so much potential, but it came tumbling down due to terrible writing. The dialogue was cringe-worthy. What a waste of two hours.

Flick of the Day

Film: THE FIFTH ELEMENT

Director: Luc Besson

Actors: Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Chris Tucker, Ian Holm, Luke Perry, Tiny Lester, Lee Evans

Year: 1997

Synopsis: A cab driver and an alien fight to save the world from a mad man.

Bruce Willis, who at the time was an action megastar, heads up this quirky cast in the sci-fi, flick "The Fifth Element". Despite his fame, Willis is overshadowed by Gary Oldman, Milla Jovovich, and a hilariously ridiculous Chris Tucker. The story behind "Element" is original and very refreshing and the costumes are amazing. You will laugh and your heart will race in this action-packed Luc Besson film.

MisMatched

Actor: DEMI MOORE

Film: "The Scarlet Letter"

Character: Hester

Year: 1995

"The Scarlet Letter" is generally regarded as one of the worst movies ever, but I think that's wrong. The worst thing about this flick is the decision to cast Demi Moore in the main role of Hester Prynne. She absolutely doesn't work. She's too modern. She seems uncomfortable and I wasn't feeling the chemistry between leading man Gary Oldman and herself. It was a bad choice and one of her worst performances (and she did "Striptease" and "The Juror").

Skip It

Film: LOST IN SPACE

Director: Stephen Hopkins

Actors: William Hurt, Gary Oldman, Mimi Rogers, Heather Graham, Matt LeBlanc, Lacey Chabert, Jared Harris

Year: 1998

I don't even know where to begin with this boring waste of time. A space-traveling family gets lost... zzzzzzzz... Sorry, I was boring myself. The acting is bad, the story is lacking, and the CGI is not worth the effort. You probably haven't even heard of this (because it bombed in the theaters), but if you have and were planning to give it a try... DON'T!!!