Meeting Bobbi Brown

Several weeks ago, I was invited to meet Bobbi Brown at the L.A. launch of her newest book, Pretty Powerful, a culmination of an empowering campaign launched by Bobbi to help women everywhere embrace the beauty within.

I have always loved Bobbi's books and makeup but after hearing her speak about what this book meant to her, I was inspired. She TRULY believes in the power that women can harness if they feel their best. During the comp makeover, I decided to do a look that showcased my true self - glasses and all!!

To complete this look, I relied on something old and something new. One of Bobbi's favorites is her Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink. I could not get over how smooth the formula was and it really does have some serious staying power. The scene stealer here, though, is the Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush. The tapered end gives you ultimate control - I had to have it! I also had to have her new Creamy Matte Lip Color in Razzberry. I mean, just look at that pink!! It's easily my new favorite pink lipstick and I feel SUPER confident whenever I wear it. Mission Accomplished!

Three is company: Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink, Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush, Creamy Matte Lip Color in Razzberry

Check out the video below to see some of my favorite Bobbi Brown products. It was an absolute honor to meet Ms. Brown and speak to her candidly about how beauty and confidence intertwine. Thanks to her and to you for all the support!

November Picks

Hello my loves!! Thank you for being so patient - the wait is over. I'm back and couldn't be happier!! I figure I would start with where I left off and do a Novembers picks video. Let's see what goodies I have found this time, shall we?

My November Picks

1. The pretty and posh butter London - The Remover Collection Trio. I've had my eye on this collection ever since I got a free sample of the Powder Room one when I was purchasing some of butter London's 3 Free Nail Lacquers. Not only are these removers travel-friendly and acetone-free but they are lightning fast at removing even the most stubborn polishes. They are super gentle and smell divine - what's not to love?

2. I have been hooked on these little smooth spheres for over a year now so when I found the eos Limited Edition 3-pack lip balm collection inspired by Alice in Wonderland, I nearly jumped for joy! 95% organic and 100% natural and cute to boot - would make a great gift but I might have to keep these for myself this year.

3. It's official - Bond is back and sexier than ever but the O.P.I. Skyfall Collection - The Living Daylights takes the cake. A fantastic blend of blue, gold, silver, and bronze, this glitter fest is O.P.I. sleekest yet.

4. Having truly combination skin is much easier to manage with boscia Lavender Blotting Linens. A quick, gentle way to blot away the midday t-zone that calms the senses and gives peace of mind AND face.

5. At last we have come to the "star" of my video, CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara

CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara

In their October 2012 Best of Beauty issue, Allure did some early promoting as it was featured as one of the breakthrough products. I look forward to that issue every year so I immediately starting doing some research. The brush itself is designed with the size of the average clump in mind so that it would be able to comb it out. Brilliant, right? I had to try it ASAP!

The naked eye (no mascara)

I definitely see a difference and as I explained in the video, this is probably the best volumizing mascara I have tried for this price point. I HATE clumps and spidery looking lashes and have found Maybelline and L'oreal's formulas to do just that to my little lashes. CoverGirl has been my go to for a loooonnnngggg time and while I have tried every one of theirs that has come out in the last two years, I've remained fiercely loyal to Lash Blast Lengthening mascara because I never get clumps no matter how many coats I pile on.

3 coats of Clump Crusher back to back

But who's got time for that many coats? Clump Crusher delivers on its promise as long as you don't wait too long between coats. I did 3 fast ones in a row and you can see the results. (I really didn't pay attention to the bottom ones but I think the top looks fab!)

Now lashes are just like hair so what's good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander. Try it out and let me know what you think!



Thanks for checking this out and be sure to like my new FB page TheMixxChic! I'm doing a little bit of a blog facelift at the moment so I can't wait to show you all the new stuff!!

May Picks!!

Happy May!! Hope you are all doing well. I would just like to quickly mention the reason I have been a little MIA as of late is because of an allergic reaction that effected my face neck and chest. As of right now it is about 95% gone but it took two weeks to get the hives under control. A bit of a scare but all is well now and I have so many ideas for videos - so much to come!! Without further ado, here are this month's picks:

A different take on BB Cream, this lightweight tinted moisturizer plus everything gives me just the right glow without looking orange and fake. It's a great quick fix, especially when I don't want to put on foundation but still need a little coverage. 

A Silicone-free primer that is oil-free and still gets the job done. The consistency is more like that of a lotion than a primer but it still acts as a barrier between my face and the makeup world. 

Essie's color of the moment: Mint Candy Apple.
Pure Perfection.

MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in "Sweet Heat" and the new 234 Split Fibre Eye Blending Brush
are both multitasking little miracles!

Thanks so much for checking this month's goodies! Be sure to come back soon for more reviews and tutorials!

xoxo,

The Mixx Chic

My April Picks!!

This is a new segment that I'm trying out and I hope you all will come to  enjoy! It is a way for me to spotlight things I have tried and loved each month without doing videos on each thing individually. I recently returned from vacation with lots of interesting goodies and a few of them made it in to my list. I will link each item to it's website so you can see it and other products in the line. Here we go!

One of the brands I discovered whilst on my mini vacation was called Lollia. It is a collection by Margot Elena that focuses on luxury bath and toilettres like sweet perfumes, beautiful candles, and even bath salt and shower gels. The packaging is devine and I couldn't resist trying their tiny Little Luxe Eau de Parfum in "Breathe" or their Petite Treat Handcreme in "Wish". Both scents are fantastic - "breathe" is a light gathering of peony, white lily, grapefruit, and orange while "wish" is a but richer with notes of vanilla, rice flavor, jasmine, and sugar. Any item from these collection would make a beautiful and very memorable gift!

Unbeknownst to me, the designer behind Lollia also created Tokyo Milk, a brand that I was introduced to about a year ago (I love their solid perfumes!) Once I realized this, I went in search of more from this line and came across Tokyo Milk Dark Conditioning Lip Balm in "Coco Noir". A very sensual line, I was immediately drawn to the notes of rum, cherry, and cacao and decided on the balm to nourish my lips which always seem dry by the time morning comes. Turns out, it works!

Now this next one might seem a but random but I was really excited to find these. In the same little boutique I found the Lollia items, I saw the cutest Wooster & Prince Emery Boards and was immediately skeptical. I find that with nail files, if they're cute, they don't work and if they're tough, they strip your nail too much, leaving you with rough edges. With these, however, I had a Goldilocks moment - they're just right AND too freaking cute!

 

My last pick for this month is kinda an oldie but a goodie. I have use Josie Maran's Argan Oil and I loved it but when I saw these new limited edition bottles from her Model Citizen collection, I couldn't resist. I felt like I was doing a mini good deed since 10% of the proceeds go to the model who designed the bottle's charity of choice. I chose Angela Lindvall's bottle because I loved her design and her proceeds go to Healthy Child Healthy World. I believe these are only at Sephora for a limited time so be sure to check them out!

Thanks so much for supporting this new segment - stay tuned for my May picks!

Why "The Hunger Games" is Worth the Hype by a Former Tween

As the final box office numbers were tallied, no doubt remains of the power The Hunger Games has wielded over contemporary pop culture. Well received by fans and critics alike, the movie can boast action like Harry Potter without the extensive CGI and tension like Twilight minus the nauseating love triangle, horrendous acting, and questionable heroine. Instead, there is something dirty, gritty, and real to the lead character of Katniss and to THG itself that both of its contemporaries lack despite the fact that it actually takes place in the future. How is this possible? It is my belief that a clandestine combination of an engaging story, great casting, and savvy marketing that transcends this film from it's young adult genre to something that all ages can appreciate and enjoy.

With a story that takes a dystopian society a la George Orwell's 1984 and a shocking battle-to-the-death like that of Japan's Battle Royale, Suzanne Collins novel blows any other coming-of-age tale out of the water. What makes it so shocking and relatable at the same time is that it is uniquely American and prays upon our ideals and cultural insecurities. Again, all this sounds like it could easily become a horrible read but that is when a fiercely like able protagonist becomes imperative. Katniss Everdeen, the girl in fire, is the girl all the girls want to be and all the guts want to be with. She is intelligent and perceptive to a fault, not to mention a huntress and provider for her family. A true role model who struggles with doing what's right and not just what is expected of her as a woman and as a child. The lynchpin, then, in this entire process was the female actor that would embodied all this - someone unconventional, smart as hell, and with some serious acting chops. Jennifer Lawrence is Katniss Everdeen and even though the book gives us the entire story in first person, Lawrence is able to deliver every iota of emotion, humor, and tension that we as an audience need. If the book is what brought people to the theater, her performance kept them in their seats.

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen

The real credit to the commercial success of this movie lies with the marketing. It's a tough sell, when you look at it, kids killing each other and all. Lionsgate could have easily taken the beaten path and played up the love sick teens - it worked for Twilight, right? Well, if you have seen the numbers, THG beat not one but all the opening weekend numbers held by Twilight and is now the third biggest behind the last HP film and The Dark Knight. How this happened is Lionsgate knew they had the teens in the bag so they decided to go for the "25 and over" group. With a trailer that seemed more indie that blockbuster and a focus on the stark reality of the game, they were able to entice slightly older crowd - including me. In a sense, they wanted the Harry Potter crowd, those who were a decade older and harder to impress than the Twi-hards. By understanding the difference in what each group was looking for, they were able to appeal to both.  Also, putting this film outside of the summer blockbuster season eludes its competition, so that adults over 25, which according to Box Office Mojo did make up over half of the population, could focus on THG and not be tempted to go see The Dark Night Rises or Men in Black 3 instead. What, then, becomes of the Twi-hards? Well, their saga is coming to a close so they needed something new anyway. The Hunger Games provided them with a small, teasing taste of what they like whilst bringing their heads out of the sparkly clouds. 

The Hunger Games is as much about our disturbing obsession with reality TV and the horrors that await our mind numbing culture as it is a young girl trying to save those she cares about. The message is deep, especially for something that is "meant" for teens which is why I think the real triumph here is its ability to transcend genres. When I read the book, I thought, "This is so not for kids..." and upon seeing the movie I thought the same thing, (though the PG-13 rating made them tone down the gore and violence making it more kid friendly...I guess.) Like the games themselves, the movie didn't treat me like a kid. There was no playful tone or condescending music that was trying to manipulate my feelings about what was going on. They didn't need that because the story, the acting, and the execution was so clear and good. I am in for the long haul and odds are, so is the rest of the world. 

Review: Make Up For Ever

I'll admit that I have been wanting to try this brand for a while but let's face it, walking into Sephora one gets a little distracted. Thank goodness I live in LA where there is a freestanding boutique in Beverly Hills that gives the brand the home base it deserves. Last week, I took a class and learned soooo much from their incredible team that I literally drove right home to make this video.

Basically, their HD makeup looks phenomenal on camera and I cannot tell you how light it feels. It's really something you have to experience for yourself. I am hooked and cannot wait for my next pro class!! Here are the products I picked up:

HD Microperfecting Primer in 4,
HD Invisible Cover Foundation in 153,
& HD Concealer in 340

Eyeshadows: 131 (mauve), 4 (black), and 28 (brown)

 Ready for a Close-up?

I am looking forward to exploring more of Make Up For Ever as a brand. Their dedication to new technology really stands out and makes sense for this ever changing industry. Hope to have some more goodies to review soon!

Ta Ta For Now,
the mixx chic

Say "Yes" to Carrots

This week (more like last week,) I did a review on the AMAZING San Francisco-based skin care brand Yes to Carrots. All of the products from their four fantastic lines are more than 90% natural because they are made with organic fruits and vegetables. They are also paraben, SLS, and petroleum free!! Here's the line up:

Yes to Carrots - Nourishes Normal to Dry Skin

Yes to Cucumbers - Soothes Sensitive Skin (also hypoallergenic!)

Yes to Blueberries - Arms Maturing Skin with Necessary Antioxidants

Yes to Tomatoes - Clears Troubled Skin (my fav!!)

I have been using the Daily Clarifying Cleanser and Daily Balancing Moisturizer from their Yes to Tomatoes line and I cannot tell you what a difference it has made on my skin!! I almost wish I would have done a before and after but I has no idea these products would work wonders like they have. I think its the Lycopene from the tomatoes that really did the trick.

I also tried the facial towelettes from the soothing Yes to Cucumbers line and I think they are the BEST makeup removing cloths EVER. They do their job AND they're moisturizing too!

I started picking up other things from the original line like the the body butter and color lip balm and I have to say, so far I love everything. It's very rare when this happens, folks, as I am VERY picky and not afraid to return things I dont like. I think this is an phenomenal company with a great mission and excellent execution. Check out their website at www.yestocarrots.com but you should be able to find most of the products at stores like Ulta, Walmart and Target in the natural beauty/skincare asile. Happy Shopping!

Glowingly Yours,
the mixx chic

Let's Get Naked!

The New One

The Classic

Urban Decay's

Naked (right)

vs.

Naked 2

Much like the palettes themselves, the wordplay possibilities are endless so forgive me for indulging a bit with my title. I am VERY excited to finally be reviewing these beautiful palettes in their entirety. I have been playing with the colors a lot as of late and hopefully this post and subsequent video will help express just how wonderful I think they are.

Urban Decay Naked2 Palette

Naked2 is the cooler, sultrier sister to the first palette with twelve pigmented eye shadows and a fabulous, cruelty-free, dual ended brush. There are 5 palette exclusive shades and one duplicate from the first palette, Half Baked, which is OK by me because I love it! The palette also comes with a sample of Lip Junkie in, what else, "Naked."

 Swatches 

Starting from left, here are the shades included with palette exclusive shades in italics and matte shades in parentheses: Foxy (m), Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease (m), Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, and Blackout (m).

Urban Decay Naked Palette

The original Naked palette is a bit warmer in tone and comes with a sample of Primer Potion. Don't be deceived by its age, as this palette still packs a powerful punch. Similarities are bound to be drawn and I think that whether or not you by one or the other is entirely up to you. I enjoy them both and believe that the versatility is equally great in each.

Swatches

Starting from left, here are the shades included with palette exclusive shades in italics and matte shades in parentheses: Virgin, Sin, Naked (m), Side Car, Buck (m), Half Baked, Smog, Darkhorse, Toasted, Hustle, Creep, Gunmetal.

Overall, I love both of these palettes and think everyone should consider adding at least one to their makeup repertoire. Again, the choice is ultimately up to you but be sure to check out the video review below!

And the Oscar Goes to...

We have arrived, my friends, at the 84th Annual Academy Awards and in a few short hours we will know who Hollywood considers to be the best of the best. This is the final event and I for one can barely contain my excitement! I have seen ALL of the pictures nominated for Best Picture and quite a few more but I will only predict the categories that I am confortable with (besides, what is the difference between Sound Mixing and Sound Editing...anyone?)  Anyway, I have narrowed it down to who I feel is most deserving and why although this year has been one of the toughest to call. Without further ado, my predictions for this year's Oscars are:

Best Picture

It is one of the most celebrated films this year with the critics but still not many have ventured out to see a "silent film" writing it off as old fashioned and boring without actually giving it a chance. There loss, I say, but that school of thinking would be the only thing stopping The Artist from completing its tour de force this season.  

Best Actor

Jean Dujardin in The Artist

Exquisite does not even begin to describe Dujardin's performance as the fallen silent film star George Valentin. His ability to communicate everything without use of language is in itself Oscar worthy but that he also teaches us how us simply superb. The only one that could take this away from him is George Clooney for The Descendants. His portrayal of Matt King as he struggled through unimaginable circumstances with humor and what remained of his dignity was honest and oddly refreshing. These two have been neck and neck all season so regardless of who wins, it will be interesting just to see who will cross the finish line.

Best Actress

Viola Davis in The Help

Where do I begin? Viola Davis is beyond a doubt one of the most amazing actresses of our time. In The Help, she spoke the truth through Aiblene with power, dignity, and incredible humility and gave what I believe is the performance of her career. It's the kind of thing you felt when you saw it, like you were seeing a character be brought to life for the first time. It's almost haunting and will stay with me probably forever - for that alone, I believe she deserves every award she is nominated for this season. Meryl Streep is the best actress of our generation, no argument there, and I have yet to see The Iron Lady. However, I find it hard to believe that anyone can top what Ms. Davis did. It is her time and hopefully the Academy can see that.

Best Director

Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist

This is one of those categories where ALL the nominees were phenomenal so seriously, how can you choose between Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, Alexander Payne, and Terrence Malick?? I had a hard time because what each of them did was so different and equally wonderful but I chose Hazanavicius because of how hard it must have been to bring us The Artist. It is a silent film, after all, but he was able to transcend that genre entirely (he made it to the Oscars didn't he?) If I had to choose someone else it would be Scorsese for his incredibly impressive technical masterpiece Hugo. 

Best Supporting Actor

Christopher Plummer in Beginners

Heartwarming and charming as ever, Christopher Plummer shows in both the film and in real life, age should never inhibit you from getting what you deserve. I loved Beginners and really felt it slipped under the radar with many people but as Plummer shows, it's never to late to make a lasting impression.  I will say that I thought Kenneth Branagh was superb as Lawrence Olivier in My Week With Marilyn and had it not been for Plummer, the Oscar would be his.

Best Supporting Actress 

Octavia Spencer in The Help

Octavia's portrayal of Minny Jackson in The Help was the perfect ying to Viola Davis' yang. She was everything a supporting actress should be while still shining in her own right. Without a doubt, she was that sassy, back-talking but fiercely loyal Minny who stole our hearts and said everything we were thinking. An honorable mention should go to Jessica Chastain who played Celia in The Help, giving an sweet, beautifully innocent performance.

Cinematography

Emmanuel Lubezki for The Tree of Life

What really made this film the mind-blowing, hard-to-wrap-your-head-around-it-because-it's-so-visually-demanding experience that it was was indeed the cinematography and the Academy would have to be asleep not to think so. Still, crazier things have happened so in that case, my vote would go to Hugo although there might be a dark horse War Horse (sorry I had to.)  

Best Art Direction

Oh, Hugo, you will probably win every technical award this year, starting with this one, and you deserve it. I was both impressed and delighted by everything I saw and will not be surprised if you rack up quite a few, seeing as you have the most nods. Your biggest competition will be War Horse, I believe because it, too, accomplished some amazing technical feats. 

Best Original Screenplay

If there were such thing as a sure thing, this would be it. Besides the fact that he already has won almost every award this year in this category, Woody Allen's prose shines through his characters in a way that really is, well, Oscar worthy.

Best Adapted Screenplay

This one came out of left field (Ok, I'll stop) but I really feel strongly about Moneyball. Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin, and Stan Chervin really worked at this and there was a good while when it looked liked this would not be made. Maybe this is me just cheering for the underdog but hey, sometimes they do win. 

Best Original Score

When there are no words, music can say it all. In no other film this year was this put to the test and proven correct. Ludovic Bource's score was essentially the narrator of a beautiful story and as this is his first nomination - I say job well done!

***

That's it, my darlings! I'm off to get some champagne and hors d'oeuvres for my Oscar bash. I will be tweeting throughout the night so keep up on @themixxchic! Here's to what will be a fantastic night!!

Cheers,

the mixx chic

Oscar Movie Review: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

To say that Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close tackles a lot of sensitive issues is probably the understatement of the year. Yes, it's about 9/11 and its aftermath. Yes, its about a child with Asperger's coming of age and learning to accept who he is after the death of his father. And yes, it asks it's American audience to see this particularly sensitive version of events through an unconventional lens. It was difficult to watch this emotionally challenged young boy try to understand what had happened to his father. He simply could not fathom the idea that there is not an answer to every question in life. Instead he pours every ounce of energy he has into completing the impossible task of finding the lock to a key he found in his father's belongings. It's the only way he could give meaning to the situation but what he did not expect was to build relationships with the people he met along the way. It is in these encounters that he grows into someone that his father would be proud of which is really all he wanted in the first place.

Alarming, emotional, and a bit uncomfortable, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close did not find a sweet spot with viewers and critics like all the other nominated films did this year. This isn't surprising considering the subject matter and the way in which the story is told. It isn't easy to forget some of the things this precocious child does and says but there is a palpable undercurrent of forgiveness and understanding. Based on its critical reception, I doubt this will be much of a threat to the rest of the pack. Still, I do feel it is worth seeing as it asks a lot of its viewer but gives back almost as much as it takes.

Oscar Movie Review: The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is a cerebral journey that demands of its viewer a visceral response. It truly takes "stream of consciousness" to a whole different level exploring religion, creation, and the universe to answer the ultimate question: what is our purpose? This and all of life's big questions are raised after a family loses a child and his absence is still felt years later by his brother played by Sean Penn. What we are unsure of is if what we are seeing is real or just speculation. Writer and director Terrence Malick takes us through memories as they truly feel, detailed yet unfinished. Memories, however, are unreliable and because this young boy is still growing and developing as is his father, played by Brad Pitt, a man with dashed dreams and a musical soul that is hindered by circumstance and ignorance. Complexity doesn't even begin to describe their relationship as it truly is like life itself in all it's intricacies.

This was one of those movies that you can't really "like." It was more of a rare experience - a true film. I can definitely see why critics and viewers struggled with it as well as why it did well at Cannes winning top prize, the Palme d'Or. Hollywood, on the other hand, has yet to show any real love for it until now. The question is them will it win any of the three categories is nominated in? It's best chances are in Best Cinematography because it really was a visual masterpiece. Emmanuel Lubezki was last nominated for Children of Men and has pretty much taken every cinematography award this year with The Tree of Life. This could be his year and I would say that it would undoubtedly be well deserved. 

Oscar Movie Review: Midnight in Paris

Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen's latest (and possibly greatest) foray into fantasy, is a delightful mix of humor and surrealism. It has elements of a classic Woody Allen picture, namely a neurotic protagonist, but it does not try to be more than what it is; a light, simple story that only require's its audience to suspend their version of reality for 90 minutes or so. What makes this film special, or rather, worthy of four Oscar nominations? That, too, is simple because only Woody Allen can expertly craft a tale of unexplainable time travel that is charming, romantic and ultimately a joy to watch.

Adriana (Marion Cotillard) and Gil (Owen Wilson)

The key to Midnight in Paris is really not to expect a deep, life changing experience - it really is what it is. Owen Wilson's character Gil is an easily distracted yet somehow very successful Hollywood screenwriter that has a bad case of writer's block as he tries to write an actual novel. On a trip to Paris with his uptight fiance Inez (Rachel McAdams) and her obnoxious parents, he finds solace with the likes of Cole Porter, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, T.S. Eliot, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Guided by a jaded muse (played perfectly by Marion Cotillard), he revels in the nostalgia of it all and tries to immerse himself into their world where art equals life. In contrast, the characters in the "real" world are dismissive of his work, coming off as very two-dimensional. I understood this to be a choice made by Allen to question our own definition of reality. It is in this seemingly simplistic journey, with a fascinating ensemble of quick-witted, well known characters, that Allen's intricate direction and writing are showcased. While I don't think Midnight in Paris will win Best Picture, the Academy would have to be mental to not award Allen Best Original Screenplay. He made something so difficult and complex seem simple and that is the work of a true artist.

Oscar Movie Review: Moneyball

Based on the book by Michael Lewis, Moneyball chronicles the attempt made by Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane to level the playing field of baseball so that those teams without big budgets behind them could have a fighting chance. Challenging the status quo of America's favorite pastime may not have been the most popular thing to do but as Moneyball shows, even a small win can have a huge impact. What Billy Beane did was change how people look at the game and what this film did was acknowledge his contribution to the modern game. In a nomination worthy performance, Brad Pitt takes on Billy Beane and paints a detailed, humble picture of a man trying to beat the odds while also keeping his head down amongst all the criticism. His performance is not overtly emotional but it still runs deep. Through all the opposition, his character he puts on a brave face but there are moments when, just for a moment, he see the weight of the entire baseball world on his aging shoulders. Pitt was Billy Beane and together with Jonah Hill (who rightly earned a nomination for his performance), they carried this film all the way with some amazing chemistry and good old fashioned teamwork.

Brad Pitt as Billy Beane and Jonah Hill as Peter Brand

Moneyball is an understated film with an excellent cast and a superb script. I appreciate the Academy's acknowledgment of a film that also had to beat the odds in order to be made although a win for it is, unfortunately, a long shot. It's best category is Best Adapted Screenplay for Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, and Stan Chervin. This is a distinct possibility as it already won the Critics Choice Award earlier this year. However, this race also included The Descendants and Hugo which will not go down without a fight.

Oscar Movie Review: Hugo

With eleven nominations, the most of any film this year, Hugo is a charming, heartfelt tale of a clever, steadfast boy who lives in the walls of a Paris train station after his father's sudden death leaves him orphaned. Both tragic and touching, the story centers on Hugo's quest to repair an automata that he and his father were working on and in doing so, uncovers the secret lives of those he slowly learns to call family. It is an uplifting anecdote based on the Caldecott winning book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick that is actually based on the real story of French filmmaker Geroges Melies. As it is in the book, Hugo's world is visually stunning and terrifying at the same time, an effect that is expertly executed by Martin Scorsese. Much like The Artist, this film was a love letter of sorts to cinema but in a more literal way. 

Asa Butterfield plays Hugo Cabret

While I enjoyed the film very much, what stood out most for me were the technical aspects, including the seamless use of 3D technology with brilliant cinematography. This was Scorsese's first foray into the world of 3D and he has created a visual masterpiece that plays like a moving pop-up book. Mostly all of the awards that Hugo is nominated for are technical and I do believe it could take home some of the big ones like Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction. I also won't be surprised if it takes Adapted Screenplay, though I do believe that category is one of the toughest being that it is so widespread. It could be a big winner since the odds are in its favor with so many technical nods but whether it will walk away with top prize remains to be seen.