Friday, February 26, 2010

Official Academy Award Predictions

BEST PICTURE: THE HURT LOCKER



ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE: Jeff Bridges in "Crazy Heart"



ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Christoph Waltz in "Inglourious Basterds"



ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE: Sandra Bullock in "The Blind Side"



ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Mo'Nique in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"



ANIMATED FEATURE FILM: "Up"



ART DIRECTION: "Avatar"



CINEMATOGRAPHY: "Avatar"
 


COSTUME DESIGN: "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"



DIRECTING: "The Hurt Locker"


FILM EDITING: "The Hurt Locker"



VISUAL EFFECTS: "Avatar"



FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: "The White Ribbon"



MAKEUP: "Star Trek"



WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY): "Up In The Air"



WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY): "The Hurt Locker"



SONG: "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" from "Crazy Heart"



SCORE: "Up"

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Crazy Heart

Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is a hard-living country music singer who's had way too many marriages, far too many years on the road and one too many drinks way too many times. And yet, Bad can’t help but reach for salvation with the help of Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a journalist who discovers the real man behind the musician. As he struggles down the road of redemption, Bad learns the hard way just how tough life can be.

My Review: Jeff Bridges was fantastic of playing a man who is down on his luck and has nothing to live for. The authenticity of the role made it feel like it was a story being told of a loved one. It succeeds at doing so by showing the landscape of how the person lives (i.e. his broken home and failed relationships in the past). A big surprise was seeing Colin Farrell play the role of a successful artist which is ironic in a sense because Farrell typically takes roles that show him in a "bad-boy" position. The situations that the characters faced in the film are simplistic but they nail them down to a tee so that you feel that it is something that you can relate to at some point in your life. Oscar worthy performances sprinkled with a sensitive story and sobering story. 3 and a half out of 4 stars.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Valentine's Day

An ensemble film about 10 people in Los Angeles whose lives intersect on Valentine's Day.

My Review: Despite seeing the movie yesterday, I thought it would only be appropriate to publish a review today for obvious reasons. The two main problems I had with the film were the script, which was poorly written for everyone except Julia Roberts- and the length of the film. Even while watching the movie I pinpointed certain cast members whom were not needed for the film. With a smaller cast, more time may have been devoted to writing each part with hardly any flaws. However, when faced with an all-star cast the script more times than not, is lacking that spark. The film was filled with two hours of bad jokes and cheesy situations which made it even more of a drag. The only parts I enjoyed were those with Julia Roberts and Bradley Cooper. Their chemistry made the film what it attempted to turn out to be. Ashton Kutcher also did a good job. He is a talented actor that is usually handed an awful script. For his next film, Garry Marshall should try cutting down the size of the cast and focus on a few actors' scripts. 1 and a half out of 4 stars.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

"BEST PICTURE" NOMINEES REVIEW COMPILATION

"AVATAR"
Avatar was not worth seeing 2, 3, 4, etc. times and certainly not best movie of the decade... in my opinion, that is. I'm going to assume that the people who think it deserves the Oscar for Best Picture were to caught up in the special effects and not paying enough attention to the weak story and not to mention the cheesy conclusion. What a predictable Hollywood ending too. On a lighter note, it doesn't take away from the energized pace and action and explosions. That was all great! It will probably take all the technical categories, which it deserves. After all that has been said, I am going to completely contradict my whole review and say that Avatar excels at providing visual stimuli and grabs you for the majority of the 2.5 hours. Time flies when you are watching a James Cameron flick! 3 out of 4 stars.
 
"AN EDUCATION"
From the first line spoken An Education was sold to me by Carey Mulligan's charm and perky personality. The acting in the film was excellent and the chemistry between the characters was flawless. It felt like I was watching a film where old friends meet up with a prior history and are happy to see each other and strike up an interesting conversation that is very intriguing. The dialogue between the characters was just that. In addition, the story was very original and always felt new. There were no scenes that dragged along and had me looking at the time. The screenplay was witty, wise and observant. Very seldom do I come across a film of this type where I can connect with the characters. Here, however, I felt like anything that happens to the stars in the film could happen to me at any given moment. Mulligan is deserving of Best Actress without a doubt and I would consider this film to be one of the best in 2009. 3 and a half out of 4 stars.
 
"THE HURT LOCKER"
The film should have been titled "How to Defuse a Bomb in Less Than Two Minutes". The movie failed to capture my attention and ultimately left me questioning the overall purpose of story and why it is getting so much recognition. The acting was real and the wisdom that the film gives sums up the reasons for me liking it. I was expecting an action film with plenty of suspense and violence. The majority of the film takes place in an Iraqi desert and shows the relationships the soldiers form and how efficiently they perform their duty. If I had watched this movie prior to the award recognition, maybe I would be able to give it a better rating. I will pretend that I saw this in June with the rating I give. 3 out of 4 stars.
 
"INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS"
Inglourious Basterds begins in German-occupied France, where Shosanna witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa. Shosanna narrowly escapes and flees to Paris, where she starts a new life as the owner and operator of a cinema. Elsewhere in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) organizes a group of Jewish soldiers to engage in targeted acts of revenge. Known to their enemy as “The Basterds,” Raine’s squad joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) on a mission to take down the leaders of The Third Reich. The film transitions so smoothly through the chapters that it is organized into. The story was utter brilliance with excellent direction and cinematography. The acting of Pitt was pure and authentic (and hilarious at times). There is little to say about "Basterds" that hasn't already been stated above. Serious Oscar consideration in screenplay, and acting for Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, and Mélanie Laurent. 4 out of 4 stars.
 
"PRECIOUS"
Precious was one of the most touching films I have ever seen. From the start, it captures your attention and immediately hones in on the story with no fillers and fluff in between to waste screen time. The film felt raw, sobering, and pure. It showed the struggles many face. Precious succeeded at telling a heartbreaking story and did the same with giving you hope for what has yet to come. The only problem I see with the film is the abrupt ending. It makes everything seem too easy and doesn't show what she had to do in order to get her life together. Mo'Nique's acting was phenomenal and authentic. She portrayed a troubled mother taking her aggression out on her child so well and with such raw emotion. Sidibe does a fantastic job in her first role and gives an Oscar worthy performance. A must-see film that will touch you in places you have never been touched before. 3 and a half out of 4 stars.
 
"A SERIOUS MAN"
This film was utter brilliance. It's script and stellar performances of Stuhlbarg and Kind make the film. The Coen brother's direction is nothing short of flawless and it intrigues the audience. Though it is very, and I mean very dark, it isn't noticeable and the film is over before you know it. I wanted the story to continue because where it left off didn't satisfy my craving! What fascinated me was the symbolism the storyline held. It is very thought provoking and frustrating until you see the whole movie for what it's worth. I will be shocked if this film doesn't get nominated for the Oscars in the screenplay, acting, or best picture catagory. 4 out of 4 stars.
 
"UP"
Carl Fredricksen, a quiet young boy, meets the tomboy Ellie in her clubhouse, discovering together they share the same interest in exploration as their hero, famed explorer Charles Muntz. Ellie expresses her desire to move her clubhouse to Paradise Falls in South America, a promise she makes Carl keep. Carl and Ellie wed and grow old together in the old house where they first met. Unable to have children, they also try to save up for the trip to Paradise Falls but other financial obligations arise. As she grows old and dies of old age, Carl is left in their home by himself. Until one day, a boy scout comes knocking, trying to assist Carl with anything around his house because he needs one last badge to become a "senior scout." Little does anyone know, Carl's house lifts off of the ground and into the sky above, where they embark on many challenges that challenge their loyalty and dependency on one another. My experience from the title to the credits was an enjoyable one. The 3-D animation was the icing on the cake. The images and story almost felt real. My eyes were stuck to the screen from start to finish. This fantastic Pixar film will leave you with a warm feeling in your heart because the movie shows just how valuable friendship really is. Another win for Pixar! 4 out of 4 stars.
 
"UP IN THE AIR"
Up in the Air excels at showing reality. While it's funny, the film also explores areas that are generally not touched upon. The sobering story succeeds at showing that not all films have a "happily-ever-after" fairy-tale ending. You can relate to Clooney as he plays a man who shows no personality and no regard for living a more decent life. This film is very different from anything Reitman has ever done. It shows that he can tell a story of a middle-aged man and the problems facing him. It was by no means a corky comedy, but rather a tragedy with a balance of humor and a sense of comfort in knowing that you aren't always alone. 3 out of 4 stars.
 
Keep checking back for my official predictions for Oscar winners!

An Education

Despite her conservative upbringing, Jenny (Carey Mulligan) is a teen with a bright future. She's smart, pretty, and has aspirations of attending Oxford University. When David, charming but much older suitor, drives into her life in a shiny automobile, Jenny gets a taste of life that changes her outlook on adult-hood.

My Review: From the first line spoken An Education was sold to me by Carey Mulligan's charm and perky personality. The acting in the film was excellent and the chemistry between the characters was flawless. It felt like I was watching a film where old friends meet up with a prior history and are happy to see each other and strike up an interesting conversation that is very intriguing. The dialogue between the characters was just that. In addition, the story was very original and always felt new. There were no scenes that dragged along and had me looking at the time. The screenplay was witty, wise and observant. Very seldom do I come across a film of this type where I can connect with the characters. Here, however, I felt like anything that happens to the stars in the film could happen to me at any given moment. Mulligan is deserving of Best Actress without a doubt and I would consider this film to be one of the best in 2009. 3 and a half out of 4 stars.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

The Hurt Locker

The Hurt Locker is a portrait of the courage under fire of the military's unrecognized heroes: the technicians of a bomb squad who volunteer to challenge the odds and save lives doing one of the world's most dangerous jobs. Three members of the Army's elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal squad battle insurgents and one another as they search for and disarm a wave of roadside bombs on the streets of Baghdad—in order to try and make the city a safer place for Iraqis and Americans alike.

My Review: The film should have been titled "How to Defuse a Bomb in Less Than Two Minutes". The movie failed to capture my attention and ultimately left me questioning the overall purpose of story and why it is getting so much recognition. The acting was real and the wisdom that the film gives sums up the reasons for me liking it. I was expecting an action film with plenty of suspense and violence. The majority of the film takes place in an Iraqi desert and shows the relationships the soldiers form and how efficiently they perform their duty. If I had watched this movie prior to the award recognition, maybe I would be able to give it a better rating. I will pretend that I saw this in June with the rating I give. 3 out of 4 stars.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece ''Precious'' Jones (Gabourey ''Gabby'' Sidibe) can neither read nor write and suffers constant abuse at the hands of her vicious mother (Mo'Nique ). Precious sees a chance to turn her life around when she is offered the opportunity to transfer to an alternative school. Under the patient guidance of her new teacher, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins the journey from oppression to self-determination.

My Review: Precious was one of the most touching films I have ever seen. From the start, it captures your attention and immediately hones in on the story with no fillers and fluff in between to waste screen time. The film felt raw, sobering, and pure. It showed the struggles many face. Precious succeeded at telling a heartbreaking story and did the same with giving you hope for what has yet to come. The only problem I see with the film is the abrupt ending. It makes everything seem too easy and doesn't show what she had to do in order to get her life together. Mo'Nique's acting was phenomenal and authentic. She portrayed a troubled mother taking her aggression out on her child so well and with such raw emotion. Sidibe does a fantastic job in her first role and gives an Oscar worthy performance. A must-see film that will touch you in places you have never been touched before. 3 and a half out of 4 stars.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

ACADEMY AWARDS TIME!

2/2/2010
This is a temporary post. This upcoming weekend, I will go see "An Education" and might see "The Blind Side". I will also try my best to watch "The Hurt Locker" on DVD soon.
Best Picture Nominees I have seen thus far are bolded in red.

***EDIT*** 2/3/10
I have watched "Precious" and now have a review up of the film.

***EDIT*** 2/4/10
I have viewed "The Hurt Locker" and have posted a review. ALSO: Due to the anticipated winter storm this weekend, I might not be able to see "An Education" on Saturday as originally planned.

***EDIT*** 2/7/10
I saw "An Education" today after all. The weather was too bad for me to go yesterday. A review is now up and ready for viewing. Still haven't seen "The Blind Side". I will watch it when I have time.

Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
A Serious Man
Up
Up In The Air